OHERALDOThe Voice of Goa Since 1900

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 22

Minutes after donning the chairof the Corporation of the Cityof Panjim (CCP), Mayor YatinParekh announced that two im-portant projects the proposedKala Academy expansion andthe Convention Centre wouldbe opposed by the Corporation.Addressing the media afterbeing elected as CCP Mayor,Parekh said that the Corporationwill unanimously oppose boththese projects, which would fur-ther congest the city.

We will make sure that nopermissions are granted forthese two projects. The city isalready messed up due to heavytraffic flow in this area. Furtherdevelopment will lead to moretraffic problems, the Mayorsaid. There has been strong op-position to the 2,000-seaterConvention Centre proposed to

be constructed in the Inox park-ing lot. Critics claim it will resultin traffic congestion in andaround the area. However, theGovernment has decided to goahead with the project.

Putting across his 12-pointagenda for a tenure of one year,

Parekh said that the Corporationwont grant any new construc-tion licenses or occupancy cer-tificates to builders withoutproper parking plans. Buildersshould strictly see that properparking is provided before

IN BRIEF

Conscience is a sacredsanctuary where

God alone may enter as judge.

Lamennais

Visit us at:www.oheraldo.in panjim, wednesday, march 23, 2011 postal reg. no. Goa 101 price rs. 3.00 (air surcharge rs 2.00) pages 16+4

Business: Honda to introduce

more gear-less scooters Pg 10

Sports: Well silence Indian

crowd Nielsen Pg 16Goas Heartbeat: Are John-Bips

still together Pg 4

H

New quakes rock JapanJapanese workers scrambledhard to restore power at thetroubled Fukushima nuclearplant as smoke rose from twoof its reactors in the tsunami-hit northeast, which wasjolted by a series of new pow-erful quakes, including twomeasuring 6.6 on the RichterScale. Authorities sought thehelp of the US military in tack-ling the extremely tough sit-uation at the plant. (PTI)

(Details on page 8)

UK to cut student intake by 100,000 Britain has decided to slashthe number of foreign stu-dents coming to the UK forstudies by 100,000 a yearunder plans to crack down onthe regime, the local mediasaid. Britains Home SecretaryTheresa May is expected tomake a series of measures totackle bogus colleges andtighten the rules, including re-strictions on those wanting tostudy at below degree level,The Daily Telegraph has re-ported. (PTI)

High Tide: 0029; 1344

Low Tide: 0707; 1926

T I D E S T O D A Y

PTI

NEW DELHI, MARCH 22

Bowing to widespread demandsfrom within and outside Parlia-ment, Finance Minister PranabMukherjee today rolled back thecontroversial 5 per cent miserytax on health care, diluted theexcise duty levy on branded gar-ments and promised further re-lief on some other tax proposals.

The proposed levy on healthcare has raised considerable anx-iety in this House and outside.The purpose of the levy was notmerely to mobilise revenue. Itwas to pave the way for the in-troduction of the Goods andServices Tax (GST).

However, I have decided toexempt the new levy in its en-tirety both in respect of servicesprovided by hospitals as well asby way of diagnostic tests untilGST comes into force, he said,moving the Finance Bill, 2011 forconsideration in the Lok Sabha.

The announcement of with-drawal of the 5 per cent servicetax on services provided by airconditioned hospitals of morethan 25 beds and on diagnosticservices was greeted with loud

thumping of desks by membersas the Minister hoped that it willno more be called misery tax.

The proposal, mooted by theMinister as part of the budgetfor 2011-12 on February 28, hadevoked sharp reaction from var-ious groups including eminentdoctors who had dubbed it asmisery tax.

During the general discussionon the Budget last week, almostall political parties wanted theFinance Minister to withdraw the

health care service tax proposal.Referring to the concern ex-

pressed by small scale garmentmanufacturers on 10 per centexcise levy on branded readymade garments and made-upsof textiles, Mukherjee proposedto enhance the abatement from40 per cent to 55 per cent ofthe retail sale price.

With this relief, a unit willcontinue to be eligible for SSIexemption in 2011-12 even if ithad a turnover based on retailsale price of Rs 8.9 crore in thecurrent year, the Minister said.

The garment traders had crit-icised the proposed 10 per centexcise duty on ready made gar-ments saying it would hurt thesmall business.

On the reduction of basic cus-toms duty on raw silk from 30per cent to 5 per cent ad val-orem, he said, there has beenrepresentations supporting andopposing the move.

The Government would keepa close watch on import volumesand domestic prices and re-spond, if required, to mitigateany impact on the domestic ser-iculture sector, the Minister said.

Misery tax rolled back

GURU-SHISHYA PARAMPARA: Babush Monserrate greets Mayor YatinParekh and Dy Mayor Rudresh Chodankar. Photo: Rozario Estibeiro

I have decided toexempt the new levy inits entirety both inrespect of servicesprovided by hospitals aswell as by way ofdiagnostic tests untilGST comes into force.

Pranab Mukherjee

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 22

In a shocking admission, ChiefMinister Digambar Kamat toldthe Legislative Assembly todaythat none of the police officialsin the State are ready to jointhe Vigilance Department,owing to political pressures ex-erted on them.

Replying to queries raised bylegislators on the demands re-lated to his portfolios, Kamatsaid that whenever there is acase registered against any of-ficer, there is tremendous pres-sure on the investigating officeror the Chief Minister to let himoff.

Several times the legislatorscall me asking for anotherchance to the officer againstwhom the case is registered,

he said.This is a reality. None of the

officers want to join the Vigi-lance Department, Kamatstated, adding: they say theyare ready to work anywhereelse.

On the withdrawal of theLokayukta Bill, Kamat stated thatit was done on the advice of theCentral Government. We willwithdraw the Bill in this sessionand, after making some changes,

re-introduce it in the Assembly,he assured. The chief minister,however, did not give any time-frame for tabling the Bill.

Earlier, the Opposition askedthe Government the status ofthe Lokayukta Bill. Leader of theOpposition Manohar Parrikarsaid that everyone in the Gov-ernment and those in direct con-nection with the Governmentshould come under the ambit

Cops unwilling to takeup Vigilance jobs: CM

CCP chief trains guns on KA, Convention Centre

Several times thelegislators call me askingfor another chance to theofficer against whom thecase is registered.

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, MARCH 22

Panic gripped Margaos Malbhatlocality after the first floor ofSapna Arcade was engulfed in amajor fire on Tuesday, destroy-ing property worth Rs 1.25crore.

The fire completely gutted anoffice-cum-store housing cos-metic and pharmaceutical prod-ucts, and left an adjoiningresidential flat on the secondfloor damaged. Two other ad-joining offices were also dam-aged in the inferno.

The loss to the office-cum-store and the goods stored in-side the premises was peggedat a whopping Rs 1 crore. Thesecond floor apartment, ownedby Sandeep Vaidya, suffered aloss of Rs 25 lakh, while the twoother offices suffered losses ofRs50,000 and Rs25,000 respec-tively, said Assistant Fire Divi-sional Officer Prakash Parab. Hesaid the fire services managedto save property worth Rs50

lakh.The fire broke out in the of-

fice-cum-store at around 12.45pm, following a blast in one ofthe batteries of the office in-verter. This was soon followedby another battery blast, andthe premises were engulfed infire. (Related report on pg 3)

Owner B M Prabhudesai saidthe staff made an attempt toput out the fire with a bucketof water, but in vain. The soundsof loud blasts from the premisescreated a panicky situation,prompting alert citizens to evac-uate the residents to a safeplace.

What made firefighting dif-ficult was the string of explo-sions of cosmetic aerosol cansand deodorant bottles in thepremises, which also added in-flammable material to the fire.Some of the exploded deodor-ant bottles landed outside thebuilding. Fire tenders from Cur-chorem, Ponda and Verna were

Rs 1.25 cr Malbhat property gutted

18 injured in Bogmalo

bus mishapHERALD REPORTER

VASCO, MARCH 22

Eighteen passengers includingfour lifeguards were injured,while 22 escaped unhurt, aftera speeding passenger minibusflipped over on its side nearRangavi Estate, Bogmalo, nearVasco on Tuesday morning.

Two passengers were shiftedto the GMC Hospital in Bam-bolim, while 16 others were dis-charged after medical treatmentat the Chicalim Cottage Hospital.The accident occurred at about9 am when the driver of thespeeding minibus (GA-01-T-2432), proceeding towards Bog-malo, lost control of the vehicle.

Most of the injured passen-gers blamed bus driver StephenDCosta for rash and negligentdriving, which they said had ledto the accident. The bus firstrammed a signboard, then over-turned and dashed against anelectricity pole, passengerssaid. (Photo on pg 3)

Timely action by residents of

(Continued on page 8) (Continued on page 8)

(Continued on page 8) (Continued on page 8)

Employees haveno moral rightto strike: CM

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 22

Talking tough against strikingGovernment employees, ChiefMinister Digambar Kamat saidthey have no moral right tostrike work, as the Governmenthas given all the benefits theyare entitled to.

Be it a peon or an LDC, wehave given the benefits of theSixth Pay Commission to all,even when we were not finan-cially ready for the additionalexpenditure, he said, adding:that year the additional expen-diture was around Rs 300 crorebut we did not deprive the em-ployees of their right.

Further, he stated, Goa wasone the first five States wherethe 6th Pay Commission scaleswere implemented. Kamat saidthe main demand was to imple-ment the Secretariat Scale toall employees.

(Continued on page 8)

GOAOHERALD

O

Pg 2GOA, WEDNESDAY, 23 MARCH, 2011

RP for entire Goa likely by year end, says CM HERALD REPORTERPANJIM, MARCH 22 The entire exercise of notify-

ing the Regional Plan 2021 forthe state of Goa could be com-pleted by 2011, Chief MinisterDigambar Kamat told the Housetoday.

Kamat said that though theRP 2021 has been notified fortwo talukas Canacona andPernem, changes can be madeto the plans of these talukasonly if there are any genuineerrors brought to the noticeauthorities.

