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Sports: Yuvraj axed from Asia Cup squad Pg 18 The dead cannot cry out for justice; it is a duty of the living to do so for them.

—Lois McMaster Bujold,

PM makes fresh offer for talks on Kashmir PTI SRINAGAR, JUNE 7

Making a fresh offer of talks to those in Jammu and Kashmir who shun violence, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said attempts continued to be made from “across the Line of Control” to cause disturbances in the State.

He also made it clear that meaningful talks with Pakistan, which could lead to resolution of “old issues”, were possible only when its soil is not allowed to be used for terrorism against India.

Without naming Pakistan, Singh said it should help in creating an environment in which people from both sides of the LoC could live in peace and harmony and work together.

The Voice of Goa — Since 1900 panjim, tuesDaY, june 8, 2010

Business: No hike in petrol, diesel prices for now Pg 12

Mickky’s OSD applies for anticipatory bail Contrar y to expectations, To u r i s m M i n i s t e r M i c k k y Pacheco did not move for anticipatory bail on Monday but his Officer on Special Duty (OSD) and Vice-Chairman of Goa Tourism Development Corporation Lyndon Monteiro today knocked the doors of the South Goa Sessions court for anticipatory bail fearing arrest by the Crime Branch in the Nadia Torrado death case.

Sources say the former tourism minister may file his anticipatory bail application before the court on Tuesday, even as he is believed to have consulted legal experts from Delhi on how to go about fighting a legal battle to ward off his arrest by the Crime Branch.

Lyndon’s bail plea would come up for hearing before the additional Sessions judge on Tuesday noon. The court has directed the Crime Branch to file a reply on Lyndon’s bail plea.

Even as expectations were high that the former tourism minister would file his bail plea,

Goan students opting for IIT, IIM to get aid HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JUNE 7

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat today announced that his government has proposed to provide financial assistance to Goan students who opt for education in Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), M-Tech, Indian Institute of Management (IIM )and BITS Pilani.

Making an announcement at a function organised to mark the completion of three years of the Congress led government, Kamat said the State will pay fees amounting to Rs 1 lakh and also certain amount to students every year for expenses on books and other things.

However, Kamat said, the government will put some conditions for the scheme.

“The income limit for family to take benefit under the scheme will be a maximum of Rs 4.5 lakhs per annum and the scheme will be implemented (Continued on page 10)

Lyndon’s legal counsel, Amit Palekar (left) having a word with a Delhi-based lawyer in the South Goa Sessions Court after filing the anticipatory bail application.

Photo by Santosh Mirajkar

Lyndon’s legal counsel advocate Amit Palekar appeared in the Sessions Court this afternoon and filed the anticipatory bail application.

In his bail application, Lyndon apprehended that he may be arrested any time which will affect him with untold miseries of ir-

Goa’s Heartbeat: Excited to play superhero -- Kunal Pg 14

Pacheco fails to surface HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JUNE 7

reparable nature in his personal life.

Saying that he is not involved in any offense, Lyndon maintained there is no reason he will flee from justice and submitted that he will present himself before the court or the investigating officer for the purpose of investigations.

Lyndon submitted that the Crime Branch has registered an offense in relation to the death of Nadia Torrado and have implicated the former Tourism Minister Pacheco in the offense.

Lyndon added that he tried to plead with the Crime branch officers not to harass him since he is neither concerned nor connected with any case connected with the Nadia case.

He, however, submitted he has reasons to believe that he may be falsely implicated in the case which has politically motivated and may be arrested in the case considering the attitude of the Crime Branch.

Saying that he is not involved in any offense, Lyndon said there is no reason to believe that he

Former Tourism Minister Mickky Pacheco continued to elude the Crime Branch sleuths for the third day in succession even as the Goa Police said that his presence is required only for questioning in the Nadia death case.

Crime Branch is investigating the death of Nadia, Pacheco’s close friend, who died almost a fortnight after consuming rat poison.

Sources in the Crime Branch said that the officials continued to look out for the former minister.

Goa Police spokesperson Atmaram Deshpande said that there was no further development in the case today.

“We have questioned Nadia’s family members again today,” Deshpande said.

Asked whether the police have sufficient evidence to implicate Pacheco in the case, Deshpande replied, “It would be known only after his questioning is completed.”

“As of now we need his presence for questioning and only after the end of that we would know about Pacheco’s role in the case,” he stated.

On the former minister’s Officer on Special Duty Lyndon Monteiro’s anticipatory bail plea, Deshpande said “We had called him for questioning and

(Continued on page 10)

(Continued on page 10)

Hearing on petition today noon HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JUNE 7

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

Mahindra, 7 convicted in Bhopal gas tragedy case

Vijay Gokhale,(left) the then Managing Director of Union Carbide India Limited, coming out of Bhopal District Court after getting bail.

PTI BHOPAL, JUNE 7

Nearly 26 years af ter the world’s worst industrial disaster left more than 15,000 dead in the Bhopal gas tragedy, former Union Carbide India Chairman Keshub Mahindra and seven others were today con-

victed and sentenced to two years imprisonment in a judgement that came under attack from civil rights activists and parties.

Chief Judicial Magistrate Mohan P Tiwari held the 85year-old non-executive chairman of the Indian subsidiary of the

United States based company and seven others guilty and gave them punishment under less stringent provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for causing death by negligence.

89-year-old Warren Anderson, the then chairman of Union Carbide Corporation of USA, who lives in the United States, appeared to have gone scot free for the present as he is still an absconder and did not subject himself to trial.

There was no word about him in the judgement delivered by CJM Tiwari, 23 years after trial commenced.

The US-based company reacted to the judgement saying neither it nor its officials were subject to the jurisdiction of the Indian court since they were not involved in the operation of the plant, which was owned and operated by Union Carbide India Limited.

Monsoons likely to hit Goa in two days HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JUNE 7

After a prolonged wait, finally, monsoons are likely to hit the State in the next 48 hours.

The consistent pre-monsoon showers, a prelude to the south west monsoons, lashed the State this evening and continued pouring till late night.

Indian Meteorological Observatory in-charge K V Singh told Herald tonight that monsoons has reached Karwar and are speedily approaching Goa. “It will arrive in Goa in 24 to 48 hours,” he said.

The rains are already delayed in the State by almost five days due to Phet cyclone that originated in the Arabian sea last week hindering the progress of monsoons.

IMD during the day had predicted that Goa will have to wait for at least three more days to get the south-west monsoon rainfall.

“The monsoon currents have now started developing. Goa might receive rainfall on or after June 10,” Singh predicted earlier.

But the prediction went wrong within few hours when monsoon started proceeding at a regular pace.

Monsoon showers lashed Kerala on May 31 but the cyclone halted the monsoon current for few days. Met department has stated that due to severe cyclonic storm over the Arabian Sea, monsoon remained subdued over the Kerala

and Karnataka coasts after its onset. However, Singh said that the effect is weakening at a fast rate.

“As the result of monsoon current advancement, the State has been receiving small quantity of pre-monsoon showers in various pockets,” he explained.

(Continued on page 10)

He'll surely win an Olympic gold medal for that sprint. That's our minister who has just resigned under pressure.

6 cops held in drugs racket get bail HERALD CORRESPONDENT MAPUSA, JUNE 7

All the six policemen arrested in connection with the policedrug peddling nexus case were granted bail by the Narcotics, Drug and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Court at Mapusa on Monday.

The six policemen Police Sub Inspector Punaji Gawas, constables Sanjay Parab, Sandip Parab, Hussein Shaikh, Ram Chandra Kanonkar and Shaish Pokle were granted conditional bail on furnishing a surety of Rs 50,000 each.

The six policemen have been

directed to present themselves before the investigating officer as and when required for the purpose of investigations.

They have been further directed not to leave the State without the permission of the court and also not to visit the (Continued on page 10)

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KTC employees protest new work schedule, transport hit

Agitated KTC employees protesting against the management decision to have a three-day working schedule.

Photo by Santosh Mirajkar HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JUNE 7

KTC bus operations from South Goa were hit for some time as employees gheraoed the Margao depot in-charge in protest against the introduction of three day work schedule, beginning from today.

French national drowns at Colva HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JUNE 7

A 62-year old French national, Yves Claude Marcel Louis Guerin met a watery grave at the Colva beach on late Sunday night.

Colva PSI Sudesh Velip informed that the deceased had ventured out for a swim in the sea at Colva last night and drowned. The incident occurred when Guerin went for a swim at around 10.30 in the night, PSI Sudesh said.

He said the body of the foreign national was later recovered. The post mortem examination was performed today at GMC.The police are investigating.

The employees made it clear to the depot in-charge that the new arrangement is not acceptable to them and will oppose the same tooth and nail.

A large number of workers barged inside the cabin of the depot in-charge and demanded that the KTC management main-

tain the status quo pending improvement of facilities for the drivers and conductors.

The employees pointed out that the new arrangement mooted by the KTC management goes against them and has been introduced without any study.

Plaint against RTO officer for demanding bribe HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JUNE 7

A bus operator has filed a complaint with the directorate of vigilance against transport department officer for seeking bribe.

A bus owner Sudip Tamankar and his wife Shraddha Tamankar has filed a complaint against Assistant Director of Transport (enforcement) Pralhad Desai for demanding Rs 80,000 for the renewal of stage carriage permit on Chimbel to Panjim route.

“For last three years we have been struggling to obtain stage carriage permit for our bus NoGA-01-4193, which is a spare bus. Finally the RTA meeting on

April 11, 2008, resolved to grant the said permit. However, then assistant director of transport V J Gaonkar, without following the decision of RTA granted temporary permit for seven days.

The said permit was stopped on May 7, 2008 and till date it’s not renewed,” Tamankar said in his complaint.

Meanwhile, in the same year Gaonkar was replaced

by Desai.

“He too started giving several reasons for not renewing the permit. Finally, Desai demanded Rs 80,000 for the renewal of the said permit, which is illegal,” the complaint reads.

“Desai stated that the said

4 injured in car-truck collision at Canacona HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, JUNE 7

Four youth were seriously injured when the car in which they were traveling collided against a truck at Khalwade-Canacona late Monday evening.

According to Canacona police, Kalandhar (24), Anish (26), Haniff (24) and Shanawan (24) of Xeller in Canacona taluka sustained injuries. The accident occurred when the four youth, who were proceeding in their Swift car (GA-08-E-9016) towards Bhatpal, was hit by an oncoming truck (GA-01 W-7804) at Khalwade.

Police informed that Haniff and Shanawan were shifted to Hospicio Margao in serious condition.

Meanwhile, rains lashed intermittently in different pockets throughout the day on Monday.

The fire service personnel attended as many as four calls of trees uprooting in different parts of the taluka.

Sources informed that few two-wheeler skidding incidents took place along the highway, which however went unreported at the police station.

Fire station sources informed

A union office bearer, Kamlakar Gadkar told newsmen that the new arrangement is not acceptable to the workers and demanded that the same be withdrawn immediately.

He said the arrangement was made known to the employees by the management by putting up a notice on the board. “While the employees are opposed to the new system, the management insisted that they have to follow the new arrangement”, he added.

The depot in-charge later told newsmen that the new arrangement has been approved by the KTC management and he has no powers to scrap the same.

He, however, hastened to add that he has asked the workers to submit in writing their apprehensions and reservations to the new arrangement.

Replying to a question, he, however, said that the new arrangement mooted by the management is within the rules and norms. “Whatever has been proposed conforms to the norms under the Motor Vehicles Act”, he added.

Even as the employees confronted the management over the new work schedule, KTC operations on many routes were badly hit and the situation returned to normal after more than two hours.

amount is required to be given to Transport Minister Ramkrishna Dhawaliar for the renewal of the permit.

He further stated that the permit is stopped due to non-fulfillment of the demand of minister,” the complaint added.

Tamankar has urged vigilance department to register a complaint under Section 166, 167, 409 and 420 of Indian Penal Code against Desai.

Earlier, last week Tamankar has also demanded a vigilance inquiry against then transport minister Pandurang Madkaikar in granting HSRP tender to Shinmit Utsch.

Brit ends life at Arpora guest house HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, JUNE 7

The car involved in an accident at Khalwade-Canacona.

Photo by Kathy Pereira

that a mango tree came crashing down on Shri Krishna Davasthan at Loliem, causing loss of over Rs 50,000.

The fire personnel rushed to clear a huge tree that came down on the highway at Partagali, blocking the road, early Monday morning.

In the afternoon, a tree came down on a toilet tank of Government Primary School at Ponsulem-Canacona, which was later attended by fire service

personnel.

In the afternoon while the rains lashed the taluka heavily, a tree came crashing down on electricity alignment at Palolem, plunging most parts of Palolem and adjoining areas in darkness.

Fire service personnel also cleared the road blocked by this tree, while electricity personnel worked till late in the night to restore the electricity alignment and power supply.

Union leader alleges harassment HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JUNE 7

Union leader Radakrishna Malwankar has alleged harassment by Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) management, after he demanded inquiry into the conduct of corporation’s officials.

Malwankar, sailor at River Cruise section, GTDC is placed under suspension by the management of GTDC, with effect from May 7, 2010. However, no charges are been framed against him, till date.

Apart from demanding the investigations and action against all concerned officials of GTDC, responsible for wasteful and unwanted expenditure to the tune of crores of rupees, the union

leader is been actively agitating for the grievances and legitimate demands of the employees like implementation of sixth pay commission.

In a press note released today, the union members have termed the act of suspension as ‘blackmailing tactics’ in order to withdraw the above demands, which are also put up before Chief Minister Digambar Kamat in January, this year.

The union has also said that since Malwankar is a sailor at River cruise section, the Corporation could not transfer him to far off place, as being done to other employees.

The union has highly condemned the act of the GTDC management to undermine and interfere in the affairs of union.

A 42-year-old Briton committed suicide in a rented room of a guest house in Arpora.

According to Anjuna police, the body of Belchar was found hanging to the ceiling with a help of a chain when his friend Max forced open the door of the guest room late Sunday evening after a foul odour emanated from the room.

Max accordingly informed Anjuna police, who rushed to the site, Police Inspector Manjunath Dessai and DySP Sammy Tavares also rushed to the site.

Anjuna police further informed that Belchar along with his wife had arrived in Goa in December 2009 and after putting up at a guest house in Parra had shifted to Arpora.

“Belchar ’s wife lef t for England while he stayed back in Goa. A few days ago, Belchar’s wife had called him on his cell phone, which was left unanswered,” informed the police.

“Accordingly, Mrs Belchar called up Max, who was known to Belchar. Max finally visited Belchar at his guest house on Sunday at about 12.30 am, but did not get any response from Belchar to his calls,” added the police.

As Max waited for Belchar to open the door, Max got a bad odour, due to which he forced open the door only to find Belchar’s decomposed body.

Max accordingly alerted Anjuna police.

According to Anjuna police, Belchar had left a note and a CD behind.

The note was meant for Max, which read: “Sorry to leave that for you”, while on the CD there was a message for his wife, which read: “Ain’t no sunshine, she is gone.” Anjuna police is investigating the case.

Students in a happy mood on the first day of re-opening of schools.

CM downplays Lucky’s statement

Photo by Rozario Estibeiro

‘Centre favouring Goa on Kalsa-Bhandura project’

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JUNE 7

Giving an indication of government’s seriousness in eradicating the drug menace, Chief Minister Digamabar Kamat today virtually stated that the claims made by the Swedish model Lucky Farmhouse on a politicians son’s involvement in the racket as bogus.

The Swedish model, former girl friend of Israeli drug-dealer Yaniv Benahim alias Atala, exposed the police-drug nexus after she uploaded the spy cam video on youtube.com.

Lucky also claimed she knows a top politician’s son who was involved in the drugs racket.

When asked to comment on the politician’s son’s involvement in the racket the chief minister tried to downplay the statement.

“Today, anybody makes any statement on politicians,” Kamat said while replying queries in the open forum at the 3rd anniversary function of his government.

Kamat said that if the model had any evidence she should have come and given it to the police.

The model, who exposed the nexus was in Mumbai for a few days, said that the police have made almost no effort to contact her even though she was in Mumbai.

“The police are investigating the case with all seriousness and we do not want to interfere in their work,” Kamat stated.

Kamat’s statement assumes significance as the High Court has released all the seven policemen on bail after they were arrested for links with drugs mafia.

K S Iswarappa addresses the meet in the presence of Karnataka Chief Minister Yeddyurappa, Anathkumar and others.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT BELGAUM, JUNE 7

Karnataka BJP State President and former irrigation minister K S Iswarappa has accused the Centre of favouring Goa on the Kalsa-Bhandura water diversion project.

He was addressing the state BJP executive meeting that is being held at Belgaum. The twoday meeting is being held to discuss issues related to rising Naxalism.

“The UPA government at the Centre is favouring Goa, as Goa has a Congress government. But is it fair for the Congress party to bring obstacles in the ongoing work on Kalsa-Bhandura project by favouring Goa,” asked Ishwarappa.

“The Congress party is depriving the drinking water needs of the people of north Karnataka, for which the project is being implemented,” he said.

Ishwarappa further accused the UPA government of discriminating Karnataka in some other

issues like distribution of power, flood relief fund and controversies like Hogenekkal.

“Andhra Pradesh is illegally implementing many projects in disputed areas. The Karnataka governor should bring these projects to the notice of the Centre,” he said.

Claiming that the Rangnath Mishra report on the OBC’s is of no good to the community, he said the BJP would strongly oppose the implementation of the same in Karnataka.

Speaking on the occasion, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa called upon party workers to strengthen the party by maintaining sustained efforts during the forthcoming TP and ZP elections.

“The taluka and district units of the party should hold a meeting at least once in a month and must try to understand the grievances of the people,” said the chief minister.

He also called upon the

workers to attend party ’s Sadhana Samavesh (achievement convention) at Bangalore on June 25.

“Exhibition of government achievements in last two years and its schemes for the people will be displayed in the convention,” he informed.

Meanwhile, important resolutions including Karnataka’s future course of action regarding successful implementation of Kalsa-Bhandura project will be passed on Tuesday, the concluding day of the two-day meeting.

National General Secretary Ananth Kumar, ministers Jagadish Shettar, V S Acharya and former state president Sadananda Gowda were present.

Laxman Savadi, Umesh Katti, Balachandra Jarkiholi, Katta Subramanya Naidu, Basavaraj Bommai, Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, Govind Karjol, MPs Suresh Angadi, Pralhad Joshi, Prabhakar Kore were also present.

HC order on loading of mining trucks violated: QTMAPF

HERALD CORRESPONDENT QUEPEM, JUNE 7

The Quepem Taluka Mining Affected Peoples Front (QTMAPF) members have accused authorities in Quepem of committing contempt of a high Court order regarding the loading of mining trucks.

The QTMAPF members claimed that the high court in its order dated April 22 stated: “All trucks/tippers engaged in ore transportation shall leave in the cargo box on all four sides a free board of not less than 9”, that is, the cargo box shall be loaded by leaving not less than 9” from the brim.”

The members further stated that on April 24, Collector G P Naik convened a meeting in his chamber to inform all the officers about the high court order, in which the collector directed them to implement the high court order.

“Contempt of the high court order is openly being committed by mining trucks and mining contractors, as overloaded mining trucks passes via Quepem, where offices of SDM, executive magistrate, RTO, DySP are based,” claimed the members.

“The meeting convened is a mere eye wash, as not even 1% implementation is done,” stated QTMAPF members.

“Authorities are least bothered to see that high court order is being implemented. Despite filing complaints with photographs, over loading of mining trucks goes unabated due to which people of Quepem continues to face dust pollution,” said the members.

“The mining operation via Quepem continued in full swing on Monday,” they added.

An over loaded mining truck passes in front Quepem police, deputed in Quepem town.

Benaulim dy sarpanch says he was forced to resign HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JUNE 7

Benaulim deputy Sarpanch Stanley Fernandes, who had put in his papers at the Sunday gram sabha meeting, said on Monday that his resignation was not voluntary and he tendered his paper following pressure from a few members.

The deputy Sarpanch said the member s h a d c o mp l etel y gheraoed him and would not let him go if he had not to put in his paper.

Asserting that he has not filed any false affidavit in the high court at any time on the garbage disposal, Stanley

said he stands by the contents of the affidavit.

Saying that the panchayat has never approved any mega projects, he said the Panchayat under the Panchayat rules is bound to issue license based on approvals from the TCP and PWD. “The Panchayat never grants approvals but always acts under the technical supervision of TCP and PWD”, he said.

The Benaulim deputy Sarpanch has appealed to the Chief Minister and Panchayat authorities to intervene and to view the way gram sabhas are conducted and help the elected representatives to conduct the

meetings in a civilized and proper manner.

He has requested the Director of Panchayats to conduct an inquiry into the matter and issue notices to such persons raising questions contrary to law and issue direction to the Sarpanchas and Secretaries to stop such persons from raising such questions.

“I have no personal grudge or grievance against any person, but I am shocked and cannot take any more the sorry state of the way the gram sabhas are carried at Benaulim Panchayat by a few persons”, he added.

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Police to be questioned for harassment in Nadia’s case HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JUNE 7

While the mother of Nadia Torrado continues to affirm police harassment post her daughter’s death which has raised suspicion, the Goa State Commission for Women on Monday informed it would soon summon officers responsible for allegedly causing unnecessary torment to the family.

However, in spite of recording the statement of the mother for nearly an hour some days back, Chairperson of GSCW Ezilda Sapeco said they were not aware about the nature of harassment alleged by the mother of the deceased. She maintained the Commission’s investigation on the mother’s complaint was on and soon it would summon officers from the Goa Police to record their statements.

Sapeco said there was no time limit for completion of this investigation. On completion of the inquiry we will submit a report to the Government which will decide accordingly on the action to be taken, she stated.

She informed this was the first case of police harassment

nWhen media persons questioned to know about the mother’s specific complaint, the GSCW Chairperson didn’t feel very comfortable to give details and maintained she had taken down her statement and the inquiry was on.

received by the Commission, which has competent members to carry out the necessary inquiry into the allegations levelled by the mother.

When media persons questioned to know about the mother’s specific complaint, the GSCW Chairperson didn’t feel very comfortable to give details and maintained she had taken down her statement and the inquiry was on.

She hit back at some women’s NGOs asking them not to dictate terms to the Commission on how it should act. Ridiculing the

NGOs for questioning the Commission why it had not taken suo moto cognisance of the Nadia death case, she said the police were carrying out their investigation from day one and there was no need for a parallel inquiry by them.

Sapeco was highly critical of the NGOs for displaying rat poison tubes allegedly consumed

by Nadia.

In the same manner, she observed, the visual media should have desisted from showing the footage of NGOs carrying those tubes during their protest.

“This can send a wrong message to children watching the news and they could take a drastic step at some point in time,” she stated.

Member Secretary of the Commission Sanjiv Gadkar, who was also present at the briefing, informed from 2006 to 2009 GSCW had recorded 657 different types of cases of harassment against women.

In 2010 starting from January till date the Commission has recorded 100 cases, he mentioned.

Will Mauvin succeed Mickky in Cabinet?

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JUNE 7

T h re e d a y ’ s a f t e r M i c k k y Pacheco resigned from the cabinet, suspense continued over who would replace the NCP legislator in the government even as the chief minister said the decision in this regard would be taken by the high commands of both the parties.

Pacheco resigned from the Cabinet on Saturday after he was questioned in the Nadia death case by the Crime Branch and has been untraceable since then.

Sources in the NCP said Thivim legislator Nilkanth Halarnkar would get the ministry in all probabilities as the cabinet berth belonged to the party.

5-yr-old girl drowns in well HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, JUNE 7

In a tragic incident, a five-yearold girl from Ucassaim drowned in the well near the panchayat office at Ucassaim on Monday.

According to Mapusa police, Pooja Pawar was playing when she slipped and fell into the well near her house and drowned.

At the time of the incident, her mother was asleep in the house with her two-and-half year old son, while Pooja’s father had gone out. Police further informed that when Pooja’s mother woke up, she found her daughter missing. Family members along with neighbours and police conducted a search and the body was found in the well at about 5 pm.

Mapusa police fished out the body from the well.

On the other hand sources in the Congress said that three Congress MLA’s (one from South Goa and two from North) are against giving berth to Halarnkar in the cabinet as he is a first time legislator.

News is also doing round

in the political circles that Cortalim ML A and Deputy Speaker Mauvin Godinho could replace Pacheco in the cabinet and Halarnkar would be appointed the Deputy Speaker.

When asked who will replace Pacheco in the cabinet, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat told Herald the NCP and Congress high commands will take a decision on the issue.

"The pre-poll alliance with NCP was decided in Delhi.

It's for high command to take such decisions," Kamat stated adding "I will let you know at the right time. I will not hold swearing-in ceremony at night. Everyone will be informed well in advance."

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JUNE 7

The flying squad headed by Deputy Collector, Margao Johnson Fernandes on Monday issued stop work orders to stop hill cutting at Velsao and Margao, besides land filling at Navelim.

Responding to complaints received from citizens, the flying squad first made their appearance at Velsao, where hill cutting activity was going on. “There were two separate complaints of hill cutting at Velsao. In both the case, the squad has issued stop work orders to stop the activity”, he said.

In the third case, the flying squad issued stop work order to stop hill cutting at Pajifond near the BPS club, Margao.

Incidentally, the Margao Mu-

MMC workers engaged in razing down illegal hutments in the city.

HERALD REPORTER

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JUNE 7

Prashant Ashtekar, 23, one of the absconding Sanatan Sanstha ‘sadhaks’ accused in the Margao blast case, has said he will be surrendering before the court at the earliest. Ashtekar told the Indian Express that he can’t be constantly on the run.

The blast, in a scooter on October 16, when the Diwali Narkasur parade was on in Margao, killed two Sanatan Sanstha activists, Malgounda Patil and Yogesh Naik. After police investigations, Vinayak Taklekar, an MBA who worked as an assistant HR manager with a five-star hotel, Vinayak Patil, Prashant’s brother Dhananjay and Dilip Mangoankar were arrested. Prashant himself, Prashant Juvekar, Sarang Akolkar and Jaiprakash Putturu are wanted but absconding. Police believed the motive behind the blast was to spark communal violence in the state.

Prashant admitted that he removed the hard disk of the computer being used by his brother Dhananjay, which the police say had vital information about the circuits being prepared for the

blast. Dhananjay was arrested six months ago. “Since the computer belonged to me, I didn’t want myself to be named in the case, so I took away the hard disk,” Prashant said.

The siblings are Ratnagiri natives, and described as very religious and good at studies.

After Class XII in a local college in Chiplun in Ratnagiri district, both went to Ichalkaranji for engineering. Prashant stood eighth in Information Technology in the 2009 batch at Shivaji University. Just before the blast, he landed a job with an IT firm at Borivali in Mumbai.

“Our batch was hit by recession. All major companies stopped hiring. I got a job in an IT firm in Borivali, but they didn’t pay well. After Dhananjay was arrested, I left and joined another IT company in Sangli. But I then stopped reporting to work there,” said Prashant.

The boys’ parents, who are themselves ‘sadhaks’, insist their sons have been falsely implicated. “We only follow what is said in the Satsang,” said mother Kavita Ashtekar, a housewife.

