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Goa/Region: Sonam Kapoor to be in Goa for New Year Pg 5 LeT planned to kill Modi, set up bases PTI WASHINGTON, DEC 5

Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba had planned to assassinate Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and use Kerala and Tamil Nadu as bases for carrying out strikes in southern India, according to a secret US diplomatic cable.

Information coming out of a secret State Department cable dated June 19, 2009 released

by WikiLeaks indicates that LeT has established a facilitation centre in Sri Lanka and was looking at setting up a base of operations in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

It also reveals the dangerously expanding Lashkar network in (Continued on page 11)

Business: Land disputes hitting infra schemes Pg 13

(air Surcharge rs 2.00) pages 18

Sports: Pietersen torments Pg 18 Australia

KOCHI IN FOR IPL-4 BCCI approves ownership structure PTI MUMBAI, DEC 5

The Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) today allowed the squabbling Kochi franchisee to participate in the fourth edition of the Indian Premier League, ending the suspense over the team and ensuring that at least eight sides will be part of IPL IV next year.

The IPL governing council, which had given a third deadline to Kochi last week after the consortium’s investors reached a last-minute agreement over their shareholding pattern, today approved their ownership structure and took it in its fold.

“At their meeting today, the IPL governing council confirmed that the Kochi franchisee had satisfactorily responded to the notice issued to them by the BCCI, and decided that the franchisee Kochi Cricket Pvt Ltd, would play in the IPL from 2011 onwards,” BCCI Secretary and President-Elect N Srinivasan said in a release.

BCCI Vice-President Rajiv Shukla said the board’s legal team was satisfied with the ownership structure of Kochi franchisee.

“Today, the governing council

Arrest should be last option by police: SC PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 5

The Supreme Court has ruled that arrest should be the last option used by police as unnecessary incarceration of a person violates the fundamental right to personal liberty.

“The arrest should be the last option and it should be restricted to those exceptional cases where arresting the accused is imperative in the facts and circumstances of that case,” the apex court said in a judgement.

“Personal liberty is a precious fundamental right and it should be curtailed only when it becomes imperative according to the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case,” the court said.

A bench also said that anticipatory bail granted to a person should continue till the conclusion of the trial and no conditions should be imposed for the accused to surrender for obtaining a regular bail.

decided to approve Kochi as the eighth franchise of IPL and it will play in IPL IV. This decision was taken after examining the shareholding pattern Kochi submitted and the response (to the notices) they had given to the BCCI. It was legally examined.

The GC found it appropriate,” Shukla told reporters in Delhi.

The governing council’s de-

China, at the apparent request of Pakistan, put a “technical hold” on an Indian request to the UN Security Council to slap sanctions on three terrorists, says a secret State Department cable of December 2009 signed off by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

China in its capacity as the permanent member of the UN Security Council has the veto power and nothing can be approved by this 15-member highpowered body of the United Nations without the consent of Beijing.

“On the international stage, Pakistan has sought to block the UNSCR 1267 listings of Pakistanbased or affiliated terrorists by requesting that China place holds on the nominations. China recently placed a technical hold on the designation of three Pakistan-based or affiliated terrorists nominated by India, although China did not prevent the most recent Pakistan-related US designation nomination in June,” says the secret State Department cable, which primarily deals with the issue of terrorist financing.

The United States, which has charged the Wikileaks of indulging in a criminal act by stealing and releasing these cables, has neither confirmed nor denied the authenticity of these documents.

According to US officials,

(Continued on page 11)

Sacrifices worth it: Tharoor PTI THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, DEC 5

Former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor today said the ‘sacrifices’ he made for the Kochi IPL team were worth it and added that the presence of the Kerala team in the hugely popular league would boost development and promote tourism in the state.

After months of confusion regarding the ownership pattern of the team, the BCCI finally decided to allow Kochi to participate in the fourth edition of Indian Premier League.

“Though I had to make some sacrifices, the most important thing is Kerala got the

team in the end. That is what I always wished. The recognition will boost development prospects of the State and also promote tourism in a big way,” he said.

Tharoor, who had to resign from the Union Ministry following a row with suspended (Continued on page 11)

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, DEC 5

Asserting that the government is committed to bring a total change in the land acquisition policy, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat on Sunday said that henceforth land losers will not only receive compensation as per the prevailing market rates, but the victims will be provided jobs in lieu of the land acquired for public utility projects.

“My government is determined to bring about a total change in the land acquisition policy. The land loser will not only be compensated with market rates, but jobs for their children”, Kamat asserted while speaking at the third Traditional and Cultural Convention organized by the Original Goans Schedule Tribes Association at Ralloi-Curtorim on Sunday.

Responding to the request made by Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) general secretary Vijay Sardessai on a policy for land losers, Kamat said the proposed amendment would do with

Domestic airlines cut fares up to 25 pc PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 5

With pressure mounting on them, domestic airlines have lowered the overall fares on several sectors though they are yet to return to the average levels during the same period last year.

The overall airfares have come down by about 20-25 per cent in the past week, official sources said, adding that the “pressure” mounted by the Civil Aviation Ministry and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) against exorbitant airfares had been a success, officials told Press Trust of India here.

The fare range on Delhi-Mumbai sector was Rs 5,000 to Rs 20,000 on economy class ticket, while that on Delhi-Chennai and Delhi-Kolkata stood between Rs

China blocked UN sanctions against Pak terror groups PTI WASHINGTON, DEC 5

cision comes on the backdrop of the legal developments involving the BCCI and expelled IPL franchisees - Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals.

Relieved by BCCI’s decision, Satyajit Gaikwad, CEO of Rendezvous Sports World Pvt Ltd that represents the promoter group, said the the franchisee

Land losers will get jobs too: CM

every cable coming out of the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department is signed off by the Secretary of State as a matter of routine, and this should not interpreted as a personal statement of Clinton; but as an official direction from the State Department to its posts overseas. However, this is for the first time it has come in the public domain – courtesy WikiLeaks – that China has been blocking Indian efforts to designate certain Pakistan-based terrorist outfits at the United Nations.

Officials say that both India and the US have been regularly raising this issue with Chinese officials, and have been successful some of the times, but not always, officials point out. This particular cable further confirms ISI’s continued links with terrorists outfits.

“Pakistan’s intermittent support to terrorist groups and militant organizations threatens to undermine regional security and endanger US national security objectives in Afghanistan and Pakistan,” the cable says.

“Although Pakistani senior officials have publicly disavowed support for these groups, some officials from the Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate continue to maintain ties with a wide array of extremist organizations, in particular Taliban, LeT and other extremist organizations,” it says.

5,000 and Rs 15,000, the officials said.

Two weeks ago, the lowest last-minute Delhi-Mumbai fare was about Rs 17,000, even though the holiday travel season had not begun.

The lowest available fares at the same time last year was about Rs 3,000 for Delhi-Mumbai and Rs 4,000 for the DelhiChennai and Delhi-Kolkata sectors, they said.

The DGCA, headed by the

newly appointed E K Bharat Bhushan, and his predecessor S N A Zaidi, now the civil aviation secretary, have held deliberations with airline representatives over the last two weeks.

DGCA had a formal meeting with officials of the no-frill carriers – IndiGo, Spicejet and GoAir, yesterday following a directive asking all carriers to explain the high fares they were charging.

Tomorrow, the DGCA would meet representatives of full-service carriers – Air India, Jet Airways and Kingfisher.

The officials, requesting anonymity, said the last minute fares between Delhi and Cochin ranged between Rs 8,000 and Rs 12,000, while that between Delhi and Coimbatore stood at an average of Rs 7,000.

the practice of compensating the land losers with meager compensation, adding the changes would be brought about in the coming months.

Incidentally, in his address at the convention, Rajya Sabha member Shantaram Naik said the Goa government need not bring about the amendment as the Union government has tabled in parliament an amendment bill seeking to bring far reaching changes in the Land Acquisition Act. “The proposed changes would require the government to first undertake an assessment of the impact a project would have on the humans living on (Continued on page 11)

PM, Sarkozy discuss civil nuclear deals Visiting French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met over dinner tonight and are believed to have discussed civil nuclear cooperation on which some agreements are likely to be signed tomorrow. (PTI)

Can you book me an international flight Goa to Delhi via Dubai? I can’t affort Goa-Delhi domestic flight you see...

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GOA, MONDAY, 6 DECEMBER, 2010

Cong leaders vow to work for upliftment of Scheduled Tribes

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat felicitating Rachol Sarpanch and President of Original Goans Scheduled Tribes Association Joseph Vaz at the ST convention at Curtorim.

Photo by Santosh Mirajkar HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, DEC 5

Congress leaders led by Chief Minister Digambar Kamat on Sunday pledged to work for the upliftment of the Scheduled Tribes and recalled the sacrifices made by the tribals for the progress and development of the state.

Be it Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, PWD Minister Churchill Alemao, Panchayat Minister Babu Azgaonkar, Water Resources Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues, Rajya Sabha MP Shantaram Naik, Quepem MLA Babu Kavlekar and C u r t o r i m M L A Re g i n a l d o Lourenco, they all vowed to work towards the upliftment of the Scheduled Tribes, the poor and the downtrodden.

At an impressive convention of the Scheduled Tribes organized by the Original Goans Scheduled Tribes Association at Curtorim on Sunday, the Congress leaders showered praises on the Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco for holding the grand

Areal villagers to oppose scrap yards

ST convention for the third successive year for the benefit of the Scheduled Tribes.

Asserting that his government will not tolerate any injustice to the ST communities, Kamat said his government has sanctioned Rs five crore to the ST Corporation to work out schemes for the benefit of the community.

“My government will not allow any injustice to the ST community. There will not be any dearth of money for schemes meant for the ST Community”, he said, while complimenting Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco for organizing the convention for the third successive year.

On the demand made by Quepem MLA Babu Kawlekar for inclusion of Dhangar community in the ST community, the Chief Minister said though Dhangars have not been included in the ST list, his government will treat the community on par with the STs and recalled the special financial provision of Rs crore made for

Ponda Police arrested four jail guards in connection with the highway robbery at Kundaim in the wee hours of Sunday.

According to Ponda Police, the four jail guards, who were posted at Aguada Jail, were identified as Amit Ankush Naik of Gaunem-Bandora, Ponda, Dinesh Kishore Warang of St Cruz, Ponda, Vishnu Vinayak Naik of Shanti Wada, Khorlim-Mapusa, and Keshav Digambar Gawas of Mapusa Police Quarters.

Police informed that four tried to rob a truck driver at Kundaim.

Noticing the police jeep, all four tried to flee on their motorcycles.

However, police managed to nab all four accused after a chase.

Ponda Police has arrested all the four jail guards under Sections 341, 323, 394, 511 of IPC. PSI Nikhil Palyekar is investigating.

2 held in jewellery theft case HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, DEC 5

Calangute Police on Sunday arrested two persons in connection with the theft of jewellery worth Rs 1.75 lakh at Calangute.

Calangute Police arrested Ramkrishna Sawant and Chandrakant Harijan, both staff of a reputed hotel in Calangute.

In his complaint, Manoj Rana of New Delhi and a resident of Uttarkand, told Calangute Police that his wife’s pouch containing jewellery was found missing from their rented room.

The pouch contained a Mangalsutra with a diamond pendant, four pairs of diamond earrings, two gold chains, three gold pendant diamond, one pair of earring, small baby ring and a diamond set necklace with earring.

HERALD RPEORTER MARGAO, DEC 5

Rajya Sabha MP Shantaram Naik has said he and South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha has categorically told Defence Minist e r, A K A n t o n y t h a t t h e proposal to acquire the two islands off Vasco is not bonafide and genuine.

Naik told newsmen on the sidelines of the ST convention at Curtorim on Sunday that the MPs have further requested the Union Defence Minister to withdraw the permission given to the Indian Navy to approach the Goa government to acquire the two islands.

“Our past experience with the Indian Navy is very bad.

The Indian Navy had acquire and occupied illegally the land at Dabolim and refused to give land when asked by the Goa

n Naik told that the MPs have further requested the Union Defence Minister to withdraw the permission given to the Indian Navy to approach the Goa government to acquire the two islands. government and the Airport Authority of India for the airport expansion”, Naik said.

He said the Navy has allegedly fraudulently recorded the land in their name and recalled how the Navy has barred the Christian community from performing religious services

at the Anjediva Islands.

The Rajya Sabha MP said that the Navy is building residential quarters at the Dabolim airport, not only for the staff deployed in Goa, but to cater to the requirements of staff from all over the countr y. “ The Union Defence Minister has promised to look into the matter”, he said.

On the mining permission granted by the Union government in the state, the Rajya Sabha MP called for a balance between development and environment.

On the Mhadei river water dispute, the MP said that the Union Water Resources Minister has said that it is for the state government to plead before the Tribunal for framing of the issues, adding that he is closely following up the mat-

Erratic power, water supply issues dominate Betalbatim meet HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, DEC 5

Frequent power and water supply breakdowns dominated the gram sabha meeting of the Betalbatim Panchayat on Sunday.

Members demanded to know from the Sarpanch the reasons behind the low water pressure to the residents of the village. They also demanded to know when the roads dug up for the underground cabling would be restored and by which agency.

Sarpanch Minguel Pereira informed the members that he is in receipt of the letter from the PWD officials, attributing the breakdown in water supply and low water pressure to the interruption in the power supply at the Selaulim treatment plant.

Since the PWD letter also suggested to the Panchayat to provide suitable area for the construction of an overhead water reservoir in the village, the gram sabha has decided to identify open space for the proposed water reservoir.

On the 11KV underground cabling, members protested over the delays in restoring the road dug up for the cabling work and demanded early restoration of the roads.

Many a gram sabha members were on their feet asking why no action had been taken against a new hotel and a large commercial piggery in a residential area for dumping garbage indiscriminately. The members were later informed that another site inspection with

the Health Officer would be held within ten days and a show cause notice issued to the parties.

The Sarpanch has assured the members that business establishments in the village would be asked to furnish the details of their garbage contractor and the disposal mechanism.

In response to widespread condemnation of large commercial housing projects that have come up in the village, Sarpanch Minguel Pereira promised the members that henceforth the Panchayat will not forward any commercial project proposal before obtaining approval of the Gram Sabha. The resolution was unanimously approved amid loud applause from the members.

Davorlim locals protest over illegal parking

Reacting to his suggestion that a committee be constituted that will meet the officials, village Sarpanch Derick Braganza Pereira suggested that the very committee constituted to prepare the plan be entrusted this responsibility.

The villagers agreed to this suggestion and thanked the minister who is also the local MLA for taking this initiative, which incidentally is the first of its kind in the entire State.

Urban Development Minister Joaquim Alemao was bombarded with demands by his constituents when he visited the Village Panchayats of CavorimChandor and Guirdolim to hear public grievances on Sunday and most of the demands pertained to improving paddy cultivation in the two villages.

After giving a patient hearing, Joaquim complimented the people for their suggestions and promised to call for a meeting of the officials of Agriculture Department and Water Resources Department to see how best the water logging of the hundreds of acres of paddy fields at Biczona can be tackled. He also agreed to talk to the Tourism Department to develop the Oilem Tollem in the village

Residents of Davorlim on Sunday took to the streets on Sunday morning to protest against the inaction by the Margao Traffic authorities to the illegal parking at the Aquem Power House traffic junction.

A fire tender rushed to the spot after the agitators set afire a rubber tyre and threatened to block traffic on the busy junction.

Margao PSI Suraj Gawas along with a posse of policemen rushed to the spot to avert any law and order problem. The protestors led by Anand Sawant and others, however, charged the police for meting out harassment to them though they were fighting for a genuine cause.

They demanded to know why the police did not issue threats to the market traders when the latter blocked the road at the pick-up stand last week.

The situation was brought under control after Margao Police station incharge, PI Santosh Desai spoke to one of the protestors and promised to solve their long pending demand of no parking for trucks at the Power House junction.

PI Desai has invited a delegation of the villagers to his office on Monday to discuss the issue and work out a lasting solution.

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, DEC 5

The gram sabha of Sao Jose de Areal on Sunday resolved to oppose the setting up of the scrap yards in the Nessai Industrial Estate.

The issue figured at the Sunday gram sabha when members demanded to know the fate of the scrap yards dotting the village countryside. When the members were informed that that around 24 applications have been made for relocation of the illegal scrap yards in the Nessai Industrial Estate, they strongly opposed the same.

Members pointed out that instead of shifting the illegal scrap yards, action ought to be initiated as per the law for their removal from the village.

The members also took strong objection to the filling of a drinking well by a scrap yard owner. Members demanded that the well be desilted and samples be dispatched to the laboratory for analysis.

On the NOC issued to a stone crusher, gram sabha members called for revocation of the NOC issued to a crusher with immediate effect. The sewage disposal at the Ramnagar area also figured with members demanding urgent action in the matter to prevent a health hazard for the locals.

Urban Development Minister Joaquim Alemao on Sunday promised to fix up an appointment with the Town and Countr y Planning Department officials to enable the villagers of Cavorim Chandor to check the map of their village before it is notified as part of the Regional Plan 2021.

While asserting that he personally was keen that the Regional Plan 2021 be notified as soon as possible, Alemao, however, pointed out that certain procedures have to be followed.

However, the villagers appealed that they be allowed to study the planning done for their village to ensure that whatever was discussed and decided at the various ward level meetings and the different village level meetings held to prepare the plan for the village is adhered to.

Conceding that the demand was justified and in the interest of the village, Joaquim Alemao offered to fix up an appointment not only with TCP officials but even members of the Task Force if necessary so that the fears and apprehensions of the villagers are allayed.

CM tells Home Guards to work with dedication Greeting the Goa Home Guards and Civil Defence volunteers on the occasion of their ‘Annual Raising Day’ on December 6, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat sounded confident that the men and women in the Home Guards will continue to work with the same single minded dedication, zeal and enthusiasm that they have displayed so far.

Kamat further extended felicitation and good wishes to all the officers and other ranks of the organisation and in his message said, “The Civil Defence and Home Guards organisation has contributed significantly in maintaining law and order in the State.”

Home Minister Ravi Naik said that the Home Guards and Civil Defence organisation has always upheld their motto of ‘selfless service’ with enthusiasm and zeal. “There is growing realisation in the government that the role of Civil Defence should become more prominent in time of natural calamities, inner strife and external aggression. I hope

HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARCEL, DEC 5

Navy’s proposal to acquire islands not genuine, Defence Minister told

Joaquim to meet TCP officials to enable Chandor locals verify RP

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, DEC 5

HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, DEC 5

the welfare of the Dhangars.

Rajya Sabha MP Shantaram Naik said the Scheduled Tribes are entitled to plots under the Scheduled Tribes Forest Right Act which has been brought into force by the Congress government. “The Congress has always fought for the rights of the Scheduled Tribes. Don’t be swayed by false promises made by other political parties”, he said, and promised to raise up the issue of inclusion of Dhangar community in the ST list in Parliament.

In his address, PWD Minister Churchill Alemao, urged the ST community to avail of the various schemes under the Rural Development Agency. Alemao recalled the sacrifices made by the Scheduled Tribes to build today’s Goa and assured his full support for the upliftment of the community.

Water Resources Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues said the ST community has been responsible for the progress and development of the state. “Your

contribution and sacrifices towards the development of the state cannot be forgotten. We are committed towards your welfare and progress”, he added.

Panchayat Minister Babu Azgaonkar said that the Congress would win minimum of 30 seats in the next Assembly polls because of the all round development work undertaken across the state.

He appealed to the people of Curtorim to stand by MLA Reginaldo Lourenco for taking up the cause of the STs and downtrodden during his short tenure.

“He may belong to the upper caste, but his work shows his commitment for the downtrodden”, he added.

In his address, GPCC general secretary Vijay Sardessai said that credit goes to the Curtorim MLA for holding the ST convention not with an eye on the polls, but with the sole objective to uplift the poor and the downtrodden by taking the schemes to the doors steps of the Schedule Tribes.

Lourenco, in his address, urged the ST community to avail the various schemes meant for the community and vowed to take various schemes to the door steps of the people. He also promised to provide all schemes and facilities to boost agricultural production.

In his welcome address, President of the Original Scheduled Tribes Association Joseph Vaz said the Congress government has come out with a host of schemes for the benefit of the Scheduled Tribes, but added that much more needs to be done for the upliftment of the community. He praised the Curtorim MLA for his support and assistance for the welfare of the ST community.

4 jail guards held for attempt to rob truck driver

that meaningful steps will be taken in this direction in the near future,” Naik’s message adds.

Naik said that the Home Guards have made a mark for themselves in assisting the police in law enforcement and contributed with zeal in management of disasters. “It is heartening that the police authorities continue to depend heavily on them in the maintenance of public order,” Ravi informed and added that this organisation has risen admirably to the challenges in the past and urged them to continue contributing to various nation-building activities in future also.

President Pratibha Devisingh Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Home Minister P Chidambaram have also send their greetings to the men and women in the Home Guards across the country.

To commemorate the ‘Annual Day’, a small function will be organised by the Home Guards Organisation-Goa at Police Headquarters on December 6, at 10 am.

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, DEC 5

as a tourist attraction, and suggested that a Gram Sabha resolution to this effect would be helpful.

BLASTING: As there were conflicting claims over the extraction of black metal with the Communidade claiming that no license has been issued and the perpetrator asserting that he had all the permissions, Joaquim Alemao suggested that a meeting be held with the panchayat members, concerned villagers and the stakeholders being present to thrash out the problem.

“I can understand the problem faced by the public as I have been to the place and seen the site myself,” he said while pleading helplessness to intervene in the face of the claim that the extractor had the necessary licenses.

However, the Communidade representative clarified that the agreement had lapsed and was not renewed and therefore the continuation of extraction of black metal was illegal.

However, Joaquim Alemao suggested that a joint meeting he held to thrash out the problem and former South Goa Zilla Panchayat Chairperson Clafacio Dias took up the responsibility of convening the meeting.

Coast Guard gets another interceptor boat

South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha along with Mormugao Port Trust Chairman P C Parida, DIG N V Narsimha, Deputy Conservator Vaswani, Captain of Ship K J Singh on ICG Ship C-148. Photo by M Prabhav HERALD REPORTER VASCO, DEC 5

To further strengthen the coastal security of Goa, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has deployed interceptor boat ICG ship C-148 at Coast Guard fleet in Goa. South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha along with Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) Chairman P C Parida, DIG N V Narsimha and others welcomed the ship in Goa at MPT on Sunday morning.

However, this would be a second ship in this class that will

secure the Goan coast area, as earlier C-147 is on duty, besides one more patrol vessel is on regular guard in the deep sea.

Addressing the gathering, Goa Command DIG N V Narsimha said post 26/11 terror attack, the ICG is pursuing an urgent enhancement of its surveillance capabilities to meet its enhance tasks and responsibilities effectively.

“The present force level and manpower are planned to be doubled by graduated procure-

ment with proportionate infrastructure development and augmentation of trained manpower,” said Narsimha.

“This class of ship has been successfully used in augmenting the coastal patrolling of Gujarat coast in the west and in Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar in the east and have been used effectively in search and rescue operation at sea,” said Narsimha.

MP Francisco Sardinha said speedy enhancement of procurement process of ICG to keep pace with growing security threats is appreciable and thanked ICG for enhancing security in Goa. He also urged the people to cooperate with the security agencies.

The ICG Ship C-148 interceptor boat, which is 28 mtrs long, is fitted with the state-of-theart navigation and communication equipment and medium range armament.

It is designed for high speed interception with an economic speed of 25 knots, which can achieve a maximum speed of 45 knots for responding to urgent calls at sea.

Drop in foreigners affects tourism in Bogmalo HERALD CORRESPONDENT CORTALIM, DEC 5

The tourism activity in the tiny beach of Bogmalo has taken a severe beating with a drastic drop of foreign tourist arrivals this year.

With the State already in the midst of tourism season, the beach has witnessed shortfall of more than 80 per cent of tourists.

Eating joints, shops selling handicrafts have been complaining of low tourist inflow as a result of which their business has slacken.

John Henriques, who runs a Seagull restaurant for over 20 years, complained that this season has been very bad.

Henriques attributed this to low turnout of tourists in starred hotels which has affected their business. “If starred hotels, resorts located on the beaches have tourists, then we can expect business as it is mostly these tourists who patronise our shacks,” informed Henriques.

Only solace is the arrivals of local and Indian tourists, he said.

Henriques also accused some private taxi operators of fleecing tourists. “The other day, a private

Empty chairs in one of the restaurants in Bogmalo.

Photo by Alvaro Colaco

taxi operator charged Rs 700 from the airport to the beach which is only 4 kms distance,” Henriques informed and said that there were many such type of instances.

Steven D’Cruz who runs Stiff Waves restaurant and Domnick D’Cruz proprietor of Dom’s Sea Cuisine also informed Herald that their business had dropped by over 80 per cent.

T TAG President Gaurish Dhond however denied that there was any significant drop in tourist arrivals. He said that Bogmalo beach is not a highly

frequented beach for foreigners.

Bush Miranda who is from the travel industry said the government has to take some corrective steps soon to boost tourism.

He said that airlines handling charges in Goa was very high, hotel accommodation is expensive compared to Thailand, Sri Lanka and other South East Asian countries, beaches are dirty, problems of TLP’s (Temporary Landing Permits) and tourist taxis problems were some of the issues that were needed to be resolved.

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GOA, MONDAY, 6 DECEMBER, 2010

GBA gears up for showdown with govt on RP anomalies HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, DEC 5

The State Government should now prepare to face fireworks from Goa Bachao Abhiyan (GBA) which is yet again gearing up to fight government on the issue of Regional Plan (RP).

The GBA activists which met in the city today to discuss RP came to the conclusion that the government has not been sincere with inculcating aspirations of Goans in RP 2021. The government has started notifying the new Regional Plan 2021, in stages and the first such plans for Canacona and Pernem talukas were notified recently.

GBA Convenor Sabina Martins said they demand that VP3 status should continue till finalization of the total RP as RP for only two talukas has been notified so far even as VP status has been accorded to all villages.

Martins said many villages had sought VP 3 status. For instance, Carmona village in Salcete taluka had sought VP3 status but leave alone VP1 or VP2 status, it has been pushed in ODP. Currently, it is not clear whether ODPs will

be part of RP or not, she said.

The State Level Committee (SLC) has rationalised two FARs for Goa, as VP1 and VP2. Hinterland areas have been allotted VP1 status with FAR of 80 whereas most coastal areas have been allotted VP2 status with FAR of 60.

A former bureaucrat Arvind Bhatikar pointed out that Eco Sensitive Zone (ESZ) can’t be a reality unless the government has clear policy on mining in forest area -- there should be a policy how it will balance between economic activity and sustainable forest.

He said settlement zones have been marked arbitrarily and it lacks logic. So also policy on village panchayat status is highly undemocratic and illogical. Many speakers felt that the government has clearly faltered on this account.

Moreover, settlement strategy and village panchayat strategy is exactly opposite of what is required to achieve redistribution of population, he added.

Making his point Anil Madgaokar alleged that the gov-

ernment wants to get back 2011 RP through back door and is silent on 8500 individual suggestions it received from people of Goa. On this count, Bhatikar said SLC which is finalizing RP 2021, has considerably ignored recommendations made by the Task Force and there is no transparency in the whole process.

One of the objection raised about includes exclusion of PDA and ODPs from RP. It was pointed out talukas such as Mormugao and Bardez will not be able to stop mega projects. Also, there is no explanation as to why settlement in one area is bigger than the other area.

It was further pointed out that smaller settlement zone in hinterland panchayats as against bigger settlement zone in coastal panchayat will not stop overcrowding in coastal areas.

The GBA has convened a meeting on Monday to deliberate on issues discussed today and decide future course of action.

Nauxi fisherfolks vow to oppose MPT’s ‘marina deal’ HERALD CORRESPONDENT MERCES, DEC 5

Fearing that their only source of livelihood is under threat, the tribal fisherfolks of Nauxi have come together to oppose any development by M/s Kargwal Constructions Pvt Ltd, which has signed 30 years lease deed with MPT for construction and operation of marina on the waterfront of Nauxi.

At a meeting held at Nauxi village, which comprises 100% tribal population with fishing being a primary source of income, the fisherfolks have vowed to fight tooth and nail any plans to set-up marina as they fear that apart from their livelihood, it threatens their very existence.

Addressing the gathering, St Andre MLA Francis Silveira gave a clarion call to the villagers of Nauxi and other affected villages to come together and begin a mass agitation so that the people in these areas are not deprived of their rights.

