OHERALDOThe Voice of Goa Since 1900

and a scanner that used radiofrequency for identification wasput in service to grant accessto the stadium.

Expressing surprise over thediscovery of duplicate tickets,GCA Secretary Prasad Fatarpekarstated that the GCA had not al-lowed excess spectators in thestadium. What was even moreshocking was that the ticketsseemed to be coming from thesame printing agency, he said.

Fatarpekar said on the dayof the match it was not a fullcapacity crowd. Officials hadscanned each and every personthrough the scanning machineand had found that around

22536 people had entered thestadium.

Fatarpekar stated, I am gladthe issue came to light. It hasdisturbed us a lot at the Asso-ciation. There could be an error

with the printer and if found,he would be penalized. Sec-ondly, if someone from our parthas played mischief we wonthesitate to take strict actionagainst him, he added.

PTI

MELBOURNNE, OCT 28

In another vicious attackagainst Indians in Australia,a 12-year-old student wasbullied and brutally punchedin the face and had to un-dergo a surgery to recon-struct his eye socket.

The boy, who asked not tobe named, told The Agenewspaper that two year 8boys, whom he did not know,came up behind him atlunchtime on October 18 out-side the school co-ordinatorsoffice at Carwatha College inNoble Park here.

For no reason they camebehind me with a scarf andwere pulling me. When I toldthem to stop, one of thempunched me in the eye, thevictim said.

The boys father said hisfamily has been so trauma-tised by the bashing that heis considering returning toGoa. The family now feltscared and insecure in thisarea and school, he said.

He said his son had to havea titanium plate inserted underhis eye and he feared therewould be permanent damage.

I feel he was attacked be-cause he was black, becauseof his colour, his father said.

However, the CarwathaCollege principal BronwynHamilton said the incidentwas being probed thoroughlyand she was convinced it wasnot a racist attack.

She said, There has notbeen any other incidents in-volving these two students.

However, she said the in-juries were serious and theschool was very concerned.

The student concernedwas suspended and expulsionproceedings have com-menced. We have taken im-mediate action.

A spokesman for the stateeducation minister BrownynPike said bullying was not tol-erated in Victorian schools.

He said all schools wererequired to have strong anti-bullying strategies in placeand the Education Depart-ment worked with anti-bul-lying experts in developingnew bullying guidelines.

Meanwhile, an Indian com-munity leader has asked Vic-torian government to stepup security in local schoolsafter the attack.

Leader of Goan Indiancommunity Glen Eira coun-cilor Oscar Lobo urged theJohn Brumby government toput security guards in schoolswhere bullying had occurredfollowing the last weeks in-cident at Carwatha College.

Over 100 incidents of at-tacks on Indians, includingracial, have come to light sinceMay last year in Australia. 21-year-old student Nitin Garg,who was stabbed to deathhere, was the first victim ofsuch assaults this year.

Visit us at:www.oheraldo.in panjim, FRiday, OCTObeR 29, 2010 postal Reg. no. Goa 101 pRiCe Rs. 3.00 (air Surcharge Rs 2.00) pages 16+4

You are violating party rules bycalling police!! We are discussingvery confidential issues here...

Business: USE to start trading in

currency options today Pg 12

Sports: India needs Kirsten:

Gambhir Pg 16

Goas Heartbeat: Shilpa

mesmerises at WIFW finale Pg 4

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, OCT 28

Has the open spat between twolegislators of the NationalistCongress Party dented theimage of the party? This ques-tion is uppermost on the lips oftop office bearers who are de-manding with their high com-mand to bring about disciplinewithin the party if it desires tomake a mark in the Assemblyelections.

A top party source whowished to remain anonymoussaid, there are rivalries withinparties, but they cant come toa flash point and be fought inthe open. There surely needs tobe discipline.

The source disclosed he hassent a report to Party GeneralSecretary and in-charge of Goadesk Praful Patel. Something willhappen by coming Monday orTuesday in the matter, he men-

tioned.When questioned on the re-

cent development after the Vascoincident, NCPs chief spokesper-son Trajano DMello on Thursdaysaid Jose Philip has also beenasked to file a report of the inci-dent by the high command.

On the other side Mickky toohas been asked to explain whatexactly happened, sources said.

Sources within the party saidsome of the office bearers wereof the opinion that an impartialpanel be appointed to investi-gate the spat between the twoand also look into the function-

ing of every executive member,who may be trying to damagethe party.

They said the partys Be-naul im ML A was workingagainst candidates of JosePhilip for the municipal elec-tions since the beginning ofOctober and the latter had al-ready written to the high com-mand in mid-October regardingthe activity of the former.Pacheco has denied all claimsmade by Jose Philip that he wasworking against the candidatesof the latter.

NCP in damage control mode

TICKETGATE ENCORE?Another plaint filed against Geelani, Roy

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

NEW DELHI, OCT 28

Yet another criminal complaintwas filed with the Tilak MargPolice Station here Thursdayevening by a Delhite to registeran FIR (first information report)against Kashmir separatist leaderSyed Ali Shah Geelani, writerArundhati Roy, Prof S A R Gilaniand others for jeopardising pub-lic peace and security by makingprovocative speeches at the con-troversial seminar on KashmirAzadi here on October 21.

The complaint of Sushil Panditcirculated by the BJP Thursdaynight charges the speakers atthe seminar of offence of sedi-tion under Section 124A of IPCas well offence under Section13 of the Unlawful Activities(Prevention) Act, 1967.

The complainant seems tohave been prompted by the BJPas the 6-page complaint goeson to reproduce relevant por-tions of the Act.

12-yr old Goan boy brutally

attacked in OzHERALD NEWS BUREAU

PANJIM, OCT 28

In a stark reminder of the mas-sive 2001 ticket scam, cricketlovers appear to have fallen preyto yet another ticket duplicationracket at the recently cancelledone-day international match be-tween India and Australia at Fa-torda.

Herald is in possession of aphotocopy of two sets of entrydocuments where one is a com-plimentary pass and the othera ticket priced at Rs 2,500. Thelocation shown on both is southupper, the gate number shownis 3, seat number is same F-004.However, only the serial numberdiffers. The complimentary passbears serial number 32639 whilethe priced ticket has 09149 asits serial number. On the backof the ticket as well as the com-plimentary pass, a computerchip is pasted.

The second ticket also bearsthe position, south upper, thesame; the seat number F-0028is the same, the gate number isidentical but the serial numberdiffers. The complimentary passhas 32663 as its serial numberwhile the priced ticket has09173 as its number.

Despite claim by the organ-isers that bar code system wasused, owners of both the docu-ments could enter the stadiumwithout a hitch.

According to GCA, the capac-ity of Pandit Jawaharlal Stadium,Fatorda is 25,815 but only 9,180tickets were sold to the publicas 14,320 were complimentarypasses while 1,915 seats weregiven as official passes to GCAmembers.

The GCA had awarded thecontract to print tickets to aPune-based company as part ofits efforts to avoid duplication

Undergoes eye surgery For no reason theycame behind mewith a scarf andwere pulling me.When I told them tostop, one of thempunched me in theeye.

Victim

Tickets duplication of India-Australia cricket match comes to light

The Goa Cricket Association(GCA) has summoned officialsof the Pune-based Printer toGoa over the duplication oftickets for the cancelled one-day cricket match betweenIndia and Australia.

We have written to theprinter asking him to come

down and clarify on the ticketsbearing same seat numbers,GCA Secretary, Prasad Fa-tarpekar said.

GCA has also summoned itsexecutive committee membersfor an emergency meeting todiscuss the issue on Friday. (HNB)

Pune printer summoned

ASLI YA NAKLI: Tickets with the same seat numbers.

(Continued on page 10)

pg 1_Layout 1 10/29/2010 12:59 AM Page 1

GOA, FRIDAY, 29 OCTOBER, 2010

GOA Pg 2OHERALD

O

HERALD REPORTER

VASCO, OCT 28

NCP legislator and BenaulimMLA Mickky Pacheco on Thurs-day alleged that Revenue Min-ister and fellow NCP legislatorJose Philip D'Souza had at-tempted to kill him, besides in-stigating others to set themablaze following their spat onTuesday.

Pacheco's sworn statement tothe police contradicts RevenueMinister Jose Philip D'Souza'sclaims that he (Jose Philip) hadprotected the Benaulim MLAfrom the furious mob and es-corted him safely to his friend'scar.

Pacheco (46) had been calledby the Vasco police on Thursdayto submit his statement in con-nection with the assault on himat Hotel Maharaj, Vasco on Tues-day night.

"I was sitting at Hotel Ma-haraja, Vasco, along with myfriends namely Simon Pereira,Edwin Carvalho, both residentsof Vasco and Raul D'costa of Chi-calim and Lazarus Diago Pereira,resident of Betalbatim, KalpeshShelvonkar, RavindranathSawant and others from about8 pm onwards," stated Pachecoin his letter to the Vasco police.

"At about 8.30 pm, Jose Philip

D'Souza, Minister for Revenueand Civil Supplies, along withKritesh Gaonkar, Councillor andformer chairperson of Mormu-gao Municipal Council and a fewothers approached me and myfriends. Jose Philip in an agitatedtone wanted to know what Iwas doing in Vasco."

"Even before I could reply,Jose Philip charged at me andcaught hold of my collar andbegan assaulting me with fistblows on my face and chest.Soon Jose Philip was joined bythe above named people withhim and all of them started man-handling and assaulting myother friends who were with meas well," stated Pacheco.

He alleged that Jose Philipalso called in more people andsoon more than 80 people camethere and they started smashingthe hotel (Restaurant).

"Then Jose Philip lifted a chairand hit at me but I was lucky tohave missed it narrowly, I wouldhave even died if the said chairwhich was aimed by Jose Philipat my head had to hit me," saidPacheco in his statement.

"Kritesh Gaonkar, Nanoskar,Anthony and others broke sodabottles at the direction of JosePhilip and tried to stab me andmy friends."

"However, we managed to es-cape from the restaurant. As Icame out and sat in the vehicle(GA-08-F-1854) of my friendLazarus Diago Pereira, JosePhi l ip a long with Kr i teshGaonkar, Anthony Fernandes,Sanny (Jose Philip's Brother-in-Law) and others came chasingus and blocked the car by stand-ing in front of it," said the Be-naulim MLA.

