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Sports: IPL can survive on its own, says Dhoni Pg 18 Hope springs eternal in the human breast — Pope

IN BRIEF Rana given 20,000 documents Rejecting terror suspect Tahawwur Rana’s demand for more details on his involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, the US prosecutors on Wednesday said they have already provided “more than sufficient” information in the form of over 20,000 documents to him to prepare his defence. – (PTI)

Hyderabad police heighten checks A massive checking of public and private places was being conducted Thursday by security personnel in various parts of Hydrabad in the aftermath of terror attacks in Pune and Bangalore. The massive searches, carried out for second time in a row in the last three days, were going on at railway stations, bus stops and main markets. – (PTI)

Chinese man massacres eight Barely hours after a Chinese doctor was executed for massacring eight primary school students, a knife wielding man broke into another school in southern China stabbing 18 students and a teacher. The man, in his 40s, barged into Leicheng First Primary School in Leizhou City in Guangdong Province at around 3 pm and hacked the students. – (PTI)

The Voice of Goa — Since 1900 panjim, thursDaY, april 29, 2010

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MULTIPLEX FAILED CAG SCREEN TEST BJP pulls the Flaws found from bids to post-completion rug under Soren’s feet HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 28

Among the 22 allegations of irregularities over creation of infrastructural facilities for hosting International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa in 2004, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is investigating, includes the construction of multiplex in the old GMC complex at Campal.

Denials notwithstanding, Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India had found several flaws in the construction of multiplex for International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2004.

As reported earlier, Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) was appointed as the nodal agency for development of the facilities required for hosting IFFI. CAG went into all the aspects including tendering, evaluation,

etc.

In February 2004, GSIDC, in a bid to get the infrastructure ready in time, invited Expression Of Interest (EOI) from leaders in the multiplex industry for development of entertainment facilities comprising construction of a multiplex with minimum of three screens and total capacity of about 1250 seats along with other supporting amenities required for the profitable operations of the proposed facility.

GSIDC received five applications of which only one application — that of PVR Cinema — satisfied the minimum eligibility criteria of experience and turnover, CAG said in its audit report.

Analysing the documents, it found that GSIDC relaxed the eligibility requirements and with this two more applications

FROM THE CAG BAG

EVALUATION: GSIDC relaxed eligibility. Even after PVR Cinema met the requirements, Adlabs Films Limited and Inox Leisure Limited were also considered.

SCRUTINY: Upper limit for multiplex cost not finalised.

Economic viability post IFFI 2004 not studied. Technical parameters were also not finalised. Separate technical and financial bids not invited as a result, the bid values varied.

REJECTION: The Adlabs bid was rejected based on the recommendation of the lead consultant. But the rejection of their offer, which otherwise conformed to the notified requirements and which was lower by Rs 4.74 crore was not justified.

MODIFICATIONS: GSIDC failed to avail the benefit of Rs 3.11 crore arising due to reductions in screen and scope of work.

BONUS: Agreeing to pay Rs 60 lakh bonus for completion of the project on the stipulated date of completion lacked justification and was an undue favour to the contractor.

(Continued on page 10)

Top party job awaits Parrikar HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 28

Opposition leader Manohar Parrikar is likely to be inducted in Team Gadkari on Good Governance in a bid to help the BJP grow in strength across the country.

The announcement to this effect will be made in New Delhi in a day or two, sources said.

According to information reaching here, the party high command has called Parrikar to the national capital for deciding on the nitty-gritty of the new position they are offering to Goa’s former chief minister.

It may be recalled that Parrikar was prominently in the list of a few candidates tipped for the top post. However, he declined the offer to succeed L K Advani.

Later, Parrikar was involved in a controversy over a TV interview wherein he allegedly described L K Advani as “rancid pickle”.

Parrikar didn’t want to be out of Goa for long and that was the reason he had opted himself out of any major post then.

However, considering his experience as chief minister of Goa for nearly five years when several new schemes were launched, Parrikar is likely to head Good Governance programme for the national BJP. That the new position, sources said, will not require Parrikar to stay put in Delhi. He may have to fly on and off as and when required, sources added.

IN THE EYE OF A STORM: A tree falls over a car at mini secretariat in Sector-12 of Faridabad during a dust storm on Wednesday. Like many parts of India, Goa too witnessed inclement weather as winds accompanied by lightning and thundershowers lashed several parts of the State.

Cops recover five more stolen cars HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 28

The Panjim police today recovered five more cars in the car theft case in which two persons were arrested this weekend.

Panjim PI Sandesh Chodankar told Herald that the police recovered five more cars based on information from the two arrested persons Santosh Gaonkar and Govind Lamani.

“Three cars were recovered based on the information given by the accused while two other cars one Scorpio and WagonR were found abandoned at Patto a n d U s g a o re s p e c t i v e l y, ” Chodankar said.

The PI said they are on a lookout for another Innova, which has been missing.

Further, Chodankar said, the remand of the accused has been extended by another four days even as the extensive search is on to nab the other two culprits

Mukund Gondhale from Maharashtra and Robin Tiotio from Goa. Krishna Gadekar from St Inez had complained on April 2, that his Innova car has been stolen.

One Mukund Gondhale had taken it on rent. In the same way Sheikh Hassan and Vicky Naik also from Panjim had lodged a complaint that their Wagon R cars are also missing after they gave it on rent.

Panjim PI Chodankar following these complaints located Innova belonging to Gadekar at Colva.

On inquiry, the police found out that registration number of the Innova was changed and RC book was also forged.

“Earlier the accused were charged under 406 and 420 of IPC but we have added some more sections 468, 471 and 120B of IPC now,” he said.

PHOTO ON PAGE 2

Origin of Delhi radioactive waste traced PTI NEW DELHI, APRIL 28

The origin of radioactive Cobalt60 found in west Delhi’s Mayapuri, which led to the death of one person, has been traced to Delhi University’s Chemistry Department where it was lying unused since the last 25 years.

The Cobalt-60 was in a “Gamma Irradiator”, which was bought in 1968 from Canada and was not in use since 1985, police said today adding it was bought by scrap dealers in Mayapuri through an auction in February this year.

“We have traced the radioactive material to Delhi University’s Chemistry Department.

One of the equipment was Gamma Irradiator,” Joint Commissioner of Police said.

The scrap dealers dismantled the equipment and in the process, the lead covering on it was pealed off leading to radiation exposure, Kashyap said.

Charter tourism drops by 25%

Foreigners slowly preferring scheduled flights SURAJ NANDREKAR PANJIM, APRIL 28

Call it an impact of global meltdown or the rising number of crimes against foreigners, the State has seen a drop of 25 per cent in the charter tourist arrivals in last two years.

The state receives nearly two lakh charter tourists every year but in the last two years the number has gone down to below 1.5 lakh tourist.

In 2005-06, 719 charter flights landed in the State bringing in 1.80 lakh tourists, however, the next year saw about 10 per cent drop as 720 charter flights brought in only 1.69 lakh tourists.

In 2007-08 the state got 758 flights bringing in 1.85 lakh tourists, which was the highest the state received in last five years.

Incidentally, 2008 was also

Tourists coming by charter flights may have decreased but more and more foreign tourists are coming to Goa by scheduled flights – Swapnil Naik, Director, Tourism Department.

the year which saw sudden spurt in crime against foreigners — such as rape and murder of British teenager Scarlet Keeling.

Many feel, this too had an adverse impact on the charter tourist arrivals.

Thereafter, the State saw sharp decrease in arrivals as in 2008-09 only 615 charter flights landed with 1.45 lakh tourists.

The 2009-10 season also saw further drop in arrivals with only

ON DOWNWARD SPIRAL Year flights tourists 2005-06 719 1.80 lakh 2006-07 720 1.69 lakh 2007-08 758 1.85 lakh 2008-09 615 1.45 lakh 2009-10 592 1.35 lakh 592 flights arriving with 1.35 lakh tourists.

Despite these statistics, the

Tourism department says the drop in charter tourism has not affected the State as the number of foreign tourist arrivals by schedule flights has increased.

“I agree there is substantial drop in charter tourists arrival but we have to also see that there is equivalent increase in foreign tourist arrival,” Tourism Director Swapnil Naik told Herald when contacted.

Naik said that more and more foreigners now prefer to come by schedule flights rather than the charter flights.

“The year 2005-06 and 200708 saw sudden rise in charter tourist but then it went down,” he said.

This, Naik said, is due to change in trend the flights are getting bigger.

“But the number of tourist arrival is the same,” he said.

(Continued on page 10)

PTI NEW DELHI/RANCHI, APRIL 28

The four-month-old JMM-led government in Jharkand was reduced to a minority today after alliance partner BJP withdrew support retaliating strongly to Chief Minister Shibu Soren voting for the UPA in Lok Sabha.

Jharkand appeared headed for another round of political uncertainty, as a stunned BJP wasted no time in pulling the rug under Soren’s feet dubbing as betrayal his action to vote against the party’s cut motion yesterday. The 66-year-old JMM supremo was also slammed by the BJP for his “dubious conduct.”

After withdrawal of support

by BJP which has 18 members, the strength of the ruling coalition has been reduced to 28 from 46 in a House of 82. The incumbent JMM-BJP coalition government is the seventh since the mineral-rich state was created in 2000. Soren is a threetime chief minister.

Sanjay Seth, spokesman of BJP’s Jharkand unit, said his party will seek time for a meeting with Governor MOH Farooq tomorrow to hand over letter of withdrawal of support.

A meeting of the BJP top brass, headed by party chief Nitin Gadkari, decided to withdraw support immediately giving indications that the new experiment in Ranchi has floundered.

“The BJP Parliamentary Board has decided to withdraw support immediately to the Shibu Soren government. He (Soren) has behaved in a very dubious manner and voted with the government during the cut motion.

BJP has taken very serious note

Cong hints at support PTI NEW DELHI, APRIL 28

Congress today dropped enough hints that it is not averse to forming an alternative government in Jharkhand in the wake of BJP withdrawing support to the JMM-led coalition but preferred not to take any decision in haste.

While a senior leader, who declined to be identified, told that all options on government formation were open before the party, AICC spokesman Manish Tewari said the situation is an evolving one.

(Report on page 9) of this betrayal and dubious conduct,” senior BJP leader Ananth Kumar told reporters in Delhi.

... and before I start the operation, please give one general anesthesia each to all the patients, nurses, security.....

SAARC leaders vow to combat terror, climate change PTI THIMPHU, APRIL 28

Facing threats posed by terrorism and climate change, India and seven other SAARC nations today pledged to jointly combat the twin challenges, with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking cooperation within the bloc to revive South Asia as a source of new ideas and opportunities.

Kicking off the two -day SAARC Summit here, Bhutanese Prime Minister Jigmi Thinley said no cause can be enhanced or served through acts of terror and those responsible for such

Manmohan, Gilani to meet today PTI THIMPHU, APRIL 28

Less than a year after their controversial engagement in Sharm-el-Sheikh, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani will meet here tomorrow with little expectations of any breakthrough. heinous crimes must know that they would be brought to justice.

Voicing concerns over the

menace of terrorism, extremism and radicalism, Prime Minister Singh asked the SAARC countries to pledge to “revive the South Asia of our dreams that is once again a source of new ideas, new knowledge and new opportunities”.

In a hard-hitting speech, Afghan President Hamid Karzai said terrorism cannot be eliminated until all SAARC members without exception or reservation commit not to allow their territories to be used directly or indirectly to shelter, arm or train terrorist groups.

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Colva creek used as outlet to discharge pollutants: GPCB

Hyderabadi sentenced for raping 60-year-old HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 28

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 28

It’s official and should hopefully come as an eye opener to the authorities to work out a solution to the hazard posed to the environment and local residents.

Confirming that 20-25 long trench was laid to connect the Colva creek waters to the Arabian Sea, the Goa Pollution Control Board has observed that garbage, plastic and raw sewage (human excreta) is discharged into the Handi/Creek.

The GPCB team which inspected the trench and the creek has observed that raw sewage is rampantly discharged into the creek. Pointing out that foul smell is being emitted from the creek, the team observed that underground pipes from the nearby restaurants were seen discharging the raw sewage into the Handi/Creek.

What’s worse was the fact that when the team enquired with one of the restaurant, the owner agreed that they are dis-

ornaments stolen at Bicholim HERALD CORRESPONDENT BICHOLIM, APRIL 28

Gold ornaments worth Rs 60,000 were stolen from a jewellery shop at Bicholim market on Wednesday morning.

According to reports, the incident occurred when the goldsmith opened his shop. About three persons entered the shop and decamped with gold ornaments worth Rs 60,000.

Police have recovered a CCTV camera videotape and are trying to locate the culprits. A case was registered in the evening.

charging the raw sewage into the creek.

The team that inspected the Sulabh toilet located around 500 meters away from the creek has observed that the septic tank was full, chambers were partly open and no ventilation pipe was provided. The team further found leakages from the septic tank and spread in the surrounding area, adding that foul smell enveloped the entire area due to mal-functioning of the septic tank.

Incidentally, the team came across storm water drain covered with RCC slab passing adjacent to the septic tank of the sulabh toilet, adding that gaddas were being constructed on the storm water drain.

The team further observed that garbage, plastic and glass waste was seen dumped on the beach.

Commenting on the observations made by the GPCB team, social activist and Convenor of Colva Civic and Consumer Forum Judith Almeida hoped

the observations made by the GPCB team should open the eyes of the concerned authorities. “The fact that the team has found raw sewage in the creek only goes to show that restaurants are discharging their sewage and waste waters in the creek”, she said, while seeking the intervention of Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat to the worsening situation.

Meanwhile, inspection of a 156-room hotel at Colva beach by the GPCB team has revealed that the STP was not functioning as the waste water was found stagnated in the collection and filtration tanks. “Foul smell was emitting in the area. The sludge bed does not seem to be in use, as there was only sand, some waste machinery parts and empty plastic water bottles present inside”, the GPCB team observed.

During inspection, the team found that 65 rooms were being occupied, but no information was forthcoming regarding the waste treatment.

The City Fast Track Court sentenced a youth to ten years rigorous imprisonment on the charge of raping a 60-year-old woman on the night of December 28, 2008.

The Fast Track Court held a native of Hyderabad, Mohammad Alif Laila, guilty of rape and threat charges.

As per the case of the prosecution accused raped the victim while she slept in the Panjim fish market on December 28 night and later threatened her of dire consequences if she revealed his identity.

However, he was arrested immediately the next day when the complaint came to be filed.

The prosecution examined 21 witnesses in support of the case but stable deposition of the victim and positive DNA report proved important in convicting the accused.

The Court said the prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubt that the accused committed the offense. The Fast Track Court Judge Vijaya D Pol observed that , “In this case not only the testimony of the victim inspires confidence and is fully reliable and remained unshaken in the cross examination but also medical reports and CFSL report further fortify her testimony."

In addition to ten years imprisonment, accused has been fined to pay Rs 10,000. Furthermore, he has to undergo one month rigorous imprisonment and pay fine Rs 500 on the charge of threat.

In default, he will have to undergo further imprisonment of six months. But since he has been in judicial custody from his arrest in December end 2008 the Court ordered that a period of sentence be set-off against detention he has already undergone. The State was represented

by Public prosecutor M Pinto and the case was conducted by PSI Tushar Vernekar attached to town police station.

16 p.c. mangroves under threat, 11 species face extinction: study HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, April 28

An international environmental watch dog has said that onesixth of mangroves are under threat due to rapid developmental activities.

In its first ever global assessment on the conservation status of mangroves, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in its Red List of Threatened Species released recently, has pointed out that 11 out of 70 mangrove species (16 percent) are under edge of extinction.

The organization has said that the threat is mainly due to coastal development and other factors, including climate change, logging and agriculture.

As per the IUCN study Sonneratia griffithii, a species of Mangrove found in India and

Southeast Asia as Critically Endangered, are at the highest level of extinction.

“Mangroves are salt-tolerant plants of tropical and subtropical inter tidal regions of the world and are extremely delicate and fragile. They host several commercially important species of fish and crustaceans in countries like India providing source of livelihood to the coastal communities,” the organisation said.

The IUCN study mentions that in India and Southeast Asia, 80 percent of all mangrove area has been lost over the past 60 years, which estimates that there are fewer than 250 mature trees of the species remaining.

A recent State of Forest Report 2005 shows an extent of 4,445 sq. km. mangrove areas in India, accounting for about

5 per cent of the world's mangrove forests which are salttolerant eco-system.

The Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Central America, where as many as 40 percent of mangrove species are considered threatened, are particularly affected, says the study.

“The loss of mangroves will have devastating economic and environmental consequences,” IUCN says.

The study was carried out by the Global Marine Species Assessment Unit (GMSA), which is part of the Biodiversity Assessment Unit, a joint initiative of IUCN and Conservation International, together with the world’s leading mangrove experts.

“The potential loss of these species is a symptom of widespread destruction and exploitation of mangrove

NGOs begin drive to protect turtles along Konkan belt HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 28

Increasing poaching of turtles along Konkan belt has prompted NGOs to initiate conservation activities along 30 villages of Maharashtra.

Sahyadri Nisarg Mitra (SNM), a Maharashtra-based NGO, has begun awareness campaign of Olive Ridley turtles through hatchery management programmes across these villages yielding magical results.

SNM founder Bhau Katdare said that during 2002-2010, the organisation has protected 604 nests and released more than 26,900 hatchlings into sea water of Maharashtra.

“As we are aware that marine turtles are included in the Red List of IUCN, a special attention need to be provided to turtle conservation in the country,” Katdare told Herald.

He informed that in the past 15 years, various groups of researchers, state Forest Department officials and non-governmental organizations have been involved in the conservation and monitoring of turtle populations in Maharashtra. “The drastic decline in their population over the last 10-15 years especially due to poaching for eggs and meat has made it necessary for conservation efforts to be taken,” the activist said.

He added saying that at most of the sites, local people estimate that there were 15 to 20 nests each year, but now the number has reduced to less than ten.

“The Olive Ridley turtles are poached for meat and eggs. At village called Velas, one egg is been sold for Rs three. You will hardly find anyone consuming

meat but they are been killed for exporting to other parts of the state,” Katdare lamented.

“The poaching takes place only at night time. Though our organisation was working since 1990, we were not aware about any such instances. However we came to know only in 2002 and we started a Marine Turtle Conservation Project for the first time in Maharashtra, protecting 50 nests and releasing 2,734 hatchlings,” he explained.

Continuing further he maintained that poaching still exists but it has ceased at the places where there is awareness programme. “Poaching is throughout Maharashtra and it can be stopped only after increasing efforts in conservation,” he added.

Though Katdare on their website www.snmcpn.org has

BJP’s student cell to conduct mock-CET test for students HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 28

In an attempt to create a sense of confidence among students appearing for forthcoming GCET-2010 the student’s cell of BJP has decided to conduct a mock CET examination on May 1 and 2 between 9 and 2 pm with two papers per day.

Leader of the Opposition Manohar Parrikar while speaking a t a p re s s c o n f e re n c e o n Wednesday here said the student’s cell has been conducting this exercise for the last few

years.

CET is of prime importance to students for getting admission for various professional courses in the science stream.

The mock-CET is an attempt to acquaint the students with CET and remove fear of examination from their minds.

The mock examination has been planned in a very effective manner -- test papers have been prepared by an expert panel that will give an opportunity to answer the examination on standards at par with any other com-

The controversy regarding the felling of an eight-decade old Ashoka tree near Vasco Railway station has taken a new twist, with the applicant obtaining a stay from the civil court to save his hoarding erected at the site.

It may be recalled that after the hotly debated council meeting on Friday, most of the councilors, including MMC Chairperson Shekhar Khadapkar, had agreed to revoke the license granted to the concerned person, who is the elder brother of the accused, who had chopped the tree and had surrendered before the forest department.

However, the applicant has obtained a stay by challenging the council’s plans to remove

the hoarding on grounds that he has obtained all permissions from the council and sought that his plea be heard before removing the hoarding.

Administrative staff, one Satoshakar, who is dealing with court proceedings of the council, informed that the applicant has obtained a stay from the civil court against the chief officer’s notice to remove the hoarding and the council decision to revoke the license.

“The hearing has been fixed on May 4 in the Civil Court at Vasco,” said Satoshakar.

Meanwhile, MMC Chairperson Shekhar Khadapkar has accused then chief officer of issuing the licence to the hoarding without taking cognizance of the police complaint into the felling of the Ashoka tree.

“The chief officer was aware that a police complaint had been lodged against unknown persons for chopping down the tree. Before the issue could get resolved, the then chief officer S V Naik issued permission to erect a hoarding at the site,” said “To make matters worse, the file pertaining to the tree cutting and license issue went missing from the council,” he added.

“Issuing license is not a policy matter that chairpersons should be aware of. So many licenses have been issued by the chief officer and it is his responsibility to act on these matters,” said the chairperson.

“Why aren’t media persons asking then chief officer S V Naik (who is presently holding charge of the administration section in

petitive exam.

In North Goa the examination will be conducted at Dr K B Hedgewar High School, Panjim and in South Goa at Popular High School, Margao.

Students are requested to enroll their names at following places North Goa -- Naresh Usgaonkar, 6511211, 9850660012 and South Goa Durgadas Kamat -- 9823959648. For any further queries student may contact on this numbers -- 9923883999, 986006632, 9226805858 and 9850461813.

Goa Medical College) as to how he issued the license,” he asked.

Efforts to contact S V Naik on his mobile phone since the last two days proved futile, as he was not answering the call.

“It was expected that the applicant would certainly approach the court,” said former MMC chairperson Manesh Arolkar.

He accused some senior most councilors of being hand in gloves and being involved in the entire episode, right from chopping down the tree to helping the person to get the license.

Meanwhile, City Councilor Daji Salkar has demanded that thorough enquiry should be conducted as to how the file pertaining to the license of the hoarding went missing from the council office.

PWD starts anti-flood works in Canacona HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, APRIL 28

PWD (highways) has commenced anti-flood measures along the highway after the October 2 floods destroyed and washed over several portions of NH-17 in Canacona taluka.

Workers are seen carrying anti-flood works at MaxemLoliem and Poinguinim, working mostly on strongholds of road embankments and other soft target areas.

According to sources in PWD (highways), anti-flood measure works will also be taken shortly at National highway section at Polem and Gulem at a cost of approximately Rs 9 10 lakh and Rs 12 lakh, respectively.

“The works underway at Maxem and Poinguinim are at an estimated cost of Rs 14-15 lakh and Rs 20-22 lakh, respectively,” informed sources.

It is also learnt that PWD (highways) has also proposed works of a bridge at Maxem and another box culvert at Poinguinim as an anti-flood measures, but are yet to receive sanction for the submitted estimates.

Anti-flood works underway along the NH-17 at Poinguinim.

Photo by Kathy Pereira

said that poaching even takes place at non-protected areas of Goa, he is happy the way Goa forest department has taken initiative in protecting turtle nesting sites.

“In Goa, efforts are focused better because there is a participation of forest department,” he said.

Katdare said that apart from poaching, developmental activities like the construction of new buildings and coastal illumination, increasing high tide length and trolling are yet another major threat to sea turtles there.

As a part of turtle conservation, the organisation has completed the survey of the entire 720 kms coastline of Maharashtra and they feel that turtle probability of survival will be more if we link conservation with livelihood.

2-year rap, fine for murder attempt HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 28

Vasco council’s resolution to remove hoarding stayed HERALD REPORTER VASCO, APRIL 28

forests,” experts say.

According to them, mangroves form one of the most important tropical habitats that support many species, and their loss can affect marine and terrestrial biodiversity much more widely.

In Goa too, Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) is worried as three hectors of mangroves would be sacrificed for expansion of National Highway (NH4) in the pockets of Banastarim and Chimbel.

However, GCZMA has asked the public work department to replant three times the wide tracts of mangroves that would be disturbed due to the expansion.

It is also said that Goa is very well placed compared to other states as far as mangroves conservation is concerned.

The Panjim police team posing along with two thieves who were arrested for car thefts.

Photo by Rosario Estibeiro

Stir over failure to arrest assault accused HERALD NEWS BUREAU PANJIM, APRIL 28

Quepem Taluka Mining Affected Peoples Front will stage a hunger strike on April 30 in protest against failure on the part of Quepem police to arrest the accused, who allegedly assaulted Herald’s correspondent John Fernandes last week.

This decision was made at the emergency meeting convened by the Front at its office in Quepem on Wednesday.

Aggrieved by the inaction of Quepem police to act against Eupociano Pereira and Soccoro D’Costa, the Front members have decided to sit for a daylong hunger strike in front of the Quepem police station from 9 am to 5 pm demanding arrest of the duo and justice to John Fernandes. They have appealed to all the mining affected people of Quepem to join the hunger strike.

The South Goa sessions court on Wednesday sentenced accused Rajshekara to two years rigorous imprisonment for the attempt to murder Damu Fulkar,.

Additional sessions Judge P V Kamat further directed the accused to pay a fine of Rs 5000 and in default to undergo three months imprisonment.

The accused was charged for the attempt to murder Damu Fulkar on January 1, 2009 at the Old station road, Margao. The case was investigated by Margao PSI Mohan Gawde. Public Prosecutor Pramod Hede represented the state.

“The crime committed by the accused is not mere thoughtfulness, inadvertence or ignorance or sudden temptation or under the influence of others.

The act of the accused giving blow on the victim’s neck with the sharp weapon shows the cruel, brutal and cold blooded and gruesome nature of the accused”, Judge Kamat observed.

Site panel for NIT to arrive in Goa soon HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 28

The Site Selection Committee of the Central Government is most likely to come to Goa in the first week of May to locate a site where the National Institute of Technology allocated to the State will be built.

S e c re t a r y E d u c a t i o n M Modassir said the Selection Committee is coming to Goa to see a permanent location where the institute, which is one among the ten new NITs being set up in the country, will be built. The committee is expected any moment, he mentioned.

Meanwhile, officials informed, Goa Engineering College, Farmagudi, has been selected as the temporary location from where the NIT will start functioning for the year 2010-11 offering Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), Electronics and Communications Engineering (ECE) and Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) courses.

Performance in the national-

level test conducted by the AIEEE – All India Entrance Engineering Examination – is the basis on which the students will be admitted for the courses.

The Goa NIT will start functioning somewhere in July-August and in the inaugural year (2010-11) the intake is for 90 students. However, due to its population size Goa has been clubbed with Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu and Lakshadweep for the 50% seat reservation.

This means 50% seats (45 nos) will go to students from these above places, including Goa, and the remaining 50% have been earmarked for all-India candidates.

However, officials observed initially students from these locations or at all-India level may not want to take admission in the State because the NIT was just beginning and it will take some time for it to make a mark to attract students from outside.

In these circumstances, they feel Goan students may get all the 45 seats as per the 50% reserva-

tion quota.

The Education Secretar y Modassir informed the NIT Goa Society has been registered in Panjim with him as one of its members, while the Governing Board of NIT is yet to be nominated by the Central Government. The Governing Board will decide on the operational modalities, infrastructure, faculty, etc., of the NIT. The Education Secretary said the faculty for the NIT will be a mix of lecturers from Goa Engineering College, NIT Surathkal (mentor NIT for Goa) and fresh appointments.

Officials said the fresh appointment may be done on contract basis. Nothing was certain as of now and the modalities of operation were being worked out, they stated.

It is learnt that the Director of NIT Surathkal, who was in Goa, to attend a conference met the Education Secretary and other officials on Wednesday and had an informal meeting to discuss about the NIT.

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Parrikar smells rat into cops-drug mafia probe

Calls it attempt to protect police officials HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 28

While Crime Branch is grappling with investigation of police-drug dealers nexus, the Leader of Opposition Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday alleged that the entire investigation is just a coverup and that an attempt is on protect police officials who are part of the nexus.

“This is manipulation and an attempt to fix up the matter with police officers who were trying to probe the case,” he charged while addressing a press conference on Wednesday here.

He picked holes in the investigation of Crime Branch and its failure to nab the absconding cop Sanjay Parab. “If they pickup a gadawalla stationed opposite Crime Branch office at Dona Paula they will able to know whereabouts of absconding cop,” he said.

Five cops have been suspended so far for their alleged nexus with drug dealers. While four have been arrested but con-

stable has been absconding for over a month now.

He further said, the absconding cop will resurface probably after the case is weakened alleging that game plan has been settled to ensure that no more fresh names of policemen come to light and the investigation would end with ‘sacrifice’ of five cops .

Commenting on reported

statement of Deputy Superintendent of Police, Crime Branch, Chandrakant Salgaokar wherein he denied the possibility of involvement of a Goan politician’s son with arrested drug dealer Yaniv Benahim alias Atala, Parrikar queried how did he know within 24 hours whose son was not involved. “Many politicians have sons, “he quipped hitting out at Crime Branch saying it’s track record is not impressive and conviction rate has dropped.

Atala’s ex-girlfriend Lucky M a n g a rd a ( f a r m h o u s e ) , a Swedish model, in an email interview, has said that she is in possession of videos of a Goan Politician’s son and several policemen who came to collect bribes from Atala.

He also reiterated that investigation be handed over to CBI due to involvement of police officials. There has been judgment of the Supreme Court wherein it has been made clear that in cases where state police are in-

Concession agreement to set up Sonsodo plant still hangs fire HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 28

They nearly came face to face over the ticklish question, but both the Margao Municipal Council and Fomento are yet to ink the concession agreement to set up the waste treatment plant at the Sonsodo dump yard till date.

Nothing is being heard in the corridors of the Margao Civic body on the concession agreement which at one point of time threatened to mar relations between Fomento and the civic body, so much so that the highpowered Committee headed by the Chief Minister Digambar Kamat had to intervene to save the situation.

Days after dispatching a copy

of the draft agreement, the Margao Municipal Council on Wednesday handed over a CD of the draft concession agreement to Fomento.

Chief Officer Y B Tawde informed that Fomento had asked for a CD of the draft agreement, which the civic body has handed over to the company on Wednesday.

Replying to a question, the Chief Officer said that Fomento is yet to communicate to the civic body on some of the changes effected to the draft concession agreement.

MMC Chairperson Savio Coutinho said that it’s surprising that Fomento had taken a long time to approve the draft Concession agreement when they

were insisting on signing of the agreement long ago.

Fomento had insisting from day one that the Margao Civic body first sign the concession agreement before they could begin full-scale operations at Sonsodo.

As against this, the MMC Chairperson wanted the company to commence the waste screening and segregation work on grounds that the draft Concession agreement requires to be vetted by the Municipal legal counsel and approved by the Civic body.

