DEC 18,2010

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O HERALD O

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Goa’s Heartbeat: Ameesha out of Rajdhani Express Pg 4

Goa: Notification delimiting CCP wards out, finally Pg 2

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Sports: Proteas tighten noose Pg 16 around India

Cabinet against dropping Jose, Nilkanth HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, DEC 17

The entire state cabinet, except for two ministers, rallied solidly behind the two Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) ministers – Jose Philip and Nilkanth Halarnkar, who had been asked to resign by their party high command.

At the special cabinet meeting, in the Secretariat today, sources said all ministers were against dropping Jose and Nilkanth from the ministry.

“Only Power Minister Alexio

Sequeira and Transport Minister Sudin Dhavalikar did not support the other colleagues,” sources said.

“While Sudin said he will follow coalition dharma and the decision is upto Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) command, Aleixo was mum on the issue,” sources told Herald.

It is also learnt that the ministers were against dropping any ministers from the cabinet when the elections are scheduled just in a year’s time.

“The coalition government is

Jose

Nilkanth

absolutely going well and any hiccups at this juncture could be inviting trouble,” sources quoted one minister as saying at the meeting.

Both the NCP ministers are

facing party-level inquiry after they held a confidential meeting at Goa Pradesh Congress Committee General Secretary Vijay Sardesai’s residence on Wednesday evening in Margao.

Sources stated that the ministers were huddled in the meeting after NCP high command asked the chief minister to drop one of the NCP ministers to make way for induction of Mickey Pacheco.

When asked by Herald whether the issue did come up (Continued on page 10)

Govt okays health insurance for Goans HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, DEC 17

Amidst political uncertainty Chief Minister Digambar Kamat today announced a slew of schemes including health insurance cover for all citizens.

THE ‘COVER’ l

Scheme to be named as Survarna Jayanti Arogya Yojaana.

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A family (maximum 5 persons) will be entitled for health cover of Rs 60,000 annually.

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A cashless scheme wherein private hospitals would be roped in as partners.

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The scheme would cover the basic needs of medicine cost and the required medical tests apart from treatment.

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Every family would be given a card through which they can avail the benefits.

The State is in political turmoil with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), a alliance partner in the government, asking two party legislators to quit as ministers following a secret meeting at Margao.

Analysts are suggesting the Kamat government may opt of

dissolution of the house in this situation.

Keeping an eye on the next election, the cabinet today approved the health insurance scheme for all Goan families.

“Under the scheme, a family (maximum five persons) would be entitled for a health cover of Rs 60,000 annually,” Kamat said at press briefings.

Kamat said the scheme would be named as Suvarna Jayanti Arogya Yojaana.

“It would be a cashless scheme wherein the private hospitals would be roped in as partners,” he said.

(Continued on page 10)

When we conveyed a message of being united and will always stay together, we didn’t mean this.

We’ll stay put, assert both NCP legislators HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, DEC 17

Goa continued to be in a state of suspense over the resignation of two ministers from the State Nationalist Congress Party, who have become villains in the eyes of the party high command because of their meeting with Congress bigwigs in Margao.

Sirsat flays Churchill for interfering HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, DEC 17

On Friday, though, both of them – Jose Philip D’Souza and Nilkant Halarnkar – maintained they had no word on the demand for their resignations as ministers from the high command. When asked to elaborate on who the high command was, Jose Philip said national

Finally, after waiting for more than 24 hours after the NCP high command called for resignations of the two legislators as ministers,state president of the party Surendra Sirsat issued an official statement into the whole crisis

(Continued on page 10)

(Continued on page 10)

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COLVALE LAND SCAM

JMFC issues notices to Churchill, Nilkanth HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, DEC 17

Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Panjim today issued notices to Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Churchill Alemao and Tourism Minister Nilkanth Halankar on alleged Colvale land scam.

The ministers are asked to appear before the court on January 4, 2011 for reply, failing which the court said, it will decide the matter in their absence.

The fresh contempt against the ministers claims that they had made a public statement on the petition terming it as a false case.

“During the programme organised in Tivim constituency (represented by Halarnkar), Churchill Alemao had commented on the present case saying that it was a false case and Halarnkar was doing a good job,” the petition by locals Kashinath Shetye, Ketan Govekar and others reads.

The court had earlier issued similar notices to Vigilance Superintendent of Police Bosco George and Police Inspector Nilesh Rane in the same matter.

Kashinath Shetye and 12 others had moved

JMFC alleging that the police refused to register the complaint, which alleged scam in conversion of Goa Housing Board (GHB) land at Colvale.

In a letter to Directorate of Vigilance, couple of months back, the complainants alleged involvement of GHB chairman in the scam. Shetye alleged that the land was acquired at the instance of GHB for the purpose of housing projects of the Board but it has now been allotted to Nilkanth Halarnkar Trust.

The complainants said that this resulted a loss to the exchequer of over Rs 57-lakh. The complainants also pointed out that the chairman allotted 23,000 m2 at a throwaway price of Rs 1000 per m2 which land is worth about Rs 4,200 m2, to an institute of hotel management and the ownership is not known. They have estimated a loss of Rs 7.36 crore to the exchequer through the alleged illegalities.

The complainants earlier this month moved Bombay High Court at Goa and filed contempt petition against Vigilance officers for not registering First Information Report (FIR) to his complaint.

Retrenched staff of GCHFC still hoping for regular jobs HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, DEC 17

Around 14 employees of Goa Construction, Housing & Finance Corporation Ltd, here, who were retrenched between 2002 and 2004 with a promise of employment as and when vacancies would arise in the Government in future, are still awaiting their turn to get into regular jobs. But years down the line the promise in the Official Gazette of January 23, 2003, has remained on paper.

The Goa Construction, Housing & Finance Corporation Ltd had been established under the Company’s Act, 1956 on September 30, 1993, by the State Government with the main objective of undertaking housing, improvement, building scheme and other allied activities.

However, since 1995-96 the Corporation started incurring losses, failed to utilise its assets and fulfil objectives for which it was created. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India had also recommended its closure.

The Government therefore had taken a decision to wind up the Corporation and transfer the housing schemes undertaken by it to the Goa Housing Board, along with the assets and liabilities.

Further, it was decided to retrench the existing

staff by paying them retrenchment benefits. The retrenched staff was promised of appointments against further vacancies in the Government on certain conditions.

These employees had put in eight years of continuous service before being retrenched and were hoping like the PETS (pre-employment training scheme) candidates they too would be absorbed in regular service.

This corporation was formed with much pomp during the tenure of Wilfred de Souza who was then the Chief Minister and Suresh Parulekar the housing minister.

The employees reminded that when Opposition Leader Manohar Parrikar was the CM he had assured on the floor of the Assembly in July 2004 that the retrenched staff would be absorbed in the Government. They said Parrikar had assured them again and again that he would absorb them.

They further recalled, “After Parrikar when Pratapsing Rane became the CM we went to him. He also assured but nothing happened.”

In September 2007, the employees also met the Chief Minister Digambar Kamat with a representation to consider their case. In spite of assurances of three CMs till date no one has been absorbed in any department.

Bus owners plan dharna on Liberation Day HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, DEC 17

While the state celebrates 50 years of Liberation of Goa on December 19, All Goa Bus Owners Association (AGBOA) has planned to stage dharna at Customs House in city on Liberation Day to highlight their demands.

Sudeep Tamankar, General Secretary, AGBOA speaking to Herald on Friday claimed that the government had assured them to meet their pressing demands, which have not been met till date.

One of their demands is that they should be given representation on Regional Transport Authority (RTA). The president of AGBOA has been “appointed on approval body” for subsidy scheme, however, no authority has been conferred on him.

It’s our demand that the government immediately delegates the authority letter, he said The demand for reduction in permit fees is also on its agenda.

Tamankar said that the recent hike effected in permit fees is unfair and unjust adding that the bus owners, tourist taxi association and others, believe that the hike in permit fee is not reasonable. “Other associations will also join hands with us on December 19,” Tamankar claimed.

Notification delimiting CCP wards out, finally HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, DEC 17

The notification specifying delimitation of Corporation of City of Panjim (CCP) wards was finally out on Thursday after attempts to keep it under wraps for over a week.

It is learnt, the notification was delayed due to an attempt by three ruling corporators of CCP to influence the government to delimit certain wards to their advantage.

The delimitation has been done in reference to the rule book even as three corporators tried to exert maximum pressure to have delimitation done as per their plan.

It is reliably learnt that Deputy Mayor Yatin Parekh, corporators Uday Madkaikar and Rudresh Chodankar had a meeting with Chief Minister Digambar Kamat after they failed to arm-twist the municipal administration.

Parekh wanted Ward No 13 to be de-reserved which is held by his close buddy Prasad Amonkar, said sources. The ward has been reserved for women candidates.

Whereas Uday Madkaikar who is

CCP elections likely in March HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, DEC 17

Municipal elections to 30 wards of Corporation of the City of Panjim (CCP) are likely to held be in the first week of March 2011.

The CCP’s five year term ends on March 20.

The sources in the State Election Commission (SEC) said preparation for city municipal election are underway wherein voting will be held in sixty booths with a total of 45000 voters.

Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will be used for the municipal elections, sources said.

The notification pertaining to delimitation of wards was published in “Official Gazette” on Thursday. known to be close to Education Minister Babush Monserrate desired to shift some 400 voters that have been listed under Taleigao Panchayat to his Ward No 17.

It is learnt that the municipal administration put its foot down to these unreasonable demands and struck to old delimitation as fresh census is not out.

No major changes have been effected this time, said a government officer.

In fact, there was no ground to effect any major changes in the wards as fresh census is not

Horticulture Corporation plans solar carts in coastal belt HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, DEC 17

Goa government-run Horticulture Corporation has decided to harness solar energy through their carts, which will make their presence in coastal belt selling fruits and exotic vegetables.

“Around 20 solar carts are planned in the coastal belt beginning with one cart which has already started functioning on experimental basis,” Chairman, Goa State Horticulture Development Corporation Sankalp Amonkar told reporters.

He said that the first ever cart is based at their headquarters in Panjim, which is being monitored.

“Once we are happy with the functioning of this cart, we will replicate the experiment across the coastal belt,” Amonkar said.

The corporation’s initiative is a pioneer in India as nowhere there are such carts exclusively harnessing solar energy for their operational needs.

Each cart costs about Rs 80,000.

Corporation’s Managing Director Orlando Rodrigues said that although the products sold at these ‘well-equipped carts’ would not be as cheap

as that sold in their outlets but surely their rates are controlled.

“They are slightly cheaper than those sold in the market. Imported fruits like oranges, apples, grapes and others varieties will be sold,” he said expecting that the sale of the products on these carts would boom during the tourism season.

Rodrigues said that the solar carts have the facility to reduce the temperature of the storing facility by 20 degree Celsius which increases the shelf life of the high-value vegetables and fruits.

The corporation has roped in a Mumbai-based firm to supply products to these carts, which will be chemical-free. The officials expect that approximate six tonnes of fruits would be sold on these carts daily.

Rodrigues said that these carts would be provided free-of-cost to the franchisees and they will have to pay minimum maintenance cost for the corporation.

The new venture is an initiative by the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna, which will bear 50 percent of the total cost.

yet ready even certain corporators of ruling panel were adamant that delimitation should be done as per their whims and fancies.

The government came under fire during municipal elections of eleven councils in October this year for allegedly changing delimitation of certain council to the disadvantage of its opponents.

A writ petition pertaining to alleged irregularities in delimitation is now pending before High Court.

3 arrested for cell phone theft at Colva HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, DEC 17

In a swift action, Colva police arrested three persons in connection with the theft of a mobile from a person at Colva last night.

The police led by PSI Anand Shirodkar cracked the case within 10 hours based on description given by the complainant, Noel Fernandes, a resident of housing board.

The Colva police said they have arrested one Krishna, a resident of Per-Seraulim and Suraj from Colva, besides a minor boy and has recovered the stolen mobile from their possession.

Police said that the trio came on a motorcycle last night and restrained Noel while he was proceeding to his room. The trio later sped away from the scene with the mobile of the complainant.

While Krishna and Suraj have been remanded to six days police custody, the minor boy has been sent to Apna Ghar.

The police are investigating.

MMC meet to deliberate on KRC garbage fees HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, DEC 17

The first meeting of the Margao Municipal Council headed by newly-elected Chairperson Sushila Naik will deliberate on the question of fixing garbage collection fees for the Konkan Railway Corporation and the charter of demands of the civic employees.

The meeting is scheduled on December 23 at 4 pm in the council hall and will be the first since the new body was elected in the civic polls a month ago.

Margao municipal officials said the civic body had asked the Konkan Railway Corporation to pay an amount of Rs 5.94 lakh towards collection of garbage for the period from November 2007 to August 2010 at the rate of Rs 18,000 per month, which works out to Rs 600 per day. However, KRC’s Senior Regional Traffic Manager has asked the civic body to charge the KRC Rs 3,000 a month at the rate of Rs 100 per day. Civic officials said the KRC was charged Rs 600 per day as garbage fees considering the quantum of garbage that was being collected from the railway.

