OHERALDOThe Voice of Goa Since 1900

Goa: Notification delimiting

CCP wards out, finally Pg 2

Sports: Proteas tighten noose

around India Pg 16

Goas Heartbeat: Ameesha out of

Rajdhani Express Pg 4

When we conveyed a message ofbeing united and will always staytogether, we didnt mean this.

Visit us at:www.oheraldo.in panjim, saturday, december 18, 2010 postal reg. no. Goa 101 price rs. 3.00 (air surcharge rs 2.00) pages 16 + 4

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, DEC 17

The entire state cabinet, exceptfor two ministers, rallied solidlybehind the two Nationalist Con-gress Party (NCP) ministers Jose Ph i l i p and N i l kan thHalarnkar, who had been askedto resign by their party highcommand.

At the special cabinet meet-ing, in the Secretariat today,sources said all ministers wereagainst dropping Jose and Nilka-nth from the ministry.

Only Power Minister Alexio

Sequeira and Transport MinisterSudin Dhavalikar did not sup-port the other colleagues,sources said.

While Sudin said he will fol-low coalition dharma and thedecision is upto Nationalist Con-gress Party (NCP) command,Aleixo was mum on the issue,sources told Herald.

It is also learnt that the min-isters were against dropping anyministers from the cabinet whenthe elections are scheduled justin a years time.

The coalition government is

absolutely going well and anyhiccups at this juncture couldbe inviting trouble, sourcesquoted one minister as sayingat the meeting.

Both the NCP ministers are

facing party-level inquiry afterthey held a confidential meetingat Goa Pradesh Congress Com-mittee General Secretary VijaySardesais residence on Wednes-day evening in Margao.

Sources stated that the min-isters were huddled in the meet-ing after NCP high commandasked the chief minister to dropone of the NCP ministers tomake way for induction ofMickey Pacheco.

When a sked by Hera ldwhether the issue did come up

Cabinet against dropping Jose, Nilkanth

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, DEC 17

Goa continued to be in a stateof suspense over the resignationof two ministers from the StateNationalist Congress Party, whohave become villains in the eyesof the party high command be-cause of their meeting with Con-gress bigwigs in Margao.

On Friday, though, both ofthem Jose Philip DSouza andNilkant Halarnkar maintainedthey had no word on the de-mand for their resignations asministers from the high com-mand. When asked to elaborateon who the high command was,Jose Ph i l ip sa id nat iona l

Well stay put, assertboth NCP legislators

Sirsat flaysChurchill forinterfering

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, DEC 17

Finally, after waiting for morethan 24 hours after the NCP highcommand called for resignationsof the two legislators as minis-ters,state president of the partySurendra Sirsat issued an officialstatement into the whole crisis

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, DEC 17

Amidst political uncertaintyChief Minister Digambar Kamattoday announced a slew ofschemes including health insur-ance cover for all citizens.

The State is in political tur-moil with the Nationalist Con-gress Party (NCP), a alliancepartner in the government, ask-ing two party legislators to quitas ministers following a secretmeeting at Margao.

Analysts are suggesting theKamat government may opt of

Govt okays healthinsurance for Goans

THE COVERl Scheme to be named as Sur-

varna Jayanti Arogya Yo-jaana.

l A family (maximum 5 per-sons) will be entitled forhealth cover of Rs 60,000annually.

l A cashless scheme whereinprivate hospitals would beroped in as partners.

l The scheme would cover thebasic needs of medicine costand the required medicaltests apart from treatment.

l Every family would be givena card through which theycan avail the benefits.

dissolution of the house in thissituation.

Keeping an eye on the nextelection, the cabinet today ap-proved the health insurancescheme for all Goan families.

Under the scheme, a family(maximum five persons) wouldbe entitled for a health cover ofRs 60,000 annually, Kamat saidat press briefings.

Kamat said the scheme wouldbe named as Suvarna Jayanti Ar-ogya Yojaana.

It would be a cashlessscheme wherein the private hos-pitals would be roped in as part-ners, he said.

Jose Nilkanth

(Continued on page 10)

(Continued on page 10) (Continued on page 10) (Continued on page 10)

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GOA, SATURDAY, 18 DECEMBER, 2010GOAOHERA

LDO

Pg2

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, DEC 17

The notification specifying delim-itation of Corporation of City ofPanjim (CCP) wards was finally outon Thursday after attempts tokeep it under wraps for over aweek.

It is learnt, the notificationwas delayed due to an attemptby three ruling corporators ofCCP to influence the govern-ment to delimit certain wardsto their advantage.

The delimitation has beendone in reference to the rulebook even as three corporatorstried to exert maximum pressureto have delimitation done asper their plan.

It is reliably learnt that DeputyMayor Yatin Parekh, corporatorsUday Madkaikar and RudreshChodankar had a meeting withChief Minister Digambar Kamatafter they failed to arm-twistthe municipal administration.

Parekh wanted Ward No 13to be de-reserved which is heldby his close buddy PrasadAmonkar, said sources. The wardhas been reserved for womencandidates.

Whereas Uday Madkaikar who is

known to be close to EducationMinister Babush Monserrate desiredto shift some 400 voters that havebeen listed under Taleigao Pan-chayat to his Ward No 17.

It is learnt that the municipaladministration put its foot downto these unreasonable demandsand struck to old delimitationas fresh census is not out.

No major changes have beeneffected this time, said a gov-ernment officer.

In fact, there was no groundto effect any major changes inthe wards as fresh census is not

yet ready even certain corpora-tors of rul ing panel wereadamant that delimitationshould be done as per theirwhims and fancies.

The government came underfire during municipal electionsof eleven councils in Octoberthis year for allegedly changingdelimitation of certain councilto the disadvantage of its op-ponents.

A writ petition pertaining toalleged irregularities in delimi-tation is now pending beforeHigh Court.

Bus owners plandharna on

Liberation Day HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, DEC 17

While the state celebrates 50years of Liberation of Goa onDecember 19, All Goa Bus Own-ers Association (AGBOA) hasplanned to stage dharna at Cus-toms House in city on LiberationDay to highlight their demands.

Sudeep Tamankar, General Sec-retary, AGBOA speaking to Heraldon Friday claimed that the gov-ernment had assured them tomeet their pressing demands,which have not been met till date.One of their demands is that theyshould be given representationon Regional Transport Authority(RTA). The president of AGBOAhas been appointed on approvalbody for subsidy scheme, how-ever, no authority has been con-ferred on him.

Its our demand that the gov-ernment immediately delegatesthe authority letter, he said

The demand for reduction inpermit fees is also on its agenda.

Tamankar said that the recenthike effected in permit fees isunfair and unjust adding that thebus owners, tourist taxi associa-tion and others, believe that thehike in permit fee is not reason-able. Other associations will alsojoin hands with us on December19, Tamankar claimed.

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, DEC 17

Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Panjim todayissued notices to Public Works Department (PWD)Minister Churchill Alemao and Tourism MinisterNilkanth Halankar on alleged Colvale land scam.

The ministers are asked to appear before thecourt on January 4, 2011 for reply, failing whichthe court said, it will decide the matter in theirabsence.

The fresh contempt against the ministers claimsthat they had made a public statement on thepetition terming it as a false case.

During the programme organised in Tivimconstituency (represented by Halarnkar), ChurchillAlemao had commented on the present case say-ing that it was a false case and Halarnkar wasdoing a good job, the petition by locals KashinathShetye, Ketan Govekar and others reads.

The court had earlier issued similar notices toVigilance Superintendent of Police Bosco Georgeand Police Inspector Nilesh Rane in the samematter.

Kashinath Shetye and 12 others had moved

JMFC alleging that the police refused to registerthe complaint, which alleged scam in conversionof Goa Housing Board (GHB) land at Colvale.

In a letter to Directorate of Vigilance, coupleof months back, the complainants alleged in-volvement of GHB chairman in the scam. Shetyealleged that the land was acquired at the instanceof GHB for the purpose of housing projects ofthe Board but it has now been allotted to NilkanthHalarnkar Trust.

The complainants said that this resulted a lossto the exchequer of over Rs 57-lakh. The com-plainants also pointed out that the chairman al-lotted 23,000 m2 at a throwaway price of Rs1000 per m2 which land is worth about Rs 4,200m2, to an institute of hotel management and theownership is not known. They have estimated aloss of Rs 7.36 crore to the exchequer throughthe alleged illegalities.

The complainants earlier this month movedBombay High Court at Goa and filed contemptpetition against Vigilance officers for not regis-tering First Information Report (FIR) to his com-plaint.

COLVALE LAND SCAM

JMFC issues notices to Churchill, Nilkanth

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, DEC 17

Around 14 employees of Goa Construction, Hous-ing & Finance Corporation Ltd, here, who wereretrenched between 2002 and 2004 with a prom-ise of employment as and when vacancies wouldarise in the Government in future, are still awaitingtheir turn to get into regular jobs. But years downthe line the promise in the Official Gazette ofJanuary 23, 2003, has remained on paper.

The Goa Construction, Housing & Finance Cor-poration Ltd had been established under theCompanys Act, 1956 on September 30, 1993, bythe State Government with the main objectiveof undertaking housing, improvement, buildingscheme and other allied activities.

However, since 1995-96 the Corporation startedincurring losses, failed to utilise its assets andfulfil objectives for which it was created. TheComptroller and Auditor General of India hadalso recommended its closure.

The Government therefore had taken a de-cision to wind up the Corporation and transferthe housing schemes undertaken by it to theGoa Housing Board, along with the assets andliabilities.

Further, it was decided to retrench the existing

staff by paying them retrenchment benefits. Theretrenched staff was promised of appointmentsagainst further vacancies in the Government oncertain conditions.

