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John Paul II declared ‘blessed’ ‘Strength of a titan’ AFP VATICAN CITY, MAY 1

Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday hailed John Paul II’s “strength of a titan” in defending Christianity against “a tide which appeared irreversible” in a homily in Saint Peter ’s Square.

“Society, culture, political and economic systems he opened up to Christ, turning back with the strength of a titan — a strength which came to him from God — a tide which appeared irreversible”, Benedict said.

THE MIRACLE The Vatican has acknowledged Sister Marie SimonPierre, the 50-year-old French nun’s recovery from Parkison’s disease to the miraculous intercession of the late pope as the miracle required to justify John Paul II’s beatification after years of research.

ONE MORE

Pope Benedict XVI, kneels in prayer in front of the casket of late Pope John Paul II, laid out in state at the Altar of the Confession inside St. Peter’s Basilica, at the end of a solemn celebration in St. Peter’s Square where he was beatified, on Sunday.

AFP VATICAN CITY, MAY 1

Pope Benedict XVI bestowed the status of “blessed” on his predecessor John Paul II on Sunday in front of a cheering crowd of a million people, putting the

IN BRIEF Terekhol golf course opposed The Keri-Terekhol Panchayat gram sabha on Sunday passed a resolution opposing proposed golf course in Terekhol.

The issue came up for discussion during the gram sabha where the residents opposed the proposed project. Acting on the demand of the villagers, the Keri-Terekhol panchayat passed the resolution opposing the proposed golf course in Terekhol.

– (HC)

TIDES TODAY High Tide: 1051; 2156 Low Tide: 0404; 1634

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Estd. 1930

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late pope one step away from sainthood.

A giant banner bearing a youthful portrait of the Polish pontiff was unveiled over the facade of Saint Peter’s Basilica after Benedict pronounced the

formula of beatification just six years after John Paul’s death.

Eighty-seven official delegations were also in attendance and pilgrims waved flags from around the world in the sundrenched square, reprising the

Kalmadi has quiet b’day in lock-up

Weather plays truant, no clue of Arunachal CM

PTI NEW DELHI, MAY 1

It was in a 12x12 CBI lock-up that Suresh Kalmadi spent his 67th birthday, far removed from the pomp that marks such occasions for the well-connected Congress MP in the past.

There was no cake, no candles and no celebrations except for a visit by his son, Sumeer and three other members of his immediate family.

The room in which he held though is in the new, swanky CBI headquarters building opened only yesterday by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. During the Prime Minister’s presence at the function where he asked the agency to act without fear, Kalmadi is said have been shifted to the old CBI headquarters, which in no way detracted from the irony of the occasion.

The family of Kalmadi, remanded to CBI custody following his arrest in the CWG scam, wanted to have a get together in his cell including cutting of a cake but the CBI wanted them to get the permission of the court which was not possible, according to a top official of the investigating agency.

PTI ITANAGAR, MAY 1

The helicopter carrying Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu and four others remained untraced for the second day today as inclement weather hampered a massive ground and aerial search involving Sukhoi war planes, several choppers and satellite imagery.

Two IAF Sukhois from Bareilly and a MI-17 of IAF joined hundreds of personnel of Army, SSB, ITBP and police in the searches but failed to locate the chopper that went missing yesterday after taking off from Tawang for Itanagar. (Earlier report on pg 7) Satellite images sought by the Centre from ISRO also did not give any clue as the area where the helicopter ferrying Khandu, 56, went missing was under cloud cover, Indian Space Research Organisation said.

“The images are cloud-covered and so far nothing could be spotted”, ISRO spokesperson Satish said in Bangalore.

External Affairs Minister S M Krishna spoke to Bhutanese Prime Minister Jigme Thinley seeking assistance in the search.

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THALASSERY, KANNUR, KASARAGOD “Two Cheetah helicopters from Tezpur took to the air at GOA - MANGALORE - GOA Dep:. At 2:00 Pm. From Panjim around 3 pm, but had to return within half-an-hour due to bad om Frweather”, MA PUSA : 1.30 PM. Defence Spokesman th 4 1 l PA NJ IM : 2.00 PM. ApriRanjib 2011 Sahoo told PTI in Shillong.

MA RGA O : 3.0 0 PM. “The aerial operations will resume at 5 am tomorrow”, Sahoo said.

Earlier, an MI-17 helicopter made two sorties for over two hours from 6 am, but had to return due to inclement weather, he said.

Two Sukhois from Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh searched in and around the Tawang-Itanagar route. “The pictures taken will be analysed in a laboratory and Estd. 1930

GOA

chant of “Santo Subito!” (Sainthood Now!) that had been shouted at his funeral.

“We’ve come to show him we love him,” said Marta Goena, a 23-year-old fashion student who came on an overnight bus

CALICUT

SEARCH & RESCUE

30 Army columns comprising 2,400 personnel launch ground operations l

l Six ITBP teams with 25 personnel each also pressed into action l 2 Chetak helicopters and MI-17 IAF chopper are on sorties

2 Sukhoi-30 warplanes dispatched to scan area using special radars l

based on the findings feed-back will be given to the ground parties conducting the search”, spokesman at the Army’s 4 Corps in Tezpur Col N N Joshi said on phone.

Defence sources said 30 columns of the Indian Army comprising 2,400 personnel from Tawang and Tenga were searching on the ground for the missing helicopter on the IndoBhutan border. Six ITBP teams with 25 personnel each also joined the ground search operations.

from Paris for the mass.

“John Paul was young in spirit and very close to the people,” she said.

The pope declared October 22 — the day when John Paul (Continued on page 8)

A second proven miracle is now required for John Paul to be declared saint, and the Vatican is already sifting through hundreds of reported miracles.

O N PA G E 1 3 l

l l

Pilgrims celebrate John Paul II beatification Poles fete in a big way A conservative who reinvigorated the church

MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION

All eyes on today’s meet Cong Ministers, MLAs to call on CM HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MAY 1

All eyes are focused on the meeting of Congress Ministers and ML As with Chief Minister Digambar Kamat on Monday on the medium of instruction controversy, even as the Forum of Children’s Rights Education (FORCE) sounded sceptical about the meeting.

As PWD Minister Churchill Alemao called on the chief minister on Sunday hours after returning from the Gulf, FORCE Secretary Savio Lopes wondered whether any purpose would be served with tomorrow’s meeting of Congress Ministers and MLAs. “We have heard these Ministers and MLAs making public statements in support of English medium. But, sadly, there’s nothing concrete happening at the ground level”, he rued.

As a solution, Lopes suggested that these Ministers, if at all serious in addressing the grievances of the parents, should instead insist on a Cabinet meeting to decide on the issue. “Let these Ministers circulate a note to all the Ministers in favour of English medium.

Let the people also know who is supporting and opposing English”, Lopes said.

Lopes said parents from Margao will hold a candlelight vigil in the commercial capital on Monday evening as scheduled.

He said the parents will assemble at the Lohia Maidan at 8 pm and chalk out their future course of action.

Meanwhile, PWD Minister

We have heard these Ministers and MLAs making public statements in support of English medium. But, sadly, there’s nothing concrete happening at the ground level.

— Savio Lopes

Churchill Alemao informed that he called on the chief minister on Sunday and discussed the controversy with him.

Refusing to divulge details of his discussion with the chief minister, the PWD Minister said that the Congress MLAs and Ministers will call on Kamat on Monday to discuss the issue threadbare. “I will brief the media after the meeting or on Tuesday”, he said, while saying that the Congress Ministers and MLAs would press for inclusion of English as the medium of instruction at the primary level from the coming academic year.

Gaddafi survives air strike; son, 3 grandchildren killed PTI TRIPOLI/WASHINGTON, MAY 1

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and his wife escaped a NATO missile strike at the residence in Tripoli of his youngest son, who was killed along with three grandchildren, in the second attempt to target the embattled leader in 24 hours.

Hours after NATO rejected Gaddafi’s offer for “a ceasefire and negotiations,” Libyan government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim said today that the house of Saif al-Arab, one of the Libyan dictator’s seven sons, was attacked last night with “full power”.

“This was a direct operation to assassinate the leader of this country. This is not permitted by international law. It is not permitted by any moral code or principle. What we have now is the law of the jungle”, Ibrahim

Supporters of Muammar Gaddafi inspect damages at his house which was hit by a NATO air strike in Tripoli on Sunday.

told reporters.

Sixty-eight-year-old Gaddafi and his wife were there in the house with other friends and relatives, Ibrahim said. “The leader himself is in good health, he wasn’t harmed.”

Ibrahim claimed that the attack resulted in “the martyrdom of brother Saif al-Arab Muammar Gaddafi, 29 years old, and three of the leader’s grandchildren”.

“We think now it is clear to everyone that what is happening

in Libya has nothing to do with the protection of civilians”, he said.

Gaddafi and his wife were in the Tripoli house of Saif, when it was hit by at least one missile fired by a NATO warplane late last night, Ibrahim said.

The spokesman said Gaddafi’s wife was also unharmed but other people in the house were injured.

Acknowledging that it had carried out the air strike, NATO, however, did not deny or confirm the reported deaths.

A NATO spokesman said the strike had hit a “known command and control building in the Bab al-Azizya neighbourhood”.

“All NATO’s targets are military in nature and have been clearly linked to the... regime’s systematic attacks on the Libyan population and populated areas.

We do not target individuals”, said Lt Gen Charles Bouchard.

Lokpal may have power to intercept phone chats PTI NEW DELHI, MAY 1

Five Union ministers and social activist Anna Hazare’s representatives will meet here tomorrow to take forward the process to draft an effective legislation to combat corruption.

Civil society members held rallies in several cities today in support of a strong anti-corruption law as the Union ministers went through minute details of various versions of the draft Jan Lokpal Bill prepared by Hazare’s team.

Top officials of the Law Ministry, who have gone through the Jan Lokpal Bill, made a presentation on salient features of the legislation before the Union ministers at a meeting here.

The meeting was called by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, the Chairman of the Joint Drafting Committee (JDC).

At the first meeting of the

Hazare coming on May 7 HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, MAY 1

Anna Hazare, crusader against corruption, will be coming to Goa on May 7 to talk against corruption as part of an all-India awareness campaign against corruption by India Against Corruption (IAC).

Anna’s Goa visit will work to mobilise common people across the State to fight against corruption.

During his visit, Hazare would be addressing a public meeting at Azad Maidan on the Lokpal Bill.

Along with Anna Hazare, activists Arvind Kejriwal and Swami Agnivesh are also expected to come to Goa. People take part in a candle light vigil at the India Gate in support of 'Jan Lokpal Bill', in New Delhi on Sunday.

JDC on April 16, both the sides had agreed to go through various drafts of the Lokpal bill submitted by other organisations.

Mukherjee discussed with his ministerial colleagues finer details of the Jan Lokpal Bill which,

among other things, envisages a provision empowering the office of the Lokpal to intercept telephone conversations.

At a round-table organised recently, two former Chief Justices of India — J S Verma and M N Venkatachalaiah – had opposed inclusion of judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts in the proposed legislation.

The latest version has a new clause, Clause 13-C, which gives wide powers to “an appropriate bench of the Lokpal to approve interception and monitoring of messages or data or voice transmitted through telephones, internet or any other medium as covered under the India Telegraph Act, read with Information and Technology Act 2000”.

GOA

OHERALDO

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GOA, MONDAY, 2 MAY, 2011

CIVIC FORUM

Sand erosion hits Agonda coast CSJP to support seamen’s

fight for their rights

Our heritage lies in tatters JOAQUIM DIAS, CHANDOR

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MAY 1

The birth and marriage records of the Portuguese times at the respective registrars are getting obliterated at a very fast rate. For example, one cannot find a record of the year 1968, as the book is either ruined or lost. There is an urgent need to preserve these important records, otherwise, the remaining few will also meet the same fate.

As the Directorate of Archives has saved some documents by scanning and saving them on to computers, in the same manner, we could protect our records at the respective registrars. So, in future, one will be able to obtain a copy of the respective document by the mere click of the computer’s mouse. Frequent photocopying destroys the delicate old pages. The Margao Birth and Marriage records are in a bad shape. The space where they are preserved is so congested and coupled with the fact that there is no photocopying machine available; the books are taken outside for printing. This makes them even more prone to destruction.

The government should take care of these records and fund a preservation project with a request for funding from foreign donors and heritage lovers. If they are not preserved today, we will only stand to lose our precious ancient heritage.

Pomburpa jetty needs repairs The sand erosion has hit the beach coast at Agonda.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, MAY 1

BABLUIS PEREIRA, POMBURPA

The above picture shows the jetty located alongside Pomburpa ferry ramp whose steps had collapsed, some years back. Till today, there is no surrounding safety pipe. With the passage of time, the surrounding safety pipes and the steps have also collapsed. The remaining steps are on the verge of collapse.

If the government has no intention of repairing the Pomburpa jetty, then it should be demolished before any untoward incident takes place. If government can sanction crores of rupees on the repair/construction of ferry ramps to provide relief to the people dependent on ferry, then it can certainly spend a few thousand rupees to repair this ailing jetty.

Heavy sand erosion has hit the beach coast at Agonda, while a trail of black substance has also surfaced since the past few days.

Incidentally, the Arabian sea has been rough these past few days and the coast has been badly pounded with heavy waves, especially during high tide.

The hard-hitting waves have taken large chunks of sand into the sea, almost cutting the beach horizontally into two parts.

Sand erosion has taken place at three different places along the 3-km beach.

In some places, sand dunes have been cut by the strong waves.

Interestingly, sand erosion during the summer is nothing

Photo by Kathy Pereira

new to the locality, as residents believe that such erosions normally take place in the latter half of May. Last year, a similar phenomenon had affected the beach coast at the end of May, while a thick black substance had too spread along the coast.

This time, however, only a slight trail of black substance has been in parts of the beach, informed the sources.

The Council for Social Justice and Peace has extended its full support to newly-formed Goan Seamen Association of India in their fight for the rights of seafarers, including pension and retirement benefits.

“You have come under the banner to fight for your rights.

Don’t lose hope till the last. Unitedly, we call can achieve our goals”, said Fr Maverick Fernandes, while inaugurating Goan Seamen Association of India office at Madel behind Red Roof here on Sunday morning. Fr Nelson Colaco and Fr Eremito Rebello were amongst those present for the inauguration ceremony.

Fr Maverick said opening of the seamen’s office is a first step in the right direction and reminded the seafarers that no one can deny them their demands if it is based on truth and justice.

He said the Goan Seamen Association of India should also extend a helping hand to the retired seamen who have been running from pillar to post to secure their just demand of enhancement in the monthly exgratia relief.

In his address, Fr Eremito Rebello underlined the need for the seafarers to save their earn-

Car knocks one dead, another left injured at Ribandar HERALD CORRESPONDENT OLD GOA, MAY 1

MMG’s clear and present danger

A 51-year-old pedestrian from Ribandar died, while another pedestrian was injured, after they were knocked down by a car near Gaazali Restaurant at Sao Pedro early Sunday morning.

According to Old Goa Police, the accident occurred when Shambaji Narayan, who was working with Kadamba Transport Corporation Ltd, along with his friend Yoganand Arsekar (48) was on daily morning walk from Panjim to Old Goa. On reaching near Gaazali Restaurant at Sao Pedro, they were hit by an oncoming Maruti Swift car (MH-31-DC-7331).

Shambaji died on the spot, while Yoganand who suffered leg injuries was shifted to GMC Hospital in Bambolim for medical treatment.

Locals from the area claimed that the car was speeding and the car driver had consumed alcohol.

Speaking to Herald, Old Goa PI Francis Corte said that the investigations are in progress and they have taken blood samples of the car driver for alcohol test.

Police have registered the case under Motor Vehicle Act under Sections 279, 304a and 338 IPC.

ALLWYN GEORGE, CARMONA

Hundreds of people jog and sweat it out on this track in the Margao Aga Khan Municipal Garden but no one seems to have noticed this electrical pole which can cause a head-on collision and injury. Electrical wires are running over the top and the metallic pole can cause instant electrocution especially during monsoons. These electrical wires also run very close to the nearby children’s rides which is very dangerous. A few metres away, a lone telecom dept pole also is standing right in the middle of the track which also seems to be neglected. I wonder why the contractor for laying the pavers never thought of reporting the matter since these poles pose an imminent danger in the Margao Municipal Garden (MMG). Will the concerned authorities act quickly to avoid an unforeseen tragedy?

Bent dividers: Careless attitude

Convenor of the Council for Social Justice and Peace Fr Maverick Fernandes inaugurates the office of Goan Seamen Association of India at Madel-Margao on Sunday.

Photo by Savio Dias

ings to take care of the future.

“Many a time, we find young seamen spending recklessly. But, they have to save the hard earned money to take care of their family and old age”, he added.

Fr Nelson Colaco suggested that a fund can be created by the new body of seamen with monthly two dollar contribution from each of the members. He underlined the need to support the cause of the retired seafarers in their battle to get retirement benefits.

In his welcome address, President of Goan Seamen Association of India, Dixon Vaz said the Association will try to bring all seamen under one banner, whether retired or serving.

Sparks fly at auto rickshaw panel meet at Margao

Commotion at Kranti Auto Rickshaw Association meet at Jaganath hall, Margao.

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MAY 1

Uproar and commotion marked the annual general body meeting of the Kranti Auto Rickshaw Association, Margao held at the Jaganath hall here on Sunday evening.

The Margao police rushed to the meeting venue as a precautionary measure as the proceedings threatened to go out of control after some members nearly came to blows midway through the proceedings.

There were verbal duels galore over issues such as the rotation system and change of stands, but the meeting later completed the election process

ADELMO FERNANDES, VASCO

Plastic road-dividers at the Vasco bus-stand have either come off or are bent towards the ground for several months. They stand (or rather lie down) as mute testimony of the indifference of the authorities concerned. This is the case of road-dividers all over the city. While being a sight for sore eyes, they also pose a danger to the pedestrians who can trip over them and have a fall. The question to be asked is whether the authorities concerned will replace them or will they continue to lie there during the oncoming monsoon season as well?

Improve co-ordination STEPHEN DIAS, DONA PAULA

I was a victim of my telephone/broadband BSNL connection which went dead as a result of digging by workers of PWD at three different locations, to lay a six-inch water pipeline at Dona Paula. It took a week to restore the line.

Upon enquiries, I came to know that there is no coordination at all between the BSNL, PWD and CCP while carrying out such works. The worst is that PWD carries out work without proper supervision and their contract workers have been damaging telephone cables which come in contact while digging.

I was told by the DET that CCP nor the PWD cooperates with them, resulting in telephone lines getting cut by the workers due to negligence. To make matters worse, I have found that the BSNL does not even have the layout plan of underground cabling to execute the repair work quickly.

The monsoons are fast approaching. I hope that the Panjim works which includes drainage, water, electricity and telephone connections, is not hampered.

(Do you have a complaint against some authority or service? Are there any violations of the law that you would like to bring to the notice of the public? Do you have any suggestions for improvement and/or redressal of services? If you do, then write to us at editor@herald-goa.com. With the aim of improving the quality of our civic life, every Monday, Herald will publish the best letters on these subjects received during the week. This is in addition to our regular ‘Letters to the Editor’ column.)

Taking serious cognizance of the possibility of water wells being contaminated in the village, Sancoale’s Acting Sarpanch Ramakant Borkar assured the villagers that the panchayat would get into the act of testing the samples of well water as well as that of PWD water.

Borkar was debating at the Gram Sabha on a proposal received from Maria Fernandes of Sancoale.

Saying that the panchayat has to be on guard to check contamination of the potable water, Borkar said apart from sending to the government labs the panchayat would also get water samples tested by a reputed private agency and that the panchayat was bear its cost.

It may be recalled that about two years ago, fire broke out in a village nullah after petroleum products allegedly leaking from near the oils tanks which apart from foul odour also contaminated wells and water bodies in the area.

Touching on other issues, Borkar said that about Rs 1.5 crore has been spent on development works in the village.

“Work on repairing the Sancoale cemetery, building of drains and cross drains, taking up of new roads are in progress,” Borkar said and added that the panchayat has also made full use of workers under NREGS to clean up the bushes abutting

the village roads.

Borkar also thanked local MLA and Deputy Speaker Mauvin Godinho for taking up works on the internal roads in the village.

Admitting that the work on desilting of water lake (bandolem) was going on at a slow pace, Borkar said the work tempo would be speeded up once the crops were harvested.

On complaints received regarding release of waste water in the rain water drain near a bar, Borkar said that he would conduct a site inspection and do the needful.

“Waste water cannot be released in the gutter,” Brokar said and also assured to put up sluice gates near Shantadurga Temple to stop entry of unwanted water in the fields which is giving out foul smell.

Gold ornaments, cash stolen from Vasco flat HERALD REPORTER VASCO, MAY 1

Gold ornaments and cash worth Rs 4.50 lakh were stolen from a flat in Akshay Apartment at Maimollem-Vasco.

According to Vasco Police, the incident occurred between 8 pm on Saturday and 8 am on Sunday. The flat owner Sriram Shetye along with his family members had gone to Ponda to attend some function.

to elect a new general body.

In the elections, Abdul Sheikh Salaskar was re-elected by a huge margin to head the Association. While Salaskar polled 127 votes, his rival Mehboob Sheikh polled only 22 votes. Two votes were declared invalid.

After the elections, Salaskar said there was a minor commotion amongst the members of the Association over issues affecting the rickshaw owners and drivers. However, no untoward incident took place at the meeting, he added.

Margao police said they made their presence felt at the meeting after being intimated about the commotion at the meeting.

Picnic ends in tragedy for Socorro youth

Sancaole panchayat to test well water samples HERALD CORRESPONDENT CORTALIM, MAY 1

He said the Association would submit a memorandum to the Goa government within the next two weeks demanding pensionary and medical benefits for the seamen.

Vaz made it categorically clear that the new Association would offer all help and assistance to the retired seafarers and demanded that the government allot the seamen a piece of land to build a retirement home for the seamen.

He disclosed plans to form village level committees in the near future to take up the grievances of seamen at the village level.

On the occasion, the Association website www.goanseamen.com was launched.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, MAY 1

A picnic ended in a tragedy when a 24-year-old youth from MainaSocorro drowned at Agonda Beach on Sunday evening.

According to reports, Amit Redkar along with three others had gone for a picnic at Agonda Beach. At about 3 pm, while Amit along with his friends were swimming in the waters, they were suddenly pulled in by strong currents.

Young boys selling the seasonal fruits, locally known as ‘Kandas’, to motorists at Curca.

Photo by Rozario Estibeiro

GSIDC blamed for damaging phone cables, pipelines in Valpoi HERALD CORRESPONDENT VALPOI, MAY 1

It may be beautifying Valpoi town, but the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) has ended up causing more damage in the area.

The GSIDC has now been accused of breaking telephone underground cables, water pipelines and is also being blamed for several road accidents.

Since the last one month, several accidents have occurred at

Hath-wada, Nanus, road due to the huge pothole on the road as a result of improper laying of concrete slabs over the small nullah across the road.

The works of laying concrete slabs over gutters and at the nullah was carried out by GSIDC workers about 2 years ago as part of widening the road under beautification project.

The residents here have expressed resentment over haphazard manner in which the work was carried out by GSIDC.

The residents have complained that at least 10 accidents have occurred in April at Hathwada, due to the negligence of GSIDC which failed to cover the pothole or lay the slabs properly despite repeated requests from the residents to avoid further accidents due to the death trap.

Residents also complained that despite repeated requests to the GSIDC contractor and supervisors, no action has been taken to cover the pothole and avoid further accidents.

Colva police arrive late, fail to avert bull fight HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MAY 1

Colva police always reach late at the venue, when it comes to averting the banned bull fights.

Sunday was no different as the police were intimated over a phone about a bull fight at Varca this evening.

When the police team finally reached the paddy fields, the venue of the bull fight, they found that the fight was already over. The police could not lay their hands on the organisers, the owners nor the bulls.

When contacted, the police said they have registered a case against two residents of Varca but admitted that they could not stop the bull fight since they reached late at the venue.

Pg3 GOA, MONDAY, 2 MAY, 2011

New Zuari bridge may be built Probe rules out break failure behind on PPP model, says Churchill fatal mishap involving KTC bus PWD Minister, Churchill Alemao said the government is seriously toying with the idea of constructing the Zuari bridge on Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.

“The government has not taken any decision since we are waiting for the Union Surface Transport Ministry to get back to us on our host of proposals on the NH-17 expansion”, Alemao said, adding that the government would consider PPP model to build the bridge in the event the state government’s proposal on the NH-17 does not find favour with the centre.

Alemao has been strongly rooting for the NH-17 expansion on grounds that the project includes construction of the Zuari, Galgibaga and Talpona bridge costing hundreds of crores.

However, with the NH-17 expansion project in a deadlock over the difference of opinion on the alignment, besides the

n The government would consider PPP model to build the bridge in the event the state government’s proposal on the NH17 does not find favour with the centre

toll, Alemao said the state government would have to find out an alternative solution to the Zuari bridge. In fact, Alemao was drumming up support for the NH-17 on ground that the life span of the Zuari bridge may be over within the next half a decade, adding that the state government has no funds in its coffers to fund the huge project.

Meanwhile, the PWD Minister said the state government has still not received any reply from the centre over the proposal to exempt toll for light motor vehicles, and to build the highway as per the recommendations of the House Committee.

It’s now nearly a month since the land acquisition proposal to acquire land for the NH-17 project lapsed. Sources in the Margao-based Land Acquisition office informed that no fresh proposal has come from the National Highway Authority of India to begin the land acquisition process afresh.

Fatorda locals block road over failure to act against scrap yards

Tyres burn as Fatorda residents block the road in protest against the presence of illegal scrapyards at Chandrawado.

Photo by Santosh Mirajkar HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MAY 1

Residents of Fatorda on Sunday blocked the main road at Chandrawado to protest against the delay by the authorities to crack a whip against illegal scrap yards in the locality.

Agitated residents placed burning tyres as barricades to stop traffic on the road, before the Margao police rushed to the spot to clear the blockade.

After much discussion, president of Fatorda Development Committee Camilo Baretto served a two month deadline on the authorities to either shut down the illegal scrap yards or

face the ire of the local residents.

Barretto said that the Fatorda Development Committee had petitioned to the district Collector, South to initiate action against the scrap yard following an explosion in a tanker, killing one labourer on the spot. “After the accident, people in the locality have been living in fear.

They are agitated over the contamination of their paddy fields by the discharge of chemicals from the yards”, Barretto said, and warned that the locals will not allow a single scrap yard to operate after the two month deadline.

Ward Councilor Joseph Silva, who was present at the site of the rasta roko, rejected the demand for his resignation over the scrap yards. “I have been elected a Councilor only six months ago, but these scrap yards have been operating since the last decade and half.

No action has been initiated against the scrap yard by Fatorda MLA Damu Naik and my predecessor Piedade Noronha”, he said.

Silva, however, warned that the residents of the area will take their own action if the scrap yards are not shut down within the next two months.

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MAY 1

Inquiry into the tragic mishap involving a brand new blue colored KTC bus near the Old market circle has totally ruled out the possibility of a break failure behind the accident.

Following a report received from the bus manufacturing company, the KTCL management has served a chargesheet on suspended bus driver Shabloo Mayenkar.

KTCL Managing Director Venancio Furtado told Herald that the bus manufacturing company has firmly ruled out any mechanical error, including break failure, as the reason behind the accident. “The company had initiated an inquiry into the bus accident into the mishap. Their findings based on data recorded has not re-

vealed any break failure”, Furtado said.

In this connection, the company has now imparted training to the KTC drivers manning the new buses regarding the do’s and don’ts, he added.

He said the KTCL had immediately placed the driver under suspension pending an inquiry, adding that the management has now served a chargesheet against the driver for further action.

It was on March 28 afternoon that a speeding blue coloured KTC bus claimed the life of two persons at the Colva traffic circle at Old Market here, including a PWD official Vinod Naik, a resident of Orlim and Gurudas Amonkar of Betalbatim.

The duo was killed when they were waiting to cross the road

The Tourism Department (TD) had it quite easy in promoting Goa as the best tourist destination in the world but rise in competition has compelled it change its marketing strategy.

The decline in the inflow of high spending tourists in the last few years has also apparently made the department realize that every thing is honky dory.

In 2007-2008, 100664 UK tourists came to Goa but by 20092010 the number came down to 52296. Similar is the case with other European countries such as Denmark, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, Italy even as the number of Russian tourists increased.

The department will focus on UK, Japan, Germany, Scandinavian countries and Nordic countries for the next three years besides USA where it will target NRIs and promote Goa as a wedding destination.

“The change in marketing strategy has been effected to attract high spending tourists to Goa with addition of few new countries,” says Swapnil Naik, Director of Tourism even as he claimed that this season the inflow of European tourists picked up which has sagged more due

to worldwide economic meltdown.

This season Goa received highest number of charter flights with inflow of about 1.70 lakh foreign tourists with 810 charter flights and Foreign Independent Tourists (FITs), The total -- domestic and in-

ternational tourists arrival in Goa by May end is likely to go upto 27 lakhs.

The tourism department is set to capitalize on the fact that Goa has attracted a lot of attention from NRIs in the States as a wedding destination.

“There is lot of interest in Goa among NRIs in US. We plan to come out with a specific CD targeting NRIs there,” said Naik who was part of the delegation that visited States last month to conduct road shows.

It is also working on a campaign to cover USA market. But how will it go about promoting Goa while it’s clear that usual

road shows and participation in international travel and tourism shows alone cannot guarantee success, especially when competition in tourism sector has become fierce.

Also on its cards is to begin an electronic media campaign on select travel channels and the government to release more funds as Rs 12 crore earmarked for advertising is meager.

On the domestic front too, it has decided to check its track in advertising. It plans to target second tire cities in the country by closing on middle class and higher middle class sections.

While Goa has gained popularity as weekend tourist destination among metros as is evident from the huge inflow of youth in Goa from Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune during weekends and public holidays, its popularity is yet to reach second tire cities.

“We will soon advertise in some of the prominent regional newspapers to market Goa in two tier cities which are slowing growing economically and potential market,” said Tourism Director.

This will the first time the department will advertise in reg i o n a l p a p e r s t o c a p t u re altogether a different market which it has never done before.

The special ambulance, well-equipped with all the facilities, has been sponsored

by Health Minister Vishwajeet Rane.