The Council will also have to decide on the charter of demands submitted by the GMEA such as increase in uniform allowances, washing allowances, medical allowances, garbage collection allowances etc.

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DONA PAULA IT HABITAT

Govt not investor-friendly: Daya HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, DEC 17

Former minister Dayanand Narvekar has lashed out at chairman of Info Tech Corporation of Goa Ltd (ITCG) Subhash Shirodkar for claiming that the government had never kept on hold the IT habitat project at Dona Paula.

The Aldona MLA has also ac-

cused the government of not being investor-friendly, due to which no new companies are setting up projects in the State.

“Chief Minister Digambar Kamat had made a statement to the media as well as during the assembly session that the government had kept the project on hold in view of the agitation and protests by residents of Taleigao,” Narvekar told Herald.

“If the project was not kept on hold, then why did the ITCG not complete the infrastructure, for which they had collected the amount of Rs 89.61 crore from the promoters,” asked the Aldona MLA. Narvekar stated that the ITCG had charged Rs 3,103 per sq mt as per the rated fixed by the North Goa Collector.

“I had suggested to the gov-

ernment then that the additional amount of Rs 1,500 per sq mt may be collected from investors to construct infrastructure such as sewage treatment plant, good roads, compound wall, underground cable for electricity and illumination of the entire campus,” said Narvekar.

“My suggestion was accepted by the government and accordingly, Rs 89.61 crore was collected from 18 companies towards infrastructure. It was, therefore, the duty of the ITCG to complete the infrastructure during the last three years if the project was not kept on hold,” he added.

Commenting on the show cause notices issued by ITCG to the promoters blaming them for not completing their work as per agreement and charging them additional interest plus penal interest on the overdue instalments, Narvekar stated this action of ITCG was not fair.

In its reply to the show cause notice, Milcon Developers had ment i o n e d i n t h e i r l e t t e r : “ We consistently showed our willingness and eagerness to pay the instalments and requested you to inform us about the status quo which you maintained on the project...we requested you persistently to confirm to us ‘Current Position’.”

The letter further states: “Under the Right to Information Act by our employee’s letter dated 15-12-2008, we sought inter alia, to know the reasons for stopping the work at Rajiv Gandhi IT Habitat at Dona Paula, and you had informed us that the work had been stopped due to the agitation and protest by locals.”

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s h o rt ta k e s SBI Property Fair at Margao

Science-Faith conference held at Rachol seminary HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, DEC 17

South Goa Collector, GP Naik inaugurates the SBI Property Fair at Margao.

PANJIM (HND): South Goa Collector, GP Naik, inaugurated the SBI Property Fair at BPS Club Margao in the presence of AGM of SBI Margao Avinash Gaikwad, and Chief Manager, A R Gentyala. The fair is open upto December 18. SBI customers have been offered various loan schemes particularly attractive deals on automobiles and real estate.

Health camp organised PANJIM(HND): Western India Shipyard Ltd as a part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), recently organised a free Health Camp for its employees at its shipyard at Mormugao Harbour, in association with NUSI Wockhart Hospitals of Panzorconi, Cuncolim.

The NUSl-Wockhart team was led by Dr Michael Noronha and Dr Brigita Silarkar. The health camp offered various free specialized services and consultation such as ECG, testing of Random Blood Sugar, Blood Pressure Monitoring etc.

About 88 employees of the Company in the age group of 45 to 65, including members of the Management, took benefit of services and consultation.

Dy Manager (HRD) coordinated the Health Camp Rajesh Naik under the guidance of Dr Anant Hede of the Company's Medical Center. Asst Manager Marketing of Wockhart Hospital, Liston Barreto, coordinated the event.

Saying that the Church has always shown interest in Science and is connected with its development, Archbishop Felipe Neri Ferrao on Friday recalled the claims of many noted scientists that science is a gift of Christians to the world.

“This claim is no exaggeration, although we must not forget the contribution of Hinduism, Islam and other great religions to the development of science. Many of the founders of modern science were clerics and monks who deeply believed in faith. Many scientists though that they were trying to understand God through observing its creations,” the Archbishop said after inaugurating the fourday international conference on Catholicism in the World of Science at the Patriarchal seminary of Rachol on Friday.

Hailing the initiative of organizing the international conference, the Archbishop said he is confident that the englightened input from the resource persons and deliberations will enrich the participants and the Church at large.

Appreciating the enthusiastic presence of the delegates at the conference, he said “I hope the

Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao addressing four-day international conference on Catholicism in the world of science at the Rachol seminary.

Photo by Savio Dias

presentations and deliberations will enrich one and all so that they arrive at a deeper understanding of our faith in the context of today’s world of science”.

“The Church in Goa considers itself blessed to host this event in the seminary. The conference should become an important occasion to look back and look ahead. Our reflections on the amazing successes of science can become for us a stimulus to come before our God in wonder and awe”, he said.

Saying that the Priests of tomorrow are called upon to guide the faithful amidst increasing great challenges, the Archbishop said the world of science offers many challenges and opportunities for the pastoral ministry, adding that “This conference promises to become an important milestone as it will open us to the pastoral challenges in the world of science and motivate us to respond to them adequately”.

Saying that the conference

Sugarcane worth over Rs 30,000 was gutted in an accidental fire reportedly due to short-circuit in the electricity alignment at Gulem.

According to agriculture sources, sugarcane plantations of about 22 farmers have been affected in the fire that engulfed the plantations in an approxi-

mate area of over 1,000 sq mts.

The cause of fire is suspected due to short circuit in the overhead electricity alignment reportedly passing through the plantations at Gulem.

It is further feared that the high-growing sugarcane stems reportedly touched the live electricity alignment, triggering short circuit.

HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, DEC 17

The parishioners of Carambolim Church under the leadership of their Parish Priest Fr Conceicao D’Silva, will organise an All Goa Night Vigil on December 18 from 7.30 pm onwards at the Carambolim church ground, dedicated for pro-life movement as desired by his Holiness Pope Bendedict XVI all over the world.

The Night Vigil will be held on the theme ‘Choose Life amidst the Culture of Death’.

The night vigil will begin at 7.30 pm by conducting the Biblical Rosary based on pro-life by Ida Fernandes.

At 8.30 pm there will be live witnesses on how they renewed their lives after attending the retreats at Carambolim. From 9 pm to 10 pm, Principal of Rosary College, Navelim and Executive Member of the Family Life Centre, Rev Dr Prof Simon Diniz, will give the talk on the theme ‘Choose life amidst the Culture of Death’. From 10 pm to 12 am, Mario Fernandes and his troupe will conduct praise and worship.

From 1.30 am to 3 am Fr Conceicao D’Silva and his Jesus and Mary Ministry members will conduct adoration of the Blessed Sacrament based on Pro-Life.

From 3 am to 4 am, Asst Parish Priest of Desterro Church, Vasco Fr Ramiro Luis, will be the main celebrant and will preach the word of God on the main theme.

Priests will be available for confessions from 6 am to 12 pm, says a press release.

108 Ambulance service for Navelim

Sugarcane gutted at Gulem HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, DEC 17

Night vigil at Carambolim Church

BY HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, DEC 17

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat along with Tourism Minister Nilkant Halarnkar, Goa-IDC Chairman Chandrakant Kavlekar, Chairman of Dempo Group Shrinivas Dempo along with Riyhad and Rishad Kundanmal, directors of Ocean Crest Marine pose on a 21 ft Monterey boat at the Goa International Marine and Boat Expo currently underway at Kala Academy.

Navelim MLA and PWD Minister, Churchill Alemao has said that the 108 Ambulance sanctioned for Navelim would be inaugurated on the eve of Goa’s Liberation Day on Saturday evening He told newsmen that the 108 Ambulance would be stationed in Navelim near the sub health centre to cater to the requirements of the people in times of emergencies.

Alemao thanked Health Minister Vishwajit Rane for acceding to his request to sanction the 108 Ambulance for Navelim, saying this was the long felt need of the people in his constituency.

Meanwhile, the PWD Minister has said that funds would be sanctioned for the Self Help Groups of Navelim constituency on Saturday.

Saying that he has been instrumental in forming SHGs in Navelim constituency after becoming the MLA, Alemao said that the Self Help Groups would be provided the required funds so that they stand on their own and help the women to be independent.

Rajay Pawar awarded HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, DEC 17

upcoming events ‘Christmas Chimes’ at Margao MARGAO (HR): Grace Youth Association Margao is organizing its annual event ‘Christmas Chimes’. Christmas Chimes is a fun filled event with lots of activities. Some of them include Christmas gifts to children, performance by artists, games, dinner, band and much more. The theme for this year is ‘Uloi Konkani’. The event will be held on December 19 at Fatima Convent School Margao from 6 pm onwards. For further information contact event coordinator Olaf Fernandes on 9049776957.

Health camp at Bambolim PANJIM (HND): A health camp will be organised at Rugnashraya, Bambolim on December 19 starting at 9 am, by experienced specialists in ear, nose and throat (ENT), Dr Anju MS and Dr Parag from GMC. Those with ENT problems may take benefits of this camp. Only 50 patients will be checked on first come first basis. For registration call 2914338 or 2903004 or register at the site.

Retreat at Pilar PANJIM(HNB): As an immediate preparation for Christmas, a one-day Retreat will be held at Pilar Monastery on December 19 at 10 am. The retreat will conclude with Mass at 5 pm.

Lunch will be provided. Those interested may give their names at Fr Agnelo’s office Pilar or call on 2219460 or 2218549.

Workshop on stress management PANJIM (HND): Asha Counselling Centre will hold a Workshop on Stress Management on December 18 from 3.45 pm to 5.45 pm at Asha Centre Hall, Sweet Home Building, 1st Floor, Near Majorie Pharmacy, before Asilo Hospital, Opp Kenkre Hardware, Mapusa. The interactive workshop is open for all age groups and will be conducted in English and Konkani. Registration is Free. For details call 2256445/9822166876 or e-mail trustasha@yahoo.co.in.

School fund-raising event PANJIM(HND): Kids Camp Play School and Young Achievers Primary School are organising a special event – The Goan Evening-an evening of fun, entertainment, music, games and dance – on December 18 from 6 pm onwards at the Menezes Lawn, along the Mapusa-Moira Road, Bastora.

The event is being organised to raise funds for the construction and expansion of the new school premises of Young Achievers Primary School. Kids Camp Play School has been meeting the needs of children from Porvorim and surrounding areas for the last 16 years. It had launched Young Achievers Primary School in 2009 in order to part quality education.

The management, staff, parents and children of the school said they were looking forward to a memorable evening.

Talk on Vaastu Shastra PANJIM (HND): The Art of Living will organised a talk on ‘Importance and Misconceptions of Vaastu Shastra’ on December 19 by renowned Vaastu and Jyotish Scientist Pandit Yashwant Narahar Maggirwar at Sri Sri Institute of Management Studies, Borda, Margao at 10.30am. Maggirwar is the Founder Governing Council Member of All India Institution of Vaastu Science (IVS). He had also been associated with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Netherlands. All are invited to understand the Vedic science.

Anniversary function PANJIM (HND): Senior Citizens Association of St Cruz will organize its first anniversary on December 19 by organising a Thanksgiving Mass at St Cruz Church at 7 pm. The Association will also organise an Eye Camp at St Cruz HS from 9 am to 1 pm and football and volleyball for senior citizens at 10.30 am.

Konkani tiatr ‘Tum Londonkar Vo Goenkar’ will be staged at 7 pm. Entry passes for life members may be collected from Gen Secy Custodio S Araujo by December 18.

Meet at Panjim PANJIM (HND): The Goa Industrial Development Corporation Employees' Co-operative Credit Society Ltd, Pajim, has convened its 9th Special General Meeting on December 19 at TB Cunha Memorial Hall, Near Azad Maidan Panjim, at 3.30 pm. The main agenda for the meeting is to lay the Audit Memo, Audited Statement of Accounts for the year 2009-10; to submit the Audit Rectification Report; to consider Appropriation of Net Surplus; and declaration of Dividend and Patronage Refund.

The meeting will be followed by felicitation of Romaldina Bogot and Janba R Hule who have been superannuated from the services of Goa-IDC recently.

Applications invited for crafts bazaar

The Konkani poet and dramatist, Rajay Pawar, has been awarded the Yuva Sahitya Puraskar for his contribution to the Konkani language and literature. This is the very first time that in 36 year history of the award that a Konkani writer has been chosen.

The awardees of the 2009 Yuva Sahitya Puraskar were announced at a press conference in Kolkata by Secretary Dr Kusum Khemani, and Chief Administrative Officer A K Banerjee, of the Parishad.

Rajay Pawar has also been honoured with literary awards by the Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Goa Konkani Academy and Karnatak Konkani Sahitya Parishad.

Pavasfullam (Poetry), Girmeet (Essays), Amcho Hath Jagannath, Darne Ka Naay, Jamle Re Jamle, Natah Eha Natkachem are some of his published works till date.

