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Sports: Khel Ratna for Saina Nehwal Pg 18

There can be no real individual freedom in the presence of economic insecurity.

— Chester Bowles

IN BRIEF Landslide at Amboli Ghat Hundreds of vehicles proceeding between Goa and Belgaum were stranded for over three hours due to a major landslide at the Amboli Ghat late Friday evening.

According to sources, the landslide occurred at about 7.30 pm and about 3-km stretch of road was blocked in the difficult Ghat section, about 5 kms from Amboli in Sindhudurg district. However, no casualty was reported.

Sindhudurg police immediately got into the rescue act, while cranes were also pressed into service. Heavy rains and fog made the rescue operations difficult. (HC)

Five CRPF men killed At least five CRPF personnel were killed and 44 others injured, 15 of them seriously, when militants triggered a powerful IED blast at Bhalukbudi in the district today, the second major attack on security forces in Assam this week.

The IED was placed under a staff bus carrying personnel of the CRPF’s 12th battalion `E’ Company to Goalpara town from their Agiya Balijana camp through dense forest at around eight am, District Superintendent of Police Louit Aind said. Four of the victims died on the spot. (PTI)

Two killed in Valley clashes Security forces opened fire to quell stone-pelting protesters as fresh violence today erupted in the Kashmir Valley after days of relative calm, leaving two persons dead and 50 others injured.

Authorities imposed strict restrictions on the movement of people following a call by the separatists to march to Maisuma in the heart of the city in protest against the killing of youths allegedly in firing by security forces. (PTI)

Business: Cashless facility row Pg 13 to be resolved soon

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World: Jennifer Lopez to judge American Idol Pg 11

‘Govt failed to collect Fiona absolves Israeli suspect Rs 200 cr green cess’ HEERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 30

Green cess of more than Rs 200 crore has not been collected by the government, a legislative panel has said.

The estimates committee of 2009-10 on mines department, chaired by Aldona legislator Dayanand Narvekar, has said that it is pained to hear about the lack of revenue accrued to the government from the mining industry.

“The committee d i d n o t g e t

figures of transportation or green cess for movement of minerals to Goa and could not assess revenue collected as per the decision of the government in 2008-09 to levy green cess,” the report says adding ‘…but officially it was stated that the government has not collected green cess of more than Rs 200 crores the in last two years.”

However, it adds, the mineral ore imported in Goa has attracted transportation cess of around 25 to 30 crore every year.

“It is highly objectionable that the government has failed to collect cess for transportation from miners to loading point to export.

Further, the committee ob-

served that there are no details available as yet of the iron ore of non-Goan origin which is moved into Goa sector and thereafter exported through.

The committee also stated that the figure published by the Goa Mineral Ore Exporters Association (GMOEA) for 2008-09 cannot be totally relied upon.

“The committee recommends the government to speed up on bringing up a streamlined mining policy by taking into account all parameters like road safety, environmental concern, revenue collection etc,” the report said.

The committee has also demanded stringent action to control illegal mining in the State.

(Continued on page 10)

ESTIMATE PANEL PROPOSALS l

l

Stringent action to control illegal mining in the State.

l

Proper data should be maintained by inspecting mines Reports should be submitted on mining leases.

l l

SC rejects Sobhraj’s appeal PTI KATHMANDU, JUL 30

Dashing his hopes of freedom, Nepal’s Supreme Court today rejected ‘bikini killer’ Charles Sobhraj’s appeal against conviction in a sensational 1975 murder case of an American woman here and upheld the life term awarded to the wily Indian-origin criminal by the lower courts.

66-year-old Sobhraj was also found guilty by the apex court of possessing a fake passport.

Rejecting the appeal of the international criminal against conviction in the murder of American tourist Connie Jo Bronzich, a two-judge bench comprising Ram Kumar Prasad Shaha and Gauri Dhakal upheld the 20-year life term awarded by the Kathmandu district court and Patan appellate court.

The government should work on a streamlined mining policy by taking into account all parameters like road safety, environmental concern, revenue collection etc

All mining companies be compulsorily be made to put up boards at the mining site clearly providing details.

Goa to have gateway!

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 30

The Goa legislative assembly today resolved building a “Gateway of Goa” at three major check-posts of the state.

In an attempt to promote awareness on Goa’s history, Congress legislator Victoria Fernandes had tabled a private members’ resolution on building a ‘Gateway of Goa’.

Citing that Gateway of India in Mumbai was constructed by Britishers ‘for their own glory’, the only lady legislator said this move in Goa would promote patriotism and nationalism. “This will depict Goa’s freedom’s struggle, satyagrahas and a tribute to all the soldiers and satya-

Mahajan’s wife alleges abuse PTI MUMBAI, JULY 30

Amid high drama, Kolkata-based model Dimpy Ganguly walked out of her four-month-old TV marriage with Rahul Mahajan, accusing him of “punching, kicking and dragging” her by hair only to return home after an apparent patch-up.

Dimpy (22) married Rahul (36) son of late BJP leader Pramod Mahajan, with much fanfare on the Imagine TV reality show “Rahul Dulhaniya Le Jayega” in March this year.

“Rahul beat me up early on Thursday morning after waking me up to know the contents of a message that had beeped on my phone. When I asked him to go back to sleep, he flew into a rage and began hitting me. He punched, kicked and dragged me by the hair,” Dimpy said.

Dimpy showed bruises on her shin and right and left hands.

Her left cheek was also swollen and she had a lump on her head.

The model, who left home

vowing never to return, told reporters that she had had a “conversation” with Rahul, who expressed regret. Dimpy returned to the Mahajan residence in Worli in the afternoon today.

“Rahul has apologised. He regrets his action sincerely. I am sad at what happened,” Dimpy said, adding “I haven’t recovered from what happened.”

“I am extremely upset and hurt,” Dimpy said, adding, “I need some time alone to recover.”

Asked about the future of her marriage, the model said she did not want to comment further and needed time to think things over.

grahis who sacrificed their lives for freedom…It is not about money or expenditure but patriotism,” she said.

She elaborated that the plan, its design in unique architectural set up with necessary facilities can showcase episodes of freedom struggle and post liberation progress prominently at Polem, Molem and Patradevi check posts. “It can be educational and tourist attraction as well with a garden and other appealing assets in the premise,” she said.

The resolution was passed after unanimous consent in the Assembly and Chief Minister Digambar Kamat supporting it as a good concept.

FIONA SPEAKS

Six Goa units hit hard by K’taka ban

Scarlet’s Israeli friend, Shanti, was a nuisance but harmless. He didn’t threaten, misbehave. l Scarlet occasionally drank beer, but to my knowledge never consumed drugs. l She had wide social life with friends inside & outside school. l PSI Nerlon initially tried to cover up case. l The police officer told me first that she drowned. Scarlet was very good in swimming. l

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 30

The Karnataka government’s decision to ban iron ore exports has already adversely affected the running of six pig and sponge iron manufacturing units in Goa. According to a GCCI communiqué, six units — Aparant Iron and Steel Pvt Limited, Sesa Industries Ltd , Shradha Ispat Pvt Ltd, Ambey Metallic Ltd, Goa Sponge & Power Limited and Shritik Ispat Limited, which are using high grade iron ore available in Karnataka as their raw material, face prospects of shutting down if the ban is not lifted.

Banning of movement of heavy vehicles through the Karwar district highway and the subsequent complete ban on export of ore outside the (Continued on page 10)

ON PAGE 5

Barge fraternity shocked

Obama to address joint session PTI NEW DELHI, JULY 30

United States President Barack Obama, who will undertake his first State visit to India in November, is expected to address a joint session of parliament, an honour that his predecessor George W Bush could not have.

Obama is expected to address the joint session on November 9, government sources said here today.

In view of this plan, the winter session of parliament, that usually starts in the second week of November, will be advanced, they said.

Obama, who took over as the US President in January last year, will be undertaking his first State visit to India with an aim of pushing the bilateral ties to new heights.

Fiona Mackeown accompanied by legal counsel Vikram Varma arrives at the Goa Children’s Court on Friday.

Photo by Rozario Estibeiro HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 30

Scarlet’s mother, Fiona Mackeown, today told court that her daughter’s Israeli friend, Shanti, was a nuisance but harmless, although she suspected him to be behind her murder initially.

“When I learnt about passing

away of my daughter, my first suspect was Shanti. But he was harmless,” Mackeown said.

Two-and-half years after her daughter was found dead, the British mother today deposed before the Goa Children’s Court, where she refuted the (Continued on page 10)

Stupid Architect!! With all the details I gave him, I was expecting a simple design of Dona Paula Vasco Sea Link...

GOA

OHERALDO

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GOA, SATURDAY, 31 JULY, 2010

BJP flays Ravi for inaction against corrupt co-op directors HERALD REPRTER PANJIM, JULY 30

The Opposition on Friday scored some more brownie points against Home Minister, Ravi Naik who also holds Co-operation portfolio by effectively demonstrating inaction of Registrar of Co-operatives office and police department against fraudulent directors of certain Urban Co-operative Credit Societies (UCCS).

Pernem MLA, Dayanand Sopte highlighted the issue of eleven UCCS that are facing the risk of losing public deposits totalling Rs 12.95 crore due to financial manipulation of the directors.

During Question Hour on Friday, Pernem MLA demanded to know what has been done to protect interest of the depositors of eleven UCCS. Referring to the case of Curti Khandepar Urban Co-operative Credit Society Ltd, Shiroda MLA, Mahadev Naik pointed out that police have not taken any action against three senior office bearers of the Society.

The directors of the society, Netaji Sambary and Audhoot Kamat whereas manager, Neelima Panandikar are still at large even as FIR was filed against three.

The Chief Minister in its reply stated that administrator has been appointed and police complaint has been filed. But Naik demanded to know what action was taken to get back documents attached when the premises of Kurti Khandepar Urban Co-operative Society Ltd, were sealed on orders of the civil court in 2007 after wife of the ex-chairman filed suit.

Currently, committee of administrators has not been able to conduct day-to-day business due to non-availability of books.

Leader of the Opposition Manohar Parrikar charged that there has been no action from either Registrar’s office nor police since last three years thanks to “political protection” three accused are enjoying.

Shiroda MLA revealed more embarrassing information when he pointed out that one

of the accused, Audhoot Kamat managed to get loan of Rs 5 lakh from Shiroda Urban Co-operative Society even as he faced criminal charges. “See the links,” Parrikar retorted further adding that police have been seating tight on the case due to political pressure.

Doing damage control exercise, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said nobody will be allowed to get away with money of small investors and he would initiate action. He also the assured the House to hold immediate meeting with the registrar of co-operative societies and police to check into allegations levelled by the Opposition members with respect to Kurti-Khandepar Urban Co-operative Credit Society.

The Chief Minister also informed the House that he would look into why registrar of co-operatives who enjoys power to supercede directors of the society in case there is financial mismanagement not exercised powers vested in him when such cases were referred to him.

Doctor rules out negligence at GMC HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 30

The post mortem on Raveena Rodrigues, a 16year-old girl who died in Goa Medical College (GMC) on July 29, a fortnight after she was admitted, was conducted on Friday.

The girl was admitted in GMC after she underwent appendisectomy at a private hospital in Vasco earlier this month.

The girl was apparently brought to GMC when she developed complications while she was undergoing treatment at Vasco hospital but her case was not registered as medico legal case when she was admitted in GMC. The girl’s family had filed a police complaint at Vasco police station yesterday alleging negligence by doctors.

A senior doctor who did not wish to be named, said when any patient is brought to GMC in unconscious state or in critical condition from other hospital, the case has to be registered as medico legal case.

But it was not done in this case because one of the senior most surgeon attached to GMC

who also has "thriving" private practice had operated the girl at the private hospital and as a result, when she was brought to GMC it was not reported as medico legal case, said the source.

After she was shifted to the GMC, her family was informed that she would have to be operated again. When contacted Dr Rajesh Patil, Unit IV head, Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, GMC said patient was brought to GMC as her condition deteriorated.

“Patient was admitted in GMC and was urgently operated by surgeons on duty within one and half hour of admission,” said Dr Patil.

But three days after operation, patient started developing respiratory complications of Artificial Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and was shifted to ICU for the same.

“Her renal and respiratory parameters started worsening. There was no negligence on the part of GMC doctors at any stage.

Inspite of best intensive supportive care given to the patient in the ICU, she expired on July 29, 2010,” said Dr Patil.

Nursing home just service provider to doctors, says Dr Pai HERALD REPORTER VASCO, JULY 30

Refuting the allegations that his nursing home had been negligent in the operation of the 16-year-old girl from Verna, who subsequently died at GMC Hospital, Pai Nursing Home Director Dr Shridhar Pai claimed that his nursing home merely provided facilities for doctors to operate on the girl.

It may be recalled that on Thursday, Raveena Rodrigues died under mysterious circumstances at the Goa Medical College Hospital in Bambolim, prompting family members to lodge a complaint with Vasco Police.

Speaking to media on Friday morning at his office in Vaddem-Vasco, Dr Pai said his nursing home is just a service provider to various doctors,

who seek to admit their patients.

“Similarly, Raveena Ro drigues was admitted in my nursing home by a doctor for appendicitis. We provided our operation theatre, bed felicities, nurses, besides other facilities required in the hospital,” stated Dr Pai. He denied that they were directly involved in the operation of the patient and reiterated that his nursing home had just provided facilities to operate the patient.

“The patient was diagnosed and assisted in the operation by the doctor, who had admitted her, while another doctor from outside had operated on her,” said Dr Pai. He further informed that Raveena was admitted in Pai Nursing Home on July 3 and

was there for six days.

“She was discharged after satisfactory results. However, subsequently after one day, she reported abdominal pain, vomiting and abdominal distension and after considering her health status, she was referred to GMC,” he said.

Va s c o P o l i c e P I B r a z Menezes informed that autopsy was conducted, but the report has been kept pending, as few reports are still awaited.

Doctors, who performed autopsy, have claimed that there is evidence of septicemia.

“As per the government notification, we have asked the GMC dean to form a panel of doctors to conduct the postmortem since complainant has alleged that this case is due to medical negligence,” added PI Menezes.

Court ‘pulls up’ Crime branch, grants bail to Nadia’s brother HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JULY 30

The South Goa Sessions court on Friday literally pulled up the Crime branch while granting an-

ticipatory bail to Nadia Torrado’s brother Konrad in the Nadia death case.

“It seems that the entire investigation was revolving around the main accused and no effort was made to arrest Konrad even though he was regularly attending the police station during about two months nor the recovery was made during interrogations at the instance of the applicant”, Additional Sessions Judge B M Deshpande observed.

Asserting that the need for custodial interrogation of Nadia Torrado’s brother Konrad is not genuine, Judge Deshpande directed the police to release Konrad on bail of Rs 10,000 with one surety in the like amount in the event of his arrest.

The Court also directed the applicant to attend the police station as and when called by the investigating officer and should not tamper with the prosecution witnesses.

Konrad was also told not to leave the State without the prior permission of the court.

In his observation, Judge Deshpande said there is no apprehension that Konrad will abscond and granted him bail saying the need for custodial interrogation is not genuine.

“The prosecution reply clearly shows that Konrad had attended the police station and was interrogated on different occasions and thus there is no justification

given by the Investigating agency as to why suddenly they felt it proper to arrest him when other accused persons have been released on bail”, Judge Deshpande observed.

“The main accused as well as the mother were also arrested and remanded for the purpose of recovery of the same items and now they are enlarged on bail. Therefore, the focus is now shifted on the applicant who was very much available with the IA and was interrogated on various occasions”, the Judge said, adding “there is no reason coming forward in the prosecution reply as to why the applicant was not taken into custody on earlier occasions when he was interrogated on various occasions”.

Aluminium wires stolen HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, JULY 30

Underground aluminium conductor wire worth Rs 40,000 has been stolen from Guirim.

According to Mapusa Police, the Mapusa Electricity department in its complaint stated that some persons have stolen underground aluminum conductor wire of length 1.95 km, which was laid at Guirim.

Police further informed that the incident occurred between July 21 and 28. Mapusa Police have registered the case under Section 379 of Indian Penal Code.

ASI S Yeram is investigating.

House witnesses noisy scenes over water shortage in Porvorim HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 30

The House witnessed noisy scenes over the acute water shortage faced by the residents of Porvorim plateau.

Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Dilip Parulerkar tabled a Private Members’ Resolution in the House demanding the Government to set up 50 MLD Water Treatment Plant next to National Highway at Guirim.

“The setting up of water treatment plant will solve water problem in places of Porvorim, Siolim, Mapusa and Calangute,” he said.

Acknowledging the gravity of the issue, PWD Minister Churchill Alemao told the Assembly that provision of total 50 MLD in Assnora would be ready by 2010 December-end.

This, he said, will raise the capacity to 110 MLD that will cater to entire Bardez populace till 2025.

“To improve the distribution, three overhead reservoirs have been undertaken and is nearing completion,” he said.

Former minister Dayanand Narvekar blamed the non coordination between the power department and water supply for water crisis.

“Water cannot be pumped out due to water failure…there is no coordination…this affects the water supply,” he lamented.

“The PWD minister Churchill Alemao should give a concrete assurance to the people of Porvorim or face agitation,” he said adding “the minister should set a deadline and say that if he fails to meet that he will not enter the assembly again.”

Leader of Opposition Manohar Parrikar too echoed the said problem.

Following this, the resolution was withdrawn even as the minister said it will ask PWD Department for a detailed project report.

Bicholim man held for molesting minor girl HERALD CORRESPONDENT BICHOLIM, JULY 30

Bicholim police on Wednesday arrested a 22-year-old man from Vathadev-Bicholim in connection with the molestation of a minor girl.

According to Bicholim Police, one Jainur Shafikul Khan was arrested on Wednesday night and was remanded to police custody.

According to reports, the eight-year-old victim had gone to answer nature’s call at about 10.30 am in the bushes near her house. Khan, who was her neighbour, seized the opportunity and went after her.

He allegedly kissed the girl and also fondled with her private parts. Later, the accused gave her a 10 rupee note to buy some chocolate and asked her not to disclose about the incident to anyone.

However, after the girl went home, she narrated the incident to her mother, who was startled to hear about the incident.

The victim’s mother waited for her husband to return back in the evening and later registered a case with Bicholim police.

“We immediately arrested the accused and remanded him to police custody. We have registered a molestation case after going through the medical report,” said PSI Ditendra Naik.

Bicholim Police have registered a case under Section 354 IPC and Section 8 of Children’s Act.

GU flayed for ‘sluggish behaviour’ on sports policy implementation HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 30

A legislative panel has condemned the “sluggish and irresponsible behaviour” of the Goa University over the implementation of the Sports Policy.

The sports policy was notified in October 2009 and the same was put before the standing committee of the academic council. “…but from the approach of the University it is obvious that it has scant regards for sports,” the adhoc committee on Edu-

cation, chaired by Dayanand Narvekar, said in its report tabled in the Goa legislative assembly today.

The report says that no promising action has been made by the university except deliberations on the issue.

“The students in the university will be denied whole hearted participation in sports as they will not be able to avail relaxation on their attendance as well as the sports merit marks in accordance with the sports policy,”

the committee observed adding “this attitude demoralises the enthusiasm of the sportsperson to further his potential”.

The committee has condemned the high handed attitude of the university, which receives grants from the government but fails to uphold the decision of the cabinet.

The report says the committee at no point of time desires to intervene in the academic procedures of the university but observes that after a period of

nine months of issuance of the notification nothing has come forth, speaks volumes of the scant respect of the university towards sports,” it says.

The committee desires that the university adheres to the cabinet decision on sports policy so that students are allowed to participate in sports.

The committee requests the government to take up the issue for quick implementation during this academic year before October 2010.

GU asked to complete project on Western region HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 30

A report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Finance has observed the Goa University in spite of funds available had made no efforts to complete a project on ‘plant and fungus biodiversities inventory and conservation efforts for the western region of Goa.’ The report notes the committee was pained to note in spite of funds available under the Western Ghats Development Programme (WGDP) till date only preliminary report has been submitted. “The varsity has made no serious efforts to submit the

final report,” it mentioned and added, “Taking into consideration the importance of the project it should have been completed within the scheduled time.”

The committee strongly recommended to the university to come out with the final report and intimate it on the progress achieved in the matter.

Further, as specified in the ad hoc committee report, GU has submitted terminal report of phase I of the project.

It noted that Phase II of the project had been approved by the Planning Commission and the same was in progress. The work of

terminal consolidated project report (TCRP) of Phase II is in initial stage, the committee informed.

The coordination of implementing the Watershed Development Programme schemes under WGDP has been entrusted to the State Level Watershed Committee under chairmanship of the Chief Secretary.

The ad hoc committee in its report mentioned the actual expenditure incurred under hill area (Western Ghats) has been nil for the years 2008-09 and 2009-10. The actual total plan allocation during these years was Rs 20 lakh.

Water level at Anjunem dam rising, poses threat!

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 30

HERALD CORRESPONDENT MAYEM, JULY 30

With torrential rains lashing the State, the water level of Anjunem dam has increased to 89.32 metres, with officials planning to release water if the levels touch around 91 metres.

According to senior engineer of Anjunem dam M P Totagaddi, though the maximum water level of Anjunem dam is 92.20 mtrs, the water will be released any time, but during low tide when the level reaches up to 91 mtrs, to avoid further danger.

“All the municipal councils, panchayats and villagers have been informed about it through the notices. At Nanora, the water entered into some houses which were situated at low-lying areas,” he said.

“As far as destruction of houses is concerned, 36 houses have collapsed so far,” added Totagaddi.

While informing about the gravity of rainfall, Bicholim Mamlatdar Pramod Bhat said on Thursday itself, the rainfall recorded was 4 inches, however there was no danger even though the water level from the rivers had increased.

Scarlet’s age questioned in court

The Anjunem Dam.

There has also been increase in the water level from Walwanti, Kashti and Bicholim rivers, which has led to destruction of 36 houses so far, causing a loss of about Rs 6.19 lakh.

The low-lying areas like Bandarwada, Gaonkarwada, Manderkarwda and some areas from Nanora have come under water. The Disaster Management Cell Bicholim is ready for any rescue operation.

Villagers, including women washing clothes in the rivers, cattle owners, people crossing

Photo by Vishant Vaze

rivers, from Bicholim and Sattari talukas and those residing on the bank of the rivers have been alerted about the danger.

Meanwhile, farmers from Bicholim and Sattari talukas are facing acute hardships to work in the fields, as their farms have been inundated with water.

Meanwhile, a partially collapsed old house, which was along the road at Sunder Peth, Bicholim, collapsed completely.

Bicholim Mamlatdar Pramod Bhat inspected the house.

A question over the age of Scarlet was raised in the court on Friday, when her mother Fiona Mackeown’s deposition was going on.

The issue was raised by Jose Peter D’Souza, a lawyer defending accused Placido Carvalho.

He said that whether passport issued by a foreign nation can be a valid proof in the criminal matter, which is going on in India or Goa. “Her age is in dispute. The age given on her passport and certified by forensic doctor is different,” the lawyer said.

While British passport and Scarlet’s mother indicates her age as 15, forensic expert Dr Silvano Sapeco, who conducted first postmortem on Scarlet’s body had certified her as between 16 to 18 years of age.

“Doctor’s statement is an approximation. Under Geneva convention, documents issued by sovereign governments are admissible not only in civil but criminal matters too,” Vikram Varma, told reporters outside the court.

He said that the convention adopted in Geneva is an international law. “How does anyone doubt passport of another sovereign government,” Varma, said.

Zilla Bhavan construction Uproar marks South ZP meet over panel constitution to look out for land HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JULY 30

Uproar marked the meeting of the South Goa Zilla Panchayat on Friday over who should head the three-member committee constituted to look out for land towards the construction of a Zilla Bhavan.

The meeting witnessed verbal duel and noisy scenes between the ruling and opposition members after Chairperson Maria Rebello suggested that the panel should be headed by Member Dayanand Pagi. This evoked sharp reaction from members Nelly Rodrigues and Domnic Gaonkar.

At one stage, the Chairperson said that the matter should be left for Nelly to decide as the members claimed she has been fighting for the Zilla member for 10 years.

On the other hand, Nelly suggested that the three member committee should comprise of Dayanand Pagi, Domnic Gaonkar

and Edwin (Cipru) Cardozo.

Nelly said that Domnic should be on the committee as the land in question has been identified by him at Raia and will be in a better position to monitor the works.

During the verbal duel, Domnic charged the ruling group for doing the “setting” on who would form part of the committee.

Incidentally, confusion prevailed as to who was finally appointed as Chairman of the Committee. When the ZP Chief Executive Officer N S Navti was contacted by newsmen covering the meeting, he initially said that the meeting decided to appoint Domnic Gaonkar as the Chairman since he will be in a better position to coordinate with the donor of the land.

Navti, however, later said that since Chairperson Maria had suggested the name of Daya Pagi, the ZP member from Poinguinim will head the three-member panel.

Russian woman rape case accused bail plea rejected HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JULY 30

Maintaining that the High Court observations are binding on the court, the South Goa Sessions Court on Friday rejected the bail application of Russian woman rape accused John Fernandes saying his bail plea could be considered only after the main prosecution witnesses are examined in the trial, but not before it.

“The High Court has observed that the accused will be at liberty to apply for bail to the Sessions court after the main prosecution witnesses are examined in the trial of the accused. These wordings are very important and binding on the court. The bail plea could be considered only after the main prosecution witnesses are examined in the trial but not before it”, observed Additional Sessions Judge B P Deshpande.

Judge Deshpande did not agree with the contention of defense lawyer, Adv Anacleto Viegas that there is no question of tampering since the victim is now in Russia. “This contention is not correct as tampering could be done even by any other means and not required the physical

presence of victim in India”, he added.

The judge said such a bail application could be entertained only when the main prosecution witnesses are examined and not prior to it once it has been observed by the High Court that no case is made out for bail even after filing of chargesheet and liberty is granted only after examination of the main prosecution witnesses.

Saying that efforts are made by the prosecution and the court to examine the main witnesses as early as possible, Judge Deshpande said the muddemal property is still not received from CFSL, Hyderabad along with the report. “Such muddemal is essential piece of evidence in connection with the offense of rape and identification of it is necessary at the time of trial”, he added.

“The victim’s presence could be secured as early as possible together with other witnesses. Therefore, only because some of the witnesses are examined during the trial, the accused cannot invoke the liberty granted to him by the HC since the main witnesses, the victim and others are yet to be examined”, observed the judge.

The panel is expected to submit the report to the Chairperson within a period of 45 days.

Earlier, the CEO told the members that the ZP has funds to the tune of Rs 1.15 crore and can be utilised for building a ZP bhavan or outright purchase of office space.

He, however, informed the members that the ZP is not empowered to acquire land, but can use the fund if the land is donated to the district Panchayat body.

Meanwhile, the meeting discussed the issue of grass cutting machines not being returned by the former ZP members back to the office. In this connection, the CEO said he would be compelled to lodge an FIR against the former members if the machines are not returned back immediately.

