OHERALDOThe Voice of Goa Since 1900

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, DEC 22

Goa State Information Commis-sion on Wednesday issued no-tice to Governor Dr S S Sidhudirecting him to appear in per-son before the Commission onJanuary 4, 2011 in connectionwith Right to Information (RTI)complaint.

The Commission has also is-sued notice against Special Sec-retary to the Governor Dr NRadhakrishnan to appear on thedate of hearing.

The notices follow the peti-tion filed by a lawyer activistAires Rodrigues against the duofor not furnishing informationunder Right to Information (RTI)Act.

Rodrigues was refused infor-mation under the RTI whereinhe sought details of action takenon complaints made by him tothe Governor against AdvocateGeneral Subodh Kantak.

The advocate had also soughtcopies of noting sheets and cor-respondence pertaining to theprocessing of his complaints

against the AG.The reply letter undersigned

by Radhakrishnan declined tofurnish the information statingthat information under RTI Actcould not be furnished as theGovernor is not a Public Author-ity.

The reply also mentioned thatan affidavit to this effect wasfiled before the Bombay HighCourt at Goa.

In his petition before the StateCommission, Rodrigues statedthat as the Governor has beennotified as a Public Authority tofurnish the information sought

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, DEC 22

Giving a new twist to the recentpolitical developments in theState, a dissident group withinthe Congress party, led by PWDMinister Churchill Alemao, hasthreatened to topple the Digam-bar Kamat government, if NCPlegislator Mickky Pacheco is in-ducted into the cabinet.

The NCP has asked the chiefminister to induct Mickky intothe cabinet by dropping JosePhilip DSouza.

The group of 10 Congress leg-islators, including five ministers,addressing a press conferencehere took a strong exception toChief Minister Digambar Kamatsstatement early on Wednesdaywherein he said the Benaulimlegislator would be inductedonce the green signal comesfrom the Congress high com-mand.

Besides Churchill, EducationMinister Atanasio Monseratte,Urban Development MinisterJoaquim Alemao, Water Re-sources Minister Filipe Neri Ro-drigues, Sports Minister BabuAzgaonkar and legislators Ag-nelo Fernandes, Francis Silveira,Babu Kavlekar, Pandurang Mad-kaikar and Alexio ReginaldLourenco attended the confer-ence to express their resent-ment.

The group also claimed sup-port of Victoria Fernandes,Pratap Gauns and Health Minis-ter Vishwajeet Rane who theysaid could not attend due tosome unavoidable reasons.

There is no need for any suchdecision at this stage especially

when our government is doingso well. We have gained ab-solute majority in the ZillaParishad and the municipal elec-tions, Churchill said at the pressconference.

Besides, he continued, theCongress has a strong principlethat a tainted minister shouldnot be part of the ministry. Thisis the reason they gave whiledropping Narvekar (Dayanand).

than why induct Mickky,who has been charged with cul-pable homicide and the CBI isalso conducting inquiry against

him in an international case,he added.

Due to this, the like-mindedpeople in the government havegot together and protestedagainst this decision to inductMickky, Churchill said.

Further, he thundered, evenif the Congress and the chiefminister go ahead with the de-cision. We will topple the Kamat-led government.

The minister however did notspecify in what way they willbring down the governmentwhether they will resign from

ministr y or Congress? Hereplied, let us wait andwatch.

We want the Congress HighCommand to send the GeneralSecretary incharge immediatelyto Goa, if they want to save thegovernment, Churchill saidadding that the group has al-ready conveyed its sentimentsand demand to the chief minis-ter.

Asked whether they are readyto go for elections, he said,yes.we are ready anytime.

When pointed out that drop-

ping or inducting any of theirlegislators is NCP prerogative,Alemao said we are not inter-fering in NCP matters but wedont want a person to be in-ducted into the cabinet, whohas been charged in a murdercase.

He also quelled suggestionsthat he was trying to settle per-sonal rivalry with Mickky.

There is no question of per-sonal rivalry, he said.

Babush Monseratte, who toohas been charge-sheeted by CBI,

Fame is but the breath of the

people, and that often unwholesome

Rousseau

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Goa: Law dept approves notice

to off-shore casinos Pg 2

Sports: Dhoni wants solution to

losses in tour openers Pg 14

Goas Heartbeat: Star woes

Ash loses her clothes Pg 4

STORM BREWING OVER MICKKY INDUCTIONChurchill-led Group of 10 threatens to topple govt

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, DEC 22

Claiming there was no threat tohis government due to the pres-ent political turmoil Chief Min-ister Digambar Kamat said hewill speak to the dissident groupand try to sort out their griev-ances.

I will talk to them and findout what is the problem. Theyhavent told me anything as yetand what I am hearing is onlythrough media, Kamat said re-ferring to the statements byChurchill Alemao-led group totopple h is government i fMickky is inducted into the cab-inet.

let me meet them and findout first and then I will conveytheir sentiments to the highcommand, Kamat said.

Vasco reporter adds: Kamatsaid NCP is not specific whomto drop from ministry.

On his arrival from Delhi onWednesday afternoon at 1.30pm, during a brief chat withmedia, Kamat confirmed thatNCP high command has re-quested him to induct formertourism minister into the cabi-net, but NCP high command hasfailed to specify whom to dropfrom cabinet.

He said that NCP supremoSharad Pawar and Civil AviationMinister Praful Patel has askedthat Mickky should be inductedinto the cabinet by droppingany of the ministers from NCPfold, it could be Revenue Min-

ister Jose Philip DSouza orTourism Minister Nilkhant Ha-lankar.

Kamat further said that hehas discussed this issue withCongress General Secretary andGoa Desk i n - cha rge B KHariprasad but could not get anaudience with the CongressPresident Sonia Gandhi due toher busy schedule.

Kamat says no threat to govt

I will talk to themand find out whatis the problem.

They havent toldme anything as

yet and what I amhearing is onlythrough media.

ON PAGE 3l Mickkys call to

CM gives rise tospeculations

GSIC summons Govover RTI complaint

PTI

NEW DELHI, DEC 22

Taking the fight against corrup-tion to the streets, BJP-led NDAon Wednesday targetted PrimeMinister Manmohan Singh forthe scams in UPA governmentdemanding that he form a JPCand depose before it or quit.

At a rally here, the first of aseries of cross-country protestsby NDA in the run up to thebudget session of Parliament,senior BJP leader L K Advani, de-scribed 2010 as a year of stink-ing scams and appealed to thePrime Minister even at this stage

to redeem himself by setting upa JPC to go into the 2G spectrumscam.

All the speakers, includingleaders from JD(U), Shiv Senaand Shiromani Akali Dal, madeManmohan Singh the focus oftheir attack, saying since he isready to appear before the Pub-lic Accounts Committee heshould have no objection to de-posing before a Joint Parliamen-tary Committee.

You (the Prime Minister)should form the JPC, answer ourquestions and if you (PM) cannot

Form JPC or quit, NDA to PM

Sunburn getsTourism dept

backing HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, DEC 22

A day after Home Minister RaviNaik expressed uncertainty onpermitting Sunburn festival inGoa, State Tourism Departmentand tourism stakeholders haveoffered its support for the three-day event.

Sunburn Goa will be benefi-cial for the State as it hikes thetourist arrivals. The festival asa brand is catching up, TourismDirector Swapnil Naik said.

The electronic music eventslated to begin on Candolimbeach on December 27 is ex-pected to get some of thebiggest names in the electronicmusic industry.

The festival hit controversyafter a Bangalore-based girlMeha Bahuguna died due to sus-pected drug overdose duringthe event last year.

Travel and Tourism Associa-tion of Goa (TTAG) has also givensimilar opinion stating that theevent needs to be promoted asit invites scores of revellers fromacross the world. The festival

Govt removes import duties on onionGovernment on Wednesdayunveiled multi-pronged meas-ures to check high onionprices, including removal ofimport duties, an indefiniteban on exports and askingState agencies to import thecommodity, as retail pricescontinued to hover around Rs70-80 a kg. While wholesalemarket prices of the kitchenstaple recorded a 40 per centdrop. (PTI)

National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders hold swords as they takepart in a rally in New Delhi on Wednesday.

BROTHERS-IN-ARMS?:The Churchill-led group addressing the media at Hotel Taj Vivanta in the city on Wednesday. Photo by Rozario Estibeiro.

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HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, DEC 22

Goa Government is at the re-ceiving end in the land allotmentscam for allotting land to SEZpromoters with legal expertsdemanding jail to those respon-sible for encouraging criminalactivity.

Goa Industrial DevelopmentCorporation (GIDC) officials andall those involved in grantingland to SEZ promoters shouldbe jailed. Such criminal activityshould not be tolerated,Supreme Court senior counselCollin Gonsalves today said.

Gonsalves represented SEZVirodhi Manch (SVM) in the Pub-lic Interest Litigation (PIL) filedby them against the State andSEZ promoters at Goa Bench ofBombay High Court.

The High Court in its orderlast month had observed thatthe allotment of lands to thecompanies was made in unduehaste and arbitrarily withoutproper scrutiny of their appli-cations.

Bes ides , the procedureadopted for the allotment was

not fair and transparent and theallotments by the GIDC do notstand the test of reasonableness.GIDC and the seven petitionersare given status quo of fourmonths.

It is a terrible case of fraudthis is a clear case of corruption,criminal fraud, misappropriationand cheating, he said addingthat the land should be revertedback to the people of Goa.

The activists including Coun-

cil for Social Justice and Peaceconvener Fr Mavrick, Pravin Sab-nis and others also demandedresignation of all those officialswho fraudulently allotted landsto the industrial enclaves.

They reiterated their demandthat either CBI inquiry or judicialprobe should be constituted inthe scam, which involves highprofile politicians and bureau-crats into it.