E Mana, O Gori Asturi, Hatha Methi Rangli Re are some of his lyrics tuned to popular songs.

His columns Girmeet and OliSuki in Sunaparant had an acclaimed following and along with select poems are essential reading in various syllabi.

The memorabilia, honorarium and citation will be conferred upon Rajay Pawar at a ceremony to be held at the Bharatiya Bhasha Parishad's headquarters in Kolkata on January 22, 2011.

PANJIM(HND): Applications are invited from handicrafts artisans from all over the State for participation in Gandhi Shilp Crafts Bazaar being organised by GHRSSIDC from December 22 to 31 at SGPDA ground, Near Kadamba Bus Stand, Margao.

Stalls will be given to artisans free of cost on first cum first served basis with preference to artisans having allotment letter from Office of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts).

Artisans will have to submit written applications personally on or before December 21 by 4 pm at GHRSSIDC Head Office, Crafts Complex, Neuginagar, Panjim. Artisans who have submitted their applications will have to assemble at the SGPDA Grounds, Margao, December 22 at 10 am to take possession of the stalls. The Bazaar is sponsored by Office of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, GoI. For further information call 2228157/2225328. Contact Persons: Neha Mahambrey/John Sebestian/Krishna Karapurkar.

Programme at St Cruz PANJIM(HND): The Youth of Santa Cruz will be organizing a program ‘Goa We Think We Know’ on December 19 at Santa Curz Church hall at 10.15 am. The program is free and open to the public. The presentation is designed give the audience a profound awareness and realization of the rich culture, tradition and heritage that the land and the people of Goa possess.

Sanjeev Sardesai an avid historian and heritage photographer has consented to be the resource person for the same. He has founded forums like ‘Sanscritic’ and ‘Hands-on-Historians’. The presentation will be preceded by a felicitation program that will give the audience an opportunity to admire and appreciate four unique individual from our constituency who has enriched and preserved the fabric of the true Goan Spirit. The persons being - Alex Dias (Art and Music), Carmelina Araujo (Agriculture), Sebastiao Rapose (Service/Electricity Dept) and Godfrey Machado (Social Service/El Shaddai), says a press release.

PoWeR SHuTdoWN DECEMBER 18

TALEIGAO: From 9 am to 4 pm. Areas affected are Adolf Morod, Padri Bhat and surrounding areas.

BETALBATIM: From 9 am to 3 pm. Areas affected are Seraulim, Betalbatim, Munghul, Pedda Benaulim and Pavasa Church.

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GOA

GOA, SATURDAY, 18 DECEMBER, 2010

Free workers from bondage of contract system: Fonseca HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, DEC 17

There will be no celebration of any kind for many of the contract workers from some of the Government Departments on the occasion of Goa’s 50th Liberation Day on December 19 as they have decided to gather in the capital city to impress upon the authorities to free them from what that they term “bonded” labour.

Contract workers largely from the Public Works and Electricity departments will assemble in Panjim, while those from Goa Medical College and Hospital will gather in Bambolim to highlight the exploitative contract system.

Addressing a press conference on Friday morning, All India Trade Union Congress General Secretary Christopher Fonseca lambasted Chief Minister and the labour authorities for turning a blind eye to the problems of the working class in the State.

Highlighting the plight of contract workers, Fonseca accused

the Government of committing a fraud by paying them pitiful minimum wage much below the national average.

“Worse is major part of the rightful DA (dearness allowance) was not given every month thus depriving them of a fair wage,” he observed.

He pointed out some of the big mining companies too were taking full advantage of the contract system and exploiting workers. Besides causing environmental degradation, these companies were not maintaining proper working conditions and the Government is afraid of them as they are a law unto themselves, he ridiculed.

Fonseca warned the day was not far when these workers from far flung places of Goa will think of lifting arms against their oppressors as was the case with groups like Naxalites and Maoists. In Goa, if not Maoism and Naxalism, there sure is a new wave of turbulence taking shape, he stated.

REGIONAL PLAN: The AITUC General Secretary maintained the thriving real estate lobby had a big say in the Regional Plan 2021 that had thrown up many anomalies. There are many loopholes and potholes in the plan, he mentioned.

So what, he argued, if highly placed people have designed the plan. “One has to see and evaluate what is there in it for the ‘common man’, a coinage which is at the heart of this Government. The authorities should keep the plans for scrutiny before notifying them; what’s the hurry,” he asserted.

Youth hangs to death HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, DEC 17

A 28-year-old youngster from Morpilla at Quepem taluka ended his life by hanging in his house on Friday.

Cuncolim police said the youngster was found dead after he hung himself in his house.

The police have registered a case of unnatural death.

Shaurya Utsav gets underway HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, DEC 17

Indian Navy In Association with

Kala Academy Presents

NAVY BAND CONCERT - 2010 At Kala Academy, Panaji At 1800 Hours On 21 & 22 Dec 2010 Admission through Free Passes available at a Special Counter in Kala Academy on first come first serve basis

Dress: 21 Dec - Smart Casuals 22 Dec - Formal Counter Timings: 1000 - 1200 HRS 18 to 20 Dec 2010

The three-day Shaurya Utsav (Martial Arts) festival got underway at the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao on Friday as part of the commemoration of Golden Jubilee celebrations of Goa’s Liberation.

The festival is being organised by the Directorate of Art and Culture in collaboration with West Zone Cultural Centre, Udaipur. Margao Municipal Chairperson Sushila Naik was present for the inaugural ceremony due to the preoccupation of Chief Minister Digambar Kamat.

Saffron terror sheer vote bank politics:VHP HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, DEC 17

Vishwa Hindu Parishad will discuss the constant branding of Hindu organizations as ‘saffron terror outfits’ by the Centre and like minded forces during their international meeting of trustees at Ramnathi in Goa. “The whole idea of saffron terror is a fragment of imagination that has been purposely phrased to please the minority votes. Its sheer vote bank politics,” VHP’s national vice president Ashok Chowgule told reporters.

Briefing presspersons about Ramnathi’s conference, he also slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his comments warning the US about Hindu extremists.

No evening music in MMC garden!

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, DEC 17

Hazard a guess why the decade old tradition of playing evening music in the Margao Municipal garden has come to an abrupt end.

Well, the answer is simple. There’s nothing wrong with the music system, if civic officials are to be believed. But, the municipality has no dedicated manpower to operate the music system after duty hours, as a result music has stopped playing in the garden in recent times. That’s not all. Civic officials say the music system was being operated all this time by a security guard, and the tradition came to a halt after the transfer of the security personnel by the agency.

Sources in the know said the new security guard, who has taken charge, has no knowledge of operating the music system.

It is learnt that one of the civic employee, who was operating the music system, had asked an overtime for two hours, but the proposal did not find favour with the civic body.

Incidentally, the new council headed by Sushila Naik, and which owes allegiance to Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat has so far not taken any decision to revive the music system.

When contacted, Chief Minister feigned ignorance on the nonfunctioning of the music system and promised to direct the Chief Officer Prasanna Acharya to look into the matter and restore the tradition.

OHERALDO

OPINION

Pg6

www.oheraldo.in

O HERALD O Vol No CX No: 316 Goa, Saturday, 18 December, 2010

NCP’s directive has no ‘dum’

Conserving biodiversity

if earth’s age was shortened to an hour, humans would be around for only two seconds, says sHAilEE sHArMA What is this life if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare?

No time to stand beneath the boughs And stare as long as sheep or cows No time to see, when woods we pass, Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight, Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

A poor life this, if full of care, We have no time to stand and stare.

T

he Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Goa is a strange creature. It jettisoned its founder – former Chief Minister Dr Wilfred de Souza – some time ago, and was a headless entity for months. It now has a President in the shape of former MGP stalwart Prof Surendra Sirsat, but he seems to be a president sans powers. For, in the Goa NCP, it is the so-called coordinator, Praful Hede, who calls all the shots.

It is Mr Hede who has set a cat among the pigeons by directing the party’s two ministers – Revenue Minister Jose Philip D’Souza and Tourism Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar – to resign from the cabinet, ostensibly on the grounds of ‘indiscipline’. This so-called ‘indiscipline’ was a meeting on Wednesday in Margao, where the two NCP ministers interacted with a number of their Congress counterparts, interpreted by the media as a bid to stop the re-inclusion of former Tourism Minister Francisco ‘Mickky’ Pacheco in the cabinet.

Mr Pacheco’s re-induction would, under the circumstances, have meant the necessary exclusion of one of these two, which seems to be the raison d’être behind their meeting with several Congress ministers and MLAs at Margao. And why should they not be concerned about losing their ministerships…?

The point is, should the two decide to ignore this directive, there is little or nothing the NCP High Command or its Goa coordinator can do.

Ministers hold office at the pleasure of the Governor, who acts in this regard on the ‘advice’ of the Chief Minister.

Should Chief Minister Digambar Kamat refuse to ask the two NCP ministers to resign, the only option before the NCP is to smile despite the pain, or to pull out of the coalition.

In the event that they opt for the latter, Mr D’Souza and Mr Halarnkar can decide to split the party and call a party convention to establish and formalise their faction of the party. Since they hold a two-thirds majority in the legislature party, there is no question of their being eligible for disqualification as long as they take the precaution of formally splitting the party organisation when they part ways with the NCP. Once they have their own functioning faction of the NCP, Mr D’Souza and Mr Halarnkar can take their time to decide whether they wish to remain as an independent NCP faction or whether they wish to merge with the Congress, or any other party of their choice. Neither have they done anything to warrant such drastic disciplinary action, nor have they anything to fear if the NCP High Command or its Goa coordinator decide to get tough.

For, it is highly unlikely that NCP supremo Sharad Pawar will take any precipitate action to upset the existing coalition equations at the centre because of one tiny hiccup in India’s tiniest state. As it is, the highly aggressive and provocative speeches given by NCP leaders and by Mr Pacheco at the latter’s lavish birthday celebration recently – suggesting that the NCP does not need the Congress as a partner and can go it alone in all 40 constituencies and form the government in the next election – cannot have failed to raise eyebrows in the state unit of the Congress as well as in the party’s High Command, who are very, very unlikely to be well disposed towards Mr Hede, Mr Pacheco, Mr Sirsat, their loquacious spokesman Trajano D’Mello and others who were present and spoke on that eventful evening.

The storm is in a teacup and the NCP’s so-called directive has no ‘dum’. The balance of convenience is completely in favour of Mr D’Souza and Mr Halarnkar. As long as Chief Minister Digambar Kamat and the Congress High Command are with them, it’s they who can call all the shots.

W

hat a beautiful representation of biodiversity by William Davies. Of course, he speaks of time, or rather the lack of it, but doesn’t this strain make you want to spend that one holiday a year, amidst nature?

The year 2010 was declared the International Year of Biodiversity. Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms, within a given ecosystem, biome or an entire planet. The United Nation’s World Tourism Organisation defines tourism as movement away from one’s place of work or residence, for a period not less than 24 hours, and not more than a year.

It is the perfect amalgamation of tourism and biodiversity, that allows us the luxury of various avatars of tourism such as ecotourism or ecological tourism – responsible travel to fragile, pristine and usually protected areas where flora, fauna and cultural heritage are primary attractions, Wildlife tourism – eco and animal-friendly tourism, usually showing animals in their natural habitats, adventure tourism that involves two components – cultural exchange or interaction and engagement with nature, and hinterland tourism – that to a land or district behind the borders of a coast or river, but specifically the inland region behind a port.

All of these forms of tourism provide us with a feeling of being one with nature. Mountain biking, river trekking, snorkelling and underwater diving are thrilling to some, and wildlife safaris excite others. But to some, just waking up in the midst of a forest to the sounds of chirping birds and little beams of sunlight, pouring in through the canopy of trees above, is quite refreshing. It is none other than biodiversity that gives us these wonderful deviations, from our everyday, stressful, lives.

Mother Nature is helping us heal, but are we the virus that is infecting her boon of biodiversity, with the incurable disease of destruction? Growth in human population along with travel made easy,

A

Sidonio Mendes, Chandor

Ghastly collision

PRIMEIRO DIARIO NAS COLONIAS PORTUGEZAS

18 December, 1910 Members to forward proposal

The Committee entrusted to find a solution for the betterment of civil functioning decided that each one of the members should forward the proposal selective to their own departments.

Finding a solution

Lately, it seems that, at the Metropolis, the Strikes are occurring under new series and the government is burning midnight oil to come with a favourable solution to overcome that malaise.

Construction of concert hall

In the Valley of Keunemorland, District of Harlem, famous for its Flowers and Trees, is going to be constructed by one Flemish Family a magnificent Concert Hall in the memory of Beethoven, Bayreuth, and Wagner.

Statue to be erected

One rich German Lady, who lately expired at Nuremburg, kept a princely sum of One Hundred and Twenty Five Million Marks to erect a statue of Van Beethoven.

Self centred ‘tiatrists’ George Almeida, Vasco We all know that ‘tiatr’ is a source of entertainment for most Goans. Many tiatrists make it big with successive ‘tiatrs.’ Apart from being a lucrative side business, they earn thousands of rupees, in the process.

