OHERALDOThe Voice of Goa Since 1900

PTI

NEW DELHI, SEPT 23

The Allahabad High Court ver-dict on the Ayodhya title suitwill not be delivered tomorrowwith the Supreme Court defer-ring it by a week in a suddenturn of events today and decid-ing to hear the plea for post-ponement next Tuesday.

After sharp differences overthe issue of entertaining the pe-tition challenging the HC orderrefusing to postpone the judge-ment, a Bench comprising Jus-tices R V Raveendran and H LGokhale stayed for a week theverdict due to have been pro-nounced tomorrow by the HighCourts Lucknow Bench.

Following the courts tradi-

tion in case of differences, theBench decided to issue noticesto all the contesting parties andsought their response to the

plea by retired bureaucratRamesh Chand Tripathi.

Tripathis petition pleaded forexploring the possibility of an

out-of-court settlement on the60-year-old Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit dispute.

The court asked Attorney Gen-

eral G E Vahanvati to be presentand assist the court when thematter comes up on Tuesday.

In view of the differences,place the matter before theChief Justice of India for consti-tuting a larger Bench, the courtsaid in its order.

Justice Raveendran was of theview that the special leave peti-tion filed by Tripathi should bedismissed while Justice Gokhalewas of the opinion that a noticeshould be issued for exploringthe option of settlement.

Notwithstanding his reserva-tions, Justice Raveendran, whowas heading the Bench, pre-ferred to go along with JusticeGokhale in making one attemptto find a settlement.

Business: India switchesover to cleaner fuel! Pg 13

iN BRieF

Oops!! your silly spelling mistakehas cost us our forensic labora-tory.

Sports: Champions League firstsemi-final today Pg 18

Goas Heartbeat: Jade Jagger toopen jewellery store in Goa Pg 14

Visit us at:www.oheraldo.in panjim, friday, september 24, 2010 priCe rs. 3.00 (air surcharge rs 2.00) pages 18

HERALD NEWS DESK

PANJIM, SEPT 23

His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar,the world spiritual leader andfounder of the Art of Living willarrive in Goa on Friday evening.

To commemorate the occa-sion, the Art of Living family, itsGoa chapter has organisedAnandotsav 2010 which will beheld in the presence of Sri SriRavi Shankar on Saturday, at 5 pm at Colva beach.

SC stays Ayodhya verdict

PTI

NEW DELHI, SEPT 23

Amid intense criticism overCommonwealth Games prepa-rations, Prime Minister Manmo-han Singh today held a meetingwith union ministers and othersinvolved in the sporting eventbut kept away Organising Com-mittee chief Suresh Kalmadi,triggering speculation aboutbeing sidelined.

The Prime Minister askedCabinet Secretary K M Chan-drashekhar to meet Common-wealth Games Federation chiefMichael Fennell tomorrow afterhe arrives here and apprise himof the preparations.

During the 90-minute meet-ing, Singh enquired about vari-ous aspects of the preparationsfrom Urban Development Min-ister Jaipal Reddy, Sports Min-ister M S Gill, Delhi LieutenantGovernor Tejendra Khanna andChief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

The Prime Minister wasbriefed about the state of pre-paredness of the CommonwealthGames. He was informed thatevery effort is being made to

prepare the games facilities andthe Village to the expected stan-dards, Khanna said.

Our guests will be receivedand welcomed in accordancewith the best traditions of Indianhospitality, the Lt Governor saidafter the meeting which wasa l so a t tended by Chan -drashekhar, National SecurityAdviser Shivshankar Menon andHome Secretary G K Pillai.

Significantly, Kalmadi was notinvited to the meeting, trigger-ing questions as whether he wasbeing sidelined in the wake ofall-round attack over the lack ofpreparedness.

Apart from accusations of in-efficiency, the Organising Com-mittee and the government havealso been left embarrassed bythe collapse of a bridge near theJawahar Lal Nehru Stadium.

The meeting came two daysafter international delegateslambasted the Games Village asfilthy and uninhabitable andtop teams such as Canada, Scot-land and New Zealand delayedtheir departure to the Indiancapital.

PM holds meet,Kalmadi kept out

Casinos withdrawpetitions

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, SEPT 23

The off-shore casino operatorstoday withdrew petitions filedbefore Bombay High Court atGoa in which they had chal-lenged State Governments de-cision to shift them to Aguadabay.

Lawyers representing all sixoff-shore casino managementsconceded to withdrew the pe-titions, when the matter cameup for hearing on Thursdaymorning before the DivisionBench comprising of Justice DG Karnik and Justice F M Reis.

The court was told by lawyers

Beware! dry fishmay be harmful

PTI

KENDRAPARA (Orissa), SEPT 23

Dry fish is a popular delicacylapped up across the country,but consumption of it is alsohazardous for human health asthe preservative used in keepingthem dry is highly toxic.

Dry fish traders at Kharinasi,Ramnagar and Paradip on theBay of Bengal widely use thepreservative to keep the fish dryfor longer for export to stateslike West Bengal, Assam andChattishgarh.

Test of samples of a particularclass of preservative used in pro-ces s ing d r y f i sh i n aBhubaneswar-based RegionalResearch Laboratory found sub-stances of Formalin De-Hydewhich is often used to preservehuman body.

It is deadly if consumed rawand if one has to use it for pro-cessing dry fish it should beused only in a diluted form,Subrat Das, marine fisheriesofficer of the Paradip zone,said.

However, Hemant Biswal,local unit chief of the Orissa Ma-rine Fish Producers Association,claimed that the toxicity contentof the preservative becamegreatly reduced once it was ex-posed to air.

To put an end to the unethicaltrade practice, the Marine Fish-eries Directorate has clampeda blanket ban on any form ofchemical for dry fish process-ing.

We have come across reportsof dry fish traders using preser-vatives. As the preservativechemicals are suspected to con-tain toxicity, orders were issuedrecently on prohibiting its use,Subrat Das said.

Notices were served on dryfish manufacturing units, marine

fishermens bodies, trawler op-erators association besides fish-ermens cooperative societies.Any deviation would be a penaloffence under the Marine Fish-ing Regulation act, 1982, hesaid.

Bibhuti Biswal, a spokesmanfor the traders, defending theuse of preservatives argued thatit was a common practiceamong fishing communitiesacross the country and to thebest of his knowledge it wasnot detrimental to humanhealth.

Test of samples of aparticular class ofpreservative used inprocessing dry fish ina Bhubaneswar-basedRegional ResearchLaboratory foundsubstances ofFormalin De-Hydewhich is often used topreserve human body.

