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The Voice of Goa — Since 1900 panjim, tuesday, march 8, 2011 postal reg. no. Goa 101 price rs. 3.00

Goa’s Heartbeat: Affleck, Damon shared bank account Pg 4 Many things difficult to design prove easy to performance.

— Samuel Johnson

IN BRIEF Ali detained, home searched Stud farm owner Hasan Ali Khan, accused of massive money laundering and tax evasion, was detained by the ED which carried out multi-city searches at his Pune home and his associates’ premises, cracking the whip to meet tomorrow’s Supreme Court deadline. – (PTI)

Delhi resort gets Rs 50 cr tax notice A leading city resort was slapped with a notice of Rs 50 crore by the Delhi Government in a tax evasion case, days after Lokayukta held PWD Minister Raj Kumar Chauhan guilty of protecting it and recommended his removal. – (PTI)

CWG scam: CBI arrests Wadhwa The CBI arrested the managing director of an Indo-Swiss supplier firm while Enforcement Directorate (ED) intensified its probe into alleged irregularities in the award of contracts worth over Rs 600 crore for Commonwealth Games overlays. Sandeep Wadhwa, MD of Comfort Net which is a part of the Switzerland-based Nussli India consortium, was arrested by the CBI in connection with the scam, sources said. – (PTI)

India: Supreme Court rejects mercy killing plea of nurse Pg 10

(air surcharge rs 2.00) pages 18+4

Sports: Gambir named Pg 17 KKR captain

Are CCP elections DMK holds back resignations constitutionally valid?

PTI CHENNAI/NEW DELHI, MARCH 7

SEC Modassir signed notification when he was on leave SURAJ NANDREKAR PANJIM, MARCH 7

A disclosure that could put the entire Corporation of the City of Panjim (CCP) elections in jeopardy, investigations have revealed that the State Election Commissioner was on leave when he signed the order for elections.

The SEC Dr M Modassir signed the order dated February 14, when he was actually on leave.

Thirty wards of the CCP will go to polls on March 13 and the counting is also scheduled for the same day.

The notification was issued on February 14, showing place as Panjim. However, investigations have revealed that Dr M Modassir was on a sanctioned earned leave from the Governor of Goa from February 7 to 18.

The sanction order from Governor states that Dr Modassir was permitted to leave the headquarters and travel to Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh.

So the question that arises is when the officer is not in town how can he issue an order and even showing place of issue as Panjim when the said officer is

actually thousands of kilometres away in UP? In view of the above one opines whether the elections are constitutionally valid when the notification itself is wrong.

In order to throw more light on the matter Herald contacted Chief Secretary Sanjay Srivastava and asked him whether an officer can sign an order or notification when he is on sanctioned leave, his instant answer was “no”.

“The officer has no powers to sign any order as he is on leave”, Srivastava told this reporter inquiring in what context the question was asked.

When the matter was explained to him, he immediately

backtracked, “No, no…perhaps…you know...he may have signed in advance”.

“No I am just saying perhaps…may be…the election notices have to be issued 30 days in advance… and if the officer knows that no one else can sign than he can sign in advance… .this is just my opinion and not a clarification or justification”, Srivastava said adding “the actual explanation can be given only by the officer (SEC)”.

Dr Modassir when contacted said that the entire election process cannot be held back only because an officer is on leave.

“The election schedule was (Continued on page 14)

You are very stubborn? With the bargaining I've done here, would have surely been successful in vegetable or fish market.

The DMK today put on hold the resignation of its six ministers from the UPA Government in a dramatic new turn with the party and Congress engaged in hectic negotiations to sort out their seat-sharing problems in Tamil Nadu.

On a day of hectic developments, senior Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee telephoned DMK chief M Karunanidhi twice and urged him not to pull out his ministers from the Cabinet during the Budget Session and sought a day’s time to resolve problems.

“Pranab Mukherjee called our President M Karunanidhi twice during the day. The Congress has asked for a day’s time. So, the withdrawal of ministers from the Government has been put on hold till tomorrow,” Deputy Chief Minister and DMK treasurer M K Stalin told reporters at Anna Arivalayam in Chennai.

Asked when the issue will be resolved, Stalin said: “they have asked for a day.”

Alagiri, Maran meet Sonia PTI NEW DELHI, MARCH 7

DMK ministers M K Alagiri and Dayanidhi Maran tonight met Congress President Sonia Gandhi and are understood to have discussed the deadlock between the two parties on the issue of seat-sharing DMK MP Kanimozhi said the talks between her party and the Congress were on still and that a “clear picture” will emerge only tomorrow.

The turn of events took place after Mukherjee held a series of meeting first with DMK minister Dayanidhi Maran followed by

issue for Tamil Nadu Assembly polls.

The meeting came hours after DMK decided to put on hold its decision to withdraw all its six ministers, including Alagiri and Maran, from the Union Cabinet till tomorrow.

discussions with Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Gandhi’s political secretary Ahmed Patel, Congress in-charge of party affairs in Tamil Nadu Ghulam Nabi Azad and Home Minister P Chidambaram were present during the discussions between Maran and Mukherjee.

Stringent measures proposed to deal with errant builders HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MARCH 7

The State Law Commission on Monday recommended a stringent law to deal with real estate developers and builders who dupe consumers.

State Law Commission Chairman Ramakant Khalap told reporters that the Commission has recommended enactment of ‘The Goa Real Estate (Promotion, Control and Development) Act, 2011’ proposing imprisonment of upto 2 years to erring builders.

Stating that experiences of consumers wanting to buy flats were ‘harrowing’, Khalap said several issues crop up after the flat or apartment is booked by the consumer including the fact that the promoter or builder has no proper marketable title to the property.

There are times when parking areas, open spaces and terraces are sold even to non-flat owners.

In many cases, cooperative societies are not formed and flats are sold only on the basis of agreement of sale, he said.

Claiming that builders flout every rule in the book while constructing and allotting flats, Khalap said “in many cases there is not even a proper document of handing over or document of completion and occupation of the building”.

The Law Commission also encountered complaints like ‘substandard constructions’. The recommendations placed before the State Government ought to be administered as a deterrent, he said.

(Continued on page 14)

Shortly before the six ministers, including Maran and M K Alagiri, were to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and handover their resignation in the evening, Chidambaram met Mukherjee for a second time.

The Union Finance Minister then called Karunanidhi seeking a day’s time to come back with Congress’ position on the seatsharing issue.

Sources said that the DMK made it clear that the offer of 60 seats to Congress was final and that the choice of constituencies could be negotiated.

Late last night, Mukherjee called DMK Parliamentary Party leader T R Baalu and asked him to convey to Karunanidhi not to withdraw the ministers from the government. Baalu told reporters during the day that there was no question of reconsidering the withdrawal decision.

Notwithstanding the call, the six ministers left Chennai as scheduled in the morning for Delhi to meet the Prime Minister and tender their resignation.

Common test for medical courses PTI NEW DELHI, MARCH 7

The Supreme Court today cleared the deck for the Centre and the Medical Council of India (MCI) to hold a single eligibility-cum-entrance examination for MBBS and post-graduate medical courses in the country from this academic session.

A Bench of Justices R V Raveendran and A K Patnaik passed the order which will also be applicable for private medical colleges in the country.

The Bench noted that since the decision in this regard has already been notified, the MCI and the Centre can go ahead for holding the CET.

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MGP cool on Home Guards treated as servants!

BJP’s courting for alliance HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MARCH 7

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MARCH 7

While the BJP has disclosed its intention that it is in favour of forging an alliance with Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) assembly election which might happen much earlier than May 2012, the MGP says it would think about it only after it receives a formal proposal from the BJP. “Let them send a proposal to us,” said Lavu Mamletdar, General Secretary of MGP when asked to comment about the statement of BJP Goa in-charge Gopinath Munde.

During his visit to Goa last week, Munde had said that his party is open for an alliance with MGP. Mamletdar however clarified that their party was not in a hurry to form alliance.

He was addressing a press conference on Monday here.

The MGP, which has two MLAs in the house, has declared its intention to contest at least

ten seats in the forthcoming election.

Re p l y i n g t o a q u e s t i o n whether MGP will forge an alliance with the Congress party, Mamletdar said, “anything can happen,” Mamaletdar who contested from Ponda in May 2007 assembly election, had given a tough fight to Home Minister Ravi Naik.

Asked to comment on the home minister’s performance, he said people of Ponda want to send him home.

Replying to another question Mamletdar also clarified that they were not endorsing any panel contesting the March 13 CCP elections.

Felicitation: About eighty Marathi stage artists, who have performed on Marathi plays but never been recognised for their contribution, will be felicitated as a part of Bhausaheb Bandokar Birth Centenary Celebration Committee, Mamletdar said.

Dry Days notified HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, MARCH 7

The Government has notified March 12 and 13, as ‘Dry Days’ in the entire limits of Corporation of the City of Panaji and also within the jurisdiction of panchayat areas of Taleigao, Santa Cruz, Chimbel, Nerul, Penha de Franca and Old Goa in view of elections to 30 wards of Panjim municipal corporation.

All licenced premises for sale of liquor shall be closed. However, “Bars and Restaurants” may be allowed to remain open for serving food only. However,

the Bar counter shall be closed and no liquor shall be

allowed to be served on the said days. The owners of licenced premises having Bar and Restau-

rant shall also display a board in the premises that no liquor will be served and that only the restaurant is open for serving food.

Theft case filed

PANJIM: A

lady on Monday complained that her maid servant decamped with jewelries worth rupees one lakh from her apartment at Taleigao on March 6 evening.

Ruth Fernandes filed a complaint at Panjim police station that Lipsa Podra, native of Orissa ransacked her house and decamped with two bracelets, two gold chains, one gold necklace and one pair of gold earrings, total amounting to Rs 1 lakh.

The State Home Guards has not only been a neglected force, but also an exploited and misused one for years by the powers that be.

The ill-treatment of this voluntary force ranges from being ‘employed as servants’ at their own work place to doing the domestic chores of their ‘masters.’

In the past couple of days, the Home Guards are being forced to clear the garbage from a room adjacent to their main office on the ground floor of

police headquarters.

S o u rc e s s a i d t h e H o m e Guards were asked to clear the trash from the room and unload it in a police van. In fact, some journalists were witness to the incident.

“The department had appointed a contractor to clear the trash from the room, but the job was instead forced on the Home Guards. The women Guards were asked to clear the electrical equipments, chairs and other waste materials from the room and unload it in a police van,” said a Home Guard.

This ill-treatment coinciden-

tally comes on Women’s Day. “If we disagree to our seniors, we are threatened and harassed.

Many a times, our daily wage, which is a meager amount, is also deducted,” said another Guard.

Ironically, the ill-treatment occurs right under the nose of senior officers, whose air-conditioned offices are located on the first floor of the headquarters.

In December last, Herald had reported that many Home Guards are performing odd job as sweepers, dhobis, cooks, barbers and even working at resi-

dences of police officers.

If this was not enough, the Home Guards are also deployed at residences of ministers for their domestic work.

One of the Home Guards rule says that they are ‘to promote communal harmony and give help to the administration in protecting weaker sections of the society’. But the force continues to be misused, as senior officers have been willfully blind to the predicaments of this force.

Home Guard officials were not available for comments till late night.

Photos by Avelino de Sa

With Panjim in poll mood, a tanker (GA-02-T-9919) coolly dumps sewage into River Mandovi, near Head Post office on Monday evening.

Vasco drowns in Carnival gala HERALD REPORTER VASCO, MARCH 7

The port town revelled to the music of Carnival on Monday evening, as thousands of people converged at Vasco to be part of the Carnival parade.

In an unprecedented turnout, the long stretch of Sawtantra path from Hiralal Junction to Railway station circle was converted into a sea of humanity with revelry, dance and music taking centre stage for about two-and-half hours.

Vasco Carnival Committee Chairman and Revenue Minister Jose Philip D’Souza, Flag Officer

of Goa Naval Area Rear Admiral Sudhir Pillai, Sare Gama fame Sumedha and Konkani nightingale Lorna flagged off the float parade, while Bollywood actress Mahima Chaudhary scheduled to be present for the float parade was missing from the gala.

Revenue Minister D’Souza walked along with star attraction Sumedha and Konkani nightingale Lorna.

Over 50 floats in various categories including traditional, club and institutional, family, clowns/jokers and sponsored competed for top honours.

Of these 50, floats in the tra-

ditional category and two floats in the sponsored category stole the limelight.

Though overall the float parade was impressive, reservations have been raised in some quarters over their quality.

The Indian Navy Band and African dancer also enthralled the crowd.

SP South Allen D’Sa along w i t h Va s c o D y S P M a h e s h Gaonkar deployed large police team from Mormugao and Verna to maintain law and order during the parade, but at few places police had a tough time to keep the surging crowds.

One injured in group clash MARGAO: One person was left injured in a fight between two groups at Hoddem in Barcem village over a dispute vis-à-vis Temple rights.

Cuncolim PSI Prasanna Bhagat informed that one Paut Velip was injured in the scuffle and had to be hospitalized at Hospicio.

He said the police rushed to the village to ensure that the assault does not lead to any untoward incident. Replying to a question, he said the assault took place over the Temple dispute between two groups over the question of performing Pooja.

Govt mulls renal transplant facilities at GMC HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MARCH 7

The State Government is proposing to have renal transplant facilities at Goa Medical College & Hospital.

The health Minister Vishwajit Rane while addressing a press conference on Monday here said, renal transplant facility will be made available in GMC. Two committees will be appointed -- one under health secretary and other will be headed

by the director of health services for starting this new facility, he said.

While renal transplant facility will be provided free of costs to Goans the patients from out the State will be charged.

He further said, upgraded facilities of the GMC which include trauma centre, ICU and casualty will be commissioned by March 31 on which the government has spent Rs 18 crores in the first phase.

As also five of the eighteen operation theaters of the GMC have been upgraded.

Whereas in phase II balance work of upgradation of the premier hospital will be done.

With upgradation of the facilities completed, next step would be build renal facility, he added.

The urology unit started three years ago has received good response wherein 5200 patients were admitted and 2700 sur-

geries conducted, he added.

Clinical Establishment Registration Regulation Bill, 2010 Bill which was introduced in the Parliament will be adopted by the State government.

Once adopted -- all clinical establishments whether private and government will come under the purview of new law.

It will also become mandatory for gyms to obtain NOC from the health department once the Act comes into force.

BJP fears for Margao security during Zambaulim festival HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MARCH 7

Expressing serious concern over the spate of thefts in the commercial Capital, the Margao unit of the BJP on Saturday demanded to know from the government whether any security arrangements would be put in place in the city when Madgavkars and devotees of the city ’s presiding deity Lord Damodar visit Zambaulim for the annual Gulal festival.

The BJP also made a request to the government, besides the mine, transport owners to keep their operations on hold or regulate the same during the week long Gulal festival in the interest of thousands of devotees thronging the Lord Damodar Temple at Zambaulim.

Briefing newsmen, BJP leader Sharmad Raiturkar said the murder of the watchman guarding a city school has raised serious concerns amongst citizens about their safety and security.

“On the night when the watchman was done to death, the miscreants also targeted two residential apartments in Comba. This has exposed the security in the city”, he said.

Raiturcar said Madgavkars in large numbers, irrespective of caste or creed, participate in the Zambaulim gulal festivities every year. “Questions are raised amongst the citizens whether their houses would be safe from the burglars or thieves when they are away,” he said.

He said the Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat, who represents

the Commercial capital in the Legislative Assembly and the Home Minister, Ravi Naik should answer these queries and make the necessary security arrangements.

“It is now for the Chief Minister and the Goa police to reassure the citizens that they and their properties will be safe during the festivities”, he said.

Making an appeal to the government, mine owner and ore transport operators to either suspend their operations during the six day Gulal festivities in the interest of the devotees, Raiturcar said suspension of the ore transportation or regulating the traffic during the week-long festivities would help minimize the risk faced by motorists on the Quepem-Tilamol-Zambaulim road.

Saligao villagers meet water engineer, demand regular supply HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, MARCH 7

Residents of Porvorim and surrounding areas have been facing acute shortage of water for the last three days.

Saligao residents led by Saligao MLA Dilip Parulekar on Monday morning called on Assistant Engineer Prakash Surlikar and brought to his notice that they have not been receiving water supply for the last three days due to which they are facing a lot of hardships.

MLA Parulekar complained that the valve regulators are releasing water as per their whims and fancies due to which the residents of certain areas are facing water shortage.

“It is the duty of the government to supply potable water regularly in sufficient quantity

to the public. There are also complaints that PWD is demanding hefty sums for releasing new water connections,” claimed Parulekar.

“The PWD should stop these corrupt practices and serve the people honestly. If residents of Saligao do not receive water on Tuesday, then they would be forced to sit on the Chogm Road with their utensils and block the traffic,” threatened Parulekar.

Later, residents of Pilerne marched to the water department and questioned the engineers for not releasing the water for days. However, the residents were not satisfied with the reasons given by the engineers.

The residents stated that they were receiving water supply regularly in 2007-08 when assistant engineer K Gopalan was in

charge of Mapusa office of PWD. “The water supply has become irregular during the course of last two years. Every time flimsy reasons are given whenever we approach the PWD with complaint of water shortage,” said the residents.

When contacted, Executive Engineer H Kamaladini informed that the electricity department had taken shut down on Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm and they had announced it in the local newspapers for the information of public.

“Due to the shutdown, there was no water supply on Sunday and Monday morning. The electricity supply resumed on Sunday evening and all the six pumps at Assnora reservoir are now working and hence there will be regular water supply from Tuesday,” assured Kamaladini.

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Kamat allays fears on medium of instruction HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MARCH 7

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat has said that the state government would not implement the Right to Education Act without taking the various stake holders into confidence.

When his reaction was sought on apprehensions expressed by parents vis-à-vis the medium of instruction policy at the primary level, Kamat said the Act might have been passed without taking the ground reality in various states into consideration.

“Different states have different situations. Each state has its own system and educational environment,” the chief minister said, adding that that the government would study the provisions of the Act and also take the various stake holders into confidence before thinking of implementing the Act. Moreover, the chief minister said the government would not implement the full day school in haste, adding that the Education Minister and Director of

Education will take the stake holders into confidence before introducing the concept.

When his attention was drawn to the requirement that the Act has to be adopted by the State, Kamat said the Act is presently being studied by the Education Department.

Parents Teachers Association of various schools have rejected outright the introduction of mother tongue as the medium of instruction at the elementary level at Std V and have instead demanded English as the medium of instruction with Konkani as the compulsory subject from std I-VIII.

