Jan 17,2011

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O HERALD O

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Sports: World Cup squad today, no surprises expected Pg 18 In BRIeF Diplomat transferred Senior London-based diplomat Anil Verma, accused of assaulting his wife, has been transferred back home with immediate effect and is likely to face action.

Verma, a third-ranked diplomat in the Indian High Commission, found himself in trouble when his wife covered in blood was found screaming by neighbours on December 11. When the police arrived, 45-year-old Verma, Minister (Economic) in the Indian mission, claimed diplomatic immunity and escaped action. (PTI).

Stolen items recovered In one of the biggest recoveries of stolen articles, police have seized gold and diamonds worth over Rs 10-12 crore looted from a Chandigarh-based jewellery and 1,000 mobile phones with the arrest of eight youths, including two brothers, from the suburbs of the capital.

The gang of 12 robbers used to wear police uniforms during robberies to hoodwink people and police. Two of them are Class XI students. (PTI)

Goa: Speaker to hear NCP legislators on Jan 24 Pg 2

(air Surcharge rs 2.00) pages 18

India: It was hard to shoot with Aamir-- Kiran Rao Pg 7

‘I hope the home minister is on top of the situation and JUSTICE FOR will ensure that the State does not get a bad image’ CIPRIANO With his government on the back foot, with daily exposures of Goa’s policemen being involved in shady drug deals, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, speaking to Herald’s Editor Weekend Sujay Gupta, speaks about the role of Home Minister Ravi Naik, controversial IPS officer Veenu Bansal and his party’s relationship with the NCP Herald: How do you feel when you see recorded evidence of members of your police force trying to sell drugs or tell associates of drug dons that their seniors take bribes.

W H aT T H e C M S aY S …

ON DRUG DEALS The video recordings and other details on drugs are a cause for very serious concern.

I will personally monitor all investigations. We need a police force which is above suspicion.

I was not confident of Veenu Bansal. He had a habit of fishing in troubled waters.

No one will be protected, SIT will cover wider aspects of the case.

Chief minister: Firstly on the drug scene, I still do not think Goa is a haven for drugs. It is perhaps used for transit and then moves out of the State.

But yes, the video recordings and other details that have initially emerged is a cause for very serious concern. I feel I have acted swiftly and I will personally monitor this.

ON MICKKY’S INDUCTION Mickky is not inducted due to various factors. Now, the issue is with the Congress high command.

Herald: But don’t you have anything to say about your home minister under whose leadership, the State police forces’ image has sunk to an all time low.

Chief minister: Everyone in the government is concerned about the situation. And I hope that the home minister is on top of the situation and he will get to the bottom of this since the State is getting a very bad image. Having said that, I will personally monitor all investigations into this and keep a close watch. We need a police force which is above suspicion.

Herald: How can we be sure since there are tapes, apparently, which show how Dudu was kept in a room next to the former ANC chief Veenu Bansal and given all comforts includ-

ON COALITION & POLLS Decision of coalition with NCP rests with the high command. Congressmen in Goa are ready to face any situation. ing visits by his girlfriend, during his arrest. Shouldn’t Bansal be brought to book?

Chief minister: Veenu Bansal had a habit of fishing in troubled waters. This is the feedback I have received. I have made inquiries about him. In fact, I went out of my way to ensure that Bansal did not become North Goa Superintendant of Police, even though he was an IPS officer, since I was not confident of him. I went against all advice, including from a senior politician from North India. The DGP too may have wanted him to be

North Goa SP. However, the current DGP Bassi is a good officer.

Herald: Why was there a haste to hand over the police-drug nexus case to the SIT, when the Crime Branch had felt that Bansal should be called for questioning ? Is he being protected?

Chief minister: No one will be protected. This needed a high level professional inquiry. The crime branch is competent but I felt that a SIT will cover wider aspects. That is why I asked the DGP to pick a com-

Adarsh building to be demolished Ministry order lists 3 options

HERALD CORRESPONDENT NEW DELHI, JAN 16

The Environment and Forests Ministry on Sunday ordered demolition of the scan-tainted Adarsh Society building in Backbay Reclamation Area in upscale Colaba area of Mumbai, upholding its November 12 show cause notice on violation of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules.

The society has been asked to demolish the entire building within three months, failing which the Maharashtra government will have to undertake the demolition, the order said.

The order, however, gives an option to the society to demolish “the unauthorised part of the structure” which means pulling down 25 of the 31 floors to restore it to the original six-storey structure that was envisaged to

house the Kargil war widows but later extended to accommodate bureaucrats, politicians and senior army officers.

There is yet another alternative in the order: Let the Maharashtra government acquire the high-rise. The order, however, does not discuss the technicalities that the State government will have to follow by first taking over the society and then the structure.

Though the order gives three alternatives, Environment Min-

ister Jairam Ramesh said he would prefer the complete demolition since “”it is immaterial whether the Adarsh Society was aware of requirement to seek clearance under CRZ rules as ignorance of law can never be an excuse for non-compliance.”

Immediate demolition of the controversial building, however, is most unlikely as the society has already filed a petition before the Bombay High Court and as such it will also seek a stay on the demolition order.

The CRZ division of the ministry found Adarsh Housing Society guilty of two violations.

First, the society failed to seek CRZ clearance as directed by the ministry in its letter of March 2003. Second, the floor space index (FSI) of the building was higher than stipulated in the CRZ regulations.

Dudu’s drugs came in condoms and plastics HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JAN 16

Drug lords have ingenious ways of carrying on their trade. An investigation by Goa Police has revealed that alleged Israeli drug dealer David Driham alias Dudu used to bring drug consignments hidden in condoms and other materials wrapped in special packages.

The probe also reveals that consignments were brought from Manali, Nepal, Nigeria, South America and Israel.

“Nepali girls and boys would act as carriers for several drugs peddlers in Goa. They would travel by trains or buses to Goa and their luggage would include drugs like charas and ganja,” an officer with the Anti Narcotics Cell (ANC) said on condition of anonymity.

Other drugs like cocaine,

ecstasy tablets, LSD, MDMA, heroine and other synthetic drugs were allegedly brought through Nigerians, Russians and Israelis.

Herald’s expose on the pictures allegedly showing Dudu having a drug-laced party has created flutters with Goa Police requesting to hand over the pictures for investigation.

Herald in its Saturday and Sunday editions also showed three alleged drug peddlers convicted in narcotics cases with Dudu, his sister Ayala and girlfriend Zarina.

Ayala and Zarina, who conducted the sting on Police Sub-Inspector Sunil

“These foreigners would cover the drugs tightly in plastics, condoms and swallow them.”

Following the Herald expose, names of alleged drug peddlers Bakusha, Elan and Aliran, all from Israeli and a local from Anjuna – Sadanand Chimulkar (Bhui) who was arrested with drugs worth Rs 4 lakh in January 2010 - have also come into the picture.

Police records show Bhui, presently in judicial custody, had over 21 known bank accounts, over a dozen insurance policies and properties in several parts of Goa and Maharashtra. The properties were frozen after his arrest.

Dudu’s police files in Mumbai state that he was arrested in a case wherein one Tukaram Salgaonkar alias Nana was caught transporting a huge

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POLICE On thEIr tOEs

petent officer to head SIT. The officer picked, Om Prakash Kurtarkar has an excellent track record and has worked with the CBI. I’m sure that the SIT investigation will prove fruitful.

Herald: Moving to politics, why are you not inducting Micky Pacheco into the cabinet inspite of the NCP high command’s clear wish. Is it because he has criminal cases against him?

Chief minister: Because of various factors, this issue is with the Congress high command. I

will wait for the high command’s decision on this.

Herald: Are you confident of fighting alone without the NCP in the next elections?

Chief minister: I’m following the coalition dharma. They are our allies. A decision can only be taken by our high command. However, Congressmen in Goa feel that the party is strong enough to handle any situation.

Herald: So you are saying that you are sure of fighting the polls alone.

Chief minister: All Im saying is that we are strengthening our own party and a decision on poll formations will be decided by our high command.

On page 3

SIT down?

With the sensational Gudlar-tape expose being handed over to a Special Investigating Team, questions are being raised over its ability to have a crack at the case given its ‘poor’ track record of investigating Margao blast and temple desecration cases.

there is prima facie evidence of police excesses: Digambar HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JAN 16

A week after the death of Cipriano Fernandes, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat has admitted that there is “prima facie” evidence that the Panjim police had committed excesses. Speaking to Herald on Sunday morning, the chief minister said “I am strongly opposed to any form of violence. Even criminals shouldn’t be tortured.”

Asked specifically if he believed Cipriano had died in police custody, Kamat said “There is a magisterial inquiry and another one by a very competent officer. The facts of the case will emerge, but my initial observation is that he was beaten up.”

Kamat also referred to Herald’s investigation in the Cipriano case. “The reports have helped since the case has been recounted well. I’m studying them.”

This is the first reaction from anyone in the government and coming from the chief minister, this assumes serious significance. Both the inquiries together will encompass procedural lapses as well as hard facts of the case.

With the chief minister’s observation, the following issues

are likely to get focus. Why did the police act in such undue haste to go in a private jeep to arrest Cipriano? Why was he not medically examined even though he wanted to?

On January 7, did the police inspector of Panjim ask constable Sandip Shirvaikar to send Cipriano for examination when he realised that he would succumb to his injuries? Did Shirvaikar, after completing the beating job, go off to sleep instead of taking Cipriano for a medical examination?

As this unfolds, the chief minister’s initial admission could be the first baby step towards Justice for Cipriano.

Meanwhile, a citizen cum Right to Information (RTI) activist Jowett D’Souza has filed a police complaint against Police Inspector Sandesh Chodankar, Police Sub Inspector Vijay Chodankar and Sandip for torturing and killing Cipriano in police custody. The complaint, asking for an offence to be registered against the trio, has been filed with the Agassaim police station..

Police Inspector Vishwesh Karpe said that they will forward the complaint to Deputy Superintendent of Police Deu Benaulikar for further action.

OHERALDO

Pg2 GOA, MONDAY, 17 JANUARY, 2011

CIVIC FORUM Heritage lost!

Speaker to hear NCP legislators on Jan 24 HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JAN 16

Goa legislative assembly Speaker Pratapsingh Rane has summoned all three Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) legislators on January 24 to decide on the whip and the chief of legislative wing issue.

The NCP high command had recently written letter to Rane informing him about Benaulim legislator Micky Pacheco being appointed as whip of the party along with the legislative wing president.

Sources stated that Rane is likely to seek consensus AYRES SEQUEIRA, SALVADOR DO MUNDO

The culverts constructed in Salvador do Mundo blended with the natural surrounding to provide easy access to the flow of water in the monsoons. However, a touch of restoration and preservation hasn’t been given. The culvert behind the Church of Saviour of the World is perhaps the last heritage to go out of sight. It stood witness to our ancestors’ memory for 445 years.

What is surprising to note of our government and particularly the PWD is the wastage of money on IFFI and other festivals, but it has no money to spare for restoration and preservation of heritage, in spite of the modern expertise available. It is sad to note that with the assembly elections drawing closer, the gimmick of development is on to catch the voter’s attention.

Signs of our times!

AKASH SHIRODKAR, VIA EMAIL

The above picture is of a signboard on the NH-17 at Verna Industrial Estate. The signboard is apparently broken at the top, and has slid downwards. As it rests on the bottom fittings, what was on top has come down and the sign is now upside down. The NH-17 at Verna is an important traffic junction, and the board has been in this position for more than 15 days.

Not on the beach VIVEK DESAI, BY EMAIL

I am resident of Vasco. This port town is blessed with all modes of transport and has a very beautiful beach and that too, very near to the city.

But now, no one is bothered about the state of the beach. I feel that we can keep our beach clean, by building more Sulabh Souchalayas (pay and use urinal/bathroom) and take strict action on people who use the beach, as an open air toilet.

In Goa, authorities impose fines on persons who urinate on the road side, but no action is taken on persons who use God’s given gift, ─ the Baina beach, to answer nature’s call.

Our leaders and authorities should take an interest in keeping the beach clean and its beautification, so that Goa can attract more tourists from across the globe.

Plastic menace IRINEU GONSALVES, VERNA

The first thought that strikes any visitor to our state, is the garbage on the street. And a sizeable chunk of this garbage is plastic. The popularity of these bags has grown manifold, thanks to retail outlets and exhibitions. Customers walk out with purchases tucked into myriad carry bags of various sizes which, in turn, come in handy to dispose off trash someday.

Thus, the vicious cycle continues.

For roadside vendors, toy stores, bookshops and grocery stores, it is good for business. Why is the degradation of environment, on the increase? The problem lies with the people.

Our mindset has been conditioned to follow the herd. We need to think for ourselves, and not look askance at others. The onus is on each one of us to reduce the usage of plastic.

Disposal of plastic is a myth. Once it is produced, it defies all kinds of attempts at disposal, since it is non-biodegradable, and plastic doesn’t get decomposed, even after many years. If plastic is burnt, the air is rendered with toxic fumes, which is cancerous. We need to produce cloth bags made of jute, paper bags, and do away with the plastic menace. Let this be our new year’s resolution.

Bumpy traverse MERVYN JUDE NORONHA, BY EMAIL

These days, Goan roads have turned driving into a nightmare, as they are uneven to facilitate smooth driving. This has caused inconvenience to two-wheeler as well as four-wheeler drivers, and pose a threat to the lives of two wheeler riders. The wear and tear on vehicles is quick under such conditions, and is susceptible to either breakdown or accidents. Roads have gaping potholes which are left unattended, especially in the mining belts. The authorities either lend a deaf ear or are lethargic in implementing speedy rectification. This is done in patches only and results in long stretches of uneven roads. It is high time that the authorities take stalk of the situation, and embarks on a time bound schedule of road paving, that will bring great solace to frequent travellers.

Passport applicant’s woes WILLIE SEVERES, MAJORDA

On 12th January, I was at the passport office to submit an application for a new passport of my children. I was astonished to see that there was only one counter in operation for collection of applications, and one counter for collection of fees collection.

There was a endless queue of people waiting in the small office, to submit their applications. People entering the office didn't even have a clue where the queue began and where it ended, which led to arguments between some people. It took me nearly two hours to complete the process.

It is time that the concerned authorities seriously look into thematter. The introduction of an electronic token system, additional counters and an increase in staff are some of the measures that should be taken, so that applicants do not have to wait in long queues.

between all the three legislators Jose Philip D’Souza, Nilkant Halarnkar and Pacheco before finalizing Pacheco as a party whip.

The move comes in wake of the ensuing State legislative assembly session scheduled later this month.

The speaker is expected to give his verdict on January 25 after hearing all three legislators.

Rane’s meeting with the NCP legislators will be a testing time for the Sharad Pawar-led party. The Congress-led government in the recent past had refused to induct Pacheco in the cabinet

despite, Pawar asking to do so.

If Rane refuses to accept Pacheco as a whip, that would further widen the divide between both the coalition partners who share power even in the Centre.

Sources stated that the NCP is all set to withdraw support from Digamber Kamat led government, if the humiliations continue.

Pacheco’s induction in the cabinet was stalled after a group of 10 Congress legislators voiced their protest.

Also both the NCP ministers refused to put down their papers.

Headaches far from over HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JAN 16

The humiliation for NCP seems to be far from ending with Jose Philip D’Souza and Nilkant Halarnkar deciding to remain united against Micky Pacheco before the speaker on January 24.

Sources close to Halarnkar said that both of them will remain together as they have stood with each other during testing days when they were asked to step down.

Both legislators – D’Souza and Halarnkar, are also expected to tell the Speaker that the leader of legislative wing and whip has to be de-

cided via the legislature party by majority.

“Since there is a majority against Pacheco, both of them will ensure that whip and leadership is not given to him,” sources said.

NCP Goa unit President Surendra Sirsat said that they will not take any preemptive action. “Let them say so before the speaker. We will wait for the decision of speaker,” he said.

Sirsat stated that the State unit has made its stand clear that Pacheco be given both the posts as it has been ordered by the high command.

GOA

Youth drowns in Dudhsagar HERALD CORRESPONDENT COLLEM, JAN 16

A picnic ended in tragedy when a youth drowned in the Dudhsagar waterfalls at Collem on Sunday at 1.30 pm.

According to Collem Police, Ambika Shripati Charan (28) from Sindi Colony in SikhandarabadAP and five friends, also from AP, had gone to the Dudhsagar waterfall for a picnic at around 10.30 am.

They all went for a swim, when Ambika was dragged into the water by a strong current. Panicstricken friends then alerted the Collem police. Collem PI Manoj Mardolkar rushed to the site and located the body only late Sunday evening.

Pray for sainthood of Joseph Vaz, Archbishop urges devotees HERALD CORRESPONDENT CORTALIM, JAN 16

Hailing the heroic deeds of Blessed Joseph Vaz, ArchbishopPatriarch Filip Neri Ferrao appealed to the devotees to pray fervently for the sainthood of Blessed Joseph Vaz. Archbishop Ferrao said this at the concelebrated mass to mark the 3rd centenary death of Blessed Joseph Vaz at Sancoale Sanctuary on Sunday.

Briefing the large congregation on the works of Blessed Joseph Vaz, Archbishop Ferrao said the life of Blessed Joseph Vaz was a perfect example for Goans to emulate in their daily life.

"Blessed Vaz went about his life right from his childhood according to the teachings of God," said Archbishop Ferrao and exhorted the devotees to follow his footsteps.

"He was an exemplary model while he was a child. He worked perfectly and performed his religious duties as a priest and stood out in his missionary works in Sri Lanka," Archbishop Ferrao informed.

In his message, Sanctuary Rector Fr Erimito Rebelo regretted that Blessed Joseph Vaz was kept in darkness for a very long

Thousands expected for Pilgao zatra HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, JAN 16

Thousands of devotees are expected in Vargao-Pilgao between January 18 and January 22 to participate in the annual Zatra of Sree Chamudeshwari Devastan.

The highlight of the famous Zatra is the 'Naukavikar' of the deity in the lake amidst spectacular fireworks.

Addressing a press conference in Mapusa, president of Chamundeshwari temple Tushar Tople said thousands of devotees from the State and neighbouring states are expected visit the temple during the festival.

"It is 500 years now that the Chamudeshwari deity has been shifted to Pilgao. Two years ago, the 'punarprathistapana' of the deity was performed with religious rituals," he said.

Commenting on the schedule of events during the fiveday festival, Tople said an Abhishek and Mahapooja will be performed in the morning on January 18, followed by Rangapooja, Puranvachan a n d Pa l k i u t s a v i n t h e evening.

On January 19, Abhishek and Mahapooja will be performed in the morning, following by the 'Dindarshika' of the deity Chamudeshwari at 9 pm.

A 'Kalotsav' will take place on January 20, followed by an auction of items donated to deity between 8 pm and 9.30 pm, followed by fireworks. The procession of the deity will be taken out at midnight followed by the Naukavihar of the deity in the lake.

On January 21, rituals will be performed in the morning, followed by the Gavalankala at 3.30 pm and recital of devotional songs at night.

On January 22, the Abhishek and Mahapooja will be performed in the morning.

After the Palkhi procession at night, the Kala Chetana at Volvoi will stage a drama "Three Idiots".

Various arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct of the festival and Tople has appealed to devotees to follow the instructions of authorities to make the Zatrotsav an eventful one.

time.

"Atleast now we have to work to make each and every household know about the works of the Great Son of Goa, Blessed Joseph Vaz," Fr Rebelo said.

He further informed that a four-member committee would be formed in every parish to spread the devotion of Blessed Joseph Vaz. Agartala Bishop Fr Luman Monteiro was also present at the feast.

Meanwhile, thousands of devotees from all walks of life thronged the Sanctuary of Blessed Joseph for the feast.

Devotees began to pour in right from 4 am till late evening.

Masses were celebrated at 5 am, 6 am, 7 am, 8 am and 12 noon (Blessed Joseph Vaz room) and 4 pm and 5.30 pm. The concelebrated feast mass was celebrated at 10 am.

Shuttle bus services were provided for devotees right from 5 am to 7 pm.

Verna police and traffic police maintained tight vigil and metal detectors were placed to avoid any untoward incident.

Verna Police Inspector Jivba Dalvi also was also present to personally supervise the security arrangements.

Archbishop-Patriarch Filip Neri Ferrao concelebrates the feast mass of Blessed Joseph Vaz on Sunday at Sancole church. The mass was attended by thousands of devotees from across the State.

Photo by Rozario Estibeiro

Stop dumping waste at Assagao, Mapusa civic body told HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, JAN 16

The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has issued a show-cause notice to Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) in connection with environmental pollution on the Assagao Plateau and its vicinity.

The Assagao Communidade and residents in the locality had objected to the dumping and burning of garbage by MMC on Assagao hill.

Acting on this, the GSPCB had directed MMC to immediately stop dumping of unsegregated waste at Assagao Plateau, to construct a fence around the site and to provide 24-hour security at the site

to prevent such dumping.

However, the MMC allegedly continued to dump and burn unsegregated garbage at the Assagao Plateau.

Unhappy about this, Philip D'Souza, member of Ad-hoc Committee of Shiv Sena, complained to the GSPCB on November 3, 2010.

D'Souza claimed that unsegregated waste, including plastic and rubber waste, was being dumped and burnt on the Assagao hill by MMC, causing environmental pollution.

He stated that the activity is a health hazard to residents of adjoining Ganeshpuri Housing Board and Ektanagar.

Acting on the complaint, GSPCB offi-

Areal protests basalt quarrying

Villagers protesting against basalt quarrying.

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JAN 26

Villagers of Sao Jose de Areal under the banner of Scheduled Tribe Association held a dharna outside the office of the Curtorim Communidade on Sunday demanding the restoration of the hills devastated by black metal quarrying.

Armed with banners demanding a stop to the destruction of the village and hills for money and greed, the villagers, including children vowed to fight to protect the village from further destruction.

They pointed out that despite objections and complaints regarding the illegal activities of extraction of basalt stones from the hills, there is no stop to the illegal activity for reasons best known to the Communidade.

Agitated villagers requested officials of the Communidade to inspect the devastated hills in the village, saying the quarries are now filled with contaminated waters, posing health hazard to the local residents.

While requesting the Communidade to restore the devastated hills to its original shape as the depth of the cutting has gone beyond the limits, the villagers said that is now dangerous for the human beings as well as the animals.

“Major devil is established in

Photo by Savio Dias

the village of Sao Jose de Areal village by the Curtorim Communidade, by giving lease to operate 40 quarries and more than 60 stone crushers”, they pointed out.

Secretary of the ST Association Josephina Viegas told Herald that the villagers has come to draw attention of the Communidade share holders that they have come to collect their shares when the Communidade has devastated the once picturesque hills. “We have urged the Communidade to restore our hill that has been ravaged for money and greed”, she added.

Association member Freddy Travasso said the Curtorimm Communidade has allotted land admeasuring 5000 sq mts to each of the 40 quarries when the local villagers are facing land shortage for housing.

“We have held a dharna to inform the Communidade shareholders what is happening in Sao Jose de Areal. Quarring for basalt stones has left the village devastated”, he said, while calling upon the Communidade to immediately hold inspection of the devastated hills.

“Aaround 250 trucks are coming out of the hills almost everyday. This illegal activity should be stopped forthwith”, he demanded, even as the villagers pledged to protect their village for posterity.

cials inspected the Assagao plateau on November 18, 2010 and confirmed that MMC was dumping unsegregated and mixed waste at the site.

A municipal vehicle was also observed dumping mixed waste during the inspection.

The GSPCB later issued a show-cause notice to the MMC chief officer, demanding to know why action under Section 15 read with Section 17 of Environment (Protection) Act 1986 should not be initiated against her for violating directions issued to them on March 20, 2009, for causing environmental pollution in the Assagao Plateau and its vicinity.

"The observations recorded during the

inspection of the Assagao Plateau as conducted by the Board officials on November 18, 2010, indicates that Mapusa Municipal Council by dumping unsegregated waste at the site is violating the directions dated March 20, 2009, and is causing environmental pollution in the vicinity, thereby violating section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act 1986," states the show-cause notice.

"Failure to satisfactorily show-cause within the stipulated time period will compel the GSPCB to initiate stringent legal action against you in accordance with provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act 1986 without any further notice," warned the GSPCB.

Loads of waste dumped along Margao road HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JAN 16

Strange it may seem, but true.

Around 5-6 truck load of domestic waste was found along the road near the wholesale fish market in the jurisdiction of the Margao Municipal Council.

As the waste covered a por-

Margao civic members left high and dry HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JAN 16

This should come as an eye opener to the Margao Municipal Chairperson and the Municipal Administration.

Left to fend for themselves, Margao City Fathers are increasingly making available their own manpower and machinery to keep their wards clean and free from litter.

If Councilor Tito Cardozo procured a fogging machine and the chemical from his own pocket to fight the mosquito menace, the councilor of neighbouring ward Arthur D’Silva has made available his own manpower and machinery to keep the ward clean.

Sunday saw D’Silva along with his friends and workers going around the ward as part of the cleanliness drive for want of manpower from the civic body.

“I have been left with no option than to involve my friends and engage workers for the cleanliness of the ward. The promised manpower from the civic body is yet to come till date,” D”Silva.

D’Silva and some of the councilors have also procured their own grass cutting machines as machines from the Civic body are either not available or there is inordinate delay in making available to the wards.

tion of the main Margao-Seraulim road, a group of youngsters tried to tackle the waste in their own way, but in vain.

Taken aback by the non collection of the waste, youngsters Kabir Moares, Sachin Moraes, Bazil Pinto and Milroy Goes descended at the spot and tried to clear the waste with some implements.

However, given the magnitude of the problem, the youngsters were advised by local residents of Madel to leave the waste for collection by the Mar-

gao Municipal Council.

IT was later decided to draw the attention of the Margao Municipal administration to the pathetic situation on the main road, posing nuisance and a health hazard.

Locals informed that this is not the first time that waste has landed on the main road near the PDA wholesale fish market.

As reported by Herald recently, nearly half the road was covered with domestic waste, indicating that outside waste is finding its way in the city.

FROM PAGE 1 Drugs came in condoms consignment of narcotics from Goa to Mumbai.

Nana apparently confessed his links with Dudu, on the basis of which Mumbai police arrested Dudu from his Anjuna residence.

The Israeli served five months imprisonment in a Mumbai jail.

Dudu, presently in Sada sub-jail, made news even from prison bars. He proved that prison bars are no limit to updating his Facebook account. He reportedly used mobile phones to co-ordinate with his allies and be in regular touch with his family members.

Dudu had also uploaded several photos of his Valentine’s Day celebration with his fiancé. Incidentally, a few days before his arrest, Dudu was arrested with several kilograms of drugs in his possession, amounting to around Rs 4 lakhs in February 2010.

Jail authorities have now swung into action. It is learnt that Dudu crashed his mobile set when authorities asked him to hand it over.

The instrument, which was ready to be sent for forensic tests at Hyderabad Forensic Laboratory, is still lying with the anti-narcotics cell. Sources say that procedural lapses prevented the authorities from sending the instrument for examination on time.

Meanwhile, police spokesperson Superintendent of Police (Special Branch) Atmaram Deshpande, when contacted said that all aspects related to Dudu are being investigated.

One such aspect is the question posed by a police officer “If Dudu’s sister Ayala and his girlfriend Zarina claim to have conducted a sting operation on Gudlar three months ago, why did they not report it to the State authorities immediately? ”

Police on their toes

Gudlar allegedly selling them drugs have been harping on Dudu’s innocence. Deshpande said that Ayala’s conduct is also being investigated. “ The SIT (special investigation team) is conducting a holistic inquiry into the matter. Media should cooperate and hand over the documents and pictures regarding the drugs case to help in the investigation,” he said

OHERALDO

GOA

Pg3 GOA, MONDAY, 17 JANUARY, 2011

Cyclone early warning project to benefit Goa SHWETA KAMAT PANJIM, JAN 16

Goa will benefit from the contract inked between the Government of Indian and World Bank under which Cyclone Warning Systems would be installed in coastal states.

Sources stated the first phase for this project is to the tune of $255 million which will cover the cyclone prone states of Andhra Pradesh and Orissa, which has seen worst ever disasters in recent years.

The other states like Goa will be covered in the second and third phase.

In all 13 cyclone prone States including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal; two Union Territories: Daman & Diu and Pondicherry; and two island groups: Lakshadweep and An-

daman and Nicobar Islands would be benefit from the project.

Met Department officials said that the project aims to upgrade early warning and communications systems to reach vulnerable communities in coastal areas. It will also help boost the ability of local communities to respond to disasters, improve access to emergency shelters in high risk areas and strengthen disaster risk management capability at the central, state and local levels.

The project will also take into account the past experiences and errors that led to disasters going unwarned before they struck the coast.

Earlier, in October Met officials told Herald that the State would soon have a Digital Cyclone Warning Dissemination System (DCWDS), which will be

operated by policemen at the police control room in Panjim.

After a break of three years, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has decided to replace its old cyclone warning dissemination system (CWDS) which was based on analog.

DCWDS service is first of its kind in the State where the receivers will be kept under standby mode and will get automatically activated on receipt of the weather warnings messages.

The system will be connected to cyclone warning centres at Mumbai and Chennai who will forewarn the State in case of any intense wind moment on the shore.

DCWDS is a broadcast service, where the cyclone warning will be given verbally in the local language along with English and Hindi.

Khalap’s son in dock over Assagao land grab HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JAN 16

A Gaunkar of Assagao Comunidade has filed a petition before the Bombay High Court at Goa against Ashwin Khalap, son of Goa Law Commission Chairman Ramakant Khalap in connection with the alleged Assagao Comunidade land illegally grabbed by him.

The petitioner, Nelson Fernandes in his petition has alleged that Comunidade land was transferred in the name of Ashwin Khalap by a tenant Mahadev Sitaram Simepuruskar illegally and fraudulently on which the accused had started construction of seven luxurious villas.

Fernandes in his petition has alleged that the authorities have illegally transferred 15,000 sq metres of prime Comunidade land to Khalap Jr. As such the petitioner has sought that the land illegally transferred to Khalap Jr be reverted back to the Comunidade of Assagao. He has also requested the Court hat the construction work of luxury villas on the said land be immediately stopped.

The petitioner has contented that tenanted agricultural Comunidade land cannot be sold as there is a prohibition imposed by the Goa Land Use Regulation Act and the Goa Agricultural Tenancy act.

He has further submitted that law prohibits use of agricultural land for non-agricultural purpose.The State of Goa, Comunidade of Assagao and the Deputy Collector along with the Mamlatdar of Bardez and the tenant have been made parties to the petition.

The matter is likely to be heard next week.

SIT down on cases so far HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JAN 16

Even though the sensational Gudlar-tape expose has been handed over to the newly formed Special Investigation Team (SIT), it hasn't exactly had an exemplary track record.

Chief minister Digambar Kamat in an urgent call suggested formation of SIT to probe into every aspect of the tapes wherein police sub-inspector Sunil Gudlar is seen negotiating with two foreign women over the sale of drugs.

Police headquarters soon constituted SIT led by Superintendent of Police Om Prakash Kurtarkar and his team comprising of DySP Mohan Naik and others.

This third SIT in Goa is incidentally has the same team which earlier failed to crack the 2009-Margao blast case. SIT assisted the Mumbai Anti Terrorist

Squad wherein two members of the Hindu right wing involved in the explosion were killed.

The case was later handed over to National Investigating Agency (NIA) that chargesheeted the case holding 11 persons responsible for the blast, before a Margao Court.

The same SIT team was later asked to investigate into the desecration of religious shrines in Goa, which also did not achieve much success.

Sources stated that SIT was a move by the Government to defuse the demand to hand over police-drugs nexus case to Central Bureau of Investigation. (The chief minister however has officially denied this.

See interview) In response to a petition filed by the NSUI that there is no need of a CBI inquiry in the Gudlar case, as the SIT has already been formed.

Paroda locals oppose land acquisition for market HERALD NEWS BUREAU PANJIM, JAN 16

The Goenchea Xetkarancho Ekvott (GXE) and other farmers from Paroda have vehemently opposed the government's move to acquire a paddy field near the Paroda Church in order to construct a panchayat building and an market complex.

At a meeting organised near the Immaculate Conception Church at Paroda on Sunday, speakers claimed that the site was not conducive to the two projects as it is a flood-prone area.

They also expressed fears that any filling of the land would lead to the flooding of the nearby Paroda church during monsoons.

Addressing the farmers, GXE President Delip Hegde suspected that the government was keen to acquire the paddy field for vested interests.

"If the government goes on destroying paddy fields, time will come when we will face an acute food crisis," said Hegde.

Christian Adivasi Sangatna President Remedio Rebello crit-

Farmers gather near the Paroda church to protest against government's move to acquire a paddy field.

icised the State government, claiming that it was working against the interest of the Aam Admi.

"South collector G P Naik, who is from Quepem, is fully aware

of the dangers of floods and should have verified the facts before deciding to acquire the flood-prone area for the Panchayat building and market complex," said Rebello.

He claimed that the government was out to destroy the identity of the tribal community, whose main livelihood is that of agriculture.

"The government's policy of

acquiring the paddy field of the poor farmer and planning a big project is to make the rich richer and the poor poorer," Rebello said.

Addressing the meeting, advocate John Fernandes informed the farmers that the government has proposed to acquire an area of 8295 sq. mts. in survey 190, which is a flood-prone area during the moonsoons.

The area, which is proposed for acquisition for the construction of market complex and Panchayat Ghar, is shown as a flood-prone area by the Paroda panchayat in a report to the Salcete BDO under the disaster management plan "Any proposal to acquire and fill such a area is a blunder on the part of the administration," said Fernandes.

"If the area is filled to make a way for a market complex and Panchayat Ghar, the nearby Paroda church would get flooded during monsoons."