These employees had put in eight years of con-tinuous service before being retrenched and werehoping like the PETS (pre-employment trainingscheme) candidates they too would be absorbedin regular service.

This corporation was formed with much pompduring the tenure of Wilfred de Souza who wasthen the Chief Minister and Suresh Parulekar thehousing minister.

The employees reminded that when OppositionLeader Manohar Parrikar was the CM he had as-sured on the floor of the Assembly in July 2004that the retrenched staff would be absorbed inthe Government. They said Parrikar had assuredthem again and again that he would absorb them.

They further recalled, After Parrikar when Prat-apsing Rane became the CM we went to him. Healso assured but nothing happened.

In September 2007, the employees also metthe Chief Minister Digambar Kamat with a repre-sentation to consider their case. In spite of as-surances of three CMs till date no one has beenabsorbed in any department.

Notification delimiting CCP wards out, finally

CCP elections likely in March

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, DEC 17

Municipal elections to 30 wards of Corporation of the City ofPanjim (CCP) are likely to held be in the first week of March 2011.

The CCPs five year term ends on March 20.The sources in the State Election Commission (SEC) said prepa-

ration for city municipal election are underway wherein votingwill be held in sixty booths with a total of 45000 voters.

Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will be used for the municipalelections, sources said.

The notification pertaining to delimitation of wards was publishedin Official Gazette on Thursday.

3 arrested for cell phone

theft at ColvaHERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, DEC 17

In a swift action, Colva policearrested three persons in con-nection with the theft of a mo-bile from a person at Colva lastnight.

The police led by PSIAnand Shirodkar cracked thecase within 10 hours basedon description given by thecomplainant, Noel Fernan-des, a resident of housingboard.

The Colva police said theyhave arrested one Krishna, aresident of Per-Seraulim andSuraj from Colva, besides aminor boy and has recoveredthe stolen mobile from theirpossession.

Police said that the trio cameon a motorcycle last night andrestrained Noel while he wasproceeding to his room. Thetrio later sped away from thescene with the mobile of thecomplainant.

While Krishna and Surajhave been remanded to sixdays police custody, the minorboy has been sent to ApnaGhar.

The police are investigating.

Retrenched staff of GCHFCstill hoping for regular jobs

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, DEC 17

Goa government-run Horticulture Corporationhas decided to harness solar energy through theircarts, which will make their presence in coastalbelt selling fruits and exotic vegetables.

Around 20 solar carts are planned in the coastalbelt beginning with one cart which has alreadystarted functioning on experimental basis, Chair-man, Goa State Horticulture Development Cor-poration Sankalp Amonkar told reporters.

He said that the first ever cart is based at theirheadquarters in Panjim, which is being monitored.

Once we are happy with the functioning ofthis cart, we will replicate the experiment acrossthe coastal belt, Amonkar said.

The corporations initiative is a pioneer in Indiaas nowhere there are such carts exclusively har-nessing solar energy for their operational needs.Each cart costs about Rs 80,000.

Corporations Managing Director Orlando Ro-drigues said that although the products sold atthese well-equipped carts would not be as cheap

as that sold in their outlets but surely their ratesare controlled.

They are slightly cheaper than those sold inthe market. Imported fruits like oranges, apples,grapes and others varieties will be sold, he saidexpecting that the sale of the products on thesecarts would boom during the tourism season.

Rodrigues said that the solar carts have the fa-cility to reduce the temperature of the storingfacility by 20 degree Celsius which increases theshelf life of the high-value vegetables and fruits.

The corporation has roped in a Mumbai-basedfirm to supply products to these carts, which willbe chemical-free. The officials expect that ap-proximate six tonnes of fruits would be sold onthese carts daily.

Rodrigues said that these carts would be pro-vided free-of-cost to the franchisees and theywill have to pay minimum maintenance cost forthe corporation.

The new venture is an initiative by the RashtriyaKrishi Vikas Yojna, which will bear 50 percent ofthe total cost.

Horticulture Corporation plans solar carts in coastal belt

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, DEC 17

The first meeting of the Margao Municipal Council headed bynewly-elected Chairperson Sushila Naik will deliberate on thequestion of fixing garbage collection fees for the Konkan RailwayCorporation and the charter of demands of the civic employees.

The meeting is scheduled on December 23 at 4 pm in the councilhall and will be the first since the new body was elected in thecivic polls a month ago.

Margao municipal officials said the civic body had asked theKonkan Railway Corporation to pay an amount of Rs 5.94 lakh to-wards collection of garbage for the period from November 2007to August 2010 at the rate of Rs 18,000 per month, which worksout to Rs 600 per day. However, KRCs Senior Regional Traffic Man-ager has asked the civic body to charge the KRC Rs 3,000 a monthat the rate of Rs 100 per day. Civic officials said the KRC wascharged Rs 600 per day as garbage fees considering the quantumof garbage that was being collected from the railway.

The Council will also have to decide on the charter of demandssubmitted by the GMEA such as increase in uniform allowances,washing allowances, medical allowances, garbage collection al-lowances etc.

MMC meet to deliberate on KRC garbage fees

GOA, SATURDAY, 18 DECEMBER, 2010

GOAOHERALD

OPg3

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

PORVORIM, DEC 17

Former minister DayanandNarvekar has lashed out at chair-man of Info Tech Corporationof Goa Ltd (ITCG) Subhash Shi-rodkar for claiming that the gov-ernment had never kept on holdthe IT habitat project at DonaPaula.

The Aldona MLA has also ac-

DONA PAULA IT HABITAT

Govt not investor-friendly: Daya cused the government of notbeing investor-friendly, due towhich no new companies aresetting up projects in the State.

Chief Minister Digambar Kamathad made a statement to the mediaas well as during the assembly ses-sion that the government had keptthe project on hold in view of theagitation and protests by residentsof Taleigao, Narvekar told Herald.

If the project was not kept onhold, then why did the ITCG notcomplete the infrastructure, forwhich they had collected theamount of Rs 89.61 crore fromthe promoters, asked the AldonaMLA. Narvekar stated that theITCG had charged Rs 3,103 persq mt as per the rated fixed bythe North Goa Collector.

I had suggested to the gov-

ernment then that the additionalamount of Rs 1,500 per sq mtmay be collected from investorsto construct infrastructure suchas sewage treatment plant, goodroads, compound wall, under-ground cable for electricity andillumination of the entire cam-pus, said Narvekar.

My suggestion was acceptedby the government and accord-ingly, Rs 89.61 crore was collectedfrom 18 companies towards in-frastructure. It was, therefore, theduty of the ITCG to complete theinfrastructure during the last threeyears if the project was not kepton hold, he added.

Commenting on the showcause notices issued by ITCG tothe promoters blaming them fornot completing their work asper agreement and chargingthem additional interest pluspenal interest on the overdueinstalments, Narvekar stated thisaction of ITCG was not fair.

In its reply to the show cause no-tice, Milcon Developers had men-t ioned in the i r l e t t e r : Weconsistently showed our willingnessand eagerness to pay the instal-ments and requested you to informus about the status quo which youmaintained on the project...we re-quested you persistently to confirmto us Current Position.

The letter further states:Under the Right to InformationAct by our employees letter dated15-12-2008, we sought inter alia,to know the reasons for stoppingthe work at Rajiv Gandhi IT Habi-tat at Dona Paula, and you hadinformed us that the work hadbeen stopped due to the agitationand protest by locals.

GOA, SATURDAY,18 DECEMBER, 2010GOAOHERAL

DO Pg 4short takes upcoming events

PoWeR SHuTdoWNDECEMBER 18

TALEIGAO: From 9 am to 4 pm. Areas affected are Adolf Morod,Padri Bhat and surrounding areas.

BETALBATIM: From 9 am to 3 pm. Areas affected are Seraulim,Betalbatim, Munghul, Pedda Benaulim and Pavasa Church.

Christmas Chimes at MargaoMARGAO (HR): Grace Youth Association Margao is organizing

its annual event Christmas Chimes. Christmas Chimes is afun filled event with lots of activities. Some of them includeChristmas gifts to children, performance by artists, games,dinner, band and much more. The theme for this year is UloiKonkani. The event will be held on December 19 at FatimaConvent School Margao from 6 pm onwards. For further in-formation contact event coordinator Olaf Fernandes on9049776957.

Health camp at BambolimPANJIM (HND): A health camp will be organised at Rug-

nashraya, Bambolim on December 19 starting at 9 am, by ex-perienced specialists in ear, nose and throat (ENT), Dr AnjuMS and Dr Parag from GMC. Those with ENT problems maytake benefits of this camp. Only 50 patients will be checkedon first come first basis. For registration call 2914338 or2903004 or register at the site.

Retreat at PilarPANJIM(HNB): As an immediate preparation for Christmas,

a one-day Retreat will be held at Pilar Monastery on December19 at 10 am. The retreat will conclude with Mass at 5 pm.Lunch will be provided. Those interested may give their namesat Fr Agnelos office Pilar or call on 2219460 or 2218549.

Workshop on stress managementPANJIM (HND): Asha Counselling Centre will hold a Workshop

on Stress Management on December 18 from 3.45 pm to 5.45pm at Asha Centre Hall, Sweet Home Building, 1st Floor, NearMajorie Pharmacy, before Asilo Hospital, Opp Kenkre Hardware,Mapusa. The interactive workshop is open for all age groupsand will be conducted in English and Konkani. Registration isFree. For details call 2256445/9822166876 or e-mailtrustasha@yahoo.co.in.

School fund-raising event PANJIM(HND): Kids Camp Play School and Young Achievers

Primary School are organising a special event The GoanEvening-an evening of fun, entertainment, music, games anddance on December 18 from 6 pm onwards at the MenezesLawn, along the Mapusa-Moira Road, Bastora.