SELLING PRINCESS SCRAP

Govt opted for Arihant after advice from Finance, Law depts HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MAY 1

There has been a lot of speculation over the government’s choice in choosing the option of selling scrap of M V River Princess to M/s Arihant Ship Breakers and not to the other party which was willing to pay higher rate.

But it appears the government went strictly by the considered opinion of Finance Department (FD) and Law Department (LD) that were not in favour of going for a new party at this stage as it would have complicated the agreement between ship breaking company and the government.

The government had received five offers to buy the scrap and highest offered was Rs 19.50 per kg as against Rs 12.37 per kg offered by M/s Arihant Ship Breakers.

Though a former advocate general who advised the government on this aspect had also indicated that the government should take up the highest offer the FD and LD made it clear that it the could not do otherwise.

Views of both departments were deliberated by the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) as also the advice given by the former advocate general

was considered before it took a final decision.

The FD opined that government cannot go for different mode of scrap disposal and deviate from conditions laid down in tender documents.

It also pointed out that if it desires to sell the scrap through alternate mode than both the parties -- the department and M/s Arihant Ship Breakers will have to mutually agree, to amend the clause 3 (e) of the draft agreement.

This meant the government will have to pay the contractor full Rs 99 crores -- tender amount quoted by the company for breaking and removal the ship -- as against earlier agreement payment which will be made after deducting scrap value.

The LD opined that the government could not afford to go for any new offer as the issue regarding scrap of the vessel already being settled could not be reopened and which if considered would lead to repudiation of contract.

As per the by M/s Ericson & Richards Pvt Ltd, the valuer engaged by the government to conduct valuation of the grounded ship, assessed the tonnage to 11325.67 metric ton

Nine hurt as KTC bus overturns at Bainguinim

Tourism dept to break new grounds to promote Goa HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MAY 1

at the circle when the ill-fated speeding bus rammed against them before crashing on the circle.

Meanwhile, Trade Union Leader Christopher Fonseca on Sunday morning flagged off the first non-stop KTC bus service between Margao and Belgaum in the presence of KTCL Managing Director Venancio Furtado and other officials.

Furtado told newsmen after the ceremony that the KTCL will deploy a Volvo bus on the Margao-Belgaum route from May 15 to meet the growing demands of passengers.

The non-stop luxury bus service will leave from Margao at 7 am and depart from Belgaum to Goa at 4 pm everyday. Tickets for the luxury non-stop bus can be booked online, Furtado added.

MAYEM (HC): Sanquelim Municipal Council Chairperson Anand Naik on Friday commissioned ambulance service at PHC Sanquelim.

A KTC shuttle bus that overturned near Bainguinim junction, injuring nine people.

Photo by Kanzil Rodrigues HERALD CORRESPONDENT OLD GOA, MAY 1

Nine people were injured, after a KTCL shuttle service bus overturned along the Old Goa-Panjim highway near Bainguinim junction on Sunday morning.

According to Old Goa Police, the KTCL shuttle bus that was on its way from Old Goa to Panjim overturned, after the bus

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driver applied brakes to avoid collision against an oncoming jeep.

About nine passengers including the bus driver and conductor were injured in the incident and escaped with minor injuries.

Old Goa Police have registered the accident under Motor Vehicles Act against the bus driver and conductor.

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Pg 4 UPCOMING EVENTS Legal literacy camp at Mapusa PANJIM (HND): The Bardez legal literacy camp will be organised on May 2 at 4.30 pm by Bardez Taluka Legal Services Committee, at Mapusa Municipality, to spread awareness about the Labour Week. The session will be presided over by Adv P P Banaulikar, who will speak on ‘Child Labour’. Adv Salma Sarkawas will speak on ‘Rights of women’ and Adv Dhilesh Ashvenkar will speak ‘Children’s Act’. Citizens of Bardez may attend the awareness programme.

Malaria workshop at Curchorem CURCHOREM (HC): Community Health Centre Cacora will conduct an advocacy workshop on Malaria and other vector-borne diseases at Community Health Centre on May 6 at 10.30 am.

Dr Jaydish Kakodkar will be the guest speaker, while Curchorem MLA Shyam Satardekar, CCMC chairperson, chief officer, councillors, Quepem mamlatdar, BDO, deputy collector, members of NGO and representatives of PWD, electricity department and teachers and heads of educational institutions will attend the workshop, informed CHC Health Officer Dr Ganpati Kakodkar.MLA Satardekar will inaugurate the new ambulance brought

by CCMC in the presence of other dignitaries.

May Ball by Qatar Goans

Member of the Blackslades band.

PANJIM: (HND): Goans in Qatar will organise May Ball at Ramada Plaza’s Giwana hall, Doha, on May 5 at 8 pm local time. Black Slades along with Sharp will provide a wide variety of music.

Bollywood star and former Miss India Tanushree Dutta, will be the chief guest for the dine-n-dance.

A beauty pageant will be the highlight of the evening. The beauty pageant contestants will win fabulous prizes. Spot prizes for Jive & Salsa Dancing Couples, Lucky Entrance, Novelty Dance Winners are the other highlights of the dine and dance.

The May Ball Queen winner will be picked up by a panel of eminent persons from Qatar. For entry coupons contact: 55252098/55852766/55817812/55834390/55464820.

Ponda temple celebration PANJIM (HND): Kapleshwari Devastan Kapleshwari Ponda will celebrate annual Prathisthapana Vardhapan Day on May 9 and 10. Aarti and Tirthaprasad will be on May 9 and Aarti and Mahaprasad on May 10 at 1pm. Awarded Saregama- pa Little Champ Winner (Mahagayeka), Kartiki Gaikwad will perform along with Komal Sane and Saish Pendse and other well known singers on May 9 at 7 pm. There will be Bhajan and cultural programme on May 10 at 7 pm. Palkhi Utsav and Thirthprasad on both days will be at 9 pm.

Govt cheating us, allege Mopa villagers HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 30

The Mopa Vimantall Piditt Shetkari Samiti, (MVPSS) today once again raised its voice against the government’s plans to go ahead and build the airport, this time hitting out at the Special Land Acquisition Officer (SLAO) M K Vasta calling him a henchman of the government.

Addressing a press conference at the Azad Maidan, Sandeep Kamble the Secretary of the MVPSS said it was most unfortunate that a ‘dalal’ like M K Vasta should be used by the government to cheat the villagers.

“He has been let loose among the poor and gullible villagers of the six villages whose land is to be acquired. On one day he comes and gives us form 9/10 asking us to fill out or grievances or our demands in compensation for the loss of our land and when we seek information under the Right to Information Act. No such information is available with the department,” he said lividly.

“Vide latter dated 11/01/2010

addressed to SLAO (Special Land Acquisition Officer) Panaji, the Samiti asked for certain under the Right to Information Act, to which the SLAO replied under letter No. SL AO/Mopa Airport/RTI/2009/452 dated 28/1/2010 that the grievances of villagers have been forwarded to higher authorities. However as per recent reply letter No. S L A O / M o p a Airport/RTI/2009/718 (A) dated 7/3/2011 the SLAO informed that the said applications/ representations have not been considered since proceedings under S (Section) of L. A. Act have already begun. The reply shows that the poor and illiterate villagers are misguided and misled by the authorities,” Kambli said.

He also accused Vasta of deliberately trying to subvert the court orders.

“The High Court has passed an order in Writ petition No 510/2009 that the state was at liberty to proceed with the acquisition but should not take possession of the land with is subject matter of the petition.

Neurons

The brain itself forms only a part of the complex neurological network that exists in the human body. The rest of the components include the spinal cord and the widespread nervous system. The nervous system is a massive web, spanning the entire body. The web itself is made of up of nerve cells, called neurons.

Structure of a Neuron

HERALD REPORTER VASCO, MAY 1

Agitating residents of MurdiCansaulim on Thursday stopped the construction activity of a controversial mega-housing project in the village.

The mega-housing project on three different plots of 12,800 sq mtrs will have 145-odd residential flats, swimming pool and a club house.

Residents have claimed that the project would disturb the peace in the village.

About 100 residents of MurdiCansaulim under the banner ‘Civil Forum’ stopped the construction activity and asked Mormugao Mamlatdar to intervene in the matter as the developer failed to produce all relevant documents and project clearance.

Agitating villagers from Murdi-Cansaulim gathered to oppose illegal mega housing project in the village.

Photo by M Prabhav

Fearing a law and order problem, Mormugao Mamlatdar Rajesh Azgaonkar along with other officials rushed to the site. Representatives of the developer who were also present

How the Human Brain Works - Part 2

but is, in fact, made up of a series of small globules called glial cells. The glial cells lie end-to-end, with small gaps in between each; these gaps are called Nodes of Ranvier. The nodes are very important for the transfer of electrical impulses, as the axon receives energy through these gaps.

3 Dendrites – These are tiny branchlike extensions of the cells that are used to collect signals from neighboring cells. Dendrites can exist on either side of the cell.

Synapse – The synapse is the gap 4 between two neuron cells, and contains the neurotransmitters that are used to transfer signals from one cell to another. The neurotransmitters are produced by the cell itself, although in limited quantities.

Types of Neurons

A neuron can essentially be broken up into three distinct parts: 1 Soma – This is the cell body of the neuron and is practically the same as the other cells of the body. The cell has a nucleus, mitochondria and the other components necessary for the cell to stay alive.

2 Axon – Axons are the elongated wires that pass electrical impulses up and down the cell. The axon is actually rather vulnerable to damage and is therefore covered with a layer of fat called the myelin sheath. The sheath doesn’t cover the axon continuously,

However, SLAO Mopa deliberately and wrongly issued notice under S 17(3-A) of L. A. Act in the name of one Sagun Kashinath Gadekar and Sharda Kashinath Gadekar as being the legal heirs of late Ganesh Narayan Gadekar inviting contempt of court order against the concerned officer. This was deliberate and willful act with an intention to harass the citizen who is trying to lawfully redress his grievances,” Kambli said.

Besides targeting Vasta, they have also trained their guns on the government and pointed out instances where they say amounts to government harassment, highhandedness resembling that of a dictatorship.

“Police Inspector of Pernem issued notices to farmers in Pernem on the night of August 14 last year prohibiting them to express their grievances on Independence Day,” he said.

They also raised other issues like violation of Tenancy Act, and awarding compensation to the ‘bhatkars’ leaving the tenants in the lurch.

Youth rescued off Baga beach HERALD NEWS BUREAU PANJIM, MAY 1

A 23-year- old youth from Damobavli-Mumbai was rescued from drowning at Baga beach on Thursday morning.

According to reports, the incident occurred when Avinash Haryani was swimming in a nonswimming zone close to a water sports area. As the sea was choppy with moderate waves and currents lateral to the beach, Avinash while swimming didn’t notice that he was drifting in the water.

However, when he noticed that he was drifting, he tried to swim back to the beach but found it difficult and kept struggling. The lifeguard spotted Avinash in danger.

Lifeguard Shekhar Gawas rushed to the spot along with the rescue tube, followed by lifeguards Gautam and Pratin from Baga and rescued and brought the victim safely to the beach.

As Avinash was having difficulty in breathing he was shifted to Candolim PHC, where doctors diagnosed him, provided him with immediate medical assistance but referred him to GMC Hospital in Bambolim for further treatment. The victim was later discharged.

Cansaulim locals stop work on mega project

biology special

GOA

GOA, MONDAY, 2 MAY, 2011

Neurons are classified depending on their function, which in turn influences their structure. The different types are as follows: • Sensory neurons carry signals from the outer parts of the body (periphery) into the central nervous system. Their structure is conducive to this function, as they have dendrites on both ends, connected by a long axon with a cell body in the middle.

There are different types of sensory neurons, depending on the kind of input they would be receiving. As a result, the nerve endings on each different neuron are encased on special structures. o Chemoreceptors, as the names suggests, sense chemicals. For instance, the olfactory bulb that monitors one’s sense of smell has chemoreceptors that sense odors – which are essentially chemicals in the air. Taste buds have chemoreceptors to detect chemicals dis-

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solved in liquids. Chemoreceptors in the brain also monitor the concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid to help control the rate of breathing. o Mechanoreceptors sense touch, pressure and distortion (stretch). Stretch receptors in muscle tendons are the first link in the knee-jerk reflex, for example. o Photoreceptors, which sense light, are found in the retinas. o Thermoreceptors are free nerve endings that sense temperature. o Nociceptors are free nerve endings that sense pain. They respond to a variety of stimuli (heat, pressure, chemicals) and sense tissue damage. o Auditory receptors in the inner ear sense vibrations from sound waves.

• Motor neurons (motoneurons) carry signals from the central nervous system to the outer parts (for example: muscles, skin, or glands) of the body.

These neurons have a cell body on one end, a long axon in the middle and dendrites on the other end. o Autonomic neurons are a subset of motor neurons, but are those that control the involuntary functions of the body – like breathing or the heartbeat.

• Receptors sense the environment (chemicals, light, sound, touch) and encode this information into electrochemical messages that are transmitted by sensory neurons.

There is another classification of neurons based on where they are located within the nervous system: • Interneurons connect various neurons within the brain and spinal cord • Cranial nerves connect the sense organs (eyes, ears, nose, mouth) to the brain • Central nerves connect areas within the brain and spinal cord • Peripheral nerves connect the spinal cord with the limbs.

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at the site failed to produce the documents sought by the villagers.

Azgaonkar said the developer should produce all the relevant documents and clearance obtained by him to the villagers, as there is unrest among the villagers due to alleged illegality of the project.

Azgaonkar has given a oneday period to the developer to produce all the relevant documents.

Incidentally, the Additional Director of Panchayats (ADoP), granted construction permission on the ‘B Block’ against the ap-

peal of the Cansaulim-ArossimCuelim Panchayat.

Speaking to reporters, Dr Marconi Correia informed that the project was twice rejected by the villagers and panchayat in 2008 and 2010, as the developer had illegally amalgamated two plots, which belongs to the Church.

“Even during the gram sabha, villagers had unanimously rejected the project for alleged illegality and it being mega housing project. After gram sabha resolution, the panchayat had revoked the construction license issued to the developer,” claimed Correia.

“On Wednesday, one of the labourers had allegedly tried to manhandle a woman, after she questioned how they could go ahead with construction activity without any valid permission,” he said.

“The developer has fraudulently amalgamated the two plots in his total area of development, where he does not even produce Sanad. The existing two-and-half metre road constructed by the panchayat is shown as 10-mtr wide in the plan to get TCP clearance,” said Correia.

S H O RT TA K E S One dies of over-drinking MARCEL (HC): A 45-year-old resident of Nagzar-Curti died reportedly due to over-drinking of alcohol on Tuesday. According to Ponda Police, Sadashiv Yellapa Jaytanur was found dead in his vehicle outside Kirti Hotel, Ponda.

Police further informed that the deceased had left a bar on Monday night in an inebriated state.

Police said the deceased had vomited in his car and could have choked. PSI Sachin Lokre is investigating the case.

One succumbs to burn injuries BICHOLIM (HC): A 30-year-old woman from Harvalem-Sanquelim succumbed to burn injuries in GMC Hospital at Bambolim on Wednesday.

According to Bicholim Police, one Jijabai Galve from Harvalem had sustained burn injuries some days ago and was admitted in GMC hospital.

Galve succumbed to injuries on Wednesday and her body was handed over to her relatives. Bicholim Police is investigating the case.

Tourist rescued off Anjuna beach PANJIM (HNB): A 33-year-old man from Madhya Pradesh was rescued from drowning at Anjuna Beach on Wednesday afternoon.

According to reports, the incident occurred at about 12 pm, when Ajay Singh Patel along with his cousin had ventured into the sea for swimming in a non-swimming area, in front of the shack in which they had been resting.

While swimming in the non-swimming area, Ajay was caught under a wave. He tried to surface up and felt short of breath and began to shout for help.

Lifeguard Sanjay Narvekar rushed to the aid of the victim and secured Ajay. In the meanwhile the Jet Ski made it to the spot and the lifeguard and victim both were brought out with the help of the jet ski.

The victim was assessed for any abnormality and was released after he was found normal.

Headmaster feted MAYEM (HC): Headmaster of Goa Vidhyaprasarak Mandal’s Rajmata Padmavati Raje Saundekar High School Pramod Anant Jambhale was recently given a warm send-off by PTA, teachers and students in the school hall.

Goa Vidhyaprasarak Mandal President Bhaskar Khandeparkar, Secretary Deepak Gaonkar, retired headmaster of Almeida High School Vishwanath Lawande and PTA President Radhakrishna Bambolakar were present on the occasion.

Speaking as the chief guest for the function, Vishwanath Lawande called upon the parents to inculcate the habit of discipline in their kids.

In his reply, Jambhlae stated that during his tenure, he tried hard to give best to the students.

Senior teacher Laxmikant Naik compered the function, while Rupa Shanbag proposed the vote of thanks.

Mining traffic restrictions relaxed PANJIM (HND): District Magistrate, South Goa, has ordered relaxation of timings for mining trucks from 6 am to 6 pm till May 31 for entry in Quepem and Sanguem Talukas, due to closing of schools for vacation. However, the loading at the mines shall be stopped at 4.45 pm. The other conditions remain unchanged. Similarly mining trucks can ply between Usgao Bridge to Suktolim (Dharbandora) and up to Digas Bridge upto May 31 from 6 am to 6 pm.

Necessary traffic sign boards at appropriate places will be installed stating entry of mining trucks from 6 am to 6 pm.

Guidance camp held for women

Socorro sarpanch, deputy voted out HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, MAY 1

Socorro Sarpanch Sheetal Arolkar and Deputy Sarpanch Sanjay Pednekar were on Friday voted out of office, after a noconfidence motion was passed against them by 6-0 votes in the 11-member panchayat.

It may be recalled that the no-confidence motion notice was submitted to the Block Development Office at Mapusa by six panchas - Pratima Narvekar, Sarvesh Naik, Ditosa Lobo, John Paul Vales, Sonia Halarnkar and Kirti Asnodkar.

The six panchas had accused the sarpanch and deputy sarpanch of encouraging illegal constructions, not taking the panch members into confidence

while taking decisions on developmental issues and misusing the powers.

Mapusa Block Development Officer convened a special meeting in the panchayat office on Friday to discuss the notice of no -confidence against the sarpanch and deputy sarpanch.

However, only the signatories attended the meeting, while the other five members Narayan Satardekar, Sheetal Arolkar, Sanjay Pednekar, Kartik Kudnekar and Sandeep Vazarker remained absent.

On behalf of the Block Development Office Mapusa, G A Bandekar conducted the proceedings of the elections and Panchayat Secretary Kishor Pagui assisted him.

Railways to run special trains for summer HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, MAY 1

Inco-ordination with Central Railway, Konkan Railway will run Summer Holiday Special Trains between Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) and Ernakulam and from LT(T) to Tirunelvelli, to and fro on both routes.

Train No 01065 will depart from LT(T) on every Wednesday at 12.50 noon and reach Ernakulam next day at 6.15 pm. The train will run on May 4, 11, 18, 25 and June 1.

Train no 01066 will depart from Ernakulam at 11.20 pm on Thursdays and reach LT(T) at 4.40 pm on next day. The train will run on April 28, May 5, 12, 19, 26 and June 2 and will halt at Thane, Panvel, Roha, Khed, Chiplun, Ratnagiri, Kankavali, Kudal, Sawantwadi Rd, Pe r n e m , T h i v i m , K a r m a l i , Madgaon, Kar war, Ankola, Kumta, Honnavar, Bhatkal, Mookambika Rd Byndoor, Udupi, Suratkal, Thokur, Mangalore Jn,

Kasaragod, Kanhahgad, Payyanur, Kannur, Tellicherry, Vadakara, Kozhikode, Tirur, Kuttippuram, Shornur, Trichur and Aluva.

Train No 01067 will depart from LT(T) at 12.50 pm on Saturdays and will reach Tirunelveli at 2.15 am on next day. The train will run on May 7, 14, 21, 28 and June 4.

Train no 01068 will depart from Tirunelveli at 1 pm on Mondays and will reach LT(T) at 11.45 pm, the next day.

The train will run on May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 and June 6 and will halt at Thane, Panvel, Roha, Khed, Chiplun, Sangameshwar, Ratnagiri, Kankavali, Kudal, Sawantwadi Rd, Pernem, Thivim, Karmali, Madgaon, Karwar, Ankola, Kumta, Honnavar, Bhatkal, Mookambika Rd Byndoor, Udupi, Suratkal, Thokur, Mangalore Jn, Kasaragod, Kanhahgad, Payyanur, Kannur, Tellicherry, Vadakara, Kozhikode, Tirur, Kuttippuram, Shornur, Trichur , Aluva and Ernakulam.

Amita Naik Salatry addresses at Mahila Melava in Bicholim in the presence of Bicholim MLA Rajesh Patnekar, ZP member Shilpa Naik and others.

Photo by Vishant Vaze

MAYEM (HC): Amita Nayak Salatry has stressed the need to create awareness among the women as they being weaker section of the community, there is a possibility that they be taken for a ride by others.

She was addressing the gathering after inaugurating the guidance camp for women organised by Goa Panchayat Mahila Shakti Abhiyan at Deendayal Bhavan, Bicholim, on Tuesday.

Bicholim MLA Rajesh Patnekar, ZP member Shilpa Naik, Anita Karambalkar, Mahadev Tirodkar and Maya Padelkar were present on the occasion.

Bicholim Muslims celebrate Urus MAYEM (HC): The Urus celebration of Sharif Hazrat Abdul Shah Baba, organised by the Muslim community in Bicholim, was celebrated with religious fervour near the Darga of Shah Baba on Saturday night.

On the occasion, Qawali programme was organised, in which Jafar Sabari (New Delhi) and Firdos Banu (Banaras-UP) presented their Qawalis. Earlier, the devotees offered prayers.

Ibrahim Khan, Iliyas Mamlaekar, Shaikh Nasid, Shaikh Siraj, Abdul Hamid and others put in lot of efforts to make the Urus celebration a grand success.

Bicholim MLA Rajesh Patnekar, BMC Chairperson Anisha Vernekar, Riyaz Beig, Kamlakar Teli, Ajit Birje and villagers were present in large numbers.

POWER SHUTDOWN MAY 2

TALEIGAO: From 9 am to 3 pm. Areas affected are Machado Cove, Manipal Hospital, Vaiguinnim valley and surrounding Dona Paula areas.

MANDUR: From 9 am to 4 pm. Areas affected are Mandur Panchayat, Mandur Health centre, Padribhat and surrounding areas.

MAY 3

TIVIM: From 9 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are Limathod, Tivim Panchayat office, St Anna colony, Dhanva, Auchutwado, Major Bakery, Madel Damade and surrounding areas.

AZOSSIM: From 9 am to 4 pm. Azossim and surrounding areas will be affected.

OLD GOA: From 9 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are House of Bom Jesus and Dhauji area of Old Goa village.

GOA

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GOA, MONDAY, 2 MAY, 2011

Tourism department website to get facelift

Vasco councillors angry at CO for going soft on illegal structures

Korean held with drugs worth Rs 2 lakh

week ago, after sudden transfer of then chief officer Gopal Parsekar.

“Being the chairperson, I’m not aware about the decision that demolition is cancelled and not even single councillor was informed about it,” stated Shirodkar.

“The chief officer himself had asked the demolition squad for demolition drive and at the eleventh hour cancelled his own order, which suggests that the chief officer has been influenced by the politician,” alleged Councillor Carlos Almeida.

Almeida reminded Porob that being executive officer, under Section 74 of Municipal Act, the chief officer is subject to control, direction and supervision of the chairperson.

Refuting the allegation levelled by Almeida, Porob stated that one of the encroachers has

HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, MAY 1

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MAY 1

Anjuna Police on Thursday arrested a 51-year-old South Korean national on charges of possessing drugs worth Rs 2 lakh.

According to Anjuna Police, a police team was on routine patrol at Ozrant-Vagator, when they noticed a South Korean national Hongjae Yoo moving suspiciously in the area.

The police team confronted Yoo and on searching him, found in his possession MDMA (38 grammes), LSD (3 grammes), Charas (19 grammes), all worth Rs 2 lakh.

Anjuna Police team was led by PSI Pilgaonkar, Samir Gauns, Keshav Gauns, Nitesh Mulgaonkar, Vivek and Babu Madan.

The drab and static website of the State Tourism Department will shortly get a chic look. The department is in the process of revamping its entire website.

“We are revamping the website as we have realized that it appears static,” said Swapnil Naik, Director of Tourism while speaking to Herald on Thursday.

Though the website is quite informative -- it is not smartly designed and appears dull as like any government handbook.

Also, compared to the websites of other States, the website of Goa tourism department is certainly not notable.

It will be made interactive as also will have videos, added tourism director.

Though Goa draws large number of tourists from Europe and

HERALD REPORTER VASCO, MAY 1

The ruling councillors of Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) have come down heavily on the newly appointed MMC Chief Officer Meghanath Porob for granting two weeks extension to the illegal structures on a private land at Adharshnagar-Chicalim.

It may be recalled that 33 illegal structures on a private land at Adarshnagar got a lease of life for two more weeks, after the encroachers asked MMC chief officer to grant them two weeks extension to vacate their houses on their own. The demolition scheduled on April 28.

In a special council meeting called by MMC Chairperson Suchita Shirdokar on Friday, the ruling councillors came down heavily on Chief Officer Porob, who has taken charge barley a

RTI activist: P’yat shielding Assagao sarpanch HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MAY 1

RTI applicant Krishna Ghate has accused the Assagao panchayat of shielding its sarpanch Victor D’Souza, as well as panch member Pratap Vernekar, both accused of illegal constructions.

According to documents Ghate sourced through the RTI Act, the panchayat has disallowed discussion of the issue in its gram sabha, as it ‘does not come within the purview of the gram sabha.’

A copy of the resolution passed by the panchayat members rejecting the discussion, reads, “… it was decided by members present that …letters of illegal construction cannot be placed in the gram sabha meeting and illegal construction are not discussed in the gram sabha meeting as it does not come under the purview of the gram sabha and does not come under development.”

In an earlier resolution, the panchayat had decided not to take up this issue at a special gram sabha but instead discuss it at a regular meet. But when the time came for it to be discussed, they gave the above cited reasons.

The panchayat had on two previous occasions, refused discussion on the issue of illegal constructions at the gram sabha.

obtained stay from the High Court and she along with others have requested for two weeks extension as they are in the process to find alternate accommodation.

“Using the executive power, I granted two weeks extension on humanitarian ground,” said Porob.

When Almeida asked whether he has sought legal opinion before granting the extension, the chief officer replied in the negative.

“Supposedly, within this two weeks time, if the encroachers approach High Court for stay, then the legal fees of council’s advisor should be borne by the chief officer,” said Almeida.

Former MMC chairperson Manesh Arolkar advised the chief officer not to get influenced by politicians, as councillors are ready to assist him.

Shiv Sena demands PHC at Porvorim HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, MAY 1

The Shiv Sena delegation has demanded a primary health centre at Porvorim.

A Shiv Sena delegation led by Adhoc committee member Philip D’Souza called on Director of Health Services Dr Rajananda Dessai on Thursday morning and handed over a memorandum demanding a primary health centre at Porvorim.

In the memorandum, the Shiv Sena stated that poor people from Porvorim and surrounding villages have no option than to visit Aldona Primary Health Centre, Asilo Hospital at Mapusa or GMC Hospital at Bambolim, which are located at a long distance from Porvorim.

“The NH-17 which passes through Porvoirm witnesses many small and major accidents regularly. It is necessary that the people who get injured in the accidents get quick medical assistance.

Precious lives must have been lost in the past due to non-availability of primary health centre at Porvorim,” states the memorandum.

The memorandum further stated that there are numerous schools and educational institutions in Porvorim and adjoining areas.

“The Assembly complex is also located in Porvorim, which attracts a lot of Morchas and agitations which if gets out of control can cause physical injury to the protestors as well as police too,” added the memorandum.

“Therefore, it is therefore necessary that the State government take urgent step to set up primary health centre at Porvorim,” says the memorandum.

Shiv Sena delegation submits memorandum to Director of Directorate of Health Services Dr Rajananda Dessai demanding Primary Health Centre at Porvorim.

Photo by Anil Shankhwalker

Land acquisition process is on HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, MAY 1

Director of Health Services Dr Rajnanda Dessai informed a Shiv Sena delegation that the government has already initiated measures to set up a primary health centre at Porvorim.

“The design of the project is also ready.

The process of land acquisition has begun.

Land admeasuring about 5,000 sq mtrs has been earmarked for the project and necessary

HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, MAY 1

Jitesh Kamat addresses press conference at Mapusa.

Photo by Anil Shankhwalker

Kala Bhavan is the best site in all respects and they will submit a memorandum to Chief Minister Digambar Kamat to go ahead with the project at the same site and not to bow down to the pressure tactics of the opposing group.

Minority President Firoz Khan said the site selected by the government for Kala Bhavan is closer to bus stand and police station and is also convenient for all sections of the society, both young and old.

“The minority community feels that Kala Bhavan should come up at the same site and we have communicated our opinion to the chief minister,” added Khan.

Robots will perform cardiac surgeries in future: Dr Jalwi HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MAY 1

Nano robots powered by nano batteries will be the future of all surgeries especially cardiac surgeries, Dr Vivek Jalwi the chief cardiac and thoracic surgeon at Fortis Hospitals, Bangalore, who was down in the state said. He however said that as of now they are too expensive and not reliable enough to be used on a large scale.

“As of today robots are expensive, huge and dangerous.

But with the arrival of nano technology nano robots powered by nano batteries will most certainly be used in cardiac surger-

provision of funds has also been made in the budget,” informed Dr Dessai.

When the delegation asked how soon the primary heath centre will be ready at Porvorim, Dr Dessai replied that it is not possible for her indicate the exact date right now, but the construction of the primary health centre will start soon after completion of land acquisition process.

“I hope that the project will be ready within the next two-three years,” said Dr Dessai.

Pale MLA blocking development, accuses Sanquelim civic chief HERALD CORRESPONDENT BICHOLIM, APRIL 29

that the next president will be of the Congress party only,” stated Kandolkar.

Mapusa Block Congress committee President Vijay Bhike claimed that the development of Mapusa town suffered a setback due to instability in the council.

“If the next president of nonCongress party comes to power, then there is no guarantee that he will be able to continue for longer time. The game of musical chair will continue till the next election. Hence, the next president should be from the Congress party only,” said Bhike.

