HERALD PUBLICATIONS-MAY 4

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O HERALD O The Voice of Goa — Since 1900 panjim, tuesDaY, maY 4, 2010

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Sports: Houghton quits, AIFF denies Pg 16

Nothing is so firmly believed as what we least know — Montaigne

IN BRIEF Motormen strike hits Mumbai Lakhs of train commuters in the country’s commercial hub today had a trying time in returning home during evening rush hour as as motormen demanding wage hike went on an indefinite hunger strike, affecting services on Western and Central lines.

Late tonight, Railways indicated it might hold discussions with Maharashtra government on invoking ESMA against the striking motormen if the situation does not improve. – (PTI)

CID probe rape complaint A CID inquiry was ordered and police registered a case of rape against H Halappa who quit as Karnataka Minister following a charge of sexual assault made by his friend’s wife. As opposition mounted pressure for Halappa’s arrest, CM B S Yeddyurappa announced a CID probe, saying “let the truth come out. – (PTI)

Business: India poised to be Pg 12 agricultural major

pRiCe Rs. 3.00 (air surcharge Rs. 1.50) pages 18

Goa’s Heartbeat: Conan O’brien breaks silence Pg 14

26/11: Kasab hEld guilty 2 Indians acquitted Arguments on death rap today

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PTI MUMBAI, MAY 3

Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving Pakistani gunman in the Mumbai carnage in which 166 persons were killed, was today held guilty of mass murder and waging war against India by a special court which, however, acquitted two Indians.

In the fastest trial in a terror case, Special Judge M L Tahaliyani delivered a 1,522page verdict in which he held that evidence in the November 26, 2008 terror attack pointed fingers at Pakistan.

The quantum of sentence will be delivered after the court hears arguments by the prosecution and the defence tomorrow.

The maximum punishment Kasab can get is death penalty.

The evidence also established that absconding accused, including Pakistan-based Lashkar-eToiba(LeT) commanders Hafeez Sayeed and Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, were involved in the terror attacks, the judge said wrapping up a year-long trial in which 658 witnesses were examined.

Except for minor charges pertaining to forgery and few others under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, Kasab was convicted on almost all the 86 charges framed against him.

Main tumko doshi paya hai kyun ki aapne desh ke khilaf jung kiya aur 166 logon ki jan li apne doston se milkar” (I hold you guilty of waging war against the nation along with your associates and killing 166 people),” the judge told 22year-old Kasab, a native of Faridkot village in Punjab province

thE VERdiCt Except for minor charges (forgery and few others under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act), Kasab was convicted on almost all the 86 charges. l Held guilty of waging war against the nation along with associates and killing 166 people. l Kasab held personally accountable for killing innocent people at CST and in and around Cama Hospital and abetting murder at other scenes of the attack. l Was responsible for killing police officers Hemant Karkare, Ashok Kamte and Vijay Salaskar besides murdering API Tukaram Ombale and Solanki, the navigator of Kuber. l

of Pakistan.

Kasab, who was unshaven and was wearing a white kurta, showed no emotions and sat impassively with his head bowed down as the verdict was pronounced in the high-security Arthur Road jail.

The court acquitted Faheem Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed who were accused of helping LeT in plotting the terror attack.

They put up a broad smile after being acquitted.

“The prosecution’s evidence against these two accused is doubtful and hence the benefit of doubt must go to them”, the judge said, dismissing the prosecution case based on alleged recovery of a map of terror targets the two had helped the terrorists with.

Special Prosecutor Ujwal

Flying squads to swoop on illegal hill cutters HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MAY 3

Bowing to pressure from Goa Bachao Abhiyan (GBA) and village groups, the Goa government on Monday decided to constitute two flying squads headed by deputy collectors for responding to calls on illegal hill-cutting and filling of low-lying land in North and South Goa districts separately.

This decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Digambar Kamat and attended by Secretary (Town and Planning) Raajiv Yadhuvanshi who is also secretary to the CM, Chief Town Planner, Morad Ahmad, Nodal Officer, Regional Plan, Sanjit Rodrigues and Deputy Town Planner Vinod Kumar, according to an official press statement issued here.

It was primarily a stock-taking meeting on the actions proposed to be taken by the government after the structured meeting held in the Secretariat on April 21 in which various issues dogging the state pertaining to town and countr y planning, were deliberated.

One of the main three demands made at the meeting held 12 days ago, was a public announcement of the “flying squad” with contact details of the person[s] responsible to stop all violations, including on non-

The nitty-gritty is to be seen for effective implementation. It is not just the question of responding to the calls on illegal hill-cutting and filling of low lying lands, but the stress should be on stopping such activities.

— Goa Bachao Abhiyan working and holidays for the Goa administration.

In Monday’s meeting though the decision to set up districtlevel `flying squads’ has been taken, the modalities are yet to

Booze shops behind high rate of mishaps?

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MAY 3

Are liquor shops dotting national highways responsible for high rate of road accidents in the State?

Dr P S Pasricha, former Director General of Police (DGP) and the officer behind streamlining Mumbai’s traffic and whose services were hired by the Goa government to study traffic situation in the State, two years ago, had suggested that all liquor shops within 75 meters of NH in the State be relocated .

Dr Pasricha who was in Goa today for bravery awards func-

tion of Binani Glass Fibre, speaking to media persons here revealed that in his report to the Goa government, he had stated that liquor shops along national highways in a way are a contributory factor in road accidents and therefore suggested that they be relocated or removed.

He further said, in his report he had also suggested that nine traffic islands are in need of urgent modernisation.

Currently, traffic cops are drawn from the regular police force , Dr Pasricha had (Continued on page 10)

be finalised. “The nitty-gritty is to be seen for effective implementation”, said a member of GBA when contacted. “It is not just the question of responding to the calls on illegal hill-cutting and filling of low lying lands, but the stress should be on stopping such activities.”

The other two demands which were placed before Yadhuvanshi at the secretariat meeting, included public announcement of the freeze on development in the NDZ (no development zone) and ESZ (eco sensitive zone) including cultivable paddy fields, steep hill slopes, mangroves, creeks etc and holding all NOCs and permissions under amended Section 16 & 16 A of TCP Act in abeyance till the finalization of RP 2021.

On Monday, the government also decided to constitute a special committee having legal experts under the chairmanship of commissioner and secretary (TCP) to review the TCP Act, 1974 amended from time to time.

This follows strong objection raised by GBA and others to the appointment of Deputy Speaker Mauvin Godinho as the chairman of the committee.

The government has also decided to release additional (Continued on page 10)

Nikam said he was happy that Kasab was convicted and unhappy that Ansari and Ahmed were set free. “We would appeal against the acquittal,” he said.

Kasab, along with nine slain terrorists also belonging to Laskhar e Toiba (LeT) , was charged with killing 166 people, including 25 foreigners, and injuring 304 others at the instance of the terror outfit during the

Drizzles lash State ahead of monsoons HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MAY 3

With the thunderstorms on Monday wee-hours, the pre monsoon showers have arrived in Goa, predicting beginning of monsoons in the first week of June.

The state witnessed winds accompanied by lightings and thunderstorms before the day break on Monday, giving much needed respite to the people from the heat.

The Indian Meteorological Department in Goa has termed these drizzles as ‘pre monsoon showers’.

“These are pre monsoon showers and will continue for a month. The showers might occur on daily bases or alternate days,” Met department official told Herald.

The official said that the state will witnessed normal monsoon this year, beginning from first week of June.

“The monsoons will be normal and will also occur at the normal period (June),” official said.

The official said that the early pre-monsoon showers, which occurred with heavy thunderstorms, are basically due to high temperature and increasing moisture in the atmosphere.

The city witnessed 3.6mm of rainfall on Monday. The temperature came down to 34 degree Celsius from 36 degree Celsius on Sunday.

60-hour-siege that began in the night of November 26, 2008 bringing Mumbai on its knees.

The iconic Taj and TridentOberoi luxury hotels, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus(CST) and the Jewish Centre at Nariman house bore the brunt of the devastating attack that began at the popular Leopold Cafe.

Kasab was held guilty under various sections of IPC, Arms Act, Explosives Substances Act, Explosives Act, Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, Customs Act and Foreigners Act. Stating that 26/11 attack was not a simple act of murder, Tahaliyani said, “It was part of a larger conspiracy to wage war against the nation.”

The judge observed that intercepted telephonic talks revealed that terrorists’ handlers from Pakistan were directing them during the attacks, asking them to “fight until death” and not allow themselves to be caught alive.

While holding the terrorist personally accountable for killing innocent people at CST and in and around Cama Hospital, the court also pronounced Kasab guilty of abetting murder at other scenes of the attack where his accomplices perpetrated mass killing.

The judge held Kasab guilty of killing high ranking police officers Hemant Karkare, Ashok Kamte and Vijay Salaskar besides murdering Assistant Police Inspector Tukaram Ombale and Amarsinh Solanki, the navigator of Kuber.

A lesson for Pakistan: Chidambaram PTI NEW DELHI, MAY 3

Home Minister P Chidambaram today said that the conviction of Ajmal Kasab and acquittal of two local accomplices in Mumbai attack case shows India is governed by rule of law but sends a message to Pakistan that it should not export terror.

“The court has convicted certain accused. It also acquitted two accused. That shows the independence, fearlessness and integrity of the court,” he told reporters reacting to the judgement of a Mumbai special court.

He said that it was an open trial in accordance with law and full opportunities were given to the accused to defend themselves.

“I am satisfied that within a year we have been able to bring a verdict of conviction of a large number of accused in perhaps a very complex trial.

“The trial underlines the fact that India is a country governed by rule of law. A criminal trial can only proceed step by step and within a year, the prosecution has been able to get conviction,” he said.

Asked what was the message for Pakistan, the Home Minister said the judgement “is a message to Pakistan that they should not export terror to India. If they do and if the terrorists are apprehended, we will be able to bring them

Nod for 737 posts to absorb PETS trainees HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MAY 3

Trainees under the Pre-Employment Training Scheme (PETS) can finally heave a sigh of relief as the State government has approved 737 supernumery posts to absorb them into the government service.

The Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, at the post-cabinet briefing Monday afternoon, said the cabinet has unanimously decided to create 737 posts to induct PETS trainees into gov-

last year to Rs 8,000 per month.

At one point, then opposition leader Pratapsing Rane had castigated the BJP-led ministry alleging that the scheme was a fraud played on the youth of Goa. The PETS survived through agitation and petitions nevertheless, so much so that the Congress-led government was compelled to give them a hike in salaries from Rs 1500 per month to Rs 8000 per month.

About 80-90 PETS trainees have already been taken into

The Cabinet has unanimously decided to create 737 posts to induct PETS trainees into government departments as they have worked for the government for the last couple — Digambar Kamat of years. ernment departments as they have worked for the government for the last couple of years.

PETS was a brain child of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government and hundreds of youth were taken on training but very few were absorbed in the government. Thousands of boys and girls had gone for the scheme with some giving up good private jobs, though the government then paid them only Rs 1500 as stipend per month. The remuneration was raised by the Rane government and the present ministry increased it further

service, said Kamat adding the government has fulfilled long standing demand of the trainees.

With the induction of PETS trainees into government service, the government will have to bear additional expenses Rs 30 to 35 lakh with annual total of Rs 4.50 crore, he said.

Considering that PETS have been working for the government on contract basis for the last couple of years the relaxation in age as well as educational qualification will be given to them while absorbing them into service.

Eye donations a wasteful sight: panel HERALD CORRESPONDENT NEW DELHI, MAY 3

In a shocking report, a parliamentary standing committee on health has expressed disbelief over thousands of eyes donated to government eye banks going waste due to lack of infrastructure and maintenance facilities.

Only 432 of the 13, 896 eyes donated between 2005 and 2008 could be actually transplanted on recipients and the rest were either thrown away or utilised only for research purposes. “There was a big gap between overall figures of eyes donated and those utilised during the period in nine states,” the committee headed by Amar Singh said in a report tabled in

Only 432 of the 13, 896 eyes donated between 2005 and 2008 could be actually transplanted on recipients and the rest were either thrown away or utilised only for research purposes. parliament last week.

The states scrutinised were Gujarat, Delhi, Uttar Prdesh, Haryana, Orissa, Jharkhand, Assam, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

The committee report points out that only five per cent of eyes collected by the government eye banks could be used,

while it was much better in case of the private eye banks which reported use of 20 per cent eyes from among 44,064 collected in the nine districts during the four years.

India needs about 80,000 to one lakh eyes a year to meet the demand. While the government’s eye banks are able to

collect less than 15,000 a year on an average, the private eye banks collect about 45,000. Doctors say the donated eyes are required to be preserved and refrigerated for use in maximum of 48 hours as after that time, the eyes become unusable.

“The low level of utilisation of those eyes collected suggests that all is not well with the existing arrangement and the system suffers from some grave inadequacies,” the committee report said, pointing out that the government spent a whopping Rs 650 crores between 2007 and 2010 on the National Programme for Control of Blindness, major part of which went in funding the eye banks.

The court has convicted certain accused. It also acquitted two accused. That shows the independence, fearlessness and integrity of the court.

— P Chidambaram

to justice and give them exemplary punishment.”

Happy over the trial ending in conviction, Chidambaram complimented the investigating agencies and prosecution for marshalling evidence that proved beyond doubt the horrific crimes Kasab and his associates were charged with.

Despite demands swayed by anger and emotions, he said, government decided that Kasab and associates should be tried in accordance with law, given all the rights available to any accused.

Slab crashes; two children trapped, safe HERALD REPORTER VASCO, MAY 3

Two children, including a oneand-half year old child, had a miraculous escape, when a dilapidated slab came crashing down on them at Baina-Vasco on Monday morning.

According to reports, the incident occurred when Ajay Hanumantha Saunoor (10) along with his sister, Saroja, were playing near the 50-year-old Marina Bar and restaurant, which has been abandoned after the demolition of infamous Baina red light area.

Suddenly, a portion of the dilapidated slab gave way and both children got trapped under the debris.

Sources informed that lifeguard of Drishti Special Response Service and staff of H2O Water Sports swung into action and removed both the trapped children and rushed them to Chicalim Cottage Hospital.

Saroja escaped unhurt, while Ajay, who sustained some head injures, was later discharged after undergoing a CT scan later in the evening.

Eye witnesses claimed that it was a miraculous escape for both the children, who escaped without any major injuries.

In order to ensure that no one was trapped inside the collapsed slab, Vasco fire brigade personnel checked the inside portion of the collapsed slab.

Speaking to Herald, business partner of the bar, Elisabao Fernandes, said the bar was not maintained properly after the demolition of red light area.

(Continued on page 10)

Ofcourse it's not our duty today!! Let me check the roster & tell you who is assigned to give him oxygen.

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GOA

GOA, TUESDAY, 4 MAY, 2010

Archbishop expresses concern over vandalism at religious places Says such acts leave behind a trail of hurt, fear

HERALD NEWS BUREAU PANJIM, MAY 3

Condemning the “criminal acts against religious symbols” in connection with the desecration of four statues at Guardian Angel Church, Sanvordem-Curchorem on Sunday, ArchbishopPatriarch Filipe Neri Ferrao has, however, appealed to the parish community to stand united and remain peaceful.

Archbishop Ferrao also expressed concern over vandalism at the religious places of other communities, stating that such acts leave behind a trail of hurt and fear.

“We are in pain and sorrow at the desecration that has taken place at Guardian Angel Church, Sanvordem-Curchorem,” stated archbishop Ferrao, in a strongly worded press note issued by the Diocesan Centre for Social Communications Media

Handicapped knocked down at Porvorim

HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, MAY 3 A 48-year-old handicapped person was injured, after he knocked down by a mini bus near Chodankar Hospital at Porvorim on Monday morning.

According to Porvorim police, the accident occurred when Anil Naik was crossing the road near Chodankar hospital at about 10.40 am. The mini bus (GA-04T-2999), which was proceeding from Panjim towards Mapusa knocked down Naik, who sustained minor injuries.

Naik was rushed to GMC Hospital at Bambolim. Police have registered the case of accident and Police Head Constable Ulhas Narvekar is investigating the case.

(DCSCM).

“From the reports given by the media and by officials from the Archbishop’s House who visited the place, four statues were vandalized, namely, of Christ the King, of Our Lady of Lourdes, of St Bernadette and of Ven Agnelo Souza, the last one erected in the garden less than a fortnight ago.”

“While we express our deep concern, we also strongly condemn these criminal acts against religious symbols, so dear to the human family. It is hoped that the law and order machinery in the State, along with the Intelligence Bureau, will nab the culprits and bring them to book,” said Archbishop Ferrao.

He expressed solidarity with the priests of the church, the Parish Pastoral Council and the parish community at large and appealed to them to stand

united and remain peaceful and calm.

“We remember that other places of worship too, of various religious communities, have been vandalized recently, leaving behind a trail of hurt and fear.”

“We take this opportunity to express our solidarity, once again, with all of them. Let us all respect each other’s religious places and symbols. They are dear to us all, for it is from them that we draw strength to face the challenges of our daily life,” said the archbishop.

“Let us not fall prey to the evil designs of some people who are out to destroy the unity of a community or among communities. On the contrary, let us work towards building a society where there is mutual respect, harmony and peace,” he added.

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MAY 3

The high-level committee headed by the District Magistrate, South Goa G P Naik has asked representatives of Temple committees in Sanguem to apply to the government for allotment of land to excluded these structures from demolition.

At a meeting held in the district Collectorate here this morning with representatives of the Temple Committees, the district Magistrate said Temples located on government land have been excluded from the demolition exercise in cases where the government has made the land allotment.

“The committee has suggested to the Temple repre-

sentatives to apply for grant of land in order to exclude them fro the demolition. They have agreed to the suggestion, but at the same time, the committees should act fast”, Naik said.

Naik admitted that there are some religious structures dating back to 80-100 years can be saved by shifting or seeking allotment of land for their relocation.

Replying to a question, Naik said most of the Temples do not come under road widening and only around 10 small structures may go for demolition in Sanguem taluka.

He, however, said that the committee has recommended removal of religious structures coming under road widening

HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, MAY 3

The District Disaster Management Authority, South has warned of severe action against stake holders not complying with the dictates of the higher ups during natural calamities.

At a review meeting held on Monday which was chaired by the District Magistrate, strict instructions were issued to the representatives of various agen-

and road alignment, adding that a recommendation has been made to shift age-old religious structures.

“I feel there will be no problem as far as Sanguem is concerned. After today’s meeting, I strongly feel that most of the religious structures can still be saved from demolition”, he added.

This is the second time in less than a week that the district Magistrate held interactions with the representatives of Temples from the talukas of Quepem, Canacona and Sanguem.

The second round of interaction will now take place between the religious heads from the talukas of Salcete and Mormugao taluka.

Sarita elected Avedem sarpanch HERALD CORRESPONDENT QUEPEM, MAY 3

MMC staff using plastic bag to collect the garbage.

Photo by Anil Shankhwalker

ternative to the plastic bags but also helped self help groups to earn a living,” stated D’Souza in the letter.

“We want to know how and why plastic bags or cups are still seen in Mapusa market and what efforts have been made to enforce the ban and what has happened to the banned plastic confiscated by your staff. We hope thebannedconfiscated plastic has not reentered the market,” stated Shiv Sena in its letter.

Shiv Sena has also raised the issue of plastic bottles strewn in the gutters and in the market area. Shiv Sena sought the reply as to what corrective measures have been taken to curb the menace.

Shiv Sena has suggested to the MMC to make available the netted enclosures within municipal limits similar to ones made available by Corporation of City Panjim, where public could throw empty plastic bottles.

DM for strict compliance of orders on natural committees HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MAY 3

While incidents of vandalism of religious places continue to happen, the Chief Minister Digambar Kamat however maintained that police is doing its best.

While the police have been ineffective in nabbing culprits behind numerous cases of desecration of religious places happened in the State last two years, a fresh incident was reported from Curchorem -- vandals desecrated four statues installed in the courtyard of Guardian Angel Church, Curchorem, on Saturday night.

When it was pointed out that Special task force constituted to look into the such cases s has not been of any help the Chief Minister, said police are trying their level best.

DM directs temple panels in Sanguem to apply for govt land

Despite ban, plastic bags still being used in Mapusa

Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) may have banned use of plastic bags within municipal limits, but some shopkeepers in the municipal market still delivers their goods to their customers in plastic bags.

According to sources, MMC inspectors are not enforcing the rule strictly.

Moreover, the MMC staff who has been appointed to collect garbage from the market, instead of using gloves uses plastic bags to collect the garbage.

When asked, the staff informed that they have not been provided with any gloves to collect the garbage.

Shiv Sena Vibhag Pramukh Philip D’Souza in a letter to MMC sought to know what enforcement measures MMC has taken to curb the use of plastic.

“MMC should have made some alternatives prior to imposing ban on plastics. MMC with the help of non-government organizations and self help groups should have made available paper bags, which not only would have created a ready al-

Police is doing its best: CM PANJIM(HR) , MAY 3

cies that orders relating to calamities should be adhered to by the stake holders in both letter and spirit.

In the event any stakeholder is found violating the orders, the district Magistrate G P Naik has warned that the matter would be immediately reported to the government for necessary action. Replying to a question, Naik said the stake holders should react and respond to the calamity and mitigate the problem without wastage of any time.

“Last year, the Authority evoked very good response from the stake holders, baring the Directorate of Panchayat.

This year, even the Panchayat Directorate have promised to response to the emergency calls”, he added.

Naik said the all the Panchayat secretaries have been authorized to assess the losses during any natural calamity and submit the report to the Block Development Officer and the Deputy Panchayat Director for counter signing before the report is forwarded to the taluka mamlatdar.

“The Taluka mamlatdar is empowered to disburse compensation to the tune of Rs 3000 in times of natural calamity”, he said, adding that the village talathis will be engaged in the shifting of marooned people

and to provide food and shelter to the affected people.

He said agencies such as the fire services can avail the assistance of the Sub divisional magistrates to implement orders on tree cutting hanging precariously on the roads and power lines. In another decision, all the Taluka mamlatdars have been directed to report cases of natural calamity immediately to the district Control room as a precautionary mreasure.

Road digging banned HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MAY 3

The District Magistrate has banned road digging for a period of five months from June 1 to October 30 during the monsoons.

At a pre-monsoon meeting held in the district Collectorate on Monday evening, district Magistrate, G P Naik directed that all ongoing road digging works should be completed by this month.

“Henceforth, no agency can go ahead with road digging activity without prior permission of the authorities”, he said.

Sarita Naik was on Monday elected unopposed sarpanch of the seven-member Avedem-Cottombi Chaifi panchayat.

Naik was the only panch who had filed her nomination for the post of sarpanch.

The other group headed by Panch Dilesh Kalekar remained absent.

The presiding officer declared Sarita Naik elected unopposed as sarpanch. Naik was supported by Panchas Shashikant Dessai, Alleluia Affonso and Pushpa Naik.

It may be recalled that in April, sarpanch Dilesh Kalekar was voted out of office.

JMFC order upheld in mishap case HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARCEL, MAY 3

The North Goa Fast Track Court has upheld the order passed by JMFC Ponda in connection with an accident reported at Manaswada-Kundaim on December 8, 2007.

It may be recalled that on November 22, 2009, JMFC Ponda had convicted an accused and was awarded a simple imprisonment of 1 year and to pay a fine of Rs 10,000, failing which the accused had to undergo another 6 months simple imprisonment.

Challenging JMFC’s order, the accused appealed in the North Goa Fast Track Court, who upheld the order, but the accused was sentenced to one month simple imprisonment and to pay compensation of Rs 1 lakh to the scooter rider Safal Ghouri and another one month simple imprisonment and to pay compensation of Rs 8,000 to hotel owner Mahesh Kundaikar.

According to Ponda police, the accident had occurred on December 8, 2007. Accused Wilson Viegas of Sirlim-Salcette, who was driving his vehicle (GA02 T-4555) in a rash and negligent manner, collided against a scooter, seriously injuring Safal Ghouri of Bangalore.

Besides, property of Navdurga Hotel belonging to Mahesh Kundaikar was also damaged.

ASI Shyamsundar Naik was the investigating officer and Hawaldar Vinod Salunke was the complainant in the case.

Paid news syndrome may force govt intervention: Kumar HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MAY 3

Paid news syndrome may force union government to enact law to regulate media which will be bad day for press, claimed acting chief secretary Narendra Kumar.

"Because of the paid news tendency, there is dent in the credibility of the media. If the tendency continues, there may be public pressure forcing government to regulate such kind of tendencies," Kumar said.

"If that happens it will be a 'black day' in the history of media," he lamented.

Kumar, who is also Secretary, Information and Publicity, said that the political leaders are waiting for this day to come out.

The secretary criticized saying that the contract oriented labour policies adopted by media houses have been encouraging such tendencies across the country. "Goa is not the exception," he added.

Kumar feels that there is need that the security of our media persons is taken care. "Time will come when the government will have to enact legislation to ensure job security to journalist and editorial board," he stated.

Kumar was talking at the inaugural function of 'Freedom of Press Day' organized by Goa Union of Journalist (GUJ) in association with Information and Publicity department and Kala Academy.

Navelim ZP results out on May 10

Govt refuses to comment on scribe assault report

The state government today refused to comment on the crucial inquiry report public, which involved assault on photojournalist Soiru Komarpant, a year back.

Inspite of GUJ president Prakash Kamat urging to make the inquiry report public, the state acting chief secretary Narendra Kumar refused to comment on the issue.

“In Goa, indeed there are journalist assault cases that concern us. Though the inquiry report of Komarpant assault is been conducted, the report is not yet made public," Kamat said.

Kumar, however, made no reference to the issue.

Komarpant was brutally assaulted by police in Margao last year when he was covering a communal violence. Chief Minister Digambar Kamat had constituted inquiry by Swapnil Naik to investigate into the assault.

Subsequently, two more assaults including vernacular journalists in south Goa took place.

Kumar praising the work of journalist said that the journalists are the one who holds pride and place in our society. "They are the one who can shape Goa," he said.

Earlier, Goa union of journalist (GUJ) president Prakash Kamat pointed out state government's lethargy towards making public, inquiry report into assault on a photojournalist, Soiru ko marpant, working for a local newspaper, a year back.

Kamat demanded that state government should make all the findings in the report public.

"We want the state government to look into other assault cases which are been ignored till date and a strict action need to be

taken," he said.

"The punishment for the guilty in the assault case would set an example for peoples trying to assault forth estate," Kamat added.

Talking about the day's importance, GUJ president said that the day is been celebrated to commemorate all those press person who laid their lives while serving for the society. "The day also celebrates freedom to the press," stated.

Kamat said that this is for the first time that Goa is celebrating the 'Freedom of press' day since it has started in 1993 in United Nation.

The inaugural function was followed by a panel discussion

Goa Forest Corporation post upgraded

HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, MAY 3

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, May 3

The counting of votes to 10Navelim Zilla Panchayat constituency of South Goa ZP will be held at the Hall of Multipurpose Higher Secondary School, Borda-Margao on May 10.

The counting will start at 8 am.

The counting of votes in respect of bye-elections to Ward No 7 of Ucassaim-Paliem-Punola panchayat will also be held on May 10 from 8 am onwards at the office of Bardez Mamlatdar, Mapusa.

The Goa cabinet today approved a decision to upgrade the post of Managing Director of Goa Forest Corporation Richard De Souza to Additional Principal Chief Forest Conservator.

In fact, de Souza, a senior Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer was promoted by an order issued by the Union Ministry of Forest and Environment (MoEF) in early December 2009.

But the up-gradation of post from the state government has come after five months.

Apparently some political forces are still strongly opposed to getting DeSouza to head the Forest Department.

It happened more than ten years ago.

In 1999 when Goa was under President’s Rule, De Souza contributed in a big way in protecting Goa’s wildlife.

An area of around 208 sq km Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and about 211 sq km between this and Cotigao sanctuaries was sur veyed, papers were processed and notified as the Madei and Netravali sanctuaries respectively when Gen (Retd)

Absconding Nigerian arrested for drug trade HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, MAY 3

Calangute police on Sunday night arrested a 30-year-old Nigerian national, who was evading arrest in connection with drug trafficking at Calangute.

According to Calangute police, Nwabuwanne Nwachukwu was arrested on suspicion during the Nakabandi at Baga junction at about 9 pm.

On thorough investigation, it was revealed that the Nigerian was arrested by Anti-Narcotic Cell (ANC) in December 2009 for not holding a valid visa and other relevant documents. However, immediately after his re-

lease, the Nigerian was involved in drug trade and was evading arrest since December 10, 2009.

“On thorough investigation, we learnt that the Nigerian was arrested by ANC and was subsequently released within 2-3 days. However after his release, Nwabuwanne was involved in drug trafficking which was confirmed following the arrest of Abhijit Madkaiker of Cobra Vaddo-Calangute for possession of 20 grammes of Cocaine, worth Rs 1 lakh,” PI Nolasco Raposo told Herald.

“Since the arrest of Madkaiker on December 10, 2009, who confessed that the illegal drug

was supplied to him by the Nigerian, he was evading arrest in the case by clean shaving himself,” added PI Raposo.

“However after a prolong search, the accused was finally nabbed following a nakabandhi at Baga junction on Sunday at about 9 pm,” said PI Raposo.

The Nigerian who had cleaned shaven himself to evade police trap was arrested by Calangute police team comprising PI Raposo, HC Santosh Govekar, staff Waman Naik, Rajesh Shirodker and Luens Pereira.

The Nigerian has been handed over to ANC for further investigations.

Carambolim road flooded with waste

Garbage piled up on the road in Carambolim village.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT OLD GOA, MAY 3

With un-seasonal rains hitting the State early Monday morning, a main road in Carambolim was flooded with garbage plastic sewages and other waste, causing inconvenience to motorists and pedestrians.

According to sources, though Carambolim panchayat has seven panchas, none of the panch members were seen at the site to see that the roads are cleared. The drainage pipeline, which flows waste into the saline water rivulet, was choked, thereby flooding the roads with waste.

With no sign of panch members at the site, locals from the area tried to open the choked drainage pipeline to get rid of more waste coming on the

on the topic 'Freedom of Media and Rights of the Reader-Viewer'.

At the every beginning of the discussion, Inspector general of Police (IGP) Sundari Nanda said that media has played a great role is shaping India and in the long run India will be the master of the world.

However, Nanda said that Mumbai terror attack incident was hyped by few news channels who started giving their own versions. "On the other hand channels like BBC and CNN gave fair coverage to it," she said.

She even feels that no sufficient homework is been done by media persons as far as social aspects of society is concerned.

"The journalists of today need to have a broader view," IGP said.

Talking about the assault on Journalists, senior advocate Satish Sonak said that any assault on media is in-directly attack on public as media is eyes, ears and voice of viewers.

"We target media person on all the issues but why the state government and police is reluctant to come out with the final report of the journalist assault case," he questioned. "Make the report public in next 24 hours, if government is concerned about press freedom," Sonak demanded.

The other members present for the debate included columnist Jason Fernandes, activist Albertina Almeida, journalists Anil Lad, Nomrata Fernandes, and Roland Martins of GOACAN.

roads and their houses.

Agitated locals said the panchayat has been claiming in the gram sabha that tenders were taken out to construct proper drainage systems in the area, but till date none of the panchas have shown any interest to clean drainage systems in the last few years.

Tulshidas Kankonkar, a local, said: “Due to heavy rains on Monday night, a huge amount of waste and garbage flowed near my house, which is close to the drainage system.”

“A lot of waste flowed into my house. A huge amount of amount of waste was choked inside the drainage pipeline, which was not been cleaned for the last 10 years,” he added.

“Though I have been urging the panchayat to get the

Photo by Kanzil Rodrigues

drainage constructed and get it cleaned, none of the panchas are listening to our grievances.

Till date, the panchayat has not done anything good for the people of Carambolim, but only assurances,” claimed Kankonkar.

When contacted, Carambolim Sarpanch Balchandra Naik said: “Since I am the panch member of the same ward, I had cleaned the drains every year during my tenure.”

