29 March,2011 HERALD PUBLICATIONS PVT LTD

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Sports: Dominant Lankans up against spirited Kiwis Pg 19 Anger makes you smaller, while forgiveness forces you to grow beyond what you were.

— Cherie Carter-Scott

IN BRIEF Two killed in Margao mishap

Business: ITC to set up hotel in Goa Pg 17

(air surcharge rs 2.00) pages 20

Heartbeat: No intention to show Goa in bad light — Rohan Sippy Pg 4

ROAD RAGE AT BORIM Raj Thackeray’s men go berserk, damage truck, attack driver Villagers retaliate, block highway, paralyse traffic

A speeding blue coloured KTC bus claimed the life of two persons at the Colva traffic circle at Old Market here on Monday afternoon, while the wife of one of the deceased is undergoing treatment at the Goa Medical College and hospital, Bambolim.

While a a resident of Orlim died on the spot, another 55year-old succumbed to his injuries in the GMC, according to our Margao reporter. — (HC) (Report on page 3)

Dejected Tivrem boy kills himself In yet another incident of suicide, a 19-year-old boy committed suicide on Monday, probably due to a failed love affair.

According to Ponda police, the deceased, Shashikant Pawaskar of Zuarwada-Tivrem was found hanging to a cashew tree in the village which was noticed by villagers this morning, our Marcel correspondent reports .

Police say deceased had written on his arm, “ I want to die” “Never trust girls”, “My dream-music”, “I want to be a DJ”... police say the boy had also written on his arm, “I love you mummy”. PSI Nikhil Palekar is investigating the case. — (HC)

The truck that was damaged allegedly by security personnel of Maharashtra Nirman Seva (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray at Borim. (Right): Policemen try to douse burning tyres along the highway at Borim.

Photos by Amresh Parab HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARCEL, MARCH 28

In what is believed to be a case of road rage, personal security of Maharashtra Nirman Seva (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray allegedly attacked a truck driver, besides damaging the truck, near the Borim bridge on Mon-

Reliance power plant fleecing govt: Narvekar HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MARCH 28

Sixteen-year-old Cristina Pucean, the winner dances during the Miss Piranda gypsy contest in Bucharest.

Black money: SC flays govt The Supreme Court on Monday flayed the government for not probing into specific sources of black money stashed in banks abroad and asked the Centre to apprise it of its investigation into the threat to national security posed by it.

The apex court also expressed its dismay that the government’s probe into the issue of black money was focused only on the case involving Pune stud owner Hasan Ali Khan and no name of any other person involved in stashing funds abroad has come out. — (PTI) (Report on page 7)

TIDES TODAY High Tide: 0713; 2037 Low Tide: 0141; 1323

day afternoon.

Furious over the incident, irate villagers protested by blocking the road and paralysing traffic along the NH-17B for almost three hours.

Though the exact reason is still not known, police strongly suspect it to be a case of road

Terming the Reliance power plant as a big scam, Aldona legislator Dayanand Narvekar on Monday said that the State has to buy power at much higher rates than the actual price.

“The book value of the power purchased from Reliance is Rs 175 crore but the State government has paid a whopping Rs 1,300 crore,” Narvekar told the State legislative assembly.

He said that the State while allowing the plant to enhance its power generation capacity from 50 mw to 100 mw should have re-floated the tender.

“Reliance is a big scam. Don’t buy power at such a high rate from them. Put your foot down,” Narvekar said adding that the government should ask Reliance to reduce the tariff charged to the State. “If they don’t agree then stop purchasing power from them,” he added.

He pointed out that the State was purchasing power at Rs 11 per unit while initially it was agreed that the power would be purchased at Rs 2.50 per unit.

“Government of India is still selling the power at Rs 2.50 for our State. Then what is the point in purchasing power at a higher rate from Reliance,” Narvekar questioned.

Narvekar was speaking supporting the cut motion moved on the demands for grants for panchayat, Sports, Environment

New industries to get connections HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MARCH 28

The government announced that the ban on electricity connection to new industries in the State will be lifted due to improvement in the power scenario.

“The 17th electric power survey conducted by the Central Electricity Authority has forecasted the peak demand for Goa by the year 2016-17 at 1083 mw,” the power minister said in the legislative assembly on Monday.

The minister, talking on the demands for grants, said that (Continued on page 16)

and Power.

The former minister also demanded that the Zilla Panchayats in the State should also be given financial help, which will help them to implement various developmental projects at the village level.

“Every ZP member should at least get Rs 25 lakh. Today when the State budget is Rs 6,000 crore, by spending Rs 50 crore for ZP you are not losing anything,” Narvekar said.

Narvekar further criticized the State government for not developing the garbage treatment plant in Porvorim.

(Continued on page 16)

rage.

Sources have confirmed that the MNS chief Raj Thackeray was travelling in one of the vehicles, which was a part of the convoy.

Ponda police have registered a case against two unknown persons for allegedly assaulting the

Hotelier saves the noose for 8 Indians PTI DUBAI, MARCH 28

A Sharjah court has waived the death sentence awarded to eight Indian youths for the murder of a Pakistani national after a Dubai-based Indian hotelier paid blood money to the family of the victim on their behalf.

The murder took place on July 11, 2009 following which 10 men, eight Indians — all from Punjab — and two Pakistanis, were arrested.

The death penalty of two Pakistanis have also been waived off after the Dubai-based hotelier SP Singh Oberoi paid blood money.

“Death penalty has been waived off for all the 10 accused, eight Indians and two Pakistanis.

They have to serve three years of imprisonment of which they have already completed 21 months. So they will be free in another six months and will be deported directly to their home countries,” Oberoi told Press Trust of India following the verdict yesterday.

Several such cases involving Punjabi youths embroiled in the bootlegging turf battle have come to light in recent times.

The latest case involved murder of Pakistani national Mumtaz Yousuf, who hailed from Faislabad.

The Indians who were arrested are: Kuldip Singh, Sachin Kumar Sharma, Rakesh Kumar, Sukhpal Singh, Hardev Singh, Charanjeet, Amarjeet Singh and Rashwinder Pal. Oberoi said that on November 24, 2009 he, alongside the victim’s father, appeared in court and registered a compromise statement.

truck driver. Police has also registered another case against truck owner, Rupesh Borkar, for allegedly forming unlawful assembly and blocking the road.

According to the truck driver, Devanand Satarkar, two armed men without any reason assaulted him and damaged the

An information technology entrepreneur of Goan origin has found out the hard way how information, one so innocently puts out on Facebook and other social networking sites, can turn into a nightmare. Pune-kar Dharmanath Fatarpekar has an account on Facebook, like most other youngsters. But little did he expect that he would be at the receiving end of threats from recovery agents of a private bank, especially because he hadn’t taken a loan from the bank!

According to a report in ‘Pune Mirror’, Fatarpekar’s only fault was that his surname was the same as that of one of his distant relatives, Prakash, who was allegedly in default. Fatarpekar is

Dharmanath Fatarpekar

convinced that the bank accessed his contact details through his Facebook profile, as his ‘defaulter’ relative had recently added him as a ‘friend’ on Facebook.

Since March 21, Fatarpekar was getting calls from bank ex-

ecutives, demanding that he tell them where they can find the actual defaulter. Fed up, the 35year-old approached police on Wednesday. But, instead of taking cognisance of his complaint, the policeman on duty asked him to give the defaulter’s num-

(Continued on page 16)

PTI NEW DELHI, MARCH 28

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani will meet over dinner on the margins of the World Cup semi-final match between their two cricket teams in Mohali on Wednesday.

Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) sources said Singh will host a dinner meeting for the visiting dignitary at the stadium itself.

While officials here are refusing to tag the meeting as “formal”, the two leaders are expected to discuss bilateral issues. Gilani will join Singh to watch the Indo-Pak cricket match.

The sources said Singh would reach Chandigarh just in time for the match after attending an SPG Raising Day function at his residence in the morning.

There is also a meeting of Council of Trade and Industry scheduled for the morning that day and it is not clear whether he would go ahead with the meeting or reschedule it.

Sources said Gilani will not be coming to Delhi and is expected to reach Chandigarh on Wednesday morning.

Refusing to give further details, the sources said the programme is being finalised.

It will be “more of cricket and

less of diplomacy”, sources said when asked about the issues the two prime ministers will be discussing.

Indulging in cricket diplomacy, Singh had invited Gilani to watch the World Cup semis between India and Pakistan which was accepted by the Pakistani prime minister.

Home secy talks: Resuming the bilateral dialogue process after a gap of over two years, home secretaries of India and Pakistan today said “progress” has been made on certain issues and termed the talks as “extremely positive”.

“Talks are extremely positive.

Progress made in certain direction, in the right direction,” Home Secretary G K Pillai told reporters at the end of the first day of the two-day talks with his Pakistani counterpart Chaudhary Qamar Zaman.

Zaman, also said talks were “very positive”. “Since, we have another day for the talks to still follow through, I am not going into the specifics at the moment.”

“But I can tell you with good amount of certainty that its been a very positive attitude displayed on both sides and I am really confident about tomorrow’s proceedings also,” he said.

Services guarantee bill introduced HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MARCH 28

In a bid to bring about accountability in State government departments, the government today introduced the Goa Public Service Guarantee Bill 2011.

The bill that was introduced

in the Goa legislative assembly today states, “In the golden jubilee year of the liberation of Goa from foreign rule, it is the intention of the government to provide all essential services to people of the State of in a time bound manner.”

The bill intends to make government servants accountable to people of Goa for delay in providing the services.

Already citizens charters have been published by all government departments informing of the services provided,

Govt to pay customs duty for River Princess scrap

The scrap of River Princess loaded on barges at Britona jetty.

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MARCH 28

After over a week’s delay , the government will finally pay Customs duty towards scrap of River Princess on Tuesday, which will pave way for unloading scrap and debris of the vessel at Britona jetty and transporting the same to scrapyards.

As River Princess is a foreign vessel, the government is compelled to pay customs duty of Rs 3.94 crore towards scrap of

Facebook profile leads to frightening ordeal for this Pune Goan SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT PANJIM, MARCH 28

front glass of the vehicle.

“I was proceeding towards Margao, when three Maharashtra registered vehicles blocked my way at about 12.30 pm.

When I got down to enquire, they without any reason assaulted me. One person even

Match point – It’s food for thought!

ber to the bank if he had it!

The ‘defaulter’ (Fatarpekar does not even know if he is actually one) is a distant relative, who is a resident of Mumbai.

The only connection is a surname that comes from their common ancestral village of Fatorpa in Goa. Because he was a relative, Fatarpekar accepted the ‘friend’ request.

But, says the IT man, his life has become a nightmare. The bank called him every half hour for days, threatening him and asking for the defaulter’s details, failing which, he was told, he would have to pay the outstanding loan amount of Rs 2 lakh with interest.

He added: “Last Monday, a girl introduced herself as Vidya, (Continued on page 16)

the vessel.

Although the work on the removal of Princess has already begun, the scrap and debris could not be unloaded at the Britona jetty as it has to be declared as a warehouse through another notification by the Central Excise As a result several barges were lined up at Britona jetty.

Customs had said that the delay was due to the State government’s failure deposit the

Photo by Sachin Ambadoskar

customs duty.

Government officials, on the other hand said, they were awaiting the notification declaring Candolim beach as a customs point to pay the customs duty.

“Since the notification declaring Candolim as customs point has been issued, the cheque towards the payment of customs duty would be issued tomorrow,” Director of Tourism Swapnil Naik (Continued on page 16)

the bill states.

The Bill provides legal right to the people of the State to receive public service in a stipulated time limit as the government considers it necessary to bring in a suitable legislation.

2G scam: PAC summons Tata, Ambani, Radia PTI NEW DELHI, MARCH 28

The parliament’s Public Accounts Committee has called leading industrialists, including Ratan Tata and Anil Ambani, and corporate lobbyist Niira Radia to appear before the panel in connection with the 2G spectrum scam which it is probing.

Sources said the PAC will meet on April 4 and April 5 to discuss the 2G spectrum allocation case which had led to the resignation of Telecom Minister A Raja.

“Niira Radia and Ratan Tata have been called on April 4 to discuss their role in the 2G allocation. On April 5, representatives of four companies - Swan Telecom, Reliance Communication (Anil Ambani) and Unitech - have been asked to present themselves,” they said.

Radia is the promoter of Vaishnavi Corporate Communications.

Reacting to the PAC decision, Tata and Ambani said they would be happy to appear before the PAC. Tata has expressed his willingness to appear before the PAC on April 4 in connection with the recent developments in the telecom sector.

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GOA, TUESDAY, 29 MARCH, 2011

BJP youth wing rally highlights corruption, scams in govt HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MARCH 28

Even as the State Legislative Assembly is underway, Bharatiya Janata Party is leaving no opportunity to criticize the Congress government terming it as the ‘most corrupt’.

In a State-wide rally aimed at highlighting several scams and corruption in the State, BJP youth wing has further described Congress-led Goa government as beset with corruption.

The rally, which has entered sixths day, began its journey from Canacona reached Panjim on Monday and would touch all constituencies before culminating at Pernem.

The youth wing (Goa Unit) President Pramod Sawant flayed the government over bad governance and indulging in corruption ‘every passing day’.

The speakers listed out scandals including police-drug mafia nexus, illegal mining, casino licenses, shrines desecration, temple/churches thefts, rice-vegetable-kerosene scam, price rise and other similar scams, that have rocked the State ever since the Congress assumed power in 2007.

The youth wing released a booklet titled ‘Congress led tainted govt. 2007-2010’ have comprehensively covered issues that cropped up during the ruling government’s tenure till date.

“In its tenure so far, this government is better recognized as catering to whims and fancies of mining mafia, builder lobby and land sharks, hoarders and black marketers and cronies of the ministers…the government lacks a vision to work towards development of State and its people,” an extract

Members of BJP youth wing holding a rally to highlight alleged corruption and scams in the government.

Photo by Sachin Ambdoskar

of the preface of the booklet reads.

Leader of opposition Manohar Parrikar who joined the rally at the KTC bus stand underlined grave corruption in the Goa State Horticulture Corporation and Mapusa district hospital, which the health minister recently announced on the floor of the House that it will no more be on the PPP model.

“India and Goa, both run by the Congress government are going to dogs. The government is only involved in making money by indulging in corruption almost everyday,” Parrikar said adding that the Congress’ “scam file” is being extensively exposed in

the on-going assembly session.

North Goa MP and former State BJP President Shripad Naik claimed that the administration is paralyzed with the poor functioning of the government and with several ministers involved in criminal cases.

The speakers have urged people to end the era of the Congress led government in the State.

In the forthcoming election scheduled later this year, BJP has vowed to build pressure on the government to ensure its downfall.

The youth wing supported by its mother party has assured the State to work in favour of the people of Goa.

Francis wants criteria for sports marks HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MARCH 28

Mapusa MLA Francis D’Souza on Monday urged the State government to recognize all those games, which could be considered while allotting marks under State Sports policy, introduced in 2009.

D’Souza said that government need to fix certain criteria before allotting marks to students under the policy.

“Students play various games right from cricket, football to kho-kho, kabadi. But uniform marks cannot be granted to all.

There has to be certain criteria,” he said.

Earlier, during the Zero Hour, Sports Minister Manohar Azgaonkar had claimed that many students have shown interest in sports after the implementation of sports policy. “The policy has been an encouragement to these students,” he added.

Withdraw power subsidy to Mormugao Steel: Mauvin HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MARCH 28

Cortalim MLA Mauvin Godinho today demanded that the power subsidy granted to companies like Mormugao Steel Limited should be withdrawn alike the pulling out of the subsidy to 400-odd units in the wake of Supreme Court (SC) order.

Godinho was accused of siding with various power guzzling units providing them the subsidy. The SC in the latest decision had asked the Power department to recover the dues from these units.

Speaking on the floor of the House on Monday, Deputy Speaker Godinho demanded that the power subsidy granted to other units should also be withdrawn.

“Why should only few industries benefit. If government is serious then they should also

Sports Minister Manohar Azgaonkar rubbished the allegations of Opposition benches that the five star deluxe hotels planned at Arambol were at the cost of cultivable land.

“The hotels are planned in the government land. The land would be handed over the firm, which will construct the hotel and run them on Public Private Partnership (PPP) basis,” the minister said.

He added that the area is on the hill and majority of part of it is a government land. “Unlike many outsiders who have encroached the land in Arambol and Mandrem, this project is being conceived for the benefit of locals,” the minister clarified replying to the allegations by the opposition benches on the floor of the House.

Responding during to the demands for grants, Azgaonkar said that whichever company gives maximum off front premium, will bag the PPP contract which runs for 30 to 40 years.

He said that the state government will earn Rs 80 crore to Rs 100 crores initially and later annually Rs 10 crore from these projects.

“The annual 10 to 20 per cent increase will be levied on the PPP promoters,” the minister said.

Azgaonkar said that the project will take final shape only after feasibility study is conducted on it.

E a r l i e r, B J P l e g i s l a t o r Laxmikant Parsekar had claimed that the locals were opposing the land acquisition for the hotel projects which are part of `Game Village’ of National Games 2014.

The sports minister said that around 400 to 500 local youths will get employment in these hotels. “Pernem does not have a single five star hotel. This is forcing the youths here go to

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MARCH 28

Benaulim MLA Mickky Pacheco on Monday said that the State government should take locals into confidence before taking any decision over leasing out Cana-Benaulim playground to Churchill Brothers.

“The ground was developed during my tenure. I don’t mind

leasing out the ground to any party but let people give their opinion too,” he said.

The former minister was reacting to the issue of allotting the playground ground, which is located at Cana-Benaulim to Churchill Brothers without proper policy formation.

The issue was raised by the Opposition during Zero Hour

Bardez for employment,” he added.

On the similar lines, the minister supported the Food Court project envisaged by Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) at Panjim.

He said that the proposed food court is planned at Mandovi river bank, which will be able to accommodate 200 people.

“The food court will serve all kind of Goan delicacies,” Azgaonkar said adding that the ambience here will be different and on par with the European food courts tucked on the river banks.

SAG plans to have these food courts on PPP mode which will also financially support the department.

“We can use this money for upkeep of Campal stadium,” he said adding that the money earned from projects like this can be pumped into constructing stadiums across the state.

Fatorda stadium to be renovated HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MARCH 28

Sports Minister Manohar Azgaonkar today assured that the entire Fatorda stadium would be renovated as a part of National Games infrastructure.

The minister had faced the wrath of opposition for failure to upkeep the flood lights in this stadium.

He said that within three months the tender would be floated for Fatorda stadium renovation and entire work would be funded through National Games finances.

Azgaonkar further said that the development of Pernem ground would be done with the National Games money, on priority basis.

He said that the government will have to approach centre to get more funds for National Games.

A group of female beggars with their little children assemble near old Income Tax building, Panjim, before setting out for their begging business.

Photo by Rozario Estibeiro

against leasing out the ground to any club, but it has to be done by adhering to proper norms.

Leader of Opposition Manohar Parrikar had claimed that the ground belongs to a private school and the State government allotted it to a football team without taking the school into confidence.

Damu attacks Babu over lease

Sports Minister Babu Azgaonkar again came in for severe criticism from the Opposition over leasing of playground at CanaBenaulim to Churchill Brothers Sports Club for thirty-three years.

Fatorda MLA Damu Naik who raised the issue during Question Hour asked the sports minister whether Cabinet approval was obtained before leasing out government land to Churchill Brothers.

Quoting rules of business of the House, he said when value of the government property exceeds Rs 50,000, it becomes mandatory to obtain permission of the council of ministers if the land is being leased out.

Though the sports minister the told the House that government approval was obtained for execution of the lease and it was duly vetted by the Law Department, he was not able to answer as to whether cabinet permission was taken.

The sports minister, said considering the huge contribution of Churchill Brothers to football,

Parsekar warns agitation against land acquisition in Arambol HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MARCH 28

Mandrem MLA Laxmikant Parsekar on Monday reiterated that the Arambol locals are and will oppose the acquisition of cultivable land for the National Games project.

“If you are acquiring the land adjacent

to the beach which is cultivated, then be ready to face opposition from the locals,” Parsekar said referring to the state government’s reply on the floor of the House which claimed that two hotels are planned under Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode at Arambol.

The BJP leader said that this land

is yielding produce like Cashew, Mango and Coconut.

“There are families which are dependent on this land. “As a local representative, I will stand by them, in their protest against the land acquisition,” Parsekar added.

He urged Sports Minister Manohar

Azgaonkar to take the locals into confidence before acquiring land.

Parsekar also suggested that the existing hotels in Calangute, Baga and Candolim belt should be used to house the players during National Games rather than constructing new hotels.

...Smells rat in delimitation panchayat wards HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MARCH 28

Mandrem ML A Laxmikant Parsekar today alleged that the panchayat ministry was indulging in delimitation of wards in order to facilitate its favourite candidates. “There

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MARCH 28

is no logic behind delimitation.

At times, the delimitation process is completed little before the elections leaving no time for the candidates to decide,” he said.

He said that before taking any decision over delimitating

B Ed teachers sitting in protest demanding regularisation at the education department, on Monday.

Photo by Rozario Estibeiro

tle between the CoP and education department, continuing their dharna, till their demands are met.

The aggrieved teachers have also demanded to abolish the system of appointing teachers

on lecture and contract basis.

While our demands are not met, Kesarkar said that government was contemplating to introduce two more BEd colleges in addition to the existing four.

the wards, a discussion need to be held with the locals.

“It’s a democratic process and you cannot do it without consulting the people,” Parsekar added. The MLA also urged the minister that the procedure for new construc-

tion licences need to be simplified. “Many illegal constructions are mushrooming in several panchayat areas, which are basically due to the lengthy licensing procedure laid down by the government,” he stated.

