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The Voice of Goa — Since 1900 panjim, saturDaY, maY 8, 2010

Goa’s Heartbeat: Charlize and Keanu’s ‘sweet May’ date Pg 14

IN BRIEF NRI woman probably murdered An Indian-origin pregnant woman, who was found dead after a fire at her home in 2008, was most probably murdered as a result of a foul play, a Coroner has said. – (PTI)

Business: India’s economy Pg 13 for 9% growth

Centre cannot sack Governors at will: SC PTI NEW DELHI, MAY 7

Clipping Government’s powers, the Supreme Court today ruled that Governors cannot be removed with the change of power at the Centre or for refusing to act as its “agent” and being out of ‘sync’ with its ideology.

Delivering a path-breaking unanimous verdict, a five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan held that power to remove them “will have to be exercised in rare and exceptional circumstances for valid and compelling reasons”.

“A Governor cannot be removed on the ground that he is out of sync with the policies and ideologies of the Union Government or the party in power at the Centre. Nor can he be removed on the ground that the Union Government has lost confidence in him.

“It follows therefore that change in government at Centre is not a ground for removal of

A Governor cannot be removed on the ground that he is out of sync with the policies and ideologies of the Union Government or the party in power at the Centre. Nor can he be removed on the ground that the Union Government has lost confidence in him.

– Supreme Court Governors holding office to make way for others favoured by the new government,” the Bench said.

It rejected the contention of the Centre and other respondents that Governors should be in sync with the policies of the Union Government or should subscribe to the ideology of the party in power at the Centre.

“Governor is not the agent or the employee of the Union Government”, the Bench also comprising Justices S H Kapadia, R V Raveendran, B Sudershan Reddy and P Sathasivam said.

It also rejected the contention that a Governor can be removed if the Government or party in power loses confidence in him,” Justice Raveendran writing the judgement for the Bench said.

“Governors cannot be politically active. We therefore reject the contention of the respondents that Governors should be in sync with the policies of the Union Government or should subscribe to the ideology of the party in power at the Centre,” the apex court said.

“While some of them may come from a political background, once they are appointed as Governors, they owe their allegiance and loyalty to the Constitution and not to any political party and are required to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution,” the court said.

Naxal leader found Goa safe: Bansal HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MAY 7

Goa Police today said that the Naxal group Maobadi Trishul Manch (MTM) leader Sambu Beck was staying in Goa for over a one month as he found this to be a safe place to hide.

Addressing press conference in the Goa Police headquarters conference hall, ANC Superintendent Veenu Bansal who headed the joint operation said that Beck was in Goa for the last one and half months because he wanted to lie low.

“Beck saw Goa as a safe place for him to lie low for sometime,” Bansal said giving details of Sambu’s stay in Goa. Further, he said, based on the information from the Orissa police the Goa police arrested the naxalite leader along with 17 others under section 41 of the CRPC. “We are keeping a close watch to find out the Naxal leader’s movements in the State,” Bansal said.

Bansal said that Beck and his associate Rajendra Barla will be taken to Orissa within the next (Continued on page 10)

Cameron close to power in UK PTI LONDON, MAY 7

Conser vative leader David Cameron today moved ahead with efforts to stake claim to form a coalition government in Britain by roping in king-maker Liberal Democrats, even as defeated Labour Premier Gordon Brown attempted to dig his heels for another term.

The Conservative party of 43year-old Cameron won the most seats in May 6 elections but did not take enough seats to form a majority.

However, armed with the largest number of seats (306) and the largest voting percentage (36 per cent), Cameron moved quickly to seek the support of Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, whose party finished third with 57 seats.

Intense negotiations were on between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats to form a

Conservative-led government, with Cameron and Clegg holding discussions late in the evening.

The negotiation began after Cameron, encouraged by Clegg’s statement that his party would ideally offer support to the single largest party, made a “big, open and comprehensive offer” on policies in exchange for support.

Vaz siblings set record

Indian-origin Keith Vaz, who was once again elected from the Leicester East constituency, today said that he was looking forward to debate issues in the House of Commons with his sister Valerie, who was also elected from the Walsall South constituency. -- (PTI)

As the hung poll verdict sent jitters through the financial markets, Cameron said he was keen to move quickly to form a strong and stable government. The new formation, however, is unlikely to be in place before Monday.

The Labour party, meanwhile, saw its tally slump to 258 in a House of Commons with a strength of 650 seats, with 649 results declared. A total of 326 seats are required for an absolute majority.

However, Brown is yet to concede defeat and indicated he was open to talk to Clegg in case the negotiation between the Lib Dems and the Tories failed.

The election appears to have ended the Labour party’s record run in 10, Downing Street, since 1997 and have thrown up a hung parliament for the first time since 1974.

Cong taking country to doom: Gadkari HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MAY 7

Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) national President Nitin Gadkari today accused the Congress of appeasing terrorism in the name of secularism and said that with Naxalism on the rise, the UPA government seems to be taking the country to doom.

“Naxalism is on increase in the country. It has spread to 250 districts. Where are we heading?” Gadkari questioned addressing a public meeting at Azad Maidan here Friday evening.

Gadkari who was on his first ever visit to Goa after taking over the reigns of the party, said that the country is getting increasingly unsafe as the Congress government has no willingness to fight back terrorism and naxalism.

(Continued on page 10)

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Sports: Shoaib barred from playing at Hyderabad Pg 17

Mukesh wins war of tycoons with Anil No cheap gas for RNRL: Court PTI NEW DELHI, MAY 7

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani today emerged victorious in the battle with younger brother Anil with the Supreme Court rejecting a plea for cheap gas, saying a national asset should be priced only by the government.

A three-judge bench headed

by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan, who demits office on May 11, said that the Ambani family MoU that seeks to divide gas between group firms of the two brothers was not binding, both legally as well as technically.

The apex court asked the group firms of the warring siblings to sit together within six weeks and rework within the next eight day a gas supply agreement in conformity with the government policy.

The government has already

fixed the price of gas from RIL’s KG-D6 fields at USD 4.20 per mmBtu, compared to the USD 2.34 per mmBtu sought by Anil Ambani group firm RNRL. However, there was a minor difference within the bench with Justice B Sudershan Reddy holding that the MoU was a private pact, which cannot even be considered, while the other two said it could be a basis for negotiations between the two for a new agreement.

The MoU is part of the Ambani family settlement reached in June 2005 for dividing the Reliance empire between Mukesh and his younger brother Anil.

Welcoming the judgement, Petroleum Minister Murli Deora said: “The Supreme Court verdict upholds the fact that gas belongs to the government and the people.”

Govt open to caste-based census?

With most parties pushing for a caste-based census, the government does not seem to be averse to such an exercise during the process to enumerate the country’s populace.

Sources said there is enough time to incorporate a section of caste in the census. – (PTI)

At last we got some water toady for cooking, drinking, washing, cleaning...

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Bardez water woes will be solved with Assonora plant: Churchill HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MAY 7

PWD Minister Churchill Alemao on Friday said that the water woes of Bardez taluka would be solved with the commissioning of the 20 mld water treatment plant at Assonora, on May 25.

Disclosing this at a press conference, after holding a joint meeting with the Minister Water Resources Filipe Neri Rodrigues and the officials of Electricity Department, Alemao said that he had given an assurance to the people of people of Bardez that their water problems would be solved by June with the commissioning of 50 mld treatment plant at Assonora.

"Keeping up the assurance we have decided to commission the 20 mld plant on May 25 and the remaining 30 mld plant will be commissioned four months later," Alemao said.

He said that this will help solve the acute water shortage of the Bardezkars. \"Presently, there is a shortage of 15 mld in the taluka and with

the commissioning of new plant we will have 5 mld access water," he said.

On today's meeting with the

WRD and the Electricity department, he said that was basically to discuss the power disruptions and the supply of Tillari water.

‘Narvekar loves to be in limelight’ HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MAY 7

PWD minister Churchill Alemao on Friday said that the accusations made by Aldona MLA Dayanand Narvekar against his department is just to stay in news.

Narvekar had recently criticised the PWD for the water shortage in Porvorim and Calangute areas.

"Narvekar is my good friend but let me tell you that his statements are just to stay in news. People must know he is there," Alemao said (with a hint that being out of the cabinet is difficult to live without publicity in the media).

Further Alemao added, "I have done lot of work in Porvorim and it is due to my efforts the situation has improved in the area," he said.

"Narvekar was busy with the IPL for last one month and now he wants to show the people he is back and is concerned about the people," he said.

On his return from IPL, Narvekar shot a letter to Alemao and simultaneously sent copies to the press.

Churchill’s dream bridge over River Sal runs into rough weather

The Navelim-Benaulim bride under construction over River Sal. HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MAY 7

PWD Minister, Churchill Alemao’s dream Navelim-Benaulim bridge over River Sal has run into rough weather.

Ruling that the environmental clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests is mandatory under the CRZ notification when the cost of the bridge is over Rs 5 crore, the High Court has granted liberty to the petitioners to move an application for complete stay of the works in the event the clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest is not obtained by the government by the next date of hearing.

The Bench comprising of Justice S J Vazifdar and U D Salvi further made it very clear that any work that is carried out from now will be entirely at the risk of the government, including the contractor and that no equity in respect thereof shall be claimed.

The Court also ruled that khazan land even under the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority’s “in principle” permission dated August 5, 2008 cannot be filled.

Leopard kills calf at Bicholim HERALD CORRESPONDENT BICHOLIM MAY 7

In yet another attack, a leopard killed a calf at Maulinguem-Bicholim in the wee hours of Friday.

According to sources, the calf belonging to one Ashok Sawaikar was tied in a cowshed, when it was attacked by the wild cat.

“Usually, we put on all the light surrounding our house at night especially after the leopard killed our dog,” said Ashok's son, Mandar.

“Last night, we forgot to put on the light in the cowshed and when we came in the morning, we found the calf dead.”

Animal Rescue Squad chief Amrut Singh informed that the leopard generally goes in search of food in the evening or in the wee hours.

“Merely putting on the lights may not drive the leopard away,” said Singh.

It may be recalled that leopard attacks have been reported in the area in the past few days.

The high court also granted liberty to the petitioners led by George Barretto and 48 others to take photographs of the site.

Observing that the cost of the project is admittedly over Rs 5 crore, the High Court said “thus, under the CRZ notification, the environmental clearance from the Ministr y of Environment and Forests, government of India is mandatory.

This is not even disputed by the Advocate General”.

When the government maintained that permission was not obtained as initially, the cost of the bridge was expected to be less than Rs 5 crore, the court said “be that as it may, the tender itself has been executed for a sum of more than Rs 9 crore. Thus, the environmental clearance of the Ministry is required”.

The High Court order has given a big relief for the anti Navelim-Benaulim bridge activists, who had been fighting a sustained battle against the proposed bridge from day one.

A local resident, Jose Paul Coutinho told newsmen that the bridge contractor has cut down the mangroves and have filled up the khazan land and

Photo by Santosh Mirajkar

ponds on the Sinquetim side of the bridge.

While exuding confidence that the High Court will order a complete stay on the bridge works by the next date of hearing, he and others thanked the Judiciary for hearing their prayers and said the villagers will pray to the court for the complete stay of the ongoing works.

Petitioner George Barretto said the PWD has filled up the River Sal and cleared mangroves to build the bridge pillars and hoped the District Collector would now intervene to save the environment from further destructions. “The contractor has filled up the river to build pillars. We are fighting for justice. The people will not be cowed down by any threats or intimidation”, he added.

Sinquetim ward member Schubert Furtado said the people have already won half the battle and reposed full faith in the judiciary that justice would be done to the agitating people.

“No doubt, I had attended the foundation laying ceremony of the bridge as a mark of respect.

I was in favour of a three-meter wide bridge, and not a 12-meter wide one”, he added.

"The power department has prepared an estimate of Rs 3 crore for underground cabling of the line which goes to Podoccem water treatment plant. Likew i s e w e h a v e a s ke d t h e Electricity department to carry out underground cabling of lines to all other treatment plants," he said adding "the frequent power disruptions is causing major problem for pumping of water."

Further, Alemao said, "with the WRD minister we discussed the supply for water to Assonora plant during monsoons."

"Every year the supply of Tillari water is stopped for maintenance work during monsoons," he said adding "we have also sorted out this issue."

Besides, Alemao also said that the government has set up a coordination committee under the chairmanship of PWD secretary to see that water is properly distributed all over Goa. "The committee will have officials of the PWD, WRD and the Electricity department as its members," he said.

Auction of govt stock HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, MAY 7

Government of Goa has offered to sell Goa State Government Stock (Securities) of ten-year tenure of an aggregate amount of Rs 100 crore (Nominal). Government Stock will be sold through the Reserve Bank of India, Mumbai Office (PDO) Fort, Mumbai by auction at a coupon rate to be determined by the Reserve Bank of India at the yield based auction under multiple price format. The auction will be conducted by the Reserve Bank of India at its Mumbai Office, Fort, Mumbai on May 11, 2010.

Bids for the auction should be submitted in electronic format, on the Negotiated Dealing System (NDS) on May 11, 2010.

The competitive bids shall be submitted electronically on the Negotiated Dealing System (NDS) between 10.30 am and 12.30 pm and the non-competitive bids shall be submitted electronically on the Negotiated Dealing System (NDS) between 10.30 am and 11.30 am. The result of the auction shall be displayed by the Reserve Bank of India on its website on the same day. The payment by successful bidders will be on May 12, 2010 before close of banking hours by means of cash, banker’s cheque/pay order, demand draft payable at Reserve Bank of India, Mumbai (Fort).

The loan will be repaid at par on May 12, 2020. The cut-off yield determined at the auction will be the coupon rate percent per annum on the Stock sold at the auction. The interest will be paid every half yearly on November 12 and May 12.

The auction is also open to eligible individuals and institutions on non competitive basis to maximum limit of 10% of the notified amount.

The Goa State Government Stock will be issued for a minimum amount of Rs 10,000 (face value) and in multiples thereof.

The Reserve Bank of India will have full discretion to accept or reject any or all bids either wholly or partially, if deemed fit, without assigning any reason.

This is a part of planned borrowing as approved by the Government of India.

Kasab verdict is strong message to terrorists, says father of 26/11 victim HERALD CORRESPONDENT OLD GOA, MAY 7

The father of the young chef killed in the 26/11 terrorist attacks in Mumbai has stated that the judiciary had sent a strong message to extremist organizations that the country would not spare those committing terrorist acts by killing hundreds of lives for no reason.

Urbano do Rego, father of the late Boris, was reacting to the court’s decision on Thursday to sentence the lone surviving terrorist, Ajmal Kasab, to death after convicting him of the terrorist attacks.

The court delivered justice to the 166 people who lost their lives in the 26/11 carnage, in which a young Goan chef, Boris do Rego, was also shot dead by the terrorists at the Taj Hotel in Mumbai.

The Rego family is yet unable to overcome the tragic loss of their beloved Rego.

“Though I know that I can’t get my son back even after

Urbano do Rego sits by the side of a photograph of son Boris.

Kasab has been given the death sentence, I feel it is a good example for others and this is a clear and strong message to all extremist organizations that there was no forgiveness for such cruel acts,” said Urbano.

“My personnel feeling is that instead of Kasab being given death sentence, he should have been mentally tortured to uncover all those behind the terrorist attacks.”

When asked if he was satisfied with the manner in which the law had proceeded in the Kasab case, Urbano said: “I won’t get my son back, but the only thing I can pray is that such people should not things that will shatter hundreds of families. Only these families will know the loss of their loved ones, just as I have been terribly missing my son,” said Urbano, as he fights back his tears.

Goa Velha resident succumbs to injuries HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MAY 7

One Ashley Alex Mendes, resident of Goa Velha succumbed to head injuries on Friday, three days after his two-wheeler vehicle was hit by a speeding mini bus at Campal.

According to police, Ashley was heading from Miramar to Panjim when his bike was hit by a mini bus GA-01-U-1585.

Ashley sustained head injuries and was admitted to Goa Medical College where he breathed his last today.

The driver of the vehicle Subash Velingkar, who fled from the scene after the accident along with the bus, is still absconding, the police said.

The Police have registered a case under Section 338 of IPC and Section 134 (a) and (b) of the Motor Vehicle Act against the driver.

Recently, former Director of Civil Supplies and ex-Deputy Collector, Simon Paes succumbed to injuries after he was hit by a Dio bike driven by a 19year-old boy in Cunchelim, Mapusa. An upgright and sincere officer, 74-year-old Paes held several positions in the Goa Administration including Administrator of North Zone.

Arrest of 12 Orissa men linked to naxal group shocks Bhoma HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARCEL, MAY 7

The arrests of 12 from Orissa who were residing at BhomaPonda for their alleged links with a naxalite group have surprised residents of Bhoma-Adcolna.

Residents could not believe that 12 suspects having links with a naxalite group were staying in the locality and claimed that these people never indulged in any suspicious activity.

They have claimed that Bhoma village, which is close to Kundaim Industrial Estate, has a number of migrant workers residing in rented premises.

“We have made it mandatory for every house owner who rents out rooms to submit tenant verification forms to the police,” said Bhoma-Adcolna resident Sunil Bhomkar.

“Being close to the Kundaim Industrial Estate, there are many migrants residing in our village in rented rooms. I think that companies also should conduct such verification drives before employing any person.”

“The arrests of these men from Bhoma will attract negative publicity to our village and we don’t want such things to hap-

The room rented by six men from Orissa who were arrested by Goa police.

Photo by Amresh Parab

pen again,” Bhomkar added.

Prekshama Kubal, who had rented out her room to six men who were arrested, said she never knew that Shambu Beck was such a notorious man wanted by the Orissa police.

“He (Shambu) stayed along with these men in the rented room for around eight days.

When I inquired about him, they told me that he (Shambu) is a friend and would leave soon. I never sensed anything suspicious in their behaviour as they were regular in their work. They never created any trouble nor

were involved in any argument,” said Kubal.

According to reports, the 12 men were arrested from three different rented rooms in Bhoma.

Albicia Lakda, wife of one accused, Amrit Lakda, claimed that her husband is innocent.

“Amrit is here in Goa since 2006. As we don’t have proper employment back home, my husband is working here to make a living. I hope authorities will release my husband as he has done nothing wrong,” said Lakda.

Land use for mining: HC disposes Sirsaim communidade writ plea

Chief Engineer asked to suspend staff holding back transfers

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MAY 7

Declining to grant relief to Communidade of Sirsaim in terms of directions to authorities to stop alleged illegal use of Communidade land by mining companies for transporting ore, the Bombay High Court at Goa disposed off a writ petition filed

by Sirsaim Communidade.

A Division Bench of Justices S J Vazifdar and U D Salvi disposed off the petition wherein the petitioners sought directions to North Goa Collector to enforce the memorandum dated May 7, 2009 and for summary eviction proceeding against Trimurti Exporters.

The petitioners Sirsaim Communidade and Ratnakar Parab, contented that ex-managing committee had illegally entered into agreement with some mining companies for use of communidade land. In this regard, Collector of North Goa on May 7, 2009 had issued a memorandum directing the police to stop the illegal use of the land and to take appropriate action in the matter.

However, following a representation on behalf of Salgaocar Mining Industries Ltd, and Trimurti Exporters, and after hearing all parties, the deputy collector and SDM on May 13,

2009, held that there was no cause for interference and Communidade of Sirsaim was directed to approach a competent court of law.

On July 17, 2009, the Administrator of Communidades, North Goa however declared that the memorandum of understanding between of Sirsaim and Trimurti Exporters for the use of the road for plying their vehicles as null and void.

This order came to be challenged by Trimurti Exporters before High Court. Deciding the matter on December 7, 2009, High Court set aside the order of the Administrator of Communidade and accepted the statement of the counsel for administrator that the petitioner will be given a hearing before passing appropriate order.

After hearing the matter a fresh the administrator of communidades maintained its earlier order. Thereafter, Trimurti Exporters moved Administrative Tribunal against Administrator’s order and obtained stay on February 18, 2010. The question of the use of subject road is pending before Administrative Tribunal.

With this background the High Court rejected both prayers of the Communidade of Sirsaim and refused to con-

sider its third prayer that town and country planning, Mapusa be ordered to stop Trimurti Exporters from using the land and restore the communidade land to its original condition.

The Division Bench also declined to issue direction to village panchayat of Sirsaim to immediately stop mining activities being carried by the mining companies saying the relief would directly affect mining companies that hold permissions.

“If, according to the petitioners, the licences have been illegally granted, they ought to adopt proceedings by impleading the mining companies. In their absence, no relief can be granted,” the Court observed while disposing off the petition.

Nuvem gram sabha on May 16

MARGAO (HR): The gram sabha meeting of Nuvem Village Panchayat will be held on May 16, at 10 am at the panchayat office.

Amongst other things, the meeting will discuss the budget for the year 2020-11 and will approve the names which are eligible for inclusion in the BLP list.

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MAY 7

PWD Minister Churchill Alemao on Friday directed the Principal Chief Engineer AM Wachsunder to suspend the employees who are using the political clout to hold back their transfers.

Following allegations of corruption in the water supply by the Opposition leader Manohar Parrikar, the PWD minister had transferred 35 employees from the Por vorim and Mapusa areas.

However, out of the 35 employees only five have been relieved from the present postings while rest have been allegedly using political pressure to hold back their transfers.

When pointed out, Alemao directed Wachasunder to immediately suspend the employees who are using the political pressure.

Alemao also directed Wachasunder to hold back the salaries of these employees until they resume duties at the new postings.

Sources said pressure was being exerted by some MLAs including from the Opposition to protect the interest of the employees.

2 rare albino crows die at Bondla SAMEER UMARYE BICHOLIM, MAY 7

It should have been their sanctuary, but the Bondla wildlife sanctuary turned out to be their graveyard.

Two rare albino crows died in the wildlife sanctuary barely days after they were rescued from Ibrampur-Pernem and handed over to the sanctuary.

The incident, which has shocked wildlife activists, was reportedly kept under wraps at the Bondla wildlife sanctuary for a number of days, until confirmation finally came through that the two rare birds had died.