Pacheco then alleged that JosePhilip directed Kritesh Gaonkarand others to smash our carwith a 20 kilo laterite stone onthe windscreen.

"If it had to land on my friendLazarus Diago Pereira, then thatwould have been the end of him.Jose Philip even directed hisfriends to set our car on firewith us inside it."

"Kritesh Gaonkar, Sanny andothers started throwing boul-ders on the windscreen andother places on the car andsmashed the car. Jose Philip washeard asking for a lighter/match-box to set the car on fire withus inside it," claimed Pacheco.

"However my friend Diagowho was sitting on the driver'sseat had good presence of mindand zoomed away in the samesmashed condition and hencewe were saved," he added.

Jose Philip attempted to kill me: Mickky

HERALD REPORTER

VASCO, OCT 28

Revenue Minister Jose PhilipDSouza on Thursday accusedpolitical parties and rivals ofhatching a conspiracy to defeathis panel in the Mormugao Mu-nicipal Council election on Sun-day.

Addressing media persons atNCP office in Vasco, DSouzasaid political parties and his ri-vals have clubbed together todefeat his panel.

It is a conspiracy hatched bymy rivals to create a gloomy pic-ture in the council election togain mileage and defeat my can-didates, said DSouza.

He said this is not the firsttime that his rivals and politicalparties have clubbed togetherto defeat him, but despite sim-ilar efforts often by his rivals,DSouza managed to win theelections twice from Vasco.

I have never promotedgoondagiri in the port town inmy political career of 30 years,but my rivals have created sucha hype to defame me, said D-Souza.

I have faith in my people andthey will answer all the criticsin the election, added DSouza.

When asked about Pachecosallegation that DSouza man-handled him, DSouza shot backsaying: I protected him fromthe furious mob and escortedhim safely to his friends car.

He further clarified that thepeople from Vasco and Mormu-gao, who joined the Congress partyon Wednesday, were neither NCPmembers nor workers.

We welcome the decision ofthe Election Commission to sen-sitized Wards 15 and 16, as wetoo wanted transparency in theelection process, added D-Souza.

When asked that it is learntthat former tourism ministerMickey Pacheco hatched a gameplan against DSouza to defeathis candidates to please highcommand so that the DSouzawould lose his party presidentpost, the revenue minister said:Adopting such anti-party meansis Mickkys style, but such thingscan be done with love and af-fection.

Meanwhile, Goa Fishing BoatOwners Association (GFBOA)Vice President Jose Nicolau D-Souza has accused GFBOA Pres-ident Simon Pereira, who joinedthe Congress party along withhis supporters, of mixing politicswith association affairs.

Pereira has, however, said hehad joined the Congress partyin his individual capacity.

"If GFBOA presidents post isassociated with me, its not myproblem," he said.

Conspiracy hatched to defeat my panel, claims Jose Philip

HERALD REPORTER

VASCO, OCT 28

Mormugao Deputy Collectorand Election Returning Officer(ERO) Levinson Martins has de-clared seven wards of Mormu-gao Municipal Council (MMC)as sensitive, including the wardsof the kin of Revenue MinisterJose Philip DSouza.

Former tourism ministerMickky Pacheco made his pres-ence felt once again in the porttown of Vasco and this time, hewas seen at New Vaddem. Lawenforcement agencies were ontheir toes for fear of anotherlaw and order problem in Vasco.

Martins decision to declarethe seven wards as sensitivecame after the State BJP de-manded that wards in which D-Souzas relatives are contestingshould be sensitized in the wakeof Tuesdays incident.

Martins has stated that Wards1, 2, 3, 9, 12, 15 and 16 shouldbe declared as sensitive andmade sure that election is heldin a fair manner, while additionalnight flying squads with patrollingparty would also be deployed.

Ward 1, where MMC Chair-person Shekhar Khadapkar is

contesting, has been declaredsensitive, besides, Ward 2,where bigwig from BJP and for-mer vice chairperson RohiniParab is contesting, and Ward3, which has been reserved forST, has mostly news faces, arealso declared as sensitive.

All Goa Congress Pradesh Mi-nority Department President Sai-fullah Khan along with eightother candidates, who are in thefray from Ward 9, is also de-clared as sensitive.

Ward 12, which covers mostparts of Khariwado and has sit-ting Councilor Lavina DSouzaand Felicity DSouza, wife of for-mer deputy speaker Simon D-Souza, is in the fray, beside othertwo candidates, has been de-clared as sensitive.

However, the most sensitiveis Ward 15, from where PascaolDSouza, elder brother of Rev-enue Minister Jose Philip is infray with Anil Chopdekar andMMC V i ce Cha i rpe r sonKashinath Yadav.

Neighboring Ward 16 hasNeny DSouza, wife of the rev-enue minister, is in the fray withAnita Chopdekar, wife of Anil,and Marcelina Godinho.

7 Mormugao wards declared sensitive

MLAs spatinternal

matter: CMHERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, OCT 28

Chief Minister Digambar Kamattoday preferred to stay awayfrom the Mickky-Jose Philipecontroversy saying it is their in-ternal matter.

Kamat, however was quick toadd that law will take its own courseand it is same for everybody.

When this reporter posed thequestion to the chief ministeron how much could the spat af-fect his government and itsimage, Kamat said I will per-sonally not want to commenton the issue.

It is the internal matter ofthe NCP legislators and I do notwant to comment on it, he said.

When pointed out that FIRshad been lodged against thetwo legislators who are verymuch part of his governmentKamat replied: This is a demo-cratic process, law will take itsown course and it will be samefor everyone.

Former tourism ministerMickky Pacheco was beaten upby Jose Philip supporters whenhe was allegedly distributingmoney at a hotel in Vasco.

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, OCT 28

Social activist Dr Oscar Rebellohas called upon the people ofMargao to vote and elect goodcandidates in the ensuing Mu-nicipal polls for the bettermentof the Commercial Capital.

Addressing the election meet-ing of former Margao MunicipalChairperson Piedade Noronhain ward No 3 of the Civic body,Rebello said the time has comefor Goans to come together andunitedly support good candi-dates. The time has now cometo think and act collectively ifGoa and Margao has to improve.We have been selfish in our at-titude in the past, he said.

Dr Rebello reminded thatwhat matters in a democracy ispeople and made a humble ap-peal to the people to vote forgood candidates.

He also said that organiza-tions such as the Loksamitiwould remain vigilant and beafter the candidates to usher inthe development of the ward.

In his address, spokesman ofthe Margao Loksamiti MohandasLolienkar lambasted GPCC gen-eral secretary Vijay Sardessai forcalling him an outsider, remind-ing Sardesai that he has beenputting up in the town since the70s.

He said the Margao Loksamiti

Elect good candidates,appeals Dr Rebello

Social activist Dr Oscar Rebello addressing the election meeting ofPiedade Noronha. Photo by Santosh Mirajkarwill act as a pressure group afterthe Municipal polls in the inter-est of the city, adding thatMadgaonkars should get unitedafter the polls to help in the de-velopment of the city.

Calling for an end to dynastypolitics, Lolienkar said that theLoksamiti even will not hesitateto take on Piedade Norohna ifshe goes against the people.

Fo rmer GP YC G i r i shChodankar said the Loksamitiis behind Piedade Norohna asshe had fought against corrup-tion in the civic body during herterm. Not a single person hasraised a finger at Piedade forcorruption. She has proved her-self as a Councillor, he said.

Chodankar said that someCongressmen are fooling thepeople by saying that the Con-

gress party is supporting a cer-tain candidate in the ward. Elec-tions for the Municipal bodiesare not fought on party lines.The Congress party is not sup-porting any particular candidate.These leaders are only foolingthe voters, he said.

In his spir i ted address,Piedade asserted that she hadnever taken any money duringher tenure as Councilor of theCivic body. She appealed to thevoters not to get misguided bythe opposition talk that I ambeing supported by the BJP. TheMunicipal polls are not foughton party lines. The symbol Handand Lotus are not there in theseelections, she said, while mak-ing a humble appeal to the vot-ers to decide which candidatewould serve them better.

One moreinmateinflicts

self injuryHERALD CORRESPONDENT

PORVORIM, OCT 28

Yet another inmate injured him-self in Mapusa judicial custodyon Thursday, the second such inci-dent within a gap of 24 hours.

According to reliable sources,accused Pravin Bhatkande (20)from Anjuna, reportedly cut hishand with a mosquito coil stand,to protest against the ill-treat-ment in judicial lockup.

He was shifted to Asilo Hos-pital, Mapusa, and after admin-istering medical treatment, theaccused was brought back bythe judicial lock-up authorities.

In his statement to the elec-tronic media, Bhatkande has al-leged that he was being ill-treated in the judicial lock up.He further claimed that he wasnot being offered proper food.

I had some medical prob-lems, but was not permitted tovisit the doctor by the authori-ties. Hence, I was forced to takethis extreme step of injuringmyself, claimed Bhatkande.

When contacted, Deputy Col-lector Dashrath Redker informedthat he was not aware thatBhathkande spoke to the elec-tronic media. Redkar further saidwhen he visited the judicial lockup on Thursday morning, hefound nothing serious.

Injuries to Ashpaq Bengreand Amog Naik were caused bya straightened handle of a steelmug, which both used as aknife, stated Redkar.

Redkar further informed thatBhatkande, who is a good friendof Aspaq Bengre, has been di-agnosed by the doctor as men-tally unstable, due to which hecould have taken this step.

I am personally monitoringthe situation inside the judicialcustody and after conductingenquiry into the matter, I willinform about these develop-ments to my superiors, saidRedkar.

Mickky toboycott meetspresided byJose Philip

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, OCT 28

Former minister Mickky Pachecohas said that he would not at-tend any meeting of the NCP aslong as Revenue Minister JosePhilip DSouza heads the party.

I have been humiliated byJose Philip by leading the assaulton me at Vasco for no reason. Icannot take things lying down.I will not attend any meeting ofthe NCP which is presided overby Jose Philip. I will not see hisface again, he said.

Pacheco told newsmen after theVasco police recorded his statementon the ugly incident at the Vascohotel where he was assaulted byJose Philip and his supporters.

When asked whether hewould appeal to the people ofVasco to defeat the panel sup-ported by the Revenue Minister,he said that he would only ap-peal to the people to vote andelect good candidates whowould look after the bettermentof Mormugao. The port Townneed people who will truly workfor the welfare of the town andits citizens. I will only appeal tothe people to elect good peo-ple, he said.