Govt mulls security to IT firms at Dona Paula HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MARCH 28

We have made futile attempts to put forth our demands before the chief minister, education minister and few of the elected representatives,” Kesarkar told Herald.

He said that they would shut-

today.

Pacheco informed the Assembly that six clubs from Benaulim are registered with the Sports Authority of Goa (SAG), hence, the clubs need to be taken into confidence before taking any decision pertaining to the ground.

The Opposition benches earlier said that they were not

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MARCH 28

BEd teachers threaten hunger strike Failing to get respite from the Goa government, the BEd teachers on Monday staged a dharna in front of the Directorate of Education demanding regularization of their service.

The teachers under the banner ‘BEd holders’ Association’ are on protest since March 23, on Monday shifted infront of the education department from near the Captain of Port (CoP).

126 BEd teachers who are working on lecture basis and contract system have threatened the government to sit on indefinite hunger strike from Thursday if their demands are still not heeded to.

Association president Shridar Kesarkar said that they are victims of false assurances by the government.

“We are forced to hit the streets as the government is not serious on resolving our issues.

the dues as per the SC directives.

Godinho also offered to set up garbage treatment plant in his constituency provided the government allotted 50,000 square meters of land. “Give us 50,000 square meters of land and I will solve the garbage problem of entire Goa,” he added.

The deputy speaker also questioned the sports ministry’s proposed infrastructure for National Games.

“What is the point in developing new infrastructure when the department has failed to fix lights at Fatorda stadium for the last six years,” he quipped. “ The stadium was constructed within 6 months but it is almost 6 years that the lights are not repaired. We have missed a major tournament because of this,” Godinho added.

Mickky warns against leasing out playground to Churchill Bros

Will not build hotels on agri lands: Babu HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MARCH 28

recover the subsidy given to the industries like Mormugao Steel Limited,” he reasoned out.

The former power minister said that recovery of subsidy amount from the industries, which is to the tune of Rs 13 crore, was result of their failure to win petition in the SC. “Somehow a picture is being created that the recovery proceedings are initiated as notification (giving subsidy) has been struck down by the SC,” he claimed. Godinho, who was accused of bypassing the Cabinet to give subsidy, said that there were umpteen cases in which the Cabinet was bypassed to take important decisions.

He said that the blame should not be burdened on the power minister.

The MLA however, congratulated the power minister for initiating the procedure to recover

Revival of Rajiv Gandhi IT Habitat at Dona Paula can now take off in a real sense with government willing to provide security to industries wanting to build the set-up.

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat told the Assembly during Question Hour on Monday that the government would consider proposals from plot holders seeking security arrangement at the site.

The chief minister made the statement after Aldona MLA Dayanand Narvekar took on the government and sought to know whether government will provide security to allottees who have not been able to set-up their units due to fear factor.

The Rajiv Gandhi IT at Dona Paula was initiated in 2007 when

Narvekar held IT portfolio.

The project came to a standstill following protest by Taleigao locals against the setting up of the proposed IT park whereas some miscreants trespassed in the property and destroyed the infrastructure..

Much to the embarrassment of the Chief Minister, Narvekar also told the House that he had warned the government then about the impending attack however nothing was done.

"The chargesheet has not been filed till date even though property worth Rs 42 lakhs was destroyed in the attack,” he said.

The Opposition Leader Manohar Parrikar while drawing attention of the House also pointed out due to the fear factor allottees have not been able to start work.

However, Kamat stated that

applications for security will be considered.

Narvekar also criticised the government over the issue of show cause notices to allotees by the Info Tech Corporation of Goa Ltd, (ITG) for violation of terms and conditions of allotment order and lease deeds.

Issuing show cause notices and imposing penalty tantamount to harassment, claimed Aldona MLA and also questioned the motive of the Board of ITG. He pointed out that project has been delayed on account of government’s inability to push it, yet the allotees have been penalised and it doesn't augur well for the image of Goa wanting to attract investment in IT sector.

“The project has gone to the dogs." he said demanding a reply from chief minister.

the proposal for land admeasuring 19706 sq mts was granted with lease coming into effect from September 21, 2010 and ending on September 20, 2043 even as Damu reiterated that the minister should give specific answer.

"The proposal of the top football clubs of the I-League are being considered for allotment of land as a special case to enable them to develop a standard football ground as per the AIFF policy,” said Sports Minister.

‘Complete delimitation of panchayat wards early’ HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MARCH 28

The Opposition today urged the Panchayat Minister Babu Azgoankar to complete the delimitation exercise for panchayats at least a month before filing of the nominations could begin.

The panchayat elections are due in May 2012.

Raising the issue in the House during Question Hour on Monday -- Opposition MLA Laxmikant Parsekar told the House that most of the time delimitation is done at the last minute, leaving little or no scope for a voter to challenge the delimitation in the event he finds delimitation is not as per the rule book.

Sometimes delimitation is so skewed that there are cases where one house is divided into three wards, pointed out opposition members.

The Panchayat Minister said that any such cases may be brought to his notice or to that of the director of panchayat, will be taken care off.

However, Opposition MLA insisted that delimitation exercise should be done a month before the election date is announced.

To a question posed by Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourence, Panchayat Minister clarified that the exercise of delimitation of wards shall be undertaken in accordance with the provisions of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994.

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Speeding KTC bus snuffs out two lives HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MARCH 28

A speeding blue coloured KTC bus snuffed out the life of two persons at the Colva traffic circle at Old Market here on Monday afternoon, while the wife of one of the deceased is undergoing treatment at the Goa Medical College and hospital, Bambolim.

While a two-wheeler rider Vinod Naik (45), a resident of Orlim died on the spot, Gurudas Amonkar (55) succumbed to his injuries in the GMC. Amonkar’s wife Madhavi (52) is convalescing at the GMC, informed Margao PSI Tulsidas Naik.

The Amonkar couple hail from the coastal village of Betalbatim.

Sources said Vinod was working as a draughtsman in the Public Works Department.

The tragic accident occurred at around 3.30 pm when the illfated bus was proceeding towards the old market traffic circle when the bus dragged the two-wheeler and the couple towards the circle and crushed Vinod to death. That the bus was travelling at great speed was evident from the fact that the vehicle jumped the traffic circle. One of Vinod’s legs was severed from his body due to

the impact and he died on the spot.

Police said the Amonkar couple was apparently standing on the road to cross over when the bus came at a high speed and knocked them down. The bus first hit the small traffic driver –meant for the traffic constable to regulate traffic at the round about – before crashing against the two-wheeler and the couple.

The accident drew quick response from members of the public present around, before the police and fire services rushed to the spot. A JCB operating at the nullah opposite the district Court was requisitioned to tow the bus out of the circle.

The Police has arrested KTC bus driver Shablo Mayenkar (46) for rash and negligent driving and causing the death of the two persons.

PSI Tulsidas informed that the bus driver has attributed the accident to break failure, but said that the claim of the driver will be investigated by the police with the help of experts.

“The police will investigate as to what exactly caused the tragic accident at the site,” he added.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT OLD GOA, MARCH 28

The ill-fated KTC bus which jumped the old market circle after ramming against a two-wheeler and a couple at the Colva circle. Photo by Savio Dias

Driver suspended HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MARCH 28

Kadamba Transport Corporation Managing Director Venancio Furtado has said the driver of the ill-fated bus, Shablo Mayenkar, who was involved in the Old market circle accident, that killed two persons has been placed under suspension.

Furtado told Herald that he has asked for a detailed report from the company manufacturing the blue coloured buses on Monday’s tragic accident at the Colva circle, Old Market, Margao.

“The company officials have come down to Margao and would inspect the bus no sooner the bus is released by the police. The officials have as-

sured to submit a detailed report on the accident, whether it was mechanical or human error behind the accident,” Furtado added.

He said the company will analyse the recordings of the error recorder fitted to the vehicle to throw more light on the tragic accident. “These buses have air brake system, wherein the vehicle will not move if the air level goes down. This was noticed when attempts were made to remove the ill-fated buses when it jumped the traffic circle,” he added.

Furtado said the bus driver has been under suspension with immediate effect pending an inquiry into the accident.

Margao councillors for streamlining recovery system HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MARCH 28

Expressing concern over the huge outstanding arrears running into crores of rupees, Margao city fathers on Monday called for streamlining of the recovery system and to mop up revenue vis-àvis advertisement tax, rent and licenses et al.

At the Council meeting held today to discuss and approve the budget estimates for the year 2011-12, City Fathers, cutting across political affiliations, called for sustained efforts to boost the revenue receipts to fund development projects in the city.

A resolution was adopted by the Council asking the government to return back Octroi collection to the Civic body saying that the grain in aid on octroi has not increased recent years though there have been a corresponding fuel prices.

The Councilors made a forceful plea to the Municipal administration to increase the revenue receipts, be it the recovery of house

tax, trade license, advertising tax, recovery of huge SOPO arrears et al.

Councilor Arthur D’Silva demanded to know why the revenue of Octroi has not gone up with the corresponding increase in the fuel rates. After much discussions, it was resolved to ask the government to return Octroi back to the civic body.

Councilor Pratima Coutinho raised a host of queries on recovery of rent on lands and buildings, income from markets, license fees etc.

Councilor Sadanand Naik pointed out that the Civic body has not revised the house tax on old houses. He said while household owners occupying new building are forced to pay hefty taxes, the old houses pay only meager taxes.

Both Chairperson Sushila Naik and Chief Officer Prasanna Acharya assured to conduct a ward wise survey of the shops and establish-

Councillors interfering in admin: Margao CO

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MARCH 28

Margao Municipal Chief Officer Prasanna Acharya has said that the Civic body faces many hurdles, including interference from the Councillors in the administration of the civic body.

While seeking a free hand in the day-to-day administration,

Sao Pedro-Diwar ferry service disrupted HERALD CORRESPONDENT OLD GOA, MARCH 28

Ferry services along the Sao Pedro-Diwar route were disrupted for over an hour, after a cement plastic bag got entangled inside the propeller of the Piedade Ferry on Monday evening.

It may be noted that the ferry ramp along the Sao Pedro side was opened to ferry services from Monday to ply towards Diwar Island from Sao Pedro after a gap of two months, after the ferry ramp along the Sao Pedro side was recently renovated.

The renovation work of Sao Pedro ramp putting concrete slabs at the river end was undertaken through the PWD from January 5 at an estimated cost of about Rs 15 lakh.

To avoid hurdles to the locals from Diwar Island, the Goltim Navelim Panchayat members had informed locals that ferry services along the Sao Pedro-Diwar side would be stopped for the next two months.

But on Monday evening, without informing the panchayat, officials of River Navigation Department gave green signal to start the ferry services along the route.

Achayra said there are instances when the City Fathers come and plead not to go ahead with actions proposed by the Civic body. “Even when municipal officials go out to initiate action, Councillors come running and plead for leniency. You now demand action on various subjects, but do not give a free hand to the administration to achieve the results”, he said.

The MMC Chief officer made the statement when City Fathers virtually exposed the Municipal Administration for the huge outstanding arrears and the failure by the Civic body to recover the same.

50 sand trucks blocked at Cumbarjua

ments to bring the unlicensed ones under the tax net.

The Chairperson also recovered to streamline the recovery system by appointing a recovery officer to recover the huge outstanding tax arrears.

The City Fathers raised concern over the decision of the Council to withdraw two fixed deposit certificates to pay employees salaries when huge outstanding tax arrears stare at the Civic body.

Councilor Doris Texeira pointed out that the Civic body has been paying huge Over time allowances,

adding that a Municipal driver was even paid Rs 70,000 as OT allowance, while Councilor Pratima Coutinho said that Municipal employees are not wearing uniforms despite being paid uniform allowances by the Civic body.

Councilor Pratima and Sangeeta Audi created a flutter when they told the Chairperson that they have proof of a Municipal inspector accepting bribe from the traders. The Chairperson assured to initiate action against the erring officials if the allegation is backed by evidence.

Residents of Gaundalim-Cumbarjua on Monday morning stopped over 50 sand trucks in protest against movement of sand trucks along the Gaundalim-Old Goa road.

The ‘Rasta Roko’ agitation, which started at 7 am on a silent note, lasted till 1 pm. The agitators from Gaundalim did not allow the loaded sand trucks to ply their vehicles.

Later, as the situation was going out of hand, Old Goa PI Francis Corte rushed to the site and tried to solve the issue informing the agitators that the Gaundalim locals had no right to stop movement of vehicles along the road.

PI Corte also informed the agitators that Old Goa police officials were not the concerned authority to stop movement of sand trucks and that it was the concerned Mines Department which has to take action in the matter.

Speaking to Herald, Cosme Da Silva of Gaundalim said: “Though, it was our silent Rasta Roko today, our next move would be to stop every loaded sand trucks plying along our road in Gaundalim.”

“Now, we are not alone in our agitation, as locals from Corlim, Dauji and parts of Old Goa have too joined hands with us to see that we put a complete stop on the movement of illegal sand extraction and sand movement,” stated Da Silva.

OHERALDO

Pg4 GOA, TUESDAY, 29 MARCH, 2011

UPCOMING EVENTS Light It Up Blue campaign

PANJIM (HND): To create awareness on autism, Sangath in partnership with other establishments will join the Light it Up Blue Campaign which is taking place across the world on April 1 and 2. The idea is to raise awareness for this disorder by turning the lights blue at the workplace, wearing blue to work or even supporting lighting up a building in the neighbourhood.

The schools participating in this campaign will have school assemblies sharing information on autism, some will make posters and others will visit colleges to create awareness on autism. Schools which are participating are Disha School-Panjim, Sunshine Worldwide School-Old Goa, Shiksha Niketan-Torda, Keshav Seva Sadhana-Bicholim and Kings School-Margao .

The following monuments will be lighted up with blue lights Betim Cross, Saligao church and joining this will be the Margao round about.

A few restaurants and shops too, are taking part in our campaign by keeping information flyers on their tables and counters to raise awareness for this disorder. The restaurants are Bomras and Chocolati in Candolim, Sublime and Cantare in Saligao, Bernards Place, Villa Goesa Resort and Chalstons in Baga A few shops and companies have also joined the campaign and they are Furtado’s and Pedro’s in Margao and Panjim and Hallmark and Perpetual Pharmacy in Porvorim and Infiniti Modules in Pilerne. The idea is to talk about autism on these days, to spread the word so that children can be detected early and get access to care.

Bro Anil’s retreat

PANJIM (HND): Bro Anil of Salvation ministry will conduct retreat on April 2 at Emerald Lawns, Parra, from 10 am to 5.30 pm. The service will stress on praise and worship, word of God, healing, deliverance, word of knowledge and prophecies. Free transport will be available from Aldona bus stand to Para via Nachinola and Moira and from Old Goa to Gandhi circle via Sao Pedro, Ribandar, Panjim and Porvorim. For transport information, call 9823055659. For details, call 9226387098/9763553575.

RTI workshop

PANJIM (HND): Asha Family Responsibilities and Rights Association and villagers of Candolim will conduct a workshop on ‘Right to Information’ in Konkani and English, on April 3 at St Theresa’s School Hall, Candolim, from 9.45 am to 12 noon.

Registration is free. For details, call 2256445/ 9822166876 or e-mail: trustasha@yahoo.co.in.

Jumble sale

PANJIM (HND): Help & Help Charitable Trust, will conduct its 8th annual jumble sale in Margao shortly, the proceeds of which will be used to assist charitable institutions.

The Trust has appealed to individuals, corporates and business establishments to donate utility items such as, domestic appliances, furniture, toys, stationery, books, novels, gifts, utensils, cassettes, CDs, toiletries, food items, electrical and electronic goods, etc. Items may be delivered to the Trust office at Comba, Margao, or call 2714595/ 9822123989/9890211037.

POWER SHUTDOWN MARCH 29 TALEIGAO: From 9 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are Dando, Models Mystique, Mitra Bazaar, Hyundai service centre and surrounding areas.

Carmona locals threaten agitation over Zalor beach HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MARCH 28

Agitated villagers of Carmona have threatened to take out a morcha to the office of the district Collector, South, if the long pending case over the jurisdiction of Zalor beach is not decided immediately.

At the gram sabha meeting held on Sunday, members pointed out that authorities has been going slow in deciding the matter over the jurisdiction of Zalor beach, whether it falls in Carmona or the neighbouring village of Varca.

While Carmona has staked its claim over Zalor beach, the same has been disputed by Varca beach, which has been exercising jurisdiction over the beach till date.

Scooter abandoned at Calangute HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, MARCH 28

A scooter has been left abandoned near St Alex Church, Calangute, since the last over two weeks.

A tourist Honda Activa (GA03-T-5367) has been left unattended in the close vicinity of the Church with no sight of its owner and the residents are puzzled over the vehicle being left abandoned and fear some foul play in the matter.

Canacona to go without power on Tuesday HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, MARCH 28

The entire Canacona taluka will be without power supply on Tuesday from morning till noon.

According to press note, local electricity office stated that power shutdown will be taken from 9 am to 2 pm on Tuesday for maintenance of 33-KV lines sub-station feeders.

n Villagers pointed out that authorities has been going slow in deciding the matter over the jurisdiction of Zalor beach, whether it falls in Carmona or the neighbouring village of Varca Sarpanch Estaquio D’Costa informed that the gram sabha members have planned the Morcha to the district Collector by April 15 if the long pending case is not decided by then.

Agitated members also threatened to uproot the ornamental lamps erected by the

IDC along the roadside since the four years. Members pointed out that ornamental lamps erected in the neighbouring villages of Orlim and Cavelossim have been illuminated by the IDC, while the lamps in the jurisdiction of Carmona village remains non-illuminated till date.

The gram sabha approved the annual budget estimates as the sarpanch placed various developmental projects, including construction of a fish market, besides two culverts and development of road network in the village.

Panch member Orlando Da Silva raised his objection to the passing of a resolution by the previous gram sabha meeting directing at him in his absence.

Rubik’s Cube

History

A 3x3x3 cube in which subcubes on the outside are internally hinged in such a way that rotation is possible in any plane of cubes.

Each of the six sides is painted a

distinct color, and the goal of the puzzle is to return the cube to a state in which each side has a single color after it has been randomized by repeated rotations. The puzzle was invented in the 1970s

by Ernő Rubik.

Construction

The Rubik's Cube is made of 27 pieces. The stickers are each glued onto one specific piece, and they move around exactly as that piece does. Some pieces have more than one sticker on them; some only have one sticker. There are three kinds of pieces:

First off, we will look at center pieces. There are six center pieces on a standard Rubik's Cube, each of which has a separate color (and

Next, let's look at edge pieces.

There are twelve edge pieces on a Rubik's Cube. Each edge piece has two stickers, of two adjacent colors. Two opposing colors can never be on the same edge. Notice with edges that, even if an edge is in the right place, it can be flipped and have the wrong orientation, so that the colors will be on the wrong sides. To solve an edge, it has to be in the right place and correctly flipped.

Deputy Speaker and Cortalim MLA Mauvin Godinho hands over the sports kit to the Chicalim Sports Club Vice-President Valariano Godinho at Upas Nagar.

Photo by Alvaro Colaco

thanked Chicalim Communidade for having had donated the land for a good public cause.

Cortalim-Quelossim Sarpanch

Finally, let's look at corner pieces.

There are eight corner pieces. Each corner piece has three stickers on it, of differing colors, that represent three colors that are each adjacent to each other on the Cube.

As with edges, no two opposing colors can ever be on the same corner. Since a corner has three possible orientations, it is quite likely for a center to be in the correct place but in the wrong orientation.

To solve a corner, again, it must be in the right place and have the right orientation (or 'twist').

The pieces in a Rubik's Cube are or-

Contact Us:

Anthony Miranda and PS to Deputy Speaker Ligorio Monteiro was also present on the occasion.

Churchill lauded for Telaulim-Varca bridge The meeting also discussed the BPL scheme and approved five proposals for inclusion in the BPL list, while another six proposals were rejected by the body.

Telaulim deputy sarpanch Steven Goes said the meeting discussed the two speed breakers erected in neighbouring Navelim village within a short distance of 20 meters, causing inconveniences to the motorists. He said the meeting has decided to request to the authorities to remove one of the speed breakers and retain only one.

Wide ranging issues discussed at Nagoa-Arpora meet ganized into three layers (in each of three different directions). The vertical layers are often referred to as the lower layer (or first layer), middle layer (or second layer), and upper layer (or last layer).

Turns

The pieces on the Rubik's Cube are moved using turns. Each turn is a rotation, by a multiple of 90°, around one of the six center pieces.

Perform a turn. Notice that a turn moves four corners and four edges in a cycle, as well as rotating a center piece. On most Rubik's Cubes, you will not have to take account of the centers' rotations, but in some cubes you will have to keep track of this. Turns of one outer layer do not move any centers, so all centers will stay in the same place. However, if you do a turn of two layers, or turn only a middle layer, you will move the centers.

The number of possible positions of Rubik's cube is: 8! 12! 38 212 2.3.2 =43252003274489856000

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Safety Week celebrated

Chief Inspector of Factories and Boilers, S M Paranjape distributes prizes to the winners of various events organized during the National Safety Week celebrations.

PANJIM (HND): Cipla celebrated the National Safety Week by organising events like poster competition for staff, safety skit competition, effective public speaking, an unique road show on road safety on IDC roads, safety quiz and safety dumb charades amongst others.

The guest of honour for the closing session was the Chief Inspector of Factories S M Paranjape who expressed satisfaction and wished management on the success of these events and urged the importance of continuing the efforts of spreading awareness related to safety to one and all. Later, Paranjape distributed prizes to all the winners of the various awareness events.

As part of spreading awareness about safety, Cipla also organized poster competition in 12 schools in the neighbourhood wherein almost 1200 students of the age group 13 to 14 years participated and drew their ideas on different important aspects of ‘Road Safety’, ‘Fire Safety’ and ‘Personal Hygiene’.