However, a lot of hard work is put in, to achieve that goal. Amazingly, during the season of Lent, most of them stop the shows, while some carry on. Many shows depict the life of Jesus Christ, during Lent.

Sadly, many ‘tiatrists’, enact the life of Christ only during Lent and not at any other time of the year. I request all ‘tiatrists’ and priests to work towards spreading the gospel of Christ throughout the year.

Liberation and desertion Martinho J Fernandes, Goa Velha It is a historical fact that the Portuguese liberated Goans twice. Goa was a paradise on earth, before the Indian army occupied it, but people across the border were starving and dying of hunger.

Mahatma Gandhi had once remarked, “first give our people enough to eat and then talk about Goa’s freedom.“ I give due credit to the wisdom of the British government for splitting India into Bharat and Pakistan, otherwise the fanatics would have created havoc all over India.

Had not the Portuguese and British united Goa and India, the pseudo freedom fighters would have been under the thumb of Mus-

beach-side, and cut down branches of the pine tree. These branches would be carefully tied to the bicycles and we would then troop home with our prized Christmas tree.

The ladies in the house, would be busy preparing all the sweets to be distributed to the neighbours. It was also time to get new clothes stitched, to be worn for the mid-night mass.

We used to play Christmas carols everyday, much before the 25th of December only to get into the Christmas spirit. Indeed, in those days, the Christmas feeling was in the air much before Christmas day.

That feeling does not exist any more. In today’s world, everyone is so busy that you probably get into the Christmas mood, only a day before Christmas. Our kids no longer prepare the Christmas star, the Christmas tree nor the crib. Everything is bought from the market, probably on Christmas eve, ie 24 December. The ladies are most likely to do the last minute Christmas shopping.

Sweets are bought from the pastry shop and clothes are bought

The FAR-ce

Agnelo P Furtado, Chinchinim

Most villages in Goa have opted for VP3 status to retain their unique identity and prevent high rise structures and mega projects. The VP3 village status has altogether vanished in the demystification of rationalisation. Both VP3 and VP2 were having a height restriction of 7 metres (Ground+1). Now the height restriction on VP2 has been relaxed to 9 metres which allows Ground+2 structures.

This removes the vent plug on the mega project cauldron and, in a cunning turnaround, introduces it through the back burner.

What a slap on the intelligence of “Aam Aadmi” and demolition of grass root democracy? An unseen mega fish has been baited, only visible to those who made the changes. It’s a 1G (ground) spectrum. The building lobby will now be laughing all the way to the bank. lim rulers.

Save it for posterity Jerry Fernandes, Saligao Today, our elected Goan politicians are seen destroying Goa and yet, we do absolutely nothing but silently watch the ‘tamasha.’ We believe in making fast money, constructing huge bungalows, living a luxurious life, eating, drinking and merry-making, but are not concerned of the future well-being of Goa We just cannot unite and fight issues like garbage, casinos, drugs, prostitution, illegal mega projects, national highways, SEZs, etc. What a shame! Goans are, indeed, a strange lot.

It is now time to immediately stop saying that famous outdated sentence ‘Mhaka Kiteak Poddlam’, because Goa is fast getting ‘kabaar’ (finished) and that too, right in front of our eyes. So, please for God’s sake, wake up, unite and save our unique identity for posterity.

Generating goodwill Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco While there are calls from party bosses of various political parties for their members to show austerity, the ground reality is far from the truth. Birthdays have become an occasion to score brownie points over their political rivals. It has become more a matter of one-upmanship and showmanship. Politicians use the occasion to show the mass support they enjoy, and also to do some muscle-flexing.

By Adelmo Fernandes

from the readymade clothes shops and presto, you are all ready for Christmas day. Everything is done in a jiffy, as time is precious.

We are so busy with the worldly things that there is hardly any time to prepare ourselves, for Christmas day. We depend so much on things that are readily available in the market place. Incidentally, all this has robbed us of the joys and fun, associated with Christmas.

We do not realise that the biggest joy of a festival, is in preparing for it. The sweets that we make at home have the ingredient of love in it. Unfortunately, we now distribute sweets bought from the pastry shops. I would give anything to relive the Christmas day of childhood years. So this year, I have decided to prepare for Christmas, like the way I used to, in the past. Along with my two sons, I shall be preparing the Christmas star from bamboo sticks, the Christmas tree from the branches of pine-trees and the crib from dry hay. Dear readers, try it out this Christmas. It’s fun. Have a Merry Christmas.

Letters to the Editor

Letter of the Day

Michael Vaz, Merces Nine relatives of a family apart from the drivers of the ill-fated Chevrolet Tavera car and the incoming luxury bus perished near Khed, Ratnagiri, in a ghastly collision on the Goa-Mumbai section of the NH 17.

Such accidents periodically remind us of appalling loss of lives due to ill-designed highways.

Let this be a wake up call to all those who are against highway expansion and are highly conservative of the width of such roadways.

airport likely by October.” The airport project has been embroiled in controversy following strong objections by the Environment ministry, which has opposed the destruction of a large area of mangroves, diversion of two rivers in the area and the flattening of a hillock, to make way for the runway. Many other newspapers also of today’s responsible urban society, print various headlines such as “Urban Sprawl: The Big Picture,” “Threats to Biodiversity Rise in World’s Mediterranean Climate Region” and “Make Biodiversity Education a Part of School Curriculum.”

The year 2010 was declared the International Year of Biodiversity. Biodiversity refers to the variety and variability among living organisms and the ecological complexes, in which they occur.

Today’s biodiversity is the result of 3.5 billion years of evolution. But are we leading it all up to extinction?

Biodiversity today, is in grave danger. Or is it?

The massive growth in human population through the 20th century, has had more impact on biodiversity than any other single factor, is what most believe. But several other factors also do pose major threat to biodiversity, today. Extinction is

Christmas musings

s we approach Christmas day, I am reminded of a poem by Lord Alfred Tennyson “The time draws near the birth of Christ; The moon is hid; the night is still; the Christmas bells from hill to hill; answer each other in the mist”. The cold winter nights, with the minimum temperatures dropping, remind us that Christmas day is fast approaching, and it is time to celebrate.

But then, the way we celebrate Christmas, has undergone a vast change over the years. I recall the days when, as a little boy, I would get down to the task of preparing the Christmas star, the Christmas tree and the crib, more than a week before Christmas day. In those days, bullock carts used to carry hay along the road.

We used to run after these carts, to grab as much of the dry hay, as our little hands could, so that we could use it to make the crib.

I used to spread wet mud on the floor, and sprinkle grains of wheat. In a week’s time, they would grow into a tiny bush. I recall scrapping bamboo sticks, so that we could use them to make a Christmas star. And for the Christmas tree, we used to cycle to the

with dignity and prudence.

100 Years Ago

greater knowledge of tourism and the increasing affluence of the people, has had more impact on biodiversity in tourist destinations, than any other single factor. Other factors too, such as greedy and irresponsible operators, over hunting and over fishing and the ever increasing problem of pollution, are all direct results of a greater influx of tourists.

However, today, the awareness of biodiversity that leads to the development of such tourist destinations, indeed, contributes to tourism nurturing biodiversity. These habitats in the form of wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and biosphere reserves are conserved and protected from overexploitation so as to sustain them for the tourism industry.

It is now up to us, the able race, to conserve biodiversity, in conjunction with responsible tourism. Biodiversity and tourism, today, form a symbiotic system, that obligates us to care for and, preserve biodiversity, to ensure the future continuance of tourism, travel and therefore, the hospitality industries.

The Economic Times on 20 Sept carried the headline “Environmental nod for Navi Mumbai

Tongue in Cheek

Diverting attention The turmoil of Regional plan in Goa’s western parts, is a creation of politicians, only to divert our attention from the devastation of Goa’s ecology, by rampant mining activity in its eastern sector. The other day, I was witness to a meeting, which had already commenced, on the RP 2021.

Confusing queries and ridiculous answers followed an explosive clap. It was obvious that it was a stage-managed show. Considering the approach adopted nowadays, one is reminded of dignitaries and political leaders of the likes of Bahusaheb Bandodkar and the Dr Jack Sequeira era. They were neither rustic nor egoistic. They led us

Post Evolution PEril

a natural event, and from the geological perspective, routine. Most species that have ever inhabited mother earth have either gone extinct, having served their time on earth or in episodes of mass extinction. Invasion of non-native species too, is an important and often overlooked cause of extinction. For example, the establishment of the nile perch, an exotic species of freshwater fish, in Lake Victoria in Africa may cause the extinction of most indigenous species there, by simply eating them all. However, when two or more species are highly interdependent, the removal of one species or the addition of another, affects the entire biological disposition. This is the Domino Effect – a result of either extinction or invasion.

The expansive destruction of mangroves, a growing concern, is an important example of foreign invasion, leading to degradation and loss of habitat. Several human activities also, such as pollution from chemical contaminants leading to climate change and habitat damage of even marine life and over hunting and over fishing, are indirect or direct threats to biodiversity.

The airport issue is being worked hard at to resolve all possible problems and find a suitable solution. CIDCO had been asked to do some tweaking of plans, so that there is minimum effect on environment. Non-aeronautical assets, such as hotels, will have to be constructed along with the airport terminal and two runways, while not changing the basic location of the airport. The required changes have been carefully engineered and the project is now expected to be passed soon.

But is biodiversity or threats to it, really such a big concern? The average lifetime granted to any species on earth, is always only about 1 million years anyway. And are we humans, a mere speck on Earth’s geological clock, really creating as much havoc as we deem ourselves to be? If so, then why did evolution occur even before the existence of our race? The world continued, life lived on and if the Earth’s age were to be compressed into an hour, humans would only be around for two seconds.

Yet threats to biodiversity do exist – natural and human and we as the intelligent ones, must take up the responsibility of not adding to them, but conserving biodiversity to the extent possible and, most importantly, hand in hand, with development. Or are we ready to go back to the early ages and live as cave men?

Many species. One planet. One future.

At times, a birthday-bash becomes a platform to verbally ‘bash’ the political rival and announce future political plans. Such birthday parties have grown in stature and are lavish by nature. Our politicians should be inclined to serve the common man by celebrating their birthdays lavishly, in the midst of the poor. This will generate a lot of goodwill and blessings from the masses.

Mary and the Bible Cyril P D’Souza, Calangute Theletter by George Almeida entitled ‘Tenets and Traditions’ (Herald, 7 Dec ) is full of halftruths and shows total ignorance on the part of the writer. Sadly, he has proved that he is lacks knowledge of the Bible by saying that Mary didn’t forgive the apostles, Peter and Judas, when God himself once again chose Mary to be with and around all the apostles, like a true mother, when he sent the Holy Spirit upon them all .

Nowhere in the Bible, is it said that Mary didn’t forgive the apostles. She suffered silently at the foot of the cross and forgave Christs’ executioners and once again, said yes to the will of God, when Christ asked her to be our mother, represented by the apostle John.

Migrant menace Vincent E Do Rego, Dubai What Union Home Minister has said, is right.

In Goa too, migrants are responsible for the spate of robberies, and murders. This lot has been throwing away trash in every nook and corner, and spits ‘paan,’ which is customary of their lifestyle, pan India. This represents dirty mannerisms, whereas we Goans, live in a peaceful and civilised society.

Dirty politics has contributed in an inane manner to our beautiful Goa that has resulted in slums everywhere. A blanket ban should be imposed on commercial buildings and so called mega projects. Why do we Goans need these kinds of projects? In any case, it doesn’t benefit Goans, as they cannot afford to buy such dwellings.

Why act on complaints?

Jose Maria Miranda, Margao Every time someone is booked for some illegality, it is generally based on a lodged complaint. In fact, municipalities and panchayats also follow the same procedure against illegal constructions/extensions.

Sometime back, fruit vendors were caught ripening fruits through artificial means.

Most municipal employees and in particular, market inspectors, are a classic example of people looking the other way, when irregularities take place. One wonders whether our bureaucrats and other government servants are only there to receive their salaries and warm up their seats. Goa government cannot afford this luxury, considering that it has such a huge employee workforce.

The escape route S N D Poojary, Miramar The ruling party boasts of zero tolerance towards corruption. An FIR was lodged by the CBI in 2009, against some unknown entities. The investigation got a momentum not because of the lofty ideals of some political party, but because of the stick that CBI got, from the Supreme Court. It was on a complaint of Dr Subramanian Swamy that the CBI was forced to order a full scale investigation. These high voltage investigations are basically for public consumption and when the findings are tested in courts, they fall flat. The loopholes thus created serve as an escape route for the powerful.

Paths of Wisdom Tenants in the Vineyard There was once a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a hole for the winepress and built a watchtower.

Then, he let out the vineyard to tenants and went on a journey. When the time came to gather the grapes, he sent his slaves to the tenants to receive his share of the harvest.

The tenants seized his slaves, beat one, killed another, and stoned another.

Again, the man sent other slaves, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way.

