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Bandh flops in Goa HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, SEPT 7

iN Brief Petrol, diesel to cost more Petrol and diesel prices in the country will rise marginally from midnight tonight, follow-

ing the government’s decision to raise the commission paid to petrol pump dealers.

Petrol prices in Delhi will rise by 11 paise to Rs 51.56 a litre, while diesel will go up by 9 paise at Rs 37.71 per litre. (PTI)

The bandh call given by the Goa Convention of Workers as part of the nationwide strike evoked poor response in the State.

All government departments remained opened with employees reporting to work on time as usual.

Employees of the electricity and river navigation departments too reported on duty. The government had warned the employees of these departments against joining the strike invoking sections of the Essential Services Management Act. “The workers reported as usual and there was no impact of the strike on our department,” Chief Electrical Engineer Nirmal Barganza told Herald.

However, banking services were partially affected with some co-operatives as well as a few nationalized banks remaining closed.

Bank of Goa Chairman Ramakant Khalap told Herald that the services were affected in some villages.

“About 50 per cent of our branches were closed due to absence of employees,” he said adding, “Most of the branches in major towns remained opened.”

The Kadamba Transport Corporation buses too were seen plying on the road as usual.

KTC Chairman Dipak Dhavalikar said that none of the employees attended the strike.

“As per my knowledge no one attended strike. All the buses

were running and offices were open,” he told this paper.

However, there was some impact of the strike in the city, which witnessed heavy traffic jam due to the morcha carried out by the workers in the morning. Over 1,000 workers gathered at the KTC bus stand and went round in the city before culminating near the Captain of Ports jetty.

Despite the poor response, A I T U C G e n e r a l S e c re t a r y Chiristopher Fonseca said the rally drew an overwhelming crowd of about 10,000 workers from government, semi-government and other sectors of Goa. “The participation of workers was overwhelming despite dampening rain. People reached (Continued on page 11)

WB, Kerala bear the brunt PTI NEW DELHI, SEPT 7

A general strike called by major trade unions today crippled normal life in Leftruled States of West Bengal and Kerala and hit banks and flights in the two States but rest of the country was largely unaffected by the shutdown.

Banking and insurance services in the country were partially affected but were hit the most in West Bengal and Kerala and services like cash payments, deposit in branches,clearing, foreign ex(Continued on page 11)

Rahul meet keeps chappals at bay PTI AKOLA, SEPT 7

With hurling of footwear as a mode of protest against politicians becoming a trend, students wearing chappals were denied entry for an interaction with Rahul Gandhi at a local college today.

Securitymen and officials turned away chappal-wearing students wanting to take part in the interaction at Panjabrao Krushi Vidyapeeth at the main gate itself by way of precaution before they could even enter their own college auditorium, sources said.

The Congress general secretary is on a day-long visit to Maharashatra as part of his country-wide tour for connect-

ing with students and youth.

Authorities later however allowed entry of students wearing chappals but by that time a large of number of students had returned.

During the interaction, Rahul asked youth to join politics in greater numbers.

“If you are interested in politics you can join. We need younger generation to lead the people,” he said.

The print and electronic media were also not allowed entry into the auditorium. A brief TV footage showed security personnel collecting some sneakers and belts presumably of students who were asked to remove them.

QUeeN’S BatoN iN Goa: Governor S S Siddhu receiving the Queen’s baton from Lt. Gen. Raj Kardyan, Additional Director General, QBR Delhi and Arjuna Awardee Bruno Coutinho in the presence of Speaker Pratapsing Rane, Sports Minister Babu Azgaonkar, and North Goa MP Shripad Naik. (Related photos and news reports on pages 15 and 17).

Photo by Rozario Estibeiro

‘Gender bias still a blot in Goa’ HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, SEPT 7

Gender discrimination does not seem to be limited to backward States like Bihar and Madhya Pradesh but developed States like Goa too are not an exception to such dastardly acts, a social activist claims.

“The State appears to be modern but there are sex determination tests being carried out here though these are illegal. There are even instances that if a child is found to be a

girl, the mother terminates her pregnancy,” Council for Social Justice and Peace head Fr Maverick Fernandes said.

Fr Fernandes said the CSJP

Day of the Girl ChilD

has itself counselled several parents on gender equality. Goa will celebrate ‘Day of the Girl Child-2010’ along with the nation on Wednesday.

He said that the sex determination tests are very much conducted in Goa and parents want to determine whether the child is male or a female.

“Unfortunately, even if a mother conceives a baby after several years of her marriage, the ruthless mother still terminates her pregnancy if the child is found to be a girl.”

According to the churchbacked body, the discrimination is irrespective of families be(Continued on page 11)

Great! This is like a blessing in disguise...at least this will help to get the rat(ol) off my back!

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MUNICIPAL eLeCtIoNS

Formulate clear-cut policy on seat reservation: BJP to govt HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, SEPT 7

The BJP has told the government to formulate a clear-cut policy on seat reservation for the ensuing municipal polls and rectify the lacuna in the constitution of wards before the polls.

While demanding the policy on sea reservation in the absence of any available data on the exact percentage of OBC and ST population ward-wise, Leader of the Opposition, Manohar Parrikar feared that the absence of data on OBC and ST population will be used by the he ruling party to manipulate ward reservation against the opposition.

He demanded that the government immediately withdraw the ward division notified by the Director of Municipal Administration and

constitute the wards based on geographical contiguity done by the Election Commission.

Replying to a question, he said that there’s still time to formulate a policy on ward reservation as well as constitution of wards based on geographical contiguity. “If the government has the will, the division of wards can be done within four weeks time”, he said, adding that it should not take much time to formulate a policy on ward reservation.

Fatorda MLA Damu Naik flanked by BJP-backed Councilors Kamlini Painginkar, Narayan Fondekar and Raju Shirodkar said that the constitution has not only confused the voters, but left open manipulation of wards by the ruling party against the opposition.

He demanded to know how

the Director of Municipal Administration can notify the ward constitution based on 2005 data when several new houses and new voters have been included in the electoral rolls.

“This has given wide scope for the ruling party members to manipulate the wards to their advantage”, he said, while demanding division of wards based on geographical contiguity.

Incidentally, a group of Congress-backed Councillors had last week approached the Salcete Mamlatdar Paresh Faldessai to rectify the anomalies in the ward constitution based on the 2005 data.

They too had demanded necessary changes be effected in the rolls taking into account the new houses that have come up in the wards during the last five years.

Highway expansion: BJP accuses Kamal of playing fraud on Goans HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, SEPT 7

Accusing Union Surface Transport Minister, Kamal Nath for playing a fraud on Goans vis-à-vis highway expansion, Leader of the Opposition Manohar Parrikar has said the BJP is in favour of a “wider” highway and not a highway under the National Highway Authority of India standards.

Parrikar said the House Committee constituted to study the highway imbroglio has not met till date and added that he has written to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly over the delay in the convening a meeting of the Committee.

Briefing newsmen, Parrikar said the same Kamal Nath had come out with the Special Economic zone (SEZ) and wants to commit land dealing fraud in the State by acting in haste on the national highway. “I have been told that the Centre will recover the cost of highway construction by collecting a heavy toll. They will charge 55 times for a monthly pass and the toll will be collected at two points between in South Goa at Verna and Zuari bridge”, he said, adding that a passenger will have to shell out minimum Rs 1300-1500 per month to travel between Margao and Panjim.

Saying that the highway will not be a national highway in the true sense of the term, since 90 per cent of the traffic on the highway will originate

SGPDA confirms Margao ODP

and terminate in Goa, Parrikar said the only solution to the highway lies in widening the existing highway and construct bypass in the villages to meet the requirements. “But, the Centre appears to be bulldozing the highway proposal without taking into account the sentiments of Goans”, he added.

Replying to a question, Parrikar said Goa needs a highway, but hastened to add that building a highway by implementing the National highway standards would bring havoc in the State.

When it was pointed that the National Highway Authority of India has agreed to reduce the width of the highway in populated areas, Parrikar shot back saying “Till date, the NHAI has not come on record to reassure Goans that they will reduce the highway width in inhabited areas”.

Meanwhile, Parrikar said that the House Committee has not yet met till date and added that the recent meeting convened by the PWD Principal Chief Engineer is not a meeting of the House Committee. “As per procedure, a meeting of the House Committee can be convened only by the Secretary, Legislature”, he said, adding that no such meeting has been convened till date. “The government will be committing breach of privilege if it says that the recent meeting was that of the House Committee”, Parrikar added.

Parrikar HIV infections on the rise via unprotected sex!

HERALD REPORTER blames govt for Non-Government Organisa- remains high also because of Sagar Devidas, Project Manager PANJIM, SEP 7 tions (NGOs) too feel people just social discrimination and for Mineral Foundation, NGO Atala’s Even as there has been a greater don’t listen. Sanjay Naik, Project poverty. Many cases of wives working for migrants engaged about HIV/AIDS now, Manager for Community Re- getting infection from their hus- in the mining activities in disappearance awareness infection through sexual mode source Foundation (CRF), an bands have come to light.

Sanguem and Quepem, has been

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, SEPT 7

Leader of the Opposition Manohar Parrikar has reiterated that the government was aware that alleged drug dealer Atala has left the country before issuing the red corner notice.

Reacting to Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat’s statement that the government has no knowledge that Atala has left the country, Parikar said that Atala’s disappearance is not an intelligence lapse, but the government cannot escape the responsibility for Atala’s disappearance.

Replying to a question, Parrikar said he would not demand that Chief Minister Digambar Kamat strip Ravi Naik of the Home portfolio, but said that the BJP will take the issue to the people of Goa so that they strip the CM and the ministers of their posts.

On government’s decision to hike the NREG wage to Rs 157, Parrikar said that the hike in the wage would not have a major bearing on the employment generation under the scheme. “The NREG is not suitable for Goa and the scheme needs to be modified to suit the requirements of Goans. The kind of labour required to take up NREG works is available only in Tribal areas. The scheme may be useful only in small areas of the state”, he added.

On the government’s decision to regularize computer teachers, Parrikar said that the government should have taken the decision long back. “The Congress initially said that candidates under the PETS scheme are BJP people, but later decided to regularize them”, he added.

Russian’s penalty is ‘too harsh’, Consul writes to Governor

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, SEPT 7

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, SEPT 7

The long-delayed Outline Development Plan (ODP) for Margao city has been finally been confirmed by the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA).

The ODP — which was approved by the government nearly a month ago – was confirmed at a meeting of the SGPDA held on Tuesday noon.

SGPDA Chairman Mauvin Godinho said the PDA has completed a mere formality by confirming the ODP before the plan is referred back to the government for notification.

“The ODP was approved by the government after the technical committee went into the various issues raised by some groups. Rules require that the ODP is again confirmed by the PDA, which was done by the SGPDA on Tuesday”, he said.

The Margao ODP had raised a storm over two years ago, when city-based NGO Citizens Welfare Committee launched a sustained campaign against the ODP on grounds that the SGPDA failed to comply with the basic requirements while preparing the plan.

The agitation had found favour from city-based professionals, including doctors, prompting Chief Minister Digambar Kamat to refer back the plan to the SGPDA for prepare the plan afresh by complying with the provision of land use map and land use register.

Incidentally, the SGPDA had formulated the ODP without preparing the land use map and Land use register. “Perhaps for the first time, the SGPDA has prepared the land use map and register before finalizing the ODP. The ODP has received the approval from the Town Planning Board”, informed the SGPDA Chairman.

Sources in the know said that the Tuesday meeting was wounded up within minutes after the ODP was confirmed by the body without much discussions. Incidentally, today’s meeting was convened at the eleventh hour, with members informed of the meet only last night.

Apprehensive over the imprisonment punishment to Aleksandr Solomein’s for overstaying, Russia Consul General has dashed off a written communication to the Governor of Goa averring the penalty as ‘too harsh.’

Consul General of the Russian Federation in Mumbai Alexey Novikov mentioned that the treatment meted out to the Russian native is not the same with Indians in Russia.

“We believe that the said penalty is not only too harsh for such kind of an infringement but also not in balance to the reciprocal perspective of the Russian Federation towards Indian citizens,” the letter to Governor S S Sidhu read.

The Consul has further requested the Governor to intervene and give necessary

instructions to reconsider the case.

Calangute police on May 29, 2010 had arrested Solomein (40) for overstaying as he did not prolong his visa, which expired on April 25, 2010 and chargesheeted him in few days. Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Mapusa, in a mere 21-days trial sentenced him to one-year imprisonment.

In the order, JMFC termed his act as “offence against the nation’ following which Solomein’s family approached the Russian Government for its intervention.

The Consul in the fresh communication has apprised the Government about the public outcry in Russia.

It also lashes out that the Russian Government has never been harsh towards Indian citizens back in Russia either in case of overstaying or illegal

Agencies told to suggest proposals for formulating traffic policy for S Goa HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, SEPT 7

The district authorities have finally set in motion the process to put in place a district traffic plan for South Goa. District Magistrate G P Naik on Tuesday issued directions to Sub-Divisional Magistrate and representatives of various government agencies to suggest proposals to formulate a traffic policy for the entire district. They have been set a time frame to formulate the proposals before a policy is drawn up for implementation by the government. District Magistrate G P Naik told Herald after the meeting that the district traffic regulatory committee will also be reconstituted following instructions of the Chief Minister. Besides officials of various agencies, representatives of NGOs, including association of architects, engineers will find a place on the district traffic regulatory committee, Naik said.

He said that since it will take some time for the reconstitution of the new committee, the SDMs and other agencies have been directed at today’s meeting to set the process in motion and submit traffic proposals for implementations.

“All these agencies have been told to come up with proposal for the regulation of traffic in their respective areas. They have been further directed to proposed issuance of notifications and denotification to streamline traffic in their respective jurisdiction”, he added.

Replying to a question, Naik said that major decisions, whose implementations require funds would be forwarded to the government for a policy decision, adding that minor changes will be implemented by the district authorities.

“The question of by-passes, construction of new traffic islands, widening of roads at sharp turns and removal of obstructions along the accident prone areas will be looked into by the agencies before mooting suggestions”, he added.

staying. “In due respect to the time tested and long term good relations between Russian and India, our Home Ministry and courts have never implemented such severe punishments for overstaying or even illegal staying for Indian citizens,” the letter further states reminding the fact that Russian tourists have considerably risen in Goa. Indian Business Community (IBA) in Russia had raised the matter with the Indian Ambassador in Moscow, in August.

“Russian authorities always treat Indians here as their friends, to my knowledge there was no case in Russian where on overstay, someone was sentenced for crime against nation, in fact, there are thousands of examples where we through the IBA platform helped Indians for their visa issues,” IBA secretary Abbas Syed Maseem had said.

MMC recovers part rent arrears from BP HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, SEPT 7

Margao Municipal Council’s determined drive to recover a whopping Rs 35 lakh rent arrears from the petroleum companies having petrol pumps in the Commercial capital seems to have tasted first success with Bharat Petroleum making part payments to the civic body on Tuesday.

A week after the civic body raised a demand notice on Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum to settle the rent arrears within 15 days, Bharat Petroleum on Tuesday submitted a cheque of Rs 10.54 lakh as 50 per cent payment of the total arrears.

“The company has assured to clear the balance payments soon”, MMC Chairperson Savio Coutinho said, and hoped that Hindustan Petroleum would follow suit and clear the Rs 12 lakh arrears as on October 2009.

remains predominantly high due to lack of “behavioural change” on the part of targeted population in the State.

While Goa State AIDS Control Society (GSACS) has been able to contain HIV infection happening through other sources, it has not been able to cut down on infections caused via sexual route.

From 1999 to 2009 sexual route remained major mode of transmission in the range of 83 to 96 per cent followed by prenatal (mother-to-child) 4 to 7.6 per cent whereas infection via blood, blood products , injected syringes and needles has been almost zero.

Speaking to Herald Dr Pradeep Padwal, Project Director of GSACS, said despite of sustained awareness about dangers of having “unprotected sex” — there has not been drop in HIV infections happening through sexual mode for want of behavioural change.

NGO working among migrant workers, truck drivers and pilots says, even educated people especially youth prefer to indulge in unprotected sex.

“We have interacted with many college students in the city and found that having knowledge about how one gets HIV infection, has not deterred them from indulging in protected sex, “ says Naik.

Statistics compiled by GSACA says 87 per cent cases detected in the State are in the age group of 15-49. Nearly half of the females infected belong to the age group 15-43 whereas percentage of males infected in this age group is little higher than females.

Since 1987 about 13120 HIV cases has been detected whereas the estimated number of people living with HIV/AIDS 16000 and reported AIDS death till June 2010 has been 724.

Sexual mode of transmission

“Recently, we dealt with a case from Ponda. The wife got HIV infection from husband who worked as a driver for KTC. She was literally thrown out of the house by her in-laws after their son died of AIDS. She has gone into depression now,” told Naik.

While NGOs working for GSACS are doing their best to create awareness among sex workers about “dangers of unprotected sex” by providing them with condoms, there’s no guarantee that their advise will be followed.

“A sex worker will not think twice if a customer offers her more money for unprotected sex — she will trade her safety because she is into business for livelihood, “ pointed out Naik further that adding many sex workers in the commercial city are carriers of HIV .

“They are patronised not only by the migrant labourers but also by locals. ” Experience of

somewhat different. He feels it is an uphill task to get labourers to listen them . Labourers are averse to listening to counselling for fear of losing daily wages. “ They live a hand-to-mouth existence and it’s not easy to get them to the centre for awareness on working days whereas all facilities are closed on Sundays,” says Devidas.

Want of facilities for treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) is also a contributory factor in high incidence of infections through sexual mode. “ Wo r k e r s i n m y a r e a s (Sanguem and Quepem) need to visit either Hospicio in Margao or Usgao Centre Hospital if they want to avail of STDs facilities. Most of them don’t due to long distance,” he pointed out.

As per Sentinel Surveillance Survey 2008, HIV prevalence rate amongst STD patients was 4.80 per cent.

Soft drinks, sweets seized at Ponda HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARCEL, SEPT 7

MLA Damu Naik at the Sonsodo dumping site with MMC Councillors to discuss the leachate problem.

Photo by Santosh Mirajkar

Damu calls upon MMC to control leachate at Sonsodo HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, SEPT 7

Fatorda MLA Damu Naik on Tuesday inspected the Sonsodo garbage dump yard following complaints of foul odour and leachate flowing into the nearby water bodies.

Accompanied by MMC Chief Officer Y B Tawde and Councillors Ciriaca Rodrigues and Raju Shirodkar, the MLA called upon the Civic body to put in place necessary measures to control

Ucassaim sarpanch, dy elected HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, SEPT 7

Manisha Mayekar and Cosme Martins were elected unopposed as sarpanch and deputy sarpanch of Ucassaim-PaliemPunola Panchayat.

It may be recalled that the post of sarpanch had fallen vacant after former sarpanch Deepali Kudnekar was voted out of power in a no-confidence motion passed against her on July 30. Later, former deputy sarpanch Prakash Bandekar had submitted his resignation.

The Block Development Officer had convened a special meeting on September 3 in the panchayat office to fill the vacant posts.

Manisha Mayekar’s candidature was proposed by Elisa D’Sousa and seconded by Cosme Martins, while Cosme Martins candidature was proposed by Nitesh Gadekar and seconded

by Manisha Mayekar.

Since only one nomination was received for each of the posts, Presiding Officer S V Naik deputed by Block Development Office, Mapusa, to conduct the election declared Mayekar and Martins elected unopposed.

the leachate by channelising the water into a filter plant before its discharge into the water nullah.

“I have received complaints that leachate is flowing down the dumping site and entering the water nullah. This will leave the well waters contaminated, besides causing nuisance to the locals”, Naik complained.

Saying that if the leachate, if unchecked, will pose a health hazard to the local residents,

Naik urged the MMC Chief Officer to instruct the contractor to initiate necessary measures to control the nuisance.

Fomento CEO Shridhar Kamat said the company will address the problem on a priority basis caused by rains in the last few days. He said there’s a slight problem at the entrance to the dumping site, adding that the company will try to channelise the rain water into the filter plant before its discharge.

Navy cautions people not to panic over sonic boom HERALD REPORTER VASCO, SEPT 7

The Indian Navy has cautioned the people in the State not to panic if an occasional sonic boom is heard due to MiG-29K sorties off the Arabian Sea. In a press note, Navy PRO Cdr M C Joshi informed that MiG-29K is an advanced multi-role forth generation Air Superiority Fighter, which is presently being operated from Navy’s premier naval air station INS Hansa at Dabolim.

“This aircraft has the capability to go supersonic at almost twice the speed of sound in order to overtake enemy fighters and shoot them down,” stated Joshi.

Supersonic flights are associated with ‘sonic booms’. A sonic boom is a sound which is similar to a loud explosion generated by the shock waves formed on the airplane in supersonic flight.

In certain atmospheric conditions, sonic booms from a supersonic aircraft may reach

distances as far as 20-40 kms.

“However, there is still a possibility that sonic booms could be heard by the local population and our fishing communities from time-to-time. These are absolutely harmless to life, health and property,” stated Joshi.

Supersonic flights have been undertaken by IAF all over the country since 1970s and are a normal part of fighter training.

The ability to fly at supersonic speed is of great advantage to a fighter pilot in a combat situation and it is therefore important that supersonic flying is practiced to maintain a high level of operational readiness.

To achieve this aim, without disturbing people in the State, MiG-29K pilots at INS Hansa will fly all flights involving supersonic profiles deep into the sea and at very high altitudes.

The public has been advised not to be alarmed should an occasional boom be heard.

Cowshed gutted

CANACONA, SEPT 7 (HC) -- About a dozen cattle had a lucky escape, after a cowshed went up in flames late Tuesday evening.

According to Canacona fire services, a cowshed at Mastimoll, near ITI complex and belonging to one Ratnakar Komarpant accidentally caught fire at about 6.45 pm. The stacked dried grass into the cowshed reportedly caught fire and it razed the entire structure to ashes within minutes. However, with the presence of mind, the owner on realizing that the cowshed had caught fire, he immediately released the cattle tied in the shed.

Joaquim announces state-of-the-art bus stand for Quepem HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, SEPT 7

Urban Development Minister, Joaquim Alemao has announced a state-of-the-art bus stand for Quepem town on the model of the Cuncolim bus stand.

Addressing a function at Government High School, Bali, Alemao said noted architect Rahul Deshpande – who had designed the Cuncolim bus stand – has been asked to draw up plans for the Quepem bus stand, adding that the new bus

stand will be built at a cost of Rs 5-6 crore. “There was some delay in the construction of the bus stand at Quepem over the delay in transfer of land. SUDA has funds to the tune of Rs 5-6 crore which will be utilized for the proposed bus stand”, he added.

The urban development minister urged the people to support Quepem MLA Babu Kavlekar saying only the Congress can usher in the development of the poor.

Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) officials on Tuesday confiscated sweets (farsan) worth Rs 30,000 from a sweet mart and expired soft drinks worth Rs 6,000 in Ponda.

According to FDA officials, two persons have been detained in this connection and it is a statewide drive against illegal manufacturing of food items.

FDA Director Salim Veljee informed that on Tuesday, FDA food inspectors confiscated unlabeled farsan worth Rs 30,000 and soft drinks worth Rs 6,000, which had crossed consumable date limit.

Veljee further informed that the sweet mart owner, who was selling farsan, claimed that he had manufactured the farsan.

“However, the packets did not have any labels and the sweet mart owner had not obtained any food license from the FDA,” claimed Veljee.

“Two persons have been detained in his connection and further investigation is in progress,” said Veljee.

