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O HERALD O The Voice of Goa — Since 1900 panjim, wednesdaY, april 28, 2010

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IN BRIEF NRI doctor shot dead in US An Indian-origin doctor at the Yale School of Medicine was shot dead by a Chinese colleague, who also tried to kill victim’s pregnant wife, police said. Vajinder Toor (34) was shot multiple times in the parking lot outside his condominium in the New Haven suburb on Monday. – (PTI)

Govt cuts Opposition to size PTI NEW DELHI, APRIL 27

Aided by a sudden turn around

by BSP and friends-turned-foes SP and RJD, the government today cleared the first major trial of strength in Lok Sabha by a big margin by defeating the cut motions on petroleum prices exposing huge chinks in opposition armour.

The much-hyped trial of strength proved to be a dampener when the cut motion moved by CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta on failure to formulate proper policies on petroleum products was defeated by a margin of 88 votes.

The motion received the support of 201 votes with 289 voting against it in a House of 543.

The government breezed through the Opposition challenge helped largely by BSP’s 21 MPs who voted with the treasury benches.

25 members of Samajwadi Party and RJD, which had during the day attacked the government on price rise and stalled both Houses of the Parliament, walked out of the House minutes before the vote on the cut motions.

Another surprise voter for the government was Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren, who runs the state government on BJP’s support. Soren’s action triggered speculation that a new political equation may be in the

CET fine, but do well in Board: DoTE HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 27

Some of the students appearing in the Goa Common Entrance Test to secure admissions to professional colleges give more attention to CET than concentrate on securing the minimum 50% marks in three subjects (say Physics, Chemistry and Maths for engineering) to make themselves eligible for admission.

Officials observed it is fine to score high marks in the CET but the Directorate of Technical Education will not consider those who fail to score the minimum 50% marks in three subjects required for clearing the eligibility criteria to get admission to professional degree courses.

A total of 3,424 students are appearing for CET at all centres on May 12 and 13 to vie for the 1,000 seats in professional colleges in the State. This time the number of students registered is 200 more than last year, said Deputy Director of Technical Education Pradeep Kusnoor.

All the 3,424 students are appearing for Physics and Chemistry, while from this figure 2,719, 2,528 and 263 are answering Maths, Biology and Computer Science, respectively.

Kusnoor said 135 students would appear for the G2CET at Fr Agnel Ashram in Verna and 197 in Panjim on May 14.

G2CET is conducted for diploma and BSc degree holders for direct admissions to second year degree courses in engineering and pharmacy.

He said this time DoTE had set up a facility at Ravindra Bhavan in Margao for the convenience of students appearing for CET from the Navelim, Verna and Curchorem examination centres. “The parents have applauded our efforts and we received 1,458 forms from there,” he said.

This year, the DoTE received the maximum applications of 497 for the Mapusa examination centre and the minimum of 200 from the Curchorem examination centre.

CET is held every year for entrance to professional colleges offering courses like medicine, engineering, dentistry, pharmacy and homeopathy.

offing in Jharkhand where he may dump his ally BJP. A senior BJP leader said the party has taken note of Soren supporting the government on the cut motion.

The cut motion received the support of mainly BJP and its allies and Left Parties. Even their support of 222 was not fully recorded.

Another cut motion of Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj was defeated 162-246 in a division.

Earlier in the day, the way for smooth passage of the demands was paved by BSP supremo and UP Chief Minister Mayawati who announced the party’s support for the government to keep “communal forces” at bay from power in the centre.

A similar reason was advanced by RJD and SP before walking out of the House, minutes ahead of the voting.

The BJP saw in it a government strategy of “misusing” CBI as a political instrument keeping the Damocles sword on “vulnerable” opposition leaders.

Mayawati, however, sought to de-link her party strategy from the CBI’s disproportionate assets case filed against her.

Interestingly, the CBI had last week told the Supreme Court that it was ready to consider Mayawati’s plea for closure of the case.

Business: Mercedes flexes Pg 13 muscle in India

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Goa’s Heartbeat: Hrithik to romance... Kristen Pg 14

How CAG picked holes in IFFI 2004 HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APR 27

Notwithstanding the reactions to the CBI investigation on International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2004 infrastructural development “scam”, the findings of Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India make interesting reading as to how the government planned and exe-

2 picnickers drown in Arambol lake HERALD CORRESPONDENT PERNEM, APRIL 27

A picnic came to a tragic end when two students of DMC College, Assagao, drowned in the Sweet Water Lake at KolambArambol on Tuesday at about 2.45 pm.

According to Pernem police, Ankit Sakhardande of Panjim and Yeshwant Thakur from Bandra-Mahrashtra, but residing at Warkhand-Pernem, along with 10 other friends had gone for a picnic at Arambol beach.

Police further informed that the group went to the Wag Kolamb Lake in the afternoon.

Ankit and Yeshwant had entered the lake to retrieve a ball that had accidentally fallen in the water, when they began to struggle in the lake.

Their friends raised an alarm and locals rushed into the waters and pulled out the two victims. They were shifted to Primary Health Centre at Tuem, but they breathed their last on the way to the hospital.

Pernem police conducted the inquest and later sent the bodies to GMC Hospital at Bambolim for an autopsy.

Incidentally, around 10 youth have drowned in the in the 5(Continued on page 2)

cuted projects and managed the finances.

In its analysis, GAG for the period 2004-05 had pointed out that the “tendering process suffered due to lack of transparency and that tender evaluation procedure was faulty.”

Its findings also revealed that “there were cases of excess payments/wasteful expenditure and

over dependence on consultants on all the major works.”

It may be recalled that the BJP-led government had appointed Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) – the special purpose vehicle — as the nodal agency for the development of the facilities required for hosting IFFI 2004.

It was headed by then chief minister Manohar Parrikar who was the chairman of the Board of Directors and Additional Secretary (Budget) was the managing director. Importantly, Parrikar was also the finance minister of Goa. FINANCES: GSIDC had estimated the total infrastructure project cost for IFFI 2004 at Rs

Drug nexus: Did the police lose track?

…Or have they lost interest?

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 27

Even two months after the sensational case of the police-drug mafia nexus being officially handed over to the CID Crime Branch, the agency is yet to get the information on the properties of the six suspended policemen and the amount of drugs that has been missing from the police godowns.

Two months ago the media had exposed the links between the police and the drug mafia with the help of the video uploaded on youtube.com wherein the Israeli drug dealer Atala admitted links with police inspector Ashish Shirodkar.

Subsequently bowing to media pressure, the case was handed over to the Crime Branch. The six policemen were suspended and arrested five while one constable Sanjay Parab is still at large.

Apart from this, the Crime Branch seems to have failed in gathering any major evidence

STATE OF AFFAIRS

FEB-END 2010: Media exposes drug mafia links to police based on youtube video l Case handed over to Crime Branch l Six policemen suspended, five arrested l One constable gives police the slip APRIL-END l CID yet to get property information of erring cops l Constable still at large, police clueless l No data on drugs missing from police godowns l No major evidence against suspended cops l Purity of drugs yet to be ascertained l Quantum of drugs missing not assessed against anybody.

When questioned whether the Crime Branch has any info on the property acquired by the six policemen Crime Branch DySP Chandrakant Salgaokar had no answer.

“We still do not have prop-

erty info on their properties as there are so many agencies involved like pannchayats, RTO, banks and sub-registrar we have written to them and awaiting their reply,” Salgaokar told reporters today.

(Continued on page 2)

140 crore.

So, how did the government manage with the finances for the project?

According to CAG, the project cost was met by GSIDC from funds borrowed from the Housing and Urban Development Corporation Ltd (HUDCO) and commercial banks which were (Continued on page 2)

India’s lady envoy held for Pak spying PTI NEW DELHI, APRIL 27

An espionage racket involving passing of sensitive information to Pakistani intelligence agencies has been busted with the arrest here of a senior woman diplomat posted in the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.

Madhuri Gupta, an IFS-B officer who was Second Secretary in the mission, was arrested here last week after she was summoned by Ministry of External Affairs on the pretext of discussions over SAARC summit, being held in Thimpu.

Shameful!! Disgusting!! The notorious drug mafia will be now exposed and humilated for having links with our police...

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Hospicio staff failed to provide oxygen to patient: probe Recommends action against erring workers for ‘minor lapse’

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 27

An inquiry conducted into the death of a lady patient at Hospicio did not find any major serious lapse, but has reportedly recommended action against the erring Hospital staff for the “minor lapse” of not providing oxygen to the patient.

Hospicio Medical Superintendent Dr Ruando De Sa has completed the inquiry into the episode following violent incident at the hospital on Monday and has handed over the report to the Director of Health Services Dr Rajananda Desai for appropriate action.

“The report has taken into account various aspects of the Monday episode, including the version of the patient’s relatives as well as the sister and

the servants on duty”, Dr De Sa told Herald this evening after handing the report to the Health Director.

Sources in the know said though the inquiry did not come across any major lapse, the inquiry has taken note of the fact that the patient, who was gasping for breath following severe respiratory problem, was not given oxygen between the times she was taken out from the female ward to the ambulance.

When contacted, the Director of Health services said the inquiry did not come across any major serious lapse. “I have not gone through the report, but the Hospicio medical superintendent has concluded that there was no major lapse.

Whatever minor lapses that

the authorities came across during the inquiry will be dealt with appropriately”, Dr Desai said.

Hospicio was in the news on Monday after a 52-year old woman Dilshad Bi died at hospital and her close relatives attributed her death to the long-delay in giving her oxygen facility.

In fact, her son had complained to the Hospicio authorities though his mother was gasping for breath, the two servants on duty literally declined to give oxygen to his mother saying it was not their duty. The death of the woman evoked angry protests from her relatives who went on a rampage breaking glass panes and doors outside the cabin of the medical superintendent.

MMC tightens screws on illegal handcarts HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 27

Tightening screws on mushrooming illegal handcarts in the commercial capital, the Margao Municipal Council on Tuesday resolved not to renew the licenses of the carts unless the owners are issued identity cards by the civic body.

This was decided at the meeting of the Municipal Market Committee, wherein it was resolved to implement the identity card rule with immediate effect.

Newly-posted Chief Officer Y B Tawde made the suggestion to the Market panel for the issuance of identity cards to the license holds to keep a close check on the illegal handcarts in the city.

Tawde pointed out that allegations are galore that threefour handcarts are moving around the city under the single license issued by the civic body, adding that the identity cards to the license holders would stop the misuse of the handcart license.

Sources in the know said the ID provision, if implemented successfully, would hit the mafia involved in the handcart racket as a large number of illegal handcarts are moving around the city and doing business sans the municipal license.

T h e I D m e a s u re c o m e s against the backdrop of the directives from the district Traffic Committee to crack a whip against the handcarts moving on the city roads and creating traffic bottlenecks.

Meanwhile, the Market Committee also deliberated on the renewal of lease agreements with the stall owners in the municipal markets.

Tawde informed that there are many applications which are pending in the civic body for renewal of the lease agreements, adding that all the applications will be cleared after following the prescribed rules.

Ex-Additional collector passes away HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 27

Former Additional collector of South Goa district, A G D S Pereira has passed away on Tuesday evening after a brief illness. He was 62 and is survived by his wife and five children.

Pereira had retired from Goa government services as the Additional Collector after holding various positions during his career. He was the Administrator of Hospicio, besides presiding the affairs of various government department and Municipal Council. Pereira was the Director of the Navelim Telaulim Cooperative Society, president of Enfermos sports club, Navelim and the trustee of Festa de Laques.

The officers and staff of the deputy Collector, Margao and Mamlatdar Salcete have condoled the death of the former district Additional collector.

Gadkari to visit Goa next month HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 27

BJP’s national president Nitin Gadkari will be on a two-day visit to Goa from May 6-7.

Various programmes are being chalked out during his visit to Goa. For this, meeting of MLAs and office bearers has been convened at the party headquarters here on April 28.

According to a press note issued here, Mr Gadkari will address a public meeting at Azad Maidan here on May 7 at 5 pm.

Walling of beaches by K’taka may threaten Goa’s shoreline: green HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, April 27

Walling of beaches by Karnataka may pose threat to Goa’s shoreline in near future, an environmentalist said today.

“Since 80s most of Karnataka coast is walled thus deflecting waves towards Goa,” Dr Kartik Shanker, President of the International Sea Turtle Society told reporters.

He added saying that as there are fears that entire Karnataka coast will be walled, there is every possibility that wave intensity on Goa coast may increase.

“More areas are been getting walled up, which is a potential threat to Goan beaches and ecology,” Shanker lamented.

Shanker said that the turtle nesting sites are amongst the various habitats that are likely to be disturbed in Goa due to this phenomenon.

“Walling of beaches means end of the turtle nesting sites,” he cleared.

Morjim, Galjibag and Agonda are three nesting sites

for Olive Ridley turtles in the state, which are protected by state forest department.

Shanker was talking to media on the sidelines of ongoing 30th annual symposium on ‘Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation’ organized by International Sea Turtle Society.

Shanker said that apart from walling of beaches, turtles of the Indian coast faced two major threats: mechanised trawler fishing and haphazard development along the coastline.

“Trawling is a concern because a large number of turtles get caught in fishing nets. Traditional fishing doesn’t have nay impact on turtle habitat,” Shanker said.

“With the coastal development especially with expansion of tourism industry turtle habitat has been distracted.

No place will be left for turtles to breed in coming days,” the president explained.

Praising Goa, Shanker said that this is the only state in the country where turtle habitats has a specially status in the

world of tourism.

“Goa is an interesting case.

The turtle movement started here with the involvement of locals. These sites have now become tourist spots. The locals use turtles for promotion of tourism industry as well as it helps in the protection of turtles,” he stated.

He even congratulated state forest department for declaring turtle nesting sites and for providing special attention to the same.

“We cannot look at turtle protection in isolation. We must use those as flagship to protect habitat or coast,” Shanker said.

At the same time, Shanker lamented that the global changes is going to impact the sex ratio of these amphibians.

“Hatching below certain temperature produces males while above certain temperature produces females. The global warming can affect the sex ratio as some places are getting extreme warmer while some extreme cold,” he explained.

from page 1 How CAG picked holes in IFFI 2004 guaranteed by the Government of Goa. During 2004-05, the company raised market loan of Rs 93 crore. What was worse was that the expenditure incurred by GSIDC on all the projects planned, was to be reimbursed by the State government. During the period (2004-05), GSIDC received a contribution of Rs 32.50 crore from the State government, CAG noted in its report.

PROJECTS: GSIDC took up the construction of a multiplex theatre (now called Inox), upgradation and restoration of facilities at the existing Stateowned Kala Academy (which was the main festival theatre) and improvement of roads and other related projects including beautification works.

Politically, the BJP seems to have been pushed on the defensive following media coverage (not just in Goa but also on the internet) on the interrogation of Opposition Leader Manohar Parrikar (whose public image has been above board), for nearly two hours by CBI officers over the 22 allegations levelled against him.

Apparently, realizing the seriousness of the case the CBI has at hand – both from the CAG findings and also from its own enquiries, party spokesman Rajendra Arlekar demanded that chief minister Digambar Kamat should also be questioned being part of the Core Committee.

There is no doubt that Kamat having been the second in command of the BJP government, was an important member of the Core Committee which was packed with ministers and MLAs including some from the Congress.

According to CAG, a core committee “empowered for taking policy decisions” for hosting IFFI was formed by the State government.

However, enquiries revealed that while the Core Committee took the policy decisions, all the major decisions at the planning and execution levels, along with nitty-gritty of the projects, were taken by GSIDC. For this, as CAG observed, GSIDC had appointed a lead consultant to advise and assist in development and planning for infrastructure necessary for IFFI. C O N S U LTA N T S : G S I D C a p p o i n t e d consultants/architects for various projects identified for IFFI. For projects of estimated cost aggregating Rs 98.64 crore, the consulting fee agreed to with various consultants aggregated Rs 9.04 crore.

In an interesting observation, CAG report said that scrutiny in audit revealed that “the consultants were mostly appointed without calling for offers, ensuring technical capabilities and competitiveness of their fees and whenever the tendering process was adopted, the selection was not transparent.”

HOK Canada Inc, a foreign firm was appointed by the government as the lead consultant at a total fee of US $ 5,32,500 (equivalent to Rs 2.40 crore approx) to advice and assist in the development and planning of the infrastructure necessary for the IFFI. CAG says in its report that HOK Inc was awarded the consultancy based on their own proposals and as recommended by the Core Committee headed by Manohar Parrikar “without following the normal procedures such as invitation of tenders, technical bids, financial bids, etc”.

In the absence of competitive tenders, the competitiveness of fees/expenses to and the technical expertise of the party could not be ensured, CAG said.

The report further said that the payments were made to the consultant based on their invoices and the agreement without any certification of the satisfactory completion of work by the competent authority – the department of information and publicity. DI saw two Directors appointed by the government during 2003-February 2005.

There was no record in DI to verify whether any deliverables were created in support of the work done/services rendered by HOK, CAG observed noting that hence the correctness of payments was not susceptible for any verification.

Drug nexus: Did the police lose track?

When pointed out why did not take two months to get the info as even under right to information a person can get info within 30 days, Salgaocar said, “We will send reminders to all of them.”

A month ago, Crime branch officials searched the residence of some friends of Ashish under the pretext of getting info on properties. Sources said despite criticism, the policemen behave in very insensitive manner when they approach persons who are suspected to be friends of any accused. They may not even be friends, may be just acquaintance, but when the policemen go to their residence, they treat them including women, as if they are declared accused, sources said.

There are also complaints that phone calls are made to them saying ‘Saib’ (DySP or PI) has called them to the police station. One person questioned whether it was the procedure to be followed by the police department as anyone can play mischief or prank and put innocent person in trouble.

Not only the properties the Crime Branch does not even have the info on the amount of drugs missing from the maal khana.

Atala in the video had alleged that Shirodkar stole drugs from the court lockers and sold it to him.

“Let me make it very clear that in the maal khana there were some packets in sealed condition and some resealed while some were open,” he said adding “We want to know whether it was deliberately done or what?”.

Salgaokar said the Crime Branch is collecting information on how much of drugs have been sent for examination.

As of now, he said, 24 kgs of drugs in missing from the maal khana.

“We will ask for the purity of the remaining drugs from the Central Forensic lab in Hyderabad,” he said adding “the quantity could be same but the purity has to be checked.”

Asked why the delay in assessing the missing drugs, he replied, “Some drugs since 1988 have been lying in the godown have not been destroyed and it is difficult to assess the amount of drugs missing.”

2 picnickers drown in Arambol lake metre deep lake since the last two months.

Locals believe that the lake has been cursed by the devil and this has led to a number of drowning incidents in recent times. They have now demanded a ban on swimming at the lake and the erection of signboards warning about the dangers of swimming at the site.

CeNSUS WorK

MMC staff served memos for not working on alternate days HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 27

It’s nearly a month since the ongoing Census work got underway on April 1, but confusion still prevails whether the employees roped in for the work are required to work alternate days in their respective departments.

This became apparent when the Margao Municipal Chief Officer, Y B Tawde served memos to the civic employees roped in by the district authorities for the Census work.

As most of these employees are found conspicuous by their absence in the municipality, the Chief Officer issued the memos to the staff seeking explanation over their absence on alternate days.

The civic employees are believed to have

maintained that they have till date not received any circular from the Census authorities to report to their department every ternate day. al The MMC Chief Officer told Herald that the civic or other employees roped in for the Census work are required to work one day on the field and report to office the next day. He, however, hastened to add that the employees have claimed that they have not received the circular mandating them to work on the Census operations every alternate day.

Incidentally, confusion over the question whether the employees are required to work continuously vis-à-vis the census operations or work on alternate days have not been resolved till date, putting the employees roped in for the Census work in a tight spot.

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Panel to recommend exclusion of Verna Church from ‘axe list’ HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 27

The committee constituted by the government to go into the religious structures identified by the revenue officials for demolition as per the Supreme Court directives has categorically asserted that the Verna Church does not fall under any land acquired by the government.

District Magistrate G P Naik has said the Committee will recommend to the government to exclude the Verna Church from amongst the list of structures that may face the axe as per the Supreme Court directives. “The Committee has ascertained the true facts and has come to the conclusion that the Church does not come under any acquired land. The Committee will recommend to exclude the Church from the list of structures”, he said.

The Committee headed by the district magistrate and comprising of the deputy Collector Johnson Fernandes and others inspected the religious structures in Salcete for the second day on Tuesday.

If Deputy Collector Johnson is to be believed, around 188 structures were identified by the revenue officials as coming under the government or acquired land. He, however, hastened to add that besides the handful of ghumtis and crosses located along the roadsides, no major religious structure will go for demolition in Salcete taluka.

Deputy Collector Johnson said that a religious structure at Pirnim, a portion of a Chapel at Benaulim near Maria hall and two spans of the religious structure at Sirlim may face demolition.

In this connection, the district Magistrate has said he will call

a meeting with the Priests next month to explain the position and to explore the possibility of relocating the structures beyond the road widening area.

“The Committee is open to have discussions with the religious heads to arrive at a consensus.

Wherever possible, we will try and convince relocation of the structures beyond the road widening area”, he added.

Meanwhile, the government-appointed committee will hold a hearing with the concerned parties in the District Collectorate on Wednesday vis-à-vis religious structures falling in government or government acquired lands in the talukas of Sanguem and Canacona.

He said the Committee will hear the parties before making final recommendations to the government on the sensitive issue.

Rajasthan duo killed in Guirim mishap HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, APRIL 27

Two youth from Rajasthan died, after the motorcycle in which they were travelling rammed against a trailer near Green Park Hotel, Guirim, on Tuesday at about 8.30 pm.

According to Mapusa police, the accident occurred when Hanumant Lalaram Jat and Anil Ramnarayan Bisnoi were proceeding towards Karaswada. On reaching near the Green Park Hotel, they rammed against the rear portion of the trailer, which was proceeding towards Panjim.

Both the injured youth were rushed to Asilo Hospital at Mapusa, but they were declared dead on admission by the doctors.

Police Sub Inspector Nitin Halarnkar informed that the inquest panchanama was conducted at Asilo Hospital and the post mortem will be conducted at GMC Hospital at Bambolim.

Atala never mentioned politician’s son during interrogation: Crime Branch HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 27

The Crime Branch today said that arrested Israeli drug dealer Yaniv Benahim alias Atala never mentioned involvement of any politician’s son during interrogation.

The Israeli’s ex-girlfriend Lucky Mangarda (Farmhouse), a Swedish model, in an email interview, has said that she is in possession of videos of a Goan politician’s son and several policemen who came to collect bribes from Atala.

“We have never come across any statement by Atala of involvement of politician’s son during interrogation,” Crime Branch DySP Chandrakant Salgaokar told reporters here.

In fact, he said, “Atala has told us that she (Marganda) was trying to blackmail him.”

However, he said, the Crime Branch feels whatever has been said in the videos uploaded on youtube.com seems to be genuine.

On being asked why the police have still not been able to get in touch with the Swedish model, Salgaokar stated, “we did not have her address and have been trying to trace her.”

“All that we know is that she is his friend in Sweden. We are in touch with Interpol assistant director,” he said.

On the allegation she made against politician’s son’s involvement, Salgaocar said, “she has to give some authentic proof.”

Asked whether they are investigating names of any more policemen or journalists in the case, he replied in the negative.

“So far no names of more police officers or any journalist have come up to me,” he said adding “the ANC report had only six names of policemen.”

Asked how Atala returned to India even after being deported, he said, “he (Atala) does not know to read or write English so he could not follow and hence did not bother to leave the country.”

When pointed out that the place where Atala stayed belonged to a relative of the Superintendent of Goa police, Salgaokar said he was ignorant of that.

“All that I can say is that the house where Atala stays does not belong to any SP or his kin,” Salgaokar said adding “we have taken the statement of the house owner in this regard”.

...says doing its best to nab constable HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 27

The Crime Branch today said it is doing everything necessary to arrest the police constable Sanjay Parab, who has been absconding for past two months.

“We have raided Parab’s house a number of times “We have called his parents and the relatives but no sign of him,” DySP Chandrakant Salgaokar told reporters here.

Salgaokar said that the Crime Branch is trying all out to nab the absconding policemen.

“We have issued look-out notices against him,” he said.

Incidentally, there were allegations against the Crime Branch of deliberately not making effort to arrest the cop as he had threatened to name the other officers involved in the scam.

Asked why the cops were still not dismissed from service, he said, “I have sent a report to the sent let them decide on the dismissal.”

“I have said in the report that the following officials are in-

Woman jailed for culpable homicide at Chicalim

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 27

The South Goa Sessions court on Tuesday sentenced Lalita Nepali to five years imprisonment for causing the death of Madhavi at the Salgaocar Medical Research Chicalim two years ago.