Incidentally, the inspection of the Sonsodo dump yard called by the Urban Development Minister, Joaquim Alemao is yet to take place till date.

volved independent agency has to be asked to investigate the case.

The issue will be raised before Ad-Hoc Committee, he further said adding that if all options are exhausted he will write a letter to High Court highlighting the contempt on part of the State Government.

He further stated that Home Minister Ravi Naik should hand over the case to CBI or the needle of suspicion would point towards him.

My conscious is clear -- Referring to ongoing investigation

by CBI in IFFI 2004 , Parrikar made it clear that it wants the investigation to be completed within a fixed time frame.

I don’t want CBI to stop investigating but it has to do it in a fixed period of time, he said.

It may be recalled that a top CBI officer three days ago stated that the investigation would be completed in a month or two.

Passports release ordered in CD case HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 28

The South Goa Additional Sessions Judge P V Kamat on Wednesday ordered the release of the passports of the producer of the Konkani audio CD Dogui Bodmas Calvert Gonsalves and singer Osvy Viegas.

The court passed the order today following an application made by the duo for release of their passports seized by the Crime Branch. While releasing the passports, the Judge is believed to have put a condition that they should intimate the court if they plan to travel out of the country.

Welder murdered at Vasco HERALD REPORTER VASCO, APRIL 28

A 23-year-old welder from Himachal Pradesh was stabbed to death in his rented room near Vittahal Rakumini Temple at Shantinagar-Vasco on Wednesday morning.

According to Vasco police, the incident came to light in the morning, when the room owner visited the room and found the semi-nude body of Ramkishan Sohail lying on the bed.

It is learnt that the deceased had been stabbed on the left side of the chest and blood stains were visible on his clothes, floor and bed.

Sohail’s neighbours claimed they had heard some quarrel between the deceased and some unknown person on Tuesday night, but they did not give much heed assuming it could be minor scuffle.

The room owner Elikuti Jacob informed that she was sweeping outside the room o n We d n e s d a y m o r n i n g when she noticed the door unlocked. When she looked in, she saw Sohail lying on the bed with bloodstains on his clothes, bed and floor.

govt intervention sought to save religious structures HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 28

The exercise of hearing concerned parties on the illegal religious structures got underway in South Goa, even as some representatives have called for the government intervention in the matter and save the religious structures a la Cidade de Goa. The District Collector G P Naik heading the high-level committee has, however, said the parties have agreed to shift or relocate the structures facing the axe.

A couple of representatives from Canacona and Quepem have charged the district magistrate for acting in a dictatorial manner by not listening to their grievances on the question of shifting the Sai Baba ghumti at Canacona and the Satyanarayan Temple at Curchorem.

The Committee constituted by the government to review the religious structures identified by the revenue officials had invited concerned parties from Canacona and Quepem talukas for deliberations on the structures located in government land or land acquired by the government for road widening.

After the meeting, the district

Magistrate said most of the parties have agreed to relocate the religious structures beyond the road widening areas after being briefed on the Supreme Court order.

“There may be two to three cases where there may be some problem, but I am confident that better sense would prevail upon the parties”, he said.

He said around 18 religious structures have been identified by the revenue officials in Canacona taluka, adding that the fate of the many of these structures will be decided by the Administrator of Communidades.

“As far as a Cross and Sai Baba Temple is concerned, the Committee has left it for the Canacona Municipal Council to take a decision”, Naik added.

As far as Quepem taluka is concerned where a total of 10 such structures stands identified, Naik said the fate of 2-3 structures will have to be decided by the Communidade Administrator, adding the parties have agree to relocate the structures.

Naik said the Satyanarayan Temple at Curchorem cannot be save since the authorities has

already put the area for land acquisition.

Incidentally, the President of Maruti Temple, Canacona K r i s h n a D e s a i , h o w e v e r, charged the district Magistrate for not willing to listen to the contention of the parties.

“This 40-year old religious structure is not affecting the road at all. The NH-17 is not passing by the Temple. If the authorities are hell bent in removing the structures, they have to start from somewhere. The a u t h o r i t i e s s h o u l d m a ke arrangements to shift the structures”, he said, while demanding that the Magistrate should come to the taluka and hear what the residents have to say on the issue.

Similarly, the president of the Satyanarayan Temple said the government should file an affidavit in the Supreme Court and should hold the process of demolitions on hold.

“Even during the Portuguese era, such a major exercise was unheard of. The government should respect the sentiments of the people and intervene in the Supreme Court”, he added.

New Engg College proposed in Goa HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 28

A five-member expert committee of the Directorate of Technical Education will soon carry out inspection into various parameters and submit a report to the State Government for the purpose of granting a noobjection certificate (NOC) to Fatorda Salesian Society which has made a proposal for a new degree-level engineering college in Fatorda.

Sources said there are no fixed parameters and the expert committee will look into important aspects like land earmarked for the project, plans, etc., and submit a detailed report to the Government for the purpose of granting NOC. They mentioned the decision of the State Government will

then be communicated to All India Council of Technical Education which will also carry out inspection to accord a go-ahead to the society for the college.

In its proposal to the Director AICTE, Western Regional Office, Mumbai, have applied for a new degree college offering Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Civil Engineering and Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering.

The proposal states the site for the college is located at Fatorda falling under Margao municipal limit and the same is spread over an area of 49,500 square metres in one spot.

Goa has three engineering colleges – government-run Goa Engineering College at Farmagudi and

the others are private-run colleges at Shiroda and Verna.

Meanwhile, the Academy of Culinary Education based at Cidade de Goa in Dona Paula has made a proposal to the DoTE for offering AICTE-approved diploma course in hotel

management with specialisation in culinary education.

Officials confirmed ACE had submitted a proposal and the state-level committee will finalise a report and submit the same to the Western Regional Office of AICTE in Mumbai.

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Construction of new fish market in Mapusa yet to see light of day HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, APRIL 28

With the fisher folk in Mapusa market continue to face difficulties; the Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) is yet to start construction of a new fish market.

It is learnt that Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) has forwarded the approved fie of the project to GSUDA after paying the fees of Rs 6 lakh to North Planning and Development Authority.

It may be recalled that MMC had demolished the rooftop of the fish market in April 2009 and shifted the fisherwomen in the temporarily built shelter in the open space adjacent to the fish market.

MMC Chairperson Roopa

Bhakta had assured the fisherwomen that the new market will be built within six months.

Since MMC failed to honour its commitment, fisherwomen had shifted back to the old fish market on March 16, this year.

They had also staged a protest rally on March 17 demanding construction of the new fish market urgently and met Chief Officer Dashrath Redkar and Chairperson Bhakta.

Fish Vendors Association President Shashikala Govekar had told municipal authorities that the temporary shelter provided by MMC was unhygienic.

“Further, it becomes slippery when the fish water spills on the ground and several fisherwomen and people have slipped and sustained frac-

short takes Vasundara elected Sarpanch

MARCEL (HC): Vasundara Sawant was on Tuesday elected unopposed sarpanch of the seven-member Wadi-Talulim panchayat.

It may be recalled that the post had fallen vacant after sarpanch Bharati Naik resigned from the post in March. The sarpanch’s post is reserved for women. Naik served over two and half years as sarpanch and according to reports, Naik resigned from the post as per the mutual understanding, giving chance to Vassundara Sawant.

Incidentally, the panchayat has only two women panch members.

“We received one nomination of Sawant for the sarpanch’s post. Four panchas were present for the meeting,” said Presiding Officer Premanand Naik, extension officer BDO-Ponda.

“Sawant was declared elected as there were no other nominations,” added Naik.

Speaking to Herald, Swant said: “Now I have the responsibility of all the seven wards and I will work taking into confidence other panchayat members.”

Essay contest held

PANJIM (HND): Bharat Vikas Parishad, Margao branch conducted an essay writing competition on ‘Swami Vivekanand and his preachings’ for students of South Goa in Jr category (V-VII) and Sr category (VIII-X) in English, Hindi, Marathi and Konkani to mark the 147th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekanand. 41 schools participated and 277 essays were received.

The prize distribution ceremony was held recently at the hands of Dr Narayan B Dessai, Principal, Higher Secondary, Massem-Canacona. In all, 53 trophies were awarded to the winners including consolations and 277 students were given participation certificates.

Dr Narayan Dessai expressed concern that the student’s growth is not being channelized in the right direction and he fails to assess who is going wrong and where? He said the student should be given a free hand to choose his/her career and should not be under influence or pressure from anybody or from any corner.

Dr Somnath Komarpant, Eknath Naik, Mohandas Surlaker and Sunanda Naik evaluated the essays. K P Angle, Secretary, Bharat Vikas Parishad, Goa Prant was felicitated on the occasion for being elevated to the post of the zonal secretary (auditing).

St Xavier’s results

PANJIM (HNB): Students of First and Second Year BCA at St Xavier’s college, Mapusa, have been informed that results of Semester 2 and 4 will be declared on April 30, 2010 at 11 am.

Students should come accompanied by their parents/guardian to collect their marksheets from the BCA department.

Vocational courses inaugurated

PANJIM (HND): “Human resource development is the need of the hour,” said Tourism Minister Mickky Pacheco. He was speaking as chief guest at the two days ‘Summer Blast 2010’ organised by A A de Majorda-Utorda-Calata Club. He praised the President Nelly Rodrigues, general secretary Constantino Antao and all the managing committee of the Club after inaugurating the vocational training courses to be started shortly.

Pacheco also gave the certificates of cookery, beautician, and candle-making, tailoring, computers, etc organised by the Club and said he would sponsor the courses this year. He earlier inaugurated the beautification work of the club done by ZP member Nelly Rodrigues.

The Minister also felicitated Stefen Dias who received an award for conducting free music classes. Fr Britto Fernandes felicitated the coach Johnson D’Souza and Domnic Lourenco and the U-14 boys football team in the presence of Sports Secretary Mario Pereira and gave away certificates.

Chief guest Fr Urbano Menezes gave away the prizes of the dance competition organized by the club. The programme was compered by general secretary Constantino Antao and Theotonio D’Costa, President Nelly Rodrigues welcomed the gathering, Jose D’Costa and Jose Mario Pereira proposed the vote of thanks.

Legal literacy camp held

PANJIM (HND): The micro legal literacy camp was held in the Chimbel Panchayat.

Advocate Harsha Naik spoke on ‘Legal Aid & Agricultural Tenancy Act’. Advocate Nalin Mulgaonkar spoke on ‘Mundkar Act’.

The camp was attended by Secretary, Sarpanch, Dy Sarpanch and panchas of Chimbel. There was an open question answer session in which number of villagers participated. The camp was attended by 80 people from the locality. The function was held under the auspices of Tiswadi Taluka Legal Services Committee, Panjim.

Agonda Sarpanch resigns HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, APRIL 28

Fisherwomen sitting in the fish market with the roof demolished.

Photo by Anil Shankhwalker

tures. During the monsoon, it becomes impossible for them to sit in the temporary shelter, as water enters the shed,” Govekar had said.

Bhakta and Redkar had informed the fisherwomen that the plan of the new market complex was approved by PDA and the construction will be taken up by GSUDA soon and in the meantime they may sit in the old fish market and MMC would cover the rooftop of the fish market with tarpaulin to protect from the heat of the sun.

Now with the monsoon around the corner, MMC is yet to cover the rooftop of the fish market with tarpaulin.

Speaking to Herald, Bhakta said they have already spent around Rs 8 lakh on the construction of the temporary shelter.

“The temporary shelter was

built after consultations with the fisherwomen. MMC is not is in a position to make further investment on the temporary structure nor cover the roof of old fish market with tarpaulin,” said Bhakta.

“We have already submitted the file of the new fish market duly approved by PDA to GSUDA and have requested them to start the work soon. It is now the responsibility of GSUDA to start and complete the work of the new fish market soon,” added Bhakta.

When contacted, the fisherwomen said they will not shift to the temporary shelter during monsoon.

“The MMC chairperson had assured us that that they will provide the tarpaulin on the roof of the old fish market and hence it is the responsibility of MMC to honour its commitment,” said the fisherwomen.

Agonda Sarpanch Jovi Fernandes tendered his resignation from the post on Wednesday citing personal commitments.

Fernandes submitted his resignation papers to the Director of Panchayat, Panjim. Later in the evening, a copy of resignation letter was also submitted to the Canacona BDO office.

A source in BDO confirmed receipt of the resignation letter.

“The resignation pending withdrawal will be accepted after 10 days,” informed sources.

Reliable sources told Herald that the action of Fernandes, whose three-year tenure was seen as most active and evenly turbulent in view of CRZ, Regional Plan, among several other hot issues in the village, is reportedly attributed to an understanding between the ruling group of four panchas in the seven-member panchayat.

The resignation is reportedly to make way for a new panch to occupy the sarpanch chair.

“We, the group of four are strong enough to thwart every move of the opposition panchas,” Fernandes told Herald when asked if opposition panchas played any role in his resignation.

The two-line resignation copy stated: “Due to my personal commitments, I am unable to devote my time for the panchcyat work.”

Panch Tipu C Pagi, Deputy Sarpanch Gulshan Guru Bandekar and Panch Milagrinha Fernandes are the other three members of the ruling group in Agonda panchcyat.

Minister directs MMC to undertake pre-monsoon work on war footing HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 28

Revenue Minister Jose Philip D’Souza has directed the Mormugao Municipal Council authorities to utilize all manpower for the pre-monsoon work in all the 20-wards of the council in order to avoid any flooding and water logging situations in the port town of Vasco.

As Merces-Vaddem and Vaddem locality in Vasco had witnessed flooding for the first time due to uncleaned nullah by the municipal authorities during last monsoon, the Revenue Minister has taken the issue serious this time and has directed the municipal authorities to take immediate necessary action to avoid such types of incidents.

He further has directed that premonsoon work in all the municipal wards to get complete before the end of May. The Revenue Minister has also asked the municipal authorities to utilize additional manpower to take up the cleaning work before the given deadline.

He also carried out an inspection of the pre-monsoon work of the municipal authorities which was being started in the port city. He was accompanied by Mormugao Municipal Council Chief Officer, Gopal Parsenkar and other municipal engineers.

The Revenue Minister has directed the South Western Railway authorities to clean up the existing nullah which is passing from the railway quarters.

In a press statement, the Revenue Minister D’Souza has stated that Vasco Railway Sta-

2 tourists saved from drowning

C A L A N G U T E ( H C ) : Tw o tourists from Uttar Pradesh were saved from drowning in separate incidents at Calangute beach.

According to reports, Mohamad Shaikh (32) was saved from drowning at Calangute beach. Shaikh was swimming in ‘no-swim zone’ when he panicked and shouted for help.

Noticing Shaikh struggling in the waters, SLSG lifeguard Dhako Talkar contacted the Baga tower for his help and rescue. Accordingly, SLSG lifeguard Vitthal Chorlekar swam across and rescued Shaikh with the help of rescue tubes.

In another incident at Calangute beach, Satendra J Prasad (23), who was also swimming in ‘no-swim zone’, was saved from drowning by SLSG lifeguard Tushar Kharade.

By FRANCiS RODRiguES

tion has recently bagged best railway station award for maintaining surrounding area clean.

The Revenue Minister has brought to the notice of the South Western Railway authorities that there is an extensive work which has been remained unattended for last many years and the un-cleaning of existing nullah which is behind railway quarters could lead to flooding of houses in the monsoon.

It was also brought to the no-

tice of the South Western Railway authorities that uncleaning of existing nullah could also bring a great concern for the residents who are residing here for last several decades, next to the Swatantra Path.

The South Western Railway authorities immediately taking a note of the suggestion put up by the Revenue Minister have kicked off the work to clean up the entire nullah with the estimated cost of Rs 2 lakhs.

upCoMInG eVents Church’s Golden Jubilee

PANJIM (HND): The Church of ‘Our Lady of Livra Febres Consua’ is celebrating its Golden Jubilee on May 1. Earlier, it was a chapel under the Church of Cortalim till the year 1960. Now, this year 2009-10, the Church completes 50 years of its installation as a separate Parish. On the Golden Jubilee day, concelebrated mass will be at 9 am followed by release of souvenir

by His Grace Vicar General Jose Remedios Fernandes and a short entertainment programme. In the evening, a tiatr ‘Puro ami tras kadleat te’ will be staged at 7 pm by Alfi.

Youth fest at Valpoi

PANJIM (HNB): Youth of Holy Cross Association, BirondemValpoi, will organize ‘Youth for Mother Earth’, a three-day youth festival at Valpoi from April 30.

The youth fest will be inaugurated by Director of Sports and Youth Affairs Dr Suzan D’Souza. Prominent agriculturalist Fr Inacio Almeida will be the guest of honour.

On the first day, there will be a cultural programme presented by the upcoming talent from Birondem. A tiatr ‘Puro Ami Tras Kaddleat Te’, written and directed by Alfred Fernandes will conclude the evening events.

On the second day, classical south Indian dances along with Goan folk dances will be the special attraction.

On the final day, there will be a mega orchestra by proficient local musicians, an anti-mining play written by award winning playwright Bro Milton Rodrigues and Konkani Rocks beat show

by Man Machine.

The three-day youth fest will also see various competitions like fancy dress, Rangoli, singing, drama, dance, etc. There will be an exhibition on environmental issues and agricultural concerns. There will be also a lot of games, food and entertainment for all. The events will begin at 6.30 pm.

Accounts Day

Panchayat Minister Manohar (Babu) Ajgaonkar presents the best Panchayat award to Shiroda Sarpanch Bharti A Shirodkar at the Panchayati Raj Diwas celebration, organised by Department of Panchayati Raj at Panjim. Also present are Panchayat Raj Secretary V K Jha, Chairperson of South Goa Zilla Panchayat Maria Rebello, Director of Panchayats Menino D’Souza, former speaker Tomazinho Cardozo, Nelly Rodrigues and others.

A tribute to late Agnelo Pereira Agnelo Gonzaga Domingos Santana Pereira was born on January 10, 1948 to Juliao Pereira and Maria Divina Olga Mascarenhas. After his initial schooling at Loyola’s High School at Margao he graduated in Arts in 1971 and joined government service in the Census Department on April 14, 1971.

Thereafter he joined as Accounts Clerk in the Directorate of Accounts in the year 1973.

He was entrusted with Audit of Municipalities of Goa Daman and Diu from 1975 to 1979. As an accountant he was on deputation to Goa State Social Advisory Board from 1980 to 1981. Thereafter he left the Directorate of Accounts to join Goa Government Secretariat in 1981 and was promoted to the Junior Grade of Goa Civil Service Gazetted post on 1st January 1997.

He was the co-founder of the Enfermos Sports Club in 1968 and its President from 1970-1979 and from 1990 to 1998. He was also its Treasurer from 1968 to 1970 and its General Secretary from 1980 to 1990. Since he was a very popular person he was re-elected President from the year 2002 which post he held till 2007.

He was also the founder of the Goa Government Secretariat Staff Welfare Association in 1983 and officiated as its Treasurer from till 1997. He served as the Chief Officer of Cuncolim Municipal Council. A deeply devout man, he was the member of Legion of Mary since 1966 to 2001 and was also the President of Margao Junior Curia from the year 1972 to 1997.

As an active person he was the Convenor and Founder Chairperson of Goa Govern-

Revenue Minister Jose Philip D’Souza inspects the cleaning work of nullah undertaken by the South Western Railway authorities in Vasco, on Wednesday.

ment Secretariat Staff Credit Co-operative Society Ltd since 1990 to 1999. He resigned in November, 1999 on appointment as Deputy Collector and SDO of Quepem, Sanguem and Canacona Tal. He was the founder trustee of the ‘Festa de Leques Trust’ Sinquetim which organizes the traditional carnival dance for over 50 years and which has the credit of presenting the Miss World Aishwarya Rai (now Mrs Abhishek Bachchan) as the chief guest to the said dance in the year 1985. He was the Treasurer of Confraternity of Our Lady of Enfermos for the period 1970 to 1976 and thereafter from 1979 to 1999. He was re-elected in 2002 and continued till 2007. He has been the Executive Committee Member of Navelim-Telaulim Service Co-operative Society Ltd since 1989 and Founder Director of the Navelim-Telaulim Service Co-op Society Banking Counter.

As an active bureaucrat he had also been the recipient of State Award for Government Servant in December 1997 for his excellent services rendered to the Goa State Government.

He was also the Treasurer of the then IVth centenary celebrations of Our Lady of Rosary Church, Navelim. He was also the Treasurer of the Reconstruction Committee of Our Lady of Enfermos Chapel from 2005-07.

He rendered services as the Chief Officer of Cuncolim Municipal Council from 31/1/1997 to 18/11/1999 and he was the Deputy Collector and Sub-Divisional Officer Quepem, Sanquem, Canacona from 18/11/1999 to 13/9/2000. He was also entrusted with additional charge as Chief Officer of Curchorem-Cacora from

13/1999 to 30/6/2000 and was also the Chief Officer of the Quepem Municipal Council from the year 14/9/2000 to 31/12/2000. He held the post of Administrative Officer Hospicio Hospital, Margao from 1/1/2001 to 31/5/2001 and Dy Collector (LA) South Goa from 1/6/2001 till 18/9/2001 with additional charge of administrative office, Hospicio Hospital, Margao from 19/9/2001 to 31/7/2003.

Due to his hard work he was entrusted with the post of Deputy Collector (LA) MPT on deputation to NHAI from 1/8/2003 to 9/6/2004 and was promoted to Sr Grade of Goa Civil Service and posted on deputation as SLAO (MPT) from 10/6/2004 to 31/12/2004.

He was appointed as Additional Collector, South Goa on 14/2/2005 which post he held until his retirement. During his lifetime he had been honoured at the hands of the then Chief Minister of Goa Pratapsingh Rane.

A popular figure he was felicitated by various schools on a numerous of occasions viz, Our Lady of Fatima High School, Rivona in 2000, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Canacona on 2nd July, 2006, at the hands of Smt Vijayadevi Rane, Chairman, Bal Bhavan, Panjim, Lions Club of Majorda & Cansaulim on 30th July, 2006, Our Lady of Mt Carmel High School, Curtorim on 21/12/2006, Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Dicarpale, on 28/12/2006 at the hands of Luizinho Felairo, Minister for Education & Industries, Government of Goa, Sarvodaya Educational Society’s High School, Curchorem on 11/1/2007, Fr Basilio Andrade Higher Secondary, Majorda on

3/2/2007. He was also instrumental in bringing out the compilation of eminent personalities of Nagmodem/Sinquetim Navelim which sovenir was released on the occasion of solemn blessing of Our Lady of Enfermos Chapel released at the hands of His Excellency Filipe Neri Ferrao Archbishop of Goa and Daman.

Having the interest of his fellowmen at heart he rendered his services after his retirement to the Navelim constituency office of PWD Minister Churchill Alemao. He breathed his last after a brief illness on 27/04/2010 at 7.15 pm. He always yearned for the blessings of Our Lady of Enfermos whose Chapel his ancestral house faced and whom he served devoutly during his lifetime and truly the Heavenly Mother has welcomed him for eternal rest and he will be missed by many of his villagers, acquaintances from far and near.

An example of hard work had rewarded him with so much of position in his lifetime, needs to be emulated by the younger generations to come.

In the words of his co-villager the late Adv Caetano Rosario Rodrigues, ex-consul of Portugal it was said of Pereira when he was living that he was “A village lad with a multi-faceted personality and promising future - a lay priest, a church bell toller, a social worker, a sacristan, a family man, a leader, a top government bureaucrat-all rolled into one.”

Adapted from the article titled ‘Others in the public service’ published in the souvenir of solemn blessing of Our Lady of Enfermos Chapel released at the hands of His Excellency Filipe Neri Ferrao Archbishop of Goa and Daman.

PANJIM (HND): The recreation club of the Directorate of Accounts will celebrate its 37th annual Accounts Day on April 30 with a variety entertainment programme at Kala Academy A/C auditorium at 6 pm. Director of Art and Culture Prasad Lolayekar will be the chief guest.

Bicholim feast

PANJIM (HND): The feast of Our Lady of Grace (Nossa Senhora da Graca), Bicholim will be celebrated on May 9. The nineday novenas in preparation for the feast will be held at 5 pm everyday with a rosary followed by mass. On the feast day, the first mass will be held at 7 am and the feast mass will be celebrated at 9.30 am.

The theme of this year’s feast is ‘Kristi Bhavarth jieum-ia ani novsorum-ia’.

Deaf association inaugural

PANJIM (HND): The opening ceremony of the Goa Association of the Deaf will be held on May 1, from 9 am to 5 pm at Goa Vidya Prasarak Mandal’s College of Commerce and Economics, near new KTC Bus stand, Ponda.

Inauguration will be at 10 am and the chief guest will be Manisha Naik, Director, Goa State Social Welfare Advisory Board and Jagdish Katkar.

Betalbatim forum’s meet

PANJIM (HND): The monthly meeting of Betalbatim Civic & Consumer Forum will be held on May 1 at St Jude’s High School, Betalbatim at 5 pm.

The issues to be discussed are the state of the utilities - electricity, water, LPG, phones, posts, health, bank, review of Gram Sabha, garbage segregation & composting, new CRZ proposals, RTI and other consumer related issues.

Holy Cross feast

PANJIM (HND): The annual feast of the Holy Cross at Piedade Waddo, Arossim will be celebrated on May 3 at 6 pm. A musical litany will be held followed by a get-together. This year, the feast is celebrated by Graciano Nunes and Antoneta Ozorio Saldanha.

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

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

BAMBOLIM: From 9 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are Gawanth, parts of Kirlawada, Subhadhra Bar, temple and surrounding areas.

BICHOLIM: From 8.30 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are Maina in VP Naveli.

ANJUNA: From 9 am to 5 pm. Areas affected are Anjuna beach, Priazwaddo, Dando flea market, Goikarwada, Pedem, Tembi, Sorantto, Monterwado, Mazalwado, Ximwado and surrounding areas.

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GOA

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GOA, tHuRsDAy, 29 APRiL, 2010

NGO for ‘no development zone’ around turtle nesting beaches

Fatorda man crushed to death

hatching,” the MOU reads.

The NGO feels that this could be done through the declaration and full implementation of Ecologically Sensitive areas or other suitable policy measures.

The MoU also mentions that the construction and operation activities of any new port, harbour or jetty as well as the expansion of any existing port and jetty be prohibited for at least a 25 kilometres of radius around turtle nesting sites.

The Greenpeace has also asked to provide annual progress report on these initiatives to Parliament and the secretariats of relevant international accords which India supports and also to make publicly accessible.

The NGO in its study has found out that many ongoing and proposed developments

HERALD REPORTER VASCO, APRIL 28

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 28

Turtle conservationists of the country have demanded to declare a buffer ‘no development zone’ for at least 10 kilometers of radius around all of India’s mass nesting beaches.

In a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the ‘conservation and management of marine turtles and their habitat’ sent to Minister for Environment and Forest, Jairam Ramesh, the international NGO-Greenpeace has said that industrial development and other related activities in these zones must be prohibited.

“Except for traditional artisan fishing practices and settlements, all other developmental activities should be vetted and monitored to ensure that they do not adversely affect marine turtles, their nesting and

One dead, two seriously hurt in Dabal mishap HERALD CORRESPONDENT CURCHOREM, APRIL 28

A 23-year-old motorcycle rider from Dabal-Kirlpal died on the spot, while two pillion riders were seriously injured after they were knocked down by an unknown vehicle at KalsaiDabal on Tuesday at about 10.30 pm.

According to sources in Curchorem police, the accident occurred when he deceased Savin Gaonkar along with his two friends were proceeding in their Hero Honda Passion motorcycle (GA-09-C-1548).

Gaonkar died on the spot, while the two others were seriously injured, who were rushed to Hospicio in Margao.

PSI Vinayak Patil conducted the inquest panchnama under the guidance of PI Bhanudas Dessai. The body was later sent to Hospicio for autopsy.

PI Dessai informed that the offence will be registered only after collecting sufficient evidence into the matter.

Former dy collector passes away HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, APRIL 28

Former deputy collector and ex-director of Civil Supplies Simon Paes (74) succumbed to injuries at GMC Hospital, Bambolim.

According to Mapusa police, Paes from Cunchelim was knocked down by a scooter on April 20 at about 7.30 pm while he was walking along the road at Cunchelim.

Since Paes had sustained grievous injuries, he was rushed to GMC Hospital, where he breathed his last on Wednesday.

Mapusa Police have arrested scooter rider Akhil Tikekar (19) for rash and negligent driving.

Police Sub Inspector Brandon D’Souza is investigating the case.

Konkani song, music awards to be declared on Friday HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 28

The ‘Konkani Song & Music Awards 2009’, instituted by Tiatr Academy of Goa, will be declared and presented on April 30 at Conference Hall of Tiatr Academy of Goa, at 5 pm.

The artistes/albums nominated for various awards are as under: Best Male Singer: Anthony San, Sidhanath Buyao and Lawry Travasso. Best Female Singer: Lorna Cordeiro, Lulu Fortes and Nephie Rod. Best Lyricist: Ravindra Pawar, Lawry Travasso and Vikas Prabhu.

Best Music: Norman Cardozo, Sidhanath Buyao, Webly Gomes & Felipe Barreto.

Best Album: Valley of Colorz, Nisha and Mogachea Pinzreant.

Fr Peter Cardozo, Director of Pilar Music Academy and Joel Pereira, a musician of repute from Mangalore, were the judges for best singers, best music and for best album while Jess Fernandes, winner of Sahitya Academy award and Fr Nevel Gracias, lyricist, writer and director, judged the lyrics of the songs.

Dr Francisco Colaco, singer and musician will be the chief guest and present the awards.

are in close vicinity of marine turtle nesting sites.

In the recently published pre-draft by Union Environment and Forest Ministry, the beaches such as Morjim, Galgibag and Agonda has been designated as turtle nesting sites and protected under Wildlife Protection Act 1972.

The draft has also said that no development shall be provided in such turtle breeding areas.

“This is a great step taken by the government. However, we can see increasing number of small developments along the coastal belts thus affecting the nesting sites,” Dr Kartik Shanker, President of the International Sea Turtle Society told Herald.

He said that coastal developments need to be regulated to protect coastal biodiversity and livelihood.

A 45-year-old man from Murida-Fatorda was crushed to death by an oil tanker near Birla Junction, Cortalim, on Wednesday at about 1.15 pm.