It may be recalled that the MPT had served notices to villages of Quitol, Naquerim, Khola, Goa Velha, Siridao, Taleigao, Calapur, Sao Jancinto Island, Chicalim, Issorcim, Sancoale, Pale, Velsao, Cansaulim and Arrossim claiming its right of ownership and powers of governance over lands, foreshore and water areas.

Citing the notices, Silveira informed that no sooner the notices were served to one of the villages in his constituency namely Siridao, he had approached Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, who in turn had promised that the State govern-

ment would not allow MPT to undertake any development in these areas.

Silveira further assured that he would once again take up the issue with Chief Minster Kamat and urge him to personally allay the fears of the locals, particularly of Nauxi fisherfolks.

“I come from a fisherfolk family and I am aware that setting-up a marina on the seashore will kill the livelihood of the local populace as the fishermen will not be able to venture into the sea for fishing and will also have no place to keep their canoes,” he opined and added that any plans on the part of the MPT to trample on the rights of the fishermen would be severely dealt with and he would be the first one to take to the streets if the need arises.

Explaining the details of the project, ZP member Adv Suresh Palkar said MPT has entered into a 30-year lease deed with M/s Kargwal Constructions Pvt Ltd for setting up of marina in the foreshore water area of 1 lakh sq mtrs comprising survey numbers 23, 24 and 25.

Further, Palkar said the marina project would spell doom for the Nauxi villagers as it will bring in yatches, cruise boats, pleasure boats, floating casinos, besides various other vices, to cater to high-end customers and a day will come when the villagers will be looked upon as an eyesore and plans will be hatched to get rid of them.

Palkar further said that the construction and dredging activities will affect the ecology and the environment of the place and exhorted the villagers to unite and fight now before it

Hill cutting halted at Aquem

Heavy earth moving machinery at work on the hillock behind the Carmelite Monastery on Sunday.

Photo by Savio Dias HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, DEC 5

The Flying Squad on Sunday stopped hill cutting activity behind the Carmelite Monastery at Aquem-Margao.

No sooner the flying squad headed by Dilip Naik made its presence felt on the hillock, the driver of the heavy machinery working at the site abandoned the machine and fled from the spot.

Naik along with police personnel inspected the site and promised to file a report after verification of the facts.

He told Herald that the flying squad has no idea whether the real estate builder has obtained the necessary permission for the hill cutting or not since there was no board displayed nor any person present at the site. “We will verify the matter on Monday before filing a report for appropriate action”,

Naik said.

Incidentally, the flying squad was intimated by the Chief Town Planner Morad Ahmed to rush to the spot following complaints of hill cutting activity.

Naik said the squad has stopped another hill cutting and transportation of mud from Aquem area of the city on Sunday morning.

A resident of Aquem staying near the Carmelite Monastery Milagrina said that the hill cutting was going on for the last couple of days and it was only after the Chief Town Planner was contacted that the flying squad came and stopped the work.

Sources in the know said the authorities initially failed to respond to the phone calls to stop the hill cutting activity and came on the spot only the complaint was lodged with the CTP.

is too late.

“M/s Kargwal Constructions Pvt Ltd is only a middle-agent in the entire issue,” Palkar pointed out and suspected the hands of a developer behind the development.

Speaking to Herald, Palkar said that some time back the same developer had tried to construct an approach road to the seafront, which was opposed tooth and nail by the Nauxi villagers and now they are using M/s Kargwal to fulfill their nefarious designs.

Curca-Bambolim-Telaulim Sarpanch Subhash Dias said that the real power lies with the people and if the people get united, there is no power in the world that can defeat them. He further assured that the panchayat would not issue any licences to the said project.

Panch Ramchandra Kankonkar, Panch Teja Adkonkar and local Datta Palkar also spoke on the occasion. Panch Bhagirathi Dias and social activist John Viegas were also present.

Bicholim man seriously hurt after friend stabs him HERALD CORRESPONDENT MAYEM, DEC 5

A 30-year-old man from Bicholim was seriously injured, after his friend brutally stabbed him in the neck near Amona Bridge on Saturday night.

Bicholim Police arrested the accused Bechan Sahani of UP in connection with the attack on his friend Vakil Yadav.

According to Bicholim Police, on Saturday afternoon, Sahani went to Yadav’s residence to ask for the money, which he had given to Yadav.

Police further informed that Yadav refused to give the money.

As a result, quarrel broke out between the two.

In the meantime, some locals, noticing the two arguing, intervened in the matter and resolved the matter.

Police said at about 9 pm, Sahani again went to Yadav’s residence and allegedly attacked Yadav with a knife. Yadav, who was seriously injured, was rushed to Sanquelim PHC, from where he was shifted to GMC Hospital in Bambolim. However, Yadav’s condition was stated to be stable.

Bicholim Police Inspector Harish Madkaikar late Saturday night arrested Sahani and registered the offence under Section 307. Police is investigating the case.

Gold ornaments stolen from Ponda house HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARCEL, DEC 5

Gold ornaments worth Rs 83,000 were stolen from a residence at Ambegal-Ponda on Sunday.

In his complaint, Prakash Naik told Ponda Police that unknown person affected entry into his house by bending the window grill and decamped with gold ornaments like chain, rings, bracelet, all worth Rs 83,000.

Police further informed that the complainant along with his wife and children had gone to Zatra at Khandepar-Ponda. They had left the house at about 11 am and returned at 3.30 pm on Sunday. ASI Mallik is investigating the case.

GGEA defers strike HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, DEC 5

The Goa Government Employees Association (GGEA) has deferred their strike till December 20 in light of assurance given by the Chief Minister Digambar Kamat to resolve their problem.

Working committee, taluka committee and councils of GGEA met in the city today and decided to wait till December 20, told M L Shetkar, President of GGEA to Herald on Sunday evening.

He said the chief minister had personally assured them the government consider their demand sympathetically and the file has been moved to the law secretary.

The GGEA had threatened to go on indefinite strike from December 6 to compel the government to fulfill their long pending demand seeking upgra-

dation in pay scales of all left out categories.

On the other hand on December 1 the government invoked Essential Services Management Act (ESMA) and declared that indefinite strike called

by GGEA was illegal especially, when the government had considered the genuine demand of the employees.

It had also announced that employees participating in the illegal strike or found not discharging their assigned duties during the strike period shall be treated as absent.

The principle of “no pay no work” will be invoked against all those participating in the strike.

Decomposed male body found HERALD CORRESPONDENT MAYEM, DEC 5

Bicholim Police on Sunday recovered a decomposed male body near Tillari canal at Nanoda-Bicholim.

According to Bicholim Police, the unknown person is suspected to be in his fifties and he might be a labourer. Police has preserved the body at GMC morgue.

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S H O RT TA K E S ‘Coro de Loyola’ wins first place

The band of six young boys of Loyola High School – Austin Gomindes, Keegan Pereira, Chris Da’Costa, Valdo Fernandes, Anslem Fernandes and Pierson Braganza.

PANJIM (HND): “Coro de Loyola” was awarded by the Consul General of Portugal in Goa for winning the first place at the all Goa Portuguese singing contest ‘Vem Cantar’ organised

by Fundacao Oriente and the Rosary College, Navelim recently at Ravindra Bhavan.

The band of six young boys of Loyola High School – Austin Gomindes, Keegan Pereira, Chris Da’Costa, Valdo Fernandes, Anslem Fernandes and Pierson Braganza – trained by Rene Mesquita showcased their singing talent and won the hearts of the packed audience.

Aids awareness rally held

De-silting work on Walvanti river in full swing

PANJIM (HND): Understanding the seriousness of HIV and AIDS problem and committed to the issue of disseminating awareness among the public, the RRC unit and the NSS unit of Victor Medical and Research Foundation College of Nursing organised recently an AIDS awareness rally to mark the World Aids Week.

Over 120 students and staff of the college participated in the rally which started from the college campus at Apollo Victor hospital to Margao Municipal Garden and back. The students carried banners and shouted slogans on AIDS prevention and control and distributed pamphlets.

Free coaching classes for needy SANGUEM(HC): ‘Matachaya Seva-25’, a NGO functioning in remote Bhati-Sanguem has organised free coaching classes for poor and needy students from the nearby villages in the premises of ‘Siddhyogiraj Matt’, Villian-Bhati.

The classes will be held from 3.30 pm to 5.30 pm and shall be conducted by experienced teachers.

The inauguration function of the free coaching classes was attended by Sanguem MLA Vassudev Meng Gaonkar, ZP member Navnath Naik, ‘Matachaya Seva-25’ Secretary Vinay Naik, Ramnath Naik, Surendra Shirodkar and Sangita Savaikar. The classes are reportedly held with due help and support provided by businessman Shivanand Salgaonkar and his family.

Counsellors Association meet

HERALD CORRESPONDENT BICHOLIM, DEC 5

The de-silting work of the Walvanti River at Sanquelim is in full swing in a bid to lessen the possibility of floods next year.

The de-silting work of the river for about 200 mtrs is going on since the last eight days. The entire river de-silting and retaining works for the entire Sanquelim area is being taken up at a cost of about Rs 2 crore.

The department has already built retaining wall in some parts of the river bank, while the desilting work is also carried out.

“The de-silting will not only lessen the possibility of floods, but we have proposed it with the view that it would benefit the Water Resource Department, which has a pump in the river,” Sanquelim Municipal Councilor Riyaz Khan told Herald. “ The pump was almost choked with mud and de-silting will help to pump out the required water to the nearby tanks,” added Khan.

Club formed to check corruption in Canacona HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, DEC 5

Students and staff of Victory Medical and Research Foundation College of Nursing participating in the rally.

uPcOMing EvEnTS

Clubs are formed for social and cultural purposes, but in Agonda a club has been formed for a unusual purpose -- to protect the village and Canacona taluka from corruption.

According to Vishant Bandekar, the first president of the newly formed ‘Om Sai Khotibag’, the club has been formed with the main objective of checking corruption in the society.

The club will also organize sports and cultural activities, as sports and cultural secretary and each with two assistant secretaries, are also appointed in the club.

Bandekar further said all the members were present for the first general meeting of the club in which it was also decided to look after the deteriorating public utility facilities.

Office bearers of the executive committee are Vishant Bandekar (president), Raju Naik Gaunkar (vice president), Satyakumar Naik Gaunkar (secretary), Vasudev Gaunkar (assistant secretary), Devanand Fal Dessai (treasurer), Sanju Naik Gaunkar (assistant treasurer), Viplove Bandekar (cultural secretary), Uday Dessai and Sanjay Chauhan (assistant cultural secretaries), Fredy D’Souza (sports secretary) and Paresh Naik and Jayesh Bandekar (assistant sports secretaries).

PANJIM (HND): Counsellors Association of Goa will have its AGM on December 11 at Institute Piedade, opp Hotel Mandovi, Panjim, from 2.30 pm to at 6 pm.

Fr Egidio Fernandes, SDB, will give a discourse on the Genogram and Family Systems Thinking. Those interested may contact the Association by email at counsellorsasociationgoa@gmail.com or call Andrea Gomes on 9850642295 or Patricia Colaco on 9921372620 by December 6.

Blood donation camp at Campal PANJIM (HND): A blood donation camp will be held on the eve of the Armed Forces Flag Day, on December 6 at Military Hospital, Campal, from 10 am onwards.

The camp will be held in association with GMC and DHS. Chief Secretary and Chairman of the Armed Forces Flag Day Committee has urged the staff of departments and offices for maximum participation.

Retreat for youth

De-silting work of Walvanti River is being carried out in Sanquelim.

Make govt office complex at Sanquelim PHC Mapusa disabled-friendly: Sena building site facing risk of malaria epidemic

HERALD CORRESPONDENT BICHOLIM, DEC 5

The three-storeyed building at Mapusa, where important government offices are located.

Photo by Anil Shankwalker HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, DEC 5

The Shiv Sena has requested the Commissioner for Disabilities and Secretary Social Welfare, Porvorim, to make the Government Office complex at Mapusa, opposite Municipal Fish Market, ‘Disabled Friendly’.

In a memorandum submitted

by Shiv Sena Ad-hoc committee member Philip D’Souza, it has been stated that the threestoreyed building houses important government departments like offices of Deputy Collector, Mamlatdar, Assistant Labour Commissioner, BDO, Registrar of Co-operative

Police dept incomplete without home guards

BY JOHN AguiAR

and order and internal security, help the community in any kind of emergency such as an airraid, fire, cyclone, earthquake, epidemic etc, help in maintenance of essential services, promote communal harmony and assist the administration in protecting weaker sections, participate in socio-economic and welfare activities and perform civil defence duties. Home Guards are of two types - rural and urban. In border States, Border Wing Home Guards Battalions have also been raised, which serve as an auxiliary to the Border Security Forces. The total strength of Home Guards in the countr y is 5,73,793 against which the raised strength is 405043 Home Guards.

The Home Guard organisation was set up in Goa in the year 1967 with a sanctioned strength of 400 volunteers, currently the total sanctioned strength to 750.

The Home Guard Organisation was established in a full-fledged manner in the year 1981. The General supervision and control of Home Guards in the State, vests in the Director General of police, who is Ex-Officio Commandant General of Home Guards and Director Civil De-

fence. Home Guards in Goa are governed by the Bombay Home Guards Act, 1947 which was extended in 1965, under overall charge of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Suitable persons who are fit and willing to serve in the organisation are appointed as Home Guards with the approval of the Commandant General.

The Home Guards when called out for duty or training has the same powers, privileges and protection as an officer of police.

Besides law and order, home guards are offering their services to the traffic and crime control wings of the police. Home guards played a vital role during major events such as elections, bandobast duties, VVIP duties, traffic management, computers, MT section, IFFI, Old Goa feast and others.

Goan Home Guards also take up social causes and have performed street plays to highlight the ill-effects of drugs abuse, taking out cycle rallies to commemorate peace day and oth-

POWER SHUTDOWN

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mother Mary will be celebrated with religious solemnity and gaiety by the parishioners of the Holy Spirit Church, Margao on December 8.

Novenas in preparation to the grand feast have commenced from the 29th November, 2010.

Novenas Mass, Rosary and salve are held daily at 6.00 p.m. During Novena Day, the Mass and sermon are preached by Fr. Mario Costa, Fr. Jorge Fernandes, Fr. Kewan Rodrigues and Fr. Savio Fernandes.

On the feast day the low Masses will be at 5.00 a.m., 6.00 a.m., 7.00 a.m., 8.15 a.m. and

The twin voluntary organisations - Civil Defence and Home Guards were raised to provide protection to citizens in any untoward situation. Therefore every year December 6 is celebrated as Raising Day of the organization throughout the nation. On this day in 1946, first Home Guards Unit was conceived and raised in erstwhile Bombay State during turmoil period of civil disorders and communal riots, as a civilian voluntary force in aid of administration as an auxiliary to Police, under the stewardship of late Morarji Desai, ex-Prime Minister The Indian Home Guard is an Indian paramilitary force which is tasked as an auxiliary to the Indian Police. After the raising Home Guards in 1946, the concept of the voluntary citizens force was adopted by several States. In the wake of Chinese aggression in 1962, the Centre advised the States and Union Territories to merge their existing voluntary organisation into one uniform voluntary force known as Home Guards.

The role of Home Guards is to service as an auxiliary to the Police in maintenance of law

DEC 5

MAPUSA: From 9 am to 3 pm. Areas affected are Mapusa Residency, Carvalho Petrol Pump, Braganza House, KTC Bus stand, Mapusa market, Sub-yard and surrounding areas.

DEC 6

DULER: From 9 am to 3 pm. Areas affected are Prudential Paradise, Sports complex Peddem, Sattadar Arcade, Kamat galaxy and surrounding areas.

DEC 7

SIOLIM : From 9.30 am to 4 pm. Areas affected are Siolim PHC, Ingrezwado, Oxel, Madhlabhat, Marna Gudem, Dhando, Vagali, Tarachi Bhat, Partawada, Bamanwada, Waddi Siolim, Oxel and surrounding areas.

ers.

Home Guards are recruited from a diverse cross-section of the people that include doctors, engineers, lawyers, teachers, professionals, government servants, employees of public and private sector organisations, students, agricultural and industrial workers etc. Anyone in the age group of 18-50 is eligible to become member of Home Guards.

Normal tenure of membership is three to five years. Members are trained in maintenance of law and order, prevention of crime, anti-dacoity measures, border patrolling, flood relief, prohibition, fire fighting, elections and social welfare activities. In the event of national emergency, a part of civil defence work is also entrusted to the Home Guards.

Home Guards are paid allowances when on training of on duty; otherwise Home Guard volunteers work on ‘No work – No pay’ basis.

Expenditure on Home Guards is generally shared between Centre and State governments.

Margao church feast on Dec 8

BY HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, DEC 5

Photo by Samir Umarye

PANJIM(HND): Panjim Prayer Group(English) of Catholic Charismatic Renewal will be organizing a two day retreat for youth on December 11 from 5 pm to 8 pm and on December 12 from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm at Panjim Parish hall.

Sessions will include live music, action songs, praise and worship, testimonies and talks. Victor Pereira from Mumbai will be the main preacher.

For details contact on 2422560 or 9822315109.

at 11.30 a.m. The Concelebrated High Mass will be celebrated by Fr. Avinash Rebello at 9.45 a.m. and will be followed the procession.

In the evening the Holy Spirit Parish Youth, Margao will organize the Annual Fellowship Dinner on the Church grounds from 7.00 p.m. onwards. Live Music will provided by the Cotta Family group; by D’s Jazz Ensemble featuring Dr. Francisco Colaco and others; and by Alacoque, Marvino and Terrance. Foods and games stalls will be organised, International dance performers will be performing and there will be an attractive display of fireworks.

Societies, Sub Divisional Magistrate, etc.

“Since there is no lift facility in the building, it becomes impossible for the disabled person to have access to any of the offices. The complex does not have mandatory ramps or mechanical lifts to aid the mobility impaired citizens to access these offices.”

The memorandum further stated that deformity in one’s physical or mental capability is the worst that can befall on a person at any time, be it because of the nature’s foul play, or the result of an unexpected, unfortunate accident.

“The National Sample Survey

Biggest drug haul, claims Anjuna PI HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, DEC 5

Anjuna Police claims to have achieved its highest ever haul of drugs to the tune of Rs 31.80 lakh in a raid on Monday evening.

Speaking to Herald, PI Manjunath Dessai said: “This is the richest ever haul of drugs valued at Rs 31.80 lakh and we are proud of our achievements.”

“The Bihari trio has been operating an international courier company which was believed to be exchanging illegal drugs through the sealed envelopes.

However, during our routine patrol on Monday, we noticed the Bihari duo of Natwarlal Yadav and Sanjay Kumar Sharma trying to flee from the busy locality of Starco junction,” said PI Dessai.

“Observing their suspicious moments, we stopped the duo and questioned them and after conducting a thorough check on themselves and their belongings, we found the illegal drugs in their possession,” added PI Dessai.

“We immediately carried out a raid on their rented place, where their third accomplice Ramesh Gopa was found in possession of more drugs,” he said.

“All the three accused were rounded up and put behind bars for further investigation. What is surprising is that a musical instrument was used to carry out the illegal trade,” added PI Dessai.

Yadav, Kumar and Gopa are presently cooling their heels behind the bars under NDPS Act, while further investigations are in progress.

2002 states that as on 2002, there are 22,000 disabled persons in Goa. This number must have increased substantially during the last eight years. All the persons in the country are entitled to equal rights and equal protection by law under Article 21 of the Constitution of India,” states the memorandum.

“Shiv Sena requests to kindly start the process on the ‘World Disability Day’ to make available the mandatory ramps and lifts member to the mobility impaired, thus giving them equal rights to participate in building the State and nation,” states the memorandum.

Even as 22 malaria cases were recently reported at the construction site of Bicholim PHC building due to lack of toilet facilities and sanitation, the Sanquelim PHC building site also runs the risk of facing a similar fate.

It may be recalled that recently, 22 malaria cases were reported in Bicholim, which came from the construction site of the new PHC Bicholim.

Bicholim Health Officer Dr Jude D’Souza had served a notice to the concerned authorities and had also stated that it was due to poor facilities given to the labourers.

“The labourers were not having any toilet facility and even the water was stagnant in the area, which caused malaria,” Dr D’Souza had told Herald.

However, following the incident, Dr D’Souza had immediately asked the builder to provide toilet facility to labourers, who otherwise answered their nature’s call in the open space.

After the incident, when Herald tried to investigate, it was revealed that even the construction site at Sanquelim, where construction of Primary Health

Centre is going on, there is no toilet facility provided by authorities.

Work of the building is going on since the last one year and even after a year, the contractor has failed to provide proper facilities to the labourers.

At present, there are about 25 labourers working at the site.

Some reside at the construction site, while others stay at other places. There are two water tanks that are overflowing and the water could be seen stagnating near a heap of pipe.

Even as most of the work of the building is over, it is surprising to note that the contractor has till not provided any toilet facilities to the labourers.

Dividend of shares announced HERALD NEwS DESk PANJIM, DEC 5

The Communidade of Murda has announced the dividend of shares for the year 2010 and the same can be collected at the office of the Administration of Communidade, Central Zone, Panjim at 10.30 am to 12.30 pm on Tuesday and Thursday upto December 16.

‘Immobile’ health dept buses gather dust at Sanquelim PHC HERALD CORRESPONDENT BICHOLIM, DEC 5

Two buses with specialized facilities belonging to the health department have been gathering dust at Sanquelim PHC since the last one year.

According to sources, a mobile bus (GA-01-G-2022) for north district and another mobile bus (GA-01-G-2023) for south Goa are lying stationed near the PHC at Sanquelim. “ W h e n t h e b u s e s w e re brought some two years ago, it went to the villages, but after some months they stopped and now for almost one year, these vehicles are ‘docked’ near the PHC Sanquelim,” said a person from Sanquelim speaking on the condition of anonymity.

When this correspondent visited the site on Friday, only one bus was found parked, while the other bus was found missing after some two days when a politician was contacted for a comment.

As per reports and the information displayed on the website of the health department, the two buses were procured under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).

The buses are used to conduct camps to reach to rural people in the two districts of the State.

Every year, the Central government sanctions about Rs 20 lakh per district for the maintenance of these buses.

The NRHM was launched for nationwide implementation with effect from April 2005 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The only objective was to take health care to the door steps of the public in rural areas, especially in under-served areas, Mobile Medical Units were proposed to be provided, one

A bus equipped with medical facilities parked at Sanquelim since the last one year.

Photos by Samir Umarye

per district under NRHM. Throughout India, two types of MMU’s were provided, one with diagnostic facilities and other with specialized facilities, as is the case with Goa. The states were asked to involve District Health Society or NGOs in deciding the appropriate modality for operationalization of the MMU. The provision of staff was considered only for the states, which runs the vehicles with support of NGOs and in case of states outsourcing the vehicles.

When Herald tried to investigate the total expenditure under the scheme through the report of NRHM, several facts came to light.

As per the estimate provided by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India in its report of implementation the unit cost for staff is Rs 7 lakh, mobile unit with essential accessories costs Rs 18.25 lakh per district and a mobile unit with diagnostic facilities has a unit cost of Rs 23.75 lakh per district.

The total capital expenditure

for 595 districts in the country is estimated to be Rs 175 crore.

The recurring expenditure for North-Eastern states, J&K and Himachal Pradesh with provision of a radiologist and an additional driver for diagnostic van is Rs 23.71 lakh per district per annum. For other states, the unit recurring cost is Rs 19.87 lakh per district per annum.

Even with such a whopping expenditure, the health department of Goa seems to be doing nothing with the bus except that they are kept to rust.

The buses which are kept at Sanquelim have facilities like ECG, X-Ray, Ultrasound and blood investigations. Reports are given immediately at the site.

But to the surprise of most of the Goans, these two buses are lying abandoned by the health department, which seems to have failed in its task.

To add to this, even though buses are given to two districts, they are stationed at the same place for months together.

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GOA / REGION GOA, MONDAY, 6 DECEMBER, 2010

AP students interact with pupils in State

Mauvin fetes members, staff of Cortalim p’yat HERALD REPORTER VASCO, DEC 5

Deputy Speaker and Cortalim MLA Mauvin Godinho on Friday felicitated members and staff of the Chicalim Panchayat, after the panchayat was adjudged the second best panchayat in the State.

The Chicalim Panchayat was the second best performing Panchayat in the 'A' class panchayat, while Shiroda Panchayat won the first place.

The Chicalim Panchayat members and office staff were felicitated at a function at the Chicalim Church hall on Friday

evening.

Those present at the function included Sarpanch Raul D'Costa, Deputy Sarpanch Marie Mascarenhas, former sarpanch Anacleto D'Souza, panch members Francisco Nunes, Pratap Mardolkar, Hemant Fadte, Sobha Powar, Landez, Chicalim Villagers Action Committee for Development President Ligorio Monterio and panchayat staff.

Godinho encouraged the panchayat to perform better next year so that it could become the best performing panchayat in the State.

Godinho also felicitated the

Chicalim Youth Club for qualifying in the second division of GFA football league in Mormugao Zone and becoming champion of the third division football league in Mormugao Zone.

Vasco girl Kefira Rodrigues, who was awarded 'The National Child Award 2010' by President Pratibha Patil for exceptional achievement, was also felicitated by the deputy speaker.

On the occasion, the Chicalim Youth Club organized a Konkani drama 'Korta Ti Vatt', which was sponsored by CVACD President Ligorio Monterio.

Renovation work at Sanquelim ground begins

Sanquelim ground which was in pathetic condition.

Photo by Samir Umarye HERALD CORRESPONDENT BICHOLIM, DEC 5

Sanquelim Municipal Council (SMC) undertook repairs of the Sanquelim ground, which was in pathetic condition.

It may be recalled that earlier Herald had highlighted the pathetic condition of the Sanquelim ground.

The ground is the only place for most of the school children and others from Sanquelim. Several plants, trees and weeds had

Students from Arunachal Pradesh interact with students of St Joseph's School at Aquem-Margao.

HERALD NEWS BUREAU PANJIM, DEC 5

Students of St Xavier's School in Nampong-Arunachal Pradesh were in the State on a 10-day visit to interact with students and people of the State from November 26 to December 4.

Over 50 students from St Joseph's School Aquem, Margao and around 80 students from Regina Martyrum High School at Assolna interacted with 21 students of Std X from St Xavier's School, Nampong Arunachal Pradesh.

Fr Allan Tavares, principal of

the school and main coordinator of the interactive session stated that the students shared views about God, relationships especially whom they trust the most among family and friends.

"They articulated what careers they want to pursue and what difference they individually can make in the world," said Fr Tavares.

As part of the Music-DanceDrama club of the school, students of Arunachal presented a 45-minute non-stop musical "Hope in the rising Sun" at Sanguem, Agonda, Betalba-

tim, Grace Church and Pilar, during the Pontifical right status celebration of the Society of Pilar.

The students also had a halfday interaction with the confirmation students of Our Lady of Miracles Parish, Sanguem.

Fr Eleuterio Antao, Parish Priest of St Paul's Parish at Nampong, Arunachal Pradesh along with three school teachers accompanied the students on the 10-day programme.

Pilar Fathers started working in the Arunachal Pradesh since 2000.

Governor, CM participate in Navy Day celebration

Deputy Speaker and Cortalim MLA Mauvin Godinho seen along with Chicalim Village panchayat members and others.

Photo by M Prabhav

‘Indian firms to be hit hard

by N-liability law provisions’ PTI MUMBAI, DEC 5

Governor Dr Shivinder Singh Sidhu receives the honour during Navy Day celebration.

HERALD REPORTER VASCO, DEC 5

Governor Dr Shivinder Singh Sidhu and Chief Minister Digambar Kamat participated in the Navy Day celebration ‘Navy Day Reception’ hosted by Flag Officer Commanding Goa Naval Rear Admiral Sudhir Pillai.

The Naval brass band mesmerized those present through intricate compound marches.

The highlights of the evening were a dazzling show of lights and sounds with Naval ships at anchorage lighting up and t h e t w i l i g h t re s p l e n d e n t amongst flares and fireworks show.

A laser show on 60 years of Indian Navy and a sentimental smoke and laser rendition of Vande Mataram was a part of the special evening.

According to a press statement, Navy PRO M C Joshi, Pillai said the Navy Day is an occasion for naval personnel to rededicate themselves to the country and her citizens.

“The 60 years has seen India and the Indian Navy covering many a mile, proudly carving a niche amongst leading nations and charting a splendid future,” said Pillai.