He said the RP for three moretalukas will be notified shortly,and by June end whole exercisewill be completed. The ChiefMinister Digambar Kamat saidthis while replying to a querytabled by Fatorda MLA DamodarNaik.

He said that the RPs for Sat-tari, Ponda and Quepem will be

out shortly whereas plans fortwo more talukas will be outduring next month.

The plans of three talukasare placed before the TCP boardand is being submitted for gov-ernment approval, he said.

The RP (surface utilizationplan) of Pernem and Canaconahave been completed and noti-fied whereas work is in progressas regards to plans for Sanguem,Bicholim, Ponda, Salcete,Tiswadi and Mormugao taluka,he explained.

The Chief Minister said thisexercise has taken more timeas al l sur vey numbers aremapped and there is no scopefor manipulation even as Oppo-sition MLAs Vijay Pai Khot andLaxmikant Parsekar pointed outthat recommendations made bypanchayats in their constituen-cies have not been consideredwhile finalizing taluka RPs.

Parsekar who was critical ofthe Town and Country PlanningDepartment (TCP) pointed outthat TCP has not considered sug-gestions given while convertingover lakh sq mts of areas withinjurisdiction of village panchayatsof Mandrem and Arombol.

Chief Minister assured theMandrem MLA that they willrectify the mistakes even thoughRP has been notified. The facil-itation centre has been set-upwhere the complaints need tobe registered, he added.

The Chief Minister also clari-fied that they would also spellout tribal policy when ReleaseII of RP will be out, while re-sponding to a query raised byPoinguim MLA Ramesh Tawad-kar seeking to know what willbe fate of tribals residing in theforest land.

As per release I, 65.86 percent of area in Canacona taluka

is earmarked as Eco I comprisingforests, national park/wild life,mangrove forest, private forests,water bodies and paddy fields.

Whereas Eco II consists of or-chard, natural cover, cultivableland, salt pans and fish farmscovering about 24.77 per centof the area whereas area ear-marked for settlement is 6.94per cent which equals to2443.13 hectors.

Canacona MLA has requestedChief Minister to increase areaunder settlement zone as wellfor under industry which is cur-rently, only 0.19 per cent.

For Pernem taluka, area underECO I is 24.02 per cent and EcoII is 57.59 per cent whereasareas under settlement zone is11.70 per cent which is 2944.05hectors.

Total area of the State is 3702sq mts of 38 per cent, 1424.46sq mts is notified as forest.

Canacona RP riddled with loopholes: MLA HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 22

Poinguinim MLA Rajesh Tawad-kar today told the State legisla-tive assembly that the exerciseof Regional Plan 2021 for Cana-cona taluka is riddled with loop-holes and the suggestionsplaced by the local panchayatswere grossly ignored by the TaskForce.

Tawadkar supporting the cutmotion on the floor of the housesaid that development envis-aged in the RP should aim atbetterment of the taluka andGoa as a whole.

The surface utilization plansfor Canacona and Pernemtalukas are already notified bythe State government.

The Town and Country Plan-

ning (TCP) Board has approvedplans for three more talukas,which are awaiting the notifi-cation.

The BJP legislator said thatgovernment has turned its backtowards development of Cana-cona taluka.

They (government) are justnot interested, he said.

S t a t ing tha t Canaconacomprises 54 per cent of theforest land, Tawadkar de-manded that the interest offorest dwellers should bekept in mind while doing anydevelopment in this south-ernmost taluka.

Tawadkar said that the pan-chayats had given various sug-gestions under Eco I and Eco IIzones but none of the sugges-

tions were heeded to.In all 64 percent land comes

under Eco I wherein no devel-opment activity can be under-taken whereas 6.94 per centarea is covered under Eco IIwhere settlement can be under-taken, he said.

Tawadkar alleged that whileGoans are being harassed intheir own land, the outsidersare prioritized.

His statement was sup-ported by Leader of Opposi-tion Manohar Parrikar whostated that Goans are pushedout of their own land, as theland price is becoming exor-bitant.

Mapusa ML A Francis D-Souza rued that Goa was un-dergoing various illegal land

conversion. He said that in-frastructures like hotels andbars have been put up in theagricultural land.

TCP should control this.The illegal land conversionand i l l ega l cons t ruc t ionshould be stopped, he de-manded.

Shiroda MLA pointed outthe illegal hill cutting in hisconstituency. He alleged thattrucks ply ing in the areadump the debris at the Shi-roda bus stand with Govern-m e n t s h y i n g a w a y f r o mtaking action.

Similarly, NCP legislatorFrancisco Mickky Pachecolisted out the mushroomingillegal projects in the lastfour years.

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 22

The ruling and oppositionbenches were unanimous incondemning the functioningof Vigilance Department,which according to them, hasbecome toothless.

Deputy Speaker MauvinGodinho, speaking during thecut motion for the demandsof grants, on Tuesday said thatthere is no fear of the VigilanceDepartment, which is fosteringcorruption in the state.

There is a general feelingthat We (Government) comeand go but they (Governmentemployees) will remain tilltheir retirement. This all is be-

cause there is no fear of thegovernment, Godinho saiddemanding that the vigilancedepar tment shou ld bestrengthened so that it canwork like a watchdog.

Godinho said that there isno stern action against theerring officers, which has re-duced the importance of thisdepartment in their eyes.

Aldona ML A DayanandNarvekar accused the depart-ment of sluggish investigation.Vigilance department sleepsfor years together and people(accused) go scot-free, he saidon the floor of the house.

Deepak Dhawalikar, repre-senting Priol constituency also

questioned the departmentscompetence.

We dont understand thefunctioning of the department.The officials efficiency at workshould be improved, he sug-gested.

The MLA said that corrup-tion in the government de-partments should be on thevigilance radar. Dhawalikarsuggested that Vigilance de-partment should be givenproper direction.

Whereas Leader of Opposi-tion Manohar Parrikar was sar-castic to say there is nocorruption in Goa because ofthe proper functioning of theVigilance department.

Vigilance Dept under fire HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 22

Leader of Opposition ManoharParrikar on Tuesday said thatthe International Film Festivalof India (IFFI) is loosing its charmin Goa as the State governmentwas allowing the interferenceof the Central government.

His statement comes a day afterParrikar and Sports Minister ManoharAzgaonkar had almost come toblows after accusations of corruptionagainst each other, following whichthe session had to be adjourned.

Speaking on the floor of theHouse, Parrikar said that IFFI isdeteriorating because Goa gov-ernment is allowing the Direc-torate of Film Festivals (DFF) totake the charge of the festival.

They (DFF) are typical bu-

reaucrats, he said.Parrikar, who introduced IFFI

to Goa in 2004 during his chiefministership, suggested the gov-ernment to stop signing MoUswith the DFF. He referred to theannual agreement signed be-tween Goa government and In-

formation and BroadcastingMinistry on IFFI

We have enough people andexperience to take charge of thefestival. Goa should mount pres-sure on DFF to give more roleto the State in organizing thefestival. Goa should strike directcontact with film directors andinvolve them in the hosting ofthe festival, said the BJP leader.

He stressed that IFFI is noton the lines of Cannes but toBerlin, which focuses on peo-ples participation.

He further recommended thatChief Minister Digambar Kamat,who heads the IFFI organisation,should take people in confidencewhile planning for the festival.

One committee can be forcontracts and another for con-

cepts. We have to go for localartisans, Parrikar said addingthat he would attend IFFI 2011,after a gap of seven years.

We really have the good gov-ernment officers. Give them freehand to work. Other issues liketraffic congestion due to periph-eral activities can be sorted outby the government, the leaderof opposition said.

Parrikar has further opposedthe proposed convention centrenear INOX multiplex.

The area earmarked for theconvention centre is too small.A convention centre requires16,000 to 20,000 sq mtrs landbut the INOX area is too smallfor a convention centre, Par-rikar who personally inspectedthe area, said.

IFFI losing its charm: ParrikarSupport forEnglishsurges HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 22

While the parents are demand-ing grants to elementary schoolsoffering English as the mediumof instruction, the issue was de-bated in the on-going budgetsession of the Legislative As-sembly on Tuesday.

Speaking on the demands forgrants in the State legislativeassembly, Dy Speaker MauvinGodinho supported the changewhile also backed Konkani toremain as one of the compulsorysubjects in the primary educa-tion.

We want our children togrow. Besides giving grants toKonkani and Marathi schools,government should also providegrants to aided schools offeringeducation in English, Godinhosaid.

He told the Assembly that theissue should not be allowed tobecome a political issue. Leaderof Opposition Manohar Parrikar,who also supported grants toEnglish primary schools, wasquick to add that English as amedium of instruction is a dif-ferent issue.

Few other elected represen-tatives supported Konkani asthe official language while alsoruing that Roman Konkani wasgetting step-motherly treat-ment.

Other elected representativesincluding Education MinisterAtanasio Babush Monserrate,Agnelo Fernandes, Churchill Ale-mao, Francisco Pacheco, JosePhilip and others have also lendsupport to English along withKonkani and Marathi as Mediumof Instruction for the Elementaryeducation in Goa.

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 22

Aldona MLA Dayanand Narvekaralleged that two governmentdepartments were circumvent-ing the government laid proce-dures while filling vacancies,which is against the law.

Speaking on the demands forgrants in the State legislativeassembly, Narvekar accused Cap-tain of Ports (CoP) and Civil Sup-plies departments of by-passingthe rules in their selection pro-cedure.

Narvekar, former law minister,pointed out that written andoral tests and experience ismandatory. But both the depart-ments were not taking writtentests. From the LDC to juniorstenographer to any other posts,he said that norms are not being

followed which is amounting toillegality.

What is happening in the ad-

ministration? There is absolutely no control.

The atmosphere is disturbing,he commented lashing out atthe state government.

Talking about the vigilancedepartment, Narvekar claimedthat Mapusa swimming pool hasbeen leaking since day one ofits inauguration. But till date,no action has been taken againstthe concerned official, the for-mer minister said.