SVM in its memorandum to

the GSIDC on Tuesday de-manded resignation of the Chair-man Chandrakant Kavlekar,Power Minister Aleixo Sequeira,former Goa Chamber of Com-merce and Industry PresidentNitin Kunkolienkar and othersfor being partner in the crime.

Their demand also includesdepartmental inquiry followedby stringent action against theresponsible persons. The mem-bers have threatened to launchintense agitation in the comingNew Year 2011 if the Govern-ment does not pay heed to theirdemands.

The opposition meanwhilehas already called for a criminalinvestigation of two former Con-gress chief ministers Prataps-ing Rane and Luizinho Faleirofor favouring SEZ promoters.

The State was forced to de-notify the allotment of 32 lakhsq mtrs of land to SEZ promotersfollowing stiff opposition fromthe Goans. The SEZ promotersthen approached the High Courtchallenging the governmentsde-notification, which is setaside in a recent order.

GOAOHERALDO

Pg2GOA, THURSDAY, 23 DECEMBER, 2010

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, DEC 22

The government has got a clear-ance from the law departmentto issue show cause notices tooff-shore casinos which aredoing business without obtain-ing valid permissions such asregistration certificate and atrade licence.

The government had soughtlegal opinion from the Law De-partment about action to be ini-tiated against off shore casinosoperating without trade licence.

A law officer who did notwant to be named told Heraldthat the department has recom-mended to the government thatnotices could be issued to off-shore casinos that are conduct-

ing business without valid per-missions. The department ofRiver Navigation and Home De-partment have been intimatedabout these.

However, in view of petitionspending before High Court, ithas been suggested that itwould not be appropriate toissue direct order to stop op-erations, to off-shore casinos,the officer said.

In September this year, thegovernment had revoked its ear-lier decision wherein it had or-dered off-shore casinos to shiftto Aguada Bay.

The decision was challengedbefore High Court by the stakeholders of off-shore casinoswhile off-shore casinos contin-

ued to operate after obtainingtemporary relief from the Court.

Meanwhile, after dilly-dallyingfor some months -- in Septemberthe government took anotherpolicy decision revoking its ear-lier decision. The off shorecasino vessels anchored withincity limits of river Mandovi wereasked to move a little away fromtheir present locations but notas far as Aguada Bay.

Subsequent to policy decisionby the government in October,the High Court granted threemonths time to casino stakeholders to comply and submitall relevant documents requiredto operate and conduct busi-ness. The deadline fixed by theCourt ends on January 23.

Law dept approves noticeto off-shore casinos

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

PORVORIM, DEC 22

Chief Minister Digambar Kamaton Wednesday evening visitedthe shops which were gutted inthe fire that broke out in MapusaMunicipal market early Mondaymorning.

Mapusa MLA Francis DSouza,Mapusa Municipal Council Chair-person Sudhir Kandolker, formerchairperson and CouncilorRoopa Bhakta, Mapusa Mer-chants Association PresidentYeshwant Gaudalker, NCP Pres-ident Surendra Sirsat and Gu-rudas Natekar were presentduring Kamats visit.

The chief minister had a dis-

cussion with the Mapusa MLA,Surendra Sirsat and the shop-keepers.

MLA DSouza informed ChiefMinister Kamat that shopkeep-ers have suffered huge lossesto the tune of Rs 1 crore. Besidesshops, their goods also havebeen completely destroyed inthe fire and since most of themhad not covered goods underinsurance, the shopkeepers maybe offered some compensationimmediately.

Addressing the media, ChiefMinister Kamat said that hewould consider DSouzas sug-gestion sympathetically.

He directed the Director of

Municipal Administration andthe Deputy Collector to assessthe losses and submit their re-port of damages immediatelyand as soon as the reportreaches his hand, he will an-nounce the compensation pack-age before Christmas positively.

When asked about the induc-tion of Micky Pacheco into thecabinet, Kamat stated that hehas been advised by Union Agri-culture Minister and NCP Presi-dent Sharad Pawar to inductMicky Pacheco into the cabinet.

However, I will take the de-cision only after consulting andgetting the approval from HighCommand, added Kamat.

CM inspects Mapusa shops gutted in fire

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat and Mapusa MLA Francis DSouza visit Mapusa Municipal market onWednesday evening. Photo by Anil Shankhwalker

Jail SEZ patrons, demand activists Serve one-month ultimatum

Goas Movement Against SEZ (GMAS) has demanded that Gov-ernment of India de-notify the three SEZs in Goa within onemonth (i.e. by January 20), now that the High Court dismissedthe petition filed by SEZ promoters.

Like SVMs demand, GMAS convenor Mathany Saldhana hasalso demanded judicial probe in the scam.

GMAS took note of the critical observations made by theHigh Court with regards to the manner in which huge tractsof the scarce land in Goa was given to SEZ promoters whowere merely real estate developers, Saldhana said at a pressconference on Wednesday.

The activists asked that GSIDC should revert back the landto the villagers and it will be for the land owners to decide onthe nature of land use. In its list of demands, the associationhas warned the Government against allotting land to any ofthe six SEZ promoters and blacklisting the latter from beingentitled for any land in Goa.

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, DEC 22

Goas Fishing Community hasgiven a furious ultimatum ofeight days to the Governmentto allot the fishing jetty at Can-dolim exclusively for the use offishermen, failing which theyhave threatened launch agita-tion across the State.

The threatening call comes aweek after the brawl betweentraditional fishermen and watersports operators over dominat-ing the use of Candolim jettyfor their respective business.

We have written to the Di-rector of Fisheries that if thejetty is not handed over to thefishing community within eightdays, the fishing community willagitate on the streets of Goa,Genchea Raponkarancho EkvottPresident Agnelo Rodrigues toldreporters today.

The incident, on December15 occurred when a fisheriesdepartment official installed asign board at Sinquerim (Can-dolim) jetty stating that the jettywill be used by traditional fish-

Handover Candolim jetty within 8 days: fisher folks

ermen. This was followed by anargument and altercation be-tween the two business groups.

The fishermen have cautionedCalangute MLA Agnelo Fernan-des not to behave like a goondaand stop interfering in the fish-ing community.

The MLA is deliberately try-ing to divide the coastal resi-dents of the area on the basisof region and occupation by pit-ting traditional fishermenagainst water sports operatorsand Candolim residents againstthose from Calangute, he al-leged.

They have also vehemently

refused allegations by the MLAthat NFF chief Mathany Saldanhacollected money to instigatethe incident.

National Fishworkers Forumhad severely criticized the inci-dent alleging that water sportsopera to r s suppor ted byCalangute MLA Agnelo Fernandesassaulted a traditional fisherman.

Fisheries Director S Verenkar,when contacted said that fish-eries officer Halankar is carryingout an inquiry into the incident.

Calangute police is alreadyinvestigating into the complaintand counter complaint againstthe two groups.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

CURCHOREM, DEC 22

Burglars decamped with cashand silver ornaments worth Rs1.50 lakh from Sateri Temple inCurchorem on Tuesday night.

According to Curchorem Po-lice, the burglars entered thetemple by break opening a sidedoor and decamped with silverornaments and some cash fromthe cash box.

Police further informed thatthe stolen goods include twosilver masks of the deity, twosilver chains and a silver um-brella.

Incidentally, this is the thirdtime the burglars have commit-ted theft in Santeri Temple, Cur-chorem.

Quepem DySP Rohidas Patrevisited the site and took stockof the situation.

Finger print experts and thedog squad were pressed intoservice.

Curchorem MLA Syham Sa-tardekar also visited the site and

expressed displeasure over func-tioning of the police, as the tem-ple is s i tuated near mainCurchorem market. PI BhanudasDessai is investigating the case.

Sateri temple atCurchorem burgled

A dog squad pressed into serv-ice at Sateri Temple Curchorem.

Photo by Suresh Naik

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

PORVORIM, DEC 22

Gold ornaments, camera andcash, all worth Rs 98,000, werereported stolen from a residenceat Marra-Pilerne on Wednesday.

In her complaint, Rekha Ram-nath Naik of Marra told Por-vorim Police that some personsentered her residence by remov-ing the window grills when thefamily members had gone out.

The burglars broke open thecupboards and decamped withcash of Rs 40,000, camera worthRs 5,000 and two gold bangles,four earrings and one necklaceworth Rs 53,000. Porvorim Po-lice rushed to the spot alongwith the dog squad and fingerprints experts, but could notget any clue.

Valuables worth Rs 98,000

stolen at Pilerne

Two illegal shacks razed

at MorjimHERALD CORRESPONDENT

PERNEM, DEC 22

Tourism Department demol-ished two illegal shacks atTemwado-Morjim on Wednes-day afternoon.

Department officials alsoseized 10 illegal beds duringthe demolition drive.

Ass i s tant D i rec tors o fTourism Department J N San-godkar and S V Kavlekar andPernem Mamlatdar BhushanSawaikar were present at thesite.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

CALANGUTE, DEC 22

Calangute Police on Wednesdayarrested a 37-year-old Nigeriannational on charges of possess-ing illegal drugs worth Rs 1.50

lakh at Calangute.According to Calangute Po-

lice, the raid was carried out ona tip-off that accused AsanesunaObighalia, residing at Saligao,is likely to sell illegal drugs at

Calangute.Calangute Police team led by

PSI Mahesh Kerkar and otherstrapped Obighalia on PorbaVaddo-Calangute road and re-covered 30 grammes of Cocaine

Nigerian held with drugs worth Rs 1.5 lakh

worth Rs 1.50 lakh, cash of Rs48,560, besides mobile phoneand weighing scale, all worthRs 2,00,560. PSI Mahesh Kerkaris investigating the case.

UP native held with

drugsHERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, DEC 22

An Uttar Pradesh (UP) has beenarrested and charged with pos-session of narcotics at Can-dolim.