The event is being organised to raise funds for the con-struction and expansion of the new school premises of YoungAchievers Primary School. Kids Camp Play School has beenmeeting the needs of children from Porvorim and surroundingareas for the last 16 years. It had launched Young AchieversPrimary School in 2009 in order to part quality education.The management, staff, parents and children of the schoolsaid they were looking forward to a memorable evening.

Talk on Vaastu ShastraPANJIM (HND): The Art of Living will organised a talk on

Importance and Misconceptions of Vaastu Shastra on De-cember 19 by renowned Vaastu and Jyotish Scientist PanditYashwant Narahar Maggirwar at Sri Sri Institute of ManagementStudies, Borda, Margao at 10.30am. Maggirwar is the FounderGoverning Council Member of All India Institution of VaastuScience (IVS). He had also been associated with Maharishi Ma-hesh Yogi, Netherlands. All are invited to understand the Vedicscience.

Anniversary functionPANJIM (HND): Senior Citizens Association of St Cruz will

organize its first anniversary on December 19 by organisinga Thanksgiving Mass at St Cruz Church at 7 pm. The Associationwill also organise an Eye Camp at St Cruz HS from 9 am to 1pm and football and volleyball for senior citizens at 10.30 am.Konkani tiatr Tum Londonkar Vo Goenkar will be staged at 7pm. Entry passes for life members may be collected from GenSecy Custodio S Araujo by December 18.

Meet at PanjimPANJIM (HND): The Goa Industrial Development Corporation

Employees' Co-operative Credit Society Ltd, Pajim, has convenedits 9th Special General Meeting on December 19 at TB CunhaMemorial Hall, Near Azad Maidan Panjim, at 3.30 pm. Themain agenda for the meeting is to lay the Audit Memo, AuditedStatement of Accounts for the year 2009-10; to submit theAudit Rectification Report; to consider Appropriation of NetSurplus; and declaration of Dividend and Patronage Refund.The meeting will be followed by felicitation of RomaldinaBogot and Janba R Hule who have been superannuated fromthe services of Goa-IDC recently.

Applications invited for crafts bazaar PANJIM(HND): Applications are invited from handicrafts ar-

tisans from all over the State for participation in Gandhi ShilpCrafts Bazaar being organised by GHRSSIDC from December22 to 31 at SGPDA ground, Near Kadamba Bus Stand, Margao.Stalls will be given to artisans free of cost on first cum firstserved basis with preference to artisans having allotmentletter from Office of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts).Artisans will have to submit written applications personallyon or before December 21 by 4 pm at GHRSSIDC Head Office,Crafts Complex, Neuginagar, Panjim. Artisans who have sub-mitted their applications will have to assemble at the SGPDAGrounds, Margao, December 22 at 10 am to take possessionof the stalls. The Bazaar is sponsored by Office of DevelopmentCommissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, GoI.

For further information call 2228157/2225328. Contact Per-sons: Neha Mahambrey/John Sebestian/Krishna Karapurkar.

Programme at St CruzPANJIM(HND): The Youth of Santa Cruz will be organizing a

program Goa We Think We Know on December 19 at SantaCurz Church hall at 10.15 am. The program is free and open tothe public. The presentation is designed give the audience aprofound awareness and realization of the rich culture, traditionand heritage that the land and the people of Goa possess.Sanjeev Sardesai an avid historian and heritage photographerhas consented to be the resource person for the same. He hasfounded forums like Sanscritic and Hands-on-Historians. Thepresentation will be preceded by a felicitation program thatwill give the audience an opportunity to admire and appreciatefour unique individual from our constituency who has enrichedand preserved the fabric of the true Goan Spirit. The personsbeing - Alex Dias (Art and Music), Carmelina Araujo (Agriculture),Sebastiao Rapose (Service/Electricity Dept) and Godfrey Machado(Social Service/El Shaddai), says a press release.

SBI Property Fair at Margao

South Goa Collector, GP Naik inaugurates the SBI Property Fairat Margao.

PANJIM (HND): South Goa Collector, GP Naik, inauguratedthe SBI Property Fair at BPS Club Margao in the presence ofAGM of SBI Margao Avinash Gaikwad, and Chief Manager, A RGentyala. The fair is open upto December 18. SBI customershave been offered various loan schemes particularly attractivedeals on automobiles and real estate.

Health camp organised PANJIM(HND): Western India Shipyard Ltd as a part of its

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), recently organised afree Health Camp for its employees at its shipyard at MormugaoHarbour, in association with NUSI Wockhart Hospitals of Pan-zorconi, Cuncolim.

The NUSl-Wockhart team was led by Dr Michael Noronhaand Dr Brigita Silarkar. The health camp offered various freespecialized services and consultation such as ECG, testing ofRandom Blood Sugar, Blood Pressure Monitoring etc.

About 88 employees of the Company in the age group of45 to 65, including members of the Management, took benefitof services and consultation.

Dy Manager (HRD) coordinated the Health Camp RajeshNaik under the guidance of Dr Anant Hede of the Company'sMedical Center. Asst Manager Marketing of Wockhart Hospital,Liston Barreto, coordinated the event.

Night vigil atCarambolim

ChurchHERALD NEWS DESK

PANJIM, DEC 17

The parishioners of CarambolimChurch under the leadership oftheir Parish Priest Fr ConceicaoDSilva, will organise an All GoaNight Vigil on December 18from 7.30 pm onwards at theCarambolim church ground,dedicated for pro-life movementas desired by his Holiness PopeBendedict XVI all over the world.

The Night Vigil will be heldon the theme Choose Lifeamidst the Culture of Death.The night vigil will begin at 7.30pm by conducting the BiblicalRosary based on pro-life by IdaFernandes.

At 8.30 pm there will be livewitnesses on how they renewedtheir lives after attending theretreats at Carambolim. From 9pm to 10 pm, Principal of RosaryCollege, Navelim and ExecutiveMember of the Family Life Cen-tre, Rev Dr Prof Simon Diniz, willgive the talk on the themeChoose life amidst the Cultureof Death. From 10 pm to 12 am,Mario Fernandes and his troupewill conduct praise and worship.From 1.30 am to 3 am Fr Conce-icao DSilva and his Jesus andMary Ministry members will con-duct adoration of the BlessedSacrament based on Pro-Life.From 3 am to 4 am, Asst ParishPriest of Desterro Church, VascoFr Ramiro Luis, will be the maincelebrant and will preach theword of God on the main theme.

Priests will be available forconfessions from 6 am to 12pm, says a press release.

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat along with Tourism Minister Nilkant Halarnkar, Goa-IDC Chairman Chan-drakant Kavlekar, Chairman of Dempo Group Shrinivas Dempo along with Riyhad and Rishad Kundan-mal, directors of Ocean Crest Marine pose on a 21 ft Monterey boat at the Goa International Marine andBoat Expo currently underway at Kala Academy.

Science-Faith conference held at Rachol seminary

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, DEC 17

Saying that the Church has al-ways shown interest in Scienceand is connected with its devel-opment, Archbishop Felipe NeriFerrao on Friday recalled theclaims of many noted scientiststhat science is a gift of Christiansto the world.

This claim is no exaggera-tion, although we must not for-g e t t h e c o n t r i b u t i o n o fHinduism, Islam and other greatreligions to the developmentof science. Many of the foundersof modern science were clericsand monks who deeply believedin faith. Many scientists thoughthat they were trying to under-stand God through observingits creations, the Archbishopsaid after inaugurating the four-day international conference onCatholicism in the World of Sci-ence at the Patriarchal seminaryof Rachol on Friday.

Hailing the initiative of or-ganizing the international con-ference, the Archbishop said heis confident that the englight-ened input from the resourcepersons and deliberations willenrich the participants and theChurch at large.

Appreciating the enthusiasticpresence of the delegates at theconference, he said I hope the

presentations and deliberationswill enrich one and all so thatthey arrive at a deeper under-standing of our faith in the con-text of todays world of science.

The Church in Goa considersitself blessed to host this eventin the seminary. The conferenceshould become an importantoccasion to look back and lookahead. Our reflections on theamazing successes of sciencecan become for us a stimulusto come before our God in won-der and awe, he said.

Saying that the Priests of to-morrow are called upon to guidethe faithful amidst increasinggreat challenges, the Archbishopsaid the world of science offersmany challenges and opportu-nities for the pastoral ministry,adding that This conferencepromises to become an impor-tant milestone as it will openus to the pastoral challenges inthe world of science and moti-vate us to respond to them ad-equately.

Saying that the conference

Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao addressing four-day internationalconference on Catholicism in the world of science at the Racholseminary. Photo by Savio Dias

108 Ambulance service for

NavelimBY HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, DEC 17

Navelim MLA and PWD Minister,Churchill Alemao has said thatthe 108 Ambulance sanctionedfor Navelim would be inaugu-rated on the eve of Goas Liber-ation Day on Saturday evening

He told newsmen that the108 Ambulance would be sta-tioned in Navelim near the subhealth centre to cater to the re-quirements of the people intimes of emergencies.

Alemao thanked Health Min-ister Vishwajit Rane for accedingto his request to sanction the108 Ambulance for Navelim, say-ing this was the long felt needof the people in his constituency.

Meanwhile, the PWD Ministerhas said that funds would besanctioned for the Self HelpGroups of Navelim constituencyon Saturday.

Saying that he has been instru-mental in forming SHGs in Nave-lim constituency after becomingthe MLA, Alemao said that theSelf Help Groups would be pro-vided the required funds so thatthey stand on their own and helpthe women to be independent.