“After cleaning the drains, the locals are throwing various types of waste, including clothes in the drains, due to which the drainage pipeline got choked and all the waste came on the road. The panchayat has already processed the file to get the work of constructing a proper drainage as soon as possible,” added the sarpanch.

Jacob was the governor of Goa. For this “gift”, De Souza continues to be targeted by a highly influential political family. In the 90s too, the then Chief Minister Pratapsing Rane had objected to making De Souza the Chief Conservator of Forest.

DeSouza is highly respected in Andaman and Nicobar Islands where he brought in several changes to protect the environment.

Meanwhile, sources in the Secretariat said in some states, senior IFS officers are made Additional Secretaries in charge of Forest and Wildlife.

Jharkhand native convicted HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MAY 3

The South Goa sessions court on Monday convicted a native of Jharkhand for culpable homicide not amounting to murder in connection with the death of Ranjit, also a native of Jharkhand.

In his order, Additional Sessions Judge Desmond D’Costa held guilty Mehatab Khan for committing the offense of culpable homicide not amounting to murder due to his act of assaulting Ranjit with the knowledge that it is likely to cause death and punishable under section 304. The accused was also convicted of the offense of causing disappearance of evidence.

In this case, the accused assaulted Ranjit (22) on October 4, 2009 with a wooden danda on his head at Molcopon, Quepem, causing his instant death. The prosecution had charged him for the assault with the intention of causing his death.

Judge D’Costa held the accused guilty under section 304-II of the IPC for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, done without the intention of causing death, but only with the knowledge that he was likely to cause death.

“The accused can be presumed to have had the knowledge that the assault on the head with a wooden danda was likely to cause death. But, there is nothing to prove that the accused had any intention to cause Ranjit’s death”, the Judge said.

Additional charge for Yadhuvanshi HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, May 4

Commissioner and Secretary to CM Raajiv Yadhuvanshi has been given additional charge of Secretary, Finance. The order to this effect was issued on Monday.

Yadhuvanshi replaces Finance Secretary Udippta Ray who was transferred by the cadre controlling authority. Ray has since been relieved from the Goa Administration.

Yadhuvanshi is also the Secretary for Town and Country Planning and Forest besides Mines.

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Colva creek, drains used for discharging waste by hoteliers

Chargesheet filed in Canacona Aussie rape case

Minority commission for Goa soon: Mulla

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MAY 3

A GSPCB team along with Colva villagers inspecting a water body on Monday.

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MAY 3 An inspection of hotels and restaurants close to the Colva beach has revealed that the Sewage Treatment Plants were found non-functioning and the establishments were conveniently discharging the sewage and kitchen waste in the storm water drains and the Colva creek.

This startling revelation came to light on Day One of the unprecedented inspection carried out by the Goa State Pollution Control Board at Colva throughout Monday.

Three separate teams descended at the Colva beach this morning and they soon went

Stormy MMC meet likely today

about their task of inspecting the disposal modes and treatment facilities of all the hotels in the vicinity of the Colva beach area.

Another team went about the work of inspecting the discharge, release, dumping of any kind of waste and sewage in the water bodies, creeks close to the beach. The third team inspected the discharge and dumping of any kind of waste in the open spaces, drains in the vicinity of the beach area.

Convenor of the Colva Civic and Consumer Forum Judith Almeida, who accompanied the GSPCB teams, said the officials found to their utter surprise that though many establishments

had STP’s in place, they were not put in operation as evident by the waters stagnated in the tanks. “We are awaiting for the observations and action from the GSPCB officials, but the preliminary inspection has confirmed our worst fears on the discharge of the sewage into storm water drains and the creek”, she said.

“How can the authorities allow the waste and sewage from these establishments to flow into the drains and ponds connected to the creek”, Almeida said, adding that the government which has showed undue interest in the sea link should instead take steps to clean up the Colva creek to help

Photo by Santosh Mirajkar

tourism further grow in the village.

GSPCB officials informed that they have collected water samples from the drains and water bodies and the same would be analysed before suggesting necessary measures.

The teams are required to submit their report to the office

by May 4.

A Forum member Terezinha said the government should immediately intervene and save Colva village from a health hazard. She said the rampant discharge of sewage in the water bodies would create mosquito breeding sites which will lead to diseases such as malaria and dengue in the village.

Despite odds, patients visiting Hospicio on the increase

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MAY 3

The stage appears for a confrontation between the Margao City Fathers and the Municipal officials over the issue of construction licenses, even as Chief Minister Digambar Kamat is believed to have called up the MMC Chairperson and Chief Officer not to aggravate the relations between the two sides.

The special meeting of the Council requisitioned by 12 rulling Councilors will be held on Tuesday to discuss and decide on the irregular licenses and occupancy certificates issued by the Council. More importantly, the meeting will deliberate on the remarks made by outgoing Chief Officer Prasanna Acharya against unknown councilors for corruption.

The matter came to a centre stage when the Chairperson Savio Coutinho dashed off a letter to the Chief Officer seeking information on the number of construction licenses issued by the Civic body since 2008 and whether the builders have complied with the conditions on parking facility, garbage disposal et al.

“Instead of providing the information, the then Chief Officer Acharya sought to divert the issue by raising the bogey of corruption by councilors over building projects. If at all the then Chief Officer was honest enough in his stand, he ought to have named the Councilor involved in any corrupt act”, asserted Coutinho.

Incidentally, the issue took yet another twist after the Chairperson put up a note last week to the Chief Officer seeking action against the Junior engineers for their refusal to provide information on construction licenses.

As the wildlife census is entering last few hours of its edition, the forest department has decided to lay camera traps covering four square kilometers with each camera to track the movement of tigers in that area.

A senior forest department officer stated that the camera trap would be laid at those spots were indications of tiger presence are found during the census which will culminate on Tuesday, May 4.

"The images of tiger would be trapped in camera over three months which would be analyzed comparing them to the findings of the census," an official said.

The camera trapping method will help to count the exact number of tigers existing in Goa's wild.

Dehradun based wildlife institute of India (WII) which is monitoring the current census will be analyzing the data, he said.

Forest department officials have rubbished reports that the

Rag picker found murdered HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MAY 3

A view of the renovated Hospicio hospital.

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MAY 3

Hospicio is always in the news for all the wrong reasons – deaths due to negligence, thefts, dirty linen, rude security personnel, malfunctioning mortuar y, shortage of beds and medicine et al.

But despite all odds and shortcomings, this district government hospital has catered to the common man and victims of road and other accidents not just from the district but across the borders as well.

News that patients are often forced to share beds or lie on stretcher for want of begs is not uncommon at Hospicio. But, believe it or not, the 230-bedded hospital recorded around 26377 admissions last year – an increase of over 6000 as against the 2005 figure despite the bed strength stagnating at 230.

The casualty – which is being continuously upgraded to meet the ever-growing requirements – treated around 35338 patients as against 25105 in the year 2005.

The OPD Attendance also went up considerably. Around

Forest dept to track tiger movements via camera HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MAY 3

The trial in the rape of an Australian woman in Canacona is set to begin from Wednesday and is likely to be expedited fast as the victim has to leave the country.

The Crime Branch on Monday filed a 115-page chargesheet in the JMFC Court in Canacona just 13 days after it took over the investigation. This was one of the fastest chargesheets filed and we are hoping the court will give its verdict soon, PI Sunita Sawant said PI Sawant said they have asked the court to expedite the trial fast because the victim has to leave the country.

We have examined 27 witnesses in the case and the accused, a Nigerian, has been framed under charges of confinement (Sec 342) and rape (376) under the Indian Penal Code, she mentioned.

She said in the meanwhile the vaginal swabs of the victim have been sent for expert opinion and they expected to get the report fast.

Police had arrested the 28year-old Nigerian Obi Okaroafor on April 18 after the victim complained she was raped by the man on April 17 night at Palolem beach after spiking her drinks.

camera trapping method is adopted to curb or catch the poaching of tigers. "The signs of tiger presence during the survey will not indicate how many tigers are present in that particular area till camera traps their images," he said. The wildlife census, an extensive exercise involving 350odd forest department staff and volunteers, is expected to portray the exact picture of Goa's wildlife sanctuaries and government reserve forest.

After census operation gets over tomorrow, the forest department officials will key in all the details in a software and it will be forwarded to WII for further analysis. The department had created 109 beats and each beat was looked after by three people during the census which began in the last week of April.

The census officials have also conducted vegetation survey of Goa's wild. "The operation used to start at 6.30 am, when census staff used to go looking out for droppings and later while returning were conducting vegetation survey," official stated.

1.23-odd patients thronged the district hospital for medical treatment in 2009 as against one lakh patients in 2005.

Hospicio is the favourite destination of the common man for deliveries. Though the number of deliveries has come down – primarily for want of infrastructure – the hospital recorded around 2037 deliveries.

The number of minor and major operations carried out by Hospicio doctors also saw a gradual increase over the years.

Incidentally, that the common man prefer Hospicio for investigations, including x-rays, is evident by the number of laboratory investigations carried out last year – a whopping 1.87 lakh investigations.

The number of X-rays was pegged at 19320, a gradual increase from 12973 in 2005.

Says Hospicio Medical Superintendent, Dr Ruando De Sa: The fact that the Hospicio recorded around 26377 admissions last year as against 19239 four years ago only shows that the hospital doctors, nurses and staff members rose to the occasion to take care of the patients despite the bed crunch”.

Photo by Santosh Mirajkar

Incidentally, the Hospicio administration has finally succeeded in getting a hike in dietary budget for the patients, but the inflationary trends and the disruption in the supply of rice at minimum prices has put on hold plans to improve the diet of the patients.

“We are constantly following up with the concerned authorities on the rice supplied to the hospital. Earlier, we were procuring the rice at less than Rs 10 a kg from the civic supplies department, but are forced to buy rice from the open market at Rs 30 per kg. This has hit the budgetary hike in diet”, he added.

Another area where Hospicio has not met with success is the mortuary. The present mortuary has failed on more than occasion, shunting dead bodies from Margao to Bambolim and back for want of adequate mortuary facilities. The mortuary installed at the TB sanatorium atop the Monte Hill is literally lying in the dumps just days after its commissioning with the higher authorities till date not instituting a probe to ascertain any fraud and lapses.

A 35-year-old man, who was plying his trade as a rag picker in the city, was found allegedly murdered under the Mandovi Bridge on Monday morning. Police have arrested an Orissa native in the same trade for the incident.

Police said Ismail Abdul Kadam of Sadashivgad, near Karwar in Karnataka, was found in a sleeping position today morning with injuries on his head and face. The injuries indicate a sharp weapon was used to inflict the fatal blow that killed the man, they stated.

They mentioned the deceased and the accused, Shivshankar Shrihari Kamle, were friends and had fallen out after a fight on April 26. The accused was injured on the head and had to undergo stitches. We had filed a non-cognisable offence after the fight.

After establishing the identity of the accused they learnt about the fight the two friends had on April 26 and zeroed in on the accused at theGMC where he had gone to remove his stitches.

Urfan Mulla along with South Goa MP Francisco sardinha with Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Salman Kurshid in Delhi.

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MAY 3

There’s good news for the minority Muslim community in Goa. If the convenor of the minority department of the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee Urfan Mulla is to be believed, the Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Salman Kurshid has assured Goan Muslims that the government would soon set up a minority commission for Goa besides reservations for the Muslim community.

The Union Minister gave the assurance to a delegation by Mulla in the presence of South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha and AICC general secretary Minority Department Anees Durrani in Delhi.

Briefing newsmen, Mulla said the GPCC minority cell delegation drew attention of the Union Minister to the problems faced

The election to elect new chairperson of Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) will be held in the council premises on Tuesday.

It may be recalled that Shailendra Shinkre had resigned from the chairperson’s post claiming that the chair was not respected by the council members.

Shinkre had also demanded an action against one of the council members, failing which he had vowed to resign from the chair. He subsequently re-

nority community to strengthen minority schools and colleges, adding that the same should be extended to the minority in Goa./ “The Union Minister took serious note that minorities will not be taken for granted and promised to look into the matter”, Mulla said, adding that the Kurshid has assured to take up the issue with the Prime Minister and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and solve the problems at the earliest.

Replying to a question, Mulla said the delegation also took up the long pending issue of a kabrastan.

“We have told the Union Minister that the government is least bothered about the problem faced by the Muslim community despite hunger strike and other modes of agitations by members of the minority community”, Mulla said.

16 Goan students on scientific study tour to Hyderabad HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, May 3

Sixteen students across the state will be visiting the defense research laboratory and other space based establishments at Hyderabad.

The students will be leaving on May 4 as a part outreach scientific study tour.

"This is an exceptional opportunity for the children to explore and discover sciences by interacting with the scientists at national level and learn the advancement in various scientific spheres and investigations," Dr De

Souza chief scientist and western regional coordinator of the mission, said.

During the five day visit to Hyderabad, the students will visit Defense research and development organisation- missile laboratory and other establishments.

They will interact with the scientists from various laboratories and commission knowledge on astronomical science, electronic in space science, functioning of various experimental and remote sensing based satellites, Indian space launch vehicles and rockets and many other

things.

Dr De Souza informed that a second scientific mission would be commissioned shortly to various departments of space establishments at Banglore.

The child scientists for the Hyderabad mission are- Austin Gomendes, Luanne Menezes, Manisha Bhale, Sahil Gaonkar, Reubean Rodrigues, Antara Bhinde, Gaitre Chari, Aniktak Kamat, Veda Manerikar, Balaji Parab, pradnya Nasnodkar, Safgar magik, Anvit Kelkar, Adrian Fe r n a n d e s a n d L e i c e s t e r Gomendes.

stomach finally were flagged off at around three clock, when minister after persistent request, failed to turn up.

The parents were very much upset with the minister's behaviour but as no option was left they had to wait.

"Last night at around 8 o’clock we got call asking us to be present here today at 11.30 am as

minister will be holding press conference at 11.45 am," one of the parents said.

"He then postponed the press briefing for 12.30 and later to 2 pm," parent added.

Finally, when the minister cancelled off his visit, Dr Joseph De Souza chief scientist and western regional coordinator of the mission, briefed the media.

But made to wait for 3 hours HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MAY 3

It was a three hour long wait for the students selected for scientific study tour to Hyderabad, to get flagged off as Science Minister Churchill Alemao had no time.

The students who waited since 11.30 am at Goa Science Center for minister on empty

Ponda council chief poll today HERALD CORRESONDENT MARCEL, MAY 3

by the Muslim community in Goa including the Kabrastan, implementation of minority commission, reservations and education.

The delegation demanded the implementation of the minority commission like in other states, which benefits the minority community.

On reservations, the delegation said that States such as Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal has provided reservations for the community on the basis of the economic backwardness. In this connection, the delegation asked the Union Minister to pressurize the Goa government to allow at least 10 per cent reservation to the minority community.

As far as education is concerned, the delegation said the government of India has provided many facilities to the mi-

signed, as no action was taken.

Sources in PMC informed that the ruling council members after a consensus have agreed to elect Pradip Naik as the chairperson.

Sources claimed that the outgoing chairperson Shailendra Shinkre resigned following a consensus between the ruling group. Incidentally, the new chairperson will be the fourth chairperson during the current tenure. Earlier, Sanjay Naik, Venkatesh Naik and Shailendra Shinkre have served as the chairperson.

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Literature can help expose children to country’s rich heritage: Guv HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, MAY 3

Bosco Pereira, Laxmi Bavdane, Apurva A Nagvenkar, Dr Supriya S Gawalkar, Dr Tanya A Bandoker, Dr Prachi A Bandodker, Dharampuri Goswami and Soshil Kumar Vaid at a free medical camp, which was conducted by Kalyani Trust at Solva, Raia, Salcete under the guidance and expert team of ayurvedic doctors.

Restricted water supply

PANJIM (ND): Due to thunderstorm, heavy rain and power failure at Podocem and Assonora water treatment plant, there will be restricted water supply to entire Bardez and Bicholim on May 4. The public is kindly requested to bear the inconvenience caused.

GGEA committee elected

PANJIM (HND): Mangaldas L Shetkar was elected as president of the Goa Government Employees' Association. The other members are vice president - Ashok B Shetye, vice president Eusibio Braganza, general secretary - John Nazareth, treasurer - Estevam Po, secretary - Vithal Raut, secretary - Prashant Devidas and secretary - Nagesh P Naik, The election process was carried out by a secret ballot by the election committee.

Earlier, Vithal Raut welcomed the members and requested the president of GGEA M L Shetkar to chair the general body meeting. The chairman requested general secretary (incharge) John Nazareth to place the statements of accounts upto 200708 and the receipts and payments for the year 2008 and 2009.

The members unanimously approved the statements of accounts read out by raising their hands.

Book released

PANJIM (HND): At the inaugural function of the 2nd day of Swami Ramdev's Yog and Science Shibir, organised under the banner of 'Bharat Swabhiman', Swamiji released a book named 'Bharat Kaa Punarutthan: Bharat Swabhiman'.

The book is composed by a well-known social activist with a spiritual background Dinesh Vaghela, who has ample experience in the field of book publication work.

After 63 years of independence our countrymen seriously think whether they are really independent. The poor do not really feel the fundamental change in attitude and approach of the independent governments. Also, the political, social and spiritual leaders of the pre-independent period had visions for the country and we sadly have to accept that the dreams of our great leaders are lost. These feelings are expressed in this book.

Governor Dr S S Sidhu stressed on the need to expose the children to the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the country through appropriate literature. This, he said, is all the more necessary because the Indian society is going through a phase of transformation and children are getting distanced from their culture and languages.

Dr Sidhu was speaking after presenting the 4th prestigious ‘Vatsalya’ award 2009 instituted by Padma Binani foundation to Dhiruben Patel for her outstanding contribution in the field of children's literature and her various books for children, at a function organised

by Binani Group of Industries at Kala Academy.

Speaking further, Dr Sidhu said that while our country has taken a quantitative and qualitative leap forward in the field of literature, there seems to a dearth of books catering to the inquisitive minds of the children in this era of fast spreading knowledge.

“This could be one of the factors responsible for the rise of the phenomenon wherein many children cast away their school books and remain glued to TV screens watching animation films till they get tired,” he said and added that it is time for all stake holders to come out with knowledge-based entertainment for the children.

The Governor then praised

Highlighting the activities carried out by Mahila Mandals and the role played by them in the development and promotion of social and cultural activities in the State, Panchayat Minister Manohar Azgaonkar said the Women’s Reservation Bill will enable them to become representatives of the people and achieve empowerment.

Azgaonkar was speaking after inaugurating Rastroli Mahila Mandal at Sangavwada Ozari.

Azgaonkar said that about 135 Mahila Mandals are actively working in Dhargal area

Jumble sale

Governor Dr S S Sidhu, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, Padma Binani present with the recipient of Vatsalya Award 2009 Prof Dhiruben Patel at a function held at Kala Academy, on Monday.

the Padma Binani Foundation for identifying, acknowledging and encouraging the authors, who have dedicated their works towards children's literature across 22 regional languages of the country. Dr Sidhu hoped that the Foundation's activity would produce more brave children like master Gourav and Baby Jahnavi and who would grow into responsible citizens of India upholding the virtue of patriotism.

The Governor also congratulated Dhiruben Patel for having been selected for the Vatsalya 2009 award of the foundation.

“She richly deserves the award considering her contribution to the world of literature in

three formats i.e. fiction, plays and books for children,” he added.

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat expressed satisfaction for choosing Goa as the venue for presenting the prestigious children bravery awards.

Kamat then expressed concern over degradation of moral values in the society and said that the society is slowly moving towards selfish direction.

He also stressed on the need for a cultured society and hoped that literature of Padma Binani who works for children will help in imbibing patriotic feeling among children.

Padma Binani congratulated Prof Dhiruben Patel for her

and urged them to come forward to avail benefits of various schemes implemented by the government.

Further, Azgaonkar assured to construct a community hall in the area which, he said, will help the people to conduct various activities and make use for other productive purposes.

Ex-Sarpanch Ramita Shetye, Shiva Naik and Eknath Naik were present. President of Rastroli Mahila Mandal Suhasini Naik welcomed and Naik compered the function and later proposed the vote of thanks.

Later, Azgaonkar attended the first anniversary function of Lions Cultural and Sports

Club at Torse-Pernem and assured to give all support for the development of the club and its members.

Prabhakar Mote, Narayan Mote, Shrikrishna Kamat, Parthana Mote and Rukmini Mote were felicitated for their social services at the hands of Panchayat Minister on the occasion.

Sarpanch Anita Shetye, Dy Sarpanch Mangesh Mote, Suryakant Toraskar, Dasharath Mahale, Prabhakar Mote and Parthana Mote spoke on the occasion.Manohar Naik and Babi Parab were present. President of Lions Club Rupesh Mote welcomed the guests.

Shobha Dé launches ‘Viva Goa’

GCET mock test held

PANJIM (HND): The students' cell of the Bharatiya Janata Party successfully conducted a mock test of GCET, at two centres viz. Panjim and Margao.

This exercise has been taken up by the students' cell to create a sense of confidence among the students before they appear in their GCET examination. For this purpose, the question papers were set by an expert panel for the subjects Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology.

The candidates who had appeared in this test were also provided a detailed 'Model Answer-Key' to enable a self-assessment. The examination rules and instructions applicable for GCET were also provided to the candidates.

The students' cell expressed gratitude to the management and administration of Popular High School, Margao and Dr K B Hedgewar High School, Mala-Panjim for their support and active co-operation.

The exam centres were visited by Opposition Leader Manohar Parrikar, BJP State General Secretary Adv Narendra Sawaikar, Fatorda MLA Damodar Naik, BJP South Goa District General Secretary Rupesh Mahatme and Sharmad Raiturkar.

The students' cell proposes to conduct more programmes for all-round development of students' community and also stand up for their grievances.

The candidates who have not collected their answer sheets and model answer keys are requested to collect the same from – MLA’s office in Panjim (6511211), and MLA’s office in Fatorda (9823959648).

Annual day celebrated

PANJIM (HND): Valanka Alemao, daughter of PWD Minister Churchill Alemao, was the chief guest and NWWA Minakshi Beecha was the guest of honor and gave away the prizes to the achievers of the Vidyalaya.

It was followed by a variety of cultural programme with the theme ‘Green Planet’. In her address, Valanka expressed happiness about the success of the students in various fields and congratulated the students for presenting a very good cultural programme. She wished that the school will prove itself to be the best in all its future endeavors.

Cdr Subodh Sanwal appreciated the entire team for presenting a very well organized programme.

Eminent author and columnist Shobha Dé unveis the inaugural issue of ‘Viva Goa’ at a function held at Vivanta by Taj, Panjim. Celebrity photographer Gautam Rajadhyaksha, fashion designer Wendell Rodricks, Editor & Publisher of Viva Goa Kedar Dhume along with model Kiran Thapar are present.

HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, MAY 3

Eminent author and columnist Shobha Dé launched ‘Viva Goa’, Goa’s first lifestyle magazine at a glittering function at Vivanta by Taj, in Panjim in the presence of renowned celebrity photographer Gautam Rajadhyaksha and leading fashion designer Wendell Rodricks. The magazine is edited and published by Kedar Dhume.

Speaking on the occasion, Shobhaa Dé recalled nostalgically her own sense of expectation and excitement when she herself edited and launched successful magazines in Mumbai. She spoke eloquently on the secular and open spirit of Goa, ‘a microcosm of India’, recalling with nostalgia her visits to Goa to their family deity at the Mangueshi Temple.

Celebrity photographer Gautam Rajayadaksha who wrote the inaugural cover story on the legendary Mangeshkar family of singers, notably Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhonsle, praised Goa for its major contributions in the field of Indian classical music despite being

Army recruitment PANJIM (HND): An army recruitment rally is being organized at 3 MTR, Margao, from May 5 to 7 for all eligible male candidates of Goa in the category of Soldier General Duty, Soldier Technical, Nursing Assistant, Soldier Clerk and Soldier Tradesman.

For more details, interested personnel are requested to contact Secretary, Department of Sainik Welfare, Collectorate building, Panjim.

PANJIM (HND): The Help & Help Charitable Trust will hold its 7th annual jumble sale on May 5, 6 and 7, below Comunidade building, near Kamat Hotel, Margao.

A wide variety of clothes, footwear, household items, books, toys, food-stuffs, stationery, electric and electronic items etc, will be available at throw-away prices. All items have been donated by companies, shops and individuals from all over Goa. Proceeds of the sale will be used to assist institutions serving the needy in Goa.

Reservation Bill will empower women, says Azgaonkar HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, MAY 3

upCoMInG eVents

such a tiny state. He concluded eloquently: ‘You can take the man out of Goa but not Goa out of the man’.

Wendell Rodricks in a brief and breezy speech recalled his ‘native’ experiences when he first came to Goa to settle in the village of Colvale.

Welcoming the large gathering, Dhume hoped that ‘Viva Goa’ would fill a void in Goa for an intelligent and entertaining lifestyle magazine.

He recalled his early days in the field of advertising and journalism with ‘The Navhind Times’ and expressed his gratitude to the late Vasantrao

Dempo for his encouragement and support early in his career.

Goan-born Mumbai based model Kiran Thapar compered the show.

Among the dignitaries present were Dilip Dé, ex-Advocate General A N S Nadkarni, Secretary of Tourism and Sports Dr M Modassir, Sesa Goa MD P K Mukherjee, Victor and Sylvia Albuquerque, Jerome, Anil Counto of the Counto Group of Companies, Brig S C K Puri of Goan Real Estate and Constructions and Editor of ‘Asia Spa Magazine’ Parineetha Sethi.

One run over by car at Calangute HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, MAY 3

An unknown person was seriously injured after he was run over by a vehicle near Calangute Association Football ground on Sunday.

According to reports, the incident occurred when the person was fast asleep on the Calangute Association Football

ground.

According to sources, the Inova (MH-06-AF-8918) driver tried to flee from the site after running over the person, but was prevented by the locals.

Calangute police rushed to the site of accident, while 108 Ambulance shifted the injured person to a nearby hospital.

noteworthy contribution to the field of children literature and said that she is one of the very few Gujarati writers who has dedicated her life in literature field.

Kamat presented the Ghanshyam Binani Children Bravery Awards to Baby Janhavi from Andhra Pradesh and Gaurav Singh Seaim from Haryana for their exceptional courage to save human lives at the risk of their own lives.

6-yr-old Baby Janhavi saved her 10 month old brother when the house in which he was asleep caught fire and gutted while Gaurav saved lives of sixty people during a stampede in Himachal Pradesh.

Fr Tavares selected for scientist award

French course

PANJIM (HND): Communicare is offering a crash course that will be held from the May 5 to 31. Classes will be held three times a week, of hour and a half duration each at Campal. This preparation course will prepare students for their 10th and 12th standard syllabus.

For more information, contact Nalini Sousa on 9822586058.

Mass for workers

PANJIM (HND): The first Friday mass will be held on May 7, in Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church, Panjim at 1.15 pm. A priest will be available for confession from 12.30 pm onwards. The mass is organised by the Goa Gazetteer Department.

Expo, sale of paintings PANJIM (HND): Bal Bhavan has organized a special exhibition cum sale of exclusive drawings/paintings, designs done on canvas, variety of papers, using oils, acrylics, water colours, pen & ink, mixed media works which are priced at a very nominal rate. The exhibition cum sale will be held from May 6 to 2010 at the Art Gallery of Kala Academy.

The exhibition will be inaugurated by the Speaker Pratapsingh Rane on May 6 at 3.30 pm. Thereafter, it will be open to public on May 7 and 8, from 10 am to 7 pm.

Sahitya Puraskar presentation PANJIM (HND): The Kala Academy has organised a grand function of presentation of Sahitya Puraskar for the year 2008 on May 7 at the Black Box at 5.30 pm. Eminent theatre personality Mahesh Elkunchwar from Nagpur will be the chief guest for the function and Kala Academy Chairman Pratapsingh Rane will preside over the function.

Recently Kala Academy has declared the Sahitya Puraskar (literary award) for the year 2008 to Mukesh Thaly for his Konkani collection of essays ‘Hansdhwani’ and to Vishnu Surya Wagh for his Marathi collection of poems ‘Sushegad’.

HERALD NEWS BUREAU PANJIM, MAY 3

Fr Allan Tavares, sfx, has been selected to receive the International Student Scientist Award for the study of acoustics in India.

Fr Tavares, a priest of the Pilar Society, will be presented a grant award certificate by the Acoustical Society of America Committee for International Research and Education (ASA/CIRE) in collaboration with the Acoustical Society of the Netherlands (NAG) and the International Institute of Acoustics and Vibration (IIAV).

Fr Tavares has submitted his doctoral thesis in Physics entitled ‘Acoustical studies of Worship spaces’ to the Nagpur University in June 2009.

He has presented research papers on Worship Acoustics in Goan Churches at the International Congress of Acoustics (ICA), Madrid in 2007, International Symposium of Room Acoustics (ISRA), Seville in 2007, International Congress on Noise and Vibrational Control (INTERNOISE), Shanghai in 2008, INTER-NOISE in Ottawa, Canada in 2009, and EURO- NOISE 2009, Edinburg, Scotland.

Recently his paper ‘Acoustic Characterization of Sacred Music rendered by a Human Whistle at the Divine Providence Church in Goa, India’ has been accepted for presentation at the international Congress of Acoustics (ICA 2010) at Sydney, Australia. Fr Tavares, presently working with the tribals of Arunachal Pradesh, is on a 20day visit to Goa to arrange a student-exchange programme.

BMC okays budget HERALD CORRESPONDENT MAYEM, MAY 3

Bicholim Municipal Council (BMC) unanimously passed its annual budget on Monday.

According to BMC Chairperson Satish Gaonkar, the income shown is Rs 5,014,50,000 while expenditure is Rs 501,25,000.

The receipts shown is Rs 160,95,000 under general revenue and accounts receipts, Rs 310,00,000 under grants and contribution and Rs 30,50,000 under miscellaneous.

On the expenditure side, Rs 151,30,000 (general revenue accounts), Rs 13,00,000 (pension), Rs 1310000 (gratuities), etc.

Course in Spanish

PANJIM (HND): A one month Spanish conversational crash course will be held in Panjim, classes for which will be held four times a week, from Monday to Thursday between 7.30 pm to 8.30 pm. For more information, contact Neelu on 9561715525.

Awards presentation

PANJIM (HND): Directorate of Art and Culture, Panjim, will be holding the presentation ceremony of State Cultural Awards on May 14 at Dinanath Mangeshkar Kala Mandir (Kala Academy), at 4 pm.

CM Digambar Kamat will be the chief guest and will present the awards.

Entrepreneurship training

PANJIM (HND): The Entertainment Society of Goa in collaboration with the Economic Development Corporation will organise an entrepreneurship training workshop in Film & Television Lighting and Camera equipment, Rental Business from May 7 to 9 at EDC House, Training complex, Panjim from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm. This is a special initiative to promote entrepreneurs and make them aware of the various business opportunities available.

National award winning cinematographer Mahesh Aney will be the keynote speaker and the basic syllabus consists of lighting principles, techniques of lighting, lighting & camera equipment, how to start equipment rental business, costs, packages, rentals, return on investments, practical handling of equipment, care & maintenance, sources of finance, etc.

Application forms are available at ESG, EDC and can also be downloaded from www.iffigoa.org. The course fee is Rs 500 payable at EDC House, Panjim.

poweR shutdown MAy 4 PORVORIM: From 9 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are housing board, Kranti nagar, Maruti temple, Journalist colony, Pundalik nagar, Sanjay school and surrounding areas.

PORVORIM: From 2 pm to 5.30 pm. Areas affected are Britannia house, Gopal nagar, Torda, Ramachowad t/c, Alto Torda and surrounding areas.

REIS MAGOS: From 9 am to 5 pm. Areas affected are Kegdevelim, Reis Magos and surrounding areas.

MARGAO: From 9 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are Rawanfond, MES, Dicarpale, Lakaki and surrounding areas.

SHAPUR: From 7 am to 11 am. Areas affected are Chirpute, Shapur.