Anti Narcotics Cell (ANC)sleuths seized 1.5 kg Ganja and130 gms Charas from Dhar-madev Rajbhar when he waswaiting for his prospective cus-tomer near Shantadurga Tem-ple at Candolim, today.

The total amount of nar-cotics is calculated to Rs28,000. The ANC also seizedRs 5000 cash from his posses-sion.

The raiding team was actingon a tip-off by another UP res-ident Mahesh Bin, who was ar-rested by ANC in anothernarcotics case earlier. Both ac-cused were employed as sandextractors at a private com-pany.

During interrogation, Ma-hesh revealed that the accusedresided at Ozari in Pernem forthe last two years and dealingin drugs. We kept a constantwatch on his activities for fewdays before arresting him onWednesday night, ANC officersaid.

Arolkar isnew Korgao

sarpanchHERALD CORRESPONDENT

PERNEM, DEC 22

Pandrinath Arolkar was on Mon-day unanimously elected assarpanch of Korgao.

Arolkars candidature wasproposed by former sarpanchXavier Fernandes and secondedby Panch Ujwala Narse.

Of the nine, five panchaspresent for the meeting areKshama Shambu Shetye, UjwalaNarse, Kanti Mandrekar, XavierFernandes and PandrinathArolkar.

Vikas Prabhu Desai, extensionofficer of Pernem BDO, was thepresiding officer.

FROM PAGE1Mickky induction

said he and the other members are not comfortable with Mickky.When pointed out that he too has police cases against him, he

only said, I am with others and I have nothing to say.When asked whether they are ready to the run the government

without the alliance with NCP, Sports Minister Babu Azgaonkarquipped, Yeswe are ready. But there is no need for that now asthe government is running very smoothly and any disturbancewould derail it.

Sunburnis not about drugs and mafia. If there are apprehensions, thenpolice can very well swing in action, TTAG President GaurishDhond said.

He stated that considering the size of the festival, not onlypeople from national as well as international level but corporatesare also attracted to get associated with the event.

Home Minister Ravi Naik had said that they are yet to give a go-ahead for the festival, as Home Department is yet to receive aproposal from Sunburn organisers seeking permission to host theevent.

GSIC summons Govand that the refusal was contrary to the RTI Act, unreasonable,malafide and without reasonable cause.

At a public meeting, last week, the advocate asked the Governornot to hoist the Tri Colour on the Republic Day on January 26,2011, if the latter claims he is not a Public Authority.

Form JPC or quit: NDAanswer our questions, then step down from your post on moralgrounds, Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitleysaid in his address at the rally that was thinly-attended.

Challenging the Prime Minister to depose before a JPC, NDAworking President Advani said In Indias history, the SupremeCourt has perhaps never before asked a Prime Minister to file anaffidavit in a case.

He maintained that the present NDA campaign against corruptionwas in a way a campaign against the Prime Minister.

Advani, who had called Singh a weak Prime Minister duringthe 2009 Lok Sabha election campaign, said the Prime Ministerspost is not weak and Singh should assert himself instead of alwayswaiting for directions from 10, Janpath (Sonia Gandhis resi-dence).

You have a right to accept this demand for a JPC... And youshould come before the JPC and say whatever you have to say,Advani told the PM in his speech.

Jaitley said never before a Prime Minister had to say that he hasnothing to hide. He wondered why the Prime Minister says hewould not form a JPC but can depose before the PAC.

The NDA attack on the Prime Minister comes against the backdropof his offer at the Congress Plenary session that he would behappy to depose before the PAC and termed the demand for aJPC as political blackmail. Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi hadstood firmly behind Singh and praised him.

GOAOHERALDO

Pg3GOA, THURSDAY, 23 DECEMBER, 2010

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, DEC 22

Will this courtesy telephone call bring to-gether once again Chief Minister DigambarKamat and his friend-turned-foe formertourism minister Mickky Pacheco.

Well, only time will tell, but the BenaulimMLA is believed to have called up the chiefminister on his cell phone on Wednesday the first in recent times -- after the NCPsupremo cleared all decks for his inductioninto the ministry. Pacheco is believed tohave called up the chief minister to findout when he would be inducted in theKamat Ministry after a gap of nearly eightmonths.

The telephone call comes against thebackdrop of the request made by SharadPawar to the chief minister to inductthe former tourism minister in the Cab-inet.

It was just a courtesy call from me tothe chief minister. Basically, I wanted to in-quire when the chief minister would trans-late Pawars request into action by inductinghim in the ministry, Pacheco said.

When contacted, the chief minister ad-mitted having received the telephone callfrom the tourism minister but hastened toadd that he has conveyed to Pacheco that

he would act as per the directions of theCongress High Command.

I had a meeting with the NCP President

Sharad Pawar and Civil AviationMinister Praful Patel in Delhi,wherein Pawar told me to inductPacheco in the Cabinet. I havetold Pacheco that further actionwill be taken only after receivingthe green signal from my PartyHigh Command, Kamat told Her-ald.

Incidentally, replying to a ques-tion, the chief minister said thathe used to receive only occasionalcalls from Pacheco in recent times,adding that he makes it a pointto receive telephonic calls fromthe MLAs being the chief ministerof the State.

Herald understands that themeeting between the chief min-ister and the Pawar-Praful duocentered on the induction of theformer tourism minister in theCabinet.

Sources in the know said thatthe Union civil aviation ministerwas firm that Pacheco be inductedimmediately and was not willingto accept any grounds to keep out

the flamboyant Benaulim MLA from theministry.

Mickkys call to CM gives rise tospeculations of rapprochement

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat with former tourismminister Mickky Pacheco on a jetski in Colva duringgood old days. File photo by Santosh Mirajkar

HERALD REPORTER

VASCO, DEC 22

A 29-year-old deputy managerfrom Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL)committed suicide by hanginghimself to a ceiling fan in hisflat at GSL Colony, Chicalim, onWednesday.

According to Vasco Police,Deputy Manager Dinu Babu of Ker-ala committed suicide in his flat.

Goa Shipyard employee hangs to death in flatPolice further informed that

as the flat door of the deceasedwas closed since early Wednes-day morning, neighbours inti-mated Babus parents, who

reside at Vaddem-Vasco, who inturn informed Vasco Police.

Police said the deceased hadmarried one year ago and policesuspects that the deceased

might have committed suicidedue to frustration.

Vasco Police has registered acase of unnatural death and isinvestigating the case.

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, DEC 22

A mining firm alleged to be vi-olating environmental normsnear Netravali wildlife sanctu-ary told the state governmenttoday that they have been ex-tracting the ore to the permit-ted capacity.

Goa State Pollution ControlBoard (GSPCB) was informedby M/s A X Poi Palondicar min-ing firm that they have not ex-ceeded the capac i t y o fmanganese ore and they areextracting only that muchquantity as permitted by the

Ministry of Environment andForest (MoEF). The firm is cur-rently extracting manganeseore with a capacity of 1,800MT per year.

GSPCB Chairman SimonDsouza said that the miningfirm has clarified that they arenot going ahead with theirplanned expanded capacitythat is 10,000 MT per year astheir proposal has been refusedby the National Board ofWildlife (NBWL).

Prima face it looks like theyare not violating the law butwe need to investigate the mat-

ter further, DSouza said afterthe hearing.

GSPCB had issued showcause notice to M/s A X PoiPalondicar last month after anNGO alleged that the firm wasextracting ore despite refusalof permission by NBWL.

Accordingly, the companywas called for hearing todaymorning, where they submittedthe documents which clearlystated that they had environ-mental clearance from MoEFover extraction of ore upto1,800 MT per year.

However, they do not

have clearness for the expan-sion nor for extraction of ironore, DSouza said addingthat the firm has cleared thatthey are also not extractingiron ore.

The 18th meeting of stand-ing committee of NBWL hadrejected the proposal by M/s AX Poi Palondicar for productionof Iron Ore with the productioncapacity of 0.20 MTPA and ex-pansion in the capacity of man-ganese ore.

The committee had directedGoa chief Wildlife Warden tostop the said mine, which is

operating near Netraval iWildlife sanctuary.

Accordingly, Goa chiefWildlife Warden had directedthe South Goa division to carryout inspection of the saidmine. However, the depart-ment fai led to point outwhether the mining firm hasviolated the laws.

The Committee was of theview that, mining activities,even though outside protectedareas would have negative im-pacts on the Wildlife in thesanctuary as well on bio-diver-sity and environment.

Mining firm denies violating eco-norms

Areal shootingaccused gets bailHERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, DEC 22

The accused arrested in theshooting incident at Pulamol-Sao Jose de Areal was onWednesday released on bail bythe Childrens Court.

Maina Curtorim police in-formed that accused AnthonyTravasso was released by thecourt on a bail of Rs 10,000 withother conditions.

Travasso was arrested by thepolice after he allegedly firedtwo rounds at two women, in-cluding a minor girl, from his12-bore gun over a property dis-pute.

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, DEC 22

Saying that the Western Ghatshas been declared as one of the18 biological hot spots of theworld, Forest Minister FilipeNeri Rodrigues has said the Goagovernment has declared theentire Western Ghats corridoras protected area on accountof the rich bio-diversity in theregion.

We should be aware of thebiological richness of our stateand also be able to recognizethe biological diversity in ourown backyards. Only then, wecan move ahead to preserve and

conserve our biodiversity, Filipesaid, after inaugurating an ex-hibition of photographs titledBio-diversity of our Forests inthe foyer of Ravindra bhavan,Margao on Wednesday.

The forest minister appealedto the people to make use ofthis awareness programme sothat they can respond ade-quately to the environmentalcrisis.

The photographs depict theflora and fauna of Goa in thevarying aspects, namely bio-di-versity of eco-systems, bio-di-ve r s i t y o f spec ie s andbio-diversity within species.

The richness of our bio-di-versity can be vividly experi-enced as you walk among theexhibits. The photographs coverplants, plant parasites, epi-phytes, flowers, fruits, fungi, in-sects, reptiles, birds, mammalsetc, he added.

