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

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Goas Heartbeat: Depp turns

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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)

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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 goa-can@gmail.com 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