CARAMBOLIM: From 9 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are Navelkar Hill City and vicinity of old Goa. KUMBARJUA: From 9 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are Cupa, Tolta Akhada of St Estevam village.

XELVONA: From 9.30 am to 2.30 pm. Areas affected are areas of Xeldem and Xelvona panchayat areas.

MAy 5 SANGOLDA: From 9 am to 5 pm. Areas affected are Devashree, Aisha construction, Shantadurga temple, Green hill, 20-point programme, Alua, Sangolda, Bhutki wado, Mae-de-deus T/C, Sangolda and Porvorim bazaar, Waddem Kharem and surrounding areas.

VEREM: From 9 am to 5 pm. Areas affected are Verem market, Betim and surrounding areas.

NAVELIM: From 9 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are Navelim, Talaulim, Nagmoddem, Sirvoddem, Ravora, Nalanda Apt, Butica.

SHAPUR: From 7 am to 11 am. Areas affected are Military camp, Shapur, New bus stand, Ambegal, Hsg board, Pantatally.

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Thunder showers damage Goa Urban staff observe strike plantations in Canacona HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, MAY 3

Farmers try to salvage paddy in Canacona taluka.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, MAY 3

Sudden thunder showers on Sunday midnight caught residents of Canacona taluka unawares, damaging plantations and disrupting power supply and telecommunications in the taluka.

Lightning struck the taluka shortly before cyclonic winds and heavy rains forced residents to run helter-skelter to save their belongings lying outside their houses in the open.

Most telecommunication networks were disrupted and some operators including BSNL

succeeded in restoring their mobile phone connectivity during the day. All telephone exchanges in Canacona taluka were out of order till Monday evening.

According to sources, the parent exchange at Canacona itself remained non-responsive.

“Due to heavy lightning on Sunday night, exchange electronic cards are burnt. Our continuous efforts have failed to bring back the dead phones.

We are expecting experts on Tuesday,” informed a source.

However, power supply was restored to most parts of Cana-

Photo by Kathy Pereira

cona taluka.

Sources informed that the cyclonic winds played havoc damaging banana and other plantations in several areas, besides bringing down several raw mangoes and cashew apples to the ground.

Farmers, who had in recent times harvested their plantations, were the most affected and had a tough time to secure and then retrieve their paddy drenched in overnight rainwater. Many farmers were seen salvaging their paddy from rain-drenched fields and placing it on highlands to dry.

Karnataka CM orders CID probe into sexual assault case PTI BANGALORE, MAY 3

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa today ordered a CID inquiry into the rape charges lodged by a woman against Harathalu Halappa, who quit as the Minister of Food and Civil Supplies following a media report on the alleged incident.

"I have decided now to order a CID inquiry. Let the truth come out. Whoever is guilty, should get punishment," he told reporters here.

The CM said the opposition was "harping" on Halappa who had resigned even before the charges against him were

proved.

Congress is demanding Halappa's arrest and a CBI probe into the charge.

Yeddyurappa accused them of trying to give a "new form" to the issue and resorting to "political revenge".

Asked if the alleged incident would hurt BJP's prospects in the Panchayat elections slated for May 8 and 12, the CM said "people are wise and they know what is right and what is wrong. Why was this brought out just before Panchayat elections ?" he asked.

The alleged sexual assault took place in the last week of November.

MES voices grievances to Prez, Rahul HERALD CORRESPONDENT BELGAUM, MAY 3

A delegation of Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) met President Pratibha Patil and AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi to voice its complaints against Karnataka government.

The delegation led by MES Working President T K Patil urged Patil and Gandhi to exert pressure on the Centre to announce Belgaum as a union territory until a case related to the boundary dispute between Karnataka and Maharashtra is resolved.

According to T K Patil, the President received a memorandum submitted by MES leaders and assured them of her support to the Marathi people of Belgaum.

The President, who hails from Maharashtra, also said she was aware of the problems being faced by Marathi people on the border and would try to make justice with them.

The delegation highlighted on the injustice being meted out to Marathi people by Karnataka government in Belgaum

and other Marathi majority areas on the border and said the linguistic minority communities were being deprived of their rights.

“We urge you to direct the Centre to take measures to announce the ‘disputed area’ of Belgaum as a union territory until the boundary dispute case is resolved in the apex court.

The Centre should also be directed to clarify its stand on the boundary dispute case to the Supreme Court to settle the case at the earliest,” according to memorandum submitted by MES to Pratibha Patil.

AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi was also apprised about the problems faced by Marathi people by the MES leaders.

The leaders urged Rahul Gandhi to help end the dispute between the two states which continued even after 50 years of the re-organisation of states by asking the Centre to announce Belgaum as a union territory.

According to T K Patil, Rahul Gandhi assured his support to the delegation.

Kanyakumari district becomes ‘plastic free’ PTI TIRUCHIRAPPALLI (TN), MAY 3

Kanyakumari district authorities have claimed success in making the tourist haven plastic-free from April one this year.

All four municipalities, 56 town Panchayats, 99 village Panchayats have not only passed laws prohibiting use of low grade plastics and plastic articles but are observing it from April 1 this year, District Collector Rajendra Ratnoo told PTI. The Green Kanyakumari Plan and war against plastics was launched M K Stalin, Deputy Chief Minister on December 2 last year. Sensitization of people and all stakeholders to bring about change in their at-

titude and then triggering off behavioural changes was the main strategy, he said.

Local political leaders also took part in meetings to stress the need for keeping the environs clean and ban use of plastics. To enlist the support of the NGOs and local leaders the Friends of Nature Society of Kanyakumari which was dormant for sometime was revived.

What made the programme a success was also the assurance that low quality plastic packaging materials would be substituted with jute or paper bags.

All local bodies in the district passed resolutions banning the use of plastics.

Halappa quit yesterday after a leading Kannada daily published a front-page report alleging he sexually assaulted his friend's wife.

After Halappa's exit, the woman and her husband from Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa's home district Shimoga lodged a complaint of rape and criminal intimidation against him with DGP Ajai Kumar Singh.

Halappa has rubbished the media report, dubbing it "baseless and untrue".

Meanwhile, state BJP President K S Eshwarappa said the allegation against Halappa was a "conspiracy".

"Will any man with pride take video when his wife was being sexually assaulted", Eshwarappa asked, referring to the footage that the woman's husband, Venkatesh Murthy, claimed he shot during the alleged incident, also aired by some TV channels last night.

Eshwarappa claimed that when he had met Murthy about one-and-half months back, the latter had said that BJP's image would be adversely affected if the issue was made public.

"I told him there are others to take care of the party. You go and file police complaint. If they refuse to register, I will arrange it to be registered", he said.

Employees of Goa Urban Cooperative Urban Co-operative Ltd observed strike on Monday and held a dharna in front of Head Office of the bank at Panjim as part of an indefinite strike call given by the Union to protest against the failure of the bank in settling the Charters of Demands submitted by the union in 2003 and 2007.

The Union is demanding that the management grant 17.5% wage rise as given in the nationalised banks with effect from 2007. It is also demanding that the wage rise for period 2003 to 2006 be settled through mutual discussions.

In this regard, the Union had a meeting with the Board of Directors of the bank before the strike and during the meeting the management went back on their assurances that they would discuss and settle the demands pending since 2003.

On the contrary, the management proposed that the staff

forgo their demands till December 2010 and in return get bonus of four months wages.

However, the proposal was rejected by the Union but Officers Association accepted the same and withdrew the strike.

The Union is unhappy that for a period of eight years, the management is refusing to discuss and settle the demands of the employees.

In view of the adamant attitude of the management, the Union was left with no alternative but to continue with the indefinite strike from May 3.

While in nationalized, private, foreign and other co-operative banks, two wage settlements have taken place, in Goa Urban bank, even though it is making huge profits even one wage settlement has not taken place. The Union has decided to further intensify the agitation in case the management does not discuss and settle the long pending grievances of the members of the Union.

KA invites names from Tabla, Sitar players HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, MAY 3

Kala Aademy has invited names from young Tabla and Sitar players for participating in the inaugural function of Commonwealth Games to be held in Delhi from October 3. Interested artistes may send their details to Kala Academy latest

by May 5.

In the inaugural function of Commonwealth Games, a musical composition will be presented, wherein Kala Academy has been asked to recommend 30 artistes for Tabla and 30 artistes for Sitar. The recommendations will be made through West Zone Cultural Centre for their final selection.

The total duration of the re-

hearsals will be ten weeks i.e. from August 1 to October 2. Selected artistes will have to work for six days in a week and six hours daily for rehearsals. No leave would be granted to the artistes for the entire duration once they are selected. The artistes would be paid honorarium as per the standard norms.

Besides, transport, food and stay arrangements would be looked after by the Commonwealth organizing committee.

Artistes who have at least three years playing experience in the respective instrument may submit their details such as name, address, name of the parents/husband, date of birth, experience and contact no, latest by May 5.

Konkani song, music awards presented

Awardees Lawrie Travasso, Anthony San, Sidhanat Buyao, Neville Pereira with TAG President Tomazinho Cardozo, Dr Francisco Colaco and TAG vice president Roseferns.

HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, MAY 3

The first Konkani Song & Music Awards 2009, instituted by Tiatr Academy Goa, were presented with an impressive programme at the TAG’s Conference Hall, Campal Trade Centre, Campal.

A citation, a trophy and a cheque of Rs 10,000 were awarded to each one of the following winners: best male singer – Anthony San, best female singer – Nephie Rod, best lyricist – Lawry Travasso and best music composer – Sidhanat Buyao.

The best audio album of 2009 award was bagged by the album ‘Nisha’, produced

by Neville Pereira. This award carried Rs 20,000 besides a trophy and citation.

Chief guest Dr Francisco Colaco, who gave away the awards to the winners, appreciated the good work done by TAG in promoting Konkani song and music by awarding

K’taka native Teachers urged to imbibe held for good values in students temple theft bikar and junior engineer HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARCEL, MAY 3

Ponda police late Saturday night arrested a native of Karnataka on charges of decamping with religious items worth Rs 62,000 from Shree Maruthi Temple, Varkhande-Ponda.

According to Ponda police, Mallikjan Aslam Saheb Bellari confessed to the crime. He has been remanded to three days police custody.

Police further informed that they are on the lookout for other persons involved in the theft case.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT COLLEM, MAY 3

Director of Education Dr Celsa Pinto has stated that students are the ‘budding fellow citizens’ and it is the prime duty of every teacher to teach them well, which would help the students to acquire good values.

Dr Pinto was addressing the gathering after inaugurating the renovated building No 2 of Government Primary School, Collem.

Collem Sarpanch Sandeep Dessai was the guest of honour, while Our Lady of Piety High School Headmaster Fr Pio Furtado was the special invitee. PTA Chairman Suresh Kolvekar, School Headmistress Asha Kotam-

Miranda were present on the occasion.

Dr Pinto congratulated the PTA members for the work done towards the students.

On the occasion, Dr Pinto felicitated junior engineer Miranda, engineer Kardoja and contractor Sandeep Sangodkar.

In his speech, Sarpanch Sandeep Dessai assured the parents and teachers to provide help from the panchayat.

Lata Mahale presented the annual report of the school, Dr Uday Kakodkar compered the function, while Suresh Kolvekar proposed the vote of thanks.

talented artistes in singing, composing music and lyrics.

He suggested that TAG should document the history of Goan Konkani music as it has been done with the history of Tiatr by recently publishing the book ‘When the curtains rise…’ written by Dr Rafael Fernandes.

TAG President Tomazinho

Cardozo stated that the aim in instituting ‘Konkani Song & Music Awards’ is only to help improve the quality of Konkani song in terms of lyrics, singing and musical composition. He further stated that the focus of TAG is to encourage Goan talents to produce audio albums of high standard.

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SC quashes Pappu’s bail, directs ‘forthwith’ surrender PTI NEW DELHI, MAY 3

The Supreme Court today cancelled the bail of former RJD MP Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav in the murder of a CPI(M) MLA and slammed the Patna High Court for “committing contempt” by violating its order against his release.

While cancelling the bail, the apex court directed “forthwith surrender” of Yadav.

The apex court also threatened to initiate contempt proceedings against his counsel Rakesh Kumar Singh for seeking recusal of Justice Markandeya Katju from the bench.

The bench comprising Justices Markandeya Katju and A K Patnaik was furious with the Patna High Court granting bail to Yadav despite its 2007 direction that no bail should be granted to him by any court in the country.

The apex court got more angry when Yadav’s counsel circulated a letter seeking recusal of Justice Katju from the bench.

“Are you an advocate? What type of letter you have circulated? We will initiate contempt proceedings against you,” Justice Katju said while quashing the bail and directing Yadav’s forthwith surrender.

Yadav in his letter had urged Justice Katju to recuse by citing the rejection of his bail in November 2006 by the same judge and also his refusal to concede his plea for transfer from Tihar to Beur Jail.

Incidentally, on March 26 Justice Asok Kumar Ganguly had recused himself from hearing the case, following which the matter was referred to the bench headed by Justice Katju.

CBI had on March 26 approached the apex court challenging the Patna High Court’s February 18, 2009, order granting bail to the 43-year-old RJD leader undergoing life imprisonment in the murder case.

“It is a matter of regret that despite clear order passed by this court in November, 2006, that no bail should be granted by any court, the High Court has gone ahead and granted bail,” the bench said while allowing CBI’s appeal plea for bail cancellation.

Earlier, Additional Solicitor General Haren Raval and CBI counsel V K Biju complained that the High Court granted bail to the RJD leader without passing any reasoned order after initially rejecting his two bail applications.

Special CBI judge B M Srivastava had on February 14, 2008, pronounced Yadav, former independent MLA Rajan Tiwari and Anil Yadav guilty of the murder of CPI(M) MLA Ajit Kumar Sarkar and awarded them jail terms for life.

Sarkar, who had a running feud with Pappu Yadav over issues relating to farm labourers, along with his driver Harendra Sharma and party worker Ashfaqur Rehman, was gunned down at Subhas Nagar in Purnea town on June 14, 1998.

Karuna meets Sonia, wants early passage of Women’s Bill PTI NEW DELHI, MAY 3

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today met UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and demanded the early passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill in Lok Sabha.

Karunanidhi, who is here on a three-visit, met the Congress President at her 10, Janpath residence here and the two are understood to have discussed the latest political situation in the country.

The DMK chief will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh later in the evening.

The Chief Minister and Gandhi were closeted for over 30 minutes during which issues l i ke t h e e a r l y p a s s a g e o f Women’s Reservation Bill that provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies in Lok Sabha came up for discussion.

The bill was passed by Rajya Sabha by a two-thirds majority on March 9 with the support of

BJP and Left parties.

The DMK chief said, “I told Sonia Gandhi that steps should be taken to pass the Women’s Reservation Bill in Lok Sabha as soon as possible.”

He is also understood to have brought to Gandhi’s notice the need for Parliament to pass with two-thirds majority the Tamil Nadu Assembly resolution to revive the Legislative Council, which was abolished by the then Chief Minister M G Ramachandran in 1984.

It was not clear whether the controversy surrounding Telecom Minister A Raja over the 2G Spectrum figured during the meeting. The DMK chief was accompanied by his daughter-MP Kanimozhi and grand nephew and Union Textiles Minister Dayanidhi Maran.

Karunanidhi had yesterday backed Raja and virtually ruled out his resignation as demanded

by Opposition parties over the 2G Spectrum controversy.

Montblanc not to use Gandhi’s picture, gives undertaking to SC PTI NEW DELHI, MAY 3

A woman with her child holds an umbrella to protect herself from the scorching heat in New Delhi on Monday

International luxury giant Montblanc today assured the Supreme Court that it will not use the picture and name of Mahatma Gandhi for commercial purposes.

The undertaking to this effect by Montblanc Boutique and Montblanc International GMBH was given to the apex court after Government said that it has rejected the plea of the MNC seeking permission to use the image of Gandhi for its high-end Mahatma Gandhi limited edition pens.

Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium said that the Government has issued a notification in this regard after rejecting the application of Montblanc.

“We will not permit the use of word or picture of Mahatma Gandhi for commercial purpose. This is a national emblem and this cannot be used for commercial purpose,” he submitted before a bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices Deepak Verma and B S Chauhan.

He said the company has to make an honest commitment that it will not sell the pens anymore.

The counsel for the MNC said that such an undertaking has already been given to the Kerala High Court in February this year and it was ready to do so before the apex court.

The bench recorded the undertaking of the Montblanc and said “it will also be binding on the distributors of the luxury pens”.

The apex court was hearing the petition filed by two lawyers claiming the Montblanc Boutique and Montblanc International GMBH were misusing

CASE

SC asks cop to move competent court for bail PTI NEW DELHI, MAY 3

Rejecting CBI’s strong opposition, the Supreme Court today asked a senior Gujarat cadre IPS officer, who is one of the accused in the killing of Sohrabuddin Sheikh in a fake encounter, to approach either the designated trial court or the High Court for bail.

The apex court said the CBI court or the Gujarat High Court, while considering the bail plea of the officer Rajkumar Pandiyan would not be influenced by its earlier orders rejecting his bail.

“The petitioner is at liberty to approach the CBI court or the High Court with the bail application. While considering the bail plea, the competent court would not be influenced by its earlier orders rejecting his bail,” a Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan said.

The court turned down the contention of Additional Solicitor General Indira Jaising and senior advocate Dushyant Dave that Pandiyan’s petition was not maintainable and he should not be given any liberty to approach the trial court or the High Court for bail.

“He is an undertrial prisoner.

He is entitled to bail. Law of the country permits him for the bail.

This court has the power to release any accused on bail,” the CJI said when the ASG and Dave opposed the Bench’s idea of ask-

ing Pandiyan to approach the competent court for bail.

Dave, while opposing the submission of Jethmalani, charged the arrested IPS officer has murdered three innocent persons.

Dave was appearing for Soharabuddin’s brother Rubabuddin Sheikh on whose petition the case was transferred to CBI from Gujarat Police.

However, Jethamalani said Pandiyan has allegedly killed a person who was a “greatest threat” to the country and he is entitled to bail.

“I (Pandiyan) have killed one of the most notorious criminals of the country, for which the nation should be grateful.. he (Soharabuddin) may have died in a fake encounter and the law will take its course.

But I am entitled to be heard for my bail plea,” he submitted before the Bench also comprising Justices Deepak Verma and B S Chauhan.

The senior advocate started his arguments by asking the apex court to hear bail plea of Pandiyan saying it was a case of great importance and has political overtones besides legal and constitutional issues.

He said he could not go to the trial courts as the apex court has rejected his bail plea twice with certain observations.

Pandiyan has contended that the Supreme Court had dismissed his bail petitions twice without hearing him.

He alleged he was in illegal custody for the last three years as the orders against him and other accused were passed without hearing them.

Jethmalani said the need for moving the apex court arose as the accused was not getting bail from any other court due to the earlier orders.

Pandiyan’s petition said he is in jail since April 24, 2007, in connection with the killing of Sohrabuddin, his wife Kausar Bi and another person even after the chargesheet in the case has been filed.

According to the petition, even though the Gujarat police had filed the chargesheet in 2007, the proceedings were stayed and the case was transferred to CBI early this year.

Pandiyan submitted the “belated” transfer of the case to CBI by the apex court had caused prejudice to him, thus affecting his right to life and liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Suspended DIG D G Vanzara, Rajasthan cadre IPS officer M N Dinesh, along with Pandiyan, are the main accused in the killing of alleged gangster Sohrabuddin Sheikh.

Another Gujarat cadre police officer N K Amin is the fourth accused in the case.

Recently, CBI arrested another IPS officer from the state Abhay Chudasama in connection with the case.

It’s time for ‘The 4th Idiot’ PTI NEW DELHI, MAY 3

After the success of Aamir Khan starrer ‘3 Idiots’, it is time for the ‘The 4th Idiot’.

But make no mistake as this is not the sequel to the blockbuster but an animated film inspired from it.

Produced and directed by Biswaroop Roy Chowdhry, ‘The 4th Idiot’ takes forward the story of the blockbuster film in animated form and will release on May 9.

“Phunsuk Wangdu (character played by Aamir Khan in 3 ‘Idiots’) is now the principal of the

school, movie shows what the institution would be like,” said Chowdhry.

‘The 4th Idiot’ is the story of a boy, Pappu, who by using the techniques taught by Aamir’s character in ‘3 Idiots’ achieves otherwise unachievable goals.

Mahatma’s name for marketing purposes.

It had issued notices to the Centre and the MNC on the petition filed by Harsh Vardhan Surana and Sandeep Singh alleging that the company was using the greatness of the person to sell an ordinary product at unbelievable high prices.

The petition had claimed the practice adopted by the company in this regard was in violation of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act. “Under the Act, no person can use for the purpose of any trade, business or calling or profession, or in the title of any patent, or in any trademark or design, any name or emblem, specified in the Schedule or any colourable imitation without the previous permission of the Centre,” the PIL had said.

The PIL had alleged the company involved Mahatma Gandhi Foundation, “which is being governed by people with self-interest”, in its project only for the sake of money and commercial gains.

“This company is using his (Gandhi’s) greatness for its selfish gains. What they are doing now is nothing charitable but only for commercial gains.

For the sake of money, the company has involved Mahatma Gandhi Foundation governed by people with self-interest,” it had said.

The petitioners had said the ruling party and the opposition were doing nothing as nobody wanted to spend their energy on this sensitive issue.

“It is for the judiciary and for the apex court to intervene and direct. The very act is demeaning for every citizen’s self-respect and for the nation’s image. It’s a shame and disgrace,” it had said.

Union Minister involved in illegal arms deal: Opposition PTI NEW DELHI, MAY 3

A united opposition today stalled proceedings in the Rajya Sabha pressing the government to come clear on the name of a union minister alleged to have links with a Bangladeshi arms dealer.

Opposition parties including the Left, BJP, AIADMK, Shiv Sena, SP, JD(U) and AGP persisted with their demand for a clear-cut response from the government, stating it is a serious issue involving national security.

Raising the matter during Zero Hour, Moinul Hassan (CPIM) said a central minister reportedly gave Rs 1.2 lakh to an arms dealer from Bangladesh through his partymen.

“This way, the minister and his colleagues are trying to destabilise the law and order situation in West Bengal,” he alleged quoting a newspaper report, which said a central minister from the state gave money to buy illegal arms.

Unless the government discloses the name of the minister, the “needle of suspicion” would point at the entire council of ministers, who swear their allegiance to the Constitution, Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley said.

The entire Opposition urged P J Kurien, who was in the Chair, to direct the government to respond. However, when Kurien said it was up to government to decide whether to respond, the members remained on their feet for about half an hour forcing adjournment of the House for 10 minutes.

When the House met again, pandemonium continued and the House had to be adjourned for 15 minutes ahead of the scheduled lunch break.

The response by the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Prithviraj Chavan that the government takes all issues raised during Zero Hour seriously triggered another bout of protest from the members.

“Government should come clear whether the news item was a story or a reality. If it is a reality, the name should be revealed, otherwise the guessing game will go on. Right from the Prime Minister, ever ybody comes under a question mark,” S S Ahluwalia (BJP) said.

CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury said his party would move a substantive motion naming the minister.

Alleging that his partymen are being killed in West Bengal, Hassan said the arms procured through Bangladesh route were used by Maoists and also in a robbery in Howrah.

He demanded that the contents of the conversation between the minister and the arms dealer be tapped and the government conduct a full inquiry.

Taking strong exception to Chavan’s remarks that the government takes every issue raised during Zero Hour seriously, Brinda Karat (CPI-M) said a serious issue of national security is being “trivialised”.

M Venkaiah Naidu (BJP) said government can say it will examine the issue and come back to the House tomorrow.

However, the government did not oblige him.

In the din, the Chair asked Mohammed Adeeb (Independent) to raise his mention regarding the Ajmer blast.

As he started speaking and alleged RSS hand in the incident, BJP members raised their pitch forcing the Chair to adjourn the House.

OHERALDO

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OPINION

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O HERALD O

The Dysfunctional TCP System

Vol No CX No: 115 Goa, Tuesday 4 May, 2010

Kudd it be better?

I

t may be fashionable to deride migrants from elsewhere seeking to eke out a living in today’s Goa. But in times not too distant, many tens of thousand of Goans had to themselves leave their lands and take abode in places like Mumbai (then Bombay), Karachi, or the many railway centres that dotted colonial India. Some even went further away to colonial Africa, West Asia and the like. In this great Goan diaspora, the kudds (or clubs) of Bombay have played a crucial role.

The kudds, humble though they might have been, helped generations of Goans to get a toehold in a big, heartless city.

They found a safe refuge, a temporary home, a circle of friends and informal mentors whom they could rely on till they found their way around the Big City. Since the kudds were located right in the heart of Bombay, mostly around the Dhobitalao area, it made things far more easier for the small man from Goa to access jobs and education in the centre of the megapolis.

But life has its own logic. With the passing of time, institutions which once played a crucial role no longer have a purpose.

Quite a few Goans did well for themselves. More became affluent and moved into their own homes, sometimes plush dwellings in places like Colaba and Santa Cruz; the need for the kudds was less felt. Yet, upto this very day, some exist and continue to play a helpful role to the Goan who has no other roof over his head on landing up at Mumbai.

These days, the Federation of Goan Clubs (Kudds) at Bombay has sought the Goa government help to “save” the kudds in the city which many from here have made their home. The history of the kudds is a rather complex subject indeed. There are many intricacies involved, and one cannot be sure that all facts are placed on the table. In as much as one generation of Goans (and more) slogged to build these institutions and sustain them, another generation has gone out of its way to slaughter the fattened calf, and make a killing over it.

It is very easy for even a tiny handful to squander away community assets. Or, worse still, to privatise them. Many years ago, Olga Esther Baptista (now Valladares) undertook a study of the kudds. It was called ‘The Cudd System—A Study of Goan Club Life in Bombay’ (May 1958). She described it as an “associative form of living that has evolved from a way of life adapted by a section of migrant Goans in Bombay and other parts of India.”

The researcher noted that Goan early emigrants, who were the originators of this system, had come to Bombay “mainly to better their economic prospects”. Bombay was meant to be a temporary home for the duration of their working life, after which they planned to retire to Goa. Many came from the agricultural classes, were untrained in urban occupations and had little education of the type a city needed, she notes. In the 1950s, she estimated that the Goan kudds served a population of about 40,000 Goans in Bombay, that is, approximately half the population of the total Goan population there then.

These are historic and vibrant institutions. They need to be seen not so much in terms of the assets they now control— sitting as a few still do in parts of the city where the prices of land are among the highest in the world—but in terms of the role they have played, and can continue to play. Can these institutions be upgraded, and re-fitted to suit the times?

Goa and Goans owe it to the kudds to understand their role, to safeguard these institutions, and to see what new and improved role these can play. At the very least, the Goa government, and our academic institutions, need to undertake studies of the kudds, so we ensure we don’t lose another historic part of Goa simply due to neglect and a sheer lack of understanding.

I

The continued existence of the TCP Act of 1974 has become a threat to the very stability of the State, writes AVERTHANUS L. D’SOUZA

t has already been acknowledged that the Goa, Daman & Diu Town and Country Planning Act of 1974 was conceptualized at a time when participatory planning was not even thought of, and, in any case, much before the 73rd and 74th Amendments to the Indian Constitution were enacted by Parliament in 1992. The TCP Act of 1974 is not only obsolete and irrelevant at the present time, it has actually become a major obstacle to development in Goa. The continued existence of the TCP Act of 1974 has become a threat to the very stability of the State and to the conservation of the environmental and socio-economic resources which has made Goa so attractive to the rest of the world.

Without a rational legal framework to enable development to take place in Goa in a systematic and coordinated manner, Goa has become like a carcass upon which any predator can descend.

In fact, many large and influential estate agencies have already begun their pillaging of this once beautiful and idyllic piece of paradise. Construction works have commenced with no regard to the environmental and social consequences to the local inhabitants. Immigration from near and far is haphazard and uncontrolled. Illegalities abound and the various departments of the government are reduced to ‘regularizing’ all the illegal activities of builders and big industrialists. In short, we have reached a stage where there is a complete breakdown of government. In complete violation of existing policies, polluting industries have been permitted to set up their factories in Goa; mining has encroached into forest and other eco-sensitive areas; the rivers have been turned into industrial and municipal sewers. All in all it is a sad story of the ravaging of a once beautiful and peaceful piece of earth.

In a grandiloquent statement on the occasion of the 61st anniversary of India’s independence, the Chief Minister of Goa announced the formation of two Commissions for Goa: a Law Commission and a Goa Human Rights Commission. The citizens were told that the Law Commission would be asked “to recast the TCP Act of 1974 to address modern trends in development of infrastructure.

The Law Commission, it is proposed, will be asked to take up the TCP Act on priority to suggest amendments to it.” We have had no further news of what has happened to this promise, which was made solemnly within the precincts of the Legislative Assembly.

It has been the contention of this writer that

Moral Considerations the Goa, Daman and Diu Town and Country Planning Act of 1974 should be totally repealed as being obsolete and irrelevant, and that it should be replaced by a completely new Act which will provide the framework for overall development in Goa. This new Act may be called “The Goa Development Planning Act.” The Act should eliminate the inbuilt incongruities in the TCP Act, 1974.

Let us take just two examples of these incongruities.

1. The relevant responsibilities of the Chief Town Planner and the Town and Country Planning Board are extremely ambiguous in the existing Act. As it is worded, it is not clear whether the TCP Board is a “consultative body” to the CTP or whether it has any decision making authority. Article 13 of the Act gives the final authority to formulate the Regional Plan to the Chief Town Planner “(3) The Chief Town Planner shall, if necessary, revise the regional plan and the report in the light of any modifications suggested by the Board and submit them to the Government together with the comments received from the public on the regional plan for approval.” It appears that the Board may only make suggestions to the CTP. However, in the past the Board has mistakenly

Little Matters

assumed that it is the final decision making authority. Similarly the notification of the approved regional plan in the Official Gazette is to be made by the CTP, according to Article 15 of the Act. 2. The relationship of the Chief Town Planner with the Planning and Development Authorities is also ambiguous. The TCP Act of 1974 empowers the Government to constitute independent Planning and Development Authorities, under Article 20 of the Act. The Act provides for the setting up of separate and independent “Planning and Development Authorities” with separate Boards and separate corporate structures. The relationship between these Planning and Development Authorities and the Chief Town Planner is nowhere specified; neither is the relationship between these independent Planning and Development Authorities and the Town and Country Planning Board spelled out. In the absence of any such specification it can only be presumed that these PDAs act independently of the Chief Town Planner and the Town and Country Planning Board.

In fact, past experience has shown that that is exactly what has happened. Each PDA has

acted without any reference to the “regional plan” or to the Chief Town Planner.

Such incongruities in the TCP Act of 1974 has made a total mockery of the concept of regional planning. This alone is compelling reason for the present TCP Act, 1974 to be scrapped. Spatial planning and development planning. Another major fault of the existing TCP Act of 1974 is that it has not paid any attention to the fact that planning is, and has to be, an integral process. The concept which determined the existing Act viz. the concept of territorial planning, is obsolete and totally irrelevant to present conditions. The allocation of land space for different economic and social activities has to take into account the overall plan for the socio-economic development of Goa. Without such a “Development Plan” for Goa, there will be utter chaos in the allocation of scarce land. In the past, the need for an overall Development Plan was not felt as acutely as it is today. Therefore, we need to put in place a new Goa Development Planning Act, in which land allocation for specific purposes will also be given its rightful place. As things are going at present, land is being allotted only on the basis of pressure from vested interests – the mining lobby is encroaching into eco-sensitive areas such as forests, the building and estate agencies are grabbing agricultural lands to put up massive residential complexes, the tourism-cum-gambling lobbies are choking up the waterways with their floating casinos etc. etc. - and the government of Goa is completely clueless about what it wants to do by way of a planned and systematic development of this lovely State.

The problem of Goa (yes, Goa has become a problem) is compounded by the fact that we do not have a cohesive and coherent government. Each minister and/or M.L.A. manipulates the system to suit his/her own interests and the Chief Minister looks on helplessly as Goa is literally being torn to shreds.