80 p.c. Goan kids totally immunisedSPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

PANJIM, SEPT 23

The more educated the mother,the more likely a child is to getproper immunisation. Goa,along with Lakshadweep,Daman & Diu, Andaman & Nico-bar Islands, Himachal Pradesh,Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Punjaband Kerala, is in the group ofStates with the highest level ofcomplete immunisation; 80 percent or higher.

These figures have been re-leased by the latest UNICEF Cov-erage Evaluation Survey 2009,which estimates that 61 per centof Indian children in the agegroup 12 to 23 months werefully immunised.

Earlier, government estimatesunder the District Level House-hold Survey-3 for 2007-08(DLHS-3), reckoned 54 per centhad received the full immunisa-tion schedule.

The complete schedule of im-munisation for children undertwo years includes BCG (TB),three doses each of polio andDPT (Diphtheria, Pertussis orwhooping cough, Tetanus), andMeasles. Often the first doses

Sri Sri toarrive today

After sharp differencesover entertaining thepetition challengingthe HC order refusingto postpone thejudgement, the Benchstayed the verdict for aweek. The Benchdecided to issuenotices to all thecontesting parties andsought their response .

India a thriving democracy: USAhead of his landmark visit inearly November, PresidentBarack Obama described Indiaas a thriving democracywhich peacefully overthrewcolonialism. -- (PTI)

ON PAGe 5

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Amultifaceted personality

mixed ReACTiONCONGRESS: SC order is with good intentions,everybody should welcome it.

BJP:We will wait for the High Court verdict tocome out and then react to it.

CPM: How can one expect to achieve anyresult, that too within a week?

VHP: Disappointed, rules out conciliation as ameans to solve the dispute.

Plea for postponement will now be heard on Tuesday

(Continued on page 10)

(Continued on page 10)

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GOA, FRIDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER, 2010

GOA Pg 2OHERALD

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Churches urged to pray ahead of Ayodhya verdict

HERALD NEWS BUREAU

PANJIM, SEPT 23

The president of the CatholicBishops' Conference of India(CBCI) has urged all churches inthe country to pray ahead ofthe Ayodhya title suit verdict tobe pronounced by the AllahabadHigh Court.

"The verdict on the Ayodhyamosque should be fair, and ac-cepted by all parties, and leadto interfaith harmony. India hasa pluralist tradition of peaceand this must be defended atall costs," said CBCI PresidentCardinal Oswald Gracias, whowas quoted in the AsiaNews.

"The Church is not a party tothis case, but it has a role toplay, as a bridge builder for un-derstanding, tolerance and re-spect. For this reason, we mustuse prayer, the most powerfulweapon we have at our dis-posal," said Cardinal Gracias in

the report."The verdict could lead to vi-

olence between Muslims andHindus. Clashes would in turnraise tensions and cause socialdisorder."

"As spiritual leaders in India,we have called on all the faithfulto pray for our beloved home-land, especially for peaceful ac-ceptance of the sentence," saidCardinal Gracias.

According to AsiaNews, thearchbishop of Mumbai, whotraces his roots to Orlim-Salcete,is the first religious leader toask his fellow believers to prayfor Ayodhya, which, after thedestruction of the mosque, wasturned into a Hindu temple.

"This call to pray can be easilyunderstood by the fact thatIndia is a profoundly spiritualnation. Here, religious leadersare much respected and heeded.This is part of India's culture

and life. It is essential for us tolead people against violenceand favour true brotherhood,"Cardinal Gracias said.

"All Indians must be likebrothers. They must apply theprinciple of reciprocity amongall religions. We must make surethat India is not just an eco-nomic power, but that it is spir-itual and moral authority berecognised among the nations."

Cardinal Gracias pointed outthat the verdict in the trialwould "touch everyone, not onlyHindus and Muslims."

"We must continue to fightfor religious freedom and re-spect for places of worship, fun-damental rights for progressand development. They are partof our cultural heritage and areprotected by our constitution.But above all, they are the foun-dation of man's dignity," he wasquoted in the report.

AAGMJ appeals

for peaceHERALD CORRESPONDENT

MARCEL, SEPT 23

The Association of All Goa Mus-lim Jamaats (AAGMJ) has ap-pealed to people of the State tomaintain their traditional peaceand harmony, irrespective of theHigh Court judgement.

Goans are known for main-taining peace and communalharmony and the present situa-tion demands that we all jointogether and channelize our re-sources for maintaining peaceand prosperity of our country,states the press note issued by

AAGMJ General Secretary KaziSalim.

Let us all respect the judicialsystem and work together forthe welfare of the common man.Let peace be a victor today,added the press note.

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, SEPT 23

Goa police has placed all se-curity measures on stand tillthe next date after SupremeCourt deferred Fridays ver-dict on Ayodhya to September28, police Spokesperson Su-per intendent o f (Spec ia lBranch) Police Atmaram Desh-pande said.

Security was enhanced asa precautionary measure thatcould arise after the verdicton Ayodhya case. However,since the Supreme Court hasdeferred the verdict, all secu-rity steps are put on hold tillthe next date, said the officer.

A high level meeting of min-isters, bureaucrats and policewas held on Wednesday to or-ganise peace committee meet-

ings in sensitive areas of Goaon Friday.

Chief Minister DigambarKamat at a press conference hadalso requested locals not to fallprey to any propaganda thatcould lead to communal furyafter the Court delivers the ver-dict.

Section 144 of CrPC was im-posed and Quick ResponseTeams and police personnelwere deployed at all sensitiveareas including Margao, Davor-lim, Curchorem and otherplaces. The state had also di-rected that all vehicles enteringGoa through major and otherpoints be checked.

These security measures willnow be practiced on the daywhen Supreme Court passes itsorder on a fresh date.

Security measures put on hold, for now

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

MARCEL, SEPT 23

In view of the Ayodhya ver-dict, which has been deferredfor September 28, Ponda Po-lice on Thursday formed aPeace Committee comprisingvarious religious representa-tives from Ponda taluka.

Ponda Sub-divisional PoliceOfficer, DySP, Seraffin Diasand Police Inspector CL Patilguided the members presentduring the meeting on theirrole in the Peace Committee.

According to Ponda Police,the committee will help inmaintaining peace during anyuntoward incident in thetaluka.

PI Patil said all the precau-tionary measures have beenundertaken so that no unto-

ward incident takes place.I urge people not to take

law in their hands and theverdict should be respected.People should not come onthe streets or break law inwhatsoever protest. Variousleaders and political figureshave also appealed to thepeople to maintain peace,he said.

