OHERALDOThe Voice of Goa Since 1900

(Continued on page 8)

IN BRIEF

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Business: Savings rate deregulation

may hurt account holders Pg 9

News: Shefali Shah gets

real for reel role Pg 8

Let no guilty man escape, if it can be

avoided. No personalconsideration should

stand in the way of per-forming a public duty.

Ulysses S. Grant

Sports: Man United on

brink of title Pg 15

High Tide: 0123; 1524Low Tide: 0815; 2122

T I D E S T O D A Y

PTINEW DELHI, MAY 8

India has been ranked at 75among 79 less developedcountries, even below some ofthe poor African nations, in astudy on best place to be amother released to mark theMothers Day being celebratedacross the world on Sunday.

The 2011 Mothers Index byinternational child rights NGOSave the Children has actuallyseen India slipping two positionsdown from the 73rd spot in lastyears study, bringing to forethe need for focus on criticalareas like maternal and childmortality, say civil society activists.

The survey divided countriesinto more developed, less de-veloped and least developedones and drew up separate lists

on the basis of well-being ofmothers and children includingtheir health, education and eco-nomic status.

According to the index, Indiaeven scored less than many na-tions in sub-Saharan Africa, in-c lud ing Bo t swana ( 51 ) ,

Cameroon (73) and conflict-rid-den Congo (74).

Cuba tops the Mothers Indexranking among less developednations followed by Israel,Cyprus and Argentina.

Pakistan is two places behindIndia while China, which isclubbed with India for growthstories, is ranked much higherat 18th spot. Sri Lanka is at 43rdplace, while Bangladesh isranked 18 in the list of 40 leastdeveloped countries.

In the Mothers Index formore developed countries, Nor-way is at the top followed byAustralia and Iceland.

The report analysed a totalof 164 countries, among whichAfghanistan had turned out tobe the worlds toughest placeto be a mother.

For mothers, India not a happy place: study

HERALD REPORTERMARGAO, MAY 8

Union Minister Ambika Sonievinced keen interest in theupgradation plan for the Ravin-dra Bhavan, Margao at an esti-mated cost of Rs 28 crore duringher visit to the Commercial Cap-ital Sunday morning.

During her hour-long visit tothe Ravindra Bhavan which islikely to host the IFFI inauguralceremony she was given aPowerPoint presentation byPWD Chief Engineer J J S Regoon the upgradation plan to bringRavindra Bhavan on par with in-ternational standards. Entertain-ment Society of Goa ChairmanManoj Srivastava along withother government officials ac-companied the Union Ministerto the Ravindra Bhavan.

The master plan presentedby the PWD Chief Engineer hasproposed to build two screenscosting around Rs 10 crore,while the balance Rs 18 crorewill be spent on total upgrada-tion of the Ravindra Bhavan, in-cluding modification of thetoilets and landscaping of theland admeasuring 20,000 sqmts. Sources in the know say

the plan has been put in placeby the PWD by roping in land-scaping architects.

Vice-Chairman of RavindraBhavan, Sridhar Kamat said themaster plan has made provisionfor landscaping of the one-kilo-meter route between Colva cir-cle junction at Old market toSwimming pool junction in tunewith local heritage and citys ar-chitecture coinciding with theIFFI festivities. The entirestretch will be illuminated with

ornamental lamps with land-scaping and other facilities, hesaid.

Besides, a Happening Plazahas been mooted in the openspace behind the Ravindra Bha-van which will play host toevents during the festivities.

The two screens, each hav-ing 200 seating capacity, will bebuilt within the Ravindra Bhavancomplex. Estimates show thatthe two screens will cost the ex-chequer Rs 10 crore, he said.

SHOW TIME IN MARGAOSoni gets a gist of plans for Ravindra Bhavan upgrade

PTIAGRA/GREATER NOIDA, MAY 8

Protests over land acquisitionSunday spread to Agra, Mathuraand Aligarh as farmers clashedwith police and torched vehicles,while the toll rose to four in vi-olence-hit Greater Noida.

The UP Government an-nounced rewards up to Rs50,000 for information regard-ing the whereabouts of somefarmers leaders who allegedlyinstigated the violence.

Four policemen were injuredwhen farmers turned violentduring a protest and indulgedin arson in Chaugaan village inAitmadpur in Agra, Special Di-rector General of Police (Lawand Order) Brij Lal said in Luc-know.

He said irate villagers setablaze several vehicles and tentsat a construction site, demand-ing higher compensation for theland acquired by the Mayawatigovernment for the Yamuna Ex-pressway.

Cabinet Secretary ShashankShekhar Singh told reporters inLucknow that rewards of Rs50,000 has been declared onManvir Singh Tewatia, Rs 15,000each on Premveer and NeerajMalik and Rs 10,000 each onGaje Singh, Kiranpal and Manojfor inciting protestors whoclashed with police in BhattaParsaul village in Delhis suburbGautam Buddha Nagar, killingfour persons.

Tewatia has been leading thefarmers agitation at BhattaParsaul since January 17.

Claiming that land acquisitionor compensation were not thebone of contention, Singh saidthe incident took place due to

political ambitions of some per-sons. He, however, declined toelaborate.

He said 22 persons have beenarrested in connection withthe clash in Gautam BuddhaNagar.

Director General of PoliceKaramveer Singh said some peo-ple also tried to demonstrate inMathura and Aligarh, but situa-tion remained under control dueto timely police intervention.

The villagers in Chaugaan al-legedly opened fire, followingwhich police used force to dis-perse the agitating mob, AgraD I G A s e e m A r u n told re-porters.

There was firing from the vil-lagers side, but the policeworked with restrain, he said,adding the situation is undercontrol.

Farmers unrestspreads to Agra

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Ambika Soni visitsthe Ravindra Bhavan at Margao on Sunday in view of holding the in-augural ceremony of IFFI 2011.

IN HAPPIER TIMES: A woman gives her child a feel of Collem waterson Mothers Day. Photo by Amit Soyru

Violence triggered by rumoursof a Muslim-Christian inter-faith romance has claimed 12lives and over 220 injured inthe Egyptian capital, withmobs setting fire to twochurches in one of the worstcommunal clashes rocking thecountry in recent times. PrimeMinister Essam Sharaf can-celled his visit to Bahrain andUAE, calling for an emergencyCabinet meeting.

(Report on page 13)

WHEN OSAMA FACED OBAMA: US officials released an image from the video showing Osama bin Ladenwrapped in a blanket watching a telecast on himself and US president Barack Obama on television at hiscompound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, before being shot dead.

PTIWASHINGTON, MAY 8

The US Sunday demanded ac-cess from Pakistan to all noncombatants, including Osamabin Ladens three wives, de-tained by the Pakistani author-ities and additional materialsrecovered from the Abbottabadcompound, where the slain al-Qaeda chief was living for thelast six years.

We need to work with them(Pakistan) on assessing all theevidence out of that compoundand all of the evidence associ-ated with Osama bin Ladenspresence there for six years.They have in their custody allthe non-combatants from thecompound, including threewives of Osama bin Laden.

Weve asked for access tothose folks, the National Secu-rity Advisor, Tom Donilon toldthe ABC news in an interview.The fact is Osama bin Ladenwas in Abbottabad, Pakistan, forsix years or so.

We need to work with themto investigate what happenedand how Osama bin Laden cameto this place as his home for thelast six years, Donilon said.

Pakistan says it is still holdingthe wives and children of binLaden for interrogation and thatso far, no country has soughttheir extradition.

Pakistan gained custody ofbin Ladens three wives and

Give access to Osamasthree wives: US to Pak

PTIISLAMABAD/WASHINGTON, MAY 8

Under worldwide scrutiny overfailing to detect Osama binLaden, Pakistan has spoken indifferent voices with its envoyto the US saying that jihadi el-ements in its country may havesheltered the al-Qaeda chief, butthe government insisted that

the US should not have violatedits sovereignty.

We still have many jihadi has-beens from the 1980s who arestill alive and well and kicking,and some of them could havebeen helping them, but they arenot in the state or governmentof Pakistan today, Pakistansambassador to the US Hussain

Haqqani said.Were there cracks through

which things fell through? Ab-solutely. And well investigatethat; well get to the bottom ofit, he told ABC News in an in-terview.

Haqqani said as the investi-gations proceeds in this regard,heads would roll in Pakistan.

Pak speaks in different voices

Egyptians gather as firefightersextinguish a fire on a church afterclashes between Muslims andChristians in Cairo.

12 killed in Egyptcommunal clashes

AI operates 50% flights

PTIMUMBAI/NEW DELHI, MAY 8

With ticket bookings slowlypicking up, Air India Sunday op-erated about 50 per cent of itsflights, two days after the pilotsstrike ended.

The airline expected normaloperations within a day or two,an Air India spokeswoman saidin Mumbai. The airline operatedaround 60 per cent of its flightsfrom the city, while overall it isonly about 50 per cent. Air Indiaoperates over 50 flights fromMumbai daily and over 320across the country.

In Delhi, AI spokesperson Ka-maljit Rattan said the passengerload is gradually picking upafter we opened bookingsyesterday.

Yesterday, AI resumed freshbookings after a virtual shut-down due to the ten-day strike,which was called off Friday nightfollowing an understandingreached between the strikingpilots and the Civil Aviation min-istry after protracted negotia-tions.

Air India had suspended freshbookings on the third day of thestrike and was operating about10 per cent of its flights acrossits domestic network.

2 blasts heard in Abbottabad

A loud explosion has been heardin the town where Osama binLaden was killed in Pakistan.There has been speculation thatauthorities may demolish thehouse in Abbottabad to try andstop the intense media attentionin the town.

An Associated Press reportingteam in Abbottabad heard theblast late on Sunday and wason its way to the compound.

Witnesses say two loud ex-plosions have rocked the Pak-istani town where Osama binLaden was killed in a US raid.