The enactment of a new Law – The Goa Development Planning Act - and the simultaneous repeal of the existing Goa, Daman and Diu Town and Country Planning Act, 1974 has to be taken up with the utmost urgency to prevent further deterioration in the economic, social and cultural milieu of Goa. The Goa Law Commission, which was set up by the Chief Minister, and which was given the task of preparing an alternative to the existing TCP Act has shown no signs of vitality so far. The citizens are anxiously waiting to receive a progress report from the Chief Minister.

One Day At a Time

I

t seems to me that we’re always living in ‘yesterdays’ or ‘tomorrows’. Too many people in today’s world constantly live in the “good old days” or in “tomorrow’s dreams/problems”. Thus we never really enjoy “today”.

From the time we get up in the morning, we’re always thinking about the rest of the day and the next day as well. We think about the jobs we have to do, the people we have to meet, the places we have to go to etc. Even as we go through the day, we’re always thinking about what we are going to do next. And then we have the usual tendency to worry. No matter what the situation, you can be sure that there’s always something to worry about! No wonder we are surrounded by so many WORRYHOLICS! What if I miss the bus, what if I don’t meet Mr. or Ms .Perfect, what if I fail in my exams, what if I displease the boss. The list could go on forever.

Anyway where were we? Oh yes, we started with the whole “Worry List” because we were thinking about the future. It’s very good to be farsighted and plan for the future, but we sure could do without worrying the whole way until we get there. After all, worrying doesn’t help at all. Who knows what will happen in the future? So, why worry about something that may not even happen at all? As for the problems that may occur, it’s better to cross the bridge when we get to it!

In fact, if we take things one day or moment at a time, we would probably enjoy ourselves a lot more. And, as we look back on our life, we’ll have happy memories to treasure. Sometimes, we have a big task ahead of us like achieving a high percentage in an exam, finding a job, planning a wedding, going on a diet etc. As we look at how enormous it seems, we feel unsure and overwhelmed. But

By Vanessa Lobo all we have to do is, break it down by planning one day at a time.

In no time, the same job seems manageable and we feel confidant once again.

Even if we are going through a rough phase, the same principles apply. After all, we only have to get through “one day” and another and another. Within no time, before we realize it, a few years have passed already! That’s the power of living one day at a time. Jesus so wisely says “So do not worry about tomorrow; it will have enough worries of its own. There is no need to add to the troubles each day brings,” (Matt 6:34) How much happier we would be if we make a firm decision to trust God and not toworry!

“Live life one day at a time”. That’s a powerful phrase and a great motto to live by! So let’s stop worrying and start really enjoying every minute of our life!

Letters to the Editor Games politicians play C B Vaz, by e-mail Goans, of late are increasingly being taken for a ride by our “Honorable Elected Servants” (as they rightly should be addressed).

They play games only to suit their egos and off course pockets being least bothered about matters that will benefit Goa and Goans. Take for example the demands of the so-called G 7 members. What good will their demands do to Goa I pray. The demands themselves tell their own convoluted stories. The glaring fact is that their official demands are totally different from their personal agendas which is to loot, loot and only loot to make enough money to buy votes before the next general elections when they know that their chances of being elected is anybody’s guess. At the same time if the ruling honorable elected servants intent coming back to power in the next election it is imperative that they come clean and desist from their plundering lecherous and “Goans be damned” attitude that they profess.

100 Years Ago

Calling themselves the G 7 is again an insult to Goans if they equate themselves to the international prestigious G 7 group of countries. Perhaps a campaign to elaborate the alphabet G is in order. For a start how about ‘Gutter 7’. Keep the names rolling in.

Congratulations Chief Justice Rebello Stephen Dias, Dona Paula On behalf of all Goans, whether Hindus, Muslims, Catholics or any other community in Goa, we congratulate Justice Ferdinho Rebello for being elevated as Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court. We are proud of you, Sir and we pray for much more achievements in your life and special prayers for your good health.

No doubt we had already another Goan Hindu Justice Kamat as Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court, and now we have another Goan Catholic as Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court.

Mahindra Utd’s ‘sudden death’ Prof Robert Castellino, Calangute

PRIMEIRO DIARIO NAS COLONIAS PORTUGEZAS

4 May, 1910 • Portugal is going to celebrate May 5 as the date of the discovery of Brazil.

• The Times reports that H.E. Pope Leo XIII intends to opt for a native priest to head the Bishopric of Daman.

• The analysis over the marginal embankment of River Sanquelim near the landing spot of the hamlet with the same name, has been completed.

• A fever with infectious characteristics has emerged at various places in Bardez.

• It is reported that the Naval Ministry of Portugal intends to depute not only to this state but also to the other overseas provinces as well, Portuguese Agricultural colonies.

The ‘sudden death’ of the Mahindra United football team has shocked football lovers.

Glowing tributes were paid at the ‘passing away’ of the MU team. Critics too lambasted the team owners for its ‘untimely demise’.

Mr Anand Mahindra, MD expressed surprise at his critics. “Where were they when we needed them the most for their attendance and support on the ground, he pertinently asked.

Football teams cannot be kept on a life-support system forever. It’s just too expensive. If football is to be kept alive and kicking, it requires a round of fresh lease of life. Perhaps Shilpa Shetty’s plan for a professional league on the lines of IPL is just what the doctor ordered.

Defunct Employment Exchange Bureau Jonas Correia, Aldona

Letter of the Day

IPL — ‘Bofors of cricket’

Pachu Menon, Margao

The IPL since its inception has virtually turned into India’s biggest realty show. The third edition of the event ensured that the heady mixture of cricket and Bollywood that the tournament offered, could now boast of an element of intriguing politics in equal doses. Stirring the passions of a nation like no other game, cricket could well be cited as the national religion, if ever there was one. Nevertheless, one can’t but agree that the game today is vulgarized commercially to such an extent that more than a lovable sport, it cuts a sorry figure as a caricature of booming business viabilities. No efforts seem to have been spared to ascertain that the cricketing extravaganza is marketed with a finesse that promises a bonanza for the investors – as also the players - and a sporting spectacle for the viewers. When a game transcends from an affable pastime to a lucrative deal with high stakes in it for the shareholders, there is perceptible change in the all-round outlook towards the proceedings. Antagonism and personality clashes needed to surface when Lalit Modi as the IPL Commissioner held sway at the helm. But what is mystifying is the way the media and his detractors have come hard on Modi & Co – a witch-hunt to all intents and purposes! How ridiculous! A posse of Income-Tax sleuths unearthing Modi’s luxurious life-style and diversified business interests – wasn’t it quite obvious at the outset! Right from day one, the auctions, the bids, the telecast rights, you name it; all these ‘enterprising ventures’ were steeped in controversies. With millions pouring into the sporting fiesta, the cricketing wingding was bound to attract financial anomalies; why wasn’t any cognizance taken of these irregularities then? Was the government waiting for, as one national weekly called it, the ‘Bofors of cricket’ to be ‘exposed’ by a disgruntled Minister for all its misappropriations? That moment of brazenness which saw him cross swords with the suave Shashi Tharoor over issues pertaining to the Kochi franchisee was probably Lalit Modi’s undoing that threatened to blow the lid of a scam that is bigger and worse than the match-fixing allegations in the nineties that rocked the cricketing world and paid put to the careers of a number of international cricketers. As long as things go on well, and there are no visible signs of upsetting the applecart, everything is hunky-dory.

Since everyone stands to gain a share of the spoils, none will find it worthwhile going against the tide. But Lalit Modi is today the villain of the sordid piece and brickbats continue to assail him at every corner. The media that was profuse in its adorations and saw no end to glamourising him was equally hasty in pronouncing him guilty.

Shashi Tharoor had to quit the Cabinet and Modi is suspended as the Commissioner of the IPL over the ‘tweet-spat’ that snowballed into a murky affair. However, it is wellknown that we countrymen suffer from involuntary amnesia and our memories are very short.

The Employment Exchange Bureau set up by the first Government to provide jobs to Goans on seniority and merit basis has become defunct for all purposes. The elected representatives now have a quota for recruiting their henchman, party workers and relatives for positions in the department of their choice. PETS was in fact created not to train people on the job but to give

backdoor entry to the stooges of politicians who have worked for them during the elections. We also have daily wage workers, temporary workers and contract workers who sooner or later find their names on the Government payroll.

This is grave injustice to the highly qualified or meritorious candidates who have registered with the employment exchange

but were not called for interviews or placements. Chief Minister Digambar Kamat should do away with this anomaly and direct all future recruitments in government, semigovernment and public organisations through the employment exchange or else close this department, which has no other purpose and burdens the taxpayer.

Mapusa parking crisis!

Augustus Alphonso, Vasco-da-Gama Recently, I happened to go to Mapusa to visit my relative. Unfortunately, as I entered the city market area, the sight of congested traffic took me by surprise! Parking became such a headache as I could hardly find a spot to park my car. I think now we have reached a stage in Goa where until and unless pay parking complexes are built, we would simply be going round and round in circles in all cities to find a parking place.

It is high time the government starts building these pay parking complexes on a war footing without delaying this important matter.

Does Hospicio need CCTVs? Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco It is reported that the panel which probed into the theft of a lady patient at Hospicio’s maternity ward has strongly recommended installation of Closed Circuit TVs in the hospital (Herald May 1). The question to be asked is whether it morally, ethically and even legally right to install CCTVs in the hospital wards, especially in the Female Ward. Will this not amount to prying on the privacy of the women patients? It may be said that the women security personnel would be keeping a watch on these CCTVs. Even then what guaranteed is there that some male members of the security will not watch the happenings in the female wards? And will the installations of the CCTVs not have an adverse effect on the patients? Imagine lying on a hospital with the knowledge that somebody is watching you over the Closed Circuit TV. Installing CCTV in the hospital does not seem proper unless the CCTVs are restricted only to the corridors of the Hospital.

Paths of Wisdom

Three robbers

by Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa Once, a man was going through a forest, when three robbers fell upon him and robbed him of all his possessions. One of the robbers said, “What’s the use of keeping this man alive?” So saying, he was about to kill him with his sword, when the second robber interrupted him, saying: ‘Oh, no! What is the use of killing him? Tie his hand and foot and leave him here.” The robbers bound his hands and feet and went away. After a while the third robber returned and said to the man: “Ah, I am sorry. Are you hurt? I will release you from your bonds.” After setting the man free, the thief said: “Come with me. I will take you to the public high way.” After a long time they reached the road. At this the man said: “Sir, you have been very good to me. Come with me to my house.” “Oh, no!” the robber replied. “I can’t go there. The police will know it.

“This world itself is the forest.

The three robbers prowling here are Satva, Rajas, and Tamas. It is they that rob a man of the Knowledge of Truth. Tamas wants to destroy him.

Rajas bind him to the world. But Satva rescues him from the clutches of rajas and tamas. Under the protection of Satva, man is rescued from anger, passion and other evil effects of tamas. Further, Satva loosens the bonds of the world. But Satva also is a robber. It cannot give man the ultimate Knowledge of Truth, though it shows him the road leading to the Supreme Abode of God. Setting him on the path, Satva tells him: “Look yonder. There is your home.” Even Satva is far away from the knowledge of Brahman.

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

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

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GOA, TUESDAY, 4 MAY, 2010

Kasab should 26/11 shortest terror trial courts do not function during be hanged, summer and winter vacations In the fastest-ever trial of terror the 26/11 special court says slain attack cases in India, the 26/11 but worked during holidays to exthat pronounced its ver- amine the mammoth evidence cop’s wife court dict today had recorded 3,192 adduced by the prosecution.

opinionated

PTI MUMBAI, MAY 3

Are 7500 votes greater than rape of Goa?

PTI MUMBAI, MAY 3

By RAJeNDRA KAKoDKAR

Remo rightly wants to dump all the 40 Goan MLAs into the sea. The corollary: Next elections we must have all new MLAs. To this, Soter D’Souza has raised a pertinent question: Will new ones be any better? Some may say “why be negative?” or “why put the cart before the horse?” But the history seems to back Soter’s worry.

Why are all MLAs bad? Answer lies in the electoral winability theorem, which says: 0.50per cent of GOAN VOTERS is greater than RAPE OF WHOLE GOA The derivation: There are 40 constituencies and one-third of that population is children, who cannot vote. Therefore, each constituency has 1.68per cent Goans in its voter list. On an average 60per cent people cast votes. Of this, the winner needs to secure 35 to50 per cent votes. This means, if 0.50per cent Goans vote for him, he is sure to be MLA again. Some MLAs win with as low as 0.35per cent Goans voting for them.

Thus with less than 0.50per cent or 7500 people of Goa voting for him, and that too once in five years, an MLA can go scotfree doing anything and everything. He cares damn for the remaining 14,92,500 people or 99.5per cent population.

After Maths, let us turn to Civics. MLAs have mere legislative (Law making) functions, but they usurp executive (administrative) powers. Our administrative set up is lethargic and corrupt. Work remains pending unless palms are greased.

People are made to approach the MLA to seek his personal intervention. The MLA prevails upon administrative set-up and gets the work of the aggrieved person done. The result: the persons become his vote bank even if he rapes Goa. Next, what are MLAs actually for? Answer: To enact legislations and systems which expedite work of every citizen who may face similar hurdles in future. But, if work is done by the administrative set-up without the intervention of the MLA, then the MLA will not be able to create his vote bank.

Hence all the MLAs dislike such ideas.

Therefore, a possible solution to Soter’s worry could be to find out how an MLA can be prevented from interfering in administration.

One such option could be: Each contestant furnishes an affidavit (deviation can disqualify him as MLA) saying that he would not interfere in administration. He will bring in solutions through legislation. He will – again through legislation - set up advanced systems in administration like deemed approvals once time limit for refusing approval lapses. Levy penalties (like under RTI Act) on government servants if they delay work beyond stipulated time etc. This way government servant is forced to complete work.

Good guys like Remo may furnish the affidavit. What about others? Can Congress and BJP be pressurized (through another GBA like uprising) to make an affidavit compulsory for their candidates? Can the Election Commission be approached to introduce such an affidavit? The next challenge would be the modalities of enforcement in case of non-conformities. All may not happen at one go. But, when 0.50per cent people can jeopardize the future of 99.5per cent people (a much inferior version of democracy) a start to dismantle the anomaly is the need of the hour.

Now, let us have a bit of Finance. Imagine the improvement in efficiency of administration, when over 50,000 government employees are made to work instead of only 40 MLAs. We may require 400 or may be 4,000 IITans to match the output of 50,000 self-motivated government employees. The Budget 2010-11, under the head of expenditure, entails salaries of Rs .1150 crore and pension of Rs. 510 crore to be paid to government servants. Another Rs. 130 crore would be spent on travel, stationery, rent etc. Capital expenditure on cars, cell phones, computers, buildings are not included. Thus, assuming Goa’s population as 15 lakhs, every person bears a cost of over Rs 12,000/- per year on government servants. The quality and quantity of services which we get from government administration fall short to justify this cost.

Some MLAs bully their way to become ministers. They have executive powers to the extent of their portfolios. Innovations are needed to prevent them from playing vote bank politics.

System based governance can vaporize vote bank politics.

Politicians work for and yield to only two things: money and votes. Deprive them of these drugs and we could have better MPs, MLAs, Corporators and Panchas. This is easier said than done, but expressing remedies and pursuing chosen remedies must begin.

Muivah to go ahead with Manipur visit PTI KOHIMA, MAY 3

NSCN (I-M) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah has said that despite the Manipur government’s decision to prevent his entry into the state to avoid any ‘breach’ of communal harmony, he will go ahead with his planned visit.

“I would visit my native village Somdal in Ukhrul district and other Naga inhabited areas of Manipur,” Muivah told reporters yesterday.

He asserted that it was his birthright to visit his hometown and the question of Manipur government preventing his entry into the state does not arise.

“I am not a subject to them (Manipur government), and there is nothing unnatural about the proposed visit,” the NSCN (I-M) leader said adding the Centre had been considerate with regard to his proposed visit to his village.

“As a human being there is lot of emotions attached to the place wherein one was born and brought up,” Muivah said.

As per his itinerary, Muivah is expected to depart for Ukhrul tomorrow from NSCN(I-M) headquarters Camp Hebron and stay at his village till May 7.

He will visit Ukhrul town on May 8 and return to Somdal to celebrate Mother’s Day. On May 10, he is scheduled to visit the nearby Senapati district before returning to Dimapur.

On the ongoing peace talks, Muivah said both sides were “more committed” and expressed confidence that

progress could be made towards finding a negotiated settlement to the protracted Naga political conflict.

“Both sides are trying their best to push the talks forward, and more efforts would be put in to bring the ongoing talks to a positive close,” the Naga leader said.

Two rounds of peace parleys were held in past two months after the Centre revived the stalled talks with appointment of former Nagaland chief secretary R S Pandey as the new interlocutor.

Meanwhile, the Manipur government reportedly made all arrangements by clamping Section 144 of CrPc and deploying additional police forces on two entry points to the state from Nagaland to prevent Muivah’s proposed visit after the Friday’s cabinet decision to deny him the entry.

They apprehend that Muivah’s visit might disturb communal harmony in Manipur.

The two entry points to Manipur from Nagaland are Mao gate in Senapati district and Jessami town in Ukhrul district where additional police personnel were reportedly deployed since yesterday.

Meanwhile, various Naga civil society organisations in Manipur took strong exception to the Manipur government’s decision, alleging that the state machineries have created a “war-like situation” in various places of Senapati and Ukhrul district over the proposed visit of Muivah and even dismantled a welcome gate at Mao gate.

Security personnel patrolling the court complex where the lone surviving Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab was today found guilty by a designated court in connection with the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks

Kasab’s U-turns fail to derail trial PTI MUMBAI, MAY 3

Frequent U-turns by Ajmal Kasab marked the nearly year-long trial in the 26/11 terror attack case with the Pakistani gunman first confessing to his crime then retracting it before surprising all by making a guilt plea and then disowning his confession altogether.

For the first time after his arrest, Kasab confessed to Magistrate Sawant Wagule on February 21, 2009, saying that LeT had carried out Mumbai attacks and he had come with nine others from Pakistan by sea to strike terror.

The Magistrate had warned Kasab that his confession could be used against him in the trial and also asked him whether he was being forced by police to give a statement, to which he replied in the negative.

However, on May 6, 2009, when the court framed charges against Kasab, he pleaded not guilty, saying “yeh sab kuch galat hai. Hamein kabul nahin hai” (all this is false. These charges are not acceptable to me).

Earlier, in a bid to obstruct his trial by the special anti-terror court, the Pakistani terrorist had claimed he was just 17 years of age and demanded that he be tried by a juvenile court. An inquiry was ordered and scientific tests established that he was an adult.

Making another about turn in the midst of the trial on July 20, 2009, Kasab told judge M L Tahaliyani that he wanted to confess.

Kasab’s admission of guilt was somewhat watered down this time. While acknowledging that he came from Pakistan with others on a suicide mission and opened fire at CST and other places, he denied having killed civilians and policemen.

Kasab told the court that Abu Ismael, killed in police encounter at Girgaum Chowpatty, was his leader and he was merely following him.

He denied killing Assistant Police Sub-Inspector Tukaram Ombale, Maharashtra ATS chief Hemant Karkare, Addl CP Ashok Kamte and encounter specialist Vijay Salaskar, besides Amarsingh Solanki, navigator of `Kuber’ boat by which the terrorists had arrived near Mumbai shores.

Once again, on December 18 last, Kasab, in his statement after the recording of evidence, went back on his confession and denied that he was a terrorist. He claimed he had come from Pakistan as a tourist and was picked up by police from Juhu Chowpatty days before the attack and falsely implicated in 26/11 terror attack case.

Kasab said he had made the guilt plea earlier under police pressure.

Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam described Kasab’s frequent change in stand as a strategy to hoodwink the authorities.

“He is following the Al-Qaeda manual by changing his stand quite often. The manual says that a person trained in terror activities should attempt to derail investigation and court proceedings by changing his stand frequently,” Nikam said.

Trial a learning exercise for judge, Pak gunman PTI MUMBAI, MAY 3

The 26/11 trial turned out to be a learning exercise for Pakistani gunman Ajmal Kasab as well judge M L Tahaliyani, both of whom evinced keen interest in Marathi and Urdu languages respectively.

Kasab picked up Marathi as he listened attentively to witnesses deposing in that language while Tahaliyani showed interest in Urdu by asking Kasab the meaning of certain words which figured during evidence.

When the court was recording his statement at the fag end of the trial, Kasab replied to the questions of the judge in Marathi, saying “mala mahit nahin” (I do not know).

Asked when did he learn

Marathi, Kasab replied, “Ithech shikale” (I learnt here).

With his remarks laced with wit and humour, the judge kept away the boredom of the courtroom and infused a feeling of participation among the media persons, staff and lawyers.

Many a time when prosecutor and defence lawyers had a heated exchange of words during arguments and cross examination of witnesses, the judge stepped in and saw to it that the situation did not go out of control.

The judge also had a dig at potbellied policemen, saying they should be given belts of a standard measurement and if they do not fit in they should be asked to proceed on leave to get back in shape.

Tahaliyani began his career in 1987 when he was appointed a

metropolitan magistrate in a Bandra court. He was a judge in the city’s civil and sessions court prior to taking up his assignment in the high court as registrar (inspection).

Having the reputation of being strict and fair, Tahaliyani was promoted as a sessions judge in early 2000 and was also posted as a special judge to handle CBI cases.

He has conducted trials in a number of high-profile cases, including music baron Gulshan Kumar murder case in which he convicted Abdul Rauf Merchant and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

Tahaliyani also presided over the trial in the murder of trade union leader Datta Samant, who was gunned down in 1997 by members of the Chhota Rajan gang.

“Kasab should be hanged,” wife of Vijay Salaskar, who was killed while fighting terrorists in the November 2008 Mumbai attacks, said today after a special court convicted the Pakistani terrorist for the carnage.

“I expect death sentence for (Ajmal Amir) Kasab. Nothing less,” Smita Salaskar told reporters.

Salaskar and two other senior police officers — ATS chief Hemant Karkare and additional commissioner of police Ashok Kamte — were killed by terrorists Abu Ismail and Kasab outside Cama hospital.

Congress MP Milind Deora said, “It is extremely important to hang Kasab,” the lone surviving terrorist out of the 10 who sailed to Mumbai from Karachi to carry out the attacks.

The court will hear tomorrow arguments by the defence and prosecution on the quantum of sentence for 22-year-old Kasab, who was captured alive from the Girgaum-Chowpatty police barricade following an encounter after he and Ismael had killed several people at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, in and outside Cama Hospital and Metro Junction.

Kasab deserves no mercy: Devika PTI MUMBAI, MAY 3

After receiving appreciation from a special court which convicted gunmen Ajmal Kasab in the 26/11 terror attack case today, 11-year- old Devika Rotawan, who was disabled by the bullets fired by Amir Ajmal Kasab, said he must get death penalty and deserves no mercy.

Devika, who was disabled by the bullets of Kasab, told PTI “I am very much happy to know that Kasab is proven guilty. I am eagerly waiting to know about the sentencing.”

While pronouncing the verdict, Judge Tahaliyani said evidence given by the girl has been appreciated and she has shown a lot of courage.

In June last year, the little girl, who is now on crutches and her father maimed in 26/11 terror attack, identified Kasab in the court as one of the two gunmen who had opened fire at her and other passengers at CST. Devika, who was constantly following news on TV channels today, said “Kasab has killed innocent people and deserves no mercy. The court must give him death penalty.”

“I had no fear seeing Kasab on the day when I identified him in the court. I was there to speak the truth. That blood thirsty Kasab had killed so many innocent people at CST. Everything happened in front of me,” Devika said.

The school dropout who became face of terror PTI MUMBAI, MAY 3

Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone surviving gunman in the Mumbai terror attack held guilty today, is a school dropout who saw ‘jihad’ as a purpose of his life.

The images of the 22-yearold Pakistani national, ambling cockily in his cargo pants and sneakers, a backpack on his shoulders and an AK-47 gun dangling carelessly from his arm still sends shivers among the survivors of the terror attack.

Kasab, the face of the devastating Mumbai attack in which 166 persons were killed, took part in the bloodiest episode of the 60-hour siege that started on the night of November 26, 2008.

He was one of the two heavily armed gunmen who opened fire and threw hand grenades at the city’s main railway station Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus(CST) in the initial hours of the carnage killing 52 people and injuring more than 100.

He was among 10 activists of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba who crossed the sea from Karachi to enter Mumbai to wreak havoc on the country’s financial capital and bring the megalopolis to its knees before being caught alive.

Kasab, a small time thief from Pakistan specially recruited and trained by LeT, started seeing ‘jihad’ as a purpose of his life

Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab

and means to gain respectability in his society. One Faridkot farmer reportedly said that Kasab used to return to the village and talk of “freeing Kashmir”.

Kasab has reportedly said he joined the LeT to get weapons training after deciding to embark on a life of crime but there have also been claims that his father Mohammed Amir Iman duped him into doing it for money.

Born in Faridkot village in Dipalpur tehsil of Okara district in Pakistan’s Punjab province in 1987, Kasab belonged to the

‘Kasai’ (butcher) caste. His father ran a food stall in the village and his mother was called Noor.

Third of the five children in the family, Kasab dropped out of school in 2000 because of poverty. He stayed at a shrine and started working as a l a b o u re r e a r n i n g m e a g re amount of money in Lahore until 2005. He later fought with his parents and left home with the determination of never returning.

Kasab made friends with small time criminals and slowly gravitated towards armed robbery.

It was during this period, when

Kasab went to a local market in Rawalpindi to purchase weapons that he met with local LeT activists distributing pamphlets.

Kasab decided there and then to join the LeT and was eventually taken in as a fresh recruit.

After having gone through a minimum standard training (Daura-e-Aam) in how to operate weapons and grenades, Kasab was further shortlisted by the LeT bosses for a more intensive training (Daura-e-Khaas).

Kasab,a foot soldier of LeT by then, was often shown films showcasing twisted tales of atrocities in Kashmir besides speeches of various LeT bosses including chief Hafiz Mohammad Saeed. He was also promised that his family would be taken care of by the Group.

He seemed to have excelled in all tasks given to him and was finally selected along with nine others of his ‘fidayeen’ (suicide) group to get a more specialised training in marine commando tactics and GPS and satellite phone besides other fields.

Even at this time he did not know about the real target.

The routes and target were given to him only at a later stage.

They were so heavily doctrined that all the ten knew that they will die but yet did not flinch even for a second as they went about their cold-blooded killings in a ruthless manner.

pages of evidence by examining 658 witnesses on 271 working days in less than a year.

As compared to this, the longest terror trial was that in the 1993 Mumbai serial blast case which took 14 years to conclude.

The 26/11 case against Ajmal Kasab and two Indians Faheem Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed began on May 8 last year after judge M L Tahaliyani was appointed to preside over the court located in a specially-built bullet and bomb proof premises in the high-security Arthur Road jail.

Normally, lower and high

Of the 658 witnesses, 296 deposed in person while 362 affirmed their statements on affidavits which were tabled before the court by special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam.

The prosecution submitted 1,015 articles which were seized during investigations and filed 1,691 documents to support its case.

The nine staff members of the court worked overtime for about a year to finish the trial in a record time and the judge sought additional hands from the sessions court to help his staff with administrative matters.

KASAB CHRONOLOGY 2008 November 26: Kasab and 9 fidayeens launch commando raid in Mumbai November 27: At 1.30 am, Kasab caught and placed under arrest, admitted to Nair hospital November 29: Kasab gives statement to police, confesses role November 29: All places under siege secured, 9 terrorists killed November 30: Kasab confesses before police December 27/28: Identification parade held

2009 January 13: M L Tahaliyani appointed 26/11 judge January 16: Arthur Road Jail selected for Kasab’s trial February 5: Kasab’s DNA samples match with articles found in Kuber February 20/21: Kasab makes confession before Magistrate February 22: Ujjwal Nikam appointed Special Public Prosecutor February 25: Chargesheet against Kasab, two others filed in Court April 1: Anjali Waghmare appointed Kasab’s lawyer April 15: Anjali Waghmare removed as Kasab’s lawyer April 16: Abbas Kazmi appointed as Kasab’s lawyer April 17: Kasab’s confession opened in court, he retracts April 20: Prosecution charges Kasab on 312 counts April 29: Kasab is major: experts’ opinion May 6: Charges framed, Kasab charged on 86 counts, but denies charges May 8: First eyewitness deposes, identifies Kasab June 23: Non-bailable warrants issued against 22 including Hafeez Saeed, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi June 25: Kasab suffering from ulcer, court told July 20: Kasab pleads guilty before Judge M L Tahaliyani November 30: Abbas Kazmi removed as Kasab’s lawyer December 1: K P Pawar officially takes place of Kazmi December 16: Prosecution completes case in 26/11 December 18: Kasab denies all charges

2010 February 11: 26/11 lawyer Shahid Azmi shot dead February 22: David Coleman Headley issue crops up in court March 9: Final arguments to begin March 31: Arguments in the case end. Special Judge M L Tahaliyani reserves judgement for May 3, 2010 May 3: Kasab convicted, Sabauddin Ahmed and Faheem Ansari acquitted of all charges

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Saudi liberals see hope as clerics argue over women REUTERS RIYADH, MAY 3

Divisions among senior Saudi clerics over the legality of gender segregation could mark a new drive by reformers allied to King Abdullah to push social reforms in the puritanical Islamic state.

The divisions came to the open when the kingdom's morals police, or the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, reversed a decision to sack Ahmad al-Ghamdi, its regional head for the Mecca region.

Saudi analysts and diplomats say the reversal was dictated by King Abdullah's entourage if not the king himself.

After the kingdom opened its first co-ed university in September -- a project sponsored by King Abdullah – Ghamdi published a research paper that questioned the legality in Islam of gender segregation as enforced by the Commission. ''The commission was forced to cancel the decision to sack Ghamdi. This will strengthen the state's role,'' said Khaled alDakhil, a prominent Saudi political writer. ''The state has been gaining influence while that of the religious establishment has been declining, simply because it has gradually been given a lesser say over decisions taken by the state,'' he said.

The kingdom, a major US ally, is ruled by Al Saud family in alliance with clerics from the austere Wahhabi school of Islam who oversee mosques, the judiciary and education, as well as run their own coercive apparatus, the morals police.

Interior ministry police work with the Commission to make sure unrelated men and women are kept apart, that women are covered from head to toe and that Sharia law is fully implemented including a ban on alcohol. Women are also not allowed to drive in the kingdom.

The rulers of the world's top oil exporting country have wrestled with the issue of whether to moderate Wahhabism since the September 11 attacks in 2001 on US landmarks, carried out by mostly Saudi nationals, and the emergence of al Qaeda militancy against the Saudi government in 2003.

King Abdullah is seen as favouring reforms that water down some of Wahhabism's more controversial tenets. Analysts and diplomats say he is opposed by other senior princes who are closely allied to the powerful religious establishment.

The octogenarian monarch, pressed by time to push reforms, dismissed a cleric from a top council of religious scholars in October after he demanded that religious scholars vet the curriculum at the new university.

A senior Saudi government official said Ghamdi's views could get ''something big rolling''. ''I won't be surprised if the king asks the Shura Council for advice on gender segregation and women driving issues.

I think that's the best way for the monarchy to avoid collision with the religious establishment''.

The Shura Council is a quasiparliament that advises the government and examines draft legislation. Its members are appointed by the king and although its decisions are not binding, it has become a forum for debate.

Ghamdi defended his views with sayings of the Prophet Mohammad, but his critics argue he is not qualified to speak about religious matters. Ghamdi is an accounting graduate who climbed up the bureaucratic ladder within the commission.

FROM PAGE 1

Booze shops behind ...

suggested the need to have a special disciplinary traffic force.

On the basis of his study of traffic situation in the State, he had also pointed out that municipalities permitting recurrent digging of roads in the cities are responsible for traffic congestions and in-convenience caused to motorists. Also, many accidents happen as roads get covered with rubble and mud and dug up areas are left open for days together posing danger to motorists and pedestrians.