We are taking no chanceand will strictly monitor thearea. Wherever people noticeany anti-social activity, thenplease report it to us and donot get carried away with ru-mours, added PI Patil.

The Peace Committee willalso help us to connect topeople in trouble times tomaintain peace and harmonyin the society, said PI Patil.

Peace panel formed in Ponda

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

PORVORIM, SEPT 23

Deputy Collector Bardez D MRedkar has appealed to all sec-tions of society to desist fromany activity which could disturblaw and order in view of the Ay-odhya title suit verdict to bepronounced by the AllahabadHigh Court.

He was speaking at the meet-ing of representatives of allfaiths convened by him in hisoffice on Thursday.

The verdict of the high courtmay go in favour of one party,but the aggrieved party has aright to appeal against the ver-dict in the Supreme Court,stated Redkar.

The Central government hasalso appealed to people not todraw any hasty conclusions onthe verdict and had assured the

people that the issue will besettled amicably. Hence afterverdict, people should not getdisturbed and take law in theirhand, said Redkar.

Redkar further said the stategovernment has imposed Sec-tion 144 prohibiting assemblyof people in the state and it willcontinue till September 25.

Hence, no procession shouldbe taken out without prior per-mission of the government. Inthe State, people of all religionshave been living in peace andharmony for years together andthere has been no communaltension, he said.

The people should acceptthe verdict of the High Courtwith an open mind and shouldnot undertake unlawful activityto demonstrate their protestwhich might disturb peace of

the State, added Redkar.Deputy Superintendent of Po-

lice Sammy Tavares advised thefew citizens invited to the meet-ing to appeal to the people oftheir respective communitiesto cooperate with the policeand help maintain law and orderin Bardez taluka.

The police department hasalso deployed reserved policein sensitive areas as a preventivemeasure, informed DySPTavares.

Bardez Mamlatdar GaurishShankhwalker, DySP P L Mapari,Porvorim Police Inspector De-vendra Gad, representatives ofJamma Masjid (Mapusa), Hamza-sha Masjid (Betim), GossiaMasjid (Socorro), Hindu Janaja-gruti Samiti, RSS, Mapusa andPopular Education Trust werepresent for the meeting.

Maintain law and order, Bardez dy Collector appeals

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

SANGUEM, SEPT 23

Quepem Deputy Collector Ag-nelo Fernandes has urged thepeop le o f Sanguem andQuepem talukas not to be dis-turbed with the verdict on Ay-odhya, as the verdict by the HighCourt could be appealed beforethe Supreme Court.

A meeting of the Peace Com-mittee and prominent citizensfrom Sanguem, Curchorem andQuepem was convened in thechamber of Deputy Collector,Quepem, on Thursday to discusspreventive measures and to avoidany incidents from taking placeafter the High Court verdict onAyodhya issue is given.

The meeting was attendedby a large number of people,mostly sarpanchas, panchayatmembers, chairpersons, generalpublic and police officers.

Speaking at the meeting, Fer-nandes urged the people not tobe disturbed after the judge-ment is pronounced as the ver-dict to be given by the HighCourt to be only one step in thejudiciary.

"The party affected by thejudgement could well file an ap-peal before the Supreme Court,"he said.

He urged the public to refrain

from clashing in the name ofGod and that they should notopenly react to the verdict,whether it is in their favour oragainst.

It is the duty of everyone tocontribute to the peace forIndia. Let us remain united andnot provoke anyone, claimedFernandes.

Fernandes also gave strict di-rections to the police officersto avoid happening of any un-foreseen eventualities withintheir jurisdiction after the judge-ment.

If need be, take preventivemeasures against any personwho tries to bring discord tothe communal harmony, addedFernandes.

Ashish Karmali expressed hisfeeling and the fallout of 1989to 1991, where there was a lotof destruction and submittedthat there can be out of courtsettlement between the com-munities.

Sanjay Dessai, Maruti Naikand Vassant Parwar also spokeat the meeting.

At the end of the meeting,all the members unanimouslydecided to remain united at thehour and not to fall prey to anycommunal forces to destroy theunity of India.

Quepem dy Collector appeals for calm

People attend the meeting convened by the Mapusa Deputy Collector. Photo by Anil Shankhwalker

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, SEPT 23

A peace committee meetingconvened by Sub-divisional Mag-istrate, Margao Johnson Fernan-des has appealed to the peopleto maintain peace and commu-nal harmony irrespective of theJudgment of the Allahabad highcourt on the Ayodhya dispute.

Senior police officials, besidescitizens, including Margao Mu-nicipal Chairperson SavioCoutinho attended the meetingand underscored the need tomaintain the traditional bondof amity and peace amongstGoans.

Responding to a suggestionmooted at the peace meeting,Margao Sub-divisional Police of-ficer, DySP Umesh Gaonkar saidthat the police will carry outchecks at the border check postsnot to leave any scope for ru-mours that outsiders are comingto Goa to create disturbances.The district Administration hasinvolved section 144 of the CrP C banning all processions, car-rying of weapons, use of loudspeaker, lighting of fire crackerset al. Exemption, however, isprovided for religious functionsand services, DySP Gaonkaradded.

Replying to a question on thedistribution of pamphlets by Ba-

jrang Dal, DySP Gaonkar saidthe pamphlet pertains to the 21day Ganesh festivities at theSamarth Gad Temple at the Rum-damol Housing Board, butadded that the district admin-istration will still verify aboutthe pamphlets as a precaution-ary measure.

Sub-divisional Magistrate,Margao Johnson Fernandes saidthat police force will be de-ployed adequately in sensitiveareas, while appealing to main-tain the rich tradition of com-munal amity amongst Goans.We have made a strong appealto various religions to pass onthe message to the people tolive in peace and harmony. Wehave to respect the Judiciary,he added.

Earlier in the morning, a del-egation of the Concerned Citi-zens for Peace called on theChief Minister Digambar Kamatat his residence and requestedhim to call an all party meetingin view of Fridays Allahabadhigh court judgement.

The Chief Minister told thedelegation that the state admin-istration is fully geared up tomeet any situation, and recalledthe directions issued to the col-lectors to convene peace meet-i ngs a s a p recau t iona r ymeasures.

Margao SDM urges people to maintain communal harmony

All eyes on Rumdamol

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, SEPT 23

With the district administra-tion gearing up to tone upsecurity in view of the Judg-ment on the Ayodhya dispute,the Rumdamol housing areais the cynosure of all eyesgiven the past history.