Herald investigations have revealed that the two albino crows, handed over to the Bondla wildlife sanctuary by residents of Ibrampur Pernem, died within few days after they were taken to the sanctuary.

The incident was kept secret almost for a month and visitors who were eager to catch a glance of this rare species were told that they were left in the jungle.

It may be recalled that both albino crows were found at Ibrampur last month. The first one was found on April 10 near the house of one Mhaso Vishnu Gawas. Other crows were trying to kill the albino crow, when Gawas informed an animal activist, Narayan Kalangutkar, who had rescued the bird.

Barely four days later, another albino crow was rescued from the same village. This time it was spotted by Sunil Kubal. Both crows were then sent to the Bondla wildlife sanctuary, so that they could be protected while under observation.

On receiving information that the two albino crows had die,

The place where sick animals are treated at the Bondla wildlife sanctuary. (Inset) A file photo of one of the two albino crows.

this correspondent rushed to Bondla on Friday to verify the reports.

The RFO and other officials had gone for a meeting at Panjim and when some workers at Bondla zoo were contacted, most of them said the two birds were released in the forest after initial treatment.

Some of them tried to evade queries on the issue and said they are unaware about the whereabouts of the two albino birds.

Later, a few workers had the courage to disclose the truth and confirmed that the albino crows had died just few days after they were brought to the zoo.

“We were never given a chance to see them as they were always kept inside and were undergoing some treatment,” said

a worker on condition of anonymity.

“We heard that they stopped eating after they were brought to the zoo and one of them was also injured. The doctor always came to check them, but the crows did not survive,” the worker added.

As there was no formal confirmation about the incident, attempts were made to contact the RFO Paresh Porob, but he did not answer the call.

Assistant Forest Officer and the Bondla Zoo Manager, Pradeep Verekar, however, confirmed the news on phone.

“The incident is true and they are dead,” said Verekar.

When asked for the reason behind the deaths, Verekar claimed he did not have the report with him and that it was in the office.

“Right now, the report is not with me. You can come to the office and see the entire report on Monday, to know the exact reason behind the incident,” Verekar added.

Animal Rescue Squad Chief Amrut Singh expressed surprise and regret over the incident.

“They were rare species and we may not find a similar crow,” said Singh.

Albino crows have red eyes and are unable to see when they come in contact with sunlight.

The crows need special care and attention, as they have to be kept in the dark.

According to experts, albino crows get their white colour because of some genetic changes, following a lack of melanin content that robs them of its black pigmentation.

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Obey your superiors, not politicians: Ravi Naik HERALD CORRESPONDENT VALPOI, MAY 7

In what could be easier said than done, Home Minister Ravi Naik on Friday appealed to the new police constables not to bow down to the pressure of politicians, but to obey orders of their superiors in the police department.

The home minister was addressing the passing out parade of the 43rd batch of recruit police constables at Prerna Maidan, Police Training School (PTS), here.

“Goa is a peaceful state where the people of the all religions live peacefully. But some antisocial elements are trying to destroy the peace. Hence, the police should be alert and keep a watch on such anti-social elements, including Goondagiri,” said Naik.

The Home minister congratulated the Director General of Police (DGP) Bimsen Bassi and the Goa police for successfully arresting a Naxalist group and also solving many crimes.

“Goa Police is indeed performing well as many culprits involved in various crimes have been arrested. The law and order situation is good,” remarked the home minister.

Speaking on the ‘Red alert’ in Goa, Ravi Naik announced that the operation will continue for some more days and added that details of the naxalist group arrested would be made known to the public shortly.

Earlier in his welcome address, DGP Bassi brought to the notice

Home Minister Ravi Naik reviews the parade by the police recruits at Police Training school grounds at Valpoi.

Photo by Ashraf Khan

of the home minister that there are only 5,000 personnel in Goa Police to man about 3700 sq. kms area, which is not enough.

“The strength is less and the government should increase the strength of Goa Police,” said DGP Bassi and thanked Naik for clearing the file regarding the recruitment of 157 traffic police and 79 drivers.

He reminded the new recruits that a police officer is expected to serve public so that they get justice and live in peace.

In all, 131 police recruits (114 males and 17 females) completed their 9-month training and the oath to the recruits was

administered by Police Inspector Ulhas Dessai.

Various prizes were given to the police recruits. The best allrounder prize went to Police Constable Seema Ram Gaonkar.

In indoors, the first prize was also awarded to Police Constable Seema Ram Gaonkar, with Vidya Vasudev Gunjikar bagging the second prize.

In the outdoors category, Rajesh Narayan Kandolckar (first) and Yeshwant M Mandrekar (second) were the winners.

Seema R. Gaonkar (first) and Vidya Vassudev Gunjikar (second) were adjudged the best in law subject, while in Musketry,

Colmorod residents complain of mushrooming shanties

the winners were Vinayak S. Jadhav (first), Mayur Datta Parsekar (second) and Rizvan Hanif Shaikh (third).

In sports, Paresh R. Gawde (first) and Deepak Bocade (second) were the winners while the Best Disiplined cadet was Gajanand Chari.

Most senior ranking police officials, including IGP Sundari Nanda, attended the function, which included a mass PT, band show, march past and mock drills on ‘terrorist attacks’.

Advocate Pancholi compered the programme, while PTS Principal SP Prabhudessai later proposed the vote of thanks.

Ponda police arrest 3 for thefts along highway HERALD CORRESPONDENT PONDA, MAY 7

Illegal hutments on the low lying communidade land at Colmorod-Margao.

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MAY 7

Illegal hutments have raised its ugly head in Chief Minister Digambar Kamat’s constituency once again.

Local residents of Colmorod have complained of mushrooming hutments and scrap yards in the locality along the road leading to the Konkan Railway station from the Navelim Church.

Co-incidentally, the illegal shanties have come up in the ward represented by the First C i t i z e n o f M a rg a o , S a v i o Coutinho, who has assured the agitated locals that the Civic body would crack a whip against the illegalities.

Coutinho admitted that the hutments, inhabited by the migrants is posing a nuisance and a menace for the local populace in the absence of any sanitary facilities, besides

anti-social activities. “Locals fear to use the road because of the migrants and the antisocial activities. There’s even a need to ascertain the antecedents of the people inhabiting shanties”, Coutinho added.

Locals have raised apprehensions that the existing scrap yard at the site is getting expanded since the time the authorities had razed the two scrap yards along the Nuvem-Arlem stretch of the Eastern bypass. They wondered how hutments can be allowed on low-lying Communidade land when the land in question is cultivable land.

Incidentally, the Margao Municipal Council had razed down the illegal structures around a year ago, but if the Municipal Chairperson is to be believed, the shanties resurfaced within days, indi-

Calangute locals complain of air, noise pollution HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, MAY 7

Residents of Naikka Vaddo in Calangute have complained of air and noise pollution due to sale of cement at a godown in the village.

In a letter to the Sarpanch, the residents have highlighted their woes particularly the health hazards due to air pollution and possibility of accidents due to numerous unloading of trucks at the godown site.

They have urged the sarpanch

to immediately stop the nuisance in their residential areas.

Acting on the complaint, the Calangute panchayat has asked Calangute police to initiate action as per the law in force.

However, Calangute police can take little action against the on resident who has converted his cold drinks godown into a cement godown.

Copies of the complaint have been forwarded to the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) and Calangute police.

Photo by Santosh Mirajkar

cating the helplessness of the Civic chief and the patronage the shanties receive from the powers that be.

Replying to a question, he said the Civic body will initiate action against the shanties, but also want other agencies, including the Collectorate and police to coordinate and get rid of the nuisance. “It is indeed sad that Goans are responsible for the nuisance for letting the communidade land for the erection of the shanties”, he added.

Incidentally, former Chief Minister, Pratapsing Rane, who had visited the Commercial Capital in 2005 had warned the city’s powers that be and the authorities over the growing slums in the city and the need to crack a whip against encroachments on government and communidade land, but in vain.

Three persons were arrested by Ponda police on Thursday night in connection with robberies along the highway.

Ponda police has identified the accused as Derrick Rathos (19) of Betalbatim, Felton Frazier D’Costa (19) of Borda-Margao and Clinton Fernandes (21) of Curtorim. A fourth accused is reportedly absconding and police has attached an Alto car from the accused.

Police informed that the accused, traveling in the Alto car, had stopped a truck near the Sanjivani Sugar factory at Dharbandora.

They had allegedly threatened the driver, Raghu Reddy of Tamil Nadu with rods and snatched cash of Rs 1500 and a mobile phone from him.

The driver then alerted the police and police teams were deputed at various places in search of the accused.

A police team posted at Farmagudi spotted the Alto car and nabbed three of the accused, while the fourth managed to escape. Investigations are in progress.

Sainath temple burgled in city

PANJIM (HR): Unknown culprits gained entry into the famous Sainath temple at Boca de Voca, in Panjim and broke open the donation box.

According to police one Rohidas Vernekar, resident of Boca de Voca, complained that between 11.30 pm on May 6 and 7 am on May 7, some unknown culprits gained entry into the temple through the open space above the door.

The complainant further said that the culprits broke open the box and fled with cash around Rs 5000 to Rs 6000.

Forgery: bank employee remanded

MARGAO (HR): The female bank employee who was arrested by the Colva police on Thursday, was on Friday remanded to three days police custody.

The employee was arrested by the police following a complaint from the manager of Bank of Baroda that she was allegedly involved in withdrawing Rs 3.75 lakh money from a an account by forging the signature of the account holder.

The police has already attached a fixed deposit of Rs 60,000, besides Rs 35,000 from the accused employee.

Film producer for streamlining ESG affairs MARGAO (HR): Senior film producer Arnold D’Costa has said that it is high time that Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat take steps to streamline the affairs of Entertainment Society of Goa, failing which the reviewed film finance scheme

will not see the light of the day.

In a press statement, D’Costa said he had sought information under the RTI Act regarding fees collected by ESG from various film makers towards shooting of films in Goa. “The reply given by

the PIO of ESG is a clear indication of delaying tactic. If the officials of ESG cannot understand simple English, than it is high time that they quit their jobs and government should appoint competent officials”, he said.

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Short takeS ‘Athaa’ exhibition opened

‘Konkani literature book will clear misunderstandings on Romi script’ HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, MAY 7

Speaker Pratapsingh Rane inaugurates ‘Athaa’, an exhibition cum sale of paintings, at a function held at Kala Academy’s Art Gallery.

Also present are Bal Bhavan Chairperson Vijayadevi Rane and others.

PANJIM (HND): Speaker Pratapsingh Rane inaugurated the ‘Athaa’ exhibition cum sale of paintings done by the students of the advanced art section of Bal Bhavan, at Art Gallery, Kala Academy, Panjim.

The exhibition is a part of a year long silver jubilee celebrations of Bal Bhavan movement in Goa. Bal Bhavan Chairperson Vijayadevi Rane and Creative Arts Head of Faculty Wilson D’Souza were present on the occasion.

The exhibition will be open for public on May 7 and 8, from 10 am to 7 pm.

Hot mixing work launched

An village elder breaks coconut at hot-mix starting point at Chapoli-Canacona.

Photo by Kathy Pereira

CANACONA (HC): The hot-mixing of village road, worth Rs 50 lakh, was launched at Chapoli-Canacona on Wednesday.

In the absence of PWD Minister Churchill Alemao, who was originally scheduled to launch the hot-mixing works, Canacona MLA Vijay Poikhot launched the works at Chapoli.

Later, some villagers took turns to break coconuts auspiciously beginning the works.

The hot-mixing work for the 4.8-km internal road from Chapoli to Nagorcem connecting the highway will be completed in six days, informed a source at the site.

Incidentally, this is the first hot-mixing work of any internal road undertaken in Canacona constituency this year, while most other works on other internal roads in the taluka including Agonda are reportedly pending for unknown reasons.

Chapoli locals Babani Vagonkar, Nami Gaonkar, Kusta Raikar, Damodar Chari (panch), PWD officers, Ranjan, Nesli D’Silva, besides contractor Dhillon Dessai were also present at the site.

Goan educationist knighted

Dalgado Konknni Akademi (DKA) president Premanand A Lotlikar stated that the book ‘Konkani Literature in Roman Script - A Brief History’ will remove all the misunderstandings about the literature in Konkani in Roman script and give a right perspective of the development of the Konkani language. He said that the book will help students and researchers to get in-depth information of Konkani language, particularly in Roman script.

Divulging the information at a press conference held on Friday, Premanand said that the book documents the history of Konkani in Roman Script for the first time. The book was written by researcher, transla-

Role of Anganwadi teachers lauded

tor, poet, writer late Prof Dr Olivinho Gomes at the request of DKA. Premanand also stated that "we are not against the Devnagari script and don't want development of Konkani in Roman script at the cost of Devnagari script. However we strongly believe that Konkani in Roman script should be given equal status with Konkani in Devnagari script."

Tiatr Academy of Goa president and the executive member of DKA Tomazinho Cardozo stated that Konkani in Roman script is the foundation of the Konkani language. “Since 1556, when the first printing press was brought in Goa, the development of Konkani language took place only through Konkani in Roman script,” he

said and added that all forms of literature in Konkani, be it novel, poetry, drama, short story, journalism, etc started with the Konkani written in Roman script.

Tomazinho further stated that the history of Konkani language cannot be complete without giving due importance to the literature of Konkani in Roman script. “Therefore, it is necessary to understand the importance of Roman script vis-a-vis Devnagari script for the development of Konkani and for the development of Konkani people,” he added.

The scholarly book ‘Konkani Literature in Roman Script - A Brief History’ will be released at a function organised by DKA on May 8 at Kala Academy's Black Box, Panjim at 5 pm. The

Guirim junction, a death trap for motorists!

HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, MAY 7

Minister for Women & Child Development Ravi Naik has lauded the work of Anganwadi teachers who he said mould and shape the child at the grass root level and therefore proper facilities should be made available to these teachers. He said, the possibility of granting Anganwadi teachers reservations in government jobs after a certain period of service could also be looked into.

Ravi was speaking after felicitating the retired Anganwadi teachers and helpers at a function held at Antruz Shigmotsava Hall at Tisk-Ponda Goa. Around 7 Anganwadi teachers and 7 helpers were felicitated on the occasion at the hands of the Minister for Women & Child Development.

Those felicitated included Aruna Kunkoliekar, Sarita Naik, Shashikala Kerkar, Pingal Satarkar, Sindu Joshi, Roshan Naik, Laximi Gaude, Baby Sawant, Suman Naik, Premal Naik, Sharad Phadte and Baby Sawant.

Ponda CDPO Nanaya Priolkar, Manguesh Naik and Anand Naik also spoke on the occasion. Ex-CDPO Shaileja Borkar was present.

Former CDPO Lalan Kerkar in her speech suggested that pension scheme be formulated for the Anganwadi teachers.

HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, MAY 7

PANJIM (HND): The French government has conferred knighthood on Dr Edith Noronha e Melo Furtado, Associate Professor at Goa University, with the title of Chevalier dans I'Ordre des Palmes Academiques for her invaluable contribution to the promotion of French language and culture.

On behalf of the Prime Minister of France and the Ambassador of France, the Consul General of France in Mumbai, Francois Pujolas, conferred the honour on Dr Melo Furtado, in the presence of the Vice Chancellor of Goa University. The ceremony was held recently at the Bambolim Beach Resort.

The order of academic palms is one of the oldest civil awards, created by Napoleon, honouring individuals who have made major contributions to French national education and expansion of French culture. In her speech, Dr Melo Furtado, thanked those who played a role in her journey as a teacher and stated that "teaching is not a career choice but the choice of a way of life".

At the same time, the Embassy of France inaugurated the first of its kind national residential training programme for French teachers. The theme of this programme was ‘France - a language to live and to share’.

Training program opened

PANJIM (HND): Chief Secretary Sanjay Srivastava inaugurated an entrepreneurship training workshop in film and television lighting and camera equipment, rental business at EDC House, training complex, Panjim.

The workshop is organised by Entertainment Society of Goa in collaboration with the Economic Development Corporation.

Srivastava called upon the entrepreneurs to take full advantage of the workshop and informed that the workshop is designed to help them guide for a good profession ahead. He further urged them to keep their questions ready and learn more so that they can develop technical skills by producing high-quality creative content. He wished the entrepreneurs to be a creative entrepreneur, learning how to generate ideas and develop them into finished productions Managing Director of EDC Ramana Murthy and National Award Winning Cinematographer Mahesh Aney also spoke.

CEO of Entertainment Society of Goa Manoj Srivastava welcomed and General Manager of EDC Carlos D’Sa proposed the vote of thanks. Saish Gandhi compered the programme.

Sajawat Lifestyle Exhibition currently underway at Campal Parade ground in Panjim is drawing large crowds of festive shoppers.

This is one of the biggest and major lifestyle shopping exhibition cum festival in the State and comes at a time when people are in summer vacations.

Sajawat Lifestyle Exhibition has been traveling from different countries like Dubai, Singapore, Malaysia, Mumbai, and has come to Goa so that the people can do the shopping for

Lions all over the world were given a call by Helen Keller years ago at an International Convention to become ‘Knights of the Blind’. Responding to this call, Lions Clubs across the globe have for long espoused the cause of conquering blindness with great fervor and determination.

Lions Club International launched a special campaign – Campaign SightFirst I and II – to focus on this important activity.

District 324-D2 of Lions International comprising over 100 clubs in Goa and part of Karnataka, has always been in the forefront in the area of sight conservation, way back from the 1960’s, when eye camps were conducted regularly and on a large scale in rather primitive conditions.

Today, the District and the Clubs adopt the most modern techniques like micro-surgery conducted in sterile operation rooms of eye hospitals and health centres.

During the current year, under the able leadership of Lion Dr Celso Fernandes as District Chairman for SightFirst, it has been a very successful year, breaking all

records, with participation of over 60% of the Clubs in the District. This has resulted in the conduct of over 150 eye camps, examination of over 20,000 patients, over 6,000 of whom were successfully operated for cataract and over 400 provided with free corrective lenses. A major breakthrough has been the successful operations of more than 100 children below the age of six years for cataract and squint deformities through the initiative of the Lions Club of Hubli and the M M Joshi Eye Hospital, Hubli.

In the pursuit of this worthwhile service activity, Clubs across the District have been fortunate to receive the cooperation of many local organizations, Gram Panchayats, local eye hospitals, general hospitals, local branches of IMA, HelpAge India, as well as the dedicated service of eye doctors and philanthropic individual sponsors.

It is the ultimate dream of District 324-D2 to ensure that no eye that can be saved, no blindness that can be prevented, should be denied the opportunity to be so saved or prevented, across the District in particular and globally in general.

Zuari Union Day

PANJIM (HND): Zuari Agro Chemicals Ltd Employees Union (ZACLEU) will organize a dine and dance evening on the occasion of its 36th anniversary on May 8, from 6.30 pm onwards.

As a part of the celebrations, the committee chairman Greg D'Souza and dy chairman Vivek Mayenkar has planned dance competition, karaoke singing competition, fancy dress competition, etc for the children of the employees, along with other programmes.

The Zuari Union will also release a souvenir on the occasion.

A view of Guirim Junction near Green Park Hotel.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, MAY 7

The Guirim junction near Green Park Hotel along the highway has become a death trap for road users, as accidents have become a regular feature at the junction.

It may be recalled that last week, two youth from Rajasthan were killed at the junction after their motorcycle dashed against a trailer.

Since there are no speed breakers at the junction, vehicle owners speed away with their vehicles. Further, illumination is also very poor, due to which accidents occur mostly during night.

With one death or injured

every month, the Guirim junction has the dubious distinction of being one of the most accident-prone junctions in the State.

Most of the NH-related deaths occur outside city limits, where speeds are the highest and infrastructure the lowest. However, traffic police do not seem to have taken any steps or measurers to curb the accidents at the junction.

In a letter, Shiv Sena (Bardez) Vibhag Pramukh Philip D’Souza requested the District Collector, North Goa, to install traffic signals at Guirim Junction.

D’Souza also suggested the power battery-operated invertors for the equipment so that

rainy season.

Various lifestyle and household items by major market leaders in the corporate sector are on display and sale.

Major furniture houses have put up designer furniture stalls with imported furniture at competitive prices. There is a variety of antique furniture also.

The customers can choose from various brands of jewellery, home, office and children furniture, kitchenware, fitness equipments, cutworks, decorative wall hangings and paintings, office and complete home furniture, range of home

appliances and electronics, health and herbal products, artificial flowers, magnetic health care products with money back facilities if unsatisfied, frames, ladies fashion items, garments, ladies purses, men’s wear, kids wear, suits, foldable plastic tables, Korean ladies hand bags, doormats, toys, shoes, paintings, Punjabi Pulkaris, dress materials, Gujarat handicrafts, and lots of other indoor as well as outdoor lifestyle items.

The exhibition which will be on till May 10 and is open to the public from 10.30 am to 9 pm.

May, a time for Fursachim Festam HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, MAY 7

It’s May and time to celebrate Fursachim Festam, where devotees take to their annual practices in various chapels and holy crosses across the State.

On Monday, a group of Chaudi residents observed their annual practice of holding Litany, as part of fursachem fest not only at one but seven holy crosses at a stretch.

Five of these Holy crosses are used by general public, while two are worshipped as individual ownership.

Three of the public holy crosses situated across the highway are reportedly marked as illegal in the government list at Chaudi alone.

In many of the Holy crosses and Chapels, after nine-day novenas, which most observes by holding Litany, celebrates mass on the feast day.

But holy crosses, public or private, holds Litany once a year as part of the festival with devotees paying their homage.

At Chaudi alone, three of the five public holy crosses are re-

HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, MAY 7

upCoMInG eVentS

Sajawat lifestyle expo opens

Consul General of France in Mumbai, Francois Pujolas,conferring knighthood on Dr Edith Noronha e Melo Furtado.

function has been organised to commemorate the 156th birth anniversary of Msrg Sebastiao Rudolfo Dalgado who was a linguist and a scholar of international repute.

Containing information of immense value, ‘Konkani Literature in Roman Script - A Brief History’ lists the invaluable contribution of Konknni writers in Roman script who have shaped the language and was the last book to be penned by Dr Gomes before his untimely death.