With regard to Kala Bhavan, Bhike said the present site selected by the government for

ies,” Dr Jalwi said.

“Already minimally invasive surgery has become a norm at Fortis hospitals, with it being first introduced in 1994. Today almost all heart surgery is minimally invasive surgery,” he said.

Dr Jalwi who was down in the state for a regular consultation with his patients from Goa was addressing a press conference at a hotel here accompanied by four of his patients besides other officials from the hospital.

Till date Fortis Hospitals Bangalore has said it has treated more than 6,500 Goan patients who suffered from cardiac complications since it started 25

Borim Bridge closure on May 8

PANJIM (HND): District Magistrate North Goa has notified the closure of Borim Bridge for vehicular traffic from on May 8 from 6 am to 8 am.

One convicted for murdering senior citizen HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MAY 1

Give MMC chief enough time before judging work: Cong Pitching in its support to Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) President Sudhir Kandolkar, the Mapusa Block Congress committee has said that he should be given more time to perform his duties.

"If at all the opposition wants to topple him, the next president should be from the Cong re s s p a r t y, " s a i d f o r m e r Congress District President Jitesh Kamat, while addressing a press conference in Mapusa.

Kamat said the new Mapusa Municipal Council is hardly five months old and hence it is not possible for the president of any municipal council to perform miracles within short time.

“Hence, existing MMC President Sudhir Kandolkar should be allowed to continue for at least one year and then his performance should be assessed,” said Kamat.

“However, if the opposition group is unhappy with Kandolkar’s performance then they can go ahead and dislodge Kandolkar from the post of president, but they should ensure

other foreign countries -- its tourism website is not made available in any other language than English.

Kerala which poses a strong competition to Goa and has been successful in getting large number of foreign tourists, presents its website in a couple of foreign languages.

When questioned Tourism Director however said though they are interested to have its website in foreign languages their priority is to revamp it and for which process has already been initiated.

years ago.

“Our experience in Goa over the years has been quite overwhelming. We have seen this state growing from the time when heart disease was to be considered to be the end stage of human life. Today through constant education and awareness it has reached a stage where people no longer have such a notion and have accepted treatment in a much better way,” Dr Jalwi said.

Fortis Hospitals also takes part in Continuing Medical Education (CME) programmes organized by Goa Medical College and Hospital and the like.

Sanquelim Municipal Council (SMC) Chief Anand Naik has accused Pale MLA Pratap Gawas of hampering developmental work in the city.

However, the Pale MLA has denied the allegation claiming that the developmental work in the city is going on in full swing.

“Pale MLA Gawas is trying to block developmental work in the city for personal gains. The first instance is that of the chief officer who is never seen in the municipality and even after requesting Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, he is not yet transferred,” Naik told Herald.

It may be stated that Chief Officer Bhanudas Naik has been allotted the responsibility of three municipalities and is reportedly never seen at Sanquelim, due to which several files are left pending and SMC cannot

Car stereo stolen at Palolem HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, MAY 1

A car stereo worth Rs 16,000 was stolen from a parked car at Palolem recently.

In his complaint, Teodozio Antonio told Canacona Police that some persons decamped with the stereo in his Icon car, which was parked at Palolem.

Antonio also complained that the glass of another car, a Honda City, was damaged in the locality.

Antonio claimed that when he rushed out of the house on hearing the glass being shattered, the culprits fled from the site under the cover of darkness.

It is believed that the culprit made another attempt to steal expensive accessories in the Honda City. Canacona Police is investigating the incident.

carryout the work.

“The MLA is trying to stop chief officer’s transfer, as he might have some personal gains from the same,” alleged Naik.

“He was also instrumental in asking the Tourism Department not to grant finance for the Sanquelim Shigmotsav which proves that he is against any work being carried out in the city,” claimed Naik.

When contacted, Pale MLA Pratap Gawas denied all the allegations and said that the developmental work in the city is going on in full swing.

“The allegations are baseless and I hardly have any interest in stopping the order, the developmental work is going on in the city,” stated Gawas.

A 34-year-old man has been found guilty of murdering a senior citizen over property dispute, in 2008.

Principal District and Sessions Judge Nutan Sardessai fixed May 5 for hearing arguments before pronouncing the quantum of sentence to be awarded to the accused.

The Court heard how Shailesh Sastikar (34) and his father Manohar Sastikar (67), both residents of Succor, Porvorim fatally stabbed 65-year-old Vasant Sasitkar over ancestral property dispute.

According to the chargesheet, the accused picked up Samai (brass metal lamp) and hit Vasant in the head, resulting in his death on the spot on May 11, 2008.

Accused Manohar who died during the course of the trial, was incidentally Vasant’s older brother.

Public Prosecutor Subash Desai examined 16 witnesses in support of the case including eye witness Swapneja Sagun, daughter in law of the victim.

The PP said that few minutes prior to the incident, both accused had assaulted two sons of the victim with ‘koita’, causing them grievous injuries. The children survived after they received timely treatment at Goa Medical College.

Porvorim police station has chargesheeted both accused under section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code.

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O HERALD O

Look at thy neighbour, please!

Gas pipeline a must for Goa

Goan Hindus have never starved or were forced to live like beggars, due to lack of English skills, says UDAY BHEMBRE

Vol No CX No: 121 Goa, Monday, 2 May, 2011

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OPINION

or some strange, unfathomable reason, some people are campaigning that the Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL) gas pipeline, which is being laid in Goa, will be ‘dangerous’ for the people of the state. No doubt, these people are alarmed by the accident that took place outside the gates of the Zuari Agro Chemicals (ZACIL) plant in Sancoale a few days ago, when a heavy earthmoving excavator digging a ditch for the gas pipeline accidentally ruptured the ZACIL naphtha pipeline and set it ablaze.

That was an accident caused by gross negligence, primarily on the part of GAIL officials, who should have posted a qualified engineer at the spot to supervise the excavation, and secondarily on the part of ZACIL, which knew that its naphtha pipeline was close to the excavation site, and should have kept someone knowledgeable at the spot to ensure that it wasn’t damaged. Luckily, no one was killed or seriously injured, though dozens of vehicles were destroyed.

But this does not in any way mean that the gas pipeline is ‘unsafe’. The use of any form of energy caries some risk.

Electricity can give fatal shocks or cause fires through short circuits. Does this mean we should not use electricity in our houses because it is ‘dangerous’? No. What we do is to ensure that all safety precautions are taken.

Cooking gas cylinders can leak, burst and burn down houses. Does this mean we stop using cooking gas? No. Instead, we follow the precautions given by the gas company, like switching off the cylinder regulator when we don’t need to use the gas.

Petrol is highly inflammable. Petrol-fuelled vehicles are known to have caught fire and burned down within minutes.

When driven on the roads, vehicles are at high risk of accidents that could lead to loss of life. Does this mean we stop using cars and two-wheelers and go back to the era of bicycles, horses and palanquins? No. We drive carefully and keep our vehicles well-maintained.

Why do we use all the above despite the risks? Because the advantages they give us are enormous, while the risks, if well managed, are minuscule. It is exactly the same with the gas pipeline. It will enable Goa to set up its own nonpolluting power generating plant that can make this state self-sufficient in electricity, so we can say goodbye to power cuts and low voltage.

The present effective allotment of power for Goa is 440 MW. This is considered ‘adequate’ only because households are enduring regular power cuts and low voltage, especially in villages, while new industries are denied new connections and old industries are denied more power consumption.

Projected power demand for the year 2011-12 will be 712 MW, and it is expected to be 1,083 MW by 2016-17. Without a gas-based power plant in Goa, we will be facing eight-hour power cuts daily within five to 10 years.

Steady, reliable electricity supply is also vital if this state is to attract knowledge industries that can give suitable wellpaying jobs to our youth. Otherwise, our future generations too will be condemned to doing low-paying jobs in five-star hotels or working away from their families in other cities in India, on ships or in foreign countries.

The gas pipeline will also enable large companies like ZACIL and the Reliance Power Plant, which presently operate on naphtha, to switch over to the much less polluting natural gas. This gas will also be available to other industries and, if our leaders make their moves swiftly enough, houses in Goa will be able to get piped natural gas.

Do we really want to sacrifice all these advantages owing to some perceived dangers whose risks are very, very small?

E

nglish is international language. English is used in our country for administration, trade and commerce and for higher education.

Having good knowledge of English is an asset.

Fluency in English increases competitiveness. Proficiency in English gives global advantage.

There is no dispute about the truth of these statements. Still the question remains: Is it necessary to have English as medium of instruction at the primary level to have good knowledge of English or to have fluency in it or to acquire proficiency in it or to have good command over it?

My answer is an emphatic NO. If protagonists of English as medium of instruction in the primary school need an explanation as to why my answer is in the negative, I will simply request them to have a close look at their next door neighbours, the Hindu community.

Since the beginning of formal education in Goa, it has been a tradition in the Hindu community to have primary education in Marathi. Those who pursued their education further did so either in Portuguese or in English. As the Portuguese suppressed Konkani, it was not available as a medium of instruction and primary education in Konkani began only in 1962 after the liberation of Goa. In keeping with that tradition, I too attended a Marathi primary school. (My son could have primary education in Konkani in the school run by Konkani Bhasha Mandal in Margao).

With that tradition, Hindu community could produce scholars like Acharya Dharmanand Kosambi, internationally known scholar of Pali and Buddhism who helped an American professor in the US to translate Pali texts into English. His son Damodar D Kosambi, in whose memory the Government of Goa is holding festival of ideas every year, had his higher education in the US and was a well-known mathematician and historian. He wrote several books in English and also in Marathi. Both father and son had their primary education in Marathi. Shenoi Goembab, the great writer and scholar of Konkani, who rose to a high position in a German firm in Mumbai, attended a Marathi primary school in Goa. Dr V N Shirodkar was a renowned gynaecologist and a particular surgery is known by his name.

Dr. Dada Vaidya was another great physician. He

ADvAnTAGEoUs MEDiUM is the only Goan whose statue has been erected by the Portuguese as a token of their gratitude towards him for his expertise in medicine. These great doctors too had their primary education in Marathi.

Dr Raghunath A Mashelkar has distinguished himself as a scientist and is internationally known.

Dr. Anil Kakodkar, the nuclear scientist, is another great Goan who is nationally respected. They never attended an English medium primary school.

They had their first lessons in Marathi primary schools.

There are Hindu Goans who have been IAS and IFS officers and they have held high positions in the country and abroad. There have been IIT graduates, administrators and executives in the corporate world. All of them had their primary education in Marathi.

V S Gaitonde, Laxman Pai distinguished themselves as great artistes and lived for a long p eriod in Paris. They too had their primary education in Marathi. Renowned poets like B B Borkar, Dr. Manoharrai Sardessai, R V Pandit Vaman Sardessai (Abhijit) attended Marathi primary schools.

Dr. Sardessai later had his doctorate from Sorbonne University in France. Ravindra Kelekar, who became the first Goan to receive the prestigious

Musings from the hill top

Gyanpeeth Award, had his primary education in Gujarati and not in English.

In Goa of today, in the Hindu community, there are hundreds of medical doctors, engineers, architects, chartered accountants, judges, advocates and businessmen who had their primary education through the medium of Marathi and not English.

There are many Hindu teachers who teach English in high schools, colleges and at the Goa University.

Their primary education has not been in English, but in Marathi.

To my knowledge, there are more than 500 Goan Hindu families who have settled in the United States of America and in Europe. Most of them are professionals like doctors and engineers who migrated in the seventies of the last century for better prospects. They made their careers there and did not suffer in any way, on account of language. The important fact is that all of them had their primary education in Marathi.

There are Goan Hindu families in the Gulf countries too. They are mostly in the IT industry. This younger generation too has had primary education in Konkani or Marathi. Sameer Kelekar who is a successful IT professional, having his establishment in Bangalore, belongs to this generation and he is a product of a Konkani medium primary school.

There are Goan Hindus who have written books in English. There are many others who have written their doctoral theses in English. None of them had attended an English medium primary school.

Because of lack of knowledge of English, no Goan Hindu has ever starved or was forced to live as a beggar.

If all these people ever had the opportunity to have their primary education through Konkani medium, I am sure, they would have excelled more in their career and more people would have shone in life. But Marathi being an Indian language belonging, like Konkani, to the family of IndoAryan languages and close to Konkani difficulties encountered was minor.

One will see that Goan Hindus who had their primary education through Marathi or Konkani and higher education in Portuguese or English, were not handicapped in any way. Some excelled in their careers, others lived a comfortable life pursuing their respective professions or vocations.

Many reaped the so-called global advantage as well. None of them ever said that they would have done better if their primary education was in English.

In fact, they had triple advantage. Firstly, they did enjoy the benefits that the knowledge of and fluency or proficiency in English language could offer. Secondly, they could imbibe knowledge of various subjects with ease as the medium was their own language or one closer to it. Thirdly, they could keep their feet firmly in their Indian culture; they could maintain their Goan identity and culture the foundation of which is the Konkani language. This living example of educated Goan Hindus should prove beyond doubt that it is not at all necessary to sacrifice the time tested pedagogical principle of having primary education through one’s own language in order to achieve good knowledge of English, fluency or proficiency in that language, competitiveness and the global advantage that it offers.

Hindus and Catholics of Goa belong to the same stock. They do not belong to two different races.

The same blood runs through their veins.

Then why should it not be possible for Catholics what has been possible and advantageous in the case of Hindus?

The Haunted House

E

veryone loves a haunted house. It is what folk lore and fairy tales are made of and in this world of rationality and science, the haunted house is one enigma that cannot be understood or contained. Everyone loves a mystery, especially if it never gets solved!

In all the picturesque Goan villages, there is some place or the other that is less frequented and believed to be spooky or haunted.

In my village, the people believe that the house opposite mine is haunted! No one has ever moved into the house. It resembles a dark, sinister, unkempt look and is also an ugly architectural disaster.

The village simpleton trudged solemnly uphill one day and sheepishly said to me: “That house opposite yours is haunted.

You better be careful.” Insecurity can make one take advice from a simpleton. “What do you think I should do?” I asked ruefully.

Poker faced, he told me, “Light a fire, call all your friends and chant your religious verses”.

“What?” I asked.

He replied, “Oh yes, didn’t you know when all the people join together, they can oust anything and anyone?” I thought of the government’s Lokpal bill and saw sense in what he said.

As I toyed with the idea of an absurd macabre fire dance ritual,

some people from the village told me they heard strange sounds from the house. One day, I saw a girl and a boy walk on the terrace of the house. Two ghosts?? No. This was just a couple looking for privacy.

Another day, I saw the village drunkards sitting in one of the rooms, drinking and fighting. And yet another time, I realised that robbers had laid siege on the house. This was too much negative energy to handle. The haunted house became the abode of the socially marginalised. And though I have my sympathies for them, it was too much of a risk to my own house.

It is then that I decided to perform the ritual because I wanted everyone in the village to really believe that the place was haunted so that no one would make it their temporary den for clandestine activities. I was trying to make a legend out of a myth!

I roped in some of my friends for this bizarre event, through a Facebook post. But finally, many more turned up than expected.

Does latent madness lurk in all of us?

We lit a fire silently and my friends had a few spirits, to heighten their spirits, to fight the evil spirits. Sometimes there is some sense in nonsense.

As the fire raged through the cold December night, on the windy hill top, where I live, and as the drinks got to their heads, the pas-

By sajla Chawla sions rose. People started chanting some mantras I had never heard —and they hadn’t either. After starting grandly in Sanskrit, the chanting moved to colloquial Hindi, then Romi Konkani, some grand Portuguese and then finally colonial English, where everyone joined as it was a medium of instruction they all knew.

It became like a spiritual cleansing and words came forth meaninglessly, first denouncing the ghost and then celebrating him, as if he were a politician!

The chanting sounded vaguely like—“The winter, the night, a toast a toast, to the fire, the grass, the ghost, the ghost.”

The chorus started getting louder as everyone formed a circle, held hands, and rhythmically did their hilarious jigs around the fire. Laughter roared through the stillness of the night. Dionysius would be proud of such a tempestuous crowd. If the ghost was watching, he would never leave such an entertaining neighborhood!

Anyway, after that night of the bizarre ritual we have had relative peace as no miscreant has used the haunted house as a sanctuary.

Perhaps my plan worked; perhaps the united energy of all the people did get rid of all our real, imaginary, literal and figurative ghosts.

There is great power when people get together. That is how revolutions brew up, whether against governments or ghosts!

Letters to the Editor Lack of employment Yogesh Naik, Savordem To reduce unemployment, the government should appoint a special cell to perform duties like census duty, etc. The appointed candidate should not be from the minister’s constituency but from elsewhere. A majority of the employees in government departments are from the constituencies of ministers. I have seen many parents striving hard to secure government jobs for at least one child in the family, but this is all in vain. Unemployment drives many to take extreme steps. I would advise all ministers to keep this in mind.

Constructive development Orlando S A Da Silva, Carmona The news item ‘Valanka calls out for youth in Benaulim’ (Herald, 25 April) makes interesting reading. Youth no doubt are the future of our state. But when youth are paid to enrol in an association by paying Rs1,500 to Rs2,000, and by misinforming them that those registered as members of

Smile with Smitha

the Youth Congress will regularly get this amount every month and get preference for job placements, it is absolutely clear they are gathered through corrupt means, for ulterior motives. Valanka Alemao says her one-point agenda for election would be constructive development. I would request the youth of Benaulim to ask Valanka to first define the type of development she means to bring for the youth of the constituency. Is it construction of buildings, bridges and roadside drainages, or development that will benefit the locals, with a vision for the future? I recall my college days when I was a member of the Progressive Students Union (PSU), which fought for 50 per cent concession in bus fares and to stop capitation fees colleges in Goa. The youth of Goa, before pledging support to any political candidate, should seriously think about the contribution of the socalled leader to society.

PM’s advice to CBI S N D Poojary, Miramar The other day, Prime Minister seems to

By Smitha Bhandare Kamat

Letter of the Day

Salient factors missing

John Eric Gomes, Porvorim

Although Dr Gladstone D’Costa’s article ‘Hurricane Hazare or winds of change?’ (Herald 29 April) was well-researched and balanced, he has not taken into account salient factors that all pillars of parliamentary democracy have degenerated into and become corrupt. Six bills were passed in 12 minutes!

The Herald editorial “Assault and Flattery” highlights the arrogance of the elected representatives, and the whole system has become degenerated to boost blatant corruption! Serving Lok Ayukyta of Karnataka, Justice Santosh Hegde, put to rest the very questions posed — namely an all powerful Lok Pal, superseding Parliament etc.

He assured that the bill will be passed by Parliament. There are stringent checks and balances, procedures are there to remove the Lok Pal and also all decisions/working of the Lok Pal are subject to a judicial review. The Supreme Court also refused to take up “premature PILs” on the Lok Pal draft bill.

Justice Hegde said Anna Hazare only forced the recalcitrant government to transparently discuss the matter, which had been languishing for 42 years. Parliament representatives may now urgently discuss in a time bound manner, with all concerned and either accept, modify or reject the finalised draft. What can be more in public interest, constitutional/democratic? have advised the CBI to ‘Act without fear against all guilty.’ On the face value, it is a timely advice. However, the actions of his government convey a different message.

Many a times, the CBI has been used by the governments in power to serve the ruling party than upholding the rule of law.

As long as CBI does not enjoy an independent status like the Election Commission or the CAG, it cannot act without fear or favour. Anyway, the present Prime Minister does not control the CBI, and his position in the government is like the British Monarchy, full of high value symbolism but with little or no power to take decisions. Of course, PM’s pronouncements garner catchy headlines in newspapers. The story ends there.

Message for cricketers Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco It is understood that Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has hiked the monetary contribution from Rs1 crore to Rs2 crore to each player of the Indian team that won the limited overs ICC cricket World cup. MS Dhoni has hiked his endorsement fees from Rs six crores to a

whopping Rs ten crore. This is on par with the endorsement fees charged by Bollywood stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, and Salman Khan. Yuvraj Singh has reportedly enhanced his endorsement fees from Rs2-2.5 crore to Rs5 crore. Even though Sachin Tendulkar also has been earning a lot by way of endorsement, it must be said that the ace cricketer has been contributing his mite to social causes.

This cannot be said about the other top cricketers.

It is high time these cricketers contribute for any social cause dear to their heart in order to uplift the poor, the downtrodden and the marginalised people in our society.

This hurts Jesuin George Fernandes, Cansaulim Being a die-hard Dempo fan, it pained me to know about the humiliating 9:0 rout at the hands of Nasaf FC of Uzbekistan. But as the saying goes, one is never as good as they tell you when you win, and never as bad as they say, when you lose.The Dempo management who have been passionately working to raise the level of Indian football should not lose heart but continue in its

endeavour. The Dempo players also should not let this affect them psychologically, but consider it as a nightmare or just a very bad day in office. There is always a next time!

Hollow e-governance Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar The Goa Government brags so much about information technology but most of its websites are outdated and some of them redundant. E-governance is still a very distant dream. All websites should be updated on a day-to-day basis but unfortunately, most of them are untouched not for weeks, but for months on end. What is surprising is this sorry state of affairs is no different with the Bombay High Court at Goa website. Justice Nelson Britto who retired on 7 January this year, still does not figure on its list of former judges. How are they found lacking when it comes to their very own?

Goan youth need a leader Merlyn Fernandes, Sao Jose de Areal Goa urgently requires people who can bring about a social change and lead the Goan youth. Not surprisingly many aspiring politicians address themselves as ‘Social workers’ or ‘Youth leaders’. These individuals are completely clueless about their role. They make their presence felt at community events, mostly to distribute awards and give speeches.

Many of these ‘social workers-cum-wannabe politicians’ support social evils, even financially, to keep the voters happy.

The ‘Youth leaders’ don’t seem to care about the social and psychological well-being of the youth. Although a wolf may play the role of a sheep, his/her real character remains that of a hunter designed to kill.

Spineless CM Marcos Alemao, by email Digambar Kamat, is the spineless chief minister of Goa. He cannot take any decision without going to Delhi, which has now become his home town. He is in Delhi for anything and everything. Now the issue of medium of instruction can be solved without going to Delhi, if all three languages

ie English, Konkani and Marathi are considered as the medium of instruction, as per parents choice. If Shashikala wants Marathi, she opted for Marathi for her grand and great-grand children. If Prashant Naik wants Konkani he can opt for Konkani for his children and the others who want English, can opt for the same for theirs and their grandchildren.

The issue of medium of instruction should be optional as per wishes of the parents. It is not the prerogative of the government or members of the BBMS to decide.

Bluffing the public Ayres Sequeira, Salvador do Mundo We shed our blood, sweat and tears to feed government servants so that they enjoy a comfortable life. We respect them for being in authority. But what we get in return is disrespect, humiliation, harassment, long delays and inefficient service. The Chief Minister Digambar Kamat is cool about everything that’s happening in his government. Yet, when the frustrated aam admi questions him, he gives a tacit answer: Serkar tanchi mozot korta. For how long will he bluff the people?

Cancerous corruption David Furtado, Candolim I refer to the letter ‘Corruption in Goa’ by Anthony Soares (Herald, 20 April). Corruption literally, has become a way of life for some of our locals, who thrive on this curse of greed and avariciousness, as do maggots, on a decomposing corpse.

Life in the peaceful village of Candolim is not as simple as the skin-deep layer of easy going lifestyle, so casually observed by the locals and visitors. Beneath this creamy layer of self-deception, is the monster of corruption, faceless and ruthless, silently indulging and openly too, in land grabbing, encroaching on privately owned property and possibly, also on Communidade land. The law is a mute spectator. Forging signatures of rightful property owners is a mere Teddy Bear’s picnic for these criminals, some of whom do not even possess the basic legal documents.

Anthony Soares must be congratulated by all right thinking persons in Goa for his straightforward exposure of this cancerous sore, in our society.

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.

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

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INDIA

GOA, MONDAY••2, MAY 2011

AdArsh scAm

cBI to grill chavan soon PTI MUMBAI, MAY 1

Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) supporters shout slogans against the central government In favour of their demands on Labour Day in Amritsar on Sunday.

Bad weather affects search operations of missing chopper PTI ITANAGAR, MAY 1

Inclement weather today affected the aerial search to trace the missing helicopter carrying Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu and four others even as the Army, SSB, ITBP and the state police launched a massive ground operations to locate it.

Defence sources said 30 columns of the Indian Army comprising 2,400 personnel from Tawang and Tenga were pressed in different locations along the Indo-Bhutan border on ground search. Six ITBP teams with 25 personnel each have also joined the ground search operations.

More Army columns are likely to join soon while two Chetak helicopters from Guwahati and an MI-17 IAF chopper from Tawang are on sorties.

IAF officials said in New Delhi that two Sukhoi-30 warplanes have been dispatched from Bareilly (rpt) Bareilly to scan the general area using their special radars.

Sukhoi planes have helped in locating the wreckage of the missing chopper of the then Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy in September, 2009. Reddy and four others on board the chopper died.

Though the choppers were scheduled to begin search operations at 5.30 am, inclement

n Defence sources said 30 columns of the Indian Army comprising 2,400 personnel from Tawang and Tenga were pressed in different locations along the Indo-Bhutan border on ground search. Six ITBP teams with 25 personnel each have also joined the ground search operations. weather delayed them by more than three hours.

Search teams from the neighbouring Bhutan have also launched rescue operation in seven districts of the country, sources said.

Union Ministers Mukul Wasnik and V Narayanswamy are on their way to Itanagar from New Delhi to monitor the search operations, official sources said.

The four-seater single-engine Pawan Hans helicopter AS-B350B-3 chopper went missing yesterday after 20 minutes of its take off from Tawang at 9.56 am last morning with five on board including crew members Captain J S Babbar, Captain T S Mamik, Khandu’s security officer Yeshi Choddak and a lady Yeshi Lhamu, sister of Tawang MLA Tsewang Dhondup.

The chopper was to land at Itanagar at about 11.30 am. The Guwahati air traffic control had reportedly received the last radio communication from the chopper near Sela Pass area, 20 minutes after take off from Tawang.

Sela Pass is at about 13,750

MIM MLA still critical: doctors PTI HYDERABAD, MAY 1

Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi, who was grievously injured in an attack yesterday, is still critical, doctors said today.

Owaisi, who is the floor leader of MIM in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly, fellow MIM legislator Ahmed Balala, and another person were injured when their car was attacked by ten persons in Barkas area in the old city here.

“Owaisi (38) had suffered injuries to left kidney, upper portion of large intestine, urinary bladder and ‘left upper limb’,” a bulletin issued by the Medical Director of the super-specialty Care Hospital here, said.

He is on ventilator and other medical support system to maintain blood pressure, it said.

Owaisi needs a second surgery today for the abdominal

Liz misses royal wedding for cricket PTI NEW DELHI, MAY 1

British model-actress Elizabeth Hurley who is cheering Australian spin legend Shane Warne in stadiums across India is so in "love" with cricket that she missed the telecast of the royal wedding to watch a game.

The 45-year-old who recently filed for divorce from Indian industrialist Arun Nayar, has been travelling across the country to cheer her new love, Warne.

"Yes! Love cricket now. Dying for a re-run of the wedding on TV, missed watching it for cricket," wrote Hurley on the micro-blogging website Twitter.

Warne, 41, is leading the IPL team Rajasthan Royals and the couple's public displays of affection in the stadiums has been splashed across newspapers.

injuries, according to doctors.

His overall condition is critical and is being monitored continuously, the bulletin added.

The MLA was shifted to the Care Hospital from Owaisi Hospital last night.

feet above sea level where weather changes drastically within minutes.

APPOINTmENTs

After having quizzed several accused in the infamous Adarsh scam, it will be the turn of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan soon to face some questions from the CBI which plans to wrap up probe into the Housing Society case.

The CBI, which has been spending considerable time in scrutinising the documents and records of the housing society, has questioned at length other accused including Adarsh society’s general secretary R C Thakur, retired brigadier M M Wanchoo and Congress leader K L Gidwani.

They were called first to gather

as much information about the case before Chavan and senior IAS officer Jairaj Phatak were called for questioning.

Phatak, a 1978 batch IAS officer of Maharashtra cadre, was the then Commissioner of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and was chairing the high-rise committee.

According to the CBI, Chavan, during his tenure as Revenue Minister, became part of the criminal conspiracy along with Thakur, Wanchoo and Gidwani after he proposed to the trio to pass a letter recommending inclusion of civilians in the Adarsh society which was initially meant for Kargil war widows and victims.

CBI alleged Chavan abused

APPOINTmENTs

his official position with an ulterior motive of getting flats for his relatives.

When contacted, Chavan told PTI that “I have not been summoned yet. I am sure it is a normal process.”

The former chief minister also refuted reports that his motherin-law Bhagwati Sharma had taken Rs 65 lakh loan from former joint commissioner of police (traffic), Sanjay Barve.

APPOINTmENTs

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INDIA

LS Speaker will decide on PAC draft report: Sibal PTI NEW DELHI, MAY 1

HRD Minister Kapil Sibal has termed the draft PAC report on 2G Spectrum allocation as “not a report” because it has not been adopted by the Parliamentary Committee, but said it is for Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar to decide on the matter.

“The PAC Chairman (Murli Manohar Joshi) himself said he had adjourned the meeting. So obviously for a report to be adopted, it has to be adopted either unanimously or by a majority. In any case it was not adopted by a majority, so there is no report,” Sibal told Karan Thapar on CNN-IBN’s Devil’s Advocate programme.

He was asked to comment on the status of the PAC report submitted by Joshi to the Speaker.

“For it to be an official report it has to be adopted. So when did the adoption take place?

Who adopted it? Was it done unanimously or by a majority?

It is nobody’s case that this was done,” Sibal said.

However, he made it clear that whatever decision the Speaker takes on the status of the PAC report would be acceptable to the government.

“Naturally the government

n The PAC Chairman (Murli Manohar Joshi) himself said he had adjourned the meeting.

So obviously for a report to be adopted, it has to be adopted either unanimously or by a majority. In any case it was not adopted by a majority, so there is no report.

-- Kapil Sibal

has to accept... We are bound to. The Speaker is the Speaker,” he said, in reply to a question.

In this particular case the Speaker “will decide the matter”, Sibal said.

Recalling the April 28 meeting of the PAC which witnessed high drama, he said the 11 members — 9 from the Congress-DMK combine and one each from BSP and SP – of the PAC gave letters to Joshi to the effect that they were rejecting the report.