“We have taken pains to bring

... bail pleas to be heard today HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JUNE 7

The bail applications by three of the four accused in the Margao bomb blast case will come up for hearing in the South Goa Sessions court on Tuesday.

A c c u s e d V i n a y Ta l e ka r, Vinayak Patil and Dilip Mangaonkar had moved the Sessions Court for bail.

Meanwhile, the Superintendent of police of National Investigating Agency Vijayan and NIA’s legal counsel S F Faria today prepared the reply to the bail applications filed by the three accused.

The reply will be filed in the court on Tuesday.

Hearing of the bail plea was adjourned at the last date after

the lawyer for the accused persons sough time to advance the arguments.

Meanwhile, there were speculations that one of the absconding accused would surrender to the sessions court on Monday. NIA legal counsel S B Faria, however, said that none of the five accused has surrendered either before the court or the NIA so far.

The NIA had filed charge sheet against 11 accused person, including the two deceased accused Malgonda Patil and Yogesh Naik, besides Vinayak Patil, Vinay Talekar, Dhananjay Ashtekar and Dilip Mangaonkar and five other accused who are still at large.

Flying squad issues 3 stop work notices nicipal Chief Officer as well as the Deputy Collector, Margao had earlier issued work order to stop the hill cutting activity at Pajifond, but in vain.

Johnson further said that the flying squad today stopped land filling activity in a low lying paddy field at Navelim. “We had received information that three truck load of mud was dumped in the field. Accordingly, the flying squad made its presence felt at the site and later issued the stop work order”, he said.

Sources in the know said the flying squad has fulfilled its responsibility in stopping the illegal activity and has left it to the Town and country planning departments to take the cases to its logical conclusions by filing FIRs against the violators.

The flying squad had been

MMC razes illegal hutments

MARGAO, JUNE 7 The Margao Municipal Council on Monday cracked a whip against illegal hutments and encroachments in the Commercial capital, but many hutments along the ring road from the Aquem side of the railway station to Rawanfond were left untouched by the authorities.

Around 55 huts and other encroachments were razed down in today’s operation, which began this morning and ended later in the evening.

Illegal hutments near the wholesale fish market and on

Margao blast accused wants to surrender

the ring road and other places were razed down by a team of municipal officials throughout Monday. An encroachment by a kiosk at the old bus stand was also razed down in today’s operation.

This is the first time in recent times that the Margao Civic body has cracked a whip against illegal hutments. In fact, the Civic body had been accused by the citizens for turning a blind eye to the shanties mushrooming across the city.

Last month, Margao Municipal Chairperson Savio Coutinho had complained of huts and

Photo by Santosh Mirajkar

shanties mushrooming in his Colmorod ward right under the nose of the concerned authorities.

Meanwhile, hutments along the ring road from the Margao railway station to Rawanfond Bridge, especially at Tollebandh, were left untouched by the Civic body.

Questions are raised whether the axe will fall on these hutments as the monsoons have set in this evening, even though the Civic authorities assured that action would be initiated against all illegal hutments in the city.

constituted by the government to deal with illegal hill cutting and land filling activities in the state.

Incidentally, the flying squad for South Goa got its act to-

gether after local NGOs bitterly complained over its functioning, forcing the district authorities to streamline the squads to meet the avowed purpose.

up our kids, and made them engineers. They are not involved in the case. It has ruined my sons’ careers and affected my husband’s health.” In a statement to the Goa Police after his arrest, Dhananjay had said their father introduced them to the Sanatan Sanstha.

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SHOrT TakES Research bulletin released

Unusable vehicles could be breeding ground for mosquitoes in Porvorim HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, JUNE 7

PANJIM (HND): TSKK’s research bulletin Sôd 14 was released at the hand of Fr Braz Faleiro, a well known Jesuit, at Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr. The 129-pages research bulletin contains articles ‘A 19th century Goan electoral encounter in Konknni folksong by Mariano Dias; an English article on “Gõychim Konknni Gayonam” by Lorenço de Noronha; The English translation of Prof L A Rodrigues, of the 17th century Latin letter “De Sasatana Peninsula (Peninsula of Salcete)” of Fr Ignacio Arcamone, and the key note address of Fr Pratap Naik, at the first Konknni conference in Roman script. Those who are interested should contact the TSKK office during the office hours on 2415857 and 2415864.

Mary’s society draw held

PANJIM (HND): The draw of Mary’s society, Mapusa in aid of new pre-primary school building was held recently. The lucky number was 000510. The prizes are to be collected within 30 days from the date of draw.

Tiatrists given Romi lessons

Unusable two and four-wheelers dumped by the police department in the open space near Vidyaprobodhini High School at Porvorim are likely to become a breeding ground for mosquitoes in the monsoon.

According to personnel in police department, the department has deployed one police personnel at the site to guard the vehicles. “All the vehicles will be auctioned by the department, but the date has not been finalized,” said the personnel.

Since monsoon is round the corner, there are fears that rain water will stagnate in these vehicles and it would provide a good breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Porvorim is a malaria-prone zone and mosquitoes menace is haunting the residents of police quarters throughout the year.

Besides, there is also a pond behind police quarters, which provides a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

The residents of police quarters have made several complaints about mosquito

PANJIM (HND): Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG) organised a special workshop exclusively for Tiatrists on writing Konkani in Roman script correctly. The workshop was held at TAG’s Conference Hall, Campal Trade Centre, Panjim. In all 42 tiatr artistes attended the workshop.

TAG President Tomazinho Cardozo guided the participants and taught them the basics of writing correct Konkani in Roman script.

Correct formation of sentences, use of ‘C’, ‘Q’ and ‘Y’ alphabets were discussed thoroughly. So also the use of consonants for writing correct pronunciations of different words, were also discussed. The exercises in writing different words and sentences were also conducted. The participants actively interacted with the resource person. The participants expressed that the workshop was effective in learning various aspects of writing Konkani in Roman script correctly.

Cardozo also assured that more workshops of this nature will be organized so that not only Tiatr artistes but all others who wish to learn to read and write Konkani in Roman script correctly may participate in the same.

Sahil excels

PANJIM (HND): Sahil Sujan Naik stood 1st in Purushottom Walawalkar Higher Secondary School in Commerce stream. He secured 81% at the HSSC examination conducted in March 2010.

Pre-matric scholarship PANJIM (HND): The State government is implementing a scheme of pre-matric scholarship to the children of employees engaged in unclean occupation (Safai Karmacharis). This scheme is operated by the Directorate of Social Welfare.

The concerned Safai Karmacharis may forward the applications for pre-matric scholarship for their children through the heads of the concerned educational institutions where their children are schooling. Day scholars are entitled for financial assistance as follows: Class I to X – Rs 110 pm for ten months, in addition of Rs 750 per annum paid as adhoc grant. There is no income limit for this scheme.

For further details contact the office of the Director, Directorate of Social Welfare, 18th June Road, Panjim.

Kirtan workshop organised

Children performs Kirtan at Kerim.

Photo by Vishant Vaze

MAYEM (HC): Swarsangam Sangeet Vidhalaya, BaherilwadaKerim, in association with the Art and Cultural department recently organized a one-day Kirtan workshop at Kerim.

Pale MLA Pratap Gawas was the chief guest for the inaugural ceremony, while Sagun Wadkar presided over the function.

Tourism department PRO Deepak Narvekar was the key speaker at the function, while workshop guide Gurudas Sutar, Kerim Panch Mahadev Gawas, Honda ZP member Ashok Gawas, founder of Swar Sangeet Vidhyalaya Arjun Gawas and its chairman Chandrakant Narulakar were also present on the occasion.

On the occasion, Pandurang Narulkar, Gopinath Gawas, Tejasvi Halit, Lalita Halit, Gaurav Parab, Rowesh Shelar, Vishal Mhalkar, Sagar Sawal, Ramdas Gaonkar, Vedant Narvekar, Anirudra Sawant, Krutika Gawas, Vaishnavi Narulkar, Pournima Narulkar, Sruti Gawas, Gayatri Halit, Chiranjivi Sawant, Dhondu Shinde, Gautam Parab and Rutir Gawas were felicitated for their participation in the workshop.

Gajanan Gawas compered the function, while Vithu Gawas proposed the vote of thanks.

Traffic Wardens of Chorao completed one year of voluntary service to the community and as part of its anniversary celebration a four day awareness program on road safety was organized by the Chorao Civic and Consumer Forum in collaboration with the Traffic Cell.

The program began with a brief report on the formation and the functioning of the traffic wardens.

On the first day, PI Maria D’Souza of Traffic Education Cell as well as Head Constables Bashir Mulla and T Mandrekar attended the programme.

While the Traffic Wardens Marcelia Gomes and Bernard Fernandes highlighted the safety issues such as the use of indicator and dipper, helmets, seat belts, paedestrian crossing, etc, wardens Roy, Swati, Sherry, Tukaram, Aurora and Selina placed themselves at strategic points and regulated the vehicles in and out of the ferry. Flyers and other material on road safety were distributed to the commuters. Volunteer Sheela took care of the information desk.

Violations such as drunken driving, lane-cutting, use of mobile phones, etc were high-

Water tanks inaugurated in Chimbel

Vehicles dumped by the police department.

menace to the Primary Health Centre at Aldona and the local panchayat, but in vain.

Now with these unused vehicles dumped by the police department, the problems will be worsened further. There are also two schools nearby, Vidyabprobodhini High School and Government High School, where old vehicles have been dumped by the police depart-

ment.

If the malaria disease spread in this area then there is no doubt that students will be worst sufferers.

When contacted, Aldona Primary Health Centre Health Officer Dr Pradeep Dhavjekar said he will depute the health inspector to carry out inspection of the site and then advise the police department to take nec-

lighted on the second day. Use of zebra crossing and the round about were also explained with the help of appropriate posters.

The presence of Head Constables Bashir and Mandrekar gave the required boost to the wardens, who encouraged with the experience of the first day, were seen busy talking to the commuters on different issues of road safety while doing traffic management. The commuters noted their woes, complaints, suggestions and compliments in a register which was circulated.

Youth traffic wardens Vishal Acharya and Deepkumar Mapari took time off their daily schedule to participate in the awareness program. Police officials did ‘on the spot’ booking of six different type of violations, such as overloaded buses, lack of documents, misuse of one-way, etc.

Day two was a hectic experience as there were only three ferries plying and tempers were flying as the ‘Q’ was getting longer and bigger. All efforts to get in touch with the River Navigation Department were in vain.

The issue of public transport was highlighted by wardens on the third day and demand was

made for safe, comfortable and affordable transport. Reserved seats, issue of tickets, overloading and displaying of bus permit, fare table in the vehicle were highlighted. The use of new technology such as the Interceptor, Alchometer, etc was also explained to the commuters who listened with rapt attention. It was a smooth sailing on the third day with all the 4 ferries plying. Having felt the pinch of the fines imposed, the bus operators too followed all the guidelines The fourth and final day was used to recap the road safety measures. Going through the suggestions, it was found that majority of the peoples’ demand was for 4 ferries. The buses halting in front of the ramp poses an obstacle, so proper signage prohibiting the buses from halting there should be installed. Surprise check for violations by the police should be made. Proper and permanent arrangement for 2-wheeler/4-wheeler “Q” system with barricade and markings is the need of the hour.

The commuters were promised that the traffic wardens would take their suggestions to the concerned authority and also follow it up with the concerned department.

Photo by Anil Shankhwalker

essary measures to avoid stagnation of water in their old vehicles.

“Malaria parasite breeds in stagnant water. Hence, I will also advise the Malaria Clinic at Porvorim and Penha de Franca panchayat to take necessary steps like spraying of abate medicine at regular intervals as a precautionary measure,” said Dr Dhavjekar.

Jordanian sailor airlifted for treatment HERALD REPORTER VASCO, JUNE 7

An ailing Jordanian sailor onboard the merchant vessel ‘Al-Hamra’ was airlifted by an Indian Navy helicopter from the Arabian Sea for medical treatment on Saturday morning.

The Indian naval helicopter ‘Chetak’ airlifted Mohamad Abdallah Ayyad to provide him with timely medical aid, after he complained of acute abdominal pain while the vessel was about 80 km off the Goa coast.

Since the helicopter had no clear area to land, the patient was lifted from the ship with the help of a winch, despite strong winds.

The patient was later handed over to the shipping agent and transferred for further treatment at the SMRC hospital in Vasco.

The helicopter crew that took part in the operations included Cdr A Barkataky, Sub Lt Vinoth, Lad S G Sen and Lad Bhupinder.

Famous personalities from Vasco felicitated

HERALD CORRESPONDENT OLD GOA, JUNE 7

In a way to help the residents of Chimbel, St Cruz MLA Victoria Fernandes on Sunday inaugurated two water tanks, which will serve water needs of over 80 residential houses in Indira Nagar-Chimbel.

Santa Cruz Block Congress Committee President Rudolf Fernandes, Chimbel Sarpanch Chandrakhant Chodankar and others were present on the occasion.

The two water tanks have storage capacity of over 6,000 litres, which will be an added advantage for the residents of Indira-Nagar, which are situated at a height of over 150 mtrs.

Addressing the gathering, St Cruz MLA Victoria Fernandes said: “I took the initiative for the women of Indira Nagar, especially those houses situated at a height of about 150 mtrs.”

“Women here were finding it difficult to get water. When I came here earlier with my son Rudolf, we had taken a decision that we will provide them some alternative to supply water,” she added.

St Cruz Block Congress Committee President Rudolf Fernandes said: “Few days ago during the Zilla Panchayat elections, when I along with my mother came here, we had seen the problems faced by the people due to water shortage.”

“I had promised to solve their water problems, which I have done today by inaugurating two temporary water tanks,” he said.

GPCC’s seminar

PANJIM (HND): As part of 125th year celebrations of Congress Foundation, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee will organize a seminar on India’s vision of a nuclear free world on June 9, at Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Panjim at 4 pm.

Commissioner for NRI Affairs and former union minister Eduardo Faleiro will be the key speaker and will unfold the Rajiv Gandhi Action Plan, which Rajiv Gandhi placed before the General Assembly of the United Nations in the year 1988 during his address to the Assembly. Chief Minister Digambar Kamat will be the chief guest while GPCC President Subhash Shirodkar will preside over the function.

Meet on India’s perspectives

Awareness held on road safety HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, JUNE 7

UPCOMING EVENTS

PANJIM (HND): The UGC Nehru Study Centre at Goa University will organise a seminar on ‘India’s strategic perspectives in the 21st century: Maritime, Geo-strategic and Mega-deaths (natural and man-made disasters) Issues’ on June 11 at ‘Cardium’, NIO, Dona Paula.

Former Chief of the Army staff Deepak Kapoor, Vice Admiral Lt Gen Aditya Singh, former FOC-in-C, Southern Naval command S C S Bangara, and former Vice Chief of the Air staff Air Marshal B N Gokhale, will be the panelists for the seminar.

The panelists will focus and deliberate their views on India’s strategic perspectives in the 21st century, primarily related to Southern Asia, with overlap on the global strategic rationale of geo-politics, maritime issues (strategic and non-strategic) and the issues related to mega-deaths caused by natural and man-made disasters.

Deepak Kapoor will deliberate on India’s geo-strategic aspects in the 21st century to encompass international relations and international security of the Southern Asian states.

Lt Gen Aditya Singh, will focus on the role that India has to play while coping with ‘mega-deaths’ occurring due to natural disasters, in which combined efforts of all security organizations are made in real time under a unified command.

Vice Admiral S C S Bangara will echo his views on the role that India has to play in consolidating strategic maritime perspectives of India in the 21st century, within the framework of her national security goals, objectives and capacity building potential as a major power to maintain peace and stability in Southern Asia in particular and global international security matrix in general.

Air Marshal B N Gokhale will make a presentation on the role that technology has to play at all levels.

Mass for the sick at Sancoale

PANJIM (HND): Holy Mass for the sick with special prayers for a Miraculous Healing will be held at the shrine of Blessed Joseph Vaz, Sancoale on Friday, June 11. The service will begin at 7.45 am followed by Mass at 9 am. The sick will be prayed over for a Miraculous Healing through the intercession of Blessed Joseph Vaz, the Patron of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman.

Mass for the sick with special prayers for a Miracle is organised on every 2nd Friday of the month. People with all kinds of sickness are welcome for the service.

Friday Masses are as follows: 7 am and 8.45 am at the Sanctuary and evening Mass at the Oratory of Paternal House of Blessed Joseph Vaz at 4 pm. Terminally sick are prayed over on every Friday from 10 am to 12 noon. Childless couples and pregnant mothers and kids are prayed over on every 3rd Sunday of the month at 9 am. Sunday Masses are held at the Sanctuary at 7 and 9 am and weekdays at 7 am. Priest is available at the Sanctuary on Wednesdays for confessions and spiritual guidance from 9 am to 12 noon.

Meeting postponed

PANJIM (HND): The 1st annual general body meeting of the ex-students association of St Mary’s high school, Ponda has been postponed to June 27 at 10.30 am in the school hall.

All the students of SSC batch 2010 who have excelled with distinction at the Goa Board examination will be felicitated by the association. Apart from this, Principal Sr Annie Paul too will be recognized for the 100% result at SSC Exam.

For more details contact secretary of the ex-students association Vikas Chodankar on 9545425151. The nomination forms can be downloaded from http://exstmarysponda.blogspot.com.

Haj programme announced HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, JUNE 7

Former International footballer Prakash Naik, IPL Chennai Super Kings player Shadab Jakati and GMC Chief Medical Officer Dr Sayed Sarfaraz being felicitated for their contribution in their respective fields by South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha.

Photo by M Prabhav HERALD REPORTER VASCO, JUNE 7

The All Goa Congress Committee Minority Department (AGCCMD) felicitated famous footballer, cricketer and a doctor from the port town on Sunday, in recognition of their contribution in the field of sports and social work.

Former International football player Prakash Naik from Patrong-Baina, Goan cricket sensation and IPL hero Shadab Jakati and chief medical officer of Goa Medical College Dr Sayed Sarfaraz were felicitated by South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha at Anjuman High School, Islampur, during the felicitation-cumbook distribution function organized by AGCCMD. While recognizing the contribution of the felicities, Sardinha said it is their dedication and hard work in their respective fields that has rewarded them success at international level.

“The society has accepted their success as they are the

role model for youth in the society,” said Sardinha.

He congratulated AGCCMD Chairman Saifullah Khan for organizing felicitation-cum-book distribution programme, as five schools from Baina and surrounding areas were given note books to provide to the needy students.

Earlier, Dr Sayed Sarfaraz said being doctor, he tried his level best that downtrodden people get benefit of medical facilities offered by the State government and he requested the people to take advantage of the medical facilities created

by Health Minister Vishwajit Rane.

Dr Sayed and cricketer Shadab Jakati expressed their gratitude for being felicitated

by AGCCMD. Other present during the function include Councilor Seby D’Souza, former deputy speaker Simon D’Souza, AGCCMD Chairman Saifullah Khan, former MMC chairman Nitin Chopdekar, former MMC vice

chairperson Anita Chopdekar and others.

Former MMC chairperson Satish Volvoikar introduced the guests, Vasco Block Congress Committee Chairman Vaman Chodankar welcomed the guests and Imran Shaikh compered the function.

‘Food grains stock is sufficient’

PANJIM (HND): Department of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs has informed that the food grains stock available in the FCI godown, Sada is sufficient for the next 3 months and there is no adverse effect of illegal lightening strike, on the supply of food grains to this State.

Public is therefore urged not to panic as there is a sufficient stock of food grains available in FCI godown and there will be no crisis whatsoever for supply of food grains to the public.

The Haj Committee of India has announced the programme for HAJ 1431 (H)-2010. Goan Muslims are informed that the Single Haj Application Forms for Haj-1431 (H)-2010 is available with the Goa State Haj Committee.

Each application form is required to be accompanied by pay-in-slip issued by State Bank of India, amounting to Rs 30,700 per pilgrim deposited in current account no.

31136268352 towards advance foreign exchange and miscellaneous dues, on or before June 30. The pay-in slip must mention the cover number and bank reference number against which payment is made.

The regular Haj application form duly filled in all respect and accompanied by the bank’s pay-in-slip should reach the Secretary, Goa State Haj Committee in the office of Under Secretary (Home), Home Department, Secretariat, Porvorim on or before June 30. No application Form received after expiry of the closing date will be entertained.

The persons not entitled to make application for Haj 1431 (H)-2010 are: Those who have performed Haj during last five years. This restriction applies even for Haje-Badal; those suffering from

Tuberculosis, AIDS or other communicable disease or are crippled, handicapped, lunatic or otherwise physically incapacitated; male children in the age group 5 to 16 years are not permitted. Only infants, who would complete two years of age on December 31, 2010 i.e. till the arrival of last inward Haj charter flight will be allowed to accompany their parents; lady pilgrim should be accompanied with Sharai Mehram provided that Mehram should not be a repeater and a maximum number of five persons comprising the family members or close relatives can make application in a single cover. The head of the cover should be a male applicant. It is in the interest of the pilgrims to ensure that only the family members having blood relative are included in the cover. The head of the cover should be responsible for all the payments of the persons included in the cover under the circumstances, an alien person should not be included in the cover. Haj Committee of India has no objection to register a cover with a single application/pilgrim included in the cover.

For more details contact Chairman, Goa State Haj Committee Mohammed Iqbal, house number 4563 Las Palms Society, near Trimurty hospital, Agali, Gogol-Margao.

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Consua hill cutting: TCP, Mines dept pulled up HERALD REPORTER VASCO, JuNe 7

In an unusual situation where one government authority has pulled up another authority, Deputy Collector Levinson Martins has demanded an explanation from the Town and Country Planning department (TCP) and Department of Mines and Geology over massive hill cutting activities in ConsuaCortalim.

The deputy collector has issued the order under Section 144 (2) of CrPC and has asked the concerned departments to submit the detailed explanation on the issue in two days.

In his order Martins, who is also in charge of a flying squad, stated that TCP and Department of Mines and Geology have failed to check whether the hill cutting has been carried out in accordance with the plans approved by the departments and in accordance with technical requirements as provided under TCP Act and Goa Minor Mineral Concession Act/Rules.

Incidentally, the order has been issued nearly three months after villagers lodged their complaint. Cortalim MLA Mauvin Godinho had also raised the issue in the Assembly during the budget session.

Godinho along with Chief Minister Digambar Kamat had also inspected the site a few days ago. During his visit, Kamat had claimed that the hill was cut in a haphazard manner.

Martins, in his order further stated that though one applicant from Shantinagar has obtained the permission to extract mud, but the manner in which the hill was cut, it appears that they have not followed the norms of TCP and Director of Mines and Geology.

“The chief town planner

Massive hill cutting activities at Consua.

shall conduct detailed enquiry in the matter within two days to ascertain whether the permission was accorded and if so whether the hill cutting was carried out as per the plan in accordance with TCP rules and if not, take action under Section 17(A) of the Act against the erring firm or individuals and submit compliance report,” stated the order.

Similarly, the Director of Mines and Geology has also been asked to conduct detail enquiry within two days.

Both the departments have been asked to inspect the site along with executive engineer, PWD, Div VI, Fatorda, Margao, and suggest and carry out remedial measures to save the impending disaster.

The report stated that it is clear that the hill cutting has been carried out with deep pits covering an area of approximately 10,000 sq mtrs and there are residential houses located on the downward side of the hill within a distance of

File Photo

200-300 mtrs on the excavated site.

The report further stated that rampant hill cutting and excavation have resulted in the formation of deep pits, which in the ensuing monsoons will be filled with water and pose a threat to life and property. “Besides, damage to the road beneath,” added the report.

“It is necessary that remedial measures are taken to save the situation, besides for criminal action against the firm responsible for the situation,” added the order.

Meanwhile, Verna PI has been asked to maintain a strict vigil at the site to prevent any further hill cutting.

The villagers have claimed that for the last two years, rampant hill cutting was going on and authorities were least bothered to keep a tab on it.

“The authorities acted only after we lodged complaint when boulders started rolling down our properties,” said residents.

With pre-monsoon showers hitting the State, cobblers have their hands full as customers approach them to repair their umbrellas.

Photo by Rozario estibeiro

CM releases booklet on govt’s achievements HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JuNe 7

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat today released a booklet entitled “Golden glow”, reviewing the achievements of his Government brought out by the Department of Information & Publicity.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister highlighted the schemes implemented by his government which have started paying rich dividends to weaker sections of the society.

He said, the schemes like the Indira Bal Rath Yojana and online land records will prove to be a boon to the common man.

Kamat said his government has implemented several schemes which cantered around the poor and needy sections of the society. Another scheme for the traditional Goan professions like ‘Khajekar’, ‘Poder’ (Baker), ‘foger’, ‘Chanekar’ is underway and will be implemented soon.

Later a documentary film,

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat interacts with the media at the celebration of three years of his government, at Maquinez Palace, Panjim on Monday.

“Goa marches on” made by well known film director Dharmanand Vernekar and produced by Department of Information & Publicity was released and screened on the occasion.

Home Minister Ravi Naik, Revenue Minister Jose Phillip D’Souza, Health Minister Vishwajeet Rane, Deputy Speaker Mauvin Godinho,

MLA Pandurang (Deepak) Dhavlikar, Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission, Dr Wilfred D’Souza, Press and Media Advisor Vishnu Wagh, Chief Secretary Sanjay Srivastava, Secretary (Information & Publicity) Narendra Kumar and Director of Information & Publicity, Menino Peres were also present on the occasion.

Fishing ban from June 15 HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, JuNe 7

All the operators of mechanized fishing vessels are informed that there will be a total ban on fishing for all mechanized fishing vessels from June 15 to July 31 in the territorial waters of the State.

The ban will be applicable to all mechanised fishing vessel excluding the registered tradi-

tional non motorized and motorized canoe fitted with outboard/inboard motors of upto 10 HP capacity.

The government of India has also imposed ban on the operation of all deep sea fishing vessels in the exclusive economic Zone (eeZ) West Coast from June 15 to July 31.

All the mechanized fishing vessel operators are hereby

strictly warned not to carry out any fishing activities in the territorial waters and eeZ during the said period.

A strict vigil/surveillance is also maintained on all the fishing jetties and the landing centers to ensure that no fish landings take place at these centers. Violators will be dealt strictly as per the provisions of law, says a press release.

PMC yet to complete pre-monsoon works HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARCeL, JuNe 7

Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) is yet to complete pre-monsoon works, even as PMC Chairperson Pradip Naik has claimed that the works would be completed before the onset of monsoon.

Clogged rainwater drains and uncollected mud still lies in some parts of Khadpabandh area.

Ward No 13 Councilor Vandana Jog has alleged that wards represented by opposition councillors are neglected

by PMC. “Getting the work done in my ward has become a problem and I think the reason could be due to the fact that I am in the opposition. I think such works should not be kept pending irrespective of whether the ward is represented by a ruling councilors or not,” said Jog. “If pre-monsoon works are not completed, then it will create problem to people residing in the area. They have elected me, so it is my duty to see that works are done in time, but the way PMC is functioning, I don’t think pre-monsoon works will be completed on time,” claimed Jog. She further stated that whenever she asked for labour, she was informed that labourers are busy in other wards.

Unclean rainwater drainage at Khadpabandh-Ponda.