Editor of Goa Today Vinayak Naik will be the chief guest while TAG President Tomazinho Cardozo will speak on the book. Eslinda Gomes, wife of late Dr Gomes, will be special invitee and Premanand Lotlikar will preside over the function.

Lions’ SightFirst campaign benefits eye patients

Few residents gathered at Chaudi Holy Cross to say Litany.

Photo by Kathy Pereira

portedly threatened for demolitions or rebuilding at new locations which were identified by recent government’s order and accordingly issued with demolition notices as per Supreme Courts directives, informed sources.

However, undeterred by government’s move to do away with these and many other roadside religious structures, devotees perhaps

for the last time, were seen keeping their annual tradition alive at almost all the three roadside crosses in Chaudi.

Sources further informed that during his submission to the collector (south) on the roadside Holy Crosses at Chaudi, Chaudi church parish priest has submitted agreeing to relocate these crosses at new location.

Photo by Anil Shankhwalker

signals function even during power failures.

“Since Goa is blessed with plenty of sunshine, a feasibility study of solar power to these signals may be conducted,” stated D’Souza in the letter.

D’Souza further stated that the Guirim Junction heads the list as regards casualties resulting from rash and negligent driving in North Goa. “Since the junction is unmanned by traffic police, it has witnessed many accidents causing deaths, injuries and loss of property to Goans and tourists. Hence, immediate measures may be taken to alleviate the accidents at the junction,” added D’Souza.

CM to present state cultural awards HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, MAY 7

The State government will honour eminent personalities from Goa in the field of art and culture by conferring the prestigious Goa State Cultural Award for their contribution, achievements in various art forms like music, drama/Tiatr, folk art, bhajan, kirtan, craft, literature, painting, etc and for the best institution award.

This year’s presentation ceremony will be held at Dinanath Mangueshkar Kala Mandir, Kala Academy, Panjim, on May 14, from 3.30 pm onwards.

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat will be the chief guest and honour the artists. The artists are Pt Kamalakar B Naik (music), Caridade F Fernandes alias Babush (music), Carlito Fernandes (music), Vasant Josalkar (drama), Sakharam V Mayekar (drama), Vincent F Fernandes alias Star of Curtorim (Tiatr), Maria Platilda Afonso e Dias (Tiatr), Pundalik N Naik (literature), Tomazinho Cardozo (literature), Audhoot Y Kudtarkar (literature), Meena Kakodkar (literature), Ganapatibuva L Dandekar (kirtan), Dhondu B Naik (bhajan), Dr Pandurang R Phaldesai (folk art), Digambar A Kuncolienkar (craft/sculpture) and Francisco Martins (craft).

The Goa State Cultural Award for the best institution will be presented to Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Margao.

The State Cultural Awards comprises of Rs 20000 cash, a certificate, Shrifal, a Nataraj Replica and a shawl for individuals and Rs 1 lakh, certificate and Nataraj Replica for institution.

Satyanarayan Mahapuja

COLLEM (HC): Truck owners, drivers and residents of Nandran-Mollem will organise their annual Shri Satyanarayan Mahapuja at Dudhsagar Ajoba Temple, Nandran, on May 9 at 10 am. An orchestra will be staged at 8 pm.

Legal literacy camp

PANJIM (HND): A legal literacy camp will be organised on May 15 in the Vasant Bhavan villa, near bus stand, Cumbharjua, from 3 pm onwards, with a view to create awareness about the legal rights and duties of the citizens.

Counsellor Madhuri Rao will speak on the subject, ‘Rights of Women’. Advocate Harsha Naik will speak on the subject ‘Domestic Violence Act’.

‘Mahila Melava’

PANJIM (HND): Institute Menezes Braganza will organise ‘Mahila Melava’, a literary symposium on May 22 at Gomantak Maratha Samaj Hall, Panjim.

The inauguration of the melava will be done at the hands of CM Digambar Kamat at 10 am. Social worker Asha D Kamal will be the president of the function. Noted Actress Varsha Usgaokar will be the special invitee on this occasion.

The programme during the melava will be as under.

In the first session, at 11 am there will be discussion/symposium on the subject 'Leadership in Women’ and it will be presided by Amol Morajker. The speakers will be Manisha Naik and Sabina Martins, followed by discussion. After lunch in the second session, at 2.30 pm there will be discussion/symposium on the subject ‘Rudi / Parampura / Dharma Bhavana and Bailanchi Sadhyachi Shithi’ and it will be presided by Dr Nutan Dev. The speakers will be Hema Nayak and Madhavi Sardessai, followed by discussion.

In the third session, at 3.40 pm there will be discussion/symposium on ‘Live-in relation’ and it will be presided by Prof Priyadarshini Tadkodker. The speakers will be Sangeeta S Jadav and Dr Pramod Salgaokar, followed by discussion.

The valedictory function will be held at 4.40 pm.

power Shutdown MAY 8 ASSOLNA: From 10 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are Assolna, Ambelim, Velim, Baga, Goechebhatt and Banda, Assolna.

MAY 9 TALEIGAO: From 9 am to 5 pm. Areas affected are Dona Paula, Taleigao, Caranzalem, Miramar, Kamat Kinara and surrounding areas.

MAPUSA: From 9 am to 3 pm. Areas affected are Alto Duler, Sunset Boulevard building and surrounding areas.

PERNEM: From 9 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are Tuem Industrial Estate.

PANJIM: From 8 am to 4 pm. Areas affected are Ribandar, Chimbel, Old Bus stand, Part of Panjim city, Neugi Nagar, Bhatlem, Patto Plaza, Azad Maidan, Panjim Residency, Fontainhas, Mala and surrounding areas.

TALEIGAO: From 9 am to 5 pm. Areas affected are Dona-Paula, Taleigao Caranzalem, Miramar, Kamat Kinara and surrounding areas.

BAMBOLIM: From 8 am to 4 pm. Areas affected are Merces, Chimbel, Siridao, Bambolim, Dona Paula, Cidade-de-Goa, Bambolim Beach Resort, Mortuary, GMC, Military, Menezes Twin Factory, AIR, Batim, Neura, Agacaim, Bambolim, University, RMO’s Dental, NIO Sub-Station areas affected Caranzalem, Taleigao, Odxel, Pilar S/S areas affected Agassaim, Neura, Batim.

MAY 10 SANCOALE: From 9 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are Chowgule garden, Zuarinagar, Alto-Dabolim, Hollant, Ranghavi Estate, JNVC Nagar, Bogmalo, Chicolna, Holy Cross Colony, Assoi Dongri, MES College andVillage Panchayat Chicalim.

TORXEM: From 9 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are VP Torxem, VP Ugvem-Mopa-Tamboxem.

BICHOLIM: From 9 am to 5 pm. Areas affected are Narva, Bhavkai, Sawanwada, Gaonkarwada, Vaiganem, Savnar, Ardhawada, Kumarwada, Gaonkarwada, Kelbaiwada, Chimulwada in Mayem village panchayats, Gaonkarwada Narva village panchayats, Muridiwada, Telewada Narva, Kesarkar factory, Vishwasnagar – Lamgao and surrounding areas.

PERNEM: From 9 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are VP Torxem, VP Ugvem-Mopa-Tamboxem.

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Sanguem residents meet CM, want bypass for mining trucks HERALD CORRESPONDENT SANGUEM, MAY 7

Residents from Sanguem, particularly those hailing from Khairikanttem, Pangulna, Ambdoil and Pajimol, on Friday handed over a memorandum to Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, complaining of rash driving by truckers carrying mineral ore and the dust pollution due to overloading of mining trucks.

The memorandum was handed over to Kamat after he made time to visit the aggrieved citizens on his visit to Sanguem town to lay the foundation stone for the Rs 3 crore development porjects undertaken by the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation in Sanguem.

The residents have urged the chief minister to direct law enforcing agencies to immediately implement the high court order, which lays directions for the

transportation of mineral ore.

Complaining about the rash driving by truckers, the locals in their memorandum have demanded a bypass for trucks carrying mineral ore by October 2010.

Other demands put forth include a speed limit of 40 kmph for trucks from Pajimol to Sanguem Court, installation of interceptors/speed radars at strategic locations from Pajimol to Sanguem to check overspeeding and overtaking, maintenance of a 2-minute gap for every truck entering the town from Pajimol junction, stoppage of all tenwheelers trucks plying from Sanguem town and alchometer testing on random basis to stop drunken driving.

After hearing the aggrieved citizens, Kamat assured to look into their grievances and as a temporary measure, directed the

2-meter-long crocodile rescued at Nuvem

The crocodile that was rescued at Nuvem on Thursday.

Photo by Santosh Mirajkar HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MAY 7

A 2-meter-long crocodile was rescued at Nuvem late Thursday night by wild life lovers in coordination with the local villagers.

The crocodile, which was found healthy, was rescued by wild life activists Julio Quadros and Benhail and was later

handed over to the Forest department.

The duo received a call from Nuvem ZP member Wilfred D’Sa stating that a crocodile has been spotted in the locality. Both Julio and Benhail rushed to the spot and rescued the crocodile, which probably came on land from the River Sal.

GFBOA claims responsibility for reclaiming shoreline at Khariwada Jetty HERALD REPORTER VASCO, MAY 7

In an unusual twist of events, the Goa Fishing Boat Owners Association (GFBOA) on Friday claimed responsibility for reclaiming the shoreline to facilitate repairs of trawlers during off season and insisted it had been down after a verbal consent from Mormugao Port Trust (MPT).

Addressing a press conference on Friday at GFBOA office, here, GFBOA President Simon Pereira said the GFBOA had reclaimed the shoreline around the fishing jetty only after a verbal assura n c e f ro m M P T c h a i r m a n Praveen Agarwal around a year back to create facility for slipway and mending of nets. “ The slipway to remove trawlers for repair is a long-pending demand of the fishermen since repairing of trawlers was major problem. Besides, net mending, other facilities were also required and the port authority is well aware about it,” said Pereira.

Pereira read out points inked in a Memorandum of Understanding between GFBOA, State Goa and MPT on February 13, 2008, where the MPT had

agreed to provide net-mending and other facilities at the existing jetty.

Subsequently, the MoU was scrapped by the MPT Board of Trust and promises in the MoU were never fulfilled.

“The delaying tactics of the MPT has forced GFBOA to reclaim the area and we have not done any construction work,” added Pereira.

“We have never said that we are not willing to shift from the exiting fishing jetty and we have agreed to the site earlier suggested by the MPT. We will be most happy to shift to the new proposed jetty at Katem-Baina.”

“Till date, the MPT has not shown the plan of the new proposed fishing jetty at Katem-Baina.

It is very important to incorporate the ideas of fishermen because they would be the ones to utilize the jetty,” Pereira added.

Earlier on Thursday, MPT Deputy Chairperson P C Parida had claimed that some persons had reportedly reclaimed nearly 1,000 sq mtrs shoreline attached to the Khariwado fishing jetty, in violation of CRZ norms and Port Act.

South Goa collector to regulate the flow of mining trucks through Sanguem town by placing policemen at strategic locations.

The agitation follows the death of Martin Fernandes, a youth from Taripanto-Sanguem, in a road mishap at Kharkhatiaghati-Sanguem, four days before his marriage, which was to take place on May 8.

The funeral of Martin Fernandes is now scheduled on Saturday at Our Lady of Miracles Church, Sanguem.

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Maritime India: Trade, religion and polity

Vol No CX No: 119 Goa, Saturday 8 May, 2010

A

BJP blues

s the BJP leaders shouted slogans via the microphone at Panjim’s Azad Maidan on Friday evening, the response from the fairly good crowd was feeble and muted. If anything, this is a reflection of the state of affairs in Goa’s main Opposition party.

Indeed the BJP is a party that has dominated politics in Goa ever since the mid-1990s, not long after influential forces in the State managed to work out a poll alliance between it and the then-influential Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party. In ideological terms, the BJP has been far more clear and focussed than the Congress can ever hope to be. In Goa, the Congress is now a loose alliance of individuals with disparate ideologies, backgrounds and approaches. If anything, the Congress is known to string together rather diverse individuals by working out a strange power-sharing arrangement, where individual selfishness attempts to serve the collective good however inefficiently.

So why has the BJP failed to sustain its steam? In its hurry to ascend to power, the BJP’s gameplan in Goa was to decimate the earlier Opposition, and lure over those with a potential for treachery from within the Congress. While the party today spends a lot of time in lambasting “controversial” politicians in Goa — and indeed there are many — if one looks at the past, many of these honourable gentlemen were linked to the BJP itself.

In addition, the BJP has been rather short-sighted in its approach towards ascending and staying on in power. On the one hand, it has unsucessfully attempted to create a “Hindu” votebank. On the other, it has vacillated between wooing the “minorites” and badly alienating them, via some rather ill-conceived measures.

In the first place, should politics be seen as a game of “majorities” and “minorities”? While the BJP has been quick to decry what it calls “minoritism”, it has itself not been able to go beyond mixing religion with politics, in a most unhelpful manner. Its talk about working to “bring the party closer to the minorities” now, under the leadership of Nitin Gadkari, is an exercise in self-delusion. Parties like the BJP need to realise that the “minorities”, even assuming that religious identity does have a link with politics, don’t want any special priviledges.

They just want to be treated as common citizens, and reassured that they won’t be discriminated against just because of their religious identity.

It would help the BJP in Goa if it was less of a one-leader dominated party, and allowed for more inner-party democracy. Likewise, while the party’s urge to get into power is understandable, it also needs to play the role of a credible Opposition when assigned with this role. It cannot just hope to cultivate sections of the media and hope to create a good image. At times like these, when so many of its former “leaders” whom it had borrowed from the Congress are back in that party, Goa does need something more than a pseudo-Opposition, one that will take up the people’s issues with determination and honesty.

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The gains of the local trade led to create the Indo-Portuguese cultural heritage in Goa, explores TEOTONIO R DE SOUZA

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e owe it to Pius Malekandathil: His recent compilation of ten dispersed research articles into a book entitled Maritime India: Trade, Religion and Polity in the Indian Ocean (Delhi, Primus Books, 2010), has made it easier for us to appreciate better, the insights he has been contributing over the past two decades to the understanding of maritime India. He starts by calling our attention that there have been all through history, two Indias – the inland and the terrestrial India. The maritime India was more exposed to changes and had to be more accommodative, liberal and tolerant in contrast to the inland India, which always remained more conservative and socially rigid. This need not be seen as a watertight division, and the dividing lines were always blurred, resulting into intermediate realms. How far inland are the maritime frontiers?

This is one among many questions that this book seeks to raise and answer.

The geography and the ecology of the littoral played a vital role in the shaping of the ethos and mentality of people living along the sea or its proximity with a rhythm and pattern of their own, generally defined as the culture of the littoral, including professional occupations, linguistic traditions, food habits, etc. Pius Malekandathil does not tell us that the impact of the waves and the winds was also responsible for bringing distant people together, or for taking home people into Diasporas, but this is implied throughout these essays and we are offered some refreshing concepts, such as maritime consciousness and valuebased dependence on sea space. It is in this context of sea space and oceanic circuits that we are led to identify the regional and micro-regional nodal points that served as procurement and distribution outlets for resources that political elites and rulers sought to promote or control for enhancing their power base.

The ongoing research about Goa, just like about any other littoral region, needs micro-studies, but which are never delinked from the macro-vision of its fast or slow fluctuating links with the sea space and ocean circuits. We need an ever greater interaction between the Goa-based researchers and students of history and culture with the national and international research circles.

The internet forums, including Goa-Research-Net (created by me in 1996 jointly with Goan journalist Frederick Noronha) can be useful tools for this interaction, in addition to the usual Universitybased institutional activities.

Two Vazes

here are now two individuals with a Vaz surname in the House of Commons. Aden-born Keith Vaz has retained his seat, while his sister Valerie, a former TV presenter, became the new MP for Walsall South. Valerie held on to the Labour seat, though with a reduced majority. This is indeed an achievement for the Goan diaspora.

In another development elsewhere, former committed campaigner and ex-MLA from Goa Justice Ferdino Rebello was recently named chief justice at the high court level. May they serve their voters, and the cause of justice, respectively.

In times like these, we are only reminded about the fastchanging nature of our world today. As we seek a fair deal for the Goan diaspora worldwide, we in Goa also need to commit ourselves to being an open society, that offers opportunity to all, regardless of their place of birth and origins. If anything, the question is how anyone can get a chance to fit into their new society and play a useful role there. Herald wishes all these Goan-origin achievers, and others too, a meaningful and useful stint in office. May they make Goa proud too.

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Pachu Menon, Margao

Er Jayesh Shrikant Rane, Mumbai

At long last, with the special court constituted to preside over the Mumbai massacre pronouncing Ajmal Aamir Kasab guilty and sentenced to death on five counts, the yearlong trial into the 26/11 terror siege of Mumbai has finally come to an end. The Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikkam was heard commenting that the higher courts of appeal wouldn’t alter the ruling of the special court. But he was equally sceptical about the issues pertaining to clemency. This brings into sharp focus the hibernating matter of Afzal Guru, whose fate remains undecided in spite of being confined to the death row. Moreover, the Pakistani-factor weighs heavily on matters that have any relevance to our neighbours.

Finally, if one is allowed to have his say, the courts in all fairness may bring such culprits to book, but it is for the government to decide and act.

This refers to report ‘Kasab gets death sentence’ (Herald, 7 May). Special court has declared his decision of hanging Kasab, but matter doesn’t close here. He can appeal in the High Court and Supreme Court against this decision. Later Kasab can give petition of mercy to the President. It means that the actual day of hanging is far away. What happened to Afzal Guru, who had attacked the Indian Parliament? He is still alive. Same thing should not happen with Kasab. The story of such expensive criminals ends only when they are hanged. How expensive these terrorists are for India! When USA had caught former Iraq president Saddam Hussain they immediately took the practical decision to hang him. When are we going to be practical?

8 May, 1910 • It is reported that in 1879 were abolished in this State, the possession of personal passports.

• Came to expire at the Military Hospital, the individual from Caranzalem who was shot yesterday.

• It is reported that was denied to a son of a Government employee, the passage to the Kingdom.

• A specimen of the Statutes from the Union School of the Vila de Margao seems to beat par with what is followed in all the schools from Bombay.

• Is declared open to the public the contest for the 8 vacancies existent to the Post of Surveyors.

Celebrating death?

Annand Madgavkar, by email It was disgusting to see images of civilised people celebrating the death sentence passed on Kasab. And shame on the TV channels that maximised their gains on the event going down to the level of asking an 11 year old child to give her emotional and perhaps tutored comments and broadcasting the same again and again to dramatise the same. What sorts of people are we becoming to fire crackers and distribute sweets to ‘celebrate’ a death sentence passed on another human being. A death sentence is a terrible thing to be passed and should be treated as such with a solemn feeling of restrain and quite satisfaction that justice has been done. Let us act civilised and allow the law to take its course instead of baying for his blood by asking the law to take shortcuts thereby giving the world a chance to say he was not given a fair trial.

Why Homeopathy?

Errol D'Souza, Porvorim I am referring to the letter of Maria D’Cunha regarding Homeopathy (Herald, 6 May).

First and foremost I would like thank you for bringing the truth out about the Homeopathy. In modern times allopathic medicines have reached newer heights of

coasts.

The Sassanid network served as base for the construction of the Arab-Islamic network that followed and integrated Goa. The second essay of the book concentrates upon Goa’s maritime past in this phase, extending till the Portuguese arrival and their efforts at replacing it. It starts with the Arab-Rashtrakuta collaboration. Goa under Silaharas, initially vassals of Rashtrakutas, had strong Arab presence, at least since the 10th century.

Al Masudi’s travel account includes Sindapur among the important maritime centres of Western India. Later Arab visitors Al Idrisi (12th c) and Ibn Batuta (14th c) also contain references to Sindabur, with fine buildings and rich bazaars! But even before the intervention of the Kadambas, many ship-owning Arab merchants seem to have settled in the region with bases at Chandrapura and Balipattana, making it a Hanjamannagara. Presentday Anjuna and its flea market could draw inspiration from this not so distant commercial past.

The Arab ship-owning magnate Muhammed, his son Ismael and grandson Sadhan, played key positions in the trade activities of Gopakapattanam

Of Work and Talk

fter the unfortunate incident wherein seventy-five jawans were ambushed and killed by the Maoist, the Chief Minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar had a word of advice for non other than the Home Minister of the country. He said Home Minister P Chidambaram should talk less and work more. This is one advice often heard from the boss in several offices. This advice could also be pasted on the walls of some offices just to remind the employees that they are paid to work and not to talk. But many employees, especially the women employees do not heed to the advice.

Women probably find their office to be the best place to gossip. All the happenings in their respective homes are discussed threadbare. Nothing is left out from the discussion. Even what was cooked for dinner, the previous night, could be discussed in detail, while the office-work is kept on the back-burner. For them the various TV serials are a blessing in disguise. The past episodes of the favourite serials are discussed in detail and probably, what twists and turns the serial will take in future episodes, could also be a matter for discussion.

Hang him now!

PRIMEIRO DIARIO NAS COLONIAS PORTUGEZAS

Pius Malekandathil’s academic and professional curriculum is a fine example of how the historiography needs to be developed and promoted by casting ever wider the analytical web, but never ignoring the regional and local specificities.

Within a short span of time Pius Malekandathil has lectured and researched at Pondicherry University, Goa University, Shankaracharya University (Kalady), and is now at the JNU in New Delhi. The insights he contributes to the understanding of Goa’s history are drawn from his trans-regional and oceanic perspective across times, going back to the incorporation of the Indian ports into the Persian Sassanid mercantile networks. Gopakapattanam (Revatidvipa) was one of the nodal points for this Sassanid trade. Pahlavi-inscribed crosses found along the coast from Goa (in Agassaim) till Mylapore are some traces of that network. The Gulf links of the Goans are therefore not any novelties promoted by the arrival of the Portuguese and the British in India. They date back to fourth century, when the persecutions of the Christians

by Shahpur II drove merchant communities from Persia to Indian littoral, particularly to Malabar, but they were also active along Konkan and Gujarat

Tongue in cheek

Is this the end?