Prosecution suppressed evidence to nail Kasab: lawyer PTI MUMBAI, DEC 5

The lawyer defending Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab has alleged that the prosecution had suppressed material evidence about CCTV footages to nail him (Kasab) in the CST attack.

Kasab's lawyer Amin Solkar told the Bombay High Court that CCTV cameras installed at Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus, one of the sites targeted in the 26/11 attacks, had purportedly captured the movements of two terrorists in terror acts but only one footage was shown to the court and the rest was "suppressed for reasons best known to the prosecution".

Kasab has taken the defence that he was not present at CST when it was attacked on November 26, 2008.

The High Court is hearing the arguments on confirmation of death penalty awarded to Kasab, 23, by a special court in May this year.

Solkar on Friday pointed out to a High Court bench a portion of evidence wherein police inspector Sandeep Kiratkar disclosed to the trial court that there were 21 CCTV cameras installed on the main line and 15 others on the local line which had captured the

movements of Kasab and Ismael.

Kiratkar had also told the trial court that he had gone to the control room of CCTV where he met constable Jadhav who said he had captured entire movements of Kasab and his partner on CCTV. On hearing this, Kiratkar immediately recorded their movements on a CD and sealed it.

Interestingly, Solkar argued, prosecution deferred the examination of Kiratkar abruptly and after two days this witness took a U-turn in the trial court by saying that the CCTV cameras were not functioning and were under maintenance.

Footage of only one CCTV camera was shown to the court in which faces of Kasab and Ismael were not visible. "This reflects poorly on the conduct of prosecution and Kiratkar's evidence should not be believed," Solkar told justices Ranjana Desai and R V More.

Solkar further argued that Jadhav was an important witness and should have been examined to corroborate the evidence of Kiratkar and also to tell the court that he had recorded the entire movements of Kasab and Ismael but prosecution chose not to examine him.

Therefore, Solkar argued, material evidence had been deliberately suppressed to nail Kasab in the CST terror attack.

Kasab's lawyer contended that not a single witness had been examined to prove that CCTV cameras were not functioning at the time of terror attacks and that they were under maintenance.

Solkar argued that Shriram Kharat, who had identified Kasab in test identification parade, spoke in complete contrast to other witnesses in regard to movements of Kasab and Ismael.

Kharat, an employee of a Central Railway contractor whose job is to lock and unlock the train compartments, had told the court that he had seen terrorists firing at people for 15 to 20 minutes from a distance of about 30 feet.

He also said that he saw Kasab entering the local line section in a straight line from the main line area. The other terrorist came to the local line from another direction (of a taxi stand) in a semi circle.

However, Solkar said, other witnesses have said that they saw the duo entering the local section together from the same direction.

Former Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Anil Kakodkar today said the domestic nuclear industry will be hit hard in the longer run due to certain provisions of the nuclear liability law, which also has French, Russian and US companies worried.

However, Kakodkar feels that the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage law, passed after much debate in Parliament in August, is soft on foreign prime vendors.

"Now that Act has been passed in our Parliament, every one has to accept it and move forward but at the same time the language in clause 17(b) is likely to be hard on Indian entities and soft on foreign prime vendors," he told PTI. Three key suppliers of nuclear equipment -- France, Russia and the US -- have already voiced their concerns over the liability law in its current form and have said that they are awaiting notification of rules for implementing the key legislation.

"The language used creates more problems for suppliers of equipment or materials most of whom are likely to be Indian companies at least eventually," Kakodkar said.

"As far as prime vendors are concerned, they operate at the system level where comprehensive mutual discussions take place between the vendor and the utility (including detailed reviews by the regulatory body) over months/years," he said.

"At the system level, once the two sides decide to work together (which they have to), it would be difficult to isolate 'act

Sonam Kapoor and khandaan to go Goa for New Year AGENCIES NEW DELHI, DEC 5

Sonam Kapoor and khandaan go Goa for New YearAnil, Sunita, Sonam, Rhea and Harsh will spend New Year's in the land of feni. Anil Kapoor will finally go on a long holiday with his entire family to Goa. Says a source close to the actor, "Anil and his family, including wife Sunita and children Sonam, Rhea and Harsh will be going to the Sunshine State on December 28 and will stay there for a week.

They plan to bring in the New Year there and have already booked into one of the most expensive beach resorts in South Goa. Sonam, Rhea and Harsh's friends, along with other family members, will also accompany them. Harsh, who is studying in USA, is coming down for his Christmas holidays.

of supplier or his employee' for purpose of exercising the right of recourse except when there is a case of 'wilful act or gross negligence'," Kakodkar said.

M V Kotwal, Senior Vice-President of Larsen and Toubro, an active domestic player in the nuclear sector, said the concerns of the industry remain the same as a week before the bill was passed in the Parliament.

"Indian industry do not know how the Government of India will help regarding the language of clause 17(b) so that they can confidently move to towards an ambitious nuclear power programme in the country with the foreign collaboration," Kotwal said on the sidelines of conference on Advances in Nuclear Technology which concluded on Friday.

On the issue of insurance, Kakodkar said it was unlikely that an Indian insurance company will be able to insure for Rs 1500 crores, as stated in the law, without involving foreign entities who insist on inspection.

"The alternative is to lock up the necessary funds which would not be available for investment into new power projects," he said.

Kakodkar said since in any case the entire funds for liability coverage would eventually be recovered from electricity consumers, blocking such funds from investment into the power projects could have been avoided.

"A method of post event recovery could have been a better option. In any case one needs to avoid foreign inspection," he stressed.

Kakodkar was optimistic about Indian industry finding a solution

for this.

"Having said all this, I think, the industry would be creative enough to find a way forward.

I only hope that in the process, consumer does not end up being penalised in an unjustifiable manner," he added.

The Indian law includes language that makes suppliers of equipment, raw materials, and services liable—beyond the recourse already available through the courts—for 80 years after the construction of a plant in the unlikely event of a nuclear accident.

Earlier, the Director General of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), Chandrajit Banerjee, had said the clause went against the global practice of placing civil liability exclusively on the operators.

grown on the ground, making the ground unfit for playing.

Besides, several ponds were formed on the ground, in which buffaloes were sitting. Some also used it as an open toilet and the SMC failed to pay any attention to the problem.

On Friday, when this correspondent went to the ground, the entire place was cleaned up and the ponds were also filled with mud. The pitch was also made clear.

OHERALDO

OPINION

Pg6

www.oheraldo.in

O HERALD O

Significance of Special Status

Vol No CX No: 304 Goa, Monday, 6 December, 2010

Boycott or neglect?

O

n Thursday, Parliament permitted the government to withdraw an additional Rs45,000 crore from the public exchequer with no debate or scrutiny. The Rajya Sabha passed all appropriation bills presented before it without any debate, even as the opposition MPs continued making an infernal din, demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into 2G spectrum scam.

The Lok Sabha had passed the appropriation bills relating to supplementary demands for grants with a gross amount of Rs 44,945.52 crore the previous day, under practically identical circumstances. Opposition MPs are boycotting proceedings and trying to disrupt the functioning of parliament by standing in the well of the house and shouting slogans.

To what avail?

As a result of the opposition’s so-called ‘determination’ that they will not allow Parliament to function unless the government agrees to a JPC, both Houses have given sanction for a large sum of extra expenditure for 2010-11, with neither any debate nor any scrutiny of the proposals. Are these MPs doing the job they have been elected to do? Or are they not only wasting money by disrupting the functioning of Parliament – which costs an estimated Rs7.8 crore per day – but neglecting their duties to their voters by not questioning the government on how it proposes to spend the taxpayers’ money?

The logjam over the Opposition demand for a JPC probe into the spectrum scam has continued to disrupt Parliament for the 16th working day now. But the government, fed up of the Opposition’s inflexible positions, it appears, decided to push the money bills through, regardless of shouting.

And it did so. Minister of State for Finance Namo Narain Meena moved the bills, as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh watched. They were declared passed by voice vote. No Opposition MP, it appears, even asked for a division, which could have proved dicey in the upper house, where the government has a wafer-thin majority.

What use, then, was all the shouting by the BJP, AIADMK, TDP and the Left parties? It’s almost as if they colluded in passing the bills without debate!

In 2005, addressing the BJP’s parliamentary party meeting on the first business day of the monsoon session, then BJP President and Leader of the Opposition L K Advani had conceded that the NDA’s boycott of the Budget session of Parliament that year had created a “wrong perception” in the public. Former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, who had reservations about the boycott then, had said that the party’s MPs should sit inside and aggressively raise issues.

It seems the BJP is extremely slow to learn from the lessons of its own history.

A

Risky racing

ll too often, we see young men on powerful motorcycles engaging in high-speed races on the roads in Goa. Many of them are teenagers. Some are even underage, and ought not to be riding motorcycles in the first place.

Needless to say, these races tragically claim the lives of some of these youngsters and cause serious injuries to others, especially pillion riders. But such behaviour on roads that have other traffic and pedestrians can cause serious problems to others, who just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Police need to crack down sharply on these road racers, by levying stiff fines for a first offence and confiscating their motorcycles and suspending their driving licenses for a fixed period for subsequent offences.

The parents of those found driving motorcycles while underage need to be severely penalised. Parents who knowingly allow their wards to break the law should pay a stiff price, for they are not only endangering their own children’s lives, but those of innocent bystanders as well.

Colonial connections Alda Costa, by email I applaud Adv Antonio Lobo for the article on the subject (OPinionED, Herald, 1 Dec).

There is a lot of news on freedom fighters these days. The question which I would like to ask is: What role did they exactly play in Goa’s annexation? There are a few that I know of, who sacrificed everything, and suffered under the Portuguese. These are the true freedom fighters. The rest claim privileges entitled to only the genuine ones.

Was Goa really liberated or conquered?

We now see corruptions at all levels in government. If the Portuguese regime was so bad, then why is the Consulate overloaded with applications for Portuguese citizenship? Many have submitted forged documents so that genuine Goans are subjected to even more strict scrutiny.

Unique feast Reo Cunha, Moira The feast of our Lady of Immaculate Con-

The acceptance of the private members bill could pave the way for Goa’s special status, says maTanhY saLDanha

E

ven as the State is preparing to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of its liberation from Portuguese rule, it is indeed tragic that for the last 49 years, Goans have been living on empty promises, with a hope that things will change tomorrow.

In fact, a quick look at the last 49 years indicates that Goa was liberated from the Portuguese only to be enslaved to the government in New Delhi.

It would be pertinent and relevant to point out that Goans fought a hard battle to retain its own identity and individuality through the plebiscite, more popularly known as ‘Opinion Poll’. The hopes and aspirations while maintaining its own individuality and identity, have been belied with the more recent developments, more particularly over the last two decade.

Goa is, therefore, on the verge of losing its unique identity as it not only wears a more cosmopolitan look, but its natural beauty is also ravaged and destroyed.

Goa, due to historic reasons was not represented in the constituent assembly, being constituted after India gained its independence.

Thus, the aspirations of the state was not voiced before it and, therefore, not enshrined in the Constitution.

The moment when Goa was liberated, by right, granting of special status would have enabled her to catch up with the rest of the country since two five year plans had been lost out. Unfortunately, that did not happen!

Over the last 49 years, Goa has become the favourite destination of not only the rich and the powerful, for whom it has become a status symbol to own a property here, but also for the poor and the downtrodden, since it is their ‘El Dorado’ – the land of plenty. Both these aspects have, indeed, contributed in a big way towards dilution of Goa’s character and identity.

On the one hand, to provide housing for the rich and the mighty our hills and fields are being ravaged. This has changed the very topography and beauty of the undulating land that was associated with Goa, a land said to be carved out by

ChampioninG a Cause Gods.

On the other hand, the poor and downtrodden have become squatters in spawning slums and shanties, not only in towns, but even villages.

This development puts Goa in league with any other state, given the associated dirt and squalor prevalent at the shanties. Worse still, migrants with their sheer numbers are on the verge of outnumbering Goans. The fate that befell the East Indian community of Mumbai, when they were reduced to a minority in their own land, now looms large on Goans.

In fact, if our political leadership was astute, when Goa attained statehood in 1987, special

God’s presence in our lives

Wise Counsel

W

e believe and we know that God wants us to be happy, joyous, and free, not subtly angry, judgmental, passive, aggressive, cold, callous, critical and condemning. I heard a statement made by a man who said, “I know that it is God’s will for me to be happy, joyous and free.” Those words stuck in my mind for months. How could he know that? I wondered at various times when his words popped into my mind. What if God wants us to go through a time of suffering? What if it is God’s will for us to be miserable? Shouldn’t we just accept it and play the hand that is dealt to us? Why should we try to be happy if God wants us sad? These questions and more like them nagged at my mind for months until one day I decided to do something about it.

I believe that we are the creation of God and he loves us so much and I firmly believe that God wants us to be happy and joyous. Whether our life is going well or not, we should never forget to rejoice and praise God for his many blessings, or we may lose them all. In other words it is not just an option to rejoice, it is a necessity to maintain a happy life.

You must have noticed in your every day experience, that suppose you are racing along a highway and you are searching for an exit from where you can move on to the side lane, but when it comes, you just miss it sometimes. Why? It is because your mind is absorbed in other thoughts. You are not mentally present in

ception is celebrated in prominent places in Goa with great pomp. The tiny village of Moira also celebrates this feast which falls on 8 December as it is the annual village feast. The church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception is also located in Moira.

People from all communities will visit the church to light candles and pray for peace and happiness for all. This is a symbol of harmony in these times of strife when peace is out to be destroyed in Goa by forces of evil.

Another hotline please!

Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco It is understood the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has launched a toll-free hotline where people from across the country can register a complaint against corrupt government officials. It would be nice to have another hotline where people can register complaints against corrupt ministers and politicians. Corruption starts with our politicians and descends down to the other officials. Keeping a tab on our politi-

Smitha Bhandare Kamat

status should have been conferred on us in order to enable us to retain our identity and uniqueness. Unfortunately, that also did not happen!

Since we attained statehood, there has been a consistent degradation of Goan society. Our land is under attack from all quarters, including Central government agencies. Riding on the wave of the rapid strides made in the service sector through tourism, our agrarian economy is systematically being annihilated, in order to permit land sharks to grab the fields for erecting concrete jungles, in place of the paddy fields. Government has remained a mute spectator to this plunder

of our state and its people lamented GMSS. However, during the last Lok Sabha elections, these issues were raised and the Congress President Sonia Gandhi, who is also the chairperson of the United Progressive Front had promised Goans that her government would confer Goa with special status.

Two years have passed and that promise has been unfulfilled probably because the goal of getting her candidate elected, has been achieved.

It is indeed fodder for thought that despite letters being sent to all the members of parliament and the president of the country, no steps have been taken to give Goa special status pointed out GMSS. More significantly, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat had assured the people of Goa on the floor of the house last year that his government would bring about a legislation prohibiting sale of agricultural land in Goa to non-farmers, just like the law in Maharashtra.

Though a year has passed, this promise too has not been fulfilled. It, therefore, shows that the governments both in the state and the centre only believe in making empty promises to keep gullible Goans satisfied.

However, there is an opportunity for the centre and more particularly, Sonia Gandhi, to keep up to her promise, as the private members’ bill introduced by MP Shripad Naik, seeking special status for Goa under Article 371 of the Constitution of India, has been accepted in the Lok Sabha.

Similarly, the private member’s bill moved by Rajya Sabha member Shantaram Naik has been accepted in the Upper House.

The UPA government could well pass these bills so that Goa gets special status as we approach the landmark of completing 50 years of our liberation. It would be befitting that the centre gives us special status under Article 371 of the Constitution of India, as a golden jubilee present, which would be truly cherished and help maintain our identity and uniqueness. Goa will also be preserved for posterity, so that we can continue to boast of being from a land carved out by Lord Parshurama!

that moment. Either you are thinking of something in the past, or pondering over something in the future. You will, therefore, miss the exit even if it is very much there. So what we basically need is to focus on God’s plan for us and this will lead us to live a happy and contended life.

We need to get it into our minds that it is not just an option to be happy; it is a command of Christ. In fact, in other words, it is a sin not to be happy. If we are living in sin, we cannot receive all that God has to offer in his plan for our life. Sometimes, it may not be easy to get one’s self out of a sad and depressed mode of life, but I firmly believe that God occupies a very important place in our life. As for me, he is my friend because I don’t pray to him.

I talk to him everyday. I just ask God to give me the strength and the courage to go on with my life, to overcome all the hurdles, to achieve my goals, to keep my near and dear loved ones happy and most of all, I ask him to make me a good human being.

When people do something unkind, mean, and unfriendly or are agitated and stressed, it’s easy to judge them as wrong or having a “problem”. But if we stop for a second and try to understand them, we‘ll realise they are just acting out of a bad feeling, often fear or worry. They are suffering, out of harmony.

The more we understand others, the easier it is to get on wonderfully with them. Troublesome people aren’t problems, they’re

Eye opener to government D P Pednekar, Alto Porvorim I appreciate oHeraldo for publishing an article on 30 November entitled ‘A just land acquisition policy’ by Adv Ramakant Khalap, Chairman, Law Commission, Government of Goa, based on Haryana R & R Policy.

This article is an eye-opener to the government of Goa. They should seriously consider the suggestions given and introduce the new Land Acquisition Act immediately in Goa. I also appreciate Adv Khalap for highlighting the outdated 19th century land acquisition Act 1894, which is still exists and his proposals to adopt the Haryana R&R policy. Goans will be saved from losses and atrocities by scrapping the said act.

We fully support Adv Khalap’s in his efforts and recommendations since price of land in Goa is more than that of Haryana.

Demand for JPC Jonas Correia, Aldona The demand for a JPC probe into the telecom scandal is understandable given the size of the scam. But why disrupt the functioning of Parliament? The MPs could have discussed the matter threadbare for the last 15 days. Non functioning of Parliament has resulted in a Rs90 crore loss. Members have voiced their grievances and have convinced the house of the need for a probe.

In the past, such commissions have been appointed. The fact of the matter is that commissions probe the various scandals and produce volumes of paperwork, which gather dust. Let the PAC investigate the matter and recover the amount from the guilty. Merely appointing commissions or conducting probes are just a mere eye wash.

Apostle of the indies

great opportunities where we can learn and grow from them, and open our hearts to kindness and care for them. Hurting people, who are mean, don’t need more hurt from us, nor do we need to take their unkindness personally. It is better if we can reach out to them in kindness and offer them our love.

Setting the intention to release expectations and learn from all experiences, has changed my life. Certain parts of my life that used to be negative, have taught me so much about myself. I have found more ways to live joyously through heartache while not denying the fact, that I am feeling pain.

How foolish to keep wishing for a stroke of financial good luck to bring us happiness! Or to live in mortal fear, that a calamity will take all our happiness away. Happiness does not come from happenings. It comes from accepting what God gives us and being content with it. Happiness is not a matter of position, but of disposition. Life moves on and if you don’t stop and look at the wonders already present in your life, you will miss life altogether.

Think of big thoughts, but relish the small joys that life offers you each day. Maybe it’s as simple as smiling at someone. For that could be the last day of life — for you or for me.

A small genuine act from you will cost you nothing, but it could mean everything to somebody, that day. Life is a succession of moments. Live each moment.

Letters to the Editor

Letter of the Day

cians would be the first step towards fighting corruption in government offices. Why can’t the wrong doings of our politicians come under the purview of the general public?

By arlette azavedo

a man of prayer and his love for the poor masses was very much evident, even though he was of noble birth.

The zeal of Francis Xavier would suffice to bring about the much needed spirituality among Christians, and those of his capacity, who must imbibe these virtues in their every day lives. Many must live in humility and emulate the 500-year old example of the apostle of the indies.

They listened to us…

Crispino Faria, Vasco I had written a letter to oHeraldo dated 5 Nov ‘Problems of Goan seafarers’ regarding the hardships faced by the seafarers who have to go to Mumbai for answering their exams and other formalities. This is now a thing of the past, when I was informed that MMD Mumbai is holding oral exams in Goa. This will help the Goan marine engineers immensely by way of travel and money. A big thank you to oHeraldo and also to the concerned authorities in making the above possible. Goa MMD must be made into a fully functional unit like their counterparts in Mumbai.

John A Fernandes, Margao

A irregular procedure

December 3 is an auspicious day in Goa. I spent the day reading of the life of St Francis Xavier. What struck me most was apart from being a zealous priest, he was

Goa was under Portuguese rule for nearly five hundred years and all the transactions were done in Portuguese. Naturally, all the

Joao Philip Pereira, Verna

documents relating to sale and purchase, court procedure and legislation were inscribed in Portuguese. With the annexation of Goa by the Indian government, English language was imposed in Goa thereby creating a chaotic situation which gave rise to many unscrupulous persons involved in what they called translation of documents, whereby many such translators only transliterated. While translation means expression of the sense of the word, sentence, book, in or into another language and further to convey, introduce, etc., whereas transliteration means to represent (word or abs) in the more or less corresponding characters of a different language.

I suggest some more equally qualified persons who satisfy the criteria having profound knowledge of Portuguese be appointed and the scam stopped.

Reneged promises Lawrence Fernandes, Sancoale This refers to the article, ‘Goa, the Portuguese and India’ by Adv Antonio Lobo (OPinionatED, Herald, 1 Dec). It was written in a very honest, true and informative manner.

In 1982, Argentina and Great Britain fought a war over the Falkland islands.

After having captured two islands, the British dispatched a naval vessel and launched an amphibious attack. Argentine occupiers surrendered on 14 June to the British.

Argentina claimed that geographically Falklands belonged to them but Britain is in current possession of the islands. Goa is geographically part of India but the Portuguese did not fight back, as the issue was vetoed by Russia in the United Nations.

In the end, Nehru did not keep up to his promise to treat Goa as a separate identity and today, we Goans have been shifted “from the frying pan into the fire”. What Nehru meant by “Goa ke log ajeeb hai,“ God alone knows.

Christmas Festivities Nigel Appleton, England Mr Castellino in his letter ‘Christmas fer-

vour now’ (Herald, 30 Nov) urges the traders of Goa to “cash in on Christmas” by copying the European practice of bringing Christmas goods and promotions into play in November. I write to beg them to do no such thing. In the UK, Christmas goods are in shops from September; the significance of the festival is lost by this blatant commercialism. My experience of Goa is that the joy of the Christmas season still attaches to the celebration of the Saviour’s birth. Long may it remain so. Let the preparation for Christmas start where it should, with the beginning of the season of Advent (November 28 of this year). Goa has a special character; I hope it can be preserved as we shall all lose, Goans and visitors alike, if we do not do likewise.

Mahanand’s acquittals Marcos Alemao, by email Mahanand Naik got acquitted in 7th case of his criminal activities. (Herald 2 Dec). It is very much evident that Mahanand killed more than 17 lasses for his lust and robbery, but has been acquitted several times due to lack of evidence. Several cases of theft, house breaking, and robbery in temples have been reported and police do their duty by arresting the thieves. But the court acquits them and they are back to their old ways, after release. This would have not happened during the Portuguese regime. Thanks to Indian democracy, it is now different.

History and freedom Ayres Sequeira, Salvador do Mundo History and freedom make a lot of difference but not so to our so called freedom fighters, who hold a grudge against the Portuguese. The Portuguese were disciplined administrators and all the trouble makers were put behind bars.

The arrival of the Portuguese naval ship NRP Sagres to celebrate 500 years of colonial rule was also objected to, on silly grounds.

The purification ceremony held by the freedom fighters clearly lacks imagination.

However, with the freedom we now enjoy, we must learn to be civilised, cultured and live in a globalised world.

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OHERALDO

INDIA

GOA, MONDAY 6, DECEMBER, 2010

OPinionatEd Garbage – An Environment Hazard

BY RUI DA GAMA

Garbage is an issue that is longing for a solution. A solution which is not only in the hands of the Government of Goa, but rests with each of us as individuals, families residing in houses, building complexes and in a community environment. There was no planning for garbage, as our state was progressing under development for some years now. We were so excited with the new developments that we forgot to remind the government of Goa and ourselves, in the development of a good garbage management system.

On the contrary, due to the greed of enjoying the luxuries of fast development, we have developed many unhealthy habits of throwing garbage anywhere. Excluding those who still possess good habits, some pack their garbage in a plastic bag and throw them outside the garbage bin or on the roadside within the cities. People are also known to carry the garbage inside their cars and motorbikes and throw them along the highway or on village roads with the thought that they are not being noticed. Our gutters get choked with garbage. Our plumbers complain that PVC pipes get choked with latex, cotton absolvent, etc. Our rivers are being polluted with garbage such as plastics, glass bottle pieces, metal parts, dead dogs, dead cows, dead pigs, dead chicken and dead human bodies of those who commit suicide.

Our river beds and fields are being flooded with mining rejects which is also part of garbage, gifted to us. Behind hospitals, we find piles of medical waste disposed off as garbage. Is this not an environment hazard? Has our thinking been affected by garbage?

Before the towns and cities could develop, every place was a village area. In villages till now, there is an age old system of garbage collection by digging pits and after a period of time, the compost matter is used as manure. This method could have been continued even in the cities and towns in Goa. Every building, housing complex, residential house could dig pits and collect their biodegradable waste garbage minus the plastics, metal, glass and other items which are bought by scrap dealers. The money recovered from scrap dealers could go towards building maintenance. Plastic bags must be banned and replaced by paper bags. The compost manure could be periodically collected by agencies for use as fertiliser.

There is so much of scope for us to continue with our good garbage collection habits, till such time the government of Government invests in modern garbage treatment plants, with a keen eye on pollution control. Otherwise, some of us will continue to throw garbage around. Sometimes, in our thoughts and speech, we use foul language, which is garbage. But that’s garbage of a different kind. The garbage issue is slowly changing from an environment hazard to human hazard stance. Our way of speech should not be akin to that of garbage. There is so much of scope to change our habits and live in the true image of ourselves, as civilized human beings.

Police competent authority to probe offences, says Bhardwaj PTI BANGALORE, DEC 5

Targeting the Yeddyruppa government yet again, Karnataka Governor H R Bhardwaj today virtually questioned the judicial probe ordered by it into the alleged land scams, saying the police was the only competent authority to investigate any offence.

Appearing to back Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde, who had objected to the BJP government ordering the probe headed by a retired high court judge when the matter was pending before him, the Governor said the "confusion" is being created "deliberately".

"The only forum competent to investigate offences is police.

Nobody else has the power.

Lokayukta has a police, the government has a police, wherever there is a crime, it may be investigated by the police," he said citing a Supreme Court ruling when asked by reporters about the judicial probe.

"But this confusion is being created deliberately", he said when asked about the dual probe into the denotification and land scam involving chief minister B S Yeddyurappa.

"Lokayukta is investigating the issue, it will unearth the truth. I have no further comments on the issue", he said on the sidelines of a function here.

Asked about the land scam which led to the resignation of Minister for Housing Katta Subramanya Naidu, he said, "I don't want to react about what is happening.

"Ministers are also not listening to my advice. When I raised the illegal mining issue, there was criticism that I was misusing my position. I will leave it to people to judge.

A tonga participates in a traditional tonga race as a part of the ongoing Lucknow Mahotsava-2010 in Lucknow on Sunday.

26/11 attaCkS

India may allow Pak panel to interview witnesses PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 5

India may allow a Pakistani commission to travel here to interview key witnesses and other officials in connection with the trial of seven Pakistani suspects in 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case.

Sources said Pakistan will be informed of India’s stand on the issue once the government gets the view of Bombay High Court on it, possibly next week.

India, as such, does not have any problem if a commission from Pakistan comes to take statements of Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate R V Sawant Waghule and Investigating Officer Ramesh Mahale, who recorded 26/11 convict Ajmal Kasab’s statement, and the doctors who carried out the post-mortem of the victims and the terrorists.

But, the sources said, it is mandatory to take the

view of the High Court as the case related to 26/11 is now pending before it.

“We want the 26/11 case in Pakistan to reach its logical conclusion. We have no issues in allowing them to visit India provided the High Court gives its nod,” a source said.

Special Judge M L Tahaliyani had convicted lone captured 26/11 terrorist Kasab to death in May, subject to confirmation of the sentence by the High Court.

On the eve of the second anniversary of the Mumbai terror attacks, India asked Pakistan to punish those responsible.

India said “substantive and verifiable” progress has not been made in the probe into Mumbai attacks case in Pakistan.

Asking Islamabad to fulfill its “obligation and commitment” to bring to justice the perpetrators of the

26/11 carnage, India regretted that no feedback has been received on several issues raised by New Delhi.