Photo by Amresh Parab

“On several occasions, I personally went to inquire about labourer, but I was told that they are busy in other wards. I even told the municipal engineers of the problem, but nothing has changed so far,” she said.

“Luckily, it was a drizzle today or else in many places would have encountered water logging. The PMC should take it seriously,” added Jog. PMC Chairperson Pradip Naik claimed that pre-monsoon works are nearing completion in many wards and if work is remaining anywhere, then the respective councilors should inform the council.

“We cannot go to each and every place to look whether works are done or not, but it’s

the duty of respective councilors to inform us about it.

Pre-monsoon works are almost complete and will be completed wherever remaining,” said Naik.

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BHOPAL GAS TRAGEDY

Verdict disappoints activists PTI BHOPAL, JUNE 7

Disappointed with the court verdict in the Bhopal gas tragedy case, activists, who have been fighting for justice for the families of victims, today said the eight persons have been convicted on "diluted" charges and they will appeal before the High Court.

Eminent lawyer K T S Tulsi agreed with the activists, saying that the investigating agencies as well as prosecutors "mishandled" the case and judges acted like a "recording machine".

"It is the sheer incompetence of investigators as well as prosecutors. They must share the blame. In a trial like this, the judges ought to have made up the deficiency, directed further investigation and ought not have become merely recording machines," Tulsi said.

He said even the press was not vigilant enough to prevent an attempt to cover-up the role of the accused in the case.

"In every case, where rich and powerful are involved, there is an attempt to cover-up. The question is why did it happen so conveniently? Why was the press not so vigilant?" he said,

adding, that justice has not been done in this case.

"It is the obligation of the judiciary that people get justice. Unfortunately, in this case they have not got justice," Tulsi said.

An activist said that the industrial disaster has been converted into something like a traffic accident.

"People are extremely disappointed because a lot of them did not know that the charges are diluted. Now, they find that the disaster, which was the world's worst industrial disaster, has been converted into something like a traffic accident," Sarangi of Bhopal Group of Information and Action, an activist involved with the case for two decades, said.

The activists said they will appeal before the High Court till all the accused are punished under stringent provisions of law.

The court convicted 85-yearold former Union Carbide Chairman Keshub Mahindra and seven others in the case relating to leakage of deadly methyl isocyanate gas in the intervening night of December 2 and 3, 1984.

Judges Accountability Bill ready: Moily PTI NEW DELHI, JUNE 7

A long-delayed controversial bill on accountability of judges will be taken up by the Union Cabinet at its next meeting amid the government's assertion that the proposed law was aimed at ensuring that no fingers are pointed at the judiciary.

Union Law Minister M Veerappa Moily told PTI in an interview that the Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill, 2010, had been finalised after exhaustive studies and examination of such legislations existing across the world.

It has been cleared by Group of Ministers, to which it was referred in March this year following differences of opinion in the Cabinet.

The bill would now come up before the Cabinet for approval, Moily said.

Asked whether the Cabinet would take up the bill this week, he replied in the affirmative.

"Once cleared by the Cabinet, we hope to table it in the com-

ing Monsoon session of Parliament," Moily said.

Moily said the bill will "facilitate the judiciary to ensure that nobody points any finger at them...it is a result of an exhaustive study of eight months and we have examined various legislations of the world (to draft it)."

Terming the bill as "state-ofthe-art", he said it would make judiciary "accountable" for its acts of omission and commission and "clear clouds over corruption".

Several Cabinet members had found flaws in the Bill when it came up before the Union Cabinet in March this year. Home Minister P Chidambaram and HRD Minister Kapil Sibal, both lawyers, had found flaws in the bill like the quantum of punishment for a judge if found guilty of misconduct.

Subsequently, the GoM, headed by Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and including Chidambaram, Sibal and Moily, was formed to deliberate on the contentious legislation.

IAF to participate in French exercise PTI NEW DELHI/BAREILLY, JUNE 7

IAF is sending six of its front line Sukhoi fighter jets to an Indo-French joint air force exercise which will be held in France this month after a gap of four years.

Exercise Garuda, as the series is codenamed, would be held at the Istres air base in France from June 14 to 25 and this will be the first time Su-30MKI fighter jets of the IAF would participate in the exercise in that country, a defence PRO said here.

An IAF contingent of 230 air warriors was flagged off for the event by Central Air Command Senior Air and Staff Officer Air Marshal S Varthaman at Bareilly air base today.

Apart from the Sukhois, the IAF would take three of its IL78 air refuelers and an IL-76 heavy lift transport aircraft for the exercise being held in France after the last exercise there in

2006.

During the exercise, for the first time the two air forces will be joined by the Singapore Air Force with its American-origin Block 52 F-16s, he said.

IAF's Garuda Special Forces will also be taking part in the Indo-French Garuda series airto-air exercises in France.

"Joint exercises of this nature enhance mutual operational understanding and refines the procedural aspects and provides for tremendous learning experience for all the participating air forces," an official said.

The French Air Force, during the exercise, would field its Mirage 2000 and Rafael fighters jets, which is a contender in the IAF's 126 medium multi role combat aircraft tenders worth USD 11 billion, for the exercise.

Group Captain J Mishra would be the team leader under whose supervision the IAF contingent would perform in France.

Indo-Pak FM’s meet to focus on terror PTI WASHINGTON, JUNE 7

US feels that Kashmir issue won't be part of the agenda during talks between Foreign Ministers of India and Pakistan next month as the meeting will focus mainly on action against terrorism and the progress Islamabad has made into the Mumbai attacks probe.

Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Robert Blake said: "I don't think Kashmir is really the question that's on the table now."

He said the real question now is to get some progress on the trial of the Mumbai suspects, those who are already in custody in Pakistan and also see progress

by Pakistan on stopping actions

by Lashkar-e-Taiba and other Punjab-based terrorist groups.

"I think those are really the redlines that they've established for really establishing or reestablishing their composite dialogue.

And so those are areas where I think we can help and encourage our Pakistani friends to move forward, and indeed we have," he told BBC Blake said the US was always interested in seeing if peace can be enhanced between these two important partners of the US. "But we have always said that it is really up to India and Pakistan themselves to resolve this and that the pace, scope and character of their dialogue is really completely up to them," he said.

OHERALDO

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OPINION

Pg8

www.oheraldo.in

O HERALD O

It’s a Not Too Sweet Industry

Vol No CX No: 147 Goa, Tuesday 8 June, 2010

Industrial disaster or road accident?

Y

esterday, the Bhopal Chief Judicial Magistrate Tiwari pronounced his judgment on the Bhopal gas disaster that took place in 1984. He pronounced all seven accused guilty as charged of causing the world’s worst industrial disaster.

On 3 December 1984, a massive quantity of methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas – a highly toxic, sharp-smelling gas used in the production of pesticides – escaped from a storage tank at the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal. Government figures put the immediate death toll at a massive 3,500, but a study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) puts the figure at a gargantuan 8,000 and 10,000 for the first three days. ICMR studies, conducted up to 1994, estimated that till then, 25,000 people had died from exposure to the gas, and that totally, 5.78 lakh people were affected.

The top Union Carbide officials at the time – Keshub Mahindra, Vijay Gokhale, S P Rai Choudhary, Kishor Kamdar, J Mukund, K V Shetty and S I Qureshi – have all been sentenced to two years in jail and a fine of Rs1 lakh each under Section 304(a) of the IPC, for causing death by negligence.

That is the section used most often to convict those who kill others in road accidents.

Section 304 IPC is for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and carries a sentence of 10 years. That was the charge first imposed on the accused, but it was later substituted with the lesser offence. Nowadays, even drunk drivers who kill people are charged with Section 304, but these seven gentlemen – top industrialists all – have been sentenced to just two years for causing not less than 25,000 deaths by their negligence!

That is not the worst of it. Union Carbide Chairman Warren Anderson, who visited India after the accident and was arrested, was released by the government after it was pressurised by the US. He refused to come back for the trial, and the US would not extradite him.

The Indian government initially demanded $3.3 billion in compensation from Union Carbide, but settled for a paltry $470 million in 1989. Many survivors have received no compensation, as in order to claim it, they had to conclusively prove that their ailments were caused by the toxic gas. And those who could do this, finally received just Rs25,000 to pay for a lifetime of medical care. Relatives of the dead got only Rs1 lakh.

Survivors still suffer from respiratory and kidney problems, hormonal imbalances, mental illness and forms of cancer. To this day, children are born disfigured, with webbed hands and feet, and congenital disorders. Even though over 25 years have passed, the factory remains contaminated; no clean up has been done.

The seven culprits sentenced by the court have already obtained bail. They intend to appeal. The CBI had filed the charge sheet in this case in December 1987, but recording of witness testimony began only in 1997; 178 witnesses deposed and 3,000 documents were tendered. As many as 15 judges heard the case, before we got a verdict. How many more years before the appeal process all the way to the Supreme Court is exhausted?

The victims of the Bhopal gas disaster have not secured justice. Very likely, they will never secure justice. They have suffered horribly, and the government has done little or nothing to help them. It has let them down in the very worst possible way.

Last year, on the 25th anniversary of the disaster, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh described the Bhopal gas disaster as a tragedy that “still gnaws at our collective conscience”. They are fine words, but his government has done little or nothing to justify them in terms of deeds. It is when people are treated like this – denied justice and left with no hope – that they turn to the Maoists. Unless the rule of law is made applicable to all without fear or favour, can India really pride itself on being the ‘world’s greatest democracy’?

Vital issues B.V.S.Priolkar, Margao The outbursts of a minister were prominently reported in the papers and there was a series of reactions from every quarter.

That minister had opposed a number of projects including Konkan Railway, Mopa airport, six lane highway and many others.

Konkan Raiway could finally make it as it had backing of the Centre. Tickets are not available easily now for one to travel to Mumbai etc. Mopa is as good as shelved after putting crores down the drain, as there is fear of loosing power. Six lane project will mostly not see light of the day due to many fabricated hurdles. That Minister is solely responsible for all this mess and expert in making noise. He is now champi-

100 Years Ago

PRIMEIRO DIARIO NAS COLONIAS PORTUGEZAS

8 June 1910 l

l

l

l

l

The Senior Technical Committee of Public Works Department from the Overseas appreciated the construction works undertaken at the Railways line from Karwar to Margao.

The apparatus dispatched from Paris for the use of laboratory at the City’s Lyceum has reached intact.

The detriments and damages which are taking place in the State due to gossipers and slanderers are huge, and much bigger than any larceny.

Frequent complaints are being entertained by our Desk regarding Postal services which is erratic. As such, we plead with the postal authorities to kindly look into the matter.

The much awaited second edition of “Rights and Duties of the Landlords and the Mundkars“ which is a commendable effort, arrived from the Printing Press.

S

Sugar traders are protected while its farmers neglected writes PraBHaKar KUlKarNI

ugar is an essential, much in demand commodity, both in the national and international market. Its significance is evident from the sugar lobby in general and sugar trading sector in particular, than perhaps by those who are expected to take care of the sugarcane producing farmers in the country. The wholesale sugar traders from metros and other prominent cities have their well organized network which has been controlling the retail sugar market so much so that while their purchase price is almost fixed while purchasing the commodity at auctions, the retail price is soaring due to scarcity of sugar almost created by the strategic control of sugar traders who have protection to maintain stocks and get finance against it, with the result that they can wait until maximum price level is created in the retail market.

The Union Ministry of Commerce seems to have encouraged formation of a national level company which will be help sugar traders in very way. The National Collateral Management Services Limited (NCMSL) is the country’s leading organization providing a bouquet of services to help commodity handling and risk management services to clients across the country. It handles operations encompassing the sale, purchase, trading, and movement of commodities and inventories during various stages under a single umbrella.

Incorporated in 2004, under the provisions of the Indian Companies Act, 1956, NCMSL is a governed by an independent and professional Board.

Each of its promoters and shareholders are either reputed and leading banks or organizations.

This indicates that both the company and its clients like wholesale traders, can get adequate financial support and credit against sugar stocks as also other stocks of essential commodities.

The company’s objective is to provide integrated trading and supply chain services, to provide comprehensive and effective collateral and risk management services, to provide linkages for farmers and traders with spot and future markers, to provide accurate and incisive market intelligence and advisory services, to provide credible and low cost testing and certification services, to create safe and liquid warehouse receipts, market and promote commodity financing. These services indicate that wholesale traders and clients of the company are getting all facilities so that they can control market forces which ultimately decide price structure of commodities. In view

BlaST from caSTe of the services provided by the NCMSL the sugar traders who have purchased sugar in auction and kept in stocks are protected under statutory provisions and risk management system. This company is committed to protecting the stock in a stipulated period within which it accepts responsibility besides being collateral in banks’ finance against stocks of agri -commodities in legal possession of wholesalers or relevant companies dealing with the commodities.

When Maharashtra government’s supply department carried out raids at various places in the southern Maharashtra it was disclosed that wholesale traders from Delhi, Kalkota, and Ahmedabad too stored their sugar stock in godowns under the NCMSCL’s special protection. The raids were carried out to confiscate the stock and bring it in the open market so that sugar prices are lowered. But when the matter went to Court, in the Lower Courts only some cases were won by the government, the others which they lost has been appealed against in the High Court which ordered that the confiscated stock approximately worth Rs.70 crores be handed over to the wholesalers and relevant traders as sugar is a perishable commodity. But there was a proviso that a stip-

Testing Times

Travel Travails

W

hen trapped in a traffic jam, surprisingly your true selfsurfaces. One that immediately, sheds the garb of sophistication and superiority, and stoops to cannibalism.

Literally biting and snarling, your way out of this inhuman bafflement.

Trapped in a sea of vehicles of all sizes and shapes, it is like a never ending nightmare. And if you have the hot blazing sun overhead, nothing can get worse. As you attempt to navigate through the tinned maze, a sense of disillusionment and desperation seizes you. The faces all around, exhibit the same irritated expression as if frozen for eternity; or rather, it’s more like we are all mirroring each other’s sense of annoyance . Only the mouth emits sounds that makes you realize manners and etiquette are a thing of the past. It comes as no surprise that it is a dog ’s life on the streets.

Every time that I’m caught in such a situation(it happens pretty often), there is neither romance nor melodious response a la Kamal Hassan and ravishing Rati stranded in a lift in ‘Ek Duje ke Liye’. On the contrary, I discover that the language and thoughts that sprout during such testing moments are often disgusting and revolting,

oning for mega housing projects so that he can rely on that vote bank as he need depend on our votes like CM. There is no need to take his remarks seriously or make hue and cry over it or seek an apology from him. Let us not waste our precious time on such silly issues and concentrate on vital issues to preserve the identity of Goa.

Pathetic roads Denzil D’Souza, Calangute Calangute is a place of scenic beauty and cool breeze, but if one goes to see the interior of Calangute, then the situation is heartbreaking. The primary problem is is garbage which affects the large coastal belt a lot and the second is roads.

Roads within the jurisdiction of Calangute are so pathetic even a two wheeler rider is unable to ride his vehicle properly. There are two parallel roads that link to the main road near Zamblesheshwar Devasthan out of which one is being repaired and the other one is in bad shape, in need of repairs Work on this road, according to locals, is probably pending pending due to the rivalry with the politicians of Calangute and Candolim.

Hoping that through this letter the concern authority will ponder on the pathetic condition of the roads and especially that the road near Zambleshwar Devasthan will be repaired soon.

Wrong info Ana Marie Fernandes, Calangute The government has introduced multipurpose election cards. One such purpose is that it can be used as residence proof. But sadly those who are entrusted with the job of preparing the cards do not write the proper address on the election card and as a result many times that address is to be given while making a passport or opening a bank account and that address is rather incomplete address and anything posted on that address does not reach the person.

The government should see that a full postal address and not a short form address should appear on the election card. Many times the names appearing on the election card are wrongly spelt forcing people to approach the mamlatdar's office for correc-

ulated amount of money be paid as security until the High Court issues a final order in the case.

As some stock belongs to sugar dealers from other states, how much of the released sugar will actually be brought into the open market and how will it impact the current price is a matter of consumers’ experience.

Thus while the Union commerce minister and his predecessors have made arrangement and statutory provision to protect sugar traders who can hoard sugar and wait until sugar prices reach a level ensuring the highest possible profit, the Agricultural Minister and his predecessors have been unable to form some such national level organization to protect sugar farmers who work hard to produce sugarcane and wait for a fair price which is given to them not at one time but by stages by sugar mills. This is because the Union government since Independence has not considered agriculture as a national subject worth bringing it on national agenda and has even now kept it as a state subject. While it is now brought on national agenda due to farmers’ suicides and late realization of significance of agriculture, it is still in the state list. The UPA government in general and the agriculture minister in particular is now

expected to first bring agriculture in a concurrent list. He is also expected to form an independent national body or company like the NCMSL which will protect farmers in all times of crisis and will provide scientifically sound go- downs to let farmers and their processing units like sugar mills maintain stocks instead of letting sugar and other commodity traders to maintain them in their own vested interests. In fact the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) should have taken initiative in the matter but it has failed to come to the expectation of the farm sector. NABARD is reportedly more responsive to big companies engaged in tea plantation to whom it has financed in its initial period and has not been able to protect small farmers who from majority in our country. As all nationalized banks are now expected to finance to agriculture in view of the Union and state governments’ profarmer policies, it should now be decided whether NABARD is indispensable and why should it not be merged in nationalized banks instead of maintaining it by the Union government’s financial assistance.

The formation of a national body having control over all states in the country and purely protecting farmers’ interests is therefore urgently required.

A national body or company like National Farmers Collateral Management Company should be formed by including nationalized banks as its promoters as has been done in the case of traders.

Taking care of traders of agricultural commodities and neglecting farmers who are producers of essential commodities is obviously partial and detrimental to farmers’ interests. Farmers have to be equally protected and helped in natural calamities as also in times of monetary crisis so much so that they are not depressed and get encouragement both in financial and other matters. Protecting farmers is much more important as they are the producers of food and other essential commodities without which traders or common consumers cannot survive. In fact priority to form such a national organization in farmers’ protection should have been given first and later for traders’ protection. But planners and rulers in our country have failed to consider matters of priority, only to realise later that India is one of the prominent agricultural countries and has potential to produce grains and other commodities not only for national consumption but also for export purposes

so unlike me. The ‘F..s’ in English and Konkanni tumble out at amazing speed, and so unladylike, yet true. But, then ladies too want to give vent to the frustration that builds up sitting behind the wheels. The hot weather, accompanied by hotter tempers, can’t possibly tune you into a meditative mode. Never mind the air-conditioner, it serves only to regulate the temper not eliminate it all together. And as the mercury level escalates, so does the action and reaction on the maddening roads.

Chances are, we bump into one devil or the other albeit of varying degree. Thus, the hideous side of you emerges- at times slow, at times quick to the response of jammed traffic, and chocked exasperation. Like lava it flows slowly, rapidly consuming all the travellers and ensnaring them in its grip. The weather does not make life easy, it only gives a push to the infuriating picture. Men, women and teens with ultra fresh license and in no mood to wait, are caught in its clasp, cutting across, age, gender, caste etc. At the end of the day the cat and dog scene is inevitable.

Being trapped in the world of honking cars, and flaring tempers, is the last thing on the agenda; and yet, a smooth ride, down the

Letters to the Editor

Letter of the Day

Role model?

Fatima Sardinha, Margao

A statement was made by advocate Aires Rodrigues, that a minister should be a role model for the people. May I ask the learned advocate to name a single minister who is a role model?.

Aires is a social activist but as I check my memory bank I remember the gusto with which. Aires fought for justice two years back for the German minor allegedly raped by a minister’s son.

All of a sudden. Aires gave up on the case definitely for reasons best known to him.

I hope it will not be the same in this case too.

With respect to women organisations making irrational and crude remarks without proof, I categorically state that anyone having no skeletons in the closet has the right to point fingers at others.

All those creating a hype over Nadia’s death should also take cognisance of all other suicides also, as well as all other crimes committed on women. Cases should not be for selfish gains and cheap publicity. tion of the same causing inconvenience to the people of Goa. Will the Election Commissioner take note of this?

Jobs wanted Vivek Shankar, Bangalore The Karnataka government's just concluded "Global investors meet" has no doubt seen a lot of projects signed up and with it there will be an inflow of investments into the State. That is good news for the State no doubt. However, these projects also will see lot of jobs getting created.

Kannadigas must get these jobs and it's the responsibilty of the State Government that it happens.

Neglected icon Felix P. da Cruz, Aldona As reported by Herald on May 3, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat stated that statehood has given Goans distinct identity and freedom to make laws for the betterment of the State and people. He further said that on account of statehood, Goa has 40 assembly seats and one seat in the Rajya Sabha. However, it is shameful that the Chief Minister and his government has so far, not duly honoured the man i.e. Dr. Jack de Sequeira under whose leadership the

Smitha Bhandare Kamat meandering, murderous, pothole ridden roads in the State ,without being ensnared and unscathed would indeed be a miracle. I realize I’m not a sole victim with a compulsive disorder of cursing. It is in fact a chronic disorder that has affected my fellow travellers. In fact a few amongst us are well equipped with highly contagious, colourful vocabulary that you tend to pick up and utilize vehemently in similar exasperating situations.

During such moments, one naively, yearns for the ideal role warranted from the politicians, but, ends up instead lamenting the idle role played by them and the army of bureaucrats. The role of the aam admi though, perpetually remains constant namely- curse and move on.

In any case, Goa being such a tiny state, the state of affairs on the tarred road is indeed pathetic. The less said the better. So instead, I study everybody’s actions and reactions and that includes mine, to make mental notes of these wide-ranging characters, which pop up as fictional beings in my stories and write-ups. I see the vulnerability, desperation and a sense of dejection, and surprisingly, realize ‘we would rather be herded than be heard’.

Goans fought to maintain Goa as a separate entity within the Indian union, which ultimately resulted in attaining the Statehood..

On the contrary, the Chief Minister and his government is all set to celebrate the birth centenary of the man who wanted to eliminate the identity of Goa and reduce it to a taluka of Maharashtra. If Goans had allowed him to do so, Goa would have only a couple of MLAs in Maharashtra Assembly and all those who have become CMs of Goa, since January 1967, could not even dream to be so.

Strict vigil Pravin Sardessai, Adpai In villages around Ponda, it is rather disgusting to watch the prevailing unhygienic conditions pertaining to drains and nullahs.

The same is not being cleared at the right time and this in turn, poses a serious threat for the precious lives of innocent residents and travelers alike. At Patto-Durbhat, a drain is noticed, covered with wooden logs instead of concrete slabs. Accumulated dirt is a common phenomenon at this drain and the local village panchayat does not exhibit any interest in clearing the same regularly.

So also, the nullah existing opposite Kushta Gaonkar’s shop is often noticed with maximum waste material of all sorts.. Pre-monsoon work carried out in the above locations

is a mere formality.

Recently, I noticed a drain at ‘DessaiBhat’, Adpai filled with dirt and mango leaves. The local village panchayat needs to realize the harmful consequences in this serious matter and strive hard to achieve hygienic conditions in its jurisdiction.

It would be most appropriate for the health authorities in Ponda to undertake surprise visits to all locations around Ponda, with special stress on rural areas. Hygienic conditions need to be maintained at all costs.

CCTV’s, CM’s idea Tony Pereira, Margao Public memory is short, but they are not fools. If the Margao residents recall, the chairperson of Margao Municipal Council had installed punching machines so that the attendance of the employees was recorded. But it was our aam aadmi, Chief Minister, who saw to it that these machines were not installed as the employees threatened to go on strike. The chief minister has now come up with an idea of installing CCTVs in Government departments. The question that comes to mind is what is the use of installing CCTVs and who will monitor the same?. This idea can only be useful as a lot of money can be made from kickbacks after the tendering process.

Speak now for Goa Arwin Mesquita, UAE If at all one thing positive has happened for Goan identity, it is the fact that this critical issue has come out into the open; over the recent few months. The latter has been fueled by the so many activists and writers who are doing their bit for Goa and Goans.

I kindly request those Goans, who have not said anything so far to speak their mind for Goa and our identity. Any civilised comment/opinion strong or even mild will certainly help!!

Letters should be 150 words or less in length, and should have the writer’s name, address and telephone number. The editor reserves the right to edit letters for size and readability, and to delete any personal attacks or libellous /objectionable matter.

Paths of Wisdom A precious gem A shepherd boy was driving his herd to a nearby wood. On his way, he caught sight of a small shining piece of stone very beautiful in shape too.

He picked it up and thought: “How beautiful is this stone, how nice it would be if I tie it round the neck of my little lamb.” He managed to tie it around the little lamb’s neck. He loved to watch his pet lamb frisking about with the bright stone shining in the sun.

One day as usual he was resting under a big tree, keeping a watchful eye on the lamb grazing along with the flock. Just then, a person, on horseback came to rest under the same tree. He observed the lad often looking again and again at the pet lamb and shining stone too. That man, a dealer in precious gems could at once make out that it was a rare piece of gem. He decided to possess it. He entered into an informal conversation with the boy. “My dear boy! I shall give you Rs. 50/- will you give me that stone?” The boy thought: “Oh, fifty rupees! I can buy many colourful beads and stones like this for my lamb.

Why can’t I give the stone to this man?” He took the money and gave away the stone to the man.

The dealer began his journey home. He wanted to examine the gem closely and assess its value. So, he halted at a place and sat under a tree.

He took the piece of stone and held it in his palm and thought: “ It would sell for Rs. one lakh .” Just then the gem split into several pieces which scattered in the dust. The dealer was puzzled, shocked and disappointed.

The guilty merchant fled away on horseback.

Deceit and trickery may bring a fortune, but never true happiness in our life. Only honest dealings ensure a life of self-satisfaction, peace and joy.

(Stories and Parables - “Oka Chinna Katha”)

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

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

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GOA, TUESDAY, 8 JUNE, 2010

Digambar Kamat government’s performance impressive

t

he Chief minister, Shri Digambar Vassant Kamat, must be credited with two major achievements as he takes a confident step into the fourth year of the Congress-led coalition governance today with a sense of fulfillment of having had a fruitful three-year innings and the conviction and confidence of accelerating the pace of development in the years to come.

One of these achievements is that he has provided the much needed political stability to Goa even by braving incidents of turbulence. In fact, he is the first Chief minister in the last two decades to have enjoyed such continuity. the second achievement is that he has succeeded

in providing the maximum possible relief to the common man while ensuring speedy growth of the State economy even if it meant taking diametric shift in policies under compelling reasons. thus, we have before us is a “Gentleman Chief minister”, who is ever ready to respond to people’s voice, whether it is the question of providing urgent relief to the needy persons or demands seeking action to remove injustice. However, on occasions, he attracted criticism of being too mild and was prepared for striking compromises.

But, then he explains this phenomenon by saying that he being the leader of the people, it is his bounden duty to respond to people’s wishes. “I do what the people want me to do

because we are functioning in a democratic set-up wherein the will and welfare of people are supreme”.

What is the secret behind such abundant success on the part of the Chief minister? Shri Kamat has an explanation to offer: “I have the capacity to talk to my mirror image for the sake of stock taking and do introspection in my capacity both as an individual and Chief minister of this beautiful state in order to cross-check my actions.

I believe that introspection can provide the requisite motivating force for future journey. For, life is continuity and I always believe that the show must go on, even if you have to do a tight ropewalking at times. After all, what I have been doing has always been in the interest of the peo-

ple though I never allow the interests of the State and nation to be compromised”.