Fernandes pointed out that an abandoned government school, adjacent to the present panchayat

Parrikar assures to install Jack Sequeira statue in Panjim HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, JAN 10

Opposition Leader Manohar Parrikar on Sunday assured to install a life-sized statue of late Dr Jack de Sequeira in Panjim, to recognize the Goan leader's contribution to the identity of the State.

He was addressing a function at Calangute to fondly remember late Dr Jack de Sequeira, the man behind the historic Opinion Poll and who was instrumental in maintaining a separate Goan identity, on the 44th Opinion Poll Day on Sunday.

"I have not come here to garner votes but to pay my homage and give due respect to the great leader. Though Goa was liberated on December 19, we Goans achieved thorough liberation on January 16 through the historic Opinion Poll," said Parrikar.

Taking a dig at the State government, Parrikar said: "The way things are going at the present, the future of Goa and Goans in the years to come looks bleak."

"However, we should not blame others for the corrupt practices, but it is we who decide our destiny and what we want.

The future of Goa lies in our hands," Parrikar reminded the gathering.

Parrikar promised to install a life-sized statue of late Dr Jack de Sequeira in Panjim and give due respect to the leader for his great efforts.

Other speakers also paid rich tributes to Father of Opinion Poll Dr Jack de Sequeira, who was remembered on the 44th Opinion

Poll Day at Calangute on Sunday.

Former chief minister Dr Wilfred de Souza regretted that the State government is doing very little for the cause of Goa and Goans.

He congratulated former Calangute sarpanch Joseph Sequeira and the Calangute Panchayat for giving due respect to the great leader by installing a statue of the leader.

In his address, Benaulim MLA Mickky Pacheco claimed that ministers and MLAs in the State had forgotten that they were in their present position solely due to the great efforts of late Jack de Sequeira.

"Some MLAs are now trying to make room for family members and relatives in the assembly.

"They are even keeping an eye on parts like Karwar, etc in the neighbouring States, as they find it difficult to accommodate their family members in a smaller Goa," quipped Pacheco.

Noted Konkani playwright and former speaker Tomazinho Cardozo was also critical of the State government for showing disrespect to Goan leaders, especially late Dr Jack de Sequeira.

"Though we achieved a historic Opinion Poll to maintain our separate identity, the successive MGP governments under the leadership of late Dayanand Bandodkar and others failed to give due respect to Sequeira," said Cardozo.

"The younger generation of today should be made aware of the great efforts, due to which Goa has a separate identity."

Damu hindrance to development: Sardesai HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JAN 16

Goa Pradesh Congress Committee general secretary Vijai Sardesai has said that Fatorda MLA Damu Naik's obsession with hogging credit for starting development works is the main cause for the suspension of the work of desilting of Maddel Nullah within days of its commencement.

He said that after the drubbing that the Fatorda MLA's candidates got in the just concluded Municipal polls, the MLA has developed a justifiable sense of insecurity which resulted in his ongoing campaign to break coconuts anywhere and everywhere to hog undue credit for

development underway in Fatorda constituency.

The GPCC general secretary said that in the instant case the Water Resources Department was either misguided to make hasty estimates or begin work without proper study and preparation which eventually caused the unfortunate suspension of work within days of its commencement.

He said that he would invite the Chief Minister Shri Digamber Kamat to visit the site at the earliest so that not only this work recommences but the hitherto neglected sections of Maddel are given due attention by the authorities.

Opposition Leader Manohar Parrikar, Dr Wilfred de Souza, Mickky Pacheco and others at Calangute.

Photo by Thomas Fernandes "The Congress governments due share till today," lamented have also failed to give due re- Cardozo. spect to the great leader. The Others who spoke on the ocWinning team captain of the casion included former minister Opinion Poll has failed to get his Dr Carmo Pegado and Caram-

bolim Parish Priest Fr Conceicao D'Silva.

Among those present at the function included Saligao ZP member Michael Lobo, Dr Lilly Sequeira, daughter of late Jack Sequeira, other family members, Calangute Sarpanch Alex Fernandes, Deputy Sarpanch Sneha Salgaonkar, former Joseph Sequeira, Laxman Porob Palyekar and Albert Fernandes as well as former deputy sarpanch Ana Marie D'Souza.

Earlier, while welcoming the gathering, Joseph Sequeira said: "Some MLAs of today are reluctant to attend the function to pay tributes to late Dr Jack de Sequeira, whose life-sized statute we have installed to give him his due respect."

house, could be used to house the new panchayat office.

Manuel Lima, an affected farmer, claimed that the paddy field is their only livelihood and feared that they lives would be destroyed if the field is acquired by the government.

He appealed to all farmers to support their opposition to the acquisition of the paddy field.

Skeletal remains of infant recovered HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JAN 16

Maina Curtorim police on Sunday recovered the skeletal remains of an infant which was found buried at Carvotta-Loutolim.PI Sidhant Shridokar informed that the incident came to light when a local resident noticed the skeletal remains and immediately informed the police.

“It appears that the skeletal remains were that of a baby boy born pre-mature,” PI Shirodkar said, adding that the remains have been dispatched to the Hospico for post mortem examination. The Maina Curotirm police have registered a case of unnatural death.

Prisoner dies of illness VASCO: An under-trial at the Sada Sub Jail passed away while undergoing treatment at the Goa Medical College hospital at Bambolim on Saturday evening.

According to Mormugao Police, John Antonio D'Souza, who was suffering from an incurable sickness, was shifted to GMC on Saturday evening after he complained of uneasiness.

The deceased had been arrested by the Women Cell of Panjim Police on charges of committing crimes under Section 377 (unnatural sex), 506 (2) of IPC and Section 8 of Goa Children's Act 2003.

OHERALDO

Pg4 GOA, MONDAY, 17 JANUARY, 2011

UPCOMING EVENTS LPG safety camp PANJIM (HND): The Consumer Welfare Club of Mae de Deus High School, Corjuem, Aldona in collaboration with Bharat Gas and the Aldona Civic & Consumer Forum will organise a LPG Safety Camp as part of the Oil & Gas Conservation Fortnight at Mae de Deus High School Hall on January 17 at 11 am.

The camp is organised to provide instructions on the safe use of LPG cylinders. Instructions on fitting the gas regulator, detection of gas leakages and the importance of the mandatory mechanical check will also be provided.

The resource person for the program will be Angelica Gracias, the Customer Care Officer of Bharat Petroleum Limited who will also brief the students and staff on how to conserve gas whilst cooking.

Konkani CD release

Ave D’Souza

PANJIM (HND): Ave D’Souza will release his 3rd Konkani album ‘Patkam Rodtelim’ on January 17 at 9.15 pm.

The CD will be released during the staging of tiatr ‘Onupkari’, organised by ‘Dazan’ near Ribandar Chapel.

It will be released at the hands of parish priest of Ribandar Church Fr Alcantra Rodrigues in the presence of PSI Brendon de Souza of CID Crime BranchPanjim, CCP corporator Vivina Nasnodkar and ‘Onupkari’ director Vincente (Mistri).

‘Sangeet Sandhya’

PANJIM (HND): A programme on Hindustani classical music titled ‘Sangeet Sandhya’ will be held on January 21 at Kala Academy at 7.30 pm. The programme is organised by the Sangeet Bharati Foundation, Mangalore.

Ustad Rafique Khan from Mangalore, Ustad Shafique Khan from Dharwad, Chote Rahimat Khan from Kala Academy will perform. Sri Jayateerth Mevundi from Hubli will also present a classical vocal concert.

POWER SHUTDOWN JANUARY 18 PORVORIM: From 9 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are Porvorim Bazaar, Green hill, Sangolda, Shantadurga temple, Sangolda, 20Point programme, Alua, Bhutki wado, Mae-de-Deus T/C, Morod, Waddem, Khareem, Ticlo Petrol pump and surrounding areas.

SIOLIM: From 9.30 am to 3 pm. Areas affected are Siolim PHC, Ingrezwado, Oxel, Madhlabhat, Marna Gudem, Dhando, Vagali, Tarachi Bhat, Partawada, Bamanwada, Waddi Siolim, Oxel, Sodiem, Gausawada and surrounding areas.

CHIMBEL: From 9 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are Shirent, Shetye Stones Quarry, Parts of Govlem Bhatt, Menezes Twin Factory, Voilem Bhatt up to Baman Bhatt, Gawanth, entire Indira Nagar, CM Raikar, Shah Kamaxi, Dateshwar Residency and surrounding areas.

JANUARY 19 PORVORIM: From 9 am to 5.30 pm. Areas affected are Bhutki Wado, Sangolda Morod, Mae-de-Deus Sangolda and surrounding areas.

CM asks for land to build Ravindra Bhavan in Canacona HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, JAN 16

HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, JAN 16

In a barter of sorts, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat assured to provide a Ravindra Bhavan at Canacona in exchange for land in the taluka devoid of any objection.

Kamat was addressing the inaugural function of the 7th Sangeet Samelan, organized by Canacona Kalakar Sangh in association with department of Arts and Culture, at ShristhalCanacona.

Reacting to demands from organizers for the much-needed Ravindra Bhavan to develop art and culture in the taluka, Kamat said: “Give the government suitable land without objecting groups and I promise to lay foundation to the Ravindra Bavan at Canacona this year itself to felicitate its construction.”

“It is my utmost desire to have a Ravindra Bhavan in each and every taluka of the State. But people should avoid politicizing the chosen sites, as it becomes a hindrance,” said Kamat.

The chief minister pointed out to difficulties in constructing a Ravindra Bhavan in Mapusa.

“Despite my personal efforts to set up a Ravindra Bhavan at Mapusa, known to be the cultural capital of our state, the government finds it extremely difficult to commence work due to differences at various levels regarding its location,” he said.

There were also references by some speakers to the ongoing Ravindra Bhavan project at Vasco.

Kamat claimed that Goa has a strong heritage in art and culture.

“Annually, I attend between 200-250 Sangeet Samelans taking place in each and very corner of the State,” he said.

“The government wants a minimum of 50% Goan participation in such Sammelans,” said Kamat, and praised Director of Art and Culture Prasad Lolienkar for spreading the department’s activities and benefits to every part of the State.

“He floats the ideas and as minister, I approve of them,”

Tiatr Academy of Goa has condoled the death of Rosar y Ferns, a prominent personality of tiatr stage who expired recently in his village at Benaulim.

In its condolence message, TAG said that in Rosary Ferns’ death tiatr stage has lost an artiste who served tiatr and its song and music for almost 30 years.

“Rosary Ferns, who used to be in the Gulf, was a writer, actor and a good singer. Whenever opportunity arose, Rosary Ferns always supported tiatr activities in the Gulf and entertained Goans and Konkani loving people working there.

He was very enthusiastic and always took initiatives to have tiatrs staged in the Gulf,” the message adds.

Further, TAG states that Rosary was a good lyricist, singer and has many audio albums to his credit. “He has written and staged many tiatrs too. Tiatr Academy Goa condoles the death of this young artiste and prays to the Almighty that his soul rest in peace,” the message concludes.

A Little About Civics

What is the Parliament?

The national legislature or Parliament is the ultimate administrative body of India.

The legislature of the States is described as State legislature. Indian legislature is Bicameral in nature, so called because of the two houses- Lok Sabha (House of the People) and Rajya Sabha (Council of States).

The Constitution authorizes each State to choose either a unicameral or bicameral legislature.

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat addresses the inaugural function of the 7th Sangeet Samelan at Shristhal-Canacona.

Photo by Kathy Pereira

said Kamat.

The chief minister, who was in a hurry to attend a function in capital city, left the function midway, but not before releasing a souvenir published on the occasion by Canacona Kalakar Sangh.

He also felicitated the musician Ramanand Deshav Joshi.

Canacona Kalakar Sangh organizes the Sangeet Samelan every year in memory of late Pt Govindrao Agni and Pt Anjanibai Lolayekar.

Earlier the Canacona Kalakar Sangh President Daya Pagui welcomed the gathering, while the 7th Sangeet Samelan’s organizing Chairman Ajit Painginkar put forth the demand to preserve late Pt Anjanibai Lolayeknar’s house at Peddem-Loliem as a heritage site.

However in his speech, the chief minister did not respond to the demand.

A few other local artistes like Rupali Gaonkar (85), Smt Sa-

tarkar (65), Govind Shubu Velip and Khushali Bombo Bhagat, were felicitated by Poinguinim MLA Ramesh Tawadkar.

Erstwhile queen of Sawantwadi Rajmata Bhonsle was the special guest on the occasion.

In her speech, Rajmata Bhonsle recalled the importance of music and how her royal family tree used to appreciate singers during the kingdom’s period.

“We grew up in the midst of music and musicians. My grandfather, father, grandmother and mother were ardent fans of musicians and my brother is himself a famed musician. Our families used to pass entire nights with music artistes,” said Rajmata Bhonsle.

Others who spoke on the occasion included Poinguinim MLA Tawadkar, Dr Dhillon Dessai, Canacona Mayor Ratnakar Dhuri and Bank of Maharashtra Asst General Manager Prakash Shinde.

Street play highlights need for water conservation HERALD CORRESPONDENT COLLEM, JAN 16

Students of V ishweshwar Shankar Laad Higher Secondary School, Piliem-Dharbandoda, staged a street play on ‘water conservation’ near Mollem Panchayat on Friday.

The programme was spon-

Lok Sabha

The House of People was constituted in 1952 after the General Elections as was named Lok Sabha in Hindi on 14 May, 1954.

sored by Mineral Foundation Panjim. The students spread the message to conserve water. The plays consisted of songs, dances and dialogues.

Earlier, Abhinav Vidya Mandir High School Mollem Headmaster Sharadchandra Khandeparkar welcomed the troupe and gave an introductory speech.

Sankeet Naik, official from environmental section of Mineral Foundation, spoke on importance of water.

“Apart from drinking, there are so many activities for which we use water. Only small quantity of water available on the earth is fit for use of plants, animal and humans. Rainwater harvesting can be done by rooftop rainwater harvesting,” said Sankeet.

Later, students of the school staged plays under the supervision of Prof Ankush Prabhu and Prof Jitendra Naik.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT COLLEM, JAN 16

Goa Energy Development Association recently organised oneday guidance programme on ‘importance of solar energy’ for the residents of Udalse-Sacorda and surrounding areas at Sacorda.

GEDA official Babush Gaonkar was the resource person for the day long programme. Dharnadoda ZXP member Rashmi Lambor, Prof Bharati from Polytechnic College Kakoda and Prashant Gaonkar were present during the programme.

Speaking on the occasion, Gaonkar said solar energy is a renewal source of energy and never ending.

In her speech, Lambor said due to lack of electricity in some parts of Sacorda Panchayat areas, villagers are dependent on kerosene-run lamps as a source of power.

“Residents can use appliances which run on solar energy to overcome these problems,” said Lambor.

Earlier, Bharati welcomed the gathering and explained the aim of conducting the workshop.

Prasant Gaonkar proposed the vote of thanks.

HIV conference opened

Rajya Sabha

Council of States came into being in 1919, under the Government of India Act, 1919. The name Rajya Sabha in Hindi was adopted on August 23, 1954. The total number of members in Rajya Sabha is 250. Out of these 238 members will be from different States and Union Territories while the remaining 12 members are nominated by President.

Each member is elected for six years.

Rajya Sabha is a permanent body and can not be dissolved fully. One third of the members are replaced by newly elected members every second year. The Rajya Sabha represents the States of India. It is indirectly elected by residents of the State. The citizens elect members to State Legislative Assembly (MLA) and these MLAs then elect members of Rajya Sabha (MP).

Contact Us:

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S H O RT TA K E S Jules shines

PANJIM (HND): Jules Rodrigues, a student of Bloomz International School, Borda, Margao has won the 3rd prize of Max New York Life Igenius Scholarship Program 2010 in the junior category.

He had cleared the stage 1 and stage 2 by answering the online tests. He was the only student from Goa who appeared for the stage 3 web link interview before a panel of experts consisting of Ruskin Bond, Derek O’Brien and Neil O’Brien in Mumbai.

He is also selected to represent the school at the international championship of the MaRRS International Spelling Bee Competition 2009 – 2010 to be held in Malaysia in February 2011. He is the son of Silvestre Rodrigues and Valley Rodrigues.

Admissions open

PANJIM (HND): Arena Animations will commence AAASP (Arena Animations Academy Specialist Programme) comprising of 5 semesters starting January end. Arena also offers professional course in web designing and other short courses in audio visual and print media.

For details, contact MGM animations academy, Midas touch bldg, 3rd floor, Panjim Market Square, entrance opposite to DCB Bank, above HDFC Bank, Panjim.

Ph: 2225153/ 9423885224/ 9823013484/ 9823611824/9890432246. Email: mgmanimations@gmail.com

Chandan wins photo contest

PANJIM (HND): Chandan D Naik Gaonkar, a resident of Panjim, has received the 1st award in Digital Photography Contest organised by The Federation of Indian Photography (FIP), Kolkata. FIP, a national body, has been promoting the art, science of photography for over 58 years.

Chandan, who had submitted 4 images, received the first award for his image titled ‘Final Destination’. The award is given on the basis of creativity, composition, technique and presentation.

IMA executive panel installed CURCHOREM (HC): The new executive committee of Indian Medical Association (IMA) Curchorem-QuepemSanguem for 2011 was recently installed at the Pearl Oceanique, Colva.

Office bearers elected are Dr Jagdish Kakodkar (president), Dr Sunil Kakodkar (vice president), Dr Vinayak Buvaji (secretary), Dr Vishnu Vaidya (treasurer), Dr Luis De Athaide and Dr Uday S Kakodkar (joint treasurer), Dr Paresh Kamat (IMA State representative) and Dr K R Kamath (IMA Central Committee representative).

Honorary diplomas

PANJIM (HND): Nehru Institute of Economic Planning and Research which is engaged in undertaking research projects/ studies and as well conducting/ organising seminars/ symposia in various areas of economic and social significance besides competitions, intends to confer honorary diplomas/PG diplomas/ honorary fellow awards and citations based purely on educational qualifications or on basis of experience in one’s chosen field – agriculture, industry, medicine, engineering, management, health, administration, accounting, commerce, business or any other field.

Those interested may send their bio-data to K Suresh Kumar, Nehru Institute of Economic Planning and Research, 423, Patel Road, Ram Nagar, Coimbatore - 9 or to K Mohan, ‘Nandanam’, Valiyapadam, Palakkad – 5.

Fellowship for doctors

PANJIM (HND): Associated Press of India Bureau’s health cell in association with Rajiv Gandhi Academy of Health Sciences intends to award membership, associateship and fellowship to doctors, physicians and health professionals based on qualifications and experience. This will enable them to use the denomination MRGAHS, ARGAHS, FRGAHS as the case may be, with their qualifications. Those interested may send the details to K Vijayan, 2/45, Vignesh Nagar, Vilankurichi Post, Coimbatore - 35 or to K Mohanan,’ Nandanam ‘, Valiyapadam, Palakkad-5.

Athletic meet organised

Goa University Vice Chancellor Dr Dilip Deobagkar along with GSACS Project Director Dr Pradeep Padwal, Director of University of South Florida USA Dr Shyam Mohapatra and Director National AIDS Resource Institute Pune Dr Ramesh Paranjape.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT CURCHOREM, JAN 16

The Constitution of India came into force on January 26, 1950 and India became a Republic. Parliament arose in April 1962, which composed of members elected in the first general elections held during 195152. Since then elections are held every 5 years and Lok Sabha are re-formed with new elected members.

Sacorda locals guided on solar energy

The representatives of Lok Sabha are chosen by election of the territorial constituencies directly. Presently there are 543 constituencies. The total strength of the House is 552 members, consisting of 530 member representatives of the States, 20 members representing the Union Territories and 2 members are nominated by the President from the Anglo-Indian Community.

Usually Lok Sabha is formed for a period of five years. But in case of emergency this period may be extended by Parliament as per law for a period upto one year at a time and beyond six months after the conclusion of the declaration.

Only Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh have a bicameral legislature. Except the houses President also is an integral part of legislature. The power to summon anyone and dissolving either House of Parliament or Lok Sabha vests with him or her.

TAG condoles Rosary Ferns’ demise

GOA

Resource Foundation in collaboration with National AIDS Resource Institute Pune and University of South Florida USA inaugurated three-day conference on ‘Translational Research on HIV AIDS’ at Hotel Vivanta, Panjim.

Goa University Vice Chancellor Dr Dilip Deobagkar was the chief guest at the function.

GSACS Project Director Dr Pradeep Padwal, Director of University of South Florida USA Dr Shyam Mohapatra, Director National AIDS Resource Institute Pune Dr Ramesh Paranjape, Director of co-Director of University of South Florida USA Dr Eknath Naik, Dean of University of South Florida USA Dr Patricia Emmanual, Vice President of Community Resource Foundation Dr Anita Dudhane and delegates were present.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Deobagkar expressed the importance of ‘Translational Research in HIV’ and suggested that one could take lead from other research.

Dr Maahapatra expressed satisfaction about the work done and thanked for cooperation in organizing such conferences.

Dr Pradeep Padval spoke

about the issues of HIV AIDS. Dr Anita Dudhane welcomed the guest and delegates, while Dr Eknath Naik proposed the vote of thanks.

Sonata music school students excel HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JAN 16

Students of Sonata Music school has excelled at the Trinity College of Music, London examinations.

Sonata Music School, Gogol, Margao has obtained cent percent results, at the examinations conducted by the Trinity College of Music, London recently.

Of the 72 students that appeared, 34 of them secured distinction, 34 students secured a merit and just 4 obtained a pass class. Teachers Edwin Pinto, Lazar Andrade, Avinash Fernandes, John Rodrigues, Freddy Barreto and Filipe Barreto, trained the students from Grades 1 to 5, on violin, guitar and keyboard, under the able guidance of Fr Peter Cardozo and with the dynamic support of Teresa Viegas and Anna Kurtarkar.

COLLEM (HC): The annual athletic meet of Mollem School Complex headed by Abhinav Vidya Mandir High School was recently held at Mollem Panchayat ground.

Madhuvan Farm Collem Manager Manjunath Hegade was the chief guest for the inaugural programme of the athletic meet.

Speaking on the occasion, Hegade explained the benefit of regular exercise for better health.

Earlier, Headmaster Sharadchandra Khandeparkar welcomed the chief guest, Sonia Panchawadkar compered the programme.

Mollem Sarpanch Govind Gaonkar was chief guest for the prize distribution programme. School Manager Vaman Khandeparkar, Corporation Bank Mollem Manager Vasant Boir and Headmaster Sharadchandra Khandeparkar were also presents on the occasion.

Ketan Mauskar and Siddi Parab were adjudged as best athletes in boys and girls categories respectively. The champion house prize was awarded to the Dudhsagar House.

Govind Gaonkar and Vaman Khandeparkar spoke on the occasion.

Earlier, Khandeparkar welcomed the chief guest, Sanam Gaonkar compered the prize distribution programme, while Yeshwant Bandodkar proposed the vote of thanks.

Krishna wins crib contest OLD GOA (HC): Krishna Naik of Ravalnath Nagar-Corlim won the first prize at the Christmas Crib competition, which was organised by Social Sports & Cultural Center for the residents of Corlim, Carambolim and Old Goa. Aliston Souza of Carambolim won the second prize, while the third prize went to Ubaldo Pereira of Vikas Nagar-Carambolim. Gladwin Fernandes of Corlim and Ashley Fernandes of Carambolim bagged the consolation prizes.

Fr Assis Dourado, parish priest of St John de Facundo Church, Corlim, Shivanand Naik, Nirmala Sawant, Naresh Naik, Rohidas Naik, John Lobo, Baptista Pereira and Sainath Naik were the judges for the crib competition.

Since the participants showed great enthusiasm in this year’s Crib competition, former MLA Nirmala Sawant sponsored special prizes to all the participants.

All the prize winners and participants are requested to collect their prizes and gifts from their respective parishes.

OHERALDO

GOA

Pg 5 GOA, MONDAY,17 JANUARY, 2011

Want to preserve Goa’s identity, pledge not to sell land: CM HERALD CORRESPONDENT PONDA, JAN 16

In a bid to urge Goans to preserve their identity, Chief Minister Diga mba r K a ma t o n Saturday offered them a onepoint commandment -- I shall not sell.

He was addressing the inaugural function of the two-day Yuva Mahotsav at MIBK high school ground in Khandepar.

He requested people in the State to preserve their identity, land and heritage so that it would not be usurped by outsiders who could change the face of the state.

Inviting the youth to strengthen the fabric of the country, Kamat said: “Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh is trying to make India a super power and the youth should support his mission.”

Emhpasising the importance of education, the chief minister said all citizens should be educated to make India a super

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat inaugurates the two-day Yuva Mahotsav at MIBK high school ground in Khandepar.

Photo by Amresh Parab

power.

“The Goa government has decided to to achieve 100% literacy in the State,” he said.

Commenting on the need to electrify all houses in the State, Kamat assured to provide solar power to those houses still deprived of power supply.

“During this golden jubilee of Goa’s liberation, we will strive to provide electricity to all houses in the State,” he said.

The 16th Yuva Mahotsav, jointly organised by the Konkani Bhasha Mandal (KBM) and Ponda Rotaract Club, got underway on Saturday.

In his address, Home Minister Ravi Naik reiterated his att a c h m e n t t o t h e Ko n ka n i language.

“I had taken the cabinet decision to put Konkani language in the Eighth Schedule and I had also taken part in the agitation to ensure that Goa was a separate state. Now, it is up to the the youth to develop this language to greater heights,” he said.

KBM President Prashant Naik criticised those opposing the road-widening project in the State.

“Accidents are on the rise due to narrow roads and the youth should help the government to go ahead with its plans to widen the roads in the State.

Curti Sarpanch Suraj Naik was also present on the occasion.

During the two-day meet, a number of programmes will be organised for the youth of various school, higher secondaries and clubs in the State.

NGOs, clubs urged to help society maintain law

Creating wealth out of waste, Cajetan shows the way

HERALD CORRESPONDENT MAYEM, JAN 16

Superintendent of Police Atmaram Deshpande has called upon clubs and NGOs to help society in connection with law and emergency problems.

He was addressing the gathering during the oath administering ceremony of the new board of Jaycee International at Municipal Garden Bicholim on Wednesday.

Speaking further, SP Deshpande urged the clubs and NGOs to pay attention towards providing education, health and basic infrastructure to the people.

Newly elected president Shailesh Faldesai, industrialist Venktesh Prabhu Moni, Amit Naik, District Governor Saiprasad Naik, Vikesh Assotikar and outgoing president Shagir Shaikh were present on the occasion.

On the occasion, the newly elected president was administered oath of office followed by felicitation of Amit Naik and Saiprasad Naik.

Cajetan Colaco at his house-cum-workshop with his waste turned household items.

Photo by M Prabhav

BY TAURAPPA LAMANI VASCO, JAN 16

He may be a compere by profession but when he is not beh i n d t h e m i c ro p h o n e , h e welcomes all sorts of waste into his house.

Believe it or not, he has converted an unused western toilet into a seat, while copper utensils and aluminium pots have also been converted into pieces of furniture.

If one visits ‘Cajie’s Wonder’ behind Sai Baba Temple in New

Vaddem, one would reconsider throwing out waste into the dustbin, as every waste is potential wealth for Cajetan Colaco.

A resident of New VaddemVasco, Cajetan is a compere by profession. Besides compering, he is passionate in utilising waste as he believes that everything has a purpose.

In his small room, now converted into a workshop, all waste items are seen lying all over, waiting to be given a new

shape and identity.

“Since 2006, I have been making paper bags. The idea of creating ‘Cajie’s Wonder’ took birth as I wanted to go beyond that and I had plans to make something different from household waste,” said Cajetan.

Cajetan believes that every item can be put to alternative use.

From jewellery to furniture, Cajetan has given a new shape to an old sewing machine as a bedside table, while copper utensils and aluminium pots are creatively converted into small seating arrangements.

“It doesn’t require huge investment to make such things, as one needs a lot of patience and creativity to give perfect shapes to waste material,” said Cajetan.

“With some creativity, recycled waste will certainly minimise the problem of garbage and will promote a healthier environment,” added Colaco.

‘Cajie’s Wonder’ displayed various items created from waste at an exhibition in St Jacinto Island Church Hall on January 16.

What’s in a name? Kites rule the sky in Belgaum Pride, says teacher HERALD CORRESPONDENT SANGUEM, JAN 16

Deputy Speaker Mauvin Godinho inaugurates a new bus shelter at Alto-Bogmalo. The shelter is built by Goa Shipyard Limited. Also present are Rear Admiram Vineet Bakshi, Bogmalo Sarpanch Urban Rodrigues and deputy Sarpanch Arun Naik.

What’s in a name or a title for that matter?

Pride and privilege, feels a school teacher who was addressing a function orgaised by Samrat Club of Sanguem to felicitate the ‘Samrat Student of the Year’.

“Whenever a student calls me ‘Sir’, it is a great privilege and this is the greatest gift for all teachers,” stated School teacher Sanjay Talwadkar, the chief guest at the function.

Akshay Khandeparkar was a special invitee.

Speaking further, Talwadkar complimented the Samrat Club Sanguem for recognizing the achievements of students.

Students who were awarded with the Samrat Student of the Ye a r A w a rd w e re Va r n i t a

Madgaonkar (New Educational Institute, Curchorem), Frenzil D’Costa (Guardian Angel High School, Curchorem), Saish Naik (Union High School, Sanguem), Rakshanda Mapari (Chandrabaga Tukoba Naik High School, Curchorem), Nehal Sawant (Sarvodaya High School), Avesh Naik (Sharda English High School, Sanvordem), Gouri Chari (Our Lady of Piety High school, Collem) and Mitilesh Chowdhary (Miracles High School, Sanguem).

The award carried a citation and a special certificate designed for the purpose by the Samrat Club.

Club President Bindhiya Naik welcomed the guests and the gathering, while Assistant Secretary Dharmu Karmalkar proposed the vote of thanks.

Team ecstatic at hoisting Indian flag at Antarctica HERALD REPORTER VASCO, JAN 16

The Indian team felt on top of the world to hoist the tricolour at the bottom of the world.

“We felt on top of the world to be at the South Pole,” said an ecstatic team leader Rashik Ravindra, who headed a team of India’s eight most proficient scientists on a recent maiden expedition to Antarctica.

“When we unfurled India’s flag to leave an Indian footprint on the coldest continent, the team was more eager to sing the national anthem. But in minus 70 degrees Celsius, even uttering each word itself was an achievement,” claimed Ravindra.

Director of National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR), Rasik Ravindra along with Ajay Dhar, Javed Beg, Thamban Meloth, Asit Swain, Pradip Malhotra, Krishnamurthy and Surat Singh successfully completed the 45-day expedition.

Sharing his experiences of the expedition with Herald at the National Centre for Antarctic & Ocean Research (NCAOR) at Vasco, Ravindra (62) claimed that by virtue of his age, he had to lead the team to the South Pole.

Facing the cold climatic conditions was not an unusual task for Ravindra, given the fact that he hails from Jammu and Kash-

Director of National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR), Rasik Ravindra along with his team Ajay Dhar, Javed Beg, Thamban Meloth, Asit Swain, Pradip Malhotra, Krishnamurthy and Surat Singh successfully complete a 45-day expedition to the South Pole.

mir, lived in the mountainous region of Bhutan and successfully completed five Antarctic expeditions.

“The pristine beauty of the place and wonderful environment of Antarctica attracts me to go again and again. The internal feeling that I am the first person to walk on this place could reason that give enough energy during the expedition,” said Ravindra.

Braving temperatures as low as minus 70 degrees Celsius and navigating through sharp ice

hills, India’s first scientific expedition team to the South Pole took a different but short route to reach the earth’s southernmost point - in just eight days.

The team, consisting of a geologist, glaciologist, geophysicist, a meteorologist and vehicle engineers, collected valuable data to study the impact of global warming on Antarctica.

The team had left Maitri, India’s second permanent research station on the Antarctica, on November 13, 2010 and unfurled Indian flag at South Pole

on November 22.

The eight-member team travelled some 2,350 km between Maitri the and South Pole.

“We were a solid single team as all eight members knew each other personally and this made task easier to successfully finish the assigned work. Very few countries have reached the South Pole along with their scientists,” said Ravindra.

“It was a long awaited dream of India to have its own team of scientists to reach the South Pole. Efforts were made earlier

in 1984, 1989 and 1990, but those teams were not successful due to some problem.”

“The interesting part was that we took the shortest route, which nobody else had tried, to reach the South Pole in just eight days,” added Ravindra.

The expedition travelled on four specialised arctic truck vehicles, which did face some problems due to the intense cold conditions.

Each of these vehicles carried the scientists, special gears, emergency medical kit, frozen food, and navigational and scientific instruments.

The team collected ice cores at regular intervals during the expedition to study the variability of snow accumulation and characteristics, made short traverses by ground penetrating radar along the route to understand bed rock topography and studied glacial-geomorphological landforms and meteorological data along the path.

The team will take about fourfive months to arrive at their findings.

The National Centre for Antarctic & Ocean Research (NCAOR), based in Vasco, an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Earth and Science, was established in 1998 to monitor the expedition and polar science.

Islamic quiz contest held Vividha Farmers Club inaugurated HERALD CORRESPONDENT VALPOI, JAN 16

Pharos Education Foundation Memorial Trust (PEFMT) in collaboration with Unity High School Valpoi recently organised an Islamic quiz competition for the students at Unity Multipurpose Hall, Valpoi.

The competition was conducted in two categories, junior and senior, and 32 students took part in the quiz competition.

In the junior group, Suvera Khan bagged the first place, while second and third places were secured by Sohail Shaikh and Mizba Mulla respectively.

Almas Mulla bagged the first place in senior group, while Zeeba and Sharik Khan secured second and third place.

Valpoi Municipal Council Vice President Fehmida Khan gave away the prizes to the winners.