100 Years Ago

Historical explorations

under Guhalladeva I and his son Shastadeva, and Jayakesi I, assisting them in naval battles against the North Silaharas. Jayakesi I permitted Sadhan to collect customs for the maintenance of a mosque from vessels coming from different regions of the Indian Ocean. The income probably served to assist the urban poor, and was to some extent a parallel to the Portuguese Institution of Santa Casa de Misericórdia. The policy of Jayakesi favouring the mosque with a grant needs to be viewed as a strategy to attract more traders from Arabia, ensuring thereby more wealth to strengthen his emerging kingdom. Truly enough, the Muslim merchants contributed liberally with personnel, vessels and money for the political expansion of the Kadambas.

The fall of the Abbasid Caliphate in 1258 following the attacks of the Mongols, adversely affected the trade links with India, including Goa. The repeated attacks by Malik Kafur, Muhammadbin-Tughlaq and Jamal-ud-din from Honavar, drained further the economy of Gopakapattanam.

But these misfortunes also opened new opportunity of importing horses from West Asia. Jamalud-din was son of a Goan ship-builder. He had accumulated fortune to establish himself as sultan of Honavar and to seek control of Goa itself. Since then Goa became a mere gateway of commercial ambitions of rival regional powers, such as Vijayanagar, the Bahamanis and the Bijapur. It was against this economically well-activated and commercially stimulated space that the Portuguese arrived to conquer Goa in 1510.

While most of the remaining essays concentrate mostly on the south Indian participation in the Indian ocean networks, including the foreign commercial origins and growth of the communities of Armenians, Jews and St Thomas Christians, we get to know, more about the dispersion of the Portuguese renegades in India and their utilisation by the Portuguese Goa-based administration to share in the privatisation of trading activities in the so-called Portuguese shadow empire in the Bay of Bengal and South China sea. We come to know also better the growing shift of the Portuguese carreira or seaborne trade, via the cape, to greater concentration in more lucrative intraAsiatic country trade. Pius Malekandathil concludes that the gains of this local trade of the married-settlers that permitted them to create what we see today as the Indo-Portuguese cultural heritage in Goa, Cochin and the other former Portuguese settlements.

For many employees ‘talk more work less’ could be the motive for going to the office. Where does one gossip while at the work place? Well, any place (besides the boss’s cabin) is good enough.

There is the office canteen which seems the ideal place for some idle talk. Why not talk around the water-cooler? Still better is to walk the talk i.e. talk while you walk along the corridors of the office premises or while walking in the office garden. The place where you talk does not matter, neither the time spent in lose talk.

Some can talk for hours together. A study, on how much the country loses by way of productivity because of the gossiping indulged in by the employees, could throw up alarming stats. In a majority of the cases, idle talk at the cost of work is not welcomed.

But then it is not always the case. In some jobs you are actually paid to talk. If you happen to be a sports commentator, the longer you talk the more you are paid. A Radio Jockey’s job is to talk, some time for hours together. A preacher’s job is to talk so is the case with a salesman, a lecturer in a college or a teacher in a

By Adelmo Fernandes school. In each case, one is paid to talk. In this case, the advice ‘talk less work more’ does not hold water. Now it is, ‘You talk more, you work more’.

“When work is a pleasure, life is a joy! When work is duty life is a slavery.” wrote Maxim Gorky. For those who love to talk, a job that requires one to talk is always welcome. But when you are paid to talk, mind you, you are not paid to indulge in some lose talk. Incidentally, the advice given by Nitish Kumar to P C was from one politician to another.

Indeed, it is politicians who need this advice more than anyone else. Simply because, as a general rule politicians have the gift of the gab. They talk even when no talking is required. Politicians tend to talk a lot just before the elections. They talk of their false promises. After they win the elections they suddenly seem to have lost the will to talk to the electorate. But then this does not mean that they spend more time in their work and less in talking. Now they probably feel there is no need talk as also there is no need to work.

Letters to the Editor Letter of the Day

Salary hikes will fuel inflation

S Kamat, Alto Betim

The majority of bank employees in the country after their wage negotiations are getting an increase of around 17.5% in their salary. Now there is news that the judicial services have been granted a three fold increase in their salaries. We are aware that the 6th Pay Commission hikes in wages has been implemented for government employees and has also been expanded to cover those employed in government and semi- government institutions. Most of these wage hikes could be from retrospective effect leaving a large sum of money in people’s hands. Nobody denies that our people should be paid better but during these times of inflationary tendencies in the economy it will only fuel inflation further making prices to rise. A short term spending thrust to the economy from people with money in their hands is good for the economy since it spurs growth but in the longer term it leads to a stronger push of a rising price trend in the marketplace. Thus the government and employers in the public sector like banks and other institutions should consider putting some of the money being given particularly the component related to retrospective payments into 3-5 year government bonds with reasonable interest so that the amount of money floating in the economy is somewhat curbed. This will at least attempt to put a leash on inflation which is close to being in a runaway stage in the Indian economy. These measures need be considered seriously since a large part of the population particularly retirees; employees in the unorganised private sector, the people from the rural areas and the urban poor do not come under the ambit of the wage increases. These are people who are already suffering from the all-round increase in prices and if prices go up even further their backs would be broken. scientific research achieving excellent results. Homeopathy, I believe takes months or years with no guarantee of cure.

Ban baby fish sale Jonas Correia, Aldona Some wise men, under the garb of protecting marine life, have suggested the mangroves to be overgrown so that the fish can breed without disturbance. In reality, if the government was truly interested in protecting baby fish, then it should stop the sale of all fish less than 6 inches in the market. We see tiny shrimps, baby mackerels, sardines, herrings, kingfish, sole and sharks being openly sold in the market. The market inspectors are not keeping a check on this activity. The government must come with proper legislation to ban the sale of baby fish which should be returned to the sea

otherwise all this talk of protecting marine life is just humbug.

Roads first, Sea Link later Augustus Alphonso, Vasco I have read a lot of letters concerning the Dona Paula-Vasco Sea link. It is good for the government to note through these letters that most of the citizens of Goa have clearly mentioned the aam admi's basic grievances like the bad condition of Goan roads, irregular water supply, irregular power supply, and so on. I think our Chief Minister must first solve these pending issues to the satisfaction of the citizens of Goa and then I feel that everybody will not hesitate to welcome this awesome project in Goa. Also, the feasibility of this project taking consideration of various factors like environmental damage, etc, is equally im-

portant. Therefore, I hope our CM will be careful and sensitive, as he should realise that he also represents the people of Goa.

Paths of Wisdom

Dogs need a better life Stephen Dias, Dona Paula It is unfortunate to see that the dogs reach our Dabolim airport to greet the tourists on arrival lounge and some of the dogs are already planning to leave Goa but without the baggage. Probably they are fed up with this government and the people who cannot look after them. These dogs get only rotten food from the garbage seen all over the places, but no love from the public. Everybody wants them to be killed or get rid of them. If the government cannot look after these dogs, it is better to have more flights from Dabolim exclusively for stray dogs, to leave this country to a better safe place.

Cellphones in Banks?

Pravin U Sardessai, Adpai I have seen people using their mobiles standing at the savings counter at Union Bank of India, Ponda. The lone security guard on duty keeps on informing such people that talking on cell phones inside the bank premises is banned. He points out at the necessary instructions put up at the cash counter for the information of valuable customers.

But customers seem to take no heed of this. And the staff members at the counters seem to overlook the matter. Does this mean that rules and regulations put up at banks remain merely on papers and are not to be strictly obeyed?

The higher authorities at every bank should take a serious view of such incidents and instruct the staff members at counters to remain alert and strict in enforcing rules and regulations put up for the information of customers at large. Disc i p l i n e a t b a n k premises should be maintained at all costs.

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

Guru leads to God

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here is only one God, who is known by different names in different religions. Strive hard and make a whole hearted effort to help others, because service to mankind is the biggest service to God. Follow the path of honesty. Lead a simple life. Don't get scared of anything and just keep performing good deeds.

Let no man in the world live in delusion.

Without a Guru none can cross over to the other shore. Whoever, styling himself as a teacher lives on the charity of others, never bow before him. The word is the Guru, the Guru is the word, for all nectar is enshrined in the world blessed is the word which reveal the Lord's name but more is the one who knows by the Guru's grace. He who shows the real home in this body is the Guru. He makes the five sounded word reverberate in man.

In the eyes of God, all are equal, irrespective of the caste, age, creed or sex.

Be compassionate towards all living beings. Even kings and emperors, with heaps of wealth and vast dominion, cannot compare with an ant filled with the love of God. God is one, but he has innumerable forms. He is the creator of all and He himself takes the human form.

The lord can never be established nor created; the formless one is limitlessly complete in Himself. One cannot comprehend Him through reason, even if one reasoned for ages. As fragrance abides in the flower as reflection is within the mirror, so does your Lord abide within you, why search for him without?

– Guru Nanak

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OHERALDO = = GOA, SATURDAY, 8 MAY, 2010

Liability bill for consideration in Monsoon Session, hopes Govt PTI NEW DELHI, MAY 7

After introducing the controversial nuclear liability bill in the Lok Sabha amid opposition protests, Government today said it hopes to bring it for consideration in the Monsoon session of Parliament.

"The bill will go to the concerned standing committee, which would deliberate upon it in the next two months. I hope it will come with the report in the Monsoon session," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said.He dismissed the suggestion that the government faced embarrassment for not being able to introduce it earlier.

The Civil Liability For Nuclear Damage Bill, 2010, which provides for payment of compensation in the event of a nuclear accident, was introduced in the Lower House amid protests and walkout by opposition NDA and Left parties which termed it as "illegal" and "unconstitutional".

The bill, whose passage is a key require-

ment for operationalisation of the Indo-US nuclear deal, provides for the maximum liability of Rs 500 crore on the part of the operator in the case of a nuclear accident, a provision that is the main cause of opposition by the NDA and Left parties.

Significantly, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and RJD leader Lalu Prasad, who had opposed the bill in March when the first attempt was made to introduce it, appeared to be siding with the government this time.

Replying to a question on enlisting the backing of SP, RJD and BSP, Bansal said the three parties have given their support to the UPA in writing.

"It is still there and has not been withdrawn," he said while maintaining it did not mean that they would subscribe to all views of the government.

On the fate of Women's Reservation Bill, which had already been passed by Rajya Sabha, Bansal said that the government has held one round of consultations with political parties on the issue but the process has not been

completed.

He said that keeping its promise on the issue, the government is talking to the parties concerned. Bansal said that the talks could not proceed further due to a lot of business in the Budget Session.

On the controversial issue of caste census, the minister said it was discussed in the Cabinet meeting but the deliberations could not conclude. He said that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has already said that the Cabinet will take a decision on the issue.

Asked whether it was an embarrassment for the government that it marshalled out seven Rajya Sabha members for their "unruly" behaviour while protesting against women's bill, Bansal said it was not a question of embarrassment as the use of Marshals was as per the law.

"Moreover, the decision to use Marshals is not taken by the government but by the Presiding Officers of both Houses," he said.

School students returning from school in the rain in Patna on Friday.

Kasab’s case mustn’t go Afzal way, says Naidu PTI HYDERABAD, MAY 7

Senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu today demanded that the case of Pakistan gunman Ajmal Amir Kasab, who has been awarded death penalty for the Mumbai terror attacks, should not go the Afzal Guru way.

"People of the country want the punishment given to Kasab implemented as early as possible.

They do not want any delay in carrying out the punishment as it happened in the case of Afzal Guru, convicted for 2001 terror attack on Parliament," he told reporters.

"People want the government to begin the process of implementing the punishment immediately," he said.

Naidu said the transparent manner in which the trial was conducted has enhanced the "prestige" of the country and its judicial system.

Asserting that Pakistan was adopting double standards on the issue of terrorism, he said the neighbouring country should prove its sincerity by handing over those involved in 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

"This is a test of Pakistan's sincerity. They fight against terror with the US, while they support terror in Kashmir. They are adopting double standards," he said.

Terming Pakistan as the epicentre of terrorism in the world, the BJP leader said there is no point

in holding bilateral talks with them as long as it supported terror against India.

"BJP feels that it does not make any sense to hold talks with Pakistan as long as they do not end its support to terror. You have seen that the man (Faisal Shahzad) who planted a bomb at Times Square in New York is a Pakistani. So, it is clear that there is a Pakistani link to terror attacks around the world," he said.

The Centre should mobilise international community to mount pressure on Pakistan for ending its support to terrorism, Naidu said.

To a query, he said it is not proper to highlight the religion of the terrorist.

"We should not get into this. It is a trick by Pakistan. Why do you identify the religion of the terrorist? Maoists are being caught, some are killed in encounters. Do you identify them by their religion? Terrorist is a terrorist. It is not correct to give it a religious colour. It is not in national interest," he said.

Claiming that the UN inquiry committee report on the killing of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has mentioned that Pakistan's ISI supported terrorism in Kashmir, Naidu said the report once again established the epicentre of terrorism in the world is Pakistan.

Naidu urged the Centre to delete the choice over nationality given in the preparation of National Population Register.

Bomb hoax call disrupts train services PTI NEW DELHI, MAY 7

A hoax call about a bomb being planted in the New Delhi-Amritsar Swarn Shatabdi Express triggered panic today and the train was stopped for about three hours disrupting rail services on the route.

The train was stopped at Narela soon after an anonymous call was received by Deputy Station Superintendent of New Delhi station that the bomb has been placed in the train.

Panic-stricken passengers were deboarded at the station and a thorough search was conducted jointly by Delhi Police and Government Railway Police personnel.

The train, comprising mostly business class travellers, left at 10.42 am for its onward journey, three hours after it was halted.

The train had left Delhi at 7:40 am.

Investigation has been initiated into the incident, railway officials said.

Kasab film releasing on May 28 PTI NEW DELHI, MAY 7

Pakistani gunman Ajmal Kasab, who was sent to gallows by a Mumbai court yesterday, also faces death in 'reel' life--and is hanged.

The Mumbai terror attack forms the backdrop of the film 'Ashok Chakra' which will be released on May 28. The promos of the film will be out this Sunday.

Rajan Verma, a newcomer, who bears a striking resemblance to the lone surviving terrorist in the Mumbai carnage, plays the role of 22-year-old Kasab, a Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorist.

The film will feature Rajan in a near nude scene accepting his guilt in the terror attack in a monologue before being hanged.

"The promos will release on May 9 and the hanging of Kasab in the film mirrors the public

sentiment. Months before the (Mumbai) trial ended, we had decided that Kasab will be hanged to death in the film," said Verma.

A fast track court yesterday awarded death penalty to Kasab, holding him guilty of massacre of 166 people and waging war against the nation in the Mumbai terror attacks case.

The film which was earlier titled 'Total Ten' has been directed by S P Munishwar and produced by Hari Om Sharma under the banner of Sapna Films Production.

The Rs 2.5 crore film based on media reports of the carnage and accounts of police officials and survivors pieces together the 60-hour ordeal the city went through.

Other actors in the movie include Homi Wadia (Hemant Karkare), Ashok Kulkarni (Ashok Kamte) and Ashish Vidyarthi (Tukaram Ombale). The film also has a host of small-

time actors playing Kasab's Pakistani handlers.

Apparently trying to cash in on the November 26, 2008 terror attacks filmmakers had registered titles like 'Operation 5-Star Mumbai', 'Bird's Point of View: Taj Terror', '26/11-Mumbai Under Terror', 'Dahshat Ka Halla' and 'Shootout at Oberoi', but only a few projects has taken off.

Bhojpuri star Kamal Rashid Khan's upcoming sequel to 'Deshdrohi' also centres on the "sacrifices made by ATS officers" during the terror attacks.

"My film got delayed because of the new developments in the case. Now that Kasab has been convicted and sentencing expected we are planning to begin shooting soon and the film will be released in February next year," said Khan, who is also the producer of the film.

DU violated rules by selling radioactive scrap: Govt PTI NEW DELHI, MAY 7

Under attack on the Mayapuri radiation accident, Government today said Delhi University had violated rules by selling scrap containing radioactive material and that those responsible would not be spared.

Minister of State in the PMO Prithiviraj Chavan asserted that all the 19 nuclear plants generating electricity in the country were completely safe and mechanisms would be strengthened in the field of atomic research and medical use as "some lessons have been learnt" from the accident in which one person died.

He told the Lok Sabha that Delhi Police had upgraded the FIR in the case after one person died and that it was looking at "criminal negligence" part in the radiation caused by Cobalt-60.

Against the backdrop of the mishap in the West Delhi scrap market last month, he forcefully argued for the need to put in place a law on fixing compensation in the case of accidents involving radioactive leakages as there was a "void".

During the Calling Attention Motion, CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta, Sumitra Mahajan (BJP) and B Mahtab and Arjun Charan Sethi (both BJD) demanded that the university authorities be brought to book on charge of criminal negligence as, being "highly educated", they ought to know the repercussions of auctioning the Gamma Cell as scrap.

"Mistake was made by the (Delhi) University in not adhering" to rules and its own undertaking to atomic energy authorities that the device, which was used by its Chemistry Department, would not be resold, Chavan said replying to the Motion.

He said the DU authorities "did not follow rules" and asserted that responsibility will be fixed. "No guilty person will be spared, I assure you," Chavan told the House.

The radioactive leakage occurred when a scrap, which originated from Delhi University's Chemistry department, was being cut at a shop.

Responding to members' concerns, the minister said all the 112 cobalt slugs related to the accident have since been identified and sent to the Narora Nuclear Power Plant for safe keeping.

Maintaining that scrap import would now be checked for the

presence of any radioactive material, Chavan assured the House that detection equipment to scan the scrap were being deployed at various entry points.

"We are conscious of the need to prevent unauthorised import of radioactive material".

Asserting that the radiation incident "has nothing to do" with any of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) facilities or activities, he said the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) had a complete inventory of all radioactive sources in the country.

There were 10,000 sources with about 3,000 institutions and licenses were given to users which were "very responsible," Chavan said.

Observing that at present there was no law on compensation to the victims of such accidents, he said, "We need to have a law for compensation in such cases which should deal with insurance, compensation and related issues."

Police was investigating all aspects of the "very unfortunate" incident, including criminal negligence. "Action will be taken against all those found guilty," he said.

The Minister said the incident was caused by "unauthorised disposal" of the Gamma Cell by Delhi University as scrap in violation of the Atomic Energy (Safe Disposal of Radioactive Waste) Rules and the Atomic Energy (Radiation Protection) Rules.

He said the university has been issued a show-cause notice by the AERB and to suspend all activities involving the use of radiation sources.

The opposition members had also castigated the government for "waking up" only after the Mayapuri incident had occurred and not having any law to deal with the liability and compensation in such cases.

In his response, Chavan said four battalions of National Disaster Response Force had been trained to respond to radiological emergencies and four more battalions were being trained.

To further strengthen the response capability, about 1,000 police stations in 35 major cities were being equipped with radiation monitors and protective gears by the National Disaster Management Authority. DAE has also set up 18 well-equipped response centres across the country, he added.

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Pak Taliban expanding alliances: NYT PTI NEW YORK, MAY 7

The Pakistani Taliban, which American investigators suspect is behind the attempt to bomb Times Square, has expanded its alliances with AlQaeda and other extremist outfits in the region, threatening to extend their reach and ambitions, a media report said today.

"The Taliban is the local partner of Al Qaeda in Pakistan," Amir Rana, director of the Pakistan Institute of Peace Studies, told 'The New York Times'.

"It has no capacity for an international agenda on its own," Rana said.

While the group has been bruised by the drone attacks as well as operations conducted by the Pakistani military, it has maintained it strength by expanding its connections with other militants.

"The Pakistani Taliban have sustained themselves through alliances with any number of other militant groups, splinter cells, foot soldiers and guns-forhire in the areas under their control," the daily said.

US seeks Pakistan Law introduced to ties to talkative revoke citizenship of terror suspects bomb suspect ReuTeRs NEW YORK, MAY 7

The United States pushed Pakistan on Thursday to investigate possible ties between the Times Square bomb suspect and the Taliban, US officials said, as the suspect provided more information to US investigators.

Faisal Shahzad, 30, who was born in Pakistan and became a US citizen last year, has been charged with attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction and trying to kill and maim people, as well as other counts.

Investigations in the United States and Pakistan have uncovered possible links between Shahzad, the Pakistani Taliban and a Kashmiri Islamist group.

The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for Saturday's failed bombing and, if proven, it would be the group's first action in the United States.

US Ambassador to Pakistan Anne Patterson spoke to Pakistan's Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi yesterday about the case. ''What we are doing right now is communicating to Pakistan that this is important and that we would expect them to take very specific actions as the investigation proceeds,'' a U.S. official said. ''The political commitment by various officials is very important.''

If ties are found between the failed bombing and Pakistan's Taliban, Pakistan could come under renewed US pressure to open risky new fronts against Islamist militants.

As authorities investigate Shahzad's history, they found that he appeared to be an admirer of the fiery anti-American cleric Anwar al-Alawki, who is believed to be hiding in Yemen, and followed his Internet writings, but there was no evidence of any direct contact.

US Attorney General Eric Holder said Shahzad, who was arrested late on Monday, was still cooperating even though he has been advised of his US right to remain silent and right

to a lawyer. Shahzad waived his legal rights and faces life in prison if convicted. ''Shahzad is continuing to cooperate with us,'' Holder told a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing. ''During ongoing questioning by federal agents, Shahzad has provided useful information and we will continue to pursue a number of leads as we gather intelligence.''

The issue of extending terrorism suspects the same rights as criminal defendants has been the subject of much political debate in the United States. Conservative opponents of President Barack Obama say they should be treated as enemy combatants and denied rights in order to collect intelligence.

But federal investigators have claimed success in gathering information from suspects -- even after reading them their rights.

US prosecutors said Shahzad, the son of a retired Pakistani vice air marshal, has admitted to driving the crude homemade bomb into Times Square in Midtown Manhattan.

He also has admitted receiving bomb-making training in a Taliban and al Qaeda stronghold in Pakistan, prosecutors said. A law enforcement source said investigators believed the Pakistani Taliban financed that training.