Officials put faith in software to tackle disasters HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MARCH 7

Experts from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Monday interacted with members of the South Goa Disaster Management Authority to explore the possibility of designing a software to pin point lacunas in the preparedness of the stake holders to meet emergencies.

South Goa Collector G P Naik said the latest software which would be designed by experts from the NDMA would be able to pin point any lacuna and automatically suggest action.

“NDMA expert Banerjee gave us a presentation on the software and its advantages in meeting any emergencies, specially off site emergencies,” Naik said.

The meeting was attended by the stake holders, including

off site disaster management team.

“After deliberations and presentation, we have found that the software will come in handy to meet the emergencies. The presentation was earlier made at the state level. We will submit a detailed report to the state government on the software to make monetary provision for its designing”, Naik added.

The preparedness of the disaster management stake holders had come to the fore last month when a tanker carrying Aviation Turbine fuel turned turtle at Ambora-Loutolim.

It took nearly 17 hours for the authorities to tow away the ill-fated tanker from the spot and exposed the administration’s failure to procure a dedicated heavy duty crane to meet emergencies.

Chinchinim demands scrapping of high rise housing projects HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MARCH 7

A day after they opposed high rise building projects, Deussua-Chinchinim villagers on Monday handed over a memorandum to the sarpanch demanding scrapping of the project and work out a solution to the long pending issue of garbage disposal.

A 15-member delegation called on the Sarpanch Olwyn Antao and handed a memorandum containing the resolutions passed at the meeting on Sunday, opposing the building project.

“When the Sarpanch pointed out that the construction project has been approved by the Town and Country planning department, the delegation told him to write back to the TCP stating the public opposition to the project”, informed Neves Anthony Rebello.

He said the Panchayat would write to the TCP within the next 3-4 days and convey the strong opposition to the high rise project on grounds that the project would aggravate the deteriorating infrastructure such as power, water and garbage disposal.

Meanwhile, the delegation served a 21-day deadline on the Panchayat body to work out a solution to the garbage menace facing the village.

The delegation impressed on the Sarpanch to re-commence the waste collection drive which was discontinued for reasons best known to the Panchayat body.

In the absence of garbage collection and disposal, waste and garbage finds its way along side the village road, causing health hazard and nuisance to the villagers.

NCP women’s wing names executive panel HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MARCH 7

The State unit of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) today declared its women state executive committee.

Bharti Chavan, in-charge of Goa desk (women wing), at a press conference announced the names of women executive members in the presence senior office bearers of the party, on Monday here.

Tourism Minister and NCP MLA Nilkant Halarnkar who was also present on this occasion, said women wing is being developed in the last ten years.

The Mahila President of the State NCP unit is Fermeena P Khaunte. Bharti Chavan said, though they have named only few members now, more members will be included in the

committee at a later stage.

Total strength of the NCP women wing is 1200 and emphasis will be on to increase the existing strength, she told further adding that their focus will also be to get women from different walks of life in their party fold.

The party would lay emphasis on further developing leadership qualities of women in the party. Currently, three of their members are contesting CCP elections, she adde.

The executive committee consists of six general secretaries that include Anjali Malik, D e v k i Ra t a b o l i , D r N e h a Khadpe, Everilda D'mello, Salette Miranda and Arti Parab.

Besides this, there are seven joint secretaries, and twentyone committee members.

No evidence of code violation: enquiry report

Oil, grease below detectable level in Comba wells: report

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MARCH 7

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MARCH 7

The enquiry report submitted to the Returning officer for Corporation of the City of Panjim (CCP) election, has not found any evidence of violation of election code of conduct vis-à-vis allegations in newspapers that consumer items were distributed to voters in certain wards of CCP. Herald in its Sunday edition, on February 27 had published a detailed report alleging that Taleigao MLA Babush Monserrate had distributed electronic goods as wells as bicycles to voters of ward XXI and ward II. However, as per the enquiry report submitted to the RO, the flying squads which visited these two wards have not found any evidence of goods distributed to voters.

The report says that none from these wards have come on record saying they witnessed anyone receiving consumer articles in their respective wards.

Flying squads visited the two wards till March 4, but did not find any case of code violation, say the report.

Two flying squads will continue to keep vigil in the CCP wards until elections.

Meanwhile, all five complaints that came to be logged before State Election Commission (SEC) have been looked into.

In an interesting development vis-àvis Comba well contamination, re-examination of well water samples by the Goa State Pollution Control Board has revealed that oil and grease was below detectable level.

The latest report from the Pollution Control board -- which had earlier submitted that the well waters have been affected by oil and grease -comes against the backdrop of a report submitted by BITS Pilani stating that the scum seen on top of the well waters in Comba area was not due to any petroleum products, but was due to iron bacteria and iron content in water.

GSPCB Assistant Environment Engineer, Sanjeev Joglekar in his report submitted to the inquiry officer, deputy Collector Johnson Fernandes stated that the reports indicate that the value of pH is below the prescribed

limits for drinking water. Joglekar, however, said that this time round, it was observed that the oil and grease is below detectable level in all the wells which the samples have been collected.

When contacted, deputy Collector Johnson said the latest reports submitted by GSPCB indicates that there is no presence of oil and grease in the water wells. “I will submit a detailed report on the sample testing by both GSPCB and BITS Pilani to the district Collector, G P Naik for further action”, he added.

BITS Pilani’s Assitant Professor, Biological sciences, Dr Srikanth Mutnuri had earlier concluded there was no presence of oil and grease in the wells and had recommended treatment of the affected wells by aeration and shock chlorination as the initial step, adding that the affected wells can be analysed again after above initial treatment to decide upon the requirements

of further treatment.

“The district Collector will take a decision on the question of treatment of the wells through aeration”, Johnson said.

In fact, Dr Mutnuri had stated that the problem is not very serious as initially thought and can be resolved easily, adding that the oil like layer was found in well not in use in recent times, while no oily layer was noticed in wells which are in use.

His report spoke about the presence of iron bacteria which was observed as slime on the ouster walls of the container with which water from contaminated wells were drawn”, he said, adding that iron bacteria are red orange in colour and caused smell that resembles fuel oil or sewage or that of some decaying matter and are greasy to touch. These bacteria are common in wells which have been idle for a while, the report added.

Black panther spoted HERALD CORRESPONDENT MAYEM, MARCH 7

A black panther was spotted in the forested areas of Chorla Ghat on Saturday.

Members of Vivekanand Paryawaran Jagruti Samiti comprising Deepak Gawas, Vasant Parodkar and Narayan Parodkar spotted the black panther when they were patrolling the area on Saturday night.

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UTAA warns of agitation if demands not met HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARCEL, MARCH 7

The United Tribals Association’s Alliance (UTAA) on Sunday warned of a massive agitation against government’s alleged inaction in accepting its 12 demands.

The Association members claimed that the ST Community has been neglected by the State government, as over the years their constitutional rights remained only on paper.

Unhappy over delay in implementing assurances made by the State government to UTAA, members at the Schedule Tribes awareness convention on Sunday at Azad Maidan, Mardol-Ponda, threatened to launch massive agitation if their demands are not met by May this year. The meet was attended by over 2,000 people from Ponda taluka.

“We are asking the government to fund our children’s education through money which belongs to ST’s, but our government is least bothered. The government don’t want our children to have good education nor they want us to see prosper,” alleged UTAA Joint Convenor Govind Gaude.

“We even had schemes meant for senior citizens and the widows belonging to the ST Community, but the government doesn’t want to spend money.

But instead the funds allotted to ST’s can be used somewhere else,” claimed Gaude.

ML A and UTAA Convenor Ramesh Tawadkar said: “Our community people are unaware of our rights and problems faced, due to which we have to

Trucks raided for illegal transportation of pigs HERALD CORRESPONDENT BICHOLIM, MARCH 7

UTAA President Prakash Velip inaugurates ST Convention at Azad Maidan, Mardol-Ponda.

Photo by Amresh Parab

organise such meetings.”

“We are original settlers in the State but till today our community is neglected. It is unfortunate that our government has turned a blind eye towards our rights. Even after so many years we are left to struggle but we won’t keep quiet. Our agitation will intensify and if any untoward happens, then government should be held responsible for it,” warned Tawadkar.

The Association also urged political parties to nominate candidates belonging to ST community in atleast five constituencies during the forthcoming assembly polls.

“I urge every political party to allot seats to ST candidates in five constituencies. If any political party has concern for ST’s, then during the forthcoming assembly polls it will be clear. I hope all political parties will give us our political right,” said Velip.

UTAA’s 12 demands are to set up ST commission by the statute vested with all powers of civil court, to set up independent tribal department and tribal ministry, 12% budgetary provisions made should be utilised only for tribals, ST finance and development corporation should be strengthened by providing adequate fund, implementation of 12% reservation in Assembly by considering present percentage of tribals in Goa (12%), immediate filling up of backlog vacancies in direct recruitment as well as promotions, implementation of tribal forest act, to set up planning authority for ST, implementation of post based roster in government, semi-government organisations, to ban on the selling of land belonging to ST communities to n o n - S T, n o t i f y i n g t r i b a l areas/schedule areas for upliftment of ST and to simply procedure for caste certificate.

The Animal Rescue Squad Bicholim and Bharat Swabhiman along with Valpoi Police on Sunday evening raided two trucks illegally carrying animals into Goa at Keri-Sattari.

About 90 pigs were rescued in the raid that was conducted at about 7 pm.

According to reports, acting on a tip off that a vehicle would enter Goa through Keri carrying illegal pigs, the ARS team laid a trap at Keri check post on Sunday.

Acting swif tly, the ARS, Bharat Swabhiman and Valpoi Police raided a van (MH-15-BJ2329) which was carr ying about 90 pigs. The police arrested the drivers of the vehicle and also seized the vehicle.

“The vehicle was transporting the pigs without any legal licence and the condition of the animals was worse,” informed ARS Chief Amrut Singh.

“About four pigs had died as they were pushed into the truck, where there was hardly any place to breathe,” added Singh.

Valpoi Police arrested drivers Namdev Marutirao Kale (31) and Deepak Ramchandra Vature (22), both are from Jalna-Maharashtra. They were arrested under Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960.

Valpoi veterinary Dr Narendra Naik was also present on the occasion. Valpoi PSI Chandrakant Naik and Hawaldar Anand Padoskar conducted the raid.

Police asked to show cause for inaction on illegal mining HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MARCH 7

Margao special judge on Monday issued notices to South Goa police officers asking them to show cause, why no action was taken on a complaint by social activists alleging illegal mining at Cavrem in Quepem.

South Goa Superintendent of Police Allan D’Sa and Quepem

police inspector Suresh Narvekar are asked to file their replies by March 24, failing which the matter will be decided in their absence.

Judge U V Bakre was hearing a petition filed by Kashinath Shetye and others against Quepem police for not registering a case against illegal mining at Cavrem. The activists in their

complaint alleged that several government officials were encouraging illegal mining.

Shetye, in his complaint to the police had accused the Collector, Goa State Pollution Control Board, Mamlatdar, Directors of Mines and Transport and others of “not acting tough against illegal mining activities in the region and enjoying illegal gratification.”

Since Quepem police were delaying in taking action, the petitioners moved the Court requesting to issue directions to the police to register a case.

Last week GSPCB had ordered sealing of a Cavre mine and the Mines dept decided to cancel licenses given to the mine, after an intense protest by Anti mining agitators from Cavrem.

Madgao Shigmotsav Samiti extends olive branch to rivals HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MARCH 7

The Madgao Shigmotsav Samiti headed by Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat has extended invitation to the rival samiti headed by BJP MLA Damu Naik for a joint meeting in a bid to resolve all differences and to hold one shigmo festival in the commercial Capital.

Samiti general secretar y Girish Chodankar has urged Damu Naik and BJP leader Rupesh Mahatme to take the initiative for resolving differences in the Madgao Shigmotsav Samiti resulting in confusion over the celebrations.

‘The differences are purely due to politics of the two politi c a l p a r t i e s i n M a rg a o “ , Chodankar said, while urging both Naik and Mahatme to keep away political affiliations from Shigmo celebrations.

“Let’s send a strong signal to

Blood test to confirm whether car driver was intoxicated HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MARCH 7

Even as his arrest is confirmed, the alcohol test report will decide whether Milroy Rodrigues who knocked down a lady pedestrian to death on Sunday, was intoxicated.

Shamim Bano (36) who was walking on the footpath along the Dona Paula-Miramar road was crushed to death by a Swift car GA-06-D-1916 driven by the 22-year-old Milroy.

Panjim Police Inspector Ramesh Gaonkar said Melroy’s blood contents were immediately sent for alcohol test but the final report will ascertain whether he was intoxicated.

Eyewitnesses claimed that the car had beer cans in it and that Milroy and three others who accompanied him were possibly

What is the Golden Ratio?

The golden ratio, also known as the divine proportion, golden mean, or golden section, is a number often encountered when taking the ratios of distances in simple geometric figures such as the pentagon, pentagram, decagon and dodecahedron. It is denoted by , or sometimes . has surprising connections with continued fractions and the Euclidean algorithm for computing the greatest common divisor of two integers.

Concept

If you divide a line into two parts so that the longer part divided by the smaller part is also equal to the whole length divided by the longer part then you will have the golden ratio.

1.61803398874989484820... and it keeps going, without any pattern. In fact the Golden Ratio is known to be an Irrational Number.

Calculating It

You can calculate it yourself by starting with any number and following these steps: a. Divide 1 by your number (1/number) b. Add 1 c. That becomes the new number, start again at step a.

Number 2

1/Number Add 1 1/2=0.5 0.5+1=1.5

1.5

1/1.5 = 0.666...

1.666...

1/1.666... 0.6 + 1 = = 0.6 1.6

1.6 1.625

Solution

There is only one value that would make a/b equal to (a+b)/a. In fact the value is:

1.6154...

1/1.6 = 0.625

• Draw a square (of size "1") • Place a dot half way along one side • Draw a line from that point to an opposite corner (it will be √5/2 in length) • Turn that line so that it runs along the square's side Then you can extend the square to be a rectangle with the Golden Ratio.

0.666... + 1 = 1.666...

0.625 + 1 = 1.625

1/1.625= 0.6154...+ 1 0.6154... = 1.6154...

Drawing It

Here is one way to draw a rectangle with the Golden Ratio:

The Formula

Looking at the rectangle we just drew, you can see that there is a simple formula for it. If one side is 1, the other side will be: The square root of 5 is approximately 2.236068, so The Golden Ratio is approximately (1+2.236068)/2 = 3.236068/2 = 1.618034. This is an easy way to calculate it when you need it.

drunk.

The driver was trapped in the car due to which he was caught but the rest three managed to give a slip on the crowded main road.

Meanwhile, a witness claimed that the victim lady was knocked down on the footpath of a parallel road and that she was not on the main road as certain sections of media have reported.

“The car was in high speed banged an electric pole, turned turtle and jumped off the main road to the inside road crushing the woman to death,” said the witness.

Milroy who is undergoing treatment at Goa Medical College and Hospital will be arrested soon after his discharge, police said. The three unidentified youth are yet to be traced.

Happy Birthday, Mr Chief Minister

By TOMAZINHO CARDOZO

Mathematics

the people of Goa by forgetting our political differences and come together for the cause of our city. Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat who heads the samiti of Founders has already appealed for unity at the recently held annual general body meeting. Kamat has also not finalized the committee inspite of he being authorized to constitute the full committee by the AGM. This is done to accommodate the other faction and that we are open for a dialogue with a positive mind”, he said, while calling upon the rival group to respect the wishes of the people of Margao”, he added.

Meanwhile, Chodankar has said the Shigmo float parade in the city, which was fixed on April 2 has been postponed to April 3 due to the finals of the ODI world Cup after obtaining permission from the Director of Tourism.

One’s birthday is a joyous occasion, when family members and friends gather to congratulate one for achievements in the past year and encourage one to look forward if one has experienced failures. If the birthday boy is a public figure, then these celebrations extend to a wider section of society – the poor as well as the rich share their love with the person who serves them with sincerity.

Chief Minister Digamber Kamat is celebrating his birthday today – March 8. The people of Goa wish him many happy returns of the day and all success in his mission to serve Goa, particularly the ‘Aam Admi’.

It is very difficult to administer this tiny state efficiently, owing to political defections. Frequent political upheavals have rocked Goa, and it has become very notorious for this in the rest of the country. As CM of Goa for almost four years, Digambar-bab has successfully removed that tag, and brought political stability to Goa. For me, even just this is a very important contribution. Mind you, only a politically stable state can make progress. And that is exactly what is happening in Goa. If one goes through the decisions that Digamber Kamat took as CM, it is clear that he believes that democracy is of the people, by the people and for the people.

Because of the wishes of the people, he had the courage to withdraw Regional Plan 2011 and prepare Regional Plan 2021. When Goans expressed apprehensions over Special Economic Zones (SEZ), he scrapped them in spite of tremendous pressure. These decisions will go down in history, because they helped to preserve Goa, its ecology, environment and identity.

He has tremendous faith in God. “I am conscious of the fact that a Divine Hand is guiding me to fulfill my life mission of service to my fellowmen, and helping me overcome obstacles in my path,” are his words. And, a careful look at his innings as Chief Minister shows that political obstacles have moved out of Digamber-bab’s path. All moves to destabilise his government during last four years have failed.

Believing in God is believing in our brothers. Serving God is serving the poor and the downtrodden. Digamber Kamat displays this philosophy in his words as well as his deeds.

He has said: “Politics and positions, including Chief Ministership, are but instruments to fight for justice to the common man.” He is the only politician,

first as a Minister and then as Chief Minister, who tried his level best to give justice to the causes of Konkani in Roman script and Tiatr.

He opened the doors of the Art & Culture Department to artistes, and boosted all forms of cultural and literary activities.

Tiatr artistes started getting benefits from the Art & Culture Department.

The Department gave financial assistance to organisers of festivals to promote Mando, Dulpods and other folk songs. Today, at least five Mando Festivals take place in Goa. The Department started a scheme to publish books, including in Roman script Konkani. He was instrumental in naming the main auditorium of Margao’s Ravindra Bhavan after Father of Tiatr L ate Joao Agostinho Fernandes. This not only recognised the importance of Goan Tiatr but brought honour to the whole fraternity.

To promote literature in Roman script Konkani, he made budgetary provisions for the Dalgado Konknni Academy, giving much needed support and encouragement to writers of Konkani in the Roman script. He formed the Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG) for the promotion, preservation and development of Goa’s most popular dramatic form – Tiatr.

In a democracy, there are always differences of opinion among stakeholders. Forceful criticism, protests, morchas, hartals, all strengthen the foundation of democracy. That these occur in Goa and are tolerated is an indicator of the vibrancy of democracy in the state.