However, Dr Pasricha said, there has been slight improvement of traffic situation of the State and he would be happy to help the Goa government further streamline traffic and bring down the rate of accidents.

Flying squads ...

funds and appointed technical assistants for expeditiously completion of the Regional Plan2021. Further the government decided to respond to the various advertisements through media giving the wrong picture of the projects approved as and when brought to the notice of the government.

The government has constituted a committee for safeguarding the Eco-Sensitive concept, the official press release concluded.

Slab crashes

“The operations were closed down in the hope that once the beach is developed, we could resume the business,” said Fernandes.

“Since the structure is situated close to the sea, it got ruined faster, as iron rods of the building were corroded. We had recently applied for the structural repairs at the engineers’ instruction, but the council permitted us only to plaster it. In fact, it has to be demolished completely,” added Fernandes.

However, Fernandes feared that portion of the slab on the right side of the bar is also in dilapidated condition, which needs to be demolished otherwise it could lead to another accident.

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NY police focus on a man for bomb plot AGENCIES NEW YORK, MAY 3

Police investigating the failed car bomb attack on Times Square in New York are focusing their attention on surveillance footage of a white man seen shedding his shirt near the SUV where the bomb was found.

The unidentified man, who appears to be in his 40s, is seen on the footage looking furtively over his shoulder and removing a dark shirt, revealing a red one underneath. The man then stuffs the dark shirt into a bag, officials said.

Investigators are also examining eight bags of a nonexplosive grade of fertiliser which was found in a metal rifle cabinet amongst the other materials in the Nissan Pathfinder, including gasoline, propane, firecrackers and alarm clocks.

Raymond Kelly, the New York

Greek unions to extend strikes REUTERS ATHENS, MAY 3

Greece's main public sector union vowed today to step up its fight against austerity m e a s u re s b y b ro a d e n i n g strikes that will test the government and its new deal with the EU and IMF. The ADEDY union, which represents about half a million public sector employees, condemned cuts in wages and pensions and said it would stage a 48-hour walkout starting tomorrow, instead of the one-day s t r i ke i t h a d p l a n n e d f o r Wednesday.

“These measures are a disaster, they will lead to a deeper recession or even bankruptcy.

The government is raiding our salaries and our pensions,” Despina Spanou, a member of ADEDY's board, told Reuters.

“We will escalate protests, we will fight these policies.”

Additional police are seen throughout Times Square after a car bomb was discovered in a truck.

City police commissioner, said the fertiliser alone would not have exploded but could have set the other materials alight.

The bomb, he said, “would have caused casualties, a significant

fireball.”

Paul J Browne, the Police Department’s chief spokesman, said it if had exploded; “It would have been, in all likelihood, a good possibility of people being

killed, windows shattered, but not resulting in a building collapse.”

No motive has yet been determined for the attack. Police have dismissed claims from the

militant Pakistan group Tehreeke-Taleban that it was responsible for the attempt. The al-Qaeda linked group has previously claimed the credit for other attacks which it was not involved in.

More credence, however, may be given to a video of the group's former commander Hakimullah Mehsud, believed to have been killed in a US drone attack in January, in which he threatens attacks on major American cities, according to the intelligence organisation SITE. In the nine minute video, posted on the Internet today but allegedly made on April 4, Mehsud, who was once Pakistan's most feared militant commander, makes no specific mention of an attempt on New York but threatens strikes on the United States within a month for the killing of militant leaders.

Nick Clegg attacks Cameron’s ‘arrogance’ AGENCIES LONDON, MAY 3

Liberal Democrats leader Nick Clegg has accused David Cameron of "breathtaking arrogance" by assuming he would win the general election on Thursday.

He said the Tory leader was "already measuring up the curtains for No 10" before anyone had cast their vote.

The Liberal Democrats, Tories and Labour are campaigning vigorously in key target seats with three days to go.

The Conservatives remain ahead in the latest opinion polls but not by enough to be sure of winning a majority.

Cameron has admitted his party have "still got everything left to do" but told the BBC on Sunday his party had the "momentum" in the campaign and discussed his plans for government if elected this week.

Business Secretary Lord Man-

David Cameron speaks at Coca Cola in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, a region unvisited by a Tory leader in living memory.

delson said the Tory leader appeared "desperate to give the impression that he is home and dry" when voters were "firmly resisting his soft-soap cam-

paign."

Clegg also warned Cameron not to be complacent.

"In this country, you don't inherit power - you have to earn

it," he told supporters on a visit to the constituency of Lewisham East in south-east London, which was won by Labour in 2005.

Ahmadinejad may hijack nuclear conference AGENCIES WASHINGTON, MAY 3

President Ahmadinejad of Iran will seize a rare appearance on the world stage this morning to cast himself as the champion of the non-proliferation movement as Western leaders struggle to gather support for sanctions over Iran’s clandestine nuclear weapons programme.

The eleventh-hour decision

by Ahmadinejad to attend the UN conference on reviewing the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) prompted condemnation in Western capitals, with Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, warning the Iranian President against trying to hijack the conference for an act of political theatre.

“If Iran is coming to say ‘We are willing to abide by the NonProliferation Treaty’, that would be very welcome news,” Mrs Clinton told NBC’s Meet the Press yesterday. “I have a feeling that is not what they are coming to do. I think they are coming to try to divert attention and confuse the issue. And there is no confusion. They have violated the terms of the NPT.” Ahmadinejad’s presence is a clear challenge to President Obama’s attempts at leadership on global nuclear disarmament, a cherished foreign policy goal.

Obama chaired a session on nuclear non-proliferation at the UN General Assembly in September and last month signed a deal with Russia on reducing

arsenals.

Ahmadinejad, who will be the second speaker to address the conference, said that he would push for changes to the treaty which, he said, had failed to check nuclear proliferation since its inception.

“The biggest threat to the world today is the production and stockpiling of nuclear weapons,” Ahmadinejad told reporters in Tehran before flying to New York. “For more than 60 years the atomic threat has influenced world relations. We have no disarmament or nonproliferation and some countries have even procured the nuclear bomb during this period.

“If this meeting is successful

REUTERS KHOST, MAY 3

AP BEIJING, MAY 3

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is accompanied by two of his grandchildren, Manuel and Jorge, casts his vote in a public school during the primary elections of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela.

World Expo offers Chinese people opportunities to better understand other cultures and models of development.

In just two years after China opened its doors to the world for the Beijing Olympic Games, the nation is throwing them even wider for this year's World Expo in Shanghai. And if the conclusion is true that the Beijing Olympics helped the world learn more about a fast-growing China, then the sixmonth expo in the booming city of Shanghai will have a somewhat opposite effect: It will give Chinese people the rare opportunity to better understand the world.

Like the Beijing Olympics, the World Expo is a result of China's unremitting efforts to push its reform and opening-up policy forward. It also shows China's goodwill as well as the international community's enthusiasm for the world's largest develop-

Maoists’ strike brings Nepal to virtual halt AGENCIES KATHMANDU, MAY 3

A power struggle in Nepal between the government of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and the Maoists, who hold the most legislative seats, is seeing the local folk and foreign tourists caught in the middle.

Ahmadinejad is expected to urge pressure on Israel, an undeclared nuclear power, to sign the treaty.

It is a stance that has support in the Arab world, which would like to have Iran’s nuclear ambitions checked by a declaration of a nuclear-free Middle East.

Iran continues to claim that it is enriching uranium for civilian nuclear power despite having no functioning nuclear reactors for that purpose.

Under the NPT Iran is permitted to enrich uranium but has been ordered five times by the UN Security Council to suspend doing so until it can satisfy questions from the International Atomic Energy Agency over apparent weapons work.

Global lessons in Shanghai

Suicide bomber strikes at US base A suicide bomber struck outside a foreign base in the southeastern Afghan town of Khost today, killing one civilian and wounding two privately employed guards, the Afghan Interior Ministry said.

The attack happened outside a base where in December a Jordanian infiltrator killed seven CIA staff and contractors and a Jordanian intelligence officer in a suicide blast.

A helicopter was seen hovering above the site of today's attack which was cordoned off by foreign and Afghan forces.

A spokesman for the Taliban, Zabihullah Mujahid, said the bomber used a car laden with a huge quantity of explosives in the blast, the latest in a string of attacks in recent weeks in Khost, which lies near the border with Pakistan.

In a separate incident, seven civilians were killed and 14 wounded by a roadside bomb.

in making fundamental reforms to the NPT, it will be a big stride forward towards world security.”

The NPT was drawn up four decades ago as a bargain between the five original nuclear powers — the US, Britain, France, China and Russia — to move towards eventual disarmament. Another 185 non-weapon states, including Iran, renounced the bomb in return for access to nuclear energy.

Since the treaty came into force in 1970 Israel, India and Pakistan, which did not sign it, have acquired nuclear weapons capability, and North Korea, which did sign it, withdrew in 2003 to work towards building a bomb.

Since May Day, most of the country has ground to a halt with a Maoist-initiated strike intended to force the collapse of the yearold government.

In the middle of an intersection in Kathmandu, villagers from the remote northwest mountainous Karnali zone -- one of the poorest in Nepal -- sing

and dance in a circle around a traffic control post.

While riot policemen sit nearby, paying little attention to thousands of Maoist supporters and spectators milling in the avenues deserted of vehicles, the Karnali villagers sing a Maoist-inspired ditty calling for the prime minister to re-

sign.

This is part of what one Maoist leader calls a "peaceful war" to install a people's government in Nepal.

Markets here are only permitted by the Maoists to open two hours per day in the evening for people to buy food and other necessary supplies.

ing nation. The exhibition is expected to bring more than 70 million visitors.

Rajapaksa frees Tamil journalist AP COLOMBO, MAY 3

Mehsud threatens to strike US in a month AGENCIES WASHINGTON, MAY 3

Sri Lanka's president ordered the release Monday of a journalist imprisoned on terrorism charges after criticizing the government's war on Tamil rebels, in a case cited by President Barack Obama as harassment of the press.

Rajapaksa used his executive powers to release Jeyaprakash Tissainayagam, an ethnic Tamil journalist convicted last year of supporting terrorism and creating communal disharmony and sentenced to 20 years in prison, Foreign Minister Gamini Peiris told reporters Monday.

Tissainayagam's conviction was based on two articles he wrote criticizing the government's military campaign against the now-defeated LTTE. The US president singled out Tissainayagam during his World Press Freedom Day address last year as an example of journalists being jailed or harassed for doing their jobs.

"In every corner of the globe, there are journalists in jail or being actively harassed. Emblematic examples of this distressing reality are figures like J S Tissainayagam, or Shi Tao and Hu Jia in China," Obama said.

The Pakistan Taleban leader Hakimullah Mehsud, who was believed to have been killed in a US drone attack in January, has threatened attacks against the US in a video apparently made last month, according to the intelligence monitoring group SITE. The video comes in the wake of the attempted car bombing in Times Square, New York on Sunday and follows another video by Mehsud's terror organisation Tehreek-e-Talebn in which the group claimed credit for the failed attack.

US authorities have played down the potential connection between the Pakistani militant network and the car bomb, saying the group does not have the global infrastructure to carry out such a strike. Tehreek-eTaleban frequently claim responsibility for terror attacks in which they have no involvement.

In the nine minute video allegedly made on April 4, Mehsud, the man who was once Pakistan's most feared commander, makes no specific mention of an attempt on New York but threatens strikes on the United States within a month for the killing of militant leaders.

"The time is very near when our fidaeen [soldiers] will attack the American states in the major cities," says Mehsud, who is flanked by two armed and masked men.

The attacks were in retaliation for having “martyred many of our great muslim leaders and

many respected brothers from Al-Qaeda," he adds, naming Baitullah Mehsud, his predecessor as the Taleban's leading commander in Pakistan who was killed in a US drone strike last August.

According to SITE, the video bears the mark of Umar Studio, the media arm of Tehreek-eTaleban.

Mehsud was reported to have been killed in a US drone strike in Pakistan in January, but Pakistani intelligence officials last week said they now believed he had survived the attack.

Mehsud, 30, was seriously wounded when missiles fired by a US drone struck his vehicle in the Shktai area on the border between South and North Waziristan on January 15.

National television reported his death, saying that he was buried in the Orakzai tribal region. Days later a Taleban official appeared to confirm the reports, telling journalists that Mehsud died while being transported to Karachi for medical treatment.

However, last week intelligence officials from Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Pakistan's intelligence service, said they now believed he had survived the attack with some slight injuries, although his power within the organisation had diminished.

Another video allegedly from Tehreek-e-Taleban issued on Sunday claimed it was behind Sunday's attempted car bombing in Times Square, although that claim has been dismissed by US intelligence agencies.

N Korean leader travels to China AP SEOUL, MAY 3

North Korean leader Kim Jong Il was believed to be making a rare trip to China on Monday amid tensions over the recent sinking of a South Korean warship and stalled nuclear disarmament negotiations, South Korean news reports said.

Kim's personal train arrived early Monday amid tight security in the Chinese border town of Dandong, then headed to the port city of Dalian, the Yonhap news agency said. A convoy of 15 limousines was seen arriving at the city's Furama Hotel, the report said.

North Korea's reclusive leader rarely travels abroad but had been rumored to be planning a trip to neighboring China. He was believed to be on board the train that arrived in Dandong to a phalanx of Chinese soldiers and police blocking traffic, Yon-

hap said, citing unidentified sources in Dandong and Beijing.

Officials at South Korea's presidential Blue House, Unification Ministry and Foreign Ministry said they could not immediately confirm the report. A spokesman at the National Intelligence Service, the main spy agency, said he had confirmed a North Korean train arrived in Dandong and was checking whether Kim was on board. He spoke on condition of anonymity, citing agency policy.

A person at the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Beijing said she had no knowledge of Kim's trip.

Calls to China's Communist Party were unanswered Monday, a national holiday in China.

A potential Kim visit to China has been a focus of intense attention in recent months, with sixnation nuclear disarmament talks stalled for a year and tensions rising over the sinking of a South

Korean naval ship in late March.

Kim, following through on Chinese President Hu Jintao's invitation last year to visit China as part of celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of their nations' ties, was expected to ask Beijing for financial help as Pyongyang copes with an economic crisis at home.

North Korea quit the disarmament-for-aid talks and conducted a second nuclear test last year, drawing tightened U.N. sanctions.

China is North Korea's last ally and biggest aid provider and is widely seen as the country with the most clout with Pyongyang.

OHERALDO

Biz12:Pg12 5/3/2010 9:48 PM Page 1

biZ

Pg12

GOA,TUESDAY, 4 MAY, 2010

India poised to be agricultural major Agency

NeW DeLHi, May 3 india can become an agricultural superpower and the proposed food security bill is coming at the right time as it has the potential to prevent a backlash from people, says the chief of one of india's largest farming cooperatives. 'unless the government can provide food security to its people, there will be a terrific backlash,' asserted C V ananda bose, managing director of the the National agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of india Limited.

'Food riots have even thrown away governments in some countries. but india fortunately doesn't have a food crisis,' bose said. according to him, india had thought about food secu-

ICICI Bank to go on hiring spree

rity 'at the right time' and the bill in this regard was a 'proactive step' initiated by the government. a group of ministers is discussing the final points of the food security bill. bose, a 1977 batch official from the indian administrative Service, said india can also become an agriculture super power if it taps the farming potential to the optimum.

'We have all resources to increase agriculture production and productivity. We only have to tap the infinite potentials of our country particularly eastern india,' he said and added that his organisation had many roles to play to ensure food security in the country.

'Food security means providing sufficient, safe and nu-

VIP aims 15% growth in FY 11 PTI MuMbai, May 3

PTI MuMbai, May 3

iCiCi bank plans to increase its headcount by hiring 5,000-7,000 people this year, a top bank official said.

"We plan to hire around 5,000-7,000 people this fiscal.

We have also declared bonus and increments for our employees," iCiCi bank's MD and CeO, Chanda Kochhar said after inaugurating the 2000th branch of iCiCi bank iCiCi bank has become the first private sector bank to reach this milestone, giving the bank a wide distribution reach in the country, Kochhar said. The bank plans to add more branches and aTMs in the current fiscal, she said.Commenting on bank's indian origin issue, Kocchar said, "We are an indian originated bank, controlled by an indian management and governed by the Reserve bank of india. Nothing has changed in our ownership structure in the recent past, so we do not think there are any hitch in our expansion plans,"

tritious food to the poor and the marginalised people to meet their dietary needs. We have many roles to play to ensure food security in the country,' the civil service official said.

NaFeD was established in 1958 to promote cooperative marketing of agricultural produce to benefit the farmers. agricultural farmers are the main members of NaFeD. in a bid to give a boost to the government's effort to bring food security, NaFeD has already taken certain steps, he said.

'We have sought the help of nanoscience and nanotechnology experts like P. Somasundaran who can help india ensure food security by increasing crop yields and reducing consumption.'

Somasundaran, who

Leading luggage-maker, ViP industries, is eyeing a 15 per cent growth in its top-line this fiscal besides aiming to become a zero-debt company in the next two-years, a top company official said. The company also intends strengthening itself in allied segments such as handbags and bagpacks this fiscal, the official said. “The market is perking up. We are optimistic about Fy 11 and should achieve a 15 per cent growth in our top-line. We also plan to improve our product offerings in segments such as handbags, bag-packs, etc.," ViP industries' Chairman, Dilip Piramal said.

The company clocked a 24 per cent jump in its net sales in Fy 10 at Rs 626.6 crore as against Rs 505.6 crore in the year-ago period. its Profit after Tax (PaT) vaulted 463 per cent to Rs 50.1 crore as against Rs 8.9 crore in the yearago period."The market is

TALK BUSINESS

HDFC, Emirates NBD Bank tie-up for remittances DUBAI (PTI) -- emirates NbD, a leading bank in the region, launched as part of its NRi services, a special online remittance facility for its indian clients in association with Mumbai-based HDFC bank. indian nationals residing overseas can avail this facility to remit funds directly into their HDFC bank accounts through emirates NbD's online banking service.

The special remittance service will process all transactions and credit funds into the beneficiary's HDFC bank account, provided they have been requested before 12 noon on working days common to the uae and india (Monday - Thursday). For transactions requested post noon, the funds will be credited by the next working day at the same value, a statement here said. "indians not only constitute one of the largest demographic client bases for emirates NbD, but are also the expatriate community with the largest volume of overseas remittances to their home country. Despite the global financial crisis, overseas remittances to india from migrant workers touched uSD 55 billion in 2009, making the country the world's top remittance earner," emirates NbD Group Deputy CeO Jamal bin Ghalaita said.

Sensex tumbles 172 pts on Greece debt woes PTI MuMbai, May 3

The stock market fell 172 points today mirroring weakness in european stocks over concerns if the uSD 146 billion eu-iMF package approved Sunday to rescue debt-riddled Greece would work.

The National Stock exchange's wide-based 50-share Nifty index too fell 1.05 per cent to settle at 5,222.75 points.

Stocks belonging to metal sector were the worst hit, with Sterlite falling 2.40 per cent, Hindalco by 2.75 per cent and Tata Steel by 1.66 per cent.

Funds and investors booked profits at existing higher levels pulling the barometer index, Sensex, down by 0.98 per cent or 172.63 points to 17,386.08.

growing, travel is picking-up and with the marriage season around the corner, our sales should pick-up considerably this month. i am confident of a top-line growth of 15 per cent this fiscal," Piramal said. earlier, much of the sales was concentrated during the marriage season but now with travel around the year, theseasonality (dependence on the marriage season) is not much, he said. "We have already reduced our debt from Rs 130 crore to Rs 80 crore. We are on track to become a zero-debt company in the next two-years," Piramal said.

The company is presently in the midst of finetuning its road-map for the next three to five years.

"Our strategy is to strengthen our existing business and eliminate any weaknesses. We want to ramp-up our institutional sales and focus on items such as handbags and bag-packs, among others," he said.

teaches at Columbia university in the uS, visited india last month and expressed his willingness to chair a task force being set up by NaFeD on use of science and nanotechnology to boost agricultural production and prevent damage to food grain.

Referring to NaFeD's decision to distribute high-yielding seeds developed by the bhabha atomic Research Centre (baRC) to farmers, he said 'high yielding will stop the decline in agricultural production and can ensure food security'. baRC, under its nuclear agriculture and biotechnology division, developed 38 new seeds by combining mutation and recombination breeding techniques.

These include 20 oil seeds (groundnut-14, mustard-3,

Bank of America gets new MD

PTI aHMeDabaD, May 3

bank of america has appointed asit bhatia as its new Managing Director for Corporate and investment banking in india. bhatia, who has re-joined the banking major after leaving in late 2009, would be based in Mumbai, according to industry sources.

He would report to Country Head for india Kevan Watts and Jayanti bajpai, Co-Head of asiaPacific Corporate & investment banking and the new head of asia-Pacific Corporate banking. in the new role, bhatia would be responsible for the coverage of select clients across india, working closely with investment banking, global markets and corporate banking teams, industry sources said. bhatia left the bank late last year after serving in various positions, including as head of the corporate coverage team at bank of america in india, where he was responsible for marketing, origination and execution.

The bilateral trade between india and brazil is expected to cross uSD 6 billion this year, according to brazilindia Chamber of Commerce.

"The bilateral trade between india and brazil is expected to cross the uSD 6 billion mark this year", President brazil-india Chamber of Commerce, Roberto Paranhos said while speaking at indo-brazil meet organised by Cii here. We are aiming to cross uSD 10 billion mark in trade by 2012 as many companies in both the nations are exploring the possibilities of forming joint ventures, he added. "in order to get a strong foothold in asia, brazil is viewing india as an ideal location," he said.

The braziliancompanies have invested close to uSD 600 million in india so far, while the firms from india

indian companies have been found wanting when it comes to filing their statutory statements, with 54 percent of them not furnishing their balance sheets and annual returns with the authorities, according to official statistics. as many as 370,196 companies did not file their balance sheets with the Registrar of Companies (ROC) in 2008-09 while 371,110 firms did not furnish their annual returns,

Aban Offshor, 1200, 1200, 1161.1, 1166.3 Abb Ltd., 785, 785, 741.2, 744.65 Abg Shipyard, 264.6, 264.6, 260, 262.55 Acc Limited, 904, 908, 892.55, 903.7 Adani Enterp, 559.9, 575.35, 552, 568.05 Aditya Birla, 820, 829.9, 818, 821.5 Allahabad Ba, 163.75, 164.4, 158, 159.55 Alstom Proje, 608.5, 618.5, 605, 605.8 Ambuja Cemen, 118.3, 121.3, 118.3, 120.4 Andhra Bank, 131, 133.25, 130.6, 131.65 Ansal Prop &, 81, 81.5, 80.15, 80.85 Ashok Leylan, 60.5, 61.9, 59.45, 60.75 Asian Paints, 2070, 2095, 2063.6, 2084.25 Axis Bank Li, 1268, 1282.95, 1252, 1260.5 Bajaj Hindus, 125.5, 126.65, 123.8, 124.4 Bank Of Baro, 688.25, 711, 685.25, 708.25 Bank Of Indi, 379, 383.85, 376.3, 381.95 Beml Limited, 1045, 1054.8, 1035, 1038.05 Bharat Elect, 1818, 1848, 1805, 1822.85 Bharat Forge, 274, 275.9, 270.5, 272.35 Bharat Petro, 521, 527.95, 515.2, 519.2 Bharti Airte, 298, 299.9, 295.2, 297 Bhel, 2470, 2494, 2457, 2468.5 Bhushan Stee, 1770, 1778.9, 1736, 1746.1

Corporate affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said. in the year before, their numbers stood at 3,03,230 and 3,07,236 respectively, the minister said in a written reply.

Out of all private and public firms operating in the country, a total of 677,095 were required to file these returns in 2008-09 and 6,18,674 in the year before. 'The annual returns and balance sheets for 2009-10 are not yet due for filing,' the minister said.

Biocon Limit, 301.05, 302.3, 294.6, 296.1 Bombay Dyein, 578, 581, 573, 576.9 Bosch Limite, 4850, 4883.95, 4831, 4859.45 Brigade Ente, 142.85, 144, 140.5, 142.7 Cairn India, 314.9, 321.3, 312.8, 317.5 Canara Bank, 432, 432, 409.65, 428.35 Central Bank, 162, 162, 145.55, 148.05 Century Text, 521.25, 530.8, 506, 509.85 Cesc Ltd, 407, 410.05, 400.1, 401.45 Chambal Fert, 64.75, 65.85, 64.1, 64.7 Chennai Petr, 276.6, 281.95, 276.6, 278.1 Cipla Ltd, 345, 345, 336.55, 337.65 Colgate Palm, 747.05, 771, 740.95, 760.45 Container Co, 1289, 1338, 1276.1, 1322.75 Crompton Gre, 264, 266.5, 258.4, 260.85 Cummins Indi, 575.85, 581.7, 565, 569.25 Dabur India, 181, 186.8, 177.35, 181.9 Deccan Chron, 151, 153.9, 148.1, 152.75 Dish Tv Indi, 35.95, 38.5, 35.8, 38.05 Divi’s Labor, 665, 677.1, 662, 664.95 Dlf Limited, 307, 311, 305.1, 307 Dr. reddy’s, 1257, 1265.35, 1232.35, 1239.15 Edelweiss Ca, 407, 414, 407, 409.5

PTi baNGaLORe, May 3

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt Ltd (TKM) announced today it has registered a 77 per cent increase in its sales in april 2010, as compared to the same month last year. it sold 6001 units, including 922 of Fortuner, last month, as compared to 3386 units in the year-ago period, TKM said.

Cumulative sales for the period January-april 2010 stand at 24,894 units, recording an increase of 95 per cent over the same period last year. During this time, Fortuner sold 3892

India, Brazil trade touch $ 6b

PTI NeW DeLHi, May 3

Indian Cos not filing returns Agency NeW DeLHi, May 3

soybean-2 and sunflower-1,) 15 pulses (green gram or moong-7, black gram-4, pigeon pea or tur-4) and one each cowpea (chowli), rice and jute seeds. bose also conceived and implemented an easy markets scheme, 'farm gate to homegate' in Delhi, Chennai and Kochi as a price control intervention, when the prices of the essential commodities sky rocketed a few months ago.

NaFeD plans to extend this initiative to other states, gradually. 'under the farm gate to home gate' scheme, NaFeD procures essential commodities from farmers directly and sell them to people, eliminating intermediaries who make the process expensive.'

TKM registers 77 % growth

JLLM bags Wipro contract PTI NeW DeLHi, May 3

Real estate consultant Jones Lang LaSalle Meghraj (JLLM) today said it has bagged a contract from iT major Wipro for managing the latter's 2.3 million sq ft of space in bangalore, Mysore and Mumbai. "Riding high on its recent successes with indian corporates such as Max india Group and Lavasa (of HCC group), Jones Lang LaSalle's integrated Facilities Management india team has won a facilities management contract with Wipro Technologies,"

Educomp Solu, 680, 702.6, 671.15, 694.7 Eih Limited, 127.8, 129.9, 124.55, 126.05 Engineers In, 2450, 2486, 2422.5, 2426.8 Essar Oil Lt, 138.8, 142.7, 137.5, 142.1 Essar Shippi, 91.45, 94.2, 90.3, 90.95 Exide Indust, 122.2, 124.5, 119.1, 119.7 Federal Bank, 292, 294.4, 290, 291.55 Financial Te, 1555, 1577, 1538, 1543.75 Gail (india), 424, 430, 424, 428.05 Gammon India, 223.9, 223.9, 218.15, 219.05 Glaxosmithkl, 1919, 1924.9, 1895, 1898.5 Glenmark Pha, 280, 302.4, 276.3, 279.45 Gmr Infrastr, 66, 66.15, 64, 64.5 Godrej Indus, 167.5, 167.5, 162.3, 163.15 Grasim Indus, 2720, 2729.2, 2665, 2673.25 Great Offsho, 465.3, 476.9, 462.05, 467.5 Gtl Infra.Lt, 41.1, 41.85, 40.5, 40.7 Gujarat Mine, 136, 136.6, 133.35, 133.9 Gujarat N R, 91.9, 91.9, 87.25, 87.75 Gujarat Stat, 95.4, 96.15, 94.15, 95.1 Gvk Pow. & I, 45, 46.1, 45, 45.3 Hcl Technolo, 390, 394.2, 385.15, 389.4 Hdfc Bank Lt, 1985, 1985, 1962.1, 1969.8 Hdfc Ltd, 2799.95, 2849, 2793, 2801.6

Hero Honda M, 1900, 1944.2, 1881.2, 1920.5 Hindalco in, 176, 176.7, 171.4, 172.95 Hindustan Co, 131.5, 131.9, 124.75, 126.45 Hindustan Ma, 78.75, 79.45, 77.5, 78.55 Hindustan Pe, 313, 327.5, 313, 322.5 Hindustan Un, 240.9, 240.9, 232.8, 233.75 Hindustan Zi, 1236, 1238.4, 1211.15, 1216.35 Housing Dev, 272, 272, 260.6, 262.25 Icici Bank L, 946.1, 957.95, 933, 936.9 Idea Cellula, 61, 63.9, 60.8, 63.75 Ifci Ltd, 52.7, 53.4, 51.5, 51.85 India Cement, 123.1, 124.9, 122.25, 123.05 India Infoli, 108.4, 112.3, 107.7, 109.9 Indiabulls F, 154, 166.5, 151.8, 154.1 Indiabulls R, 168.5, 176.9, 166.2, 174.3 Indian Bank, 223.5, 226, 215.4, 222 Indian Hotel, 107.75, 109.5, 107, 108.05 Indian Oil C, 294, 308.45, 289.8, 305.45 Indian Overs, 95.5, 97.2, 94.7, 96.2 Indus Dev Ba, 126, 128.9, 124.25, 125.4 Indusind Ban, 191.55, 196.75, 188.25, 189.6 Infosys Tech, 2708, 2714.95, 2682, 2694.9

made an investment to the tune of uSD 1.5 billion in brazil, Paranhos said.

Major brazilian investments in india so far is the joint venture-TataMarcopolo, between Tata Motors and Marcopolo of brazil, which has a facility near bangalore, he said. a delegation from brazil came calling to Gujarat to explore possibilities of joint ventures with the firms here in sectors such as agriculture equipment, textiles, oil and gas,pharmaceuticals and had talks with the management of the firms.

Cheap foodgrains not feasible: Govt PTI NeW DeLHi, May 3

Government today rejected the Opposition demand for universalisation of the PDS, stating cheap foodgrains to all families would mean unsustainable annual food subsidy, which was presently Rs 65,000-70,000 crore. "if we universalise the public distribution system (PDS), the government will have to procure 70 million tonnes, which has never been done. it never went beyond 54 million tonnes," Food and agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said in the Rajya Sabha.

This year the government has almost procured 54 million tonnes, which is a record.

Replying to a discussion on the working of his ministry, Pawar said food subsidy which used to be Rs 18,000-Rs 19,000 crore has gone up to Rs 70,000 crore.

"The demand is that we should not raise the issue price (at ration shops) for the aPL (above Poverty Line) families, but cover them under universalisation of the PDS...where will the subsidy come from," he asked. aPL families are getting ration supplies at the 2002 price, whereas the minimum support price at which the government procures the grain

HDFC FY 10 PAT up 24% PTI MuMbai, May 3

Deepak Parekh-led home-loans lender, HDFC, clocked a 24 per cent jump in its profit after tax (PaT) at Rs 2,826.49-crore in Fy 10 as against Rs 2,282.54crore in the year-ago period.

The company's board of Directors has recommended a dividend of Rs 36 per equity share as against Rs 30 in the previous year, it said. The board has also approved a proposal to sub-divide the face-value of its equity shares from Rs 10 to Rs 2 per share with a view to increase retail participation in the company's equity shares, the release said. This means that for every share of Rs 10 held by a shareholder, the company will now offer five shares of Rs 2 each.