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, OCT 28

Margao police has registered acase of criminal breach of trustagainst an employee o f atransport ing company forf leeing away with cash ofRs 45,000.

The police said the employee

from Curdi-Ponda was told bythe employer to withdraw anamount of Rs 45,000 from thebank. However, instead of hand-ing the money to the owner, theemployee fled away with theamount.

The Margao police are inves-tigating.

Case filed against employeefor breach of trust

KTC officialgheraoed

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, OCT 28

KTC employees on Thursdaygheraoed the dy general man-ager at the Margao depot overthe new work schedule finalizedfor the drivers from next month.

The employees questionedthe K TC Dy GM, P ramodGaonkar for the new workscheduled, saying the newscheduled is loaded heavilyagainst the workers.

Led by Kamlakar Gadkar, theemployees demanded an expla-nation from the deputy generalmanager over the issue. The em-ployees were agitated as theKTC GM suddenly left his officewithout hearing them on thematter.

Gadkar said the drivers arenot provided with any facilitysuch as a rest room to rest afterhard days work. When we aretired and exhausted, we find norest room in the depot to takesome rest, he said and chargedthe management for meting outharassment for the drivers andother employees.

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, OCT 28

Goans will have to go withouta fish on Friday with NationalFishworkers Forum along withvarious fishing industry stake-holders joining hands in a coun-try-wide strike.

The strike is called to protestthe fresh Coastal RegulationZone (CRZ) that allegedly threat-ens the livelihood of several lakhfishermen across the country.NFF had strongly rejected thedraft notification, since Septem-ber 2010, when it came to inpublic view.

NFF President Matanhy Sal-danha said that no fishermenwill venture into the sea for fish-ing and also fish wont be soldin the market.

He claimed that thousandsof fisherfolks and other fishingcommunities have lend theirsupport to the strike. Goa has80,000 people actively involvedin fishing industry.

Saldanha told Herald that thestrike will get good response asit is concerning coastal environ-ment, safety and livelihood offisher folks.

Fishermen across countrywill not go for fishing and therewill be no sale of fish in the mar-kets. The trawler owners havevehemently supported us alongwith the fishermen, fish vendorsand agents, he said.

NFF has decided to posttelegrams to the Union Ministryof Environment & Forest, PrimeMinister, Leader of Oppositionand other central ministers.

In Goa, major places like Pan-jim, Mapusa, Margao and Cana-cona will have protest sit-in bythe strikers.

Goa Fish Vendors Associa-tion President Shashikala Gov-ekar said that the associationmembers are in totally back-ing the striking leaders andthey will participate in theday-long protest from 4am to5pm.

We have also requested veg-etable vendors to show cama-raderie and join the strike, shesaid.

Nearly 175 trawler ownersfrom Malim jetty have showntheir solidarity. Mandovi Fish-ermen Marketing CooperativeSociety Chairman MeninoAfonso said that no trawler will

venture in the sea during thestrike period.

We have shut our businessfor the day no matter whatwould be the total loss we en-dure. There will be no activityin the jetty. We have instructedout fishing team in the sea notto return back on Friday before5 pm, he said.

The jetty operates around 325trawler boats, will be docked atthe jetty. Several tones of fishbeing exported outside, hotelsand to local markets will beclosed entirely.

One may recall in Septem-ber, Saldanha had claimedthe draft notification as bun-dle of contradictions as itgives blanket permission toset up nuclear plants alongthe coastline.

The forum had also expressedanguish that despite the Gov-ernment knowing this would re-sult in marine environmentdegradation, the latter is seek-ing setting up more such plantsalong the coastline which in longtern would displace traditionalfishermen and destroy tradi-tional occupation.

Fishing industry to come to halt today

nMandoviFishermenMarketingCooperativeSociety ChairmanMenino Afonsosaid that notrawler willventure in the seaduring the strikeperiod. We haveshut our businessfor the day nomatter whatwould be the totalloss we endure.There will be noactivity in thejetty. We haveinstructed outfishing team inthe sea not toreturn back onFriday before 5pm, he said.

GOA, FRIDAY, 29 OCTOBER, 2010

GOAOHERALD

OPg 3

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, OCT 28

Coming out openly in supportof Zarinha Shah in ward no 14and Avinash Shirodkar in wardno 17, Chief Minister, DigambarKamat has exuded confidencethat 8-9 candidates backed byhim would win from the Margaoarea of the civic body where 11seats are at stake.

After addressing a publicmeeting of former SirvodemCouncilor, Zarinha Shah onThursday evening, Kamat saidmost of his candidates from theMargao area would emerge vic-torious in the polls.

Out of the 20 wards, my can-didates would win in 8-9 seatsin the ensuing polls, Kamat toldHerald.

Earlier addressing the elec-tion meeting of Zarinha Shah,the Chief Minister said thatthough Shah was not represent-ing Ward No 14 in the last fiveyears, she c o n t i n u e d h e rwork in the ward, earninggoodwi l l f rom the loca lres idents .

Making an appeal to the elec-torate to vote and elect Zarinha

to the Civic body, Kamat ex-pressed confidence that the for-mer Councilor would leave upto their expectations and promisedto offer all out support to her tocomplete all pending works.

The Chief Minister said thathe has taken up work on theunderground sewerage projectin Sirvodem, adding that workon the underground cablingwould commence soon. I willoffer my full support to Zarinha,he said.

Kamats presence at Zarinhaselection meeting assumes sig-nificance given that Congress-men and the Chief Ministersclose supporter DayanandDeulkar is also in the fray. By

CM confident of his candidates winning MMC elections

HERALLD REPORTER

PANJIM, OCT 28

While the State government isalready finding it tough to meetthe deadline on the Centresthreat to withdraw the nationalhighway projects from the stateif the land acquisition is delayed,the Bharatiya Janata Party hasalleged that the government istrying to cheat the peoplethrough the projects.

The BJP today alleged thatthe expansion is not carried outas per manual of specificationfor 4-lanning of National high-way under the Public PrivatePartnership (PPP).

Opposition Leader, ManoharParrikar while addressing a pressconference alleged that the Gov-ernment is trying to cheat peo-ple by claiming that the widthof 60 mts is required for expan-sion.

The claim that 60 mts widthis required is a big lie, Parrikarsaid adding the manual doesntwarrant width of the road 60mts and at the most it can be30 mts.

Citing the manual, he said,the maximum width of the align-ment including service laneswherever required in urban sec-tions ranges from 29 mts to

43.40 meters, respectively.Maintaining that Goa can do

with expansion of roads as doneon PanjimMapusa highway, hesaid, BJP will not allow this proj-ect to be converted into anotherCommon Wealth Games.

Parrikar has also raised ques-tions about sustainability of theproject.

If the government is to bebelieved locals will be dis-counted f rom paying to l lcharges. But how will the projectsustain which has been pro-posed to be build on PPP mode,he asked.

Referring to the statement ofUnion Minister Kamal Nath dur-ing his Goa visit two days ago,Parrikar the minister should

NH: claim of 60 meter roadwidth big lie, says Parrikar

addressing the meeting, theChief Minister has sent a clearcut message to the voters thathe has rallied behind Zarinha inWard No 14.

Meanwhile, the Chief Ministerattended a meeting organizedby candidate Avinash Shirodkarand appealed to the voters ofward No 17 to elect him to theCivic body.

CMs presence at the meetingorganized by Avinash also as-sumes significance given thatanother congressmen and GPCCsecretary Damodar Korgaonkaris also in the fray in ward No17.

come clean as what will be quan-tum Centres contribution to theproject.

How much the governmentis spending on land acquisitionin reference to the ministersstatement that Goa will losefunds if the project is delayed.

TOLL CHARGES: According toParrikar a person using a car tocommute regularly throughPonda-Panjim highway will needto shell out Rs 2100 as tollchares every month.

He stated that he has con-firmed the rates with the Na-tional Highway Authority ofIndia (NHAI).

LAND ACQUISITION POLICY:The BJP has demanded that thegovernment should come outwith a proper land acquisitionpolicy.

Claiming that the governmenthas been paying pittance whileacquiring agriculture land forcommercial use, he said, thegovernment should come outwith land acquisition policy.

He said, States like suchas Haryana pay Rs 1500 persq mt but Goa governmentonly pay 40-50 paise per sqmt.

HOUSE COMMITTEE: Par-rikar also questioned whythe government did not con-vene even one meeting ofthe House Committee (HC)even as it was formed towork out solution to prob-lems raised by the peoplethat are likely to be affectedexpansion of highways.

...says, State is in anarchy HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, OCT 28

Claiming that the State is inanarchy the Opposition LeaderManohar Parrikar said it is notonly common man who doesnthave faith in police but also Rev-enue Minister Jose Philip D-Souza who took law in hishand instead of approachingpolice.

The revenue minister al-legedly manhandled former min-ister Mickky Pacheco along withhis supporters when later wasin dinning in Vasco on October26 night.

Why didnt the minister ap-proach police if he believedPacheco was there to distributemoney, remarked OppositionLeader Manohar Parrikar saidadding that this was a very se-rious issue.

Will the governor sack theminister who took the law inhis hand? Parrikar asked sug-gesting that the government hasnot given due attention to thisincident.

HERALD NEWS DESK

PANJIM, OCT 28

The results of the 36th Tiatr competition organ-ized by Kala Academy have been declared andaccordingly Korta Ti Vatt staged by GoykaranchiKonkani Bhas, Songit, Kala Ani Sonskrutai Kendr,Merces has bagged the first prize for best per-formance.

The competition was held recently at the Di-nanath Mangeshkar Kala Mandir, Panjim and 21Tiatr groups participated. The competition wasjudged by C DSilva, Fr Bernard Cota and Vi-torino Pereira who gave their detailed resultsafter evaluating the performances staged in thecompetition.

As per the detailed results, Kusvo staged byAmi Daizi - Fatorda was adjudged for the secondprize, whereas Pacharem staged by Alfi Art Pro-ductions, Divar bagged the third prize. The con-solation prize was awarded to Vadoll staged bySerula Art and Culture Academy, Penha-de-Franca.