The meeting thanked Panchayat Minister Babu Azgaonkar, leader of the Opposition Manohar Parrikar and other MLAs for supporting the demand of the Zilla panchayats.

1,64,405 students covered under Mid-Day meals HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 30

A total of 1,64,405 students from primary (Std I to IV) and upper primary (Std V to VIII) have been covered under the Mid-Day Meal Scheme in 11 talukas of the State as on June 30, 2010, revealed a reply tabled in the Monsoon Session of the Goa Legislative Assembly revealed.

The maximum number – 13,915 (primary) and 17,744 (upper primary) – of these students, who have availed of this scheme, hail from Salcete taluka, followed by Bardez with figures of 12,723 (primary) and 15,487 (upper primary) students.

The lowest number of students who have availed of this scheme are from Canacona taluka – 2,503 (primary) and 2,860 (upper primary). A total of 83 self-help groups (SHGs) were roped in by the Government to supply the meals.

To a question on whether there were any cases of food poisoning reported during the last academic year, the written reply reported one case of food poisoning in which 18 students of Yuvak Sangh High School, Sada, Vasco, developed symptoms of illness after consuming the Mid-Day meals.

The contract of the supplier, Saraswati SHG, from Vasco was terminated with effect from August 8, 2009, and the Food and Drugs Administration also suspended its license.

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Govt has not done enough to take back land allotted to SEZs: Oppn HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 30

The Opposition on Friday charged that the government has not done enough to take back land allotted to seven SEZs even as SEZ policy was scrapped two years ago while Chief Minister Digambar Kamat maintained that the three SEZs will be de-notified.

Indicating that the government is serious about de-notifying three SEZs, he said, matter will be thrashed out with Union Minister for Commerce and Industries, Anand Sharma post monsoon session of the Parliament.

The seven SEZ were approved by the Central Government in 2006-2007, of which, M/s K Raheja Corporation Pvt Ltd (KRCPL), M/s Meditab Specialities Pvt Ltd (MSPL), and M/s Peninsula Pharma Research Centre Pvt Ltd (PPRC), were notified and have started work such as construction of buildings, roads, utility building, fencing.

However, it was stopped after the government issued them notices following change in its policy.

Raising the issue during “Question Hour” on Friday, Fatorda MLA, Damu Naik queried why the government has been hesi-

tant in taking back land from four SEZs that were not notified.

The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) had allotted – M/s RCPL 10,59,118 sq mts of land in Verna Industrial Estate (VIE) Phase–IV on lease, M/s MSPL was granted 12,32,000 sq mts of land at Kerim in Ponda in November, 2006 whereas PPRCPL was allotted an area of 2,03,650 sq mts at Sancoale in Mormugao taluka on lease.

Remaining four SEZs were allotted land in VIE Phase-IV. This include M/s Paradigm Logistic Distribution Pvt Ltd, (PLDPL) which has in its possession 3,86,665 sq mts, M/s Inox Mercantile Co Pvt Ltd (IMCOL) was allotted 5,19,832 sq mts, M/s Planetview Mercantile Co Pvt Ltd, (PMCPL) was allotted 2,36,176 sq mts and M/s Maxgrow Finlease Pvt Ltd, was given 2,03445 sq mts.

Naik said area allotted to seven SEZs in the industrial estates has been blocked which could have been allotted to other industries

interested in investing in Goa and land to four SEZs could have been easily taken back.

Kamat said, he has been consistently following up the matter with the Centre even as the Leader of the Opposition Manohar Parrikar chided him saying the chief minister has not been able to get Centre to denotify three SEZs even though SEZ policy was done away with, in January 2008.

Currently, matter has been subjudice as all seven SEZs are before High Court wherein they have challenged show cause notices issued to them by IDC for reverting land allotted to them. Hearing on SEZ petitions is likely to be completed next week, he said.

Parrikar pointed out that all petitions could not have been clubbed together as four SEZs were not notified and the government counsel should have informed the Court about this, he said further adding the matter was not properly monitored in the High Court.

CM claims govt has taken steps to curb illegal mineral ore export HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 30

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat on Friday told Goa Assembly that the government has taken steps to curb illegal export of mineral ore.

The Captain of Ports (CoP) has been issued direction to allow a vessel carrying ore to sail only on submission of NOC from the Department of Mines vis-a-vis ore it wants to export.

Similarly, chairman of Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) has also been asked to insist on NOC from ore exporters using Mormugao Port, Kamat told while replying to a question tabled during “Question Hour” by Mapusa MLA, Francis D’Souza.

Also, Ministry of Shipping has been requested to grant permission to intervene, Kamat added.

D’Souza had pointed out disparities in royalty earned on ore exported as against ore ex-

Ore exports: govt urged to demand share of revenue from Centre HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 30

A legislative panel has asked the government to demand a share of revenue from the Central government from the exports of iron ore.

“The committee is of the opinion that a dialogue be initiated by the government with the Centre to enable it to receive a share of export duty collection from export of iron ore out of Goa in view of the degradation of environment and its impact on the local populace, due to mining activities,” the estimates committee of 2009-10 on Mines department, chaired

by Aldona legislator Dayanand Narvekar, has said in its report tabled in the House on Friday.

Further, it says, “in this regard grater efforts be made to get a special status for Goa.” Further the committee recommends the government to pursue the matter with the Finance commission and other bodies to obtain more percentage o export duty for the state.

As regards the environmental hazards due to mining activity, the committee is of the opinion that the government has neither taken serious steps to curtail environment hazards nor has taken positive measures to reverse the damage done to the environment due to these mining activities.

The committee recommends taking measures to increase forest cover to offset deforestation in mining areas and avoid the impact on local population.

The committee further recommends that the government entrust job of assessing damages once again to know the impact of environment degradation till March 2010 to NEERI or some other agency.

Highways: minister urges to put on hold land acquisition HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 30

The Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira has written to the Chief Minister Digambar Kamat and Revenue Mini s t e r J o s e P h i l i p D’ S o u z a asking them to put on hold land acquisition proceedings initiated for expansion of NH17 and NH-4 for want of clarity on alignments.

Sequeira informed the Goa Assembly on Friday that he has asked the government to keep in abeyance land acquisition proceedings for expansion of both highways as there was no clarity on the alignments when the issue w a s r a i s e d d u r i n g “ Z e ro Hour” by the Leader of the Opposition, Manohar Parrikar along with Mapusa ML A, Francis D’Souza and Curtorim ML A, Aleixo Reginald Lourenco.

The Minister further told the House that Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has also been directed to keep in abeyance further proceedings of Environmental Public Hearing (EPH) until all details are clarified.

He said he has received numerous representations which indicated that there was no clarity on the proposed project, besides vital information on the width of the proposed highway including ser vice roads was not available.

tracted for a period between 2007 and 2009.

Leader of the Opposition, Manohar Parrikar suggested that the government needs to take tough stand against MPT chairman who has been hostile towards the state government on port expansion issue.

“Summon him to the police station and make him wait for eight hours, and you will get your work done and whole House will support chief minis-

ter in this endeavour against MPT chairman,” he said as he looked around the House seeking support from other members.

Perplexed Kamat though did not commit to Parrikar on this point said he will consider his suggestion.

The Chief Minister also told that they have already started checking movement of ore. Instructions have been given to identify all mining dumps within

fifteen days and to take action against unauthenticated dumps.

“Directions have been issued to take over such dumps and auction them,” he said.

He further said exercise of verification of lease holders has also been started – 60 per cent of the work completed and Rs 1 crore has been recovered. Also documents received from Customs department are verified to check if ore was been illegally exported.

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SHorT TakeS Rajesh elevated

PANJIM (HND): The Tiswadi Taluka Goa Government Employees Association in its meeting held recently has unanimously elevated Rajesh V Kamat from Commercial Tax department to the post of vice-Chairman of Tiswadi taluka committee from his earlier post of Secretary. The meeting was presided over by chairman Dhananjay Kerkar and other members of the committee from various departments. Rajesh is also the vice-chairman of Sales Tax department staff co-op credit society.

Cleanliness drive cancelled

PANJIM (HND): The plastic cleanliness drive to be held in the constituencies of Cortalim and Dabolim by the Cortalim MLA on July 31 has been cancelled due to heavy rains that have been lashing the State for the last couples of days. The new date will be announced later.

NSS unit installed

BICHOLIM (HC): The NSS unit of Walawalkar Higher Secondary School, Khorlim-Mapusa, was recently installed by Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan Assistant Director Narendra Kamat.

Speaking on the occasion, Kamat asked the cadets to work for the upliftment of the society and solve the problems of the people.

“In today’s world, education plays a key role in everyone’s life. Every cadet should see that no one remains illiterate and should educate every person. They should also help others and keep the surrounding clean,” stressed Kamat.

Citing the example of Mahatma Gandhi, Kamat urged the cadets not to shy from cleaning the surrounding, which is an important duty of NSS. Walawalkar HSS Principal Prof Subhash Nayak urged the students to keep the flag of the school flying high.

Science students presented the welcome song, Programme Officer Bina Churi gave details about the programme, while Laxman Gaonkar read the annual report.

Daniel installed president

Deputy Commissioner of Customs and Central Excise Tony Dias addresses the gathering during the 12th Charternite celebrations by the Lions Club of Mormugao.

VASCO (HR): Noted poet Daniel F de Souza was installed president of the Lions Club of Mormugao BOD for the year 2010-11 at the 12th Charternite celebrations at Hotel La Paz Gardens, Vasco.

Chief guest Deputy Commissioner of Customs and Central Excise Tony Dias lauded Lions Club of Mormugao for the services they render to the society.

He was all praise for its adoption of Asha Sadan, a school for the poor and destitute children. He congratulated the new BOD and wished them well in all their future projects.

Celso Dias of Lions Club of Loutolim was the installation and induction officer. Three new members were inducted by the Club. Region Chairman Abhijeet Salkar and Zone Chairperson Nelly Rodrigues were also present at the function.

The new BOD for 2010-11 are Adolph Dalgado (secretary), Valente D’Costa (treasurer), Subash Kamat and Cdr P J Augustine (vice president), Francis Gurjao (tail twister), Cristine D’Costa (lion lady), Carmin Augustine and Dr Nimish Pillai (directors), John Fernandes (membership chairman) and Titus Moraes (lion tamer).

Newly installed president de Souza while emphasizing on the projects undertaken by his predecessor, assured to continue the projects. He also disclosed the new projects he wishes to undertake.

GU convocation

PANJIM (HND): The twenty third annual convocation of the Goa University will be held in the month of October or November.

Candidates who have qualified for conferment of degrees/award of diplomas, are requested to submit their applications with the prescribed fee for admission to the convocation. Application forms can be obtained from State Bank of India, University Branch or can be downloaded from the Goa University website www.unigoa.ac.in from August 2. Candidates are required to submit the application form before August 31 along with a copy of the statement of marks of the qualifying exam, two passport size photographs and a copy of the bank’s challan/demand draft/Indian postal order.

Chorao forum’s meet held

PANJIM (HND): The meeting of the Chorao Civic and Consumer Forum discussed on various topics including Chorão motorcycle taxi stand, crowding of buses, price and delivery procedure of gas cylinders, electricity supply and billing grievances, etc

Girl cadets attend camp

MAYEM (HC): The NCC girls cadets of Shri Shantadurga High School, Bicholim, (1 Goa girls bn NCC unit, Panjim) recently attended national integration camp at Mysore and Thal Sena Camp at Belgaum.

The cadets were accompanied by School Headmaster Suresh Ghatwal and ANO (third officer) Yasmin D Shetye. Cdt Samli Girkar and Cdt Neha Abbasi attended the Mysore camp, while Cdt Anagha Kumbharjuvekar, Cdt Mamata Parab and Cdt Tanvi Sawant attended the Belgaum camp.

Supervisory committee elected

OLD GOA (HC): The Corlim gram sabha members on Sunday elected an overall supervising committee to look into all aspects of panchayat works.

The committee will be headed by Corlim Panchayat Secretary Basilio Pires, under whom the committee would have the right to assess the overall development works undertaken in Corlim jurisdiction.

The seven members elected are Rohidas Naik (Ward No 1), Anand Shirvoikar (Ward No 2), Kanzil Rodrigues (Ward No 3), Kashinath Dhulapkar (Ward No 4), Purshottam Dhulapkar (Ward No 5), Baptist Pereira (Ward No 6) and Goraknath Kerkar (Ward No 7).

The supervising committee was formed after the gram sabha members were annoyed with the sarpanch and panchas for not providing proper answers to their queries pertaining to developmental works carried out by the concerned panch member.

HJS demands withdrawal of Locals to knock HC door for five more paintings at expo stay on plots sale in Porvorim HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, JULY 30

HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, JULY 30

The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) has demanded the withdrawal of five more paintings displayed at the exhibition ‘Epiphanies of the Hindu Gods’

by Sanskrit scholar Dr Jose Pereira at Xavier Centre of Historical Research (XCHR).

The HJS delegation called on XCHR late Wednesday evening and met Dr Jose Pereira to demand that five more paintings displayed in the exhibition should be withdrawn immediately, as they were objectionable.

In reply, Dr Pereira recited the Sanskrit Slokas and explained to the members that each painting is based directly on the descriptive passages in the original Sanskrit texts.

“My paintings are not the figments of my imagination, but their imagery is derived entirely from the most characteristic iconography of ancient India,” explained Dr Pereira.

However, HJS members did not accept his interpretations of the Sanskrit ‘slokas’ nor his explanations and insisted that

Dr Jose Pereira (right) explains to Hindu Janajagruti members about his paintings.

Photo by Anil Shankhwalker

the five paintings should be removed, as it had hurt the religious feeling of the Hindus.

XCHR Superior Fr Delio Mendonca told the delegation to submit their objections to enable them to take necessary action.

Speaking to Herald, Dr Pereira said he had absolutely no intention to hurt the religious sentiments of the Hindus.

“My paintings are based on the Hindu ‘Shastra’ and hence there should not be any reason

to object it. The exhibition of the paintings was also held in New Delhi recently and the art lovers have appreciated it,” said Dr Pereira.

Goa University English Prof Rafael Fernandes said that any literary texts are liable for multiple interpretations, particularly when there is ambiguity.

“There is nothing obscenity or vulgarity as such in the paintings of Dr Jose Pereira. It all depends on the mindset of the viewers,” said Fernandes.

PWD begins relief operation at Comba subway

BY HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JULY 30

With heavy rains submerging the Comba subway during the last few days, the PWD has finally started pumping operations to flush out water from the waterlogged road under the bridge.

The operation has given relief for the motorists heading towards the educational institutions. A water pump has been pressed into operation to pump out water from the subway every day.

In fact, inquires have revealed that a group of labourers are manning the water pump, with instructions to begin the pumping operations from 7 am in the morning and continue till the evening depending upon the water level situation in the subway.

This temporary measure is believed to have implemented after the government received all round flak following the

PWD begins pumping operations at the Comba subway to flush out water from the road under the bridge. Photo by Santosh Mi-

death of a XII std science student a week ago.

During the inspection of the subway carried out last week, senior PWD officials had mooted a foot bridge at the Comba level crossing for students to cross

over when the level crossing is closed for traffic.

The PWD officials were scheduled to discuss the proposal with the KRC officials before preparing estimates for the foot bridge.

Some residents from Porvorim have decided to file a writ petition in the High Court praying for stay order on sale of plots in a land at Porvorim, where the Penha-de-Franca Panchayat had decided to construct an indoor stadium.

The land at Porvorim on which Penha-de-France Panchayat had decided to construct an indoor stadium has been converted into plots by Serula Communidade.

It may be recalled that since there were no recreational facilities on Porvorim plateau for the youth, residents from Porvorim had requested Penha-deFrance Panchayat in 1995 to build an indoor stadium for playing games like badminton, table tennis, etc.

As there was an open space of about 3,000 sq mtrs at Porvorim, the Penha-de-Franca Panchayat adopted a resolution in its meeting on October 1, 1995 to request the Administrator of Communidade Bardez to grant the necessary No-objection Certificate for the construction of indoor stadium in Communidade land at Porvorim. The resolution was passed unanimously.

The panchayat also made an application to the Town and Country Planning Department, Mapusa, with a request to grant permission for acquisition of land for the construction of the indoor stadium.

The Town and Country Planning Department granted permission to Penha-de-Franca Panchayat for the acquisition of land in its letter dated November 1, 1995.

Later, the panchayat sent a letter to Block Development Officer Bardez on July 18, 1996, enclosing the documents such as Panchayat Resolution, copies of site plan, letter from Town Planner, letter from Bardez Mamlatdar regarding valuation of

House collapses in Fatorda HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JULY 30

A residential house cum cattle shed caved in at Gouliwadda in Fatorda in the wee hours of Thursday.

The loss of property is put at Rs five lakhs by the owner Rajesh Sathe. No sooner, the inmates realized that the structure is crumbling down, they immediately evacuated the cattle housed in the shed.

GPCC general secretary Vijay Sardessai visited the spot and took up the issue of compensation with the disaster management committee.

Meanwhile, the fire services rushed to Betalbatim and Colva on Thursday to remove trees that came crashing down on the road.

uPCoMInG eVenTS Gurupoornima celebration

PANJIM (HND): Rose Garden Primary School, Porvorim will celebrate Gurupoornima on July 31 at 4 pm with music and dance (Kathak) at Rose Garden premises.

Dr Vinay Prabhu Desai will be the chief guest for the function.

Other dignitaries present will be Gurudas Redkar, Nishikant Asnodkar and Krishna Hadfadkar.

CM to lay corner stones

PANJIM (HND): Chief Minister Digambar Kamat will lay the foundation stone for developmental projects at Queeny Nagar near pale junction Sancoale on August 2.

The projects include construction of second phase of Cortalim market complex at Thana for Cortalim Quelossim Panchayat, construction of Panchayat Ghar cum market complex for Sancole Panchayat and construction of Panchayat complex at Chicalim.

The work of all these projects will be taken up under GSIDC.

Fado evening at Cidade

PANJIM (HND): Ever wondered what Goa was culturally in

PANJIM, JULY 30(HND)

Speaker of Lok Sabha Meira Kumar will visit the State on July 31 with her arrival at Goa Airport at 7.30 am. Later, she will be attending a function as chief guest to present the Jnanpith Award for the year 2006 at Dinanath Mangeshkar Auditorium Kala Academy, Campal, Panjim.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT MERCES, JULY 30

UNITED WE STAND: Newly elected Merces Sarpanch Deepika Shirgaonkar (3rd from right) along with other panchas (from left to right) Venita Gracias, Deputy Sarpanch Yatin Palekar, Sunil Kalangutkar, Sandhya Hoble and Girish Uskaikar.

Photo by Manuel Vaz

MMC worker gains support of ST leaders, hunger strike continues

the bygone era? Ever wondered what Goans did for entertainment? Ever wondered about their music? Ever wondered what their cuisine is like? Cidade de Goa has encompassed all these facets at a special traditional live Fado evening at ‘Alfama’ on August 3 from 8 pm onwards.

Fado evening pays tribute to the music of Portugal, with songs filled with passion, sorrow, jealousy, grief and satire.

Well-known Fado singers specially invited for the evening are Sonia Shirsat, Miguel Cotta, Chantalle Cotta Viegas and Danica da Silva Pereira. Musicians accompanying them will be Franz Schubert Cotta - Portuguese Guitar (Guitarra Portuguesa) and Carlos Meneses - Guitar (Viola).

To add to the soul stirring live music performed in the cosy ambience at Alfama, enjoy the varied menu, consisting of vegetarian and non vegetarian dishes ranging from Carabineiros de Páprica, Lulas de Alho, Bolo de Caranguejo (platter of paprika prawns, garlic squid and crab cake) or Ameixa Seca Encheu Galinha com Molho de Tomate Queijoso (prune stuffed chicken with cheesy tomato sauce) or Rosbife com Molho em Forma de Cogumelo Preto (roast beef with black mushroom sauce) and many more.

And the menu will be complete with assorted desserts like Bolo de Cajueiro, Barra de Chocolate Escura, Sorvete de Coco (cashew cake, dark chocolate bar and coconut ice cream).

Rs 650 plus taxes will per charged per person. For more details please contact 2454545.

GGEA panels to meet

PANJIM (HND): The joint meeting of the various taluka committees and the working committee of Goa Government Employees Association will be held on July 31at its Patto office at 3.30 pm. At the meeting strategies will be adopted to organize the proposed indefinite pen-down-tool-down strike from August 2.

BY HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JULY 30

The indefinite hunger strike resorted by the Margao Municipal worker has entered the third day on Friday, even as Civic body today offered to engage the worker on daily basis, which had no takers.

The worker W Silva received support from the Scheduled Tribe community as well as from members on the public over his demand for reguarlisation of his services by the Civic body. ST leaders including Anton Gauncar, Mama Cardozo, Conceissao Pixtore, Councilor Piedade Norohna on Friday inquired with Silva and offered their support to his just struggle.

Citizens Worker Centre President Sriram Raiturkar, who has taken up the cause of the MMC worker, lambasted the Chief Officer T B Tawde for misguiding the people on Silva’s decision to go on a hunger strike.

Referring to Tawde comments that Silva has not completed 240 days in service, Raiturcar said the worker has worked in the civic body for 14 long years and pointed out that four workers who were regularized by the Civic body did not complete 240 days continuous service.

In fact, the Civic body is put on

on July 25, 2010, R N Naik of Alto Betim brought to the notice of the panchayat the file for acquisition of 3,000 sq mtrs of land for the construction of indoor stadium which was still pending before the Collector of North Goa. He requested the panchayat to pursue the matter and get the filed approved as early as possible. However, to the surprise of the villagers at the gram sabha, Panchayat Secretary R Mardolkar informed that Communidade of Serula has already converted the land into plots based on the NOC for Provisional Sub-division of land given

by Penha-de-France Panchayat in 2007.

Most of the residents of Porvorim feel that they have been cheated by the panchayat.

Some individuals have decided to file a writ petition in the High Court praying stay order on sale of plots.

LS Speaker to visit State

Deepika is Merces Sarpanch Deepika Shirgaonkar was elected sarpanch of Merces Panchayat and Yatin Palekar deputy sarpanch at a special meeting held in the panchayat office on Friday.

It may be recalled that the posts of sarpanch and deputy sarpanch had fallen vacant after Prakash Naik and Yogita Kavlekar were ousted in a no-confidence motion recently.

All the six panchas who came together to form the panchayat were present including Deepika Shirgaonkar, Yatin Palekar, Venita Gracias, Girish Uskaikar, Sandhya Hoble and Sunil Kalangutkar while the other five panchas remained absent.

When asked what would be her first priority on taking over as sarpanch, Deepika Shirgaonkar said she would concentrate on tackling the growing number of illegal activities in the village.

“At the same time, though, I would give top priority to take up all the pending developmental activities, irrespective of who represents the wards,” she added quickly and opined that her aim is to fulfil the wishes of the people.

land, etc, as required by BDO for the acquisition of the land.

Since there was no further move on the part of the panchayat to construct the indoor stadium and as it was a prime land in the heart of Porvorim, the Serula Communidade applied to the Town and Country Planning Department in 2005 requesting permission for conversion of land into plots.

On receipt of approval from Town Planner, the Serula Communidade approached Penhade-Franca Panchayat for grant of NOC for the Provisional Subdivision of the land.

The panchayat without placing the matter before gram sabha for approval, adopted a resolution in the meeting on August 31, 2007, to grant provisional NOC to the Serula Commundidade and accordingly issued a letter on September 7, 2007 to this effect.

However, in the gram sabha

NCP meet

PANJIM (HND): The first meeting of the newly appointed Goa State NCP has been conveyed by State President Jose Philip D’Souza on July 31 at NCP office, MG Road, Panjim at 3.30 pm.

All the office bearers and executive members are requested to attend the same.

Homage to Lokmanya Tilak MMC worker Silva undergoing hunger strike at the entrance of the Municipal building.

Photo by Santosh Mirajkar.

the defensive as documents obtained by the CWC under RTI clearly stated that four workers who were regularized by the Council in 2006 did not fulfill the criteria of completing 240 days of service.

MMC Chairperson Savio Coutinho told Herald that he was the one of the Councillors who had protested in 2006 when the Civic body had regularized 39 workers without following proper rules.

He said the Civic body will take a positive decision in Silva’s case, but added that hunger strike was not the right mode

to lodge protest against the Civic body.

Coutinho said the Civic body wrote a letter to the worker that his demands will be positively addressed by the Council, but added that the worker refused to accept the letter.

Incidentally, while the Chairperson has offered to engaged Silva on daily basis – an offer rejected by the worker – questions are raised why Coutinho has not suggested to the Chief Officer to initiate action against those workers who were regularized without completing 240 days continuous service.

PANJIM (HND): Chief Minister Digambar Kamat will lead the people of Goa in paying homage to Bal Gangadhar Tilak on the occasion of his death anniversary on August 1. Chief Minister will garland the portrait of late Lokmanya Tilak at 11 am in the open space at new secretariat, Porvorim to mark the occasion.

Kamat will also attend a function organized by Goa Union of Journalist at 10 am at Goa Union of Journalist premises at Shrama Shakti Bhavan, Patto, Panjim. Navprabha Editor Paresh Prabhu, Director of Information and Publicity Menino Peres and GUJ president Prakash Kamat will attend the function.

Similarly, a seminar on rural journalism is organized at Institute Menezes Braganza at 11 am.

PoWer SHuTDoWn JULY 31 MAPUSA: From 9 am to 5 pm. Areas affected are Mapusa Industrial Estate, Alto Duler and nearby surrounding areas.

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K’taka’s ore export ban: Barge fraternity shocked HERALD REPORTER VASCO, JULY 30

The barge fraternity in Goa has expressed shock over Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa’s decision to ban export of iron ore from Karnataka, claiming that the decision has been taken without considering the business interest of various stakeholders.

Speaking to reporters in his office at Vasco on Friday, Goa Barge Owners Association President Atul Jadhav along with other officer bearers William D’Costa and Prabhakar Naik said the Karnataka government has mixed politics into business, as it is evident from abrupt decision to ban iron ore export.

“If the ban is continued till the season commences on September 15, then it will certainly have the worst impact

on the barge business,” said Jadhav.

“It is a ‘wait-and-watch’ situation for the barge industry, as it all depends on reaction of prime body – Goa Mineral Ore Association – which directly deal with export of ore. Barge is an ancillary unit that is involved in transportation of cargo,” added Jadhav.

From September 15, ports in Goa will resume its operation for the new season, while subsequently the barge business commence and if the ban is continued till October, it will certainly have impact on barge business, both Goa and Mormugao Port Trust and rail too.

“Since the ban has come during the off season, it will not have much impact,” he said.

“Nearly 7 million tonnes of iron ore come to Goa from Kar-

nataka and even the barge from Goa operates at Karwar port and Belikary port,” informed Jadhav.

The worst affected will be the transporters, as number of trucks and tippers which play in mineral regions are serving the livelihood of indirect business activities like tea stalls, garage, service station, vulcanized centres, etc.