The source of the blasts wasnot immediately clear. An Asso-ciated Press team at the com-pound where bin Laden wasliving before the April 29 raidsaw no signs of unusual activitySunday.

There had been speculationthat authorities might demolishthe house in Abbottabad to tryto stop the intense media at-tention on the town.

Meanwhile, even as US Pres-ident Barack Obama pressedPakistan to probe how Osamabin Laden managed to live foryears there, outraged US law-makers have voiced suspicionthat elements of Pakistans mil-itary intelligence services musthave known his whereabouts.

Police try to stop Rashtriya LokDal supporters on their way toBhatta village to meet the farmersduring a protest demonstration.

GOAOHERALD

O

Pg2GOA, MONDAY, 9 MAY, 2011

CiviC fOruMMyopic wisdom

PETER ANDRADE, VASCO

This above picture has proved the short sightedness and stu-pidity of our Electricity Department in Goa. They shifted apole which was in my neighbours property and put up a newone on the common boundary. Now the alignment of thepoles was not proper and the wires touched my building.After enough noise on the danger posed, the departmentcame up with a solution, which is to tie the wire to my neigh-bours tree. It appears that the department has been inspiredby Supandi of Tinkle comics.

DOE, wake up!ANTHONy DiAS, MARgAO

The move by the Directorate of Education (DoE) to make itmandatory for all pre-primary schools to be registered withthe DoE (Herald 27 April ) is a step in the right direction.Many pre-primary schools have mushroomed all over the state,which lack proper infrastructure. Therefore, a proper auditshould be conducted to ensure that the location of the schoolis in a proper place. The DOE should ensure that staff arequalified and well trained to handle all types of situations,with provision of adequate chairs, drinking water and cleantoilets.

In this context, I would like to point out that one suchschool in Margao, near the Hospicio Hospital and located onthe main road, invariably causes traffic jams at the junctionevery day and poses a grave danger to tiny tots and theirguardians who come to drop them. In the absence of anyparking place, parents are forced to park their vehicles on themain road, which compounds the problem. A closer look atthe school has revealed that there is no compound where thechildren can play and the school is located on a hillock.Children, playful as they are, can fall and injure themselves. Isthe DoE and Margao Municipality paying any attention?

Only ramp, no bus shelter

BABLuiS PEREiRA, POMBuRPA

The above photograph shows a ferry ramp constructed on atemporary basis at Palmar, Pomburpa, opposite the Dena Bank.This is being done till re-construction of the ferry end blockof the old ramp is completed.

However, till this reconstruction is complete, the temporaryramp needs a bus shelter. The public are forced to sweat it inthe burning heat of the mid day sun. The muddy approachroad has kicked up a lost of dust and the surrounding houseshave borne the brunt. Even proper lighting is not fitted oneither side of the end block for safe motoring during embark-ing/disembarking. If the public money that is being spent isnot aimed at lessening the burden of those who depend onferry services to reach their destination, then it is an absolutewaste. It seems that the approvals, estimates and sanctionsare not done in precise public interest, but to benefit the con-cerned ministers. One should follow the steps of Anna Hazareway and force the government to toe the line.

Stinking Colva beach

ALLwyN gEORgE, CARMONA

Beware! A visit to Goa's world famous Colva beach these dayscould make you throw up. The sewage waters from the Colvacreek overflows on to the sandy beach and people could beseen crossing over the dirty stinking sewage and oily watersholding up their nostrils. One can even find sanitary napkinsin the waters over here. Pictures like these have been clickedby tourists and are being spread all over the world. This is thesad state of affairs in Goa. The tourism department wants toproject Goa as a tourist hub with the help of bikini babes. Itwould be worthwhile if the department brings the babes tothe shores of the Colva creek allow the females to ventureinto the creek. The Colva Panchayat, the Tourism Department,and the local MLA have to get their act together to restorethe reputation of Colva beach.

(Do you have a complaint against some authority or service?Are there any violations of the law that you would like tobring to the notice of the public? Do you have any suggestionsfor improvement and/or redressal of services? if you do, thenwrite to us at editor@herald-goa.com. with the aim of im-proving the quality of our civic life, every Monday, Heraldwill publish the best letters on these subjects received duringthe week. This is in addition to our regular Letters to theEditor column.)

CCP yet to live up to expectations

HERALD CORRESPONDENTBICHOLIM, MAY 8

Two women were robbed of their gold ornaments at the famousShirgao Zatra on Sunday morning.

As thousands of devotees started to converge at Shirgao in Bi-cholim, the thieves took the opportunity to make some booty.

According to villagers, on Sunday morning two women wererobbed of their gold ornaments.

In the first incident, a woman was robbed of her necklace, whileanother was robbed of her mangalsutra.

When contacted, Bicholim Police stated that there was no formalcomplaint registered with the police and that the police inspectorhas gone to the spot. However, efforts to contact PI failed. Devotees take holy bath at Shirgao.

ThousanDs ThronG shIrGao ZaTra HERALD CORRESPONDENT

MAYEM, MAY 8

The famous Zatra of GoddessLairai at Shirgao in Bicholimcommenced on Sunday with re-ligious rituals and fervour.

The celebrations started withDevi Abhishek and chanting ofMantras, followed by Gharanheand Maharati. Devotees startedconverging towards the LairaiTemple since early Sunday morn-ing to pay their tributes.

Thousands of devotees fromall over the State and neigh-bouring states will pay their trib-utes to Goddess Lairai duringthe five-day Zatra.

Special pious devotees,Dhonds, took holy bath anddanced in temple premisesalong with a holy stick Bet.

Later in the evening, a specialGaranhe was performed beforethe Goddess and Dhonds madethe i r way towards theHomkund, encircling it as a partof paying tributes.

Traffic jams due to rise innumber of devotees from Kar-nataka and Maharashtra, besidesGoa, kept the police on theirtoes. A large number of stallsof sweets, household items,games and entertainments havebeen put up.

Devotees take round of the Homkund at Shirgao.

2 women robbed of gold

Traffic jam at Shirgao. Photos by Vishant Vaze

Task force member for agency probe into

GIDC irregularities

HERALD REPORTERPANJIM, MAY 8

Has the ruling panel of the Cor-poration of the City of Panjim(CCP) forgotten its grand elec-tion manifesto and its promiseto Panjimites to bring in muchawaited infrastructrural devel-opment?

It may be too harsh to judgethe performance of the rulingpanel headed by Mayor YatinParekh with just two months inoffice. However, it can be safelystated that CCP is yet to touchsome of the grave issues con-cerning the city such as parkingproblem or issue of St Inez Nul-lah or make efforts to get fundsunder JNNURM even though theMayor claimed that he has beentrying his best from day one.

Mayor claimed that the primeissue of garbage is being han-dled, with efforts being madeto set-up garbage treatmentplant in jurisdiction of TaleigaoPanchayat, while Opposition al-leged that the Mayor has beencatering to the needs of Taleigaowhile ignoring needs of Pan-jimites.

The CCP is currently usingTaleigao waste site to disposeoff some its garbage as it doesnot have plant of its own andfeels obliged to help TaleigaoPanchayat.

The CCP on Friday at a special

meeting passed a resolution toset up a waste treatment plantfor Taleigao Panchayat. Themeeting was however was notattended by the Opposition,claiming it was not held in theconference hall.

Its been quite long the CCPhas been planning to build a solidwaste treatment plant at Bain-guinim, without success. The Op-position charged that the Mayoris not concentrating on Bain-guinim project and wants to helpTaleigao Panchayat.

We cant proceed with Bain-guinim plant immediately be-cause of land dispute, Mayorsaid.

Theres has been boundarydispute and construction of

compound wall at Bainguinimsite has been temporary put off,said Mayor, though he claimedthat they have not put off theirplans for Bainguinim and willpursue the same later.

The CCP plans to procurefunds under JNNURM to buildthe plant at Bainguinim. The JN-NURM scheme ends in Decem-ber 2012 while its project is yetto be approved by the StateLevel Steering Committeeheaded by the chief minister.

Currently, CCP is busy con-ducting desilting works beforemonsoon arrives and efforts areon to ensure that there is noflooding in the city.

This is the first time in somany years thorough desilting

is being done. Also, internalroads of the city are being re-paired, claimed Mayor.

Desilting work has startedlate. Work in my ward has beenbegun there are so manywards where labourers are yetto begin work, says CorporatorVaidehi Naik.

Parking issue has remaineduntouched so also market com-mittee has not met, she charged.

On the other hand, the Mayortried to countering this claim,stating that he cant act untilthe House Committee headedby Opposition Leader ManoharParrikar gives its report on themarket scam.

When asked to commentabout performance of the ruling,Corporator Surendra Furtadoadopted rather cautious ap-proach, saying it is too early tocomment and that they shouldbe given some time.

Claiming that they are hereto fulfill promises made to Pan-jimites, the mayor claimed thathe has initiated the administra-tive reform process in the CCPwhich he said, is one of the re-quirements to be eligible to getfunds under JNNURM.

So it seems Panjimites willhave to wait a little longer todetermine whether the rulingpanel has any inclination to fulfillits assurances.

HERALD REPORTERPANJIM, MAY 8

GIDC Task Force member andindustrialist Blaise Costabir haswritten a letter to the chairmanof the Task Force T M Balakr-ishnan seeking that an inves-tigative agency look into theirregularities of the Goa Indus-trial Development Corporation(GIDC).

His contention: Despite theunabated fraud being reportedlyreported by the press, no actionis being forthcoming even to lo-cate the offenders.

There are many issues thathave in the past been raised bythe government constituted taskforce to look into the irregular-ities.

Among them is the illegalallotment of a plot of 35000 sqmts to one Mehul DevelopersPvt Ltd and further fraudulentlytransferred to Watson Pharmabesides another plot measuring15,000 square metres, toVrushul fraudulently transferred15000 sq mts to Watson Pharma.