The first prize for direction was awarded toAvito A Fernandes for Korta Ti Vatt, whereas thesecond prize was awarded to Avinash Chari forKusvo. The third prize went to Alfredo Fernan-des for Pacharem.

The first prize for acting (male) was given toRupesh Jogle (Jayson) Kusvo and RosarioBotelho (Zantto) Soimbacho Khell Ani Patkian-cho Mell, was selected for the second prize.

The first prize for acting (female) was awardedto Irene Cardozo (Catarina) Kal Ani Aiz andthe second prize was awarded to Aesica Barreto(Dr Minu) Korta Ti Vatt.

Merit certificates for acting (male) were givento Ali Correia (Crist Pai) Tuji Vokol Moji Bail,Martin Mendes (Rohan) Tuji Vokol Moji Bail,Mathias Mascarenhas (Joaquim Pai) Kal AniAiz, Ajit Kamat (Raul Pinto) Kalliz Dukhoilem,Paul A Fernandes (Jose) Korta Ti Vatt and Rod-ney DSouza (Rockey) Udorgott. Merit certifi-cates for acting (female) were awarded to MariaFernandes (Fiona) Tuji Vokol Mhoji Bail, Mery-lyn DCosta (Annie) Bondkhonn, Valency D-Souza (Tasha) Matiechi Girestkai and IvyPereira (Hazel) Kusvo.

Mathew DSouza (Mathew) Korta Ti Vattwas adjudged as the best comedian. Merit cer-tificates for comedian were given to Kenny Fer-nandes (Kenny) Montri, Hortencio Pereira(Paixao) Bessaum, Anthony Carvalho(Castelino) Kal Ani Aiz, Jane Rebello (Banumati) Moronn and Socur DSilva (Pedru) Moronn.

The prize for best child artiste (male) was givento Master Cameron Fernandes (Simao) Vadoll,whereas the merit certificate was awarded toMaster Darrel Mendes (Alex) Falleam KonnemPoilam Rosario DSouza (Willy) Moronn andFlennon Ferrao (Principal) Pacharem.

The prize for best child artiste (female) hasbeen awarded to Shanice Caiado (Pearl) Thembe and the merit certificates wereawarded to Vhorty Sequeira (Maria) Kal AniAiz, Shenaya Pereira (Rosy) Vadoll and JoylinBarbosa (Jane) Don Vantte.

The prizes in technical section were awardedas follows:

Setting 1st prize to Antonio Barretto

(Korta Ti Vatt), merit certificate Surendra Sa-tarkar (Tuka); light effects 1st prize to DipakAmonkar (Korta Ti Vatt), merit certificate Nilesh Mahale (Udorgott); music (band) - 1stprize to Vitorin Araujo (Korta Ti Vatt); make up 1st prize to Eknath Naik (Soimbacho Khell AniPatkiancho Mell); costumes 1st prize to MariaPereira (Vadoll); background music 1st prize toAleixo Fernandes (Korta Ti Vatt), merit certificate Saish Deshpande (Kantteamcho Turo).

Aniceto Lourenco (Goykar) Korta Ti Vatt

and Elvis Mascarenhas (Niall) Pacharem wereselected for first and second prize respectivelyfor singing (male solo). Merit certificates weregiven to Andrew DSouza (Birmoth) KallizDukoilem, Anthony DSouza (Sonvasarachi Bon-vdi) Vadoll, Leslie Pereira (Mobile) and AgneloVaz (Put) Don Vantte, Francis Pinto (ChorunkZavnchem Na) Kusvo and, Alleluia Pereira(Monzati Koddlean Xikum ia) Bondkhonn.

Sonia Sirsat (Ostori) Kalliz Dukhoilem andAntonette Pereira (Cheddum Bhurgem) Mo-

ronn were selected for first and second prize re-spectively for singing (female solo). Merit certifi-cates were given to Cibyl Cabral (Fashion) Kantteancho Turo, Olga Vaz (Kusvo) Goykaramcher Dustt Porinam, Nacia Afonso(Achar) Morossor, Jessica Gomes (Adlo Temp) Korta Ti Vatt, Reema Dias (Maxean Maxean) Kusvo, Agnes Nazareth (Ximiter) Tuka andAgnes DSilva (Ostori) Soimbacho Khell AniPatkiancho Mell.

Cameron Fernandes (Orissak Madrink) Vadoll, was adjudged as best child singer (malesolo), whereas the merit certificate was given toMaython Barreto (Cherussan) Korta Ti Vattand Hashvaine Fernandes (Scientist) Montri.Wendy Fernandes (Ostoreo Kortat Desak Mahan) Bondkhonn was adjudged as the best childsinger in the female solo category. The meritcertificate was given to Oshin Jonah Fernandes(Eklem Eksurem) Pacharem, Violet DSouza(Novro Zai) Kal Ani Aiz, Shayna Britto (MaimPaichi Ubh) Thembe, Senozel Rebeiro(Madrinim Sambaulem) Tuji Vokol Mhoji BailClaniffa Almeida (Burgem) Soimbacho KhellAni Patkiancho Mell.

Jhonny DSilva and Clancy DSilva (Somjikai) Udorgoth were selected for best duet/duoprize, whereas the merit certificates were givento Camisha Fernandes & Cressida Afonso(Bharat) Bondkhonn, Alvito Araujo & BonnyAlvin (Korta Ti Vatt) Korta Ti Vatt, Ivy Pereira& Suzeta Pereira (Maim Pai) Kusvo, AlifaDCruz & Sandra DSouza (Bomboichi Sukddi) Thembe and Lenzie Camilo & Shirlie Camilo(Udorgoth) Udorgoth.

Violet DSouza, Josepha DSouza & Vhorty Se-queira (Bharot Des) Kal Ani Aiz were adjudgedfor the 1st prize of Best Trio and the merit cer-tificates were awarded to Deepti Coutinho,Preeti Countinho & Joshlyn Gracias (Kaido) Korta Ti Vatt, Sonali Naik, Murli Estibeiro & Va-lency DSouza (Bharat Maim Des) MatiechiGirestkai.

Ezilda Fernandes, Dorothy Viegas, LiviaMenezes & Lancy DSilva (Europi Goenkar) Kantteamcho Turo were selected for the 1stprize for quartet singing. Merit certificates weregiven to Lenzie, Michelle, Tresila & ShirlieCamilo (Share Market) Udorgoth, Selvina Fer-nandes, Anthony Gonsalves, Pedro Fernandes &Anthony Mascarenhas (Belgaumkar) Besaum,Mario Pinto, Bernard Noronha, Pobre Dias & An-tonnette Barbosa (Bhoinnank Xittkavnni) Kusvo.

Fr Mathew Fernandes (Dharati Mata Rakhum-ia) Bondkhonn, was given the prize for BestLyrics and the merit certificate has been givento Fr Dominick Alvares (Nisorgacho Samball Kor) Bondkhonn, Manuel Dias (Cheddva HemLisaun Tuka) Falleam Konnem Poilam andCamilo Joao (Preeti) Montri.

Conceicao Fernandes Kusvo, was selectedfor the first prize for script writing and the sec-ond prize was given to Tomazinho Cardozo Kal Ani Aiz. Merit certificate was given to AvitoA Fernandes Korta Ti Vatt.

Kala Academy has congratulated all the prizewinners. The date for the prize distribution func-tion will be declared later.

GOAOHerALd

O

Pg4GOA, fridAy, 29 OctOber, 2010

==

UpCoMInG eVents

Conference in neonatologyPANJIM (HND): Goa Association of Paediatricians and Maha-

rashtra State Chapter of National Neonatology Forum in asso-ciation with Department of Paediatrics, GMC will hold aconference in neonatology with focus on problems related tonewborn babies and recent advances in the management ofthese problems on October 30 and 31 at Hotel Mandovi, Panjim.Also, two pre-conference workshops on Total Parental Nutrition(TPN) and Ventilation by highly qualified and specialised na-tional level faculty will be held on October 30 in the Library Au-ditorium, Department of Paediatrics, GMC, from 8 am to 12.30pm. For more information and to register, contact organisingsecretaries Dr Virendra Gaonkar on 9623449394 or Dr SushmaP Kirtani on 9822123198, or email: mahaneocon@gmail.com.

DKA novel writing workshop PANJIM (HND): Dalgado Konknni Akademis (DKA) two-day

residential novel writing workshop will be inaugurated on Oc-tober 30 at Colva residency, at 10 am by Konknni novelist andSahitya Akademi award winner Damodar Mauzo, with thePresident of Tiatr Akademi of Goa, Tomazinho Cardozo asguest of honour.

DKA President will preside over the function. The basics andnature of novel writing, ways of designing a plot, developingthe characters and scenes and all things going into the makingof a good novel will be discussed at length.

Participants will be guided by well-known novelistsBonaventure DPietro, Hema Naik, Willy Goes and Mahabalesh-war Sail. Altogether, 20 participants will take part in the work-shop, which will be co-ordinated by Vincy Quadros.

Our Lady of Piety feastOLD GOA (HC): The Feast of Our Lady of Piety will be cele-

brated at Our Lady of Piety Chapel, Carambolim, on October31.

St John De Baptist Church Parish Priest Fr Conceicao DSilvawill be the main celebrant for the Feast Mass, which will beheld at 9.30 am. This year, the feast is celebrated by WilfredValladares and his family.

Free medical camp PANJIM (HND): A free medical camp will be organised by RG

Stone Hospital in association with IMA Tiswadi and RotaryClub Panjim, on October 31 at Don Bosco School, Panjim, from9 am to 1 pm. The camp will give free medical consultationon problems related to gall bladder stones, kidney stones, en-larged prostate, hernia, appendix and piles along with free ul-trasound. A free dental checkup will also be done in the camp.Patients can get their registration done on RG Stones helplinenumber 9552546070.

Betim chapel feastPANJIM (HND): The annual feast of Our Lady of Fatima

Chapel, Betim will be celebrated on October 31 at 10 am. FrMario Pereira will be the main celebrant and Fr Henancio, theco-celebrant.