According to Verna police, the mishap occurred when Shiraya Valekar, who was standing by the roadside, came under the front wheels of the tanker. Valekar died on the spot.

Police further informed that the tanker, which was proceeding towards the airport, ran over the pedestrian while turning at the Birla junction.

Verna police PI Jivba Dalvi informed that they have arrested tanker driver Namdev Lamani from Ponda for rash and negligent driving.

Gusty winds destroy property in Savoi-Verem

The crop that was damaged due to gusty winds at Velcaswado in Savoi-Verem.

Photo by Amresh Parab HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARCEL, APRIL 28

Gusty winds destroyed property in many parts of Velcaswado in Savoi-Verem on Tuesday evening.

According to villagers, strong wind currents that lasted for few minutes uprooted areca-nuts, cashew, mango and other fruit-bearing

plantations. Few houses in the locality also suffered damages.

Electricity supply was also disrupted in the locality.

According to panchayat sources, seven families have suffered major damage to their plantations while four houses were also damaged. Roof tiles of several other houses have also been broken.

“Strong winds started at about 6.30 pm and within minutes many fruit-bearing trees were damaged,” said Pursho Girodkar of Velcaswado, Savoi Verem.

Added Sheetal Velkaskar: “One of our family members escaped with minor injuries after the mango tree fell on our house. The roof has been badly damaged and it was a sheer luck that we all escaped unhurt.”

Savoi Verem Sarpanch Swati Palkar said panchayat would try to help the villagers. “As an interim relief, we will provide monetary help of about Rs 1,000,” said Palkar.

“Our panchayat, as you know does not have good income, but we will try and give at least Rs 1,000 to the affected families. We will also refer the matter to our MLA and the district administration for added assistance,” said Palkar.

Lack of evidence may let Mahanand go scot-free that have increased acquittal chances of the accused.

Naik allegedly trapped his victims (girls in the age group of 25-35) who belonged to poor families with the promise of marriage but eventually killed them all and robbed their jewellery.

His modus operandi was -he would invite the victim to meet family by wearing her jewellery but instead he would take her to some secluded spot, rape her and then kill her with her dupatta and disappear from the scene with gold ornaments on her body.

Most of his victims were from adjacent villages of Ponda taluka whom he spotted while driving his three-wheeler rickshaw.

While missing complaints came to be filed over the years, the police never bothered to investigate, is demonstrated by how accused continued to victimize girls for a long period if time with immunity.

The involvement of the accused in multiple crimes came to light when he was rounded up for inquiry at Ponda Police

Station after the rape victim and his neighbour filed a complaint against him.

Police may now take credit for finally nabbing the serial killer or dupatta killer, the public prosecutor however pointed out that even cases where skeletons of bodies have been retrieved, unless advanced techniques are used for proving identity of remains of the body (bones and skull) it will not be easy to prove murder charges leveled against the accused.

Another factor that might throttle cases against the accused is witnesses. There are no eye-witnesses except in one rape case. Witnesses will depose but may not stand test of cross-examination.

“Most of them are from rural areas, illiterate, and ignorant of legal aspects. They can be easily confused by defense as it happened recently,” pointed out PP. “In one of the case against Mahanand Naik, a witness gave good deposition but fumbled during cross examination and her evidence is of no use to us,” he says.

Yog camp at Farmagudi

Major power shutdown at Calangute coast on May 2

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 28

Mahanand Naik who has been dubbed as dupatta killer (he allegedly used a long scarf for killing his victims) though faces multiple charges in about sixteen cases (already acquitted in three cases) is likely to go scotfree except for in one or two cases.

Naik has been charged with rape, murders, robbery, destruction of evidence etc, crimes which he is alleged to have carried out between 1995-2008.

But except for a rape case and one murder case (Yogita Naik), prosecution itself believe that there is not much evidence to get conviction in other cases. The cases are very old that is big difficulty in collecting evidence.

“There have been some cases where police could not proceed as they were not able to retrieve bodies,” said a public prosecutor who has been handling some of the cases.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity he said, there are many loose ends in the cases

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 28

The Bharat Swabhiman Trust (BST) has organised a four day Yog camp at Farmagudi beginning from May 1 wherein Baba Ramdev will guide the audience.

Also, for the first medical consultation will be made available free of cost at the camp site, informed Dr Suraj Kanekar, President BST, Goa Unit. He was speaking at a press conference on Wednesday here.

He said 36 vaidyas

(ayurvedic practitioners) will come from Haridwar and will be available for consultation during the camp period. The Yog camp will begin at 5 in the morning and will conclude at 7.30 at Goa Engineering Ground in Farmagudi.

He said, entry to the camp is free and entry passes could be collected from Patanjaly yog teachers in respective villages.

Also, bus arrangement have been made, he said. According to the organisers around 50000 people are likely to take benefit of the camp, he said.

Mandd Sobhann’s ‘Goin Gaitha…’

HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 28

Mandd Sobhann will present its 101 monthly theater ‘Goin Gaitha Goin Nachtha – adhim ani atham’. Traditional to modern songs and dances of Goa will be presented by ‘Goinchim Neketram’ team headed by Gina Marianela Dias, on May 2,

at Kalaangann, Shakthinagr, Mangalore, at 6 pm.

Programme includes Goan dekhnni, Goan Vavraddi dance in musical style, Marcha de Fontainhas (Portuguese dance), the Gaudi dance in opera style, the Goan Mando, Konkani oldies - group singing with excellent dance choreography.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, APRIL 28

Business establishments and homes along the entire Calangute coastal belt will be severely affected on Sunday, May 2 from 9 am to 5 pm, with the electricity department deciding to shut off power supply due to urgent maintenance work.

The areas affected by the shutdown include Calangute, Candolim, Baga and Arpora-Nagoa.

According to Assistant Executive Engineer (Electricity) Prakash T, the power shutdown is necessary to undertake maintenance work on the 33KV Mapusa-I, Mapusa-II and Mapusa-III Circuits.

Census points to increase in leopard population HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 28

Increasing number of leopards in the State’s wildlife sanctuary was evident during the first phase of wildlife census, which is currently undertaken by Forest Department.

Sources stated that teams of officials and volunteers that venture into Mollem, Netravali and Cotigao have come back with the signs of good number of leopards existing in the wild.

“They have found pugmarks, scratches on the trees and skates of leopards,” a volunteer said.

As per the last wildlife cen-

sus there were 41 leopards in various sanctuaries and reserve forest areas of the state. “This time the count may increase,” the volunteer added.

The census operation began on April 26 with more then 200 volunteers and officials involved in it.

The signs of wild dogs were also increasingly seen in the

first few findings. “It is a welcome sign because there were strong fears that the number of wild dogs was dwindling in the forest,” another volunteer said.

The volunteers in the Netravali Wildlife sanctuary have also heard the barking of the wild dogs, during their overnight stay.

Officials said that currently the census of animals is going on. The trend of herbivorous animals would be checked at later stage.

A senior officer from forest department said that after the

census the data will be presented before Dehradun based Wildlife Institute of India (WII) for the analysis.

“Once they analyses the data, the camera taping method would be adopted to have tiger sittings,” he said.

He said that the camera taping would be done only to catch tiger glimpses. “The especial focus is given on those places where tiger pugmarks were seen during last census,” official added.

The WII team which visited Goa last week to train officials on how to conduct a census had found pug marks similar to that of tiger.

OHERALDO

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OPINION

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O HERALD O

Rise of Crime Rate in Goa

Vol No CX No: 111 Goa, Thursday 29 April, 2010

Role of the media

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ike a doctor treating a patient who’s unwell, the media also has a job to do that can at times be quite unpleasant. The patient doesn’t enjoy the resultant pain, even if temporary and necessary, and neither do most of those who come in the media’s net in its attempt to highlight the ills of society.

Herald (Wednesday, Apr 28) has focussed on some contentious issues that need attention. A whole lot of media-space has been devoted to the claims and counter-claims of politicians over the Comptroller and Auditor General’s report on Goa’s hosting of the International Film Festival of India, 2004. This has become the basis for action against top politicians in the State, including the then chief minister, Manohar Parrikar. But behind the political-speak, what are the issues actually involved? What can the citizen of Goa expect by way of action taken in such cases? Will the fact that the current chief minister was a prominent member of the past Cabinet somehow affect the investigations in this case?

Likewise, there have been so many headlines over the nexus between drug dealers and the police in Anjuna, something which is no secret to anyone remotely familiar with the workings of the coastal belt. But have the police been following the case to its logical conclusion? Will the focus of such cases be political games, rather than a much-deserved cleanup that parts of the Goa coast —and its law-enforcing machinery — badly requires?

The media has a lot of responsibilities when it comes to playing out its role in society, and this can be a tough job. To work efficiently, it needs the support and critical feedback of its readers.

At times, the media has been criticised for just going along with the tide, taking the easy way out, and playing the game of more active players in society. These players could be politicians, the State, business lobbies or, to a lesser extent, campaign groups with a strong agenda at any point of time.

It is tempting to play the game of one faction against the others. It is easy to fall back to ‘statement journalism’ that just reflects what different interest groups are saying on a particular issue or agenda.But while this keeps all interest groups content, it might just not take us any closer to finding out what lies at the root of a problem. We cannot presume that the truth simply emerges by observing some mid-point in a tug-of-war between diverse positions of interested parties.

In a few days time, newspaper readers and the media are expected to publicly debate their expectations of each other. The reader does have a right to expect much more from the Fourth Estate, which only deserves its influence by taking ahead the legitimate interests of society. But at the same time, the reader also needs to help shape the media by taking the agenda forward and pointing out whenever he or she sees something amiss in the Press. In a small State like Goa, the media is hardly as remote as it might be in other larger States.

I

More than PR

t is a PR exercise which isn’t very convincing. In recent times, we’ve been hearing repeatedly about US soldiers stopping by at Goa to undertaken “community bonding” and paint local schools.

While painting a Margao school, the soldiers also handed over footballs and fans. But as the world’s sole superpower today, the United States has global responsibilities that go far beyond litres of paint, footballs and fans.

It is transparently clear that the increased US presence in the area is linked to its wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. While every empire of the past has justified its role in claiming a larger share of global resources, one would have thought that things would be different in the 21st century.

If it wants to go beyond just meaningless PR exercises, the US needs to work towards solutions that offer justice and peace in West Asia. Merely defending its economic self-interests and access to oil in the guise of extending “democracy” is hardly convincing.

Garbage bins Damodar Kamat, Margao I am a resident of Madel Piqueno, Margao, which lies opposite KTC bus stand, Margao.

The garbage problem in this area is terrible and slum- like. The entire Rebello hospital road, which is heavily populated residential area, has just one garbage bin. What is even worse is that the said bin is placed in the worst possible location, right on the narrow path of the road (in front of Chanakya apartment). The overflowing bin means that residents of the area have to walk through garbage every day and wade in the slush during the rainy season. Residents also have to dodge all sorts of stray cattle/animals near this bin, just to pass through.

The whole problem is set to get a lot worse as two new building complexes have come up in this area, and neither have made any provisions for garbage bins. How does

100 Years Ago

PRIMEIRO DIARIO NAS COLONIAS PORTUGEZAS

29 April, 1910 l It is said that the selection of one competent employee to work overseas is a good step towards a good colonial administration. l The Times of London says that from Pasha Tammi was apprehended at Rahr, a bulky dossier which if published will throw light over the political intrigues against France. l The Vatican is watching with alert attention the happenings in the Italian Parliament with the Cabinet fighting tooth and nail against the opposition who wants to oust the Government. l In regards to Tuberculosis, the tried and tested methods of Hericone and Richet, which was presented at the Science Academy of Paris, is bound to create a revolution in the medical world. l The wooden bridges linking Simla to Kulu Manali are going to be replaced with new metal ones.

E

The ratio of charge sheets filed to offences registered is low and convictions are lower writes FREDDY DIAS

ven while Goa is witnessing an increasing number of heinous crimes like murder, attempted murder, rape, dacoity, etc., the conviction rate in such cases in Goa has been paltry.

In 2009, 3005 cases under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) were registered as against 2742 cases reported in 2008. This implies that there has been an increase of 9.59 per cent. Official statistics reveal that the average conviction rate in the state is measly 12 to 15 per cent per year.

In most of the recent cases, it is observed that sloppy investigations conducted by the police and insufficient evidence gathered by them, has led to acquittals in various criminal cases. There are also allegations that corrupt investigating officers deliberately weaken some cases, and the accused are hence not convicted. Many criminals particularly the wealthy and politically influential ones, are acquitted because the investigating officers fail to establish a strong case, as very often, either the documents (FIR, statements, etc) are not prepared properly or there is lack or incorrect evidence, not collected scientifically.

Crime analysts point out that investigating officers should possess scientific skills of interrogating accused persons in order to extract their confession. But there is lack of efficiency in the force and it hampers detection work. The calibre of most of the officers recruited of late is not up to the mark, and also the overall morale of the force is abysmally low because of the perverse promotion policy of the government. Frequent transfers of police officers and political interference in criminal cases, also greatly hamper the detection work.

“We get limited time to complete our investigations. We are busy either on ‘bandobast’ or administrative work or providing security to politicians. The force does not have adequate manpower for detection work. How can one secure convictions in these circumstances?” asked a senior police officer. “Moreover, we do not have adequate number of competent persons in forensic agencies,” he added. Police officials reveal that improper statements by victims and witnesses lead to cases fizzling out in Court.

Often witnesses turn hostile. Sometimes, witnesses are so nervous in the court that they forget what they had seen and change their statements.

Cases involving violence normally depend on eyewitness accounts and circumstantial evidence for conviction. However, police officials disclose that it is difficult for them to arrange witnesses

Those were the days

E

Sound Of Silence whenever required, as people are afraid of testifying against gangsters and hardcore criminals, fearing reprisals, in the absence of proper witness protection programmes.

As people are unwilling, the ‘false witnesses’ the police rely adversely affect the trials, especially in criminal cases. The police have maintained a steady number of witnesses, who in police parlance, are dubbed ‘stock witnesses’, and who are at the beck and call of the police whenever their services in criminal cases is required by the menin-uniform. Whether it is a case of vehicle theft or robbery, prostitution or drug peddling or even murder, there is this one person a police officer can rely on to swear on Oath; “Yes, sir. I was there, I saw it happen.” Trust the police witness to be omnipresent.

Many of these witnesses are petty criminals or hoodlums at the mercy of the police. Some are reformed criminals, others are informers and still others are people who stand witness for money. What is more, vendors and stall owners around a police station particularly those involved

Gonna Take a Sentimental Journey

very age has its own special sins, in addition to the traditional ones which do not change whatever the social conditions or the culture. But it is very difficult to see these special sins, because it is like looking at oneself and being objective.

In early times they did not even have a word for ‘boredom’. Survival was such a struggle no one had time to be bored. It is an illness which affects affluent societies, not those living on the edge.

In competitive society, people suffer more acutely from feelings of deprivation and being left out. When I was a child my family was poor - though rich in heart - but it did not hurt because so was every family around us. We were not constantly reminded of all we did not have.

In those days too, showing affection openly to one’s parents and siblings was not exactly everybody’s cup of tea. But this was the time that was needed for families to huddle together. Parents remained the symbol of family unity. In honouring them the child honoured the family, conscious, in a way nowadays rare, of the shared life of the family.

the Margao municipality give occupancy certificates to buildings which do not provide for garbage bins, which surely is one of the conditions for granting a construction license?

It seems nobody wants to take responsibility for their own garbage. The local councilor has long since forgotten about this area. Why doesn’t the municipality/health department force these builders to provide for garbage bins?

Warning signs Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco In the past couple of days there were four cases of deaths due to drowning reported in the state. Incidentally these drowning cases did not take place in the sea. Two of the drowning cases were reported at the Dudhsagar water falls and two at the Arambol lake. This shows that it is not only the rough sea that is dangerous. The tranquil water of the river and lakes too can be dangerous. It is understood that in the past four days eight persons were saved from drowning by lifeguards in the high seas in Bardez. While there are life-guards posted at the beaches it is just not possible to post life-guards at each and every river and lake. In the absence of life-guards at rivers and other water bodies, where people go frequently for a dip, the government should put up necessary signboards warning the people of the impending danger of wading in the calm and serene water of the river or lake.

Casting doubts Asif Hussain, Vasco The uproar in the parliament over phone tapping of prominent leaders of the various opposition parties is justified and a JPC probe would have been the right thing to do. The act of phone tapping and recording private conversation is not only illegal and unconstitutional but is also unethical.This act on the part of “whoever it might be” is treacherous and needs to be condemned out right. But what has gone unnoticed is that many Muslim concentrated areas in many major cities were also the target of electronic surveillance and phone tapping.

This action on the part of IB and other agencies fails to recognize the contributions

in unlawful activities like ‘matka’ gambling, can be produced as witnesses in any case under the jurisdiction of that particular police station.

A resourceful police officer uses these witnesses three or four times over a period of time and then finds others for the purpose. The more reckless end up producing the same person as witness till he is identified and the police case falls flat. “When we see the same witness produced by the police in multiple cases, we point it out to the court, and the judge discount their evidence,” a defence lawyer says. There are several judgments of the Supreme Court in this regard, wherein the court has observed that when a witness appears on behalf of the police four or five times in criminal cases, his evidence can hardly carry any value in court, as his evidence could not be relied on.

Generally a person who has stood witness, particularly a ‘panch’ witness while conducting ‘panchanama’, in several cases, is considered a pliable witness in the hands of the police. Besides other things, people find the legal system too

harassing and they feel that in the witness box they are intimidated and ‘grilled’ like criminals, by unscrupulous defence lawyers.

According to the police, archaic laws are the primary reason for the failure of the system to provide justice to victims of crimes. Even murderers are confident of evading a sentence since the conviction process takes a considerably long time. The police also blamed the courts and public prosecutors for inordinate delays in disposing of criminal cases.

Cases take two to three years to come up on the board. If cases remain pending in the courts for long time, the witnesses fail to turn up during the hearings. In some cases, witnesses are not able to narrate exact details of an incident which had taken place long ago, and this results in acquittal of the accused.

Police statistics show that hundreds of cases are filed in various courts in Goa, every year, under the IPC (Indian Penal Code) alone. This creates a tremendous backlog for the police if cases do not come up for hearing on time. Moreover, the ratio of charge sheets filed to offences registered is low and the number of cases that end in conviction is even lower.

A senior officer while confessing that the prosecution process had become lax and inefficient, however, said that the police alone cannot be held responsible for this situation. “These days a public prosecutor does not even speak to an investigating officer. They try to represent the case on their own. As a result, the policeman cannot even get the custody of an accused person. How can he possibly get a conviction?” the officer asked.

The police observation on falling conviction rates due to inordinate delays in the disposal of cases, does not seem to gel with the public prosecutors, as they felt that often lack of strong evidence resulted in acquittals, as also the reason for delay in the disposal of criminal cases, prosecution lawyers asserted, while also defending the prosecutor’s right to operate independently of the police.

Investigations are not done as per the law, procedures are not properly followed when preparing ‘panchanamas’, in identification parades, in recovery of property and recording statements.

The benefit of the irregularities goes in the favour of the accused. Special prosecutors are assigned for sensational cases, but shoddy and unprofessional investigations can result in acquittal, prosecutors alleged.

Physically our lives were less hygienic. We had no indoor toilets, but spiritually it was easier to be clean, because we had less opportunity to be soiled by envy and were less stimulated by greed.

In my village, I had the worst of times, the best of times and the greatest decade of my life. There was nothing more delightful than the scent of roses on a warm summer evening, but sadly now not all modern varieties are fragrant. Truly a rose without fragrance is like summer without sun. There was no materialism in those days but strong faith. At night, the little houses become little sanctuaries. There I got everything that is worthwhile.

I also remember being an altar boy for the Eucharistic service in our chapel. We had to be on our best behaviour. Altar boys may look pious and angelic but we were far from that. If only people knew the hassle we used to go through trying to remember everything, especially at Christmas, Easter and Feast days, we often felt close to a nervous breakdown when we came off the altar. Most of the modern altar boys are sloppy, not knowing when they may batter you in the mouth with the communion plate, or kick the

Police reforms need of the hour Socorro D’Souza, Fatorda The Goa / Indian police, like many other government institutions, are a product of colonial times. Indians are indebted to the British for many state-run establishments.

Most of the state institutions have accommodated change and undergone drastic restructuring. Yet the the police force has seen little change in the past 62 years.

Government of India has to make necessary and possible reforms in police structure and practices. Under the Police Act 1861, which is still in force, the police in India are nothing more than a government department lacking the autonomy under rule of law that exists for the police. No doubt the Constitution of India is the supreme law of the land but the police are governed by the repressive 1861 Police Act and the regressive Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in their day-today operations. Indictment of the police in India must thus be taken as an indictment of the governments in India, both central and state.

While much of India is in the process of rapid modernisation, police abuse, threats and use of brute force remain the primary tools of investigation and law enforcement.

The institutional culture discourages officers from acting otherwise, failing to give them the resources, training, ethical environment and encouragement to develop professional policing tactics. Many officers are ordered or expected to commit abuse due to inadequate policing skills.

A critical step is to hold abusive / corrupt officers accountable. In the long run a sustainable drop in police abuses can only come from overhauling archaic police laws, training in investigation , profiling / rewarding & placing personnel in right position according to qualification & experience, modifying (RR) the rules and regulation of police recruitment, non-cadre officer promotion to DySp & SP positions should be abolished, district superintendent police for North & South Goa and ATS should be manned by (IPS) cadre. In exceptional cases at present, the punishment is often temporary suspension or transfer of the accused. Until officers know that they will be prosecuted, fired from service, exposing the corrupt/malpractices and illgotten wealth before media and public the problem will not go away.

Inefficient cops Jose Maria Miranda, Margao The casual approach by Goa Police to crim-

bell halfway across the altar.

I lived in a house that was smaller than the typical village home.

It had red tiles on the roof that rested on beams cut from coconut trees. The floor was covered with dried cow-dung which served as cushioned carpet for my bare feet. By today’s standards, one may tend to cringe at the living conditions of my childhood. However, I always had home-cooked food. I was healthy and I enjoyed the best of Goa’s rural way of life. Above all, village life toughened me up for the real world and taught me to face up to any eventuality with confidence.

What does it mean for us to remember? Isn’t it a constant reminder to people that the past has important lessons for the present? I believe, past events are essential for making sense out of the present. Athens is a city where I became acutely aware of the sweep of history. In that ancient setting, I grasped in a new way how events long past continue to affect people today.

My youth was refreshingly unsophisticated. But it taught me that happiness is about enjoying the simple things in life, something you will never mind if they come back to haunt you!

Letters to the Editor

Letter of the Day

of Muslims towards the freedom struggle and the subsequent contributions in the building of the nation and is an expression of their mindset while dealing with Muslims. It is also intimidating and alienates the Muslims.

Casting doubts on the integrity of Muslims is nothing less than according them second class citizenship.Today it is the opposition leaders and Muslims. Tomorrow it maybe someone else and that some else can be anyone from amongst the citizens of the nation.

By Marc de Souza

inal activities, the lack of will in enforcing the law and the delay in getting justice coupled with political support to law breakers, have all contributed to increase in thefts, robberies, murders, rapes, etc in this state.

We have umpteen number of murders which have remained unsolved, several such cases which have been closed, and even larger number of acquittals due to shoddy investigations.

Barring a few exceptional cases where the police have displayed their talents and will, it is regrettable that inefficiency and sometimes even complicity and support to criminal activities have marked police performance in this State, to the extent that people have lost faith in them and avoid taking recourse to them.

While in Delhi and elsewhere, people have risen against acquittals of some murder accused and forced retrials, we Goans have shown helplessness and allowed several murder cases to be closed and murderers to go scot free. It is perhaps too much to ask some of our kind hearted lawyers to take up their case and ensure that justice is done to them.

We now have the acquittal of Mahanand Naik in three of the murders purportedly committed by him. There are still over 12 left. It is my earnest request to the Police to ensure that Mahanand is acquitted in all the remaining cases. It is only this way that our Police can live up to their reputation of being perhaps one of the most inefficient force in the country. And they have nothing to fear about the reactions from the people, as we have for long been suffering from amnesia and couldn’t care less if some more young ladies from poor families are killed by the likes of Mahanand…

Forgotten vows Newton Mendonca, Aldona The stretch of road passing through St. Bridget’s Institute at Santerxette, Aldona is in a very dilapidated condition. Our MLA, Dayanand Narvekar promises to repair the road every time he comes begging for our votes during election time and later forgets his promise and betrays us time and again. So many times we have voted for his party only to be betrayed again. We don’t regret for voting for his party because any sensible person would have only that option before other more dangerous thugs and murderers. But we only regret having wasted our precious time to stand in the hot sun to cast our votes. Aldonkars close to Narvekar use his patronage to get their works done instantly while the others are left to God. Even one of our previous parish priests used the pulpit to campaign for Narvekar. No wonder Narvekar was so good to that parish priest.

The Bible teaches us that politicians and priests are appointed by God to serve humanity and sincerely we believe it, but usually they connive among themselves and devour the sheep.

Paths of Wisdom Relying on Joy There once lived an old beggar woman called “Relying on Joy”. Seeing the kings, princes, and people making offerings to Buddha and his disciples, she wanted to do likewise. So she went out begging, but at the end of the day she only got one small coin. She tried to buy some oil with it, but the oil cost more. When the merchant heard that she wanted to offer it to Buddha, he gave her the oil she wanted. She took it to the monastery, where she lit a lamp. She placed it before Buddha, and made this wish: “I have nothing to offer but this tiny lamp. But through this offering, in the future may I be blessed with the lamp of wisdom. May I free all beings from their darkness.

May I purify all their obstructions, and lead them to enlightenment.”

That night the oil in all the other lamps went out. But her lamp was still burning at dawn, when Buddha’s disciple came to collect all the lamps.

When he saw that one was still alight, full of oil and with a new wick, he thought, “There’s no reason why this lamp should still be burning in the day time,” and he tried to blow it out. But it kept on burning. He tried to snuff it out with his fingers, but it stayed alight.

He tried to smother it with his robe, but still it burned on. Buddha had been watching all this, said, “Maudgalyayana, you cannot put out that lamp, or even move it. The water in all the rivers, oceans and the lakes of the world could not extinguish it, because this lamp was offered with devotion and with purity of heart and mind. And that motivation has made it of tremendous benefit.” When Buddha had said this, the beggar woman approached him, and he made a prophesy that in the future she would become a perfect “Light of the Lamp.”

It is our motivation, good or bad, that determines the fruit of our actions.

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

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OPinionatED

Of garbage and high-tech dreams

I

By Lambert Almeida

n a recent incident the Calangute panchayat was given notice by the GSPCB for uncollected rotting garbage litter found in the village. This also showed the panchayat’s sworn affidavit to the HC declaring that its garbage collection/disposal is n place to be a lie. Similar litters of garbage are found in and around Colva village, South Goa’s counterpart of Calangute.

From time to time we hear of panchayats submitting their affidavits in response to court directives, especially on garbage, which are red herrings. The affidavits may seem convincing on paper just like some of our government Acts with wonderful provisions, and enshrined in gazettes/notifications. Like the Non-biodegradable Garbage Act for the panchayats which the panchayats have found difficult to implement ever since its enactment years ago. Under the mounting burden of cases being filed in the High Court, it might not be possible for the court to monitor on a regular basis the implementation of its directives.

Given the secretive ways the coastal panchayats function, and given their past non-performance on the garbage front, it is only imperative that panchayat work must be monitored as per provisions of the Panchayati Act that is by the gram sabha appointed committees.

Today, garbage is generated by the hour in tourist hotspots like Calangute and Colva and the honourable courts ought to consider that issues like garbage and sewage are part of a “critical infrastructure” (meaning essential to its very existence), especially in the coastal tourism belt. Although government thinks otherwise, the impact on tourists of garbage dumps, sewage stink is increasing and the feedback which is being received by the local print media especially from foreign tourists is a constant reminder that nothing is changing on the ground.

So, by merely putting up a few coloured bins and a couple of composting pits in their wards and then filing affidavits in the court stating that their waste management master plan is in place, the panchayats are not impressing anyone.

As garbage collection and disposal is a continuous day-today process, the honourable courts ought to test the validity of such affidavits by ensuring that monitoring of this work is done regularly throughout the tenure of these panchayats by the appointed committees.

How really is a nine to 11 member panchayat qualified or equipped to handle a quantum of garbage which has now reached municipal proportions? For both the villages of Colva and Calangute with about 25,000 overall tourist and local population, the quantum of garbage ought to be around 20 – 30 tons per day. Panchayats however, instead of making any forthright admission of their inadequacy, prefer to file vague replies that they are up for the job.

The following reality check of Colva’s real estate status will indicate just how complex the waste management problem will be for the panchayat to handle.

Colva has over 20 hotels of four, three and two stars having over 800 rooms and over 20-30 lodges and cottages with over 500 rooms. There are over 20 multi-housing colonies with over 500-700 flats and at least 50 individual buildings with 200 plus flats.

There are at least 30 starred or Grade 1 restaurants and 20 plus medium restaurants or eateries and 12 beach shacks. Over 100 plus shops and 100 plus gaddas and at least 30 ice cream carts. Moreover, between January 2005 till July 8, 2009 the Colva Village Panchayat has issued over 200 construction licenses at least 40 of which have been for multi housing projects, eight to 10 of which could be termed as mega projects, 129 for residential houses and 28 for residential buildings by private individuals. So, another 2000 apartments are being added or soon to add to the real estate.

Given this new urban status, just how the Colva panchayat is going to handle the waste and sewage management is a multicrore question which the State government also has to answer.

Tens of tons of garbage generated day after day cannot be just wished away to disappear into thin air. Nothing short of an integrated waste management system involving the processes of sorting, composting, shredding, compacting and landfill facility will suffice. Already The Non-Bio Degradable Garbage Act is becoming outdated even before it can be implemented. For instance, the 2000 square metres of land recommend in the Act for the garbage could be not found over a decade. With real estate sharks waiting in queue to grab and convert what is left, there will be nothing left.

Sometimes one feels we might have been barking up the wrong tree for decades on end. Like putting the onus of waste management solely on the local bodies. Even though our panchayats have been acting like spoilt brats for personal gains, it will not serve any real purpose if we go on making them “whipping boys” indefinitely. The government’s Non-Bio Degradable Garbage Act puts the onus of entire waste management process along with the selection of garbage site of 2000 square metres on the panchayat. The sort of powers and financial autonomy the panchayats has been granted by the government, the Garbage Act was a good way of keeping the panchayat forever groping in the dark. The Act mandated the panchayat to get the land, obtain the technology and perform. If the Colva panchayat, tried and failed in the early years when garbage was manageable, it will be foolish to expect the panchayat to do great wonders now.