“Food Inspectors Abel Rodrigues and Shivdas Naik conducted the raids and such raids will continue,” informed Veljee.

VPs garbage disposal case hearing on Nov 29 HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, SEPT 7

A three-year-old case related to garbage disposal in village panchayats will come for final hearing on November 29 before the Division Bench of Bombay High Court at Goa. The double bench comprising of Justices D G Karnik and F M Reis directed all the VPs to file a compliance report over the garbage disposal site by October 31. The court had passed the directions in a suo motu petition relating to streamlining the garbage disposal system in the State.

The High Court had on March 10 directed the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) to conduct inspections for verifying whether the VPs had established functioning composting units.

Accordingly, on April 7 GSPCB had filed a detailed inspection report before the court pertaining to the inspection of garbage composting units of 12 VPs in the State.

The inspection was conducted of the units set up by Calangute, Betalbatim, MajordaUtorda-Calata, Cavelossim, Cansaulim-Arossim-Cuelim, Chicalim, Chicolna, Sancoale, Aramb o l , M o r j i m , Pa l i e m a n d Mandrem village panchayats.

However, the report has also said that some panchayats had not compiled with the court’s order to set up composting units.

As such Court had directed several VPs not to issue further construction licences until they comply with the earlier court directions regarding garbage disposal.

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NCP in war of words against GPYC chief l D’Mello dares Youth Cong president to come out clean l Sankalp must focus on his youth activities: Jose Philip HERALD REPORTERS PANJIM/VASCO SEPT 7

A war of words has erupted between the Nationalist Congress Party and the Congress party’s youth wing, Goa Pradesh Youth Congress, leading to some serious allegations levelled by the former on the president of the latter on Tuesday.

Criticising the GPYC President for his outburst against NCP State President yesterday, NCP Spokesperson Trajano D’Mello alleged the GPYC chief Sankalp Amonkar had not yet declared the money collected for Canacona flood relief. I am making this allegation because the issue affects the public at large, he stated.

Answering a query posed by media persons at a press conference especially called to react to Amonkar’s outbursts, the NCP Spokesperson replied, “As long as the sum of relief money was not announced I assume the whole affair is a scam. I challenge the GPYC President to declare the money by tomorrow and prove he is clean.”

D’Mello further charged Amonkar of falling to the extent of collecting money from Panjim

market vegetable vendors for his birthday celebrations before taking over as Chairman of the Goa State Horticulture Corporation. He had the appointment of GSHC but had delayed in taking charge to collect this illicit money from the vendors, he ridiculed.

He maintained the GPYC had remained mum on issues affecting the youth like the attack on the State President of National Students Union of India Sunil Kawthankar. Amonkar never even uttered a word on the attack on the student leader. He has been also silent on the police-politician-drug mafia nexus, he stated.

D’Mello said Amonkar has no credibility because his complaint to youth leader Rahul Gandhi against a political leader from Taleigao didn’t stand as the same figure is in the Congress party today.

At the centre of the war of words between Amonkar and D’Mello is the recent convention of the NCP at Mapusa where its State President Jose Philip D’Souza spoke of strengthening his party in all constituencies.

Amonkar reacted by saying the

Congress too would build the party in six constituencies that are with NCP. D’Mello said probably Amonkar was ignorant of politics. “It is NCP’s Constitutional right to strengthen the party across Goa and we are doing just that. Election figures indicate we have fared better than Congress in the last assembly elections by winning three out of six seats giving us a winning percentage of 50 per cent.”

Compare this result, he stated, to that of the Congress which won 16 out of 34 seats giving a wining percentage of less than 50 per cent.

He said keeping this is mind the NCP has a chance to claim some of the constituencies the Congress lost to BJP. Reacting to Amonkar’s statements that there were agents of NCP within the Congress party, the spokesperson said this was serious because it pointed out that the former had blamed his own party men of corrupt practices.

VASCO REPORTER ADDS: Reacting to the challenge of Goa Pradesh Youth Congress President Sankalp Amonkar, Revenue

Minister Jose Philip D’Souza on Tuesday said Sankalp should, instead, concentrate on his youth activities.

I t m a y b e re c a l l e d t h a t Amonkar while addressing a press conference at Congress House on Monday had thrown a challenge at NCP President Jose Philip D’Souza to win the Vasco seat next time on his own.

Speaking to media along the sidelines of a function at New Vaddem-Vasco, on Tuesday morning, D’Souza said Amonkar is free to make any claims about election prospects, as he knows that such statements will not make any difference to him.

“Reacting to his statement means giving him free publicity.

I advice him if he concentrates on his youth activities, it will better for him rather than making such tall claims. This is not his cup of tea,” claimed D’Souza.

He further said that NCP is coalition partner in the ruling government and has always abided with the coalition dharma and with making Amonkar such a statement, it suggests who is violating the coalition dharma.

“As far as winning the election

Rlys Act comes to rescue of holiday home at Colva

BY HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, SEPT 7

Indian Railways holiday home at Colva – within 200 metres from the High Tide Line – has got a breather, while the fate of the 41 structures, including residential house and business establishments hangs in balance as the Colva Panchayat has completed the hearings under the CRZ notification.

What has come to the rescue of the railway’s holiday home is the Railways Act, 1989. Additional Panchayat Director, D B Shanke has said the Railways Act of 1989 has overriding effect on the provisions of the CRZ notification and also the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994.

The Colva Panchayat had earlier this year partly razed down the holiday home owned by the South Western Railways. However, following the appeal filed

by the railways before the Director of Panchayats, Additional Panchayat Director, D B Shanke has quashed and set aside the demolition order dated July 20, 2009. “The Panchayat has no power to initiate action against the construction carried out by the railway administration. I am satisfied that the provisions of the Railways Act has overriding effect on the provisions of the CRZ Notification and also the Goa Panchayat Raj Act”, observed Shanke.

The South Western Railways has contended that they are the railway administration carrying on public utility service, adding that it will widely affect the public interests if its construction are razed down.

Incidentally, while the contentions of the Railways have found favour with the Directorate of Panchayat, the Colva Panchayat has finally completed the exercise

Lawyer’s acquittal challenged in Ribandar Church case HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, SEPT 7

The State Government through a revised petition filed before the Bombay High Court at Goa on Monday has challenged the acquittal of Advocate Aires Rodrigues in the 2004 Ribandar Church case.

The revision petition was filed

by Crime Branch Police Inspector Sunita Sawant, which will be heard in next week.

The petition has been filed after seeking legal advice of Advocate General Subodh Kantak.

Last year on December 22, Panjim Chief Judicial Magistrate P M Shinde had directed that further proceedings be stopped against Rodrigues in the second charge sheet filed against him in connection with the 2004

‘Kidnapped’ boy returns home HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, SEPT 7

The 18-year- old boy from Loliem-Canacona, who was reported to be kidnapped, returned to his house on Tuesday evening, after the boy had himself escaped into the forest after some fight at his residence.

According to police sources, the boy reached Canacona Police Station along with his father on Tuesday evening.

He informed the police that he had himself escaped into the forest due to fear after some fight took place at his residence on Saturday.

Sources further informed that the boy stayed in the forest, before returning to his residence on Tuesday.

It may be recalled that police on Monday had informed that the boy’s father Vithu Yamkar had lodged a kidnapping complaint.

Yamkar in his complaint had stated that the boy was abducted by some people and had also named 10 persons accusing them as kidnappers.

Ribandar Church incident.

Judge Shinde in his order had stated that Rodrigues could not be tried twice for the same incident or on the same facts as it was barred by Section 300 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

of hearing the owners of the 41 structures falling within the CRZ norms.

The fate of these 41 structures will now be decided at the meeting of the Colva Panchayat, where the elected representatives will take a final decision

on their demolition.

These 41 structures had obtained stay from the Directorate of Panchayats on the demolition exercise and the petitions were remanded back to the Colva Panchayat to hear the parties and take appropriate decision.

is concerned, I have won the last elections even though local Congress leaders campaigned against me,” said D’Souza.

He said he respects his voters and the High Command and he is accountable to them when he goes to polls the next time and not people like Amonkar.

He reminded Amonkar that he is only legislator from Vasco who has won the election twice from Vasco constituency, despite strong opposition from Congress leaders.

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Properly planned shopping leads to a happy festival

S

hopping is an integral part of any festival. Markets and malls start flooding as the festival approaches. The onset of festivals is a good time of making money for the shopkeepers. At the same time con-

sumers have to spend more money during festivals. To avoid spending money unnecessarily, your shopping should be properly planned.

It is not child's play to shop for occasions like Ganesh

Chaturthi. A day's shopping may not suffice at all. It requires a minimum of fifteen days time. Right from booking Ganesh idol to buying sweets, every thing should be done at a proper time. Read on for shopping systematically and wisely during this Ganesh Chaturthi.

Tips for shopping during Ganesh Chaturthi Here is the list of some commonly required things during Ganesh Chaturthi. It will guide you to buy these things at the right time and from right place.

Ganesh idol Booking Ganesh idol is a matter of special importance during Ganesh Chaturthi. It should be booked at least 10 - 15 days before Ganesh Chaturthi. As a reminder, book it every year on the day of Janmashtami. It is a perfect day for booking an idol. Ganesh

S H O RT TA K E S Story telling contest held

Ayurveda is India’s gift to humanity, says Governor

LDC delays increments to 8 cops

pulse of the patients, would read the entire health conditions of the patients as if they were consulting their very souls. “This system has generally been put on the backburner by modernday medical practitioners with the advancement of the allopathic science of medicine and emergence of modern laboratories. Yet, clinical diagnosis is very relevant to our country, particularly because, such facilities are not available in the villages where the majority of the people live, for whom modern medicine and surgery are neither affordable nor accessible,” he added.

“A hallmark of Ayurveda is its message of moderation in every aspect of human life whether it is intake of food or medicines, sex or sleep. This approach is relevant to the modern strifetorn world where people are prone to indulge in excesses.

Hence, it is natural that the Central and State governments provide necessary impetus and encouragement to indigenous medical science including Ayurveda besides other popular systems like homeopathy and Unani along with Allopathy,” Dr

Call it as irresponsibility or negligence or incompetence on the part of a Lower Division Clerk in the accounts section of the police department, that at least six constables and two police sub-inspectors haven’t received their yearly increments even after the issuance of an order to this effect two months ago.

The order issued by the office of the Director General of Police on July 21, 2010 granted yearly increments to some 965 personnel. But, even after two months of the order coming into force, eight of the 965 personnel are yet to receive their yearly increments, said an aggrieved source from the department.

According to the source, one Talekar, a lower division clerk, is responsible for implementing the yearly increments and “ w h e n e v e r Ta l e ka r i s a p proached for an explanation, he would say that the increments would be given next month.”

Herald is in possession of sufficient documentary evidence that substantiates the claim of its source that some police personnel haven’t received their yearly increments as yet.

HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, SEPT 7

Winners of Konkani story telling competition along with the organiser at Bhiupal-Sattari.

Photo by Ashraf Khan

VALPOI(HC): Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Sattari Mhal-Keri, organised inter-school taluka level 'Shenoi Goembab Katha Maal', a Konkani story telling competition, sponsored by Goa Art and Culture Department at Government High School, BhuipalSattari, on Saturday.

In all, 36 students from all over Sattari participated in the competition, which was judged by Ragoba Pednekar and Pramod Mahadeshwar.

The competition was organised in three categories. In the first category from Std 1 to Std 4, Vipul Gaonker from Unity Primary School, Valpoi, bagged the first place, while second and third place went to Sankalp from V V Mandal and Anusha of GPS, Barazan.

In the second category of middle school, Pritikesh Gaonker from Unity High School, Valpoi, bagged the first place. Second and third prizes went to Siddhi from GHS, Morlem, and Talisha Pednekar from Navodaya Vidyalaya, Valpoi.

In the high school category, Yuga Adadrakar of Navodaya Vidyalaya, Valpoi, got the first prize, while Bushra Can of Unity High School, Valpoi, got the second place.

Saplings distributed

Highlighting the importance of Ayurveda, Governor Dr S S Sidhu said that this oldest medical science is gifted to humanity by our country when the rest of the world was yet to acquire the necessary knowledge to handle various types of diseases and physical ailments.

Dr Sidhu was speaking after inaugurating the exhibition on Ayurveda at the Ayurveda College at Shiroda on Monday.

Speaking further, Dr Sidhu said that Ayurveda is part and parcel of our illustrious vedic traditions, which attracts suffering humanity because it addresses the entire healthcare of patients. “Ayurveda begins with the harmony between body, mind and spirit or consciousness and then proceeds to the balance between the five basic elements - earth, water, energy, air and ether - that combine to form the human body.

“Clinical diagnosis with the feel of the pulse is the hallmark of Ayurvedic administration of treatment,” he informed and added that in olden days, the practitioners, by feeling the

Saligao.

Photo by Thomas Fernandes

CALANGUTE(HC): Saligao MLA Dilip Parulekar along with party workers distributed coconut saplings to the villagers of Saligao near the Saligao market recently.

A large number of villagers took the opportunity to take away a sapling. Over thousand of coconut saplings were distributed at the initiative of the Saligao MLA.

Sidhu continued.

He further informed that research conducted by scholars, particularly from abroad, during the last few centuries has revealed that complex ailments like cardio-vascular complications, angina pectoris, diabetes, hyper-tension, stones were treated and plastic surgery and cataract surgery besides treatment of fractures, amputations and stitching of wounds were handled with def tness by Ayurvedacharyas in the bygone era.

“It is, thus, natural that this priceless legacy of healthcare provided by Ayurveda is preserved and proliferated for the benefit of suffering humanity not only in India but all over the world,” he opined and expressed confidence that the exhibition would inspire the students to opt for the study and practice of Ayurveda.

MLA Mahadev Naik and principal Dr Anura Bale also spoke.

Bhartaeya Sanskritik Prabodhini Chairman P K Ghate welcomed the guests, Dr Neelesh Korde compered the function and Dr Aditya Samant proposed the vote of thanks.

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, SEPT 7

‘Works worth crores of rupees completed in Sanguem’ HERALD CORRESPONDENT SANGUEM, SEPT 7

Saligao MLA Dilip Parulekar distributes coconut saplings at

Chaturthi falls exactly after 10 days after Janmashtami every year.

Decoration material You can buy all the decoration material a week before. You can use previous years left over material too. You can buy it from the whole sale market at a cheaper rater, if you plan to buy in bulk.

Buy all the decoration material after ordering the idol so that you buy the right size and quantity. Start arranging it at your place at the earliest so that it is ready at on time.

Lights and lamps You can use the lights and lamps which are already with you.

Check those 4 to 5 days before Chaturthi to ensure there are in working condition. Check out something new when the shopkeepers start displaying them. You must also check the new lights and bulbs before you buy them. You can buy these items 2 to 3 days before as it will not take more than a day to install them.

Crockery You should check the condition of your crockery at least 4 to 5 days before Chaturthi. If you think that there is a need of buying new crockery you can buy it along with the lights and lamps.

Clothes As the festival approaches there is a hike in the prices of clothes.

If you buy clothes one month before Chaturthi you can save your time and money. Check out if there is any sale going on. You can visit exhibitions which are set up especially for Ganesh Chaturthi.

You can find good clothes at an affordable price at such exhibitions.

Avoid visiting shopping malls during such occasions.

Grocery You can buy additional grocery when you order grocery for your daily requirement. This will help avoiding wastage of time during Chaturthi.

Sweets Keep this item at the end of your shopping list. You can buy sweets 1 to 2 days before Chaturthi. Do not buy too many sweets.

The guests arriving at your place may also get some. You can prepare sweets like laddoo at home itself.

Snacks & Drinks Snacks and soft drinks can be bought along with sweets. You can buy fruit squash and use it instead of aerated drinks. As many

Sanguem MLA Vassudev Meng Gaonkar has claimed that works pertaining to crores of rupees have been done in Sanguem constituency during the last few months.

Gaonkar was addressing the press conference in the BJP office on September 3.

Vice President Sanguem Block Deepak Marathe and Secretary Subhash Velip were also present for the press briefing.

“The project work pertaining to the muchneeded bridge at Karke-Netravali is in the pipeline and will be completed soon, the work relating to the hot mixing of the main road from Sanguem Court to Uguem Bridge is already finalized,” informed Gaonkar.

“Estimates for the hot mixing of the road, which is dilapidated at many places is already drawn up and forwarded to the finance department for its approval,” added Gaonkar.

Gaonkar gave an account of the various projects undertaken by him over the past few months, which includes widening and providing hot mix carpet from Zambaulim

to Pandawaddo and from Pandawaddo to Pirla Sulcorna junction in Rivona.

Improvement and hot mixing of the road from Villian to Kumbhari and improvement of road from Asner (Molcopona) to Talsai and improvement of existing Katcha road around Damodar Devasthan at Zambaulim and hot mixing of all internal road in Sanguem Municipal area.

Gaonkar also claimed to have been instrumental in getting the sanction order for the construction of long-pending road to Ambdoi from Nondurlem, widening and hot mix of road from Sulcorna Junction to Kazur and improvement to surface riding quality from Ganvliwaddo (Vaddem) to Netorlim Bhati Road Junction and Vichundrem to Neturlim.

“Other project works being completed are road to Potre ward of Bhati village from Congare, hot mixing of road from Dando to SIP Dam and improvement of road from Mugoli to Marangan, Verlem to Salgini, Tudov and from Congare to Patre under Schedule Tribe scheme,” he said.

Gaonkar also informed that work pertaining to construction of open type bhandara across Valshem River at Naikaband is

already tendered for Rs 63,49,500 and it will be undertaken shortly.

“Besides work for the construction of open type bhandara across Guleli River at Otteaband and Ovleband in Netravali and also project for providing and laying of ductile iron pipeline for gravity maintenance at Valkini Lift Irrigation Scheme and at Vaddem rehabilitation site are also in progress,” added Gaonkar.

Besides, the work of the renovation of the Government Sports Complex, Sanguem, will also be undertaken soon and that the estimate for the renovation work is reported to have already finalized, he informed.

Muslim Jamats meet PANJIM(HND): The Chand Committee of Association of All Goa Muslim Jamats will meet on Thursday, September 9 to declare their decision on sighting of the moon for Ramzan Eid at 8 pm. Following members may be contacted for decision on sighting of the moon: Mr Sheikh Bashir on 9822120505, Mr Sheikh Mustafa on 9822122826, Mr Tahir Carol on 9822100620, Mr Salim Kazi on 9822127411, Mr Matin Carol on 9422390700.

guests arrive it is difficult to prepare snacks at home all the time.

For this purpose you can buy chips, sev, chivda, farsan etc., which is loved by every one.

College is striving for excellence in legal education: Dr Pinheiro

Dr M Pinheiro, Principal of VM Salgaocar College of Law along with coordinator of VMS Reel Law Club, Prof Ranjana Ferrao, Prof Carmo D’Souza and others.

HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, SEPT 7

Dr M Pinheiro, Principal of VM Salgaocar College of Law said, the college is constantly striving towards excellence in legal education. The institution has added another feather to its cap by inaugurating the VMS Reel Law Club.

Dr M Pinheiro was speaking at the inaugural function of VMS Reel Law Club.

Speaking further Dr Pinheiro said the students of this college have always taken leadership in venturing out and trying new fields. The College has already reached out to the needy through its legal aid society.

Today, it is the era of Information Technology and the Internet.

The Reel Law Club is another medium through which the students will explore new frontiers.

There is no end to excellence, it is a constant process, he added and urged the students to learn the world of cinema and said that the college will always be providing various opportunities to them.

The coordinator of VMS Reel Law Club, Prof Ranjana Ferrao said, a film society is a membership club where students can watch screenings of films which are otherwise not shown in mainstream cinemas. In Spain, they are known as Cine Clubs.

In Germany, they are called as Film Clubs. At VMS, we decided to name it VMS Reel Law Club.

The VMS Reel Law Club has an educational aim of introducing our students to different audio visual works through an organized and prepared program of

screenings. Each film screened will be a good piece of movie making, well-acted, well-directed and well-photographed.

They will be extraordinary films.

Most important, these films will invite repeated viewing as almost as much pleasure as if you were discovering them for the first time.

Speaking further Ferrao said, it will encourage Thought and study of the Themes presented.

The films will provide a glimpse of the way other countries will solve their legal problems. They will portray the Legal environment realistically. It will educate the students on Legal Ethics, Trial strategy and Court room experiences. It will provide the students an opportunity to reflect, ask questions, get feedback, share ideas with others.

The VMS Reel Law Club will create a different community of learning.

The college has received support from the Entertainment Society of Goa, who has joined hands to provide the necessary training to the students. Milind Joshi Film programmer who represented ESG on this occasion, said the students would be taught to appreciate cinema.

They were willing to train the students on the art of film making, use of music, sound and visual effects in films. Most of all, students will learn to appreciate the intricacies of cinema and develop a love for films.

Also present on this occasion were Prof Carmo D’Souza. The college screned the film ‘Flash of a Genius’.

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Ponda Ganesh mandal Quepem group chalks plan to tackle menace of mining trucks members told to keep vigil HERALD CORRESPONDENT QUEPEM, SEPT 7

HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARCEL, SEPT 7

As part of safety and precautionary measures during the forthcoming Ganesh Chaturthi, Ponda Police Inspector C L Patil convened a meeting with members of various Sarvajanik Ganesh Mandals in Ponda taluka.

Around 20 members from all the Mandals participated in the meeting.

During the meet, PI Patil urged members to be vigilant and to help Goa Police to combat anti-social elements keen to disturb peace during festivities.

Patil urged members of the mandals to inform police immediately if they come across any strange activities or objects.

"The police will be there round the clock, but you must also keep a close watch. Immediately contact

Ponda PI C L Patil interacts with members of various Sarvajanik Ganesh Mandals in Ponda taluka.

Photo by Amresh Parab

us in case you have noticed anything suspicious. It may be some unclaimed baggage or a stranger moving in the locality," said P I Patil, while speaking to the members of Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandals from Ponda Taluka.

"If you find any person or strange activity in your area, please inform us of this. Precautions have to be taken wherever there is a crowd. Pandals must be thoroughly checked before and after opening it to the public," advised PI Patil.

Panjim chokes under increasing traffic HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, SEPT 7

Owing to the festivals of Ramzan Eid and Ganesh Chaturthi on Friday and Saturday, respectively, the traffic pressure has mounted in the capital city of Panjim.

At an estimate, vehicles on the city roads have increased 10 percent since last couple of days compared to normal days.

Whilst, Panjim is currently hosting two annual exhibitions at a distance of few meters itself draws thousands of shoppers and hence vehicle movements, as well. While, one exhibition has sufficient parking space, the other lacks accommodating vehicle parking.

To add to the woes, Queen’s Baton Relay for the Common Wealth Games covering entire state before crossing the bor-

der through Patradevi has also clogged smooth traffic flow in major portions.

The Relay entered Panjim during peak hours on Tuesday evening at about 6:45 pm, which did result in traffic problem for quite some time as vehicles had to be stopped.

Traffic officials admit difficulty in managing the traffic chaos especially during peak hours, festival seasons and other events.

“There is indeed a problem in managing heavy flow of traffic. There is a limit to roads taking the vehicles,” Superintendent of (Traffic) Police Arvind Gawas told Herald.

It has been a known fact that the existing force of 273 traffic personnel manning the roads is not enough even as the Government has sanctioned 157 posts for traffic, three months

ago.

“We need additional force because of the increasing vehicles plying on the roads…even a minute blockage of traffic flow on D B Marg road, results in traffic jam. We have to man the traffic from 7 am to 9pm, which requires staff strength in two shifts. But presently due to lack of traffic personnel we are performing only one shift,” he said.