A benevolent leader being at the helm of affairs, most of the Government departments are doing well. So also, most of the Cabinet colleagues of Shri Kamat are quite active. One important message that has gone down to the administrative network is that justice must be done to the common man and, consequently, the bureaucracy must respond to the call of the hour.

In fact, the Chief minister has set an example by keeping himself totally busy attending to the office work and then visiting places to ascertain that people’s

problems are attended to and to ensure that the pace of development is kept up by eradicating bottlenecks, if any. this is the example, which most of his Cabinet colleagues, too, follow. the hallmark of his approach go governance has been simple and straight-forward and that is to empower all Goans to lead a peaceful and hassle-free life. thus, he has always accorded top priority for eradicating impediments, if any, in accomplishing the tasks on hand. His long experience in public life must be motivating him to forge ahead with the policies and programmes of the Government to develop Goa as a model State.

Only recently, he has gone on record saying that he wants to make Goa no.1 State in the country.

One of the important announcements made by the Chief minister lately is about installing CCtVs in the Government Departments that deal with the

public on day-to-day basis so as to oversee the performance of the employees with dealing with the members of the public and thereby curb indiscipline and inertia. It is good that the employees have welcomed this decision as it would help monitor performance of the Government staff in the light of general complaints of inaction against some of them.

Another important decision taken by the Government is to simplify the procedure of securing land records. now, a single Form XV will be issued to those seeking copies of land records wherein land plans and ownership details similarly agricultural and non-agricultural parts of the land would be identified. this would help overcome the hassles of going to different places to secure such official information.

In a way, macro and micro economics of planning seem to reconcile in the policies and programmes initiated by the Chief minister. While he is planning big to make Goa no.1 State in the Indian union and improve quality of governance including public services, he has taken meticulous care to afford relief to the economically, socially and educationally weaker sections of the society. Various housing schemes have been put in place to help members of such communities to build or repair their dwelling places. Children of these communities are being helped financially to pursue education.

“Kanya Dhan” and “Kanya Daan” schemes meant for girls of some these communities are being pursued vigorously. under Goa Grameen urja Yojana, 4432 Bpl families have been provided lpG connections costing Rs.

5305 each. each connection carries two cooking gas cylinders and two burners. In fact, schemes of various Departments have been recast to accomplish the objective of helping weaker sections of the society. people belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled tribes, Other Backward Classes and those falling under Below poverty line have been targeted for extending numerous financial and other benefits so that they too fall Above poverty line and be fruitful partners of emergent Goa. What is more, the Government has started giving financial aid to traditional vegetable and flower vendors, potters and clay image makers. A pension scheme has been launched to help motor-cycle riders. Kalakar Kritadnyata scheme has been launched to help indigent artistes. there were occasions when the Chief minister himself handed over the cheques to the indigent artistes by visiting their houses. Similarly, patrakar Kritadnyata nidhi has been started to help senior journalists needing help. Besides, the pension of retired journalists has been raised from Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 4,000 a month. Workers in unorganized sector have been provided insurance cover under “Sahara” scheme while Senior Citizens have been provided day care at ummid centres. the Chief minister has thus initiated a silent revolution across the countryside by reaching out and extending relief to almost all those who hitherto lived only on hope.

What is quite obvious is that the Chief minister has succeeded expediting the pace of welfare activities of his Government during the last three years and he seems to be very keen

to come with flying colours when he completes his five-year term. He is deeply conscious of the fact that the State would start celebrating the Golden Jubilee of its liberation from 19th December 2010 and for which the Central Government has provided Rs. 200 crore. moreover, Shri Kamat provided an impromptu explanation of the philosophy of governance while inaugurating the 50 mlD treatment plant at Assanora recently. “my Government would at least provide standard basic amenities to the people to justify and maintain the full-fledged Statehood granted to Goa by then prime minister, Shri Rajiv Gandhi, 23 years ago”, he declared. the decision of the Government to honour internationally-acclaimed nuclear Scientist of Goan origin, Dr. Anil Kakodkar, by conferring upon him the first award of “Gomant Vibhushan” at the hands of His excellency m.K. narayan, Governor of West Bengal, is a tribute to Goans’ eternal quest for higher knowledge. the glittering ceremony was in tune with the impending Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Shri Kamat has apparently taken public protests on various matters in his stride while expediting the process of socioeconomic development. In fact, he has reacted positively to most of the issues, which were agitated publicly, as a true democrat. that was how he did not hesitate to scrap the controversial Regional plan and the Special economic Zones. And, when people started complaining about hill cutting, he ordered that Flying Squads would verify such instances and take corrective action.

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Floods, landslides kill 53 in China Reuters BEIJING, JUNE 7

Flooding and landslides caused by heavy rain have killed 53 people in China's southwestern Guangxi region since late May, including three children swept away as they walked home from school, state media reported on Monday.

The death toll was announced after rescuers found nearly 20 bodies in the aftermath of torrential rains between May 31 and June 2, the local flood control office said.

Pune blast suspect Bhatkal not ‘wanted’ in arms case PTI MUMBAI, JUNE 7

In what could cause a major embarrassment to the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), it has now emerged that Abdul Samad Bhatkal, a suspect in the Pune German Bakery blast, was never a 'wanted' in the illegal arms seizure case in which he has been arrested.

The ATS had arrested Samad on May 25 from Mangalore airport on arrival from Dubai for allegedly supplying arms to three persons arrested from south Mumbai in August last year.

"While ATS has been claiming that Samad has been named as a wanted accused in the 2009 arms seizure case, the agency's remand pleas filed last year never included Samad's name," his lawyer Mubin Solkar said.

According to the ATS, Samad, a close aide of gangster Chhota Shakeel, had supplied arms to

arrested accused Haji Imran, Afzal Shaikh and Suleiman Patel arrested on August 5, 2009 from a Mazgaon hotel.

However, the FIR registered on the day of the trio's arrest and their remand application submitted before the Mazgaon metropolitan magistrate in August last year specifically mentions that these three accused received the arms from one Arif Mirza Baig, through Chhota Shakeel.

The trio was sent to police custody on three occasions and was subsequently remanded in judicial custody. "Not once did ATS name Samad as the second wanted accused in the case.

Now almost a year later, they (ATS) pick him up and arrest him in the case," Solkar said.

Baig was shown as the only wanted accused in the case and in October, Imran, Shaikh and Patel were released on bail after

w h i c h t h e re h a s b e e n n o progress in the case, Solkar said.

In the first remand application filed on May 25 to seek Samad's custody, the ATS had claimed that Imran and Patel had revealed during interrogation that the weapons were provided to them by Samad at Baig's instance.

"Samad has been falsely implicated in this case. I would bring up this point while arguing on his bail plea on Wednesday," Solkar said.

Soon after Samad's arrest, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram had named him as one of the prime suspects in the February 13 Pune German Bakery blast, which left 17 persons dead and several others injured.

However, ATS has not yet named Samad, brother of Ahmed Mohammed Zarar alias Yasin Bhatkal, the fugitive Indian Mujahideen leader, in the blast case.

New British govt resolute on Afghanistan: Gates Reuters ABOARD A US MILITARY AIRCRAFT, JUNE 7

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates voiced confidence on Monday that the new British government was committed to the war in Afghanistan and said the United States would not ask its closest ally to make any additional troop commitments. ''Based on the preliminary conversations that I've had with (British Defence Secretary Liam) Fox, I have the sense that the new British government is quite re s o l u t e w i t h re s p e c t t o Afghanistan, and reaffirming the commitment there,'' Gates told reporters travelling with him on his plane en route to Britain. ''I think that with 9,500 soldiers in Afghanistan that the United Kingdom has done everything anybody could expect of

it. So no, I will not be making any further requests of the UK,'' Gates added before talks in London with the new British prime minister, defence minister and foreign secretary.

Meanwhile, the United States on Monday played down the impact of the removal of two top Afghan security ministers, calling it an internal matter and urging President Hamid Karzai to name replacements of ''equal calibre''.

The removal of the Afghan intelligence chief and interior minister, who both enjoyed strong US support, took NATO leadership and diplomats by surprise.

But US Defence Secretary Robert Gates, citing attacks on last week's peace meeting in Kabul, said: ''It may be that there was a need for accountability in that respect. ''But, you know, we have a number of capable ministers that we're working with, and I would just hope that President Karzai will appoint in the place of those who have left people of equal calibre,'' Gates told reporters travelling with him on

his plane after talks in Azerbaijan.

Gates said he did not believe the shakeup raised questions about the reconciliation effort.

Dolphins face noise pollution PTI SATAPADA (Orissa), JUNE 7

The critically endangered Irrawaddy dolphins here in the Chilika Lake which are a tourist attraction generating Rs 80 crore in annual revenue may be coming to harm from increasing noise pollution from private tourist boats.

"We make sure that the 18 boats we operate make little noise lest it disturb the dolphins. But around 250 private boats operating in the lake throughout the day make a lot of noise," said B P Praharaj, a tourist officer at Puri.

Dolphins being slow-moving are prone to injuries in collisions with mechanised tourist boats and their propellors.

From Page 1 Mickky’s OSD...

would flee away from justice, adding that he would remain presence before the court or any investigating agency whenever required.

Advocate Palekar told newsmen that his client apprehended arrest after Lyndon was called by the Crime Branch on Sunday at around 9 am to report to the Crime Branch office at 10.30 am.

“The short notice given by the investigating only goes to show the intentions of the Crime Branch in summoning his client”, he added.

Pacheco fails to surface

probably because of that he may have applied for anticipatory bail.”

However, Deshpande said that the police have been questioning Pacheco’s close friends and relatives who may have helped him to slip.

When contacted, Monteiro, who was summoned by Crime Branch, said that considering the attitude of police, he has reasons to believe that he may be falsely implicated in the case.

Monteiro has said that except for a professional relationship he shares in the course of employment with Pacheco, he is not concerned with the former minister’s personal aspect and life.

Monteiro said that he was summoned by Crime Branch on June 6, 2010.

“When I tried to find out the reason for calling me at such a short notice, police appeared adamant and rudely stated that I am not supposed to question them and they are not liable to give any reasons,” the application moved before the Session’s judge in Margao reads.

Pleading for anticipatory bail, the OSD has said that he will remain present before the court or before the investigating agency or any court whenever required.

6 cops held in drugs...

coastal belt till investigations are complete.

The main accused Police Inspector Ashish Shirodkar was granted bail by the High Court a few days ago.

The six policemen had thereafter applied for the bail before the NDPS Court on Wednesday and the arguments on the bail applications were heard on Friday.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that the drug peddler Atala has also applied for bail, which is likely to come up for hearing on Wednesday.

Goan students opting...

through the Directorate of Social Welfare,” he said adding “The students availing the scheme should be born in Goa and have 15 years domicile.”.The chief minister said that the scheme will help the students from rural areas to come forward and seek education in the best technology institutions in the country.

Regional plan: Kamat today said that the Regional Plan 2021 for Pernem and Canacona talukas will be finalised within a month.

“The plan for the Pernem and Canacona will be finalised in two months while the plan for entire State would be ready in two months,” Kamat said.

Monsoons likely to hit Goa

The department has predicted cloudy weather with moderate rainfall and thunderstorms in the coming days for the State.

Meanwhile, the maximum temperature has decrease to 33.4 degree Celsius from 35.1 degree Celsius last week. The minimum temperature recorded for the day was 23.0 degree Celsius.

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Suspension of Indo-Pak talks helped non-state actors: Gilani PTI ISLAMABAD, JUNE 7

The suspension of the India-Pakistan composite dialogue in the wake of the 2008 Mumbai attacks allowed non-state actors to succeed in "dictating their agenda", Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Monday.

Reiterating Pakistan's desire for the "negotiated and peaceful resolution" of all disputes with India, Gilani said: "By suspending composite dialogue following the Mumbai attacks in November 2008, non-state actors succeeded in dictating their agenda."

The premier made the remarks while addressing a gathering of top army officials, including army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, at the Command and Staff College in Quetta.

He said it was Pakistan's consistent viewpoint to "delink the peace process from terrorism".

"The Indian leaderships' willingness to resume the stalled dialogue and international support for initiation of talks represents a win of our diplomacy. Better late than never," Gilani said.

He said his government believed that "peace is the only course" that can improve

Russia, Brazil launch visa free travel

UNI MOSCOW, JUNE 7 Russia and Brazil, two members of BRIC (Brazil, Russia, China, India) countries, on Monday started visa-free travel, as a 2008 agreement between the two countries came into effect.

The agreement was signed during Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's visit to Brazil on November 26, 2008.

Under the agreement, Russian and Brazilian tourists did not require visas for entry, exit, transit or stay on the territory of another state for up to 90 days within each 180-day period from the first entry.

However, those who travel to Russia and vice-versa to start a business, to seek an employment, to engage in religious or charity activities, to receive education or training, or to take part in a research, will still be required to obtain a visa.

Brazil is the sixth state in Latin America to scrap visa requirements for Russian citizens, following Venezuela, Cuba, Peru, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic and Argentina.

The visa free travel comes into force as the two countries are further cementing their bilateral ties in various fields including defence sphere.

Russia and Brazil are negotiating a deal for the delivery of unspecified air defence systems to the Latin American country, RIA Novosti news agency reported, quoting a Russian government official recently. ''We are considering any system in general terms,'' Mikhail Dmitriyev, head of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, said, adding that ''We don't mind what they agree to buy. It could be Tor systems''.

The talks are being held in the framework of the RussianBrazilian joint trade commission.

the lives of the people of South Asia.

He also said it was "unfortunate that the leaderships of both India and Pakistan, who have immense stakes in the future, have been meeting on the sidelines of regional and multilateral forums instead of holding direct talks”.

Gilani, who spoke on issues of vital importance to Pakistan, again called for Pakistan to be given access to nuclear technology and know-how so that it could address a crippling energy crisis by increasing the generation of atomic power.

During his meetings with the US leadership, he made it clear that "Pakistan rightfully expects the US to adopt non-discrimination in terms of (a) civil nuclear deal with Islamabad", he said.

"We believe that the objectives of nuclear non-proliferation, safety and security would be better served if the policy of non-discrimination reforms the international paradigm in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy," he said.

Nuclear power generation is an essential part of Pakistan's national energy security strategy and the country has taken effective

steps for nuclear safety, security and nonproliferation through legislative, regulatory and administrative framework, he remarked.

Gilani also said his government’s policy of reconciliation and understanding had filled a vacuum that was "being exploited by inimical elements to destabilise the country".

He added: "Perhaps, it is first time that the President, Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, opposition, media (and) civil and military leadership enjoy good understanding and each one is playing its due role within its sphere."

When the current government was formed in early 2008, it had to choose between a "progressive, tolerant and welfare Islamic state" and a "theocratic, intolerant and extremist state as desired by the extremists", he said.

"We followed (Pakistan’s founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s) path. We made up our mind to safeguard the identity, values and ethos of our country and nation," he added.

Political consensus was forged before the government asked the army to launch operations against militants in Swat, Malakand and South Waziristan, Gilani said.

Two men charged with jihad plot against Americans abroad PTI NEW YORK, JUNE 7

In America's latest terror plot, authorities have taken into custody two persons who were planning to attack US troops abroad and were enamoured with the idea of waging violent jihad perhaps even within the country.

The two men Mohamed Hamoud Alessa, 20, of North Bergen, and Carlos Eduardo Almonte, 24, of Elmwood Park were arrested at John F Kennedy airport in New York before they could board separate flights to Egypt from where they were heading to Somalia to join al Shabaab, the Islamist group, which has links to al Qaeda, justice officials said.

The two men from New Jersey were accused of plotting to commit "murder, kidnapping and maiming of American citizens at a place outside the US", according to a criminal complaint filed in a local court here.

The two men were caught in an undercover operation spanning more than three and a half years, during which they were kept under watch by federal agents.

The arrest of the two men comes on the hells of a chain of failed attacks on US soil, including a botched car bombing of the Timessquare by a Pakistani born American Faisal Shahzad on May 3 and the failed Christmas Day bombing of an airliner over Detroit by a Nigerian.

Federal undercover agents secretly recorded the duo making statements to promote violent Jihad.

"A lot of people need to get killed... I have to get a assault riffle and just kill anyone that even looks at me the wrong way... I want to be world's (best) known terrorist," Almonte was recorded as saying to Alessa.

On their attacks on US troops, Alessa was taped as saying "I just want the troops... to come

Turkey was expected to call at a summit that opened on Monday for international punishment of Israel for a bloody raid on a Turkish aid ship and push for the lifting of its blockade on Gaza.

Leaders from Russia, Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan are attending the Eurasian and Middle East summit, but Israel is sending a diplomat from its consulate rather than expose a more senior figure to the fury over last week's killings.

Speaking ahead of the talks which include key enemies of Israel, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Ankara could no longer tolerate the policies of Israel, its once close ally, towards the Palestinians. ''Turkey was one of the first countries recognising Israel,'' Davutoglu told CNN yesterday. ''But now we cannot tolerate the policies of tension, the policies of blockade against Gaza, the policies of punishment ... and the policy of attacking civilians in international sea, international waters. That, we cannot tolerate.''

While the forum, called the Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), aims to dampen threats of regional conflict, Israel's storming of the ship and the plight of Palestinians are likely to dominate the summit.

Nine Turks were killed on

back in body bags – in caskets".

The men before taking the plane to Somalia had already trained in hand to hand fighting tactics as well as simulated use of weapons, the Court was told.

The Court affidavit also said that the two had given undercover agents money to the tune of USD 8000 that they could access from overseas.

The criminal complaint against the two defendants provides details about their activities from November 2009.

They were being watched since 2006 when a member of the public warned the FBI that the duo was allegedly obsessed with watching terrorist videos on the internet and calling American soldiers their enemies.

They have been charged with conspiring to commit an act of international terrorism and will appear in a Newark District Court today. If convicted, they could be in prison for life.

Revellers take part in the "La Patum" festival in Berga city, north of Barcelona, on Monday. "La Patum" is a popular and traditional festival that is celebrated annually in Berga city during Corpus Christi, featuring performances with mystical and symbolical figures that dance, and fire and pyrotechnics.

Turkey expected pressure on Israel over Gaza at talks Reuters ISTANBUL, JUNE 7

Monday in the Israeli commando raid on the Mavi Marmara, part of a six-vessel convoy that set out to challenge the blockade of the Gaza Strip.

Israel has said its troops used lethal force in self-defence after they were set upon by pro-Palestinian activists wielding clubs and knives, but leaders of the Ankara government and the Turkish public were infuriated by the killings.

Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said Israel must be punished and that ''nothing would ever be the same'' between the two nations, accusing Israel of breaking the biblical commandment ''thou shalt not kill''.

Israel rejected on Sunday a proposal by UN Secretary-General Ban ki-Moon for an international investigation into the raid on the Gaza-bound ship and said it had the right to launch its own inquiry.

Turkey, NATO's only Muslim member and a candidate to join the European Union, has sought to raise its international profile in recent years, mediating in conflicts from Afghanistan/Pakistan ties to Iran's nuclear programme.

Critics say Erdogan's government, which has a hard core of support among religious conservatives but strong backing in the broader population, risks tilting too far towards stronger ties with Middle East governments the West does not trust.

Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadine-

Obama to tackle ‘serious issues’ with Azerbaijan

jad, who has called for Israel to be ''wiped off the map'', and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas are among eight presidents at the talks, which kicked off on Monday ahead of Tuesday's full summit.

President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, though not a member, is attending as a guest.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai was expected to meet Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Monday in a trilateral spearheaded by Turkey to build confidence between two deeply suspicious neighbours who are fighting Taliban militants.

Israeli patrol kills 4 militants in diving gear Reuters GAZA, JUNE 7

An Israeli naval patrol killed at least four Palestinian militants in diving gear off the Gaza coast on Monday Hamas security officials and the Israeli army said, and Israel claimed it had thwarted a planned attack. ''An Israeli naval patrol spotted a boat with four men in diving suits on their way to carry out a terror attack and fired at them,'' an Israeli army spokesman said, adding that the patrol had confirmed hitting its targets.

Reuters BAKU, JUNE 7

US President Barack Obama promised in a letter released on Monday to tackle ''serious issues'' straining relations with Azerbaijan, an important link in Afghan supply lines and energy export routes to the West.

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates handed Obama's letter to President Ilham Aliyev during a

Men throw out water with buckets from their homes after it were inundated by flood at Ibrahim Haideri fishing harbour in Karachi on Monday, a day after Cyclone Phet hit. The cyclone roared past Karachi and tore across the coastal belt of Sindh on Sunday evening after about a week-long, 1,100km journey from the central Arabian Sea, Pakistan's Dawn News reported.

BA chief determined over cabin crew strikes Reuters BERLIN, JUNE 7

British Airways Chief Executive Willie Walsh said on Monday he was ''absolutely determined'' in its dispute with cabin crew and dismissed union suggestions that he had neglected the crisis to travel abroad. ''We continue to fly and we continue to do business as usual,'' Walsh told Reuters on the sidelines of the annual meeting of global airlines group IATA in Berlin.

British Airways cabin crew started their latest five-day strike on Saturday in a longrunning dispute which has so far cost the airline about 120 million pounds (173.2 million dollar).

The strikes stem from BA's decision last November to cut cabin crew pay and alter staffing levels on its flights. ''What we are doing is absolutely right. We are looking to secure the long-term viability of BA,'' Walsh said.

Walsh and leaders of labour union Unite, which represents cabin staff, blame each other for a breakdown in communication.

Derek Simpson, joint general secretary of Unite, said on his Twitter page that Walsh's absence meant no meetings were possible, with Walsh out of the country until Tuesday. ''I am here on business... We have people available to meet and are ready to talk,'' Walsh said.

visit meant to ease tensions with the oil-rich Caspian Sea country, strategically located between Russia and Iran.

A US-backed push for a historic rapprochement between Azerbaijan's foe Armenia and its historic ally Turkey has damaged ties between Washington and Azerbaijan, which worries its interests will be damaged by the reconciliation efforts.

OHERALDO

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No hike in petrol, diesel prices for now not being present, no decision was taken. We will meet again soon," Oil Secretary S Sundareshan said after the meeting chaired by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

Besides Mukherjee, the meeting was attended by Planning Commission Deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Fertiliser Minister M K Alagiri, Oil Minister Murli Deora and Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar.

Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee, Agriculture and Food Minister Sharad Pawar, Road Transport Minister Kamal Nath and Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde were not present.

The Oil Ministry made a

PTI NEW DELHI, JUNE 7

A ministerial group today deferred a decision on freeing petrol and diesel prices from government control for want of quorum, but discussed the impact of such a move on inflation.

Freeing petrol and diesel prices would mean an up to Rs 3.50 a litre hike in rates of these fuels, and this could send wholesale prices-based inflation up by 1.4 percentage points.

Annual inflation was 9.59 per cent in April, mainly on account of high food prices.

"We had a very good meeting but because of ministers

presentation to the eGoM on the recommendations of the Kirit Parikh Committee that suggested freeing fuel prices from government control.

Oil companies have been selling fuel at less than the imported price and as a result suffer huge losses.

It was noted at the meeting that under-recoveries of oil marketing companies on account of current price structure and burden faced the

government by way of compensating the companies during the period 2003-04 to 2009-10 was in excess of Rs 3.45 lakh crore.

The possible inflationary impact of rise in the prices of petroleum products was also discussed.

Diesel, which is currently sold at a discount of Rs 3.49 a litre, is the nation's most consumed fuel that is used in transport sector and hence has

inflationary impact.

Petrol in Delhi currently costs Rs 47.93 a litre, while diesel is priced at Rs 38.10 a litre.

State-owned Indian Oil Corp, Hindustan Petroleum and Bharat Petroleum currently lose Rs 203 crore per day on selling fuel below imported cost.

The eGoM will be meet again soon, but no dates were given for the next meeting.

TALK BUSINESS

Samsung’s WC offer PANJIM (HBD) -- Samsung India has announced a limited period 'Goal Pe Goal Offer' on its Samsung flat colour television range.

The scratch based promotional campaign that has been launched in the states of West Bengal, Goa and Kerala only, has any assured gift with the purchase of every Samsung flat or slim colour television.

The prizes to be won as part of the promotion range from a Honda City car to Samsung products like LCD TVs, digital cameras, DVD players; or Reebok products such as a football kit, watches and T-shirts. The offer is valid till July 11, 2010 across the three states.

The Samsung Ultra SlimFit televisions are 40% slimmer and 20% lighter than conventional CRT televisions. The televisions are engineered to consume minimum energy. The BEE star-rated Samsung colour television range is one of the most energy efficient ranges in India.

Samsung offers a choice of 21 Ultra Slim models in the screen sizes between 14” to 29”, priced in the range between Rs 5,490 to Rs 17,490. The Samsung Flat TV range, available across 13 models in the screen sizes between 15” to 29”, is priced between Rs 6,090 to Rs 14,990.

CSR DEEDS

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY

SkodaAuto conducts free pollution check on PANJIM (HBD) -- ŠkodaAuto India, a fully owned subsidiary of ŠkodaAuto a s Czech Republic conducted a two day long ‘Free Pollution Check Up’ campaign on the occasion of ‘World Environment Day’.

The ‘Free Pollution Check Up’ campaign aimed at spreading awareness about environment, was held on June 5 and 6 at all Skoda dealerships across India.

Sesa Goa plants trees

The team involved in planting trees on World Environment Day.

PANJIM (HBD) -- Sesa Goa celebrated World Environment Day on June 5, 2010 by undertaking a plantation program at their Sanquelim reclaimed mine.

Various saplings of native species were planted on the occasion.

The dignitaries present at the function included Devendra Dalai (DCF- Wild Life & Eco Tourism), G Kumar (DCF-Working Plan Division) and DNF Carvalho (DCF- Monitoring & Evaluation).

The program comprised of the plantation ceremony by the dignitaries followed by a visit to reclaimed areas like - medicinal garden, pisciculture pond, horticulture plots, Sesa Football Academy and Sesa Technical School.

Sensex tanks 337 pts PTI

MUMBAI, JUNE 7

The BSE benchmark Sensex today tanked 337 points, mirroring sharp decline in world markets that were shaken by fears of widening financial crisis in Europe and fragile economic recovery in the US, besides a rush of public offers at home.

The 30-share barometer of the Bombay Stock Exchange ended its three-day gain and settled lower by 336.62 points, or 1.97 per cent, at 16,781.07 points.

Analysts had on Friday forecast a plunge in the market following the government's decision to make 25 per cent public holding in listed companies mandatory, which would result in a flood of public offers that would lead to stock price correction.

RIL mulls nuclear energy foray

India eyeing coal assets Down Under PTI PERTH, JUNE 7

REUTERS MUMBAI, JUNE 7

Petrochemicals-to-gas conglomerate Reliance Industries Ltd is looking to enter nuclear energy, as reported on Monday.

The energy major is believed to be in talks with Bechtel, the largest US engineering firm, for a possible collaboration, a newspaper said.

"RIL has indicated to the government that it is keen on generation and distribution of nuclear power," it quoted an unnamed senior govt official as saying, adding the plans are at a preliminary stage.

A spokesman for Reliance Industries said he could not offer any comment immediately.

Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani and his estranged younger brother Anil last month ended a pact that had prevented them to compete in each other's turf.

Anil's Group is into power generation, and the new agreement between the brothers frees Mukesh to invest in power, except gasfired power.

India is looking at buying coal mines in Australia through two state-owned entities in a bid to bridge the domestic coal supply-demand shortfall, a top government official said here today. NTPC and International Coal Ventures Ltd, which have been scouting for coal blocks in Australia, have come quite close to acquiring the properties, NTPC CMD RS Sharma told reporters here.

"ICVL is close to acquiring a mine in Queensland which has estimated reserves of 221 million tonnes. They have appointed merchant bankers, legal advisors and technical experts to do the due diligence," Sharma said after attending the Australia-India Energy and Minerals Forum.

The special purpose vehicle, comprising top PSUs like SAIL, NTPC, Coal India, RINL and NMDC, has not met with any success since its inception in 2008. However, Sharma said, "It is doing a good job.

"He said that the NTPC is also trying to secure thermal

SL Airlines buys back 43.6% stake PTI COLOMBO, JUNE 7

Mango export orders flood UP PTI LUCKNOW, JUNE 7

The Uttar Pradesh mango growers have a reason to smile! This season's bumper crop of Dussehri mango has left them with an opportunity to take up more export orders and share its sweet and savoury taste with more mango lovers across the globe.

"At the beginning of the season itself we have received export orders from Dubai, Malaysia, Singapore and Japan," director of the Uttar Pradesh Mandi Parishad Rajesh Kumar Singh said.

"It is just the starting of the season and we are expecting to get orders from other countries as well," he added.

As per the departmental estimates mango production is expected to cross 3 lakh tonnes mark this year, Singh said.

"As against 1.5 lakh tonnes produced last year, this year the production is expected to double, which has encouraged exporters to take bulk orders this year," sources said.

Other than Mandi Parishad, the exporters are also getting direct orders from the clients.

Aban Offshor, 684.1, 685, 668.5, 674.45 Abb Ltd., 846, 867.7, 846, 858.75 Abg Shipyard, 245.2, 258.9, 240.15, 250.55 Acc Limited, 821.5, 898.7, 810.1, 851.7 Adani Enterp, 549, 549, 528, 538 Aditya Birla, 710, 745.5, 705.3, 740.05 Allahabad Ba, 159.15, 164.7, 158.1, 163.75 Alstom Proje, 500, 600.95, 500, 596.8 Ambuja Cemen, 109.1, 115.95, 109.1, 115.5 Andhra Bank, 135.5, 139.5, 132.5, 137.75 Ashok Leylan, 63.55, 63.55, 61.7, 62.4 Asian Paints, 2132.35, 2209, 2112, 2185.25 Axis Bank Li, 1218.6, 1225, 1196, 1214.8 Bajaj Hindus, 106.9, 110.7, 106.9, 109.7 Bank Of Baro, 735, 754.5, 720.6, 745.9 Bank Of Indi, 325.1, 329.7, 323.7, 328.05 Beml Limited, 990, 995, 973, 978.05 Bharat Elect, 1715, 1715, 1662.6, 1689.6 Bharat Forge, 264.9, 267.65, 256.3, 258.1 Bharat Petro, 575, 588.6, 557.2, 563.5 Bharti Airte, 266, 273.3, 266, 268.4 Bhel, 2309, 2309, 2247.05, 2270.55 Bhushan Stee, 1340, 1340, 1261, 1297.65

"Besides, Gulf countries, Japan and Singapore, we have also received orders from London and Holland," an exporter said, adding, "It is after a long gap, we are receiving orders from so many country."

Singh said that last year the Mandi Parishad had exported 494.4 tonnes mangoes to a couple of countries. "This year we expect the quantity to increase considerably."

He said that if growers produce better quality of mangoes, which could be exported to the US and France, the Parishad would consider a proposal to increase the subsidy given to the exporters.

President of Mango Growers Association Insram Ali said that there is a great demand of Dussehri mangoes in Dubai and Jeddah and the "first consignment will be exported within a couple of days".

Dussehri mango has recently been registered under GI Act, which certifies that the fruit is produced only in Malihabad belt. Ali said that the certification would help the growers largely, "as now mangoes produced in other areas can not be sold with the name Dussehri."

Biocon Limit, 284.1, 290.3, 283.55, 288.15 Bombay Dyein, 500, 506.5, 486, 500.5 Bosch Limite, 5101, 5101, 5011, 5045.3 Brigade Ente, 134.1, 137.9, 132.1, 137.05 Cairn India, 294.8, 296.45, 285.65, 291.3 Canara Bank, 415.9, 427.5, 405.3, 424.25 Central Bank, 147.9, 148.95, 143, 147.4 Century Text, 439.5, 448, 428.3, 434.3 Cesc Ltd, 374.4, 378, 365, 373.2 Chambal Fert, 59.15, 61, 59.15, 60.4 Chennai Petr, 255.1, 260.9, 251.15, 252.5 Cipla Ltd, 321, 323.5, 318.25, 322.05 Colgate Palm, 781.55, 831.7, 750.1, 820.6 Container Co, 1297.95, 1297.95, 1203.65, 1227.8 Crompton Gre, 242, 243.45, 238.65, 241.75 Cummins Indi, 550.5, 559, 540.65, 555 Dabur India, 189.35, 195.5, 189.35, 193.45 Deccan Chron, 125, 126.85, 121.65, 125.95 Dish Tv Indi, 40.1, 41.8, 39.9, 40.7 Divi’s Labor, 741.1, 747.65, 735.1, 738.45 Dlf Limited, 272, 273.9, 262.1, 263.9 Dr. reddy’s, 1385.1, 1416.4, 1379, 1403.45 Edelweiss Ca, 403.9, 422, 398, 412.5

IDBI Bank opens Dubai branch PTI

MUMBAI, JUNE 7

IDBI Bank has opened its first overseas branch at The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), which will provide a full range of corporate banking services including financial advisory and syndication of credit.

The branch was inaugurated

by Union Minister of State for Finance, Namo Narain Meena in the presence of IDBI Bank's deputy managing director, B P Singh, and other dignitaries, a press release issued here today stated.

The branch will meet the corporate financing needs of not only its vast Indian clientele but also clients in the Middle-East.

Through its DIFC branch, IDBI Bank aims to foster greater trade and cross-border capital flows between India and the Middle-East region, the release said.

The bank is presently one of India's leading provider of project financing and infrastructure financing. It is the second largest syndicator of loans in India and fourthlargest in Asia-Pacific (exJapan) region.

Educomp Solu, 503.5, 546.4, 503.5, 541.45 Eih Limited, 112.6, 114.95, 112.6, 114.05 Engineers In, 322, 324, 313.05, 317.35 Essar Oil Lt, 126, 129.55, 125, 127.5 Essar Shippi, 82, 87.85, 80.1, 86.65 Exide Indust, 120.15, 122.9, 118, 121.8 Federal Bank, 335, 340.5, 330, 335.35 Financial Te, 1306.1, 1333.85, 1300, 1329 Gail (india), 457, 463.9, 447.2, 452.9 Gammon India, 199, 200, 195, 198 Glaxosmithkl, 2010, 2054, 2005, 2030.6 Glenmark Pha, 250, 258, 250, 256.6 Gmr Infrastr, 56, 56.25, 52.3, 55.45 Godrej Indus, 147.9, 147.9, 145.1, 145.85 Grasim Indus, 1760, 1770, 1741, 1752.15 Great Offsho, 441.15, 451, 441.15, 446.3 Gtl Infra.Lt, 38.15, 40.25, 37.55, 39.9 Gujarat Mine, 119, 120, 117.6, 119.15 Gujarat N R, 57.35, 59.1, 55.5, 58.6 Gujarat Stat, 97, 97.5, 95.65, 95.95 Gvk Pow. & I, 41.5, 42.5, 41.2, 42.15 Hcl Technolo, 382, 382, 370.1, 373.7 Hdfc Bank Lt, 1867, 1894.85, 1808.35,

1876.65 Hdfc Ltd, 2700, 2710.6, 2660.1, 2671 Hero Honda M, 1970, 1996, 1951, 1977.85 Hindalco in, 142, 144.9, 135, 140.65 Hindustan Co, 112, 112.45, 110.25, 111.4 Hindustan Ma, 68.1, 69.75, 65.1, 68.2 Hindustan Pe, 365, 371.25, 349.4, 356.6 Hindustan Un, 234, 253.4, 234, 251.05 Hindustan Zi, 950, 950, 920, 942.2 Housing Dev, 220.05, 225.8, 218.8, 223.45 Icici Bank L, 712, 850, 712, 841.95 Idea Cellula, 54.05, 55.35, 53.1, 54.4 Ifci Ltd, 53.5, 53.5, 52.5, 52.95 India Cement, 111.2, 112.75, 110, 111.7 India Infoli, 91.95, 92.75, 88.1, 92.05 Indiabulls F, 138, 138, 133.6, 135.55 Indiabulls R, 153.05, 153.05, 148.5, 150.05 Indian Bank, 223, 229.1, 209.15, 226.7 Indian Hotel, 98.75, 99.4, 96.8, 97.1 Indian Oil C, 361, 361, 340.6, 342.8 Indian Overs, 90, 91.45, 88.65, 90.6 Indus Dev Ba, 111.9, 113, 110.4, 111.95 Indusind Ban, 184.9, 190.9, 184.1, 186.25

Consolidating its hold over national carrier Sri Lankan Airlines, the Island government has bought back the entire 43.6 per cent stake it sold to Dubais Emirates Airlines 10 years ago. "All shares of the Sri Lankan Airlines sold to the Emirates have been acquired," Sri Lankan Airlines chairman Nishantha Wickramasinghe said.

The shares were sold to Emirates 10 years ago. Though management of the Sri Lankan Airlines was also handed over to the Emirates earlier, it was reabsorbed two years ago on a decision made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

After successfully holding talks on the President''s directive, Sri Lankan Airways has been able to acquire 43.6% stake belonging to Emirates, the official website said. Emirates had bought its stake for 70 million dollars in 1998 in line with the privatisation of the airline, which was then known as Air Lanka.

Although the Sri Lanka government retained 51 per cent stake, Emirates was given management control of the airline for a 10-year period. When the period ended in 2008, Emirates valued its holding at around 150 million dollars.

Sri Lankan posted a loss of Rs 1000 crore in the year ended March, hurt by falling tourist arrivals and the global recession. It is expected to turn around this year, following a surge in tourist flow.

Infosys Tech, 2710, 2710, 2650, 2671.65 Infra. dev., 154.15, 163, 153, 162.15 Ispat Indust, 17.25, 17.25, 16.8, 17 Itc Ltd, 285, 289.1, 285, 287.7 Ivrcl Infras, 174, 175, 168, 172 Jai Corp Lim, 220, 223.4, 217.3, 220.5 Jaiprakash A, 119.8, 120.6, 116.5, 120.15 Jet Airways, 480.1, 496, 461.05, 487.3 Jindal Saw L, 180, 188.4, 180, 185.05 Jindal Steel, 629.6, 629.6, 605, 614.55 Jsw Steel Li, 1064.45, 1064.45, 1016.8, 1031.9 Kotak Mahind, 730, 758, 728.1, 754.4 Lakshmi Mach, 1800, 1805, 1769, 1785.55 Lanco Infrat, 61.2, 62.85, 60.15, 62.45 Larsen & Tou, 1640, 1655, 1623.8, 1640.2 Lic Housing, 964, 972.9, 944.95, 967.55 Lupin Limite, 1805, 1861.95, 1803.6, 1857 Mahanagar Te, 55.05, 55.6, 54.05, 55.15 Mahindra & M, 572.95, 586.9, 561, 580.25 Maruti Suzuk, 1282.1, 1319.8, 1280.8, 1315.45 Max India Lt, 160, 161.05, 156.6, 159.2 Maytas Infr., 189, 191.9, 186.15, 187.25

In December, 2007, Sri Lankan Airlines British head Peter Hills work visa was revoked by the govt. It was apparently over the national carriers refusal to provide seats to Rajapakse and his entourage in an over-booked flight from London.

The President was rushing back home from London for the crucial budget session of the Parliament after watching the passing out of his son Yoshitha from the Royal Britannia Naval College in Dartmouth. However, the Sri Lankan Airlines reportedly refused to clear 35 seats for Rajapakse and his entourage on an over- booked flight from London to Colombo, via Maldives, on December 13, 2007.

In January 2008, Emirates announced that it will not renew its management contract with Sri Lankas national carriers after March (that year).

coal assets in western Australia. We are doing due diligence in western Australia on mines with estimated reserves of 350- 400 million tonnes," he added.

The maharatna said it will now participate in the bidding process to acquire that asset.

Asked about investments in these two ventures, Sharma said, "For one million tonnes of coal, an investment of USD 100-200 million is required.”

NTPC, which has cash reserves of 18,000 crore, has earmarked a capital expenditure of 29,000 crore for the current fiscal. "We plan to fund the capital expenditure in the debtequity ratio of 70:30.”

“The debts have already been tied up," he said. Sharma said that the company, which is scouting for similar thermal coal properties in countries like South Africa and Indonesia, is planning to spend Rs 1.60 lakh crore for the purpose in the next five years.

Power companies started aggressively eyeing coal assets abroad after the government mandated them to import 15 per cent of their coal requirement for a project and blend it with domestic coal. The domestic supply-demand gap currently stands at about 80 million tonnes.

India produced 531 million tonnes of coal in the last fiscal, out of which CIL alone had an output of 431 million tonnes.

India imported about 60 million tonnes of coal in 2009-10.

The shipments are expected to touch the 100-million tonne mark in the current financial year.

BOARD MEETINGS Libord Info Source: Indiainfoline.com

MF FUNDA HSBC MUTUAL FUND has approved June 11, 2010 as the record date for declaration of dividend under quarterly dividend option in regular plan of HSBC Income Fund - Investment Plan (HIF-IP) Regular. The fund house has decided to declare Rs 0.22 per unit as dividend as on the record date.

The AMC has approved June 11, 2010 as the record date for declaration of dividend under quarterly dividend option in regular and institutional plan of HSBC Flexi Debt Fund.

The quantum of dividend will be Re 0.15 per unit each for regular and institutional plan as on the record date.

The AMC also approved June 11, 2010 as the record date for declaration of dividend under quarterly dividend option in regular and savings plan of HSBC MIP. The face value of per unit is Rs 10.

The quantum of dividend will be Rs 0.23 per unit and Rs 0.25 per unit for regular plan and savings plan, respectively as on the record date.

Moser-baer (, 61.1, 61.1, 58.05, 60.35 Mrpl, 68, 69.5, 66.05, 68.35 Nagarjuna Co, 180.15, 182, 175.6, 178.2 Nagarjuna Fe, 28.5, 29.5, 28.25, 28.6 National Alu, 416.95, 432, 410, 427.95 Neyveli Lign, 147, 147.9, 142, 145.4 Ntpc Ltd, 202, 202, 197, 199.85 Oil And Natu, 1180, 1207.8, 1166.6, 1179.2 Omaxe Limite, 91.8, 93.5, 91.4, 92.7 Oriental Ban, 328.85, 334.6, 323.2, 333.3 Pantaloon Re, 408.1, 408.95, 398.5, 400 Parsvnath De, 123.4, 126.25, 123, 125.4 Petronet Lng, 84.25, 84.25, 81.55, 83.05 Power Fin Co, 290.1, 299, 287, 296.6 Power Grid C, 104.4, 104.95, 102, 104.45 Praj Industr, 77.45, 78.3, 76.1, 77.2 Punj Lloyd L, 114.75, 117.5, 112.85, 116.65 Punjab Natio, 981.35, 1008.85, 981.35, 1003 Rajesh Expor, 86, 87, 81.75, 82.15 Ranbaxy Labs, 424.9, 425.9, 416, 422.7 Rashtriya Ch, 76, 79.25, 76, 77.9 Rel. nat. re, 53, 53.3, 52, 52.65 Reliance Cap, 662.1, 673.5, 652.5, 666.35

Reliance Com, 165, 178.7, 162, 176.6 Reliance Ene, 891, 910, 866.1, 900 Reliance Ind, 742.6, 757.9, 736.55, 748.65 Reliance Ind, 1015, 1015, 1000, 1007.75 Reliance Pow, 157, 157.9, 154.1, 156.8 Rolta India, 164.8, 165, 152.55, 164 Satyam Compu, 86, 87.9, 85.7, 87.1 Sesa Goa Ltd, 340, 364, 335.55, 347.35 Shipping Cor, 157.75, 161.9, 156.3, 160.75 Siemens Ltd, 685.1, 694, 681, 683.85 Sintex Indus, 278.35, 282.5, 271, 280.8 Sobha Develo, 276.3, 283.95, 274.3, 276.6 State Bank O, 2251.2, 2320, 2232.85, 2286.75 Steel Author, 196.5, 198.2, 191.85, 193.35 Sterlite Ind, 627, 629.9, 617.3, 621.15 Sun Pharmace, 1682, 1703, 1662.9, 1694.35 Sun Tv Netwo, 395, 399.9, 382.5, 394.75 Suzlon Energ, 55, 55, 53.1, 54.6 Tata Communi, 235.2, 245.8, 235.2, 243.4 Tata Consult, 749.9, 757.8, 736, 753.25 Tata Motors, 756, 756, 732.4, 737.1

Tata Power C, 1221, 1236.8, 1192, 1222 Tata Steel L, 471, 471, 457.5, 462.15 Tata Tea Ltd, 1070.35, 1079, 1065, 1073.05 Tata Teleser, 19.8, 20.4, 19.6, 20.35 Tech Mahindr, 699, 716.45, 674.1, 707.45 The Ge Shpg., 295, 297.9, 291, 294.25 The Phoenix, 196.2, 198, 190.1, 195.05 Thermax Ltd, 671.1, 684, 665, 680.35 Titan Indust, 2220.1, 2269.85, 2212.1, 2248.45 Torrent Powe, 323.4, 334.95, 320.25, 331.15 Triveni Engg, 93.5, 94, 91.2, 91.75 Tv18 India L, 83.55, 84.4, 82.15, 83.85 Uco Bank, 78.55, 82.5, 78, 81.65 Ultratech Ce, 943.5, 950, 929.05, 948.6 Union Bank O, 304.3, 310.9, 295.5, 308.95 Unitech Ltd, 69, 70.2, 68.15, 69.4 United Phosp, 184.7, 186.9, 180.5, 185.3 Videocon Ind, 197.9, 197.9, 192.5, 193.2 Vijaya Bank, 60, 62.8, 58.95, 62.3 Voltas Ltd, 183, 184.5, 178.55, 183.25 Wipro Ltd, 621.8, 659.9, 621.8, 652.75 Yes Bank Lim, 275, 288.15, 275, 286 Zee Entertai, 290, 293.4, 285.3, 289.6

OHERALDO

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GOA, TUESDAY, 8 JUNE, 2010

Govt plans 'monitoring system' AGENCY NEW DELHI, JUNE 7

The government is considering setting up a 'monitoring system' to ensure effective utilisation of the food subsidy given to the states under the targeted public distribution system (TPDS).

'The central government is providing Rs 60,000 crore food subsidy to the states per year to effectively implement the TPDS. So far, there is not a system to know how the states utilise this amount. So the government is seriously considering a proposal to have a monitoring system,' a highly placed source in the govern-

ment said. security bill says that 'under the The proposal would be dis- TPDS, it shall be the responsicussed at the state food secre- bility of the state governments taries' meet here this month, to identify, without inclusion or said the source. exclusion errors, eligible BPL Under the TPDS, states are (below poverty line) families' as required to formulate and im- per the number fixed by the plement foolcentral governp r o o f FOOD SUBSIDY ment. arrangements for Prime Minister identification of the poor for Manmohan Singh last Tuesday delivery of food grains and for signaled his government's inits distribution in a transparent tent to move to a system of diand accountable manner at the rect transfer of subsidies to the level of fair price shops. poor.

It is learned that the govern'This (unique identification) ment is planning to strengthen project will provide a platform the TDPS, involving the local for direct transfer of benefits bodies. and subsidies to the poor and The government's draft food will be an important instru-

Over 500 Cos for Asean trade fair

ment to expand financial inclusion,' Singh said, presenting the report card for the first year of the second United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.

The draft Bill, approved by the empowered group of ministers (EGoM) recently, had offered 25 kgs of foodgrains to BPL families. This had drawn criticism from several quarters, including the Opposition and a section of the UPA. The National Advisory Council, headed by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, has now sought a change in the proposed bill that raises the monthly allocation of foodgrains to the poor from 25 to 35 kgs.

PTI SINGAPORE, JUNE 7

More than 500 companies are expected to participate in the inaugural Indian-Asean Trade and Business Fair to be held at New Delhi in January 2011, Road, Transport and Highways Minister Kamal Nath said. The mega-fair, which will enjoy the participation of business heads from South-East Asian markets, is being organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry at New Delhi's Pragati Maidan between January 8 and 11, he added.

Nath said that India faces the challenges of managing its strong economic growth. We have to see the even spread of economic growth throughout the country, he said.

For this, the govt is placing extra emphasis on infrastructure development with a particular focus on road connectivity, Nath added. The minister had set a target of laying 20 km of roads per day to accelerate infras development.

...funds unused, but allocation raised AGENCY NEW DELHI, JUNE 7

Even as the central government increases allocation under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) for the current fiscal, a major chunk of the funds allocated to states during 2009-10 remains unused.

The RKVY (National Agriculture Development Scheme) was started in 2007 to raise production of crops with an outlay of Rs 25,000 crore for the 11th Plan. A sum of Rs 6,755 crore has been allocated for the scheme in 2010-11, almost double of the Rs 3,806 crore allocated last year.

The scheme aims at giving incentives to state govern-

ments to work towards achieving the target of 4 percent annual growth in agriculture sector by the end of the 11th Plan.

However, data compiled by the agriculture ministry shows only Rs 1,122 crore were used by the states during the last fiscal against a total release of Rs 3,761 crore.

According to the figures, Punjab, the hub of the green revolution and one of the largest producers of wheat in India, has not used a single rupee from a grant of over Rs 43 crore.

Similar is the case of Maharashtra, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, MP,

Jharkhand and West Bengal which have no spent anything from their allocated funds, data shows. Among the major farm producers, Haryana spent Rs 49 crore out of Rs 112 crore allocated under the scheme.

According to ministry officials, the increased allocation is aimed at spreading green revolution in eastern states.

'We have given additional allocation for extending the green revolution in eastern states comprising West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgrah, Orissa and eastern Uttar Pradesh,' an official said.

Official records show that during the last fiscal Bihar spent only Rs 31 crore against

R-Com, AT&T in M&A talks PTI NEW YORK, JUNE 7

Anil Ambani group firm Reliance Communications is carrying out informal discussions with US telecom major AT&T for selling a minority stake in the company, a Wall Street Journal report said on Sunday.

The report, which attributed the news to sources familiar

with the development, said advisers and officials of both the companies were in touch for the past few weeks but the discussions were informal and still at very early stage.

AT&T, the second largest cellphone company in the US with 87 million subscribers, is looking to boost its future growth as domestic markets

LAUNCH PAD

BoI unveils mobile based remittance

PANJIM (HBD) -- Bank of India, has launched Mobile Based Remittance facility through business correspondents. It was launched at the hands of Dr K C Chakrabarty, Dy Governor Reserve Bank of India at a function in Mumbai on June 3, 2010.

Speaking at the function, Dr Chakrabarty lauded the initiative of the Bank meant for vast majority of under banked population living in Urban areas.

Alok K Misra CMD, Bank of India, emphasized on the commitment of the Bank to the cause of financial inclusion. He also dwelt on other products launched simultaneously like mobile banking for the customers, and security features like two factor authentication for Internet banking.

The function was attended by dignitaries like Dr Amarendra Sahoo chief general manager Reserve Bank of India, M G Bhide, ex chairman and MD BoI, M Narendra, executive director and GM, BoI. Bank of India, with its extensive branch network of more than 3250 CBS enabled branches has planned for including 1 crore unbanked people in its fold. Bank will be reaching out to approximately 30,000 villages in next three years and all the villages with population above 2000 will be covered by March 2012. Bank’s FIP envisages Credit Outlay of Rs 11,500 crore to approximately 66 lakh household and insurance coverage for the account holders under group insurance scheme.

Implementation of the plan will involve engagement of 15000 business correspondents, 750 channel management partners, recruitment of 500 additional field officers and creation of a new vertical across the organizational hierarchy.

Reliance Life’s traditional retirement product NEW DELHI (PTI) -- Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group firm Reliance Life Insurance today launched a traditional retirement product with guaranteed return on investments. "The Reliance Life Traditional Golden Years Plan offers advance guaranteed return on investments.

It helps policy holders save systematically and build the much-needed corpus to make a worry-free retirement life," Reliance Life said in a release. According to Reliance Life President Malay Ghosh, "This is the only traditional pension plan in the market which caters to the need for guaranteed returns at retirement. " The new retirement plan is available for people across different age groups starting from 18 years till 75 years with all payment options available -- monthly, quarterly, half-yearly and yearly. "With Reliance Life Traditional Golden Years Plan, we are providing a simple yet effective gateway for customers to build their retirement kitty for a financially-secured retired life," Ghosh added.

Chola MS Policy tracker system launched BANGALORE (PTI) -- Cholamandalam MS General Insurance Company Limited (Chola MS), a joint venture between Murugappa Group and Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance of Japan, today launched ‘Policy Tracker System’ for all its intermediaries, bancassurance partners and employees across its 113 branches.

This initiative is an attempt to increase transparency and eventually reduce policy issuance turnaround time for its policies across all retail lines of business, it said in a statement.

The system is an e-tracker, enabling the intermediaries to track the status of each of their proposals/ renewals on the Internet. This is a real time system and can be accessed anytime, anywhere with secured password controls.

Apart from tracking the status of the proposal in the entire process-chain, the system also enables intermediaries view the reasons for which the process is kept pending, thus avoiding communication delays, it was stated.

have saturated. India that has over 600 million wireless customers and another 17 million added each month by the mobile carriers is a particularly attractive target.

R-Com with 105 million subscribers and a market capitalisation around 7.4 billion dollars, remains a good prospect for the company. RCom is also hunting for a potential buyer to raise funds to finance its acquisition of 3G and BWA auctions.

The Wall Street report cited a person privy to the development saying that RCom was in stake sale talks with Abu Dhabibased Emirates Telecommunications Corp (Etisalat)for about two months, but is now courting other foreign telecom firms including AT&T. In a significant development yesterday the board of the R-Com gave its 'inprinciple' approval for diluting 26 per cent stake in the company in a strategic sale, allowing for a merger and acquisition deal in the future.

Rs 110 crore released for the state, Uttar Pradesh spent Rs 76 crore out of Rs 390 crore, Jharkhand and West Bengal made no expenditure against the allocation, while Orissa spent Rs 19 crore out of an allocation of Rs 121 crore.

Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh are the only states which fully spent the funds allocated under the scheme, records show. The agriculture sector recorded the lowest growth in five years during 2009-10 at 0.2 percent due to widespread drought.

The agriculture sector contributed around 17 percent to the country's total economy in the 2009-10 fiscal.