Everything said and done, infrastructure remains the overall responsibility of the State government which has the powers and capital funding and authority to make laws and implement them. Hence the very source of the problem lies at the very top. All the urbanization and multi-housing projects in the coastal villages have come about through top government/ministerial authorization.

My constituency, my pickings has been the name of the game in the rough-and-tumble Goan politics. It is the government which encouraged builders through its amendments in building rules and laws of sub-divisions, thus creating high and unsustainable high rise buildings and high population densities in the villages. We have gated communities where everyone and everything precious lie gated except the garbage and sewage which is dumped out of the gates. Our towns have outgrown the old garbage sites and lakes have turned into stinking sewer beds. The acts enacted by the governments have become redundant and outdated. The government now dreams of high tech toys like sea-links and oceanariums before even learning to do basic things. Perhaps it is high time for the honourable courts to step in and take the bull by the horns or stop the government from daydreaming.

Our experience has taught us that admonitions, directives and even penalties do not have much effect. Reasonable freezes and moratoriums could be used to good effect before situations reach a point of no return.

Alleged lady spy eyed plum posting Diplomat’s arrest PTI ISLAMABAD, APRIL 28

Madhuri Gupta, the 53-year-old second secretary at the Indian High Commission here who has been arrested on charges of allegedly spying for Pakistan, was hoping for a plum diplomatic posting in either London or Washington.

“I should get London or Washington,” a confident Gupta told PTI few months back. Gupta had earlier served in the Indian mission in Baghdad and said she was looking forward to another good posting sometime later this year.

Gupta made friends easily and was great with small talk. She could talk about clothes, hair styles or Pakistan's Urdu press – “where the real news was”– with equal ease.

“English newspapers are boring. They always pick up news a day late. If you want to read real news, real gossip, read Urdu newspapers,” she told this correspondent once.

Gupta learnt Urdu in New

Delhi shortly before she was posted to Pakistan in late 2007.

She hired a Muslim woman as a private tutor to teach her.

“She taught me from scratch.

I didn't even know my 'alif-bays',” said Gupta, who had earlier learnt anotherforeign language at Jawaharlal Nehru University's school of languages.

Gupta spoke perfect Urdu and could have easily passed off as a Pakistani because of her accent. Like locals, she was always well dressed, make-up in place, her hair coloured and looked younger than her age.

“I bought this in Lajpat Nagar on my last trip to India,” she said when friends recently praised her stylish new coat.

Gupta sometimes came across as brash and fearless, especially when she regaled friends with tales of driving to India via the Islamabad-Lahore motorway, often at breakneck speed. “I did the Lahore motor way in three-and-a-half hours,” she would tell friends, most of

Madhuri Gupta

whom admired her guts for driving to and fro alone.

Most Indian diplomats travel in groups or with their families on such drives to the Indian border.

The small Indian community of diplomats and staff of the High Commission in Islamabad would also bank on Gupta for getting them firecrackers or Holi colours on her trips to India.

“I will get natural colours, they won’t harm your skin,” sh announced before a planned Holi celebration tothose who didn't want to play with colours.

On a picnic to the picturesque Pir Sohawa viewpoint overlooking Islamabad sometime ago, she decided to be spokeswoman for a group of Indian women when a Pakistani woman entered their bus in the parking lot and asked if they had a cassette of 'bhajans'.

While most of the women were wondering how the Pakistani lady had figured out that they were Indians, Gupta dealt with her politely but firmly, ensuring that she got off the vehicle. “You give us your address and we will send you a cassette,” Gupta said, taking the woman's address.

When she returned from her last trip to India, she told friends: "I am so tired. There is so much to do when you are in India. There is no time to relax.

I feel I am back home now.”

Gupta was quick to notice the expression on her friends' faces following her remark. "Home is where you live. Good or bad, this is home,” she laughed out loud.

serious: Krishna PTI THIMPHU, APRIL 28

Terming the arrest of an Indian diplomat on charges of spying for Pakistan as a “serious” issue, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna today said the government will do whatever was needed after finding out her “motive and modus operandi”.

"Investigations are going on and we will have to wait till the investigation are complete and then find out what was the motive and what was the modus operandi," Krishna told reporters here.

He said the fact that she was called and was in police custody shows the "seriousness" of the issue.

Madhuri Gupta, an IFS-B officer who was Second Secretary in the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, was arrested last week on the charges of passing information to ISI. She was sum-

Not averse to forming govt in Jharkhand:Cong PTI NEW DELHI, APRIL 28

With the BJP withdrawing support to the JMM-led government in Jharkhand, Congress today dropped enough hints that it is not averse to forming an alternative government in the tribal state.

"There is nobody untouchable in politics," AICC in-charge for Jharkhand K Keshava Rao told reporters outside parliament while replying to questions.

Asked whether the party sticks to its stand that it will not form any alliance government in the state with Shibu Soren as the head, the Congress leader said, “In politics there is no last word.”

Asked whether it means that the Congress was not averse to forming a government in the state, the AICC leader shot back,

“Never averse to it. After all we contested the election there to form a government.”

At the same time, he stated that the party would not make any such move unless it is sure that any such government would be stable.

“Stability does not come by numbers. It comes by leadership,” he said when asked where are the numbers to form any such alternative government.

On Soren voting for UPA during the cut motion, he said, “It came yesterday very naturally, very legitimately that he voted for us”.

The Congress leader said that Soren is a “part and parcel” of UPA. “He (Soren) had a pre-poll alliance with us..he is a part and parcel of UPA. Two MPs from JMM support our government

at the Centre from outside,” Rao said.

Congress had not formed an alliance government in Jharkhand as it did not agree to Soren becoming the chief minister.

“It does not seem there is any stability even now the way they (BJP and JMM)are running the government...we are keeping a watch on the situation” Rao said.

Asked about reports of Congress cosying up to Soren to form the next government in Jharkhand, BJP leader Prakash Javdekar said, “Congress is a party which is ever ready to go with any party any time.”

Speculation is rife that Soren may have struck a deal with the Congress-led government.

Sources said he may bargain for a berth in the Union Cabinet and make his son Hemant Soren the deputy chief minister in

Fresh evidence tabled just days before 26/11 verdict PTI MUMBAI, APRIL 28

In a new development in the 26/11 terror attack case, the prosecution has tabled fresh evidence in form of affidavits of two witnesses and a postmortem report of a slain terrorist at a time when the verdict is about to be delivered in a few days.

The affidavits pertain to two witnesses, one of whom carried the bodies of two Pakistani gunman killed by security forces and the other who had witnessed killing of a civilian and a police constable by terrorists at Metro junction on November 26, 2008.

The court, which is expected to deliver verdict on May 3, accepted these documents yesterday.

Pakistani gunman Ajmal Kasab and two Indians, Faheem Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed are facing the trial.

According to prosecution, these witnesses were not examined orally because of their formal character and instead their

affidavits were filed to place on record certain facts.

This is for the second time that the prosecution has submitted such evidence after it closed the case and after the court concluded recording statements of accused.

Normally, the court does not accept evidence after closing the case and reserving the judgment. But if it finds that it cannot ignore such evidence then it may take on record documents

submitted by prosecution, legal sources said.

The first affidavit was affirmed by Assistant Police Inspector Ashok Khedkar who had carried bodies of two deceased near Metro Cinema on the night of terror attacks.

The other affidavit was sworn in by Hanumant Bhandalkar, police sub-inspector at Colaba who had collected biological samples preserved by doctors of JJ hospital after conducting post mortem of slain terrorists.

In the post mortem report the cause of death of a terrorist whose body was recovered from Taj Mahal hotel is shown as haemorrhage and shock, due to firearm injuries with burns.

The prosecution had earlier submitted 357 affidavits of such formal witnesses in the court and chose not to examine them orally in order to facilitate speedy disposal of the case.Altogether 296 witnesses had been examined orally in the court.

Sikh group to challenge CBI’s clean chit to Tytler PTI NEW YORK, APRIL 28

Angry over a clean chit to Jagdish Tytler in the 1984 antiSikh riots, a community group here has alleged that the CBI did not investigate material witnesses in the case when its team came to the United States.

The Sikh group based in New York and India, Sikhs for Justice, says there are several witnesses living in the US who had seen the Congress leader inciting mobs in the killings.

Sikhs for Justice, which had originally challenged CBI's closure report in 2007 are now preparing to challenge the Delhi court's decision to acquit Tytler, citing the new witnesses that have still not been heard.

“The CBI did not investigate material witnesses when they came to the United States and they came with the premeditated notion of giving Tytler a clean chit,” Gurpatwant Pannun, the lawyer for Sikhs for Justice, told PTI. “The CBI should come back

and speak to these witnesses who saw what happened,” he added, noting that the Sikh group would ask the court to direct the CBI to hear these witnesses.

Resham Singh, who claims he saw Tytler at the Pulbangash Gurudwara standing in front of the mob as black smoke emerged from the shrine, said the CBI officials refused to speak to him when they came to interview the two key witnesses Jasbir Singh and Surinder Singh in San Francisco and New York.

In its decision, the court pointed out that the statement

of Jasbir had “no relevance” and that the statements of Surinder Singh were “self-contradictory”.

“I'm running after them to be heard... this is absolutely ridiculous,” Resham told PTI. Pannun said the discredited witness Jasbir “is outraged by the court's decision and blames the CBI for yielding to political pressure”.

In 2007, when the CBI was about to close the case against Tytler based on the absence of evidence, Jasbir spoke out through the media that he was a living witnesses who could account for Tytler's alleged role.

In the coming weeks, Jasbir intends to appeal the decision that gave Tytler a clean chit and will come to India to testify if it is necessary.

Several potential witnesses here claim that they are scared of being harmed if they speak out about the past.

“I will go anywhere to get justice but they must provide security,” Jasbir said.

Jharkhand.

Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik Chief Babulal Marandi may then become the Chief minister in a coalition government of the Congress, JMM and JVN. In the 82-member Jharkhand Assembly, Congress has 14 MLAs, JMM has 18, BJP has 18 and JVM(P) has 11 MLAs. Asked about JMM's support to the government on the cut motions, Hemant Soren claimed that it happened by “mistake” and made it clear there was no move to form a government in Jharkhand with Congress backing.

“It's all rumour and has no base,” Hemant said when asked about speculation that JMM may go with Congress and JVM to form an alternative government in the state.

Stability in governance has

Anti-Khushboo cases quashed The Supreme Court today quashed 22 criminal cases filed against South Indian actress Khushboo for her remarks in various magazines allegedly endorsing pre-marital sex.

An SC bench allowed the appeal filed by the actress against the decision of the Madras HC which had dismissed her plea to quash the cases.

The cases were registered in various places in Tamil Nadu for her interviews in 2005.(PTI).

eluded the state since it was formed in 2000 and it has seen at least seven governments in the last 10 years including one led by independent Madhu Koda.

The state also witnessed a year long spell of President's Rule in the past as no government could be formed due to lack of consensus.

moned by Ministry of External Affairs on the pretext of discussions over SAARC summit, being held in Thimphu, official sources said.

“Let's first get through with the investigation that has been initiated.... MHA is doing the investigation. Once we get all the report, what needs to be done will be done by the government of India,” he said.

APPOINTMENTS

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SC disapproves unwarranted developments in Gujarat riot PTI NEW DELHI, APRIL 28

The Supreme Court on Wednesday expressed its displeasure over the role of the parties before it in bringing frequently new facts relating to the 2002 Gujarat riot cases and said these were making it to deviate from the main issue.

"We know we are deviating from the real issue," a threejudge bench headed by Justice D K Jain said.

The bench said the reason for the deviation is known to all who are parties in this matter.

The bench also expressed its anguish over the role of a special public prosecutor, who wrote a letter to the Special Investigating Team (SIT) making allegations against the trial judge,

which was leaked.

The court was informed during the earlier hearing that a special public prosecutor engaged for the conduct of riot cases had sought his withdrawal from the case by making certain allegations against the SIT and the trial judge.

The bench disapproved the action of the prosecutor and made strong remarks against him.

"We disapprove the action of the prosecutor. He is degrading the judicial system," the bench also comprising Justices P Sathasivam and Aftab Alam said.

The bench said it was unhappy with the recent development as to the conduct of the public prosecutor coming out of the court and speaking to the press.

"I am not happy that public

China ends entry ban for foreigners with HIV/AIDS REUTERS BEIJING, APRIL 28

China has revoked a ban on people with HIV/AIDS entering the country, softening a decades-old policy that drew sharp criticism this year when an Australian writer was blocked after declaring himself HIV-positive.

Until now, China's regulations formally banned foreigners entering the country with ''psychiatric illness, leprosy, AIDS,

sexually-transmitted diseases, active pulmonary tuberculosis or other infectious diseases.''

The State Council, China's cabinet, issued amended rules late yesterday removing the explicit ban on people who have developed AIDS or are infected with the HIV retrovirus, as well as anyone with leprosy, while leaving authorities leeway to decide which diseases could trigger an entry ban.

prosecutor comes out of the court and gives interviews to the press. That is to show that I am the best," Justice Jain said.

Referring to the Gujarat riot case in which the Special Public Prosecutor has written a letter to the SIT for withdrawing himself from the case, the bench said, "We are surprised with the action of the prosecutor. He is appointed by the Chief Justice of the High Court."

"If every prosecutor starts behaving like this, what will happ e n , " t h e b e n c h a s ke d , disapproving the conduct of the prosecutors addressing the press.

"I am very sorry. I am airing my views. This is a wrong practice. This is a strange thing that is happening," Justice Jain said.

The bench said such actions are not expected from public prosecutors and it was a very unusual practice.

Iran tries fuel deal counter-offer as sanctions loom REUTERS VIENNA, APRIL 28

Iran has made another counteroffer to a stalled UN atomic fuel proposal aimed at easing nuclear tensions, but the conditions Tehran is proposing will remain unacceptable to big powers, sources said.

Iran's move is part of its campaign against new United Nations sanctions over its atomic work, which Western powers suspect is aimed at making nuclear arms. Iran denies this.

Major world powers have urged Iran to accept a monthsold International Atomic Energy Agency plan to ship 1,200 kg of its low enriched uranium – enough for a single bomb if purified to a high enough level – abroad for transformation into fuel for a medical research reactor.

Trials of bulletproof jackets again come under scanner PTI NEW DELHI, APRIL 28

The procurement of 59,000 bullet proof jackets for central police forces is under cloud for the second time following complaints of alleged violations of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in testing the jackets.

Days before supply order of the jackets is scheduled to be completed (by April 30), a particular vendor has written to the Home Minister and senior Home Ministr y officials to launch an inquiry into alleged irregularities in testing of the jackets and the "vindictive approach" of the testing laboratory against it.

"As we have been witness to the trial process on our BPJ samples, we will be able to show you the discrepancies if the unedited photo and video recordings are viewed in chronological order by the committee in our presence," the vendor claimed in its letter as it refused to be identified.

The government yesterday informed the Lok Sabha that there was a shortage of 8,71,21 bulletproof jackets in central paramilitary forces like Assam Rifles, BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB and NSG. "The reason for the shortfall in BP jackets is due to delayed finalisation of the current tender which was initiated in July 2009,"

Minister of state for Home M Ramachandran told the lower house.

It is expected that the supply order would be issued within this month and supplies would be received in a staggered manner over the next eight months, he said.

This is for the second time that the trials of the life saving jackets for thousands of paramilitary jawans and officials are coming under scanner.

The government had earlier cancelled the initial test results in November last year after the "integrity of the testing process had been vitiated by the activities of the chief scientist of the Terminal Ballistic Research Laboratory (TBRL)" in Chandigarh.

A re-trial of the life saving jackets was then ordered under the instructions of Home Minister P Chidambaram and the Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) under the chairmanship of Director General Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD) and a Tender Advisory Committee (TAC) under DG CRPF was asked to maintain "strict vigilance and ensure scrupulous adherence to the terms and conditions of the tender."

The testing process for the samples was completed by the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD) on March 31 this year.

UK bill outlawing caste gets royal assent PTI LONDON, APRIL 28

In a move that is likely to raise hackles in India, the Equalities Bill that prohibits discrimination on the basis of caste has received Royal Assent and is now an act of British parliament.

India's position at international fora has always been that caste is not an aspect of race.

It had succeeded in keeping caste out of the resolution adopted at the 2001 Durban conference on racism organised by the United Nations.

Now termed The Equalities Act 2010, the bill specifically mentions caste under the section Race. The bill had earlier been passed by both House of Lords and the House of Commons.

It says in Part 2, Chapter 1: "A Minister of the Crown may by order—(a) amend this section so as to provide for caste to be an aspect of race; (b) amend this Act so as to provide for an exception to a provision of this

Act to apply, or not to apply, to caste or to apply, or not to apply, to caste in specified circumstances."

The main provisions of the Act will come into force in October 2010, according to the Government Equalities Office.

Lekh Raj Pal of the Anti-Caste Discrimination Alliance (ACDA) termed the Royal Assent as a 'historical achievement' and said the Equalities Act 2010 "has no less importance than the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833."

He said: "It brings hope of some justice to the victims of Caste discrimination who have until now suffered in silence.

Over the last 60 years the Asian Diaspora has settled in the UK bringing their baggage of the caste system with them."

He added: "For many of the nearly two million Britons of Indian origin, Caste continues to exert a powerful influence over their everyday lives.

It is both subtle and extreme and takes place in our schools, workplace, in shops and in places of worship.

Communities in the UK are segregated along caste lines."

However, stating that the act indirectly casts aspersions on India's Constitution, Venkata Vemuri, a researcher at Bournemouth University, said: "It's like India bringing in a bill to end the discrimination of the Irish by the English on the ground of intra-racial discrimination."

He said the Act will affect the already uneasy relations between British Indian employers and British Indian employees in their workplaces.

"You will see lots of law suits filed for monetary compensation against caste discrimination.

The proposal, backed by the United States, Russia and France, was aimed at giving time for diplomatic talks with Iran.

Iran agreed in principle to the deal in October but then demanded changes such as a simultaneous swap on Iranian soil, conditions other parties in the deal said were unacceptable.

In a meeting with IAEA chief Yukiya Amano on Sunday, Iran suggested a new counter-proposal, and did not directly ad-

dress the original IAEA plan, sources with knowledge of the talks said.

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki again proposed an exchange on Iranian soil using a lower amount of low-enriched uranium (LEU) than in the IAEA offer. This amount could be swapped simultaneously for half of the equivalent reactor fuel, with the rest of the fuel coming later, he told Amano.

Not worried about CBI probe: Parrikar HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 28

Opposition Leader Manohar Parrikar today said that he was not worried about the CBI investigation as his conscience is clear on the issue.

Replying to a query, he hoped that the CBI would file the chargesheet in a month or two. “They should not delay”, he said.

“Let the CBI file the charge sheet against me in two months as stated by its top officials,” he said adding people in public life should be ready for any type of investigation.

He reiterated “my conscience is clear” regarding the projects he undertook for hosting IFFI in 2004. The projects had to be completed in almost record time.

On Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG) of India’s observations on IFFI-related works, Parrikar, earlier this month said, the report was manipulated.

Meanwhile, the Goa assembly’s Public Accounts Committee is studying the report.

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namely ADLABS Films Limited and INOX Leisure Limited were so considered for further evaluation.

QUOTATIONS: The financial bids of these three applicants were opened by the committee formed for the purpose and subsequently the bidders were asked to make a presentation.

ADLABS Films Limited (ADLABS) had quoted Rs 16.5 crore for 3 screens (1286 seats), INOX Leisures Limited (INOX) had quoted Rs 21.23 crore for six screen multiplex (1250 seats) while the financial bid of PVR Cinemas Limited (PVR) was for Rs 34.20 crore for 4 screens (1014 seats).

Based on the lead consultant HOK Canada Inc’s (HOK) recommendation, GSIDC found the proposal of INOX as the most acceptable. HOK also observed that the presentation made by ADLABS (lowest bidder) did have a merit in configuration, but their proposed design would require significant amount of renovation of the existing structure of the old Goa Medical College Complex.

After negotiations, the GSIDC issued letter of intent (LOI) to INOX on 28 February, 2004 and entered into an agreement with them on April 21, 2004 at the agreed contract price of Rs 18.65 crore plus other costs aggregating Rs 2.59 crore making the total contract cost at Rs 21.24 crore for construction of four screens multiplex theatre.

SCRUTINY: CAG’s audit scrutiny revealed three things: One, even after viewing the presentation made by the bidders — neither the lead consultant nor GSIDC decided upon the kind of structure they required for the Multiplex. Resultantly, the company did not formulate any budget/upper limit for the multiplex cost. Besides the economic viability of the project post IFFI 2004 was also not studied.

Secondly, for a project of such a nature, when the Company had decided on the minimum requirements regarding the number of screens and seating capacity, they should have finalized the technical parameters and then invited the bids.

GSIDC, however failed to invite separate technical and financial bids despite the design parameters being broadly known. As a result, the bid values varied with the number of screens and seating capacity and were thus not comparable with each other.

Third, the financial bid of ADLABS was rejected based on the recommendation of the lead consultant who expressed a doubt about the design submitted by them and an apprehension about timely delivery of the multiplex.

Rejection of their offer, which otherwise conformed to the notified requirements with regard to number of screens/seating capacity etc, and was also lower by Rs 4.74 crore was, therefore, not justified, CAG noted.

MODIFICATIONS: INOX had originally quoted Rs 21.23 crore (Rs 19.13 crore for the multiplex proper with six screens and 1,250 seats and Rs 2.10 crore for renovation of the existing buildings in the complex). The design finally approved was for a multiplex with four screens without any change in the number of seats.

INOX agreed to reduce the cost by rupees one crore for reduction in the number of screens.

Interestingly, the renovation of the existing old CMC buildings in the complex proposed by INOX was specifically excluded from the agreement. Despite the change in the original financial quote, GSIDC finalised the contract at Rs 21.24 crore without availing the benefit of savings of Rs 3.11 crore. (This included the difference of Rs 1 lakh in contract value plus Rs 1 crore for reduction of one screen and Rs 2.10 crore for reduced scope of work).

GOVT’S DEFENCE: The Government, in its reply (December 2005) stated that the project cost was reworked due to modified requirements as suggested by the lead consultant for IFFI to match the overall concept of the multiplex project, such as superstructure was changed to structural steel instead of RCC to ensure faster construction, higher requirement of acoustic treatment due to change in alignment of theatres, shifting of multiplex away from the old GMC building, increasing the auditorium size to accommodate the required number of seats etc.

The Government also stated that the cost appeared to be on higher side as it was decided to provide world standard facility among other factors.

CAG asserted that the reply was not tenable as the time frame of the project as also the required number of seats was known to INOX when they submitted the financial bids.

BONUS PAYMENT: The agreement with INOX stipulated the date of substantial completion as on or before November 9, 2004.

Clause 32 of the agreement provided for substantial completion bonus of Rs 60 lakh or three per cent of actual contract price excluding consultancy charges, bonus and pre-operative expenses, whichever was higher, as incentive if substantial completion of the work was achieved on or before November 8, 2004.

It was noticed in audit that the terms of reference of EOI had mentioned that the project was required to be completed in the first week of November 2004 itself. Therefore agreeing to pay bonus for completion of the project on the stipulated date of completion lacked justification and was an undue favour to the contractor. The Government in their reply had also agreed that the contractor had not achieved substantial completion by the stipulated date and was therefore not eligible for the bonus payment. CAG had recommended that the inadmissible payment should be recovered.

Charter tourism drops

Officials in the government also said that the recent incident of ash cloud over the Europe for over a week also played its part in less charter tourist arrivals this year as many flights were cancelled.

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‘India to get direct access to Headley soon’ PTI WASHINGTON, APRIL 28

The US has agreed to "take suitable steps" to give India direct access soon to LeT operative David Headley who has confessed to his role in the Mumbai terror attacks.

Addressing India's concerns on the Headley issue, the US move came following a meeting between visiting Solicitor General of India Gopal Subramanium and American Attorney General Eric Holder. Subramaniam is here to explore all avenues open to India for getting access to the Pakistani-American.

"The two partners agreed to take suitable steps to bring about direct access to Indian authorities to David Headley as soon as possible," the Indian Embassy

said in a statement.

India's Ambassador to the US Meera Shankar and US Department of Justice representatives were also present at the discussions.

"The discussions have resulted in a mutual commitment that there would be the best possible cooperation in our common fight against terrorism.

"The partnership between India and the United States recognises the high priority to be accorded to each country’s national security. Both countries recognised the need for the investigations to reach a fruitful and successful outcome," the statement said.

Giving his assessment, Subramanium said "we are delighted that all concerns have been mutually discussed, mutually clarified and the entire purpose of the

visit has been achieved and we have a way forward."

The Solicitor General said the US move signals the beginning of an era of continued cooperation where information and inputs will have to be shared between different countries which have common threats, common avenues of danger against national security.

"The entire exercise, the attitude, the positivism with which we had our discussions leads me to believe that everyone is going to do his best to make sure that truth is unraveled and that investigations will reach a fairly logical, coherent and successful end," he added.

Subramanium said the US government is extremely conscious and viewing India as a partner in the common effort to deal with 'difficult' terrorist attacks.

Headley, who was arrested in Chicago in October last year, has confessed to playing a crucial role in the Mumbai attacks.

India has been seeking access to 49year-old Headley to unravel details of his activities regarding the 26/11 attacks and plans for further strikes in the country.

Determined to seek the extradition of Headley and access to him, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had discussed the issue with US President Barack Obama earlier this month in Washington on the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit.

"I raised that matter with the President and he did mention to me that he is aware of the legal position, and that we would get access to David Headley," Singh had said.

Roadside bomb kills 12 civilians in Afghanistan

Shakira heads to Arizona to back immigrant rights REUTERS LOS ANGELES, APRIL 28

REUTERS KHOST, Afghanistan, APRIL 28

Colombian-born pop star Shakira will meet with the mayor of Phoenix this week to help campaign against a new Arizona law cracking down on illegal immigration, a member of the mayor's staff said.

The Grammy-winning singersongwriter will speak with Mayor Phil Gordon, a strong critic of the new law, and other city officials tomorrow afternoon, a spokesman for the mayor said.

Shakira, best known for her hit singles ''Hips Don't Lie'' and ''Whenever, Wherever,'' was also expected to meet with families who could be affected by the Arizona law.

Afghan security officials inspect the scene of previous night's suicide bomb attack, in Kandahar southern Afghanistan on Wednesday. A suicide attacker detonated explosives strapped to his body targeting a compound providing logistical support to NATO forces in Kandahar on April 27, killing three persons and injuring dozens.

Heart problem major worry for Indians in Gulf UNI DUBAI, APRIL 28

The growing rate of heart diseases is a major cause of worry for the Indian expatriates who form a majority in many countries here, a conference on cardiology here noted quoting recent studies.

In the first joint meeting, recently held here between the Emirates Cardiac Society and the American College of Cardiology, it was also revealed that more than half of the population in the Gulf states suffers from abnormal cholesterol levels, a quarter has high blood pressure and 15-25 per cent have diabetes.

These numbers, coupled with a rapid increase in the rate of obesity, adds up to alarming statistics concerning cardiac health.

Dr Anthony N DeMaria, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology stressed on the increasing heart diseases worldwide.

"In India, more people are dying from arteriosclerosis of heart disease than of infectious diseases," he pointed out.

The joint meeting reviewed the results of a research programme involving 5,300 patients across the Gulf who are currently being treated for high cholesterol levels. The project was launched last November by the Emirates Cardiac Society in collaboration with an international biopharmaceutical company.

Indonesian police arrest 2 over monkey meatballs REUTERS JAKARTA, APRIL 28

Indonesian police have arrested a couple who made meatballs from the flesh of protected monkeys, an animal conservation group said on Wednesday.

The pair poached dozens of rare Javan langurs, also known as silver-leaf monkeys, from Baluran National Park in the east of Java island, according to a statement released by Indonesia-based animal protection group ProFauna. ''Police found 30 kilograms [of] meat estimated to come from 20-25 individuals, two rifles and a live langur,'' the statement said.

5 policemen killed in Pakistan car bomb attack REUTERS PESHAWAR, Pakistan, APRIL 28

A Taliban bomber rammed his car into a police checkpost in Pakistan's northwest today, killing five policemen, in an attack a militant spokesman said was revenge for military offensives.

The blast on the outskirts of the main northwestern city of Peshawar is the latest in a string of attacks mounted by the militants. ''The policemen were on their routine duty when the bomber driving the car from the tribal area detonated explosives near the checkpost,'' police official Najmul Hasan told Reuters. ''Five people have been killed and eight wounded. All of them are policemen.''

Peshawar police chief Liaquat Ali said the attacker was apparently trying to make his way into the city but decided to set off his explosives when he was stopped.

A roadside bomb struck a passenger van in southeast Afghanistan on Wednesday killing 12 civilians, a local official said.

Dawlat Khan Yaqubi, head of the Tani district of Khost province near the Pakistan border, said women and children were among the dead. The vehicle caught fire and the bodies were burned, he said.

Home made bombs planted in roads are by far the deadliest weapon used by insurgents against NATO troops and Afghan government targets and frequently kill civilians.

The United Nations says 2400 civilians were killed last year, the deadliest of the war. Most were killed by insurgents, while the number killed by Western and government troops fell.

Torture, beating and sodomising inmates with brooms or pistol barrels were the norm at an illegal prison run by a military unit under the command of the Iraqi prime minister's office, Human Rights Watch said.

The rights group on Wednesday called for a thorough investigation over the detention centre, which was discovered and closed down this month by Iraq's Human Rights Ministry, and urged Iraq to prosecute those responsible.

Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri alMaliki has denied any connection with the facility, which housed mainly Sunni Arab prisoners from the volatile northern city of

PTI CHICAGO, APRIL 28

Federal prosecutors here have objected to terror suspect Tahawwur Rana's demand for specific details about his involvement in Indian and Danish terror plots, saying the government has already provided "more than sufficient" information to prepare his defence for trial.

In a 12-page response to Rana's pre-trial motions, the government said it has provided and will continue to provide "extensive discovery" relating to Rana's conduct, including his interactions with co-defendant David Headley and his own actions taken to assist Headley in carrying out conspiracies.