While Shahzad has said he acted alone, U.S. and Pakistani officials doubt him. ''According to the available information, he says it was his individual act,'' Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik told Reuters in Beijing. ''I would not tend to believe that.''

Tension remained high in New York after Shahzad was plucked from an Emirates Airline flight he boarded on Monday night even though he had been placed on a ''no fly'' list.

US authorities yesterday stopped another Emirates airline flight as it was about to leave New York's JFK Airport for Dubai bec a u se a p a ssenger w a s thought to be on the ''no fly'' list but the incident was a false alarm.

LeT has transnational goals: Gen Petraeus PTI WASHINGTON, MAY 7

As federal investigators try hard to find any possible link between Faisal Shahzad and terror groups in Pakistan, a top American general today said militant outfits like the LeT, blamed for the 26/11 attacks, has "transnational goals" like the Al-Qaeda.

"The extremists in many cases would like to be transnational organisations, not just active in Pakistan, but indeed active elsewhere.

"Al Qaida, of course, is foremost among them, LeT, who carried out the Mumbai attack, another organisation with transnational goals and activities," General David Petraeus, Commander of the US Central Command, told the MSNBC in an interview.

His comments assume significance in the wake of US investigators probing whether Pakistani-American Faisal Shahzad, arrested for the failed Times Square bomb attack, had any links with Pakistani Taliban or other extremist groups based in the tribal areas of Pakistan.

The FBI had on Wednesday said 30-year-old Shahzad had admitted to attending a terror training camp in the restive Waziristan tribal region.

Petraeus was recently in Pak-

istan holding meetings with its top leadership on how to take action against these terrorist outfits.

"It may be that the Pakistani Taliban has some of these (goals) as well...The way they generate resources, the way they get recruits, they way they can proselytise is indeed by successful high- profile operations. You've seen that as well with the Al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, Anwar al-Awlaki, the YemeniAmerican," Petraeus said.

Petraeus said the extremist elements that are out there are learning and adaptive organisations.

"There's been a lot of thought about that. But, you know, you had the planes flown into tall buildings, what is the next initiative going to be? And certainly this is among those. There has been an outreach through cyberspace.

"It's one reason that some of us have said we can't allow cyberspace, which is a battlefield, just like a ground battlefield, to be uncontested space. We have to be active there as well, while certainly still ensuring the rights and freedoms of Americans, to be sure," he said.

General Petraeus was in Pakistan, when the Times Square incident happened.

PTI WASHINGTON, MAY 7

Concerned over terror groups recruiting expatriates in the US to launch attacks against the country, a group of lawmakers today introduced a legislation in the Congress that would allow the government to revoke the citizenship of people who attack the US or its allies.

The bipartisan legislation Terrorism Expatriation Act -would also allow the State Department to revoke the citizenship of people who provide support to terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda.

"Under the terrorist expatriation act, the State Department would be able to revoke the citizenship of an American who affiliates with a foreign terrorist organization or who fights against our country," Senator Joe Lieberman told a press conference at the Capitol Hill today.

Foreign terrorist organisations are also designated according to statute by the US State Department.

The legislation is being introduced in the context of the arr e s t o f Fa i s a l S h a h z a d , Pakistani-American, who has been charged of terrorist activities and plotting to explode a bomb at the Times Square last Saturday.

Identical bills were introduced

in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

However, Lieberman said the legislation, when finally becomes a law, could not be applicable to Shahzad.

"This proposal if adopted cannot apply to Faisal Shahzad because that would be the retroactive application of a law, which would not be appropriate or constitutional," he said.

Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee Lieberman said Shahzad is just the latest in a growing and accelerating line of cases where American citizens have supported or fought for al-Qaeda or affiliated terrorist organisations against the United States.

"The facts are now clear. Over the past several years, the threat from Islamist terrorist organisations like Al- Qaeda has changed. On 9/11, 19 terrorist who were trained abroad were sent here to carry out their attacks on America.

Now, with increasing frequency, American citizens like Nidal Hasan, the Fort Hood -the alleged Fort Hood killer of 13, Abdulhakim Mohammad, who killed a US Army recruiter in Little Rock last June, and Faisal Shahzad, the accused Times Square terrorist, are inspired or recruited by violent," he noted.

From Page 1 Naxal leader found Goa few days, while 16 others who were arrested on Thursday evening as suspected naxalites along with them have been released.

Beck and Barla have been remanded to six days police custody during which they will be taken to Orissa by the Orissa police to investigate charges pending against them in that State.

“Beck during his stay in Goa stayed in Bhoma and then shifted to Mapusa from where he was arrested on Friday. Beck also worked as a labourer in a factory in Mapusa for a short while during his stay there,” Bansal said.

The police official said that there was no property that he owned in Goa or possessed any weapons as per their preliminary investigations.

Beck did not interact much with locals and was only known to communicate with persons from his state and district (Sundergad, Orissa) living in and around Mapusa during his one and half month stay in Goa, Bansal said.

Goa DGP had formed a team under the ANC SP to look out for the naxal leader and the police had located him during the last seven days when they were watching his movements, Bansal said.

Crime Branch provided valuable inputs for his arrest. Towards the end of the operation commandos of the IRB were also part of the arrests. ANC also contributed to the manpower during the operation, Bansal said.

Beck tried to escape when tried to make the arrest. He was then arrested after being cordoned off, Bansal claimed.

Cong taking country to doom Using anecdotes after anecdotes on how Congress was silent on fighting terrorism, Gadkari said that Ajmal Kasab is 50th in the waiting list to be hanged.

“I am surprised why they are reluctant to hang Afzal Guru despite High Court and Supreme Court directing that he be hanged. This is sheer vote bank politics. Is he in-law of the Congress?” Gadkari questioned. Afzal Guru had masterminded the unprecedented attack on Parliament during the BJP-led NDA regime.

The BJP president addressed the rally which was also attended by party’s state leaders including Goa unit President Laxmikant Parsekar, leader of opposition Manohar Parrikar, North Goa MP Shripad Naik and other legislators.

“Pakistan continues waging war against India through terrorists,” Gadkari said. Post 9/11 there is no single terrorist attack on America while in India, the attacks continue, he said.

Accusing Congress for portraying BJP ‘like villain’, Gadkari claimed that BJP-led governments in Centre and in states like Goa had proved that the party was not against any community.

“We are against terrorists and against Congress for supporting terrorists,” he said.

Gadkari said that BJP will reach to five important sectors – Scheduled Caste, Schedule Tribes, minority, unorganized sector and friends of BJP who are professionals.

“We want to play politics of development and politics in the interest of nation,” he said adding that there is large scale misconception about the party that needs to be wiped out. Apparently treading a careful path, he didn’t stress on Hindutva – the core of the party.

Claiming that law and order situation is deteriorating across the nation, Gadkari said that Goa is an example of how the State government is silent even after attacks on foreigners by anti-social elements.

Gadkari said that the party with its governments in nine States is growing and has more legislators than Congress. He said that the party is also getting increasing acceptance in South India.

Leader of Opposition Manohar Parrikar speaking earlier said that State’s future is at stake considering the pace of corruption and irregularities committed by Congress-led government.

He said that Digambar Kamat-led government has no money to subsidise essential commodities but has enough wealth to spend on the foreign jaunts of its ministers.

BJP President Laxmikant Parsekar said that Congress government was responsible for illegal mining, drugs, corruption and deteriorating law and order situation in the State.

“Drug peddler Atla’s girlfriend has revealed that a minister’s son is involved in the drug trade but there are no efforts made

by Home Minister Ravi Naik to find out the reality,” he added.

He termed the government as ‘government of 12 chief ministers’ in which all the chief ministers are busy focusing on their own constituency.

Shripad Naik said that Goa is one amongst the five corrupt states which indicates the governance provided by Congress government.

Other leaders including Damodar Naik, Mahadev Naik, Francis D’Souza, Kunda Chodankar and Vijay Pai Khot also spoke at the rally.

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Thousands march Nepal streets demanding end to Maoist strike PTI KATHMANDU, MAY 7

Tens of thousands of local residents including businessmen, lawyers, doctors, engineers, journalists and intellectuals today poured out into the streets of Nepalese capital demanding that the Maoists end their crippling general strike.

In the largest protest against the Maoists imposed strike since it began on Sunday, the people converged at Basantapur Durbarsquare in the heart of the city today as thousands of policemen in riot gear manned the thoroughfares to prevent violence.

Asking the Maoists to withdraw their imposed shutdown to pressurise the government to resign, the rallyists called on all political parties to forge a consensus and find a way out by peaceful means and dialogue.

Shouting and carrying banners "enough is enough", the rallyists said people want no more strikes, shutdown and agitations.

In a sharp dig at the Maoists, the speakers at the rally said the Maoists through their strike were keeping "28 million Nepalese people hostage".

Today's outpour, followed smaller clashes and confrontations in the capital and outly-

ReuTeRs LONDON, MAY 7

A Maoist activist who was injured after being hit with a police baton is taken to the hospital in Kathmandu, on Friday. The police are attempting to prevent Maoist protesters from clashing with peace marchers who are protesting in the same area.

ing districts over the last two days as the Maoists called indefinite strike entered its sixth day paralysing life and movement in the country.

The strike has led to essential supplies including foodstuffs and medicines running low and left thousands of tourists stranded in the ab-

sence of movement of public transport.

Chanting "we want peace and constitution" the rallyists said political parties should come to the negotiating table to break the political impasse.

Addressing the rally, President of Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and In-

Kim ends China visit; says committed to disarmament talks PTI BEIJING, MAY 7

Reclusive North Korean leader Kim Jong Il today vowed to make efforts to revive the stalled nuclear disarmament talks aimed at resolving his country's controversial atomic issue as he wrapped up his 'not-so-secret' five-day visit to China, his closest ally.

A frail-looking Kim met President Hu Jintao who gave him a warm hug, a rare gesture by the Chinese leader which was telecast by the national television.

Hu also accompanied 68year-old Kim to a "biological company," the official Xinhua news agency reported without giving any details.

During their talks, Hu and Kim exchanged views on international situation as well as Northeast Asia and the sixparty talks on the North Korean nuclear issue.

The six-way negotiations aimed at dismantling North

Korea's nuclear capability involve the two Koreas, the US, Japan, Russia and the host China. North Korea quit the talks in April 2009, after the UN imposed sanctions on it for a missile test.

During the Kim-Hu meeting, the two leaders said that peace, stability and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula is in line with the common interests of China and the Northeast Asian countries, the official media said.

The two sides also decided to make joint efforts for denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula in accordance with the September 19, 2005 joint statement in which North Korea agreed to abandon atomic weapons and return to Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) without any timeframe under certain conditions.

The United States, Japan and South Korea have alleged that North Korea was pursuing an aggressive nuclear weapons

programme threatening its neighbourhood.

Kim and Hu said the relevant parties in the six-party talks should demonstrate sincerity and make positive efforts for pushing forward the negotiations.

Kim said that North Korea will work with China to create favourable conditions for restarting the six-party talks and praised Beijing's efforts to promote the dialogue.

The North Korean leader, who suffered a stroke in 2008, looked thin and week. Speculation over his poor health had fuelled uncertainty about who would succeed him.

This was Kim's fifth visit to China since 2006 after he succeeded his father as the ruler of the Communist country in 1994.

The North's Korean Central News agency said Kim's "unofficial" visit, which began on May 3, ended today and he returned to Pyongyang apparently by his personal train.

Thai protesters refuse to quit, peace plan in limbo ReuTeRs BANGKOK, MAY 7

A peace plan put forward by Thailand's prime minister to end weeks of deadly protests was in limbo today as the government and protesters squabbled over details, including a proposed early election in November.

Far from packing up their fortified camp, which sprawls across 3 sq km (1.2 sq miles) of an upmarket commercial district in central Bangkok, the ''red shirt'' protesters said they would bus in more supporters from their northeastern stronghold. ''We can rotate people in and keep this going for as long as it takes until the government comes back to us with a clearer offer,'' a leader Kwanchai Praipanna said. ''We don't want to stay long but it depends on whether we can reach an agreement.''

Late yesterday, their numbers had swollen to as many as 9,000, a Reuters reporter estimated. Numbers usually grow during the day into the cooler evenings before dropping to a few thousands who spend the night behind the fortified barricades.

The Thai stock market, fell 2.4 per cent, underperforming regional peers that were also in negative territory amid growing global worries about the fallout from euro zone debt problems. The baht was little changed.

Thai stocks have now given up the gains notched up on Tuesday, when the index jumped 4.4 per cent in reaction to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's reconciliation plan. ''The deal is still not off the

UK faces government without single party majority

Countries warn against travel to Thailand ReuTeRs BANGKOK, MAY 7

Many countries have issued travel advisories for the Thai capital since Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declared a state of emergency in April to quell unrest that has killed 27 people and wounded around 1,000.

But a reconciliation plan put forward by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, which includes a proposed November 14 election, has cooled tensions, although there has been no agreement to end the protests that have paralysed Bangkok's commerical heart.

Britain has lifted its warning against all but essential travel to the whole of Thailand, although it remains in place for Bangkok, but the United States, Australia and other countries were still advising against travel anywhere in the country.

Arrivals at Bangkok's main Suvarnabhumi airport dropped by a third in April, putting a government target of 15.5 million tourists this year in doubt and dealing a blow to an industry that supports 6 per cent of the economy. table. There're still more complications, more talks to look forward to. This stalemate could actually last for a while,''said Kiatkong Decho, a strategist at CIMB Securities.

Abhisit said he would dissolve parliament in the second half of September ahead of an election on Nov. 14 as part of a plan to end a crisis in which 27 people have died and more than 1,000 been wounded in clashes.

But that failed to convince the mostly rural and urban poor ''red shirt'' protesters who have refused to budge from the commercial district, where posh malls and luxury hotels have been forced to close their doors since April 3.

A local business group put total losses in the area since then at about 174 million baht a day.

There were mixed signals

from the red shirt camp, who broad support ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, with some leaders suggesting a deal could be done soon. ''I cannot get into detail but we have spoken to representatives of the government as well as ruling coalition partners and received positive signals,'' said Jaran Ditapichai, a senior figure on the protest movement. ''There are issues which need to be worked out but I am optimistic we can come to an agreement and may be able to say soon when the protest will end.''

Complicating the picture, Abhisit faces some opposition from the government's traditional backers after the ''yellow shirt'' group, which broadly represents the royalist elite and the middle classes, condemned the plan.

dustries Kush Kumar Joshi said "we don't want strike and shut downs, what we need is peace and consensus".

Famous comedian Madan Krishna Shrestha and Hari Bansha Acharya also asked the Maoists to end their agitation and resolve the issue through dialogue.

The Maoists should end their agitation before it becomes violent and goes out of control, he cautioned. After two days the tolerance of the people might end and a bigger catastrophe may occur, he said.

The peace rally was organised with massive public participation despite Maoists' threat. The Maoist cadres have obstructed people at different places to prevent them from participating in the rally.

Two people were also injured as the Maoist beaten them up for participating in the peace rally.

Britain's opposition Conservatives look on course to be the largest party in parliament after the closest election in three decades, but without a clear majority, leaving it uncertain who will eventually run the country.

With 80 percent of results declared by early today, the centre-right Conservatives had 263 seats to the ruling Labour party's 200. Conservative leader David Cameron said it was clear the ruling Labour party ''had lost its mandate to govern''.

However, Labour politicians stressed Britain's constitution gave current Prime Minister Gordon Brown the right to try to form a government first. He would struggle to do so with the third-placed Liberal Democrats, however, since their combined forecast seats would still be short of a majority in parliament.

The prospect of the first inconclusive election since 1974 and uncertainty about who would form the next government is likely to trouble already febrile financial markets.

Focus will switch today to which parties enter into talks with one other. They will be assisted by civil servants who have prepared briefing documents outlining key elements

of party proposals and their costs.

A sense of confusion was heightened by reports that hundreds of voters had been turned away from crowded polling stations across the country when voting ended at 0230 IST. Results from the 650 seats rolled in against a backdrop of

global market turmoil following a huge sell-off on Wall Street and the fall-out from the Greek debt crisis.

The pound slumped against the dollar, while equity futures tumbled and gilt futures soared, with markets fretting over the uncertainty but more concerned by turmoil on other exchanges.

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AirAsia plans India expansion

tions - Mumbai, Kolkata, Trichi, Thiruvanathapuram, Kochi and Chennai - the airline plans to launch flights from Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad by august, he said. "India is a

agency MuMBaI, May 7

Kuala Lumpur-based low-cost airline, airasia, plans to add 34 more destinations to its India network over the next twoyears, a top official said.

The airline is currently operating across six destinations, including Mumbai, which it launched today. It also plans to launch three new destinations by august this year. of the six sectors, while airasia operates in five, the Mumbai-Kuala Lumpur route is being serviced by its long-haul affiliate, airasiax. "Presently, we fly six destinations. We plan to operate three more in the next couple of months. But we are looking at adding 3-4 destinations over the next two-years," airasiaGroup's CEo, Tony Fernandes said.

In addition to six destina-

good market for airasia as there is good untapped traffic to and from South asia which the airline is mulling to cash on," Fernandes said.

Madurai, amritsar and Coimbatore are the cities the airline is keen to operate from, Fernandes said., adding "such (II-tier) cities will drive growth".

Fernandes also said that the airline industry is picking up after the slowdown it experienced post the global meltdown and it was a good sign for the aviation industry across the globe.

TALK BUSINESS

Indian Bank offers ASBA Phase II services PanJIM (Hbd) -- Indian Bank’s application Supported by Blocked amount (aSBa) Phase II was launched by C B Bhave, Chairman, SEBI, in Mumbai recently with the initiative of T M Bhasin, CMD of the Bank. aSBa functions as an application for subscribing to a public issue or rights issue along with an authorization to a ‘self certified syndicated bank’ (SCSB) to block the application money in the bank account maintained with it.

The aSBa Phase II services would be initially launched in 12 branches with Nandanam branch as the controlling branch as well as a designated branch from May 3rd 2010.

The benefits of aSBa to the account holders include non parting of the application money/bid amount which is only blocked in the account till allotment is finalized and interest earned during the intervening period. aSBa also makes it a safe way of investing as applications are processed by the designated branch and uploaded to the stock exchange bidding system by the controlling branch on the same day.

The aSBa facility would be available for Indian Bank customers who are maintaining an SB account (other than Smart Kids) or current account with the bank. on submission of the aSBa form, the designated branch would verify the account holders information key in the data in the aSBa module and authorise the transaction.

The controlling branch will upload the data to the stock exchanges through the electronic bidding system. once the basis of allotment is finalized, the registrar to the issue will be sending the file for unblocking/transfer of funds to the issuers account by the controlling branch.

The application money will remain blocked in the bank account till finalization of the basis of allotment or withdrawal of the issue or application as the case may be.

Indian Bank also offers through its subsidiary Indian Bank Merchant Banking Services (IBMBS) Stock Broking and online Trading services to its customers in addition to Demat services.

C B Bhave, Chairman, SEBI said, “aSBa is an important mechanism in enabling a fundamental change in the way public issues and I am sure Indian Bank implementing Phase II of aSBa will go a long way in supporting the overall objective as well as improving internal efficiencies, he added.

Sensex dips 218 pts to 2-month low; RIL 2.27% PTI

MuMbaI, May 7

The benchmark Sensex today plunged by 218 points despite market leader RIL gaining over two per cent after the Supreme Court said the government has the final say on fixing the K-G gas price. The 50-share Nifty Index of the National Stock Exchange closed 1.43 per cent down at 5,018.05 points. The BSE barometer closed at a two-month low of 16,769.11 points, down by 218.42 points, on growing fears that the ongoing European debt problems will upset the global economic recovery.

The Sensex extended losses for the second consecutive week, and declined 4.4 per cent or 789 points during the first week of May.

Credit term for exporters extended agency

NEW DELHI, May 7

The Reserve Bank has extended the scheme for providing concessional credit to exporters for two more months till June 30, as they are still to fully recover from the demand slowdown overseas. The facility for concessional export credit at 2.5 per cent lower than Benchmark Primary Lending Rate (BPLR) was to expire on april 30.

"The validity of the prescribed interest rate ceiling on pre-shipment rupee export credit up to 270 days and post- shipment rupee export credit up to 180 days, would now remain in force upto June 30, 2010," a RBI notification said. The credit at a sub-BPLR rate of interest helps exporters, who are facing tough times due to the global demand slowdown.

India''s exports contracted 4.7 per cent in 2009-10 to uSD 176.5 billion from uSD 185.3 billion in the previous year.

With the extension of the scheme providing conssional credit to exporters for two more months till June 30, it will give a buffer time for the exporters to realise outstanding finances due to the slowdown.

Aptech launches RIM programme

The Ambani gas row-chronology

PTI NEW DELHI, May 7 In what could be a severe blow to anil ambani group seeking cheap gas from elder brother Mukesh- led RIL, the Supreme Court today ruled that government has the last word on pricing and utilisation of national asset.

Following is the chronology of events surrounding the dispute over supply and pricing of gas from Reliance Industries' eastern offshore KG-D6 fields to Reliance Natural Resources Ltd (RNRL): * February 1999: Reliance Industries (undivided) and Niko Resources of Canada win Krishna Godavari (KG) basin deepsea block KG-DWN-98/3 (KGD6) in India's first licensing round (NELP-I). * april 2000: RIL-Niko sign Production Sharing Contract (PSC) for KG-D6 with the Government * october 2002: RIL makes huge gas finds in the block KG-D6; names them Dhirubhai-1 and 3 * September 2003: State power utility NTPC Ltd floats global tender for sourcing 12 million standard cubic meters a day

supplied to anil ambani Group and up to 40 mmscmd if the contract with NTPC does not materalise * July 26, 2006: Petroleum Ministry rejects RIL's proposal to sell Reliance Natural Resources Ltd a minimum of 28 million standard cubic meters per day (mmscmd) of gas from D6 field for uSD 2.34 per million British thermal unit (mBtu) * November 7, 2006: RNRL files a case against RIL in the Bombay high court * May 3, 2007: ad-interim relief granted to RNRL. RIL restrained from creating any third party interest for 40 mmscmd (28 mmscmd claimed by RNRL and 12 mmscmd offered in NTPC tender) * September 13, 2007: Empowered group of ministers (EGoM) approves RIL's gas pricing formula with minor changes. The price for first five years fixed at uSD 4.20/MMBtu * october 2007: EGoM sets gas distribution priorities with first preference to existing fertilizer, cooking gas, power and steel unit * January 30, 2009: Bom-

Suzuki records 53% sales increase

PTI MuMBaI, May 7

Herald busIness desk PaNJIM, May 7

The Hardware and Networking training wing of aptech 'NPower' today launched an exclusive 19-month programme in Remote Infrastructure Management (RIM).

