-
OHERALDOThe Voice of Goa Since 1900
and a scanner that used radiofrequency for identification wasput
in service to grant accessto the stadium.
Expressing surprise over thediscovery of duplicate tickets,GCA
Secretary Prasad Fatarpekarstated that the GCA had not al-lowed
excess spectators in thestadium. What was even moreshocking was
that the ticketsseemed to be coming from thesame printing agency,
he said.
Fatarpekar said on the dayof the match it was not a fullcapacity
crowd. Officials hadscanned each and every personthrough the
scanning machineand had found that around
22536 people had entered thestadium.
Fatarpekar stated, I am gladthe issue came to light. It
hasdisturbed us a lot at the Asso-ciation. There could be an
error
with the printer and if found,he would be penalized. Sec-ondly,
if someone from our parthas played mischief we wonthesitate to take
strict actionagainst him, he added.
PTI
MELBOURNNE, OCT 28
In another vicious attackagainst Indians in Australia,a
12-year-old student wasbullied and brutally punchedin the face and
had to un-dergo a surgery to recon-struct his eye socket.
The boy, who asked not tobe named, told The Agenewspaper that
two year 8boys, whom he did not know,came up behind him atlunchtime
on October 18 out-side the school co-ordinatorsoffice at Carwatha
College inNoble Park here.
For no reason they camebehind me with a scarf andwere pulling
me. When I toldthem to stop, one of thempunched me in the eye,
thevictim said.
The boys father said hisfamily has been so trauma-tised by the
bashing that heis considering returning toGoa. The family now
feltscared and insecure in thisarea and school, he said.
He said his son had to havea titanium plate inserted underhis
eye and he feared therewould be permanent damage.
I feel he was attacked be-cause he was black, becauseof his
colour, his father said.
However, the CarwathaCollege principal BronwynHamilton said the
incidentwas being probed thoroughlyand she was convinced it wasnot
a racist attack.
She said, There has notbeen any other incidents in-volving these
two students.
However, she said the in-juries were serious and theschool was
very concerned.
The student concernedwas suspended and expulsionproceedings have
com-menced. We have taken im-mediate action.
A spokesman for the stateeducation minister BrownynPike said
bullying was not tol-erated in Victorian schools.
He said all schools wererequired to have strong anti-bullying
strategies in placeand the Education Depart-ment worked with
anti-bul-lying experts in developingnew bullying guidelines.
Meanwhile, an Indian com-munity leader has asked Vic-torian
government to stepup security in local schoolsafter the attack.
Leader of Goan Indiancommunity Glen Eira coun-cilor Oscar Lobo
urged theJohn Brumby government toput security guards in
schoolswhere bullying had occurredfollowing the last weeks
in-cident at Carwatha College.
Over 100 incidents of at-tacks on Indians, includingracial, have
come to light sinceMay last year in Australia. 21-year-old student
Nitin Garg,who was stabbed to deathhere, was the first victim
ofsuch assaults this year.
Visit us at:www.oheraldo.in panjim, FRiday, OCTObeR 29, 2010
postal Reg. no. Goa 101 pRiCe Rs. 3.00 (air Surcharge Rs 2.00)
pages 16+4
You are violating party rules bycalling police!! We are
discussingvery confidential issues here...
Business: USE to start trading in
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Sports: India needs Kirsten:
Gambhir Pg 16
Goas Heartbeat: Shilpa
mesmerises at WIFW finale Pg 4
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, OCT 28
Has the open spat between twolegislators of the
NationalistCongress Party dented theimage of the party? This
ques-tion is uppermost on the lips oftop office bearers who are
de-manding with their high com-mand to bring about disciplinewithin
the party if it desires tomake a mark in the Assemblyelections.
A top party source whowished to remain anonymoussaid, there are
rivalries withinparties, but they cant come toa flash point and be
fought inthe open. There surely needs tobe discipline.
The source disclosed he hassent a report to Party
GeneralSecretary and in-charge of Goadesk Praful Patel. Something
willhappen by coming Monday orTuesday in the matter, he men-
tioned.When questioned on the re-
cent development after the Vascoincident, NCPs chief
spokesper-son Trajano DMello on Thursdaysaid Jose Philip has also
beenasked to file a report of the inci-dent by the high
command.
On the other side Mickky toohas been asked to explain
whatexactly happened, sources said.
Sources within the party saidsome of the office bearers wereof
the opinion that an impartialpanel be appointed to investi-gate the
spat between the twoand also look into the function-
ing of every executive member,who may be trying to damagethe
party.
They said the partys Be-naul im ML A was workingagainst
candidates of JosePhilip for the municipal elec-tions since the
beginning ofOctober and the latter had al-ready written to the high
com-mand in mid-October regardingthe activity of the former.Pacheco
has denied all claimsmade by Jose Philip that he wasworking against
the candidatesof the latter.
NCP in damage control mode
TICKETGATE ENCORE?Another plaint filed against Geelani, Roy
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI, OCT 28
Yet another criminal complaintwas filed with the Tilak
MargPolice Station here Thursdayevening by a Delhite to registeran
FIR (first information report)against Kashmir separatist leaderSyed
Ali Shah Geelani, writerArundhati Roy, Prof S A R Gilaniand others
for jeopardising pub-lic peace and security by makingprovocative
speeches at the con-troversial seminar on KashmirAzadi here on
October 21.
The complaint of Sushil Panditcirculated by the BJP
Thursdaynight charges the speakers atthe seminar of offence of
sedi-tion under Section 124A of IPCas well offence under Section13
of the Unlawful Activities(Prevention) Act, 1967.
The complainant seems tohave been prompted by the BJPas the
6-page complaint goeson to reproduce relevant por-tions of the
Act.
12-yr old Goan boy brutally
attacked in OzHERALD NEWS BUREAU
PANJIM, OCT 28
In a stark reminder of the mas-sive 2001 ticket scam,
cricketlovers appear to have fallen preyto yet another ticket
duplicationracket at the recently cancelledone-day international
match be-tween India and Australia at Fa-torda.
Herald is in possession of aphotocopy of two sets of
entrydocuments where one is a com-plimentary pass and the othera
ticket priced at Rs 2,500. Thelocation shown on both is southupper,
the gate number shownis 3, seat number is same F-004.However, only
the serial numberdiffers. The complimentary passbears serial number
32639 whilethe priced ticket has 09149 asits serial number. On the
backof the ticket as well as the com-plimentary pass, a
computerchip is pasted.
The second ticket also bearsthe position, south upper, thesame;
the seat number F-0028is the same, the gate number isidentical but
the serial numberdiffers. The complimentary passhas 32663 as its
serial numberwhile the priced ticket has09173 as its number.
Despite claim by the organ-isers that bar code system wasused,
owners of both the docu-ments could enter the stadiumwithout a
hitch.
According to GCA, the capac-ity of Pandit Jawaharlal
Stadium,Fatorda is 25,815 but only 9,180tickets were sold to the
publicas 14,320 were complimentarypasses while 1,915 seats
weregiven as official passes to GCAmembers.
The GCA had awarded thecontract to print tickets to aPune-based
company as part ofits efforts to avoid duplication
Undergoes eye surgery For no reason theycame behind mewith a
scarf andwere pulling me.When I told them tostop, one of
thempunched me in theeye.
Victim
Tickets duplication of India-Australia cricket match comes to
light
The Goa Cricket Association(GCA) has summoned officialsof the
Pune-based Printer toGoa over the duplication oftickets for the
cancelled one-day cricket match betweenIndia and Australia.
We have written to theprinter asking him to come
down and clarify on the ticketsbearing same seat numbers,GCA
Secretary, Prasad Fa-tarpekar said.
GCA has also summoned itsexecutive committee membersfor an
emergency meeting todiscuss the issue on Friday. (HNB)
Pune printer summoned
ASLI YA NAKLI: Tickets with the same seat numbers.
(Continued on page 10)
pg 1_Layout 1 10/29/2010 12:59 AM Page 1
-
GOA, FRIDAY, 29 OCTOBER, 2010
GOA Pg 2OHERALD
O
HERALD REPORTER
VASCO, OCT 28
NCP legislator and BenaulimMLA Mickky Pacheco on Thurs-day
alleged that Revenue Min-ister and fellow NCP legislatorJose Philip
D'Souza had at-tempted to kill him, besides in-stigating others to
set themablaze following their spat onTuesday.
Pacheco's sworn statement tothe police contradicts
RevenueMinister Jose Philip D'Souza'sclaims that he (Jose Philip)
hadprotected the Benaulim MLAfrom the furious mob and es-corted him
safely to his friend'scar.
Pacheco (46) had been calledby the Vasco police on Thursdayto
submit his statement in con-nection with the assault on himat Hotel
Maharaj, Vasco on Tues-day night.
"I was sitting at Hotel Ma-haraja, Vasco, along with myfriends
namely Simon Pereira,Edwin Carvalho, both residentsof Vasco and
Raul D'costa of Chi-calim and Lazarus Diago Pereira,resident of
Betalbatim, KalpeshShelvonkar, RavindranathSawant and others from
about8 pm onwards," stated Pachecoin his letter to the Vasco
police.
"At about 8.30 pm, Jose Philip
D'Souza, Minister for Revenueand Civil Supplies, along
withKritesh Gaonkar, Councillor andformer chairperson of Mormu-gao
Municipal Council and a fewothers approached me and myfriends. Jose
Philip in an agitatedtone wanted to know what Iwas doing in
Vasco."
"Even before I could reply,Jose Philip charged at me andcaught
hold of my collar andbegan assaulting me with fistblows on my face
and chest.Soon Jose Philip was joined bythe above named people
withhim and all of them started man-handling and assaulting myother
friends who were with meas well," stated Pacheco.
He alleged that Jose Philipalso called in more people andsoon
more than 80 people camethere and they started smashingthe hotel
(Restaurant).
"Then Jose Philip lifted a chairand hit at me but I was lucky
tohave missed it narrowly, I wouldhave even died if the said
chairwhich was aimed by Jose Philipat my head had to hit me,"
saidPacheco in his statement.
"Kritesh Gaonkar, Nanoskar,Anthony and others broke sodabottles
at the direction of JosePhilip and tried to stab me andmy
friends."
"However, we managed to es-cape from the restaurant. As Icame
out and sat in the vehicle(GA-08-F-1854) of my friendLazarus Diago
Pereira, JosePhi l ip a long with Kr i teshGaonkar, Anthony
Fernandes,Sanny (Jose Philip's Brother-in-Law) and others came
chasingus and blocked the car by stand-ing in front of it," said
the Be-naulim MLA.