Earlier, the first segment ofthe exhibition was inauguratedby Dr Shashi Kumar, AdditionalPrincipal Chief Conservator ofForests on December 19 in theArt Gallery of Kala Academy.

The exhibition has been or-ganized by the Research & Util-isation Division of the Forestdepartment.

Western Ghats corridorprotected area: Filipe Neri

Forest Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues going round the exhibition of photographs at the Ravindra Bhavanon Wednesday. Photo by Santosh Mirajkar

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

CALANGUTE, DEC 22

Calangute Police on Wednesdayfiled an FIR against unknownpersons in connection with thereported theft of copper wiresworth Rs 6.2 crore from thegrounded River Princess.

It may be recalled that JudicialMagistrate First Class at Mapusahad directed Calangute Policeto file an FIR in this connection.However, police are yet to re-ceive the JMFC Mapusa order.

It is rel iably learnt thatCalangute Police had soughtopinion of the Director ofTourism and North Goa Collectorin the matter on receipt of letterfrom Shetye and Govekar, as thegrounded River Princess is theproperty of Goa government.

It may be recalled that KetanGovekar of St Inez and KashinathShetye of Ribandar had com-plained to Calangute Police In-spector and Superintendent of

Police (North), Porvorim, that cop-per wires worth Rs 6.2 crore hadgone missing from the vessel.

The complaint further statedthat subsequent to the inspec-tion carried out by various gov-ernment departments likeTourism, GCRZMA, Navigation,Panchayat, Inland waterwaysand Salvage Companies, the cop-per wires from the vessel havegone missing in connivance withthe original owners of the vessel,thereby causing losses to theState government and the Ex-chequer.

The complainants had prayedto the Calangute and Goa Policeto take immediate cognizanceof the complaint and file an FIRunder Sections 378, 379, 461,462, 120B and 34 and also undersections of Prevention of Cor-ruption Act and conduct a thor-ough inquiry/investigation inthe matter and nab the culpritsinvolved in the theft.

Theft on Princess:police file FIR

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

QUEPEM, DEC 22

Quepem Municipal Council(QMC) in its meeting on Wednes-day proposed to impose octroion transportation of iron orethat is being transported viaQuepem municipal area.

QMC chairperson and all thecouncilors present for the meet-ing unanimously decided to im-pose 2% Octroi on iron ore.

The council has taken the de-cision based on the petition byQuepem Taluka Mining AffectedPeoples Front (QTMAPF).

In its petition, QTMAPF re-quested QMC to impose Octroiunder Sections 131 to 133 ofGoa Municipalities Act 1968 ontransportation of iron ore thatis being transported via Quepem

town.The QTMAPF further brought

to the notice of QMC that oretransportation via Quepem towndoes extensive damage to thetown, as the trucks transportingiron ore are over loaded, whichcauses spillage which in turncauses dust pollution.

It also causes damage to in-frastructure which can be com-pensated by imposing Octroi,states the petition further.

QMC also resolved to pro-pose a by -pass road fromCopelabhat-Ambaulim to Gudi-Paroda, which will reduce thedistance by about 5 kms to pro-ceed to Margao and it will bean alternate road when Parodagets flooded during the mon-soon.

Quepem civic body to impose octroi on ore

GOAGOA, THURSDAY, 23 NOVEMBER, 2010

Pg4 OHERALD

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Sound of Music

It is the classical music ofSouthern India. The basic formis a monophonic song with im-provised variations. There are72 basic scales on the octave,and a rich variety of melodicmotion. Both melodic andrhythmic structures are variedand compelling. This is one ofthe world's oldest and richestmusical traditions.

The origin of Carnatic musiccan be traced back to the ageof Vedas more specificallyBharata's Natya Sastra, fromaround the 5th century A.D.,and Saranga Deva's SangitaRatnakara, from the early13thcentury A.D. These are consid-ered the to be the earliestrecorded documents availableon the theory and performanceof Indian classical music.

Carnatic music is based on a22 scale note (swaras) on

contrary to the earlier 12note scale that is used in thewestern classical music. But inall its practical aspects andpurposes, not more than 16notes are generally used.Unique combinations of thesenotes evolve into separateragas. The features and theconstraints of a raga will beclearly defined in the arrange-ment of the notes in its aro-hanam (ascending notes) andavarohanam (descendingnotes). Thus, in Carnaticmusic, the raga connotes amood or a route in which themusic is supposed to travel.

Another important aspect ofCarnatic music is the thalam orrhythm. Although theoreticallythere are more than hundreddifferent thalams, very few ofthem are in use. The most pop-ular thalams have three, four,five, seven or eight beats.

A percussion instru-ment is any objectwhich produces asound by being hitwith an implement,shaken, rubbed,scraped, or by anyother action whichsets the object into vi-bration. The term usu-ally applies to anobject used in a rhyth-mic context or withmusical intent.

Percussion family canbe divided into twochildren, or branches,tuned & non-tuned.

Tunedm e a n st h etones of

the instrumentsproduce particu-lar notes of themusical alpha-bet and/or con-tain a musicalscale. Xylo-

phones and vibra-phones are examplesof tuned percussion;generally, they pos-sess all notes of themusical alphabet.Steel pan, chimes,gongs & bells are alsotuned percussion in-struments.

Conga, bongo, drumsets, cowbell, clave,djembe, ashikos,doumbeks, timbalesand certain chimes,gongs and bells arecommon examples ofnon-tuned percussion.

What is Carnatic Music? Percussion Instruments

SHORT TAKES

UPCOMING EVENTS

Tem Amkam Zai released

Adv Valanka Almeao releasing the Konkani audio CD TemAmkam Zai.

MARGAO (HR): A Konkani audio CD Tem Amkam Zai wasreleased at the hands of Adv Valanka Alemao on Saturday.

The CD produced by Anthony Fernandes and Cajetan deCurtorim has a total of 13 songs on politics and football.

The songs have been sung by noted Konkani singers LawryTravasso, Nefy Rod, Xavier Gomes, Bhuska, Jacob, Anil/Olga, CDod, Marcelin, besides Cajetan de Curtorim. Music for the CDhas been provided by Lenoy Gomendes.

Anthony, who hails from Manora-Raia told newsmen afterthe release that this is his first Konkani audio CD and disclosedhis plans to come out with similar audio CDs in the future.

Christmas celebratedPANJIM (HND): A pre-Christmas celebration was held at Our

Lady of the Rosary High School, Dona-Paula on Wednesday.The day began with a Eucharistic celebration by Fr Avito. Inhis homily, Fr Avito explained that meaning of Christmassymbols of a candle, mistletoe, Christmas tree, bell and candywere offered to represent joy, peace, love, sacrifice and hope.The choir created the ambience of Christmas by singing hymns.

All classes participated in the carol singing competition withcolourful costumes and a variety of musical instruments. Astar making competition was also held. Games were organisedin the class rooms, followed by the staff party

Manager of the School Sr Julie Fernandes gave her Christmasmessage and wished everyone a Christ centered Christmasand a year filled with Gods blessings.

Drawing contest heldCANACONA (HC): About 250 students from Canacona taluka

took part in the taluka-level drawing competition organisedby Kala Academy recently.

Kala Academy organized drawing competition to school-going children in three different groups and the competitionwas held simultaneously at eight different centers in the State.

About 250 students in the age groups of upto 7 years, above7 years but below 12 years and above 12 years from most ofthe schools in Canacona taluka participated in the drawingcompetition at St Teresa of Jesus High School, Chaudi.

According to sources, students were informed about thetopics half an hour before the commencement of the actualcompetition.

Kala Academy has reportedly allotted 400 entry forms forChaudi centre.

Shree Shradanand Vidyalaya (Poinguinim), St Anthony HighSchool (Galgibaga), St Annes Institute (Agonda), St Teresa ofJesus High School (Chaudi), Katiyani Baneshwari, Kindlem,Shishunatika are some of the schools which took part in thedrawing competition.

Christmas Rendezvous

PANJIM (HND): Max Promoters will organise Christmas Ren-dezvous at Rendezvous, Vainguinim Valley, Dona Paula on De-cember 24 after Midnight Mass. The bands in attendanceinclude Alcatrazz, along with Tidal Wave and Shelton GoesSolo. Various prizes are up for grabs. Also there will be 3lucky dip winners for the Golden Saphire Sun Control Film.Lucky gentleman will get a suit worth Rs 20000. The moodsetters for the show are Allan Pinto and Savio Roy. Plans areopen at Jimron Sales Corporation and Auto Paradise, Dr A BRoad, Panjim, Ph: 2436403. This show is brought to you byJimmy and Cassy.

Christmas Ball at BenaulimPANJIM (HND): Kingfisher in association with McDowells

Signature will present The Grand Christmas Ball on December25 at Longuinhos Beira Mar, Benaulim from 7 pm onwardswith bands Status 4 with Sonia, Ambot-Tik with Irineu Diasand Orvile Loureno and retro king DJ Claudio. Besides livemusic and entertainment, there will be loads of prizes andsurprises. There will be a buffet at Rs 350 per head on advancebookings only. The entry and table is free for couples andfamilies. The event is hosted by Stanley Reis and will be man-aged by Hype Entertainment. For buffet bookings call 22772837/ 9823462917 / 9823951198.

Varshik Kalostav UstavPANJIM (HND): Shri Shantadurga Nerlikarin Saunsthan will

celebrate Varshik Kalostav Ustav from December 25 to 27 atShantadurga Saunsthan, Verem.

On December 25, religious activities will starts at 8 am withAbhishek followed by Aarti in the afternoon and BrahmanSantarpan and Mahaprasad will be held at 9 pm, Kanuk at9.30 pm followed by Shree Shantadurga Devi Palkhi, ReligiousKala, Pavni and one act play.