This included voice samples of Pakistan-based “handlers” of the 10 terrorists who attacked Mumbai on November 26, 2008 and information about seven persons involved in the attacks whose names were given

by Home Minister P Chidambaram during his meeting with his Pakistani counterpart in June in Islamabad.

The names of seven “handlers” involved in 26/11 included that of two officers in the Pakistani Army, sources said.

However, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Rehman Malik said last week that the trial of seven Pakistani suspects charged with involvement in the 2008 Mumbai attacks has been held up because of New Delhi’s delay in granting permission for a commission to visit India to interview key witnesses.

Hacking of CBI website raises questions over safety regulations PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 5

The recent hacking of CBI’s website by a group called ‘Pakistani Cyber Army’ has raised questions over the safety regulations of servers provided by National Informatics Centre, the organisation responsible for maintaining government servers.

While the NIC maintains a studied silence over the entire issue, sources in the security establishment say that the safety mechanism of the NIC was not up to the mark and several reminders were being sent to them for upgrading their hardware.

The official website of the CBI was hacked by the ‘Pakistani Cyber Army’ on the intervening night of December 3 and 4. The CBI had yesterday registered a case against unknown persons in this connection.

Security force cunducting a flag march on the eve of the anniversary of demolition of Babri Mosque in Lucknow on Sunday.

A report “Shadows in the Cloud” by a Canadian think-tank comprising “Information Warfare Monitor” and “Shadows Server” earlier this year said there was evidence of a cyber espionage network that compromised government, business and academic computer systems in India, especially the office of the Dalai Lama.

According to a Canadian firm, which investigated the hacking of the Dalai Lama’s computer, as many as 12 computers of NIC had been hit by the Chinese hackers.

The report said the recovery and analysis of ex-filtrated data, including one that appears to be encrypted diplomatic correspondence, two documents marked “Secret”, six as “Restricted”, and five as “Confidential”. These documents are identified as belonging to the

Oppn demand for JPC probe Mizoram ranks second in into 2G unreasonable: Sibal incidence of child abuse PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 5

Rejecting the demand for a JPC probe into the allocation of 2G spectrum as unreasonable, Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal today said such a process would not help achieve the objective “sought to be served” and alleged the Opposition’s motive was “pure politics”.

The government is not averse to a Supreme Court-monitored probe, but does not want any executive authority to intervene, to ensure that the process is transparent and has the confidence of the people, Sibal said.

He said the government has initiated action to see if ineligible firms were given licences and as far as criminal culpability is concerned, the matter was being investigated.

“Criminal culpability is being investigated by the CBI and we are not averse to Supreme Court’s monitoring and ideally we don’t want any executive authority in between, so that the process is transparent and the public is confident that it is directly being investigated by the apex court and JPC cannot do anything better than that,” Sibal told PTI. A JPC should emerge through a consensus or when there is a cause of national concern, the minister said, adding that the Opposition’s demand “is something to do with pure politics”.

He asserted that the Telecom Ministry will look into the decision-making that took place from 2008-2009, as the action has already been initiated. The new operators that allegedly suppressed information to get licences would be issued showcause notices and asked to explain why their licences should not be cancelled.

“So I don’t see how demand for the JPC probe is based on reasons in the context of the objective that sought to be served,” the Minister said, questioning the Opposition’s insistence on such

n The government is not averse to a Supreme Court-monitored probe, but does not want any executive authority to intervene, to ensure that the process is transparent and has the confidence of the people.

-- Sibal

a probe.

“If, however, the purpose is to mudsling in public and to score a political point or the purpose is to look at issues (that have) nothing to do with allocation of 2G spectrum, then it would mean JPC is being sought for purpose unrelated to the process of spectrum allocation,” he added.

The standoff between the government and the Opposition over a JPC probe resulted in a near complete washout of the Winter Session of the Parliament, as proceedings have been disrupted everyday since November 10.

The government, Sibal said, is ready to discuss the issue in Parliament. “My fear is that the reason why the Opposition is not allowing a debate (is) because they don’t want a full-fledged debate on the issue, which shows that demand for a JPC is unreasonable,” the minister said.

As far as future telecom policy is concerned, it is for the administrative ministry to decide upon and a JPC has no role to play in that, he said.

“So I want to know what is the rationale behind the demand for JPC. Let there be a debate on the floor of the House... Let’s discuss the issue first,” he said, while claiming that the demand for JPC has become “an instrument” to create controversies on a daily basis so that the Indian democracy does not function.

PTI AIZAWL, DEC 5

Two recent incidents of rape and murder of minors have come as a wake-up call for Mizoram which has the unenviable record of having the second highest incidence of child abuse in the country.

A five-year- old girl was raped and murdered on October 18 in Thakthing locality here with a 35-year-old man from Salem locality arrested for the crime.

While public anger against the incident was still seething, another brutal rape and murder of a five-year-old girl occurred at Muallungthu village near Aizawl on November eight.

The accused, a 26 year-old Myanmarese national, was lynched the next day.

Officials of the State Council for Child Welfare say Mizoram ranked the second highest in child abuse, next only to neighbouring Assam.

Aizawl Superintendent of Police Lalbiakthanga Khiangte said that since 2006, 344 rape cases were registered of which 209 (60.76 per cent) victims were below the age of 15.

Of the victims, 35 were aged

between one to five years, 70 between the age of five to ten and 104 between the age of 10 to 15.

“The rape figure, especially minor rape, will be much higher as the majority of victims do not complain to the police,” he said.

He cited an example of a person who raped and sexually molested ten minors in a village, but the parents of only two victims complained to the police.

“The fear of being stigmatised is the main reason for failure to report rape cases to the police,” Khiangte said, suggesting that keeping silent about the crime would only encourage criminals.

“The best thing is to report the crime immediately to the police so that victims can receive swift and decisive justice, which will act as a deterrent for criminals,” he said.

Khiangte said that out of the 328 rapists arrested during five years, there were 84 rapists who were 40 years or older, while 71 were between the age of 25 and 30 years.

There were also 22 rapists who were below the age of 15 with a five year-old boy

who had raped a minor girl, he said.

The SP said that out of 35 cases of rape of minors, the rapist was not known to the victim in 17.14 per cent cases while the rapists were relatives, neighbours or guests of the victims in 57.14 cases.

Twenty per cent of rapists were step-fathers or step-brothers, while 5.72 per cent were teachers, he said.

“All those who raped minors revealed that they had watched pornographic films,” he added.

A senior psychiatrist in the state health department John M Ralte said paedophilia was a per version and many rapists found children who could not fight back as soft targets.

“Paedophiles not only feel sexual attraction towards children, but also look upon them as easy prey as they are not likely to face strong resistance and are more vulnerable,” Ralte said.

Chairperson of the state Children Welfare Committee Lalengruali Sailo said that 1,199 cases of child abuse have been received since 2005 till November, 2010 of which 286 were sexual abuse cases.

Indian government.

“However, we do not have direct evidence that they were stolen from Indian government computers and they may have been compromised as a result of being copied onto personal computers.

“The recovered documents also include 1,500 letters sent from the Dalai Lama’s office between January and November 2009. The profile of documents recovered suggests that the attackers targeted specific systems and profiles of users,” the report said.

The sources said besides reports by well-established thinktanks, there were several notes drawing urgent attention of various key ministries about possible intrusion by hackers either based in China or Pakistan trying to infiltrate into the computers.

Agencies have also cautioned against the practice of connecting official computers and laptops with unsecured Internet connections by some bureaucrats thus compromising security.

With hackers mainly from China very active and having penetrated deep into the cyber space, the security agencies had asked all ministries especially the Defence, External, Home and the PMO to separate their official computers with those with Internet facility.

The recommendations of the central security agencies seem to have gone unheeded as an official maintained that their suggestion was only recommendatory in nature.

The National Technical and Research Organisation (NTRO) also circulated a do’s and don’ts to key ministries recently after attempts from hackers were noticed.

Against the backdrop of concerns over checking of crucial official websites, security agencies have been continuously warning the government about the use of multitasking BlackBerry instruments by some of the officials working in sensitive ministries including the Prime Minister’s office.

APPOINTMENTS

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GOA, MONDAY, 6 DECEMBER, 2010

Pg9 CBI seeks SC nod to probe Shah’s role PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 5

The CBI has sought the Supreme Court’s nod to probe former Gujarat Home Minister Amit Shah’s role in the killing of Tulsiram Prajapati, an eyewitness in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case.

In its final probe report on Sohrabuddin case, submitted to the court recently, the CBI had expressed suspicion that Shah, a close aide of Chief Minister Narender Modi, could be involved in Prajapati’s killing.

Sohrabuddin, an alleged gangster, was killed in November 2005 by Gujarat Police which had claimed that he had been plotting assassination of Modi and other political leaders.

The policemen are alleged to have subsequently killed his wife Kauser Bi and accomplice Tulsiram Prajapati as they were said to have been eyewitnesses to the killing.

The agency has expressed the suspicion about Shah’s involvement in eliminating Prajapati on December 28, 2006 following an analysis of ex-minister’s telephone call records between December 20 and 31, 2006.

“The analysis of the mobile call details reveal that as many as 16 calls had been exchanged between Shah and Raj Kumar Pandian (a police officer arrested for Sohrabuddin’s killing) just before and after the encounter of Tulsiram Prajapati (on December 28, 2006),” said the CBI in its probe report to the apex court.

The agency maintained that the frequency of the calls is “unnatural, uncommon and not part of the official duty of Shah as a state minister.”

SC declines Teesta’s plea PTI

NEW DELHI, DEC 5

The Supreme Court has declined to hear the plea of social activist Teesta Setalvad seeking a stay on a Ahmedabad trial court order asking the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to record the statement of her former colleague in the Gulbarg Society massacre case.

The apex court said it cannot be an appellate authority and the applicant can take remedy under the law and approach the appropriate judicial forum.

Setalvad’s counsel then preferred to withdraw the application and accordingly, the court passed its order.

“Applicant seeks leave to withdraw the application, stating that the applicant would like to pursue some other remedy, as may be available to them, in accordance with law. The application is dismissed accordingly,” a Bench comprising Justices D K Jain, P Sathasivam and Aftab Alam said.

The Bench clarified that it was not going into the merits of the order of the trial court.

“We may, however, clarify that we have not expressed any opinion on the merits of the impugned order. As and when the same is challenged, the court concerned will examine it on its own merits,” the Bench said, adding, “the application is dismissed as withdrawn”.

Muslims weaving garlands for Hindu deities PTI AYODHYA, DEC 5

This temple town in Uttar Pradesh, where the Babri Masjid was demolished 18 years ago, Muslim traders in a lane close to the disputed site continue to weave garlands offered to Hindu deities, setting a unique example of communal harmony.

Many shops run by Muslims on either side of the crowded lane on the outer premises of Hanuman Garhi temple, just a few metres away from the makeshift Ram Temple erected on the debris of Babri Masjid, are packed with items used in temples and worshipping Hindu deities.

Amid the crowd of Sadhus and visiting Hindu devotees in the lane where the atmosphere is loaded with the mixed sounds of chanting of bhajans and bells tolling in the Hanuman Garhi and the adjacent Dashrath Mahal temples it is difficult for an outsider to imagine a Muslim dealing in purely Hindu ritual items in that area but there are many.

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More Obituaries on Page 11

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US had asked Pak to crack down on ultras PTI ISLAMABAD, DEC 5

Exactly two years before the 2008 Mumbai attacks, American officials pressured the Pakistan government to crack down on the Lashker-e-Taiba and its front Jamaat-ud-Dawah but were unable to make much headway, according to a secret US diplomatic cable.

A cable sent on November 27, 2006 by former US Ambassador to Pakistan Ryan C Crocker, one of the hundreds released by WikiLeaks, said the US embassy had raised the operations of the two groups with "contacts throughout the Government of Pakistan" after the LeT was designated a terrorist organisation under UN Security Council resolution 1267 the previous year.

Crocker took up the activities

‘Iran to process own raw uranium’ AGENCIES TEHRAN, DEC 5

Iran's nuclear chief says scientists have delivered the first dom e s t i c a l l y p ro d u c e d r a w uranium to a facility that starts the process of nuclear fuel production.

The step displays Iran's determination to become nuclear self-sufficient, including by enriching uranium, just a day before world powers meet with Iranian officials in another attempt to persuade them to give up the technology.

Enrichment worries the US and some of its allies because it can also be used in weapons production. Iran insists its nuclear aims are solely peaceful.

Nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi says the uranium ore concentrate was produced at the Gachin uranium mine in southern Iran and delivered to the Isfahan uranium conversion facility.

Salehi said on Sunday the UN nuclear watchdog agency will supervise the work.

of LeT, Al Akhtar Trust and Al Rashid Trust – all designated under UNSC resolution 1267 – with the then Foreign Secretary Riaz Khan and the then National Security Advisor Tariq Aziz while other US officials engaged the Foreign Ministry's UN Directorate and the Information Ministry.

"No (Government of Pakistan) official, however, has committed to taking direct action to close the operations of these entities," Crocker wrote in the cable exactly two years before 10 terrorists launched by the LeT carried out attacks in India's financial hub killing 166 people.

Following the Mumbai attacks, the UN Security Council designated the JuD a front for the LeT and imposed restrictions on its assets and efforts to gain access to weapons.

‘Envoys complained to US about China’s muscle-flexing’ PTI BEIJING, DEC 5

China was "losing friends worldwide" because of its "aggressive" posture about which India's envoy to Beijing along with those from Japan, EU and some African States also voiced complaints to the US, according to a secret cable from the American embassy here released by WikiLeaks.

A new set of leaked cables published by London's 'Observer' newspaper today showed that US Ambassador to Beijing, Jon Huntsman, in a secret despatch on China's `newly pugnacious’ foreign policy, said Beijing is "losing friends worldwide".

The European diplomats were “most vocal" about China's aggressive posture in recent years, while Indian and Japanese envoys voiced similar "complaints," Huntsman's cable said.

"Numerous third-country diplomats have complained to us that dealing with China have become more difficult in the past year," the US envoy said in his February report, quoting among others Indian Ambassador to China, S Jaishankar.

From Page 1 LeT planned to kill...

India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal.

The United States, which has charged the Wikileaks of indulging in a criminal act by stealing and releasing these cables, has neither confirmed nor denied the authenticity of these documents.

The secret cable is based on various intelligence inputs received by it, the source of which is not mentioned in the cable.

The cable notes that the network of Shafiq Khafa - a Lashkar leader - is “striving to stand up two teams in southern India that

Relatives, friends & neighbours kindly accept this as the only intimation.

Filipino boys blow whistles as they join an environmental group in calling the public to exercise caution in buying toys in Manila, Philippines.

Russia to acquire more than 1,500 jets

In his cable entitled "Stomp around and carry a small stick: China's new 'global assertiveness' raises hackles, but has more form than substance", Huntsman accused Beijing of "muscle-flexing, triumphalism and assertiveness", but added that some observers saw it as a rhetoric designed to appeal to Chinese public opinion.

He said a British diplomat complained saying that Chinese officials' behaviour at the Copenhagen climate change summit in December last year was "shocking" and so rude and arrogant that t h e U K a n d Fr e n c h c o m plained formally.

The Indian Ambassador to Beijing requested closer cooperation with the US because of "China's more aggressive approach," Huntsman's cable said, adding Japanese diplomats complained that Chinese officials were "aggressive and difficult" during climate summit preparations.

Another Japanese official described rising tensions in the East China Sea, saying that "the increased aggressiveness of Chinese 'coastguard' and naval

units... had provoked 'many dangerous encounters' with Japanese civilian and self-defence force ships".

Reacting to references to Jaishankar's remarks in Huntsman's cable, the Indian embassy here declined to comment.

The secret cable said that the main tensions appeared to be with China's neighbours or established western powers.

On the recent crisis between Japan and China following detention of the Chinese skipper of a fishing trawler, the leaked paper showed that Japan had not reported all incidents involving aggressive posturing by China before the incident.

The cable referred to another dispute between Norway and China over Oslo's allegation of human rights violations in China.

The ties between the two countries worsened following the awarding of Nobel peace prize to Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo recently.

A Norwegian diplomat said Oslo was unhappy with the trend of bilateral relations, citing the lack of progress in human rights discussions.

rely on the support of LeT members based in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Nepal”.

Although specific details of planned LeT attacks remain unknown, late-May 2009 intelligence indicates that Khafa’s cells were engaged in surveillance activities of potential targets, likely in southern India.

India..

“We will have a board meeting as soon as possible, may be tonight or tomorrow to decide the future course of action and team building. We are very sure that we will rise up to the expectations of cricket fraternity of Kerala and India,” he said.

Gaikwad said that Rendezvous held only sweat equity and it was not paid up (equity shares given without receiving payment for effort).

Mukesh Patel of Parinee Developers, one of the investors in the franchisee, expressed happiness over the BCCI’s decision and said that there were no problems in the franchisee now.

“There were some internal issues. There are differences of opinion in every company. But that has now been sorted out.

Now we will work as a team,” said Patel who was here for the IPL governing council meeting.

Barely seven months after becoming the second most costliest team in the Indian Premier League, Kochi was on the verge of being thrown out of the event. But the owners of the beleaguered franchise made a last ditch attempt to save the outfit by reaching a compromise.

Before the compromise, the investors of the franchise, which was bought for a staggering sum of Rs 1533.33 crore, had written to the BCCI informing them of their intention towithdraw from the IPL. That letter was sent after the BCCI, which had on October 10 expelled Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals for allegedly violating contractual agreements, gave a termination notice of 30 days to the franchise to sort out internal disputes regarding the shareholding pattern.

The investors in the consortium — Anchor Earth, Parinee Developers, Rosy Blue and Film Wave — had earlier held 74 per cent of the equity.

The remaining 26 per cent was with the Gaikwad family — Shailendra, his brother Ravi and their parents, all part of Rendezvous Sports World — as free equity for services rendered while bidding.

It was this 26 per cent which became a bone of contention among the stakeholders as the investors were in no mood to give free equity to the Gaikwad family.

The Gaikwads, on their part, initially refused to part with the equity but later agreed to accept just 10 per cent sweat equity after the investor group threatened to pull out of the franchise.

The BCCI has maintained that eight teams will take part in the fourth edition of the league scheduled from April 8, just six days after the World Cup. However, this looks uncertain as Justice B N Srikrishna, the arbitrator appointed by the BCCI and Rajasthan Royals to resolve their case, stayed the termination of contract of the Royals after terming it illegal on November 30.The Cricket Board has moved the Bombay High Court against the arbitrator’s stay.

IPL-4

will now get down to business to build the side for the Twenty20 event.

“Differences (in the franchisee) are now things of the past. Earlier we were consortium partners. Now we are a family of IPL Kochi Private Limited,” Gaikwad told Press Trust of

PTI MOSCOW, DEC 5

The Russian Air Force is planning to acquire over 1,500 combat jets in next decade as part of the military reforms to create a 'lean, but mean' force, a top commander said.

"By 2020 we plan to buy and modernise about 2000 combat jets and helicopters. This will include the acquisition of more than 1,500 aircraft including helicopters and another 400 platforms will be modernised," Deputy Air Chief Igor Sadofeyev was quoted as saying by Utro.ru web portal.

Gen Sadofeyev underscored that the Russian Air Force's smart and high-precision weapons would increase by 18 times and would comprise 70 per cent of the total firepower by 2020.

According to the governmentrun RIA Novosti news agency, the Defense Ministry has already signed contracts for the purchase of 32 Su-34 (Fullback) front-line bombers through 2013, 48 Su-35 fighters through 2015, 12 Su-27 SM (Flanker) fighters through 2011, four Su-

Sacrifices worth it

IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi over the formation of the Kochi team, reiterated that he had no connection with the business part of the team formation. “But they used to seek my advice on certain matters,” he said.

“Anyway I am only an individual. My situation has no relevance in the present context,” Tharoor said.

Land loosers

the land in question”, Naik said.

He said the amendment bill seeks to not only pay market value to the land losers, but they losers will also be entitled for job reservations and shares in the project, besides a plot of land for housing. “The bill would have been passed by now had not the opposition stalled the proceedings of parliament in the last few days”, Naik said, and exuded confidence that the proposed changes would come into effect within the next four months.

30M2 (Flanker C) aircraf t through 2011, and 12 Su-25 UBM trainer aircraft.

This year the Defense Ministry plans to sign a contract for the delivery of 26 MIG-29K (Fulcrum) fighters by 2015 for the aircraft carriers.

It is also expected to sign additional contracts for the purchase of at least 80 Su-34 (Fullback) fighter-bombers and 24-48 Su-35 (Flanker- E) fighters.

All in all, these purchases will amount to about 240-260 aircraft.

Contracts for the purchase of another 100-110 aircraft are likely to be awarded to the Sukhoi design bureau for the T50 fifth generation fighter and other Sukhoi aircraft.

The Defense Ministry also has plans to buy a long list of helicopters - primarily the Mi-28H (Havoc) and Ka-52 Hokum B attack choppers.

By 2020, their numbers are likely to swell to 200-250 and 50-60, respectively, while different Mi-8 (Hip) versions will remain the backbone of the transport and combat fleet.

Their serial production was launched in the 1960s and will continue for at least two more decades.

The fleet of light helicopters previously represented by the Mi-2 (Hoplite) will be renovated - and the Mi-2 will be replaced with the light Ansat trainer and the multi-purpose Ka-60 Kasatka (Orca).

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BIZ

Pg12

GOA, MONDAY, 6 DECEMBER, 2010

A common question I am often asked by people is whether their multi-fold investments made in shares, mutual funds or property are available to the Income tax department. As an investigative agency, one of the objectives of the tax department is to track investments made by people to determine the sources of these investments. To this end the Department has posts of officers such as ITO (CIB) whose task it was to collect data from different agencies and disseminate it to Assessing officers to investigate into these investments. Earlier, much of the data was gathered by way of issuing letters to various agencies and the information received was tardy and in different formats. This information by the time it was collated and passed on to the Assessing officers, the time limit for the use of the information had expired. Several pieces of information were also lost in transit. Further there was little accountability of the usage of the material and there was no

Mutual Fund

Tracking of high value transactions

follow up of the end use of the information.

A PROVISION IN THE ACT With the introduction of Section 285B in the income tax Act, the law now sanctions the gathering of the information.

Certain specified persons are by law required to furnish data on specified transactions within a specified time frame.

A prescribed return has to be filed by the 31st August each year of the transaction registered or recorded during the preceding financial year. Who are the specified persons and in respect of what transactions are they to report on?

Banking companies are required to report on all cash deposits in any saving account in the amounting to Rs 10 lakh and over. Credit card companies are to send information of payments made by credit card holders aggregating Rs 2 lakh and more during a financial year. Mutual funds report on investments made in units amounting to Rs 2 lakh or more. Persons investing in company bonds or

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

Scheme Name A

NAVs (Rs)

A

AIG India Equity Fund ­ Regular Plan (D) India Equity Fund ­ Regular Plan (G) Infrastructure and EcoFund ­ Regular Plan (D) Infrastructure and Eco Fund ­ Regular Plan (G) Axis Equity Fund (D) Equity Fund (G) Tax Saver Fund (D) Tax Saver Fund (G)

12.70 12.70 9.55 9.55 11.70 11.70 11.75 12.83

B

Baroda Pioneer ELSS 96 Growth Fund (D) Growth Fund (G) Infrastructure Fund (D) Infrastructure Fund (G) PSU Equity Fund (D) PSU Equity Fund (G) Bharti AXA Equity Fund ­ Eco Plan (Bonus) Equity Fund ­ Eco Plan (D) Equity Fund ­ Eco Plan (G) Equity Fund ­ Eco Plan (QD) Equity Fund ­ Retail Plan (Bonus) Equity Fund ­ Retail Plan (D) Equity Fund ­ Retail Plan (G) Equity Fund ­ Retail Plan (QD) Focused Infrastructure Fund (D) Focused Infrastructure Fund (G) Focused Infrastructure Fund (QD) Tax Advantage Fund ­ Eco Plan (D) Tax Advantage Fund ­ Eco Plan (G) Tax Advantage Fund ­ Retail Plan (D) Tax Advantage Fund ­ Retail Plan (G) Birla Sun Life Advantage Fund (D) Advantage Fund (G) Basic Industries Fund (D) Basic Industries Fund (G) Buy India Fund (D) Buy India Fund (G) Dividend Yield Plus (D) Dividend Yield Plus (G) Equity Fund (D) Equity Fund (G) Frontline Equity Fund ­ Plan A (D) Frontline Equity Fund ­ Plan A (G) Frontline Equity Fund ­ Plan B (D) Frontline Equity Fund ­ Plan B (G) India GenNext Fund (D) India GenNext Fund (G) India Opportunities Fund ­ Plan A (D) India Opportunities Fund ­ Plan B (G) India Reforms Fund (D) India Reforms Fund (G) Infrastructure Fund ­ Plan A (D) Infrastructure Fund ­ Plan A (G) Infrastructure Fund ­ Plan B (D) Infrastructure Fund ­ Plan B (G) International Equity Fund ­ Plan A (D) International Equity Fund ­ Plan B (G) Interval Income Plan ­ Series I ­ Retail Pl Long Term Advantage Fund (D) Long Term Advantage Fund (G) Midcap Fund ­ Plan A (D) MNC Fund (D) MNC Fund (G) New Millennium (D) New Millennium (G) Pure Value Fund (D) Pure Value Fund (G) Small and Midcap Fund (D) Special Situations Fund (G) Tax Plan (D) Tax Plan (G) Tax Relief 96 (D) Tax Relief 96 (G) Top 100 Fund (D) Top 100 Fund (G)

27.87 31.55 56.00 10.07 10.07 9.42 9.42 18.77 13.21 18.77 12.47 18.66 13.15 18.66 12.39 10.59 10.59 10.59 13.18 24.22 13.15 24.12 93.45 172.49 30.82 111.72 25.91 45.48 15.41 90.24 75.83 287.04 23.94 93.81 14.18 14.18 15.53 25.61 19.30 56.69 11.11 11.11 13.52 18.41 13.21 13.77 9.19 10.03 10.02 14.12 15.29 27.01 86.78 214.75 13.64 20.89 16.90 18.03 13.29 10.91 48.85 14.49 91.36 12.33 15.62 23.94

C

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

debentures over Rs 5 lakh and investors of shares amounting to Rs 1 lakh and over will also be reported to the tax authorities. The Reserve Bank of India is required to inform the income tax authorities of all investments made in bonds over Rs 5 lakh.

Finally all sales of immoveable property over Rs 30 lakh registered by the Sub Registrar are required to be reported on. While it is true that these instance do not cover the entire gamut of investments made; they do cover most of the legal channels of investments in the country. Earlier there was no standardised format for reporting information.