Pacheco then alleged that JosePhilip directed Kritesh Gaonkarand
others to smash our carwith a 20 kilo laterite stone onthe
windscreen.
"If it had to land on my friendLazarus Diago Pereira, then
thatwould have been the end of him.Jose Philip even directed
hisfriends to set our car on firewith us inside it."
"Kritesh Gaonkar, Sanny andothers started throwing boul-ders on
the windscreen andother places on the car andsmashed the car. Jose
Philip washeard asking for a lighter/match-box to set the car on
fire withus inside it," claimed Pacheco.
"However my friend Diagowho was sitting on the driver'sseat had
good presence of mindand zoomed away in the samesmashed condition
and hencewe were saved," he added.
Jose Philip attempted to kill me: Mickky
HERALD REPORTER
VASCO, OCT 28
Revenue Minister Jose PhilipDSouza on Thursday accusedpolitical
parties and rivals ofhatching a conspiracy to defeathis panel in
the Mormugao Mu-nicipal Council election on Sun-day.
Addressing media persons atNCP office in Vasco, DSouzasaid
political parties and his ri-vals have clubbed together todefeat
his panel.
It is a conspiracy hatched bymy rivals to create a gloomy
pic-ture in the council election togain mileage and defeat my
can-didates, said DSouza.
He said this is not the firsttime that his rivals and
politicalparties have clubbed togetherto defeat him, but despite
sim-ilar efforts often by his rivals,DSouza managed to win
theelections twice from Vasco.
I have never promotedgoondagiri in the port town inmy political
career of 30 years,but my rivals have created sucha hype to defame
me, said D-Souza.
I have faith in my people andthey will answer all the criticsin
the election, added DSouza.
When asked about Pachecosallegation that DSouza man-handled him,
DSouza shot backsaying: I protected him fromthe furious mob and
escortedhim safely to his friends car.
He further clarified that thepeople from Vasco and Mormu-gao,
who joined the Congress partyon Wednesday, were neither NCPmembers
nor workers.
We welcome the decision ofthe Election Commission to sen-sitized
Wards 15 and 16, as wetoo wanted transparency in theelection
process, added D-Souza.
When asked that it is learntthat former tourism ministerMickey
Pacheco hatched a gameplan against DSouza to defeathis candidates
to please highcommand so that the DSouzawould lose his party
presidentpost, the revenue minister said:Adopting such anti-party
meansis Mickkys style, but such thingscan be done with love and
af-fection.
Meanwhile, Goa Fishing BoatOwners Association (GFBOA)Vice
President Jose Nicolau D-Souza has accused GFBOA Pres-ident Simon
Pereira, who joinedthe Congress party along withhis supporters, of
mixing politicswith association affairs.
Pereira has, however, said hehad joined the Congress partyin his
individual capacity.
"If GFBOA presidents post isassociated with me, its not
myproblem," he said.
Conspiracy hatched to defeat my panel, claims Jose Philip
HERALD REPORTER
VASCO, OCT 28
Mormugao Deputy Collectorand Election Returning Officer(ERO)
Levinson Martins has de-clared seven wards of Mormu-gao Municipal
Council (MMC)as sensitive, including the wardsof the kin of Revenue
MinisterJose Philip DSouza.
Former tourism ministerMickky Pacheco made his pres-ence felt
once again in the porttown of Vasco and this time, hewas seen at
New Vaddem. Lawenforcement agencies were ontheir toes for fear of
anotherlaw and order problem in Vasco.
Martins decision to declarethe seven wards as sensitivecame
after the State BJP de-manded that wards in which D-Souzas
relatives are contestingshould be sensitized in the wakeof Tuesdays
incident.
Martins has stated that Wards1, 2, 3, 9, 12, 15 and 16 shouldbe
declared as sensitive andmade sure that election is heldin a fair
manner, while additionalnight flying squads with patrollingparty
would also be deployed.
Ward 1, where MMC Chair-person Shekhar Khadapkar is
contesting, has been declaredsensitive, besides, Ward 2,where
bigwig from BJP and for-mer vice chairperson RohiniParab is
contesting, and Ward3, which has been reserved forST, has mostly
news faces, arealso declared as sensitive.
All Goa Congress Pradesh Mi-nority Department President
Sai-fullah Khan along with eightother candidates, who are in
thefray from Ward 9, is also de-clared as sensitive.
Ward 12, which covers mostparts of Khariwado and has sit-ting
Councilor Lavina DSouzaand Felicity DSouza, wife of for-mer deputy
speaker Simon D-Souza, is in the fray, beside othertwo candidates,
has been de-clared as sensitive.
However, the most sensitiveis Ward 15, from where PascaolDSouza,
elder brother of Rev-enue Minister Jose Philip is infray with Anil
Chopdekar andMMC V i ce Cha i rpe r sonKashinath Yadav.
Neighboring Ward 16 hasNeny DSouza, wife of the rev-enue
minister, is in the fray withAnita Chopdekar, wife of Anil,and
Marcelina Godinho.
7 Mormugao wards declared sensitive
MLAs spatinternal
matter: CMHERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, OCT 28
Chief Minister Digambar Kamattoday preferred to stay awayfrom
the Mickky-Jose Philipecontroversy saying it is their in-ternal
matter.
Kamat, however was quick toadd that law will take its own
courseand it is same for everybody.
When this reporter posed thequestion to the chief ministeron how
much could the spat af-fect his government and itsimage, Kamat said
I will per-sonally not want to commenton the issue.
It is the internal matter ofthe NCP legislators and I do notwant
to comment on it, he said.
When pointed out that FIRshad been lodged against thetwo
legislators who are verymuch part of his governmentKamat replied:
This is a demo-cratic process, law will take itsown course and it
will be samefor everyone.
Former tourism ministerMickky Pacheco was beaten upby Jose
Philip supporters whenhe was allegedly distributingmoney at a hotel
in Vasco.
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, OCT 28
Social activist Dr Oscar Rebellohas called upon the people
ofMargao to vote and elect goodcandidates in the ensuing Mu-nicipal
polls for the bettermentof the Commercial Capital.
Addressing the election meet-ing of former Margao
MunicipalChairperson Piedade Noronhain ward No 3 of the Civic
body,Rebello said the time has comefor Goans to come together
andunitedly support good candi-dates. The time has now cometo think
and act collectively ifGoa and Margao has to improve.We have been
selfish in our at-titude in the past, he said.
Dr Rebello reminded thatwhat matters in a democracy ispeople and
made a humble ap-peal to the people to vote forgood candidates.
He also said that organiza-tions such as the Loksamitiwould
remain vigilant and beafter the candidates to usher inthe
development of the ward.
In his address, spokesman ofthe Margao Loksamiti
MohandasLolienkar lambasted GPCC gen-eral secretary Vijay Sardessai
forcalling him an outsider, remind-ing Sardesai that he has
beenputting up in the town since the70s.
He said the Margao Loksamiti
Elect good candidates,appeals Dr Rebello
Social activist Dr Oscar Rebello addressing the election meeting
ofPiedade Noronha. Photo by Santosh Mirajkarwill act as a pressure
group afterthe Municipal polls in the inter-est of the city, adding
thatMadgaonkars should get unitedafter the polls to help in the
de-velopment of the city.
Calling for an end to dynastypolitics, Lolienkar said that
theLoksamiti even will not hesitateto take on Piedade Norohna ifshe
goes against the people.
Fo rmer GP YC G i r i shChodankar said the Loksamitiis behind
Piedade Norohna asshe had fought against corrup-tion in the civic
body during herterm. Not a single person hasraised a finger at
Piedade forcorruption. She has proved her-self as a Councillor, he
said.
Chodankar said that someCongressmen are fooling thepeople by
saying that the Con-
gress party is supporting a cer-tain candidate in the ward.
Elec-tions for the Municipal bodiesare not fought on party
lines.The Congress party is not sup-porting any particular
candidate.These leaders are only foolingthe voters, he said.
In his spir i ted address,Piedade asserted that she hadnever
taken any money duringher tenure as Councilor of theCivic body. She
appealed to thevoters not to get misguided bythe opposition talk
that I ambeing supported by the BJP. TheMunicipal polls are not
foughton party lines. The symbol Handand Lotus are not there in
theseelections, she said, while mak-ing a humble appeal to the
vot-ers to decide which candidatewould serve them better.
One moreinmateinflicts
self injuryHERALD CORRESPONDENT
PORVORIM, OCT 28
Yet another inmate injured him-self in Mapusa judicial custodyon
Thursday, the second such inci-dent within a gap of 24 hours.
According to reliable sources,accused Pravin Bhatkande (20)from
Anjuna, reportedly cut hishand with a mosquito coil stand,to
protest against the ill-treat-ment in judicial lockup.
He was shifted to Asilo Hos-pital, Mapusa, and after
admin-istering medical treatment, theaccused was brought back bythe
judicial lock-up authorities.
In his statement to the elec-tronic media, Bhatkande has
al-leged that he was being ill-treated in the judicial lock up.He
further claimed that he wasnot being offered proper food.
I had some medical prob-lems, but was not permitted tovisit the
doctor by the authori-ties. Hence, I was forced to takethis extreme
step of injuringmyself, claimed Bhatkande.
When contacted, Deputy Col-lector Dashrath Redker informedthat
he was not aware thatBhathkande spoke to the elec-tronic media.
Redkar further saidwhen he visited the judicial lockup on Thursday
morning, hefound nothing serious.
Injuries to Ashpaq Bengreand Amog Naik were caused bya
straightened handle of a steelmug, which both used as aknife,
stated Redkar.
Redkar further informed thatBhatkande, who is a good friendof
Aspaq Bengre, has been di-agnosed by the doctor as men-tally
unstable, due to which hecould have taken this step.
I am personally monitoringthe situation inside the
judicialcustody and after conductingenquiry into the matter, I
willinform about these develop-ments to my superiors,
saidRedkar.
Mickky toboycott meetspresided byJose Philip
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, OCT 28
Former minister Mickky Pachecohas said that he would not at-tend
any meeting of the NCP aslong as Revenue Minister JosePhilip DSouza
heads the party.
I have been humiliated byJose Philip by leading the assaulton me
at Vasco for no reason. Icannot take things lying down.I will not
attend any meeting ofthe NCP which is presided overby Jose Philip.
I will not see hisface again, he said.