There are certain points in Panjim including junctions, KTC and Divja circles, Church Square, ferry point, Kala Academy, etc do require mandatory traffic police presence.

To ease traffic congestion during peak hours in the morning, the department on trial basis has opened Old Patto Bridge in Panjim two-way for two-wheeler from September 4 between 9 and 10:30 am.

Katem-Baina jetty: ‘Fishermen’s concerns would be addressed’ HERALD REPORTER VASCO, SEPT 7

Fisheries Director S C Verenkar has assured that concerns of the agitating Baina Ramponkar and Fishing Canoes Owners Society would be taken into consideration, before the proposed fishing jetty at Katem-Baina takes shape.

He was speaking to reporters along the sidelines of a joint meeting attended Mormugao MLA Milind Naik, former minister and Ramponkarcho Ekvott Convenor Mathany Saldanha at Katem-Baina. The meeting was called by the fishermen on Tuesday morning.

The local fishermen under the banner ‘Baina Ramponkar and Fishing Canoes Owners Society’ have raised concern that with shifting of Khariwado jetty, the newly proposed site at Katem-Baina would marginalize their fishing activities, besides displacement of their structures and soil erosion and other ecological threat to the Baina beach.

“Since the proposed fishing jetty is at the initial stage, MPT has asked a Pune-based environmental firm to prepare a report on study of environment impact that are awaited,” said

Verenkar.

He further said after obtaining Environment Impact Assessment report from the Ministry of Environment and Forest and other approvals from Goa State Pollution Control Board and other agencies, only then the project would go ahead.

“If the agencies suggest that the proposed fishing jetty would be a viable project considering ecology, then no one should have any problem including the local agitating fishermen,” stated Vernekar.

Mormugao MLA Milind Naik and Mathany Saldanha said it would be unfair and injustice to the local fishermen if the proposed fishing jetty is posing a threat to their livelihood, as their grievances should be considered.

“MPT has never taken the local people and fishermen into confidence before announcing any projects and the proposed fishing jetty is one of them, as earlier MPT had suggested a site near Destero at Baina shore,” alleged Naik.

“The project cannot go ahead killing local fishermen’s interest and MPT should build fishing jetty at Destero,” stated Naik.

MPT has dropped its plan to construct fishing jetty at Destero, considering the escalating coast, while Minister for Fisheries, MPT, Goa Fishing Boat Owners Association, Director of Fisheries and most of the agencies, including Navy, have agreed in principle to have fishing jetty at KatemBaina.

Saldanha demanded that MPT should submit cumulative report of all the projects of port expansion, including the proposed fishing jetty at Katem-Baina.

“As the local fishermen have raised concern that the proposed fishing jetty would lead to soil erosion, MPT should ensure that all ecological aspects should be taken into consideration,” said Saldanha.

Incidentally, Revenue Minister Jose Philip D’Souza, who was attending some function at Katem-Baina, reached the site and assured the local fishermen that since fishermen from Khariwado are facing problem for fishing jetty, the solution should be holistic.

He was of the view that MPT should have a holistic approach towards the fishing community and everyone’s interest should be taken into consideration.

Corlim priest concerned over hunting of peacocks HERALD CORRESPONDENT OLD GOA, SEPT 7

St Joao De Facundo Church, Corlim, Parish Priest Fr Assis Dourado has expressed shock and deep concern over unknown persons hunting the National bird, Peacock, from Corlim village.

It may be noted that there have been a number of peacocks moving in and around Corlim since the past few years, as Corlim village is close to the Carambolim Lake, besides jungles situated in and around the village.

But in the past few days, it is learnt that hunters are moving in the area and killing peacocks.

Fr Dourado at the Sunday mass in St Joao De Facundo Church said that he was shocked to hear such news

that there are some enemies of such lovely animals.

“I ask the local villagers to take note of such people, who are moving in and around the village to kill our National bird,” said Fr Dourado.

“I have heard from my parishioners that there were over three peacocks, which were moving in and around the village, but now out of the three, I have heard that only one peacock is left and the other two have been killed by unknown persons,” said Fr Dourado.

“This is bad and not a good sign, as these peacocks are the beauty of our village. If someone is trying to commit such an act, I would like the villagers to trace the hunters and hand them over to police officials so that they are given a strict pun-

ishment, as such crimes are against the nature,” added Fr Dorado. He further said the State government should also ask the forest officials to keep a strict vigil on such activities and book the culprits.

Unused telephone pole collapses CURCHOREM (HC): An unused telephone pole collapsed on the road in the main market area in Curchorem on Monday afternoon.

Fortunately, there were no casualties on the otherwise busy road.

Since the pole was unused, telecommunication services in the area were not disrupted.

The Curchorem fire services later went to the site and removed the pole from the road.

With yet another mining season to commence from October, the Ganv Rakhonn Jagrut Manch met at Kakumoddi Chapel to discuss the course of action to tackle the problem caused by mining trucks.

During the meeting, Babajino Fernandes said the number of trucks will increase in the upcoming mining season as more and more people are buying trucks for mining purpose.

“The Manch is not against mining, but will certainly not tolerate the arrogant attitude adopted by the truck owners, transport contractors and truck drivers, who are mostly from other States and have no regard to anyone,” claimed Fernandes.

“It is often seen that police are posted at various locations to regulate mining traffic, but most of the time they act as if they are mere spectators without any authority to act against the wrongdoings,” stated Fernandes.

Adv Atrey Kakodkar said though additional planks are fitted to the cargo box of the trucks to avoid ore spillage, it is being misused to fill the trucks above the additional cargo.

“Transport authorities are is-

suing fitness certificates to the trucks which are fitted with two planks of about 1 feet on the cargo box, thereby violating Motor Vehicles Act,” claimed Adv Kakodkar.

Karmali said though there are many orders and notifications, which could regulate free flow of ore transportation, but the concerned authorities are not implementing it, thereby supporting and encouraging law breakers.

“Their silence has raised doubts in the minds of the people that they are hand in gloves with the mining lobby,” alleged Karmali.

Christanand Pednekar said during a review meeting in the office of Deputy Collector Agnelo Fernandes in May, Collec-

tor G P Naik had instructed PWD officials to install speed limit signboards, but they are yet to be installed.

He further raised concerns about the safety of the common men, as a number of trucks are expected to increase in the coming season.

He said the people are all geared up to protect themselves from any sort of threats from any corner.

Adv Sheetal Kakodkar explained in detail the rights of the people available to the common man under CrPC, if any irregularity is committed by the mining trucks.

“The High Court Order passed in June 2010 gives the people ample rights to file contempt petition if there is viola-

tion of the High Court order,” said Adv Kakodkar.

Adv Kakokdar requested the representatives to convey the message to the villagers of their concerned wards and be

prepared to face any challenge as every person has basic right to protect him and complain against the wrong doings in the society, which affects their day-to-day life.

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Forest dept removes pole near forest gate at Colomba

The forest gate at Colomba-Rivona, Sanguem, after the removal of the pole, which was in the middle of the road. Photo by Alfred Fernandes HERALD CORRESPONDENT SANGUEM, SEPT 7

The Forest department removed the pole, which was obstructing the traffic at the forest gate at Colomba-Rivona in Sanguem.

Acting on the report which appeared in Herald, the forest department acted diligently in the matter and immediately removed the pole.

The pole of the forest gate was lying in the middle of the road since the last many months after the PWD had hot mixed the main road proceeding from Tilamol to Rivona.

The villagers are reported to have made several oral requests to the authorities to shift the pole.

Due to the dangerous standing of the pole in the middle of

the road, the life of the motorists, particularly those new to the village was put in danger.

The situation was made all the more precarious for night riders and at the time of overtaking.

However, after a report in Herald the department removed the pole, thereby bringing a sigh of relief to the motorists using Tilamol-Rivona road.

Incidentally with the removal of the pole from the middle of the road, need is felt to replace the existing gate with a new one.

The villagers informed that after the hot mix of the road to Rivona, the width of the road is increased and the existing gate is not long enough to cover the total width of the newly widened road.

PMC buys mini-pickup to collect garbage HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARCEL, SEPT 7

In a bid to collect garbage in Ponda, the Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) has purchased a mini-pickup with garbage collection facilities.

Home Minister Ravi Naik inaugurated the mini-pickup and also launched the mobile garbage collection drive undertaken by the PMC. "The garbage mini-pickup, which has been bought at a cost of Rs 5.5 lakh, will also take care of garbage collection along narrow roads in the municipality," said PMC Chairperson Pradip Naik.

The PMC chairman said the garbage mini-pickup will collect garbage frequently during the day.

"Everyday in morning and evening, municipal vehicles collect garbage but people

throw garbage later in the day.

This vehicle will be used to make regular trips to collect garbage. I hope people will cooperate and help us keep Ponda city clean," he added.

In his address, Home Minister Ravi Naik opined that Ponda town is smaller in comparison to other cities in the State and that it also has fewer resources.

"However we must keep Ponda city good and clean," said Naik.

Meanwhile, cheques were also distributed to beneficiaries under the Rajiv Awas Yojana.

According to this scheme, the poor are entitled to a monetary help of around Rs 12,000 towards house repairs. Around 20 beneficiaries were handed over cheques as the second installment.

Hand tricycle donated to disabled person

President and members of Phoenix Association hand over a cycle to a disabled person at Valpoi.

Photo by Ashraf Khan HERALD CORRESPONDENT VALPOI, SEPT 7

Phoenix Socio-Cultural Association (PSCA), Valpoi, donated a hand tricycle to a disabled person from Valpoi as a gift for Ramzan.

The Association, which organises entertainment and cultural programme, also works for the destitute and the needy people in Sattari.

Tahir Shaikh (35), a disabled individual from a poor family, spent most of his time lying immobile on the floor. The Association also provided financial help for his wife Tamanna (28), who is also affected with polio.

The disabled couple has a four-year-old daughter, who is fortunately physically normal and mentally sound and is presently studying in a school.

The couple says their daughter is the only ray of hope for their future.

The family does not have any source of income and depend on money collected in

the form of donation in the month of Ramzan every year, as both are physically disabled since childhood.

Addressing the media, PSCA Secretary Sayyad Sarfaraz said: “Our main aim is to reach out our hands in any form for the needy and destitute people of the society.”

“We saw that the family which is based in our locality is in dire need of financial assistance and a hand cycle, so we came forward with small efforts to help them,” he added.

Sayyad appealed to the people of Goa to come forward and help the family.

Sayyad also announced tentative date as November 7, for hosting All Goa Singing competition cum fund raising event for helping the toppers in SSC and HSSC exams.

The announcement came after Association President Abdulla Khan declared the publication of second souvenir ‘LIFE 2010’.

OHERALDO

OPINION

Pg8

www.oheraldo.in

O HERALD O

Crimes against Women

Vol No CX No: 228 Goa, Wednesday 8 September, 2010

The mysterious Mister No One

A

young couple was walking along a beach in Goa, with their two-year-old son. Little boys of that age are often curious about anything and everything. They tend to ask questions − simple, straightforward questions − that, occasionally, can leave adults completely at a loss for what to say.

To come back to our young family, as they ambled along, the warm golden sand yielding ever so softly under their feet, they saw an old house along the shore. Long abandoned, its roof had, many monsoons ago, given way to the fury of the rains, as had its walls, which were overgrown with lichen and plants.

“Look, it’s somebody’s house,” said the man to his wife.

She nodded. But it was the little one that was all ears.

“Somebody’s house?” he asked. “Who is Somebody? Does he live here?” The parents didn’t quite know what to say, so the boy went on: “Is Somebody there now? Shall I go and see?” And he toddled off to find out.

The parents were amused, but still hadn’t figured out how to explain the rather abstract concept of ‘somebody’ to a two-year-old. Meanwhile, the little boy came back to announce that Somebody wasn’t home, and that there was ‘no one’ there.

Isn’t that the same person who Chief Minister Digambar Kamat says is responsible for the not-so-mysterious disappearance of Israeli drug dealer Yaniv Benaim alias Atala?

This dealer-in-death managed to get bail only because the Goa Police found it too difficult to go to Mumbai and take a statement from his former girlfriend, Swedish model Lucky Farmhouse, who had secretly filmed him boasting about his drug dealing as well as his connections with the police and the press, and posted the video on the website YouTube.

His arrest in February led to a number of policemen being picked up for stealing drugs from the police ‘Muddemal’ stores and selling them to drug dealers. There was also talk (though no hard evidence) of his alleged links with Home Minister Ravi Naik’s son Roy. One would think that once a suspected drug dealer is released on bail, it is the job of the police to keep tabs on him. And, if the person manages to give the cops the slip and escapes, then someone in the force is to blame.

Apparently not. Replying to questions from reporters at a press briefing held following a cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said that “No One” was to blame for Atala’s disappearance. It seems that a Home Ministry report said so. “I received the report. It says ‘No One’ is to be blamed for Atala’s disappearance, because he was not in police custody,” Kamat said.

Once someone is out on bail, Kamat seems to believe, the police need not keep a watch on him. It is only after they realise that he is missing, that they must inform the court. Amazing, is it not? And we thought, all this time, that it was the job of the police to keep track of bad characters, so that the ‘aam admi’ does not have to constantly worry about the safety of his life, limb and property.

Better late than never, as they say, we have found out that all they are required to do is wait. They don’t even have to watch. It’s enough when criminals go missing that they inform the court. And, when they are done with that incredibly onerous task, they can issue a ‘red corner notice’ for him, and go back to waiting.

Then whose job is it to keep track of criminals, watch out for when they get up to trouble and try to stop them from harming the ‘aam admi’? At long last, the Chief Minister has told us. It’s that person who’s responsible for Atala escaping − ‘No One’. So, the next time somebody really bad does something really nasty to you, you know whom to complain to…

Venita showing off!

Jeffrey John Pinto, Parra Venita Coelho’s middle ‘What you saying men?’ (Herald, 31 August) shows her attitude towards Goans. She seems to suffer from some complex. I wish to ask her which English is correct – that spoken by the Scottish, Irish or English, or what is spoken in the erstwhile colonies? Goa, in case she doesn’t know, was under Portuguese rule.

Regarding Hindi, which is correct – that spoken by UP-wallahs, Biharis, Punjabis, Pakistanis, South Indians or Mumbaites?

Or is it that spoken by Venita, which she picked up in Lucknow, Bareilly and Kolkata?

Venita, please do not preach to Goans.

Muslims need a Kabrastan Col Cyril P D’Souza (Retd), Calangute When our Muslim brethren are begging for

100 Years Ago

PRIMEIRO DIARIO NAS COLONIAS PORTUGEZAS

8 September 1910 Warm Welcome

On his return to Capital City, D. Mateus, the Patriarch of East Indies, was warmly received and welcomed by various ecclesiastical dignitaries.

Boxing Match

There was a boxing match between the Counselor Horta e Costa and Count of Estarregas for some unknown reasons.

Parliament Dissolved

Through a telegram the dissolution of Portuguese Parliament until further notice, was communicated.

American Philanthropist

Mr. David Bracken a rich bachelor from St. Louis, USA donated his fortune which amounts to 500,000 Pounds Sterling to a trust to further the studies imparted from Commercial and Industrial Schools.

C

Why does society hold the woman responsible for crimes done against her, asks saJLa CHaWLa

rime, especially crime that can lead to the death of someone, needs to be punished severely. Our society believes in this and adheres to it firmly. But this universal belief seems to take a strange twist when it comes to crimes against women. If it is a high profile case, the whole society follows it religiously. We all try and look for answers and try to ascribe blame somewhere or the other, often without even knowing the facts of the matter.

Something similar seems to be happening in the Nadia Torrado case in Goa, the Viveka Babaji case in Bombay, the Jessica Lal case in Delhi and in many, if not most cases where women have died. The fact of the matter is that a girl has died.

And, if anyone has committed a crime, it should be duly punished.

But the deadweight of the paraphernalia of social norms that we all carry does not let the issue stay so simple. Especially when a woman is involved in a situation that is socially unacceptable, a crime against her acquires a totally different dimension. While the accused is condemned before being proven guilty, so is the woman victim.

Her background, her character, her demeanour, her social status, her past relationships – everything – is brought out and placed on display.

This ancient barbaric social evil, of a witch hunt, does not seem to leave us. We love to ascribe blame, especially if it is a woman, and more so if there is a plausible link with her sexuality. It gives us all a huge sense of relief that we are not ourselves in that situation, and someone else is bearing the brunt of transgressing social, moral and patriarchal boundaries.

All over Europe, in the middle ages and as recently as in the 19th century, women who ‘strayed’ from the beaten track, indulged in something socially amoral, were educated or knew a lot about medicine, were extremely beautiful or had tremendous property or were too old to be productive, were branded as witches and burnt at the stake, in the town’s main square, as the crowds cheered; in a most inhuman and barbaric way. Women were often tortured to ‘exorcise’ the evil in them, and killed for crimes that were

EvE-Ryday IssuEs uncertain, dubious and never proved.

In India too, this practice still goes on in villages.

Women who dare to be different are often hounded, branded as witches, driven out of their homes, or even killed. In our so-called educated and aware cities, we do not commit such barbaric acts. We do not kill. Instead, we figuratively ‘exhume’ the dead, dissect every minute juicy detail of their lives, and make it the highlight of social chatter and gossip, in drawing rooms and through the media.

We hear, and repeat, claims that the woman was of a loose character, that she was ‘using’ her femininity, or that she was from a dubious background. We all want to know how many affairs she had, how vain she was, or how she was ‘using’ her man.

When she was alive, none dared to air their moral considerations, even when the deed was being done right before their eyes. But once dead, we love to flog the carcass… The poignant question is, why?

Society has strange ways of dealing with the things that it finds problematic to put into slots.

A woman who dies in a promiscuous relationship, is raped and/or murdered, or commits suicide, is

Match-Fixing for dummies

Goan abroad!

“

Crack, Crack!” whacked the wet rubber truncheon. I screamed.

“Shaddup!” shouted FBI agent Salvatore, “The sooner you confess, the better…” “But I can’t confess the bettor. I don’t know any,” I cried. I was sitting in handcuffs under a blinding light, being interrogated by agents Salvatore and Alvernaz, investigating the Paki cricket scandal.

Two of the most notorious officers attached to the precinct run by the calculating Chief of Police Capt Caculatti, Salvatore and Alvernaz were more popularly known in Astoria’s Goan community as ‘Alu’ and ‘Salu’. The cruel captain was labelled as ‘Capt Caculo’.

Every 10 minutes his guttural whinny came over the intercom: “Pigs,” he growled, “Has the donkey confessed yet?”

The snivelly Alu and Salu would take it out on me as they quavered back, “Nah sir, still lying sir.”

“We have information on your money-laundering,” thundered Alu. “Who did you meet at Disney World in Orlando last week?”

“The usual…” I ventured hesitantly, “…Donald Duck… Mickey” “Aha,” yelled Salu, “The international money launderers!”

“They’re cartoon characters,” I protested, “What money would they wash?”

Alu whacked me. “Donald is actually the trump mafia guy, and Mickey is a former dorji turned dhobi.”

“Why should I care,” I ventured weakly, “what any of these characters do?”

a Kabrastan, why are Catholics opposing it? They too need a decent place to bury their dead. Why are some Catholics suddenly turning anti-Muslim? Why doesn’t the Curtorim MLA and South Goa MP speak up for them?

We talk about secularism; why show double standards when it comes to this sensitive issue? When the Christian community faces problems, the Minorities Commission, which also comprises Muslims, comes to our aid. Minorities include Christians, Muslims, Sikhs, etc. Are communal elements trying to split secular votes?

No thanks, Shantaram Lambert Mascarenhas, Dona Paula The change in names of cities – like Mumbai for Bombay, Panaji for Panjim and Bengaluru for Bangalore – even if justifiable, has proved ineffective. It may be idle heroics or obsessive thinking.

The suggestion, therefore, of our Rajya Sabha MP Shantaram Naik that the name of ‘India’ should be changed to ‘Bharat’ is completely uncalled for.

Presumably, given the bonanza of Rs50,000 as monthly salary sanctioned for MPs, Mr Naik probably thought he must open his mouth to say something and justify his presence in the Upper House. Cease and desist, we say.

Do strikes help?

Glestone Fernandes, Cuncolim Mumbai’s crumbling mills are a stark reminder of the effects of trade unions and strikes on the common man. Another strike would mean another day without wages for millions of daily wage workers and their families. Has a strike ever really helped the common man? As long as it has practiced the way it is in our nation, it will never!

Congratulations J Mario Fernandes, by email I wish to congratulate Immaculada Gonsalves, Headmistress of St Thomas High School, Cansaulim, on being conferred the State Award. At a time when all government awards are subject to intense lobbying and

always seen as having done something that is not supposed to happen in a civilised, moral and ethical society. Someone must be to blame; and who better than the woman herself?

Very self righteously, we conduct a social trial (nowadays, it’s a media trial as well), where we are all jurors and come to the conclusion that the woman was responsible for the crime done against her! It is easier for us that way, because it is extremely difficult to take to task the whole society that drove the woman to her death. Facing that kind of stark reality is not what most of us have the courage for. We cannot countenance that as part of society, we all – each and every one of us – have had a role to play in that young woman’s being raped, murdered or taking her own life. We want to sit back in our comfortable smugness and not have to question our sociocultural institutions; we simply do not have the courage.

When a society reeks with crime, especially crimes against women, it is because of the way it has evolved, and we all have to bear a collective responsibility. The victim and the crime is just a symptom of the deep rooted disease rampant in our society. Suppressing a symptom or finding a

“We ask the questions, not you!” shouted Salu, punching my nose.

“You went to Orlando from Dubai, just when Pakistan lost the Test to England by an innings. Did you meet Dawood there?”

“I do not know any Dawood, Mamood, Masood, or any dude,” I said, dodging a police baton aimed at my ribs. “They all sound like Pakistani losers!”

Alu kicked me. “Pakistan did lose the match, and Masood was one of the match fixers. You’d better confess now…” “I know nothing about cricket,” I protested.

“Aha,” roared Salu, twisting my neck in a half-Nelson, “Nobody mentioned the word ‘cricket’. So you know all about this wicket scandal, hanh?”

“Wicked scandal or not,” I protested, “I’m innocent!”

“Another lie,” snapped Alu triumphantly. “Your real name is John Silva, not… Innocent.”

“Pigs,” shrieked Capt Caculo’s intercom, “Have you broken the donkey yet?”

“Nah, sir!” stammered the rotten cops, “we’ve tried everything; water boarding like in Guantanamo, extracting two nails and four teeth… Still no luck.”

“Okay sewer dogs, you’re out,” yelled Caculo, “I’m sending in Inspector Valanka.”

Valanka from Sri Lanka was Brooklyn’s terror expert – she had never been known to fail. Terror-stricken, I shuddered.

scapegoat to blame is not going to cure the disease. We have to get to the root of it.

For this, society as a whole has to change. This has a gamut of ramifications – better legislation, its proper implementation, empowering women, and changing social attitudes. All this is a Herculean task. Obviously, it will take a long time.

But, as Mao Zedong said, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” That step, which we can take today, is to stop turning the victim into a criminal. Whenever a crime is committed against a woman, it needs to be punished, just like a crime against any other person.

The woman’s background, her past life, her attitudes or her morality have nothing to do with it.

The trial is not about her character, it is about her death.

Be it Scarlet Keeling, the ‘German girl’ or Nadia Torrado… or any of those innumerable, unfortunate cases where women have made wrong choices; they need to be viewed objectively, as a crime like any other. If proven, it should be punished; without any social and media trial of the victim. It is foolish to proclaim that the woman invited it. No one invites assault, rape or murder.