Residents of the HousingBoard, including electedmembers, feel that the areahave not witnessed any com-munal incidents in recenttimes and the people havebeen staying peacefully with-out any dispute.

Rumdamol deputysarpanch Damu Naik said thattheres absolutely no disputebetween members of theHindu, Muslim and Christiancommunities staying in Hous-ing Board. We have togethercelebrated ID and GaneshChathurti. There are no ten-sions between the religiouscommunities, he added.

Rumdamol Sarpanch Sher-iffa Bi echoed similar senti-ment s and expres sedconfidence that nothing un-toward will take place in theHousing Board area.

HERALD REPORTER

VASCO, SEPT 23

Mormugao Deputy CollectorLevinson Martins and DySP Ma-hesh Gaonkar on Thursday con-veyed a meeting of variousreligious groups and committeesfrom Vasco to discuss law andorder in the wake of RamJanambhoomi-Babri Masjid caseverdicy, which has been post-poned to Septmebr 28.

To ensure communal peaceand harmony among variouscommunities, religious organi-zations convened the meeting

at Janata Vachanalaya Hall,Vasco.

Urging the people to maintainsecular fabric of the town, Mormu-gao Municipal Council ChairmanShekhar Khadapkar, Martins andGaonkar urged to take preventivemeasures so that anti-social elementsdo not take advantage of the situa-tion after the verdict.

It is important to ensure thatlaw and order is not disturbedwith the fallout of AllahabadHigh Court verdict and ensurethat people assistance is re-quired to maintain peace and

harmony in the taluka, saidMartins.

Vasco PI Braz Menezes, Mor-mugao PI Nigle, Verna PI JivbaDalvi, Sancoale Deputy SarpanchRamakant Borker, former Chi-calim sarpanch Anacleto D-Souza, Councilor Arnold Rego,Vishaw Hindu Parishad officebearer Shrikant Dhargalkar, TahirDaud Carol among others werepresent for the meeting.

The Apex Court has stayedthe verdict, which was supposedto be delivered on September24.

Mormugao officials take stock of situation

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, SEPT 23

Goa government is yet to issueshow-cause notice to ShimnitUtsch over termination of highsecurity registration plates(HSRP) contract even one andhalf month after making sub-mission to the High Court.

Transport Director Arun Desaitold Herald that the departmentis yet to receive file from thegovernment over terminationof the contract.

We are waiting for the govern-ment approval over the contract file.The show-cause notice will be issuedaccordingly, he said.

It is confirmed from the Ad-vocate Generals office that thefile was forwarded to the state

government on August 23 andis still pending with them.

After the company- Shimnit Utschin their petition to the High Courtpointed out that the governmenthas not followed the procedure whiletaking decision to terminate thecontract, the state government hadassured Court that the notice willbe issued soon before termination.

Accordingly, the transport de-partment on August 20 decidedto issue show-cause notice overits termination. However, it wasfurther postponed to August 23.

The state government had as-sured to scrap the tender ofShimnit Utsch after Srivastavacommittee pointed out glaringirregularities in the tenderingprocess.

No show cause notice to Shimnit Utsch yet

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, SEPT 23

The Central Bureau of Investi-gation (CBI) on Thursday op-posed the application filed byformer Tourism Minister, MickkyPacheco for release of his cellphones and laptops.

Making an oral submissionbefore Judicial Magistrate FirstClass, Margao, a CBI official op-posed the appl icat ion ongrounds that the JFMC court hasno jurisdiction to entertain theapplication since the matter istriable by the sessions court.

The JMFC, however, has askedthe CBI to submit a written replyto the court and fixed the matterfor hearing on October 1.

Acting Investigating OfficerAshok Yadav, however, sought

time to file the reply as the In-vestigating officer is presentlyin Delhi.

Pachecos lawyer Adv SrikantNayak submitted before thecourt that its nearly a fortnightsince the CBI seized the laptopsand the cell phones when theseitems have no connection withthe probe, more so when theMLA has fully cooperated withthe investigations.

The JMFC later adjourned thematter to October 1 for the CBIto file reply to the applicationfiled by Pacheco for the releaseof his laptops and cell phones.

Adv Nayak later told news-men that the CBIs decision toseize the laptops and cell phonehas no basis since the SIM cardsare absolutely new and when

the information can be obtainedfrom the cell phone companies.

He further argued that out ofthe four laptops, one has beenout of order, while another onewas given to Pacheco by thegovernment being a Legislator.

Pacheco is being framed bythe CBI under an economic of-fense merely on a statement oftwo persons apprehended in theUSA that they were recruited bythe former Minister, he said.

Moreover, he pointed out thatif the allegations made by thetwo persons detained in USA istrue that Pacheco had facilitatedforgery of travel documents,then the American consulate,which had issued the travel Visa,should be made a party to theinvestigations.

CBI opposes release ofMickkys phones, laptops

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, SEPT 23

Exactly four years since theSouth Goa Planning and Devel-opment Authority (SGPDA) in-vited objections for the OutlineDevelopment Plan for Margao,the PDA has finally publishedthe ODP after government ap-proval.

Copies of the ODP are avail-able for inspection at the officeof the South Goa Planning andDevelopment Authority, Margaoand the office of Senior TownPlanner, Town Planning depart-ment, Margao.

The PDA had on September6, 2006 had invited objectionsto the revised Development Planfor Margao. The plan was re-no-tified for the Margao PlanningArea on August 23, 2007, invit-ing public suggestions and ob-jections.

On September 30, 2008, thegovernment returned the planback to the SGPDA with direc-tions to modify and alter theplan following huge protestsfrom members of the public.

The Margao ODP had kickedup a bitter row after citizensunder the banner of CitizensWelfare Committee and profes-sionals trongly opposed the planon grounds that the PDA didnot comply with the mandatoryprocedure.

SGPDA brings out

ODP HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, SEPT 23

Stakeholders attending the thirdedition of GIREM Urban Planningand Real Estate Leadership sum-mit have underlined the needfor a holistic approach to devel-opment without compromisingon the quality of life and thecultural heritage of a place orsociety.

Development need not nec-essarily mean good develop-ment. There is also dark side ofdevelopment which has beenwitnessed in some parts of Goatoo. With Development comechallenges in terms of infra-structure such as traffic, newbuildings etc, asserted Prin-c ipal Architect , V NareshNarasimhan.