Rajay Pawarawarded

HERALD NEWS DESK

PANJIM, DEC 17

The Konkani poet and dramatist,Rajay Pawar, has been awardedthe Yuva Sahitya Puraskar for hiscontribution to the Konkani lan-guage and literature. This is thevery first time that in 36 yearhistory of the award that aKonkani writer has been chosen.

The awardees of the 2009Yuva Sahitya Puraskar were an-nounced at a press conferencein Kolkata by Secretary DrKusum Khemani, and Chief Ad-ministrative Officer A K Baner-jee, of the Parishad.

Rajay Pawar has also been ho-noured with literary awards bythe Konkani Bhasha Mandal, GoaKonkani Academy and KarnatakKonkani Sahitya Parishad.

Pavasfullam (Poetry), Girmeet(Essays), Amcho Hath Jagannath,Darne Ka Naay, Jamle Re Jamle,Natah Eha Natkachem are someof his published works till date.E Mana, O Gori Asturi, HathaMethi Rangli Re are some of hislyrics tuned to popular songs.His columns Girmeet and Oli-Suki in Sunaparant had an ac-claimed following and alongwith select poems are essentialreading in various syllabi.

The memorabilia, honorariumand citation will be conferredupon Rajay Pawar at a ceremonyto be held at the Bharatiya BhashaParishad's headquarters in Kolkataon January 22, 2011.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

CANACONA, DEC 17

Sugarcane worth over Rs 30,000was gutted in an accidental firereportedly due to short-circuitin the electricity alignment atGulem.

According to agriculturesources, sugarcane plantationsof about 22 farmers have beenaffected in the fire that engulfedthe plantations in an approxi-

mate area of over 1,000 sqmts.

The cause of fire is suspecteddue to short circuit in the over-head electricity alignment re-portedly passing through theplantations at Gulem.

It is further feared that thehigh-growing sugarcane stemsreportedly touched the live elec-tricity alignment, triggeringshort circuit.

Sugarcane gutted at Gulem

GOA, SATURDAY, 18 DECEMBER, 2010GOA OHERA

LDO

Pg 5

Indian Navy In Association with

Kala Academy Presents

At Kala Academy, PanajiAt 1800 Hours

On 21 & 22 Dec 2010

Admission through Free Passes

available at a Special Counter in Kala Academy

on first come first serve basis

Dress: 21 Dec - Smart Casuals

22 Dec - Formal

Counter Timings: 1000 - 1200 HRS18 to 20 Dec 2010

NAVY BAND CONCERT - 2010

No evening music in MMC garden!

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, DEC 17

Hazard a guess why the decade old tradition of playing evening musicin the Margao Municipal garden has come to an abrupt end.

Well, the answer is simple. Theres nothing wrong with themusic system, if civic officials are to be believed. But, the municipalityhas no dedicated manpower to operate the music system afterduty hours, as a result music has stopped playing in the gardenin recent times. Thats not all. Civic officials say the music systemwas being operated all this time by a security guard, and thetradition came to a halt after the transfer of the security personnelby the agency.

Sources in the know said the new security guard, who has takencharge, has no knowledge of operating the music system.

It is learnt that one of the civic employee, who was operatingthe music system, had asked an overtime for two hours, but theproposal did not find favour with the civic body.

Incidentally, the new council headed by Sushila Naik, and whichowes allegiance to Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat has so far nottaken any decision to revive the music system.

When contacted, Chief Minister feigned ignorance on the non-functioning of the music system and promised to direct the ChiefOfficer Prasanna Acharya to look into the matter and restore thetradition.

Youth hangs to death HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, DEC 17

A 28-year-old youngster fromMorpilla at Quepem talukaended his life by hanging in hishouse on Friday.

Cuncolim police said theyoungster was found dead afterhe hung himself in his house.

The police have registered acase of unnatural death.

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, DEC 17

There will be no celebration ofany kind for many of the con-tract workers from some of theGovernment Departments onthe occasion of Goas 50th Lib-eration Day on December 19 asthey have decided to gather inthe capital city to impress uponthe authorities to free themfrom what that they termbonded labour.

Contract workers largely fromthe Public Works and Electricitydepartments will assemble inPanjim, while those from GoaMedical College and Hospitalwill gather in Bambolim to high-light the exploitative contractsystem.

Addressing a press conferenceon Friday morning, All IndiaTrade Union Congress GeneralSecretary Christopher Fonsecalambasted Chief Minister andthe labour authorities for turn-ing a blind eye to the problemsof the working class in the State.

Highlighting the plight of con-tract workers, Fonseca accused

the Government of committinga fraud by paying them pitifulminimum wage much below thenational average.

Worse is major part of therightful DA (dearness allowance)was not given every month thusdepriving them of a fair wage,he observed.

He pointed out some of thebig mining companies toowere taking full advantage ofthe contract system and ex-ploiting workers. Besides caus-i ng env i ronmenta ldegradation, these companieswere not maintaining properworking conditions and theGovernment is afraid of themas they are a law unto them-selves, he ridiculed.

Fonseca warned the day wasnot far when these workers fromfar flung places of Goa will thinkof lifting arms against their op-pressors as was the case withgroups l ike Naxal ites andMaoists. In Goa, if not Maoismand Naxalism, there sure is anew wave of turbulence takingshape, he stated.

Shaurya Utsav gets underway

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, DEC 17

The three-day Shaurya Utsav(Martial Arts) festival got under-way at the Ravindra Bhavan,Margao on Friday as part of thecommemoration of Golden Ju-bilee celebrations of Goas Lib-eration.

The festival is being organisedby the Directorate of Art andCulture in collaboration withWest Zone Cultural Centre,Udaipur. Margao MunicipalChairperson Sushila Naik waspresent for the inaugural cere-mony due to the preoccupationof Chief Minister DigambarKamat.

Saffron terrorsheer vote bank

politics:VHPHERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, DEC 17

Vishwa Hindu Parishad willdiscuss the constant brand-ing of Hindu organizationsas saffron terror outfits bythe Centre and like mindedforces during their interna-tional meeting of trustees atRamnathi in Goa.

The whole idea of saffronterror is a fragment of imagina-tion that has been purposelyphrased to please the minorityvotes. Its sheer vote bank poli-tics, VHPs national vice presi-dent Ashok Chowgule toldreporters.

Briefing presspersons aboutRamnathis conference, he alsoslammed Congress leader RahulGandhi for his comments warn-ing the US about Hindu extrem-ists.

Free workers from bondage of contract system: Fonseca

REGIONAL PLAN: The AITUCGeneral Secretary maintainedthe thriving real estate lobbyhad a big say in the RegionalPlan 2021 that had thrown upmany anomalies. There are manyloopholes and potholes in theplan, he mentioned.

So what, he argued, if highlyplaced people have designedthe plan. One has to see andevaluate what is there in it forthe common man, a coinagewhich is at the heart of this Gov-ernment. The authorities shouldkeep the plans for scrutiny be-fore notifying them; whats thehurry, he asserted.

What is this life if, full of care,We have no time to stand and stare?No time to stand beneath the boughsAnd stare as long as sheep or cowsNo time to see, when woods we pass,Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.No time to see, in broad daylight,Streams full of stars, like skies at night.A poor life this, if full of care,We have no time to stand and stare.

What a beautiful representation of biodi-versity by William Davies. Of course, hespeaks of time, or rather the lack of it,

but doesnt this strain make you want to spendthat one holiday a year, amidst nature?

The year 2010 was declared the InternationalYear of Biodiversity. Biodiversity is the degree ofvariation of life forms, within a given ecosystem,biome or an entire planet. The United NationsWorld Tourism Organisation defines tourism asmovement away from ones place of work or res-idence, for a period not less than 24 hours, andnot more than a year.

It is the perfect amalgamation of tourism andbiodiversity, that allows us the luxury of variousavatars of tourism such as ecotourism or ecologicaltourism responsible travel to fragile, pristineand usually protected areas where flora, faunaand cultural heritage are primary attractions,Wildlife tourism eco and animal-friendly tourism,usually showing animals in their natural habitats,adventure tourism that involves two components cultural exchange or interaction and engagementwith nature, and hinterland tourism that to aland or district behind the borders of a coast orriver, but specifically the inland region behind aport.

All of these forms of tourism provide us witha feeling of being one with nature. Mountain bik-ing, river trekking, snorkelling and underwaterdiving are thrilling to some, and wildlife safarisexcite others. But to some, just waking up in themidst of a forest to the sounds of chirping birdsand little beams of sunlight, pouring in throughthe canopy of trees above, is quite refreshing. Itis none other than biodiversity that gives us thesewonderful deviations, from our everyday, stressful,lives.

Mother Nature is helping us heal, but are wethe virus that is infecting her boon of biodiversity,with the incurable disease of destruction? Growthin human population along with travel made easy,

greater knowledge of tourism and the increasingaffluence of the people, has had more impact onbiodiversity in tourist destinations, than any othersingle factor. Other factors too, such as greedyand irresponsible operators, over hunting andover fishing and the ever increasing problem ofpollution, are all direct results of a greater influxof tourists.

However, today, the awareness of biodiversitythat leads to the development of such touristdestinations, indeed, contributes to tourism nur-turing biodiversity. These habitats in the form ofwildlife sanctuaries, national parks and biospherereserves are conserved and protected from over-exploitation so as to sustain them for the tourismindustry.

It is now up to us, the able race, to conservebiodiversity, in conjunction with responsibletourism. Biodiversity and tourism, today, form asymbiotic system, that obligates us to care forand, preserve biodiversity, to ensure the futurecontinuance of tourism, travel and therefore, thehospitality industries.