Additional sessions Judge P V Kamat further directed the accused to pay a fine of Rs 2000 or to undergo one month’s simple imprisonment.

The judge said though the accused did not intend to commit the murder of the woman, the act of the accused is daring and reprehensible and committed in the presence of many people and in public.

Though the Vasco police had charged the accused under section 302 of the IPC for murder of Madhavi, Judge Kamat convicted the accused Nepali for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

“There is no evidence forthcoming that when the accused entered

Teen hit by train at Comba HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 27

A 14-year old girl was hit by a running train at Comba on Tuesday evening.

The girl Ayesha Sayed sustained grievous injuries on her left leg and was immediately rushed to the Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim.

Police said the girl was apparently trying to cross the tracks when she was hit by the running goods train.

Konkan Railway police said the police are yet to ascertain the exact cause of the incident as the girl is lying unconscious in the GMC. The police said they will record the statement of the girl only on Wednesday.

Further investigations are on.

the hospital to visit the victim, she was carrying the incriminating articles. The Knife used by the accused is a kitchen knife lying on the table where Madhavi was taking treatment”, judge said The judge said evidence suggest that when the accused entered in the room, the accused was not found in an angry mood, adding that there is every reason to believe the altercation between the accused and the victim suddenly arose or that it prompted the accused suddenly to assault the victim with the knife readily available nearby.

“As such, there is no reliable or cogent evidence that there was any intention on the part of the accused to kill the victim.

There is also no evidence or circumstances to arrive at a conclusion that the act of the accused was well calculated or a well arranged plan to get rid of Madhavi. Though the accused had the knowledge that the natural and probable consequence of her assault with the sharp

weapon would result in the death of the victim, there lies no intention to kill her”, the judge said, while holding the accused guilty of culpable homicide not amounting to murder instead of murder.

Cops probe into property plaint HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 27

The Maina Curtorim police have commenced an inquiry into the complaint made by a woman that her brothers are allegedly trying to deny her the proportionate share in her ancestral property after the death of her parents.

Maina Curtorim PI Sidhant Shirodkar said the police has issued summons to the three brothers who the complainant alleged are trying to deny her the right in the ancestral property.

volved in the crime. But the dismissal has to be decided by the headquarters,” he stated.

However, the DySP remarked “their jobs are as good as gone”.

Dharna held

PANJIM, APRIL 27 (HR) -- The trade union activists today held a dharna in the city to protest against the price rise and the anti-people policies of the government.

In-order to support the nation wide general strike call given by the 13 non-UPA political parties, the CP) mounted pressure on the state government to fulfill their demands. The dharna vehemently criticised the faulty economic policies of the UPA government, which led to spiralling price rise of essential commodities.

Govt may re-advertise to fill up commission posts HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 27

After sustained pressure from citizens and consumer rights activists over the controversial selection of one of the members to the State Consumer Redressal Commission, the Government is most likely to re-advertise for the two posts crucial to the functioning of the Commission from May 1 onwards.

Minister for Civil Supplies Jose Philip D’Souza said he had received several letters regarding the recommendation of the 65-year old retired government servant from Goa Civil Service by the Selection panel of

the Commission. I have forwarded the letters to the Chief Secretary and it is most likely the selection will be cancelled and fresh advertisements will be issued for fresh interviews, he mentioned.

Official sources revealed a file that has gone from Jose Philip’s office to the Chief Secretary states the recommendation of the Selection panel of the Commission was not acceptable to

the Government and the same stands cancelled. A top official said the file with the noting has now gone to the Chief Minister Digambar Kamat for his final verdict in the matter.

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S H O RT TA K E S CME in plastic surgery held

Sand extraction posing danger to jetty’s foundation at Vaxim HERALD CORRESPONDENT OLD GOA, APRIL 27

Dr V N Jindal and Dr Wiseman Pinto along with the Association of Plastic Surgeons at GMC.

PANJIM(HND): The Department of Plastic Surgery, The Department of ENT, Medical Education Cell of Goa Medical College in collaboration with the Association of the Plastic Surgeons of India organised a two day CME on Rhinoplasty in Goa Medical Collge recently.

Dr Mukund Thatte, President Association of Plastic Surgeons of India inaugurated the CME. Operative workshop in the GMC operation theatre was conducted by Dr Uday Bhat, Professor of Plastic Surgery T N Nair Medical Collge Mumbai, Dr Satish Arolkar Consultant Plastic Surgeon, Bombay Hospital Institute of Medical Sciences, Dr Nitin Mokal, Professor of Plastic Surgery Sir J J Group of Hospitals Mumbai, and Dr George Varghese Consultant ENT Surgeoon Cochin. The CME was coordinated by Dr Yuri Dias Amborcar, Dr C P Das, Dr V N Jindal and Dr R G Wiseman Pinto.

The CME was well attended by Doctors and Goa Medical Council gave accreditation to the programme.

Valpoi panel elected

VALPOI(HC): Abdulla Khan was re-elected president of Phoenix Socio-Cultural Association, Valpoi.

Other executive members elected are Sayyad Sarfaraz (secretary), Nuha Shaikh (vice president), Hanzala (joint secretary), Shaikh Shaibaz (treasurer) Samir Shaikh (joint treasurer), Advani Shaibaz (media and publicity manager), Narhari Shirodker (advisor) and Shaikh Suneza (lady representative).

Other directors of the association are Shaikh Jamila, Shaikh Abdulla Khan Bahuddin, Shakib Khan and Martin Mithun.

Sesa Goa’s medical camps

The CSR team of Sesa Goa Ltd.

PANJIM(HND): Corporate Social Responsibility of Sesa Goa Limited not only extends towards the community around its business operations but also towards the other stakeholders like its employees and their family.

A month after conducting an Urology and Ultrasound camp at Sankhali recently, Sesa Goa Limited conducted a similar camp at Codli Mines as a part of their ongoing health related CSR activity with the help of RS Hospital, Porvorim for the spouses of employees residing around its Codli Mines in South Goa. The Secretary of Sesa Goa Worker’s Union, Diogo Saldhana and Venkatesh Gaonkar were instrumental in coordinating with the employees and their spouses to take the benefit of this camp.

Vivek Mishra, Business Manager – South visited the camp site and interacted with the attendees and the team of RG Hospital, Shabab Khan, Dr Mazhar Shaikh, Dr Rajdeep Bhide, Praveen Varuthe and Yasmin Shaikh.

Under the overall guidance of Dr Sunil Kakodkar, AGM-Medical Services, CSR Team of Sesa Goa comprising of Carlton Carvalho, Ashish Pilernkar, Dr Sandeep Vengurlekar successfully planned the above camp. They were ably assisted by Prachi Shenvi and Deepak Mattikali from Medical Services and Environment Cell of Codli Mines respectively.

Similar camps of this nature have been planned for the spouses of the employees from other units of the company in the coming months, says a press release.

Residents of Vaxim (Capao) have expressed fear that there is every possibility of the Captain of Ports jetty’s foundation getting damaged at Vaxim Island and jetty collapsing due to illegal sand extraction from the Mandovi River near Vaxim Island.

According to sources, over 60 canoes are illegally extracting sand on daily basis along Mandovi River near Vaxim.

Sources further informed that some of the sand extractors are operating without necessary permission from the Captain of Ports and Department of Industries and Mines.

“The sand extractors have not even taken the permission from Sao Mathias Panchayat,” added sources.

Since a large amount of sand is being extracted, locals have expressed fear that there is every possibility of the Captain of Ports jetty’s foundation getting damaged from the Vaxim island and jetty collapsing.

Besides, the activity has been posing danger to the bundh on Divar side, if it is collapsed, it can destroy fields due to soil erosion.

Speaking to Herald, Elton Fernandes of Vaxim said there are

Collem school manager, teacher feted HERALD CORRESPONDENT

Dance contest results

MAYEM(HC): Sarvangi Desai, Janhvi Sawant, Gauri Sawaikar, Akanksha Karpe, Gauri Kalathkar and Arushi Malla emerged winners in the filmy dance competition organized at Shri Mahamaya Temple, Bordem-Bicholim, during the Shatachandi celebration.

Sateri Devasthan President Sunil Pal and Secretary Saju Pal were present during the prize distribution ceremony.

Babi Pal welcomed the gathering, Raghu Pal introduced the guests, while Rohidas Pal compered the function.

Talkar elected Sarpanch

MAYEM(HC): Santosh Talkar was on recently elected unopposed sarpanch of Darvan-Karapur panchayat.

It may be recalled that the post had fallen vacant after sarpanch Pondu Sawant was elected as ZP member of Kudnem constituency.

Since Talkar was the lone candidate to have filed nomination papers, he was declared elected unopposed. Block Development Office Extension Officer Mandrekar conducted the election process.

many sand extractors extracting sand near Vaxim Island in such a great extent near Vaxim Jetty that there is a fear of soil erosion.

“There is a fear of Vaxim Jetty getting collapsed and also the bundh on the Vaxim Island getting destroyed, due to which there is a possibility of river water flowing into the fields,” said Fernandes.

When asked what the panchayat has been doing on the issue, he said: “The villagers approached the sarpanch a number of times, but no action has been taken. Now we are worried

that if the activity is not stopped at the earliest before the monsoon, then soil erosion may occur.”

When contacted, Sao Mathais Sarpanch Tulshidas Naik said on March 11, the panchayat had written to the Captain of Ports informing that about 70 canoes are illegally extracting sand from the river near Vaxim area, which could pose danger to the bundh, jetty and water pipeline from the vicinity.

“But till date, no action has been taken by the Captain of Ports department and Mines Department,” said Naik.

HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 27

Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat will launch the revised scheme - “Goa Scheme of Financial Assistance for Films 2010” of the Department of Information and Publicity on April 28 at 12 noon at a function at Maquinez Palace, which will be attended by acting Chief Secretary, Narendra Kumar, IAS and other film producers from the State.

According to a press release, the scheme envisages the grant of financial assistance of 50% of the cost of production of a film.

The assistance will be extended to Feature Film category and Non-Feature Film category from Rs 25,000 to Rs 25 lakh as per the format in which the film is produced.

The Chief Minister has hoped that the revised scheme will go a long way to help the film producers based in Goa to facilitate them to produce regional language films highlighting Goan ethos and culture. The revised scheme which is being notified on April 28 will be in operation with immediate effect, Kamat added.

Chief Executive Officer of ESG, Manoj Srivastava and Director, Information and Publicity, Menino Peres will also remain present for the release function.

Preserve houses of worship, urges Bishop Alwyn Barreto

COLLEM, APRIL 27

Former Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary School chairman P R Nadkarni recently felicitated manager and a retired teacher of Our Lady of Piety High School, Collem.

School Manager Fr Thomas Gonsalves and retired teacher Suranga V Madkaikar were felicitated at a special programme organized by Parents Teachers Association of Our Lady of Piety High School in the school premises.

Speaking on the occasion, Nadkarni said teachers deserve to be felicitated for their works and only teachers’ community can mould the students in terms of honesty and sincerity.

V S Lad Higher Secondary School, Piliem-Dharbandoda, Principal Atmaram Kudchadkar was the guest of honour.

Collem Sarpanch Sandeep Dessai, School Headmaster Fr Pio, former Collem sarpanch Naresh Shigaonkar, Vilas Madkaikar and others were present on the occasion.

Fr Pio Furtado, Kudchadkar, Fr Thomas and others also spoke on the occasion.

Residents of Quepem have complained that the Quepem Bridge over river Kushawati has not undergone any structural safety maintenance since the last 50 years since it was built.

Built by M/s Gammon India Ltd, the bridge was originally designed for a safe working load of 34 tonnes and since then, it has been heavily used for almost five decades.

Last year, reports of some cracks had prompted PWD Executive Engineer (roads), Parkar along with Quepem MLA Chandrakant (Babu) Kavlekar to inspect the bridge.

Parkar was quick to assure the public and press that the bridge was safe and that the cracks were not any cause for concern. PWD authorities then patched up the cracks.

Taking cognizance of the negligence and acts of omissions on the part of PWD authorities and the local MLA, local advocate and social activist Adv Fredrick Pereira filed a complaint with the concerned authorities, including District Magistrate on October 26, 2009.

The complaint further stated that concrete and other construction materials undergo decay and deterioration over a period of time.

“The capacity of the safe working load reduces as well and since the original safe working load of the bridge being 34 tonnes, it would not stand to be the same as of today and thereby would not be able to bear the stress and strain of the heavy

Eight saved from drowning incidents in Bardez HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, APRIL 27

Eight persons were saved from drowning in separate incidents at Calangute, Baga, Candolim, Vagator and Anjuna beaches during the last four days.

In the first incident reported on Baga beach on April 23 at 9.30 am, one Navin Yadav (28) of Chattisgarh went for a swim in ‘no-swim zone’ despite warnings by SLSG lifeguards. SLSG lifeguard Dhako Talkar noticing Yadav struggling in waters swam towards him with the rescue tube and brought him safely to the shore.

In another incident at Candolim beach on April 23, Sunil Kumar (19) and Anil Bharti Kumar (20), who were swimming in ‘no-swim zone’, were rescued

by SLSG lifeguards Ganpat Gaonkar and Sasibhusan Nayak, while lifeguard Sidharth Sawant provided the assistance. Both were safely brought to the shores by SLSG lifeguards Sidharth Sawant and Ganpat Gaonkar.

At another end on the same day, Kenveth Roeethon (55) from Scotland was rescued by SLSG lifeguards Ganesh Gaonkar and Sunil Matondkar with the help of rescue tubes.

On April 24 at Candolim beach at 2.05 pm, Sachin Vankade (24) from Maharashtra was swimming in ‘no-swim zone’ despite warnings by SLSG lifeguard Madan Halankar.

Due to heavy water currents, Vankade got entangled in the inward pull of water and panicked. Noticing the danger, Madan swam towards Sachin by informing the patrol vehicle on duty and the lifeguard tower.

However, by the time Madan

reached Vankade, his condition had deteriorated. He was however secured in a semiconscious state. After giving necessary medical aid, Vankade was rushed to Primary Health Centre Candolim.

On April 24 on Vagator beach at 1.40 pm, while Fhahrok Jikram Khan (39) from Lucknow was swimming in a rocky area in ‘no-swim zone’, he was pulled in by a rip current. Noticing his moments, SLSG lifeguards Shiddesh Shinde and Ravindra Pednekar swam towards him with rescue boards and secured him safely.

In another incident on Calangute beach on April 25 at 12.30 pm, Immam Mujavar (30) and Sadik Mulla (18), both from Panjim, were swimming in the swimming zone, but were suddenly found struggling in waters and called for help.

SLSG lifeguard Siddhesh Dhargalkar who was observing from the mobile tower informed the patrolling Jet Ski and Calangute Tower. Jet Ski operator Amit Naik immediately reached towards Mujavar and secured him safely, while lifeguards Krishna and Pradeep secured Mulla with the help of a rescue tube.

On April 25 at Anjuna beach at 2.30 pm, Harish Singh (24) from Uttaranchal who had gone for swim in ‘no-swim zone’ was pulled by rip current. Lifeguard Rama Mainkar swam across him and with the help of lifeguard Shankar Naik secured him safely to the shore.

On April 25 at Calangute beach at 2.25 pm, Pravin Kumar (26) from Mysore who was swimming in ‘no-swim zone’ was saved from drowning by SLSG lifeguard Nagesh Dholye.

Govt, private pensioners availing DSS Scheme HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 27

Sindhudurg Bishop Alwyn Barreto during the blessing ceremony of the newly renovated Our Lady of Merces Chapel, Vaddem-Vasco.

HERALD REPORTER VASCO, APRIL 27

Sindhudurg Bishop Alwyn Barreto has stressed on the need to preserve and maintain houses of worship, which have been built painstakingly.

Bishop Barreto was speaking during the blessing ceremony of the newly renovated Chapel of Our lady of Merces, VaddemVasco, in the presence of dignitaries and a large number of parishioners on Sunday.

Quepem bridge needs safety standards, complain residents HERALD CORRESPONDENT QUEPEM, APRIL 27

Mater Dei school students attend the funeral of Edna Igrid Lobo, the serving vice-principal of the Mater Dei Institution, a centuryold institution in Saligao, at the Mae de Deus Church, Saligao.

Illegal sand extraction being carried out along side Vaxim Island.

Photo by Kanzil Rodrigues

CM to relaunch film finance scheme

traffic plying over it,” Adv Pereira had stated in his complaint.

He, however, to confirm his apprehensions requested PWD authorities to conduct a structural safety test.

Patkar, who had earlier said the bridge cannot be tested for its safety due to its structural design, was subsequently prompt to state through a press note in one of the dailies that his department would in November 2009 test the bridge for confirming its safe use and dispel anticipated fears of the general public.

Having failed to keep on his word to test the bridge, a supplementary complaint dated December 14, 2009, was filed with the office of the District Magistrate, the local MLA and other concerned authorities by Adv Pereira.

The complaint stated that another deep and wide crack of at least 10 mtrs length was noticed on the side wall of the Quepem Bridge and that the matter was of grave concern unless quick remedial measures are taken.

However the complaint met the same fate as the earlier one, there being no remedial action coming forth from any authorities.

“Local people have decided to once again take up the issue with local and District administration. In the event of failure on part of authorities to test and confirm the safety of the bridge yet again, locals will approach the High Court to compel the authorities to take immediate action in the interest of public safety,” added Adv Pereira.

Bishop Barreto requested the parishioners to take all the needed steps to upkeep the prayer house, just as one takes care of their personal houses.

He appreciated the efforts of chapel committee and congratulated the parishioners for renovating the chapel.

A solemn Mass was celebrated by Bishop Barreto with Fr Antonio da Costa and Fr Britto Furtado as the co-celebrants.

A number of priests including

Fr Santan Faleiro, Fr Michael Fernandes, Fr Andrew Pereira and other priests were also present.

Confraria President Rosario Pereira thanked the Sindhudurg Bishop, other priests and the dignitaries present.

Pereira also expressed gratitude to the engineer, contractor and interior decorators, who worked hard to maintain and redo the age-old interiors of the chapel.

Pre-monsoon works at Mapusa market

Some pensioners of government and private firms have been found to be availing the pension of Dayanand Social Security (DSS) Scheme.

This revelation has come during the survey conducted by the department of Planning & Statistics in South Goa aimed at detecting bogus beneficiaries of DSS scheme. The survey was completed recently.

“The data has to be compiled and it will take some days”, an official said indicating that it’s a meticulous work.

It may be recalled that some months ago, the government had asked the directorate of planning and statistics to conduct the survey in South Goa.

The survey work of North Goa is likely to be outsourced, sources said. The decision for a survey was taken following reports of irregularities in the implementation of the scheme and bogus beneficiaries. The Herald had also reported last year that that there are cases of ineligible persons taking benefit of the scheme and that husband and wife are also figuring in the list of beneficiaries.

Sources said some cases of pensioners of government private sector have been found to be taking benefit of the DSS Scheme. Despite statement made by persons that they get remuneration or pension after retirement, a few such applications were approved, it has been revealed, sources said.

upcOminG EvEnTS Felicitation function

PANJIM(HND): Three personalities- Gurudas B Natekar, Fr Romualdo de Souza and N Nagvekar will be among those who will be felicitated on the annual day celebration of Bardez Konkani Asmita Kendra at a function to which will be organised at Mapusa Municipal hall on April 28 at 5 pm. They will be felicitated at the hands of Director of Higher Education, Prof Bhaskar Nayak, says a press release.

Know your child workshop

Mapusa Municipal Council carries out pre-monsoon works in the municipal market.

Photo by Anil Shankhwalker HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, APRIL 27

Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) has taken up pre-monsoon works in the municipal market.

MMC has hired 40 labourers for the pre-monsoon works, for which a sum of Rs 4 lakh has been earmarked.

Speaking to Herald, MMC Chairperson Roopa Bhakta said the desiltation of nulah at Tar Bridge has been completed and the drains in the Mapusa market have been cleaned.

“The bigger nullah near wholesale vegetable market will be desilted using JCB machine soon.

Further, the MMC has also decided to hot mix internals roads in Mapusa market. The Public Works Department will take up work of hot mixing soon,” said Bhakta.

She further said MMC has also started de-silting and cleaning of nullahs and drains

in all the wards of the council and ward members have been advised to ensure that the work is completed to their satisfaction before the onset of monsoon.

Rosary college results HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 27

Rosary College of Commerce and Arts, Navelim, will declare the results of FY/SY B.Com/BA/BCA (Semester II and IV) on May 14. Mark sheets will be issued on the same day from 11 am to 1 pm.

The students should be accompanied by their parents/guardians to collect the mark sheets. The details of re-admission of SY/TY B.A/BCom/BCA are displayed on the notice board, says a press release.

PANJIM(HND): A 'Know Your Child' workshop will be conducted on April 28. Senior Art of Living teacher, Rajalakshmi Ratan will be conducting the workshop. This workshop is an easy, practical seminar for parents to learn more about their children and how to address day to day issues with them.

In a two-hour interactive workshop parents get a glimpse into the child's mind and gain awareness of how the disparity in priorities between the parent and the child becomes the root cause for much of the frustration in their relationship.

Understanding the nature of the child equips parents to deal with recalcitrant behavior more effectively allowing the child to blossom more completely while maintaining the joy in a parent-child relationship, says a press release.

The seminar will be held at the Mahalakshmi temple, Panjim.

Interested parents may contact 9767733536 for details.

POWER SHUTDOWN APRIL 28 MAPUSA: Between 9 am to 3 pm. Areas affected are Khorlim, Dattawadi, Acoi, Mapusa court area, Football ground Duler, Altinho, St. Jerome’s Church, Rajwaddo, Angod and surrounding areas.

APRIL 29 MAPUSA: Between 9 am to 3 pm. Areas affected are Kamlabai Restaurant, Khorlim-Semer, Garden centre, Ganganagar, Ghateshwar nagar, Samtanagar, Saraswat Vidhalay School, Dr. Boney hospital, Ganesh temple, Krishna temple, Govt Primary School, Kamleshwar garage, entire Guirim, Bastora Shell and surrounding areas.

RIBANDAR: Between 9 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are Alto Fondovem, near PWD water tank, Ribandar and surrounding areas near Fondovem, Ribandar, Tiswadi and surrounding areas.

POWER LINE WARNING

ANJUNA: The Public of Bardez taluka and owners of factories/companies are hereby informed that the newly erected 100 KV distribution transformer Center and associated 11 KV Line at D'Mello Waddo, Anjuna, Bardez has been test charged on April 26 and it will remained charged thereafter.

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Stop construction at Dabolim till MoEF decision: HC to developers HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 27

Granting relief to environmentalists the Bombay High Court at Goa Tuesday directed developers of mega residential project that is coming up at Dabolim not to carry out further construction until Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) take further decision on clearances granted to the project.

A Division Bench of Justice S J Vazifdar and Justice U D Salvi issued the direction while hearing a petition filed by Goa Foundation (GF) and Edwin Mascarenhas. The project under challenge is by Saravati Builders & Constructions and Anand Builders.

Representing the petitioners Adv Norma Alvares submitted that MoEF had taken a decision

to keep environment clearance granted to the project of Saravati Builders and Constructions “in abeyance” till the matter is reviewed by the Ministry.

The order of April 15, 2010 directs the builders not to proceed with construction on survey No.43/1 till a detailed examination of all issues raised in this writ petition are re-examined by the Expert Appraisal Committee, she told the court.

The petitioners alleged that project area comes under jurisdiction of Chicalim Village Panchayat and it consists of a forest area and it was demarcated as No Development area under Draft Regional Plan. And implementation of the project will require felling of large number of trees on a steeply sloping terrain in ecologically sensitive area.

Two more ineligible candidates knock High Court doors HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 27

While last week the High Court granted relief to eleven candidates who were declared ineligible by the High Court administration to appear for main written examination for the posts of Civil judge junior division and judicial magistrate first class, two more candidates have come before Court this week who have been declared ineligible to appear for the main examination.

The petitioners, Archana Pai Ghir and Sonia Mandrekar’s grievance is that they have been declared ineligible on the ground that experience certificate produced by them was “not in terms of the advertisement”.

The advertisement for the posts required that candidates should have minimum work experience of three years practice as an advocate.

However, the certificates issued

by the Civil Judge Senior Division, Panjim were rejected by the administration and they were declared ineligible, they submitted.

When the matter came up for hearing before a Division Bench of Justices S J Vazifdar and U D Salvi on Tuesday morning, the counsel for the petitioners S N Joshi submitted that petitioners have been practicing as advocates since 2003.

The certificates were issued on the basis of documents produced by candidates to prove their appearances in several matters as advocates.

However, High Court administration rejected certificates submitted declaring them ineligible.