While saying that there can-not be a compromise on the cul-tural heritage and quality of lifebecause of development, Nareshsaid it is difficult to balancethe two. This summit will go along way in addressing the linksbetween good quality develop-ment and infrastructure hand inhand, while preserving the cul-ture, heritage etc.

He pointed out that there isa current shortage of 25 millionhouses to house the increasingpopulation. We are faced withthe question of building these

houses as the government lacksthe resources on its own, hesaid, while rooting for thePublic Private Partnershipmodel not only to createhomes, but employment op-portunities for the new gen-eration of youth.

He also underlined the needto build new cities are the ex-isting cities are getting increas-i ng l y conges ted due tocontinuous migration from therural countryside.

GIREM president, Shyam Sun-dar S Pani said that many issuesrelating to townships, energy,water and waste managementwill be addressed at various lev-els during the three day Lead-ership summit.

Power the Future is thefocal theme of GIREM this year.The three-day long event willwitness key strategists, urbanplanners, industry experts andtop bureaucrats coverage to

brainstorm on how to deal withthe myriad issues that confronturban planning. About 300 del-egates from across India will beattending the summit.

Says GIREM President, ShyamSundar S Pani: With the per-centile growth of population inrural and urban areas during thedecade (2001-2011) estimatedat 17.9 and 31.2 per cent re-spectively, urban India isfaced with gargantuan issues pressure on housing andindustrial requirements; civicrequirements such as watersupply, sewerage, drainage etc.These pressing issues need im-mediate and long-term sustain-able solutions and all the stakeholders understand that theycannot be discussed and dealtin solos. GIREM is an initiativeto bring different key playerstogether in the pursuit ofplanned and sustainable urbandevelopment.

Holistic approach todevelopment needed

Development need not necessarily meangood development. There is also dark sideof development which has been witnessedin some parts of Goa too. WithDevelopment come challenges in terms ofinfrastructure such as traffic, newbuildings etc.

-- Architect, V Narasimhan

3 held guilty HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, SEPT 23

The South Goa Sessions Courton Thursday held guilty threepersons under section 307of the IPC for attempt tomurder.

In this case, the Maina Cur-torim police had charged thetrio for assaulting one JoaoPereira outside a bar at Mainawith iron rods and broken bot-tles, causing grievous injuriesto him.

The prosecution examinedaround 12 witnesses in supportof its case, informed Investigat-ing Officer, PSI Navlesh Desai.

Vishwajeet files

nominationHERALD CORRESPONDENT

VALPOI, SEPT 23

Congress candidate Vishwa-jeet Rane on Thursday filedhis nomination papers forthe October 18 bye-electionfor Valpoi constituency, ashundred of supporters gath-ered outside the Mamlat-dars office Valpoi.

Rane filed his nominationpapers before Returning Of-ficer Raju Gawas at Mamlat-dars office Valpoi at about11.30 am. The returning of-ficer was assisted by JointMamlatdar (Sattari) TruptiRane.

Rane was accompanied byChief Minister Digambar Kamat,Congress President Subash Shi-rodkar, Power Minister Alex Se-quiera, Pale MLA Pratap Gawas,Valpoi Municipal Council (VMC)V i ce Cha i rper son UmeshGulelkar, former MLA AshokParob, former ZP member LaduHarvalkar, Dr Divya VishwajeetRane, VMC councilors and pan-chas of various panchayats inValpoi constituency.

According to sources, Vish-wajeet Rane filed two sets ofnomination papers.

The proposer for one set wasUmesh Gulelkar,while Sayaji RaoDessai was the proposer for theother set.

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, SEPT 23

Whi le Opposi t ion LeaderManohar Parrikar and PanjimMLA along with some BJP sup-ported corporators have op-posed the Corporation of theCity of Panjim (CCP)s plans tostart pay parking at three loca-tions in the city, it (CCP) wantsto have pay parking at moreplaces in Panjim.

Approval for expanding payparking to other places in thecity is on agenda of the CCPsmeeting scheduled for Friday.The Opposition Leader had reg-istered its opposition to payparking plans of the CCP on thegrounds that it cannot have payparking unless all the existingparking spaces in the city areopened up.

He had alleged that manybuildings in the city haveblocked parking spaces and CCPis solely responsible for existingparking problem. Earlier thisweek CCP announced the intro-duction of pay parking in thecity beginning with 18 th JuneRoad, market area and DonaPaula jetty.

When contacted Elvis Gomes,CCP Commissioner, said he hasbrought it to the notice of Mayor, Carolina Po about objectionsraised by the Opposition Leaderpertaining to pay parking. Mayor

CCP plans 3 more pay parking slots

when contacted however, saidthey havent discussed the issueand no decision has been taken.

Meanwhile, CCP has taken ac-tion against blocking of parkingspace at Tamba House on M GRoad. Access to the parkingspace was made difficult by un-even levelling. Parrikar hadspecifically pointed out aboutblocking of the parking spaceat Tamba House and alleged thatoccupancy certif icate wasgranted to the owner by floutingrules.

Gomes said they have takenaction in this regard and theowner has been asked to openup the parking space.

CWH inCotigaoopposed

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

CANACONA, SEPT 23

After Chorao residents threat-ened to boycott public hearingsin view of governments plansto declare the village bird sanc-tuary as Critical Wildlife Habitat(CWH), similar opposition is alsobrewing in Cotigao.

The State Level Expert Com-mittee (SLEC) for Critical Wildlifehearing is scheduled at CotigaoPanchayat office on September30 in connection with the gov-ernment's plans to declare Coti-gao Wildlife Sanctuary into aCWH.

Sarpanch Rajesh Gaonkar is-sued a public notice and dis-played it at many prominentplaces asking villagers to remainpresent at SLEC hearings withevidences in large numbers.

Gaonkar has also informedthat in the past, gram sabha hadresolved to oppose govern-ments move to turn their villageinto a CWH, as the governmentcontinued to sleep on rehabili-tation measures after declara-tion of village forests as wildlifesanctuary.

If sources are to be believed,everyone in the village is op-posed against declaring the vil-lage wildlife sanctuary as CWHfor fear of more stringent rulesthat could be used to harassthem in the future.

GOA, FRIDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER, 2010GOA Pg 3OHERAL

DO

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, SEPT 23

Pilerne Citizens Forum on Thurs-day threatened to move theHigh Court on the viability ofany kind of elections in the Statewhen the Chief Election Com-missioner of India had himselfaccepted prima facie no ECIguidelines were followed whileenrolling voter names in theelectoral rolls in the State.