Being CM, Digamber Kamat is the main target of all dissenting voices. Goans are very politically aware, and he has to face these voices day in and day out. As the captain of the ship, he has to take a decision which is in the interest of Goa and Goans. And, in doing so, he cannot satisfy all.

Interestingly, I have come across people with dissenting voices who appreciate the Chief Minister as well as others who feel the Chief Minister is not doing justice to the common man.

These are just different perceptions of different people.

As Chief Minister, it is his duty to listen to all the grievances of all the people, and then act in such a way that a minimum of people are at disadvantage. This is the only path to progress in a democracy. It is the path Digambar-bab follows, in order to take Goa to greater heights.

‘Ad Multos Annos’, Mr Chief Minister!

(Issued by the Department of Information and Publicity)

GOA

UPCOMING EVENTS Carnival at Curtorim

PANJIM (HND): Curtorim Cultural Committee will celebrate 5th year of carnival at Curtorim on March 8 at 3 pm with a grand Carnival float parade. The route will be from Maina Church ground to Curtorim Market Square. This year, Ralph Barretto will be the King Momo. The Carnival float parade will be flagged off by Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco. Goan Vocalist (all Goa singing finals) and Goan Jiving Stars Finals (all Goa jive contest finals) will be held at Curtorim Market Square at 7 pm.

‘Mirchi Sound Check’

PANJIM (HND): ‘Mirchi Sound Check’ an orchestra/band competition will be launched on March 8 at Radio Mirchi Office, Vivenda de Hassan Building, Miramar, Panjim. The competition is being organised by Radio Mirchi in association with the American Centre Mumbai.

Lecture on ‘How to learn’

PANJIM (HND): The Directorate of Art & Culture will organise a lecture ‘How to learn’ by Prof V M (Nitant) Kenkre, Professor of Physics, and Director Consortium of the Americas for Interdisciplinary Science, University of New Mexico on March 9 at Maquinez Palace, ESG, Panjim, at 4 pm. The lecture is being organised as a part of Bhausaheb Bandodkar birth centenary celebration.

Women’s Day celebration

AT PONDA: The Department of Women and Child Development will celebrate Women’s Day at Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Ground, Curti-Ponda on March 8 at 10 am.

Governor Dr S S Sidhu, Minister for Women and Child Development Ravi Naik, Transport Minister Sudin Dhavlikar will attend the function.

Yashadamini Puraskar 2011 will be presented on the occasion.

Also several prominent women working in government departments/offices among others will be felicitated as token of appreciation of the services they have rendered to society.

AT CAMPAL: The Women’s Forum of the Goa YMCA, Panjim will celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8 at the YMCA premises, Campal, by hosting an interactive session of female cancers (breast, uterine and cervical) delivered by Dr Leena Desai, MD DNB FICS, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, Mandovi Clinic, Porvorim, at 5 pm. Participants can get free breast examination and pap smear test, conducted in collaboration with the Rotary Club, Porvorim. For further details, call Sheryl Afonso on 9822582022 or Marie Flinch on 9623525442.

AT DONA PAULA: International Centre-Goa in association with the American Centre Mumbai will organise a one day seminar on Women Empowerment at the Goa International Centre, Dona Paula, on March 8 on the occasion of International Women’s Day. Commissioner for NRI affairs Eduardo Faleiro will deliver the valedictory address at 3.45 pm.

Carnival festivities continue

PANJIM (HND): Carnival fever continues at India’s largest gaming venue, Casino Carnival, with events, music and festivities onboard the Casino Carnival Boat on River Mandovi on March 8. The venue also witnessed enthralling performances from Jarrod Woody, the renowned jazz/funk DJ with live music on saxaphone and flute who has mesmerized Australia, Singapore and New Zealand. On March 8, popular Goan band D’Jazz will perform.

The event will have Goan and international cuisine with wines, spirits and entertainment galore. Guests on the boat will be entertained by Samba dancers, magicians, tarot card readers & much more. Guests can also indulge in some of their favourite games which will set the tone for a great evening of revelry, party and of course winning. For reservations, call 0832-2222092.

Anniversary day

COLLEM (HC): The anniversary day of Shri Kalnath, Sateri and Dudhsagar Devasthans will be held at Sonaulim-Collem on Tuesday early morning with traditional Pooja of God Dudhsagar, Goddess Sateri and God Kalnath. A variety of entertainment programme will be organized on the occasion. Shri Vittal Rukamai Bhajani Mandal of Udalse-Sacorda will present Bhajan programme at 7 pm, followed by Marathi drama ‘Apar Mahima Saicha’ at 11 pm.

Jewellery exhibition

PANJIM (HND): Chintamanis will hold jewellery exhibition from March 10 to 12 at Hotel Mandovi, Panjim, and on March 14 and 15 at hotel Nanutel, Margao. Chintamanis is known for exclusive high end diamond and gold Hallmarked and IGL certified jewellery. The new collection reflects latest trends of earrings, bangles, rings and necklaces and a completely unique range of jadau, bridal and temple jewellery crafted with fine gold, diamond and precious stones. Old gold can be exchanged against new ornaments.

Ayurveda, Siddha camps

VASCO (HR): Santhigiri Ayurveda and Siddha Hospital, Vasco, will conduct two-day Ayurveda and Siddha free consultation camps at the two Santhigiri Hospitals in Vasco on March 10 and 11. On March 10, the camp will be held at Santhigiri Hospital at Kharewado-Vasco from 4 pm to 7 pm, while on March 11, the camp will be held at Santhigiri Ayurveda and Siddha Hospital, behind municipal office Vasco from 9 am to 7 pm.

The camp would be ideal with an illness of spinal disorders, back and neck pain, psoriasis and paralysis.

Chief medical officer Dr B Rajkumar of Santhigiri Group of Hospitals will lead the camp. For registration and more details, contact on 2516060, 9823068634 or 9822127087.

Carnival pics contest

PANJIM (HND): Goan Shutterbugs will hold a photography contest to capture the sights, colors and revelry of Carnival 2011 in categories of floats, traditional and faces with a maximum of 10 photographs per category. Any type of camera (cell phone included) may be used.

The competition is open to all and there is no entry fee. Last date for submission of entries is March 31. Entry forms are available at Click Photography School, Aquem, Margao, ph 9822151419 or can be downloaded from www.goanshutterbugs.com.

POWER SHUTDOWN MARCH 8 PORVORIM: From 9 am to 5 pm. Areas affected are Haliwada, Martin’s Laser, Mendes car washing centre, Quarbani Bar, Malim, Corporation bank, Mandovi Ice Plant, Betim and surrounding areas.

TIdES March 8

High Tide: 0011; 1259 Low Tide: 0638; 1838

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Revoke NOC for floating jetty: Britona locals HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, MARCH 7

Residents of Britona demanded revocation of NOCs issued to a private company for construction of floating jetty and compound wall in the area.

The residents made the demand after Penha-de-Franca Sarpanch Eknath Narvekar was unable to give them a satisfactory reply on the issue, when they confronted him at the panchayat office, on Monday.

It may be recalled that Goa Coastal Zone Management authority had filed a complaint with Porvorim Police regarding cutting of mangroves and CRZ violation by a private company at Britona.

Police had directed the company to stop construction activities in the area. However, the company continued with the construction activities. Hence, residents of Britona on Sunday summoned the police, who arrested the labourers.

Sarpanch Narvekar informed

the residents that he did not issue the no-objection certificates to the company.

“I was on leave for 15 days in January 2011 and in my absence, the panchayat on January 11 received application from the company for the construction of floating jetty and repairs of construction wall in Britona,” stated Sarpanch Narvekar.

“The then acting sarpanch immediately issued two no-objection certificates, one each for the construction of floating jetty and for the repairs of compound wall on January 12, without placing the applications before the panchayat for discussion,” claimed Narvekar.

“No resolution to issue NOCs to the company was adopted by the panchayat,” added Narvekar.

On learning that the no-objection certificates were issued within one day without completing the formalities as per the Panchayat Raj Act, the residents sought to know whether

the company obtained permission from CRZ authorities for the floating jetty, to which the sarpanch replied in the negative.

Irked with the sarpanch’s reply, the residents got furious and demanded that the no-objection certificates issued to the company should be revoked forthwith.

Penha-de-Franca Parish Priest Fr Mario Pereira tried to pacify the crowd and requested them to give patient hearing to the sarpanch.

“Revocation of NOCs needs to be done after placing the matter before the panchayat. In the meantime, I will issue ‘Stop Order’ notice to the company and after completing the necessary procedure, I will revoke the NOCs issued to the company,” assured Narvekar.

“Britona residents do not want any floating jetty alongside Britona and if allowed permissions, the residents will not keep quiet,” warned the residents.

Musical GRA urges people to attend evening at KA meet at Azad Maidan HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, MARCH 7

Kala Academy Goa in collaboration with Lorraine Music Academy and Embassy of Israel will organise a musical evening with Tal Kravitz and Lorraine Fiona Aloysius on March 8 at the Dinanath Mangeshkar Kala Mandir, Kala Academy, Panjim at 6.30 pm.

Tal Kravitz is a musician and a singer and plays piano, harp, guitar, a variety of bagpipes, the musical saw, African percussion instruments and more. Lorraine Fiona Aloysius started playing the piano from the age of 8. She is a Licentiate of the Trinity College of London -UK (Pianoforte) and holds a Masters in Banking and Finance.

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MARCH 7

The Goenchea Rakhonddaracho Avaz (GRA) took out a rally on Sunday requesting people to join the NGO in a public awareness meeting at Azad Maidan, Panjim on March 15.

The rally commenced from the KTC bus stand and wend its way through various villages of Salcete and South Goa to drum up support for the public meeting and highlight the ills plaguing the state.

Joao Filipe Pereira said the NGO is formed to highlight the issues faced by the people and various illegalities going on in

Vasco-Patna train to halt at Tivim HERALD REPORTER VASCO, MARCH 7

In what could be a respite to people of North Goa travelling towards Mumbai, the South Western Railway (SWR) has decided to introduce a two-minute stop of Vasco-Patna Express at Tivim Railway station.

In a press note, SWR PRO AVRK Sainath has stated that SWR has provided a two-minute stop at Tivim Railway station on an experimental basis extended

upto June 30 for Train Nos 12741/12742 Vasco-Patna-Vasco weekly express. Timing during the monsoon, Vasco to Patna will make a halt at Tivim station at 7.48 pm till 7.50 pm, while during the arrival Patna to Vasco will halt at 6.18 am till 6.20 am.

However, during other seasons, Vasco to Patna train would halt at Tivim station at 8.48 pm to 8.50 pm, while during the arrival from Patna to Vasco will halt at 5.46 am to 5.48 am.

CM to inaugurate ‘Unfolding of a Dream’ HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, MARCH 7

‘Unfolding of a Dream’, an installation created by artist Subodh Kerkar will be inaugurated

by Chief Minister Digambar Kamat on March 10, Tibetan Revolution Day, at Vagator Beach at 5 pm. The installation which was blessed by Dalai Lama on his recent visit to Goa will be on view till March 17.

The work will consist of 600

Seminar for photographers, videographers HERALD NEWS BUREAU PANJIM, MARCH 7

A seminar is scheduled for photographers and videographers at Holy Mass and other religious ceremonies on March 21 at the Institute of N Sra de Piedade Hall, Panjim, and on March 23 at the Clergy Home Hall, Margao.

Organised by the Diocesan Centre for the Liturgy, Old Goa, and the Diocesan Centre for the Social Communications Media, Panjim, the sessions will cover topics such as “What is the Holy Mass?” and “How best the religious deportment could be observed during the religious services.”

The seminar, at both the places, will begin at 9.30 am and 1 pm.

For registration, to be done at least 8 days prior to the date of the seminars, and for other details, the Diocesan Centre for Liturgy may be contacted at the Pastoral Institute St Pius X, Old Goa at 2285303 or through the email: dclgoa@gmail.com or the Diocesan Centre for Social Communications Media, Archbs h o p ’ s H o u s e , Pa n j i m , a t 2422653, or through email: dcscmgoa@gmail.com.

Tibetan prayer flags, Lungtas, descending from the Vagator hill and making a spiral form on the beach. The four meter tall flags, coloured in different hues of reds and oranges will be lit up with electrical lights. Two hundred Tibetans will stage a choreographed march with mashals alongside the flags with accompanying Tibetan music.

On March 11, The Tibetan Welfare Association of Goa will organise a Tibetan food and cultural festival. Tibetan monks will stage a mask dance ‘CHAM’ at Vagator beach at 6 pm, followed by a talk

by Geshe Wangchung, who had accompanied Dalai Lama to India in 1959. A speech by Dalai Lama will also be projected on a giant screen at the venue.

Goa. “Goans have to come out and save the state. The time has come for the people to come out and support the cause of Goa”, he said, while referring to the problems such as mining, RP 2021, SEZ and sale of communidade land to outsiders.

Croydon Medeira said the Congress government has plans to finish entire Goa and charged the government for trampling on the right of the people, while Iftiyas Sayyed said the elected representatives have failed in their duty and demanded special status for Goa. The awareness rally moved through Margao, Seraulim, Betalbatim, Colva, Benaulim, Varca, Orlim, Carmona and Cavelossim and further down south.

Social activists and members of various NGOs participated in the rally.

Scrap yard owner injured in assault HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARCEL, MARCH 7

A scrap yard owner from TiskUsgao was injured, after he was allegedly assaulted by six persons at Usgao on Sunday at about 11 am.

According to Ponda Police, the six accused assaulted Balraj Doodamani with fist and wooden sticks and fled from the scene over an alleged money matter. A complaint has been registered against six persons from Usgao. Balaraj was rushed to GMC Hospital in Bambolim.

Police informed that all the six accused are absconding and Police Sub Inspector Sachin Lokre is investigating the case.

One dies after fall from coconut tree HERALD REPORTER VASCO, MARCH 7

A 29-year-old native of SangliMiraj, Maharashtra, died, after he fell from a coconut tree at Merces-Vaddem, Vasco, on Sunday evening.

According to Vasco Police, Sainath Kaluge, residing at Khariwado-Vasco, was a coconut plucker. Sainath accidentally slipped from the coconut tree at Merces.

Sainath succumbed to injuries immediately after his admission at Chicalim Cottage Hospital.

Police informed that the deceased was hired by a resident from Merces to pluck mangoes and coconuts from his farm.

CHAIRMAN

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O HERALD O Vol No CXI No: 066 Goa, Tuesday, 8 March, 2011

O

100 years of Women’s Day

riginally 8 March was not International Women’s Day, but International Working Women’s Day. In 1908, 15,000 working women marched through New York city in the USA, demanding shorter working hours, better pay and voting rights. The first National Woman’s Day (NWD) was observed across the USA on 28 February 1909.

In 1910, the second International Conference of Working Women was held in Copenhagen, where Clara Zetkin, a leader of the ‘Women’s Office’ in the Social Democratic Party in Germany, mooted the idea of an International Women’s Day. In 1911, International Women’s Day (IWD) was observed for the very first time, in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland, on 19 March. Later, following discussions, International Women’s Day was moved to 8 March.

On the last Sunday of February in 1917, Russian women began a strike demanding ‘bread and peace’, as two million Russian soldiers had died in World War I. Though opposed by political leaders, they persisted. Four days later, the Czar of Russia was forced to abdicate and the provisional government that took control granted Russian women the right to vote. The strike started on Sunday 23 February according to the Julian calendar, then in use in Russia. On the Gregorian calendar, it was 8 March.

If women could overthrow emperors in 1917, how much more can they do now? But still we find that even 100 years after Women’s Day was first celebrated internationally, that women are still discriminated against. This century has witnessed significant changes, in women’s place in society and the economy. But is it enough?

Despite the growth of women’s movements from the early 1970s – referred to originally as ‘feminism’ or ‘women’s lib’ – we know only too well that our patriarchal society still has a long way to go. There are more women at work (more than a few have even broken through glass ceilings to reach the boardrooms), and one-third reservation in local self government bodies has given them greater political rights and power. But we all know deep inside that for women to be considered truly equal to men, societies all over the world – even in the most advanced countries – still have a long way to go.

We have had woman astronauts, chief ministers and prime ministers. Girls perform as well or better than boys in school and college. They become not only nurses, but even doctors and engineers. Many of them excel in demanding careers as well as raise a family. Rather than dwelling on negatives, International Women’s Day should be a celebration of positives.

But one finds that the sex ratio in the 0 to 6 age group in India is rapidly getting skewed in favour of boys – indicating that the girl child is becoming a target of sex-selective medical termination of pregnancy. And this is happening not just in feudal Haryana but in educated Goa as well.

One finds that orphaned male babies in institutions get adopted quickly; there is a waiting list for them. But girl children find it hard to get adoptive parents. This, also, is not in some benighted corner of the country but in Goa too.

We find crimes against women increasing. We find that trafficking of women, for sexual or labour exploitation, is on the rise. This too, happens not just elsewhere but in Goa. That is when it becomes clear that we need to value our women more. Every woman is a working woman, whether she is a stay-at-home mom or a high-flying woman executive.

So today, make a difference. Men, do something out-of-theway for the women in your life – wife, mother, sisters, daughters, and friends. Most of all, do your bit to ensure that the future for girls is bright, equal, safe and rewarding.

OPINION

The family under legal assault

Citizens must unite and make their voices heard amid bureaucratic inanities, says AVertHAnUs l d’soUZA

R

ecent trends in India initiated both by the government as well as by the judiciary, are a cause for grave concern for the citizens of this great country. A recent report in one of the national dailies informed us that a senior official of the Ministry of Women and Child Development confirmed that the Ministry has sent a bill to the Law Minister to enable children who are under the ages of 12 to 14 years to have “non-penetrative” consensual sex without fear of being prosecuted under the Law, which currently stipulates that any sexual activity by children under the age of 16 years is a criminal offence.

By a strange irony, the bill is titled: “Protection of Children From Sexual Offences Bill, 2010.” We are also informed that the draft of this bill has been sent to the states to solicit their views on the provisions of the bill.

What is distressing and incomprehensible is that the Ministry of Women and Child Development is seeking to “protect” children from the law which now protects them. Talking of twists of fate, this initiative of the Ministry of Women and Child Development should take the cake for exposing children to psychological and medical dangers which they are too young and immature to handle by themselves.

On the one hand, society is struggling to contain the spread of HIV - AIDS which is spread primarily through sexual activity, mostly of an immoral kind. Instead of reinforcing the general efforts to reduce the spread of AIDS, the Ministry of Women and Child Development is actually perpetrating the foolishness of reducing the legal age at which children should indulge in sexual activity – whether penetrative or non-penetrative.