There is a distinct difference between socially unacceptable behaviour and criminal acts. We cannot put both at par. We cannot club the victim with the criminal. If we keep apportioning blame to women for crimes done against them, those who commit such crimes will feel emboldened, and crimes against women will increase.

With what faith can a victimised woman go the police, the legal system, or before society itself, when she knows it is merely going to expose her to further ignominy and trauma? That is why so many women do not even report crimes done against them.

Let us stop judging them. Most are very young, some even children; possibly naïve, perhaps misdirected. Isn’t it more human to empathise than to judge? Who are we to judge at all? The song from the movie ‘Amir’ haunts my mind when someone dies an untimely and tragic death: ‘Ek lau is tarha kyun bujhi mere Maula?

Ek lau zindagi ki, Maula…’

By Francis Rodrigues

Valanka swept in. Hotter than chilli, she was bursting out of a low-cut halter and skin-tight police-issue jeans.

“Dahling,” she oozed, “Aanda goonda, munda punda… Come to mummy and confess all. Who’s been a naughty little boy then?”

“Not me,” I managed to blurt out, tongue-tied, “The only match fixing I know about is the soirik of my cousin Gula to that toad Gugulo!”

“Shuddup!” spat Valanka, “What do you know of that innings loss by Pakistan… what about the sudden burst of runs, yet lost off the last three balls…?”

“The only burst of runs I know,” I said, “Is running to the loo after Cecil’s Calchi Codi. As for the Test, England won as Pakistan had... no balls!”

Valanka changed tack. She came over and sat on my lap.

“Now,” she whispered, “It’s going to be very hard…” I swooned.

“Pigs!” Capt Caculo’s whine rang out, “Release Silva! We found the match fixer. It was Mauvin Bobo all along.”

Back home, I cast a baleful eye at my giggling parrot Cocky. She spoke: “Pigs!” came Caculo’s nasal whine, “Release Silva…”

“Whaaaat?” I gasped, “You impersonated Caculo to release me?”

Cocky laughed so much, I feared she would burst.

The popat always knows.

[If you just arrived: Langoti ‘Long’ John Silva is a globe-trotting Goencar, always accompanied by his wise-cracking parrot Cocky]

Letters to the Editor Letter of the Day

‘Hindi Divas’ needed?

Vivek Shankar, Bengaluru September 14 is celebrated as ‘Hindi Divas’ by the central government. India is based on the ‘Unity in Diversity’ principle. The Constitution of India officially recognises 22 languages. Hindi is just one of these official languages. Each state government has the right to use its language as the language of the state.

In spite of this, Hindi being imposed in central government institutions throughout the country, like post offices, banks, Railways, etc, while the language of the state does not find a place. Knowledge of Hindi is one of the conditions for jobs in the central government.

This is clearly against the spirit of India. Crores of rupees of taxpayers’ money is spent on ‘Hindi Divas’ which is against the ‘Unity in Diversity’ principle that India stands for. nepotism, it comes as a beacon of hope. A truly deserving person has been bestowed this honour.

Though it probably means little to her, the prestige and credibility of such awards gets enhanced when genuine people are accorded recognition. As a past pupil and villager of Utorda, where she worked earlier, I can say that her work has living testimony in the thousands of students who passed through her hands.

I am sure there are many other teachers like her, who continue to inspire new generations, but have gone unnoticed and unsung by society. To them all, my respectful homage.

Homosexuality Xavier D’Souza, Mapusa Cases of homosexual rape should be taken seriously. It is true that God made man and woman for each other. Religion may preach against homosexuality and call it a sin. Yet, it is a fact that some men and women do have deep-seated homosexual tendencies.

No matter how much one prays or does mortification, it is never an easy struggle.

The Catholic Church states that “every sign of unjust discrimination in their (homosexual’s) regard should be avoided” (CCC-2358). We need to make a distinction between sin and crime. Sins can be forgiven,

while crimes – like murder, rape and paedophilia – must be punished. Homosexuality can never be equated with them. We need to legalise homosexuality before homosexual rape becomes more common.

Violation of rights Mural Karol, Navelim Wherever the BJP rules, there is harassment of minorities. The Karnataka Assembly has passed a Bill that prohibits even buffalo slaughter. It violates the fundamental right of people to choose the food of their choice.

Everybody knows that a majority of Christians and Muslims consume beef regularly.

If this Bill is implemented, then other BJPruled states will bring laws to prohibit slaughter of all cattle. The BJP has no right to deprive people from consuming beef.

Signatory’s salary Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) D Subharao earns Rs1,28,500 per month. His signature is on every currency note in the country, but his salary is four times lower than Advocate General of Goa Subodh Kantak’s. When the Goa government doles out Rs5 lakh a month to its Advocate General, why would anybody opt for the RBI top job?

More Konkani!

Milton Rodrigues, by email

Paths of Wisdom

It was nice to read a Konkani poem ‘Sorginche Maiecho Vadd’dis’ by Peter Mendes (Junior Herald, 6 Sept). If you publish Konkani poems or other matter in our mother tongue, more readers will be attracted towards your paper, and Konkani writers will get an opportunity to show their talent. I hope more in Konkani on your daily.

Konkani & administration Sidonio Mendes, Chandor The news report ‘Konkani still not used for administrative work: Shivdas’ (Herald, 20 August) says that Goa Konkani Academy (GKA) President N Shivdas laments that Konkani is still not being used in the state administration.

During the shortlived PDF government (1990), there was a move to implement the use of Konkani in the Devanagari script in the administration. The funny part of it was that the heavyweight behind this move could hardly speak Konkani, let alone write it in any script!

A circular was issued that government departments should have at least one typewriter in the Devanagari script. When my head of office asked me, I said that as long as we cannot make good use of this machine, we should not incur this expenditure.

A training programme for government servants to write Konkani in the Devanagari script was introduced, with the arduous guidance of Adv Uday Bhembre and the late Chandrakant Keni. I too joined this programme at the fag end of my career.

This was due to the persistence of Antonio Piedade Moraes, a government official then and genuine Konkani lover.

I asked during this programme, how implementing the use of Konkani was possible when not even a single Act of the Goa administration was translated into Konkani.

The only outcome of this entire exercise was that our Konkani stalwarts provided us a specimen in Devanagari Konkani of an application for casual leave…

The Mother of Jesus The Blessed Virgin Mary was born to St. Joachim and St. Anne, to be the Blessed WOMAN promised in the Protoevangelium who would crush the head of the serpent. She conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, the Saviour of the world, Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Our Lady lived a humble and most virtuous life as the Mother of Our Saviour, and accompanied Jesus all the way to Calvary.

The Blessed Virgin Mary didn’t die in the human way because She was Immaculate and exempt from original sin.

She passed from this physical existence into the realm of the spirit in an ecstasy of love. She is the Queen of Heaven, of Angels and Saints, and of all Creation.

By her Holy dignity of being the Mother of God, She is our advocate before Him and at the foot of the cross, She was given to us in the person of John as our Mother, when Jesus dying on the cross told his beloved disciple, “Behold your mother”.

She is the woman clothed with the sun as portrayed in the Apocalypse, She is the New Jerusalem, the City of God, the Mountain of Zion so spoken of in the Holy Scriptures, She is the Living Tabernacle of the Divinity. A true devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary will lead us to Jesus. Her message is: “Do whatever He tells you”.

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OHERALDO

Pg 9

INDIA

GOA, WEDNESDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER, 2010

opinionated Centre decides not to upset Goa (Live)

By John Eric Gomes

I

was inspired by the Aamir Khan movie which stated at the beginning, much like the caution ‘Smoking is Injurious to Health’, that any resemblance to any person or situation is purely coincidental. Frederick Noronha’s article ‘Peepli (Live) Comes to Goa’ (Herald, 1 Sept) and the OPinionatED ‘Media – The Grime of our Times’ by Caetano de Abreu (Herald 1 Sept) also struck a chord.

My own experiences with my articles and letters to the media and absence of any investigative reporting worth the name in Goa definitely confirm those observations! Also the live resemblances in the movie to our politicians and bureaucrats, while exposing in satire the whole present system, the effect of media TRPs and corruption, was remarkable.

For those who have not seen the movie ‘Peepli (Live)’, it is built around farmers’ suicides, and a rather realistic depiction of the government machinery in operation and the power of the media. The mega promotion of the movie itself fits into the way things are done in our system, so fame and fortune can ride on using the deprived sections of society!

The hype generated, special screenings for L K Advani and Manmohan Singh, the reputation and off-beat brilliance of Aamir Khan, the way the story is told – with no famous actors and the ‘aam admi’ in the forefront – ensured that the sentiments and the power of those being made fun of to ban or call for a boycott on the film were checkmated.

I must mention NDTV’s similar brilliance on the skit about the MPs’ salary hike. They made use of the NREGA scheme, where labourers were actually paid only Rs1 per day instead of the Rs100 per day promised. The labourer is told that there is no money in the kitty to pay him. Just then, Lalu Prasad comes, pushing aside the labourer, and demands his salary. He is given Rs50,000, with which he is not satisfied, and threatens an all-India bandh. He asks how is he supposed to live, etc. Then the cashier gives him Rs10,000 more, and shows that the exchequer is empty. Lalu still rants and raves, saying he has a constituency to nurture, nine children to feed, and so on. The labourer taps him on the shoulder and says, take my Re1; your need is greater than mine. Lalu shamelessly takes it and shouts: “See, even the poor kisan is supporting me!”

How do we convey our disapproval of this state of affairs?

Chetan Bhagat said we should boycott the Commonwealth Games (CWG). Jug Suraya puts it nicely: “As rapacious and thick skinned as our colonial masters undoubtedly were, they have been outdone by our current set of rulers. Boycotting a ‘sarkari’ project is of no use, because the ‘sarkar’ has boycotted us long before we could boycott them or any of their projects!”

With all the scams, the River Princess saga, the politicianpolice-drug mafia nexus, communal tensions, migrant labour, mega projects, environmental damage, danger to life-andlimb increasing every day, high prices of essential commodities, adulterated food and drink, illegal mining, and so on, Goa still lives in the hearts and minds of Goans. Most of those who have visited Goa continue to return, in spite of it all.

Goa (Live), the most literate small state in India with the highest GDP, is experienced by me daily when, without fail, even as I type this article, the lights go off, and one never knows when the power is coming back. Unplanned shutdowns are longer than planned ones. On 4 September, we had no power from 9am to about 5.15pm.

This will, of course, affect the water supply, which is always erratic and as unreliable. There are no footpaths for me to walk on, and I have to avoid stepping into cow dung or pot holes, and also hold my nose as I keep passing garbage strewn alongside the road. The government comprises a cabinet that has a Chief Minister appointed by the Centre, and others holding portfolios due to their ‘heavyweight’ status, which means their capability of pulling the government down, rather than doing the job at hand.

Indians generally require a ‘danda’ to make them do their jobs, since everyone can do almost anything and get away with it, so long as they are in the good books of the powersthat-be. Not surprisingly, the administration is a mess. No one in the administration acts on my complaints or acknowledges a letter, whether by hard copy or e-mail. In all this, the government claims it is going full speed ahead on ‘e-governance’, and getting awards for ‘best state’ in this and that, as recorded in the files and statistics. The emergency 108 services complain that they get too many calls to pick up drunks or destitutes from the roadside. Indisciplined traffic means one has to risk one’s life every time one gets onto the road.

It is not the beaches or the beauty of the land that attracts the foreign tourists, writers, film stars and dignitaries to Goa. When asked, they invariably say that it is the warmth and uniqueness, the cuisine and the song and dance and music of the people with a caring and sharing attitude, a culture and communal harmony that is fast disappearing. Goa is a place where both rich and poor feel it is El Dorado. Goa still lives in the towns and villages, which celebrate all sorts of occasions in all sorts of traditions, the old mixing with the new.

Goa (Live) reflects India, being firmly integrated into the motherland. Goa, the land of Lord Parsuram, St Francis Xavier, of Carnival and Shigmo, Fish and Feni, of River Princess and much Garbage. Will it remain the land of happy Goans?

BJP’s apple-cart in J’khand DELHI BUREAU NEW DELHI, SEPT 7

Fearing the Union Cabinet meeting called on Tuesday may dissolve the Jharkhand Assembly to stop the Bhartiya Janata Party in its tracks from ascending power, former Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda, 42, rushed to Governor M.O.H Farook in Ranchi to stake claim to form the government with the support of erstwhile partners Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and AJSU. The Governor is reported have conveyed helplessness to immediately invite him to form the government as per the constitutional practice as the state is under the President's rule since May and as such only the Centre can take a decision.

Farook, however, got a goahead from Home Minister P Chidambaram whom he called up. Chidambaram is understood to have advised him to satisfy himself about stability of the new government by checking signatures of the MLAs submitted by Munda, who is currently BJP MP from Jamshedpur.

The Home Ministry sources here said the Governor has asked the Jharkhand Assembly secretary to verify the signatures and give a report by Wednesday morning. Based on veracity of the signatures, the Governor is

As dengue tightens its grip over the national capital, schools are slightly relaxing their strict rules regarding uniforms for students.

With the city reporting over 1300 dengue cases and four deaths due to the vector-borne disease, schools are eager to ensure that children do not suffer from mosquito bites.

Several private schools in the city have issued circulars asking children to wear full-sleeve shirts and trousers while the MCD has also said that students in institutions run by it should cover themselves fully.

"We have asked the students to wear full-sleeves. But we should also keep in mind that most of the children who come to our schools are from economically weaker section. So they should be allowed to wear any dress which helps them to protect themselves from mosquito bites," Leader of MCD House Subhash Arya said.

City Mayor Prithvi Raj Sawhney, himself a former teacher, has urged

Much remains to be done at the prime area of Connaught Place before the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Antony orders fresh probe into Capt Kohli's death

tesy of taking him into confidence before selecting Thomas as the CVC. And the worse, the decision was taken Friday night, but even Thomas did not show the courtesy of informing his minister about the new assignment he was being bestowed.

Thomas had a reason not to make any premature disclosure to the minister until the President signed his appointment order, more so when the BJP was egging on the government to dump him and select some one else.

Raja is also peeved over Thomas plucked from his ministry without submitting a panel of IAS officers to him to select the successor. The DMK sources said the party would lodge a protest over slighting Raja by not taking his nod before selecting Thomas as the CVC. If not the PM, his MoS Prithviraj Chavan, Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar or PM's Secretary TKA Nair should have called on Raja to convey the decision, the DMK sources affirmed.

But for his appointment to the statutory post that he will hold for a little more than five years as the CVC retires at 65,

PTI NEW DELHI, SEPT 7

DELHI BUREAU NEW DELHI, SEPT 7

Elevation of Telecom Secretary P J Thomas as the Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) has upset not only the main opposition Bhartiya Janata Party but also Telecom Minister A Raja, though for opposite reasons.

Both absented from his swearing-in by President Pratibha Patil at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on Tuesday -- the BJP to lodge protest at selecting one not with unimpeachable integrity while Raja stayed away with an alibi of not being well.

The BJP is angry that Thomas as the chief of anti-corruption watchdog body will frustrate the ongoing CBI probe into the 2G spectrum allocation scam, while Raja is worried that Thomas may misuse too much inside knowledge that he acquired in his ministry to lead the CBI in fixing him. Both are concerned that the CBI functions under the CVC under a 1998 judgement of the Supreme Court and as such Thomas can influence the agency's probe.

Raja as well as his DMK party are angry that the Prime Minister did not even show the cour-

Aishwarya refuses million dollar deal

dollar deal by a Hollywood studio to have a documentary made on her on the lines of the one made on Shah Rukh Khan.

As part of that deal, a foreign crew would follow her for a week and document her personal life.

However, Ash politely declined the deal saying she would never let anyone shoot her at home. Despite the team courting her for months, Ash didn't budge and maintained her stand.

Thomas, a 1973 batch Kerala cadre IAS officer, would have retired in January. He succeeds Pratyush Sinha, a 1969 batch IAS officer of Bihar cadre, who retired on Monday after a fouryear stint as the CVC. Thomas was administered the oath of office in the presence of the Prime Minister, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Home Minister P Chidambaram, Law Minister M Veerappa Moily, Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah and the Cabinet Secretary among others.

Lok Sabha Opposition leader Sushma Swaraj, who was part of the 3-member selection committee that included the PM and the Home Minister, had objected to selection of Thomas on the ground that he had a tainted background and tried to cover up the Rs 60,000-crore 2G spectrum scam as the Telecom Secretary.

In his interaction with a group of editors here on Monday, the Prime Minister had, however, debunked Sushma's charge and said: "We have done the right thing. We have chosen the best candidate out of the list of three."

Defence Minister A K Antony has ordered a re-investigation into the mysterious death of Captain Sumit Kohli in Jammu and Kashmir, heeding to the demands of his family that had maintained that it was a murder and not a suicide as claimed by the Army.

Antony, who had met the family of Sumit a fortnight ago, a s ke d D e f e n c e S e c re t a r y Pradeep Kumar to order the fresh investigation following a representation from the young officer's mother Veena Kohli, Ministry sources said today.

Veena had demanded a probe independent of the Army or by the CBI, saying she had no faith in the Army that had declared that Sumit had committed suicide.

26-year-old Sumit, who was serving with 16 Rashtriya Rifles in Lolab in north Kashmir, was found dead with gun shot wounds in his room in the military residential facility in April 2006 on the last day of posting in counter-insurgency operations in the border state.

Curfew clamped in Srinagar, restrictions imposed in the Valley PTI SRINAGAR, SEPT 7

AGENCIES NEW DELHI, SEPT 7

Chairman of MCD Education Committee M Nagpal to ensure that civic body-run schools do not give "much insistence" on proper uniforms.

Several private schools have asked the students to wear their winter uniforms which are full-sleeve.

"The school has issued circular asking the children to wear fullsleeves. Some parents are sending them in winter uniform (which is full-sleeve but not woollen) though we are preferring the use of mosquito-repellent cream," said the mother of a student of Banyan Tree School.

Another guardian from A P J School, Sheikh Sarai said the students were told by teachers in the assembly that they can come in full-sleeve dress. "While elder students are wearing winter uniforms, students in primary schools are even being seen in denim jeans.

There is no objection," he said.

In neighbouring Noida, many institutes has urged its students to cover themselves up while in Ghaziabad, schools have issued circulars advising students to wear full-length clothing and use mosquito-repellent creams.

neous elections in Jharkhand.

A hurried meeting of senior leaders chaired by BJP's veteran leader Lal Krishna Monday night decided to let Munda proceed to form the government. The meeting was held without BJP President Nitin Gadkari, who flew to Russia earlier in the day on a 5-day trip.

The coalition government of JMM supremo Shibu Soren had collapsed after the BJP pulled out in protest of cross voting

by Soren against the party's cut motions on budget in April.

Soren had continued to remain a member of the Lok Sabha even after becoming the CM and as such participated in the voting on the cut motions.

His son Hemant Soren engineered a rapprochement after the BJP parliamentary board decided on April 28 to withdraw support to the JMM-led government, with an offer to let BJP have its chief minister. The deal stipulated Shibu Soren to quit on May 25 and the BJP readied Arjun Munda to take over. However, the JMM backtracked and wanted its supremo to continue as the chief minister for half the life of the Assembly that led the BJP pull out on May 23, forcing Shibu Soren to resign and pave way for imposition of the President's rule.

Thomas as CVC: Raja angry but for different reason

Cover up: Schools' motto Aishwarya Rai says “Not in my home you won`t,” when Aishin dengue-hit Delhi warya Rai was offered a millionPTI NEW DELHI, SEPT 7

expected to fax a detailed report

by Wednesday noon, recommending to lift the President's rule to facilitate formation of a popular government.

The Union Cabinet that met here on Tuesday confined itself to the issue of the nationwide caste count after completing the Census and decided to take a call on Jharkhand by meeting again on Thursday to take a decision based on the Governor's report, the sources said.

With the Centre not contemplating to put a spoke in the BJP forming a government in the state, the Governor may call Munda on Thursday to form the government after the Cabinet lifts the President's rule. The new government is expected to be sworn in on Friday in Ranchi, with the Governor asking the chief minister to prove majority in the Assembly in 10 days.

Until Sunday, the BJP's central leadership was sceptic of the exercise initiated by Arjun Munda to rope in support of JMM as it expected the Centre dissolving the Assembly to proceed for fresh elections along with that of Bihar. However, it changed the view after the Election Commission declared the 6-phase Bihar Assembly elections from October 21 as no possibility any more of simulta-

Authorities today clamped curfew in Srinagar city and imposed restrictions elsewhere in the Kashmir Valley after mobs went on a rampage attacking two police stations to protest killing of four persons allegedly in firing by security forces.

Curfew was clamped in eight police station areas -Rainawari, Maharajgunj, Safakadal, Khanyar and Nowhatta in old city, and Maisuma, Batamaloo and Kralkhud in civil lines area - in view of the violent protests and stone pelting incidents in many parts of Srinagar last night, police sources said.

As reports of overnight protests came in from other areas, the curfew was extended to the entire city, they said.

Srinagar District Magistrate Ahmad Kakroo said that restrictions on the movement of the people has been imposed across

the city.

"We are monitoring the situation and will take a decision as per the requirements of the situation," Kakroo said.

All curfew passes issued by the district administration were cancelled last evening. However, fresh passes were issued to employees working in essential services departments and to mediapersons.

The sources said youths came to the streets of Nowhatta in down city soon after the 'Taraweeh' special prayers during Ramzan and started pelting stones at the local police station.

Police fired several rounds of tear gas shells to disperse the protesters but in vain. They, then resorted to firing in the air to chase away the mob, the sources said, adding no one was hurt in the incident.

Similar protests were also held in Rajouri Kadal, Karan

Nagar and some other areas in the old city and Rawalpora and Maisuma areas in the civil lines area.

One person was injured in police action against protesters at Karan Nagar after the police station there was set on fire, the sources said.

Police have imposed severe restrictions under section 144 CrPC on the movement of the people in other nine districts of the Valley as a precautionary measure to prevent any further loss of the life or damage to the property.

The late night protests erupted in the city over the fresh killings at Palhalan in Pattan area of Baramulla district.

Four persons were killed and 12 others injured yesterday when security forces allegedly opened fire on a stone-pelting mob that had attacked inspector general Police have initiated an enquiry into the incident.

Asha Bhosle remembers struggling days PTI NEW DELHI, SEPT 7

She continues to rule the charts with her golden voice but veteran singer Asha Bhosle, who turns 77 tomorrow, says she went through some very difficult times during her days as a struggler.

Asha says that as a newcomer it was hard to convince musicians to hire her but is not keen on doing Bollywood playback anymore.

"No one helped me. I would go begging for work. It was not easy as I had no godfather or someone to help me. A lonely person tends to make mistakes, it is always better to have someone to guide you. I had

no one," Bhosle told PTI in an interview.

Bhosle, who has been the voice of more that 12,000 songs in a career spanning six decades, does not find Bollywood exciting anymore.

"I have been singing for so long. I will do playback only if something new and exciting comes my way," she says.

When asked about the stories of rivalry with her elder sister, Asha declined to comment.

"I don't want to comment on what the media says," said the singer, adding that the love of her fans has kept her alive.

"Apart from my parents, I am thankful to the musicians who gave me work when I

was a newcomer in the industry. Also I am grateful to my listeners who have kept Asha alive, she would have died otherwise," said the singer.

Bhosle, who always tries to do something new on each of her birthdays, is now planning to launch a record with tabla maestro Shujat Khan.

"I am making an album with Shujat, which is an amalgamation of classical and folk music. I did live recording after years and it was such fun," said the singer.