This will, however, be subject to shareholder approval at its annual general meeting. in Q4 Fy 10, HDFC's PaT jumped 26 per cent to Rs 926.38-crore as against Rs 733.37-crore in the Infra. dev., 169.4, 170.1, 167.35, 168.15 Ispat Indust, 20, 20.2, 19.75, 19.85 Itc Ltd, 261.25, 266.6, 261.25, 264.95 Ivrcl Infras, 181.35, 182.3, 175.1, 175.9 Jai Corp Lim, 259.4, 262.75, 256, 258.9 Jaiprakash A, 146.8, 146.8, 143.1, 144.4 Jet Airways, 534, 534, 517, 521.75 Jindal Saw L, 218, 218.3, 213.1, 213.9 Jindal Steel, 743.45, 743.45, 728.35, 730.8 Jsw Steel Li, 1224, 1237, 1208.7, 1221.85 Kotak Mahind, 740, 750.5, 734.3, 738.55 Lakshmi Mach, 2015.05, 2070, 2005, 2023.4 Lanco Infrat, 64, 64.9, 63.1, 63.55 Larsen & Tou, 1603, 1604, 1575.9, 1591.9 Lic Housing, 956, 970.8, 947.6, 954.85 Lupin Limite, 1723.85, 1773.9, 1697, 1766.45 Mahanagar Te, 71.1, 72.1, 70.6, 71.05 Mahindra & M, 525, 535.65, 521.1, 525.25 Maruti Suzuk, 1275, 1294.25, 1263.35, 1281.45 Max India Lt, 178.5, 183, 176, 179.25 Maytas Infr., 203.4, 205.8, 201.15, 204.3 Moser-baer (, 72.8, 74.15, 72.1, 73.25

year-ago period. The lender's loan-book stood at Rs 97,967crore in end-Fy 10 as against Rs 85,198-crore in the yearago period, up 15 per cent.

"During the year, HDFC sold loans amounting to Rs 5,755crore -- together with these loans, the growth in the loanbook would have been higher at 22 per cent," the release said.

Loan approvals in Fy 10 grew 23 per cent at Rs 60,611-crore as compared to Rs 49,166crore in the year-ago period while loan disbursements rose 27 per cent at Rs 50,413-crore as against Rs 39,650-crore, the release said. in Fy 10, cumulative loan approvals and disbursements stood at Rs 2,98,061-crore and Rs 2,42,219-crore, respectively. ns lender also managed to reduce its gross non-performing loans marginally to 0.79 per cent of its portfolio as against 0.81 per cent in the previous year.

Mrpl, 75.85, 77.85, 75.75, 77.1 Nagarjuna Co, 192, 192, 182.05, 184.7 Nagarjuna Fe, 33.5, 33.5, 32.3, 32.7 National Alu, 408.15, 417.7, 405.1, 414.3 Neyveli Lign, 150.5, 152.55, 150.05, 151.6 Ntpc Ltd, 206.4, 208, 204.55, 204.95 Oil And Natu, 1050, 1058.7, 1043.75, 1047.6 Omaxe Limite, 94.5, 96.15, 93.2, 95.1 Oriental Ban, 351.1, 353, 346, 347.4 Pantaloon Re, 419, 430, 417.2, 427.9 Parsvnath De, 125.05, 127.3, 123, 124.25 Petronet Lng, 81.5, 84, 80.5, 83.75 Power Fin Co, 269.5, 271.45, 266, 269.9 Power Grid C, 109.95, 109.95, 109.1, 109.35 Praj Industr, 96, 96.75, 93.5, 94.4 Punj Lloyd L, 165.1, 165.95, 162.2, 163.2 Punjab Natio, 1000, 1039.8, 1000, 1029.85 Rajesh Expor, 125, 125.3, 122.9, 123.25 Ranbaxy Labs, 443, 453.7, 437.5, 451.8 Rashtriya Ch, 83.7, 83.7, 82.1, 82.7 Rel. nat. re, 70.9, 73.4, 70.2, 72.8 Reliance Cap, 737, 737, 723.5, 732.55 Reliance Com, 163.8, 166.45, 162.4, 164.05 Reliance Ene, 922, 968.72, 922, 933

from farmers has almost doubled since then, the minister said. The Left and other Opposition parties have been demanding that both bPL (below Poverty Line) and aPL be treated at par and be given equal quantity of foodgrains at equal subsidy.

Since 1998, under the targeted PDS, while bPL families are given 35 kgs per month of rice or wheat at a much lower price, aPL families get 10-15 kgs at the price which is almost equivalent to the rates government pays to the farmers. about the much talked about Right to Food Security bill, under which the bPL families would get fixed quantity of wheat or rice at Rs 3 per kg, Pawar said the Centre would take states would into confidence, before putting it in the public domain.

"The states have full responsibility in this regard," he said, adding the Planning Commission has also to come up on the exact number of the bPL families. "Government will go by the Planning Commission figures," he said. On suggestions of providing cash rather than foodgrains to bPL families to plug the leakages, the minister said it was debatable whether the desired results could be achieved with the experiment, he said.

BOARD MEETINGS

ABc Bearings India glycols Orient Paper AP Paper Int Trvl House Paushak Atharv James Hotels Permanent Mag Ayoki Merc Jindal South Jindal Steel Religare Technova clio Infotech Jindal Steel Sarthak Inds Dwarikesh Sugar Josts engr Syndicate Bank First Leasing JVL Agro Inds TTK Prestige garden Silk Kappac Pharma Turbotech engr Hindustan Tin neptune expo Wabco TVS India HMT nR Agarwal

Reliance Ind, 828.5, 833.95, 821.3, 825.4 Reliance Ind, 1026, 1032.6, 1018.1, 1023.75 Reliance Pow, 163, 163.85, 160.15, 161.25 Rolta India, 188.1, 188.8, 184.55, 185.85 Satyam Compu, 94.9, 96.4, 93.2, 93.85 Sesa Goa Ltd, 426.9, 426.9, 400.7, 402.2 Shipping Cor, 163.9, 165.8, 163.1, 164.9 Siemens Ltd, 705.8, 710.1, 691.1, 698.95 Sintex Indus, 323.9, 323.9, 316.65, 319.6 Sobha Develo, 307.5, 315.95, 305, 307.15 State Bank O, 2290, 2305, 2277.05, 2297.15 Steel Author, 217.8, 221.1, 216.2, 218.6 Sterlite Ind, 826, 826, 802, 808.7 Sun Pharmace, 1574, 1595, 1562, 1573.4 Sun Tv Netwo, 428, 428, 422.05, 424.7 Suzlon Energ, 69.1, 69.9, 68.35, 69.3 Tata Communi, 269, 274.9, 269, 272.45 Tata Consult, 761.25, 771.4, 754.1, 766.8 Tata Motors, 871, 882.7, 847.65, 854.45 Tata Power C, 1364, 1364, 1336.2, 1340.85 Tata Steel L, 610, 617.85, 604, 607.05

Source: Indiainfoline.com

Tata Tea Ltd, 1074, 1075.85, 1040, 1044.3 Tata Teleser, 23.15, 23.4, 22.8, 22.95 Tech Mahindr, 770.1, 788, 770.1, 775.25 The Ge Shpg., 332.65, 332.65, 323, 325.05 The Phoenix, 214.9, 217.9, 211, 211.75 Thermax Ltd, 715, 734.75, 710, 716 Titan Indust, 2145, 2207.4, 2110, 2189.75 Torrent Powe, 301.4, 318, 300, 313.75 Triveni Engg, 112.5, 113.25, 109.7, 110.55 Tv18 India L, 82, 83.2, 81.4, 81.75 Uco Bank, 70.5, 73.4, 70, 72.35 Ultratech Ce, 985, 999.8, 952.1, 955.5 Union Bank O, 310.25, 310.25, 302.55, 303.8 Unitech Ltd, 83.9, 84.8, 82.4, 82.95 United Phosp, 169, 177.8, 166.6, 172 Videocon Ind, 117, 117, 114.55, 115.55 Vijaya Bank, 53.7, 56.2, 53.1, 55.85 Voltas Ltd, 180, 182.35, 177, 177.85 Welspun Guj, 269, 273.9, 266.5, 271.25 Wipro Ltd, 668.9, 678.75, 660, 674.65 Yes Bank Lim, 284.75, 289.85, 282.2, 286.95 Zee Entertai, 301, 305, 296.5, 298.55

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GOA, TUESDAY, 4 MAY, 2010

India’s manufacturing Industry expands at slow pace

ReuteRs MuMbai, May 3

india's manufacturing expanded at a slower pace for the second month in a row following a drop in new orders and output, backing further away from a 20-month-high hit in February, a survey showed on Monday.

The HSbC Markit Purchasing Managers' index , based on a survey of 500 companies, fell to 57.2 in april from 57.8 in March. a figure above 50 means activity is expanding and it has been above that level for 13 months.

The data still signalled significant strength in india's manufacturing sector, underscoring the double-digit gains in official industrial output figures in recent months, the survey said. "although this slip indicates that operating conditions improved at a weaker

rate during the latest survey period, the latest reading still signalled a considerable strengthening in the health of the industry," survey com-

growth in their cost burdens in an attempt to defend profit margins."

Output and new orders indexes remained above 60

and accelerating economic growth. The output price index rose for a second month in a row to 55.8 from 54.6. it has risen nearly four

piler Markit said.

"Prices charged for indian manufacturers rose at a marked pace during april, as firms responded to further

and employment showed modest growth in april after stagnating the month before, supported by greater production requirements

points since February.

The backlogs of work index spiked to an all-time high thanks to new orders, delays in delivery times and

LAUNCH PAD

Tata launches Indica Vista Drivetech4

Carrefour closes on India deal ReuTeRS MuMbai/PaRiS, May 3

PAnJIM (HBD)-- Tata Motors launched an all-new indica vista range, the indica vista Drivetech4, with a host of new features and a thrilling driving experience, to take the encouraging market response to the company’s new generation car to a new high.

The bS-4 compliant indica vista Drivetech4 has a specially designed eurotech gearbox perfectly mated to the vista Drivetech4 Quadrajet diesel and Safire petrol engines. it ensures higher torque at low RPMs, minimal vibration, precise gear shifting, longer engine life and cooled exhaust gas recirculation for lower emissions. all these together result in superior handling, exciting zip and a never-before driving experience. The same degree of refinement and driveability is also being offered on bS-3 engines.

The other new features include a 4-spoke tilt-adjustable steering wheel and height-adjustable driver’s seat enabling customised driving positions. The flexible 60:40 flip and fold rear seat lends added space for multiple needs. The fully integrated 2-Din stereo system with blue 5 and uSb port enhance entertainment and communication convenience. Dual airbags (driver and passenger) and abS (anti-lock braking System) make it one of the safest cars on indian roads. The indica vista Drivetech4 series, though in the premium b segment, has been competitively priced, starting respectively from Rs 3.57 lakhs for the Safire petrol range and from Rs 4.4 lakhs for the Quadrajet diesel range (ex-showroom, Delhi) Tata Motors is india's largest automobile company, with consolidated revenues of Rs 70,938.85 crores ($ 14 billion) in 200809. Through subsidiaries and associate companies, Tata Motors has operations in the uK, South Korea, Thailand and Spain. among them is Jaguar Land Rover, the business comprising the two iconic british brands. it also has an industrial joint venture with Fiat in india. With over 4 million Tata vehicles plying in india, Tata Motors is the country’s market leader in commercial vehicles and among the top three in passenger vehicles. it is also the world's fourth largest truck manufacturer and the second largest bus manufacturer. Tata cars, buses and trucks are being marketed in several countries in europe, africa, the Middle east, South asia, South east asia and South america.

Yes Bank introduces Version 2.0 MuMBAI (HBD) -- yes bank, india’s new age private sector bank, has embarked on its journey into the next phase of growth, and launched the bank’s version 2.0 – the take-off. Rana Kapoor, founder/managing director and CeO, along with his top management team, today announced the roll-out of a strategic blueprint for the bank, to further accelerate its business growth with the objective to achieve a balance sheet size of inR 150,000 crores, a pan india branch network of 750 with a human capital base 12,000 by 2015.

Kapoor, said, “We concluded version 1.0 of yes bank on March 31, 2010, and we have relentlessly surged ahead with utmost dedication, passion and commitment, backed by a differentiated financial and business model to achieve sustained growth”. yes bank has successfully pursued counter cyclical strategies during Fy09 & Fy10, including investing in relationship development, human capital, infrastructure – branches, aTMs and creative technologies, and brand building, along with capital raising initiatives such as the maiden Qualified institutions Placement (QiP) in January 2010 (inR 1034 crores).

The bank has prepared an effective execution driven strategy for all businesses revolving around the key objectives like liabilities mobilization, sustainable/diversified revenue generation, optimal risk management, effective cost management and finest human capital management. However, the integrated branch banking and commercial business which includes emerging corporates, SMe and retail customers will be the key growth and value drivers in version 2.0.

The bank will also continue its focus on the key sunrise sectors such as food and agri, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, media and entertainment, infrastructure, engineering, and tap many more emerging sectors of the indian economy. it will also focus on the granularity of liabilities management through a focused strategy by also pursuing non-linear growth opportunities such as the recent partnership with nokia to launch the first-of-its-kind, ‘yes Mobile Money Services’, which will establish a platform to enable transfer of money using the mobile. in accordance with this the bank has recently launched two significant Programs that will significantly augment its business development initiatives - yes first business and yes prosperity business. These comprehensive service-driven, segmented programs have been custom-designed for emerging indian companies and SMes, and are powered by a wide range of current account solutions, best-in-class technology and payment facilities and valueadded knowledge advisory.

Future Group, india's largest retailer, is close to signing a deal with Carrefour to open stores under the French retailer's name, senior Future Group officials said on Monday.

Their comments came after business newspaper the Mint said Future Group, with chains such as Pantaloon Retail and big bazaar, will open Carrefourbranded franchise stores in india under an agreement with the French group.

Citing people familiar with the development, the paper

said Future Group plans to open between 150 and 300 Carrefour-branded hypermarkets in the next five years. a spokeswoman for Carrefour in Paris declined to comment on the report.

Future Group CeO Kishore biyani, referring to persistent media reports of a possible tieup between the two he said: "We have not commented on

this so far and whenever there is something we will make an announcement." but company sources said a statement could be made within days.

Carrefour, which has been looking to break into the restrictive india market for seven years, said in February it was in talks with indian firms as potential partners, but declined to name them. "if Carrefour finally strikes a deal in india, it will be positive on the medium term, in three to five years," said Jean-Marie Lhome, an analyst at brokerage aurel, noting traditional mar-

kets in india still account for around 80 percent of retail spending there.

Cedric Lecasble at Kepler equities said: "The indian market would represent today only 1 percent of (Carrefour's potential) revenue in five years' time." Foreign firms are prohibited from owning multi-brand retail in india which has been the rule so far.

SAIL to set up new port in Orissa

power cuts, suggesting inflation pressures may mount further. india's wholesale price index inflation hit a 17month-high of 9.9 percent in March prompting the central bank to raise its key interest rates and bank reserve requirements by 25 basis point each in april. Top policymakers have indicated that inflationary pressures will ease in the coming months but there are many sceptics. "in our view, india is in for a protracted period of rate hikes, the extent of which will surprise most forecasters," said Robert Prior-Wandesforde, senior asian economist at HSbC. analysts expect the Reserve bank of india to tighten policy further, raising the repo rate , at which the central bank lends to banks, by 100 basis points to 6.0 percent by the end of December from the current 5 percent.

Century to restart shipping biz ReuteRs

MuMbai, May 3

Diversified Century Textiles & industries Ltd plans to restart its shipping business, which it had shut down about 8 years back, due to a buoyant shipping industry.

"We had closed the business 7-8 years back due to market conditions. We are now considering restarting it," RK Dalmia, senior president at Century Textiles said.

"We had sold all our vessels back then, so we do not have any vessels at present," he said.

The firm had not set aside an investment for the business as it would have to obtain shareholders approval for restarting the venture, he added. The annual general meeting for shareholder approval is scheduled to be held in July, the company said.

Century, whose Fy10 net grew 43 percent to 3.39 billion rupees on higher revenues, makes cement, denim, paper and yarn. its revenues and profits grew mainly due to the performance of its cement division, which contributes 60 percent of total sales. Cement profits grew 73 percent to 8.3 billion rupees in Fy10, but losses at its textiles and pulp and paper businesses weighed down on overall gains. Century is pumping in 20.25 billion rupees to expand cement capacity to 12.5 million tonnes annually by the end of calendar 2012 from 7.8 million tonnes now and another 16.6 billion rupees in its pulp and paper division to set up new plants and buy machinery.

Airline finances starting to look up: IATA Agency Geneva, May 3

airlines are faring better financially this year, with share prices and fares up, despite the volcanic ash that caused hardship in april, global airlines body iaTa said. in its latest financial snapshot, the international air Transport association said on Monday strong operating profits reported by major uS airlines in the first quarter augured well for the rest of the industry.

"Positive Q1operating profits in the uS is a good sign for the expected improvement in airline financial performance during 2010," the Geneva-based group said. iaTa, whose 230 airline members include british airways, Deutsche Lufthansa and Singapore airlines, estimated the six-day shutdown of much of european airspace last month cost carriers $1.7 billion in lost revenues. but, it said on Monday, markets were now keen on the sector, whose performance tends to be cyclically tied with the broad economy which is rebounding from financial crisis.

"even after iceland's volcanic ash plume airline share prices stood 15 percent up so far this year, compared to a 6 percent rise in the FTSe Global all Cap index. Financial markets remain bullish over future airline financial performance," iaTa's report said.

Last month, iaTa said demand for international air

freight and passenger travel accelerated in March, but would dip in april because of the volcanic disruption. its latest Financial Health Monitor said passenger travel was up at an annualised rate of 9 percent in the first quarter, with air freight volumes expanding at a 26 percent rate. air fares, a key driver of airline income, have also risen significantly on a seasonally

adjusted basis, iaTa said.

"Tighter supply-demand conditions, as load factors rise, have pulled average fares (and cargo rates) up," it said. "average economy fares are now 10 percent above their lows, while premium fares have risen 15 percent. However, both are only half-way to regaining the levels achieved in early 2008."

Oil prices have averaged $78 per barrel in 2010, just below the $79 per barrel iaTa is forecasting for this year.

With the aviation ind u s t r y showing a continued improvement in the past two years after the major impact it faced owing to the global recessions, it is now an accepted fact that more people are planning to travel, which unlike in the past two years there was a high level of reluctuncy to take a holiday or even fly to the native by expats spread over the world. but despite this postive trend in the sector, many airlines continue to show major dents in their profit ratios.

PtI bHubaneSWaR, May 3

With expansion of its units in eastern india in pipelines, public sector steel major, SaiL today evinced keen interest in setting up a port in Orissa, official sources said. a delegation of SaiL's top executives today met chief secretary T K Mishra and other senior officers here to seek the state government's assistance for the proposed port by the steel giant. "We have assured the SaiL officials of all help if they are keen for a port project," Chief Secretary T K Mishra said adding the proposed port would help the public sector to transport coal for its require ment. The proposed port having capacity of handling 20 million ton of cargo, to be located anywhere in the state's 48 km coastline, Mishra said.

The state government had asked SaiL to identify any of the 13 places already identified by the state's transport and commerce department.

Sebi seeks more transparency PtI MuMbai, May 3

The market regulator Sebi today asked credit rating agencies (CRas) to disclose their methodologies and fees charged from the companies they rate, a move that will promote greater transparency.

The disclosure guidelines, issued by Sebi against the backdrop of the recent global financial meltdown, require CRas to frame policies and a code of conduct to deal with the issues related to conflict of interest between their analysts and entities being rated.

Sebi said the CRas will have to ensure full compliance with the guidelines by June 30 and make mandatory disclosures twice annually.

The role of the rating agencies was questioned during the global financial meltdown as many of the

Central Bank aiming for 25% credit growth PtI MuMbai, May 3

State-owned Central bank of india is aiming for a credit growth at least 25 per cent this fiscal, a top bank official said.

"Last year (Fy 10), our credit growth was 23.5 per cent. This year our credit growth should be at least 25 per cent, higher than the industry average," Central bank's Chairman and Managing Director, S Sridhar said.

The bank would get a capital infusion of Rs 250-crore from the Government by May this fiscal to strengthen its Tier i capital, Sridhar said.

"We have received Rs 450crore capital infusion from the Government in Fy 10 and expect to get another Rs 250crore by May this fiscal. This amount will strengthen our Tier i capital," he said.

The public sector lender has sought another Rs 2,000crore capital infusion (from the World bank fund) from the Government in 2011-12 to strengthen its capital base.

"We have requested for recapitalisation of Rs 2,000-crore from the Government to strengthen our capital base. We expect to get this amount in 2011-12 in tranches -it will boost our capital adequacy," he said. The Government has entered into an agreement with the World bank for a loan of uSD 3.2-billion (around Rs 15,000-crore) to partly fund

Titan plans watch export to S Africa ReuteRs MuMbai, May 3

Watch and jewellery maker Titan industries Ltd plans to enter the South african market in a few months and sees nearly 10 percent of watch export revenues coming from there in 5 years, a top official said.

"We will shortly be entering South africa in the next few months, we have found a distributor there who will be our partner to enter the market," Managing Director, bhaskar bhat said. "in the next 5 years this market will contribute to as high as 10 percent of watch export revenues," he added.

Titan had earlier said it was exploring possibilities to expand its business in asia and South africa.

The firm, which retails watches under a range of brands including the premium Titan and the economy brand Sonata, plans to join an increasing number of consumer firms who are eyeing the african market as the next growth vehicle to boost growth. bhat also said the firm's capital expenditure for Fy11 had been raised to 1.5 billion rupees from 1 billion rupees announced earlier this year. "Our capex has been fixed at 150 crores (1.5 billion rupees from 100 crores (1 billion rupees) earlier. it will be mainly used for our manufacturing expansion plans," bhat said.

capital infusion plans of select banks.

The Central Cabinet cleared the proposal to infuse capital into state-run banks to help them maintain a minimum 8 per cent of Tier-i capital.

Central bank presently has 3,577 branches and 400 aTMs pan-india and plans to open 150 more branches and add 1,500 aTMs this fiscal, Sridhar said.

The bank clocked a 85 per cent growth in its net profit in Fy 10 at Rs 1,058-crore as against Rs 571-crore in the year-ago period. its gross income rose 19 per cent in Fy 10 at Rs 13,799crore as against Rs 11,525crore in the year-ago period. its net interest income expanded 14.2 per cent at Rs 2,545-crore as against Rs 2,228crore in the year-ago period.

The lender's net nPas fell to Rs 727-crore as at end-March 2010 from Rs 1,063-crore in the yearago period. its net nPa percentage as end-Fy 10 stood at 0.69 per cent. in Q4 Fy 10, the bank's net profit nearly trebled to Rs 171.6-crore from Rs 63-crore in the year-ago period. The bank's total income in the period rose to Rs 3,723.9-crore from Rs 3,150crore in the same period last year. "Our profits mostly came from treasury operations and retail during Fy 10.

We are very optimistic about this fiscal also," he said.

companies and their issues collapsed despite enjoying high ratings. as per the Sebi guidelines, the CRas will have to maintain records of the important factors underlying the credit rating and a summary of discussions with all the stakeholders involved as well as decisions of the rating committee, including voting details and notes of dissent.

"These records should be maintained till five years after maturity of instruments and be made available to auditors and regulatory bodies when sought by them," Sebi has been in a process of enhancing its due delligence recently and the new steps will enhance it to have a better control over the documents.

Sebi said in a circular, adding the CRas will also have to publish information about the historical default rates.

HSBC says Dubai World plan fair ReuteRs

Dubai, May 3

Dubai World's restructuring plan is "very fair" and could be signed by lenders in coming weeks, a senior executive at one of its major bank creditors said on Monday.

Simon Cooper, head of HSbC's Middle east operations, made the remarks on the sidelines of an HSbC trade survey launch.

"The proposal is very fair and a good way forward for the united arab emirates," Cooper said in remarks confirmed by a spokesman. "i see no reason why the signing won't be in a few weeks."

Dubai unveiled a $9.5 billion rescue plan for Dubai World and its property unit nakheel in March. Creditors to Dubai World are still in talks about the interest rate offer for the new debt issued under the plan. british bank HSbC is among a seven-member panel leading talks with the state-owned conglomerate.

Dubai World is said to offer lenders a 1 percent interest rate and 1 percent payment-in kind on two tranches of debt over a five- and eight-year period, but that proposal has received a lukewarm reception from lenders.

"Of course there are negotiations going on about the interest rates and all the terms," Cooper said.

Other british banks on the panel include Standard Chartered, Royal bank of Scotland and Lloyds.

Indo-Aussie co-operation looks at Mining Agency neW DeLHi, May 3

Mining and infrastructure, agribusiness, clean energy and water management are potential areas of cooperation between india and australia, australian Trade Minister Simon Crean said here Monday. 'australia is world leader in ore extraction and good mining practices and india can benefit by australian technology and experiences in resources management and exploration including clean technology,' Crean said.

Crean, who is on a six-day visit to india, will discuss the feasibility study on a free trade agreement (FTa) between india and australia with anand Sharma, his indian counterpart.

The two countries are likely to accept the study, setting the stage for formal negotiations on the FTa. 'The feasibility study has been completed. it is on a comprehensive FTa covering all sectors and goods. now, we are looking for political commitment to launching the FTa. We are focussing on opportunities and we want it to be a win-win for both the countries,' he said.

The study has been prepared by a joint group, set up in 2008 to explore possibilities of a FTa between the two countries.

The group includes officials

and academics from both australia and india.

Crean said australia-india interests converged on a number of issues, including the Doha Round of talks on freer world trade, climate change and the G20. bilateral trade between india and australia has reached $13 billion in 2008-09 and Crean called for its promotion. in a study released Monday, industry lobby FiCCi highlighted that india's current share in australia's total imports of services is lower than several competing countries in the asia-Pacific region.

Despite over 44 percent growth in services exports from india in 2008-09, its share in the australian services imports is still less than 1.5 pecent, the study pointed out.

'Trade in services is increasingly becoming an important component of australia's global trade. These (services) now constitute more than 20 percent of australia's total imports. Out of australia's worldwide services imports of 56.5 billion australian dollar in 2008-09, imports from india stood at 806 million australian dollar, significantly lower than imports from Singapore, new Zealand, Thailand, Hong Kong, China, indonesia and Malaysia,' it said.

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Pg14 GOA’S HEARTBEAT Towering Inferno with The Secrets to Together Forever Valour and Honour of life, but depth “ofIt islifenot length - Ralph Waldo Emerson

pangrunk, khata “Asa shinv - Anonymous

“

“

Tuesday, 4 May, 2010

email us at: goasheartbeat@herald-goa.com

Hidden behind curtains of smoke and sprays of water are the daredevils who fight one of the most intense of all disasters and save lives...without a murmur of a complaint. On the International Firefighters Day, Herald throws light on the lives and work of these unsung heroes

dernity has Though mo a rather its benefits, currence common oc day’s times noticed in to ity of longis the scarc iages. lasting marr ing the s While, pas buck when ding the comprehen failure may reasons for be an easy, ing the acknowledg re the truth is whe . Herald answers lie lling the

BY DOLCY D’CRUZ tries unrave successful, HERALD FEATURES secrets to a ill Death Do Us Part’ and the arriage enduring m

‘T

seven vows of marriage are how two people unite to say together for a lifetime, but on an average, how often does a marriage in today’s times last? In a world where the meaning of ‘together forever’ seems to have altered to suit individual fancies, it is rare to come across couple who have stayed together despite the trials of time.

“Trust is the foundation of any marriage. If there is trust, everything else falls in place,” says Cyril D’Cruz, who, along with his wife Deonizia, will be renewing their wedding vows on the occasion of their 25th wedding anniversary. Deonizia is quick to add, “Even patience and love is important.

If you don’t love someone, you won’t have the confidence to trust them.”

Cyril works abroad but makes it a point to come home and spend some loving moments with his family every three months, even if it is just for a week. “There are daily phone calls but it is a very different feeling spending time with the family. Time is a factor that can disrupt a family, so all have to contribute in keeping it together,” says the couple.

Another word of advice for the couple of today is that though fights are a part of any couple and family, it is important to understand how to handle such situations. Rather than having a screaming competition, let the other person vent out their anger and then sit down to assess the situations. “No matter what, never sleep over an argument. Always end it before the day ends or else it will only get worse,” advises Deonizia.

“There is a change in the value system of younger couples, especially when it comes to income issues. People don’t have the time or inclination to adjust and the concept of forgive and forget seems to not exist anymore.

People are now professionals and have individual mind sets and want their own space. They want to talk their mind in the relationship with no inclination of listening,” says Rajesh Dhume, Senior Psychiatrist of Asilo Hospital.

He further adds, “For a happy marriage, an equal amount of adjustments should be made; love is important and bonding is required. In today’s generation, all are working in different places and husbands and wives are far apart. They don’t give priority to their family and there is no bonding, which eventually takes a toll on the marriage. Now, both the man and woman are at par as both are professionals doing equal amount of work.

As they return home, they are both tired and have arguments. Rather than having their own way, coming to a mutual compromise would be the best way to handle certain situations.”

­H­O­R­O­S­C­O­P­E You can't achieve every goal you set. Failure will keep you humble -- and hungry. You need to be (21 Mar – 19 Apr) utterly shameless today -- which isn't too hard for you! Your colleagues are in your service more than anyone realizes, and you need to get them to do your bidding if you want to have fun today.

Hold on to the new intellectual connections you're making -- these are valuable. You may have to (23 Sep – 22 Oct) deal with a leash today - figuratively speaking, of course.

You generally aren't into harnesses or limits of any kind, and you need to speak your mind. If it comes from a friend, though, you may relent.

Recent weird behavior was meant to push your buttons. Call them on it.

It's one of those days (20 Apr – 20 May) when everything seems to be going along smoothly for you -- your reflexes and instincts are all serving you well! Make sure that you spend some quality time with someone you love.

Unexpected outbursts could threaten your concentration today -- prepare for a delay. Your (23 Oct – 21 Nov) savvy instincts are finely honed right now, and you should be able to get your friends to watch your back while you deal with whatever threat has appeared to challenge your supremacy.

Today, an intellectual influence in your life will inspire a captivating idea. You should be (21 May – 21 Jun) able to get your friends to help you today -- at some cost.

They may decide it's time to take over your life, and nobody loves being bossed around. It's still worth it!

Connect with a fellow human being today.

Make small talk with a smiling stranger. Your (22 Nov – 21 Dec) focus on the lively arts is striking today -- you may be singing quite early, putting on a show for your friends this afternoon and sitting down to watch the drama with your peeps this evening.

Money is flowing in at a nice pace, but this extra income could dry up soon. Save! Life might (22 Jun – 22 Jul) be a bit too much for you today, so see if you can get your friends to cover for you. All your major responsibilities should be covered, but you still need some approval.

It's not tedious to plan for the future, it's exciting. Think of the possibilities! Someone you (22 Dec – 19 Jan) like quite a bit finally warms up to the point where you can really tell what they think of you.

You hate uncertainty, so your relief is palpable and makes the neighborhood nicer.

A blow to your pride today will serve as a loud wake up call for someone else. Your desires (23 Jul – 22 Aug) are quite strong today, which might mean that your disappointment is equally strong! That's not to say you're sure to lose, only that you need to expect the people in your life to have other priorities.

Take advantage of a great day to make some changes. Update your appearance. You may want (20 Jan – 18 Feb) nothing more than to take care of one vitally important problem, but if you don't stay focused, you are sure to miss your big chance. If your colleagues think you're nuts, you're on the right track!

A direct assault on your way of thinking offers valuable insight. Be open-minded. You are (23 Aug – 22 Sep) having too much fun -or at least that's how it seems to one of your friends or family members. They may try to cut you off or do something else that's in your 'best interest.'

Positive energy makes you want to help lots of people. It's time to volunteer. You need to show (19 Feb – 20 Mar) how helpful you can be -- though it's not like your coworkers are really wondering whether you're worth your paycheck! You just want to help them take care of all their business today.