Ward 10 Councilor Sehzin Shaikh, Hathwada Jamaat Pres-

ident Haji Jaffar Aga, Supervisor of PEFMT Maulana Mannan Qassmi, ex councillor Nasir Khan, Unity High School Headmaster Mustufa Aga, UES Valpoi Headmaster Mubarak Khan and Maulana Mufti Noor Mo hammed were present.

Speaking on the occasion, chief guest Maulana A Manan Qassmi appreciated the school management and urged more support from parents for conducting projects in school, where he said moral values among students are upgraded.

“Seeking education with moral values creates a character of student which later converts them into good citizen,” Maulana Qassmi remarked.

Meanwhile, Fehmida Khan in her motivational speech said such competitions inculcate moral values in students and they must show maximum participation.

an intention to re-juvenate dead farming in Pale constituency and surrounding areas.

On the occasion, Gawas while giving details about the project to the chief minister informed that different kind of machineries have been set up to make possible the farmers to rejuvenate their fields.

He called upon the villagers to undertake cultivation in the orChief Minister Digambar Kamat inaugurates the Farmers Club at Navelim in the chid land. “The agriculpresence of Speaker Pratapsing Rane and MLA Pratap Gawas. ture department will be Photo by Vishant Vaze also taken into confiHERALD CORRESPONDENT dence to provide different equipments required MAYEM, JAN 16 by the farmers to undertake farming,” added Gawas.

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat on Friday inauChef Minister Kamat lauded the efforts of farmgurated the Vividha Farmers Club at Navelim. ers for providing their wholehearted co-operation, The Club has been formed by Pale MLA Pratap while Speaker Pratapsingh Rane advised the farmGawas with co-operation of local farmers with ers on different methods of farming.

Shiroda MLA Mahadeo Naik (second from left) and other dignitaries at the International Kite Festival at Belgaum.

Photo by Louis Rodrigues HERALD CORRESPONDENT BELGAUM, JAN 16

Thousands of kite enthusiasts from Goa, north Karnataka and Maharashtra witnessed the first Belgaum International Kite Festival which took off to a spectacular start on Sunday.

Teams from Germany, Canada, France, UK, Columbia, Lebanon, Netherlands and about 17 teams from North and South India, including an all-women team from Mysore displayed their skills at the Nanawadi grounds on Savgaon Road, here.

“Apart from encouraging kite flying, I intend to look for ward at this event as a bond to strengthen BelgaumGoa ties, so that Indian and foreign tourists who frequent Goa during Christmas and New Year season also pay a visit to Belgaum during this festival every year,” affirmed an elated Belgaum (South) MLA Abhay Patil, the brain behind the festival.

Goa’s Shiroda MLA Mahadev

Diploma course in cyber laws HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, JAN 16

V M Salgaocar College of Law in association with the Asian School of Cyber Laws will conduct a diploma course in cyber laws of 6 months duration.

The course will cover cyber security, hacking, digital signatures, cyber pornography, music piracy, software piracy, online share trading, online banking, online ticket booking, credit card transactions, e-filing of income tax returns, efiling of company returns.

The course will be conducted through the weekends through contact lectures which will be held at the college and online lectures.

The course is specially designed for engineering students, bank employees, insurance professionals, cyber cafe owners, chartered accountants, IT security professionals, police personnel, network and system administration, company secretaries, lawyers and law students.

Those interested should register their names by January 31 at the college office. Course commences in February. For further details, contact the college office in person.

Naik, who was also present at the festival, assured maximum support to this endeavour and said the people of Goa would also look towards the event with enthusiasm.

Many of the teams participating in the festival were impressed by the turnout in Belgaum.

“It is incredible to see huge crowds in a place like Belgaum, that was until yesterday unknown to us,” stated Derek, a kite flier from the UK. His teammates, Clara and Collin, who had taken part in the Kite Festival in Ahmadabad and Jodhpur, were also excited to visit Belgaum.

“We are impressed by the beautiful hinterland here in Belgaum,” they said.

Nicolas from France was also equally excited and said that he would be interested in visiting Belgaum every year during the International Kite Festival.

A huge crowd comprising people from all ages were elated

to see kites of different sizes and shapes adorning the clear skies.

Kites with the shapes of birds, octopus, fish, snake, dragon, Taj Mahal tiger, were floating in the skies the whole day.

In addition, kites conveying different social messages also caught the attention of the crowd. Stalls displaying different products were at the service of the visitors.

What was spell binding was the night kite flying on Sunday night above the Fort Lake here.

The skies fitted with lanterns amused the crowds that had gathered there in large number.

Members of Parivartan Parivaar under the direction of Santosh Patil are striving hard to make the event a huge success in the region.

Others present at the festival included Belgaum MP Suresh Angadi, MLA’s Feroz Sait, Sanjay Patil, Bellary MLA Anand Singh, Raju Gouda and Belgaum Deputy Mayor Gavali.

Goan couple land in Belgaum to search son HERALD CORRESPONDENT BELHGAUM, JAN 16

A Goa-based couple arrived in Belgaum on Saturday in search of their 12-year-old son, who has been reported missing from Fatorda.

According to reports, Aman

Anil Borkar was reported missing since Friday.

After getting information from neighbours that Aman was reportedly in Belgaum, his parents rushed to Belgaum on Saturday.

They have lodged a complaint at the police station in Goa.

Vasco poet to present Konkani poem at Varanasi HERALD REPORTER VASCO, JAN 16

Noted Vasco poet Yusuf A Sheikh will present his Konkani poem at the National Symposium of Poets at Varanasi on the eve of Republic Day. His composition ‘Manddvi Deger Choltam Choltam’ (Walking along the banks of the Mandovi) has attracted wide

appreciation at Delhi and has been selected at the prestigious event. The programme will comprise poetry recitations in all constitutionally recognized Indian languages.

Sheikh has been a recipient of several awards at the State and the National level for creativity and literary work in Konkani language.

OHERALDO

www.oheraldo.in

O HERALD O

Bharat Ratna for Sachin?

Vol No CXI No: 015 Goa, Monday, 17 January, 2011

Stop passing the parcel

S

Q

uestion: If rice and wheat allotted at highly subsidised prices under the central government’s mid-day meal scheme is unauthorisedly sold in the open market at much higher prices, is it legal? Even an uneducated person would instantly say that it not only constitutes fraud, but probably blackmarketing as well. But the Goa Police are still trying to find out, by writing letters to the Education Department, which in turn is playing as dumb as the cops.

In her reply to a letter from the police asking whether rice and wheat allotted on a monthly basis to self-help groups under the midday meal scheme can be sold in the market, Education Director Celsa Pinto has only said that as per central guidelines, the Education Department supplies wheat and rice under the mid-day meal scheme to self help groups. She has enclosed a list of 83 such groups in Goa. Saying they are ‘not satisfied’ with this ‘vague’ reply, the police have shot off another letter to the Director.

How long are these two going to play this game of ‘passing the parcel’?

The police first wrote to the Education Department after they seized a diary from main accused Devendra Shinde, revealing that he used to ‘purchase’ wheat and rice each month from self-help groups in the mid-day mean scheme Bardez taluka, and subsequently re-sell it in the open market.

Police investigations have shown that the entire quota of rice and wheat for the self-help groups issued by the Mamlatdar under the mid-day meal scheme each month was being taken directly from the Civil Supplies godown by the accused and sold in the open market. Approximately 20 to 30 quintals of rice and wheat are allotted every month for each self-help group under the midday meal scheme. The group concerned must collect the quota from the government godown. Instead, they were directly selling it to accused Shinde at Rs11 per kg of rice and Rs10 per kg of wheat. This was revealed in the accused’s diary.

Under the mid-day meal scheme, students mostly get sheera, pulao or pao bhaji. Even though the children get no wheat products, every month the Civil Supplies Department releases quintals of wheat to each self-help group, as per central government quotas. This is a well-designed and highly organised fraud, where foodgrain subsidised by taxpayers’ money is being systematically diverted to the open market and illegally sold at huge profits.

It’s an open-and-shut case. Then why do the police need a letter from the Education Department, and why is the latter so reluctant to provide it? That’s because most of the socalled self-help groups in Goa are closely linked to the ruling party (whichever one it may be), and are run by close associates of ministers and MLAs, or their relatives.

It’s a political minefield that no one wants to cross. It’s the proverbial cat that no one wants to bell. But does that mean we should allow the police to let these thieves get away with their systematic loot of public money?

S

Beggar’s day

helton Messier, the beggar who was literally dumped by police at the Campal garbage dump in Panjim by police in June 2009, must be paid a compensation of Rs50,000 by the state government, the National Human Right’s Commission (NHRC) has ordered. The NHRC has said the money should be recovered from the guilty policemen’s salaries, and that the government should take ‘active steps’ to rehabilitate him. But what about the higher-ups who gave a ‘clean chit’ to their juniors in this matter?

Justice for Cipriano Julius Carvalho, Dubai Death due to police brutality, while in custody, is a criminal act. Civilised society abhors such wrong doing.

Goa’s Home Minister has been responsible for turning cops into criminals, as experienced in the drugs nexus cases. He gave a free hand to the crime branch to protect the criminals in police uniform, at any cost.

Can the Home Minister/DGP answer as to why a healthy person, died two days after being arrested by the cops?

How did the magistrate entertain the bail application submitted by the police personnel? The guardians of law and order in Goa have now taken law into their own hands, and the custodial death of Cipriano is a stark reminder of police brutality.

Police brutality Freddy Fernandes, Dubai I am very much happy that oHeraldo, has taken up the initiative to campaign for justice in Cipriano’s death at the hands of the police. All people in Goa must support this campaign. They cannot take law into their hands as they should act as protectors of civil society, and not trans-

Smile with Smitha

OPINION

the question is not whether but when, says SAEESh KAKODKAr

achin Tendulkar, India’s greatest cricketing legend, perhaps of all times, is the heartthrob of young and old alike. The star was first sighted at the age of 14, when he scored an unbeaten triple hundred and shared a record-breaking unbroken stand of 664 runs with pal Vinod Kambli in a Mumbai inter-school match. He shot into the limelight after scoring a century for Mumbai against Gujarat. Soon he was made to face Kapil Dev at the nets by the then India captain Dilip Vengsarkar, and picked for the Pakistan tour of 1989 at the tender age of 16.

Since then, this magician has mesmerised the world with the willow; he’s the little master as well as the master blaster. For Indian cricket fans, he is... nothing short of God! Why the talk?

Talk of conferring the Bharat Ratna on Sachin has been on since last March, when he stunned the cricketing world with the first-ever doublecentury in ODIs with a strike rate of 136, playing 147 balls and remaining undefeated for 50 overs.

The best previous attempts were 194 by Saeed Anwar in 1997 (out caught Ganguli bowled Sachin), 194 by Coventry of Zimbabwe in 2009 (against weak Bangladeshi bowlers), 189 by legend Viv Richards in 1984 (55-over match) and 189 by Jayasuriya in 2000.

The batting maestro capped this by the unprecedented landmark of scoring 50 test centuries last month. I’m a cricket buff. My heart promptly voted ‘yes’ and I too joined the chorus. One event lies ahead: a maha-century of centuries, of which he is three short. Then there are two more on my wish list: India wins this year’s World Cup and a triple ton for Sachin in tests.

What is the Bharat Ratna?

The Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honour of India, is given for exceptional service towards the advancement of Art, Literature and Science, and in recognition of Public Service of the highest order. Introduced in 1954, its first recipient was Nobel Laureate scientist C V Raman. Since then, 38 Indians, one naturalised Indian (Mother Teresa) and two non-Indians (Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan and Nelson Mandela) have been honoured.

Of these, 11 were awarded posthumously. Of the 30 awarded during their lifetime, 13 were above the age of 80; 10 were septuagenarians and six in their 60s. The only living non-seniorcitizen to receive the Bharat Ratna was Indira

Wise Counsel

I

StrAight BAt Gandhi at the age of 54, for her 1971 feat of liberating Bangladesh. But this was when she was the Prime Minister herself. Her son Rajiv was honoured posthumously in 1991, after he was killed at the age of 47 in a suicide bomb attack. Interestingly, Rajiv Gandhi – born in 1944 – is also the only person born after 1933 to be awarded.

Why Sachin?

Sachin has scored 32,300 runs (Tests: 14,692; ODIs: 17,598; T20: 10). Though no cricketer has ever ventured even close to Bradman’s test average of 99, Sachin leads others by miles. He is also a stand-by bowler, claiming 200 wickets (Tests: 45; ODIs: 154; T20: 1).

Tendulkar leverages his technique, application, intelligence and composure. This was evident in the 1993 ODI against South Africa, when skipper Azaruddin reposed faith in a part-time bowler to bowl the last over, when South Africa needed just 6 runs to win. Sachin used his anticipation capabilities and his pulse of slog-over psychology, kept cool, conceded only 3 runs and snatched

Enough is enough Jude D’Silva, Taleigao If we have a Home Minister who is incapable of looking after his son, how will he look after us, Goans?

The three men in uniform should be tried for manslaughter. Yes, let us all unite.

Enough is enough.

Wake up, Home Minister Almir de Sousa, Bambolim Practically every day, there are reports of police inefficiency that appears in the newspapers. The latest is the brutal killing of Cipriano Fernandes, in police custody. In every case, probes are ordered or someone is suspended. After the heat is off, the same criminals travel in the same jeeps, to plunder and torture more people.

Amid all this comes the question: Where is the Home Minister? Cipriano Fernandes’s death must not go unanswered and criminals with or

Smitha Bhandare Kamat

(The writer is a student of Goa Engineering College, Farmagudi)

Encouragement and discouragement

t is often said that things aren’t always as they appear, as sometimes what seems to be the end is really, just a new beginning.

I have met people who say that nothing goes right for them, and the whole world appears to be ganged up against them. But some of them keep on moving forward. So in life, it’s not about attaining a goal. We may say that we want something really badly and that we are committed to it, but do we keep an eye on it, at all times? For most of us, it’s easy to get distracted. We are full of motivation and determination when the topic comes up in a conversation, or when we are making our list of priorities, but we allow distraction to get the better of us. We have to set up our goal, and then see it through, in our personal life. Many people feel as if they’re adrift in the world. They work hard, but they don’t seem to get anywhere worthwhile.

What’s most important is who we become during our pursuit.

If one dream should fall and break into a thousand pieces, never be afraid to pick one of those pieces and begin afresh. For this, we need to be encouraged, and if not, then we begin to notice how much you take it for granted. Basically, we need the desire and passion. If not, it will appear as if we have no incentive and

gressors.

The police force in Goa has gone from bad to worse and places our state in very poor light.

People should awake and obtain justice for Cipriano and his family, while the police must be punished for the heinous crime.

the win in a colossal cliff-hanger.

He has also adapted remarkably to changes in the game, as well as to prolong his career. His coach, who he respectfully calls ‘Achrekar-sir’ had said, “Kambli is more talented but Sachin will persevere.”

Some critics ask: Did Sachin ever make India proud? They point to Kapil leading from the front (when India was reeling at 17 for 5 against Zimbabwe in a 1983 World Cup league match, his match winning 175 enabled India to reach the semi-finals) to lift the World Cup in 1983. In 21 long years, he has not single-handedly won any major tournament.

But the intrinsic attributes that make him invincible are: perfect balance, economy of movement, precision, reflexes and perfect anticipation.

The philosophy that Cricket is the king and he can only be its student keeps Sachin composed and grounded; so much so that after an innings you would not be able to say whether he scored 100 or zero.

Though he is a source of inspiration for so many, he is modest: “Cricket is my priority now.

I am not in a hurry,” he replied when asked about the Bharat Ratna. When compared with Sir Don Bradman, Sachin said, “I never believe in comparisons and respect all, not just Sir Don. I feel happy when my team is victorious.”

Tendulkar’s greatness in various formats of the game is acknowledged by his peers. Ex-captains Kapil Dev, Ajit Wadekar and Saurav Ganguly have all urged that the Bharat Ratna be conferred on Sachin. So has another recipient and the Indian koel, Lata Mangueshkar. The Maharashtra government has also recommended it.

Is the time ripe?

By Bharat Ratna standards, certainly, Sachin is very young. No person born after 1944 has yet won. If Sachin, born in 1974 bags it, people may question how in 30 long years, India could not give birth to a Bharat Ratna? It could undermine an entire generation. And, to salvage the situation, the government may hurriedly honour a few of this generation, by diluting the criteria.

Most other fields allow a person to keep performing till late in the life. But sportspeople can be world class only in their 20s and 30s. Sachin is ripe for the Bharat Ratna now, as he nears the end of his performing era.

Opportunities in cricket have changed vastly, especially after the financial muscle of 1.2 billion Indian consumers have spun TV telecasts into a mega-business. Off-field avenues like coaching, expert-commenting and anchoring have also emerged as lucrative avenues for cricketers after retirement. Top cricketers are now affluent and influential. Their performance in celebrity social responsibility also needs to be accounted when we talk of the nation’s top civilian honour.

Sachin deserves the Bharat Ratna now, as the eve of Republic Day (when the President announces the awards) approaches. Is Sachin better than Bradman? Is he in the same league as Mohammad Ali, Pele or Schumacher? These are endless debates. But for a cricket-mad college-going boy like me, whether to confer the Bharat Ratna on this Kohinoor of India is a forgone conclusion.

The only question is: when?

indifference will plague our mind and heart. During times of doubt, confusion, despair, depression, and in these times, we need to have faith. Though I feel weak in faith, yet I believe that it has a foundation for truth and reason.

So, cheer up those who cross your path. The power of words is sometimes hard to understand. An encouraging word can go a long way. Anyone can speak words that tend to rob another of the spirit to continue, in difficult times.

This reminds me of a story of a frog: “A group of frogs were travelling through the woods and two of them fell into a deep pit.

All the other frogs gathered around the pit. When they saw how deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that they were as good as dead. The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit with all of their might. The other frogs kept telling them to stop, and that they were as good as dead. Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down and died. The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and be prepared to die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs

The day of identity

Cedrick Fernandes, Margao

Goa celebrated the day of identity, yesterday 16 January 2011, in memory of the Opinion Poll day, led by Dr Jack Sequeira, in 1967, who was an eminent and optimistic Goan.

1967 also turned out to be the year, when Goans fought and voted against the merger of Goa with Maharashtra.

The government of India is celebrating two days of national importance, ie 15th August – Independence Day and 26th January – Republic day. The government of Goa should consider 16 January being the “Opinion poll day”, the day of identity along with 19 December, which is liberation day.

As we are now in the golden jubilee year of liberation, the government in Goa must introduce and implement both these days with equal importance along with the “Special Status” that we seek.

Proudest moment?

Sidonio Mendes, Chandor To me, the brave freedom fighters of Goa are those who took active part in liberating Dadra and Nagar Haveli in the early fifties and braver were the Portuguese soldiers from the local ranks, who laid down their lives. In contrast, the liberation of Goa was a walkover for the Indian Army. The credit for the liberation of Goa, goes to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who, till then, tolerated the inflexibility of Dr Salazar, who was labelled as a monster by freedom fighters.

In this context, it is strange that a prominent citizen of Margao whilst contesting an assembly election recalled that meeting the Portuguese dictator was one of his proudest moments in his life.

Fear psychosis?

Estroscio Sapeco, Verem I happened to be at the Sunburn venue at Candolim, and was given to understand that the event was held in private properties, belonging to around 14 to 17 different owners, and not on the Candolim beach, as claimed and advertised by the organisers. Soalso,parking

said, “Did you not hear us?” The frog told them that he was partly deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.

This story reveals that there are many in our lives who try to lift us up, when we are down, by an encouraging word but there are many who are so wicked that they try to discourage us all the more, when we are in trouble. I believe that there is power of life and death in the tongue. An encouraging word to someone who is down, can lift them up and help them make it through the day.

A discouraging word to one, who is down, only helps what it takes to kill them. There comes a time in one’s life, when someone appears out of the blue to perform an extraordinary act of kindness and then suddenly disappears as quickly as they came. It is like a guardian angel disguised as a human.

A word of encouragement during failure is worth more than an hour of praise, after success. Sometimes it takes a thousand actions to prove one thing. Sometimes it takes just one action. It is better to withdraw quickly from evil, as the more time you are in its presence, the more it becomes a part of you.

Letters to the Editor

Letter of the Day

without ‘uniforms’ must be given exemplary punishment.

Will the Home Minister wake up?

By Arlette Azavedo

arrangements were made in the private properties of various owners.

Did the authorities check and verify if proper permissions were obtained from the land owners, to hold the event or for parking, before granting permission for the event? Or is it that the ‘bailee’ (outsiders) made hay at the cost of Goenkars, who were struck by fear psychosis?

Crux of Sibal’s remarks Prasad Kudchadkar, Panjim This refers to the letter ‘Kapil Sibal’s bluff ’

by S Kamat (Herald, 11 Jan). He has severely criticised Sibal for contesting the loss of Rs 1.76 lacs crores in the 2G scam.

It seems that S Kamat has two sets of rules, one for the BJP and the other for the Congress party, on corruption. In his earlier letters, he has targeted the Congress leadership for the various scams. He chose to be mum about the massive land scams in Karnataka, involving the CM of that state and his cabinet colleagues.

As far as Kapil Sibal is concerned, he is not only a politician, but also an eminent Supreme Court lawyer.

There must be some substance in his utterances, in the 2G scam case.

By terming it as a ‘bluff ’, S Kamat has behaved like a spokesperson of the BJP.

Destination names ok

Controlling price rise

Rodney D’Souza, Assagao

Michael Vaz, Merces

Adelmo Fernandes in his letter ‘Number system required’ (Herald, 8 Jan) is extremely hilarious and ridiculous when he suggests that Goa’s buses need a numbering system.

Perhaps, he is not aware of trends around the world, where the numbering system is gradually being replaced with signs denoting destinations. Even in Mumbai, local trains have started displaying station names inside the compartments.

Goa has many myriad lanes and routes through its numerous villages. A numbering system will only confuse matters and make things worse. The current system is fine, as the traveller, by looking at the signboard, knows exactly where the bus is going. Perhaps Adelmo should travel around and see the change.

After being on the attack from all quarters on the escalating and uncontrolled price rise and the food inflation reaching menacing heights, the bewildered government seems to have finally arisen to the calls of common man. The Centre, in a frantic bid to save its face, has tried to identify the causes of price rise of essential food items to issues like delay in rainfall, coupled with fast growing economy that has increased people’s spending power, which has further been allegedly linked to the higher food consumption and consequent price rise.

The common man is least interested in the blame game. The measures indicated to contain spiralling prices should be pursued stringently, to have any effect. Hoarders and black marketers creating artificial shortages should be dealt with an iron hand.

Install barriers Diogo A Rodrigues, Majorda I was one of the devotees who visited the hilltop at Dogra Remet, Cansaulim to attend the feast of the Three Kings (Epiphany) on 6 January 2011, thus fulfilling my childhood dreams after seven decades. The way up to the mount is accessible by road which is controlled by traffic police. The compound extremes of the Chapel of Our Lady of Remedies should be fitted with railings/barriers so as to protect the devotees from falling out, due to the big rush, at the feast.

I hope my suggestion will be noted and the barriers will be installed during the feast in 2012.

Father of Goa

My heart sinks

A few months back, sugar prices were high.

It is now the turn of onions. Perhaps, next will be edible oil. What we are experiencing is a trend created by very intelligent individuals who are manipulating the markets, for personal benefit. It is we who elect such individuals and then seem shocked and surprised, when prices escalate. I call it daylight robbery. The poor and middle class fuel it, while the rich enjoy.

It is time for us to unite and break the trend of price rise by voting out such unscrupulous individuals. Let us build a better India.

P L Fernandes, Old Goa It is distressing in today’s scenario, where the former CJI is under investigation, for amassing wealth beyond known sources of income and still hanging on to the position of Chief of NHRC. There are certain positions and institutions in our democracy that should have been of unimpeachable nature and integrity, and role models for our generations to come. Sadly, this is lacking in India.

Marcos Alemao, by email Even after 44 years of victory in the Opinion Poll, Dr Jack Sequeira is not given a rightful place in Goans politics. He should be known as the Father of Goa. I recommend that the Goa government put up a full size bust of Dr Jack Sequeira in Margao and all prominent places in Goa, and pass a resolution in the state assembly recognising him as the Father of Goa.

Daylight robbery Edward Fonseca, Porvorim

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

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OHERALDO

INDIA

Pg 7 GOA, MONDAY, 17 JANUARY, 2011

Swamy moves SC seeking interference-free CBI probe PTI NEW DELHI, JAN 16

Apprehending that the Telecom minister's recent criticism of CAG report on 2G spectrum allocation may influence the ongoing CBI probe, Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy has moved the Supreme Court seeking its direction to ensure that nothing affects the investigation.

"It is apprehended that this intemperate and uncalled for public attack on the C AG methodology (by the telecom minister) before the national press may prejudice the CBI investigations and cause an obstruction to justice," Swamy said in his application to the apex court.

"There is an urgency to ensure that the said CBI inquiry is carried out without interference for which purpose the monitoring was directed by this court.

Nothing must permit the slightest derogation from that objective," he added.

While examining the allocation of 2G spectrum during former Telecom minister A Raja's tenure, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India has estimated that the public exchequer suffered a loss of Rs 1.76 lakh

crores.

Referring to Sibal's recent public criticism, Swamy said, "Telecom Minister has criticised the approach of the CAG in estimating the loss to the nation by illegal awarding of licences and the allocation of 2G Spectrum in a manner tantamount to ridiculing the CAG."

2g scam

"He has even gone to the extent of issuing a veiled warning of a breach of secrecy on the part of the CAG, thereby intending to overawe an institution, constitutionally empowered to oversee the finances of the government," he said.

"This court has directed monitoring of the CBI probe into the criminal culpabilities in the 2G spectrum scam and has specifically directed CBI to take the CAG Report as the basis for it," said Swamy recalling the court's December 16 order.

He also objected to Sibal's statement intending that the ministry will unveil a new Telecom Policy within 100 days, besides Department of Telecom's step of imposing a penalty of Rs 73 crores on various telecom

companies for not meeting the roll-out obligations stipulated in licences.

In his petition, Swamy apprehended that such steps by the ministry and minister would compound and complicate the issue and "by the payment of such compounding fees etc, rights to regularisation may be claimed by the defaulting licensees."

"And this may lead to further losses to the public exchequer," Swamy said in his petition.

He also pleaded the court to make 11 telecom companies, which were awarded licences

by Telecom ministry in 2008, party to enable them to have their say in adjudication of his earlier petition for cancellation of their licences.

Swamy also sought the court's direction to make Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) a party, saying that the sectoral regulator's version would also be needed in deciding the issue of cancellation of licences.

The private telecom companies are -- Etisalat, Uninor, Loop Telecom, Videocon, S-Tel, Allianz Infra, Idea Cellular, Tata Teleservices, Sistema Shyam Teleservices, Dishnet Wireless and Vodafone-Essar.

CVC now probes recruitment scam in CWG OC PTI NEW DELHI, JAN 16

The Central Vigilance Commission has initiated an inquiry into an alleged recruitment scam in the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (OC) following complaints that it showed ghost employees on its muster rolls and violated norms while inducting people.

A total of 2,100 people were shown as having worked between May 2009 and November 2010 in different capacities and together drew salary running into several crores.

Sources said the anti-corruption watchdog officials have seized documents related to the employees who were recruited for organising the mega sporting event last year.

They said the Commission has received several complaints claiming large scale irregularities in selecting officials for the Games OC. It was alleged that a large amount of money had been siphoned off as salary expenditure.

"The CVC has got complaints that many staff members were selected by violating certain norms. The complaints also claimed presence of ghost em-

ployees on the OC muster rolls.

We have taken those complaints seriously and are enquiring into them," a CVC official said, requesting anonymity.

The sources said it is a significant step following allegations of "fraudulent" recruitment process undertaken by the OC. They said that CVC has also asked the Chief Vigilance Officer of the Sports Ministry to probe irregularities in the whole recruitment process.

In a related development, the Income tax department has also asked CWG OC furnish details of muster rolls, documents pertinent to selection of workforce, salary and Tax Deduction at Source among others to check the complaints of alleged fraud.

The OC has at present about 250 employees who are being relieved in a phased manner, the sources said.

The anti-corruption watchdog is enquiring into over 30 complaints related to alleged corruption in Games works carried out by different civic and construction agency. It includes overlays works, workforce selection, hiring of equipment and public relation related projects executed by OC.

Tight security in Delhi ahead of R-Day PTI NEW DELHI, JAN 16

Delhi will be under hawk-eye vigil next week in the run up to the Republic Day celebrations with thousands of policemen fanning out across the city and a massive ground-to-air security apparatus put in place.

Snipers will be deployed at high-rise buildings while around 100 CCTVs will keep a tight vigil on people's movement between Rajpath and Red Fort -- the route of the parade which showcases India's military might and cultural diversity.

Mobile hit teams, anti-aircraft guns and sharpshooters of National Security Guards will be deployed at various places while paramilitary and Delhi Police commandos will keep a close watch along the route of the Republic Day parade.

A multi-layer security ring is already put in place at Rajpath, where President Pratibha Patil will unfurl the tricolour and take the salute of marching contingents.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will be the chief guest at the parade, which will also be attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the country's top political and military brass.

"A special emphasis is being laid on anti-sabotage checks, access control measures and intelligence coordination.

Montek disagrees with CAG on 2G spectrum PTI NEW DELHI, JAN 16

Like the Congress and others in the ruling dispensation, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia has disagreed with official auditor CAG on the calculation of a presumptive loss of Rs 1.76 lakh crore in the alleged 2G spectrum scam.

"We have not made calculations of what would have happened if we had gone for revenue maximisation... What the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has done is not, in my view, the correct way of doing it," Ahluwalia said on TV news channel CNN-IBN's 'Devil's Advocate' show.

Questioning the approach adopted by the CAG for calculating the losses, he said it is not very fruitful to go into the question of how much money could have been raised, because the emphasis of the Telecom

Policy since 1999 has not been on revenue maximisation.

Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal had recently slammed the CAG for its projection of a Rs 1.76 lakh crore presumptive loss on account of the allocation of 2G spectrum, terming its methodology as "utterly erroneous."

He said there was "no loss at all" to the exchequer due to allocation of licences and 2G spectrum in 2008.

The Congress Party has also thrown its weight behind Sibal and criticised the CAG for its audit methodology. It also questioned the leakage of the report before it was tabled in Parliament.

Ahluwalia said focusing on the "revenue losses" contradicted the entire policy of the government, which was aimed at extending mobile services across the entire country.

Asked about the alleged wind-

fall gains made by new telecom operators -- Swan Telecom and Unitech Wireless – he said, "This money did not go to the promoters, it went into the new companies and is meant to be used to roll-out telecom services."

"They did not sell their equity.

They expanded the equity of the company and brought in new people. That's not the same thing," he added.

Talking about the first-comefirst-serve method adopted by former Telecom Minister A Raja for allocation of airwaves, he said, "You can always have a firstcome-first-serve with tighter rules of eligibility. If we were doing another system which was non-auction, I would not do it on first-come-first serve."

"I would do it on qualifying players according to weightage given to technical capacity.

That's the sensible way of doing it," he added.

Nursery admissions: parents allege schools violating rules PTI NEW DELHI, JAN 16

Af ter weeks of confusion over age limit and nature of selection procedure, parents seeking nursery admiss i o n f o r t h e i r w a rd s a re now blaming the school authorities for violation of rules.

Though the guidelines issued by the Directorate of Education (DoE), Delhi, were believed to be providing some relief, parents feel this year's nursery admission will be chaotic and full of controversies.

Parents and experts allege that taking advantage of the leverages given by the Directorate of Education guidelines, schools across the city are trying their best to make some good money.

Parents allege that some schools are asking for huge sums to book their child's seat while others are profiling their education and income, openly violating the Right To Education (RTE) Act. R P Mallik, chairman of the Federation of Public Schools in Delhi, acknowledges the violations by schools but says no action can be taken as there is no solid proof.

n First, they confirmed us that our child has been selected for the admission before the results were out on January 15. Then they asked for such an hefty amount to reserve the seat.

"We have been hearing about such violations, but have not received a single written complaint, how can we take any action?

"I know parents are not coming forward fearing that their child's education will be at stake. But, I would like to tell them that their children will not get a raw deal, if they chose to bring the corruption into our notice," he assured.

Manish Kumar, a resident of Paschim Vihar, claimed that a reputed school in his locality called him up on phone to demand huge money to ensure his

son's admission.

"I got a call on Friday saying that I need to pay an amount of Rs 45,000 by 19th of this month," Kumar told PTI. "They clearly told me that my son's admission depended on the payment, which was nonrefundable."

Sharing a similar experience, Harprit Singh from New Rajendra Nagar, said a school in Patel Nagar asked him to deposit a demand draft of Rs 45,000 to reserve a seat for his child.

"First, they confirmed us that our child has been selected for admission before the results were out on January 15. Then they asked for such an hefty amount to reserve the seat."

Sumit Vohra, who runs admissionsnursery.com, an online forum of parents, said many schools in the city have been asking parents to pay huge sums to ensure their child's admission.

"Many parents have informed us about such activities by schools. It's ver y unfortunate and seems to be an easy way of making money," he said.

A group of Painted storks perched upon a tree at Delhi Zoo in New Delhi on Sunday.

Banda girl wants tormentor MLA hanged PTI BANDA (UP), JAN 16

Released from prison after a little over a month, the minor backward community girl allegedly raped by a BSP MLA and later framed in a fake theft case today said she wanted her tormentor to be hanged and accused the police of beating her while the legislator's brother watched.

"I want that he should be hanged," the 17-year-old said, a day after she walked free yesterday from Banda district jail, about 220 km from Lucknow, where the rape accused Purshottam Naresh Dwiwedi, 48, was also lodged.