Presently the AIR returns have been standardised in Form No 61A. The form has to be duly verified, thus filing of false or incorrect information can lead to prosecution. The filers are also required to quote their TAN (Tax Deduction Account

19.76 16.29 23.61 25.76 25.72 56.55 22.29 27.07 13.47 14.45 18.35

Infrastructure (G) Large Cap+ Fund (D) Large Cap+ Fund (G) Multicap (D) Multicap (G)

23.04 10.42 10.42 15.33 16.53

D

DWS Alpha Equity Fund ­ Regular Plan (D) 18.46 Alpha Equity Fund ­ Regular Plan (G) 84.83 Alpha Equity Fund ­ Wealth Plan (D) 14.77 Alpha Equity Fund ­ Wealth Plan (G) 17.67 Investment Opportunity Fund ­ Regular Plan (D) 28.75 Investment Opportunity Fund ­ Regular Plan (G) 41.50 Investment Opportunity Fund ­ Wealth Plan (D) 14.37 Investment Opportunity Fund ­ Wealth Plan (G) 18.79 Tax Saving Fund (D) 14.17 Tax Saving Fund (G) 15.16 DSP BlackRock Equity Fund ­ Regular Plan (D) 54.72 Equity Fund ­ Regular Plan (G) 17.31 Focus 25 Fund (D) 10.97 Focus 25 Fund (G) 10.97 India T.I.G.E.R. Fund ­ Regular Plan (D) 19.56 India T.I.G.E.R. Fund ­ Regular Plan (G) 50.96 Micro Cap Fund ­ Regular Plan (D) 10.41 Micro Cap Fund ­ Regular Plan (G) 17.15 Natural Res Energy Fund ­ Regular Plan (D) 14.98 Opportunities Fund ­ Regular Plan (D) 32.41 Opportunities Fund ­ Regular Plan (G) 92.96 Small and Mid Cap Fund (D) 17.23 Small and Mid Cap Fund (G) 18.79 Tax Saver Fund (D) 13.76 Tax Saver Fund (G) 18.48 Technology.Com ­ Regular Plan (D) 24.41 Technology.Com ­ Regular Plan (G) 33.43 Top 100 Equity Fund ­ Regular Plan (D) 22.29 Top 100 Equity Fund ­ Regular Plan (G) 105.04

E

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

11.55 11.55 20.80 20.80 12.40 13.61 13.68 13.51 12.04 13.56 81.97 15.53 12.79 15.49 8.71 8.70 12.22 12.22 17.46 11.18 52.01

F

Fidelity Equity Fund (D) Equity Fund (G) India Growth Fund (D) India Growth Fund (G) India Special Situations Fund (D) India Special Situations Fund (G) India Value Fund (D) India Value Fund (G) International Opportunities Fund (D) International Opportunities Fund (G) Tax Advantage Fund (D) Tax Advantage Fund (G) BNP Paribas China­India Fund (D) China­India Fund (G) Dividend Yield Fund (D) Dividend Yield Fund (G) Equity Fund (D) Equity Fund (G) Future Leaders Fund (D) Future Leaders Fund (G) Opportunities Fund (D) Opportunities Fund (G) Sustainable Development Fund (D) Sustainable Development Fund (G) Tax Advantage Plan (ELSS) (D) Tax Advantage Plan (ELSS) (G) Franklin Asian Equity Fund (D) Asian Equity Fund (G) Build India Fund (D) Build India Fund (G) FMCG Fund (D)

Number). The respective PAN (Permanent Account numbers) of the transacting parties is required to be submitted. The onus of ensuring that those who enter into these transactions give their correct PAN numbers is on those who submit these returns. This information is to be submitted in the electronic media through the NSDL (The National Securities Depository Ltd) who is also the agency that is responsible for the issue of PAN numbers.

WHAT DOES THE TAX DEPARTMENT DO This information when received by the Department is used in several ways. The said persons whose investments are caught by the system are usually selected for scrutiny of their particular assessments.

This is to ensure that the investments made are reflected in their books of accounts and the sources of the investments are accounted for. Thus those

FMCG Fund (G) India Bluechip Fund (D) India Bluechip Fund (G) India Flexi Cap Fund (D) India Flexi Cap Fund (G) India High Growth Companies Fund (D) India High Growth Companies Fund (G) India Opportunities Fund (D) India Opportunities Fund (G) India Prima Fund (D) India Prima Fund (G) India Prima Plus Fund (D) India Prima Plus Fund (G) India Smaller Companies Fund (D) India Smaller Companies Fund (G) India Tax Shield (D) India Tax Shield (G) Infotech Fund (D) Infotech Fund (G) Pharma Fund (D) Pharma Fund (G) Templeton India Equity Income Fund (D) Templeton India Equity Income Fund (G) Templeton India Growth Fund (D) Templeton India Growth Fund (G)

67.99 45.11 225.35 17.64 34.84 13.17 13.76 15.34 33.96 46.99 301.57 30.88 229.98 14.38 15.53 35.93 218.55 20.59 66.47 34.53 65.24 16.17 21.73 60.34 128.25

H

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

28.77 118.75 24.71 43.47 55.47 301.83 36.28 92.65 13.14 13.14 43.72 149.35 14.34 17.34 16.54 16.54 17.47 30.82 70.03 249.28 53.46 226.17 11.10 11.10 10.26 10.26 27.90 110.93 17.45 37.04 13.17 24.65 12.01 14.12 12.89 13.85 14.82 16.07 12.40 12.40

I

23.98 37.90 13.14 13.14 17.94 19.78 12.05 12.05 14.35 14.35 21.08 23.48 9.40 9.40 11.52 18.69 12.12 35.84 10.53 10.57 10.52 20.22 12.27 13.47 11.81 14.82 11.16 11.16 12.26 12.83 42.68

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

19.86 20.37 22.07 50.91 19.67 110.05 17.74 35.64 12.52 13.95 37.29 65.20 16.16 13.55 13.55 19.15 141.32 11.09 11.09 12.65 31.41 18.00 121.29 12.63 12.63 13.91 18.49 14.79 14.79 21.98 147.43 19.05

making investments would do well to ensure that they are prepared for a notice of assessment of the year for which the investments were made. In several cases this information is also used to conduct a survey and in certain cases a search in cases where the investment is considerable and the sources of investment appear doubtful. In many cases the different family members who make investments are looked at from the perspective of profiling a particular group be it a family or group of companies or firms.

Presently while the information does reach the assessing officer, there is little evaluation as to whether the dissemination of information has been effective. In many cases, information is sent to an officer who does not have the particular case. Or in certain instances the person or firm has changed its address or does not function from the particular city. In several instances the information is of companies that have ceased operation.

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

19.05 16.48 22.77 14.01 17.08 11.79 14.04 17.18 20.79 15.57 18.03 28.14 34.72 16.00 19.39 15.59 15.76 17.06 21.31 15.69 15.69 18.90 13.80 18.90 17.15 14.63 17.15 21.67 40.95 22.49 24.74 14.90 39.47 18.03 22.70 11.40 11.40 13.32 13.32 31.98 15.75 31.93

J

JM Agri & Infra Fund (D) Agri & Infra Fund (G) Basic Fund (D) Basic Fund (G) Contra Fund (D) Contra Fund (G) Emerging Leaders Fund (D) Emerging Leaders Fund (G) Equity Fund (D) Equity Fund (G) Financial Services Sector Fund (D) Financial Services Sector Fund (G) Large Cap Fund (D) Mid Cap Fund (D) Mid Cap Fund (G) Multi Strategy Fund (D) Multi Strategy Fund (G) Small & Mid­Cap Fund ­ Regular Plan (D) Small & Mid­Cap Fund ­ Regular Plan (G) Tax Gain Fund (D) Tax Gain Fund (G) Telecom Sector Fund (D) Telecom Sector Fund (G) JP Morgan India Tax Advantage Fund (D) India Tax Advantage Fund (G) India Equity Fund (D) India Equity Fund (G) India Smaller Companies Fund (D) India Smaller Companies Fund (G)

2.83 2.83 11.58 16.59 6.03 6.03 9.04 9.02 15.96 39.20 11.33 11.33 15.01 18.57 27.11 14.45 15.53 6.13 6.13 7.57 7.57 8.15 8.15 16.01 19.78 13.34 14.37 8.53 8.53

K

Kotak 30 (D) 30 (G) Contra (D) Contra (G) Emerging Equity Scheme (D) Emerging Equity Scheme (G) Global Emerging Market Fund (D) Global Emerging Market Fund (G) Indo World Infrastructure Fund (D) Lifestyle Fund (D) Midcap Fund (D) Midcap Fund (G) Opportunities Fund (D) Opportunities Fund (G) Select Focus Fund (D) Select Focus Fund (G) Tax Saver (D) Tax Saver (G)

34.62 109.78 18.65 23.14 13.06 13.06 10.11 10.11 7.83 13.03 19.37 27.84 16.17 49.97 11.43 12.67 12.21 19.94

L

L&T Contra Fund (D) Contra Fund (G) Global Advantage Fund (D)

11.11 11.13 7.70

But with the transmission of information electronically, assessing officers are in a position to use the information to ensure that the investments are recorded in the accounts of the assesses. In time assesses have also become wise and ensure that those investments where their PAN number is recorded these are invariably entered into their regular books. With banks and mutual funds as also share brokers insisting upon KYC (know your customer) norms, the instances of benami or bogus investors have also decreased.

Similarly, with the income tax department wedding out duplicate PAN cards, the instances of people attempting to have more than one PAN card has also become rare if not totally eliminated.

Does the income tax department the ability to capture all high end transactions? In a country where the cash economy still constitutes a major portion of transactions; it will take a while for the department to track all high profile invest-

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

11.10 19.77 41.86 10.52 14.82 7.90 7.90 25.61 44.38 15.98 20.05 20.56 46.94 5.64 5.64 16.47 22.42 16.17 17.40 10.07 10.07 11.26 28.56 12.38 13.96 9.81 9.81 11.45 20.11 11.29 31.52 8.82 8.82

M

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

11.32 11.32 12.79 12.79 16.05 17.30 15.40 16.36 21.33 69.88

P

Principal Dividend Yield Fund (D) Dividend Yield Fund (G) Emerging Bluechip Fund (D) Emerging Bluechip Fund (G) Global Opportunities Fund (D) Global Opportunities Fund (G) Growth Fund (D) Growth Fund (G) Large Cap Fund (D) Large Cap Fund (G) Personal Tax Saver Fund PNB Long Term ­ 3 Year Plan ­ Series 1 (D) PNB Long Term ­ 3 Year Plan ­ Series 1 (G) Services Industries Fund (D) Services Industries Fund (G) Tax Savings Fund

18.83 25.51 26.00 34.12 18.00 18.00 25.86 57.08 20.92 30.53 104.75 12.34 12.34 13.97 15.75 83.12

R

23.88 23.69 23.66 23.67

Reliance Banking Fund (Bonus) 116.39 Banking Fund (D) 46.44 Banking Fund (G) 116.39 Diversified PS Fund ­ Retail Plan (Bonus) 81.99 Diversified Power Sector Fund ­ Retail Plan (D) 48.40 Diversified Power Sector Fund ­ Retail Plan (G) 81.99 Equity Advantage Fund ­ Retail Plan (B) 13.63 Equity Advantage Fund ­ Retail Plan (D) 13.64 Equity Advantage Fund ­ Retail Plan (G) 13.64 Equity Fund ­ Retail Plan (Bonus) 15.11 Equity Fund ­ Retail Plan (D) 15.11 Equity Fund ­ Retail Plan (G) 15.11 Equity Linked Saving Fund ­ Series I (D) 15.26 Equity Linked Saving Fund ­ Series I (G) 15.26 Equity Opportunities Fund ­ Retail Plan (Bonus) 37.65 Equity Opportunities Fund ­ Retail Plan (D) 26.59 Equity Opportunities Fund ­ Retail Plan (G) 37.65 Growth Fund ­ Retail Plan (Bonus) 83.37 Growth Fund ­ Retail Plan (D) 61.61 Growth Fund ­ Retail Plan (G) 502.61 Infrastructure Fund ­ Retail Plan (Bonus) 10.82 Infrastructure Fund ­ Retail Plan (D) 10.82 Infrastructure Fund ­ Retail Plan (G) 10.82 Long Term Equity Fund (D) 17.14 Long Term Equity Fund (G) 17.14 Media & Entertainment Fund (Bonus) 30.53

PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 5

Homegrown FMCG firm Dabur India today said it is giving its juice brand ''Real'' an image makeover as part of its strategy to garner a sales of Rs 700 crore from its food division in the next three years. The company said it is now focusing to highlight the nutritional aspect of its juices as against the earlier practice of promoting the brand for taste.

BOARD MEETINGS Bafna Pharma Jyoti Struc Sai Wires Farmax Ind Tulsi Extr Flawless Diam Source: Indiainfoline.com

MF FUNDA L&T MUTUAL FUND has approved December 9, 2010 as the record date for declaration of dividend under dividend option in regular plan of L&T Opportunities Fund. The face value of per unit is Rs 10. The quantum of dividend will be Rs 2 per unit.

Media & Entertainment Fund (D) Media & Entertainment Fund (G) Natural Resources Fund (Bonus) Natural Resources Fund (D) Natural Resources Fund (G) NRI Equity Fund (Bonus) NRI Equity Fund (D) NRI Equity Fund (G) Pharma Fund (Bonus) Pharma Fund (D) Pharma Fund (G) Quant Plus Fund ­ Retail Plan (B) Quant Plus Fund ­ Retail Plan (D) Quant Plus Fund ­ Retail Plan (G) Regular Savings Fund ­ Equity Option (D) Regular Savings Fund ­ Equity Option (G) Small Cap Fund (Bonus) Small Cap Fund (D) Small Cap Fund (G) Tax Saver (ELSS) Fund (D) Tax Saver (ELSS) Fund (G) Vision Fund ­ Retail Plan (Bonus) Vision Fund ­ Retail Plan (D) Vision Fund ­ Retail Plan (G) Religare AGILE Fund (D) AGILE Fund (G) AGILE Tax Fund (D) AGILE Tax Fund (G) Banking Fund ­ Regular Plan (D) Banking Fund ­ Regular Plan (G) Business Leaders Fund (D) Business Leaders Fund (G) Contra Fund (D) Contra Fund (G) Equity Fund (D) Equity Fund (G) Growth Fund (D) Growth Fund (G) Infrastructure Fund (D) Infrastructure Fund (G) Mid Cap Fund (D) Mid Cap Fund (G) Mid N Small Cap Fund (D) Mid N Small Cap Fund (G) PSU Equity Fund (D) PSU Equity Fund (G) Tax Plan (D) Tax Plan (G)

21.95 30.53 10.81 10.81 10.81 42.26 25.14 42.26 56.51 42.15 56.51 14.50 14.50 14.50 25.95 33.30 10.13 10.13 10.13 17.45 22.39 48.54 47.14 288.97 7.25 7.24 8.16 8.16 17.65 22.64 12.08 13.18 13.11 16.95 13.36 13.36 13.77 13.78 8.87 8.87 12.74 15.37 15.49 15.49 10.63 11.78 15.45 18.66

S

Q

Quantum Long­Term Equity Fund (D) Long­Term Equity Fund (G) Tax Saving Fund (D) Tax Saving Fund (G)

ments or assets. In many of the land deals much of the payments are made in cash and the department can only scrutinise the payments made by cheque.

The current law clearly requires evidence before any assumption is made that there is a transaction outside what is recorded in a document. The department therefore requires bringing to fore a more detailed investigative strategy, before many of the transactions where cash is brought to play is detected. However with their vast powers of search and seizure, the Department is able to track some of these investments and bring those tax evaders to book!

(The author of the column is a retired Chief Commissioner and the views expressed, his personal.)

Dabur eyes Rs 700 cr from foods

Sahara Banking and Financial Services Fund (D) Banking and Financial Services Fund (G) Growth Fund (D) Growth Fund (G) Infrastructure ­ Fixed Pricing Option (D) Infrastructure ­ Fixed Pricing Option (G) Infrastructure ­Variable Pricing Option (G) Midcap Fund (Bonus) Power & Natural Resources Fund (D) Power & Natural Resources Fund (G) Star Value Fund (D) Star Value Fund (G) Super 20 Fund (D) Super 20 Fund (G) Tax Gain (D) Tax Gain (G) Wealth Plus ­ Variable Pricing Option (D) Wealth Plus ­ Variable Pricing Option (G) Wealth Plus Fund ­ Fixed Pricing Option (D) Wealth Plus Fund ­ Fixed Pricing Option (G) SBI Blue Chip Fund (D) Blue Chip Fund (G) Infrastructure Fund ­ Series I (D) Infrastructure Fund ­ Series I (G) Magnum Comma Fund (D) Magnum Comma Fund (G) Magnum Contra Fund (D) Magnum Contra Fund (G) Magnum Emerging Businesses Fund (D) Magnum Emerging Businesses Fund (G) Magnum Equity Fund (D) Magnum Equity Fund (G) Magnum FMCG Fund Magnum Global Fund (D) Magnum Global Fund (G) Magnum IT Fund Magnum Midcap Fund (D) Magnum Midcap Fund (G) Magnum Multicap Fund (D) Magnum Multicap Fund (G) Magnum Multiplier Plus (D) Magnum Multiplier Plus (G) Magnum NRI ­ Flexiasset Plan (D) Magnum Tax Gain Scheme (D) Magnum Tax Gain Scheme (G) One India Fund (D) One India Fund (G) PSU Fund (D) PSU Fund (G) Shinsei Industry Leaders Fund (D) Industry Leaders Fund (G)

17.21 34.11 24.94 85.93 12.31 16.83 17.41 33.92 11.94 14.00 11.80 12.85 12.01 12.00 17.84 40.01 19.99 23.94 19.11 23.07 12.30 15.75 10.70 10.70 17.38 25.73 24.12 60.50 18.78 42.31 34.68 45.97 29.17 32.45 58.05 23.23 18.92 24.67 14.69 19.34 56.92 89.99 30.65 44.21 64.85 11.83 11.83 10.46 10.46 12.48 12.48

Sundaram Capex Opportunities Fund (D) 13.53 Capex Opportunities Fund (G) 25.79 Equity Multiplier Fund (D) 11.94 Equity Multiplier Fund (G) 14.63 Financial Services Opportunities ­ Retail Plan (D) 17.87 Financial Services Opportunities ­ Retail Plan (G) 22.48 Growth Fund ­ Regular Plan (D) 13.78 Growth Fund ­ Regular Plan (G) 103.18 India Leadership Fund ­ Regular Plan (D) 14.14 India Leadership Fund ­ Regular Plan (G) 46.11 PSU Opportunities Fund (D) 11.93 PSU Opportunities Fund (G) 11.93 Rural India Fund (D) 15.20 Rural India Fund (G) 16.69 S.M.I.L.E Fund ­ Regular Plan (D) 13.89 S.M.I.L.E Fund ­ Regular Plan (G) 35.73 Select Focus ­ Retail Plan (D) 12.50 Select Focus ­ Retail Plan (G) 96.47 Select Midcap ­ Regular Plan (D) 18.35 Select Midcap ­ Regular Plan (G) 161.97 Select Small Cap Fund (D) 13.23 Select Small Cap Fund (G) 14.21 Select Thematic Energy Opportunities Funds (D) 8.54 Select Thematic Energy Opportunities Funds (G) 8.54 Tax Saver (OE) (D) 12.79 Tax Saver (OE) (G) 47.72

T

Tata Capital Builder Fund (D) Capital Builder Fund (G) Contra Fund (D) Contra Fund (G) Dividend Yield Fund (D) Dividend Yield Fund (G) Equity Management Fund (D) Equity Management Fund (G) Equity Opportunities Fund ­ Plan A (D) Equity Opportunities Fund ­ Plan B (G) Equity P/E Fund (G) Equity P/E Fund ­ Trigger Option A 5% (D) Equity P/E Fund ­ Trigger Option B 10% (D) Indo­Global Infrastructure Fund (G) Infrastructure Fund (D) Life Sciences & Technology Fund (D) Life Sciences & Technology Fund (G) 72.01 Mid Cap Fund (D) Mid Cap Fund (G) Pure Equity Fund (D) Pure Equity Fund (G) Select Equity Fund (D) Select Equity Fund (G) Service Industries Fund (G) Tax Advantage Fund ­ 1 (D) Tax Advantage Fund ­ 1 (G) Tax Saving Fund Taurus Bonanza Fund (D) Bonanza Fund (G) Discovery Fund (D) Discovery Fund (G) Ethical Fund (Bonus) Infrastructure Fund (D) Infrastructure Fund (G) Star Share (D) Star Share (G) Tax Shield (D) Tax Shield (G)

14.98 16.05 16.31 18.54 22.32 34.45 13.38 15.48 22.59 86.14 50.07 39.57 39.41 8.32 23.90 36.19 16.08 18.73 40.27 107.05 44.65 69.05 25.96 17.38 17.38 49.69 45.53 45.24 17.17 17.16 24.76 13.90 14.81 42.34 60.14 23.01 38.80

U

UTI Banking Sector Fund (D) Banking Sector Fund (G) Contra Fund (D) Contra Fund (G) Dividend Yield Fund (D) Dividend Yield Fund (G) Energy Fund (D) Energy Fund (G) Equity Fund (D) Equity Fund (G) Equity Tax Savings Plan (D) Equity Tax Savings Plan (G) Infrastructure Advantage Fund ­ Series I (D) Leadership Equity Fund (D) Leadership Equity Fund (G) Long Term Advantage Fund (D) Long Term Advantage Fund (G) Long Term Advantage Fund ­ Series II (D) Long Term Advantage Fund ­ Series II (G) Master Equity Plan Unit Scheme Master Plus Unit Scheme (D) Mastershare (G) Mid Cap Fund (D) MNC Fund (G) Opportunities Fund (D) Opportunities Fund (G) Pharma & Healthcare Fund (D) Top 100 Fund (D) Top 100 Fund (G) Transportation and Logistics Fund (D) Wealth Builder Fund (G) Wealth Builder Fund ­ Series II ­ Retail Plan (G)

28.07 48.35 13.67 14.81 16.23 33.84 12.93 11.41 51.24 57.98 17.99 42.30 9.30 15.47 16.68 13.54 13.54 14.99 14.99 52.22 64.48 56.37 23.14 59.11 15.23 28.52 32.38 23.47 30.21 16.35 17.32 20.31

OHERALDO

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BIZ

GOA, MONDAY, 6 DECEMBER, 2010

Pg13

Land disputes hitting infra schemes

CIL may see 190 mn tonne output loss

plans for a second airport on protected wetlands to service India's financial hub of Mumbai and a plan by Tata Motors to build a new manufacturing plant for the world's cheapest car, the Nano.

India's environment ministry approved the much-delayed airport project last month but Tata Motors aborted its move to West Bengal state in 2008 after weeks of violent protests by farmers angered by the forced purchase of their land.

ArcelorMittal, South Korea's POSCO and Vedanta Resources have all recently been forced to look elsewhere for large-scale steel plant and mining projects after opposition in the eastern state of Orissa.

Special economic zones -- a government initiative aimed at turning India into a manufacturing powerhouse by offering tax breaks and other incentives -- have also been hit by claims of illegal land grabbing and corrupt practices.

The editor of India Infrastructure magazine, Shubhra Puri, said such disputes were now a major problem, as ordinary Indians, with the help of campaigners, become more savvy.

"Whatever settlement was given to them earlier, they used to think this was a boon and it helped them alleviate their economic status, but today they are wiser," she said.

"They talk to other people in other areas to see if they're getting a lucrative deal... If they get together these projects will not happen. They're negotiating very, very smartly," said Puri.

India desperately needs infrastructure development to keep pace with an expanding

Delays in environment clearances to Coal India projects may result in loss of about 190 million tonnes output valued at about Rs 18,800 crore, to the country's largest miner by March 2012. CIL, which through its initial share sale's resounding success raised a record Rs 15,200 crore faces delays in environment clearances .

As many as 154 projects of CIL await green nod at Centre and state levels, a top Coal Ministry official said. "These 154 projects are spread across over 26,000 hectares of land and have a production projection of about 210 million tonnes. "105 are awaiting stage - I clearance while the rest await stage - II nod," he said.

Stage I approval for diversion of forest land by the user agency is granted after compliance of certain stipulations like impact assessment on the area.

State II is final clearance.

AFP MUMBAI, DEC 5

Protests against a proposed Indian nuclear power plant this weekend highlight a growing problem facing developers, experts say, as the country tries to upgrade or build muchneeded infrastructure.

Thousands of fishermen, farmers and their families in Jaitapur in western Maharashtra state turned out in force on Saturday to denounce the loss of homes and agricultural land, as well as voice fears about radiation and pollution.

The long-running protest has already seen a government compensation package rejected as "derisory" compared with the estimated 22 billion dollars that the plant will cost.

Environmentalists also oppose building the Frenchbacked facility because of its location in the ecologicallysensitive Western Ghats mountain range and a high-risk earthquake zone, plus India's lack of an independent nuclear regulator.

"The authorities are trying to spin this as people wanting more money," Lauri Myllyvirta, an energy campaigner at Greenpeace, told AFP, "But the people just want to have their land and have the security of that lifestyle and income.

They're very concerned about the radiation risk and whether there will be a wastereprocessing facility on the site."

Years of wrangling over land, compensation and environmental impact have become a regular feature of many projects aimed at developing modern India.

High-profile disputes include

economy, exploding population and urbanisation.

A McKinsey Global Institute study in April said 1.2 trillion dollars of capital investment was required by 2030 to meet demand in Indian cities, and warned that sustained economic growth was at risk without managed policies.

Environment minister Jairam Ramesh has said that demand for electricity is now about 10 times greater than output, and the 9,900 megawatt Jaitapur plant could help cut the deficit.

He has pledged to review the compensation package for locals, but there are few signs that the issue will be resolved anytime soon.

Rahul Gandhi, touted as a future prime minister, has called for fairer land acquisition laws, amid signs that powerful business lobbies and vested interests tend to win out over most grassroots opposition.

Proposed changes to the opaque and out-of-date laws, though, are stuck in India's parliament, which is currently in a state of gridlock over corruption claims in the awarding of 2G mobile phone licences.

Jai Mavani, an infrastructure specialist at the PricewaterhouseCoopers consultancy, said strong political will was needed to push through projects. Yet he and Puri said delays were inevitable.

"We're a democracy and the due process requires that every citizen, no matter how insignificant they may be in the scheme of things, needs to be heard," said Mavani.

"We can't just get the road and railway lines," added Puri.

"We can't ignore grassroots sentiment. These problems are bound to arise."

PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 5

Steel majors eye huge returns in retail PTI MUMBAI, DEC 5

With the infrastructure sector gaining momentum on the back of an economic revival, steel majors are looking to cash-in on the opportunity through enhancing their retailing initiatives in the country.

Steel companies such as Essar Steel, Ispat Industries and JSW Steel, plan to ramp-up their outlets and are eyeing an at least 30-35 per cent growth through retail sales in the next two years.

"We are doing well in the retail segment with about 17 per cent revenue coming from the retail segment. We aim to grow this to at least 25-30 per cent going forward (next two years)," JSW Steel's Vice-President (Sales and Marketing), Sharad Mahendra, told PTI here.

JSW Steel, plans to rampup its outlets under the JSW Shoppe brand to 350 from present 218 by March 2011.

Akqua to start culinary tours to Goa HERALD BUSINESS DESK PANJIM, DEC 5

Akqua Tourism & Destinations Pvt Ltd is in the process of rolling out gourmet cooking tours and culinary vacations for the Indian inbound tourist market by early 2011. The company has partnered with Chicago based culinary travel company, The International Kitchen for this venture. Akqua Tourism & Destinations is currently in the process of devising week long itineraries for the same and which are expected to be ready by month end. The culinary vacations will be a combination of cooking lessons and food related excursions.

Akqua Tourism & Destinations will create the itineraries for destinations like Goa, Rajasthan, Mumbai and Kerala. The company will also develop kitchens in these locations to conduct the culinary sessions. “We have also tied-up with Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi to conduct the cooking classes. We are exploring opportunities of working with hotels like The Westin Mumbai Garden City to use their live kitchen set up and accommodation for the travellers,� informed Jilesh Babla, director, Akqua Tourism.

Ganesh Polytex plans Capex PTI MUMBAI, DEC 5

Ganesh Polytex Ltd (GPL) has chalked out Rs 125 crore capital expenditure to fund its ambitious growth plan to be implemented over next one year.

The growth plan involves setting up green field projects for setting up fresh pet waste recycling capacity of 15,000 tpa to convert the waste into Partially Oriented Yarn (POY) and making texturised yarn, GPL's CFO, Gopal Agarwal said.

The project cost of Rs 125

crore will be financed through equity, debt and internal accruals, Agarwal said.

As part of forward integration, the company is creating capacity of 5,000 tpa for manufacturing spun yarn out of own recycled polyester staple fibre.

The project is proposed to be set up at Bilaspur in Uttar Pradesh near to its pet bottle processing unit. Land area of around 15 acre has been bought for the project, he said.

Established in 1989, GPL was started with yarn dyeing and

GSL to invest in warship design AGENCY THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, DEC 5

With the inauguration of the country's first warship design centre at Challiyar in Kerala's Kozhikode district in 18 months, 75 percent of the Indian Navy's vessels would be made in the country itself - reducing the dependency on other nations, an official said.

Defence Minister A K Antony has been for long speaking of indigenising military hardware and this is one step towards that.

'In this centre, the design for warships will be drawn up and a prototype will be made. Once this is approved, the manufacture of ships can be taken up by the shipyards,' Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) MD Alkesh Kumar Sharma said.

'At the moment, the ships of the Indian Navy are only around 25 percent indigenised.

Through this new design centre, that would go up to as high as 75 percent,' he added.

The foundation stone for the design centre will be laid next month, the official said.

The Rs 600 crore (around $133 million) project will be set up under the defence ministry with the full support of three major ports in the country. The Kerala industries department will play the role of the local facilitator.

Sharma said the state's share would be limited to the extent of the 41 acres of land that has been provided.

'The major participating companies in this mega project include Mazagon Dock

Ltd and the Goa Shipyard.

They will have a share in the equity, with the central government also chipping in,' he said.

Due to Antony's efforts, the project has come to Kerala, which of late has seen a string of central projects setting up shop in the state.