Contest on cultural depictionPANJIM (HND): To salute the unity and diversity of the coun-

try, Rotaract Club of Ponda will organise a competition for stu-dents of standard IInd to IVth on October 31 at GVMs Hall,Ponda at 9 am in which participants will have to depict theculture and tradition of any one state of the country througheither dance or acting (monologue) in maximum 3 minutes.Participants can use costumes and props to enhance their per-formance. Forms are available at Monginis cake shop, DadaVaidhya Chowk, Ponda and Kishore Traders, Tisk-Ponda. Only40 entries will be accepted. Registration has to be done byOctober 29. For details call event coordinator, AnweshaSingbal on 9823674970.

power shUtdownOCTOBER 29

PERNEM: From 9 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are Khareband,Paraste in Pernem Municipal Council.

MANDUR: From 9 am to 5 pm. Areas affected are AmparoChurch, Bank of India, Miryabhat and surrounding areas.

CHIMBEL: From 9 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are Shirent, ShetyeStones Quarry, Parts of Govlem Bhatt, Menezes Twin Factory,Voilem Bhatt upto Bamon Bhatt, Gawanth, Entire Indiranagar, CMRaikar, Shah Kamaxi, Dateshwar Residency and surrounding areas.

Korta Ti Vatt tops KAs Tiatr contest

Aesica Barreto

Ajit Kamat

Aleixo Fernandes Aniceto Lourenco Anthony DSouza Avito Fernandes

Cameron Fernandes Cibyl Cabral

Dipak Amonkar

Dorothy Viegas Ezilda Fernandes Livia Menezes Lancy DSilva

Mathew de Souza Rosario Botelho

Sonia Sirsat

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, OCT 28

The defence forces today con-ducted the Sagar Kavach exer-cise to check preparedness inthe State to counter anycoastal terrorist attack.

The 48-hour long joint exer-cise by Goa police includingmarine police, Navy and CoastGuard began at 6 am today.

Addressing a press confer-ence, police spokesperson Su-perintendent of PoliceAtmaram Deshpande said thatthe mock-drill exercise is a rou-tine exercise to check pre-paredness of all securityagencies.

The drill is called to testour preparedness and securityarrangements for any eventual-ities that may come from coast-line. The exercise is likely tocontinue tomorrow (Friday),he told reporters.

The officer however refusedto discuss the modalities of theexercise. What was only re-vealed was that certain targets(and vital installations) wereexposed for infiltrations bydummy terrorists. Once theywere detected, they were sentto another target area as a con-tinuation of the mock-drill.

Though the exercise isahead of US President BarackObamas visit to Mumbai, theGoa police confirmed that themock-drill has nothing to dowith his visit.

It has nothing to do withUS Presidents visit. Though,Goa is on general alert as otherstates during this period. Wehave no intimation of any spe-cific security arrangement andhave no role to play in the se-curity aspect, he replied to aquestion on Goas role duringUS Presidents visit in India.

To yet another question on

security arrangements as Goashares waters with Mumbai,Deshpande replied, Entirewestern states share commonwaters with Mumbai. We arejust 105 km long stretch.

The department said thatthrough this exercise, theyhave learnt lessons (to enhanceits security arrangements fur-ther). The exercise is like atestwe have already pickedupon earlier mistakes and cor-rected this time, he saidadding Goa had similar exer-cise in May. We have per-formed better and rate this aslargely successful.

On the other end, the sud-den call panicked the situationamong road users who curi-ously wanted to know the rea-son for sudden nakabandi.Most importantly, school stu-dents suffered as they reachedlate for their on-going mid-term exams.

Long queues of vehicleswere witnessed in the Panjimcity and twin Mandovi bridges,which existed for hours to-gether until afternoon.

Asked on the inconvenience,the officer replied that the ex-ercise was called on by the cen-tral security agencies. Weunderstand the inconveniencecaused to the people but suchexercises cannot be declared inadvance for security reasons.We do not know the field op-eratives and such exercises arenot controlled by the stateswho are just members of thesecurity operation, he said.

The comprehensive exerciseincludes three-tier security re-view International watersmanned by Navy, Territorial wa-ters manned by Coast Guardand Coastline under marinepolice up to 12 nautical miles.Besides, land is controlled bydistrict police.

Sagar Kavach exercise gets underway

Coastal policeinterceptvessel atRiver Sal

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, OCT 28

The coastal police intercepteda vessel with four occupants atthe mouth of River Sal at Betulas the two-day Sagar Kavachexercise got underway acrossthe state to test the level ofpreparedness of the police andother security agencies.

The vessel was interceptedat the River Sal mouth by ateam of coastal police led by PIGurudas Kadam as they tried toenter the river.

After interception, they po-lice team took the vessel to theCutbona fishing jetty and afternoting down their details al-lowed them to leave the jetty.

Thats not all. The coastal se-curity was further put to test asthe four occupants of the ves-sel were seen making theirpresence felt near the Betulfishing jetty. As reports said thefour occupants boarded a Mar-gao bound bus, the coastal po-lice conducted a nakabandi onthe Betul-Margao road and fi-nally managed to apprehendthe foursome.

They were made to alight atthe Assolna police outpost andwere later handed over to theCoast guard.

The coastal police are main-taining a close watch along thecoast, even as the police tight-ened security at the Margaorailway station, the collectoratebuilding, Margao police head-quarters, besides conductingnakabandi on the NH-17 atNuvem.

A bomb disposal squadmade their presence felt at theMargao railway station andconducted random checking ofthe station premises. The po-lice also conducted a search ofthe passengers at the railwaystation.

Kavlem locals panic over bomb threat

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

MARCEL, OCT 28

Panic gripped residents ofKavlem-Ponda on Thursdaymorning, after they learntthat a bomb was planted inthe Shantadurga Temple.

The bomb turned out tobe part of a mock drill bythe Goa police.

According to reports, po-lice personnel were de-ployed in the templepremise since morning anddevotees were barred fromentering the temple.

The news of bomb spreadlike wild fire, causing panic

in the village. The bomb,however, turned out to behoax, as it was part of theState police Sagar Kavatchoperation to check the pre-paredness of the State po-lice force.

The bomb squad was alsopressed into service, whichlater unearthed a fake bombplanted in the temple.

Police seems to have evenmanaged to nab two fake"terrorists", who had plantedthe bomb. Ponda DySP Ser-afin Dias and PI C L Patil wereseen supervising the mockdrill activity at the temple.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

CALANGUTE, OCT 28

Two tourists from Pune wererescued from drowning by Dr-ishti Surf Life Team atCalangute on Wednesday.

According to Drishti re-ports, Ganesh Shined (24) andShyam Bawake (39) were res-cued by Drishti Surf Life Teamof lifeguards Sachin Naik,Pratin Gaonkar and Gopal

Narvekar.The duo was swimming in

deep waters after sunsetwhile the water sports activ-ity continued normally.

The lifeguards mistook the

duo as the water sports oper-ators, until they the duo indistress. Lifeguards Sachin,Gopal and Pratin rushed totheir rescue and broughtthem safely ashore.

Two tourists rescued from drowning at Calangute

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, OCT 28

The Village Groups of Goa haveurged Union Minister for Sur-face Transport, Kamal Nath toconsider an alternative routefor the proposed highway thatwill bypass Goa, which perhapscould proceed parallel to theWestern Ghat (Karwar to Ram-nagar).

In a memorandum, theNGOs told the Minister thatthe proposed highway wouldspell unmitigated techno-eco-nomic and social disaster forthe state of Goa, leaving our fu-ture generations with an un-wanted legacy of a permanentnightmare.

Taking strong exception tothe central governments pro-posal to use Goa in order tocreate a corridor that will linkthe state of Maharashtra withKarnataka, the Village Groupssaid they find the lack ofthought, diligence and applica-tion of mind on the part of theauthorities in conceptualisingthis corridor through Goa ex-tremely shocking and distress-ing considering the impact andtraumatic upheaval it is boundto cause on a vast number ofpeople whose lives will be dis-

rupted due to the loss of theirhomes, properties and paddyfields, some of which are theonly source of livelihood fortheir owners.

After being exposed to therealignment plan in the officeof the Land Acquisition Officer,Fatorda, Margao, we find thatthe plans are going to rip apartlongstanding traditional com-munities, destroying a tradi-tional way of life, with nobenefits whatsoever for thepeople of the state of Goa, theNGOs said, adding that most ofthe people in Goa find it diffi-cult to understand why the ex-isting highway cannot bewidened to a four-lane high-way utilizing the 30-meterwidth which is already in pos-session of the Goa govern-ment. This state highway willcater admirably to the needs oftraffic originating and termi-nating in Goa, they said.

The Village Groups of Goaexpressed their shock that theCongress government in Goa,after motivating the villagers ofGoa to expend much of theirtime and efforts in giving theirinputs for the Regional Plan2021 in each village, now in-sults the same people by im-

Union Minister urged to consider alternate route for highway

Margao blast case: Solid

Party member examined

MARGAO (HR): South Goa Ses-sions court on Thursday exam-ined the founder member ofMargao-based Solid Party NitinNaik in connection with theMargao bomb blast case.

Naik was examined at lengthby the prosecution beforebeing cross examined by thedefense lawyer, Adv SanjeevPunaleykar on the blast case.

Naik told the court thatmembers of the SanathanSanstha had been demonstrat-ing against the Narkasur com-petition held in Margao sincethe last 6-7 years, objecting tothe small size of the Narkasureffigy compared to the effigy ofLord Krishna.

During cross examination,Nitin admitted that the placewhere the blast had taken placedoes not fall along the proces-sion of the groups participatingin the Narkasur competition.

Naik said that as the compe-tition was going on at thevenue at around 9.30 pm to9.45 pm, there was a big soundof blast, which came from theleft side from the side of GraceChurch at a distance of about400-500 meters away from thestage. We could not guess asto what it was. Within five min-utes or so, the Chief Ministerreceived a call and he left thestage along with MLA DamuNaik, Naik submitted.

During examination, Naiksaid that Sanathan people usedto come near the stage withplacards opposing the Narkasurcompetition and that suchcompetitions should not be or-ganized.

posing their own plans evenbefore the Regional Plan 2021is notified, without any consid-eration whatsoever as to avail-ability of land, eco sensitivezones etc. This proposedhighway, will effectively sabo-tage the peoples Regional Plan2021, the NGOs said, whiledrawing attention to the factthat your plans for the pro-posed highway are passingthrough large tracts of agricul-tual paddy fields, wet lands andforests.