Pacheco told newsmen after theVasco police recorded his
statementon the ugly incident at the Vascohotel where he was
assaulted byJose Philip and his supporters.
When asked whether hewould appeal to the people ofVasco to
defeat the panel sup-ported by the Revenue Minister,he said that he
would only ap-peal to the people to vote andelect good candidates
whowould look after the bettermentof Mormugao. The port Townneed
people who will truly workfor the welfare of the town andits
citizens. I will only appeal tothe people to elect good peo-ple, he
said.
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, OCT 28
Margao police has registered acase of criminal breach of
trustagainst an employee o f atransport ing company forf leeing
away with cash ofRs 45,000.
The police said the employee
from Curdi-Ponda was told bythe employer to withdraw anamount of
Rs 45,000 from thebank. However, instead of hand-ing the money to
the owner, theemployee fled away with theamount.
The Margao police are inves-tigating.
Case filed against employeefor breach of trust
KTC officialgheraoed
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, OCT 28
KTC employees on Thursdaygheraoed the dy general man-ager at the
Margao depot overthe new work schedule finalizedfor the drivers
from next month.
The employees questionedthe K TC Dy GM, P ramodGaonkar for the
new workscheduled, saying the newscheduled is loaded heavilyagainst
the workers.
Led by Kamlakar Gadkar, theemployees demanded an expla-nation
from the deputy generalmanager over the issue. The em-ployees were
agitated as theKTC GM suddenly left his officewithout hearing them
on thematter.
Gadkar said the drivers arenot provided with any facilitysuch as
a rest room to rest afterhard days work. When we aretired and
exhausted, we find norest room in the depot to takesome rest, he
said and chargedthe management for meting outharassment for the
drivers andother employees.
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, OCT 28
Goans will have to go withouta fish on Friday with
NationalFishworkers Forum along withvarious fishing industry
stake-holders joining hands in a coun-try-wide strike.
The strike is called to protestthe fresh Coastal RegulationZone
(CRZ) that allegedly threat-ens the livelihood of several
lakhfishermen across the country.NFF had strongly rejected thedraft
notification, since Septem-ber 2010, when it came to inpublic
view.
NFF President Matanhy Sal-danha said that no fishermenwill
venture into the sea for fish-ing and also fish wont be soldin the
market.
He claimed that thousandsof fisherfolks and other
fishingcommunities have lend theirsupport to the strike. Goa
has80,000 people actively involvedin fishing industry.
Saldanha told Herald that thestrike will get good response asit
is concerning coastal environ-ment, safety and livelihood offisher
folks.
Fishermen across countrywill not go for fishing and therewill be
no sale of fish in the mar-kets. The trawler owners havevehemently
supported us alongwith the fishermen, fish vendorsand agents, he
said.
NFF has decided to posttelegrams to the Union Ministryof
Environment & Forest, PrimeMinister, Leader of Oppositionand
other central ministers.
In Goa, major places like Pan-jim, Mapusa, Margao and Cana-cona
will have protest sit-in bythe strikers.
Goa Fish Vendors Associa-tion President Shashikala Gov-ekar said
that the associationmembers are in totally back-ing the striking
leaders andthey will participate in theday-long protest from 4am
to5pm.
We have also requested veg-etable vendors to show cama-raderie
and join the strike, shesaid.
Nearly 175 trawler ownersfrom Malim jetty have showntheir
solidarity. Mandovi Fish-ermen Marketing CooperativeSociety
Chairman MeninoAfonso said that no trawler will
venture in the sea during thestrike period.
We have shut our businessfor the day no matter whatwould be the
total loss we en-dure. There will be no activityin the jetty. We
have instructedout fishing team in the sea notto return back on
Friday before5 pm, he said.
The jetty operates around 325trawler boats, will be docked atthe
jetty. Several tones of fishbeing exported outside, hotelsand to
local markets will beclosed entirely.
One may recall in Septem-ber, Saldanha had claimedthe draft
notification as bun-dle of contradictions as itgives blanket
permission toset up nuclear plants alongthe coastline.
The forum had also expressedanguish that despite the Gov-ernment
knowing this would re-sult in marine environmentdegradation, the
latter is seek-ing setting up more such plantsalong the coastline
which in longtern would displace traditionalfishermen and destroy
tradi-tional occupation.
Fishing industry to come to halt today
nMandoviFishermenMarketingCooperativeSociety ChairmanMenino
Afonsosaid that notrawler willventure in the seaduring the
strikeperiod. We haveshut our businessfor the day nomatter
whatwould be the totalloss we endure.There will be noactivity in
thejetty. We haveinstructed outfishing team inthe sea not toreturn
back onFriday before 5pm, he said.
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GOA, FRIDAY, 29 OCTOBER, 2010
GOAOHERALD
OPg 3
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, OCT 28
Coming out openly in supportof Zarinha Shah in ward no 14and
Avinash Shirodkar in wardno 17, Chief Minister, DigambarKamat has
exuded confidencethat 8-9 candidates backed byhim would win from
the Margaoarea of the civic body where 11seats are at stake.
After addressing a publicmeeting of former SirvodemCouncilor,
Zarinha Shah onThursday evening, Kamat saidmost of his candidates
from theMargao area would emerge vic-torious in the polls.
Out of the 20 wards, my can-didates would win in 8-9 seatsin the
ensuing polls, Kamat toldHerald.
Earlier addressing the elec-tion meeting of Zarinha Shah,the
Chief Minister said thatthough Shah was not represent-ing Ward No
14 in the last fiveyears, she c o n t i n u e d h e rwork in the
ward, earninggoodwi l l f rom the loca lres idents .
Making an appeal to the elec-torate to vote and elect
Zarinha
to the Civic body, Kamat ex-pressed confidence that the for-mer
Councilor would leave upto their expectations and promisedto offer
all out support to her tocomplete all pending works.
The Chief Minister said thathe has taken up work on
theunderground sewerage projectin Sirvodem, adding that workon the
underground cablingwould commence soon. I willoffer my full support
to Zarinha,he said.
Kamats presence at Zarinhaselection meeting assumes
sig-nificance given that Congress-men and the Chief Ministersclose
supporter DayanandDeulkar is also in the fray. By
CM confident of his candidates winning MMC elections
HERALLD REPORTER
PANJIM, OCT 28
While the State government isalready finding it tough to meetthe
deadline on the Centresthreat to withdraw the nationalhighway
projects from the stateif the land acquisition is delayed,the
Bharatiya Janata Party hasalleged that the government istrying to
cheat the peoplethrough the projects.
The BJP today alleged thatthe expansion is not carried outas per
manual of specificationfor 4-lanning of National high-way under the
Public PrivatePartnership (PPP).
Opposition Leader, ManoharParrikar while addressing a
pressconference alleged that the Gov-ernment is trying to cheat
peo-ple by claiming that the widthof 60 mts is required for
expan-sion.
The claim that 60 mts widthis required is a big lie,
Parrikarsaid adding the manual doesntwarrant width of the road
60mts and at the most it can be30 mts.
Citing the manual, he said,the maximum width of the align-ment
including service laneswherever required in urban sec-tions ranges
from 29 mts to
43.40 meters, respectively.Maintaining that Goa can do
with expansion of roads as doneon PanjimMapusa highway, hesaid,
BJP will not allow this proj-ect to be converted into anotherCommon
Wealth Games.
Parrikar has also raised ques-tions about sustainability of
theproject.
If the government is to bebelieved locals will be dis-counted f
rom paying to l lcharges. But how will the projectsustain which has
been pro-posed to be build on PPP mode,he asked.
Referring to the statement ofUnion Minister Kamal Nath dur-ing
his Goa visit two days ago,Parrikar the minister should
NH: claim of 60 meter roadwidth big lie, says Parrikar
addressing the meeting, theChief Minister has sent a clearcut
message to the voters thathe has rallied behind Zarinha inWard No
14.
Meanwhile, the Chief Ministerattended a meeting organizedby
candidate Avinash Shirodkarand appealed to the voters ofward No 17
to elect him to theCivic body.
CMs presence at the meetingorganized by Avinash also as-sumes
significance given thatanother congressmen and GPCCsecretary
Damodar Korgaonkaris also in the fray in ward No17.
come clean as what will be quan-tum Centres contribution to
theproject.
How much the governmentis spending on land acquisitionin
reference to the ministersstatement that Goa will losefunds if the
project is delayed.
TOLL CHARGES: According toParrikar a person using a car
tocommute regularly throughPonda-Panjim highway will needto shell
out Rs 2100 as tollchares every month.
He stated that he has con-firmed the rates with the Na-tional
Highway Authority ofIndia (NHAI).
LAND ACQUISITION POLICY:The BJP has demanded that thegovernment
should come outwith a proper land acquisitionpolicy.
Claiming that the governmenthas been paying pittance
whileacquiring agriculture land forcommercial use, he said,
thegovernment should come outwith land acquisition policy.
He said, States like suchas Haryana pay Rs 1500 persq mt but Goa
governmentonly pay 40-50 paise per sqmt.
HOUSE COMMITTEE: Par-rikar also questioned whythe government did
not con-vene even one meeting ofthe House Committee (HC)even as it
was formed towork out solution to prob-lems raised by the
peoplethat are likely to be affectedexpansion of highways.
...says, State is in anarchy HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, OCT 28
Claiming that the State is inanarchy the Opposition
LeaderManohar Parrikar said it is notonly common man who doesnthave
faith in police but also Rev-enue Minister Jose Philip D-Souza who
took law in hishand instead of approachingpolice.
The revenue minister al-legedly manhandled former min-ister
Mickky Pacheco along withhis supporters when later wasin dinning in
Vasco on October26 night.
Why didnt the minister ap-proach police if he believedPacheco
was there to distributemoney, remarked OppositionLeader Manohar
Parrikar saidadding that this was a very se-rious issue.
Will the governor sack theminister who took the law inhis hand?
Parrikar asked sug-gesting that the government hasnot given due
attention to thisincident.
-
HERALD NEWS DESK
PANJIM, OCT 28
The results of the 36th Tiatr competition organ-ized by Kala
Academy have been declared andaccordingly Korta Ti Vatt staged by
GoykaranchiKonkani Bhas, Songit, Kala Ani Sonskrutai Kendr,Merces
has bagged the first prize for best per-formance.
The competition was held recently at the Di-nanath Mangeshkar
Kala Mandir, Panjim and 21Tiatr groups participated. The
competition wasjudged by C DSilva, Fr Bernard Cota and Vi-torino
Pereira who gave their detailed resultsafter evaluating the
performances staged in thecompetition.