She alleged that the policemen assaulted her in the presence of the MLA's brother. "The policemen there beat me up.

His (MLA's) brother Raja was sitting right there in front."

The teenager was released following a direction from Chief Minister Mayawati, who faced severe embarrassment over the incident involving her party MLA and the Allahabad High Court ordered that the girl be "released forthwith from jail unconditionally" and "adequate security" be provided to the alleged victim

n The teenager was released following a direction from Chief Minister Mayawati, who faced severe embarrassment over the incident involving her party MLA. and her family.

Mayawati ordered the dalit girl's release on the basis of a probe by CBI-CID which found the allegations leveled against her to be untrue and said action will be taken against policemen involved in harassing the minor who was charged with theft apparently as part of a "conspiracy" after she was allegedly raped

by Dwiwedi.

The girl said she was living in fear. "I am very afraid. I want that I should be given a safe place to live," she said.

Sub-inspector Jabbar Ahmad was yesterday suspended for manhandling the girl during her detention in the police station.

The girl alleged that Ahmed refuse to take her statement.

"He only took the version of the MLA," she said.

The victim said she was confident that she would get justice now.

The release order was issued two days ahead of the hearing on bail application of the girl in a Banda court.

The girl was arrested on December 12 on charges of committing theft at the ML A's residence.

She later alleged she was raped twice by the MLA on December 10 and 11 and stuck to her allegations in a statement made before a local court on January 10 after which it ordered police to take immediate legal action.

"The chief minister has ordered the release of the girl currently lodged in Banda Jail on the basis of a report submitted by the CB-CID," an official spokesman said in Lucknow yesterday. He said there was a provision under which the Chief Minister can order release of an undertrial if it has been settled that the case was "fake".

Detailed probe will continue, the spokesman said.

It was hard to shoot ‘Dhobi Ghat’ with Aamir: Kiran Rao PTI NEW DELHI, JAN 16

Kiran Rao was initially reluctant to cast Aamir Khan in "Dhobi Ghat", her low-budget love ballad on Mumbai, because of his iconic status but the debutante director says a "new equation" helped her in going ahead with him.

Aamir plays a painter, one of the four important characters in the movie and he is also the producer.

The other cast members include new faces like Monica Dogra, Prateik and Kriti Malhotra.

"We had to find a new equation to work and it took us sometime to find it. It was my new film, I have never directed before...With others it was different because we all were learning but

with Aamir I had to settle into that equation and

learn not to take him for granted because he is my husband and treat him like others," Kiran told PTI in an interview.

Now that her long-cherished dream is about to be realised, Kiran says she feels like a mother.

"It actually feels like I am about to deliver something that has been growing inside me for so long. It is a feeling of great nurturing. I am concerned about how it will turn out to be," says the director.

Most of the film was shot on real locations and though Aamir's presence created

problem in controlling fans and crowd Kiran says they got away by planning in advance.

"It was hard to shoot with Aamir but we planned ahead so most of the times we got away with it. I remember Aamir came in the middle of the night in the building that is his character's home in the movie. We stayed there for three weeks but no one got to know that Aamir was shooting there," says Kiran.

"Dhobi Ghat" (Mumbai Diaries) premiered in Toronto International Film Festival last year to rave reviews but Kiran admits her film is unlikely to appeal to the general audience. She, however, is confident that the film will open a new space in Indian cinema.

The entire route of the parade will be covered by special secu-

rity and anti-terror arrangements.

appointments

OHERALDO

careers & education-colour_Layout 1 1/16/2011 8:08 PM Page 1

GOA, Monday, 17 January 2011

J

oin the Navy to see the world says an old song. Today, that would translate to mean the Merchant Navy. Since time immemorial ships at sea have beckoned the brave and adventurous. Seafarers face a hard life, living in harsh conditions and spending months and months away from their families.

But if you want to live a life that is full of adventure and the wanderlust of exotic lands, and can overcomes all obstacles to do this, a life riding the waves could be for you. It is indeed an alluring option and as popular a career choice with young Goan men as that of a Chef or Hotel Administration.

Specialization

Since there are different types of ships specialization depends on the type of vessel that one is working in or interested in working. Officers who do these courses are better placed or gets better increment and also they have a sound knowledge of that particular type of vessels.

The Fleet

The Merchant Navy is a noncombatant, commercial fleet which deals with transporting cargo and sometimes passengers, by sea from one part of the world to another. Its fleet consists of a variety of vessels.

These are some of the ships that you may one day man.

By Vivek Sankaran

E

veryone expects a surprise or two from XAT as it is regarded as the toughest paper after CAT. But what transpired this year – nobody could have imagined. Across the country on 2nd January 2011, students received a rude shock.

The test was held from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM followed by a 10 minute break and then a 20 minute essay. Till about 10:15 when the students were asked to answer their exams, it seemed business as usual. After that time, they had an experience like they’d never had before.

In what is considered to be the toughest exam till date set by any Management Institute in India, XAT 2011 caught everyone by surprise. It also made sure that everyone took the basic strategy of reading the instructions carefully, very seriously. Everything from the question pattern, to the difficulty level of the questions, to the marks allotted to each section was changed.

Customarily there have been three sections in XAT- Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning (VALR), Analytical Reasoning & Decision Making (AR-DM) and Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QA-DI), with each section containing roughly the same number of questions. This year too, these three sections were retained. But the number of questions increased. There were 34 Questions in VA-LR, 24 in AR-DM and 43 in QA-DI. To complicate matters further, each question carried different amount of marks.

CAT, IIFT, SNAP currently have

A

Pg 10

CAREERS & EDUCATION Sail Over The Seas -I 1. Barges: Flat-bottomed boats used to transport goods across rivers and canals while being pulled by tugboats. Barge carrying ships are long, usually flat boats which are usually wed or manoeuvred by other towing vessels.

2. Roll-on/ roll-off ships: are designed to carry vehicles which can be loaded at ports by being driven on and can be unloaded by being driven off. They have built-in ramps that can be used to easily load and unload wheeled cargo like cars, scooters etc.

3. Bulk carriers: are so designed that they can enter shallow waters and narrow channels. They can be loaded and unloaded by special equipment in very short time. These Cargo ships used to transport 'bulk cargo' like coal, grain, oil, ore etc., which are really heavy goods.

4. Container ships: are cargo ships that carry their load in truck-sized containers.

5. Tankers: are cargo ships which carry liquid oil and other petroleum products, gas and chemicals in large tanks built inside the ship and are Very L arge Carrying Containers(VLCCs).

6. Refrigerator ships: are those type which have huge cold

Friendship With Co-workers

S

ince most of us spend the majority of every waking minute at work, it stands to reason that we would make friends in the office. Maintaining friendship with a co-workers can make long hours at the desk seem more tolerable, and friendly co-workers can provide a sounding board when things get rough. Of course, there are also obstacles to having friends in the office, so you'll need to look out for your best interests when making work buddies.

storage plants built in them.

They are used to carry perishable food stuff and items on specific service routes.

hicles from one shore to another. Cruise ships are ships that take passengers on voyages for pleasure.

8. Cable layers: are deep-sea vessels used to lay underwater cables for telecomBy Maria de Lima Pereira munication etc.

9. Coasters: are Shallow 7. Passenger ships: are of var- hulled ships that can manoeuvre ious kinds and sizes. They can through reefs which are used range anywhere between small for trade between places along ferries to Trans-Atlantic vessels. the same coastline.

Ferries are ships used to trans10. Dredger: are ships used port passengers, goods and ve- to gather and transport bottom

sediments from one place to another, making the dredged area more easily accessible to deephull ships.

11. Reefer ships: are cargo ships with temperature-controlled holds that are used to transport easily perishable cargo like fruits, vegetables etc.

12. Tugboat: are powerful little boats used to manoeuvre large vessels in harbours etc.

Besides these, there are also, oilrig and other specialized vessels. These ships are owned, managed, and operated by various private and public shipping companies. (to be continued)

1. Competition in the Workplace Just about every employment situation in the world comes with at least some measure of competition. Employees are vying for raises, promotions and recognition from their superiors, which can make maintaining a friendship with a coworker difficult. Unless you are able to compete without letting it interfere with your personal relationships, this might be something you want to steer clear of.

However, if you do want to maintain a friendship with a coworker, you can minimize the potential damage by creating a

XAT 2011 Analysis or have had sections with different ways of being marked.

Also, the questions were not g ro u p e d t o gether. So you had a 1 mark question followed by a 4 mark question followed by a 2 mark question.

Figuring out which questions to att e m p t , therefore, took much time. Taking the marks allotted to each section into account, the maximum possible marks that could be obtained in XAT 2011 were 253 (69 in VALR, 67 in AR-DM and 117 in QA-

DI) The paper was considered extremely tough and the level of difficulty of questions in each section was moderate to tough.

But the catch with competitive exams like XAT, is that there

are no predetermined passing marks. Students must judge the

have survived this test even though it seemed very tough at first. They also had to judge the pros and cons of answering a 5 mark question versus a 1 marker. Students might get +5 if they get it right but could end up with -1.25 if they get it wrong!

Section wise Analysis QA-DI

target score and achieve the highest score possible. All that matters is their relative score vis-à-vis the rest of the competition. This is the essence of XAT 2011. It truly tested the level of

preparedness of the student.

Those who just mugged up some words and formulae without actually understanding the concepts, had a harrowing experience while those who were well prepared and calm would

While it might be argued that the paper was not a balanced one, and gave undue weightage to numerical ability with about 50% of the overall marks being given in this section, it did give the

non-engineers a better chance at scoring, because if the section was easier, then engineers (who are supposedly good in maths) would have run away with this section. What such a paper did, was create a level playing field for all.. To crack the QA section, students had to

identify the “doable” questions, attempt those and trust your judgment which comes with preparation and attempting the Mock Tests seriously.

There were about 12-15 questions that were easily doable accounting for about 20-25 marks which if identified and attempted with accuracy would have taken the student through the section. All these 12-15 questions that were “doable”, could have been solved by a Std X student who is clear with his basic concepts. The Cut Off marks at 95% tile level is expected to be around 13-15 marks and about 11-12 for 90% tile level.

VA-LR

This was perhaps the most “doable” part of the exam. But before the engineers jump in and say that this is unfair on them, what was required in this section was not vocabulary of 5,000 words, but rather the knowledge of English which can only be gained by constant preparation. The passages could be attempted and were of average difficulty levels. The fill in the blanks required a good knowledge of word roots. There also were the usual questions on Logical Reasoning that could have been attempted. The questions on “odd one out” were very ambiguous and best left even though they carried higher marks.

A well prepared student could have attempted about 12-15 question in this section worth around 25 marks. The expected cut offs at 95% tile is about 1314 marks and about 11-12 for 90% tile.

AR-DM

As has been the trend in XAT

over the past couple of years, the Decision Making Case-Lets were the saviours in this section.

Except for the Managers’ Preferences For Rooms, the other AR sets were very time consuming though not tough. Except for the Air Travel DM set all the other sets could have been attempted and easy marks could have been gained by the students who had solved these problems earlier.

The cut off for this section is expected to be about 14-15 marks at 95% tile level and about 12-13 marks at 90%tile levels

support structure rather than an arena for competition. Encourage one another to succeed at work, give each other pointers for better performance and try not to feel jealous if your friend happens to get a promo-

tion that you really wanted. Or, at the very least, don't let your jealousy show.

2. Socializing Outside of Work To maintain a friendship with a co-worker, you will probably want to go out for drinks after work or get together with your families on the weekends. This is all healthy, but you should avoid straining your professional relationship by keeping the conversation light. Unfortunately, many friendships that develop at work are based exclusively on shared career interests, and little can develop beyond that limited scope of qualities.

When you socialize outside of work, try to talk about everything but the office. Discuss your favourite sports teams, your families and your other friends.

A friendship with a co-worker might be built on a foundation of career-related interests, but don't let your friendship become

Overall Cut-offs –

Due to the change in marking pattern, we believe that the ideal strategy would be aim for accuracy rather than the number of attempts. But because the marks per question are different, some time would be spent in analyzing the pros and cons of an educated guess. This would bring the overall cut off from what it would have been had there been no differential marking. Based on the cut off trends for the past couple of years, here are our estimates of the expected cut offs for the different colleges that accept XAT scores.

W h i l e X AT 2 0 1 1 w a s a tougher exam than most of the exams faced by the students, it was not an unfair exam. The exam tested the preparedness of the student and his ability to think on his or her feet under pressure – the defining trait required in any manager.

The writer is the Centre Director of T.I.M.E. Goa. Views expressed here are his own. You can reach T.I.M.E. Goa at 0832-6514248 Email: goa@time4education.com.

about work exclusively.

3.Dealing with Seniority

"here" to "there" is not always a straight path. The road may be full of potholes and sudden, unexpected curves but a strong plan will help keep you on track no matter what.

1. Plan for Flexibility: Nothing is ever as smooth and straightforward as we'd like it to be. If we try to remain rigid and glued to one set of ideas or plans, we'll quickly find ourselves stuck and unable to move forward. In every plan, there must be an element of flexibility. Always keep

your eyes open for opportunities. Don't let your plan get in the way of other doors opening.

For the last year or so, I've had a very serious plan about my future and what I believed I wanted it to look like. Everything I did was basically an effort to get me closer to that ultimate goal. Then, very suddenly, an opportunity fell out of the sky and into my lap. It wasn't at all what I had been expecting but it was something that ultimately would help me achieve the same

goal. The path was shifting and taking a form I hadn't planned on, but it was still leading me to the same destination. More on this later, I promise...but for now, let me just say that had I been rigid in my plan, I never would have been open to this opportunity. I would have simply looked past it and said, "No thank you, that's not what I was expecting." Plans are a necessary, important part of The Success Formula. But don't let a plan hold you hostage. You are in control of your plan and it can change anytime you want it to.

2. Plan to Take Risks: Don't expect to get anywhere without risking something. It's the basic principle of investing: the expected reward is directly related to the risk you are willing to take. Without taking the risk, you'll never know what could have been. When I started this blog, I thought it was kind of risky - putting myself out there for the world to see and judge.

What if people hated it? What if they said my idea was silly, my writing boring? Then where would I be? I came to the conclusion that I would be no worse off than if I hadn't tried it at all.

So I took the plunge and ac-

cepted that risk. Without it, I wouldn't have accomplished some of the things I consider my greatest achievements: writing an e-book, building a comm u n i t y o f p ro f e s s i o n a l s , establishing a brand, and generating a modest but inspiring side income.

3. Plan on Success: Approach your plan with the belief that success is inevitable. Assume that you have everything you need to make it happen. Remember that once you have your mind set on something, the universe conspires to help you achieve it. Things will fall into place if you move with confidence and trust in yourself.

Remember, even things that appear on the surface to be "failures" may only be opportunities in disguise. Keep a positive attitude in each step along the way. I've always been a strong believer in the idea of Karma and the Law of Attraction. I believe that what you put out into the universe comes back to you tenfold. Unfortunately, I've also learned that sometimes, there's no rhyme or reason to the universe. Negative people can still win the lottery. Greedy, meanspirited people can still get the promotion at work and win the

beautiful girl. "Fair" is a relative term. Don't expect that you deserve success simply because you believe in the power of the universe. But have faith in yourself and your own abilities and I believe everything else will support you. Remember that anything is possible...

4. Plan to Go Slow: While it may be tempting to dive in head first when you're really excited about something, do your best

4. Confronting Issues A friendship with a co worker can hit many snags over the years, creating tension in both your personal and professional lives. This doesn't mean you have to go your separate ways, but it helps to have a plan of action should a problem arise.

For example, let's say your co worker drops the ball and doesn't complete an important project on time. As a result, you look bad in front of your boss, and you know that your friend was slacking off. You've been maintaining a great friendship outside of work for years, but suddenly you can't stand the idea of sitting in the same room with him, much less getting together for an after-work slice at the pizzeria.

In this case, you'll need to evaluate your friendship and decide if it's worth the effort to keep it alive. Will you regret letting your friendship fall by the wayside, or do you think he's a friend you could do without? If you decide you want to try to rebuild your relationship, discuss the work problem at work, then come to a solution or compromise that will work for both of you.

After your work discussion, however, you'll need to let the matter drop. Don't bring it up when you go out after work or when your families go to the zoo together on Saturday. This might be the most difficult aspect of maintaining a friendship with a co-worker, but you'll have to exercise some degree of selfcontrol.

The Benefits

You can maintain a friendship with a co-worker regardless of seniority, but, when one friend outranks the other at work, negative consequences can follow.

For example, you might make a mistake in the office, which means that your friend must reprimand you. This can understandably lead to problems outside the professional relationship.

If your co worker is above you in the intra-office hierarchy, the best thing you can do is keep your personal and professional relationships separate. At work, don't talk about what you're going to do over the weekend or whether you're going to the party on Saturday

Despite all of the obstacles you'll face in a friendship with a coworker, there are limitless benefits to this type of situation.

You might find that you're happier at work because friendly faces greet you every morning, and it always helps to have an ally at the office. Furthermore, you can help one another advance your respective careers, as long as you do so responsibly.

In the end, a friendship can develop just about anywhere.

There's no reason to throw it away just because you happen to work together. Just face the fact that it might take some effort on both sides to make sure work doesn't come between you.

to keep an even hand. Moving slow will help prevent burnout.

All too often people get really jazzed on something and they go all out trying to get everything done right away. What's the rush? Slow cook your success and you'll find the process much more enjoyable. This is a piece of advice I often have to remind myself of. When I have a great idea or a big goal I want to achieve, I tend to get really

pumped up and feel a great sense of urgency to constantly be moving forward.

Then, I suddenly hit a brick wall and either lose interest or feel completely overwhelmed by the project. I am constantly telling myself to slow down and enjoy the process. If you're like me, try not to let your anxiety and excitement get the best of you. Relax and take it one step at a time.

5. Plan to Work: If success was easy, every Joe-Schmo would be a millionaire. It isn't just something that happens.

All the visualizations and affirmations in the world won't replace good old-fashioned hard work. Be prepared to make sacrifices along the way. You may have to spend hours of personal time working toward your goals. You may need to research and study and read books while others are watching the game and drinking beers at the bar. At the end of the day, what you choose to do is up to you. Just don't be fooled by these people who are out there saying that success is easy if you use this technique or that technique. It's not easy.

It takes serious effort. And that's what makes it so rewarding and worthwhile.

The Success Formula: Create Your Plan

ll we need is the discipline and determination to create the plan that will help us accomplish our goals. A plan should encompass each of the "mini-goals" you need to achieve in order to reach the ultimate goal. I recommend breaking the whole process down into bite-sized pieces - little baby steps. If you try to jump in all at once, you might find yourself overwhelmed and frustrated.

Think of something big you've already achieved. Do you remember how huge it seemed at first? And remember how maybe, you even considered giving up once or twice...Then, remember how the project seemed to take on a life of its own after a while, the momentum building up until you felt that success was the only possible outcome. Do you remember that feeling of pure energy?

A well-crafted plan can indeed become a living, breathing thing. But remember that a plan is more than just the steps it takes to accomplish a goal. A plan is a roadmap. It's a mindset that guides you through every peak and valley in the process.

A strong plan must embrace the understanding that getting from

night. Similarly, don't discuss work issues at home. Also avoid discussing problems that might have arisen during the week.

Talk to your co worker about seniority if you want your friendship to prosper. Explain that you have no interest in receiving special consideration at work and that you hope to be treated like every other employee on your "level." You can also request that you not discuss your personal life at work, which should help to maintain a strict boundary between the office and the home.

OHERALDO

INDIA

Pg 11 GOA, MONDAY, 17 JANUARY, 2011

Govt, temple board draw flak for neglect of reports PTI THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JAN 16

As Kerala is slowly recovering from the shock of the Sabarimala stampede tragedy that claimed 102 lives, the state government and the temple board are facing criticism for neglect of the report of the panel that probed the 1998 mishap and the proposals for developing alternate routes to check disasters recurring at the hillshrine.

The opposition parties and the Hindu outfits today alleged that the Pullumedu disaster could have been avoided if the recommendations of the judicial probe into the 1998 tragedy have been implemented in right earnest.

On January 14, 1998, 52 pilgrims, mostly from Andhra Pradesh, were killed in a stampede at Pampa, the river-bank base camp on the foothills of Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple.

Justice Chandrasekhara Menon, who probed the tragedy, in his report had suggested the need to provide basic amenities on the Pullumedu route, through which a large number of pilgrims from Tamil Nadu pass up and down the shrine.

The report had pointed out that over 60 per cent of devotees coming to Sabarimala during the pilgrimage season are from other states and this route provide them easy access to temple towns like Madurai on their return journey.

The panel also made a strong case for developing Vandiperiyar route through which at least 40 per cent of pilgrims could be diverted to avoid huge rush and latent dangers along the Pampa route.

However, the report had made it clear without assuring basic facilities and security pilgrims should not be allowed to trek through the Pullumedu route.

According VHP state general secretary Kummanam Rajasekharan the Government and the Travancore Deveswom Board (TDB) had been sleeping on the commission report all these years.

sTaMpede

"The announcement of a judicial probe into yesterday's tragedy by Chief Minister is only a ritual. What is the use of such probes if the proposals made by the earlier one is totally neglected", Rajasekharan told PTI. Senior Congress leader and former chief minister Oommen Chandy held that the government did not start the work on a transit camp even though the land for such a facility had been identified five years back by the then UDF One of the main recommendations of the report of the 1998 tragedy probe was the urgent need to develop an alternate base camp at Uppupara, the spot where Firday's stampede happened.

It suggested that only after creating facilities like vehicle parking, toilets, small eateries and shops and proper lighting the devotees allowed to pass through the route.

The report also wanted the trekking path along the Pullumedu route to be widened at least by 4 meters and putting up iron railing on either side. There should also resting places on the way.

The report suggested that improvement of facilities should be in tune with Sabari-

mala Master Plan. All the panels that looked into the problems of the hillshrine surrounded by a dense forest had suggested that the plans should be of long-term perspective taking into account the requirements at least for the next 25 years.

However, critics say that the master plan is virtually in cold storage and the TDB, which manages the shrine, is interested in putting up concrete structures in and around the temple, which neither serve the devotees nor environmentally feasible.

According to the Hindu outfits, the government also turned a blind eye to intelligence reports suggesting deployment of more police contingents for crowd control and security along the Pullumedu route through which the pilgrim flow has been increasing every year.

Both the UDF and LDF that ruled the state alternately did not bother to carry out these proposals, the VHP leader said.

However, intial response from the official circles to the criticism is that the government had constraints in developing Sabarimala like any other major temple sites as the shrine is located in an ecologically sensitive spot in the Periyar Tiger Reserve.

A senior official, who did not want to be identified, said the Government is constrained to develop the Pullumedu route as it might harm the environment and the habitat of wild cats.

One the route is developed it would become difficult to check flow of vehicles and human interference.

The Pullumedu mostly comprise of grass lands on the steps of the Western Ghats, a conducive habitat of tigers and leopards.

Criminal justice system not working properly: SC PTI NEW DELHI, JAN 16

Irked by the Allahabad High Court's "casual approach" in acquitting a man charged with rape and kidnapping, the Supreme Court has observed that criminal justice system is "not working" properly in the country and recommended urgent steps to stem the rot.

"We are constrained to observe that criminal justice system is not working in our country as it should," said a bench of justices Aftab Alam and R M Lodha.

It advised that the criminal cases relating to offences against the State, corruption, dowry death, domestic violence, sexual assault, financial fraud and cyber crimes are fasttracked and decided in a fixed time frame, preferably, within three years.

Slamming the High Court for setting aside the trial court order through a "cryptic and perfunctory" verdict, based on "conjectures and surmises", it cautioned, "We must remember that a strong and efficient criminal justice system is a guarantee

to the rule of law and vibrant civil society."

Upset by the High Court acquitting "an accused convicted of a serious crime" without "application of mind", the bench went on to list several maladies plaguing the country's criminal justice system and recommending urgent steps to stem the rot.

"The criminal trials are protracted because of non-appearance of official witnesses on time and the non-availability of the facilities for recording evidence by video conferencing," said the bench.

"The public prosecutors have their limitations. The defence lawyers do not make themselves available and the court would be routinely informed about their pre-occupation with other matters. The courts remain overburdened with the briefs listed on the day and they do not have adequate infrastructure," the bench said.

Listing other maladies, the bench said, "The adjournments thus have become routine and the casualty is justice.

"It is imperative that the crim-

inal cases relating to offences against the State, corruption, dowry death, domestic violence, sexual assault, financial fraud and cyber crimes are fast-tracked and decided in a fixed time frame, preferably, within three years," the bench said.

It was high time that immediate and urgent steps were taken in amending the procedural and other laws to achieve the above objectives, it cautioned.

While expressing its frustration over various shortcoming plaguing the judiciary, the bench also touched the issue of police reform saying they "are yet to take place despite (September 2006) directions of this (apex) court."

Restraining itself from making elaborate comment over the issue, being adjudicated by a different three-judge bench, it, however, said, "The investigators hardly have professional orientation. They do not have modern tools.

"And on many occasions impartial investigation suffers because of political interference," the bench added.

SC can bring back black money stashed abroad: Advani PTI NEW DELHI, JAN 16

A view of snow covered branches of trees at forest complex in Bhaderwah, well known as chhota Kashmir 200km from Jammu in Jammu & Kashmir on Sunday.

Sharing of Samjhauta Moily, Chavan moot info with Pak once making voting compulsory probe is over: Govt PTI NEW DELHI, JAN 16

Government today said it will share information with Pakistan on the investigation into the Samjhauta train blast once the probe is completed.

Home Secretary Gopal K Pillai said New Delhi understands the concerns of Islamabad as several Pakistani citizens were killed in Samjhauta blast but investigation has not been completed yet.

"Now the investigation is on.... Investigation is not complete. As and when the investigation is completed and charge sheet is filed, we would definitely share the information with Pakistan," he said.

The blast in Samjhauta Express, which runs between India and Pakistan, took place on the intervening night of February 17 and 18, 2007 near Panipat in Haryana.

Right wing Hindu activist Swami Aseemananda, in his confessional statement given to the National Investigation Agency, "admitted" his and his colleagues' involvement in the blast that left 68 dead, mostly Pakistanis.

PTI MUMBAI, JAN 16

n If somebody has done a crime, irrespective of who is he, what is his religion, we will go after him and make sure that he is punished.

Pillai said government was committed to bring to justice anyone who commits terror irrespective of his religion or anything else.

"I think in one sense, it (the probe) shows that we are willing to be fair as far as possible.

"If somebody has done a crime, irrespective of who is he, what is his religion, we will go after him and make sure that he is punished," he said.

The Home Secretary said he hoped that the message goes to Pakistan, which is yet to bring the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attack to justice, so that they also do it irrespective of who the person involved is.

Stressing the need to reform the electoral system, both Union Law Minister Veerappa Moily and Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan today said that perhaps voting should be made compulsory.

The two leaders, speaking at a seminar on electoral reforms here, also agreed that the number of political parties should be "regulated".

"Elections should reflect the voice of the common man. However, when less than 50 per cent of the population of over 700 million exercise their right to vote, shouldn't voting be made compulsory?" Moily asked.

Taking the same line, Chief Minister Chavan said, "Whether voting should be made compulsory in our country needs to be seriously considered."

Moily said that though India has emerged as a victorious democracy, there are deficiencies in the electoral system and the time has come to think of "out of the box" solutions.

The Law Minister said his ministry would see to it that courts hear and decide all the criminal

n Elections should reflect the voice of the common man. However, when less than 50 per cent of the population of over 700 million exercise their right to vote, shouldn't voting be made compulsory? cases, especially corruption cases, within three years.

"Our judiciary takes a lot of time to punish the guilty.

This will be changed. All the requisite infrastructure and manpower would be made available to the courts to see to it that cases are decided within three years. Heinous crime cases would be assigned to fast track courts so that they can be decided within a year," Moily said.

Chief Minister Chavan said, "It is a shame we cannot decide

election petitions within the prescribed five-year period."

Such petitions must be decided within six months, he said.

The Chief Minister also said that the number of political parties registered with the Election Commission should be reduced drastically.

"We need to have fewer parties. Now there are more than a thousand parties. Western countries have a single-digit registered political parties. India should also bring down this number which would make it easier to regulate them," Chavan said.

Earlier, Moily too said that political parties were needed to be regulated.

Chavan also said that "whether political parties should be brought under the gambit of RTI" is worth considering, as it will result in more transparency.

Speaking on this occasion, Election Commissioner V S Sampath said, "Today those candidates who have been convicted in a criminal case are not allowed to contest. But a proposal should be passed to disqualify even those who have a criminal case that attracts punishment of five years against them."

Govt likely to convene meet on Telangana before Jan 26

Khap bars girls from wearing jeans

BJP - did not participate the January six meeting, where the report was made public, the Centre was treading cautiously and expecting participation of all the eight parties.

The Centre is hopeful that all the eight political parties will attend the next meeting on Telangana.

However, it is not clear how many representatives will be invited from each party. Since two representatives were invited for the January meeting, the TRS had alleged that the Centre wanted a split opinion from each party, leading to its boycott.

Though the Srikrishna Committee gave six options to find a solution to the Telangana issue, the panel itself rejected the first four options suggested by it as "non-practicable".

So, the next meeting will mainly concentrate on the two key recommendations -- keeping Andhra Pradesh united

In yet another instance of moral policing, a self-styled caste council or Khap has banned girls from wearing jeans, blaming the attire for incidents of eve teasing and young couples eloping in a village in the district. The Khap panchayat led by Battisa Khap Council head Baba Suraj in Bhenswal village passed the diktat which claimed that wearing jeans had a "bad effect" on young women and eveteasing incidents had increased due to their objectionable clothes".

The panchayat also formed a five-member women committee to implement the ban. Earlier, caste councils or kangaroo courts which have been accused of supporting honour killings had banned the use of mobile phones by unmarried girls in the district.

PTI NEW DELHI, JAN 16

People walking at the India Gate in a sunny afternoon, in New Delhi on Sunday.

Senior BJP leader L K Advani today pinned all his hopes on the Supreme Court to bring back black money stashed in foreign countries and said it will earn the apex court "lasting gratitude" of the people.

"The country expects the Supreme Court to pursue this matter to its logical end. USD 462 billion is a huge amount.

Which is wealth that can bring about a miraculous metamorphosis in Indian conditions," Advani said referring to the recent admonishment of the apex court to the government for not disclosing the names of people whose money is stashed abroad.

In his latest blog posting, the BJP veteran said by pursuing the matter, the Supreme Court will "earn the lasting gratitude of the Indian people by forcing Government to bring back all this wealth."

Hoping that the apex court will take steps to bring back the black money, he appreciated the role of the judiciary during Emergency and said it was the only institution which showed "guts" against the Indira Gandhi Government.

"When in the seventies, democracy became imperilled, Parliament let down the people.

So did the media. It was only the judiciary that showed guts," he posted.

The Centre is contemplating convening a meeting of recognised political parties of Andhra Pradesh before the Republic Day to discuss recommendations of Srikrishna Committee on Telangana, in a bid to find an acceptable solution to the statehood issue.

Sources said the government would like to take a decision on the recommendations of the Committee possibly before the Budget session of Parliament starting in Februaryend.

"Home Minister P Chidambaram would shortly be calling a meeting of all political parties again to get their views on the report," a senior government official said.

A decision about the possible date is expected to be taken at a high-level meeting scheduled to be held tomorrow.

As three major parties - TRS, TDP and

with Constitutional and Statutory measures for empowerment of the Telangana region as it "is the best way forward" and creating a separate state which can be the "second best" option to tackle the statehood issue.

The Committee itself found that the other four options -- maintaining status quo, bifurcating the state into Seemandhra and Telangana with Hyderabad as Union Territory and the states having their own capitals, bifurcation into Rayala-Telangana and coastal Andhra regions with Hyderabad as part of Rayala-Telangana and bifurcation into Seemandhra and Telangana with enlarged Hyderabad metropolis as a separate Union Territory -- made by it are not practicable.

As part of the exercise to find an amicable solution, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee had already met some MPs from Andhra Pradesh.

PTI MUZAFFARNAGAR (UP), JAN 16

IAF working on ways to beat fatigue in pilots Govt set to frame new law to tackle piracy: Vasan PTI NEW DELHI, JAN 16

Indian Air Force is working on solutions to beat the fatigue in pilots during combat situations due to disruption in sleep cycles so that their performance is not affected by lack of rest.

The planned trials involve both pharmacological means and non-pharma techniques, a top IAF official said.

Fatigue has been a problem among pilots involved in long duration flights which sometimes makes them commit errors that can be hazardous, more so during combat operations.

"Knowing the danger this factor poses to the success of any mission, it is important that measures be taken that will minimise the risk of any undesirable outcome. That is why the Institute of Aero-

space Medicine is trying out methods to combat fatigue amongst its pilots when conducting operations on round-theclock basis," Air Marshal Dipankar Ganguly, Director General Medical Services, Air said.

"What applies during peace time is not possible when there is a war," he said.

During routine operations, a fighter pilot is well rested before he takes off. "This luxury is not there during war time. They are required to fly without adequate rest for five to ten days, depending on the nature of operation."

Elaborating on the trials, Ganguly said "we will use both pharmacological means and non-pharma ways so that their sleep and wake pattern is adapted to the nature of operation.

"Say, it is wartime and we want our pilot

to deliver at night time. So he must have a good rest before he performs.

Unfortunately, if he does not have the habit of sleeping at daytime he cannot rest and here our medicines will work.

"It should be able to make him sleep during the day and also make him deliver well at night," the Air Marshal said.

He said that attempts are being made to optimise air crew and ground crew performance during situations which require intense concentration for long hours.

Group Captain Deepak Gour, director medical services, Aviation Medicine said, "Once we have the switch in our hands, the problem of irregular working hours having a cumulative effect on the ability of a pilot during important missions can be overcome."