"RIM is going to be the next Gen IT trend in IMS (Infrastructure Management Services) space," Ninad Karpe, CEo and MD of aptech said.

For all those who aspire to manage Information Technology (IT) infrastructure such as workstations (desktops, laptops, notebooks), servers among others and IT securitydevices of a company from a remote location, then this is an appropriate course for them," he said.

The course has been divided in five terms offering exit profile at the end of each term, starting from Hardware Professional, Systems administrator, Network and Security administrator, IMS Professional and RIM professional, he said. The course will also cover new age technologies such as MCTS-Windows7, MCITP Win 2008 Server administration track, Cloud Computing, IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL), SQL Server installation and configuration, Virtualisation and Desktop optimisation. "

Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of one of the world’s leading two-wheeler manufacturer Suzuki Motor Corporation, registered an increase in their monthly sales figures. Suzuki Motorcycles has sold 20771 units in april ’10 as opposed to 13556 in april 2009, listing an impressive growth of 53% over its sales in april ‘09.

This increase of sales is attributed to the tremendous response from the new product GS150R and access 125, the scooter from the house of Suzuki Motorcycles. Commenting on the excellent growth pattern, atul Gupta VP, Sales and Marketing, SMIPL, said “as promised we have delivered quality products as well as customer satisfaction to our consumers. We will continue to keep up this growth momentum in coming months as well”.

Aban Offshor, 1058.45, 1058.45, 996.05, 1011.8 Abb Ltd., 678.4, 695.9, 669.15, 682.8 Abg Shipyard, 247.55, 250, 241, 243 Acc Limited, 868, 868, 852, 861.35 Adani Enterp, 559.9, 563.5, 550, 560.8 Aditya Birla, 746.8, 775, 716.5, 767.25 Allahabad Ba, 155, 159.9, 152.8, 156 Alstom Proje, 588, 590, 572.2, 577.2 Ambuja Cemen, 110.5, 112.75, 103.8, 111.05 Andhra Bank, 130.5, 134.75, 129.8, 131.4 Ansal Prop &, 80.5, 85.85, 79.35, 83.6 Ashok Leylan, 64.75, 65.1, 62.25, 63 Asian Paints, 2010.3, 2094.8, 2010.3, 2086.25 Axis Bank Li, 1205.2, 1220, 1182.2, 1191.15 Bajaj Hindus, 116.05, 119.25, 110.2, 112.6 Bank Of Baro, 702, 711.85, 688.15, 691.75 Bank Of Indi, 360.25, 365, 343.1, 347.75 Beml Limited, 1009, 1011, 984.4, 988.25 Bharat Elect, 1771.45, 1809, 1751.05, 1782.35 Bharat Forge, 265, 266.4, 255.7, 258.25

of natural gas/LNG to fuel expansion projects at Kawas and Gandhar in Gujarat * June 2004: Reliance Energy signs pact with uttar Pradesh for world's largest gas-based power plant with a capacity of 3,500 MW at Dadri near Delhi * June/July 2004: RIL wins NTPC tender quoting uSD 2.34 per million British thermal unit price for KG-D6 gas * June 18, 2005: Memorandum of understanding to reorganize RIL signed between brothers Mukesh and anil ambani. anil resigns as joint managing director. * august 2005: ambani brothers sign non-compete pact. * December 2005: NTPC moves Bombay High Court seeking RIL to 'perform' the bid it had made in its gas supply tender * January 10, 2006: RIL Board approves the draft Gas Sale Master agreement (GSMa) to be signed with RNRL for sale of gas on terms decided in the family Mou * January 12, 2006: The board of directors of RIL approve pact that calls for 28 mmscmd of gas to be

Bharat Petro, 536.1, 564.7, 534.9, 549.9 Bharti Airte, 288, 289.9, 285.2, 287.5 Bhel, 2401, 2409.7, 2350, 2382.15 Bhushan Stee, 1575, 1585, 1540.1, 1565.75 Biocon Limit, 285.2, 287.45, 280, 283.3 Bombay Dyein, 547, 554, 523.15, 527.6 Bosch Limite, 4905, 5015, 4905, 4987.95 Brigade Ente, 137.1, 140.5, 135.5, 139.8 Cairn India, 287, 288, 279.05, 285.6 Canara Bank, 436.5, 436.5, 418.65, 424.35 Central Bank, 145.05, 148.8, 144.05, 147.45 Century Text, 475, 482.85, 460.65, 470.55 Cesc Ltd, 390, 392, 382.05, 383.15 Chambal Fert, 62.75, 62.75, 59.5, 60.45 Chennai Petr, 271, 272, 264, 266.85 Cipla Ltd, 343, 353.85, 339.85, 342.05 Colgate Palm, 739.1, 744.9, 736, 740.55 Container Co, 1320, 1320, 1283.05, 1296 Crompton Gre, 249, 251, 241, 245.9 Cummins Indi, 560, 569.8, 552.1, 562.15 Dabur India, 185, 190.85, 179.5, 180.05 Deccan Chron, 145.5, 145.9, 141.3, 143.25 Dish Tv Indi, 35.1, 36.25, 34.8, 35.3 Divi’s Labor, 690, 700, 675.5, 690.85

Suzuki Motorcycle India Private Limited is a subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan where in they have the same manufacturing philosophy of value packed products right from the inception.

SMIPL manufactures two wheelers covering a wide spectrum of customers in

The Suzuki GS150R

India. SMIPL started its India operation in March-april, 2006 with the launch of two successful brands Zeus and Heat in the Indian market.

The GS150R is targeted towards the city riders in the metros. Its features would ensure a smooth, comfortable riding experience to the rider. GS150R’s engine has been specially de igned to

Dlf Limited, 294.8, 294.8, 282.65, 284.65 Dr. reddy’s, 1225, 1228.4, 1187.1, 1205.6 Edelweiss Ca, 406.5, 419, 404.05, 414.95 Educomp Solu, 655, 659.7, 618.1, 623.1 Eih Limited, 124.3, 124.3, 117.3, 121.5 Engineers In, 488, 538, 466, 495.35 Essar Oil Lt, 133, 133, 128.1, 130 Essar Shippi, 85.55, 86.5, 80.85, 81.5 Exide Indust, 119, 121, 117.2, 119.6 Federal Bank, 289.6, 289.6, 276.95, 279.75 Financial Te, 1404.1, 1439.9, 1343, 1369.95 Gail (india), 426, 426, 417.1, 419.85 Gammon India, 211, 217.8, 205, 216.45 Glaxosmithkl, 1980, 1980, 1936, 1942.8 Glenmark Pha, 280, 283.45, 278.15, 279.65 Gmr Infrastr, 60.05, 63.15, 59, 61.8 Godrej Indus, 156, 156, 148.1, 148.7 Grasim Indus, 2600, 2625.5, 2535, 2559.75 Great Offsho, 448, 462.85, 438.4, 449.5 Gtl Infra.Lt, 41.1, 41.2, 40.2, 41 Gujarat Mine, 127, 129.7, 125.1, 126.3 Gujarat N R, 78, 78.65, 75, 75.3 Gujarat Stat, 91.8, 93.4, 90.65, 92.5 Gvk Pow. & I, 43.5, 44.1, 42.35, 43.4

Hcl Technolo, 394.15, 395, 381.3, 385.55 Hdfc Bank Lt, 1871, 1875, 1836, 1848.05 Hdfc Ltd, 2735, 2747.8, 2690.5, 2726.8 Hero Honda M, 1852, 1905, 1852, 1885.1 Hindalco in, 161, 164.85, 158, 163 Hindustan Co, 119, 122, 118, 118.95 Hindustan Ma, 78, 78, 74.65, 75.3 Hindustan Pe, 332.05, 341.9, 324.25, 335.25 Hindustan Un, 236.7, 238, 230, 234.6 Hindustan Zi, 1111, 1111, 1068, 1080.1 Housing Dev, 249.75, 249.75, 234.1, 238.45 Icici Bank L, 884.9, 892, 869, 876.6 Idea Cellula, 65.55, 65.55, 60, 63.4 Ifci Ltd, 49.95, 50.5, 48.8, 49.6 India Cement, 115.9, 118.7, 115.55, 116.9 India Infoli, 102, 104.9, 98.75, 103.95 Indiabulls F, 144.9, 148.4, 140.1, 146.6 Indiabulls R, 159.9, 161, 152.75, 154.05 Indian Bank, 221.5, 223.7, 215.25, 216.5 Indian Hotel, 103.15, 108.15, 101.9, 107.55 Indian Oil C, 301.8, 314.4, 300.6, 308.7 Indian Overs, 94, 94.65, 91.35, 91.75 Indus Dev Ba, 122, 122, 115.8, 117.5 Indusind Ban, 184.7, 186.95, 178.25, 179.5

Citi, BofA get nod for Coal India IPO

fulfill conflicting demands of acceleration and fuel efficiency – the most significant aspect in city riding.

Targeted towards entrepreneurs and businessman, the four variants of Zeus have contemporary styling clubbed with excellent performance. Zeus XCD the top end variant is fitted with attractive new features like alloy wheels, Self-Start, Disc Brakes & Top of the line body graphics. access 125 is sporty and designed exclusively for every member of the Indian family.

Powered by a 125cc air cooled, 4stroke engine, Suzuki access 125 scooter comes with automatic transmission and better mileage per liter of

fuel.

Its attractive and aerodynamic styling also assures of a rust free body thus reducing maintenance expenses.

Most Suzukimodel bikes are targeted at the young generation of riders.

Infosys Tech, 2638.1, 2645.35, 2607.05, 2616.85 Infra. dev., 174, 174, 152.5, 154.55 Ispat Indust, 18.65, 18.8, 18.2, 18.55 Itc Ltd, 254, 260.95, 253.6, 259.15 Ivrcl Infras, 161.1, 166.35, 157.2, 159.15 Jai Corp Lim, 244.5, 244.9, 235.35, 238.2 Jaiprakash A, 131.1, 131.5, 127.15, 129.85 Jet Airways, 510, 510, 491.05, 501.15 Jindal Saw L, 201, 202.4, 186, 194 Jindal Steel, 650, 656.4, 625.25, 649.3 Jsw Steel Li, 1124, 1137.8, 1101, 1121.3 Kotak Mahind, 740.25, 742, 708.1, 712.35 Lakshmi Mach, 1966, 1973, 1915, 1928.55 Lanco Infrat, 58.9, 60.7, 57.55, 58.1 Larsen & Tou, 1515, 1534, 1484, 1517.35 Lic Housing, 948, 948, 905, 910.15 Lupin Limite, 1799.95, 1800, 1780.05, 1796.95 Mahanagar Te, 69, 69.6, 68.05, 68.5 Mahindra & M, 510, 528.7, 505.4, 524 Maruti Suzuk, 1261, 1288, 1250, 1279 Max India Lt, 178.65, 178.65, 174.25, 176.75 Maytas Infr., 194, 194.8, 186.5, 188.45

bay high court lifts stay on sale of gas produced from KG-D6 block, allowing it to be sold to buyers as per Govt's Gas utilization policy at uSD 4.20/MMBtu * March 2009: Government finalizes gas allocation to fertilizer and power sectors * June 15, 2009: Bombay High Court instructs RIL and RNRL to draft an agreement that gives gas to RNRL as agreed upon in the Mou * July 4, 2009: RNRL moves Supreme Court * July 5, 2009: RIL moves SC * July 17, 2009: Government files writ petition seeking to declare that part of the ambani family pact that deals with gas supplies as null and void * october 20, 2009: Supreme Court begins hearing the cross appeals * November 4, 2009: Justice Raveendran recuses himself from hearing * December 18, 2009: Three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan reserves judgement on the case * May 7, 2010: Supreme Court delivers its verdict.

agency MuMBaI, May 7

Citigroup, Bank of america Merrill Lynch and Deutsche Bank are among the six banks that have been shortlisted for bookrunning a $2.7 billion state-run Coal India's IPo, four sources with direct knowledge of the situation said. others in the list are Morgan Stanley, Kotak Mahindra Capital and Enam Securities, the sources, who are not authorised to speak to the media said.

Sources speaking on conditions of anonymity informed that the both the uS heavyweights along with the German major have already been approached and consultations were held earlier this year.

Toshiba Corp forecast high profits agency ToKyo, May 7

Toshiba Corp, the world’s No.3 chipmaker, forecast its profit to more than double this year, beating expectations, boosted by brisk chip demand and cost cuts.

The global chip sector is expecting strong demand this year as consumer appetite for new gadgets such as smartphones and tablet-style devices helps accelerate the tech sector’s recovery.

But some analysts have warned rapid spending plans at leading semiconductor makers could lead to another supply glut.

Toshiba, second-ranked in NaND-type flash memory after Samsung Electronics, is trying to cut costs and focus on promising business areas including nuclear power and lithium-ion battery to counter the impact of volatile chip prices.

NaND chips are used in consumer products such as apple Inc’s iPhone and iPad.

BOARD MEETINGS addi Inds IsMT shilp gravures ak capital Jasch Inds shree rama Multi batliboi kamat Hotels simplex cast chambal Fert key corp surana Inds chandra Prabhu Morgan Ventures Taneja aero datanet sys nile TcM diana Tea nitin spinners Tilaknagar Inds dish TV India Pacific Inds Triveni engr ecoplast rajkumar Forge Vardhman Poly gujarat Org s kumarscom yash Papers Hitech Plast saraswati Zuari Inds IOl netcom se Investments Source: Indiainfoline.com

MF FUNDA FOrTIs MuTual Fund has decided to revise the exit load structure for regular and institutional plan (including options / sub options) in Fortis bond Fund. The changes will be effective from May 07 2010. according the revised exit load charge will be 2% if redeemed / switched out upto 1 year from the date of subscription.

In case of inter scheme switched, exit load, if any, will be charged.

However, for intra scheme switches, no exit load will be charged.

Nil if redeemed / switched out after 1 year from the date of subscription / switch-in. No exit load will be charged for dividend reinvestment units. of the exit load charged to the investor, a maximum of 1% of the redemption proceeds shall be maintained in a separate account which can be used by the aMC to pay commissions to the distributor and to take care of other marketing and selling expenses. any balance shall be credited to the scheme immediately.

Moser-baer (, 69.5, 69.8, 67, 67.75 Mrpl, 74.05, 74.3, 72.3, 72.6 Nagarjuna Co, 171, 174, 168.2, 169.9 Nagarjuna Fe, 30.8, 31.65, 30.45, 30.9 National Alu, 395, 415.2, 391.1, 400.6 Neyveli Lign, 145, 146.7, 144.5, 146.05 Ntpc Ltd, 204.05, 206, 201.2, 202.6 Oil And Natu, 1025.15, 1061.6, 1025.15, 1044.7 Omaxe Limite, 95.3, 95.3, 91.8, 92.45 Oriental Ban, 344, 346.4, 335.5, 339 Pantaloon Re, 396, 399, 389, 395.85 Parsvnath De, 118.2, 119.5, 115.55, 117.9 Petronet Lng, 79, 81.75, 79, 79.95 Power Fin Co, 273.7, 273.75, 263.2, 265.1 Power Grid C, 105.5, 106.75, 105.05, 106 Praj Industr, 88, 89.9, 85.3, 85.9 Punj Lloyd L, 154, 154, 146, 150.4 Punjab Natio, 1020, 1034.8, 1006.2, 1014.05 Rajesh Expor, 118.15, 121.5, 118.15, 120.75 Ranbaxy Labs, 453.7, 465, 447.6, 449.65 Rashtriya Ch, 79, 80.3, 77.5, 77.85 Rel. nat. re, 67.95, 73.5, 49.75, 52.65 Reliance Cap, 698.9, 700, 676.1, 684.45

Reliance Com, 154.2, 156.25, 149.35, 153.25 Reliance Ene, 920, 950, 906, 906.72 Reliance Ind, 790, 848.7, 780, 799.55 Reliance Ind, 976, 1060, 976, 1032.8 Reliance Pow, 150.85, 159.2, 135.3, 140.2 Rolta India, 179, 179, 172.1, 175.45 Satyam Compu, 89.1, 90, 87.35, 88.35 Sesa Goa Ltd, 382.7, 397.9, 380.1, 390.6 Shipping Cor, 164.15, 164.8, 160, 162.5 Siemens Ltd, 656, 669, 620.6, 663.3 Sintex Indus, 292, 305.95, 292, 296.2 Sobha Develo, 290.3, 291.7, 275, 276.75 State Bank O, 2275.2, 2291.8, 2218.35, 2226.15 Steel Author, 208, 210.5, 203.1, 207.8 Sterlite Ind, 721.6, 725, 710, 713.85 Sun Pharmace, 1550, 1584, 1522.2, 1532.1 Sun Tv Netwo, 405.4, 414.85, 405, 409.35 Suzlon Energ, 71, 71, 66.7, 67.65 Tata Communi, 260, 263.8, 259, 259.7 Tata Consult, 757, 762.6, 735, 741.4 Tata Motors, 804.8, 804.8, 758.1, 762.75 Tata Power C, 1290, 1299.9, 1264, 1282.95

Tata Steel L, 560, 569, 552.45, 558.35 Tata Tea Ltd, 1015, 1034, 1005.4, 1025.45 Tata Teleser, 22, 22.3, 21.55, 21.65 Tech Mahindr, 725.8, 727.7, 700, 713 The Ge Shpg., 302, 304.9, 285.6, 286.75 The Phoenix, 207, 207.9, 202, 205.45 Thermax Ltd, 689.4, 690, 651.1, 663.35 Titan Indust, 2168, 2202, 2113, 2159 Torrent Powe, 310, 320.2, 302.55, 308.8 Triveni Engg, 105, 106.9, 102.25, 104 Tv18 India L, 76.3, 78.55, 75.7, 76.7 Uco Bank, 73, 73, 68.6, 70.3 Ultratech Ce, 944, 950, 920, 945.45 Union Bank O, 294, 294, 286.6, 290.8 Unitech Ltd, 76.7, 76.7, 71.3, 73.3 United Phosp, 169.5, 169.8, 164.05, 165.2 Videocon Ind, 100.6, 102, 99.05, 100.05 Vijaya Bank, 55.6, 56.7, 54.05, 54.6 Voltas Ltd, 168.75, 173, 165.15, 171.25 Welspun Guj, 266.9, 266.9, 254.5, 259 Wipro Ltd, 650, 655, 631, 637.7 Yes Bank Lim, 262.55, 269.3, 262, 264.75 Zee Entertai, 285, 289, 275.6, 278.9

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GOA, SATURDAY, 8MAY, 2010

India’s eonomy for 9% growth Agency NEW DELHi, May 7

The indian economy will soon be back on the 9 per cent growth path, with the government's stimulus measures after the global economic meltdown spurring estimated expansion of 7.2 per cent in 200910, Parliament was informed today.

"Given the current pace of economic recovery, the economy is poised to revert to the 9 per cent growth path," Minister of State for Finance Namo Narain Meena said.

"Policies and reform measures to facilitate higher

growth are calibrated based on the emerging economic situation," he added.

The minister said the effect of the stimulus m e a s u re s was reflected in growth in real GDP of 7.2 per cent in 2009-10 (advance estimates) compared to growth of 6.7 per cent in 2008-09.

"Similarly, the growth in manufacturing GDP increased from 3.2 per cent in

forward to a major boost in the agricultural sector which will help tame the inflation and control prices of essential comodities. india’s production sector is also shocassing major growth steps with the recent global meltdown not really bogging down the indian production sector and output remaining constant. and with the announcement of the government’s stimulus measures the growth is expected to be in the range of 7.2 to 7.5 per cent.

The coming months will be crucial and will determine the pace of growth.

PTI MuMbai, May 7

Export import bank of india (EXiM) plans to raise Rs 24,000-crore in the current fiscal, a top bank official said.

"We plan to borrow Rs 24,000-crore during this fiscal as against the Rs 20,266crore raised during the previous fiscal," Export-import bank of india Executive Director, N Shankar said.

During the last fiscal, the bank raised Rs 20,266crore comprising rupee resources of Rs 13,037-crore and foreign currency resource of uSD 1.61-billion equivalent.

LIC Housing Fin to foray into banking sector

L&T Finance aims for 40% growth PTI MuMbai, May 7

L&T Finance, the whollyowned subsidiary of Larsen and Toubro, is aiming to grow around 30-40 per cent in the current fiscal (Fy 11), a top company official said speaking of plans being worked out.

2008-09 to 8.9 per cent in 2009-10 (advance estimates)," Meena added. On the fiscal deficit, the minister said that during the 200910 fiscal, up to February, it was Rs 3,80,901 crore.

The figures for the last quarter of Fy10 and the entire fiscal are not available yet.

With the forcast of a favourable monsoon season, the country is looking

Exim Bank plans to raise Rs 24k cr

PTI NEW DELHi, May 7

LiC Housing Finance, an arm of LiC, today said it is planning to foray into the banking business and is awaiting guidelines from the Reserve bank of india. "We are awaiting guidelines from Rbi for banking. if we are eligible we will go

LAUNCH PAD

R-Com's Mobile Jockey

PAnJIM (HBD) -- Reliance Communications announced the launch of the first and only Mobile Jockey Portal as its latest VaS offering to its subscribers.