It appears that the bureaucrats who infest the Ministry of Women and Child Development don’t have a clue about the purpose for which the Ministry was set up in the first place. Instead of protecting women and children, these benighted bureaucrats are actively seeking ways of placing women and children at risk of serious medical and moral harm by proposing inane laws such as the one to reduce the age of sexual activity for children.

The Law Minister, who claimed that he was not aware of the bill, sent to his department, has spontaneously declared that: “twelve years is anyway not a proper age for a sexual act.” Let us hope that the Law Ministry will consign the draft bill to the dustbin where it rightly belongs.

What is of concern to the citizens, however, is

Culture combo

MorAl ConsIderAtIons that a Central Ministry has devoted so much time and effort (at the cost of public money) to concoct a bill which, prima facie, is not only undesirable for the children of this country, but which is gravely injurious to the moral fabric of our society.

Do these dullards even know the social and cultural consequences of their misdirected enthusiasm?

It seems that the denizens of this Ministry have nothing constructive to do, so they are indulging in legal pyrotechnics to while away their time. According to the news item, the bill proposes to introduce a gradation in the age of consensual non-penetrative sex – 12 to 14 years and 14-16 years to replace the existing minimum age of 16 years for consensual sex. They are relying on standards which have been set by other countries, especially the USA, where the age of consent is between 16 and 18 years, depending on the state of the union. In the UK, the permissible age has been set at 16 years. But why on earth does the Ministry of Women and Child Development consider it necessary to compete with these standards which are already a sign of the moral decadence of those societies?

The point needs to be made that the very approach of the Ministry is seriously flawed because it is seeking to “decriminalise” (that word again!) actions which are undesirable both for the individuals concerned as well as for society, as a whole. As a matter of fact, the government simply does not have the administrative or policing capacity to prevent sexual activity among its citizens, whether children or adults.

Neither does it have the ability to detect private consensual sexual activities and to arrest those who are infringing the laws of the land. Proposing legislation which obviously cannot be implemented is like providing a blind giant with a spear knowing that he will not be able to wield it correctly. The proposal of the Ministry of Women and Child Development can only be described as an exercise in futility.

On the question of “decriminalisation” which seems to have become a hobby horse within government circles, there needs to be a serious rethinking among our bureaucrats and politicians about the “purpose” of law in our society. Laws have always been considered to be legal and moral signposts for the citizens – to let them

know what is conducive to the common good of society and what is disruptive of harmonious societal life. No government in the world, however powerful, has ever been able to “enforce” the law. Governments depend on the goodwill and the co-operation of their citizens to maintain harmony in society. We have to remember that one of the bedrocks of a democratic society is that government carries on “with the consent of the governed.” Once a government loses the trust of its citizens, it is doomed to extinction.

In the ultimate analysis, power resides in the people and can only be exercised with their consent. However, (enlightened) citizens are aware that laws (and rules) are necessary for the peaceful and harmonious life of a society. Even in a family, there is recognition of the need for a framework of rules to guide the life of its members. Without laws to guide us, we will soon descend into chaos and anarchy.

Laws are intended to “raise” the moral standards of the citizens; not to cater to their base instincts. In this context, the over-enthusiasm of the Ministry of Women and Child Development to “decriminalise” certain immoral activities among children appears to be a complete inversion of the true purpose of the law. What is of grave concern to the people of this great land is that the present proposal of the Ministry is not an isolated instance.

It comes on the heels of previous attempts to “decriminalise” activities which are clearly immoral and harmful to the integrity of society. There have been moves to accommodate prostitution and treat it as an acceptable form of commercial activity; overt homosexual activity has been sought to be treated as “normal” in spite of all the psychological and medical evidence to the contrary.

The use and distribution of narcotic drugs has been treated with kid gloves simply because the government machinery has been found to be incapable of controlling it. The argument seems to be: if the government cannot control it, then let it be “decriminalised.”

The trends are ominous indeed. Society is on the downswing on the path to perdition. Instead of reversing these trends, it appears as if the government is keen to hasten its progress. This does not augur well for the country or for the integrity of our society. It is time that the citizens unite to make their voices (of sanity) heard above the din and cackle of the bureaucratic inanities which dominate the corridors of power.

Idioms, etiquettes and hypocrites

E

nglish, as we know it today, is a product of different cultures and invasions. The Normans, the Saxons and the Celts have left their imprint on it. Not to be undermined were the Nordic, the French, and the Roman people. As the language grew, it took on words from American languages, African, Swedish and Hindi too.

These cultures have made their mark on the English idiom a rare but confusing linguistic device. Let’s take “breaking the ice”.

It owes its origin to a Norwegian custom when two strangers met for the first time, a block of sold ice was placed between them.

Each was given a chisel to break the ice and the two would hug and start talking only when the ice was broken down to the final iota. And then they would be friends such good friends, they would share meals and stay over.

But what if one crossed the decent limits of friendship? The Norwegians had a remedy for that too. They would serve the guest an ice cold shoulder of lamb for breakfast; which was an in-

dication to depart. The idiom “cold shouldered treatment” arose from this. Well, the Norwegian were friendly, but other Scandinavians, well perhaps, not that much. It was a tradition to place a bone outside one’s doorstep, which served as an indication to quarrel. Therefore, the idiom, “a bone to pick.”

Enmities don’t last forever. There’s a right time to end them.

And the best way to get rid of the old grudges and mend fences was to bury the hatchet. Incidentally, this is still done in parts of Mexico. We’ve spoken of relationships so what about etiquettes and manners?

When a girl was to be presented for the first time at a play, it was ensured that she wore nine different items of clothing. Perhaps that’s why we are “dressed to the nines” and, of course, she had to restrict her speech too.

Speaking too much was frowned upon as “nineteen to the dozen” A tea party was another major event for the lady of the house. Naturally she was nervous and fumed and ordered her

By Astrid Anne Pinheiro

maids and butlers around.

Well that’s so much for relationships and etiquettes. How about those double talking hypocrites – they certainly ‘have their own axe to grind.’ This originates with the English blacksmith. The story goes that a man had once asked the blacksmith to demonstrate how his fathers’ grindstone worked and only after that produced the axe he wanted to sharpen. Well, we all “blow hot and cold” with each other sometimes. Having an “ace up your sleeve” is really valuable in today’s cut-throat and competitive society, where everyone seems to want to “upset your apple-cart.” For hypocrisy, corruption, and notoriety we have “wolves in sheep’s clothing” everywhere - but it its important to separate the sheep from the wolves. That is to know the good from the bad.

Well, I’ve done quite enough research on this topic and I think it’s time to “throw in the towel” But I assure you, I haven’t hung up my boots as yet, I should be back on this column again with something else.

Letters to the Editor Friends, foes and fools Jerry Fernandes, Saligao The former Chief Minister of Goa, Manohar Parrikar, officially had carried out so many of his own manipulative agendas in the most sophisticated manner including corruption, but unfortunately, had left no clue and the much talked 2004 IFFI scam too was no exception. Therefore, the CBI’s decision to suddenly close the infamous 2004 IFFI scam case against Parrikar for lack of evidence was on expected lines. The whole world knows how Parrikar had fooled Goans, especially during the building of the IFFI infrastructure in 2004, but to see him still triumph against all odds and that

100 Years Ago

PRIMEIRO DIARIO NAS COLONIAS PORTUGEZAS

8 March 1911 Construction of road

We request the concerned authorities to construct without any further delay a road-extension to link the wharf of passage from Assolna traversing the market place, construction which can be undertaken with bare minimum cost.

Spiritual exercises

Like held during earlier years, there will be once again at the Convent of Pilar Spiritual Exercises for the Seculars.

Request for publication

The Administrator of the District of Ilhas requested to publish the following: Rumours and abnormal events occurring in the country and international intrigue, represents only manoeuvres of ill will to destabilise the country.

Conference held

With a select but valuable audience took place at the Municipal Palace of the District of Ilhas, the conference of Dr Roque Correia Afonso under the title – ‘The Republic and the Religion’.

too, in spite of having a Congress government at the centre, is something really incredible. Why is this sudden volte-face on the part of the CBI, that too, at the time of CCP polls? Or is it the same ruling Congress party which forced the CBI to close the case against Parrikar so as to reward him for keeping his mouth shut against all its most corrupt ministers till the next assembly elections in Goa? Time alone will tell.

Till then, let ‘susegad’ Goan fools give a loud applause to the Congress party by signing this dangerous deal with Parrikar for its own political survival in Goa.

Panjim needs Babush Anthony R Fernandes, Panjim With regard to the fast approaching CCP elections and the shadow boxing taking place between the two heavyweights Babush and Parrikar - we just want to voice our feelings that Panjim was represented by the latter as MLA for almost three terms, but what has he done for Panjim? The only thing good he has done as an MLA is to bring IFFI to Panjim and inconvenience us residents by adding to the traffic chaos, garbage and water problems. I request my other Ponjekars not to be foolish. Let Panjim not fall into wrong hands.

I request people to visit Taleigao and see for themselves the development that has taken place there. Give Babush a chance.

I am sure he will usher in the much needed change in Panjim.

Carnival parade Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco It must be said that this year, the state government has shown some degree of reluctance in funding the carnival celebrations in the state. This is a step in the right direction. The government spends crores of rupees every year from the state-exchequer for the four-day carnival extravaganza. The common man gets absolutely nothing in return. Even the church in Goa has shown its disapproval. While a Shigmo parade depicts mythological scenes, a carnival parade does not seem to depict anything in particular. However, one may argue that carnival celebration is an added attraction for tourists.

Letter of the Day

Exorcising our ‘Gaddafis’ John Eric Gomes, Porvorim It struck me that our situation bears a striking resemblance to Libya! Goa government has been hijacked by many Gaddafis who rule the roost! They have bled Goa and the trusting, “susegad” Goans to ensconce themselves comfortably for life, by becoming rich and powerful. They have built up their close relatives/clans for support, hired mercenaries (paid in cash/kind by favours, fridges, TV sets, protection etc) and monopolise the bureaucrats, police and enforcement agencies. To reverse the present entrenched corruption and destructive policies, none of the present parties and opportunist politicians must feature. We perhaps need a Third Front of caring professionals. This is possible if the Rajan Parrikars, Soters, Dr Colacos, Dr Rebellos, GBA, GRA and others bury the hatchet and proactively put their heads together with one united aim i.e., to dislodge the Gaddafis. The public meeting called by the GRA at 3pm on 15 March at Azad Maidan is a golden opportunity for co-operation, a road map and long term planning for “strength in unity” to change the tide in our golden jubilee year!

It would be in the fitness of things if government stops funding the carnival parade and carnival celebrations as this money could be better utilised for implementing welfare schemes for the aam admi.

Safe beaches Chris Boomer, by email I know that things are being done to make the beaches safer for tourists. However, there is one big menace that no one seems to be doing anything about, and that is broken glass. We see crowds of young men who come to the beach bringing bottles of beer and other alcoholic beverages bought cheaply in the shops as the beach shacks charge a lot more.

They drink the alcohol then throw the bottles away, causing them to break in the sand then unsuspecting tourists walking on the beach or in the sea bare footed, end up with cuts on their feet. This can lead to serious infections and ruined holidays.

Perhaps, instead of spending their time chasing away hawkers, the beach police should not allow tourists to litter the beach with broken bottles.

If they still persist, a fine would be a good enough deterrent.

Illegal workers Maurice Johnson, Colva/UK This is in reply to Selwyn Gomes’s letter (Herald, 7 March) in which he mentions about a number of fire workers and quiz masters taking jobs, away from whom may I ask, although agreeing with him entirely regarding working without the appropriate visas. May I tell him that the UK has around 200,000 illegal workers mainly from India and its neighbours. Is this a case of not doing what I do but doing what I say? Shall we deport all of them and send them back to you? It is people like Selwyn that are going to kill Goa as a tourist spot for foreigners with, may I add, foreign currency into your coffers plus all the huge amounts of money that comes from them working abroad. Selwyn needs to think things before spouting off, or is he the one that wants Goa not to progress with the rest of the world?

Quirky MPs Pachu Menon, Margao MPs are responsible to the people, the masses who deem the members worthy enough to represent them in various governing bodies of the nation. But more often

than not our MPs have been misreading these entitlements to mean rank and authority.

Some time back it was the discussions on their salary hike that had commoners in a quandary. Just the other day a member made a special mention in the Rajya Sabha urging special treatment for MPs at airports, with separate boarding counters for the VIPs. Also, they are apparently embarrassed at being seen in public, sharing the same space with commoners! At such a time when the country’s economy is reeling under spiraling inflation, should we be seen pandering to the whimsical demands of our elected VIPs?

Honesty isn’t the best policy Jose Maria Miranda, Margao Goans, both at home and abroad, were, in the past, known and appreciated for their honesty. While most of our people still cultivate this great virtue, many don’t. These have become tools in the hands of our rulers and bureaucrats, most of who are utterly dishonest and unscrupulous.

I was recently taken aback when I received an email quoting Churchill Alemao as having praised Goans in Dubai for their honesty and asking them to “cultivate this virtue in themselves and their children, for it alone can bring success.” It appeared to be an anticipated April fool joke, because I was also shocked to know from the same email that over a thousand Goans had greeted Churchill in Dubai, on the eve of his wife’s birthday.

This, despite his anti-Goan stances. Knowing that the last thing Churchill can preach about is honesty and how successful he has been particularly in politics, apparently Goans in Dubai are looking as to whether “honesty” has acquired a new meaning.

Reward this constable Stephen Dias, Dona Paula The IGP should reward Shriram Salgaonkar who nabbed a thief who was in the process of stealing a car outside the Don Bosco Church on Sunday at 530pm.

The constable nabbed the accused after a hot chase that looked like a clip out of a movie.

Paths of Wisdom

Rule of Lao Tzu

by Osho Lao Tzu became very famous, a wise man, and he was without doubt one of the wisest men ever. The emperor of China asked him very humbly to become his chief of the supreme court, because nobody could guide the country’s laws better than he could. He tried to persuade the emperor, “I am not the right man,” but the emperor was insistent.

Lao Tzu said, “If you don’t listen to me... just one day in the court and you will be convinced that I am not the right man, because the system is wrong. Out of humbleness I was not saying the truth to you. Either I can exist or your law and order and your society can exist.

So... let us try it.”

The first day a thief who had stolen almost half the treasures of the richest man in the capital was brought into the court. Lao Tzu listened to the case and then he said that the thief and the richest man should both go to jail for six months.

The rich man said, “What are you saying? I have been stolen from, I have been robbed. What kind of justice is this, that you are sending me to jail for the same amount of time as the thief?”

Lao Tzu said, “I am certainly being unfair to the thief. Your need to be in jail is greater, because you have collected so much money to yourself, deprived so many people of money... thousands of people are downtrodden and you are collecting and collecting money. For what? Your very greed is creating these thieves. You are responsible.

The first crime is yours.”

(Source : Spiritual short stories)

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

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

OHERALDO

GOA

Pg 7 GOA, TUESDAY, 8 MARCH, 2011

CCP polls: sitting corporators assure better facilities if re-elected HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MARCH 7

Corporators Ruth and Surendra Furtado, who are seeking reelection from ward X and ward IX respectively of the Corporation of the City of Panjim (CCP) have assured the voters modern civic amenities in the city while keeping its greenery and natural image intact.

“A delicate balance to be struck between state-of-the-art facilities without compromising on protection and preservation of the environment,” says the manifesto released by Furtado’s.

In the recent years, traffic congestion in Panjim, especially at Santa Monica jetty -- below Panjim bridge and at Campal been unavoidable and as a remedy to this problem the Furtado’s have conceptualized a footbridges on the Dayanand Bahusaheb Bandodkar marg to decongest

Public meeting on CCP polls

PANJIM (HND): Panjim Civic Improvement Group (PCIG), in order to obtain people’s suggestions and objections in view of the forthcoming Corporation of City of Panaji (CCP) elections, will hold a public meeting on March 10 at 4 pm.

PCIG is of the opinion that there is a need to have a ‘People’s Manifesto’ with a transparent and responsive system in place which will help improve the working of CCP.

traffic below Panjim bridge, near Magons’s super centre and Kala Academy.

A fly-over below Patto bridge and Rua de Qurem Creek has been proposed to decongest traffics.

Their manifesto also speaks about underground tunnelling of all roads for laying electrical and telephone cables as well as the need for an effective drainage system throughout the city in order to prevent flooding during the monsoon in the city.

A comprehensive plan to desilt, filter and treat the water as well as provide walls all along the St Inez nullah from end to end with beautification through Central Funds from the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Development Mission (JNNURM) is also on their agenda.

They have also assured to push for Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) with foot bridges,

pedestrian walkways, pathways for the physically handicapped and parking zone for reducing parking chaos in the city.

They say a state-of-the-art garbage treatment plant would be installed to take care of the city waste in a scientific manner, wherein no composting would be carried out within the city limits, but at a government approved site Bainguinim with the consent of the High Court.

Furtado’s manifesto also has sand dunes on its list. The sand dunes vegetation around Miramar would be strengthened and tree plantation along roads would be carried out in a scientific manner to counter the adverse effects of climate change and pollution.

Manifesto also talks about regulating exhibitions and open ground industrial festivals held in the city, which have added to the woes of the city.

State consultation on new law for disabled HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, MARCH 7

The committee to draft new legislation for persons with disabilities will hold State consultations on the proposed new legislation to gather inputs and comments on March 9 and 10 at Nalanda Hall, 5th floor, EDC building, from 9.30 am to 4 pm.

The committee has been set up by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, GoI, to replace the existing Persons with Disability Act, 1995.

The consultation is being coordinated by Sangath, and will be facilitated by K Ramakrishna from the National Association for Blind, Mumbai. The draft of the new law can be downloaded from the Ministr y website www.socialjustice.nic.in. Those interested in attending the consultation should call Sangath on 2414916 latest by March 8.

Carnival fest at Cansaulim attracts huge crowd

One held on suspicion of theft

CALANGUTE (HC): Calangute Police on Sunday arrested a staff of a resort on suspicion of stealing Rs 40,000 from a residential flat at Candolim.

In a complaint, the owner of a flat in the resort one Rakesh Dutta from Delhi told Calangute police that he had left the flat on Friday at about 6 pm. However, on his return on Sunday, he found the door open and cash of Rs 40,000 missing.

Participants perform at the Carnival in Cansaulim.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT CORTALIM, MARCH 7

The three-day Carnival festival at Cansaulim got off to a rousing welcome with a big crowd turning out near the TB Cunha Sports Complex.