PTI NEW DELHI, JAN 16

The government is contemplating framing a new legislation to tackle piracy in view of increasing incidents of Indian ships being hijacked on high seas.

"The Government is working on a legislation to deal with the problem of piracy. In 2010, 12 Indian mechanised sailing vessels (MSVs), commonly known as 'dhows', with 174 Indian nationals were hijacked," Shipping Minister G K Vasan told PTI. India has also raised concerns before the United Nations to mitigate piracy, he said.

"The Indian delegations to IMO have expressed serious con-

cern over the piracy incidents and have urged the need for the UN to lead the initiative to mitigate piracy," Vasan said.

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is a UN body to ensure safety and security of ships in international waters.

Vasan's observation comes against the backdrop of capturing of 14 Indians along with their Gujarat-registered dhow (slow moving vessel) MSV AlMusa by Somali pirates off the Oman coast on January 9.

Vasan said a slew of measures have been initiated to contain the menace including deployment of one additional Indian Naval ship in the area to escort

Indian ships. One Naval ship has already been deployed in 2008.

Besides, around 22 Naval vessels of different countries are reported to have been deployed in the region to protect the trade routes.

"The way forward being followed by the Indian Government is to establish co-ordination with other naval ships in the region to ensure safe transit of Indian interest," he said.

The Minister added that Gulf of Aden is the major east/west route for shipping with annually 44,000 ships passing through it.

Stressing that his Ministry accords top priority to security issues, he said, "More than 12 of

the world's oil transits through the Gulf of Aden. India's exim trade through the Gulf of Aden is estimated at about USD 117 billion which is about 45 per cent of our exim trade."

About 15 Indian ships pass through the Gulf of Aden every month, he said, adding that the only alternative route to Europe is via Cape of Good Hope, which adds two to three weeks of sailing time and is also not safe.

He said that the Directorate General of Shipping has a communication centre working 24x7 to closely coordinate with all Indian interests, Indian Navy and other piracy mitigating agencies in the region to obviate piracy incident.

OHERALDO

Pg12

GOA, MONDAY, 17 JANUARY, 2011

India to pace up efforts to check tax evasion PTI NEW DELHI, JAN 16

India may soon join ranks with top world economies by becoming a member of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and speed up its efforts to trace black money in foreign shores and tighten anti-money laundering regulations.

Sources in the Finance Ministry, engaged in deliberations with the top world economic body, said India's chances have been boosted after the country was inducted as a full-member of another such elite body -- the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) last year, and an entry to the new elite club of economies is expected soon.

According to the OECD rules that are favourable to India's position, the body "advocates exchange of information between tax authorities on request in cases of specific tax enquiries to better equip tax authorities to tackle tax evasion under Article 26 of its model DTAA."

Mutual Fund

The world body, established in 1961, also "provides a forum in which govts can work together to share experiences and seek solutions to common problems" and considers India to be an "emerging giant" in terms of economy.

The top economic cooperation body presently has 34 member nations which include the US, the UK, France, Germany, Canada, Italy and Switzerland.

India has presently been offered a position of being at an "enhanced engagement" with the Paris headquartered body and such an arrangement, according to the OECD, always has the "potential in the future to lead to membership."

Sources said India is vying for the membership as it will give the country the much needed 'push' to track black money, curb money laundering and check tax evasion to foreign shores at a time when continuous efforts are being taken to revise and strike Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAA) and Tax Infor-

Key to abbreviations: R Price: Repurchase Price; S Price: Sale Price; (D): Dividend; (G): Growth

Scheme Name NAVs (Rs) A AIG India Equity Fund ­ Regular Plan (D) 12.13 India Equity Fund ­ Regular Plan (G) 12.13 Infrastructure and Economic Reform ­ Regular (D) 9.04 Infrastructure and Economic Reform ­ Regular (G) 9.04 Axis Equity Fund (D) 10.90 Equity Fund (G) 10.90 Tax Saver Fund (D) 11.10 Tax Saver Fund (G) 12.12

B

Baroda Pioneer ELSS 96 26.09 Growth Fund (D) 29.75 Growth Fund (G) 52.81 Infrastructure Fund (D) 9.76 Infrastructure Fund (G) 9.76 PSU Equity Fund (D) 8.67 PSU Equity Fund (G) 8.67 Bharti AXA Equity Fund ­ Eco Plan (Bonus) 17.56 Equity Fund ­ Eco Plan (D) 12.36 Equity Fund ­ Eco Plan (G) 17.56 Equity Fund ­ Eco Plan (QD) 11.67 Equity Fund ­ Regular Plan (Bonus) 17.46 Equity Fund ­ Regular Plan (D) 12.30 Equity Fund ­ Regular Plan (G) 17.46 Equity Fund ­ Regular Plan (QD) 11.60 Focused Infrastructure Fund (D) 9.82 Focused Infrastructure Fund (G) 9.82 Focused Infrastructure Fund (QD) 9.82 Tax Advantage Fund ­ Eco Plan (D) 12.29 Tax Advantage Fund ­ Eco Plan (G) 22.56 Tax Advantage Fund ­ Retail Plan (D) 12.25 Tax Advantage Fund ­ Retail Plan (G) 22.47 Birla Sun Life Advantage Fund (D) 86.41 Advantage Fund (G) 159.48 Basic Industries Fund (D) 27.75 Basic Industries Fund (G) 100.61 Buy India Fund (D) 24.17 Buy India Fund (G) 42.42 Commodity Equities ­ Global Agri Plan ­ Retail (D) 18.63 Commodity Equities ­ Global Agri Plan ­ Retail (G) 18.63 Commodity Equities ­ Global Commodity ­ RP (D) 15.09 Commodity Equities ­ Global Commodity ­ RP (G) 15.09 Commodity Equities ­ Global Metals Plan ­RP (D) 14.43 Commodity Equities ­ Global Metals Plan ­RP (G) 14.43 Dividend Yield Plus (D) 14.43 Dividend Yield Plus (G) 84.52 Equity Fund (D) 70.65 Equity Fund (G) 267.45 Frontline Equity Fund ­ Plan A (D) 22.56 Frontline Equity Fund ­ Plan A (G) 88.41 Frontline Equity Fund ­ Plan B (D) 13.36 Frontline Equity Fund ­ Plan B (G) 13.36 India Opportunities Fund ­ Plan A (D) 19.14 India Opportunities Fund ­ Plan B (G) 56.20 India Reforms Fund (D) 10.03 India Reforms Fund (G) 10.03 Infrastructure Fund ­ Plan A (D) 12.32 Infrastructure Fund ­ Plan A (G) 16.77 Infrastructure Fund ­ Plan B (D) 12.04 Infrastructure Fund ­ Plan B (G) 12.54 International Equity Fund ­ Plan A (D) 9.61 International Equity Fund ­ Plan A (G) 9.61 International Equity Fund ­ Plan B (D) 9.59 International Equity Fund ­ Plan B (G) 9.59 MNC Fund (D) 83.73 MNC Fund (G) 207.21 New Millennium (D) 13.81 New Millennium (G) 21.15 Pure Value Fund (D) 15.64 Pure Value Fund (G) 16.69 Small and Midcap Fund (D) 12.20 Small and Midcap Fund (G) 12.20 Special Situations Fund (D) 10.07 Special Situations Fund (G) 10.07 Tax Plan (D) 45.76 Tax Plan (G) 13.57 Tax Relief 96 (D) 84.60 Tax Relief 96 (G) 11.42 Top 100 Fund (D) 14.78 Top 100 Fund (G) 22.66

C

Canara Robeco EmergEquities (Bonus) EmergEquities (D) EmergEquities (G) Equity Diversified (Bonus) Equity Diversified (D) Equity Diversified (G) Equity Tax Saver (D) Equity Tax Saver (G) F.O.R.C.E Fund ­ Retail Plan (D) F.O.R.C.E Fund ­ Retail Plan (G)

BIZ

19.03 15.69 22.74 24.92 24.88 54.71 21.32 25.88 12.43 13.34

Infrastructure (D) Infrastructure (G) Large Cap+ Fund (D) Large Cap+ Fund (G) Multicap (D) Multicap (G)

17.72 22.24 10.21 10.21 14.84 16.00

D

DWS Alpha Equity Fund ­ Regular Plan (D) 17.14 Alpha Equity Fund ­ Regular Plan (G) 78.76 Alpha Equity Fund ­ Wealth Plan (D) 13.72 Alpha Equity Fund ­ Wealth Plan (G) 16.40 Investment Opportunity Fund ­ Regular Plan (D) 26.19 Investment Opportunity Fund ­ Regular Plan (G) 37.81 Investment Opportunity Fund ­ Wealth Plan (D) 13.09 Investment Opportunity Fund ­ Wealth Plan (G) 17.12 Tax SavFund (D) 12.96 Tax SavFund (G) 13.86 DSP BlackRock Equity Fund ­ Regular Plan (D) 51.98 Equity Fund ­ Regular Plan (G) 16.44 Focus 25 Fund (D) 10.39 Focus 25 Fund (G) 10.39 India T.I.G.E.R. Fund ­ Regular Plan (D) 17.70 India T.I.G.E.R. Fund ­ Regular Plan (G) 46.12 Micro Cap Fund ­ Regular Plan (D) 9.60 Micro Cap Fund ­ Regular Plan (G) 15.80 Natural Resources and New Energy ­ Regular (D) 14.55 Natural Resources and New Energy ­ Regular (G) 14.55 Opportunities Fund ­ Regular Plan (D) 30.42 Opportunities Fund ­ Regular Plan (G) 87.26 Small and Mid Cap Fund (D) 16.26 Small and Mid Cap Fund (G) 17.73 Tax Saver Fund (D) 12.81 Tax Saver Fund (G) 17.20 Technology.Com ­ Regular Plan (D) 24.57 Technology.Com ­ Regular Plan (G) 33.67 Top 100 Equity Fund ­ Regular Plan (D) 21.20 Top 100 Equity Fund ­ Regular Plan (G) 99.93

E

Edelweiss Absolute Return Fund (D) Absolute Return Fund (G) Diversified Growth Equity Top 100 Fund ­A (D) Diversified Growth Equity Top 100 Fund ­A (G) Diversified Growth Equity Top 100 Fund ­B (D) Diversified Growth Equity Top 100 Fund ­B (G) Diversified Growth Equity Top 100 Fund ­C (D) Diversified Growth Equity Top 100 Fund ­C (G) Nifty Enhancer Fund ­ Plan A (D) Nifty Enhancer Fund ­ Plan A (G) Nifty Enhancer Fund ­ plan B (D) Nifty Enhancer Fund ­ Plan B (G) Nifty Enhancer Fund ­ Plan C (D) Escorts Growth Plan (D) Growth Plan (G) High Yield Equity Plan (Bonus) High Yield Equity Plan (D) High Yield Equity Plan (G) Infrastructure Fund (D) Infrastructure Fund (G) LeadSectors Fund (D) LeadSectors Fund (G) Power and Energy Fund (D) Power and Energy Fund (G) Tax Plan (D) Tax Plan (G)

11.25 11.25 14.07 14.07 14.32 14.13 14.17 14.17 11.85 13.01 13.08 12.91 11.50 12.45 75.22 14.35 11.82 14.32 7.94 7.94 11.00 11.00 11.44 15.98 10.21 47.51

F

Fidelity Equity Fund (D) Equity Fund (G) India Growth Fund (D) India Growth Fund (G) India Special Situations Fund (D) India Special Situations Fund (G) India Value Fund (D) India Value Fund (G) International Opportunities Fund (D) International Opportunities Fund (G) Tax Advantage Fund (D) Tax Advantage Fund (G) BNP Paribas China­India Fund (D) China­India Fund (G) Dividend Yield Fund (D) Dividend Yield Fund (G) Equity Fund (D) Equity Fund (G) Future Leaders Fund (D) Future Leaders Fund (G) Opportunities Fund (D) Opportunities Fund (G) Sustainable Development Fund (D) Sustainable Development Fund (G)

22.38 35.37 12.31 12.31 16.84 18.57 11.22 11.22 13.73 13.73 18.27 21.94 9.07 9.08 10.89 17.68 11.44 33.84 9.41 9.45 9.68 18.61 11.38 12.50

mation Exchange Agreements (TIEAs) with various countries and tax haven nations.

"The OECD has always desired that India reports back action taken and gives feedback on the information passed on by them (in relation to tax treaties and other issues) in order to assess the quality of the information (that the OECD nations sent). India always complied the norms," sources said.

The OECD has also approved the country's efforts related to implementation of tax laws and other socio-economic development indices, they said. The top body has also done an in-depth monitoring and peer review of the implementation of the standards of transparency and exchange of information for tax purposes of India, last year.

Indian tax officials currently receive 'coded' information on income earned by Indian nationals abroad.

They are not subject to tax there under DTAA as per OECD model tax convention on income and capital.

Tax Advantage Plan (ELSS) (D) Tax Advantage Plan (ELSS) (G) Franklin Asian Equity Fund (D) Asian Equity Fund (G) Build India Fund (D) Build India Fund (G) FMCG Fund (D) FMCG Fund (G) India Bluechip Fund (D) India Bluechip Fund (G) India Flexi Cap Fund (D) India Flexi Cap Fund (G) India Smaller Companies Fund (D) India Smaller Companies Fund (G) India Tax Shield (D) India Tax Shield (G) Infotech Fund (D) Infotech Fund (G) Pharma Fund (D) Pharma Fund (G) Templeton India Equity Income Fund (D) Templeton India Equity Income Fund (G) Templeton India Growth Fund (D) Templeton India Growth Fund (G)

10.92 13.70 11.58 11.58 11.34 11.88 41.89 66.74 42.88 214.20 16.40 32.38 13.21 14.26 34.03 207.03 21.10 68.15 34.00 64.25 16.11 21.66 53.35 122.68

H

HDFC Capital Builder Fund (D) Capital Builder Fund (G) Core & Satellite Fund (D) Core & Satellite Fund (G) Equity Fund (D) Equity Fund (G) Growth Fund (D) Growth Fund (G) Infrastructure Fund (D) Infrastructure Fund (G) Premier Multi­Cap Fund (D) Premier Multi­Cap Fund (G) Tax Saver (D) Tax Saver (G) Top 200 Fund (D) Top 200 Fund (G) HSBC Dynamic Fund (D) Dynamic Fund (G) EmergMarkets Fund (D) EmergMarkets Fund (G) Equity Fund (D) Equity Fund (G) India Opportunities Fund (D) India Opportunities Fund (G) Midcap Equity Fund (D) Midcap Equity Fund (G) Progressive Themes Fund (D) Progressive Themes Fund (G) Small Cap Fund (D) Small Cap Fund (G) Tax Saver Equity Fund (D) Tax Saver Equity Fund (G) Unique Opportunities Fund (D) Unique Opportunities Fund (G)

26.96 111.30 23.32 41.01 50.95 277.21 33.91 86.61 11.64 11.64 16.36 28.85 65.34 232.57 49.38 208.92 10.46 10.46 10.77 10.77 26.19 104.12 16.40 34.82 11.93 22.33 10.66 12.53 11.86 12.75 13.56 14.70 11.43 11.43

I

ICICI Pru Bank& Financial Services Fund ­ Retail Plan (D) Bank& Financial Services Fund ­ Retail Plan (G) Discovery Fund (D) Discovery Fund (G) Dynamic Plan (D) Dynamic Plan (G) EmergS.T.A.R. Fund (D) EmergS.T.A.R. Fund (G) Equity Opportunities Fund (D) Equity Opportunities Fund (G) FMCG Fund (D) FMCG Fund (G) Focused Bluechip Equity Fund (D) Focused Bluechip Equity Fund (G) Fusion Fund (D) Fusion Fund (G) Fusion Fund Series ­ III Retail Plan (D) Fusion Fund Series ­ III Retail Plan (G) Growth Plan (D) Growth Plan (G) Indo Asia Equity Fund ­ Retail Plan (D) Indo Asia Equity Fund ­ Retail Plan (G) Infrastructure Fund ­ Retail Plan (D) Infrastructure Fund ­ Retail Plan (G) Power (D) Power (G) R.I.G.H.T. Fund (D) R.I.G.H.T. Fund (G) Services Industries Fund (D) Services Industries Fund (G) Target Returns Fund ­ Retail Plan (D) Target Returns Fund ­ Retail Plan (G) Tax Plan (D) Tax Plan (G) Technology Fund (D) Technology Fund (G) IDFC Classic Equity Fund ­ Plan A (D)

16.90 17.31 21.19 48.90 19.06 106.64 16.39 32.93 11.42 12.72 36.25 63.39 16.14 16.14 13.99 14.84 12.76 12.76 18.28 134.93 10.97 10.97 12.02 29.85 16.76 112.93 11.89 11.89 12.85 17.08 14.02 14.02 20.99 140.75 19.09 19.09 15.19

MF FUNDA

BOARD MEETINGS

ICICI PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND has approved January 11, 2011 as the record date for declaration of dividend under dividend option of ICICI Prudential Interval Fund - Quarterly Interval Plan III. The face value of per unit is Rs 10.

The quantum of dividend will be Rs 0.1683 per unit for retail option and Rs 0.1754 per unit for institutional option.

Ashirwad Cap L&T Shri Shakti LPG Axis Bank Mafatlal Fin State Bank Trav Beckons Inds Maharashtra Scoot Steelcast Dhampur Sug Mil Morarjee Tex Sulabh Engg Essar Oil Nelcast Svartcorp Gravita India Onward Tech Swasti Vinay Syn Indusind Bank Power Finance TCS Kalyani Steel Rallis India UBE Inds Kernex Micro RPG Life Zensar Tech Ruchi Soya Zydus Wellness Source: Indiainfoline.com

KOTAK MUTUAL FUND has approved January 19, 2011 as the record date for declaration of dividend under dividend option of Kotak Quarterly Interval Plan Series 5.

The face value of per unit is Rs 10. The quantum of dividend will be entire appreciation in Net Asset Value of dividend option until January 19, 2011.

SBI MUTUAL FUND has approved January 19, 2011 as the record date for declaration of dividend under dividend option of SBI Debt Fund Series - 90 Days - 35. The face value of per unit is Rs 10.

The quantum of dividend will be entire distributable surplus as on record date.

IDFC MUTUAL FUND has unveiled a new fund named as IDFC Fixed Maturity Plan - Quarterly Series 62, a close ended income scheme with the duration of three months. The scheme shall mature on April 21, 2011. The NFO price for the scheme is Rs 10 per unit.

The new issue will be open for subscription from January 17 and close on January 18, 2011.

The scheme offers two options viz. growth and dividend option.

The minimum application amount is Rs 10,000 and in multiples of Rs 1. The fund seeks to collect a minimum subscription (minimum target) amount of Rs 10 million under the scheme during the NFO period.

Entry load and exit load charge will be nil for the scheme.

Benchmark Index for the scheme is CRISIL Composite Bond Fund Index. The scheme will be managed by Anupam Joshi.

Classic Equity Fund ­ Plan A (G) Equity Fund ­ Plan A (D) Equity Fund ­ Plan A (G) Equity Fund ­ Plan B (D) Equity Fund ­ Plan B (G) Tax Advantage (ELSS) Fund (D) Tax Advantage (ELSS) Fund (G) Tax Saver (ELSS) Fund (D) Tax Saver (ELSS) Fund (G) ING C.U.B. Fund (Bonus) C.U.B. Fund (D) C.U.B. Fund (G) Core Equity Fund (D) Core Equity Fund (G) Dividend Yield Fund (D) Dividend Yield Fund (G) Midcap Fund (D) Midcap Fund (G) OptiMix Multi Manager Equity Fund ­ Plan A (D) OptiMix Multi Manager Equity Fund ­ Plan A (G) OptiMix Retireinvest Fund ­ Series I (D) OptiMix Retireinvest Fund ­ Series I (G) Tax SavFund (Bonus) Tax SavFund (D) Tax SavFund (G)

20.99 13.19 16.09 11.10 13.22 15.74 19.65 14.50 14.50 17.31 12.64 17.31 20.43 38.60 20.94 23.03 16.68 21.00 10.60 10.60 12.37 12.37 30.00 14.78 29.96

J

JM Agri & Infra Fund (D) Agri & Infra Fund (G) Basic Fund (D) Basic Fund (G) Contra Fund (D) Contra Fund (G) EmergLeaders Fund (D) EmergLeaders Fund (G) Equity Fund (D) Equity Fund (G) Financial Services Sector Fund (D) Financial Services Sector Fund (G) HI FI Fund (D) HI FI Fund (G) Large Cap Fund (D) Large Cap Fund (G) Mid Cap Fund (D) Mid Cap Fund (G) Multi Strategy Fund (D) Multi Strategy Fund (G) Small & Mid­Cap Fund ­ Regular Plan (D) Small & Mid­Cap Fund ­ Regular Plan (G) Tax Gain Fund (D) Tax Gain Fund (G) Telecom Sector Fund (D) Telecom Sector Fund (G) JP Morgan India Tax Advantage Fund (D) India Tax Advantage Fund (G) India Equity Fund (D) India Equity Fund (G) India Smaller Companies Fund (D) India Smaller Companies Fund (G)

2.52 2.52 10.47 14.99 5.46 5.46 7.93 7.91 15.25 37.46 9.59 9.59 5.10 5.10 14.36 19.53 16.46 24.02 13.54 14.56 5.40 5.40 7.02 7.02 7.96 7.96 15.00 18.52 12.42 13.38 7.76 7.76

K

Kotak 30 (D) 30 (G) Contra (D) Contra (G) EmergEquity Scheme (D) EmergEquity Scheme (G) Global EmergMarket Fund (D) Global EmergMarket Fund (G) Indo World Infrastructure Fund (D) Indo World Infrastructure Fund (G) Lifestyle Fund (D) Lifestyle Fund (G) Midcap Fund (D) Midcap Fund (G) Opportunities Fund (D) Opportunities Fund (G) Select Focus Fund (D) Select Focus Fund (G) Tax Saver (D) Tax Saver (G)

5.27 5.27 15.83 21.55 15.01 16.16 9.32 9.32 10.57 26.83 11.66 13.15 9.25 9.25 10.82 19.02 10.60 29.61 8.33 8.33

M

Mirae Asset EmergBluechip Fund (D) EmergBluechip Fund (G) Global Commodity Stock Fund ­ Regular Plan (D) Global Commodity Stock Fund ­ Regular Plan (G) India Opportunities Fund ­ Regular Plan (D) India Opportunities Fund ­ Regular Plan (G) Morgan Stanley A.C.E. Fund (Across Capitalisations Equity) (D) A.C.E. Fund (Across Capitalisations Equity) (G) Growth Fund (D) Growth Fund (G)

10.50 10.50 13.23 13.23 13.52 16.14 14.15 15.04 19.44 63.68

P

Pramerica Dynamic Fund (D) Dynamic Fund (G) Equity Fund (D) Equity Fund (G) Principal Dividend Yield Fund (D) Dividend Yield Fund (G) EmergBluechip Fund (D) EmergBluechip Fund (G) Global Opportunities Fund (D) Global Opportunities Fund (G) Growth Fund (D) Growth Fund (G) Large Cap Fund (D) Large Cap Fund (G) Personal Tax Saver Fund PNB Long Term Equity Fund ­ 3 Yrs­ Series 1 (D) PNB Long Term Equity Fund ­ 3 Yrs ­ Series 1 (G) Services Industries Fund (D) Services Industries Fund (G) SMART Equity Fund (D) SMART Equity Fund (G) Tax Savings Fund

9.63 9.63 9.45 9.45 17.20 23.31 23.64 31.01 18.75 18.75 23.86 52.66 19.79 28.88 96.47 11.22 11.23 13.05 14.72 9.82 9.82 76.94

Q

32.23 102.17 17.05 21.15 11.75 11.75 10.28 10.28 7.07 7.07 11.71 13.52 17.58 25.27 14.99 46.33 10.65 11.80 11.31 18.47

L

L&T Contra Fund (D) Contra Fund (G) Global Advantage Fund (D) Global Advantage Fund (G) Growth Fund (D) Growth Fund (G) Hedged Equity Fund (D) Hedged Equity Fund (G) Infrastructure Fund (D) Infrastructure Fund (G) Midcap Fund (D) Midcap Fund (G) Multi­Cap Fund (D) Multi­Cap Fund (G) Opportunities Fund (D)

Opportunities Fund (G) 44.24 Small Cap Fund (D) Small Cap Fund (G) Tax Advantage Fund ­ Series I (D) Tax Advantage Fund ­ Series I (G) Tax Saver Fund (D) Tax Saver Fund (G) LIC Infrastructure Fund Series 1 (D) Infrastructure Fund Series 1 (G) MF Equity Fund (D) MF Equity Fund (G) MF Growth Fund (D) MF Growth Fund (G) MF India Vision Fund (D) MF India Vision Fund (G) MF Opportunities Fund (D) MF Opportunities Fund (G) MF Tax Plan (D) MF Tax Plan (G) MF Top 100 Fund (D) MF Top 100 Fund (G)

10.51 10.52 7.53 10.86 18.58 39.35 9.86 13.89 7.35 7.35 23.33 40.43 14.81 18.58 17.43

Quantum Long­Term Equity Fund (D) Long­Term Equity Fund (G) Tax SavFund (D) Tax SavFund (G)

R

22.48 22.30 22.21 22.21

Reliance BankFund (Bonus) 98.76 BankFund (D) 39.41 BankFund (G) 98.76 Diversified Power Sector Fund ­ Retail (Bonus) 75.64 Diversified Power Sector Fund ­ Retail Plan (D) 44.65 Diversified Power Sector Fund ­ Retail Plan (G) 75.64 Equity Advantage Fund ­ Retail Plan (B) 12.87 Equity Advantage Fund ­ Retail Plan (D) 12.87 Equity Advantage Fund ­ Retail Plan (G) 12.87 Equity Fund ­ Retail Plan (Bonus) 14.17 Equity Fund ­ Retail Plan (D) 14.17 Equity Fund ­ Retail Plan (G) 14.17 Equity Linked SavFund ­ Series I (D) 14.69 Equity Linked SavFund ­ Series I (G) 14.69 Equity Opportunities Fund ­ Retail Plan (Bonus) 35.66 Equity Opportunities Fund ­ Retail Plan (D) 25.19 Equity Opportunities Fund ­ Retail Plan (G) 35.66 Growth Fund ­ Retail Plan (Bonus) 77.86 Growth Fund ­ Retail Plan (D) 57.54 Growth Fund ­ Retail Plan (G) 469.40 Pharma Fund (Bonus) 55.96 Pharma Fund (D) 41.74 Pharma Fund (G) 55.96 Quant Plus Fund ­ Retail Plan (B) 13.63 Quant Plus Fund ­ Retail Plan (D) 13.63 Quant Plus Fund ­ Retail Plan (G) 13.62 Regular Savings Fund ­ Equity Option (D) 24.22 Regular Savings Fund ­ Equity Option (G) 31.07 Small Cap Fund (Bonus) 9.76 Small Cap Fund (D) 9.76 Small Cap Fund (G) 9.76

Tax Saver (ELSS) Fund (D) Tax Saver (ELSS) Fund (G) Vision Fund ­ Retail Plan (Bonus) Vision Fund ­ Retail Plan (D) Vision Fund ­ Retail Plan (G) Religare AGILE Fund (D) AGILE Fund (G) AGILE Tax Fund (D) AGILE Tax Fund (G) BankFund ­ Regular Plan (D) BankFund ­ Regular Plan (G) Business Leaders Fund (D) Business Leaders Fund (G) Contra Fund (D) Contra Fund (G) Equity Fund (D) Equity Fund (G) Growth Fund (D) Growth Fund (G) Infrastructure Fund (D) Infrastructure Fund (G) Mid Cap Fund (D) Mid Cap Fund (G) Mid N Small Cap Fund (D) Mid N Small Cap Fund (G) PSU Equity Fund (D) PSU Equity Fund (G) Tax Plan (D) Tax Plan (G)

S

16.05 20.59 45.04 43.74 268.13 6.79 6.78 7.66 7.66 14.90 19.10 11.27 12.29 12.51 16.18 12.85 12.85 11.70 12.88 8.28 8.28 11.69 14.10 14.20 14.20 9.53 10.57 14.39 17.38

Sahara Bankand Financial Services Fund (D) 14.51 Bankand Financial Services Fund (G) 28.74 Growth Fund (D) 23.19 Growth Fund (G) 79.89 Infrastructure ­ Fixed PricOption (D) 11.36 Infrastructure ­ Fixed PricOption (G) 15.53 Infrastructure ­Variable PricOption (D) 11.82 Infrastructure ­Variable PricOption (G) 16.09 Midcap Fund (Bonus) 31.06 Midcap Fund (D) 13.73 Midcap Fund (G) 31.06 Midcap Fund (Growth Auto Payout) 31.06 Power & Natural Resources Fund (D) 11.05 Power & Natural Resources Fund (G) 12.95 R.E.A.L. Fund (D) 8.39 R.E.A.L. Fund (G) 8.39 Star Value Fund (D) 10.79 Star Value Fund (G) 11.75 Super 20 Fund (D) 11.33 Super 20 Fund (G) 11.33 Tax Gain (D) 16.72 Tax Gain (G) 37.51 Wealth Plus ­ Variable PricOption (D) 18.75 Wealth Plus ­ Variable PricOption (G) 22.47 Wealth Plus Fund ­ Fixed PricOption (D) 17.91 Wealth Plus Fund ­ Fixed PricOption (G) 21.62 SBI Blue Chip Fund (D) 11.41 Blue Chip Fund (G) 14.60 Infrastructure Fund ­ Series I (D) 9.70 Infrastructure Fund ­ Series I (G) 9.70 Magnum Comma Fund (D) 16.66 Magnum Comma Fund (G) 24.66 Magnum Contra Fund (D) 22.59 Magnum Contra Fund (G) 56.65 Magnum EmergBusinesses Fund (D) 17.75 Magnum EmergBusinesses Fund (G) 40.00 Magnum Equity Fund (D) 32.19 Magnum Equity Fund (G) 42.67 Magnum FMCG Fund 29.08 Magnum Global Fund (D) 30.51 Magnum Global Fund (G) 54.57 Magnum IT Fund 23.87 Magnum Pharma Fund (D) 37.15 Magnum Pharma Fund (G) 44.95 Magnum Tax Gain Scheme (D) 41.16 Magnum Tax Gain Scheme (G) 60.38 One India Fund (D) 11.02 One India Fund (G) 11.01 PSU Fund (D) 9.70 PSU Fund (G) 9.70 Shinsei Industry Leaders Fund (D) 11.82 Industry Leaders Fund (G) 11.82 Sundaram Capex Opportunities Fund (D) 12.37 Capex Opportunities Fund (G) 23.67 Equity Multiplier Fund (D) 11.58 Equity Multiplier Fund (G) 14.20 Financial Services Opportunities ­ Retail Plan (D) 15.06 Financial Services Opportunities ­ Retail Plan (G) 18.95 Growth Fund ­ Regular Plan (D) 12.69 Growth Fund ­ Regular Plan (G) 94.89 Select Focus ­ Retail Plan (D) 9.76 Select Focus ­ Retail Plan (G) 90.17 Select Midcap ­ Regular Plan (D) 17.25 Select Midcap ­ Regular Plan (G) 152.24 Select Small Cap Fund (D) 12.00 Select Small Cap Fund (G) 12.89 Select Thematic Energy Opportunities Funds (D) 8.10 Select Thematic Energy Opportunities Funds (G) 8.10

Tax Saver (OE) (D) Tax Saver (OE) (G)

10.52 44.62

T

Tata Capital Builder Fund (D) Capital Builder Fund (G) Contra Fund (D) Contra Fund (G) Dividend Yield Fund (D) Dividend Yield Fund (G) Equity Management Fund (D) Equity Management Fund (G) Equity Opportunities Fund ­ Plan A (D) Equity Opportunities Fund ­ Plan B (G) Equity P/E Fund (G) Equity P/E Fund ­ Trigger Option A 5% (D) Equity P/E Fund ­ Trigger Option B 10% (D) GrowEconomies Infrastructure Fund ­ Plan A (D) GrowEconomies Infrastructure Fund ­ Plan A (G) GrowEconomies Infrastructure Fund ­ Plan B (D) GrowEconomies Infrastructure Fund ­ Plan B (G) Growth Fund (Bonus) Growth Fund (D) Growth Fund (G) Indo­Global Infrastructure Fund (D) Indo­Global Infrastructure Fund (G) Infrastructure Fund (D) Infrastructure Fund (G) Infrastructure Tax SavFund (D) Infrastructure Tax SavFund (G) Life Sciences & Technology Fund (D) Life Sciences & Technology Fund (G) Mid Cap Fund (D) Mid Cap Fund (G) Pure Equity Fund (D) Pure Equity Fund (G) Select Equity Fund (D) Select Equity Fund (G) Service Industries Fund (D) Service Industries Fund (G) Tax Advantage Fund ­ 1 (D) Tax Advantage Fund ­ 1 (G) Tax SavFund Taurus Bonanza Fund (D) Bonanza Fund (G) Discovery Fund (D) Discovery Fund (G) Ethical Fund (Bonus) Ethical Fund (D) Ethical Fund (G) Infrastructure Fund (D) Infrastructure Fund (G) Star Share (D) Star Share (G) Tax Shield (D) Tax Shield (G)

14.09 15.09 15.60 17.73 20.43 33.74 12.63 14.61 20.30 79.16 48.21 36.36 37.94 12.37 12.37 12.30 12.30 39.07 17.20 42.99 7.88 7.87 21.80 33.08 15.30 16.17 36.03 71.68 15.08 17.57 37.10 98.60 42.56 65.82 17.88 23.98 16.34 16.34 46.44 43.30 43.02 15.55 15.53 23.41 15.81 23.42 13.08 13.94 39.88 56.65 19.21 35.57

U

UTI BankSector Fund (D) BankSector Fund (G) Contra Fund (D) Contra Fund (G) Dividend Yield Fund (D) Dividend Yield Fund (G) Energy Fund (D) Energy Fund (G) Equity Fund (D) Equity Fund (G) Equity Tax Savings Plan (D) Equity Tax Savings Plan (G) Leadership Equity Fund (D) Leadership Equity Fund (G) Long Term Advantage Fund (D) Long Term Advantage Fund (G) Long Term Advantage Fund ­ Series II (D) Long Term Advantage Fund ­ Series II (G) Master Equity Plan Unit Scheme Master Plus Unit Scheme (D) Master Plus Unit Scheme (G) Master Value Fund (D) Master Value Fund (G) Mastershare (D) Mastershare (G) Mid Cap Fund (D) Mid Cap Fund (G) MNC Fund (D) MNC Fund (G) Opportunities Fund (D) Opportunities Fund (G) Pharma & Healthcare Fund (D) Pharma & Healthcare Fund (G) Services Industries Fund (D) Services Industries Fund (G) Top 100 Fund (D) Top 100 Fund (G) Transportation and Logistics Fund (D) Transportation and Logistics Fund (G) Wealth Builder Fund (D) Wealth Builder Fund (G) Wealth Builder Fund ­ Series II ­ Retail Plan (D) Wealth Builder Fund ­ Series II ­ Retail Plan (G)

23.70 40.79 12.84 13.91 14.76 32.18 12.29 10.85 48.30 54.65 17.05 40.10 14.25 15.37 12.64 12.64 14.12 14.12 49.29 59.71 82.84 24.11 52.56 28.75 53.50 21.36 31.34 37.47 58.03 14.54 27.21 31.67 40.98 25.56 59.46 22.23 28.61 14.72 26.97 14.34 16.46 15.44 19.20

OHERALDO

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BIZ

GOA, MONDAY, 17 JANUARY, 2011

Guessing the Budget

As we move into the year, it’s Budget time once again. The Finance Minister has already begun talks with the representatives of Industry and Commerce on their views or proposals for the Budget. Departmental offices have also been asked to submit their proposals for inclusion in the forthcoming budget. While the excitement of yesteryears over Budget day is no more, analysts still believe in guessing as to what the Budget will bring? With the Direct Tax Code to be brought in the next year, there may be no further tinkering with the tax rates.