Bhosle has mastered almost all genres of music be it pop, ghazal, classical or qawali and now is in talks with Mexican-American artiste Carlos Santana for a duet.

No ordinance on enemy property DELHI BUREAU NEW DELHI

Home Minister P Chidambaram was slighted on Tuesday when the Union Cabinet reportedly turned down an Ordinance on enemy property he sought to promulgate to succeed another July Ordinance that lapsed on Sunday.

n The Ordinance that Chidambaram sought to be approved would have extinguished the judiciary's power to decide ownership of the enemy properties as defined in the original Act of 1968, giving the government the final authority in such matters.

A terse statement by the Home Ministry said the Cabinet has decided to bring a Bill in the next Parliament session from November 7, incorporating provisions of the lapsed Ordinance as well as further official amendments that were tried to be piloted in the just-concluded Lok Sabha session.

The Ordinance that Chidambaram sought to be approved would have extinguished the judiciary's power to decide ownership of the enemy properties as defined in the original Act of 1968, giving the government the final authority in such matters.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is understood to have referred to a memorandum given to him by BJP veteran Lal Krishna

Advani only on Monday, expressing the Bhartiya Janata Party's misgivings over certain changes the government contemplated in the new ordinance.

Other ministers are also understood to have lent support to the PM's suggestion that nothing will be lost if the steps necessary to tackle a Supreme Court judgement are taken through a legislation in the winter session of Parliament instead of rushing with the second Ordinance.

The amendments that could not meet the Lok Sabha's muster as the government had to drop discussion and passage of the Bill shall be placed before Parliament in the winter session to let it take the final decision instead of the government putting them in a new Ordinance, a Union Minister said.

appointments

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OBITUARIES GOA, WEDNESDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER, 2010

Pg10 MORE OBITUARIES ON PAGE 11

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GOA, WEDNESDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER, 2010

FROM PAGE 1 Bandh flops in Goa WB, Kerala bear the brunt

even before the rally could begin at KTC bus stand in the morning whereas others joined in the midst of the rally,” he told Herald.

He said that the rally was to get justice for 85 percent unorganised workers in Goa. He claimed that some workers joined even till the culmination of the rally.

The striking workers demanded raising the minimum wages of all daily, casual and contract workers to Rs 300, ban on contract labour employment in all government, public private and commercial establishments and services in permanent job operations and ensuring regularization of the services of the workers on the rolls of the respective establishments/services, etc.

The union also alleged that certain cabinet ministers were appointing people from their respective constituencies into government jobs. “This is a clarion call against the government and a struggle to hit back and force it to control and roll back skyrocketing prices of food grains and essential commodities including prices of petroleum products, cooking gas, kerosene, diesel, etc,” Fonseca further said.

The attitude of the Central government of not abiding by the Supreme Court directions on distributing outsized stocks of food grains to the poor population of the country has also been criticized by it.

Vasco reporter adds: The nationwide strike called by trade unions against price rise on Tuesday had little impact in the port town.

Transport services, including private bus operators and KTC services were in operation. Most government offices, including Mormugao Port, Mormugao Municipal Council and Mamlatdar’s office, functioned smoothly.

Government’s decision to invoke ESMA forced Electricity Department employees to provide service, as the operation was normal in Vasco.

Verna Industrial Estate, the biggest industrial estate in the State, had hardly any impact, as the operation in most of the industrial units was smooth.

“We made all provisions to thwart any law and order problem due to the strike and operations at Verna Industrial Estate was normal since morning,” said Verna Police Inspector Jivba Dalvi.

However, the banking sector was affected as most of the banks in the port town had closed its operation.

Tube strike hits London AGENCIES LONDON, SEPT 7

A strike by workers on the London Underground (Tube) caused severe disruption and delays for millions of travellers Tuesday, early reports showed. Maintenance staff, drivers and station employees joined a 24-hour strike called by unions in protest against staff cuts which they claim pose a threat to security on the line and at unmanned stations.

More than three million people journey on the London Tube network, the oldest in the world, every day. In the process of modernisation and cost-cutting, operators Transport for London (TfL) plan to axe 800 jobs, including on platforms and at ticket offices.

change transactions took a hit.

The strike called by eight Central trade unions, including Congress-affiliated INTUC against price rise, alleged violation of labour laws and disinvestment in public sector units (PSUs), shut down schools, colleges and government and private offices in West Bengal and roads in Kolkata wore a deserted look with markets, commercial establishments closed and most vehicles off the roads.

Barring Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, no minister attended the State secretariat, where out of a total of 6,000 employees only 60 were present.

Inspector General Police (law and Order) Surjit Kar Purakayastha said 1,200 Trinamool Congress workers were arrested for demonstrating near the office of Howrah district magistrate violating prohibitory orders. Besides, 38 Trinamool Congress youth wing workers were arrested for demonstrating before the State secretariat.

One person was killed and three others were injured in an armed clash between Trinamool Congress and Communist Party of India (Marxist) at Chandipur village in Nanoor police station area in Birbhum district but the police said it had no relation with the strike. Trinamool Congress claimed that the person who died was a party worker.

In Kerala, the strike was total in the transport sector with buses, trucks, taxis and autorickshaws keeping off the roads and attendance was thin in offices and banks whose unions supported the strike.

Airlines cancelled over 170 flights from various cities to West Bengal and Kerala in the wake of the strike but national carrier Air India said its operations were not hampered due to the stir.

‘Gender bias still a blot in Goa’ longing from city/town or village and financial strata. However, this is more common among the educated couple who still prefer a boy-child who they believe is ‘the only one’ to take their family forward.

“These cruelties are committed among those educated couples who appear to be advanced either culturally, educationally or in other aspects of life. Education has not made any difference, it is the attitude of the people that needs to be changed,” said Fernandes.

Ironically, in the developed State of Goa, certain parents even name their child before it is born, perhaps after sex determination tests.

CSJP has counselled several parents in these aspects even as they conduct regular awareness programs on gender equality in schools and other educational institutes, as well.

Besides, certain parents feel afflicted if their child is a girl and moreover if she is differently-abled, he said referring to cases which are reported at CSJP. What adds to the apathy is child trafficking, wherein girls are major victims. The church in joint association with anti-human trafficking groups has campaigned against it concentrating more at coastal belts.

While, the tradition of trafficking migrant girls has now turned to local girls, as of 2009 out of 29 girls, 14 Goan girls were trafficked.

“We have concentrated our campaign on coastal belts and roped-in villages and youth groups to be vigilant,” he said.

On the brighter side, the Caritas Agency for Adoption has witnessed many couples asking for adoption for a girl child.

Goa State Commission of Child Rights Chairperson Sameera Kazi, said that cases against girls are generally from remote areas of Goa where the migrant community is high.

“Families push their girl child into domestic services, which are in violation of child rights. This is mostly with people below poverty line…nonetheless, we have stressed awareness at remote places where not only migrants but few locals are also unaware of these rights,” she said.

Republicans talk about me like a dog: Obama AGENCIES WASHINGTON, SEPT 7

US President Barack Obama has caused quite a flutter by accusing his Republican opponents of talking about him "like a dog" at a rally to launch his embattled Democratic party's election campaign.

"Some powerful interests who had been dominating the agenda in Washington for a very long time and they're not always happy with me," he said addressing a union crowd in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

"They talk about me like a dog. That's not in my prepared remarks, but it's true," he told the union crowd straying from his prepared remarks to take a more aggressive tone in campaign mode.

"They're betting that between now and November, you'll (vot-

Al Qaeda says it carried out Baghdad raid REUTERS BAGHDAD, SEPT 7

Al Qaeda's Iraqi affiliate claimed responsibility today for a daylight raid by suicide bombers on an army base in central Baghdad in which 12 people died.

US forces became involved in Sunday's fighting less than a week after formally ending combat operations in Iraq.

The Islamic State of Iraq, an umbrella group for al Qaedalinked insurgents, said in a statement posted on a radical Islamic website that five suicide bombers were involved.

The first attacker blew up an explosives-laden vehicle at the back gate of the military compound and four attackers wearing suicide vets and armed with assault rifles and grenades then stormed the compound and occupied a building, it said. ''The engagement lasted inside the compound more than an hour, when the crusaders' planes and some of their patrols became engaged,'' the ISI statement said.

ers) come down with a case of amnesia," Obama said in the speech less than two months ahead of elections where Democratic majorities in the House and Senate are on stake.

"They (Republicans) think you'll forget what their agenda did to this country. They think you'll just believe that they've changed. These are the folks whose policies helped devastate our middle class and drive our economy into a ditch. And now they're asking you for the keys back," he said with some bitterness, alluding to the recent tirade launched against him by his critics.

Independents back Gillard to form govt PTI MELBOURNE, SEPT 7

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard's Labour party today won the support of two king-maker independents and would be forming a minority government with their support.

To n y W i n d s o r a n d Ro b Oakeshott, the two independent lawmakers, said that they will support the Labour party, ending weeks of political instability following a hung parliament, first since 1940.

"I intend with my vote, for what it's worth, to support the Labour Party," Windsor told reporters in Canberra.

Oakeshott said his decision depended on which party would be able to run a stable and long parliament.

Earlier, the other key independent MP Bob Katter had announced his support for opposition leader Tony Abbott.

Labour now controls 76 votes in Parliament's 150-member lower house, with the Coalition on 74.

The three MPs arrived at Parliament House in Canberra this morning for consideration of "final documents" from both Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott.

After delivering a long speech,

Oakeshott finally confirmed his support for Labour.

"I did not try and make it all about... my wants and needs," he said, adding "This is for 20 years of vision."

"To miss the opportunity for millions of Australians, I thought was too good an opportunity to miss," Windsor said.

Oakeshott said his support for Gillard was not an endorsement of her and Labour and said both the electorate and the independents were "thoroughly unimpressed" with both major parties.

"I want to be very clear and up-front that this is not a mandate for any government," Oakeshott said.

"This parliament is going to be different. No one party has dominance over the executive or the parliament. This is a hard decision, there is no question about it," Oakeshott said, adding the decision on who to support was extremely close.

"This could not get any closer," he said. "My four and six year old are split on this."

Oakeshott said Gillard's first task was to bring Australia together.

He also vowed to "turbocharge" regional Australia with a promised package for the bush.

Angelina Jolie meets Pak flood victims PTI PESHAWAR/ISLAMABAD, SEPT 7

Hollywood star and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie today toured flood-affected areas in northwest Pakistan and met victims of the unprecedented deluge, including relatives of Pakistani-American terror suspect Faisal Shahzad.

Jolie, who recently donated USD 100,000 for relief efforts, is visiting Pakistan to draw global attention to the plight of over 20 million people affected by the country's worst floods and the need for continuing aid for the displaced.

After witnessing the devastation caused by the floods, Jolie said she would make all possible efforts to raise funds for the victims.

During her visit to KhyberPakhtunkhwa province, Jolie toured a relief camp at Risalpur in Nowshera district and inspected the flood-hit ancestral home of Faisal Shahzad at Mohib Banda, 20 km east of provincial capital Peshawar.

The outer walls of the Shahzad family's house collapsed due to the floods.

Jolie went to the 'hujra' (guesthouse) of Kifayat Khan, a close relative of Shahzad, who was arrested by US authorities for a botched car bombing in New York's Times Square.

Jolie remained at the hujra for some time and met elders of the area.

She also addressed a gathering of women in Mohib Banda, one of the areas in the northwest hit hardest by the floods.

The 35-year-old star, whose latest Hollywood hit 'Salt' is set

for release in Pakistan during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr festival, interacted with people in the relief camp at Risalpur, especially women and children.

Jolie, who was accompanied by officials of UN agencies, distributed food and relief materials among the children.

During Jolie's visit to another refugee camp at Azakhel in Nowshera, Afghan refugees sought her help in persuading the Pakistan government to let them remain in the country for another 15 years.

Afghan elders called on Jolie to ask the US and UNHCR to help extend their tenure in Pakistan as they were not in a position to go back to Afghanistan.

They also said conditions in Afghanistan were not conducive to their return as the Taliban had recently slaughtered three of their fellow refugees.

A UNHCR representative said that according to an agreement reached between the Pakistan government and the UN, the Afghan refugees can stay only till 2012.

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Biz12:Pg12 9/7/2010 9:37 PM Page 1

BIZ

Pg12

GOA, WEDNESDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER, 2010

No approval yet, Govt writes to SEBI

Vedanta but stopped short of open offer for acquisition of a saying that the deal was con- further 20 per cent from miThe government has written to tingent upon government ap- nority shareholders of Cairn market regulator SEBI saying proval.

India.

Cairn Energy Plc's deal to sell The letter to SEBI asserts majority stake in its Indian arm Government's right to vet a CAIRN-VEDANTA DEAL to Vedanta Resources does not change of ownership of a yet have its approval, a condi- company operating fields like As per Vedanta's offer docution contingent for the USD the giant Mangala oilfield in ment, September 7 was the 8.48 billion deal to consum- Rajasthan, which is at the cen- last date for any company to mate. tre of Cairn Energy's deal with make a counter offer to minorThe Oil Ministry has also Vedanta. ity shareholders of Cairn India, written to Cairn Energy asking It further asserts that the they said adding SEBI was yet the Edinburgh-based firm to deal will have to comply with to approve of the open offer. make formal applications for regulations under Production Sources said SEBI may ask approval of transfer of owner- Sharing Contracts (PSCs) for for further details of the deal ship in each of the 10 proper- the 10 properties which make and may direct Vedanta to ties where Cairn India holds an government or partner state- make more disclosures so that interest through a complex owned ONGC approval prereq- an investor can make an inmaze of 31 subsidiaries, none uisite for any stake sale, formed decision when the of whom are incorporated in sources said. open offer opens on October India.

When contacted, Oil Secre- 11.

Sources in know said the Oil tary S Sundareshan said the JM Financial, the sole manMinistry wrote to the Securi- government will consider ager of the offer on behalf of ties and Exchange Board of Cairn's stake sale as and when THL Aluminum Ltd and India (SEBI) soon after Cairn they apply for approval. He de- Vedanta Resources Plc, along Energy Plc CEO Bill Gammell's clined comments on letter to with Sesa Goa, being a person August 26 letter that painted a SEBI. acting in concert, may be asked "rosy picture" of its transaction The ministry made no sug- to make additional disclosures to sell up to 51 per cent in gestions to SEBI on how it as part of the public announceCairn India to London-listed should proceed on Vedanta's ment.

Sources said Cairn has so far TALK BUSINESS stated that its deal with Vedanta was a corporate transaction involving only share transfer and there would be no change in status of Cairn India which will continue to operate PANJIM (HBD) – Chowgule Industries Pvt Ltd (CIPL), a Chowgule group company, operating in the auto space is celebrating its Silver Jubilee.

Since its inception in the year 1986 under the leadership of Padma Chowgule, the dealership of Maruti vehicles today has a PTI strong sales team and efficient service personnel headed by TeNEW DELHI, SEPT 7 jashri Pai. After setting up a state-of-the-art workshop, Chowgule started Liberalisation of the economy their first True value outlet in Panjim in the year 2003. The initia- notwithstanding, two-third of tive allows a hassle free exchange and used cars for the customers. Indians blame economic Chowgule opened a new wing in Tivim Industrial Estate, Mapusa growth for the widening divide with sales, service and bodyshop in the year 2005. This step between the rich and the poor, helped the prospective client to approach a closer Maruti Suzuki according to a survey. dealership and helped the existing customers of ‘in and around’ Mapusa to service their vehicle in close vicinity.

Now, Chowgule has established a facility in Chicalim, Vasco. In year 2009, Chowgule started another True Value outlet in Davorlim. Then, in the beginning of 2010, they started a state-of-art Maruti Driving School in Margao.

Today, a record breaking sales figure of 627 Maruti vehicles sold in the month of August 2010. True value sold 153 used cars in a AGENCY month and the driving school has already trained 170 drivers in 6 NEW DELHI, SEPT 7 months.

The Delhi High Court Monday dismissed a plea of a private company to use the brand name 'Mother Dairy' for its milk products.

The court passed the direcPANJIM (HBD) -- Coca-Cola India, tion on the plea of Maa Baisthe official beverage partner of navi Enterprises, saying that the 2010 Commonwealth Games the firm would not be allowed announced the launch of its new to use the brand name till Visual Identity System (VIS) and Mother Dairy's petition on logo for the Games in Delhi. trademark violation is decided.

Conceptualized on the plat'This court is of the opinion form of “Go Dilli, Let Sports that the interim injunction Win”, the new VIS encourages people to participate in and supgranted on Jan 1, 2009 should port the XIX Commonwealth be confirmed in its terms and Games and ensure the triumph of bind the defendants till final sports and sportsman spirit over decision in the suit,' said Justice all else. This new identity and an extensive outdoor campaign will S. Ravindra Bhat while dismissbe used to activate all competition and non-competition venues ing the plea. of the Commonwealth Games including the Games venues, trainThe court had in January last ing venues, Games village etc. year allowed a petition of The Visual Identity system has been developed for Coca-Cola Mother Dairy, a wholly-owned India by ‘Iconologic’, a brand design firm in the USA. The new visubsidiary of the National Dairy sual identity has been inspired by the Chakra in Commonwealth Games Logo, the cultural symbol of celebration - ‘Ambi or Paisley’ Development Cooperation, and the architecture of Lotus temple in Delhi. The visual identity seeking an interim order rewill be integrated extensively in packaging, point of sale materials, straining Maa Baisnavi from product delivery trucks, equipments, and out of home media. The unauthorised use of its trade campaign for the games has been developed by McCann Erickson. mark in Jharkhand.

PTI NEW DELHI, SEPT 7

CIPL celebrates Silver Jubilee

as an independent firm.

But the ministry was concerned about Vedanta's lack of experience in highly skill based oil exploration business and wants to scrutinise how the new management would operate complex reservoirs like the Rajasthan fields.

"Government has asked them to apply for formal approvals. As and when such application reaches us, we will examine it on proper merit," Sundareshan said.

Cairn India has 30 subsidiaries, seven of which are incorporated in Australia, two in Mauritius, one each in Jersey, British Virgin Islands and Singapore and nine each in United Kindgon and the Netherlands.

It also has a Sri Lankan subsidiary which holds its interest in the North West Sri Lanka offshore exploration block.

Gammell had on August 26 written to Sundareshan that the proposed sale of majority stake "will not adversely affect the performance or obligations under the various Production Sharing Contracts (signed by Cairn India) nor be contrary to the interests of India."

Also, Vedanta has promised continuity in operations at Cairn India, which will remain

SpiceJet to go international

independent, he wrote adding it along with Vedanta was willing to company with any reasonable condition of the government to ensure performance of Cairn India's contractual liabilities.

Cairn India holds 70 per cent in the Rajasthan block that holds 6.5 billion barrels of oil reserves besides two other producing properties - Ravva oil and gas field in the eastern offshore and CB-OS/2 block in western offshore Cambay basin, and seven exploration areas. For all of these, it has signed PSCs with the government.

"Some of these PSCs have specific provisions requiring the consent of the Government of India in the event of a change of control. Cairn India is committed to complying with all such contractual obligations," Gammell wrote.

"Both Cairn Energy Plc and Vedanta Resources Plc are willing to comply with any reasonable conditions of the Government of India/Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas as may be necessary in the circumstances to ensure performance by Cairn India of its obligations under the PSCs," Gammell said.

REUTERS MUMBAI, SEPT 7

Budget carrier SpiceJet Ltd said on Tuesday it will launch its international services to Nepal and Sri Lanka in October this year. SpiceJet will flag off its first international flight from Delhi to Kathmandu, Nepal on Oct 7.

This will be followed by flight services from Chennai to Colombo on Oct 9, it said in a statement.

Subbarao for more pay to PSB officials PTI MUMBAI, SEPT 7

Amidst debate over high compensations offered to bank executives, RBI Governor D Subbarao today made a strong case for increasing the compensatory packages of public sector bank (PSB) officials.

"There is a good reason to revise their (PSB executives) compensatory packages. If they are required to compete with private banks, we have to increase the pay packages," Subbarao said at a banking conference organised by the IBA and FICCI here.

Subbarao also warned of attrition in PSBs, saying, "PSBs will lose talent to the private sector."

2/3 blame Eco growth for widening rich-poor gap: survey

Mother Dairy brand name denied to Co

Coca-Cola unveils identity for CWG

Sensex rises 85 pts PTI MUMBAI, SEPT 7

Extending gains from its highest level in 31 months, the BSE benchmark Sensex today climbed 85 points, fulled by a continued rise in Reliance Industries and a smart rally in cement stocks.

Rising for the second consecutive session, the Bombay Stock Exchange’s 30-share barometer settled the day higher by 85.01 points, or 0.46 per cent, at 18,612.20 — its best close since February, 2008.

Trading on Dalal Street was choppy and at one point of trade, the Sensex touched a high of 18,711.20, but profit-booking shaved off some gains. The market also lost some steam on account of the absence of positive cues from Asian and European markets, brokers said.

Aban Offshor, 808, 828.4, 806.05, 817.95 Abb Ltd., 783.1, 789, 782.1, 784.45 Abg Shipyard, 238.9, 249.7, 236.15, 244.1 Acc Limited, 905, 969.9, 900.6, 961.95 Adani Enterp, 656.2, 662, 651.05, 655.2 Aditya Birla, 839, 849, 835.05, 839.8 Allahabad Ba, 223.8, 224.5, 218.9, 219.9 Alstom Proje, 723.2, 735.6, 721.55, 726.75 Ambuja Cemen, 126.55, 137.8, 126.2, 136 Andhra Bank, 156.7, 156.7, 153.45, 154.75 Ashok Leylan, 76.2, 76.2, 74.15, 74.3 Asian Paints, 2864, 2891.5, 2835.25, 2853.95 Axis Bank Li, 1396, 1406.4, 1377, 1397.5 Bajaj Hindus, 118.5, 122.75, 118.5, 122.1 Bank Of Baro, 820.6, 836.9, 820.6, 829.65 Bank Of Indi, 462, 467.7, 458.1, 460.3 Beml Limited, 1200, 1210, 1173.2, 1188 Bharat Elect, 1740.65, 1759.9, 1720.1, 1726.6 Bharat Forge, 368.1, 371.5, 362, 363.25 Bharat Petro, 740, 773.45, 740, 758.25 Bharti Airte, 345.9, 347.3, 341.1, 343.55 Bhel, 2450, 2453.7, 2421.5, 2434.05

Almost 63 per cent of people believe that poverty, slums and urban squalor would continue to dominate the landscape even after 20 to 25 years from now, the survey, presented at a roundtable on tracking the progress of millen-

nium development goals (MDGs) here, said.

The survey revolving around poverty-related issues covered 5,000 people across the country. Two third of them said that "poverty is that one thing that brings down India's image".

The participants deliberated on the successes achieved in different sectors including reducing poverty and bringing improvement in the health sector in the country as envisaged in the MDGs. Attended by stakeholders

from different voluntary organisations, the meeting also sought to bring forth key issue which could be taken up at the ensuing United Nations summit in New York in September 20-22, being attended by heads of states to review

to raise Banks' margins may slip, DLF Rs 3K cr via sale of assets focus on i-banking REUTERS MUMBAI, SEPT 7

Indian banks' outstanding mortgages are expected to cross 40 trillion rupees by 2020 but margins will see downward pressure making fee income more important for profitability, according to a banking report released at an industry event on Tuesday.

Margins are likely to slip as wholesale debt markets deepen and corporate customers access the wholesale markets directly, according to the report released by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Boston Consulting Group and Indian Banks' Association.