Asked whether the proceedings that took place after Joshi had adjourned the PAC meeting had any significance, Sibal said, “The votes have been submitted to the (Lok Sabha) secretariat.”

He refuted media reports that the SP and BSP members had not submitted letters stating they were rejecting the report and had merely demanded that more time should be given to the issue.

When told that the PAC chair-

person has to be from the Lok Sabha and a Rajya Sabha member could not have chaired the meeting after Joshi’s adjournment, Sibal said it was common law that any person can act as the presiding officer, though “not as chairman”, for a particular meeting.

Congress member from Rajya Sabha Saifuddin Soz had ‘chaired’ the PAC ‘meeting’ on April 28 after Joshi had adjourned it.

Sibal said he was “deeply dismayed” at the recent developments in the PAC. Sibal charged Joshi with failing to take all members of the PAC on board on the 2G spectrum allocation issue.

“The objective of a PAC meeting is to evolve a consensus. Consensus means you discuss matters with the members... You discuss who should be called.... which documents should be called... You fix a date ac-

cording to the convenience of the members,” Sibal said.

The eminent lawyer maintained that it was difficult for the PAC members to go through a 270-page report with 62 pages of annexures in a day.

Some of the Congress members in the PAC had told Joshi that they could not read the report as the time given was too short.

“Most members told me they came to know of the witnesses only through the newspaper reports... no documents were circulated. If the genesis of the process as perceived by members is partisan this is bound to happen,” Sibal said.

Sibal denied that the government has now turned against Joshi though it had praised the PAC and its chairperson while refusing to form a JPC on the 2G issue.

“The government has not turned against anybody. It is the members of the committee who have turned against Mr Joshi,” Sibal said.

He described BJP President Nitin Gadkari’s charge that four ministers were directly coordinating with the Congress and DMK members in PAC as “absolutely absurd”.

A crane flies over Dal Lake in Srinagar on Sunday. Kashmir has turned into a safe heaven for migratory birds during winter but some other species return to the region with the advent of spring.

‘Darbar move’ begins in J&K PTI SRINAGAR, MAY 1

The pre-Independence practice of ‘Darbar Move’, the annual shifting of Jammu and Kashmir’s Civil Secretariat from Jammu to Srinagar, today began with valley based employees and advance parties arriving here.

The Civil Secretariat closed in Jammu on April 29 and will reopen

here on May 9. It will close here in late October and reopen in Jammu in the first week of November.

However, the practice started by Maharaja Gulab Singh in 1872 to take escape extreme weather conditions in Jammu and Srinagar, is proving costly for the state exchequer as it has to spend crores of rupees twice a year to shift the massive workforce and voluminous records between the twin capitals of the state.

From Page 1 John Paul II declared ‘blessed’ officially started his pontificate in 1978 — as a day for the veneration of John Paul II. Sister Marie Simon-Pierre, the 50-year-old French nun who attributes her recovery from Parkison’s disease to the miraculous intercession of the late pope, could be seen smiling and applauding at the emotional ceremony.

Simon-Pierre’s recovery has been acknowledged as the miracle required to justify John Paul II’s beatification after years of research by the Vatican.

A second proven miracle is now required for John Paul to be declared saint, and the Vatican is already sifting through hundreds of reported miracles.

Benedict defended his decision to fast-track John Paul’s cause in his homily at the beatification mass and paid tribute to the late pope’s “strength of a titan” in defending Christianity and fighting off Marxist ideology.

On a personal note, the pope said he himself had been inspired by his predecessor, particularly for his forbearance during years of ill health.

“His example of prayer continually impressed and edified me,” he said.

“He remained deeply united to God even amid the many demands of his ministry. Then too, there was his witness in suffering. The Lord gradually stripped him of everything, yet he remained a rock,” Benedict added.

Experts said the beatification could help the Vatican burnish an image badly tarnished by paedophile priest scandals, while others have been critical of the speeding-up of a procedure that usually takes decades if not centuries.

John Paul’s pontificate helped inspire youth groups and lay religious movements, but his critics have accused him of turning a blind eye to the child abuse scandals which first erupted in the United States in 2000.

Many agree, however, that it was a remarkable papacy in which John Paul survived an assassination attempt in 1981, built ties with Judaism and Islam and even apologised for the mistakes and sins of the Catholic Church.

John Paul was the first non-Italian pontiff in more than four centuries. He became known for his extensive foreign travel and succeeded in giving new strength to the Church before illness sapped his energies.

He died on April 2, 2005, suffering from an acute case of Parkinson’s.

Following the mass, Benedict knelt and prayed in front of John Paul’s coffin inside Saint Peter’s. Church leaders kissed the simple wooden coffin and then a long procession of thousands of pilgrims filed past.

The coffin, which was exhumed on Friday, is expected to be laid to rest on Monday in a chapel near Michelangelo’s famous Pieta statue in the basilica.

A phial of blood John Paul’s blood, which was collected during one of his hospitalisations, was also put on display for veneration by pilgrims.

In a message to the world’s 1.1 billion Catholics ahead of Sunday’s grand ceremony, Benedict called the weekend of prayer “a feast of faith”.

Stanislaw Motyka, 62, a pilgrim wearing traditional Polish costume, said: “My only hope is to live to see him be made a saint.

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GOA, MONDAY, 2 MAY, 2011

AI pilots strike continues PTI NEW DELHI, MAY 1

SNAG-HIT

Air India's domestic operations came to a virtual halt on the fifth day of the pilots strike Sunday with no solution in sight to break the stalemate and all eyes were now on the Delhi High Court which will take up criminal proceedings against the agitators tomorrow.

An airline spokesman said nearly 90 per cent of the domestic operations were hit.

Only 40 of the 320 daily flights were operated. The national carrier said it has planned the same curtailed service for the next week.

AI operated only 40 domestic flights out of Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai and other airports.

Agitating pilots said they

Only 40 of the 320 daily flights are operating out of Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai and other airports.

The national carrier said it has planned the same curtailed service for the next week.

have not received any invitation for talks from the Air India management, which on the other hand is awaiting the High Court's decision on the contempt proceedings against three Indian Commercial Pilot Association (ICPA) leaders.

Air India CMD Arvind Jadhav

sent an SMS to all airline employees asking them to persuade the pilots to return to work and the negotiating table, saying the issues they were raising "occurred many years ago, for which the current administration cannot be held responsible."

"Risking our airline's survival at this time is criminal.

We all condemn corruption in public life, and culprits must be punished", Jadhav said, adding "all actions spoken of (by the pilots) are unforgiveable".

An airline spokesperson said the strike disrupted 90 per cent of the domestic operations, though flights operated by its subsidiaries Alliance Air and Air India Express on the regional and international sectors, including the Gulf, operated normally.

The global operations also included flights to and from the US, UK, Europe, Southeast Asia (Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong), China and the Gulf, he said, adding 42 regional flights were also operated.

NEW DELHI: Air India has landed itself in the worst debt trap, where the airline is spending all its earnings in repayment of interest on aircraft loans, working capital, aircraft capital and fuel expenses.

It has had to take more loans, at higher interest rate, to meet the salaries of its 32,000 employees and other expenses.

"Air India has been incurring a loss of Rs 26 crore per day and has landed itself in debt trap from where it is not possi-

ble to come out until government comes to our rescue," a senior Air India official said.

The national carrier's earning is Rs 36 crore per day, of which Rs 22 crore comes from domestic sector and Rs 14 crore from international.

"But we are spending Rs 62 crore every day," he said, adding the airline is suffering heavy losses ever since the government gave the purchase order of 111 aircraft.

"Interestingly, after pay-

PTI PORT LOUIS, MAY 1

As Mauritius prepares to receive Indian investigators from CBI and ED, the corporate lobbies especially those associated with the 2G scam are working overtime to cover their tracks so that Indian sleuths do not have much access to the island's banking details.

Also in the focus will be details of the meeting of senior Loop Telecom officials with Indian High Commissioner to Mauritius Madhusudan Ganapati who later informed the External Affairs Ministry that the two private sector telecom officials were enquiring about the Letters Rogatory sent by the CBI and Enforcement Directorate seeking details about the transactions made by them.

A joint Indian team of CBI and ED would be visiting the African Island next week to follow the money trail in the 2G spectrum scam.

With the news about their arrival approaching, sources in the Indian High Commission and officials of the Indian banks operating in this island say that the corporates have been bee-lining to ensure that no information was shared.

Persuade pilots for talks: AI CMD tells staff NEW DELHI: Air India CMD Arvind Jadhav Sunday sent SMS to employees of the national carrier to "persuade" striking pilots to return to the negotiating table and work to "save our airline."

Jadhav said the Indian Commercial Pilots Association struck "work illegally for pay increase and parity, thus threatening our survival."

"This when a Supreme Court judge is studying this issue. Risking our airline's survival at this time is criminal. We all condemn corruption in public life, and culprits must be punished," he said.

He said all actions against which the pilots are agitating occurred many years ago, for which the current administration cannot be held responsible.

Loss pegged at Rs 26 cr per day ments for fuel, aircraft loan and interest repayments, the national carrier is left with no cash to meet the salaries of its employees, pay interest on working capital, aircraft spares and other operational cost," the official, who requested anonymity, said.

"We have to take fresh loans from banks at the rate of about 14 per cent to pay the salaries and meet other expenses. We have been facing this situation since June last year," he said.

SC to hear plea seeking ban on Endosulfan today

Offshore firms working overtime to cover tracks in 2G scam

PTI NEW DELHI, MAY 1

The Supreme Court will on May 2 hear the petition seeking a ban on sale and production of the pesticide Endosulfan across the country.

The petition filed by CPI-M's youth wing Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) would be mentioned before a bench headed by Chief Justice S H Kapadia.

In its petition, DYFI has sought a direction to the Centre to prohibit the sale of Endosulfan in its present form or any other derivatives in the market.

DYFI has submitted that a large section of people was directly affected because of the use of Endosulfan, already banned in 81 countries and its

use not permitted in another 12 nations.

The petitioner said several studies had documented that Endosulfan could also affect human development. It gave example of serious health hazards caused in Kerala's Kasargod district.

"Researchers studying children from an isolated village in Kasaragod district have linked Endosulfan exposure to delays in sexual maturity among boys.

Endosulfan is an off-patent organochlorine insecticide and acaricide.

"This colourless solid has emerged as a highly controversial agrichemical due to its acute toxicity, potential for bio-accumulation, and role as an endocrine disruptor," the petition said.

It said Endosulfan was the only pesticide applied to cashew plantations in Kasaragod for 20 years and had contaminated the environment there.

The petition assumes significance as Left parties and organisations associated with them have been leading protests in several parts of the country for imposition of ban on the pesticide.

On April 27, a group of Left MPs had held a protest in Parliament House demanding a ban on Endosulfan.

Kerala Chief Minister V S Achutanandan has led the agitation by going on a day-long fast. He has also written to his counterparts in other states to bring combined pressure on the Centre to impose a nationwide ban on the pesticide.

I-T dept purchases real estate worth Rs 2,500 cr PTI NEW DELHI, MAY 1

The Income Tax Department became one of the largest purchasers of real estate properties last year as it embarked on a mega expansion spree to spread its establishment for enhancing taxpayer services in the country.

The department, which has recently begun a special drive to check prevalence of black money in the country's real estate sector, has acquired high-

Mutual Fund Scheme Name A

worth properties worth about Rs 2,500 crore in more than 20 cities in the last year alone.

The largest acquisition by the department has been at the cost of more than Rs 2,000 crore for the purchase of office space in the civic centre near the national capital's marketing hub, Connaught Place. The civic centre is the tallest building in Delhi.

The department has similarly purchased 56 staff quarters worth more than Rs 89

Key to abbreviations: R Price: Repurchase Price; S Price: Sale Price; (D): Dividend; (G): Growth NAVs (Rs)

a

AIG India Equity Fund - Regular Plan (D) India Equity Fund - Regular Plan (G) Infrastructure and Economic Reform - Regular (D) Infrastructure and Economic Reform - Regular(G) Axis Equity Fund (D) Equity Fund (G) Mid Cap Fund (D) Mid Cap Fund (G) Tax Saver Fund (D) Tax Saver Fund (G)

B

crore at the pricey BandraKurla complex in Mumbai.

"All the acquisitions have been done in order to expand taxpayer facilities and to provide better living and working facilities for the department staff. No doubt the department's purchasing power has been the largest in the last fiscal," an Income Tax Commissioner involved in the process, said.

The department, with these acquisitions in the real estate

12.25 12.25 9.16 9.16 11.09 11.09 10.29 10.29 11.48 12.53

Baroda Pioneer Growth Fund (D) 29.50 Growth Fund (G) 52.37 Infrastructure Fund (D) 9.36 Infrastructure Fund (G) 9.36 PSU Equity Fund (D) 9.01 PSU Equity Fund (G) 9.01 ELSS 96 24.38 Bharti AXA Equity Fund - Eco Plan (Bonus) 17.72 Equity Fund - Eco Plan (D) 12.47 Equity Fund - Eco Plan (G) 17.72 Equity Fund - Eco Plan (QD) 11.78 Equity Fund - Regular Plan (Bonus) 17.60 Equity Fund - Regular Plan (D) 12.40 Equity Fund - Regular Plan (G) 17.60 Equity Fund - Regular Plan (QD) 11.69 Focused Infrastructure Fund (D) 9.59 Focused Infrastructure Fund (G) 9.59 Focused Infrastructure Fund (QD) 9.59 Tax Advantage Fund - Eco Plan (D) 12.28 Tax Advantage Fund - Eco Plan (G) 22.56 Tax Advantage Fund - Retail Plan (D) 12.24 Tax Advantage Fund - Retail Plan (G) 22.45 Birla Sun Life Advantage Fund (D) 80.62 Advantage Fund (G) 157.58 Commodity Equities - Global Agri Plan - Retail (D) 17.60 Commodity Equities - Global Agri Plan - Retail (G) 17.60 Commodity Equities - Global Commodity - RP (D) 14.87 Commodity Equities - Global Commodity - RP (G) 14.87 Commodity Equities - Global Metals Plan -RP (D) 14.63 Commodity Equities - Global Metals Plan -RP (G) 14.63 Dividend Yield Plus (D) 14.11 Dividend Yield Plus (G) 86.54 Equity Fund (D) 69.00 Equity Fund (G) 261.18 Frontline Equity Fund - Plan A (D) 21.49 Frontline Equity Fund - Plan A (G) 89.40 India GenNext Fund (D) 13.84 India GenNext Fund (G) 24.53 India Opportunities Fund - Plan A (D) 17.00 India Opportunities Fund - Plan B (G) 53.77 India Reforms Fund (D) 10.03 India Reforms Fund (G) 10.03 Infrastructure Fund - Plan A (D) 12.14 Infrastructure Fund - Plan A (G) 16.53 International Equity Fund - Plan A (D) 10.19 International Equity Fund - Plan A (G) 10.19 International Equity Fund - Plan B (D) 9.75 International Equity Fund - Plan B (G) 9.75 Long Term Advantage Fund (D) 13.17 Long Term Advantage Fund (G) 14.26 Midcap Fund - Plan A (D) 21.92 Midcap Fund - Plan A (G) 108.12 Top 100 Fund (D) 15.09 Top 100 Fund (G) 23.14 Tax Plan (D) 47.24 Tax Plan (G) 14.01 Tax Relief 96 (D) 79.04 Tax Relief 96 (G) 11.20 MNC Fund (D) 81.17 MNC Fund (G) 215.53 Basic Industries Fund (D) 26.20 Basic Industries Fund (G) 99.36 Buy India Fund (D) 23.75 Buy India Fund (G) 41.68 New Millennium (D) 12.93 New Millennium (G) 19.79 BNP Paribas Tax Advantage Plan (ELSS) (D) 11.21 Tax Advantage Plan (ELSS) (G) 14.07 China-India Fund (D) 8.95 China-India Fund (G) 8.95 Dividend Yield Fund (D) 11.17 Dividend Yield Fund (G) 18.14 Equity Fund (D) 11.72 Equity Fund (G) 34.65 Future Leaders Fund (D) 9.49 Future Leaders Fund (G) 9.53 Opportunities Fund (D) 9.81 Opportunities Fund (G) 18.85 Sustainable Development Fund (D) 11.52 Sustainable Development Fund (G) 12.65

C

Canara Robeco Emerging Equities (Bonus) Emerging Equities (D) Emerging Equities (G) Equity Diversified (Bonus) Equity Diversified (D) Equity Diversified (G) F.O.R.C.E Fund - Retail Plan (D) F.O.R.C.E Fund - Retail Plan (G) Infrastructure (D) Infrastructure (G) Large Cap+ Fund (D) Large Cap+ Fund (G) Multicap (D) Multicap (G) Equity Tax Saver (D) Equity Tax Saver (G)

19.38 15.98 23.15 25.41 25.37 55.78 12.81 13.74 18.34 23.03 10.59 10.59 15.00 16.17 18.48 26.21

D

Daiwa Industry Leaders Fund (D) 11.84 Industry Leaders Fund (G) 11.84 DSP BlackRock Equity Fund - Regular Plan (D) 49.36 Equity Fund - Regular Plan (G) 16.80 Focus 25 Fund (D) 10.73 Focus 25 Fund (G) 10.73 India T.I.G.E.R. Fund - Regular Plan (D) 17.43 India T.I.G.E.R. Fund - Regular Plan (G) 45.42 Micro Cap Fund - Regular Plan (D) 9.53 Micro Cap Fund - Regular Plan (G) 15.69 Natural Resources and New Energy - Regular (D) 13.21 Natural Resources and New Energy - Regular (G) 14.79 Opportunities Fund - Regular Plan (D) 28.22 Opportunities Fund - Regular Plan (G) 86.93 Small and Mid Cap Fund (D) 15.01 Small and Mid Cap Fund (G) 17.88 Top 100 Equity Fund - Regular Plan (D) 21.64 Top 100 Equity Fund - Regular Plan (G) 102.02 Tax Saver Fund (D) 12.21 Tax Saver Fund (G) 17.11 Technology.Com - Regular Plan (D) 23.38 Technology.Com - Regular Plan (G) 32.03 DWS Alpha Equity Fund - Regular Plan (B) 10.35 Alpha Equity Fund - Regular Plan (D) 16.72 Alpha Equity Fund - Regular Plan (G) 76.82 Alpha Equity Fund - Wealth Plan (D) 13.38 Alpha Equity Fund - Wealth Plan (G) 15.99 Investment Opportunity Fund - Regular Plan (B) 10.55 Investment Opportunity Fund - Regular Plan (D) 25.50 Investment Opportunity Fund - Regular Plan (G) 36.81 Investment Opportunity Fund - Wealth Plan (D) 12.74 Investment Opportunity Fund - Wealth Plan (G) 16.65 Tax Saving Fund (D) 12.61 Tax Saving Fund (G) 13.48

E

Edelweiss Absolute Return Fund (D) Absolute Return Fund (G) Diversified Growth Equity Top 100 Fund -A (D) Diversified Growth Equity Top 100 Fund -A (G) Diversified Growth Equity Top 100 Fund -B (D) Diversified Growth Equity Top 100 Fund -B (G) Diversified Growth Equity Top 100 Fund -C (D) Diversified Growth Equity Top 100 Fund -C (G) Nifty Enhancer Fund - Plan A (D) Nifty Enhancer Fund - Plan A (G) Nifty Enhancer Fund - plan B (D) Nifty Enhancer Fund - Plan B (G) Nifty Enhancer Fund - Plan C (D) ELSS Fund (D) ELSS Fund (G) Escorts Growth Plan (D) Growth Plan (G) High Yield Equity Plan (Bonus) High Yield Equity Plan (D) High Yield Equity Plan (G) Infrastructure Fund (D) Infrastructure Fund (G) Leading Sectors Fund (D) Leading Sectors Fund (G) Power and Energy Fund (D) Power and Energy Fund (G) Tax Plan (D) Tax Plan (G)

11.10 11.26 14.20 14.20 14.45 14.26 14.30 14.30 12.05 13.22 13.29 13.04 11.69 13.24 19.31 12.17 73.56 14.79 11.78 14.75 7.38 7.37 10.86 10.86 10.65 14.88 10.04 46.72

F

Fidelity Equity Fund (D) Equity Fund (G) India Growth Fund (D) India Growth Fund (G) India Special Situations Fund (D) India Special Situations Fund (G) India Value Fund (D) India Value Fund (G)

21.32 36.08 12.48 12.48 17.07 18.83 11.27 11.27

sector has probably become the largest government department to acquire and create real estate in the country, the commissioner said.

The shopping bucket of the department, according to an official report, has other highprofile purchases and acquisitions like creation of a training centre and hostel facilities for new recruits of the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) at their alma mater – National Academy of Direct Taxes (NADT) in Nagpur

International Opportunities Fund (D) International Opportunities Fund (G) Tax Advantage Fund (D) Tax Advantage Fund (G) Franklin Asian Equity Fund (D) Asian Equity Fund (G) Build India Fund (D) Build India Fund (G) India Bluechip Fund (D) India Bluechip Fund (G) India Flexi Cap Fund (D) India Flexi Cap Fund (G) India High Growth Companies Fund (D) India High Growth Companies Fund (G) India Opportunities Fund (D) India Opportunities Fund (G) India Prima Fund (D) India Prima Fund (G) India Prima Plus Fund (D) India Prima Plus Fund (G) India Smaller Companies Fund (D) India Smaller Companies Fund (G) India Tax Shield (D) India Tax Shield (G) FMCG Fund (D) FMCG Fund (G) Pharma Fund (D) Pharma Fund (G) Infotech Fund (D) Infotech Fund (G)

13.79 13.79 18.59 22.33 11.43 11.43 11.35 11.88 39.13 218.16 15.21 33.23 12.41 12.96 14.15 31.32 42.45 272.46 26.96 224.43 13.43 14.50 30.82 212.41 42.93 68.40 33.83 63.93 20.08 64.83

H

HDFC Capital Builder Fund (D) Capital Builder Fund (G) Core & Satellite Fund (D) Core & Satellite Fund (G) Equity Fund (D) Equity Fund (G) Growth Fund (D) Growth Fund (G) Infrastructure Fund (D) Infrastructure Fund (G) Premier Multi-Cap Fund (D) Premier Multi-Cap Fund (G) Top 200 Fund (D) Top 200 Fund (G) Long Term Advantage Fund (D) Long Term Advantage Fund (G) Tax Saver (D) Tax Saver (G) HSBC Dynamic Fund (D) Dynamic Fund (G) Equity Fund (D) Equity Fund (G) India Opportunities Fund (D) India Opportunities Fund (G) Midcap Equity Fund (D) Midcap Equity Fund (G) Progressive Themes Fund (D) Progressive Themes Fund (G) Small Cap Fund (D) Small Cap Fund (G) Unique Opportunities Fund (D) Unique Opportunities Fund (G) Tax Saver Equity Fund (D) Tax Saver Equity Fund (G)

24.46 112.21 21.12 40.81 48.37 286.33 31.35 88.46 11.96 11.96 14.95 29.23 46.60 215.23 36.73 140.42 59.77 235.27 10.38 10.38 26.36 104.81 16.73 35.52 11.19 20.94 10.32 12.13 10.77 11.58 11.16 11.16 13.51 14.65

I

ICICI Pru Discovery Fund (D) Discovery Fund (G) Dynamic Plan (D) Dynamic Plan (G) Emerging S.T.A.R. Fund (D) Emerging S.T.A.R. Fund (G) Equity Opportunities Fund (D) Equity Opportunities Fund (G) Focused Bluechip Equity Fund (D) Focused Bluechip Equity Fund (G) Fusion Fund (D) Fusion Fund (G) Fusion Fund Series - III Retail Plan (D) Fusion Fund Series - III Retail Plan (G) Indo Asia Equity Fund - Retail Plan (D) Indo Asia Equity Fund - Retail Plan (G) Infrastructure Fund - Retail Plan (D) Infrastructure Fund - Retail Plan (G) Services Industries Fund (D) Services Industries Fund (G) Target Returns Fund - Retail Plan (D) Target Returns Fund - Retail Plan (G) Top 100 Fund (D) Top 100 Fund (G) Top 200 Fund (D) Top 200 Fund (G) R.I.G.H.T. Fund (D) R.I.G.H.T. Fund (G) Tax Plan (D) Tax Plan (G) Banking & Financial Services Fund - Retail (D) Banking & Financial Services Fund - Retail (G) FMCG Fund (D) FMCG Fund (G) Technology Fund (D) Technology Fund (G)

20.06 49.86 18.55 109.78 16.19 32.52 11.15 12.42 16.04 16.81 14.07 14.92 12.82 12.82 10.95 10.95 11.99 29.77 13.29 17.67 14.25 14.25 14.77 138.84 17.06 114.91 12.34 12.34 19.34 143.91 18.34 18.78 37.00 68.46 18.28 18.28

at the cost of Rs 100 crore.

In Chandigarh, the I-T department has purchased 5,000 acres of land for office space at the cost of more than Rs 33 crore, a centralised air conditioned I-T office at Udaipur at the cost of more than Rs 16 crore, acquisition of land for construction of office building for the department in Mumbai at about Rs 23 crore and land measuring more than 9,500 sq m at Jamnagar in Gujarat for office building at Rs 8 crore.

IDFC Classic Equity Fund - Plan A (D) Classic Equity Fund - Plan A (G) Equity Fund - Plan A (D) Equity Fund - Plan A (G) Equity Fund - Plan B (D) Equity Fund - Plan B (G) Imperial Equity Fund - Plan A (D) Imperial Equity Fund - Plan A (G) India GDP Growth Fund (D) India GDP Growth Fund (G) Infrastructure Fund (D) Infrastructure Fund (G) Premier Equity Fund - Plan A (D) Premier Equity Fund - Plan A (G) Small & Midcap Equity Fund (G) Strategic Sector (50-50) Equity Fund - Plan A (D) Strategic Sector (50-50) Equity Fund - Plan A (G) Tax Advantage (ELSS) Fund (D) Tax Advantage (ELSS) Fund (G) Tax Saver (ELSS) Fund (D) Tax Saver (ELSS) Fund (G) ING C.U.B. Fund (Bonus) C.U.B. Fund (D) C.U.B. Fund (G) Contra Fund (B) Contra Fund (D) Contra Fund (G) Core Equity Fund (D) Core Equity Fund (G) Dividend Yield Fund (D) Dividend Yield Fund (G) Domestic Opportunities Fund (D) Domestic Opportunities Fund (G) Midcap Fund (D) Midcap Fund (G) OptiMix Multi Manager Equity Fund - Plan A (D) OptiMix Multi Manager Equity Fund - Plan A (G) OptiMix Retireinvest Fund - Series I (D) OptiMix Retireinvest Fund - Series I (G) Tax Saving Fund (Bonus) Tax Saving Fund (D) Tax Saving Fund (G)

12.87 20.77 12.37 16.38 11.31 13.47 14.29 19.75 14.46 16.75 10.24 10.24 23.87 32.58 18.70 14.69 14.85 12.32 19.98 14.49 14.49 17.48 12.76 17.48 15.67 13.37 15.67 20.73 39.17 21.41 23.54 13.75 36.41 16.94 21.32 10.56 10.56 12.50 12.50 30.13 14.84 30.09

J

JM Core 11 Fund (D) Core 11 Fund (G) Emerging Leaders Fund (D) Emerging Leaders Fund (G) Equity Fund (D) Equity Fund (G) Multi Strategy Fund (D) Multi Strategy Fund (G) Tax Gain Fund (D) Tax Gain Fund (G) Basic Fund (D) Basic Fund (G) JP Morgan India Equity Fund (D) India Equity Fund (G) India Smaller Companies Fund (D) India Smaller Companies Fund (G) India Tax Advantage Fund (D) India Tax Advantage Fund (G)

4.00 4.00 7.48 7.46 14.74 36.22 12.93 13.90 6.87 6.87 9.43 13.51 12.51 13.47 7.83 7.83 15.12 18.67

K

Kotak 50 (D) 50 (G) Contra (D) Contra (G) Emerging Equity Scheme (D) Emerging Equity Scheme (G) Global Emerging Market Fund (D) Global Emerging Market Fund (G) Indo World Infrastructure Fund (D) Indo World Infrastructure Fund (G) Lifestyle Fund (D) Lifestyle Fund (G) Midcap Fund (D) Midcap Fund (G) Opportunities Fund (D) Opportunities Fund (G) Select Focus Fund (D) Select Focus Fund (G) Tax Saver (D) Tax Saver (G) 18.62

30.53 103.41 16.76 20.79 11.32 11.32 10.45 10.45 7.03 7.03 11.82 13.65 15.96 25.30 14.92 46.11 10.64 11.79 11.40

L

L&T Contra Fund (D) Contra Fund (G) Global Advantage Fund (D) Global Advantage Fund (G) Growth Fund (D) Growth Fund (G) Hedged Equity Fund (D) Hedged Equity Fund (G) Infrastructure Fund (D) Infrastructure Fund (G) Midcap Fund (D) Midcap Fund (G) Multi-Cap Fund (D) Multi-Cap Fund (G) Opportunities Fund (D)

10.47 10.47 7.11 10.26 18.84 39.87 9.94 14.00 7.11 7.11 22.99 39.85 14.64 18.37 17.18

Opportunities Fund (G) Small Cap Fund (D) Small Cap Fund (G) Tax Advantage Fund - Series I (D) Tax Advantage Fund - Series I (G) Tax Saver Fund (D) Tax Saver Fund (G) LIC Infrastructure Fund Series 1 (D) Infrastructure Fund Series 1 (G) MF Equity Fund (D) MF Equity Fund (G) MF Growth Fund (D) MF Growth Fund (G) MF India Vision Fund (D) MF India Vision Fund (G) MF Opportunities Fund (D) MF Opportunities Fund (G) MF Top 100 Fund (D) MF Top 100 Fund (G) MF Tax Plan (D) MF Tax Plan (G)

43.60 5.09 5.09 13.06 20.56 14.84 15.98 9.21 9.21 10.59 26.87 11.64 13.12 8.92 8.92 10.90 19.15 8.20 8.20 10.66 29.78

