-
OHERALDOThe Voice of Goa Since 1900
PTI
VARANASI, DEC 7
Terror struck this holy townwhen a low intensity blastripped
through a crowdedbathing ghat on the banks ofthe Ganges river
during eveningprayers killing a two-year-oldgirl and injuring
around 25 per-sons including a couple of for-eigners.
Terror outfit Indian Mu-jahideen(IM) claimed responsi-bility for
the blast in e-mails sentto media houses and said it at-tributed
the attack to the dem-olition of Babri Masjid in 1992.
Home Secretary G K Pillai saidthe government believes thatthe
blast, which also led to astampede, was a terror strike.Some people
were injured inthe stampede, police said.
The girl identified as SwastikaSharma, who was with hermother
for the prayers, died atMarwari hospital after the blast,according
to IG(Varanasi) R PSingh. She was around twoyears, he said. It was
not imme-diately known whether she suf-fered injuries in the
explosionor in the stampede.
An Italian and a French na-tional were among the injured.
The blast occurred at around6:20 pm when thousands ofdevotees
and some foreign
tourists had assembled at theDashashwamedh ghat for
havingdarshan of the Ganga Arti ritual,
police sources said.Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh appealed for calm. Several
cities including the national cap-ital were put on high
alert.
Additional Director GeneralLaw and Order Brijlal told re-porters
in Lucknow that theblast took place due to someexplosive material
kept on thestairs of the ghat.
Pillai said roughly between20 to 25 persons are
currentlyinjured. An Italian and a Frenchnational were among the
for-eigners injured. But police said30 to 35 persons may have
beeninjured. The injured have beenrushed to district hospitals.
The blast occurred at a spotsome two km away from Sankat-mochan
Temple which was tar-geted by terrorists in 2006.
According to the informationthat we have, it was a low
in-tensity blast which occurredaround 6.20 pm, Pillai said inNew
Delhi. But Secretary(Inter-nal Security) U K Bansal said
theexplosion was a medium inten-sity blast.
Some people suffered in-juries due to the blast whilesome were
hurt during thestampede which occurred dueto the collapse of the
railing.Some of the injured persons
Visit us at:www.oheraldo.in panjim, Wednesday, december 8, 2010
postal reg. no. Goa 101 price rs. 3.00 (air surcharge rs 2.00)
pages 16+4
We are ready to cut air fares pro-vided we're allowed to carry
pas-sengers like Goan buses.
Business: RBI to pause on
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flattens Kiwis Pg 16
Goas Heartbeat: Depp turns
Graffiti artist in Venice Pg 4
p p
Security officials and onlookers gather at the site of the blast
at a 'ghat' (bathing point) in Varanasi.
TERROR STRIKES VARANASI
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, DEC 7
Come December 19 and peopleof Goa in a way will be
reallyliberated from the clutches ofgovernment departments asthey
will able to get done manyof their jobs on-line.
Whether filing a complaint orseeking permission to do some-thing
nineteen departmentsof the government will kick-start delivering
e-services fromDecember 19.
To begin with 88 services
from nineteen departments havebeen enlisted for this
purpose,said government sources.However, at the initial stage,only
few services of the depart-ments have been enlisted for e-se r v i
c ing a s i t i n vo l vesupgrading and updating tech-nology
employed in delivery ofservices in a big way.
The Department of Panchay-ats has thus enlisted five servicesand
has been highly activite asit has to complete training peo-ple for
handling e-services, re-pair and replace computer andensure
connectivity before De-cember 19.
And certainly, it is not an easytask when there are 189
pan-chayats to look after.
Menino DSouza, Director of
e-services launch to make work easier
VIBHA VERMA
PANJIM, DEC 7
The one-year-old cashless in-surance cover for the Russiansin
Goa has received a whopping124 cases, in a mere two monthssince the
tourist season kickedoff in October this year.
While, three Russian touristssuccumbed to death, remainingwere
trivial cases which weredealt with successfully.
The Moscow administration,last year ensured a much se-cured
holiday for the Russianshere by taking care of their med-ical
emergencies.
Moscow-based firm Liga ofDefence and Medical Assistance(LDM)
enforced a cashless in-surance to its travelers and alsotheir
representatives in Goa willattend to the customer 24 x 7in case of
medical emergencies.
From October 5, 2010 tilldate, we have attended a totalof 124
cases, out of which threewere deaths, the companyslegal advisor
Vikram Varma toldHerald.
The senior most among thedeceased - Irina Oganesyan (78),wife of
a scientific officer withJoint Institute for Nuclear Re-sea rch in
Russ i a Dr Yur yOganesyan, died of heart attackwhile touring the
coastal state.
Anothe r tou r i s t , I go rSukhanov (48) also died of
heartstroke. Whereas, 28-year-oldEvgeny Dergachy died of
acci-dental drowning at a resortswimming pool, incidentally aday
prior to his birthday on Oc-tober 11, 2010.
Few of the other cases in-cluded fractures, head injuries,
Insurance scheme for Russians a big hit
Passing NET must to be a lecturer: HC
PTI
NEW DELHI, DEC 7
Degree of M.Phil or PhD will nolonger be sufficient to secure
ajob in academic field in
colleges as the Delhi HighCourt has upheld the UniversityGrants
Commission policy ofmaking it mandatory for an as-piring lecturer
to qualify Na-tional Eligibility Test (NET).
A bench of Chief Justice DipakMisra and Justice Manmohansaid the
test is essential to main-tain uniformity and quality inhigher
education as differentyardsticks are followed by uni-versities
while granting degreeof M.Phil or PhD.
The results of exams con-ducted by various examinationbodies
vary from university touniversity and they are, there-fore, neither
reliable nor com-parable. Consequently, to attainthe objective of
common na-tional yardstick in terms of qual-ification for every
candidate whoaspires to be a lecturer and thatthe quality of
education inhigher education is maintainedat the highest level, the
im-pugned Regulations 2009 wereissued by the UGC, the
courtsaid.
The court passed the orderon a petition filed by All
IndiaResearchers Coordination Com-mittee challenging the
2009Regulation of changing the eli-gibility conditions for the
postof lecturers.
According to the new regu-lation, only those who pass NETwould
be eligible for the postof lecturer.
PTI
LONDON, DEC 7
WikiLeaks founder Julian As-sange, who has been in hidingfor
nearly a week, was arrestedhere today on suspicion of rapeaf ter
surrendering over aSwedish warrant, a move de-scribed as an attack
on the free-dom o f p res s by h i swhistle-blower website that
hasleaked a cache of secret UnitedStates cables.
Thirty nine-year-old Assange,an Australian citizen, was
ar-rested by the Metropolitan Po-lice on the basis of an
arrestwarrant issued from Sweden re-lating to allegations of
sexualassaults against him.
The e lus ive WikiLeaksfounder and editor-in-chief hasdenied
allegations that he sex-
ually assaulted two women inSweden.
In a statement, police said:Officers from the MetropolitanPolice
Extradition Unit have thismorning arrested Julian Assangeon behalf
of the Swedish au-thorities on suspicion of rape.
Assange was arrested on aEuropean arrest warrant by ap-pointment
at a London policestation at 9.30 am. He is accusedby the Swedish
authorities ofone count of unlawful coercion,two counts of sexual
molesta-tion and one count of rape, allalleged to have been
committedin August 2010.
Soon after he was taken intocustody, a spokesman for Wik-iLeaks
said the arrest will notstop the release of more secretfiles.
Wikileaks founderAssange arrested
PTI
NEW DELHI, DEC 7
Notwithstanding some of its al-lies putting pressure,
govern-ment today ruled out a JPCprobe into the 2G spectrum
al-location scam even as the issueparalysed parliament for the18th
working day.
There is no rethinking onthe JPC. JPC is uncalled for. It isonly
a political handle beingused by the opposition. The al-lies are
very much part of thegovernment and we standunited, Parliamentary
AffairsMinister Pawan Kumar Bansaltold reporters here.
Bansal said that the allies sen-timents have been quite
elo-quent l y expres sed by
Nationalist Congress Party chiefSharad Pawar.
His comments came closeon the heels of allies emittingdifferent
signals on the issue ofJPC with Trinamool Congresssaying it
supported a JPC probeinto the matter but would goalong with any
government de-cision on it.
If the government agreesfor a JPC, it is good .... but wewill
support the government inwhatever stand it and the primeminister
take. We believe theprime minister is honest, thepartys chief whip
in Lok SabhaSudip Bandopadhyay told re-porters here.
We want the deadlock in par-liament to end. If JPC is
formed,
it is good. But we are with thegovernment, he said.
DMK Parliamentary Partyleader T R Baalu, whose partyis another
key ally, left it to thegovernment to decide whetheror not to
constitute a JPC. Wewill sail along with the govern-ment, he
said.
DMK MP A Raja had resignedas Telecom Minister on Novem-ber 14
after the CAG said in itsreport that there has been a lossof Rs
1.76 lakh crore to the ex-chequer as a result of 2G spec-trum being
allotted at cheaprates.
Scotching speculation aboutany division in the ruling
coali-tion, Bansal said They are verymuch part of the
government.
Despite pressure, govtsticks to its guns on JPC
The banned Indian Mujahideen (IM) todayclaimed responsibility
for the blast inVaranasi, attributing it to 1992 demolition ofBabri
Masjid and warned of more suchattacks.
In a five-page email dated yesterday and sentto media houses,
the IM, which wasresponsible for a series of previous terrorattacks
in India, warned that it would carry outsimilar attacks very
soon.
IM warns of more attacks
UK toughens entrance rulesAmid efforts to curb immigra-tion to
the UK, the govern-ment proposed tougherentrance criteria and
limits onwork among some of the keychanges as part of a shake-upof
the student visa systemthat is likely to adversely im-pact Indians.
(PTI)
(Continued on page 10)
(Continued on page 10)
(Continued on page 10)
pg1_Layout 1 12/8/2010 12:54 AM Page 1
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GOA, WEDNESDAY, 8 DECEMBER, 2010
GOA Pg2OHERALD
O
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, DEC 7
Even as life guards posted alongthe South Goa beaches joinedthe
strike on the second day onTuesday, thousands of touristsvisiting
the world famous beachColva were left to fend for them-selves at
the beach on Tuesdayin the absence of the guards.