Other irregularities includeallotment of open spaces asplots despite a ban by Chief Sec-retary and the High Court with-out approval from the Town andCountry Planning Department,whose rules also apply withinthe industrial estates.

Plots have been converted toutility without the approval ofthe board, besides others have

CCP workers engaged in cleaning of drainage in Ward No 11 in the Panjim Market area. Photo by Rozario Estibeiro

HERALD CORRESPONDENTCANACONA, MAY 8

Two occupants of a car escapedwith minor injuries after theircar plunged into a culvert at Du-mane on Sunday.

The incident occurred whenSwift Dzire car (MH-02 WA-6698), followed by the minibus, was reportedly proceed-ing towards Agonda beach,af ter the Mumbai -basedgroups sojourn at Palolem onSunday morning.

The car driver lost controlover the vehicle on the culvert

bridge and hit the concrete pro-tection wall spans.

With its left tyre burst open,the car plunged and rested inthat position with the ChapoliDam water supply pipeline hold-ing the cars back portion in up-ward position.

The occupants who sufferedbruises and one of them hurtinghis hand reportedly came outafter breaking open the carsrear window shield.

The injured were shiftedat CHC Canacona for firstaid.

Car plunges into culvert at Dumane

been sub-divided to allow allo-cation by the chairman directly(without a board resolution). Allplots below 10,000 sq metresdo not need a board resolutionto be allotted.

Besides, plots in Pilerne/San-cole have been allotted to mar-b l e t r ade r s who use a sshowrooms and residences, de-priving industrial projects land.

Other more damaging accu-sations include allocation ofplots to relatives of GIDC em-ployees and their families,favouritism and out of turn al-lotments. Besides the lack of amaster plan for the estates,which makes it easy to make ar-bitrary changes.

Costabir has been endlesslycampaigning against the messin the GIDC, with very little ac-tion forthcoming from the gov-ernment despite repeatedexposs in the media.

n Other irregularitiesinclude allotment ofopen spaces as plotsdespite a ban by ChiefSecretary and the HighCourt without approvalfrom the Town andCountry PlanningDepartment, whoserules also apply withinthe industrial estates.

GOAOHERALD

OPg3

GOA, MONDAY, 9 MAY, 2011

PHOENIXP

UBLIC SCHOO

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BELGAUM

ITI student electrocuted HERALD CORRESPONDENT

COLLEM, MAY 8

A 17-year-old ITI student from Dhaukon-Dabal was electrocutedat Dhaukon-Dabal on Sunday at about 7.15 am.

According to Collem Police Inspector Manoj Mardolkar, oneAbhay alias Arjun Prabhakar Gaonkar came in contact with liveelectricity wire while he was proceeding towards the river toanswer natures call.

After locals alerted Collem Police, PI Mardolkar along with hisstaff rushed to the site and shifted Abhay to ID Hospital in Ponda,where doctors declared him brought in dead.

The body was sent to GMC Hospital in Bambolim and was laterhanded over to his relatives for final rites.

Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Praful Patel in the presence of Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat and Asha Kamat, is seen along with thenewly-wedded couple Yogiraj D Kamat and Neha Kamat at their reception at Taleigao on Sunday.

Body fished out from

Zuari River HERALD CORRESPONDENT

MARCEL, MAY 8

Ponda Police on Sunday recov-ered the body of a 27-year-oldman from the Zuari River inBorim.

He was reported missing fromUpper Bazaar in Ponda since Fri-day.

It may be recalled that in acomplaint, Sachin Naik hadstated that his brother, Vijay (27)had left the house on Fridayevening and did not returnsince. Sachin said Vijay was lastseen riding his motorcycle (GA-05 E-1139), which was foundabandoned at Borim Bridge onSaturday morning.

On Sunday morning, Sachinsbody was found floating in theZuari River at Borim.

Ponda Police fished out thebody and sent it for post-mortem. PSI Deepak Pednekaris investigating the case.

Agonda local held for assault

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

CANACONA, MAY 8

Canacona Police late Sundaynight arrested a resident ofAgonda on charges of assault-ing a person from the samevillage.

Canacona Police arrestedSaplesh Dessai under Section324 IPC for allegedly hitting bot-tle and causing grievous injuriesto the head and hand of oneRafael Fernandes.

Police informed that Fernandes,who suffered head injuries, wasshifted to Hospicio in Margao. Hewas reported to have sufferedwounds on his hand.

Sources informed that Dessai,and Fernandes were involved ina heated argument outside thebar before Dessai took soda bot-tle and in a fit of rage hit Fer-nandes on his head and otherparts of his body.

Youth burns to death at Raia HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, MAY 8

A 30-year-old youth was burntto death in his house at Raia inthe wee hours of Sunday.

Maina Curtorim police saidthe deceased allegedly set him-sel f on f i re af ter pouringkerosene on his body. The policehave shifted his charred bodyto the Hospicio mortuary. Thepost-mortem examination willbe conducted on Monday.

The police are investigating.Succumbs: A 70-year old

woman from Sao Jose de Arealsuccumbed to her injuries sus-tained in a road accident at theGoa Medical College and hos-pital, Bambolim.

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, MAY 8

The gram sabha of Colva VillagePanchayat on Sunday has re-solved to issue stop work orderon a housing project citing al-leged violation of norms, includ-ing the non-existent approachroad to the project site.

At the meeting held onSunday, members pointedout that theres only a 3.60mts existing approach roadto the construction site, anddemanded that the land ac-quired for the expansion ofthe road to six metres shouldbe built first before con-structing the building.

Members further demandedthat the panchayat insist that

the compound wall be con-structed after leaving front set-back of three meters from thecentre line of the existing road

The meeting also discussedover the nuisance caused to thetourists and visitors visiting theColva Beach by ice-cream ven-dors. Members demanded im-mediate action against theice-cream vendors, saying theirpresence also cause obstructionto the traffic as well as peoplevisiting the beach.

Sarpanch Suzie Fernandes as-sured the gram sabha membersthat a complaint would be filedbefore the Colva Police Stationto initiate action against theerring vendors.

Garbage dumping on the

GRAM SABHA ROUNDUP

Housing project: Colva resolvesto issue stop work order

Camurlim roots for ground plus one projects

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, MAY 8

The gram sabha of Camurlim Village Panchayat on Monday de-manded that the government accept in toto the Regional Plan2021 submitted by the Village Level Committee and has stronglyrooted for ground plus one construction projects in the village.

The issue was raised at the Sunday meeting when gram sabhamembers expressed their reservations over the plan prepared bythe Town and Country Planning department with a proposal forground plus two storey construction projects.

Taking strong exception to the proposal, the members recalledthat the village level committee constituted to prepare the draftRP 2021 had settled for ground plus one store housing projectsand strongly opposed the governments plan contrary to the planapproved by the villagers.

Sarpanch Basil Fernandes told Herald that the Gram sabha hasresolved to ask the Panchayat body to immediately write to theTCP expressing the villagers sentiments on the issue. The Panchayatwould write to the TCP drawing their attention to the demandsof the villagers and to stick to the draft plan approved by theVillage Level Committee, Basil said.

Orlim againstfilling of

low-lying areasHERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, MAY 8

The Orlim gram sabha on Sun-day adopted a resolution not topermit any land filling and con-structions in low-lying areas ofthe village.

At the meeting held on Sun-day, the issue over filling of low-lying land for constructionpurpose came up for discus-sions, with members demandingthat the panchayat stop all landfiling in low-lying areas.

Sarpanch Jerson Barreto in-formed the members that thepanchayat has no role to playin the approval of the construc-tion projects, since the plansare approved by the Town andCountry Planning Department.

He pointed out that it is theTown and Country Planning De-partment which accords thetechnical sanction for the con-struction project before the plancomes to the village panchayatfor the licence.

Gram sabha members, how-ever, pointed out that thoughthe TCP gives approval for theconstruction projects, the vil-lagers are forced to face thebrunt of the projects and de-manded that the meeting adopta resolution for a ban on landfiling in low-lying areas.

The meeting also discussedthe schemes meant for benefi-ciaries under BPL.

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MAY 8

Around 150 smiling faces marchedthrough the streets of Panjim tocampaign for the cause of arthritisand its awareness.

Organised by the Goa MedicalCollege and Hospital, the walk-a-thon under the theme Walkwith A Smile was the first of itskind event held to draw atten-tion to the sufferings of thosesuffering from arthritis.

Led by senior orthopaedic sur-geon Dr Shivanand Bandekar, thecampaigners who consisted of

senior citizens as well as kidsmarched along the Dayanand Ban-dodkar Road from the MaquinezPalace to the Ferry Jetty and back.The march culminated with aspeech by Dr Bandekar, who elab-orated that the very painful dis-ease is very much curable.

In all it was a very good ex-perience. I would like to thankthe people of Goa for the co-operation we have received. Theenthusiasm we have receivedespecially from the old and theyoung is very encouraging, theorganisers said.

Panjim hosts walk-a-thon on arthritis awareness

Sernabatim road near the lakealso figured at the meeting, withmembers pointing out to wastedumping on the road. Aftermuch discussion, it was resolvedto erect a no garbage dumpingsign board and to levy a fine ofRs 1000 on miscreants caughtdumping garbage.

The construction of the newfish market (Tinto) also figuredat the gram sabha meeting.Questions were also raisedover the construction of com-posting pits for treatment ofbio-degradable waste. Theconstruction of the footballground was also raised and itwas informed that officials ofa government agency had con-ducted inspection of thegrounds for the purpose ofconstruction of drainages.

The issue over satellite mar-ket and health centre also cameup for discussion.