Kerala Industries Minister Elamaram Kareem said the state government has fulfilled the role assigned to it.

'The land for the project has been handed over and we have done what we were supposed to do,' said Kareem, who is happy as the project is to come up in his home district.

Another highlight of the project is that a training centre also is planned to be set up to enable professionals to be groomed in all aspects of warship building.

'More than the direct jobs, this industry provides for a wide range of ancillary industries to come up and it is here that the trained manpower will be able to find a good number of jobs,' Sharma said.

Once the project starts business, the Beypore Port which is near the site is expected to see more activity.

doubling capacity of 391 and 360 tpa respectively. Later on yarn dyeing capacity was increased to 2400 tpa.

In 1995, it diversified into manufacturing recycled polyester staple fibre through recycling of post consumer pet bottles, a non-biodegradable waste with a capacity of 6,000 tpa. The plant and technology was imported from Korea.

GPL is achieving more than 30 per cent CAGR since five years and targeting the same rate of growth in future also, Agarwal said.

AI refuses to disclose free ticket loss PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 5

The cash-strapped Air India may be looking for a bailout from tax payers' money but is not ready to make public the details about free travel benefits it extends to various individuals and the expenditure on these freebies.

In an RTI reply, the national carrier has refused to make public names of people who have enjoyed free travel benefits on it and the costs saying it will be detrimental to its commercial interests.

"Disclosure of names of persons to whom such tickets were issued would be detrimental to the commercial interests of the company considering the fierce level of competition that is existing in the Aviation industry," the loss making national carrier said in an RTI reply.

Air India which has sought a bail-out package worth Rs 10,000 crore from the govt, did not give even the total cumulative losses it had to suffer because of free travel benefits it doled out during last three years.

It also refused to give total number of passengers which availed free tickets during the period citing section 8(1)(d) of the RTI Act which exempts disclosure of information which may affect commercial position of an entity.

"Air India like any other airline in the Aviation Industry, issues complimentary tickets in its commercial interest to encourage and promote travel on its flights and to help in image building of the company," the reply.

In previous replies under the transparency law, Air India had conceded that its Chairman and MD and his family is entitled for unlimited free tickets.

The company will adopt the franchise route to open these outlets and invest around Rs 9-10 lakh per JSW Shoppe.

The company plans to open 132 more outlets by March.

"We intend to have 600 outlets by March 2012. We will continue to focus on the retail segment to meet rural demand," Mahendra said, adding "our aim is to tap small customers and build a good brand image for the company."

The company plans to up its capacity to 11 million metric tonnes per annum (MTPA) from the present 7.8 MTPA by March 2011.

Another steel major, Essar Steel, also plans increase its retail outlets (Essar Hypermart) to 750 from the present 600 outlets by 2011.

"We are earning good revenues from our retail business.

Our stores are doing good business in the west and south. We plan to open 150 Essar Hyper-

marts by 2011," Essar Steel's Executive Director (Sales and Marketing), Vikram Amin, said.

"Presently, 35 per cent of our revenue comes from Essar Hypermart and we aim to maintain the same momentum going forward," he said.

Essar Steel which is known as the pioneer of steel retailing in the country forayed into the segment in 2006 by opening its first Essar Hypermart at Gandhidham in Gujarat.

Ispat Industries is also in the midst of implementing a rampup of its retail outlets and plans to have a 200-strong network by March 2011. The company plans to open at least 80-90 selling points to cater to rural consumers by March 2011.

"We will ramp-up our outlets to 200 from the present 110 by March next year. Our target is to have 350 selling outlets by March 2012," Ispat Industries' Executive Director (Commercial), Vinod Garg, said.

Cos look at telepresence to boost Rev PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 5

Companies are now looking at adopting telepresence solutions to improve productivity and generate more revenue rather than as a cost cutting measure, communications solutions provider BT has said. Telepresence is a technology that allows people to interact from different locations, making them feel as if they were present at the same place.

"When the economic slowdown happened, companies were looking at telepresence solutions more from a cost cutting measure. Executives instead of travelling could meet in a teleconference environment and discuss business, which saved both money and time," BT Global Services India Managing Director Sudhir Narang said. But now, companies are looking at integrating telepresence solutions for increasing productivity.

SCI to spend $3 b for expansion PTI MUMBAI, DEC 5

State run Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), which has successfully raised around 1,200 crore through its follow-on public offer (FPO), is now looking at spending USD three billion over the next three years for its expansion.

"We have chalked-out our growth plans and will invest USD one billion every year for the next three-years," SCI's Chairman and Managing Director, S Hajara, said.

The capex will be financed through internal accruals and debt, Hajara said, adding that the company's public offer was over-subscribed by 5 times.

The offer got bids for 41.64 crore shares, compared with 8.46 crore shares on offer. The issue closed on Friday.

"The money raised through the FPO was of very small part.

Our debt is a bigger component," Hajara said.

Commenting on the shipping industry, Hajara said the Indian shipping industry has a bright future as Indian flag gross tonnage is expected to double to 20 GT from the present 10 GT in the next six to seven years.

However, the tonnage growth is not keeping pace with the India's EXIM trade, he said.

The Indian shipping lines' share in the country's EXIM trade is estimated at eight per cent as compared to as high as 40 per cent in the 1980s.

Growth will happen only if real proactive measures by policy-makers in terms of fiscal regime as well as commercial happens, Hajara said.

"On behalf of the Indian National Ship Owners' Association, we have made a presentation to the Government. We have expressed our views on how the Government can give an impetus to the shipping industry. We are hoping for a positive response," he said.

India also has a huge potential to grow in the ship building industry, Hajara said.

In terms of ship-building, China has grown by leaps and bounds. It has actually overtaken Japan to become the second largest ship builder after South Korea. With strong engineering skills and comparatively cheaper manpower, India has a tremendous potential in ship building, he said.

Mixed reponse from banks on rate advice PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 5

"To achieve our collective aspiration of double-digit and inclusive growth, we need to raise the level of national savings and channel those savings into investment... This means banks need to raise the interest rates offered to depositors and reduce the lending rates charged on borrowers," Subbarao had said.

While the net interest margins (difference between lending and deposit rates) of banks have fallen by 0.5 per cent over the last decade to 2.5 per cent now, they are still higher than those enjoyed by their peers in other emerging markets, even after accounting for expenditure on mandatory corporate social responsibility activities, the RBI Governor had said.

Instead of lowering lending rates, ICICI Bank has decided to increase the benchmark primelending rate and its Floating Reference Rate (FRR) for con-

sumer loans (including home loans) by 50 basis points.

This means that customer will have to shell out Rs 500 every year to repay every lakh that they borrow.

The BPLR is used for determining interest rates on loans and advances sanctioned up to June 30, 2010, ICICI Bank said.

Customers that borrowed at fixed rates will not be impacted by the above increase and their contracted rates will remain unchanged.

With effect from July 1, 2010, the interest rate on new loans and advances, including consumer loans, is determined on the basis of ICICI Bank's base rate, which currently stands at 7.75 per cent.

Earlier, the country's largest housing finance firm, HDFC, raised its benchmark lending rate by 75 basis points, making home loans dearer for both existing and new borrowers with effect from December 1.

So far as deposit rates are concerned, ICICI Bank has decided to raise interest rates on fixed deposits of various tenor by 0.25-0.50 per cent.

The RBI has been pressing the banks to raise deposit rates as they are fetching negative returns for depositors if adjusted on the basis of prevailing high inflation levels.

"If bank credit is not to become a constraint to growth, the real rates need to move in the direction of encouraging bank deposits," the RBI had said in its September quarterly review.

It is to be noted that many banks, including Punjab National Bank, Allahabad Bank and Syndicate Bank, recently raised savings rates to attract more deposits to tide over the tight liquidity situation.

In fact, the country's largest lender, State Bank of India (SBI), had also said it might raise deposit rates by a similar

margin.

"Deposit rates could go up by 50 basis points or more," SBI Chairman O P Bhatt told reporters on the sidelines of the Bancon conference. On when would the rate hike be announced, he said, "Next week."

Stating that there has been a slight uptick in demand for credit, Bhatt said, "If credit growth picks up, more deposits can be attracted into the banking system by better pricing which is beginning to happen...In the current situation, they (deposit rates) can only go up."

On lending rates, Bhatt said SBI would only take a call next month, as it has already increased the benchmark lending rate once this quarter.

However, this does not point toward any lowering of lending rates, but only an upward revision in the rates for loans.

SEBI mulls tightening noose on QIP

Peekay Mediequip plans expansion

Fixed deposits will now earn more interest after banks responded positively to the RBI's advice to hike interest rates, but their refusal to reduce lending rates means that borrowers will not see their EMIs come down.

In fact, the country's largest private lender, ICICI Bank, has not only raised deposit rates, but will also revise lending rates from tomorrow, which means borrowers will have to pay higher EMIs. Earlier, HDFC Home Finance had also raised lending rates.

At the annual Bancon 2010 banking conference in Mumbai, RBI Governor D Subbarao had asked bankers to hike deposit rates and lower the interest charged on loans with a view to raise the level of national savings, as well as encourage the investment required for double-digit growth.

PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 5

Market regulator SEBI is considering greater oversight over share sale in listed firms, especially small and mid-size companies, through large open market deals and QIP (Qualified Institutional Placement) route.

Besides tightening disclosure norms for such deals, the market watchdog is considering enhancing its oversight on developments preceding and following these transactions to keep a watch on share price manipulation attempts by promoters or other market intermediaries, a senior official said.

The move follows probes by the regulator into the recent cases of insider trading as also the initial findings from the ongoing investigation into the re-

cent loan bribery scam, the official added. It is suspected that some entities, which could include those related to the promoters or market intermediaries like brokers and investment banks, push up the share prices of some mid or small-size companies and create heavy volumes on those counters before approaching the unsuspecting institutional investors for a share sale deal.

Such deals are generally done through large-size open market transactions, known as bulk and block deals, or through QIP route where shares are sold to institutional investors at a price generally discovered through book-building process. Sources said that SEBI might look into all the large-size transactions having

taken place in the shares of small and mid-size companies ever since the recovery begun on the bourses in March-April this year.

The SEBI is already probing possible front-running and insider trading in shares of over two dozen companies, including some blue chips, by entities and persons involved in the case unearthed by CBI. The initial findings, when corroborated with the charges made by the CBI, indicate towards a large-scale front-running deals or shares being purchased or sold in these companies on the basis of prior knowledge about investment decisions being made by large institutional investors. These large institutional investors could be LIC, whose Secretary (Investments)

figures among those arrested

by CBI, as also those investors who participated in share or debt placements arranged by investment banking and financial services firm Money Matters, sources said.

The probe would encompass large dealings and any irregular spurt in volumes or prices of shares of all the companies where these institutional investors had bought or sold shares over the past two years, they said.

Given the sensitivity of the matter and the probe being in preliminary stages, the official declined to disclose the names of the companies, while adding that all the companies whose shares have been manipulated might not be themselves at fault.

PTI TIRUCHIRAPALLI, DEC 5

Peekay Mediequip, the maker of SEPNIL brand of disposable syringes, is targetting Rs 125 crore in 2011-12 on the back of its expansion plans that include bringing out new products.

"The company will look at a pan-India presence next year after consolidating our presence in the South.

We expanded to Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan last month," G Shankar Company MD told PTI, "we are targetting Rs 50 crore revenue this year and Rs 125 crore in 2011-12."

Claiming that Peekay Mediequip has a 25% market share in Tamil Nadu, Shankar said company products were at present available in 12 states.

OHERALDO

Pg14

GOA, MONDAY, 6 DECEMBER, 2010

Israeli officials under fire as deadly blaze rages

A Russian fire-fighting plane sprays fire extinguishing material over the fire in Ein Hod, northern Israel.

REUTERS TIRAT cARMeL, ISRAeL, Dec 5

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government faced calls for consequences today over a huge four-day-old forest fire that has killed 41 people and been called the worst in Israel's history.

Politicians and pundits demanded the resignation of some officials for failure to quell an inferno that has scorched 12,000 acres of woodland, destroyed millions of trees and an estimated dozens of homes. criticism also came from inside Netanyahu's fractious ruling coalition. ''We need to take stock nationally as to how we as such an advanced sophisticated state achieved such a resounding failure,'' Welfare Minister Yitzhak Herzog of the centre-left Labour Party said on Israel's Army Radio.

With Netanyahu having made a visible effort to muster global aid and monitor efforts to fight the blaze at the weekend, most critics targeted Interior Minister eli Yishai, whose job it is to oversee the firefighters.

Many demanded that Yishai, of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party, a pivotal coalition partner in Netanyahu's government, resign for inadequate preparation of

the firefighting system, which has not been able to bring the blaze under control. ''In a proper country, after such a failure you simply go home,'' said Yaron Dekel, host of a popular Israel Radio talk show, naming both Yishai and the Israeli fire chief.

Netanyahu convened his cabinet today in Tirat carmel, a firestricken town, and he pledged to rebuild the area ''in the quickest possible way.''

A global effort to help Israel contain the fires went on, with Germany, Switzerland and Azerbaijan expected to join a dozen other nations that have sent in firefighting equipment.

Boaz Rakiya, a spokesman for Israeli firefighters, said 34 aircrafts were crisscrossing the skies above the carmel ridge to try to quell the fires, which he said had already weakened though had not yet been brought under control.

Israel also chartered a Boeing 747 Supertanker, flown in from the United States today, and loaded it with 21,000 gallons of water and flame retardant to pour on the flames.

Help from unexpected quarters came from the occupied

West Bank, where Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas dispatched three fire trucks and crew to the Haifa area, after a rare and friendly telephone chat with Netanyahu on Saturday.

An Israeli statement said Abbas had expressed condolences to for the Israelis killed in the fire on Thursday. Most were prison guard trainees who had arrived to help evacuate 500 inmates from the Damon facility near Haifa.

In contrast, Ismail Haniyeh, the Islamist Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip, a territory partly blockaded by Israel, said the fire was ''a punishment by God'' against the Jewish state.

Netanyahu defended Israel's need for outside assistance to cope with the blaze. ''We all get help from others. It's a part of our existence as a global village,'' he said yesterday.

He also asked the state comptroller to investigate ''the preparedness and handling'' of the fire, a statement from his office said today.

Two teenagers suspected of starting the blaze through negligence were brought to court to extend their remand on Thursday.

Heavy snow sweeps across France AGENCIES PARIS, Dec 5

Heavy snow and cold snap swept across France over the week, putting many regions on high alert about extreme weather and causing traffic delays and cancellations.

On Saturday, heavy snow, as expected, fell across the Ile-deFrance region that includes Paris and the surrounding area, while many northern regions, notably Nord and Pas-de-calais, also witnessed extraordinary snowfall.

The French national weather agency Meteo France has put nine provinces in the country on "orange" temperature alert, warning people of traffic difficulties.

Weather forecasters also warned of black ice in northern France that would make driving particularly dangerous.

Many drivers were stranded on highways due to the snow, which resulted in traffic jams and partial road blockade. No serious traffic accidents have been reported yet.

Assange determined to fight amid political stunt AGENCIES LONDON, Dec 5

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is determined to fight deportation to Sweden as the warrant for his extradition to Sweden was denounced as a "political stunt".

Mark Stephens, the lawyer of Assange denounced the warrant for his extradition over allegations of sexual offences in Sweden as a "political stunt".

He said Assange, who is staying in Britain, would "certainly" fight deportation to Sweden on the grounds that it could lead to his extradition to US, where senior politicians have called for him to be executed.

Amid the "huge number of cyber-attacks" on the WikiLeaks site, Stephens was quoted as saying by the Sunday Telelgraph that the organisation held "thermo-nuclear device" to be released if it needs to protect itself.

Last week, WikiLeaks was forced to move to a Swiss host after being dumped by US in-

AFP cANcUN, Dec 5

World climate talks in cancun on Sunday entered their final stretch beset by fears of a repeat of the failures that nearly wrecked the December 2009 copenhagen summit. environment ministers began arriving in the Mexican resort city at the weekend to find themselves plunged into a mood soured by a row over the Kyoto Protocol and a logjam of inter-connected, unresolved issues.

After more talks among senior officials, the ministers on Tuesday get down to a four-day haggle, due to climax on Friday.

The outcome of the UN Framework convention on climate change (UNFccc) gather-

The 194 UNFCCC parties are under pressure to restore faith in the UN's bid to slow climate change.

ing is unclear, despite 12 days of meetings and a low-ambition goal, say delegates.

"We're starting to have positions that are a bit stronger and a bit more radical," said France's

REUTERS HONG KONG, Dec 5

High school students in uniforms throw red hats up in air to celebrate during an adulthood ceremony in Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province. Over 300 student representatives joined in an adulthood ceremony in which they waved bye to their childhood.

N Korea needs to fear US reprisal North Korea is playing with fire.

It has torpedoed a South Korean warship, fired artillery shells at the island of Yeonpyeong and showed off to a former US nuclear scientist its latest - and apparently impressive - uranium enrichment capability.

Last week, Pyongyang threatened to "wage second and even third rounds of attacks without any hesitation" if the US and South Korea went ahead with naval exercises. In response, for the first time since 1995, the US deployed an aircraft carrier into the Yellow Sea, between the Korean peninsula and china.

Beijing has expressed "concern" about these military exercises but it steadfastly refuses to blame the North for any provocation. All Beijing proposes to do to calm the situation is to restart the six-party talks, which the US, Japan and South Korea have rejected as not being productive currently.

The question that now arises is whether North Korea is going to keep on escalating its military provocation. Is it going to cross the point where the US and South Korea have to respond?

The dangers here are acute.

North Korea has an unknown

Pakistan's Minister for Minorities has condemned a hard-line cleric for offering cash to anyone who kills a christian woman convicted of blasphemy.

The minister, Shahbaz Bhatti, says the offer is "immoral, unjust and irresponsible" and should be condemned in the "strongest possible manner".

A Pakistani court sentenced Asia Bibi to death last month, triggering protests from human rights groups and christian organisations.

Islamist political parties have demonstrated in support of the sentence. cleric Yousef Qureshi on Friday said that if the government did not execute Bibi, his mosque would pay anyone who killed her USD 5,800. Bhatti on Saturday called the authorities to ensure the safety of Bibi and her family.

climate negotiator Brice Lalonde, calling for a "spirit of compromise."

Wendel Trio, the international climate policy director for environmental group Greenpeace, said that so far countries had only spelled out their "most extreme positions."

"We need ministers to decide on a Third Way -- a solution that builds momentum toward sealing a strong climate deal next year," he said.

The 194 UNFccc parties are under pressure to restore faith in the UN's bid to slow and then stop the juggernaut of climate change.

The hope is that cancun will prepare the ground for curbs on man-made greenhouse gases and give the go-ahead to a fund to help channel hundreds of billions of dollars in aid towards poor, vulnerable countries.

Hundreds in HK demand release if Nobel winner Liu

REUTERS LONDON, Dec 5

AGENCIES SYDNeY, Dec 5

AGENCIES ISLAMABAD, Dec 5

Cancun climate talks enter final stretch

Russian spy uncovered in UK parliament A Russian woman working for a British lawmaker is facing deportation after security services detained her on suspicion of espionage, the Sunday Times reported today.

The paper reported that Katia Zatuliveter, 25, secretly worked for the Russian intelligence as a ''sleeper'' agent.

She had been working for Liberal Democrat MP Mike Hancock who denied his assistant had done anything wrong. ''She is not a Russian spy. I know nothing about espionage, but she has been subjected to a deportation order,'' Hancock said in a statement. He said she would appeal moves to deport her.

A spokesman for the Liberal Democrat party, the junior partner in Britain's coalition government, said it was his understanding she was in custody.

The Home Office said it could not comment on individual cases.

ternet companies.

The editor-in chief of the whistleblower website is under immense pressure from American politicians after the WikiLeaks released series of 250,000 secret American diplomatic cables last week.

Sarah Palin, the unsuccessful US vice-presidential candidate, described him as "an anti-American operative with blood on his hands" and called for him to be hunted down like a Taliban leader. Mike Huckabee, another senior Republican, has said that "anything less than execution is too kind a penalty" for his deeds.

Last week, Swedish prosecu-

tors issued an international arrest warrant to the Metropolitan Police, seeking his extradition for questioning on allegations of rape, sexual molestation and unlawful coercion, charges he has strongly denied.

International police agency Interpol has issued a "Red Notice" urging people to contact police with information about his whereabouts.

Stephens said that Sweden's chief prosecutor had told Assange in September that there was no case for him to answer, following complaints against him by two women, but the investigation was revived following the inter vention of a Swedish politician.

"And then a few weeks later on - after the intervention of a Swedish politician - a new prosecutor, not in Stockholm where Julian and these women had been, but in Gothenburg, began a new case which has resulted in these warrants and the Interpol Red Notice being put out," Stephens told BBc.

Pak minister condemns death threat to Christian

(but small) number of nuclear weapons, an army of more than one million, and thousands of artillery guns capable of raining destruction on the National capital Area, centred on Seoul, which has a population of more than 24 million.

The key issue is can North Korea be deterred? There are two schools of thought: one considers that the North's leaders are rational and that deterrence will work; the other believes that the leadership is cut off from reality and may well think the US does not have the stomach for war. The fact that Washington has deployed an aircraft carrier off the peninsula without provoking a response from Pyongyang supports the first school. But the North's escalating reckless military actions suggest ominously the second school may just be right.

Nuclear deterrence theory has it that North Korea will be deterred from the pre-emptive use of nuclear weapons against the South because of the certainty of a US nuclear retaliation. If the US did not respond in this way the entire fabric of extended nuclear deterrence that applies to its other allies - including Japan and Australia would be destroyed.

It may, however, be time for Washington to indicate more clearly - perhaps through Beijing - what would happen to North Korea if it did something really stupid. The US has the capability to decapitate the leadership of the North, destroy its muchprized military forces and take out its nuclear weapons facilities. Beijing must ensure Pyongyang understands this.

Then there is the other nightmare that the North's leadership will snap and carry out a massive artillery barrage on Seoul. What should Washington's response be to that? Damage to the conurbation containing almost half of South Korea's population would be devastating. It would maim the South Korean economy (which is Australia's thirdlargest export market). The US response would have to involve an overwhelming conventional attack on Pyongyang, much like the "shock and awe" destruction of Baghdad. Again, logic tells us that Pyongyang is effectively deterred by this knowledge. But we cannot be sure, unless it is conveyed to them.

Short of these extreme scenarios, a more likely future is that North Korea will continue to indulge in reckless but wellcalibrated, lesser military adven-

tures - as it has done recently. It is in these contingencies that some new form of intermediate deterrent policy is needed, short of the apocalyptic all-out war examples set out above. Thus, if Pyongyang thinks that it can get away with sinking a US warship - without retaliation - it may just be tempted. So the US needs to have a more inclusive declaratory strategy that might - for example - involve strikes on North Korean naval bases. If it does not, there is a risk that Pyongyang may think that it can get away with ever-increasing escalation.

All this is thinking the unthinkable. But it is simply not good enough to argue - as diplomats are wont to do - that the current situation is just an unstable moment in the leadership transition in Pyongyang, and that everything will be peacefully.

In this regard, it is about time Beijing took its responsibilities more seriously. china is now a major power and it is North Korea's only ally and major source of economic support. It is not good enough for Beijing to pretend that this is not a dangerous situation. And Beijing needs to understand that its unquestioning support of the North has hurt its strategic reputation in the broader region.

Hundreds of people marched in Hong Kong today to demand china free dissident Liu Xiaobo, a week before the human rights activist is formally awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in Norway.

Holding banners reading ''Free Liu Xiaobo'' and singing for his release to the strumming of guitars, nearly one thousand marched to Beijing's liaison office in support of the Nobel Peace Prize winner, who is the first chinese recipient of the accolade. china denounced Liu's award as an ''obscenity'' and sparked a torrent of diplomatic scorn towards Norway, with Beijing pressuring diplomats to boycott the ceremony.

Sunday's protesters, closely watched by police, erected a net outside the building to which they tied ribbons symbolising their support for Liu while condemning ''oppressive''

chinese authorities. ''Shame on the chinese communist Party,'' shouted Hong Kong lawmaker and activist Leung Kwok-hung.

Many protesters also criticised china for imposing house arrest on Liu's wife, Liu Xia, and barring other prominent dissidents and rights campaigners from leaving the country in recent weeks, fearful they might attend the lavish awards ceremony which normally involves presentation of medals and an acceptance speech for laureates. ''The chinese government is still very much oppressing the rights of Liu Xiaobo, his wife and other dissidents in china,'' Hong Kong lawmaker Lee cheuk-yan told Reuters at the rally. ''china's international image will be damaged if it doesn't release Liu and his wife,'' he added.

Liu, a 54-year-old activist, writer and poet, is believed to

be the fifth laureate in the 109year history of the prize not able to attend the award ceremony for political reasons, though a symbolic empty chair will be used to represent him instead.

Lee, the Hong Kong lawmaker, who will travel to Oslo for the ceremony, said he and around 100 prominent exiled chinese dissidents and supporters from around the world, planned to hold protests outside the chinese embassy and support rallies around the Norwegian capital in the run-up to the prize giving.

Liu is an intellectual and coauthor of ''charter 08'', a petition calling for sweeping political reforms and freedoms, putting him at odds with stability-obsessed authorities who sentenced him to 11-years imprisonment last christmas day on several charges, including subversion, that Liu has denied.

‘Top Chinese politician ordered Google hacking’ PTI BeIJING/BeRLIN, Dec 5

The "politically-inspired" hacking of the USbased Google that forced it to withdraw from china earlier this year was orchestrated by a top leader of the ruling communist party after he found internet search results critical of him, according to leaked American cables.

The latest round of WikiLeaks disclosures published by the UK's 'Guardian' newspaper claimed that Li changchun, who is ranked fifth in the chinese communist Party politburo, became hostile to Google after he searched his own name and found articles criticising him.

"That single act prompted a politicallyinspired assault on Google, forcing it to

A man places flowers on a Google logo in front of its China headquarters building in Beijing.

'walk away from a potential market of 400 million internet users' in January this year, amid a highly publicised row about internet censorship," the newspaper quoted a classified document sent by US diplomats in

Beijing to Secretary of State Hillary clinton as saying.

The explosive allegation that the attack on Google came from near the top of the ruling chinese communist party had never been made public before.

The politician allegedly collaborated with another member of the politburo in an attempt to force Google to drop a link from its chinese-language search engine to its uncensored google.com version.

A cable from the US embassy here marked as secret said that the attempts to break into the accounts of dissidents who used Google's Gmail system had been coordinated "with the oversight of" Li and Zhou Yongkang, ranked ninth in the politburo.

Miriam Yeung shoots wedding photos in Paris AGENCIES BeIJING, Dec 5

Hong Kong singer-actress, Miriam Yeung, was shooting wedding photos in Paris with her husband, Real Ting. The lovebirds were found enjoying their marriage, which was registered last August. However, they didn't have a wedding banquet until Yeung finished her world tour concerts recently.

The 36-year-old is known for her roles in many Hong Kong comedies, such as the "Love Undercover" series, and "2 Become 1". Her latest work that has been screened in cinemas was Pang Ho-cheung's romantic drama "Love in a Puff".

Yeung is also a popular canto-pop singer. She just concluded her concert tour called "Ladies and Gentlemen".

Many of her fans are waiting in anxious anticipation of their real wedding just as they declared before.

OHERALDO

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CAREERS & EDUCATION

GOA, Monday, 6 December 2010

Hostel Living:

Do You Have What It Takes?

T

BY CHRISTINA R PINTO

he foremost question in one’s mind when making the move to college is the boarding situation. The most inviting option is the hostel as there is the assumption that it is exciting and not a huge inconvenience.

There are advantages to living in a hostel and there are disadvantages, it depends on your priorities. If you are lucky enough you will get into one of the good hostels, offering most of the facilities and comforts the ‘spoiled brats’ of our generation are accustomed to, while the unlucky gets saddled with one where the conditions enable you to understand the living conditions of your parent’s generation, no television, limited luxuries and an environment similar to a village.

However, most hostels share common characteristics, you enter an Alice in wonderland fairytale, you will meet the mad hatters, a pair of eccentric twins, intelligent caterpillars with unique perspectives on life, crooked Cheshire cats and the odd, self-involved queen, maybe a mother hen thrown in to offer comfort.

There are many persons who can inspire your world and there is a good chance you will converse with them in the Hostel.