As per the detailed results, Kusvo staged byAmi Daizi - Fatorda
was adjudged for the secondprize, whereas Pacharem staged by Alfi
Art Pro-ductions, Divar bagged the third prize. The con-solation
prize was awarded to Vadoll staged bySerula Art and Culture
Academy, Penha-de-Franca.
The first prize for direction was awarded toAvito A Fernandes
for Korta Ti Vatt, whereas thesecond prize was awarded to Avinash
Chari forKusvo. The third prize went to Alfredo Fernan-des for
Pacharem.
The first prize for acting (male) was given toRupesh Jogle
(Jayson) Kusvo and RosarioBotelho (Zantto) Soimbacho Khell Ani
Patkian-cho Mell, was selected for the second prize.
The first prize for acting (female) was awardedto Irene Cardozo
(Catarina) Kal Ani Aiz andthe second prize was awarded to Aesica
Barreto(Dr Minu) Korta Ti Vatt.
Merit certificates for acting (male) were givento Ali Correia
(Crist Pai) Tuji Vokol Moji Bail,Martin Mendes (Rohan) Tuji Vokol
Moji Bail,Mathias Mascarenhas (Joaquim Pai) Kal AniAiz, Ajit Kamat
(Raul Pinto) Kalliz Dukhoilem,Paul A Fernandes (Jose) Korta Ti Vatt
and Rod-ney DSouza (Rockey) Udorgott. Merit certifi-cates for
acting (female) were awarded to MariaFernandes (Fiona) Tuji Vokol
Mhoji Bail, Mery-lyn DCosta (Annie) Bondkhonn, Valency D-Souza
(Tasha) Matiechi Girestkai and IvyPereira (Hazel) Kusvo.
Mathew DSouza (Mathew) Korta Ti Vattwas adjudged as the best
comedian. Merit cer-tificates for comedian were given to Kenny
Fer-nandes (Kenny) Montri, Hortencio Pereira(Paixao) Bessaum,
Anthony Carvalho(Castelino) Kal Ani Aiz, Jane Rebello (Banumati)
Moronn and Socur DSilva (Pedru) Moronn.
The prize for best child artiste (male) was givento Master
Cameron Fernandes (Simao) Vadoll,whereas the merit certificate was
awarded toMaster Darrel Mendes (Alex) Falleam KonnemPoilam Rosario
DSouza (Willy) Moronn andFlennon Ferrao (Principal) Pacharem.
The prize for best child artiste (female) hasbeen awarded to
Shanice Caiado (Pearl) Thembe and the merit certificates
wereawarded to Vhorty Sequeira (Maria) Kal AniAiz, Shenaya Pereira
(Rosy) Vadoll and JoylinBarbosa (Jane) Don Vantte.
The prizes in technical section were awardedas follows:
Setting 1st prize to Antonio Barretto
(Korta Ti Vatt), merit certificate Surendra Sa-tarkar (Tuka);
light effects 1st prize to DipakAmonkar (Korta Ti Vatt), merit
certificate Nilesh Mahale (Udorgott); music (band) - 1stprize to
Vitorin Araujo (Korta Ti Vatt); make up 1st prize to Eknath Naik
(Soimbacho Khell AniPatkiancho Mell); costumes 1st prize to
MariaPereira (Vadoll); background music 1st prize toAleixo
Fernandes (Korta Ti Vatt), merit certificate Saish Deshpande
(Kantteamcho Turo).
Aniceto Lourenco (Goykar) Korta Ti Vatt
and Elvis Mascarenhas (Niall) Pacharem wereselected for first
and second prize respectivelyfor singing (male solo). Merit
certificates weregiven to Andrew DSouza (Birmoth) KallizDukoilem,
Anthony DSouza (Sonvasarachi Bon-vdi) Vadoll, Leslie Pereira
(Mobile) and AgneloVaz (Put) Don Vantte, Francis Pinto
(ChorunkZavnchem Na) Kusvo and, Alleluia Pereira(Monzati Koddlean
Xikum ia) Bondkhonn.
Sonia Sirsat (Ostori) Kalliz Dukhoilem andAntonette Pereira
(Cheddum Bhurgem) Mo-
ronn were selected for first and second prize re-spectively for
singing (female solo). Merit certifi-cates were given to Cibyl
Cabral (Fashion) Kantteancho Turo, Olga Vaz (Kusvo) Goykaramcher
Dustt Porinam, Nacia Afonso(Achar) Morossor, Jessica Gomes (Adlo
Temp) Korta Ti Vatt, Reema Dias (Maxean Maxean) Kusvo, Agnes
Nazareth (Ximiter) Tuka andAgnes DSilva (Ostori) Soimbacho Khell
AniPatkiancho Mell.
Cameron Fernandes (Orissak Madrink) Vadoll, was adjudged as best
child singer (malesolo), whereas the merit certificate was given
toMaython Barreto (Cherussan) Korta Ti Vattand Hashvaine Fernandes
(Scientist) Montri.Wendy Fernandes (Ostoreo Kortat Desak Mahan)
Bondkhonn was adjudged as the best childsinger in the female solo
category. The meritcertificate was given to Oshin Jonah
Fernandes(Eklem Eksurem) Pacharem, Violet DSouza(Novro Zai) Kal Ani
Aiz, Shayna Britto (MaimPaichi Ubh) Thembe, Senozel
Rebeiro(Madrinim Sambaulem) Tuji Vokol Mhoji BailClaniffa Almeida
(Burgem) Soimbacho KhellAni Patkiancho Mell.
Jhonny DSilva and Clancy DSilva (Somjikai) Udorgoth were
selected for best duet/duoprize, whereas the merit certificates
were givento Camisha Fernandes & Cressida Afonso(Bharat)
Bondkhonn, Alvito Araujo & BonnyAlvin (Korta Ti Vatt) Korta Ti
Vatt, Ivy Pereira& Suzeta Pereira (Maim Pai) Kusvo, AlifaDCruz
& Sandra DSouza (Bomboichi Sukddi) Thembe and Lenzie Camilo
& Shirlie Camilo(Udorgoth) Udorgoth.
Violet DSouza, Josepha DSouza & Vhorty Se-queira (Bharot
Des) Kal Ani Aiz were adjudgedfor the 1st prize of Best Trio and
the merit cer-tificates were awarded to Deepti Coutinho,Preeti
Countinho & Joshlyn Gracias (Kaido) Korta Ti Vatt, Sonali Naik,
Murli Estibeiro & Va-lency DSouza (Bharat Maim Des)
MatiechiGirestkai.
Ezilda Fernandes, Dorothy Viegas, LiviaMenezes & Lancy
DSilva (Europi Goenkar) Kantteamcho Turo were selected for the
1stprize for quartet singing. Merit certificates weregiven to
Lenzie, Michelle, Tresila & ShirlieCamilo (Share Market)
Udorgoth, Selvina Fer-nandes, Anthony Gonsalves, Pedro Fernandes
&Anthony Mascarenhas (Belgaumkar) Besaum,Mario Pinto, Bernard
Noronha, Pobre Dias & An-tonnette Barbosa (Bhoinnank
Xittkavnni) Kusvo.
Fr Mathew Fernandes (Dharati Mata Rakhum-ia) Bondkhonn, was
given the prize for BestLyrics and the merit certificate has been
givento Fr Dominick Alvares (Nisorgacho Samball Kor) Bondkhonn,
Manuel Dias (Cheddva HemLisaun Tuka) Falleam Konnem Poilam
andCamilo Joao (Preeti) Montri.
Conceicao Fernandes Kusvo, was selectedfor the first prize for
script writing and the sec-ond prize was given to Tomazinho Cardozo
Kal Ani Aiz. Merit certificate was given to AvitoA Fernandes Korta
Ti Vatt.
Kala Academy has congratulated all the prizewinners. The date
for the prize distribution func-tion will be declared later.
GOAOHerALd
O
Pg4GOA, fridAy, 29 OctOber, 2010
==
UpCoMInG eVents
Conference in neonatologyPANJIM (HND): Goa Association of
Paediatricians and Maha-
rashtra State Chapter of National Neonatology Forum in
asso-ciation with Department of Paediatrics, GMC will hold
aconference in neonatology with focus on problems related tonewborn
babies and recent advances in the management ofthese problems on
October 30 and 31 at Hotel Mandovi, Panjim.Also, two pre-conference
workshops on Total Parental Nutrition(TPN) and Ventilation by
highly qualified and specialised na-tional level faculty will be
held on October 30 in the Library Au-ditorium, Department of
Paediatrics, GMC, from 8 am to 12.30pm. For more information and to
register, contact organisingsecretaries Dr Virendra Gaonkar on
9623449394 or Dr SushmaP Kirtani on 9822123198, or email:
[email protected].
DKA novel writing workshop PANJIM (HND): Dalgado Konknni
Akademis (DKA) two-day
residential novel writing workshop will be inaugurated on
Oc-tober 30 at Colva residency, at 10 am by Konknni novelist
andSahitya Akademi award winner Damodar Mauzo, with thePresident of
Tiatr Akademi of Goa, Tomazinho Cardozo asguest of honour.
DKA President will preside over the function. The basics
andnature of novel writing, ways of designing a plot, developingthe
characters and scenes and all things going into the makingof a good
novel will be discussed at length.
Participants will be guided by well-known novelistsBonaventure
DPietro, Hema Naik, Willy Goes and Mahabalesh-war Sail. Altogether,
20 participants will take part in the work-shop, which will be
co-ordinated by Vincy Quadros.
Our Lady of Piety feastOLD GOA (HC): The Feast of Our Lady of
Piety will be cele-
brated at Our Lady of Piety Chapel, Carambolim, on
October31.
St John De Baptist Church Parish Priest Fr Conceicao DSilvawill
be the main celebrant for the Feast Mass, which will beheld at 9.30
am. This year, the feast is celebrated by WilfredValladares and his
family.
Free medical camp PANJIM (HND): A free medical camp will be
organised by RG
Stone Hospital in association with IMA Tiswadi and RotaryClub
Panjim, on October 31 at Don Bosco School, Panjim, from9 am to 1
pm. The camp will give free medical consultationon problems related
to gall bladder stones, kidney stones, en-larged prostate, hernia,
appendix and piles along with free ul-trasound. A free dental
checkup will also be done in the camp.Patients can get their
registration done on RG Stones helplinenumber 9552546070.