Also given the buoyancy of tax growth, there is no reason for raising the tax rates. On the indirect front, with industry picking, government may revise rates to bring them on par with the proposed rates of the Goods and Services tax to be introduced next year. The list of taxable services may also increase since government is looking at collection of revenue from the service sector.

INFRASTRUCTURAL RELIEF Last year, the Finance Minister had given an additional deduction under Section 80CCF, for those purchasing certain specified infrastructural bonds. It is likely that this deduction may be raised by another Rs 20,000. From next year with the introduction of the DTC, the limit of deduction has been hiked to Rs 1.50 lakh. These infrastructural bonds are an ideal opportunity for those who have already exhausted the limits under Section 80C. With the introduction of an additional deduction under 80CCF for the investment in infrastructural bonds, several financial companies have come into the market to offer these bonds. While an investor can invest any amount in these bonds, the amount that qualifies for deduction is limited to Rs. 20,000. Further, interest on these bonds is taxable as income from other sources.

TAXING TIMES This time of the year is also a harrowing period for the finance and HR departments since they have to calculate the taxable salary of their employees. Failure to deduct tax correctly and pay the same to Government invites penal action on the part of deductors. The finance departments work out the gross salary that is paid to the employees. To this is added all the perquisites given by the company that are treated as taxable. This becomes the gross salary of the individual. Employees can also give their account departments details of other incomes that they have earned. This can be bank interest, rental income, or capital gains. Employees also have to give details of the exemptions that they would like to claim.

In the case of house rent you would have to submit, details of the rent paid by way of rent receipts. If you claim exemption for the amounts given as Leave Travel Concession (LTC), you would have to provide tickets to the destinations said to have been visited. Regard-

ing deduction under Section 80C, employees are required to produce proof of having made the said investments. The office having taken into consideration the various exemptions and deductions claimed has to then arrive at the taxable income and deduct tax equally over the twelve months of the year. An E-TDS return is to be filed each quarter on the payment of the tax deducted form the employees. The ETDS returns necessarily have to give the PAN numbers of the employees. Where an employee does not have a PAN number or does not furnish his PAN number, tax is to be deducted at 20% or the actual rate whichever is higher. It is therefore imperative that all employees give their PAN numbers. For tax credit is now being given on the basis of the TDS returns filed by the employers and unless the PAN number of the employee is available, the latter will not be able to obtain the relevant credit in their tax returns. At the end of the year, the employees are to be issued a TDS certificate in Form 16.

While law states that tax is to be deduced in equal instalment throughout the year, in actual practice, tax is often deducted in proportionate instalments in the last three months. This is because, often the employees fail to give proof of their investments keeping this for the end of the year. What would happen if excess tax is deducted as the employee does not furnish proof of his investments to the office. An employee can still claim this while filing his return. For while the office may not be in a position to wait to compute deductions of the employees, the Income tax act allows deductions to be made up to the end of the financial year. For those who believe in charity and the giving of donations there is a Section 80G. As per Section 80G, 50% of the donations made are tax deductible.

Offices are empowered to consider this deduction on the basis of the 80G certificates filed by employees.

ADVANCE TAX This is also the last quarter for the payment of advance tax. There are several employees that have part time income or have invested in stocks and shares having short term capital gains, or have sold property earning long term capital gains. Payment of advance tax will ensure that there is no interest payable under sections 234B and 234C. The last day for the payment of advance tax is the 15th March 2011. For those who have not filed their tax returns for 2010-11, the last day for the filing of the tax returns is the 31st March 2011. If there is any tax due, on the income returned, there is an interest under Section 234A. Why wait for the last day. File your tax returns today!

(The author of the article is a retired Chief Commissioner of Income Tax. The views expressed by him are personal.)

LAUNCH PAD

BMW tops luxury car space for 2nd consecutive year

PANJIM (HBD) -- With 6246 cars delivered to customers in the calendar year 2010, BMW India has achieved leadership position in the luxury car segment in India for the second consecutive year.

Dr Andreas Schaaf, president, BMW India said, “Our commitment to India is amongst the strategic decisions of the BMW Group. In 2010, we embarked on the second wave of India market offensive with a very carefully planned and passionately executed business strategy. I am Dr Andreas Schaaf truly impressed with the entrepreneurial foresight, willingness to perform and adaptability to challenges that everyone at BMW India has demonstrated. Together with our dealer partners, we have established the strategic direction required for BMW Group’s future success in India.”

The total BMW India sales in 2010 grew by 73% over last year.

The BMW 3 Series sales registered a growth of over 111%, the new BMW 5 Series of 51% and the BMW 7 Series of 53%.

In 2010, BMW India achieved market share of over 40 % in the luxury car segment of the Indian automotive market.

BMW Group established their India headquarters in Gurgaon, a central parts warehouse in Mumbai and the BMW Plant in Chennai. Presently, the BMW Plant Chennai produces the BMW 3 Series, the BMW 5 Series and the BMW X1 in petrol and diesel variants and has a capacity to produce 8000 units per year on a single shift basis.

SBI, Airtel tie up for financial inclusion PANJIM (HBD) -- State Bank of India and Bharti airtel announced that they have entered into a Joint Venture (JV) agreement to make available banking services to India’s unbanked millions.

The newly formed entity, will harness the power of State Bank’s strengths and Airtel’s mobile telephony to add value to the banking and financial services sector and empower millions of financially excluded in the country to enhance their livelihood and quality of life.

The joint venture will become the business correspondent of SBI and offer banking products and services at affordable cost to the citizens in unbanked and other areas.

With the penetration of mobile teledensity standing at a strong 60 percent, the market possesses great potential for a collaboration that combines the strengths of both banking and telecom sectors. The JV as Business Correspondent will engage Airtel’s retailers as Customer Service Points (CSP) all over India in a phased manner. With this, existing and new airtel mobile customers will be able to visit these outlets and open new SBI bank accounts and avail of other banking products and services available at the CSPs. Additionally, existing SBI customers will also get serviced at these outlets.

This partnership between India’s leading mobile and banking service providers represents a first-of-its-kind collaboration aimed at making the concept of inclusive banking a reality for customers in India. The JV incorporation between SBI and Airtel will be concluded by March 31, 2011.

Choice to open 20-30 hotels per Yr PTI MUMBAI, JAN 16

Banking on the growing economy and rapid infrastructure development in India, international mid-scale hospitality chain Choice Hotels plans to open 20-30 hotels in the country every year over the next three years, a top company official has said. The US-based firm, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Choice Hotels India (CHI), currently operates 28 hotels in the country through the franchise route.

"Our target is to open 20-30 hotels every year in India for the next 2-3 years. In 2011, we plan to open 14 hotels mainly in Tier II cities. All are in various stages of construction. We are looking at a double-digit growth in India," Choice Hotels India CEO Vilas Pawar said.

The hotel chain, with a tariff size ranging from Rs 2,0007,000 per night depending on the location, operates 28 hotels in India across five brands- Sleep Inn, Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, Clarion and Cambria.

2G: Montek disagrees with CAG PTI

NEW DELHI, JAN 16

Like the Congress and others in the ruling dispensation, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia has disagreed with official auditor CAG on the calculation of a presumptive loss of Rs 1.76 lakh crore in the alleged 2G spectrum scam.

"We have not made calculations of what would have happened if we had gone for revenue maximisation... What the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has done is not, in my view, the correct way of doing it," Ahluwalia said on TV news channel CNN-IBN's 'Devil's Advocate' show.

Questioning the approach adopted by the CAG for calculating the losses, he said it is not very fruitful to go into the question of how much money could have been raised, because the emphasis of the Telecom Policy since 1999 has not been on revenue maximisation.

Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal had recently slammed the CAG for its projection of a Rs 1.76 lakh crore presumptive loss on account of the allocation of 2G spectrum, terming its methodology as "utterly erroneous."

He said there was "no loss at all" to the exchequer due to allocation of licences and 2G spectrum in 2008.

The Congress Party has also thrown its weight behind Sibal and criticised the CAG for its audit methodology. It also questioned the leakage of the report before it was tabled in Parliament.

Ahluwalia said focusing on the "revenue losses" contradicted the entire policy of the government, which was aimed at extending mobile services across the entire country.

Asked about the alleged windfall gains made by new telecom operators -- Swan Telecom and Unitech Wireless – he said, "This money did not go to the promoters, it went into the new companies and is meant to be used to roll-out telecom services."

Labourers push a cart loaded with potatoes and onions at a market in Mumbai. India's inflation rose again to 8.43 percent in December, data showed January 14, as the government announced steps to curb food prices amid mounting public anger over the cost of living.

SBI Caps looks to close AI debt recast plan by Jan

‘High input, interest costs hurting Cos’

SBI Caps expects to close the much-awaited debt restructuring plan of the loss-laden national carrier Air India later this month or early February.

"We are hopeful of closing this exercise by the end of January or early next month. We hope Deloitte will submit its report soon so that we can meet this deadline. We expect the Deloitte report shortly, "SBI Capital Markets MD and chief executive S Vishvanathan said.

Early December, the debtridden Air India had appointed global consultancy firm Deloitte to ratify a prospective financial restructuring plan for the company, which was prepared by SBI Caps, the capital markets arm of the State Bank Group, for a reported fee of Rs 25 lakh.

Though the foreign consultant was given one week to 10 days time to complete the exercise, according to a top Air India official, they are yet to get the vetted report.

"We are yet to get the report from Deloitte," a senior official of the carrier told PTI, seeking anonymity. But he quickly added, "the consultant made

Rising input costs and higher interest rates impacted the profitability of India Inc during the first half of the current fiscal, according to a RBI analysis. "... Despite robust revenue growth, companies in aggregate could not generate higher profit margins (during AprilSeptember, 2010-11), primarily on account of higher input prices and a rise in interest outflow," the RBI said.

The report, which was based on a review of the financial results of 2,576 listed companies, said that sales growth -- which remained flat in April-September, 2009 -- was robust in the first half of the current fiscal, mainly on the back of a pick-up in demand.

Sales growth, it added, was more prominent for companies in the manufacturing sector compared to those in the services sector.

"However, profit growth in both the sectors was hit during the first half of 2010-11", the analysis said.

It further said the performance of companies engaged in manufacturing activities dominated the overall performance.

PTI MUMBAI, JAN 16

some presentations to us along with a preliminary report, and we are analysing it."

While asking Deloitte to vet the SBI Caps report, Air India had claimed that the foreign agency was appointed mainly to vet the business plan as an independent aviation consultant before submitting our restructuring plan to the RBI. The national carrier has been saddled with debt running into a massive Rs 40,000 crore. Of this, as much as Rs 18,000 crore is working capital loan taken from a number banks, which extended the loan to the Govt-run airline in consortium.

The remaining Rs 22,000 crore is on due to aircraft orders it had placed with Boeing and Airbus. It has already raised at around Rs 14,000 crore in loans to fund the purchase and is currently in the process of raising more money.

This working capital loan was mostly extended by staterun banks like SBI, PNB, IDBI Banks and Syndicate Bank.

Over the past four fiscals, Air India has accumulated Rs 14,000-crore losses. If the RBI agrees to the proposal, Air India will be able to reduce the interest rate on its working

capital loans to 6-6.5 per cent from the present 12 per cent, considerably reducing its debt servicing burden.

While going strong, the airline had in 2007 placed a massive order worth Rs 44,000 crore with aircraft makers. It had ordered 68 planes from the American company Boeing, while 43 from European aircraft company Airbus.

The Boeing order is guaranteed by the government of India sovereign guarantee as well as the US Exim Bank. Then came 2007, the global economy went into a tizzy and one of the worst hit was the airline industry.

As losses mounted, the government had infused Rs 800 crore into Air India last fiscal and Rs 1,200 crore in the current fiscal. Last fiscal, the airline had incurred a loss of Rs 5,551 crore, down from a loss of Rs 7,189 crore in the previous fiscal. The airline chairman had set a target of bringing this mount of debt by around 75 per cent this fiscal.

Though the domestic aviation sector is on a rebound,, there has not been much improvement in the cash-flow of the national carrier.

No SEBI ban on me or my firms: Anil PTI MUMBAI, JAN 16

Anil Ambani today claimed that his two group firms -- Reliance Infra and RNRL -- settled the SEBI probe voluntarily and the regulator has not imposed any ban on the companies or their directors from participation in the capital market.

Contesting media reports that SEBI barred two group firms and its directors from dealing in the capital market, Ambani told reporters, "SEBI has not banned R-Infra, RNRL, Anil Ambani, other directors from capital markets or from stock markets."

"SEBI has placed no restrictions on raising of equity and debt resources by any Reliance ADA Group company or individual... the matter has been settled through voluntary consent proceedings as stated in the SEBI order," he said.

Ambani's clarification comes in the wake of SEBI passing a consent order on Friday to settle a probe into the alleged violation of regulations for foreign investment and unfair trade practices by Reliance Infra and RNRL. The terms include payment

of Rs 50 crore as settlement charges, which have been paid by the directors without any financial burden on the companies involved.

Furthermore, the two companies, their Chairman Anil Ambani and four other directors offered to abstain from any investment in listed stocks subject to certain conditions, according to the SEBI order.

While R-Infra and RNRL cannot invest in the secondary market till 2012, Chairman Anil Ambani and the other directors will not do so till December, 2011.

However, the debarment of companies and officials does not apply to investments in mutual funds, primary market issues, buybacks and open offers.

The other officials named in the order include Reliance Infra Vice Chairman Satish Seth and three directors -- S C Gupta, Lalit Jalan and J P Chalsani.

The case relates to a probe

by Sebi into dealings in the shares of another Anil Ambani group firm Reliance Communications and alleged violation of foreign investment and unfair

Anil Ambani, chairman of Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group, addresses a press conference in Mumbai on Sunday.

trade practices norms by RInfra and RNRL. "In accordance with SEBI consent mechanism, the settlement is without admission or denial of guilt. Settlement (was) made in interests of investors to preempt unneces-

sary and time-consuming litigation," Ambani said.

SEBI had also said the consent order was without prejudice to its right to initiate enforcement action, including reopening of the proceedings pending against the entities if

CMIE scales up GDP growth to 9.2% PTI MUMBAI, JAN 16

Even as the government and economists have started doubting the maintainability of the high growth rate in the second half of this fiscal due to the wayward inflation and slowing manufacturing, leading economic research agency CMIE has forecast that the economy will grow by a robust 9.2%.

"The economy is expected to better the H1 growth of 8.9 per cent in H2. We expect a higher 9.7 per cent growth in H2, propelled by the farm sector coupled with the trade, transport, communications and hotel segments of the services sector," Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) has said in its monthly review of the economy for January.

It further said performance of the other segments of the services sector like finance, insurance and realty will also improve on the back of strong

PTI MUMBAI, JAN 16

credit off-take.

Driven by a robust growth in the first two quarters, the Finance Ministry had in December revised upward its growth projection for the full fiscal to over 9%, up from 8.5 per cent it had projected in the Budget.

But it seems renewed optimism is losing its sheen as the economy entered the last quarter, primarily because of the wayward ways of food inflation well as the headline inflation, driven by a massive rise in the prices of certain vegetables like onions and tomatoes and the rising crude prices.

After touching an "unacceptably high" 18.32 per cent for the week ended December 25, food inflation dipped by a tad to 16.91 per cent for the week ended January 1. But this pushed up headline inflation which broke its downward trend first time in many months to 8.43 per cent in December, up from 7.48 per cent

in November, forcing government to press the panic button to batten down price rise.

Similarly, crude has been on the boil for quite some months, pushing up losses of oil marketers to nearly Rs 300 crore per day. Crude prices topped USD 92 a barrel late last month and still remain at over USD 90, forcing the government to abandon its plan to hike diesel prices last month. Crude price has been rising on the back of the speeding recovery process of the Western economies.

Again, IIP numbers threw cold waters on growth optimism unexpectedly, as factory production numbers came to trickle in November at 2.7 per cent, hitting an 18-month low.

Economists are worried if crude continued to rise it will pose major challenges to the fiscal tightening measures as India meets 80 per cent of its oil needs by imports.

CMIE pegged growth of farm

and allied sector at a robust 5.1 per cent against a meagre 0.2 per cent it recorded in the last fiscal, following the worst drought in four decades in 2009. It bases its optimism on the extended monsoon this year, which it says, will further help the Rabbi crops.

"We expect the major rabi crops to grow by 7.2 per cent this fiscal, as against a 5.9 per cent decline recorded in the previous season," said report.

"Foodgrain output is slated to see a 5.3 per cent growth this fiscal, against 7 per cent decline last fiscal, while the allied sectors like livestock, forestry, fishing and logging will maintain their normal growth of 2-4 per cent, taking the overall farm output to 5.1 per cent this fiscal."

However, the report does not see any improvement in the performance of the industrial sector which was likely to maintain its growth rate at last

year's level at 9.3 per cent.

The sector logged in a healthy 10.1 per cent in H1, powered by an 11.3 per cent uptick in manufacturing, compared to 6.1 per cent in the same period last year.

Construction sector, too, fared well in H1 with a 9.6 per cent growth against 8.4 per cent in the year-ago period, while mining and quarrying, power and gas, and water segments slowed down to 8.2 per cent, 4.8 per cent, respectively, from 9.1 per cent and 7.1 per cent respectively last fiscal.

Services sector is projected to expand by 10.3 per cent this fiscal, against 8.5 per cent last fiscal, led by the trade and transport segments, says the report. Commodities are also showing impressive growth numbers and is projected to log in 10.5 per cent, in contrast to 7.2 per cent reported in the previous fiscal and 6.3 per cent in the year before that.

any of its terms were breached or any of the representations made before it were found to be untrue.

Asserting that Reliance Power (since RNRL has merged with RPower) will be India's largest power generation company, with a market cap of over Rs 40,000 crore already, Ambani said the company retains the full financial flexibility to raise resources and implement its growth plans.

Similarly, Reliance Infra is also poised to be India's largest infrastructure company, with over a market cap of Rs 22,000 crore, he said.

"In the interests of 11 million investors, directors have made payment of entire settlement fee. No burden on R-Infra and R-Power," he said.

Ambani also said the company has already adopted a policy for mandatory rotation of statutory auditors every three years, as stipulated in SEBI's Consent Order.

When asked whether any other case against him is still pending with SEBI, he said, "No case has been pending against me with SEBI."

Carlson to employ 30k in India PTI MUMBAI, JAN 16

Global hospitality major Carlson, which runs the luxury chain Radisson, plans to open 19 more hotels in India by the year-end and 100 by 2015 with a total expected headcount of 30,000 by then, an official said.

The US-based hotel chain currently employs around 10,000 people across its 34 hotels (3,234 rooms) in India.

"We plan to open 19 more hotels this calender year. These hotels will help generate 6,000 employment opportunities. We already employ around 10,000 people across all our hotels under operation," Carlson president and CEO Hubert Joly said.

The company has already signed management contracts for about 54 hotels, of which 19, with a total of 2,670 rooms, will open this year.

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Tunisia looks to reforms AFP TUNIS, JAN 16

Tunisia's acting leaders looked into political reforms today following the abrupt end of former strongman Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's 23-year rule, as the Arab state veered towards chaos.

Soldiers and tanks were de-

ployed around the capital Tunis after shops and homes were looted extensively and vandals set fire to the main railway station.

The crackle of gunfire echoed yesterday in the largely deserted streets of the city centre, which was sealed off by security forces

to prevent protests.

Tunisia has been under a state of emergency since Friday, with public gatherings banned and a strict dusk-to-dawn curfew in force.

After being formally sworn into office to take over from Ben Ali, the 78-year-old speaker of parliament Foued Mebazaa said that all Tunisians "without ex-

ception" would now be able to take part in national politics.

"A unity government is necessary in the greater national interest," Mebazaa said as the Constitutional Council declared that a presidential election should be held in two months' time.

Outgoing Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi, who had initially said he would be caretaker leader, started to sound out political parties and other groupings on an open political system aimed at breaking with that of Ben Ali. On Saturday afternoon a number of well-known figures filed into the prime minister's office, where they were received separately, according to Mustapha Ben Jaffar, head of the Democratic Forum for Work and Freedoms.

"The discussions revolved around measures to lay the basis for a real democratic process and turn the page on a failed system," Ben Jaffar told AFP. Ghannouchi was to meet today these players to discuss the composition of a government of national unity and holding elections under international supervision.

MONTH’S MIND In every loving memory of

ANTHONY SEBASTIAN ROCHA

ALTINHO – MAPUSA There will be a Requiem Mass for the soul of Anthony on 18th January 2011 (Tuesday) at 8 a.m. at St. Jerome’s Church, Mapusa, followed by prayers and blessings at the grave. Offered by his sorrowful wife Edna, loving children Russell/Grace, Sabrina/Edwin, Rowena / Junot, Greta / Toswyn and grandchildren.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We, the bereaved family express our gratitude to Parish Priest Fr. Francisco De Melo, doctors and staff of Remanso Hospital, relatives, neighbours DQG IULHQGV ZKR DWWHQGHG WKH IXQHUDO RIIHUHG ÀRUDO WULEXWH FDOOHG RQ XV personally and shared in our grief. We regret our inability to thank each one personally.

Relatives and friends kindly accept this as the only intimation.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL

US Congwoman off ventilator PTI HOUSTON, JAN 16

US Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who was gravely injured in a gun attack at a public event in Arizona's Tucson area, is breathing on her own as doctors removed her from a ventilator, although she remains in critical condition.

40-year-old Giffords, a Democrat, underwent a procedure yesterday to have her breathing tube removed and a tracheotomy tube inserted in her windpipe to protect her airways, according to hospital sources.

Giffords, a House Representative, had been breathing on her own since she was shot in the head at the harrowing mass shooting on January 8 by a 22year-old gunman, who killed six people and injured 12 others, but doctors had left the breathing tube in as a precaution.

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GOA, MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 2011

FRENCH DEAL NAILS ZARDARI Pak Prez got millions in submarine kickbacks PTI ISLAMABAD, JAN 16

A Paris magistrate, probing a suspected scam surrounding the sale of three Agosta-class French submarines to Pakistan's navy, has seized as evidence official Pakistani documents detailing how President Asif Ali Zardari "received kickbacks" worth several millions of euros in the deal, says a media report.

The documents, revealed for the first time by Mediapart, a French online publication, show that the payments to Zardari and others took place on the fringes of the sale of three submarines by the French defence contractor DCN to Pakistan in the 1990s. The French sale succeeded against rival offers by Swedish and German contractors.

The sale, and the payment of bribes associated with it - officially termed as commissions - are at the core of what has come to known as the 'Karachi affair', currently the subject of two French judicial investigations. The issue has rocked the French political establishment

with its potential far-reaching ramifications within France, Pakistan's 'The Nation' daily said quoting the Mediapart report.

A key allegation in the developing affair is that the cancellation of commissions paid out in

missions, ordered by former French president Jacques Chirac, was decided after it was discovered they were in part re-routed back to France to fund political activities of Chirac's principal political rival, Edouard

KARACHI A F FA I R

The Ehtesab Cell documents were the object of a formal report by the DNIF, established on June 17th, 2010, and reveal that Zardari received a kickback worth 6,934,296 euros between October and December 1994. the submarine deal was the motive behind a suicide bomb attack in Karachi on May 8, 2002 that left 11 French engineers dead. They were in Pakistan to help build one of the Agosta submarines.

Increasing evidence suggests that cancellation of the com-

Balladur.

The documents now in possession of Paris-based judge Renaud Van Ruymbeke were found during a French police search in June 2010 of the home of Amir Lodhi, one of the intermediaries involved in securing the Agosta contract. Lodhi held a

Nepal Prez asks parties to form national govt

Illegal charcoal: Indian sailors jailed in Somalia AFP MOGADISHU, JAN 16

Nepal’s top three major political parties Chiefs attend a formal function to inaugurate Nepal Tourism year 2011 in Kathmandu, Nepal.

PTI KATHMANDU, JAN 16

Amid fears of chaos in Nepal following the end of the UN peace mission, President Ram Baran Yadav has asked the deadlocked political parties to form a new government based on consensus before January 21.

Yadav, the first president of the Republic, called on the political parties yesterday to elect a Prime Minister before January 21 and form a new government on the basis of national consensus, according to the President's Office.

The President's call comes after Nepali Congress, the second largest party, withdrew its sole Prime Ministerial candidate R C Poudyal last week, paving

the way for a fresh process to elect a new leader.

Nepali Congress decided to ask Poudyal to quit the race amid intense pressure from its key coalition partner CPN-UML, main opposition UCPN (Maoist) and from within the party in a bid to build a consensus to end the deadlock that has derailed the 2006 peace process.

The Parliament had rejected Poudyal in 16th rounds of voting since the resignation of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal.

As Nepal remained in a political deadlock, the UN's blue flag was lowered at the Kathmandu office of the UNMIN, which was established by the world body as a special political mission.

A Mogadishu court jailed 14 Indian sailors for a year for illegally exporting charcoal, court sources said today.

The sailors were arrested last week by Somali coast guards.

Nine of the 14 were present in court yesterday.

"The court sentenced 14 Indian sailors and a Somali woman" who was the owner of the charcoal, judge Hashi Elmi Nur told AFP, adding that the sailors could avoid serving the prison term by paying USD 10,000 (7,500 euros).

In their defence, lawyer Hassan Abdule Farayare argued that because the charcoal had been exported from zones controlled by Islamic insurgents, the court was not competent to try the case.

"The boat and the crew members are not guilty because they exported charcoal from areas the government does not control," he said.

It was the first time that a court had tried foreign nationals for illegally exporting charcoal.

Charcoal is an important source of revenue for the country's Al Qaeda-linked Shebab rebels, which control Kismayo, the biggest port in the south of the country.

‘Italian PM had harem of 14 women outside Milan’

He gave me $9,350: teen ROME: A teenager at the heart of the latest criminal probe of Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi said on Saturday the billionaire media mogul gave her EUR 7,000 (USD 9,350) when she came to a Valentine's Day soiree at his villa but reiterated she didn't have sex with him.

Milan prosecutors were investigating whether Berlusconi paid for sex with an underage girl from Morocco and then abused his power in trying to cover up the encounters.

Berlusconi has criticised the probe, calling the allegations "incredible and grotesque”.

The teenager, said in an interview on Sky TG24 TV that Berlusconi didn't know she was a minor when she was invited to his villa near Milan last year "because I told everyone I was 24”, not 17.

Asked why Berlusconi gave her the money at the first of several evening parties she said she attended at one of his villas outside Milan, she replied, "because I had just arrived in Milan and he knew of my difficult family situation" and wanted to help.

As in other interviews she has given, she reiterated that there was "absolutely no" sex between them. stealer". Prosecutors in Milan are demanding that he be put on trial immediately for having sex with an underage prostitute.

A court recently lifted partially Berlusconi's immunity

from prosecution for trial on a charge of having sex with the dancer when she was 17. Sex with a prostitute under 18 is punishable by up to three years in jail in Italy.

Miss America contestant Teresa Scanlan (C) from Nebraska being crowned Miss America 2011 by Miss America 2010 Caressa Cameron (L) during the pageant final held in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

Pak seeks full resumption of composite dialogue PTI ISLAMABAD, JAN 16

Pakistan has insisted on the fullfledged resumption of the composite dialogue in proposals submitted to India through diplomatic channels ahead of the upcoming meeting of the Foreign Secretaries of the two countries.

The two countries have exchanged several proposals in the run-up to the meeting of the Foreign Secretaries on the sidelines of a SAARC meet to be held in Bhutan on February 67.

The most recent exchange of proposals by diplomats was in Islamabad yesterday, a senior official of the Pakistani government said.

Pakistan has called for the "restoration of the full spectrum of relations" and resumption of talks on all issues included in the stalled composite dialogue, the official said.

He added that Islamabad is also trying to convince New Delhi to work for a "positive outcome" in the meeting of Foreign Ministers to be held after the parleys between the Foreign Secretaries.

Egypt church attacker gets death rap AGENCIES CAIRO, JAN 16

Judicial officials say a court in southern Egypt has convicted a Muslim man in last year's Christmas drive by shooting at a church and sentenced him to death.

They say the court will announce its verdict next month for the other two defendants accused in the January 06 attack, which killed six Christian worshippers and a Muslim guard.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to share the information with the media.

PTI LONDON, JAN 16

Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi reportedly maintained a harem of 14 glamorous young women in apartments in a gated complex outside Milan.

The women lived rent-free in the estate and were given large sums of cash by the billionaire Italian politician in return for sex, 'The Independent' reported, citing leaks from prosecutors in Milan.

Milano Due was one of the first gated housing estates in Italy, a sprawling complex of apartments set in landscaped gardens, built by Berlusconi himself in the 1970s when he was a thrusting young property developer.

With underground parking, a supermarket, bars and other facilities, it is one of the most fashionable addresses in the Milan hinterland. When Berlusconi moved into television he located the headquarters of Mediaset, his TV company, here.

But in his declining years, the estate has also become the headquarters of his harem, Italian daily 'Corriere della Sera' said, in yet another blow to the battered image of the Prime Minister as he prepares to defend himself against what could be the gravest crisis of his political career.

The existence of the flats was revealed by Karima El Mahroug, a teenage bellydancer from Morocco who trades under the name of Ruby Rubacuori, "Ruby heart-

copy of a report by a Pakistani anti-corruption service, the Ehtesab Cell, the report said.

Lodhi, 61, the brother of a former Pakistani ambassador to the UN, is a close friend of Zardari, who became President in 2008 one year after the assassination of his wife Benazir Bhutto.

The raid on Lodhi's home in the French capital was carried out by detectives from the French police national financial investigation division, the DNIF. The Ehtesab Cell documents were the object of a formal report by the DNIF, established on June 17th, 2010, and reveal that Zardari received a kickback worth 6,934,296 euros between October and December 1994, the report said.

That report is now among the evidence collected by Van Ruymbeke in his investigation into the financial aspect of the Agosta submarine sale, and in particular whether commissions paid abroad were re-routed to fund political activities within France.

No headway in Pak’s 26/11 probe: Pillai India today said attempt to bring the guilty in Mumbai attacks to justice "has not moved an inch" in Pakistan and hoped that country will learn from New Delhi's "fair" handling of the Samjhauta Express blast case and punish the perpetrators of the 26/11 carnage.

Home Secretary Gopal K Pillai said "no real investigation" has taken place in Pakistan and the prosecution attempt in that country to bring the 26/11 guilty to justice "has not moved an inch" even as India's request for providing the voice samples of the handlers of the attackers has fallen on deaf ears.

When Home Minister P Chidambaram asked for action against the 26/11 perpetrators and voice samples of handlers of the attackers during his Islamabad visit last year, his Pakistani counterpart Rehman Malik told him that "you would not be disappointed by our response". (PTI) The Foreign Ministers are expected to meet in the first quarter of the year, possibly in March, in New Delhi.

External Affairs Minister S M Krishna recently renewed his invitation to his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi to visit India for talks.

Though Krishna first extended the invitation when he visited Islamabad in July last year, Qureshi's visit has been delayed because the two sides have not been able to find common ground on the agenda for talks between the Foreign Ministers, sources in Pakistan's Foreign Office told PTI.

Bashir likely to be Pak’s next envoy to India PTI ISLAMABAD, JAN 16

Pakistan may appoint Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir as its next High Commissioner to India to replace current incumbent Shahid Malik, whose term is set to end in June.

The government had considered the possibilities of posting Bashir as Pakistan's permanent representative to the UN, the Ambassador to the US or the High Commissioner to India, sources in the Foreign Office said.