BY JANICE RODRIGUES HERALD FEATURES lames lapping up the walls of a building, the fire blazing and burning down anything that crosses its path… and amidst this chaos, a uniformed man emerges out of the inferno, carrying a person in his arms. The relief of the loved ones is a sight to behold.

"We, as fire fighters, serve to save, that is our motto," says Ashok Menon, Director of the Fire and Emergency Services, Goa. "When we are on the job, our first aim is to save as much as possible, be it life or property," adds Menon. A firefighter's job is a challenging one, something no education can prepare you for." A firefighter needs to have a presence of mind in every situation and should be ready to work at beck and call," says Menon. "There are no fixed work timings, the officers in charge are on duty for 24 hours," explains S V Palni, station officer-in-charge of Fire Station Verna. "When you are on duty, you can’t leave a job half done just because your work time is over," says Menon.

The courage that these men of honour exude is something that is worthy of praise. "There are situations on the field that you come across that no training has prepared you for, at that time, you have to think fast and be brave to go and

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save life or property," says Palni, who has been in the services since the last 33 years and has put out fires, both major and minor. "The one incident I recollect was when we got a call from a godown which was in flames and we rushed to the site. That was the most fierce fire I had seen, but then we managed to put it off," says Palni. Another firefighter, Eknath Naik, joined the service in 1975 and after 36 years of service has the experiences of fires in places all around the state, the worst of which was when some huts in Mapusa were in flames and he had to go in and do his job.

The fire services also extend their services to other emergency situations like natural disasters and accidents. "For this reason the Service is now called the 'Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services'," says Menon who had lead a team in 2001 when the Bhuj earthquake occurred.

The firefighter has to be a selfless person. "We are here to serve society and we do our jobs," says Palni. The best part of their job, they say, is when they are able to save lives.

"Life for a family is very important and when you see the faces of the family when you save their relatives, it brings a sense of achievement. Whatever the rewards may be, we do our duty," says R A Haldankar, Station Fire Officer, Fire Force Headquarters.

A firefighter has to go through various courses and rigorous training before being initiated into the service. "We have various courses at the Goa Fire Service Training Centre, with various durations, ranging from the basic to the advanced courses," says Menon. "Although the studies are very important, nothing compares to what you learn on the job," says Palni. Although there are courses available for people to join the firefighting line, there is still a dearth of Goan firefighters. "There is a dire need for more people to join the force, and even if they do not want to join the force, there are various other options in pharmaceutical and chemical factories which need firefighting officers, there are very few takers in Goa," says Menon.

As far as women are concerned, although it is not very feasible for them to join the firefighting line, there is a need for women to join the disaster management and fire prevention sectors.

Recongnising Literary Talent The Sahitya Puraskar 2008 go to Mukesh Thaly for Konkani essays, ‘Hansdhwani’ and to Vishnu Surya Wagh for Marathi poems ‘Sushegad’

HERALD FEATURES S Lewis, one of literature’s greats said, “Literature not only describes reality but also adds to it.” He is right in every context. What we read in books we long to create in reality and a few even work towards that longing. Literature changes the human being, who then changes the society. Besides serving its societal purpose, it also acts as food for thought to the imagination and can be a body of education by itself.

Konkani and Marathi literature has produced greats too, among which a number are from Goa. Shenoi Goembab, Damodar Atchut Kare, Bakibab Borkar, etc, come to mind when one thinks of litterateurs of the two languages.

Their talent and dedication is recognised by the people not only through their work but also through a dispensing of awards which act as an achievement stamp in their lives. The Kala Academy, pertaining to the aforementioned will organise a grand function to present the Sahitya Puraskar for the year 2008 to Mukesh Thaly for his Konkani collection of essays ‘Hansdhwani’ and to Vishnu Surya Wagh for his Marathi collection of poems ‘Sushegad’. The function will take place May 7 at 5:30pm at the Black Box, Kala Academy, Panjim.

Eminent theatre personality, Mahesh Elkunchwar from Nagpur will be the chief guest for the function and Pratapsingh Rane, chairman of the Kala Academy will preside over the function.

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Move over ‘3 Idiots’, ‘The 4th Idiot’arrives Not a sequel to the blockbuster movie ‘3 Idiots’ but an animated film inspired from it

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fter the success of Aamir Khan starrer ‘3 Idiots’, it is time for the ‘The 4th Idiot’. But make no mistake as this is not the sequel to the blockbuster but an animated film inspired from it. Produced and directed by Biswaroop Roy Chowdhry, ‘The 4th Idiot’ takes forward the story of the blockbuster film in animated form and will release on May 9.

“Phunsuk Wangdu (character played by Aamir Khan in 3 ‘Idiots’) is now the principal of the school.

The movie shows what the institution would be like,” said Chowdhry.

‘The 4th Idiot’ is the story of a boy, Pappu, who, by using the techniques taught by Aamir’s character in ‘3 Idiots’, achieves otherwise unachievable goals.

Pappu achieves 1st position in his school, gets the love of his life and even makes it to the moon.

‘The 4th Idiot’ also retains the Chatur Ramalingam (Omi Vaidya) of ‘3 Idiots’, who has done the narration for the animation flick.

Vaidya will also be singing a section of a song ‘Kar Bheje Ka Istemaal’ (Use Your Brain). The other song in the movie is ‘Har Taraf Se Hai Pressure’ (There Is Pressure From Every Side).

“This film is definitely inspired by ‘3 Idiots’. The awareness which was created by the ‘3 Idiots’, we have attempted to take it forward. The film is to tell the children that anything can be solved and achieved using your brain,” he said.

Conan O’Brien breaks Silence!

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t’s no secret that Conan O’Brien has been legally prohibited from appearing on television in any form since his nation-captivating ousting from NBC. That is, he was until yesterday.

The once and future late-night host was finally able to break his silence about his treatment by the network and his new gig.

“The biggest thing people come up and say to me in gas stations and restaurants, I have so many people say this to me, ‘Hey partner, you got screwed.’ And I always tell them, ‘No, I didn’t. I didn’t get screwed. I’m, I’m fine. It just, it didn’t work out.”

Conan was quite upset with NBC brass, particularly Jeff Zucker, who masterminded the switcheroo and who O’Brien has known since they were classmates at Harvard.

While he was initially given time and space to consider the option the network offered him, there was an almost immediate turnaround in tone, which is when O’Brien first began to feel that the environment was not the best for him.

“I really don’t like the way this is going,” he said. “And when it started to get toxic and I started to feel that I’m not sure these people even really want me here.”

And the chief reason for that, he and critics alike believe, was financial. But not because of any net loss. The Tonight Show was suffering under Conan’s reign.

Talking about life after his TV departure, Conan said, “I got very depressed at times. It was like a marriage breaking up suddenly, violently, quickly. And I was just trying to figure out what happened.”

Then along came the sold-out, still-running, star-studded Legally Prohibited From Being Funny On Television tour and his new gig on TBS. “I do not look down my nose at cable,” he said. “And I think anyone who does isn’t paying attention to television these days. ‘Because it is—this world is changing very quickly.

Lifestyle

Relationships

Sports

Business

Health

Art

Culture

Environment

GOA’S HEARTBEAT

Education

CURR

Tuesday, 4 May, 2010

WHAT’S UP IN GOA??

A creativity contest on graphic designing on the subject, ‘A new world…VISION 2050’ will be held from July 10 onwards. The last day for registrations is June 18. Call 9423885224 or 2225153. Visit www.mgmgoa.com.

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

The 8th Introduction to Kayaking and Training Program 2010, organised

by Goa Kayaking will take place from May 7 to 10 and May 14 to 17 at the Vainguinim beach, Dona Paula. Call 9422056037, 2223119 and 2462182.

E-mail goakayaking@gmail.com.

A 6-month part time training programme for pre-school teachers, organised by Sethu will run from the month of June to December 2010 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. The last date to register is May 15. Call 6513749. Email reachus@sethu.in.

‘Works on Paper I’ by five artists V Aadhi, P Hitesh, N Kanhaiya, C Rajesh and U Rajendra is being held till May 26 at the Tamarind Art Gallery, Calangute between 11am to 2pm and 3 to 8:30pm on all days except Mondays. Call 9822481481 or 6514796.

A Paintball Tournament, organised

by Splat, Goa’s first paintball arena in Anjuna is announced for the month of May. The age limit is 16 years and it is free and open to all. Call 9552929873 or 6451873.

A seminar titled, ‘Developmental Issues in Goa: A Media – Government Interface’ will take place on May 8 and 9 at the International Centre

repine

Meaning 1 : to feel or express dejection or discontent; complain 2 : to long for something Example Sentence Jina chose to repine about her marriage rather than work on it.

DAILY GROOK LIVE SURVIVE

by Francis Rodrigues many poor are dying as we aren't giving, both of us decrying the cost of living!

Travel

INGS email us at: goasheartbeat@herald-goa.com

Tourism

Artists interact at European Art Exhibition

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Photos by Janice Rodrigues

BY JANICE RODRIGUES HERALD FEATURES he European Art Exhibition at the ESG is a fine amalgamation of art from European countries such as Spain, France and Romania, along with some Indian artists. The organisers of the 15th European Film Festival have also organised this curated show of the works of artists who have lived in Goa; some of the works are a part of the personal collection of Rudolf Ludwig, from the Art Chamber. “In the way how we host the IFFI to facilitate the interaction of film makers, we have organised this event to bring together people who have various outlooks towards art, to help give a wider perspective to the Goan art lovers,” says Ludwig, who is one of the nine artists exhibiting their work here.

The only Indian artist participating is Srinivas Mangipudi, who is a part of the Indomia Project, a trio comprising of two other artists, Dirk Thienpoint from Belgium and Enith Perez from Peru. “The Indomia project is an experimental project where the three of us paint together on the same canvas,” says Srinivas.

About the exhibition, Srinivas says, “The exhibition is a means to facilitate the dialogue between artists from the different countries. Art is very diverse in the world and Goa has become a place where many artists and writers come and produce their works but not many are known of, this is a perfect way to make people aware of the various art forms.”

The art works of each artist displayed here is different in their own way. “Each of these works is a reflection of the life that the artists live. Art differs from place to place, while in India, most artists resort to brighter hues, the Europeans resort to lighter subtle colours,” says Luddwig.

To many artists, art is an expression of life. “Humans are driven by the need to survive, but art satisfies the insanity in life,” says Srinivas. “Art is a great gift to humans, it makes life beautiful. The renaissance ideas of life include truth, goodness and beauty and art satisfies the third criterion,” adds Ludwig.

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Srinivas Mangipud

Working Wonders on Paper

Instructions for Sudoku SUDOKU SOL 543 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

Photos by Herald

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A Beautiful Evening for Caculo Fans HERALD FEATURES waranjali’, organised by Caculo family in memory of Sridora Sinai Bobo Caculo, held at the Kala Academy, was a treat for music lovers. The best part of the concert was the ‘Jugalbandi’ presented by sitarist Ravindra Chari, Ratesh Tagde at the violin, Ustad Fazal Quereshi at the tabla and Shridhar Parthasarathy at the Mridangam. The love for classical music in Goans is multiplied when it comes to Natyasangeet.

Anuradha Kuber, Suresh Bapat, Nilakshi Pendarkar and Nilesh Shinde gave a proficient performance of songs from musical dramas. The programme started off with the artistes participating in a singing competition.

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SOUTH POLE

10:30 Crime Patrol 11:00 Godh Bharaai 11:30 Indian Idol 13:00 Godh Bharaai 13:30 C.I.D Classics 17:30 Indian Idol 19:00 Sukh By Chance 19:30 Godh Bharaai 20:00 C.I.D Classics 21:00 Indian Idol 22:30 Crime Patrol

10:00 Choti Bahu

Features

HERALD FEATURES he art exhibition titled ‘Works on Paper I’ currently on at the Tamarind Art Gallery, Calangute displays an interspersing of myriad colours, extracting a range of emotions from the viewer. It features five artists, V Aadhi, P Hitesh, N Kanhaiya, C Rajesh and U Rajendra and will be open to the public till May 26, 2010.

GARFIELD

10:00 Sabki Laadli Bebo 10:30 Saath Nibhana Saathiya 11:00 Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya 11:30 Behenein 12:00 Sapna Babul Ka ...Bidaai 12:30 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai 13:00 Tere Mere Sapne 13:30 Hamari Devrani 14:00 Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat 14:30 Behenein 15:00 Sajan Ghar Jaana Hai 5:30 Sapna Babul Ka ...Bidaai 16:00 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai 16:30 Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya 17:00 Sasural Genda Phool 17:30 Saath Nibhana Saathiya 18:00 Sabki Laadli Bebo 18:30 Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya 19:00 Saath Nibhana Saathiya 19:30 Sasural Genda Phool 20:00 Sajan Ghar Jaana Hai 20:30 Behenein 21:00 Sapna Babul Ka ...Bidaai 21:30 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai 22:00 Sabki Laadli Bebo

Parenting

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about Shakespeare is that he really is very good, in spite of all the people who say he is very good.”

– Robert Graves

Function Verb

Fashion

HERALD FEATURES elfless bravery is a trait very rare, and to felicitate this trait, the Ghanshyam Binani Foundation held the 9th National Ghanshyam Binani Children’s Award along with the Vatsalya Award 2009. The award ceremony was attended by the Governor of Goa Dr SS Sidhu and the Chief Minister, Digamber Kamat who felicitated the awardees.

The awards for bravery were given to Baby Jahanavi, 6, from Andhra Pradesh who saved her 10 month-old brother from a fire that engulfed 7 small dwellings, and Gaurav Singh Saini, 13, from Himachal Pradesh who rescued 60 people during a stampede at the Naina Devi Temple. The Award consists of a thematically designed silver medal engraved with the symbol of a pyramid and a crystal. Pyramid and Crystal are considered as an epitome of energy. The awardees also get a citation and a cash reward of Rs51,000 each.

The Vatsalya Award felicitates the efforts of Indian authors who write books for children in any of the 22 regional languages and consists of a citation from the Padma Binani Foundation along with a prize money of Rs1,00,000. Dhiruben Patel was felicitated for her outstanding contribution to children’s literature in Gujarati language. Through her 68 years of writing, Patel published novels, poetries, essays, plays, scripts and short stories in languages of Hindi, Gujarati and English. “My works are actually aimed at the parents who have to inculcate a love for the regional language in their children and to facilitate imagination, sensitivity and a sense of humour in children,” said Patel.

Funny Quote “ The remarkable thing

Pronunciation rih-PYNE

EN

PEN T HAP

Entertainment

Lauding our Young Bravehearts

LAFFS

WORD OF THE DAY

SUDOKU 544

Goa, Dona Paula. Call 2452805-10.

The presentation of the Sahitya Puraskar for the year 2008 will take place on May 7 at 5.30pm at the Kala Academy, Panjim. Call 2420452.

An invitation to young tabla and sitar players for participating in the inaugural function of the Commonwealth Games 2010, to be held at Delhi on October 3 is made by the Kala Academy, Panjim. The last date to register is May 5. Call 2420452.

‘Sobit Amchem Goem’, a festival of Goan music, dance and drama, organised by the Chicalim Youth Club will take place from May 6 to 9 at the Village Panchayat Ground, Chicalim. Call 9822120807.

Dance classes are being held by Dance Illusions on May 5, 6 and 7 in Panjim at Hotel Campal, in Margao at Jive and in Vasco at Flintstone, respectively. Call 9823014397 or 9890072074.

A preparatory Portuguese course, organised by the Goa Association of Teachers of Portuguese (GATP) will be held through the month of May at the Institute Cameos, Panjim. Call 2422237 or 6647737 The mango festival ‘Mango Mania – Return of the King’ is being held till June 10 at the Cidade de Goa Beach Resort, Dona Paula. Call 2454545 or 3041234.

Art and craft classes which will cover flower making, parchment and metal embossing are being conducted. Call 9822169608.

Candle making workshop of seven different types of candles will be held for kids and adults. Call 9850025287.

Tailoring classes will take place every Saturday and Sunday from 3pm to 6pm at Porvorim. Call 9765731003 or 2411828.

Information Technology

10:30 12/24 Karol Bagh 11:00 Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi 11:30 Pavitra Rishta 12:00 Do Saheliyaan 12:30 Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 13:00 Jhansi Ki Rani 13:30 Pavitra Rishta 14:00 Choti Bahu 14:30 Do Saheliyaan 15:00 Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi 15:30 12/24 Karol Bagh 16:00 Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 16:30 Choti Bahu 17:00 Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi 17:30 Jhansi Ki Rani 18:00 Pavitra Rishta 18:30 Ghar Ghar Mein 19:00 Do Saheliyaan 19:30 Choti Bahu 20:00 Jhansi Ki Rani 20:30 Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 21:00 Pavitra Rishta 21:30 Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi 22:00 12/24 Karol Bagh 22:30 Do Saheliyaan

10:00 Maniben.com 10:30 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta 11:15 Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo 12:00 Lapataganj 12:30 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta 13:00 Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo 13:30 Maniben.com 14:00 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta 14:30 Lapataganj 15:00 FIR 15:30 Jugni Chali Jalandar 16:00 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta 16:30 Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo 17:00 Gutar Gu 17:30 Lapataganj 18:00 FIR 18:30 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta 19:00 Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo 19:30 Lapataganj 20:00 Maniben.com

09:35 Soul Man 11:30 Alvin and the Chipmunks 13:25 The X Files: I Want to Believe 15:30 D-War: Dragon Wars 17:25 Meet the Spartans 19:10 Hitman 21:00 The Rock 23:40 The Fly

09:30 I Spy 12:00 Misery 14:15 Training Day 16:30 The Making of : Fred Claus 16:45 Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed 18:45 Rugrats Go Wild 20:30 TMZ 21:00 Beyond Loch Ness 23:00 Half Past Dead

09:00 Shastra 12:45 Krishna Cottage 16:00 Ilaaka 20:00 Kranti 23:45 Ankahee

09:30 Jai Ganesh Deva 12:30 Pyaar Mein Twist 16:00 Love Story 20:00 Sandwich 23:00 Hidalgo

11:15 Evening 13:35 The Quiet American 15:45 Phoenix

18:30 Dark Blue 21:00 Love & Sex 22:55 American Pie

08:30 Raghuveer 11:30 Mann 16:00 Jai Vikraanta 20:00 Don No. 1 23:00 Aap Ke Deewane

08:00 Anokha Bandhan 12:00 Awara Paagal Deewana 16:00 Watan Ke Rakhwale 20:00 Ram Teri Ganga Maili

E N T E R TA I N M E N T 20:30 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta 21:00 Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo 21:30 Jugni Chali Jalandar 22:00 Lapataganj 22:30 FIR

10:00 Dill Mill Gayye 10:30 Mile Jab Hum Tum 11:00 Jaane Pehchaane Se Yeh 11:30 Geet 12:00 Rang Badalti Odhni 12:30 Dill Mill Gayye 13:00 Jaane Pehchaane Se Yeh 13:30 Geet 14:00 Rang Badalti Odhni

14:30 Mile Jab Hum Tum 15:00 Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega 16:00 Laughter Ke Phatke 18:30 Dill Mill Gayye 19:00 Geet 19:30 Rang Badalti Odhni 20:00 Dill Mill Gayye 20:30 Jaane Pehchaane Se Yeh 21:00 Mile Jab Hum Tum 21:30 Geet 22:00 Rang Badalti Odhni 22:30 Jaane Pehchaane Se Yeh

11:00 CSI: Miami : Seeing Red 12:00 Masters of Illusion

13:00 The Amazing Race 14:00 Scare Tactics 15:00 Video Zonkers 17:00 The Amazing Race Asia 18:00 Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles 19:00 Masters of Illusion 20:00 Breaking The Magician's Code 21:00 So You Think You Can Dance : Top 8 Compete 23:00 Csi: Long Ball

10:00 Psych 11:00 V.I.P 12:00 The Bold and The Beautiful

12:30 Castle : Flowers for Your Grave 13:30 American Idol 14:30 Two and a Half Men 15:00 The Bold and The Beautiful 15:30 Psych 16:30 Friends 17:00 Castle 18:00 V.I.P 19:00 Friends 19:30 Two and a Half Men 20:00 Psych 21:00 Friends 21:30 Two and a Half Men 22:00 Castle : Nanny McDead

leading & Dance Championship 15:00 Barclays Premier League 09/10 : Sunderland vs.

Manchester United 17:00 Final Score 17:30 Simply the Best 18:00 Uca/uda College Cheer leading & Dance Champ 19:00 Premier League H/ls 20:00 Sportscenter India 20:30 Sportscenter Asia 21:00 Barclays Premier League 09/10 : Liverpool vs. Chelsea 22:00 Sportscenter India 22:30 Sportscenter Asia

09:30 European Individual Badminton Championships 2010 : Semi Final 1 11:00 European Individual Badminton Championships 2010 : Semi Final 2 12:00 European Individual Badminton Championships 2010 : Final 13:00 Internazionali Bnl D'italia 14:00 Barclays Premier League 09/10 : Liverpool vs. Hull City 16:00 TNA Xplosion 17:00 Hitz 17:30 Engine Block 2010 18:00 TNA Impact 20:00 Supa Strikas 20:30 Golf Focus 2010 21:00 Score Tonight 21:30 TNA Impact

11:30 Goalfest 12:00 Real NBA 12:30 UEFA Champions League 16:30 Mobil 1 The Grid 17:00 WWE: After Burn 18:00 Sports News 18:15 Moto GP H/ls

09:00 ICC World T20 2010 H/ls : Sri Lanka vs. Zimbabwe 10:00 ICC World T20 2010 H/ls : England vs. West Indies 11:00 Uca/uda College Cheer leading & Dance Championship 12:00 Barclays Premier League : Everton vs. Stoke City 14:00 Uca/uda College Cheer

07:30 Flavors 08:00 English News 09:00 Konkani News 10:00 Marathi News 11:00 Classical Music 12:00 Talking Talkies 12:30 Flavors 13:00 English News 14:00 Trendsetters 15:00 Divine Sitar 15:30 Revolutionz 16:00 HCN Smash Hitz 16:30 Flavors 17:00 Kids Club 17:30 Konkani Songs 18:00 Konkani News 19:00 Marathi News 20:00 English News 21:00 Summer T10 21:30 Kala Utsav By Young Artist 22:00 English News 23:00 Dance Goa Dance Note: Subject to change

HERALD CROSSWORD - 544 Across 1- According to the Bible, he was the first man; 5- Heroin, slangily; 9- Peruses; 14- Indifferent; 15- Forearm bone; 16- Get the better of; 17- A big fan of; 18- Fool; 19- Bet; 20- Containing tin; 22- Recluse; 24- Slender; 25- Actually existing; 26- Cut into; 29Representative; 31- Lasso; 32- Ditto; 33- Give one star, say; 36- Spring mo.; 37Wanting; 40- Land in la mer; 41- Concorde, e.g.; 42Joburg settler; 43- Host; 45Short gaiters; 47- Pale and drawn; 48- Go with; 51- Back talk; 52- Pressed together; 54- Braided; 58- Connect with; 59- Orsk's river; 61___-European; 62- Computer key; 63- Baseball team; 64- Futile; 65- Disreputable; 66- Swirl; 67- Blunted blade; Down 1- Warts and all; 2- "___ you dare!"; 3- Hammett hound; 4Lighted by Earth's satellite; 5Lying on the back; 6- Cry of a hen; 7- As a female, you could be queen or worker; 8- Look intently; 9- Ivanhoe's love; 10Tooth covering; 11- Protection; 12- Songs for two; 13- Carousal; 21- Like Fran Drescher's voice; 23- Grow to maturity; 26- Some nest eggs; 27- Bites; 28Wagon; 29- Captures; 30- Primordial giant in Norse myth; 32-

Nae sayer?; 33- Select; 34- SOLUTION - 543 "Hard ___!" (sailor's yell); 35- Call for; 38- Become less intense, die off; 39Farm birds; 44- Bulky and heavy; 45- Classified; 46Religious residence; 47Conference; 48- Adlai's running mate; 49- Paris divider; 50- Minotaur's home; 51- Rise to one's feet; 53Sand hill; 55- Break, card game; 56- Actress McClurg; 57- Completed; 60Free;

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SPORTS

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GOA, Tuesday, 4 May, 2010

Dramapur up HERALD CORRESPONDENT QUEPEM, MAY 3

Dramapur Sirlim SC defeated Sporting club of Davorlim 4-3

via the tie-breaker to enter the semi-finals of 14th Holy Cross inter-village soccer tournament at Vodlemoll, Kakoda. As the game ended in a goalless draw at full time, the tie-breakesr was resorted to. Nickson Rebello, Ryan Fernandes, Rowston Fernandes and Dickson Costa were on target for Dramapur. Rosebud Gomes, Venson Figueredo and Piedade Colaco found the net for Sporting Club of Davorlim.

Houghton quits, AIFF denies PTI NEW DELHI, MAY 3

National coach Bob Houghton has quit following a tiff with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) over the extension of his contract, according to sources.

"Bob has sent his resignation on Saturday and has given three months' notice," a source told PTI on condition of anonymity.

AIFF general secretary, Alberto Colaco, however, denied that the Englishman has put in his papers.

"It is not true. There is nothing like that as yet," he said.

Colaco had only yesterday said that the AIFF had written to Houghton's agent that the federation was willing to extend his contract beyond the Asian Cup to be held in Qatar in January next year.

"Bob's agent communicated to us Bob's willingness to extend his contract. After consulting AIFF president Praful Patel and some of the committee members we have written to the agent that we are willing to renew the contract," Colaco had

Ivana, Gauri, Riya tally 6 points HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, MAY 3

Ivana Maria Furtado drew with C.H.Meghana of Kerala and tallied six points after the 8th round of U-11 National chess championship at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai.

Gauri Hadkonkar and Riya Savant are also on 6 points after eight rounds.

Results: Gauri Hadkonkar beat Bakshi Rutuja (1729) of A.P; Riya Savant beat Vaisalie K. of TN. Aishwarya Thorat is on on 4.5 after a draw with Anigari Kavya of AP. In the boys section, Rishubh Naik is on 5.5 after 8 rounds.He deafeated Vaibhav A. Ritviz Parab (5 points) drew with Akash R. Saeesh Bandodkar lost and remains on 5 points.

Nitish Belurkar, Aditi Prabhugaonkar, Ur vi Bandekar Apurva, Naik Vagesh Tendulkar are all on 4 points each. Anant Prabhudesai, Amey Audi, K.Tushar are on 3.5 points each.

said.

Houghton had threatened to resign if his contract was not renewed till 2013, besides demanding a hike of USD 10,000 per month after his current tenure ends in January 2011.

The coach was apparently ticked off by the fact that AIFF was looking for a new coach.

Sources close to Houghton, who reportedly is earning USD 2,40,000 per year as salary, said it was a top AIFF official who told the English coach's agent that it was looking for a coach after his contract ends in January next year.

A miffed Houghton, through his agent, informed the AIFF that he would resign if his contract was not renewed till 2013.

Other officials of the AIFF felt that Houghton has been doing all sorts of pressure tactics to get what he wanted. “He has been getting so many things what other coaches have not got in the past. He has been using pressure tactics for some time," a top AIFF official said.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that

porter from Panjim.

Bob alleged that the AIFF had breached the contract and as such he was left with no other options but to resign.

Sporting eye full points i-league preview HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, MAY 3

Having pulled out of I-League, Mahindra United will face Sporting Clube de Goa in an ONGC League match at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda tomorrow at 4 p.m.

Sporting Clube de Goa are at the bottom with just 21 points from 23 encounters and they have two matches still to play. They need three points tomorrow to ward off the relegation threat.

Sporting will be bolstered by the return of Junior after one match suspension. Mahindra United have the psychological advantage of having beaten Sporting in the first leg.

Sporting, however, will be without the services of mid-

fielder Bibiano Fernandes, due to double bookings.

“It’s a major game. All matches here are must wins for us. There is no other option to escape relegation. The way we have played in some matches, we do not deserve to be in this position,” stated coach Vishwas.

“I told the players they should give everything and win the match,” said Vishwas.

Mahindra United, following a sequence of disappointing results, are determined to bring their campaign back on track by coming up with convincing performances in the remaining three matches to grab the second position. Coach Booth said they desperately need the three points to keep their slim title

hopes still alive.

Having done extremely well for a major part of the campaign, Mahindra United found themselves well positioned ahead of Dempo at one stage, but thereafter lost their grip on the title race and gradually drifted away, allowing their closest title rivals to march ahead and enjoy a clear upper hand.

The Red Devils will miss the services of Kali Alaudeen as the centre-back has been ruled out due to a knee injury while a double booking has also forced influential Serbian midfielder Svetozar Mijin to give a miss.

When asked for his reaction to his club’s sudden move to disband the team, manager Henry Menezes, said: “No comment.”

Dempo too good for Goa Velha taca goa u-20 HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, MAY 5

I-League: Sporting Clube de Goa v. Mahindra United, Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, 4 p.m.

Taca Goa U-20 soccer: Musli Power Churchill Brothers v.

Vasco SC, Tilak stadium, Vasco; Salgaocar SC v. Sporting Clube, Duler stadium, Mapusa. Kick off 4 p.m.

Arpora-Nagoa panchayat cup: Anjuna Gymkhana v. Sao Minguel de Taleigao, Salt Lake ground, Arpora, 4.30 p.m.

St Anthony Super Soccer: St Anthony’s Club iof Colva v.

Ambelim Sports Club, Colva ground, 4 p.m.

5th Late Frank Pires trophy soccer: CRC Chinchinim v. D Bosco Oratory Fatorda, Siridao church ground, 4.30 p.m.

14th Holy Cross soccer: Betalbatim SC v. Curtorim Gymkhana, Vodlemoll ground, Kakoda, 4.45 p.m.

St Sebastiao soccer: Sinquerim Mayem Lake v. A. N. Bambolim, A Lua ground, Merces, 5 p.m.

Novino Lakhanpal Gold Cup Soccer: Candolim SC v. Sodiem Siolim SC, Dr. Gustavo Monteiro Stadium, Candolim, 4.45 p.m.

Alvernaz and Lalush Alemao memorial soccer: St Savio Calangute v. Sporting Club of Davorlim, Varca ground, 4.30 pm.

Pilerne inter-village soccer: Adarsh Yuvak Sangh, Saligao v.

Pilerne Sports Club, Maddanim ground, Pilerne, 4.45 p.m.

James Alvares memorial beach soccer: Baina Boys v.

Lavina Boys Fatorda, Jiklear Jikle v. Mix Friends Cortalim, Cortalim Boys v. United Boys of Sancoale, Bogmalo beach, from 4.45 p.m.

Shooting Star soccer: Parish Youth Nuvem v. Cuncolim Union, Ambelim SC ground, 4.30 p.m.

GPL cricket semis: Dempo CC v. Goa Sporting Academy, Panjim Gymkhana ground; Salgaocar v. Chowgule, BITS ground, Sancoale, 9.30 a.m.

All-Goa Venceslau Gonsalves volleyball: Da Cruz Mala v. Goa Police; Crown Club B v. Housie; Friends Circle v. Poojari Six, Crown Club court, Santa Cruz from 8 p.m.

Colaco had met Bob’s agent in Kuala Lumpur recently and it is from then on that the controversy started doing the rounds, adds our Sports Re-

Dempo Sports Club recorded a 7-1 victory over Goa Velha Sports Club in Taca Goa football at Duler stadium, here on Monday. The score was 3-1 at the lemon break.

Super sub Jorex Fernandes scored a brace for Dempo in the second half to finish Dempo’s campaign on a high.

Dempo played good football which allowed them to create many chances in front of the rival goal. Goa Velha turned up with only 11 men today, not for the first time in this tournament.

Their goalkeeper Valerio Vaz was a stand- in for their usual custodian Soma Korgaonkar. Valerio, was booked by the referee for not wearing shin pads in the second half. He was also playing

without gloves.