A large group of children fromMumbai which had descendedon the
beach on Tuesday after-noon appeared a confused lot,not knowing the
spot safe forswimming. The children wereseen forming a chain inside
thewaters to save them from theundercurrents.
However, not taking anychances, the teacher inchargeof the
group, brought the chil-dren ashore and was highly crit-ical about
the government notproviding adequate security andlife guards at the
beach.
Tourists visiting the beachpointed out that in the absenceof the
life guards on the beach,
they were wary about enteringthe waters.
There were no life guardson the beach. We were afraidto take the
children to go any-where near the water. Thereought to be security
around,remarked a teacher who hadcome with the students.
Incidentally, the men-in-uni-form too were not seen on thebeach
to control or guide thetourists from venturing into thewaters.
When the attention of thetourists was drawn to the on-going
strike by the life guards,the tourists remarked sayingthat the
government ought tohave made alternate arrange-ments at the beach.
The lifeguards may be on strike, butthat has not stopped the
touristsinflow on the beaches. Thereought to have been
alternatearrangements, at least the se-curity presence to guide
thetourists, remarked another do-mestic tourist.
Lifeguards stir pose risk to tourists Visitors left to fend for
themselves at Colva
Children visitors to the Colva beach seen forming a chain as
they descend in the waters on Tuesdaymorning. Photo by Santosh
Mirajkar
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
CANACONA, DEC 7
Over 60 lifeguards posted byDristhi Rescue Services on Cana-
conas coast went on a strike insupport of their colleagues
inNorth Goa, who refused to per-form their duties after an
alleged
Canacona coast lifeguards also join strike
Personnel apply lock and key to store-cum-watch tower at
Palolem. Photo by Kathy Pereira
assault by seniors for the second day on Tuesday.According to
reports, all the personnel engaged by
Dhristhi Rescue Services on Goan beaches strike their workon
Tuesday with demands that also includes hike in paypackets.
At Palolem beach, a lone lifeguard, reportedly a junior
teamofficer of Dristhi Rescue Services (an overall in-charge of
Canaconataluka) by Tuesday afternoon pulled the Jet-ski into the
seawatersand was seen taking rounds on the coast.
On Tuesday, Palolem beach remained partially busy as most
for-eign tourists lying on shore for sunbath while few including
somedomestic tourist were seen either swimming or taking bath in
thesea.
When this correspondent visited Palolem beach, few
lifeguardpersonnel were seen assembled near the lifeguard watch
tower,as the in-charge asked a personnel to apply lock to the
store-room-cum-lifeguard watch tower.
According to sources, lifeguards who reported for duty
earlyTuesday morning made over the rescue tubes, rescue
boards,walkie-talkies, etc, normally individually handled by them
to theirrespective captains who then kept it under lock, while
operationof Jet-ski or jeep remained standstill throughout the
day.
With the maximum 20 lifeguards guarding Palolem beach, onan
average 10 personnel each guards the beach shores at Agonda,Patnem,
Rajbag and Galgibaga. However, except at Agonda, allthe watch
towers-cum-storerooms were kept under lock and key.
Initially, all the lifeguards turned up for the duty early
Tuesdaymorning at their respective beaches, however refused to
reportfor duty and almost all reached Palolem and assembled at the
life-guard watch tower.
According to sources, by afternoon, including the team
captains(supervisors), some personnel left for Miramar beach in
Panjim,where reportedly over 500 personnel from all over the
Statebeaches converged with their demands.
DSRS unfazed HERALD REPORTER
VASCO, DEC 7
Drishti Special Response Service(DSRS) on Tuesday claimed
thatdespite absence of 200 life-guards, Drishti lifeguard
servicewas able to cover all the beachesunder contract and ensure
thatno drowning incident tookplace.
I n a p re s s n o t e , D S R Sstated that this was possibleb e
c a u s e 1 0 0 l i f e g u a r d sworked timelessly through-out
the day and maintainedvigil over the beaches, whichotherwise uses
the serviceof over 300 lifeguards.
Inspite of the hurdle, the life-guards on duty at Calangute
suc-cessfully rescued a Russianwoman from drowning, statesthe press
note.
Drishti management met thedissenting lifeguards on
Tuesdayevening and informed them thatit was in their own interest
thatthey resume duty at the earliest,as the company cannot take
anydecision on their demands ofhigher salary, reduced workinghours.
The management is con-fident that more lifeguards shalljoin duty on
Wednesday, addedthe press note.
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, DEC 7
Inspector General of PrisonsMihir Vardhan today said thataction
against the four jailguards responsible for attempt-ing to loot a
truck driver lastweek has been reserved till thepolice report.
Four jail guards - Ankush Naik,Vishal Naik, Keshav Naik
andDinesh Warang attached tothe Central Jail at Aguadawere arrested
on Sundayearly morning.
They are alleged for attempt-ing to loot a truck driver by
as-saulting him on Panaji-Pondahighway, late on Saturday night.
Its a lengthy procedure.We just cant take actionwithout knowing
the facts.We are waiting for the policereport after which we
will
decide on what could bedone, Vardhan said.
It is reportedly learnt that thejail guards, who joined the
Jailadministration only a year agowere off-duty when they
al-legedly committed the offense.
Ponda town Police InspectorC L Patil had informed that thejail
guards were caught assault-ing and trying to loot a truckdriver by
stopping the vehicleon the highway.
A Police Control Room (PCR)van patrolling the area noticedthe
commotion and approachedthe truck.
The quartet tried to escapebut was however caught a dis-tance
away. They were dressedin black t-shirts and pants, sim-ilar to any
robber so that theycan hide or escape in the dark,said a police
official.
Action against 4 jailguards after report,
says Vardhan
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, DEC 7
After the expose of securitylapse at the Legislative
Assemblycomplex at Porvorim, the entireprotection measures have
beenmodified.
Personal inspection by Heraldon November 3 at this most
sen-sitive establishment revealedcertain flaws in the executionof
the security plan. It was notmuch difficult for anyone to getinside
unchecked or showingfake identity.
The security arrangementshave however been revampedand every
guard is instructed toverify details of visitors beforeentering the
venue. Moreover,
the entrances have been re-stricted with intensified
securitypersonnel.
Earlier, a normal visitor wouldencounter first security ring
inthe form of armed security po-licemen, to be precise two tothree
of them. This cover wasnot an issue for government ser-vants, who
could show theirIdentity Card and step in.
The reg is t rat ion whichseemed just a formality then isnow
stricter and cross-checked.The security had been strength-ened
since November 1 on-wards. The security lapse wasclearly visible
also as a personscandidly walking around insidethe building were
not ques-
tioned.The vast secretariat complex
houses ministerial blocks whereministers carry out their
routineactivities, bureaucrats and mostimportantly assembly
sessionsis slated to begin soon.
Besides the Goa police squad,the secretariat has private
se-curity manning the entire prem-ise.
At present, apart from a largesquad of private security, 30armed
and plain clothed police-men are deployed in the prem-i se . Goa po
l i ce recen t l yproposed the Government ofone platoon Central
Securityforce to be deployed at the sec-retariat.
Security at Secretariat revamped
Nigerianheld
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
CALANGUTE, DEC 7
Calangute Police on Tuesdayarrested a 28-year-old
Nigeriannational on charges of overstay-ing in the country.
Calangute Police arrested oneStanley Udoka for overstayingin
India without the valid pass-port. Udoka was arrested atBaga.
PSI Gaurish Parab is investi-gating the case.
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, DEC 7
After the incessant rains till thelast month which kept
fishermenaway from fishing, now the un-dersea currents is further
killingthe fishing business in the state.
Chairman of the MandoviFishermen Cooperative SocietyMenino
Afonso told Herald thatmany trawlers are anchored onthe jetty as
undersea currentsare pretty bad.
The fishermen are already fac-ing tough days due to fall in
fishcatch, which has cut down theirearnings. There is boom onlyin
mackerels catch and it isbeing priced at Rs 50 per kg,Afonso
said.
The mackerel sell is fetchinggood price compared to its ratefew
months ago. While, a monthback it was sold off at cheapprice at Rs
20 per kilo, its pricelast year was as high as Rs 70per kilo. We
hardly have any fishto export.
We are able to catch onlyMackerels through purseine nets
and Ribbon fish from regulartrawling, Afonso said.
Interestingly, Goas favourite Kingfish has run out of stockas
the catch is negligible.
Although mackerel catchmight be silver lining in theclouds, its
not as much as ex-pected during this season.
Total catch of mackerels ina week is only four-to-five tonesand
Ribbon fish either one-toneor as low as 800 kilograms,
hecalculated.
Whatever amount we collectfrom the sale is spent for thediesel
of the trawler. We haveincurred tremendous loss, saidthe
Chairman.
The problem-stricken jettyexpected ample Ribon fish andsquid
catch via trawling andKing fish, Pamphlets and Tunafish catch via
perseine nets.
While battling with the natureand fate, the Goan fishermenare
also battered with the arrivalof fishermen from Karnataka,who
invade the sea with highpowered trawlers.
6 vehiclesdamaged in
mishap HERALD CORRESPONDENT
PORVORIM, DEC 7
Five two-wheelers were dam-aged, after a pick up dashedagainst
them near Holy FamilyHigh School, Porvorim, on Tues-day.
According to Porvorim Police,the pick up (GA-02-U-5189)
wasproceeding from Panjim towardsMapusa.
A Honda City car, which wasmoving ahead of the pick up,suddenly
slowed down and thepick up driver applied the brakedue to which the
vehicle skiddedoff the road a n d d a s h e dagainst five
two-wheelers,(GA-07-D-3101), (GA-07-A-6047), (GA-07-B-8221), (GA-0
3 - J - 4 5 2 6 ) a n d(GA-03-D-0425), which wereparked in the open
space.
Porvorim Police has regis-tered the offence against the
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
SANGUEM, DEC 7
Citizens from Sanguem aresurprised over an alleged illegalkiosk
constructed overnight onSanguem Municipal Council(SMC) owned land,
barely about10 mtrs away from the councilbuilding.