“The ban will also have worst impact on the livelihood of the common people that are indirectly dependent on mine industry,” added Jadhav.

He said ore export business in Goa is two-generation-old which is carried out under various guidelines and norms, while mine business in Goa has substantially increased, that is much more regulated as compared to any other states in India.

Malaria under control in Margao, Dr cautions on H1N1 HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JULY 30

There’s good news for citizens of Margao vis-à-vis vector borne diseases.

If Margao Urban Health Officer, Dr Geeta Kakodkar is to be believed, Malaria, Dengue, Chikungunya, Japanese Encephalitis are well under control, but the health office has sounded a word of caution on the H1N1 flu this season.

Delivering a talk on the situation of vector borne diseases in the commercial Capital organised by the South Goa Journalists Association, Dr Kakodkar said that Malaria is well under control, with the number of cases reported in the month of July to a mere 41. “Four cases of dengue and six cases of chikungunya were detected this year. There was on Japanese Encephalitis was

reported from Curtorim this year”, she said.

Dr Kakodkar, however, said there is no room for complacency with the Commercial Capital playing host to nearly a lakh population and a large army of floating population employed in the construction industry.

“The health office has evolved a mechanism wherein workers try to screen migrant workers working in the city. Even the contract workers assembling behind the Margao Municipal building every day are not spared by our workers”, she added.

Saying that areas such as Khareband are no more malaria prone area, Dr Kakodkar said the Chandrawado area of Fatorda and some of the construction sites are still a cause for concern.

On H1N1, the Health Officer

said that not a single case from the city has been reported so far. But, she warned that the second phase of H1N1 always comes worst and called for spreading awareness amongst the citizens on the flu. “Every cold persisting for more than two days should be reported to the doctor as a precautionary measure. The DHS has already issued circular to the educational institutions to take precautions on H1N1 as there’s a spurt in cases in Kerala, Pune, Belgaum and other cities”, On Japanese Encephalitis, Dr Kakodkar said the health centre had vaccinated around 75 per cent of the population before the vaccination drive was hit by the controversy. “The health office has received new stock of the vaccines. Parents can bring their children for vaccination”, she added.

Mormugao Council to raise stall allotment rate for Saptah HERALD REPORTER VASCO, JULY 30

Stall owners and traders from various parts of the State and elsewhere will have to bear some burden on their profits, as Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) has resolved to raise the present rate fixed on space allotment for traders during the ‘Saptah’ festival fair in Vasco.

The famous Lord Damodar ‘Saptah’, which will be celebrated in Vasco on August 15, is also known for its 10-day fair that attracts large number of traders from Goa and neighbouring states, generating huge business during the period.

In an ordinar y meeting convened by MMC Chairperson Shekhar Khadapkar on Friday afternoon, it was resolved to increase the present rate of space allotted for

Day light burglary at Chandor, cash, gold stolen

traders during the 10-day fair on the two parallel roads Swatantrapath and Dattatray Despande and other interior roads.

The four-by-four square metre area rates have been doubled to Rs 600 for 10 days, while trade form rate has been increased to Rs 100, besides nominal trade license fees.

MMC has also directed the contractor to obtain separate permission for banners that are erected in the pandal near the temple.

Prior to the meeting, MMC chief officer said festival generates nearly Rs 6.5 lakh revenue for the council and this year, the council hopes to increase it by Rs 10 lakh.

The council earlier decided to go for auction to collect amount from traders to curb illegalities, as there are allegations that some councilors and

council staff are involved to occupy prime business space in the fair and later sublets it to t r a d e r s a t a n e xo r b i t a n t amount.

“There was a move to give all earmarked trade spaces on auction, but due to lack of time we could not materialise the idea,” said Khadapkar.

He further said rates and space allotment traders differs from nature of trades, as they have kept very marginal rate on traditional sweet mart ‘Khaje’ traders, while rates for restaurants, furniture stalls, amusement park, etc, differs.

Meanwhile, MMC has decided to donate Rs 50,000 to Damodar Bhajani Saptah Utsav Samiti on behalf of the council, as earlier the council has also contributed for Carnival and Sigmotsav festivals.

HC dismisses NOTE plea against Big B

BY HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JULY 30

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 30

In a major day light burglary, unknown miscreants barged into the house of one Luela Antao at Chandor and struck gold, besides cash and US dollars besides gold ornaments.

The incident occurred this morning between 7 am to 11 am when the inmates of the house had gone out. Taking advantage of the absence of the inmates, the Maina Curtorim police said the miscreants effected entry into the house by breaking the main door and lifted the booty.

The stolen gold ornaments included six pairs of gold earrings, two gold necklace, four finger rings, three pendants, one bangle, two watches, besides other gold ornaments.

The police said cash of Rs 10,000, besides 500 US Dollars were lifted away from the house.

The Chandor-Guirdolim area had been in the news in recent times, with burglars making hay with the police failing to lay their hands on the miscreants.

In fact, the rising house burglaries had figured at the gram sabha meetings of the Chandor village Pancahayt.

Bombay High Court at Goa on Friday dismissed the petition filed by National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE) against film star Amitabh Bachchan and others under antitobacco law.

Justice N A Britto dismissed the petition filed by the NGO. Along with Bachchan, the case was also filed with local police against Keshu Ramsay, producer of the film ‘Family’ and M/s DMS film private limited.

NOTE had objected to the roadside hoardings on MargaoMapusa route which showed the Big B smoking cigar.

The hoardings, displaying a still picture from the film ‘Family’, were put up in from December 25, 2005 to January 01, 2006.

Anti Tobacco NGO had protested against these hoardings.

The NGO had claimed that hoardings were violating cigarettes and other tobacco products (prohibition of advertisement and regulations of trade and commerce, production supply and distribution) act, 2003 and under section 7 of Goa Prohibitory

smoking and spitting act, 1997.

Reacting to the judgment, NOTE general secretary Dr Shekhar Salkar said the organization will challenge the order in the Supreme Court.

After sessions judge U V Bakre quashed the legal proceeding against Bachchan and others in March 2008, the NGO had moved to the High Court.

CM hailed for reservations in Municipal polls HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JULY 30

Former Minister Luis Alex Cardoso has thanked Chief Minister Digambar Kamat and Urban Development Minister Joaquim Alemao for declaring reservations for OBC/SC/ST in the coming Municipal polls due in October 2010.

“Your government has won the hearts of these communities and they will always have faith on your government”, Cardozo said.

He recalled that he had placed before the Cabinet in 1995 as a Minister of State for Panchayat to reserve seats for the OBC in the Panchayat elections.

Govt pulled up for not protecting IT industries at Dona Paula HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 30

The government is not protecting the interest of the IT industries, who were allotted plots in the Rajiv Gandhi IT Habitat at Dona Paula, a legislative panel has said.

The project has been put on standstill as the people of Taleigao protested against the project.

“The IT industries have expressed fear that once they restart work on the project the violence may re-occur,” the adhoc committee on Information technology headed by Aldona legislator Dayanand Narvekar said.

The committee further said that if this is the state of affairs then Goa will lose on establishing itself as an IT hub.

“The IT companies will be discouraged to set up industries in Goa which will hamper employment avenues and also result in loss of revenue to government treasury,” the report says.

The committee desires that the government take stringent action to prevent violence and deterrent steps against these violent groups and if necessary provide police protection.

The committee desires that the government provide them protection but take an undertaking from them that they will begin construction within a specified time limit.

“If this is not adhered to they should be asked to return the land to the government,” he stated.

3 injured in Tivim mishap PORVORIM, JULY 30(HC)

Three persons were injured after a car dashed against a motorcycle near Tivim on Friday afternoon.

According to Mapusa Police, the accident occurred when the car (GA-06-A-0234), which was proceeding from Mapusa towards Bicholim, skidded off the road and dashed against oncoming Hero Honda Splendor motorcycle (MH-07-M-8161).

Motorcycle rider Ragoba Amrut Shetkar (38), his wife Saraswati (30) and their daughter Dipti (10) sustained injuries.

CM, health minister, Mapusa MLA inspect Asilo condition HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, JULY 30

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat along with Health Minister Vishwajeet Rane and Mapusa MLA Francis D’Souza on Friday visited the Asilo Hospital at Mapusa to inspect the condition of the hospital.

The chief minister interacted with the hospital staff at Asilo Hospital. Later, Kamat visited the new district hospital and examined the facilities available there.

It may be recalled that Herald had carried an extensive report on the poor facilities and infrastructure at the Asilo hospital, which was once considered a premier medical centre for people of North Goa. Speaking informally, Kamat said the issue of starting the District Hospital had come up for discussion in the ongoing Assembly session.

“Since Asilo Hospital is unable to handle rush of patients, the government is contemplating to start the OPD Section in the new District Hospital and also make available morgue facilities to the public. Initially the OPD and Morgue will be shifted to new premises. This arrangement will ease the burden on the present Asilo Hospital,” informed Kamat.

“Prior to taking a final decision in this regard, I will convene a meeting next week and discuss the matter with the health minister and Mapusa MLA threadbare,” said Kamat.

Joint Secretary (Health) Mr Sardessai, Health Services Director Dr Rajnanda Desai and Dr Sanjeev Dalvi, Medical Superintendent accompanied the chief minister, health minister and Mapusa MLA during their visits to the two hospitals.

‘Importance of Liberation Day not taught in some schools’ HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 30

Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Damodar Naik on Friday said that the importance of Goa’s Liberation Day annually observed on December 19 was not taught in certain schools of Goa. Speaking during the Private Members’ Resolution, Naik preferred to conceal names of the schools that skip teaching its students on the significance of December 19.

“Some schools do not celebrate this day and grant holidays without hoisting the flag. The importance is not taught to the students…,” he said.

The Fatorda MLA suggested that Government issue directions to all schools in Goa to celebrate Golden Jubilee celebration of Goa’s Liberation including awareness among the students’ on Goan art, heritage, culture, etc. Naik stated that even non-Goan students studying here should also be educated on the Goan history.

The resolution was however

withdrawn after the Education Minister assured to form a committee to chalk out a plan to celebrate the golden jubilee of Goa’s liberation.

He informed the Assembly of forming a committee that will include experts from various fields for this activity.

Meanwhile, Ruling party legislator Pandurang Dhawalikar on Friday recommended the Government to construct Goa Konkani and Marathi Natya Academy to promote welfare and creative skills of Goan artists.

Presenting his Private Members’ Resolution in the Assembly on Friday, he said, the academy besides generating employment, will be a boon to local artists to display their talents.

At the same time, it will disseminate Goa’s history, culture, tradition, etc to huge masses, Dhavalikar said.

The resolution was withdrawn following an assurance from the chief minister that it was contemplating Ravindra Bhavan in every taluka and ‘working towards that goal.’

OHERALDO

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OPINION

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O HERALD O

Fernão Mendes Pinto: The Portuguese Marco Polo

Vol No CX No: 194 Goa, Saturday 31 July, 2010

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Site-specific sensation

ndia should not get its hopes too high about British Prime Minister David Cameron’s remarkably candid indictment of Pakistan as a country that supports terrorism, and his hectoring our truculent neighbour that it can’t have it “both ways on terrorism”, and needs to dismantle the shadowy Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT). A lot of the reason for Mr Cameron’s charming candour was that on this trip, he wasn’t scheduled to visit Pakistan, and played to the Indian gallery.

Making winning statements has been the trump card of his triumphant tour to Turkey and India. In both countries, he unabashedly ‘spoke his mind’, rather than in measured diplomatic statements. In fact, if his statements in India sounded radical, Mr Cameron in Turkey was no less than revolutionary. In Ankara, he called Gaza a “prison camp”. In a Turkey that is fresh from the flotilla fracas with Israel followed by the sudden, steep and swift decline of Turkish-Israeli relations, it seemed almost like demagoguery, especially considering that he neglected (forgot?) to add the customary condemnation of Hamas.

That was not all. He went on to strongly support Turkey’s entry to the European Union (EU), criticised other European countries for delaying its EU application, and said that it sends the wrong message to keep a country out because of its religion. The fact is that most EU members opposed to its entry are worried less about religion than the expected huge influx of Turkish workers into their countries.

Mr Cameron’s tour is basically a sales trip. In terms of business, the UK has been losing ground in India to the US. India is keen to encourage foreign direct investment (FDI) in areas like infrastructure, but Mr Cameron’s mission was to persuade our leaders to lower barriers for the service sector. The British are looking forward, for example, to a change in regulations allowing overseas law firms to set up offices in India, and in the opening up of the retail and finance sectors, especially Insurance and Banking.

The British Prime Minister candidly admits that there is a strong commercial angle to his foreign policy. Whether he has succeeded in his mission and to what extent we will know only in the weeks and months to come. But make no mistake, his explosive political statements were mostly window dressing; small talk before the big sales pitch.

Of course, there can be no lightning without thunder. In a rather direct fallout, Pakistan has ‘postponed’ President Asif Ali Zardari’s visit to Britain, and announced that he will visit France instead. It has also threatened that it may consider ending its sharing of intelligence with the British. But even before these thunderclaps fell, Mr Cameron had already tempered his criticism of Pakistan as he left India. Having set a goal of doubling trade between the two countries in five years, he pointed out that it was necessary to be “fair” about Pakistan’s efforts to fight extremism.

So, is it Britain’s new government’s new foreign policy to travel to a country and insult its unfriendly neighbour? Not really. For, Mr Cameron does not lack expert advice. The same senior civil servants who briefed his predecessor accompanied him on this tour. It seems, rather, that Britain new government is trying to loosen up the country’s traditionally stiff upper lip, but experiencing early hiccups.

Vailankanni ahoy

I

t is extremely considerate of the Indian Railways to arrange five special trains from Vasco to Nagapattinam and back to enable the faithful to travel more easily to observe the Feast of Our Lady of Good Health, which starts on 29 August and ends on 9 September. The special trains will enable devotees to reach Nagapattinam directly, instead of changing trains twice or enduring a long drive by road.

Why not close Khajuraho?

Damodar Mauzo, Majorda The objection to the paintings of Dr Jose Pereira raised by the Hindu JanJagruti Samiti is highly deplorable. The organisation does not represent the Hindu community as such, and has no right to talk on behalf of Hindus.

A professor of theology, Dr Jose Pereira is a scholar, musicologist, researcher and polyghot, besides being a great painter.

He is a Sanskrit pundit who can speak chaste Sanskrit, putting many a Sanskrit scholar to shame. He is a philosopher who has digested the essence of the world’s religions. Though he lives in the US, he has Goa and India at heart. This is evident from his writings, which centre around Goa, Konkani and Goan traditions.

Dr Pereira is an icon whose artistic genius is beyond question. An intellectual of his calibre can never portray anything condescending or derogatory. His recent series of paintings – ‘Epiphanies of the Hindu Gods’ – is the result of a deep study of Hindu

100 Years Ago PRIMEIRO DIARIO NAS COLONIAS PORTUGEZAS

31 July 1910 Silk Factory

Mr.K.G. Dattar who is going to proceed with the preliminary works to install a silk factory, has reached Sanvordem.

Telegraph Stations

On the 19th of the next month, the Telegraph Stations at Calangute and Aguada. will be thrown open to the public.

Assolna Stall

There is rampant corruption laced with large doses of arrogance at the Butcher’s stall in the Village of Assolna , the authorities must look into the matter.

Finances Study

O Seculo’ reports that a Superintending Inspector from the Overseas Treasury, was deputed to Mozambique to study the matter concerning the financial state of that Province.

Peregrinação is a tale of two heroes – António Faria and st Francis xavier – says tEotonio r DE soUZA

P

eregrinação, in 226 chapters, is a fascinating European account of Asia of the age of Iberian discoveries. It is a sort of Portuguese version of Marco Polo´s Travels, and concentrates curiously in the same region. While in Portugal the book was printed twice in the 17th century (1614, 1678), there were six Spanish, four English, four German, two French and two Dutch editions issued during the same period. Its popularity may be gauged by the fact that even the Lusiads saw only six foreign editions in that century. Till date, the number of editions in different world languages certainly exceeds 170.

A new English-Portuguese edition in four volumes, a collaborative work of a dozen-odd scholars, has been released a couple of months ago in Lisbon to mark the 400th birth anniversary of the author: Fernão Mendes Pinto and the Peregrinação, 4 vols. ed. Jorge Santos Alves, Lisboa, Fundação Oriente / Imprensa Nacional-Casa da Moeda, 2010. Vol. 1: Studies - 375 pp. - Vol. 2: Restored Text - 797 pp. - Vol. 3: Notes - 335 pp. - Vol. 4: Indexes - 107 pp. - ISBN 978-972-785-096-9 Price: € 150 (Rs9,150).

Fernão Mendes Pinto left for India in his late teens to find some remedy for his miserable life conditions. He returned to Portugal in September 1558, after nearly 21 long years in Asia and decided to leave a record of his memories before he died on 8 July 1583. He claims that if he had to record all he experienced, he would need the oceans for ink and the skies for paper. His Peregrinação is part of the contemporary literature of voyages, and since much of it circulated among erudite persons, he draws from others and adapts it to his plan of work. Camões, the author of the Portuguese national epic, was one of his contemporaries. He seems to have drawn information from the writings of the Portuguese chronicler João de Barros and Bras de Albuquerque, the son of Afonso de Albuquerque, author of Comentários.

He also draws from the Dominican friar Gaspar da Cruz, author of Tratado das Coisas da China, published recently, just like the voluminous work of the Jesuit Luis Fróis; that too had to wait till the very recent past to be published. These works were not likely to be best-sellers and could not find interested publishers. That was also one of the reasons why the Peregrinação was published only posthumously, but still in 1614.

The Peregrinação contains the earliest reference

HistoricAl ExplorAtions to the introduction of guns into Japan through the mediation of the Portuguese, a fact that changed the political organisation of that country.

Firearms gave the advantage to Nobunaga against his feudal rivals. Fernão Mendes Pinto was one of the first Portuguese to have been in Japan at least four times. He even assisted Francis Xavier (later Goencho Saib) with funds to build a church in Japan.

The main personage in Peregrinação is António Faria, a Portuguese pirate in South East Asia, presented as a fascinating hero. He was his co-villager from Montemor-o-Velho, and benefited from his patronage during his adventures. The other hero, of a diametrically different type, is St Francis Xavier, whom Fernão Mendes Pinto met in Japan in 1551. Possibly attracted by his zeal and influ-

A/c toilet for aam admi

Tongue in cheek

A

national leader is once famously supposed to have remarked: “Ajeeb hai Goa ke log.” Literally translated it means that Goans are a strange lot. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Expect the unexpected from the Goan populace, especially our politicians. Goa can be termed as a land of twos. We have two bridges over the River Mandovi. Very soon we shall have two bridges over the River Zuari too. Almost every city in the state has two bus stands, with city buses plying between the two stands.

Not so long ago, a bridge near Vasco was inaugurated not once but twice, by two different politicians. At one point of time, during one of the several political upheavals, Goa almost had two Chief Ministers.

When it comes to spending public money, expect our politicians to spend where it is not necessary. So we have a sea link in the pipeline, when not a single Goan has demanded for it. Neither the citizens of Vasco nor the residents of Dona Paula have made any such representation to the government. But then, the government in its ‘wisdom’ deemed it fit to come up with a sea link that would cost several thousand crores of rupees.

Gods and the faith.

It is a pity that the self-styled leaders of the so-called Hindu JanJagruti Samiti do not have the intellectual depth to assess or evaluate the beautiful depiction of our deities by this great son of the soil. If at all the HJS objects to nudity in religious art, let them first go to Khajuraho and shut down those timeless temples, where nudity and ‘shringaar’is the focus of the art. Let them delete ‘Raas-krida’ or ‘Raas-leela’ from the Hindu religious scriptures before they target others.

Save agricultural land P L Fernandes, Old Goa The proposed amendment to the TCP Act (‘Amendment to TCP Act: GBA says no’, Herald, 26 July), will presumably allow the government to frame rules opening up hill slopes, khazan lands and cultivable fields for development.

If the government has unfettered access to even prime agricultural land for buildings, then we farmers might as well say goodbye to agriculture. I have seen khazan lands slowly but systematically turning fallow and being used for ‘lucrative-for-some’ fish farming, with the connivance of government agencies, but no benefit to farmers.

I hope the government acts responsibly and puts in place scrupulously devised safeguards to prevent destruction of cultivable land.

Impose RTI Francis A Soares, Santa Cruz It is wise to impose the RTI Act on Church authorities, since we have heard of many scandals in the Church by a few corrupt clergy. As followers of Jesus Christ, what is there for the Church to hide, if they are clean? Most institutes run by Church authorities are funded by the government in some way. Old Churches are renovated with funds from the government. One should have the information to question Church authorities when something is not right.

Ban ore entry S Kamat, Alto Betim With Karnataka putting a ban of exports of iron ore through its ports, Goa should follow

ence, he gained his vocation for the Society of Jesus. But the habits of free life and adventure acquired during two decades of wanderings across the seas and lands of Asia, perhaps, did not permit him to settle into a novitiate routine.

Peregrinação was looked upon till very recently as fiction, but more recent research has revealed that Fernão Mendes Pinto was telling more truth than it was generally believed. He was even given the bad name of ‘liar’. The Jesuits contributed partly to this notoriety: From Gianpietro Maffei, who interviewed him in his home before he died, to George Schurhammer, the master biographer of St Francis Xavier, who utilised him as a contemporary witness for preparing the process of canonisation and for promoting the image of St Francis Xavier, all were wary of the dubious life

background of the author of Peregrinação and the one-time benefactor and novice of the Society of Jesus.

As Professor Boxer has rightly pointed out in one of his appreciations of Peregrinação, the Jesuits tended to wipe out the written records of those who left the Society or denigrate the character of those who were expelled from it. I would endorse the existence of such a tendency till very recent times, or at least till Vatican II brought new ways of looking at religious life, ceasing to judge ex-members as some kind of delinquents.

One important contribution of Fernão Mendes Pinto is his ability to combine facts and fiction in order to present to the posterity the real world in which he moved in Asia. His text had to pass through the censors of the Inquisition, and he adapted his style accordingly. He made others say what he wanted to say.

He has left a vivid picture of the greed and violence of the Portuguese adventurers that entered South East Asia and far-eastern seas in significant numbers after the death of Afonso de Albuquerque in a new policy adopted by the Portuguese home government. It came to be known as grande soltura (free-for-all) and increasingly more Portuguese sought fortunes in private trade, away from the controls of the Goa-based government. Recent historical scholarship has designated it as the Portuguese ‘shadow empire’ (império da sombra) in the Bay of Bengal and beyond. The clues provided in Peregrinação, deliberately woven as a puzzle of truth and fiction, need further historical research to unravel the full contents of the satire that was conceived as sharply critical of the ambivalent behaviour of the contemporary Portuguese colonial society in Asia.

To conclude, his two heroes, the ‘pirate’ and the ‘saint’, met in Goa. The last will of Antonio Faria, signed on 2 June 1548, was discovered a few decades back in the archives of the Misericórdia of Oporto. He had made his will through the Misericórdia (Holy House of Mercy) of Goa and left his inheritance to his family in Montemor-o-Velho.

Francis Xavier was one of the witnesses who signed the last will and also pardoned his many sins! It was yet another documentary proof that Antonio Faria was a real personage and had really gathered significant wealth and survived all the blood-curdling incidents narrated in the Peregrinação.

Let’s put it this way: The bigger the project, the bigger the kickback. Very probably the day is not far when our politicians will promise to build a bridge even where there is no river or sea. The same public money could have been spent to build half a dozen small bridges wherever necessary, to connect various villages and islands to the mainland, to bring people closer together.

When it comes to thinking off the hat, our politicians are way ahead. Now plans are afoot to build an air-conditioned toilet in the commercial capital, which incidentally happens to be the home constituency of the chief minister. We were told that we have a government of the aam admi in power. The a/c toilet project appears more like it is for the khaas admi. Being built at a cost of Rs13 lakh, it seems that a lot of money would be literally going down the drain. The same could probably have been spent to build half a dozen toilets for the aam admi.

Be that as it may, having an air-conditioned toilet has its own advantages and disadvantages. It means that one can answer nature’s call in luxurious comfort. One will not have to break into a sweat. Spending time in the toilet will no longer be a problem.

River Princess truths

Anil Madgavkar, Verem

The advertisement published yesterday by Salgaonkar Mining Industries Pvt Ltd makes false and frivolous allegations against me, for reasons best known to its owners. This clarification is to set the record straight: I am not a member of any Advisory Committee of the Chief Secretary nor do I have any inside knowledge of deliberations and decisions of the Advisory Committee of the Chief Secretary with regard to the MV River Princess.

The government had asked us about a year ago whether the MV River Princess can be re-floated in one piece and we advised them that in view of the innumerable cracks and gaping holes in the hull, it will not be possible for anybody to re-float the vessel at this juncture, and it would have to be cut and removed in pieces on the seaward side.

We have absolutely no connection with Titan Salvage, which is an American Company.

We have, in fact, filed a case in the High Court challenging the award of the salvage contract to Titan Salvage, since its bid is not as per the tender.

We would like to ask the original owners of the MV River Princess why they did nothing for the first five years to remove the vessel, when it could have easily been re-floated and taken away.

The original owners of the vessel should accept responsibility for their gross negligence and inaction, rather than trying to blame others for their faults.

In fact, it is a matter of record that we had offered to re-float the vessel and take it away barely two weeks after it ran aground in 2000, but our offer was not entertained; neither by the owners nor by the Government of Goa.

No extension Augusto Monteiro, Loutolim Hon’ble Deputy Speaker Mauvin Godinho’s proposal to extend the already fixed cutoff date for encroachments on comunidade land defeats the very purpose. Is our government not firm on legislation? If we allow a fresh cut-off date, it will be a never ending story, as some other member will again suggest extending the cut-off date, to secure his vote bank.

The government cannot continuously oscillate. Legislators should stop creating vote banks at the cost of comunidades, which deprives locals of their land. By regularising illegal encroachments and pampering migrants, I can foresee a future where Goans

Probably, people will spend more time in the ‘comfort’ of the toilet than is necessary. Others may visit it when there is no need, only to beat the sweltering heat outside.

It is not known whether the toilets will be of Indian type or the western variety. Probably those who visit the toilet will have an option to go ‘desi’ or ‘phoren’. But then, spending more time in the toilets could mean long queues outside. Those who are genuinely in urgent need of using the toilet may have to wait and hope against hope that the person inside comes out quickly. It is also not known whether the waiting room of the toilet will be air-conditioned as well.

Having an air-conditioner in a toilet means that an exhaust fan cannot be fitted. So the same air circulates. What if it is stale air?

The stench could be overwhelming. This could be a blessing in disguise. People would now spend less time in the toilet, and those waiting outside will heave a sigh of relief. As an afterthought, it would be better to call this a/c toilet a wash room or a changing room or even a cloak room. When its air-conditioned and all, the word ‘toilet’ somehow seems outdated and mundane.

Letters to the Editor

Letter of the Day

suit and ban the entry of iron ore trucks or trains from adjoining Karnataka. With the assembly in session, it would be opportune to have an MLA raise this issue during Zero Hour.