Last of all, he sent his son to them, ‘Surely they will respect my son,’ he said.

But, when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves. ‘This is the owner’s son. Come on, let’s kill him and we will get his property. So, they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.

“Now, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?”

Jesus asked.

“He will certainly kill those evil men,” they answered, “and let the vineyard out to other tenants, who will give him his share of the harvest at the right time.”

Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you ever read what the Scriptures say?”

“The stone which the builders rejected as worthless, turned out to be the most important of all. This was done by the Lord; what a wonderful sight it is!” “And so I tell you,” added Jesus, “the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to people who will produce the proper fruits.”The Chief Priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus’ parables and knew that he was talking about them.

So they tried to arrest him. But, they were afraid of the crowds, who considered Jesus to be a prophet.

(Matthew 21; 33-45)

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OHERALDO

Pg 7

GOA

GOA, SATURDAY, 18 DECEMBER, 2010

Belgaum man arrested for burglary at Canca temples in a suspicious manner in Mapusa market," said Police Inspector Rajesh Kumar.

He will be produced before the Judicial Magistrate First class on Saturday for police remand.

"We are hopeful of recovering the stolen pendant and cash from the accused," PI Kumar.

A police dog squad pressed into service at a temple at Canca.

Photo by Anil Shankhwalker HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, DEC 17

Mapusa police has arrested a man from Belgaum on charges of breaking into two temples at Verla-Canca on Thursday night.

Burglars had broken into two temples and the office of the Verla -Canca panchayat on Thursday night.

According to Mapusa police, burglars broke open the locks of the gates of Vishwanti Vishweshwar Shivashanker Devasthan at Canca.

They entered the Garbhakud and stole a pendant on the idol of Goddess Parvati.

However, while they were in the process of stealing the cash from the donation box, a police patrol reached the site.

Noticing some suspicious movement, the police entered the temple. The burglars, however, managed to slip away from the police.

The burglars did not take any cash from the donation box, while the stolen pendant is estimated to be Rs 10,000.

In the second incident, burglars broke into the Rastroli temple at Canca and decamped with three donation boxes with cash of about Rs 9000.

They abandoned one box outside the temple and remaining two in the nearby fields, half a kilometre from the temple.

In the third incident, burglars entered the Verla-Canca panchayat office and with the help of duplicate keys, opened the cupboards and messed up all files and important documents.

They also opened the adjacent Talathi's office and messed up the documents there as well.

However, nothing was reported to have been stolen from these offices.

On learning of the break-in at the temples and panchayat office, panch members and committee members of the temples rushed to the site and later they lodged a complaint with the Mapusa Police station.

"On Friday afternoon, one accused, Shengi Siddappa Korgutti of Belgaum, was seen moving

Prayer for peace, families, society held at Margao

Shri Shri Shri Sadaguru Parwadeshwar Maharaj seen honouring Sudesh Bhosle in the presence of Chief Minister Digambar Kamat and South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha.

Photo by Santosh Mirajkar HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, DEC 17

An assembly of religious and political leaders, besides couples at the Nehru stadium, Fatorda on Friday evening prayed for peace in the families, society and the world at large.

Organised by Shri Shri Shri Sadaguru Parwadeshwar Maharaj under the auspices of the Cultural centre of the Math, the congregation called for the spread of the message of love, peace, prosperity and blessed the couples with good health and happy life.

Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat, PWD Minister, Churchill Alemao, South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha, MLA Victoria Fernandes, GPCC general secretary Vijay Sardessai were the political figures present at the meeting.

In his brief address, the Chief Minister underlined the need for peace in the society and complimented Shri Shri Shri Sadaguru Parwadeshwar Maharaj for his peace initiative across the country.

PWD Minister Churchill Alemao said that peace is very important for the progress and welfare of any society or country and underlined the need to maintain peace and communal harmony amongst the religious communities in Goa. South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha said marriages are rocked by divorces and emphasized on the need to bring about peace in the families. He said the meeting assumes significance as it comes on the eve of the Christmas festival, and recalled the message of love, brotherhood and peace given by Lord Jesus for mankind.

GPCC general secretary Vijay Sardesai lauded the sustained efforts of Sadaguru Parwadeshwar Maharaj to bring peace in the world. “It was because of the initiative of the Sadaguru that people have assembled at the stadium to pray for peace”, he said.

MLA Victoria Fernandes said that no society or country can prosper without peace and complimented the efforts of Sadaguru Parwadeshwar to spread the message of peace across the country.

On the occasion, Shri Shri Shri Sadaguru Parwadeshwar Maharaj honoured P WD Minister, Churchill Alemao, MLA Victoria Fernandes and Sudesh Bhosle for their contributions in their respective fields.

Torch rally in Vasco today VASCO, DEC 17(HR)

As part of the golden jubilee celebration of Goa Liberation Day, the Mormugao Rashtrwadi Nagari Samiti (MRNS) will hold a torch rally in Vasco on December 18 at 6 pm.

Addressing a press conference, MRNS Convener Rajendra Arlekar said the MRNS would hold different cultural events and national integrated programmes during the year. "One such event is the torch rally in Vasco on the eve of Goa's Liberation day," he said.

The rally will commence at Hutatma Chowk in Vasco, pass through the city from Dr T B Cunha statue and culminate near the MMC building.

Right to Education will benefit poor, says CM HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, DEC 17

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat has said that education should not be restricted only to the rich, but should be made available to all sections of society, irrespective of monetary status, caste and creed.

He was speaking as the chief guest at the Christmas Fiesta organized by the Diocesan Society of Education at the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao on Friday.

The Chief Minister said the central government decision to make Right to Education would benefit the poorest of the poor in the so-

ciety and complimented the Diocesan of Education for playing a pivotal role in the field of education in Goa. Recalling the statement made

by Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh that only education can make India the world super power, Kamat said that only education and nothing else can bring about a change in the society and progress of the state and country.

Complimenting the Diocesan Society of Education for its rich contribution to the field of education, the Chief Minister said the government would be always open to redress the problems faced by the education society.

“I had the opportunity to interact with DSE officials when I was the Education Minister, he said.

The secretary of the Diocesan

Society of Education, Fr Zepherino D’Souza said the Christmas Fiesta has provided an opportunity for the teachers and students a platform to display their talents and convey the message of peace, joy

and love for all people. “This message ought to be conveyed to all irrespective of caste and creed, adding “These were the values Lord Jesus came to proclaim in this world”.

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10 killed in US drone attacks PtI PESHAWAR, DEC 17

US drones carried out two attacks on terrorist hideouts in the restive Khyber tribal region of northwest Pakistan today, killing at least 10 militants, including a commander, and injuring seven others.

The drones fired several missiles at two bases of the banned Lashkar-e-Islam group in the Tirah area of Khyber tribal agency, official sources said.

Ten militants were killed in the attacks that were carried out within the space of an hour, they said. At least seven other militants were also injured.

This was only the second time since the US drone attacks began in 2004 that unmanned spy planes attacked targets in Khyber tribal agency.

Seven militants were killed in the first missile strike in Khyber yesterday. Local residents said they had seen drones flying over parts of Khyber.

Mulford wanted US to learn from India’s counter-terror efforts PtI WASHINGTON, DEC 17

Given India's successful handling of "asymmetrical" terrorist and insurgent movements like those in Punjab and Kashmir, the then US ambassador David Mulford had advised the Bush administration to learn and gain from New Delhi's counterterrorism experiences, according to a secret memo made public by WikiLeaks.

"Using every opportunity available to signal our interest in learning from India -- which has successfully tackled 'asymmetrical' insurgencies in Punjab and Kashmir -- will go a long way to reduce this distrust and may prompt Indian officials to be more receptive to our offers of support," Mulford wrote in the secret embassy cable dated February 23, 2007.

"There is much India could offer us of value to strengthen our counter-terrorism efforts. For instance, they can give us more information about the nature of the terrorist threat in India and South Asia, and help us develop new strategies for defeating terrorists derived from India's experience in Kashmir," he said in the cable add r e s s e d t o Fr a n k U r b a n c i c , t h e t h e n Acting-coordinator for Counter-terrorism.

They also may have information about Bangladeshi, Nepalese, Sri Lankan and Pakistani terrorists that they could share the Ambassador wrote in his secret memo.

The United States, which has accused the whis-

China to deepen strategic ties with Pakistan: Wen PtI ISLAMABAD, DEC 17

China wants to deepen its strategic partnership with Pakistan in view of "complex and fluid international and regional circumstances", Premier Wen Jiabao said today as he began a landmark three-day visit to the country.

"China and Pakistan are allweather cooperation partners.

Under the complex and fluid international and regional circumstances, it is a firm policy of the Chinese government to further cement and deepen the strategic partnership of cooperation with Pakistan," he said in his arrival statement at Chaklala airbase.

Wen, who was accorded a red carpet welcome being personaly received by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, described Pakistan as an "important country in the region" that has made "positive" contributions to peace, stability and development.

He said the visit would help to push forward "bilateral pragmatic cooperation" and lift economic and trade cooperation to a new height.

"The purpose of my visit this time is to solidify friendship, deepen cooperation, support Pakistan's efforts of post-disaster reconstruction, and ring in, together with Pakistan, the 60th anniversary of China-Pakistan diplomatic relations in 2011," Wen said.

The Chinese premier will hold talks with his Pakistani counterpart and other leaders on bilateral cooperation and issues of shared interest.

He will attend a China-Pakistan business summit and meet Pakistanis who have contributed to the friendship between the two countries.

Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Hu Zhengyue said his country's participation in Pakistan’s post-flood reconstruction is one of the main issues of Wen's visit.

Millions throng Karbala for ashura AFP KARBALA (Iraq), DEC 17

Two million Shiites geared up for the climax of Ashura commemorations in the Iraqi shrine city of Karbala today, the day after authorities said they arrested dozens of suspected militants plotting "chaos."

The rituals, largely peaceful thus far and marking the killing of Imam Hussein by armies of the caliph Yazid in 680 AD, are a key test for Iraqi forces ahead of a complete withdrawal of American troops in a year.

The 10-day ceremonies in the holy city south of Baghdad began with pilgrims drenched in blood after ritually slicing their scalps and self-flagellation

in a demonstration of mourning, and were ending Friday with a re-enactment of the battle of Karbala in which Hussein was killed.

Masses of black-clad pilgrims were to symbolically rush to the martyred saint's aid by taking part in a ritual five-kilometre (three-mile) run to Hussein's shrine, as they smack their heads and scream "Labeikeh Hussein" (here we are, Hussein).

Then they re-enact the scene of the final battle between Hussein and Yazid's armies, setting fire to tents set up for the occasion.

Tradition holds that the revered imam was decapitated and his body mutilated.

Stabbing spree leave 13 injured ReuteRs TOKYO, DEC 17

A stabbing spree on a school bus and a commuter bus in a Tokyo suburb today left 13 people injured, police and media said.

A 27-year-old unemployed man arrested for the attacks told police: “I wanted to end my life,” Kyodo news agency reported.

Media said the man boarded a packed school bus near Toride, a suburban town northeast of Tokyo, stabbing students before moving on to a second commuter bus.

Four were stabbed and the rest injured as they scrambled to escape, the reports said.

tle-blower website WikiLeaks, of stealing its secret cables, has however, refused to either deny or confirm the authenticity of these cables.

Urbanic's visit to New Delhi took place a little over a week after the bombing of the Samjauta Express train between New Delhi and Lahore.

At the same time, the Ambassador noted about the lack of cooperation between India and the US on counter-terrorism issues and how New Delhi remained genuinely concerned about Pakistan's continued support to terrorist groups.

"India's lingering zero-sum suspicion of US policies towards Pakistan, its fiercely independent foreign policy stance, its traditional go-it-alone strategy toward its security and its domestic political sensitivities over the sentiments of its large Muslim population, have all contributed to India's caution in working with us on a joint counterterrorism strategy," according to the cable.

While India has been very keen to receive information and technology from the US to further its counter-terrorism efforts, it provides "little in return, despite our belief that the country should be an equal partner in this relationship," it said.

"India frequently rebuffs our offers of support for their police investigations of terrorist attacks and our offers of training and support are often met with a stalled logistical pace," the cable said.

FrOM page 1 Cabinet against dropping...

at the cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat shot back, “Cabinet meeting is not meant to discuss political issues.”

Analysts have stated that the party’s decision to ask both the ministers to resign could hurt the NCP badly in the next election.

There is also news making rounds that the two ministers would resign from the party and ministry and join Congress.

Although there isn’t any confirmation, sources say, the duo would be given the ministries again as Kamat is contemplating dissolution of the house in the next six months.

We’ll stay put...

supremo Sharad Pawar and Goa desk in-charge Praful Patel.

Jose Philip further asserted both, he and Nilkant, were firmly with the NCP and there was no problem.

Meanwhile, top party functionaries have chosen to speak without an official quote to the media fearing backlash from the high command. A top party functionary blamed Public Works Department Minister Churchill Alemao for influencing the two leaders the wrong way.