China to invest $100 b on railways REUTERS BEIJING, JUNE 7

China will invest 700 billion yuan ($102 billion) in 2010 in building high-speed railways, the official Xinhua news agency quoted a railway ministry official as saying.

The money will be used to build up to 4,613 km of new high-speed lines connecting China's major cities, He Huawu, chief engineer of the railway ministry, was quoted as saying.

At present, China has 6,552 km of high-speed railways in operation, in addition to 10,000 km under construction.

A spending spree on railways was an important part of China's stimulus package launched in late 2008, but even as the expansionary fiscal policy is wound down, the government has pledged to maintain hefty railway investment.

Kingfisher is member elect of Oneworld PTI BANGALORE, JUNE 7

Kingfisher Airlines became a member elect of oneworld after completing a formal membership agreement with the world’s premier airline alliance.

The contract was signed by the airlines’ chairman and chief executive Vijay Mallya and his counterparts from all 12 of oneworld existing partners and members elect, it said.

The agreement follows a memorandum of understanding reached between Kingfisher Airlines and oneworld, announced in late February, setting out a framework for membership discussions.

The next step in building links between oneworld and Kingfisher Airlines takes place next month, with the opening of the new international passenger terminal at New Delhi, when all the alliance’s six carriers serving the Indian capital will share Kingfisher Airlines’ new premium passenger lounge there.

Meanwhile, individual members of oneworld have started developing bilateral co-operation with Kingfisher Airlines.

British Airways today announced it had reached agreement to code-share with its new Indian partner.

25% public float for better health: Finance Ministry PTI NEW DELHI, JUNE 7

The Finance Ministry today said that its new rule requiring listed companies to have a minimum 25% public holding will boost capital markets and help the government's divestment programme. It was announced in the budget.

This has been operationalised and in the mediumterm and long-term it would be for the better health of the capital market," Finance Secretary Ashok Chawla told reporters here. The BSE benchmark, Sensex, closed over 300 points down on the first day of trading after the announcement of the new rule, but analysts attribute the negative sentiments to renewed concerns over the debt crisis in Europe.

Chawla said that the 25 per cent criteria will provide

greater opportunity to investors to take part in equity offering of companies. When asked whether markets will be able to absorb the rush of public offers, necessitated by the new norms, he said, "Well, it is not something, which is going to happen in a day.

There is a rollout plan as you would have seen." He said that 25 per cent norms will play out over a long period of time.

"So there is really no anxiety, if something is really going to happen to the full extent tomorrow." According to the new norms, listed companies will have to dilute promoters stake by at least 5 per cent each year to reduce it to 75 per cent.

The Finance Secretary also said the new norms will have a positive impact on disinvestment. The government plans to mop-up Rs 40,000 crore

from disinvestment his fiscal.

So far disinvestment in SJVNL has fetched the government over Rs 1,000 crore. To a query, a senior Finance Ministry official said that the government's borrowing plan of Rs 4.57 lakh crore will not be disturbed as of now, because of the new norms.

"FY''11 borrowing programme stands," he said.

Listed companies, including PSUs, will be forced to sell shares currently valued at Rs 60,000 crore by March 2011 to continue to remain listed, following the government''s new norms on public holding.

Of the Rs 60,000, about 40,000 crore would come from the listing of state-run companies. In addition the government has set a target of Rs 40,000 crore from stake sale in PSU's, including Coal India.

Metro aims to double motor cycle tyre sales PTI CHANDIGARH, JUNE 7

Metro Tyres expects to double sales of motor cycle tyres to Rs 100 crore this year on the back of the robust growth witnessed by the country's two-wheelers industry.

"We expect sales of motor cycle tyres to reach Rs 100 crore this year from Rs 50 crore at present," Metro Tyres MD Rummy Chhabra said.

Currently, the share of motor cycles tyres in the company's total sales stands at 10% with the rest coming from rickshaw and bicycle tyres segments.

In May, two-wheeler companies like Hero Honda, Bajaj

Auto, TVS Motors posted double-digit growth in sales.

To cater to the demand for two-wheelers tyres, the company is in the process of ramping up its production capacity at its Ludhiana plant with an investment of Rs 35 crore.

"We are investing Rs 35 crore for increasing production capacity of motor cycles tyres," he said.

The company plans to raise production of two-wheeler tyres by 60,000-70,000 units a month in the next 3 to 4 months.

"Post expansion, our production capacity of two wheelers tyres and tubes will reach 1.80

lakh to 1.90 lakh per month," Chhabra said. Metro Tyres supplies to major two-wheeler companies, including Hero Honda and Bajaj.

The company has a total production capacity of 3.25 crore tyres per annum (including rickshaw and bicycles). the company expects increse sales to Rs 600 crore in the fiscal from Rs 500 crore achieved in 2009-10, he said.

On rising prices of rubber, Chhabra said that it would severely affect cycle and rickshaw tyre makers, operating in Punjab as it would not be feasible for them to hike the prices of their products.

Bio-degradable plastic Mfg plant commissioned PTI AHMEDABAD, JUNE 7

Gujarat-based Greendiamz today said it has commissioned country's first large-scale biodegradable plastic manufacturing plant with an annual production capacity of 5,000 tonnes at Bavla near here.

The company said dependency of plastic sector on petroleum products could be reduced with the advent of bioplastics.

The plastic industry in India is touted to be consuming 9,00,000 tonnes of polyethylene annually, which is derived from petroleum product and is not considered biodegradable.

"Our TrueGreen brand of bioplastics manufactured from a compound primarily made out of maize is not only environment friendly, but will also reduce the dependency on petroleum products," CEO TrueeGreen Greendiamz, Ronnie Khajotia said.

The company has set up a bio-degradable and compostable bio-plastic manufacturing facility in collaboration with France-based Limagrain Cereales.

"Our bio-plastic which is made from Biolice, a raw material sourced from the French company Limagrain guarantees product complete decomposition in less than 180 days with no toxic risk to environment," Khajotia said.

"Plastic Development Council states that India is expected to be the third largest consumer of plastics after US and China by 2011, thus keeping in view the future we have provided a green solution today," Marketing Director Limagrain Cereales France David Pearson said.

The plastic sector in India is estimated to be growing at 13 per cent.

"Biolice made cement bags were launched in Europe around five years ago and now over 55 million bags of such compostable bags are being annually manufactured their," Pearson said.

"With the production capacity of 5,000 tonnes per annum we can make a significant impact in the Indian plastic industry," Khajotia said.

The company is equipped to manufacture bio-plastics ranging from 12 microns to 200 mi-

crons.

Bio-plastic derived from maize which is also compostable usually finds application as agricultural film, where thin bio-plastic sheets are used during organic farming, besides storage of plant saplings and dumping of waste food.

The bio-plastic products manufactured using biolice after disposal in soil are broken down by micro organisms.

"During trials in Dubai we found this plastic disintegrates within four and a half month, but it took only three months to decompose in Ahmedabad," Khajotia said.

The plant has been set up with an investment of Rs 40 crore. The company says that though there are small bioplastic manufactures in the country none among them are manufacturing on such a large scale of 5,000 tonnes per annum.

"Technology to manufacture bio-plastic from agricultural waste like wheat stem could be in offing as research in this direction in the past is now expected to bear fruit," he said.

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Pg14 Set to give Goans the It is raining Houseflies, Football Fiesta Mosquitoes and Snakes “

“

soul would have no rainbow had nhoi “ The “ Zogzogta tem bhangar the eyes no tears - John Vance Cheney - Anonymous

email us at: goasheartbeat@herald-goa.com

Tuesday, 8 June, 2010

The glorious monsoons are here. But the rains leave you with Hobson’s choice pounding downpours with creepy reptiles outdoors and filthy pests indoors. Herald delves into murky waters to discover how to keep those creepy reptiles at bay

IFA W o r ld As the F s in South Cup open J u n e 11 , n o a ic r f A n ave its ow Goa will h e experienc world cup F o o t b a ll w it h A S M 0 at Clube Fiesta 201 s, Miramar.

Gasper Dia peaks to H e r a ld s es, the V it o G o m in d t h e man beh event

BY NOMRATHA FERNANDES HERALD FEATURES ow is a company providing specialised aviation services mildly related to football events? Rarely, if ever. We can find a connection through Vito Gomes, founder and managing director of Aviation Services Management.

“I began planning this six months ago and since this is my first time with organising something like this in Goa, I wanted to give it my best. I wanted the people of Goa to have a wonderful and memorable experience,” he says recalling its prime objective.

The ‘like this’ he speaks about is all football related, not aviation. The ASM Football Fiesta 2010 is what it is - thirty days of not just live screenings of World Cup matches on giant television screens but the entire ‘footie’ experience. The venue for the Fiesta is Club Gasper Dias in Miramar, which is architectured to look like a football arena. Its insides will be similar to that of a football stadium where spectators will be seated on elevated stands and view World Cup matches on large screens. It is as close one can get to a stadium in South Africa right about the World Cup time.

Accompanying this will be football branding, refreshment counters and sports related games, contests and quizzes. “These games will test the knowledge of the many fans present,” he says, smiling broadly. In addition, up for grabs will be country specific jerseys and footballs, all part of FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association or Football International Federation of Association Football) memorabilia. Tickets are part of the deal too, tickets to an actual match in South Africa.

Events of such a nature always have a prime motive. His being, making the football world cup as sensory an experience as possible, to the football lovers of Goa - players and fans. A football player himself way back when, “…in high school…, 35 long years ago…,” he is an ardent fan of the game, catching matches on TV and live too, and

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has always wanted to liven it up. Mixing his passion for football with his desire to upgrade the football watching experience, he brought this together.

Vito exuded a certain amount of confidence about the entire event, though it is his first. “Business profits was never an objective with this Fiesta. I cannot view it as effort towards receiving a certain amount of money,” he exclaims, backing it up with, “there will be another one of these, probably when the European league begins, whether this gives me monetary gains or not.” Passion speaks here, louder than profit. Another important point he made here was it is important for someone, somewhere to begin something fresh and more importantly to continue with it for it to stick around.

On a whole different note we ask him his opinion on the quality of football in the state at present. It is not such a distant question as the man has had first hand experience on the football field while in school and his love for the game leads him to have such knowledge. “The game in Goa primarily needs willingness from the authorities to improve its state. With that as a pre-requisite we will see a rise in its quality. Infrastructure needs to be looked into. I would suggest co-ordination with international agencies for a superior outcome,” he answered.

Returning, purchasing the rights from ESPN for the screening of the football world cup is quite the feat for that little boy who dreamt of starting something he could call his very own. Prior to the commencement of his company, which was in the year 1998, he gave 28 years to the aviation industry, sucking in whatever he could like a straw.

In between managing his business and a family who live in Dubai, Vito finds himself free time, which he fills with swimming, gyming and catching football matches.

Today’s generation must consist of people like him and to them he advises, “If you have a dream, begin today. There is no postponing. And go ahead till it turns to reality.

Do not leave it halfway. Stay motivated!”

­H­O­R­O­S­C­O­P­E Your patience is paying off -- especially financially. Money woes will soon end. You are slow(21 Mar – 19 Apr) ing down today, and that's just how it should be. If you run at top speed all the time, you're sure to blow a gasket or otherwise cripple yourself, and you've got too much to do to risk that.

Meandering through a museum will feed your mind. Immerse yourself in new cultures. You're (23 Sep – 22 Oct) attuned to cultural issues today -- and that's really saying something! You may be tapped into political news, the art scene or just the latest local gossip.

Now that you're more connected with a loved one, give them the support they need. You can (20 Apr – 20 May) really relate to your people today -- so it's a good time to reach out to someone who's been drifting. You may have a better sense of what's really going on, so make it clear that you care.

You've met your match, but is that such a bad thing? Winning all the time is boring. Don't freak (23 Oct – 21 Nov) out if your main rival seems to bring overwhelming force to the table -- you can use that against them if you're tricky. Sometimes appearing to lose is the best way to score a win.

Sharpen your focus on life. Look beneath the surface to see things more clearly. You need (21 May – 21 Jun) to avoid the temptation to flit from idea to idea and person to person as if you're a hummingbird -- today, people appreciate serious attention. You may get bored, but don't let it show.

Mundane details hold more opportunity than you realize -- focus on small issues. Your brain (22 Nov – 21 Dec) power is all charged up and ready to go today -- as long as you're working the left side extra hard. Your reasoning needs a workout, so at least throw some Sudoku puzzles its way.

A dinner party invitation is key to new beginnings in business. Turn on the charm. Turn on that (22 Jun – 22 Jul) charm you are so famous for, and make sure that your client or date is listening. It's a good time to make a good impression, and it should pay off quite well for you in the long run.

You've held your tongue long enough. When you get the chance, speak your mind. You need to (22 Dec – 19 Jan) let your romantic side out a little more today -- especially if you're single! Let others see that you care and you never know where -- or with whom -- you're likely to end up!

Drama will force you to bring out your stubborn side -- stand your ground. You need to let (23 Jul – 22 Aug) your natural stubbornness out to play -- others around you are expecting you to be a pushover! Let them know that it's your way or the highway, but try to be polite about it.

Pay attention to stories from the past -- they hold big clues about your future. You are more than (20 Jan – 18 Feb) a little bored today, but it's not really your fault -- the world just can't entertain you enough sometimes! You may as well get some homework done, in one way or another.

Your knack for getting along with everyone is becoming increasingly valuable. You have got (23 Aug – 22 Sep) to explore more -- preferably far from home! Your amazing energy does you little good if you're just going through the motions, whereas a travel adventure makes you feel alive!

Use your creativity in the kitchen -- invite someone special over for a good dinner. You don't mind a (19 Feb – 20 Mar) bit of illusion or razzledazzle as long as it's all for a good cause -- and today brings an excellent one your way! You may even contribute to a shared illusion if you think it's important enough.

BY CHRISTINA VIEGAS HERALD FEATURES he rain is not just drops of water falling from the sky.

It is the sky’s love for the earth. The two can never meet each other; the horizon being only an illusion!

Yet, love is communicated so passionately by the doting brilliant sky; persistently year after year, for eternity! Wow! Goa’s glorious rains can bring out the poet in each of us. But while it is supposed to be raining cats and dogs as the ferocious monsoons descend on our state, we also find that there is rain of a different kind: a spurt in the growth of houseflies, mosquitoes, frogs, and still worse creepy, snakes.

The greatest menace – the housefly population, gleefully fly their way into your homes. These are the filthy winged creatures who park their frames on just about anything. It is repulsive to learn that they have an affinity for cattle dung and faeces of humans and animals. And while their long hairy limbs pick up a good quantity of everything dirty, they happily transport the same into our homes, from our foodstuffs to our very own bodies.

And for some of us who are extremely hygiene-conscious and manage to keep these pests away from our homes, you just cannot escape their onslaught as you sit to dine at a restaurant, thereby demolishing your very appetite.

Dash up the stairs in most buildings in Goa, especially the dark, dingy ones and you encounter slimy

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frogs. You cannot help but freeze as you get cold feet and worse when you remember that the presence of a frog means there could be a snake in the vicinity. It is amazing to see the locals talk of snakes as though they are harmless butterflies. A school teacher jokes, “I was about to go in for a bath and there was a snake on the roof, I just ran out.” On inquiring about what she did about it, coolly she says, “Oh! We just wait for sometime and it goes away.” And you end up exasperated, wondering how anyone can ever go back into a bathroom, when you are most vulnerable, where the creep is slithering around.

Eeks!

So, the pest control companies surely must be having their phones ringing constantly? The response is a mixed one. On one hand we have Mr Norton Heredia not very interested as he says, “In fact, there is a reverse trend during the rains. The calls for pest control drops by about 90 per cent.” Remind him that his reply comes as a surprise and he continues with his ‘cool as a cucumber’ tone, “See, if there are structural problems like

d n a r e l d n a S m Ada p U g n i w o r g e r Friends a

‘G

rown Ups’, the latest movie from the Adam Sandler clan, is about five childhood friends who reunite on the occasion of their sixth grade basketball coach's funeral.

The point—not surprising given the cast—is that you can grow older without really growing up.

The movie's stars, Sandler, Chris Rock, David Spade, Rob Schneider and Kevin James, have all had to face the rigours of growing older in Hollywood. Like his character in the movie, Sandler worries about how to keep his real-life daughters Sadie and Sunny from being too spoiled given their posh lifestyle.

Rock, however, has it handled. "My kids don't have a trust fund, they have a debt fund. And when I die, they're $4 million in the hole," he joked at the weekend's junket with the rest of the cast out on scenic Lake Malibou.

With five comedians in the cast (not to mention fellow Saturday Night Live alum Maya Rudolph, who plays Rock's wife), the guys were hard-pressed to say which one of them was the funniest, although Sandler is a big fan of Kevin James' texts. "When KJ texts me," says Sandler, "I laugh like a buffoon for five minutes."

‘Grown Ups’ will be director Dennis Dugan's fifth collaboration with Adam Sandler, but the duo isn't stopping there. Reports have it that Dugan will be teaming up with Sandler once more on ‘Jack and Jill’, a romantic comedy which announced last fall, having a pretty bizarre premise: Sandler is playing a pair of twins, one a boy, one a girl.

While there’s still time for ‘Jack and Jill’, ‘Grown Ups’ comes to theatres June 25.

termites, then we cannot do anything in the monsoons. But there are commercial calls from go-downs, sheds etc for cockroaches and rats, which again are very few in the rains.”

On the other hand we have Ms Akshada Nagvenkar from Mapusa brimming with enthusiasm on enlightening us, “We face a sharp increase in calls for pest control during the rainy months. Quite understandably so, as the wetness drives the pest population indoors.” So, what are the calls mainly for? Ms Nagvenkar replies, “We mainly get residential and private company calls to cut down on mosquitoes, houseflies, rats and cockroaches.”

There surely has to be distress calls due to snaky encounters? Ms Nagvenkar answers, “Yes definitely! This is taken care of by sending our expert who catches snakes. Over the phone, we tell people to try not to panic, but invariably they do. So, there’s no point in giving them any further advice, we just ask them to keep a watch on the whereabouts of the snake. This would save time when our qualified snake expert reaches the place to get the snake out.”

While the pest control companies help out primarily in the form of sprays to keep pests away, paediatricians caution that the spray is more harmful to humans, especially to kids. In such a scenario, it is a boon to get some handy tips from our loving Goan grandmas who insist that clove is an excellent housefly repellent.

Your cloves should be tied together on a decorative string (to which you could perhaps add ribbons for aesthetics), and hung above your dining table. You could also add a few drops of clove oil to your surface cleaning liquids.

Paediatricians advise, “To keep mosquitoes away, you need to get rid of all open containers of water. Remember it is not only stagnant water that breeds mosquitoes, but even fresh water in buckets and other containers in your kitchen and bathroom. Often, people tend to overlook water collected in containers from watering plants.”

All in all, while we go about dreamily savouring the romantic rains, we can only pray fervently that we don’t step on anything creepy!

I’m excited to play the role of superhero: Kunal Kapoor A

fter Hrithik Roshan in ‘Krrish’ and Shah Rukh Khan in the under-production ‘Ra.One’, Bollywood actor Kunal Kapoor is all set to don the hat, or should we say cape, of a superhero.

“I am quite excited to play the role of a superhero in the film ‘Doga’, which is an Anurag Kashyap direction. That’s one of the things I’m working on currently,” said Kunal.

“When I was offered the role, I thought I might not be the right choice for it, but then I accepted it, because it was very interesting,” he added.

Doga is the character of a comic book and is about Suraj, an orphan brought up by Daku Halkan Singh, who treated him like a dog. To seek revenge, Suraj adopted the alter ego of Doga, wearing a dog mask to hide his identity. He’s a one-man army against organised crime.

It was also reported that the actor had to do some serious gyming to sport a bulkier body and look like a macho superhero. The film will be an outand-out action thriller with high-end special effects.

The 34-year-old, who got recognition after his acclaimed performance in hit film ‘Rang De Basanti’, went on to do films like ‘Laaga Chunari Mein Daag’, ‘Aaja Nachle’ and ‘Bachna Ae Haseeno’ among others.

Now, Apart from ‘Doga’, he is awaiting the release of his film on the lives of Kashmiris, ‘Lamha’, and ‘Chamkila’ being directed by Navdeep Singh. “‘Chamkila’ is one film I’m looking forward to and ‘Lamha’ is also coming where I play a youth leader,” he added.

Kunal was also part of the promotional events for ‘Lamha’, directed by Rahul Dholakia and also starring Bipasha Basu, at an ongoing International Indian Film Academy weekend.

So what is his priority when he selects his roles?

“I like doing films that have much more to offer than just simple, plain entertainment,” he revealed.

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Tuesday, 8 June, 2010

WHAT’S UP IN GOA??

The inauguration of the Seminary Year 2010-2011 by the Pilar Theological College will be held on June 11 at the College, Pilar. Call 2218521, 2219459 or 2219458.

‘NACLIN 2010’, the 4 day 13th national convention on knowledge, library and information networking will be held from June 15 at BITS Pilani, Goa Campus.

Visit www.naclin.org. Call 2580314, 2580101, 2580303 and 2580106.

‘Asmitai Puraskar’ will be handed over to Konkani filmmaker Laxmikant Shetgaonkar on June 8 at 5:30pm at the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao. It is organised by the Asmitai Pratishthan. Call 2653083.

‘Babel Post Modernism I: from Pop to Contemporary Art ’, will be discussed at the 8th Zeitgeist - the Art History Club session on June 10 from 6.30pm to 8pm at Gallery Gitanjali, Panjim. E-mail gallerygitanjali@gmail.com.

Call 9823572035.

A 4-day painting workshop for the underprivileged kids, organised by Heritage Jazz and artists Unnati Singh and Salvador Fernandes is being held till June 10 at the Gonsalves Mansion, Campal, Panjim. Call 2228010.

‘Waves and Us’, the art camp will hold its finale on June 9 from 7pm to 9pm at the Kerkar Art Complex, Calangute. Call 2276017.

A garage sale will be held every Saturday from 9:30am to 12:30pm at Seconds to Go, Mapusa.

‘Art Event 2010’, organised by the Society fro Promoting Arts, Culture and Education and supported by the Directorate of Art and Culture will be held till March 2011 at the Bartholomeu’s School Hall or at the Dayanand Bandodkar High School. Call 9922898694 or 9850871608.

‘India’s Vision of a Nuclear Free World’, the topic of a seminar organised by the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee will take place on June 9 at 4pm at the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Panjim. It is being held

olla podrida

Function Noun Meaning 1 : a stew of highly seasoned meat and vegetables 2 : an assorted mixture Example Sentence Ask around for a simple cure for hiccups and you'll get an olla podrida of bizarre remedies.

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Pg15

Konkani in Roman Script

A book to mark Digambar Kamat and his troupe’s three years in power

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HERALD FEATURES he Government of Goa, led by Chief Minister Digambar Kamat has completed three years in power and to mark this achievement, the government has released a booklet titled ‘Golden Glow – Achievements of Government led by Chief Minister Digambar V Kamat and Council Of Ministers’. The launch was held at the Maquinez Palace, by Kamat in the presence of some of the ministers of his council, on June 7.

Among the ministers present were Goa Home Minister Ravi Naik, State Revenue Minister Jose Philip, Media Advisor Vishnu Wagh, Dr Wilfred de Souza, Deputy Speaker Mauwin Godinho, Health Minister Vishwajeet Rane, Social Welfare Minister Sudin Dhavalikar, along with Director of Information and Publicity, Menino Pires, Secretary for Information and Publicity, Narendra Kumar, and Chief Secretary of the ESG Sanjay Srivastava.

The Booklet throws light on the achievements of the government in the past year, and the progress made by the state of Goa in the year from June 2009 to June 2010.

The media advisor to the government, Vishnu Wagh said, “We are about to enter in the 50th year of liberation and we have progressed immensely in all these years, and the current government led by Digambar Kamat has tried to take Goa on the path to progress, with the aim of helping the common man.”

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat pointed out the many achievements of this current government, and also highlighted the various new schemes launched for the benefit of the common man, including the internet portal for the information regarding the land records and the launch of the Indira Bal Rath Scheme which provides transportation to schools. “All these schemes are in implementation so that the common man benefits from them,” said Kamat.

HERALD FEATURES he Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG) organised a special workshop exclusively for tiatrists on correctly writing Konkani in the Roman script. The workshop was held last Monday at the Tiatr Academy of Goa, Panjim. In all, 42 tiatr artistes attended the workshop.

Tomazinho Cardozo, President of TAG, guided the participants by putting forth basics of writing correct Konkani in Roman script.

Correct formation of sentences, use of ‘C’, ‘Q’ and ‘Y’ alphabets were discussed thoroughly. So also the use of consonants for writing correct pronunciations of different words were also discussed. The exercises in writing different words and sentences were also conducted.

The participants actively interacted with the Resource person. The participants expressed that the workshop was effective in learning various aspects of writing Konkani in Roman script correctly.

Cardozo assured that more workshops of this nature will be organised so that not only tiatr artistes but all others who wish to learn to read and write Konkani in Roman script correctly may participate in the same.

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“Everything of importance has been said before by somebody who did not discover it.”

– Alfred North Whitehead DAILY GROOK REVEALING CEILING

by Francis Rodrigues my roof creaks gum is peeling, i suffer leaks of bad sealing!

Instructions for Sudoku SUDOKU SOL 572 9 x 9 letter: To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in each of the nine vertical columns, in each of the nine horizontal rows and in each of the nine boxes

SOUTH POLE

Providing an Opportunity for Young, Underprivileged Talent HERALD FEATURES he Gonsalves Mansion was fizzing with paints, colors, brushes, easels, canvases and young murmurs as the four day painting workshop for underprivileged kids from the St Inez Bandh began last Monday.

Heritage Jazz in association with artists, Unnati Singh and Salvador Fernandes, the organisers opened the event last Monday and it will run till June 10 every afternoon at 4 pm.

This indeed is a terrific way for young kids to be creative with paints and brushes. It is a brilliant opportunity to teach children how to think outside the box and pour their heart down. The amazing thing about painting with children is that each painting is truly a work of art to them.

These painting lessons have provided full liberty to the children to choose their favorite style and paint down their vivid imaginations. It is definitely a gleaming opportunity for art making and creative expression in order to build confidence, self-esteem, and critical thinking skills in people of all backgrounds.

With paint brushes harbored in their tiny fists and face smudged with colours, these young wonders and on their way to create wonderful works of art.

Following the workshop, their works will be displayed at the exhibition to be held on June 11 in the veranda of the Gonsalves Mansion.

The contemporary creations by Unnati Singh and Salvador Fe r n a n d e s w i l l b e showcased too.