M

Mirae Asset Emerging Bluechip Fund (D) Emerging Bluechip Fund (G) Global Commodity Stock Fund - Regular Plan (D) Global Commodity Stock Fund - Regular Plan (G) India Opportunities Fund - Regular Plan (D) India Opportunities Fund - Regular Plan (G) India-China Consumption Fund (D) India-China Consumption Fund (G) Morgan Stanley A.C.E. Fund (Across Capitalisations Equity) (D) A.C.E. Fund (Across Capitalisations Equity) (G) Growth Fund (D) Growth Fund (G)

11.05 11.05 13.62 13.62 13.97 16.68 10.27 10.27 13.98 14.85 19.13 62.67

P

Pramerica Dynamic Fund (D) Dynamic Fund (G) Equity Fund (D) Equity Fund (G) Principal Dividend Yield Fund (D) Dividend Yield Fund (G) Emerging Bluechip Fund (D) Emerging Bluechip Fund (G) Growth Fund (D) Growth Fund (G) Large Cap Fund (D) Large Cap Fund (G) PNB Long Term Equity Fund - 3 Yrs - Series 1 (D) PNB Long Term Equity Fund - 3 Yrs - Series 1 (G) Services Industries Fund (D) Services Industries Fund (G) SMART Equity Fund (D) SMART Equity Fund (G) Personal Tax Saver Fund Tax Savings Fund

9.74 9.74 9.51 9.51 17.38 23.55 22.34 29.32 23.34 51.52 19.76 28.84 10.37 10.37 12.93 14.58 9.95 9.95 96.32 74.92

Q

Quantum Long-Term Equity Fund (D) Long-Term Equity Fund (G) Tax Saving Fund (D) Tax Saving Fund (G)

R

22.79 22.60 22.39 22.40

Reliance Equity Advantage Fund - Retail Plan (B) 13.23 Equity Advantage Fund - Retail Plan (D) 12.18 Equity Advantage Fund - Retail Plan (G) 13.23 Equity Fund - Retail Plan (Bonus) 14.04 Equity Fund - Retail Plan (D) 14.04 Equity Fund - Retail Plan (G) 14.04 Equity Opportunities Fund - Retail Plan (Bonus) 36.29 Equity Opportunities Fund - Retail Plan (D) 23.47 Equity Opportunities Fund - Retail Plan (G) 36.29 Growth Fund - Retail Plan (Bonus) 77.36 Growth Fund - Retail Plan (D) 52.98 Growth Fund - Retail Plan (G) 466.42 Long Term Equity Fund (D) 14.09 Long Term Equity Fund (G) 15.70 Natural Resources Fund (Bonus) 10.91 Natural Resources Fund (D) 10.91 Natural Resources Fund (G) 10.91 NRI Equity Fund (Bonus) 40.63 NRI Equity Fund (D) 21.55 NRI Equity Fund (G) 40.63 Quant Plus Fund - Retail Plan (B) 13.86 Quant Plus Fund - Retail Plan (D) 11.32 Quant Plus Fund - Retail Plan (G) 13.86 Regular Savings Fund - Equity Option (D) 22.03 Regular Savings Fund - Equity Option (G) 31.05 Small Cap Fund (Bonus) 9.98 Small Cap Fund (D) 9.98 Small Cap Fund (G) 9.98 Vision Fund - Retail Plan (Bonus) 45.85 Vision Fund - Retail Plan (D) 40.17 Vision Fund - Retail Plan (G) 272.96 Equity Linked Saving Fund - Series I (D) 14.73 Equity Linked Saving Fund - Series I (G) 14.73 Tax Saver (ELSS) Fund (D) 15.12 Tax Saver (ELSS) Fund (G) 21.49

Banking Fund (Bonus) 106.83 Banking Fund (D) 39.92 Banking Fund (G) 106.83 Diversified Power Sector Fund - Retail (Bonus) 72.06 Diversified Power Sector Fund - Retail Plan (D) 40.91 Diversified Power Sector Fund - Retail Plan (G) 72.06 Media & Entertainment Fund (Bonus) 26.85 Media & Entertainment Fund (D) 16.61 Media & Entertainment Fund (G) 26.85 Pharma Fund (Bonus) 56.02 Pharma Fund (D) 38.98 Pharma Fund (G) 56.02 Religare AGILE Fund (D) 6.99 AGILE Fund (G) 6.98 Business Leaders Fund (D) 11.42 Business Leaders Fund (G) 12.46 Contra Fund (D) 12.53 Contra Fund (G) 16.20 Equity Fund (D) 12.65 Equity Fund (G) 12.65 Growth Fund (D) 11.87 Growth Fund (G) 13.07 Infrastructure Fund (D) 8.18 Infrastructure Fund (G) 8.18 Mid Cap Fund (D) 11.81 Mid Cap Fund (G) 14.25 Mid N Small Cap Fund (D) 14.23 Mid N Small Cap Fund (G) 14.24 AGILE Tax Fund (D) 7.86 AGILE Tax Fund (G) 7.86 Tax Plan (D) 11.87 Tax Plan (G) 17.71 Banking Fund - Regular Plan (D) 16.20 Banking Fund - Regular Plan (G) 20.78 PSU Equity Fund (D) 9.87 PSU Equity Fund (G) 10.94

S

Sahara Growth Fund (D) Growth Fund (G) Infrastructure - Fixed Pricing Option (D) Infrastructure - Fixed Pricing Option (G) Infrastructure -Variable Pricing Option (D) Infrastructure -Variable Pricing Option (G) Midcap Fund (Bonus) Midcap Fund (D) Midcap Fund (G) Midcap Fund (Growth Auto Payout) Wealth Plus - Variable Pricing Option (D) Wealth Plus - Variable Pricing Option (G) Wealth Plus Fund - Fixed Pricing Option (D) Wealth Plus Fund - Fixed Pricing Option (G) Tax Gain (D) Tax Gain (G) Banking and Financial Services Fund (D) Banking and Financial Services Fund (G) SBI Blue Chip Fund (D) Blue Chip Fund (G) Infrastructure Fund – Series I (D) Infrastructure Fund - Series I (G) Magnum Comma Fund (D) Magnum Comma Fund (G) Magnum Contra Fund (D) Magnum Contra Fund (G) Magnum Emerging Businesses Fund (D) Magnum Emerging Businesses Fund (G) Magnum Equity Fund (D) Magnum Equity Fund (G) Magnum Global Fund (D) Magnum Global Fund (G) Magnum Midcap Fund (D) Magnum Midcap Fund (G) Magnum Multicap Fund (D) Magnum Multicap Fund (G) Magnum Multiplier Plus (D) Magnum Multiplier Plus (G) Magnum NRI - Flexiasset Plan (D) Magnum NRI - Flexiasset Plan (G) Magnum Tax Gain Scheme (D) Magnum Tax Gain Scheme (G) TAX Advantage Fund - Series I (D) TAX Advantage Fund - Series I (G) Magnum FMCG Fund Magnum Pharma Fund (D) Magnum Pharma Fund (G) Magnum IT Fund Sundaram Capex Opportunities Fund (D) Capex Opportunities Fund (G) Equity Multiplier Fund (D) Equity Multiplier Fund (G) Growth Fund - Regular Plan (D) Growth Fund - Regular Plan (G) India Leadership Fund - Regular Plan (D) India Leadership Fund - Regular Plan (G) Media & Entertainment Opportunities - Retail (D) Media & Entertainment Opportunities - Retail (G) Rural India Fund (D) Rural India Fund (G) S.M.I.L.E Fund - Regular Plan (D) S.M.I.L.E Fund - Regular Plan (G) Select Focus - Retail Plan (D) Select Focus - Retail Plan (G) Select Midcap - Regular Plan (D) Select Midcap - Regular Plan (G)

23.57 81.21 11.14 15.24 11.62 15.82 30.74 13.60 30.74 30.74 18.34 21.98 17.48 21.10 14.08 37.53 15.57 30.84 11.42 14.62 9.42 9.42 16.82 24.90 22.36 56.07 15.78 41.66 29.54 43.97 31.89 57.06 17.44 22.74 13.50 17.77 51.61 81.59 29.53 29.42 37.08 60.75 11.74 11.74 30.79 37.23 45.05 22.81 11.82 22.65 11.77 14.43 12.58 93.69 13.21 43.08 11.59 14.68 11.19 15.45 11.38 31.84 9.61 88.81 17.10 150.97

Select Small Cap Fund (D) Select Small Cap Fund (G) Tax Saver (OE) (D) Tax Saver (OE) (G) Financial Services Opportunities - Retail Plan (D) Financial Services Opportunities - Retail Plan (G) PSU Opportunities Fund (D) PSU Opportunities Fund (G) Select Thematic Energy Opportunities Funds (D) Select Thematic Energy Opportunities Funds (G)

11.87 12.75 10.24 43.44 13.11 20.45 10.39 11.41 8.00 8.00

T

Tata Capital Builder Fund (D) 14.11 Capital Builder Fund (G) 15.11 Contra Fund (D) 16.08 Contra Fund (G) 18.27 Dividend Yield Fund (D) 19.63 Dividend Yield Fund (G) 34.22 Equity Management Fund (D) 12.51 Equity Management Fund (G) 14.47 Equity Opportunities Fund - Plan A (D) 20.67 Equity Opportunities Fund - Plan B (G) 80.61 Equity P/E Fund (D) - Trigger Option A 5% 35.27 Equity P/E Fund (D) - Trigger Option B 10% 35.37 Equity P/E Fund (G) 48.76 Growing Economies Infrastructure Fund - A (D) 12.27 Growing Economies Infrastructure Fund - A (G) 12.27 Growing Economies Infrastructure Fund - B (D) 12.15 Growing Economies Infrastructure Fund - B (G) 12.15 Growth Fund (Bonus) 38.99 Growth Fund (D) 17.16 Growth Fund (G) 42.91 Infrastructure Fund (D) 21.56 Infrastructure Fund (G) 32.71 Mid Cap Fund (D) 14.69 Mid Cap Fund (G) 17.11 Pure Equity Fund (D) 36.80 Pure Equity Fund (G) 97.82 Select Equity Fund (D) 43.08 Select Equity Fund (G) 66.62 Service Industries Fund (D) 17.31 Service Industries Fund (G) 23.21 Infrastructure Tax Saving Fund (D) 15.06 Infrastructure Tax Saving Fund (G) 15.92 Tax Advantage Fund - 1 (D) 16.71 Tax Advantage Fund - 1 (G) 16.71 Tax Saving Fund 47.45 Life Sciences & Technology Fund (D) 36.26 Life Sciences & Technology Fund (G) 72.15 Taurus Bonanza Fund (D) 43.19 Bonanza Fund (G) 42.91 Discovery Fund (D) 14.61 Discovery Fund (G) 14.60 Ethical Fund (Bonus) 23.51 Ethical Fund (D) 15.88 Ethical Fund (G) 23.52 Infrastructure Fund (D) 12.58 Infrastructure Fund (G) 13.41 Star Share (D) 41.76 Star Share (G) 59.32 Tax Shield (D) 16.82 Tax Shield (G) 35.90 Templeton India Equity Income Fund (D) 15.31 Equity Income Fund (G) 21.58 Growth Fund (D) 53.48 Growth Fund (G) 122.99

U

UTI Contra Fund (D) Contra Fund (G) Dividend Yield Fund (D) Dividend Yield Fund (G) Equity Fund (D) Equity Fund (G) India Lifestyle Fund(D) India Lifestyle Fund(G) Infrastructure Fund (D) Infrastructure Fund (G) Leadership Equity Fund (D) Leadership Equity Fund (G) Master Equity Plan Unit Scheme Master Plus Unit Scheme (D) Master Plus Unit Scheme (G) Master Value Fund (D) Master Value Fund (G) Mastershare (D) Mastershare (G) Mid Cap Fund (D) Mid Cap Fund (G) Opportunities Fund (D) Opportunities Fund (G) Top 100 Fund (D) Top 100 Fund (G) Wealth Builder Fund (D) Wealth Builder Fund (G) Wealth Builder Fund - Series II - Retail Plan (D) Wealth Builder Fund - Series II - Retail Plan (G) Equity Tax Savings Plan (D) Equity Tax Savings Plan (G) Long Term Advantage Fund (D) Long Term Advantage Fund (G) Long Term Advantage Fund - Series II (D) Long Term Advantage Fund - Series II (G) Banking Sector Fund (D) Banking Sector Fund (G)

12.59 13.64 15.21 33.16 49.17 55.65 11.89 11.89 18.59 32.69 14.41 15.54 50.60 61.45 85.24 23.86 54.40 29.60 55.08 21.73 31.87 14.80 27.71 22.59 29.08 14.43 16.57 16.11 20.04 16.05 40.20 12.73 12.73 14.33 14.33 23.04 44.30

OHERALDO

Pg 10

CAREERS & EDUCATION

GOA, Monday, 2 Mayl 2011

Beat Job Burnout

B

urnout can happen to any of us. Whether you are a teacher, fire worker, or executive, we are all prone to burnout.

Despite what people think – Job Burnout is not stress. Although job burnout is stressful, every job can be and is stressful.

However, one expert described stress as the" fever" of job burnout. The object of most stress management is to provide individuals with tools to keep stress in the healthy levels in order to live with well-being.

What is it? Job Burnout is "a state of fatigue or frustration brought about by our devotion

to a cause, way of life, or relationship that failed to produce the expected reward." This means, job burnout is a gradual process. It is both a psychological and physical response to our work. And the end result is loss of enthusiasm, or lack drive, and finally, a giving up or resignation.

Why don’t we discuss job burnout in the workplace? It is an unwritten law of work that you must like your work. It is an admission of failure to say that you have, in fact, job burnout.

Many attitudes that dismiss job burnout include:

•"You don’t have to like your work" •"Be tough and tough it out" •"Not working is lazy" •"Good work will be recognized, stay the course" Not every one has the same feelings or responses, however, these feelings might be associated with job burnout: •Not caring about your job •Feeling unappreciated by your customers, co-workers, supervisor/manager, company. •Anxiety and reluctance to go to work. •Helplessness/lack of control •Persistent fatigue • Boredom Guilt • Not seeing a way out.

There are many potential and possible behaviour associated with burnout. As the individual goes deeper in the cycle of job burnout, some behaviour might be more apparent including: •Declining work performance •More physical ailments •Insensitivity/lack of empathy •Apathy •Excessive absences of lateness •Either drug or alcohol abuse •Sarcasm/distasteful humour •Mood swings Although almost everyone essentially had the same levels of stress in their jobs, it was the perception of control over their fate and workplace that determined their level of job burnout.

Managers fared the best with job burnout because they felt they had more control over their work environment. Control is key to how you handle job burnout. Ask yourself – How much control do you have in your job? Do others dictate how and what you do in your job?

Or rather, do you have some input or say over the direction?

There are many occupations that might be more prone to job burnout because of lack of control. It is how we deal with our work environment is key. In

other words, two workers could be doing the exact same job and have different outcomes or ways of coping. One will be stressed while the other worker will not internalize the stress.

Take time off to get away from the stress in of the daily routine in the job, and you’ll discover that the time off was great, however, on resuming work, the job burnout, the same work situation was still present.

B e l o w a re s e v e r a l h i g h burnout factors – from the critical boss to the incurable client.

The lack of recognition in the workplace can manifest itself in: •Inadequate pay •Underemployment Additionally, workers want and need to have clear, career goals and information to do their jobs adequately.

Other contributing factors to job burnout mentioned by Potter include: Tasks without end No-win situations created by either conflicting job roles or politically – charged work environments.

There are six potential areas in the workplace that might be causes of job burnout: •Workload •Control •Reward •Community •Fairness •Values Sometimes, job burnout can be an opportunity. The opportunity burnout offers to us is to re-examine our lives, our careers, our workplaces, and planning where we are going.

So, what I do?

First and foremost, you must recognize you are in a burnout state. Self-awareness is the first step in making a change. Often times, a layoff or external event

might force the issue. It makes us look at ourselves and where we are going.

Second, understanding that you and you alone, are ultimately are in control of your career. And although there might be less than ideal circumstances in your workplace, you are ultimately responsible for controlling your work destiny.

Looking at possibilities to grow outside your job might, in fact, enhance your job. Activities can range from taking classes to connecting with people.

Asking yourself, "Is my workplace the real culprit for job burnout or is it me?" Some workers can be stressed by saying "Hello" in the morning.

Look critically at your workplace. Is it a toxic workplace?

Perhaps, you are in a unique pressure-cooker environment, with "No Way Out." If that is the case, you need to look at your external options.

Are you doing what you like?

Are you utilizing skills that you enjoy? Does your work give you a sense of purpose and mission?

If you are out of touch with this aspect of your work, it is time to consider making a career change, small or large.

And finally, is my life and career balanced? Do I have opportunities with my family, friends, or hobbies? Or am I just working incessantly with no end in sight?

Every job has its peaks and valleys, however, it is important to take time to refresh and replenish ourselves.

Life-Work balance is an issue that crops up all the time when workers are asked what they look for in a good job or workplace. It is up to you to assertively find opportunities that will promote a healthy career and lifestyle.

The Benefits of Going to College-III

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hy should you go to college? What are the benefits of attending college? During school years, one awaits college days and for years after the college days have gone, we reminisce about them.

This is precisely what college years are! They are long awaited and long remembered. Those are the years, which pave the paths of careers and shape personalities. They are the brightest and the most colourful years of one’s life. What are the benefits of going to college? There are many!

One of the primary benefits of going to college is being able to obtain a college degree. A college degree helps you propel

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hose seriously intending to make a career in this field, should preferably attend special courses and obtain the relevant degree and know-how in order to succeed.

Syllabus: Sales & Marketing Management is taught as part of the MBA curriculum at B-Schools across the country. Thus the first aim of a student should be to go for an MBA course.

MBA is a 2 years' course generally after graduation or equivalent degree.

Business majors who are enrolled in a sales management course will study management, communication, marketing, and sales. Topics like advertising, psychology, and public relations depending on the course.

Accounting principles, business laws, buyer behaviour, economics, human motivation and behaviour, statistics, principles of marketing, marketing research, production management, psychology are some of the subjects taught for marketing management courses.

Personal Skills: Those interested in entering the managerial cadre in the fields of advertising, marketing, promotions, public relations, and sales should be mature, creative, highly motivated, resistant to stress, flexible, and decisive. The ability to communicate persuasively, both orally and in writing, with other managers, staff, and the public is vital. These managers also need tact, good judgment, and exceptional ability to establish and maintain effective personal relationships with supervisory and professional staff members and

you career in the right direction.

A college degree opens doors for good job opportunities. A bright college career can fetch you an excellent job, and it goes without saying that an excellent job can earn you bigger bucks!

Yes, a college degree goes a long way to build a bright career and g i v e s y o u e xc e l l e n t j o b prospects.

College education helps in building analytical and reasoning skills in you. The college years are filled with academic as well as extra curricular activities. The projects, the oral and practical exams and demonstrations that are a part of college education help you build self-confidence and enhance your communica-

tion skills. College education plays a vital role in the development of analytical thinking, reasoning and problem-solving skills. These skills help you throughout life.

The most important benefit of going to college is perhaps the environment it offers. It gives you an opportunity to be a part of a huge group. College education helps you develop skills of working in a team. It gives you an opportunity to understand different points of view on different issues in life. Most importantly, college years give you friendships that you cherish for a lifetime. Experience the college buzz!

client firms.

are in less danger of being subject to downsizing or outsourcing than are other types of managers, except in the case of companies that are consolidating. Employment therefore, will vary primarily on the basis of the growth or contraction in the industries that employ them.

Options Advertising, Marketing& Sales, Public Relations& Promotion Managers drive what the public sees of a companycompany sales and profitability through market research, strategy, branding, advertising,

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ave you ever gone into a new environment and felt the vibrations? Maybe you’ve gone to a party, or a volunteer project, or your new workplace and either gotten a good feeling, or felt like you wanted to get out of there right away. That is your instinct telling you about what’s right or wrong for you.

Work environments are like onions; they are layered. There is the physical atmosphere, and then there are the various components of human interaction—from how the janitors are treated to the "perks" given to the top employees.

Job seekers give little thought to choosing their preferred work environment. Rather, they passively wait for companies to pick them. This is a big mistake. It is like investing in the Lotto, hoping for something good to happen.

Work is perhaps one of the most intense short-term or long-term commitments you can make.

You will be

putting in 30, 4 0 , 50, or p e r h a p s m o r e hours at w o r k .

Why not make it satisfying and

productive?

Work environments are like unique countries. They all have their unique styles. Every country has its own language, customs, music, food, and history. So it is with companies.

What are the components of the right environment?

The most obvious is the physical part. How does it look? Are there cubicles or an open work environment? Is it pleasant to look at? Is it crowded? Messy or tidy?

The human element is critical. Who you go to work with for forty to sixty hours a week is critical. When you think of it, they are the ones who share your victories, your political battles,

your common enemies, the numerous daily tasks.

Perhaps, you should ask and then answer the following: •How would you typify working at XYZ Company?

•What best describes the work environment— cooperative or competitive?

•Are workers friendly? Do they smile?

•Is it a creative environment?

•Do they value diversity?

•What programmes do they have in place to recruit a diverse workplace?

Further, does your workplace give you energy?

Work environments can be energy sources. Do you remember working at a job that seemed tedious, boring, draining? Stifling work environments draw energy like a sponge.

Exciting work e n v i ro n m e n t s provide stimulation, a sense of purpose, and a mission for both the individual, and the team.

Management is the foundation of a good and p u r poseful work place. A great workplace must include a sense of fairness. How do you do your work? You can be quite successful in one environment and not in another? Why is that? It could be because circumstances are different. Your personality and interaction with others and your external environment will either promote a sense of success or on the opposite end of the continuum, a sense of desperation.

Perception of your personality is important. I can be placed into two separate environments and be seen in two different lights. The workplace is a blending of personalities, styles, management, and workplace culture.

Remember, it is your job to be the ultimate anthropologist, to find how people really live, otherwise, you will find your experience disoriented and out of touch. Companies don’t know you, or what’s best for you – only you can determine that.

Maintain And Update Your References

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monitor customers’ preferences. They direct the distribution of the product or service to the customer. They assign sales territories, set sales benchmarks and goals, coaching sales representatives, setup and develop sales campaigns, and establish training programmes for the organiza-

various organizations.

Marketing Associates are responsible for helping in the development portfolio assessment presentations, and in preparing promotional presentations for prospective clients.

They are categorized according to the type of investment product such as fixed income or equity.

Since their efforts contribute to the overall s a l e s turnover of an organization, sales personnel occupy a ke y p o s i tion in modern marketing.

Sales Associates are categorized according to the type of clients they serve.

They are responsible for assisting in replying to the request for proposals which are issued by institutions looking to recruit investment managers. They also work with the senior client servicing professional in order to maintain and develop client relationships.

Sales personnel have to perform many useful ancillary services such as sales forecasting, market and consumer research, realization of dues, dealing with complaints, etc.

Marketing & Selling Your Services-III

sales efforts, promotion, pricing, and public relations. They co-ordinate their companies’ market research, marketing strategy, sales, advertising, promotion, pricing, product development, and public relations activities.

Having high quality individuals in these positions can make a great difference between a successful and unsuccessful firm.

Sales & Marketing Managers and their departments constitute some of the most important personnel in an organization. They are employed in nearly all industries.

They hold almost half of the jobs, work mostly in manufacturing, retail and wholesale trade, finance and insurance. develop detailed marketing strategies for a firm. They and

Finding The Right Work Environment

tion’s sales representatives.

T h e y also adSales Managers oversee rep- vise sales representatives on resentatives and make deci- ways to improve their sales sions based on the needs of performance. In large multi product firms, they oversee regional and local sales managers and their staff.

By Maria de Lima Pereira All this is vital in the development of prodthe firm they are employed ucts and the maximization of through. They must achieve profits. the targeted sales figure Corporate Selling: involves through the sales team. Sales selling through company's own managers maintain contact field force or through a major with dealers and distributors, accounts dealer. and analyze sales statistics Marketing & Sales Associgathered by their staffs to de- ates: Although these positions termine sales potential and in- are almost similar, they are ventory requirements and to conventionally categorized by

Marketing Assistants Starting as a marketing executive, gifted personnel can go on to become marketing managers or product managers within a very short span of time. (to be continued)

t the very end of your job search, when a job offer is near, personal and professional references become crucial. What applicants do not realize, is that when launching a job search, securing good references should be one of the FIRST steps! Getting the best possible references is important, not only when you are looking for a job or career change, but as part of your on-going career development process.

Why are references so important? It is important that you have three or four people who really know you as a worker, and what you can do.

These people have a working knowledge of your skills, strengths and weaknesses, your work style, your personality and can address the nitty- gritty of how you will be as a worker, which employers do consider very important.

Layoffs and management shifts require that you constantly be on the lookout for people who can vouch for who you are and what you can do.

If you are thinking about looking for a new job or career, contact your potential references and let them know that you are starting to look for a job. If you are still working, do this confidentially and discreetly, as you don’t want to jeopardize your present job.

References are also important because they can provide you with tips about potential openings. They know your work, so they can advise you on your profession and career. Calling them ahead of time to let them know your plans, can put them on the alert if they learn of any appropriate openings.

Alerting your references to your current career goals clues them in to what they should and shouldn’t say about you. You make them look intelligent and vice versa.

Getting and maintaining a list of references is an on-going process and doesn’t stop when you get a job. As is with your skills development,

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your reference list needs to be upgraded and revised along with your career development goals.

What do you do if you don’t have any references? If so, you need to deal with whatever that is, which is a whole issue in itself. Do you need to expand your network? If so, get “cracking”, because you never know when you’ll need to call on people to help you get your next position.

Don’t just look to your managers as your only source of references. Consider your clients, customers, other department managers, supervisors, and even vendors. Also expand your definition of potential references to include teachers, internship supervisors, volunteer coordinators, coworkers. All these people can give a potential employer a glimpse of who you are and what you can do.

VERY IMPORTANT: find out what your references are saying about you! Make sure that the people you are using as references are really working for you. I have heard of cases where candidates have thought their references were helping, when the reference was actually giving such “thorough” critiques that the candidate failed to get job offers. Another actual scenario was a reference who was “damning” with faint praise – saying things like, “Joe always shows up to work.” You would hope that Joe would do a lot more than just show up!

Finally, it is important to realize that the process is a two-way street: they help you, and they might need your help down the road. You should thank them of their help along the way, particularly when you land the job, and offer to return the favor.

A final note: although professional references do carry a great deal of weight, due to legal constraints, letters of references have become less meaningful, and therefore less critical.

Course in Maritime Law

he Institute of Maritime Law at University of Southampton (UK) invites applications for two short term courses to be conducted at Singapore and London respectively.

The course at Singapore spans two weeks from 16th to 27th May, 2011 and aims to familiarize students on various aspects of maritime law.

The course in London is a one week programme to be conducted from 6th -10th June, 2011 and recognizes the complexity of export trade documents by looking at how disputes can arise when the four contracts involved – sale, carriage, insurance and letter of credit - do not match.

The course at Singapore aims to familiarize students on various aspects of maritime law and the way they interlink with each other and operate in a wider commercial context. It spans two weeks from 16th to 27th May, 2011 with an average of six intensive one hour sessions per day, interspersed with Q&A sessions, case studies and informal discussions. Some of the topics that will be covered during the course include Charter parties, Shipping Documents in International Trade, Cargo Claims, Marine Insurance and Salvage, Towage and Wreck. The course lectures will take place at the Hilton Hotel, Singapore. The fee for the course is US$7,500 and includes tea, lunch and coffee from Monday morning to Friday afternoon and a full set of course materials. The course is non-residential so please note that the fee does not include accommodation. The last date for

applying for the short term course is Monday 9th May 2011, subject to availability.

The course in London is a one week programme to be conducted from 6th-10th June, 2011. This course recognizes the complexity of export trade documents by looking at how disputes can arise when the four contracts involved – sale, carriage, insurance and letter of credit - do not match. Some of the topics to be covered in the course are: When do risk and property pass from seller to buyer?

Making the sale contract: confirmations and standard forms, fixing freight: what is a reasonable contract of carriage?

What goods must the seller ship?

Managing a commodity arbitration Rejection of documents by buyers and by banks This course will be held at the Chamber of Shipping Carthusian Suite, London. The fee for the course is £2,995.00 and includes refreshments, lunch and course materials. The application deadline for the course is Monday 23rd May 2011, subject to availability.

Candidates willing to apply for the two courses should contact the Institute Secretary, Mrs Anita Rogers-Ballanger to confirm they meet entry criteria.

You could also contact Sonam on Mobile Number 9818018893 or Kanchan (9999045231; kanchan@thegreenthumb.biz)

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WORLD Pak MPs links MFN status to India with Kashmir PTI ISLAMABAD, MAY 1

A group of Pakistani Parliamentarians has moved a resolution that says the settlement of the Kashmir issue should be “a precondition” for giving the Most Favoured Nation status to India.

The resolution, signed by 10 members of the National Assembly or lower house of Parliament belonging to the PML-Q and PML-N and an independent lawmaker, was yesterday submitted to the Parliament Secretariat by PML-Q lawmaker Marvi Memon, a known critic of India.

“This House resolves that Most Favoured Nation-status to India should be a pre-condition for resolution of Kashmir dispute. Any effort to grant MFN status to India prior to resolution of Kashmir will be considered as a lethal blow to Kashmir cause,” the resolution states.

In the clearest indication yet that it is moving towards granting MFN status to India, Pakistan agreed in recent talks between Commerce Secretaries of the two countries that it would take “immediate necessary steps to ensure that non-discriminatory trade regime is operationalised at the earliest.”

Israel PM warns of ‘hatred’ before Holocaust Day AFP JERUSALEM, MAY 1

Israel's prime minister warned on Sunday that anti-Semitism remains rampant and is often expressed in “hatred” against the Jewish state, a day before Israel commemorates the horrors of the Holocaust.

Speaking before the weekly cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that "the lessons of the Holocaust have not been learned.”

“Hatred of Jews still sweeps across the world. Anti-Semitism has been renewed and amplified, and hatred against Jews is now directed against their state and its right to exist,” he warned.

Israel observes Holocaust Day on Monday, but events marking the day begin on Sunday night with a ceremony at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem, to be attended by Netanyahu, President Shimon Peres and foreign dignitaries.

On Monday, Israel will come to a standstill at 10 am (0700GMT) as the country's citizens observe two minutes of silence, their beginning and end marked by sirens that sound across the Jewish state.

There are approximately 204,000 Holocaust survivors in Israel, most of them elderly.