GOAOHERALD

O

Pg 4SHORT TAKESUPCOMING EVENTS

GOA, MONDAY, 9 MAY, 2011

Fusion concert at SanvordemMARGAO: The 3rd All Goa Youth Fusion Concert will be

held at the Ravindra Bhavan Auditorium, Sanvordem on May9 at 3.45pm. This concert is meant to showcase young talentand is conducted by Fr Peter Cardozo.

Handicraft expo at ChicalimPanjim(HND): Aparant Maand, an exhibition by the Goa

Handicraft Corporation to promote sales of local handicraftsand artisans is presently underway at Chicalim (oppositechurch) from 10 am to 10 pm till May 14. A variety of productsfrom home-made papad to carpet is on sale in 130 stalls atthe venue. So far thousands of people have visited the stalland have evinced a lot of interest in the handicraft and home-made products.

Dr Mashelkar to be fetedPANJIM: The President of Global Research Alliance, Dr Raghu-

nath Mashelkar will be felicitated with the 2nd prestigiousLokmanya Matrubhumi Award, constituting of Rs 5.51 lakhsand a trophy which will be presented by renowned Nuclearscientist Dr Anil Kakodkar in a felicitation ceremony on May10 at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, at 5 pm.

Summer festival at Vasco churchPANJIM: The St Andrews Parish youth will organise its

annual summer festival Illuminare from May 11 to 13 at theSt Andrews church, Vasco, from 7 pm onwards.

On May 11, Vasco Parish priest, Fr Jose Antonio Costa willinaugurate the festival followed by a performance by the StAndrews music school. There will also be a show by EmilianoDCruz. The offstage activities will include vegetable carvingand football juggling competitions, apart from a buffet. OnMay 12, there will be a group dance and singing competitionsfor children. There will also be photography competition andface painting. The band Archies will also perform on May 12.On May 13, tiatr Teg Bhav Deva Pav by Prince Jacob will bestaged. There will be games and housie on all days.

Drama workshop in PanjimPANJIM: A 6-day workshop on acting and other aspects of

drama organised by Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG) will be heldfrom May 9 to 14 at the Conference Hall of TAG, Campal TradeCentre, Panjim. The workshop will be inaugurated by WilmixMazarello on May 9 at 3 pm. President of TAG, TomazinhoCardozo, will preside over the inaugural function. 26 tiatrartistes will participate in the workshop which will be con-ducted by Shantaram Pawar, a diploma holder in Theatre.

Electricity workers dharnaPANJIM: The Electricity Employees Union (EEU Goa) will hold

a Dharna on May 9 at 9.30 am before the Office of the PrincipalChief Engineer, Electricity Department, Vidhyut Bhavan, Panjim,demanding immediate regularisation of around 980 contractand daily wage class IV employees who perform perennial andpermanent job operations. The Union is also demanding salariesas per the recommendations of Vl Pay Commission for dailywages contract class IV employees and put an end to thesystem of giving break in service to these employees.

Sr Maria celebrates silver jubilee

Sr MariaLeandra DSa receives the sapling from Fr Melvyn.

Photo by Thomas Fernandes

CALANGUTE(HC): Sr Maria Leandra DSa, FMCK, celebratedher silver jubilee of religious profession in the congregationof Franciscan Missionaries of Christ the King recently.

Fr Paul Alvares, Headmaster of St Anthonys High SchoolMonte de Guirim, was the main celebrant for the Holy Eucharistconcelebrated by Fr Melvyn and other priests.

Congratulating Sr Leandra, Fr Alvares wished her wellthroughout her life full of service and love to humanity in thefootsteps of Jesus Christ.

Sr Leandra planted a coconut sapling offered during the of-fertory in the garden of Lourdes Convent.

Sr Leandra later thanked the priests, Sisters of the Congre-gation and the laity from far and near for partaking in the cel-ebrations. Sr Leandra also thanked her mother and relatives.

Talk on Cure Yourself organised

A large attendance for the talk Cure Yourself.PANJIM (HND): Margao Seva Samiti and Catholic Association

of Goa, in association with Vita Nova Homeopathic Clinics,Comba, Margao, recently organised a talk on Cure Yourself at Grace Church Hall. The talk focused on how to fortifybodys defence against different illnesses and how Vita NovaHomeopathic Clinics differ from others in their approach intreating difficult diseases with minimum medication. Curedcases of infertility, alcoholic liver disease and child disorderswere presented. Vita Nova Homeopathic Clinic is located nearCoca Cola Godown, Abade Faria Road, Margao. Ph 2737773/8308037, says a press release.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

CORTALIM, MAY 8

Asserting that all his Congressworkers from Cortalim andDabolim are united, CortalimMLA and Deputy Speaker Mau-vin Godinho said that any at-tempts to break their unitywould be futile.

Referring to Benaulim MLAMickky Pachecos move to fieldhis wife Viola for the presti-gious Cortalim seat, Godinhosaid that only time will showhow strong the Congress net-work of workers is in the con-stituency.

Mere Display of photographson banners is not an indicationof popular support, Godinhotold Herald.

Godinho was speaking in Cor-talim after launching the worksof hot mixing of Japan Bazaar-Thana road.

He said the aspirations ofCortalim people to have theroad hot-mixed before the

Congress workers are united, claims Mauvin

Hot mixing of road in progress on Japan-Thana road in Cortalim. Photo by Alvaro Colaco

onset of monsoons had beenmet.

Godinho informed that theremaining roads in Curpavado,Que loss im wou ld be hotmixed at a total cost of Rs 43

lakh.Others present on the occa-

sion were Cortalim-QuelossimSarpanch Anthony Miranda, Cor-talim ZP member Cynthia DSilvaand panchas.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

MARCEL, MAY 8

Home minister and Minister forCooperation Ravi Naik has urgedpeople to invest in cooperativesector banks and credit societiesin the State.

"The money invested in suchsector will largely benefit Goanpeople as the invested moneywill remain in the State," saidNaik, inaugurating the clothshowroom of the Goa BagaytdarSahakari Vikri Sanstha at Pondaon Friday.

The minister also highlightedthe employment benefits in thecooperative sector.

"Nationalised banks have peo-

ple from all over the country,while cooperative and credit so-cieties employ locals," he said.

"People should not hesitateto invest in such organisations.Cooperative sector is also goodemployment generator and es-pecially the financial institu-tions, which provide jobs tolocals."

He recalled that when he wasthe chief minister, he had re-duced the sales tax to organi-s a t ions i nvo l ved in thecooperative movement.

"The State government hasbeen doing whatever possibleto help the cooperative move-ment in the State," said Naik.

Invest in cooperativesector banks,

Ravi urges people

Home Minister Ravi Naik along with Goa Bagaytdar ChairmanNarendra Savoikar at the showroom of the Goa Bagaytdar SahakariVikri Sanstha at Ponda. Photo by Amresh Parab

Union Minister for Tourism Subodh Kant Sahai felicitates San-jeev Kadkade of Institute of Hotel Management, Goa for winningnational award for Best Teacher in hospitality education. Alsopresent is R H Khwaja, Secretary, Union ministry of tourism.

Legal literacy camp heldPANJIM (HND): A legal literacy camp was held recently at

GRP Camp, Altinho, Panjim, as a part of National Legal weekfor Labour to spread legal awareness and create awarenessabout the legal assistance workers can seek from the LegalServices Authority.

Madhuri Rao, Family Counsellor, spoke on the subject Pro-hibition of sexual harassment at workplace and protection ofrights of women workers/labourers. Adv Vivian Braganzaspoke on the subject Child Labour. The camp was attendedby about 100 people from Altinho. There was an open questionanswer session. The vote of thanks was proposed by ChitraShivsagar, Secretary of Tulsimata Mahila Mandal, Taleigao. Thefunction was held under the auspices of Tiswadi Taluka LegalServices Committee, Panjim.

DD to start news bulletin

HERALD NEWS DESK

PANJIM, MAY 6

Rajya Sabha MP Shantaram Naikhas said would approach Min-ister of Information and Broad-cast ing, Ambika Soni, forrequisite infrastructure and per-sonnel to operate a RegionalNews Bulleting from Doordar-shan Kendra, Panjim.

Naik, who visited DoordarshanKendra recently, said that Direc-tor of Public Information Bureau,Ermelinda Maria Dias, who hasbeen given additional charge ofoperationalising Regional NewsUnit at Doordarshan Kendra, Pan-jim, has already taken charge andcommenced her work.

Naik who had discussion withDirector of Doordarshan C L Nan-danpawar and Ms Dias said that formaking Regional News Unit func-tional, separate space and equip-ment in Doordarshan Kendra arerequired. Though space is availablein the Kendra, equipment and per-sonnel will have to be requisitioned.

AE Station Engineer, PrasannaPrahudessai, Programme Exec-utive Uday Kamat, and Pro-gramme Executive CyprianoLopes, were also present.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

CORTALIM, MAY 8

Shashikant Ranu Shirodkar wasunanimously elected presidentof Sancoale Comunidade for2009-12.

About 72 members were pres-ent and the candidate proposedby Anthony Vaz was declared vic-torious after no other candidateproposed for the post. Shirodkarwas seconded by Elesbao Vaz.

Verna Police under Mormu-gao Magistrate Brijesh Manerkarwas present to maintain law andorder.

Meanwhile, the election totwo other two posts of Attorneyand Treasurer and three substi-

tutes will be held in the CortalimComunidade office premises onJune 2.

The election follows the Ad-ministrator, South Zone submis-sion to the High Court to holdelections to these posts afterearlier refusing to the demandsof the shareholders.

As reported, some sharehold-ers including Anthony Vaz hadfiled a Writ Petition in the HighCourt seeking directions to theAdministrator to also hold pollsfor Attorney and Treasurer alongwith their substitutes along withthat of the president. AdvocateJoaquim Godinho had repre-sented the petitioners.