According to sources, thekiosk is allegedly constructedby a
local to run dairy business.But what surprises the locals isthe
fact that the constructionwas undertaken by taking ad-vantage of
holiday on Saturdayand Sunday.
Incidentally, despite the al-leged illegal construction
wasundertaken much under thenose of some ruling councillors,the
councillors failed in initiatingany action in the matter.
When contacted a councillorin the ruling group, he claimedthat
the previous council hadgranted permission to the localto construct
the kiosk and thatthey have no say in the matter.
It is as per the decision givenby the previous council that
thelocal has constructed the kioskand as such, it cannot be
termedas illegal, remarked the coun-cillor.
Incidentally when contactedan ex-councillor, who was mem-ber of
the ruling group in theoutgoing council, denied thatthe previous
council grantedany permission for the construc-tion of kiosk in the
municipalproperty.
The said councillor howeverinformed that at one meetingthe issue
of one local having ap-plied for construction of kioskin the
municipal property hadcome for discussion and thecouncil had
resolved for con-struction of kiosk in the munic-ipal-owned
land.
But the ex-councillor reiter-ated the decision taken by
theoutgoing council claiming the
Kiosk comes up on Sanguem municipal land overnight
The alleged illegal kiosk constructed in Sanguem Municipal
Councilowned land. Photo by Alfred Fernandes
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, DEC 7
Benaulim Sarpanch CarmelinaFernandes has said there is
noquestion of any failure on thepart of the panchayat on thegarbage
front and asserted thatit is for the courts to decidewhether there
is any failure orsuccess on the garbage front.
Reacting to the dumping ofgarbage collected by residentsnear the
panchayat ghar onMonday, the Sarpanch said theColva police would be
investi-gating from where the wastewas collected and how the
per-sons could produce tons ofwaste overnight.
Welcoming the statementmade by Ciriaco Barretto thatgarbage is
not just a problemin the village, but a big menace,Carmelina said
she would inductBarreto and other persons in-volved in the garbage
collectionin the garbage committee tosee how successful and
inter-ested they are to suggest thegarbage disposal site which
hasbeen recently rejected by theGoa Pollution Control Board.
She, however, sought to knowwhy Baretto did not intimatethe
Panchayat if the garbage waslying along road side all theseday,
adding that Benaulim peo-ple are vigilant and always in-
form the panchayat if there isany garbage around.
On the statement made bySeby Fernandes warning thatthe situation
would out of handif things are not controlled now,the Sarpanch said
this only showwhat his intention are andsought to know whether this
isthe language to threaten thePanchayat.
Information provided videletter dated 10/06/2010 underRight to
Information on whichissue is made is incorrect, with-out proper
knowledge and hasbeen issued without checkingthe records of the
Panchayatand conducting inquiry with thePanchayat Body by Senior
clerkAvelina in charge of all officerecords and secretary
DeepakChari, she said, adding that theSenior clerk and
secretaryshould have asked the body ifthere were no documents.
When the garbage wasdumped outside the panchayat,the secretary
and senior clerkwithout permission of deputysarpanch has
conveniently putthe same inside the panchayatroom. This shows that
the Sec-retary and Senior clerk Avelinain charge of all office
recordshave acted in collusion to de-liberately cause the present
con-fusion, she added.
Benaulim VP has notfailed on garbagefront: Sarpanch
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, DEC 7
With the state land acquisitionofficer pointing severe
discrep-ancies in the report preparedby US-based Wilber Smith
firm,the anti highway expansion ac-tivists have said that Goa
shouldscrap the contract signed withthe firm.
National Highway Diver-s i o n A c t i o n C o m m i t t e
e(NHDAC) pointing out to theland acquisition report bystate
administration has de-manded that the contractwith the firm should
be ter-minated on immediate bases
and should get back Rs 9crore paid as consultant fees.
Wilbur Smith AssociatesPvt Ltd had gone off trackwhile showing
the areas re-quired to be acquired andthe areas already in
posses-sion with state government,the report reads.
NHDAC Convenor Sunil Desaisaid that the land acquisitionreport
by state administrationhas pointed out several discrep-ancies in
the composition of thealignment
and the area actually requiredfor the widening of the road.
The state government
should terminate the contractentered in with Wilbur Smithand ask
them to pay back theentire amount, Desai saidadding that the
committee willseek legal opinion over the re-port.
Desai said that the govern-ment report prepared by
landacquisition officer Anthony D-Souza has clearly mentionedthat
due to consultants goofup, there were lot of confusionsduring the
site inspection.
The activists also demandedthat the house committeeshould
immediately scrap theproject and take public into con-
fidence. The 69-ki lometer- long
highway expansion is em-broiled in the controversyafter people
objected to it.The state government is try-ing to bulldoze the land
ac-quisition by not taking theaffected people into confi-dence,
Desai said.
The leader also said that sinceone year has lapsed from thedate
of notification for the landacquisition, the state govern-ment
should hold back theprocess of land acquisition.
The notification was issuedon November 29, last year.
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, DEC 7
If the South Goa Animal WelfareTrust -- engaged by the
MargaoMunicipal council to implementthe Animal Birth Control
(ABC)program in the Commercial cap-ital abandons the project,
thelocal Civic would be solely re-sponsible for the decision.
For, the activists of the Trusthad been virtually running
frompillar to post to get what waspromised by the Civic body
sincethe NGO inked an agreementwith the Municipality a year
ago.
Animal Birth Control programme in Margao could be in
jeopardy
Take the case of the pay-ments. As per agreement, theCivic body
is required to pay theNGO an amount of Rs 11,000per month for
implementing theABC progamme in the city. But,ask the head of the
NGO, SandraFernandes, and she says thatthe Civic body is yet to
makethe payments for the last threemonths.
Everytime, Fernandes visitsthe Civic body to inquire aboutthe
monthly payments, she isflooded with queries from civicofficials
whether the NGO hassterilised 100 dogs a month asper the agreement.
How canthe civic officials expect the NGOto sterilise 100 days when
the shel-ter provided by the Municipality canaccommodate only 20
dogs at atime, Sandra countered.
She said the NGO is morethan willing to sterilised 100 dogsa
month, but the Civic body shouldhelp extend the shelter to meet
therequirements.
Thats not all. Since the num-ber of stray dogs euthanized bythe
NGO has drastically gone upevery month, theres a dire needfor a pit
to dispose off the car-cass. Only the rabid dogs aredisposed off in
a pit. The Civicbody is yet to provide pits forthe disposal of dogs
euthanizedin the shelter. Given the magni-tude of the problem, we
havestarted using lime for quick de-composition of the carcass,
sheadded.
Incidentally, the Margao Mu-
nicipal Council had fixed theamount of Rs 11,000 for
steril-isation of dogs nearly a decadeago and has no plan to
increasethe amount in the future. Evenas Civic official have
sympa-thised with the NGO over theinadequate facilities at the
dogshelter.
Sandra says that the time isrunning out for the Civic bodyto
honour its commitments asper the agreement or threatenedto quit
from the Animal BirthControl Program. If at all theNGO decides to
call it a day,the South Goa Animal WelfareTrust will be the second
NGOafter Goa Animal Welfare Trust(GAWT) to quit the ABC programfor
want of support from theMargao Civic body.
Anti-highway activists want contract with US firm scrapped
Bad season for fishingcommunity continues
resolution passed by the councilto be not final.
The resolution needs to beforwarded to the Director ofMunicipal
Administration for ap-proval and only after having ob-tained the
permission, theresolution takes shape.
In the instant case, no suchapproval is obtained, allegedthe
ex-councillor and as suchdemanded for strict actionagainst the
officials and coun-cillors involved in allowing thealleged illegal
construction.
However, efforts to contactthe SMC Chief Officer provedfutile as
he did not remain pres-ent in the office on Monday andneither could
be contacted onphone as his phone was out ofcoverage area.
It may be recalled that some
four years ago, two youth fromthe locality had procured
kiosksunder Din Dayal Rojgar Yojanaand sought NOC from SMC
toinstall kiosk in the municipalarea, but the council refused
theyouth request allegedly on theground that the same is ob-jected
by the existing traderswithin the municipal area whofeared of
themselves runninginto losses.
The citizens now are sur-prised over the council remain-ing mum
over the alleged illegalconstruction of kiosk in the mu-nicipal
area and that too barelyabout 10 mtrs from the councilbuilding.
Some aggrieved citi-zens have urged for immediateaction in the
matter as the con-struction of the kiosk defies theorder of the
High Court.
-
GOA, WEDNESDAY, 8 DECEMBER, 2010
GOAOHERALD
OPg3
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
MARCEL, DEC 7
Transport Minister Sudin Dhav-likar has stated that studentswill
suffer due to the newly in-troduced grading system, whichis
implemented for the studentsof Std 10 and 12 from this year.
Dhavlikar was addressing dur-ing the cultural mela organizedby
Ponda schools Association(PSA) in association with Depart-ment of
Art and Culture at Ram-nathi-Ponda.
The grading system is notproperly done and many stu-dents are
bound to get affectedbecause of it. I am not againstthe grading
system, but manyquestions pertaining to this sys-tem are
unanswered, he said.
Teachers, parents and stu-dents have to be well-informedabout
the system and it shouldbe discussed, added Dhavlikar.
I have been discussing thiswith teachers, parents and eventhe
secretaries in the State gov-ernment. There are many unan-swered
questions and if notresolved, then I am sure stu-dents are going to
suffer, saidthe transport minister.
I am not against the gradingsystem, but it should have beendone
properly. Students, parentsand teachers ought to know thegrading
system thoroughly andthe department should have fo-cused on it, he
said.
There are many issues per-taining to the grading
systemintroduced by the Goa Boardand I feel students will
sufferbecause of this. Something has
to be done and I hope teachers,who are aware of problems withthe
grading system, will rightlycommunicate to the Goa Board,he
added.
A teacher on condition ofanonymity told Herald that stu-dents,
especially brilliant stu-dents, are going to suffer andthe new
grading system, whichhas been implemented from thisyear, is
disadvantageous to stu-dents.
In support of their claim, theteacher said under the
gradingsystem, if students do not havesatisfactory performance in
oneof the exams, then it will affecttheir results.