Priol MLA Deepak Dhawalikar,speaking on the floor, ques-tioned why the waiting list forthe government jobs is swellingevery passing month.

He said that the state gov-ernment is not considering thecases of these applicants, whoare financial backbone for thefamilies.

Job selection: CoP, civil supplies accused of by-passing procedure

nNarvekar accusedCaptain of Ports (CoP)and Civil Suppliesdepartments of by-passing the rules intheir selectionprocedure.From theLDC to juniorstenographer to anyother posts, he saidthat norms are notbeing followed whichis amounting toillegality.

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 22

The High Court of Bombay atGoa has once again pulled upthe Central government for wa-vering on handing over the po-lice-drug nexus case probe tothe Central Bureau of Investiga-tion (CBI).

CBI in a letter to the Unionof India on March 11 expressedtheir inability to take over thecase probe, following which thelatter has been indecisive onhanding over the probe.

The local police has betterfacilities/infrastructure and locallanguage would not be a barrierto them. Whereas the officersof CBI would have constraintsof local language, topography,etcthere is lack of manpowerin CBI as many cases have been

referred to CBI by SupremeCourt and other constitutionalcourts, the letter by Dy Secre-tary (Department of Personnel)to the Central Governmentreads.

When the matter came up forhearing on Tuesday, AdvocateMahesh Amonkar, representingthe Central Government pro-

duced the CBIs letter to theCourt.

The bench headed by JusticesS C Dharmadhikari and F M Reisexpressed their discontent withthe Central Governments attitudetowards the sensational case.

Is the CBI binding on you?Are you handicapped with thisletter? You have to take the de-cision, the bench said, givingthe Central Government twoweeks time to re-think on thematter.

The bench then directed thatState of Goa is responsible toprovide all facilities to the CBIwhen the latter takes over theprobe.

The CBI also stated that theyare apprehensive for there couldbe miscarriage or failure of jus-tice or failure of proper and hon-

est investigation is misplacedand without any basis.

The State has clearly men-tioned in the communication tothe central government that thecase is sensitive and high levelpolice officers are involved.Moreover, the alleged drug ac-tivity is carrying on with theblessing of locals, the Courtobserved.

On Jan 14, 2011, Goa Unit ofthe National Students Union ofIndia (NSUI) had moved HighCourt pleading a CBI probe intothe policemen-drug mafia nexuscases in the state.

In his petition, NSUI Goa ChiefSunil Kawathankar demandedthat the case be handed over tothe central investigation agencyas the conduct of the police of-ficers probing it was doubtful.

HC again pulls up Centre over police-drug nexus case

nIs the CBI binding onyou? Are youhandicapped with thisletter? You have totake the decision, theBench said, giving theCentral Governmenttwo weeks time to re-think on the matter.

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 22

Revenue Minister Jose Philip D-Souza on Tuesday told Goa As-sembly that within three monthsinvestigation into alleged illegalsale of Communidade land ofSaligao Communidade will beconducted even as he acknowl-edged that rates fixed by theCommunidade to purchase thepaddy fields are illegal.

The Revenue Minister madethe statement during QuestionHour after he came underheavy criticism from the Oppo-sition demanding action againstSaligao Communidade that al-legedly sold agricultural land incontravention to rate fixed

under the Tenancy Act.Saligao MLA Dilip Parulekar

who raised the issue demandedto know when the action willbe taken against erring Com-munidade while highlightingthree-four cases alleged illegalsale of Communidade land.

He also produced documentsin support of his case.

While assuring to take imme-diate action, Revenue Ministeralso told the House that the Col-lector of North Goa has directedto revoke the resolution passedby the general body in its meet-ing held on September 19, 2010regarding preliminary negotia-tions with the tenants to pur-chase the paddy fields.

And the Administrator ofCommunidade of North Zonehas been directed to implementthe rates as per Agriculture Ten-ancy Act, 1964.

A ldona ML A DayanandNarvekar participating in thediscussion said, such cases arenot limited to Saligao Commu-nidade alone and there is needto issue directions to all Com-munidades not to harass farmerscultivating Communidade landif agriculture has to prosper.

No body has power to su-persede, Tenancy Act, he saidwhile suggesting that the gov-ernment should issue directionsto Communidade in the interestof farming.

Probe into Saligao communidadeland sale within 3 months: Philip

CM defends Dabolim land de-notification

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 22

While Central agencies easilyprocure land in Goa, we haveto struggle to get even an inchof land from them, stated ChiefMinister while explaining whyacquisition was dropped inDabolim expansion case aftersection 6 was invoked.

He was speaking duringQuestion Hour on Tuesday inresponse to a question tabledby Canacona MLA Vijay Pai Khotwho wanted to know whetherthe government had taken per-mission of Airport Authority ofIndia (AAI) under whose instruc-tion originally acquisition forland admeasuring 70000 sq mtswas initiated.

But subsequently, the StateGovernment dropped the acqui-

sition for 36800 sq mts, landwhich was owned by a privateparty.

The land was proposed to beacquired for building parkingfacility and CISF barracks forAAI. This newspaper had publisheda report about this decision of thegovernment, last week.

The Chief Minister while jus-tifying the partial dropping ofacquisition told the House thatthe land in question was locatedvery far away from Dabolim air-port.

He also stated that the gov-ernment has been facing diffi-culty from Navy in acquiring fouracres of land which is requiredfor expansion of Dabolim air-port.

As informed to the House infive cases the acquisition was

dropped fully or partly after sec-tion 6 was invoked. Currently,Goa Government is in receiptof fourteen applications for landacquisition from Central agen-cies.

GOMANT BAL RATH SCHEME:Chief Minister Digambar Kamaton Tuesday announced in

Goa Assembly that GomantBal Rath scheme will be ex-tended to government schoolswith 20 per cent OBC studentswhich is currently applicable toprivate schools.

Under this scheme, schoolbus is provided to privateschools having 20 per cent OBCstudents of its total strength.

Bus facility has been mosthandy for students who have torely on private transport systemto reach school.

Loan waiver toeducational

institutes illegalHERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 22

The Opposition has alleged thatset-off in loan of Rs 74 lakh wasgiven by Goa State Co-operativeBank Ltd, (GSCBL) to two edu-cational institutes in Shirodawhich are headed by GoaPradesh Congress Committee(GPCC) President Subhash Shi-rodakar is illegal.

Highlighting the issue duringQuestion Hour on Tuesday,Shiroda MLA, Mahadev Naik saidthe set-off given was in contra-vention to RBI guidelines as alsoagainst the by laws of the apexBank.

The apex co-operative Bankhad sanctioned loan Rs 70 lakheach to S E S Rayeshwar Instituteof Engineering and InformationTechnology and SES Shree Ka-makshi Devi Homeopathic Med-ical College in 2000 and 2001,respectively.

However, Minister for Co-operation Ravi Naik main-tained relaxation was givena s p e r B a n k f o r m u l a t e dscheme as per guidelines ofthe RBI and it was approvedin the annual general bodymeeting of the Bank held onSeptember 30, 2005.

Opposition Leader ManoharParrikar, however, pointed outthat Co-operation Minister inhis reply given in August 2010had said relaxation given wasnot in consonant with RBI guide-lines.

The Co-operation Ministerhowever said the govern-ment doesnt have say in theBank thanks to its mult i -

state status. But Parrikar said the gov-

ernment does have say in theBank by virtue of its shareholding and i f i t doesn theed governments advisethen it should withdraw itsmulti-state status.

Naik also told the Housethat the relaxation was givenin respect of interest aloneand not on principal loanamount.

The apex Bank waived Rs 38lakh for Rayeshwar Engineeringand Information Technology andRs 35 lakh for Shree KamakshiDevi Homeopathic Medical Col-lege.

While the Co-operation min-ister stuck to his stand Opposi-tion Leader also warned him,saying the condition of the Bankhas tuned bad and it might col-lapse if corrective measures arenot taken.

nThe apex co-operative Bank hadsanctioned loan of Rs70 lakh each to S E SRayeshwar Institute ofEngineering andInformationTechnology and SESShree Kamakshi DeviHomeopathic MedicalCollege in 2000 and2001, respectively. Ittherafter waived Rs 38lakh and Rs 35 lakhrespectively.

Shigmostav in Panjim from March 23

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 22

The five-day long Shigmostavfestival will commence fromMarch 23 in Panjim.

Marking its 23rd anniversary,the Shigmostav festival will offerpackage of programs apart fromtraditional Shobhayatra (floats)and Romta Mell on March 26.

The festival will also have pro-grams like musical orchestra,dance performances, sangeetprogram by Zee Marathis Sa ReGa Ma fame, comedy shows andLavani by Mumbai based group.

The organizers, Panjim Shig-mostav committee is expectingparticipation of around 50 floats

for the festival. The numberhas shown a rise compare tolast year, where we had partici-pation of 40-odd float, com-mittee president ShrinivasDempo told reporters.

During the festival, renownedartists like a well known crafts-man and Ganesh idol makerBhanudas Nhainginkar, tiatrartist Sebastiao Fenandes andMarathi stage actor MangeshChari, will be honoured.

The festival will also have thepresence of renowned Marathiactor Makarand Anaspure.

Dempo said that a total fund-ing of Rs 12.5 lakh has beengranted by state government,

which includes Rs 8 lakh for in-frastructure and Rs 4.5 lakhs asprice money.

The amount is much lessthen what they grant to carnivalfestival in the city. A slight hikein funding will help us to organ-ize the festival in much betterway, he said.

The first ever Shigmo festivalwas organized in Panjim in theyear 1989.

The government did not giveany financial support to this fes-tival at that time, but Samiti re-ceived unprecedented supportand appreciations from peoplebelonging from all walks of life,Dempo recalled.

BEd teachers want ceiling fixed for colleges, to approach court

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 22

The striking BEd teachers onTuesday said that they will ap-proach the court to put a ceilingon the number of BEd collegesas the number of trained teach-ers has exceeded the demand.

Briefing media persons, BEdHolders Association, PresidentSudheer Kesarkar questionedthe wisdom behind setting upfour BEd colleges when the em-ployment opportunities are few.