Shirodkar is Cortalimcomunidade president

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

PORVORIM, MAY 8

Block Development Office Ma-pusa has appointed G A Ban-dekar as the Administrator ofSocorro Panchayat to look afterthe administration of the pan-chayat, as both the sarpanchand deputy sarpanch have beenvoted out of office.

It may be recalled that onApril 29, Sarpanch SheetalArolkar and Deputy Sarpanch

Sanjay Pednekar were voted outof office. This is the secondtime in the course of last 4years the BDO has appointedAdministrator for the SocorroPanchayat.

Socorro Panchayat is one ofthe most unstable panchayatsin Bardez taluka, as none of thethree sarpachas who wereelected to govern the panchayatcould survive for longer periodin the office.

Bandekar is Administratorof Socorro panchayat

Recruitmentrally

HERALD NEWS DESK

PANJIM, MAY 8

HQ I EME Centre, Secunderabadwill conduct recruitment rallyprogramme under unit HQquota for recruitment of thewards of War-Widows /Wid-ows/Ex-Servicemen/Serving Sol-diers and own brother ofServicemen/Ex-Servicemen in-cluding wards of TA personnelits centre in the category of Sol-dier GD, Soldier Technical andSoldier Tradesman from May 9to 29. Eligible candidates mayreport at Golden Jubilee stadiumof 1 Trg Bn, 1 EME Centre, Se-cunderabad at 5 am on May 9.

For details, contact Secretary,Department of Sainik Welfare,Collectorate building, Panjim.

HQ Madras Engr GP and Centre,Bangalore will conduct recruitmentrally under unit HQ quota for re-cruitment of the above mentionedcategories and open CAT at itscentre in the category of SoldierTradesman (Musician) on July 4.

HERALD NEWS BUREAU

PANJIM, MAY 8

Seven new priests were or-dained in the Pilar SeminaryChapel on Sunday.

If you want to belong toJesus, make Jesus a priority ofin your life, Archbishop FilipeNeri Ferrao told the seven youngpriests during the priestly ordi-nation ceremony.

The newly ordained priestsare Fr Savio Cabral (Navelim), FrMinguel DSouza (Arambol), FrRex Fernandes (Cortalim), Fr LinoSantiago (Margao), Fr SagayaSelvam (Tamil Nadu), Fr MichaelPrakash (Pondichery) and FrBinod Kerketta (Jharkand).

Speaking on the occasion,Archbishop Filipe Neri statedthat the Church is a communityof those who have encounteredJesus in their lives. The momentyou realize Jesus, the sunset in

Seven priests ordainedat Pilar seminary

The newly ordained priests with Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao.

POWER SHUTDOWNMAY 10

CARAMBOLIM: From 9 am to 2 pm at Jyoti Estate, Church Waddo,Calwado, Volwaddo of Corlim village and entire Carambolim vil-lage.

MAY 11

CARAMBOLIM: From 9 am to 2 pm at Katyebhat, Dineshnagar,Ela Police station, Tourist hostel, Canara bank, Ela, Church of BomJesus and vicinity of Old Goa village.

your life becomes a sunrise.Love of Jesus is all embrac-

ing, self sacrificing, serving, for-giving and compassionate love.Jesus choose you as close col-laborators to walk on such apath of love, the Archbishopsaid.

Fr Tony Lopes, Superior Gen-eral of the Society of Pilar, statedthat priesthood is not a call tohonour but for service.

It is a challenge today to bepriest for these young men.Therefore, we need to congrat-ulate them, give them boost andpray for them, said Fr Lopes.

Fr Lopes stated that themother diocese, which is GoaArchdiocese, nurtures of the So-ciety of Pilar. The Archdioceseof Goa has seen the birth of theSociety of Pilar, nurtured it andstill guiding the society.

Fr Sagaya Selvam, the new

priest expressing gratitude inEnglish, Konknni, Hindi andTamil said: We are called to wit-ness Gods great mercy, who haschosen us, taken care of us,moulded us and gathered usaround the altar. We will striveto be faithful to our call.

The newly ordained priestswere sent out as deacons forsix months to different diocesesfor pastoral experience.

Fr Sav io Cabra l was i nSalethur Parish (Mangalore) andFr Michael Prakash stayed inKala Gupa mission at Shimoga.Fr Minguel DSouza and FrBinod Kerketta practiced theirdiaconate ministry in the Arch-diocese of Mumbai. Fr Lino San-tiago and Fr Sagaya Selvamwere in Jalandhar diocese inPunjab. Fr Rex Fernandes wasin Andaman and Nicobar Is-lands.

The word tide is a genericterm used to define the alternat-ing rise and fall in sea level withrespect to the land, produced bythe gravitational attraction of themoon and the sun. You may haveheard that the tide comes in andthe tide goes out, but in fact a tideis the vertical movement of waterand only goes up and down. Cur-rent is the horizontal or sidewaysflow of water. The current floodsin which makes the tide rise andebbs out which makes the tidefall. A tide is the rise and fall ofwater caused by gravitationalforces of the moon and sun on theoceans of the earth.

The gravitational pull of themoon tugs on the surface of theocean until its surface mounds upand outward in the direction ofthe moon. When the mound of

water has reached its highestpoint it is called high tide. On theopposite side of the earth fromthe moon, the centrifugal forcecaused by the earth's rotationproduces another mound of waterand high tide. Between these twohigh tides are two flat areas onthe surface of the ocean which arethe low tides.

Each day there are two hightides and two low tides. The timebetween high and low tide is a lit-tle over 6 hours and the entiretidal cycle repeats itself fourtimes each day. The regularity of

the tides corresponds to the regu-lar orbit of the moon around theearth and the rotation of the earthas it orbits around the sun.

Depending upon the position ofthe moon relative to the earth andsun, a moon can have differentphases. The phases of the moonare also very regular, and havebeen used for thousands of yearsto keep track of time using thelunar calendar. In addition to thedaily movements of the moon,these monthly lunar cycles canalso impact the tides.

Star GazingHow does the Moon Affect

Ocean Tides?

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All about Gravity

What is a Tide?

Cycle of Tides

Lunar Calendar and Tides

GOAOHERALD

O Pg 5GOA, MONDAY, 9 MAY, 2011

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

CANACONA, MAY 8

Bailancho Saad has taken up acampaign to bring the drop-outchildren back to school, espe-cially from remote areas of Cana-cona.

As part of the campaign ini-tiated by Bailancho Saad in col-laboration with CRY ChildrenRights, recently a door-to-doorcontact was started to identifychildren who stopped going toschool and motivate them tojoin back their schools.

A meeting was held in Khoti-gao Panchayat to make the vil-lagers aware of the Right toEducation and involve the res-idents in identifying drop-outchildren.

Khotigao Sarpanch RajeshGaonkar, who was present forthe meeting, urged the villagersnot to un-register their childrenfrom going to school after Std7, said to be a practice in thevillage.

The sarpanch said that not asingle student from his tribalvillage has passed in 12th Sci-ence stream nor any studentfrom Khotigao has passed in

first class.Dr Sabina Martins explained

the Right to Education Act, say-ing this act makes educationcompulsory for Std VI or up to14 years in school.

Dr Martins also stated thatBailancho Saad will try to iden-tify the obstacles to girl childeducation, but panchayat hasto he lp and iden t i f y thedropouts.

There are some difficultieslike children have to walk longdistances to reach schools, sosupport services to assist chil-dren having difficulties to copeas they are first generation learn-ers, said Martins.

Victor Mendes explained theprogramme of CRY to createawareness about childrenrights.

Any facility which is not avail-able for children will be identi-fied and brought to the noticeof authorities, besides CRY willalso address issues like childabuse, violence in family whichaffects the welfare of children,Mendes told the villagers.

Afrose Shaikh explained indetail how alcoholism affectsthe education to children andthe need to address it at thefamily level itself.

Premandi Prabhu coordinatedthe awareness programme andpresented a cultural programby children. Pushpa Pilankarproposed the vote of thanks,panchayat members, Angan-wadi supervisor were some ofthe people attended the meet-ing.

Awareness drive to bring drop-outs to school begins

n Any facility whichis not availablefor children willbe identified andbrought to thenotice ofauthorities,besides CRY willalso addressissues like childabuse, violence infamily whichaffects thewelfare ofchildren.

HERALD REPORTER

VASCO, MAY 8

Mormugao Port Trust (MPT)Chairman P Mara Pandian hasstated that the 126-year-oldMormugao Port should diversifyand the port connectivity shouldbe improved.

Disclosing his plan of actionduring an interaction with mediaon Wednesday, Pandiyan said

that the Mormugao port needsdiversification, where morecommodities can be handledand better port connectivityshould be provided to the port.

Diversification of port andproviding better connectivity tothe port will be my thrust duringmy tenure, he said.

The problem lies with port con-nectivity, be it trade meetings in Bel-

guam or Kolhapur, as traders havebeen complaining that connectivityto port is a major problem.

Traders from Belguam haveassured that they are ready tobring containers in bulk at Mor-mugao port, provided there isbetter road connectivity. The pres-ent NH-17B is incomplete, whichshould have been completedmuch earlier, said Pandiyan.

MPT chief calls for diversifying port

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

CALANGUTE, MAY 8

Lokacho Adhar recently felici-tated 350 senior citizens fromGuirim at Silver Bells, Sangolda.

Physician and cardiologist DrAbilio Gonsalves felicitated thesenior citizens. A large numberof senior citizens attended thefunction despite their ailingage.

Addressing the gathering, DrGonsalves congratulated TrajanoDMello, Lokacho Adhar presi-dent and his organization forfelicitating the senior citizenswho have been the co refounders of the society.

DMello said that it was aprivilege honouring the seniorcitizens as he always lookedupon them as teachers of wis-dom.

DMello felt that societyshould be more sensitive tosenior citizens and not allowthem feel forgotten or mar-ginalized and assured to lookinto their needs in the nearfuture.