The Economic Times on 20 Sept carried theheadline Environmental nod for Navi Mumbai

airport likely by October. The airport projecthas been embroiled in controversy followingstrong objections by the Environment ministry,which has opposed the destruction of a largearea of mangroves, diversion of two rivers in thearea and the flattening of a hillock, to make wayfor the runway. Many other newspapers also oftodays responsible urban society, print variousheadlines such as Urban Sprawl: The Big Picture,Threats to Biodiversity Rise in Worlds Mediter-ranean Climate Region and Make BiodiversityEducation a Part of School Curriculum.

The year 2010 was declared the InternationalYear of Biodiversity. Biodiversity refers to the va-riety and variability among living organisms andthe ecological complexes, in which they occur.Todays biodiversity is the result of 3.5 billionyears of evolution. But are we leading it all up toextinction?

Biodiversity today, is in grave danger. Or is it?The massive growth in human population throughthe 20th century, has had more impact on biodi-versity than any other single factor, is what mostbelieve. But several other factors also do posemajor threat to biodiversity, today. Extinction is

a natural event, and from the geological perspec-tive, routine. Most species that have ever inhabitedmother earth have either gone extinct, havingserved their time on earth or in episodes of massextinction. Invasion of non-native species too, isan important and often overlooked cause of ex-tinction. For example, the establishment of thenile perch, an exotic species of freshwater fish,in Lake Victoria in Africa may cause the extinctionof most indigenous species there, by simply eatingthem all. However, when two or more speciesare highly interdependent, the removal of onespecies or the addition of another, affects theentire biological disposition. This is the DominoEffect a result of either extinction or invasion.The expansive destruction of mangroves, a grow-ing concern, is an important example of foreigninvasion, leading to degradation and loss of habi-tat. Several human activities also, such as pollutionfrom chemical contaminants leading to climatechange and habitat damage of even marine lifeand over hunting and over fishing, are indirector direct threats to biodiversity.

The airport issue is being worked hard at toresolve all possible problems and find a suitablesolution. CIDCO had been asked to do sometweaking of plans, so that there is minimum effecton environment. Non-aeronautical assets, suchas hotels, will have to be constructed along withthe airport terminal and two runways, while notchanging the basic location of the airport. Therequired changes have been carefully engineeredand the project is now expected to be passedsoon.

But is biodiversity or threats to it, really sucha big concern? The average lifetime granted toany species on earth, is always only about 1million years anyway. And are we humans, a merespeck on Earths geological clock, really creatingas much havoc as we deem ourselves to be? Ifso, then why did evolution occur even beforethe existence of our race? The world continued,life lived on and if the Earths age were to becompressed into an hour, humans would only bearound for two seconds.

Yet threats to biodiversity do exist naturaland human and we as the intelligent ones, musttake up the responsibility of not adding to them,but conserving biodiversity to the extent possibleand, most importantly, hand in hand, with devel-opment. Or are we ready to go back to the earlyages and live as cave men?

Many species. One planet. One future.

Diverting attention Sidonio Mendes, Chandor

The turmoil of Regional plan in Goas west-ern parts, is a creation of politicians, onlyto divert our attention from the devastationof Goas ecology, by rampant mining activityin its eastern sector. The other day, I waswitness to a meeting, which had alreadycommenced, on the RP 2021.

Confusing queries and ridiculous answersfollowed an explosive clap. It was obviousthat it was a stage-managed show. Con-sidering the approach adopted nowadays,one is reminded of dignitaries and politicalleaders of the likes of Bahusaheb Bandodkarand the Dr Jack Sequeira era. They wereneither rustic nor egoistic. They led us

with dignity and prudence.

Ghastly collision Michael Vaz, Merces

Nine relatives of a family apart from thedrivers of the ill-fated Chevrolet Tavera carand the incoming luxury bus perished nearKhed, Ratnagiri, in a ghastly collision onthe Goa-Mumbai section of the NH 17.

Such accidents periodically remind usof appalling loss of lives due to ill-designedhighways.

Let this be a wake up call to all thosewho are against highway expansion andare highly conservative of the width ofsuch roadways.

Self centred tiatristsGeorge Almeida, Vasco

We all know that tiatr is a source of en-tertainment for most Goans. Many tiatristsmake it big with successive tiatrs. Apartfrom being a lucrative side business, theyearn thousands of rupees, in the process.However, a lot of hard work is put in, toachieve that goal. Amazingly, during theseason of Lent, most of them stop theshows, while some carry on. Many showsdepict the life of Jesus Christ, during Lent.

Sadly, many tiatrists, enact the life ofChrist only during Lent and not at any othertime of the year. I request all tiatrists andpriests to work towards spreading thegospel of Christ throughout the year.

Liberation and desertionMartinho J Fernandes, Goa Velha

It is a historical fact that the Portugueseliberated Goans twice. Goa was a paradiseon earth, before the Indian army occupiedit, but people across the border were starv-ing and dying of hunger.

Mahatma Gandhi had once remarked,first give our people enough to eat andthen talk about Goas freedom.

I give due credit to the wisdom of theBritish government for splitting India intoBharat and Pakistan, otherwise the fanaticswould have created havoc all over India.Had not the Portuguese and British unitedGoa and India, the pseudo freedom fighterswould have been under the thumb of Mus-

lim rulers.

Save it for posterityJerry Fernandes, Saligao

Today, our elected Goan politicians are seendestroying Goa and yet, we do absolutelynothing but silently watch the tamasha. Webelieve in making fast money, constructinghuge bungalows, living a luxurious life, eating,drinking and merry-making, but are not con-cerned of the future well-being of Goa Wejust cannot unite and fight issues like garbage,casinos, drugs, prostitution, illegal mega proj-ects, national highways, SEZs, etc. What ashame! Goans are, indeed, a strange lot.

It is now time to immediately stop sayingthat famous outdated sentence Mhaka KiteakPoddlam, because Goa is fast getting kabaar(finished) and that too, right in front of oureyes. So, please for Gods sake, wake up,unite and save our unique identity for pos-terity.

Generating goodwillAdelmo Fernandes, Vasco

While there are calls from party bosses of variouspolitical parties for their members to show austerity,the ground reality is far from the truth. Birthdayshave become an occasion to score brownie pointsover their political rivals. It has become more amatter of one-upmanship and showmanship. Politi-cians use the occasion to show the mass supportthey enjoy, and also to do some muscle-flexing.

At times, a birthday-bash becomes a plat-form to verbally bash the political rival andannounce future political plans. Such birthdayparties have grown in stature and are lavishby nature. Our politicians should be inclinedto serve the common man by celebratingtheir birthdays lavishly, in the midst of thepoor. This will generate a lot of goodwill andblessings from the masses.

Mary and the BibleCyril P DSouza, Calangute

Theletter by George Almeida entitled Tenetsand Traditions (Herald, 7 Dec ) is full of half-truths and shows total ignorance on the partof the writer. Sadly, he has proved that he islacks knowledge of the Bible by saying thatMary didnt forgive the apostles, Peter andJudas, when God himself once again choseMary to be with and around all the apostles,like a true mother, when he sent the HolySpirit upon them all .

Nowhere in the Bible, is it said that Marydidnt forgive the apostles. She sufferedsilently at the foot of the cross and forgaveChrists executioners and once again, saidyes to the will of God, when Christ asked herto be our mother, represented by the apostleJohn.

Migrant menaceVincent E Do Rego, Dubai

What Union Home Minister has said, is right.

In Goa too, migrants are responsible for thespate of robberies, and murders. This lot hasbeen throwing away trash in every nook andcorner, and spits paan, which is customaryof their lifestyle, pan India. This representsdirty mannerisms, whereas we Goans, live ina peaceful and civilised society.

Dirty politics has contributed in an inanemanner to our beautiful Goa that has resultedin slums everywhere. A blanket ban shouldbe imposed on commercial buildings and socalled mega projects. Why do we Goans needthese kinds of projects? In any case, it doesntbenefit Goans, as they cannot afford to buysuch dwellings.

Why act on complaints?Jose Maria Miranda, Margao

Every time someone is booked for someillegality, it is generally based on a lodgedcomplaint. In fact, municipalities and pan-chayats also follow the same procedureagainst illegal constructions/extensions.Sometime back, fruit vendors were caughtripening fruits through artificial means.

Most municipal employees and in par-ticular, market inspectors, are a classic ex-ample of people looking the other way,when irregularities take place. One wonderswhether our bureaucrats and other gov-ernment servants are only there to receivetheir salaries and warm up their seats. Goagovernment cannot afford this luxury, con-sidering that it has such a huge employeeworkforce.

The escape routeS N D Poojary, Miramar

The ruling party boasts of zero tolerancetowards corruption. An FIR was lodged bythe CBI in 2009, against some unknownentities. The investigation got a momentumnot because of the lofty ideals of some po-litical party, but because of the stick thatCBI got, from the Supreme Court. It wason a complaint of Dr Subramanian Swamythat the CBI was forced to order a fullscale investigation. These high voltage in-vestigations are basically for public con-sumption and when the findings are testedin courts, they fall flat. The loopholes thuscreated serve as an escape route for thepowerful.

OPINIONwww.oheraldo.in

Pg6Vol No CX No: 316

Goa, Saturday, 18 December, 2010

Letters to the Editor

Letter of the Day

The FAR-ceAgnelo P Furtado, Chinchinim

Most villages in Goa have opted for VP3 status to retain their unique identity andprevent high rise structures and mega projects. The VP3 village status has altogethervanished in the demystification of rationalisation. Both VP3 and VP2 were having aheight restriction of 7 metres (Ground+1). Now the height restriction on VP2 hasbeen relaxed to 9 metres which allows Ground+2 structures.

This removes the vent plug on the mega project cauldron and, in a cunningturnaround, introduces it through the back burner.