If government cant absorball the students, then whats thepoint in having four colleges?he questioned. He urged gov-ernment either to close downat least two of these colleges orto reduce the strength of the stu-dents from 100 to 50 per college.

If government cant, then wewill ensure that no new BEd col-leges come up in the state. Wewill approach court and get stay

on it, Kesarkar said.He said that ever y year

around 400 students pass out fromvarious B.Ed colleges, who are eithertreated as unemployed or are ap-pointed on lecture basis.

Its been almost four monthsnow since the BEd holders areagitating for their demands. Theprime demands of the teachersinclude permanent jobs in theschools; consider as eligible toteach the primary section andjobs on basis of experience.

The teachers are on day andnight Dharna in the capital citysince March 14. However, tilltoday there has been no firmdecision from the governmentover their demands.

The association criticized gov-ernment for not being firm ontheir demands. We already hadmeetings with director of edu-cation and Monserrate. False as-surances are been given, the

president said.He said that the issue was

also placed before Chief MinisterDigamber Kamat, who refusedto hear their grievances. Did Iask you to study B.Ed? This wasthe reply given by Kamat to us,Kesarkar told reporters.

Meanwhile, the educationminister Babush Monserrate onMonday assured state LegislativeAssembly to create atleast one postfor BEd teachers in each governmentschools on immediate bases.

Welcoming the assurance, theagitating teachers said that theyare ready to work in any schools,provided the job is permanent.

The association has also ac-cused DoE, for being partial increating vacancies for DEd hold-ers. The association feels thatthe retirement age of the teach-ers should be curtail to 58 years,as after 55 years, they are phys-ically unfit to teach students.

GOAOHERALD

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GOA, WEDNESDAY, 23 MARCH, 2011

The ill-fated passenger bus involved in an accident near Rangavi Estate, Bogmalo-Vasco. Photo by M Prabhav

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, MARCH 22

Disaster management came tothe fore in the Commercial Cap-ital on Tuesday yet again, as thefire services had to literally fightthe Malbhat building fire againstodds sans fire hydrants and ahydraulic lift.

District Collector, South G PNaik, in charge of the DistrictManagement Authority, flatly re-fused to share the blame for thedeficiency in infrastructure, say-ing the proposals for fire hy-d ran t s , wa te r t anks andhydraulic lift lie pending withthe State government.

Sadly, firemen admitted thatthe loss in the Malbhat fire couldhave been less had there beenwater availability with ease,while laying stress on the firehydrants for the Commercialcapital.

Says Assistant Fire DivisionalOfficer, Prakash Parab: The firefighting operations was hit bynon-availability of water. Muchtime was lost by the time thefire tenders returned back tothe fire station for refilling. Also,time is consumed when fire ten-ders from the division reachMargao from their headquaters,he added.

Parab recalled the proposallying with the authorities on theneed to install fire hydrants, cov-ering the densely populatedCommercial Capital. If therewas a fire hydrant at Malbhatnear the building, the operationwould have continued uninter-rupted, he said.

Lack of logistics takes toll in Malbhat building fire

The office-cum-store on the first floor of Sapna Arcade on fire on Tuesday evening. Fire men seen bat-tling the raging fire. Photo by Santosh Mirajkar

Incidentally, it was at the ini-tiative of the residents that ahydraulic lift was procured fromthe power department. In fact,the hydraulic lift helped firefighting in an effective manner,though the lift came in the laterpart of the operation.

Residents and locals werehighly critical of the authoritiesin handling disaster manage-ment without the basic infra-structure. Questions are raisedas to how the fire personnel areexpected to fight fire sans facil-

ities. In fact, residents pointed to

the drinking water wells just astone throw away from thebuilding, but water could notbe pumped out for want ofpumps.

Says BJP leader Rupesh Ma-hatme and a resident of thebuilding: The Disaster Manage-ment machinery ought to havebeen at the spot first, but it wastoo late. But, alert residents andhelp from agencies such as thepolice, power department, fire

men helped to tackle the fire.Theres a dire need to put thefacilities in place to tacklemajor fires in the Commer-cial capital.

District Collector, G P Naik,however, says that his office hadproposed a host of proposalsto the state government for ap-proval, but in vain.

We are aware of the defi-ciencies, but the ball lies in thegovernments court to makeavailable the infrastructure, hesaid.

Burglars target flats in VascoHERALD REPORTER

VASCO, MARCH 22

Burglaries continue to tormentthe port town, when burglarson Tuesday targeted three flats,while making an abortive bidon two flats, on the fourth floorof Sushila Smruti Building nearVaddem-Vasco.

According to the owner oftwo flats, Sidesh Raikar, cash ofRs 8,500 and two mobile phonesand silver utensils, amountingto over Rs 30,000, were missingfrom the flat.

At about 9 am, I locked mytwo flats located on the fourthfloor of the building and wentfor work. However, when I re-

turned at 1 pm, man doors ofboth the flats were found brokeopen, informed Raikar.

Since one flat was undergo-ing renovation and paintingwork, it was empty. Burglars ran-sacked belongings from an-other f lat and decampedwith valuables and cash,said Raikar.

One more flat, adjacent toRaikars flat, was also foundbroke open.

The flat inmates had gone totheir native place in Bangalore-Karnataka, police are yet to reg-ister the case.

Police informed that belong-ings were ransacked and it ap-

pears that some valuable havegone missing from the third flat,as police could not verify exactlywhat went missing as the flatowner is out of the State.

Residents informed that theburglars tried to break open twomore flats located on the thirdfloor of the building, but couldnot succeed and left half way

noticing movement of peo-ple.

It may be recalled that withinfortnight, five flats have beentargeted in and around Vascocity. Burglars had targeted flatsat New Vaddem and Mangor-Hill and decamped with valu-ables and cash amounting tolakhs of rupees.

KTC to ply Volvo buses onGoa, Bangalore route

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, MARCH 22

Theres good news in store forGoans traveling to Bangalore bythe KTC.

After Mumbai and Shirdi, theKTC will ply a Volvo bus on theGoa-Bangalore route, beginningfrom March 31.

If KTC Managing Director, Ve-nancio Furtado is to be believed,the bus will ply via Karwar andwill leave Panjim at 8 pm. Thatsnot all. He said passengers neednot stand in a queue to buy tick-ets, saying the tickets can bebooked online.

The 45-seater Volvo bus toBangalore will Panjim at 8 pmand will reach Margao at 9 pm.There will not be any halt onthe way since the KTC manage-ment want the bus to reach Ban-galore the following day at 8-9am. Similarly, the bus from Ban-galore to Goa will leave at 9pm, he added. He said the busfare is priced Rs 775 per seat.

Replying to a question, hesaid the KTC management hasdecided to press two additional

Thief falls to death HERALD CORRESPONDENT

MARCEL, MARCH 22

In an unusual incident, a thief died after falling off a buildingwhile trying to escape at Haveli-Curti, Ponda, on Tuesday.

According to Ponda Police, the incident occurred at about2 pm, when the unidentified man entered the second floorflat of the building at Kazi Residency, Haveli-Curti.

The thief entered the house by break opening the frontdoor lock. Neighbours in the building became suspicious ofthe activities in the flat and raised an alarm.

Fearing his arrest, the thief ran towards the terrace and inan effort to escape, he jumped off the terrace and tried toleap into the terrace of another building.

However, he failed to clear the distance and ended up fallingto the ground.

He was rushed to the ID Hospital in Ponda, where he wasdeclared dead. Police later recovered gold ornaments worthRs 60,000 and a digital camera from the deceased.

Construction projectraises hackles at

Margao police station HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, MARCH 22

Commotion was witnessedoutside the Margao policestation on Tuesday eveningbetween the two groupsover the construction projectnear the Chapel at Murida-Fatorda.

The two groups were calledto the police station by MargaoPI Santosh Desai after GregoryDias, who h a s p u rc h a s e dthe property, complainedthat construction work atthe s i te is stopped by ther iva l group.

PI Desai told those opposingthe construction project led byformer Councilor Tadev Dias thatthey can approach the MargaoMunicipal Council and theSGPDA for revocation of the con-struction license if they haveany valid grounds against theproject.

If not, PI Desai suggested thatthey can approach the office ofDirector of Municipal Adminis-tration (DMA) with their griev-ance for redressal.

On the o the r ha nd , P IDesai told Gregory Dias to

approach the civil court or thedistrict Magistrate for policeprotection to carry out the con-struction work.

Gregory told newsmen afterthe meeting that the rival groupis trying to stop constructionwork at the project site thoughhe has all the valid permissionsfrom the MMC.

He said he will ask for policeprotection to carry out the con-struction work.

Tadev Dias, on the otherhand, said the local residents ofMurida want the land in ques-tion to be reserved for theChapel to hold religious ac-tivities and community recre-ation.

He alleged that Gregory waspart of the local community tooppose construction project onthe plot of land and has nowpurchased the same propertyfor a construction project.

Yatin, Rudresh elected CCP mayor, deputy

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 22

Yatin Parekh was formallyelected as the Mayor of the Cor-poration of the City of Panaji(CCP) through the election heldon Tuesday morning.

Rudresh Chodankar wasseated as a deputy Mayor of thecorporation, which is ruled byBabush Monserrate led panel.

The elections, held under theleadership of CCP commissionerElvis Gomes, were attended by Mon-serrate and all 30 corporators.

Though the ruling panelbacked Parekh as candidate forthe Mayor, the opposition-PanajiFirsts Vaidehi Naik also filed thenomination for the post. Shewas however, defeated by 16:12.

Similarly, Chodankar defeatedPFs Shubham Chodankar by16:12 to hold the post of deputyMayor for the tenure of one year.

Interestingly, both Surendraand Ruth Furtado, elected fromward number 9 and 10 as inde-pendent candidate, did not sup-ported any of the panel.

We are independent candi-dates. We dont belong to anypanel, Surendra Furtado said.