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Confrontation

10:30 12/24 Karol Bagh 11:00 Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi 11:30 Pavitra Rishta 12:00 Do Saheliyaan 12:30 Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 13:00 Jhansi Ki Rani 13:30 Pavitra Rishta 14:00 Choti Bahu 14:30 Do Saheliyaan 15:00 Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi 15:30 12/24 Karol Bagh 16:00 Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 16:30 Choti Bahu 17:00 Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi 17:30 Jhansi Ki Rani 18:00 Pavitra Rishta 18:30 Ghar Ghar Mein 19:00 Do Saheliyaan 19:30 Choti Bahu 20:00 Jhansi Ki Rani 20:30 Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 20:00 Pavitra Rishta 21:30 Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi 22:00 12/24 Karol Bagh 22:30 Do Saheliyaan

10:15 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta…

11:15 Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo 12:00 Mrs. and Mr. Sharma Allahabadwale 12:30 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta…

13:00 Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo 13:30 Maniben.com 14:00 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta…

14:30 Mrs. and Mr. Sharma Allahabadwale 15:00 Lapataganj 15:30 FIR 16:00 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta…

16:30 Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo 17:00 Mrs. and Mr. Sharma

09:15 Species II 11:05 New In Town 13:05 Armour of God 14:55 Jumper 16:50 Igor 18:40 My Cousin Vinny 21:00 Aliens 23:45 Armour of God II

08:45 Vanilla Sky 11:30 Hollywood One on One 12:00 Universal Soldier 13:45 Boiler Room 16:15 Hollywood Homicide 18:30 TMZ 19:00 The Indian in the Cupboard 21:00 Universal Soldier 22:45 American Ninja 2: The

08:00 Aasoo Bane Angaarey 12:05 Dil Hai Tumhaara 17:00 Main Balwan 20:00 Chup Chup Ke

09:30 Badla 12:30 Mantra Shakti 16:00 Indra: The Tiger 20:00 Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam

10:05 Hard Ball 12:15 Back to Even 14:10 Next

16:10 Playing By Heart 18:35 Hollywood One on One 19:05 Scary Movie 3 21:00 The Visitor 23:20 Frankenfish

08:30 Doli Saja Ke Rakhna 12:00 Judge Mujrim 16:00 Narsimha 20:00 Mann

08:00 Chandaal 12:00 Mother India 16:00 Garam Masala 20:00 Hera Pheri

E N T E R TA I N M E N T Allahabadwale 17:30 Gutar Gu 18:00 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta…

18:30 Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo 19:00 Lapataganj 19:30 Mrs. and Mr. Sharma Allahabadwale 20:00 Maniben.com 20:30 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta…

21:00 Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo 21:30 Mrs. and Mr. Sharma Allahabadwale 22:00 Lapataganj

10:30 Mile Jab Hum Tum

Parenting

‘Golden Glow...’ highlights New Schemes TAG’s Attempt to up

GARFIELD

10:00 Godh Bharaai 10:30 Maan Rahe Tera Pitaah 11:00 Baat Hamari Pakki Hai 11:30 Indian Idol 12:30 Indian Idol: Extra 13:00 Godh Bharaai 13:30 Baat Hamari Pakki Hai 14:00 Maan Rahe Tera Pitaah 14:30 C.I.D 16:00 C.I.D Classics 17:00 Boogie Woogie Kids 19:30 Godh Bharaai 20:00 Maan Rahe Tera Pitaah 20:30 Baat Hamari Pakki Hai 21:00 Indian Idol

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Funny Quote

Pronunciation ah-luh-puhDREE-duh

10:00 Sabki Laadli Bebo 10:30 Saath Nibhana Saathiya 11:00 Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya 11:30 Behenein 12:00 Sapna Babul Ka ...Bidaai 12:30 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai 13:00 Tere Mere Sapne 13:30 Hamari Devrani 14:00 Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat 14:30 Behenein 15:00 Sajan Ghar Jaana Hai 15:30 Sapna Babul Ka ...Bidaai 16:00 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai 16:30 Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya 17:00 Sasural Genda Phool 17:30 Saath Nibhana Saathiya 18:00 Zara Nachke Dikha 18:30 Star Parivaar Awards 19:00 Saath Nibhana Saathiya 19:30 Sasural Genda Phool 20:00 Sajan Ghar Jaana Hai 20:30 Behenein 21:00 Sapna Babul Ka ...Bidaai 21:30 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai 22:00 Sabki Laadli Bebo 22:30 Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya

EN

PEN T HAP

Entertainment

LAFFS

WORD OF THE DAY

SUDOKU 573

as part of the 125th year celebration of the foundation of the Congress. Call 2424252 and 2422635.

A month long blood donation drive, organised by Goa State AIDS Control Society (GSACS) and Goa State Blood Transfusion Council will take place in June. It is being held to commemorate ‘World Blood Donor Day’ on June 14.

Call 9922353445.

Two films and a talk will be held on June 8, German composer, aesthete and music critic, Robert Schumann’s birth bicentenary at 5:30pm at the Xavier’s Centre of Historical Research, Porvorim. Call 2417772 or 2411971.

The ASM Footbal Fiesta 2010 will open on June 10 at 11pm at Clube Gasper Dias, Miramar, Panjim. It will screen the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2010 and subsequently live matches daily from June 11 to July 11, 2010. Call 2462220 or 2462221.

A poultry, piggery and dairy development short term training programme, conducted by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Patto, Panjim will be held on June 9 and 21 to 24. Visit Farmers Training Centre, Curti, Ponda. Call 2437244.

‘Coconut Heritage Photography Contest’ a photography contest organised by the Heritage Jazz is open for entries till June 10. The entry forms are available at Champs and Big G, Margao and Champs, Magsons, the Don Bosco Oratory and the Gonsalves Mansion, Panjim. Call 2228010.

A 2 CME Programme, organised by the Medical Education Cell of the Goa Medical College will take place on June 11 and 13 at the GMC Library Auditorium, Bambolim. The topics will be ‘Sparing Managament of Renal Tumors – Making a Case to Save the Nephrons’ and ‘Left Atrium – the Fascinating Art Chamber’, respectively.

Call 2458727, 2458724, 2458728 and 2458722.

Information Technology

11:00 Laughter Dons 12:00 Jaane Pehchaane Se Yeh 12:30 Dill Mill Gayye 13:00 Mile Jab Hum Tum 13:30 Geet 14:00 Rang Badalti Odhni 14:30 Jaane Pehchaane Se Yeh 15:00 Rudraksh 17:30 Laughter Dons 18:30 Star One Horror Nights 19:00 Geet 19:30 Rang Badalti Odhni 20:00 Dill Mill Gayye 20:30 Jaane Pehchaane Se Yeh 21:00 Mile Jab Hum Tum 21:30 Geet 22:00 Rang Badalti Odhni 22:30 Dill Mill Gayye

12:00 World Records Smashed 13:00 Criss Angel Mindfreak 14:00 Top Chef 15:00 Whacked Out Sports 15:30 Video Zonkers 17:00 The Amazing Race 18:00 Terminator 19:00 World Records Smashed 20:00 Masters of Illusion 21:00 So You Think You Can Dance

10:00 30 Rock

10:30 The Simpsons 11:00 V.I.P 12:00 The Bold and The Beautiful 12:30 Castle 13:30 America's Got Talent 14:30 Scrubs 15:00 The Bold and The Beautiful 15:30 Desperate Housewives 16:30 Friends 17:00 Castle 18:00 V.I.P 19:00 30 Rock 19:30 The Simpsons 20:00 90210 21:00 Friends 21:30 Scrubs 22:00 Castle

10:00 The Record Breakers 11:00 Wimbledon Official Film 12:00 Classic Rallies 13:00 Best of Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships 14:00 TNA Xplosion 15:00 GP 3 Series 2010 16:00 Roland Garros 2010 : Womens Singles 18:00 TNA Impact 20:00 Supa Strikas 20:30 Golf Focus 2010 21:00 Score Tonight 21:30 Wimbledon Official Film

10:30 The Contenders : Spain 11:00 The Contenders : Algeria, Honduras & Paraguay 11:30 FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 South Africa : Spain vs. Iraq 13:30 The Contenders : Algeria, Honduras & Paraguay 14:00 FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 South Africa : South Africa vs. New Zealand

16:00 FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 South Africa : USA vs. Brazil 18:00 World Cup : England:Mens 19:00 The Contenders : Algeria, Honduras & Paraguay 19:30 Sportscenter Express : South Africa 20:00 Sportscenter India 21:00 FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 South Africa : Semifinal 2: Brazil vs.

South Africa 22:00 Sportscenter India 22:30 Sportscenter Asia 23:00 Simply the Best 23:30 Bupa Great Manchester Run

ten-sports 10:30 Moto GP H/ls : Gran Pre06:00 Art ofTim: living mio D'Italia Mugello 06:30 Bhajan 11:30 07:00 MUTV Kids Club 07:30 Flavors 14:30 Mundial 08:00 Motorsport English News 09:00 Konkani News 15:00 Triangular ODI 10:00 Zimbabwe Marathi News 2010 H/ls : 6th ODI: Zimbabwe 11:00 Snakes vs. Sri Lanka 12:00 Talking talkies 12:30 WWE: Flavors 17:00 After Burn 13:00 English News 14:00 Moto Konkani Songs 18:00 GP H/ls : Gran Pre15:00 RoseTim: Garden mio D'Italia Mugello 15:30 Sangeet 19:00 League Show 16:00 Football Talking talkies 16:30 Flavors 19:30 Real NBA 17:00 Kids Club 17:30 Konkani Songs 20:00 Zimbabwe Triangular ODI 18:00H/ls Konkani News 2010 : 6th ODI: Zimbabwe 19:00 vs.

Sri Marathi Lanka News 20:00 English News 21:00 Real Straight 22:00 NBATalk 22:00 English News 23:00 WWE: Summer T10 22:30 After Burn 23:30 Face-2-Face Note: Subject to Change

HERALD CROSSWORD - 573 Across 1- Mild oath; 5- Aggregate of qualities that make good character; 10- Chilled; 14- Sneaky guy?; 15- Seashore; 16- A dish with many ingredients; 17- Organization to promote theater; 18- 200 milligrams; 19- Devices for fishing; 20- Foundation; 23- Compass point; 24Equipped; 25- Curd stuff; 28Vigor; 30- Moon of Jupiter; 31Lacking intelligence; 36- Manmouse connector; 37- Odd; 39- Large body of water; 40Degrading; 42- "So be it"; 43Silent; 44- Current unit; 46Distinguishing characteristic; 49- European viper; 51- Foosball and billiards place?; 56- I could ___ horse!; 57- "West Side Story" song; 58- Rind; 60Mine entrance; 61- Ain't right?; 62- Seine feeder; 63- Unit of force; 64- Grass-like plant; 65Blind part; Down 1- Clean air org.; 2- Knee; 3- Env. notation; 4- Salty Mideastern body; 5- Gather over time; 6- Way to cook; 7- 71% is under water; 8Boris Godunov, for one; 9- Famous last words; 10- Regulate; 11- Fuming sulphuric acid; 12Brit's bottle measure; 13- Gave a measured amount; 21- Aurora's counterpart; 22- Queeg's command; 25- Lump of earth; 26"You are ___"; 27- Dutch cheese, wrapped in red wax; 28- Sudden explosive noise; 29- Manipulate;

31- Soft cheese; 32- Cam- SOLUTION - 572 paigned; 33- Salinger girl; 34- Clairvoyant; 35- All there; 37- Brown; 38- Big bang cause; 41- Kuwait, e.g.; 42- Opportunely; 44Congenitally attached; 45Debussy's "La ___"; 46Step; 47- Not hesitant; 48Join the cast of; 49- Broadcast; 50- Performance; 52Latin I word; 53- Shipping deduction; 54- Trompe l'___; 55- City near Phoenix; 59Court call;

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SPORTS

GOA, Tuesday, 8 June, 2010

Pg16 AIFF suspends, fines 5 Vasco Club players, manager l Sporting’s,

HERALD SPORTS REPORTER PANJIM, JUNE 7

The AIFF Disciplinary Committee which met in New Delhi on Sunday has suspended five Vasco Club players and their manager for three months each and imposed fines following the fracas after the Vasco Club - HAL match in Second Division I-League in Bangalore last month.

The suspended players who have been fined Rs 5,000 each and awarded three months suspension are Remus Gomes, Jerose Oliveira, Koko Sakibo, Joy Ferrao and Johnson D’Souza.

Manager Gavin Araujo was also suspended for three months and fined Rs 10,000.

Since some of the players may join

Dempo’s appeals to be heard on June 16

other clubs, it has been recommended Deepak Narval have been suspended that the fine imposed on them, if not for a period of 12 months. paid well in time, be recovered before The Haryana Football Association their transfer to any other team is has been fined Rs.20,000 with a cleared by the AIFF. In case they fail to warning that if any such infringepay the fine, the suspension may be ment is repeated by any of its teams continued till they pay in the future, the SUSPENDED, FINED the fine. age-group team will l Remus Gomes The Committee deb e d e b a r re d f ro m l Jerose Oliveira cided to suspend playing in the tourl Koko Sakibo coach Keshav Dutt nament for a period l Joy Ferrao and manager Hansraj of one year. l Johnson D’Souza of Haryana team who The Vasco players, it l Gavin Araujo are primarily responmay be recalled, had sible for impersonconfronted the referee ation at under-16 Nationa for 12 after their match against HAL in Bangamonths from all football activities. lore, during which time, the spectators Impersonating players Yogesh, had hurled stones and chairs at them.

Navdeep, Jaipal, Bachaan, Deeraj and For the security lapse on the part of the

Akhilesh, Riya top HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, JUNE 7

Akhilesh Rai and Riya Sawant, brand ambassador of Geno Pharmaceuticals, were crowned champions at All-Goa U-13 State selection trials organized by Lions Club of Ponda under the auspices of Goa State Chess As-

sociation at Wagle HS, Mangeshi.

Boys (9th round): Nitish Belurkar drew with Rohan Ahuja, Akhilesh Rai drew with Snehil Shetty, Cyrus Pereira drew with Rishubh Naik, Alfredo Menezes drew with Deepak Gopalan, Omkar Damle beat Ritviz Parab, Saeesh Bandodkar lost to Shubham Sawaikar.

U-13 boys prize winners: Akhilesh Rai 7.5, Rohan Ahuja 7.5, Rishubh Naik 7, Nitish Belurkar 7, Snehil Shetty 6.5, Cyrus Pereira 6.5.

Girls (6th round): Vidula Dempo lost to Riya Sawant, Gauri Hadkonkar beat Urvi Bandekar, Aditee Prabhugaonkar lost to Apurva Naik, Aishwarya Thorat beat Akanksha Naik, Deepika Giridhar beat Sayani Kerkar.

U-13 girls prize winners: Riya Sawant 5.5, Gauri Hadkonkar 5.5, Aishwarya Thorat 4.5, Apurva Naik 4.5, Vidula Dempo 4, Urvi Bandekar 4.

Akhilesh Rai, Rohan Ahuja, Riya Sawant and Gauri Hadkonkar have been selected for U-13 Nationals to be held in Pondicherry from June 26.

Arun Desai, Chairman of Manguirish Vidyadini Saunstha was the chief guest and Ashesh Keni, president, Goa State Chess Association, guest of honour at the prize distribution function. Sagar Sakordekar, President, Lions Club of Ponda presided over.

Certificates and prizes were handed over by Arun Desai, Ashesh Keni, Laxmikant Naik and M.R. Naik. Sudan Kuncolienkar proposed the vote of thanks.

organisers, Karnataka State Football Association was left surprisingly scot free.

It may be recalled that the GFA was fined Rs 50,000 as a Sporting Clube de Goa spectator had allegedly assaulted the referee after the match at Nehru stadium, Fatorda citing security lapses.

Meanwhile, the appeal lodged by Sporting Clube de Goa against the disciplinary measures against them has been postponed to June 16. It was to be heard on Sunday.

The appeal by Dempo Sports Club over the Rs 5 lakh fine imposed on them as their players Mahesh and Sameer did not report for India camp in Goa, will also be taken up on June

16, it is learnt, since the clubs were informed late or not informed about the hearing of their appeals in New Delhi.

Two representatives of Vasco Club, Selwyn Botelho and CEO Alokh Shah represented the club at Sunday’s meeting in New Delhi.

The vice-chairman of Appeals Committee, Albino Vales, could not attend the meeting as he is prohibited under the rules to deliberate on issues pertaining to the clubs of the same State which he represents. Vales, stated, that he had informed the AIFF accordingly.

However, it is learnt that the Appeals Committee could not meet due to lack of quorum, according to reliable sources.

PY Nuvem lift Eslinda Cup HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, JUNE 7

Parish Youth, Nuvem beat Dramapur Sports Club 3-1 in the finals of Eslinda Alemao memorial Mandopa Football Cup 2010 tournament organized by Mandopa Sporting Club at Mandopa ground, Navelim.

Richard Colaco put Nuvem into the lead in the 22nd minute.

Dramapur hit back and equalised through Ryan Fernandes followinga penalty in the 25th minute.

Nuvem regained the lead in the 27th minute through Jose Colaco to give his team a 2-1 half time lead.

Nuvem redoubled their energies after the break but missed several scoring chances until Jose Colaco scored the third goal in the 50th minute.

Fo l l o w i n g p r i z e s w e r e awarded: P Y Nuvem Rs 20,000.

Dramapur SC Rs 15,000. Best

Churchill Alemao giving away the Eslinda mermorial Mandopa footbal cup and Rs. 20,000 to the captain of Parish Youth, Nuvem.

disciplined team Rosemann Cruz Sports Club. Best defender of tournament Rock Borges of Don Bosco Oratory, Fatorda. Promising player of tournament Rawston Fernandes of Dramapur.

First scorer of final Richard Co-

laco of Nuvem. Best goalkeeper of final Floyd Colaco of Nuvem.

Best player of final Piedade Rebello of Dramapur.

PWD Minister Churchill Alemao was the chief guest and gave away the prizes. Edwin Car-

New batch at Sesa FA HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, JUNE 7

Sesa Football Academy opened its doors at Sanquelim on Monday to a new batch of 18 boys who succesfully passed a trial earlier in the year. The participants will be housed at the academy for a period of two years.

The young group will come under the tutelage of coach Agostinho Dias, who has recently joined Sesa Football Academy as coach. Agostinho, played football for Sesa in the eighties for ten seasons, before retiring in 1992 and is now being rewarded for his loyalty.

Agostinho, who has been

given a two-year leave by the SAG, is very excited to be pursuing his dream. Speaking to Herald, Agostinho said, "I aim to raise the level of performance of the players to a whole different level by bringing in new training methods from abroad.”

Assistant coach Ajay Acharya will continue with the team going into his third season. Ajay stated, "Last season the Sesa Junior team qualified for the GFA Second Division. I believe the team is capable of going one step further this time round."

The new recruits will be expected to rise each day at 5.30 a.m. They will have a session in

the gym before breakfast and then leave for school. In the afternoon after they have lunch and rest they will go on to the practice ground. In the evening the youngsters will sit with a tutor to ensure they complete their school work. Lights will go off at 10 p.m.

The new recruits are: Myron Pereira, Jaison Vaz, Ganesh Thakur, Faiyaz Shaikh, Gaurav Pednekar, Estevan Mendes, Glan Martins, George D'Souza, Chukwudi Chukwuma, Raju Halankar, Delric Gomes, Alecinho D'Souza, Mouvin Borges, Ivo Borges, Allwyn Cardoz, Rolan Almeida, Faizal Bepari, Nitesh Gosavi.

Fr. Chico Cup soccer (semis): Candolim Sports Club v. United Club of Nerul, Dr. Gustavo Monteiro Stadium, Candolim, 4.30 p.m Bandodkar memorial soccer: Curtorim Gymkhana v. Saligao Sporting Club, MPT ground, Vasco, 4.45 p.m.

18th Super Soccer: Verna Sports Club v. Betalbatim Sporting Club, St John Baptist ground, Dando, Benaulim, 4.30 p.m.

Silco Miranda soccer: St Cruz Boys v. Dando Boys, Goa Velha, PAP ground, Goa Velha, 5 p.m.

Agostinho Dias and Ajay Acharya with the players.

ICSC up

HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, JUNE 7

Immaculate Conception Sports Club (ICSC), Paroda shunted out Cuncolim Union 5-4 via sudden death to storm into the quarter-final of 18th Super Soccer football tournament organised

by United Boys of Dando at St John Baptist Ground, Dando, Benaulim on Monday.

In the penalty shoot-out, Anthony Dias, Manush Olveira, Luis Colaco, Pascoal Fernandes and Anthony Fernandes were on target for ICSC while Nilesh Velip, Adney Fernandes, Rovan Colaco and Ulhas Gaonkar converted for Cuncolim Union.

Photo: Aldrid Da Costa

doso, ZP member was the guest of honour. Farrel Furtado e Gracias, RDA Coordinator, Paul Pereira, Navelim Sarpanch, Milagres Peixote, Sarpanch, Aquem Baixo were the special invitees.

Saligao win HERALD REPORTER VASCO, JUNE 7

A solitary first half goal by Mahesh Rane enabled Saligao United to defeat United Club of Telaulim and enter the quarterfinals of 37th Bandodkar Memorial Football Trophy football tournament organized by Baina Sports Club at MPT ground here on Monday.

The teams went into the attack and in the 20th minute Mahesh Rane of Saligao United sent in a rasping 15-yard try which beat United Club of Telaulim keeper Chandrakant Naik hands down.

Telaulim lads went in the attack and raided the Saligao defence but their forward Jayson Pereira was erratic and shot over from hand-shaking distance.

Later, Richard Costa sent a feeble try right into the hands of Clyton Mascarenhas, the Saligao keeper.

After the change of ends, Saligao’s Nestor Dias ground shot missed to be converted by substitute Amit Karande with an open goal with keeper Chandrakant Naik out of place. Towards the end, Telaulim’s Sukhdev Arwade and Berwyn Tellis tries were beautifully saved

by Clyton Mascarenhas under the SaligaoUnited bar.

Referee Rohidas Bomkar flashed the yellow card to Domnic Fernandes and Joseph Dias of United Club of Telaulim and Pravin Jadhav of Saligao United for dangerous tackles. Richard Costa of Telaulim was aarded the man-of-the match prize.

Mishal, Dhamaskar, Chede to be feted

Dhamaskar

Chede

HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, JUNE 7

Cricketer Subham Naik Trust will felicitate a promising Goan cricket player and two cricket coaches for their outstanding contributions for Goan cricket at a function to be held on June 9 at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao

Darshan

at 5 p.m.

Subash Shirodkar, chairman of the trust, disclosed that under-17 player Darshan Mishal will be felicitated for being the best player in the State agegroup and being the only Goan to be selected twice for National Cricket Academy.

Coach Vinod Dhamaskar is a Level 3 cricket coach who was the wicket-keeper of Goa’s first Ranji cricket team while coach Chandrakant Chede is considered `coach of the coaches’, with the Goan players who played in IPL being his students at one stage.

The function will be held on late Shubam Naik’s 16th birthday with Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat being the chief guest.

Sports Minister, Babu Azgaonkar will preside and former captain of India cricket team, Ajit Wadekar and Sports Secretary, Dr Modassir will be the guests of honour.

Dempo rope in Godwin Franco

BY CHARLES D’SOUSA MARGAO, JUNE 7

Come next season, midfield marshal Godwin Franco will play for I-league champions Dempo Sports Club.

The former Pune Football Club central midfielder has shifted his loyalties as debutant Pune finished third after Dempo and Churchill Brothers. “It was a fantastic performance on debut,” said Franco, who hails from Guirim village.

When asked why he chose

Dempo, pat came the reply, “They are the best team in the country and have professional set up. They have given consistent performance in the AFC Cup. They give more chance to the Goans and play beautiful football which makes it very easy for me to adjust with them.

I wanted a team that takes the sport seriously. The kind of results they are achieving at National and international levels show their dedication towards the sport,” Franco added.

Franco admits he owes a lot of his current success to his stint with Pune FC. He attributed

the confidence to coach Derrick Pereira and assistant coach Mahesh Lotlikar.

Kolkata giants East Bengal and Churchill Brothers were also chasing the 24-year-old midfielder but Franco turned down the offer and opted for Dempo. “They are the hottest club in the country. Besides, I would feel comfortable for playing for the club which is near to my home,” said Franco.

“Dempo have always fascinated me,” said Franco.

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Pg17

SPORTS

GOA, Tuesday, 8 June, 2010

Continent’s image hangs on World Cup REUTERS JOHANNESBURG, JUNE 7

Dutch fan dies on Africa road trip REUTERS LILONGWE, JUNE 7

A Dutch soccer fan travelling overland to this week's World Cup in South Africa has died en route in Malawi, the police said late on Sunday.

Sixty-year-old Henk Witjs, part of a 100-strong group of Dutch fans who wanted to get to the tournament by road, drowned last week in Lake Malawi after ignoring warnings about strong currents.

“He was later found dead on Wednesday after drowning in Lake Malawi... we are still investigating what might have transpired leading to his death," National police spokesman Willie Mwaluka said.

Members of the 22-vehicle convoy, which left Amsterdam on April 3, had a "very emotional memorial service at the edge of the lake" in the landlocked southern African nation, South Africa's Sunday Times newspaper said.

JAPAN

SQUADS GROUP D AUSTRALIA

Goalkeepers: Mark Schwarzer (Fulham), Adam Federici (Reading), Brad Jones (Middlesbrough).

Defenders: Lucas Neill (Galatasaray), Craig Moore (unattached), Scott Chipperfield (Basel), David Carney (Twente Enschede), Luke Wilkshire (Dynamo Moscow), Mark Milligan (JEF United), Michael Beauchamp (AlJazira).

Midfielders: Tim Cahill (Everton), Mark Bresciano (Palermo) Vince Grella (Blackburn Rovers), Brett Emerton (Blackburn Rovers), Jason Culina (Gold Coast), Harry Kewell (Galatasaray), Brett Holman (AZ Alkmaar), Carl Valeri (Sassuolo), Mile Jedinak (Antalyaspor), Richard Garcia (Hull City), Dario Vidosic (Nuremberg).

Strikers: Josh Kennedy (Nagoya), Nikita Rukavytsya (Twente Enschede).

GERMANY

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Schalke), Tim Wiese (Werder Bremen), Hans-Jorg Butt (Bayern Munich).

Defenders: Dennis Aogo (Hamburg), Holger Badstuber (Bayern Munich), Jerome Boateng (Hamburg), Arne Friedrich (Hertha Berlin), Marcell Jansen (Hamburg), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen), Serdar Tasci (Stuttgart).

Midfielders: Sami Khedira (Stuttgart), Toni Kroos (Bayer Leverkusen), Marko Marin (Werder Bremen), Mesut Ozil (Werder Bremen), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Piotr Trochowski (Hamburg).

Strikers: Cacau (Stuttgart), Mario Gomez (Bayern Munich), Stefan Kiessling (Bayer Leverkusen), Miroslav Klose (Bayern Munich), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Lukas Podolski (Cologne).

GHANA

Goalkeepers: Richard Kingson (Wigan), Daniel Agyei (Liberty Professionals), Stephen Ahorlu (Hearts of Lions).

Defenders: Samuel Inkoom (FC Basel), Jonathan Mensah (Grenada), Lee Addy (Bechem Chelsea), Rahim Ayew (Zamalek), Hans Sarpei (Bayer Leverkusen), John Mensah (Sunderland), Isaac Vorsah (Hoffenheim), John Paintsil (Fulham).

Midfielders: Sulley Muntari (Inter Milan), Derek Boateng (Getafe), Anthony Annan (Rosenborg), Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese), Andre Ayew (Arles-Avignon), Stephen Appiah (Bologna), Quincy Owusu Abeyie (Al Sadd), Kevin-Prince Boateng (Portsmouth).