On the occasion, housie was

Senior citizens from Guirim feted

Physician and cardiologist Dr Abilio Gonsalves speak at the func-tion in Sangolda. Photo by Thomas Fernandes

organised for the senior citizens,in which Alleluia Castro andMaruti Chinchankar were theprize recipients.

Lokacho Adhar were sup-ported by Arico Crasto, SabinLourenco, Amey Mandrekar, Ra-jesh Tupkar Anthony DSouzaand the Woman & Child WelfareAssociation of Guirim in theirendeavour of remembering thesenior citizens.

Xavier Rodrigues, William D-Souza and Hilda Pereira werethe special invitees for the func-tion.

Earlier, Peter Afonso wel-comed the gathering, MilagresCarneiro compered the function,while Maj Victor Zuzart pro-posed the vote of thanks.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

PORVORIM, MAY 8

The Penha-de-Franca Library cel-ebrated its 6th anniversary inthe community hall at Alto Betimon Saturday.

Speaking on this occasion,chief guest Linad Dhuri statedthat reading sharpens thethought process of an individualand makes him/her grasp ideasbetter.

When a person reads bookson different subjects, it makeshim/her more knowledgeable.Hence, parents should motivatetheir children to read books onvarious subjects, said Dhuri.

Dhuri further stated thatbooks are one of the best toolsfor training and upbringing ofchildren.

When we read the right kindof books, especially the well-re-searched, well-written books byestablished authors, we tend togain a lot of knowledge, whichis bound to enhance our mentalcapabilities, added Dhuri.

Guest of honour DeepaliUlman said the main purposeof reading books is to acquireknowledge.

It is not very important howmany books the child reads, butthe important thing is how thebooks have been read. Is thechild just making a cursory rapidreading or has he/she read abook with absorbed interest andunderstood its contents? Theparents should give full atten-tion to these aspects, saidUlman.

In his welcome speech,Penha-de-Franca Library Presi-dent Rajesh Volvoiker statedthat library apart from providingbooks also conducts variouscompetitions for children andorganizes cultural programmesto enable them to showcasetheir talents.

Earlier, chief guest Dhurilighted the traditional lamp. Theguests gave away certificatesand mementos to the girls whoparticipated in the dances.

Penha-de-Franca Library celebrates anniversary

The children who participated in the dance programme along withthe chief guest. Photo by Anil Shankhwalker

Vinod Kumbharjuveker com-pered the programme, Penha-de-Franca Panch Visranti Dessaiproposed the vote of thanks.Students of Kalavishkar pre-sented classical dances on theoccasion.

HERALD NEWS DESK

PANJIM, MAY 6

The Saritsa Foundation in asso-ciation with India Meteorolog-ical Department, GoI, and GoaState Disaster Management cellorganised a one-day workshopfor monsoon awareness and pre-paredness for disasters as a mo-bile campaign with team ofexperts for coastal communitiesof Goa at the Goa InternationalCentre at Dona Paula recently.

The workshop dealt with thedisasters which commonly affectcoastal people such as floods,sea-level rise, tsunamis, cy-clones, earthquakes and climatechange. The campaign aims toraise awareness and shape re-sponses on disasters and climatechange among fishermen, ruralyouth, women, disabled and vil-lage local body representativesthrough practical training withan innovative use of local re-sources.

Speaking on the occasion asthe chief guest, Sanjay Srivastavasaid that preparedness is essen-tial for tackling probable disasteror a natural calamity which maycome along with the onset ofmonsoon. He said we cannothelp disasters from happeningbut awareness and little pre-paredness in the regard will helpreduce the impact.

Collector North Goa, R MihirVardhan, Deputy Director Gen-

Disaster preparationworkshop organised

eral of Meteorology, Mumbai,Dr R V Sharma, Director Gen-eral of Sarista foundation, ColN M Verma, Director NIO, DrSatish Shetye, and DirectorIndia Meteorological Depart-ment Goa, K V Singh, were alsopresent.

Denigrating EnglishDr Joe DSouza, Panjim

It is a well-known phenomena whereinCatholic names are used by certain bigotsto profess hatred towards English and ex-press pseudo concerns for Konkani. Amonth ago, these cowards used the nameof Dr Rita Paes to denigrate English basededucation. However, Dr Paes read and re-alised that her name was misused to con-fuse Catholics against empowermentthrough English and submitted a rejoinderto this effect. Similarly, the letter of Michaelde Souza MoI: Konkani only (Herald, 4May) is yet another attempt to projectCatholics as Portuguese passport seekers,while in fact, substantial Hindus too havebenefited through Portuguese passportand education from Catholic schools.

Pakistans double speakNelson Lopes, Chinchinim

In spite of posturing by Pakistan, USA hashad another drone attack not withstandingtheir claim of national sovereignty. USA

has reserved its right to pursue any target,anywhere, to achieve its objective. It willnot be cowed down by any threats. Thequestion of cutting aid to Pakistan is themillion dollar question. It needs Pakistanto fight terror in Afghanistan, Iraq etc. USAhas long relations and co-operation withPakistan in spite of knowing its doublegame all the time. The harbouring of Osamahas created a deficit trust, and Pakistan isat pains to redeem itself from this embar-rassment. Pakistan is now known to be aterror state, exporting, training, and spon-soring terrorism as its lucrative trade. Pak-istan will continue to play deception andUSA will look the other way, as it is a mu-tually beneficial relationship.

Ugly fanaticsJoel Morais, Cuncolim

The recent statement by Aravind Bhatikar,who I believe, is running an English mediumschool in Goa that those demanding Englishas a medium of education, are doing so tobecome ayahs, butlers, cooks, and drivers.This is does not hurt but it reveals his class.

We are sincere to our profession and neverturned out to be chamchas of the peoplein power, so that they could succeed inlife.

For the information of Bhatikar, we are notdemanding English as a medium of Instruc-tion, but we are fighting for our right. Goahad the best education system in our countrycirca 1989 and English was the medium ofeducation. The choice between Konkani,Marathi, French etc and Hindi was mandatory.But some fanatics, who are now trying tostage a comeback, ruined the system in thename of grants at the time of the PDF gov-ernment headed by Dr Luis Proto Barbosa.We know what is best for our children. Thesefanatics can get their English medium schoolsconverted to Konkani medium and take careof all and sundry.

Navelim road broadeningSelwyn Vaz, Navelim

This is with regard to the broadening ofNH17 from Navelim Church to the Margaoflyover. Some glaring mistakes need urgentrectification. On both sides of the lane, asmall drain channel has been made, butwherever there is an opening on the foot-path, hotmix material is dumped on thisdrain to facilitate vehicle access. This willblock flow of water during monsoons. A 3

inch pipe could have been laid prior tothis. Secondly, the storm water drains onboth sides are filled with large stones, gritand mud that need to be cleaned. The drainin front of Kudchadkers hospital alreadyserves as a sewage conduit. The width ofthe two lanes is neither uniform nor is thewidth of the lanes on the Church side insimilarity with that of the width on the fly-over side. These queries have to be an-swered before it is made operational.

Advice to youthOrlando SA Da Silva, Carmona

This is in reply to the letter by Maria Fer-nandes Enthusiastic youth (Herald, 6 May).The choice we make today will usuallyaffect tomorrow. I have witnesses wherevolunteers of some politicians have ap-proached the youth with money and prom-ises, to get enrolled themselves in theBenaulim youth Congress. Since no oneapproached Maria, she may have been leftout and taken for granted. I advise theyouth is to be cautious rather than followa blind ideology.

Baseless claimSavio Rodrigues, Varca

This has reference to the letter Constructive

Development by Orlando SA Da Silva (Her-ald, 2 May). There has been some miscom-munication with regard to the claim madeby the writer. I am confident that this isbaseless because I was not given any moneyfor joining the youth Congress and neitherhave I heard of any such payment beingmade to others. It was in full faith and freewill that I joined. Valanka Alemao is by farthe most promising candidate. Currentlyin our constituency, I feel that she is theonly one who can redeem the future. Sheis very approachable and very helpful.

We are the educated youth and do notget influenced easily. We are not nave.The misguidance used to happen in thecorrupt past, and not now.

In terms of development, we are awarethat it has to be sustainable, since devel-opment marks progress.

Language of servantsFr Jaime Couto, Margao

With reference to Jill Dale Rodrigues letterSadistic opinion (Herald, 6 May), kindlypermit me to make the following observa-tion. The writer tries to prove that the peo-ple demanding English for medium ofinstruction do speak fluent Konkani byquoting a sentence amche bhurgeanche borezalear puro that she overheard at the AzadMaidan. This sentence of 5 words containsat least 3 major grammatical mistakes. Thisis a very good specimen of Konkani spokenby the educated Goan to communicatewith the servants and others. When youmake a mistake in English, you are an un-educated Goan, but the more mistakesyou commit in Konkani, the more educatedyou are! This is the sad ground reality inGoa. Let Konkani remain forever as theservants language.

Heralds e-paper Nelson Victoria, Calangute

It is a great privilege for all Non ResidentIndian (NRI) Goans to read the e-paper ofHerald. In fact, this paper can be down-loaded by subscribing to the site . However,the download size is more than 20 MBwhich takes a lot of time for a downloadand subsequent printing. On the other

hand, the NRI Keralites can download theMalayalam newspaper which is easily avail-able in PDF and the size is around 3 MB.We would be grateful if Heralds e-papercould be reduced to around 3MB for fasterdownloading in PDF format.

This is our creationGustavo Stephen Godinho, Nagoa

This is with reference to letter What aboutus? (Herald, 5 May) by James Moraes wherein he speaks about the Goan terrorists andthe fate of Goa.

The fact of the matter is that Goa is mov-ing towards self destruction. The so-calledpoliticians-turned-terrorists are the verycreation of Goans.