Meanwhile, for the first time

The newly elected Mayor and Deputy Mayor with corporators. Photo by Sachin Ambadoskar

an equal participation was givento opposition on the variouscommittees of CCP.

The corporation unanimouslyelected six members standingcommittee, which has partici-pation of Parekh, Chodankar, MariaRita Fenandes, Edi Jorge, SurendraFurtado and Shubham Chodankar.

The elections for three dif-ferent committees- PublicWorks, Public Health and Marketand Women and Child Welfarecommittee, was also held. Total21 members were appointed onthese three committees.

Public Works Committee-

Tony Rodrigues, Carolina Po,Prajot Vaingenkar, Krishna Shi-rodkar, Bento Lorena, ShwetaLotlikar and Shekhar Degvekar.

Public Health and Marketcommittee- Yat in Parekh,Rudresh Chodankar, Kabir PintoMakhija, Gangaram Kale, Mar-garida Coelho, Vaidehi Naik andRatnakar Fatrpekar.

Women and Child Welfarecommittee- Maria Rita Fer-nandes, Carolina Po, VivinaN a s n o d k a r, M a r g a r i d aCoelho, Pascoela Mascaren-has, Diksha Mayenkar andSheetal Naik.

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 22

Corporation of the City of Panaji(CCP) ruling panel corporatorGangaram Kale had to be ad-mitted to the hospital when hetook seriously ill at his residenceat Altinho.

While intense rumour mon-gering was on, about his sick-ness in the city, Kale claimedthat he got ill because of theoverdose of the tablets that heconsumed to treat his stomach

pain.CCP Mayor Yatin Parekh,

who was with the corporatorin the hospital , however,claimed Kale was down withfood poisoning.

Kale had left the first everCCP meeting to elect Mayor andDeputy Mayor halfway. Theyoungest corporator, electedfrom ward number 27 waselected as one of the memberon the Public health and Marketcommittee of CCP.

While he was being taken inthe city hospital, Parekh saidthat Kale had returned from histwo-day tour to Shirdi.

Incidentally, Babush Monser-ratte loyalist Naguesh Karishettyhad also accompanied Kale onhis pilgrimage.

Police Inspector RameshGaonkar said that he had re-ceived call about Kale takingthe overdose but no medicolegal case has been filed withthem.

Corporator seriously ill

luxury buses on the Goa-Mum-bai route to cater to the pas-sengers. We have receivedinquiries from passengers foradditional luxury buses fromGoa to Mumbai. The passengershave suggested that the busesshould ply upto Dobi Talao. Weare open to this suggestion, headded.

Replying to a question, hesaid the KTC has also decidedto deploy two Blue colouredbuses on the Polem-Panjim andPernem-Panjim route for thebenefit of long distance travel-ers.

These buses will start plyingfrom April 1. They would leavetheir starting point early morn-ings collecting passengersalong the route to Panjim,he added.

Pg4 GOAGOA, WEDNESDAY, 23 MARCH, 2011

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Prayer service at MapusaPANJIM (HND): There is no name under Heaven and Earth

by which we can be saved, but only by the name of Jesus.(Acts 4 v/s 12). A Prayer service will be held on March 26 atSirsat Hall, 3rd floor, above Union Pharmacy, Ramchandrabuilding, Mapusa from 3 pm to 6 pm. For further informationcall 8805527265.

Ex-students meetPANJIM (HNB): The ex-students of Nirmala Institute of Edu-

cation, Altinho-Panjim, will meet in the institute hall on March26 from 3.30 pm to 5 pm.

In a press note, Institute Principal Dr Rita Paes has statedthat the re-launching of the Alumini Association and the roleit can play in the educational arena will be discussed at themeeting. All ex-students of the Institute are invited to themeeting.

Corlim gram sabhaPANJIM (HND): The ordinary gram sabha of the Corlim

Panchayat will be held on April 3 at in the community hallof the Panchayat, at 10 am. Voters who wish to place anyproposals on developmental works in the Gram Sabha mayforward the same to the Sarpanch by March 30 in the officeof VP Corlim.

Mexican vocalist to performPANJIM (HND): The Embassy of Mexico in India, Indian

council for cultural relations, Directorate of Art and Culture,Goa and Kala Academy will jointly present Blue a liveperformance, Mexico by Mexican vocalist Magos Herreraon March 23 at DMK, Kala Academy AC Hall, Panjim, at 7pm. He will be accompanied by Reubens de la Corte onguitar, Jason Lindner on piano, Panagiotis Andreu on bassand Alex Kautz on drums. Entry for the performance isfree.

Circle Dak Adalat PANJIM (HND): The Chief Postmaster General, Maharashtra

Circle, Mumbai, will hold the 77th Dak Adalat on April 18 in hisoffice at 11 am.

Complaints/grievances regarding postal services, includingnon payment of money orders pertaining to Goa which havenot been settled within six weeks will be entertained at theDak Adalat.

Complaints should contain details like names and desig-nations of the officers to whom original complaint was ad-dressed, particulars of articles etc, and send the same induplicate to H C Patel, Asstt Director (PG) and Secretary,Dak Adalat, office of the Chief Postmaster General, Maha-rashtra Circle, Mumbai GPO building, 2nd floor, Mumbai 400001 by March 25.

Comments or queries? Bouquets or brickbats? Talk to us!Email Junior Herald at junior@herald-goa.com or join our Facebook fan page

http://www.facebook.com/Herald.Jr. Our readers are invited to rave, rant, chat oreven contribute. No message will go unanswered!

Contact Us:

Natural WorldLiving in the Deep Sea

Under the blue waves ofthe vast oceans, thereexists an alternate reality.This reality shares the worldwith us, but the citizensthere could not be more dif-ferent. We are of coursetalking about the deep sea.

Deep Sea is an area inhab-ited by strange organisms.These wondrous creatureslive below the photic zone ofthe ocean; meaning theylive under the uppermostlayer of water, into whichdaylight penetrates. Thatmeans these creatures arenot affected by sunlight atall very simply becausethey dont experience it.

Stop to consider life withoutsunlight: it is unimaginable.All life on the surface of theearth receives sunlight andis influenced by it; the

biggest example being pho-tosynthesis. The deep seacreatures have adapted toextremely harsh conditions;such as hundreds of atmos-pheres of pressure, smallamounts of oxygen, very lit-tle food, no sunlight, andconstant, extreme cold.

These zones are called theabyssal or hadal zoneswhich, being thousands ofmeters below the surface,are almost completely de-void of light. The water isusually (between 3 and 10degrees Celsius, or 37 and50 degrees Fahrenheit), andhas low oxygen levels. Dueto the depth, the pressure isbetween 20 and 1,000 at-mospheres. Creatures thatlive thousands of feet deepin the ocean have evolved touse energy supplied fromour planet rather than oursun.

Such organisms use inor-ganic chemicals (usually hy-drogen and hydrogensulfide obtained from rocksand sea water) for energyinstead of organic matter.They utilize carbon dioxide

as their carbon source. Ge-othermal, rather than solarenergy, catalyzes chemicalreactions that create life-sustaining inorganic mole-cules. Organisms consumethe inorganic chemicals andconvert them to life's fuel usually sugar. Water is theonly absolutely essential in-gredient deep organismsneed in addition to the inor-ganic chemicals they minefrom their surroundings.Many of these creaturesalso depend on food floatingdown from above.

It is fascinating to realizethat there are some crea-tures who can actually sur-vive under conditions thatare so extreme and existingin constant darkness andunbearable cold.

Principal Day observedCURCHOREM (HC): The Principal Day cum valedictory function

was recently organised at Guardian Angel High School, Cur-chorem.

On the occasion, a warm send-off was given to retiringteacher Edna Mavis Viegas, who gave her 31 years of long ded-icated services to the institution. In recognition of her servicesand contribution in the field of education, the managementawarded her with certificate of appreciation at the hands of FrHenry DSouza (Manager of Guardian Angel Educational Com-plex).

Speaking on behalf of the PTA, Dr Jagdish Kakodkar (ex-student and professor at GMC) praised teacher Mavis for herzealous and untiring services to the students community.

While thanking the management and Staff for the co-oper-ation and reposing faith in her, teacher Mavis expressed hap-piness for being a teacher and seeing her many studentsoccupying top positions in society.

Speaking further, she advised the students to work hardwith sincerity to climb the ladder of success and to achievegoal of their life.

Earlier, the staff of Guardian Angel High School and PrimarySchool celebrated the birthday of their headmaster Fr WalterMiranda.

On the occasion, various entertainment programmes wereorganised by the students of primary and high school.

Students felicitated

Trajano DMello felicitates Natasha Pereira. Photo by Thomas Fernandes

CALANGUTE (HC): Lokacho Adhar felicitated the students ofSt Anthonys High School, Monte de Guirim, for its awardwinning Tiatr Ami Sogllim Ek.

The students who won the Tiatr Academy Award for theirKonkani drama Ami Sogllim Ek were felicitated by LokachoAdhar President Trajano DMello. Rockson Fernandes, MarcianoNoronha and Alzira DCosta, the brains behind the drama, werealso felicitated.

DMello congratulated the great efforts of the child artistesfor their superb performance on stage which enabled them tobag the honours at the Tiatr Academy.

The annual scholarships awards were also presented to thedeserving students in various categories while the lead boyRoger Fernandes and lead girl Dakshita Salgaonkar were inductedfor the next academic year 2011-12.

Headmaster Fr Paul Alvares thanked the organization for en-couraging the students in the presence of Principal Fr SteveRodrigues and others.

Anaemia camp held

MPHW Kusha Naik addresses the gathering at the anaemia campat Neura panchayat hall.

MERCES (HC): Betki PHC in association with the Neura villagehealth and sanitation committee recently organised an anaemiacamp at the Neura Panchayat Hall.

Multipurpose health worker (MPHW) Kusha Naik spoke onanaemia, its causes and symptoms. He also gave a talk on nu-trition and laid emphasis on a balance diet for leading a healthylife. Lady health visitor Gunu Dessai spoke on pre-natal diagnostictechniques (PNDT) Act.