Betim chapel feastPANJIM (HND): The annual feast of Our Lady of
Fatima
Chapel, Betim will be celebrated on October 31 at 10 am. FrMario
Pereira will be the main celebrant and Fr Henancio,
theco-celebrant.
Contest on cultural depictionPANJIM (HND): To salute the unity
and diversity of the coun-
try, Rotaract Club of Ponda will organise a competition for
stu-dents of standard IInd to IVth on October 31 at GVMs Hall,Ponda
at 9 am in which participants will have to depict theculture and
tradition of any one state of the country througheither dance or
acting (monologue) in maximum 3 minutes.Participants can use
costumes and props to enhance their per-formance. Forms are
available at Monginis cake shop, DadaVaidhya Chowk, Ponda and
Kishore Traders, Tisk-Ponda. Only40 entries will be accepted.
Registration has to be done byOctober 29. For details call event
coordinator, AnweshaSingbal on 9823674970.
power shUtdownOCTOBER 29
PERNEM: From 9 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are Khareband,Paraste
in Pernem Municipal Council.
MANDUR: From 9 am to 5 pm. Areas affected are AmparoChurch, Bank
of India, Miryabhat and surrounding areas.
CHIMBEL: From 9 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are Shirent,
ShetyeStones Quarry, Parts of Govlem Bhatt, Menezes Twin
Factory,Voilem Bhatt upto Bamon Bhatt, Gawanth, Entire Indiranagar,
CMRaikar, Shah Kamaxi, Dateshwar Residency and surrounding
areas.
Korta Ti Vatt tops KAs Tiatr contest
Aesica Barreto
Ajit Kamat
Aleixo Fernandes Aniceto Lourenco Anthony DSouza Avito
Fernandes
Cameron Fernandes Cibyl Cabral
Dipak Amonkar
Dorothy Viegas Ezilda Fernandes Livia Menezes Lancy DSilva
Mathew de Souza Rosario Botelho
Sonia Sirsat
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, OCT 28
The defence forces today con-ducted the Sagar Kavach exer-cise
to check preparedness inthe State to counter anycoastal terrorist
attack.
The 48-hour long joint exer-cise by Goa police includingmarine
police, Navy and CoastGuard began at 6 am today.
Addressing a press confer-ence, police spokesperson
Su-perintendent of PoliceAtmaram Deshpande said thatthe mock-drill
exercise is a rou-tine exercise to check pre-paredness of all
securityagencies.
The drill is called to testour preparedness and
securityarrangements for any eventual-ities that may come from
coast-line. The exercise is likely tocontinue tomorrow (Friday),he
told reporters.
The officer however refusedto discuss the modalities of
theexercise. What was only re-vealed was that certain targets(and
vital installations) wereexposed for infiltrations bydummy
terrorists. Once theywere detected, they were sentto another target
area as a con-tinuation of the mock-drill.
Though the exercise isahead of US President BarackObamas visit
to Mumbai, theGoa police confirmed that themock-drill has nothing
to dowith his visit.
It has nothing to do withUS Presidents visit. Though,Goa is on
general alert as otherstates during this period. Wehave no
intimation of any spe-cific security arrangement andhave no role to
play in the se-curity aspect, he replied to aquestion on Goas role
duringUS Presidents visit in India.
To yet another question on
security arrangements as Goashares waters with Mumbai,Deshpande
replied, Entirewestern states share commonwaters with Mumbai. We
arejust 105 km long stretch.
The department said thatthrough this exercise, theyhave learnt
lessons (to enhanceits security arrangements fur-ther). The
exercise is like atestwe have already pickedupon earlier mistakes
and cor-rected this time, he saidadding Goa had similar exer-cise
in May. We have per-formed better and rate this aslargely
successful.
On the other end, the sud-den call panicked the situationamong
road users who curi-ously wanted to know the rea-son for sudden
nakabandi.Most importantly, school stu-dents suffered as they
reachedlate for their on-going mid-term exams.
Long queues of vehicleswere witnessed in the Panjimcity and twin
Mandovi bridges,which existed for hours to-gether until
afternoon.
Asked on the inconvenience,the officer replied that the
ex-ercise was called on by the cen-tral security agencies.
Weunderstand the inconveniencecaused to the people but
suchexercises cannot be declared inadvance for security reasons.We
do not know the field op-eratives and such exercises arenot
controlled by the stateswho are just members of thesecurity
operation, he said.
The comprehensive exerciseincludes three-tier security re-view
International watersmanned by Navy, Territorial wa-ters manned by
Coast Guardand Coastline under marinepolice up to 12 nautical
miles.Besides, land is controlled bydistrict police.
Sagar Kavach exercise gets underway
Coastal policeinterceptvessel atRiver Sal
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, OCT 28
The coastal police intercepteda vessel with four occupants atthe
mouth of River Sal at Betulas the two-day Sagar Kavachexercise got
underway acrossthe state to test the level ofpreparedness of the
police andother security agencies.
The vessel was interceptedat the River Sal mouth by ateam of
coastal police led by PIGurudas Kadam as they tried toenter the
river.
After interception, they po-lice team took the vessel to
theCutbona fishing jetty and afternoting down their details
al-lowed them to leave the jetty.
Thats not all. The coastal se-curity was further put to test
asthe four occupants of the ves-sel were seen making theirpresence
felt near the Betulfishing jetty. As reports said thefour occupants
boarded a Mar-gao bound bus, the coastal po-lice conducted a
nakabandi onthe Betul-Margao road and fi-nally managed to
apprehendthe foursome.
They were made to alight atthe Assolna police outpost andwere
later handed over to theCoast guard.
The coastal police are main-taining a close watch along
thecoast, even as the police tight-ened security at the
Margaorailway station, the collectoratebuilding, Margao police
head-quarters, besides conductingnakabandi on the NH-17
atNuvem.
A bomb disposal squadmade their presence felt at theMargao
railway station andconducted random checking ofthe station
premises. The po-lice also conducted a search ofthe passengers at
the railwaystation.
Kavlem locals panic over bomb threat
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
MARCEL, OCT 28
Panic gripped residents ofKavlem-Ponda on Thursdaymorning, after
they learntthat a bomb was planted inthe Shantadurga Temple.
The bomb turned out tobe part of a mock drill bythe Goa
police.
According to reports, po-lice personnel were de-ployed in the
templepremise since morning anddevotees were barred fromentering
the temple.
The news of bomb spreadlike wild fire, causing panic
in the village. The bomb,however, turned out to behoax, as it
was part of theState police Sagar Kavatchoperation to check the
pre-paredness of the State po-lice force.
The bomb squad was alsopressed into service, whichlater
unearthed a fake bombplanted in the temple.
Police seems to have evenmanaged to nab two fake"terrorists",
who had plantedthe bomb. Ponda DySP Ser-afin Dias and PI C L Patil
wereseen supervising the mockdrill activity at the temple.
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
CALANGUTE, OCT 28
Two tourists from Pune wererescued from drowning by Dr-ishti
Surf Life Team atCalangute on Wednesday.
According to Drishti re-ports, Ganesh Shined (24) andShyam
Bawake (39) were res-cued by Drishti Surf Life Teamof lifeguards
Sachin Naik,Pratin Gaonkar and Gopal
Narvekar.The duo was swimming in
deep waters after sunsetwhile the water sports activ-ity
continued normally.
The lifeguards mistook the
duo as the water sports oper-ators, until they the duo
indistress. Lifeguards Sachin,Gopal and Pratin rushed totheir
rescue and broughtthem safely ashore.
Two tourists rescued from drowning at Calangute
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, OCT 28
The Village Groups of Goa haveurged Union Minister for Sur-face
Transport, Kamal Nath toconsider an alternative routefor the
proposed highway thatwill bypass Goa, which perhapscould proceed
parallel to theWestern Ghat (Karwar to Ram-nagar).
In a memorandum, theNGOs told the Minister thatthe proposed
highway wouldspell unmitigated techno-eco-nomic and social disaster
forthe state of Goa, leaving our fu-ture generations with an
un-wanted legacy of a permanentnightmare.
Taking strong exception tothe central governments pro-posal to
use Goa in order tocreate a corridor that will linkthe state of
Maharashtra withKarnataka, the Village Groupssaid they find the
lack ofthought, diligence and applica-tion of mind on the part of
theauthorities in conceptualisingthis corridor through Goa
ex-tremely shocking and distress-ing considering the impact
andtraumatic upheaval it is boundto cause on a vast number ofpeople
whose lives will be dis-
rupted due to the loss of theirhomes, properties and
paddyfields, some of which are theonly source of livelihood
fortheir owners.
After being exposed to therealignment plan in the officeof the
Land Acquisition Officer,Fatorda, Margao, we find thatthe plans are
going to rip apartlongstanding traditional com-munities, destroying
a tradi-tional way of life, with nobenefits whatsoever for
thepeople of the state of Goa, theNGOs said, adding that most ofthe
people in Goa find it diffi-cult to understand why the ex-isting
highway cannot bewidened to a four-lane high-way utilizing the
30-meterwidth which is already in pos-session of the Goa
govern-ment. This state highway willcater admirably to the needs
oftraffic originating and termi-nating in Goa, they said.
The Village Groups of Goaexpressed their shock that theCongress
government in Goa,after motivating the villagers ofGoa to expend
much of theirtime and efforts in giving theirinputs for the
Regional Plan2021 in each village, now in-sults the same people by
im-
Union Minister urged to consider alternate route for highway
Margao blast case: Solid
Party member examined
MARGAO (HR): South Goa Ses-sions court on Thursday exam-ined the
founder member ofMargao-based Solid Party NitinNaik in connection
with theMargao bomb blast case.
Naik was examined at lengthby the prosecution beforebeing cross
examined by thedefense lawyer, Adv SanjeevPunaleykar on the blast
case.
Naik told the court thatmembers of the SanathanSanstha had been
demonstrat-ing against the Narkasur com-petition held in Margao
sincethe last 6-7 years, objecting tothe small size of the
Narkasureffigy compared to the effigy ofLord Krishna.
During cross examination,Nitin admitted that the placewhere the
blast had taken placedoes not fall along the proces-sion of the
groups participatingin the Narkasur competition.
Naik said that as the compe-tition was going on at thevenue at
around 9.30 pm to9.45 pm, there was a big soundof blast, which came
from theleft side from the side of GraceChurch at a distance of
about400-500 meters away from thestage. We could not guess asto
what it was. Within five min-utes or so, the Chief Ministerreceived
a call and he left thestage along with MLA DamuNaik, Naik
submitted.