"Thus, based on the adequacy of the indictment and the extensive pretrial disclosures undertaken by the government, the defendant has more than sufficient information from which to conduct his own investigation and prepare his defence.

"Accordingly, the Court should deny the defendant's motion for a bill of particulars," the government's response submitted in the US District Court here said.

Prosecutors said a defendant has a "constitutional right to know the offence with which he is charged, but not to know the details of how it will be proved".

Rana's lawyer Patrick Blegen had in February filed motions asking prosecutors to provide a "bill of particulars" – specific details about the "material support and resources" that the superseding indictment allege the Pakistani-Canadian had

Sandra Bullock confirms divorce, reveals secret adopted child PTI LOS ANGELES, APRIL 28

A month after the cheating scandal involving her husband broke out, Sandra Bullock has confirmed that she is divorcing Jesse James and has adopted a son.

The Academy Award winning actress shocked all of Hollywood by revealing she has an adopted son, three and a half months old Louis Bardo, whom she brought home just weeks prior to the breakdown of her marriage.

She is pictured with the child, who was born in New Orleans, on the cover of the latest issue of People magazine.

"He's just perfect, I can't even describe him any other way. It's like he's always been a part of our lives," said Bullock who interestingly won the coveted Oscar trophy for her portrayal of a foster mother who adopts an African American teenager in 'The Blind Side'.

The 45-year-old actress and

James, 41, began the adoption process four years ago.

Bullock who confirmed that she has filed for divorce from the biker to end her 5-year-long marriage will now adopt as a single parent.

Speaking of her decision to seek divorce from James who allegedly cheated on her with many women, she said, "I'm sad and I am scared."

The former couple initially decided to keep the news of the adoption secret until after the Academy Awards, which saw her named best actress for 'The Blind Side'.

But just 10 days after her triumph at the March 7 ceremony, tattoo model Michelle 'Bombshell' McGee went public with claims she had an 11-month affair with James.

James apologised, conceding he had shown "poor judgement".

More allegations of infidelity followed and James subsequently checked into a treatment facility to address "personal issues".

He was spotted near his Huntington Beach home without his wedding ring on Monday after completing a 30-day rehab stint.

James, who has three children, Sunny, 6, Jesse Jr., 12, and Chandler, 15, was previously married to a former porn star, Janine Lindemulder.

Thai troops, protesters clash in Bangkok suburb Reuters BANGKOK, APRIL 28

Thai troops fired live rounds in the air and shot rubber bullets in a chaotic clash with anti-government protesters on a highway in Bangkok's suburbs on Wednesday that wounded 10 people and possibly killed one.

Soldiers used rubber bullets or fired into the air with automatic weapons in an attempt to stop a convoy of up to 2,000 ''red shirt'' protesters on pickup trucks and on motorcycles who had left central Bangkok in defiance of a state of emergency.

About 100 protesters had moved ahead of the main convoy, charging the troops and riot police, who used batons and shields to push them back. Some

Thai soldiers open fire rubber bullets at anti-government protesters during crackdown on a highway in Bangkok, Thailand, on Wednesday.

protesters fought back by hurling stones and shooting metal balls from sling-shots, witnesses said.

The fighting stopped as a powerful tropical rainstorm moved over the traffic-choked

area about 40 km (25 miles) from central Bangkok on VipawadeeRangsit road.

A Reuters photographer said a soldier was shot in the head and was feared dead.

An official at Bhumibol Airforce Hospital in northern Bangkok said at least 10 people had been admitted there. The nature of their injuries was not immediately clear.

The main convoy with hundreds of protesters was about 8 km (five miles) behind the scene of the clash, the latest violence in a seven-week crisis that has killed 26 people, wounded nearly 900, paralysed Bangkok and started to squeeze Southeast Asia's second-biggest economy.

The protesters, honking horns and singing on the back of their pick-up trucks and motorcycles, left their fortified base near the business district today morning, heading for a market 50 km away.

Riot police and troops did not

Torture, rape was norm at illegal Iraq prison: report REUTERS BAGHDAD, APRIL 28

Prosecutors object Rana’s plea seeking more details of charges

Mosul where insurgent groups such as al Qaeda operate.

The revelation of the prison came at a sensitive time for Maliki as he tries to negotiate alliances with other factions that would allow him to be reappointed as prime minister following an inconclusive election in March.

Sunni outrage at the reports of their compatriots being mistreated by majority Shi'ite-led authorities could increase sectarian tensions just as violence is beginning to recede.

Human Rights Watch interviewed 42 of the 300 men who had been detained on a military base at Baghdad's old Muthanna airfield after being arrested in Mosul and accused of terrorism. ''The men's stories were credi-

ble and consistent. Most of the 300 displayed fresh scars and injuries they said were a result of routine and systematic torture they had experienced at the hands of interrogators at Muthanna,'' Human Rights Watch said.

The detainees said many were handcuffed, blindfolded and hung upside down. Interrogators kicked, whipped and beat them.

Interrogators also placed dirty plastic bags over their heads to close off air supply. When the detainees passed out, interrogators awakened them with electric shocks to the genitals or other parts of the body, Human Rights Watch said.

One detainee, a former Iraqi army general who had been living in London but returned to

Mosul after his son was detained, said his jailors refused to give him medicine for his diabetes and high blood pressure, and beat him severely. ''They applied electricity to my penis and sodomized me with a stick,'' the man, who is in a wheelchair, told Human Rights Watch. ''I was forced to sign a confession that they wouldn't let me read.''

Another detainee, who was 21, said interrogators threatened to rape his mother and sisters if he did not confess. During one torture session, guards made another detainee rape him.

Another detainee said he was sodomised with a pistol.

The Human Rights Ministry says three Iraqi army officers

have been arrested for questioning. The prison was illegal because it was not under the jurisdiction of the Justice Ministry and the Human Rights Ministry was not informed of it.

Conditions in legal Iraqi prisons are often not much better. The justice system relies on confessions for prosecutions, not evidence. That makes torture common though perhaps not as routine as under ousted dictator Saddam Hussein. ''What happened at Muthanna is an example of the horrendous abuse Iraqi leaders say they want to leave behind,'' said Joe Stork, deputy West Asia director at Human Rights Watch. ''Everyone responsible, from the top on down, needs to be held accountable.''

try to stop them initially and thousands remained at their encampment in a ritzy shopping district in central Bangkok they have occupied since April 3.

Security forces reinforced checkpoints outside the shopping district with more troops and police.

The mostly rural and urban poor red shirts inflicted traffic chaos in Bangkok yesterday by stacking tyres on the elevated platform of a commuter train station by their protest site, worried troops would use Bangkok's Skytrain to attack them.

provided to terrorist plots in India and Denmark.

OHERALDO

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BIZ

GOA, THURSDAY, 29 APRIL, 2010

TALK BUSINESS

Infotech, Westinghouse Electric sign agreemnet PANJIM (HBD) -- Infotech Enterprises Limited (IEL), a global technology solutions provider with headquarters in Hyderabad, India, announced that it has finalised a master agreement with Westinghouse Electric Company, world's pioneering nuclear energy company for the provision of engineering services in India.

Infotech will augment the engineering resources of Westinghouse as it prepares for global nuclear energy business growth and will lay the foundation for Westinghouse AP1000 nuclear power plant work in India. Infotech and Westinghouse officially inaugurated the newly-formed Westinghouse India Engineering Center today in the presence of the leaders from both companies.

Investor awareness programme held

The chairman of Goa Branch CA Ashish Prabhu Verlekar delivering the welcome address at the Investor Awareness Porgramme. Also present from left to right are CA P R Hegde, vice chairman of Goa Branch, Sanjay Kumar Gupta, Registrar of Companies, Goa and CA Kiran Kharangate, committee member of Goa Branch.

PANJIM (HBD) -- The Seminar on Investor Awareness of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs concluded on March 30, 2010.

The programme was monitored by the Committee on Financial Markets and Investors Protection of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Noida and hosted by the Goa Branch of WIRC of ICAI, Panjim, Goa. The entire Managing Committee of Goa Branch initiated and actively participated in the programme.

The seminar was attended by approximately 150 participants – CA members and other professionals from ICWA, ICSI and the public.

Sanjay Kumar Gupta, Registrar of Companies, spoke on the topic “Understanding Corporate Disclosures” and Bhupinder Kumar of Religare Securities spoke on “Strategies for Investment in India and Guidance to the Investor”.

ICICI Bank, Chinchinim branch completes 1 yr

PANJIM (HBD) -- ICICI Bank Ltd, Chinchinim branch celebrated its 1st anniversary, recently.

The anniversary celebrations commenced with the blessing of the branch by Parish Priest, Fr Armando D'Sousa, Our Lady of Hope Church, Chinchinim and thereafter the cake was cut by branch manager, Nandini Paes.

Paes and her branch staff thanked all their customers for their valued business and committed to continue delivering quality service, being a one stop shop for all their financial needs/investments and thereby enhancing existing relationships and building new ones.

The branch also organised a coin mela and exchange of fresh notes, which was very well received by the customers.

PFC PAT up 20% PANJIM (HBD) -- Consistent with its higher volume of operations, Power Finance Corporation’s ‘Profit After Tax’ (PAT) is up 20% to touch Rs 2,355 crore for the FY ended March, 2010 as against Rs 1970 crore recorded in the FY 2008-09.

Total Income rose 23% to reach a figure of Rs 8,074 crore as against Rs 6584 crore of 2008-09.

Sensex tanks 310 points on Greece debt woes PTI MUMBAI, APRIL 28

Stock market barometer Sensex today tumbled 310 points, as investors were spooked by an overnight crash in US stocks and weakness in Asian and European markets over concerns about the deepening financial crisis in Greece. The 30-share Sensex fell for the second consecutive day to close at 17,380.08, down 310.54 points or 1.76 per cent -- the worst since February five. It touched a low of 17,344.58 during the day.

Analysts said that stocks across the world took a severe beating, as investor sentiment turned bearish on fears that intensifying Greece debt crisis may spill over to other markets and have implications for the Eurozone's economic stability.

Industry, govt hold post budget discussions HERALD BUSINESS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 28

GCCI organised an interactive post Budget discussion with Chief Minister Digambar Kamat and Industry representatives on April 27, 2010 at Hotel Fidalgo, Panjim.

In March this year, GCCI had submitted its pre-budget memorandum. Some of its suggestions find mention in this year’s Goa Budget. However, the Chamber felt that there were still certain issues which needed clarifications, some pending issues required redressal and some needed a definite time-frame for completion.

The President of the Chamber, Cesar Menezes said that few things were as important to the industry as the budget.

Rather than presenting the usual post-budget memorandum dossier as was the norm, this session was intended as an opportunity for the industry to convey its sentiments about the budget in a face-to-face meeting with the CM and know the government’s reactions to the same.

Manguirish Pai Raikar, vicepresident of GCCI said that time is of essence for any in-

dustry and normally approvals for the industry should be granted within a period of 2030 days as is being done in other states. Instead of HPCC, single-window clearing should be adopted. Regarding industrial plots which seemed to be scarce, he suggested having a third party to tabulate data on underutilized and un-utilised plots and come out from the shadow of the corporations and the government. He also expressed concern that rampant exhibitions were taking a toll on the local traders and impact their business. Exhibitions are where the maximum leakage of VAT occurs, he added.

Ralph D’Souza - Secretary, GCCI speaking on behalf of the tourism industry said that the need of the hour is to form a Goa Tourism Board - every state has this and the board knows what the industry wants and what the government can contribute. Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Chattisgarh were given a helping hand by their government to pull out of recession by slashing their VAT from 12.5% to 5%. Whereas the Goa government has additionally imposed a 5% cess on room rents which will be a crippling

Alibaba to invest in AliExpress HERALD BUSINESS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 28

Alibaba.com Limited, the world's leading small business e-commerce company, formally launched AliExpress (www.aliexpress.com), an ecommerce platform offering smaller-quantity orders, instant online transactions, and an escrow service to protect buyers and sellers.

Alibaba.com has launched AliExpress as an additional tool to serve its small business customer base. While Alibaba.com focuses on larger quantity orders including prototype and custom manufacturing, AliExpress directly addresses the needs of businesses that need smaller quantities available for immediate shipment.

Alibaba.com will invest more than US$100 million in the development of AliExpress to ensure it delivers the features and services that will help small businesses succeed.

An important asset for customers on AliExpress is the escrow service. Escrow payment protects all users who transact online at AliExpress by holding the buyer’s payment in a separate account and alerting the supplier that payment has been made so they can safely ship the goods. Once the buyer has received the goods, the payment is released to the supplier. This allows the supplier to ship their valuable goods with confidence, and the buyer to place their order knowing their payment is protected until their merchandise has Aban Offshor, 1191, 1215, 1166.05, 1172.95 Abb Ltd., 808, 819.4, 799.9, 815 Abg Shipyard, 264.55, 265, 254.6, 257.05 Acc Limited, 901.4, 913.25, 888.2, 908.05 Adani Enterp, 577, 584.9, 560, 563.3 Aditya Birla, 840, 841, 804.1, 806.5 Allahabad Ba, 164, 168.5, 163, 166 Alstom Proje, 592, 622.9, 592, 609.85 Ambuja Cemen, 119, 125, 119, 123.8 Andhra Bank, 119.1, 123.5, 119.1, 120.85 Ansal Prop &, 81, 82.9, 78.25, 81.1 Ashok Leylan, 56, 56, 55.2, 55.8 Asian Paints, 2051, 2099.95, 2051, 2089.55 Axis Bank Li, 1265, 1269.95, 1246.25, 1254.1 Bajaj Hindus, 123.8, 123.8, 120.55, 123.05 Bank Of Baro, 660, 689.6, 660, 685.9 Bank Of Indi, 378.5, 386.4, 377.3, 384.95 Beml Limited, 1032, 1056.5, 1031.1, 1047.05 Bharat Elect, 1850.15, 1854, 1825, 1835.6 Bharat Forge, 273, 275, 268.6, 270.35 Bharat Petro, 500, 513, 500, 505.1 Bharti Airte, 297.95, 299.6, 292, 293.8

been received.

Many of the suppliers who sell on AliExpress are long-time members of Alibaba.com and have been working with overseas buyers for years through the site. The initial supplier base includes suppliers from China, but the platform will eventually be open to international suppliers as well.

Through offerings like AliExpress, we have shortened the supply chain and made it more efficient so that both suppliers and buyers can increase profitability. This efficiency also ensures that buyers have a strong base of suppliers to choose from and can better manage and grow their business by saving money on products and customized promotional materials and supplies to help attract and retain customers.

To continue the celebration of the site launch, Alibaba.com will offer a number of special promotions for customers on AliExpress throughout the next month. Launching today, the first promotion, GaGa Deals, which include drastic discounts on select products in a limited timeframe. Other promotions will be announced on the site and emailed to Alibaba.com members. For more information, please visit www.aliexpress.com.

Alibaba.com launched a beta test of AliExpress in September 2009. Currently, there are more than three million listed products from more than 40 consumer products categories.

Bhel, 2470, 2485, 2426, 2470.35 Bhushan Stee, 1795, 1795, 1762, 1769 Biocon Limit, 293, 299.95, 290.6, 294.05 Bombay Dyein, 580, 584.7, 567, 569 Bosch Limite, 4899.9, 4937, 4861.1, 4921.1 Brigade Ente, 141, 146.9, 140.4, 142.25 Cairn India, 302, 309.45, 301, 302.3 Canara Bank, 410, 418.85, 399.45, 408.1 Central Bank, 153.7, 158.5, 153.7, 154.4 Century Text, 540, 543.9, 526.2, 528.8 Cesc Ltd, 402, 410.15, 398.1, 400.1 Chambal Fert, 65.5, 66.2, 63.15, 63.8 Chennai Petr, 279.25, 285, 278.3, 279.75 Cipla Ltd, 333.75, 338.45, 330.4, 336.75 Colgate Palm, 760, 763.45, 747.05, 752.8 Container Co, 1326.6, 1360, 1235.35, 1309.6 Crompton Gre, 259.9, 259.9, 254.6, 255.3 Cummins Indi, 516.5, 539.5, 499.25, 536.05 Dabur India, 177.1, 181.6, 174.25, 180.35 Deccan Chron, 149, 150.5, 146.5, 148.7 Dish Tv Indi, 36.2, 37, 35.3, 35.65 Divi’s Labor, 690, 692, 671.3, 675.9 Dlf Limited, 312, 313.4, 304.5, 306.95

blow to the hospitality industry. He urged the CM to withdraw this without further delay and to bring VAT on food and beverages in line with that imposed by other tourism states.

He also said that we need a Tourism Protection Force to protect the tourists and to control the illegalities which tarnish Goa’s image.

Sandeep Bhandare, Treasurer, GCCI said that some sectors were overtaxed and certain points needed to be clarified. For example cess is for a particular purpose. In case of the levy of cess on the hotel industry, the purpose for which it is levied is not clear. It also needed to be clarified whether it is on room rent or on luxury tax.

He said that NPV scheme was welcomed by the industry but wanted to know what happens to new industries which want to come to Goa. He stressed that attracting industry was the only way to increase revenue for the state. Therefore we needed to have some incentive for the industry to come to Goa. He urged the government not to combine fees and fines. Also electronic transactions should

Yi to hold truck driver safety camp HERALD BUSINESS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 28

CII - Yi Goa Chapter will organize an All Goa Awareness Camp for truck driver and owners of heavy commercial vehicles.

This awareness camp is an initiative of CII's Young Indians, (Yi) www.yionline.org and is scheduled to be held on Sunday, May 2, 2010 and aims to target truck drivers and the owners of heavy commercial vehicles, primarily in the mining industry.

The awareness camp is being jointly conducted with Tata Motors Ltd and would be specifically focusing on issues like road safety, latest techniques used in the reduction of dust pollution, air pollution, vehicle emissions with a special emphasis on need for cleaner and environment-friendly fuels, vehicles, traffic management and road ethics, vehicle documentation, vehicle maintenance etc.

As most of the sectors are making significant investments for building integrated environmentally conscious projects, this approach includes not only awareness of innovative fuels, but also clean & tidy cities and towns, simple yet efficient practices to enhance vehicle performance, sustainable environment-friendly disposal methods and support to responsible traffic management.

Yi Goa has come together to build awareness on upcoming trends in advocating innovative ways to conserve the environment, make Goan roads safer and commuter friendly.

Dr. reddy’s, 1242, 1255, 1210.5, 1246.1 Edelweiss Ca, 410.25, 415, 401.6, 404.85 Educomp Solu, 695, 700, 688.05, 690.25 Eih Limited, 128.9, 128.95, 125, 126.3 Engineers In, 2425, 2478.05, 2425, 2468.2 Essar Oil Lt, 137.9, 141.7, 137, 139.1 Essar Shippi, 92.2, 94.15, 88.2, 89.25 Exide Indust, 121.75, 125.95, 120.1, 123.75 Federal Bank, 282, 287.9, 282, 283.2 Financial Te, 1562, 1570, 1512.2, 1524.9 Gail (india), 419.3, 426, 416, 421.45 Gammon India, 221, 221, 213.35, 214.85 Glaxosmithkl, 1867.4, 1915, 1865, 1897.1 Glenmark Pha, 260.55, 264.5, 257.25, 263.2 Gmr Infrastr, 65, 67.15, 63, 63.35 Godrej Indus, 162.1, 163, 158.5, 159.2 Grasim Indus, 2815, 2815, 2780.2, 2802.65 Great Offsho, 455, 463, 441, 447.75 Gtl Infra.Lt, 42.05, 42.3, 41.15, 41.4 Gujarat Mine, 137.1, 138.4, 131.5, 132.15 Gujarat N R, 88.85, 88.9, 85.25, 88.1 Gujarat Stat, 94, 95, 92.55, 93.2 Gvk Pow. & I, 46.1, 46.35, 44.85, 45.05 Hcl Technolo, 378.35, 389, 378.35, 386.15

Hdfc Bank Lt, 1958, 1986.75, 1958, 1968.15 Hdfc Ltd, 2810, 2858, 2791.95, 2806.4 Hero Honda M, 1850, 1868, 1840, 1848.85 Hindalco in, 180, 180.9, 171.2, 179.3 Hindustan Co, 135.6, 135.6, 130.75, 131.5 Hindustan Ma, 79.5, 79.5, 76.7, 77.15 Hindustan Pe, 300.05, 306.7, 300.05, 302.05 Hindustan Un, 240.85, 244, 239, 241.95 Hindustan Zi, 1205, 1214.35, 1167.3, 1208.4 Housing Dev, 270, 274.65, 262, 265.3 Icici Bank L, 931.3, 940.95, 913.4, 919.45 Idea Cellula, 64.1, 65.4, 63, 63.15 Ifci Ltd, 50.4, 50.45, 49.1, 49.25 India Cement, 128.65, 131.9, 127.1, 130.25 India Infoli, 108, 110.35, 107.2, 107.8 Indiabulls F, 134.4, 135.5, 131.7, 133.45 Indiabulls R, 162, 162.25, 152.65, 155.15 Indian Bank, 213, 220.25, 205.5, 216.3 Indian Hotel, 109, 109, 105, 105.25 Indian Oil C, 280.35, 283.6, 278, 279.7 Indian Overs, 102, 102, 97, 98.3 Indus Dev Ba, 120, 122, 118.6, 119.4 Indusind Ban, 186.35, 189.5, 185.55, 186.8 Infosys Tech, 2710.1, 2731.95, 2691.1,

be implemented at the state level also which will prevent leakage of revenue. He requested the government to try and involve the concerned parties whenever a new tax is proposed.

Atul Jadhav, Member of the Chamber’s Logistics Committee and President of Goa Barge Owners Association thanked the government for declaring the formation of the Goa Maritime Board but urged him, to implement this as early as possible. He said that if Goa’s waterways are declared as national waterways, IWAI would also help to develop bunds around rivers which is very important for the farmers. He appreciated the government for declaring creation of logistics hubs at Sancoale and Dharbandora and said that Sancoale hub would be a big boost. He also asked the CM to set up a one of its kind Maritime Industrial Estate.

Sanjiv Nadkarni, Member of Chambers IT Comittee said that IT industry had to be revived in Goa and IT parks needed to be set up. IT had to reach citizens right into the villages, so that bill payments of

essentials like water and electricity could be done online by citizens. The IT policy, he said was published more than five years ago, but implementation is still pending.

The CM in response to the various points raised said that this year the government has a given a thrust to agriculture as the agriculture graph is drastically coming down not only in the state but in the entire country.

He said that he agreed that Goa had missed the IT bus, but we should try to get at least one big IT company to set base in Goa to generate revenue and employment for the state.

He said that Dr R A Mashelkar, ex director general, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research has agreed to map a vision for Goa. He added that the government will form an IT Task Force to create an IT roadmap for Goa within 6 months.

As far as the Tourism Industry is concerned, he would consult with them and work out a solution for the cess. His government was chiefly concerned with setting up a good infrastructure for tourism, he said.

Wave opens Mfg facility in Pune HERALD BUSINESS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 28

WAVE (Worthington Armstrong Venture), a joint venture between Armstrong World Industries Inc and Worthington Industries Inc a leading manufacturer of suspended ceiling grid, announced the opening of their first manufacturing facility in Pune, India.

With presence in 5 countries with 7 manufacturing facilities, the new facility underpins WAVE’s commitment to developing its operations in India business.

The state of the art facility has been set up with an investment more than Rs 30 crore and is spread across 5 acres near Talegoan MIDC. The India centre consists of 3 manufacturing lines which will manufacture a wide range of ‘heavy duty’ and ‘medium duty’ ceiling suspension systems in GI steel, aluminum and stainless steel.

The plant will also offer a full range of perimeter solutions like – range of extruded ‘Axiom’ and ‘Bandraster’ transitions in near future. The ceiling suspension systems are used in commercial office space, banks, retail industry, hotels, airports, metro rails and educational institutes India, being its second manufacturing facility in Asia, the company’s expanded capacity centre will initially cater to the Indian market and will be a supply base for Asia Pacific, 2699.5 Infra. dev., 164, 167.1, 155, 165.95 Ispat Indust, 20.3, 20.45, 19.95, 20.1 Itc Ltd, 267.1, 272.4, 265.85, 269.95 Ivrcl Infras, 182, 184.35, 161.15, 181.65 Jai Corp Lim, 264, 264.7, 256.1, 258.3 Jaiprakash A, 150, 151.35, 144.65, 145.9 Jet Airways, 505, 506.75, 485.75, 488 Jindal Saw L, 216.65, 217.3, 213.7, 214.85 Jindal Steel, 740, 745.7, 728.35, 737.6 Jsw Steel Li, 1185, 1192.9, 1170, 1177.65 Kotak Mahind, 731, 749.3, 731, 736.2 Lakshmi Mach, 1990, 2102, 1980, 2056.45 Lanco Infrat, 61, 63.1, 60.6, 62.5 Larsen & Tou, 1605, 1625, 1582.5, 1592.65 Lic Housing, 895, 914, 888, 902 Lupin Limite, 1658, 1700, 1652.05, 1685.45 Mahanagar Te, 71.9, 72.25, 70.85, 71.2 Mahindra & M, 526, 536.75, 520, 524.9 Maruti Suzuk, 1275, 1287.8, 1255, 1270.35 Max India Lt, 180.55, 183, 177.25, 178.9 Maytas Infr., 205, 206.4, 197.75, 199.05 Moser-baer (, 73, 73.9, 72.6, 72.8 Mrpl, 74, 75.3, 73.4, 73.65

Middle East and African markets in the future.

WAVE is a global leader in ceiling suspension systems.

The company brings together the deep understanding of metal from Worthington Industries, a global leader in steel manufacturing and building systems and Armstrong a global leader in ceiling systems. In India, WAVE suspension systems are technically superior to competing products in all aspects of the product. WAVE’s products are marketed under the Armstrong Brand.

Pg12 BOARD MEETINGS HCL Infosystems Alka India Hexaware Tech Andhra Bank Ashok Leyland Indiabulls Real Est Shivam Auto Asian Granito Indian Info Shree Ram Mills ING Vysya Bank Shriram Trans IOB Bajaj Global Siemens Bata India SKS Logistics Kirloskar Ferro Biocon LG Balakrishnan Cadila Health Camlin Mahindra Ugine TCI Finance Ceat Mcdowell Hold Thomas Cook Timex Group Titan Biotech Titan Sec MRF Mukta Arts Trade Wings Ultratech Cem Oriental Bank Elgi Equipments United Brew Hldg United Phos Parsvnath Dev Usha Housing EPC Industrie PCS Technology Firstsource Sol Phoenix Mills Garware Offsh Photon Capital VIP Inds Garware Poly Photoquip India Zodiac JRD MKJ Puravankara Proj Religare Tech Glob Source: Indiainfoline.com

MF FUNDA KOTAK MUTUAL FUND has approved May 3, 2010 as the record date for declaration of dividend under dividend option of Kotak Quarterly Interval Plan Series 1. The face value of per unit is Rs 10.

The quantum of dividend will be upto 100% of distributable surplus available as on the record date.

ESCORTS MUTUAL FUND has approved May 4, 2010 as the record date for declaration of dividend under dividend option of Escorts Tax Plan. The face value of per unit is Rs 10.

The quantum of dividend will be Rs 1 per unit as on the record date.

The AMC also has approved May 4, 2010 as the record date for declaration of dividend under dividend option of Escorts Opportunities Fund. The face value of per unit is Rs 10.

Escorts Opportunities Fund will distribute up to Rs 0.0981 per unit under dividend option on record date.

The AMC also approved May 4, 2010 as the record date for declaration of dividend under dividend option of Escorts Growth Plan.

The face value of per unit is Rs 10.

The quantum of dividend will be Rs 2 per unit as on the record date.

The AMC also approved May 4, 2010 as the record date for declaration of dividend under dividend option of Escorts Balanced Fund. The quantum of dividend will be Rs 2 per unit as on the record date.

Nagarjuna Co, 181.1, 183.9, 179, 182.35 Nagarjuna Fe, 32.45, 32.9, 31.7, 31.8 National Alu, 404.2, 413.95, 400.1, 410.65 Neyveli Lign, 150, 151.6, 148.4, 150.15 Ntpc Ltd, 205.05, 206.9, 204.35, 206.15 Oil And Natu, 1040, 1048, 1026.1, 1040.1 Omaxe Limite, 94.5, 95.9, 93.1, 93.6 Oriental Ban, 335, 339, 332.65, 335.9 Pantaloon Re, 423, 423.95, 415.4, 421.8 Parsvnath De, 118.5, 122.95, 118, 120.15 Petronet Lng, 80, 81.55, 76.25, 80.8 Power Fin Co, 268.4, 283.45, 268.05, 279.35 Power Grid C, 112.5, 120.5, 108.1, 114.9 Praj Industr, 92.5, 94.75, 91.6, 92 Punj Lloyd L, 165, 165.3, 162.05, 163 Punjab Natio, 1010, 1030, 1004.25, 1019.95 Rajesh Expor, 124.2, 124.3, 121.45, 121.85 Ranbaxy Labs, 447.5, 447.5, 431.7, 433.1 Rashtriya Ch, 84.5, 85.35, 81.7, 82.35 Rel. nat. re, 61.7, 68.2, 61.25, 66.25 Reliance Cap, 730, 744.9, 725, 730.9 Reliance Com, 166.05, 170.2, 165.1, 165.75 Reliance Ene, 924, 1094, 905, 920.07

Reliance Ind, 836, 841.85, 820, 823.4 Reliance Ind, 1053.95, 1053.95, 1012, 1017.25 Reliance Pow, 159.6, 161.6, 155, 157.9 Rolta India, 184.9, 187, 184.05, 186.25 Satyam Compu, 90.5, 92.25, 90, 90.2 Sesa Goa Ltd, 423.4, 434.75, 418.1, 427.85 Shipping Cor, 161, 163.9, 160, 162.7 Siemens Ltd, 709.1, 721.35, 705.15, 713.3 Sintex Indus, 325, 336.85, 323.65, 325.4 Sobha Develo, 315.7, 319.9, 303.5, 307.75 State Bank O, 2204, 2251.85, 2182.5, 2232.2 Steel Author, 222.1, 225.4, 215.6, 217.4 Sterlite Ind, 815, 820, 805.75, 813.15 Sun Pharmace, 1580, 1633, 1571.1, 1623.1 Sun Tv Netwo, 422, 424.75, 417, 420.55 Suzlon Energ, 69.9, 70, 68.35, 68.65 Tata Communi, 274, 278.5, 270.5, 271.45 Tata Consult, 780, 783.95, 765, 770.3 Tata Motors, 830.1, 843.9, 700, 821.55 Tata Power C, 1350.6, 1368.7, 1324.05, 1332.45 Tata Steel L, 644, 644, 622.35, 624.35

Tata Tea Ltd, 1035, 1040, 1002.25, 1008 Tata Teleser, 24.65, 24.9, 23.1, 23.25 Tech Mahindr, 786.1, 797.8, 762, 770 The Ge Shpg., 333, 338.85, 327.95, 331.9 The Phoenix, 218.9, 222, 209.15, 214.15 Thermax Ltd, 721, 729, 701, 716.5 Titan Indust, 2045.25, 2068.7, 2030, 2049.25 Torrent Powe, 300, 306, 294.85, 296.7 Triveni Engg, 111.25, 112.4, 107.7, 111.6 Tv18 India L, 81.1, 82.75, 80, 80.8 Uco Bank, 66.5, 68.15, 65.3, 67.6 Ultratech Ce, 1070.15, 1096.85, 1070, 1078.25 Union Bank O, 304.15, 313.4, 304.15, 311.55 Unitech Ltd, 82.3, 82.3, 78.65, 79.5 United Phosp, 147, 148.75, 145, 145.5 Videocon Ind, 234, 235.7, 227, 228.55 Vijaya Bank, 51, 51.6, 50.2, 50.5 Voltas Ltd, 178, 182.8, 175.4, 176.9 Welspun Guj, 270, 271.4, 264, 265.6 Wipro Ltd, 694, 695, 687, 690.8 Yes Bank Lim, 272, 280, 270.4, 277.3 Zee Entertai, 302.5, 306, 297.4, 303.65

Biz13:Layout 1 4/28/2010 9:56 PM Page 1

HE RA LD

BIZ

GOA, THURSDAY, 29 APRIL, 2010

Inflation to ease, 8.5% growth this fiscal: FM PtI NEW DELHI, APRIL 28

Buoyed by predictions of normal monsoon and better economic conditions, the government today said inflation in essential items is likely to decline further and pegged economic growth at 8.5 per cent this fiscal.