Five winners from each of these schools were awarded.

Street play on martyr Bala

The Telaulim gram sabha on Sunday congratulated PWD Minister Churchill Alemao for constructing the Telaulim-Varca bridge within a short span of time.

The resolution was adopted at the gram sabha meeting of the panchayat on Sunday.

The members also resolved to plant trees along the approach road on the Telaulim side of the bridge. In this connection, the gram sabha has resolved to seek the assistance of the Forest department in carrying out the tree plantation.

Mathematics

just one sticker, of that color). It is important to note that center pieces are always in the same place relative to each other - they do not move around. It will always be possible, if red and yellow are next to each other on your cube, to hold the cube so that the red center is on top and the yellow center is at the front. These centers can rotate, but since they do not move they are the key to solving the Rubik's Cube. Colors that are on opposite (that is, not adjacent) centers are called opposing colors.

A burglar broke into a house at Tropa-Siolim and decamped with booty worth about Rs 77,000 on Sunday.

In his complaint, Shirodkar from Tropa told Mapusa Police that some unknown person entered his house on Sunday evening by breaking the latch of the door and decamped with a laptop, an ATM card and cash of Rs 25,000, all worth about Rs 77,000.

The complainant further stated that the neighbours in fact saw the culprit while leaving the house, but did not question him thinking that he may be a family member of Shirodkar. Mapusa Police have registered a case of theft against unknown person and is investigating the case.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT CORTALIM, MARCH 28

Deputy Speaker and Cortalim MLA Mauvin Godinho distributed sports kit at his Upas Nagar office in Cortalim constituency on Saturday.

Office bearers of 10 registered sports clubs from Dabolim and Cortalim constituency were handed over the sports kits.

Urging the youth to avail government schemes, Godinho called upon the youth to form clubs and register them under the Society’s Act and the Department of Sports.

Stating that sports help the youth to keep them busy and physically fit, Godinho expressed happiness that the State budget had earmarked swimming stadium for Mormugao. Godinho also expressed happiness that a jogger’s park would be built at Chicalim near the airport.

“Although it escaped the Chief Minister when he made the budget speech, the CM was gracious enough to also make budgetary provisions for jogger’s park at Chicalim along with Mapusa,” Godinho said and

S H O RT TA K E S

HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, MARCH 28

Swimming stadium, jogger’s park in Chicalim: Mauvin

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MARCH 28

You may not realize it, but the Rubik's Cube is not just an exasperating puzzle. It's also a mathematical curiosity which can be used to explore concepts in the field of set and group theory.

Siolim house broken into, goods stolen

GOA

MAYEM (HC): Dnyanprakash Higher Secondary School, Mulgaon, recently organised a street play on the life of a martyr Bala Raya Mapari at Assonora bus stand.

The street play was staged to create awareness among the people about the works of the renowned leader. The leader dedicated his life for the cause of the State during the Portuguese rule in his early age.

The street play, written by Rajendra Kerkar and directed

by Deepak Gawas, was presented with permission of martyr Bala Raya Mapari Statue Caretaking Committee.

Borim group wins

QUEPEM (HC): Shri Gurudev Prassan Avedekar Samaj Borim won the first prize in the Romtamel category in the Shigmo festival organised by Navyug Vikas Manch Quepem in coordination with the Directorate of Art and Culture at Quepem.

The Shigmo festival was inaugurated by noted writer and OBC and SC Corporation Chairman Vishnu Wagh in the presence of Quepem MLA Chandrakant Kavlekar, Quepem Municipal Council (QMC) Chairperson Manuel Colaso, Goa Entertainment Society Chairman Shrivastav, ZP Vice Chairperson Kushali Zorgo Velip and others.

In the Romtamel category, Shree Gurudev Prasana Avedekar Samaj Borim secured first place, while Novdurga Gopal Krisna Romtamel Borim, Katekar Shigmo Ustav Mandal Quepem, Shree Sidhivinayak Kala Sang Mhardol and Sarawati Kala Mandal Kuti Ponda won the second, third, fourth and fifth prizes. In the floats category, Bandoda Nagrik Samiti, Anadi Mandal Mapusa, Adpai Yuva Sang, Valpoi Nagrik Samiti and Ashtavinayak Shigmostav won the first, second, third, fourth and fifth prizes.

In the Fugdi competition, the first prize was won by Bhumipurush Self Help Group Gokuldem-Barcem, while the second, third, fourth and fifth prizes were won by Maheshwar Self Help Group Canacona, Kokan Paik Self Help Group VelipwadaMorpiral, Durga Devi Mahila Mandal Gokuldem-Barcem and Omkar Mahila Mandal Sanvordem.

Confirmation administered

CALANGUTE (HC): Archbishop-Patriarch Filipe Neri Ferrao recently administered the Sacrament of Holy Confirmation to the youth of Calangute.

In all, 165 youth received the Holy Sacrament. The Holy Eucharist was concelebrated by Archbishop-Patriarch Filipe Neri Ferrao along with St Alex Church Parish Priest Fr Carmo Martins and his Assistants Fr Clifford Cardozo and Fr Barry Cardozo. Fr Benjamin and Fr Pascoal also took part in the Holy Eucharist.

Delivering his homily, the Archbishop-Patriarch called upon the youth recipients of the Sacrament of Holy Confirmation to be full of love and understanding and to imbibe in them the quality of forgiveness through the teachings of Lord Jesus Christ for a better society.

He also called upon the youth to live an exemplary life true to the teachings of Christ.

Fr Martins thanked Archbishop-Patriarch Ferrao for taking his time off the busy and hectic schedule to administer the Sacrament of Holy Confirmation.

SHG training organised

Villagers attend Gram Sabha at Arpora on Sunday.

Photo by Thomas Fernandes HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, MARCH 28

The Nagoa-Arpora ordinary Gram Sabha on Sunday discussed various issues concerning the village.

One of the Gram Sabha members raised the issue of interior road from Viegas Supermarket connecting to Anjuna-Arpora road not being shown on the Regional Plan even though huge commercial projects have been approved by the Town and Country Planning Department and called for correction of the anomaly.

Clarif ying on the issue, Sarpanch Agostinho D’Souza said except for MDR roads, many roads in Nagoa-Arpora have not been shown on the Regional Plan. He assured to look into the matter.

Another issue discussed in the Gram Sabha was the illegal construction in the paddy fields at Rauta Vaddo-Nagoa.

Clarifying on the illegal construction of 33-odd footings in the paddy fields, D’Souza said apart from the earlier notices sent by the former sarpanch,

the panchayat secretary has been asked to send notices to the concerned party for removal of the illegal footings from the paddy fields and take up the matter with BDO. However, one of the Gram Sabha members questioned the unfortunate delay in addressing the serious issue despite assurance by Chief Minister Digambar Kamat on the floor of the Assembly to remove the illegal construction within a month’s time.

The issue of illegal constructions at Nagoa bandh and water flooding was also raised by the members. The sarpanch explained the action being initiated by the panchayat in all the matters.

The developmental plans for Nagoa-Arpora were placed before the Gram Sabha, including construction of culverts, repairs of roads, site drains, etc.

Sarpanch D’Souza admitted that a site in Nagoa has been proposed for garbage treatment plant and said that there will be objections to it from the residents.

PANJIM (HND): The Mormugao block unit of Goa Panchayat Mahila Shakti Abhiyan and Cansaulim Panchayat organised a two day training programme for SHG women of CansaulimVelsao with GPMSA’s Mormugao block president as the chief coordinator assisted by Sarpanch Minguel D’Costa.

The camp was inaugurated by Canara Bank Manager Vittal Pai in the presence of GPMSA state president Nelly Rodrigues, ZP member Aparna Bhoj Naik, Sarpanch Minguel D’Costa, panch Esha & others.

Nelly spoke about economic empowerment of women and urged them to master the art of mushroom cultivation and said that Martha Saldhana has already offered assistance to supply their stock to all hotels of the area.

Welcoming the gathering, Martha Saldhana explained the purpose of the project and said that the women would be given training in mushroom manufacture and she would tie up with the hotels to market their product. ZP member Aparna Nail spoke about the benefit and profits SHG women can make if they work well

Legal literacy camp held

SANGUEM (HC): The Taluka Legal Services Committee Quepem in association with District Legal Services Authority, South Goa, Margao, conducted a legal literacy camp/class for students of Government High School Ambaulim-Quepem.

The camp was addressed by Adv V G Naik who spoke on environment and behaviour of children towards the society and Adv Pavitri Naik gave a detail account of classes of people entitled for free legal aid and health act.

Similar camp was also organised by the Taluka Legal Services Authority Quepem recently at Avedem Panchayat.

At Avedem, Adv Victor Diniz spoke on the right of each person in the society and Adv Anjali Phaldessai spoke on free legal aid services.

OHERALDO

Pg 5

GOA

GOA, TUESDAY, 29 MARCH, 2011

Calangute locals criticise MGP, BJP HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, MARCH 28

Parents and residents of coastal Calangute have criticized MGP and BJP for raking up the issue of medium of instruction.

The parents and villagers have accused Shashikala Kakodkar of attempting to revive her political career in the name of Marathi medium. They have also criticized Opposition Leader Manohar Parrikar for his remark in the Assembly to deny grants for English medium of instruction schools.

Speaking to Herald, Savio Fernandes of Calangute came down heavily on Shashikala Kakodkar for politicizing the medium of instruction issue only to suit her political interest. “It was Kakodkar who had then tried to sabotage the grants for English medium of instruction schools when she held the post of education minister in the erstwhile PDF government, but

had to finally bow to the wishes of the people,� stated Fernandes. “The children are finding it difficult to adjust to Konkani in Devnagiri script, so the better option would be the English as medium of instruction with Konkani or Marathi as compulsory subject.� “The Congress Party leaders too want the issue of English medium of instruction to prolong to suit the interest of

“English is also the universal language being used in professional careers and at examinations and if a child goes through the English medium at the elementary level it would be a plus point to the child as he or she grows to face the fast growing world. The regional languages do not come handy in other parts of the world,� opined the sarpanch.

George Fernandes of Candolim said:

Row oveR MediuM of instRuction the party or else they would have accepted the demands of parents, who had gathered in large numbers at Azad Maidan in Panjim,� he stated.

Candolim Sarpanch Fermino Fernandes said: “I feel English should be the medium of instruction at all levels considering the child has to face the world where English is the sole language that is understood by one and all.�

“I do not understand why these socalled leaders like Kakodkar and others want to enforce regional languages as medium of instruction on the kids.

The English language as medium of instruction ideally suits the children to mature in the language that is being used the world over.�

Added Simon D’Souza of Calangute: “The children are in a position to un-

derstand better in English medium of instruction. The Devnagiri script goes above their heads and finds it difficult to adjust. The children should be thought in English medium of instruction by leaving the ultimate choice to their parents.�

Maria Fernandes, also of Calangute claimed that if political leaders have so much of love for the mother tongue, they should have gone in for a single mother tongue? “Why did they create confusion for us and for our children by having Konkani in Devnagiri, simultaneously allowing Marathi for official purposes? No two languages are considered as official languages like in Goa,� said Fernandes. “We are not asking for more grants but a just demand to consider English as medium of instruction giving due respect to Konkani, our mother tongue as a compulsory subject, but MGP/BJP politicians are only trying to suit their selfish ends,� added Fernandes.

Writer accused of inciting communal passion HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, MARCH 28

Three PTA chairmen of ABE run schools in Canacona taluka came out strongly to defend parent’s rights to provide the best of available education to their wardens and took strong objection to the criticism of Christian community by a so-called Konkani tiatr writer.

The PTA chairmen accused the Konkani tiatr writer of ganging up with Marathi protagonists to politicize the issue, blame Christian community and making attempts to spit communal venom in the society against one community.

Reacting angrily to a reported statement of Tiatr writer R B S Komarpant in Herald on Sunday, St Anne’s Institute Agonda PTA Chairman Jovi Fernandes said it would be good in the interest of society that the socalled detractors including Komarpant, who is drumming communal passion in the society against parents demands for government grants for English medium primary schools, should first understand the demand itself, before making wild allegations against a community.

Says another PTA Chairman Wilson Fernandes of St Teresa of Jesus H/S Chaudi “Even though PTAs of Archdiocese Board of Education (ABE), which belongs to a Christian organization alongwith another about

MMC gives nod for construction of waste plant HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MARCH 28

The Margao Municipal Council on Monday gave its stamp of approval for the construction of the proposed garbage treatment plant on the additional land of 57,700 put for acquisition by the Civic body.

Chief Officer Prasanna Acharya said that the proposal to construct the plant on the additional land is not to delay in the setting up of the plant but to solve the problem plaguing the Sonsodo site.

He assured the Council that the Civic body will obtain all permissions from the various agencies before setting up the plant. “We have been facing problems to clear the existing garbage. Problems will also arise over the question of floating tenders for the transportation of the waste�, he added.

Councilor Pratima Coutinho demanded to know who has proposed the setting up of the plant on the additional land when the land in question is not yet acquired till date. “Is it a delay tactic on the part of the Civic body to set up the garbage plant�, she said, adding that shifting of the plant to the adjoining land will further delay the construction, saying the land is a steep slope and involves hill cutting and leveling.

Meanwhile, the Council also approved a proposal to dump the screened material and rejects at the land acquired by the Civic body opposite the KTC Bus stand.

Vice-Chairperson, Gonzaco Rebello, however, told the Council to take the residents of Madel into confidence before dumping the rejects in the low lying area.

Rumdamol resident assaulted HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MARCH 28

A resident of Rumdamol Housing Board Mohammed Hayed was brutally assaulted by a five member gang at the housing Board on Friday.

BJP leader Shaikh Jina said that the assailants attacked Mohammed when he was standing near a kiosk and is presently undergoing treatment at Hospicio hospital.

Saying that the Maina Curtorim police has not booked the accused on grounds that a counter complaint is lodged by the rival group against the accused, Jina said the accused enjoy political connections with two Ministers and threatened to make it an issue if the culprits are allowed to go scot-free.

17 educational societies has put in their demands to the government, parents of all the communities who are residents of Goa are members of these PTAs.� “The issue is not raised by the ABE, but ABE has only come out in full support of parents demanding elementary education to their wardens in English medium,� he said.

St Anthony H/S Galgibaga PTA Chairman Agnel Barretto said: “If the tiatr writer was so concerned about the issue, he as PTA member of one of the prominent ABE school at Canacona, has all the right to put forth his views and express it in the PTA general body meeting of that school (which decided on the resolution).� “But he has no right to blame only Christian community,� said Barretto.

Jovi Fernandes said: “If he says Christian community is dividing Goans, then he needs to refresh his memory as to what this community has achieved for Konkani language and Goa as a whole.� “Going by his so-called supporters who had assembled at his residence in preparation for agitation to oppose English as medium of instructions in primary level are considered, let Komarpant decide as what has been the contribution of these people for the cause of Konkani when Christian community of Canacona was harassed at that time with the rest of the

residents during the unforgettable Konkani movement,� stated Jovi. “Going by the names in the midst of whom Christian community is blamed by Komarpant, it primarily looks that not only almost all these people have got primary education in Marathi, but they continue to favour the same medium of primary education to their children and grandchildren.� “We as parents never said no to Konkani/Marathi language or for that matter primary schools in Konkani/Marathi, let it continue in the form of one subject or in total entirety (where parents wishing can send their pupils), but at the same time again as parents we have every right to impart best of available education to our wards, which we are demanding with the government to extend grants,� said Jovi. “The community has already suffered too much, without any actual benefits on language imbroglio and it was the church body which has converted over its 120-odd English primary schools in the state into Konkani,� said Barretto. “Let them come forward to convince the parents who have been lately and rightly demanding medium of instruction to their wardens in English, instead of instigating general public and turning the issue into a communal jeopardy,� said all three PTA chairmen.

Shigmo festivities in Margao from Wednesday

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat addresses the media on the shigmo festivities in the commercial capital.

Photo by Santosh Mirjakar HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MARCH 28

Shigmo festivities will get underway in the Commercial Capital, beginning from March 30 with a programme at Costa grounds, Aquem.

Chief Minister and Chairman of the Margao Shigmotsav Samiti Digambar Kamat said the float parade in the city will be held on April 3 at 5.30 pm.

He said unlike in the past, the Romtamel procession will start from the Clergy home, adding that it would be the endeavour of the Shigmotsav Samiti to wind up the parade by 10 pm.

Commenting on the failure of the talks between his group and MLA Damu Naik-led group to cel-

ebration one shigmo in the city, the Chief Minister said that attempts are still on to bring the two groups under one banner. “There were certain differences on the composition of the Committee amongst workers of both the groups�, the Chief Minister said, adding that attempts would continue to bring the two groups under one banner.

Saying that the Margao shigmotsav Samiti headed by him had earlier taken a resolution to utilize portion of the funds for charity work, Kamat said it has been decided to utilize the funds to provide medical facilities, and scholarship for the students.

The Archdiocese of Goa and Daman recently conducted two workshops to help photographers and videographers to properly record church services.

The programmes, primarily intended to foster an appreciation of the role of photographers and videographers and to streamline certain practices that hinder “meaningful celebration of the liturgy,� said Father Afonso Mendonca, director of the Diocesan Centre for Liturgy that organized the programme, who was quoted in a UCAN report.

Some 150 professional photographers, including some from other religions, attended separate workshops at Panjim and Margao.

Speaking to the UCAN news agency, Fr Mendonca said the workshops reminded the photographers that they should not merely work for their clients, but participate in Mass and other services in “a true Catholic spirit.�

The resource persons at the workshop were Fr Mendonca and Fr Ralin de Souza, member of the Diocesan Centre for Social Communications Media.

With the help of power point presentations and sample video clippings, the two priests highlighted the different “sacred moments� at mass and advised the

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MARCH 28

Psychologist and psychotherapist Merlyn Fernandes has said that timely help can prevent suicides in the state.

At a suicide prevention workshop held at Benaulim Community Centre, she explained in detail how suicides can be prevented in the community.

Making a startling revelation that most people who think of committing suicide do not want to end their life, but only want to get rid of the pain in their lives, she said these people think of the extreme step only because they do not see hope in the future.

Ms Fernandes disclosed that inability to deal with various ‘life pressures’ has increased the incidents of depression and suicides in society. “In the year 2010, there were 310 cases of suicides in Goa�, she pointed out and explained that sudden abnormal behavioral and emotional changes in a person could be the earliest warning signals for suicide.

HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, MARCH 28

Cameramen attend a workshop on ways to properly record church services.

cameramen to avoid capturing those moments as they could distract the congregation.

The organizers also asked videographers to avoid videotaping people doing readings and homilies.

During the workshop, many photographers and videographers pointed out that parishes and priests do not have a uniform policy in allowing photography in churches, which often led to misunderstanding and confusion.

Many photographers found the workshop “extremely fruitful�, as the organizers listened to several suggestions from the participants for a uniform policy in the archdiocese on photography in churches.

The organizers also agreed

to consider another suggestion to form an association of church photographers, Father Mendonca said.

The participants also asked the priests to respect the cameramen’s role in the liturgical set-up.

Besides suggesting a designated space in churches for cameramen to avoid unnecessary movement and distraction during the liturgy, the participants also requested churches to install proper lights at strategic places to avoid disturbances from arc lights photographers.

Father Mendonca’s center has organized similar programs in the past two years for priests, sacristans, altar decorators, choir members and Mass readers.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, MARCH 28

Calangute Police on Sunday arrested the main accused in connection with the murder of Topeshwar Das at Candolim.

Calangute Police have nabbed the main accused Airkwdao alias Vikram alias Vicky Marjry (27), native of Assam, but residing at Aradi-Candolim.

Police informed that the arrest was carried out by PSI Laxi Amonkar, Vijay Gauns and other staff of Calangute Police on Sunday.

According to DySP PL Mapari, the accused has admitted his hand in the murder saying the victim tried to rape his girlfriend at about 3 am, as a result he had to kill him. Further investigations are in progress.

Incidents of rash, negligent driving on the rise HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MARCH 28

There has been a substantial rise of incidents of rash and negligent driving with 1,823 cases booked in 2009-10 as against 1,632 in 2008-09 and 1,065 cases reported in 2007-08.

The information given by Transport Minister Ramkrishna Dhavalikar in a written reply to an unstarred question from Congress legislator Victoria Fernandes, on the floor of the House said that the increasing incidents of rash and negligent driving have resulted in fatal, major and minor accidents.

He also said that stringent action has been taken against the culprit drivers, other than cancellation of licenses and fines.

The transport department has cancelled 200 licenses in the last four years and collected a total fine amount of Rs 9, 82, 700 during the same period.

Around 132 fatal accidents have booked in 2008, which was slightly increased to137 in 2009 followed by 139 in 2010.

Whereas, 310, 278 and 324 other motor vehicle accidents have been booked in 2008, 2009 and 2010 respectively.

The conviction rate is poorer with only 16 convicted as against 55 acquittals in the ‘fatal accident cases’, while 111 accused drivers have been convicted in the ‘other motor vehicle accidents’ and 139 others acquitted.

Case against two for threatening CCRT workshops for teachers Chimbel resident HERALD NEWS DESK edge of English are eligible to HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MARCH 28

Within a day after Old Goa police booked a case of threat against bus owner Sudip Tamankar and his aide Sudesh Kalangutkar, the latter are once again accused of threatening a local at Panjim bus stand.

In his complaint letter to the Panjim town police station, 23year-old Hussain Muktar Sheikh, a resident of Indranagar-Chimbel on Sunday alleged that Sudip and Sudesh blocked his way at the bus stand and hurled abuses and threatened him.

A case under sections 341 (wrongful restraint), 504 (intentional insult), 506 (criminal int i m i d a t i o n ) re a d w i t h 3 4 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code has been registered against the two.