By Adelmo Fernandes

will be a minority and strangers will be our law makers.

Discriminating MLA Shamli Naik, Marcaim Though Marcaim MLA Sudin Dhavalikar wishes to solve people’s problems, only the better-off and rich get the benefit of various schemes. Needy people remain in the shadow and suffer. Only one government job should be given per family, but he has been giving jobs to two or even four persons from the same family. Needy aspirants from poor families get excuses instead of jobs.

Mr Dhavalikar’s ‘chamchas’ from Kavlem and Marcaim get the maximum benefits.

These ‘chamchas’ tell him bad things about those they don’t like. The MLA believes these stories, and therefore the really needy don’t even get one government job in a family. He should discard such ‘chamchas’ and help all his voters without discrimination.

LIC godbod Yatin Pednekar, Mapusa Some LIC employees from the Mapusa branch have been going round making LIC policies through bogus agents. Others sell policies to top agents for a premium. This is not fair, as LIC has appointed full-time agents.

Though the authorities are aware of this, they look the other way as they are interested only in the figures. In Mapusa, employees even leave the office to contact clients as the Branch Manager is not in the office in the mornings. Will the Insurance regulatory authority please investigate this?

Bus blues Soter D’Souza, Socorro The bus fare hike permitted by the government only makes public transport more expensive than using one’s own vehicle. Our roads are getting jammed and our cities overcrowded with vehicles. The government should be discouraging the use of private vehicles by putting in place an economical, decent and efficient public transport system.

But instead, the public is made to travel in buses that would have been scrapped in any other state. In spite of such expensive public bus transport, commuters are treated like cattle and subject to danger because of overcrowding and speeding. The plight of women commuters is terrible. If one entirely depends on public transport in a village, it is wise not to complain to the authorities, or one could be denied entry into the bus!

Ministers or postmen?

B V S Priolkar, Margao The CM and other ministers answer questions from the Opposition in the Assembly, by just reading out data prepared by their departments. The minister is only doing a postman’s job!

What happens after that? How many ministers apply their minds and take steps to cut expenditure? The issue is instantly forgotten and each one is free to spend without limit. On to the next session… There is no feeling of guilt, either from the department or the minister. After all, ‘whose father’s what goes’?

Paths of Wisdom

The Spirit and Human Nature What I say is this: Let the Spirit direct your lives, and you will not satisfy the desires of the human nature. For what our human nature wants is opposed to what the Spirit wants, and what the Spirit wants is opposed to what our human nature wants. These two are enemies, and this means that you cannot do what you want to do. If the Spirit leads you, then you are not subject to the Law. What human nature does is quite plain. It shows itself in immoral, filthy and indecent actions; in worship of idols and witchcraft. People become enemies and they fight; they become jealous, angry and ambitious. They separate into parties and groups; they are envious, get drunk, have orgies, and do other things like these. I warn you now as I have before; those who do these things will not possess the Kingdom of God. But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control.

There is no law against such things as these. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have put to death their human nature with all its passions and desires.

The Spirit has given us life; he must also control our lives. We must not be proud or irritate one another or be jealous of one another.

(Galatians 5:16-26)

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GOA, SATURDAY, 31 JULY, 2010

OPinionated Bharat bandh ko bandh karo!

By Brig (Retd) Ian da Costa

It was sickening to hear the rejected leaders of the Opposition call the recent Bharat bandh, a grand success. This has been done on the basis that all shops and commercial establishments were closed and transport was generally forced off the roads.

In some other metropolises, air travel was also badly affected causing great hardship to the public. Schools and colleges were closed and lakhs of people were stranded in strange places wherever their journey was terminated, and had to spend large sums of money to survive. According to initial estimates, Rupees 3000 crores and more of national wealth has been lost in a single day. It will take many days to earn that amount even if we are prepared to sweat it out. Daily wage workers have lost their meagre earnings and their children in all probability would have gone to bed hungry. These are the same leaders who scream at the Government to improve their roads and infrastructure nation wide. They demand that the wages for workers and Government employees be raised. Who is responsible for the misery that the aam admi of our country suffer? No doubt that we are all facing hardships due to the price rise, but can they not understand what is happening to other countries in Africa, South America, Europe and Asia? Their economies are in shambles and tatters and inflation is much higher than in our country. The bandh has only taken a difficult situation to levels of desperation for the poor aam admi.

The Opposition is crowing over the statistics collected by certain TV channels on the basis of SMS and email messages received. Have they ever thought that this does not represent the views of the poor aam admi, as they do not posses computers or have the know how to send SMS messages to TV stations?

Please do not live in a house of make- believe. Come down to brass tacks and Mother Earth. Lal Krishna Advani has done enough to cause lasting damage to our already tottering constitutional pillars and disregarded the rulings of the Supreme Court with respect to strikes and bandhs.

For all these travails, the Opposition is squarely to blame.

They are looking for self aggrandizement and publicity. The shops and establishments were closed, not because the aam admi is showing solidarity with the bandh called by the Opposition, but because they are afraid of the damage that would be caused by vandals in the crowds who would be difficult to identify and proceed against them. The various red, saffron and green brigades are known trouble-shooters. I heard in the TV news, that 78 buses were damaged in Mumbai itself. Whose property is this anyway? Buses and taxis which came on the road to help the public were damaged and the drivers beaten up. Possibly they were carrying sick people to the nearest clinic or hospital. Hell was let loose when a young child died because he could not be brought to the hospital in time , as roads closed due to the Prime Minister’s convoy. Many such cases occurred during the country wide Bharat bandh, but the media failed to bring them out with the same venom.

Let me remind these Opposition leaders that this is national property belonging to each one of us teeming millions. Destroying national property is a crime. The aam admi will surely remember the hardships they faced when he or she casts their votes in the next elections. The Opposition BJP and Left parties who were most vociferous during the Bharat bandh will undoubtedly find their numbers further cut to size and they will further dwindle. The poor can manage to put up with the price rise as the Government is taking all steps to reverse the trend.

Besides it is well-known that every monsoon we have the price of vegetables and fruit going up because of the heavy rain and other factors. Besides due to the climate change syndrome, we have floods and droughts simultaneously. The Government has doled out vast sums of money to states to overcome these contingencies. Instead of coming forward and assisting the Government in this difficult task, so that the aam admi do not have to tighten their belts further, they are from January to December creating hurdles and obstacles in the smooth functioning of Parliament and other constitutional bodies.

The likes of Rajnath Singh, Ravi Shankar Prasad, The Karats, Arun Jaitly, Gopinath Munde and others will be remembered for all the disruption and losses they caused in the economic life of our country. There are other smaller parties who have joined the Bharat bandh driven by their leaders for the sake of publicity as they wanted to be in the news on some pretext or the other. Such politicians who encourage bandhs have already been ticked off by the Supreme Court. These leaders say that the Government must Roll Back the rise in petrol and diesel prices. That means they have to continue to heavily subsidize costs. Where are they to get the money from? Do they want our country to go bankrupt like Greece? Some other European countries are also fast going the same way and there is distress in the Western World. These matters must be discussed in Parliament and positive suggestions must be made by them on the spot.

What are the positive suggestions made by the Opposition in recent times? They always say the Government should have done this and could have done that, with hindsight. But no such suggestion was given in real time so that it could have been acted upon. The Opposition is only digging its own grave.

Hooligans and criminal elements are only looking for such opportunities to commit crimes for which they are best suited.

For one thing is sure, criminals, musclemen and hooligans will ever be grateful to the Opposition leaders for providing them with this opportunity to play their pranks.

Here in our own Goa, Kadamba Transport Corporation have had many buses damaged with windscreen and window panes smashed and tyres deflated. We all know that Kadamba Transport Corporation is already in the Red for various reasons. Though unconnected with the price rise, the BJP has at the same time demanded to know what Headley has said about Ishrat Jehan the alleged LeT operative who was killed in an allegedly fake encounter.

The BJP says that the people have a right to know what actually happened. The Government itself is in the dark as they themselves are trying to figure out what the true position is.

Just like NDTV, the Opposition thinks they are the first who should know the facts even when they are yet to be fully ascertained by the Government. Have they ever said that the people have a duty to protect Government and Public Property? Misguiding the crowd is easy, but what about restraining them when they are restive? I request the Opposition leaders not to adopt such a dangerous course which is clearly against the interests of our country. Let people decide the Government they want and presently the UPA Government is to be in power till 2014. Let them govern in a peaceful atmosphere instead of putting obstacles in their way on an almost daily basis. Then you may go to the people with all your programmes, promises and misgivings about the UPA Government. We support peaceful protest. But bandhs never have been peaceful in the past, and never will be in the future, if leaders whip up hysteria. So let’s put them away or burn them with the next bonfire you create of old tyres and State Transport buses.

The Railways have not been spared with many bogies set on fire with petrol bombs.

India must come first in our interests always and every time.

This does not seem to be the priority of the Opposition. Longing to get back into the seat of power is in itself not a bad idea.

But using such tools as a Bharat bandh are not appropriate methods to achieve this aim.

This is not the India Scenario that good and patriotic citizens want to see. Jai Hind!

Modi alleges CBI misuse in Sohrabuddin case

UNI AHMEDABAD, JULY 30

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has alleged that Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was working hand-in-glove with the Congress in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case.

Speaking for the first time after his close aide Amit Shah was forced to resign as Gujarat Minister of state for Home after being chargesheeted in the case and arrested, Mr Modi criticised the CBI, saying, ' Whatever has been going on in the state since last week shows that Congress has accepted its defeat in Gujarat.''

He was presiding over a function to inaugurate a bridge, named after former Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, in his Maninagar constituency here yesterday.

“Gujarat is committed to the development and the political use of CBI will not be a success,” Mr Modi said.

He said peace has prevailed in the state during last ten years and no need to impose curfew

CBI files report PTI NEW DELHI, JULY 30

The CBI today filed in the Supreme Court a status report on the progress of the probe in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case in which former Gujarat minister and Narendra Modi's close aide Amit Shah has been arrested.

Apex court sources said that CBI officials had submitted the report in a sealed cover to the Registry. In addition to Shah, the other main accused in the case are suspended DIG D G Vanzara and Rajkumar Pandian, both Gujarat cadre IPS officers and Dinesh M N, a Rajasthan cadre IPS officer.

Sheikh was killed in 2005 allegedly by Gujarat police with the help of Andhra Pradesh police claiming he was planning to assassinate Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

has arisen. ''But some people have not been able to digest the peace in Gujarat. Please don't underestimate power of the people of Gujarat. They won't tolerate anyone creating hurdles in their efforts for development,'' he said. ''We want to achieve peace by development and I will continue to fight against the elements creating hurdles in the way of development,'' the Chief Minister said.

Modi slammed Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government for indulging in a vote bank policy. ''The Congress government has hatched a conspiracy to usurp the rights of Dalits and other backward class people by adopting a policy of providing the benefits of reservation to the religious converts,'' he alleged.

This policy of appeasement was posing a grave danger to the unity and integrity of the nation, he said.

NIA probing Samjhauta blast links with Ajmer, Malegaon PTI NEW DELHI, JULY 30

Probe into the Samjhauta Express blast by the National Investigation Agency will look into the entire conspiracy behind the attack including links of the accused in terror cases in Rajasthan and Maharashtra also.

Replying to questions after presenting his ministry's report card for July, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram said the decision to handover the probe to NIA was taken as the Harayana Police was not able to make any headway in its probe.

The investigation will also try to ascertain whether the persons and groups involved in the explosion in Samjhauta Express have any links with Hindu extremist elements who were allegedly involved in blasts in Ajmer and Malegaon, Chidambaram said.

"One of the aspects that NIA will probe is whether it has got any connection with those who were involved in Ajmer blast,

Mecca Masjid and Malegaon blasts. That is an aspect that has to be probed," he said when asked whether Hindu groups were involved in the case.

Sixty-eight people were killed when bombs were set off in two coaches of cross-countr y Samjhauta Express, running between Delhi and Lahore, around midnight on February 18, 2007 at Diwana near Panipat, 80 kilometres north of Delhi.

The Home Minister, however, made it clear that it was premature to point finger at any organisation or individual at this stage.

"If we could do that, why we would hand it over to the NIA? Since Haryana police has not been able to crack the case, with their consent, the case has been handed over to the NIA," he said.

Chidambaram said NIA can investigate terror related cases and the agency has been given a number of cases ever since it was constituted.

"Some of the old cases, which have not yet been solved, are

COI against Major for possessing secret files

Navy’s new warship project awaits nod

PTI NEW DELHI, JULY 30

The Army has ordered a court of inquiry (COI) against a major posted in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands for allegedly possessing 2,000 sensitive military documents on his personal computer from where it was passed on to Pakistan.

Army officials here said Major Santanu Dey would face the probe after a joint investigation by the Military Intelligence (MI) and National Investigation Agency (NIA) found that the documents from his personal computer had been mailed to an ISI contact in Pakistan.

Major Dey is posted in the Bihar Regiment, which is deployed in Andaman and Nicobar Islands as part of the tri-services command in Port Blair.The Army COI will go into the circumstances under which Major Dey came in possession of these secret documents and how these were mailed to Pakistan.

PTI NEW DELHI, JULY 30

The Telangana agitation being spearheaded by TRS today received a boost with the party retaining six of the 12 Assembly constituencies in Telangana region where by-elections were held recently and appeared to be heading for victory in five other segments.

It was a one-sided contest as the counting of votes began this morning and TRS candidates registered impressive victories in Siddipet, Dharmapuri, Vemulawada, Chennur, Mancherial and Sirpur constituencies.

The ruling Congress suffered a major setback as its state president D Srinivas lost from Nizamabad Urban and party nominees from other seats were also defeated by huge margins.

Srinivas, who lost the 2009 Assembly election too from Nizamabad, was defeated by his

Mumbai attack:Cops reject Rane’s allegation PTI MUMBAI, JULY 30

There is no substance in the allegation made by state revenue minister Narayan Rane that some state politicians had assisted the terrorists who attacked Mumbai on November 26, 2008, police told High Court today.

"We submitted a letter to the court saying that probe into November 26 attack has not revealed the role of any politician," public prosecutor P A Pol said.

The division bench of Justices Ranjana Desai and V K Tahilramani, which was hearing the PIL filed by Solapur-based Purushottam Barde in this regard, reserved the judgement.

A disgruntled Rane had said in a press conference in December 2008 that he knew some politicians of ruling coalition in the state who had provided assistance to terrorists.

The Defence Ministry has sent a naval project for building four new guided missile destroyer warships to Finance Ministry for clearance, before it goes to Cabinet Committee on Security for final approval.

Defence Ministry officials said here today that the project that may be worth Rs 30,000 crore envisaged building the guided missile destroyers as a followon to the on-going project of Kolkata class warships.

Codenamed 'Project 15B', the four new Destroyers with stealth features superior to the Kolkata class would be constructed at the Mumbai-based Mazagon Docks Limited (MDL).

The three Kolkata-class destroyers are under construction at MDL under the long-delayed Rs 11,662-crore Project 15A and are scheduled for delivery to the Navy between 2012 and 2014.

Bhojpuri actor Ravi Kishen with a co-actor during the promotion of his film 'Jara Dev Duniya Tohra Pyar Mein' in Patna on Friday.

TRS wins six seats in Andhra by-polls PTI HYDERABAD, JULY 30

being given to NIA because we want them to solve them.

Samjhauta express case is an example.

"It is all depend on the progress being made by the current investigating agency. When they are unable to solve the case after a reasonable time, then I am afraid with their consent, the alternative is to try and ask NIA...can you solve it," he said.

The Home Minister said the Mecca masjid blast (May 18, 2007) case is already with the CBI while Ajmer blast (October 11, 2007) is with ATS Rajasthan and Malegaon blasts (September 8, 2006) is with ATS Maharashtra.

The case was being handled

by Harayana Police, which had failed to make any headway after its probe led to a tailor at Indore, who had prepared the cover for the suitcase in which the bombs were planted.

Sources said Madhya Pradesh police were not cooperating with the probe.

BJP rival Y Lakshmi Narayana by a margin of about 12,000 votes.

TRS candidate in Siddipet T Harish Rao, nephew of party president K Chandrasekhar Rao, won with a huge margin of over 95,000 votes.

Ballot papers were used in five of the twelve constituencies, and therefore it is expected that the results will take time to come.

As per the initial trends, TRS candidates are leading in all the five seats - Warangal West, Yellareddy, Huzurabad, Sircilla and Koratla.

The results of these constituencies were expected to be out only in the evening or even later.

"This is a victory of Telangana sentiment. We dedicate this victory to all those who sacrificed their life for the sake of separate Telangana. This should be a message to the Centre. They should

immediately form separate Telangana state," Harish Rao said.

Accepting the defeat, Srinivas said that people voted in favour of those who quit in support of the separate statehood demand.

Chief Minister K Rosaiah said in a brief statement that his party would respect the verdict of the people.

TDP senior leader T Devender Goud said the TRS' thumping victory in the by-elections was widely expected. "The by-polls were held in a highly emotional atmosphere. We could not focus on the by-election campaigning as we were busy fighting the Babli issue. This has certainly left an impact on our performance," Goud said.

The bypolls in the 12 seats were necessitated as the sitting MLAs had quit their posts in support of separate Telangana demand.

Scheme proposed for rape victims UNI NEW DELHI, JULy 30

The National Commission for Women has proposed a draft Scheme for rape victim under which financial assistance and rehabilitative services be given to her on an application filed by the victim, or by any person or organization on her behalf.

Minister of State for Women and Children Krishna Tirath said in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today that the NCW after the national consultation held on March 7, 2010 has revised the Scheme in April.

Under it the compensation amount can be enhanced looking into the special circumstances of the case and the needs of the affected women.

There is also a proposal for setting up of Criminal Injuries Relief and Rehabilitation Boards at National, State and District levels for implementing the scheme.

Over 100 houses collapse in Belgaum due to rains HERALD CORRESPONDENT BELGAUM, JULY 30

Over 100 houses have collapsed in Belgaum district in the last couple of days due to heavy rains that caused havoc in the district.

As many as 37 houses collapsed on Friday alone, while the number of submerged bridges in the district rose to 22, as heavy rains continue to lash the district. The administration officials in the district are ordered to be ready to face the situation in the event of floods in the low-lying areas of the district.

Water Resources Minister and District In-charge Basavaraj Bommai said flood situation is however in control as officials of both Maharashtra and Karnataka governments are in proper coordination as far as the releases of water and water levels of rivers flowing from Maharashtra to Karnataka.

“The officials are updating each other on the level of reser-

voirs and water being released by them to avoid floods,” said Bommai.

“People living in the low-lying areas too need not panic and as the release of water from reservoirs on the border areas was being checked regularly to prevent the overflowing of Krishna tributaries,” assured Bommai.

Accordingly after the release of about 1.85 cusec water from the Rajapur reservoir of Maharashtra into Krishna, the water resources department took measures to release about 1.91 cusec water from Almatti on Friday to avoid the overflow of reservoirs in north Karnataka.

The district administration has identified alternative routes to divert buses after the submersion of bridges in the district.

Bommai also handed over a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the family of a five-year-old boy Parashuram Parasannavar, who died when the wall of his house collapsed at Kanbargi.

H e s a i d t h e p a re n t s o f

Parashuram would also be allotted a shop for business and money towards the education of Parashuram’s two brothers.

Arrangements to extend help to all those who lost their houses in the continued rains in the past week are being made. Of the 100 houses collapsed in the district, most of them are in Hukkeri taluka.

According to sources, the level of Krishna has been rising d r a s t i c a l l y i n Ra i b a g a n d Chikkodi talukas, where the rainfall also has been incessant.

The Almatti reservoir had about 112 TMC of water as against the maximum of 123 TMC on Friday, while Ghataprabha reservoir contained 27.75 TMC as against 51 TMC and Malaprabha 15 TMC as against 37.73 TMC. According to official sources, the total amount of water in Koyna reservoir of Maharashtra was about 68 TMC as against its maximum of 105 TMC on Friday.

Karnataka’s anti-cow slaughter Bill referred to Prez UNI BANGALORE, JULY 30

In what could turn out to be a setback to the BJP government, Governor H R Bharadwaj has reserved for consideration of President, the controversial Karnataka Prevention of slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill, 2010, which was passed in the two Houses of legislature early this month without any debate.

The Bill, which stipulates heavy penalties, including imprisonment, was opposed by the opposition parties and organisations who accused the BJP government of dividing the people on caste lines and showing disrespect to their food habits.

The state government got the Bill passed by voice vote amid

din in the two houses when the opposition stalled the proceedings during the truncated monsoon session early this month.

A communication from Governor's secretariat clarified that the Governor's had not sent back to the Bill to the state government as stated by Home Minister V S Achar earlier, but referred it to the President.

“After due consideration of the provisions of the Bill with reference to Constitutional provisions relating to Fundamental Rights, the ruling of the apex court, averse effect on the lives of a large sections of people in the state and lack of legislative competence, the consent for the bill has been reserved for consideration ofthePresident,''thespokespersonsaid.

APPOINTMeNTS

OHERALDO

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GOA, SATURDAY, 31 JULY, 2010

Iran ready for immediate nuke fuel talks AFP TEHRAN, JULY 30

Iran today said it was ready for immediate talks with the United States, Russia and France over an exchange of nuclear fuel and added that it was also against stockpiling higher enriched uranium.

The comments by the Islamic republic’s atomic chief Ali Akbar Salehi came as Washington decided to fan out across Asia, Middle East and the United Arab Emirates asking its partners to levy tighter sanctions against Tehran.

“We are ready even in the next few days to start negotiations with the other parties” over the fuel swap, Salehi was quoted as saying by Mehr news agency.

He said talks on this issue with the so-called Vienna group comprising the United States, Russia and France will be held in Vienna, where the UN atomic watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is based.

The Vienna group has raised questions about a proposal forwarded by Iran, Brazil and Turkey concerning a fuel swap.

The May 17 proposal, known as the Tehran Declaration, stipulates that Tehran send 1,200 kilograms of its low-enriched uranium (LEU) to Turkey in return for 20 percent high-enriched uranium to be supplied

at a later date.

The 20 percent enriched uranium, when converted into fuel plates, will be used as fuel for a Tehran-based research reactor.

Salehi said Iran has already responded to the questions raised by the Vienna group, but that any other “technical” queries can be answered during another meeting.

The Tehran Declaration was Iran’s counter-proposal to an earlier plan drafted by the IAEA for a fuel swap deal.

After that plan hit deadlock, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ordered Salehi to produce 20 percent enriched uranium inside the country, in defiance of world powers which want Tehran to stop the sensitive process.

Enriching uranium is at the heart of controversy over Iran’s nuclear programme because the material can be used to power nuclear reactors as well as to make atom bombs.

Experts say that by enriching uranium to 20 percent, Iran has theoretically come closer to enriching it to the 90 percent purity required for making nuclear weapons.

Tehran denies that its uranium enrichment programme has any military goals. But the world powers which dismiss Tehran’s arguments have gone ahead and levied new sanctions against Iran.

Gang torches Lanka broadcaster’s office REUTERS COLOMBO, JULY 30

An unidentified gang set fire to a Sri Lankan broadcaster owned by a businessman who had backed the opposition in a presidential election, destroying its main control room, police said today.

The arson attack on the Siyatha media group forced broadcasting to stop and hurt at least one person, police and a witness said. Siyatha has a TV channel and three radio stations.

A witness said the gang held one journalist and a news editor at gunpoint before burning the control room. ‘’Once the gang left, I saw the security guard had fallen unconscious with blood on his head,’’ said a Siyatha journalist who requested anonymity out of fear of reprisal. ‘’They just came, attacked, burnt and went within 15 minutes.’’

The attack echoed one that destroyed the main control room of the island nation’s largest private broadcaster MBC/MTV, viewed by the gov-

ernment as a pro-opposition outlet.

Siyatha was a pro-government media channel, but its owner backed the opposition at the last presidential polls, in which President Mahinda Rajapaksa was overwhelmingly reelected.

The owner has since left the country and his brother was at the time the head of the country’s Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, but was replaced soon afterward.

L a t e r, t h e g o v e r n m e n t stopped all advertising from state institutions to the broadcaster, forcing financially-hit Siyatha to close down a weekly newspaper.

Rights group blame Sri Lanka’s government for tolerating or orchestrating attacks on media institutions and the harassment, assault or even the murder of journalists deemed critical of it.

Rajapaksa has vowed to bring perpetrators to justice, but so far no one has been held accountable for dozens of attacks.

Medvedev’s top rights advisor quits REUTERS MOSCOW, JULY 30

Russian President Dmitr y Medvedev’s chief human rights advisor resigned today, saying she was unhappy with the atmosphere in Russia in an apparent blow to Medvedev’s efforts to cast himself as a liberal. Veteran rights activist Ella Pamfilova told Reuters her resignation was ‘’connected to the general atmosphere in Russia today’’, but declined to elaborate further.

Pamfilova, who was appointed to the post in 2002 under then-president Vladimir Putin, has in recent months voiced sharp criticism of Russia’s domestic policies and what she said was the government’s failure to engage with civil society.

Medvedev has repeatedly called for more democracy and openness with civil society in Russia since taking office two years ago as Putin’s anointed successor, but human rights groups and diplomats say little has changed in practice.

Medvedev’s spokeswoman declined immediate comment on Friday on Pamfilova’s resignation.

Pamfilova, an energetic Soviet-era politician, in March told European Union officials that Russia’s democratic institutions were underdeveloped and said she had not seen any significant changes in the sphere of civil rights.

Kremlin critics have said human rights suffered under Putin’s presidency. Many murders of campaigners and journalists, most notably that of the leading opposition journalist Anna Politkovskaya, remain unsolved and activists have questioned the state’s will to solve them.

Pamfilova said her resignation was not in response to a new law Medvedev signed on Thursday boosting the power of Russia’s security ser vice, the successor to the KGB. She told Ren TV she had been considering quitting for some time.

The law, which restores a Soviet-era practice of issuing warnings to people it believes are about to commit a crime, sparked outrage from rights workers and who said it was aimed at intimidating journalists and the opposition.

US embassy staff poisoned by mail: police REUTERS PARIS, JULY 30

Three employees of the US embassy in Paris were being treated for poisoning today after opening mail, but there was no immediate information on the seriousness of their condition, police said.

A spokesman for France’s judicial police said a mobile laboratory had been deployed at the embassy to test for poisonous substances.

He said that, as the incident occurred at a US government building, only US officials were qualified to comment.

A US embassy official said the building had not been evacuated but declined any further comment.

FROM PAGE 1 Govt failed to collect Rs 200

The committee has demanded that proper data and statistics be maintained by regularly inspecting the mines and submit a report on mining leases.

The committee has further recommended that all mining companies be compulsorily be made to put up boards at the mining site clearly providing all details such as permission numbers, name of the company, area of lease and period of lease, boundary pillars also giving mining plan of the year before starting mining activities every year.

Six Goa units hit

State has already resulted in complete stoppage of supply of the iron ore to these units and if the ban is not lifted soon, these units will have to close down, the release points out.