Unlike many other venues which saw participation of Bollywood actors, the Cansaulim Carnival gave a total Goan look

with the participants drawn from cultural mosaic of Goa. The three-day event is organised by the CansaulimArossim- Cuelim Club in association with the Department of Art and Culture and the Youth of Cansaulim under the Presidentship of Gilford Fernandes. Cortalim MLA and Deputy Speaker Mauvin God-

inho is the major benefactor of the event.

On March 8, which is the final day, there will be fire works, dance performance by Little Xtremers, Musical Show

by Marcellino de Betim and Mimicry by Skaikh Amir. The fado queen Sonia Shirsat and her band will also participate at the festival.

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Very Affordable. Easy Home Loans

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OHERALDO

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INDIA

GOA, TUESDAY 8 MARCH 2011

SC rejects mercy killing plea of nurse PTI

In a path-breaking judgement, the Supreme Court today allowed “passive euthanasia” of withdrawing life support to patients in permanently vegetative state (PVS) but rejected outright active euthanasia of ending life through administration of lethal substances.

Refusing mercy killing of Aruna Shanbaug, lying in a vegetative state for 37 years in a Mumbai hospital, a two- judge bench of justices Markandeya Katju and Gyan Sudha Mishra, laid a set of tough guidelines under which passive euthanasia can be legalised through High Court monitored mechanism.

The apex court while framing the guidelines for passive euthanasia asserted that it would now become the law of the land until parliament enacts a suitable legislation to deal with the issue.

The bench also asked parliament to delete Section 309 IPC (attempt to suicide) as it has become “anachronistic though it has become constitutionally valid.”

“A person attempts suicide in a depression, and hence he needs help, rather than punishment,” Justice Katju writing the

judgement said.

The apex court said though there is no statutory provision for withdrawing life support system from a person in permanently vegetative state, it was of the view that “passive euthanasia” could be permissible in certain cases for which it laid down guidelines and cast the responsibility on high courts to take decisions on pleas for mercy killings.

“We agree with senior counsel T R Andhyarujina (who assisted the court in the matter) that passive euthanasia should be permitted in our country in certain situations, and we disagree with Attorney General (G E Vahanvati) that it should never be permitted,” said the bench.

While dismissing writer Pinky

Virani's plea for subjecting to mercy killing of the KEM Hospital nurse who was sexually assaulted by a ward boy, the apex court cast the responsibility of taking a call on passive euthanasia on high courts, if the plea is made by close relatives or friends who have strongly opposed such a step.

The bench, in its 141-page ruling, said in the case of Aruna, the plea for her mercy killing could be permitted if the Mumbai King Edward Hospital makes it to the Bombay High Court on her behalf and the high court accepts it.

“A decision has to be taken to discontinue life support either by the parents or the spouse or other close relatives,

or in the absence of any of them, such a decision can be taken even by a person or a body of persons acting as a next friend,” it added.

“It can also be taken by the doctors attending the patient.

However, the decision should be taken bona fide in the best interest of the patient,” and should be approved by the high court, it said.

In the case of nurse Aruna “It is for the KEM hospital staff to take that decision," and not writer Pinky Virani, the bench said , adding that “the hospital staff have been amazingly caring for her day and night for so many long years, who really are her next friends, and not Ms. Pinky Virani.”

“Hence it is for the KEM hospital staff to take that decision.

And the KEM hospital staff have clearly expressed their wish that Aruna Shanbaug should be allowed to live,” the bench said, rejecting the plea for Aruna's mercy killing at present.

“Assuming that the KEM hospital staff at some future time changes its mind, in our opinion in such a situation the KEM hospital would have to apply to the Bombay High Court for approval of the decision to withdraw life support,” the bench said.

MUMBAI/NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court verdict dismissing the plea for mercy killing of a nurse was today welcomed by the medical fraternity, including nurses looking after the comatosed sexual assault victim, which cautioned that any move to legalise active euthanasia was fraught with dangers.

“India is not mature enough to handle euthanasia,” senior Bangaluru-based cardiologist Devi Prasad Shetty said while expressing his happiness over the verdict on a mercy killing plea on behalf of 60-year-old Aruna Shanbaug who has been in a vegetative state for 37 years after the assault in a Mumbai hospital.

“It will definitely prevent many more premature deaths and people trying to take advantage of euthanasia,” he said.

Shetty's view was shared by Chief Cardiologist of Bombay Hospital B K Goyal, who said euthanasia is an emotional issue which can be “misused.”

“The subject of euthanasia is very emotional. When we call it mercy killing, there cannot be mercy and then killing. The two words don't go together,” he said and likened it to permitting medical termination of pregnancy (MTP).

There was joy among Aruna's former colleagues and nurses in local KEM hospital who have been tending to her.

“The apex court verdict is very nice. We are all so happy,” Shanbaug's former associate Pamela Kushe said.

“We are also happy that the apex court has recognized our efforts in taking care of Aruna all these years,” Kushe, who first

met Aruna when the latter was a student, said.

Nurses distributed sweets at the hospital after the Supreme Court ruling.

While comparing euthanasia with MTP, senior doctor Goyal said, "In such a case we should ensure the safety of people at large because when in our country, MTP is allowed, it was misused right and left.In the same way, euthanasia can be misused.”

Shetty said, “Financial constraints and inability to look after cannot be the reason to ask someone to terminate life.

This is unacceptable.”

He also expressed his concerns on possible misuse of euthanasia. “I am very concerned about its misuse. I am concerned with the fact that our country does not have the infrastructure

to prevent the misuse. When the life of an elderly person, with huge assets is in question, people will definitely take advantage.”

“On not allowing active euthanasia, Goyal said, "In no case should it be allowed in our country. We are still premature to accept active euthanasia and it may have very dangerous consequences.”

On the apex court giving a green signal to passive euthanasia, he said, “When family has given full consent and it is being monitored by a panel of doctors under the guidance of the High Court and only when the HC allows it in the rarest of rare case should it be performed.”

Arvind Kulkarni, former president of Trained Nurses Association of India (TNAI) said, “I am very happy that the Supreme Court has also appreciated the care given by the nurses at the KEM hospital to Aruna.” (PTI)

NEW DELHI, MARCH 7

n Refusing mercy killing of Aruna lying in a vegetative state for 37 years in a Mumbai hospital, a two- judge bench laid a set of tough guidelines under which passive euthanasia can be legalised through a High monitored Court mechanism.

Doctors, nurses welcome judgement

Lawyers' stir stalls court proceedings in western UP Muzaffarnagar: Court proceedings in western Uttar Pradesh came to a standstill today after advocates here went on a strike in protest against last month's lathicharge by police on a group of lawyers in Lucknow.

President of the District Bar Association Promode Tyagi, who

was among the protesters, said that they were seeking action into the incident.

Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh Bar Council yesterday called for a one-day boycott of court proceedings.

Judicial work in Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Saharanpur, Bullandshar and Moradabad in

Uttar Pradesh was adversely affected as a result of the strike.

In Muzaffarnagar, trial of high profile cases involving BSP MP Kadir Rana, Tennis star Sania Mirza and the Revati murder case were also deferred due to the strike.

Last month, lawyers, marching towards the Uttar Pradesh

Chief Minister's residence to submit a memorandum of their demands, clashed with the police leading to brick batting and lathicharge in Hazratganj area in Lucknow.The lawyers were demanding that a provision of Rs 100 crore should be made for their welfare in the state budget.

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WORLD

GOA, TUESDAY, 8 MARCH, 2011

Two Sikhs attacked in US, one dead PTI WASHINGTON, MARCH 7

Two elderly Sikhs were shot at by unidentified assailants in Sacramento in US, leaving one dead and the other in critical condition, triggering panic in the neighbourhood having a sizeable Sikh population.

Surinder Singh, 68, and Gurmej Atwal, 78, residents of Elk Grove in Sacramento, California-- were shot at by unidentified miscreants on Friday evening, when the two went out for their daily evening walk, police said.

Singh, who worked as a truck driver in India and Libya before moving to the US, five years ago, died on the spot.

He is originally from Pandori Ganga Singh village in Hoshiarpur District of Punjab.

His funeral has been scheduled for March 12.

Atwal, hailing from Farallah village in Nawanshahr district of Punjab, who moved to the US in 2001, continues to be in critical condition.

Police have not ruled out the possibility of a hate crime, but there is no such concrete evidence as yet.

"At present, we have no evidence to indicate there was a hate or bias motivation for this

crime; however, the obvious Sikh appearance of the men, including the traditional Dastar headwear and lack of any other apparent motive, increasingly raise that possibility," Elk Grove Police Chief Robert M Lehner said.

Elk Grove Police has made preliminary notification to the local FBI office because bias motivated crimes are a violation of Federal as well as State Law, Lehner said.

A number of Sikhs living in the city, are in a state of panic and have alleged this to be hate crime.

No arrests have been made so far.

More than a dozen odd local Gurudrawas at a meeting yesterday announced an award of USD 20,000 to anyone who provides a clue towards the arrest of those responsible for the incident.

They have also appealed to the Sikh community members to try and not wear traditional ethnic 'kurta' and 'payjama' while going for walks or any public appearance, said Gurjatinder Singh Randhawa, chief editor of the regional Sikh newspaper Punjab mail USA. Both Singh and Atwal were in their traditional Sikh dress

during their evening walk when they were shot at.

Elk Grove Police said it received an emergency call about the incident on the evening of March 4. Upon arrival, officers and emergency personnel discovered two men suffering from gunshot wounds on their upper torso.

Medical personnel were unable to revive one of the two victims and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Lehner said the police department would meet with representatives of the Sikh community to discuss the case and any particular needs and concerns they might have as a result of this "terrible incident".

Randhawa said this was the second such incident against the community in the area.

The first was about four months ago in which Harbhajan Singh, a cab driver, was shot dead, in West Sacramento, he said, adding that the assailant had been arrested.

Police said detectives have been conducting interviews of possible witnesses to the shooting and its aftermath and have been canvassing the area in an effort to locate additional witnesses.

Security cameras failed in Frankfurt attack: report AFP BERLIN, MARCH 7

Security cameras at Frankfurt airport malfunctioned in last week's deadly attack on US troops by an alleged Islamist extremist, a newspaper report said Monday.

Investigators therefore have no footage to assist them in their probe into last Wednesday's attack at one of Europe's busiest airports that left two US airmen dead, the Die Welt daily quoted an unnamed security source as saying.

Kosovan Arid U., 21, shot dead the two airmen and seriously injured two others after boarding their military bus and shouting “Allahu Akhbar” (“God is Greatest”) as he did so, according to German federal prosecutors.

He then allegedly put his handgun to a fifth serviceman but it jammed.

P ursued by this ser vice man, he fled into the terminal building where he was overpowered and arrested.

Prosecutors said on Friday that he told investigators the attack, which if confirmed as such would be the first Islamic extremist attack on German soil, was to avenge what he saw as atrocities by US troops in Afghanistan.

An African spurred tortoise (Geochelone sulcata) with two heads and five legs is displayed in Zilina on Monday. The two-headed tortoise, which has been given the two names Magda (left head) and Lenka, is seven weeks old and was born in Slovakia.

UN calls for help to Libya war victims AFP GENEVA, MARCH 7

Katmandu : Exile Tibetans throw wheat powder as they celebrate the third day of "losar," or Tibetan New Year, at Baudhanath Stupa in Katmandu, Nepal, on Monday. A photograph of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama is seen top left corner.

The United Nations called Monday for $160 million (114 million euros) to cover the needs of those who have fled Libya as well as others who remained trapped in the strife-torn North African country.

The appeal is expected to cover relief support including shelter, food, transportation, water and sanitation for up to one million people for the next three months.

"This appeal is based on planning scenario projecting up to 400,000 people leaving Libya - including the 200,000 who have left to date -- and another 600,000 people inside Libya expected to need humanitarian aid to varying degrees," said Valerie Amos, UN aid chief.

"I hope that this appeal receives a favourable response from donors, which will enable us to continue to support those in need," added the United Nations under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator.

The appeal will be revised in two weeks, said the UN. Tens of thousands of mostly

Japan suspends 2 vaccines after infant deaths AFP TOKYO, MARCH 7

Japan's health ministry has suspended two widely used vaccines made by drugs giants Pfizer and Sanofi-Aventis as it investigates whether they are linked to the recent deaths of four infants.

The infants, aged from around six months to under two years old, died over a three-day period this month after receiving the vaccinations or in combination with other drugs, the health ministry said in a statement.

The two drugs -- used to prevent forms of pneumonia and meningitis -- are Prevenar made by New York-based Pfizer and ActHIB, a drug made by the Sanofi Pasteur wing of Paris-headquartered Sanofi-Aventis.

Sanofi's ActHIB is used in over 120 countries, according to the company.

The two vaccines have been administered to an estimated 1.5 million children in Japan, the ministry said.

There have been no reports so far from the doctors who treated the children that establish a causal relationship between the vaccines and their deaths, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

In Japan the precautiona r y s u s p e n s i o n re m a i n u n t i l a t l e a s t Tu e s d a y pending the results of an investigation by a group of medical experts.

The ministry reported that three infants under the age of two died within three days of receiving the two vaccine shots, with two of the children also receiving DPT shots for diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus.

A one year-old died a day after being administered Prevenar and a DPT shot, the ministry said, adding that some of the infants had underlying illnesses.

Prevenar and ActHIB became available in Japan around two years ago.

Authorities decided to suspend them after the four deaths occurred between March 2-4, the ministry said.

"Sanofi Pasteur would like to express its sincere condolences to the families affected by these losses", a spokesman told AFP. "An investigation is underway to which Sanofi Pasteur intends to fully cooperate with health authorities by providing all data available regarding HIB." In a statement Pfizer said it was fully cooperating with the ministry's suspension and

was in the process of gathering information.

"Our company, taking the safety of patients as its top priority, has studied and assessed accumulated information, including that on causal relationships, with regard to the side effects of all products including Prevenar."

The suspension follows the deaths of two infants in southwest France in late February who had been administered Prevenar.

Health authorities on Thursday said the deaths were not linked to the drug.

In 2009, US firm Wyeth, which was later bought by Pfizer, suspended distribution and quarantined a batch of Prevenar in the Netherlands following reports of the deaths of three infants around the time of vaccination.

Dutch authorities and Wyeth in February 2010 determined there was no correlation between the three deaths and the vaccine injections.

In addition to the four cases, Japan's health ministry said another infant also died in November after receiving his second shot of the ActHIB vaccine, a ministry official said.

migrant workers have been streaming out to bordering countries, including Tunisia and Egypt, in a bid to escape violence in Libya.

An estimated 100,000 mainly foreign migrants have arrived in Tunisia alone since February 20. Thousands remain in temporary camps facing growing problems of hygiene.

Aid agencies are also increasingly concerned about the situation of people who are trapped in Libya, where battle is ongoing between supporters of strongman Moamer Kadhafi and rebels.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon managed Sunday to persuade Kadhafi's foreign minister to allow in a humanitarian assessment team to Tripoli.

Former Jordanian foreign minister Abdelilah Al-Khatib will undertake "urgent consultations" with Kadhafi's government and work on the humanitarian crisis it has caused, UN spokesman Martin Nesirky said.

It is not immediately known where the team would be allowed to visit in Tripoli and whether they would be taken to other cities.

Meanwhile, the British gov-

Philippine acquires US patrol ship AFP MANILA, MARCH 7

The Philippine navy said Monday it had bought a large Hamiltonclass patrol craft from the United States to help it guard its waters, amid tensions over territorial claims, notably with China.

The announcement was made by the new Philippine militar y chief of staff, Air Force Lieutenant-General Eduardo Oban, as he assumed his post.

"As I speak, Philippine navy officers are now in the United States... preparing to sail our first Hamilton class navy (vessel) to the Philippines," he said in a speech to troops.

"We shall sustain efforts to modernise our armed forces," he added.

Details of the acquisition were not disclosed, but the navy said in January that acquiring the refurbished, 380-foot (115metre) vessel was aimed at boosting its border patrol capability.

Monday's announcement came amid fresh tensions between Manila and China over allegations that Beijing's patrol vessels harassed a Philippine oil exploration boat in disputed waters in the South China Sea last week.

After lodging a formal protest, President Benigno Aquino ordered coast guard escorts for the oil exploration vessel, which was conducting a seismic survey in the Reed Bank, which is close to the disputed Spratly islands.

ernment was left red-faced Monday after a botched attempt by special forces to make contact with opposition forces in Libya ended in the team being seized by rebels.

The team reportedly made up of six soldiers from the elite SAS and two diplomats flew into Libya by helicopter and made their way to the opposition-held city of Benghazi.

But they were rounded up by lightly armed rebels soon after they arrived, reports said.

The diplomats are believed to have been officers from Britain's MI6 foreign intelligence service whose mission was to contact rebel leaders and open the way for a delegation.

But they succeeded only in angering Libyan opposition leaders who denied they had asked for any help and by late Sunday they had been packed off to Malta on a British naval ship.

Iran, Syria in hot seat at UN meet AFP VIENNA, MARCH 7

Iran and Syria found themselves in the spotlight Monday as the UN nuclear watchdog convened for its traditional week-long spring meeting.

The International Atomic Energy Agengy's 35-member board of governors was set to discuss two new reports showing little or no progress in the watchdog's long-running investigations into Iran's controversial atomic programme and allegations of illicit nuclear activity on the part of Syria.

IAEA director general Yukiya Amano was scheduled to give the opening address to the closed-door session.

Just 10 days ago, Amano circulated to the agency's member states updated reports which said that inspectors had received "new information" about possible military dimensions to Tehran's programme, but made scant progress in their probe against Damascus.

In the run-up to this week's meeting, diplomats had suggested that some member states might seek to table resolutions

against both Iran and Syria, as a way of turning up the pressure on the two governments.

But with world attention currently focused on unrest in the Arab world, and western countries undecided about how much pressure to apply, diplomats said any possible action against Tehran and Syria would now probably be set back until the next board meeting in June.

The IAEA has been investigating Iran's nuclear programme for eight years now, but has so far been unable to establish whether it is entirely peaceful as Iran claims or masks a covert drive to build a bomb as western powers believe.

Iran is continuing to defy UN orders to halt uranium enrichment, the most controversial part of its nuclear drive, because enriched uranium can be used not only to make nuclear fuel, but also the fissile material for a bomb.

In fact, the IAEA said Iran's stockpile of low-enriched uranium in the main branch of its Natanz uranium enrichment

plant had now reached 3,606 kilogrammes (7,933 pounds).

Among the many unresolved issues about Iran's atomic drive are allegations that Iran was involved in weaponisation studies -- work which included uranium conversion, high explosives testing and the adaptation of a ballistic missile cone to carry a nuclear warhead -- at least until 2003.