On December 26, religious activities and Mahaarti will startat 4.30 pm, followed by Balgopal Gaillanhkala written by lateDamodar Bhatkuly and directed by Kishori Bhatkuly, followedby Dahihandi, Shri Shantadurga Devi Palkhi Miravnuk Arti andTeerthprasad at 10.30 pm and Marathi drama by YandaKarthavya Aahe.

On December 27, religious activities followed by AawalBhojan Shree Shantadurga Devi Palkhi arrival at Mandp Devlifollowed by Aarathi Brahman Santarpan Mahaprasad at 9.30pm, Shree Shantadurgadevi Palkhi Miravnuk, Aarti andTeerthaprasad. At 10.30 pm Konkani drama Mummy TussiGreat Ho will be staged.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

PORVORIM, DEC 22

NCP President Surendra Sirsaturged the parents not to im-pose their will on the children,but to allow them to choosethe career of their choice.

He was speaking at the func-t ion organized by NCP atGuirim to felicitate the meri-torious students of the highschools at Porvorim, who ex-celled in the SSC examinationof the Goa Board. The pro-gramme was organized as partof birthday celebration ofUnion Minister for AgricultureSharad Pawar.

If a student joins a coursewhich he/she is passionateabout, then his desire, dedi-cation, enthusiasm and effortwill be of the highest orderand he will be successful in hiscareer, said Sirsat.

Sirsat further said the par-ents should not force the chil-dren to study all the time, butthey should also allow themto play for few hours.

Participation in sports ac-tivities is as important as stud-ies. Parents should also ensurethat children are given nutri-tious food so that they remainhealthy and become mentallyfit to face the stress of the ex-aminations, added Sirsat.

NCP General Secretary RajanGhate said education plays animportant role in the progressof an individual.

There is no alternative toeducation, as education pro-vides the mental strength toan individual and make him ca-pable to face the challengesof life, said Ghate.

Earlier, NCP General Secre-tary Venkatesh Prabhu Moniin his welcome address statedthat teaching is a noble pro-fession and it is the teacherwho shapes the personalityand entire life of children.

Prabhu Moni further statedthat Porvorim Block of NCP hasdecided to set up ComputerCentre with Internet facility,library and the health center

for senior citizens at Porvorim.Mahila Ekta Pragati Sangh

President Smita Gaonker andits General Secretary RekhaDSilva also spoke on the oc-casion.

On the occasion, meritoriousstudents of six schools whowere awarded cash prizes areSampada Barve, Nikita Shetyeand Supriya Prabhugaonkar(V idhya P rabhod in i H ighSchool), Pooja Kambli, DadapirMaghi and J Mustafa (Govern-ment High School), Swati Mad-kaiker, Siddesh Volvoiker andChaya Madkaikar (SunanadabaiBandodkar High School), NehaRocha, Vinita Gupta and TulsiAcharya (Dona Leonard Memo-rial High School), Ankita Bhon-sa le and Par veen Naras ia(Chopdekar High School) andDevendra Paras, Melisa Alvaresand Victoria DSouza (HolyFamily High School).

Avinash Bhonsale comperedt h e p ro g r a m m e , w h i l eVenkatesh Prabhu Moni pro-posed the vote of thanks.

Parents urged to allow wards to chart their own career path

Surendra Sirsat distributes prizes to the students. Photo by Anil Shankhwalker

Students urged to emulate

eminent personalities

HERALD NEWS DESK

PANJIM, DEC 22

Congratulating the managementof Mallikarjun High School forfelicitating eminent personali-ties of the school, Speaker Prat-apsingh Rane cal led uponstudents to take inspiration fromthese personalities for a brightfuture.

Rane was speaking after fe-licitating eminent personalitiesincluding Dr Jiblo Gaonkar, WingCmdr Shripad M D Desai, DrPramod Kinnerkar, Dr Chan-drakant Nagarsenkar and DrPratap Desai on the occasion of88th Foundation Day at Cana-cona, recently.

Rane further said that educa-tional institutions play a vitalrole by providing innovativeideas to meet the objectives ofthe students and Mallikarjunschool is an example of thesame. He also urged the stu-dents to strive hard with dedi-cation to pursue excellence ineducation and suggested thatapart from imparting quality ed-ucation there is a need to creatework culture among the stu-dents so that they can be pre-pared to face the challenges ofmodern world.

Rane suggested the manage-ment to open vocational streamin the school. Seven teachers ofthe school were also honouredby Rane.

President of Centra PromoterDe Instrucao Vikas V Desai wel-comed. Pramada Gauns Desaicompered the function and sec-retary Anil Desai proposed voteof thanks.

HERALD NEWS DESK

PANJIM, DEC 22

Minister for Sports and YouthAffairs Manohar Azgaonkar hascalled upon the cultural organ-izations like Shree ShantadurgaCultural and Sports Club to sup-plement with the governmentefforts for promotion of Artsand Culture in the State.

Azgaonkar was speaking afterinaugurating Shree ShantadurgaCultural and Sports Club atWarkhand, in Pernem.

Speaking further, Azgaonkarcomplimented Shree Shan-tadurga Club and told them toundertake cultural activities byavailing the benefit under thescheme of Art and Culture whichwill go a long way to enrich andpreserve our age old culture andtraditions for posterity.

He listed the sports incentives

and other provisions made in asports policy and told parentsto encourage their wards to con-centrate on education andsports so that they can build uptheir career in the field of sports.

Earlier, the Sports Ministerlaid the foundation stone forconstruction of the communityhall at an estimated cost of Rs11.75 lakh at Patradevi, whilehe commenced the work ofminor road and footpath cost-ing of Rs 3.15 lakh at Tandel-wada, Torse. He also launchedthe work of the proposed com-munity hall at Langarbag,Torse.

Chairperson of North GoaZilla Panchayat Pandurang Parabgraced the occasion.

ZP member Surangi Har-malkar, and Sarpanch AshwiniTulaskar were present.

Cultural clubs told to boost arts, culture

HERALD NEWS DESK

PANJIM, DEC 22

Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG)will present tiatr artiste SabinaFernandes as a part of itsmonthly programme, Meet theArtiste on December 28 atTAGs Conference Hall, CampalTrade Centre, Panjim, at 4.30pm.

Sabina was first recognisedin year 1960 when she playeda major role in an English playtitled Scattered Feathers. Dur-ing her illustrious career shehas acted in over three thou-sand tiatrs in India and abroad.

Her two most memorableroles were in John Claros Por-tuguez Kolvont and AristidesDivors. In Portugues Kolvontshe was at her best and thistiatr had a run of over 100shows which was a record at

that time. Her tiatr Divors toohad successful run of over 100shows.

Sabina is also a very goodsinger; duets with her late hus-band Greg de Candolim werevery popular among the tiatraudience. Sabina has alsoacted in films. Her role in thefilm Mhoji Ghorcarn was veryimpressive.

Sabina has acted in tiatrswritten and directed by C Al-vares, Boyer, Alfred Rose, Rem-mie Colaco, Jacint Vaz, KidBoxer, Saib Rocha, Prem Kumar,Master Vaz, Nelson Afonso,Aristedis Dias, Mike Mehta,John Claro, Roam Tony, TonySax, Wilmix, Mendes Bros, Va-lent Mascarenhas and others.

She along with her husbandlate Greg de Candolim pro-duced and directed 7 tiatrs.

Reunion ofboarders

PANJIM (HND): Ex-boarders ofLoyola High School, Margao willhold refectory meet on Decem-ber 26 at Alua, near VernaChurch at 12 pm, for a nostalgicreunion.

For details and to confirm at-tendance, please contact eitherJoe Patch Pereira - 9822488682,Robin Barros - 9860597384 orAlbano Dsilva 9922854193 oremail roblosbar@yahoo.co.in,jrdper@gmail.com.

Sabina Fernandes

to feature at

Meet the Artiste

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

COLLEM, DEC 22

Students of Gomantak Vid-hyala Piliem-Dharbandoda ex-celled in the Sane Guruji KathaMalas story telling contest(Dharbandoda centre) organ-ised in its premises recently.

The contest was organisedin three categories, primarygroup (upto Std 4), higher pri-mary (Std 5 to 7) and second-ary group (Std 8 to 10).

In the secondary group,Namrata Manolkar and PrajaktaBacholkar (Gomantak Vidyalaya)and Anandibai Vaman (MaratheVidyalaya, Tamsoda-Dharban-doda) won the first two prizes.In the higher primary group,Ankita Naik and Riyaz Sayyad,both from Gomantak VidyalayaPiliem, bagged the first twoprizes.

In the primary group, firstprize was won by Aswina APrabhu (Government PrimarySchool).

Narayan Chandagadkar,Ashok Tilve, Narayan Patil andSuresh Rane were the judgesfor the contest.

Govind Dev, who was thechief guest for the prize dis-tribution programme, gaveaway prizes to the winners.

Speaking on the occasion,Dev congratulated the win-ners and appealed the stu-d e n t s t o c u l t i v a t e g o o dhabits in life.

Earlier, the chief of pro-gramme committee AshokTilve , PE teacher ChandrakantNaik and Dharbandoda SchoolComplex Secretary Sureka Naikgarlanded the portrait of SaneGuruji.

Gomantak Vidyalaya Head-master Ajit Kerkar welcomedthe gathering, Hemalata Dessaiintroduced the chief guest,Kunda Sawant compered theprogramme, while Joshita Fer-nandes proposed the vote ofthanks.

Gomantak Vidhyala excels in story telling contest

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

MERCES, DEC 22

For 52-year-old Santan Ro-drigues of Firguem Bhat, Mer-ces, crib-making began as a funfilled activity when he was just12 years old, however, after 40years, the love for crib-makinghas deepened and Santan hascontinued the activity withoutfail.