During examination, Naiksaid that Sanathan people usedto come
near the stage withplacards opposing the Narkasurcompetition and
that suchcompetitions should not be or-ganized.
posing their own plans evenbefore the Regional Plan 2021is
notified, without any consid-eration whatsoever as to avail-ability
of land, eco sensitivezones etc. This proposedhighway, will
effectively sabo-tage the peoples Regional Plan2021, the NGOs said,
whiledrawing attention to the factthat your plans for the pro-posed
highway are passingthrough large tracts of agricul-tual paddy
fields, wet lands andforests.
This is in direct conflict andcontravention of the
NationalPolicy for Farmers 2007, ap-proved by the Central
Cabinet,which has recommended thatprime farmland must be con-served
for agriculture, exceptunder exceptional circum-stances, provided
that theagenices that are provided withagricultural land for non
agri-cultural projects should com-pensate for treatment and
fulldevelopment of equivalent, de-graded / waste lands else-where.
Further, thecommitment under the exist-ing resettlement policy of
theCentral / State governmentswould be fulfilled in letter
andspirit, the memorandumstated.
The village groups also drewattention of the Union Ministerto
the fact that the proposedhighway will lead to ead tolarge scale
destruction of theRiver Sal - the only River thatoriginates in Goa
and is thesource of all the springs andwater bodies in South
Goa.
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, OCT 28
Supporters of Konkani singerand musician, PurnanadChari, who is
contesting Civicpolls from ward No 8 of theMargao Municipal
Councilhas condemned the state-ment made by BJP Culturalwing
Convenor SidhanathBuyao terming Chari as anoutsider.
Today, migrants have be-come Goans and now Goansare calling
Goans outsiders inGoa state is the fate. Pur-nanand Chari has been
stay-ing Maddel for the last 20years. He has been participat-ing in
all social, cultural andsports activities in Maddel.
He is a prominent Konkaniwriter, singer and artists andhas been
performing in Goaand all over, reminded SavioDias.
He said people who mademanipulations in the wardreservation
process to theirbenefit and wanted to gettheir Councilor re-elected
fora second term are now callingpeople supported candidate,Chari an
outsider.
He said that history will becreated on November 1 asChari will
get elected with athumping majority, addingthat voters know the
truefacts and cannot be misled byfalse and baseless propa-ganda,
again and again.
Buyao chided for terming Chari as outsider
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GOA, FRIDAY, 29 OCTOBER, 2010Pg5
OHERALDO
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When Robert Edwards was at Cambridge,a childless couple next
door would visithim to coo over his young family. As he
later described it The trees bore fruit, the cloudscarried rain,
and our friends, forever childless,played with our Caroline and
Jennifer. Therein,like the legendary falling apple, a concept
tookroot. He started work on the idea in the 50s butit wasnt till
Patrick Steptoe independently de-veloped the technique of
laparoscopy (key-holesurgery), that Edwards was able to translate
hisconcepts into workable technology. Interestingly,the initial
reception was so hostile that he neverever got a research grant
from any governmentagency. In 2010, 32 years later, his work
wasfinally awarded the stamp of recognition withthe Nobel
Prize.
When Edwards and Steptoe announced theimminent birth of the
first test-tube baby in1978, all hell broke loose. On the one hand,
re-ligious groups denounced the technique as aninterference with
Gods scheme of things. Noconception without the conjugal act
One cant help wondering what the 4 millionindividuals born as a
result of this technique since1978 would have to say. And I really
wonder ifGod by whatever name one chooses to use, wouldbe so cruel
as to deny 8 million parents the sub-lime joy of bringing up their
very own child.
Medical ethicists sounded alarm bells aboutthe Frankenstein
monsters that would be un-leashed on society. Louise Brown was born
onthe 25th July 1978, perfectly healthy and normal.4 million babies
later, there is as yet no scientificevidence that babies born from
IVF are any moreprone to deformities than those in the
normalpopulation; and 4 million is a sizeable sample in-deed.
However it is the third group of objectionsthat continue to
cause concern; and to appreciatethese we need a clear understanding
of what IVFactually involves. The term stands for In
VitroFertilisation, which literally means fertilisationin glass, or
in a laboratory as opposed to in vivoor in the body. 10 percent of
otherwise healthymarried couples are infertile for various
reasons.In these cases an ovum is removed from themother by
laparoscopic technique and fertilisedwith sperm from the father, in
the laboratory.Cells could also come from banks. The fertilisedovum
is then implanted into the uterus of themother.
This stage differentiates it from surrogacy,where the fertilised
ovum is implanted into theuterus of a third party on a
fee-for-service basis.IVF therefore has far less medico-legal
connota-tions and complexities than surrogacy. Neverthe-less, it is
at this stage that the off-shoot techniquesspring up and cause
concern.
In an attempt to increase the success rates,IVF clinics usually
implant two to six embryos inone cycle. Whilst this does increase
the chancesof a successful implantation, the down side isthat it
often results in a multiple pregnancy whichis associated with
increased complication rates.The mother now faces the dilemma of
proceedingwith a multiple pregnancy and exposing herselfto
additional risks, or opting for foetal reduction,where the
pregnancy is reduced to a single oneby selective destruction of the
other embryos.Some clinics often preserve surplus embryos tocater
to failures or in anticipation of future preg-nancies. Storage is
usually not permitted or ad-
visable beyond five years and therefore surplusunused embryos
need to be disposed of. Thisavailability, in turn spawns a whole
new field ofembryo research. Today we have the phenomenadubbed by
the media as saviour siblings wherean additional embryo is
developed solely to makeavailable tissue to correct a defect in an
existingsibling; a legally permissible procedure in
somecountries.
Turning to our legislature for guidance onlycauses frustration
as our legislators are too busythrowing microphones and chairs at
each other.Indias first undisputed test tube baby datesback to
1986. (The test tube baby of 1978 wasdisputed till recently). Yet
till date all we have isa Code of Conduct for Assisted
ReproductiveTechnology by the ICMR 2005. Based on this adraft of
the ART (Regulation) Bill 2010 is awaitingattention. In other words
we do not as yet haveany laws on the subject.
Legislation has always lagged behind scientific
progress. The PNDT Act of 1994 was designed tocurb the use of
ultra-sound machines in prenatalsex determination. The legislators
completelymissed the fact that IVF technology now enabledselection
and manipulation of sperm and ova soas to produce a male child. A
writ petition byCEHAT (Centre for Excellence in Health and
AlliedThemes) resulted in an amendment so that theact is now called
the PC (Pre-Conception) & PNDTAct.
Looking beyond our borders scarcely providesany comfort either.
U.Ks. Human Fertilisation &Embryology Act came only in 1990,
and permitsthe implantation of two embryos. The USA doesnot have
any regulation apart from the require-ment to report pregnancy
success rates. Italy andGermany permit fertilisation of up to three
em-bryos; but all fertilised embryos whether one orthree, have to
be implanted; no preservation isallowed. Spain allows the
preservation but notthe destruction of embryos. In Israel, a
singlewoman seeking IVF had to be examined by a psy-chiatrist till
recently!
Even as the laws, from a global perspectiveare non-existent,
inadequate or completely con-flicting and confusing, there does
appear to be auniversal hesitation in destroying embryos
orpermitting research on them. To my mind thisuncertainty arises
from the simple fact that society,unlike some religions has not yet
firmly decidedone basic issue; when does an individual becomean
individual? Is it at the time of fertilisation, orat 28 weeks (re:
the MTP Act) or at birth basedon the old concept of independent
existence.At the moment we seem to believe that it is themoment of
fertilisation but we are hesitant togive it the stamp of legality.
If this issue is settled,all the above complex ramifications fall
into placeas the embryo then acquires legal status with allthe
rights of an individual.
If we chose to remain undecided, then thewords of Charles
Cantor, CSO of Sequenom Inc.,USA should serve as a chilling
reminder of thebrave new world to come. He was addressingthe Human
Genome Organisation 20th anniversarylecture titled Genomics; 20
years ago and 20years from now at the International Geneticsmeet.
He declared Genetically engineered hu-mans will be a reality by
2028, whether we likeit or not or whether it is ethical or not
(The author is a Member, National Executive Com-mittee,
Voluntary Health Association of India)
Yoga is universalSubhash R.Surlakar,Vasco da Gama
Your article Jesus Christ was the GreatestYogi (Goas Heartbeat,
Herald, 24 Oct) wasimpartial and informative. It was a
befittingreply by a proud Indian, Father John Ferreiraof Agra to
the allegations made a US pastorMark Driscoll against the practice
of yogain Christian dominated countries. Only acouple of months ago
an Indian originAmerican tried to acquire the patent ofyoga in his
name, to which Baba Ramdev`simmediate reaction was though the
scienceof Yoga originated in India thousands ofyears ago, every
individual in this worldhas a right to practice yoga, regardless
ofhis country, caste and creed, as yoga is agift from God to us. No
pharmaceuticalcompany makes medicines based on casteand creed, so
also is yoga the common
medicine of God for all humans. FatherFerreira has proved a very
strong point.Practicing yoga regularly keeps the yogiphysically fit
throughout his life and alsomakes him mentally strong to fight
theevils in the world single-handedly.
Mapusa public debate A S Prabhu, Moira
In the run up for Mapusa Municipal Councilelections, campaigning
has reached feverpitch with candidates making lofty prom-ises.
Whether they will clean up the messis a moot question. Will they
address issueslike muck in the market, potholes and en-croachments
on footpaths, garbage in everynook and corner, haphazard
constructions,parking problems, etc? The candidates areusing
various strategies to woo the voters.Once the elections are won,
the next strat-egy is to loot and plunder the public ex-chequer to
amass fortunes in one term tolast for five generations. In the
circum-stances, the trump card is in the hands ofthe voter to
exercise his vote judiciously.I would invite a public debate with
the as-piring candidates at the Municipal hall toknow their
minds.
Vasco wants LornaAdelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Now on a comeback trail, the Goan nightin-gale Lorna has proved
that she is still acrowd-puller as was evident during herseveral
performances both in Panaji andMargao. It must be said that Lorna
hasthousands of fans in Vasco as well whowould be all too eager to
see her performlive here. Unfortunately there has not beena single
show of Lorna in the Port Townafter her comeback. It may not be
possiblefor all her fans from Vasco to travel toPanaji or Margao to
watch her shows. Itwould be nice if Lorna would perform inVasco as
well and bring cheer to her fanshere. May be a local social club
could or-ganize the show which could be sponsoredby a business
house.