Israel was established in 1948 in the wake of World War II when six million Jews were killed during the Holocaust.

Child suicide bomber kills four in Afghan AFP KABUL, MAY 1

A 12-year-old suicide bomber killed four people and wounded a dozen in east Afghanistan Sunday, while rebel clashes with police and NATO-led troops left five civilians and two police dead, officials said.

The death toll from the day's fighting included at least three children besides the bomber, and dozens of civilians were wounded in firefights as violence appeared to escalate after the Taliban announced a spring offensive.

The boy -- thought to be one of the country's youngest-ever suicide attackers -- detonated an explosive vest in a marketplace in Paktika province near the Pakistan border, provincial spokesman Mukhlis Afghan said.

“The head of Shkin district council, Shair Nawaz, a woman and two other men were killed and 12 others were wounded,” he said in a statement. The Afghan interior ministry had earlier put the death toll at three, with 11 wounded.

It was unclear how authorities established the age of the bomber, with the bodies of suicide attackers often difficult to identify.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the bombing on behalf of the group, which he said was behind all but one of Sunday's attacks. He told AFP they were part of the Islamists' fresh offensive, announced Saturday.

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Pilgrims celebrate John Paul ii beatification Poles fete in a big way AFP WARSAW, MAY 1

Tens of thousands of faithful braved rain across Poland on Sunday to fete the Vatican's beatification of Pope John Paul II, still regarded as a moral authority by virtually all Poles six years after his death.

Crowds of faithful clad in raingear massed around huge video screens beaming the beatification mass in St Peter's Square live in the capital Warsaw, the southern city of Krakow where the late pope once served as a cardinal and in his nearby birthplace of Wadowice.

“It's a great joy that my friend with whom I went to school until graduating from high school has been beatified,” said

90-year-old Eugeniusz Mroz, a classmate of future pope Karol Wojtyla, at ceremonies in Wadowice which drew several thousand.

In Krakow, an estimated 100,000 faithful braved drizzle and chilly temperatures to offer prayers for the late pontiff at the Shrine of Divine Mercy, in the city's suburb of Lagiewniki.

A phial of John Paul II’s blood was placed in a reliquary at the shrine, a rare relic of the pontiff whom the Vatican has fasttracked for sainthood.

I n t h e c a p i t a l Wa r s a w, faithful huddling under umbrellas massed in front of a huge video screen on the city's massive central Pilsud-

Pope Benedict XVI presides over the beatification of Pope John Paul II in St Peter's Square in the Vatican on Sunday. Pope Benedict XVI hailed John Paul II's "strength of a titan" in defending Christianity against "a tide which appeared irreversible" in a homily in Saint Peter's Square. ­AFP VATICAN CITY, MAY 1

Exhilarated pilgrims thronged Saint Peter's Square for John Paul II's beatification on Sunday, many having camped nearby after a night of prayer dubbed by the Vatican a "Feast of Faith".

The million-strong crowd -many of them young people who said they were inspired by the late pope's passion -- filled the square and snaked back along the main Rome avenue leading to the Vatican during the ceremony.

Family priests carried young children on their shoulders to get a better view and the elderly and disabled were helped to the front as groups from all over the world mingled and showed off

their John Paul II T-shirts.

Some pilgrims intoned religious songs near Saint Peter's famous 17th-century colonnade, where a large poster with John Paul's image hung with one of the late pope's famous phrases: "Open wide the doors to Christ."

Thousands of pilgrims had come from John Paul's native Poland, and some of them waved flags from the historic trade union movement Solidarity, which the late pope supported in its struggle against communist power in the 1980s.

“I feel very excited. It's a great opportunity to share this historical moment. We didn't sleep all night but I'm more excited than tired," said Belen Lavilla,

12, who came by boat from Barcelona with hundreds of young people.

Teenage volunteers for World Youth Day -- an international event initiated by John Paul II in 1985 -- waved brightly coloured flags and held up framed photos of the pope, who they said had "re-energised the world's young."

Exhausted but jubilant pilgrims in crumpled clothes with sleeping bags under their arms cheered as Pope Benedict XVI rode into Saint Peter's Square aboard his "popemobile" and waved to the crowds before kicking off the ceremony.

Forty-eight-year-old Margerit Solik, a Polish woman in a cream-coloured national dress

with red flowers, said: "It's a great day full of emotion!"

Stanislaw Motyka, 62, who also wore a traditional Polish costume, said the vigil before John Paul's beatification had been "absolutely magical".

Holding a photograph showing him shaking the late pope's hand in 1985, Motyka said he had followed the globe-trotting John Paul II on as many trips as possible during his lifetime. "My only hope is to live to see him be made a saint," he said.

Volunteers handed out a service booklet for the beatification in six languages as well as bottles of water for the pilgrims, many of whom took shelter under parasols as the sun beat down on Saint Peter's Square.

Large speakers relayed religious songs and some of John Paul's most beloved prayers in honour of the Virgin Mary.

"We have come to thank him for all his good work," said Olivier, a pilgrim wrapped in a French flag, as he strummed a guitar near the square.

Therese, a woman from Benin in a colourful tunic with John Paul's portrait, said: "He was a charismatic man. I would have liked to have spoken to him."

Fabrizio, a Polish-Italian friar, said: "He gave us freedom in Poland. Freedom from communism, but also a kind of inner freedom."

A woman from Nigeria, Ada, said simply: "He was a light for the world."

In this handout picture released by the Vatican Press Office onSunday, Pope Benedict XVI kisses the casket bearing the relic of his predecessor Pope John Paul II at St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican following his beatification.

John Paul II: A conservative who reinvigorated the Church

AFP VATICAN CITY, MAY 1

Late pope John Paul II, who was put on the path to sainthood on Sunday, was an inspirational figure who helped bring down communism but alienated many Catholics with his conservative views.

The first non-Italian pope in more than 400 years, and the first from Eastern Europe, Polish-born Karol Wojtyla was immensely popular, eschewing the pomp that surrounded his predecessors and seeking contact with ordinary people.

The pontiff, who died in 2005, was honoured at a solemn beatification mass in

Saint Peter's Square that gave him the status of "blessed" for the world's 1.1 billion Catholics and left him just one step away from sainthood.

During a papacy lasting nearly 27 years, John Paul traveled far and wide, often greeted by massive crowds as he championed peace, denounced human rights abuses and often deplored the decadence of the modern world.

He left one of his most momentous acts for the twilight of his papacy -- an attempt to purify the soul of the Roman Catholic Church with a sweeping apology for sins and errors committed during its 2,000

years of existence.John Paul II was born in a small town near

Krakow, in southern Poland, on May 18, 1920. His mother died when he was eight and his father raised him, teaching him German and football.

He studied at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow where he became fascinated by theatre and wrote a number of plays.John Paul was never a member of the Polish resistance, but the experience of war caused him to consider the priesthood. He became a parish priest and rose steadily through the Church hierarchy, eventually rising to cardinal.

When he was elected pope in October 1978, John Paul was 58, a robust sportsman and a

relative outsider amid the vast bureaucracy of the Holy See. His first foreign visit was to his native Poland.

Despite Soviet warnings, communist authorities were unable to head off the pope's 1979 visit, when he appeared before million-strong crowds speaking powerfully for human rights.

The upshot was a huge, reinvigorated anti-communist workingclass movement, the birth of Solidarity, and the steady thaw of the Soviet glacier that lay over central and eastern Europe.

For all, the pope's immense popularity, his moral teachings -- notably on family values, extramarital sex, homosexuality,

Syrian protesters plan ‘to break the siege’ AFP DAMASCUS, MAY 1

Anti-regime protesters in Syria today planned the start of a "week of breaking the siege" a day after troops killed six civilians in the southern flashpoint city of Daraa.

The Syrian Revolution 2011, a driving force behind the protests, vowed in a Facebook statement that "we will only kneel before God," and gave a schedule of protests in solidarity with the Daraa and the Damascus suburb of Douma, both besieged since Monday.

Troops in tanks backed by other armoured vehicles cruised Daraa streets today, shooting to keep residents indoors and arresting men aged 15 and over, an activist from the town told AFP in Nicosia by telephone.

"Since early morning the army and security forces have been combing neighbourhoods one by one and making sweeping arrests. Hundreds have been arrested since Friday," said Abdullah Abizad.

Thousands of troops stormed into Daraa six days ago and imposed a draconian siege on the town, epicentre of seven weeks of protests against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

Yesterday, scores of people killed the previous day in a "day of rage" were buried as Assad's regime came under renewed pressure from home and abroad with the United States imposing fresh sanctions on Syria.

At least 66 people were killed on Friday when tens of thousands of people demonstrated across Syria, activists said. The

Cameron flays crackdown AFP LONDON, MAY 1

British Prime Minister David Cameron on Sunday condemned Syria’s “disgraceful and unacceptable” crackdown on anti-regime protesters and called for more pressure to be put on the government.

Troops killed six civilians in the southern flashpoint city of Daraa on Saturday, a day after at least 66 people were killed when tens of thousands of people demonstrated across the country, activists said.

Cameron told BBC television: "It is a completely disgraceful and unacceptable situation to see this regime

killing so many of its own people.”

Clearly in Syria we need to do more to step up the pressure on that regime to show internationally this is not acceptable.

“We’ve started that process in the European Union but I think we have further to go and more to do.”

Asked why the West had intervened in Libya but not Syria, Cameron said there were key differences between the situations in the two countries. "In Libya, we were asked by the Arab League to go into that country, we were asked by the Libyan people, we were backed by a UN Resolution," he said.

authorities said nine members of the security forces were shot dead by "terrorist groups."

Activists said countrywide protests from today would begin a "week of breaking the siege" - a reference to Daraa and Douma -- with demonstrations planned for Daraa today and around Damascus tomorrow.

Rallies are planned on Tuesday in the northern towns of Banias and Jableh, Wednesday in Homs, Talbisseh and in Tall Kalakh on the border with Lebanon, and nationwide night vigils on Thursday.

Water and power have been cut in Daraa as the situation worsened after 3,000-5,000 troops supported by tanks stormed the town nearly a week ago.

2nd woman worker exposed to high radiation in japan PTI TOKYO, MAY 1

Another woman worker at Japan’s crisis-hit Fukushima nuclear plant has been exposed to radiation exceeding the legal limit, the embattled operator of the facility said today, days after announcing the first such case among its female employees.

The operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), said the worker has no health problems so far and will be seen by a doctor tomorrow.

The woman in her 40s was

exposed to a total of 7.49 millisieverts of radiation, against the legal limit for female workers of 5 millisieverts for a threemonth period, when she was working at the six-reactor complex following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, TEPCO was quoted as saying by Kyodo.

The woman was working at an in-house medical office of the Fukushima plant until March 15, four days after the twin disaster, following which she was moved to another office within Fukushima Prefecture.

TEPCO said it is the second

case of a female worker being exposed to radiation exceeding the legal limit, and that no woman has been allowed to work at the plant since March 23, according to national broadcaster NHK. Separately, Japan's Health Ministry said it has detected a minute amount of radiation in breast milk samples of seven mothers in central and northeastern Japan.

It said the radiation level does not pose a danger to their babies' health.

The ministry yesterday re-

leased the results of a study conducted in Fukushima, Tokyo and three other prefectures in Kanto region from last Sunday through Thursday.

The ministry said the breast milk samples from a mother in Iwaki city of Fukushima Prefecture contained 3.5 becquerels of radioactive iodine per litre and 2.4 becquerels of radioactive cesium per litre, NHK said.

Up to 2.8 becquerels of radioactive material per litre was also detected in six mothers in two other prefectures.

Japan has no regulatory levels

to determine the health risk from radioactive substances in breast milk. But it sets the safety levels for babies' consumption of milk and drinking water at 100 becquerels of radioactive iodine per litre and 200 becquerels of radioactive cesium per litre.

Meanwhile, TEPCO said it is going to implement new measures at the disaster-hit Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant to protect it from any other tsunami or aftershocks. The work will be completed by late July.

birth control, euthanasia and abortion -- alienated many Catholics.

Among them were reformers, the young and Third World congregations in the grip of a devastating AIDS epidemic who were increasingly disappointed at his refusal to give ground on the issue of contraception.

Dogged by the scandal of paedophile priests, the pope, at the behest of US bishops, approved new measures to punish clergymen committing sexual abuses.

In 1981 he nearly died in an assassination attempt when a rightwing Turkish extremist, Mehmet Ali Agca, shot him at close range in

Saint Peter's Square. One bullet went through his abdomen and another narrowly missed his heart.

Though the motives behind the assassination bid were never clear, conspiracy theories included a Bulgarian secret service hit ordered by the KGB and an attempt by radical Islamists to polish off the most prominent Christian leader.

The pope said the Virgin Mary had saved his life, and he had one of the bullets inserted into the diamond-studded crown of the Virgin of Fatima in Portugal.He met virtually every significant head of state or government.

Indonesian ship agrees on ransom AFP­ JAKARTA, MAY 1

Negotiations to release Indonesian sailors held hostage by pirates off Somalia have been completed, the ship owner said Sunday.

“We’ve completed the process of negotiations and have reached an agreement with the pirates including plans of a payment of ransom,” David Batubara, the vice president of PT Samudera Indonesia, told

AFP. “The process for their release is still underway. Let's wait for the developments,” he added.

His response came amid reports that pirates had released the bulk carrier Sinar Kudus and its 20 sailors after a ransom of $4.5 million was air-dropped to them.

“The reports were inaccurate.

The pirates are still on board the ship and controlling it. The ransom amount is also wrong," he said, declining to elaborate.

ski Square, where in 1979 the freshly elected pope delivered a landmark sermon behind the Iron Curtain urging his countrymen "be not afraid, change the face of the Earth."

Historians regard this event as the catalyst for Poland's freedom-fighting Solidarity trade union, which drew some 10 million members by 1980, prompting the communist regime to impose the martial law crackdown in December 1981.

The union, the first and only of its kind in the entire Soviet bloc, re-emerged in 1989 to negotiate a bloodless end to communism in Poland, making the first step toward democracy behind the Iron Curtain.

Pg 14

SPORTS

GOA, Monday, 2 May 2011

Bagan ground Air India Cuncolim Union triumph l JCT edge past Pune

M Bagan 2 Air India 0 JCT 2 Pune FC 1 PTI KOLKATA, MAY 1

Subair Muritala scored a double to help Mohun Bagan blank Air India 2-0 in their Round 24 return-leg I-League at Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Sunday.

It was a relief of sorts for struggling Bagan who registered their first win after five matches.

After a first-half stalemate

Porto, Benfica leading

LISBON: Falcao scored four second-half goals as Porto recovered from a lacklustre start, and 1-0 down, to all but book a spot in the final of UEFA Europa League with a 5-1 vciotory over Villarreal in the first leg semis.

All the goals came in an eventful nine-minute spell early in the second half, Óscar Cardozo giving Benfica the edge with an exquisite free-kick for a 2-1 victory over SC Braga in the other first-leg semi-final.

that saw both teams struggling to give the finishing touches, Mohun Bagan turned it around in the second half. Muritala Ali, aided by a sparkling Edeh Chidi, scored the brace in the 66th and 81st minutes to take Bagan to the sixth spot with 30 points after 23 matches.

Air India, who had two wins and one draw including an upset victory over leaders Salgaocar in their last three matches, remained in the relegation zone with 21 points after 24 matches.

A relieved Mohun Bagan Techn i c a l D i re c t o r, S u b h a s h Bhowmick complimented his boys after the win.

JCT beat Pune FC in Ludhiana to take a giant step towards avoiding relegation. Ajay Singh scored both goals for JCT, the first in the 38th minute and his second in the 65th minute while Keita Mandjou reduced the margin for Pune in the 70th minute.

The win takes JCT to 23 points from 22 matches while Pune stay on 29 points from 23.

Sikkim hold Lajong

SHILLONG: Lajong F C split points with new challengers United Sikkim while Ar-Hima trounced Mohammedan Sporting SC 2-0 in Second Division ILeague here.

Sikkim United rallied to hold local favourites Lajong FC 2-2.

On Monday, Royal Wahingdoh will meet Vasco and Southern Samity will clash with st Sporting Clube de Goa.

The captain of Cuncolim Union receiving the trophy from Deputy Speaker Mauvin Godinho at Cansaulim, Sunday.

three kings cup HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, MAY 1

Cuncolim Union defeated St Rock Youth Club, Majorda 4-2 via the tie-breaker in the finals

of 4th Three Kings inter-village football tournament organised

by CAC Sports and Social Club at Dr T B Cunha sports complex, Cansaulim, Sunday. The teams were locked in a 1-1 draw at full time.

Nagoa Sporting lift Nerul Super Cup

The Nagoa Sporting team, winners of Nerul Super Cup at Candolim, Sunday.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, MAY 1

Nagoa Sporting Club defeated Sangolda Lightning 2-0 in the finals to claim top honours in Nerul Super Cup Inter-Village Football Tournament organised

by United Club of Nerul at Dr. Gustavo Monteiro Stadium, Candolim, Sunday.

Sangolda began on a promising note and created some scoring opportunities in the first session but their forwards failed to find the net.

Changing over, Sangolda kept attacking the Nagoa defense and a good try by Clifford Cardozo just sailed inches over the bar. Nagoa regrouped, ex-

erted pressure and Adnan Beig’s shot entered the net beating Sangolda keeper Washington.

Soon after, Lawrence Rodrigues doubled the lead.

Down by two goals, Sangolda tried to bounce back but their forwards missed chances. Clifford and Rakshak worked tire-

Davorlim top GOA DIARY HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, MAY 1

Davorlim Sports and Cultural Club beat Gadag Sports Club 31 via the tie-breaker and emerged champions in Towns Sports Club Trophy football tournament organised by Towns Sports Club at Harirer, Davangeree, Sunday. The teams were locked 1-1 at full time.

Davorlim were richer by Rs 30,000. The tournament was organized to commerorate the 50th Jubilee Year of the club.

5-a-side soccer at Bogmalo

VASCO (HR): United Youth of Bogmalo will organise their 2nd 5a-side late James Alvares beach football tournament at Bogmalo beach from May 10. Rs 25,000, Rs 15,000, Rs 4,000, Rs 3,000 will be awarded. Details from Selvy on 9860765337 or Alevio on 9823752599.

Ambelim inter-village football

MARGAO (HC): Ambelim Sports Club will organise their annual All-Goa Inter-Village Football Tournament from May 8 at Ambelim ground. The winners will take home Rs 30,000 while the runners-up will be richer by Rs 20,000. Entries close on May 6.

Teams may contact John D’Silva or Benjamin D’Silva.

7-a-side football at Britona

PANAJI: Penha de Franca Sports Club will organise their 7-a-side football tournament at Penha de Franca church ground on May 8 and 15. The winners will be awarded Rs 20,000 while the runners-up will get Rs 10,000. First 16 entries will be accepted.

Details may be obtained from Amit on 9767940003, Paresh on 9765848272, Raj Electronics on 9822009455.

Holy Cross soccer: Verna Sports Club v. Mandopa Sporting Club, Vodlemoll Kakoda ground, 4.30 p.m.

4th All Goa Saligao United Cup 2011 soccer inaugural: Goa Velha Sports Club v. Guirim Sports Club, Saligao Seminary ground, 4.30 p.m.

GFA U-16: Salgaocar Sports Club (Jrs) v. Chicalim YC, Tilak Maidan, Vasco, 4 p.m.

Crown Boys soccer: Friends Circle Goa Velha v. Mandar Boys of Morjim, Govt ground, Santa Cruz, 4.30 p.m.

Romeo interward soccer: Cujira v. Bandh, Govt ground, Santa Cruz, 5.30 p.m.

17th Sao Jose de Areal Villagers Cup soccer: Ambelim Sports Club v. Betalbatim Sporting Club, Padribhat ground, Sao Jose de Areal, 4.45 p.m.

6th late Frank Pires soccer: Don Bosco Oratory Fatorda v.

PY Nuvem, Siridao Church ground, 4.30 p.m.

St Anthony cup soccer: UC Utorda v. Guirdolim SC, Colva ground, 4.30 p.m.

Baida soccer: Sucaldem A v.

Palvem, Sucaldem Youth Club ground Chinchinim, 4.30 p.m.

Frank Pires memorial football

PANJIM: The 6th Frank Pires memorial football organised by Siridao SC will start on May 2 at Siridao church ground. In all 16 teams are participating. Rs. 15,000 and Rs 10,000 will be awarded.

lessly for Sangolda but were unable to find the net. Nagoa also kept attacking and a good try

by Pramod was saved by Washington.

Nagoa thus claimed the double honours defeating Sangolda once again in the finals to win Rs 30,000 while Sangolda had to settle for the runners-up prize of Rs 20,000 besides the trophies.

Agnelo Fernandes, MLA, Fermino Fernandes, Candolim Sarpanch and Bardez GFA Executive Committee members gave away the prizes.

Individual prizes: Best goalkeeper of finals Fidelis (Nagoa SC). Best defender Gaurish Naik (Nagoa SC). Best forward Rakshak Naik (Sangolda). Best half Clifford Cardozo (Sangolda).

Earlier, the president of United Club of Nerul Michael Mascarenhas introduced the guests. Bruno D'Souza compered. Later he proposed the vote of thanks.

St. Rock started promisingly with Naveen Mendes unleashing a snap which enabled them to take a 1-0 first half lead.

Seby Fernandes netted the equaliser for Cuncolim connecting a Dinesh Naik cross.

Sesa FA too good for GUSA HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, MAY 1

Sesa Football Academy trounced Goa United Sports Academy 41 in U-18 First Division League at Poriat ground, here, Sunday.

All goals came in the first session.

Sesa took the lead in the 10th minute through a power-packed shot by Mario Lobo.

Goa United conceded another goal through a defensive lapse in the 14th minute with Olwin Cardozo being the scorer.

Goa United did not give up and came back strongly to reduce the margin in the 28th minute through Shekar Maruti. However, Goa United conceded another goal through a penalty converted

by Merwyn Borges in the 38th minute.

Ester Mendes made it 4-1 for Sesa during the add-on time.

Salgaocar hold Dempo goalless HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, MAY 1

Salgaocar Sports Club and Dempo Sports Club Juniors played out a goalless draw in GFA’s U-18 1st Division at Duler stadium, here, Sunday.

Dempo substitute Kedar Agarwadkar was sent off in the 85th minute for his second bookable offence, after receiving his first yellow in the 75th.

Aniston Fernandes saw his shot being saved early by the Salgaocar custodian. At the other end Sheldon Rodrigues passed to Alewyn Fernandes, but his shot from distance was wide off the Dempo goal.

On the half hour mark, Salgaocar’s Godfrey Silva hit the

crossbar from two yards out after receiving a good cross from Lainejan Singh.

Five minutes later, Salgaocar’s James Fernandes crossed from the left, but this time the Dempo custodian did well to save Godfrey’s shot.

Changing over, both teams continued to push forward for a goal, but with little luck. The Dempo custodian did well to save attempts from Godfrey and Alewyn.

At Tilak Maidan, Vasco, Sporting Clube de Goa defeated Churchill Brothers 3-0, and a penalty from Alseh Sawant gave Brasil Futebol Academia a 1-0 victory over Betalbatim Sports Club.

Davorlim trounce Rossman Cruz HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, MAY1

Davorlim Sports Club trounced RossmanCruz Sports Club, Nagoa 5-0 to move into the quarter-final of 17th Sao Jose de Areal Villagers Cup inter-village football tournament organised by Sao Jose de Areal Sports

QP Rangers in Premier League LONDON: Queens Park Rangers defeated Watford to clinch the Championship title and end a 15-year absence from the Premier League.

Adel Taarabt, the Championship's player of the year, struck with 14 minutes left, t u c k i n g h o m e To m m y Smith's cross with a firsttime finish.

And Smith, a former Watford player, put the seal on victory with a low strike in injury-time, sparking scenes of celebration in the away dug-out.

Club at Padribhat grounds Sao Jose de Areal on Sunday. Davorlim led 2-0 at half time.

Davorlim dominated the proceedings, keeping the rivals on their toes and the Nagoa defence crumbled under slightest pressure from the Davorlim forwards.

Venson Figureido put his team into the lead in the 7th minute. He then went on to double the lead.

Rosebud Gomes increased the tally with a stiff grounder and Bonnie Niasso made it 4-0 when he outwitted a couple of defenders and placed the ball to

Colva’s Brian for Celtic selection camp HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, May 1

Brian Rodrigues (Infant Jesus HS, Goa) has been among the 22 selected for Celtic FC on the basis of his performance at Mahindra Youth Football Challenge championship held in Bangalore.

Brian will attend the 4-day special coaching clinic to be conducted by coaches from Celtic Football Club at Bal Gangadhar International Residency School, Bangalore from May 1 to 4.

The clinic will be conducted

by Greig Robertson, Youth Acad-

emy coach, Celtic FC, Stephen Frail, Youth Academy head coach, Celtic FC, Ian Coll, head, Sports Science (Youth Academy), Celtic FC and Robert Glen, Youth Academy goalkeeping coach.

Following the clinic two to four players will be picked up to travel and train at Celtic Football Club in Scotland for ten days.

Sukantanagar Vidhya Niketan, Kolkatta, the champions,have the highest representation with 11 players. Runner-up Govt.

Sports School, Bangalore have four.

the far corner of the net.

Earlier, Rosman Cruz had an opportunity to reduce the margin when the referee awarded a penalty kick but Anthony Fernandes shot it wide.

Rosebud completed the rout when he beat the rival goalkeeper with a snap shot.

Cavelossim up HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, MAY 1

St Cruz Club of Cavelossim beat 10-man Ambelim 2-1 to enter the quarter-finals of St Anthony Cup soccer at Colva, Sunday.

There was no score at half time.

Neil D’Cruz put Cavelossim into the lead in the 40th minute following a strong ehad whioch beat Benny Silva. A hot-blooded try by Neil was parried by Ambelim keeper and off the rebound Shawn D;Costa tepped in.

Smbelim exerted tremendous pressure and managed to pull one back through Patrick Cardoso in the 55th minute.

Neil D’Cruz was adjudged man-of-the-match.

St. Anthony’s, Ambelim in quarters HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, MAY 1

St. Anthony Sports Club defeated Saligao United 3-2 via the tie-breaker to enter the quarter-finals of 15th Holy Cross inter-village football tournament orgnised by Holy cross Sports Club in memory of Albert J. Fernandes at Vodlemol, Kakoda.

There was no score at full time.

The teams played good, attacking football but could not score as the defenders did not allow the strikers to get into the area.

In the resulting tie-breaker, John Baretto, Clyde Pachecho and Ryan Fernandes were on target for St. Anthony while Alfred Rodrigues and Martino Fernandes scored for Saligao United.

Earlier, Ambelim Sports Club defeated Nuvem Sports Club 76 via the tie-breaker to enter the quarter-finals.

Ambelim took the lead in the 20th minute through Benzy Fernandes.

Nuvem were awarded a penalty kick as Ambelim defender handled the ball in the penalty area and Jose Pango con-

verted it.

In the tie-breaker Ambelim proved to be better shooters scoring through Prenson Fernandes, Richard Fernandes, Maxwin Fernandes, Macron Fernandes and Sensor Fernandes.

N e v i l Fe r n a n d e s , S t a n l e y D’Mello, Cedar Colacco and Jovin D’costa were on target for Nuvem.

SPORTS EPL title race hots up

Pg 15

GOA, Monday, 2 May 2011

Aaron Ramsey of Arsenal shoots past Michael Carrick of Manchester United to score their victory goal at Emirates Stadium, London, on Sunday.

RESULTS Arsenal... 1 Man Utd... 0 Birmingham... 1 Wolves... 1 Liverpool... 3 Newcastle... 0 Man City...2 West Ham...1 SATURDAY Chelsea... 2 Tottenham... 1 AFP LONDON, MAY 1

Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey blew the Premier League title race wide open as his second half goal clinched a 1-0 win over

leaders Manchester United on Sunday.

A victory at the Emirates Stadium would have put United within touching distance of a record 19th league title, but Sir Alex Ferguson's side gave a strangely subdued display and Chelsea can now climb above them into first place if they win next Sunday's crunch clash at Old Trafford.

Second placed Chelsea trail United by just three points and a win in Manchester would leave them favourites to retain the title with only two games to play after next weekend.

United, who have now failed to win at any of their top-six rivals this season, paid the price for their lethargy when Ramsey struck in the 56th minute.

After starting the weekend firmly in control of the title race, United are in severe danger of sur-

rendering the initiative to a resurgent Chelsea, who have won eight of their last nine league games.

With Cesc Fabregas sidelined by a thigh injury suffered in training on Saturday, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger brought Ramsey into the youngest starting eleven of any Premier League club this season. Wenger's side had an average age of 23 but that lack of experience didn't stop them tearing into United.

Earlier on Sunday, Liverpool moved into fifth place with a 30 win over Newcastle at Anfield.

Maxi Rodriguez opened the scoring in the 10th minute when his shot deflected in off Danny Simpson. Dirk Kuyt bagged Liverpool's second goal with a penalty in the 59th minute after Luis Suarez was fouled by Mike Williamson.

Suarez added the third himself six minutes later to lift Liv-

worries for Avram Grant’s team.

Fourth-place City now holds a seven-point advantage over Liverpool in fifth after goals from Nigel de Jong and an own goal from Lars Jacobsen set them on their way.

Demba Ba pulled one back but West Ham slipped to a fifth straight loss and remains bottom of the Premier League, three points adrift of 17th place.

Chelsea kept their title dream alive on Saturday after scrambling a controversial late 2-1 victory over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.

Second-half substitute Salomon Kalou's 89th-minute strike secured a priceless win for the reigning champions. But Chelsea's win owed everything to a bitterly contested equaliser

by Frank Lampard on the stroke of half-time after Sandro had fired Spurs ahead with a 25-yard rocket on 19 minutes.

NSFs to reject proposed National Sports Bill

PORTUGUESE LEAGUE RESULTS SATURDAY Sporting Lisbon 2 (Helder Postiga 20, Pereira 42) Portimonense 1 (Pires 68)

PTI NEW DELHI, MAY 1

FRIDAY Pacos de Ferreira 2 (Olimpio 45+2-pen, Caetano 85) Vitoria Guimaraes 1 (Abdelghani 19)

Schiavone, Sharapova, off the mark AFP MADRID, MAY 1

Francesca Schiavone won her first clay court match of the season here Sunday, the French Open holder defeating China's Peng Shuai 7-5, 7-6 (7/2) to reach the second round of the ATPWTA Madrid Masters.