PANJIM, MARCH 28

Directorate of Art & Culture deputes school teachers for participation in the courses /workshops conducted by the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT), New - Delhi every year for in-service teachers in the area of linking education with culture in the country.

The CCRT has proposed to organize different courses/workshops for middle/high/higher secondary school teachers in the year 2011-12 and has requested for deputation of teachers from Goa. Teachers who are below 48 years of age and having knowl-

participate.

The teachers will be paid TA/DA by the CCRT, New-Delhi.

Those who have attended the CCRT workshop/courses earlier may not be deputed for the workshop.

The particulars i.e. detailed annual schedule of the workshops/courses and forms are available in the office of Directorate of Art & Culture, Shramashakti Bhavan, 5th floor, Patto, Panjim. The same may be collected, duly filled and may be submitted to this office along with the recommendation of the headmaster/principal of concerned school accordingly.

Timely help can prevent suicides: psychologist

Photographers, videographers guided Registration for Haj on properly recording church services pilgrimage HERALD NEWS BUREAU PANJIM, MARCH 28

Candolim murder accused held

Goan Muslims are informed that Haj application forms for provisional registration for Haj are available with the Goa State Haj Committee.

Duly filled application form accompanied by payin-slip of Rs 200 per pilgrim should reach the Secretary, Goa State Haj Committee in the office of Under Secretary (Home) by April 30.

For process, eligibility and other details please contact any of the following members of Goa Haj Committee: Shaik Shabbir, Ponda, ph: 9822165352; Abdul Rehman Khan, Margao, ph: 9823927595; Akbar Mulla, Shiroda, ph: 9822175786; Iqbal Mohiddin, Vasco, ph: 9822100659; Mohd Nisar S u b e d a r, F a t o r d a , p h : 9422451535; Nabid Tisildar, Ponda, ph: 9922728416; Sheikh Abdul Badar, Ponda, ph: 9422454723;, Mohidin Qazi, Ponda, ph: 9823247381; Gulzar Bi Khan, Va l p o i , ph: 9422450429, Saifullah Khan, Vasco, ph: 9823184199 and Zarina Bi, Sanguem, ph: 9226221361.

Ms Merlyn who has worked extensively in this field, pointed out that extreme feelings of guilt, shame, sadness, anxiety and hopelessness are the commonest causes of depression and suicides, and suggested certain necessary steps that need to be taken to handle such people. “Early detection of the ‘strange signs’ can prevent suicides in our community, especially among people who are very close to us�, she added.

Complimenting Ms Merlyn for enlightening the participants on the subject, Dr Hubert Gomes pointed out that such workshops should be compulsory for every teacher and they should be attended by the parent in Goa. He also suggested that government should set up a support system by way of a 24 hours SOS counseling cell to help people in emotional distress. “Such support system is necessary for today’s stress-filled society, and such help systems are available in many parts of the world�, he added.

OHERALDO

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www.oheraldo.in

O HERALD O Vol No CXI No: 087 Goa, Tuesday, 29 March, 2011

E

Maharashtra and Goa

ven though Goa decisively voted against merger with Maharashtra 44 years ago, this state is often taken for granted and even considered to be part of Maharashtra.

For years, news readers of Marathi news bulletins on Doordarshan used to announce temperatures and rainfall in Panjim as if it was a city in Maharashtra. It took concerted protests before the word ‘Goa’ was inserted alongside any reference to Panjim.

Goa continues to be a part of common regional services of central government agencies. For example, the postal services; Goa is part of the Maharashtra-Goa circle. Even in telecom, Goa comes under the Maharashtra-Goa circle.

But these central agencies do not respect Goa’s existence as a separate state. There are no signs in Konkani in our Post Offices. Neither are there any recorded messages in Konkani in telecom services, both by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) and by the half dozen or more mobile telephone service providers that cater to this region. All of them are in Marathi, Konkani and English.

The Konkan Railway is no better. While announcements are made in what is supposed to be Konkani at railway stations in Goa, the announcers are usually non-Goans who do not know the language at all and, therefore, are unable to make themselves understood to travellers. The signboards ought to be in Konkani, but aren’t. Though they are allegedly written in Marathi, they aren’t really in that language, as the Konkan Railway has chosen pronunciations of place names entirely on its own, with no reference to the state government.

And now we have the High Court. On Thursday, the Shiv Sena’s Maharastra Rajya Sabha MP Bharatkumar Raut demanded in Parliament that the Bombay High Court, which serves the states of both Maharashtra and Goa, be renamed as the Maharashtra High Court! He was participating in a debate on the Constitution Amendment Bill to rename Orissa as Odisha.

Mr Raut said that Bombay had been renamed as Mumbai, but the names of many institutions, like the High Court, had not been changed. He said that under British rule, there was a Bombay Province that once stretched from “Karachi to Goa” (Wrong. It stretched from Karachi to Karwar, but excluded Goa, Daman, Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, which were then under Portuguese rule), and so the High Court was called the Bombay High Court. But now, he urged, it needed to be renamed as the Maharashtra High Court.

Mr Raut, a former journalist, is obviously a badly informed man who does not believe in doing his homework. But being unaware is no excuse. Possibly Goa’s Rajya Sabha MP Shanataram Naik was not present in the House when Mr Raut exposed the depths of his ignorance, otherwise he would have been sure to put the man straight.

But it is time the Goa state government and Goa’s MPs took cognisance of these injustices and became pro-active to set them right. Goa is a state in its own right, and there is no reason why it should be shortchanged.

Sensible suggestion

T

he suggestion made by Leader of the Opposition Manohar Parrikar in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday – that there should be a ceiling on extraction and transport of iron ore in the state – is an extremely sensible one.

The 11 existing mines each in Sanguem and Quepem are already causing nightmares to the public in the area. What happens if and when 68 proposed mines in the former and 25 proposed mines in the latter start operations? Life will become a living hell. The government should not and cannot allow that to happen.

Nuclear power and its risky flip-side

We, as a people lack a culture of safety and maintenance to deal with highly-sophisticated installations, says antHony SiMoeS

I

n the early 60s, the construction of India’s first nuclear power-plant began at Tarapur using Boisar as a railhead. The heavy equipment came by sea on barges that docked at a custom-built and equipped facility. Bechtel were the engineering managers and handled EPC activity. The prime contractor and main equipment supplier was General Electric.

Air-conditioning was installed by Blue Star of Italy and instrumentation/controls were supplied by Honeywell Corporation under directions of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). Some of their employees called it Best Arrangement for Recreation and Comfort. Tarapur Atomic Power Plant (TAPP) was commissioned and synchronised at the end of the 60s. The installed-capacity was 400 MW (2x200 MW) which was shared equally by Gujarat and Maharashtra @ 190 MW each since 20 MW was used up by the power-plant itself. The first 2 units at Fukushima are quite strikingly similar to the first 2 Tarapur units. I’m sure all similarities will end if there is a tsunami at Tarapur, given the inefficiency of our disaster management plan, our lack of discipline and our population density. A preview of HELL. We have all seen what happens, on a regular basis, when there is a stampede at some religious gathering. So what is the situation today, 42 years after the commissioning of TAPP 1 and 2?

The UPA government and the Nuclear Power Corporation (NPC) tell us that by 2020 we will add 20,000 MW of nuclear power and reduce power shortages in India. But what is the NPC’s past record?

In 1984, they promised us 10,000 MW in 16 years at a cost of Rs14,000 crore. Today, they are generating only 4,300 MW after 26 years at a cost of Rs90,000 crore. They achieved just 43% of the target with a 63% time over-run and a 550% cost over-run!!! So much for government and NPC promises!!!

So how are they promising 20,000 MW by 2020?

Quite simple, really. It’s a globalised magic-wand called ‘outsourcing’. India’s nuclear power-plants will be built by foreign companies like General Electric, Westinghouse, Areva, ABB, ATOM-EXPORT, Siemens, Bechtel, etc. and their local collaborators like Larsen and Toubro, BHEL, Gammon India, Sharpoorji Pallonji and others. Then came President Sarkozy of France. In tow, he had Anne Lauvergeon (a.k.a. Atomic Annie), the CEO of the French nuclear

The gentleman’s game

I

are met.

Allwyn George, Carmona

Grants for Portuguese

100 Years Ago

PRIMEIRO DIARIO NAS COLONIAS PORTUGEZAS

29 March 1911 Chairmen penalised

Was authorised by the Government to penalize the two ex-chairmen of Parish Councils of the villages of Sanquelim and Sirigao who were caught in some nefarious acts against the State.

Telegraphic station shifted

With the intention to install into a house with bigger area, is proposed to transfer to the South the Telegraphic Station earlier located at the market in Calangute.

Reduced attendance at fair

With people and artifacts from Salcete remaining aloof the present fair held at the Vila de Mapusa was not as crowded as earlier years.

Bioscopy sessions held

On the nights of last Sundays and Mondays the bioscopy sessions held by two companies were held at the Vila de Mapusa.

Politically incoRRect giant Areva (48,000 employees; 8.5 billion euros revenues). Annie opened her glory-box in Delhi to woo Manmohan and Montek. The present CM of Maharashtra, Prithviraj Chavan was our science and technology minister and was happy to play Best Man to Manmohan Singh’s role of prospective-bridegroom. At amazing speed, the paper work got done by a bureaucracy that generally takes 6 months to sharpen their pencils! The end result of this shotgun marriage based on a French Letter of Intent? Maybe this is not a marriage. Just a one-night stand. Now Atomic Annie is going to deliver her quite illegitimate 9,900 MW baby at Jaitapur open-air hospital. All 2,500 acres of it. In attendance, they will probably have a gynecologist from the French ‘Medicine Without Frontiers’. They will nicely compliment our displaced people of Jaitapur. These DPs can then play the role of ‘sans cullottes’ (like China’s barefoot doctors?) to Atomic Annie’s modern version of Marie Antonette. If the locals cannot live without their agriculture, horticulture and pisciculture, they can always absorb the isotopes Iodine 131, Strontium 90 and Cesium 137.

So what if the locals have a hyperactive thyroid? So what if they get Leukemia from their bone-marrow getting destroyed? So what if future generations are victims of genetic mutations? After all, Enron in 5 years will discharge enough Radon for the atmospheric con-

B V S Priolkar, Margao Portuguese ruled Goa for more than four centuries and continued even after Indian independence. The documents, literature, civil, criminal, marriage laws and all types of records were written in that language.

Only a small part of it has been translated to serve day-to-day needs. The laws prepared and records maintained during those times are exemplary and worth implementing now. This vast treasure is lying unearthed, as we do not have properly trained manpower. It is left with a few old intellectuals, but they are now in the twilight years of their lives. There is an urgent need to provide grants for the development of Portuguese language and to create talents to discover the hidden treasures lying in our archives. It is, therefore, the Portuguese language that needs a ‘grant’ failing which we will lose the precious records of our ancestors forever.

Parents possess a right Augusto Monteiro, Loutolim, After 50 years of Goa’s freedom from colonial rule, the protagonists of merger have woken up again to instigate a controversy and to create a divide in the choice of language in the education policy. They are afraid of competition and want to destabilise the schools of the Archdiocese by instilling confusion in the minds of people and raising a political bogey.

The MLAs who attended the PTA meeting in Panjim did so in their capacity as parents.

I call upon people to rise in unison and defeat those divisive efforts by telling them to mind their own business, because education and choice of language is the democratic right of parents.

Long live English Francisco Ribeiro, Porvorim The ‘intellectual’ Priests, who are out for publicity namely Fr Mousinho and Fr Jaime, should confine themselves to their own ministry, and take spiritual care of the faithful. They should not interfere with issues

centration to reach levels that are 1,000 times higher than the maximum allowed by the World Health Organisation. If we can pass on our debts to be paid by our future generations, why not also leave them a legacy of incurable diseases? After all, taxes, debts and death are inevitable. So if Manmohan, Montek, Prithviraj, Sarkozy and Annie want to prove that history must repeat itself, then it is time for people to take this to its logical conclusion by ‘Storming the Bastille’.

In the 1950s, PM Nehru and Atomic Energy chief Homi Bhabha fooled the public by saying that nuclear power would be so cheap; there would be no need to meter it. They were simply mouthing the favourite line of Lewis Strauss, the chairman of the US Atomic Energy Commission. Lewis Strauss was a petty-minded bureaucrat who used J Edgar Hoover (then director of the FBI) to hound Robert Oppenheimer and others who wanted to stop research on atomic weapons. (Oppenheimer - the father of the atomic bomb at Los Alamos – had seen the devastation at Hiroshima and Nagasaki with much pain and regret.) This led to the rise of Oppenheimer’s under-study, Edward Teller, who produced the first hydrogen bomb which made Oppenheimer’s atom bomb look like a Diwali fire-cracker in comparison. Today, history is repeating itself with Manmohan Singh and Anil Kakodkar spreading canards about the benefits of nuclear power. About its cost-effectiveness,

safety and environment-friendliness and other lies. But this does not come as a surprise. A few years ago, our president A P J Abdul Kalam lied to the world and the nation. He claimed that the yield of Pokhran-II was 45 kilotons when it was only 21 kilotons. This is the level of depravity and deceit of our rocket-scientists and nuclear scientists. Today, the scientific community in India has completely lost its credibility as they dabble in our third rate politics. The best argument against Jaitapur is not to imagine past scenarios like 3 Mile Island, Chernobyl or the Japanese earthquake and tsunami which endangered Fukushima. We certainly don’t need earthquakes and tsunamis or tidal-waves. No need to invoke Force Majeure clauses in our contracts which put the onus on the Almighty as ‘Acts of God’. We have enough to worry about simply because this is India and we are Indians and we are like that only.

Firstly:- I can visualise a Jehadi/Kamikaze-type pilot flying a plane, loaded with conventional explosives, directly into a 1650 MW nuclear reactor at Jaitapur. Once the integrity of this structure is compromised, it is only a matter of time for a meltdown situation. For a 220 MW unit at Kaiga, Professor Shivaji Rao has predicted a need to evacuate people as far north as Mapusa. Try to imagine the impact of a 1650 MW reactor going bust. Do we have the disaster managers and the discipline to react properly?

Secondly:- We, as a people don’t have a culture of safety and maintenance to deal with highlysophisticated installations where safety and maintenance are expected to be ingrained in our way of life. Given our attitudes of ‘Chalta hai to chalna de’, Chalti ka naam gaadi’ and Thuk laga-ke chala do’, we have a perfect recipe for disaster on an apocalyptic scale. Combine this with a complete disrespect for Human Life. Remember Bhopal, UCIL, Warren Anderson and Keshub Mahindra???

Thirdly:- Our culture of corruption, bribery, nepotism, financial fraud and misappropriation of funds will ensure that at least 50% of the components used at Jaitapur will be sub-standard. Or what we Indians call ‘Duplicate’. Jaitapur will be another unwanted monument to scientific skullduggery.

Keep the spirit of cricket alive

will kill you! Don’t you feel ashamed?” Ram shouted at the boys playing cricket near his farm. “Cool down Ram, What’s the matter? Why are you so desperate? “puzzled Shyam asked him.

“Look at these stupid boys. They not only damaged my crop, but also hurt my bullock. I will not give them their ball back,” Ram bursted out.

“Take it easy Ram, this is a cricket season. In India, our embrace of cricket is much more, it trascends into a national obsession that often crosses the boundary when an international tournament gets underway. When a cricket fever grips the country, animated conversation takes place in trains and buses, work in offices comes to standstill, roads wear deserted look, especially if the Indian team is playing,” Shyam tried to brief Ram. “But why all this hullabaloo?” Ram wondered.

“Look, now World Cup 2011 is in full swing. We won the World Cup in 1983. After several years, our hopes have been revived,” Shyam said.

“But don’t you think that in our country an utmost importance is given to cricket”, Ram asked.

“Yet, because India now rightly claims to be cricket’s global epicentre, boasting its largest commercial potential and widest social base”, Shyam explained.

Give us English medium The massive rally at Azad Maidan supporting English as the medium of instruction clearly had the support of Goans from all walks of life. The look on the people’s faces at the rally revealed that they had embarked on a mission to see that their children study in English medium at the primary level and beyond. What really surprises me is why people are always forced to come out onto the streets to see that their demands are fulfilled? Fulfilling people’s wishes should be the government’s prerogative. Those responsible for forcing the parents and students go through this trauma are well secured in the seats of power. They must remember that people will come out in numbers to lead the struggle for English medium, till their demands

OPINION

“Incidentally, how many countries play cricket”? Ram asked.

“As of now, some 105 members are attached to ICC but all are not playing cricket regularly. Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies, and Zimbabwe are the permanent ICC members. Besides there are 27 associate members,” Shyam said.

“But why the cricket is unheard in certain countries?” Ram asked.

“Cricket was first played in England. It became popular in the countries ruled by British. However, in countries like Russia, Germany and China, which were not colonised by the British, cricket remained unknown. Besides, the people in China, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia are generally short in height to face the ball.

So they do not find it interesting to play cricket,” Shyam said.

“How many nations are participating in this World cup”? Ram asked curiously. “For this World cup, 14 countries have been divided in two groups. Pakistan, Australia, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Canada and Kenya have been placed in Group A while India, South Africa, England, Bangladesh, Netherlands, Ireland and West Indies are in Group B, Shyam tried to explain. “But how will the best team be selected?” Ram asked. “In the quarter final 4 teams each from group A and B clash. In the semi finals, there are two teams each from both the groups and in the final, two teams

Poll communalising strategy

Rita Paes, by email

A young child is more apt to grasp a concept in the mother tongue, rather than a language alien to it. This initial grasping is very important to build up his/her career.

It is absurd to gulp the myth that a non-Anglo medium could decrease his/her capabilities.

A glaring example is our beloved ex-President Abdul Kalam, reared in his local language, yet the whole world acclaimed his intelligence, which surpassed all language barriers. Take examples of our astute parliamentarians of yesteryear, who knew not a word in English as tots, yet most reached the highest rungs of proficiency in their respective fields. And they spoke volumes of acclaimed English to their counterparts abroad.

Today’s fight over the medium of instruction is just a pre-assembly poll communalising strategy. I'm a Catholic, but I'm ashamed that the Catholic Church has allowed itself to be dragged into this needless controversy.

Recall 20 years ago (if my memory serves me right), my same beloved Catholic Church of Goa strongly opposed English as the medium of instruction. Now my beloved Catholic Church of Goa has done a somersault and is ready to embrace the very language, English, which it opposed then. With due respect to the present Archbishop (a gentleman par excellence), it was his predecessor who joined the bandwagon then.

I feel the Church of Goa shouldn't be toyed with by politicians. This pre-assembly poll communalising strategy will only breed bitterness among all peace loving communities of Goa. Let us maintain status quo. Check out on those graduating from the Marathi medium of instruction down the years. They are all flourishing professionals.

Let's leave aside our bickering and petty squabbles. And let’s not rear up the communal bug again. Let us maintain our identity of Amchem Goem!

Foolish TV commercials Augustus Alphonso, Vasco/Kuwait While the cricket World Cup fever keeps

vie with each other for the coveted World Cup”, Shyam said. “But when there are other games like football, hockey, why the interest only in cricket?” Ram asked.

“What you are saying is true. But probably, they do not attract people because no hype is created for these games”, Shyam said.

“But are the people really interested in cricket or they are carried away by publicity?” Ram asked. “Of course, people are interested in this game of numbers and records. Besides, cricket binds people of this country. It is only during international cricket matches that one finds unity in diversity,” Shyam said. “Then why can’t people always carry the same spirit?” Ram asked.

“That is a billion dollar question. The question as to why people unite during international cricket matches and fight over language and regional ethos still remains unanswered,” Shyam said.

“But there have also been reports of scams entering the cricket field?” Ram asked innocently.

“Yes, there had been instances like match fixing, spot fixing etc., and guilty were punished. Even if cricket loses credibility, people will still watch it. The limited-over games have revived cricket and it provides instant thrill,” Shyam said. “Then what shall I do with this ball?” Ram asked Shyam. “Please give it back to the boys. Who knows one day one of them may play for India.

Let us keep the spirit of game alive,” Shyam said hopefully.

Letters to the Editor

Letter of the Day

which concern parents. I wonder whether they are on the payroll of some opportunistic private institutions. One can never know. If there is a drift of some to other sects, it is only due to such opportunists.

We parents know what is best for our children and we demand justice. We are not asking authorities to scrap grants to Marathi or Konkani medium schools, but to include English and give it equal status. We, taxpayers, demand this. Long live English, the universal language.

By Raju Vernekar

on escalating, the TV commercials attached to it are simply ridiculous. On one hand, the team is seen philosophically uttering inspiring words of wisdom during the commercial breaks and on the other hand, some of the team members are featured in inconsequential ads. The whole entertainment industry in India ‘sucks’ under commercialism.

Emulate Mauvin and Jose Philip Dr Joe D’Souza, Panjim The defence forces and many central government agencies have time and again, usurped precious and the limited land belonging to Goans in the garb of national

or public interest, thus rendering Goans as strangers in their own homeland. Ravi Naik gave us a classic example, by gifting away the Anjediva island to the Indian Navy.

Everywhere in Goa, oil corporations, nationalised banks, ONGC and other semigovernment bodies have rendered Goans homeless and deprived them of their properties for holiday homes and recreational activities. Jose Philip D’Souza and Mauvin Godinho must be appreciated for helping Bernard Da Costa keep a hold on his Dabolim property, which was sought to be acquired by the Airports Authority of India.

We hope other ministers too learn from the good deeds of Mauvin and Jose Philip that charity must begin at home. Goans must not be made strangers in their own homeland.

Messages through Tiatr Juliet Ferreira, Panjim The just-concluded Tiatr festival by ‘Tiatr Academy of Goa’ had a lot of messages embedded in them but how much the audience learns; only time will tell. The most important feature was punctuality.