State-run banks see a higher likelihood of their margins being squeezed as compared to private sector or foreign banks, it said, adding net interest margins (NIM) of public sector banks have consistently declined,

Bhushan Stee, 1909.9, 1921.9, 1875.05, 1892.75 Biocon Limit, 345, 349.85, 340.5, 348.05 Bombay Dyein, 613.75, 628.25, 610.9, 619.85 Bosch Limite, 6348.9, 6508, 6291, 6359.95 Brigade Ente, 137.6, 145.8, 137.6, 140.45 Cairn India, 336, 336.8, 332.5, 333.75 Canara Bank, 540, 542.9, 532.55, 538.7 Central Bank, 185, 185, 179, 179.8 Century Text, 512, 528.7, 504.2, 522.35 Cesc Ltd, 401, 403, 396.3, 399.55 Chambal Fert, 73, 73.9, 72, 72.8 Chennai Petr, 241.05, 244, 240.2, 242.15 Cipla Ltd, 311, 315.4, 309.1, 312.95 Colgate Palm, 826.05, 830.25, 821.3, 823.85 Container Co, 1310, 1358, 1310, 1323.4 Crompton Gre, 306, 320.5, 303.65, 313.8 Cummins Indi, 733.65, 737.85, 717.25, 724.8 Dabur India, 212, 216.9, 211.5, 215.9 Deccan Chron, 131.4, 134.95, 129.6, 133.4 Dish Tv Indi, 55.5, 56.75, 55.3, 56.2 Divi’s Labor, 765, 769.9, 757.35, 762.2 Dlf Limited, 319, 321.9, 314.75, 316

reflecting a "pessimistic view on future margins adopted by the public sector."

NIMs have grown from a little less than 2.5 percent to about 3 percent for private sector banks, but public sector banks have seen margins dropping from about 3.2 percent to under 2.5 percent, it showed.

However, "as yields in large corporate banking fall with further deepening of wholesale debt markets, the banking industry in India will find cost-effective ways to serve the small and medium enterprises customers where yields are quite high."

Infrastructure is likely to occupy a larger share of balance sheets with banks estimated to have accumulated infrastructure assets worth 20-25 trillion rupees on their books by 2020.

This would touch 12-15 percent of total advances, the re-

Dr. reddy’s, 1432, 1445.7, 1417.1, 1431.75 Edelweiss Ca, 52, 52.5, 49.55, 50.45 Educomp Solu, 566.1, 577.5, 564.3, 569.95 Eih Limited, 143, 149.8, 143, 145.3 Engineers In, 344, 352.4, 343.1, 348.95 Essar Oil Lt, 127.5, 129.9, 127.1, 127.75 Essar Shippi, 109, 112.7, 107.3, 111.45 Exide Indust, 165, 165, 158.65, 159.15 Federal Bank, 352.9, 365, 352.5, 358.35 Financial Te, 1372.9, 1411.95, 1358.4, 1402.75 Gail (india), 470.2, 473.6, 460.25, 465.6 Gammon India, 217.85, 224.75, 215.3, 220.3 Glaxosmithkl, 1919, 1931, 1915, 1916.8 Glenmark Pha, 282.5, 284.9, 279.05, 280.25 Gmr Infrastr, 58.6, 59, 58.1, 58.45 Godrej Indus, 217, 236.9, 215.3, 230.75 Grasim Indus, 2115, 2222.2, 2091.2, 2195.05 Great Offsho, 404.8, 404.8, 393, 399.2 Gtl Infra.Lt, 45.45, 45.75, 44.65, 45.45 Gujarat Mine, 129.8, 137.65, 129.8, 135.6 Gujarat N R, 61, 66, 61, 65.5 Gujarat Stat, 122, 124, 120.7, 121.15

Gvk Pow. & I, 49.15, 49.8, 48.45, 48.6 Hcl Technolo, 405, 407.9, 399, 401.85 Hdfc Bank Lt, 2216, 2216, 2182.55, 2199.1 Hdfc Ltd, 638.7, 638.7, 627, 633 Hero Honda M, 1705, 1728, 1704, 1708.85 Hindalco in, 177.5, 182.75, 177.5, 180.7 Hindustan Co, 61.1, 63.25, 60.8, 61.55 Hindustan Ma, 77.95, 79.6, 76.5, 77.15 Hindustan Pe, 519, 524, 513.35, 515.3 Hindustan Un, 272.5, 272.5, 269.3, 270.65 Hindustan Zi, 1095, 1139, 1095, 1107.9 Housing Dev, 277.1, 278.25, 272.15, 274.85 Icici Bank L, 1040, 1049.15, 1033.15, 1038.6 Idea Cellula, 72.45, 75, 72.1, 74.05 Ifci Ltd, 60.9, 61.7, 60.1, 60.4 India Cement, 106.7, 118.9, 106, 116.35 India Infoli, 100, 102, 98.4, 99.2 Indiabulls F, 147.85, 151, 146.5, 149.65 Indiabulls R, 181, 183.05, 175.3, 176.6 Indian Bank, 256.2, 259.45, 253.2, 255.45 Indian Hotel, 107.65, 107.9, 105.6, 106.6 Indian Oil C, 428.95, 429.3, 424.4, 426.3 Indian Overs, 131, 136.5, 131, 135.85

port said.

"The real challenge for banks would be to develop skills to undertake the risks of long gestation infrastructure projects and manage concentration risk in infrastructure."

According to the report, India's investment banking will be amongst the fastest growing segments in the banking industry rising from 4 percent to 7 percent of the entire corporate banking revenue pool.

Larger corporate customers are expected to demand higher support for international expansion and mergers and acquisitions over the next decade.

Besides, with wholesale debt markets deepening, larger corporate would avail of advisory and capital markets services from banks, ensuring a "shift in revenue pool from traditional corporate banking to investment banking and advisory," it added.

Indus Dev Ba, 129, 130.9, 126.2, 127.15 Indusind Ban, 235.3, 235.95, 232.1, 233.6 Infosys Tech, 2840, 2872.9, 2810.2, 2864.95 Infra. dev., 184, 188.15, 183.25, 184.15 Ispat Indust, 20, 20.7, 20, 20.25 Itc Ltd, 166, 167.25, 164.8, 166.2 Ivrcl Infras, 161.5, 163.85, 160.25, 160.7 Jai Corp Lim, 269, 272, 264.1, 265.35 Jaiprakash A, 114, 120.35, 114, 118.7 Jet Airways, 743, 774.65, 741, 753.35 Jindal Saw L, 218, 218.9, 213, 215.45 Jindal Steel, 696, 711.3, 693.25, 707.95 Jsw Steel Li, 1197, 1226.9, 1197, 1219.2 Kotak Mahind, 839.2, 856.35, 835.95, 848.8 Lakshmi Mach, 2427.5, 2461.2, 2381.15, 2393.6 Lanco Infrat, 71.5, 71.65, 69.35, 69.75 Larsen & Tou, 1849, 1888.7, 1845.2, 1876.25 Lic Housing, 1218, 1222, 1186, 1192.55 Lupin Limite, 373, 374.5, 365, 368.3 Mahanagar Te, 63.95, 64.85, 63.35, 63.75 Mahindra & M, 615, 639.95, 615, 629.25 Maruti Suzuk, 1305, 1328.75, 1304.45, 1315.4 Max India Lt, 159.8, 159.95, 154.55, 155.35

PTI NEW DELHI, SEPT 7

DLF said it plans to raise up to Rs 3,000 crore in the next 1218 months through sale of noncore assets for reducing its net debt. "We are looking at reducing our debt through internal accruals, which would include offloading of our holdings in non-core assets," DLF Group CFO Ashok Tyagi said. The company's net debt stood at Rs 18,463 crore at the end of the June-quarter and it plans to cut the debt through operational cash flows and sale of non-core assets, which includes land meant for hotels.

"In the June quarter, we have offloaded non-core assets worth Rs 300 crore. We plan to raise Rs 2,200-3,000 crore in the current fiscal," Tyagi said.

DLF, the country''s largest realty firm, had targeted to raise Rs 5,500 crore through sale of non-core assets. In last fiscal, the company had raised Rs 1,800 crore and decided to retain wind power business worth Rs 1,000 crore.

Maytas Infr., 212.2, 216.6, 209.55, 210.85 Moser-baer (, 66, 68.7, 65.65, 68 Mrpl, 77.75, 79, 77.4, 77.7 Nagarjuna Co, 160.1, 161.45, 159, 159.65 Nagarjuna Fe, 31.7, 31.8, 31.15, 31.4 National Alu, 400.4, 411.35, 400.4, 406.85 Neyveli Lign, 163, 163.1, 160.3, 161.2 Ntpc Ltd, 196.9, 200.7, 196.15, 199.65 Oil And Natu, 1357.4, 1364.75, 1343, 1353.65 Omaxe Limite, 131, 134, 130.15, 131.8 Oriental Ban, 444, 444, 432.3, 435.7 Pantaloon Re, 482.05, 496.5, 481, 488.25 Parsvnath De, 141, 142.15, 137.75, 139.15 Petronet Lng, 117.15, 117.95, 113.7, 114.05 Power Fin Co, 353.8, 355.35, 345.05, 346.2 Power Grid C, 108.5, 108.5, 106.25, 106.7 Praj Industr, 77.05, 78.25, 76.4, 76.95 Punj Lloyd L, 112, 114.3, 111.8, 112.3 Punjab Natio, 1215.3, 1225, 1204.65, 1218.55 Rajesh Expor, 90.9, 92.3, 90.7, 91.95 Ranbaxy Labs, 517, 523.35, 506.25, 508.65 Rashtriya Ch, 86.35, 86.7, 84.1, 84.45

progress of the MDGs. The survey said that 60 per cent Indians think the extent of poverty in the country could be more than 50 per cent while one third said that poverty is underestimated in India and government should spent more to alleviate poverty.

More than six out of ten feel that government should distribute free food to prevent abject poverty, the survey said.

Launched in 2001, the MDGs are eight international development goals, including reducing extreme poverty, that all the 192 UN member States have agreed to achieve by the year 2015. At the New York summit, each country will be required to present its action plan to meet targets.

BOARD MEETINGS Venus Ventures ITI Mini Diamonds Source: Indiainfoline.com

Rel. nat. re, 39.45, 39.9, 39, 39.15 Reliance Cap, 789.7, 803.7, 789, 794.9 Reliance Com, 163.1, 164.7, 162.25, 163.15 Reliance Ene, 1089, 1092.9, 1070.55, 1074 Reliance Ind, 888.6, 908, 881, 884.1 Reliance Ind, 955, 969.7, 953, 962.3 Reliance Pow, 158.6, 159.95, 156.65, 157.7 Rolta India, 170.05, 170.3, 166.65, 169.3 Satyam Compu, 94, 96.75, 92.7, 94.25 Sesa Goa Ltd, 325, 325, 318, 319.55 Shipping Cor, 166.5, 169.5, 165.15, 167.45 Siemens Ltd, 719.8, 719.8, 703.1, 712.7 Sintex Indus, 379, 379, 373.1, 375.55 Sobha Develo, 365, 373.7, 361.65, 371.5 State Bank O, 2861.05, 2862.45, 2828.2, 2837.05 Steel Author, 196.25, 199.5, 196, 197.7 Sterlite Ind, 163, 167.15, 163, 164.45 Sun Pharmace, 1735, 1746, 1720, 1722.75 Sun Tv Netwo, 496.8, 509.9, 494.5, 507.2 Suzlon Energ, 51.05, 52.5, 50.35, 51.7 Tata Communi, 340, 345.9, 338.05, 338.5 Tata Consult, 858, 874.9, 856, 871.35

Tata Motors, 1033, 1060.5, 1033, 1039.15 Tata Power C, 1285, 1285, 1262.15, 1270.1 Tata Steel L, 573.2, 584.45, 570.25, 576.4 Tata Teleser, 23.2, 23.5, 23.05, 23.15 Tech Mahindr, 710, 720.45, 702.4, 707.4 The Ge Shpg., 317.9, 320.8, 313.55, 315.9 The Phoenix, 243, 254.9, 243, 247.45 Thermax Ltd, 795, 814, 790, 792.45 Titan Indust, 3045, 3045, 3001, 3003.9 Torrent Powe, 341, 347.6, 337.75, 341.5 Triveni Engg, 101.05, 104.5, 100.5, 103.9 Tv18 India L, 95, 96.5, 94, 94.1 Uco Bank, 116.1, 118.45, 115.8, 116.3 Ultratech Ce, 925.9, 1000, 925.9, 994.2 Union Bank O, 347.95, 347.95, 340.85, 342.3 Unitech Ltd, 83.7, 83.7, 81.1, 81.7 United Phosp, 188.3, 188.8, 183.7, 184.05 Videocon Ind, 267.7, 269.3, 251.7, 264.5 Vijaya Bank, 81, 84.9, 81, 83.5 Voltas Ltd, 223.9, 223.9, 210.3, 217.7 Wipro Ltd, 406.95, 409.65, 403.15, 408.25 Yes Bank Lim, 323.9, 324.65, 316.9, 317.6 Zee Entertai, 293.95, 298.25, 289.15, 292.95

OHERALDO

Biz13_Layout 1 9/8/2010 12:49 AM Page 1

Pg13

BIZ

GOA, WEDNESDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER, 2010

LAUNCH PAD

Non sparking tools from Taparia PANJIM (HBD) -- Taparia Tools, an ISO – 9001 accredited company, has started manufacturing a wide range of non-sparking safety tools, which provide protection against fire and explosions in environments where inflammable solvents, fuel and certain inflammable gases are present.

Non-Sparking Tools are non-magnetic and corrosion-resistant which makes them best suited for highly technical applications.

Non-Sparking Tools help in protecting the workmen and plant from fire related accidents.

Recently Taparia Tools Ltd, also introduced ‘magnetic products’ such as mini magnetic trays, rectangular magnetic trays, rectangular magnetic tray with three magnets, magnetic charger, magnetic wrist collector, magnetic quick clamp etc.

The company, apart from a fully equipped factory located at Nashik, which is about 190 km from the city of Mumbai, has a unit at Goa too.

Taparia Tools are exported to countries including the U.K., the U.S.A., Denmark, Sweden, the collaborators country, Norwey, Dubai, Hongkong, Thailand, Argentina etc. to name a few.

Taparia manufactures various types of hand tools in a number of different sizes adjustable wrenches, screw driver sets, line testers, combination pliers, princers, hammers, socket accessories and sets, c-clamps, pipe wrenches, punches, tool kit sets; utility sets/ home tool kits,vice grip pliers; DE spanners etc.

MetLife’s new ULIP product NEW DELHI (PTI) -- MetLife India Insurance Company today launched a new equity-linked insurance product, Met Smart Platinum, which complies with new IRDA guidelines. Met Smart Platinum is a market linked product and is targetted at individuals to meet the changing financial needs at various stages in their life.

The plan covers and individual till 99 years of age, the company said in a statement. "Customer centricity has been the mainstay of MetLife and we have always designed products that meet the financial and protection requirements of customers.

Met Smart Platinum also aligns with the recent IRDA ULIP regulations," MetLife Managing Director Rajesh Relan said. The product offers the customers the option to choose the distribute allocation of desired percentages of their investment between a high risk fund (Flexi Cap) and a low risk fund (Protector II) depending upon their risk appetite, the statement added.

"The flexibility offered to the customers by Met Smart Platinum allows them to make top-up investments apart from allowing partial withdrawals in case the customer needs emergency liquidity of funds. The plan also allows customers to increase and decrease the life coverage depending upon their changing lifestyle needs as they cross different stages of their life," it added.

MetLife currently has over 55,000 financial advisers and bancassurance distribution channel offering products to 17 million customers. As per the new IRDA guidelines effective from September 1, the commission paid to distributors and expenses charged by insurers will no longer be front-loaded and will be distributed over the lock-in period of the schemes, which has been raised to five years from three years earlier.

Currently ULIP products account for about 80 per cent of the total premium collected by the 23 private life insurance companies. The new guidelines from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) would protect ULIP-holders from mis-selling by agents and onerous commissions are likely to make the equity-linked instruments more investor-friendly.

China wants foothold in South Asia, says PM REUTERS NEW DELHI, SEPT 7

India must be prepared for a newly-assertive China that wants a foothold in South Asia, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said, in a rare open criticism of the Asia giant competing for regional resources and geopolitical clout.

"China would like to have a

India Inc, economists slam strikes AGENCY KOLKATA, SEPT 7

As West Bengal slipped into yet another unproductive day Tuesday, thanks to a national strike called by trade unions, industrialists and economists felt that such shutdowns only inconvenienced people and led to loss of business.

Sanjay Budhia, chairman, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) National Committee on Exports, told IANS: 'Bandhs (shutdowns) mean loss of business (both present and future), loss of face and a lot of inconvenience.'

foothold in South Asia and we have to reflect on this reality," Singh was quoted as saying by The Times of India on Tuesday. "We have to be aware of this."

"There is a new assertiveness among the Chinese. it is difficult to tell which way it will go.

So it's important to be prepared."

The newspaper also quoted Singh as saying that China could use India's "soft underbelly" of Kashmir and Pakistan "to keep India in low level equilibrium."

An official at the prime minister's office, on condition of anonymity, said the newspaper quotes were correct.

The comments follow repeated diplomatic sparring between the two Asian powers over the last two years. This tension has heightened in the last month.

While trade has grown 30fold since 2000, the tension

highlights how economic ties alone may not be enough to resolve the two countries grow-

ing friction over their disputed borders and role as emerging global powers.

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Pg14

Getting Set to Welcome Lord Ganesh

BY JANICE RODRIGUES HERALD FEATURES anesh Chaturthi, one of the biggest Hindu festivals in the Konkan region, is celebrated with great pomp in every home. And the grandeur of the festival doesn’t come easy; preparations for it start days in advance, sometimes even a month before the festival.

Whether it is the cleaning of the house or the selection of the various items involved in the festivities, every task calls for a lot of meticulous preparation. Be it the selection of the idol of Lord Ganesh, the making or the ‘Makkar’ or the setting up of the ‘Dekhava’ and ‘Matoli’, the whole household is busy with some chore or the other. “Before anything, we start with the cleaning of the house, clearing the old things out and preparing the house to welcome Lord Ganesh,” says Ashwari Govenkar from Porvorim. Many houses are painted and rearranged in order to make the house presentable for the ‘puja’ and ‘aarti’.

“After the painting of the house, which is completed about two weeks before the festival, we start with the decoration of the house. The decorative lights are put up and so are the ‘foli’ or the crepe paper streamers, which can be seen in many households,” says Ashish Kamat.

“We also have to make the matoli which consists of various seasonal fruits and vegetable tied along with mango leaves to a frame,” he adds.

People living in apartments have celebrations on a smaller scale due to space constraints, the preparations involved also defer. “We start doing everything two days prior to the festival.

This includes cleaning the house, preparing the spot for the idol and making the modaks,” says Shradha Shahapukar from Vasco.

“We have to prepare for the Rangoli, that adorns the front yard of the house,” says Ashwari. From selecting the design for the day to deciding the colours for the art work, the whole process has to be thought of in advance to avoid last minute confusions. “There are many youngsters who don’t really know the art of rangoli, so they have to rely on the readymade deigns patterns and practise with that too,” says Ashwari.

The decorations seem to be on everyone minds, especially the guys, while the women of the house are busy in preparing the sweets. “The preparation to make ‘neureos’ and modaks

G

With Ganesh Chaturthi just a few days away, every Hindu household across the state is busy gearing up to welcome their beloved God into their homes. Herald takes note of the various preparations underway for the grand festival

have already begun,” says Ashwari, who joins in with the older women in making the sweets. The hustle of women rolling the dough and filling in the sweetened channa, rava or coconut, is a sight that is common in many households before any festival.

While the womenfolk are busy with the culinary duties, the men take up to the ritual ones. The males of every household are busy practising the bhajans and prayers while the younger ones are learning the rhythm of the ‘ghumat’ and the ‘tal’, reading the books about the various traditions and the prayers.

In all this preparatory work likes the fun element of every festival. Getting together and planning everything and then getting to work to have it all ready in time has its own sense of exhilaration and achievement. With busy hands and love in their hearts, everyone is giving their all to welcome their most loved Lord into their homes.

The Birth of Mary

Mother Mary to Me…

September 8 is one of the most important days for Catholics worldwide as the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated on this day. On this auspicious day, here’s a retelling of the story of the birth of the Mother of Jesus

BY ESTANISLAU FERNANDES ges ago, there lived a married couple, (Casal) Joachim and Anne, who even after years of marriage, did not have any children despite constantly praying for the gift of child. When the couple grew very old and having lost all hope of becoming parents, they decided to distribute all that they possessed amongst the poor and needy, and even did so willingly, rendering themselves the poor of the poorest.

One day, when Joachim was in deep meditation, an Angel of God appeared to him, saying, “I am the angel of the Lord. I come here to announce to you that your charity towards the poor and needy has been acceptable in the sight of Almighty God.” Thus, for her willing charity towards the poor, as per the promise of the Angel, Anne, though already old, gave birth to a child. This was no ordinary child but the chosen one whom they named Mary.

Mary’s whole life, right from birth and even after her marriage to Joseph, a carpenter by profession, was spent in poverty. Even though both of them belonged to the royal House of David, they always lived by the work of their hands.

Tested and gifted for her life of selflessness and purity,

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­H­O­R­O­S­C­O­P­E Health concerns of a loved one should inspire you to schedule an overdue checkup. Your ability (21 Mar – 19 Apr) to help others is greatly enhanced right now -- so while you may rather engage in your own business, you still need to make sure that friends and family know you're available.

Being self-sufficient is good, but it's also important to know when to ask for help. You need to (23 Sep – 22 Oct) relax and let the details of the day float out of your mind, if possible. Too many and you might find yourself too mentally exhausted to make dinner, much less make it through tonight's activities!

Be sure to show affection to those you love. A hug can transform someone's day. You need to meld (20 Apr – 20 May) with an audience of some sort today -- so attend a concert, hit the streets until you come across a busker or just listen to a live recording and see if you can let yourself go.

Sharing secrets is a great way to build (and test) trust in a growing relationship. Your easygoing (23 Oct – 21 Nov) energy is just right for hanging with friends -- though at least one of them has turned into a workaholic overnight. See if you can cajole them away from their rigid attitudes.

Make a point of touching base with your family today. A good time is long overdue. It's a great (21 May – 21 Jun) day to tackle that inbox -- you need to either trim it down to a manageable size or send out enough messages of your own to guarantee that it fills up to an acceptable level soon!

Scheduling a meeting with an authority figure will be difficult -- but keep trying! Slow down and (22 Nov – 21 Dec) consider all of your options, especially if you're freaking out over deadlines or competitors.

If you rush today, you are sure to have to backtrack soon and lose even more ground.

Clean up a space you use often -- your car, desk, bedroom. Clutter is distracting. Your ability (22 Jun – 22 Jul) to speak your mind is heightened right now -- and people are really listening! You may encounter some resistance, but it should be valid challenges instead of simple power plays.

You will find facts you need in some surprising locations. Search background files. You're (22 Dec – 19 Jan) thirsty for knowledge, so drink deeply of the Internet -- or the library, or even that one know-it-all friend of yours. Your great energy ensures that you can separate the good stuff from the bad.

If you're not more impulsive today, you could miss out on a great opportunity. Financial is(23 Jul – 22 Aug) sues -- especially those related to your monthly or annual budget -- are on the table right now, and you should have exactly the right mindset to deal with them appropriately.

To feel more grounded, reconnect with the earth and start a new gardening project. Today is perfect (20 Jan – 18 Feb) for emotional business, as you've got a more stable footing and ought to be able to handle even the trickiest of feelings. Your partner might not be so lucky, so try to be patient.