Speaking to Herald, Santaninformed that he has been able

to continue with the same zealas crib-making brings out achildish passion in him. He alsosaid that his cribs won himmany prizes in the local con-tests.

For the last three years, Ihave won the first prize, aproud Santan added and saidthat this year, too, he plans toenter the contest and hopefullycontinue his first prize winningstreak.

Crib-making bringsout childish passion

in 52-yr-old

A photograph of the prize winning crib, prepared by Santan Ro-drigues, last year.

GOA, THURSDAY, 23 DECEMBER, 2010GOA OHERA

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Sampadaads

More Goanews on PG7

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

PORVORIM, DEC 22

The BJP delegation on Wednes-day urged Bardez MamlatdarGourish Shankhwalker to makealternative arrangement to sup-ply essential commodities to thepoor people of Khorlim, as thefair price shop in their area hasbeen sealed.

A BJP delegation comprisingMapusa Mandal President Ra-jsinh Rane, MMC CouncilorsGurudas Vaiganker and Anto-nio Alvares , ex-counci lorRo h a n K a v l e ka r, Ru p e s hKamat, Yogesh Khedekar andSwapnil Shirodkar called onMamlatdar Shankhwalker andhanded over a memorandumto him.

The memorandum stated thatFair Shop No 10 at Khorlim has

been sealed by Mapusa Police,as the owner has been chargesheeted on charges of divertingPDS rice to Maharashtra to besold in the open market.

The poor people residing inKhorlim have not availed of ra-tion commodities during De-cember due to closure of thefair price shop and they areforced to purchase commoditiesfrom the open market at exor-bitant prices, stated the mem-orandum.

Since Christmas is round thecorner, the government shouldmake alternative arrangementto supply essential food grainsto them or allow ration cardholders to purchase their re-quirement from another fairprice shop, added the memo-randum.

BJP for alternate mode of commodities supply in Khorlim

President of BJP Mapusa Mandal hands over a memorandum to Bardez Mamlatdar GourishShankhwalker. Photo by Anil Shankhwalker

HERALD NEWS BUREAU

PANJIM, DEC 22

The Directorate of Official Lan-guage in association with theDepartments of Political Scienceand Konkani at Carmel College,Nuvem, organised a one-day ca-reer awareness programme onCompetitive Civil Services Ex-aminations on December 17 inthe college.

Lolita D'Souza of the De-partment of Political Scienceand coordinator of the pro-gramme spoke on the purposeof the career awareness pro-gramme.

The keynote address was de-livered by G D Padgaonkar, Di-rector of Official Language,while Naguesh Sardessai, re-source person for the day's pro-ceedings, motivated the youngstudent participants.

College Principal Sr Aradhanaand Trupti Bhangle, Administra-tive head at the Directorate ofOfficial Language also spoke onthe occasion.

Gorak Sirsat of the Depart-ment of Konkani at CarmelCollege later proposed the

Career guidance held on civil services exams

vote of thanks.

MARGAO (HR): A trader oper-ating from a kiosk from the Pim-palkatta area of the CommercialCapital has complained to theMargao police that some traderscaused damage to some itemsin the kiosk. He has blamed aprominent trader of the Marketfor causing the damage and hassought action by the Margao po-lice against the trader.

With just five days to go forthe Christmas festival, one findsthe traders jostling to have ashare of the business cake. Mar-ket traders have been opposing

Trader complains of damage to itemsany hawking in the market area,especially at the Pimpalkatta area,

saying the activity affects theirbusiness inside the markets.

Pirate menaceAllwyn George, Carmona

Goa is well known for its seafarer com-munity since they have contributed a lot,by way of service, on merchant navy ves-sels. Today, the lives of seafarers are indanger, as increasing acts of armed piracyhave occurred, and go unreported inlocal and national media.

Many ships are hijacked near the Gulfof Aden and lots of seafarers, are heldas hostages, off the ports of Somalia.Though the waters are patrolled by war-ships, but this has not deterred piratesfrom carrying out deadly attacks on ships.

Many pirates captured have been letoff the hook, due to insufficient laws inrespective countries. While seafarers risk

their lives, companies and unions areleast bothered about their safety. Variousgovernments need to get their act to-gether to tackle this deadly menace, asa career in shipping is becoming increas-ingly risky and less rewarding, due tomodern day pirates.

Scams and more scamsMoon C Afonso, via email

It is a pity to see how our innocent peopleget drawn and cheated, in their quest tomake a f a s t buck . S c rupu louscompanies/individuals, set up their ven-ture in Goa, knowing how easily Goanscan be drawn into believing false prom-ises.

I do not understand as to why our con-cerned authorities do not review or tryto understand the trade promises madeby these business people, prior to issuinga trade licence.

This would discourage people fromattempting to cheat our citizens. Gov-ernment must conduct a review.

Goa will shineStuart Cabral, Nagoa

With the media print pooh-poohing Goasimage, one should not tarnish the fairname of Goa, as this state is full of manynostalgic moments, which every one cancarry.

As of now, Goa is in a rebuilding stage.There will always be positives and neg-atives. One should, however, discard thenegative aspect, and concentrate onlyon the positive ones.

In the years to come, Goa will shine,in a much bigger way But mind you, itwill take time, and we all must bear thiswith a little patience.

Not liberated, but invadedVincent Do Rego, Dubai

Goans should realise this and open theireyes. Goa was not liberated, but invadedand taken by force during Nehrus tenureas PM. Goa was never part of India andhad existed for 500 years, before Indiawas even created.

The non-Goans who started pouringinto Goa, soon after she came under In-

dian rule, totally spoiled the greatnessof Goa. The secularism imposed on Goa,is a fake.

During Portuguese times, Goa enjoyedbetter secularism, in its true sense.

CMs diplomatic answerStephen Dias, Dona Paula

Recently, the emissary from the NCP,handed over a letter to CM DigambarKamat, in connection with the proposalto drop one of their ministers from hiscabinet.

A diplomatic reply came from CM say-ing that he needs to read the contentsof the letter and then only, he can givehis opinion. What I would like to expresshere is when they receive letters thatcontain matters of protocol, for example,an invitation to be a chief guest at a func-tion, the reply is immediate.

Accordingly, he could have told thewaiting pressmen that he is awaiting aHigh Command verdict. His diplomaticanswer was unnecessary. It also smacksof crookedness, on his part.

Message for NRI GoansArwin Mesquita, UAE

There are many Goans worldwide in-

volved in many goodwill services to ourcommunity. To each one, I would like tosay that we need to address a criticalpriority, on an urgent basis i.e. to mobilisea mass awareness among overseas Goansto protect Goa's land, culture, language,demographics and identity, else we willno longer have a place to call home. Thetime to act is now!

This awareness programme needs tobe well planned and co-ordinated tospread the facts. This is very importantas many overseas Goans are totally un-aware of the ground reality. Many Goanshave resigned themselves to losing theiridentity. If this is the case, then we shouldstop creating Goan organisations or hav-ing Goan social events.

Whos lying?Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar

In the current unprecedented murky ju-dicial spat, the nation needs to knowwhich of the three, has been lying.Whether it is former Chief Justice of IndiaJustice Balakrishnan, Justice H L Gokhaleor Justice Reghupathy.

In this sordid state of affairs, we needto bow our heads in shame over theshadow, which is overcast on the highestranks of judiciary. Justice Balakrishnan,

the countrys first dalit Chief Justice wasimmediately appointed as the Chairmanof the National Human Rights Commis-sion. With the calibre of politicians inpower today, judges of repute, retiringand seeking post-retirement positionsmay find themselves in untenable posi-tions, to balance the scales of justice.Justice Balakishnan would do best bystepping aside, and make room for theair to clear.

Prolonging Kasabs caseNelson Lopes Chinchinim

The lone surviving fossil of the infamous26/11 attacks Ajmal Kasab by his the-atrics, has exploited the very system ofjudicial process, that offered to him anumbrella of hope.

But the fact remains that he has snuffedout the lives of so many innocent andunsuspecting people, in the most savageand brutal manner.

What justice has been provided so far,not to mention compensation, to thesevictims and law abiding citizens of dem-ocratic India? By dragging on with thecase, and in the process, spending judicialtime and resources, the agony of the vic-tims dead and alive, has been prolonged.

Fast and fitting retribution and justice,is the best option available. Stretchingthe statutes of law to the unlawful, makesa mockery of justice.

In support of Ratol banMerlyn Fernandes, Sao Jose De Areal

Although some attempted suicide cases in-volve a premeditated plan, many suicides arethe result of impulsive, on a whim decisions.

Since impulsivity is strongly linked to sui-cide attempts, removing pesticides, rat poisonor firearms from store shelves will effectivelycontrol deaths by suicide. So I do agree withStephen Dias letter Ban Ratol (Herald, 16Dec).

However, counselling is also important,and should be easily available at schools, col-leges and community centers. Many suicidalpeople dont really want to die; they justwant to end their pain. Suicide is permanentsolution to a temporary problem. And thatswhy all those who are depressed, needto be filled with hope.

The controversy over the newly introducedgrading system through internal assess-ment which has been implemented by the

Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondaryeducation (GBSHSE) for the students of standard10 and 12 Board exams from this year, seems tocontinue unabated, with parents as well as teach-ers, opposing the move.

The Goa Board had begun putting an end tothe practice of declaring the three toppers at theBoard exams, from the academic year 2002-03and thereafter, a grading system was implementedin Standard 8, 9 and 11 from the year 2007-2008,in the first phase. The introduction of this system,Board officials say, is intended to give importanceon identification of hidden talent in students andalso, to minimize pressure on them, at the timeof answering final examination. According toBoard officials, the grading system implementedin Standard 10 and 12 this year, is the same pre-vailing in Standard 8, 9 and 11 with minor changes.