He prayed the decision should be revoked. However, hearing was adjourned till April 28 as High Court Registrar Kumari I K Jain sought time to take instructions from high court administration.

However, counsel for developers told the court that they have all the requisite approvals and plots were sub-divided as way back as in 2007 and several plots have already been sold and third party rights created.

Thereafter, a Division Bench directed builders not to carry out any further construction in view of the order passed by the MoEF. Also, the Court issued direction to individual owners of around 43 plots in the project to maintain status quo while making it clear that even if required permissions are obtained by them, no further construction should be carried out without seeking permission from the court.

The High Court will next hear the matter on July 1.

CMC inspects ‘illegal’ kiosk at Chaudi HERALD CORRESPONENT CANACONA APRIL 27

Canacona Municipal Council (CMC) on Tuesday evening inspected the alleged illegal kiosk reconstructed with cemented bricks over a municipal building’s septic tank at Chaudi, which led police to register a complaint against CMC Deputy Chairperson Dilip Kenkre on charges of assaulting a resident.

CMC Chief Officer Deepak Dessai led the municipal engineer and municipal inspector to alleged illegality site and inspected the area.

After inspecting the construction, Dessai directed the owner to appear in his municipal office with all the relevant papers by Wednesday.

Replying to some scribes present at the site, Dessai said: “I received a complaint against some illegal construction and have come to inspect it.” But, he refused to comment on the reported assault, saying it is entirely a different issue.

Goa Board extends date for submission of sports certificates HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 27

The Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education has extended the last date for submission of authenticated certificates to avail sports merit marks under the sports policy to May 6, 2010 for SSC and HSSC students who have appeared for the Board exam this March.

In a press release issued here, Secretary D R Bhagat said the date was extended after the Board received several requests from various quarters. The certificates authenticated either by the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs or Sports Authority of Goa should be forwarded in the enclosed format which has been given to the schools so as to reach the Board’s office latest

by May 6 without fail, he mentioned and added, “Any certificates received after the said date will not be accepted.”

A circular issued by the Board on April 22 had cleared the decks for allotment of marks under the sports policy a few days before the results of students from secondary schools.

The circular contained the final modalities for allotment of marks to the students for 200910.

Parents of students who have appeared for the X and XII Board exams had been directed to submit authenticated certificates of sports participation or achievement by April 30, 2010.

KTCL chairman mum on 6th pay implementation HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 27

Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL) employees demand for Sixth Pay Commission is heading towards nowhere with management attempting last minute volte-face.

KTCL chairman Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco today offered “no comments” on the Sixth Pay Commission implementation.

The corporation had earlier agreed to pay wages as per the sixth pay and has also said of signing an agreement with its labour union on its implementation on or before April 19 in presence Chief Minister Digambar Kamat.

Interestingly, corporation Managing Director Venancio Furtado said that there are no directives from the State Government to pay employees par with Sixth Pay Commission recommendation.

“The matter is still pending with the government. We have not issued any orders from the high command,” Furtado told Herald.

However, sources maintained that Furtado has sought additional time from the government over the matter. “As he has joined recently, he has requested government to provide additional time to study the financial situation of the corporation and then to decide on sixth pay implementation,” sources maintained.

Meanwhile, the union has said that it is not possible for the state government and management to go back on their words.

Cuncolim man arrested for possessing gun HERALD REPORTER VASCO, APRIL 27

Verna police on Tuesday arrested a 48-year-old man from Cuncolim on charges of illegally possessing gun and single barrel.

According to Verna police, the incident came into light accidentally when a Police Sub Inspector Sunil Nair of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had conducted a raid in a canteen near

Kesarval, Verna. During search operations, Nair found a gun and single barrel at the canteen.

“As the accused, Piedade Fernandes failed to produce a license and other relevant document, PSI Nair lodged a complaint with Verna police. After receiving a complaint, we have attached gun and barrel and arrested the accused under Section 3 r/w 25 of the Arms Act,” said Verna police PI Jivba Dalvi.

“Chief Minister had assured us that the salaries for the month of April will be paid par with Sixth Pay Commission,” union leader Christopher Fonseca said.

After the due date of April 19, union had approach KTCL chairman twice and it has been guaranteed that by next week the agreement will be signed.

“No exact date has been given

but the Chairman informed us that some technical formalities are left to be completed and once they are done the agreement will be signed by end of this month,” he added.

After enough struggle by the worker’s union, the state government last month has conceded to pay the wages as per Sixth Pay Commission for 1900-odd work-

ers from April 1 onwards.

The implementation of sixth pay will burden the ailing corporation by almost Rs 30 crore as arrears and Rs one crore monthly salary liability, further shrinking its coffers.

The corporation will have to pay 25 per cent of the arrears in advance and rest would be distributed over next ten years.

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Who Really is JoeGoaUk?

Vol No CX No: 110 Goa, Wednesday 28 April, 2010

Drugs and politics

S

hocking headlines—in the local and outstation media—are helping to bring the focus on a topic which has been long neglected, not for a year or two but perhaps for three to four decades. A Swedish model ex-girlfriend of an Israeli narcotics suspect has reportedly claimed she has evidence to establish a clear nexus between the police and the drug mafia.

Such news has all the elements of a good story. There’s glamour, beauty, crime, power and mystery thrown in. But does it take a Swedish model to tell us what Goa has long known? Given the way the news-process works, a development of this kind could achieve something that was not done by dozens of protests by groups like the JGF (if we haven’t forgotten the group which protested against the adverse impact of tourism), or so many earlier depictions in novels, books and magazines.

One worrying aspect of such developments is that the law and order machinery in the State seems to take action only when some ‘big news’ breaks out in the media. For the rest of the time, it is business as usual, and the pretence continues as if there’s nothing wrong with the situation.

This means we can expect further action only when the next big story or scandal breaks. In fact, what is needed is for the authorities to carefully audit the functioning of their lower ranks, to ensure that things are not going out of hand. Also, if corruption has been integrated within the system, as some suspect, because political bosses expect their pound of flesh on a regular basis, then it is the duty of honest officials to expose the system, if necessary acting as whistle-blower.

There is another aspect that causes concern. In some of the high-profile cases that have emerged in the news recently, the target clearly involved has been some politician. No names are being mentioned directly in the case of Anjuna, both in the drugpolice link case and also in the Scarlett Keeling death. But the insinuation being clearly made is that it is home minister Ravi Naik and his kin that is somehow involved.

This is not the only case where a politician has been dragged into a headline-making case. Something similar was seen earlier in the case of the “German girl”, where the target was obviously minister Babush Monserrate, whose son was being implicated in the case.

Much earlier on, there have been similar cases. Babush Monserrate was targeted just before the BJP rise to power in Goa, when it was claimed that the Miramar sex-scandal was “worse than Jalgaon”. After political peace was brokered, nothing more was heard on this case. Way back in the 1980s, Dayanand Narvekar, then a key dissident, was dragged into a “molestation” scandal.

As could be expected, the Opposition BJP has been quick to take advantage of the latest news reports. It has demanded a CBI probe into the allegations made by the Swedish model. So, will the Opposition only highlight crime and drugs when its political opponents (of the moment) are involved? Wasn’t it the BJP which ruled Goa, directly and indirectly for nearly six years, with these very politicians as part of the government? And what about the BJP’s own politicians from the area and their links with dubious quarters?

Yes, Goa does need a clean-up, above all of its law enforcing authorities. But rivalry and one-upmanship of any sort—whether by politicians or of drug gangs—should stay away from this process. Otherwise, it will be just a charade.

O

Price of failure

n Tuesday evening, villagers of Parra attended the funeral of a teenager, who allegedly ended his life, after failing in his school exams. This is a warning signal to us all. We need to teach our youngsters better ways of coping with “failure”, which in an academic sense may only mean difficulties in coping with one or two subjects.

Let’s remind our young citizens that someone who is an academic “failure” might well be a success in life, and vice-versa. It would help if the educational authorities gave students more subject-choices to opt for, so that they don’t feel trapped just because they dislike (or cannot cope with) one or two subjects.

A simple act of sharing online can go a long way writes FREDERICK NORONHA

A

nyone who have even a nodding acquaintance with cyberspace and Goan content on the Internet would have certainly not missed that one prominent name there: JoeGoaUk. This one- man industry has spent days, nights, months and years posting text and reports, photographs, commentary and video online.

Recently at a meeting organised by the Tiatr Academy of Goa, a debate suddenly emerged: who exactly is JoeGoaUk? While many praise his posts, a few (like me too) occasionally disagree with him, some readers are quite unnerved that JoeGoaUk prefers anonymity. Nobody knows him. He makes a joke of his Scarlet Pimpernel nature.

Honestly, I could not bother much about this aspect. The fact that an individual is sharing so much Goa-related content online, is an unmitigated boon. The fact Goa has been able to collaboratively - that too, mostly through social initiatives, get out so much of its content and make it visible to a global audience is something everyone can feel proud about.

JoeGoaUk’s mix of text-photos-videos offer an insight into what’s happening in Goa at the moment. There are photographs of summer fruits, or age-old Goan traditions, whose names even we are now forgetting.

There are a couple of objections about such posts . First, “Who is JoeGoaUk?” The insinuation here is that since he’s anonymous and unwilling to reveal his identity, he must be up to no good.

The other objection is over motives involved. Tiatrists and Konkani cantarists sometimes have a problem here. JoeGoaUk is a big fan of theirs, and he has done a great deal to make their work visible online — including listings of the latest Konkani VCDs released. But some see someone video filming them as a violation of copyright and a disruption of their programmes.

The copyright bit is technically true, even though copyright laws can be bizarre when implemented in their totality. Motives are more important here. While it might seem as if someone else is making tonnes of money over their hard work, the fact is that sharing content on the Internet is a slow, painful, time-consuming and nonmoney earning task. Yes, it does give a generous individual a larger-than-life presence, and makes one popular and sought after in certain quarters.

But to imagine that someone is earning oodles of money from such activity is far from the truth.

At the TAG meet some ten days ago, someone suggested that a photograph had been clicked at

Devil’s Advocate a tiatr competition, and compensation demanded from a newspaper which had published it, and a few thousand rupees paid for it. Knowing how things work, one would find this unbelievable.

Newspapers in Goa are mostly small to medium in size, and cannot afford to pay thousands of rupees for a photograph. More importantly, JoeGoaUk has been very generous in sharing all the photographs he creates (and even text he writes)... his only request is that he be credited (by way of a by-line) for the same. Fair enough.

All this brings us to a wider point: how does a small society make the best use of its creative talent, the potential of cyberspace, and make its visibility grow online?

Friends in the tiatr and music world have very real fears indeed. Their argument is simple: if people are given free access to their tiatr or songs online, who will pay to attend one (or buy a CD) in the real world?

This sounds logical. Except for a couple of facts. There is a huge potential-butuntapped interest in the cultural products of Goa, both overseas among the diaspora, and in Goa itself. Much of this is not being

Nature s Natter

met because, given the current manner in which drama and music is distributed, there’s no guarantee that everyone who might be interested can actually buy a ticket or a CD. The interest by the German sound recordist from Frankfurt Ms Sigrid Pfeffer in the Konkani cantar is a case in point. She heard the same during an off-season holiday to Goa (when local staff play they music they like, i.e. Konkani). She has since been travelling many thousand miles, from Germany to Goa, to Kolkata, Canada and elsewhere, getting permissions, re-recording and popularising the Konkani cantar. There are a few nay-sayers who will see it as a problem that such an enterprise has to be done as a commercial enterprise to make it viable and sustainable.

Fact of the matter is that nobody is going to make their millions working in the Goan cultural industry. Not yet, at least. There is a remote possibility that, one day, the music and theatre of Goa might get as widely known as music from tiny Cuba or the remote Balkans, catch wider global audiences for itself, and start earning decent levels.

But here is the catch: unless we work to make

it visible, widen the market, and make its appeal wider (as of now, not even all expat Goans are aware of what’s available), nothing of this sort is going to happen.

There are some concerns here. The tiatrists and cantarists have put in the primary work, and feel they should not lose control of their product. They would not like a poorly recorded version to be put out online. Likewise, it makes no sense if their entire work is available online even before, say, their tiatr is taken to Gulf shores.

At the end of the day, we cannot insist on our “right” to film a performance — on stage or of music — without the permission of its creators.

Yet, there needs to be a better understanding of the power of cyberspace, and why all sides of this sharing ‘game’ should co-operate with each other.

The Net gives a tiny society a whole lot of possibilities to make itself visible, to make its products noticeable, and to deepen an understanding of its own culture. The bigger danger is that smaller cultures will die out due to obscurity, not “piracy”!

Let’s try and understand the motives of people who take a whole lot of trouble to share information about cultural issues they see as important, to them and to society. They will understand any reasonable requests put forward to them, to ensure that creative work is promoted and not damaged by their initiatives.

Footnote: Sometimes, a simple act of sharing online can go a long way. On one trip to the Dabolim airport, one happened to photograph a board showing the list of taxi fares between Dabolim and various parts of Goa. Over the months, so many browsers online — mostly visitors to Goa — found this a useful photo.

It was a pleasant surprise to find a note from the taxi union-linked Mukesh Uskaikar, below the photo giving details of the current union’s current phone numbers.

After logging onto cyberspace in August 1997, Goa has no excuse for not sharing content online today. It is in everyone’s interest in doing so, even if our priorities sometimes differ. We might not be closer to the answer of just who JoeGoaUk is; I suspect it’s not as important as is searching for ways and means of giving the diversity of all of Goa’s cultural traditions more visibility in an online world. This could help us fight the information-poverty Goa suffers from. There is more than an element of truth in the saying, “if you’re not on Google, you don’t exist.”

‘Ku hu, ku hu’ calls the rain

K

u hu, ku hu sings the nightingale ‘cuckoo’. It calls desperately for rain. In this hot summer, rising temperature is unbearable.

The earth is burning, giving out heat waves all around. Even though, we are in mid April, it feels we are on the onset of monsoon season. The cuckoo cries much earlier than the season begins. It seems seasons are changed. All months are summer and no winter.

In Goa, there are three seasons. The summer season followed by rainy and then winter. But, it seems winter is disappearing from the seasons cycle. The shivering cold climate is favorable for the trees to bloom with flowers. The seasonal fruit-bearing trees like mango, cashew, black berries, etc., gives very poor yield. Some trees are still waiting for the favorable cold condition to blossom, which they missed this year. The king of fruits ‘mango’ becomes a true kind for charging Rs 70/- per mango, even in its peak season.

The poor man still waits to have taste of this seasonal fruit which

is in scarce.

The day temperature is very hot. It heats up everything in our home. People go to the fresh water springs to get natural cold shower. The power of that water is such that it cools their body and mind. They wonder about the coolness of water. What would have made it as cool as ice, when the earth is burning from outside. Some people do not like to move away from the cold shower. They feel if they move, the water will go waste if no one to use it. The spring water comes out through the belly of a big mountain. They do not know, it was running for years day and night for most of the time, no one to use it personally. Still it is running and in future, we do not know because mining activity is going on top of the mountain.

The swirling wind sprinkles the dust everywhere. It makes our home dirty. In the afternoon, we can see the tar roads are burning.

By V. Faria

Will we be able to adapt to such a climatic change if it persists in the future? Gone are the days when we Goans lived very ‘susegad’ in humid weather condition. It was more suitable for retired people.

There is no guarantee of such a life in future. This climatic change will change our lives. It will lead us to do something to adapt the changing weather condition.

The mosquitoes breed very fast in this climate. They get easy entry into the homes through the windows which are kept open to let in cool breeze. They feast on human blood every night, dancing merrily around human body, disturbing their sleep. What a nightmare at every night, if one could get infected by malaria due to mosquito bite? Oh God! Save us from all the trespasses in which we all have to go through.

Like cuckoo, we too should pray for rain shower. It will come for our rescue as it showered on Sanguem, Sanvordem and Bicholim last week.

Letters to the Editor Security at hospitals Wenzel D’Mello, Mapusa The recent incidents by persons impersonating as doctors and robbing patients at well-known health institutions are shocking and a shame to the authorities concerned.

Also the incident at Hospicio Hospital Margao, where relatives went on a rampage should be looked into and the guilty brought to book so that such incidents do not occur in the future. Whoever is at fault should be punished after a thorough enquiry into the incident.

Violence against doctors is a growing concern. Over recent years there has been an increasing prevalence of verbal and physical violence against doctors in India. If there is any cause for complaint about negligence, there should be certain norms to be followed and the law should not be taken into one’s hands. Stringent laws should be put in place which will act as a deterrent

100 Years Ago

PRIMEIRO DIARIO NAS COLONIAS PORTUGEZAS

28 April, 1910 l One of the causes of total disorganization in our social ambit and other overseas colonies as well as wrong orientation imparted by our colonial administration were the topics discussed in a symposium. l Yesterday evening at Old Goa a solemn procession of Corpus Christi with the assistance of ecclesiastical and civil authorities took place. l A literary association denominated as Instruction guild was established at the Vila de Margao l It is estimated that about 240000 fire arms and 40000 rifles are required to arm the Indian army. l The nephew of Fr. Pedro Paulo Godinho died at Majorda after being poisoned for motives unknown.

and curb violence and abuse against the medical fraternity. CCTVs should be installed at prominent places and round the clock security should be provided to eliminate such incidents. Will our Honorable Minister for Health look into these incidents and act immediately?

Brave policemen Julius Carvalho, Dubai The statement that drugs are not available in Goa has become the biggest joke of 2010.

The jokers are none other than our Home Minister and DGP of Goa Police. Now the question is for how long can these two protect their corrupt force and try to fool people by revealing surprising news with regards to drug trade?

The email interview by Swedish model has exposed the most corrupt police of our country of their links with the drug mafia.

The whole department seems like the shareholder of drug trade in Goa. If there are no drugs available in Goa, then can the Home Minister and DGP answer what substance did the Calangute police collect from the Nigerian national after his arrest. Is it narcotics or urea?

It is high time the DGP rolls up his sleeves and stops acting like a puppet of our politicians.

Ban IPL Cajetan Peter D’Souza, Mumbai The recent controversy regarding the just concluded Indian Premier League has put India to great shame. The government should completely ban future editions of the Indian Premier League and instead promote the Ranji Trophy and other tournaments at various zonal levels. This will not only promote Indian cricket but will also expose hidden talent in other Indian cricketers from the country. The franchisee owners participating in the IPL must instead sponsor regional teams and boost the moral of our own budding Indian cricketers.

Value human life Tabrez Mahamad, Davorlim I am deeply hurt and disappointed by the ruthless behaviour of the staff at Hospicio Hospital Margao. For the Hospicio staff it may be just another incident to add to their

Letter of the Day

Multi-tasking by teachers

Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco

It is understood that the Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education has issued a circular to all high schools and higher secondary schools to do away with the practice of using two teachers to teach the same subject in a particular class. This practice has been termed as ‘improper’ and ‘unacademic’ and can lead to confusion in the mind of the students. But then, there could also be instances when, due to shortage of teachers, a single teacher teaches more than one subject for a particular class. Can this be considered as proper? At times, teachers also work in the school offices when they are not teaching in the class. Will a teacher be able to concentrate on a particular subject when he/she is engaged in multi-tasking? Something to ponder upon. routine. But for my friend who lost his mother because of the hospital's ignorance it is a huge loss.

Human life is priceless whoever’s kin it might be. We need to value human life and do every bit to save people if it is in our control. However, when the staff employed and paid to do the same does not value human life, what good is it doing to serve the patients? My friend wouldn't have lost his mother if the hospital authorities had not behaved so carelessly.

Had the nurses provided the suffocating patient with an oxygen mask a life would have been saved. If this is the way these nurses behave in emergency situations, than it is a big shame for Hospicio hospital. Whatever has happened has happened, the lost life cannot be brought back, the pain and frustration will remain in our hearts forever, but I hope better sense prevails next time.

Real heroes BG Koshy, Bangalore Valmiki Faleiro has rendered a signal service to the Goan state with his “Gallant Goans in the sky-3” (Herald April 25). Just imagine our heroes today are the IPL players and their moneyed bosses throwing dice on the cricket field and gambling with vulgar displays of their ill-gotten wealth. The entire electronic media is on their duty alone 24 hours a day.

Our real heroes are not these cricketing men and nautankis performing for the

plebians with their fatuous antics and inanities. They are but the comic relief.

The true giants are the men and women in uniform serving the nation proudly with near empty pockets. And when they die they get little more than the momentary blast from a bugle, a meagre pension and some encomium. At best they get to see Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Our values are now topsy turvy. We must hang our heads in shame!

Sex abuse & Church Julio de Souza, London I would like to add my voice to Dr Oscar Rebello's brilliant and illuminating article on the subject of sex abuse scandal of some Catholic priests. When the press and some voices were demanding that the Pope resign on the issue, my son who was following the scandal joined in and agreed that the Pope should resign. Then he asked me what I thought about it. Like the parents of Dr Rebello, my wife Palmira and myself are practising Catholics. I totally agree with his father as to what he said about 'our faith being unshakeable whatever the odds'.

I would also like to add what my mother used to say whenever the discussion came up regarding Confession. She used to end the discussion by saying that priests represent Christ in our material world and that they are also human like the rest of us. She would add finally that each one of us including the priests would have to give our

own account to God. We might also remind ourselves at all times and specially at times like these what Christ asks us to do when asked about the adulterous woman -- 'Let him/her that is without sin among you, be the first to throw a stone at her'.

That sums up what Christ teaches us, that forgiveness is at the heart of life and that all humans are liable to sin.

Continue phone tapping Jayesh Shrikant Rane, Mumbai The Opposition parties have picked up the useless issue of phone tapping. Why is the opposition so tense? Why are they treating it a serious issue? The whole India knows that all our politicians are corrupt. The politicians are worried about getting caught while discussing shady deals over the phone and hitting the headlines. If the government doubts anybody and wants to monitor their activities what is wrong with that? The Opposition is not interested in protecting those politicians whose phones were tapped, but it wants to save itself from being exposed. When something goes against their interest the politicians make it an issue and phone tapping is one such example. Public opinion, I believe, is in favour of phone tapping. So, keep tapping the phones of politicians!

Ill-gotten wealth Sameer Naik, Margao The drug money of the Police Inspector is well-known. The Income Tax says that if there is a robbery or dacoity, the Income Tax will immediately act to find out whether the money has been declared in Income tax or not.

We read a lot of unaccounted money of the government, but no action is being taken by the Income Tax. Are they waiting to harass only the common man?

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

Paths of Wisdom Freedom Parrot

By Osho A man who was a fighter for freedom was traveling in the mountains. He stayed in a caravanserai for the night. He was amazed that in the caravanserai there was a beautiful parrot in a golden cage, continually repeating “Freedom! Freedom!” And it was such a place that when the parrot repeated the word “Freedom!” it would go on echoing in the valleys, in the mountains. The man thought: “I have seen many parrots, and I have thought they must want to be free from those cages... but I have never seen such a parrot whose whole day, from the morning to the evening when he goes to sleep, is spent in calling out for freedom.” He had an idea. In the middle of the night, when the owner was fast asleep, he got up and opened the door of the cage.

He whispered to the parrot, “Now get out.”

But he was very surprised that the parrot was clinging to the bars of the cage. He said to him again and again, “Have you forgotten about freedom?

Just get out! The door is open and the owner is fast asleep; nobody will ever know. You just fly into the sky; the whole sky is yours.” But the parrot was clinging so deeply, so hard, that the man said, “What is the matter? Are you mad?” He tried to take the parrot out with his own hands, but the parrot started pecking at him, and at the same time he was shouting “Freedom! Freedom!” The valleys in the night echoed and re-echoed, but the man was also stubborn; he was a freedom fighter.He pulled the parrot out and threw him into the sky; and he was very satisfied, although his hand was hurt. The parrot had attacked him as forcefully as he could, but the man was immensely satisfied that he had made a soul free. He went to sleep. In the morning, as the man was waking up, he heard the parrot shouting, “Freedom! Freedom!” He thought perhaps the parrot must be sitting on a tree or on a rock. But when he came out, the parrot was sitting in the cage. The door was open.

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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GOA, WEDNESDAY 28 APRIL, 2010

OPinionatED

Don’t point fingers

By Jose Maria Miranda

T

he BJP spokesman, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, while condemning the massacre of jawans at Dantewada, called for a fight to finish against the naxals, stating that there is no place for violence in a democracy. Rudy seems to have forgotten that during the rule of the saffron brigade there was not only violence unleashed but even savage atrocities on the minorities in various parts of the country and particularly in Gujarat.