Tidy up some messes around you and you'll gain a great sense of accomplishment. You rack (23 Aug – 22 Sep) up another great achievement today, so take some time off to celebrate. It's a good time for you to hang out with friends or coworkers and make sure that everyone gets a little praise.

For once, you don't have to know all the facts beforehand -- just take the leap. You need to project (19 Feb – 20 Mar) your personality a bit more forcefully today -- so others know just where you stand. It may not be comfortable, but that's okay.

Sometimes it's important to say what's right.

Mary was then chosen to bring the Saviour of the World into being and once again, through a message of an Angel, Mary was informed that she would be the Mother of Christ. Her divine Son was born in a cattle stable during trying times and when presenting Him in the Temple, as per the customs, Her offering was that of a poor wo man not having anything even to buy a dove, while rich mothers were offering costly lambs and other valuables. After the death of Her husband Joseph, it is believed that she lived on the alms that were given to Jesus and Apostles.

Mary, the Mother of Jesus, after her triumphant Assumption to Heaven, many times appeared in several places around the world in different forms to bestow her salutary messages to humanity.

Mother Mary, a symbol of the Catholic Church, carries enumerable titles according to the wishes of the Church and her loving devotees. Mary lived an exemplary life of simplicity, love, faith, purity and devoutness and is a woman every human being should look up to. On this day, September 8, as the Church and its people celebrate the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, let us all learn from her divine life. Happy Birthday, Mother Mary.

BY NOMRATHA FERNANDES HERALD FEATURES passionate love for Mother Mary is felt among the people of Goa. Her birth, her life and her Assumption are celebrated with reverence in the state. Today, September 8, celebrates the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Herald presents excerpts from the people

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Andrea Dias, student “Mother Mary inspires me to go beyond my best. She is my strength and my pillar. I studied fashion designing and there were times when I had to think up a creative design in a limited period of time. I believe Mother Mary saw me through it all. Besides, even otherwise, I look up to her as a woman and always will.”

Patricia Pereira, student “She is a symbol of purity – white and beaming – on the outside and the inside. Unblemished and divine, the one word I will use to describe her is good. Her life is an example to the world. Through it we can derive hope.”

Kripa Narayan, student “She represents all mothers.”

Allister D’Sousa, student “Mother Mary is like a mother. I’ve been a bad son to her lately and haven’t really kept in touch with her. I will however resolve to change that. I feel her love and comfort every time I hear her name, just like one would truly feel comforted by one’s own mother.”

Akshay matches up to Sonam’s Standards

B

y standards we of course mean height! Lissome Sonam Kapoor is grateful to have a tall co-star in Akshay Kumar. As the two work together on the sets of 'Thank You', she says he is the most hardworking actor she has ever met.

“He's one actor I can wear high heels with! It's such a relief,” said Sonam.

“When I was signed to do 'Mausam' with Shahid Kapoor I remember I had gone to Pankaj Kapoor sir's office. Shahid measured my height. We were relieved when we were nearly the same height. In fact, he was slightly taller because of his hair.”

On the sets of 'Thank You', Akshay is quite amused each time Sonam walks in with her allgirl entourage.

“I travel with my four companions all the time. Akshay just grins each time he sees them.

I've never met anyone as hardworking as Akshay. He's ready before everyone else and rehearses each scene 50 times. And his comic timing is so hard to match.”

Luckily Sonam had done comedy, read 'Aisha', before joining Akshay in 'Thank You'.

“My comedy in 'Aisha' is very Lucille Ball, very Goldie Hawn. But in 'Thank You', I needed to drop all my inhibitions. I remember me and my girls had seen 'Houseful' and I asked one of my group, Tanya, to go to Akshay on the sets and do that scene where Arjun Rampal points to his eyes to say he was watching Akshay.

“When Tanya did that gesture, Akshay spontaneously did it back. He's such a sport and so cute. He has a great sense of humour and he knows so much on every topic.”

Sonam had the unit of 'Thank You' on hold in Toronto. They heaved a sigh of relief when she joined them.

Says Sonam: “I get along all with my co-stars because I don't get involved with them. Bobby Deol is so shy. His cousin Abhay is just the opposite. Abhay and Bobby are complete opposites.”

She admits she isn't in touch with her first co-star Ranbir Kapoor any longer. “We've both been working too hard. We aren't that much in touch. I'd love to work with him again.”

Johnny Depp and Girlfriend to star in ‘My American Lover’

H

ollywood actor Johnny Depp and his longtime girlfriend Vanessa Paradis will be seen together in a new film about feminist writer Simone De Beauvoir. While the French actress will play De Beauvoir in the film titled ‘My American Lover’, Depp is in negotiations to play her lover Nelson Algren.

“They’re still writing the script but the idea would be amazing because it’s such a beautiful story. You only know when you’re really actually shooting,” said Paradis.

The couple were previously cast together in Terry Gilliam’s ‘Don Quixote’, but the film could not be completed.

“We’ve had plenty of opportunities to work together. But I don’t know that I could do it... It’s something we don’t look for, otherwise it would’ve happened many times,” she said. “‘My American Lover’ came along and it might happen just because the story is great and why not if we can, but we don’t push things. Playing in front of one of the best actors in the world that we have and someone I know so well will be challenging,” she added.

Lifestyle

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Environment

GOA’S HEARTBEAT Wednesday, 8 Sept, 2010

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given a wet welcome amidst the pouring rain.

Azgaonkar after receiving the Baton, in his speech to the large audience numbering over 2000 people, urged the parents to encourage their children to take up sports activities adding that the government will give sufficient funds for developing of sports activities and also developing of playgrounds.

Others present were Dr Susana de Sousa, director of Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, Canacona MLA Vijay Pai Khot, Poinguinim MLA Ramesh Tawadkar, LoliemPolem Sarpanch Pranali Prabhugaonkar, Deputy Collector of Canacona, police officials and other government officers from various departments with their vehicles.

Elaborate security arrangement was made at the venue by the Canacona taluka law enforcing officers. Umbrellas, T-shirts and refreshments were distributed by the sponsors.

BY HERALD CORRESPONDENT, MARGAO elcomed by the bursting of crackers and blowing of the bugle , the eagerly anticipated Queen Baton’s Relay arrived to an enthusiastic reception at Margao.

On arrival incessant rains did not deter the turnout of school children. At the Margao Municipal Gardens, Chairperson of Margao Municipal Council Savio Coutinho welcomed the Queen’s Baton in the presence of councillors . It was the youngsters tryst with the Baton with footballer Brandon Fernandes, Shilton Fernandes, Alisha Afonso, table tennis player,Vasco Sports Club and Rome Olympian, Fortunato Franco.

With mascot ‘Shera’ waving from top of an open vehicle which played AR Rehman’s Games theme music in the back round the baton ventured into Ravindra Bhavan Additional Director General QBR Delhi handed the baton first to Chief Minister Digambar Kamat along side South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha , Sports Minister Babu Azgaonkar, Susana D’Souza , Director of Sports and Youth Affairs, SAG Executive Director VM Prabhudessai , Guruduta Bhakta and Sanjay Dutta. A cultural programme was also arranged at the Ravindra Bhavan.

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“I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it.”

– Groucho Marx DAILY GROOK LOST COST

by Francis Rodrigues many stray doggies once they're found, know their food is bought by the pound!

Instructions for Sudoku SUDOKU SOL 649 9 x 9 letter: To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in each of the nine vertical columns, in each of the nine horizontal rows and in each of the nine boxes

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INGS email us at: goasheartbeat@herald-goa.com

10:30 Sanjog Se Bani Sangini 11:00 Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi 11:30 Pavitra Rishta 12:00 Mera Naam Karegi Roshan 12:30 Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 13:00 Jhansi Ki Rani 13:30 Pavitra Rishta 14:00 Sanjog Se Bani Sangini 14:30 Mera Naam Karegi Roshan 15:00 Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi 15:30 Choti Bahu 16:00 Pavitra Rishta 16:30 Jhansi Ki Rani 17:00 Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 17:30 Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi 18:00 Sanjog Se Bani Sangini 18:30 Mera Naam Karegi Roshan 19:00 12/24 Karol Bagh 19:30 Choti Bahu 20:00 Jhansi Ki Rani 20:30 Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 21:00 Pavitra Rishta 21:30 Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi 22:00 Sanjog Se Bani Sangini

11:00 Lapataganj 11:30 Mrs. & Mr. Sharma Allahabadwale 12:00 Gutar Gu 12:30 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta 13:00 Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo 13:30 Papad Pol 14:00 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta…

14:30 Mrs. & Mr. Sharma Allahabadwale 15:00 Lapataganj 15:30 FIR 16:00 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta…

16:30 Papad Pol

09:00 The Cry of the Owl 11:05 Home Alone 13:10 Dragonball: Evolution 15:10 Rapid Fire 17:05 Who Framed Roger Rabbit 19:10 Jumper 21:00 Street Kings 23:05 Surrogates

10:15 Airplane Il: The Sequel 12:00 Crazy Eights 13:30 The International 16:00 Living Proof 17:45 TMZ 18:15 Spanglish 21:00 Sex and the City 23:45 Fast & Furious

10:00 Mile Jab Hum Tum

Pg15

Photo by Kathy Pereira

BY KATHY PEREIRA his is a historical event for all of us today,” declared Director of Sports Dr Susana de Souza while handing over the Queen’s baton to Canacona Mayor Shyam Dessai, after the convoy made its last halt at a high school at Char-Rasta.

Cheering and waving school students ceremoniously welcomed the baton which reached approximately 35 minutes late, and made a halt of around 8 minutes, 6 minutes in excess of the

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originally scheduled 2 minutes, as many of the people who were present scrambled to hold or simply touch the Queen’s baton.

The baton, after it was brought down the motorcade, was immediately handed over to the waiting Canacona Municipality Chairperson Shyam Dessai at the Shree Mallikarjun School Complex. Dessai raised the baton high, declaring, “This is a historical moment for all of us today.”

Large bouquets were offered to Dr Susana de Souza and the CMC Chairperson Dessai, by Shri Mallikarjun Headmaster, P T Rane, as various sports personalities present on the occasion persuaded the CMC Chairperson to take the baton along the school campus, where students in large numbers were cheering from the school buildings.

The baton was then handed over to the two international baseball players Nitisha Calangutkar and Bharati Gaonkar who, garbed in tracksuits, together held the baton for only a few seconds before someone pulled it from their hands and sat with it on one of the several motorcars accompanying the convoy which continued its journey.

WELCOMING SHOWERS AT SANTA MONICA JETTY...

Reacting to media reports over the preparations for the CWG to be held in Delhi, South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha said that all works at the respective stadiums would be completed before the start of the Games next month. Sardinha said that the Games would be a huge success in Delhi and every Indian would feel proud to be associated with the same. Minister for sports Babu Azgaokar addressing the gathering at Margao outlined the importance of sports in modern day education system.

Highlighting his list of achievements of introducing the Sports Policy in Goa, Azgaokar urged the Government to allocate separate budget provision for the Department of Sports on the lines of the education department even as he maintained that there should be no politics in sports affairs. Speaking to Herald, Additional Director of QBR Lt General Raj Kardyan said that he was overwhelmed to see the rousing welcome given to the Queens Baton by the people of Goa. Earlier Gurudata Bhakta welcomed the guests and Dr Susana de Sousa proposed vote of thanks.

Photos by Rozario Estibeiro

Special Evening to honour Queen’s Baton

Photo by Rozario Estibeiro

Special Postal Cover released on the occasion

BY CHRISTINA VIEGAS HERALD FEATURES special postal cover to commemorate the Queen’s Baton Relay traversing Goa was released at the hands of Governor S S Sidhu at a special function held by the Postal Department at the Dinnath Mangueshkar Kala Mandir, Kala Academy.

On this special occasion, post master general, Charles Lobo said, “We are proud to release this special philatelic cover depicting the cultural heritage, sportsmanship and natural beauty of Goa along with ‘Shera’, the mascot of the Games. A special cancellation design with the CWG emblem has also been effected and the special postal cover projects five Goan icons of the gold medal winning India hockey team at 1948 London Olympics – Leo Pinto, Walter D’ Sousa, Lawry Fernandes, Maxy Vaz and Reggie Rodrigues. The cover will be available from tomorrow at the Philatelic Bureau, Panjim.”

The moment of pride for Goans is the fact that this was designed by Goan artist Prakash Naik. Earlier, at the start of the function, Arjuna awardee, Bruno Coutinho received the Baton at the gates of KA and handed over the same to the governor, Dr S S Sidhu, honourable Speaker, Mr Pratapsingh Rane, Shripad Naik, MP-North Goa, S K Srivastava, Chief Secretary, Dr M Modassir, Mr Babu Azgaoncar, Sports Minister, Subash Shirodhar, President of Goa Olympic Association, Ms Caralino Po, CCP Chairperson. Also present were secretary of sports, Mr V M Prabhudesai, Director of Sports Authority of Goa, Dr Susana de Sousa, director of Department of Sports and Youth Affairs and other dignitaries.

The highlight of the evening was surely the high tech baton that occupied centre stage and gleamed with its slender look as it radiated the tri-colours. Lt Gen cardiani, additional director general, CWG gave the introductory homily in which he spoke about the Baton, “The Queen’s Baton of the upcoming Commonwealth Games 2010

08:00 Hulchul 11:50 Ghazab 15:55 Fun2shh 20:00 International Khiladi

09:30 Khilaaf 12:30 Humjoli 16:00 Patthar Aur Payal 20:00 Shaadi No. 1

09:55 Rat Race 12:10 Dark Blue 14:30 Kill Bill Vol. 1

16:40 The Secret Agent 18:40 Nurse Betty 21:00 Over Her Dead Body 23:05 Half Nelson

08:30 Ek Jwalamukhi 12:00 Ek Aur Himmatwala 16:00 Sanam Bewafa 20:00 Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hai 23:40 Pyar Ke Naam Qurban

12:00 Prem Granth 16:00 Mahanayak 20:00 Ishq

E N T E R TA I N M E N T 17:00 Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo 17:30 Malegoan Ka Chintoo 18:00 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta…

18:30 Papad Pol 19:00 Lapataganj 19:30 Mrs. & Mr. Sharma Allahabadwale 20:00 Papad Po 20:30 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta …

21:00 Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo 21:30 Mrs. & Mr. Sharma Allahabadwale 22:00 Lapataganj

Parenting

RELAYING THROUGH CANCONA...

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WIZARD OF ID

11:00 Comedy Circus Ke Superstars 12:30 Comedy Ka Daily Soap 13:00 Baat Hamari Pakki Hai 13:30 Entertainment Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega 15:00 Baat Hamari Pakki Hai 15:30 C.I.D 18:30 C.I.D Classics 19:30 Mahi Way 20:30 Baat Hamari Pakki Hai 21:00 Comedy Ka Daily Soap 21:30 Entertainment Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega 22:30 Aahat

EN

PEN T HAP

WEAVING ITS MAGIC AT MARGAO...

GARFIELD

10:30 Saath Nibhana Saathiya 11:00 Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya 11:30 Behenein 12:00 Sapna Babul Ka ...Bidaai 12:30 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai 13:00 Tere Mere Sapne 13:30 Hamari Devrani 14:00 Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat 14:30 Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya 15:00 Chaand Chupa Badal Mein 15:30 Sapna Babul Ka ...Bidaai 16:00 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai 16:30 Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya 17:00 Sasural Genda Phool 17:30 Saath Nibhana Saathiya 18:00 Tere Liye 18:30 Sabki Laadli Bebo 19:00 Saath Nibhana Saathiya 19:30 Sasural Genda Phool 20:00 Chaand Chupa Badal Mein 20:30 Behenein 21:00 Sapna Babul Ka ...Bidaai 21:30 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai 22:00 Tere Liye 22:30 Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya

CURR

Photo By Kathy Pereira

BY FREDDY REBELLO ain showers, government officials, politicians including Goa Sports Minister Manohar Azgaonkar, school students and the locals received the Commonwealth Games 2010 Queen’s Baton from Karnataka from Karwar MLA and State minister Anand Asnotikar at the State border yesterday morning. The Baton carriers from Karwar were

Funny Quote

Pronunciation vuhl-pahyn Function Adjective Meaning 1: of or resembling a fox 2: cunning or crafty Example Sentence Vic the evil magician gave a vulpine grin as he planned the destruction of the city.

SUDOKU 650

AT GOA’S BORDER...

LAFFS

WORD OF THE DAY

Information Technology

Queen’s Baton journeys through Goa

WHAT’S UP IN GOA??

Ghan Barse Re’, an exhibition of paintings by Shridhar Kamat Bambolkar, as a tribute to B B Borkar is being held till September 8 at Kala Academy, Panjim. Call 2420452.

‘Portrait of My Teacher’, organised

by Big Foot, Lotoulim is open to the public till September 13 from 9.30am to 6pm. Call 2777034.

‘83rd Annual All India Art Exhibition’ is announced by the All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society, New Delhi. It will be held in two parts.

Part I will be All India Painting and Sculpture Exhibition and Part II will be All India Drawing and Graphics Exhibition. Registration for Part I and II is from September 13 to 20. The corresponding exhibitions for Part I and Part II will be held from December 15 to 29 and January 3 to 17, 2011, respectively. Call the Kala Academy, Panjim on 2420452.

‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’ will be the film chosen to be studied at Temenos: The Film Study Circle.

It will be screened at September 9 at 5:30pm at Gallery Gitanjali, Fontainhes, Panjim. Visit www.gallerygitanjali.com. Call 9423316395, 9823572035 or 9823253361.

‘Rising Number of Suicides in Goa, A Cause for Concern’, will be the topic of discussion at the Friday Balcao on September 10 from 4pm to 6pm at Goa Desc Resource Centre, Mapusa.

Email goadesc@gmail.com.

‘Creative Fire’, an open-ended discussion with Crisologo Furtado will be held on September 8 at 6.30pm at the Sunaparanta – Goa Centre for the Arts, Altinho, Panjim. Call 2421311.

Education

10:30 Rang Badalti Odhni 11:00 Geet 11:30 India's Magic Star 13:00 Rang Badalti Odhni 13:30 Geet 14:00 Dill Mill Gayye 14:30 Mile Jab Hum Tum 15:00 Geet 15:30 Rang Badalti Odhni 16:00 Dill Mill Gayye 16:30 Mile Jab Hum Tum 17:00 Geet 17:30 Rang Badalti Odhni 18:00 Dill Mill Gayye 18:30 Mile Jab Hum Tum 19:00 Geet 19:30 Rang Badalti Odhni 20:00 Dill Mill Gayye

20:30 Jaane Pehchaane Se Yeh 21:00 Mile Jab Hum Tum 21:30 Geet 22:00 Rang Badalti Odhni 22:30 Dill Mill Gayye

11:00 24 12:00 World Records Smashed 13:00 So You Think You Can Dance 14:00 Masters of Illusion 15:00 Fear Factor 17:00 World Records Smashed 18:00 Charmed 19:00 Fear Factor 20:00 Whacked Out Sports 21:00 Breaking The Magician's Code

10:00 MasterChef Australia 11:00 Bones 12:00 How I Met Your Mother 12:30 The Simpsons 13:00 MasterChef Australia 14:00 Friends 14:30 The Simpsons 15:00 Ugly Betty 16:00 How I Met Your Mother 16:30 The Simpsons 17:00 Bones 18:00 MasterChef Australia 19:00 How I Met Your Mother 19:30 The Simpsons 20:00 Best of Koffee with Karan 21:00 MasterChef Australia 21:30 Whose Line Is It Anyway?

22:00 Bones

10:30 FIA Wtcc 2010 H/ls 11:00 FIM Motocross World Championship 2010 H/ls 12:00 Guinness World Series of Pool 2010 H/ls : Semi Finals 13:00 International Motorsport News 2010 14:00 Resorts World Sentosa Martial Combat 2010 15:00 TNA Impact 17:00 Game 17:30 Glitch 18:00 TNA Ppv : No Surrender 21:00 Score Tonight 21:30 Nike Football Locker Room 22:00 Mobil 1 The Grid 22:30 The Immortals

10:30 Uca/uda College Cheerleading & Dance Championship 11:30 KIA X Games Asia 2010 :

Inline Street 12:00 ISKA World Championships 12:30 2007 Netball World Championship : England vs. Jamaica 14:00 MLB Regular Season 2010 : Baltimore Orioles vs. New York Yankees 17:00 PGA Europro Tour 19:00 Global Football 19:30 Superstars (A CLT20 2010) : Robin Uthappa 20:00 Sportscenter India 20:30 Sportscenter Asia

21:00 The Contenders - Cl T20 : Mumbai Indians 21:30 Superstars (A CLT20 2010) : Alviro Peterson 22:00 Sportscenter India 22:30 Sportscenter Asia

ten-spor 09:30 After Burn 08:00 WWE: English News 09:00 Konkani News 10:00 US Marathi 10:30 OpenNews Tennis H/ls : 11:00 4th JukeRound Box - Women's Men's 11:30 Fashion Quarter Final Show 12:00 Talking Talkies 12:30 European Flavors Tour 2010 : Day 11:30 13:00 English News Masters 3: Omega European 14:00 Konkani Movie 15:30 Motorsport Juke Box Mundial 15:30 16:00 Noman Tuka Goa 16:30 Mobil Flavors 16:00 1 The Grid 17:00 Kids Club 17:30 Frame Box Animation 16:30 World Hockey Magazine 18:00 Konkani News 19:00 Marathi News Line 17:00 WWE: Bottom 20:00 English News 21:00 Talking Talkies 18:00 Futbol 21:30 FIFA: Konkani PlayMundial 22:00 English News 18:30 US Open Tennis : 23:00 Konkani PalkachimH/ls Noketram Men's Round - Women's 23:30 4th Tribute to Jack Sequeira Quarter Final 00:00 HCN Smash Hits 00:30 Face-2-Face 19:30 Line Note: WWE: SubjectBottom to change

is a masterpiece of craft reflecting the Indian culture and growth, especially for us in India it is not just a symbol of sports but of unity. It is a message of love, affection and brotherhood.” Expounding further he said, “Channels are made on the surface of the baton which are coated with different types of coloured soils (collected from different parts of India), which are layered around the aluminium casing like ribbons.

This creative designing of the baton highlights the geographical and cultural diversity of India in harmony. Normally, the Queen’s message is always concealed. But for the first time, the message is on a miniature gold leaf in visible form and yet confidential.

Another important feature, this high tech Baton is programmed to radiate the national colours of the country it passes.”

Elucidating on the journey of the Baton which started in London and has covered 71 nations, the general informed, “It has embarked on its tour in India which is a 100 day journey which commenced from the moment it crossed the Wagah border from Pakistan into India. Our endeavour is to for it to pass through all the states and union territories of the country. Today, is the 74th day and Goa is the 27th state it has journeyed into.”

Lastly, the general commended the efforts of every person and department involved in making the entire journey in Goa a huge success saying, “No one remembers the physical fatigue as it is an absolutely fulfilling accomplishment for each of us.”

The speeches were followed by a cultural programme and musical evening by some of Goa’s leading singers and musicians which included Mahesh Gawde, Bal Bhavan, Sanjay School, Sharada Mandir High School, Jason and Silvia and others.

The programme was compared by Sigmund de Sousa.