The Italian third seed was beaten in her clay start this month in Stuttgart by Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska. But with her Roland Garros title defence starting in three weeks, Schiavone thankfully got her game back in track in straight sets in Spain.

Schiavone spent two hours on court at the Caja Magica complex, facing only two break points from her 30th-ranked Chinese opponent who lost a semifinal on green clay in Charleston early in April.

Eighth seed Maria Sharapova got off to a struggling start in her first clay contest of the season, with the three-time grand slam champion coming through for a defeat of Alexandra Rus of the Netherlands 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.

Slovak Daniela Hantuchova advanced over Japan's 40-yearold wonder Kimiko Date-Krumm 6-3, 6-3 while Spain's Arantxa Parra Santonja beat slumping Italian Flavia Pennetta 6-3, 7-5.

erpool above Spurs on goal difference, although Harry Redknapp's team have a game in hand to regain the Europa League qualifying place.

At St Andrew's, 10-man Birmingham boosted their survival bid by holding on for a 1-1 draw against fellow strugglers Wolves.

Alex McLeish's team, who are now four points above the relegation zone, fell behind to Steven Fletcher's seventh minute penalty before Sebastian Larsson equalised in the 27th minute.

Birmingham had Craig Gardner sent off for a second booking after the midfielder was penalised for diving but Wolves, who remain second bottom, were unable to take advantage.

Manchester City grabbed a nervous 2-1 victory over West Ham, strengthening its chances of a Champions League place next season while increasing relegation

Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia poses on the podium after winning against Peter Hoeg Gade of Denmark in their Men’s singles final badminton match during the Yonex-Sunrise India Open Superseries 2011 at Siri Fort Sports Complex in New Delhi on Sunday.

Lee wins Indian Open AFP NEW DELHI, MAY 1

World number one Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia overcame a spirited challenge from Danish ace Peter Gade to clinch the Indian Open Super Series men's singles title on Sunday.

In the women’s singles, Thailand’s unseeded 19-year-old Porntip Buranaprasertsuk pulled off an upset 21-13, 21-16 victory over Korean third seed Youn Joo Bae for her first ever Super Series crown.

Top-seeded Lee was stretched to three games by the world number six before claiming a 21-12, 12-21, 21-15 win in an enthralling title clash at the Siri Fort Sports Complex.

It was Lee's 12th victory in 13 meetings with Gade in Open tournaments and eighth Super Series title overall.

The fierce contest was played out amid a slew of smashes and

fine net play, enthralling a sizeable crowd that had turned up despite no Indian being left in the fray.

Gade, 34, fought back brilliantly in the second game but lost steam in the third after arguing with the chair umpire over a line call just when the match was poised at a knife's edge.

In the men's doubles final, Japanese fourth seeds Hirokatsu Hashimoto and Noriyasu Hirata defeated Indonesians Angga Pratama and Ryan Agung Saputra 21-17 21-09.

In the women's doubles final, Japanese top seeds Miyuki Maeda and Satoko Suetsuna beat compatriots Mizuki Fujii and Reika Kakiiwa 26-24, 21-15.

The mixed doubles, an all-Indonesia affair, saw Tantowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir defeat Fran Kurniawan and Pia Zebadiah Bernadeth 21-18, 23-21 in the final.

A grim battle between the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the government is on cards with the National Sports Federations (NSFs) today deciding to reject the National Sports Development Bill, the draft of which has been prepared by the Sports Ministry.

The representatives of the NSFs are scheduled to meet sports ministry's special committee tomorrow to discuss the legislation, for which opinions and suggestions were taken from various stake-holders and public.

Senior lawyer R K Anand will represent the IOA in tomorrow's meeting.

The officials of 25 out of the 34 NSFs met here today ahead of the meeting with the ministry, and decided to reject the proposed legislation, saying it is actually an effort by the government to overtake the sports bodies in the country.

Vijay Kumar Malhotra, interim president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), addressed the press after the meeting.

"The Bill has been formulated in such a way that the govern-

ment wants to take 100 per cent control of sports at every level.

We are going to out rightly reject the Bill tomorrow. We will put forward our views to the government," Malhotra, who is also president of the Archery Association of India, said.

Malhotra though added that the NSFs don't want any confrontation with the government.

"All the National Sports Federations present in today's meeting resolved to defend the autonomy of sports federations.”

"Most of the federations were forced/compelled to accept the draconian guidelines and is being forced to accept the sports bill," he said.

"The federations have already accepted the principle of transparency, fair elections, CAG audit, number of players in the management of federation as per institutional guidelines etc. The federations are also prepared to accept any other suggestion of the government, which do not interfere in the autonomy of national federations, he added.

Malhotra further said that they will meet the Prime Minister and the sports minister.

Barca miss chance to close in on Real AFP MADRID, MAY 1

Barcelona missed a glorious chance to close in on the Spanish league title after falling to a shock 2-1 defeat at Real Sociedad on Saturday as their 32match unbeaten league run came to an end.

Pep Guardiola's side could have moved to within one point of a third successive league crown with victory after rivals Real Madrid suffered a surprise 3-2 home loss to Real Zaragoza earlier in the day.

Instead, the champions now need four points from their final four games to retain the title.

Barcelona took the lead through Thiago Alcantra on 29 minutes, but Uruguayan substitute Diego Ifran equalised on 71 minutes and Xabi Prieto converted an 82nd-minute penalty to give strugglers Sociedad a vital win.

It was Barcelona's first away defeat of the season and their first in the league since midSeptember, although they retain their eight-point cushion over Real at the summit.

Real coach Jose Mourinho saw his week go from bad to worse as Madrid fell to strugglers Zaragoza, three days after their 2-0 Champions League semifinal first leg loss to Barcelona.

A brace from Angel Lafita, the first due to a rare howler from goalkeeper Iker Casillas, and a penalty from Gabriel Arenas helped down Madrid, who were reduced to 10 men late on with Ricardo Carvalho sent off for two yellow cards.

Sergio Ramos (62 minutes) and Karim Benzema (85) pulled goals back for the hosts, but Zaragoza held on to move four points clear of the relegation zone.

Milan on brink to secure title AFP ROME, MAY 1

AC Milan need only one more point to secure a 19th league title after a 1-0 victory over Bologna on Sunday put them on the brink of the scudetto crown.

If either Milan avoid defeat away to Roma next week or Inter Milan fail to beat Fiorentina, then the rossoneri will be Serie A champions.

French midfielder Mathieu Flamini scored the only goal of the game early in the first period and then Milan held out comfortably against opponents who lacked ambition.

Milan would already be champions but for Giampaolo Pazzini's two injury time goals on Saturday night to give Inter a 2-1 win at Cesena.

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Pg16

EPL title race hots up Pg 15

Bagan ground Air India Pg 14

GOA, MONDAY, 2 MAY, 2011

SPORTS Contact us on: sports@herald-goa.com

www.oheraldo.in

Taylor stitches win for Royals Deccan Chargers bow to Kings

PTI CHENNAI, MAY 1

Johan Botha (12) but they were still on course at 59/3.

Taylor and Ashok Maneria (29) had some lusty hits mainly off Kartik but the asking rate rose to more than 10 by the end of the 15th over.

The explosive New Zealander then changed the complexion of the game with a flurry of big hits though he was lucky to have survived as Nathan McCullum dropped him when on 31.

Taylor took 16 runs from Kartik in the 16th over with the help of two fours and a six and the asking rate dropped down nine per over.

Rajasthan required 19 from the last two overs but Taylor hit a huge six in the penultimate over to take the game away from Pune. Taylor's younger partner Rahane hit the winning run, a single, to take RR to their third win on the trot.

Chennai Super Kings bowlers displayed lot of discipline at the death to defeat Deccan Chargers by 19 runs in an IPL match at the Chepauk today.

Chasing a stiff target of 166, the defending champions restricted Chargers to 146 for eight in 20 overs despite a flying start by the visitors.

Pint sized Chargers opener Sunny Sohal (56, 30 balls, 6x4, 4x6) initially scared Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men with some clean hitting but once he was gone CSK came back into the match. Credit should be given to CSK as Chargers had raced to 71 for no loss in only 6.4 overs courtesy Sohal.

Dhoni made some smart bowling changes and his bowlers led by Albie Morkel (3/38 and 19 off 6 balls), Doug Bollinger (2/26) and Ravichandran Ashwin (0/23 off 4 overs) bowled well in the final overs as CSK notched up their fifth win eight matches and are now fourth in the points table.

Sohal scored the fastest 50 of this edition when he reached the landmark in 24 deliveries with the help of a flat batted six off Ravichandran Ashwin. Sohal's approach was a bit unorthodox but yielded rich dividends.

When Morkel delivered a well-directed short-ball aimed at his rib-cage, he lost his balance hung his bat to get a four through third man region. But the little man wasn't unperturbed by short stuff as he made room moving towards leg-stump to hit Morkel over extra cover.

Such was Sohal's authority that his senior partner Shikhar Dhawan hadn't even reached double figures when he completed his 50. When Sohal departed trying an ugly reverse sweep to a low full-toss from Shadab Jakati onto his stumps.

Dhawan (19, 27 balls) who is having a lean patch was gone when he tried to hit Jakati over deep mid-wicket but the ball turned enough to castle him.

Skipper Kumar Sangakkara (15, 1x4, 1x6)announced his arrival with a sweetly-timed boundary of Suraj Randiv followed by slog sweep off Jakati that got him six

loss for the franchise in the Indian Premier League after Rajasthan Royals defeated them by six wickets.

"Today's loss was a result of poor fielding. If you drop catches of three of their main batsmen, it's difficult to win matches. Now we are in such a situation where another loss would mean that we are out of the competition. Not a great feeling though," skipper said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

When asked as to why someone like him who was hugely successful with his left-

arm spinners during the World Cup (15 wickets) is not bowling, he answered, "During World Cup, I could only concentrate on my bowling. Now I have to look at other aspects of the team also."

Rajasthan Royals captain Shane Warne said,"Fantastic win for us. Very happy with the way the group came through. We have a good environment in our team. The youngsters can express themselves and are not afraid to ask questions. It has been a great experience with the franchise."

Reminded about Royals' whopping 15 wins out of the 19 matches played here, Warne replied,"It's good that we have won so many games over here and we would like

Rajasthan Royals batsman Ross Taylor plays a shot during the IPL Twenty20 match against Pune Warriors at Swai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur on Sunday.

PTI JAIPUR, MAY 1

Ross Taylor smashed a quickfire unbeaten 47 as Rajasthan Royals thumped Pune Warriors by six wickets in a thrilling encounter to jump to the top of the table in Indian Premier League here today.

Taylor, who was dropped when on 31, smashed four boundaries and two sixes in his 35-ball unbeaten knock and

shared 52 runs with Ajinkya Rahane (15 not out) for the unseparated fifth wicket to chase down the target of 144 with three balls to spare.

At one stage, it looked like Pune would snap their fivematch losing streak with the asking rate rising near 11 by the 16th over but Taylor and Rahane kept their nerves as Rajasthan reached 144 for four in 19.3 overs in the match that went

Pune Warriors: J Ryder st Yagnik b Botha 18, M Pandey c Taylor b Trivedi 30, R Uthappa c Yagnik b Warne 35, Yuvraj Singh run out 7, Harpreet Singh c Rahane b Watson 13, M Manhas c Binny bTrivedi 24, N McCullum not out 11, R Sharma run out 0, M Kartik not out 0.Extras: 5. Total: 143 for 7. Fall of wickets: 1-24, 2-70, 3-91, 4-93, 5-121, 6-134, 7-135. Bowling: J Botha 4-0-23-1, A Menaria 1-0-10-0, S Watson 4-019-1, A Singh 3-0-29-0, S Warne 4-0-31-1, S Trivedi 4-0-28-2.

Rajasthan Royals: S Watson c Uthappa b Thomas 12, R Dravid c and b Sharma 18, J Botha lbw b Sharma 12, A Menaria c Thomas b Sharma 29, R Taylor not out 47, A Rahane not out 15. Extras: 11. Total: 144 for 4. Fall of wickets: 1-29, 2-43, 3-59, 4-92. Bowling: M Kartik 4-0-41-0, A Thomas 4-1-28-1, R Sharma 4-1-13-3, J Taylor 3.3-0-22-0, Yuvraj Singh 1-0-9-0, N McCullum 3-0-22-0. Man-ofthe-match: R Taylor.

down the wire.

With the victory today, Rajasthan Royals have won 15 of their 19 matches they had played at Sawai Man Singh Stadium in the IPL so far.

They are now on top of IPL table with 11 points from nine matches ahead of Kolkata Knight Riders (10 points from eight matches) and Mumbai Indians (10 from seven).

For Pune, who dropped three catches in the match, leg-spinner Rahul Sharma took three for 13 while Alfonso Thomas got one wicket. Left-arm spinner Murali Kartik went wicketless for 41 runs from his four overs.

Chasing 144 for a win, the RR openers Shane Watson (12) and Rahul Dravid (18) did not contribute much and that gave Pune a chance before Taylor and Rahane took the game away.

Pune started their bowling

Mumbai eye victory PTI MUMBAI, MAY 1

Smarting from their morale-shattering seven-wicket loss against Rajasthan Royals, Mumbai Indians would look to put behind their disappointment and train their guns on a struggling Kings XI Punjab to return to winning ways in the IPL here tomorrow.

The high-flying Sachin Tendulkar-led Mumbai Indians, one of the strong favourites for the title, were brought down to the terra firma by Shane Warne-inspired Royals two days ago at Jaipur, owing to the visitors' batting flop show.

But the hosts would fancy their chances against Punjab, who were occupying the eighth out of 10 spots on the points table following a comprehensive defeat to league toppers Kolkata Knight Riders last night.

A victory for Mumbai at the Wankhede stadium would put them back on top of the table and also back on track to be-

come one of the earliest teams to book a berth in the fourstrong play-off phase of the tournament starting on May 24.

Mumbai were overtaken on the table by the Kolkata Knights last night on net run rate, though both are level on 10 points apiece and Tendulkar would be galvanising his men to put up a much better show at home.

Tendulkar was simply unstoppable in the first few matches especially after his superb 100 not out against Kochi Tuskers Kerala on April 15 but the senior India batsman’s performance has dipped in the last two games.

With their campaign at the halfway stage in the round-robin stage, Tendulkar would be determined to put the immediate past behind and come up with a match-winning knock and not leave the major part of the work to his team-mates.

The success graph of the Punjab outfit, on the other hand, has gone in a zigzag manner,

on the up one day and sliding down the next.

They have a 50 per cent success rate, their defeat against the Kolkata Knights Riders at the Eden Gardens last night being a dampener especially considering they needed to travel to reach here today and take on the strong Mumbai away from home tomorrow.

The Punjab batting has simply not been up to the mark despite Mumbaikar Paul Valthaty's early heroics and skipper Adam Gilchrist once-in-a-while pyrotechnics.

The visitors' batting had depended too much on these two big-striking openers and Punjab's success depend much upon how the opening duo perform when they are confronted by the in-form Malinga.

Other overseas players, such as Shaun Marsh, Ryan McLaren and David Hussey, need to fire for Punjab to put up a good total or chase well.

Delhi look for repeat show MAY 1 NEW DELHI, MAY 1

After getting a new lease of life in the IPL with a win over Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Delhi Daredevils would now look to assert their supremacy over the new entrants once again when they square off in their return-leg match here tomorrow.

Delhi thrashed the tuskers by 38 runs to move to the seventh position in points table from the bottom while Kochi now stand at nine, just above the laggards Pune Warriors.

Virender Sehwag's men will carry the psychological advantage into tomorrow's game after having beaten them just two days back in their own den but in Twenty20 a single batsman or bowler can change the complexion of the game and Delhi can't take the tuskers lightly.

Delhi's bowlers have done well with Morne Morkel leading from the front and Irfan Pathan also gradually getting his touch back but the poor form of the middle-order batsmen is still a worry for the hosts.

Whenever Sehwag or David

Today’s fixTures

Mumbai Indians v.

King XI Punjab 4 p.m.

Delhi Daredevils v.

Kochi Tuskers Kerala 8 p.m.

Warner has failed to fire at the top, they have struggled to put enough runs on the board.

Venugopal Rao has lost track after some good starts and Naman Ojha is yet to find his feet in the new season.

Foreign recruit Travis Birt, who has played just two

matches so far, has shown that he has the potential and the team would expect him to make some significant contribution tomorrow.

If Sehwag succeeds in repeating his blitzkrieg at the Feroze Shah stadium tomorrow, there is no doubt that Kochi bowlers will be in for another bad day.

Delhi's fortunes would also depend on how Warner, who did extremely well against Kings XI Punjab in an earlier tie, plays against the Kochi pace trio of RP Singh, S Sreesanth and R Vinay Kumar.

RP Singh and Sreesanth so far have been successful in making early inroads and Delhi would be wary of them.

Kochi are definitely not looking the same side that beat top teams, Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders, on the trot after initial couple of losses.

The inconsistency of Brendon McCullum at the top has hurt them the most and skipper Mahela Jayawardene may be inclined to do some resuffle in their batting order.

with Kartik and he could have achieved success in his fourth ball itself but Manish Pandey failed to hold onto a difficult catch and Watson survived.

Watson did not, however, stay long as he was out in the fifth over with Thomas finding his edge with an outswinger for Robin Uthappa to take the catch behind the stumps.

Dravid, who hit two flourishing fours early on, later struggled and was dropped

by Harpreet Singh in sixth over.

But the blunder did not cost Rajasthan Royals dear as Dravid was out in the eighth over with the addition of just four runs to his individual score. The former India captain was caught and bowled by Rahul Sharma in a soft dismissal.

RR lost their third wicket in the 11th over in the form of

AGENCIES JAIPUR, MAY 1

A visibly disappointed Pune Warriors captain Yuvraj Singh blamed it on "poor fielding" which resulted in the sixth

Chennai Super Kings batsman Suresh Raina plays a shot during the IPL Twenty20 match against Deccan Chargers at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday.

runs. Bharat Chipli (17) failed to keep down his flick and became Morkel's first victim.

However, post Sohal's dismissal, the fizz was gone and suddenly the CSK bowlers looked like getting a hang of things.

In his bid to step up the rate, Sangakkara moved towards offstump trying to guide a Doug Bollinger delivery past fine leg but couldn't connect as the ball hit middle stump. After that it was about holding their nerves which CSK bowlers did.

Earlier, a fine half century from Suresh Raina backed by superb slogging by Albie Morkel at the death helped defending champions Chennai Super Kings post commendable 165 for five against Deccan Chargers on a slow Chepauk track.

We lost because of poor fielding: Yuvi

to win the remaining games as well."

Man of the match Ross Taylor said that Ashok Menaria's big hits helped him get the pressure off his back as he went about the finishing job.

"Menaria's sixes took the pressure off me. It's always good to get a Man of the Match award for the franchise.

There is still a long way to go in the competition."

Chennai Super Kings: M Vijay b Ojha 3, M Hussey c Sharma b Harmeet Singh 46, SK Raina c Dhawan b Ojha 59, MS Dhoni st Sangakkara b Ojha 21, JA Morkel run out 19 S Badrinath not out 5, S Anirudha not out 3. Extras: 9. Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-78, 3-136, 4-157, 51 6 2 . B ow l i n g : J P D u m i ny 3-0-21-0, DT Christian 3-0-12-0, I Sharma, 4-0-41-0, PP Ojha 4-026-3, A Mishra 3-0-34-0, Harmeet Singh 3-0-26-1.

Deccan Chargers: S Sohal b Jakati 56, S Dhawan b Jakati 19, B Chipli c Jakati b Morkel 17, KC Sangakkara b Bollinger 15, CL White c sub (F du Plessis) b Morkel 13, JP Duminy c Hussey b Morkel 17, DT Christian run out (Dhoni) 1, A Mishra c & b Bollinger 2, I Sharma not out 1. Extras: 5. Total: 146 for 8. Fall of wickets: 71-1, 90-2, 110-3, 121-4, 137-5, 143-6, 143-7, 146-8. Bowling: Morkel 4-0-38-3, Bollinger 4-0-262, Ashwin 4-0-23-0, Randiv 4-0-340 , Ja k a t i 4-0-23-2.

Man-of-the-match: A Morkel

AND HOMES panjim, monday, may 2, 2011

Sinking Sands

The lifting of ban on sand mining in Maharashtra may provide a window of opportunity to Goa to push its case for allowing regulated sand extraction.

However, over exploitation of sand can mean doom for the geographically small state and hence alternatives such as sand dust need to be explored. Policy makers have therefore to tread the fine line to sustain people’s livelihood and balance development with environment sustainability, argues L.P. Fernandes

E

nvironment Minister Jairam Ramesh’s declaration in Mumbai recently, that ban on sand mining in Maharashtra would be lifted comes as a welcome relief to the construction industry in Goa, which has been facing shortage of sand since January 2011. Sand mining ban will be lifted in two districts of Maharashtra,— Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg following the state government’s plea that the ban is affecting infrastructure projects and affordable housing.

The two year administrative moratorium on sand extraction comes on the heels of an order by Bombay High Court which stated that extraction of sand all over Maharashtra had become a serious issue, causing environmental degradation and damage to river beds, thereby causing a serious threat of flood or diversion of water flow.

Ramesh clarified that for the areas falling in the coastal regulation zone (CRZ), the corresponding green laws had to be followed, and all violations had to be dealt in an intelligent manner. The moratorium has however been lifted for non–coastal regulation zone areas in Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts, reports IANS. In Goa, the issue of ban on sand mining has serious development as well as environmental consequences.

It has just crossed the threshold of 50% urbanity and is in a phase of transition from a rural agriculture based economy to a service oriented economy. A Service economy would require housing, hotel and tourism related projects. The question therefore is how will the people of Goa and the government chart the course of development and determine their future, while keeping intact its culture, identity and livelihood.

A large business class and work force depend on the construction industry. Understandably, Goa has gone slow on the sand mining ban. However, ban on the sale of sand from Karnataka and Maharashtra has pushed up the price of sand considerably and slowed down work on major housing projects. “Most builders are facing problems in execution of projects due to the short supply of sand. Presently, our supply comes only from Pernem taluka. Work on our projects has slowed down,” said a prominent city builder, who is executing an upmarket project around the city of Panjim. “Our sand requirement is two or three trucks of five cubic metres. We are unable to get this supply,” he stated.

Vinod Shetya of Commonwealth Developers, Margao says that they too faced shortage of sand while executing their projects. “Presently, there is no supply from Karwar due to the ban on sale of sand outside Karnataka by that Government. So, we have to depend on supply from Goa. Sand from Karwar was available to us at Rs 600 per cubic metre. Now, the prices have shot up to Rs 800 to Rs 900 for sand extracted from salt water. Sand coming from Ramnagar is priced around Rs 1000 since it is extracted from fresh water source.” Our requirement is around 20-30 cubic metres of 8 – 10 cubic metre trucks.

However, due to the shortage and sudden spurt in demand of sand, illegal sand mining has cropped up in many places along river banks.

Shekar Amonkar of Milroc Developers, Panaji stated “Our sand requirement is around seven to eight trucks of seven cubic metre capacity. But so far we have not faced any problems.”

Umesh Gaonkar a supplier from Revora, Colvale is unaware of any intended ban. He apprehends that if such a ban is implemented it will have serious repercussions on his livelihood. “Almost all villagers in Kerim are dependent on sand mining business.

Since the government cannot give jobs to these people, they should find a way out if the government implements the ban on sand mining,” Gaonkar suggests. “Most of the 50-odd people who hold licences

G C M Y K G

for sand mining are from Goa. Around 500 canoes are engaged in this activity. The labour is overwhelm-

everyone’s greed.” And that all stakeholders should be involved in decision-making of the precious bio-

Over exploitation of this precious resource can have serious environmental consequences, including the intrusion of salinity content in portable ground water. Strict regulation of sand mining is required along with exploration of other alternatives.

challenge to policy makers. Given the demands of the thriving construction industry in Goa, the dependence of persons on sand extraction, transportation and related economy surrounding the business, the Government of Goa has to walk the fine line.

The official line of the Goa administration and related departments seems to be based on technicalities.

Joint Secretary & Director of Department of Science, Technology and Environment Michael D’Souza said that in Goa sand was not extracted along the beaches. Instead, it is done from the estuaries. The CRZ notification of 2011 issued in January, has now includes water under CRZ. The technical interpretation now makes the CRZ from one bank of the river to the other, so not only will sand mining not be allowed but even dredging of the river. Our Minister Alex Sequeira has sought a clarification from the Centre on this technical interpretation. When a report in the local media was brought to his notice that Union Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) has turned down Goa’s request to exempt sand mining activity from the purview of Coastal Regulation zone (CRZ) violations he asserted that they were still awaiting clarifications.

D’Souza’s stated that the rules could not be changed solely for Goa since sand mining goes on in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa. Sand extraction from estuaries has been banned totally in Maharashtra, Andhra, Kerala The Gujarat Government had banned supply of sand outside the state since Gujarat sold sand to Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala and even overseas, to Mauritius, through Mumbai-based traders. The state government’s ban order had come following complaints from NGOs and environmental groups alleging that the sieving of sand from riverbeds were creating deep cavities inside the river, turning its water saline and affecting the environment within the river adversely. They also said the river’s saline water also affected the fertility of farms around it.

Sand mining in Gujarat is a huge business with an

annual turnover of more than Rs 500 crore across the state. Over 3,500 truckloads of sand was being transported outside the state daily before the ban was imposed. In Kerala, sand mining spots have been identified and are regulated under the Kerala Riverbank Protection and Sand-mining Act, and monitored by the tehsildar. Only recognised workers having the labour card are allowed to indulge in extraction of sand, and the panchayat committees monitor the work to prevent unauthorised mining and environmental damage, as directed by the District Collector.

Only Country boats registered with the respective gram panchayat are allowed to carry the sand and vehicles are not be allowed entry into the riverbanks.

Over exploitation of this precious resource can have serious environmental consequences, including the intrusion of salinity content in portable ground water. Strict regulation of sand mining is required along with exploration of other alternatives. Consulting Engineer and Government approved Valuer Ravindra Palyekar states that in Goa, Nanu Developers were credited with using what was called as “Nanu Sand” – where ‘mettle’ used for road construction and concrete mixture was ground into fine powder called sand dust and used as a substitute for sand.

They have been using this for over a year now. It must also be kept in mind that construction activity cannot go on in Goa, unabated. The construction of huge apartment blocks in villages has to be regulated by law. Strict regulation should be done on purchase of second homes in the state by the filthy rich. Purchase of vast tracts of land to set up “cities” by big corporate houses and developers from outside the state should be totally banned. All these regulations have to be incorporated into the legislation for Special Status for Goa. This is especially critical since Goa is a small state in terms of geographical parameters. Therefore, all policy guidelines and regulations have to be strictly implemented whether they pertain to sand, coastal land, water or any natural resource.

HE ingly migrant labour,” Gaonkar confirms.

When asked about the exorbitant rate of sand per truck, Gaonkar asserts that he charges Rs 400 per cubic metre, so a truck of five cubic metre capacity would cost Rs 2000.

The Environment Protection Act, 1986 and the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 1991 issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forests is intended to draw a line between short term benefits which result from overexploitation of the environement and inter generational equity, which consists in sustaining the earth for future generations. Over 14 years of its implementation, the Ministry received representations from diverse interest groups pointing out the inadequacies of the notification from the point of view of both conservation as well as sustainable livelihoods. Hence, in 2004, the Centre appointed an expert committee under the Chairmanship of Prof. M.S. Swaminathan in July, 2004 to review the then existing CRZ Notification. The Committee has evolved 12 basic guiding principles to govern future decisions on coastal zone management of which a few were very important, viz : (1) Ecological and cultural security, livelihood security and national security should be the cornerstones of an integrated coastal zone management policy.

(2) Coastal policy and regulations should be guided by the principles of social equity as well as intragenerational and inter-generational equity, (i.e., the interests of future generations). Interestingly, the report carried a quote of Mahatma Gandhi’s dictum, “Nature provides for everyone’s needs, but not for

logical wealth of the country, which is a common heritage.

(3) The Report also recommends that a precautionary approach should be used where t h e re a re p o t e n t i a l threats of serious or irreversible damage to ecologically fragile critical coastal systems and to living aquatic resources. Scientific uncertainty should not be used as an institution for the unsustainable exploitation of coastal resources - both living and non-living as well as to prevent environmental degradation, injustice, and harm.

(4) Most importantly, the report states that short term commercial interests should not be allowed to undermine the ecological security of our coastal areas.

Manoeuvring development and environmental sustainability is a tough

G C M Y K G

G C M Y K G

2 O HERALD O

AND HOMES

panjim, monday, may 2, 2011

Financial worries of the Real Estate Industry Informal sale of such dwellings to interested parties, and once again migrating to other cities to be on a BPL list, are tactics advised by those waiting to grab land cheaply….

A

round Budget time in February this year, we had discussed the serious problem faced by the Real Estate Industry, particularly in undertaking Construction Projects. In barely two months our apprehensions have come menacingly true.

Major construction projects which suffered slowing down or almost ceasing of credit flow from Banks, after the RBI guidelines, have had to borrow expensively from private money lenders.

Those with better wherewithal are lucky to find Private Equity lenders who charge rates within the norms for NBFC. What is worrying, however, is the increasing number of cases of sale of primary or developed land held by these firms as assets for future development. Such distress sales indicate a state of utter despair, and it is not difficult to predict that land prices will fluctuate much in the coming days.

In sum, the higher cost of alternative funds and the pressure from the Banks would lead to a downward trend in the profitability of the Real Estate firms. Accumulated inventory of Premium houses/ flats is already burdening the industry. In such circumstances, it would have been more prudent for the Builders to reduce the inventory burden by generating demands for Second home/Investment homes in this segment, through properly tailored schemes, instead of going in for expensive NBFC loans.

Since NBFCs themselves are also regulated by the RBI, they are bound to follow the Banks’ example to recall doubtful loans sooner than later.