What a slap on the intelligence of Aam Aadmi and demolition of grass root democ-racy? An unseen mega fish has been baited, only visible to those who made thechanges. Its a 1G (ground) spectrum. The building lobby will now be laughing all theway to the bank.

Printed 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. junior@herald-goa.com Junior Herald; junioryouth@herald-goa.com 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.

if earths age was shortened to an hour, humans would be around for only two seconds, says sHAilEE sHArMA

OHERALDO

By Adelmo Fernandes

OHERALDO

Conserving biodiversity

Post Evolution PEril

NCPs directive

has no dum

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Goa is astrange creature. It jettisoned its founder formerChief Minister Dr Wilfred de Souza some time

ago, and was a headless entity for months. It now has aPresident in the shape of former MGP stalwart Prof SurendraSirsat, but he seems to be a president sans powers. For,in the Goa NCP, it is the so-called coordinator, Praful Hede,who calls all the shots.

It is Mr Hede who has set a cat among the pigeons bydirecting the partys two ministers Revenue Minister JosePhilip DSouza and Tourism Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar to resign from the cabinet, ostensibly on the grounds ofindiscipline. This so-called indiscipline was a meeting onWednesday in Margao, where the two NCP ministers inter-acted with a number of their Congress counterparts, inter-preted by the media as a bid to stop the re-inclusion offormer Tourism Minister Francisco Mickky Pacheco in thecabinet.

Mr Pachecos re-induction would, under the circumstances,have meant the necessary exclusion of one of these two,which seems to be the raison dtre behind their meetingwith several Congress ministers and MLAs at Margao. Andwhy should they not be concerned about losing their min-isterships?

The point is, should the two decide to ignore this directive,there is little or nothing the NCP High Command or its Goacoordinator can do.

Ministers hold office at the pleasure of the Governor,who acts in this regard on the advice of the Chief Minister.Should Chief Minister Digambar Kamat refuse to ask thetwo NCP ministers to resign, the only option before theNCP is to smile despite the pain, or to pull out of thecoalition.

In the event that they opt for the latter, Mr DSouza andMr Halarnkar can decide to split the party and call a partyconvention to establish and formalise their faction of theparty. Since they hold a two-thirds majority in the legislatureparty, there is no question of their being eligible for dis-qualification as long as they take the precaution of formallysplitting the party organisation when they part ways withthe NCP.

Once they have their own functioning faction of the NCP,Mr DSouza and Mr Halarnkar can take their time to decidewhether they wish to remain as an independent NCP factionor whether they wish to merge with the Congress, or anyother party of their choice. Neither have they done anythingto warrant such drastic disciplinary action, nor have theyanything to fear if the NCP High Command or its Goa co-ordinator decide to get tough.

For, it is highly unlikely that NCP supremo Sharad Pawarwill take any precipitate action to upset the existing coalitionequations at the centre because of one tiny hiccup in Indiastiniest state. As it is, the highly aggressive and provocativespeeches given by NCP leaders and by Mr Pacheco at thelatters lavish birthday celebration recently suggestingthat the NCP does not need the Congress as a partner andcan go it alone in all 40 constituencies and form the gov-ernment in the next election cannot have failed to raiseeyebrows in the state unit of the Congress as well as in thepartys High Command, who are very, very unlikely to bewell disposed towards Mr Hede, Mr Pacheco, Mr Sirsat,their loquacious spokesman Trajano DMello and otherswho were present and spoke on that eventful evening.

The storm is in a teacup and the NCPs so-called directivehas no dum. The balance of convenience is completely infavour of Mr DSouza and Mr Halarnkar. As long as ChiefMinister Digambar Kamat and the Congress High Commandare with them, its they who can call all the shots.

Christmas musingsTongue in Cheek

As we approach Christmas day, I am reminded of a poem byLord Alfred Tennyson The time draws near the birth ofChrist; The moon is hid; the night is still; the Christmas bells

from hill to hill; answer each other in the mist. The cold winternights, with the minimum temperatures dropping, remind us thatChristmas day is fast approaching, and it is time to celebrate.

But then, the way we celebrate Christmas, has undergone avast change over the years. I recall the days when, as a little boy,I would get down to the task of preparing the Christmas star, theChristmas tree and the crib, more than a week before Christmasday. In those days, bullock carts used to carry hay along the road.We used to run after these carts, to grab as much of the dry hay,as our little hands could, so that we could use it to make the crib.I used to spread wet mud on the floor, and sprinkle grains ofwheat. In a weeks time, they would grow into a tiny bush. I recallscrapping bamboo sticks, so that we could use them to make aChristmas star. And for the Christmas tree, we used to cycle to the

beach-side, and cut down branches of the pine tree. These brancheswould be carefully tied to the bicycles and we would then troophome with our prized Christmas tree.

The ladies in the house, would be busy preparing all thesweets to be distributed to the neighbours. It was also time toget new clothes stitched, to be worn for the mid-night mass.We used to play Christmas carols everyday, much before the25th of December only to get into the Christmas spirit. Indeed,in those days, the Christmas feeling was in the air much beforeChristmas day.

That feeling does not exist any more. In todays world, everyoneis so busy that you probably get into the Christmas mood, onlya day before Christmas. Our kids no longer prepare the Christmasstar, the Christmas tree nor the crib. Everything is bought fromthe market, probably on Christmas eve, ie 24 December. Theladies are most likely to do the last minute Christmas shopping.Sweets are bought from the pastry shop and clothes are bought

from the readymade clothes shops and presto, you are all readyfor Christmas day. Everything is done in a jiffy, as time is precious.We are so busy with the worldly things that there is hardly anytime to prepare ourselves, for Christmas day. We depend somuch on things that are readily available in the market place. In-cidentally, all this has robbed us of the joys and fun, associatedwith Christmas.

We do not realise that the biggest joy of a festival, is in preparingfor it. The sweets that we make at home have the ingredient oflove in it. Unfortunately, we now distribute sweets bought fromthe pastry shops. I would give anything to relive the Christmasday of childhood years. So this year, I have decided to prepare forChristmas, like the way I used to, in the past. Along with my twosons, I shall be preparing the Christmas star from bamboo sticks,the Christmas tree from the branches of pine-trees and the cribfrom dry hay. Dear readers, try it out this Christmas. Its fun. Havea Merry Christmas.

Tenants in theVineyard

There was once a landowner who planteda vineyard, put a fence around it, dug ahole for the winepress and built a watch-tower.

Then, he let out the vineyard to ten-ants and went on a journey. When thetime came to gather the grapes, he senthis slaves to the tenants to receive hisshare of the harvest.

The tenants seized his slaves, beatone, killed another, and stoned another.Again, the man sent other slaves, morethan the first time, and the tenantstreated them the same way.

Last of all, he sent his son to them,Surely they will respect my son, he said.But, when the tenants saw the son, theysaid to themselves. This is the ownersson. Come on, lets kill him and we willget his property. So, they seized him,threw him out of the vineyard and killedhim.

Now, when the owner of the vineyardcomes, what will he do to those tenants?Jesus asked.

He will certainly kill those evil men,they answered, and let the vineyard outto other tenants, who will give him hisshare of the harvest at the right time.

Jesus said to them, Havent you everread what the Scriptures say?

The stone which the builders rejectedas worthless, turned out to be the mostimportant of all. This was done by theLord; what a wonderful sight it is! Andso I tell you, added Jesus, the Kingdomof God will be taken away from you andgiven to people who will produce theproper fruits.The Chief Priests and thePharisees heard Jesus parables and knewthat he was talking about them.

So they tried to arrest him. But, theywere afraid of the crowds, who consid-ered Jesus to be a prophet.

(Matthew 21; 33-45)

Paths of Wisdom

100 Years Ago

18 December, 1910Members to forward proposalThe Committee entrusted to find a so-lution for the betterment of civil func-tioning decided that each one of themembers should forward the proposalselective to their own departments.

Finding a solutionLately, it seems that, at the Metropolis,the Strikes are occurring under new se-ries and the government is burning mid-night oil to come with a favourablesolution to overcome that malaise.

Construction of concert hallIn the Valley of Keunemorland, Districtof Harlem, famous for its Flowers andTrees, is going to be constructed by oneFlemish Family a magnificent ConcertHall in the memory of Beethoven,Bayreuth, and Wagner.

Statue to be erectedOne rich German Lady, who lately ex-

pired at Nuremburg, kept a princely sumof One Hundred and Twenty Five MillionMarks to erect a statue of Van Beethoven.

PRIMEIRO DIARIO NAS COLONIAS PORTUGEZAS

GOAGOA, SATURDAY, 18 DECEMBER, 2010

Pg 7OHE

RALD

O

HERALD CORRESPONDENTPORVORIM, DEC 17

Mapusa police has arrested aman from Belgaum on chargesof breaking into two temples atVerla-Canca on Thursday night.

Burglars had broken into twotemples and the office of theVerla -Canca panchayat onThursday night.

According to Mapusa police,burglars broke open the locksof the gates of Vishwanti Vish-weshwar Shivashanker Dev-asthan at Canca.

They entered the Garbhakudand stole a pendant on the idolof Goddess Parvati.

However, while they were inthe process of stealing the cashfrom the donation box, a policepatrol reached the site.

Noticing some suspiciousmovement, the police enteredthe temple. The burglars, how-ever, managed to slip away fromthe police.

The burglars did not take anycash from the donation box,while the stolen pendant is es-timated to be Rs 10,000.

Belgaum man arrested for burglary at Canca temples

In the second incident, bur-glars broke into the Rastroli tem-ple at Canca and decamped withthree donation boxes with cashof about Rs 9000.

They abandoned one box out-side the temple and remainingtwo in the nearby fields, half akilometre from the temple.