Image of Port TownAugustus Alphonso, Vasco
All of us agree that the image of the porttown is tarnished. Let
us not get into thosedetails. We are at the brink of voting in
the Municipal elections and MLAs are seenbrawling. For what? We
do not need anysaviour here in Vasco or for that matter,any
god-sent social workers. We aregripped with basic problems that do
notneed the help of any God or miracle men.We simply need people,
whoever we elect,to bear full responsibility of their positions.The
dynasty rule seems to be all in voguehere in Goa or in India too.
For those whobelieve in dynasty rule, there is nothing instore but
to be made a fool.
High road to kickbacksMarcos Alemao by email
Goa needs development, but not at thecost of the people. Going
ahead with theexpressway demolishing more than a hun-dred houses
built with the owners hardearned money, is not fair. The
Governmentshould consider the sentiments of the peo-ple while
planning any development. TheUnion Minister, Roads and Transport,
KamalNath stated that the funds will be divertedto other states if
the people of Goa objectto the expressway. Goans do not mind ifthe
funds are diverted to other states, ifthe houses are saved. No
chance of thishappening, because there are monetarybenefits to the
concerned parties if theirexpressway dreams come true.
We were once powerfulA C Menezes, Chinchinim
The letter by S Kamat Rotten to the core(Herald, 28 Oct) is an
interesting observationon the upper echelons of Indian society.This
weakness could be the reason why
India has never been able to scale anysocio-political height,
despite being a greateconomic power many times during thepast three
to four thousand years of ourhistory. Bhagwats, Gadkaris,
Thackerays,etc. would do well to address themselvesto the debility
that has been enervatingour society and adopt measures to
improvethe basic mores, instead of focusing theirvindictiveness on
the minorities of India.
Vascokars DisgracedCarmen Correia, Vasco
The local MLA along with his supportershas put Vascokars to
utter shame and hu-miliation. Grievances can be solved
appro-priately. Our lives are at risk with all thebad elements in
the city. Politicians haveset a bad example to our youth who arethe
leaders of tomorrow. Vascoites are suf-fering in silence. This
beautiful commercialhub has suffered from mass destruction.The
Goans in Vasco are watching all themerry-go-rounds and
one-act-plays thattake place in Vasco municipality. Emptypromises
are made by the councillors. Whathas happened to Adarsh Nagar,
Baina, Man-gor Hill, New Vaddem, and Vaddem? Theyare totally
destroyed. Vascokars, pleasewake up to reality. Think before you
castyour vote. Let good prevail over evil.
Double-Faced PranabS Kamat, Alto-Betim
Pranab Mukherjee should not exhort theIMF-World Bank about
alleviation ofpoverty, because his initiatives at
povertyeradication are clearly anti-poor. Many pro-
grammes actually exploit the voicelesspoor. It is often reported
that in NREGAfor instance the villagers work for 3 monthseven more
and when they get paid a cutgoes to those managing the
program.Sometimes imaginary workers are paidand the money safely
ensconced in thepockets of the politicians and bureaucrats.He
should talk of rampant food inflationwhich is managed by juggling
the base ofthe CPI indices, fudged statistics of femaleinfanticide,
tons of foodgrains, the numberof starvation deaths and malnourished
chil-dren. The sheer cussedness of some ofthese things is very
disturbing, but thenlike they say, this is India!
Interlocutors agendaS N D Poojary, Miramar
The Kashmir problem is rooted in religiousbigotry and it is not
the result of any failureon the part of the Indian nation. Two
ofthe three-member panel of interlocutorshave been constantly
airing their personalviews. One of them even suggested thatthe
Constitution could be amended to pavethe way for a discussion on
azadi to Kash-mir. They seem to be preparing a blueprintto
dismember the country and gift Kashmirto Pakistan, on a platter.
One wonderswhether these peace-makers are there toplead the cause
of the separatists or, topreserve the unity and integrity of the
In-dian nation. Nobody should entertain thedelusion of finding a
solution to the Kash-mir problem by negating the Constitution.
Our writ petitions workedCasvin Fernandes, Chinchinim
I refer to the letter NGO taking PanchayatPower by Nelson Lopes
(Herald, 27 Oct)and strongly object to it. It is because ofthe writ
petitions filed in the High Courtby the Green Goa Foundation that
the Chin-chinim market has been cleared of en-croachments and noise
pollution by anotorious dance floor has been eliminated.A big
landlord from the village has soldagricultural plots to non-Goans
who havebuilt illegal houses in the area reserved asgreen belt.
Form I & XIV contains suchnames as Sharma, Swami, Akbar
Shaikh,Makandar and others who are to swampGoa. Could Nelson Lopes
possibly be onon their pay rolls?
Times They Are a-changing
OPINIONwww.oheraldo.in
Pg8Vol No CX No: 273
Goa, Friday 29 October, 2010
Letters to the EditorLetter of the Day
GBA needs its teeth againAllwyn George, Carmona
GBA seems to be in a tricky situation. The poor attendance at
their Panjim rallyshows that the same people who marched to Panjim
and Margao in 2006 have losttouch with the issue. They are not
trusting GBA for their own follies. First, theyclaimed to be
apolitical, but that philosophy did not serve the purpose. A divide
andrule policy has downsized the GBA. Then the internal bickering,
mud slinging andego clashes within the GBA were out in the open
which further lowered their image.But Goans do not have a choice.
The CM has realized that GBA is not the same tigerthat roared in
2006; that in fact many of its teeth have fallen down since then.
If theyare sincere in their act now, they have to regroup first all
their prodigals since somelike Dr. Oscar Rebello and Patricia Pinto
are indispensable. Then only we can expectGoans to rally behind
them to have a change of government.
xPrinted 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);
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and/or owners.
Society is still to decide when an embryo becomes an individual
says DR GLADSTONE DcOSTA, F.R.c.S.Ed.
OHERALDO
Musical interludes
OH
ER
ALD
O
100 Years Ago
29 October 1910Ships sink near AguadaDue to bad weather
assailing Goa, sanknear Aguadas Sandbar two Cargo-boatswhile
carrying merchandise worth 15000Rupees.
No boats in the riverDue to notices issued by the Captain
ofPorts not a single river-vessel can beseen in the Mandovi
River.
O Comercial 2nd annivO Comercial under the editorship of
Mr.Antonio Xavier Gomes Pereira has com-pleted two years of its
publication.
Stomach screening inventionIt is reported that two German
Scientistshave developed a new scientific appa-ratus
Bioroengenography to analyzethe stomach in cinematographic way.
Tobacco smoke prevents feverApropos of many cases of speckled
fever,states the British Medical Journal thattobacco smoke is one
of the best pre-ventatives to arrest that malaise.
IVF 32 years on
Satyajit Rays Pather Pachali or The Song of the Road has
aspecial significance for me. Feel as though I was born or maybe
conceived on the road. I just love being on it, driving or
being driven as is the case now. My nephews generally allow
methis indulgence.
Today its from Goa to Mumbai we are driving in some moderncar,
dont ask me the name. I stopped following car names sincethe 1950s,
after the Chevrolets, Buicks and Fords and used todrive Dads
Hillman Minx. But that was in my early 20s, the oldroute via Poona,
Satara and Belgaum. Now in my 70s it is theadjacent seat.
This is my cinematographer nephew and not a maniac for speedlike
the first one. But todays cars and highways beget speed. Likethe
car brands my music tastes are ancient, Bing Crosby. FrankSinatra
and the Platters. Now Im feeling my way through the
newer ones Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan andElton
John, cult figures today.
We started on Mick Jagger and his lyrics are great,
irreverentand modern. There was one about Sympathy for the Devil
and I justloved it. There is more of Mick but I also remember his
ex-wifeBianca who looks after the rights of displaced persons and
was in-volved with the Orissa tribal movement fighting Vedanta.
Modern music systems baffle me, light years after His
MastersVoice gramophone. They switch back and forward like yoyos.
Ittook us till 10 to hit the Golden Quadrilateral and from then
speedjust happened. Breakfast between Kolhapur and Satara with
theghati special called puneri missal. Then onwards. More music,
some-thing old, something new, Billie Holiday, even opera singer
EdithPfiaff and her La Vie en Rose, with her distinct French
accent. Moremusic, less automobiles at high noon and after, the
truckers take
their lunch break.Our lunch was at 2. Cute little dhaba called
Shanti near Lonavla.
Poor Andre, needed a break though he doesnt admit it. The
senior,not necessarily the better, has to do the thinking at times.
Good45 minutes, tandoor chicken, dal and rotis to the good.
Then back on the last lap and Bob Dylan. Im accustomed tohim by
now Youve Got to Serve Somebody, Times They Are a-Changing,the
works. The quickest toll change in the world is the VashiBridge, an
example of Mumbai efficiency, after the sleepy ones enroute.
Then back to the Mumbai traffic, yuk. You cant have it good
allthe time, can you? Not in life too. May be the devil or God or
who-ever, sees to it. Didnt Horace Walpole say:
In small proportions we just beauty see.In short measures life
may perfect be.
TuBE TEch
Paths of Wisdom
Parting withunsweet sorrow
The Mormugao Port Trust (MPT), the body that ad-ministers Goas
port, has a long history; it is one ofIndias oldest major ports.
MPT has had several chair-
persons over the years, and their relationships with thestate
government of the day and the people of the statehave seen ups and
downs. But never, ever, before the tenureof Praveen Agarwal, whose
term as MPT Chairman just ex-pired, have ties touched their nadir
as they have at present.
This is unfortunate. A port exists for its hinterland andfor the
people who live there. Administrative issues docreate tensions
minor and major from time to time,but relationships should never
deteriorate to the pointwhere they begin to resemble a
fight-to-the-finish. Thatis like cutting ones nose to spite ones
face. Regrettably,that has been the reality of MPT-Goa government
dealingsover the past few years. And, to be fair, the fault lies
onboth sides.
Mr Agarwal is clearly a dynamic and ambitious man. Hehad a great
vision for the port. This included a grand ex-pansion plan to
create new facilities, including containerdepots, oil-handling
terminals, a berth for cruise liners anda marina, both to the east
as well as to the west of the ex-isting port infrastructure. But it
also included impracticalproposals like a massive new extension of
the port intothe Baina bay.