Of course, it is more likely they will test your patience but what better way to build tolerance and empathy than by being surrounded by people of varied temperaments and personalities. It is a probable assumption that the minds, who endorse reality shows with contestants living together in a house, had confidence that the idea spurred drama from their own stay in a hostel. Granted, it is a lot of egos cramped in a small space but you learn and adapt to different people. It is a strenuous exercise but it will undoubtedly make you a better and stronger person. Mature you in preparation for the real world where

throwing pillows in anger is forbidden.

The rules of the hostel are very rigid, unlike your parents, the hostel warden cannot be coerced into allowing you some leniency. If mentally you can handle the constant haranguing to be the perfect hostelite and the occasional off comments that you are a reflection of your generation, then fine. Otherwise, a PG is the best alternative.

With the rent at least you do not get a personality development course or lectures on what you are doing wrong in life.

Moreover, it is the uncompromising expectation that you be involved fully in college activities and pass in every subject. You

must either handle the tension or deal with the criticism, because “with hostel privileges comes responsibility toward the college.” It is inescapable.

Other factors to consider, hostels are riddled with obligations and rules, the latter needs to be revised into memory. Moreover, it is impossible to escape the former. How do you like the bars on your windows, literal or figurative? Hostels have both; there are an endless list of restrictions, and one has to acclimatize to both the reasonable and the absurd (Staying up past midnight does not impair growth). If you prefer to live life on your own schedule, forget that because the rules trump whatever whimsical fancies you may have.. And if defying rules is an appealing idea, then trou-

ble will surely follow especially if the wardens have marked you as an anarchist. Hence, it is not uncommon for girls to leave the hostel after the first year. Furthermore, bunking is not a word in the hostelite vocabulary, it is a summon to be present before court.

The girl’s hostels especially have strict wardens who make it their life’s mission to monitor your comings and goings, if you think it is because they have no other job then you are right.

Another annoyance is the list of procedures that take up time, before you partake in any fun activity ensure you have permission for it first. Otherwise, it is another game to hide your ac-

tions and keep it a closely guarded secret as the itinerary of the President. Anyone stuck in the hostel on weekends or holidays knows better than to expect the time of their lives, there is at least one warden lurking about to enforce the rules.

The atmosphere of the hostel is friendly and jovial, especially with classmates and like-minded student nearby, it is advisable to limit your enemies to another floor. However, there are instances when the friendly can be difficult to bear, especially during exams, test or project time, well-meaning friends can be a distraction. There are a variety of methods to deal with the intrusion, for example carefully worded signs on the door, often whimsical or stern depending on your personality. Or

you can be such a whiny complainer on particularly overworked days and everyone will simply avoid you.

Regardless, assistance and support is offered in difficult periods, group studying can be an effective tool, provided the partners are hardworking, prepared and involved. Choose the lazy or students with a similar procrastinating personality, then work will not get done and it is wishful thinking to expect otherwise.

The sharing of common facilities can also be a headache; there are issues of hygiene, timings and what not that will leave one mentally and physically ill.

It takes one of iron constitution and boundless tact to survive each day without fights or outbursts.

That is the similar situation with the food; hostelites think it a requirement to squirrel food into small spaces, when winter (bad food days) is suddenly upon them. Others throw their hands in defeat and set up mini kitchens.

For the record, complaints reign in the Hostel, if you do not have anything to complain about, it will misconstrued as ‘enjoyment’ and you will be labelled a weirdo. Very few people are wholly satisfied in the hostel, all shout its praises after leaving, but until then, be prepared for an onslaught of complaints. If you have a specific standard of living, it would do you good to erase them before entering.

Conclusively, the hostel experience is not for everyone but it does leave every inhabitant with an indelible mark that will have them appreciating life and its people. It is almost comparable to the television show “Lost”, a variety of people marooned on an island and trying to make the best of their situation together. In the Hostel, there are no strangers, but there is always family.

(The writer is an ex-student of Sophia College for Women, Mumbai, who lived in the college hostel for three years of Senior College)

My Experience As A Budding Photographer

I

By Leah-Evanka

discovered my love for the camera when I was 12 years old. It was Christmas, and I was at my grandma’s house. I just went about randomly shooting pictures of people and landscapes. They were, my mom told me, really good. She encouraged me to continue shooting. That’s when I got serious and took my small digital camera and shot landscape and abstract pictures at various angles. My mom was very impressed and so were other members of my family.

Slowly my interest in the workings of a camera(including the ones used to shoot movies) grew. And from then on, whenever I watched a movie, I would always look out for the various angles at which the cameras were placed, the kind of lenses or the lighting used. As I got somewhat involved with filmmaking, I decided that’s the career I want in future. My mother’s friend Prasad Pankar, runs an academy called CMYK. At this academy, he teaches basic photography with all the works.

He saw a couple of the pictures I had clicked and told me that I had great potential to be a photographer in future. I attended his workshop on photography in the summer of 2008. I was the youngest of all his students.

We had were taught theory and also given assignments, so that we had practical experience. It was fun. I was discovering things about the camera that I never knew. We went outdoors to shoot the different ways a picture can be taken. I learnt about

‘panning’ -something I was always curious about. When a picture is ‘panned’, it is clicked where the background appears in motion and only the object is stable and focused on. It sounds complicated, but it’s simple really, once you master the technique. We learnt the different genres of photography. I didn’t know that there were so many different branches of photography that one can choose from. There’s nature and landscape, wildlife ,flora & fauna, portraiture, fashion& glamour, art and function photography including photo journalism and table-top products.

I think I am good at landscapes and portraiture. I learnt much, and I enjoyed learning about this creative art and discovering my talent for it. On completing the course in photograph, I received a certificate for it, which stated that i had successfully completed my course. This certificate will be added to my academic and extracurricular qualifications. I take what I have learnt and apply those principles every time I shoot pictures. The results are amazing, and I am filled with awe and joy at the results .My teacher was very happy with me and told me to continue as it would help me polish my skills and become a better photographer as time goes by. I received a new camera as a birthday gift last year, and I have been busy with it ever since. I have clicked pictures of landscape, portraiture and a bit of flora & fauna.

I must admit that I also love

“Success also means giving back to society”

L

earning need not always be confined to classrooms, thesis, site visits and the like. A lot of knowledge can be gathered from practical experience. Working hard and working smart are the two requirements of the new age entrepreneur.

After having grown up in Mumbai and having learnt about life through the fast lane, most find it difficult to settle down in the more sedate surroundings of Goa. But Michael Ferns had other ideas. He defied the set precedents and made Goa his home. His family traces their roots to Mapusa, but his ancestors found greener pastures in Mumbai. In fact they were deprived of most of their land due to various problems that are common with Goa. Michael came in to Goa at a very young age. His first employment was a learning experience as he worked at his uncle’s fabrication unit at Margao. He grew up in a family of eight siblings and all have had the aura of aiming high amongst them. He initially started with hard work. Slogging it out at various places, including starred hotels. All along Michael says he carried some thoughts, “I know how it feels to have so much and yet nothing!”

And efforts to enhance his climb upwards to meet his own goals were excellent. Very soon he could meet his long-cherished dream - owning some land in his motherland, Goa. “Whatever efforts I put in this direction paid off,” says a very satisfied Michael. Eventually, Michael got into a business that was then

both innovative and challenging.

“I started trading in real estate,” he says. This is what took him to making his living as also meeting people. “As I was doing my work, I noticed one thing that was prominent amongst land owners. They needed to protect their land in some way or the other. But this is a very tough task. There is not much protection to benefit land owners,” he muses.

When success comes, there is more someone looks forward to… “Being a Goan from looking from the outside, since I was born and brought up in Mumbai, I always felt that there

is some urgent need. That need I now identify as a need to change.”

“As a lay person, or now so well described as ‘aam admi’, we never seem to be taken seriously and are almost never heard,” laments Michael. Even the loud screaming and shouting does not seem to work. This is what brought about the change Michael desired in himself. He states, “I started giving time to social activities and I aim to help the needy and the sick in an effective manner.” He has moved positively in that direction.

Michael helped give a new vision to a young handicapped lad from Sao Jose de Areal. Many around this young boy would encourage him and literally ‘inspire’ him to ‘make a living’ out of ill-gotten money. Michael initiated an effort to give this young man and his mother a new life. A ‘gaddo’ with all amenities was offered to the lad. Today he and his mother are happy with the business they are into and many around the

village are happy that the young man has a more positive vision.

In another instance, Michael helped rebuild a house of an underprivileged motorcycle pilot and his wife that was demolished by some anti-social elements. The timely help prevented the couple from being exposed to the harsh monsoons we had this year. Michael is also presently a Member of the Textile Board, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.

The ingenuity and conceptualizing of ideas is a strength Michael has developed with his experience. This has inspired him to put into perspective a concept in marketing. The concept is simple yet the outcome could be really rewarding to many ‘aam admi and aurat’. The whole concept revolves around adding value to everyday shoppers. “Think creative,” is the message Michael wants to put forth.

After the success of his ventures in marketing and real estate, Michael now feels an urgent need to give back to society, especially Goa. “Goa has given me a lot including a beautiful wife in Annie. I have also had many successful business ventures in Goa,” he confesses.

His way of doing that has been through the Trust he has started.

He elaborates, “The Goa Citizens Welfare Trust is started with the idea that we will not put our hand out for donations.

Our funds will be generated mainly by our activities. The aim is to finally make a difference to the underprivileged and neglected sections of the society in Goa.

The Power and Prestige of Press Journalism -VI

I

t is not only the journalists who work to bring out a daily newspaper or its feature supplements. There are others too whose work contributes much to bringing out a good and readable edition.

Layout Artists

In smaller publishing companies, journalists might be expected to lay out pages as well as write them. For a long time, the standard application for layout was Quark XPress. Now Adobe InDesign is gaining in popularity. It’s a valuable skill to be able to edit documents in layout applications.

Photographer or Graphic Artist

clicking self portraitures. I clicked pictures of landscapes when I went to visit my grandma, because her backyard makes the most amazing location for me to shoot. The flora & fauna pictures are taken from her garden, as she has an enormous garden filled with beautiful flowers and there are many pets too. For portraiture, I captured the face of the most beautiful woman and stunning woman anyone will ever find someone whose laughter and smile makes my day bright- the woman who means the world to me. That special woman, is my mother. My camera just loves her face. She is a natural in front of the camera. Do you know something? My favourite sound is that of my mother’s laughter.

She has provided me with everything. When I click pictures, I feel a sense of peace and relief from all my daily tensions. I can always picture myself as a professional photographer. I have decided to learn film-making, film-editing, photography, cinematography whatever is related

to this career field . I may even make a career out of one of them. And what else, I love modelling too. Let me tell you a secret, and want to be a supermodel one day.

This may all sound very glamorous. But the reality is very different. The film and fashion industry is filled with many dark secrets. Just like there is in other career fields, here too the atmosphere is rife with rivalry, competition, enmity, ego and jealousy. You need to have your head on your shoulders to survive out there, my mother once told me. But that being besides the point, I love photography and I am glad I discovered it now.

I have my goals and targets set and I am determined to see it become a reality. I will surely work hard to achieve my goals.

Like me, you too surely have your own special hidden talents.

So work towards discovering them and displaying them to the world. You will surely be able to get up there howevev long it takes.

(Photos by Leah-Evanka)

We know it’s not fair to lump these two together, but if you’re interested in visual information, you understand the differences between the two. Increasingly, this work is outsourced to freelancers. Jobseekers who need a steady income. Once you have a good portfolio and can pick and choose your assignments, you may decide you prefer the diversity and freedom anyway.

Artist - Besides illustrations, more so in magazines, a special group of artists are the cartographers who specialize in maps and charts to illustrate data. Cartographers are generally geography graduates. This is a growing field as most magazines have begun to rely on illustrations and charts.

Cartoonist - A comical or satirical sketch on political, cultural events is the job of a cartoonist. While established cartoonists are working for some big groups, others are generally freelancers.

Photojournalist - A photojournalist is not a photographer who can write as well as take pictures. He is a photographer who is able to tell a story with pictures. He/she is a visual reporter. Photo journalists accompany reporters on assignments

it’s now something of a badge of honour. This is now the gateway for those with fire in their belly, the pay-the-bills job for actors taking a break, the catchall job for all the overflow from the copy desk and every

By Maria de Lima Pereira other overworked, unders t a f f e d well with reporters, be quick department. Editorial and desk and often work under difficult assistants now have significantly conditions. They must have more responsibility than they good knowledge about technical did in the past. Some publicaaspects of photography like tions rely on editorial assistants lighting, speed etc. to take pho- for major articles instead of hiring tographs apt for the particular experienced staff writers or freelancers. situation.

More than a decade or so ago the economic climate was such Work Environment The work of reporters and that magazines had few opportunities for the work of photo- correspondents is usually hectic. journalists, but during the past They work under pressure to few years there has been a trend meet deadlines and may work towards the use of such mate- under trying conditions. They work while people make loud rial. conversation and amidst the Editorial Assistant confusion of people constantly It used to be a lifetime stigma, on the go. They work even stamped somewhere on your under the curious eyes of onforehead for every editor to see; lookers, police, and emergency to take pictures that support a news story, feature or interview.

They must know what makes a good news picture; be able to write accurate captions, work

workers. They handle assignments which may be dangerous.

Erratic Hours

Many journalists work long and irregular hours, with evening and late night work common. An assignment cannot be dropped just because a shift has finished; a journalist must see it through to the end. Often they are called back to work to cover an unexpected development, and they are frequently required to work when other people are not-at night, on weekends, on public holidays.

The unusual work hours can make social life difficult. Besides the open-ended work hours, there are also pressures to meet tight deadlines and to ensure the facts presented are accurate.

Working hours vary with the employer. Morning newspaper reporters work from late afternoon to midnight. Radio a n d t e l e v i s i o n re p o r t e r s work in shifts. Magazine reporters may schedule their work. To meet deadlines they often work late. (to be continued)

Pg 16

SPORTS GOA, Monday, 6 December, 2010

Chinchinim move into finals HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, DEC 5

Union of Chinchinim Villagers made their way into the final of All Goa Bro Eulalio Vaz inter village football tournament organized by Don Bosco Oratory after they shunted out St Anthony’s Sporting Club, Colva 11-10 sudden death at Don Bosco Oratory Grounds, Fatorda on Sunday .

There was no score at full time .

Union of Chinchinim Villagers were the dominant side and created many positives openings

in the rival territory and came close in surging ahead but their forwards either shot straight into the rival goalkeeper or shot wide .

At the other ends, St Anthony’s took time to settle down and once they struck the rhythm they called the shots against the rival citadel .

Union of Chinchinim Villagers nearly broke the deadlock but striker Jorax Fernandes rasping try was well blocked by Colva goalkeeper The second half saw Union

of Chinchinim Villagers continue to enjoy the lion share of exchanges with their forwards repeatedly raided the rival citadel but inept shooting by their forwards prevented them from wresting the match itself in the normal time .

With scores remained goalless at eh end of regulation time, tie breaker also failed and the issue was decided on sudden death with Union of Chinchinim Villagers proved to better marksmanship in the sudden death .

Union of Chinchinim Villagers will now meet Verna Sports Club in the final .

Sangam Diukar, Superintendent of Goa Customs from Arpora who has been selected as assistant manager of Indian athletics team for Paralympics Asian Games in Guangzhou, China from December 8-20 by Paralympic Committee of India. Sangam was an outstanding Goa athlete who won the Khan Bhaddur Trophy for setting the 800m record at Bombay University athletic meet in 1976 in Mumbai.

He won the gold in 800m and a silver in 1500m at all-India Civil Services and all-India Revenue meets. He represented Goa at several nationals seven times, being captain of the Goa squad twice.

He was also a regular member of the reley teams of Bombay University, Central Railways, Customs and Goa State teams.

Maina lift Eslinda Alemao Trophy HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, DEC 5

Mania Sports Club scripted a fluent 3-0 win over Sao Miguel de Taleigao to emerge deserving champions in 2nd All-Goa Eslinda Alemao memorial intervillage football tournament organised by Cuncolim Union at Cuncolim ground, on Sunday.

Maina led 2-0 at half time.

Maina were the better side and exerted pressure on the rivals right from the word go.

Their midfield comprising Peter Pereira and Jameson Noronha stamped their authority and never allowed the Sao Miguel de Taleigao to have any say.

Maina went into the lead in the 11th minute when playmaker Peter Pereira unleashed a fierce shot from outside the rival penalty box which beat Sao Miguel de Taleigao goalkeeper Francis Fernandes hands down.

Taleigao created some opportunities upfront but striker Gautam Kanconkar failed to get beyond the Maina defensive wall marshaled by veteran Roque Carneiro and Bruno Fernandes.

Midway in the opening ses-

sion, Maina had a charmed life when Cedric Peixoto’s rasping drive kissed the crossbar.

Maina doubled the lead in the 28th minute when striker Nickson Castana picked up the ball from Peter Pereira and unleashed a volley which dipped into the net keeping Francis Fernandes under the Taleigao bar napping.

Crossing over, Maina continued to enjoy the lion share of exchanges as they toyed with the rival’s defence with well orchestrated raids and threw the rival rearguard into disarray.

Agnelo Martins rounded off the tally with a snap shot after he received a through pass from Sertorio Monteiro .

Maina were richer by Rs 60,666 plus the trophy while Sao Miguel de Taleigao had to settle for Rs 40,444. Earlier, former footballers Uday Dessai, Ulhas Gaonkar, Adley Coutinho, Api D’Sa were felicitated at the hands of PWD Minister Churchill Alemao, Urban Development Minister, Joaquim Alemao and Cuncolim Municipal president, Devendra Dessai.

Maina players receiving the All-Goa Eslinda Alemao inter-village memorial football trophy from Churcuill Alemao, Joaquim Alemao, Devendra Desai and others at Cuncolim on Sunday.

Fo l l o w i n g p r i z e s w e r e awarded - Best midfielder Jameson Noronha of Maina. Best player of final Agnelo Martins of Maina. Best defender of final Cedric Peixoto of Sao Miguel de Taleigao. First scorer of final Peter Pereira of Maina. Best disciplined team Don Bosco Oratory. Best goalkeeper Bronson Sequeira of Maina. Manof-the final Nickson Castana of Maina.

PWD Minister Churchill Alemao was the chief guest. Urban Development Minister, Joaquim Alemao presided. Both gave away the prizes. Devendra Dessai, chairperson of Cuncolim Municipal Council was the special invitee. Anthony Pango, Bishuit Themudo and Benjamin D’Silva, GFA Executive Committee members were also present.

Earlier Elvis Gomes, president of Cuncolim Union and GFA vice-

president, in his welcome address urged Joaquim to use his good office to make available the toilet facilities and dressing room at Cuncolim ground.

Dinesh Naik, Sports Secretary of Cuncolim Union propsed the vote of thanks. Prakash Dessai, Chairman of the Organizing Committee compered the function. Goa Police band was in attendance. In all, 16 teams participated.

Shanon claim Flame of Unity Trophy

Sridao qualify for Second Division

The captain of Shanon 9 Fatrade receiving the trophy from Mickky Pacheco, MLA. HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, DEC 5

Shanon 9, Fatrade beat Customs and Central Excise, Panjim 5-2

via the tie-breaker in the finals of 7th All-Goa Veterans football tournament organised by Flame of Unity Sports Club, Per-Ser-

aulim at Mabai ground, Per-Seraulim on Sunday. The teams were tied 1-1 at the end of full time.

Camilo Baptista put Shanon into the lead while Franky Mascarenhas equalized for Customs and Central Excise.

Shanon 9, Fatrade bagged Rs 10,000 while Customs and Central Excise had to settle for Rs 8,000.

Benaulim ML A, Mickky Pacheco was the chief guest and gave away the prizes. Benaulim Sarpanch Carmelina Fernandes was the guest of honour. Seraulim Sarpanch Leopoldina Fernandes and Suzie Fernandes, ex-sarpanch of Colva were the special invitees.

Lucas Rodrigues and Agnelo Fernandes, secretary and president of the club, respectively spoke. Cinnie M D’Silva proposed the vote of thanks. The function was compered by Arun Kalekar.

HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, DEC 5

Siridao Sports Club managed to hold on as they defeated Jawahar Club of Ponda by a solitary goal in GFA's 3rd Division Ilhas zonal play-off final. With this result Siridao have qualified for the Second Division.

Siridao dominated the first half and deserved to take the lead six minutes before the lemon break when Sebastian D'mello netted.

In the second half, Jawahar dominated possession and nearly equalised, but the Siridao defence stood strong.

GFA Ilhas members Sanjeev Nagvekar, Angelo Albuquerque and Welwin Menezes were present.

St Xavier’s Curtorim win DBPP Trophy HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, DEC 5

St. Xavier’s Institute, Curtorim beat Infant Jesus, Colva 3-0 in an exciting finals of St. Domnic Savio U-14 invitation interschool football tournament organised by Don Bosco Past Pupils, Mormugao Unit at Tilak ground, Vasco on Sunday.The match which was witnessed by a large gathering started on a cautious note with both teams restoring to midfield play.

St. Xavier’s took an early lead in 10th minute through a direct free kick taken by Presley Fernandes from the top of the box.

Down by a goal, Infant Jesus regrouped themselves by playing an attacking game but were denied three sure goals by agile St. Xavier’s goalkeeper Ignatius.

In the second half, St. Xavier’s consolidated the lead with two quick goals from their mercurial striker Stephen Fernandes, who was involved in several solo runs.

Infant Jesus with their neversay-die attitude put up a spirited fightback but were thwarted by the tough St. Xavier’s defenders.

Following prizes was awarded - player of the finals Ignatius Gomes of St. Xavier’s Institute.

Best player of the tournament Saviour Gama of Regina Mundi.

Best goalkeeper of tournament Selvin D’Souza of St. Joseph Calangute. Best defender Stuart Rodrigues of Infant Jesus. Best midfielder Aaron Rodrigues of Regina Mundi. Best striker Stephen Fernandes of St. Xavier’s Institute. Most promising player of tournament Verryl Fernandes. Best midfielder Aaron Rodrigues of Regina Mundi. Best striker Stephen Fernandes of St. Xavier’s Institute.

Most promising player of the tournament Verryl Fernandes of Deep Vihar. Top scorer of tournament Stephen Fernandes of St. Xavier’s with six goals. Best disciplined team St. Joseph High School, Calangute. Best coach of tournament Allan Gonsalves of Regina Mundi.

Peter Vaz,, president of Sporting Clube de Goa, was the chief guest. He praised and appreciated the Don Bosco Past Pupils, Mormugao Unit for the good organisation of the tournament and encouraging the young boys. He urged the youngsters to work hard to attain the professional status. Later, he gave away the glittering trophy and

St Xaviers’s Institute, Curtorim with the Don Bosco PP winners trophy, Peter Vaz, Luis Fernandes and other dignitaries in Vasco on Sunday.

cash prizes, certificates. Fr. Alwyn D’Souza, Provincial Economer of Don Bosco PanjimKonkan Province, Fr. Jose Antonio D’Costa, Parish Priest of St. Andrew’s Church Vasco, Fr. Wilfred Fernandes, Administratorcum-Manager of Don Bosco College, Fr. Joaquim, Administrator of Provincial House Oxel, Fr. Michael Mascarenhas, Fr. Romulo Noronha Delegate of the Unit, Victor Vaz, Vice-President of Don Bosco Past Pupils Con-

Katyayani Baneshwar, Nirakar top HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, DEC 5

U-16 football: Ave Maria Athletic Welfare Association v. Orlim SC, Benaulim ground, 4 p.m.

ts

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es

Pr

Katyayani Baneshwar High School defeated Shradhanand High School in Canacona zonal DG

PISOLLEM

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Narvekar U-14 cricket tournament.

Shradhanand scored 66 runs (all out) in 16 overs. For Shradhanand, Allaudin Attar scored 19 runs. Manish Gaonkar and Nandesh clinched three wickets each for Katyayani. In reply, Katyayani Baneshwar scored the required runs in 12 overs. Nandesh Komarpanth16 (N.O) and Akshay Sutar 10 scored for Katyayani while Allauddin Attar grabbed two wickets for Shradhanand.

In another match, Nirakar High School defeated Tudal HS. Electing to bat first, Tudal HS scored 35 runs (all out) in 12 overs.

Manoj Velip 6 and Rahul Gaonkar 4 scored for Tudal HS while for Nirakar HS, Saideep Paiguinkar, Sabesh Nambiar and Vinay Kudalkar clinched two wickets each.

In return, Nirakar HS scored the required runs in 10.2 overs. For Nirakar HS, Shivam Warik and Saideep Paiguinkar scored 10 runs each. Suraj Gaonkar took a wicket for Tudal HS.

Bhakti beats GM

PANJIM (HSD) -- International Woman Master Bhakti Kulkarni defeated Grand Master Ibragim Khamarakulov (Spain) in the second round of Navalmoral International Chess Tournament in Spain on Sunday.

federation were among those present.

Many ex-footballers who have represented various clubs of Goa and State and are past pupils of Don Bosco also attended the

finals. Luis Fernandes, President of Don Bosco Past Pupils, Mormugao Unit welcomed. Vincent Barros, Secretary of the Unit proposed the vote of thanks.

Cdr. P.J. Agustine compered.

3-a-side in Qatar

QATAR (HSD) -- Friends Circle Qatar will organise their 2nd 3-aside football tie-breaker on December 10 at Ahmed bin Hanbal stadium from 3 p.m. Individual trophies will be given to best goalkeeper, best shooter, promising player, youngest player. The winners will be richer by Rs12,000, the runners-up by Rs 8,000 and the third place winners by Rs 4.000. Jatinder Bajaj, head of sports for Indian Cultural Centre will be the chief guest and Francis Quadros, proprietor of Al Ameer Garage and Melwyn Barretto guest of honour. The event has been sponsored by Sign Tec Neon and Blue Pub Bar and Restaurant Sazora. Details on 66094080 and 55208751 and Philip Fernandes (Designer Tailor) 55890361 (Qatar).

GOA DIARY

Seaman Trophy at Chandor

MARGAO HC) -- Chandor Club will organise their 37th Chandor Seamen Trophy inter- village football tournament on December 19 at Chandor. Prizes amounting to Rs 50,000 will be awarded.

Teams may contact Sammy Dias on 9922656483 or Ligorio 9623180810 or Joy D’Silva on 9822183227. Entries close on December 8.

7-a-side in Panjim

PANJIM (HSD) – The Youth of Alto Guimaraes, Panjim, will organise their one-day 7-a-side football tournament in memory of Godwin D’Silva on December 8 at Lar dos Estudantes ground, Altinho, Panjim. Cash prizes will be awarded. Entries will be accepted upto 10.30 a.m. Details may be obtained from Henrique Lobo on 9822124568 or Sabaire Lobo on 9822100919.

State archery at Campal

PANJIM (HSD) – the 4th SAG State archery championship organised

by Amateur Archery Association of Goa in collaboration with SAG will be held on December 12 and 13 at Campal from 9 to 5 p.m.

The events will be held for sub-juniors, juniors boys and girls, men and women. Entries may be given to Gurudas Sawant at Kasturba Matoshri HS, Panjim; Laxmi Priya Sharma, SAG coach, Ponda; Oswald D’Costa, Rosary HSS, Navelim; Ajay Yadav, Mangor Hill, Vasco. Entries close on December 9.

Floodlit cricket tourney

PANJIM (HSD) – The 4th all-Goa floodlit cricket tournament organised

by Yes Group will be held on December 23, 24, 25. Rs 20,000, Rs 12,000, Rs 4000 each (semi-final losers), will be awarded. Only 16 teams will participate. Details may be obtained from Dattaraj (Babu) on 9823724252 or 9860094252.

Pg 17

SPORTS GOA, Monday, 6 December, 2010

Sagun to lead State Ranji team HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, DEC 5

Sagun Kamat will lead the S t a t e Ra n j i t e a m a g a i n s t Tripura from December 8 to 11 in Goa. Team: Sagun (captain), Vidyut Shivaramakrishna, Vaibhav Naik, Reagan Pinto, Ajay Ratra, Rahul Keni, Robin D’ Sousa, Shadab Jakati, Harshad Gadekar, Amit Yadav, Sherbahadur Yadav, Saurabh Bandekar, Sahil Dhuri, Ryan D’Sousa and Rohit Asnodkar.

Rajesh Kamat (coach), Sarvesh Naik (assistant coach), Wayne Fernandes (manager), Danny Pereira (physio) and Prabhakar Bairgond (trainer).