This is in direct conflict andcontravention of the NationalPolicy for Farmers 2007, ap-proved by the Central Cabinet,which has recommended thatprime farmland must be con-served for agriculture, exceptunder exceptional circum-stances, provided that theagenices that are provided withagricultural land for non agri-cultural projects should com-pensate for treatment and fulldevelopment of equivalent, de-graded / waste lands else-where. Further, thecommitment under the exist-ing resettlement policy of theCentral / State governmentswould be fulfilled in letter andspirit, the memorandumstated.

The village groups also drewattention of the Union Ministerto the fact that the proposedhighway will lead to ead tolarge scale destruction of theRiver Sal - the only River thatoriginates in Goa and is thesource of all the springs andwater bodies in South Goa.

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, OCT 28

Supporters of Konkani singerand musician, PurnanadChari, who is contesting Civicpolls from ward No 8 of theMargao Municipal Councilhas condemned the state-ment made by BJP Culturalwing Convenor SidhanathBuyao terming Chari as anoutsider.

Today, migrants have be-come Goans and now Goansare calling Goans outsiders inGoa state is the fate. Pur-nanand Chari has been stay-ing Maddel for the last 20years. He has been participat-ing in all social, cultural andsports activities in Maddel.

He is a prominent Konkaniwriter, singer and artists andhas been performing in Goaand all over, reminded SavioDias.

He said people who mademanipulations in the wardreservation process to theirbenefit and wanted to gettheir Councilor re-elected fora second term are now callingpeople supported candidate,Chari an outsider.

He said that history will becreated on November 1 asChari will get elected with athumping majority, addingthat voters know the truefacts and cannot be misled byfalse and baseless propa-ganda, again and again.

Buyao chided for terming Chari as outsider

GOA, FRIDAY, 29 OCTOBER, 2010Pg5

OHERALDO

Pg 5:Pg12 10/28/2010 9:28 PM Page 1

When Robert Edwards was at Cambridge,a childless couple next door would visithim to coo over his young family. As he

later described it The trees bore fruit, the cloudscarried rain, and our friends, forever childless,played with our Caroline and Jennifer. Therein,like the legendary falling apple, a concept tookroot. He started work on the idea in the 50s butit wasnt till Patrick Steptoe independently de-veloped the technique of laparoscopy (key-holesurgery), that Edwards was able to translate hisconcepts into workable technology. Interestingly,the initial reception was so hostile that he neverever got a research grant from any governmentagency. In 2010, 32 years later, his work wasfinally awarded the stamp of recognition withthe Nobel Prize.

When Edwards and Steptoe announced theimminent birth of the first test-tube baby in1978, all hell broke loose. On the one hand, re-ligious groups denounced the technique as aninterference with Gods scheme of things. Noconception without the conjugal act

One cant help wondering what the 4 millionindividuals born as a result of this technique since1978 would have to say. And I really wonder ifGod by whatever name one chooses to use, wouldbe so cruel as to deny 8 million parents the sub-lime joy of bringing up their very own child.

Medical ethicists sounded alarm bells aboutthe Frankenstein monsters that would be un-leashed on society. Louise Brown was born onthe 25th July 1978, perfectly healthy and normal.4 million babies later, there is as yet no scientificevidence that babies born from IVF are any moreprone to deformities than those in the normalpopulation; and 4 million is a sizeable sample in-deed.

However it is the third group of objectionsthat continue to cause concern; and to appreciatethese we need a clear understanding of what IVFactually involves. The term stands for In VitroFertilisation, which literally means fertilisationin glass, or in a laboratory as opposed to in vivoor in the body. 10 percent of otherwise healthymarried couples are infertile for various reasons.In these cases an ovum is removed from themother by laparoscopic technique and fertilisedwith sperm from the father, in the laboratory.Cells could also come from banks. The fertilisedovum is then implanted into the uterus of themother.

This stage differentiates it from surrogacy,where the fertilised ovum is implanted into theuterus of a third party on a fee-for-service basis.IVF therefore has far less medico-legal connota-tions and complexities than surrogacy. Neverthe-less, it is at this stage that the off-shoot techniquesspring up and cause concern.

In an attempt to increase the success rates,IVF clinics usually implant two to six embryos inone cycle. Whilst this does increase the chancesof a successful implantation, the down side isthat it often results in a multiple pregnancy whichis associated with increased complication rates.The mother now faces the dilemma of proceedingwith a multiple pregnancy and exposing herselfto additional risks, or opting for foetal reduction,where the pregnancy is reduced to a single oneby selective destruction of the other embryos.Some clinics often preserve surplus embryos tocater to failures or in anticipation of future preg-nancies. Storage is usually not permitted or ad-

visable beyond five years and therefore surplusunused embryos need to be disposed of. Thisavailability, in turn spawns a whole new field ofembryo research. Today we have the phenomenadubbed by the media as saviour siblings wherean additional embryo is developed solely to makeavailable tissue to correct a defect in an existingsibling; a legally permissible procedure in somecountries.

Turning to our legislature for guidance onlycauses frustration as our legislators are too busythrowing microphones and chairs at each other.Indias first undisputed test tube baby datesback to 1986. (The test tube baby of 1978 wasdisputed till recently). Yet till date all we have isa Code of Conduct for Assisted ReproductiveTechnology by the ICMR 2005. Based on this adraft of the ART (Regulation) Bill 2010 is awaitingattention. In other words we do not as yet haveany laws on the subject.

Legislation has always lagged behind scientific

progress. The PNDT Act of 1994 was designed tocurb the use of ultra-sound machines in prenatalsex determination. The legislators completelymissed the fact that IVF technology now enabledselection and manipulation of sperm and ova soas to produce a male child. A writ petition byCEHAT (Centre for Excellence in Health and AlliedThemes) resulted in an amendment so that theact is now called the PC (Pre-Conception) & PNDTAct.

Looking beyond our borders scarcely providesany comfort either. U.Ks. Human Fertilisation &Embryology Act came only in 1990, and permitsthe implantation of two embryos. The USA doesnot have any regulation apart from the require-ment to report pregnancy success rates. Italy andGermany permit fertilisation of up to three em-bryos; but all fertilised embryos whether one orthree, have to be implanted; no preservation isallowed. Spain allows the preservation but notthe destruction of embryos. In Israel, a singlewoman seeking IVF had to be examined by a psy-chiatrist till recently!

Even as the laws, from a global perspectiveare non-existent, inadequate or completely con-flicting and confusing, there does appear to be auniversal hesitation in destroying embryos orpermitting research on them. To my mind thisuncertainty arises from the simple fact that society,unlike some religions has not yet firmly decidedone basic issue; when does an individual becomean individual? Is it at the time of fertilisation, orat 28 weeks (re: the MTP Act) or at birth basedon the old concept of independent existence.At the moment we seem to believe that it is themoment of fertilisation but we are hesitant togive it the stamp of legality. If this issue is settled,all the above complex ramifications fall into placeas the embryo then acquires legal status with allthe rights of an individual.

If we chose to remain undecided, then thewords of Charles Cantor, CSO of Sequenom Inc.,USA should serve as a chilling reminder of thebrave new world to come. He was addressingthe Human Genome Organisation 20th anniversarylecture titled Genomics; 20 years ago and 20years from now at the International Geneticsmeet. He declared Genetically engineered hu-mans will be a reality by 2028, whether we likeit or not or whether it is ethical or not

(The author is a Member, National Executive Com-mittee, Voluntary Health Association of India)

Yoga is universalSubhash R.Surlakar,Vasco da Gama

Your article Jesus Christ was the GreatestYogi (Goas Heartbeat, Herald, 24 Oct) wasimpartial and informative. It was a befittingreply by a proud Indian, Father John Ferreiraof Agra to the allegations made a US pastorMark Driscoll against the practice of yogain Christian dominated countries. Only acouple of months ago an Indian originAmerican tried to acquire the patent ofyoga in his name, to which Baba Ramdev`simmediate reaction was though the scienceof Yoga originated in India thousands ofyears ago, every individual in this worldhas a right to practice yoga, regardless ofhis country, caste and creed, as yoga is agift from God to us. No pharmaceuticalcompany makes medicines based on casteand creed, so also is yoga the common

medicine of God for all humans. FatherFerreira has proved a very strong point.Practicing yoga regularly keeps the yogiphysically fit throughout his life and alsomakes him mentally strong to fight theevils in the world single-handedly.

Mapusa public debate A S Prabhu, Moira

In the run up for Mapusa Municipal Councilelections, campaigning has reached feverpitch with candidates making lofty prom-ises. Whether they will clean up the messis a moot question. Will they address issueslike muck in the market, potholes and en-croachments on footpaths, garbage in everynook and corner, haphazard constructions,parking problems, etc? The candidates areusing various strategies to woo the voters.Once the elections are won, the next strat-egy is to loot and plunder the public ex-chequer to amass fortunes in one term tolast for five generations. In the circum-stances, the trump card is in the hands ofthe voter to exercise his vote judiciously.I would invite a public debate with the as-piring candidates at the Municipal hall toknow their minds.

Vasco wants LornaAdelmo Fernandes, Vasco

Now on a comeback trail, the Goan nightin-gale Lorna has proved that she is still acrowd-puller as was evident during herseveral performances both in Panaji andMargao. It must be said that Lorna hasthousands of fans in Vasco as well whowould be all too eager to see her performlive here. Unfortunately there has not beena single show of Lorna in the Port Townafter her comeback. It may not be possiblefor all her fans from Vasco to travel toPanaji or Margao to watch her shows. Itwould be nice if Lorna would perform inVasco as well and bring cheer to her fanshere. May be a local social club could or-ganize the show which could be sponsoredby a business house.

Image of Port TownAugustus Alphonso, Vasco

All of us agree that the image of the porttown is tarnished. Let us not get into thosedetails. We are at the brink of voting in

the Municipal elections and MLAs are seenbrawling. For what? We do not need anysaviour here in Vasco or for that matter,any god-sent social workers. We aregripped with basic problems that do notneed the help of any God or miracle men.We simply need people, whoever we elect,to bear full responsibility of their positions.The dynasty rule seems to be all in voguehere in Goa or in India too. For those whobelieve in dynasty rule, there is nothing instore but to be made a fool.