Parents, however, have been asserting that thegrading system puts tremendous stress on thestudents, as now, every mid-term and terminalexam must be answered, as if it is the final exam.If students do not have satisfactory performancein one of the exams, then it will affect their boardresults. Besides, marks on assignment projectsare also taken into account in students perform-ance data, which is taken into consideration, inthe final results. The grading system, parentscomplained, is contrary to the Education depart-ments avowed intention of decreasing pressureon students.

Teachers have raised similar fears in the im-plementation of the grading system, saying thatthe same will not help in reducing studentsstress. During a meeting of the Goa Board mem-bers a few months back, teachers contended thatthe grading system still allows students to knowin which bracket of marks they fall under, andtherefore, it will not help reduce the pressure onthem. Moreover, they pointed out that the gradingsystem may, in turn, adversely affect the outcomeof students who score high, as there will be nocompetition to achieve the top merits.

Countering the argument of Board officials,that the drop out rate in the state had reducedafter implementing grading system at standard8, 9 and 11, teachers say this is a misconception,as the drop-out rate could be reducing, becauseof increasing awareness with regard to importanceof education, among people.

An official in the State Education Departmentsays assessments in the field of education arevery important, as it helps to see how much astudent has understood, of a lesson. In the past,most school papers tested only book knowledgeretrieval abilities of a student, rather than her/hisunderstanding of the subject. International as-sessment tests like the SAT (Scholastic AptitudeTest), TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign language),etc., have evolved after years of research, to gradevarious analytical skills of students. Internationalassessment in schools, is a similar initiative ofthe Educational Testing Centre, a self-funded unitwithin the University of New South Wales, Aus-tralia.

The ETC conducts international assessmentsin schools throughout Asia and the Pacific, fromall academic backgrounds. Tests are conductedin English, Science, Mathematics and ComputerStudies for students from class 3 through to Class12. They provide students with a worthwhile andchallenging experience, and are recognised bymany prestigious universities in Australia and theUS. An ETC score, can help a student pursuinghigher studies abroad.

ETCs India office recently shifted from New

Delhi to Bangalore. Unlike other assessmentsthat ranked students performance, the ETC as-sessments are not ranked. Certificates are pro-vided based on the general performance of thestudents, in a particular country. The top 1 percent of entrants in the country get a certificatemarked High Distinction, the next 10 per centget Distinction, the next 20 per cent get Creditand all others get participation certificates.

The tests require students to use skills such ascritical thinking, reasoning and problem solving.The ETC has often found that children who arenot top mark scorers in the school, also do verywell in assessment tests. Assessments donethrough modern test theories, track a studentsprogress along his/her journey of education. Thetests are conducted only through schools sincethe programme requires the active participationof student, parent, teacher and principal.

In view of the continuing developments in thefield of education, and the resultant need to pre-pare students for international assessment tests,the state Education department has approvedthe implementation of the grading system at theSecondary and Higher secondary level of educa-tion in the state. Education authorities are of the

opinion, that there is a need to create a criticalmass of thinkers, and therefore, the role of edu-cation must ensure that children become life-long learners. True learning often takes placeoutside the classroom, and therefore, encour-agement of students to excel in Arts and Sportsis also greatly important, authorities point out.

Recently, the state cabinet has approved a num-ber of incentives and benefits to Goan sportsper-sons, including the grant of special leave ofabsence to students of 10 plus 2 level, as part ofthe Goa Sports policy. The policy envisages anaward of sports merit marks, ranging from 5marks for taluka level to 40 marks for internationallevel participation in sports, and an award of ad-ditional marks for achievement, at various stagesof competition.

The sports merit marks, as envisaged in thepolicy at various levels, are as follows: For taluka5, district 10, state 15, zonal 20, national 25 andinternational 40. Additional marks for securinggold, silver and bronze medals for taluka 3, 2and 1; district 5, 3 and 2; state 7, 5 and 3; zonal8, 7 and 5; national 10, 8 and 7 and international12, 10 and 8 respectively. Besides, 50 per centexemption in attendance of the students is con-sidered upto the taluka, district, state and zonallevels of sports participation, and 75 per centexemption in attendance, are applicable to thosewho participate at the national and internationallevels.

Other incentives and benefits include reserva-tion of 30 per cent in 10 plus 2 plus 3 level edu-cational institutions to sportspersons, and theconduct of special examination or supplementaryexamination for sportspersons. The policy alsoenvisages the broad basing of sports, achievingexcellence in sports, achieving self-sufficiency forsports associations, making sports equipmentavailable to sportspersons, integration of educa-tion, physical education and sports, making phys-ical education one of the optional subjects onpar with other academic subjects, developmentof sports culture for all ages, training of coachesand sports administrators, and more.

Moreoever, in order to draw talent, the gov-ernment has also made a conscious effort to offerscholarships and bursaries to students who areunable to afford their education fees. The overalleducation policy of the government appears tobe quite noteworthy, as it is aimed at creatingthinking individuals, through development ofcharacter and creativity in students.

OPINIONwww.oheraldo.in

Pg6Vol No CX No: 320

Goa, Thursday, 23 December, 2010

Letters to the EditorLetter of the Day

Shielding the whistleblowersIrineu Gonsalves, Verna

After Wikileaks has revealed some hard truths, the exposed are calling for JulianAssanges head. There should be a law to protect the lives and careers of whistleblowersso that they do not become targets of those, who wish to punish them.

Ever since the National Highways Authority of India engineer Satyendra Dubey wasmurdered in 2003, after he wrote to the then Prime Minister A B Vajpayee about cor-ruption in the organisation, there was a consideration to introduce the bill.

Indian Oil Corporations M Shanmugham paid the price for exposing corruption. ARTI activist, who filed a PIL on illegal mining in which an MP was allegedly involved,was shot dead outside the Gujarat High Court. Many others, who brought cases ofcorruption to light, had to suffer.

It is the law that gives them protection, and if their names are revealed by their su-periors, obviously, they are taken to task. At the same time, if the information isfrivolous, the complainants are punished. Journalists, who blow their whistles withoutconfirming the veracity of reports, are bound by law.

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.

Teachers have expressed fears that the grading system will not reduce stress on students, says fReddY diAS

OHERALDO

By Marc de Souza

OHERALDO

100 Years Ago

Thursday23 December 1910

Project StudyThe Minister of Colonies is studyingthe Project submitted by General CasteloBranco in regards the irrigation canalsin this State.

Appointment of CommitteeA Committee was appointed to comewith a proposal so as to preserve oldbooks and collectible items which arefast disappearing.

Goans prepare for ChristmasAlthough there is a tussle between theChurch and State, Goans are gearingup to celebrate the Birth of Christ withits traditional fervor and extravaganza.

Bells peal in anticipationThe Churches of Goa are all decked upwith fineries and pealing of the bells inadvance of the arrival of Our Father, theRedeemer.

PRIMEIRO DIARIO NAS COLONIAS PORTUGEZAS

Creating thinking individuals

Sound of Silence

Whats wrong with

a little Sunburn?

Its what every foreign tourist goes back with aftercoming to sunny Goa in quest of the perfect tan. Whyshould anyone demand a ban on the mega music party

Sunburn Goa? The festival is very high profile in the elec-tronic music circuit, and is ranked among the top tenmusical events of its kind in the world. Little wonder thatthe state Tourism Department as well as stakeholders inthe tourism indistry have welcomed the three-day eventto be held at Candolim from 27 to 29 December.

Whether we like it or not, we must concede that electronicmusic, known variously as house or trance music, has ahuge public of its own, spread all over the world. The factis that Sunburn as a brand has become very high profile. Ithas a huge public of its own that has considerable spendingpower. In the long run, there is little doubt that it will begreattly beneficial to the state, and bring in more tourists.Tourism Director Swapnil Naik has displayed a great deal offoresight, maturity and courage by associating his departmentwith the party, even though it has not given the event anymonetary funding.

In fact, the 2010 edition of Sunburn Goa, which will beheld at Candolim beach, is its best yet. It is expected tobring in some of the top names in the world of electronicmusic, like Paul Van Dyk, Ferry Corsten and Dave Seaman.For those of us who are not part of this sub-culture, thesenames may sound unfamiliar and the music they play maysound strange. But that is not the case for its fans. Thefestival attracts thousands of revellers, mostly youngstersfrom urban India, who flock to Goa for the event. As itsprofile grows, more and more of their counterparts fromother countries will also come for this mega event. Theseare tourists, just like any others. And their sheer numbershave made the stakeholders of Goas tourism industry in-terested.

The Sunburn festival is a big one, and it has been happeningin Goa every year. It not only brings in national and interna-tional tourists but, because of its size and high profile,attracts many companies and corporates that want to asso-ciate with the event. Many high-spending tourists visit thestate especially for this event. The event is good for thestate. It must be allowed to go on. In fact, it needs to bepromoted by the Goa government, just as the Carnival andmonsoon packages are promoted.

The criticism against the Sunburn festival, when scrutinisedclosely, comes down to just one point drugs. The questionwe want to ask the naysayers is: will a ban on the Sunburnfestival significantly reduce the consumption of drugs inGoa? Drugs are everywhere in Goa, Sunburn or no Sunburn.It requires police action to get rid of drugs and drug mafias;bans on events are of little or no use. Take the example ofthe Flea Market. It was banned for years on the flimsy groundthat it was a centre for the drug trade. In all the years thatit was banned, did consunption of drugs in Goa go down?Not at all. Then why are some people pushing for the samestupid ban that is no solution?

People come to this state for different reasons. Somecome for the sand and sun; others for the liquor. Still otherscome for watersports and adventure. And there are thethousands who come for pilgrimages. If some have startedcoming for good electronic music, they should be welcometoo. Any drugs and mafias can be controlled with properpolicing. All the talk that it gives Goa and the village of Can-dolim a bad name is just so much poppycock.