Seen in pure managerial terms, Agarwals tenure as MPTchief was a
highly successful one. The port greatly expandedits
materials-handling capacity and its revenues, despitethe global
recession. His expansion plans scored one majorsuccess in the
successful private-public participation (PPP)project for MPTs
state-of-the-art coal terminal. But hisplan for eastward expansion
into the Vasco bay came acropper, thanks to the large-scale
eviction and resettlementthat would have been required at
Khariwada.
Agarwals vision and missionary zeal for the port wasobviously
not matched by the kind of people-managementskills that are
required to turn dreams into reality in Goa.His running battle with
the people of Vasco over the coaldust pollution in the town as a
result of the port also didnot earn him much sympathy.
Some of the steps he has taken in his last days seemquixotic at
best, and resemble a bizarre at vendetta atworst. The first was his
sudden turnaround and refusal tomake the port a designated pharma
hub; he had earlieragreed to it. His excuse was lame at best: that
the portcould not handle pharma containers unless the
contentiousKhariwada area was vacated for the MPTs eastward
ex-pansion plan. The pharma industry in Goa, which now hasto send
containers all the way to Mumbai for export, rightlyfelt it was
being unnecessarily victimised in a fight betweenthe ports chief
and the government.
And last has come what can only be called a partingkick,
reiterating the MPTs ownership claim to lands andwaters far, far
away from the port. Written to 15 seasideVillage Panchayats, Mr
Agarwals letter, written just a daybefore he was to remit office,
said any and all activity alongthe waterfront of these villages
needed the MPTs priorpermission. Such a claim would be reasonable
if it restricteditself to the areas the port currently uses and
those thatform a part of its expansion plans. But to alienate the
pop-ulation of the state in which the port is situated is
certainlynot the best policy. Just like chairpersons of ports,
govern-ments of states too have finite terms, which expire. Butboth
the ports and the states go on forever. It is a spirit
ofaccommodation, of give-and-take, which always yields thebest
results. Eternal feuds have no place in a moderndemocracy.
PRIMEIRO DIARIO NAS COLONIAS PORTUGEZAS
By Ervell E Menezes
Hajj (Pilgrimage)By Samir Khan
Behold, the first House (of Prayer) es-tablished for mankind is
the one atMecca: it is full of blessings and a centreof guidance
for the whole world. In itthere are clear signs and the station
ofIbrahim; whoever enters it becomes se-cure. Pilgrimage to the
House is a dutyowed to Allah by all who can make theirway to it. As
for those who refuse to fol-low His command, surely Allah does
notstand in need of anything.
(Holy Quran 3:96-97)That the Kabah was constructed by
Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him)who lived eight or nine
centuries beforeProphet Musa (may Allah be pleased withthem) stands
undisputed. And, that theKabah is older than the Temple ofJerusalem
is also beyond dispute.
Here it is stressed that there are severalclear signs which
prove that the Meccansanctuary enjoys Gods blessings andhas been
chosen by Him as His sanctuary.Even though it is located in the
middleof wide expanses of desert, God has seento it that its
inhabitants enjoy a satis-factory living.
Although the rest of Arabia wasplunged into chaos and disorder
forabout two and a half thousand years,peace and tranquillity
reigned in boththe precincts and the environs of Kabah.Thanks to
the existence of Kabah, theentire peninsula enjoyed four monthsof
peace and order every year. Thesewere the sacred months when
peoplewent on Hajj Pilgrimage.
Even during the advent of ProphetMuhammad (peace be upon him)
thissanctuary enjoyed such veneration thateven those who thirsted
for each othersblood saw their enemies in the sacredterritory but
dared not attack them.
The verse 3:97 declares the Hajj Pil-grimage as an obligatory
prayer for thebelievers who are able to afford the ex-penses of the
Pilgrimage. It is a duty en-joined by Almighty Allah so that
thebelievers may earn the pleasure of Allahwho does not stand in
need of anything.
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GOAOHerALd
O
Pg9==
GOA, fridAy, 29 OctOber, 2010
AppoiNtMENts
AppoIntments
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
PORVORIM, OCT 28
The Mapusa NagrikanchoEkvott (MNE) has fielded fivecandidates
for Mapusa Munici-pal Council (MMC) electionslated for Sunday.
The five candidates areSamira Swar, Jeanette Gomes,Freeda
Coutinho, Angela Se-queira and Jacinto DSouza. Ofthe five
candidates, four arewomen.
Speaking to Herald, SamiraSwar, a BCom graduate who iscontesting
from Ward 8, saidshe is confident of defeatingher rivals, Ilma
Braganza andMaria Nelson Carvalho.
"My Ward 8 has four decadesold water pipeline, which iscorroded
and small in size forproviding adequate water sup-ply to 1,342
voters and othersin the ward," she said.
"The new pipeline is still notbeen laid despite having
beenapproved by the PWD aboutsix years ago," said Swar.
"The power supply system isproblematic with chronic
shortcircuits and power tripping oc-curring almost daily
especiallyduring monsoons and whichaccording to the electricity
de-partment can be solvedthrough the installation of afused-based
power supply sys-tem," added Swar.
"If elected to power, I willconcentrate on these vital is-
sues," assured Swar.Jeanette Gomes, who is con-
testing from Ward 4, claimedthat not much has been done inher
ward by the sitting councilor.
There is great need to bedone with regard to garbage,bad roads,
overflowing ofdrains, and gutters and insuffi-cient street lighting
to meetthe requirements of 1991 vot-ers of the ward, said
Gomes.
If elected, I intend doingsomething positive in this re-gard,
including house-to-housegarbage collection, which isbeing done
presently in se-lected areas despite the entireward paying taxes
for it, saidGomes.
Freeda Coutinho, who iscontesting from Ward 6, saidthere is a
need for police pa-trolling in her ward duringnight to prevent
occurrences ofcriminal activities.
The huge potholes on thebadly tarred and uneven roadscause
accidents and injuries topedestrians, including school-children,
said Coutinho.
Besides, proper vehicleparking facilities needed toprevent
illegal parking, whichcauses traffic bottlenecks,zebra crossing and
traffic po-lice to be posted during schoolhours for safety of
schoolchild-ren at traffic roads, addedCoutinho.
Angela Sequeira, who is con-
testing from Ward 15, high-lighted the need for JoggersPark in
the uncultivated agri-cultural land towards the Ma-pusa River, as
there is no suchfacility for the local residents,especially the
senior citizens.
The heavily used one-and-half km Morod road is potholeridden and
rendered unusableduring monsoons. The mainnullah, which runs
through themarket, the storm waterdrainages and open guttersneed to
be covered with con-crete slabs, she said.
The lone male candidate,Jacinto DSouza, who is a struc-tural
engineer by profession, iscontesting from Ward 3.
There is a slum area in myward, where hygiene desper-ately needs
to be improvedthrough cleanliness pro-grammes to prevent
diseaseslike typhoid and Malaria, saidDSouza.
Lack of sanitary facilities inmy ward has led to
peopledefecating/urinating in openspaces. If elected, I will
con-vince the PWD to build properpublic toilets, added DSouza.
MNE Convenor AntonioLobo said they have chosen thecandidates
because of their ac-tive participation in MNE activ-ities, selected
for theircommitment towards fulfillingthe aims and objectives of
theirorganization.
MNEs five candidates in frayfor Mapusa civic polls
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
MERCES, OCT 28
Continuing with its actionagainst illegalities in the vil-lage,
the Merces panchayat hasissued show cause notices tofour persons,
whose reply thepanchayat has found unsatis-factory.
The four persons includePundalik Navale and NivruttiWaghmude
(both scrap yarddealers), Rajesh Roadlines andBhupinder Singh
(tiles dealer).
It may be recalled that thecurrent panchayat had servednotices
to several persons whowere found undertaking illegalactivities in
various parts ofMerces.
When contacted, SarpanchDeepika Shirgaonkar con-firmed that the
decision wastaken after the recently heldpanchayat body
meeting,wherein it was decided thatthe replies of the
concernedparties was unsatisfactory andthat further action is
needed.
However, when pointed outthat the panchayat had issuednotices to
as many as 20 per-sons, Deepika informed that
out of them only four hadreplied and hence the pan-chayat
decided to deal withthem first.
"Show cause notices to theremaining offenders will beserved in
due course of time,"she said and added that thedelay has been
caused due tothe fact that the panchayat hasbeen unable to figure
out thecorrect survey number wherethe illegalities are
undertaken.
"The Merces Talathi has alsoproceeded on leave, which hasmade
the task difficult,"Deepika informed and said thatthe additional
Talathi who hasbeen deputed is not fully awareof the areas in
Merces.
Deepika further added thatthe ruling body will sit with
theTalathi and try to get the cor-rect survey numbers so thatthe
show cause notices areserved to the offenders at theearliest.
Giving the details of theshow cause notices, Merces VPSecretary
Rupesh Halarnkar in-formed that the two scrap yardowners Pundalik
Navale andNivrutti Waghmude have been
Crackdown on illegal activities:Merces VP issues show cause
notices
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, OCT 28
The SEZ Virodi Manch has con-demned the statements of out-going
president of VernaIndustries Association, CyrilPereira that
Industrial develop-ment at Verna has broughtbenefits to a sizeable
numberof Goans in the form of em-ployment.
In a statement, Manch Con-venor Charles Fernandes saidthe
outgoing president of theAssociation has preferred si-lence on the
quantum of bene-fits, which is not more than5-10 per cent. Pereira
speaks oflargest revenue to the treasurybut failed to elaborate.
Land ad-measuring 65 lakhs sq mts of
the people have acquired forVerna Industrial Estate in 5phases
at paltry rates of Rs 5and Rs 10 per sq mts and allot-ted at the
rate of Rs 350 to 600per sq mtr officially and threetimes the
amount unofficially.
The local Panchayats havelost jurisdiction and controlover these
lands ever since in-dustrial estates have been de-clared as
notified areas since2000. The only revenue earnedby the local
panchayats is inthe form of construction li-cence fees which are
collectedby GIDC and 90% of the same isgiven to panchayats in form
ofgrant in aid. Even a mobile cartand stationary cart operatingin
the village pays trade tax to
the panchayats but the existingglobal companies and
giganticindustries at Verna IndustrialEstate do not pay a penny
topanchayats for trade opera-tions, he said.
Charles reminded Pereirathat the Verna Industrial Es-tates just
as other industrial es-tates in the State are ruled bylabour
contract systemwherein the workers are paidmeagre salaries without
an