HERALD CROSSWORD - 650 Across 1- The Younger and The Elder; 6- Dunce; 10- Midge; 14- Close to; 15- Horne solo; 16- Able was ___...; 17- City in central Sri Lanka; 18- Do followers; 19- Sci-fi princess; 20- Compass pt.; 21- Sac in which bile is stored; 24- Orthodox Jewish school; 26Takes by theft; 27- Battery size; 28- Swift; 30- Scorn; 33- Toe or finger; 34- ___ favor; 37- Division of a school year; 38- Eurasian juniper; 39- Extremely; 40German article; 41- Hickorynut; 42- Pivot; 43- Propose, perhaps; 44- Apian; 45- Mite; 48- Bold; 52- Gymnastic event for women; 55- Rocky hilltop; 56- Writer Dinesen; 57- Calculus calculation; 58Floored; 60- Kitchen addition; 61- Category; 62- Wearies; 63- Observed; 64Seemingly forever; 65- Rotates; Down 1- Like a birthday dessert; 2Demote; 3- Shades; 4- Arab instrument; 5- Infernal; 6- "Our Gang" girl; 7- Pitcher Hershiser; 8- Leg or arm; 9- Sudden collapse into failure; 10Aureate; 11- ___ lift?; 12- Disney mermaid; 13- Rips; 22Actress Gardner; 23- Arguing; 25- Injure; 28- Competitor; 29Not "fer"; 30- ___-Foy, Quebec; 31- Architect I.M.; 32-

Coffee container; 33SOLUTION - 649 Fresh-water fish; 34Compose; 35- Assn.; 36Cereal grass; 38- Pericarp; 39- Opinion; 41Nabokov novel; 42- Recluses; 43- Mythical sea monster; 44- Anaconda; 45- ___ Irish Rose; 46Brahmin, e.g.; 47Winged; 48- Exploits; 49Pong maker; 50- Aftermath; 51- Apparel; 53Switch ending; 54- Capital of Switzerland; 59- Pinch;

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SPORTS GOA, Wednesday, 8 September, 2010

Arina stars for G Angel HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, SEPT 7

A superb hat-trick by Arina Dias helped Guardian Angel Higher Secondary, Curchorem to drub Government Higher Secondary, Sanguem 3-0 to win the girls Zone IV inter-higher secondary

football tournament at Tilamol Panchayat ground. The winners led 1-0 at half time. . Arina opened the scoring as she rocked the rival citadel with a snap shot. Arina single-handedly demolished the rivals as she struck a second time to register her hat-trick.

Security inspection at Fatorda HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, SEPT 7

A meeting of the security committee for the India-Australia ODI match on October 24 at Fatorda was held wherein the officials of GCA, Australia and Goa Police interacted.

The security members from Cricket Australia included Goeff Allardice, manager Australia Cricket, Frank Dimansi, security manager, Cricket Australia, Stephen Bernard, manager, Australia team, Peter Roach, manager Australia Cricket.

The police officials present were V.V. Choudhary, Sr. SP, Alan D’Sa, SP, Umesh Gaonkar, Dy. SP. The GCA members present were Prasad V. Phaterpekar, secretary, Vinod Phadke, treasurer, Chetan Dessai, vice-president, Amaresh Naik, jt. Secretary.

The officials inspected the stadium as well as Hotel Taj where a detailed presentation about the security arrangements was made.

Orlim down Cavelossim HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, SEPT 7

Orlim Sports Club blanked Cavelossim Youth Association, Mobor 2-0 in the GFA Third Division league at St John Baptist ground, Dando, Benaulim on Tuesday. Orlim led 1-0 at the breather.

Orlim exhibited attacking football and went into the lead when Vilroy D’cruz bulged the net after being fed by his colleague inside the box. Spurred by early success, Orlim intensified their attacks and nearly doubled the lead but their forwards frittered away easy chances.

Benfica selection trials PANJIM (HSD) -- Benfica Youth Club, Vasco will conduct selection trials for the club’s Second Division football league. Old and new players may report at Tilak Maidan on September 9 at 4 p.m. with full kit to Joaquim Fernandes, coach (9049445002).

Cavelossim tried their best but failed to get past the rival rearguard. Crossing over, Orlim continued in the same vein and attacked the rival citadel repeatedly and paid the dividends when Denzil Rogtao doubled

the lead with a stiff grounder.

Stung by the double blow, Cavelossim re-grouped quickly and made valiant attempts to reduce the margin but yielded no results. With this win, Orlim SC qualify for the play off.

ABC thrash Chapora Yuvak HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, SEPT 7

ABC Sports Club, Arambol managed to get the better of Chapora Yuvak Sangh 5-1 in GFA’s Third Division football league at Chapora ground on Tuesday.

Chapora were the first to o p e n t h e s c o re l i n e w h e n

Marcelino Fernandes struck in the very 2nd minute. However, ABC bounced back and Abubt Mammol struck a hat-trick in the 35th, 42nd and 47th minutes. Russel Fernandes found the net in the 60th and finally Brasio Rodrigues rounded off the tally in the 75th

Sub-junior football selections PANJIM (HSD) -- Following boys have been shortlisted for the selection trials of Goa Sub-Junior football teams for the Nationals.

Aliston Fernandes, Shailesh Cauhan, Clinton Menezes, Simon D'mello, Sanito Colaco, Austern Fernandes, Floyd Fernandes, Elison Pereira, Jorge Rodrigues, Akshay Mandrakar, Issac Negredo, Rakesh Ambi, Shawyn Fernandes, Avaristo Fernandes, Q u a n G o m e s , Pa n d u r a n g Goltekar, Klins Mendes, John Pereira, Manish Kauthankar, Josten D'souza, Jesus D'souza, Filburn Crasto, Russell Vaz, Savio Vaz, Nehal Naik, James Fernandes, Binaton Singh, Amay Kalangutkar and Jesuino Pereira.

The team will play against the

India U-15 team at Chowgule ground, Margao, on September 11 at 8.30 a.m. A bus will leave from Carvalho Petrol Pump, Mapusa at 6.15 a.m. and from H e e r a Pe t ro l P u m p , n e a r Kadamba Bus Stand, Panjim at 6.30 a.m. to drop the boys at the venue. Margao players may report at the venue at 7.30 a.m.

29th Gold Silver Rolling Trophy soccer: Sporting Club of Davorlim v. Sarzora Sports Club, Rosary ground, Navelim, 4.30 p.m.

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SPORTS

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GOA, Wednesday, 8 September, 2010

Governor hails 5 Goan Olympic hockey gold medallists l Massive turn-out of children herald arrival of Queen’s Baton l Talasha Prabhu Goa’s hope at Green Games Queen’s Baton. The very essence of India with its diversity and unrelenting endeavour towards a harmonious and progressive nation has shaped the inspiration of the Baton.

The Queen’s message in a precious jewellery box has been symbolically engraved onto a miniature 18-carat gold leaf, representing the ancient Indian `patras’. Modern laser technology known as micro calligraphy has been used for the first time to reproduce the Queen’s message.

The Queen’s Baton, one of the great traditions of Commonwealth Games (Green Games), to be held in Delhi, which is a four-year festival of sport and culture and is considered as a curtain raiser, embodies the fusion of a diverse India and its contemporary avatars – an enterprising, young nation with many faces. Small wonder than, the number of children was massive. Except for few traffic jams in Panjim, overall the Traffic Po-

HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, SEPT 7

Governor Dr S.S Siddu paid rich tributes to the five Goan Olympians who won the gold medal in hockey at London Olympics in 1948 as he released a special postal cover after receiving the Queen’s Baton at Kala Academy on Tuesday.

This is the first time ever in the history of Goan sports that a special cover with the photographs of the five Goans who did India proud was released.

The heroes, no longer alive, are Leo Pinto, Walter D’Souza, Lawry Fernandes, Maxy Vaz and Reggie Rodrigues.

The Governor praised the Goan designer Prakash Naik for integrating the rich culture of Goa alongwith the Olympians.

“The Goan artist has depicted not only the Olympians, who won the coveted gold for India at London Olympics but also the rich heritage of Goa and the environment the Goans proudly look to preserve,” the Governor said. The Governor also wished swimmer Talasha Prabhu all the

Governor S S Siddu releasing the postal cover honouring five Goan Olympians (photos on the left) on the occasion of Queen’s Baton Relay in Goa at Kala Academy in Panjim on Tuesday.

Photo: Rozario Estibeiro

Baton that left on October 29, 2009 from Buckingham Palace in London and arrived in India on June 25, and traveled through 28 States and 7 Union Territories.

“The baton has the confiden-

Special Baton reports & Pics - Page 15 best as she is the only Goan to participate at the Games.

Lt. Gen Raj Kardyan from Delhi explained the three unique features of the Queen’s

tial Queen’s message which will be revealed at the opening ceremony. The second feature is the LED lights which is programmed to change colour ac-

cording to the country it is in and currently displays the colours of the Tri-colour. The third feature is the 21 bands of soil from different parts of India which represent the heart and soul of the nation as it travelled around the globe,” stated Kardyan.

The Baton also has a camera, GPS system, sound recorder and the ability to receive `SMS Good Luck’ messages from the public.

Sports Minister, Babu Azgaonkar spoke of how the new Sports Policy would encourage young sportpersons further.

Speaker Pratapsingh Rane re-

ferred to the unity sport brings about. He also highlighted that Goa has a sporting culture and has produced sportsmen such as Leander Paes, who have gone on to do the country proud.

Dr Susana De Sousa, DSYA director, proposed the vote of thanks.

Earlier, the Baton was brought into the auditoriam by Arjuna Award winner Bruno Coutinho and passed through the hands of Governor Siddu, V M Prabudessai SAG’s ED, Dr M. Modassir, secretary sports & youth affairs, Charles Lobo (Post Master General), Shripad Naik, MP, Babu Azgaonkar, Lt. Gen Raj

Kardyan, Speaker Pratapsingh Rane, Sanjay Data (Hero Honda Goa region), Caroline Po (Panjim Mayor), Subash Shirodkar(President Goa Olympic Association) and Dr Susana.

Our Panjim Sports Reporter adds: All in all, the Baton was accorded a splendid, tumultuos reception right from Canacona to the capital city. School children did a smart turn out while Goan artistes excelled with a variety of rich, cultural programmes.

Ministers, MLAs, sarpanchas, sportspersons, teachers and score of others, people from all walks of life, were also on hand. It was a festive occasion,

the type of which has never been seen in Goa. The massive turn out brought out the high sporting spirit which is the hallmark of Goans.

Children were eager to have a glimpse of the Baton which is a fusion of handcrafted elements interplayed with a precision engineered body and ornamented with an intricate hand layered soil pattern.

The interweaving of coloured soils, including white sands, deep reds, warm yellows, dark browns and an array of other hues created a very distinctive design, form and texture never before seen in the styling of a

lice under the supervision of SP Arvind Gawas, did a commendable job.

The relay showcased Goa, being an exciting celebration, providing a unique opportunity to display unity.

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SPORTS

GFA 3rd Div: Orlim down Cavelossim Pg 16

Governor hails 5 Goan Olympic hockey gold medallist Pg 17

GOA, WEDNESDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER, 2010 www.oheraldo.in

Federer, Soderling clash in quarters

AGENCIES NEW YORK, SEPT 7

Now, the names opposite Roger Federer’s in the bracket will start looking more familiar.

Maybe uncomfortably so.

The five-time US Open winner

In BrIef

Yusuf confidant of return to team Allrounder Yusuf Pathan is confident of regaining his place in the Indian squad and the dashing batsman said he is looking to put up a good performance in the forthcoming domestic cricket tournaments.

"I am leaving no stone unturned in practice. I am confident that I will return to Indian team after giving a splendid performance in the forthcoming domestic cricket," Pathan told reporters on the sidelines of an event last night.

It's crucial to keep game clean: Dhoni Cricketers must take more responsibility for their actions to prevent the spread of corruption, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said on Tuesday.

"It is crucial to keep the game clean," Dhoni said in Durban.

‘One or two players may be wrong’ India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh refused to believe that cricket is no longer a clean sport in the wake of spot-fixing scandal and said commitment of all the cricketers around the world should not be questioned because of the misdeeds of a few individuals.

"Whatever has come up in cricket in the last few days are very demoralising for the game. It has brought disrespect to the game. But what I feel is that as a player you need to play cricket in the right spirit.

You need to play the game clean and hard," he said.

KP, Mascarenhas fined for outbursts Kevin Pietersen and Dimitri Mascarenhas have been fined for their respective Twitter outbursts as England cricketers struggle to adapt to social media.

Pietersen attended a disciplinary hearing at Lord's on Monday and pleaded guilty to two charges, following the post he made after being omitted from England's one-day squad, while repeating his apology from last week.

Pietersen found himself in trouble after updating his twitter account following his omission for the Twenty20 internationals against Pakistan. He was instead dispatched to Surrey to regain form after a disappointing season with the bat.

Sreesanth to join Kerala team The morale of Kerala team gets a boosting with availability of India speedster S Sreesanth, for the Moin-udDowla cricket tournament to the held at Hyderabad from September 14.

Sreesanth had informed that he will join the Kerala team on September 14 at Hyderabad, Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) sources said.

grinded down No. 13 Jurgen Melzer, 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-3, for yet another straight-set victory at Flushing Meadows on Monday night. Next up - a meeting with one of the few players who has enjoyed success against both

Federer and Rafael Nadal on the sport’s biggest stages.

That would be No. 5 Robin Soderling, who defeated No. 21 Albert Montanes 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 to reach the US Open quarterfinals for the second straight year.

The runs at the US Open are nice, but where Soderling has really made his name is against Nadal and Federer at recent French Opens.

He beat Federer at this year’s French to end Fed’s string of 23 straight Grand Slam semifinal appearances. Last year, Soderling notched a fourth-round victory over Nadal at Roland Garros that, coincidentally, simplified Federer’s path to finally complete the career Grand Slam.

With Nadal out of the way, Fed-

erer’s opponent in last year’s French final.

In the quarterfinal opposite Federer-Soderling, No. 3 Novak Djokovic will play No. 17 Gael Monfils. Djokovic dispatched No. 19 Mardy Fish 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 to leave only one American man in the draw, No. 20 Sam Querrey.

Querrey plays No. 25 Stanislas Wawrinka on Tuesday in a quarter of the draw that doesn’t have a top-10 seed left.

In the featured women’s match Monday, No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki defeated No. 14 Maria Sharapova 6-3, 6-4 in a contest that saw Sharapova commit 36 unforced errors to only 10 from Wozniacki.

In other words, Sharapova did what everyone does when

they play “Woz” - the human backboard.

Next, Wozniacki plays unseeded Dominika Cibulkova, who defeated No. 11 Svetlana Kuznetsova 7-5, 7-6 (4) on Monday. The bottom half of that side of the bracket pits No. 31 Kaia Kanepi vs. No. 7 Vera Zvonareva.

The other side of the women’s draw is tougher. In quarterfinals on Tuesday, it will be No. 2 Kim Clijsters, the defending champion, against No. 5 Sam Stosur, and No. 3 Venus Williams against No. 6 Francesca Schiavone.

The men’s fourth-round matches feature an all-Spanish quadrant: No. 1 Rafael Nadal vs.

No. 23 Feliciano Lopez and No. 10 David Ferrer vs. No. 8 Fernando Verdasco.

assets of the cricketers, leading Urdu daily Jang reported on Monday.

Even the officials have been asked to take account of the number of cars in the possession of the cricketers, the report said.

The Pakistan Cricket Board will also be asked to submit its expenses for the players, selectors, coaches and managers, an FBR officer Israr Rauf was

quoted as saying by the daily.

The pacers were accused of deliberately bowling no-balls during the fourth Test against England at Lord's to facilitate betting. Scotland Yard has already questioned the trio.

Aamir's age shouldn’t matter: Pakistan cricket team's associate manager Shafqat Rana says 18-year-old pace sensation Mohammad Aamir should not be shown any leniency be-

cause of his tender age if he is found guilty of spot-fixing charges.

"I do not believe a player's age has any significance in this issue — it is the same for everybody.

If Amir is found to have broken the law, it doesn't matter that he is so young. He should be given the same punishment as anyone else," Rana told reporters here.

Lahore HC adjourns hearing: The Lahore High Court

arose during the Asia Cup." The ICC's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit have told the duo to release details of their mobile phone records during the tournament in Sri Lanka.

"They expect the full cooperation of both players but have yet to receive a response from the Pakistan camp," the newspaper reported.

The ICC reportedly wrote to them on August 21, days before

a British tabloid's sting operation had Butt implicated in a spotfixing scandal leading to his suspension pending an inquiry.

The newspaper also reported that 18-year-old pace sensation Mohammad Aamir "will be told he could avoid a life ban if he gives evidence against his teammates" in the ongoing inquiry into the spot-fixing charges against him, Butt and Mohammad Asif.

Pak to investigate cricketers’ assets AGENCIES KARACHI, SEPT 7

In the wake of the spot-fixing scandal involving three Pakistan cricketers, the government has decided to investigate the assets of current and former players who have represented the country over the last five years.

The Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) has directed its regional officers to collect details of the bank accounts and other

adjourned a hearing into the spot-fixing allegations against Pakistani cricketers until September 22 after PCB chairman and the players failed to appear before the court on Tuesday.

Pakistan Cricket Board legal advisor, Talib Rizvi said since its chairman Ejaz Butt and the players were in England they couldn't appear in person and he represented the board.

ICC asks Butt, Akmal for Actor Neetu Chandra Asia Cup phone records questioned in scandal AGENCIES DUBAI, SEPT 7

The International Cricket Council has reportedly asked Pakistan's suspended Test captain Salman Butt and wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal to give their mobile phone records for an investigation into possible spot-fixing during the Asia Cup in June.

According to the Daily Mail, Akmal and Butt were contacted by the ICC after "suspicions

IPL rules Leading batsman New ‘bit confusing’: played suspiciously Shahrukh AGENCIES MUMBAI, SEPT 7

The corruption scandal that has rocked international cricket could engulf the Indian Premier League (IPL) as well with reports here claiming that a leading batsman played so "suspiciously" in the event that he had to be moved up the order to stop him from "manipulating matches".

According to a report in The Australian, quoting two unnamed IPL officials, "a leading batsman had played so suspiciously that they could not explain his behaviour." "...both officials agreed that his performances were highly suspect. They did not want him named for fear that it could be traced back to them and lead to retribution in India," the report stated.

The newspaper said the officials found the "player's per-

formances were puzzling, particularly scoring slowly towards the end of an innings when the opposite should have been happening."

"He consistently under-performed and often appeared uninterested or distracted." The report said IPL officials have also been receiving complaints of "matches being rigged" by various franchises.

"He has been under the scanner for a while," the official said.

The newspaper said the ICC's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit is "frustrated" with several boards in the subcontinent "for failing to take stronger action against their players after being provided with information about dubious behaviour.

The two main targets have been the Pakistan team and the IPL."

AGENCIES MUMBAI, SEPT 7

The new rules of Indian Premier League, which will be applied from next year, have left Kolkata Knight Riders owner Shah Rukh Khan "a bit confused" and the Bollywood superstar said it would have been "fair for everyone" if all the players are put up for auction in November.

"New IPL rules a bit confusing.

Two new teams added (good).

All players should go into pool to make it fair for everyone.

Simple & straight," Shah Rukh wrote on his Twitter page.

The new rules state that the 10 teams will be divided into two groups and there would be 74 matches in the next three IPL seasons.

BCCI to deal Gill doubles cash awards directly on Games NOCs for IPL for CWG, Asian announced doubling of cash PTI MUMBAI, SEPT 7

The BCCI has decided to deal directly with their counterparts in other countries to get the green signals for the participation of the foreign cricketers' who would be bought at the next Indian Premier League auction in November.

"The BCCI will directly deal with the respective parent boards of foreign players bought at the auction by the various franchises for getting their NOCs (No Objection Certificates). No players' agents would be allowed to get into the picture," BCCI sources said today.

PTI NEW DELHI, SEPT 7

The Sports Ministry today doubled the cash awards for gold medal winners to Rs 20 lakhs for the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games to encourage sportspersons to come up with an improved performance in the upcoming mega-events.

The announcement to increase the cash incentives was made by the Sports Minister M S Gill, who also expressed confidence that the Commonwealth Games will be held successfully in October.

He said the main outcome of the Games would be the performance of our sportspersons and the sporting legacy left behind by the event.

"With a view to encouraging the sportspersons, the Minister

awards for the coming Commonwealth Games and Asian Games to Rs 20 lakhs (from Rs 10 lakhs) for gold medalist, Rs 10 lakhs (from Rs 5 lakhs) for silver medalist, and Rs 6 lakhs (from Rs 3 lakhs) for bronze medalist," the Ministry said in a release.

Meanwhile, the State Sports Ministers stressed on the need to enact a National Sports Act to bring more accountability in the functioning of the federations and promoting better governance.

"The State Sports Ministers unanimously resolved that there was an urgent need for enacting a National Sports Act for promoting good governance practices in the National Sports Federations”.

Youngsters will have to step up, fill Bhutia’s shoes: Bob PTI NEW DELHI, SEPT 7

With national football captain Bhaichung Bhutia no longer young and grappling with injuries, chief coach Bob Houghton today said the youngsters in the team will have to step up and fill the talismanic striker's place.

The 33-year-old Bhaichung suffered a recurring thyroid problem while in Portugal for the Indian team's two-month training stint as part of preparations for next year's Asian Cup and did not play a single practice match there.

Houghton said Bhaichung will take some

more time to be match fit but made it clear that he will play a role in the AFC Asian Cup to be held in Doha, Qatar in January next year.

"We played 10 practice games in five weeks in Portugal and Bhaichung did not play any of them as he had some thyroid problem, a recurring one. He had lost weight due to the problem. He is back for training but is not match fit still," Houghton said at the pre-match press conference ahead of India's second international friendly against Thailand here tomorrow.

Asked if Bhaichung can be match fit for India's third home match against Gambia

here on September 19, Houghton said, "We have to see. He will take some time to be match fit. But surely he will play a role in the AFC Asian Cup in January."

"We miss him. He has been a big influence in the side for so long. He is an exemplary player.

But he is going to finish some day. It is difficult to accept. But his absence will give young players a chance to do well for the country.

"Besides Sunil Chhetri and Mohammed Rafi who played in Bangkok we have three other forwards in Abhishek Yadav, Sushil Kumar Singh, Baljit Singh Sahni. They will have to step up and perform," Houghton said.

fixing scandal broke, had told investigators that Neetu was allegedly a link between Asif and Indian bookmakers.

Neetu, who has acted in Hindi and Tamil films, has denied any involvement with Asif and insisted she has nothing to do with the disgraced Pakistani player.

AGENCIES MUMBAI, SEPT 7

Bollywood actress Neetu Chandra was questioned by the International Cricket Council anti-corruption and security unit regarding her alleged links with suspended Pakistani pacer Muhammad Asif in the spot-fixing scandal.

Sources aware of the ongoing investigations being held into the spot-fixing scandal said Neetu had also been questioned

by ICC officials.

"Neetu's name came up during a scan of the phone records of Asif and his former girlfriend, Veena Malik, also confirmed that he (Asif) had links with Neetu," one source disclosed.

He said Veena, who was also questioned by the ICC ACSU official in Lahore after the spot-

Pg18

Paes-Black bow out AGENCIES NEW YORK, SEPT 7

Indian ace Leander Paes and his Zimbabwean partner Cara Black suffered a straight-set defeat to Anna-Lena Groenefeld and Mark Knowles and bowed out of the mixed doubles at the US Open in New York on Tuesday.

The second seeds, who won the 2010 Wimbledon mixed doubles title, lost 3-6, 4-6 to the

German-Bahamian pair in the quarter-finals.

Paes and Black had clinched the Australian Open mixed doubles title in January.

India's Rohan Bopanna and his Pakistani partner Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi are still in the reckoning in the men's doubles. They take on the South African-Belgian combo of Wesley Moodie and Dick Norman in the quarter-final.