Grace has appearedFacts of Life

We are all brought together by Bethlehem night. Everyyear, it is the same night. We call it down the centuries,generation after generation, with the same emotion

of hope, inscribed in the heart of man, for his earthly destiny.The grace of God has appeared. The night is holy for us. What

is grace? We put the question to this night, Bethlehem night. For,it is similar to so many other nights, which in their unchangingrhythm, pass, one after another. The night is apparently a night,like any other. But it is the night when, in a little corner of theearth, near Bethlehem, the house of bread, south of Jerusalem,the darkness of the night, was transformed into light.

In this light, there was accomplished, the divine mystery. Theglory of God totally illuminated the shepherds, who at the place,were keeping watch over their flock, so that they were filled withfear. The light became a voice: "Do not be afraid, to you is bornthis day, in the city of David, a saviour... I bring you good news ofa great joy" (Lk 2-10-11)

The light and the voice show the place, and the meaning of his

birth. He was born in the stable meant for animals, for there wasno room for him, in any human dwelling. He was born during thecensus of the population of Israel, when Caesar Augustus washead of the Roman Empire. He was born of the lineage of David.He was born of the virgin. Her name was Miriam, that is to say,Mary. She was the wife of Joseph, of the family of David. Both ofthem came from Nazareth.

On this night God gives himself in the Son. He gives himself bythe power of the Holy Spirit, whom the virgin of Nazareth, receivedat the Annunciation. On Bethlehem night, God comes to man withthe programme of new life: To renounce wordly passions and tolive sober, upright, and godly lives, in this world.

The son who is given to us, on this Bethlehem night, as a babylaid in a manger, will give himself for us, to redeem us from all in-iquity, and to purify for himself, a people of his own, who arezealous for good deeds.

Everything has become visible on this night. And, at the same

time, Bethlehem night wraps all of this in its mysterious darkness.Only Mary and Joseph, and together with them a few shepherds,found themselves in the midst of the light, that penetrated thisnight.

Thus, it was at that time. 2000 years now divide us from thattime. And behold, we still come, we still gather together, atmidnight. We recall from afar, that one unique night in the historyof humanity.

Sadly, we belong to that generation that has openly shifted itsemphasis from God, to the world, from eternity to temporal things.The people who walk in darkness. Dwell in the land of gloom. Thepeople who walk in darkness. The darkness of every age.

And yet, every year, there returns this night. The same Bethlehemnight in so many different places in the world. And we gather to-gether. We are here beside the incarnate Word, like Mary andJoseph, with our hearts open to receive the message of hope thatChristmas brings also today to humanity.

When the waters were changed

By Idries Shah

Once upon a time Khidr, the teacher ofMoses, called upon mankind with awarning. At a certain date, he said, allthe water in the world which had notbeen specially hoarded, would disap-pear. It would then be renewed, withdifferent water, which would drive menmad.

Only one man listened to the meaningof this advice. He collected water andwent to a secure place where he storedit, and waited for the water to changeits character.

On the appointed date the streamsstopped running, the wells went dry,and the man who had listened, seeingthis happening, went to his retreat anddrank his preserved water.

When he saw, from his security, thewaterfalls again beginning to flow, thisman descended among the other sonsof men. He found that they were think-ing and talking in an entirely differentway from before; yet they had no mem-ory of what had happened, nor of havingbeen warned. When he tried to talk tothem, he realized that they thoughtthat he was mad, and they showed hos-tility or compassion, not understanding.

At first, he drank none of the newwater, but went back to his concealment,to draw on his supplies, every day. Fi-nally, however, he took the decision todrink the new water because he couldnot bear the loneliness of living, behav-ing and thinking in a different way fromeveryone else. He drank the new water,and became like the rest. Then he forgotall about his own store of special water,and his fellows began to look upon himas a madman who had miraculouslybeen restored to sanity.

(Courtesy: 'Tales of the Dervishes')

Paths of Wisdom

GOAGOA, THURSDAY, 23 DECEMBER, 2010

Pg 7OHE

RALD

O

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

PORVORIM, DEC 22

St Anthony s High School,Monte Guirim, Headmaster FrPaul Alvares said poetry is anexpression of human feelings,which takes its origin from emo-tions.

He was speaking as the chiefguest at a function organizedby the Management of St An-thonys High School at MonteGuirim in association with Loka-cho Adhar to distribute thecopies of the book VillageEvening a collection of poemsby Sanjeev Verenkar to the stu-dents of Std X.

Poetry is not opposition toScience. Just in Science, exper-iments are performed, so alsopoets through his poems makeexperiments with words to givepositive direction to the society,

said Fr Alvares.Lokacho Adhar President Tra-

jano DMello thanked the schoolmanagement for supporting theproject and stated that humanvalues are not being given dueimportance in the modern so-

ciety.Society without human val-

ues will cease to be human. Themore human values are cher-ished the better will be thegrowth of the society, saidDMello.

One cannot rest with con-tent with an education systemwhich is confined to academicachievement. It has to promotehuman virtues simultaneously.Poems written by SanjeevVerenkar highlight the impor-tance of human values, addedDMello.

Poet Sanjeev Verenkar ex-pressed thanks to the schoolManagement and LokachoAdhar for taking an initiative todistribute his book to the stu-dents and giving him an oppor-tunity to interact with thestudents. He advised the stu-dents to cultivate reading habit.

St Anthonys Educational So-ciety advisor also spoke on theoccasion. Gabriel Fernandes in-troduced the guests and MajorZuzarte proposed the vote ofthanks.

Poetry originates from emotions: Headmaster

St Anthonys High School, Monte Guirim Headmaster Fr Paul Al-vares addressing the gathering. Photo by Anil Shankhwalker

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

MAYEM, DEC 22

An exhibition based on innova-tive scientific tactics and Rangoli

art organized by the manage-ment of Shri Shantadurga HighSchool Bicholim on the eve ofnew Monday got good response

from the people.The exhibition which was or-

ganized to expose the talentsof students depicted differentmodels of windmills, handpumps, boats, electronic proj-ects, mechanical instruments,modern houses, forts, huts, pic-tures on rural lives, artistic de-signs from fruits, leaflets andflowers, Rangoli art and scenesfrom Ramayan and Mahab-harata.

The exhibition was inaugu-rated by ADEI Sarvada Pal in thepresence of Headmaster SureshGhatwal, Chairman SadashivWalaulikar, Srikrishna Dhond,Ganesh Joshi, PTA PresidentArun Naik, headmistress Suvid-hya Ganpule and others.

Rangoli art by Siddhanti ArjunParab at Gaonkarwada-Bicholimwas the major attraction.

Expo highlights scientific tactics of Rangoli art

Exhibition of Science and Crafts organized by Shantadurga Schoolat Bicholim. Photo by Vishant Vaze

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

VALPOI, DEC 22

Kaka Karmarkar Memorial Trust,public charitable trust, was re-cently formed at Valpoi.

The Kaka Karmarkar Memo-rial Trust has been named afterlate Laxman G Karmarker.

In their first press briefing,the trustees informed mediathat the idea of forming theTrust emerged on the Remem-

brance Day of late Karmarker.Briefing the press, Trust Pres-

ident Dr Premanand Dalal in-formed that late Karmarker wasa versatile personality, a freedomfighter, progressive farmer, vi-sionary and was active through-out h is l i fe in soc ia l andeducational fields.

He further informed that theTrust in his memory has beenformed with an objective to

work in social, educational andagricultural fields.

Other members of the Trustare Apa K Teli, Shankarao Pha-datre, Kamlakant Phadte, PremaL K a r m a r ke r a n d Va s a n tPusalkar.

Trust Secretary Adv YeshwantGauns said the corpus fund in-tended to be raised is Rs 10 lakhand already Rs 2.5 lakh has beencollected.

He said the Trust will be or-ganising a lecture for studentsof Hanuman Vidyalaya HighSchool on January 7, 2011, at10 am. Educationist Sharad Poxewill deliver the lecture, he in-formed.

The Trust members have ap-pealed the associates, friends,admirers of late Karmarker andinterested people to becomemembers of the Trust and urgedthem to donate for the goodcause, which is first of its kindin Sattari.

Charitable trust formed at Valpoi

Members of Kaka Karmarkar Memorial Trust addresses press con-ference at Valpoi. Photo by Ashraf Khan

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, DEC 22

With Christmas round the corner,the traditional cake-mixing cere-mony which has in the past beena family event from the sixteenthcentury, is a tradition synonymouswith the Taj Exotica to promotegood-will and happiness.

Christmas cake is an Englishtradition that began as plum por-ridge. People ate the porridge onChristmas Eve, using it to linetheir stomachs after a day of fast-ing. Soon dried fruit, spices andhoney were added to the porridgemixture, and eventually it turnedinto Christmas pudding.

In the 16th century, oatmealwas removed from the originalrecipe, and butter, wheat flourand eggs were added. These in-gredients helped hold the mixturetogether and in what resulted ina baked plum cake. Richer familiesthat had ovens began making fruitcakes with marzipan, almondsugar paste

For Christmas, they made cakeusing seasonal dried fruit andspices. The spices representedthe exotic eastern spices brought

by the Wise Men. This cake be-came known as "Christmas cake."

At the Taj Exotica, Goa it hasbeen our long standing traditionto soak our dried fruit and spicesfor one long year, ensuring toreach the perfect balance of mac-eration.

Pastry Chef Ravi enlightenedthe Taj family which comprisedof our resident guests, localcelebrities, the media and aspiringhoteliers on the 16th century tra-dition of Christmas Cake Mixing,this year 80 kgs of dried fruitswere mixed for cakes next year.

General Manager Taj Exoticaand Area Director Goa Hotels -Mr Saleem Yousuff started off thistradition by sprinkling an agedrum onto the fruits and invitedthe entire gathering to participatein this auspicious ceremony.

The entire gathering applaudedthe arrival of the young and tal-ented carol singers from DaddysHome (a school for special chi