In this context, it is appropriate that we recall an earlier discussion on Mutual funds, designed specifically for the Real Estate Industry. There is enough untapped savings available with the emerging lower middle class to put into Systematic investment instruments. Such savings are mostly outside the conventional banking system and are circulating in the non-formal sector. Similarly, the marginally poor can be persuaded to invest in schemes directly linked to their need for housing. The traditional approach to BPL housing also needs a re-thinking. Whatever assistance the Government has been extending to this segment of the population has been resulting in the beneficiaries discarding these houses on the ground of being too small for a family. Informal sale of such dwellings to interested parties, and once again migrating to other cities to be on a BPL list, are tactics advised by those waiting to grab land cheaply. Inadequate sanitary and other amenities in these Residential areas, is another reason for the property changing hands.

Most importantly, unless the beneficiary has exerted himself significantly to create the asset, there is no personal stake in maintaining it. Most projects exclusively funded by the Government are in bad maintenance for this reason. Thus, it makes sense to create schemes for the poor to save for their housing, and build reasonably good housing units for them through a balanced contribution from the sides. This will discourage the tendency to sell the free gift from Government and repeat the cycle of migration - free housing and again migration.

It is human nature to make progress as time moves forward.

Children from BPL families, when they grow up and get educated, would prefer the anonymity of the big cities to the miserable existence in slum like housing in the villages. This segment, if assisted with matching contributions from Government, would gladly opt for the standard LIG type housing and would be willing to invest their part of the contribution. Government also will have to ensure that the subsidized housing does not get cornered

Children from BPL families, when they grow up and get educated, would prefer the anonymity of big cities to the miserable existence in slum-like housing in villages. This segment, if assisted with matching contributions from Government, would gladly opt for th e standard LIG type housing and would be willing to invest their part of the contribution. The schemes can be implemented by all major builders acting as agents of the State Housing Boards. The Boards, in turn, can co-ordinate the Government assistance and the beneficiaries’ contribution to the scheme and pay the constructing agencies on the basis of work actually done.

by the well to do. The schemes can be implemented by all major builders acting as agents of the State Housing Boards. The Boards, in turn, can co-ordinate the Government assistance and the beneficiaries’ contribution to the scheme and pay the constructing agencies on the basis of work actually done.

It is in the context of finding the initial capital for these projects that there would be some initial hiccups. While the Banks may have reservations with regard to the Real Estate Companies, they need not have such concern in lending to the State Housing Boards, which can borrow on the State’s guarantee and a counter guarantee by the Centre.

Desperate steps like selling spare FSI on existing Buildings, sale of transferable development rights etc, while serving immediate cash need, will have adverse impact on the market image of the seller. Similar will be the result of selling off land held as asset, if sold in whole lots. Sale of developed plots to individual buyers as part of a development scheme stands on a different footing altogether.

The case for lowering the minimum investment level in Real Estate Mutual funds is very strong. If private sector Mutual Funds are not keen on doing so, Unit Trust of India must step into this vacuum and help the small investors benefit from the market and also help the State Housing Boards to take up major Housing Projects in the Priority segment It is also time for the large landholders in the Public Sector, like the Railways, Cantonments, Communidades of Goa etc. to plan major Housing and other development Projects which can benefit from Mutual fund investment and can meet the needs of their constituents. Major Temple trusts, Confrarias of the churches, Waqf Boards etc can also join in this effort and create avenues for recurring revenue. Properties created by these bodies should not be sold, but leased for recurring rental revenue.

There is immense potential in these Projects to address the needs of the community and also to ensure viable survival of these important institutions. Once commercial interests step in and fill this vacuum, the institutions will find no takers for their projects and even small plots. Time is of essence in this matter and delays can be costly.

It is not in the interest of the Government to let the Real estate Business suffer from want of funds or to survive on mercy of Private lenders who seek to capitalize on the misery of the industry. The downward spiral of high cost-low profit-low turn over- lower profit is threatening to swallow the industry. The industry is one of the largest employers of skilled manpower in the country. Its healthy survival is vital for the economy.

HE

The author C S Radhakrishnan, former Deputy Director of Accounts in the State Government, is also a career Counsel.

Queries or comments on this article may be sent to: aarkay@herald.com

The simplicity of good architecture

G

ods, kings and people are all served by the art of architecture.

This is a kind of ‘servitude’ (for lack of a better word), and this ‘servitude,’ more than often generates grandiose gestures to fulfill architecture’s calling to be dedicated to its masters.

But there are also more sensitive, subtler works where a discreet sense of humility is manifested.

This humility and modesty are the quintessence of simplicity.

Simplicity shuns wasteful indulgence.

It projects a minimalist less is more doctrine with the rigor and passion that exhibits an architecture embellished with a naivety in both its material and styling, distracting us from the assaults of conven-

Shiv Temple - the tree walled and sky roofed ‘mandapa’ to the ‘garbagriha’

Shiv Temple - with a new distinctiveness Shiv Temple - on the traditional axis

Shiv Temple - characteristic of simplicity

tional conditioning of an architecture that is cluttered and excessive with a multiplicity of narratives - the accepted aesthetic of our present times.

The Shiv Temple, at Wadeshwar near Pune, makes this, its characteristic.

Worked in dialogue with the priest and the people of the village, this temple is a collaborative effort in design by the architect who offered services without charge and in the construcShiv Temple - a distillation of the tion by the historic temple form

Shiv Temple - lighting the inner sanctum

Shiv Temple - amphitheatre for the multi-use

Shiv Temple - a subtracted aesthetic for our present times

Shiv Temple - re-interpreting formal traditions

vilagers who undertook the labor works themselves, invoking the spirit of ‘shramdaan’ - building by self.

The temple uses the local basaltic stone as its primary building block because of its free availability from a stone quarry nearby.

Stripped off all the traditional ornamentations to avoid the need for skilled labor and to keep the material costs within the limited budget and resources available, the simplicity of its shape is clear as a distillation of the historic temple form that is evoked here only by silhouette of its ‘shikhara’, without any motifs of the traditional façade and retaining only the symbolic, while sieving out the decorative.

Central to the concept is in making most of the site by a re-interpretation of the built form, where the surrounding landscape is used to maximum advantage, playing a vital role in the functioning of the temple.

Typically a temple would include an inner sanctum - the garbagriha, here the deity is kept and a pillared

hall - the mandapa in front, where people sit and pray.

In this setting with the heavy foliage of trees, overlooking the Andhra lake, the design uses nature’s own spectacular enclosure as the mandapa, described as “a room, with the trees becoming walls and the sky becoming its roof ”.

Religious iconography in the form of statues of Lord Shiva’s bull - Nandi and Lord Vishnu’s avatar Kurma (the tortoise) become revered installations in the natural setting of this metaphoric sky roofed ‘mandapa’.

This not only reduced the scale of the build, but architecturally rendered the shikhara even more special, allowing it to sit, uncluttered with “a sense of scared isolation and solitary elegance”.

On its top, in the traditional position, marking this place as sacred, sits the ‘kalash’ cast from ‘ashtadhaatu’ – an amalgam of eight different metals (gold, silver, copper, zinc, lead, tin, iron and mercury)

held in frame which also anchors a skylight to allow light to penetrate the inner sanctum.

“The focus is to challenge the formal tradition of various typologies that we encounter, through a re-interpretation of program & building/design processes in the context of contemporary culture in India.

Our approach usually is to take apart the typology to see what it is perceived to be and what actually constitutes its ‘essence’…a kind of deeper reading of project type and its context.

We then rework the formal nature around this core idea, whether programmatic or spatial or both.

We constantly investigate a number of ideas that attempt to address one or more project characteristics and zero in on a final solution through a process of elimination of ideas.

We do this going back and forth, in the search of what we agree upon to be the most appropriate solution” - Sameep Padora, architect of Shiv Temple, Wadeshwar With nature playing its part, views to the temple structure seem like hidden in the woods and a path marked in-between white oak trees, leads towards low stone walls that line out the sky mandapa and directs the visitor onto the traditional East-West axis on which lies the garbagriha, adhering to the traditional planning logic of our religious buildings.

Stepped seating using the contoured topography forms an amphitheatre on the southern edge of the East-West axis, transforms the purely religious space for socio-cultural use during village gatherings.

Entry to the sanctum, an immensely important but a very subdued entity in Temple Architecture, is exaggerated here as a distinctive threshold space which is the only sign that this is a new Temple, exhibiting as it does a very minimal aesthetic, lined in timber and framed in stainless steel.

Basically a threshold device like the modern porch, it is made purposefully low so people bow their heads upon entry.

The relationship between the two elements – the bare stone shikhara and the contemporary threshold implies a history by the stone’s natural patina seeming to confer age, as if the temple always existed here and the new looking threshold suggesting an adaptation of an old temple for the present times.

While respectfully reducing traditional motifs to only those that are integral for the essence of a Temple, this is a successful work that prophesies an idealism in the simplicity of good architecture, anchored firmly to history and context.

HE

——————————— The author is a practicing architect based in Carambolim, Goa. jim.manjooran@gmail.com

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panjim, monday, may 2, 2011

Looks can be deceptive Some great ideas on how to ward off paying more that the worth of the granite or marble slab you buy.

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id you know that marble slabs used for giving the final touches to your house under construction must be a stone which is hard, sound, dense, and homogeneous with crystalline texture? Ideally, it ought to be uniform in color, free from stains, cracks, decay and weathering. But most of us, consumers, eager to finish their house construction are not aware of these facets. It is imperative therefore that you ascertain the following to ensure that you make a good buy:

Hou ses on

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alk down the shore of Palolem beach in tres. All huts have facility of attached bath and toilet, South Goa and you’ll be treated to colourful with 24 hours running water. Equipped with a double quaint little wooden huts on stilts. “We built bed, table, two chairs and a small closet, the rates of this kind of shelters because the area falls under CRZ these huts at this time of the year is around Rs.400. where no permanent houses can be constructed. We Maintenance expenditure for these houses is minihave a license to operate these for eight months, mum; such huts only need a fresh coat of paint every after which we dismantle them,” says Tony who owns year. Complete refurbishing is done once in seven to 13 such huts along the shoreline. “Typically, the plateight years when damp plyform of a hut is made from planks cut from mango wood and planks are trees and its walls are of plywood. I’ve bought changed and weaved bamthese materials from Chauri,” he boo mats replaced with adds. “Stilt huts are very fresh ones. popular with The evolution of stilt foreign huts at Palolem is artourists. guably contributed by They simply an English backpacker love them bewho visited the vilcause of their lage in the early Mangalore tiles attached on wooden beams uniqueness,” 1990s. Accommosays Riyaz dation at that time sound produced by spinning fan against weaved bamAhmed, manager was scarce and the boo mat roof gives a lulling effect that is absolutely of Utopian Village adventurer who relaxing,” says Peter Wood from England. Today, one - a hotel complex happened to be can see such huts dotting the northern beach shores comprising of six a carpenter by of Mandrem and Ashvem. stilt hutments. profession Stilt houses are extremely popular in South East The material needed to build a stilt hut are thick tree trunks that constitute e’ the four main posts, beVillag topian ‘U e sides partly cut tree h ut at t trunks or strong A h branches as supporting posts. All posts are buried three to four feet into the earth. Once this is done, the flooring or the platform of the house is constructed using wooden planks. These planks are nailed to the posts. Then, the skeletal of the walls and roof of the house is constructed by using wooden beams. Plywood is nailed to the wooden beams to constitute the walls of the house. The last step consists of laying Mangalore tiles on the beams to form the roof. Some huts also use weaved bamboo mats for the roofs. These huts are constructed Asia (Indonesia, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, e’ by labourers from Karnataka under the guidance Villag Philippines and North East India) since these tropical n ia p ‘Uto w a n t e d areas are prone to perpetual floods. Raising a house and supervision of the owners, who over the hut at a f o to stay very close to above the level of the flood helps protection of house years picked up the expertise of constructing rior e inte the sea. Applying his carpentry cables, wiring and plug sockets. It also keeps the rough temporary stilt huts. Some huts are just Th skills, he made a makeshift hut of stilts by half a metre high from the ground level, while some collecting wood and bamboo others are built at a height of even three to four mefrom the neighourhood. Business minds thus saw an opportunity in this kind of an accommodation, thereby constructing similar huts that became an instant hit with foreign tourists. Not only did these huts conformed to the CRZ rules, but were also conducive during high tides. Furthermore, tourists loved the experience of staying on raised platforms, since they could always have a sea view. “Living in a stilt hut is a unique experience, very different from living in a conA hut on stilts nd la belonging to a kok, Thai crete room. The Mirri tribal fam on stilts in Bang es us ho ily in Assam of w ro A

stilt s

family safe from mosquito bites, thus lowering the risk of being victimized by malaria.

The north-eastern state of Assam is famous for such houses. Indigenously called Chang-ghor (changraised platform, ghor-house), stilt houses are a common sight in the foothills of the state. Uneven topography and constant floods are major factors for constructing stilt houses here. Tribal folk such as Mirris, Khasis and Arunachalis build such houses.

A typical tribal house consists of a big rectangular hall with a central kitchen which serves as a social point of interaction among joint family members living there. The tribal family uses the lower part consisting of the open space of the house to rear chickens for eggs and meat, goats for milk and meat and pigs for meat and cleaning up the place.

Unlike Goa, where wooden planks and plywood play major roles in the composition of such houses, bamboo and cane found in abundance in the north east form the basic building block in shelters. Bamboo is widely used for pillars, lintels, floors, roofs, doors and so on. Furthermore, unlike on wood, nut, bolts and nails cannot be used to join bamboos therefore the bamboo frame is constructed by joining other

The evolution of stilt huts at Palolem is arguably contributed by an English backpacker who visited the village in the early 1990s. Accommodation at that time was scarce and the adventurer who happened to be a carpenter by profession wanted to stay very close to the sea. Applying his carpentry skills, he made a makeshift hut on stilts by collecting wood and bamboo from the neighourhood.

Business minds thus saw an opportunity in this kind of an accommodation, thereby constructing similar huts that became an instant hit with foreign tourists. bamboos in various ways. Local experts are called in for such jointing. There are various kinds of bamboos found in the state, each of which is used to serve a particular purpose. There are bamboos for making paper, handicrafts etc. Only a particular type of thickbroad bamboo called Jati is used for construction purpose.

It is believed that the idea for chang-ghor in Assam came from the concept of the machang that refers to a raised bamboo platform used in jungles as watch towers. It is widely believed that in 1829 when the British came to Assam to manage tree plantations, they saw the benefits of the chang-ghor used by the tribal people. They started constructing improvised versions of such houses and called them Chang-bungalows. These massive bungalows built on cement stilts protected them from wild animals, creepy crawlies like leeches and snails, as well as floods. It is said that such houses built on substantial heights also served a psychological purpose, with the white skinned tea estate owners literally living above their labourers and officers.

Plan before you lay the first stone GUNJAN UTRAJA advises planning the entire house construction project in advance to avert inconveniences once the actual work on the project kicks off.

H

ow many of aspiring house owners chalk out a plan before even planning a house design?

Plan in general terms is considered as structural drawings. However, many do not seem to think that it is imperative to work out a detailed strategy on how to go ahead constructing a house.

The truth is that even before house construction commences, there are many steps to be followed.

First, of course, is the architectural drawings, followed by structural drawings and obtaining the necessary approvals from Town and Planning Department or the concerned authorities. Even as this is under way, it is necessary that one ought to work on the budget of the construction, procurement of material and hiring contractor etc From detail estimate you will get the information about all type of materials required for the work and the information about the actual quantity of all the materials required. You can use this knowledge

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to make agreement with the supplier in advance to avoid fluctuation in the market.

If you do not know the estimated quantity of material required to build your home, the contractor

It will also save unnecessary carriage and time.

Detail estimates give specification of material required for the construction, which will help in checking quality of the materials at site.

Needless to say, in most of the home construction projects, money runs out before the home is completed. This happens because the home owners do not have a stage by stage cost estimate. A detailed cost estimate can help you avoid this problem. may charge more amount to do the same work. With the detail estimate sheet you can cross check the quotation provided by the contractor.

With the help of detail estimates you can then arrange the materials according to the needs at site.

This will avoid unnecessary storage of materials, save the wastage of materials and blockage of money.

If all the materials and labor will be arranged according to need, it will help for timely completion of construction work which will save the expenditure spent on storage, watchman etc.

Timely completion means timely occupation of the house.

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1. Check the quality of marble stone and compare the available quality in your area.

2. Check the rates from at least three or four outlets. The rates may vary depending on the quality of stone or size of the slab. Smaller slabs cost less 3. Ascertain that the stone is hard. This can be verified by pressing the stone with some hard object forcibly. In case of weak tone the chips of stone will split from stone slab.

4. Make sure that the stone slab gives clear ringing sound when struck.

DID YOU

?

KNOW

http://www.gharexpert.com

Quaint little makeshift `tourist cottages’ on the beach front, built to overcome CRZ norms, is now becoming popular amongst foreigners, writes ZARINE AHMED.

5. Verify that the stone is free from any stain i.e. deep cut or mark on the surface.

6. Confirm that the stone has uniform color without any spot.

7. Check the thickness of stone pieces and take supply of only those pieces that have the same thickness.

8. Check stone pieces thoroughly because it is generally observed that the shopkeeper place superior pieces on the top of stack and inferior pieces below.

9. Measure the stone by smallest rectangle at the time of payment. The broken piece should not be measured.

10. Make sure that the loading is done in your presence as the labor at the shop may also load inferior or rejected pieces instead of superior pieces of the same size in the vehicle. This is often the case in Goa where many consumers depend on the supplier and leave the loading operations trusting the supplier’s loaders.

Make sure that the loading is done in your presence as the labor at the shop may also load inferior or rejected pieces instead of superior pieces of the same size in the vehicle. This is often the case in Goa where many consumers depend on the supplier and leave the loading operations trusting the supplier’s loaders.

11. Get the pieces of stone laid vertically; not horizontally in the vehicle. If loading is done in horizontally, the stone slab may break during transport.

Before buying granite, it is advisable that the following caution be undertaken: Check patches on surface of discoloration, hairlines, cracks, and deep pin holes on the surface. These signify a weak slab and will cause problems later.

2) Check artificial coloring as it is a huge problem with stones now a days especially the black granite. Stone merchants rub industrial oil on the surface to intensify the color and creates a deep black and rich polish that wears off in a few weeks 3) Verify artificial color by rubbing with cloth dipped in kerosene oil or white petrol. If cloth brings black color then it is a fake color.

4) Also check the back of the slab for circular mark. These are made by kerosene cutter which is used to cut the block of granite slab. This shows that the cutting process is wrong. The granite slab should be water cut having no circular mark on the back of the slab.

Check artificial coloring as it is a huge problem with stones now a days especially the black granite. Stone merchants rub industrial oil on the surface to intensify the color and creates a deep black and rich polish that wears off in a few weeks.

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panjim, monday, may 2, 2011

On buying land belonging to a company It is important to remember that individuals and corporate entities are treated differently under the Transfer of Property Act.

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ast week, we reviewed the care to be taken while purchasing property. Today, let us discuss further on the same topic, but from a different angle. The focus now is on care to be taken if the property being bought is from a Company.

The first thing to be done while purchasing real estate from a company is to check its ownership and history of title, so that there is no future claim after you purchase, from any legal heirs of individual promoters .It is important to remember that individuals and corporate entities are treated differently under the Transfer of Property Act. Similarly, Indian citizens and foreigners are also treated differently in the matter of transfer of Real Estate.

Individual promoter’s assets which are not incorporated as assets of the company cannot be sold in the name of the company, even with the full consent of the promoters since there may be legal heirs having rights over such property.

Find out if the owner is an Indian citizen or a foreigner. If the company is owned by a foreigner, or one of the promoters is a foreigner, the compliance with the rules while registering the company needs to be verified. These include Permission from RBI for the foreigner to invest in the Indian Company, permission under the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA), or permission under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, as the case may be. Similarly, while disposing off the holdings of a foreigner in an Indian Company, a similar set of permissions is required. Failure to comply with these requirements can invalidate the transfer and you will be stuck with a nonenforceable transfer, besides being liable for being a party to an illegal deal.

Clearance from RBI wherever mandatory must have been obtained.

The individuals constituting a company and the corporate entity created by the Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association of the Company stand on different footing. Assets created or acquired by the Company in its corporate capacity can only be disposed off by the company through its authorized representative, and only after following the prescribed procedure such as passing a resolution by the competent authority such as e Board of Directors .The individual promoter cannot sell such property to you.

Similarly, individual promoter’s assets which are not incorporated as assets of the company cannot be sold in the name of the company, even with the full consent of the promoters since there may be legal heirs having rights over such property.

In any case, a company cannot sell what it does not own. Obtain a copy of the Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association and ascertain who is competent to sell the property to you. Enter into transactions only with the competent authority.

If you are buying a plot said to be developed for construction, verify that the permission for development was issued in the name of the company and if any construction license has been obtained, it is also in the name of the said company. Any permission granted in favour of an individual promoter cannot be transferred by the company to you. Publish a notice in all the leading papers of both vernacular and English languages. This notice helps bring out genuine claimaints.

Precautions discussed earlier in the case of buying property from individuals will need to be taken here also, such as verification of title of the seller to sell the property, encumbrances, if any, etc.

As we all know that precaution is better than cure.

HE

‘Corruption has increased with criticisms’ Brian Soares, Chairman of Indian Institute of Architects (Goa Chapter) told EDUARDO RODRIGUES.

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t was a hot sunny day . A perfect Sunday for a beach holiday. Not so for this guy.

Despite the temptations, he preferred the hustle-bustle of electioneering. He was there not just helping a friend but fighting a cause. Yes! This guy I am talking about is actually not a guy.

He is a gentleman. Gentleman architect, who enjoys and aspires for the finer things of life –- living life simple and sweet.

Brian Soares belongs to a bigger spectrum of things. Love.

Living. Fishing. Cycling. Imaging.

Drawing. Creating. Travelling.

As Chairman of the Goa Chapter of the Indian Institute of Architects, Brian sees himself playing the role of facilitator to progress.

A pathway to change. Most importantly, he believes in what he is doing.

“The Indian Institute of Architects (IIA) is there to redress all problems faced by architects.

We face different operational problems. We help in the simplification of day to day operations. The Institute has been involved in the forming of the new building regulations which has reduced a lot of paper work.

The approval procedures have also been simplified”, says Brian who is also the member of the Town and Country Planning Board (TCPB) So are all architect honest, peace loving people? Or, are they the type who likes to live peacefully at the angst of a client? “Not really. There are the good, the bad and ugly everywhere in any profession. And, if you have a grievance against an architect you can go to the Institute with your problems.

Like the medical and the law profession, architecture also comes under the Parliament Act and is governed by the Council of Architecture. “We architects are bound by a code of ethics and cannot violate it. If there is any customer who has a problem, he should come to us or even better go to the council for justice”, opines Brian.

What about Goa? Brian who loves cycling around the villages of Goa suddenly looks with steel eyes. His blue eyes speak of conviction when he says, “Goa is stuck. At the moment we are at the crossroads. The question is to decide which path to take

‘The problem lies at the foot of this activism. A lot of people who are activists do not even understand the subject.’

— the path to progress or stagnate. The way I see it at the moment, progress is being hampered through activism without any thought being given.”

The problem, if one listens to Brian, “lies at the foot of this activism. A lot of people who are activists do not even understand the subject. And thanks to their criticisms corruptions has increased.”

No doubt.

Brian is a creative guy, a creative thinker... heavy in thought, light in living. “Just as you say beauty lies in the eye of the beholder, I think architecture is creative . It helps me express something creative within me”, he admits when asked about his concept of creative architecture.

Travel, hmmm… It’s something many people love to do.

We do it for different reasons.

And one of the reasons for Brian is that it allows him to expand his horizons. To see, to feel, to touch! Such experiences help an architect enhance his vision and Brian thinks this exposure is crucial for students of today.

If you are a Goan or an Indian in the real estate business in the State for the past many years, then there is one name you will not have missed- Lucio Miranda. A renowned architectmusician. Simply, a very nice person to know! And if you think I am bluffing ask Brian.

Brian was Lucio’s protégé and as he says it, “You had to know

‘Goa is stuck. At the moment we are at crossroads. The question is to decide which path to take — the path to progress or stagnation. The way I see it at the moment, progress is being hampered through activism.’ the person, he was to know who he was!”

Brian was fortunate to have travelled a lot. As a kid, he reminisces, he used to go to see his father during the holidays and it was whilst passing through Rome that he was most impressed. “I was going to be either an architect or an engineer.

I plomped for architecture in the end and am very happy”, he says…

So what about our Goan architecture? Sussegado? “No! We have a style,” says Brian. Architecture, according to Brian, “has everything to do with one’s cultural background. We have the monsoons in Goa and that is

why we have our wrap around balconies to shield us from the rains”, avers Brian.

Be it rain or shine, one thing is clear, whatever the situation, nothing stops Brian from an early morning cycle ride absorbing the early morning splendor of Goa.

HE

Power of hollow against solid

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he word ‘hollow’ is usually synonymous to emptiness and wantonness. However, ‘Hollow Concrete Blocks’ with its many advantages has become a true competition to brick or stone masonry. It is a relatively newer component in the field of construction than it’s rivals and has more advantages. It is economical, heat insulating, easy to produce and economical.

The hollowness results in better sound insulation. It also consumes less cement and water and the interiors of the building can be started even if the external plaster is not yet done thus saving construction time as well.

HCBs are available in a variety of colours, styles and textures and it’s finishing is as fine as cut stone. The surface can be

Hollow concrete blocks are economical in construction and ideal for use as partitions. either painted or left natural since plastering is not necessary.

The HCB vendor can make such blocks at construction site (approx.1000 sq m) thus eliminating transportation cost.

Why then HCB has not been able to create a revolution in the construction industry? “If you are thinking about safety and life of the wall, then the brick wall is a better choice than hollow block wall, because the hollow block wall is not as strong as a brick wall.

Others may not agree with me on this but I am telling this from my experience. If it is something temporary or if you want to save expenditure, then you can go with hollow blocks, but it is not advisable to use HCB if it is a per-

manent wall or building because the hollow block is not that strong as a brick wall. May be the brick wall and stone costs much higher and consumes less time in building, but one should think of the safety and the life of the wall and the building as a whole first,” says Anjali Sinha from Sobha Developers.

Contradicting Anjali’s statements is civil engineer Prasanna S from Dasari Builders Pvt Ltd,

“there has always been a reluctance to accept new methods and technologies and so is the case of concrete hollow blocks. Out of the various advantages, the concrete hollow block carries with itself, the main one is the cost factor.

In these days of framed structure, where all the load of a building is taken by columns and beams, the masonry work is only for partition. Hence the concern of safety does not come into point here. However, had it been in the earlier days, where all the walls were load bearing walls, brick would have been opted. But I certainly feel, hollow block masonry is far better than brick masonry in terms of money, time, aesthetics etc.”

Another argument about HCB is that it develops cracks more

easily than stone masonry.

“There is problem of seepage of water through hollow blocks and therefore crack development in plaster is more in hollow blocks masonry than in stone masonry” says civil enginer Jeetendra G. Shinde.

Satish Salpekar, vice president (west), Association of Consulting Civil Engineers (India) says hollow block masonry is not seen much in India because cracks are seen very often in such masonry. “The cracks that appear in hollow block masonry are mostly shrinkage cracks due to differential shrinkage coefficients of the concrete in the hollow block and the mortar used in joinery. Very often people use rich mortar for hollow concrete block masonry, whereas the mortar mix should match with

that of concrete mix of the hollow block. A properly constructed hollow block wall will never crack,” he says.

Supporters of the HCB say that the main reason as to why such masonry is not so popular in India is because of the scarcity of suppliers for such blocks.

“There are very few vendors available. The conventional brick kiln owners are very large in number. Moreover, the production capacity of one vendor is at the most 8000 to 9000 cement blocks per day, which is very little (in fractions) in comparison to huge per day peak demand of any of the big real estate developers. To cater to demand of one big real estate developer, you require at least 6-7 dedicated vendors,” says Salpekar.

HE

Identifying the right contractor for the job

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f you plan to hire a contractor to complete a major home improvement project such as renovating a kitchen or bath or painting the exterior of your home, your first challenge will be choosing and negotiating with a contractor.

This is a daunting prospect, but there are steps you can take to smoothen it in order to get the best price.

1. Ideally, it would be best to be professional and courte-

ous in all your dealings with prospective contractors.

2. Before you ask for proposals from contractors, determine all aspects of your project in detail. Decide exactly what you want the contractor to do including tasks, if any that is incidental to the project (for example, if you want him to remove an old seat before building a new one) and what materials will be used in the project (if you are renovating a kitchen,

select your cabinets, hardware and countertops, including the brands). You may be able to save some money if you take care of some things yourself. For example, if you are having the exterior of your home painted, removing and painting shutters yourself could reduce the cost of the project.

3. To find reputable contractors, ask family and friends for recommendations. Check each contractor’s credentials.

4. Get bids on your project from at least three contractors. Provide a clear description of the project, including, as discussed above, detailed information about services required and materials to be used. Ask for line-itemized bids based on the project specifics so that all the bids are comparable in scope.

Ask the contractors who bid on your project to give you references.

Contact the references and find out about their experiences with the contractor. Ask questions like: Was the project completed on time and on budget? How has the follow up been since completion of the project?

Would you use the contractor again?

5. Request that the bids include the names of the subcontractors who will be used on your project.

Check the credentials and reputations of the subcontractors just as you did the contractor. Require the contractor to notify you first before changing subcontractors.

6. Ask the contractors who

the follow up been since completion of the project? Would you use the contractor again?

7. Ask the contractors you talk to for ideas on how you can save money on the project without sacrificing quality.

Check the credentials and reputations of the subcontractors just as you did for the contractor. bid on your project to give you references. Contact the references and find out about their experiences with the contractor. Ask questions like: Was the project completed on time and on budget? How has

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8. Be flexible on the timing of your project, if possible. If it can be done at a slow time for contractors, you may get a break on the price.

9. You may be able to get a

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better bid from your contractor if you can structure payments to help his cash flow (which for independents can be a significant issue)

while protecting yourself. For example, you might get a price break if you offer to pay subcontractors directly, rather than asking the contractor to put this money out. However, be sure that the contractor has a meaningful amount due on satisfactory completion of the project as an incentive to get the project done on time and as promised.

10. Before you sign a contract, read it carefully. Be sure it spells out the terms and details of the project as discussed with the contractor, including firm start and completion dates and interim completion benchmarks so that you can tell how the project is progressing and whether it is on schedule. The contract should spell out any penalties for both contractor and customer (you) clearly.

HE

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