While no one will ever support the ruthless and cruel attack on the poor jawans, what needs to be looked into is the reason why the Naxals are behaving the way they do. When the rights of the poor people are trampled upon by the rich and the powerful, when the downtrodden and the marginalized are pushed to the wall, unable to bear and fight the greedy crooks who are ruling this country and the states, when people fail to get speedy justice to their genuine grievances, the results are what we are witnessing now. And no major political party in this country has the right to speak of violence, as the governments both at the Centre and the states do not understand any language other than violence. It is ironic that the country that produced an apostle of non-violence, should force people to resort to violence to have their reasonable and genuine demands met. No amount of sense drilled into the heads of our politicians and bureaucrats can have any meaning if it is expedient for them either politically or financially to act otherwise.

The present rulers of this country, save a few honourable exceptions, have exploited the poor and the illiterate to suit their own selfish ends. A year ago, it was revealed that people below the poverty line had paid in a single year over Rs 800 crores as bribes to get their work done. Every time an earthquake or floods take place, we hear of aid generously given by the people and particularly sent from abroad being diverted to hoarders and blackmarketeers, obviously with the connivance of those in power. We have often seen in TV channels cereals rotting in godowns or being diverted instead of being distributed to the poor and the hungry. When even the middle class find it difficult to manage with the ever rising prices of essential commodities, how does this country expect the poor to survive?

It is most unfortunate and indeed extremely sad that it is always the poor and the innocent, who have to pay the price for the blunders and the greed of our politicians and bureaucrats, who are primarily responsible for most of the ills that plague this country. These chaps are always safe and sound, invariably guarded at a very high cost to our exchequer, thus making even worse the lot of the poor. The jawans generally come from poor families. Certainly most of them do not risk their lives out of patriotism, but because they themselves need to survive and support their families.

Coming now to our own Goa, don’t people have to demonstrate and fight on practically every issue? Whether it is mining, deforestation, mega projects, cutting of hills, filling of low lying areas, it is the people who have to be alert and take on an impotent, negligent and crookish government abetting illegalities. Almost everything that the government takes up or is involved in is a scam. Instead of the government looking into the illegalities committed by the people, it is the people who have to look into the illegalities committed by the government.

The BJP leader, Manohar Parrikar, made his presence felt at the recent protests in Curchorem against the mining trucks, one of which killed a teacher recently. Doesn’t Mr. Parrikar know that mining in various parts of Goa has been creating health and other hazards to the residents around? Yet it was this same Mr. Parrikar who accused the sincere crusader against mining, Sebastian Rodrigues of being a Naxalite. There is a greater need of the involvement of the entire people of Goa in opposing indiscriminate mining. This government has miserably failed in stopping illegal mining which has created havoc for the nearby residents, some of who are silently suffering the ills of the endless greed of the mineowners and the politicians.

Environment Minister, Aleixo Sequeira has said that out of 99 mines, 85 did not have Pollution Control Board clearance.

There are reports of mining truck drivers, imported from other States, not holding driving licences, of 25000 trees having been felled in seven years in two talukas alone of Sanguem and Satari to make place for mining. If being a Naxalite means to fight for our right to live peacefully and in an environment free from pollution, if it means striving for maintaining an ecological balance in our State, if it means protecting our fields and opposing deforestation, the results of which are already being felt in Goa, if it means saving our beaches, which are our real wealth – if it ultimately means saving this beautiful land of ours for our future generations, let us all turn into Naxalites.

Goans have always shunned violence and that is the sole reason why we have an insensitive government in power, which cares very little for the woes of the people. Let the government of Goa not play with the sentiments or try the patience of peace loving Goans. Goans may one fine day have to resort to the only language that the government understands…

India asks SAARC to rally against terrorism PTI THIMPHU, APRIL 27

Ahead of the SAARC Summit, India today asked the eight-nation grouping to rally against the forces of terrorism which pose a serious danger to the economic stability of the region.

“The South Asian region is particularly afflicted by this menace. The time has come for us to rally against the forces of terrorism that seek to divide and weaken our societies,” External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said while addressing the SAARC council of ministers here.

Krishna made a strong pitch for early conclusion of the proposed UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism and ratification of other regional instruments to jointly combat the menace.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrives here tomorrow for the two-day summit during which terrorism is expected to figure high on the agenda.

Krishna said SAARC countries have an abiding obligation to

address pressing problems like terrorism and drugs, poverty, unemployment, trafficking in women and children and illiteracy.

These should be addressed through well defined goals based on mutual cooperation and understanding.

“Our effort will be to infuse a fresh dynamism into the regional processes and to strive to channelise the fruits of our collective efforts to the most vulnerable sections of our societies,” he said.

The minister said as the countries emerge out of a period of unprecedented global recession into expectations of relative economic growth and stability, they should seize the opportunity to collectively enhance trade, open borders and facilitate economic integration in the region.

“Our focus should be on improving regional connectivity through upgrading trade, transport and telecommunication links; addressing issues relating to trade facilitation such as har-

monisation of customs procedures and standards and increasing understanding through greater people-to-people contacts,” Krishna said.

India, he said, was fully committed to working within SAARC to contribute to the development of the region through social development and regional economic integration.

He noted that regional projects initiated by India in telemedicine, tele-education, rain water harvesting, seed testing laboratories and solar rural electrification, are under implementation in most SAARC member states.

Krishna said India supported a fresh SAARC position on climate change in accordance with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change principles and the Bali Action Plan. Under this, concerns of developing countries have been taken onboard.

The SAARC leaders are expected to discuss at length the issue of climate change which

is the central theme of the summit. The leaders will come out with a Special SAARC Declaration on Climate Change.

This is the first SAARC summit hosted by Bhutan and marks 25 years of the establishment of the regional grouping.

Two SAARC agreements on environment and trade in service will be signed during the summit which will be attended by leaders from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.

The agreements are expected to open new vistas for cooperation among SAARC countries.

The trade in services pact is expected to enable realisation of the region's immense potential in service areas such as health, hospitality, communications, computer and information services, and air transport.

The SAARC convention on environment is expected to promote cooperation among the SAARC countries in the field of

PM to convey displeasure on Pakistan’s role in 26/11 PTI THIMPHU, APRIL 27

A temple tomb in the pond with scores of famous Kashmiri fish roaming around at ancient Mattan Pandav structures in South Kashmir is a first visiting place for arriving tourists to Kashmir

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is likely to meet his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani on sidelines of the SAARC summit here and is expected to convey India's disillusionment over Pakistan not acting against the Mumbai attack suspects and its failure to take credible steps to dismantle terror infrastructure on its soil.

The meeting may take place tomorrow but that is subject to Singh's arrival well before the inauguration of the 16th SAARC Summit which is slated for 2:30 p.m.

The prime minister is expected to utilise the occasion to do some plainspeaking with Gilani and seek an update on the progress in the 26/11 probe.

India is unhappy with Pakistan maintaining that there was nothing new in the dossiers handed over by India at the Feb-

ruary 25 Foreign Secretary-level talks in New Delhi.

New Delhi feels that it has given enough evidence to Pakistan to act against 26/11 mastermind and Jamat-ud-Dawa chief Hafeez Saeed who is moving around freely and has been making anti-India statements.

Concerns over spurt in infiltration levels and intelligence inputs of possible terror attacks in J&K andother parts of the country is also expected to be conveyed to the Pakistani side.

On its part, Pakistan has indicated that it will raise the issue of water-sharing and other issues.

Officials said the interaction will be exploratory in nature giving the two sides an opportunity to put across their respective stands.

While Pakistan is keen to restart the Composite Dialogue process halted by India after the

Cong states too seek more RTE funds PTI NEW DELHI, APRIL 27

Uttar Pradesh and Bihar may have taken the lead in demanding more central funds for imp l e m e n t i n g t h e R i g h t To Education Act, but Congressruled states are also joining the race now.

Several Congress-ruled states, including Delhi and Rajasthan, have demanded 90 to 100 per cent funding from the Centre towards the implementation of the new law, said a committee set up by HRD Ministry to suggest ways for revamping the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan scheme in the light of the new Act. The implementation of the Act would require Rs 1.71 lakh crore in the next five years. The committee's report, which has given the comments of the states on funding pattern, said majority of them have expressed inability to bear the additional funds required to implement

the Act. These states are currently giving 45 per cent share for the SSA scheme which would be the main vehicle forimplementation of the RTE Act. The report quoted Delhi Education Secretary Rakesh Mohan as saying that the existing fund sharing pattern under SSA needs to be changed to 90-10 between the Centre and the state. The financial liability on account of

RTE Act will be high and additional burden should be borne by central government, the report said.

The panel, headed by former education secretary Anil Bordia, submitted its report to the HRD Ministry last week.

Umesh Kumar, Commissioner of Rajasthan Council of Elementary Education, has said that additional funds for RTE will be required from the Centre.

Andhra Pradesh has said that all the additional cost should be borne by the Centre. Similarly Congress-ruledManipur and Meghalaya, where Congress-led government is in power, have said the additional liability on account of RTE Act should not be passed on to the states.

The other major states which have expressed inability to fund the new law include Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Kerala.

Uttar Pradesh and Bihar would require the major share of the estimated Rs 1.71 lakh crore for implementation of the Act. While 24 per cent of this fund would be required for Uttar Pradesh, Bihar will need 17 per cent followed by West Bengal (eight per cent), Rajasthan (seven per cent) and Jharkhand (six per cent).

Salman helped me to make a mark for myself: Katrina PTI MUMBAI, APRI 27

Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif, who is all set to make a splash in her upcoming film Raajneet', says her mentor-turnedboyfriend Salman Khan was always sure of her doing well and making a mark for herself in the

tinsel town.

“Apart from guiding me, Salman had confidence in me.

He is not the person to say that because he is friendly with you.

He will say it genuinely," Katrina told PTI. The 25-year-old actress feels that it was her destiny that she

environment and sustainable development.

India is also hopeful that the SAARC agreements on motor vehicles, railways, rapid response to natural disasters, multilateral arrangement of conformity assessment activities of goods and services and regional MRA on product certification will also be finalised at the earliest.

The SAARC Development Fund (SDF), which has a paid up capital of USD 300 million, will be operationalised at the inauguration of the summit tomorrow.

“We would urge member states to take full advantage of the mechanism of SDF through expeditious clearance and implementation of projects and programmes to promote the welfare of the people of the SAARC region, to improve their quality of life and to accelerate e c o n o m i c g ro w t h , s o c i a l progress and poverty alleviation in the region," Krishna said.

came into the Hindi film industry and succeeded. She has many people to thank for her soaring career here.

“There are too many people whom I can call my godfather. I am grateful and indebted to them. Even Akshay Kumar took a risk in working with me initially,” she said.

“He did not know me at all.

He was at crossroads of his career. When he did Namastey London, people thought he had gone insane. Nobody is going to damage or destroy himself to help somebody else. Salman and Akshay believed in me and

that is my good fortune and destiny,” she said.

Katrina says the fact that her earlier films did well at the box office was a “miracle”, helping her weave the success story.

“Had those films failed, nobody could have done anything for me. I don't think I would have got a second chance if the movies bombed,” she said.

The actress is appalled at how the media romantically links everyone with anyone.

“By doing this, media is discounting its own credibility. It is not possible to have so many link ups. This is the film industry

and not a dating industry. One cannot be that fickle.

We also have morals. Our professions may be different.. even an infatuation does not change that fast,” she said apparently referring to her rumoured relationship with co-star Ranbir Kapoor.

Also, Katrina does not believe that on screen chemistry between two co-stars makes a film work.

“It is the film that works. I and Salman worked in Maine Pyar Kyun Kiy and Partner which were successes, but Yuvraj crashed,” she pointed out.

On co-stars, she said, “Akshay and I complement each other well.”

Katrina feels that finding good friends was a very difficult task in the film industry.

“It's a reality, actresses are forced to accept. You can be friends with a director and he may not take you in his next film. You may find people who you counted on, not standing by you during your low phase.

One has to be careful on what basis you are building your friendships,” she said.

On vibes she shares with other top Bollywood actresses, Katrina says, “Actresses are not friends because there is no time.

We are too much into each

other's space to be friends, but I am cordial with Preity Zinta, Kareena and Priyanka and we hang out whenever we meet.”

Katrina said she started working at a very young age. “I am aware that I have to figure my path from here as an individual and as a woman, about the decisions I have to take in life.”

To a question on her comments that she would get married in two years, Katrina said, “I don't know why I said that.

Its said that man proposes and God disposes. I may have this lovely plan but who knows two years from now we may be sitting in this same room discussing a new film or my wedding.”

The actress said it was just a thought..”waking up with a silly dream in my head.”

On her accented Hindi posing a bit of a problem, the actress said, “Every one speaks with an accent. For Raajneet', I wanted to erase the accent during dubbing specially for difficult words. Even Arjun Rampal did not know the meaning of the word aadyashakt which I knew."

Katrina said even though it has not been stated in clear terms, her character in the film which is a rich, spoilt brat, has probably studied abroad.

2008 Mumbai attacks, India feels that the time is not ripe for it.

“We would like to reactivate the engagement process if the meeting between the two leaders takes place," Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said.

-The Pakistan side is not pinning hopes on any breakthrough during this meeting. “It may not yield instant results but if the Composite Dialogue process between the two countries is reactivated, it will be a positive development,” he said.

This will not be a structured meeting, officials said.

Maoists blow up rail track in W. Bengal PTI JHARGRAM (WB), APRIL 27

Maoists blew up a railway track near Midnapore town in West Midnapore district today, disrupting train services in the Kharagpur division, as the bandh called by them in three states entered the second day.

Rail slippers were blown off and a huge crater was created below the tracks at Puturia between Midnapore and Bhadutala stations due to the impact of the blast, police said.

Railway officials, police, bomb squad officials and other security forces have rushed to the spot and repair work has begun.

Several express trains includi n g N i l a c h a l E x p re s s a n d Chakradharpur Passenger have been stopped at various stations on the track that connects Jamshedpur with Howrah.

The bandh called in West Bengal, Orissa and Jharkhand has been complete in the predominantly tribal inhabited Jhargram sub-division of West Midnapore district after Maoists threatened several shop-owners by firing in the air.

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UN shuts mission in Kandahar

REUTERS KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, APRIL 27

The United Nations said on Tues-

day it had temporarily withdrawn foreign staff and shut its mission in Kandahar, the Afghan city where security has deteriorated ahead of a major military offensive.

UN spokeswoman Susan Manuel said some foreign staff in the Kandahar office had been moved to the capital Kabul for their safety, and Afghan staff there had been told to stay home.

She would not say how many international staff had been withdrawn and how many had stayed behind or whether a spe-

cific threat was behind the decision. ''The security situation has gotten to the point where we needed to withdraw them yesterday,'' she said. ''We hope people can go back and keep doing what they have been doing. We see it as a very temporary measure.''

NATO forces are planning the biggest military offensive of the nearly nine-year-old war in coming months in and around Kandahar, the biggest city in the south and heartland of the Taliban movement.

Under the plans, expected to unfold beginning in June, about 8,000 US and Canadian troops will secure rural areas around the city while a newly-deployed brigade of 3,500 US troops escorts 6,700 Afghan police into urban areas. In all, the offensive will involve some 23,000 NATO ground troops and Afghan police.

The offensive is the cornerstone of a ''surge'' strategy by US President Barack Obama, employing the bulk of the 30,000 extra troops he is dispatching

BDR mutineers’ trial adjourned PTI DHAKA, APRIL 27

The rebellious soldiers of the paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles made their senior officers kneel down and raise their hands before shooting them in cold blood, prosecutors told the court, as 675 accused mutineers for the first time were produced for special trial on Tuesday.

The 675 accused mutineers of 44 Rifle Battalion of the BDR were produced before the special court-5 to try the suspects of Pilkhana carnage that led to the killing of 57 army officers, including BDR chief Major General Shakil Ahmed.

"The accused were involved in every offence – from setting the plan at the 'Golap Bagan' (Rose Garden at Pilkhana) in 2008-09 for executing the mutiny to devising the strategy of general amnesty inside the Pilkhana headquarters," said Lt Col. Kazi Aniruddha, the prosecutor of the case during his submission.

"Deputy Assistant Director (DAD) Nasir Uddin, the kingpin of the mutiny, ordered to shoot eight to 10 officers outside the Darbar Hall after having the officers kneel down in a line and (raise) their hands above their heads," he said.

Most of those who carried out Nasir's order and shot the officers were from this battalion, he added.

The special court today set November 1 to frame charges against the soldiers accused of the February 25-26 mutiny that led to the killing of 74 people, including 57 officers of the Bangladesh Army, on deputation to the BDR. The rebellion took place over low wages and poor working conditions.

Outgoing BDR Director General Maj Gen Mainul Islam, who heads the panel of judges, adjourned the court after proceedings began today at the Darbar Hall of the border force's Pilkhana headquarters in the capital.

to Afghanistan this year to turn the tide against a mounting Taliban insurgency.

NATO commanders have been playing down the military aspect of the Kandahar operation, insisting in public that the emphasis will be on political efforts, but it will still be the biggest offensive of the war by far, and the Taliban have vowed to fight.

The last few weeks have seen a surge in attacks and assassinations in the city of about 500,000 people. Bomb strikes have occurred almost daily, insurgents have carried out several major suicide bombings and raids over the past few weeks, and a deputy mayor was gunned down last week.

Myanmar ministers to resign from military REUTERS YANGON, APRIL 27

At least 20 ministers in Myanmar's ruling junta will resign from the military this week to become civilian politicians ahead of this year's election, a government of-

ficial said on Tuesday. ''So far as I heard, about 20 ministers ... and some deputy ministers will officially give up their military positions effective this week,'' a government official told Reuters by telephone from

the capital, Naypyitaw. ''However, they will remain in their present cabinet positions for some time,'' added the official, who requested anonymity because he is not authorised to speak to the media.

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Stimulus rollback best for economy: RBI PTI WASHINGTON, APRIL 27

Asserting that the withdrawal of stimulus is in the best interest of the economy in the current scenario of high inflation, the RBI said that it has started unwinding the emergency measures plugged in during the financial crisis. "The details are not important, but what message you must get is that we have begun in earnest the process of reversing from the expansionary stance," Reserve Bank of India Governor Duvvuri Subbarao said in his address to the Peterson Institute for International Economics, a Washington-based think tank, on Monday.

"We started unwinding in October 2009. We terminated unconventional measures first, we raised SLR and brought it back to the pre-crisis level, we raised the CRR on the banks by 75 basis points by end of January and another 25 basis points last week.

We raised policy rates, once

mid-March and again last week by a total of 50 basis points," said Subbarao. On whether reversal of monetary stimulus was anti-growth, the he said: "In the near-term, perhaps it could be anti-growth.

There is certainly a sacrifice ratio there, but even in the long-term and the mediumterm, sustained inflation is inimical to growth. So we have got to get inflation under control," he said.

Over the past few days, Subbarao attended the annual Spring Meeting of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, besides those of the Finance Ministers of G20 and BRIC countries on the sidelines. Noting that getting into the expansionary stance was relatively simple, the RBI governor said the dilemma is how to calibrate the withdrawal.

"The tolerance for error was relatively more. But as we exit over the crisis, I have realised that you got to be much more

calibrated, because of the implications of what you do and if you get it wrong the implications can be quite big," he said.

Referring to the RBI outlook released last week, the growth for the year 2010-11 is projected to be 8% plus. "WPI inflation, we believe would be about 5.5% by end of March," he said.

Subbarao said the Indian banking system had no exposure to tainted assets or stressed institutions and the country''s growth emanates from domestic demand and domestic investment as the exports are less than 15%. He said India was hit by the global economy crisis because it is now more closely integrated with the rest of the world and the financial integration is as deep as trade integration.

The RBI governor said growth in India is consolidating; industrial growth is getting broad based and investment intentions are strong.

...Tobin type tax on capital flow not off the table PTI WASHINGTON, APRIL 27

Reserve bank of India governor Duvvuri Subbarao has said that India is not contemplating im-

posing Tobin Tax on capital inflows, but did not rule out introducing it later.

"Depending on what flows come in, we would employ

TALK BUSINESS

Indoco records 110% Q4 growth in PAT PANJIM (HBD) -- Indoco Remedies Limited, a global pharmaceutical company, recorded 110% growth in the fourth quarter PAT (Profit after Taxes).

The fourth quarter PAT grew higher to Rs 8.23 crore as against Rs 3.92 crore over the same quarter last year and the net sales grew higher to Rs 108.87 crore as against Rs 84.99 crore over the same quarter last year.

During the year ended March 31, 2010, the company achieved higher total revenues of Rs 402.36 crore and PAT of Rs 42.09 crore as against total revenues of Rs 355.26 crore and PAT of Rs 31.44 crore last year. The Board of Directors of Indoco Remedies Limited at their meeting held in Mumbai on April 26, 2010 announced the quarterly and the un-audited annual results for the financial year 2009-10.

ING Life top advisors become MFAs PANJIM (HBD) -- ING Life, part of the ING Group, announced that 27 of its top advisors have trained and successfully completed the coveted and globally recognised Master Financial Advisor (MFA) program offered by LIMRA. The MFA program focuses on increasing the Financial Advisor’s professional standards and equips them with skill sets required to meet the evolving needs of customers and the industry. The 27 advisors of ING Life acquired the advanced competencies to help them serve their customers better in need-based selling, through professional financial planning.

The 11-day training course was delivered by Mark Lamb, a globally recognized industry trainer and consultant with more than 25 years of experience in delivering management and producer development courses with leading life insurance companies in the world. Congratulating the MFAs in the course, Mark appreciated the investment done by ING Life in developing their advisor’s competencies.

Sensex closes 54 points down PTI MUMBAI, APRIL 27

Healthy growth of infrastructure industries failed to prop up the stock market, which today snapped a five-day winning streak to settle 54 points lower on profit booking in blue chips.

The 30-share benchmark index, Sensex, closed 0.31 per cent down, or 54.66 points, to settle at 17,690.62.

The market opened lower on weak global cues and continued to remain under pressure throughout the day. The Sensex had fallen 66.72 points to touch an intra-day low of 17,678.56 points.

"Markets broke the gaining streak amid the profit booking by investors ahead of rollovers in the derivative segment. The investors are not ready to take fresh positions ahead of the settlement date which is due on April 29," CNI Research CMD Kishor P Ostwal said.

measures, including if necessary something like Tobin tax," Subbarao said in response to a question after giving a speech at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, a Washington-based think-tank on Monday.

"At the moment we are not contemplating one and I do not believe there is a need for one, but it is not off the table," Subbarao told the US think-tank.

Earlier in his prepared remarks, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor said: "The surge in capital flows into some emerging market economies (EMEs) even as the crisis is not yet fully behind us has seen the return of the familiar question-the advisability of imposing a Tobin type tax on capital flows.

"Both before and after the crisis, there are examples of countries, notably Chile, Colombia, Brazil, and Malaysia that have experimented with a Tobin tax or its variant. "Even as there are some lessons to be drawn from the country experience, on the aggregate, it does not constitute a sufficient body of knowledge for drawing definitive conclusions," he said.

Critics of Tobin tax--a tax on foreign currency transactions to discourage destabilizing short-term international capital into a country--contend that the tax is ineffective, difficult to implement, easy to evade, and that its costs far exceed the potential benefits, and all this because financial markets always outsmart policymakers, he said.

Aban Offshor, 1216, 1232.95, 1211, 1219.45 Abb Ltd., 809.4, 819.4, 808, 809.4 Abg Shipyard, 254.7, 273.8, 254.7, 266.2 Acc Limited, 910, 925.95, 898.25, 901.4 Adani Enterp, 574, 594.8, 567.55, 580.55 Aditya Birla, 850, 850, 829.7, 846.45 Allahabad Ba, 168, 171, 164.25, 165.55 Alstom Proje, 610, 613.2, 602.2, 604.75 Ambuja Cemen, 121.4, 124.3, 120.9, 123.5 Andhra Bank, 125.5, 125.9, 122.1, 122.5 Ansal Prop &, 85, 86.3, 83.1, 83.45 Ashok Leylan, 56.8, 57.2, 56.1, 56.35 Asian Paints, 2068, 2094.85, 2052, 2063.15 Axis Bank Li, 1273, 1285, 1257.2, 1276.55 Bajaj Hindus, 127.3, 128.6, 123.2, 124.2 Bank Of Baro, 680, 681.85, 668.55, 676.85 Bank Of Indi, 384.7, 388.7, 376.35, 384.9 Beml Limited, 1049, 1066.9, 1040.25, 1050.9 Bharat Elect, 1882.2, 1905, 1852, 1859.7 Bharat Forge, 275, 278.25, 272.95, 275.05 Bharat Petro, 503.9, 510.25, 501.5, 503.55 Bharti Airte, 298, 301.5, 296.4, 298.3 Bhel, 2515, 2529, 2471, 2476.8 Bhushan Stee, 1829.5, 1837.9, 1815.25,

DSP BlackRock NFO to mobilise Rs 2,000 cr PTI AHMEDABAD, APRIL 27

R-Com inks alliance with GetJar PTI MUMBAI, APRIL 27

Anil Ambani-led Reliance Communications, today announced a strategic alliance with USbased GetJar, the world's second-largest app store to avail over 65,000 free mobile applications for R-Com's over 100million subscribers.