Iran has dismissed the evidence as "fabricated" and refused to discuss the so-called "alleged studies" any further.

Nevertheless, "additional information... has come to the (agency's) attention since August 2008, including new information recently received" that prompted "further concerns," Amano wrote in his latest 12-page report.

In his separate report on Syria, Amano complained that Damascus was still refusing to cooperate on allegations that it had been building an undeclared nuclear reactor at a remote desert site called Dair Alzour until it was destroyed by Israeli planes in September 2007.

Biz12:Pg12 3/7/2011 10:16 PM Page 1

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Pg 12 ‘Reform could hurt developing economies’ REUTERS LONDON, MARCH 7

Plans by leading economies to reform the global financial

system could disadvantage the developing world and risk looking outdated by the time they are enforced, a top World Bank official said on Sunday.

Vincenzo La Via, the institution's chief financial officer, said solutions for advanced economies are not necessarily a good fit for developing countries.

"Failing to take the developing world seriously enough, ignoring unintended consequences and imposing one-size-fits-all solutions could undermine efforts to establish a more stable global financial

system," La Via wrote in a guest column for the Financial Times.

"The alternative is standards that ignore shifting realities, threatening the world with more uncertainty."

Basel III, the new capital standards agreed by regulators last year to reduce bank sector shocks, require banks to hold top-quality capital totaling 7 percent of their risk-bearing assets.

But La Via said emerging market economies may not be able to meet the capital-raising rules or to borrow internationally, forcing local banks to compete against heavy borrowing by advanced economies.

Regulators' approach to safeguarding the world's top banks

has overlooked the effect on developing countries and the global economy, said La Via, who also represents the World Bank of the Financial Stability Board.

"The big subsidiary in a developing country may not seem that important within its global group. But its failure could be devastating for the local economy and could spark global contagion."

La Via also said developing countries should also be given a bigger say in efforts

by European and US regulators to improve accounting standards to make sure they are global.

"If developing countries' concerns are not taken into account, they will have little incentive to adopt them. This could provide opportunities for regulatory arbitrage, with riskier financial transactions moving to the least-regulated markets," he said.

BIZ

GOA, TUESDAY, 8 MARCH, 2011

BoB to raise Rs 3280 cr REUTERS MUMBAI, MARCH 7

State-run Bank of Baroda will raise up to 32.8 billion rupees through a preferential allotment of shares to the government at 902.14 rupees each, it said in a statement over the weekend.

The bank will hold an extraordinary general meeting for shareholders' approval on March 29, it added.

Other public lenders such as Indian Overseas Bank, UCO Bank and United Bank of India have also said they would preferentially allot shares to the government in return for capital infusion.

In December, India's cabinet approved additional capital infusion of 60 billion rupees ($1.3 billion) into state-run banks to strengthen their capital adequacy and to increase the government's stake in them.

UK PM writes to India over trade concerns REUTERS NEW DELHI, MARCH 7

India's unpredictable and nontransparent business climate could derail the growth of trade ties between Britain and Asia's third largest economy, British Prime Minister David Cameron has warned his Indian counterpart.

Regulatory delays over London-listed Cairn Energy's $9.6 billion asset sale to Vedanta Resources, and legal wrangling over India's $2.6 billion Vodafone tax demand were raised

by Cameron in the letter sent to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last month.

Cameron, who visited India last year intent on securing bigticket business deals, is keen on fostering substantial trade

Insecticides (I) buys Monocil REUTERS MUMBAI, MARCH 7

Agrochemicals and pesticides maker Insecticides (India) on Monday acquired an insecticide brand from Nocil, a top official

told Reuters on Monday, sending its shares up.

The firm did not disclose the price Insecticides paid for 'Monocil' but expects revenue of 400 million rupees from the acquisition in FY12, Managing Director Rajesh Aggarwal said.

"When it comes to acquiring a brand, we see to it that there is 100 percent recovery of the cost within two years," he said, hinting at the likely cost of acquisition.

Shares of Insecticides (India) touched a 52-week high of 346.4 rupees while those of Nocil rose as much as 14.1 percent in a weak Mumbai market.

Insecticides (India), which has over 100 products in the pesticides and insecticides segment, plans to launch 'Monocil' across its network of 50,000 dealers, April onwards.

ties with the emerging power to boost economic growth in Britain, still struggling from the effects of the global recession.

"Some UK companies still face difficulties, in particular linked to the predictability and transparency of the business environment in India," Cameron wrote, adding that hurdles "risk jeopardising our joint goal of a much stronger trade relationship".

An official at the British High Commission in New Delhi confirmed the contents of the letter, which was reported by the Hindustan Times newspaper on Monday.

Cairn agreed six months ago to sell up to 51 percent of its Indian assets to Vedanta, but the deal has been delayed by regulatory clearances and government foot-dragging over royalty payments.

India's oil minister said on Thursday that the cabinet could give its final decision on the deal this week.

"Cairn Energy faces unexpected regulatory hurdles which are causing delay and could block the deal entirely, which is very time-sensitive, thus preventing Cairn investors from legitimately exiting the market," Cameron wrote.

Britain is India's 12th biggest trade partner, with bilateral trade worth $12.5 billion in 2008-09. Britain is the fourth largest foreign direct investor in India, a former British colony.

BOARD MEETINGS Bafna Spinning Source: Indiainfoline.com

LAUNCH PAD

Shredded Cheese now in 3 flavours PANJIM (HBD) -- Parag Milk Foods (P) Ltd launches its unique and milky shredded cheese in four different flavors available in Original Processed Cheddar, Italian Pasta, Mexican Style and Pizza Italiano flavor.

Priced at Rs 85 it is available in a 150gm pack, across all leading stores and supermarkets in India.

The topping is packaged in a zip-lock bag, thus making cooking a convenient process.

The real taste of Italian Pizza, Macoroni, Mexican Nachos & the Original milky cheese now made of 100% cow’s milk.

Sensex drops 263 points AGENCY MUMBAI, MARCH 7

It was gap down opening in the markets today and they continued with the downtrend. Auto and capital goods were the worst performers and oil marketing companies also suffered due to high crude prices.

The Sensex closed at 18222, down 263 points from its previous close, and Nifty shut shop at 5463, down 75 points. The CNX Midcap index was down 1.3% and the BSE Smallcap index was down 1.4%. The market breadth was negative with advances at 276 against declines of 1028 on the NSE. The top Nifty gainers were Dr Reddy's, Cairn, Wipro and Reliance Power and prime losers included Tata Motors, BPCL, Maruti and R-Com.

Aban Offshor, 588.5, 609.9, 583, 606.85 Abb Ltd., 724, 727, 702.25, 714.65 Abg Shipyard, 353.05, 355.9, 345.6, 351.95 Acc Limited, 985, 985, 975.1, 980.15 Adani Enterp, 599.95, 604, 590, 593.5 Aditya Birla, 772.95, 772.95, 753.05, 756.65 Allahabad Ba, 202.8, 205.5, 199.3, 204.45 Alstom Proje, 530.95, 530.95, 511.2, 515.05 Ambuja Cemen, 122.95, 124.25, 120.15, 123.05 Andhra Bank, 139.05, 139.85, 134.1, 135.35 Ashok Leylan, 53.5, 53.5, 50.4, 50.9 Asian Paints, 2500.05, 2526.95, 2442.2, 2505.2 Axis Bank Li, 1305, 1310, 1266, 1283.4 Bajaj Hindus, 69, 70.4, 67.05, 68.25 Bank Of Baro, 885, 902, 868.8, 895.15 Bank Of Indi, 460, 460, 445.5, 452.5 Beml Limited, 625.6, 642.3, 620, 637.55 Bharat Elect, 1673, 1695, 1656.2, 1676.5 Bharat Forge, 332.95, 333, 315.3, 318.05 Bharat Petro, 560, 570, 553, 556.6

Bharti Airte, 325, 326.2, 319.1, 324.45 Bhel, 2077, 2077, 2013.3, 2023.35 Bhushan Stee, 395.15, 406.95, 390.5, 403.6 Biocon Limit, 326.05, 326.05, 316, 319.35 Bombay Dyein, 338.65, 347.95, 336.1, 338.8 Bosch Limite, 6059.1, 6059.1, 6000.05, 6054.15 Brigade Ente, 96.1, 97.5, 94.5, 97.25 Cairn India, 353, 358.45, 352.4, 357.55 Canara Bank, 604.95, 608.9, 591, 599.15 Central Bank, 156.95, 157, 152.85, 153.65 Century Text, 310, 315, 304, 307.2 Cesc Ltd, 315.05, 317.9, 309.25, 312.9 Chambal Fert, 70, 70, 68.25, 69 Chennai Petr, 194.7, 194.7, 188.05, 190.95 Cipla Ltd, 304, 306.75, 302, 305.3 Colgate Palm, 823.15, 827.95, 816.25, 825.75 Container Co, 1171.35, 1209.95, 1123.85, 1181.8 Crompton Gre, 248, 253.75, 245.3, 249.55 Cummins Indi, 665.6, 666.75, 636.05, 657.7 Dabur India, 102.9, 102.9, 99.6, 100.3

Deccan Chron, 72.9, 73.15, 69.65, 72.3 Dish Tv Indi, 58.5, 60.55, 57.5, 59.8 Divi’s Labor, 613.75, 622.5, 603.2, 615.6 Dlf Limited, 220.4, 221.9, 215.65, 218.5 Dr. reddy’s, 1561, 1621.8, 1555, 1614.6 Edelweiss Ca, 37, 37.2, 35.75, 36.1 Educomp Solu, 460, 465, 440.1, 441.5 Eih Limited, 78.5, 79.5, 76.6, 77.65 Engineers In, 288.2, 310.5, 287.2, 305.85 Essar Oil Lt, 108.8, 113.3, 106.8, 111.6 Essar Shippi, 90.1, 96.85, 90.1, 91.75 Exide Indust, 141, 142.65, 139.15, 140.1 Federal Bank, 367, 369.5, 356, 368.25 Financial Te, 794.9, 794.9, 774, 782.4 Gail (india), 449.05, 456, 441, 443.85 Gammon India, 118.65, 120.5, 116.65, 117.65 Glaxosmithkl, 2166.55, 2168.95, 2142, 2149.6 Glenmark Pha, 297.8, 297.8, 288.7, 293.85 Gmr Infrastr, 39, 40.2, 38.45, 39.85 Godrej Indus, 172.95, 173.9, 167.8, 169.15 Grasim Indus, 2290, 2304.95, 2251.25, 2300.65 Great Offsho, 240, 241, 230.75, 232.9 Gtl Infra.Lt, 35.7, 36.3, 34.5, 35.85

Gujarat Mine, 122.55, 125.85, 120.65, 124.95 Gujarat N R, 47, 48.9, 45.3, 47.4 Gujarat Stat, 93, 93, 91.5, 92.05 Gvk Pow. & I, 26.4, 26.4, 25.1, 25.4 Hcl Technolo, 457.5, 461.5, 447.25, 451.9 Hdfc Bank Lt, 2204, 2204, 2150.9, 2173.15 Hdfc Ltd, 672.35, 677, 660.1, 667 Hero Honda M, 1528.9, 1548, 1520, 1532.8 Hindalco in, 208.5, 211.5, 207.65, 210 Hindustan Co, 35, 35.2, 34.05, 34.4 Hindustan Ma, 61, 61.4, 59.5, 60.7 Hindustan Pe, 313.15, 322.85, 313.15, 318.65 Hindustan Un, 286, 287.85, 279.2, 281.35 Hindustan Zi, 139, 140, 126.1, 130.8 Housing Dev, 157.5, 161.45, 152.1, 160.2 Icici Bank L, 1007.75, 1014, 992, 1010.15 Idea Cellula, 59.95, 60.2, 58.6, 59.85 Ifci Ltd, 52.35, 52.35, 50.55, 51.7 India Cement, 90, 92.5, 87.8, 91.35 India Infoli, 75.55, 76.9, 71, 72.05 Indiabulls F, 146.4, 146.4, 139.75, 142.2 Indiabulls R, 110.5, 110.5, 106, 107.4 Indian Bank, 221, 222.55, 213.55, 214.8

Indian Hotel, 81.95, 82.15, 79.8, 81.55 Indian Oil C, 300.1, 310, 300.1, 307.05 Indian Overs, 138, 138.7, 134.55, 137.25 Indus Dev Ba, 139, 139, 134.7, 136.15 Indusind Ban, 240, 244.5, 233.5, 241.5 Infosys Tech, 3036, 3075, 3025.5, 3042.7 Infra. dev., 146.9, 146.9, 141.5, 142.95 Ispat Indust, 22.5, 22.9, 21.8, 22.1 Itc Ltd, 171.25, 173.8, 168.05, 172.65 Ivrcl Infras, 73, 73.7, 69.9, 73 Jai Corp Lim, 168, 171.85, 160.25, 168.8 Jaiprakash A, 83, 83.2, 80.5, 82.3 Jet Airways, 431.2, 433.2, 420.05, 425.7 Jindal Saw L, 199.95, 199.95, 193.2, 194.5 Jindal Steel, 668.75, 672.5, 652, 664.3 Jsw Steel Li, 938, 940, 903, 919.65 Kotak Mahind, 417, 419.4, 406, 416.25 Lakshmi Mach, 2091.05, 2104.7, 2071.25, 2078.95 Lanco Infrat, 36.1, 36.85, 35.9, 36.25 Larsen & Tou, 1599.7, 1599.7, 1545.35, 1570.05 Lic Housing, 194.35, 194.9, 190.5, 193.45 Lupin Limite, 386.1, 397.2, 386.1, 392.9 Mahanagar Te, 41.35, 42.2, 40.6, 40.85 Mahindra & M, 670, 670, 648.15, 661.75

Maruti Suzuk, 1281, 1290, 1249.15, 1260.85 Max India Lt, 147.05, 147.05, 143.3, 143.9 Moser-baer (, 40.1, 40.2, 38.5, 39.75 Mrpl, 59, 60.8, 57.25, 60.3 Nagarjuna Co, 104.45, 105, 98.6, 99.65 Nagarjuna Fe, 27.05, 27.05, 26.25, 26.55 National Alu, 448, 453, 431, 449.8 Neyveli Lign, 101, 101, 96.5, 98.95 Ntpc Ltd, 177.95, 181.3, 175.1, 180.55 Oil And Natu, 266, 266.9, 262, 263.85 Omaxe Limite, 138, 138.6, 132.15, 132.85 Oriental Ban, 345.6, 349.65, 336.1, 338.75 Pantaloon Re, 263.6, 267, 259.4, 265.15 Parsvnath De, 29.4, 29.6, 28.75, 29.05 Petronet Lng, 116, 116, 112.6, 113.35 Power Fin Co, 263.05, 266, 260, 262.9 Power Grid C, 98.9, 98.9, 96.1, 98.05 Praj Industr, 66.5, 66.7, 64.6, 66.15 Punj Lloyd L, 63.6, 63.6, 60.4, 61.75 Punjab Natio, 1085, 1098.5, 1050.8, 1066.6 Rajesh Expor, 120.7, 122.4, 119.1, 121.15 Ranbaxy Labs, 450, 450, 442, 445.8 Rashtriya Ch, 80, 80, 77.5, 78.45

Reliance Cap, 475.85, 480, 469.05, 476.3 Reliance Com, 91.9, 92.5, 89.05, 89.9 Reliance Ene, 1058.61, 1066, 1046.12, 1062.62 Reliance Ind, 631.1, 641.7, 620, 632.1 Reliance Ind, 974.1, 983.3, 964, 977.05 Reliance Pow, 118.5, 123.4, 117.2, 122.9 Rolta India, 146.5, 148, 142.8, 145.45 Satyam Compu, 62.9, 63.35, 61.85, 62.6 Sesa Goa Ltd, 272.6, 274.85, 267.55, 271.55 Shipping Cor, 105.1, 105.75, 103.3, 105 Siemens Ltd, 851, 858.4, 847.65, 856.4 Sintex Indus, 149.8, 151.8, 146.15, 147.55 Sobha Develo, 272.05, 272.05, 262.45, 264.85 State Bank O, 2684.4, 2684.4, 2611, 2624.15 Steel Author, 154, 154.8, 150, 151.25 Sterlite Ind, 165, 166.9, 163.05, 166.05 Sun Pharmace, 429.9, 429.9, 412.5, 416.6 Sun Tv Netwo, 401.2, 415, 393.05, 413.4 Suzlon Energ, 46.9, 47.35, 45.9, 46.5 Tata Communi, 204.25, 210.9, 204.25, 207.1 Tata Consult, 1124, 1125, 1094.45, 1108.25

Tata Motors, 1155, 1155, 1121, 1127.95 Tata Power C, 1202.1, 1242.3, 1200, 1236.1 Tata Steel L, 613.45, 613.65, 595.1, 602.75 Tata Teleser, 15.25, 15.25, 14.7, 14.85 Tech Mahindr, 676.15, 684.95, 666, 678.6 The Ge Shpg., 266, 266, 259.1, 261.2 The Phoenix, 172, 175, 168.5, 173.2 Thermax Ltd, 595.2, 619.95, 591.25, 604.6 Titan Indust, 3435.8, 3435.8, 3343.3, 3398.9 Torrent Powe, 239.75, 244, 229.25, 231.25 Triveni Engg, 100.05, 106, 96.65, 103.95 Tv18 India L, 75.9, 77.2, 74.5, 76 Uco Bank, 98, 98.5, 96.6, 97.65 Ultratech Ce, 1008, 1022, 990, 1008.7 Union Bank O, 333.1, 339.9, 324.55, 326.8 Unitech Ltd, 36, 36.05, 34.6, 35.45 United Phosp, 135.1, 141.45, 134.45, 135.5 Videocon Ind, 187.8, 187.95, 183, 186.75 Vijaya Bank, 75, 76.4, 74.5, 75.35 Voltas Ltd, 157.3, 159, 153.05, 156.95 Wipro Ltd, 437.55, 449.5, 436.15, 447.25 Yes Bank Lim, 274, 274, 267.1, 270.75 Zee Entertai, 122.1, 127.85, 122.1, 126

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Pg 14 GOA,TUESDAY, 8 MARCH, 2011

Amitabh, Shahrukh, the superheroes of Italian pop-art PTI NEW DELHI, MARCH 7

Amitabh Bachchan is a bearded Superman and Shah Rukh wears the red and blue costume of Spider Man. The two Bollywood stars are not part of a new superhero flick, instead these ‘avatars’ are the imagination of an Italian pop artist.