All the exams are importantas against earlier when studentsonly
used to concentrate on thefinal board exam, added theteacher.
About 72 schools participatedin the annual event organizedby
PSA, which has about 98
member schools from across theState.
Principal of Government Col-lege Khandola and former
GoaUniversity Registrar Mohan San-godkar said every child has
tohave some special qualities,however with importance givento
bookish knowledge, identi-fying specialties in a child hasgone
astray. He said importanceshould also be given on identi-fying
hidden talent in students.
Today, the focus in educationsystem has gone on memoriz-ing, the
better you memorize,better are the exam results. Butfocus is not on
identification ofthe specialties of the child. Everyindividual, I
feel is unique andhas to have something specialin them, said
Sangodkar.
There cannot be any indi-vidual who is useless. It has tobe
identified, but we are unableto identify that hidden talent,added
Sangodkar.
Sudin against grading system, says students will suffer
Transport Minister Sudin Dhavlikar addresses the gathering at
Ram-nathi-Ponda. Photo by Amresh Parab
Ex-GMCdean denies charges ofcorruption
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, DEC 7
Former Goa Medical College(GMC) dean Dr M N Pal has de-nied
statements that alleged hisinvolvement in corruption dur-ing his
tenure as an Examiner.
In a statement issued here,Dr Pal said that his depositionin the
Sessions Court regardinga murder case was backed upwith facts and
reasons.
The statement by the asso-ciate professor of forensic med-i c
ine (GMC) Dr EdmundRodrigues were outbursts of hisunwarranted
baseless impulsiveannoyance, as his post-mortemreport in the case
of VasantShastikar were countered by DrPal stating as inconsistent
andfalse, duly backed up with factsand reasons during the
deposi-tions made before the Court,he said.
Dr Rodrigues while deposingas prosecutions witness in thecase
had alleged that Dr Pal wasinvolved in taking money
whilefunctioning as an Examiner forthe medical students.
The doctor has also statedthat Dr Pal had never
conductedautopsies during his service.
Replying to this, Dr Pal, whoalso holds LLM degree with
spe-cialization in medical negligencesaid that there are no
regula-tions or statutes in the MedicalCouncil of India wherein it
isstated that expert medical wit-ness appearing in a criminal
casehas to conduct post-mortem.
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, DEC 7
Thieves continued to makemerry in the Commercial Capitalfor the
second day.
A day after targeting a phar-macy and a stationary
shops,burglars returned back last nightto burgle a wholesale shop
anda courier office right in the heartof the city. In both the
case, themiscreants effected entry bybreaking open the shutter
locks.
Owner of Goa Wholesale Cen-tre, Uday said the
miscreantsransacked the general merchantestablishment after laying
theirhands on the keys.
Fortunately, the miscreant couldnot lay their hand on any
valuablesin both the wholesale establishment
and the courier office.I along with my son came
rushing to the shop after theincident was intimated to usthis
morning. We immediatelycalled the police and found toour shock that
the shop wasransacked inside. The miscre-ants, however, could not
liftaway anything, he added.
That the gang of thieves werefreely targeting the shops
andbusiness establishments in theCommercial Capital in recenttimes
has created a fear psy-chosis amongst the businesscommunity.
A prominent shop owner saidif thieves has the audacity tobreak
open the locks and bendshutters without being caught
by the police indicates thatsomething wrong has gone inthe law
and order machinery.Where is the safety and securityif thieves can
break open shopsand establishments at will inthe city represented
by thestates Chief Minister, he asked.
The businessman further saidthat the Margao police shouldstop
complaining over man-power shortage by deployingofficers for night
patrolling ona daily basis.
Incidentally, the spate ofthefts have come at a time whenthe
Margao police had recentlytaken into custody a 7-membergang of
thieves, who were ar-rested by the Karwar police insimilar
offenses.
Burglars reign in Margao continues; wholesale shop, courier
office robbed
The broken lock of the shutter of an business establishment in
the city. Photo by Santosh Mirajkar
WorkerrobbedHERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, DEC 7
They were on the prowl to bur-gle shops and establishments,but
ended in committing a rob-bery late Monday night.
A worker employed in a print-ing press in the Commercial
Cap-ital was robbed of cash of Rs3000, besides his cell phone
latelast night
The victim Puttu Alwekartold the Margao police thathe had just
gone out of theestablishment at around 12pm to answer natures
callwhen five young persons aged between 20-25 years pounced on
him.
They manhandled me andafter putting fear, robbed cashof Rs 3000,
besides my cellphone, he said.
The five persons later es-caped under the cover ofdarkness.
Police are investigating to as-certain whether the same gangwas
responsible for the spateof shutter bending cases in thecity.
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, DEC 7
In an unprecedented develop-ment, election to fill up the
va-cant post of deputy sarpanch ofSeraulim Panchayat was scuttledon
Tuesday after the PresidingOfficer drafted to conduct thepolls by
the Director of Panchay-ats played truant.
One of the aspirants for thecoveted post, Polly DCruz wasquick
to allege that the presidingofficer Deepak Chari did notturn up due
to political pres-sure.
The incident occurred thismorning when the panch mem-bers
assembled at the panchayatghar as per the meeting con-
vened by the Director of Pan-chayats to fill up the
vacantpost.
The election was scheduledat 11 am, but there was no signof the
Presiding Officer for themeeting. After waiting for 15minutes, one
of the Panch mem-ber called up the Salcete BlockDevelopment
Officer, and it wasonly later that realizationdawned that the
Presiding offi-cer skipped the meeting ongrounds that he fell
sick.
Panch member Polly said theelections were scuttled by
thePresiding Officer upon pressurefrom the political masters. Ihad
a majority on my side. Thatsthe reason why the Presiding
officer failed to turn up for themeeting, he added.
When contacted, Salcete BDOUday Prabhudessai said that hewas in
Panjim this morning toattend the meeting convenedby the Director of
Panchayatson e-services to be implementedin the Panchayats from
Decem-ber 19.
The incident was brought tomy notice when I was in Panjim.I have
been informed that thePresiding officer dispatcheda note after he
fell sick, hesaid.
When questioned why no re-placement was made by theBDO office if
Deepak had senta sick note, Prabhudesai said
there was no one in the BDOoffice to take such a decision.If I
was there in the office, Iwould have immediately donethe
replacement, he said,adding that he would send a de-tailed report
to the Director ofPanchayats to fix a fresh dateto hold the polls
for the post ofdeputy Sarpanch.
The election for the post ofdeputy Sarpanch was necessi-tated
after the incumbentJoaquim Dias quit office on Oc-tober 24 citing
personal reasons.Many an eye brow is also raisedwhy the Director of
Panchayattook a long time to call a meet-ing of the Panchayat to
hold theelection to the vacant post.
Presiding officers fails to turn for Seraulim dy sarpanch
poll
Sancoale boy missing
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
CORTALIM, DEC 7
A 13-year-old boy Lesly Vaz ofOld Church area, Sancoale, hasbeen
reported missing fromMonday evening.
Vaz, a student of BlessedJoseph Vaz High School, San-coale, did
not return home afterhe left for tuition on Mondayevening. He was
last seen board-ing a bus, according to his familymembers.
When contacted, Verna PoliceInspector Jivba Dalvi said a casehad
been registered. A look no-tice had already been dispatchedto all
the police stations, Dalviinformed.
Anybody having informationmay contact on his residencenumber
(0832) 2550588.
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, DEC 7
State government has initiatedinquiry into alleged mining
op-eration near Netravali wildlifesanctuary, which has been goingon
despite Ministry of Environ-ment and Forest (MoEF) reject-ing
permission for the same.
National Board of Wildlife(NBWL) standing committee lastmonth
had directed Goa chiefWildlife Warden to stop a mineof M/s A X Poi
Palondicar whichis operating near NetravaliWildlife sanctuary.
The CWW has been orderedto submit the report urgentlyto the
MoEF.
Additional Principal ChiefConservator of Forest (APCCF)Dr Shashi
Kumar told Heraldthat the matter has been re-
ferred to the concerned wildlifedivision.
Soon after MoEF order, thedepartment has asked the con-cerned
office to probe whethermining activity by M/s A X PoiPalondicar is
still on or not, DrKumar said.
APCCF said that once the de-partment receives the report,the
decision would be taken ac-cordingly.
I am yet to get the reportfrom the section. If mine owneris
found illegally extracting theore, then immediate actionwould be
taken either by theforest department or concerneddepartment, he
said.
Deputy Inspector GeneralPrakriti Srivastava in a letter toGoa
government on November23 has asked the State to submit
the status report on this mine,which according to them, is
op-erational in full swing since lasttwo weeks.
18th meeting of standingcommittee of NBWL had re-jected the
proposal by M/s A XPoi Palondicar for production ofIron Ore with
the productioncapacity of 0.20 MTPA and ex-pansion in the capacity
of man-ganese ore.
The proposal was rejected asthe mine was 5.3kms in South East
and 6.5kms East of theNetravali Wildlife Sanctuary.
The Committee was of theview that, mining activities, eventhough
outside protected areaswould have negative impacts onthe Wildlife
in the sanctuary aswell on bio-diversity and envi-ronment.
Govt orders probe into mining near Netravali sanctuary
Russian rescued
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
CALANGUTE, DEC 7
A 57-year-old Russian womanwas rescued from drowning byDr is th
i Sur f L i fe Team atCalangute on Tuesday.
According to Drishti report,Valiya Vala, who was swimmingin
no-swim zone, called for help.Vala was rescued and broughtsafely to
the shores by lifeguardShashikant Jadhav.
Plans to shut down Margaos old bus stand opposed
The Margao old bus stand at the centre of a row over its closure
by the authorities.Photo by Santosh Mirajkar
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, DEC 7
Plans to shut down Margaosold bus stand located in frontof the
Margao police headquar-ters has come under strong op-position from
short distanceroute bus owners, gadda tradersand commuters as
well.
Be it the gadda traders or theowners of buses operating fromthe
old bus stand, they werecategorical in staying the closureof the
bus stand would spelldoom for their small time busi-ness.
Bus commuters, on the otherhand, maintained that the aamadmi
will be suffer the most asthey will be required to shell
outadditional money from the cityto the KTC bus stand to catchthe
bus to their destinations.