"The outlook is further brightened by the fact that a normal monsoon is predicted this year...Indications of softening of food inflation are clearly visible...inflation in essential commodities also declined...It is expected that this decline will continue in the coming months uninterruptedly," finance minister Pranab Mukherjee said in the Lok Sabha.

Initiating the debate on the Finance Bill, Mukherjee said inflation in essential commodities declined from the peak of 23.8 per cent in January this year to 19.8 per cent in March.

"Indications of softening of food inflation are clearly visible. There has been a significant decline from the peak food inflation of over 20 per

cent in December 2009 to 17.7 per cent in March 2010," the minister said.

He also indicated that the proposed Finance Bill may undergo changes. "I shall cover the reliefs we propose to grant, the amendments that we seek in the Bill and our responses to the issues that are raised in the discussions, in my reply," he added.

Pointing towards several improved parameters in the economy like industrial growth, investment, private consumption, capital markets and business confidence, corporate earnings, Mukherjee said the economy is expected to grow around 8.5 per cent this fiscal and 9 percent in 2011-12.

He, however, said demand recovery is yet to attain the "pre-2008 momentum". GDP growth had slowed down to 6.7 per cent during 2008-09 after 9 per cent in the previous three fiscals following the global financial meltdown.

After the government provided stimulus through tax cuts and stepped up public expenditure, coupled with the RBI its

loosening strings on money supply, the economy is estimated to slightly improve to 7.2 per cent this fiscal. But 9 per cent growth could come only next fiscal. Hence, he pointed that full demand expansion is yet to take place.

He expressed commitment to reforms on direct and indirect taxes front. "I am happy to inform that in the case of DTC (direct taxes code), the process of consultation with the stakeholders for revising the first draft is almost over." He said a revised discussion paper is expected to be placed in the public domain by the next month and the draft legislation is likely to be tabled in Parliament in the monsoon session.

Mukherjee said the Centre is closely engaged with the empowered committee of state finance ministers in finalizing GST, so that it could be introduced from next fiscal.

Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha also passed the Appropriation Bill for taking the approval of the House for the extra expenditure incurred during 2007-08.

Bharti Airtel Q4 net falls 8% ReuteRs NEW DELHI, APRIL 28

Bharti Airtel Ltd, India's top mobile operator, posted a worse-than-expected 8 percent fall in quarterly profit as cheap call charges took a toll in the world's fastest-growing mobile market.

In March, Bharti struck a $9 billion deal to buy telecoms operations in 15 African countries from Kuwaiti Zain, and expects to gain world's No 5 spot.

India is signing up mobile subscribers at a furious pace -16 million a month on average in the past one year including a record 20 million in March -but stiff competition has send per-second call charges as low as 1/100th of a US cent, hitting profitability for companies.

Two new operators have recently launched services, taking the number of mobile firms to 15, while aggressive bidding for 3G radio spectrum will add billions of dollars to costs.

"Bharti continues to be strongly positioned in India despite a hyper competitive market," chairman Sunil Mittal said.

"We are excited about the prospects of an eventful year ahead."

Ultratech set to buy Dubai cement firm UltraTech Cement is set to acquire a 51-percent stake in Dubai-based Star Cement for an undisclosed sum, which will give it access to Asian and African markets, it was reported on Wednesday.

Officials at the two firms have agreed to a deal and lawyers are working on it, the report said, citing two unnamed people familiar with the development.

UltraTech is set to become India's largest cement maker with a capacity of 49 million tonnes per year, after its proposed takeover of the Aditya Birla group's cement businesses later this year.

Star Cement, an associate company of UAE conglomerate ETA Ascon Star, has a total installed capacity of 3.8 million tonnes a year, with a presence in growing markets such as Bahrain, Sudan and Bangladesh, the paper said.

More Indian companies as compared to their global peers expect a rise in revenues in the coming year, a survey said.

About 83 per cent Indian companies expect a rise in revenues in the coming year as compared to 70 per cent globally, while 74 per cent of largesized businesses compared to a 42 per cent global average had eperienced a rise in revenues, the bi-annual Regus Business Tracker survey said.

"As a result, 20 per cent more large businesses than the global average (70 per cent) expect the rising revenue trend to continue in the coming year," the survey said.

When asked about measures they believed would be most

HeRALD BusINess DesK PANJIM, APRIL 28

The Goa Shipyard Limited conducted the keel laying ceremony for the newly designed Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel (NOPV) at the hands of Rear Admiral Sudhir Pillai N M Flag Officer Commanding Goa Area.

RAdm (Retd) Vineet Bakhshi VSM, CMD, GSL, senior officials from GSL and officials from Indian Navy and Coast Guard were present during the ceremony.

This is the 4th NOPV of the series of four vessels designed in-house by GSL, aimed at meeting the increasing requirement of Indian Navy for surface warfare operations and prevent infiltration and transgress of maritime sovereignty.

The vessel is 105m in length, about 2200 tons in displacement with a speed of 25knots.

The vessel is capable of fleet support operations, coastal and offshore patrolling, ocean surveillance and monitoring of SLOCs, defence of offshore oil installations and escorting high value ships.

The vessel has facilities of embarkation and operation of helicopter. The vessel is fitted with state-of-the-art navigation, communication and electronic warfare equipment. An advanced remote control system is provided to control and

IACM SmartLearn Limited, the leading and fastest growing IT hardware, networking and security systems management training company in India recently held an Annual Business Partners Summit, in Goa. The event witnessed participation of more than 60 channel partners, who had a chance to undergo a training session on attaining business excellence.

They also had an interactive session on business plans and practices of the company.

IACM is going aggressive on business partner relationship management and development, in all cities across the country. Business Partners summit is a special part of this endeavor focusing on comprehending the needs of centres, enhancing the brand knowledge amongst them and focusing on development of new centres, by empowering the business partners.

Ravinder Goyal, director, IACM, said, “Buoyant with the response for IACM’s courses, we are keen to penetrate further in Indian market by opening up 50 centres more in 2010-11. We have grown approximately by 17% in the last year, despite the entire globe facing the challenge of recession.”

HeRALD BusINess DesK PANJIM, APRIL 28

Indian Cos see revenues rising this year: survey effective in aiding recovery, 40 per cent of medium businesses (globally 19 per cent) advocated a rise in interest rates to curb inflation.

About 39% more mediumsized businesses than average (37%) pressed the need for public investment in infrastructure.

All size businesses in India find consensus on this measure supported by 59 per cent of companies nationally, the survey said.

The survey also analysed sector differences, finding that in India, 34 per cent more consultancy businesses than average had experienced a rise in revenues (globally 42 per cent).

On these positive results, it is not surprising that 63 per cent of consultancy businesses (globally 14 per cent) expect

LAUNCH PAD

Samsung’s 3D Blu-Ray

PANJIM (HBD) – Samsung has launched its BDC6900 Blu-ray Player that delivers 3D Full HD playback and immersive surround sound.

Sleek and stylish, the Samsung BD-C6900 is Multi Codec which plays back all formats like DivX, WMA, WMV, HD-JPEG, MKV and MP4. The touch sensitive controls located on top of the player add to the ultra sleek and glossy designs.

The BD-C6900 produces crisp, clean image quality through the component outputs located on the back of the player and a USB port is found on the front. It also has a HDMI version 1.4 video output that supports 3D playback. BD-C6900 complete set of 7.1 channel analogue outputs and internal audio decoders such as Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital, DTS-HD, and Dolby Digital Plus bring the ultimate multi-channel HD surround sound that enhances the visual images. The Samsung 3D TVs coupled with the Samsung 3D BD Player provide consumers with a truly comfortable and immersive 3D viewing experience.

Connectivity-wise the BD-C6900 comes with built-in Wi-Fi support and Samsung’s latest version of Internet@TV, which delivers the best of the web, straight to your HDTV, with downloadable widgets and apps like Blockbuster, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Flickr, Pandora and more.

The Samsung BD-C6900 is priced at Rs 29,990.

the full momentum of recovery to take place in the first-half of 2010, the survey said.

Regus' chief executive, Mark Dixon, said, "despite the slippage between expectations and real experience of business growth observed in this latest survey, it is important to emphasise that the experience of growth is overall still positive around the globe."

On India, Dixon said, "fiscal and monetary easing and fiscal stimululs on the cards have maintained Indian growth, however, inflation pressures are becoming more troublesome particularly to medium businesses as our results suggest."

An important lesson of the downturn is that restructuring of workforces and workplaces should become a continuing process as the flexible working practices which helped weather the recession have yielded a number of positives for employers and employees alike, the survey said.

"Anecdotal evidence gathered by Regus from its operations globally indicated that the shift from traditional commercial property leasing to solutions that accommodate more flexible working systems is certainly underway and likely to play a large part in the coming recovery," the survey said.

The Regus Business Tracker survey is a global survey conducted over 75 countries with over 15,000 respondents about the financial performance of their companies and their expectations for growth.

Globally, respondents reported a higher percentage of businesses seeing revenue and profit growth than were experiencing a decline.

However, they have shifted their expectation of the full momentum of economic recovery back five months, from July to December.

Ispat sees margin pressure ReuteRs MUMBAI, APRIL 28

Steelmaker Ispat Industries Ltd expects margin pressure in coming quarters on escalating costs of key inputs, a senior official said adding, it was "difficult" to pass on the entire cost.

"There is a lot of pressure on prices," Anil Sureka, executive director of finance, said.

"We are trying to maintain results by improving efficiencies but there is a limit to that.

It is difficult to pass the entire cost to customers," he said.

IACM to strengthen presence

HeRALD BusINess DesK PANJIM, APRIL 28

Mold-tek Packaging PAT up 118%

ReuteRs MUMBAI, APRIL 28

PtI MUMBAI, APRIL 28

Keel laid for offshore patrol vessel built by GSL

Pg13

Mold-Tek Packaging, leaders in packaging products, reported net Sales of Rs 32.46 crore for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 as compared to Rs 19.08 crore posted in the corresponding quarter of last fiscal, registered a growth of 70%.

Net Profit for the quarter increased by 2.83 times to Rs 2.34 crore as compared to Rs 0.8 crore, posted in the corresponding quarter of last fiscal.

Net sales for the year ended March 31, 2010 was at Rs 121.14 crore compared to Rs 100.37 crore posted in the corresponding period of last fiscal, registered a growth of 21%.

Net profit for the year ended March 31, 2010 increased by 118% to Rs 8.04 , as against Rs 3.7 crore, posted in the corresponding period of last fiscal. EPS for the year ended March 31, 2010 stood at Rs 9.64 as compared to Rs 4.83 in the corresponding period of last fiscal.

Rear Admiral Sudhir Pillai N M Flag Officer Commanding Goa Area at the keel laying ceremony.

monitor the propulsion machinery.

The vessel can accommodate 118 defence personnel onboard with an endurance of 6000 nautical miles. The vessel can stay at sea uninterruptedly for an extended period of 60 days.

Noteworthy that GSL’s core competency of in- house design capability furthers the self reliance policy of the nation.

This is the only defence shipyard in the country with in house capability of designing patrol vessels for Indian Navy and Coast Guard, and has shown consistent performance and delivered ships at regular intervals to meet the Nation’s needs.

GSL has built 187 ships in-

cluding Offshore Patrol Vessels, Missile Craft, Survey Vessels, Sail Training Ship, Fast Patrol Vessels, Extra Fast Attach Craft, Offshore supply vessels and 52 Glass Reinforced Plastic Fast Interceptor Boasts for the nation till date.

Apart from progress in shipbuilding, the yard has also made deep inroads in the field of diversification, which includes the design and construction of training simulators for the Indian Navy and for ONGC. The Shipyard is on a modernisation drive which include installation of a Shiplift and creation of GRP ship production infrastructure. The modernisation plan will increase the production rates and provide for build GRP vessels.

Internet domain names in regional languages soon PtI MOHALI, APRIL 28

The government is working on developing internet domain names in seven regional languages which would see the present country code '.in' being replaced with '.bharat'.

"We are hoping that internet domain name in seven regional languages will be implemented next year," Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Department of IT, Senior Director Govind told reporters here today on the sidelines of a national workshop on Internationalised Domain Names (IDN).

The government has sought the approval of the US-based ICAAN, a body for assigning web addresses, for using domain names in regional languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi, Bangla, Urdu and Gujarati, he said.

"We have submitted our proposals with ICAAN for using top-level country code domain names in seven regional lan-

guages and hope we will be able to get approval by the end of this year," he said adding," thereafter we will have domain names in all 22 languages."

Once the approval is given for using domain names in regional languages, internet users across the country will be able to access internet in these languages which is at present limited to Latin characters.

Domain names are basically entered in address bar of browser to access a particular website.

"Moreover, it will also allow replacing '.in' (top-level country code domain name allotted to India) with '.bharat' in regional languages," he said.

Over the past three years, the Centre for Advanced Computing (C- DAC) Pune in close association with the Department of IT and C-DAC Kolkata, Thiruvananthapuram has been working on this project with the support of ICAAN as part of the Centre's initiative to proliferate internet use in the coun-

try.

At present, the country has a total internet users base of 80 million, including 8.1 million broadband connections, he said while asserting that the use of internet would spread in the country with the use of domain names in Indian languages.

Given the complexity of Indian writing systems, safeguards would be of primary importance to ensure that the common man is secured from pharming and spoofing attacks, he said, adding that work is also on to remove several challenges, including standardization of characters (of regional languages, typing of characters.

"The main aim of these workshops is to provide a platform to all major players in this initiative to be aware of problems and perspectives of IDN and to provide useful feedback for finalizing the policy which will then be implemented," he said.

IFCI to invest Rs 1,000 cr in B'lore PtI BANGALORE, APRIL 28

Industrial Finance Corporation of India plans to invest Rs 1,000 crore to set a base in the proposed global financial district near Devanahalli on city outskirts, Karnataka Minister for Large and Medium Industries Murugesh R Nirani said today.

IFCI's facility would come up on 50 acres of the total 150-

acre district, where more than a dozen banks, including global ones, have evinced interest to set up operations, besides insurance firms, financial institutions and stock market operators, he told reporters here.

The banks include State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank and Bank of India, he said.

Commerce and Industry Secretary V P Baligar said for cre-

ating a land bank for industrialisation, the Government has already notified nearly 54,000 acres of land, while another 38,000 acres had been identified.

Baligar said seven new industrial estates would be established in the state under public-private-partnership model, and each of these had attracted three private bidders who responded by way of ex-

pression of interest.

"The Government would issue expression of interest to form another 12 industrial estates under PPP", he said.

He also said hearing would be held next week on the issue of new mining leases pertaining to 300 hectares.

Existing and new mines can support about 50 million tones of steel-making per annum in the state.

Manpower shortage hurting Ayurveda spas PtI KOCHI, APRIL 28

Going truely modern, ancient Ayurvedic practises are being attractively packaged to woo more customers at the chic Ayurvedic spas and wellness clinics mushorooming in Kerala, but lack of adequate trained manpower is a cause of worry, say industry sources.

Beauty and wellness treatments, slimming and weight reduction, stress mangement and specialised treatments are among those offered at the spas and wellness clincis.

However, the Ayurveda industry is facing a piquant situation-- lack of adequate qualified and trained personnel. India alone needs 20,000 trained therapists while the mushrooming Ayurvedic spas in the US, Germany, Russia, Singapore and Malaysia and West Asian countries would need trained hands numbering several lakhs, CII sources here said.

'For the next few years, the industry's annual requirement of trained therapists would exceed 20,000. The problems is of lack of quality hands. There is a huge gap between the demand and supply, says Dr S Sajikumar, MD, Dhathri

Ayurveda Private Ltd. Dhatri plans to recruit about 2000 personnel to meet the immediate expansion plans, he said. The company, which would soon extend its Ayurvedic Beauty and Slimming (ABS) clinic to various parts of India and Middle East, was hunting for 160 Ayurvedic physicians, 60 pharmacists, 1200 female and male therapists, 100 beauticians, 100 physiotherapists, 300 dieticians, 100 managers and 100 sales represenatives besides 60 support staff, he said.

The spas and wellness clinics are mainly to attract the floating population, including tourists.

Kerala Ayurveda has wellness clincis at Bangalore, Delhi, Gurgaon, Coimbatore and Hyderabad, which is mainly frewquented by the IT crowd.

Globally the wellness industry is estimated at over US$250 billion. There are about 75,000 standard spas world over that provide direct employment to

about 1.5 million people, acording to CII sources.

The spa industry has witnessed substantial growth in the last decade and the spa concept has become a significant part of the dynamic hosptiality and leisure industry, the sources said.

In India there were over

2300 spas that have created direct and indirect employment for about 4 lakh people. In the next four years, 700 new spas, both homegrown and international brands, will open in India to meet the growing demand, the sources said.

Destination/Hotel spas is another growing category where spas can contribute upto 15 per cent of a hotel's revenue and in some cases in the second fastest income generation in the hotel after rooms.

At present, India has around 20-25 major spa centres, most of them spread in the southern states-- Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Besides there are 3400 AYUSH hosptials in the country and 12 yoga hosptials also, Saji Kumar said.

The wellness services market here was expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 30-35 per cent for the next five years. There was increased demand for qualified staff with supervisory and management skills relevant to the

management of spa facilities.

There were also international career prospects for students in resorts, spas, wellness centers, he said.

The demand for Ayruvedic doctors and Ayurvedic chemsits is skyrocketing. Presently, there are over 6 lakh registered Ayurvedic practioners, he said.

But considering the growing popularity of the market, which comprises about 15,000 Ayurvedic and herbal products worth Rs 6000 crore and over 20,000 ayurvedic drugs manufacturing pharmacies, there was acute requirement of trained manpower, he said.

Yash Birla group owned Birla Kerala Vaidhyashala (BKV) also plans to open 200 new Ayurvedic treatment centres within five years across cities in India with a Rs 50 crore investment. The group would have its spa centres across Kerala, Goa, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata and Chennai, Harshajeet Kuroop, MD, said.

The BKV specialises in offering treatments for lifestyle and chronic health disorders with herbal medicines and oils prepared in-house. Ayurvedic rejuvenation packages and day spa procedures will also be available.

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Pg14 GOA’S HEARTBEAT New Enrichment of Hail! The King is here! “

What is not started today is never dilem, Minglun “finished “ Devan tomorrow - Johann Goethe vhelem - Anonymous

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Thursday, 29 April, 2010

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Mania – ‘ M a n g o the King’ f Return o pt title for a seems an g festival in the ongo e de Goa ad at the Cid s o r t , t o e Beach R this te a r b e l e c culinary l u s c i o u s ald sits to er delight. H s treat ou a sumptu

The Montessori approach of education might not have carved a niche in Goa, but the recently launched Happy Hearts Enrichment Centre has set a new trend by training teachers to implement this form of simpler and practical education while teaching

Photos by Christina Viegas Location: Cidade de Goa

BY DOLCY D’CRUZ HERALD FEATURES emember the time when you had to learn those difficult-to-remember mathematic tables? Stare at the numbers and break your head while studying addition, multiplication and division? The Montessori approach of education turns numbers to fun and makes it student-friendly so that children can easily understand and learn quickly. Happy Hearts Enrichment Centre in Porvorim is an activity centre which provides a multitude of courses for various age groups.

Headed by Christine Alphonso, Centre Head, the institute also houses a crèche and day-care centre which is entirely child-friendly with beautiful wall paintings that have the ability to put a child at ease and make learning fun.

A teacher in the Indian School Muscat, Christine used her extensive experience in setting up the activity centre along with her son, Dominic. “Though many institutes speak of using the Montessori approach, they don’t have the required apparatus to train the students. Nilanjala Mitra, our teacher at the institute is in charge of training the future teachers using the Montessori apparatus,” says Christine.

Nilanjala further explains, “This is a 9month course and subjects like Arithmetic, English, GK, History, Geography, Biology and Geometry are taught using Montessori materials. Children from the age of 2 years can join a Montessori school and start with the basics of Exercises of Practical Life (EPL) through which a students is taught how to button and unbutton, pour, carry things, fold and unfold napkins, etc. The materials include knobbed cylinders which are wooden blocks with ten depressions to fit variable sized cylinders, broad stairs which are ten wooden blocks, varying in two di-

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mensions, colour tablets, spindle boxes, and much more.”

“This day-care centre is distinctive as it uses the equipment prescribed through the Montessori method as well as modern equipment like an interactive touch-screen whiteboard with lots of educational software. The SIP Abacus and Brain Gym Programme offered at this centre

is the only abacus technique that stimulates whole brain development which includes both the right and left side of the brain,” says Dominic Alphonso, faculty member at the centre.

Another interesting course at the centre is the WriteRight course which has been developed by a teacher and has its workbooks handwritten which in turn improves the handwriting of students of different age groups apart from even lawyers and doctors. The centre also offers several courses for adults like the ALMA Computer Faculty Programme, and the Nursery Teacher’s Training Certificate Programme.

“At the centre, we are encouraging women to enter the courses, especially women who have only completed their class X or Class XII. They have the potential but due to family pressures they give up education. We want to educate these women so that they can educate more children through the course,” says Christine.

­H­O­R­O­S­C­O­P­E It's a crucial day to take action toward a goal. The opportunity will be gone soon. If you feel fed up (21 Mar – 19 Apr) over something, you need to make sure that you're not just blowing up at whomever is closest. If you can track down the right person, your anger can serve a good purpose.

No one can be good all the time, but give it your best shot today. Avoid temptation. Shopping (23 Sep – 22 Oct) may consume your mind today, even if you don't ordinarily lose it over the bargain bins. It's a good time for you to get good deals and take home anything you really need.

Don't take any risks today -- the outcome will not be in your favor. Play it safe. Your possessive (20 Apr – 20 May) nature may not be your most appealing quality, but right now it is on the surface. You may find that your intense energy makes your friends and family stick closer to you.

A risk you take today will have major consequences, so make sure it's worth it. You may find (23 Oct – 21 Nov) that you're getting more respect than usual today -- so work it! Your energy won't last forever, but the effects of today's actions just might, as long as you take quick action.

You'll need some trusted partners to help you land this victory. Share you plan. Your powers of ob(21 May – 21 Jun) servation are stronger than ever right now, so see if you can dig up some new facts or just figure out what's really going on with your partner. Life should be more sensible soon.

Go see or rent a funny movie -- you need a jovial, irreverent influence on your day. You are sur(22 Nov – 21 Dec) prisingly shy today, maybe because you're distracted.

It could also be that you are selfconscious about something new, so try to check out what's going on and make some changes, if need be.

Set aside this afternoon to do something nice for yourself -- life is for living.

You are almost certainly (22 Jun – 22 Jul) going through some big changes today -- though they may all be internal! Your energy is quite strong, but you may need to use all of it in order to move forward decisively.

Things can move quickly -- be conscious of how time passes and savor each minute. It's a good (22 Dec – 19 Jan) day to intervene in disputes, even if you don't know much about what's going on. That could work to your advantage, as you're not burdened with any preconceptions that interfere with your judgment.

Your romance just took a big leap forward and you might not even know it. Call them. You need (23 Jul – 22 Aug) to deal with some issue that is irrelevant to your friends today -- so hang out on your own or just withdraw a little until you've figured out what's really going on inside your heart.

Anything is possible today -- think big. Reach deep inside and you can go farther. Your private life is (20 Jan – 18 Feb) extremely important to you, but you may have to deal with quite a few invitations or interruptions today. Be as civil as you can be, especially about those that come to you late in the day.

You're excited and want to rush ahead, but you can't. Wait for everyone to catch up. It doesn't (23 Aug – 22 Sep) matter what you're up to today -- you need to dive in deeply!

It's a really good time for you to shut out distractions and make sure that you're feeling up to taking the next big step.

Paying attention pays off.

Note of the little things today to get the edge you need. Things are a little (19 Feb – 20 Mar) crazy today, but you have more personal energy than you realize. It's a good day to push back against the upheaval that's going on all around you, though it may feel tough.

Scarlett Johansson loves ‘Tough Cookie’ Roles H

BY CHRISTINA VIEGAS HERALD FEATURES ou are dewy eyed with the fragrance playing havoc on your senses; its texture feels buttery in your mouth as you suck at its luscious, richly toned and wholesome body that grinds your senses as your tongue discerns the specific flavour. Yes, only a mango can extract the hidden animal in you as you get into the passionate act of relishing one.

And yet, majority of people in Goa are lamenting about the rocketing prices of this King of Fruits. The local dailies are constantly reporting on how the ‘aam’ is out of reach for the ‘aam admi’. Alas! What a shame that we cannot enjoy our very own locally grown fruits! But, executive chef, Prasad Paul at the Cidade de Goa Beach Resort promises to spin his ‘aam ka jadoo’ and dish out a sumptuous treat to one and all at the resort. He enlightens, “Our team of expert chefs have rustled up a varied fare to entice the taste buds of gourmand connoisseurs of Goa.” Remind him about the exorbitant prices and he replies, “We have our standard suppliers who give us some of the best varieties of mangoes like ‘mancurad’, Alphonso, ‘musarad’ etc; all locally grown.” So, what is his motive in holding a mango festival? The chef informs, “In the past, whenever we held mango festivals, the dishes always revolved around desserts or drinks. But mango can be used in so many dishes from the starters to main course. So this year, you can sample every dish on the menu with mango in it.”

As for the elaborate and meticulously planned menu which is

Y

BY CLARON MAZZARELLO uring the peak season time, north Goa is usually packed, while the end and off season, it is usually the south that heats up. Having met with grave success last week, the annual ‘White Sensations’ party organisers are now already excited for their next annual venture – ‘ The Evergreen Theme Party’ - that they have during the rains (besides the annual ‘Black Sensations’ party that already took place earlier this year). And by the way, a D-Nox and Beckers remix of ‘Many years from now’ originally by Lustral is what DJ Amol (another from among the three Goan DJs doing an album for Club Tito’s with Sony Music) would recommend as ‘Track of the week’. “Ivan and Rohit Barker played it this week on Indigo,” he discloses.

Among the live gigs, the Venetian born Harri Stojka, apparently one of Austria's greatest gypsy jazz guitarists is scheduled to be performing at Zeebop, Utorda this May 1. Then again, our street-musiccrazy Elvis Lobo will be playing alongside ‘The Joe Ferrao Band’ at Art Escape this Friday at Benaulim. He will also be

PartyD Ho(p)ping… to a Pool, Urrack and Much More! mer is The sum full swing officially in ody wants and everyb shot to to give a new. The something ll o w w il l d a y s to fo at with its allow just th ted events urrack rela

reasonably priced too, for starters there is crab meat with mango salad, smoked chicken with sweet mango chutney and the very interesting mango with avocado cocktail. As for the soups, the mango and coconut cream really stands out. And when you get to the main course, the pan fried Basa fillet with mango Holandaise or the grilled chicken with mango and Cayenne Pepper Salsa just leaves you smacking your lips for more.

And then to sample dishes which perhaps your grand mom churned out at home like the ‘touk dal’ mildly spiced with raw mango or the ‘uddamethi’ which is the raw mango curry seasoned with fenugreek seeds and served with steaming hot rice, is a pure delight. How I loved those copious varieties of dishes, each with a distinct taste of its own! And there is also a raw mango ‘pulao’ served with sweet mango chutney. Interesting, isn’t it?

During the course of our meal, Chef Paul enlightens us, “Using a lot of raw mango in your food will complement the seafood that Goans eat virtually everyday.” Yes, the piquant dishes with their sweet and sour flavours are particularly delicious.

Just when we thought we had enough and could not move, desserts were served which were truly delightful: mango ‘rasmalai’, mango tartlets, mango crepes suzette (pancakes soaked in mango butter sauce and doused with brandy) etc. The mango liqueur served chilled, at the end simply completes the mango meal by weaving its ‘aam nasha’ over you. Yes, even a teetotaller is tempted with the dash tasted. So, the only other option besides drinking was to drizzle every possible dessert served, with the lusciously delicious liqueur which had Chef Paul in splits as he goaded us on, “Yes, it is your choice, go ahead if you find it tasty.” I mean, why should we douse our mango desserts with brandy when we had mango liqueur enhancing every nuance of the delectable flavours?!

So, go ahead and delve into the delights of mango. And perhaps, you should try eating with your hands; it provides an intimacy with your food that is not easily experienced with our daily fork and spoon.