There is a long outstanding tradition in Goa regarding ‘punctuality’. No one heeds to the time factor. We see this in every Goan function and not to forget our offices.

The medium of Tiatr is the best to emphasise and educate the people on this issue.

Tiatr artists please take this as a cue.

Why target Horticulture chief?

Juze Vaz, Navelim The recent demand of the Leader of Opposition to sack the Managing Director of the Horticulture Dept made me curious.

Everybody is aware of corruption in the PWD, RTO, etc. But why target the head of the Horticulture department?

Recently, Belgaum’s vegetable traders had gone on strike to protest the Goa government’s scheme of supplying vegetables to Goans at cheap rates. They then sought the help of the Karnataka government to cook up a story of corruption against the founder of this good scheme.

This Horticulture scheme is his baby and if he goes, then this scheme will also go.

Ultimately, Goans will stand to lose a lot.

Paths of Wisdom

Anekantavada

Anekantavada is one of the most important and fundamental doctrines of Jainism. It refers to the principles of pluralism and multiplicity of viewpoints, the notion that truth and reality are perceived differently from diverse points of view, and that no single point of view is the complete truth.

Jains contrast all attempts to proclaim absolute truth with adhgajanyayah, which can be illustrated through the parable of the ‘blind men and an elephant’ wherein each blind man felt a different part of an elephant (trunk, leg, ear, etc.).

All the men claimed to understand and explain the true appearance of the elephant, but could only partly succeed, due to their limited perspectives. This principle is more formally stated by observing that objects are infinite in their qualities and modes of existence, so they cannot be completely grasped in all aspects and manifestations by finite human perception.

According to the Jains, only the Kevalins—the omniscient beings—can comprehend objects in all aspects and manifestations; others are only capable of partial knowledge. Consequently, no single, specific, human view can claim to represent absolute truth.

Anekantavada encourages its adherents to consider the views and beliefs of their rivals and opposing parties.

Proponents of Anekantavada apply this principle to religion and philosophy, reminding themselves that any religion or philosophyeven Jainism-which clings too dogmatically to its own tenets, is committing an error based on its limited point of view.

The principle of Anekantavada also influenced Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi to adopt principles of religious tolerance, ahimsa and satyagraha.

(Source : Wikipedia)

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INDIA

GOA, TUESDAY 29 MARCH, 2011

Opinionated Medium of Instruction - V

Stick to One Language

By S Kamat

It is difficult to write on any issue in Goa since most matters are decided by the heart and not by the head. This is being said in the context of the reactions, mostly from parents, on the English medium to be used in schools.

The UNESCO ruling which has been brought into force after much deliberation and study, is that primary schooling should be in the mother tongue. Is this scientific basis not enough for people to accept this in Goa? We all know that the child learns things quicker when it is taught in its mother-tongue and the other fact is that if the child needs help with its studies then the parents and other elders at home can help them.

If we accept English, how many families will be able to teach the children at home? We are not talking here of urban, educated parents but of people in the rural areas. We are only going to stress the child and the parents who will have to resort to tuitions right from the time the child starts going to school.

This is an avoidable double expense or an additional expense, if basic schooling is free like in many states. The other argument that some parents have expressed that switching to English medium after Class 5 is not proper, since it puts additional strain on the child.

In fact, it is quite the opposite and like we all know, children love to pick up languages and are faster at it than adults, and they will only lap up the new language, whatever it may be, since they are more confident also by now in the school environment. There are other arguments put forth that Goan children are not doing well in All India competitive exams and that is why we should have English medium.

This is a strange argument since the competitive exams start after the 10th or 12th class, for which there is another 7 years after Class 5 for the child to become proficient in English and other subjects. And we all know success in competitive exams depends on the aptitude of the child, and not necessarily knowledge of English. There are others who split hairs on the meaning of mother tongue. Simply put, it is not necessarily the language of the mother tongue but that of the community that the child belongs. If the child is of mixed parentage, then it has two mother tongues and then the parents have the responsibility to choose which language it will pursue in education.

Lastly, the clamour has been that parents should be given the right to decide on the medium of instruction that their children study in. This is not acceptable since parents are not competent to decide on matters of education. Just like a doctor does not treat his near relatives and prefers a fellow physician to attend to them, so also in education, there is a broader objective and a scientific basis to study which most parents will not understand, and therefore professionals have to decide these matters. The narrow objectives of getting jobs and acceptability around the world are irrelevant, since even after studying in English medium, is there a guarantee for jobs? The child may remain unemployable. Acceptability in society is a factor of how good a human being is, and does not depend on his knowledge of English. Finally, we are still talking in Konkani and are using it to whatever little extent is because our previous generations accepted that it should be the medium of instruction. If we switch to English now, then in another 50 years we will have to hunt for Konkani among the extinct languages of the world, sacrificed at the altar of commercial expedience. Therefore, the following is offered as an alternative which is followed by most states in the country, wherein both the mother tongue is strengthened as well as medium of instruction becomes English. It was also followed by the undersigned and his two children who had the privilege of going to some of the best convent schools in the country from as geographically diverse places as Kolkata to Bangalore. The undersigned in Kolkata had Hindi as the first language, and English as the second language, with the local language Bengali as a third language up to Class 8. While my children in Bangalore had Kannada as the first language, with English as the second and Hindi as the third language up to Class 8.

In fact, at Bangalore, when they had enrolled first in school, English was the first language and Kannada or Hindi was the second language but after a few years, the Karnataka government took a policy decision that only those schools which had Kannada as the first language would get government aid and all the Catholic convent schools changed to the above system.

Remember whether in Kolkata or Bangalore, the medium of instruction was always English except in the other language classes. So, it is proposed that the mother tongue, Konkani will be the first language up to Class 10 with English as the second language, and with the medium of instruction being English. Hindi will be the optional first language for those who desire it.

The third language will be either Konkani or Hindi and will be taught up to Class 8. And the medium of instruction will be English. This will apply to all schools in Goa, both aided and unaided. The above method, as said earlier, will strengthen both the Konkani language as also meet the child’s needs to pursue education in English.

Concluding, most parents also say that they will not have politicians decide on their children’s education but take to the streets and in that process are they not politicising the issue? If one respects education, do not take to the streets if you have issues on it, discuss it at your school or board level and come to an amicable solution. By coming on to the streets with it, you are only falling prey to the politicians. One hopes that this matter of medium of instruction is sorted out amicably since it relates to our children and their future which should not be squandered by sloganeering and unnecessarily heated arguments of very little consequence.

Aiyar rubbishes SC flays government for not probing source of black money Wikileaks expose PtI NEW DELHI, MARCH 28

The Supreme Court today flayed the government for focusing its probe only around Pune stud owner Hasan Ali Khan in the black money case and directed it to track the more "serious" aspect of source of money by incorporating the angle of national security.

"No further information is forthcoming from you. The whole concentration is focused only on one individual. What about others?" a bench of justices B Sudershan Reddy and S S Nijjar asked.

"We would like to know what progress has been made by you in each case (relating to black money). We would also like to know from you on next hearing the progress made in the investigation from the national security aspect and what is the source of such money which is more serious aspect," it said.

The bench, which perused the 14-page status report (submitted in a sealed cover) on the probe by the Enforcement Directorate, expressed shock over the revelation made in the report in which the name of a "power broker" was mentioned.

"It is very difficult to be calm and quiet after seeing the status report," the judges remarked.

The government, which has been facing a tough time in the apex court on the issue of black

money, said there has been "substantial breakthrough" in the investigation.

It expressed concern over the security threat being faced by the investigators by telling the bench that there was a need for providing protection to all the officers of the Enforcement Directorate involved in the case.

Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium said he cannot disclose the names of officers involved in the probe. He said the government has also taken seriously the statements of 53year-old Khan who has expressed threat to his life and his family members.

He said the probe into the case of Khan has revealed that it was not simply a case of forgery of passport but a case with

far more serious implications.

"This is not simply a forgery of passport. It is a case with far more implications. Why did the passport disappear," Subramanaium said while replying in the affirmative that another person, a Kolkata-based businessman Kashinath Taporia, who was associated with Khan, has been arrested.

"Why all these agencies were sleeping since 2008? Why it moved when we stepped in? If writ petition had not been filed, nothing would have happened," the bench observed after the Solicitor General made submissions in the case lodged against Khan in 2008.

Besides the ED probe, Khan is also facing a nearly Rs 70,000 crore tax demand notice from

A new technique called the High Tibial Osteotomy (HTO) knee surgery, which doctor’s claim will provide relief to patients suffering from severe arthritis, is aimed at delaying joint replacements at an early stage.

With arthritis being highly prevalent even among the young people today, this procedureHTO knee surgery (a stop gap operation) helps such patients avoid knee transplants early in their life.

Demonstrating the technique here today, Orthopaedic Surgeon Prof Dr Karl P Benedetto from Austria and Dr K Raghuveera Reddy, shoulder and knee surgeon, Sai Institute of Sports Injury and Arthrosocpy (SIASA) said that arthritis of the knee joint is caused due to damage of the cartilage.

Unlike the fracture of a bone, the damage of the cartilage does not heal on its own. Continued usage of the knee by ignoring the pain leads to gross denigration of the cartilage and severe arthritis. As a result the normal alignment of the

Former Union Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar today rubbished Wikileaks expose that he was replaced by Murli Deora as Petroleum Minister in 2006 under US pressure.

He, however noted that the US was happy that he was removed.

"It is rubbish that petroleum portfolio was taken from me a s t h e U S w a s u n h a p p y, " Aiyar told reporters here in a reply to a question on Wikileaks reports.

He said that during UPA-I he was given additional and "temporary" charge of Petroleum Ministry along with Panchayati Raj. "It was my luck that the temporary charge lasted for 20 months as the first cabinet reshuffle happened after that and as petroleum minister I did an outstanding job," he said.

Aiyar said that the Iran-PakIndia pipeline project plan chalked out during his stint as the minister was against the US strategy.

"The plan, which was part of a larger vision, was crucial from the fuel safety and economy of the country," he said.

He said that the US, which had imposed sanction against Iran, was against the project as it had benefited the country financially.

"In fact I proposed to extend

the pipeline to China so that Pakistan does not play any dirty trick. The plan had go ahead approval from all concerned including the Prime Minister to start negotiations," he said.

The former minister said that a section in the US may be happy from his ouster from the petroleum ministry.

"US were happy that I was removed. It was no so that I was removed as US was unhappy therefore I was removed," he said.

"It was no so that the PM went to the US diplomat to ask that who should be appointed as the minister," he added.

On Wikileaks, he said that if cable can lie about Jaitley, then it can also lie about Nachiketa Kapur, who is described as a political aide.

CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat had yesterday said the Left, which provided outside support to the UPA-I, was aware that Mani Shankar Aiyar was shifted out of the Petroleum Ministry in 2006 as he was pursuing energy policy which the Americans did not like.

K’taka to spend Rs 2000 cr on water supply project HERaLD CORRESPONDENt BELGAUM, MARCH 28

Police lathicharge activists of Garment Manufacturers Industry during a protest against the excise duty imposed on readymade garments, in Kolkata.

Fake pilots scam: cops issue lookout notice against four PtI NEW DELHI, MARCH 28

Intensifying its probe into the fake pilots scam, the Delhi Police has issued a lookout notice against three pilots and a flying instructor to ensure they did not flee the country and it was also conducting raids.

The lookout notices were issued by the Delhi Police's crime branch against pilots Swaran Singh Talwar of MDLR, Syed Habeeb Ali--a new pilot in low budget carrier IndiGo and Bhupinder Singh for allegedly being involved in forging marksheets to procure flying licences, a senior police official said today.

Singh has not joined any airline, he said.

Similar notice has been issued against a flying instructor D Asatkar, the official added. IndiGo said it has grounded Habeeb Ali who has been under scanner of the criminal investigating agencies and issued a show-cause notice to him.

"Captain Ali has been grounded and a show-cause notice is being issued", an airline spokesperson said.

However, the airline maintained that Ali had "never flown

nA senior official of airline regulator DGCA and three others, including a pilot, were arrested on Saturday with Delhi Police claiming that it has smashed a racket involved in forging marksheets to help pilots procure licences. for IndiGo till date" as he had joined just about six weeks back and has been "absconding for a week or so" after that.

Noting that Ali was grounded following information about the probe against him and his records, the spokesperson said his Airline Tr a n s p o r t P i l o t L i c e n s e (ATPL) was issued before he had joined IndiGo. A Delhi Police official said all airports and ports were put on

"high alert" to prevent the absconding four persons from fleeing the country.

"We are conducting raids across the country to nab the three pilots and the flying instructor," he said, adding during interrogation an arrested DGCA official told them he had processed files relating to around 60 licences in the past couple of years.

The pilots had allegedly procured Airlines Transport Pilot Lic e n c e ( AT P L ) u s i n g f a k e documents. "One has to clear three subjects -- Aviation Meteorology, Radio Aids and Instruments and Air Navigation -- to get ATPL, mandatory for becoming a Commander of a plane.

However, these pilots failed in one or the other papers," the official said.

A senior official of airline regulator DGCA and three others, including a pilot, were arrested on Saturday with Delhi Police claiming that it has smashed a racket involved in forging marksheets to help pilots procure licences.

New technique likely to help arthritis patients PtI HYDERABAD, MARCH 28

the Income-Tax Department.

The bench also wanted to know why the government was claiming privilege and not favouring to disclose the names of the persons which have surfaced during the course of the probe.

"Tell us why are you are claiming privilege. Why not they (names of people) be disclosed.

Let the people of the country know what is happening. Now there is no privilege on one name (Hasan Ali Khan). People have come to know everything," the bench said.

Khan's counsel and senior advocate U U Lalit said, "He (Khan) has been made a scapegoat".

The court reiterated its idea of setting up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising officers of the Intelligence Bureau, Research and Analysis Wing, Central Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate to probe the entire issue related to the black money stashed away in banks abroad.

However, the Solicitor General said it would be too early to consider setting up of an SIT and sought one more chance to satisf y the court about the progress of investigation.

"At this juncture wait for another status report. Look at another status report and see what area can be bifurcated among different agencies," he told the bench which accepted his plea.

PtI LUCKNOW, MARCH 28

nDemonstrating the technique, Orthopaedic Surgeon Prof Dr Karl P Benedetto from Austria and Dr K Raghuveera Reddy, shoulder and knee surgeon, Sai Institute of Sports Injury and Arthrosocpy (SIASA) said that arthritis of the knee joint is caused due to damage of the cartilage. knee changes leading to a bow legged appearance. This bow leg deformity can lead to progressive worsening of the arthritis and pain felt on the inner aspect of the knee, they said.

The ultimate solution for such condition is total knee joint replacement. However, knee joint replacement is not suggested at the active age of 40-50 years, as the replaced knee joint prosthesis can wear out in 10-15 years, requiring another knee joint replacement by the age of

50-60 years, which can have its own complications, the doctors said.

Therefore HTO knee surgery is indicated for such young people particularly those in the age group of 40-55 years with arthritis of the knee and is often used as a stop gap operation to delay joint replacement, they said.

Various studies have shown that the majority of the pain can be relieved for up to 10-15 years but after that period a knee replacement may be required.

High Tibial Osteotomy involves a surgical break in the shin bone just below the knee joint to change the alignment of the leg. HTO is used to relieve the pressure on the inner arthritic bearing of the knee and to redistribute the forces around the knee.

Studies have shown that cartilage will regenerate to good extent after realignment of joint axis by this surgery.

Soon after operation, patients are allowed to move the knee but they may need to restrict the amount of weight through the leg by using the crutch for six weeks.

In its bid to implement the novel 24x7 water supply to some towns and cities in Karnataka, government of Karnataka is set to spend Rs 2,000 crore on an ambitious water supply project.

After the project was successfully implemented in some wards of Belgaum City Corporation; 16 cities/towns across the state which have been facing water scarcity since long time will be benefited under the scheme.

A rough survey on whether water could be supplied roundthe-clock to all these cities has been made before selecting them. According to official sources, similar project that was implemented in the select wards of Belgaum, Gulbarga and HubliDharwad has been a big success.

Government also plans to implement the project to all the wards in Belgaum, Gulbarga and Hubli-Dharwad. A Hyderabad-

based private company will implement the project in coordination with the state government.

“The project is gaining popularity as the wastage of water has been minimum in all these four cities after the project’s implementation. Without any hurdles, the local authorities are able to supply water round-theclock and collect water bills effectively,” a senior government official said.

The 16 cities/towns which will be benefited by the project include Humnabad, Chitguppa, Srirangapattan, Sedam, Hukkeri, Sankeshwar, Mandya, Kadur, Birur, Kushal Nagar, Teerthahalli, Tumkur, Tiptur, Malur, Bijapur and Shimoga.

Karnataka government has sought the blue print of the survey from the administrative authorities of the respective districts.

However, except for the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board from Bijapur

BJP rebels join Yeddy in bypolls PtI BANGALORE, MARCH 28

Dissidence-hit BJP's Karnataka unit today presented a picture of unity, with rebel leaders joining Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa at a meeting to ask partymen to work for the victory of BJP candidates in the April 9 bypolls to three assembly constituencies.

State BJP president K S Eswarappa, national general secretary Anantkumar and Rural Development Minister Jagadish Shettar, who last week led the rebels in seeking Yeddyurappa's ouster, attended the meet, asking partymen to ensure defeat of Congress and JDS. Yeddyurappa dismissed the talk of differences in the party.

APPOINTMENTS

"If it is so (differences), it is in your parties," he told the opposition, which has been carrying on a sustained campaign for his removal on corruption and nepotism charges.

Yeddyurappa was also bitter with the media for painting BJP as a dissidence riven unit in the state and said "you will not succeed in your venture".

APPOINTMENTS

which has already conducted a detailed survey about possible benefits of the water project if it is implemented in Bijapur city, blue print has not been received from any other authorities.

Most of these cities have been facing water problems time and again for the last several years.

Sources said it is possible for authorities in these districts to tide over water crisis once and for all by utilising water from various sources under the 24hour water supply project.

A Hyderabad-based ‘Infrastructure Leasing and Finance company’ will be taking up the project in the select four wards in the pilot phase of the project, where an amount of Rs 187 crore will be spent on the pilot phase of the project in Bijapur alone.

APPOINTMENTS

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WORLD

NATO to take immediate command of Libya campaign PTI WASHINGTON, MARCH 28

The 28-member NATO has announced to take over all the international operations in Libya, including military operations to enforce no-fly-zone, enforcement of arms embargo and the civilian protections.

"NATO Allies have decided to take on the whole military operation in Libya under the United Nations Security Council Resolution. Our goal is to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas under threat of attack from the Gaddafi regime.

NATO will implement all aspects of the UN Resolution. Nothing more, nothing less," said NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

Terming it as a very significant step which proves NATO's capability to take decisive action, Rasmussen said the alliance has put together a complete package of operations in support of the United Nations Resolution by sea and by air.

"We are already enforcing the arms embargo and the No Fly Zone, and with today's decision we are going beyond. We will

Russia worried over happenings in Libya AFP MOSCOW, MARCH 28

Russia on Monday expressed concern over the ultimate aims of the Western air strikes on Libya, saying aiding Libyan rebels was `interference’ which had not been sanctioned by the United Nations. `We see media reports that officials from the countries taking part in the operation say that they are just following the aim of protecting the civilian population,’ Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters. `But on the other hand we see reports, and no-one denies them, that coalition forces are bombing (Libyan leader) Moamer Gadhafi’s forces in support of the armed rebels,’ he added. `Here there is a clear contradiction. We believe that coalition interference in a civil war is not sanctioned by the UN resolution,’ Lavrov said.

be acting in close coordination with our international and regional partners to protect the people of Libya. We have directed NATO's top operational Commander to begin executing this operation with immediate effect," he said yesterday in a statement in Brussels, the NATO headquarters.

With this US President Barack Obama has accomplished his earlier announcement that the United States would hand over its operations on Libya within days, a senior Administration Official told reporters in Washington.

"From this moment on forward, NATO will be in command not only of the no-fly zone, not only of enforcing the arms embargo, but now also of the civilian protection mission," the official said.

"We did what the President wanted. We were going to take the lead in the initial period, providing our unique capabilities to shape the battlefield, but then within days, we would hand over control of that operation to others," he said.

"That's what we accomplished

today in NATO with all 28 allies now agreeing that not only the no-fly zone, not only the arms embargo, but also the civilian protection mission would come under NATO – under NATO command, under NATO control, and on NATO political guidance," he said.

At its meeting in Brussels, NATO changed and amended the existing no-fly zone plan to include the mission for civilian protection.

Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Admiral Jim Stavridis is in-charge and as he is of all NATO operations. And the joint task force commander is a three-star General from Canada, General Charles Bouchard.

He is in-charge of all aspects of the NATO operation, including the arms embargo. The US official said the mandate is to protect civilian and civilian-populated areas from attack.

"Any forces that are attacking or threatening to attack civilians will be subject to targeting by NATO in exactly the same way they're subject to targeting by the coalition today, or up to this point," he said.

70 killed in Yemen blast PTI DUBAI, MARCH 28

A photo made available on Monday shows a male macaque monkey named Kai Lek playing a toy guitar during a show at the Monkey Theater in the resort island of Koh Samui, Surat Thani province, southern Thailand.

A massive blast ripped apart an ammunition factory in Southern Yemen, killing 70 people and wounding more than 100 in fresh violence in the strife-torn key Arab state, where crucial transition of power talks have been stalled.

"At least 70 people were killed in the explosion in the ammunition factory near Jaar town in South Yemen," Al-arabia channel reported, quoting a local government official. The explosion came a day after the factory was overrun by al-Qaeda militants.