We get what we choose and we alwayschoose these corrupt and greedy peopleas leaders. We choose them to repose ourgratitude for the goodies they offered us,at election time.

But if we want anything good to happenin Goa, we will have to choose educated,honest and sincere people as our leaders.Goas fate lies in the hands of Goans.

C factor stifles progress Jose Maria Miranda, Margao

I read with interest the interview of Archi-tect Brian Soares (Corruption has increasedwith criticisms, Herald Estates, 2 May). It isalso true that had there not been activism,the putrid government would have had afield day in turning Goa into a concretejungle.

I certainly disagree with Soares thatprogress is hampered through activism.And if corruption has increased with crit-icisms as he alleges, should we allow it tohappen by remaining silent spectators?

It remains to be seen how many goodand valuable suggestions of architects andengineers find acceptance.

If there are good, bad and ugly amongprofessionals, it is also present among ac-tivists.

We need to salute the activists for theircourage, tenacity, time and energy in put-ting brakes on various activities that wouldhave changed demograpy/character and bedetrimental to villagers.

Pedro Feytor Pinto headed the Departmentof Information Services (SEIT) in the gov-ernment of Marcello Caetano who replacedAntonio Oliveira Salazar in 1968 as the head ofthe Portuguese government. Feytor Pinto has justreleased a book entitled Na Sombra do Poder (Inthe Shadow of Power) [Lisboa, D. Quixote, 2011,pp. 402]. Not wishing to classify it as history ormemoirs, yet hoping that historians may find ituseful, the author chooses to narrate events ashe experienced them from his vantage point inthe shadow of power, during the years endingwith the Carnation Revolt of 25 April 1974, whichput an end to half a century of dictatorship,known as Estado Novo.

Born at Castelo Branco in 1936, the authorprovides interesting details about his early edu-cation at Coimbra, before moving on to Lisbonfor higher studies in Law. We are told about thefamily network and linkages with many influentialpersonalities of the Portuguese public life and ofthe Church in Portugal. It reveals his early con-nections with Opus Dei and also why he decidedto delink from it, without losing his admirationfor that institution and its contribution to thesociety. He admits having benefitted much fromOpus Dei links in the promotion of his later careerat home and overseas.

The years in Lisbon (1955-1969) were occupiedas Law student and by the start of a professionalcareer. First as secretary of the minister Prof Adri-ano Moreira, and soon thereafter, as a low-rankingofficial in the Overseas Ministry in Lisbon in-charge of the Political Affairs. He had as colleagueJoo Mesquitella, who had been secretary of thelast Governor-General of Portuguese India.Through him Feytor Pinto had come to knowmore details about the loss of Goa. These detailshe could later confirm through his contacts withFelix Naggar, the correspondent of France Pressin India in 1961, and later posted in Lisbon.

In an interesting reflection the author commentsupon the nature of the political leadership thatcharacterised the Salazar administration of Por-tugal. He sees it as predominantly legal-mindedcadre rooted in legalism and institutionalism thatfailed to take into account the dominant post-World War democratic concepts and political

trends which checkmated many of the juridicaldecisions in practice.

The author presents as illustrations the caseof the Right of Passage and the proceedings ofthe Security Council and the General Assemblyof UN against the occupation of Goa by the Indianarmed forces. The political stance adopted byUSA and UK in those occasions revealed how theinterests of big powers prevailed over the inter-national rights of small nations. The capture ofthe merchant vessel Santa Maria by a Portuguesedissident Henrique Galvo and the political asylumhe received from Brazil is presented as yet anotherinstance of international politics against interna-tional law, and once again unfavourable to thePortuguese interests.

With reference to the fall of Portuguese India,Feytor Pinto describes it as the end of a cyclethat had begun at Ceuta (North Africa) on August14, 1415. The Goa case is mentioned because ofthe many financial difficulties that several of hisGoan student colleagues at the Lisbon Universityfaced as regard the payment of fees, because theyhad ceased to receive the usual monthly remit-tances from their families in Goa. As a memberof the Students Association he proposed measuresto find a solution to the situation, but the response

was lukewarm as the case was seen as political.Even so, the author mentions his efforts at pre-senting it as a humanitarian case and his decisionto abandon the Association and seek other waysof finding assistance.

It refers to a silent march the author helped or-ganising on 18 December 1961 to the Se Cathedralof Lisbon carrying the relics of St Francis Xavier anda national banner in procession. The group managedto contact business groups such as CUF, and someinfluential ladies connected with the NationalWomens Movement (Movimento Nacional Feminino),such as Ceclia Supico Pinto. Feytor Pinto pays hishomage to Goans who excelled in Portugal as diplo-mats, lawyers and judges. He believes that the timelyhelp may have permitted the achievements of thoseGoan colleagues. Feytor Pinto moved to Genevain 1969 with a privileged Portuguese scholarshipof the Instituto para a Alta Cultura to study at theHautes tudes Internationales (HEI), a meetingpoint for students from Portuguese Africa withanti-colonial tendencies. These found patronagein the Swiss protestant Church institutions. FeytorPinto manifests his satisfaction for this opportunityto get to know personally some of the futureleaders of the Angola and Mozambique. But italso mentions among his close friends in Switze-

land, a Goan, Alexandre de Faria, married to anIranian lady Guita Emami. It describes Alexandrede Faria as UKeducated and very reserved in hissocial dealings.

Feytor Pinto returned from Switzerland to Lis-bon in August 1970 on suggestion from MarcelloCaetano and took charge as director of the De-partment of Information, including the sectionof the Foreign Press accredited in Portugal. Thislatter section was supervised by the Goa-bornPortuguese ambassador Bonifcio de Miranda.He has been described as a Goan of high calibrewho represented Portugal in several meetings ofthe General Assembly of United Nations.

Feytor Pinto reveals several other issues thatmakes his book particularly interesting for theGoan public. Directly connected with the contentsof my last column (Adrian Hastings, Scourge ofthe Portuguese, Herald, 25 April) Feytor Pinto cor-roborates the consequences that Adrian Hastingsdenunciation of the Wiriyamu massacres hadfor the official visit of Marcello Caetano to Londonin July 1973, almost causing its cancellation.Feytor Pinto was involved in the preparation ofthe visit and had to face the international pressand anti-Portugal manifestations, in which DrMrio Soares, then in exile, is mentioned as havingtaken part.

Interestingly, Prof Marcello Caetano admittedignorance of the massacres, but we are told thatan inquiry entrusted to Jorge Jardim, a maverickentrepreneur-cum-diplomat who had gained theattention and appreciation of Salazar in the caseof Goa, confirmed the military atrocities in Mozam-bique. Incidentally, it was Jorge Jardim who carrieda cyanide capsule for the Governor Vassalo Silvaand tried unsuccessfully on 10 May 1962 to killthe military governor Candeth, during his plannedvisit to Mormugo municipality. The bombs ex-ploded two hours earlier! Following the admission,the governor and military commander of the Teteprovince of Mozambique were dismissed fromoffice. The author further admits that this caseaffected deeply the morale of the Portuguesearmed forces and also intensified the discontentof the younger generation in Portugal influencedby the post-Vatican teachings about social jus-tice.

OPINIONwww.oheraldo.in

Pg6Vol No CX No: 128

Goa, Monday, 9 May, 2011

Letters to the EditorLetter of the Day

English for poor children James Fernandes, President Goynche Niz Mogi

Bembre Bab, your thought as expressed in your article Look at thy neighbour please(Herald, 2 May) are sadly bitter and dysfunctional.

The Christian community and their leaders have made the single largest contributionto the development of the nation. Their institutions of learning, have been producingmen and women of excellence in various fields.

Your examples resemble that of submitting precedence in support of an argument.The babies and children are changing the world in leaps and bounds. Spoken Englishhas changed to Hinglish. Various countries that depended on Indian IT graduates,do not need them as their citizens are also being educated in English.

Free education in English must be made compulsory for the children of the poor,the SC, ST, and Konkani language must be supported so that it walks hand in handwith English. The rich can educate their children in the language of their choice.

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.

OHERALDO

By Arlette Azavedo

OHERALDO

In the shadow of power

Smile with Smitha

HISTORIcAl ExPlORATIONS

Schizophrenicvisa system

This tourist season, we are told, has been exceptionallygood. Goa received its highest number of charter flightsever, with total inflow of both domestic and internationaltourists aggregating at an estimated 23 lakh. The May rushof domestic tourists will probably take the tourist inflow toaround 27 lakh, says Director of Tourism Swapnil Naik.

But despite the optimism, the fact is that tourist arrivalsfrom Goas most faithful foreign visitors, the British, aredropping. This last year has apparently shown some recovery,but t hough the British economy has stopped deteriorating,the arrival of British tourists hasnt improved. In 2007-08,Goa received 365 charter flights from the UK carrying 100,664tourists. In 2008-09, this figure dropped to 287 flights with77,500 tourists. This was partly owing to the economic slow-down, but that was only part of the reason.

The main reason was the 26/11 attack on Mumbai andthe drastic changes in visa rules that followed. It becamevery difficult to get a visa for India. Long term vacationers,Goas greatest foreign tourist asset, were put to indescribablehardship by a baffling rule still in operation that once atourist leaves India, (s)he cannot re-enter the country fortwo months.

This, and the needless crackdown on British retireesowning property in Goa has damaged Goas image in Britain.And if these quixotic rules are not changed, it could resultin this state going off the favorite destination list in the UK.The tourist industry may not be too concerned, since Russianshave been coming in ever greater numbers to this state, butthe comfort levels of the people in the tourist trade is muchhigher with English-speaking tourists.