Blood test for haemoglobin of 97 villagers was conductedand those who were found anaemic were advised to take med-icines from Neura SHC. Neura village health and sanitationcommittee Secretary Gauri Mangueshkar co-ordinated the pro-gramme. Neura Panch Ujwala Naik and public health nurseSushma Naik were present.

Womens Day celebrated

Valpoi Action Committee President Shanta Manerkar addressesthe women on Women Day celebrations at Honda.

Photo by Ashraf KhanVALPOI (HC): Sisters of the Cross Valpoi and staff of Jeevanlaya

Kendra Honda unit recently celebrated the InternationalWomens Day at Vodacode-Honda.

The theme for the day was Mai Bhumi Passot BailanchoAwaaz (women voices for mother earth).

Speaking on the occasion, resource person Reshmi Dessaihighlighted the importance of self-help groups and mahilamandals. She appealed to the women to be self sufficient andstand on their own feet through income-generating activitiesby availing various government schemes.

She further offered vital information on women empowermentprogrammes.

Others present were Honda Panch Swarna Dessai, Sr AdeliaVaz, Fr Gerard MFS, Fr Inacio Almeida SFX, Felis Soares, SrJosephine, Sr Justina, Sr Casendra and Shanta Manerkar.

Sister Pramila Joao highlighted the efforts taken by Savitribaiin empowering the women in education field.

Earlier, the dignitaries garlanded the portrait of SavitribaiPhule.

A variety of cultural programme including spot games wereorganised for the women on the occasion.

POWER SHUTDOWNMARCH 24

PONDA: From 9 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are Dhume, Perigol,Galshire, Ramnathi, Kavle, Paun, Bandore, Shantadurga.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

PORVORIM, MARCH 22

The mentally challenged beggarsin dirty rags who roam on thestreets in Mapusa have becomea nuisance to the public.

To make matters worse, thesebeggars sleep wherever they

want and eat whatever they findin the dust bins. However, noneof the government authoritiesor NGOs seem to be botheredabout it and they are left to livein unhygienic and miserablestate.

Since Goa is a tourist desti-

nation and many tourists, bothforeign and Indians, visit Mapusathey will carry with them thewrong impression of Goa onseeing the pitiable condition ofthese beggars.

Shiv Sena Mapusa have urgedMapusa Police Inspector to lo-cate such mentally challengedbeggars in Mapusa and takethem into custody and handthem over to the concerned gov-ernment authority, where theywould get proper care and anew lease of life.

In a memorandum to Ma-pusa Police station, Shiv SenaAd Hoc member Philip DSouzahas stated that these humanbeings are unfortunate victimson nature who need propercare.

It becomes the duty of thegovernment to take care of theirtreatment, upkeep, safety andhygiene, states the memoran-dum.

Mentally challenged beggars a nuisance in Mapusa

A mentally challenged beggar lying on the road in Mapusa. Photo by Anil Shankhwalker

Oz govt rewards Goan for

bravery in Iraq

HERALD NEWS DESK

PANJIM, MARCH 22

Antonio Po, a resident ofCaranzalem, was recentlyawarded Commendation forBrave Conduct by the Govern-ment of Australia for aid to in-j u re d a n d d y i n g p e o p l efollowing a terrorist attack atAl Kasik Army Base in Iraq onthe afternoon of August 8,2004.

Po was employed as a mem-ber of a civilian support teamstationed at the Army Basewhere terrorists deployed twotrucks that exploded in quicksuccession in the front of thedining facility. This was fol-lowed by seven rocket attacks.

The award was announcedin the media and published inthe Commonwealth of Aus-tralia Gazette on March 21,2011. Antonio Po will be in-vited for investiture ceremonyat which he will be presentedwith the insignia of the award.

Antonio Po

HERALD NEWS DESK

PANJIM, MARCH 22

Manguesh i Devas than a tManguesh i was recen t l yawarded the A+D Best Institu-tional Architecture Award 2010,for its re-vitalisation. The 300year old complex houses a tem-ple of Lord Manguesh and Agar-shalas along with the temple ofMulkeshwar and Purush.

The Mangueshi temple is onthe Goa tourist map and is visited

by thousands of tourists every-day. The age old infrastructureneeded immediate attention andthe Devasthan committee underthe leadership of the former Pres-ident Prashant Nadkarni under-took the Herculean task ofupgrading its infrastructure.

Architect Rahul Deshpande,a mahajan of the temple, wasrequested to plan the re-vitali-sation. The design included theconstruction of the new Agar-shala building, re-constructionof Mulkeshwar temple and de-velopment of Prakhar. Theupgradation process that beganin 2008, was completed in Jan-uary 2010.

Rahul Deshpande who is over-joyed with the recognition, men-tions that designing the complexwas indeed a challenge as newstructures had to blend with thecharacter and architectural lan-guage of the place, yet had to becontemporary and provide stateof the art amenities. Use of woodand local materials are predom-inant in the design and the Vedic

Vaastu principles have been thor-oughly followed. A sense of calmand tranquillity is created byclever use of Landscape, minimalbuild mass and colour.

The A+D awards are held an-nually and the best talents of theyear in India and Southeast Asiaare selected in various categories.Rahul Deshpande, who has wonnumerous national and interna-tional awards, is a structural en-gineer practising architecture.

Mangueshi Devastan wins architectural award for Rahul Deshpande

Shaina DCosta and Rakshit Gaonker crowned as Miss Tiny Tots andMaster Tiny Tots at the farewell function held for Std IV in Ideal Edu-cation Societys, Quepem, Lions tiny tots nursery, KG and primaryschool, Quepem.

HERALD SPORTS DESK

PANJIM, MARCH 22

Flavia Fernandes, who was theQueen Momo at the CarnivalParades in Panjim and Ponda willbe anchoring the popular HCNsBingo Show on Wednesday at7.30 p.m.

Flavia, a graduate in HomeScience, engaged in TRYSEMclasses in Benaulim, has followedin her family tradition of being

part of the carnival culture overthe years. Her dad, Tome Fer-nandes of Government PrintingPress was the King Momo twicein 2000 and 2004 while her mumAntonetta Fernandes had par-ticipated in carnival floats onvarious occasions. Her uncles,Timoteo, Lourenco and Bondoare Goas famous personalitiesin the field of culture and folk-lore.

Flavia had accompanied herfather for several royal wed-dings in Indore, Gujarat, Ra-j a s t h a n w h e re t h efather-daughter duo enactedthe king and the bridesmaidroles. A bright student through-out her school and college ca-reers, Flavia presently is ateacher in craftsmen designing.She was thrilled on becomingselected Queen Momo thisyear. It was a great momentand enormous feeling for meto be part of the carnival floatsin Panjim and Ponda. Ill remem-ber this for the rest of my life,said the 23-year-old, who hasa passion for music and fashiondesigning and wants to pursueher career in craftsmen training.

Queen Momo to anchor Bingo on HCN

Flavia Fernandes

HERALD NEWS DESK

PANJIM, MARCH 22

A single person household will be entitled to two litres of SKO. Ahousehold which has three and more persons and does not possessLPG, will get at least five litres of SKO and additional quantity willbe subject to availability.

A household of three or more persons which possess LPG, willbe entitled to maximum five litres of kerosene.

Licence of the dealer who does not provide the SKO to the con-sumers as per these instructions, will be cancelled.

New rules for

kerosene distribution

Pg 5GOA GOA, WEDNESDAY, 23 MARCH, 2011

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HERALD REPORTER

VASCO, MARCH 22

Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Verma appre-ciated the efforts of Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL)in upgrading the shipyard, so as to be able tobuild sophisticated and high-value ships like MineCounter Measure Vessels for the Indian Navy.

Verma was accompanied by Vice Admiral San-jeev Bhasin, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief,Western Naval Command. This is Vermas maidenvisit to GSL since he took over as chief of navalstaff.

During the visit, a presentation was made tochief of naval staff regarding the growth of GSLfrom a barge building yard to a sophisticatedshipyard capable of designing and building ships

for the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard fromconcept to commissioning.

GSL Chief Managing Director Rear Adm VineetBakhshi accompanied the chief of naval staffaround the shipyard and apprised him of theshipbuilding, ship repair activities and the ex-pertise available at GSL.

Admiral Verma was also apprised of the mod-ernization plan and progress thereof.

Later, Verma visited some naval ships that areunder various stages of construction at GSL.

Significantly, the maiden visit of Verma is justprior to the launching of third in the series 105MNaval Offshore Patrol Vessel, indigenously de-signed in house and being built by GSL for theIndian Navy.

Adm Verma lauds GSL for upgrading shipyard

Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Verma along with Vice Admiral Sanjeev Bhasin Flag Officer Com-manding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command during their maiden visit to GSL in the presence of GSLChief Managing Director RAdm Vineet Bakhshi.

Rivona resident accused of

illegally digging wellHERALD CORRESPONDENT

QUEPEM, MARCH 22

A resident of Ghatiwada-Rivonahas been accused of illegallysinking a well within a radiusof 15 mtrs from the famous nat-ural water spring Takazor inthe village.

In a complaint filed before theexecutive engineer of groundwater officer, Water ResourceDepartment, Gogal-Margao, theresidents claimed that the Taka-zor situated at Ghatiwada is animportant and famous spring,on which the villagers nurtureshuge tracts of agriculture andseveral paddy field.

The complaint further statedthat one of the landlords, whorecently acquired right to theadjacent property of the spring,has illegally dug up a huge wellby using mining machinerywithin a radius of 15 mtrs fromthe natural spring.

Due to illegal sinking of thewell within the vicinity of thedrinking water source, there isa likelihood of adversely affect-ing the water flow inter alia af-fecting the supply of requisitequantity of water for drinkingand other purpose, states thecomplaint.

Due to the illegal activity,there is also every possibilitythat it may lead to changing thecourse of underground watertable, stated the residents inthe complaint.

Therefore, in the interest ofthe community and general pub-lic, the villagers have requestedthe department to take imme-diate penal, prohibitory and cor-rective action against the culprit.