In the third incident, burglarsentered the Verla-Canca pan-chayat office and with the helpof duplicate keys, opened thecupboards and messed up allfiles and important documents.

They also opened the adja-cent Talathi's office and messedup the documents there as well.

However, nothing was re-ported to have been stolen fromthese offices.

On learning of the break-inat the temples and panchayatoffice, panch members and com-mittee members of the templesrushed to the site and later theylodged a complaint with the Ma-pusa Police station.

"On Friday afternoon, one ac-cused, Shengi Siddappa Korguttiof Belgaum, was seen moving

in a suspicious manner in Ma-pusa market," said Police Inspec-tor Rajesh Kumar.

He will be produced beforethe Judicial Magistrate First classon Saturday for police remand.

"We are hopeful of recoveringthe stolen pendant and cashfrom the accused," PI Kumar.

A police dog squad pressed into service at a temple at Canca. Photo by Anil Shankhwalker

HERALD REPORTERMARGAO, DEC 17

Chief Minister Digambar Kamathas said that education should notbe restricted only to the rich, butshould be made available to allsections of society, irrespective ofmonetary status, caste and creed.

He was speaking as the chiefguest at the Christmas Fiestaorganized by the Diocesan So-ciety of Education at the Ravin-dra Bhavan, Margao on Friday.

The Chief Minister said the cen-tral government decision to makeRight to Education would benefitthe poorest of the poor in the so-

Right to Education will benefit poor, says CMciety and complimented the Dioce-san of Education for playing a pivotalrole in the field of education in Goa.

Recalling the statement madeby Prime Minister, Dr ManmohanSingh that only education canmake India the world super power,Kamat said that only educationand nothing else can bring abouta change in the society andprogress of the state and country.

Complimenting the DiocesanSociety of Education for its richcontribution to the field of edu-cation, the Chief Minister saidthe government would be alwaysopen to redress the problemsfaced by the education society.I had the opportunity to interactwith DSE officials when I was theEducation Minister, he said.

The secretary of the Diocesan

Society of Education, Fr ZepherinoDSouza said the Christmas Fiestahas provided an opportunity forthe teachers and students a plat-form to display their talents andconvey the message of peace, joy

and love for all people. This mes-sage ought to be conveyed to allirrespective of caste and creed,adding These were the valuesLord Jesus came to proclaim inthis world.

HERALD REPORTERMARGAO, DEC 17

An assembly of religious and political leaders, besidescouples at the Nehru stadium, Fatorda on Friday eveningprayed for peace in the families, society and the worldat large.

Organised by Shri Shri Shri Sadaguru ParwadeshwarMaharaj under the auspices of the Cultural centre of theMath, the congregation called for the spread of the mes-sage of love, peace, prosperity and blessed the coupleswith good health and happy life.

Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat, PWD Minister, ChurchillAlemao, South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha, MLA VictoriaFernandes, GPCC general secretary Vijay Sardessai werethe political figures present at the meeting.

In his brief address, the Chief Minister underlined theneed for peace in the society and complimented ShriShri Shri Sadaguru Parwadeshwar Maharaj for his peaceinitiative across the country.

PWD Minister Churchill Alemao said that peace is veryimportant for the progress and welfare of any society orcountry and underlined the need to maintain peace andcommunal harmony amongst the religious communitiesin Goa.

South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha said marriages arerocked by divorces and emphasized on the need to bringabout peace in the families. He said the meeting assumessignificance as it comes on the eve of the Christmasfestival, and recalled the message of love, brotherhoodand peace given by Lord Jesus for mankind.

GPCC general secretary Vijay Sardesai lauded the sus-tained efforts of Sadaguru Parwadeshwar Maharaj tobring peace in the world. It was because of the initiativeof the Sadaguru that people have assembled at the stadiumto pray for peace, he said.

MLA Victoria Fernandes said that no society or countrycan prosper without peace and complimented the effortsof Sadaguru Parwadeshwar to spread the message ofpeace across the country.

On the occasion, Shri Shri Shri Sadaguru Par-wadeshwar Maharaj honoured P WD Minister,Churchill Alemao, MLA Victoria Fernandes and SudeshBhosle for their contributions in their respectivefields.

Prayer for peace,families, societyheld at Margao

Shri Shri Shri Sadaguru Parwadeshwar Maharaj seen hon-ouring Sudesh Bhosle in the presence of Chief MinisterDigambar Kamat and South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha.

Photo by Santosh Mirajkar

Torch rally in Vasco todayVASCO, DEC 17(HR)

As part of the golden jubilee celebration of Goa LiberationDay, the Mormugao Rashtrwadi Nagari Samiti (MRNS)will hold a torch rally in Vasco on December 18 at 6 pm.

Addressing a press conference, MRNS Convener Ra-jendra Arlekar said the MRNS would hold different culturalevents and national integrated programmes during theyear. "One such event is the torch rally in Vasco on theeve of Goa's Liberation day," he said.

The rally will commence at Hutatma Chowk in Vasco,pass through the city from Dr T B Cunha statue and cul-minate near the MMC building.

Pg10OHERALD

O

GOA, SATURDAY, 18 DECEMBER, 2010

AFP

KARBALA (Iraq), DEC 17

Two million Shiites geared upfor the climax of Ashura com-memorations in the Iraqi shrinecity of Karbala today, the dayafter authorities said they ar-rested dozens of suspected mil-itants plotting "chaos."

The rituals, largely peace-ful thus far and marking thekilling of Imam Hussein byarmies of the caliph Yazid in680 AD, are a key test forIraqi forces ahead of a com-plete withdrawal of Ameri-can troops in a year.

The 10-day ceremonies in theholy city south of Baghdadbegan with pilgrims drenchedin blood after ritually slicingtheir scalps and self-flagellation

in a demonstration of mourning,and were ending Friday with are-enactment of the battle ofKarbala in which Hussein waskilled.

Masses of black-clad pilgrimswere to symbolically rush to themartyred saint's aid by takingpart in a ritual five-kilometre(three-mile) run to Hussein'sshrine, as they smack theirheads and scream "LabeikehHussein" (here we are,

Hussein).Then they re-enact the scene

of the final battle between Hus-sein and Yazid's armies, settingfire to tents set up for the occa-sion.

Tradition holds that therevered imam was decapitatedand his body mutilated.

Millions throng Karbala for ashura

PtI

ISLAMABAD, DEC 17

China wants to deepen its strate-gic partnership with Pakistan inview of "complex and fluid in-ternational and regional circum-stances", Premier Wen Jiabaosaid today as he began a land-mark three-day visit to the coun-try.

"China and Pakistan are all-weather cooperation partners.Under the complex and fluid in-ternational and regional circum-stances, it is a firm policy of theChinese government to furthercement and deepen the strate-gic partnership of coopera-tion with Pakistan," he saidin his arrival statement atChaklala airbase.

Wen, who was accorded a redcarpet welcome being personalyreceived by Prime MinisterYousuf Raza Gilani, describedPakistan as an "important coun-try in the region" that has made"positive" contributions topeace, stability and develop-ment.

He said the visit would helpto push forward "bilateral prag-matic cooperation" and lift eco-nomic and trade cooperation toa new height.

"The purpose of my visit thistime is to solidify friendship,deepen cooperation, supportPakistan's efforts of post-disasterreconstruction, and ring in, to-gether with Pakistan, the 60thanniversary of China-Pakistandiplomatic relations in 2011,"Wen said.

The Chinese premier will holdtalks with his Pakistani counter-part and other leaders on bilat-eral cooperation and issues ofshared interest.

He will attend a China-Pak-istan business summit and meetPakistanis who have contributedto the friendship between thetwo countries.

Chinese Assistant ForeignMinister Hu Zhengyue said hiscountry's participation in Pak-istans post-flood reconstructionis one of the main issues ofWen's visit.

China to deepenstrategic ties with

Pakistan: Wen

PtI

WASHINGTON, DEC 17

Given India's successful handling of "asymmetrical"terrorist and insurgent movements like those inPunjab and Kashmir, the then US ambassadorDavid Mulford had advised the Bush administra-tion to learn and gain from New Delhi's counter-terrorism experiences, according to a

secret memo made public by WikiLeaks."Using every opportunity available to signal

our interest in learning from India -- which hassuccessfully tackled 'asymmetrical' insurgenciesin Punjab and Kashmir -- will go a long way to re-duce this distrust and may prompt Indian officialsto be more receptive to our offers of support,"Mulford wrote in the secret embassy cable datedFebruary 23, 2007.

"There is much India could offer us of value tostrengthen our counter-terrorism efforts. For in-stance, they can give us more information aboutthe nature of the terrorist threat in India andSouth Asia, and help us develop new strategiesfor defeating terrorists derived from India's ex-perience in Kashmir," he said in the cable ad-d res sed to Frank Urbanc i c , the thenActing-coordinator for Counter-terrorism.

They also may have information aboutBangladeshi, Nepalese, Sri Lankan and Pakistaniterrorists that they could share the Ambassadorwrote in his secret memo.

The United States, which has accused the whis-

tle-blower website WikiLeaks, of stealing its secretcables, has however, refused to either deny orconfirm the authenticity of these cables.

Urbanic's visit to New Delhi took place a littleover a week after the bombing of the SamjautaExpress train between New Delhi and Lahore.

At the same time, the Ambassador noted aboutthe lack of cooperation between India and theUS on counter-terrorism issues and how NewDelhi remained genuinely concerned aboutPakistan's continued support to terroristgroups.

"India's lingering zero-sum suspicion of US poli-cies towards Pakistan, its fiercely independentforeign policy stance, its traditional go-it-alonestrategy toward its security and its domestic po-litical sensitivities over the sentiments of its largeMuslim population, have all contributed to India'scaution in working with us on a joint counter-terrorism strategy," according to the cable.