Taking up cudgels on behalf of these units, the vice president and director of Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) called on the deputy commissioner, Karwar district to impress upon him that the iron ore being imported by these Goan units is purely for the manufacture of pig and sponge iron and is not meant for export or related to export of iron ore in anyway. It was also pointed out that the quantities of ore imported by these units are also very small.

The deputy commissioner agreed to favorably recommend to the State administration to allow transport of ore to these units on a selective basis after due verification of all the necessary documents.

GCCI stated that it has already contacted its counterparts at Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Bangalore and will pursue the matter at the highest level in the Karnataka administration.

Following the Karnataka government’s move to curb illegal mining of iron ore and its export through Karwar, Belekeri and Mangalore ports, the deputy commissioner, Karwar passed an order under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, on May 22 banning heavy vehicles from entering the district highways ostensibly “with a view to help in maintaining the roads and ensure road safety for the public during the monsoon season”. Subsequently the Karnataka government banned export of iron ore from Karnataka.

Fiona absolves Israeli

suggestion that Shanti was threatening the family.

“He was a nuisance. It is not true to suggest that Shanti was threatening us or misbehaving with us,” she stated during her cross examination.

Mackeown statement comes as a sharp contradiction to Scarlet’s boyfriend Julio Lobo’s statement who had said that Shanti was threatening Scarlet and her family, forcing them to shift from Anjuna to Arambol. “No it’s not true that on account of his threat we shifted,” mother said.

Shanti was reportedly friendly with Scarlet before she met Julio Lobo. Fiona, for the first time came face to face with Samson D’Souza and Placido Carvalho, both booked as accused in the death of her daughter.

Fiona, who was accompanied by her legal counsel Vikram Varma, said that she was very disturbed when Varma showed her both the accused in the court. The mother in her two hour long deposition reiterated that Police Sub Inspector Nerlon Albuquerque initially tried to cover up the case.

“He (Albuquerque) told me that she had drowned during swimming. Scarlet was very good in swimming so I did not believe him,” Fiona said.

The mother said that when she saw Scarlet’s body in the morgue, she had noticed bruises on her forehead, which were ignored by the PSI .

“On February 19, 2008 they showed me the body which was covered. When cover was removed, the body was naked and there were some bruises on the forehead,” Mackeown said.

Fiona said that at that time she asked Albuquerque about the bruises on the forehead as he had told her previously that there were no bruises. “He assured me that the said bruises were post mortem,” she added.

Fiona confirmed that she had written three different letters to IGP, Anjuna police station and SP North as she suspected foul play.

The mother today said that her daughter (Scarlet) had a very wide social life, friends inside and outside the school.

“She occasionally used to drink beer. To my knowledge, she never consumed drugs,” she stated.

300 died due to rains PTI ISLAMABAD/PESHAWAR, JULY 30

Nearly 300 people have died in floods and landslides triggered by torrential monsoon rains in different parts of Pakistan, with most of the deaths reported in the country’s northwest that has seen the worst flooding in eight decades.

The Edhi Foundation, an NGO that operates rescue services across Pakistan, said 291 people had died in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province in the past three days. Forty-nine people were killed in a landslide in Olandar village in the province.

N Korean envoys seize books on Kim REUTERS YANGON, JULY 30

North Korean diplomats in Myanmar have confiscated hundreds of copies of a locally published biography on the Stalinist state’s reclusive leader, Kim Jong-il, the book’s author said today.

Prominent Burmese writer Hein Latt, 62, said two senior embassy officials visited his home and took away the remaining 300 copies of the book, which they said was ‘’false and inaccurate’’ and could endanger ties between the two countries. ‘’I handed over these books just because I don’t want to take the trouble to sort out whatever consequences will appear,’’ Hein Latt told Reuters, adding he had not received any complaints from the authorities in militaryruled Myanmar.

There was no immediate explanation as to why diplomats were acting to confiscate books in a foreign country.

North Korea and Myanmar have developed a close diplomatic relationship, causing concern among Asian and Western countries fearful the two are cooperating on issues related to nuclear weapons technology.

North Korea’s Foreign Minister, Pak Ui-chun, is currently in Myanmar on a four-day visit.

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Act decisively against terror, US tells Pak PTI WASHINGTON, JULY 30

The US has asked Pakistan to take decisive action against terrorists within its borders and firmly said its spy agency ISI must "strategically shift its focus" as any ties with terror outfits that has come to light is "unacceptable."

The American prescription in the war against terrorism came even as US President Barack Obama reviewed the current situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan, along with the recently held US-Pak Strategic Dialogue in Islamabad, at his monthly situation room meeting with his top national security aides.

The Obama Administration voiced concern about the contacts by some elements in ISI with terror outfits in the wake of the leak of military documents by WikiLeaks that laid bare its links with terror outfits in Afghanistan.

"Our concerns about the ISI and its contacts with some of these elements has been well known. It has been a part of our conversation with Pakistan for some time. Pakistan itself has commented publicly about this," State Department spokesman P J Crowley told reporters at his daily news conference.

"But we are focused on the decisive action that Pakistan must take to deal with the threat that is within its borders and has, in the last year or two, become clear that it's a threat to Pakistan, and we are satisfied with the aggressive action that Pakistan has taken in response,"

he said.

"We want to see that aggressive action continues. Where we have concerns about ongoing contacts, we will not hesitate to raise them with Pakistan," Crowley said in response to a question.

Separately, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen in an unusually strong statement asked ISI to "strategically shift its focus", as any ties with the terror outfits that has come to light in the wake of the WikiLeaks episode is unacceptable.

"There have been elements of the ISI that have got relationships with extremist organisations, and we consider that unacceptable," Mullen told reporters at a Pentagon news conference along with the Defence Secretary, Robert Gates.

The statement from Admiral Mullen, who has been one of the staunchest supporters of the Pak Army, comes in the wake of the increasing domestic pressure--from lawmakers, media and think-tank--following revelation by the voluminous classified documents released

by WikiLeaks, according to which the ISI continues to help and assist the Taliban and Al Qaeda against US forces in its w a r a g a i n s t t e r ro r i s m i n Afghanistan.

"In the long run, I think that the ISI has to strategically shift its -- tied in great part to what the Secretary's laid out -- focused on its view of its own nationalsecurity interests," Mullen said in response to a question.

Churchill’s dentures fetch £15,200 AGENCIES LONDON, JULY 30

The false teeth made specially to preser ve Sir W inston Churchill's lisp have been sold for 15,200 pounds at an auction in Norfolk.

The dentures, which were sold by the son of dental tech-

Nepali Nihita Biswas, 21, who reportedly married Charles Sobhraj in prison two years ago, speaks outside the Supreme Court after Sobhraj's verdict in Kathmandu, on Friday. Nepal’s Supreme Court on Friday rejected an appeal by Sobhraj against his conviction for the murder of an US backpacker. Sobhraj, a Frenchman, is currently serving a life sentence.

India is an enemy for majority of Pakistanis PTI WASHINGTON, JULY 30

Though terror groups continue to strike in their country, a majority of Pakistanis still consider India as a major threat, view America as an enemy and are far less concerned about Taliban and al-Qaeda.

While Pakistanis express serious concerns about the US, they have also deep worries about neighbour and longtime rival India than extremist groups within Pakistan, according to the prestigious Pew Research Centre opinion poll carried out inside Pakistan.

"When asked which is the

greatest threat to their country -- India, the Taliban or alQaeda -- slightly more than half of Pakistanis (53 per cent) choose India, compared with 23 per cent for Taliban and just 3 per cent for al-Qaeda," it said.

However, despite the deepseated tensions between India and Pakistan, most Pakistanis want better ties with India.

Roughly seven-in-ten (72 per cent ) said it is important for relations with India to improve and about three-quarters support increased trade with India and further talks between the two rivals, it said.

Inspite of pumping in billions of dollars in economic and military aid, the US image in Pakistan was at its lowest ever among the 22 nations included in the poll. Fifty-nine per cent of the respondents described America as an enemy and only eight per cent trusted President Barack Obama.

The Pakistanis saw little threat from Taliban and al-Qaeda and only 25 per cent of the people said it would be bad for Islamabad if Taliban takes over again Afghanistan.

While 18 per cent said it would be good for Pakistan 57 per cent were not concerned.

140 killed in Congo ferry accident

South Africa to abolish six ‘royal’ houses

At least 140 passengers died when an overcrowded ferry hit a sandbank and capsized in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), a local official said Thursday.

The accident happened Wednesday on the Kasai River, a stretch of the Congo River in the DR Congo's western Bandundu province.

The government confirmed the accident, saying it may have been caused by low water levels on the river due to the dry season.

The ferry's passenger list showed that 180 people were on board, but the real figure may outnumber this as many people secretly boarded the boat, Communications Minister Lambert Mende said.

South Africa is set to abolish six tribal kingships created during the country's years of racial apartheid, it was announced on Thursday.

South African President Jacob Zuma said in Pretoria that he was asking South African traditional communities to embark on a path of "acceptance, healing and reconciliation."

According to the South African Press Association, a commission recommended that South Africa lose six "royal" houses.

Announcing the findings of the South African Commission on Traditional Leadership Disputes and Claims, Zuma said it was essential that the six kingships and queenships come to an end in order to "correct the wrongs of the past".

AGENCIES JOHANNESBURG, JULY 30

AGENCIES KINSHASA, JULY 30

London Mayor Boris Johnson poses with a bicycle during the launch of Cycle Hire, in London, on Friday. The city launched its Cycle Hire scheme with 315 bicycle docking stations and 5,000 bicycles available. Londoners and visitors joining the scheme can rent and dock bicycles at any station with the first 30 minutes of any journey for free.

‘WikiLeaks may kill soldiers’ REUTERS WASHINGTON, JULY 30

The whistle-blowing website WikiLeaks may have blood on its hands, the Pentagon said, warning its unprecedented leak of secret US military files could cost lives and damage trust of allies.

An Army intelligence officer, already under arrest, is at the center of an investigation into the leak of more than 90,000 secret records to WikiLeaks, one of the biggest security breaches in US military history, US officials

have said.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates declined to comment on the probe but said he could not rule out more leaks of classified information. He also announced plans to tighten access to sensitive intelligence data. ''I don't know whether there is anyone else out there that is a party to this,'' Gates said at the Pentagon yesterday in his first public comments since Sunday's publication of the documents.

Admiral Mike Mullen, who as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of

JLo to judge American Idol AGENCIES BEIJING, JULY 30

The superstar singer and actress Jennifer Lopez has accepted a new job as the judge on "American Idol," according to online reports.

The news comes just after Ellen DeGeneres announced her stepping down from the position as Idol's judge.

"A couple of months ago, I let FOX and the 'American Idol' producers know that this didn't feel like the right fit for me," Ellen said in a statement issued to Access Hollywood on Thursday.

"I told them I wouldn't leave them in a bind and that I would hold off on doing anything until they were able to figure out where they wanted to take the panel next."

With two open seats now on the "American Idol" judging

panel, all types of celebrity names have been bandied about as possible replacements.

"Jennifer accepted the Idol judge position," an Idol insider confirms to OK! "They are ironing out contracts as we speak so unless something goes wrong it's a done deal."

Staff is the top US military officer, lashed out at WikiLeaks' founder Julian Assange, who says he aims to expose corporate and government corruption.

“Assange can say whatever he likes about the greater good he thinks he and his source are doing,'' Mullen said. ''But the truth is they might already have on their hands the blood of some young soldier or that of an Afghan family.''

nician Derek Cudlipp, who had made them for Churchill, were expected to fetch a maximum of 5,000 pounds at the Keys in Aylsham sale on 29 July.

Keys' valuer Andrew Bullock said the wartime premier suffered from terrible teeth and gums and needed complicated

dentistry from childhood.

And they played a very important role during the war, as they helped Churchill disguise his lisp as he spoke to the nation over the wireless.

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Premature to raise India ore export tax: minister of export duty on iron ore as one of the measures to check the price rise and increase domestic availability of iron ore," Palanimanickam said in his written reply to a question.

"However, since export duty had been increased on iron ore lumps from 10 (percent) to 15 percent on 29th April, it was felt that any further change so soon, would be premature."

REUTERS NEW DELHI, JULY 30

Junior Finance Minister S S Palanimanickam said in a written reply in parliament on Friday that it would be premature to raise tax on iron ore exports, in what could provide at least a temporary relief to exporters and miners of the commodity.

"The union steel ministry has recommended a regime

The steel industry has frequently lobbied for a ban on iron ore export or at least for further raising the export duty on it so that more of the commodity is available for local use at low prices.

India last raised the export duty on iron ore lumps in April to 15 percent from 10 percent.

Last December, it slapped a 5percent export duty on iron ore fines.

SEBI amends mutual fund regulations AGENCY MUMBAI, JULY 30

To bring greater transparency in the fee structure and improve turn-around time for customer service processes, market regulator SEBI has amended four mutual fund regulations and omitted one schedule.

These regulations pertain to offer period, allotment of units, refund of excess subscription, account statements and management fees chargeable by the asset management companies.

Changes made in management fees have been described in the table given below.

The offer period for ELSS (earnings linked savings scheme) have been brought down by 30 days. These will now be open for more than 15 days instead of 45. Fund houses are now expected to refund excess subscription money within five working days instead six weeks. A failure to do so would start attracting penal interest at 15% per annum on the expiry of five working days.

Ban on export pinches mine owners AGENCY PANJIM, JULY 30

The Karnataka State government’s order banning export of iron ore from the ports in the State has earned the wrath of mine owners, cutting across party affiliations.

While Congress legislator Santosh Lad is contemplating to move the court, BJP MLA Anand Singh wishes to speak to the chief minister on the issue.

Interactions with a few mine owners on the government’s move and the common opinion

was that the ban would in no way help to curb illegal mining.

Anand Singh a legislator and a mine owner, said the decision would prove detrimental to the mining sector. Concomitantly, the government too would suffer loss in terms of revenue.

There is no mechanism to process low-grade iron ore in the country as of now and attempts should be made to provide one. He said that “I will discuss the issue with the party leadership and the government. Senior leaders too should take it up.”

150 lakh tn more foodgrain storage capacity needed PTI NEW DELHI, JULY 30

The government today said the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and other state agencies are facing a shortage of 150 lakh tonnes of foodgrain storage capacity. The Centre also informed Parliament that between 2006-07 and 2009-10 fiscal, a total of 86,595 tonnes

of foodgrains (wheat, rice and paddy) have been declared damaged or unfit for human consumption and hence cannot be issued through PDS. "At present the storage capacity available with Food Corporation of India is not sufficient to store the stocks of foodgrains in the country," Minister of State for Food

Mumbai land sale to fetch Rs 250 cr: Delta Corp AGENCY PANJIM, JULY 30

TALK BUSINESS

Muthoot Finance raises Rs 157 cr PE PANJIM (HBD) -- Leading NBFC Muthoot Finance Limited (MFIN) announced that it has raised Rs 157 crore in its first institutional round of funding from Baring Private Equity Partners India and Matrix Partners India for a minority stake in the Company.

Muthoot Finance is the largest gold loan company in India.

Source: ICRA Management Consulting Services (IMACS) report on “Gold Loans Market in India 2009”. The company has a loan book exceeding Rs 9000 crore and 1,800 branches across the country.

This capital infusion will further strengthen the capital base of the Company.

Resurgere Mines BoD approves bonus, stock split PANJIM (HBD) -- Resurgere Mines and Minerals India Ltd, a leading iron ore mining company, announced that its Board of Directors has approved the issue of bonus shares and a stock split.

The company will issue bonus shares in the ratio of 2:1 resulting in issue of two new fully paid equity shares for every one equity share. The stock split is in the ratio of 1:10 resulting in 10 equity shares of a face value of Re 1 from 1 equity share of Rs 10. The authorized share capital of the company will be increased from the present Rs100 crore to Rs 300 crore.

The company had recently raised $53.75 million through the issue of Global Depository Receipts (GDR) issue, priced at $10.32 each. The GDRs are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.

For the financial year ended March 31, 2010, the company’s net profit grew by 27.26% to Rs 27.50 crore as against Rs 21.61 crore during the previous year ended March 2009. Sales rose 21.26% to Rs 526.24 crore in the year ended March 2010 as against Rs 433.98 crore during the previous year ended March 2009.

Spate of bad Q1 numbers hit markets; Sensex loses 124 pts PTI MUMBAI, JULY 30

The BSE benchmark Sensex today shed 124 points on profit-booking, triggered by below-expected quarterly earnings by some corporate houses, amid a depressing global scenario.

With blue-chips Bharti Airtel and Hero Honda taking a hit in the range of 2-3 per cent, the 30-share barometer of the Bombay Stock Exchange ended down by 123.71 points, or 0.69 per cent, at 17,868.29.

The realty, tech, capital goods and IT segments were battered in all-round hectic selling. All 13 sectoral indices of the BSE ended with losses.

HUL releases sustainable Dev report PTI MUMBAI, JULY 30

FMCG major, Hindustan Unilever (HUL) released its first 'Sustainable Development Report' during its AGM, which explores its corporate responsibility framework.

The report, released by the company's chairman, Harish Manwani, explores the company's Corporate Responsibility framework, which integrates the social, economic and environmental agenda with business priorities, a press release issued here stated.

"The Sustainable Development Report provides a clear understanding of our approach of integrating Corporate Responsibility (CR) into the conduct of our business-- brands, people and processes. Our strategic approach of 'small actions, big differences' illustrates our responsibility towards our multiple stakeholders and the reciprocal impact we have on each other," HUL's CEO and MD, Nitin Paranjpe, said.

Aban Offshor, 875.2, 889.8, 864.6, 869.15 Abb Ltd., 848, 856.7, 806.15, 811.45 Abg Shipyard, 238.8, 242, 235.2, 237.75 Acc Limited, 843, 849.5, 827.1, 831 Adani Enterp, 585.45, 588.9, 575.5, 583.85 Aditya Birla, 775, 795.1, 768.2, 773 Allahabad Ba, 195.1, 196.2, 191.1, 191.95 Alstom Proje, 695.9, 722.5, 691.1, 703.05 Ambuja Cemen, 120, 120, 117.05, 117.8 Andhra Bank, 140.9, 146.9, 140, 143.15 Ashok Leylan, 72.9, 72.9, 70.75, 70.95 Asian Paints, 2621.95, 2678.85, 2575, 2603.35 Axis Bank Li, 1360, 1367, 1337, 1343.45 Bajaj Hindus, 115, 115.95, 114.55, 115.25 Bank Of Baro, 733.5, 764, 730, 752.35 Bank Of Indi, 409.4, 415, 404.5, 410.6 Beml Limited, 1000, 1026, 1000, 1015.95 Bharat Elect, 1789.4, 1815, 1784.6, 1810.2 Bharat Forge, 326, 332, 321.55, 326.65 Bharat Petro, 637, 654.8, 630.4, 641.55 Bharti Airte, 315, 319.9, 305.1, 306.8 Bhel, 2420, 2461.75, 2420, 2437.9 Bhushan Stee, 1568.85, 1568.85, 1550.65,

Delta Corp, the market leader in the entertainment and gaming industry, has seen a 15% increase in Q1 FY11 net sales at Rs 32.11 crore as compared to Rs 27.98 crore in the same period last year. Profit after tax surged 85% at Rs 4.27 crore as against Rs 2.31 crore last year.

The company has two operative licenses in Goa and acquired controlling stake in Advani Pleasure Cruises in January. Delta is set to control 50% of the licenses available in Goa. It operates a land-based casino and aims to have five landbased and three offshore casinos by the year end.

In an interview, Hardik Dhebar, Group CFO, Delta Corp, said the company's gaming business has tremendous potential.

He said the company's term sheet is in place to sell Mumbai land. "The board has approved the sale and an announcement will be made soon. The land sale will fetch around Rs 250 crore."

Excerpts of the interview.

Before you talk about numbers could you tell us about the Prabhadevi property that you have, 1.5 lakh sq ft, which you are trying to sell, can you give us some details there?

We have been on record saying that we are looking to monetize this asset that we have in Prabhadevi, Mumbai. The fact is that we have term sheet in place, which has now been given an approval by the board as well. So, we are very hopeful

1555.1 Biocon Limit, 313, 315.7, 308, 309.55 Bombay Dyein, 529, 532.5, 520, 521.85 Bosch Limite, 5591, 5748, 5591, 5653.8 Brigade Ente, 134.5, 135.9, 133.1, 133.8 Cairn India, 335, 338.95, 331.2, 334.35 Canara Bank, 484.85, 490.85, 477.05, 479.05 Central Bank, 152.1, 169.4, 151.35, 166.8 Century Text, 450, 459.1, 444.8, 446.8 Cesc Ltd, 386, 397, 385.3, 394.35 Chambal Fert, 67.95, 67.95, 66.05, 66.3 Chennai Petr, 257.45, 260.6, 251.2, 258.85 Cipla Ltd, 328, 330.9, 323.35, 326.3 Colgate Palm, 845.85, 848.4, 838, 843.05 Container Co, 1390, 1390, 1363.75, 1374.3 Crompton Gre, 275, 279, 273.35, 276.55 Cummins Indi, 615.6, 642.65, 612, 636.4 Dabur India, 196.55, 199, 196.55, 197.65 Deccan Chron, 130.85, 135.1, 130.65, 133.7 Dish Tv Indi, 43.5, 44.8, 43.5, 44.45 Divi’s Labor, 755, 761.2, 742.05, 749.75 Dlf Limited, 308, 309.4, 300.1, 301.4 Dr. reddy’s, 1385.1, 1385.1, 1348, 1354.6

Congress leader Abdul Wahab who has been into mining for the last 35 years sees no logic in imposing the ban. He said that “Banning export on the pretext of curbing illegal mining is objectionable. Mine owners will soon take a decision to resist the govt’s move.”

Legislator Santosh Lad said the government’s decision would affect the mining sector.

He said he is ready to meet the Chief Minister to discuss the issue and also has plans to move the court.

The ban comes at a time

that in the next couple of days or very near course, you should hear a consummation of this transaction.

So you already have a buyer in place, is the market talk of Rs 250 crore correct, accurate?

The valuations are in the ballpark and cannot comment whether it is accurate or not, but they are in the ballpark.

And we are hopeful that in the next couple of days, we will be able to make more from announcements on this.

What is the plan on the property itself, are you going to sell the property as is or are you entering some kind of join development programme in which you will put out some stake in the market?

We were contemplating all the options initially, but what we have finally decided is that it is in the best interest of the company and the overall game plan and the strategy that we actually just sell the property on an as is where is basis.

There have also been reports that you maybe looking to up your stake in Advani Hotels, is that on the cards? How much would you want to bring it up to?

Commenting on market speculations would not be fair on our part. But having said that, we have also said on the record that hospitality is an area, which is synergistic to our gaming area, which is the core focus area. So, we will look at the hospitality space, but nothing can be commented at this point in time.

Talking about your numbers,

Edelweiss Ca, 501, 505, 485.6, 487.25 Educomp Solu, 620, 622.25, 605.1, 607.6 Eih Limited, 126.25, 131.45, 124.5, 128.3 Engineers In, 329, 335.8, 321.35, 323.55 Essar Oil Lt, 128.35, 130.35, 127.7, 128.45 Essar Shippi, 83.5, 87.7, 82.55, 85.65 Exide Indust, 142, 147.25, 140.4, 145.3 Federal Bank, 347.85, 350.5, 335.7, 346.25 Financial Te, 1200, 1235, 1196.1, 1221.5 Gail (india), 453, 453, 436.55, 438.5 Gammon India, 218.9, 219.4, 214.55, 215.9 Glaxosmithkl, 2045, 2045, 1998, 2010.8 Glenmark Pha, 270, 274.4, 269.3, 270.3 Gmr Infrastr, 57.1, 58, 56.75, 56.85 Godrej Indus, 194.8, 197.85, 189.35, 190.65 Grasim Indus, 1849, 1874.7, 1825.1, 1834.05 Great Offsho, 408, 410.75, 405.25, 406.3 Gtl Infra.Lt, 46, 46.9, 45.9, 46.55 Gujarat Mine, 117.75, 121.95, 117.6, 120.85 Gujarat N R, 61.85, 63.45, 60.8, 61.25 Gujarat Stat, 106, 109.05, 106, 106.45 Gvk Pow. & I, 43.5, 44, 43.25, 43.5 Hcl Technolo, 378, 394, 378, 392.2

Hdfc Bank Lt, 2097.7, 2137, 2080, 2126.9 Hdfc Ltd, 3000.1, 3000.1, 2954, 2980.25 Hero Honda M, 1845, 1845, 1790.5, 1814.85 Hindalco in, 160.5, 162.9, 159.55, 160.35 Hindustan Co, 129, 139.4, 127.5, 133.85 Hindustan Ma, 70.25, 71.4, 70, 70.35 Hindustan Pe, 429, 439.5, 428.1, 433.45 Hindustan Un, 257, 258.25, 249.6, 251.45 Hindustan Zi, 1000, 1038.9, 1000, 1022.4 Housing Dev, 265, 269.45, 261.15, 266.25 Icici Bank L, 927, 931.5, 900, 904.9 Idea Cellula, 68.6, 71.1, 67.45, 70.6 Ifci Ltd, 64.5, 64.5, 62.05, 62.4 India Cement, 105.15, 107.4, 105.15, 107.05 India Infoli, 92.6, 94.8, 89, 90.85 Indiabulls F, 158.75, 160.4, 157.1, 157.8 Indiabulls R, 166, 166.1, 163.1, 163.75 Indian Bank, 225.4, 228.5, 222, 224.75 Indian Hotel, 101.65, 101.65, 98.05, 99 Indian Oil C, 355.5, 363.8, 354.05, 362 Indian Overs, 114.45, 117.6, 114.25, 114.55 Indus Dev Ba, 118.5, 120.6, 118.1, 119 Indusind Ban, 202.2, 209.1, 202, 204.25 Infosys Tech, 2815, 2831.25, 2760, 2788.4

hospitality and gaming revenues have gone up to Rs 22.5 cr, could you take us through what contributed most to these? Do you see this kind of growth being maintained?

Predominantly when I say gaming and hospitality, it is more of gaming, we don’t have the actual hospitality present at this point of time, so it’s gaming which has contributed. If you look at the segment revenues, comparable quarter last year we had done about Rs 14.3 crore from gaming, which is now currently at Rs 22.5 crore, so we have grown about 60% roughly on gaming alone.

In terms of potential to grow in this sector, just to tell you some economics in this business; one that this is a very fixed cost business and so the moment you are achieving your breakeven and anything and everything that comes in to the kitty straight away adds to the bottom-line. Secondly, from a perspective, if you see, 17-20% of the footfalls estimated to have been going to Macau are Indians. So, if we were to translate into the actual numbers that can happen in India, the number is humongous and the growth potential is exponential.

You had guided to a revenue growth between 25-30% for the full year, so do you think you could better that or are you on track to deliver that much?

We hope we will try and achieve those numbers and the endeavour is always to better it.