The Bollywood toys, a trio of Amitabh, Shah Rukh and Anil Kapoor, by David Cesaria are part of the first ever exhibition of Italian neo-pop art in the country.

After a show in Mumbai, the exhibition titled 'Dadaumpop' is on show in Delhi and curator Igor Zanti, says that India, with it's colours and characters, is the spiritual

home of all things pop.

Zanti commisioned Cesaria to spend a year in India to come up with a special work on the country and the 3D installations are now the special attraction at the exhibition, which has been put together in collaboration with the embassy of Italy.

Zanti, who put together the collection, which includes a bust of a draq queen titled ‘Mr Prinetti’, a collection of black and white potraits of Disney characters by a 75-year-old, among others, says that the exhibition is a sort of homecoming, as the second wave of pop art originated in Asia.

Anti-India speech: Court to hear plea on chargesheet PTI NEW DELHI, MARCH 7

A Delhi court is likely to take a decision on March 10 on a plea seeking a direction to the police to file a chargesheet in a case lodged against hardline Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, writer Arundhati Roy and four others in a case of sedition for their alleged anti-India speeches.

Complainant Sushil Pandit, who is dissatisfied with the police reports saying the probe against Geelani and others is still inconclusive, has filed an application seeking early conclusion of the investigation in the case.

"The investigating agency was required to submit its chargesheet within 90 days from the date of registration of FIR but till date, no chargesheet has been filed nor have the police informed about the reason for delay," Pandit said in his plea before Metropolitan Magistrate Navita Kumari Bagha.

"Police have not filed any report showing that they have arrested any of the accused or they have served any notice on accused persons to participate in investigations," the application added.

The complainant alleged the two probe reports were silent on the progress made by them in the investigation. The Magistrate, who is likely to hear the fresh plea on March 10, had earlier deferred the hearing on the complaint to May 5.

The police, which have filed two reports, had lodged the FIR in the case following a court order.

The court had also clubbed three other complaints on the same issue against Geelani, Roy and others for making the alleged anti-India speeches.

Besides Geelani and Roy, the complaint sought prosecution of five others, including Delhi University professor S A R Geelani, who was acquitted in Parliament attack case, and Sheikh Showkat Hussain, a professor of Kashmir University.

According to the complaint, the accused had made the comments at a convention here in October last year on 'Azadi-The Only Way'. Geelani, leader of hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference, shared the dais with Roy and pro-Maoist leader Varavara Rao among others. Geelani was heckled by the audience.

Cop posted at American consulate dead PTI MUMBAI, MARCH 7

FIRST DEATH ANNIVERSARY In Ever Loving Memory of

FREDDY AGNELO GONSALVES (TONCA - MIRAMAR) Born: 24th August 1976 Died: 9th March 2010

“Time may hide our sadness and smiles may hide our tears But loving thoughts of you will last through all the years”

There will be a Eucharistic celebration for the soul of our Freddy on Wednesday, 9th March 2011, at 7.45am at St.Agnes Church,St Inez followed by prayers and blessing of the grave, offered by his sorrowful Parents Gregorio & Eviana, Brothers, Sister-in-law,Niece and Nephew.

Relatives and friends kindly accept this as the only intimation goanrites@gmail.com 9822122003/9822136397

DEATH Prof. Joanita Filomena Mascarenhas

Born:06-05-1918

Died:07-03-2011

Daughter of late Dr. Hipolito Mascarenhas and late Amelia Messias Mascarenhas. Sister/ Sister-in-law of late Dr. Alberto/ late Julieta, late Ramalho, late Armando/ late Augusta, Lamberto/ Jolly, Alzira/ late Luis and Veronica Mascarenhas.

Funeral Cortege will leave her residence on th 8 March (TODAY) at 4:00 p.m. and proceed to Our Lady of Merces Church, Colva for Mass and burial.

Relatives and friends kindly accept this as the only intimation.

A 30-year-old police constable posted at the American Consulate here was killed today after two bullets from his service weapon pierced through his skull, police said.

The incident took place early this morning behind the Consulate in Breach Candy area in South Mumbai, where he was posted, police said.

It was not, however, clear if it was a suicide, police added.

"Constable Deepak Vitkare was posted at the rear of the Consulate building. We are yet to ascertain whether it was a suicide or a case of accidental firing," Joint Police Commissioner (Law and Order) Rajneesh Seth said.

According to sources, policemen heard a sound of bullets at the Consulate premises. They looked around and found Vitkare with serious injuries in his skull.

"When the incident occurred, no other cop was near him.

Hence the investigations are being conducted to ascertain if it was a case of suicide by Gamdevi Police Station. Two bullets were fired from his carbine firearm," said Deputy Police Commissioner Anil Kumbhare.

Vitkare, was immediately taken to the nearby Breach Candy hospital where he was declared dead, Kumbhare added.

Senior Inspector at Gamdevi Police Station Sanjay Diwadkar said, "We are recording statements of his family members and cops posted at the Consulate. Vitkare's associate had gone to bathroom when the incident took place."

Munde: UPA govt has lost credibility P­ TI NAGPUR, MARCH 7

The UPA government at the Centre had lost its face, credibility, and had begun losing allies, senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde today said.

"Today Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has admitted error of judgement and accepted responsibility for appointment of CVC P J Thomas, after consistently justifying the appointment (earlier)...that shows the UPA government in a very poor light", Munde said, talking to reporters here.

The UPA government had earlier also erred in 2G spectrum case and after adamant posturing, finally gave in, to set up JPC. It had lost all credibility and its image was tarnished. It was now even losing its allies, such as DMK, he said.

Munde also lashed out at the Congress-NCP government in Maharashtra, saying mafia were controlling it. "I have never seen such an incompetent and corrupt government where sand-, kerosene- , milk-mafia call the shots.

INDIA

Tribal practice exposes girls to exploitation PTI­ BHUBANESWAR, MARCH 7

A tribal practice prevalent in pockets of Orissa's backward Kandhamal district in which young couples elope from a local fair and tie the knot exposes girls to social and legal exploitation for want of legally valid marital status.

The practice, known in local parlance as 'Jinka' or 'Dhangidi Ghicha', has caught attention of a Dehradun-based organisation, Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra, which recently organised camps in the tribal-dominated district in an effort to address the problem.

While many such young couples, aged below 18, marry though having weak legal status for being underage, some girls become unwed mothers, says RLEK Project Coordinator Nachiketa Mittal. When deserted, they take shelter in four different short stay homes located at Guddarisahi, Baliguda, G Udaygiri and Phringiya, he said.

In a bid to make women aware of their social, political and legal rights and empower them, RLEK organised legal empowerment camps for 10 days last month in three blocks of Kandhamal, Mittal said.

During the camps in Kandhamal, the four-member RLEK team found that domestic violence is rampant, unwed girls are becoming mothers at a very early age and in most of the cases marriage is not solemnised.

It leads to further exploitation of girls who possess weak social status in Kandhamal and have poor access to legal rights, he said adding over 600 women participated in camps where issues of lack in access to legal services and legal rights were commonly observed and noted.

Fifty-five-year-old Rupai Bai from Guddaarishai village com-

plained that despite submitting papers more than twice she has not received widow’s pension.

She has been awaiting the pension for the last 10 years, RLRK said in a paper.

A legal awareness rally of women was also organised at Chakapad while Secretary of District Legal Services Authority, S B Behra, interacted with rural women and motivated them to make use of free legal aid facilities provided

by DLSA for various matters.

The telephone number of DLSA office was also shared with the community participants to enable them to use the free legal aid services effectively and promptly in cases of exploitation against them, Mittal said.

Tribal women belonging to the interior rural pockets of Khajuripada, Phulbani and Chakapada blocks of Kandhamal complained that they were still misled and paid Rs 90 as wage payment under MGNREGA, he claimed.

More than 700 women who participated in the legal empowerment camps organised by RLEK in Kandhamal complained that 100 days' employment in a year is still a distant dream.

RLEK has been working closely with Kandhamal based civil society organization KALYANI and organized 5 days paralegal training for community volunteers, Anganwadi workers, ASHA workers, Mittal said.

These para-legal workers will go back to the rural communities and provide them legal first aid in cases of women exploitation, matters of filing RTI application, claiming work under MGNREGA and rightful allocation of land pattas where the eligible tribal households would apply for the same under Forest Rights Act, he said.

‘United efforts needed to ensure safety of women’ PTI NEW DELHI, MARCH 7

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today sought united efforts from all stakeholders to improve security of women, saying sincere initiatives were needed to make the fair sex feel safe in the city.

“We need put in united efforts to improve security of women in the city,” Dikshit said addressing a function as part of celebration of International Women's day tomorrow.

Dikshit said civil society as well as various NGOs have to play a key role in helping government improve security for women in the city.

Expressing her government's strong commitment to welfare of women from all section, she said sincere efforts were on to ensure social, economic and political empowerment of the fair sex.

“We are sincerely committed to ensure empowerment of women, particularly belonging to weaker section, in the city.

We have been working relentlessly to this end,” she said at the function organised by Delhi Government and Delhi Commission of Women (DCW).

“ We m u s t e n s u r e t h a t women get the rightful place in society. We will have to redress the imbalances and to achieve it we must work tirelessly and unitedly,” Dikshit said.

Dikshit said government was working on a new scheme under which a platform to market various products such handloom and handicrafts items will be provided to women entrepreneurs.

“We will provide a platform to women entrepreneurs to so that they can sell their products at right price,” she said.

The chief minister also distributed awards to women entrepreneurs at the function.

DCW Chairmen Barkha Singh said government would soon launch a scheme under which women members of all the 43 panchayats in the city will be given physical training so that they can resist any atrocities on them.

“The training will also help the panchayat members to protect women from weaker section in their areas,” she said, adding around 1,100 women would be imparted the training in the first phase.

From Page 1 CCP elections

known to us six months in advance as polls are held one week before the new council takes over”, he said.

Further, Dr Modassir continued, “hence I signed the order a day before I proceeded on leave as whole schedule was known”.

“There is no ambiguity on this issue”, he said refusing to accept any illegality in the poll notification.

It may be recalled that Dr Modassir (IAS), who was secretary to the Goa Government, recently took VRS on January 14 and was appointed the SEC soon after.

Stringent measures Khalap-led committee has proposed punishment which may go upto 2 years imprisonment and fine of upto Rs 10 lakh.

The Law panel has also sought compulsory execution of agreement containing details of carpet area, construction and providing all documents establishing title; compulsory transfer of apartment along with land and building to cooperative society or association and only in case where such organisation cannot be formed, individual Sale Deeds can be executed with proportionate rights in the land.

Prohibition on mortgage of land/apartment without consent of the purchaser; no receipt of money without letter of allotment or without entering into agreements; prohibition to collect the entire amount of consideration before possession and penalty in case of non-compliance of the provisions of the Act, are some of the other measures that are proposed in the legislation.

Two other recommendations that also feature are a) stamp duty for conveyance in favor of co-operative housing be reduced to 1 per cent irrespective of quantum of consideration, and b) registration fee for co-operative housing societies be reduced to 1 per cent irrespective of quantum of consideration.

Pg 15

SPORTS

CM, SM root for 2013 Lus Games in Goa

Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat, Sports Minister, Manohar (Babu) Azgaonkar alongwith the ACOLOP team led by Alex of Macau and Goa Olympic Association headed by Subhash Shirodkar when they called on the Chief Minister at his Altinho residence, Panjim on Monday alongwith Director of Sports and Youth Affairs, Dr Susana De Sousa, SAG’s executive director, V M Prabhudesai, Gurudatta Bhakta, Savio D’Sousa (protocol officer), Jovito Lopes, SJAG president.

JOVITO LOPES PANJIM, MARCH 7

It’s final. The 3rd Lusofonia Games will be held in Goa in November 2013. This was a solemn assurance given by Chief Minister Digambar Kamat in the presence of Sports Minister Babu Azgaoncar when the ACOLOP delegation headed by (Alex) Vong Iao Lex and alongwith GOA president Subash Shi-

rodkar and SAG Executive Director V M Prabhudesai paid a courtesy call at the CM’s residence, Altinho, here on Monday.

“I am extremely happy that the Games have been allotted to Goa and they will take place in November 2013. As of now, the total infrastructure and facilities needed to host the Games may not be place. But,

gradually we will build it up and there will be no problems whatsoever in hosting the first-ever multi-discipline international event in the State,” remarked the Chief Minister.

“There are more than two years to go. We shall take up on priority basis the facilities and infrastructure needed for Lusofonia Games, which will also be ultimately used for 2014 Na-

Get set for spectacular games: ACOLOP

Brazil’s Bernard Rajzman, member of Brazil Olympic Committee and second vice-president of ACOLOP, who participated in four Olympic Games, winning the volleyball gold at 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and several gold, silver and bronze medals at World Cup, four Pan American Games and 125 American Games in all, having represented Brazil in volleyball 540 times. He was Brazil’s Sports Minister in between Pele’s and Zico’s reigns from 1990-92 and was inducted into Hall of Fame.

Photo: Jovito Lopes HERALD SPORTS REPORTER PANJIM, MARCH 7

“The 3rd Lusofonia Games in November 2013 in Goa will be a big success. We have reposed confidence on the Goa Government, GOA, SAG, DSYA. We have had fruitful interactions, although at preliminary stage, but

we are very impressed that everything will fall in its place,” stated Alex, Vong Iao Lex, president of ACOLOP here on Monday. “It will spectacular games,” added Alex.

“We have still two-and-half years to go. It looks pretty long time, yet it is also quite short

as there many things to be finalised and for the facilities and infrastructure to be in place,” remarked the Macau-based chief. “But it is possible and the local organisers have the capacity and capabilities to rise to the occasion, of course with the full-backing from the Government,” added Alex.

“We have set our goals and together will make them happen.

It will be a team, collaborative endeavour. We will encounter problems on our road, but we can promise all-out assistance in overcoming them and see that jointly we will make it happen,” reasoned out Alex.

“The event in Goa will be a great success. We are confident about it after the discussions and deliberation we have had with the GOA officials Subash Shirodkar and Gurudatta Bhakta and SAG Executive Director V M Prabhudesai. And, after a cordial meeting the Chief Minister and Sports Minister, we can only reiterate that the Government is eager to provide total back up and hence the reason why it is boud to be a grand success,” divulged Alex.

“We have received several proposals and new ideas. The Government is pragmatic about what is needed for the Games. All problems will eventually be solved and sorted out, and so, we look forward for great Games in 2013,’’ summed up Alex.

Russel stars for Penha de Franca HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, MARCH 7

A brace by Russel Fernandes allowed newly promoted Penha de Franca to come from behind to overcome St Savio Sports Club, Calangute 3-1 in GFA’s Second Division League at Duler Stadium on Monday. Penha de Franca were leading 2-1 at half time.

Neves Noronha had given St Savio the lead early on. Midfielder Russel scored a goal in each half, while teammate Francisco Fernandes also got his name on the score sheet for Penha.

Francisco was causing St Savio problems all afternoon with his pace and quick acceleration. The Penha defence also defended well, with Bruno Fer-

nandes playing deep at the heart of the defence to clear away danger.

St Savio did not play at all badly, but found it difficult to penetrate into the final third of the field.

In the second half, striker John Fernandes came off the bench which increased St Savio’s scoring chances.

St Savio took the lead in the 12th minute when Neves Noronha timed his run perfectly and shot low across the goal and into the back of the net.

Six minutes later, Penha were back on level terms, after Francisco dribbled down the left flank and sent the ball into the danger area for Russel to smash home.

In the 34th, Janifar Clemente

swung in a corner from the left for Penha and Francisco who was the smallest player on the field managed to jump high, unmarked on the edge of the box to put Penha in front.

After the breather, the game tempo dropped with Penha happy to get men behind the ball and preserve their slender lead.

Eight minutes from the end, Francisco crossed from the right side which substitute Govind Mahale controlled and attempted to lift over the St Savio defender Anil Naik, but the ball hit the defenders hand and the referee wasted no time in pointing to the spot. Russel stepped up and slotted the penalty home with ease to give Penha the three points.

Ninad excels for Al Fatah, Tushar topscores for GSA HERALD SPORTS REPORTER PANJIM, MARCH 7

Salgaocar bundled out Goa Sports Academy for 150 in 50.1 over on the first day of 3 day GPL match at Panjim Gymkhana ground on Monday.

Salgaocar won the toss and d e c i d e d t o f i e l d . Tu s h a r Narvekar was GSA’s top scorer with 53.

Naveen Sharma scored 35 and Pratik Naik 15. Advait Katkar was a most successful bowler with figures of 4-38. Vikrant Yadav claimed 3-47 and Amit Gawande 2-30.

Salgaocar were 109 for 5 in 34 overs with Rohit Sabharwall contributing with 55 studded with 8 fours and 1 six. Suraj

Dongre scored 39 with 3 fours and 1 six. Reagan Pinto claimed 2 for 27. Anuk Kolambkar claimed 2 for 22.

In another match at Porvorim Sarvodaya Royals were all out 205 in 68.3 overs against Dempo Cricket Club.

Darshan Missal top scored with 43 (5 fours), Amogh Dessai 33 (2 fours), Rohit Asnodkar 30 (6 fours), Robin de Souza 31 (6 fours).

Dempo’s Arun Wagji claimed 4 for 22, Harshad Gadekar 3 for 34, Sailesh Misquin 2 for 39.

Dempo were 47 for one in 19 overs. Rohan Belekar 17 not out (3 fours) and Vishal Joshi 17 not out ( 3 fours). Darshan Misal

1-16.

At BITS Zuarinagar Mech Vac won the toss and elected to field against Al Fatah.

Al Fatah were all out for 220 in 62.4 overs. Ninad Pawaskar top scored with 89 (15 fors, 1 six). Jotsha scored 68 (10 fours, 2 six), Gajanan Azgaonkar 18, Sher Bahadur Yadav 14.

Amit Yadav 4-61, Saurabh Bandekar 3-34, Vivian Castelino 213, Shashank Rao 1-46.

Mech Vac 104 for 2 in 28 overs. Rupesh Sarvankar 51 not out (7 four, 2 six) Kiran Pawar 31 not out (6 fours), Amit Yadav 19. Sahil Dhuri 1-24, Sher Bahadur Yadav 119.

tional Games,” Digambar explained.

Digambar asked Sports Minister, Babu Azgaocar to personally monitor the progress so that the deadlines are met and everything is spot on schedule.

“Our main effort will be to get the infrastructure ready well ahead of time. These prestigious Games will take place in Goa in 2013 surely, with the help of

Goa Government, GOA, SAG, Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, Associations, clubs, players and for that matter with the cooperation and collaboration of Goans,” thundered Sports Minister Babu.