However, with President Asif Ali Zardari reluctant to replace Hussain Haqqani as the envoy in Washington and with Hussain Haroon reviewing his call to be replaced as the permanent representative to the UN, the government had come round to the possibility of sending Bashir to New Delhi, the sources told PTI.

Muslim scholars to look into of blasphemy law PTI KARACHI, JAN 16

A group of Muslim religious scholars in Pakistan have said they would form a committee to look into the misuse of the controversial blasphemy law, amid accusations that it was being used to settle rivalries.

The group comprising members from different Islamic sects met Interior Minister Rehman Malik here yesterday.

Following the meeting, they announced that they would form a 10-member committee to look into the issue of misuse of the blasphemy law.

The group spearhead, Haji Hanif Tayyab, a Barelvi Sunni Muslim leader, said the purpose was to address concerns about misuse of the law.

Civil and human rights activists have said that the blasphemy law is often used to settle rivalries or persecute religious minorities.

The law came under debate after a Christian woman was sentenced to death after being convicted under the law for insulting Prophet Mohammad.

Former Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer, who was a vocal proponent for changes in the controversial law, was killed recently by his security guard, who said he was upset by the former's statements.

Search for Aussie flood victims continue AGENCIES BRISBANE, JAN 16

Survivors of devastating Australian floods sought solace on Sunday in church services while emergency workers searched through sodden wrecked homes for victims.

Three weeks of flooding across Australia's northeast have left a vast territory underwater and caused 27 deaths, most of them from a flash flood that hit towns west of Brisbane on Monday. Fourteen people are still missing.

In Grantham, described as the epicentre of the flash flood, 70 percent of the town remained cordoned off while searchers looked for bodies. The body of

one woman was found Sunday in her wrecked house.

"People I hope will understand the pressure that the police are working under in these sorts of circumstances and be patient," Queensland state Premier Anna Bligh said. "They are working as hard as they can to be in a position to allow people back into Grantham as quickly as possible."

The wall of water that swept through the town left dozens of smashed cars wedged in trees or bogged in fields, tilted houses off foundations and piled up muddied belongings in the streets.

In nearby Murphys Creek, a church service at the local pub

was held for survivors to grieve and remember their lost friends and family.

"Words really cannot express what the people of the Lockyer Valley are feeling at the moment," local parliament repre-

sentative Scott Buchholz said after the service. They "are emotionally fragile yet display a bravery that is remarkable”.

Cleanup continued in Australia's third-largest city, Brisbane, where 30,000 homes and businesses were flooded. The complete cleanup could take months and reconstruction up to two years.

The engorged rivers that flooded towns in Queensland state have spread into states to the south. In New South Wales, nearly 7,000 people have been isolated by floodwaters that overflowed highways and emergency services helicopters airdropped food and other supplies to residents.

Made in China porcelain for William’s wedding AGENCIES BEILIU, JAN16

A Chinese porcelain manufacturing company has won the order to make the official tableware to be used at the British royal wedding of Prince William and his fiancée Kate Middleton.

Guangxi Sanhuan Group, based in Beiliu, a city in China's southern Guangxi province known locally for its ceramics and porcelain ware, said they came out tops over more than 500 companies bidding to produce royal wedding porcelain, fighting off stiff competition from manufacturers around the globe.

The company is now taxed with producing some 16,000 porcelain tableware products to be used at the wedding.

Company officials said the products are divided into five categories including a dining plate, a coffee cup and saucer set, a commemorative mug and a souvenir plate. They will be either used at the wedding or given to wedding guests as souvenirs.

The design is generally a uniform one featuring a photo-

F R O M

C H I N A

W I T H

L OV E

Guangxi Sanhuan Group came out tops over more than 500 companies bidding to produce royal wedding porcelain, fighting off stiff competition from manufacturers around the globe.

The products are divided into five categories including a dining plate, a coffee cup and saucer set, a commemorative mug and a souvenir plate.

They will be either used at the wedding or given to wedding guests as souvenirs. graph of Prince William and Kate Middleton inside a heart shape with the words "William and Catherine" written below.

"When we won the order, our company bosses were very happy and excited," said Gary Qiu, a marketing manager for the Guangxi Sanhuan Group.

"They paid great attention to

it. The entire production process including its preparation was worked on a very tight schedule.

Also, we used one of the most advanced kilns in China to make these products."

Established in 1987, Guangxi Sanhuan is a modern Chinese success story -- a once stateowned company that has now

gone private, tailoring a reputation of being a quality manufacturer for ceramics and porcelain over the last decade.

It employs more than 8,000 and is known for producing high-end table and dining ware for export to Europe, the United States and Southeast Asia. Qiu said a special high-fire glazing

technique is being used to manufacture the wedding porcelain, with the plates and mugs being set at temperatures of more than 1600 degrees C in the kilns.

This will ensure the longevity of the china, a theme the company used in its winning bid for the order.

"As long as this plate is not broken or smashed up, it will never change," Qiu added.

"This fits into our theme for everlasting love and thus with this we give our blessings to the prince and his future wife, as well as to the wedding."

The company is set to finish the production of the porcelain by the middle of January and its workers are pleased by the publicity generated by the order.

"When we knew about this, we felt very happy and very proud," said 31-year-old worker He Kun. Besides this official order, other Chinese manufacturers have already been cashing in on the royal wedding as they churn out tens of thousands of replica royal engagement rings as well as other imitation wedding memorabilia that are in demand globally.

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GOA, Monday, 17 January, 2011

Dempo fight back, edge past Pune R E S U LT Dempo 2 Pune FC 1 HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, JAN 16

Man-of-the match Brazilian playmaker Roberto Mendes da Silva inspired Dempo Sports Club to a morale-boosting 2-1 win over Pune Football Club in a 9th round match of I-League at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, here on Sunday. Dempo were trailing 0-1 at the breather.

Both teams started on an aggressive note and it was Dempo who had a scoring opportunity in the 11th minute when Clifton Gonsalves outpaced rival defenders and also beat rival goalkeeper Balaji Narasimhan but his goal-bound try was saved by Pune defender Selwyn Fernandes on the goalline.

The miss proved costly as Pune took the lead in the 16th when striker Keita Mandjou unleashed a snap shot which beat

Dempo’s Beto scores past Pune goalkeeper Balaji at Fatorda on Sunday.

advancing Dempo goalkeeper Laximikant Kattimani off a pass from midfielder Krishnan Nair Ajayan.

Pune could have doubled the lead in the 25th thanks to Dempo central defender John Dias’ sloppy defending. The ball rolled to striker Keita with only Dempo goalkeeper Kattimani to beat but Keita ballooned it over.

Dempo were a pale shadow

GFA 2nd Division: Goa Police SC v. St. Matthew SC, Don Bosco ground, Panjim; Fr Agnelo Youth SC, v. Maina SC, Curtorim ground; St Cruz Society of Poitamado, Cuncolim ground, 4 p.m.

GFA U-16: Betalbatim Sporting Club v. Cana Benaulim SA, Betalbatim ground, 4 p.m.

GFA U-14: Rossman Cruz Nagoa SC v. Ambelim SC, Nagoa ground, 4 p.m.

All-Goa Romeo memorial football second quarters: F C Siolim v. Club Sao Minguel de Taleigao, Santa Cruz village school playground, 4.30 p.m.

5th Reira Cup soccer: Rossman Cruz Nagoa Sports Club v. Sinquerim Sports Club, Saligao Sporting ground, 4.45 p.m.

Assolna Seamen Cup quarter-final: Cuncolim Union v.

Sao Jose de Areal, GPS ground, Assolna, 4.30 p.m.

of themselves. They were offcolour, unable to strike a rhythm. Pune nearly found more success but striker Keita squandered an easy scoring chance with only the rival goalkeeper at his mercy as he blasted wide after being fed by Ajayan inside the rival box in the 35th minute.

In the last 15 minute of the opening session, Dempo came back strongly but striker Ranty Martins who was in an ideal position delayed in cracking at the goal and the ball deflected from a rival defender’s leg to substitute Joe Rodrigues whose shot deflected from a rival defender

Photo: Third Eye.

and went out.

Striker Ranty Martins spurn an easy chance sending the ball wide from five yards out after he was fed by Debabarata Roy. Later, Roberto’s well executed free kick was fisted away by the Pune goalkeeper.

Dempo put up a much better performance after the break.

They nearly found the equaliser but Pune goalkeeper Balaji fisted away the shot and Clifton shot wide from handshaking distance the rebound.

At the other end, Dempo’s citadel had a narrow escape in the 57th minute as striker Keita

unleashed a stiff shot but Dempo goalkeeper Kattimani came to his side’s rescue.

Dempo were unlucky in the 65th minute. Following a flag kick taken by Debarata Roy, substitute Rouhollah Samiena backheeled but his try was thwarted

by Gurjinder Kumar on the goalline after goalkeeper Balaji was beaten.

Dempo equalised in the 76th minute when captain Ranty’s glancing header off Roberto beat Pune goalkeeper Balaji.

A charged up Dempo mounted pressure thereafter and their hard work was rewarded in the 84th minute through a penalty. Ranty, who moved from the flank after receiving a through pass from Roberto was brought down by goalkeeper Balaji inside the penalty box prompting referee Deepak Singh to award the penalty. Roberto had no difficulty in converting the spot kick to give Dempo three valuable points.

Dempo were unlucky at the stoke of full time when Roberto’s smart header kissed the crossbar and off the rebound substitute Micky Fernandes headed it out.

Meanwhile, the Pune Football Club boss was involved in a heated argument with Match

No boxing coach at Ponda’s SAI Hostel for 11 months HERALD SPORTS REPORTER PANJIM, JAN 16

“It is shameful to mention that Sports Authority of India Hostel, Ponda which has 14 'potential boxers' as hostelites has been running without a boxing coach for the last 11 months,” divulged Lenny Gama, coordinator and technical advisor, Goa Amateur Boxing Association.

Despite, GABA and parents

of the boxers approaching the Administrator, SAI Hostel, Regional Director of SAI-West, Executive Director SAI (Personnel and Coaching, New Delhi) and Director of Sports and Youth Affairs (Goa), nothing has happened and the 14 boxers are growing as good as orphans in the hostel,” Lenny pointed out.

“The Sports Authority of India is supposed to come up with schemes to produce out-

standing sportspersons, but here is an example where they are clearly killing potential sportspersons,” Lenny remarked. “ The Government needs to take a serious view at the way the SAI Hostel, Ponda is being run as it does not even have a permanent warden and the monitoring committee is practically non-existent,” Lenny stated.

Commissioner Goutam Kar questioning the wisdom in awarding the penalty. Later he along with others hurled abuses at the supervising officials.

There was a security lapse on the part of GFA Local Organizing Committee as the Pune boss alongwith the others entered the ground and were involved in a heated argument with the referee. There was no one from GFA to escort the referee.

Pune coach Derick Pereira was happy with his team’s performance but said that poor refereeing had played its part in the team’s loss. Pereira said: “I never comment on the referee’s decisions but the referee denied us two legitimate penalties.”

E Bengal 9 7-2-0 23 points Salgaocar 9 6-0-3 18 points Churchill 9 4-4-1 16 points Dempo 9 4-4-1 16 points Chirag 9 3-5-1 14 points Mumbai 9 4-2-3 14 points M Bagan 9 3-2-4 11 points JCT 9 3-2-4 11 points AIFF 9 2-3-4 9 points Pune 9 1-5-3 8 points HAL 9 2-2-5 8 points ONGC 9 1-4-4 7 points V Kerala 9 1-4-4 7 points Air India 9 0-5-4 5 points

Goa enter third round HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, JAN 16

Goa University entered the third round of West Zone Inter-University Volleyball tournament in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

In the first encounter, Goa beat University of Kota in straight sets 25-17, 25-14, 25-17. In the second round, they defeated Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner 18-25, 25-21, 25-13, 2523. Rama Dhawaskar, Atikesh Khedekar, Mayuresh Dessai and Aaron Pereira were outstanding for Goa.

Saligao United squeeze past Pilerne HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, JAN 16

Saligao United scored a narrow 1-0 win over neighbours Pilerne SC and earned a place in the last four of all-Goa Romeo memorial football tournament at

Santa Cruz village school playground, on Sunday.

In an equally balanced contest, both the teams failed to find the rhythm going in the first half and clear cut chances were hard to come. The ball was largely confined to the midfield with both the teams intent in playing the waiting game.

However, the game came alive in the second half as Pilerne SC broke from the shackles and started making deep forays into the Saligao territory in search of a goal. Vigilant Saligao de-

Vaddy down Agasaim HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, JAN 16

Two first half strikes gave Vaddy Sports Club three points as they defeated Agasaim Youth Club 2-0 in GFA’S 2nd Division League at Taleigao ground, Panjim on Sunday.

The teams worked hard from the kick-off to try and take the early advantage, in what was both teams’ first league encounter of the season.

Amol Vernekar gave Vaddy the lead punting in early on. Just before the half time, Nathan Negredo struck to double the lead for Vaddy.

After the interval, Agasaim attacked aggressively down the wings, but still could not get past the stubborn Vaddy defence.

fence did not give the Pilerne forwards too much space in the danger area and thwarted every move. The Pilerne forwards too were guilty of shooting way off target whenever they had the opportunity to test the goalkeeper.

Having failed to take their opportunities, Pilerne were then made to pay as a counter move

by Saligao caught the Pilerne defence unawares. In a move that started from the centre, Abhijit Govenkar ran solo into the Pilerne territory and then beau-

tifully passed to an unmarked Marthino Fernandes who wasted no time in unleashing a booming shot into the goal past a hapless Pilerne goalie to give Saligao a 1-0 win with only a couple of minutes remaining.

Referee Joao Pereira gave the marching orders to Sapnil Betadkar in the dying minutes of the match after he received his second yellow card. Yellow cards were also flashed to Agusto Monteiro of Pilerne SC and Tyson Fernandes and James Soares of Saligao United.

Savio helps Dicarpale move into quarters HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, JAN 16

Dicarpale Sports Club trounced Penha de Franca 4-1 to move into the quarter-finals of 5th Reira Cup inter-village football tournament organised by Saligao Sporting Club at Sporting ground, Saligao on Sunday.

Dicarpale began the match on a promising note and shot into lead in the 8th minute through William.

Penha tried to bounce back into the game but were undone by another goal by William in the 15th minute. Savio consolidated the lead for Dicarpale in the 22nd minute.

Changing over, Savio scored again for Dicarpale in the 45th minute to take the game away from Penha. Down by four goals, Penha fought back and scored the consolation goal in the 52nd minute through Verassimo.

Mareela stars in Goa’s victory

PANJIM (HSD) -- Goa University defeated strong Madras University 1-0 to qualify for all-India I n t e r - U n i v e r s i t y Fo o t b a l l

(women) Championship. Mareela Xavier scored the winning goal on a pass from Malvita Mascarenhas after the break.

Goa taekwondo team excels

The Goa Taekwondo Association team which secured 7 gold, 4 silver and 5 bronze medals at National Poomse and National Zonal Taekwondo Championship in Bangalore alongwith Col P. S. Chandrashekar of 6 TTR, Ponda and R. D. Mangeshkar, president TAG. HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, JAN 16

The Taekwondo Association of Goa made the State proud securing 7 gold, 4 silver and 5 bronze medals at National Poomse and National Zonal Taekwondo Championship in Bangalore.

The medal winners are Angela Naik, Carlos Lourenco, Elizabeth Luis, Tanvi Nadkarni, Lysha Fernandes, Sanida Fernandes,

Sneha Naik, P. Srawana Kumar, Vijeta Kalkal, Marolif Fernandes, Sandeep Reswal, Disha Kerkar and Siraj Khan.

The Poomse Team of Goa also qualified to represent India at Commonwealth Poomse Championship to be held in Chennai from January 28 to 31.

The team was received at Ponda Indoor Stadium by Col P. S. Chandrashekar of 6 TTR,

Ponda and R.D. Mangeshkar, president TAG. Col Chandrashekhar congratulated the team members for winning medals and the association for the hard work.

Avita Bandodkar, Sports Officer of Ponda congratulated the winning team members and the association. Theophile Lowe and Reshma Rane are the SAG coaches accompanying the Goa team.

Pg 17

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GOA, Monday, 17 January, 2011

Kim, Shivanand, Aliston, Hilton, Shisham, Adnan qualify

HERALD SPORTS REPORTER PANJIM, JAN 16

Daniel Kim, Shivanand, Aliston G, Hilton F, Shisham and Adnan

Fr. Agnelo enter finals HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, JAN 16

Hosts Fr. Agnelo Youth Sports Club, Paroda trounced Rossman Sports Club, Nagoa, Verna 2-1 to enter the finals of Fr. Agnelo Youth Intervillage Football Tournament organised by Fr. Agnelo Youth Sports Club, Cotombi, Paroda, at panchayat ground, Avedem, Paroda.

Both teams started in right earnest and looked keen to find the net. The game was laced with good network of passes in both camps.

Fr. Agnelo finally took the lead in the 21st minute through Anthony Fernandes off a pass from his teammate. Down by a goal, Rossman fought back and levelled terms in the dying minutes of the first half when a stiff grounder from Santano Braganza found the back of the net.

Crossing over Fr. Agnelo created many openings and finally took the winning lead through Luis Oliveiro in the 26th minute of the last session. Fr. Agnelo will clash with Mandopa Sports Club, Navelim in the finals on Sunday, January 23.

108 Ambulance win

CALANGUTE (HC) -- The 108 Ambulance Services Team won the 8th all-Goa Tennis Ball Cricket tournament organised by Young Boys of Sor vem, Guirim at Sorvem-Guirim defeating Dashing Cricketers of Porvorim in the keenly contested finals.

Trajano D'Mello was the chief guest and gave away the prizes to the winners. Following individual prizes were awarded: best batsman - Sunny Kavlekar (108 Ambulance).

Best Bowler - Kamlesh (Dashing Cricketers). Man-of-the-Series: Sada Kavlekar (108 Ambulance).

made it to the finals of Amaron Karting Challenge Season 3 to be held in Hyderabad on February 7 after the sixth regional

round at Go-A-Karting, Nuvem on Sunday.

With consistence performance across all the rounds, the

six racers were the top qualifiers in the last round of the races held amongst roaring sound of engines, cheer and ecstatic

crowd.

Having started on Saturday, AKC season 3 saw an overwhelming response with more than 5000 students from across the top schools of Goa registering for the races. The selected participants were divided in batches and the fastest 64 were chosen to race in the main race today.

The track event today was conducted with the selected 64 being divided into eight batches of eight. The batches were made to race one by one and the top four from these races moved on to the next level. Three times Rotax India champion and Amaron Pro Racing driver Parth Ghorpade was present to provide tips to the aspiring racers from Goa and to give a unique demo race.

The most gripping moment of the day was the last race when the eight fastest contestants raced together displaying impeccable performances. The race ended with the announcement of the top six finishers se-

lected for the grand finals of AKC season 3, winners of which to be awarded scholarship of upto Rs 10 lakh and professional training by Amaron Pro Racing with MECO Motor Sports.

Amaron Karting Challenge is the only talent hunt in India that scouts and discovers talent at the grassroot level. Amaron Karting Challenge Season 3 will span across nine cities namely Goa, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Mumbai, Kolhapur, Delhi, Chennai, Chandigarh and Hyderabad.

Taking this sport to masses, Amaron also gave opportunity to college and corporates enthusiasts to race at the support races. The intent of the support races is to take speed off the streets and onto the race tracks.

While the participants (16-24 years) under this category will not compete for the Amaron Karting Challenge Season 3 trophy, their lap times will be monitored and top finishers will get invitation to participate in Volkswagen Polo Cup 2011.

Polem pip Shiroda, claim Lolyekar trophy HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, JAN 16 Polem Cricket Club defeated Shiroda Youth to clinch the 30th Nanda J. Lolyekar rolling trophy tournament organised by Mashem Cricket Club, Canacona at Nirakar Maidan Dapot, Mashem.

Shiroda won the toss and elected to bat. They scored 218 all out in 34.1 overs. Vishwajeet Fadate 38, Pouras Rane 30 and Salman Sheikh 22 were the scorers for Shiroda.

For Polem, Dhaval Gosavi claimed 2/35 and Deepak Pagi 2/28.

Sandesh

In reply, Polem Cricket Club scored 222/6 in 31.3 overs.

Sandesh Naik topscored for Polem with 70 runs (12x4), Ketan Desai 63 (5x4,4x6) and Shoumik Kolambakar 25 (N.O) while Ritesh Sharma grabbed 4/34 and Suny Gawde took a wicket for Shiroda.

Earlier, chief guest Ajay Lolyekar, ex-sarpanch inaugurated the tournament in the presence of Urmila L o l y e k a r, p a n c h , D a y a Pagi, ZP member and Sudesh Prabhudesai, GC A m e m b e r w e re a l s o p re s ent.

Goa girls beat Andhra HERALD SPORTS REPORTER PANJIM, JAN 16

Goa beat Andhra by three runs in South Zone women’s T20 in Hyderabad on Sunday. Goa gained four points.

Andhra won the toss and opted to field. Goa scored 99 (Resha Rawal 27, Crista Songa 3, Sunanda Yetrekar 10, Salma

Divker 0, Shikha Pandey 11, Santoshi Rane 28, Marlene Colaco 5, Freeda Pereira 3, Shilpa Gawas not out 0, Bharti KG not out 1.

Extras 11. Total 99 for 8.

Andhra 96 for 9 (T Shilpa Chandran 29 not out, S Monika Sai 15. Shikha Pandey, Santoshi Rane, Marlene Colaco, Sunanda Yetrekar one each.

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GOA, MONDAY, 17 JANUARY, 2011 www.oheraldo.in

Man Utd held, remain atop AP LONDON, JAN 16

Manchester United survived the second-half sending-off of right back Rafael to hold Tottenham to a 0-0 draw at White Hart Lane on Sunday and remain unbeaten in the Premier League.

The Brazilian defender picked up a second booking for tripping Benoit Assou-Ekotto in the 74th minute but the visitors hung on to remain atop the standings, above Manchester City on goal difference.

Tottenham needed a win to go above Chelsea into fourth place and almost took maximum points when Rafael van der Vaart’s curling shot in the 80th flew narrowly over.

Liverpool drew 2-2 with local rival Everton to leave Kenny Dalglish still without a win in his second spell in charge of the Reds, while Birmingham-Aston Villa and Sunderland-Newcastle both finished 1-1.

In BrIef Qatar reach quarters Host Qatar reached the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup for only the second time in its history with an easy 3-0 win over Gulf rival Kuwait on Sunday. Two goals in five minutes at Khalifa Stadium set Bruno Metsu’s side on its way.

Bilal Mohammed planted a far-post header into the bottom corner in the 11th before Mohamed El Sayed took advantage of a goalmouth scramble to curl in the second in the 16th.

Substitute Fabio Cesar wrapped up the victory in the 86th miute.

Richardson is new Windies manager Former international batsman Richie Richardson has been named the new West Indies team manager, the West Indies Cricket Board said. The ex-West Indies captain, has been appointed for a two-year term and will be in charge for the side's tour to Sri Lanka for three one-day games staring January 31 to be followed by the World Cup in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The 49-year-old Antiguan will work alongside coach Otis Gibson and skipper Darren Sammy.

Lofthouse no more Former Bolton Wanderers and England striker Nat Lofthouse died in his sleep at the age of 85, the club announced on their website (www.bwfc.co.uk) on Sunday. Lofthouse spent his entire playing career at the northern England club where he amassed more than 500 appearances in the league, scoring 255 league goals between 1946-60. He also found the net 30 times in domestic cup competition. At international level, Lofthouse represented England on 33 occasions, scoring 30 goals.

North Korea fined $2,000 at Asian Cup The Asian Football Confederation has fined North Korea $2,000 for failing to bring a player to an Asian Cup news conference. The fine, announced Sunday, is the latest to be imposed on teams at the tournament in Doha, Qatar for violating the AFC’s media policy.

Qatar has also been fined $2,000 for the same offence.

kim, Shivanand, Aliston, Hilton, Shisham, Adnan qualify Pg 17

Dempo fight back, edge past Pune Pg 16

No surprises expected PTI CHENNAI, JAN 16

No major surprises are in the offing but a lot of brainstorming on a couple of spots is still expected when the five-member selection panel sits down to pick India’s final 15-member squad for the ICC cricket World Cup here tomorrow.

The list of 30 probables will be pruned to half tomorrow and no big star is expected to be left out of the final squad for the mega-event starting February 19.

However, just a day before the selection meeting, doubts have arisen over veteran Sachin Tendulkar's availability after he pulled out of the remainder of the ODI series in South Africa as a precautionary measure after sustaining a hamstring injury.

But going by indications, the injury is not serious and Tendulkar will be making his sixth World Cup appearance. The champions batsman has been withdrawn from the remaining three ODIs against South Africa and will return home immediately to give him enough rest before the mega-event starting February 19.

But if Tendulkar is found unfit, which is highly unlikely, Tamil Nadu opener Murali Vijay is expected to take his place in the side.

The rest of the batting lineup is, however, expected to have familiar and established stars.

The opening slots will be filled

by Virender Sehwag, and Gautam Gambhir and it will be interesting to see whether reserve opener

Assefa, Yal shine in Mumbai run PTI MUMBAI, JAN 16

Ethiopians Girma Assefa and Koren Yal set new course records to complete a sweep for the African country, winning the men's and women's honours at the eighth edition of the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon here today.

Assefa completed the 42.1km race in two hours, nine minutes and 54 seconds beating the previous record of 2:11:54s set

by Kenya's Kenneth Mungara two years ago.

He was followed by compatriot Botor Segaye Wolde, who completed the run clocking 2:09:57s. Kenya's Patrick Muriuki was third with a timing of 2:10:00s.

WC Squad SeleCtion BATTING

l If Sachin Tendulkar is found unfit, which is highly unlikely, Tamil Nadu opener Murali Vijay is expected to take his place. l The opening slots will be filled by Virender Sehwag, and Gautam Gambhir and it will be interesting to see whether reserve opener Vijay stands a chance as both the first-choice batsmen have been given precautionary rest to heal their niggles. l The middle-order will most certainly feature the never to be underestimated Yuvraj Singh, who returned to form on Saturday with a well-made 53, and the young trio of Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

BOWLING l Zaheer Khan will lead the attack and in all probability his pacer partners would be chosen from the quartet of Ashish Nehra, S Sreesanth, Munaf Patel and Ishant Sharma. l Harbhajan Singh will spearhead the slow bowling department but it is hard to guess on who among Amit Mishra, Piyush Chawla and Pragyan Ojha would get the selectors' nod. l The all-rounder's slot has always been a selection headache but despite the absence of options, it would be quite a gamble to pick an inconsistent Ravindra Jadeja.

KEEPING l It remains to be seen whether the selectors will opt to have a reserve wicket-keeper in the squad in case of an injury to skipper-stumper Dhoni. l The toss up then will be between Parthiv Patel and Dinesh Karthik even though Wriddhimaan Saha has also been tested in the past one year.

Vijay stands a chance as both the first-choice batsmen have been given precautionary rest to heal their niggles.

The middle-order will most certainly feature the never to be underestimated Yuvraj Singh, who returned to form yesterday with a well-made 53, and the young trio of Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

The ongoing ODI series in South Africa was supposed to give a chance to the probables to prove their worth but skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has already poured cold water on suggestions that the performance there would make much of a difference to the World Cup squad.

"Not really, as not just one

Watson gives Aussies victory AGENCIES MELBOURNE, JAN 16

A superb solo effort by Shane Watson with the bat enabled Australia to overcome a sloppy fielding effort and beat England in the opening one-day international at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.

One of the few Australians to emerge with his reputation intact after the Ashes disaster, Watson's brilliant unbeaten 161 enabled the home side to chase down England's imposing total of 294 from 49.4 overs with five balls to spare.

Fittingly, the right-hander hit the winning runs from the first ball of the last over, lofting Ajmal

Shahzad over long-on for six to take Australia to 297-4.

He and Brad Haddin laid the foundation for the win with a 110-run partnership, although another scratchy innings by captain Michael Clarke threatened to derail the chase.

Clarke put on 103 with Watson for the second wicket, but again looked sadly out of form and often earned ironic cheers from the crowd when he managed to score as he eked out 36 from 57 balls.

The solo effort of Watson, dropped on 44 by Jonathan Trott from the bowling of Chris Tremlett at mid-on, spared Australian blushes after a hapless performance in the field.

performance will matter. Guys who have worked hard for the last year-and-a-half they may get a chance.”

"I think for the World Cup, fight is on for just one or two position as rest of the players will choose themselves. Basically, it is up to the selectors," Dhoni has said.

On the bowling front, India does not have much of a pool to choose from. The inspirational Zaheer Khan will lead the attack and in all probability his pacer partners would be chosen from the quartet of Ashish Nehra, S Sreesanth, Munaf Patel and Ishant Sharma.

Of these, Sreesanth, Ishant and Munaf have come up with reasonably good performances in the series against South Africa.

Harbhajan Singh will spearhead the slow bowling department but it is hard to guess on who among Amit Mishra, Piyush Chawla and Pragyan Ojha would get the selectors' nod in the pruned squad.

The all-rounder's slot has always been a selection headache but despite the absence of options, it would be quite a gamble to pick an inconsistent Ravindra Jadeja.

It remains to be seen whether the selectors will opt to have a reserve wicket-keeper in the squad in case of an injury to skipper-stumper Dhoni. The toss up then will be between Parthiv Patel and Dinesh Karthik even though Wriddhimaan Saha has also been tested in the past one year.

Pak make strong reply AGENCIES WELLINGTON, JAN 16

Taufeeq Umar and Azhar Ali both stroked patient half centuries after the loss of an early wicket to guide Pakistan to 134 for two in reply to New Zealand's 356 at the end of play on the second day of the second Test at the Basin Reserve on Sunday.

Taufeeq blotted his copybook when he was dismissed on the last ball of the day, caught in close by Martin Guptill off Daniel Vettori for 70.

Azhar was not out 62 after he and Taufeeq had combined for a 132-run partnership following the early loss of Mohammad Hafeez for one, when he was given out caught by wicketkeeper Reece Young off Tim Southee to leave Pakistan reeling at 2-1.

Lee-Hesh aim to win Oz Open PTI MELBOURNE, JAN 16

All eyes will be on Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi as the ‘Indian Express’ returns to Grand Slam tournaments for the first time in nine years with an aim to win that elusive Australian Open trophy even as Somdev Devvarman and Sania Mirza will be the Indian faces in the singles events.

Lee-Hesh warmed up for the first Grand Slam of the season with a victory at the Chennai Open but it won't be easy for them at the Australian Open -starting tomorrow -- as the competition will be fierce with some formidable pairs in the fray.

The last Grand Slam they won together was French Open in 2001 and have not competed on the ATP Circuit together since parting ways in 2002.

Incidentally, Bhupathi has not won a men's doubles Grand Slam title since winning US Open with Max Mirnyi in 2002.

Paes has been successful in

adding three men's titles apart from winning three with Bhupathi. He won US Open in 2006 with Martin Damm and lifted two trophies (French Open in 2006 and US Open in 2009) with Luaks Dlouhy.

But Paes and Bhupathi played together for the nation in Davis Cup and Commonwealth Games so chemistry is not a problem but the effects of growing age have started to show.

Agility and sharpness plays a big role in the doubles matches and the Indian duo will have to

be in best form and fitness if they wish to complete their Slam tally.

Rohan Bopanna is another Indian player to watch out for who created waves last season by reaching the US Open finals along with Pakistani partner Aisam-ulhaq Qureshi. The pair is growing strong and gaining in confidence and are capable of putting up a few upset results.

Picture does not look to rosy in the singles as Somdev has been struggling to cope with the demanding Tour. Loss of

form is a big worry for him although his will and stamina can't be questioned.

But ever since his sensational show at Chennai Open in 2009, Somdev's progress has just been okay and steady. He has also got a tough opening round as he will face world number 51 Tommy Robredo of Spain.

It's a huge task to tame the Spaniard and the road will only get tougher even if Somdev manages to upset Robredo.

Sania did extremely well to come through the qualifiers in the women's singles but it will be an altogether different ball game in the main draw.

Of late Sania has been doing well and would be keen to improve on her Grand Slam performance. Her best performance here was in 2005 and 2008 when she reached third round.

It would do a world of good to Sania's confidence and ranking if she is able to match those two years.

Contact us on: sports@herald-goa.com

Dhoni praises Munaf & Co

PTI JOHANNESBURG, JAN 16

Although the batting department flopped yet again, the bowlers led by a brilliant Munaf Patel brought us back in the series with the narrow one-run win over South Africa in the second ODI here, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said.

With figures of four for 29, Munaf led India's stunning comeback to bowl out South Africa for 189 after the visitors had posted a paltry 190 on the board at the New Wanderers stadium yesterday.

Munaf, who accounted for important scalps of dangerman Hashim Amla and Graeme Smith, combined well with Zaheer Khan (2/37) upfront to script the his-

n I think the most difficult thing for every player is to wake up and go to training, stay fit and maintain the high standard. I have to work on this every day. The awards come later. I must thank Churchill Brothers for showing their belief in me. And, of course I thank Karim Bencherifa (former Churchill Bros coach and now in-charge of Salgaocar Sports Club) for giving me my first break.

Indian football team centre back Gouramangi Singh feels that the country can catch up with other nations of Asia with frequent participation in big events like the ongoing Asian Cup here.

Gouramangi, who scored India’s first goal in the Asian Cup after the 1964 edition, when he found the target against Bahrain on Friday, said the players are not overawed by the reputation of their opponents in the continental showpiece.

"It is a learning process for us, no doubt, and we are playing against the best in Asia.

We need this kind of matches. I feel we are as good as any other country and only thing we are lacking was the experience. With more experience, we can improve and catch up," Gouramangi said ahead of India's last group match against South Korea on Tuesday.