"According to this alliance, GetJar will offer Reliance Communications its extensive catalogue of over 65,000 free mobile applications," a press release said here.

Reliance Communications' over 100-million subscribers will gain immediate access to GetJar's massive library of applications via a GetJar apps

store through R-Com's VAS platform R-World. GetJar will also enable R-Com to offer its Apps Store to a large bandwidth of mobile handsets across multiple brands and not remain restricted to a few highend smartphones, the release said.

"Our partnership with GetJar means that all Reliance Communications customers will instantly have access to thousands of applications ranging from games, shopping and lifestyle applications to sports, entertainment and productivity applications," Reliance Communications Head-VAS, Anil Pande, said.

As the world's largest inde-

DSP Black Rock mutual fund today said it plans to mobilise around Rs 2,000 crore from the new fund offer, an open ended equity growth scheme focusing on investment in 25 stocks of top 200 companies by market capitalisation.

"We expect to mobilise around Rs 2,000 crore from our open ended equity growth scheme DSP Black Rock Focus 25 fund, of which Rs 175 crore is the expected investment from Gujarat," fund manager DSP Black Rock Focus 25 Fund Apoorva Shah said.

"This year will belong to stock performances instead of being an usual sector specific growth story like in the past, so one needs to pick and choose, therefore we have launched this scheme," Shah said.

Yes Bank targets 40% credit growth

In regards to investment strategy, Shah said, "the investment in one stock shall not exceed 10 per cent, and not more than 20 per cent in one sector, barring an exceptional case where the investment can upto 30 per cent at the most in one given sector."

The fund house is bullish on banking sector which has 20 per cent weightage in the benchmark index, besides consumer durables and capital goods, Shah said.

The NFO which levies 2-2.25 per cent as fund management charges on annualised basis closes on May 21, a company official said.

Speaking about the market outlook, Shah said "Indian stock market is poised to attain the previous high of 21,000

Private sector lender, Yes Bank today said it was aiming for a credit growth of 40-45 per cent this fiscal, more than double the projected industry growth of 20 per cent.

"Last year (FY 10), our credit growth was 78.9 per cent which will be difficult to replicate. It is our intention to grow anywhere between 40 to 45 per cent," Yes Bank founder, MD and CEO Rana Kapoor said.

"It is more than double the projected growth of the industry," he said adding that the bank has no plans to invest in asset management business.

"It is not our immediate plan to invest in asset management," Kapoor said.

The bank's strategy would

PTI MUMBAI, APRIL 27

be to distribute third-party mutual fund products, he said, adding "we want to be a good distribution bank."

Going forward, the bank would focus on consumer loans, SME loans and micro finance loans, he said.

"We are also running retail pilots to look at small business loans -- secured, unsecured, and gradually we will introduce education loans, credit cards, housing products as well as auto loans over a period of time," Kapoor said.

"Our retail credit loans products would be rolled out over the next two-years...we want to measure it, calibrate it and we do not want to get into a complicated situation as retail loans require a good spread, good mapping and consolidation simultaneously," Kapoor said.

Internet banking preferred due to benefits AGENCY WASHINGTON, APRIL 27

People prefer to use internet banking either because of its benefits or because of peer pressure but rarely because of perceived prestige or celebrity endorsement, a new study says.

The research hints at how banks could improve the spread of internet banking simply by improving the services offered.

From a bank's perspective there are many advantages to persuading their customers to adopt internet banking.

Primarily, there is the reduction in staffing, which can reduce overall costs, even if information technology and online security systems must be put in place and the reduction in buildings infrastructure required to service customers.

There is also the potential for increased revenue through increased transactions and customer activity facilitated by the

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ease with which they can carry out different tasks online without having to visit a bank's premises.

Internet banking is being adopted by customers as a viable alternative to managing their money with approximately 55 million US households routinely using online banking.

Some banks are already internet only and offer preferential interest rates and terms to their customers.

However, there are many people yet to adopt online banking, which represents a significant challenge to banks that would like to increase their virtual customer base.

Understanding what makes people adopt a particular technology could be crucial to the future success of internet banking, say Weihua Shi and Kenneth Zantow of the College of Business, at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM),

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Long Beach.

They point out that while there are various research models that have attempted to explain the adoption of new technologies, the majority of these assume that people make a rational choice based on a systematic decision process.

In many cases, this may be entirely contrary to how people behave and they suggest that it is more likely that people simply follow the herd, a USM release says.

If large numbers of people are already using a particular technology, once a tipping point is passed, peer pressure causes other people to adopt the innovation too.

But perceived prestige and celebrity endorsement rarely lure people to internet banking.

The findings were published in the International Journal of Banking, Accounting and Finance.

122.75 Indusind Ban, 192.9, 192.9, 188.9, 191 Infosys Tech, 2729.1, 2742.4, 2726.4, 2737.45 Infra. dev., 171.3, 173.6, 163.95, 164.75 Ispat Indust, 20.35, 20.7, 20.2, 20.45 Itc Ltd, 268, 270.85, 265.55, 269.55 Ivrcl Infras, 179.05, 185.6, 178.55, 184.4 Jai Corp Lim, 269, 271.8, 266.35, 268 Jaiprakash A, 158.5, 158.9, 152.25, 152.85 Jet Airways, 501, 518.3, 501, 508.2 Jindal Saw L, 220, 220.75, 216.15, 216.65 Jindal Steel, 737.1, 753.9, 731, 746.35 Jsw Steel Li, 1220, 1223.4, 1200.5, 1204.8 Kotak Mahind, 756, 759.4, 749.3, 752.1 Lakshmi Mach, 2038.95, 2098, 2030.05, 2034.7 Lanco Infrat, 59.25, 63.4, 58.75, 62.4 Larsen & Tou, 1618, 1639.7, 1611.2, 1629.55 Lic Housing, 906, 926.9, 901.2, 906.95 Lupin Limite, 1630.85, 1675, 1630.85, 1672.05 Mahanagar Te, 72.1, 72.5, 72, 72.35 Mahindra & M, 530, 540.7, 530, 536.75 Maruti Suzuk, 1329, 1335.15, 1280, 1283.3

pendent app store, GetJar is the most cost-effective, easy and scalable distribution channel R-Com will be able to leverage in order to generate traffic to its network. With over 300 per cent growth year-on-year, GetJar averages nearly two-million downloads per day, globally, the release said.

"Our agreement with Reliance Communications allows it to immediately connect its customers with over 65,000 free applications with very little effort," GetJar founder and CEO, Ilja Laurs, said.

Popular apps such as Facebook(R) Mobile, Yahoo!, Fandango and eBuddy can be

SBI Life net at Rs 276 cr in FY 10 PTI MUMBAI, APRIL 27

SBI Life Insurance today said it has clocked a net profit at Rs 276 crore in FY 10.

Growing by over 40 per cent, the company has set a new milestone by crossing the landmark figure of Rs 10,000 crore in Gross Written Premium (GWP) during FY 10, the company said in a statement here.

The company's Asset Under Management (AUM) jumped by 96 per cent to Rs 28,551 crore and New Business Annualised Premium Equivalent (APE) by 37 per cent to Rs 6,358 crore.

With a solvency ratio of 2.2 and share capital of Rs 1,000 crore, SBI Life is one of the most capital-efficient life insurance companies in the industry, the statement said.

The company continues to maintain the lowest expense to GWP (Gross Written Premium) ratio in industry of 6.5 per cent, it said.

Bancassurance witnessed a remarkable growth of 59 per cent and contributed to over 33 per cent of the total premium and Group Corporate contributed to 22 per cent of total premium.

easily downloaded to over 2,300 handsets across all major platforms. R-Com will offer the service at 50 paise per MB of usage. The application download and use by itself will be free of cost, the release said.

BOARD MEETINGS Advanta India GEI Indl GHCL Alfa Laval Gratex Inds Paramount Comm Alstom Projects Patni Computer GSL India Arman Fin Serv Phillips Carbon Ikab Securities Ingersoll Rand Polson Bala Tech Inds Intrasoft Tech Premier Balaji Tele Jay Shree Tea Punjab Comm Balrampur Chini JCT JCT Electronics Bharti Airtel Kesoram Inds REI Agro Kirloskar Pneu BOB Lanco Inds LIC Housing Fin Shoppers Stop Canara Bank Sika Interplant Dabur India Marico Dr Agarwals MIC Electronics Eicher Motors Mindtree Esquire Money Essel Propack Exide Inds NEPC Agro NEPC India Zydus Wellness FEM Care Ferro Alloys Source: Indiainfoline.com

MF FUNDA BIRLA SUN LIFE MUTUAL FUND is offering another investment opportunity with the launch of BSL Capital Protection Oriented Fund Series 2.

BSL CPOF Series 2, has been rated mfAAA (so) by ICRA. The fund offers growth option only with minimum application amount of Rs 5,000 and multiples of Rs 10 thereafter during the new fund offer period. Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) and Person of Indian Origins (PIOs) are eligible to invest in the scheme on a full repatriation basis.

BSL CPOF Series 2 is a 36 month close ended fund. The redemption of units shall be allowed only at the maturity of the scheme.

However, the fund shall be listed on National Stock Exchange, and investors can buy/sell units of the fund there. The fund shall be open for subscription till May 21, 2010 RELIGARE MUTUAL FUND has approved May 2, 2010 as the record date for declaration of dividend under the dividend option of Religare Long Term FMP - Series 1 Plan A (Regular and Institutional Plan). The quantum of declaration is 100% of distributable surplus as available under plan(s) on the record date.

RELIANCE MUTUAL FUND has revised the exit load under Reliance Long Term Equity Fund, effective May 3, 2010.

The exit load is Nil. 1% if redeemed on or before completion of 1 year from the date of allotment of units.

Max India Lt, 186, 186.5, 183, 184.35 Maytas Infr., 210.1, 214.1, 207.2, 208.2 Moser-baer (, 75.45, 75.45, 73.6, 74 Mrpl, 75.7, 76.2, 75.05, 75.2 Nagarjuna Co, 181, 187.9, 180.3, 184.95 Nagarjuna Fe, 32, 33.25, 32, 33 National Alu, 415, 419, 412.5, 415 Neyveli Lign, 153, 154.7, 150.5, 153 Ntpc Ltd, 204.8, 206.8, 204.1, 206.45 Oil And Natu, 1026.9, 1049, 1016, 1044.9 Omaxe Limite, 95.25, 97.8, 94.55, 96.95 Oriental Ban, 340.5, 344.8, 338.05, 339.4 Pantaloon Re, 423.6, 430, 422, 424.65 Parsvnath De, 126.85, 126.85, 120.2, 121.2 Petronet Lng, 82.65, 83.15, 81.55, 81.8 Power Fin Co, 282, 284.9, 271.2, 275.9 Power Grid C, 110.25, 114.65, 110.1, 113.2 Praj Industr, 92.5, 95.35, 92, 93.7 Punj Lloyd L, 166, 168.5, 164.8, 166.55 Punjab Natio, 1006.6, 1031.45, 1006.6, 1024.15 Rajesh Expor, 128.75, 129.8, 125.65, 126.8 Ranbaxy Labs, 444.75, 451.95, 440.2, 447.05 Rashtriya Ch, 85, 87.2, 83.2, 86.45

Rel. nat. re, 62.8, 63.15, 62.3, 62.4 Reliance Cap, 739.7, 745, 732.5, 738 Reliance Com, 168.5, 169.4, 167, 168.3 Reliance Ene, 932, 932, 915, 920 Reliance Ind, 848, 852.7, 843.15, 846.5 Reliance Ind, 1063, 1068, 1055, 1061.25 Reliance Pow, 160, 160.8, 157.5, 157.9 Rolta India, 185, 190.65, 184.1, 187.2 Satyam Compu, 92.3, 92.85, 91, 91.3 Sesa Goa Ltd, 438.1, 445.5, 429.15, 431.2 Shipping Cor, 161.2, 164.15, 159, 163.15 Siemens Ltd, 715, 723.8, 705.65, 717.8 Sintex Indus, 332, 333.5, 328.05, 330.55 Sobha Develo, 319, 326.1, 312.35, 315.7 State Bank O, 2252, 2255, 2209.1, 2217.8 Steel Author, 229.6, 229.6, 226.3, 227.55 Sterlite Ind, 844.6, 851.7, 824.5, 829.1 Sun Pharmace, 1597.05, 1627, 1576.9, 1596 Sun Tv Netwo, 426.95, 432.3, 420.7, 425.9 Suzlon Energ, 71, 71.25, 70.1, 70.3 Tata Communi, 275.3, 277.95, 274.6, 275.3 Tata Consult, 785.95, 789.9, 781.05, 787.3 Tata Motors, 849.3, 854.8, 843.05, 846.55

Tata Power C, 1359, 1385, 1359, 1370 Tata Steel L, 655.1, 657.7, 646.35, 647.5 Tata Tea Ltd, 1054, 1054, 1032.15, 1036.85 Tata Teleser, 24.5, 24.5, 23.5, 23.55 Tech Mahindr, 838.8, 838.8, 794.85, 803.9 The Ge Shpg., 333, 338.95, 331, 334.95 The Phoenix, 215.5, 223.9, 214.5, 220.2 Thermax Ltd, 706.4, 743, 706.4, 724 Titan Indust, 2064.9, 2078.2, 2051, 2068.5 Torrent Powe, 307, 309.1, 301.8, 302.8 Triveni Engg, 113, 114.35, 111, 111.75 Tv18 India L, 81.35, 83.8, 81.35, 83.1 Uco Bank, 67.3, 67.8, 65.9, 67.45 Ultratech Ce, 1114.9, 1123.5, 1090, 1094.85 Union Bank O, 311.7, 313.4, 308, 311.45 Unitech Ltd, 84, 84.75, 82.4, 82.8 United Phosp, 148.5, 155.55, 147.85, 149.35 Videocon Ind, 239.9, 241.2, 237.5, 237.7 Vijaya Bank, 52.4, 52.5, 51.6, 51.95 Voltas Ltd, 182.5, 184.65, 179.6, 180.5 Welspun Guj, 274.8, 277.95, 269.05, 274.4 Wipro Ltd, 705, 705, 694.5, 698.4 Yes Bank Lim, 282.8, 285.4, 274.25, 275.6 Zee Entertai, 308.25, 310.95, 304.55, 305.6

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GOA, WEDNESDAY, 28 APRIL, 2010

High core growth boosts IIP hopes PTI NEW DELHI, APRIL 27

The infrastructure industries posted a healthy annual growth of 7.2 per cent in March, boosting prospects of a robust overall industrial growth in the month.

The six key sectors--crude, petroleum refinery products, coal, electricity, cement and finished steel--had grown by 3.3 per cent in March 2009.

These industries which have a combined weight of 26.7 per cent in the overall industrial production index showed a marked improvement in the last month of the past fiscal against 4.7 per cent in February.

For the whole fiscal, the core sectors registered a growth 5.5 per cent in April-March 2009-10 against 3 per cent in the same period last year, an official statement said today.

Finished steel with a 9.2 per cent expansion led the recovery, reversing a negative 1.8 per cent in March last year. Coal, electricity and cement grew by 7.8 per cent each against 5.3 per cent, 6.3 per cent and 10.1 per cent, respectively last fiscal.

Crude oil production went up by 3.5 per cent from a negative 2.3 per cent the same month previous fiscal. But petroleum refinery products showed a dismal performance with 0.4 per cent

contraction in March 2010 over a positive 3.3 per cent a year ago.

"This (7.2 per cent growth) means overall industrial growth will stay healthy in March," Crisil principal economist DK Joshi said.

The overall industrial output maintained a high growth rate of over 15 per cent for the third month in a row in February.

"This is a broadbase growth...it is a good performance. I would expect it would have good reflection on the IIP figures for March," Former chairman of Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council Suresh Tendulkar said.

Crude oil production registered a growth of 0.5 per cent during April-March 2009-10 compared to contraction of 1.8 per cent during the same period of 2008-09. Petroleum refinery production contracted 0.4 per cent compared to 3 per cent, the statement said.

Coal production, which is vital for the power sector, slowed to 7.9 per cent in 2009-10 while the growth was 8.0 per cent in the year ago period. Electricity generation and finished (carbon) steel production grew by 6.5 per cent and 4.9 per cent, respectively.

Cement output grew by 10.5 per cent during 2009-10 compared to an increase of 7.2 per cent over the year ago period.

Challenge for Cos is to build brands of global recognition PTI CHENNAI, APRIL 28

The challenge before Indian companies was to build brands that would have international recognition, Chief Mentor of Infosys Technologies N R Narayana Murthy said today.

"Benchmarking on a global scale is the only way to compete internationally. And to achieve this, Indian companies must have an export orientation," he said delivering the Convocation Address of Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGPM) of Great Lakes Institute of Management (GLIM) here.

He claimed that at Infosys, their benchmark was with Motorola in quality and Microsoft for their focus on EPS. He said forecasting and continous risk recognition and mitigation in every activity were important functions (of a company) and the Infosys model of predictability, sustainability, profitability and derisking (PSPD) helped them to achieve this target.

"We de-risk our business by taking action to reduce risks identified through our weekly, monthly and quarterly analysis," he said.

He said Indian companies must learn to work among distributed and multicultural teams to successfully operate in a globalised world.

"This is especially important since various stakeholders of the company-clients, partners, suppliers, employees and investors' come from across the globe", he said and added that at Infosys they have brought cultural diversity through hiring programme in 90 countries.

Murthy also called for companies to be fair with all its stakeholders. "I do not know of a single corporation that has short-changed any stakeholder and survived in the long term. Focus on stakeholders requires highest degree of transparency and the best principles of corporate governance."

Murthy urged them to fight for the truth and never compromise on their values. "There will be instances when your integrity will be tested. As future leaders of Indian business, integrity is your most important attribute", he said.

Mercedes flexes muscle in India HERALD REPORTER JUHU AERODROME, APRIL 27

The proof of a car is in driving it, and Mercedes-Benz India provided an opportunity to do just that with the first-of-itskind ‘StarDrive’ at the Juhu Aerodrome in Mumbai.

The StarDrive, specially conceptualized by Mercedes-Benz with presenting partners Michelin and Mobil-1, gave customers and media an insight into the

state-of-the-art safety features and top notch engineering technology that comes with every Merc.

Its aimed was to give participants the opportunity to personally experience the safety technology of Mercedes range of cars besides offering them an opportunity to further hone their driving skills.

In a grueling test of 40º inclines, declines, 30º tilts, axle twists, hard braking and skid control, the StarDrive combined

2

1

essential elements of driving experience with simulation of critical road situations.

The cars put to the test included the ML-Class, GL-Class, C-Class and E-Class.

The participants experienced the benefits of key safety technologies like ProEngineering Package, Airmatic, Anti-lock Braking System, Pre-Safe, Neck-Pro, Parktronic and Attention Assist System that redefines a new era in automobile technology.

PFC explores financing N-power projects PTI MUMBAI, APRIL 27

State-run Power Finance Corporation (PFC) was exploring opportunities to finance nuclear power projects in the country, a top company official said.

"We are signing a MoU soon with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) to finance the capital outlay and offer services," PFC's Chairman and Managing Director, Satnam Singh, told reporters here today.

The net profit of the company declined by 40.43 per cent to Rs 598.79-crore for the fourth-quarter ended March 31, over the same period previous fiscal. Total income for the company rose to 2,079.94crore for the fourth-quarter, compared to Rs 1,816.93-crore in the same period last fiscal.

For the year ended March, 2010, PFC posted 20 per cent increase in net profit to Rs 2,355.26-crore, compared to Rs 1,969.95-crore in the previous fiscal. The company's total income rose to Rs 8,002.09-crore

(UMPPs) with each project adding 4,000 MW. PFC is the nodal agency for UMPPs. It has awarded four such UMPPs and is in the process of awarding three more in FY 2010-11, he said, adding that Orissa UMPP bids to be opened after new guidelines and bid will start soon.

The company also expects that major foreign power companies would bid for four other UMPP projects. The state-run Power Finance Corp will also seek the Reserve Bank's permission to raise USD 1-billion from overseas markets in FY 11, Singh said, adding that it is also looking at NBFC status with exposure limit up to five per cent.

Moreover, PFC is also planning to raise Rs 30,000-crore through bonds and other financial instruments for our future requirements, he said.

The company is also exploring opportunities to finance hydro-electric power projects in Nepal and Bhutan. It also intends to open PFC-like company in Nepal, he said.

KF begins 2 UAE, India flights PTI DUBAI, APRIL 27

India''s leading private air carrier Kingfisher Airlines has launched two new international flights connecting the UAE to New Delhi and Mumbai. The new routes -- from Dubai to New Delhi, and Dubai to Mumbai, mean Kingfisher now operates 21 weekly flights between the UAE and India, the company said in a statement.

All flights on the new routes are being operated with Kingfisher Airlines'' Airbus A320 fleet. The flights on the Dubai-New Delhi route would include a dual-class cabin with five-star luxury on Kingfisher First and Kingfisher Class while the DubaiMumbai flight would include only the Kingfisher Class.

"I am delighted to announce the launch of the two new flights from Dubai to India," Vijay Mallya, the airline's chairman and CEO said. "Kingfisher Airlines has redefined the experience of flying and with the launch of these new flights," he said in a statement.

Wage limit for ESI benefits Rs 15k PTI NEW DELHI, APRIL 27

To extend the social security benefits to more workers under the ESI scheme, Government has raised the maximum wage limit for availing the facility from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 per month.

"The decision will come into effect from the International Labour Day on May 1," Labour and Employment Minister Mallikarjun Kharge said here.

At present workers with a monthly wage of upto Rs 10,000 are eligible for the ben-

Dena Bank seeks capital from Govt PTI MUMBAI, APRIL 27

Public sector lender, Dena Bank has sought a Rs 1,300-crore capital infusion from the Government over the next threeyears to fuel its business, a top bank official said.

"We need around Rs 1,300-crore capital infusion from the Government by 2013 to fuel our business.

We expect to get Rs 600crore from the Government

by June this year which will help to support our business growth," Dena Bank's CMD, D L Rawal said.

"We expect Rs 400-crore from the Government by 2011 through preferential shares and another Rs 300-crore under equity preferences by 2012," Rawal said.

The bank currently has 1,223 branches pan-India and plans to open 400 more new branches in the next threeyears.

"We will open 80 branches

by June this year," he said.

3

for the year ended March, 2010, compared to Rs 6,557.36-crore in the corresponding fiscal a year ago. The outstanding loans stood at Rs 1.4-trillion as on April 1.

PFC incorporated a new company 'Energy Efficiency Services Ltd' with equity participation of 25 per cent each from PFC, NTPC, PGCIL and REC amounting to Rs 190-crore.

The company has set the target for FY 10-11, under the MoU signed with the Ministry of Power including loan sanction of Rs 60,000-crore, disbursement to the tune of Rs 27,000-crore and resource mobilisation of Rs 27,000-crore.

"The priorities of the company and the sector are closely aligned. The first priority of the sector is to add large capacities to bridge the power deficits.

Thus, PFC wants to make faster clearances of funds within 1618-months which will bring pace to setting-up power projects," Singh said.

Besides, the Government has embarked on an ambitious plan of Ultra Mega Power Projects

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efits under the Employees State Insurance (ESI) scheme.

The Minister told reporters that the decision was taken keeping in mind the rate of inflation. A notification has already been issued in this regard.

The scheme provides medical, sickness and maternity benefit to workers in addition to rehabilitation allowance, vocational rehabilitation and unemployment allowance Under Rajiv Gandhi Shramik Kalyan Yojana.

Kharge said the government

was moving towards building consensus among all stakeholders to bring changes in various labour laws as the issue of labour reforms was sensitive in nature.

He was speaking on the sidelines of a function organised by Assocham.

Earlier, the Government had also decided to amend the Employees' State Insurance Act 1948 to help millions of workers in the unorganised sector derive ESIC medicare facilities.

With the amendment, the facilities of ESIC would be ex-

tended to workers in the unorganised sector under Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana by making optimum use of underutilised hospitals and dispensaries of ESI Corporation, sources said.

It would apply to all places where ten or more workers are employed.

Besides extending the benefits to dependants of the insured persons to 25 years from the present 18 years, it would provide benefits to workers for accidents while commuting toand-fro from the place of work.