Other security officials said the heavily-armed militants numbering more than 30 raided the plant, which makes ammunition for Kalashnikov rifles. They said the al-Qaeda men later stormed and captured Jaar town itself.

Pak Taliban forms cell to hunt US informers PTI ISLAMABAD, MARCH 28

The Pakistani Taliban in North Waziristan tribal agency have established a `vigilance cell’ to hunt people suspected of providing intelligence to guide US drones in attacks on the militants, according to a media report today.

The cell, known as the Lashkar-e-Khorasan, has been tasked to identify, capture and execute people working for what is described as a "web of local spies" created by the US Central Intelligence Agency, The Express Tribune newspaper quoted its sources as saying.

The Lashkar draws it strength from the Haqqani network and the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group – two Taliban factions that control regions along the Afghan border, the report said.

The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan led by Hakimullah Mehsud has its sympathies for the cell and

Berlusconi attends hearing

AFP MILAN, MARCH 28

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi attended a legal hearing today for the first time in eight years, over allegations of fiscal fraud and breach of trust in his business interests.

The hearing in judge’s chambers in Milan was part of a process to decide whether Berlusconi, a billionaire tycoonturned-politician with a vast media empire, should stand trial in the case involving his company Mediatrade. `The accusations are ridiculous and unfounded,’ Berlusconi said in a telephone interview with Channel 5 television, which he owns.

provides occasional `active cooperation’ to the Lashkar.

Though the exact number of members of the Lashkar is not known, a source in the tribal areas told the daily it was more than 300.

The regions where the cell works are Datta Khel, Miramshah, Mir Ali and surrounding areas where US drone strikes have been frequent.

The cell was set up last year by top commanders of the Haqqani network and the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group, which have a "tacit peace understanding" with Pakistan troops operating in South Waziristan. The military operation in South Waziristan is aimed at rooting out homegrown Taliban striking inside Pakistan. `In the beginning, it was a loose network with members casually going out and trying to find out who is providing information to the US... It is more

organised now and they are working scientifically on the counter-intelligence line,’ an associate of one of the groups told the daily.

An intelligence official at the Pakistan Army headquarters in Rawalpindi and local sources in Mir Ali and Miramshah too confirmed the existence and activities of the Lashkar but appeared unaware of its structure, the report said.

The US stepped up its drone campaign in the mountainous border regions last year to eliminate what US officials called high-value targets, including top leaders of Al Qaeda and their local facilitators.

The unmanned aerial vehicles operated by the CIA to eradicate Taliban militants in Pakistan's border areas struck more than 100 times last year alone.

Though US officials do not publicly comment on the drone campaign, it is commonly

known that the UAVs target a mechanical chip on the ground that spies allegedly place at Taliban hideouts. `The Lashkar-e-Khorasan is working to find out who exactly does that and how Americans are able to find out where the mujahideen are holding a meeting or which vehicle they are travelling in,’ the affiliate of the Bahadur group said.

Once a suspect is caught `spying’ he is taken to a Taliban court or Dar-ul-Qaza where judges or qazis ask him to explain his position.

If proved guilty, the person is executed immediately. Two months ago, the Lashkar-eKhorasan was behind the beheading of almost half a dozen motor mechanics in Mir Ali after US officials changed their policy of hitting compounds and instead started targeting vehicles with Taliban leaders on board.

Syria to end emergency rule AFP DAMASCUS, MARCH 28

Streets in Latakia, scene of Syria's latest deadly violence, were deserted today, while in Damascus President Bashar alAssad readied to announce the end of emergency rule in place since 1963.

Funerals for a number of the victims of deadly shooting in the northern port city -- some believed to be the work of snipers -were planned for today as schools and businesses closed their doors.

"The city is calm this morning, but the shops are all closed and employees have not gone to work," said Issam Khoury, a journalist based in Latakia, 350 kilometres northwest of Damascus.

"Most schools are closed as well and parents have decided not to send their children to any classes," added Khoury.

The government of Assad, who is now under domestic pressure unprecedented in his 11-year rule, has announced a string of reforms in a bid to quell a rising wave of dissent against

Singer Britney Spears performs on ABC's "Good Morning America" at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, California. As Britney Spears launches her seventh studio album "Femme Fatale" on Tuesday, the pop star faces keen competition from Lady Gaga, Katie Perry and Rihanna, who reign atop Billboard's Hot 100 singles ranking.

Radiation in seawater may be spreading in Japan AP TOKYO, MARCH 28

Highly radioactive iodine seeping from Japan's damaged nuclear complex may be making its way into seawater farther north of the plant than previously thought, officials today said, adding to radiation concerns as the crisis stretches into a third week.

Mounting problems, including badly miscalculated radiation figures and no place to store dangerously contaminated water, have stymied emergency workers struggling to cool down the overheating plant and avert a disaster with global implications.

The coastal Fukushima Daiichi power plant, located 220 kilometers northeast of Tokyo, has been leaking radiation since a magnitude-9.0 quake on March 11 triggered a tsunami that engulfed the complex. The wave knocked out power to the system that cools the dangerously

of "suspects or persons who threaten security."

The law also authorises interrogation of any individual and the surveillance of personal communications as well as official control of the content of newspapers and other media before publication.

Activists estimate that some 130 people have been killed in the Syria protests, which began in Damascus on March 15 but quickly fizzled out, taking root instead in the multi-confessional city of Latakia and the southern governorate of Daraa, a tribal area on the Jordanian border.

but said the spike in radiation appeared limited to the unit.

However, new readings show contamination in the ocean has spread about 1.6 kilometers farther north of the nuclear site than before. Radioactive iodine131 was discovered just offshore from Unit 5 and Unit 6 at a level 1,150 times higher than normal, Hidehiko Nishiyama, a spokesman for the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, told reporters today.

He had said earlier there was no link between the radioactive water leaking inside the plant and the radiation in the sea.

Today, though, he reversed that position, saying he does suspect that radioactive water from the plant may indeed be leaking into the ocean.

Closer to the plant, radioactivity in seawater tested about 1,250 times higher than normal last week and climbed to 1,850 times normal over the weekend.

Nishiyama said the increase was a concern, but also said the area is not a source of seafood and that the contamination posed no immediate threat to human health.

Nuclear safety officials say workers' time inside the crippled units is closely monitored to minimize their exposure to radioactivity, but two workers were hospitalized Thursday when they suffered burns after stepping into contaminated water. They were to be released from the hospital today.

Meanwhile, a strong earthquake shook the region and prompted a brief tsunami alert early today. The quake off the battered Miyagi prefecture coast in the northeast measured magnitude-6.5, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

No damage or injuries were reported, and TEPCO said the quake would not affect work to stabilize the plant.

Japan slams TEPCO for ‘unacceptable’ data error PTI TOKYO/FUKUSHIMA, MARCH 28

Japanese government today blasted the operator of the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant for its `absolutely unacceptable’ mistake of giving an extremely high radiation reading, as engineers battled to contain the country's worst atomic crisis.

The operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), was criticised by Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edono for describing the radiation levels as 10 million times higher than normal in water leaking from the No 2 reactor's turbine building, before correcting the figure to 100,000 times.

“Considering the fact that the monitoring of radioactivity is a major condition to ensure safety, this kind of mistake is absolutely unacceptable,” Edano said, more than two weeks after the monster magnitude-9 quake and tsunami struck Japan’s northeast leaving nearly 30,000 people dead or

Blast kills 20 in Afghanistan AP KABUL, MARCH 28

his rule. He is expected to address the people of Syria in the days to come.

Buthaina Shaaban, a top adviser to Assad, yesterday told AFP authorities had decided to end the state of emergency, which came into effect when the ruling Baath party rose to power almost 50 years ago.

But it remains unclear what the decision will entail. "The decision to lift the emergency law has already been made. But I do not know about the time frame," Shaaban told AFP. Syria's emergency law imposes restrictions on public gatherings and movement and authorises the arrest

hot nuclear fuel rods.

Today, workers resumed the laborious yet urgent task of pumping out the hundreds of tons of radioactive water inside several buildings at the six-unit plant. The water must be removed and safely stored before work can continue to power up the plant’s cooling system, nuclear safety officials said.

The contaminated water, discovered last Thursday, has been emitting radiation that measured more than 1,000 millisieverts per hour in a recent reading at Unit 2 some 100,000 times normal amounts, plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Co said.

As officials scrambled to determine the source of the radioactive water, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano repeated today that the contaminated water in Unit 2 appeared to be due to a temporary partial meltdown of the reactor core.

He called it "very unfortunate"

A team of suicide bombers shot their way into the compound of a road construction company in eastern Afghanistan and detonated a truck loaded with explosives, killing 20 people and wounding about 50, the Afghan government said today.

The attack occurred late yesterday in the Barmal district of Paktika province, the Interior Ministry said in a statement.

It said three attackers went up to the gate of the Zahir construction company, shot the guard, and then drove a large truck that was full of explosives into the compound where they detonated it.

The area is located on the border with Pakistan's lawless tribal regions, which serve as safe havens for insurgents that infiltrate into Afghanistan across the rugged and mountainous frontier.

The region has seen an escalation in violence over the past few months.

unaccounted for.

As efforts continued to remove highly radioactive water from the plant, he said he has strongly instructed TEPCO to avoid the release of erroneous data on radiation leaks.

Edano said radiation analysis served as the basis for ensuring safety at the plant, where workers were struggling to safely cool the reactors and other machinery.

TEPCO yesterday apologised for the `mistake’ and said a worker who took the reading in a part of No 2 reactor's cooling system had no time to confirm with a second reading because the radiation level was so high that he had to leave the area.

“The number is not credible.

We are very sorry,” TEPCO spokesman Takashi Kurita said.

Engineers were trying to restore the power station’s crippled cooling functions, while high radioactive concentrations were again detected in the nearby seawater.

Edano said the highly radioactive water found at the basement of the No 2 reactor’s turbine building is “believed to have temporarily had contact with fuel rods (in the reactor’s core) that have partially melted.”

So far, 19 workers have been exposed to radiation exceeding 100 millisieverts at the plant, TEPCO said.

Exposure to 100 millisieverts is the legal limit for nuclear plant workers dealing with an emergency, but the limit has been raised to 250 millisieverts during the ongoing crisis, the worst Japan has seen, at the facility located some 220 km northeast of Tokyo.

Among the 19, three received treatment at a radiation research centre in Chiba Prefecture after they were exposed to radiation of 173-180 millisieverts on Thursday. They were discharged today, with officials of the centre saying the exposure had not affected their health.

The Nuclear Safety Commission of Japan said in its report to Prime Minister Naoto Kan that highly radioactive water in the No 2 reactor's containment vessel could have directly leaked, raising concerns that polluted water could spread to the building's underground and to the sea.

The government's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency also said that radioactive iodine-131 at a concentration 1,150 times the maximum allowable level was detected yesterday in a seawater sample taken around 1.5 km north of the drainage outlets of the troubled No.1-4 reactors, Kyodo news agency reported.

Hidehiko Nishiyama, a spokesman for the nuclear agency, said it is highly likely that the polluted water detected near the No 5-6 reactors of the plant spread from the sea area near the No 1-4 reactors along the coastline.

Police to seek out militants targeting royal wedding

AFP LONDON, MARCH 28

British police said Monday they would seek out violent protesters seeking to target the royal wedding next month af ter clashes on a weekend march against budget cuts raised concerns.

Commander Bob Broadhurst of the Metropolitan Police told the Daily Telegraph newspaper that Saturday's violent protests in London re i n f o rc e d t h e v i e w t h a t "there does appear to be an appetite out there to endorse violence."

In a statement, he said the risk of violence at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton on April 29 had been "on our radar" following clashes with police in student protests against a hike in university fees last year.

"This clearly focuses my concerns as Saturday was almost a litmus test to see if

we would face violence," Broadhurst said. "We'll be working to make sure we know if people are going to target the wedding."

There has been some criticism that police did not do enough to stop the v i o l e n c e o n S a t u r d a y, where a small group broke off from a peaceful march of about 250,000 protest ers to run riot in central London.

M o re t h a n 2 0 0 p e o p l e were arrested and 149 were charged over the disorder, which saw several hundred masked rioters attack the Ritz Hotel, occupy luxur y f o o d s t o r e Fo r t n u m a n d Mason and start a bonfire in Trafalgar Square.

Broadhurst said officers would have tougher powers when policing the wedding, which is expected to draw huge crowds in London.

"With a security operation we have different powers we

can use to ensure security," he said, saying the response of police would be "bolder".

Addressing potential troublemakers, Broadhurst said: "My message to those who may be thinking about it, is don't."

Meanwhile, with one month to go from Tuesday before Prince W illiam and Kate Middleton tie the knot, royal watchers note little excitement in Britain -- but believe wedding fever is just around the corner.

"Over here at the moment it's probably the least excited bizarrely," said Robert Jobson, royal commentator and author of "William and Kate: The Love Story".

"In America, it's crazy," Jobson told AFP, adding the US television network NBC were interviewing him about three times a week about Britain's biggest royal wedding for 30 years.

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BJP legislators oppose Tytler’s temple visit PTI BHUBANESWAR, MARCH 28

The Orissa assembly today witnessed verbal duels between ruling BJD legislators and Congress members over former Union minister and Congress leader Jagdish Tytler's visit to Sri Jaganath Temple in Puri on March 16.

The issue was raised by former Speaker and BJD legislator from Puri Maheswar Mohanty

during Zero Hour.

“While the temple prohibits entry of non-Hindus into the shrine, how was Congress leader Tytler allowed (entry to the temple),” Mohanty asked.

Seeking a ruling from the chair for a statement from the law minister, Mohanty said, "Tytler is a non-Hindu. Therefore, he should not have been allowed entry into the temple.”

Tytler was accompanied by some local Congress leaders who were aware of the norms followed in the 12th century shrine, Mohanty pointed out, accusing Tytler of violating the age-old tradition of the temple.

Mohanty was supported by his party MLAs from Pipili, Brahmagiri and Nimapada in Puri district. They demanded a statement from the Law minister on the matter. Pradeep Moharathy, Samir Ranjan Dash and Sanjay Das Burma alleged that Tytler's visit had hurt religious sentiments of priests and local people.

Speaker Pradip Kumar Amat said, “The concerned minister may make a statement in this regard.” However, Prasad Harichandan, the Congress member from Satyabadi, also in Puri district, claimed that Tytler is a Sikh whose entry is not prohibited at Sri Jagannath Temple.

"Mr Tytler had visited the tem-

ple four times earlier. This time, the BJD is making an issue out of nothing,” he said.

Stating that Tytler was born to Sikh parents and changed his surname after being influenced b y h i s t e a c h e r J D Ty t l e r, Harichandan said that Guru Nanak, poet Kabir, Guru Govind Singh were welcomed at Sri Jagannath temple.

Raising doubts over secular credentials of BJD, Harichandan told reporters outside the assembly that the ruling party had been exposed during Kandhamal riots in 2008.

Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh of Congress expressed wonder as to how the ruling BJD members came to know about Tytler's religion.

“What evidence you (BJD MLAs) have that Tytler is a nonHindu. He had sent his programmes to the state government before visiting the Puri temple,” Singh said.

More Obituaries on page 16

No excitement over royals wedding yet AFP LONDON, MARCH 28,

With one month to go from Tuesday before Prince William and Kate Middleton tie the knot, royal watchers note little excitement in Britain -- but believe wedding fever is just around the corner.

"Over here at the moment it's probably the least excited bizarrely," said Robert Jobson, royal commentator and author of "William and Kate: The Love Story".

"In America, it's crazy," Jobson told AFP, adding the US television network NBC were interviewing him about three times a week about Britain's biggest royal wedding for 30 years.

But he believes enthusiasm in Britain will quickly begin to mount in the coming weeks as royal officials release more news and the couple's appearances increase ahead of the April 29 ceremony.

“It's more of a slow burn, and they'll do more public appearances and so you'll get to see them more and more -- and that's when the excitement will build up," he predicted.

Ever since William and his university sweetheart Kate announced their engagement in November palace officials have only sparingly released information.

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Companies Bill likely in Parliament session PTI NEW DELHI, MARCH 28

Parliament is likely to take up the new Companies Bill, which seeks to replace a half-a-century-old Act, in the next session.

Sources in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs said that the Companies Bill, 2009, will be brought for passage before Parliament in the next session. The draft Bill will be sent to Cabinet in the first week of May, sources said.

The new Companies Bill, which was tabled in the backdrop of the Rs 14,000 crore Satyam fraud, promises greater shareholder democracy and stricter corporate governance norms.

The Bill proposes to introduce the concept of class action suits for the first time in India, which would empower investors to sue a company for ‘oppression and mismanagement’ and claim damages.

Among other things, it also proposes to tighten the laws for raising money from the public.

The Bill also seeks to prohibit insider trading by company directors or key managerial personnel by treating such activities as a criminal offence.

The Bill could not be taken up for consideration and passage in the Budget Session of Parliament, which was cut short on account of the forthcoming Assembly elections in four states and one Union Territory.

Y

Tito’s: Growing Globally

es, it’s all in the name!

And Tito’s is a name today that symbolises the dawn of night life in Goa. As the day of the grand celebration is getting closer there is a rush of adrenaline in each and every person associated with Tito’s. Tito’s is celebrating its 40th birthday next month – in April. But who’ll believe that? As years are passing by Tito’s is growing younger – day by day, night by night!

The celebration of turning forty will begin on the first week of April with the finalists of the Miss India pageant 2011 and Marc Robinson on the 2nd at Cafe Mambo and a fashion show on the 3rd at Tito’s.

Tito’s is expanding with leaps and bounds. After the successful launch of their event management company ‘Tito’s Global Events’, six months ago, Tito’s is now adding another attraction to the already existing innumerable. Hold your breath. Let me break the latest news in Tito’s Lane – Tito’s will be the first people in India to have 3D – Architectural Audio-Video Mapping Show from April 2011. This will be in the garden of the present club.

“Ask us what we don’t do,” boasts Yuri Ribeiro, the wedding co-ordinator at Tito’s. He means Tito’s can do anything and everything. “We don’t say ‘no’ to anything. You tell us what you wish, and we’ll go out of way to arrange it for you,” Yuri assures.

Recently Tito’s had a grand brand launch show of its latest venture ‘Global Party Tours’ at ‘The Club’ – their new office on Khaosan Road

in Thailand where DJ Ajit was the centre of attraction. With an extended office at Thailand, Tito’s will cater to the vast entertainment market along with inbound and outbound tours and travel packages. The operations of such global party tours have already started functioning starting with customised groups of round tables and companies.

This year, in January, Tito’s launched a calendar with Femina Miss India as a part of their yearly event tie-up with them. “We have been coming out with something innovative each year, for years now for the entertainment of our guests,” explains Vernon Rego, Event Manager at Tito’s.

By Bharati Pawaskar Tito’s Global Events is doing lot of business inviting VIP guests and global celebrities to appear at private parties. With cross-supporting in other metros Tito’s are planning to open offices at Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Pune. “We wish to spread our brand name Tito’s, country wise and go global too,” shares Vernon.

While explaining the concept of event management Yuri says, “We are wedding connoisseurs, party arrangers, travel agents, tour operators, theme celebrators, occasion

From Page 1 Road rage

fired a gun shot in my direction, but I was lucky to escape,” claimed Satarkar.

“Later, they damaged the front glass of my vehicle and fled from the scene,” informed Satarkar.

He further said he immedi-

ately informed the truck owner, Rupesh Borkar, of the incident.

“I was also proceeding towards Margao in another truck, when I received a call from Satarkar. As per his description, I intercepted the MH-09 Audi vehicle at Farmagudi. However to my surprise, two armed men came out,” stated Borkar.

Brothers David and ricardo with mother Lucille De souza

handlers, seminar convenors, workshop co-ordinators, music album and book launchers… We do not want to miss a single opportunity to serve you in any way.”

Tito’s was born in 1971 as a trendy hang-out-by-thebeach. Tito Henry De Souza ran this club on lease. He set up this business with the straightforward idea to put together a set-up that would bring in the expats and foreign tourists touring the beautiful Baga-Calangute coast in Goa. Dinner and drinks were served in close proximity of the crashing waves, under the soothing brightness of the traditional lanterns called Balaó.

When Tito passed away his sons Ricky and David were in their teens. The club was then known as Rich Davy. They had a bank balance of less than Rs 100. But the brothers were determined to work hard. Yet, it was not so easy to acquire the club in their name. The owner offered it to them and they needed to raise the money. A bank manager

helped. And it was then that they officially named the club Tito’s in place of Rich Davy.

They did everything themselves that time... from picking up the empty bottles late night to going to the markets early in the morning. They even dug up the roads to make the place better. When their lane was named Tito’s Lane by the local municipality in 2000, it was a proud moment for both brothers and their mother Lucille De Souza.

It was Lucille who successfully managed the club after her husband’s death with the help of her young sons. Today, in her 80s, Lucille is still active in the business. A guiding force to her two sons, she is a part of the important decision making process.

It is no wonder that till today, Tito’s manages to capture the thrill and enthusiasm of every visitor to Goa. Today, Tito’s are on the verge of going public and have their fingers in quite a few pies.

The brothers feel that going public is the next logical step to their business as they al-

“One armed men assaulted me, while the other armed person pointed gun at me. I ran for my life and I don’t know who they were and what they were up to,” added Borkar.

News of the incident spread like wildfire in Borim and angry villagers burnt tyres in protest and paralysed the highway for over three hours.

Ponda police rushed to the site and tried to pacify the irate villagers and managed to bring the situation under control only after three hours.

According to sources, prior to the incident Raj Thackeray had visited temples at Kavlem and Ramanathi.

Later, a police complaint was filed against two unknown persons by the truck driver, The complainant stated that two men from a Audi MH-09 assaulted him with fists and blows, besides damaging his vehicle.