In 2007-2008, the number of Russian tourists was around42,690 with 159 flights. In 2010-11, it has jumped to 70,053.Even as it has become so much harder for the British tocome to Goa, it is ridiculously easy for the Russians to dothe same. Russians who live in Yekaterinburg and St Peters-burg, cities that unlike Moscow do not have an Indianconsulate can get a 14-day Temporary Landing Permit (TLP)on arrival at Dabolim Airport. That is like a visa on arrival. Itis this TLP that Goas tourism trade now wants opened upto all tourists. Its perfectly reasonable. If a tourist from StPetersburg can get a 14-day visa on arrival, why not onefrom London?

Besides, it would open out Goa for opportunities, suchas when Tahrir square in Egypt was under occupation, andthousands of Britishers booked for the beach resort townof Sharm el Shaikh were stranded. Goa could have reaped abonanza then.

But it still would not help Goas oldest friends; the long-term tourists. For them, our MPs must continue to lobby inNew Delhi to reverse that senseless stipulation requiring atwo-month cooling period after a tourist leaves India to re-enter. What sort of schizophrenic policy allows visas-on-arrival to some and puts endless obstacles in the way ofothers?

VIPs vs aam admi

Why does Health Minister Vishwajeet Rane need 21policemen to guard him? Maybe, given that mys-terious people offer supari to gangsters for hishead, Home Minister Ravi Naik may need the 17 policemenhe is entitled to. But if Luizinho Faleiro and DayanandNarvekar can manage with two policemen each, most otherVIPs should be able to make do with less, so that the unpa-trolled streets of the state can be guarded better.

Honesty and IntegrityWise Counsel

Whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothingbut joy, because you know that the testing of your faithproduces endurance; and let endurance have its full effectso that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing. Ifany of us is lacking in wisdom, we need to ask God, who gives tous all so generously and ungrudgingly. But we need to ask in faith,never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea,tossed by winds. If we doubt in every way, we cannot expect toreceive anything from the Lord. Often trials potentially lead tofaith, which leads to perseverance, maturity, wisdom, and stability.Integrity or uprightness is something that we all yearn for butalways it does not happen so as we all cut corners one time or theother and take the easy way out, hide little misbehaviors and tellwhite lies. So whats the big deal? We feel ripped off in so manyways that we feel justified in letting integrity slide in return.

Recently, a friend of mine shared with me how a man riskedeverything to tell the truth because he knew it was the right thingto do. How often are we faced with the option of speaking truthor backing down and being a nice person of value? Integrity canmean many things, but at its root, integrity means the quality ofbeing complete or unbroken wholeness. Sometimes we are forcedto struggle between telling the truth, a truth that could save some-

one. In such an apparent no-win scenario, we often decide tohonour our integrity and tell the truth no matter what the conse-quences are. Many people go through their daily lives and arefaced with honouring themselves or someone else they think rulestheir lives. When given this choice, ask yourself Whats the rightthing to do in this situation? The right thing done is that whenwe go to sleep at night we can say to ourself I did the rightthing.

Theres an old quotation which says: Learn to be free of thegood opinion of others. Lets learn to be free of the good opinionof our own ego. Are you willing to listen to your heart and intuitionand be true to yourself, even when it hurts, and you know thetruth? Are you willing to do the unpopular thing especially whenits needed? Every seed we sow grows, so we need to be awarefully conscious of what we are planting in our own minds and theminds of those who you influence.

Do hypocrites have any integrity in themselves? I believe thathypocrites have no integrity whatsoever. As if we define hypocritesas those who believe in some ideal which they cannot possiblyfulfill, if so, then we are all hypocrites. Yes, we all fail to live up toour highest aspirations. We all fail to achieve our full potential.During our lifetime, there will always be a gap between what we

are and what we can become. For each one of us, there is an on-going struggle to narrow this gap. However, integrity comes inwhen we acknowledge our failures, accept our limitations, andhonestly strive to make amends and achieve our ideals. Hypocriteswithout integrity are those who would go to any length to coverup their dishonesty and faults in order to protect their facade andgrip on power. Therefore, we find out the complex reasons whyhonesty is such a rare commodity in todays world. We tell lieswhen we are afraid, afraid of what we dont know, afraid of whatothers will think, afraid of what will be found out about us. Butevery time we tell a lie, the thing that we fear grows stronger andwe lose our honour.

As you go about your daily life, listen to your heart; rememberthat honesty means the state of being complete, connected toyour own self. Honesty and integrity are absolutely essential toour survival.

Finally, an apt quote from Proverbs 6:12-15 A scoundrel andvillain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth, who winks with hiseye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers, who plotsevil with deceit in his heart he always stirs up dissension. There-fore, disaster will overtake him in an instant; he will suddenly bedestroyedwithout remedy.

By Smitha Bhandare Kamat

Pedro Feytor Pintos book narrates events from his vantage point during the years before the revolt, says TEOTNIO R DE SOUZA

INDIAGOA, MONDAY 9, MAY 2011

A P P O I N T M E N T S

Pg 7OHERALD

O

oPinionatedThe truth of Goas

two-way intelligenceBy ORLAnDO SA DA SILvA

The so-called doyens of secularism stands exposed.The article Look at thy neighbour, please (Herald, 2 May)

by Adv Uday Bhembre, who years ago hogged the limelight asa most secular person, appears to be one-sided.

From his article, he appears to convey a message that theindividuals he has listed as most successful, excelled only be-cause of the Devnagri script through which Konkani and Marathiis presently taught. Can the excellence of these listed individualsbe directly linked or attributed to Marathi or Konkani inDevnagri script only, through a scientific study? People whotook their primary education in English have also excelled andwere not misfits. What did he choose to illustrate by usingthe tag of only one community, in his illustration?

In our state, all people who have intelligence irrespectiveof the community they belong to, have excelled and achievedsuccess. Intelligence is a gift of God and the Almighty has arole to play in bestowing this gift to every person. English asa language, the world over, has produced personalities thathave left permanent impressions in our minds to make lifeeasy and enjoyable.

Why does Uday Bab have to mix the issue of mother tonguewith MoI? 150 English non-aided schools that flourished inthe state after the language issue, have been closed twodecades ago. Why has he passively supported Marathi andother Indian languages for grants in the state when they arenot our mother tongues? The sufferings of the Christian com-munity to understand the Devnagri script, while teaching chil-dren, has to be taken into consideration. Sadly, despite allthis, there has been no contribution for the development andimprovement of Konkani during the past two decades whenall the parents are suffering for want of proper books, teachersand teaching materials.

I am the PTA chairman of a convent school having approxi-mately 800 students which consists of students not only fromthe Catholic community, but fairly good numbers from theHindu community as well. I had attended the public rally atAzad Maidan by FORCE, and I saw with my eyes as to howmany educated and well-settled Hindu brothers and sistersgathered over there, to demand English as a medium of in-struction.

Uday Babs opinions are personal and not the opinion ofthe majority of my Hindu brothers and sisters and the rest ofGoans. In our school, our Hindu parents are more concernedabout the progress of our demand for English as a medium ofinstruction for the next academic year.

Let the education system uplift the poor and the downtroddenand reduce the burden of parents and children in this democraticglobalised world. If Konkani is to be developed as our mothertongue, make it a compulsory subject from Std I to X. It willget due attention and support for its development from everyNiz Goemkar, on a sustainable basis.

A boy cooling himself in Jaipur on Saturday.

Court upholdstalaq given

through agentPTI

NEW DELHI, MAY 8

A Delhi court has upheld the va-lidity of divorce given by a ShiaMuslim to his wife through an-other man appointed by him ashis agent to pronounce the word'talaq' in Arabic as he himselfcould not speak the language.

Additional District JudgeReetesh Singh upheld the legal-ity of the divorce given by SabirHussain, saying that Shia Muslimpersonal law allows a man, un-able to speak Arabic, to appointan agent on his behalf to pro-nounce the word 'talaq'.

"Respondent Sabir Hussainhas duly proved that he had ob-tained divorce against the ap-pellant (Mumtaz) as prescribedunder Shia Muslim Law," thejudge said.PMO recommends CBI, ED

probe in CWG contractsPTI

NEW DELHI, MAY 8

Taking a serious view of Shunglucommittee findings, the PrimeMinister's Office has suggestedto Sports Ministry a probe byCBI and Enforcement Direc-torate based on the panel's re-port into alleged irregularitiesin the contracts executed byCWG Organising Committee.

In its letter, the PMO hasasked for probe by the agenciesspecifically in works carried outby Event Knowledge Services(EKS), an international private con-sultant, and other irregularitiespointed out by the Committee.

EKS was given three contractsof over Rs 70 crore by the or-ganising committee to extendconsultancy services for thevenue development and man-agement, games workforce, andgames planning and projectmanagement services.

The PMO has directed "expe-ditious action" on Prime MinisterManmohan Singh's order in thematter and sought the reply ofSports Ministry within a month onthe fifth report of the high-level com-mittee appointed by him.

The financial loss suffered by theGovernment due to favouritism forworkforce contract aggregated toRs 18.36 crore, the report said.

"Department of Sports mayforward, to the CBI/ED, for ac-tion as appropriate, relevant ex-tracts of the report pertainingto the matter of EKS, and theclear cases of forgery, falsifica-tion, record creation etc., men-tioned in case of other highlightedirregularities," the letter written tothe Sports Ministry said.

The Prime Minister had onOctober 25 last year appointedthe high-level committee underthe chairmanship of formerComptroller and Auditor Gen-

eral V K Shunglu to investigateand report all irregularities inexecuting various projects byseveral government agenciesduring the Games held here be-tween October 3-14, last year.

The committee, in its reportsubmitted to the PMO on March28, found several discrepanciesin the projects executed by thecompany and "collusion" amongsacked OC Chief Suresh Kalmadi,Chief Executive Officer of CWGFederation Mike Hooper andother senior functionaries of theGames body. "

The contract was awarded ona single source basis on the rec-ommendation/statement ofMike Hooper, CEO of CGF thatEKS was much better informedregardi