Dempo raced into the lead through Jeovito Fernandes, who clinically dispatched the ball from the right hand side in the 6th minute.

Joshua Vaz doubled the lead for Dempo after converting a penalty in the 23rd minute.

Three minutes later Blade Haldankar scored for Goa Velha after neatly chipping the ball over Dempo custodian Jonathan Faleiro.

In the 39th Romeo Fernandes swung in a corner from the right.

Myron Fernandes shot unto the post, Myron made no mistake with the reboud.

In the 60th minute, Jorex Fernandes scored within seconds of coming on as a sub. He received a pass from a free kick and rounded the keeper to finish.

Jorex scored his second goal

Sao Minguel in semis pilerne cup HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, MAY 3

Clube Sao Minguel, Taleigao booked their place in the last four of 17th Pilerne Panchayat Cup Inter-Village Soccer Tournament organised by Pilerne Sports Club with a hard fought 6-5 tie-breaker win over fighting Siolim Sodiem Sports and Cultural Association at Maddanim ground, Pilerne on Monday.

Both teams matched each other and could not break the deadlock and ended the regulation goalless.

In the tie-breaker the first five

Good show

by Goa HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, MAY 3

Hosts Goa girls qualified for the semi-finals of 20th Sub-Junior National Baseball Championship organised by Goa Baseball Association at SAG complex, Fatorda on Monday.

Goa defeated Chandigarh 4-2 homes. After three innings, the teams were tied with two homes each. Mayuri Gaude, Neha Bhomkar, Sharon D’Mello, Anuja Mudalkar scored one home each for Goa. In the boys section, Goa boys reached the quarter-finals winning all four matches in the league stage. In the last match, Goa defeated Jharkhand 8-2 homes.

Kumar Sonik Kundaikar, Jayesh Gaude, Vaishnav Pednekar, Ganesh Sudir, Sunny Gaude scored for Goa.

in the 76th minute after intercepting the ball from Goa Velha defender Joyner Lourenco.

Welington Fernandes finished off a great passing move from Dempo on the right to tap home from close range in the 82nd minute.

Dempo captain Shallum Pires finished the 7-1 rout scoring in the second minute of injury time.

The result means that Dempo finished the tournament on 10 points. Sesa Football Academy (Jrs) have 11 points.

The First Division Taca Goa U-20 tournament will be decided on Tuesday. Salgaocar Sports Club currently on 10 points and Sporting Clube de Goa on 9 points will play at Duler. Vasco Sports Club are also in contention with 9 points and they take on Musli Power Churchill Brothers at Tilak.

Pune FC beat JCT

kicks ended tied 2-2. Nikhil Goltekar and Rakesh Vaigankar found the net for Sodiem while Rishikesh shot out and Dylon and Phandari had their tries saved by the Taleigao keeper.

For Taleigao, Anthony, Valencio scored while Ramesh, Samson and Cedric had they shots halted by the Sodiem keeper.

In the sudden death, Caetano, Raniel ,Francis Fernandes and Francis Rebello coverted for Taleigao while for Sodiem, Mahendra, Jefferson and Mukund scored and Hanumand Shirodkar failed to find the net.

Pune FC continued their good run in the I-league after they successfully earned three full points from their home game against JCT 2-0 in Pune on Monday night.

Brazilian Edmar and player of Indian Origin Izumi Arata scored for the home side to ensure three points.

VASCO (HC) -- Parish Youth of Velsao, Fukott-I and 7788 marched into the quarter-finals of James Alvares memorial beach soccer defeating Friends of James, Majorda and Hallant Boys respectively at Bogmalo beach on Monday. 7788 defeated Hallant Boys

1-0 scored by Vincy. Fukott defeated Majorda 6-2. Melody (2), Dexter (2), Jacinto and Glaston one each. Resmon, Domaciano reduced the margin. PY Velsao beat Friends of James II 2-1.

Richard and Mario scored for Velsao. Leny scored for Friends.

i-league Pune...2 JCT...0 HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, MAY 3

PY Velsao advance

GOA DIARY Cricket certificates

PANJIM (HSD) - Cricket players who have participated in allGoa D. G. Narvekar and Dilip Sardessai cricket trophy have been asked to contact the GCA office at Rizvi Sadan, here, or contact on telephone 2421088 for getting their certificates for obtaining marks under the Sports Policy.

3-a-side soccer in Qatar

PANJIM HSD) -- Friends Circle, Qatar will organise their 3-a side football tie-breaker on May 7 at Ahmed bin Hanbal school ground in memory of Ana Maria Felicia Fernandes in Qatar. The main sponsors are Sahara Projects, Business Directory Sign tc Neon and Coca Cola.

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Pg17

SPORTS

GOA, Tuesday, 4 May, 2010

Bindra misses Gold as computer systems crash european cup AGENCIES NEW DELHI, MAY 3

Abhinav Bindra shot a silver and missed the gold in 10m air rifle on technical grounds as the match was abandoned due to technical reasons at the European Cup International Shooting Championship in Hanover, Germany today.

Bindra, the reigning World and Olympic Champion however, once again showed his, class.

In the final round, he was leading by 4 shots when the computer software crashed at the competition, resulting in the premature end to the match.

Based on his showing in the qualification round, he was awarded the Silver medal with 596 (100, 97, 100, 100, 99 & 100 - Inner

Rafael Nadal of Spain bites the trophy after defeating David Ferrer of Spain in the final during day eight of the ATP Masters Series Rome at the Foro Italico Tennis Centre on Sunday.

Justine Henin of Belgium poses with her prize, a Porsche Boxster Spyder car, after defeating Samantha Stosur of Australia in the final match of the WTA Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in the southern German city of Stuttgart. Henin won the match 6-4, 2-6, 6-1.

Ronaldo winner keeps Real in title hunt la liga Sevilla...3 Atletico...1 Real...3 Osasuna...2 Bilbao...1 Mallorca...3 AGENCIES MADRID, MAY 3

Cristiano Ronaldo grabbed an 89th minute winner for Real Madrid as they came from behind to beat Osasuna 3-2 at home to stay hot on the heels of leaders Barcelona in La Liga on Sunday.

The world's most expensive player rescued his team, heading in Gonzalo Higuain's cross from a metre out, for his second of the night and 22nd of the campaign.

Real made life difficult for themselves against mid-table visitors twice going behind to goals from Carlos Aranda and Krisztian Vadocz. Ronaldo and Marcelo grabbed the equalisers before the break.

Barca have 90 points after beating Villarreal 4-1 away on Saturday and are one point ahead of Real, with three matches to play.

"It seemed like an easy game on paper but it turned out to be tough. This often happens in these types of games. You have to show plenty of fighting spirit to win," Ronaldo told Spanish television.

"The win was the most im-

Sumiran steadies Dempo’s innings gpl semis

HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, MAY 3

Sumiran Amonkar’s 67 not out, helped Dempo CC to pile 116 for the loss of two wickets in their GPL semi-final against Goa Sporting Academy at Gymkhana ground, here on Monday.

Anup Shirodfkar 21, Srirang Kapse 12. Rahul Keni 11 not out was keeping company with Amonkar after 48 overs.

Aditya Angle 1-25, Sashi Kadam 1-28.

portant thing because we still have hopes of beating Barcelona to the title, though they won't give it up easily."

Real made an awful start when defender Raul Albiol failed to control a ball and allowed Aranda to break away and score

after only seven minutes.

Ronaldo put them level in the 25th after streaking off the left flank to score from the edge of the area, but the hosts' were found wanting at the back again from an Osasuna throw in.

They failed to clear the ball

and Vadocz smashed a spectacular volley past Iker Casillas in the 43rd, though Real only needed a minute to equalise this time, Marcelo nodding in from close range.

A nail-biting second half had Casillas saving point-blank from

Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid celebrates scoring his side’s equalising goal at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.

Aranda and Osasuna's Masoud missing an open goal before Ronaldo rose above the mediocrity to keep the title race alive with his late strike.

In the late game, Real Mallorca kept up their push for a place in the Champions League next season, retaking fourth place from Sevilla with a 3-1 win over Athletic Bilbao at San Mames.

Gonzalo Castro, Nunes and Aritz Aduriz scored the goals that moved the islanders on to 59 points two ahead of Sevilla, who had earlier won a dress rehearsal for the King's Cup final by beating Atletico Madrid 3-1 at home.

Any doubts that Atletico would be taking it easy after also reaching the Europa League final three days ago, were dispelled in a frenetic opening, even though they had fielded a weakened side.

Brazil's Luis Fabiano put Sevilla ahead from a corner in the fifth minute and almost immediately Portugal's Tiago volleyed the visitors level after a free kick.

Two disputed penalties, scored by Alvaro Negredo in the 12th and 39th minutes, put the hosts back in control and they held firm to take a psychological advantage into the Cup final at the Nou Camp on May 19.

AIFF’s unprofessional approach continues

By Mohammad Aminul Islam NEW DELHI, MAY 3

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has often been accused of nepotism and lack of professionalism. Take the case of the recent recruitment carried out by AIFF ’s secretar y, Alberto Colaco.

Colaco appointed Dempo coach Armando Colaco’s daughter Genevieve in the AIFF as co - ordinator, National team.

In her own words, Genevieve is too young to handle such important projects. “I have only just assisted at Dempo SC dur-

ing their AFC Cup matches. Besides that, I haven’t really worked in any club. I have joined the AIFF mainly for the wide range of experience I would receive and I’m looking forward to do a course in sports management,” admitted the 23year-old.

Curiously, AIFF hadn’t advertised for this post. The rec r u i t m e n t o f Ta t h a g a t Mukherjee as Director (National team) has also raised eyebrows within the federation. Despite claiming to be a professional body, ad-hocism seems to be the name of the

game in AIFF. The ‘outgoing’ secretary Alberto Colaco is still around despite having resigned last June.

Interviews were held last September but nothing happened after that.

According to sources, the earlier interview process has been scrapped and Colaco has been asked to ‘train’ a youngster for the coveted post. His detractors allege that Colaco has successfully wooed his critics within the AIFF. Sending ‘rebel members’ with the Indian teams as managers on foreign tours is seen

as a perfect move to keep them quiet. Sources say that with Colaco becoming increasingly powerful in AIFF, quite a few officials lef t the Football House, apparently “unable to work under Colaco’s dictatorship”. The notable names include Sukhwinder Singh (marketing manager), Chandrasekhar Jha (working with National team), Goutam Kar (deputy general secretary) and Shaji Prabhakaran (director, youth development & Vision India).

Courtesy: The Crest Mumbai, Times of India, New Delhi.

Qadsia put Churchill Bros on high alert HERALD SPORTS REPORTER PANJIM, MAY 3

Chruchill Bros will have to reinvent themselves when they face formidable Kuwait champions, Al Qadsia in the crucial pre-quarter final knock-out match of AFC Cup in Kuwait on May 12. Qadsia had beaten East Bengal in Kuwait 4-1 and 3-2 in Kolkata in group stage earlier.

Qadsia made three appearances in AFC Champions League in the past, and this year it was their first foray into AFC Cup. They are a big team with eight of their key players being in the National squad for 2011 AFC Asian Cup. Coach Mohammed Ibrahim believes Al Qadsia’s 3-0 win over Syria’s Al Ittihad at Mohammed Al Hamad Stadium in Kuwait on Tuesday last is a warning to the other teams in the last 16 stage.

“We achieved what we were looking for which was to win the game. Not only the win, but also with a good win and a good performance. I'm personally satisfied with the good performance of the team,” said Ibrahim.

"This was a good performance

and an alert to other teams. Despite winning, we have a critical point which needs to be fixed as we lost lot of chances and had our strikers been at their best we could have scored two more goals.”

"At the end of the day we won and we have the match in the last 16 against Churchill Bros to look forward to. We want to win the title and if we want to do so, we must win all the matches that we will be playing in the knockout stage."

Kuwait Sporting Club, defending champions, after an indifferent start played to its true potential against Churchill Bros who were demolished 7-1 on Tuesday. “We are playing to our full potential,” claimed new Kuwait coach Mohammed after the match, who also disclosed that the team was a bit downcast after losing to Al Qadsia recently in the league match which saw the exit of their Brazilian coach Arthur.

Losing is normal in football,

but what is not normal is to lose the way Churchill did as the players did not perform. Worst was their defence led by Gouramangi, who didn’t look a bit as India material.

Carlos was at a loss to explain the worst drop in performance from his players as they slumped to their first defeat in the tournament. “I take the blame,” said the coach adding,”It was the worst performance ever.”

While the Kuwait players played well in all positions on the pitch, Churchill Bros boys failed miserably both in defence as well attacking formation, which was non-existent.

About the next match, coach Carlos stated: "We will have a good performance, although the match will not be easy for us.”

“Kuwait SC are the defending champions and losing against them is not that bad but losing by this result is not good. It provided us with a decent test for us for the next match against Al Qadsia.”

While Kuwait put up a scintillating show, Churchill Bros were pathetic to say the least.

Churchill Bros will now have to work a miracle playing against Kuwait League champs Al Qadsia, who have sent a warning to the other teams with their fluent victory over Syrian team Al Ithiad.

Churchill’s huge defeat came because of the weak defensive line as the defenders didn't play a coordinated game. The performance of the strikers was subdued as they could not geat past the Kuwait defence at all, and the midfield despite Nascimento working hard didn't show their best.

Al Qadsia have an excellent attacking line and as such Churchill will have to strengthen their weakest link and demand that their highly paid professionals give their money ’s worth.

Odafa, who was sorely missed against Kuwait Sporting following a double yellow card, will fortunately return against Qadsia and will have to shoulder the major burden upfront. He

will definitely be a thorn in Qadsia’s defence.

Often, Churchill Bros players looked bereft of ideas and their positional play was mediocre.

There were huge gaps between the medios and the defence line, with players not falling back to provide the extra cover. That apart, Kuwait’s swift ground passes, with players interchanging their positions with ease, made Churchill players often look like novices.

The bulk of the team is expected to be more or less the same against Qadsia, except for a few changes and perhaps a different formation, which needs to be defensive, cannot be ruled out.

The Churchill Bros management will have to do a post mortem to pinpoint the exact cause of the huge defeat, as the team was not only outclassed but also outplayed, and it is this aspect that took everyone and especially the large turn out of Goans settled in Kuwait by total surprise as they felt that it was not the true face of Goan football.

tens - 49).

Gold went to Henri Junghänel of Germany, who also scored 596 (100,100,99,100,99,98 Inner Tens-50 ).

The Bronze was claimed by Sergey Richter of Israel with 595 (99,99,100,99,100,98 / Inner Tens-46 ).

According to information received here, in the qualification round, Bindra equalled his gold medal winning Beijing Olympics' qualification score of 596- the fourth time consecutively in as many competitions.

Inter defeat Lazio

Eye 5th successive Italian crown serie a AGENCIES ROME, MAY 3

Inter Milan followed up their passage into the Champions League final with a 2-0 defeat of Lazio on Sunday as Jose Mourinho's side edged closer to a fifth successive Serie A title.

With just two games left, Inter restored their two-point lead over Roma, who won 2-1 at Parma on Saturday, and also stayed on course for a treble.

They face Roma in the Italian Cup final on Wednesday and Bayern Munich in Madrid on May 22 in the Champions League final.

Inter face lowly opposition in their last two league games Chievo (12th place) at home next weekend before a trip to relegated Siena (19th).

Roma also face Chievo a week after welcoming 14th-placed Cagliari.

But Roma could have a 'joker' to play because if the two sides are level on points at the end of the season, the capital city side would be champions thanks to their better head-to-head record against Inter.

A 1-1 draw in Milan was followed by a 2-1 home win at the Olympic Stadium.

On Sunday, Lazio fans, with

PY Nuvem in semis

st anthony super soccer HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, MAY 3

Parish Youth, Nuvem sailed into the semi-finals of St Anthony’s Super Soccer as they gained a lucky 1-0 win over Don Bosco Orator y, Fatorda at Colva ground, Monday. There was no score at half time.

Don Bosco dominated the proceedings, but Lady Luck failed to smile on them at least on three occasions with Nuvem goalkeeper Floyd Colaco being a hard nut to crack, denying Valente Fernandes, Vincent Barbosa, Cliff Barreto a goal.

Nuvem scored what ultimately turned out to be the match-winner in the second half through Gamy Costa off a deflection from Nani.

Nuvem’s Floys was declared man-of-the match.

FC Siolim in quarters

lakhanpal trophy HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, MAY 3

Football Club of Siolim got the better of Nerul Sports Club 5-4 via the tie-breaker after both teams were involved in a goalless draw to move into the quarter-finals of Lakhanpal Trophy football tournament organised

by Candolim Sports Club at Dr. Gustavo Montiero ground on Monday.

In an equally contested match, the teams failed to score at regulation time. Claudio Rodrigues, Vinay Pednekar, Melroy D’Souza, Sonu Harmalkar and Sandeep Dhargalkar converted for Siolim while Jennifer Clement, Abhijit Govekar, Jovito Fernandes and Avinash Shirodkar were on target for Nerul.

their team languishing two places off the relegation zone, but reluctant to see their Roma rivals take the championship, cheered when Argentine defender Walter Samuel headed in the first goal on the stroke of half-time from a Wesley Sneijder cross.

Inter, fresh from knocking defending champions Barcelona out of the Champions League in midweek, piled on the pressure, but found Lazio goalkeeper Fernando Muslera in inspired form.

Muslera saved well from Maicon, Thiago Motta, Sneijder and Samuel Eto'o in the first half.

But the home side's resistance crumbled in the 70th minute when Motta scored from a Maicon corner.

At the final whistle, even Lazio fans celebrated Inter's win.

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SPORTS

Pg 18

Ronaldo winner keeps Real in title hunt Pg. 17

Sporting eye full points Pg. 16

GOA, TUESDAY, 4 MAY, 2010

www.oherald.in

Australia off to smooth start

nership for the third wicket.

Australia then defended the Shane Watson hammered a 49- total comfortably, dismissing ball 81 as Australia began their Pakistan for 157 exactly in 20 Twenty20 World Cup campaign overs at Beausejour stadium. in style, thrashing the defending Pakistan had beaten Bangladesh champions Pakistan by 34 runs yesterday and would hope that in a group C match here.

Australia beat Bangladesh in the Opting to bat, Australia posted last league match of the group, a decent 191 though the score which will ensure their progress could have been bigger had they to next stage. not suffered a dramatic collapse Pakistan made a shaky start in the fag end on Sunday. to their chase, thanks to a disWatson and David Hussey (53) ciplined bowling by Australian were the architects of the huge pace trio Dirk Nannes (3/41), Australian total as the duo put Shaun Tait (3/20) and Mitchell on an aggressive 98-run part- Johnson (2/21).

Australia innings: D Warner c Umar Akmal b M Sami 26, S Watson lbw b Saeed Ajmal 81, M Clarke b M Hafeez 2, D Hussey c Fawad Alam b Saeed Ajmal 53, M Hussey run out 17, C White c Fawad Alam b Saeed Ajmal 9, B Haddin c M Sami b M Aamer 1, Johnson b M Aamer 0, S Smith run out 0, D Nannes not out 0, STait b M Aamer 0. Extras: 2.Total: 191 all out. Fall of wickets: 1-51, 2-64, 3-162, 4164, 5-181, 6-191, 7-191, 8-191, 9-191. Bowling: M Aamer 4-1-23-3, M Hafeez 40-47-1, M Sami 4-0-54-1, Shahid Afridi 4-0-33-0, Saeed Ajmal 4-0-34-3..

Pakistan innings: K Akmal c Smith b Nannes 0, S Butt c D Hussey b Tait 15, M Hafeez c M Hussey b Johnson 12, Umar Akmal c M Hussey b Smith 18, Misbahul-Haq c Clarke b Nannes 41, Shahid Afridi b Tait 33, Abdul Razzaq c Warner b Nannes 1, Fawad Alam c Clarke b Johnson 16, M Aamer c Smith b D Hussey 2, M Sami not out 5, Saeed Ajmal b Tait 4. Extras: 10. Total: 157 all out. Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-28, 3-34, 4-70, 5-117, 6-120 ,7-132, 8-14,6 9-151. Bowling: Nannes 4-0-41-3, Tait 4-0-20-3, Johnson 4-0-21-2, Watson 3-0-24-0, D. Hussey 2-0-12-1, Clarke 1-0-14-0, Smith 2-0-24-1. Man-of-the-Match: Shane Watson.

PTI ST LUCIA, MAY 3

Mahela Jayawardene of Sri Lanka prepares to sweep deftly in the ICC World Twenty20 match against Zimbabwe in Guyana, on Monday.

Jayawardene guides Lanka to victory PTI PROVIDENCE (Guyana), MAY 3

Mahela Jayawardene struck a scintillating century as Sri Lanka thumped Zimbabwe by 14 runs via Duckworth-Lewis method in a rain-marred Group B match to brighten their Super Eight stage prospects in the Twenty20 World Cup here today.

Beaten by New Zealand in their previous outing, a win was imperative today for the Lankans who rode on Jayawardene's masterly

64-ball 100 -- fourth century in the short history of Twenty20 Internationals -- to post 173 for seven.

Zimbabwe's chase ran into a rain-interruption after the first over from Ajantha Mendis. Play did resume after 66 minutes with the minnows chasing a revised

TODAY’S FIXTURES New Zealand v. Zimbabwe 7 pm.

England v. Ireland, 11 pm.

Squad for Zimbabwe tour on May 9 AGENCIES MUMBAI, MAY 3

The Indian squad for the upcoming tour of Zimbabwe will be picked by the national selection panel in Chennai on May 9, BCCI sources said on Monday.

India is scheduled to play a triangular ODI series in Zimbabwe followed by a two-match T20 rubber against the hosts.

The tri-series featuring India, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, is scheduled from May 28 to June 9 with the three outfits playing one another twice in the roundrobin phase leading up to the final between the top two teams.

The first three league matches are to be held at Bulawayo, while the last two as well as the summit contest will be played at Harare.

The ODI tournament will be followed by the best-of-two T20 International series between India and Zimbabwe with the ties set to be held at Harare on June 12 and 13.

Hull relegated, Arsenal lose AP LONDON, May 3

Steve Gohouri’s stoppage-time equalizer for Wigan relegated Hull from the Premier League after a 2-2 draw on Monday while Arsenal lost 2-1 at Blackburn for their fifth game without a win.

Leading 2-1 after goals by Will Atkinson and Mark Cullen, Hull looked set to take its relegation fight down to the final round of games before Gohouri scored with an acrobatic, overhead kick from close range.

The result means that Hull, promoted two seasons ago, cannot catch 17th-place West Ham and are relegated to the League Championship, along with Portsmouth and Burnley.

Blackburn went ahead through Robin van Persie’s closerange header from Samir Nasri’s cross.

David Dunn equalized in the 44th minute when a low cross

by Keith Andrews was deflected into the path of the unmarked midfielder, who tapped the ball home for his 10th goal of the season.

Christopher Samba headed home from close range in the 68th minute.

victory target of 104 runs from 11 overs but another weather-disruption greeted them four overs later when they were 29 for one.

Consequentially the Duckworth-Lewis method was invoked and Zimbabwe were found 14 runs behind their opponents.

Zimbabwe have little time to recover as they return here tomorrow to face New Zealand.

Earlier, the Lankan innings turned out to be a one man show with only three batsmen reaching double digit figures and Thissara Perera's 23 being the second highest score.

The defeat against New Zealand had pushed the Lankans to the brink of disaster and there was no way they could underestimate giant-killer Zimbabwe who have humbled Australia and Pakistan in warm-up matches.

Sri Lanka: M Jayawardene c Cremer b Price 100,T Dilshan c Mpofu b Chigumbura 2,T Perera c Chigumbura b Lamb 23,K Sangakkara c Price b Cremer 3,D Chandimal c Mpofu b Utseya 9,A Mathews c Ervine b Lamb 4,C Kapugedera c Masakadza b Price 13,S Jayasuriya not out 3,L Malinga not out 2.Extras:14.

Total: 173-7. Fall of wickets: 24-1,80-2, 96-3, 113-4, 138-5, 166-6, 166-7. Bowling: C Mpofu 3-0-27-0,R Price 4-0-31-2,E Chigumbura 2-0-21-1,G Lamb 4-0-34-2,P Utseya 4-0-32-1,G Cremer 3-0-23-1.

Zimbabwe: H Masakadza run out (Jayawardene) 4,T Taibu not out 12, B Taylor not out 11. Extras: 2. Total: 29-1. Fall of wickets: 10-1. Bowling: A Mendis 2-0-9-0,L Malinga 1-0-6-0,S Jayasuriya 1-0-8-0,S Randiv 1-0-6-0.

I have no problem with anybody: Gill

PTI NEW DELHI, MAY 3

Sports Minister M S Gill today said the new guidelines with regard to tenure of the sports administrators were not aimed at any individual and also defended the timing of the announcement.

"That has nothing to do with this. The Games are separate. I have no problem with anybody.

I tried to do the job and that is what I am paid for," Gill said outside the Parliament.

Gill said people were entitled to their opinion.

"Nothing upsets me. It is a free country. Everybody has a right to comment on whatever is done by government or a minister or a ministry," he said.

Seniors’ humility motivates Raina UNI GROS ISLET (St Lucia), MAY 3

Having joined the elite club of century makers in T20 internationals, Indian batsman Suresh Raina credited the rare feat to the influence of his seniors and a humble atmosphere in the dressing room.

Raina’s 101 off 60 balls last night powered India to beat the South Africans by 14 runs and qualify for Super Eight stage of the World T20.

En route to his century, the 23-year-old also became the first Indian to achieve the milestone and the third batsman internationally with the first two centuries coming from the bats of West Indies' Chris Gayle and Brendon McCullum of New Zealand. ''Fleming, Mahi (Dhoni) and Hayden supported me a lot during the IPL. Likewise, Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid always backed me in the national team. It is very important for me to fulfill my potential and repay their faith in me,'' Raina said after India's triumph. ' ' Wa t c h i n g Kumble, Rahul, Sachin, Laxman in t h e d re s s i n g room, I noticed they were so humble even after they have performed so consistently.

They keep their process very simple. I too have have led a very disciplined life as I grew up in a hostel. I want to emulate my seniors.

There is so much to learn from their humility,'' he added Raina also praised coach Gary Kirsten for the way he

has influenced his wards. ''Gary Kirsten told me when I practise, make sure your approach is correct,'' said Raina of his escape on five when he was caught off a Morne Morkel noball during the match.

The match-of-the-match, however, admitted he'd struggled early in the match. ''I was not hitting the ball when

I came in. I was thinking ‘just rotate the strike' and when I get a loose ball just go for it,'' he said.

To a query on batting at number three position, the swashbuckler said he was comfortable. ''I have been batting at the slot even in the ODIs. Before the World Cup Mahi told me that I will be batting at number 3 and wanted to continue with my form from the IPL. So I was mentally prepared for the task. ''Batting up the order doesn't mean that you to don't go about whacking every ball. You have to respect your opponent and have to pick your bowlers you want to attack,'' he added. Meanwhile, South African captain Graeme Smith also hailed Raina for his match-winning century. ''This surface suits his style of batting. He is strong both sides of the wicket. He has a very positive frame of mind and once he gets in, he takes the game to the end. He is player any team would like to have in their side,'' he said.

Shane Watson of Australia plays a shot during their match against Pakistan in ICC World Twenty20, at St Lucia, on Sunday.

Kalmadi hits out at Gill PTI NEW DELHI, MAY 3

Government's bid to limit the tenure of sports administrators met with stiff resistance today with Indian Olympic Association President Suresh Kalmadi and other angry bosses of sports bodies vowing to do everything to protect their autonomy.

Miffed administrators, many of whom are politicians who have occupied the post for more than a decade, made it clear that they would oppose the "draconian" directive, setting the stage for a bitter standoff with the Sports Ministry.

"We are surprised by the government order. It is draconian order which questions the very basis of the autonomy of IOA and the NSFs. We reject the brazen attempt by Sports Ministry to challenge our autonomy.”

"We will take appropriate steps and we are not backing off. We would do everything to protect our autonomy," Kalmadi told reporters here.

"The top brass of IOA and some NSF top officials had a meeting today. We have called an IOA Executive Committee meeting on May 18 and may convene a General Assembly meeting as well (to discuss the issue)," Kalmadi said.

Cracking down on the sports administrators who have monopolised most of the NSFs, the Sports Ministry on Sunday announced a new regulation which says federation presidents cannot continue more than 12 years, with or without break, while secretaries or treasurers can serve two terms of four years at a stretch and would have to take a four-year gap before they seek a re-election.

The regulation hurts Kalmadi, who has been at IOA’s helm since 1996, while it also seeks to end the reigns of NSF chiefs V K Malhotra (archery), Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa (cycling), VK Verma (badminton), captain Satish K Sharma (aero club) and BS Adityan (volleyball), who have been occupying the top posts for more than a decade.

Insisting that the autonomy of the IOA and NSFs are paramount, a defiant Kalmadi said, "Our constitution goes to the International Olympic Council (IOC) and no one can meddle with that. All NSFs also send their constitution to the respec-

Groin injury forces Murali out AGENCIES COLOMBO, MAY 3

Sri Lanka's campaign in the Twenty20 World Cup on Monday suffered a blow with off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan being ruled out of the entire tournament due to a groin strain.

Muralitharan sustained the injury during his side's twowicket defeat against New Zealand in the tournament opener in Providence, Guyana on Friday.

Team physiotherapist Tommy Simsek said Muralitharan has sustained a grade one strain on his right adductor muscle and will need up to three weeks' rest.

No replacement for 38-yearold spin wizard has been named by the Sri Lankan team management. Muralitharan took two wickets for 25 runs against New Zealand.

l

Vows to protect autonomy n We are surprised by the government order. It is draconian order which questions the very basis of the autonomy of IOA and the NSFs. We reject the brazen attempt by Sports Ministry to challenge our autonomy.

tive international bodies and no one can interfere there either."

He said Gill has no business to issue the order at a time all the sports officials were focussing on the Commonwealth Games and CWG Coordination Commission was having a meeting here till Wednesday.

"The timing of the order amazed us. We completely disagree with the hostile approach of the Ministry on the eve of the meeting of Coordination Commission of the Commonwealth Games. The Games are just 150-odd days left and at this juncture the Sports Minster thought it right to issue such an order. We were really amazed at," said the IOA chief.

"CoCom members were, in fact, surprised at what has been happening. It did not do any good to the country," he added.

Kalmadi also dismissed Sports Minister MS Gill's assertion that the guideline would help bring transparency to the functioning of IOA and NSFs. "As far as transparency is concerned, IOA was brought under RTI (Right To Information) Act by the Ministry and we accepted it with a smile because we have nothing to hide.”

"Sports Minister himself has given a letter to court that all the federations have given their accounts properly and submitted to Comptroller and Auditor General. The IOA and NSFs are subject to CAG audit, file annual Income Tax returns, share our annual report and accounts with Registrar of Societies, while SAI General Body has not met for many years.”

"There was not a single complaint against any NSF. Everything

was in order and we were focussing getting medals in CWG. Sports Minister suddenly made an about-turn and that too on the eve of the Commonwealth Games. Why is this?" he asked.

"As for elections in NSFs, they have always been conducted in a free and fair manner as per their respective constitutions that have been approved by the IOA and respective international federations. In selection matters also, Ministry nominates its own

representatives in selection committees," he said.

Kalmadi also challenged Ministry's assertion that if the guidelines are not complied with, NSFs would not be allowed to send teams to participate in international events.

"It is the IOA that gets invitations to send teams for Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games. International federations invite NSFs and not the Sports Ministry to send teams for India. The athletes' entries have to be signed by duly elected presidents or secretaries of NSFs for them to be accepted by international federations," he said citing the Olympic Charter relating to the autonomy of National Olympic Committees.

"IOA has asked all the NSFs not to take any steps to amend their constitutions to include the Ministry directive as this would leave them seriously vulnerable to disqualification as indeed has happened to some member nations.

We have also written to all international sports federations in support of NSFS," he added.

Kalmadi also said that continuity of top sports officials are required for India's representation in international federations.