As per the complaint lodged by the truck driver, Ponda police has registered a case against the personal security officer (PSO) as well. Both the PSO and the truck driver have been booked under Sections 341 (wrongful restraint), 506 (ii) (criminal intimation), 323 (causing hurt), 427 (causing damage) read with 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.

Police inspector C L Patil told Herald that both are likely to be arrested by Tuesday.

CALANGUTE CORRESPONDENT ADDS: Calangute police have deployed an armed guard at a starred resort at Sinquerim, following Raj Thackeray’s visit in the State.

Following instructions from higher authorities, Calangute police deployed an armed guard at the resort. The security is provided to Raj Thackeray as part of Z Security to Bal Thackeray and his family.

to stall the grounded vessel’s removal.

He said that effect of unloading the River Princess scrap at Britona jetty would harm the ecosystem significantly and also rouse the anger of the people in the volatile area.

Naik said that the firm has already initiated the preparatory work and hence the plans cannot be changed now.

“We have no plans to change the proposal because there is no other alternative. However, simultaneously we are looking at options to avoid any sort of inconvenience,” Naik said.

While nearly 15 percent of the upper portion of the ship has been cut, the underwater cutting of the vessel will begin in a week’s time.

Currently, the dredging of the area below the waterline is in progress.

Customs duty

told Herald.

He said that the department is also looking out for another jetty where scrap could be moved so that work could be expedited.

Naik also clarified that measures have been taken to see that the work does not cause any further damage to the environment.

Meanwhile, despite the protest by Britona residents, led by Aldona legislator Dayanand Narvekar, against offloading the scrap at Britona jetty, the government seems to be in no mood to change the decision.

The collected scrap and debris of the vessel have been offloaded in floating barges which will then be unloaded at Britona jetty very shortly.

This has however created fury among the residents as the barges carrying the scrap increased at the Britona jetty.

On Sunday , Narvekar led a protest at the site, threatening

Reliance power

“An NGO, which had conducted feasibility report for setting up treatment plant at Porvorim, has stated that the government needs to provide initial Rs 3 crore as capital investment,” he said questioning if government is willing to appoint the non governmental organisation.

He said that the constituency is suffering badly due to lack of garbage management.

Speaking on sports, the former minister alleged that the State government was acquiring developed playgrounds for their various projects.

“The government should acquire barren lands for projects.

Why is it trying to grab developed grounds, where the youths from different clubs practice,” he questioned.

Narvekar said that various clubs which encourage sports in the state are facing difficulties to save their playgrounds.

New industries

the State has decided to lift the ban on new connections for the industries.

He said that for meeting the immediate power requirements the department is procuring 37 mw of power.

“Additional allocations from Sipat, RGPPL, to the tune of 40 mw are likely to materialize soon, and further allocations to the tune of 47 mw from NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation) and NHPC stations,” the power minister added.

He said that for meeting the long term power requirements allocation of 200 mw from the ultra mega power project in Chattisgarh has been made by the Ministry of Power and the power purchase agreements executed for nine central power generating stations.

The minister said that it is not sufficient only to have adequate power availability but it is also important to have an ad-

ready have shareholders.

Most of their colleagues who have been with Tito’s for a number of years and have proven their loyalty are share holders in their various companies. Today, Tito’s are into publication, travel and tourism, entertainment, hospitality, event management, real estates, financial services and a chain of supermarkets.

Their partners in these ventures are their own workers.

And that’s the incentive to them and also the bonus.

Tito’s venues include Tito’s Courtyard, Café Mambo, Retro Bar, The Club, Red Square, Cock & Bull, and World Café all in one lane where the locals and celebrities all come together to enjoy a rocking night out with good food, best music and world class entertainment, every night of the week.

Non-drinkers themselves, the brothers are involved in a number of charity and social work. Financing various social projects in Goa they sponsor Goa United, a football academy that gives free training. They also support homeless children and help those from economically backward class. Seen hard days in life, the brothers are known for philanthropy.

Bad publicity, wrong stories going around and other adversities never deterred this duo from their chosen path.

Their goal is clear – to make their father’s name an internationally famed brand. Planning an entertainment village in Goa along with other entertainment acts abroad, Tito’s will throw open their 3D – Architectural Audio-Video Mapping Show in a couple of days.

Let us wait and watch! equate transmission and sub transmission network to transmit this power wherever it is needed in the State.

“With the view to provide required infrastructure at a faster pace, the government has been collecting electricity duty from different classes of consumers,” he added.

The government has so far sanctioned a major infrastructure scheme to the tune of around Rs 313. 78 crore, the minister claimed.

Facebook

an LIC agent, and asked me for the contact number of Prakash Fatarpekar. I refused to part with the information. But the girl indirectly threatened me, saying she knew everything about my family. She even told me my two-year-old son’s name.” That was when Fartapekar, who had already spent three sleepless nights from the stress, lost his nerve and decided to approach the police.

But when the police called the number (9028235172) from which he had been getting the calls, the caller told them that Dharmanath was a relative of Prakash Fatarpekar, who was a loan defaulter, and that if he handed over Prakash’s mobile number, they would stop calling him. The calls stopped only after the police warned the caller that if she continued to harass Fatarpekar, a case would be registered against her.

When Fatarpekar and his wife decided to locate his errant relative Prakash, they searched for his name on Facebook, which threw up five results. One of them was on his ‘friends’ list. “When I checked my Facebook acount and crosschecked the bank caller’s information, I was surprised that the caller had got all her information – which unnerved me – from my Facebook profile, on which I had recently posted my two-year-old son Harsh’s name,” he said.

When Fatarpekar finally managed to get through to Prakash, after making more than 25 calls, his ‘relative’ refused to recognise him.

“When I told him about the trouble I was facing because of him, he told me he would call the bank from a PCO. But he didn’t.

Since then, Fatarpekar has decided to delete all personal information from his profile.

Bank recovery agents apparently use Facebook to trace defaulters, especially those who relocate to another city and cannot be traced. The modus operandi is to employ female agents, who track their profiles and befriend them on Facebook. The agents then lure them for a date. Once these defaulters arrive at the agreed meeting place, the male recovery agents, who are stationed there, nab them.

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Pg17 3i Group invests Nabard refinance declines in Rs 500-cr in Jharkhand: Survey KMCCL PTI MUMBAI, MARCH 28

KMC Infratech Limited (KMCIL), a subsidiary of KMC Constructions Limited (KMCCL), today said that it has received an equity investment of Rs 500-crore from 3i India Infrastructure Fund (3i India Infrastructure).

It is an investment fund established by international private equity firm 3i Group plc.

The KMC Group has more than 40-years of experience in building large construction and infrastructure projects with a focus on the road sector and has a track-record of executing more than 15,000 lane kilometres of road.

KMC Constructions Limited, established in 1993, is focused on providing engineering, procurement and construction services in India and abroad and has a current order-book of Rs 7,000-crore.

KMCCL was promoted by M Raja Mohan Reddy and is currently managed by his sons M Goutham Reddy, M Vikram Reddy and M Pruthvi Kumar Reddy.

KMCIL, incorporated in 2008, is the flagship company of KMC Constructions Limited for all its existing and prospective road “build, operate and transfer” assets. KMCIL owns a portfolio of 10 such projects aggregating 5,000 lane kilometres across India making it one of the largest road portfolios in the country.

KMCCL has previously raised private equity capital and

Delhi stores to sell wine from May 1 HERALD BUSINESS DESK PANJIM, MARCH 28

The Delhi Government is likely to change its policy on wine and separate it from liquor beginning May 1, 2011.

The new policy will allow sale of wine at special government shops, supermarkets and shops in the national capital, said President of the All-India Wine Producers Association and Chairman of Flamingo Wines Jagdish Holkar.

A delegation from the association met Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar in this regard. The delegation also sought the latter’s intervention in various problems faced by wine manufacturers and grape framers in view of surplus production and dwindling demand.

Holkar said that wine production had come down by 50 per cent to 75 lakh litres this season, compared to 1.50 crore litres last season. Efforts were being made to salvage the situation, he added.

“Owing to the huge demandsupply gap, farmers had reduced grape cultivation from 9,000 acres last season to 6,000 acres this season. However, against a price of Rs 10 to12 per kg last season, the farmers are getting Rs 25 to 30 per kg this season,” he said.

Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai and Goa are the major markets in the country, but wine manufacturers are not able to fully tap the Delhi market because of its company licence fee of Rs 5 lakh, which is a major hurdle for small manufacturers and farmers.

The meeting with Sheila Dixit and Sharad Pawar proposed to reduce the fee to Rs 1 to 1.5 lakh. A declaration is likely on May 1, 2011.

DB Realty Director quits PTI MUMBAI, MARCH 28

DB Realty, which is embroiled in the 2G spectrum probe, Monday, said its director Sundaram Rajagopal has stepped down, making him the fourth board member to quit since February.

Shares of the realty firm, which has taken a beating in recent weeks, Monday plunged over eight percent to Rs 89.15 in late afternoon trade on the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Rajagopal’s resignation was effective from March 21, the firm said in a regulatory filing.

Rajagopal becomes the fourth executive to leave DB Realty amid the ongoing investigation against the company related to the 2G spectrum scam.

counts Blue River Capital-led investor group comprising of Sequoia Capital and IDFC, as its current investors.

KMCCL’s Managing Director, M Goutham Reddy, said, “we see 3i as a strong partner which understands the local infrastructure space and the roads sector extremely well and offers a wide global network of contacts and experience. 3i co-operated closely with us to complete this transaction in a short timeframe. Looking ahead, we see opportunities to work together with 3i on further investments.”

3i Asia’s Managing Director and Head, Anil Ahuja, said, “KMCIL is well-positioned to take advantage of the significant opportunity in the road sector in India.

This investment allows us to partner with an infrastructure operator with a sound track-record of constructing and operating road assets in the country.”

The USD 1.2 billion 3i India Infrastructure Fund is building a balanced portfolio of investments focused on power, road, ports and airports. Since inception, the Fund has invested in Adani Power Ltd, Soma Enterprises Ltd, Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd and GVK Energy Limited.

Spark Capital Advisors acted as exclusive financial advisors to the KMC Group and DSK Legal acted as legal advisor to the transaction for KMCIL.

PTI RANCHI, MARCH 28

The flow of Nabard refinance in Jharkhand has been declining over the last three years, according to the Jharkhand Economic Survey 2010-11.

As indicated in the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development’s (Nabard’s) Jharkhand State Focus Paper 2010-11, disbursement of refinance has come down from Rs 77.47 crore in 2006-07 to Rs 67.94 crore in 2007-08 followed by Rs 61.68 crore in 2008-09, the survey said.

An allocation of a moderately higher amount of Rs 96 crore was made for the year 2009-10, it said, adding, full information on the 2009-10 allocation was awaited.

The survey further said a disbursement of Rs 14.53 crore only made up to December 31, 2009.

“A point to note in this connection is that the entire amount of refinance by Nabard over the four years was channelled to the commercial banks and Regional Rural Banks only, and no fund could by availed of by Cooperative Credit Institutions (CCI),” the survey report said.

The CCI had failed to draw funds by way of refinance from Nabard primarily because of non-establishment of the apex cooperative bank in the state, it said.

“It is usually the apex bank in a state which avails of refinance from Nabard on behalf of the rural cooperative credit system as a whole,” the survey added.

“Admittedly, in terms of the amended provisions of Nabard

Act, the District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs) can in certain circumstances draw refinance directly from Nabard without the intermediation of the Apex Cooperative Bank of the state. “...however, none of the eight DCCBs currently functioning in Jharkhand is in a state capable of availing refinance from Nabard,” the survey said.

Five of the eight DCCBs, it added, did not have the minimum paid-up capital as enjoined by Section 11 of the Banking Regulation, as applicable to Cooperative Societies Act, 1949.

Refinance helps primary lending institutions like commercial banks, regional rural banks and cooperative credit agencies to augment their resources, which in turn, facilitates flow of credit from their end on a scale larger than otherwise feasible, the survey said. The CCI had failed to draw funds by way of refinance from Nabard primarily because of non-establishment of the apex cooperative bank in the state, it said.

“It is usually the apex bank in a state which avails of refinance from Nabard on behalf of the rural cooperative credit system as a whole,” the survey added.

“Admittedly, in terms of the amended provisions of NABARD Act, the District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs) can in certain circumstances draw refinance directly from NABARD without the intermediation of the Apex Cooperative Bank of the state.

ITC to set up hotel in Goa HERALD BUSINESS DESK PANJIM, MARCH 28

ITC Hotels, the hotels division of the tobacco-to hospitality major ITC, is planning new hotels in Goa, Hyderabad, Kerala, Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar, Noida, Kolkata and Gurgaon.

These are among the 13 new properties it will add in the

next few years.

In another strategic decision, most of the new mega hotel projects of the company will have luxury retail space and service apartments, as part of ITC’s strategy to de-risk the hotel business.

It will soon start talks with highend retail players for renting out retail space.

The company is planning to invest $2 billion (Rs 9,000 crore) in the hospitality business in next few years. It is one of the thrust areas for investment in ITC, along with FMCG

and paper. The hotel division of ITC presently has a turnover of over Rs 1,000 crore.

Executive Director of ITC and head of its hospitality business Nakul Anand said that the company would introduce the new business model first in the ITC Grand Chola in Chennai and its proposed Kolkata property.

“This is a de-risking model.

Hospitality is highly seasonal.

We have witnessed this in 2001-02 after 9/11, and recently in 2008 after the global meltdown,” he said.

Garware plans to make 250-cc Hyosung bikes Showroom planned for Goa HERALD BUSINESS DESK PANJIM, MARCH 28

The Pune-based Garware group is to form a joint venture with South Korea’s S&T to manufacture motorcycles. The company already assembles and sell S&T’s Hyosung heavy bikes in India. “We plan a manufacturing JV by mid-2012,” Managing Director of Garware Motors Diya Garware announced. “We plan to enter the 250-cc segment.”

Garware Motors has set 20 April as the launch date for its first two S&T heavy bikes – the 650-cc GT650R and the 700-cc

ST7. “The homologation process is over. We expect to get the ARAI certificate next week,” she said.

The company has reduced the noise level and added Indian parts to meet the specifications set by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI). The GT650 and ST7 superbikes will be priced below Rs 5 lakh and Rs 6 lakh respectively.

The company plans showrooms in Goa, Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Kochi and Kolkata, apart from Pune.

Pg 18 GOA, Tuesday, 29 March 2011

Goa miss 2nd spot in U-14 HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, MARCH 28

Goa U-14 missed out on a second place, in the AIFF’s football festival in Chennai after finishing their campaign with a 3-3 draw with Assam, on Sunday. Mceugene Fernandes scored a brace while Dylan Lourenco also netted.

Goa finished their campaign with 55 points and 11 green cards, after winning four matches, losing two and one draw.

The team was coached by Remy Colaco while Anthony Fernandes was the manager.

Maharastra finished first while Assam took the second spot.

Goa won their first four matches against Gujarat 5-0, Madhya Pradesh 19-0, Tamil Nadu 6-2 and Rajasthan 2-1.

They then lost 1-4 to Mizoram and 0-5 to Manipur before their 3-3 draw with Assam.

The Goan scorers: Cahill Gomes ten goals, Mceugene Fernandes seven, Carlton Rebello four, Dylan Lourenco four, Veegan Ferrao three, Shayne Rodrigues three, Jovan Dias two, Fernando Araujo two and Aaron Vaz one.

St Rock thump UC Nerul swc inter-village cup HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, MARCH 28

St Rock’s Youth Club, Majorda defeated United Club of Nerul 3-1 to sail into the quarter-finals of All-Goa SWC Cup inter-village football tournament organised

by Social Welfare Club of Zaino at Zaino ground, Velim on Monday. St Rock were leading 1-0 at half time.

St Rock began on an aggressive mode. Their midfielders and forwards worked in tandem

to put the rival citadel under pressure. St Rock enjoyed the lion share of exchanges and made umpteen forays into the rival territory. St Rock’s persistent forays bore fruit when Agnelo Fernandes bulged the net after receiving a through pass from his colleague.

Stunned by the early goal, Nerul tired their best to neutralise the lead but failed to get past the rival defenders.

St Rock’s also had scoring chances but their forwards messed up in ideal positions.

The second half did not bring

any respite for Nerul as St Rock attacked both the flanks and put the opponents in the defensive.

Vellington Fernandes doubled the lead soon.

Nerul were a subdued lot as they failed to combine as a unit and their movements were restricted to their own half. Naven Menezes put the issue beyond doubt when he punished the rival keeper with a deft placement midway.

Stung by the triple goals, Nerul scored their consolation goal just before the final call.

Felix stars for Super Stars

villagers of goa velha cup HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, MARCH 28

A brilliant hat-trick by Felix aided Super Stars, Batim emerge victorious 3-2 over Ponda Boys in the quarter-finals of Villagers of Goa Velha Super soccer at Goa Velha ground on Monday. The score was level 1-1 at the lemon break.

Batim shot into the lead through Felix in the 5th minute off a pass from Paulo.

A little while later, a self goal allowed Ponda Boys to equalise in the 20th minute.

Felix netted the second off a pass from Denzil.

Felix completed his hattrick off a solo effort giving the rival goalkeeper no chance.

Ponda Boys reduced the margin after Orvil headed in a brilliant center from Vitorino.

Churchill Bros in IFA Shield finals

l Face Bagan on Thursday HERALD SPORTS REPORTER PANJIM, March 28

Holders Churchill Bros deservedly marched into the finals of IFA Shield football tournament with a convincing 2-0 victory over Shillong Lajong at Salt Late Stadium, Kolkata on Monday. Israil Gurung scored a brace.

The hero of the semi-final clash was Israil Gurung who scored both goals, with the first goal coming in the 28th minute.

Then in the 80th minute he consolidated the lead.

Churchill, who are the only Goan team to have inscribed their name on the all-India shield, set up the final clash with Mohun Bagan of Kolkata who beat Southern Samity 21 in the other semi-final.

Meanwhile, PWD Minister, Churchill Alemao, patron of the club congratulated the players and the coaching staff for taking the team into the fi-

nals, for the second time. “It augurs well for Goan football at large and I hope that the boys will not only maintain the tempo but raise further the tempo and put across Bagan in the finals, so that the prestigious shield remain in Goa for yet another year,” remarked Churchill.

“The team displayed attacking brand of football and killer instinct today and they must continue excelling also in the finals. Mercurial striker Odafe will leave for Kolkata tomorrow to be with the team for the crucial match,” stated Churchill.

Manager Denzie Ferrao told Herald from Kolkata that Churchill Brothers dominated the proceedings and missed at least another four more scoring chances. He disclosed that the team will be strengthened with the inclusion striker Odafe in the finals slated for March 31.

Nagoa edge past Candolim HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, MARCH 28

Dragon Martial Arts students who bagged honours with five gold, 12 silver and 14 bronze medals at 1st All-Goa karate tournament organised by All-Goa Karate-Do Association at Campal indoor stadium, Panjim.

SWC Cup soccer quarterfinals: SWC Zaino v. Cuncolim Union, Zaino ground, Zaino, Velim, 4.45 p.m.

Villagers of Goa Velha Super soccer: Vailankanni Boys, Calangute v. Davorlim SC, Goa Velha ground, 4.30 p.m.

Rusi Daver Cup soccer: Sirsaim SC v. Sai Avtaar, Anjuna, Saligao Sporting ground, 4.30 p.m.

Cross Boys football: Sirlim Boys v. St. Anthony Assolda, Carmona panchayat ground, Carmona, 4.30 p.m.

SPORTS

Sesa FA hit by injuries

Nagoa Sporting Club scored a hard fought solitary goal victory over hosts Candolim Sports Club to move into the finals of Novino Gold Cup inter-village football tournament at Dr Gustavo Monteiro

Stadium, Candolim on Monday.

The teams began on a promising note and Nagoa shot into the lead in the 25th minute through Stanley Coutinho off a Pramod Mardolkar move.

Stung by the reverse, Candolim went all out in search of

the equaliser. Candolim almost levelled the score in the 35th minute but Sanjay Kudalkar affected a goal-line save off Wenseslav Rebello’s try. Thereafter, the teams tried to out do the other but their forwards failed to score.

l Second Division I-League in Jharkhand HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, MARCH 28

Sesa Football Academy, kick off their Second Division I-League campaign against Mohammedan Sporting on April 2. The team left for Jamshedpur, Jharkhand on Sunday.

Sesa have been hampered by injuries and had to leave behind Gabriel Fernandes, Leslie Fernandes, Ivo Fernandes and Valentine D’Silva who would have given the team a major boost.

Since finishing sixth in the

Goa Professional League in December, Clifford Chukwuma’s men have not played in a competitive competition which could prove crucial.

On a brighter note, seven of the nine Sesa players that won a bronze for Goa at the National Games in February are included in the squad. Sesa assistant coach, Anthony D’Sousa who was the Goa coach for the National Games in Jharkhand, will be familiar with the Sesa team.

Sesa's matches which were sup-

posed to take place in Ranchi have been moved to Jamshedpur.

Sesa squad: Bruno Colaco, Shyan Roy, Jason D’Mello, Vivek Keira, Nicolaou Colaco, Agostinho Fernandes, Shyram, Jayganesh Goltekar, Inacio Colaco, Girish Naik, Amol Salgaokar, Pratesh Shirodkar, Don Letchcher, Don Bosco Andrew, Richard Colaco, Rakshek Naik, Amrit Pal Singh, Gagandeep Singh, Johny Chand, Valerio Ro drigues and Pradeep Kumar.

Death threats force Argentine coach to leave Kashmir PTI JAMMU, MARCH 28

Argentine football coach Juan Marcos, who started an International Football Academy Trust to train the valley's youth four years ago, has decided to leave following death threats and attacks on him over the past three months.