"At a personal level before playing Australia and Bahrain, you have the feeling that oh you are playing against top sides and some big players. But once the game starts I am not overawed and was able to build up the tempo of the game," said

Gouramangi, who joins the likes of legendary footballers Chuni Goswami and Inder Singh in scoring a goal in the Asian Cup. In the 1964 Asian Cup in Singapore, the first time India took part in the competition, Inder Singh scored twice while Goswami, Surkumar Samajapati and K Appalaraju found the target once each in Tel Aviv, Israel.

In the 1984 edition, India crashed out of the group stage after losing to hosts Singapore, UAE and China and without scoring a single goal.

Gouramangi's career graph has been on the rise ever since the Nehru Cup in 2007 when he was brought into the starting eleven in place of Deepak Mandal who injured himself in the very first game of the tournament against Cambodia.

The 24-year-old Manipuri, who was recently declared the Indian Player of the Year, said what matter is the performance on the field not the awards and accolades.

"It feels good having scored the first goal but what was more important that we made a comeback after being 1-0 down. Obviously, defensively as a team we could have done

toric win and help India level the series 1-1.

"We got off to a decent start though it was bit slow but then we lost wickets in quick succession and because of that we could not post a big total.

During the batting power play we lost vital wickets," Dhoni told reporters in the post-match press conference.

"Bowlers brought us back in the game. Munaf did the trick for us as getting Amla out was crucial. I think Munaf's spell was brilliant. He bowls straight and varies his pace well. He deserved the man-of-thematch award," he said.

The India skipper also lauded off-spinner Harbhajan Singh (1/32) for his misery spell in the middle overs.

"Bhajji's (Harbhajan) contribution was vital too as he bowled that 7-8 over spell in the middle. The momentum was on South Africa's side when Bhajji came on to bowl. The South African batsmen took decision not to attack him and by doing so they shifted the momentum slightly in our favour," Dhoni said.

The bowlers' performance, notwithstanding, it was Yuvraj Singh (53 off 68 balls), who together with Dhoni (38 off 61), revived India's innings with an 83-run fourth-wicket after the

visitor's lost their first three batsmen for 67 runs.

And Dhoni admitted that Yuvraj is a crucial cog in the Indian ODI team.

"His (Yuvraj's) role in the batting lineup is crucial. If we get good start then he can come and score quick runs and if we lose few wickets then he can control the game with a solid innings. He played very well in the match.”

"It is important that Yuvraj gets into good form. He is now a decent all-rounder for us as he also bowls a few overs," the Indian captain said.

With South Africa needing 12 more runs to win from 60 deliveries with two wickets in hand, Dhoni gave the ball to part-time spinner Suresh Raina and the Indian skipper said it was a chance he took which could have backfired.

"It was an important decision.

I thought that if a spinner bowls he may hit the pads and get one batsman out. Normally, he (Raina) bowls well to left handers. Sometime you have to take chance like this," Dhoni said.

He said the narrow loss in the second ODI will continue to haunt South Africa, who are desperate to shed their "chokers" tag in world cricket.

"Playing under pressure is totally different scenario. If South Africa lose matches like this they have to face the criticism of being called chokers. That's one thing which will haunt them," Dhoni said.

"Same is the case with India as far as playing in the finals of tri-series is concerned."

Poor shot selection cost us, laments Smith

Smith shadows Cronje’s record

PTI JOHANNESBURG, JAN 16

Chasing a paltry 190, South Africa squandered a great chance to take a 2-0 lead in the series after slumping to a narrow one-run loss against India in the second ODI here and captain Graeme Smith said it was poor shot selection that cost his side the match.

Smith, who led from the front in South Africa's run chase yesterday with a fluent 77 off 98 balls, was of the view that the Wanderers pitch was not suitable for stroke-making and the batters needed to apply themselves to score runs.

"I think it was not a free-flowing wicket. It was not easy to play shots on this wicket. The ball was stopping and coming, especially the change of pace deliveries. You need a solid performance to win this type of match and not personal glory," he said at the post-match press conference.

"It would have been wonderful if I could have bated through but I was done by a good slower ball. While batting we lacked in decision making. We have to work on our shot selection," Smith said.

"We were great with the ball as well as in the field but we were not smart enough at crucial time. We need to work on these areas. One loss doesn't make us bad players," Smith added.

Asked whether South Africa used their batting power-plays to perfection yesterday, he said, "The decisions to take batting

India need experience to compete at big stage: Gouramangi PTI DOHA, JAN 16

SPORTS

better in the game," he explained.

"I think the most difficult thing for every player is to wake up and go to training, stay fit and maintain the high standard. I have to work on this every day. The awards come later. I must thank Churchill Brothers for showing their belief in me.

"And, of course I thank Karim (Bencherifa) for giving me my first break," he said of the former Churchill Brothers coach and now in-charge of Salgaocar Sports Club.

Gouramangi has already built a reputation of scoring important goals for the country and most of his goals have come from freekicks and corner kicks.

His first goal came against Maldives in the 2008 SAFF Cup in India's 1-0 victory and the second was the winner in the semifinal against Bhutan in the same competition. His third goal was against Sri Lanka in the 2009 Nehru Cup which helped India win the match.

"The goal against Bahrain was my fourth goal. Most of the goals I have scored have come from set pieces and corners kicks. I thank coach Bob Houghton who allowed me to go up during free kicks and corner kicks," said the Churchill Brothers defender.

PTI JOHANNESBURG, JAN 16

Inspirational Graeme Smith has become the most capped South African ODI captain, surpassing late Hansie Cronje’s record of leading the national team in 138 games.

Smith achieved the feat during the second ODI against India at the Wanderers here yesterday.

Smith, who made his captaincy debut at the young age of 21 against India at Dhaka in 2003, has so far led South Africa to 139 ODIs, one higher than Cronje’s record. power play were right but unfortunately we lost wickets. It was quite disappointing for us not to have crossed the winning line. We were not at all complacent coming in to this match."

The Protea skipper also lauded India's wrecker-in-chief Munaf Patel, who accounted for him as well as dangerman Hashim Amla during his four for 29 runs match-winning spell.

"This type of wicket suit Munaf ’s bowling style. He has got lot of variation in his bowl-

ing. He mixes up those slower balls very nicely," Smith said of the Indian right-arm pacer.

He was also full of praise for South Africa's left-arm fast bowler Lonwabo Tsotsobe (4/22), who notched up his second successive four-wicket haul in the series.

"He (Tsotsobe) started well in Abu Dhabi while playing against Pakistan. He has gained a lot of confidence. He bowled very well today and I hope he continues to do well for us," Smith said.

PTI JOHANNESBURG, JAN 16

With this, Sachin has become the fourth Indian cricketer to return home due to injury after openers Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir and pacer Praveen Kumar.

Sachin ruled out, Parthiv to join team

Sachin Tendulkar's return oneday cricket after an 11-month hiatus has been cut short due to a hamstring injury and the iconic batsman will be replaced by diminutive Parthiv Patel for the remainder of the series against South Africa.

"Sachin Tendulkar will not take further part in the ongoing ODI series against South Africa due to a hamstring injur y.

Parthiv Patel is being flown to South Africa as his replacement," BCCI Secretary N Srinivasan said.

Tendulkar did not field during the South African innings yesterday and at the post-match press conference India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni had said that the champion batsman will not take part in the remaining three ODIs of the five-match series.

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S

o, we are in bhangarachem Goem. Literally, figuratively and in reality. Realty’s reality endorses that Goa is indeed a gold mine. There was that often echoed cliché of golden Goa. As youngsters, many atttributed the saying possibly to the wealth created by those who exploited the state’s minerals. Then, we saw the potential in tourism, to bring home wealth from foreign shores to tiny Goa. And now we are told that we have gold 60 meters under our feet. But, if we prefer to live right on the surface, our land prices are sky rocketing at rates overtaking that of gold!

What then is the magic of Goa? Be it tsunami or advance information of a potential terrorist attack, the state has been lucky to overcome or escape many casualties. Not just the susegad environs that surprise every body visiting the state, but now believe or not, a gold rush of a different kind is on.

Says Shrikrishna Haldankar, proprietor of a real estate brokering firm based in Panjim. “People are investing in land because it’s the best

‘Given a choice to invest between gold and property, I will blindly put my earnings in land’ bet to see your wealth grow manifold in the shortest possible time”. He said that investors who had purchased land in Porvorim at about Rs 7000 a square meter three years ago, have sold now for Rs 15,000 or more.

Along the highway, land purchased at Rs 12, 000 per sq.mtr now sells for anything between Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000. Even land which was sold in remote, rocky mining belt in Bicholim three years ago for Rs 15 lakh has buyers.

“People are investing anywhere, even on orchards and non settlement areas, with the hopes of getting high returns”, says Haldankar.

In Calangute the rates have shot up from Rs 15,000 to Rs 40,000 in prime areas. After Panjim, Dona Paula is the costliest place. A plot with a view of the azure waters commands even Rs 70,000 per meter, reiterates Haldankar. Land in Taleigao available for Rs 15,000 three years ago is now fetching a tidy sum of Rs 30,000 per meter. “There are no vacant plots of land for sale and people are ready to buy old dilapidated, complicated houses, with the hope of demolishing and rebuilding it.”

“Given a choice to invest between gold and property, I will blindly put my earnings in land”, endorses Haldankar confidently. All those in the real estate business, including valuers, agree.

Anand Khare of Waman Heri Pethe Jewellery based in Panjim opined that though the growth of gold over the years was steady since 2007 from Rs 11,000 to Rs 12,000 in 2008, Rs 16,000 in 2009 culminating in Rs 20,000 per ten grams in 2010, “any investor will tell you never to put all the eggs in the same basket. One ought to invest 15 per cent in gold, a certain percentage in other forms of investment instruments”.

Agrees property Valuer Kanchan Desai, “Real estates have seen a quantum jump in recent years.”

The years between 2006 and 2008 witnessed the biggest jump in real estate prices unseen and unheard of in the past, where the growth

More than the El Dorado

rate was over 100 per cent. But those years also witnessed a political intervention in land deals, where politicians reportedly arm-twisted the owners to dispose off their land at a price decided by them.

“There have been instances where properties were purchased at Rs 100 rupees from owner and sold for Rs 700 by political brokers in Canacona area.

Our red earth is glittering brighter than gold, writes BOSCO DE SOUSA EREMITA. the backbone of the real estate industry.The drama surrounding the Regional Plan 2020 is the best proof of this. Colours denoting Zoning of land, ostensibly for the healthy growth the society, keeps changing like the chamaleon’s skin, at the whims of politicians.

But those years also witnessed a political intervention in land deals, where politicians reportedly arm-twisted the owners to dispose off their land at a price decided by them. “There have been instances where properties were purchased at Rs 100 rupees from owner and sold for Rs 700 by political brokers in Canacona area

Even houses in ruins command a premium

Most of these transactions were carried out using threats of acquisition or zoning, with owners buckling down to blackmail”, said one senior property consultant who refused to be named.

The trend was also seen in neighbouring Sindhudurg area where no land was sold without the

consent of a minister of Maharashtra. There, it was being freely alleged that the local civil authorities were directed to intimate all land transactions to the Minister, and only upon his approval the transactions were executed, else it was purchased by someone indicated by the Minister.

Goa is no different . In fact, Politicians constitute

Pious resolutions of the State Town Planning Board are reversed even before the ink on a new plan has dried up. Land conversions, in violation of the Zoning plan are rushed through, using a loop hole in the Act permitting the Board to make rare exceptions.

There is even a standing joke about a state minister during his tenure as a Chief Minister was attributed to have made more conversions than Saint Francis Xavier!

There are reports about builders having been approached by politicians and financial support extended with the condition that once flats are fit for

occupation a specified number of flats, equivalent to the equity, would not only be transferred in favour of the politician investing in the project, but those apartments remaining in the custody of the builder would not be sold at a price lower than dictated by the politician. Small wonder then, though builders advertise for sale of flats, a visit to the site indicates that most of the flats are sold, but mysteriously

homes, in the state. Having done that however, the investors who had hoped in to dispose off their investments after some months now-a-days feel they are trapped because the price has remained largely stagnant. And it may remain so for some time.

Whatever it be it, there’s no gain saying that pricing of built-up area in Goa is on par with the major real estates hubs in the country. In areas like

GROWTH OF LAND RATES AS ON 31 MAY 2010 YEAR

2007

2008

2009

2010

Panaji

10,000 – 35,000

10,000 – 60,000

40,000 – 1,00,000

40,000 – 1,20,000

DonaPaula / Miramar

3000 – 20,000

3,000 – 30,000

5,000 – 40,000

5000 – 50,000

Porvorim

1200 – 6000

1200 – 10,000

2,000 – 10,000

2,000 – 15,000

Calangute

1500 – 8000

1500 – 15,000

1500 – 25,000

1,500 – 35,000

Morjim

300 to 2,500

300 – 2,500

300 – 2,500

500 – 3,000

Betim/Verem/ Nerul /Saligao

1000 – 3500

1000 - 5000

1200 – 5000

1200 – 15,000

Canacona

400 – 2000

800 – 3000

500 – 3000

800 – 4000

Margao

5000 – 20,000

5,000 – 20,000

5,000 – 35,000

5,000 – 35,000

Vasco

2500 – 20,000

2500 – 20,000

3000 – 20,000

3000 – 25,000

Valuation depicts prices in interior in prime areas in rupees. Rates of commercial and residential premises not included in this chart.

Source: Home & Estates Magazine

remain unoccupied. It is anyone’s guess that these flats owned by the politicians are kept for speculative pricing, undermining the Law of Demand and Supply determining the price in a free market..

In the melee, some Central Government officials posted to the state are allegedly raking in the moolah. Acting as brokers with their contacts, they have lured potential clients from North India into buying land and houses, even ramshackled abandoned

Gurgao and Noida, built up area is sold at Rs 45,000 per sq m. with several interior amenties including furnishings and fixtures, as an all inclusive package for the buyer. In Goa, there are built up areas sold for the same sum with additions of interiors and such, costing extra for the buyer.

Goa is not gone. It has turned more valueable than gold! But, will the traditional Goan acknowledge this?

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Common blunders committed by purchasers

Be wary of a sweet talking builder

M

any purchasers of real estate (properties, flats, shops, office premises, land, houses, etc.,) end up battling in courts due to their own negligence or carelessness.

Sometimes, the reason could even be as innocuous as trying to save an extra penny. Many a times, it could even be attributed to sweet, comforting and reassuring words from a vendor, who has excelled at the art of cheating. On several occasions, it could even be downright bravado like not ensuring that the document, for example, an agreement for sale, is registered before the competent authority. Purchasers should be doubly or extra careful whilst purchasing real estate. In fact, even courts do not protect a lethargic vendee. To add to the purchaser’s woes, besides losing his hard-earned money, are the countless trips to the courts of law. And there is no guarantee of success before the courts, if one has not been careful whilst transacting.

So, here are some of the common refrains for buyers.

Buyers Beware: The following phrase encompasses a wide gamut of cautions. It ordinarily means that the buyer has to be painstaking and thorough before agreeing to purchase an immovable property. The buyer has to first and

Many a times, a document contains hidden meanings and a read-betweenthe-lines situation.

Inspect original documents and also, though it means spending more money, apply for certified copies from the relevant authorities .

foremost approach a lawyer/advocate, unless the buyer is himself experienced enough to enter into transaction without legal advice.

In the event the purchaser is equipped for the task, the first priority would be to check the title of the vendor’s property. Title, according to the ordinar y dictionary meaning (Illustrated Oxford Dictionary) is: “Right to ownership of property, with or without possession”. One would have to refer to the various Indian legal dictionaries for the appropriate legal meaning. One legal dictionary (Law Lexicon, Fourteenth Edition) defines this important word as: “the means whereby the owner of lands has the just possession of his property—titulus est justa causa posidendi id quod nostrum est.

Proper documents and possession, in other words, give a good title to a property.

Actual physical verification of documents: A buyer should pore over all the title documents and seek clarifications from the vendor when one is unsure. An unskilled buyer should not attempt to decipher the meaning in a document.

Many a times, a document contains hidden meanings and a read-between-the-lines situation. Inspect original documents and also, though it means spending more money, apply for certified copies from the relevant authorities .

Inspection of the property: Without having a first hand look at the site do not enter into any transaction. Many purchasers are so taken in by the

smooth tongue of a vendor, that they enter into the transaction and part with their money without even verifying if the property does in fact exist. This is a common negligence by Goans in particular. One can even visit the neighbours in the vicinity of the property and make necessary inquiries without being worried about the repercussions your doing so may have on the vendor. After all, its your hard-earned money that is at stake.

Do actual physical verifications of measurements with the help of a professional, if possible.

Publication in the newspapers: This mode is one of the ways in which one can call for objections from the general public, banks, financial institutions, etc with regard to your transaction-to-be. This includes purchase of brand new flats.

In the event certain valid objections are made along with supporting documents, it is time to cancel the transaction or not to enter into it, in the first place.

Look at the bigger picture—- It will be money well spent.

Nil Encumbrance Certificate: These certificates are easily available and are issued practically without verif ying, if there is an encumbrance (burden) on the property. There is a disclaimer on this document which states that “neither will the government nor the sub-registrar issuing the certificate guarantees the accuracy or correctness of the contents of the certificate and will not be liable for any claims for damages in respect of any information contained therein.” This document is not to be relied upon too heavily.

Registration: Once one is convinced that the property is a good buy, ensure that the “Agreement for Sale” is duly registered before the competent authority. The Registration Act has enacted that any transaction of immovable property above Rs 100 is compulsorily registerable. The agreement is to be compulsorily registered before the concerned sub-Registrar of the Taluka. There is a one percent stamp duty and a one percent registration fee payable on the total amount depicted. In order to save on such fees,(though there is a rebate on the same at the time of execution of sale deed) some avoid registering the document.

A duly registered document can save you a lot of misery in the event you are transacting with a conman.

Payment: Always pay by some method where there is proof of payment such as a crossed cheque or a banker’s cheque or a demand draft. As far as possible avoid paying cash where large sums of money are involved. In the event a buyer is paying by cash, ensure that a receipt is issued and the reason for the payment is mentioned therein and the receiver’s signature is scrawled across the revenue stamp. Infact, any payment above Rs 5,00,000 has to be compulsorily made by a written instrument.

Sale deed: This deed is a final document and gives the purchaser a good title. It is also the occasion when the full and final payment is tendered to the vendor. Do ensure the proper execution of this important deed.

Some purchasers are happy with an agreement for sale and rue the day when time comes when they try to sell the purchased apartment (without sale deed) So buyers, get rid of your lethargy, control your bravado, do not get emotional and tell your sentiments to get lost. All you need is caution. I cannot emphasize the importance of this particular word. It is the key-word. It is the difference between a life of regret and a happy, fun-filled one. Happy purchase!

Readers are invited to sent in their property related queries to Herald Estates at mail@herald-goa.com

Fire station at Patto l Rs 2.61 cr aerial ladder platform l

Fire dept set to get a new high The 13th Finance Commission has decided to enhance efficiency of fire services, reveals State Fire Services Chief ASHOK MENON in this perceptive tête-àtête with our correspondent.

The 13th Finance Commission has alloted the Ministry of Urban Development grantin-aid of Rs 200 crore to be payable in four installment of Rs 50 crore each from financial years 2011-12 to 2014-15, for specific purposes.

A portion of these grants would be provided to the Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services. The Finance Commission has stated that five per cent of the total grants would be ideal for the fire services, which would help enable and initiate the process of revamping and strengthening the fire services to a bare minimum level in the country as a whole.

“We have asked the government to look into this matter so that we can avail these grants and help to upgrade our capabilities in terms of infrastructure. In places like Pernem, Bicholim, Valpoi and Canacona we want to have our own buildings and upgrade fire fighting capabilities by virtue of better

vehicles and with latest search rescue and fire fighting equipments,” Menon said.

Referring to the proposed fire station at Patto-Panjim, Menon said that the govern-

ment was in the process of acquiring land for Patto fire station project. The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) had given the fire services the land at Patto, but the same was not viable due to bio-digester plant existing there.

“We have to be there for 24 hours. We are now looking for another site. We need approximately 1000 square metres to set up a satellite fire station, which will be an extension of Panaji fire station” he said.

The Patto fire station was proposed in view of many high-rise buildings being built in the vicinity. The department is now buying an imported aerial ladder platform of 32 metres height, costing Rs 2.61 crore. The National Building Code has been enforced for high rise buildings, who also had their in-built fire protection systems.

Menon said that the provisions of the National Building Code of India had been implemented in the state and the same was there in the Fire Force Act, 1986 and Rules framed in 1997.

He said that the Goa Fire Force Training Centre was a regional training centre approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India and had trained fire personnel from all over India.

“We have trained almost 14,000 people so far. In Goa we conduct courses for industries and citizens. But in the past, we received a poor response for a 15-day course for citizens, as we received only one application even after advertising in newspapers.

We will still conduct 15-day course in two batches if there are a minimum 15 people.”

“I am sending my officers for capacity building aimed at upgrading my officers’ knowledge in capacity building, in collapse structure, search and rescue. I have trained 10 people and these trainees now impart training to others here. Despite manpower shortage, I am ensuring that my officers undergo capacity building,” Menon asserted.

The Goa State Fire Force has currently strength of 530 personnel even as the sanctioned strength was 546. It has 13 fire station across Goa while, the building of new fire station at Pilerne is underway. Two new fire stations are also being proposed at Cuncolim and Usgao.

Menon also disclosed that the construction of the new building for Curchorem fire

station would be based using green technology.

He said that as per National Building Code, it was mandatory for the rise high buildings having 15 metres height to have a second staircase. This staircase has to be of concrete and not of mild steel, he added.

He said that though there were no major fire mishaps in the state, the department need to upgrade and procure latest fire fighting equipments to fight fire in multistoreyed buildings.

With the grants from the 13th Finance Commission, the department was in a position to upgrade its capabilities. Such aerial ladder platform or turn-table ladders platforms are required for high rise buildings located at for Panaji, Vasco, Margao, Ponda and Mapusa. Trun-table ladders could be used for narrow roads and also can be used for dual-purpose use - as a crane and used for fire fighting and rescue purposes.

The department has also decided to purchase two quick response vehicle with water mist technology, through Rs 47 funds sanctioned by the Government of India for

As per National Building Code, it is mandatory for the rise high buildings having 15 metres height to have a second staircase. This staircase has to be of concrete and not of mild steel. strengthening of fire force and emergency services.

These quick response vehicles with mist technology will be ready for use by February-end. The department also intends to buy more such vehicles, which could be used on narrow roads and use less amount of water for optimum effect.

The department is also planning to introduce these quick-response vehicles in areas of Mobor, Calangure-Baga and Anjuna-Vagator areas.

One of the uniqueness of this quick-response vehicle is that the water quantity in it was less but optimum use of that mist can be used to douse the fire as against existing vehicles in which water quantity was more but fire fighting capacity was less, Menon added.

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Global trends in Real Estate business And crystal gazing for 2011

The World Real Estate Scene has been witnessing dramatic shifts and brave attempts at restabilization. Amidst the encircling gloom stands the India story of miraculous survival. C.S.RADHAKRISHNAN takes a look at the global real estate scene and contrasts it briefly with the home situation.

T

he Real Estate Market, which was a significant contributor to the global economic meltdown of the past three years, has begun to show some sign of life recently. It is much feeble, yet some life after all! Residential housing was under severe stress due to the mortgage crisis in the U.S. The Bush Administration ,in its Sunset years, had adopted measures to make housing available to the Lower income Groups through incentives .This was blamed as a part of the strategy to divert criticism from the voters about wars and resultant

rivative instruments to sell the sub-prime mortgages. This helped some of them to hedge part of their risks, but this was achieved at the cost of putting their own credibility and Credit Rating at grave risk .This resulted in their burning their own and investors’ money. It is to be hoped that they have learnt some valuable lessons in the process.

The Tsunami type impact the melt-down had on the Developing Economies was unnerving. It goes to the credit of countries like India that they were able to withstand that impact and survive heads up. Our Cooperative Banks have always held sizeable chunks of Sub-prime mortgages. But they were also sure that the poor will honour their commitment to repay the loans. This pragmatic approach to the small borrowers’ loans has been the main reason for our survival unscathed. If we had developed with reference to our borrowers the kind of panic created by Western investors on learning about the sub-prime housing loans, , the impact for us would have been tremendous.

Because we had faith in our common man’s integrity and responsible conduct with reference to commitments, we allowed the debts to stay on the books and did not press the panic button. And the trust has been amply vindicated. The global trend in recovery on the Real Estate front has not yet registered in any significant manner on a year-on-year basis in the United States. It is not that there were no upsurges at all. But whatever progress was made in the early months in the hope of continued State support was dissipated once it was clear that support is doubtful.

The Bush Administration ,in its Sunset years, had adopted measures to make housing available to the Lower income Groups through incentives .This was blamed as a part of the strategy to divert criticism from the voters about wars and resultant strains on the Economy. The big Banks and Financial Institutions which had accumulated large portfolios of mortgage assets were under pressure from share holders and depositors to reduce the risk by offloading some of these mortgages to other financial institutions. strains on the Economy. The big Banks and Financial Institutions which had accumulated large portfolios of mortgage assets were under pressure from share holders and depositors to reduce the risk by offloading some of these mortgages to other financial institutions. The Banks and financial institutions then had created a series of de-

In the North American Continent, Canada made comparatively better progress, compared to the U.S. In the Far East, Japan continued to struggle with its already saturated Housing market. They have to deal with an aging population, whose primary demands for Housing has already been met. The low interest rates hardly serve as impetus for mobilizing funds for any innovations on the Housing front, giving a spur for acquiring second homes, Holiday Time Shares etc.

In Europe, Germany faces a similar

predicament. But their response to the stagnation in the Economy was to focus on developing the Foreign Trade market and create products that will be sold abroad and pump in cash into the Economy. Switzerland, the Economic Power House of the European Continent and Scandinavian neighbor Sweden managed to show some notable progress. France also recorded noteworthy recovery. Across the English channel, U.K and Ireland up north made far less impressive recoveries.

While U.K’s recovery tempo was just behind that of Canada, Ireland’s performance was disappointing.

Australia had valiantly tried to stem the rot by giving incentives to First Time Home owners, and after encouraging construction activity to a good extent, withdrew the scheme of Tax credits for the year just ended. They ended up with a far better performance than their neighbor diagonally across the Pacific. But immediate neighbor New Zealand could not match Australia’s reasonable show. It appeared that the Housing sector and Non-Housing Construction activities were competing for the same capital resources. Any growth in one segment was seen to automatically slow down the other.

The mixed picture globally was reflected in Indian accommodation Market also. While the overall Index of Industrial Production showed sharp growth, the Construction Industry in general, and Housing activity in particular, is yet to create a sizeable growth.

Commercial accommodation has however picked up in the same period.

And now, let us do some crystal gazing: where are we headed now? Which way the winds will blow in 2011? Corporate Real Estate firms seem confident of investor confidence growing. The upsurge in Commercial accommodation growth rate should be built upon and sustained.

Since the Revised Press Note of 2010 outlining the FEMA guidelines for Foreign Direct Investment restricts inflow of funds to Housing and Agriculture sectors, but simultaneously allow investment in Non-Housing sector, Companies active on both these fronts may easily source FDI funds for their Infrastructural Projects and divert their own resources into the Housing sector. There is a huge ground swell of interest among Persons of Indian Origin who are presently citizens of other countries to be part of the India Growth story. That should get translated into investments in permissible sectors. Local resources can then address the needs of sectors facing funds shortage. NRI

funds, are also similarly deployable with frankly speaking, a better credit risk than due adjustments. the Millionaires whose defaults literally jolt My Wish List for 2011 the Lenders.

It would be interesting to watch the Rain water harvesting provision ought growth of Eco-friendly housing schemes in to be made mandatory in every new Housing India in 2011. What started off as some Project so that requirement of water for kind of a style statement by a few Architects Fire fighting, and Emergency processing and Builders is quickly catching the fancy and supply to the Project Houses in case of of several socially conscious individuals, a supply break-down. Innovative ways of and more and more new developments are garbage processing in a decentralized manannouncing launch of Projects integrat- ner need to be devised. It will avoid ing Energy sufficiency via Renewable the present problems of large waste dumps Energy Sources. I would love to see a of cities being sought to be dumped near real revolutionary shift in attitude of De- the habitats of rural areas. It is only fair velopers and Home Owners towards this that every town should solve its problem concept. within its own limits rather than seek to It is high time our Financial Wizards apply shift it to others. their fertile brains towards solving the The author is a consultant for c o m m o n m a n ’ s small entrepreneurs and was problem of achievinstrunmental in helping a rural ing a good credit rating before he can village in Orissa to solve its a v a i l o f a H o m e drinking water problems with L o a n . L e s s o n s World Bank grant. He is also learned from the Microfinance sector consultant for NGOs and village can well be applied panchayats for development here. The poor are, planning.

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uch has been valued about the traditional architectural style that is synonymous with Goa. However, our contemporary architecture struggles to match up to that measure, as it is continuously challenged to exhibit a reconciliation between a treasured environment that belongs to the past and dominating by its widespread physical presence with the demands, benefits and design sensibilities of the present times.

Whilst work nowadays that clones the traditional styling is extensive, having a lot of mass appeal and is very popularly regarded as most appropriate, reflecting an old world charm, it is essentially imitating with a deliberate imposing of classical elements to appear as the original, and therefore, it can only be best seen as pretentious.

Picture 1 The trend of contemporary architecture, detached from its context is another effect of our times.

It relies entirely on a universal pattern language that is seen everywhere and anywhere, with a following based on ease of design, quick construction and commercial market forces, making it devoid

Between the past and the present of any leanings to be place-specific and hence, alien to our landscape.

Picture 2 Reviving the Goan attribute in architecture need not mean simply designing classical buildings or copying old structures.

Many in our vernacular stock are commonly seen as impractical, highly prone to expense in today’s world and are lying decaying, in an extreme state of dilapidation, disrepair and misuse.

However, their idioms of planning, material use and the visual, exhibit high levels of contextual relevance and most of them are still effective in their roles.

The task for contemporary architectural work is therefore, to acquire new expressions and adaptations of the traditional, with similar levels of suitability, that will reflect a style, local in character and in keeping with our times, without being seen either as copies or incompatible to our place.

Picture 3 Historically, architecture has always evolved by borrowing and assimilating of cultures, influenced

by the socio-political.

We see this in our own vernacular that is a blend of the indigenous and the foreign.

dient in concrete along with sand, crushed stone and gravel. Cement is the paste element that, when watered, allows all the other ingredients to stick together and set up into a hardened substance.

Builders and home improvement enthusiasts will debate their own specific formulae for concrete, but the general rule of thumb for mixing good concrete (per cubic yard) under moderate weather conditions is: - six bags of cement (min) - six gallons of water per bag (max) - six days curing period (min) If the temperature spikes or drops during the six-day curing period, your concrete could possibly either be significantly weakened or take signifi-

cantly more time to cure.

Hydration Water and cement have a chemical reaction when combined in the right amounts. This process is called "hydration" and causes cement to harden when combined with water under the correct temperature. Very hot outdoor temperatures can cause too much water to evaporate too quickly, while temperatures under 50 degrees Fahrenheit can slow curing precipitously.

It is important to keep the surface of the new concrete moist as it cures to permit proper hydration. Temporar y covering layers, like burlap, are of ten used to delay evaporation of the water so necessary

Applying cosmetics….

Given that architecture is, but a reflection of societies and how they have evolved, international styles borne out of today’s period of globalisation and blurred boundaries, is therefore found to be the norm.

Picture 4 But, architecture does want to extend beyond that, always seeking to identity with place and time.

This is evident more so today, when we unabashedly resort to ornamentation of our facades, in a feeble attempt at linking our new world to its roots, to instill the much required sense of belonging to place, leaving us with an architecture that is literally superficial, as it relies only on window dressing of elevations to make it look appropriate to the place.

Picture 5 Evolutionary content and regional identity therefore becomes crucial for architecture to be distinguished, in contrast with the kitschy and anonymous trends of today’s world that are formed by fashionable inclinations, commercial interests, minimum

How Long Does Concrete Take to Cure?

C

oncrete may harden enough to walk on in a few hours, but truly curing concrete requires significantly more time -- five to seven days depending on the area of the project.

When concrete is fully cured, it reaches it's maximum strength and durability. Not allowing your concrete project to cure properly can cause premature cracking or simply a weak concrete sidewalk, driveway or patio.

Concrete or Cement?

While the concrete and cement are often considered to be the same substance, the truth is concrete is the actual material used to pour your walkway, patio or driveway.

Cement is actually only one ingre-

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to proper curing. Standard curing time ranges between five and seven days for traditional concrete projects, but can take significantly longer for very deep concrete or concrete sections that require excessive structural support.

Heavy Construction Very large construction projects that use large expanses of concrete or very thick layers of concrete can take significantly longer to cure thoroughly. The concrete will set in just a few hours depending on ratio used in the mix, but will take about 28 days to achieve full strength for support structures like anchor bolts to be used without loosening.

costing, improved logistics, building materials with technologies that are no longer necessary to be locally sourced.

These kinds of populist styles cannot be shunned for completely lacking in historical or cultural references, as they are but a product of our evolving culture and are advantageous in many aspects.

Yet, if and when, they respond climatically, keeping historical, cultural social and topographical sensibilities alive while laying stress on indigenous building materials, developing advanced construction technologies locally and applying the same criterion that was used to develop our vernacular patterns, many years prior to the present, they would invariably evolve a natural link to regional identity, while still maintaining a connect with the present.

More alive our sensitivities to the context we are designing in, better is the result.

The author is a practicing architect based in Carambolim, Goa. He can be contacted at jim.manjooran@gmail.com