Infra. dev., 189, 191.3, 185.1, 185.95 Ispat Indust, 17.7, 17.8, 17.6, 17.6 Itc Ltd, 309.75, 311.85, 306, 308.75 Ivrcl Infras, 173, 174.7, 168.25, 172.7 Jai Corp Lim, 241, 243.4, 236.05, 237.55 Jaiprakash A, 118.25, 119.45, 117.8, 118.1 Jet Airways, 662, 693.85, 655.55, 681 Jindal Saw L, 196, 199.9, 194.6, 195.4 Jindal Steel, 621, 628.75, 618, 622.45 Jsw Steel Li, 1130.1, 1145.45, 1105.1, 1117.3 Kotak Mahind, 763, 780.95, 763, 771.25 Lakshmi Mach, 2055, 2055, 1990, 2004.15 Lanco Infrat, 65.7, 67.75, 65, 66.6 Larsen & Tou, 1844.95, 1844.95, 1791.1, 1794.3 Lic Housing, 1129, 1143.9, 1121, 1136.4 Lupin Limite, 1916.8, 1919.9, 1868.5, 1877.95 Mahanagar Te, 67.1, 68.95, 66, 67.4 Mahindra & M, 641, 664.9, 640, 661.5 Maruti Suzuk, 1199, 1212.9, 1192.55, 1198.6 Max India Lt, 154.45, 155.3, 152.5, 154 Maytas Infr., 205.5, 211.8, 205.5, 207.7

and Agriculture K V Thomas said in a written reply to Rajya Sabha.

The minister pointed out that currently FCI, the nodal agency for procurement and distribution of foodgrains, has a storage capacity of around 274 lakh tonnes whereas it has stocks of around 278 lakh tonnes. Similarly, various state agencies have a total storage capacity of 151.19 lakh tonnes while the stocks available with them is around 297.67 lakh tonnes.

Thus the total shortfall is around 150.5 lakh tonnes.

Thomas said the government has launched a scheme under which it is giving a guarantee that FCI would hire privately owned godowns for seven years.

"Under this scheme, an additional capacity of 127 lakh tonnes has been approved by a high level committee of FCI," he added. In a separate query, Thomas said: "During 2009-10, a total of 6,702 tonnes of foodgrain stocks were declared as damaged or unfit for human consumption. " During 2008-09, 20,114 tonnes of foodgrains stock was declared damaged, while in 2007-08 and 2006-07, it was 34,426 tonnes and 25,353 tonnes, respectively. For 200607 to 2008-09 period, the total value of damaged stock is about Rs 51 crore.

when there is no export from the ports. Ore is not exported from Karwar, Belekeri and Old Mangalore ports during monsoon. Moreover, the government too has not come clear on the duration of the ban.

The chief minister, however, has said it would be in force until firm steps are taken to check illegal mining. But the ban does not affect those who have been exporting ore from ports in Andhra Pradesh, Goa and Chennai. There has been no immediate effect on the mining sector due to the ban.

Acer sees India Rev up 25% REUTERS MUMBAI, JULY 30

Acer sees its India revenue rising 25% this year to Rs 2500 crore on increase in demand, its India head said on Friday.

"Last year retail was the driver but growth this year I think is going to come majorly from SME and education sector," W S Mukund, MD of Acer India said, referring to small and medium enterprises.

Acer, which lost its No 2 spot to Dell Inc and is two spots behind Hewlett-Packard Co globally, has said it expects revenue to rise nearly 20 percent to $21 billion in 2010 helped by new products including electronic books.

BOARD MEETINGS ICICI Bank Reliance Chem IOB J&K Bank Archies JK Cement Jyoti Cosmetics Auro Lab Kavveri Telecom Bank of India BEE Electronic Bell Ceramics Shell Infotech Kohinoor Foods Bhushan Steel Linc Pen Madhucon Proj Spectrum Foods Maruti Infra Mazda MIC Electronics EIH Era Infra Esaar India Veer Energy GKB Ophthalmics Godfrey Phil Piramal Life Zenith Comp Zenith Info Source: Indiainfoline.com

MF FUNDA BIRLA SUN LIFE MUTUAL FUND has approved August 3, 2010 as the record date for declaration of dividend under dividend option of Birla Sun Life Capital Protection Oriented Fund - 3 Year Plan.

The face value of per unit is Rs 10. The quantum of dividend will be Rs 1.4054 per unit, subject to availability of distributable surplus on the record date.

Moser-baer (, 63.55, 65, 63.4, 64.45 Mrpl, 75.75, 77.65, 75.5, 76.55 Nagarjuna Co, 174.5, 177, 171, 171.6 Nagarjuna Fe, 31, 31.3, 30.4, 30.5 National Alu, 414.2, 425.9, 414.2, 422.1 Neyveli Lign, 158, 158, 156, 156.45 Ntpc Ltd, 200, 200, 198, 198.75 Oil And Natu, 1240, 1249.6, 1220.65, 1240.7 Omaxe Limite, 110.9, 118.8, 110.65, 117.5 Oriental Ban, 377.9, 406.75, 377.9, 402.85 Pantaloon Re, 451, 469, 451, 458.9 Parsvnath De, 127.9, 130.9, 127.9, 129.9 Petronet Lng, 94.45, 94.45, 90.3, 90.65 Power Fin Co, 317, 320.5, 314.3, 318.4 Power Grid C, 100.5, 101.2, 100.15, 100.4 Praj Industr, 76.9, 77.3, 76.1, 76.7 Punj Lloyd L, 126.55, 129.65, 125.8, 126.65 Punjab Natio, 1050, 1077.9, 1046.5, 1070.45 Rajesh Expor, 88, 89.25, 87.8, 88.75 Ranbaxy Labs, 441, 455.65, 441, 449.7 Rashtriya Ch, 84.55, 85.4, 82.6, 83.3 Rel. nat. re, 42, 42.1, 41.35, 41.5 Reliance Cap, 780.95, 798, 778.35, 783.55 Reliance Com, 182, 183.55, 177.3, 178.7

Reliance Ene, 951.1, 979.8, 951.1, 974.05 Reliance Ind, 866.95, 878.9, 860.05, 862.45 Reliance Ind, 1014.95, 1020.35, 1007.25, 1009.65 Reliance Pow, 167, 168.05, 163.45, 163.8 Rolta India, 168.6, 171.5, 168.35, 169.1 Satyam Compu, 88, 88.7, 86, 86.5 Sesa Goa Ltd, 368, 372.35, 360, 361.25 Shipping Cor, 162, 165.45, 160.05, 161.65 Siemens Ltd, 712, 712, 694.45, 699.45 Sintex Indus, 375, 378.45, 371.5, 372.95 Sobha Develo, 334, 338.8, 328, 334.2 State Bank O, 2460, 2522, 2450.45, 2502.9 Steel Author, 205, 205, 199.2, 204 Sterlite Ind, 177, 178.25, 174.1, 174.85 Sun Pharmace, 1774.4, 1804.95, 1755.4, 1768.6 Sun Tv Netwo, 457.3, 462.2, 452.15, 454.5 Suzlon Energ, 56.6, 57.4, 56.25, 56.5 Tata Communi, 269.35, 273.9, 267.2, 270.75 Tata Consult, 849, 850, 835, 839.8 Tata Motors, 854, 860.8, 843.25, 846.35 Tata Power C, 1325, 1331.7, 1302.35, 1320.95

Tata Steel L, 530, 543.8, 530, 537 Tata Teleser, 22.1, 23.35, 22.1, 22.5 Tech Mahindr, 705, 713.9, 697.7, 700.2 The Ge Shpg., 286, 290.5, 284, 288.25 The Phoenix, 222, 224.85, 217.4, 219.05 Thermax Ltd, 753, 779.7, 735.1, 759 Titan Indust, 2824, 2855, 2796, 2805.8 Torrent Powe, 342.5, 353, 342.5, 344.4 Triveni Engg, 102.55, 105, 102.1, 103.5 Tv18 India L, 78, 78.85, 75.7, 76.1 Uco Bank, 92.25, 94.5, 91.5, 92.85 Ultratech Ce, 865, 870, 855, 863.9 Union Bank O, 315, 322.45, 313.1, 317.55 Unitech Ltd, 82.75, 82.95, 80.9, 81.15 United Phosp, 181, 184.9, 180.15, 184.2 Videocon Ind, 209.3, 214.65, 209.3, 211.65 Vijaya Bank, 68, 73, 68, 72.5 Voltas Ltd, 206.1, 215.6, 205.2, 212.5 Wipro Ltd, 415, 417, 408.5, 412.3 Yes Bank Lim, 293.3, 299.25, 293.15, 295.65 Zee Entertai, 294.5, 298.8, 292.6, 296.3

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GOA, SATURDAY, 31 JULY, 2010

Kotak ups rates; other banks to follow

Cashless facility row to be resolved soon PTI NEW DELHI, JULY 30

Private hospitals will resolve their dispute with state-owned insurance firms and restore cashless treatment under Mediclaim policies within 10 days, Naresh Trehan, heart surgeon and member of a conciliatory group, said today.

"Within the next 10 working days, insurance companies and hospitals would work out a solution," he said, adding that the cashless facility would be restored soon.

Trehan, who has promoted Medanta - The Medicity, was speaking to reporters after a CII-initiated meeting of private hospitals with representatives of four insurance companies -New India Assurance, United India Insurance, National Insurance and Oriental Insurance. All the 150 hospitals have partially restored the cashless facility for emergency, ICU, cardiac care and trauma, he said.

Earlier in the day, insurance regulator IRDA chairman J Harinarayan had expressed the hope that hospitals and insurers would be able to arrive at a mutual solution. "Premier hospitals and insurance can come (up) with the solution," he said on the sidelines of a FICCI event here. The action group comprised four public sector general insurance companies

PTI MUMBAI, JULY 30

Becoming the latest among lenders hiking deposit rates following the Reserve Bank monetary action early this week, private sector lender Kotak Mahindra Bank has raised its deposit rates by 0.25 per cent across majority of the maturities.

The bank has upped rates for all tenors by quarter percentage except in 271 days to less than 1-year maturity, where the interest rate has been increased by 0.5 per cent. Also, the rates for 7-14 days deposits has been lifted to 3 per cent from 2 per cent earlier to adjust it in line with savings deposit rate.

"We have increased deposits in majority of the maturities by 0.25 per cent in view of the RBI policy rate hikes early this week and considering the current market situations," Kotak Mahindra Bank's Group President, Treasury, Mohan Shenoy said.

"We are still watching the market and would take further actions if necessary," Shenoy said. He said the hike in 7-14 days deposits was just to bring the rate close to savings account deposit rates and was not due to the hike in RBI policy rates.

A host of private and stateowned banks like Union Bank

and private hospitals.

The members of the group included Apollo Hospitals Group Chairman Prathap C Reddy, Fortis Healthcare Managing Director Shivinder Mohan Singh, Max Healthcare Institute Ltd Managing Director Pervez Ahmed and Medanta The Medicity Chairman Naresh Trehan. While the group is headed by Pervez Ahmed, CEO and managing director of Max Healthcare Institute Ltd, on the insurance side, it is headed by Pawan Bhalla, CEO of Raksha TPA, the third party administrator (TPA) that is the facilitator between the insured and the insurer.

It is to be noted that from July 1, public sector insurance companies had taken off about 150 hospitals from its list of Preferred Provider Network (PPN), which provides cashless hospitalisation services to policy holders under the Mediclaim scheme. Acknowledging that there had been some instances of over-billing, Trehan said insurance companies have legitimate concerns that there is some disproportion between premium collected by insurance companies and the payment made.

"So, there is a need to bring alignment. Balance between best price and quality healthcare," he said.

Vedanta posts record Ebitda of $794 m REUTERS LONDON, JULY 30

India-focused mining group Vedanta Resources Plc posted record first-quarter EBITDA of $794 million in the three months to end June as production of its three most profitable metals rose.

Production of saleable iron ore, its most profitable product in the quarter, jumped 31%

from the year-earlier quarter to 6.4 million tonnes. However, output fell from the record 7.8 million tonnes in Q4.

The London-listed miner said production of refined zinc, its second most profitable metal, rose 19% to 165,000 tonnes. Aluminium output grew 13% to 141,000 tonnes.

At full-year results in May, the diversified miner said it

MF FUNDA

Racold’s intelligent water heaters PANJIM (HBD) -- Racold Thermo Ltd has introduced India’s first range of Intelligent Water heaters – Primo.

Racold offers India’s first water heater with an intelligent timer.

The intelligent timer is a feature that provides to the user the hot water exactly at the time the family needs it. There are 2 daily programs, by which the user can decide when to set the water availability time. The intelligent heater itself calculates backwards the start heating time, and as a result, at the set program time, the tank will be full of hot water ready to use. Thus the heater unobtrusively follows your family's normal schedule to provide energy savings with comfort. The intelligent water heater can also provide hot water at any required time by using the manual mode.

Continuing the trend of firsts, the intelligent water heater comes with a unique Anti- bacterial Protection function, which when selected heats water to a temperature of 80 degrees C eliminating 99.9% of all bacteria including the dreaded E.Coli, to provide your family with a clean and hygienic hot water bath. The Anti- bacterial function has been certified by the Food Hygiene & Health Laboratory (FHHL). It is recommended to use this feature once in a fortnight and also when the water heater is not used for a long time.

Racold’s Primo – Beauty with Brains’ is available in 15 and 25 litre capacities and comes in two tone colour options: White body – Grey or Blue Inspection cover, Ivory body – Light Brown or Red brick cover. The product is available across the country in all Racold authorized outlets and comes with a 2 year product guarantee. It is priced within the range of (MRP) Rs 8250 to Rs 9300.

Honda’s new super-bike VFR1200F

NEW DELHI (AGENCY) -- Japanese automotive manufacturer Honda Friday launched its new 1,200 cc super bike, VFR1200F, hoping to start a new era of sports riding in India.

Priced at a whoping Rs 17.5 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), this is Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India's third offering in the sports biking segment after CB1000R and CBR1000RR Fireblade, which are 1000 cc bikes.

The super bike will be available in the Indian market after August 16 and will give a mileage of 15.9 km a litre if driven on the fuel efficient mode called mode-D. Company officials said the bike's unique feature is the fun and sports combination that it offers to customers.

'VFR is the combination of sports and touring capabilities. It is also a high 'fun' quotient bike. This concept is driven by advanced customer needs and adaptation of state-of-the-art technologies,' said Shinji Aoyama, president and chief executive, HMSI. Manufactured at the Honda's most advanced facility and the mother plant of global motorcycles - the Kumamoto factory in Japan, VFR1200F is a concept driven by extensive customer needs, he said.

The super-bike is said to be armed with a V4-1,237 cc engine which includes latest technology of fuel injection and liquid cooling with the fuel tank capacity of 18.5 litres.

It is expected to usher in the new-age racing technologies in motorcycles in India, with patented dual clutch transmission technology and ergonomically designed engine.

was on track to deliver a substantial increase in production capacity across its businesses in 2011.

Vedanta defended its human rights record on Wednesday at a shareholders' meeting where some fund managers joined pressure groups to protest over its plans to build a bauxite mine in an area sacred to indigenous people.

Overseas recruitment agency in Goa HERALD BUSINESS DESK PANJIM, JULY 30

The Overseas Employment Agency of Goa has been granted a Registration Certificate under Section 11 of the Emigration Act, 1983 to commence or carry on the business of recruitment for deployment of Indian workers with foreign employers.

Overseas Employment Agency of Goa is a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 and is funded by the Government of Goa. The agency has been set up to deal with Overseas Employment Policy of the Government with the help of various Agencies; to collect information regarding employment opportunities in foreign countries with the help of Government of India and Indian Missions abroad; to disseminate information to the interested job seekers in Goa and help them in securing jobs in foreign countries; to establish effective communication with Non-Resident Indians of Goan origin through maintenance of comprehensive data-base; to provide advisory services and forge working relationships with the Goan Diaspora across the World in financial, economic, social and cultural spheres; to tap the technological, managerial and financial resources of Non-Resident Indians of Goan origin for upgrading the technical and professional skills and the human resources, for the economic and industrial development of the State; to monitor the general welfare of Non-Resident Indians of Goan origin, respond to problems faced by them in times of crisis and take such remedial measures as are necessary with the help and assistance of the Government of India and Indian Missions abroad and to organize Global Goans Conventions, Seminars, Conferences etc, for the benefit of Non-Resident Indians of Goan origin; to co-operate with International organizations and Associations having objectives wholly or partly similar to those of the Society.

There are also nine other state owned bodies, which have also been issued Registration Certificates under Section 11 of Emigration Act, 1983 for overseas employment.

of India, Bank of India and Axis Bank are likely to up their deposit rates by 0.25-0.5 per cent in the next few days, taking a cue from the Reserve Bank's monetary action earlier this week.

Senior officials of these banks said their asset liability committees will meet in the next few days to decide on the quantum of rate hike on deposits across various tenor, asserting that they are watching the market movements closely.

To fight inflation, the Reserve Bank on Tuesday hiked its overnight lending rate

(repo) by 0.25 per cent to 5.75 per cent and the reverse repo, at which it absorbs deposits, by 0.5 per cent to 4.5 per cent.

Wholesale inflation, which stood at 10.6 per cent in June, has been hovering in doubledigits since February.

On Wednesday, Bank of India Executive Director M Narendra said the bank is likely to increase its deposit rates by up to 0.5 per cent in the near future.

Axis and Union Bank officials also hinted at a similar hikes in deposit rates to attract more resources from investors.

Olympus eyes Rs 136 cr Rev from India PTI KOCHI, JULY 30

Olympus Imaging Corporation, a leading player in new generation cameras, will expand its presence in Tier II and Tier III cities, hoping to increase business revenue from India operations this year to Rs 136 crore.

Last year, revenues from the country had touched Rs 78 crore, Kinya Oshimura, GM India Operations, said.

The company was into rapid growth in India and China. The Indian market will be much bigger and one of the most important markets for Olympus in the near future, he said.

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National Games in the Interest of People of Goa? Sports Aucutive director of the V M Prabhudesai, Exe l report with a proposed budget tia thority of Goa: “The ini relevance today. And why are no Let them of Rs 125 crores has king about the budget? l sports. ua these associations tal ivid ind ir the veloping just concentrate on de tics. Associations are not supe cri They are behaving lik without knowing the facts and G posed to criticise SA our job, we their part. We will do without any efforts on a ver y good National Games. ve are determined to ha se critics will be there to cheer.” the s, en pp ha t When tha

Anil Madgaonkar, treasurer, GOA, “It is absolutely ridiculous that an initial budget proposed at around Rs 125 crores goes up to more than Rs 1,000 crores. We surely need a watchdog to keep track of the expenditures. We are hoping that under the guise of the Games, at least our infrastructure for all sports gets developed. But yes, there is the question of who would use Dhargal after the Games? The positive side to it is that during the Games and even for sporting events that follow, our cities will not get congested. Besides, perhaps we also need to think of the rural population and not just the urban sportspersons. As for associations, I think they definitely need more financial support from the government that has funds for everything; in fact the government should create special funds for them, maybe even appoint a few members in every association and pay for their services. And I definitely think the government needs to take into account the needs and suggestions of the associations.”

Gurudatta Bhakta, general secretary, GOA and president of Judo Association of Goa: “National Games is a huge event.

We can’t have just one person sitting at the helm and taking care of things. We need to have a separate independent body to start working from this very moment if we want the Games to be a reality in Goa. Otherwise nothing will happen even in the next five years. And the government should not lose focus on the continuous growth of sports in our state by concentrating on plush PPP projects like luxury spas, food courts, etc.”

t sociation: “Forge Goa Football As hope the Games of y ar et cr se s, Savio Messia I personally ing postponed, asting money the games gett all. The government is just w te elephant hi at w a en e r becom don’t happ e which will late derabad. What is the point ur ct ru st fra in on Hy argal? After her states like like in some ot frastructure in places like Dh They need in e? g tis tin ac ily to pr of construc will go there da a University. the Games, who structure in the cities and in Go cture which ru fra st in t fra uc in tr t presen to cons match due to tly, upgrade the Most importan ate. I can’t even have a Futsal etic tracks hl st is in a pathetic a Futsal court. We have no at n a cycling he of w y e lit om bi a velodr unavaila opose to build n’t even have in Goa. They pr r our football matches, we do onship.” formed. Fo state champi not even been n’t even have a association has t of our state associations do floodlights. Mos

­H­O­R­O­S­C­O­P­E Take action toward your biggest goal today -- you will make significant progress. Someone new (21 Mar – 19 Apr) is ready to burst into your life -- and you are ready for the fun!

Almost anything could happen, as long as you're willing to go along with the right people when you meet them.

Today will be great or awful -- but if it goes poorly, it's just your imagination. You really shine (23 Sep – 22 Oct) in one-on-one situations today, so try to nab that date or interview, if possible. A heart-to-heart can boost you in almost anyone's eyes, and it's easier than usual to influence others.

Even if something sounds perfect, you should wait before you make any purchases.

(20 Apr – 20 May) Lock your credit cards up with guns, toxic household chemicals or other dangerous objects today.

Impulse decisions cause extra regret for now, so take a deep breath and ride this phase out.

Your health is ruled by your head, too, so get in touch with positive emotions. Something small (23 Oct – 21 Nov) blows up into something ugly today, and you are more surprised than anyone else. It may be a huge domestic disturbance or the beginnings of an uprising at work, but you need to retreat for now.

How well do you communicate with coworkers? Ask them for feedback on this today.

(21 May – 21 Jun) You're getting good advice today, whether you know it or not -- you might not even hear it if you're not paying close attention!

Listen up and make sure to follow any leads that sound promising.

Surrounded by lots of masculine energy, you'll act much bolder and braver today. Play little (22 Nov – 21 Dec) g a m e s t o h e l p g e t through the day -- whether you are at work or on the road, you can have loads of fun playing with words, objects and people. It's all in good fun, so go for it!

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Sometimes you worry too much! Let the chips fall where they may and just let go. Now is not (22 Dec – 19 Jan) the time to drop the ball on your responsibilities. Even if you feel pressed for time, you only end up working against yourself if you find excuses for missing deadlines or neglecting chores.

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You're coming out of a haze of indecision into a clear, bright future. Move forward. Those aren't (19 Feb – 20 Mar) clouds on the horizon -you are just going through a little haze. It's time for you to pull back and find the truth within you, as outside sources are a bit confusing, at best.

BY CHRISTINA VIEGAS HERALD FEATURES ne of the most eagerly awaited grand sporting events which was scheduled to be held in Goa in 2011, has now been postponed.

The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat informed the House recently that the National Games slated to be held in Goa in 2011, may now be postponed by another two years. He felt this would give the government more time to construct the infrastructure needed for this grand sporting event. Yet, back track a bit and one realises that nothing concrete in terms of sports infrastructure ever came up despite the Games scheduled for 2011 initially. So, with the postponement, are we going to see tangible growth in infrastructure and more importantly in the development of the various disciplines of sports?

Conversation with sportspersons and members of various sporting associations illuminates a sordid scene. Sportspersons bemoan the fact that the government has no vision for the Games. The lament is that, in focussing on PPP projects, the government has sidelined the very essence of the Games: sports. There is heartbreak from various quarters that what was envisioned a couple of years ago is never going to materialise. Instead, it is all going the commercial way. Speak to the presidents of the various associations, and most seem a peeved lot. They opine that nothing is being done in terms of acquiring more coaches and equipment, insufficient and poor infrastructure etc. All are honorary members and setting aside their personal time in working towards their respective sports. No one is paid to do this, unlike the Sports Authority of Goa. Often, they shell out the bucks from their own

O

personal funds. They are disheartened that their suggestions are not accepted and opine that they are held at ransom and have to tow the line or else they will lose out on funds from the government.

They are livid that substantial support is not being given towards developing sports. The unanimous cry is for want of appropriate infrastructure. “How can I conduct a Futsal match with no court?” “I am being asked to practise Judo on a stage in some rundown indoor hall,” “We are asked to practise in the Campal Stadium which was built in the 1970s and is in need of serious up-gradation,” are just some of the cries. Even for a sport like archery that can turn potentially dangerous, there is no appropriate infrastructure.

Presently, the association conducts camps and training by personally cordoning off small areas.

Move over to the new sports that will be introduced during the Games in Goa like cycling, equestrian sport, fencing etc and the situation is even grimmer. A sport like cycling has not even formally formed an association; only the registration took place recently. And you have to procure a cycle from out of Goa. As for a sport like equestrian, the jobs to be undertaken are enormous. And this one entails living creatures, horses with a need for stables, a riding arena for training and practice, vet services etc. Yet, even land has not been allocated for initial activities to get off ground. And here there is dire need for allocating of land in the vicinity of a place like Panjim as the sport warrants the need of medical and veterinary backup.

Many vouch that the very selection of Dhargal as venue for the Sports City is too far flung. They question as to who will go there to play sports once the Games are done with? Many look at this as a move undertaken due to the sports minister hailing from the north. Besides, questions are raised as to what is the need for a budget of more than Rs 1,000 crores especially considering the initial joint study made between Sports Authority of Goa and Goa Olympic Association where the budget proposed was just Rs 125 crores. But SAG affirms that it is absolutely supportive of every sport and that daily people come in to collect funds for some activity or the other. The sports body also questions the associations as to what contributions they have made towards improving their individual sports.

So, are we truly going to host a grand National Games? Will we have our bureaucrats and sports officials squabbling or will they get passionate about working selflessly towards getting their act together. And most of all will the people of Goa, and not the commercial hawks, benefit from this? After all, sports is a culture for us people in Goa! Gaurish Dhond , sociation of Go president, Archer y As a: “We are happ more time to y to get pr But yes, we ha epare for the Games. ve lost faith in ernment and the govar anything conc e wondering whether rete will come after the extend out even of ideas are bein ed period of time. A lot g m ooted but so focus on what is important is mehow Infrastructure missing. of left wanting. Th almost ever y sport is ere is so much in the rural area potential is the infrastruct s for archer y but where ure to train and a team develo so we need an enclosed space. . Ours can be a dangerous sp p of 100 m in le ort Al l w e are aski ng and train and pr th. Presently, we choose an ng is a small area area and cordon actise.” it

R D Mangeshkar, president, Tae Kwondo Association of Goa: “I welcome the postponement of the Games. We need at least 2-3 years to develop top infrastructure for a Games of this magnitude. But we need to remember, it is not just about Goa hosting the Games. We need to win medals too.

And for this, we need rigorous development of all disciplines of sports. Unfortunately, in the last three years nothing was done; everyone was living in a fool’s paradise saying the Games would happen in 2011. The government needs to seriously come forward and support every individual sport whereby we can prepare right from this moment.

Forget when the Games are going to be held, we need to start preparing immediately.”

What gets the Kapoor Sisters ticking?

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ne is obsessed about food, the other about fashion. One doesn’t mind showing her dirty feet and hates makeup, the other is glamorous. They are two young Bollywood sisters who seem as different as chalk and cheese, and yet, Rhea and Sonam Kapoor share not just clothes but also space.