He further chided Churchill calling him undisciplined and for being full of rubbish. “We don’t want his indiscipline to rub into the NCP. Who is Alemao to interfere in our party matters?” he chided.

The party functionaries in Goa are however unwilling to comment on Churchill’s statements supporting the NCP ministers over their resignations. Many of them opined that State president Surendra Sirsat should have called an executive committee meeting to discuss the message of the high command calling for resignations of the two legislators.

Calls to the NCP’s Goa Desk in-charge Praful Patel on his cell didn’t yield any result and as such a statement from the horse’s mouth on the exact reason for demanding resignations of their ministers remains elusive.

With no party functionary coming clear on the resignation aspect, party workers have decided to throw their weight behind their two leaders.

Meanwhile, Alemao, who heads the group of Congress legislators sympathizing with the NCP ministers, said they will not let the Sharad Pawar-led party to drop anyone from the cabinet.

“These two ministers have stood firm with the government and that’s why we are with them,” Alemao told reporters adding that if they are dropped, the group has an alternate plans.

“We have alternate plans. We don’t discuss them in public right now,” Alemao said outside ministerial building in Porvorim today.

Goa witnessed hectic political activities after Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) asked two of its ministers to quit Digambar Kamat cabinet, last night.

Sources stated that a group of Congress legislators including ministers were working overtime to save Revenue Minister Jose Philip D’Souza and Tourism Minister Nilkant Halarnkar from quitting the cabinet.

Sirsat flays Churchill

like situation.

In what could set the tone for further sparring between the NCP and the Congress, Sirsat chided Public Works Department Minister Churchill Alemao for interfering in the internal affairs of NCP. He said he had learnt Churchill had stated in case Jose Philipe de Souza and Nilkanth Halarnkar are pressurised to resign as ministers, he had alternate plans.

He said the utterances of Churchill were uncalled for and they were also against the tenets of coalition dharma.

Govt okays health insurance

The chief minister said the scheme would also cover the basic needs of medicine cost and the required medical tests apart from treatment, which otherwise cost a lot.

Further, he continued, the government would float tenders and invite bids from insurance companies.

“The financial implication to the State would be minimal,” he said.

Kamat said the basic aim of the scheme is to provide relief to the families who have ailing family members.

“They will not have to fill any forms to get the benefit. Every family would be given a card through which they can avail benefits,” he said adding, “Further modalities would be worked out with the insurance companies, who bag the contract.”

To a query, Kamat replied, there would be no income limit and all families of Goa would be covered under it.

In another decision the cabinet also decided to accept the recommendations of the Nandkumar Kamat committee for providing some kind of benefit to the forgotten trades like bakers, groundnut sellers, coconut pluckers and other artisans.

“These were the trades which were forgotten and in the last budget I had made a provision of Rs 1 crore for their benefit,” Kamat said adding “Today even a groundnut seller is an outsider and Goans are not taking up these businesses.”

“We wanted to give some benefits to Goans in this business and hence appointed a committee under Nandkumar Kamat, which had submitted the report recently,” he said.

Kamat said the State will have to form a council for implementing the scheme, under which the government expects 50,000 people to benefit in first phase (till March 2011).

Aid to voluntary organisations: The government approved a Sahayata Scheme, which will give financial aid to volunteer organizations like old age homes and institutes for special children.

The institutions would be provided one time grant of Rs 50,000 for organization of programmes or functions.

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BJP, RSS target Rahul over Hindu terror remarks PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 17

Rahul Gandhi was on Friday at the centre of a political storm in the wake of his controversial remarks that Hindu extremists posed a bigger threat than terror outfits like Lashkar-e-Taiba, with the BJP and the RSS accusing him of giving “big leverage” to propaganda of terror groups in Pakistan.

Caught on the backfoot after WikiLeaks made public a secret communication to Washington

by US Ambassador to India Timothy Roemer on his conversation with Rahul, Congress tried some damage control exercise.

“Rahul Gandhi’s view is that terrorism and communalism of all types are a threat to India.

We need to remain vigilant against acts of terrorism of all kinds no matter who commits them,” AICC General Secretary Janardan Dwivedi said in a release issued on his behalf.

The statement came hours after Congress grappled with the issue of the WikiLeaks cable which said Rahul had told Roemer that growth of “radicalised

Hindu groups” which create religious tensions in India posed a bigger threat to the country than activities of groups like LeT. This in a way is the first acknowledgement from the Congress that Gandhi had indeed talked to Roemer on the issue.

The initial reaction of the Congress on the issue was one of dilemma with party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi saying, “We will respond to it after verifying the facts. There is no reason to react in an excited manner. The issue should first be looked into and verified”.

Dwivedi, who is also AICC media department chairman, had first suspected a conspiracy angle behind the release of WikiLeaks cable saying, “Let us verify the truth. May be there is some conspiracy behind the pattern with which this all is being done.”

All this did not cut ice with the BJP with its spokesperson Ravishankar Prasad saying, “In one stroke, Rahul Gandhi has sought to give a big leverage to the propaganda of all terror

groups operating from Pakistan and certain segments of the Pakistan establishment.”

The RSS too slammed Rahul for his “shocking” remarks against Hindu groups, saying there was a “race” in the senior Congress leadership to project Hindus as terrorists.

According to the cable from New Delhi, at a luncheon hosted

by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at his residence in July 2009, the Congress General Secretary was asked by the US Ambassador about LeT’s activities in the region and immediate threat to India.

Cong sees ‘conspiracy’ behind WikiLeaks release on Rahul PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 17

Congress on Friday suspected a conspiracy behind the release of WikiLeaks cable which says Rahul Gandhi had told US ambassador Timothy Roemer that growth of “radicalised Hindu groups” could pose a bigger threat to India than activities of groups like LeT. “Let us verify the truth. May be there is some conspiracy behind the pattern with which this all is being done,” party general secretary Janardan Diwedi told PTI when asked about his reaction to the WikiLeaks release.

According to a secret US diplomatic cable from New Delhi released by WikiLeaks, at a luncheon hosted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at his residence in July 2009, the Congress General Secretary was asked by the US ambassador about LeT’s activities in the region and immediate threat to India.

“Gandhi said there was evidence of some support for the group among certain elements in India’s indigenous Muslim community,” the cable notes.

Pranab upset as victim of Cong power struggle HERALD CORRESPONDENT NEW DELHI, DEC 17

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee is upset over posters appearing in the capital early this month, depicting him as the right candidate for the Prime Minister’s post.

He is understood to have complained to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and Dr Manmohan Singh that he suspects hand of Home Minister P Chidambaram engaged in the power game to embarrass him.

The poster discusses two names for the Prime Minister’s post: Mukherjee and Defence Minister A K Anthony and claims India will not be safe in the hands of the latter as he is an

American “agent” and “representative” of the Vatican in India.

Delhi Police swung into action, pulling out all posters after Mukherjee’s private secretary registered an FIR (first information report) with the Parliament Street Police Station.

Sources said Mukherjee himself got down from his car to read one such poster pasted on the wall of a government building and then drove down to 10 Janpath to express concern over such posters depicting as if he is trying to dislodge Dr Manmohan Singh as the PM. Sonia Gandhi has reportedly asked the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister to verify antecedents of a man from Secunderabad

Dragon and elephant should tango: Wen

PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 17

“The dragon and the elephant should tango,” Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao suggested on Friday.

Wen came up with this quip to emphasise the need for the two Asian giants, whose rivalry

has been compared to that between the dragon (China) and elephant (India), to come closer.

He told a group of editors and scholars before leaving for Pakistan, “the dragon and the elephant should tango and that should become the consensus between the two countries.”

India and China were partners in cooperation and not rivals, he said.

Wen had warm words of appreciation for his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh describing him as a person “with an open and inclusive mind”.

The Chinese leader mentioned that the Cambridge University had brought out a publication containing speeches by him and Singh whose common theme was the importance of open and inclusive societies.

He distributed copies of that publication with his autograph to those present at the interaction.

Wen mentioned that the Indian Prime Minister had last year sent him a gift package of black tea and in return he had sent Chinese white tea. “That reminds me of how our two countries connect with each other.”

who allegedly got these posters printed in the name of a city organisation and take action.

The poster carries the print line of a Secunderabad printing press. Delhi Police is in touch with the Andhra Pradesh Police to find out what should be the provocation for Ravi Kumar, the son-in-law of Centre for Media Studies’ Bhaskar Rao.

Sonia ‘felt better’ turning down PM-ship

PTI LONDON, DEC 17

After stepping aside in favour of Manmohan Singh to head the new UPA government in 2004, Congress President Sonia Gandhi “felt better” that someone else became prime minister and did not regret her decision.

According to a secret US cable released by WikiLeaks, Gandhi has also promised to write a book detailing the tense moments on the issue of who will become prime minister after the Congress-led UPA emerged victorious in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections.

Stating that she is often asked why she turned down the top job, Italian-born Gandhi told a visiting US dignitary in New Delhi in 2006 that “I am often asked about this, but tell people that I will write a book someday with the whole story.”

aPPointments

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ONGC wants Cairn-Vedanta deal tweaked AGENCY NEW DELHI, DEC 17

ONGC has stepped up its confrontation with Cairn, saying it will not contribute a penny to future development in the Rajasthan oilfield unless the British explorer renegotiates the contract which puts the entire royalty burden on the state-run firm although it only holds a 30% interest.

ONGC’s stance could further delay the government’s decision on the $9.6-billion CairnVedanta deal and change its valuation if Cairn is forced to alter the royalty agreement, which ONGC officials say bleeds the state-run company’s balance sheet, while Cairn Energy has made handsome profits from the sale of its Indian assets to London-listed metals and minerals group Vedanta Resources.

ONGC and the oil ministry

have argued that the deal cannot be consummated without government approval—a point that Cairn grudgingly accepted last month.

Since the deal was announced in August, Cairn CEO Bill Gammell has visited New Delhi eight times, most recently on Thursday, when he met government officials including Petroleum Secretary S Sundareshan.

A top executive at ONGC confirmed that his company had written to Cairn, saying it would not invest in the field unless ‘outstanding issues’ are resolved. “The royalty arrangement is unfair. One partner is making huge profit at the expense of the other partner,” he said.

“We will examine it absolutely on merit by end-February,” the petroleum secretary told reporters after his meeting with Gammell. He said the

government would take a decision on the deal in FebruaryMarch.

He said the government could examine the merits of the deal only after Cairn formally sought the government’s approval for all 10 blocks held

by Cairn India on November 26.

“Even though they have finally applied, it was with some reservations — we will examine it on merit,” he said.

ONGC, which is planning a follow-on public offer of about Rs 11,000 crore in 2011, wants to bring Cairn to the negotiating table, officials with direct knowledge of the matter said, requesting anonymity.

“We offer no comments on this,” Cairn India director (corporate affairs) Manu Kapoor said while ONGC did not respond to emailed queries.

The state-run firm’s royalty burden over the life of the field

is estimated to be over $2 billion while its partner pays no royalty.

This is because when the government was wooing private capital it tried to lure companies with attractive terms, including a promise that the private investor would not pay any royalty. The entire burden would fall on the government-nominated partner, who would hold 30% in the project and pay all the royalty if there was a commercial discovery. ONGC has also requested the government to reimburse the royalty it pays on behalf of Cairn for the Rajasthan field that pumps 125,000 barrels per day, and has the potential to double the output.

Answering a media question on royalty after the company’s board meeting on Thursday, ONGC chairman & managing director RS Sharma said: “We

are continuously in dialogue (with the finance ministry)”. At the heart of the dispute are Cairn’s assets in Rajasthan, which include the country’s biggest privately run oilfield.

Other two assets are Ravva and CB/OS-2. All the three blocks were awarded to Cairn before the New Exploration Licensing Policy (Nelp).

Ravva and CB/OS-2 on the west coast are oil and gas producing fields. The three comprise over 95% of Cairn India’s valuation as other seven fields, awarded under Nelp auction rounds, are still in the exploration stage.

Cairn’s India arm holds 70% stake in the Rajasthan block, which comprises 8590% of the $9.6-billion Cairn-Vedanta deal. Cairn India’s partner ONGC holds 30% in the oil-producing asset.

SRS Computers: The ladder of success BHARATI PAWASKAR

AASANKA is the new concept of online learning, one to one, personalised and stress-free for XI and XII Science Board exams as well as GCET, AIEEE and IITJEE. Though AASANKA has two more centres – Smartedge in Panjim and Goa Edutech in Margao but SRS Computer Services was the first institute to initiate this concept in Goa. It is the first branch of AASANKA in India, too. “We launched it on 16 April 2010.

Presently we have 25 students enrolled with us. The students as well as the parents are happy with the progress so far.

It gave them a lot of confidence,” says Sagar Sakordekar, the managing director and proprietor of SRS Computer Services, Ponda.