HERALD NEWS DESK

PANJIM, MARCH 22

A valedictory function was organised recentlyin Pilerne Industrial Estate to conclude the cel-ebration of 40th National Safety Day & Week2011 by Pilerne Industrial Estate Industries As-sociation in association with Inspectorate ofFactories & Boilers, and Green Triangle Soci-ety.

Finance Secretary S Kumaraswamy highlightedthe importance of safety and stressed the needto take up the advanced measures to ensuresafety of all working class people in industrialsector.

Factories & Boilers Secretary V K Jha empha-sized that workers also have a key role to play inindustrial safety and appealed all to follow safetyrules and regulations.

Inspector of Factories Vivek Marathe briefedabout the various programmes held by the In-spectorate during the week long celebrations.

Chief Inspector of Factories & Boilers S MParanjape, GSSIA President Shekhar Sardesai andGreen Triangle Society Chairman Manguirish PaiRaikar also spoke.

Prizes were distributed to the winners for var-ious events conducted during the Safety WeekCelebrations 2011.

National Safety Week concludes

Finance Secretary S Kumaraswamy addresses the audience during the valedictory function of the 40thNational Safety Week Celebration held at Pilerne Industrial Estate.

Toddy Tappers president availableHERALD NEWS DESK

PANJIM, MARCH 22

President of All Goa Toddy-Tap-pers Assoc iat ion GasparAfonso will be available fortoddy-tappers on Tuesdays andSaturdays in Margao officefrom 10.30 am to 1 pm, insteadof Wednesdays and Saturdays,says a press note.

Hotel owner dies in hit

and run caseHERALD CORRESPONDENT

CURCHOREM, MARCH 22

A 65-year-old hotel owner diedin a hit and run case at Cur-chorem early Tuesday morning.

According to Curchorem Po-lice, the mishap occurred atabout 6 am when Suresh Telang,proprietor of Janata GruhaHotel, Curchorem market, wason his daily morning walk.

When Suresh reached nearthe speed breaker near theAmbedkar Circle, he was hitby an unknown vehicle. Sureshdied on the spot.

Police informed that thepost mortem stated that thedeath was due to severe in-juries to the ribs. The policehave obtained some cluesabout the vehicle and are onthe trail of the vehicle. PIBhanudas Dessai is investigat-ing the case.

HERALD CORRESPONENT

BICHOLIM, MARCH 22

Hundreds of people from inand around Bicholim con-verged at Bordem-Bicholim towitness the famous folk danceGodemodni on Tuesday.

According to legends, theking rewarded people accord-ing to their abilities and basedon this, their position and highstatus in society was marked.The king always travelled byelephants or palanquin and hissoldiers by horse and it maybe that through this system,Godemodni might have comeinto existence.

In olden times, brave sol-diers used to get rewards in

the form of special clothes,sword or horse cab. These sol-diers would then celebrate theoccasion clad in these royalclothes by taking a round inthe village on horse back. Thewomen would pray for theirlong life and success in future.

Godemodni as a folk dancewas performed at Bordem-Bi-cholim. Four persons fastenedinside hobby-horse below theirwaists, brandishing swords ex-ecuted this war-like dance tothe beats of Dholak and Tasha.

The dance, famous all overthe State as a cultural dance,started from Bordem andended at Shantadurga HighSchool Bicholim.

Hundreds witness Godemodni at Bicholim

Godemodni at Bicholim. Photo by Samir Umarye

Canacona youth rush to join IYC

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

CANACONA, MARCH 22

The Congress partys member-ship drive seems to be makingwaves in the taluka.

Over 600 youth have alreadyfilled their registration forms tojoin the Indian Youth Congressunderway in all 44 pollingbooths of Canacona con-st i tuency, in formed GoaPradesh Youth Congress Com-mittee Vice President and SouthGoa President Janardhan Bhan-dari.

Bhandari, who is in-charge ofSouth Goa membership regis-tration drive, is personally mon-i to r ing the reg i s t r a t ionmovement of the youth Con-gress membership drive in Cana-cona taluka and has opened acentralized office at KTC Com-plex Chaudi to facilitate easinessto interested youths.

The membership drive ofyouth Congress, which waslaunched all over the State onMarch 15, will continue up toApril 5.

Echoing the slogan of RahulGandhi, the Indian face of youthpolitics, Bhandari described themovement as historic and calledthe youth to join the revolutionas India needs the youth tochange nations politics.

To join youth Congress, oneneeds to be born betweenMarch 15 1976 and April 5,1993.

More and more enquiringyouth from Canacona are alreadyissued with forms, while it is agood sign that even large num-ber of young girls also showskeen interest to join youth Con-gress, said Bhandari.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

PORVORIM, MARCH 22

The Goa state Pollution ControlBoard (GSPCB) has directed Ma-pusa Municipal Council (MMC)to stop dumping of un-segre-gated garbage at AssagaoPlateau by deploying adequatesecurity at the site.

Based on the observationsand finding contained in the in-spection report conducted byGSPCB at Mapusa on February22, 2011, on a complaint filedby Shiv Sena, the GSPCB has di-rected MMC chief officer to takemeasures within 30 days fromreceipt of letter dated March17, 2011.

The GSPCB has directed theMMC to stop dumping of un-segregated garbage at AssagaoPlateau by deploying adequatesecurity at the site and/or re-quest the police authorities toensure that illegal dumping ofsegregated waste is not carriedout at the site.

Clear away and dispose offthe un-segregated waste at theAssagao Plateau in environmen-

Stop dumping un-segregated wasteat Assagao Plateau

tally sound manner, take stepsto ensure that all the compost-ing units installed at Mapusatown are effectively operated,set up additional compostingunits in Mapusa town, installadequate number of garbagebins at specific locations in Ma-pusa town, particularly at KTCbus stand and market area,states the letter.

The GSPCB in its letter furtherdirected MMC to ensure thatwaste from slaughter houses lo-cated at Mapusa market andwaste water from the marketarea is stopped from flowinginto the nullah, which is locatedin front of the deputy collectorsoffice.

De-silt the nullah, which ischoked with solid waste andwaste water from the marketarea, clean the rainwater drainlocated in Mapusa fish market,which is filled with stagnantwater and install adequate num-ber of septic tanks in Mapusamarket, stated the letter.

GSPCB also directed the MMCchief officer to submit a detailedand comprehensive action planand time schedule on the basisof which they propose to complywith the directions within sevendays from the date of receipt ofdirections.

Failure to comply with thedirections will compel theGSPCB to take stringent legalaction against MMC in accor-dance with the provisions of En-vironment (Protection) Act 1986without any further notice,warns the letter.

Sardinhaurged to

contest fromCurtorim

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, MARCH 22

The Curtorim Mahila BlockCongress Committee has re-quested South Goa MP Fran-cisco Sardinha to contest fromCurtorim Constituency for thedeve lopment o f the con-stituency.

A delegation of Mahila Con-gress headed by presidentGazala Shaikh called on theMP and urged him to contestfrom Curtorim saying the con-stituency is being neglectedby the local MLA.

Though Gazala in a state-ment quote the MP as sayingthat it depends on the peopleof Curtorim constituency andothers, Sardinha, when con-tacted, reminded that he isright now the Member of Par-liament and that there are noelections round the cornernow.

The statement issued byGazala said the MP met differ-ent groups of Curtorim MahilaBlock and discussed variousissues such as development,women welfare, MP schemes,Development of road, guttersand gardens, parks and openspaces for the locals.

T h e w o m e n s t ro n g l ybrought up the issue of admis-sion in the Bhatikar Model highschool. They pointed out thatbeing locals, their childrenhave been deprived of admis-sions and that they have to goto Town for the schooling.

Sardinha assured the womenthat he would necessary actionas they called for a stop to theinjustice in the interest of localchildren.

Unemployment allowancePlastino DCosta, by email

On 1 June 2010, in my article on the GoanGeneration GAP, I mentioned that the gov-ernment gives an allowance to the old-but-not-needy, but none to the genuinelyeducated unemployed. I said Goas politi-cians dont deserve to be elected on thesingle count of not creating enough jobsfor the youth.

Apparently, the government paid atten-tion and announced an unemployment al-lowance for the Generation Next. It isimportant your readers know that Heralddoes influence government decision makingprocesses.

Contempt of court!Adv Govind Usno Bhobe, Panjim

In a landmark judgment reported in AIR2001 Bombay 60, the Bombay High Court

held that any amendment sought by a pass-port holder for making corrections regard-ing date of birth, the Passport Authority iscompetent to do this. Such matters neednot be referred to a Judicial Magistrate;they are overburdened and are not con-ferred with such jurisdiction under law.The judgment also gave standing directionsto the Passport Authority to hold an enquiryand effect necessary changes in respect ofchange of date of birth or place of birth.

However, whenever an application ismade to change wrongly recorded date ofbirth or place of birth, the office of thePassport Authority, Panjim, directs the ag-grieved applicant to get a court order.This shows scant regard for the High Courtsorder.

I wrote several Registered AD letters tothe Passport Officer, Panjim, to bring tohis notice this High Court order, enclosingcopies of the order. Notwithstanding, thePassport Authority has not mended its way.Is this not contempt of court? Bureaucratsshould not ignore the cardinal principlethat service to mankind is their motto.

Footsteps of JesusJ M Pinto, Siridao

PWD minister Churchill Alemao recentlycommented on a news channel about thePanchwadi issue: To padri tingasor kitemkortalo igorz sanddun? Such comments bya minister are uncalled for. The Parish Priestwas discharging his rightful duty as a citizenas well as a true shepherd of his flock. Theyare the real Church, not the four stonewalls.

He was rightfully fighting for the peopleof Panchwadi, to defend them from theevil perpetrated by the state government.Goa has been destroyed by mining. Whatthe people of Panchwadi and other miningareas are trying to protect is not only forthemselves, but for the entire state of Goa.

I wish other priests who claim to be fol-lowing in the footsteps of Jesus would dowhat the Parish Priest of Panchwadi did.