Government to kick-off divestment with SJVN IPO PTI MUMBAI, APRIL 27

The Government will kick-off its divestment plans this financial year (FY 11) with SJVN Ltd, a mini-ratna Category 1 public sector undertaking which will be tapping the capital market on April 29.

SJVN will make an initial public offering of 415,000,000 equity shares of Rs 10 each for cash through an offer for sale by the Government.

The price-band for the issue has been fixed between Rs 23 and Rs 26 per equity share. Retail investors and employees will get a five per cent discount on equity, SJVN's CMD, H K Sharma, said.

The offer also comprises a net offer to the public of 411,650,000 equity shares. The offer and net offer would constitute 10.03 per cent and 9.95 per cent of the paid-up equity capital of the company respectively.

The offer has been graded by Credit Analysis and Research

Limited and has been assigned a grade of 4 indicating aboveaverage fundamentals.

Himachal Pradesh-based, SJVN, was set up to develop and operate the Nathpa Jhakri Power Station (NJHPS) situated on the river Sutlej. NJHPS is currently the largest operational hydroelectric power generation facility in India based on installed capacity, with an aggregate generation capacity of 1,500 MW. SJVN is currently constructing the Rampur Project, which is expected to be a 412 MW hydroelectric power generation facility located downstream from the NJHPS. The Rampur project is currently projected to be completed and commissioned in 2013, Sharma said.

It has also been awarded the rights to develop and operate two hydroelectric projects with an expected aggregate generation capacity of 825 MW by the Himachal Pradesh Government.

SJVN has also entered into a memoranda of understanding

with the State Government of Uttarakhand for three hydroelectric projects with an expected aggregate generation capacity of 363 MW. It has further agreed to participate in a joint venture with NHPC Limited and the State Government of Manipur for the development and operation of a 1,500 MW hydroelectric power project to be located in Manipur.

The company has also diversified operations to target hydroelectric power projects available outside of India, and has been awarded the rights to construct and operate on a build, own, operate and transfer (BOOT) basis, a 900 MW hydroelectric power project to be located in the Sankhuwasabha district of Nepal, through participating in a competitive tender held by the Nepalese Government.

Through these projects, the company expects to increase the total installed power generation capacity by approximately 3,588 MW.

'Creative' toys to kindle imagination PTI BANGALORE, APRIL 27

1. The Mercedes GL-Class coming down the 40º decline at a preset 4 km/hr. It also has the 2.5 second delay from releasing the brake to pressing the accelerator that makes the half-clutch obsolete.

2. The Axle-Twister putting the Mercedes M-Class to the test.

3. The M-Class negotiating the 30º tild with ease. It is designed for upto 35º tilts 4. The arena in which the mercedes range was put to the test at the Juhu Aerodrome.

4

A Bangalore-based 'Toy Lab' has embarked on a project of making toys on an experimental basis that engage children creatively and allow them to 'spin around' their imagination.

The Srishti Toy Lab, comprising students from Srishti School of Art, Design, and Technology, make use of waste cardboard, old wood, textured cloth, natural seeds and even high-end technology, to make the toys.

"Many of the conventional popular plastic toys manufactured abroad fail to address the local context in which a child lives. Many do not engage a child creatively and often offer a very `structured' experience", said Finland-born Anders Sandell, who is currently heading the Lab. The toys range from an inverted periscope insect tracker, spring-to-life puppets, an animated book, a re-designed top, to those that allow a child to spin around their imagination and those that aesthetically combine technology with an arresting narrative to deliver a powerful story that engages children holistically, he said.

Explaining the lab's venture into designing and producing creative toys on an experimental basis, he said several people were tired of the toy industry which often is 'manipulative' in marketing toys to children, often holding parents as hostages.

A research conducted by the group before launching the project revealed that the toys failed to address the local familiar environment angle of a child. Many parents worried over quality and safety of locally produced toys, he said.

Working on these research findings the

experimental group of 11 students have designed toys that got a child to explore his physical environment, probe the mysteries of nature and understand science and technology in a simplistic way.

A cardboard periscope that works the other way round and fitted on little wheels helps a child run around and have a peek at a running beetle, ant or a little worm squirming in the ground.

"Instead of giving an upward glimpse as in a submarine, it helps a child through mirrors have a view of the ground", said Nachi, a toy maker, who has also made a wooden version of the inverted periscope

toy.

Such a toy works on a child's natural curiosity of exploring everything around him, he said. Armed with a periscope, he can actually see the flower, the insect or anything that catches his imagination reflected on the mirror and could even capture it on a camera, he said.

The toy has been made of cardboard and waste wood simply because they could be dismantled, he said.

Another toy developed by two other students introduces a child to gardening.The toy set comes with a set of `strawberry men' made out of cloth apart from colourfully designed tiny seed bags. It also contains list of colourful illustrations and step-by-step instructions.

"The instructions written in a simple way guide the child how to plant a seed and watch it grow". The seeds are those that could be easily grown and can be taken care of like mint, pepper and strawberry. A website enables children owning the toys to connect and share their experience, Anders said.

A toy that offers a child a multisensory experience is an animated book called Khoya designed by Shilo Shiv Suleman.

The book full of illustrations allows a child to read the book by going through a text. But it also offers a more engaging expErience when a child by pushing a little folder up a webcam can actually see the entire illustration in an animated form. The book also includes the green earth element in its story line as it tells the story of a child waking up to reality that has truly gone wrong and story of a lost environment.

Another toy is a top which does not rivet on an iron nail but through a clever architecture spins on a wooden one. The two-in-top (with another top concealed inside one) is aimed at tapping the surprise element of a child, Anders said.

Toys, which helps a child express his physicality, apart from ploughing into his own minefield of imagination, and deliver unstructured learning could go a long way in serving the very objective of what toys are all meant to be—an ultimate engaging experience, he added.

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GOA’S HEARTBEAT In a Nutshell Pallotti shines “

The only real mistake is the one from babddi, sogleanchi “which “ Gurvar we learn nothing - John Powell pangi - Anonymous

After Mohan Naik works his magic on them, coconuts look so unrecognisably beautiful that even their understated beauty comes to the forefront. Herald delves deeper to find out more about this art form, why it seems to be fading away and the need for a revival

BY DOLCY D’CRUZ HERALD FEATURES tep into Mohan Dattaram Naik’s house in Divar and a number of innocent looking monkeys carved out of coconut husk will look upon you beseechingly. Nicely polished with sharp features and a small fringe of coconut husk, this is just a preview of the artwork that lies within the house.

Stepping inside, one is greeted with intricate looking tree roots and different creations made out of coconuts. From a key hanger made out of a junk piece of wood to a beautiful lampshade made from drilled coconuts and coconut flowers, the residence cum workshop of Mohan and his wife Shubhangi is home to numerous such masterpieces.

The couple have set up Sudarshan Kala Kendra, a small scale industrial unit which makes art pieces such as coconut shell, driftwood and produces items such as showpieces, bowls, mugs, idols, earrings, penholders and vases. They have been working with coconuts since the past 20 years and they have made it a point to improve and be creative with every coconut creation. As a primary school teacher, Mohan would try to be imaginative while working with coconuts and Shubhangi was excellent in sewing and even hand-painted bedcovers; but she preferred helping Mohan in his new adventure. His first ever creation was of a lampshade made from coconuts.

“I am very fond of art and being creative comes naturally to me. I noticed a coconut that had a very different shape. So I dehusked it, polished it and started drilling holes in it for the light to penetrate. It won the first prize at the Art exhibition organised by Kala Academy, way back in 1991. In the next year too, I won the first place for another work of mine.

This year, I submitted a tall lampshade made out of a big coconut for its base with small pieces of coconut shell stuck together on it, coconuts with holes, and the coconut rachilla to add beauty to it for the Sculpture cum Handicrafts Competition organised by the Goa Handicrafts Rural & Small Scale

S

­H­O­R­O­S­C­O­P­E After all the hustle and bustle, things will be slow today. Try to enjoy the break. you're in a strange (21 Mar – 19 Apr) position right now, but you can make it work for you if you want. In fact, you may be able to renew a resource you thought you had tapped out, so keep your eyes open.

Go deep inside yourself and you will find the energy you need to get through today! It's per(23 Sep – 22 Oct) fectly okay for you to deal with your own emotions and needs first today -- everyone else is! If you feel selfish, remember that you have to take care of yourself if you want to help others.

Deep emotions bubble to the surface today. Let them out and they'll be gone forever. Your moods (20 Apr – 20 May) are legendary, and right now, you can feel yourself sliding into a funk. You may be able to pull yourself out of it, but you are probably better off making the most of it and turning it into art.

A magnetic personality is exposing you to exciting ideas. Listen to their input. Pay careful atten(23 Oct – 21 Nov) tion to your visions and inspirations today -- you may find that you've got more than enough goodwill to follow up on the best of them. It's a good time to start a new journey.

A willful act leaves you confused. Talk to them.

Find out what they're trying to do. You may want (21 May – 21 Jun) to hold back a bit and see if you can just watch as others go about their business. Your intuitions are strong, and you may come up with a few key insights that can help quite a bit.

Something trivial is on your mind. Try to figure out why it's so significant to you. You are finding (22 Nov – 21 Dec) new depths within yourself, and may decide that today is the perfect day for new explorations. It's a very good time to expand your personal range of possibilities.

Every decision feels make-or-break. It's OK to be indecisive -- just take your time. You are (22 Jun – 22 Jul) having a hard time deciding what's what today -- but that's partly because you're not fully trusting your intuitive side. Make sure that you can access your deeper instincts.

Feeling detached is part of life. Sometimes, you need to give yourself some space. You are (22 Dec – 19 Jan) feeling somewhat removed from a social situation, but that can be great for you. It's a good time to look at things from a fresh perspective and see if you can get your people to make little changes.

A normally self-centered person is humbled and reaching out. Be kind and be open. Try to get (23 Jul – 22 Aug) your friends or family to go shopping with you -- you can feel that your eye for cool stuff and good deals is working overtime, so make sure that you exercise it before the energy passes.

It's time to start thinking about a career change.

Consider your options.

Think big. You need an (20 Jan – 18 Feb) audience with someone important -- but it's easier to get than you realize. Serendipity may favor you, or you may be able to use a connection you only just learned you have.

Today, there is no such thing as an unrealistic goal. You can make anything happen. Your intel(23 Aug – 22 Sep) lect is feeling a little itch -- so scratch it with some new information or a brand-new obsession!

Your curiosity is compelling, and you should have better luck than the cat in the cliche!

Today you will need to step up and protect someone you love from being a doormat. You (19 Feb – 20 Mar) may feel outclassed, but it's not true! See if you can get your friends or colleagues to help you size up the competition -- by the end of the day, you should know exactly what you're facing.

Industries Development Corporation,” says Mohan while showing all his works over the years. He has a room packed with items made from junk wood like two birds perched on a tree top, birds made from pine cones, a tortoise using coconut with husk and pieces of coconut shells for the perfect realistic look.

Shubhangi adds, “In the beginning when we used to exhibit our creations at various art exhibitions, people would walk past us and say, ‘Ah, they are just coconut shells,’ as they used to think it was of very poor value and had no beauty.

We got a breakthrough at an exhibition in Baroda, Gujarat.

Now, we get hordes of people rushing to our counter at every exhibition. Unfortunately, now we are not able to physically cope up with the stress of setting up a stall and waiting there for the entire day. I have arthritis problem and Mohan is recovering from his heart surgery. It is saddening to see that youngsters are more bothered about monetary gain and not about training which can eventually give them income.”

Mohan has won prizes

by NCERT for creating best educational toys and has imparted his artistic knowledge to school students. “Until recently we had two young boys helping us out and learning this art. They are now married and have moved back to their states. It is very hectic when students stay in the house and work, you don’t have to just pay them incentives for their hardwork but also have to do their chores like cooking, it is not easy,” says Shubhangi who now has two women working with them. “We have also stopped taking bulk orders as we can’t manage to keep up with the quantity of products.”

“We are very happy with our work and the satisfaction of looking at the finished product is more than enough for us.

But we feel sad that the art will slowly fade away if the youngsters don’t show any interest in keeping it up. I don’t mind teaching in an art school but not for just a day as one can’t teach something learnt over the years in just a few minutes,” says Mohan. He further adds, “All you need is a lot of patience, the right tools and an eye for detail.”

“

Wednesday, 28 April, 2010

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Parenting

Pg14

Bright at 25

As the Pallotti Home at Chicalim completes 25 silvery years of service to the population, Herald takes a peek at the retreat centre, the years gone by and its future journey

BY JANICE RODRIGUES HERALD FEATURES little away from the port town of Vasco, atop AltoChicalim is the Pallotti Home, a retreat house that comes as a respite from the scorching heat as you trudge along the winding road towards it.

Nestled amidst the lush greenery of huge mango, coconut and Ashoka trees, Pallotti Home has been quenching the spiritual thirst of many who long for peace, for the past quarter century.

The twenty-five years have been eventful for those involved with the home, right from the time of its foundation. “The house was officially blessed by Rev Raul Gonsalves, Archbishop of Goa and Daman on April 28, 1985. But even before the construction was complete, people would gather here for retreats,” says Fr Freddy D’Souza SAC, Director, Pallotti Home, who has been serving at the Home for the past 16 years. The home was originally set up by Rev Fr Toni Kolb SAC, a German priest, when the Philosophical Institute of the Pallottines shifted from Trivandrum to Goa. Since then the Home has kept its doors open to people from the length and breadth of the State. “This home was designed to cater to people from all walks of life, in keeping with the ideals of our founder, Vincent Pallotti,” says Fr Freddy. The home started with a humble beginning, with the construction costs borne by the priests with financial assistance from the Sacred Heart Province Germany. “We have been blessed with generous help of the retreatants, who have given us help at times needed, in every way possible,” says Fr Freddy.

The house was in action even before its final completion, the then rector, Fr Henry Keiffer and the Charismatic Wave in Goa had just set in and was quiet strong. People flocked to the centre; the numbers were so high that it became difficult to accommodate them. “I couldn’t believe that there were so many who wanted to attend the retreats. This Retreat House was built with the sole purpose of encouraging people to come here to renew their Faith and Love of God, and so we felt a sense of achievement,” says Fr Freddy.

A

Hrithik Roshan to romance... ...Kristen Stewart

Over the years the Home has played host to people of all age groups and professions. “We have retreats for the youth, married couples, the religious priests and nuns, and other lay groups like the The Association of Crusaders for Jesus with Mary, Couples for Christ, Marriage Encounter, Neo Cathcumanate, Focolare Movement,” says Fr Freddy. Over the years the number of people attending the retreats seems to be on a rise, this has led the Home to host retreats all through the year. “The faith of the people has strengthened over the years, and this is evident from the increasing numbers that have been visiting our Home,” says Fr Freddy.

Apart from offering regular retreats of various lengths, ranging from one day, three days or five days to even more than that, the Pallottines have been offering all Priestly Services in other areas also. They have been offering masses to the Cloistered Carmelites, Christian Brothers at Regina Mundi. “We also have daily Masses at our own chapel and the Liturgical celebrations like those during the Holy Week and Easter Services, Christmas and New Year attract very large numbers of people from all over Vasco at the open-air services every year,” says Fr Freddy. Other acts of Ministry which are followed by the Pallottines include preaching to the youth, children of the parishes, and Parish Council members, and hearing confessions during retreats and seminars as well as counseling and also caring for the sick at the Salgaocar Hospital.

It is not only the prayer services and retreats that attract the retreatants to the Pallotti Home, it is the peaceful atmosphere, with the lush greenery that keeps the retreatants wanting to return to the Home. “The areas around the House were entirely covered with hard red rocks, which were barren, but then we started leveling it out, and then planted saplings of coconut, jackfruit and mango trees, which have grown well and yielded a bounty of fruits over the years. Some of the trees you see around are as old as the Home itself,” says Fr Freddy. The ground is now covered with a carpet of greenery with various flowers blossoming, bringing peace into the life of the retreatants as they continue on their journey of spiritual renewal.

Potter Brigade Richer than Royalty H

arry Potter’s money-making magic has made it’s star Daniel Radcliffe richer than the young British royals Prince William and Prince Harry.

Radcliffe, 20, who stars as the wizard Harry Potter in the film adaptations of the bestseller by J K Rowling, was ranked the fifth wealthiest young Briton after clocking up a fortune of USD 64 million.

It put him ahead of Prince William and Prince Harry, who came seventh with individual fortunes of USD 42 million in the category for those aged 30 and under. The Harry Potter franchise has generated a collective fortune of more than USD 920 million for its author and stars.

Rowling has amassed a personal wealth of USD 800 million from her wizard stories, making her the world’s wealthiest author according to the Sunday Times Rich List. Radcliffe’s 20-year-old co-star Emma Watson, who played Hermione Granger, took the tenth place with a fortune of USD 40 million.

Rupert Grint, 21, who appeared as Ronald Weasley in the films, was ranked 12th with USD 30 million. And Robert Pattinson, 23, who made his name playing lovelorn vampire Edward Cullen in the Twilight franchise, was listed at 14th with USD 20 million.

All the Harry Potter stars beat musicians Leona Lewis, Charlotte Church and Cheryl Cole who were ranked joint 16th and 20th respectively in the young Britons list. The main rich list also revealed how the fortunes of the UK’s superrich staged a remarkable recovery in the last 12 months even as Britain struggled through a shaky economic recovery.

E

verybody knows that Hrithik Roshan is acting with Mexican actress Barbara Mori in his forthcoming film ‘Kites’. As if that is not enough, he is going to act with yet another Hollywood star – a much bigger star. She is none other than the ‘Twilight’ fame Kirsten Stewart.

Yes, you heard it right. The news is doing the rounds that Shekhar Kapur is roping in Kristen Stewart to act with Hrithik in his next film ‘Paani’. Kristen acted with Robert Pattinson in ‘Twilight’ and its sequel ‘New Moon’. She is awaiting the release of ‘Eclipse’, the third instalment of the same series.

Sources said that Shekhar was looking for a girl to play a wealthy beauty for his film. So, he approached Kristen for the role, and surprisingly, she gave the green signal, provided the terms and conditions are met. Shekhar revealed that he would make ‘Paani’ this year but refused to talk about its cast. He is not in the mood to speak about the film till everything is finalised.

Well, it will be interesting to see Hrithik romance another foreign beauty.

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GOA’S HEARTBEAT Wednesday, 28 April, 2010

WHAT’S UP IN GOA??

‘Konkani Song and Music Awards 2009’ will take place on April 30 at 5pm at the Conference Hall of the Tiatr Academy of Goa, Campal, Panaji.

The 15th European Film Fest 2010 is on till May 5. It is organised by the Entertainment Society of Goa and the Delegation of the European Union to India. The films will be screened at the Maquinez Palace, Panjim. The festival is free and open to all.

The 30th annual symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation is being held till April 30 at the Kala Academy, Panjim. Call 2420452.

A musical programme ‘Padmashree M Boyer Hanchea Kantarancho Ugddas’ which will highlight memorable songs sung by the late M Boyer will take place on April 28 at Goa Velha (Zuari), Taleigao on May 6 and the Ravindra Bhavan, Sanvordem on May 23. It is organised

by Konkani singer Andrew D’ Souza and the Tiatr Academy of Goa. ‘Summer T 10’ will feature Remo Fernandes and his band ‘The Microwave papadums live in concert on April 30 at the Rajendra Prasad Stadium, Margao from 6pm onwards.

It is organised by 9 entertainment and Turbog. Call 9922562192.

‘Portrait and Nature Photography’ sessions for children over the age of seven, facilitated by Assavri Kulkarni will take place on April 28, 29 and 30 between 4pm to 6pm at the Sunaparanta–Goa Centre for the Arts, Altinho, Panjim. Call 2421311.

A chess tournament for persons under 25 will take place on May 1 at 9:15am at the International Centre

LAFFS

WORD OF THE DAY

buffet Pronunciation boo-fey Function Noun Meaning 1 : a sideboard or cabinet for holding china, table linen, etc 2 : a meal laid out on a table or sideboard so that guests may serve themselves Example Sentence Jane’s buffets always served a wide selection of delicacies.

SUDOKU 539

Goa, Dona Paula. Call 2452805, 2452808, 2452809 and 2452810.

The 8th Introduction to Kayaking and Training Program 2010, organised by Goa Kayaking will take place from May 7 to 10 and May 14 to 17 at the Vainguinim beach, Dona Paula.

Call 9422056037, 2223119 and 2462182.

E-mail goakayaking@gmail.com.

Experimath, A Workshop for Parents to Teach Children Basic Mathematical Concepts through Learning

by Doing will take place on May 1 from 9:30am to 4pm at the Sethu Centre, Altinho, Panaji. The last date to register is April 28. Call 6513749.

A caricature exhibition by Bharat Jagtap is being held at the Institute Menezes Braganza Art Gallery, Institute Menezes Braganza, Panjim till April 29.

Call 2224143.

Art exhibition, ‘A Point and Line to Plane 1’, by five abstract artists will be held from May 1 to 31. The artists are Shamendu Sonavane, Shiladitya Sarkar, Prashant Poojari, Akhilesh Kumar and Gauri Seth. It will be held at the Kerkar Art Complex, Calangute. Call 2276017.

Musician Harri Stojka and his band will perform at Zeebop, Utorda on May 1 at 7.30pm. Call 9922023293 or 2228010. Visit www.heritagejazz.com.

A pottery workshop by Geeta Sahu will take place at the International Centre Goa, Dona Paula on May 1 and 2.

Call 9765404391, 9975702588 or 2452805-10.

An art exhibition titled, ‘Quartet’ featuring 4 artistes is being held at the Kerkar Art Complex, Calangute till April 30. Call 2276017.

French classes, held by the Alliance Française, Panjim will be held in Panjim, Margao and Vasco. Call 2420049. E-mail alliance-fr@hotmail.com.

Funny Quote “ Writing books is the

closest men ever come to childbearing.”

– Norman Mailer DAILY GROOK SLIP GRIP

by Francis Rodrigues climb life's slope with this thought, u'll grip the rope if ur a have-knot!

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TAG Awards to take Konkani Music to a Higher Level Will induce competition and a competitive spirit that promotes creativity

BY NOMRATHA FERNANDES HERALD FEATURES ong has always entertained a people. The three elements of music harmony, melody and rhythm – coupled with lyrics produce that certain something that is loved by all. Amidst the many that attempt to achieve musical perfection a handful succeeds. Correspondingly, the Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG) will present ‘Konkani Song and Music Awards 2009’ to twenty audio albums. The albums will have to be purely Goan - producers, singers and music composers and have to be produced during the period from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009.

“TAG has observed that the audio albums in Konkani are being abundantly released but their quality is not up to the mark,” says Tomazinho Cardozo, president, TAG. He continues, “With the announcing of awards, a competitive element is brought forth amongst anyone. Producers will wonder the reasons behind a certain song winning an award and hopefully stretch out to pick out the unique elements present in that song and be inspired to experiment.” A competitive spirit promotes creativity is what he is going with.

Tomazinho is of the opinion that there is definitely a climb with the quality of Konkani music in the state, but it has a long way to go. His suggestions are, “Lyrics must be closer to poetry than to incidents, originality should be a musician’s or singer’s first priority with their body of work and producers should

S

Passion for Konkani Cinema celebrated with Gusto

concentrate on creating novel music than just appeasing audiences.” As for audiences, he stresses that they should sieve through the musical input and not just accept the ‘masala’ out there, with exceptions of course. The magnificent sleek and shiny black award is designed by Willy Goes, professor at the Goa College of Art, Altinho, Panjim. He used to act in ‘tiatrs’ in his younger days and is presently involved in activities conducted by the many Konkani organisations.

Besides the trophy, the awards will also carr y ‘Song and Music Awards 2009’ cash prizes with the first four awards having Rs 10,000 each and the best Following are the categories of awards: album award Rs 20, 000. Best Male Singer The award ceremony Best Female Singer will be held on April 30, Best Music Composer 2010 at 5pm at the Conference Hall of the Tiatr Best Lyricist Academy of Goa at Cam- Album of the year 2009 pal, Panjim.

An entertainment programme comprising the performance of songs and comedy skits by Ben Evangelisto, Succur de Santa Cruz, Sonia, comedian Sally and comedian Brayan will accompany the awards.

BY DOLCY D’CRUZ HERALD FEATURES algado Konknni Akademi in collaboration with Tiatr Academy of Goa organise d a s p e c i a l function on April 24 2010 at the Tiatr Academy Goa, to commemorate the screening of the first Konkani film ‘Mogacho Anvddo’ on April 24, 1950 in Mumbai. ‘Mogacho Anvddo’ was written, produced and directed by A L Jerry Braganza from Mapusa. An exhibition of photographs of the film ‘Mogacho Anvddo’ and ‘Sukhachem Sopon,’ films by A L Jerry Braganza was also held at the venue, which was inaugurated by Bernadette Braganza, wife of Late Jerry Braganza.