Workers employed in shopsand business establishments inthe
commercial capital whocommute daily by public trans-port are also
to be hit the mostby the closure of the bus stand.Drawing paltry
salaries, theseemployees will have to spendmore on to and fro
travel every-day.
Senior citizens too have joinedthe chorus of opposition to the
clo-sure of the bus stand. Senior citizenstold newsmen at the old
bus standon Tuesday that the Ministers shouldinstead stop the loot
in the govern-
ment instead of targeting the aamadmi.
On the other hand, gaddatraders said they will be ren-dered
unemployed if the old busstand is closed down by the
gov-ernment.
Fatima Shaikh told Heraldthat her family is eking a liveli-hood
on the business generatedat the bus stand, adding thather family
will suffer if the busstand is closed down.
Another gadda trader Ashishsaid the kiosk business will suf-fer
if the old bus stand is shutdown. He said that no cus-tomers will
come to their kiosksif buses dont come to the busstand. These gadda
traders wererehabilitated at the old busstand after being displaced
afterthe high court order on en-croachments. Will there be
anybusiness at the old bus standsans the buses and people,Ashish
questioned.
A private bus operator on theMargao-Shiroda route
FrancicsVerghese said the bus businesswill be doomed if the buses
aretold to ply directly from the KTCbus stand. There are buses
leav-ing to Shiroda from the KTC busstand. Where will the
businesscome if the buses operatingfrom the old bus stand are
toldto operate from the KTC stand,he said.
RTA chief calls for meet
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, DEC 7
Whether the old bus stand willbe closed for the short
distanceroute buses will be known onFriday at a meeting of the
RTAmeeting.
RTA Chairman and DeputyCollector Johnson Fernandessaid he will
convene a meetingof the RTA on Friday to discussthe demand of the
All Goa Pri-vate Bus Owners Association onthe closure of the old
bus stand.
He clarified that the questionover the closure of the old
busstand have cropped up after thebus owners Association
referredthe same in their statutory no-tice served on the Chief
Secre-tary.
Sources in the know said thatTransport and Traffic officialsare
in favour of closure of thebus stand to cover up their fail-ure in
regulating growing trafficin the Commercial Capital. Aproposal is
gaining ground thatshort distance route buses bediverted at the
Nanutel insteadof permitting them entry intothe city, but the chaos
witnessedon the Nanutel-Abade Faria afterthe authorities debarred
shuttlebuses from entering the city isstill fresh in the minds of
thecommuters.
Bag, shoesgive anxious
moments HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, DEC 7
A bag containing a school uni-form of a girl student andfootwear
near the Kharebandbridge on Tuesday gave someanxious moments for
citizensand the men-in-uniform.
As news spread that girl stu-dent has ended her life by jump-ing
in the River Sal near theKhareband bridge, the Margaopolice rushed
to the spot andtook possession of the bag con-taining the uniform
and thefootwear.
Margao PI Santosh Desai in-formed that the incident oc-curred
this morning when apasserby found the bag with theuniform and
footwear hangingon a tree.
No sooner the police wereinformed of the matter, a policeteam
was sent to the spot. Asthere were suspicions that a girlmight have
committed a suicide,we maintained a close look atthe river, but
found nothing sus-picious, he said.
PI Desai said that as a matterof abundant precaution, the
po-lice have approached the man-agement of the city-basedschool to
find out whether anystudent has gone missing or hasnot reported for
school in recentdays.
Based on the colour ofthe uniform, we have ap-proached the
school for de-ta i ls just to rule out thepossibility of anything
sus-picious, PI Desai added.
Sources in the know said adelegation of the school man-agement
had visited the policestation and clarified that noneof the school
students are miss-ing.
Bungalow guttedin Dabolim
HERALD REPORTER
VASCO, DEC 7
Goods worth Rs 3 lakh were gut-ted in a fire that broke out in
abungalow near MES CollegeDabolim-Sancoale on Tuesdaymorning.
However, timely intervention ofVasco Fire Services, property
worthnearly Rs 20 lakh was saved fromgetting destroyed from the
bunga-low belonging to electrical engineerSandeep Gupta.
According to reports, the in-cident occurred at about 10 amwhen
the owner had gone forwork and no one was presentin the house.
Vasco Fire BrigadeIn-charge Bosco Ferrao said thecause of fire
could be due toshort circuit or power fluctua-tion in the split AC
in the bun-galow.
Furniture, electronic items
and other electrical ap-pliance amounting toRs 3 lakh have
beendamaged in the fire,informed Ferrao.
Preliminary enquirysuggests that fire mighthave caused due
toshort circuit or powerfluctuation. But we havewritten to the
electricitydepartment to givetheir opinion on causeof fire, said
Ferrao.
-
UPcOmiNg EvENTS
GOA, WEDNESDAY, 8 DECEMBER, 2010GOAOHERA
LDO
Pg 4
POWER SHUT DOWN
DEC 9
DONA PAULA: From 9 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are MachadoCove,
Manipal Hospital, Vagunium valley, Odxel, Landscape shireand
surrounding Dona Paula areas.
DEC 10
TALEIGAO: From 9 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are Taleigao,Shankar
Wadi, Durga wadi, Odlem bhat, St paula, Amaral Waddo,Fredrick
Plastics, Taleigao Market areas and surrounding areas.
Maestros to perform at Heartbeats
PANJIM (HND): A fusion musical concert Heartbeats - themusic
within India Tour- 2010, featuring Zakir Hussain,Shankar Mahadevan,
Sivamani, Selvaganesh and U Shrinivaswill be staged on December11
at the Open Air Amphi Theatre,Kala Academy, from 7 pm onwards.
Zakir Hussain, the veteran tabla maestro, Shankar Mahade-van,
the extremely versatile vocalist comfortable with bothCarnatic and
Hindustani genres, U Shrinivas, the child prodigywhose music
excites emotions, Sivamani, the ace percussionistand young
Selvaganesh a percussionist par excellence, promiseto mesmerize the
audience with their music.
Heartbeats has received overwhelming response frommusic
connoisseurs around the country.
Season passes of Rs 1150 and Rs 550 will be available atKala
Academy and Bharat Electronics behind GPO in Panjimand Desai Cashew
Centre, Ponda from December 5 2010. Forfurther details call Mahesh
Nathe on 9223241726.
Fete at CalanguteCALANGUTE(HC): Don Bosco High School at
Calangute
will organise its annual two-day school fun fete cum
inter-school dance competition on December 9 and 10 on theschool
ground from 6.30 pm onwards. The fete will includefun games, music,
dance performances and other culturalitems the family.
Workshop on rights of senior citizensPANJIM (HND): VM Salgaocar
College of Law will organise
a state level workshop on the rights of senior citizens
onDecember 11 in the college conference hall from 10 am to 2pm.
Senior citizens, NGO's, professionals and others interestedin
participating should register their names with the collegeoffice
before December 8.
Walking in the Light at KAPANJIM(HND): Mary Immaculate Girls
High School, Panjim,
will be presenting a play entitled 'Walking in the Light'
basedon the life of the foundress of the Fransciscan
HospitallersSisters -- Mother Maria Clara do Menino Jesus --
aluminousfigure whose deeds have touched and transformed the
livesof many.
The play takes the form of a musical and will be presentedat the
Kala Academy open air theatre on December 10 from6.30 pm. There is
no entry fee, says a press release.
HERALD REPORTER
VASCO, DEC 7
The state-of-art 105 mtr NavalOffshore Patrol Vessel (NOPV)'INS
Sumitra' was ceremoniouslylaunched at the Goa ShipyardLimited (GSL)
on Monday byShiela Singh, wife of Secretary(Defence Production) R K
Singh.
'INS Sumitra' is the fourth ves-sel in the series of four
navalOffshore Patrol Vessels being in-digenously designed and
con-structed by Goa Shipyard Ltdfor the Indian Navy.
Secretary (Defence Produc-tion) R K Singh, Flag Officer
Commanding Goa Area, Rear Ad-miral Sudhir Pillai NM, Chairmanand
Managing Director GSL Vi-neet Bakhshi and various otherdignitaries
were present on theoccasion.
The NOPV will help meet theincreasing requirement of theIndian
Navy to undertake oceansurveillance and surface warfareoperations
in order to preventinfiltration and transgression ofmaritime
sovereignty.
This Vessel will be deployedfor monitoring sea lines of
com-munication, defence of offshoreoil installations and other
im-
portant offshore national assets.Besides this, the Vessel
can
be deployed for escorting highvalue ships and fleet
supportoperations. Sporting a flightdeck, the Vessel supports
em-barkation and operation of amulti role Helicopter.
The NOPV is powered by twindiesel engines, each driving a
con-trollable pitch propeller througha reduction gearbox. The
Vesselis fitted with a lethal weaponspackage and associated fire
con-trol system, state-of-the-art Nav-igation, Communication
andElectronic Warfare Equipment.
INS Sumitra launched
The Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel (NOPV) INS 'Sumitra' launched
at GSL by Shiela Singh, wife of R KSingh, Secretary (Defence
Production). Also present are R K Singh, Chairman and Managing
DirectorGSL Vineet Bakhshi and FOGA Rear Admiral Sudhir Pillai.
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HERALD NEWS DESK
PANJIM, DEC 7
Governor, Dr S S Sidhu has saidthe ex-servicemen, who ren-dered
valuable service to thenation, need our help and as-sistance. He
expressed happi-ness that the State Governmenthas been concerned
about it,and is extending all possible
Ex-Servicemen need our assistance: Governor
help to them. The ex-servicemenhe said with their experienceand
training background, willbe able to render useful services.
The Governor was speakingat the Armed Forces Flag recep-tion at
the Raj Bhavan on Tues-day.
Speaking further Dr Sidhusaid that the country is nowpassing
through a critical junc-ture in terms of security envi-ronment.
There is need for muchgreater vigilance and prepared-ness to face
any challenges andthreats, both from within andbeyond its borders.
In our long-drawn efforts to achieve theavowed objectives and
aspira-tions enshrined in the Consti-tution, we need a
peacefulatmosphere in the country, de-void of tensions and threats,
forits continued economic devel-opment and inclusive growth.