Stephen Ray apologeticsBlaise Fernandes, Merces

Some months back, Stephen Ray of the USgave talks in Goa on the Catholic faith. I

was glad he raised an important issue the need to share the Good News of ourLord Jesus Christ with as many as we can.

But in general, his exposition of theCatholic way of practice gave the impres-sion that all is hunky-dory. This is not com-pletely so. Many points could be raised,but it is best that one truly interested inthe truth reads the Old and New Testa-ments, praying for the enlightenment ofthe Holy Spirit.

It is better to recognise possible mis-takes, correct them and move forward,rather than allowing ourselves to feel weare in a comfort zone.

Seafarers annual dayAllwyn George, Carmona

Goa is well known for its seafarer commu-nity. They spend four to nine monthsagainst all odds at sea and eagerly lookforward to return home at the end of theircontract. Seafarers contribute a lot by wayof valuable foreign exchange. But they haveto endure a life of isolation from the outsideworld and their families.

We need to appreciate the contributionof these seafarers and designate an Annual

Seafarers Day to remember all the retiredand serving men, and also those who aresadly no more.

Medium messageRoger Fernandes, Margao

English is a language spoken worldwide.It should be taught in school at an earlyage as the medium of instruction, butKonkani must also get due respect.

What is our medium of conversation?Most kids say Mummy or Daddy, not Maior Pai. For them, Mai is grandmother andPai is grandfather.

Whichever office or bank you enter, Eng-lish is spoken. If you start speaking Konkani,they think you are illiterate. We need Eng-lish for a better future, but Konkani forour identity.

Sack Babu AsgaonkarMarcos Alemao, by email

In order to save the image of the Congress,the Chief Minister should sack Sports Min-ister Babu Asgaonkar from the cabinet forhis arrogance. He always lacks disciplineand is arrogant when answering questions

in the Assembly. This is not the first time.

Hosting World CupAshok R Naik, Siolim

Without any bias to our co-hosting nationsor their financial position, I sincerely wishthat India has hosted this World Cup by it-self. India is the financial powerhouse ofcricket. Infrastructure and finance are nohindrance. If the islands of the West Indiescould host a World Cup independently,why not India?

China proclaimed its status on the worldstage by staging the Olympics. Would itreally be detrimental for India to do thesame, at least in a sport where it has su-premacy?

Medium of instructionA C Menezes, Chinchinim

There appears to be nothing wrong if, atthe initial stage, the medium of instructionis ones mother tongue. But shifting chil-dren to the English medium later createsseveral problems. They miss the study ofelementary grammar and diction, and laterit becomes difficult for them to be proficientin English, the language of the modern world.

Till 1961, the Portuguese insisted thatchildren who wished to join an Englishmedium school learn and pass PrimeiroGrau, so they were burdened in the initialfour or five years with the study of the Por-tuguese language.

In then British East Africa, where Goansmigrated in search of jobs, they were ed-ucated right from Std I in English. Believeme, Goans from these areas were moresuccessful than Goans from Goa with Por-tuguese-cum-English education.

Assembly bull fightsNelson Lopes Chinchinim

It was amusing, entertaining but shamefulto witness the virtual brawl in the Goa Leg-islative Assembly. I was disappointed thatthe one day I chose to be in the visitorsgallery, I saw such behaviour.

The Leader of the Opposition could havebeen more dignified. The redeeming featurewas that at the end of the day, both apol-ogised, but not before the damage was done.

YourTrueSelfBy Vernon Howard

No matter how severe the noise, you canfind your True Self in the midst of it.There is an old movie with a good scenein it. Back in the Nazi days, a man stoodup in a restaurant and started singing hispartys song. The singing started softly,but grew in intensity as people joinedin. But there was one man who was aholdout. He sat there with his armscrossed, with a firm look on his face. Like-wise, be resolute in your determinationto abide in the wisdom and silence ofyour intuitive self. Be a holdout.

Back in the middle ages, there was aman known as The Finder. The ownersof large castles hired him to search theirproperty for secret rooms. In these con-cealed rooms, gold and valuables lost forcenturies were sometimes discovered.Your True Self is The Finder, a bright lightthat illuminates treasures that exist within.Surrounding these treasures are pocketsof darkness. So have no concern if yourconfusion seems to temporarily increaseas you study these ideas. A false ideamust be stirred up in order to be dis-solved.

Your True Self is like a big island in themiddle of the ocean. High winds, stormsand hurricanes often surround it. The is-land appears to be isolated, but beneaththe surface, it is connected to the entireglobe. It is rock solid and nothing canmove it. You are on that island, secure inyour home. Your True Self is forever un-touched by all the noise of this worldand all mistakes made prior to the Lightsactivation.

(Source: Vernon Howard parables)

Paths of Wisdom

100 Years Ago

23March1911AgriCollegelaunchedLaunched on the grounds of the Palaceof Quetuz, a school teaching modernmethods of fruit growing, agricultureand gardening.

KinglydebtsThe Council formed to study the debtsof the ex-Royal Family of Portugal whoavailed of the Public Coffers is reportedto have concluded their reports.

LisbonHospitalexpandsThe Institute of Ophthalmology and theCentre for Hygiene has been incorporatedin the Faculty of Medicine at Lisbon.

MagazineanniversaryThis is the third year of publication ofour esteemed colleague journal O Future,which is to be published from now onwith a changed but simplified format.

PRIMEIRO DIARIO NAS COLONIAS PORTUGEZAS

The time for elections is in some way abnor-mally etched into our psyche. And we thepeasant class, or to say it more emphatically,

the backward class (sic), with paranoiac greedembossed in our countenance, are venturingahead to avail of goodies and/or cash benefitsbestowed upon us in good measure by the aspi-rants, who are hell-bent on a win-win situation.

But not always does this win-win strategy payrich dividends, as hitherto encountered. Whileaccepting the largesse strewn their way, the in-dividuals vote is always confidential. This is ir-respective of the chagrin it creates to the donorsafter the vote count, which signifies that theyshould not take acceptance of gifts for granted.

Our contemporary society is divided into twoclasses, the haves and have-nots. The haves feelthat their money power can prevail over the have-nots. This is laughable, for no one is dumb enoughto be the object of ridicule. However, to avail ofgoodies, they are willing to travel that extramile.

Goodies are one thing that are to be taken forgranted come election time, even though it is adamnable thing. However, another toxin hasslowly emerged amidst the electorate, and thatis the power of rhetoric spewed by the Goan in-telligentsia, with people of somewhat averagequotient (to show that they comprehend the af-fliction engulfing our aam admi) are willing topay heed to.

This bunch of intelligentsia was formulated byManohar Parrikar after he lost his coveted chair,and desired once more to be Chief Minister ofGoa. He obnoxiously assembled the support ofsome greedy individuals who were playing tillthen to the galleries, bombastically consideringthemselves to be intellectuals and the cream ofGoan society, to accrue their worthless opinionso as he could take the electorate for a jolly goodride, which in return might prop him once againto the keys of governance.

This in my opinion is just a pipe dream, con-sidering his contemporary downward chartamongst the public in general. It is somethingthat he should weep about, for he alienated theelectorate with his arrogance and his overtly Hin-dutva agenda, though some Goan Catholics stillbelieve in his ill-defined proclamations.

Intellectuality can be defined as the use of in-telligence (thought and reason), which can besummoned into critical and analytical ways in ei-

ther a professional or a personal capacity. Everyhuman being is born intelligent, though someare better than others. It is the impulse in thehuman brain that carries thoughts from one endof the brain to the other; how fast defines intel-ligence.

History cannot be considered without theknowledge of men and women who created, dis-cussed, wrote about or in other ways were con-cerned with ideas, not as abstract propositionsbut to the context. Rhetoric is used to advancean agenda or reinforce ones deeply held beliefsin the face of dishonesty. This is not the actualcase in Goa, as our literati blab for nothing.

If the person is aware of the evidence and yetagrees with the conclusion, it portends a contraryview called intellectual dishonesty which canbe summed up in those so-called professionalswho are the toadies of Parrikar. It can be furtherunderlined that these adherents are nothing butdishonest individuals, with police cases pending

at various stations for graft and scams. But yet,they poise a brave front to counter all allegationsagainst them, where Parrikars patronage comesin handy.

To aggravate matters, well-known medical con-freres are playing sycophant, forgetting that manypeople lost their precious lives at their handsowing to mal-diagnosis and carelessness. Yet theyfirmly believe that the people are with them; thatwhen a person is attended in trauma at theirnursing homes or dispensaries, they can cajolethe unwilling patient to their whims, least for-getting the amount spent at their nursing homes conveniently pocketed by these obnoxiousmedicos quite apart from the cost of medicines,which again fills their coffers. These same medicos,when they find they cant do anything for the pa-tient, refer the patient to the Hospital of theMedical College to pass away, and invoke theire of the next of kin on the helpless MedicalCollege.

For the uninitiated, I must point out that thesemedicos get a commission (cut) from pharma-ceutical companies when they prescribe theirpatented remedies. My contention is: where isthe honesty in prescribing such expensive place-bos without testing, if it agrees with the patient.Should we usher a person to the gallows just be-cause our mind says that he is guilty of not ad-hering to the standard conventions to say: YesMaster?

All those medicos blustering bravado and spew-ing bile on Babush Monserrate, in my opinion,are hypocrites. I wonder how they ever succeededin overcoming their shortcomings when theyshould have been left to mend boots. The Hip-pocratic Oath is professed to the welfare of thepeople and never otherwise. But these medicospractice the Hypocritic Oath for adverse effect,which makes me wonder; should I venture totheir clinics again?

To add to our woes there are scribes, with aMallu at the forefront, who are bombarding uswith superfluous canards, never accepting theground reality, which says it is in the hands ofthe electorate to choose a candidate out of theirown compulsion and will. They try to make usfeel that we are incompetent and not able to de-cide on our own. This makes me question theirintegrity: Who the hell are you to tell us whatto do?

Per se, the Goan electorate is highly intelligentand motivated. It does need outside support todifferentiate right from wrong. G