"I got a threatening phone call few days back. The caller said that I and my family will be killed in three days. So, I have decided to leave Kashmir," Marcos said. He said he had passed the information to the local police but they have not been cooperative.

Marcos said it all started

in Januar y when one of his dogs was mysteriously killed a couple of days before the Republic Day celebrations.

"The next day my second dog was poisoned and a couple of days later, my vehicle was vandalised and the brakes failed," he said.

Gomantak Vidyalaya, Sanguem, winners of U-14 and U-16 girls volleyball at Sanguem taluka championship.

Siolim squeeze past PVC HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, MARCH 28

A fine brace by Bradley Lobo helped Football Club of Siolim get the better of PVC Association, Parra 2-1 in the inaugural match of Russi Davar Rolling Trophy inter-village football tournament organised by Adarsh Yuvak Sangh at Saligao Sporting ground, on Monday.

Siolim shot into the lead in the 15th minute off a penalty conversion by Bradley Lobo.

Siolim were awarded the penalty following a rough tackle by a Parra defender. Bradley who was entrusted with the kick made no mistake in placing the ball past the Parra keeper.

Bradely then doubled the score for Siolim in the closing

minutes of the first half.

Changing over, Parra mounted pressure on Siolim’s defense and succeeded in pulling one back through Edwin Barretto.

Earlier, the tournament was kicked-off by GFA member, Gajanan Kerkar in the presence of sponsor Elizabeth Davar and o f f i c i a l s o f A d a r s h Yu v a k Sangh.

GOA DIARY State women football trials

PANJIM (HSD) -- The GFA will conduct selection trials for State women senior team at Nehru outside ground, Fatorda, Margao on March 30 and 31 at 3.30 p.m. Those interested may report to Umer Muttawali or Macline Mendonca at the venue.

State athletic contingent

PANJIM (HSD) -- The Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) will depute Goa’s best athletes for an advance training programme at National Institute of Sports, Patiala, Bangalore in the first week of May with the intention of preparing Goa’s athletic contingent for the forthcoming National Games to be held in Goa in 2014. Medal winners at the West Zone, National Level and those interested may report to Steffi Cardozo, assistant project officer (athletics) at Campal ground, Panjim on April 1 at 3.30 p.m. alongwith their birth certificates and achievement records.

Swimming classes at Mapusa

PANJIM (HSD) -- The Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) will organise their 1st summer vacation learn-to-swim batch for beginners at Peddem swimming pool complex, Mapusa from April 5 to 24. Morning batch: 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. (gents and children), 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. (ladies and children), 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. (childen).

Evening batch: 3.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. (children), 4.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. (children) and 5.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. (gents and ladies). Those interested may contact the reception counter between 6.30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. Details may be obtained on 2257981.

The Goa archery team for junior National archery championship in Jharkhand from March 27-30 alongwith V M Prabhudesai, SAG’s Executive Directoir, Gaurish Dhond, Archery Association president, Navin Acharya, SAG’s assistant secretary, Chetan Kavlekar, Archery Association secretary and participants Prasad, Rahul, Deepshree, Snehal, Rohan, Kirty Happy, Ajay and Anish.

Curtorim Panchayat Cup soccer

MARGAO (HC) -- Fr Agnel Youth Club, Paroda will face Rosman Cruz Sports Club, Verna in the inaugural match of Curtorim Panchayat Cup inter-village football tournament organised by Curtorim Gymkhana on March 30 at Curtorim ground, at 4.45 p.m. Macazana Welfare Club, Maina Sports Club, Betalbatim Sporting Club, Davorlim Sports Club, Sao Jose de Areal Sports Club, Navelim Villagers Union, St Anthony’s Sporting Club, Assolda, Raia Sporting Club, St Rock’s Youth Club, Majorda, Nuvem Sports Club, Social and Cultural Club, Loutolim, Carmona Sports Club and ICSC, Paroda are the teams vying for the title. The winners will take home Rs 25,000 while the runners-up will have to be content with Rs 15,000.

Wilred Leisure cricket

MARGAO (HC) -- Wilred Lesiure Sports Club, Curtorim will organise their All-Goa limited five over cricket tournament on April 30 and May 1 at Curtorim ground. The winners and runners-up will walk away with Rs 20,000 and Rs 15,000 respectively.

Details may be obtained from Dionisio Sardinha on 9881538385.

Netball selections at Ponda

PANJIM (HSD) – The Netball Association of Goa will conduct selection trials on April 5 at 3.30 p.m. at netball SAG RCC centre, Almeida High School, Ponda to select the State teams boys and girls teams for 24th Junior National netball championship to be held in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh from April 24 to 28. Those interested may report to Sandip Shetkar or Sameer Raikar, SAG netball coaches with complete kit at the venue. Netball is a part of National Games 2014 to be held in Goa.

Fatima Convent High School, Margao runners-up of State Level U-14 girls throwball tournament organised by DSYA. Standing (l to r): Aarushi Caro, Oshiana D’Costa, Frenzy Rodrigues, Eva Fernandes, Conceicao Fernandes, Swency Fernandes and Saisha Patil. Sitting ( l to r): Damaciana Fernandes (PE teacher), Sr Regina Greta AC (principal), Nina Coutinho (PE teacher) and Larsen D’Sa (coach). Squatting (l to r): Gretchen Rebello, Sanita Tavares, Jesida Fernandes and Raisa Andrade.

www.oheraldo.in

Pg19

GOA, TUESDAY, 29 MARCH, 2011

Dominant Lankans up against spirited Kiwis TODAY’S SEMI-FINAL

PTI COLOMBO, MARCH 28

Sri Lanka's brute batting force and shrewd bowling would be up against a sprightly New Zealand, aiming for a maiden summit clash berth in the World Cup, when the two sides clash in the first semi-final of the mega-event here tomorrow.

Despite making the semi-finals in six out of 10 World Cups, New Zealand have always been dubbed the underdogs who have never made it to the finals.

But the Kiwis believe this could be their breakthrough tournament.

New Zealand, after creating an upset in the quarter-final by beating title-favourites South Africa, will be hoping to spring a similar surprise on the 1996 champions and 2007 runners-up.

"We are proud of our history of making semi-finals, but looking at this team we want to make history and go one step further and make the final. We genuinely believe we can do that and we want to show that tomorrow," vice-captain Ross Taylor told reporters here.

New Zealand qualified last from Group 'A', but stunned South Africa, who qualified first from Group 'B', in Dhaka on Fri-

Sri Lanka v.

New Zealand 2.30 p.m.

New Zealand batsman Brendon McCullum gestures while talking with captain Daniel Vettori and Tim Southee during a training session at R. Premadasa cricket stadium in Colombo. (Right) Sri Lankan cricketers warm up during a training session at R Premadasa cricket stadium in Colombo.

day when they beat them by 49 runs.

The spirited performance has created quite a buzz about the team which has a reputation of punching above its weight in major international events.

"We are taking a lot of confidence from our last game against south Africa. We have got an advantage that we have played against Sri Lanka in Group matches and we did a few things wrong there. Hope-

Kapil wants Dhoni to join him as winning captain n The 52-year-old former all-rounder said a repeat of 1983 is possible and M S Dhoni could emerge as country's second World Cup winning captain.

PTI KOLKATA, MARCH 28

It's time that country gets its second World Cup trophy, says Indian pace legend Kapil Dev, who feels that the cur-

rent team has "in it" to lift the coveted prize.

The 52-year-old former allrounder said a repeat of 1983 is possible and Mahendra Singh Dhoni could emerge as country's second World Cup winning captain.

"They have every reason to be there. I wish them luck. I am sitting lonely for 28 years. One should join me there.

Why not? Thinking should be positive.

Everybody goes to the ground with the feeling that I want to win. They have the capability and they have the team (to win the World Cup)," Kapil said during a promotional programme in the city here.

Kapil also refused to back the popular view that Indian

bowling is weak.

"We have played seven matches with that attack and have done very well so far.

They must have done something extraordinary to reach at this level. If there is a weak point, there remains a strong point as well," he said.

"When you reach at this level in the semi-finals, batsmen play more sensibly.

Bowlers will have more comfort level than that of the batsmen," Kapil said.

He also does not see sledging happening during the high-voltage India-Pakistan semifinal.

"These days sledging happens more off-the-field than on-the-field. Only TV people talk these days. The ICC is very strong. With the microphones and the technology around, nobody will like to put their careers in jeopardy.

I don't think it's relevant."

Cricket visit in national interest: Pakistan PM AFP ISLAMABAD, MARCH 28

Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Monday his visit to India to watch the World Cup cricket semi-final between the two arch-rivals was in the "national interest".

Gilani accepted an invitation from his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh to attend the match after a meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday.

"I have decided to avail of this opportunity in national interest," an official statement quoted Gilani as telling a meeting of the federal cabinet in Islamabad.

"It is also a timely opportunity for the two governments to show to the world that the two

nations can play together as well as sit and deliberate together on issues of national importance," he said.

A knock-out World Cup match on Indian soil is the biggest fixture between the rivals for decades and excitement is already at fever-pitch.

Wednesday's match in Mohali, being described as a "clash of titans," will also showcase one of the world's most intense sporting rivalries, fuelled by nationalism and a shared history.

Relations are still tense following the November 2008 Mumbai attacks that left 166 people dead and stalled a fragile four-year peace process between the two nuclear-armed South Asian rivals.

Top officials from India and Pakistan are holding talks in Delhi from March 28 focusing on counter-terrorism, narcotics control and humanitarian issues.

The two countries announced the resumption of peace talks last month after a meeting between Pakistani Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir and his Indian counterpart Nirupama Rao in the Bhutanese capital Thimphu.

The two countries embarked on a formal peace dialogue in 2004, which continued until the rupture caused by the Mumbai attacks.

They began to explore a resumption of structured talks last year, and Singh and Gilani met in Thimphu in April 2010.

Yousuf Raza Gilani due to watch the match as a guest of Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh.

Lorgat believes the match could build a bridge between the two nations who have not played a bilateral series since 2008 attacks.

"Cricket is there to build bridges," said Lorgat. "If it does than it would be a just reward for the beautiful game of cricket."

Lorgat said India playing in Pakistan would be massive, irrespective of whether it overshadows the World Cup. "Certain countries, when they

play, it's romanticism, it's massive and wherever they play it's big, so we like to see cricket providing that platform to India and Pakistan.

"As someone said 'cricket diplomacy is better than no diplomacy'."

Cricket diplomacy was first used by former Pakistan President General Zia-ul Haq who toured India mid-way through a Test series in 1987.

General Pervez Musharraf also used cricket diplomacy when he toured India to watch a match in 2005, holding talks on the sidelines of the match.

Lorgat hopes semis builds Indo-Pak bridge AFP COLOMBO, MARCH 28

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat on Monday hoped the highprofile World Cup semi-final between arch-rivals Pakistan and India will build a bridge between the two nations.

Title favourites India take on Pakistan at Mohali on Wednesday -- the first meeting between the two teams on Indian soil since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks carried out by Pakistanbased militants.

Tickets have been sold out in advance and security ramped up with Pakistan Prime Minister

fully we can rectify that tomorrow," Taylor, who is also the highest run getter for the Kiwis in the competition told reporters.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, are one of the leading contenders to win this year's World Cup.

All four of their top order batsmen have scored hundreds in the competition so far but the lower half is a bit of a concern considering the number five, six and seven have just one half-century between them.

Sri Lanka had a comprehensive 10-wicket win over England in their quarterfinal on Saturday where they beat them with 63 balls to spare, but captain Kumar Sangakkara said despite the easy win, his team wouldn't take the

New Zealanders lightly.

"We can learn a few things from the England game and rectify a few things. New Zealand are a good side. What I have seen in them is that in big tournaments they lift their game.

Pak minister clarifies on ‘fixing’

REUTERS KARACHI, MARCH 28

Afridi also said Pakistan were considering playing their controversial fast bowler, Shoaib Akhtar.

"I also want him to play but we have not taken a final decision as yet. And we have to take into consideration his match fitness and his form which we will see in the nets," Afridi said.

"We want him in such a highprofile match but we don't want him for just four or five overs; we want him to bowl his full quota of overs."

Pakistan have not played Akhtar, who has announced his decision to retire after the World Cup, since they lost to New Zealand in the pool matches.

Afridi played down his remarks about not allowing Indian maestro Sachin Tendulkar to score runs in the semi-final.

"The Indian media has treated this negatively. There is never any doubt about Ten-

dulkar's greatness. But if someone approaches me and asks me about him (Tendulkar), obviously as Pakistan captain I will not say we will allow him to score runs; I will say we will ensure he doesn't get his 100th international century," Afridi said.

The Pakistan skipper felt the dew factor would play an important role.

"Yes, there is a lot of dew in the evenings but they are using chemicals to counter it. But it is a factor we will have to take into consideration at the toss," he said.

He also expressed disappointment at remarks from Pakistan's Interior Minister Rehman Malik about the government keeping a close watch on the players in the semi-final because of last year's spot-fixing scandal.

"I don't think he should have said such a thing at such a time," Afridi said.

REUTERS

ISLAMABAD, MARCH 28

After making a controversial statement that a close eye is being kept on the Pakistan team before their high-octane World Cup semifinal game against India, Pakistan interior minister Rahman Malik has now backtracked from his earlier statement.

The minister sought to explain his remarks as a way of saving Pakistani players.

Earlier in the day, Malik had warned the Pakistani cricketers to not indulge in any match-fixing before their high-intensity game on Wednesday.

The minister also mentioned that he was keeping a "close watch" on their activities.

"I gave a warning that there should be no match-fixing. I am keeping a close watch. If any such thing happens, we are going to take action," Malik had said two days ahead of the game.

They are a united bunch and I think our semi-final will be a close encounter. We need to play hard without thinking too far ahead and I don't like to overrate us," Sangakkara said.

Sri L anka did beat New Zealand in a Group game in Mumbai, but Sangakkara said history hardly mattered in the knockout stage.

"Things like psychological advantage and all others takes a second place when it comes to proper cricket and good performance on the field. You can't think of what's gone before.

Group stage games are long gone and I don't t think New Zealand are thinking about that," Sangakkara said.

Sri Lanka are expected to again go with a three-strong spin attack, a ploy they used against England and Australia.

However, there are doubts over off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who is nursing a hamstring injury.

The Kiwis, on the other hand, have no major injury and have in fact been boosted by the return to form imposing all-rounder Jacob Oram, who grabbed four wickets and a couple of athletic catches in the quarterfinal win over South Africa.

Afridi slams Indian media

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi accused the Indian media on Monday of conducting a negative campaign against his team before Wednesday's eagerly anticipated World Cup semi-final in Mohali.

"There is so much negativity in the Indian media. There is nothing positive to watch on the channels and we are just sticking together as a team and it is just the hotel and ground for us," Afridi told a Pakistani news channel.

"The only answer we can give is with our performance. We will try to give 110 percent in this big match.

"Everyone knows how big a match this is and the pressures that come with it. But we will just do our best whatever the result. After the match, we just want to be content in our hearts we gave our best."

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Gruelling net session

Virender Sehwag, watched by teammates Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Zaheer Khan and Yuvraj Singh, saws off a portion of his bat's handle during a training session at Punjab Cricket Associaton stadium in Mohali on Monday.

PTI MOHALI, MARCH 28

With just two days to go for their high-voltage World Cup semi-final clash against arch rivals Pakistan, the Indian team today under went a strenuous three-hour net session which was mainly devoted to batting.

After a couple of days rest and a few optional sessions since their dramatic five-wicket victory over defending champions Australia, the team got down to serious business at the net session at the PCA stadium this afternoon with all the batsmen devoting enough time to fine-tune their strokes.

The players trooped in at around 3 pm and headed straight to the nets at th PCA which has excellent practice facilities.

Sachin Tendulkar, who is just one short of completing a phenomenal 100 international centuries, was the cynosure of all eyes as he had an extended session at the nets with his new bat which has already generated considerable interest.

With the PCA track expected to assist the fast bowlers, Tendulkar asked two net

n After a couple of days rest and a few optional sessions since their dramatic five-wicket victory over defending champions Australia, India got down to serious business at the net session at PCA stadium in the afternoon with all the batsmen devoting enough time to fine-tune their strokes. bowlers to pitch the ball short at him as he practised the cut and the upper cut shots. The two bowlers were asked to pitch the ball on a plank placed in the middle so that the ball skidded and rose sharply.

Although it was still not known whether express speedster Shoaib Akhtar will feature in the Pakistan team, Tendulkar was not taking any chances and was apparently preparing for his short-pitched stuff.

Initially, Tendulkar's net stint was focused on these deliveries as he essayed the cuts and upper cuts with ease. He then asked a left-handed bowler to bowl at him and he dealt with the angles without much difficulty.

While Tendulkar occupied one of the nets, Virender Sehwag, Virat Kohli, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Gautam Gambhir, who was clad in a white T-shirt unlike his colleagues who wore the red practice apparels, were

at the other strips.

The champion batsman batted for about 45 minutes before taking a break during which he was seen 'hammering' his new bat to make it match worthy.

Sehwag, who soon joined him at the bench, and the video analyst of the team then took turn to knock the bat.

Yuvraj Singh, who is having a dream World Cup with four man-of-the-match awards in his kitty, Yusuf Pathan, Suresh Raina, Ravichandran Ashwin were among those who were in the second batch at the nets.

Coach Gary Kirsten threw down the balls at Yuvraj who seemed to middle the ball well as he played a flurry of strokes.

At times, Kirsten walked down to have a word with him.

Tendulkar then returned for his second stint at the nets and it was Kirsten who bowled to him. The star batsman asked Kirsten to bowl at certain

lengths as he practised his shots.

After his batting session was over, Kirsten and Tendulkar had a lengthy discussion as they watched the other teammates practice.

Even as the batsmen had a gruelling session, bowling coach Eric Simons kept an eye on the bowlers as they went about their paces.

S Sreesanth, who has found himself on the bench after a disastrous opening match against Bangladesh, bowled at a brisk pace from a long run up while Ashish Nehra also looked quite nippy.

Simons was seen talking to both Nehra and Sreesanth, apparently giving them some useful tips. Pace spearhead Zaheer Khan, understandably, did not exert too much at the practice session.

Mike Horn, the renowned South African explorer who has defied odds to achieve his goals, was also present at the practice

by fans who saw something else in his pullout.

1999 ICC World Cup: The game, fought in the background of Kargil War, at Old Trafford, Manchester ironically did not see any friction.

Venkatesh Prasad stole the show with a five-wicket haul as Pakistan's wickets fell at regular intervals chasing India's modest target of 228 (Tendulkar's 45, Azhar's 59 and Dravid's 61). India won by 47 runs.

Sachin Tendulkar helped India beat Pakistan in the 2003 World Cup. 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup: Saeed Anwar's 101 runs helped Pakistan score an imposing total of 273 runs at the SuperSport Park, Centurion.

However, it was Sachin's day all along. By the time Akhtar claimed Tendulkar, who suffered cramps, it was all over. India won by six wickets.

Can India be 5th time lucky against Pakistan?

n Pakistan have never beaten India in a World Cup match. Both the teams have clashed four times on the World Cup stage with India having an upper hand everytime.

India captain Dhoni will look to carry forward the legacy. With Sachin Tendulkar looking ominous, the question on everyone's lips is if he will slam his 100th international century at Mohali and lead India home.

AGENCIES MOPHALI, MARCH 28

As India take on Pakistan in the Wo r l d C u p s e m i - f i n a l o n Wednesday at Mohali, it will be interesting to watch if Shahid Afridi's men can shed the losers' tag asscociated with them this time.

Pakistan have never beaten India in a World Cup match.

Both the teams have clashed four times on the World Cup stage with India having an upper hand everytime.

India captain Dhoni will look to carry forward the legacy. With Sachin Tendulkar looking ominous, the question on everyone's lips is if he will slam his 100th international century at Mohali and lead India home.

Tendulkar has never failed with the willow against his favourite enemy Pakistan. The last time the two arch-rivals clashed in 2003 at Centurion in South Africa, Tendulkar plundered 18 runs off Shoaib Akhtar's first over, setting the tone for the match that saw India dumping Pakistan out of the Cup. Tendulkar (98) played one of greatest knocks of one-day cricket against a formidable pace attack that included Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis as Saeed Anwar's century went in vain.

With a team that is improving its performance, Afridi is keen on beating India.

Talking of India's batting lineup, Yuvraj Singh, who has a record four MoM so far in the tournament, looks hungrier than ever for runs, while Sehwag, on his day, can decimate the oppo-

sition single handedly.

As for the youth brigade, which showed lots of courage during the game against Australia, it would be a litmus test to come good at the big stage even as Afridi-led Pakistan are getting better and better with each game.

So, ahead of the mega clash, we take a look at how the two teams have fared against each other: 1992 Benson and Hedges World Cup: Pakistan were bundled out for 173 runs in reply to India's 216 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, thanks to Sachin's attacking 54 and a 26-ball 34 from Kapil Dev. India's 43-run win had also some drama attached to it with keeper Kiran More and Javed Miandad lending a touch of colour to the high-octane encounter.

1996 Wills World Cup: Ajay Jadeja, who looted 22 runs off a Waqar Younis over in a pulsating quarter-final tie at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore, will remain a sore point for Pakistan.

India's 57 runs came off the last four overs as they folded for 287.

In the high-voltage match, Venkatesh Prasad sent Aamer Sohail to pavilion soon after the latter indulged in sledging.

India won by 39 runs as Pakistan crumbled under pressure. An injured Akram withdrew ahead of the match. His effigies were burnt in Karachi and Lahore

session and was seen interacting with the players.

Horn, who had given motivational speeches to the players before the World Cup, has joined the team ahead of the crucial game against Pakistan on the request of the team management.