The memories of the first Konkani film was brought back to life by Sergius Braganza, nephew of A L Jerry who had preserved the photographs that were clicked 60 years back. Menino Pires, Director of Information & Publicity was the Chief Guest while Dharmanand Vernekar, a film writer and director was the Guest of Honour. Also present at the function were Premanand Lotlikar, President of Dalgado Konknni Akademi and Tomazinho Cardozo,

D

Instructions for Sudoku SUDOKU SOL 538 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

President of Tiatr Academy of Goa, Helena, daughter of A L Jerry and Francisco Braganza, nephew of A L Jerry Braganza.

Tomazinho Cardozo said, “Jerry Braganza is the Father of Konkani Cinema who set the foundation of the Konkani Cinema. He collected Rs 2, 3 and 5 to finance the film. The hard work of these Konkani film makers really paid

o f f. ” Dharmanand Vernekar added, “Dadasaheb Phalke was the father of the Indian Cinema while A L Jerry Braganza was the father of the Konkani cinema. When one thinks about Konkani Cinema, films like ‘Amche Noxib’ and ‘Nirmonn’ comes to mind but it is due to Jerry Braganza, films like this came to the forefront. One should not forget their milestones.” Konkani film ‘Nisha’ produced by Neville Pereira was screened at the function.

Artistic Hues of Europe HERALD FEATURES he 15th European Film Festival 2010, organised by the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) and the Delegation of the European Union which opened on April 24, 2010 at the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG), will be on till May 5.

Besides the screening of films from a handful of European countries, a specially curated exhibition of European artists living in Goa is open to the public.

The artists participating in the exhibition are Harry Deissing, Rudolf Ludwig and Silke Landmann from Germany, Sohela Dabiri from Iran, Maria Balea from Romania and Jacqueline Merville from France. Indomia Project, comprising artists from three nations – Dirk Thienpoint from Belgium, Enith Perez from Peru and Srinivas Mangipudi from India – brought their talent together and put it on display.

The artwork is done in a variety of media with acrylic, poster and watercolour dominating. A mixture of emotions is brought forth through the works.

Some exuded a sombre, pensive mood while others bizarre and aesthetically garish. A few had intricate designs sprawled all over the canvas. Overall, the exhibition is a splash of colour of almost every tinge. It will remains open to the public till May 4.

T

GARFIELD

Photos by Nomratha Fernandes

SOUTH POLE

10:30 Sasural Genda Phool 11:00 Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya 11:30 Behenein 12:00 Sapna Babul Ka ...Bidaai 12:30 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai 13:00 Tere Mere Sapne 13:30 Hamari Devrani 14:00 Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat 14:30 Behenein 15:00 Sajan Ghar Jaana Hai 15:30 Sapna Babul Ka ...Bidaai 16:00 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai 16:30 Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya 17:00 Sasural Genda Phool 17:30 Behenein 18:00 Sabki Laadli Bebo 18:30 Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya 19:00 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai 19:30 Sasural Genda Phool 20:00 Sajan Ghar Jaana Hai 20:30 Behenein 21:00 Sapna Babul Ka ...Bidaai 21:30 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai 22:00 Sabki Laadli Bebo

11:00 Pyaar Ka Bandhan 11:30 Indian Idol 12:30 Indian Idol: Rubaroo 13:00 Godh Bharaai 13:30 C.I.D 18:00 Indian Idol 19:00 Sukh By Chance 19:30 Godh Bharaai 20:00 C.I.D Classics 21:00 Indian Idol 22:00 Indian Idol : Rubaroo 22:30 Crime Patrol

10:00 Choti Bahu

10:30 12/24 Karol Bagh 11:00 Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi 11:30 Pavitra Rishta 12:00 Do Saheliyaan 12:30 Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 13:00 Jhansi Ki Rani 13:30 Pavitra Rishta 14:00 Choti Bahu 14:30 Do Saheliyaan 15:00 Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi 15:30 12/24 Karol Bagh 16:00 Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 16:30 Choti Bahu 17:00 Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi 17:30 Jhansi Ki Rani 18:00 Pavitra Rishta 18:30 Ghar Ghar Mein 19:00 Do Saheliyaan 19:30 Choti Bahu 20:00 Jhansi Ki Rani 20:30 Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 21:00 Pavitra Rishta 21:30 Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi 22:00 12/24 Karol Bagh

10:00 Maniben.com 10:30 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta…

11:15 Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo 12:00 Lapataganj 12:30 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta…

13:00 Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo 13:30 Maniben.com 14:00 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta…

14:30 Lapataganj 15:00 FIR 15:30 Jugni Chali Jalandar 16:00 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta…

16:30 Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo 17:00 Gutar Gu 17:30 Lapataganj 18:00 FIR 18:30 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta…

19:00 Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo 19:30 Lapataganj 20:00 Maniben.com 20:30 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta…

Parenting

07:00 Superhero Movie 09:05 Snow Dogs 11:05 Scary Movie 12:50 Day of the Dead 14:35 Starship Troopers 18:55 The Terminator 21:00 Race to Witch Mountain 23:00 Thomas Crown Affair

09:45 Only You 12:00 The Dark Knight 15:00 HBO Central 15:30 Radio 17:45 TMZ 18:15 The Scorpion King: Rise of a Warrior 20:30 TMZ 21:00 Made of Honor 23:00 The Dark Knight

08:00 Mehbooba 12:30 Daraar 17:00 Naqaab 20:00 Hum Hai Bemisaal

09:30 Jai Ganesh Deva 12:30 Parichay 16:00 Shriman Shrimati 20:00 Hey Ram 23:00 Jurassic City

08:15 Little Women 10:40 Blue Streak 12:35 Fun with Dick and Jane 14:30 Things Behind the Sun 16:45 Panic

18:35 August Rush 21:00 Laws of Attraction 23:05 Havoc

08:30 Deewane Huye Paagal 12:00 Dushmani: The Target 16:00 One Two Three 19:30 Super Gaane 20:00 Suhaag 23:55 Angaara

08:00 Meri Jung 12:00 Welcome to Sajjanpur 16:00 Dhadkan 20:00 Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyon

E N T E R TA I N M E N T 21:00 Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo 21:30 Jugni Chali Jalandar 22:00 Lapataganj

10:00 Dill Mill Gayye 10:30 Mile Jab Hum Tum 11:00 Jaane Pehchaane Se Yeh 11:30 Geet 12:00 Rang Badalti Odhni 12:30 Dill Mill Gayye 13:00 Jaane Pehchaane Se Yeh 13:30 Geet 14:00 Rang Badalti Odhni 14:30 Mile Jab Hum Tum 15:00 Ankahee

18:00 Laughter Ke Phatke 18:30 Dill Mill Gayye 19:00 Geet 19:30 Rang Badalti Odhni 20:00 Dill Mill Gayye 20:30 Jaane Pehchaane Se Yeh 21:00 Mile Jab Hum Tum 21:30 Geet 22:00 Rang Badalti Odhni 22:30 Jaane Pehchaane Se Yeh

11:00 Csi: Sin City Blue 12:00 Cyril: Simply Magic 13:00 So You Think You Can Dance 14:00 David Blaine 15:00 Video Zonkers

17:00 The Amazing Race Asia 18:00 Life on Mars 19:00 Breaking The Magician's Code 20:00 Video Zonkers 21:00 Criss Angel Mindfreak 22:00 Wipeout Australia

10:00 Psych 11:00 V.I.P 12:00 The Bold and The Beautiful 12:30 Prison Break 13:30 90210 14:30 Two and a Half Men 15:00 The Bold and The Beautiful 15:30 Psych

16:30 Friends 17:00 Prison Break 18:00 V.I.P 19:00 Friends 19:30 Two and a Half Men 20:00 Psych 21:00 Friends 21:30 Two and a Half Men 22:00 Prison Break

08:00 NBA Playoffs 2009/10 10:30 Internazionali Bnl D'italia 14:55 Mbm Philippines 15:55 Hitz 09/10 16:25 FIM Motocross World Championship 2010 H/ls 16:55 AFC Champions League : Beijing Guoan vs.

Kawasaki Frontale 19:00 Game 19:30 Glitch 20:00 Simply the Best 20:30 Almost Anything Goes 21:00 Score Tonight 21:30 Nike Football Locker Room 22:00 Mobil 1 The Grid 22:30 TNA Badshah

09:00 ICC World T20 2007 H/L 11:00 Hitz 09/10 11:30 Fina Aquatics World 12:00 Barclays Premier League 09/10 : Aston Villa vs.

Birmingham City 14:00 NBA Playoffs 2009/10 : Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers 16:30 NBA Fastbreak 17:00 Fina Aquatics World 17:30 NBA Action 18:00 ICC World T20 2007 H/L 19:00 Football Focus with John 20:00 Sportscenter India 20:30 Sportscenter Asia 21:00 Barclays Premier League

09/10 : Manchester United vs. Tottenham Hotspur 22:00 Sportscenter India 22:30 Sportscenter Asia 23:00 ICC World T20 2007 H/L

11:30 UEFA Champions League 2009/10: Inter Milan vs.

Barcelona 13:30 UEFA Champions League 2009/10 : Semi Final: Lyon vs. Bayern Munich 15:30 Mobil 1 The Grid 16:00 WWE: Bottom Line 17:00 ONGC I League 2009/10 : McDowell Mohun Bagan vs. Dempo 19:00 FIFA: Futbol Mundial 19:30 Goalfest 20:00 Real NBA

07:00 Kids Club 07:30 Flavors 08:00 English News 09:00 Konkani News 10:00 Marathi News 11:00 Marine 11:30 HCN Smash Hits 12:00 Life is to Live 12:30 Flavors 13:00 English News 14:00 Portuguese Songs 15:00 Sangeet 15:30 Konkani Songs 16:00 HCN Smash Hitz 16:30 Flavors 17:00 Kids Club 17:30 Life is to Live 18:00 Konkani News 19:00 Marathi News 20:00 English News 21:00 Face-2-Face 21:30 Rose Garden 22:00 English News 23:00 Remembering Michael Jackson 23:30 Fusion Concert Note: Subject to change

HERALD CROSSWORD - 539 Across 1- Take ___ from me; 5- I could ___ horse!; 9- Fair-hiring abbr.; 12- Japanese soup; 13- Deride; 15- Sketch; 16Burden; 17- Pang; 18- Architect Mies van der ___; 19Fret; 21- Full of twists; 23- Diamond cover; 25- Small mountain lake; 26- ___-relief; 29- Letter opener; 31- Preference; 35- 401(k) alternative; 36- Entangled with; 38- Unit just above a yard; 39- Votingpattern predictor; 41- Arabian republic; 43- Church center; 44- Fertile area in a desert; 46- Sleight of hand; 48- Court call; 49- Stage plays; 51Make reference to; 52- Manmouse connector; 53Breathe hard; 55- Math course; 57- Sturdy leather boot; 61- Soap ingredient; 65"The Time Machine" race; 66Due (to); 68- Tel ___; 69Ollie's partner; 70- Black tea; 71- Anger; 72- Small child; 73Delineate; 74- Grounded fleet; Down 1- Latin love; 2- Fork feature; 3The jig ___!; 4- Assume as fact; 5- Convert into an aromatic chemical; 6- Essen exclamation; 7- Legal wrong; 8- Up and about; 9- Switch ending; 10- Island of Hawaii; 11- Farm females; 14Existing in an untamed state; 15Sotted; 20- American space agency; 22- Barbershop request; 24- Introduction; 26- Two-legged support; 27- Bellowing; 28- Chip

dip; 30- Shrub of the SOLUTION - 538 cashew family; 32- Author Calvino; 33- Not once; 34Actress Scacchi; 37Kosher; 40- Loud-voiced wading bird; 42- Gaseous element; 45- Swedish auto; 47- Overlay with wood; 50Pry; 54- Absorbent cloth; 56- Toothed wheels; 57Joke; 58- Choir member; 59- Cover; 60- Polynesian carved image; 62- Budget rival; 63- Slant; 64- Nights before; 67- ___ de guerre;

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SPORTS

GOA, Wednesday, 28 April, 2010

Ambelim advance st anthony’s soccer HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 27

Ambelim Sports Club defeated Cuncolim Union 2-1 in St Anthony’s Super Soccer tournament organised by St Anthony’s Sports Club at Colva ground, on Tuesday.

Ambelim led 1-0 at the breather.

In the 10th minute, an attempt by Dilip Velip was saved

by the Ambelim goalkeeper.

Ambelim took the lead through Tiburcio Fernandes as his 20-yard shot gave no chance to the rival goalkeeper.

In the second half, Cuncolim went all-out in search of the equaliser but were unable to find the target. Cuncolim missed the absence of their star player Frankie Fernandes. In a counter attack, Ambelim scored their second goal through Samson Fernandes.

Cuncolim fought back and reduced the margin in the 50th minute through Daulat Dessai.

Daulat of Cuncolim was named the man-of-the match.

Churchill Bros aim to top group Churchill Brothers coach Carlos Parreira hoped that his team could give a repeat of their earlier sterling 2-2 home performance in Goa when they take on Kuwait Sporting Club in the last Group B AFC match, at Kuwait Sporting Club stadium, here on Wednesday.

"A draw will do for us to top the Group so that we can play our next pre-quarter-final match in Goa on May 12," remarked Carlos, who tried to make light of the absence of ace striker captain Odafe, who stands suspended following two yellow cards. Gourmangi Singh, will lead the team tomorrow.

"We gave a superb performance when we played Kuwait in Goa. It was one of the best ever matches that Churchill Bros have played. Everyone talked about that match and we hope that we will be able to come up with another grand show," remarked Carlos at a press briefing on Tuesday.

"I am confident that it will be a good match tomorrow. It will not be easy for both teams, which have already qualified for the next stage. Playing in both AFC as well

as the I-League is quite taxing for the players. Never the less, we will do our best to raise the tempo and come out trumps," remarked Carlos who pointed out that the team had no injury problems.

Kuwait have three key players who will be sidelined due to injuries, disclosed their newly appointed coach Mohammad Abdullah, who was put in charge of the team just today after Brazilian coach Arthur resigned yesterday citing personal, family reasons, although it comes at a time when the team lost a Kuwait League match some days back.

Abdullah, who was earlier the Technical Director and assistant coach, said he was very familiar with the players and that despite the absence of the key players, his team was expected to score a victory and top the pool, so that they will play their next qualification match in Kuwait itself.

"I know that Churchill Bros are a very strong team. Hence, we are geared to take on the challenge and with home advantage on our side, we expect to earn full points so that our tally rises to eight, while

Dempo confident of beating Bagan

Sesa FC lock horns with Sporting today

Adarsh up HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 27

Adarsh Yuvak Sangh, Saligao defeated Vailankanni Sports Club, Arambol 2-0 to move into the quarter-finals of 17th Pilerne Panchayat Cup inter-village soccer tournament organised by Pilerne Sports Club, at Maddanim ground, Pilerne.

For Adarsh, Avelino Fernandes netted the first in the 7th minute while Rohidas Mhaloji scored the second in the 28th minute.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, APRIL 27

Former I-League champions Dempo Sports Club chief coach Armando Colaco said his team would do well in their 23rd match of ONGC I-League against Mohun Bagan on Wednesday at Salt lake stadium, Kolkata.

“I feel our chances are very good,” Colaco told Herald on Monday morning.

“I told the boys to give 100 percent and play for a win,” he said.

“Our strikers Ranty Martins and promising Joaquim Abranches will shoulder the burden of scoring the goals unlike our earlier encounter. I am certain my boys will come good,” added Colaco.

BY JOVITO LOPES KUWAIT, APRIL 27

Colaco was optimistic about the chances of his team. Colaco stated: “The team has been playing well with victories against Chirag United and Sporting Clube de Goa. The boys know what is expected of them and are confident of delivering when it matters the most.

We have three more matches to go and I would like to see my team winning,” Colaco added.

Dempo will be without the services of midfielder Clifford Miranda, who is serving a suspension and Nicolau Borges is likely to replace him.

Other matches include Mahindra United v. Pune FC and Shillong Lajong FC v. Chirag United.

Candolim in semis sodiem siolim super soccer HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 27

Candolim Sports Club overcame Arpora Sporting 5-4 via the tiebreaker to move into the semi-finals of Sodiem Siolim Super Soccer tournament, at St Anthony’s church ground, Siolim, on Tuesday.

The teams were levelled 1-1 at the end of regulation period.

In a fast paced game, Can-

dolim took the lead in the 5th minute through Kleiber D’Souza.

Arpora fought back and equalised through Sidesh Naik in the 20th minute.

With the match ending in a 1-1 draw, the tie-breaker was enforced to break the impasse.

Kleiber D’Souza, Sarvesh Kanekar, Jolif Simoes and Manuel Crasto scored for Candolim while Amit Fernandes, German Fernandes and Rajesh Pomburphekar were on target for Arpora.

UC Nerul enter semis colormaximperial soccer HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 27

United Club of Nerul overcame a stiff challenge but managed to book themselves a spot into the semi-finals of 3rd Colormax-Imperial Rolling Trophy, sponsored

by Jaysingh L Rane, with a 2-1 win over Penha de Franca, at Dr. Gustavo Monteiro stadium, Candolim, on Tuesday. The teams were locked 1-1 draw at the breather.

Penha de Franca took the lead in the 20th minute when Felix

Colaco’s free kick gave no chance to Nerul goalkeeper Anson. Nine minutes later, Nerul equalised when Charles Pereira positioned himself perfectly to tap home Newton Pereira’s cross from the left.

Changing over, Pankaj Naik’s brilliant strike in the 45th minute was blocked by goalkeeper Naved Almeida while Penha de Franca’s Milande Shinde saw his shot ricochet off the Nerul post.

After several missed chances Nerul came with the match-winner in the 65th minute through Charles.

taca goa

HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, APRIL 27

HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 27

Goa defeated Delhi 15/11, 11/15, 15/4 in the sub-junior girls section to advance into the third round of 29th National Shooting Ball Championship, at Margao, on Tuesday.

Other results -- senior boys: Rajasthan bt Shamali 16/5,

16/14, 15/5; MP bt Jharkhand 15/10, 15/5; Mumbai bt AP 15/2, 15/1; Punjab bt HAL Nasik 15/9, 12/15, 15/11; Maharashtra bt Chandigarh 15/9, 15/5; MP bt Jharkhand 15/3, 15/5; Vidarba bt J and K 15/3, 15/7; Mumbai bt Jharkhand 15/4, 15/1; Delhi bt Tamil Nadu 15/8, 15/12; Haryana bt Pondicherry 15/3, 15/0; UP bt Bihar 15/1, 15/3;

Churchill's will remain at seven.

Should Churchill just manage to draw, Churchill will go on top with eight points while Kuwait will be on six. A win for Churchill will take their points tally to ten while Kuwait will remain on five.

Churchill Bros patron, Churchill Alemao, PWD Minister, despite indifferent health, had a heart-toheart talk with the players, motivating them to work for a victory.

"We are representing India as the National champs and we must keep our nation's as well as the club's and Goa's flag flying high.

That apart, you gave a brilliant display when we played our match in Goa against Kuwait. Then, we

went on to beat Al Hilal and finally, when it matters the most, we must come out triumphant tomorrow," exhorted Churchill.

"The strikers must deliver. Goals is what matters in the ultimate analysis," he told Ogba Kalu and Felix, who will have to shoulder the responsibility of scoring goals.

"No matter what, give your best, convert even half chances, work hard and victory will be ours," advised Churchill, who was upbeat with the response from the Goan community in Kuwait, which is expected to turn up in large numbers for the match. "I have been receiving several delegations from Goans in Kuwait, pledging their whole-

hearted support. They will come to root for us and we only hope that our players will not disappoint," remarked Churchill, who also disclosed that several diehard supporters of his team had specially flown from Goa to cheer the team.

Meanwhile, Dr K C Abraham, owner of Musli Power arrived this morning from Kochi to witness the match and also to boost the sales. "We have several distributors in Kuwait and I thought it right to make use of the occasion," he pointed out.

Churchill Bros: Arindan, Rowilson, Naoba, Robert, Gourmangi, Kalu, Murali, Nascimento, Lalrinda, Jaison, Felix.

Sachin’s wicket priceless: Jakati

Sesa Football Academy will lock horns with Sporting Clube de Goa in the Taca Goa U-20 league, at Duler stadium, Mapusa on Wednesday.

It is a must win match for Sesa since they are currently trailing Salgaocar by two points.

The top goal scorers in the Taca league are, Dawson Fernandes of Salgaocar with five goals. His team mate Clifton Dias has four goals while Adwin Lucas of Sesa is third with four goals.

SC Davorlim enter last four eslinda alemao soccer HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, APRIL 27

Sporting Club of Davorlim blanked A A de Majorda 4-0 to storm into the semi-finals of AllGoa Eslinda Alemao memorial inter-village football tournament organised by Sporting Club of Davorlim, at Davorlim ground, on Tuesday.

Davorlim led 1-0 at the breather.

Davorlim took the lead in the 25th minute through Peter Colaco following a good move initiated by Rosebud Gomes from the left.

Crossing over, Davorlim doubled the lead in the 47th minute when Agnelo Colaco blasted home after receiving a through pass from Joe Gomes.

Majorda tried their best to reduce the margin but could not penetrate the rival defence.

William Colaco put the issue beyond doubt in the 50th minute when he bulge the net after picking up a pass from Rosebud.

Paxton Gomes drove the last nail into Majorda coffin in the dying minutes of play.

Goa sub-juniors move ahead nat shooting

Churchill Bros captain Gourmangi, Jovito Lopes, SJAG president, PRO Peter Figueiredo, coach Carlos, Kuwait Sporting GM and Media Officer Tamer, coach Abudllah after the AFC Cup Group B match press conference in Kuwait on Tuesday.

Haryana bt Orissa 15/9, 15/7; Vidarba bt Bihar 15/3, 15/6; Shamli bt UP 15/8, 15/5; Rajasthan bt J and K 15/3, 15/2; Junior boys: Vidarba bt Mumbai 16/4, 16/15, 16/14; MP bt Haryana 15/7, 15/6, 15/10; Maharashtra bt Goa 15/2, 15/1.

Sub junior girls: UP bt MP 15/6, 15/17, 10/15; Goa bt Delhi 15/11, 11/15, 15/4.

Vednam XI triumph

HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 27

Vednam XI Sports Club defeated Jolly Boys to lift the Vincent Lobo Memorial floodlit cricket Trophy, organised by Britto's Sports Club, at Britto's ground, Parra.

Vednam received the winners’ prize of Rs 12,000 while Jolly Boys had to be content with Rs 8,000.Following prizes were awarded: Best batsman – Rajesh, Vednam.

Best Bowler: Sandesh, Vednam.

Laxman Parab Palyekar, Calangute sarpanch was the chief guest while Michael Lobo, Saligao ZP was the guest of The captain of Vednam XI, winners of Lobo Memorial Cricket Trophy, in the presence of Laxman Palyekar and Michael Lobo. honour.

Goa’s Shadab Jakati alongwith her mother and other family members outside the Dabolim airport on Monday.

Photo: M Prabhav HERALD REPORTER VASCO, APRIL 27

Shadab Jakati of Chennai Super Kings alongwith his mother, who had flown to Mumbai to watch her son playing in the IPL final arrived at Dabolim airport on Monday.

“It’s great to be part of the wining IPL team. Defeating Mumbai on their home turf makes it special for us especially when Sachin Tendulkar and Keiron Pollard were in great form,” said Jakati during his arrival.

He credited his success to his parents, fans and Goa Cricket

Association.

“It’s a great moment in my cricketing career to take the wicket of Sachin Tendulkar at a crucial juncture, I will treasure this moment for many years to come. I just bowled in the right area and waited for Tendulkar to make a mistake. The plan worked for us as we needed his wicket desperately,” added an excited Jakati.

“Playing with three spinners worked for the team as the DY Patil wicket was conducive for spinners. Having legend Muttiah Muralitharan around was a gainful experience. Initially we lost

a couple of matches in the IPL but we kept our momentum high to emerge champions,” said Jakati.

Jakati further stated: “At the beginning of the IPL, I was on the reserve list, but soon made it into the playing eleven. I utilised this opportunity and bowled with maximum variation and turn.”

On speaking on India’s chances at the T20 World Cup, Jakati said: “IPL has given a good exposure to the Indian team and I am sure India will emerge victorious in the tournament.”

Enfermos seal semis spot cayman cup HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, APRIL 27

Enfermos Sports Club, Sinquetim-Navelim registered a 3-2 tiebreaker win over Guirdolim Sports Club to march into the semi-finals of All-Goa Cayman Cup inter- village football tournament organised by Curtorim Gymkhana, at Curtorim ground, on Tuesday. There was no score at full time.