Dr Sidhu said it is our beliefthat, in keeping with their
high-est and hallowed traditions, theArmed Forces will continue
torender their selfless service tothe nations honour,
integrity,freedom and peace with stillgreater enthusiasm,
determina-tion and patriotic spirit.
Chief Minister DigambarKamat said that the ArmedForces Flag Day
reminds usabout the sacrifices of the offi-cers and men of the
armedforces. The Civil society he saidshould express solidarity
withthe armed forces and give a mes-sage to them that we all are
withthem. The Chief Minister wasconcerned that not many youthof the
state are coming forwardto join the armed forces andsaid the
situation should change.
Motivation is required for ouryoung boys and girls to join
theforces.
Kumari Gautami Hede sangan inspiring patriotic song inhonour of
the soldiers.
Director of Education CelsaPinto received the Army trophyat the
hand of Governor for high-est collection on flag day lastyear.
Director of Women andChild Sanjiv Gadkar received theNavy Trophy
for the second high-est collection while Excise Com-missioner
Sanjiv Dessai receivedthe Airforce trophy for thirdhighest
collection. Umed seJyada trophy was bagged by theDirectorate of
Women andChild.
The Achievers Award this yearwas bagged by Ex- Sergeant inthe
Airforce and Grade -1 Officerof Goa Civil service, Arun Dessai.
Chief Secretary Sanjay Srivas-tava also spoke on the
occasion.
Speaker Pratapsingh Rane,Chairperson of Bal Bhavan Vi-jayadevi
Rane, Secretaries to theState Government, Senior De-fence Serving
and retired offi-ce r s and o the r r anks ,Government officers and
promi-nent citizens were present.
State Ex-NCC Cadets headedby Adv Avinash Bhosle alongwith John
Aguiar, Pramod Naik,Pralhad Mayekar, PandurangHegde, Pradip verekar
, SadikaBuddashet were also present.
Secretary, Department ofSainik Welfare, Maj VenugopalNair
welcomed while Brig IanDCosta (Retd) proposed a voteof thanks.
Pankaj Kurtarkar com-pered.
Earlier the Armed Forces FlagDay souvenir was released.
Armed Forces Flag Day flag sticker being pinned on the coat
ofGovernor Dr S Sidhu, by Secretary, Department of Sainik
Welfare,Major (Retd) Venugopal Nair on the occasion of armed forces
flagday at Raj Bhawan, Donapaula on Tuesday.
SHORT TAKE
Dr Pinto on international panels PANJIM(HND): Dr R G Wiseman
Pinto Professor and Head
of Pathology Department GoaMedical College and Past Pres-ident
of the Indian Academyof Cytologists has been ap-pointed on 3
InternationalCommittees of the Interna-tional Academy of
Cytologynamely 1. Continuing Edu-cation and Quality
AssuranceCommittee. 2. Committee topromote education and
pro-fessional development in Cy-to logy i n Deve lop ingcountries
3. MembershipCommittee of the International Academy.
Dr Pinto has been appointed by Dr Diane Solomon ,fromUSA who is
the President of the International Academy of Cy-tology and will
hold office for 3 years (2010 to 2013 )
Dr Pinto also represents the Indian Academy of Cytologistsat
International meetings of the EFCS ( European Federationof Cytology
Societies ) and the International Academy of Cy-tology.
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, DEC 7
PWD Minister Churchill Alemaohas come out in open supportof the
demand to erect a me-morial of the first martyr ofKonkani language
movementFloriano Vaz at Fatorda, even asthe chief minister
DigambarKamat refused to speak his mindon the matter.
At the convention of ScheduledTribes held at Curtorim,
GPCCgeneral secretary Vijay Sardessaimade a forceful demand to
theCongress-led government to erecta befitting memorial of
FlorianoVaz, who fell victim to the policebullets close to his
house atGogol-Fatorda at the height ofthe Konkani agitation.
Sardessai maintained that itwas due to the sacrifice madeby
Floriano Vaz that Konkaniwas recognised as the officiallanguage of
the state, followedby Goa attaining statehood.
The demand immediatelyfound favour with PWD MinisterChurchill
Alemao, who said thatthe government should takesteps to ensure that
a memorialis erected at Fatorda.
Incidentally, the Chief Minister,who spoke at the ST
convention,refused to speak his mind outon the matter. During his
briefspeech, Kamat responded to the
demand for providing jobs tothe land losers, but was silenton
the erection of Florianos me-morial in Fatorda.
Sources in the know disclosedthat the move to erect
Florianosmemorial was made last year bySardessai and his supporters
whena demand was put forth to erectthe memorial at the traffic
junc-tion at Munj Vihar, which is closeto the residence of the
deceased.
However, the proposal wasput on the backburner as someparty
leaders were apprehensivethat the issue would only kickup a row and
might have a po-litical fall out in Margao as wellrepresented by
the Chief Minis-ter in the Legislative assembly.
This section of the Congressleaders are of the opinion
thatinstead of erecting the memorialat the traffic junction, a
befittingmemorial can be built at or nearFlorianos residence to
avert anycontroversy.
Alemao favoursmemorial for Floriano
-
GOA, WEDNESDAY, 8 DECEMBER, 2010
GOA OHERALDO Pg 5
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, DEC 7
NRI Commissioner EduardoFaleiro has begun an exerciseto try to
compile the list ofGoan-origin people living out-side, who can be
invited as ex-perts in various institutions,corporates and
industries toshare their expertise.
I have contacted our Am-bassadors and High Commis-sioners across
the world andrequested them for informationabout qualified Goan
expatri-ates, scientists, Informationtechnologists, educationist
andothers, Faleiro told reporterstoday morning.
Faleiro has also sought infor-mation about Goan
associationsabroad along with their ad-dresses and whether they
arerecognized by the Indian Em-bassy and High commission
inrespective country.
These qualified people mightbe willing to interact with
Goaninstitutions, industries and cor-porations and contribute
theirexpertise, he said.
The NRI commissioner wastalking at the concluding func-tion of
Know Goa programme,which was attended by 14 Goan
Diaspora youth.A significant number of
Goans live in neighbouring Eu-ropean Union member statessuch as
Portugal, the Nether-lands, France, Germany and Lux-embourg, he
said.
Faleiro said that the peopleliving in the European
countriesurged that at some stage, theGlobal Goans convention
shouldbe held in their region.
Earlier, the commissionerclaimed that the Union OverseasAffairs
Ministry has failed to ac-commodate even a single Goanorigin youth
in their KnowIndia programme, since its in-ception.
Thirteen Know India pro-
grammes for Diaspora youth areheld so far but not a single
Goanyouth could be accommodatedamong the hundred of partici-pants,
Faleiro said adding thatthe said reason has forced thestate to
design its own initia-tive.
The third edition of KnowGoa programme, which kickedoff on
November 28 had partic-ipants from USA, UK, Canada,Tanzania,
Malaysia and Australia.
The participants on Wednes-day will be going through NewDelhi as
a part of this study tour.
Nobody must have thoughtabout Goan youths because Goais a small
place, Faleiro saidadding that he would talk toUnion ministry to
get Goanyouths in `Know India pro-gramme.
During their nine-day longstay in Goa, the participants vis-ited
places of historical and re-ligious interest, academicinstitution,
industrial organisa-tions and also met governmentdignitaries.
Chief Secretary Sanjay Srivas-tava, NRI
CommissioneratesSecretary Ganesh Koyu and Di-rector U D Kamat were
also pres-ent during the function.
Compilation of professional Goan expats list has begun
BY HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, DEC 7
Water Resources Minister FilipeNeri Rodrigues has said that
hehas accorded utmost priorityfor water conservation in thestate
and vowed to take up con-struction and desilting of lakes,besides
their upkeep and main-tenance.
Addressing a function held tomark the inauguration of a
irri-gation tank at Manora-Raia onTuesday evening, Filipe Neri
saidGoa is blessed with naturalbeauty and underlined the needto
protect the traditional waterbodies in the state.
He promised to take up con-struction and desilting of lakesin
Curtorim constituency as perthe proposals mooted by thelocal MLA
Reginaldo Lourenco.The department of water re-sources is not
building the lakes,but only protecting what naturehas given to
human beings, hesaid.
The Water Resources Minsterlater inaugurated a tractor forthe
benefit of the local village.The tractor as well as the watertank
was blessed by Raia ParishPriest Fr Cypriano DSilva.
In his address, the CurtorimMLA said that the lake wouldnot only
help in irrigating thefields, but will give a big boostto vegetable
cultivation. If wehad not to build the tank,houses would have come
here,he said.
Lourenco profusely thankedthe Water Resources Ministerfor
sanctioning the developmentof the Curtorim lake at an esti-mated
cost of Rs 3 crore and
Need to protect water bodies in State: Minister
Parish Priest of Raia Church, Fr Cypriano DSilva seen
inaugurating the irrigation tank at Manora-Raia.Water Resources
Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues and Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco
are also seen.
Photo by Santosh Mirajkar
has urged the Minister to sanc-tion Rs 1.5 crore for the
devel-opment of the Bebki Tolem atRaia village.
Saying that a tractor has beengiven to the village to boostag r
i cu l tu ra l p roduc t ion ,Lourenco said he had
introducedtractors in Curtorim con-stituency three years ago
anddisclosed that efforts are on tobuild a rice mill for the
benefitof the farmers.
The government has raised
the support price for the pro-duce. An automatic rice mill
maysoon become reality, he added.
Raia Sarpanch Savio Gomes,Rachol Sarpanch Joseph Vaz,Panch
members, BDO UdayPrabhudessai, besides officialsof the Water
Resources Depart-ment were present.
BY HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, DEC 7
GOACAN will observe a Con-sumer Rights Awareness Fort-night with
the theme "AnEnlightened Consumer is an Em-powered Consumer" from
De-cember 7-20 in preparation forNational Consumer Rights Day.
GOACAN Coordinator RolandMartins said the awareness ac-tivity is
being undertaken keep-ing in mind that the months
ofDecember-January being peaktourism season, has an impacton the
quality of services, avail-ability of products and function-ing of
the supervisory, vigilanceand redressal mechanisms forconsumers in
Goa.