This new service is all set to up the scale of R-Com's mobile entertainment sphere by ushering in the first of its kind Mobile Jockey Portal to millions of music loving customers. initially, R-Com will launch Hindi Mobile Jockey, Telugu Mobile Jockey and Malayalam Mobile Jockey Services. The Mobile Jockey Service would be the perfect match for any special occasion and would provide a common platform to callers to share their emotions and views with someone live, on-air.

The service has been launched across all Reliance networks.

Other language Jockeys will also be available soon.

The Mobile Jockey would be equipped with lots of Chat subjects like: PageS (Media Gossips), Naye andaaz (current trends), fashion, marriage, education and food recipe. Other interesting topics that can be covered during the conversation include: general topics, friendship, current events, trends in present life, personality grooming, movies and music, career and household tips. The 24-hour live service allows callers to call anytime from anywhere.

The Mobile Jockey ‘MJ’ service gives callers a platform to open up and chat live with the Mobile Jockey on any topic of interest. They further get a chance to connect with new friends via this Mobile Jockey Portal.

This service would be provided in total confidentiality and would probe the caller to open up easily to ensure greater call length by keeping the interest going of the caller. The cost of this service would be Rs 6 per minute.

Wills Lifestyle’s Spring Summer range PAnJIM (HBD) -iTC’s Wills Lifestyle has launched its Spring-Summer 2010 collection.

The collection is inspired by global fashion trends and keeps in mind the sensibilities of the discerning customers. The range is resplendent with vibrant colors, chic styles and intricate detailing, to make a collection impossible to resist.

The brand complements every facet of lifestyle as it offers a complete fashion wardrobe comprising Wills Signature Designer wear, Wills Classic work wear, Wills Sport relaxed wear, Wills Clublife evening wear and fashion accessories.

This Spring/Summer expect to see Linen in a whole range of colours and styles in Wills Lifestyle’s new collection. Linen's legendary breathability makes it a breeze for summer and hence Wills Lifestyle introduces it as their ‘it’ fabric for the season.

The collection has been designed by JJ Valaya, Rohit Gandhi – Rahul Khanna, Rohit bal, Rajesh Pratap Singh, Satya Paul, Suneet Verma and Ranna Gill.

Crusoe men’s innerwear PAnJIM (HBD) -- Crusoe injects freshness by introducing a range of innerwear that is designed to appeal to the youth. Sporty, adventurous and stylish, Crusoe epitomizes the spirit of today’s youth who wear attitude on their waistband.

Crusoe offers boxer shorts, vests and briefs in three range called base, NXT and Xtreme.

Each segment further has 8 variants ranging from woven, knitted and printed briefs, and vests. The top-end range called Xtreme has designs inspired from various adventure related activities like surfing, skateboarding, sky diving, mountain climbing, scuba diving, biking etc., making it really unique in the category of innerwear.

Made of finest combed cotton yarn, the products are made from breathable fabrics and skin friendly. Each garment is carefully constructed to follow the body contours for optimal comfort and made from preshrunk fabric to ensure that it holds shape and is fade resistant even after several washes. attention to detail like seamless elasticated spandex waist bands which do not cut into the skin, labels attached unobtrusively on the outer portion of the waistband to avoid itchiness, and comfortable trims for better leg movement are just some features which ensure comfort. The products are targeted at men between 16- 35 years and are priced upwards of Rs 100 for base and upto Rs 350 for Xtereme.

for it," LiC Housing Finance Chief Executive Officer R R Nair said. "i think there is no reason why we should not be eligible because we have got 21 years of work experience in the financial services, Rs 3,400-crore networth along with more than 200 offices across the country," said.

The Rbi is expected to come out with a discussion paper on new norms, for granting banking licences to private sector companies and non-banking financial companies by July end.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee had announced in the union budget that the government was open to allowing more private entities and NbFCs into the banking sector.

The Rbi is considering giving some additional banking licenses to private sector play-

Dubai, most expensive work place PTI Dubai, May 7

Dubai is among the most expensive workplace markets in the world with rents registering uSD 108.92 per square foot per annum, placing the emirate at number nine, a report on global office rents has said. according to commercial real estate services firm Cb Richard Ellis, the occupancy costs in the global markets showed a drop of 4.6 per cent over the 12month period ended March 31, with larger markets experiencing a slightly greater decline of 6.4 percent.

While London's West End at uSD 182.94 per square foot per annum remains on top in the list, Hong Kong's Central business District has pushed Tokyo's inner Central to third place. "While economic data reflects improvements year-overyear, the commercial real estate market lags the economy, and our occupancy cost survey still shows falling costs," Global Chief Economist at CbRE Raymond Torto said.

The majority of markets (133) experienced a decline, with 33 of these markets registering double-digit percentagepoint drops in office occupancy costs. The Latin american market, led by brazil, was the only region to show an increase year-over-year in occupancy costs, Torto said.

Coir exports touch Rs 804 cr PTI KOCHi, May 7

Exports of coir and coir products touched Rs 804 crore during the fiscal ending March this year against the target of Rs 700 crore.

Coir product exports during the period touched 294508.05 tons valued at Rs 804 crore, a growth of 47.31 per cent in quantity and 25.64 per cent in value as against 199924.94 tonnes valued at Rs 639 crore during the corresponding period the previous year, a board press release said.

Exports, which stood at Rs 592.88 crore during 2007-08 registered a growth of 36 per cent in two years to touch Rs 804 crore during 2009-2010, it said. uSa continued to be largest coir importer with an intake of 35 per cent of indian coir products followed by Germany and the uK. indian coir is exported to over 100 counties.

ers.

Non banking Financial Companies could also be considered, if they meet the Rbi's eligibility criteria," Mukherjee had said. LiC Housing Finance is a subsidiary of LiC, which has 36.5 per cent stake and 32 per cent is with foreign institutional investors. besides, Nair said, the company is going to launch venture capital fund with the objective to invest in real estate in the next 3-4 months. The first fund would be about Rs 500 crore, he said, by adding, it would be raised from the domestic market.

Fund size is expected to grow up to Rs 4,000 crore in the next 3-4 years depending on the opportunity, he added.

The company also plans to set up Property Services division to provide end-to-end solution to

customers this year itself, he said.

The division would help home buyers from right from finding property to house warming, he said, adding, services would include providing loan assistance.

Talking about the business done in the last fiscal, Nair said, the company had disbursed loan worth Rs 15,000 crore during the year ended March 2010, registering a growth of 70 per cent.

This year we are expecting loan disbursal to be around Rs 20,000 crore, he said. Capital adequacy Ratio stood at 15 per cent with Net nonperforming assets (NPa) of 0.12 per cent and Gross NPa of 0.69 per cent.

Apollo, Cisco tie-up Agency MuMbai, May 7

Healthcare major apollo Hospitals today announced the technical tie up with iT giant Cisco for providing Telemedicine services in india. Telemedicine is a process through which patients can consult doctors lo-

cated at very distant places through electronic mediums without visiting them. “The alliance with Cisco will revolutionise the delivery of healthcare,``said apollo Hospitals Group ED, Sangita Reddy.

Cisco will provide its technological solutions, which includ-

ing softwares and other hardware systems for integrating apollo hospitals, clinics and other institutes through high speed internet. Cisco`s desktop based Health presence Extended Reach Technology will help doctors working in centres located in remote areas. to

SPORTS

Pg16

GOA, Saturday, 8 May, 2010

Hausi spikers in finals HERALD SPORTS REPORTER PANJIM, MAY 7

Hausi, Bandh (Santa Cruz) moved into the finals of all-Goa Venceslau Gonsalves volleyball championship organised by Crown Club beating Jat, Trivandrum 3-0 sets at Crown court, Santa Cruz tonight.

The scores were25-18, 25-21, 25-19 The finals will be played on Sunday.

Churchill trounce Bagan, delay Dempo’s party Churchill…4 Bagan…0 HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, MAY 7

Musli Power Churchill Brothers scored thumping 4-0 win over Mohun Bagan in the 24 round ONGC I-League match, at Nehru Stadium, Margao, here today.

Churchill were leading 3-0 at half time.

Churchill skipper Odafe Okolie scored a brace, while Felix Chimaokwu and Ogba Kalu Nanna netted a goal each.

Churchill started aggressively and after missing an opportunity went ahead in the 20th minute.

Kalu relayed the ball to Odafe who beat a couple of defenders and essayed a shot which deflected defender Manju and caught goalkeeper Shilton Paul on the wrong foot to find the net.

Bagan reacted to the wake up call and nearly found the equalizer in the 11th minute through Marcos Pereira following a flag kick. Churchill goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya made a valiant attempt to collect the air borne ball but lost the grip and the ball bounced into the goal, however, Arindam cleared the ball from the goal. TV replays suggest that the ball crossed the line, but Bagan striker Edeh Chidi’s appeal for a goal was ignored by referee S Suresh.

Odafe and Felix combined upfront with good support from Kalu. Bagan defence was caught

napping on a number of occasions and Churchill increased the lead in the 26th minute. Kalu put a through pass to Felix who took a defender in his stride and essayed a stiff grounder which hit goalkeeper Shilton’s leg before finding the net.

Earlier Bagan had an opportunity to find the net but Jose Ramirez Baretto was the offender as his feeble shot went into the safe hands of goalkeeper Arindam. Later Arindam denied Edeh Chidi’s smart header off a well floated cross from Sueoka Ryuji.

Churchill consolidated its position further in the 31st minute when midfielder Ogba headed in to beat his marker off a flag kick taken by Lalrindika.

At the stroke of lemon break, Brazilian midfielder Jose blew away the easiest chance of the day by shooting over from five yards of a rebound after Surkumar Singh’s rasping left footer.

Odafe rounded off the tally for Churchill in the 52nd minute after receiving a pass from Felix Chimaokwu.

Thereafter Bagan goalkeeper Shilton Paul came to the rescue of his side and pulled out superb saves to deny Lalrindika. Later, Churchill were denied a sure goal when Felix Chimaokwu’s right footer beat goalkeeper Paul but came off the horizontal bar.

With this win, Churchill collected 38 points from 22

Chruchill Bros Gouramangi being challenged by a Bagan player at Fatorda on Friday.

Photo: Third Eye

matches while Mohun Bagan remained at the same spot with 32 points from 23 matches.

The battle for the top place between Dempo and Churchill Bros continues, adds our Sports Reporter from Panjim Churchill Bros now have a tally of 38 points from 22 matches. Dempo have 50 points from 24 matches and a draw or a victory against Lajong in Shillong on May 9 will give them the coveted league pennant with 51 or 53 points respectively.

Even if Dempo lose, they have

one more match, against Salgaocar and again a draw or a victory will give them the title.

Churchill have four matches to go and if they manage to record four successive victories their total will rise to 50, which should give them the runnersup place. It is only if Dempo lose both matches and Churchill win all four, the tussle will be decided on goal difference.

Two teams are to be relegated, but with Mahindra having withdrawn, it is not known if two or one will be demoted.

ougam demonstrating neat passes while Dempo struggled to get into their usual attacking mode.

Pritam opened the scoring in the 38th minute for Sporting after he cleverly managed to hang in the air and head the ball over the advancing Dempo custodian Guendolen Vaz, from a

free kick which floated in from the left side.

Seven minutes after the lemon break, Valerio Rodrigues doubled the lead for Sporting, as his 25-yard free kick curled over the Dempo wall and landed into the bottom of the net, leaving the goalkeeper no chance to save.

In the 78th minute, Stephene Barretto dribbled past two defenders outside the 18-yard box and hit a rocket into the top right hand corner of the net.

Dempo substitute Terence Fernandes came close to scoring when he rattled the cross bar in the dying minutes.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, MAY 7

Cup inter-village football tournament organised by Nerul Sports Club at Nerul ground, on Friday.

Avelino Fernandes finally gave the lead for Adarsh.He doubled the lead off a penalty and rounded off the tally scoring a hat-trick.

Sporting rout Dempo in U-19

Sporting’s Reliston Fernandes in a duel with Dempo striker Myron Fernandes in U-19 I-League at Duler stadium, Mapusa on Friday.

Photo: Aldrid Da Costa HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, MAY 7

Sporting Clube de Goa recorded a convincing 3-0 win over Dempo Sports Club in the opening match of U-19 I-League tournament at Duler stadium, here on Friday. At the breather, Sporting led by a solitary goal.

The two goals scored from free kicks allowed Sporting to march ahead.

Sporting went into the game with seven new players, five Sesa graduates and two Goa Velha players, who have impressed in the Taca Goa U-20 league.

Sporting took some time to settle down but soon found their rhythm with Mackroy Peixoto and Pritam Ningth-

Scribes give thumbs up for Gill's move PTI PANAJI, MAY 7

A majority of sports scribes who have assembled for a five-day sports journalists' convention (SJFI) gave a big thumbs up to the decision of the Union Sports Ministry to limit the tenure of sports administrators, who - in turn - have revolted against the move. To an opinion poll, "Do you agree with Sports Minister, M S Gill's move to limit tenures of National federation heads?", over 99 per cent of the 70-odd journalists from 16 States attending the convention said "yes".

Less than one per cent said that they did not agree with the move.

On the opening day, 94 per cent voted in the affirmative to the query, "Will the Indian Premier League continue to flourish even in the absence of the now suspended Lalit Modi".

Avelino tricks for Adarsh

A superb hat-trick by Avelino Fernandes enabled Adarsh Yuvak Sangh to trounce Navelim Villagers Union 3-0 in the inaugural match of 17th Nerul Panchayat

Baina, Sancoale, Velsao in semis HERALD REPORTER VASCO, MAY 7

Baina Boys, United Boys of Sancaole cruised into the semi-finals of James Alvares memorial beach soccer defeating Fukott-II and Chicalim Boys respectively at Bogmalo beach on Friday. Parish Youth, Velsao also made it to the last four.

Baina Boys scored a 3-1 win against Fukott-II. Roy (2) and Bryan scored. The solitary goal

for Fukott came from Clement.

United Boys of Sancoale defeated Chicalim boys 4-1. Sanford (2), Agnel and Nevis scored for Sancoale. Anthony Naik reduced the margin for Chicalim Boys.

Parish Youth Velsao defeated 7788 3-2. Rony played major role scoring two crucial goals for Velsao. Richard added one.

For 7788, Vincy and Romeo scored.

GOA DIARY Tie-breaker at Uguem

PANJIM (HSD) – The Rising Stars of Uguem will organise their 6th all-Goa floodlit tie-breaker football tournament on May 8, opposite John bar, Uguem from 7 p.m. The winners will be awarded Rs. 13,000 and the runners-up will receive Rs. 9,000.

Spot entries will be accepted. Details may be obtained from Placido on 9637889343 or Galdino on 8007450771.

Hardball cricket at Tonca

PANJIM (HSD) – The Intergrate Cricketers, Tonca, Mira Mar will organise their 9th all-Goa 5-overs hardball cricket tournament on May 9 and 16 near Red Rosary School ground, Mira Mar, Tonca from 9 a.m. The winners and runners-up will receive Rs. 6,000 and Rs. 4,000 respectively. Spot entries will be accepted upto 2 p.m. Teams may report at the venue before 9 a.m. Details may be obtained from Nanu on 9922353428 or Sunil on 9326107920 or Amay on 9923972596.

Selection trials for U-14 boys

PANJIM (HSD) – The Goa Cricket Association will conduct selection trials for U-14 boys on May 9 at Indoor Cricket Academy, Porvorim from 10 a.m. Those who have been selected at zonal camps, played for Goa U-14 and who are interested to attend the camps have been asked to be present at the venue. The selection trials will be conducted by Raghuram Bhat and other GCA coaches.

Details may be obtained from Sanjay Kanekar on 9326126466.

Tie-breaker at Ponda

PANJIM (HSD) – The SSC Ponda will organise an all-Goa 3-aside tie-breaker football tournament on May 8 at St. Anne’s church ground, Ponda from 7 p.m. The winners will take away Rs. 3,000 and the runners-up will receive Rs. 1,500. Those interested may contact the organising secretary, Sansiew on 9637244905 or Darren on 9823370872.

Tie-breaker at Tilamol

PANJIM (HSD) - The United Boys of Tilamol will organize their 3-a-side tie-breaker on May 8 near Tilamol fish market from 7.30 p.m. The winners will be awarded Rs.6, 000 while the runners-up will receive Rs. 4, 000. Spot entries will be accepted. Interested teams may contact on 9850776448.

7-a-side soccer at Colva

PANJIM (HSD) – The 7-a-side Altar Boys soccer tournament organised by Our Lady of Merces Church, Colva will be held on May 8, Colva ground, at 9 a.m. The finals will be played at 5 p.m.

2-a-side soccer at Velsao

PANJIM (HSD) – The 2-a-side tie-breaker soccer tournament organised by Boys of Bellem, Velsao will be held on May 9, near Holy Cross, Bellem, Velsao, at 6.30 p.m. The winners and runners-up will receive Rs 5,000 and Rs 3,000 respectively. Details may be obtained on 9822384905. Spot entries will be accepted.

14th Holy Cross soccer finals: Dramapur Sirlim Sports Club v. Verna Sports Club, Vodlemol, Kakoda ground, 4.30 p.m.

Taca Goa U-20 soccer: Merces Club v. Macasana Welfare Club, Santa Cruz ground; Youth Sports Club of Colvale v. Sarzora Sports Club, Curtorim ground. Kick off: 4.15 p.m.

Kingfisher beach soccer: Mundivel SC v. Faria Sports Management, 8.30 p.m; Varca SC v. St Sebastian SC, Santa Cruz, 6.30 p.m; Sao Minguel de Taleigao v. Merces Club, 6 p.m; Navelim SC v. Vailankanni Arambol SC, 5 p.m; Maina SC v. Goa Police SC, 7 p.m; Curtorim Gymkhana v. Goa Velha SC, 7.30 p.m; Wilred Leisure SC v. Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim, 8 p.m; Nagoa SC v. Sinquerim SC, Colva beach, 5.30 p.m.

Salgaocar memorial veterans soccer: Customs and Central Excise v. Velsao Veterans, Nagoa panchayat ground, 5 p.m.

Salgaocar memorial U-16 soccer: Bresources, Betalbatim v. Wilred Leisure Sports Club, Curtorim, Nagoa panchayat ground, 3.45 p.m.

Nerul Panchayat Cup soccer: Nerul Sports Club v. Football Club of Siolim, Nerul ground, 4.30 p.m.

Arpora-Nagoa Village Panchayat Cup soccer: Candolim Sports Club v. Sai Avtar, Anjuna, Salt Lake ground, Arpora, 4.45 p.m.

5th Frank Pires memorial soccer: Agassaim SC v. Siridao SC, Siridao church ground, 4.30 p.m.

6th All-Goa floodlit tiebreaker soccer, organised by Rising Stars of Uguem, opposite John bar, Uguem, 7 p.m.

7-a-side Altar Boys soccer, organised by Our Lady of Merces Church, Colva ground, 9 a.m.

Pilerne Panchayat Cup soccer: Calangute Association v.

Saligao United, Maddanim ground, Pilerne, 4.45 p.m.

James Alvares memorial beach soccer: Fukott I v. Baina Boys, Parish Youth Velsao v.

United Boys of Sancoale, Bogmalo beach, 4.45 p.m.

All-Goa Venceslao Gonsalves volleyball: Crown A v.

Beta Six, Crown Club court, Santa Cruz, 8 p.m.

Pg17

SPORTS

GOA, Saturday, 8 May, 2010

Counties deny 'underhand' deal with Modi PTI LONDON, MAY 7

One of the three county clubs which were allegedly in talks with suspended IPL chief Lalit Modi to start a 'rebel' Twenty20 league in England, Yorkshire has denied the allegations insisting that there was "nothing underhand" about the idea.

Modi has been accused of negotiating for a parallel Twenty20 league in England without the knowledge of the England and Wales Cricket Board and the

BCCI in a meeting with three counties in March.

He has been slapped with a showcause notice by the BCCI after ECB chief Giles Clarke brought the matter to the Indian Board's notice.

But Yorkshire's chairman Colin Graves rubbished the allegations and said the meeting was merely about discussing an idea and the ECB was duly informed about it.

"This is totally overblown," Graves was quoted as saying in the 'Guardian'.

"It was a fact-finding mission.

Lalit Modi did not put a proposition on the table. There were no secret proposals, no secret agenda, nothing underhand," he insisted.

"IPL has been extraordinarily successful and we can learn a lot from it. There was a proper business discussion about how things might develop in the future, the sort of discussions that can benefit the whole of English cricket.

Stewart Regan took notes of the meeting and forwarded them to all the Test grounds.

"I then passed those notes to

Modi unperturbed by allegations AGENCIES MUMBAI, MAY 7

Suspended Indian Premier League commissioner Lalit Modi on Friday took a potshot at the Board of Control for Cricket in India for the latest showcause notice issued to him.

"Another day. Another show cause notice. Any guesses as to who's (whose) purpose ECB's Giles Clark was attempting to serve?" Modi wrote on Twitter.

Modi's troubles compounded on Thursday when the BCCI slapped another showcause notice for activities "detrimental to Indian cricket, English cricket and World cricket at large".

In a rather cryptic statement, which did not reveal details, BCCI secretary N Srinivasan said the board acted on an e-mail from England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Clarke.

Modi is being accused of negotiating a parallel Twenty20 league in England without the knowledge of the England and Wales Cricket Board and the BCCI at a meeting with three counties in March.

However, Modi pointed out that he is unfazed by the allegations and getting ready to reply to them.

"Sorry been busy preparing reply so not had time to tweet.

Thanks for all the support and messages.

"At IPL Finals I used a quotation from Bhagwat Geeta 'Fear NOT from what is Untrue'. I believe in this. thus I am unperturbed by allegations," he added.

Speaking to Times Now, Modi said, "What's in the BCCI showcause is fiction. I am confident because I have done nothing wrong."

There are also reports floating around that Modi will hold a media conference on Monday, during which he will make a few disclosures that are likely to embarrass a few top officials in the BCCI.

Giles Clarke. Lalit Modi invited all representatives of the Test grounds to be his personal guests at the IPL final. We turned the invitation down as we were not in a position to discuss anything in detail," he added.

Graves said the counties had not been guaranteed any money during the meeting.