Addressing a press confer-ence, legal adviser to PCF, AdvYatish Naik, recalled, The ChiefECI Dr S Y Quraishi during hisGoa visit had assured PCF of aprobe through his secretaryBernard John, but it appears theinquiry will go on and on.

Adv Naik said they were askedto call John on September 10to know what action has beentaken into PCFs complaint onnon-compliance of ECI guide-

lines by mamlatdars in all 11talukas of the State. However,we called on September 13 and20 and both the times the replywas inquiry is on, he men-tioned.

This reply is a farce, he as-serted and questioned as to howelections could take place afteran officer of the highest calibrelike the Chief ECI made a publicstatement before the media stat-ing there was prima facie caseinto the submissions of PCF be-fore him.

It may be recalled PCF hadshown Quraishi documentssough under the Right to Infor-mation Act which brought tolight mamlatdars in all eleventalukas of the State were notfollowing ECI guidelines whileenrolling voter names in theelectoral rolls.

Adv Naik had many questions,

How did the ECI declare elec-tions when it was conductingan inquiry into the electoralrolls. Will there be any conclu-sion into this inquiry? Will elec-tion be legal and fair when thee lec tora l ro l l s a re underscrutiny?

He said the ECI has not beenserious and now he has to tellthe people of Goa what has beendone about the inquiry up tillnow. If elections are heldthen it will amount to viola-tion of democracy, he men-tioned.

On a question whether PCFwould be specifically prayingfor a stay on the Valpoi by-pollsto be held in October beforethe court, he answered, PCF isvery clear in this regard. Whatwe are saying is no electionsshould be held on the basis ofrolls under scrutiny of ECI. The

Valpoi by-poll roll too is underscrutiny of the ECI.

Adv Naik said the petition ofthe PCF was being drafted byseeking advice from very seniorlawyers and in the next two tothree days they would be readyto go before the court. We arecompelled to go to the courtbecause the highest officer hasnot done anything to see thew r o n g w a s r i g h t e d , h estated.

Some of the political punditsand analysts believe PCF has astrong case before the court asit has all the evidence soughtunder RTI Act that show uniformECI guidelines have not beenfollowed while formulating elec-toral rolls.

If the court takes a seriousstand thousands of illegal voterswill be thrown off the list, theyopined.

Election in Goa, if held, will be illegal, says PCF HERALD REPORTERPANJIM, SEPT 23

The Corporation of the City ofPanjim (CCP) has been facingtough time in dealing with citygarbage in the absence of itsown Solid Waste TreatmentPlant (SWMP) and, is now likelyto be burdened with garbagefrom Taleigao village panchayat(TVP) as well.

The TVP has demanded thatCCP to take care of its garbage(six trucks of mix garbage perday) as compensation for usinga landfill site that falls withinthe jurisdiction of the TVP.

We have received a proposalfrom TVP demanding that wetake care of solid waste gener-ated in Taleigao, said a CCP of-f icer on the condit ion ofanonymity.

Currently, the CCP does nothave facility of its own to burryresidual waste and, will have towait until the quarry located inLa Marvel Colony, Dona Paula ismade ready for use.

The CCP will discuss the pro-posal in its Friday meeting butits a foregone conclusion thatCCP will not turn reject the pro-

posal.And though all this while

TVP permitted CCP to use itssite for free of cost it is nowset to extract price with in-terest.

On hindsight, the CCP officersaid it would have been betterif TVP were to charge CCP forusing its site.

The CCP dispose off about55-60 ton of waste every day. Ithas composting units to treatbio degradable waste but theproblem is two-three trucks ofnonbio-degradable waste forwhich it has been compelled touse Taleigao site.

nThe TVP hasdemanded thatCCP to take careof its garbage ascompensation forusing a landfillsite that fallswithin thejurisdiction of theTVP.

Taleigao garbage now haunts CCP!

Two held for murder in Anjuna

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

CALANGUTE, SEPT 23

Anjuna Police on Thursday ar-rested two persons in connec-tion with the murder of SampritMalwankar at Anjuna.

It may be recalled that Sam-prit (23) from Ghumal Vaddo,Anjuna, was shot dead by an un-known person in a bar at Anjunaon Wednesday at about 7.30pm.

Anjuna Police arrested twosuspects, Ajit Kambli and Lax-man Salgaonkar, who have beenremanded to eight days policecustody for further investiga-tions.

Meanwhile, Samrpits bodywas handed over to his relativesfor final rites.

Calangute Police is investi-gating the case.

LURKING DANGER: At a time when the Directorate of Health Services is looking at containing vector-borne diseases like chikungunya anddengue, these discarded tyres dumped by the roadside, close to the KTC Circle in Panjim, could be possible breeding sites for mosquitoes.

Photo by Franky Gracias

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, SEPT23

After asking to withdraw thebunch of civil petitions, theBombay High Court at Goa onMonday will hear the final ar-guments in the petitions filedby Salgaocar Mining Indus-tries Pvt Ltd (SMIPL) chal-leng ing the Goa (Tour i s tPlaces Protection and Main-tenance) Act, 2001.

SMIPL had filed a plea in 2003seeking a declaration that theAct is in violation of the IndianConstitution. As per the act, thegrounded River Princess vesselbecomes a state property.

When the matter came up forhearing this morning, AdvocateMahesh Sonak appearing on be-half of SMIPL requested theCourt to hear the final argumentover the petition.

The court, however, ruled that

the petition would be heard onlyafter the company withdrawsall its other civil applications.

Accordingly, the lawyer saidthat the applications were with-drawn.

Earlier, the division benchcomprising Justice D G Karnikand Justice F M Reis disposedoff the intervention applicationfiled by River Princess HataoManch (RPHM), who had raisedobjection over awarding of ten-der to SMIPL.

The Court made it clear thatthe state government is yet togive into the terms of contractto SMIPL and hence RPHMs in-tervention does not stand.

Last week state governmentin an oral statement to theCourt, had said that it wouldmodify the terms and conditionsset before SMIPL for the removalof the vessel.

Advocate General SubodhKantak had informed Court thatin the fresh modification thestate has asked SMIPL to in-crease the bank guarantee to10 crores instead of one-crore.SMIPL, however on Wednesdayrefused to accept the govern-ments proposal to deposit Rs10 crore guarantee for the RiverPrincess tender.

Goa government earlierthis month had informed theCourt that SMIPL wi l l begiven preference to removethe stranded vessel from theCandolim shore as it is readyto do free of cost.

Accordingly, the divisionbench had asked the govern-ment to make sure that the ves-sel is removed before onset ofnext monsoon beginning fromNovember 7, 2010 to May 7,2011.