“Sonam and I share each other’s clothes a lot. Her style is a little more glamorous. I like simpler things. But she always takes my things,” Says Rhea, 23, who has produced the movie ‘Aisha’ that stars 25year-old Sonam.

“You know how girls always need pieces to mix and match everything.

I buy only those things...jackets and plain pants. And Sonam buys ridiculous things; she obviously can’t wear a ridiculous thing and go for coffee. So she just takes my things all the time,” said Rhea.

Unlike Sonam, Rhea likes to sit with her legs on the sofa and is not bothered about what her hair looks like. She ‘hates’ makeup and hasn’t visited a parlour for a manicure since a year.

“I haven’t done a manicure in a year. I don’t like people touching my hands. My feet are not even pedicured...I randomly clean them,” Rhea said while raising her right foot to show her dirty feet.

On the other hand, Sonam is obsessed with spas; she loves getting her nails done and makes it a point to drag Rhea with her. Nevertheless, Rhea too is quite stylish. She also opts for the best of high street

fashion labels and likes to mix and match them with her mother’s jewellery. But more than fashion, it is food that Rhea is obsessed with.

“I am obsessed about food. I constantly eat. My whole focus is always on food. I can’t wear skirts and shorts any more because my legs are so heavy. I haven’t gone to a gym in a long time. Every move of mine revolves around my next meal. I plan my whole day according to my food,” Rhea says.

“Sonam is not like me when it comes to eating. She is more of a junk addict. She prefers chips, chocolate, biscuits...give her a book and a packet of biscuits...it will be over in seven minutes. But I am a proper foodie...I need my appetizers, soup, meal and desserts,” she reveals.

Even when it comes to the film industry, each sister has chosen different sides of the camera. While Sonam chooses to dazzle on the silver screen, Rhea has opted to shine behind the scenes. She has plans to take over production from her father, Anil Kapoor. “I am going to take over from dad. There are some interesting, really fun projects that I am working on. But obviously my whole focus is on ‘Aisha’ right now,” she says.

“I also want to direct, but there’s still a lot of time for it. It is just too much responsibility to direct a project and I am too young and immature for it,” she adds.

Ellen DeGeneres leaves American Idol!

D

id you think that Ellen DeGeneres would have been the perfect person to take on the ‘leader’ role on the ‘American Idol’ panel with Simon Cowell leaving the show?

Think again. After just one series, she's decided she doesn't like the theatre of cruelty that is auditioning thousands of hopeless hopefuls – or, rather more diplomatically: “While I love discovering, supporting and nurturing young talent, it was hard for me to judge people and sometimes hurt their feelings.”

Well, DeGeneres, who signed a multiyear contract in 2009, did say that her decision wasn't a sudden one. “A couple of months ago, I let Fox and the ‘American Idol’ producers know that this didn't feel like the right fit for me,” she said in a statement. Interestingly, she also says she flagged this up to the network two months ago but wouldn't do anything until they'd established ‘where they wanted to take the panel next’. And it’s going to be a very different panel on the next series of ‘American Idol,’ as it looks like Randy Jackson, may be the only established judge, because Kara DioGuardi’s contract is up and she reportedly won’t be returning.

“I told them I wouldn't leave them in a bind and that I would hold off on doing anything until they were able to figure out where they wanted to take the panel next. It was a difficult decision to make, but my work schedule became more than I bargained for. I also realised this season that while I love discovering, supporting and nurturing young talent, hurting their feelings while judging them is not something I am comfortable with. I loved the experience working on Idol and I am very grateful for the year I had. I am a huge fan of the show and will continue to be,” said Ellen.

Now Ellen can go back to being everyone’s best friend and biggest supporter—and Idol can get on with the programme.

Not that anyone is going to admit things unfolded any way other than amiably.

“I loved Ellen's passion for the artists and her nurturing skills,” Idol creator and executive producer Simon Fuller said in a statement. “She brought honesty and optimism to our judging panel and I will miss her greatly.”

So with such massive alterations to the show, can it survive – or will it crumble to be replaced by Cowell’s new talentsearch project, The X Factor?

Lifestyle

Relationships

Sports

Business

Health

Art

Culture

Environment

GOA’S HEARTBEAT Saturday, 31 July, 2010

Education

CURR

Information Technology

EN

PEN T HAP

LAFFS

WORD OF THE DAY

Minuet

Funny Quote

Pronunciation min-yoo-et Function Noun Meaning 1 : a 17th and 18th century slow, stately dance in triple metre 2 : a piece of music for such a dance or in its rhythm Example Sentence Grace and Henry surprised all with their splendid perfomance of the French Minuet.

SUDOKU 619

will be held on July 31 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the Maquinez Palace, Panjim. Call 9822112392.

Free Sanskrit Sambhashan classes, organised by Samskritabharati Goa will take place for 10 days from 6pm to 7:30pm at the hall of Shri Shantadurga M a n d i r, C a n d o l i m . C a l l 9423181475 or 9890309583.

Rangoli competition for the Mormogao taluka, organised by the All Goa Bhausaheb Bandodkar Janmashatabdi Samaroha Samiti (Mormagao taluka) will take place on August 1 from 10am to 12pm at the Shri Maharudra Hnuman Saunstha Sabhagruha, New Vaddem, Vasco. Call 9822347838 or 9764385055.

‘Work Vision: Developing Employability Skills’, a 1-day state level inter-collegiate workshop, organised by the Department of Economics and Psychology of the Government College, Khandola will be held on August 6 from 9am to 4pm at the college premises.

Call 9822124032 or 9822121176.

All Goa YMCA (Charcoal and Pencil) drawing competition, organised by the YMCA will be held on August 14 from 9:30am to 11am at the YMCA International Goa Hall, Campal, Panjim. E-mail ymcagoa@gmail.com. Call 2227112 or 9423170317.

Applications for various music examinations are open at the Bal Bhavan, Campal Goa. Registration closes on August 16. Call 2226823.

A Konkani literary contest in the Roman script, organised by the Goan Review Art Foundation (GRAF) is open for registration till July 31. Call 2630139

“Have enough sense to know, ahead of time, when your skills will not extend to wallpapering.”

– Marilyn vos Savant

09:00 Dance India Dance L'il masters Lime Light 09:30 Jhansi Ki Rani 12:30 Dance India Dance L'il Masters 14:00 Pavitra Rishta 18:30 Mera Naam Karegi Roshan 20:30 Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 21:30 Dance India Dance L'il Masters 23:30 Kahani Ab Tak

BY JANICE RODRIGUES HERALD FEATURES journey unforgettable, a memory cherished, the evening took a trip down the memory lane of Dr Jose Pereira’s life and works. The event was the release of his book titled ‘Song of Goa’ a book all about Goa’s songs of love the ‘Mandos’. The release saw the coming together of Goa’s foremost propagators of the preservation of tradition and culture in the state.

The book ‘Song of Goa’ goes deep into the love songs of the Mando, “I am filled with honour and pride at the attempt by such an eminent scholar, historian, painter Dr Jose Pereira,” said Dr Francisco Colaco, who reviewed the book. He further went on to say that the Mando is a “concrete symbol of the synthesis of two cultures Latin and Indian.”

The book was released by the Padmashree Maria Couto, who reminisced about the life and career of the great author, saying that she was emotional about speaking of the multitalented person and a really good friend. She even went on to say that speaking of the career and the achievements of the author was close to impossible “it is difficult to speak about his career except with awe,” says said. Further giving a snippet about his works and that they were influenced by the Latin Christian traditions and the Indian Hindu culture.

The multitalented professor, scholar, painter, and writer, spoke with a sense of humour which left the gathering chuckling even while being enlightened about the Mando. “The Mandos were an attempt to create a practically invisible arena on the banks of the Zuari,” said Dr Pereira. He also pointed out the main ideas of joy love and courtesy that were present in the Mandos.

A

09:00 India's Got Talent Khoj 10:00 Uttaran 12:30 India's Got Talent Khoj

08:45 As Good as it Gets 11:30 The Pacific : Part Nine 12:45 The Scorpion King 15:00 The Bachelor 17:15 HBO Central 17:45 Hollywood One on One 18:45 Collateral Damage 21:00 The Fast and the Furious 23:15 Monster Ark

Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

‘O

T

09:15 Insaniyat 13:30 Aap Kaa Surroor 17:00 Terminator 3 20:00 Mela

09:30 Undefeatable 12:30 Hanuman 16:00 Main Hoon Rakhwala 20:00 Super Star

08:45 K-19: The Widowmaker 11:30 Godzilla 14:10 Sleuth 16:10 Gigli

12:00 Satyamev Jayate 16:00 Dus 19:30 Super Gaane 20:00 Amar Akbar Anthony 23:30 Kaala Patthar

08:00 MP3: Mera Pehla Pehla Pyar 12:00 Viewers Choice: 16:00 Mr. India 20:00 Jaadugar

E N T E R TA I N M E N T 22:30 Sony Style Tv Magazine 23:00 Supernatural : Fallen Idols

09:00 Boston Legal 10:00 Criminal Minds 11:00 Glee 12:00 Friends 13:00 How I Met Your Mother 14:00 Whose Line Is It Anyway?

14:30 The Simpsons 15:00 Castle 16:00 MasterChef Australia 19:00 Criminal Minds 20:00 Lost

Photos by Chiquitita

Cast: Ajay Devgn, Emraan Hashmi, Kangana Ranaut Director: Milan Luthria Ratings: nce Upon A Time In Mumbaai’ recreates an era that so many of us have left behind and for those who arrived on this planet post 80s, I am sure, they must have visited the era through some medium or the other, mainly movies and internet or during their academic careers.

This film is a fascinating story that talks of how the mafia came into force for the first time in Mumbai. A thriller that depicts the crime scenario in Mumbai during the 70s and 80s. The rise to power of two young boys, in different age-groups, who grew up to 'rule' the streets of Mumbai.

Revisit the 1970s Mumbai underworld when smuggling was the most heinous crime and benevolent don, Sultan Mirza was the mafioso king. The film presents the rise and reign of Sultan over the city as a glorified Robin Hood figure and his tempestuous relationship with his biggest fan-turned-foe, Shoaib Khan, who joins him as a rookie gangster, only to outplay him and usurp his empire.

This becomes the beginning of Mumbai's tryst with ugly crime: gang wars, shootouts, bombs, terror and the big bad bhai log as we know them today.

Ajay Devgn is splendid as Sultan. The actor had enacted a similar role in ‘Company’, but it must be said that his interpretation is so different here. He adds so much depth to the character, which only goes to prove his range and versatility.

Emraan Hashmi is brilliant as the power greedy, wildly ambitious rebel. He plays the dark character to perfection. He's incredible in the penultimate moments of the film in particular.

Kangna Ranaut and Prachi Desai pitch in as perfect and picturesque molls.

Randeep Hooda is top notch. Even though the film belongs to Ajay and Emraan, Randeep makes his presence felt with a powerful performance.

Overall, ‘Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai’ offers you both substance and soul, even as it dabbles with a slice of reality. Don't miss it.

18:30 K-PAX 21:00 Charlie's Angels 23:15 Jerry Maguire 10:45 Phantom Racer 12:35 The X Files 14:40 Shanghai Noon 16:50 G-force 18:45 Remember the Titans 21:00 X2: X-Men United 23:35 The League of Extraordi nary Gentlemen

The event was further made entertaining by the Curtorichem Salkam led by Victor Da Coasta, who sang the mandos like Zaitey Dukham, Surya Noketranchim and Adeus Korcha Vel Ailo, the event was then concluded by an impromptu performance of the various Dulpods by the troupe.

MOVIE REVIEW

13:30 Haseena Maan Jaayegi 16:30 Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani 19:00 Balika Vadhu 21:00 India's Got Talent Khoj

09:00 Whacked Out Sports 11:00 CSI: Miami : Resurrection 12:00 Leverage : The Ice Man Job 13:00 Destination Truth 14:00 Wipeout 15:00 Whacked Out Sports 16:00 Sports Crash 17:00 Destination Truth 18:00 Wipeout 19:00 Whacked Out Sports 20:00 Perfect Stranger

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‘Song of Goa’ Released

Instructions for Sudoku SUDOKU SOL 618 9 x 9 letter: To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in each of the nine vertical columns, in each of the nine horizontal rows and in each of the nine boxes

09:00 Rang Badalti Odhni 10:00 Geet 11:00 India's Magic Star 14:00 Geet 16:00 The Burning Train 20:00 India's Magic Star 21:30 Star One Horror Nights 22:30 Geet 23:30 Laughter Ke Phatke

email us at: goasheartbeat@herald-goa.com

Parenting

Institutions desirous of participating should be registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860. The registered institutions are required to renew their registration with the competent authority and all participating institutions are required to submit their registration/ renewal certificate along with the entry form.

As per rules of the competition, the participating institutions will have to pay Rs100 as entry fee and an amount of Rs1,000 as Security Deposit which will be refunded immediately after the performance.

The programme sequence will be decided by Kala Academy on August 16 4.45 p.m. by draw of lots in the presence of the representatives of the institutions and thereafter five days time will be given for withdrawal of entries. Only those institutions withdrawing within the stipulated 5 days will be eligible for refund of their Security Deposit.

The last date for submission of entries in the prescribed format along with the cash remittance of entry fee and security deposit so as to reach Kala Academy is latest by August 16, 2010 before 4pm.

WIZARD OF ID

09:30 Baat Hamari Pakki Hai 11:30 Aahat 12:30 Aahat Khauf Ka Keher 14:00 Sooryavansham 18:00 C.I.D 19:00 C.I.D 20:30 Baat Hamari Pakki Hai 21:00 Comedy Circus Ke Superstars 22:00 C.I.D 23:00 Aahat

INGS

Tourism

K

DAILY GROOK SALE TALE

by Francis Rodrigues dhows at the pier you can now avail, ain't got a motor but, are on sail!

09:30 Mrs. & Mr. Sharma Allahabadwale 12:00 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta …

14:00 Rishtey 17:30 Gutar Gu 18:00 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta…

18:30 Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo 19:00 Mrs. & Mr. Sharma Allahabadwale 19:30 Lapataganj 20:00 Gutar Gu 21:00 Papad Pol 23:00 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta….

Travel

HERALD FEATURES ala Academy Goa has invited entries for participation in the forthcoming 36th Tiatr Competition which will be held from September 21, 2010 onwards at the Dinanath Mangeshkar Kala Mandir, Campal, Panaji-Goa.

GARFIELD

09:00 Sasural Genda Phool 10:30 Saath Nibhana Saathiya 13:00 Sapna Babul Ka ...Bidaai 15:30 Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya 18:00 Saath Nibhana Saathiya 21:00 Chhote Ustaad 22:30 Jashn 2010

Fashion

KA invites Entries for 36th Tiatr Competition

WHAT’S UP IN GOA??

‘GO AA’ an art exhibition of 15 artists will be held till July 31 at the Kerkar Art Complex, Calangute. Call 2276017.

‘Yuva Goa 2020’, an incident writing competition, organised by Hauns Theatre Training Centre, Ponda is open for registration till July 31.

E-mail haunstheatre@rediffmail.com.

Call 9823229961 or 9823645380 Lokmanya Tilak Punyatithi will be held on August 1 at 10:50am in the open space of the new Secretariat, Porvorim.

A quiz by the Sunday Evening Quiz Club will be held on August 1 at 5pm at the CCP Hall, Panjim.

Visit www.seqc.blogspot.com.

‘C Alvares - Patxea Duetancho’, a musical show by Mil–Mel–Nel will take place on August 1 at 10:30am at GVN, Margao. It is held to commemorate the birth anniversary of the popular Konkani Tiatrist, C Alvares. It will also be staged on August 7 at 7pm at Saligao Panchayat Hall, Saligao, the birth place of the late C Alvares and on August 8 at 6:30 pm at St Andrew’s Church Hall, Vasco.

‘Osteoporosis: Breaking the Myth’ with Dr Deep Bhandare, the 4th interactive session on the series on health, organised by the International Centre Goa will take place on July 31 from 3pm to 5pm at the International Centre Goa, Dona Paula. Call 9765404391.

A friendship day trek to Dudh Sagar waterfalls, organised by Off Trail Adventures will be held on August 1. Call 9960054428.

A free screening of international short films, organised by Shamiana – the short film club,

Entertainment

21:00 Moment of Truth 22:00 Glee 23:00 V.I.P

22:00 FIA F1 World Championship Qualifying 2010 23:30 Resorts World Sentosa Martial Combat 2010

08:30 TNA Sikander 09:30 Guinness World Series of Pool 2010 15:30 Inside Grand Prix 16:00 TNA Sikander 17:00 Engine Block 2010 17:20 FIA F1 World Championship Qualifying 2010 19:00 Ricoh Women's British Open 2010 : Day 3

09:00 Prague Marathon 10:00 Sportscenter Week In Review 10:30 Hitz 11:00 Football Asia 11:30 Planet Speed 2010/11 12:00 Global Football 12:28 Sportscenter Weekend 12:30 World Sport 2010 13:00 Sportscenter Week In Review

13:30 Senior Open Championship 2010 H/ls 14:30 Football Asia 15:00 MLB Regular Season 2010 : Los Angeles Dodgers vs.

San Francisco Giants 18:00 Uca National High School Cheerleading Championship 18:58 Sportscenter Weekend 19:00 KFC World Band Competition 2010 : Grand Final 21:00 Classic Boxing : Rocky Marciano 22:00 Sec Women's Gymnastics : LSU vs. Georgia 23:30 X Games 16

08:30 2010 India tour to Sri Lanka H/ls : 2nd Test Day 1 12:30 ICC Cricket Show 13:00 2010 India tour to Sri Lanka H/ls : 2nd Test Day 3 15:00 Mobil 1 The Grid 15:30 Winning Post 16:00 WWE: Super Star 17:00 WWE: Smackdown 19:00 2010 India tour to Sri Lanka H/ls : 2nd Test Day 4 21:00 Winning Post 21:30 Moto GP H/ls : Red Bull U.S Grand Prix-Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca 22:30 WWE: Super Star 23:30 2010 India tour to Sri Lanka H/ls : 2nd Test Day 5

08:00 Preserve Our Planet : Population Overload 09:00 Sharkville : Journey to Shark Eden 10:00 Space Special : Monster of the Milky Way 11:00 Space Special : Death of the Universe

12:00 Nat Geo Women's Hour : Action 13:00 Megastructures : The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque 14:00 Nat Geo Specials : Ultimate Soldiers 15:00 Wild Russia : Siberia 16:00 Best of True Stories : Kidnapped In Iraq 17:00 Monkey Thieves : Taxi Raid 18:00 Fight Science : Ultimate Soldiers 19:00 Most Amazing Moments : National Geographic's Amazing Moments 20:00 Nat Geo Weekends : Super Subway Car 21:00 Terraquiz 2010 : Finals 21:30 Monkey Thieves : Hard Times 22:00 Nat Geo Explorer : Silk Road 23:00 True Stories : Apollo 13

07:30 Flavors 08:00 English News 09:00 Konkani News 10:00 Marathi News 11:00 Konkani Palkachim Noketram 11:30 Rafi Ki Yaadem 12:00 HCN Smash Hits 12:30 Flavors 13:00 English News 14:00 Konkani Movie 15:30 Talent time 16:00 HCN Smash Hits 16:30 Flavors 17:00 Kids Club 17:30 Konkani Palkachim Noketram 18:00 Konkani News 19:00 Marathi News 20:00 English News 21:00 In Conversation with 21:30 Talking Talkies 22:00 English News 23:00 In Conversation with 23:30 Juke Box Note: Subject to change

Cast: Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner Director: David Slade Ratings: wilight is back with Eclipse! Breaking box office records, making young girls wait in line at midnight and scream at a pitch that only wolves can hear. I’m not a Twi-Hard, this is not my favorite genre, But I will say that out of all the Twilight films this one is the best. It has more action, more tension, better character development, and unlike the previous films, a story to follow.

Once again, Bella Swan is caught between her addiction to vampire, Edward and her friendship with werewolf, Jacob. Meanwhile the Voultri are forcing Edward to “turn” Bella, Edward is trying to convince Bella to marry him, and Bella is just trying to be with Edward. There’s now a vampire “war” going on, in which the werewolves and the vampires have to form a truce to overcome. And we start and end the film reading poetry in a field full of poppies. How sweet.

The romance is undeniably hotter than before. This is what the fans want and David Slade delivers. The action too is faster, more intense, there’s more story behind it and it’s far more graphic than before. The film on the whole is a touch darker while still being targeted towards teenage girls.

Taylor Lautner deserves to be commended. This young actor keeps evolving from one film to the next and gives us something new to discover. In this film he’s stepped out as a big buff dude, with the cocky attitude to match.

But once again, Kristen Stewart is left stressing out and looking worried.

Robert Pattinson constantly looks like someone is pulling out his fingernails.

Let’s get something new for the actors to work on! At least in this film Bella seems to have a mind of her own.

Though the film needs a lot of work when it comes to sets and make up, after all this is 2010 and they could do a lot more that fake-looking contacts among other props, overall, if you’re a fan of the first two films, this one is definitely a step up and will in no way disappoint. For the rest of you there isn’t anything new or mind-blowing to make it worth seeing for the first time.

Courtesy www.cinecurry.com (Movies showing at Cine Samrat and Cine Ashok)

HERALD CROSSWORD - 619 Across 1- "It's ___ real"; 5- Floor coverings; 9- Hesitant sounds; 12Conductor Klemperer; 13Writer Jong; 15- Bloodsucking insect; 16- Short tail; 17- Coffee choice; 18- Skating area; 19Ostentatious; 21- Plunder; 23Cut ruthlessly; 25- "___ Brockovich"; 26- Move from side to side; 29- Hindu princess; 31Gulp down; 35- "Hold On Tight" band; 36- Units; 38- Ages between 13 and 19; 39- Leg or arm; 41- Choose; 43- Room in a casa; 44- Fishhook line; 46Fortune-telling cards; 48- Highly respectful way of addressing a man; 49- Noble; 51- California wine region; 52- Aliens, for short; 53- Bloody conflicts; 55Harbor; 57- Oppose; 61- Tidy up; 65- Bibliography abbr.; 66Like a toad; 68- De-intensify; 69- Lethargic; 70- Fantasize; 71- Cartel; 72- Bandleader Brown; 73- Catch a view of; 74Pull abruptly; Down 1- Winter pear; 2- Draw with acid; 3- Sewing case; 4- Angular indentation; 5- Treat with medicine; 6100 square meters; 7- Personal quirks; 8- Land's end?; 9- "East of Eden" director Kazan; 10- 1996 Tony-winning musical; 11- Japanese rice wine; 14- Preceding, poetically; 15- Outskirt; 20- Mata ___; 22- Bits of thread; 24- Proposed, perhaps; 26- From Cardiff; 27-

Dress style; 28- Private Pyle; SOLUTION - 618 30- That is to say...; 32- Buy alternative; 33- Dark; 34- Autocratic Russian rulers; 37Fragment; 40- Insect; 42Study of place names; 45One telling tales; 47- Shipping deduction; 50- Throng; 54Animal trap; 56- Domestic cat; 57- Honeycomb unit; 58Siouan speaker; 59- Badgers; 60- Very, in Versailles; 62- Currency unit in Western Samoa; 63- Collar type; 64Bottle part; 67- Faucet;

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SPORTS GOA, Saturday, 31 July, 2010

Salgaocar rope in 4

PANJIM (HSR) -- Salgaocar have been given the green signal for recruiting four players under the AIFF inter-state transfer list.

Churchill Bros have recruited three.

For Salgaocar – Sukhwinder Singh (Mahindra), Monotosh Ghosh (Mahindra), Syed Farid (AI), Rino Anto (Mohun Bagan).

For Churchill Bros – Raul Khan (Pune FC), Noel Fernandes (Mahindra), Durga Boro (Oil India).

Sarzora down St Anthony’s HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, JULY 30

Sarzora Sports Club recorded a fluent 3-1 win over St Anthony’s Sports Club, Colva to enter the quarter-finals of 25th Fraxier inter-village football tournament organised by Young Strikers, Benaulim at St John Baptist ground, Dando- Benaulim on Friday. Sar-

zora led 2-0 at half time.

Sarzora had the better of exchanges in the opening session and repeatedly raided the Colva citadel. Their hard work bore fruits in the 10th minute as striker Jolex Fernandes’ intelligently cross from the left caught the Colva rearguard napping and lurking striker Sridhar Dabale made no mistake in pun-

ishing Colva goalkeeper Joao Falcao with a neat placement.

St Anthony’s struggled to launch the attack as the Sarzora defence marshalled by Antonio Dias was solid and never allowed the Colva strikers any space to penetrate.

Noel Leitao doubled the score following Myron Pereira’s free kick.

Crossing over, it was again Sarzora who dictated terms and consolidated the tally following a free kick with Noel Leitao being the scorer.

St Anthony’s reduced the margin when Antonio Fernandes bulged the net after he received a through pass from Nelson Gomes .

25th Fraxier Soccer quarters: Navelim Sporting Club v. Betalbatim Sporting Club, St John Baptist ground, Dando- Benaulim, 4.30 p.m.

Forgottem interward soccer: Argentina Morgado v. Forg o t t e m G o a Ve l h a , PA P ground, Goa Velha, 5 p.m.

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SPORTS GOA, Saturday, 31 July, 2010

Bengal snatch late draw with Delhi BENGAL 1 TN 2

DELHI 1 MIzORAM 0

HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, JULY 30

Twenty-nine times champions, West Bengal came from a goal down to hold Delhi 1-1 in their opening quarter-final league round match of Santosh trophy National Football Championship at Salt Lake Stadium here on Friday.

In-form striker, Tuisim Mashngva once again found the back of the net for Ranjit Thapa coached side, while Mohun Bagan midfielder Jayanta Sen saved the day for Bengal scoring down the wire.

St Anne’s finals HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, JULY 30

Caji Friends Nuvem will take on hosts Ponda Footballers in the finals of 21st all-Goa St Anne’s soccer festival on August 1 at Animal Husbandry ground, Curti-Ponda.

Caji Friends Nuvem beat Cortalim Bros 1-0. Ismael scored.

Ponda Footballers defeated Rebello Pendal, Curtorim 6-5 via tie-breaker. The score was 1-1 at the end of regular time. Judi scored for the hosts while Servelo equalised for Curtorim.

In the tie-breaker Johnny, Judi, Thapa, Josua and Rui scored for Ponda Footballers while Newton, Mark, Charles and Aston scored for Curtorim. A try by Domnic was saved by Sidi.

The winners will be awarded Rs. 21,000 while the runnersup will receive Rs. 15,000.

A women’s exhibition match between Carmel College, Nuvem and Glorial Sporting Goa Velha will be held at 3 p.m.

lTN down Mizoram

Bengal did enjoy better ball possession than their opponents, but failed to utilize the chances that came their way.

Tarif Ahmed right footer in the 14th minute sailed over the woodwork, while six minutes later, Delhi’s goalkeeper came up with a fine save to deny Bengal’s striker Robin Singh.