Explaining more about AASANKA, Sagar says, “It is the brain child of Atul Nigam, an IITan from Mumbai who put in 8 years in research before he developed this concept. Luckily, this weekend Atul is in Goa for a unique seminar on this revolutionary way to ACE exams that gives one to one feedback about the strengths and weaknesses of the students and guides them to come over the difficulties. Under two plans – yearly and two yearly various packages are offered.”

Never missing his first rank Sagar, a Mechanical Engineer, did his post-graduation in computers and passed out in 1990 as a MCA (Master of Computer Application). Holding a degree in AMIE, Sagar is the brain behind SRS and also the soul of it.

He had in him the urge of teaching others who are weak in studies right from the school days. While he was answering his SSC, he taught maths to his co-students from 10 to 12 every night for the last three months before final exams, in a classroom in his school. His both parents are teachers.

Teaching runs in the family, in his genes. And Sagar always dreamt, he would do some-

The winners of SRS Computer Quiz along with the MD Sagar Sakordekar, faculty and staff of SRS Computer Services, Ponda.

thing different. So he rightly chose this path of training young minds in computers.

Currently he is serving as executive member of the Board of Studies in Computer Science and Applications for the UG Courses of Goa University.

Every great achievement has a humble start.

Started as the sole computer training institute in Ponda taluka SRS has become a brand name in the last 22 years since inception. Initially SRS was started in a small room at his home in Mangueshi on 16 November 1988 with a single computer while Sagar was still doing his MCA. It shifted to a centrally located place at Ponda two years later, in 1990. Growing into a reputed computer institute more than 10,000 students have benefited from SRS till date, the floor space is now 280 sq ft and the number of computers have grown to 16. SRS is the first and only computer institute in Goa with full government accreditation to conduct DOEACC ‘O’ level

computer course. Having a wide range of courses – right from a week to one year duration, SRS has a well-equipped library and well-qualified and experienced faculty. Sagar believes that providing personal attention is an essential part of any learning. Hard work, determination and innovativeness are his virtues. Inspired by a single vision – to provide affordable quality computer education to students, Sagar has always stood by his principles throughout his career.

Actually, SRS stands for System Requirement Studies in recent computer terminology but it also represents the initials of Sagar’s name – Sagar Ram Sakordekar. Sagar has rightly chosen the name of his computer institute. Initially SRS did software development and data processing for mega establishments in Goa like Sesa Goa, MRF, State Bank of India, Chowgule Mines etc. Sagar reminisces, “During a corporate training for Sesa Goa at Codli mines a participant, who

Goa, Mumbai most attractive for hotel development: study HERALD BUSINESS DESK PANJIM, DEC 17

‘India Hotel Market Introspection and Outlook’ report published by Knight Frank India Pvt Ltd estimates Indian hotel market to reach Rs 11900 crore from Rs 7400 crore by 2013 translating to a 17 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) and projects 35,977 additional hotel rooms to become operational by 2013 across upscale, mid-mar-

ket and economy segments.

The study projects the demand supply dynamics of ten major cities by the end of 2013 and analyses the measure of performance of existing hotels in terms of average room rates (ARRs), occupancy rates and operational characteristics apart from assessing the present market conditions for hotel development.

It is based on a survey conducted from a sample size of 250 hotels across ten cities

namely Goa, Mumbai, National Capital Region (NCR), Bengaluru, Pune, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata and Ahmedabad.

The study anticipates Mumbai and Goa to be the most attractive destinations for hotel development over the next three years due to strong growth in demand, higher occupancy levels, rising ARRs and low incremental supply.

Karma Resorts founder is 2010 Aussie entrepreneur HERALD BUSINESS DESK PANJIM, DEC 17

John Spence, the chairman of Karma Royal Group and founder of leading Asian boutique hideaway Karma Resorts, has been voted Ernst & Young (E&Y) Australian Entrepreneur of The Year 2010.

In the early 90s, Spence was one of the first foreign capital investors in Indian resorts, in particular Goa. Since then, Karma Royal Group has expanded across Asia.

A former rock band manager, Spence won the prestigious title ahead of 33 other finalists at the 10th anniversary of the awards in Australia.

Debt-free with an extremely strong balance sheet, Karma Royal Group is financially solid and a leading player in the Asian tourism industry.

Catherine Brenner, chair of the judging panel, was especially impressed by the group’s focus on quality and clear strategic direction. She said: “Karma Royal Group has taken on the big, global hotel brands and put a footprint in this very competitive market. Typical of many successful entrepreneurs, John Spence has seen opportunity where others did not.

Most people would have looked at the global upmarket hotel sector and decided it was

a saturated market. John looked at it differently and saw opportunity.”

In 2004, he was awarded ‘Philanthropist of the Year’ by the American Resort Developers’ Association (ARDA). He is also a Commissioner for West Australian Tourism.

Created in 1993, Karma Royal Group has a portfolio of 15 owned and managed hideaways which today extends from Bali and Lombok in Indonesia to Koh Samui, Phuket and Chiang Mai in Thailand, Goa, Palawan in the Philippines, Mykonos in Greece and Margaret River, Australia.

happened to be an Italian, was impressed by our training technique and he encouraged us to develop ore management system, and we met the challenge.” This corporate training on request is still ongoing and their prestigious clientel includes the ones like Syngenta, Siemens, McDowell, IFP and Fomento. for the last five to seven years SRS is conducting Vedic Mathematics and Memory Technique classes for those who wish to improve their maths and memory. “Both of us learnt these through various sources and finding it really helps, we started classes for students,” tells Radha who has well adapted to memory techniques. Sagar is good at Vedic Mathematics. “Our learning and upgrading is still on,” adds Sagar. “We aim at low cost courses for the common man, ours are classes for the masses,” both speak from their heart. “The quest for knowledge and urge to learn should never be stopped. Knowledge spreads when imparted to others, and so we teach free,” says Sagar, an active Lion, was awarded Best President of the

District for the year 2009-10 among total 102 Lions Clubs.

He is currently serving as Zone Chairperson. Blessed with twin sons – Mangesh and Nandan, both of whom are state table tennis players, Sagar and Radha are associated with various organisations. He is actively involved in Lokvishwas Pratisthan, Vidya Bharati and Shri Mangirish Vidyadayini Samstha. He is a life member of Computer Society of India, served as Executive Member in different positions for last 21 years and as a chairman of its Goa Chapter.

Sagar’s better half Radha, a BSc graduate, is a product of SRS. She has completed the DOEACC ‘O’ level as well as ‘A’ level course and now is a faculty in SRS since her marriage to Sagar in 1996.

Truly acting as Sagar’s better-half, Radha is equally involved in all the activities of the institute. If Sagar is the brain of SRS, Radha is the heart of it.

This ideal couple has a philanthropic side too. Both actively participate in various social causes and go out of their way to help the needy and the handicapped brethren of our society. SRS conducts Memory Techniques and Vedic Mathematics workshops free of cost to rural school children. Most rural schools in Ponda as well as far off places as like Sakhali, Dongri, Agacaim, Divar are covered. In a year 10 to 20 schools are covered.

In a recent annual prize distribution ceremony held on 12 December students who scored well in quiz competition and exams held by SRS were felicitated along with the teachers and an employee Nali Gawde. Nali has devotedly served this institute for last 20 years and as a token of gratitude for her selfless services SRS felicitated her, too. The scene brought tears to many eyes witnessing this function last Sunday. SRS is truly combination of brain and heart!

MF FUNDA UTI DIVIDEND YIELD FUND declares tax-free dividend of 7% (Re 0.70 per unit on face value of Rs10). Pursuant to the payment of dividend, the NAV of the dividend option of the scheme would fall to the extent of payout and statutory levy if any.

The record date for the dividend is December 21, 2010.

All unit holders registered under the dividend option of UTI Dividend Yield Fund as on December 21, 2010 will be eligible for this dividend. Also investors who join the dividend option of the scheme on or before the record date will be eligible for the dividend.

The NAV per unit as on December 15, 2010 was Rs 15.94 under the dividend option.

Swati Kulkarni is the fund manager of the scheme.

Logistics Summit held

HERALD BUSINESS DESK PANJIM, DEC 17

The “Logistics Summit 2010” organised by the CII highlighted the theme “Building India’s Logistics infrastructure -Investment, Operation, Growth”.

The summit is designed to focus on the Logistics policy in India, Infrastructure development, opportunities to improve the efficiencies in Logistics and SCM across various sectors KPMG collaborated with CII to publish a research paper titled - “Adding Wheels: Investing in the Indian transportation & logistics industry” The Indian transportation and logistics sector is at an interesting point on its evolution curve. Just in the last decade, the sector has imbibed more sophistication, both on infrastructure and

service focus, than it has in previous several.

Yet, inefficiencies continue to be the dominant factor in a sector that is both fundamental and critical to the faster growth of the Indian economy.

Fujitsu gets CMMI level 3 certification HERALD BUSINESS DESK PANJIM, DEC 17

Fujitsu Consulting India, the consulting and services arm of the $50-billion Fujitsu group, has consolidated its position as one of the most efficient IT consulting service providers in the country after having certified within Capability Maturity Model Integration Services Level 3.

Pg 13

SPORTS GOA, Saturday, 18 December, 2010

Vasco hold Sesa FA 1-1 MAPUSA (HSR) --Vasco Sports Club and Sesa Football Academy drew 1-1 in their final Kingfisher Pro League encounter at Duler Stadium, here on Friday. Sesa led 1-0 at the interval.

After 14 matches Vasco finished in fifth position with 18 points while Sesa had to settle for sixth place as they finished with 17 points.

After 15 minutes, Sesa’s

Sidroy Afonso played a short corner for teammate Nicolau Colaco and his cross from the right was met by Augustino Fernandes who headed Sesa in front.

On the stroke of half time, Koko laid the ball back for Joy Ferrao on the edge of the box and he spectacularly volleyed into the top corner of the net for the equaliser. The ball hit the crossbar on its way in.

Riders test tough ‘stunt’ track at Candolim HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, DEC 17

Motocross riders underwent rigorous practice sessions at the Gomes Race Track at Anna Vaddo, Candolim on Friday gearing up for the big, final fight in TVS Sports and Tourism Goa Gold Cup MX Championships 2010 on Sunday (3 p.m.).

National Supercross champion, Allan Sequeira of Sirvodem, Margao, Revat Dhillon (USA trained rider), Jatin Jain (Nagpur) and others went through the paces so as to acclimatise with the tough track, which many felt was too tricky and more suitable for stunts.

Ashley Gomes, chief organiser of GMSA, confirmed that the track has undergone modifications so as to take the motocross

Revat Dhillon is airborne during a practice session at Candolim.

Photo Thomas Fernandes

Saligao Sporting hammered MAPUSA (HSR) -- Benfica Youth Club and Mundivel Sports Club drew 1-1 GFA’s Second Division at Tilak Maidan, Vasco on Friday.

In GFA’s U-16 League, Clube Athletico de Parra defeated Saligao Sporting Club 10-0 at Duler Stadium, Mapusa. Parra led 5-0 at the breather.

Joel da Costa and Janimijay Tomas netted a hat-trick each, while Jiten Koli, Raju Rathod, Glen

Fernandes and Alston Bento also got their names on the score sheet.

United Club of Nerul overcame St Domnic Savio Sports Club 5-0. Nerul led 2-0 at the lemon break.

Anson D’Sousa scored a hattrick and Raj Tendulkar and Mahodor Singh got one each.

At Morjim ground, Goa United Sports Academy beat ABC, Arambol 15-0.

to a different but higher level.

“I had talked to FMSCI that the track would be changed for every event so as to raise the standards. I could not do it in the second race due to the rains. But this time I have done it in such a way that the crowd will be able to witness spectacular jumps wherein the riders will be able to leave the hands in the air. This has never been done before,” Ashley disclosed.

“Another new concept has also been introduced – the stepup – with the rider doing the jump from down to top. Certainly, the riders will have to struggle. Again, this is another first,” added Ashley.

“Whoop-de-doos will be another scintillating show, as the riders will have to try a linear se-

quence of simple jumps. And finally, the climax will be another suoper show, with the rider finishing in the air,” claimed Ashley.

The new modifications will certainly suit Revat who is a stuntman trained in US and is a free style racer. And, he gave ample proof of his expertise at the practice sessions today.

Goa’s Allan practised hard at the slightly modified track to get acclimatised to the new track. He and Jatin are leading the championship with 66 points each and as such they are expected to try to outmatch each other in what promises to be a thrilling duel for supremacy.

In all, eight riders had a feel of the track today, while the rest is expected to arrive tomorrow.

The scrutiny is slated for Saturday at 1 p.m.

Junior volleyball at Curca

PANJIM (HSD) – Shri Detteshwar Maharudra Sanskrutik Yuva Sanstha, Gawali, Moula in association with Nehru Yuva Kendra, Panjim will organise their Tiswadi Taluka level junior volleyball tournament at Curca, near Government primary school on December 19 at 10 a.m. Rs 4,000 and Rs 3,000 will be awarded. The semi-final losers will take home Rs 1,000 besides individual prizes. Details may be obtained from Anand Naik on 9923763198 or Rajendra Naik on 9764264755. Spot entries will be accepted.