While India has been very keen to receive in-formation and technology from the US to furtherits counter-terrorism efforts, it provides "little inreturn, despite our belief that the country shouldbe an equal partner in this relationship," itsaid.

"India frequently rebuffs our offers of supportfor their police investigations of terrorist attacksand our offers of training and support areoften met with a stalled logistical pace," thecable said.

Mulford wanted US to learn from Indias counter-terror efforts

PtI

PESHAWAR, DEC 17

US drones carried out two at-tacks on terrorist hideouts inthe restive Khyber tribal regionof northwest Pakistan today,killing at least 10 militants, in-cluding a commander, and in-juring seven others.

The drones fired several mis-siles at two bases of the bannedLashkar-e-Islam group in theTirah area of Khyber tribalagency, official sources said.

Ten militants were killed inthe attacks that were carriedout within the space of an hour,they said. At least seven othermilitants were also injured.

This was only the second timesince the US drone attacksbegan in 2004 that unmannedspy planes attacked targets inKhyber tribal agency.

Seven militants were killed inthe first missile strike in Khyberyesterday. Local residents saidthey had seen drones flying overparts of Khyber.

10 killed inUS droneattacks

Stabbingspree leave13 injured

ReuteRs

TOKYO, DEC 17

A stabbing spree on a school busand a commuter bus in a Tokyosuburb today left 13 people in-jured, police and media said.

A 27-year-old unemployedman arrested for the attacks toldpolice: I wanted to end my life,Kyodo news agency reported.

Media said the man boardeda packed school bus near Toride,a suburban town northeast ofTokyo, stabbing students beforemoving on to a second com-muter bus.

Four were stabbed and therest injured as they scrambledto escape, the reports said.

Cabinet against dropping... at the cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat shot back,Cabinet meeting is not meant to discuss political issues.

Analysts have stated that the partys decision to ask both theministers to resign could hurt the NCP badly in the next election.

There is also news making rounds that the two ministers wouldresign from the party and ministry and join Congress.

Although there isnt any confirmation, sources say, the duowould be given the ministries again as Kamat is contemplatingdissolution of the house in the next six months.

Well stay put...supremo Sharad Pawar and Goa desk in-charge Praful Patel.

Jose Philip further asserted both, he and Nilkant, were firmlywith the NCP and there was no problem.

Meanwhile, top party functionaries have chosen to speak withoutan official quote to the media fearing backlash from the high com-mand. A top party functionary blamed Public Works DepartmentMinister Churchill Alemao for influencing the two leaders thewrong way.

He further chided Churchill calling him undisciplined and forbeing full of rubbish. We dont want his indiscipline to rub intothe NCP. Who is Alemao to interfere in our party matters? hechided.

The party functionaries in Goa are however unwilling to commenton Churchills statements supporting the NCP ministers over theirresignations. Many of them opined that State president SurendraSirsat should have called an executive committee meeting todiscuss the message of the high command calling for resignationsof the two legislators.

Calls to the NCPs Goa Desk in-charge Praful Patel on his celldidnt yield any result and as such a statement from the horsesmouth on the exact reason for demanding resignations of theirministers remains elusive.

With no party functionary coming clear on the resignationaspect, party workers have decided to throw their weight behindtheir two leaders.

Meanwhile, Alemao, who heads the group of Congress legislatorssympathizing with the NCP ministers, said they will not let theSharad Pawar-led party to drop anyone from the cabinet.

These two ministers have stood firm with the government andthats why we are with them, Alemao told reporters adding thatif they are dropped, the group has an alternate plans.

We have alternate plans. We dont discuss them in public rightnow, Alemao said outside ministerial building in Porvorim today.

Goa witnessed hectic political activities after Nationalist CongressParty (NCP) asked two of its ministers to quit Digambar Kamatcabinet, last night.

Sources stated that a group of Congress legislators includingministers were working overtime to save Revenue Minister JosePhilip DSouza and Tourism Minister Nilkant Halarnkar from quittingthe cabinet.

Sirsat flays Churchilllike situation.

In what could set the tone for further sparring between theNCP and the Congress, Sirsat chided Public Works DepartmentMinister Churchill Alemao for interfering in the internal affairs ofNCP. He said he had learnt Churchill had stated in case Jose Philipede Souza and Nilkanth Halarnkar are pressurised to resign as min-isters, he had alternate plans.

He said the utterances of Churchill were uncalled for and theywere also against the tenets of coalition dharma.

Govt okays health insuranceThe chief minister said the scheme would also cover the basic

needs of medicine cost and the required medical tests apart fromtreatment, which otherwise cost a lot.

Further, he continued, the government would float tenders andinvite bids from insurance companies.

The financial implication to the State would be minimal, hesaid.

Kamat said the basic aim of the scheme is to provide relief tothe families who have ailing family members.

They will not have to fill any forms to get the benefit. Everyfamily would be given a card through which they can avail benefits,he said adding, Further modalities would be worked out withthe insurance companies, who bag the contract.

To a query, Kamat replied, there would be no income limit andall families of Goa would be covered under it.

In another decision the cabinet also decided to accept the rec-ommendations of the Nandkumar Kamat committee for providingsome kind of benefit to the forgotten trades like bakers, groundnutsellers, coconut pluckers and other artisans.

These were the trades which were forgotten and in the lastbudget I had made a provision of Rs 1 crore for their benefit,Kamat said adding Today even a groundnut seller is an outsiderand Goans are not taking up these businesses.

We wanted to give some benefits to Goans in this businessand hence appointed a committee under Nandkumar Kamat, whichhad submitted the report recently, he said.

Kamat said the State will have to form a council for implementingthe scheme, under which the government expects 50,000 peopleto benefit in first phase (till March 2011).

Aid to voluntary organisations: The government approved aSahayata Scheme, which will give financial aid to volunteer or-ganizations like old age homes and institutes for special chil-dren.

The institutions would be provided one time grant of Rs 50,000for organization of programmes or functions.

FrOM page 1

Pg11

aPPointments

OHE

RALD

OGOA, SATURDAY, 18 DECEMBER, 2010

PTI

NEW DELHI, DEC 17

Rahul Gandhi was on Friday atthe centre of a political stormin the wake of his controversialremarks that Hindu extremistsposed a bigger threat than ter-ror outfits like Lashkar-e-Taiba,with the BJP and the RSS accus-ing him of giving big leverageto propaganda of terror groupsin Pakistan.

Caught on the backfoot afterWikiLeaks made public a secretcommunication to Washingtonby US Ambassador to India Tim-othy Roemer on his conversa-tion with Rahul, Congress triedsome damage control exercise.

Rahul Gandhis view is thatterrorism and communalism ofall types are a threat to India.We need to remain vigilantagainst acts of terrorism of allkinds no matter who commitsthem, AICC General SecretaryJanardan Dwivedi said in a re-lease issued on his behalf.

The statement came hoursafter Congress grappled withthe issue of the WikiLeaks cablewhich said Rahul had told Roe-mer that growth of radicalised

Hindu groups which create re-ligious tensions in India poseda bigger threat to the countrythan activities of groups like LeT.

This in a way is the first ac-knowledgement from the Con-gress that Gandhi had indeedtalked to Roemer on the issue.

The initial reaction of theCongress on the issue was oneo f d i l e m m a w i t h p a r t yspokesperson Abhishek Singhvisaying, We will respond to itafter verifying the facts. Thereis no reason to react in an ex-cited manner. The issue shouldfirst be looked into and veri-fied.

Dwivedi, who is also AICCmedia department chairman,had first suspected a conspiracyangle behind the release of Wik-iLeaks cable saying, Let us ver-ify the truth. May be there issome conspiracy behind the pat-tern with which this all is beingdone.

All this did not cut ice withthe BJP with its spokespersonRavishankar Prasad saying, Inone stroke, Rahul Gandhi hassought to give a big leverage tothe propaganda of all terror

groups operating from Pakistanand certain segments of the Pak-istan establishment.

The RSS too slammed Rahulfor his shocking remarksagainst Hindu groups, sayingthere was a race in the seniorCongress leadership to projectHindus as terrorists.

According to the cable fromNew Delhi, at a luncheon hostedby Prime Minister ManmohanSingh at his residence in July2009, the Congress General Sec-retary was asked by the US Am-bassador about LeTs activitiesin the region and immediatethreat to India.

BJP, RSS target Rahul over Hindu terror remarks

Cong sees conspiracy behind WikiLeaks release on Rahul

PTI

NEW DELHI, DEC 17

Congress on Friday suspected a conspiracy behind the release ofWikiLeaks cable which says Rahul Gandhi had told US ambassadorTimothy Roemer that growth of radicalised Hindu groups couldpose a bigger threat to India than activities of groups like LeT.

Let us verify the truth. May be there is some conspiracybehind the pattern with which this all is being done, partygeneral secretary Janardan Diwedi told PTI when asked abouthis reaction to the WikiLeaks release.

According to a secret US diplomatic cable from New Delhi re-leased by WikiLeaks, at a luncheon hosted by Prime MinisterManmohan Singh at his residence in July 2009, the CongressGeneral Secretary was asked by the US ambassador about LeTsactivities in the region and immediate threat to India.

Gandhi said there was evidence of some support for thegroup among certain elements in Indias indigenous Muslim com-munity, the cable notes.

Sonia felt

better turning

down PM-ship

PTI

LONDON, DEC 17

After stepping aside in favourof Manmohan Singh to head thenew UPA government in 2004,Congress President SoniaGandhi felt better that some-one else became prime ministerand did not regret her decision.

Accordi