“We need to provide priority to the venues needed for Lusofonia Games and we are fully geared up in that direction. The Games do not cover many dis-

Venues will be ready on time: Subash

HERALD SPORTS REPORTER PANJIM, MARCH 7

“The venues for hosting 2013 Lusofonia Games may not have been finalized as yet, but we are committed to host them and have everything in place,” stated GOA president, Subash Shirodkar here on Monday.

“We are all working as a team.

Don’t forget we are preparing for the 2014 National Games, so our first priority will be to get the infrastructure and facilities needed for Lusofonia Games in 2013 to be ready first,” explained Subash.

“There is a proposal to have a modern, state-of-the art stadium for volleyball at Shiroda.

We have already identified the place and it is not difficult to construct it within two years time,” reasoned out Subash.

“The athletic events will be held at Peddem, Mapusa, where an international-size, ultra-modern syntethic track has been planned by Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs. The funds have already been earmarked, courtesy Dr Susana de Sousa, director of Sports and Youth Affairs. The work will be taken up

by SAG and it will not be too far when the work would start,” stressed Subash.

Subash pointed out that, “Before the actual event in 2013, some trials involving athletes from the participating nations may be carried out in one or two disciplines so as to test the facilities and also to gain in confidence in staging the big event.

It will be a sort of dress rehearsal and it will help our Goan sportspersons to improve on their performances.”

“Moreover the trials will help us to plug any loopholes, so that the big event is hosted without any glitches,” voiced Subash.

“The Lusofonia Games will be held in 2013 and the National

Carmona enter semis

nagoa panchayat soccer HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, MARCH 7

Carmona Sports Club played their hearts out to outwit A A de Majorda 3-1 to enter the semi-finals of Nagoa Village Panchayat soccer organised by Pax of Nagoa Sports Club at Nagoa panchayat ground on Monday.

Carmona shot into the lead early through Preston D'Costa.

Later, a brace by Alex Rodrigues helped Majorda put the situation beyond Carmona’s reach.

Elston Monteiro netted Majorda’s consolation goal.

Alex Rodigues was declared man-of-the-match.

Games in 2014,” said SAG’s Executive Director, V M Prabhudesai. The Central Government as well as the Goa Government have made the necessary budget allocations and we are committed to stage both games, said Prabhudesai who added that GOA will have a vital role in organisational matters.

The Lusofonia Games will be held in football, futsal, volleyball, beach volleyball, judo, taekwondo, basketball, athletics and table tennis, nine Olympic disciplines.

When asked why the volleyball officials were not invited for interaction with the visiting delegates, like it was done in the other disciplines, Gurudatta Bhakta said the GVA president Irwin Soares was not available despite several attempts to contact him and that finally Soares had stated that he had handed charge temporarily to vice-president Hugo Gonsalves.

Mira Mar beach was indicated for beach volleyball and approved with suggestions for having matches under floodlights to avoid warm temperatures during day time.

ciplines, just eight or nine. So, it will not be difficult for Goa to get ready and dressed up for hosting the big, international event, added Babu.

GOA, Tuesday, 8 March, 2011

Irfan steals show HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, MARCH 7

They say every child had a hidden talent within him and Irfan Shaikh is no exception to the rule.

Irfan won two silver medals in athletics at the 56th National School Games organised by the Directorate of Sports and Youth Services, Maharashtra earlier in January this year.

Till date, Irfan has won 13 medals at the State level (2 silver and 11 gold medals) and seven medals at the National Level.

Irfan also won two trophies one best athlete U-16 organised

by Jabalpur Corporation Area Athletic Sangh in August 2009 and individual championship U17 boys at 33rd State Level Mini Secondary and Higher Secondary School Alhletics Meet 200809 organised by Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, Goa. He also has earned himself more than 70 certificates.

Irfan was admitted in St Anthony's Boys' Home, Duler when he was in the Std V. He will be appearing for his Std X exams this year.

GPL Cricket: Al Fatah CC v.

Mechvac Fabricators, BITS ground, Zuarinagar; Dempo CC v. Sarvodaya Royals, Porvorim ground; Salgaocar SC v. Goa Sports Academy, Panjim ground, 9 a.m.

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Pg17

GOA, TUESDAY, 8 MARCH, 2011

Vettori urges team not to fear Pak PTI PALLEKLE, MARCH 7

Skipper Daniel Vettori said on Monday that New Zealand would focus on their own game and not worry about formidable Pakistan in their World Cup match on Tuesday.

Pakistan, inspired by captain Shahid Afridi, who has taken a tournament-best 14 wickets

with his leg-spin, have won all three matches and top Group A with six points.

New Zealand, who beat Kenya and Zimbabwe by 10 wickets apiece but lost to Australia by seven wickets, have four points from three matches.

"The game, like against most teams, is about yourself and trying to work out how you could

actually get the best performance out of yourself because that's pretty much where we have let ourselves down in the past," said Vettori.

The captain, whose side lost a home one-day series to Pakistan that ended only last month, said he was aiming for consistency.

"We have not been able to

put that consistent team per- have more of a chance than if formance together, so that's we worry about Pakistan," said what we are asking," said Vettori, Vettori, whose country has lost whose team were whitewashed six of seven World Cup matches in one-day series against their opTODAY’S a g a i n s t ponents.

Bangladesh and The pitch at MATCH India last year. the Pallekele Pakistan v.

"If we can get stadium is an New zealand, right in ourunknown for 2.30 p.m. selves then we both teams but

Yuvi says UDRS is confusing p l a y s showed the point

PTI BANGALORE, MARCH 7

India's dislike for the controversial Umpire Decision Referral System (UDRS) was never a secret and Yuvraj Singh is the latest player from the side to put a question mark over the technology, calling it "confusing".

"It's a bit confusing. I don't know, don't understand it much," Yuvraj said after leading India to a five-wicket win over Ireland in their World Cup match here last night.

The DRS, which has come under constant scrutiny in the ongoing tournament, yesterday again came into focus when onfield umpire Rod Tucker gave Ireland's Alex Cusack out even though the point of impact of the ball on the pad was more than 2.5 metres from stumps.

The umpire ruled Cusack not out off Yuvraj in the 44th over but after an appeal by India, he reversed his decision and gave the batsman out though TV re-

of impact at the pad would have been more than 2.5 meters fromthe stumps.

Yuvraj, who scored an unbeaten 50 in India's successful chase, said he was happy to have finished the game for India.

"I am very happy that I finished the game for India, it will give me a lot of confidence. It was important that somebody stays till the end. My responsibility in the team has always been to play till the end," he said.

Yuvraj starred with the ball too picking up five wickets.

"The feeling was like when I scored my first century. For a part-time bowler, I am very happy to have picked up five wickets. Can't ask for more. I am trying very hard, I am much fitter. I always want to do well for India, and don't want to look back. Last two games, I scored two fifties," he said.

The specialist India spinner Harbhajan Singh fared poorly but Yuvraj defended his teammates.

"Everyday can't be your day.

They have all been performing well and Bhajji has been a world class bowler for many years. Taking

wickets don't mean I will overshadow Bhajji. There was a time when Bhajji was scoring centuries."

Despite his good run with the ball in recent times, Yuvraj made it clear that batting will remain his priority.

"Bowling, I won't say, has (helped) regaining my confidence."

Yuvraj said batting in the second innings was easier as the ball was coming on to the bat.

"Ireland bowled very well but the wicket was better in the second innings. When the ball changes, it spins a bit."

Asked why India did not opt for the batting powerplay during his partnership with Dhoni, he said, "We just wanted to play till the end and didn't want to lose a wicket at that stage."

The left-hander felt the turning point of the match was Niall O' Brien's run out by Virat Kohli and Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Yuvraj has now scored two successive fifties in the tournament but when asked if he is the right contender for the number four slot, he said, "We have a team strategy and won't change slots because of one or two fifties."

Yuvraj felt the ability to do well at any given situation bodes well for the team.

"In every situation, everyone is doing well, and that's a good sign," he said. Yuvraj also said that Ireland deserved to play in the World Cup.

Gambhir named KKR captain PTI KOLKATA, MARCH 7

India batsman Gautam Gambhir was on Monday named captain of Kolkata Knight Riders team for the Indian Premier League season four starting next month.

Announcing Gambhir's appointment as KKR captain, the IPL team described him a thorough professional and praised his leadership qualities.

"We are delighted that Gautam Gambhir will be leading our team. He is a thorough professional and his performance and leadership qualities speak for themselves," KKR CEO & MD Venky Mysore said in a KKR release.

Gambhir said he was looking

Real keep Barca in sight REUTERS MADRID, MARCH 7

Karim Benzema scored twice as Real Madrid survived without Cristiano Ronaldo to win 3-1 at Racing Santander and close the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to seven points on Sunday.

Ronaldo, who has netted 27 goals this season, missed his first league game of the campaign with a muscle strain, but Benzema and Emmanuel Adebayor led Jose Mourinho's side on to 67 points with 11 games left.

T h e l e a d e r s b e a t Re a l Zaragoza 1-0 at home on Saturday. Real made a flying start at the Sardinero, hitting the crossbar twice before Adebayor scored in the 23rd minute following the type of move more usually associated with their arch-rivals Barca.

The outstanding Mesut Ozil was at the centre of a series of one-touch passes which sliced Racing open and he finished by squaring for Adebayor to sidefoot into the empty net. Three minutes later, the Germany midfielder set up Benzema to score the second.

Racing, who had not lost under new coach Marcelino, spurned a chance to hit back when Pablo Pinillos's weak penalty was saved after the break, but Kennedy Bakircioglu threatened a comeback when he scored from a fine move in the 70th. Benzema curled in his second soon after following a counter-attack and Adebayor also missed a late penalty.

forward to leading the team in IPL IV. "It's a pleasure and an honour to lead the KKR team. I believe that the KKR management has put together a terrific team. I am looking forward to the season and feel very optimistic," said Gambhir, who was Delhi Daredevils captain last season.

He was bought by KKR for a record-breaking $2.4 million (Rs 11.04 crore) in the IPL auction held in Bangalore in January.

Along with Gambhir, six members of the KKR squad are currently playing in the World Cup. They are Yusuf Pathan, Jacques Kallis, Brett Lee, Brad Haddin, Ryan ten Doeschate and Shakib al Hasan.

Injuries stare Barca, Arsenal REUTERS BARCELONA, MARCH 7

Barcelona and Arsenal both have to cope with injuries to key players in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 match, as the English side looks to protect its 2-1 lead at the Camp Nou. Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola will field a makeshift defense with center backs Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique missing for Tuesday’s game.

Counterpart Arsene Wenger has troubles at the other end, with speedy winger Theo Walcott sidelined and main striker Robin van Persie coming off a knee injury.

Van Persie was expected to miss the match, but was surprisingly included in the Arsenal squad Monday after completing a training session.

“We know Van Persie has traveled here and we have to take that into account,” Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets said Monday.

Wenger is confident of having Cesc Fabregas available for the Spain midfielder’s return to the Camp Nou, while midfielder Jack Wilshere will also travel to Spain after recovering from an ankle injury. However, defensive midfielder Alex Song has been ruled out with a knee injury.

Barcelona is in better form, having won four straight games since its trip to north London, although the Spanish champion hasn’t showed its usual fluency of late.

2ND LEG FIXTURES TUESDAY AT DONETSK Shakthar Donetsk (UKR) v. AS Roma (ITA) Shakhtar lead 3-2 AT BARCELONA Barcelona (ESP) v. Arsenal (ENG) Arsenal lead 2-1 WEDNESDAY AT LONDON Tottenham (ENG) v. AC Milan (ITA) Spurs lead 1-0 AT GELSENKIRCHEN Schalke 04 (GER) v. Valencia (ESP) Match tied at 1-1

Vettori expects a batsmanfriendly surface.

"I think we are expecting it to be a little bit quicker than most grounds but still it will be a batter-friendly wicket," said Vettori, whose openers are in top form.

Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum hit unbeaten half-centuries in New Zealand's win over Zimbabwe on Friday.

Vettori said the teams knew each other well due to their recent clashes.

"We are fortunate that we played a lot against them lately so we are pretty familiar but they are pretty familiar with us so it's going to be a tough game but hopefully there is some confidence from the Zimbabwe game," said Vettori.

Shehzad involved in spat with reporter PTI KARACHI, MARCH 7

Opening batsman Ahmed Shehzad, who is struggling for form in the ongoing cricket World Cup, had an altercation with a Pakistani journalist at Pallekele where the side take on New Zealand tomorrow, a report said today.

According to a report in the 'Express' daily newspaper, She-

hzad exchanged words with the Pakistani journalist during the national team's practice session on Sunday.

"Shehzad struggling for form complained to the journalist that they were not fair with him and was not in a very good mood," the report said.

Shehzad has managed a total of just 26 runs in three matches in the World Cup, two of them

against minnows Kenya and Canada and his opening partnership with Muhammad Hafeez has also not come good with no sizeable stand as yet.

The failure of the two openers has led to captain Shahid Afridi and coach Waqar Younis expressing disappointment and calling on them to stand up and be counted in the remaining matches.

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We don’t want easy matches: Kirsten PTI BANGALORE, MARCH 7

India might have been made to toil hard by Ireland but coach Gary Kirsten is happy that his side has not got any "easy matches" so far in the World Cup as this has helped Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men get a hang of different situations.

India made heavy weather of what seemed to be a comfortable chase of 208 against the Associate nation last night.

India endured stiff tests even in their previous matches - against Bangladesh and England - winning the former and managing to tie the latter.

"It was important that we chased and got used to batting second and getting to understand what to do in different situations," said Kirsten.

"Two points is everything and we will face different challenges in different games; we don't want to have easy games a l l t h e w a y t h ro u g h , " h e added.

Canada record 2nd win PTI NEW DELHI, MARCH 7

Jimmy Hansra hit a career-best 70 as Canada notched up their second win in the World Cup history after defeating Kenya by five wickets in a group A clash at Feroze Shah Kotla stadium here today.

Canada produced a disciplined all-round performance as fast bowler Henry Osinde took four wickets and Hansra and skipper Ashish Bagai (64 not out) hit twin half-centuries to secure a facile win with 27 balls to spare.

Canada bowled out Kenya for a modest 198, riding on Osinde's brilliant first spell where he returned the figures of 7-2-16-3.

The Canadians then knocked off the target in 45.3 overs and avenged their previous two losses against Kenya in the World Cup. It was Canada's second only win in World Cup, the first being their 60-run victor y over Bangladesh in the 2003 edition in South Africa.

KP out, Eoin comes in PTI CHENNAI, MARCH 7

England's World Cup campaign was today dealt a massive blow when star batsman Kevin Pietersen was ruled out of the event due to a hernia injury.

The explosive right-hander, who was recently promoted to the opening slot, was in discomfort during England's narrow sixrun win over South Africa.

The England Cricket Board had earlier announced that Pietersen would undergo a hernia surgery after the team's World Cup campaign but the operation has been advanced now, a team spokesman said.

The ECB has asked for Eoin Morgan as a replacement player for Pietersen, for which ICC approved the request.

ICC alters 2.5 metre rule for consistency PTI DUBAI, MARCH 7

The ICC on Monday issued fresh guidelines to umpires for greater consistency in the 2.5 metre rule, the most controversial aspect of the Decision Review System (DRS) in the ongoing cricket World Cup in the sub-continent.

The directive stated that even though there may be a distance between the stumps and the point of impact of 2.5 metre or greater, the on-field umpire can reverse the decision even if the ball is hitting any part of the middle stump.

According to the previous rule, the leg-before could be reversed by the on-field umpire only if the ball was hitting the centre of the middle stump.

If both the 40cm and 2.5m graphics appear for the same delivery, the batsman will definitely remain not out, it said.

It further said that if the "more than 2.5m" graphic appears without the 40cm, the third umpire will be informed by HawkEye of the exact distance of impact from the stumps. If this distance is greater than 3.5m, the batsman will remain not out.

Meanwhile the ICC revealed that correct decisions in the tournament have risen from an 90.18 per cent to 97.82 due to the use of the DRS. "It is a fact that the number of decisions in this event is way above the normal average for ODIs. This is because of the type of wickets that prevail in the sub-continent where the bounce is often lower and where there is a greater amount of turn.

"What it is demonstrating clearly is that the DRS is helping umpires who are maintaining consistently high levels of performance," said David Richardson, ICC general manager, cricket.

The 26-year-old Hansra (70), who was dropped on zero, notched up his maiden half-century, and added 132 runs for the fourth wicket with Bagai as Canada recovered from a shaky start to earn their first points in the mega event.

Earlier, electing to bat, Kenya were reduced to 21 for three in seven overs but middle order batsman Tanmay Mishra (51) and Thomas Odoyo (51) hit twin half-centuries to take the African team close to the 200mark.

Kenya: M. Ouma c Baidwan b Osinde 0, S. Waters b Osinde 2, C. Obuya b Baidwan 31, D. Obuya c Bagai b Osinde 2, S. Tikolo lbw b Cheema 12, T. Mishra c Surkari b Davison 51, J. Kamande c Bagai b Rao 22, T. Odoyo b Baidwan 51, N. Odhiambo b Osinde 4, E. Otieno c Hansra b Cheema 8, J. Ngoche not out 1. Extras: 14. Total: 198 all out. Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-7, 3-21, 4-41, 5-57, 6-109, 7-166, 8171, 9-193, 10-198. Bowling: Osinde 10-2-26-4, Baidwan 10-1-41-2, Desai 3-0-20-0, Cheema 9-1-30-2, Hansra 3-0-15-0, Rao 100-36-1, Davison 5-0-26-1.

Canada: R. Gunasekera st Ouma b Ngoche 18, R. Cheema b Etieno 17, Z. Surkari run out 10, A. Bagai not out 64, J. Hansra c Ngoche b Odhiambo 70, T. Gordon b Odhiambo 3, J. Davison not out 4. Extras: 13. Total: 199 for 5. Fall of wickets: 1-19, 2-37, 3-48, 4-180, 5-186. Bowling: Odoyo 5-1-18-0, Etieno 8.3-0-45-1, Odhiambo 10-0-45-2, Ngoche 10-2-26-1, Kamande 5-0-25-0, Obuya 2-0-15-0, Tikolo 5-1-24-0. Man-of-the-Match: H Osinde.

India are now up against another minnow, the Netherlands, on Wednesday and Kirsten said all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, who picked up five wickets and scored an unbeaten 50 on Sunday, has struck form just at the right time.

"Yuvraj did well all round," he said.

"He has been working hard on his cricket and wants to contribute with bat and ball.

I am pleased with the way he went about his batting," he added.

n Two points is everything and we will face different challenges in different games; we don't want to have easy games all the way through.