High road to kickbacksMarcos Alemao by email

Goa needs development, but not at thecost of the people. Going ahead with theexpressway demolishing more than a hun-dred houses built with the owners hardearned money, is not fair. The Governmentshould consider the sentiments of the peo-ple while planning any development. TheUnion Minister, Roads and Transport, KamalNath stated that the funds will be divertedto other states if the people of Goa objectto the expressway. Goans do not mind ifthe funds are diverted to other states, ifthe houses are saved. No chance of thishappening, because there are monetarybenefits to the concerned parties if theirexpressway dreams come true.

We were once powerfulA C Menezes, Chinchinim

The letter by S Kamat Rotten to the core(Herald, 28 Oct) is an interesting observationon the upper echelons of Indian society.This weakness could be the reason why

India has never been able to scale anysocio-political height, despite being a greateconomic power many times during thepast three to four thousand years of ourhistory. Bhagwats, Gadkaris, Thackerays,etc. would do well to address themselvesto the debility that has been enervatingour society and adopt measures to improvethe basic mores, instead of focusing theirvindictiveness on the minorities of India.

Vascokars DisgracedCarmen Correia, Vasco

The local MLA along with his supportershas put Vascokars to utter shame and hu-miliation. Grievances can be solved appro-priately. Our lives are at risk with all thebad elements in the city. Politicians haveset a bad example to our youth who arethe leaders of tomorrow. Vascoites are suf-fering in silence. This beautiful commercialhub has suffered from mass destruction.The Goans in Vasco are watching all themerry-go-rounds and one-act-plays thattake place in Vasco municipality. Emptypromises are made by the councillors. Whathas happened to Adarsh Nagar, Baina, Man-gor Hill, New Vaddem, and Vaddem? Theyare totally destroyed. Vascokars, pleasewake up to reality. Think before you castyour vote. Let good prevail over evil.

Double-Faced PranabS Kamat, Alto-Betim

Pranab Mukherjee should not exhort theIMF-World Bank about alleviation ofpoverty, because his initiatives at povertyeradication are clearly anti-poor. Many pro-

grammes actually exploit the voicelesspoor. It is often reported that in NREGAfor instance the villagers work for 3 monthseven more and when they get paid a cutgoes to those managing the program.Sometimes imaginary workers are paidand the money safely ensconced in thepockets of the politicians and bureaucrats.He should talk of rampant food inflationwhich is managed by juggling the base ofthe CPI indices, fudged statistics of femaleinfanticide, tons of foodgrains, the numberof starvation deaths and malnourished chil-dren. The sheer cussedness of some ofthese things is very disturbing, but thenlike they say, this is India!

Interlocutors agendaS N D Poojary, Miramar

The Kashmir problem is rooted in religiousbigotry and it is not the result of any failureon the part of the Indian nation. Two ofthe three-member panel of interlocutorshave been constantly airing their personalviews. One of them even suggested thatthe Constitution could be amended to pavethe way for a discussion on azadi to Kash-mir. They seem to be preparing a blueprintto dismember the country and gift Kashmirto Pakistan, on a platter. One wonderswhether these peace-makers are there toplead the cause of the separatists or, topreserve the unity and integrity of the In-dian nation. Nobody should entertain thedelusion of finding a solution to the Kash-mir problem by negating the Constitution.

Our writ petitions workedCasvin Fernandes, Chinchinim

I refer to the letter NGO taking PanchayatPower by Nelson Lopes (Herald, 27 Oct)and strongly object to it. It is because ofthe writ petitions filed in the High Courtby the Green Goa Foundation that the Chin-chinim market has been cleared of en-croachments and noise pollution by anotorious dance floor has been eliminated.A big landlord from the village has soldagricultural plots to non-Goans who havebuilt illegal houses in the area reserved asgreen belt. Form I & XIV contains suchnames as Sharma, Swami, Akbar Shaikh,Makandar and others who are to swampGoa. Could Nelson Lopes possibly be onon their pay rolls?

Times They Are a-changing

OPINIONwww.oheraldo.in

Pg8Vol No CX No: 273

Goa, Friday 29 October, 2010

Letters to the EditorLetter of the Day

GBA needs its teeth againAllwyn George, Carmona

GBA seems to be in a tricky situation. The poor attendance at their Panjim rallyshows that the same people who marched to Panjim and Margao in 2006 have losttouch with the issue. They are not trusting GBA for their own follies. First, theyclaimed to be apolitical, but that philosophy did not serve the purpose. A divide andrule policy has downsized the GBA. Then the internal bickering, mud slinging andego clashes within the GBA were out in the open which further lowered their image.But Goans do not have a choice. The CM has realized that GBA is not the same tigerthat roared in 2006; that in fact many of its teeth have fallen down since then. If theyare sincere in their act now, they have to regroup first all their prodigals since somelike Dr. Oscar Rebello and Patricia Pinto are indispensable. Then only we can expectGoans to rally behind them to have a change of government.

xPrinted and published by Vinayak Pai Bir for and on behalf of Herald Publications Pvt Ltd. Printed at Herald Publications Pvt Ltd, Plot No: L-135, Phase II, Verna Industrial Estate, Verna, Salcete, Goa. Published at PO Box 160, Rua Sao Tome, Panjim, Goa - 403001. Editor-in-chief: Mr R F Fernandes. Editor: Ashwin Tombat(Responsible under PRB Act). Regd Office: St Tome Road, Panjim, Goa. Tel: 2224202, 2228083, Fax: 2222475 (all Editorial); 2230535, Fax: 2225622 (Advertising); Margao: 2737689. Mumbai Office: 16-A, Bell Building, 2nd Floor, 19 Sir PM Road, Fort, Mumbai - 400001 (Tel: 22840702/22844908). RNI No: 43667/83.HOW TO CONTACT US: mail@herald-goa.com For press notes, general queries. junioryouth@herald-goa.com Junior Herald & Careers. heraldmirror@herald-goa.com Sunday Mirror. reporters@herald-goa.com For Reporters. business@herald-goa.com For Business news. editor@herald-goa.com For Letters to the Editor. sports@herald-goa.com For Sports news. advt@herald-goa.com For Advertisements. 2day@herald-goa.com For Herald 2day. tiatr@herald-goa.com For Tiatr Reviews and Reports. Disclaimer: Except for the editorial above, articles and letters in Heraldrepresent the views of the concerned authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Herald editor, publisher, and/or owners.

Society is still to decide when an embryo becomes an individual says DR GLADSTONE DcOSTA, F.R.c.S.Ed.

OHERALDO

Musical interludes

OH

ER

ALD

O

100 Years Ago

29 October 1910Ships sink near AguadaDue to bad weather assailing Goa, sanknear Aguadas Sandbar two Cargo-boatswhile carrying merchandise worth 15000Rupees.

No boats in the riverDue to notices issued by the Captain ofPorts not a single river-vessel can beseen in the Mandovi River.

O Comercial 2nd annivO Comercial under the editorship of Mr.Antonio Xavier Gomes Pereira has com-pleted two years of its publication.

Stomach screening inventionIt is reported that two German Scientistshave developed a new scientific appa-ratus Bioroengenography to analyzethe stomach in cinematographic way.

Tobacco smoke prevents feverApropos of many cases of speckled fever,states the British Medical Journal thattobacco smoke is one of the best pre-ventatives to arrest that malaise.

IVF 32 years on

Satyajit Rays Pather Pachali or The Song of the Road has aspecial significance for me. Feel as though I was born or maybe conceived on the road. I just love being on it, driving or

being driven as is the case now. My nephews generally allow methis indulgence.

Today its from Goa to Mumbai we are driving in some moderncar, dont ask me the name. I stopped following car names sincethe 1950s, after the Chevrolets, Buicks and Fords and used todrive Dads Hillman Minx. But that was in my early 20s, the oldroute via Poona, Satara and Belgaum. Now in my 70s it is theadjacent seat.

This is my cinematographer nephew and not a maniac for speedlike the first one. But todays cars and highways beget speed. Likethe car brands my music tastes are ancient, Bing Crosby. FrankSinatra and the Platters. Now Im feeling my way through the

newer ones Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan andElton John, cult figures today.

We started on Mick Jagger and his lyrics are great, irreverentand modern. There was one about Sympathy for the Devil and I justloved it. There is more of Mick but I also remember his ex-wifeBianca who looks after the rights of displaced persons and was in-volved with the Orissa tribal movement fighting Vedanta.

Modern music systems baffle me, light years after His MastersVoice gramophone. They switch back and forward like yoyos. Ittook us till 10 to hit the Golden Quadrilateral and from then speedjust happened. Breakfast between Kolhapur and Satara with theghati special called puneri missal. Then onwards. More music, some-thing old, something new, Billie Holiday, even opera singer EdithPfiaff and her La Vie en Rose, with her distinct French accent. Moremusic, less automobiles at high noon and after, the truckers take

their lunch break.Our lunch was at 2. Cute little dhaba called Shanti near Lonavla.

Poor Andre, needed a break though he doesnt admit it. The senior,not necessarily the better, has to do the thinking at times. Good45 minutes, tandoor chicken, dal and rotis to the good.

Then back on the last lap and Bob Dylan. Im accustomed tohim by now Youve Got to Serve Somebody, Times They Are a-Changing,the works. The quickest toll change in the world is the VashiBridge, an example of Mumbai efficiency, after the sleepy ones enroute.

Then back to the Mumbai traffic, yuk. You cant have it good allthe time, can you? Not in life too. May be the devil or God or who-ever, sees to it. Didnt Horace Walpole say:

In small proportions we just beauty see.In short measures life may perfect be.

TuBE TEch

Paths of Wisdom

Parting withunsweet sorrow

The Mormugao Port Trust (MPT), the body that ad-ministers Goas port, has a long history; it is one ofIndias oldest major ports. MPT has had several chair-

persons over the years, and their relationships with thestate government of the day and the people of the statehave seen ups and downs. But never, ever, before the tenureof Praveen Agarwal, whose term as MPT Chairman just ex-pired, have ties touched their nadir as they have at present.

This is unfortunate. A port exists for its hinterland andfor the people who live there. Administrative issues docreate tensions minor and major from time to time,but relationships should never deteriorate to the pointwhere they begin to resemble a fight-to-the-finish. Thatis like cutting ones nose to spite ones face. Regrettably,that has been the reality of MPT-Goa government dealingsover the past few years. And, to be fair, the fault lies onboth sides.