Tipperstolen

in Vasco HERALD REPORTER

VASCO, SEPT 23

A t ipper, worth about Rs11.68 lakh, was stolen fromBaina-Vasco on Wednesdaynight.

According to Vasco Police, un-known persons stole Tata tipper(GA-06-T-1428), which wasparked near Kamat Service Sta-tion at Baina.

According to the statementof tipper owner Ibrahim Shaikh,the vehicle, which was barelyone-year old, was parked atBaina on Wednesday at about11 pm. The truck was foundmissing on Thursday at about 6am, informed police.

Vasco Police has registeredan offence against unknown per-sons and is investigating thecase.

Incidentally, this is the secondsuch incident to have occurredin Vasco within the last threemonths, where parked heavy ve-hicles have been stolen by un-known people.

Earlier, a truck, which parkedat Varunapuri, Mangor Hill,Vasco, had gone missing and itis yet to be traced.

Live wiresbroughtdown inMargao

ERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, SEPT 23

Pedestrians had a miraculousescaped on Thursday morningafter low tension wires camedown on the pavement near theAga Khan Park.

Electricity AE, Sunil Wadekarsaid no one was injured in theincident was immediately putoff by the department.

The incident occurred whena Coach carrying heavy luggagecame in contact with the over-head wires, bringing down thecables and the cable guard.

As per the report of the trafficconstable, the cables and the guard-ing came down because the bus car-rying heavy luggage. No one isinjured in the incident, he said,even though some said a womanwas injured after she fell down.

One dies in mishap

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, SEPT 23

A two-wheeler rider died in aroad accident on the Easternbypass near Maruti Mandir onThursday noon.

Margao PI Santosh Desai saidthe deceased Franky Norohna(38) met with a self accident andwas immediately rushed to thehospital. He succumbed to hisinjuries at the Goa Medical Col-lege and Hospital, Bambolim.

The police are investigating.

One held inMumbai for

theft inCalangute

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, SEPT 23

A thief who looted his colleagueof lakhs of rupees in Calanguteand fled to Mumbai was arrestedby a vigilant traffic constablenear Dadar railway station atMumbai, today morning.

The traffic police ShankarSalunkhe attached to Matungatraffic police station was on dutynear Dadar (East) station whenhe saw a crowd chasing a man.

Realising seriousness of thesituation, Salunkhe also ran andcaught hold of the person whowas identified as SameerullaRafique Katachi. He was takento the respective police stationwhere, according to an officer,Katachi confessed he is involvedin a theft case.

He disclosed to the policethat he robbed his employernamed Satish Beg of Rs 20 lakhat Calangute and escaped.

When contacted CalangutePolice Inspector Nolasco Rapose,told Herald, that the accused isalso wanted in three propertiesrelated offences registeredagainst him at Calangute policestation. There are two to threeproperty cases booked againsthim We were working onthese cases as well, he toldHerald.

A team of Calangute police wasimmediately sent to Matunga tobring the accused to Goa on transferwarrant. The team along with theaccused has reportedly reached Goain the wee hours on Thursday-Friday.

The history-sheeter, a resi-dent of Mapusa and native ofKarnataka was earlier arrestedfor a shutter-bending case atMapusa police station when hewas a juvenile. Katachi has beennamed as accused in certaincases registered against him atdifferent police stations whereashe is suspected in other of-fences.

Princess case: SMIPL has withdrawn applications, lawyer tells High court

HSS teacherswant Part B

implementedHERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, SEPT 23

Teachers of Higher secondaryschools are agitated over thenon-implementation of Part Bof VI Pay Commission by thestate government in spite of re-peated promises.

HISTAG President GirishChodankar said we have beenstruggling peacefully since 2007,every time the teachers metChief Minister, we were onlypromised and sympathized, butnothing has come till date.

He further said that theteachers are eagerly waitingfor the last three years, butthe government is delayingthe matter under one pretextor other.

Teachers of higher second-aries have been sufferers fromall sides, he said, adding thatthe government have been quickin implementing UGC scales tothe College teachers by goingout of way, but is hesitating togive the higher secondary teach-ers their dues. With the samequalification, there is vast dif-ference in the scale of collegeand higher secondary teachers,Chodankar added.

Vowing to launch a peacefulagitation in support of their de-mands, Chodankar said the gen-eral body meeting of HISTAGhas been called on September26 at 10 am at Peoples highersecondary school, Panjim to de-cide the future course of action.

He has urged HISTAG mem-bers to attend the meeting.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

CANACONA, SEPT 23

When a youth from Canaconalanded up in Dubai in search ofa brighter future, little did herealise that his life would beturned upside down within daysof his arrival in the Gulf.

Jackson Coutinho (28) of Or-dhofond-Canacona reachedDubai after a sustained hunt fora decent job and joined a cater-ing company as a technicianwith a hope of becoming a solebread-earner to his family.

But as the fate would have iton the third day of his arrivalone-and-half month ago, he suf-fered from high fever and wasadmitted in hospital.

Since then, he is lying seri-ously ill in the ICU of Al-RashidHospital, Dubai, reportedly withmultiple organ failure.

Back home in Ordhfond-Cana-cona, the frantic parents arehelpless and have now relied onfervent prayers at the localchurch.

Special prayers, including awhole night retreat, was recentlyconducted in Bhatpal Church,with the priest leading the faith-

ful in fervent prayers to God tocure Jackson from his seriousailment.

According to a report pub-lished in Gulfnews quoting DrRaess Ahmad, head of ICU atRashid Hospital, Coutinho hashis liver, kidneys and lungs se-verely damaged.

He was operated on Mondayfor internal bleeding in his ab-domen and doctors found hispancreas also infected.

However, what surprised hisfamily back home and people,who now help him in Dubai, in-cluding one of his cousins andDubai Church authorities, is thathe was hale and healthy whenhe left from Goa via Mumbai.

The only incident was that ofan upset stomach when he alongwith his friends ate out in Mum-bai, before being admitted to

Dubai hospital in a serious con-dition.

His well-wishers in the Gulfreportedly on advice of the doc-tors at Al Rashid Hospital areplanning to shift him to HindujasHospital in Mumbai, providedhis condition improves.

Hopes are high, as he hasbeen reportedly responding tomedicines in recent days.

But the major hitch is financialresources in footing of heftybills of Al-Rashid Hospital,Dubai, increasing on daily basis,the travelling expenses of shift-ing him on a stretcher and ac-companying medics and thesubsequent cost of admission,treatment in Hindujas Hospital.