The festival is on at the resort till June 10.

ollywood actress Scarlett Johansson, who will be seen playing the role of secret agent Natalie Romanova aka Black Widow in ‘Iron Man 2’, says she likes to portray “strong and independent” characters onscreen. Johansson is thrilled for the upcoming May 7 release of the Robert Downey Jr film.

“These characters are strong, independent women that could function with or without the men in their lives. They run a smooth, efficient operation and are at the head of their game and I really attribute that to Jon Favreau’s appreciation for a strong lady,” she said.

The 26-year-old Hollywood actress defined her role in Iron Man 2 as of “strong and independent” woman who can function with or without the men in their lives. “It’s very exciting to be that kind of role model for young girls and for women to see that you don’t have to be the damsel in distress,” she said.

The actress, who is married to fellow actor Ryan Reynolds, says she is not much of a party person in real life and tries to keep things private. “You know, it’s hard, particularly in this day and age, to kind of surprise your audience because they already know so much about you personally,” she said.

“So I try to avoid that kind of scene as much as possible,” Johansson said.

“I like to go out. I like to hear music and go out for dinners and stuff like that but I’m not really a party in the club kind of girl.”

playing at the Chitra Museum this Saturday with Cliff de Souza, before heading back up north to kick-start these brand new regular Sundays jazzing it up with Steve and Kitu at Poco Loco restaurant at the RGBC, Baga. Word also has it that free original jazz music CD’s are going to be doled out at the bar at this venue whilst Jazz Junction (Yvonne Gonsalves, Collin D’Cruz et al) will perform this Friday.

What also happened last week, besides Bondo’s spectacular show at the last SNM, was a Mars v/s Venus party at the Lava Lounge with yet another called ‘Red Hot Lava’ at the same venue this May 2. Talking about weather, there seems to be a hurricane coming our way – ‘Hurricane Ivan’ – a favourite Bangalore-based DJ among Goan party hoppers who will wind us all up at this pool party at Praia, Verem come this Sunday on May 2. With city-party places like Taj, Vivanta, the Marriots, DTR and a few others dissecting the party population further with their events, pub-hopping in Panjim must indeed be fun.

Now don’t forget, what also set in along with the holiday season are two important things – mangoes and ‘urrack’ (now that the Festive Feni weekend at Ancestral Goa, BigFoot last week is safely behind us). While the further prejudiced may possibly judgmentally categorise the kinds of people according to their choices, it is definitely going to be a total mix-n-match of everything and everyone this Arlem Festival 2010.

And to top it all, post this ongoing sailing championship at Vainguinnim Beach, one will have the opportunity of celebrating an ‘urrack’ weekend in style with another pool party called ‘Urrack Summer Grind’ on May 9, with Bermudas and beachwear as the dress code. A non-reliable birdie who is never in the driver’s seat (fondly called ‘Caitanic’ due to his love for ‘urrack’) also mentioned this ‘standing-on-one-leg’ competition that might be in the fray.

‘Raavan’ not connected to Ramayan: Abhishek T

hough there are many speculations about what the storyline of ‘Raavan’ will be, Abhishek Bachchan has clarified that ‘Raavan’ had no connection with the mythological epic ‘Ramayan’. “It would be futile to unnecessarily draw parallels because the only connection is the name ‘Raavan’. It is an apt title for the film because of the different shades of my character, Beera’s, personality,” he said.

“In fact, Beera’s pet name is ‘Raavan’. He has a small sister who calls him by that name,” the actor revealed. He said when he told Mani that comparisons to Ramayan would be inevitable due to the film’s title, the director asked him to name one film in India which does not have an influence of epics and mythological stories. “Also, it is a contemporary film with no reference to naxalism or any naxal leader,” he added.

It’s also in the news that Abhishek has backed out of Raavan’s Tamil version. The Bollywood star says he opted out of director Mani Ratnam’s Tamil version of ‘Raavan’, where he was originally slated to play the role of ‘Dev’, due to language problems.

“When Mani decided to make ‘Raavan’ it was only in Hindi.

The idea of a Tamil version came in later. He told me to swap roles from ‘Beera’ in Hindi to ‘Dev’ in Tamil. Even though I agreed initially, I realised that I would not be able to do justice to the role since I am not comfortable with the language,” said Abhishek.

“I told Mani that I did not want to do a film in a language which I did not understand. It is important for an actor know the language...

Aishwarya is in both the versions because she knows it,” he said. Even though Mani was adamant, I managed to convince him that I would not be able to do the best job,” the actor said. Moreover, I had my hands full with ‘Beera’ which was a tough character to play, the actor said.

Southern actor Prithviraj now plays Dev’s character in the Tamil version and superstar Vikram essays ‘Raavan’.

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GOA’S HEARTBEAT

CURR

Thursday, 29 April, 2010

WHAT’S UP IN GOA??

The mango festival ‘Mango Mania – Return of the King’ is being held till June 10 at the Cidade de Goa Beach Resort, Dona Paula. Call 2454545 or 3041234.

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

Art exhibition ‘Works on Paper I’ by five artists V Aadhi, P Hitesh, N Kanhaiya, C Rajesh and U Rajendra will open on April 29 at 7:30pm at the Tamarind Art Gallery, Calangute.

It will remain open to the public till May 26 between 11am to 2pm and 3 to 8:30pm on all days except Mondays. Call 9822481481 or 6514796.

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

A musical programme ‘Padmashree M Boyer Hanchea Kantarancho Ugddas’ which will highlight memorable songs sung by the late M Boyer will take place on May 6 at the Ravindra Bhavan, Sanvordem on May 23. It is organised

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

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

A chess tournament for persons under 25 will take place on May 1 at 9:15am at the International Centre Goa, Dona Paula. Call 2452805, 2452808, 2452809 and 2452810.

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

spilth

BY DOLCY D’CRUZ HERALD FEATURES ilm producers and directors of Goan origin finally released a sigh of relief when Chief Minister Digamber Kamat relaunched the Goa Scheme of Financial Assistance for Films on April 28, 2010 at the Marquinez Palace, Panjim. Attended by several film producers and directors from various parts of the state, the scheme was launched through the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG). The function was attended by Manoj Shrivastav, CEO of ESG, Narendra Kumar, Acting Chief Secretary, Vishnu Wagh, Media Advisor, V P Rao, Secretary and Manguirish Pai Raikar.

Manoj Shrivastav, CEO of ESG said, “The scheme is revised and made easy with just a two-page document instead of a 50-100 page brief about the film. Directors and producers have to submit their brief to the jury which will decide and give their yes or no answer with a reason to the directors and producers. The entire procedure is simplified which includes expenditure, which was not included in the previous scheme.”

In his speech, Kamat emphasised that the scheme has been revised by a special subcommittee comprising Vishal Pai Cacode, member of the governing council of the Entertainment Society of Goa, Dharmanand Vernekar, member of the general body of

Example Sentence A spilth of Andy’s drink hit the floor as he tripped on the carpet.

if damning hogs are pork roasts, then sheep blogs are lamb posts!

Instructions for Sudoku SUDOKU SOL 539 9 x 9 letter: To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in each of the nine vertical columns, in each of the nine horizontal rows and in each of the nine boxes

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Nominations for Song and Music Awards 2009 T h e Ti a t r A c a d e m y o f G o a a n n o u n c e s t h e artistes/albums nominated for various awards

the ESG, Dr Pramod Salgaocar and film directors, Laxmikant Shetgaonkar and Rajendra Talak. “We have incorporated new provisions and various suggestions made by film makers but once it begins, there might be a few directors or producers that will still find faults in the scheme and they can directly approach for assistance. It is my sincere request for youngsters to take advantage of the scheme.

Goan filmmakers should think of bringing out a good quality film without any jealousy about other films. There will be no injustice on our part and we will support the cause,” said Digamber Kamat.

Media Advisor, Vishnu Wagh said, “I have read the Scheme of Financial Assistance for Films in both the states, Goa and Maharashtra but I am glad to say that the Goa scheme is very exhaustive. There are two categories, feature films which can be produced in Konkani and Marathi and non feature films which can be made in Konkani, Marathi, Hindi and English.”

BEST MALE SINGER Anthony San Sidhanath Buyao Lawry Travasso BEST FEMALE SINGER Lorna Cordeiro Lulu Fortes Nephie Rod BEST LYRICIST Ravindra Pawar Lawry Travasso Vikas Prabhu BEST MUSIC Norman Cardozo Sidhanath Buyao Webly Gomes and Felipe Barreto

S

by Francis Rodrigues

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email us at: goasheartbeat@herald-goa.com

HERALD FEATURES erena Menzes, Sara Fernandes and Tanvi Kothavale recently presented their ‘arangetram’ at the Dinanath Mangeshkar Auditorium, Panjim.

Serena, a student of standard VI loves music, playing the keyboard and painting besides dance, while Sara Fernandes, a standard VII is interested in fine arts and is a talented singer, painter besides holding a passion for classical dance. Lastly, Tanvi Kothavale, a standard VI student says singing and sports are her favourite hobbies.

The arangetram was presented under the tutelage of their guru Priyanka Rane of the Priyanka Dance Academy, Mapusa.

The musicians comprised Vani Manjunathan on the flute, Sharmila Rao on the violin, Mubina on the ‘nattuvangam’ and Venkatesh K N on the ‘mrudangam’, while the vocals were provided by Chandrika Bhatt.

DAILY GROOK ANIMAL JOURNAL

Meaning 1 : an instance of spilling 2 : something spilled; refuse, rubbish

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Girl Arangetram trio spellbinds Audience

at night, and I ask, ‘Where have I gone wrong?’ Then a voice says, ‘This is going to take more than one night.’”

– Charles M Schulz

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PEN T HAP

Entertainment

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Funny Quote “ Sometimes I lie awake

Pronunciation SPILTH

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Goan filmmakers should bring out good quality films: CM

LAFFS

WORD OF THE DAY

SUDOKU 540

Paula. Call 9422056037, 2223119 and 2462182. E-mail goakayaking@gmail.com.

Experimath, A Workshop for Parents to Teach Children Basic Mathematical Concepts through Learning by Doing will take place on May 1 from 9:30am to 4pm at the Sethu Centre, Altinho, Panaji.

The last date to register is April 28.

Call 6513749.

A caricature exhibition by Bharat Jagtap is being held at the Institute Menezes Braganza Art Gallery, Institute Menezes Braganza, Panjim till April 29. Call 2224143.

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

A pottery workshop by Geeta Sahu will take place at the International Centre Goa, Dona Paula on May 1 and 2. Call 9765404391, 9975702588 or 2452805-10.

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

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

A discussion on ‘Cubism: The Rebirth of Pictorial, Space in the works of Picasso, Braque and Gris’ will take place on April 29 as part of the next Zeitgeist session at the Gallery Gitanjali, Panjim. Call 9823572035. E-mail gallerygitanjali@gmail.com.

The monthly quiz of the Sunday Evening Quiz Club will be held on May 2 at 5pm at the Corporation of the City of Panjim (CCP) Hall, Panjim. It will be preceded by a special quiz for children at 3:45pm. Visit www.seqc.blogspot.com.

Education

BEST ALBUM ‘Valley of Colorz’ ‘Nisha’ ‘Mogachea Pinzreant’

F

ather Peter Cardozo, director of the Pilar Music Academy and Joel Pereira, a musician of repute from Mangalore were the judges for Best Male and Female Singers, Best Music and for Best Album while Jess Fernandes, winner of Sahitya Academy Award and Father Nevel Gracias, lyricist, writer and director judged the lyrics of the songs.

The Konkani Song and Music Awards 2009 instituted by the Tiatr Academy of Goa will be declared and presented on April 30, 2010 at 5pm at the Conference Hall of the Tiatr Academy of Goa, Campal, Panaji.

Dr Francisco Colaco, singer and musician will be the chief guest and present the awards. Tomazinho Cardozo, president, TAG and Roseferns, vice president, TAG will grace the occasion.

Annual Appreciation of Artistes

by Kala Academy The dignitaries present at the Kala Academy’s Annual Day handed out certificates of merit to many students who excelled at music, dance and dram. Some are below:

GARFIELD

Artiste receiving the award from dignitary Vasant Josalkar, ex-director, School of Drama, Kala Academy (Above) Artiste receiving the award from dignitary Prasad Lolayekar, director, Art and Culture,Government of Goa

SOUTH POLE

Heritage Jazz’s Armando Gonsalves was recently awarded the Karmaveer Puraskaar in the category of Peace and Harmony. The Karmaveer Puraskaar are awards instituted by the citizens and people of India as a part of the ‘Right every Wrong Movement’. These awards seek to celebrate and inspire individual citizen’s social responsibility, justice and action initiatives.

(Right) Artiste receiving the award from dignitary Paresh Joshi, vice chairman, Kala Academy

10:00 Sabki Laadli Bebo 10:30 Sasural Genda Phool 11:00 Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya 11:30 Behenein 12:00 Sapna Babul Ka ...Bidaai 12:30 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai 13:00 Tere Mere Sapne 13:30 Hamari Devrani 14:00 Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat 14:30 Behenein 15:00 Sajan Ghar Jaana Hai 15:30 Sapna Babul Ka ...Bidaai 16:00 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai 16:30 Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya 17:00 Sasural Genda Phool 17:30 Behenein 18:00 Sabki Laadli Bebo 18:30 Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya 19:00 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai 19:30 Sasural Genda Phool 20:00 Sajan Ghar Jaana Hai 20:30 Behenein 21:00 Sapna Babul Ka ...Bidaai 21:30 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai 22:00 Sabki Laadli Bebo 22:30 Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya

11:00 Godh Bharaai 11:30 Indian Idol 13:00 Godh Bharaai 13:30 C.I.D 18:00 Indian Idol 19:00 Sukh By Chance 19:30 Godh Bharaai 20:00 C.I.D Classics 21:00 Indian Idol 22:30 Crime Patrol

10:00 Choti Bahu

10:30 12/24 Karol Bagh 11:00 Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi 11:30 Pavitra Rishta 12:00 Do Saheliyaan 12:30 Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 13:00 Jhansi Ki Rani 13:30 Pavitra Rishta 14:00 Choti Bahu 14:30 Do Saheliyaan 15:00 Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi 15:30 12/24 Karol Bagh 16:00 Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 16:30 Choti Bahu 17:00 Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi 17:30 Jhansi Ki Rani 18:00 Pavitra Rishta 18:30 Ghar Ghar Mein 19:00 Do Saheliyaan 19:30 Choti Bahu 20:00 Jhansi Ki Rani 20:30 Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 21:00 Pavitra Rishta 21:30 Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi 22:00 12/24 Karol Bagh 22:30 Do Saheliyaan

10:00 Maniben.com 10:30 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta 11:15 Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo 12:00 Lapataganj 12:30 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta 13:00 Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo 13:30 Maniben.com 14:00 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta 14:30 Lapataganj 15:00 Yeh Chanda Kanoon Hai 15:30 Jugni Chali Jalandar 16:00 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta 16:30 Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo 17:00 Gutar Gu 17:30 Lapataganj 18:00 Yeh Chanda Kanoon Hai 18:30 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta 19:00 Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo 19:30 Lapataganj 20:00 Maniben.com

08:45 Picture This 10:45 The Terminator 12:45 Thomas Crown Affair 15:00 Race to Witch Mountain 17:10 Nim's Island 19:10 Species II 21:00 Shanghai Noon 23:15 Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde

08:15 Poison Ivy: The Secret Society 10:00 Wanted 12:00 The Number 23 14:00 Ghost Town 16:15 Friday Night Lights 18:45 The Ruins 20:30 TMZ 21:00 Wanted 23:00 Iron Man

08:30 Hote Hote Pyaar Ho Gaya 12:10 Tejasvini 16:30 Raja Bhaiya 20:00 Anth 23:15 Papi Gudia

09:30 Devi Maa 12:30 Mumbai Express 16:00 Tumse Achha Kaun Hai 20:00 Umrao Jaan 23:00 Gone in Sixty Seconds

07:55 The Grass Harp 10:05 A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries 12:35 Laws of Attraction

14:30 Push 16:45 Snatch 18:50 Ella Enchanted 21:00 Scary Movie 3 23:00 Frankenfish

08:30 Sangram 12:00 Swarg 16:00 Badal 20:00 Mujhse Dosti Karoge 23:25 Bewaffa Se Waffa

08:00 Shera 12:00 Heena 16:00 Phool Aur Kaante 20:00 U Me Aur Hum

E N T E R TA I N M E N T 20:30 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta 21:00 Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo 21:30 Jugni Chali Jalandar 22:00 Lapataganj 22:30 Yeh Chanda Kanoon Hai

10:00 Dill Mill Gayye 10:30 Mile Jab Hum Tum 11:00 Jaane Pehchaane Se Yeh 11:30 Geet 12:00 Rang Badalti Odhni 12:30 Dill Mill Gayye 13:00 Jaane Pehchaane Se Yeh 13:30 Geet 14:00 Rang Badalti Odhni

14:30 Mile Jab Hum Tum 15:00 Aakrosh 18:00 Laughter Ke Phatke 18:30 Dill Mill Gayye 19:00 Geet 19:30 Rang Badalti Odhni 20:00 Dill Mill Gayye 20:30 Jaane Pehchaane Se Yeh 21:00 Mile Jab Hum Tum 21:30 Geet 22:00 Rang Badalti Odhni 22:30 Jaane Pehchaane Se Yeh

11:00 Numb3rs : Disturbed 12:00 Breaking The Magician's Code 13:00 Wipeout Australia

14:00 Criss Angel Mindfreak 15:00 Video Zonkers 17:00 The Amazing Race Asia 18:00 Life on Mars : Life is a Rock 19:00 Wipeout Australia 20:00 Ghost Adventure 21:00 Estate of Panic 22:00 Top Chef : Restaurant Wars 23:00 Drop Dead Diva : Crazy

09:00 Two and a Half Men 09:30 Friends 10:00 American Idol 12:00 The Bold and The Beautiful 12:30 Prison Break

13:30 90210 14:30 Two and a Half Men 15:00 The Bold and The Beautiful 15:30 Psych 16:30 Friends 17:00 Prison Break 18:00 90210 19:00 Friends 19:30 Two and a Half Men 20:00 Psych 21:00 Friends 21:30 Two and a Half Men 22:00 Prison Break

10:30 Internazionali Bnl D'italia 16:30 Mobil 1 The Grid 17:00 Simply the Best 17:30 Sea Master Sailing Series 18:00 TNA Sikander 19:00 F1 Classics : 1993 European Grand Prix 20:00 Sports Mania 20:30 Ace 2010 21:00 Score Tonight 21:30 TNA Sikander 22:30 Asian Tour Golf Show : Ballantine's Championship

09:00 ICC World T20 2009 H/L : India vs. Bangladesh 10:00 ICC World T20 2009 H/L : South Africa vs. Pakistan 11:00 FIM S1 Supermoto World Championship 2009 H/ls 12:00 Barclays Premier League 09/10 : Manchester United vs. Tottenham Hotspur 14:00 NBA Classic Games 2009/10 : Los Angeles Lakers vs. Indiana Pacers 16:00 Fina Aquatics World 16:30 Football Focus with John 17:30 Football Crazy 18:00 ICC World T20 2007 H/L : India vs. Australia

19:00 Goals!

19:30 Global Football 20:00 Sportscenter India 20:30 Sportscenter Asia 21:00 Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games : Snowboard 22:00 Sportscenter India 22:30 Sportscenter Asia 23:00 ICC World T20 2007 H/L2 08:30 UEFA Champions League 2009/10 : Semi Final: Bayern Munich vs. Lyon 10:30 Motorsport Mundial 11:00 FIFA: Futbol Mundial 11:30 UEFA Champions League 13:30 UEFA Champions League 2009/10 : Semi Final: Barcelona vs. Inter Milan 15:30 UEFA Champions League 16:30 Mobil 1 The Grid

07:00 Kids Club 07:30 Flavors 08:00 English News 09:00 Konkani News 10:00 Marathi News 11:00 Face-2-Face 11:30 Fashion Show 12:00 Rose Garden 12:30 Flavors 13:00 English News 14:00 Singing Competition 15:00 Sangeet 15:30 Life is to live 16:00 Rose Garden 16:30 Flavors 17:00 Kids Club 17:30 Face-2-Face 18:00 Konkani News 19:00 Marathi News 20:00 English News 21:00 Straight Talk 22:00 English News 23:00 Marine 23:30 HCN Smash Hitz 00:00 Life is to live Note: Subject to change

HERALD CROSSWORD - 540 Across 1- Failures; 6- Word processing error; 10- Miss; 14- Theatrical entertainment; 15Liquid food; 16- ___ boy!; 17Tennis champ Chris; 18Commedia dell'___; 19- Attack a fly; 20- Tinge; 22- Series of prayers; 24- Coop group; 25- Worker; 26- Adventurous expedition; 29Stringed instrument; 30- Former spouses; 31- Subsequently; 37- Narrow street; 39- Parisian pal; 40- Multitude; 41- Moving backward; 44- Drops from the sky; 45Mend with rows of stitches; 46- Walked lamely; 48Bondage; 52- Priest of the East; 53- High-speed skiing; 54- Narrating; 58- Folk singer Burl; 59- Dies ___; 61- 3rd letter of the Hebrew alphabet; 62- Skin; 63- Match up; 64- Circumvent; 65- Zeno's home; 66- 8th letter of the Hebrew alphabet; 67- Have a feeling about; Down 1- Worry; 2- First name in jeans; 3- Bakery fixture; 4- Buyer; 5Dog breed; 6- Autocratic Russian rulers; 7- Long ago; 8Place; 9- Function; 10- Cow catcher; 11- Fighting; 12- Blank look; 13- Lustful deity; 21- Single entity; 23- Belief involving sorcery; 25- Sensational; 26Scorch; 27- Car bar; 28- Thick

fabric; 29- Geneva's lake; SOLUTION - 539 32- Torment; 33- Fashioning; 34- Pitfall; 35- Actress McClurg; 36- Tear; 38Warble; 42- Decorate; 43Airline to Tel Aviv; 47- Likenesses; 48- Steal; 49- Horizontal; 50- Designer Simpson; 51- Roman goddess of the hearth; 52Bloodsucking worm; 54Tirade; 55- One-named supermodel; 56- Beatty and Rorem; 57- Elation; 60- Cereal grass;

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SPORTS

GOA, Thursday, 29 April, 2010

Cycle Rally

PANJIM (HSD) – The Goa Cycle Club will organise a cycle rally on April 29, starting from Bandodkar Samadhi, Mira Mar, at 6 pm. The rally is open to all cyclist above the age of 16 years. Critical Mass is also being held in Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Bangalore and other cities.

Pg16 Dempo inch closer to title Mohun Bagan…1 Dempo SC…4 PTI KOLKATA, APRIL 28

Dempo Sports Club made a spectacular second half comeback to demolish Mohun Bagan 4-1 in a round 23 I-League match at Yuba Bharati Krirangan here today.

The win meant Dempo, who now have 47 points from 23 matches, are tantalisingly close to their fourth title in the national championship.

In two contrasting performances, Mohun Bagan dominated the first-half with a NS Manju strike early in the seventh minute as the leaders looked out of sorts, both in the midfield and forward.

But the Goans turned the table in a scintillating fashion after the breather and pumped in four goals in a space of 20 minutes to shatter Mohun Bagan's hopes.

Man-of-the-Match Beto scored two goals (47th, 64th), while Ranti Martins (54th) and Joaquim Abranches (60th) found the net once to complete the humiliation for the home team.

Dempo goalkeeper Abhijit Mondal stood tall in front of the bar in the first half.

India international Manju helped Mohun Bagan go 1-0 up in a splendid fashion when he

Dempo Sports Club’s Brazilian striker Beto celebrates with team-mates Joaquim Abranches, Ranti Martins after scoring a goal against Mohun Bagan, at Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata, on Wednesday.

scored from a Marcos Pereira corner early on.

All charged-up, Mohun Bagan got a fine opportunity in the 20th minute when Chidi beat the Dempo defence and took the shot which was deflected out by custodian Mondal.

Dempo almost equalised through Anthony Pereira in the

25th minute when Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Shilton Paul found himself out of place but a well anticipated Deepak got himself on line of the ball to avert the goal.

But after the change of ends, the Armando Colaco-coached side looked regrouped with Brazilian striker Beto bringing them back into the match with

the equaliser in the 47th minute.

Against the run of the mill, an unmarked Beto headed the ball home from a Samir Naik corner to level the scoreline.

Dempo intensified their attack with a spirited Abranches on the midfield as they quickly went ahead seven minutes later.

Ranti made a brilliant finish

from an Abranches pass with a superb right-footer.

Six minutes later, Abranches scored from a Climax Lawrence corner to make it 3-1 for Dempo.

Beto added salt to Bagan's injury, scoring his second and Dempo's fourth of the match in the 64th minute to seal the match in his side's favour.

Colaco applauds team’s performance HERALD CFORRESPONDENT MARGAO, APRIL 28

Taca Goa U-20: Paradise Sports Club v. Youth Sports Club of Colvale, Taleigao ground, 4.15 p.m.

3rd Colormax-Imperial Rolling Trophy (2nd semis): United Club Nerul v. Arpora Sporting Club, at Dr. Gustavo Monteiro stadium, Candolim, 4.45 p.m.

Pilerne Panchayat Cup inter-village soccer: Calangute Association v. Milagres Sports Club, Mapusa, Maddanim ground, Pilerne, 5 p.m.

Siolim-Sodiem Super Soccer (1st semis): Nagoa Sports v.

Saligao United, St Anthony’s Church ground, Siolim, 4.30 pm.

St Anthony’s Super Soccer: Union of Chinchinim Villagers v. Santa Cruz Cavelossim, Colva ground, 4.30 p.m.

James Alvares Memorial Beach Soccer: Faria Striker v.

Baina Boys; Hollant Boys v.

Highway Boys, Bogmalo Beach. Kick off 4.45 p.m.

Armando Colaco

Dempo Sports Club chief coach Armando Colaco applauded the players for the excellent 4-1 victory against Mohun Bagan and credited them for wonderful allround performance.

“This was a great win and I thank God. It is a personal win for me and I dedicate it to my boys. The guys did very well despite trailing 0-1 at the breather,” Colaco told Herald from Kolkata over phone.

“It was a great performance.

The boys had promised that they would do their best and they did a good job. We are fully satisfied with the result,” he said.

“They (Bagan) started off aggressively but we gradually got into groove and took the fight to them,” he added.

Colaco was particularly happy with the way his team played in the second half.

“We adopted better to the condition in the second half and was in control.”

Chirag hold Lajong 1-1 A 83rd minute goal by Edmilson Marques helped Chirag United to snatch appoint in their 23 round ONGC I-League fixtures against Shillong Lajong FC in JN Sports Complex, Shillong, here, on Wednesday.

After dictating the terms in the first half and notching up the

opener through Daniel Bademi in the 38th minute, Lajong failed to sustain their lead and conceded a later equaliser in the 83rd minute, when Edmilson spoiled Stanley Rozario-coached side party to salvage some pride after suffering two straight defeats.

Three points would have done the trick for Lajong as relegation threat is looming over

Arata Izumi’s strike saved the day for Pune FC as Derrick Pereira boys hold Mahindra United 1-1 in the round 23 tie of the ONGC I-league at the Cooperage ground, here, on Wednesday.

Three points was utter requirement for the David Booth boys to keep their titles hopes alive after their back-to-back defeats at the hands of Lajong and Mohun Bagan but it was Pune FC’s PIO Arata Izumi goal that put Mahindra out of the title race.

Steven Dias opened the account for Mahindra, while Arata leveled the terms for the visitors.

In the 27th minute of the game Pune FC’s Asim Hassan and Arata Izumi combined well

to send the ball to Douhou but, it was well collected by Mahindra goalkeeper Subhodeep Mukherjee.

Three minutes later a Mahindra got a golden opportunity to take the lead, when Steven Dias free-kick from the right saw N.P.Pradeep’s header being palmed over the bar for a corner

by Pune FC custodian Subrata Paul.

The deadlock was finally broken for the Jeepmen when Steven Dias scored off a Denzil Franco cross from the right flank. Franco started to move with Svetozar Mijin to send in a cross which saw Rafi and Subrata Paul clash. Steven Dias only had to slot the ball into the empty net which he ably did in

Chirag Utd…1

Lajong…1

AGENCIES SHILLONG, APRIL 28

them but they failed to capitalise their one goal advantage and are now placed 8th in the standings with 26 points, while Chirag position remained unchanged as they find themselves at 6th spot with 32 points.

Lajong centre-back Wa i l a d m i Pa s s a h w a s a d judged the Man-of-the-Match for his solid performance at the back.

Arata helps Pune to hold Jeepmen

Arata Izumi Mahindra Utd…1 Pune FC…1 AGENCIES MUMBAI, APRIL 28

the 38th minute to put his side ahead.

The scoreline read 1-0 in favour of the Mumbai outfit after the first half proceedings.

After resumption, Pune FC started to put pressure on their opponents and had better ball possession.

Pune FC equalised in the 58th minute when Arata Izumi slotted home the ball off a long shot from Asim Hassan.

Mahindra could have regained their lead in the last few moments of the game but couldn’t capitalise on the chances that fell in their kitty and hence had to pay for it. Pune FC custodian Subrata Paul was adjudged the Man of the Match.

Whether he was surprised with the outcome, he mentioned, I felt that it would be a tough match. But the manner in which the team performed was excellent. The team stuck to the plan and bottled up Jose Ramirez Baretto and Edeh Chidi “This is one of the best win to come against a top team.”

“I congratulate the team for the commitment and dedication they displayed in the match,” Colaco concluded.

Injury hit AI face JCT Challenge AGENCIES MUMBAI, APRIL 28

Air India will be more desperate in search of a win when they take on JCT in the round 23 match of the I-league to be played at the Cooperage ground on Thursday.

Air India are placed 10th with 25 points, while the visiting team find themselves in the seventh position with 28 points.

Though the visiting team are placed higher in the points table, a win will help Airmen to level the points with JCT. But going by the performance, Air India have not been able to register a win since sometime now as their last win came against the Kolkata giants East Bengal in the round 17.

Yusuf Ansari’s team has somehow managed to keep themselves motivated but a win in home conditions could surely give them the needed boost. But at the same time, the Mumbai outfit has been rocked by numerous injuries which have been the major concern.

Dada Nabeel, Harpreet Singh, Soccor Velho, Kailash Patil and Allan Dias are all recuperating from their respective injuries.

Reuben Singh, Tapan Maity, Samson Singh and James Singh are likely to replace them.