In order to draw public andmedia attention to consumer is-sues
during the fortnight, hesaid various events such as lec-tures,
poster display, surprise
visits to pharmacies, super mar-kets & grocery stores to
checkproducts and take samples,checking the bus transport serv-ice
and the implementation ofweights & measures rules etc.will be
held.
Awareness will also be createdin Schools, HSS and
Collegesthrough the Consumer WelfareClubs for the benefit of the
stu-dents and teachers, he said,adding that consumer
Forumvolunteers will organise a 'phonein' with the Commercial
Tax,Legal Metrology, Food & DrugAdministration, Tourism,
CivilSupplies, Transport and otherconsumer related Departments.
Doubtful Gift schemes & In-vestment offers, fake and
unli-censed products, spurious &fake drugs, cosmetics and
med-ical devices, violations of Pack-aged Commodities Rules and
the ISI mark will be highlightedduring this fortnight.
During the fortnight con-sumer forum volunteers willpublicize
the official email, tele-phone & fax numbers of the var-ious
Departments at the local& State level, highlight the re-dressal
avenues available suchas the Consumer ConciliationCommittee and
Public GrievanceRedressal officers at the Talukaand District level.
Formats andprocedures for redressal of LPG,Electricity, Telephones,
Bustransport and PWD water supplycomplaints will also be
publi-cised.
Consumers are requested tosend copies of their
sugges-tions/complaints by post toGOACAN Post Box 187, MargaoGoa
403 601 or by email to [email protected] during this
fort-night.
GOACAN to observe consumer awareness fortnight
3-day expo on homoeopathy
at Shiroda HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, DEC 7
Want to get familiarized withhomoeopathic way of treat-ment?
Visit the 12th annualhealth exhibition organized byShri Kamaxidevi
HomoeopathyMedical College & Hospital be-tween December 10 and
12 inthe college premises in Shiroda.
Organized in collaborationwith National Institute ofOceanography
(NIO), Goa Sci-ence Centre, Directorate ofHealth Services and St
JohnsAmbulance, the exhibition willhave special session on
dia-betes treatment in Homoeopa-thy, said Dr Arvind Kothe,Principal
of Shri Kamaxidevi Ho-moepathic Medical Collegewhile addressing a
press con-ference on Tuesday here.
The project on diabetes willdeal with causation,
types,patho-physiology, symptoma-tology, complications,
manage-ment, diet and exercise andgeneral advise on dos anddonts,
added Dr Kothe.
The exhibits will also be onneural control and
co-ordination(centre nerves system) body flu-ids, endocrine system,
immunesystem, drug and alcohol abuse,excretory system,
reproduction,musculo skeletal system, nutri-tion for adolescence,
garbagedisposal and lifestyle related dis-eases especially diabetic
mellitus.
The exhibits shall compriseof the organs, models, experi-ments,
skits, video clippings.
A team from students fromSweden who are with ChowguleCollege for
student exchangeprogramme and members ofthe National executive
councilof Indian Institute of Homoe-pathic physician will visit
theexhibition, Dr Kothe said.
HERALD NEWS DESK
PANJIM, DEC 7
The Goa Pav i l ion evokedtremendous response at the30th edition
of IITF-2010, Delhi,organized by the India TradePromotion
Organization ontheme Clean and Energy Effi-cient Technology,
Products andServices.
The fair which was held overa fortnight till November 27,
of-fered exposure to a variety ofindustries, their products
andservices. It brought togetherleaders of trade and industry,key
decision makers, entrepre-neurs, foreign delegates, busi-ness
persons, civil servants,policy makers, media personsand
thinkers.
The fair attracted participationfrom 23 countries, each
show-casing their range of productsand services. Japan and
Uganda
participated for the first time.Exhibitor categories
includedproducts/services related to en-gineering, software and
hard-ware, automobiles, electronics,telecom, leather, textiles,
hand-icrafts, jewellery, furniture andfurnishings besides a wide
rangeof consumer goods.
The Goa Pavilion, built in tra-ditional architectural style of
Goa,evoked overwhelming response.The design elements embodiedthe
unique nature of Goa, withvibrant colours, intricate patternsand
country tiled roofs. It con-tained separate sections demar-cated
for the Goa Handicrafts,Rural and Small Scale IndustriesDevelopment
Corporation(GHRSSIDC), Goa Industrial De-velopment Corporation
(GoaIDC), Goa Tourism DevelopmentCorporation (GTDC), Departmentof
Information and Publicity, Goa
Agriculture Department and oth-ers. Companies like
SmartlinkNetwork Systems Ltd (Digilink),Siemens and Putzmeister
werealso represented in the Pavilion.The Goa Pavilion was a
one-stoptreasure trove for everything po-tential visitors and
investorswould want to know about thestate.
Soon after the inauguration,the Goa Pavilion was throngedby
business and trade visitorsfrom all over the world. ChiefMinister
Digambar Kamat visitedthe pavilion recently to honourthe Goa Day
celebrations whichwas also attended by Membersof Parliament Shripad
Naik,Francisco Sardinha, ShantaramNaik and Managing Director ofIDC,
Ajit D Naik.
The stall was conceptualized,designed and executed by Vin-san
Graphics,Vasco.
Goa Pavilion makes wavesat IITF-2010 in Delhi
Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, MPs Francisco Sardinha and
Shripad Naik and other officials from theState.
Screening ofMadre TeresaPANJIM (HND): The English
movie Madre Teresa will bescreened on December 12 at DonBosco
grounds, Panjim, at 7 pm.Entry for the movie is free and allare
invited to view this Italian pro-duction starring the Golden
Globewinner, Olivia Hussey, in a con-vincing portrayal of the
simplicityand unwavering faith of the pro-fessor of love. This
3-hour has runto full capacity in other parts ofthe country and has
been viewedby people of all faiths. It is broughtto Goa by Panjim
unit of The DonBosco Past Pupils Association.
Balaji Academyfranchisee
office openedHERALD CORRESPONDENT
SANGUEM, DEC 7
Quepem MLA and Chairpersonof Goa Industrial
DevelopmentCorporation Chandrakant (Babu)Kavlekar recently
inauguratedthe office of Sri Balaji AcademyGoa as a master
franchisee officeof UCMAS (Universal ConceptMental Arithmetic
System) forthe State of Goa.
Chief Managing Director Bal-aji Pillai of the newly inaugu-rated
Sri Balaji Academy, whichis located at Flat No TF-1, Lean-dra
Castle, Opp Gomes Classic,behind Hotel Red Roof, Madel-Margao,
informed that the Acad-emy is expecting enormousgrowth in terms of
implemen-tation, services and popularityof UCMAS in Goa through
Fran-chisee Centres and Schools forthe benefit of students
betweenthe age group of 5 to 13 years.
The Academy is also lookingfor the empowerment throughemployment
of graduate house-wives to work as UCMAS teach-e r s i n the educa
t iona lprogramme along with curricu-lar and co-curricular
involve-ment and development ofoverall excellence of the stu-dents
enrolled for the pro-gramme, added Pillai.
UCMAS, Pillai claimed is suc-cessfully running this pro-gramme
through 15 schools, 13private centres for 1,000 stu-dents from all
over Goa.
UCMAS has also entered intothe Limca Book of Records
forconducting National Level Com-petition with largest number
ofstudents at one venue in oneday, said Pillai.
Giving details of the programmeat the inaugural function,
Pillaisaid UCMAS is ISO 9001:2000 cer-tified, whole brain
developmenteducational programme for chil-dren aged 5 to 13.
Chief Guest Kavlekar compli-mented the CMD of Sri BalajiAcademy
Goa for taking the ini-tiative of reaching the maximumstudents and
getting them en-rolled for UCMAS.
Tourism-relatedbusiness hit
over frequent power cuts
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
CALANGUTE, DEC 7
Former Calangute sarpanchJoseph Sequeira has criticizedthe
electricity department forit failure to provide stable
anduninterrupted power supplyto the villagers of Calanguteand
surrounding villages, in-cluding Candolim and Nagoa-Arpora.
Speaking to Herald, Sequeirasaid: There is frequent break-down
of power supply to thevillagers of Calangute, besidesCandolim and
Nagoa-Arporasince the last two months andthere is no improvement
tilldate.
The frequent power supplybreakdown is having a bad ef-fect on
tourism-related businessin the coastal belt, thereby put-ting the
villagers to losses inthousands of rupees. The gov-ernment is also
not doing any-thing worthwhile to get rid ofthe miseries of the
commonpeople while the matter is goingfrom bad to worse, stated
Se-queira.
If the situation persists, thevillagers of Calangute and
sur-rounding areas will be hard hiton business front, added
Se-queira.
Lately, Calangute SarpanchAlex Fernandes called on ChiefMinister
Digambar Kamat to ap-prise him on frequent break-down of power
supply inCalangute and surroundingareas. The chief minister
how-ever promised to initiate stepsfor improvement in supply
ofstable and uninterrupted powerto the villagers of Calangute
andsurrounding areas.
Sequeira further said he hasspoken to the junior engineera
couple of times for improve-ment of power supply to the vil-l age r
s o f Ca l angute andsurrounding areas, but to noavail.
Even today, there are fre-quent cuts in power supply tothe
villages of Calangute, Can-dolim and Nagoa-Arpora, whichneeds
attention from the elec-tricity department, he said.
HERALD NEWS DESK
PANJIM, DEC 7
Min i s te r fo r Panchaya t s ,Manohar Azgaonkar has saidthat
Rs 6 crores has been ear-marked for extension of waterpipelines to
supply drinkingwater in Dhargal.
Azgaonkar was speaking after
commissioning the free watertap costing Rs 4.5 lakhs for
thebenefit of 10 families at Ped-nekarwada, Mopa, in Pernem.
While reviewing the devel-opmental works, Azgaonkarsaid, the
works of constructionof Nullah costing of Rs 35 lakhsat Samata Park
Mopa and com-
munity hall at an estimated costof Rs 9 lakhs at Torse has
com-menced. He also assured to lookinto the demand for
adequatefacilities in the area.
Later Azgaonkar inauguratedthe Ravalnath Self Help Groupand
Swaranand Saunstha at Kar-maliwada, Mopa.