Enfermos spearheaded by strikers Alvito Colaco and Franky Pereira dominated the initial

stages of the first half. Guirdolim’s best move came in the first session when Leslie Peixoto’s sharp header missed the target narrowly.

Later, Guirdolim’s citadel survived when striker Alvito’s rasping drive was saved by the rival goalkeeper. Enfermos continued to look for goals but failed to get past the rival defence.

In the ensuing tie-breaker, Enfermos scored through Chandrakant Naik, Valentino Pereira and Jaison Pereira while Socorro Dias and Socorro Gomes were on target for Guirdolim.

GOA DIARY Sesa FA convocation

PANJIM (HSD) -- The fifth convocation ceremony of Sesa Football Academy, Sanquelim will be held on April 30, at SFA complex, Sanquelim, at 4.30 p.m. Alberto Colaco, general secretary, AIFF will be the chief guest while Armando Colaco, chief coach, Dempo Sports Club will be the guest of honour. P K Mukherjee, Managing Director, Sesa Goa will preside.

3-a-side tie-breaker at Calangute

CALANGUTE (HC) – The All-Goa 3-a-side tie-breaker soccer tournament organised by YGF will be held on May 2, at Agar Vaddo ground, Calangute, from 2.30 p.m. The winners and runnersup will receive Rs 4,000 and Rs 3,000 respectively. Spot entries will be accepted. Details maybe obtained from Sales Fernandes on 9823105561.

Taekwondo selection trials

PANJIM (HSD) – The Taekwondo Association of Goa will conduct selection trials for U-14 boys and girls on May 2, at Nehru multipurpose hall, Margao, at 10 a.m, to participate in the 2nd West Zone sub-junior, junior and senior championships to be held in Goa from May 28 to 30. Students with TFI identity cards, TAG annual membership card for the year 2010-2011 alongwith birth certificates are eligible. Players selected will undergo a 25-day coaching camp from May 3 to 30.

Kayaking at Dona Paula

PANJIM (HSD) -- Goa Kayaking in association with Goa Tourism will conduct an introduction to kayaking and training programme for adults and children in the age group of 8 to 9 years, from May 7 to 10 and May 14 to 17, at Vainguinim beach, Dona Paula. Entries are accepted at Angleys Sports, opposite Municipal Garden, Phone: 2223119 or Nobert’s Fitness Studio, Mira Mar, Phone: 2462182. The last date for entries is May 5. Details may be obtained on 9422056037.

Taca Goa U-20 soccer: Sesa Football Academy (juniors) v.

Sporting Clube de Goa; Sarzora SC v. Aivao United FC, Raia ground, Duler ground, Mapusa, 4.15 p.m.

Pilerne Panchayat Cup inter-village soccer: Saligao SC v. Siolim Sodiem SCA, Maddanim ground, Pilerne, 5 p.m.

3rd Colormax-Imperial Rolling Trophy soccer (semis): Calangute Association v. Sao Minguel Taleigao, Dr. Gustavo Monteiro stadium, Candolim ground, 4.45 p.m.

Goa Premier League cricket: Al-Fatah Sports Club v. Goa Sports Academy, Panjim Gymkhana; Dempo Cricket Club v. Salgaocar Sports Club, BITS Pilani ground; Chowgule Cricket Club v. Sarvodaya Sports Club, Porvorim ground, 9.30 a.m.

Coca Cola Celebration Cup soccer: Goa Velha SC v. Rossman Cruz Nagoa SC, 4 p.m; Rossman Cruz Nagoa SC v.

Cortalim Gymkhana 4.45 p.m; Cortalim Gymkhana v. Goa Velha SC, Tilak stadium, Vasco, 4.30 p.m.

St Anthony’s Super Soccer: AA de Majorda v. Parish Youth Nuvem, Colva ground, 4.30 p.m.

James Alvares memorial beach soccer: Ferrari Boys of Varca v. United Youth Club, Bogmalo; Stars of MPT v. Jiklear Jikle, Bogmalo beach. Kick off 4.45 p.m.

All-Goa Mount Carmel festival volleyball: Da Cruz Mala v. Pujari 6, Upasnagar, PMC volleyball court, Tisk, Ponda, 7.30 p.m.

HE RA LD

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SPORTS

GOA, Wednesday, 28 April, 2010

Inter Milan's Mario Balotelli (centre) runs during a training session at La Pinetina training center in Appiano Gentile near Milan.

Inter face mission 'Stop Messi'

Jose Mourinho and his Inter Milan players managed to stifle Champions League holders Barcelona last week at the San Siro but repeating the feat at the Nou Camp tomorrow is a different proposition altogether.

Inter have one foot in May's final after the 3-1 home win in their semi-final first leg. But with competition top scorer Lionel Messi, former Inter striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and peerless midfield orchestrator Xavi in the side and close to a 100,000 fans roaring them on Barca are more than capable of reversing the deficit. ''We have to be ambitious and go for as many goals as possible,'' Barca defender Gerard Pique said at a news conference yesterday. ''Even if we score twice they could snatch one goal and we'll be out.''

Barca's hopes of progressing have been boosted by the news that influential Inter playmaker Wesley Sneijder, arguably their player of the season, is doubtful with a thigh problem suffered in Saturday's 3-1 Serie A win over Atalanta.

Pep Guardiola's Barca side knocked four goals past both VfB Stuttgart and Arsenal in their last two European home matches, Messi scoring twice against the Germans and all four against Arsenal, and a repeat of their 2-0 success against Inter in the group phase in November would see them through.

History also appears to be on their side. The last two times Barca lost 3-1 in the first leg of a Champions League knockout tie away from home, against Dy-

namo Kiev in 1993/94 and Chelsea in 1999/2000, they turned things around with 4-1 and 5-1 second-leg wins respectively.

Pique said the support of the Barca faithful would be a key factor on Wednesday night. ''I hope to see the Nou Camp as I've never seen it before and we want the Inter players to hate their jobs for 90 minutes,'' the former Manchester United man said. ''I don't remember the fans being so excited and so confident that we can do it,'' he added. ''It could be one of the most important matches in Barca's recent history.''

However, Portuguese Mourinho has made a habit of besting former clubs and after dispatching Chelsea in the last 16 in February now has a chance to eliminate the club where he served as assistant coach to Bobby Robson and Louis van Gaal.

He'll need to coax another tireless performance from his players on Wednesday if Inter, winners in 1964 and 1965, are to secure a first European Cup final appearance since 1972.

Their constant harrying and hassling in the first leg stopped Xavi, Messi and their team mates from playing their customary game based on fluid passing and the long periods of possession with which they wear opponents down.

Inter striker Mario Balotelli was dropped from the squad to face Atalanta after arguing with fans and throwing his shirt away after the first-leg win.

With Sneijder doubtful and Goran Pandev recovering fitness, the 19-year-old may have a

chance of featuring as Inter again look poised to play three up front.

Left back Cristian Chivu, who scored his first Inter goal in three years against Atalanta, could come into the side if captain Javier Zanetti switches to midfield to replace Sneijder. ''It's a historic moment for us.

We have to give our all,'' Chivu, still forced to wear a protective cap after fracturing his skull earlier this season, told Inter Channel.

Barca central defender and captain Carles Puyol and Inter midfielder Dejan Stankovic are both suspended.

Steven Gerrard insists Liverpool have no intention of giving Chelsea an easy ride in Sunday's crucial showdown at Anfield.

Carlo Ancelotti's team are one point ahead of Manchester United with two games to play and a victory on Merseyside would move them within touching distance of the Premier League title.

Some Liverpool fans wouldn't be too upset about that as it would almost certainly deny arch rivals United a 19th English crown, which would surpass the Reds' own total of 18.

But Liverpool captain Gerrard knows his side still have an outside chance of snatching fourth place and qualification for the Champions League, so he expects Rafael Benitez's side to give everything to beat the Blues this weekend.

"We have a couple of games left and the idea is to take maximum points and see if we can get into the Champions League through the back door," Gerrard told The Sun. "If we take maximum points, who knows? The teams above us might slip up. All we have done is keep the pressure on.

"We won't give up but it would be stupid of me to say this or that is going to happen - it's important to be realistic.”

"We are underdogs for fourth position but our fans a l s o know we've

got Everton breathing down our necks and we certainly don't want them finishing above us."

Although Chelsea will fancy their chances against a Liverpool team missing star striker Fernando Torres, they know failure to win at Anfield would give United a chance to regain top spot with a win at Sunderland later on Sunday. Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard, who scored twice in Sunday's 7-0 win over Stoke, is convinced Gerrard and company won't be surrender the three points without a fight.

"There is no chance that 11 Liverpool players can go out and consider United winning the championship on this game," Lampard said.

"They play only to win games and would not be unprofessional.

They will give it everything, there's no doubt about that.”

"But the message from us is that we can go to Anfield and get three points.”

"If you want to be champions, you have to go to these kind of places and bring back the title."

United striker Wayne Rooney, currently sidelined with a groin injury, will be watching the Anfield clash in the hope that his friend and fellow Scouser Gerrard can do the champions a favour.

Gerrard scored twice in Sunday's 4-0 win at Burnley and Rooney believes his England team-mate will always give 100 per cent for the Liverpool cause.

"I don't need to have a word with Stevie about making sure Liverpool win. You see what a good player and competitor he is even in friendly games," Rooney said.

Inter: 12-Julio Cesar; 13-Maicon, 25-Walter Samuel, 6-Lucio, 4Javier Zanetti; 19-Esteban Cambiasso, 8-Thiago Motta, 11-Sulley Muntari; 9-Samuel Eto'o, 22-Diego Milito, 27-Goran Pandev.

BE OUR EYES & EARS JOIN THE FIGHT AGAINST TERROR The bomb explosion and the tragic loss of lives in Pune on February 13, 2010 have brought into focus once again the need to maintain a high degree of alertness and vigilance especially in public places and places visited by customers such as shops, restaurants, malls, cinemas etc.

Gerrard vows Liverpool will make Chelsea fight for title AGENCIES LONDON, APRIL 27

Barcelona: 1-Victor Valdes; 2Daniel Alves, 3-Gerard Pique, 18Gabriel Milito, 22-Eric Abidal; 16-Sergio Busquets, 6-Xavi, 24Yaya Toure; 10-Lionel Messi, 9Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 17-Pedro.

We appeal to all citizens and all shops and establishments to observe the

following do’s and environment.

don’ts

and help us to provide a secure and safe

Do’s !

Do observe normal, minimum precautions

!

Do physically check or screen bags carried by the visitor or customer

!

Don’ts !

person; insist on identification !

Do look out for suspicious-looking persons or suspicious movements

Don’t admit any stranger or suspicious-looking Don’t accept any package from any one without identification

!

Don’t touch or go near any unattended bag or

!

Do call or alert the police in case of suspicion

package or object

!

Do brief children on observing precautions

!

Don’t employ any one without verification

!

Do install CCTV

!

Don’t let out house or shop without verifying the tenant

Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India

davp 19101/13/0008/1011

REUTERS BARCELONA, APRIL 27

pg18:Layout 1 4/28/2010 12:25 AM Page 1

SPORTS

Inter face mission ‘Stop Messi’ Pg. 17

Churchill Bros aim to top group Pg. 16

GOA, WEDNESDAY, 28 APRIL, 2010

www.oherald.in

In BrIef

S-T notices to DLF, Religare, Adidas for IPL-I In the midst of a tax probe into finances of IPL, authorities have issued notices to several sponsors of the first edition of the Twenty20 event, including DLF, Adidas and Religare for non-payment of service tax.

The notices have asked as to why no service tax has been paid for the sponsorship deal for the first edition of IPL, held in 2008, official sources said.

While DLF is the title sponsor of IPL, Adidas was sponsor of Mumbai Indians and Delhi Daredevils.

Religare was also one of the sponsors for Delhi Daredevils.

A bigger, better, transparent IPL next year, says Amin

Anand holds Topalov with black World Champion Vishwanthan Anand played out a draw with challenger Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria in the third game of the world chess championship in Sofia, Bulgaria.

After two full bloodied games, Anand went for a Slav defense with black pieces, which turned out to be a big contrast to his opening choice in the first game wherein the Indian ace had chosen the ultra sharp Grunfeld defense.

Topalov apparently had been expecting the Slav but possibly not the variation that Anand chose, as it was a choice popularised by Russian Vladimir Kramnik, a rival of both Topalov and Anand in the last two world championship matches.

It may be recalled that Topalov had won the first game in very quick time showcasing his deep preparation in the middle game arising out of a Grunfeld and Anand had bounced back with a very convincing victory in the second game of the 12games match.

Petition against Shoaib dismissed A Pakistani court today dismissed a petition seeking the registration of a case against cricketer Shoaib Malik and Indian tennis star Sania Mirza for the alleged violation of several rules during a reception in Sialkot to celebrate their wedding.

Meanwhile, rubbishing allegations of selling invitation cards of his wedding reception, Shoaib has asked the media to reduce the hype over his marriage with Indian tennis star Sania Mirza.

"The media needs masala (spice) but it must behave in a way that our personal life does not get affected," Sania said.

Arshavin still dreaming of Barca Arsenal forward Andrei Arshavin, a long-time Barcelona fan, still dreams of playing for the Spanish giants one day, the Russian international has said. ''Even playing just one season for Barcelona would make a pinnacle of my whole career,'' Arshavin told Sport-Express newspaper.

Becks expects Nov return from injury David Beckham will not be fit to play again until November as he continues to recover from surgery to repair his torn Achilles tendon, the injured England midfielder said. Beckham, already ruled out of the June 11 to July 11 World Cup finals, suffered the injury in March while on loan to AC Milan from the Los Angeles Galaxy. He now looks set to miss the entire Major League Soccer season. ''I'm not going to be running for another three months so I'll be playing again, probably in November,'' Beckham said in a video posted on ABC.com.

FIFA promises no empty seats at WC There will not be any empty seats at this year's World Cup in South Africa after a recent surge in ticket sales helped sell out about 40 matches, FIFA said. ''There will not be any empty seats in the stadiums. That was a commitment we made from day one,'' FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke told Reuters.

PTI VADODARA, APRIL 27

Indian Premier League's interim chief Chirayu Amin today said efforts are on to clean up the scandal-hit Twenty20 event and promised a "bigger, better and transparent" IPL next year.

"The job has just started and

I am getting involved in it. Over a period of time, we will get into the details," Amin said in his first press conference after being appointed the IPL boss yesterday in the Governing Council meeting.

Amin replaced the high-flying Lalit Modi who was suspended from the job barely a few minutes after the prize distribution ceremony of the IPL final on Sunday.

"The show will go on. IPL IV would be on schedule and it would be bigger and better. The cleaning up is already happening. My job is to run IPL in the most transparent manner," he added.

And he also has some changes in mind for the event, one of them being to stop the aftermatch IPL parties introduced by Modi.

"I don't know about the cheerleaders but the IPL nights will be stopped," he said.

Asked about his style of functioning, Amin said it would be there for everyone to see in the coming days.

"I have my own working style which will evolve. Flamboyance has got nothing to do with cricket. Cricket is itself a religion, it sells itself," he said.

Amin will also be interacting with franchise owners to ease their anxieties after Modi's ouster.

"My job is to interact with franchises and assure them that their investment is safe and will flourish. IPL management is under the radar but I don't think cricket is under scanner. IPL's brand image is strong, no one can touch that. It's a storm but it will pass," he assured.

Asked about missing documents on franchise bids and TV and internet rights, Amin said the matter is being investigated.

"Nothing is out of control.

There has to be a total of audit of things. Some documents are missing and the Board is looking into it," he said.

Amin conceded that the event's Governing Council erred in trusting Modi too much and should have kept an eye on the

suspended Commissioner's functioning.

"The success of the IPL was so dazzling that everyone was basking in its glory. Certain details were not disclosed to us in all this. We trusted Modi in good faith. I have to admit that the Governing Council could have been more vigilant," Amin, himself a council member besides being a BCCI vice-President, said.

Amin said he never thought he would be given the job.

"The job is tough. It has been thrown up to me unexpectedly.

I didn't expect to be put in the hot seat," he quipped.

Amin, who is the owner of pharma company Alembic, takes over as the IPL chief at a time when the league is battling allegations of money laundering, benami holdings in the franchisees and tax evasions.

"We will maintain full transparency. There is no hankypanky. BCCI is a democratic set-up. We are doing utmost to make it work," he said.

Governing Council also responsible for IPL mess: Vengsarkar AGENCIES MUMBAI, APRIL 27

Chris Gayle, the host captain, poses with the World Twenty20 trophy, Guyana, on Monday.

RR structure wasn’t in BCCI yet to log off place till it won IPL Modi from website!

‘Bid was transparent and in compliance with norms’ the bid, as we obviously did not know if the bid would be successful," RR said in a statement.

Raising questions over the ownership of the team yesterday, BCCI President Shashank Manohar said despite Modi's statement that the entire world knew who the shareholders of Rajasthan Royals were "but the fact is that not even the Governing Council (of IPL) members know about Rajasthan Royals".

He had also said he did not find the names of Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra in the register of shareholders despite their claims to be stakeholders in the Jaipur-based team.

RR, however, claimed the consortium neither flouted any norms nor hid any information from the BCCI about its shareholding pattern. It said a majority stake of 44.2 per cent is held by Suresh Chellaram, the

brother-in-law of Modi.

The team stated that their bid consortium was led by the UK-based Emerging Media (IPL) Ltd. and denied Manohar's allegation that the bidders' identity was not known.

"The other entities in the consortium were disclosed in the bid submission documents," the statement read.

"The current shareholders of EM Sporting Holdings Limited, who all have multiple business interests and independent means, are as follows: Emerging Media (IPL) Ltd (Manoj Badale 32.4per cent), Tresco International Ltd (Suresh Chellaram Family - 44.2 per cent), Blue Water Estate Ltd (Lachlan Murdoch - 11.7 per cent) and Kuki Investments Ltd (Raj Kundra & Family - 11.7 per cent). There are no other shareholders," it added.

IPL will have no bearing on our chances: Dhoni

Warne against retaining players for IPL IV

PTI NEW DELHI, APRIL 27

With doubts raised about who its owners were, IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals today said its promoters put in place a corporate structure only after they won the Jaipur team in 2008.

The admission comes within days of suspension of IPL commissioner Lalit Modi, who among other things was charged with hiding his relationship with owners of RR including his brother-in-law Suresh Chellaram.

There were also reports that Preity Zinta, a co-owner of Kings XI Punjab, did not have a single share in the entity at the time of winning the bid and signing the contract.

"The corporate structure was established in accordance with the details provided in the bid submission shortly after the bid.

It was not established prior to

PTI MUMBAI, APRIL 27

Hours before leaving for the West Indies, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni today said the scheduling of the hectic IPL just before the Twenty20 World Cup will have no bearing on his team's chances in the event beginning April 30.

Dhoni said there was no point in complaining about the scheduling of the tournament as they knew before hand that it will start just five days after the conclusion of IPL. He said the scheduling will not be a concern for India as the team is together for most part of the year.

"It's not that we have not played games. Sometimes you have to just take the schedule what is available, no point complaining about it.

"IPL was supposed to finish on 25th. We had one and half day rest after that, then one whole day of flight and then after reach-

ing there we have 2-3 days which is more than enough," Dhoni told reporters ahead of Team India's departure later tonight.

"We played throughout the year. We are together for almost 250 to 300 days so I don't think that should be a concern at all," he told a pre-departure press conference here.

"If we play to our potential, if every player plays according to his role and responsibility I feel we have good chances. So, hope for the best," Dhoni added.

His views were backed

by India coach Gary Kirsten who said the team will give its best shot in the tournament no matter what the schedule is.

"We have got the schedule and can't do anything about it now. The Indian players may feel the heat of it more because all of them played in the IPL but our responsibility is to go out there and ensure that we are well prepared. We will do what we can in these circumstances," he said.

AGENCIES MELBOURNE, APRIL 27

Rajasthan Royals skipper Shane Warne is not in favour of IPL franchisees retaining any player for the next season.

BCCI on Monday formed a 3member committee, which will liaise with the franchisees and discuss the modalities of withholding three foreign and four Indian players for the next season.

The players, who competed in the first three editions of the Twenty20 tournament, had a 3year contract with their respective franchisees and a fresh auction will be held in September for IPL-IV. Warne, is of the view that for the sake of transparency, in the wake of the ongoing controversy, retention of the players should be avoided.

"IPL must be transparent in everything it does, all questions and suspicions are taken away, that's why there must be no retention of players," Warne wrote on his Twitter page.

Don't quit, we are with you: father to Modi PTI NEW DELHI, APRIL 27

Contrary to reports of strained relations between them, industrialist K K Modi today extended financial support to son and suspended IPL commissioner Lalit Modi and said that most of the allegations against him were on account of his lavish lifestyle.

"I SMSed him not to resign. I told him you are facing problems but the whole family is behind you and you will overcome it," K K Modi, 73, who lords over a Rs 4,000 crore diversified business group with interests in tobacco to entertainment, told PTI over phone.

Firmly s behind Lalit, who was pulled down by BCCI on mismanagement and impropriety charges, father Modi said that he was willing to give "more money" to start a new venture.

"If Lalit wanted to create a franchise for the Modi group I am willing to give him more money than the BCCI gave him to start the IPL... If he (Lalit) can create (a venture) half as successful as IPL, every member of the Modi family will benefit," he added.

Modi said that resigning would have meant admission of wrongdoings and claimed that his son had done nothing wrong.

"He (Lalit) has a 100 per cent strong case to defend himself.

Such problems are not unexpected. If you are running a public game like the IPL, people are going to ask questions," the Modi family patriarch said, but attributed the problems faced by Lalit to his flamboyant lifestyle.

Lalit had paid an advance tax of Rs 11 crore during the year 2009-10, compared to just a few

lakhs in the previous year. Known for his lavish lifestyle, Lalit is reported to have a private jet of his own, a yacht and a fleet of luxury cars and heritage properties.

"I think most of the allegations are arising for his lifestyle.

His lifestyle is not dependent upon IPL," K K Modi said.

He, however, felt that Lalit had learnt a lot through the IPL and developed an expertise for running business, which could be beneficial for the Modi group.

"Previously all that we have benefited from him was the fame from IPL, but now I hope we will be able to benefit from his (Lalit's) new business expertise," Modi said in an obvious indication that Lalit was not involved in the family business to the extent desired.

PTI NEW DELHI, APRIL 27

Country's top cricket authority BCCI may have suspended Lalit Modi as IPL Commissioner, but the suave former chief of 20-20 cricketing extravaganza can still be seen smiling on the website of Indian Premier League.

Moreover, the official website of IPL still mentions Modi as the Chairman and Commissioner of IPL Governing Council and lists out his achievements despite having been suspended by the BCCI. "Lalit Kumar Modi is one of the most accomplished cricket administrators in the world...

He is one of the driving forces behind the board's commercial activities and has been instrumental in pushing its revenues

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over the USD 4 billion mark," the website reckons.

Meanwhile, keeping mum on the raging controversy which led to his downfall, suspended IPL chair man Lalit Modi today tweeted how his brainchild Twenty20 tournament has become a top brand in the world of sport.

In his latest tweet, Modi did not say anything about the furore nor about the serious charges levelled against him by BCCI but claimed that IPL has become number one sport in 'Youtube'.

"Did you know IPL has made it to the no 1 spot in sports genre on Youtube in the world.

Overtaken NFL (National Football League of USA) and CBS Sports too. Thanks to the fans," he wrote on his 'Twitter' page.

Lalit Modi is not solely responsible for the mess that the IPL finds itself in and the Governing Council should also be held responsible for the financial scandal that has rocked the event, former chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar said on Tuesday.

"Governing Council is to be equally blamed. They are supposed to ratify the decisions taken by Lalit Modi. All these things have tarnished the image of the game," Vengsarkar told reporters on the sidelines of a book launch.

The former skipper said the BCCI should work towards cleaning the image of the game.

"It's a simple and beautiful game. We have become a laughing stock for the world and it is very important that the BCCI restores the image of the game," he said.

RoC issues notices to SRK, Gauri

NEW DELHI (PTI) -- Actor Shahrukh Khan and his wife Gauri, who promote IPL franchise 'Kolkata Kinght Riders', and Jaipur IPL Cricket that promotes 'Rajasthan Royals' have been issued show-cause notices for alleged violation of the Companies Act. "After expiry of notice period, criminal proceedings will be filed against the companies and the directors," the Registrar of Companies (RoC), Mumbai, informed the Ministry of Company Affairs.

The notices were issued to the companies and their promoters, directors for not filing mandatory yearly returns.