Strikers: Matthew Amoah (NAC Breda) Asamoah Gyan (Rennes), Prince Tagoe (Hoffenheim), Dominic Adiyiah (AC Milan).

SERBIA

Goalkeepers: Vladimir Stojkovic (Sporting Lisbon), Bojan Isailovic (Zaglebie Lubin), Andjelko Djuricic (Uniao Leiria).

Defenders: Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea), Antonio Rukavina (1860 Munich), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), Neven Subotic (Borussia Dortmund), Aleksandar Lukovic (Udinese), Ivan Obradovic (Real Zaragoza), Aleksandar Kolarov (Lazio).

Midfielders: Dejan Stankovic (Inter Milan), Gojko Kacar (Hertha Berlin), Nenad Milijas (Wolves), Zdravko Kuzmanovic (Stuttgart), Radosav Petrovic (Partizan Belgrade), Milos Krasic (CSKA Moscow), Zoran Tosic (Manchester United) , Milos Ninkovic (Dynamo Kiev), Milan Jovanovic (Standard Liege).

Strikers: Nikola Zigic (Birmingham), Marko Pantelic (Ajax), Danko Lazovic (Zenit St Petersburg), Dragan Mrdja (Vojvodina Novi Sad).

GROUP E NETHERLANDS

Goalkeepers: Sander Boschker (FC Twente), Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax), Michel Vorm (FC Utrecht).

DEFENDERS: Khalid Boulahrouz (Stuttgart), Edson Braafheid (Celtic), John Heitinga (Everton), Joris Mathijsen (Hamburg), Andre Ooijer (PSV Eindhoven), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord), Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax).

MIDFIELDERS: Ibrahim Afellay (PSV Eindhoven), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City), Demy de Zeeuw (Ajax), Stijn Schaars (AZ Alkmaar), Wesley Sneijder (Inter Milan), Mark van Bommel (Bayern Munich), Rafael van der Vaart (Real Madrid). STRIKERS: Ryan Babel (Liverpool), Eljero Elia (Hamburg), Klaas Jan Huntelaar (AC Milan), Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich), Robin van Persie (Arsenal).

DENMARK

The World Cup will have the globe's largest audience glued to their TV screens for a month from Friday but soccer's greatest trophy means much more than that for South Africa and an entire continent.

Racial reconciliation, the affirmation of an often troubled post-apartheid nation, future investment and tourism are just a few of the issues at stake in Africa's largest economy.

African leaders believe that this tournament, a massive logistical undertaking, will enable the continent to overturn stereotypes of tragedy, disaster and failure and prove that it is a vibrant can-do region with a positive future.

President Jacob Zuma said the World Cup is "the single

greatest opportunity we have ever had to showcase our diversity and potential to the world. We must rise and tell the story of a continent which is alive with possibilities."

Of course, the opposite could also be true. If the tournament fails, and particularly if it is marred by major violence or organizational chaos, it could do significant damage to the continent's image.

Although most signs are good for a joyful and uniquely African spectacular, there are plenty of areas of concern to keep organizers awake at night, particularly security and the country's frighteningly high crime rate, and transport, always a possible Achilles heel.

At least 15 people were injured on Sunday when fans tried to force their way into a township stadium to watch a

GOALKEEPERS: Stephan Andersen (Brondby), Jesper Christiansen (Copenhagen), Thomas Sorensen, (Stoke).

DEFENDERS: Daniel Agger (Liverpool), Lars Jacobsen (Blackburn), William Kvist Jorgensen (Copenhagen), Simon Kjaer (Palermo), Per Kroldrup (Fiorentina), Patrick Mtiliga (Malaga), Simon Busk Poulsen (AZ Alkmaar).

MIDFIELDERS: Mikkel Beckmann (Randers), Thomas Enevoldsen (Groningen), Christian D. Eriksen (Ajax), Jesper Gronkjaer (Copenhagen), Daniel Jensen (Werder Bremen), Martin Jorgensen (Aarhus), Thomas Kahlenberg (Wolfsburg), Christian Poulsen (Juventus), Jakob Poulsen (Aarhus), Dennis Rommedahl (Ajax).

Strikers: Nicklas Bendtner (Arsenal), Jon Dahl Tomasson (Feyenoord), Soren Larsen (Duisburg).

GOALKEEPER: Seigo Narazaki (Nagoya Grampus), Eiji Kawashima (Kawasaki Frontale), Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi (Jubilo Iwata).

DEFENDERS: Yuji Nakazawa (Yokohama Marinos), Marcus Tulio Tanaka (Nagoya Grampus), Yuichi Komano (Jubilo Iwata), Daiki Iwamasa (Kashima Antlers), Yasuyuki Konno (FC Tokyo), Yuto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo), Atsuto Uchida (Kashima Antlers) MIDFIELDERS: Shunsuke Nakamura (Yokohama Marinos), Yasuhito Endo (Gamba Osaka), Kengo Nakamura (Kawasaki Frontale), Junichi Inamoto (Kawasaki Frontale), Yuki Abe (Urawa Red Diamonds), Makoto Hasebe (Wolfsburg), Keisuke Honda (CSKA Moscow,), Daisuke Matsui (Grenoble, France) STRIKERS: Shinji Okazaki (Shimizu S-Pulse), Keiji Tamada (Nagoya Grampus), Yasuhito Okubo (Vissel Kobe), Kisho Yano (Albirex Niigata), Takayuki Morimoto (Catania, Italy).

CAMEROON

GOALKEEPER: Hamidou Souleymanou (Kayserispor), Carlos Kameni (Espanyol), Guy Roland Ndy Assembe (Valenciennes).

DEFENDERS: Benoit Assou-Ekotto (Tottenham), Sebastien Bassong (Tottenham), Gaetan Bong (Valenciennes), Aurelien Chedjou (Lille), Nicolas Nkoulou (Monaco), Geremi (Ankaragucu).

MIDFIELDERS: Stephane Mbia (Marseille), Rigobert Song (Trabzonspor); Eyong Enoh (Ajax), Jean II Makoun (Lyon), Georges Mandjeck (Kaiserslautern), Joel Matip (Schalke), Landry Nguemo (Celtic), Alexandre Song (Arsenal).

STRIKERS: Vincent Aboubakar (Coton Sport), Eric Choupo-Moting (Nuremberg), Achille Emana (Betis), Samuel Eto’o (Inter Milan), Mohamadou Idrissou (Freiburg), Achille Webo (Mallorca).

ITALY

GROUP F

GOALKEEPERS: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli), Federico Marchetti (Cagliari).

DEFENDERS: Gianluca Zambrotta (Milan), Fabio Cannavaro (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Leonardo Bonucci (Bari), Domenico Criscito (Genoa), Salvatore Bocchetti (Genoa).

MIDFIELDERS: Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan), Gennaro Gattuso (Milan), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus), Angelo Palombo (Sampdoria), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Simone Pepe (Udinese).

STRIKERS: Fabio Quagliarella (Napoli), Vincenzo Iaquinta (Juventus), Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina), Giampaolo Pazzini (Sampdoria).

NEW ZEALAND

GOALKEEPERS: Mark Paston (Wellington Phoenix), Glen Moss (Melbourne Vict o r y ) , J a m e s B a n n a t y n e ( Te a m Wellington).

DEFENDERS: Ryan Nelsen (Blackburn Rovers), Ivan Vicelich (Auckland City), Ben Sigmund (Wellington Phoenix), Winston Reid (FC Midtjylland), Tommy Smith (Ipswich Town), Tony Lochhead (Wellington Phoenix), Andy Boyens (New York Red Bulls).

MIDFIELDERS: Simon Elliott (unattached), Tim Brown (Wellington Phoenix), Leo Bertos (Wellington Phoenix), Michael McGlinchey (Motherwell), Aaron Clapham (Canterbury United), David Mulligan (unattached), Jeremy Brockie (Newcastle Jets), Andy Barron (Team Wellington), Jeremy Christie (FC Tampa Bay).

STRIKERS: Chris Killen (Middlesbrough), Shane Smeltz (Gold Coast United), Chris Wood (West Bromwich Albion), Rory Fallon (Plymouth Argyle).

PARAGUAY GOALKEEPERS: Justo Villa (Valladolid), Aldo Bobadilla (Independiente Medellin), Diego Barreto (Cerro Porteno).

DEFENDERS: Julio Cesar Caceres (Atletico Mineiro), Denis Caniza (Leon), Dario Veron (Pumas), Paulo Da Silva (Sunderland), Claudio Morel (Boca Juniors), Carlos Bonet (Olimpia), Aureliano Torres (San Lorenzo), Antolin Alcaraz (Brugge).

MIDFIELDERS: Cristian Riveros (Sunderland), Jonathan Santana (Wolfsburg), Enrique Vera (Liga de Quito), Victor Caceres (Libertad), Nestor Ortigoza (Argentinos Juniors), Edgar Barreto (Atalanta).

STRIKERS: Roque Santa Cruz (Manchester City), Oscar Cardozo (Benfica), Nelson Haedo Valdez (Borussia Dortmund), Rodolfo Gamarra (Libertad), Lucas Barrios (Borussia Dormund), Edgar Benitez (Pachuca).

SLOVAKIA GOALKEEPERS: Jan Mucha (Legia Warsaw), Dusan Kuciak (Vaslui), Dusan Pernis (Dundee United).

DEFENDERS: Marek Cech (West Brom), Jan Durica (Hannover), Peter Pekarik (Wolfsburg), Martin Petras (Cesena), Kornel Salata (Slovan Bratislava), Martin Skrtel (Liverpool), Radoslav Zabavnik (Mainz).

MIDFIELDERS: Marek Hamsik (Napoli), Kamil Kopunek (Spartak Trnava), Jan Kozak (Politehnica Timisoara), Juraj Kucka (Sparta Prague), Marek Sapara (Ankaragucu), Zdeno Strba (Xanthi), Miroslav Stoch (Chelsea), Vladimir Weiss (Manchester City).

STRIKERS: Filip Holosko (Besiktas), Martin Jakubko (Saturn Moscow), Erik Jendrisek (Schalke), Stanislav Sestak (Bochum), Robert Vittek (Lille).

warm-up between Nigeria and North Korea, while FIFA's media transport shuttles have been a chaotic mess so far.

Ever since Pretoria won the right six years go to stage the World Cup for the first time in Africa, the pessimists have never been quiet and the organizers have had to endure a sea of negative reporting ranging from serious to absurd.

Prize for the latter goes to Britain's tabloid press which has variously reported that the streets are full of machete wielding gangs or that England's team, camped near the sleepy town of Rustenburg, are in danger from an army of deadly snakes including one that could kill two whole World Cup teams.

Most of the negative reporting, including suggestions FIFA would need to move the tournament at the last minute, have been discredited, although together with the global recession it is blamed for cutting foreign fan numbers from an estimated 450,000 to 370,000 or less.

The 10 stadiums were ready

early, unlike in many other host nations in the past, and six of them -- five built from scratch and one extensively expanded and rebuilt -- are magnificent arenas standing comparison with any in the world.

These stadiums, like the rest of the World Cup, affirm the confidence and ability of an often troubled nation 16 years after the end of apartheid.

After months of skepticism and apathy South Africans seem finally to believe that this tournament can have an impact comparable to victory in the 1995 Rugby World Cup final where Nelson Mandela forged a more united nation a year after the end of apartheid, when civil war still seemed possible.

"The enthusiasm, joy and excitement that has engulfed the entire nation in recent

weeks has not been witnessed since President Nelson Mandela was released from prison (in 1990). This explosion of national pride is a priceless benefit of the World Cup tournament," Zuma said on Sunday.

Jordaan has said the tournament is comparable to the 1994 polls ending apartheid, right down to the huge queues that voted then and have tried to get tickets in recent weeks.

"This World Cup will be the pinnacle of the strides we have made over the last 16 years and will chart a new course in our country's history, characterized by a growth in tourism, a strong investment climate and an elevated global image.”

"For the first time in history, Africa really will be the center of the world's attention -- for all the right reasons -- and we

are looking forward to showing our continent in its most positive light," he told Reuters.

Many domestic critics, including township dwellers in violent protests against lack of services, to poor people forced off the street in a World Cup clean-up, have said it was wrong to spend more than $5 billion on the tournament in a country with an army of poor and some of the globe's biggest wealth disparities.

But as patriotic fervor and excitement grew over the last few weeks many of the most vocal critics have gone quiet, caught up in the national euphoria.

The many supporters now say this is an opportunity that will not return to Africa in this generation and the tournament will not only boost foreign investment but leave a lasting legacy of roads and major infrastructure.

A special study last month said the total gross economic impact would be $12 billion, although much of this comes from government spending.

a global craze for international football fans. ''We are looking forward to selling in Brazil because we know they are hosting the 2014 World Cup. We are going far,'' Lovemore told Reuters. ''People around the world will know the makarapa was started in South Africa. Whenever there is an event in the world they must come to buy makarapas.''

Around 35 people recruited from all over South Africa work in the factory, which reeks of paint.

They sit round tables and are divided into teams of base painters, cutters, primer painters and artists.

The cutters heat the plastic helmets over gas burners to make them easier to mould.

The shelves of the factory are stacked with helmets for various South African companies and

foreign fans, with Brazil, Germany, Spain and Italy the biggest customers. US helmets carry U.S. President Barack Obama's election slogan ''Yes We Can'' and an Uncle Sam hat.

Most of the factory helmets are less complicated and fantastical than the ''signature range'' produced in Baloyi's original Germiston township workshop near Johannesburg.

Some Brazilian helmets, though, sport a stand-up figure of Rio's Christ the Redeemer statue and others have Baloyi's trademark witchdoctor on top.

Prices range from 250 rand (32 dollar) for simple South African helmets to 1,500 for the more elaborate corporate or foreign designs.

Italian helmet At one table an artist is carefully painting an Italian helmet, copying a picture on the wall of the team colours.

Baloyi sits in another room with his top assistant, Jacob Letebele. He designs the helmets and together with Letebele paints samples for the other workers to cut and decorate, sometimes copying photographs of top players. ''Our aim is to produce even beyond 2010. We are going to design for South African clubs, for the Africa Cup of Nations. This is our aim to show the world, we have our art, this is from South Africa,'' Lovemore said.

Fan helmets could go global REUTERS

JOHANNESBURG, JUNE 7

The king of South Africa's makarapa fan helmet has moved from his township workshop to a factory to meet World Cup demand and expects the elaborate headgear to become a global craze after the tournament.

Dancing fans wearing the brightly painted hats made from converted plastic construction helmets, often paired with giant mock glasses, are a trademark of the South African game.

They are sure to be a major feature of Africa's first World Cup when it starts on June 11, together with the cacophonous blast of vuvuzela trumpets which may be a secret weapon against foreign teams unable to communicate through the din.

Former cleaner Alfred Baloyi, 52, invented the decorated helmets in 1979. A friend gave him a construction helmet for protection when watching his beloved Kaizer Chiefs soccer team, after a fellow fan was hit by a bottle.

Baloyi, an uneducated but talented natural artist, first starting painting the helmets, then adding horns and finally using a box knife to cut out elaborate stand-up designs.

Drogba to rejoin team mates

REUTERS JOHANNESBURG, JUNE 7

Didier Drogba will rejoin the Ivory Coast World Cup squad today after weekend surgery on a fractured arm, the Ivorian Football Federation said.

However, it is still not clear whether the African Footballer of the Year will be fit to play in the opening Group G match against Portugal in Port Elizabeth next week.

Drogba fractured the ulna, or inner bone, of his right forearm in a warm-up match against Japan in Switzerland on Friday, the federation said.

The striker had surgery in Berne on Saturday, an operation Swiss doctors described as successful.

A statement from the Ivorian federation said Drogba would rejoin his team mates at their Swiss hotel later Monday.

He spent the weekend in hospital, surrounded by his wife and three children, the federation added. ''His recovery has been extremely encouraging. It is suggested that, at this stage, all the signs are good and there is great hope the captain of the Elephants will be in action with his team mates as soon as possible,'' spokesman Roger Kouassi said.

The Ivorian squad departs for South Africa on Wednesday.

They conclude their preparations in Switzerland with a friendly against Lausanne Sports in Nyon on Tuesday.

He calls himself ''the Enemy of Plastic'' although his nickname from the terraces is The Magistrate.

Baloyi, originally from northern Limpopo province, started selling a few at a time beside the road but his son and manager, Lovemore, 29, says they have since sold many thousands.

Alfred now shuns journalists, leaving his son to talk to visitors, and concentrating on helmet designs.

With demand booming for the humble invention ahead of the World Cup, they have opened a factory in the Wynberg area of Johannesburg where Lovemore says they are producing up to 80 makarapas a day.

Global craze?

The Baloyis hope the exposure of makarapas during the world's most watched sporting event will turn the helmets into

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SPORTS

PY Nuvem lift Eslinda Cup Pg 16

Fan helmets could go global Pg 17

GOA, TUESDAY, 8 JUNE, 2010 www.oheraldo.in

Sachin rested; Yuvi, Yusuf axed from Asia Cup squad PTI NEW DELHI, JUNE 7

Cracking the whip on non-performers, national selectors today axed the struggling duo of Yuvraj Singh and Yusuf Pathan and rested veteran Sachin Tendulkar from India's 15-member squad for this month's Asia Cup cricket tournament in Sri Lanka.

Tendulkar had sought a break to spend time with his children, while Yuvraj and Yusuf's ouster was on the cards after a series of disappointing performances in recent times as the selectors laid stress on form and fitness.

Flamboyant opener Virender Sehwag, who was laid low with a shoulder injury and missed the Twenty20 World Cup, returned to the squad while wicket-keeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik and leg-spinner Amit Mishra were axed.

"Sachin Tendulkar requested the Board not to consider him for the Asia Cup, as he wanted to spend time with his children, in view of the hectic cricket season ahead," BCCI Secretary N Srinivasan said in a statement

after the selection meeting which lasted close to two hours.

20-year-old Jharkhand batsman Saurabh Tiwary, who was quite impressive in the third edition of the Indian Premier League, was rewarded with a berth in the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led squad along with Bengal pacer Ashok Dinda.

"A lot of stress was given on the fitness of the players. Fitness and fielding are very important.

We have gone through the record of last one year and put lot of stress on it. In recent past, we lost some matches or struggled in some matches because of poor fielding," chairman of selectors Kris Srikkanth told reporters.

"We also put stress on consistent performance. Lot of players have done consistently well

and apart from the seniors, we have blooded some youngsters as well so that they know what international cricket is all about," he explained.

Srikkanth said skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who attended the meeting, also gave his inputs.

"It was a happy meeting with captain (M S Dhoni) and secretary (N Srinivasan) and I think the captain is also convinced.

This is the best possible side.

I'm not going to speak about any individual player," Srikkanth said.

The selectors, who had opted to rest most of the seniors for the tri-series in Zimbabwe, chose a full-strength team which included seniors like pacer Zaheer Khan, opener Gautam Gambhir and spin spearhead Harbhajan Singh.

The squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Capt), Virender Sehwag (Vice-Captain), Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, Praveen Kumar, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Pragyan Ojha, Ashok Dinda, R Ashwin, Saurabh Tiwary.

Tamil Nadu off-spinner R Ashwin, who is also a decent batsman, has been retained in the squad. Left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha returned to the team at the expense of leg-spinner Amit Mishra, who failed to make much of an impact in the disastrous tour of Zimbabwe.

The team in Zimbabwe, which was led by Suresh Raina, couldn't make the finals of and suffered consecutive humiliating losses to the African minnows.

Although Raina has retained his place, other flops like Yusuf and Mishra have been shown the door.

The pace duo of Abhishek Nayar and Sudeep Tyagi who had featured in India's squad during the home series against South Africa in February have not found favour this time around.

The squad, a fine blend of youth and experience, has six specialist batsmen, four pacers, three spinners and an allrounder in Ravindra Jadeja.

Captain Dhoni is the lone specialist wicket-keeper in the squad.

Sehwag stays atop in Test ranking UNI DUBAI, JUNE 7

Swashbuckling opener Virender Sehwag continued to hold the numero uno position among the Test batsmen, while Zaheer Khan was the highest-ranked Indian bowler at the sixth place in the latest ICC rankings released here today.

Other Indian to follow Sehwag in the batsmen's list included prolific opener Gautam Gambhir and master blaster Sacin Tendulkar at the sixth and seventh positions respectively.

Meanwhile, senior batsman Rahul Dravid continued to stay behind at the 16th place.

South Africa's Hashim Amla and Mahela Jayawardena of Sri Lanka were sitting in the second and third placed respectively.

Among the bowlers, Harbhajan was just the other Indian to follow Khan at the seventh spot.

However, off-spinner Graeme Swann made a jump of two rungs to become the highestplaced slow bowler in the world in third position.

Swann overtook Muttiah Muralidaran of Sri Lanka and Pakistan's Mohammed Asif following his six wickets at Old Trafford, an effort that included figures of 5-76 in the first innings.

Lack of fitness costs Yuvi Sania returns his place, hints Srikkanth with a victory PTI NEW DELHI, JUNE 7

Krishnamachari Srikkanth did not say it in so many words but the selection committee chairman today gave ample hints that lack of fitness cost Yuvraj Singh his place in the Indian team for

the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka.

"This is the best possible side...I'm not going to speak about any individual player," Srikkanth told reporters, preempting questions on Yuvraj's exclusion.

Fitness has been a problem with Yuvraj, who seemed to have gained weight of late and was seen fielding in the deep and not in his customary point position.

Srikkanth said fitness was one of the main criteria while picking the Indian squad and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was happy with the selection.

"A lot of stress was given on the fitness of a player. Fitness and field-

ing are very important. We have gone through the record of last one year and did a detailed analysis. It was a lovely discussion with the captain. This is the best possible squad and I think the captain is also convinced," Srikkanth said.

"In recent past, we lost some matches or struggled in some matches because of poor fielding. So the selectors put lot of stress on fielding," he explained.

Consistency was another factor in the selection process, he said.

"We also put stress on consistent performance. Lot of players have done consistently well and apart from the seniors, we blooded some youngsters as well so that they know what international cricket is all about," he said.

Talking about India's tri-series debacle in Zimbabwe where the second-string squad under Suresh Raina lost twice to the hosts, Srikknath refused to call it a setback.

"I think it was all for the good in the sense that it allowed us to test the youngsters. How else do you test the youngsters? People say our selection backfired but how?

PTI BIRMINGHAM, JUNE 7

Playing her first tournament post marriage with Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik, Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza on Monday made an impressive return to the courts, beating Chan Yung-Jan of Chinese Taipei in straight sets in the first round of Aegon Classic here.

Sania, ranked 91st in the world and a semi-finalist here last year, defeated the 83rd ranked Yung-Jan 6-1, 6-4 to set up a second round clash against 14th seed Tamarine Tanasugarn of Thailand in the USD 220,000 event.

Tanasugarn made light work on American Lilia Osterloh 6-2, 6-2 in another first round encounter.

Mirza hardly put a foot wrong on Monday and connected the ball so well that it was hard to believe that she stepped on to the court after a hiatus of three months.

The 23-year-old Hyderabadi's powerful forehand was at her immaculate best as she scored numerous winners on the soft grass surface.

Sania said her personal life can never become a distraction in her game but hinted that she will quit the sport after two years to give more time to her family life.

"The distance between us (Shoaib and herself) is difficult.

But we will be together for life hopefully, so two years isn't long," Sania said after the match.

"Marriage is something which happens to everyone at some point. It's just if you want to wait to finish your career or to get married now. For me, marriage is personal and tennis is professional. It's two separate things so it doesn't feel like a distraction," she said.

Pg 18

It’s absurd to say Pawar has stake in RCB: Mallya PTI BANGALORE, JUNE 7

IPL team Royal Challengers Bangalore owner Vijay Mallya today rubbished reports of Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar having a stake in his franchise, calling them "absurd".

After Pawar reportedly admitted to having 0.05 per cent shares in the United Breweries Group, the owner of RCB, Mallya ridiculed suggestions that having stake in his company amounted to being a part owner of the IPL team.

"Mr Pawar is just being transparent because then the media would say he has stake in another IPL team," said Mallya referring to recent reports of Pawar's involvement in a failed bid for the Pune IPL team.

"This is pushing the limits of absurdity," he told reporters.

Pawar and his Parliamentarian daughter Supriya Sule are in the dock for not revealing their over 16 per cent equity in a Punebased real estate firm which

made a failed bid for the Pune IPL team.

Mallya felt a mountain was being made out of a molehill.

"If we follow this logic then every shareholder of United Breweries would be the owner of RCB because the company belongs to the shareholders. What's wrong with that? he asked.

"To say that he has a clandestine stake is downright absurd," he said.

Asked whether he won the RCB

bid with Pawar's help, he said, "I did not require anyone's help."

On the controversies dogging the IPL, Mallya said it was time to "focus on cricket" and forget all petty controversies."

Mallya said the series of allegations and counter-allegations was "bordering on insanity".

"Both Lalit Modi and BCCI should cool down, listen to each other and study each other's replies and act judiciously", he suggested.

Zimbabwe down Lanka AGENCIES HARARE, JUNE 7

Continuing their giant-killing spree, hosts Zimbabwe rode on Brendan Taylor's second ODI ton to pull off a spectacular eightwicket win over Sri Lanka in an inconsequential match of the cricket tri-series in Harare on Monday.

With both the teams having already made it to the summit clash, Monday's match was of merely academic interest but Zimbabwe proved that their back-to-back wins against India was no fluke as they upstaged Sri Lanka in the dress-rehearsal for Wednesday's final.

Put into bat, Sri Lanka got off to a flier, courtesy the 122-run

Somdev 104th in ATP rankings AGENCIES

MUMBAI, JUNE 7

Somdev Devvarman, who became the first Indian to qualify for the French Open main draw in 13 years, rose to a careerbest 104th in the ATP rankings issued on Monday.

Yuki Bhambri, though, lost a place to sit at the 398th spot.

There was no change in the doubles rankings of Leander Paes (6) and Mahesh Bhupathi (7) but Rohan Bopanna (50) returned to top-50 with a jump of four places.

stand between captain Tillakaratne Dilshan (78) and Upul Tharanga (69) but the Zimbabwe bowlers showed tremendous resilience to eventually bowl out the visitors for a modest 236 in 47.5 overs at the Harare Sports Club.

And with Taylor (119 not out) extending his sensational form in the tournament, Zimbabwe cruised to 240 for two in 47.5 overs to clinch the match.

Taylor's sterling unbeaten 137-ball knock was studded with nine fours and a six.

Taylor got good support from Chamu Chibhaba (58) with whom he shared 134 runs for the second wicket and then completed the chase in Tatenda

Taibu's (42 not out) company with the duo putting on an unbeaten 92-run stand.

Earlier, Sri Lanka got off to a brilliant start with captain Tillakaratne Dilshan (78 off 66 balls) and Upul Tharanga (69 off 97 balls) adding 120 runs for the opening stand at a run-a-ball rate.

Zimbabwean bowlers, however, made a spirited comeback after the initial thrashing and ran through the middle and lower order to bowl out the Lankans in 47.5 overs.

For the hosts, Chris Mpofu, Prosper Utseya and Graeme Cremer scalped two wickets apiece.

Apart from the openers, only three other Lankan batsman reached double digit scores.