With Bengal missing lots of chances, Delhi grabbed the only chance that fell in their kitty in the first half with both hands as Tuishim headed in brilliantly off a cross from the right flank.

The scoreline read 1-0 in

favour of Delhi at lemon break, but they failed to hold on their one goal advantage and conceded a late equaliser to deny themselves a famous win.

Jayanta Sen ended Bengal frustration in the 87th minute, after they came close on numerous occasions to level terms.

The former Chirag United midfielder right footer held its way to the far post to score the equaliser.

Delhi has certainly raised their chances to stay in the hunt after managing a point against Bengal, while Bengal will seriously

need to leave their not so impressive outing behind when they take on Mizoram in the next match.

Tamil Nadu started their campaign on a winning note scoring a 2-0 facile victory over Mizoram in the second quarter-final Group B league match.

C. S. Sabeeth opened the account for TN in the second half after a pale first session, while R. Rajesh scored the second for the last year’s semi-finalists.

Mizoram, who upset Kerala in the pre-quarters looked better in the initial stage of the game, but failed to carry on the momentum.

Goa need victory against Punjab today HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, JULY 30

Goa take on Punjab in the Santosh Trophy quarter-final league stage at Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata on Saturday (6 p.m.).

Both, Goa and Punjab come into the match with three points each after 1-0 victories over Karnataka and Services respectively.

Cavin Lobo was the hero of the last game for Goa which could possibly earn him a start in the first eleven given that Goa are short on firepower, but coach Mariano Dias was not giving too much away. "I will check the fitness of the players in the morning before announcing the starting line up."

Mariano further stated that the team is fully focused and will be looking for a win, "A lot

depends on this match, we are happy to have won the first game but we will not relax," remarked Mariano.

With five consecutive wins in the tournament so far, Punjab are in a good form. They breezed past Pondicherry 7-0, Nagaland 1-0 and Gujarat 10-1 in the early rounds. At the pre quarter-final stage they managed to outwit Manipur 4-2 on penalties after the match finished at 2-2.

Punjab have lifted the trophy on eight previous occasions compared to Goa's five. In fact the first time that Goa lifted the trophy outright was a 1-0 victory against Punjab in 1983. Bengal are the only state to have won more, boasting of 29 Santosh Trophy wins.

Out of the last four editions of Santosh Trophy Goa and Pun-

PG, PCCE triumph in varsity b’ton

jab have won two each which clearly outlines the commitment and passion both states have for the competition. Goa defeated Maharashtra 2-0 after extra time in 2005 and won 42 on penalties against Bengal last year. Punjab lifted the crown with back-to-back wins in 2007 and 2008 defeating Bengal and Services respectively.

Goa probable line-up: Captain Felix D'souza (gk), Fulgencio Cardoza, Covan Lawrence, Mathew Gonsalves, Rowilson Rodrigues (defenders), Godwin Franco, Savio Carneiro, Joseph Pereira and Adil Khan (midfielders), Milagres Gonsalves and Peter Carvalho (forwards).

In the other group match Karnataka lock horns with Services.

Mario joins Salgaocar

BY CHARLES DE SOUSA MARGAO July 30

Post Graduate students of Goa University and Padre Conceissao College of Engineering, Verna, who emerged champions at goa University inter-college badminton championps for men and women respectively at Campal, Panjim on Friday.

HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, JULY 30

Post Graduate students of Goa University and Padre Conceissao College of Engineering, Verna won the Goa University intercollege badminton championships for men and women respectively at indoor stadium, Campal here.

PG students beat Dempo College 3-1. Nikhil Pulare beat

Jayesh Shirodkar 21-15, 21-10, Laxman Ghanekar lost to Sunny Sawant 4-21, 11-21, Navneet Nasnodkar and Nikhil Pulare defeated Sunny Sawant and Vaibhav Shetye 7-21, 21-12, 21-12, Navneet Nasnodkar trounced Vaibhav Shetye 18-21, 21-15, 21-12.

In women’s section PCCE beat Rayeshwar Institute of Engineering and Information Technology, Shiroda 2-1. Suprita

Naik lost to Preetam Desai 321, 10-21, Rishma Chitnis defeated Varda Desai 21-01, 21-2, Rishma Chitnis while Shradha Shahapurkar beat Preetam Desai and Vardha Desai 21-17, 23-21.

Dr. S. V. Deshpande, principal of Dhempe College of Arts and Science was the chief guest for the finals and gave away the trophies. Milton L Fernandes presided over the function.

Salgaocar's assistant coach Mario Soares began his new assignment after leaving Churchill Bros confident that his new team will perform to its top potential under head coach Karim Bencharifa to leave a mark in ILeague, Federation Cup, GFA Professional League.

Salgaocar launched their preparations at Colva beach and the former international midfielder from Chinchinim was monitoring his wards from close under instruction from Bencharifa.

HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, JULY 30

Ajooba Boys of Bordem defeated Assnora Boys 6-5 via tie-breaker in the finals of Bicholim Taluka soccer tournament organised

by Friends Circle of Bicholim at Shivaji Maharaj Maidan, Bicholim. In all, 26 teams partici-

pated.

Ajooba Boys were awarded Rs. 4,000 alongwith a trophy while Assnora Boys had to be content with Rs. 3,000 plus a trophy.

Following individual prizes were awarded: Best player of the tournament – Sushant of

Kelbai SC. Best defender – Nilesh of Assnora Boys. Best goalkeeper – Devendra of Ajooba. Promising player – Surendra Naik of L amgao Boys.

President of the Club, Frankie Sequeira proposed the vote of thanks.

REUTERS BERNE, JULY 30

Liverpool and Juventus, forced into the indignity of beginning their season in the Europa League qualifying rounds, both won 2-0 away on Thursday as European club football ventured into deepest Siberia.

Liverpool, playing in the Champions League’s poorer cousin for the second season running after exiting the premier competition at the group stage last term, beat Rabotniki in Macedonia while the Italians overcame Ireland’s Shamrock Rovers.

The former European champions were among a smattering of familiar names in Thursday’s 34 third qualifying round, first leg ties which featured matches from the island of Madeira, in the Atlantic ocean, to Novosibirsk, halfway across Russia.

Portugal’s Maritimo hammered Bangor City 8-2 in the former match in Funchal while the latter saw Russian Cup run-

ners-up Sibir Novosibirsk beat Apollon Limassol 1-0 to record their first-ever win in European club competition.

Senegal’s Baba Diawara and Brazilians Tcho and Danilo all notched two goals apiece for Maritimo, who scored five times in the last 15 minutes.

Captain Aleksei Medvedev scored in the 74th for Sibir, who are based more than 3,000 miles from Moscow and became the most easterly club to appear in European competition.

“The victory is the first for Sibir in Europe, and I would like to congratulate the team and the city,” said coach Igor Kriushenko.

David Ngog scored in each half for Liverpool, in their first competitive match under new coach Roy Hodgson who last season led Fulham to the final of the same competition, while an Amauri double gave Juventus their win.

Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart overcame the absence of German internationals Cacau, Serdar Tasci and Sami Khedira, still

India footballers win again AGENCIES LISBOP, JULY 30

The Indian national football team thrashed Portuguese Third Division side Desportivo Monsanto 6-2 in their second practice match in Vieria de Leiria, on the two-month training tour of the Iberian country.

Mohammed Rafi struck twice (40th and 58th minutes), while Renedy Singh (20th), Anthony Pereira (42nd), Abhishek Yadav (44th) and Clifford Miranda (65th) scored a goal each for India in the match at Pilado ground, located some 200km from Portuguese capital of Lisbon on the road to Porto.

India made two changes in the starting eleven that beat Desportivo das Caldas 4-1 in their first practice match, Subrata Pal making way for Subhasish Roy Choudhury and Clifford Miranda replacing injured Steven Dias.

It was Desportivo Monsanto who took a surprise lead in the 17th minute, but Renedy Singh brought India back on track, scoring from the spot three minutes later after one of the defenders of the local side handled the ball inside the box.

India were ahead for the first time in the match in the 40th minute when Rafi and Pereira combined well before the for-

HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, JULY 30

Saunta Vaddo beat Naika Vaddo 2-0 to enter the finals of Gauravdddo interward cup

mer fired home.

Anthony and Rafi were once again in the thick of action, but it was the former's turn to register his name on the scoresheet two minutes later. Abhishek then made it 4-1 just a minute before half-time, heading in a Renedy Singh flag-kick.

Bob Houghton brought in eight players in the second half, with only goalkeeper Subhasish Roy Choudhury, Clifford Miranda and Rafi remaining unchanged.

Rafi scored his second goal in the 58th minute off a James Singh pass from the right while Miranda completed India's tally in the 65th minute before Desportivo Monsanto reduced the deficit in the 78th minute following a goalmouth melee.

Forlan in Kolkata IANS KOLKATA, JULY 30

Wildly cheered by hundreds of soccer fans, Uruguayan star footballer Diego Forlan - the golden ball winner in the recently held World Cup - arrived in the city on Friday on a three-day tour to take part in a soccer reality show organised by a private channel.

football tournament at Calangute Associaiton ground on Friday. Joaquim Fernandes and Menino Fernandes scored.

GOA DIARY DBO basketball tourneys

Mario believes in hard work and being active on the ground is his passion. "I recall the days when I played for Dempo when the team won the maiden NFL title. I was also the captain of the Goa team when it had won the Under-23 National football Championship in Goa in 1989.

Hence I know what effort it takes to come to the top. It will be my endeavour now to motivate the players to give their best," Mario stated.

Mario was grateful that Salgaocar had selected him to asisst Bencharifa, when so ma ny o tr her na mes w ere doing the round. Moreover, "I had worked under the Moroccan coach when the later was coaching Churchill bros team. So it will be easy for me to work with Bencharifa and together work for Salgaocar's success," remarked Mario.

"Coaching has undergone a sea change now and one must adopt new strategies when imparting coaching. I am confident that under the leadership of Bencharifa, Salgaocar will put up an impressive showing in the new season," signed off the AFC C Licence coach.

Nitish in third position HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, JULY 30

Santa Cruz 8 which beat Three Stars Santa Cruz 3-1 in 4th Remigio de Araujo married soccer organised

by Mixed Friends of Santa Cruz at St Agostinho ground, Santa Cruz alongwith chief guest Socorro de Santa Cruz. Nicholas Serrao (2), Johnny Araujo scored for Santa Cruz 8 while Prakash Araujo reduced the margin. On Saturday Ponda Married will meet Fatedae Married at 5 pm.

europa league

Saunta Vaddo in finals

Ajooba Boys emerge champs

Ajooba Boys receiving the trophy from Pratap Gawas, MLA, Monohar Shirodkar, Digambar Naik, Maheshwar Parab, Santosh G. Amonkar, Dada Lawanis and Frankie Sequeira.

Liverpool, Juventus win

Nitish Belurkar beat Ibik Halit Yavuz of Turkey at the World School Chess Championship in Turkey today. He is now on 6 points out of 8 rounds and in 3rd position.

Riya Savant 5 points lost to Abdumalik Zhansaya 1888 of Kazakistan.

PANJIM (HSD) – The Don Bosco Oratory will organize their age groups basketball tournaments on August 7-8 and August 14-15 (U-19), August 28-29 and September 4-5 (U-17) while the dates for U-14 and open category tournaments will be announced later.

Teams may confirm their participation by August 6 at the Oratory office, Panjim. The Oratory will also commence its regular football and basketball coaching. The football coaching will be conducted in association with Sporting Clube de Goa. Details may be obtained from the DBO office.

Pilerne tie-breaker postponed

PANJIM (HSD) – Pilerne Sports Club’s all-Goa three-a-side floodlit tie-breaker scheduled for July 31 at St Anne’s Chapel ground, Marra, Pilerne has been postponed due to the death of a club member, stated Gregory Estrocio, vice-president in a Press note today.

7-a-side football at Tivim

PANJIM (HSD) – The all-Goa 7-a-side football tournament organised by Real Madrid Sports and Cultural Club of Tivim will be held on Auigust 1 and 8 at Tivim panchayat ground. Rs 15,000 (winners), Rs 8000 (runners-up) will be awarded. Spot entries will not be accepted. Dataila may be obtained from Nolan on 9822126277 or Batu on 9923144246.

on holiday after the World Cup, to triumph 3-2 at Norwegian club Molde with an 82nd minute winner from substitute Martin Harnik.

However, coach Christian Gross was not pleased with his side who twice squandered the lead. “We have to play with more focus to make it easier for ourselves,” he said.

Dutch side AZ Alkmaar beat Gothenburg 2-0, Sporting Lisbon won 1-0 at Danish side Nordsjaelland while Galatasaray were held 2-2 at home by OFK Bel-

grade, who scored in the last 10 minutes through substitutes Milos Krstic and Nenad Injac.

There was crowd trouble in Romania when about 500 supporters of Croatia’s Hajduk Split were banned from attending the match at Dinamo Bucharest following pre-game clashes.

Romania state news agency Agerpres said 25 Croat supporters and 25 Romanians clashed in front of a central shopping mall in Bucharest, with one supporter severely wounded. Dinamo won 3-1.

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SPORTS

Salgaocar rope in four Pg 16

Pg 18

Liverpool,Juventus win Pg 17

GOA, SATURDAY, 31 JULY, 2010 www.oheraldo.in

Batsmen rule the roost in drab draw Sachin Tendulkar reached his fifth double century.

Dhoni slams lifeless pitch lSangakkara

agrees

PTI COLOMBO, JULY 30

Suresh Raina became the 9th Indian to score a century on debut.

PTI COLOMBO, JULY 30

The second cricket Test between India and Sri Lanka meandered to a tame high-scoring draw here today with a staggering 1478 runs being scored over five days on a track which proved to be graveyard for bowlers.

With little interest left on a dreary last day, the Indians scored a mammoth 707 all out in the first innings, recording

Mahela Jayawardene notched up his 27th century.

their second-highest total ever largely due to a dogged resistance by the last wicket pair of Ishant Sharma (27) and Pragyan Ojha (17).

The hosts then scored 129 for three in their second innings before both the captains decided to call off play, bringing an end to a dull Test completely dominated by thebatsmen with just 17 wickets falling.

The drawn result meant that

Anderson puts England in command AGENCIES LONDON, JULY 30

Birthday boy James Anderson produced a superb bowling display to put England in control of the opening Test against Pakistan at Trent Bridge.

Anderson, 28, claimed 5-49 and fellow paceman Steven Finn 3-20 as Pakistan slumped to 1479, still eight runs short of avoiding the follow-on.

England earlier collapsed to 354 all out, losing their last six wickets for 23 runs as Mohammad Asif took 5-77.

In all, 15 wickets fell for 170 runs before bad light ended play on day two.

Despite the batting collapse, it was another hugely encouraging day for England as all three front-line seamers impressed on a bowler-friendly pitch.

Anderson was on the money from the off, swinging the ball both ways, while Broad and Finn were quick and hostile, suggesting they have benefitted from a spell of strength and conditioning training.

The tourists were reeling on 47-6 midway through the afternoon session before some gutsy batting from Shoaib Malik (38), Mohammad Aamer (25) and Umar Gul (30 not out) hauled

Pakistan back from the brink.

England soon put a dismal morning behind them, with Broad bowling several deliveries in excess of 90mph and striking Pakistan captain Salman Butt on the helmet with a fierce bouncer.

Anderson found a testing line early on but gained his reward when Butt nicked an awayswinger through to Matt Prior.

Imran Farhat was the next to fall, this time Anderson bowling from wider of the crease and producing a sublime delivery, which swung towards the batsman's pads, pitched on middle and seamed away to topple off stump.

Finn removed Umar Amin in his first over, as a quick and straight ball drew a thick outside edge to Graeme Swann at second slip.

Azhar Ali was the next to go after bizarrely opting not to refer the umpire's decision even though replays showed that Anderson's delivery had missed the edge and brushed his trousers on the way through to Prior.

Finn had the Akmal brothers, Umar and Kamran, caught in the slips in quick succession before a gutsy partnership of 58 between Malik and Aamer held up England's charge.

India retained their number one position in the ICC’s Test rankings as the hosts needed to win the match to dislodge the visitors from top of the table.

The third and final Test will begin at the P Sara Oval here from August 3 with the hosts leading

Tharanga Paranavitana scored his second consecutive century. the series 1-0 after winning the first Test in Galle by 10 wickets.

The track at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground, which came in from much flak, hardly gave any assistance to the bowlers which made life extremely easy for the batsmen as was evident

Sri Lanka 1st innings: 642-4 dec (T Paranavitana 100, K Sangakkara 219, M. Jayawardene 174).

India 1st innings: (669-9 overnight) I Sharma c Sangakkara b Fernando 27, P Ojha not out 18. Extras: 33. Total: 707 all out. Fall of wickets: 1-165, 2-169 3-173 4-241 5-497 6-592, 7-592 8-643 9-668 10-707. Bowling: Prasad 22-2-101-0 (5-nb), Fernando 31.21-116-1, (5-nb, 3-w), Mathews 9-1-24-0 (1-w), Randiv 73-16-2222, Mendis 63-10-172-4 (3-nb), Dilshan 27-6-56-3.

Sri Lanka 2nd innings: T Paranavitana c Laxman b Singh 34, T Dilshan c Sharma b Mithun 14, K Sangakkara not out 42, M Jayawardene lbw b Sehwag 5, T Samaraweera not out 10. Extras: 24. Total: 129 for 3. Fall of wickets: 1-50, 2-73 3-97. Bowling: Mithun 6-1-17-1, Sharma 4-0-31-0 (6nb), Sehwag 9-1-17-1 (1-nb), Singh 13-0-35-1, Ojha 13-6-13-0 (1-nb). Manof-the-match: K Sangakkara.

with as two double centuries and three centuries being scored.

Resuming at 669 for nine, Sharma and Ojha almost survived the opening session of the final day as India's first innings folded for 707 about 15 minutes from the break. India bettered its highest total abroad by two runs as they had made 705 against Australia in Sydney in 2004.

It was also India's second highest total, the highest being 726 for 9 declared against the same opponents in Mumbai last year.

Sharma and Ojha shared the longest tenth-wicket partnership for India in terms of balls faced by number 10 and 11 batsmen as they resisted for 174 balls.

They bettered their own mark

of 92 balls at Galle during the first Test.

Paceman Dilhara Fernando ended Sri Lanka's agonizing wait when he had Sharma caught at gully by Kumar Sangakkara.

Sharma's 27 runs came off 117 balls with help of one boundary while Ojha consumed 92 balls for his unbeaten 17 and helped himself with one boundary.

Ojha survived a couple of leg before appeals from Ajantha Mendis and took a sharp blow on the helmet off Dammika Prasad in his defiant knock.

Sharma played with confidence and straight bat until he played an uppish cut off Fernando and found Sangakkara at gully.

Sri Lanka, who trailed by 65 runs, lost Tharanga Paranavitana (34), Tillakaratne Dilshan (14) and Mahela Jayawardene (5) in the post lunch session.

Abhimanyu Mithun drew first blood by having Dilshan caught at short mid-wicket and then Laxman caught Paranavitana in the slip cordon off Harbhajan Singh.

Part time spinner Virender Sehwag trapped Jayawardene minutes before the second break of the day.

Captain Kumar Sangakkara (42 not out) and Thilan Samaraweera (10 not out) ensured that there were no further stabacks before both the captains decided to call off play.

Khel Ratna for Saina

PTI NEW DELHI, JULY 30

India's ace shuttler Saina Nehwal was today selected for the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, the country's sporting honour, for her outstanding achievements on the badminton court.

National sports awards (Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna and Dhyan Chand) selection committee headed by P T Usha met here today and decided to bestow the Khel Ratna on Saina after considering her brilliant performance in the last one year.

The world number two Indian has been in red-hot form in the last one year, where she reached the semi-finals of the All England Super Series in March before winning three successive titles in June.

"I am really happy.

It's unbelievable, a dream come true for me to get another within

one year. National awards gives you a lot of motivation and it definitely has inspired me to achieve bigger glories for my countr y," Saina said.

"I have done well in the last two years and the three titles that I won recently

lSunil

Chettri, Deepak Mondal get Arjuna

have really boosted my confi- a foreign football league and dence. I am now preparing for also scored a hat-trick in the the World Championship and I AFC Challenge Cup that India hope to win the title," she added. won to qualify for Asia Cup after Saina was awarded the Arjuna 24 years. This is the first time Award last year and recently she since the inception of Arjuna was chosen as one of the six award that two footballers will brand ambassador for the Com- be conferred with the prestimonwealth Games which will be gious award in the same year.

Chettri, a former striker with held here from October 3-14.

National coach and her mentor Dempo Sports Club, is currently Pullela Gopichand also heaped playing in American League. praise on his protege and said it LIST OF ARJUNA AWARDEES is the result of her hard work Krishna Punia (athletics), that she achieved the award.

Dinesh Kumar (boxing), "Its really a great news.

Parimarjan Negi (chess), Jhulan She deserves the award.�

Goswami (cricket), Deepak Gopichand said next month's World badminton Mondal (football), Sunil Chettri Championship will be a test (football), Rajiv Tomar (wrestling), for Saina as it would de- Sandeep Singh (hockey), Jasjit cide if she can reach the Kaur (hockey), Joseph Abraham numero uno status. (athletics), The award, to be given Jajseer Singh (paralympics), away on August 29 by the President Pratibha Dinesh (kabaddi), Kapil Dev (volleyball), Rehan Poncha Patil, consists of a cash amount of Rs 7.5 lakh, a (swimming), Sanjeev Rajput scroll of honour and medal. (shooting).

Footballers Deepak MonDHAYANCHAND AWARDEES dal and Sunil Chettri will be getting the Arjuna award after a Satish Pal (athletics), Kuldeep gap of eight years. Chettri is the Singh (wrestling), Anita Chanu third Indian to ply his trade in (weightlifting).

CWG money siphoned off, two Kalmadi aides in dock HERALD CORRESPONDENT NEW DELHI, JULY 30

The Commonwealth Games Organising Committee is emb ro i l e d i n t o y e t a n o t h e r controversy of money laundering unearthed by the British authorities trailing huge sums coming into a bank account of a dubious one-man company of the Indian origin person, Ashish Patel alias Ash Patel alias Ashish Kumar.

An estimated Rs 3.28 crore have been siphoned off to AM

Films UK Limited since September and the British authorities started investigations into the transactions when the company applied for VAT refund. The company shifted its office in London and Patel quickly resigned as its director on July 14 after the British Government's Her Majesty Revenue and Customs (HMRC) mounted criminal investigations and alerted the Indian High Commission.

T S Darbari and Sanjay Mohindroo, two top officials of the

organising committee very close to its chairman Suresh Kalmadi, a Congress MP from Pune, are allegedly involved in the scam.

The Enforcement Directorate has already started a probe into the money transfers following the British authorities' alert to the Indian High Commission in London.

Darbari, a management guy who is the Joint Director-General of the organising committee heading its marketing and sponsorship divisions and also han-

dling Commonwealth Business Club, and Mohindroo, the committee's Deputy Director General Technology and Marketing, reportedly made the alleged deal with Patel through Prasadh Acharya of St James Court Hotel in May last year and got it going during their London visit for the Baton Relay event in October.

The British officials alerted the Indian High Commission last month, wondering if someone was siphoning off money to the nondescript company. "They

were particularly concerned since public money was in transactions are in connection with large and important event Commonwealth Games," says a "sec re t " n o t e f ro m t h e H i g h Commission received here.

It says two HMRC officials, who called on the Deputy High Commissioner on June 14, pointed out that they are making enquiries concerning "services provided by a Local Company AM Films UK Ltd to the 2010 Commonwealth Games

Organising Committee (OrgCom)."

The note says the officials were worried that the amount involved are not small while "the company does not seem to have any contract with the OrgCom and does not figure in the list of companies involved in the Games." Suspecting that the transactions are not legitimate, the officials wanted to know "if any contract was signed and if the tendering process was bypassed."

bowlers some rest," he said.

Sangakkara, meanwhile, hoped the next match would be more interesting but said his team would not think about the number one Test ranking which would go the hosts' way if they win the series 2-0, having already clinched the opening match.

"There is a bit of a way to go before that. We have to concentrate on playing well. Work on our fielding. A half chance on a track like this is tough and we have to grab such chances," he said.

Debutant Suresh Raina, who got a hundred besides sharing a match-saving partnership with double-centurion Sachin Tendulkar hoped to get picked for the next match as well.

"I hope to continue and make sure that we win the last Test as we are one down. I was batting with Sachin and he was telling me to keep calm and rotate the strike," he said.

Stop talking about age factor: Sachin AGENCIES COLOMBO, JULY 30

With a fifth Test double hundred under his belt at 37, Indian batting icon Sachin Tendulkar on Friday said he has proved that age has nothing to do with performance and people should just stop linking the two in his case.

Tendulkar produced a matchsaving 203-run knock as India and Sri Lanka settled for a highscoring draw.

"I think as long as you are mentally strong and prepared to go through the grind, age does not really matter. I think everyone should just stop talking about the age factor. If I can score a double hundred at 37, I don't think age really matters," he said, after being named the most stylish player of the match at the post-match presentation.

The veteran right-hander has 48 Test hundreds against his name and though his knock played a crucial role in saving the match for India, he chose to praise the contributions of debutant Suresh Raina (120) and opener Virender Sehwag (99).

"Suresh built an important partnership with me and all credit to him. And, the start that Sehwag gave us was also crucial," he said.

India are 0-1 down in the series after losing the seriesopener and Tendulkar said the team is desperate to latch on to the top spot in the ICC Test rankings which the visitors stand to lose if they go down 0-2.

"Being number one is important for us. We got here through a process and we hope to continue this process in the next match and win it," he said.

A VERY SPECIAL NITE DEDICATED TO VERY SPECIAL CHILDREN

S C FO H O R O IN S L A P E BU ID C IA ILD OF L I C NG H IL FU D R ND E N

Kumar Sangakkara scored his 7th double century.

Lambasting the lifeless pitch that produced a dull high-scoring draw against Sri Lanka, Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni today said the track made it seem that the bowlers were there just to get smashed all over the park.

"If not for the fast bowlers, at least for the spinners we can make Test cricket interesting. It doesn't have to be bouncy. In this game, it was all about the batsmen and the bowlers were just getting wacked all over the park," Dhoni said.

Dhoni's opposite number Kumar Sangakkara too felt the bowlers were made to work very hard by the pitch.

"It was not easy. Like M S said it was hard work for bowlers but I am very impressed with our bowling. We were always trying to attack and gave India a tough time," said the Lankan captain.

Dhoni said he never thought of making the proceedings any interesting by declaring while still trailing by 100-odd runs.

"If the opponent scores 600 odd runs, I think we did well in the way we responded but we should have scored 50 more runs. At the end of the day I am quite happy. For the first time in the series, we bowled second with a lot of wear and tear and the bowlers performed well.

"We were 100 odd runs behind and had we allowed the Lankans to bat they would have got 300 plus and they could have gone for an outright win.

We also thought of giving our

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