"We have not been guaranteed anything, but if anybody puts anything on the table we will discuss it. We have nine Test grounds and only seven Tests a

Friends enter last eight HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, MAY 7

Friends XI, Vaddem scored a solitary goal victory over Cuncolim Union to move into quarter-finals of Nagoa-Arpora Panchayat Cup soccer tournament organised by Arpora Sporting Club at Salt Lake ground, Arpora on Friday.

The teams played out a cautious game with counter moves. When it looked like that the match was heading for the tie-breaker, Dwain Ticlo came up with the all-important goal for Friends, in the dying minutes.

year. We have to find ways to fill these grounds outside the England team," he said.

"There is no future in us creating another Twenty20 competition for all 18 counties. It is not attractive enough to fill the Test grounds. We have to create something new and exciting, a tournament with the appeal of IPL, a British version. We will continue to put these ideas to Giles," he said.

In his email to the BCCI, Clarke has said that Modi's plan

was "detrimental to Indian cricket, English cricket and world cricket at large".

The BCCI too feels that any such plan would shake "the very foundation of the way cricket is administered and played across the world".

Modi had met representatives Colin Povey, the Warwickshire chief executive, Yorkshire's chief executive, Stewart Regan, and the Lancashire committee member David Hodgkiss in the March 31 gathering in New Delhi.

UNI NEW DELHI, MAY 7

A bench comprising Justices J M Panchal and R M Lodha issued the notice after hearing the counsel for the petitioner, who contended that IPL governing council meeting could not be called by a man who had stakes in the IPL, namely Srinivasan.

The meeting was called on April 26 to oust Lalit Modi from the post of IPL CEO. However, when Modi indicated that he will attend the governing council meeting he was suspended on April 25 by the BCCI.

SC notice to BCCI Secy The Supreme Court today issued a notice to BCCI Secretary N Srinivasan, who had stakes in IPL Chennai Super Kings franchise, on a petition filed by former BCCI chief A C Muthiah alleging conflict of interest.

Muthiah, in his petition, has challenged the validity of amendment made in BCCI rules, exempting those who have stakes in the IPL and Champions League from the ban on holding an office in the BCCI.

SAG turns Chicalim Shoaib barred from playing at Hyderabad ground complex into dance floor AGENCIES HYDERABAD, MAY 7

Photo: M Prabhav The huge stage which has been erected at the Chicalim ground and the ground dug up to erect stalls.

HERALD REPORTER VASCO, MAY 7

Although the SAG Chicalim sports complex is meant for sporting activities, political bosses have converted it into a dance floor where booze is expected to flow freely.

The Chicalim complex playing field is virtually dead due for lack of maintenance and to further worsen the condition it has been dug up, with vehicles freely rolling on turf and a huge stage has been erected for a music fiesta.

Trucks ventured into the ground with heavy metallic trusses to plant them onto the ground to erect a major stage for a 2-day ‘Sundown’ food and musical fiesta which started today evening.

The clever tactic of the organizers was evident as they displayed everything on their advertisement except the venue which is the Chicalim ground.

The fiesta will feature international food stalls, lively décor, bands, dances, games and much more that is beer.

Trucks, rickshaws, jeeps and

motor bikes were seen gingerly moving over the turf, as preparations were underway from the morning to set up a major stage right in front of cricket pitches.

The worst thing is that at several places, the playing field has been dug up to erect stalls and two of these have been erected straight in line with the pitches from where the bowlers take their run up.

The children at the cricket summer coaching camp were redirected to nets only, as they could not do their fielding drills on the main turf because of the fiesta preparation. Luckily, today it was the final day of the camp.

Interestingly, the very next day after the fiesta, Al-Fatah, a premier cricket club from Vasco, is hosting its fifth edition of T20 cricket from May 9. Hosting cricket on such a field would certainly be a great risk for the careers of cricketers.

Al-Fatah officials were worried that since the playing field has been dug up at many places there are possibilities of players

getting hurt.

Officials at the ground remained tightlipped as the permission had been received from top bosses and were helplessly watching the trucks, tempos, jeeps and motor bikes rolling on the turf as if it is a motor sport race course.

It may be recalled that during Manohar Parrikar’s regime a hue and cry was made about exploiting the SAG grounds for nonsporting activities.

When contacted, SAG Executive Director, V M Prabhudesai said that the organizers have assured that if any damage occurs to the playing field it would be repaired and that the organisers will take care while hosting the event. He said that even on behalf of the organisers, Revenue Minister Jose Philip D’ Souza had assured that they would take care of damage, if any.

Obviously, Prabhudesai had no other option but to play to the political masters, who exercise total control to demonstrate their full authority.

Saligao United enter last four HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, MAY 7

Saligao United sponsored by Reira Eco Friendly and Nazri got the better of Cunchelim Sports Club 3-2 to move into the semifinals of U-16 Coca-Cola Celebration Cup Soccer tournament organised by Goa Football Association at Dr. Gustavo Monteiro Stadium, Candolim, on Friday.

In a keenly contested Group

C match, Shramit Rane, Rony Rodrigues and Presley Fernandes scored for Saligao while Junior Rodrigues and Vishnu netted for Cunchelim.

Saligao United thumped Clube Athletico de Parra 8-1. Nikil Silveira (3), Rhys Fernandes, Presley Fernandes, Clyde Vales (2) and Shramit Rane scored for Saligao while Wayne Braganza netted the consolation goal for Parra.

With Saligao booking their place in the semi-finals, the other match between Cunchelim and Clube Athletico de Parra was of academic interest. It was Cunchelim who prevailed over Clube Athletico de Parra by a margin of 4-1.

Junior Rodrigues (2), Seby Fernandes and Raj Tendulkar scored for Cunchelim while John Fernandes was the lone scorer for Clube Athletico de Parra.

Nat Junior team in I-League AIFF chief to handle Houghton contract issue HERALD SPORTS REPORTER PANJIM, MAY 7

The next edition of I-League will have the National under-19 team that would be based in New Delhi, according to the first release in the AIFF website. However, the news item was changed subsequently to say that it would be the under-21 team.

The next I-League will start in September without 30 National players who will be in the camp from June to January on a paid contract with AIFF. On the reported resignation of national coach, Bob Houghton, AIFF president, Praful Patel, informed that he himself had spoken to Houghton.

He also said that the Executive Committee had entrusted him to do whatever necessary in the matter.

Meanwhile, the National Santosh Trophy will be held in the month of July in Kolkata, with Goa being eliminated from hosting the event in its Golden Jubilee Year.

Reports from New Delhi indicated the General Secretary was reportedly grilled over the

issue of appointments of the staff and the increments. Sunil Bardwaraj and Vinod Sharma are learnt to have pointed out that some appointments were being done arbitrarily and that in one case the emoluments were raised after seeking the approval of the Finance Committee, whereas the members pointed out that it is the Executive Committee that was supreme.

The question of remuneration to former assistant director competition, Anil Kamat of Chinchinim, Goa who, was promoted to director competition subsequently and assistant secretary in 2003 followed by assistant general secretary in April 2010 also figured in the discussions.

The committee had recommended a higher salary to Kamat which was objected to, whereas when the committee recommended a certain salary to a newcomer it was raised, almost doubled. The members felt that Anil has been faithfully discharging the duties uninterruptedly for over a decade, whereas the newcomers were

being looked differently. They felt that Kamat was overlooked and had to be given his dues.

The meeting was attended by all the 18 Executive Committee members.

Bob will now remain the coach of India till the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, to be held in Qatar.

Bob is expected to arrive in India on May 21 when Patel will have discussions with the coach relating his contract extension issues.

The National team players will not be available for the clubs from July to the Asian Cup as a part of the Goal 2011 Project.

The AIFF will pay each of the players 15% more than what they actually earn from their club for this special arrangement.

A discussion regarding an ambitious Youth Development also took place during the meeting.

The players recruitment structure in the I-League remains the same as AIFF decided to continue with their current policy that allows all the teams to register three foreigners along with one additional Asian foreigner.

There seems to be no end to controversies surrounding Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik.

Now the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) has banned his entry into Gymkhana Cricket Grounds in Hyderabad.

HCA joint secretary DS Chalapathi confirmed to IANS on Friday that Malik, who has been banned by Pakistan Cricket Board for one year, has been barred from entering Gymkhana.

"Yes. We have asked Gymkahana staff not to allow him to practice," Chalapathi said.

Malik was banned and fined by the Pakistani board for

breaching the players' code of conduct and inciting player unrest during the disastrous Australia tour this year.

His teammates Rana Naved-ul Hasan was banned for a year, while Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan were handed life bans.

The HCA ban is in line with the policy of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) not to allow any banned player on official grounds.

The officials pointed out that all International Cricket Council members were bound by the rules on banned players.

Malik practised at Gymkhana ground along with Hyderabad cricketers on Tuesday and Wednesday.

He was accompanied by his wife, Indian tennis star Sania Mirza, her father Imran Mirza and former Andhra Cricket Ass o c i a t i o n s e c r e t a r y V. Chamundeswarinath.

"He is not coming to Gymkhana since yesterday (Thursday)," Chalapathi said. He feigned ignorance about the former Pakistan skipper's presence for two days.

"I am not aware. I heard that he had come there," the official said.

Some local players pointed out that even former Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin was not allowed to practice at the grounds after he was banned by BCCI.

Betalbatim seal final spot HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, MAY 7

Betalbatim Sports Club overcame Sporting Club of Davorlim 5-3 via the tie-breaker to move into the finals of St Anthony’s Super Soccer tournament organised by St Anthony’s Club of Colva, at Colva ground on Friday.

In the first session, the teams played cautiously with play mostly restricted to the midfield.

Betalbatim had a slight edge over SC Davorlim as they occasionally made forays into the rival citadel. Soon, SC Davorlim began to dictate terms with Venson Figueriedo being a thorn in the Betalbatim defence.

Changing over, the teams went into the attacking mode in search of the match-winner but were unable to find the target. Betalbatim’s custodian Desmond brought about superlative saves to deny SC Davorlim

from surging ahead. Betalbatim retaliated through Allwick who made a solo effort at the rival goal but was neatly tackled by Davorlim defender Bonny Niasso. A free kick which was awarded to SC Davorlim was headed wide by defender Peter.

As the normal time failed to produce any result, the tie breaker was applied. For Betalbatim, Desmond, Allwick, Cajie, Allison

and Luis found the target while Joaquim, Piedade and Rosebud Gomes scored for SC Davorlim.

Venson’s attempt was saved by substitute goalkeeper Desmond.

Piedade Colaco of SC Davorlim was given the man-of-the match prize.

The second semi-finals between host St Anthony Sports Club and PY Nuvem will be played on May 12.

Curtorim Gym oust Navelim HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, MAY 7

Curtorim Gymkhana blanked Navelim Sporting Club 2-0 to march into the finals of All-Goa Immaculate Conception Festival football tournament organized

by Immaculate Conception Sports Club at Avedem Panchayat ground, Paroda on Thursday. Curtorim Gymkhana were

leading 1-0 at half time. The highlight of the day was a brilliant brace by Micheal Hilario.

Curtorim took the lead in the 16th minute through striker Micheal.

Curtorim doubled the lead through Micheal.

Curtorim will now meet Sporting Club of Davorlim in the finals on May 9.

SPORTS

SAG turns Chicalim complex into dance floor Pg. 17

Churchill trounce Bagan, delay Dempo’s party Pg. 16

GOA, SATURDAY, 8 MAY, 2010

www.oherald.in

In BrIef

Federer in Estoril semis Roger Federer recovered from an erratic start to beat Arnaud Clement 7-6 (7), 6-2 Friday and reach the semifinals of the Estoril Open.

There were upsets in both women’s semifinals, as Arantxa Parra Santonja of Spain overcame Sorana Cirstea of Romania 6-1, 64, and Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia rallied to beat No. 7 Peng Shuai of China 6-7 (6), 6-1, 6-3.

Jankovic beats Serena in Rome semis Top-ranked Serena Williams squandered a match point Friday at the Italian Open and lost to former No. 1 Jelena Jankovic, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5).

In Saturday’s final, Jankovic will meet Ana Ivanovic or Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez of Spain.

Earlier yesterday, Jelena rolled to a surprisingly easy 6-0, 6-1 win over Venus Williams.

T20 WC: Indian eves lose to NZ Mithali Raj stood out with a 36-ball 44 but the rest of the Indian batting collapsed like a house of cards as the team suffered an 10-run loss to New Zealand in its Group B opener of the Women's World Twenty20 here.

Diana David (4/27) wrecked havoc with her off-spin but New Zealand recovered from a mid-innings collapse to post a competitive 139 for eight from their 20 overs.

India fells short of the target despite Mithali's 44 and identical 28s from opener Sulakshana Naik and Amita Sharma as the Kiwi bowlers restricted them to 129 for eight.

Yuki ousted from ONGC ITF Futures Top seed Yuki Bhambri was ousted by Uzbekistan's Murad Inoyatov, the fifth seed, in the ONGC ITF Futures here today.

Murad took 122 minutes to topple Yuki 4-6, 6-1,7-5.

Second seeds Vivek Shokeen and Ashutosh Singh lifted the doubles title at the expense of Murad Inoyatov (Uzb) and Yannick Nelord 6-4, 7-6 (7-3).

Hamilton quickest in Spain Michael Schumacher was back up to speed for Mercedes today in a first free practice session dominated by McLaren's world champions Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button.

Hamilton, lapped the Circuit de Catalunya in one minute 21.134 seconds.

Button, overall leader after winning two of the first four races of the season, was 0.538 seconds slower.

Glazers snub Man United bid The US-based Glazer family has reportedly rejected a 1.5 billion bid for Manchester United.

The group of wealthy United fans were understood to be planning a 1.2 billion pound offer for the club this summer.

But news of the Glazers' reluctance to accept a higher offer, believed to be from a Middle East consortium last year, is a massive stumbling block, The Sun reports.

Gurkha to guard Rooney's mansion England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is leaving his 4.5 million pound mansion under the vigilant eye of a Gurkha as he heads for the football World Cup in South Africa.

Gurkhas are a Nepalese warrior clan known for being lethal and deftly eviscerating enemies with their Khukri (dagger).

Real Madrid eye unhappy Gerrard Spanish football giants Real Madrid have reportedly made discreet enquiries about England and Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard, and according to club sources, are ready to buy him for 30 million pounds.

Totti accused of racial abuse Inter Milan forward Mario Balotelli has accused AS Roma captain Francesco Totti of racially abusing him.

Australia outclass India PTI BRIDGETOWN (BARBADOS), MAY 7

Rohit Sharma's blistering unbeaten half-century went in vain as Australia humiliated India, inflicting on the 2007 champions a crushing 49-run defeat in a Super Eight Group F match of the Twenty20 World Cup here today.

Barring the toss, which Mahendra Singh Dhoni won and opted to field, nothing went right for India today and the Australian team, under Michael Clarke, made a statement that they are determined to win the only major trophy missing in their cupboard.

Put into bat, Australia rode on the blistering 104-run stand provided by openers David Warner (72) and Shane Watson (54) in 10-odd overs to post a commanding 184 for five even though they looked good for the 200-mark.

The misery of India's chase could be gauged from the fact that barring Rohit (78 not out), none of India's top eight batsmen could reach double digit score and they eventually collapsed in 17.4 overs for a meagre 135.

Rohit waged a grim battle with an unbeaten 45-ball knock, scoring nearly 60 percent of the team's total with the help of four fours and six sixes but his single-handed effort could only delay the inevitable.

Harbhajan Singh (13) was the only other Indian batsman to reach double digit.

For Australia, Dirk Nannes (3/25) and Shaun Tait (3/21) led India's rout.

Murali Vijay (2), who has struggled against the short rising ball,

Dhoni looks on as David Warner hits out in Bridgetown, Barbados on Friday.

meekly chipped Nannes to Cameron White at backward point to begin the exodus and soon Gautam Gambhir (9) topedged a pull off Nannes to Michael Hussey as India lost both the openers inside three overs.

Suresh Raina, who had made a rollicking 101 against South Africa, fell in similar fashion to Tait and when Nannes castled

Yuvraj Singh with a dipping yorker, the writing was on the wall for India.

At 23 for four, India were staring at defeat and they were eased out of their agony as the Aussies fired on all cylinders to complete the kill in the 18th over.

Rohit waged a valiant battle but the war had already been long won by the green and gold-

clad Aussie legion.

Earlier, Shane Watson and David Warner bludgeoned the Indian attack into submission to guide Australia to 184 for five at the Kensington Oval.

The awesome openers set the stands on fire with a plethora of sixes, while posting a powerful 104 runs for the first wicket in 10.5 overs.

Watson struck six sixes in his 32-ball 54 while the stocky Warner did one better -- hit seven sixes -- in his breezy 42-ball 72.

There were as many 16 sixes in the Australian onslaught, with David Hussey (35 off 22 balls,2x6) and Brad Haddin (one six) continuing what Watson and Warner had begun.

Among the Indian bowlers, Harbhajan Singh (4-1-15-0) had been at his constricting best, tying down the dangerous Watson in his crease, even bowling a maiden in the first over the innings.

Ravindra Jadeja, however, undid all the good work, conceding as many as 38 runs in his two overs.

Australia: S Watson b Pathan 54, D Warner c Dhoni b Yuvraj 72, D Hussey c Vijay b Nehra 35, B Haddin st Dhoni b Yuvraj 8, C White not out 5, M Hussey b Nehra 8, S Smith not out 1. Extras: 1. Total: 184 for 5.

Fall of wickets: 104-1, 142-2, 166-3, 172-4, 183-5. Bowling: Harbhajan 4-1-15-0, A Nehra 4-0-31-2, R Jadeja 2-0-38-0, Zaheer Khan 4-0-450, Y Pathan 4-0-35-1, Yuvraj Singh 2-0-20-2.

India: M Vijay c White b Nannes 2, Gautam Gambhir c M Hussey b Nannes 9, S Raina c Clarke b Tait 5, Rohit Sharma not out 79, Yuvraj Singh b Nannes 1, MS Dhoni c D Hussey b Smith 2, Y Pathan c Warner b Johnson 1, Ravindra Jadeja run out (D Hussey) 4, Harbhajan c D Hussey b Watson 13, Zaheer Khan c Clarke b Tait 9, Ashish Nehra b Tait 0. Extras: 10. Total: 135 all out.

Fall of wickets: 10-1, 12-2, 17-3, 23-4, 37-5, 42-6, 50-7, 97-8, 133-9, 135-10.

Bowling: D Nannes 4-0-25-3, S Tait 3.4-0-21-3, S Watson 3-0-31-1, M Johnson 30-23-1, S Smith 4-0-34-1.

Man of the match: D Warner

S Africa win over Kiwis PTI BARBADOS, MAY 7

A blistering 72-run fourth wicket stand between Albie Morkel and AB de Villiers powered South Africa to a 13-run win over New Zealand in their Super Eight match of the Twenty20 Cricket World Cup at the Kensington Oval here.

The pair produced 72 runs in

38 balls to help South Africa make an intimidating 170 for four yesterday.

In reply, New Zealand could only muster 157 for seven with only Jesse Ryder (30) and Nathan McCullum (26 not out) making scores of substance.

Charl Langeveldt, Morne Morkel and Johan Botha shared six wickets equally between

South Africa: J Kallis c Southee b Oram 31, G Smith c Guptill b Southee 14, H Gibbs c BB McCullum b NL McCullum 30, AB de Villiers not out 47, A Morkel run out (Hopkins) 40, M Boucher not out 0. Extras: 8. Total: 170 for 4.

Fall of wickets: 1-40, 2-55, 3-97, 4-169. Bowling: NL McCullum 4-0-35-1, S Bond 4-0-33-0, TG Southee 3-0-39-1, JDP Oram 30-22-1, DL Vettori 4-0-21-0, SB Styris 2-0-14-0.

New Zealand: B McCullum c Gibbs b Langeveldt 6, JD Ryder c de Villiers b Botha 33, MJ Guptill c JA Morkel b Botha 18, LRPL Taylor c Gibbs b M Morkel 19, SB Styris c Gibbs b Langeveldt 13, GJ Hopkins c Steyn b M Morkel 18, JDP Oram lbw b Steyn 0, NL McCullum not out 26, DL Vettori not out 10. Extras: 14. Total: 157 for 7.

Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-51, 3-67, 4-87, 5-109, 6-110, 7-123. Bowling: CK Langeveldt 4-0-39-2, DW Steyn 4-0-25-1, M Morkel 4-0-27-2, JH Kallis 40-23-0, J Botha 3-0-23-2, JA Morkel 1-0-13-0.

Man-of-the-match: A Morkel

them while Herschelle Gibbs was credited with three catches in the outfield.

Albie Morkel was the toast of the Protean victory.

Coming into bat in the 14th over, he went berserk at the square, hammering every thing that was flung at him. He made a whirlwind 40 off a mere 18 balls at a phenomenal strike rate of 222.

The all-rounder struck five sixes, three of which came in the 19th over bowled

by Tim Southee. He even smacked Daniel

S Africa fined for slow over-rate

BARBADOS (UNI) -- South Africa have been fined for a slow over-rate during their 13-run win against New Zealand.

Match referee Alan Hurst imposed the fines after Graeme Smith's side was ruled to be one over short of its target at the end of the match when time allowances were taken into consideration, the ICC said in a statement yesterday.

India beat Pak 4-2 in Azlan Shah PTI IPOH (MALAYSIA), MAY 7

Defending champions India showed flair and pumped in three second half goals to thump arch-rivals Pakistan 42 in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup h o c ke y t o u r n a m e n t h e re today.

India led 1-0 at half time with Sardar Singh scoring from a rebound off their second penalty corner.

In the second half, Mandeep Antil (47th minute), Gurbaj S i n g h ( 5 3 r d ) a n d Tu s h a r Khandker (56th) sounded the board while Pakistan reduced margin through Mohammad Imran (37th) and Kashif Ali (66th).

India now have four points from two outings and will next play Asian champions South Korea on Sunday.

In an earlier fixture, world champions Australia comfortably beat Egypt 4-0.

TODAY’S MATCHES Pakistan v. New Zealand 7 pm England v. South Africa 11 pm

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