St Anthony’s Colva storm into semis

alvernaz-lalush memorial soccer HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, APRIL 28

St Anthony’s Sporting Club, Colva defeated Goa Velha Sports Club 6-5 via tiebreaker to storm into the semi-finals of All Goa Alvernaz and Lalush Alemao memorial inter village football tournament, organised by Churchill Brothers, at Varca grounds, on Wednesday.

The winners were leading 10 at the breather.

St Anthony’s were the first to settle down and repeatedly raided the rival citadel with their forwards and midfielders working in tandem to put the rival citadel under pressure . They came close on umpteen times but their forwards frittered away easy scoring chances in ideal

situations. St Anthony’s put up a better performance in the second session and were rewarded when man-of-the-match Leslie Fernandes slotted past the rival goalkeeper with a stiff grounder.

Stung by the setback, Goa Velha regrouped quickly and took the fight to the rival camp and called the shots but without success as the opponent defenders were alert and frustrate the rival attacks.

With time running out, Adolfo Caido neutralised the lead with a blistering right footer.

At the end of regulation time the score was 1-1 draw.

In the ensuing tie-breaker, Denzil Coutinho, Herculano, Nelson Gomes , Clyde Pacheco and Leslie Fernandes were on target for Colva while Adolfo Caido, Joseph Caido , Elvis and Joyston converted for Goa Velha.

St Anthony’s and Goa Velha players try to overpower each other to take control of the ball.

Photo: Third Eye

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Pg17

SPORTS

GOA, Thursday, 29 April, 2010

Olic's hat-trick fires Bayern into final

Ivica Olic (right) of Bayern Muenchen celebrates with teammate Thomas Muller at the Stade De Gerland on in Lyon, France on Tuesday AGENCIES LYON, APRIL 28

Croatian striker Ivica Olic's superb hat-trick fired an unflinching Bayern Munich into their

first Champions League final since 2001 on Tuesday as the German side demolished 10man Olympique Lyon 3-0.

Three clinical finishes from

Olic -- one right-foot shot, a leftfoot shot and a header -- helped the four-times European champions complete a 4-0 aggregate semi-final success to silence the

Sesa FA sink Sporting Clube taca goa Sesa…3 Sporting…0 HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, APRIL 28

Sesa Football Academy (Juniors) easily handled Sporting Clube de Goa 3-0 to move top in Taca Goa U-20 League at Duler stadium, here, on Wednesday.

The score was 2-0 at the lemon break.

Two goals in the space of two minutes put Sesa on top of the standings for the time being, with 11 points from six matches. Salgaocar are second with 10 points and one match still to play.

Sporting Clube come down to third spot in the table with 9 points from five matches.

Sporting Clube could not cope with the pace of Sesa FA from

the beginning and they were missing their inspirational captain midfielder Mackroy Peixoto, who is not well.

In the 12th minute, Sesa FA’s Valerio Rodrigues floated in a free kick. Gary D’Mello headed the ball, giving Charles Miranda a chance to send the ball home.

Two minutes later a great delivery from the right from Valerio, was finished of by striker Amol Salgaocar to double the lead.

In the 20th minute, Sporting Clube custodian Oswin Rodrigues gave the ball away after a poor clearance, but Sesa’s Valerio and Amol at the second attempt failed to convert the chance.

In the second half, Sporting Clube tried to get back in the

match, but failed to open an account.

In the 71st minute, Sesa custodian Neves Fernandes pulled off a great reflex save to prevent Sporting Clube’s Pritam Ningthougam from scoring.

Later, Girish Naik was put through on goal where he calmly took the ball round the rival goalkeeper and slotted into an empty net to give Sesa their third goal.

Assistant coach Ajay Acharya had to take the reins of the team as Coach Anthony D’Souza is accompanying the seniors for I-league 2nd Division.

Acharya said, “The team showed good performance today and I am very pleased with the players.”

RCC Mapusa lift Shubham Naik trophy

The victorious RCC Mapusa team, receiving the U-14 Shubham Naik Cricket Trophy from chief guest, Sanjay Bandekar in the presence of GPCC President Subhash Shirodkar, Poinguinim ZP Daya Pagui, Cricketer Shubam Naik Trust chairman, Ulhas Naik and SAG Executive Director, V M Prabhudesai at SAG ground, Agonda.

Photo: Kathy Pereira HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, APRIL 28

RCC Mapusa defeated Vasco RCC by 5-wickets to emerge champions in the finals of Cricketer Shubham Naik U-14 cricket tournament, at SAG ground, Agonda, on Sunday.

Put into bat Vasco were 147 all out in the allotted 35 overs.

Khashyap Bangale top-scored

vocal faithful at Stade Gerland.

Olic netted his first after 26 minutes with a neat turn and shot, smashed in a pass from Hamit Altintop after 67 minutes and completed his hat-trick with a header 12 minutes from time.

It was only the second hat-trick in a Champions League semi-final after Alessandro Del Piero's treble for Juventus against Monaco in 1998.

"I didn't think we'd win in such a one-sided manner and that I'd get three goals," Olic told German TV. "That's just incredible in a match like this," he added.

Bayern will face either Inter Milan or Barcelona in the May 22 final at the Bernabeu in Madrid. They contest their semifinal second leg on Wednesday.

"We had a great game, we were well positioned on the pitch and if we play like this all the way, it will be hard to beat us," Bayern's Dutch coach Louis van Gaal told a news conference.

"The players now know what it's like to spend 10 months with Van Gaal, they know it's not easy but they're happy now and so am I," he added.

GOA DIARY Karate championship in Porvorim

PA N J I M : ( H S D ) - Shotokan Karate Do Goa will organise their 1st National Karate Championship on April 30 and May 1, at Azad Bhavan, Por vorim.

Bosco George, Superintendent of Police will be the chief guest while V M Prabhudesai, SAG’s executive director will be the guest of honour for the opening ceremony.

Siolim Sodiem move into quarters HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 28

Siolim Sodiem Sports and Cultural Association overcame a strong fight back from Friends XI, Vaddem, Soccorro 3-2 to move into quarters of 17th Pilerne Panchayat Cup inter-village football tournament, organised

by Pilerne Sports Club, at Maddanim ground, Pilerne.

Sodiem led 2-0 at half time with goals from Dylan Noronha and Anthony Fernandes.

Friends XI staged a fight back by pulling one back through Edberg Sequeira at the start of the second half. But they conceded soon, after Dylan Noronha scored his second for Sodiem to make the score 3-1.

Friends XI took the battle to rival camp and scored through Elvin Fernandes to make the score 3-2. Later, they failed to find the equaliser in spite of trying hard.

Lyon finished the game with 10 men after centre back Cris was sent off just before the hour.

He was booked for a foul on Olic, then shown a second yellow card for mocking referee Massimo Busacca's decision.

"They were the stronger team. Too bad we failed to equalise (after the first goal) because we had a few chances," Lyon coach Claude Puel told French TV channel TF1.

It was a night to celebrate for Bayern, who had not been in the Champions League final since beating Valencia on penalties nine years ago.

They got off to a strong start, Thomas Mueller missing a clear cut opportunity after two minutes when his low shot from inside the box went a fraction wide.

It was only a matter of time for Bayern, who looked sharper even without the suspended Franck Ribery.

Following a fine one-two with Arjen Robben, Mueller raced into the box, cut it back for Olic, who turned and slotted past the helpless Hugo Lloris in the 26th minute to silence the home fans who had created a deafening chorus before the match.

HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 28

2 for 25 for Vasco.

Former minister, Sanjay Bandekar was the chief guest and gave away the prizes in the presence of GPCC President Subhash Shirodkar, Poinguinim ZP Daya Pagui, Cricketer Shubam Naik Trust chairman, Ulhas Naik and SAG Executive Director, V M Prabhudesai. Subhash Mahale compered.

snack packs scattered all over the pitch. Selectively large chunks of mud were removed, making holes in the entire pitch run-up. We are trying to repair the pitch in time for the Wednesday match.”

Desai added: “It looks like some disgruntled lads created the mess on purpose or out of some misdemeanour.”

Even though no one knows who the miscreants are, sources told Herald that there is widespread discontent amongst some local youth over the stadium, which is built as a football ground but is found to be extensively used for cricket tournaments and practice.

According to sources, boys who come to play football in the evenings are kept away from the stadium, reportedly for fear of damaging the cricket pitch.

However, no one could confirm whether any complaint is lodged with any authorities over damages caused to the cricket pitch.

The damaged cricket pitch at SAG ground, Agonda.

Hosts Parish Youth of Assonora ‘A’ entered the finals thrashing Parish Youth of Parra 10-2 in 2nd All-Goa Viviana Fernandes memorial 7-a-side interparish youth football tournament, at Assonora parish ground, on Wednesday.

Vincent Rodrigues (4), M.A.

The reminisces of Shiv Sainiks digging out a cricket pitch at Wankhade stadium (Mumbai) just a day before a scheduled match between India and Pakistan were brought to fore, as some miscreants on Monday night destroyed the cricket pitch at SAG ground, Agonda.

According to sources, miscreants in the cover of darkness damaged the pitch specially laid and maintained at SAG ground, Agonda, for the ongoing Shubham Naik tournament.

The pitch was specially laid after bringing the special sand from Londa. According to sources, the pitch was watered, and covered with net, but on Tuesday morning the pitch was dug up at many places.

Talking to Herald, SAG’s cricket coach Ulhas Dessai, who was present at the ground said: “Today morning, we, found beer and other bottles besides empty

Cortalim Gymkhana made it to the semi-finals of Coca Cola Celebration Cup thrashing Rossmann Cruz Nagoa Sports Club 7-0 in the league played at Tilak Maidan, Vasco.

Esteven Vaz (3), Jason Lucas (2), Jason Vaz and Ganesh Thakur (one each) were the scorers for the winners.

In the second round, Cor-

talim Gymkhana easily defeated Goa Velha 6-1. Estevan Vaz (2), Jason Vaz (2), Pranoy Fernandes and Maglister Paes (one each) scored while Cliford Colaco reduced the margin for Goa Velha.

Earlier, Goa Velha defeated Rossmann Cruz 2-1. Agnelo D’Silva and Chatur Naik scored for Goa Velha while Keagan Fernandes reduced the margin.

PY Nuvem in quarters st anthony’s super soccer HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 28

Parish Youth Nuvem trounced A A de Majorda 6-1 to move into quarter-finals of St Anthony’s Super Soccer, organised

by St Anthony’s Sports Club, Colva, at Colva ground, on Wednesday.

Nuvem dominated the entire proceedings of the match with veteran Daniel Colaco controlling the midfield.

Nuvem forged ahead in the 6th minute through the efforts of Joe Colaco. Standly doubled the lead in the 17th minute and

in the 28th minute scored again to make it 3-0.

At half time Nuvem were leading 3-0.

After resumption of play, dejected Majorda came up with renewed ideas and started attacking the rival camp.

Majorda got their first taste of goal in the 40th minute through Lyndon Pereira.

Nuvem further consolidated their lead with the help of Alphan Noronha, who scored two goals. Christo Colaco scored the sixth goal for Nuvem in the dying minutes of play.

l Donald, Derrick share honours in Board sailing

HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 28

Rajesh Choudhary and Hussain Bhavnagarwala dominated the Laser Radial class winning both the races on the opening day of national championships in Laser Class, Radial Class and Board Sailing held at Vaiguinnium Beach, off Cidade de Goa Resort.

The championships saw a large fleet of laser boats and windsurfers participating in the races.

In the first race, Xerxex Bambot of RBYC, B.K. Raut of AYN and Rohini Rau tussled for the second spot. Xerxex however managed to beat off the challenge and take the second spot followed by B.K. Raut of AYN. Rohini Rau one of the few girls participating in the championships performed creditable to take the fourth spot. Chaitanya Chowgule of Goa sailed well to take the ninth place with Goa’s Palavi Naik taking the 11 spot.

The second race in laser radial was once again dominated by Rajesh Choudhary, who won the race comfortably. The second spot saw a close battle between B.K. Raut, Sharad Singha, Ramesh Kumar and Rohini Rau. B.K. Raut managed to improve and take the second spot in the second race.

Rohini Rau performed creditably to take the fifth place.

Goa’s challenge comprising of Chaitainay Chowgule finished in the 10th position and Rohini in 14th position.

In the Laser 4.7 Class, Hussain Bhavnagarwala (TNSA) stamped his authority by winning both

Francis (3), Norwin Pontes (2) and Shawn Almeida (1) scored for Assonora while Joaquim and Tyson reduced the margin for Parra.

In another match, Parish Youth of Tropa (Siolim) defeated Assonora ‘B’ 8-0.

Preston and Flyod scored a brace while Ryan, Claudio, Romeo, Jeffrey scored a goal each for the winners.

Miscreants damage Agonda cricket pitch HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, APRIL 28

HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 28

Rajesh, Hussain dominate in Laser Class

Hosts Assonora A in finals

with 51, while Rashap Panjikar 31 and Jayesh Ghote 11, contributed for Vasco. For Mapusa, Kaustik Naik claimed 3 for 27, Vilas Pednekar 2 for 10.

In reply, Mapusa achieved the target in 28.3 overs. For Mapusa, man-of-the match Rahul Gaudalker topscored with 54, followed by Omkar Samant 18 and Aditya Dalvi 14. Maruti claimed

Lyon missed their chance to level on the half hour when Michel Bastos fluffed a leftfooted attempt after Lisandro Lopez had found the Brazilian unmarked at the far post.

Puel replaced Aly Cissokho with striker Bafetimbi Gomis, with Bastos taking the left back position as Lyon tried to step up a gear after the interval.

Bayern still had the upper hand though, a Bastian Schweinsteiger 25-metre volley whizzing over the bar on 53 minutes.

The contest was effectively over just before the hour when centre back Cris was sent off, picking a second yellow card for dissent seconds after being shown the first for a mistimed tackle on Olic.

It did not take Bayern long to make the most of it, as Olic collected a through ball from Altintop before coolly slotting past the advancing Lloris.

He rubbed salt in the wound by adding a third with a powerful header that went under the bar 12 minutes from time.

The Bayern fans chanted Ribery's name, whom they hope will play the final.

The France midfielder, who was sent off in the first leg, has yet to discover if he will suspended for more than one game.

Cortalim Gymkhana in Coca Coca semis

Photo: Kathy Pereira

Competitors vying for the top spot.

the races of the day. Hussain who just returned from the World Championships hopes to dominate the races in this class.

However for the second spot there was a close tussle between Aishwarya Cheghiyan, Sweta Sadanandan and Rufus Nathaniel all of TNSA. Aishwarya mananged to beat back the challenge and take the second spot in the first race followed closely by Sweta Sadanandan.

The second race once again saw a close battle between Aishwarya, Sweta, Rufus and Zefra Currimboy for the second place.

This time however Rufus edged ahead to take the second spot followed by Aishwarya and Zefra.

In Board Sailing, Derrick Menezes and Donald Coelho shared the honours for the day

with Derrick winning the first race followed closely by Donald and Remy.

In the second race, Donald rose to the occasion and after a nervous start took the lead over Remy and Derrick. There was a close tussle between Remy and Derrick for the second spot.

However Remy managed to pip Derrick and push him to the third place.

In the Laser standard championships, the Army Yachting Node (AYN) sailors dominated the fleet by taking the first three places comfortably. Gajendran Singh of AYN shot off to a good start and held the lead till the end. There was a close tussle between Mohanlal, Sukwir Singh, Harihara (Master class) and U. Sideshwar. Mohanlal however managed to break away from the group to take the

second place followed closely

by Sukwir Singh.

The second race of the day in the laser class once again saw the AYN group take the lead at the start.

This time however Sukwir Singh led the group followed closely Gajendar Singh. Sukwir Singh however managed to hold his lead to take the first place followed by Gajendar Singh and 42-year-old Harihara V. The veteran sailor Navaz Currimboy stunned many of the youngsters by taking the fifth spot in both the races.

The championships are still wide open with eight more races to go. The races for the second day will start with the Laser standard sailing in the morning along with Laser 4.7 followed

by Laser radials and windsurfers in the afternoon.

Vandana, Derryl to attend AFC coaches course Sri Lanka in 2009 and was also a part of the UVandana D'Cruz 19 India team in 2001. and Derryl D'Souza Derryl is presently have been invited working as a coach with to attend the AFC Brasil Futebol Accademia ‘Project Future and Sunshine Worldwide Coaches Refresher School. He is also involved Course’ to be held in the GFA youth develin Kuala Lumpur, opment programme.

Malaysia from May Derryl has completed 3 to 8. his 'C' licence course in Vandana is curIran and has passed the rently doing her Premier Skills course in Vandana D'Cruz Derryl D'Souza Bachelor of Physical association with the Education course at Don Bosco, this season in the GFA league.

British Council which was held She has completed her AFC in Goa, with the second phase Panjim and has managed Sporting Clube de Goa women's team 'C' licence course in Colombo, held in Kolkata.

HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, APRIL 28

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Olic's hat-trick fires Bayern into final Pg. 17

Dempo inch closer to I-League title Pg. 16

GOA, THURSDAY, 29 APRIL, 2010

www.oherald.in

Kuwait trounce Churchill 7-1 afc cup

HERALD SPORTS REPORTER KUWAIT, APRIL 28

Kuwait Sporting Club demolished Churchill Bros 7-1 and topped group B of AFC Cup match in Kuwait on Wednesday night. They led 3-0 at the break.

Churchill disappointed the large crowd of Goans settled in Kuwait who came to support the Goan team as their forwards and defence were totally outplayed by Kuwait.

Kuwait were superior and dominated the exchanges with swift ground passes and went ahead in the 9th minute through Khaled Agab following a splendid move from the right.

Brazilian Ridrigo scored a spectacular goal for Kuwait in the 28th minute to put Kuwait in the drivers seat and Fahad made it 3-0 in the 34th minute with a smart header.

Churchill gave a momentary hope of a comeback reducing the margin three minutes after the interval through Nascimento but all their hopes were evaporated as two minutes later Khaled made it 4-1. Walied added Kuwait’s 5th goal in the 57th minute, then substitute Rogerio made it 6-1 in the 76th minute and scored another in the 1st minute of injury time to round off the tally to 7-1 and complete a disappointing outing for Churchill.

Kuwait topped the group with 8 p o i n t s f ro m 4 m a t c h e s whereas Churchill finished second with 7 points also from 4 matches. Churchill will play their next pre-quarterfinal knock-out match on May 12 in Kuwait.

In BrIef Anand wins fourth game to go one up World champion Viswanathan Anand scored a rampaging victory over challenger Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria in the fourth game to grab the lead in the 12-game World Chess championship in Sofia.

Anand, who had lost the first game unceremoniously won the second in sparkling fashion and after drawing the third and winning the fourth game comprehensively, the fans are looking up to him to do what he did to Russian Vladimir Kramnik a couple of years ago at Bonn in Germany.

The scores are now on Anand's side as he leads the 12-games match by a 2.5-1.5 margin.

It was a Queen's gambit declined once again, something that Topalov has apparently prepared for this match which is not coming good given the fact that the Bulgarian has lost his second game with black on the trot.

Nadal opens Rome Masters with win Rafael Nadal opened his bid for a fifth Rome Masters title with a quick 6-1, 6-3 victory over Philipp Kohlschreiber on Wednesday.

Earlier, 42nd-ranked Guillermo Garcia-Lopez defeated former No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt 6-2, 6-3.

Also, fifth-seeded Robin Soderling breezed to a 61, 7-5 win over wild card Paolo Lorenzi.

Shoaib confident of PCB ban removal Desperate to wear Pakistan colours again, former captain Shoaib Malik said he is confident that the 12-month ban imposed on him by the Cricket Board (PCB) will be removed by the appeals judge.

Malik said since he had done nothing wrong in his career, he was not under any kind of pressure.

"I have filed an appeal against the ban and I am confident the appeals judge will remove it and I can resume playing international cricket soon," Malik said.

We are here with fresh minds: Afridi Following the disastrous tour of Australia last summer, skipper Shahid Afridi believes he has united the Pakistani team and intends to lead a reversal of fortunes in Sunday's clash against the Michael Clarke's men. ''We have been going through some difficult times with guys being suspended and fined, but this time it's a new captain,'' Afridi said.

IPL will get bigger without Modi: Shetty

PTI NEW DELHI, APRIL 28

The success of the IPL was not because of Lalit Modi alone, according to a top BCCI official, who reckons the Twenty20 league will continue to flourish without the suspended Commissioner as cricket sells itself in India.

The BCCI's Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty said that the Board has enough competent people to take the event forward.

"The IPL will continue to flourish. The success is not only because of Modi. BCCI will put up

a good team to make IPL even more successful," Shetty told PTI in an e-mail interview today.

The high-flying Modi was suspended as the chairman and commissioner of the league after the final on Sunday because of alleged financial irregularities and rigging of bids.

Modi was charged on five counts, including irregularities in the bids of Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab and in the broadcast and internet deals.

Modi's removal has raised apprehensions among the franchises many of whom openly backed the embattled former commissioner during the raging controversy.

"There is no need for the franchisees to be apprehensive. BCCI will ensure that IPL will be managed professionally. The BCCI president Shashank Manohar and interim chairman Chirayu Amin have already made it clear in this regard," Shetty said.

The scandal has tarnished the image of the BCCI to a great ex-

tent but Shetty said steps would be taken to protect the game and the Board's reputation.

"BCCI will take all steps required to protect the game and its own reputation. All these developments gave a bad name to the organisation but we will take all corrective steps," the chief administrative officer said.

Shetty, who has been given the responsibility of investigating all the missing documents related to bids and other IPL deals, said he would write to Modi to hand over all the original documents which are with him.

"We will officially write to Modi to hand over all the original documents held by him as they are the property of BCCI," he said.

Asked whether he felt the market value of IPL would go down due to the entire controversy and Modi's removal, he said, "IPL is a brand of its own and it is built around the game of cricket. It will grow further."

‘IPL can survive on its own’ AGENCIES MUMBAI, APRIL 28

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni today sought to steer clear of the raging IPL controversy but said the high-profile Twenty20 league has the capability to survive on its own.

Dhoni refused to dwell into the specifics of the raging controversy but hoped that things would be sorted out in time before the start of the next season.

"IPL as a brand can survive on its own. But you have to come up with some innovative ideas every time to make it better. No individual but few brains will work together to pull off sensa-

Franchisees balance-sheets in order so far: govt PTI NEW DELHI, APRIL 28

Amid a controversy over finances of the Twenty20 cricket body IPL, the government today said the Registrar of Companies has not found anything wrong with the balance-sheets of IPL franchisees and no company has given sweat equity to anyone.

"Prima-facie as far as balancesheets are concerned we can say there is nothing of unnatural... No sweat equity issues have been found either," Corporate Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said after a meeting with regional RoCs, who were earlier asked to look into the ownership pattern of each IPL team.

Khurshid also said some franchisees have not been up-todate in terms of filing of balance-sheets and RoCs have issued notices to them to do so

by May three, or face proceedings under the Companies Act. "We have checked with the RoCs. In some cases, they (IPL franchisees) are up-to-date with filings and in some cases they are not. Wherever they are not up-to-date we have issued notices and given time up to May 3," he said.

tional ideas," Dhoni said.

"I don't know what exactly going to happen as there were quite a few allegations. It's up to the authorities to see what's happening because now everyone is into it right from the Income Tax, IPL Governing Council. They will come up with something really good for everyone that nothing wrong is really happening," he said.

"Let's wait and watch as before the next IPL season, you have a full one year. We all will be 100 per cent sure before that what exactly happened," added Dhoni, who led Chennai Super Kings to IPL title this season.

Lalit Modi arrives at the domestic terminal in New Delhi, on Wednesday.

Modi in Delhi, meets lawyers PTI NEW DELHI, APRIL 28

The embattled Lalit Modi flew into the city today to hold consultations with eminent lawyers Harish Salve and Ram Jethmalani amid speculation that he was exploring legal options to challenge his suspension as IPL Commissioner.

Modi first had a meeting with Salve which lasted close to two hours and then was closeted with Jethmalani for some time.

Though it is not known what transpired in these meetings, it is learnt that Modi discussed the show cause notice issued to him by the BCCI and the legal aspects of the entire IPL controversy.

Neither Modi nor Salve were willing to divulge anything.

"I have nothing say anything now. Nothing. You may wait outside my hotel room, but I am not going to say anything", Modi, who seemed quite annoyed by the media presence, said.

"You saw him and you saw him leave. I have nothing more

No Australian player involved in IPL match fixing: Warne AGENCIES MELBOURNE, APRIL 28

Former Australian legend and Rajasthan Royals skipper Shane Warne has strongly denied reports of involvement of a famous Australian cricketer in alleged

fixing of IPL matches played in South Africa last year.

Warne said he was not completely surprised by the controversy, but was shocked his name had been thrown around without any substantiation.

"I have total confidence that no Australian is involved. In the time I have played in the IPL, I have never been approached or heard anything at the Royals regarding match-fixing," Fox Sports quoted Warne, as saying.

Zimbabwe shock Australia

Ryan Harris to replace Brett Lee AGENCIES MELBOURNE, APRIL 28

Cricket Australia's National Selection Panel (NSP) on Wednesday announced Queensland fast bowler Ryan Harris will replace the injured Brett Lee in Australia's 15-man squad for the ICC World Twenty20 following confirmation from the ICC's event technical committee.

Lee suffered soreness in his right elbow following Australia's first warm-up game against Zimbabwe in St Lucia.

"During yesterday's game against Zimbabwe Brett developed increasing right elbow pain and by the time he completed his final over the pain was significant, said Australian physiotherapist Alex Kountouris, adding, "At the conclusion of the innings it was obvious Brett had sustained an injury to one of the forearm muscles near the elbow and this was confirmed by a subsequent MRI scan.

"Due to the condensed nature of this tournament Brett will not recover in time to take any further part and has therefore been withdrawn from the squad.

Pakistan ease to 68-run win AGENCIES ST LUCIA, APRIL 28

Australia has suffered a stunning one-run loss against Zimbabwe in their opening Twenty20 World Cup warm-up game at the Beausejour Stadium in St Lucia.

Chasing Zimbabwe's 173 for seven off 20 overs, the 'unseeded' Australian team was restricted to 172 for seven, despite an attacking 72 run inning from opener David Warner and 49 from skipper Michael Clarke.

Needing 13 runs from the final over for victory, Australia lost Clarke, bowled from the penultimate delivery, and then Mitchell Johnson was run out off a wide, as the side finished one short of the target, Fox Sports reports.

Earlier in the day, Zimbabwean batsman Elton Chigumbura's 76 off 35 balls, including six sixes and five fours, had provided the backbone to Zimbabwe's total.

Ribery banned from CL final AGENCIES NYON, SWITZERLAND, APRIL 28

Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery will miss the Champions League final after being banned for three games on Wednesday by UEFA, but the German club says it will appeal.

The French international was sent off for serious foul play in the first leg of Bayern’s semifinal triumph over Lyon.

He already sat out Tuesday’s 3-0 victory in Lyon, and the second game he will miss is the May 22 final in Madrid against either Barcelona or Inter Milan, who play later Wednesday.

Bayern issued a statement saying it would appeal using “all legals means at its disposal.”

“We can’t justify this ruling in any way and consider it completely wrong,” the statement said.

Ribery was ejected in the 37th minute of the first leg in Munich, which Bayern won 1-0, after he lost the ball and then stepped on the ankle of Lyon forward Lisandro.

He also shared a 114-run partnership with Sean Ervine (39) for the fifth wicket.

Australian fast bowler Johnson was the pick of the bowlers for Australia, claiming 4-23 from his four overs, while Dirk Nannes, Lee and Shane Watson took one wicket apiece.

Australia now has one more warm-up match against local side Windward XI, before Sunday's opening Group A match against defending champions Pakistan.

In other warm-up matches, New Zealand proved too strong for minnows Ireland in a 40-run victory in Guyana. Kiwi opener Jesse Ryder made 64 and Martin Guptill 50 as New Zealand compiled a total of 187 for five in their 20 overs.

Ireland, in reply, struggled with captain William Porterfield's 34, the top score in a total of 147 for nine. Nathan McCullum led New Zealand's attack with three for 25.

Elsewhere, Pakistan overwhelmed the Windward Islands by 68 runs in a warm-up match in St Lucia while, in Bridgetown, Bangladesh beat Barbados by 36 runs.

Bopanna & Co in Tunis Open quarters UNI NEW DELHI, APRIL 28

Rohan Bopanna and his Pakistani partner Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi received a first round walkover to enter the quarterfinals of the ATP Tunis Open in Tunisia.

Bopanna and Qureshi were due to face the French pair of Theirry Ascione and Arnaud Clement, who opted out of the contest due to an elbow injury to Clement.

T h e I n d o - Pa k d u o w i l l clash with Frederico Gel o f Po r t u g a l a n d M a rc e l o Melo of Brazil for a place in the semi-finals of the 125,000 dollar clay court event.

Gil and Melo beat wild card pair of Reda El Amrani of Morocco and Malek Jaziri of Tunisia 6-4, 6-0 in the first round.

"Although, weird things can sometimes happen in Twenty20 cricket. That's the nature of the game. I do know this: To fix a Twenty20, you would have to have the captain, otherwise you just couldn't do it," he added.

According to reports, a London-based newspaper has claimed that 27 players, including "a famous Australian", were under investigation by tax officials after the latest match-fixing claims.

Cricketers should have been considered for IPL post: Thackeray AGENCIES MUMBAI, APRIL 28

Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray on Wednesday asked the BCCI as to why cricketers like Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri or Ajit Wadekar were not considered to replace ousted IPL commissioner Lalit Modi.

He also questioned the logic behind his old friend Sharad Pawar making Modi IPL chief despite his "shady past."

"Modi has been replaced by another big shot industrialist....(BCCI chief Shashank) Manohar should be asked why names of Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri or Ajit Wadekar were not considered for the post," he said in an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamna.

Thackeray also asked as to why "Pawar and others handed over IPL reins to Modi despite his shady past." to say", Salve said.

The high-flying Modi was suspended as the chairman and commissioner of the league after the final on Sunday because of alleged financial irregularities and rigging of bids.

Modi was charged on five counts, including irregularities in the bids of Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab and in the

broadcast and internet deals.

Earlier, Modi landed in the capital and had to jostle hard to get out of the airport as waiting media persons blocked his way.

The embattled administrator, who has been given 15 days' time by the BCCI to respond to charges, looked agitated as he tried to find his way to a waiting car outside the airport exit.