Azgaonkar: Rs 6 cr earmarked for water supply in Dhargal
-
In recent times, few issues grab the Goan imag-ination as much
as concerns over ethnicity,migration and the like. For a region
which has
long been part of other larger empires (based farfrom the
boundaries of current-day Goa), andwhich has a large number of its
people scatteredacross the globe, this is an unusual approach
indeed.
Goa has been ruled by many different empiresover time. Ours is a
melting pot, where peopleof very many different groups and shades
of skincolour have come and settled. Migration intoGoa has happened
over the millennia, and allhave fused sometimes willingly,
sometimesreluctantly into the salad bowl that is todaycalled
Goa.
If Goans elsewhere need a level playing field,and should not be
subject to racism, then otherssettled in Goa too deserve the same,
one wouldhave thought.
But this is not to be. Take up any debate andyou will see
strands of regional chauvinism creep-ing into the same.
Last fortnight, migrants into Goa were blamedin some debates for
taking to a life of crime. Thiscame about after reports quoted
police sayingthat four jail guards attached to the
high-securityAguada central prison were arrested while tryingto rob
a truck driver on a national highway.
There was no reason to drag non-Goans intothe debate, but that
was done nonetheless. Notjust that, the debate went on to blame
migrantsfor charging more for goods and services, aftersettling in
Goa for a few years. If you ask me, theinflationary pressures in a
place like Goa are justvery high, regardless of ethnicity. We make
scape-goats of migrants just about, at any excuse.
Our politicians find this convenient, and it canbe a campaign
issue when suitable in our oppor-tunism-fuelled politics. Peoples
sentiments runhigh over such concerns, and few emotions areas
strong as fear. We are always quick to reactwhen we feel that we
are under some kind ofthreat. And the in-migrant, specially if he
or sheis poor, can be taken to be a serious threat.
Yes, we do have a lot of concerns that need tobe tackled. But is
this really a debate about eth-nicity alone? First and foremost we
need to face
up to the question about the efficiency of Goa as asociety. In a
world that is fast getting globalised,we have to compete not just
with people oftenbetter equipped and trained who are migratinginto
Goa, but also with the rest of the country andthe world. Whether
our kids go out for jobs to Ban-galore, or whether its the question
of nationwidecompetitive exams, a small State like Goa has
tonecessarily look towards wider horizons. In thepast, despite the
colonial yoke (or because of it),Goans proved to be very good at
this. With compe-tition growing, it is all the more important for
Goato face up to the same, whether it is inside the stateor beyond.
Yet, we now have so few institutions ofexcellence. You could count
them on the fingers ofone hand, with some to spare.
Not just that, as a society, we are actively in-volved in
ensuring that institutions dont grow,that we trip up one another,
and that wed rathernot have an institution if we cant extend
hege-mony over it. (The thwarted national universityin Goa is one
good example.)
Take a look around and you would immediatelyget an idea of the
institutions that have fallen to
the wayside because of ego-clashes and a jostlingfor power. It
keeps happening all the time, and Goahas lost some of its best
institutions, including ed-ucational ones, in this manner. Besides
this, Goalacks institution builders. Those few who exist, andwere
taking the state along a useful road, have beeneffectively
side-tracked. So how do our younger gen-erations compete with the
others?
Another concern crops up here, when the ethnicitydebate gets
raised. That is about the way in whichwe treat migrants into Goa.
Because we are suspi-cious, if not hostile, it is not possible to
build bridges,tap their skills, and jointly work towards
somethingbetter. We are indulging in a self-fulfilling prophecythat
will ensure that someone settling here neverreally feels to be a
part of Goa, and so wont puttheir best foot forward in contributing
to the re-gion. As a result, we remain in a separate, hostilecamp.
Each side mistrusts the other. Nobody getsahead.
I am not making a case for anybody here, butjudging people on
the basis of stereotypes, is notapt. This holds true for migrants
into Goa, and thisholds true for some tourists too. Russians
and
Israelis are, for some reason, the lowest in thepecking order
when it comes to tourists visitingGoa. We also often easily pair
the word Russianwith mafia. Some cases that (probably rightly)hit
the headlines in coastal Pernem are repeatedlycited to justify our
bias. Yet, take the recent news thatis emerging and see what stands
out. Stringent visarules are pushing away the Russians. A Russian
wasmolested by a burglar in a Goa apartment. Two elderlyRussians
died while on holiday in Goa. In yet anothercase, a Bangalore
techie was lured into a honey trapby a man who posed as a Russian
girl, and allegedlyrobbed the software engineer with the help of
threeothers. Not a word of concern or caution from anyoneto give
hint that something is going wrong. Our sim-plistic positions on
those-we-dont-like may be reas-suring and help in fuelling to our
own bias. Butit doesnt take either side anywhere.
Coming back to the migration issue, the logic thatin-migration
are bad is simplistic. It is as out of syncas is the claim that
controversial projects offer jobsto our youth. It is time that
those who care aboutGoa took more trouble to separate the wheat
fromthe chaff. At this point of time, there is a clamour forspecial
status for Goa. As some campaigners haverightly pointed out, it is
about time that those de-manding special status explain what
exactly this wouldmean to a state like ours.
Would it be on restrictions on buying land? Or onentry? Or on
having residence here? If so, how wouldthis be regulated, and would
it be done with honesty?Or would it be as bogus as the 80% job
reservations inlocal industries which we heard so much about
earlier,but now hardly makes a difference to anyone?
It could be worse: Like the planning regulationsin Goa, that
affect the small-man in a big way,which anyone with clout (and the
money to pay)can easily squeeze through. Like the domicileclauses,
it might only end up affecting locals,people like migrants, whose
children can thennot claim the domicile needed to take up a seatin
a professional college.
Goa needs to define what its priorities are.Lets not get misled
because pushing either agen-das meant confusing main issues we
face, or at-tempts to promote some private goal under theguise of
very nice-sounding labels.
Man-animal conflictAdelmo Fernandes, Vasco
In Goa, one reads of reports of wild animalslike leopards,
wolves, monkeys, snakes andeven elephants venturing into the
villages,thus posing danger to its residents. Therehave been
several instances of leopardshaving fallen into wells, of monkeys
stealingbananas, papayas etc. In many places,snakes venture into
peoples homes.
All this takes place because we humanshave encroached into the
natural habitatof these wild animals by building
residentialbuildings and mega projects. The forestcover has been
replaced by development.Thus man-animal conflict has ensued.
We ought to be blamed for these attacks,due to human
encroachment. In future,whenever a mega project is proposed,
thegovernment should take of the encroach-ment factor, before
clearing the licence.Wild life maintenance is important withso many
animals on the list of endangeredspecies.
Meek surrenderL I Colaco, Margao
Elected representatives are bent to destroyGoa by unplanned
development recentlyin the form of highway broadening. Thereis a
need to limit the number of vehiclesowned by individuals, rather
than tobroaden the roads. If we continue in thisfashion to cater to
the ever growing traffic,there will be a lot of inconvenience in
storefor us. Majority of Goans are educated, buthave very poor
leadership qualities andare also self centred. If all Goans from
dif-ferent religions, castes and classes cometogether to make Goa
the best place forall Goans, then nothing can hinder itsprogress.
Many Goans have realised thatcampaigning for a just cause is futile
andhave surrendered to the whims of its greedyrepresentatives.
Aldona developmentJonas Correia, Aldona
Its nice to know that our dynamic MLA hasearmarked Rs50 crores
for the overall de-velopment of the constituency. He is themost
progressive MLA which has beenproved by his repeated re-election by
thevoters.
However, one thing which requires ur-gent attention is the
Aldona market, whichis in bad shape. Pieces of concrete hadfallen
from the overhead terrace on severaloccasions, in which a woman was
left se-verely injured.
Vendors are scared to occupy the placeand squat on the roadside
causing incon-venience to the public. We hope that thevarious
co-owners of the market and sur-rounding areas coordinate with the
MLAand the Panchayat to find an amicable so-lution. A speedy
reconstruction of the mar-ket would go a long way to avoid
anyfurther casualties.
Government signboardsJohn M Vaz, Aldona
This is with regard to the signboards inKonkani and Marathi. Our
state official lan-guage is Konkani. This is not
implemented.English is the medium for communicationall over the
state and also in administrativefunctions. As for the signboards,
Konkaniand Marathi one are not used.
This is because Goa is a tourist destina-tion. It will not serve
any purpose but itmay satisfy the pleasure of those, who can-not
decipher the right from the wrong.
Now is the time for all those to realise,that there is a need to
be realistic. Afterall, working towards the success of ourstate
should be our motto.
Seventh acquittalFatima Sardinha, Margao
Maha-anand means great joy. Apparently,this is with reference to
Mahanand Naik,who must be rejoicing with the seven ac-quittals that
he received, as it is a sign ofvictory of evil over good.
It is, therefore, evident that the crimebranch has proved its
super inability at in-vestigating murders. Past records haveproved
its expertise in investigating onlyhigh profile suicides. Where are
the NGOswho fight for the cause of women? What
is their considered opinion, on these ac-quittals? Where are
those keen in givingjustice to souls of women, who end theirown
lives? Why is there no justice for thosewomen whose lives are cut
short by peopleto satisfy their animal instinct and greed?Can
someone give answers to the above queries?
Striking the right chordPaul Rodricks, Caranzalem
The two absorbing articles appeared inHerald (7 Dec) namely
Sardar? Sultan?Sphinx? by Anthony Simoes and another,Who Changed
our Regional Plan? byVenita Colaco.
Anthony Simoes in a candid, humorous,and hard-hitting manner
highlights thedepth of the vicious circle of those inpower-
politics and socio-economics.
The GBA and the likes of Venita are thereal saviours; peeling
off the first innocuouslayers of devious loopholes that couldlend
to safe guarding the hidden self in-terests of those, who prey upon
the vulnerabilityof the Goan society and states resources.
Nuclear riskAllwyn George, Carmona
Nuclear power seems to be indispensableto India. Any accident in
a nuclear plantcan have disastrous consequences. Cher-
nobyl in Russia is a perfect example. WhileUSA and European
countries have shedaway their reliance on nuclear energy,
Indianeeds nuclear power to sustain its economywith new plant