West Brom reach top half AP WEST BROMWICH, DEC 5

West Bromwich Albion climbed into the top half of the Premier League on Sunday after two goals by Peter Odemwingie and one from Somen Tchoyi secured a 3-1 win over Newcastle.

Tchoyi’s first goal at the Hawthorns gave the Baggies a deserved halftime lead as they dominated the opening 45 minutes.

Odemwingie then completed his side’s first league win over Newcastle for 26 years before Peter Lovenkrands scored a late goal for Newcastle.

“I thought everything about today was good,” West Brom manager Roberto Di Matteo

said. “We scored three great goals and we controlled the game for the majority of the time.

“I think we pressed them quite high up the pitch, we never let them settle in. We recovered possession quite well.”

After 32 minutes, Tchoyi broke the deadlock with his first goal at the Hawthorns and fourth of the campaign. Chris Brunt found Tchoyi in space inside the box and the Cameroonian midfielder cut inside Jose

Verna up HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, DEC 5

Verna Sports Club beat Parish Youth, Nuvem 1-0 to storm into the semi-finals of All-Goa Bro Eulalio Vaz inter-village football tournament organised by Don Bosco Oratory, at Don Bosco Oratory ground, Fatorda on Saturday.

The all-important goal was netted by Santan Rego in the first half.

Brasil FA rout St Estevam HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, DEC 5

Marina Albuquerque of Government College, Khandola won a bronze medal in women’s singles at the all-India civil services badminton tournament at Panchkula, Haryana. Marina is seen alongwith asst coach Prakash Gawas and manager John Rodrigues.

Brasil Futebol Academia impressed as they managed to overcome Santo Estevam 11-0 in GFA’s U-14 League at Santo Estevam ground on Saturday.

At Ponda ground, Don Bosco Oratory defeated Jawahar Club 5-0 in GFA’S U-16 League.

Enrique to curl a left-footed drive past Tim Krul from 15 meters (yards).

Newcastle manager Chris Hughton made a half time change with Lovenkrands replacing Shola Ameobi but Odemwingie doubled Albion’s lead in the 71st. Danny Guthrie slipped over on the halfway line

Qatar WC could be held in January: Beckenbauer AGENCIES ZURICH, DEC 5

The 2022 soccer World Cup in Qatar could take place in January or February to avoid the scorching temperatures of the summer months in the desert state, FIFA Executive Committee member Franz Beckenbauer said on Saturday.

Beckenbauer, who won the 1974 World Cup as West Germany captain and also coached his nation to the 1990 title, said hosting the tournament during the winter would be an alternative.

The World Cups are traditionally held during the northern hemisphere's summer months after the end of the domestic league competitions.

Qatar, which beat bid rivals Australia, Japan, South Korea and the United States, said

Sao Jose Areal blank Verna HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO ,DEC 5

Sao Jose de Areal Sports Club blanked Verna Sports Club 30 to enter the finals of GFA Third Division play-off at Curtorim ground, on Sunday. Areal were leading 2-0 at the

breather.

Areal drew first blood in the 5th minute when striker Alleulia Fernandes bulged the net with a rasping drive.

Areal mounted pressure with several and Melwyn Costa doubled the lead with a stiff shot.

Crossing over, Areal continued to dominate with their midfielders and forwards working in tandem. Aggie Antao drove the last nail into Verna’scoffins in the 47th minute.

Areal will now meet Sporting Club of Davorlim in the finals.

Blasco excels

HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, DEC 5

Our Lady of Rosary High School, Dona Paula, winners of Tiswadi Taluka U-17 girls football tournament organised by DSYA, alongwith Sanjay Shirodkar (taluka sports organiser), B D Powar (assistant physical education officer), Carol Gomes and Amol Nadkarni (PE teacher). In the finals, Our Lady of Rosary defeated St Theresa HS, Candolim.

Blasco Fernandes, of St Anthony’s High School, Assolna stamped his class at the recently concluded Salcete taluka interschool athletic meet organised

by Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, winning three gold medals in the U-17 boys category in the – 3000m, 1500m and 800m athletics.

Schoolmate Sapna Kochargi won gold in the U-17 girls 3,000m athletics. She secured a silver and bronze in the 1800m and 800m. Schoolmate Sujata Kochargi won gold in the U-14 girls 600m.

Nagoa’s big win over St Domnic HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, DEC 5

Saish Palyekar netted a brace as Nagoa Sports Club reached the finals demolishing St Domnic Savio Sports Club 9-1 in GFA’s Third Division play-off at Duler stadium here on Sunday. Nagoa led 2-1 at the breather.

Eight different Nagoa players managed to get their name on the scoresheet and by the end of the match even their goalkeeper managed to score.

Nagoa performed to a high standard, with a sharpness of passing which distressed their opponents. Pravin Jadav stood out for the winners with his dribbling and passing.

St Domnic found it difficult to close down their opponents and hastily tried to clear the ball

by any means possible. The forward line spent most of their time having to drop back and help out the midfield.

Nagoa took the lead in the 17th minute when Lawrence Rodrigues exchanged passes with teammate Pravin Jadav before firing into the bottom corner.

The lead did not last long as nine minutes later, against the run of play Ashwin Kauthankar surprised everyone shooting from outside the box on the half volley to equalise.

This did not upset Nagoa’s game plan as they maintained the onslaught and they were rewarded just before the interval when Saish Palyekar rose in the box to head in from a cross hoisted in by Roguvin Salgaokar from the left side.

Nagoa continued the second half in the same fashion as the first and they managed to score from the kick off through the boots of Adnan Baig, after Pravin had crossed from right.

Five minutes later Nagoa found themselves 4-1 up when Pravin hit an irresitable shot from outside the box which beat the goalkeeper at his far post.

In the 58th, Pravin wrongfooted his marker before laying the ball off for Saish Palyekar who finished with complete confidence.

With 13 minutes left, the St Dominic custodian committed a blunder when he came rushing out of his goal to clear but missed the ball and allowed Roguvir Salgaonkar to tap into an empty net.

to leave Odemwingie with a clear run on goal, and he kept his composure before slipping a left-footed shot wide of Krul.

Guthrie was stretchered off and replaced by Alan Smith.

Odemwingie rounded Krul with a minute left to score before Lovenkrands’s injury-time consolation.

By this stage the crowd could not take anymore and started to make their way for the exit.

If this was a boxing match, the referee would have probably ended the contest at this point.

In the 82nd, Mohamed Ali delivered a killer blow by punting in and a minute later Someshekar Kumbar netted the eight. Deep into injury time Nagoa rubbed salt in the wounds when their goalkeeper was allowed to make his way down the field to convert from the penalty spot after teammate Somshekar Kumbar was fouled by the rival goalkeeper.

Nagoa will now meet Siolim Sodiem Sports and Cultural Association after they defeated BAFF 5-4 via the tie-breaker on Saturday.

it would deploy climate-control technology to keep the temperature on the pitch to 27 degrees Celsius while outside it was a scorching 50 degrees.

"One should think about a different solution," Beckenbauer told the Bild newspaper, where he also works as a columnist.

"In January or February you have a comfortable 25 degrees there. Plans for the biggest leagues would have to change for 2022 but that would not be a major undertaking."

Dylan puts Siolim Sodiem into finals HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, DEC 5

Super Skipper Dylan Noronha netted the winning penalty for Siolim Sodiem Sports and Cultural Association to send them into the finals after they overcame BAFF 5-4 via the tiebreaker, in GFA’s Third Division play-off, at Duler Stadium, Mapusa on Saturday.

The score was 1-1 at the end of 90 minutes.

Starting, the teams created numerous chances to score but neither could find the killer punch.

Vishnu Mandrekar put BAFF in front in the 63rd when he raced in to tap in the rebound after the Siolim custodian spilled Amrut Gaddi’s initial attempt.

P r e s t o n i o Fe r n a n d e s equalised seven minutes later.

BAFF’s keeper saved his initial shot, but Prestonio was very

Pinster stars for Bresources HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, DEC 5

Bresources Betalbatim Sporting Club walloped Mandopa Sports Club 13-0 in GFA Under-14 league at Betalbatim ground on Sunday.

The highlight was a four-goal blitz including a hat-trick by Pinster Rebello who was a thorn in the rival defence.

Jaison Lucas struck a brace while Plaston Gomes, Ronit and Mathew accounted one each.

St. Lawrence High School, Agassaim, winners at State Level Athletic Meet organised by Nehru Yuva Kendra, Panjim. Standing (l to r): Vera Gomes, shot put third place, Joel Rodrigues, zoom run third place, Joella Fernandes, zoom run second place, Silvester D’Sousa, 100m first place. Sitting (l to r): Digambar Narvekar (athletic coach), Maria de Jesus Mesquita (headmistress), Fr. Johnsie Colaco (manager) and Manjula Bhat (PE teacher).

Zaki, Damini emerge fastest at Bardez meet HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, DEC 5

The 35th Bardez Taluka minisecondary school athletic meet came to an end at Peddem sports complex, here, on Friday evening.

The 2-day event saw a gigantic turnout of participants, looking to follow their passion for sports and take full advantage of the new Sports Policy.

Following are the results in various events: U-14 boys: 100m -- Zaki Khan (Chubby Cheeks HS, Porvorim); 400m -- Akolo Kambli (Holy Cross HS, Bastora); 600m -Koulesh Sharma (Holy Family HS, Porvorim); 80m hurdles -Akolo Kambli (Holy Cross HS, Bastora); 4x100 relay -- Ajinkya Naik, Steven Fernandes, Yash Haldankar, Jesmon Rodrigues (Holy Family HS, Porvorim).

Long Jump -- Rajesh Naik (Shree Shantadurga HS, Pirna).

High Jump -- Alton Nazareth (Assagao Union HS, Assagao);

Sharik Khan (Dattaram Mantrvadi HS, Mapusa). Discuss -Sharik Khan (Dattarm Mantravadi HS, Mapusa).

U-14 girls: 100m -- Damini Kasture (GS Amonkar HS, Mapusa); 200m -- Damini Kasture (GS Amonkar HS, Mapusa); 400m -- Mahisha Parsekar (Shree Shantadurga HS, Pirna); 600m -- Cizel Fernandes (St Anthony’s HS, Duler); 80m hurdles -- Simantha Fernandes (St Michael’s HS, Vagator); 4x100 relay -- Gokula Morajikar, Simantha Fernandes, Arsela Parsekar, Spaira Dias (St Michael’s HS, Vagator).

Long Jump -- Saina Halornekar (Holy family HS, Porvorim). High Jump -- Jayama Dodamani (St Xaviers HS, Moira). Shot Put -Alisa Azavedo (Saraswat Vidayala, Mapusa). Discuss -- Poonam Dhami (Mark Fernandes Memorial HS, Calangute).

U-17 boys: 100m -- Irfan Shaikh (St Anthony’s HS, Duler); 200m -- Irfan Shaikh (St Anthony’s HS, Duler); 400m -- Irfan

Shaikh (St Anthony’s HS, Duler); 800m -- Remsley Fernandes (St Anthony’s HS, Guirim); 1500m -- Sadgum Talkatkar (Sacred Heart HS, Anjuna); 3000m -Remsley Fernandes (St Anthony’s HS, Guirim); 100m hurdles -- Clive Fernandes (Holy Family HS, Porvorim); 4x100 relay -- Laxman Salgaokar, Farook Balleni, Akshay Salkar and Suraj Ghadi, (Holy Cross HS, Bastora); 5km walk -- Parsekar (St Michael Convent, Vagator). Long Jump -- Navin Shirodkar (Assagao Union, Assagao). High Jump -Sharad Nepal (St Michael’s HS, Va g a t o r ) , J o h a n G u r r a l a (Saraswat Vidayala, Mapusa).

Shot put -- Rahul Gawande (Shree Shanta Durga HS, Pirna).

Discuss -- Azmeer Bel (Dhyan Prasak Mandal HS, Mapusa), Javelin Rajesh Kumar Murmu (St Anthony’s HS, Duler). Hammer Sanil Phadte (Assagao Union HS, Assagao).

U-17 girls: 100m -- Ruchira Gawas GS (Amonkar HS, Ma-

Sound of Music

Who was Beethoven

and briefly studied with Mozart. Two weeks later, he returned home because his mother had tuberculosis. She died in July. His father took to drink, and Beethoven, only 19, petitioned to be recognized as the head of the house; he received half of his father's salary to support his family.

Beethoven's father, Johann, sang soprano in the electoral chapel where his father was Kapellmeister (chapel master). Johann grew up proficient enough to teach violin, piano, and voice to earn a living.

In 1792, Beethoven moved to Vienna. His father died in December that same year.

Johann married Maria He studied with Haydn for less than a Magdalena in 1767, and year, as their personalities did not mix on December 17, 1770, well. Beethoven then studied with JoLudwig van Beethoven hann Georg Albrechtsberger, the best was born. Maria later gave birth to five known teacher of counterpoint in Vienna. other children, but only two survived, Once establishing himself, he began comCaspar Anton Carl and Nikolaus Johann. posing more. In 1800, he performed his first symphony and a septet (op. 20).

At a very early age, Beethoven received Publishers soon began to compete for his violin and piano lessons from his father. newest works.

At the age of 8, he studied theory and While still in his 20's, Beethoven turned keyboard with van den Eeden (former deaf. As a result, his attitude and social chapel organist). He also studied with life changed dramatically - he wanted to several local organists, received piano hide his impairment from the world. How lessons from Tobias Friedrich Pfeiffer, could a great composer be deaf? Deterand Franz Rovantini gave him violin and mined to overcome his disability, he viola lessons. Although Beethoven’s muwrote symphonies 2, 3, and 4 before sical genius was compared to that of 1806. Symphony 3, Eroica, was origiMozart’s, his education never exceeded nally titled Bonaparte as a tribute to elementary level.

Napoleon.

pusa); 200m -- Ruchira Gawas (GS Amonkar HS, Mapusa); 400m -- Ruchira Gawas (GS Amonkar HS, Mapusa); 800m -- Laxmi Lamani (Government HS, Namichi, Guirim); 1500m -Laxmi Lamani (Government HS, Namichi, Guirim); 3000m -Laxmi Lamani Government HS, Namichi, Guirim); 100m hurdles -- Suchita Gadekar (Sacred Heart HS, Parra); 4x100m relay -- Diksha Naik, Silvia Pereira, Amita Vishwarma and Rima Gadekar (St Michael Convent HS, Vagator); 3km walk -- Sneha Salgaokar (Sacred Heart HS, Pirna).

Long jump -- Anusuya Chawan (Mark Fernandes Memorial, Calangute). High jump -- Reema Gadekar (St Michael Convent HS, Vagator). Triple jump -- Vidhya Pilankar (Dhyan Prasarak, Mapusa).

Shot put -- Astrid Pereira (Holy Family, Porvorim). Discus -- Astrid Pereira (Holy Family, Porvorim). Javelin -Jocelyn Rebein (Holy Family HS, Porvorim). Hammer -- Reshma Redkar (Janata HS, Mapusa).

Famous Works of Beethoven Among Beethoven's piano sonatas, one would consid er the Pathétique, Moonlight, Waldstein and Appassionata to be the most famous. nies are all Beethoven's 9 sympho the better brilliant, but perhaps oica" (his "Er the are s one known and penrich the , ny) third sympho ny (Symetrating Fifth Sympho . phony No. 5 in C minor) Beethoven also wrote a short, romantic composition, the Bagatelle in A minor, that becam e kno "Für Elise". It was written wn as in April 1810 for Therese Malfa tti, Beethoven was considerin whom g ing at that time - a marria marryge which never eventuated.

Beethoven was the assistant and formal student of Christian Gottlob Neefe. In Beethoven never married and in 1827, he 1787, he was sent to Vienna for reasons died, leaving behind masterpieces that unknown, but many agree that he met the world still remembers.t

Contact Us:

The winners – Swara Braganza, Akanksha Naik, Dipshika Karmalkar (KG – Std II), Riddhi Zantye, Nitish Belurkar, Anant Prabhudesai (Std IIIIV), Rohan Ahuja, Riya Savant, Ritviz Parab (Std V-VII), Alfredo Menezes, Niraj Saripalli, Shubham Sawaikar (Std VIII-X) of all-Goa chess tournament for schools organised by Cortalim Chess Club, Manipal Hospital, Panjim Chess Academy with Dr Peter Carvalho, Fr Wilfred fernandes, fr Michael Mascarenhas, Peter Rebello at Don Bosco school, Panjim on Sunday.

Photo Rozario Estibeiro

alert to pounce and made no mistake the second time.

In the penalty shootout, Anthony Fernandes, Rakshek Vaigankar, Prestonio Fernandes, Dipesh Salgaokar and Dylan converted successfully for Siolim.

Vishnu Mandrekar, Sushant Pal, Praseed Parab and Mubin Inamdar scored for BAFF. Asif Shaikh took BAFF’s fifth penalty and saw his effort saved

by Pandhari Tamankar.

Comments or queries? Bouquets or brickbats? Talk to us!

Email Junior Herald at junior@herald-goa.com or join our Facebook fan page. Our readers are invited to rave, rant, chat or even contribute. No message will go unanswered!

pg 18:Layout 1 12/5/2010 11:14 PM Page 1

SPORTS

Maina lift Eslinda Alemao Trophy Pg 16

West Brom reach top half Pg 17

GOA, MONDAY, 6 DECEMBER, 2010 www.oheraldo.in

KP torments Aussies REUTERS ADELAIDE, DEC 5

Kevin Pietersen replaced Alastair Cook as Australia's tormentor with a majestic double century as England took a commanding first innings lead before rain curtailed the third day of the second Ashes Test on Sunday.

The 30-year-old Pietersen still looked hungry for more on 213 not out alongside Ian Bell (41) as England moved to 551-4 and a lead of 306 when the rain came down at the tea break and prevented any further play.

England declared on 551 in the corresponding Test four years ago and incredibly lost by six wickets but Australia, who made 245 in their first innings, can only hope the rain continues as they battle for a draw at best

over the next two days.

Pietersen reached the second double century of his career with a sprinted single off spinner Xavier Doherty before dropping to one knee and pumping his fist as England's "Barmy Army" of supporters gave him a huge ovation.

"It's wonderful to get runs and put our team in a position to win a test match in Australia," Pietersen told reporters.

"I really do believe we're in a very strong position in this game. Obviously the rain didn't help us out this afternoon but to get a team into a position is great," he added.

For Australia, the weather might have been milder than the 37 degrees Celsius they fielded in on Saturday but it was another day of toil with scant

reward for their bowlers.

Local quick Ryan Harris and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin did finally manage to finally remove Cook off an inside edge for 148 in the morning to end to 17and-a-half hours of unbeaten batting since the Englishman was dismissed in the first innings at the Gabba.

Australia skipper Rick y Ponting admitted, however, that his team had been outplayed over the last five days going back to the drawn first test in Brisbane and needed to "bounce back".

"We'll see what we're made of, simple as that," he said.

"They've shown us how to bat on this wicket so far. I think their skills and their application in their batting in the last couple of games has been terrific and we have to emulate that in the last couple of days of this game," he added.

PEPPERING BOUNDARIES While Cook would not pretend to be a great technical batsman, even the locals who booed Pietersen onto the pitch on Saturday could not deny the quality of his innings.

Pietersen secured his first Test century in 18 matches going back to March last year in the morning, celebrating the single off Harris with a roar that rang around the ground.

"I do love the big stage," Pietersen said.

"It's been quite tough over

the last 18 months. I've got high standards and to get 80s, 90s, 99s, 60s, 50s, does my head in.

Yes, so it was great for that one to go down fine leg," he added.

Pietersen relaxed a little after reaching his 100 and was soon peppering boundaries around the Adelaide Oval, where he scored 158 in the corresponding Test four years ago. His double century came off 283 balls and included 29 fours and one six.

He had a minor scare when he was on 91 and Australia requested a review of a refused leg-before-wicket appeal but the television pictures showed Harris's delivery had hit his pad outside the line of the wickets.

Shane Watson trapped Paul Collingwood leg-before-wicket for 42 three overs after lunch but apart from Harris (2-84), the specialist bowlers struggled on the lifeless wicket.

Quicks Doug Bollinger (1-121) and Peter Siddle (0-100) were expensive while left-arm spinner Doherty (0-120) never looked like giving Pietersen the sort of problems he was brought into the side to provide.

"They're toiling away, they're doing their best, there's not much in the track," Ponting said.

"We've just got to keep hanging in there and see if we can make some breakthroughs, but I think to tell the truth now most of the work for the rest of the game's going to be done with our batting," he added.

Australia 1st innings: 245 (M Hussey 93, B Haddin 56, S Watson 51; J Anderson 4-51).

England 1st innings: (overnight 317-2) A Strauss b Bollinger 1, A Cook c Haddin b Harris 148, J Trott c Clarke b Harris 78, K Pietersen not out 213, P Collingwood lbw Watson 42, I Bell not out 41. Extras: 28. Total: 551 for four. Fall of wicket: 1-2 2-176 3-351 4-452. Bowling: Harris 29-5-84-2 (w-1), Bollinger 27-1-121-1 (w-6), Siddle 26-3-1000 (w-1), Watson 19-7-44-1, Doherty 24-3-120-0, North 18-0-62-0.

England batsman Kevin Pietersen celebrates after scoring a double century against Australia on the third day of the second Ashes cricket Test match in Adelaide on Sunday.

Lanka-Windies final Test also washed out REUTERS KANDY, DEC 5

The third and final Test between Sri Lanka and West Indies ended in a draw with no play being possible on the fifth and final day today because of rain.

The three-match series was drawn 0-0 after the first Test at

Galle and second at Colombo both ended in stalemates.

Sri Lanka are going into the five game ODI series minus Muttiah Muralitharan and without naming Chaminda Vaas in the squad. The omission of the leftarm swing bowler could spell finis to his international career.

WC will be different ball game: Ganguly PTI KOLKATA, DEC 5

The new look Team India under Gautam Gambhir might be on a roll at the moment but it would be a different experience at the World Cup and a series in South Africa would be an ideal preparation, former India captain Sourav Ganguly said here today.

The ace left-hander also reiterated that his first preference will be Kolkata Knight Riders although the Ganguly would be up for auctions.

Talking to PTI on the sidelines of a function here, Ganguly said, "It was nice to see India winning under new captain (Gautam) Gambhir. But World Cup will be a different experience. Every win is good for the team (to get the momentum)."

"We have a very tough away

series in South Africa. It will give them an ideal preparation ahead of the big tournament (here in February-April next year). Indians are used to the playing condition here so I believe South Africa series will be very crucial.

It's easier to come back from a tough tournament. I hope they do well in South Africa."

On the speculation that he might not be retained by the SRK-owned franchisee, Ganguly said: "I've played three years with them so obviously there is an attachment. KKR will be my first preference."

"But it does not depend on me. It's up to the franchisee, let's see what happens at the auction. I'm yet to have a word with Shah Rukh Khan on this.

"If I'm not retained then there is always an option of getting picked by any other team at the auction. But I am keen on playing the tournament...

I believe there is some cricket left in me."

The Bombay High Court had earlier extended the date for IPL teams to submit list of retained players from December 6 to December 8.

Each IPL franchisee can sign up four players from its earlier season's squad.

Following his tremendous form in the ongoing series against New Zealand, Virat Kohli might have been seen as a future Indian captain but Ganguly said the Delhi youngster has to wait.

"It's too early to say that he can be a future Indian captain.

With great cricketers like Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir ahead of him, he has to wait."

“Of course we are disappointed the way the series worked out with so much rain about the three Tests,” said Sangakkara when reflecting on the drawn series.

“I know we all hoped that the weather would at least have

cleared and given us a chance as we had them under pressure in what time we were able to play in this Test.”

Scores: West Indies 303-8 (D Smith 55, Darren Bravo 68, S Chanderpaul 54, B Nash 67, R Herath 4-54) v Sri Lanka.

CSA clarifies on Gibbs contract

Pak worried about what more Haider knows AGENCIES KARACHI, DEC 5

AGENCIES JOHANNESBURG, DEC 5

South Africa’s cricket body has apologised to Herschelle Gibbs for releasing inaccurate details regarding the termination of the batsman’s national team contract.

Cricket South Africa says both parties have agreed to end the contract and the decision came "following amicable discussions" and is "in the best interests of South African cricket."

CSA released a statement on Friday saying it had decided to cancel the 36-year-old Gibbs' contract, which was then agreed to by Gibbs.

CSA says Gibbs is still eligible for South Africa and has permission to play in a Twenty20 competition in New Zealand this month.

Gibbs says "I'd like to thank CSA, my teammates and especially the public for the unbelievable support."

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Pakistan's refugee wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider's threats to expose Pakistan Cricket Board officials involved in corruption has left the cricketing fraternity in the country worried.

Haider had fled to London after allegedly receiving death threats from match-fixers when he was in Dubai for an ODI series against South Africa and retired from international cricket in a hush.

"We have reviewed the report of the fact-finding committee that was formed to investigate into Haider's decision to leave the team hotel. And we will soon be contacting him in this regard," a Board official said.

The fraternity is also worried that fresh controversies could leave Pakistan cricket in a very precarious position, especially with the ICC pressurising it to make reforms

to its cricket system.

"The 2011 World Cup is around the corner and these unconfirmed reports about some countries having reservations over playing against us in the Future Tour Programme because of the spot-fixing scandal are worrisome," a former Test player said.

The wicketkeeper had claimed that he was threatened by people who wanted him to fix matches during t h e

one-day series against South Africa.

"Just wait for two more days and I will come out with everything. Right now I am just waiting because of the threats made to my family in Lahore," Haider said from London.

"I hate corruption and I can't stay silent for long," Haider said.

"I just want the government to assure security for my family.

All the people who are questioning my integrity and intention right now will know the truth soon," he added.

Haider said no sane person in his right mind would ever sacrifice his international cricket career just to seek asylum in a foreign country.

"Only I know about the circumstances in which I decided to leave the team hotel and reach London. I had made to the national team and there was no reason for me to put my career at stake."

Haider said he was concerned about his family because they were getting regular threats. He confirmed that he would be appearing for an interview at the British home office in the coming week over his application for asylum in the United Kingdom.

ICC eyes first Test C’ship in ’13 AGENCIES ADELAIDE, DEC 5

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is eyeing June 2013 for the inaugural Test World Championship and will use current rankings to decide the four playoff spots, CEO Haroon Lorgat told Australian radio on Sunday.

Test cricket, which has struggled to maintain its profile since the advent of Twenty20, currently has a rankings system but no tournament to determine the top Test nation.

The ICC has proposed a quadrennial tournament with the four best-performing nations to meet in semi-finals before playing off for the world title in a bid to boost flagging interest in the longest form of the sport.

"I think the first possible opportunity for us to have a playoff is in 2013, which means that the current rankings table would need to be used," Lorgat said.

"For example, right now Australia would be struggling to qualify for the playoffs. But there may be another scenario with somebody else would also be

in the frame depending on this result they might slip in," he added.

Lorgat was speaking on the sidelines of the third day of the second Ashes Test between Australia, ranked fifth in the current test standings, and fourthplaced England.

"Going forward we're looking at a league table that would be worked on points and for match winnings," Lorgat said, but details on how to treat draws, which occur regularly in Test cricket, were yet to be decided.

"One option is whichever is the highest ranked team would progress through. There's the possibility of the timeless test, you've got to get to a result," he added.

Lorgat also confirmed the 2015 One-day International World Cup to be held in Australia and New Zealand would be stripped from 14 teams to 10, while the biennial Twenty20 World Cup tournament would be expanded from 12 to 16.

Sri Lanka will host the next Twenty20 World Cup in 2012.

"In my view (the Twenty20 World Cup) is a better vehicle to develop the game, a better vehicle to promote the game, whereas the World Cup should be the flagship event, should be the best teams in the world," he said.

International tournaments have been overshadowed by suspicions of match-fixing by players in recent years and the ICC will rule on charges of alleged breaches of its anti-courruption code by Pakistan Test players Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir in Doha in January.

The trio were provisionally suspended after newspaper allegations that they had arranged for deliberate no-balls to be delivered in the fourth test against

England in August.

Lorgat said the January 6-11 hearing would be the final say on the allegations, and the players would have no recourse to appeal, barring lodging their case with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Despite the allegations initially angering the Pakistan Cricket Board and its controversial head Ijaz Butt, cricket authorities there had become the first nation to implement an anti-corruption code for their domestic set-up, Lorgat said.

"We've done a lot of good work, Ijaz Butt himself is now involved with us," he said.

"So now if there was a gap in the domestic environment, hopefully we've closed that," he added.