Loutolim Panchayat cup

PANJIM (HSD) – The Socio Cultural Club of Loutolim will organise the 2nd edition of Loutolim Panchayat Cup at Montir ground, Loutolim on December 18 at 4 p.m. In the inaugural match Betalbatim SC will lock horns with Sporting Club of Davorlim.

Kabaddi selection trials

PANJIM (HSD) -- The DSYA will conduct State level selection trials for U-14 boys and girls kabaddi to select the State teams for the 56th National School Games in Karnataka from January 5 to 9 at Campal sports complex, Panjim on December 20 at 9 a.m. Participants may report to Sadanand Sawal Desai, TSO. Boys and girls born on or after 1/1/1997 and studying upto Std VIII are eligible. Participants may report alongwith identity card, authority letter and full kit.

Tennisball cricket at Curtorim

PANJIM (HSD) – Mahamaya Youth Sports Club will organise their 1st Narshiv Sawant 1st All-Goa tennisball cricket tournament on December 19 at Vagule Ramnagri ground, Curtorim. The winners and runners-up will walk away with Rs 11,111 and Rs 5,555 respectively. The semi-final losers will get Rs 2,500 each. Details may be obtained on 9422060148 or 9922054262.

TT selections

Old Stories of yore St. David’s Day

Every year on March 1st, the Welsh celebrate Saint David's day, in memory of the death in 589 AD of Saint David, the patron saint of Wales. Saint David is known as Sant Dewi in the Welsh language.

Saint David founded a monastery in the Glyn Rhosyn (Rose vale) valley in Pembrokeshire on the banks of the river Alun. St. David's Cathedral, in the town of St. David's, Pembrokeshire stands on the site.

Saint David's last words to his followers were a sermon on the Sunday before his death: 'Be joyful, and keep your faith and your creed. Do the little things that you have seen me do and heard about.

The only informa- I will walk the path that our fation about Saint thers have trod before us.'

David's life comes from a Latin man- Saint David was buried at St. uscript written by Rhigyfarch to- David's Cathedral, where his wards the end of the 11th century. shrine became a popular place of The manuscript records Saint pilgrimage in the Middle Ages.

David's death in 589 AD, reputedly at the age of more then 100. Schools and cultural societies His father, Sant, was the son of throughout Wales, and Welsh Ceredig, King of Ceredigion, and communities throughout of the his mother was called Non. After world, celebrate St. Davis's Day by completing his education in Cardi- dancing Welsh dances, singing ganshire, Saint David went on a Welsh songs and reciting Welsh pilgrimage through South Wales poems. and the West of England, where Saint David founded religious Many people wear one of the two centres such as Glastonbury and national emblems of Wales on Croyland. Saint David was made their lapel: a daffodil (the Welsh an archbishop on a pilgrimage to symbol), or a leek (Saint David's Jerusalem. personal symbol).

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Today in History

On December 18, 1620, passengers on the British ship Mayflower come ashore at modernday Plymouth, Massachusetts, to begin their new settlement, Plymouth Colony.

The famous Mayflower story began in 1606, when a group of reformminded Puritans in Nottinghamshire, England, founded their own church, separate from the statesanctioned Church of England. Accused of treason, they were forced to leave the country and settle in the more tolerant Netherlands. After 12 years of struggling to adapt and make a decent living, the group sought financial backing from some London merchants to set up a colony in America. On September 6, 1620, 102 passengers--dubbed Pilgrims by William Bradford, a passenger who would become the first governor of Plymouth Colony--crowded on the Mayflower to begin the long, hard journey to a new life in the New World.

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Email Junior Herald at junior@herald-goa.com or join our Facebook fan page. Our readers are invited to rave, rant, chat or even contribute. No message will go unanswered!

PANJIM (HSD) -- The Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs will conduct State level selection trials in U-14, U-17 and U-19 table tennis to select the State teams for the 56th National School Games in Nashik from January 13 to 17. The U-14 trials will be held on December 20 at 9 a.m., the U-17 trials will be held on December 21 at 9 a.m. and the U-19 trials on December 22 at 9 a.m. at the SAG indoor hall, Campal, Panjim. Participants may report to Umesh Dicholkar, APEO. U-14 boys and girls born on or after 1/1/1997 and studying upto Std VIII, U-17 boys and girls born on or after 1/1/1994 and studying upto Std X and U-19 boys and girls born on or after 1/1/1992 and studying upto Std XII are eligible. Participants may report alongwith identity card, authority letter and full kit.

Arpora in semis HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, DEC 17

Holiday Club, Arpora defeated Goa Velha Sports Club 1-0 to enter the semi-finals of 5th Gouveia memorial soccer organised

by Youth Club of Colvale at Colvale church ground on Friday.

Adnan Beig netted the matchwinner for Arpora in the 58th minute.

Aussies fight back AFP PERTH, DEC 17

The Ashes was delicately poised today after Mitchell Johnson single-handedly lifted Australia back into contention with an inspired display of fast bowling on the second day of the third Test against England.

Derided in Brisbane and then dropped for Adelaide, Johnson (6-38) evoked memories of local fast bowling legend Dennis Lillee as he sliced through the England top order, with the tourists dismissed for 187.

Australia 1st innings: 268 (M. Johnson 62, M. Hussey 61, B. Haddin 53).

England 1st innings: (overnight 290 ) A . S t ra u s s c Haddin b Harris 52, A. Cook c Hussey b Johnson 32, J. Trott lbw b Johnson 4, K. Pietersen lbw b Johnson 0, P. Collingwood lbw b Johnson 5, I. Bell c Ponting b Harris 53, M. Prior b Siddle 12, G. Swann c Haddin b Harris 11, C. Tremlett b Johnson 2, J. Anderson c Watson b Johnson 0, S. Finn not out 1. Extras: 15. Total: 187 all out. Fall: 1-78, 2-82, 3-82, 4-94, 5-98, 6-145, 7-181, 8-186, 9186. Bowling: Hilfenhaus 21-6-530, Harris 15-4-59-3, Siddle 9-2-25-1, Johnson 17.3-5-38-6.

Australia 2nd innings: S. Watson batting 61, P. Hughes c Collingwood b Finn 12, R. Ponting c Prior b Finn 1, M. Clarke b Tremlett 20, M. Hussey batting 24. Extras: 1.Total: 119 for 3.

Fall: 1-31, 2-34, 3-64. Bowling: Anderson 11-5-25-0, Tremlett 9-2-20-1, Finn 9-1-48-2, Swann 4-0-26-0.

Pg 14

SPORTS GOA, Saturday, 18 December, 2010

Champions League round 16 draw Roma v. Shakhtar Donetsk AC Milan v. Tottenham Valencia v. Schalke Inter Milan v. Bayern Munich Lyon v. Real Madrid Arsenal v. Barcelona Marseille v. Manchester United Copenhagen v. Chelsea

PREMIER FIXTURES

SATURDAY Sunderland v. Bolton Arsenal v. Stoke Birmingham v. Newcastle Blackburn v. West Ham Wigan v. Aston Villa Liverpool v. Fulham SUNDAY West Brom v. Wolverhampton Blackpool v. Tottenham Chelsea v. Man Utd MONDAY Man City v. Everton

Salgaocar face AIFF today HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, DEC 17

Salgaocar’s Moroccan coach Karim Bencherifa is determined to record their fourth win on the trot when they clash with All India Football Federation XI in I-League match at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda on Saturday at 3.45 p.m.

“The morale of the players is very high and I’m confident that they will play to win,” said Bencherifa after the team had a light training session at Bits Pilani on Friday morning.

AIFF coach Desmond Bulpin was wary of the Green Brigade.

“Salgaocar are a good team, capable of beating any team in the country,” said Bulpin. “We hope to get a lucky win on Saturday.”

4th successive win for Bengal; ONGC hold AI North” JCT and Kolkata giants, East Bengal with Uga Okpara netting the winner for the Trevor Morgan coached side.

East Bengal’s only corner in the first half paved the way for the decider as their Nigerian defender headed home to collect full points to take their tally to 12 points from four matches, while JCT are tottering at the bottom of the table with a point from as many matches.

Air India and ONGC had to settle for a goalless draw at Sahu Maharaj ground on Friday.

JCT 0 East Bengal 1 (Uga Okpara 36th) Air India 0 ONGC 0 HERALD SPORTS DESK LUDHIANA, DEC 17

Federation Cup champions, East Bengal continued their winning spree and edged past JCT by a solitary goal to record their fourth straight victory in ILeague 2010-11.

Guru Nanak Dev Stadium, Ludhiana witnessed an evenly poised match between the “Pride of the

SATURDAY’S MATCHES Salgaocar v. AIFF XI (Nehru Stadium, Fatorda) Viva Kerala v. HAL, Bangalore; Mumbai FC v.

Churchill Bros; Pune FC v. Chirag

I-LEAGUE STANDINGS Team East Bengal Salgaocar Mumbai FC HAL Churchill Bros Dempo Chirag United Air India Pune FC Viva Kerala Mohun Bagan ONGC JCT Mills AIFF XI

M W D L F-A P 4 3 3 3 3 4 3 3 3 3 4 3 4 3

4 3 3 2 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 1 1 1

0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 3 2

7-0 12 8-3 9 5-1 9 3-2 6 4-2 5 5-4 5 5-5 4 2-3 2 2-4 2 2-5 2 4-7 2 1-3 1 1-5 1 2-7 1

Tie-breaker at Arlem

MARGAO (HR) - Talent Boys of Arlem will organise their 2nd All-Goa 2-a-side tiebreaker on December 18 at Arlem ground on at 7 p.m. Rs 7,000 and Rs 5000 will be awarded.

I-League: Salgaocar v. AIFF XI, Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, Margao, 3.45 p.m.

GFA Second Division football: Young Humorists Club v. Mangor SC, Tilak Maidan, Vasco, 4 p.m.

GFA U-16 football: Dicarpale SC v. Guardian Angel SC, Dicarpale ground; Rossman Cruz Nagoa SC v. Guirdolim Club, Nagoa ground; Cana Benaulim SA v. Macasana Welfare Club, Dando ground. Kick off 4 p.m.

GFA U-14 football: St Christopher SC v. BAFF, Tivim ground; Dunes SC v. Goa United SA, Morjim ground; Portais SC v. Fr Agnelo Youth Centre, Pilar, Don Bosco ground, Panjim. Kick off 4 p.m.

St. Francis Xavier soccer finals: Valankani Boys, Nuvem v.

St Anthony, Assolda, Mapa Digas ground Panchwadi, near St Francis Xavier chapel, 4.30 p.m.

5th Gouveia memorial soccer: Milagres SC v. Cuncolim Union, Colavle church grounds, 4.45 p.m.

Festival soccer: Dempo SC v.

Corps of Signals, Curtorim ground, 4.30 p.m.

All-Goa 2-a-side tie-breaker soccer, Arlem ground, 7 p.m.

GOA, Saturday, 18 December, 2010

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sports page 16:Layout 1 12/18/2010 1:14 AM Page 1

SPORTS

Riders test tough ‘stunt’ track at Candolim Pg 13

4th successive win for Bengal; ONGC hold AI Pg 14

GOA, SATURDAY, 18 DECEMBER, 2010 www.oheraldo.in

Proteas tighten noose around India PTI CENTURION, DEC 17

Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis scored unbeaten centuries as South Africa took complete con-

trol of the first cricket Test against a listless India by taking a substantial 230-run lead here today. After bundling out India in just three deliveries in the

morning session for a paltry 136, South Africa then tightened the noose around the visitors by reaching a commanding 366 for two in 87 overs at stumps on the second day.

Amla (116 not out) and Kallis (102 not out) showed that there was no demon in the pitch and negotiated the Indian bowlers with consummate ease with an unbeaten 200-run third

wicket stand, that came off just 282 balls, to give the upper hand to the Proteas in the series opener. While Kallis brought up

his 38th Test ton with a double off S Sreesanth, Amla reached the milestone -- his 12th century -- in style with a smashing pull off Ishant Sharma.

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India 1st innings (overnight 1369): Mahendra Singh Dhoni lbw b Morkel 33, Jaydev Unadkat not out 1. Extras: 12.

Total: 136 all out.

Fall: 1-1, 2-24, 327, 4-66, 5-67, 671, 7-110, 8-110, 9-116. Bowling: Steyn 10-1-34-3, Morkel 12.4-5-205, Tsotsobe 9-2-500, Kallis 6-1-20-1, Harris 1-0-6-0.

South Africa 1st innings: Greame Smith c Dhoni b Harbhajan 62, Alviro Petersen c Gambhir b Harbhajan 77, Hashim Amla not out 116, Jacques Kallis not out 102. Extras: 9. Total: 366 for 2.

Fall: 1-111, 2-166.

Bowling: Sreesanth 19-1-71-0, Sharma 18-2-68-0,Unadkat 16-2-60-0, Harbhajan 25-2-107-2, Raina 3-0-27-0,Tendulkar 6-1-29-0.

Pg16 email at: sports@herald-goa.com