Mr Agarwal is clearly a dynamic and ambitious man. Hehad a great vision for the port. This included a grand ex-pansion plan to create new facilities, including containerdepots, oil-handling terminals, a berth for cruise liners anda marina, both to the east as well as to the west of the ex-isting port infrastructure. But it also included impracticalproposals like a massive new extension of the port intothe Baina bay.

Seen in pure managerial terms, Agarwals tenure as MPTchief was a highly successful one. The port greatly expandedits materials-handling capacity and its revenues, despitethe global recession. His expansion plans scored one majorsuccess in the successful private-public participation (PPP)project for MPTs state-of-the-art coal terminal. But hisplan for eastward expansion into the Vasco bay came acropper, thanks to the large-scale eviction and resettlementthat would have been required at Khariwada.

Agarwals vision and missionary zeal for the port wasobviously not matched by the kind of people-managementskills that are required to turn dreams into reality in Goa.His running battle with the people of Vasco over the coaldust pollution in the town as a result of the port also didnot earn him much sympathy.

Some of the steps he has taken in his last days seemquixotic at best, and resemble a bizarre at vendetta atworst. The first was his sudden turnaround and refusal tomake the port a designated pharma hub; he had earlieragreed to it. His excuse was lame at best: that the portcould not handle pharma containers unless the contentiousKhariwada area was vacated for the MPTs eastward ex-pansion plan. The pharma industry in Goa, which now hasto send containers all the way to Mumbai for export, rightlyfelt it was being unnecessarily victimised in a fight betweenthe ports chief and the government.

And last has come what can only be called a partingkick, reiterating the MPTs ownership claim to lands andwaters far, far away from the port. Written to 15 seasideVillage Panchayats, Mr Agarwals letter, written just a daybefore he was to remit office, said any and all activity alongthe waterfront of these villages needed the MPTs priorpermission. Such a claim would be reasonable if it restricteditself to the areas the port currently uses and those thatform a part of its expansion plans. But to alienate the pop-ulation of the state in which the port is situated is certainlynot the best policy. Just like chairpersons of ports, govern-ments of states too have finite terms, which expire. Butboth the ports and the states go on forever. It is a spirit ofaccommodation, of give-and-take, which always yields thebest results. Eternal feuds have no place in a moderndemocracy.

PRIMEIRO DIARIO NAS COLONIAS PORTUGEZAS

By Ervell E Menezes

Hajj (Pilgrimage)By Samir Khan

Behold, the first House (of Prayer) es-tablished for mankind is the one atMecca: it is full of blessings and a centreof guidance for the whole world. In itthere are clear signs and the station ofIbrahim; whoever enters it becomes se-cure. Pilgrimage to the House is a dutyowed to Allah by all who can make theirway to it. As for those who refuse to fol-low His command, surely Allah does notstand in need of anything.

(Holy Quran 3:96-97)That the Kabah was constructed by

Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him)who lived eight or nine centuries beforeProphet Musa (may Allah be pleased withthem) stands undisputed. And, that theKabah is older than the Temple ofJerusalem is also beyond dispute.

Here it is stressed that there are severalclear signs which prove that the Meccansanctuary enjoys Gods blessings andhas been chosen by Him as His sanctuary.Even though it is located in the middleof wide expanses of desert, God has seento it that its inhabitants enjoy a satis-factory living.

Although the rest of Arabia wasplunged into chaos and disorder forabout two and a half thousand years,peace and tranquillity reigned in boththe precincts and the environs of Kabah.Thanks to the existence of Kabah, theentire peninsula enjoyed four monthsof peace and order every year. Thesewere the sacred months when peoplewent on Hajj Pilgrimage.

Even during the advent of ProphetMuhammad (peace be upon him) thissanctuary enjoyed such veneration thateven those who thirsted for each othersblood saw their enemies in the sacredterritory but dared not attack them.

The verse 3:97 declares the Hajj Pil-grimage as an obligatory prayer for thebelievers who are able to afford the ex-penses of the Pilgrimage. It is a duty en-joined by Almighty Allah so that thebelievers may earn the pleasure of Allahwho does not stand in need of anything.

GOAOHerALd

O

Pg9==

GOA, fridAy, 29 OctOber, 2010

AppoiNtMENts

AppoIntments

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

PORVORIM, OCT 28

The Mapusa NagrikanchoEkvott (MNE) has fielded fivecandidates for Mapusa Munici-pal Council (MMC) electionslated for Sunday.

The five candidates areSamira Swar, Jeanette Gomes,Freeda Coutinho, Angela Se-queira and Jacinto DSouza. Ofthe five candidates, four arewomen.

Speaking to Herald, SamiraSwar, a BCom graduate who iscontesting from Ward 8, saidshe is confident of defeatingher rivals, Ilma Braganza andMaria Nelson Carvalho.

"My Ward 8 has four decadesold water pipeline, which iscorroded and small in size forproviding adequate water sup-ply to 1,342 voters and othersin the ward," she said.

"The new pipeline is still notbeen laid despite having beenapproved by the PWD aboutsix years ago," said Swar.

"The power supply system isproblematic with chronic shortcircuits and power tripping oc-curring almost daily especiallyduring monsoons and whichaccording to the electricity de-partment can be solvedthrough the installation of afused-based power supply sys-tem," added Swar.

"If elected to power, I willconcentrate on these vital is-

sues," assured Swar.Jeanette Gomes, who is con-

testing from Ward 4, claimedthat not much has been done inher ward by the sitting councilor.

There is great need to bedone with regard to garbage,bad roads, overflowing ofdrains, and gutters and insuffi-cient street lighting to meetthe requirements of 1991 vot-ers of the ward, said Gomes.

If elected, I intend doingsomething positive in this re-gard, including house-to-housegarbage collection, which isbeing done presently in se-lected areas despite the entireward paying taxes for it, saidGomes.

Freeda Coutinho, who iscontesting from Ward 6, saidthere is a need for police pa-trolling in her ward duringnight to prevent occurrences ofcriminal activities.

The huge potholes on thebadly tarred and uneven roadscause accidents and injuries topedestrians, including school-children, said Coutinho.

Besides, proper vehicleparking facilities needed toprevent illegal parking, whichcauses traffic bottlenecks,zebra crossing and traffic po-lice to be posted during schoolhours for safety of schoolchild-ren at traffic roads, addedCoutinho.

Angela Sequeira, who is con-

testing from Ward 15, high-lighted the need for JoggersPark in the uncultivated agri-cultural land towards the Ma-pusa River, as there is no suchfacility for the local residents,especially the senior citizens.

The heavily used one-and-half km Morod road is potholeridden and rendered unusableduring monsoons. The mainnullah, which runs through themarket, the storm waterdrainages and open guttersneed to be covered with con-crete slabs, she said.

The lone male candidate,Jacinto DSouza, who is a struc-tural engineer by profession, iscontesting from Ward 3.

There is a slum area in myward, where hygiene desper-ately needs to be improvedthrough cleanliness pro-grammes to prevent diseaseslike typhoid and Malaria, saidDSouza.

Lack of sanitary facilities inmy ward has led to peopledefecating/urinating in openspaces. If elected, I will con-vince the PWD to build properpublic toilets, added DSouza.

MNE Convenor AntonioLobo said they have chosen thecandidates because of their ac-tive participation in MNE activ-ities, selected for theircommitment towards fulfillingthe aims and objectives of theirorganization.

MNEs five candidates in frayfor Mapusa civic polls

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

MERCES, OCT 28

Continuing with its actionagainst illegalities in the vil-lage, the Merces panchayat hasissued show cause notices tofour persons, whose reply thepanchayat has found unsatis-factory.

The four persons includePundalik Navale and NivruttiWaghmude (both scrap yarddealers), Rajesh Roadlines andBhupinder Singh (tiles dealer).

It may be recalled that thecurrent panchayat had servednotices to several persons whowere found undertaking illegalactivities in various parts ofMerces.

When contacted, SarpanchDeepika Shirgaonkar con-firmed that the decision wastaken after the recently heldpanchayat body meeting,wherein it was decided thatthe replies of the concernedparties was unsatisfactory andthat further action is needed.

However, when pointed outthat the panchayat had issuednotices to as many as 20 per-sons, Deepika informed that

out of them only four hadreplied and hence the pan-chayat decided to deal withthem first.

"Show cause notices to theremaining offenders will beserved in due course of time,"she said and added that thedelay has been caused due tothe fact that the panchayat hasbeen unable to figure out thecorrect survey number wherethe illegalities are undertaken.

"The Merces Talathi has alsoproceeded on leave, which hasmade the task difficult,"Deepika informed and said thatthe additional Talathi who hasbeen deputed is not fully awareof the areas in Merces.

Deepika further added thatthe ruling body will sit with theTalathi and try to get the cor-rect survey numbers so thatthe show cause notices areserved to the offenders at theearliest.

Giving the details of theshow cause notices, Merces VPSecretary Rupesh Halarnkar in-formed that the two scrap yardowners Pundalik Navale andNivrutti Waghmude have been

Crackdown on illegal activities:Merces VP issues show cause notices

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, OCT 28

The SEZ Virodi Manch has con-demned the statements of out-going president of VernaIndustries Association, CyrilPereira that Industrial develop-ment at Verna has broughtbenefits to a sizeable numberof Goans in the form of em-ployment.

In a statement, Manch Con-venor Charles Fernandes saidthe outgoing president of theAssociation has preferred si-lence on the quantum of bene-fits, which is not more than5-10 per cent. Pereira speaks oflargest revenue to the treasurybut failed to elaborate. Land ad-measuring 65 lakhs sq mts of

the people have acquired forVerna Industrial Estate in 5phases at paltry rates of Rs 5and Rs 10 per sq mts and allot-ted at the rate of Rs 350 to 600per sq mtr officially and threetimes the amount unofficially.

The local Panchayats havelost jurisdiction and controlover these lands ever since in-dustrial estates have been de-clared as notified areas since2000. The only revenue earnedby the local panchayats is inthe form of construction li-cence fees which are collectedby GIDC and 90% of the same isgiven to panchayats in form ofgrant in aid. Even a mobile cartand stationary cart operatingin the village pays trade tax to

the panchayats but the existingglobal companies and giganticindustries at Verna IndustrialEstate do not pay a penny topanchayats for trade opera-tions, he said.

Charles reminded Pereirathat the Verna Industrial Es-tates just as other industrial es-tates in the State are ruled bylabour contract systemwherein the workers are paidmeagre salaries without an