Sources informed that he hasno one in his family or his well-wishers in Dubai who are finan-cially capable of footing the

huge expenses needed to savehis life.

Some organizations and in-dividuals have now made wide-spread appeals on the internetand local media for donation tothe cause.

St Marys Goan (ex-Sodality)Community, a church body inDubai, is taking the initiative toassist Jackson and has appealedto donate for generating nec-essary funds.

Persons to be contacted forcontributions include Navita Bar-retto (00971-50-8559562) andMaria Fernandes (00971-50-4577209).

The Gulf News report hasalso appealed for funds ask-ing those wanting to reachout can write to editor@al-nisrmedia.com.

Besides, individuals too whovisit Jackson on his hospital bedhave sent e-mails to their con-tacts for prayers and financialhelp.

One Praveen Viegas writes:Please act immediately if youare willing, as funds are requiredfor the flight arrangement. Youcan also contact Fr Frank, FrMichael in St Marys Church,Dubai.

Goan youth struggling for life in Dubai, wants financial help

nThe major hitch is financial resources infooting of hefty bills of Al-Rashid Hospital,Dubai, increasing on daily basis, thetravelling expenses of shifting him on astretcher and accompanying medics andthe subsequent cost of admission,treatment in Hindujas Hospital.

GOAOHerALd

O

Pg4short tAkEs

GOA, FridAy, 24 SePTember, 2010

==

Restricted water supplyPANJIM (HND): Due to failure of raw water pump at Podocem

Water Treatment Plant, there will be restricted water supplyto entire Bardez and Bicholim Taluka on September 24.

Public is requested to bear the inconvenience caused.

Lions Week inaugurated

PANJIM (HND): Lions Club of Ponda inaugurated the LionsWeek at the hands of Zone Chairperson Sagar Sakordekar, atAntruz Shigmotsava Hall, Ponda.

A large gathering of lions, teachers and students from vari-ous schools of Ponda were present on the occasion.

The week full of Ponda taluka level competitions, com-menced with the Mehendi competition, for students of Std VI-IIth to Std Xth. 53 students participated in the contest.President of Lions Club of Ponda Sagar Panvelkar presentedthe analysis and announced the results of the Mehendi com-petition.

Bashira Sheikh of Dada Vaidya High School-Ponda won thefirst prize, Santoshi Naik of Wagle High School-Mangeshibagged the second prize and the third prize was awarded toRaksha Naik of Swami Vivekanand High School-Borim. Conso-lation prizes were awarded to Reema Ramrai of PragatiVidyalay, Borim and Pooja Chari of Government High School,Juna Bazar. Participation certificates were given to all partici-pants.

In his speech, Sagar lauded the participants for their effortsin creating the intricate designs and congratulated the win-ners. He highlighted the various projects taken up by LionsClubs at national as well as international level.

Lions Week co-ordinator Valaulikar presented a report onthe various events that will be held during the Lions Week. DrShaila Valaulikar coordinated the event.

11-day Ganesh immersedVALPOI (HC): The 11-day Ganesh idol of Sarvajanik Ganesh

Utsav Mandal Valpoi was immersed on Tuesday evening.Devotees were seen dancing to the beats of music arranged

by the Utsav mandal amid fireworks throughout the proces-sion.

The procession, which began in the evening, proceeded toValpoi market from Hanuman Temple, Valpoi and the idol wasimmersed at Massorde River.

The Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav Mandal Valpoi organised vari-ous competitions for the school children. Besides, cultural pro-gramme and religious programmes like Bhajan, Arti and Kirtanwere organized on all the days.

Valpoi Police Training School (PTS) and Valpoi Police im-mersed its nine days Ganesh idols on Sunday.

BoI holds Foundation Day

Sr Sybil felicitates meritorious SSC student from Nerul in the pres-ence of Anthony Pereira. Photo by Thomas Fernandes

CALANGUTE (HC): The 105th Foundation Day of Bank ofIndia (BoI) was celebrated by BoI Nerul Branch with a felicita-tion programme of SSC students, who excelled at the lastBoard examinations.

Interactive programme for the villagers and esteemed cus-tomers of the Bank was also organized on the occasion.

The three students of the local school in Nerul, SheralDMello, Reema R Kumar and Nikhil R Shirodkar were felici-tated by Sr Sybil of Our Lady of Remedies High School, Nerul,in the presence of Nerul Branch senior Branch Manager An-thony Pereira among others.

The bank had extended invitation to the senior citizens,pensioners, self-help group members, teachers, customers ofthe bank, headmistress of Our Lady of Remedies School, Nerul,and students of Nerul for the Foundation Day celebration.

Earlier, welcoming the gathering, Anthony Pereira and Man-ager Deposits M Albuquerque explained various deposit andloan schemes available for the general public.

Loan sanction letters were also distributed to the customersof the Bank. M Albuquerque later proposed the vote of thanks.

Hindi fortnight observed

Magazine Mandovi Pushpa released during the Hindi fortnightprogramme.

PANJIM (HND): Income Tax Department observed the Hindifortnight programme recently with an aim to promote andspread the use of official language Hindi and to create envi-ronment for the use of Hindi in day to day official working.

The concluding function was organized in the Aayakar Bha-van, Panjim. Chief Commissioner of Income Tax Pankaj Guptapresided over the function.

During this fortnight, various competitions like essay writ-ing, translation, memory, quiz, and Hindi singing were organ-ised. On this occasion, three prizes for each competition weredistributed and also two consolation prizes were awarded.

In accordance with Hindi training scheme, the exams of Pra-bodh, Pravin, and Pragya were conducted and prizes for firstthree ranks were distributed. The office of the Chief Commis-sioner of Income Tax, Panjim won the shield which was keptfor inter-office competition. On this occasion, MandoviPushpa the fifth edition of the department magazine was pub-lished at the hands of chief Commissioner of Income Tax PankajGupta.

uPCoMING EVENts

Friday BalcaoPANJIM (HND): Friday Balcao, the fortnightly discussion

event, will be held on September 24 at the Goa Desc ResourceCentre No 11, Liberty Apartments, Feira Alta, Mapusa and willfocus on the need for a people powered movement to tackleclimate change.

Drawing contest at MiramarPANJIM (HND): Disha Charitable Trust, School and Vo-

cational Centre for mentally challenged children will or-ganise its 10th all Goa drawing and paintingcompetition on September 25 at the Club Tennis deGasper Dias Hall, Miramar. Around 400 mentally chal-lenged children from all such schools in Goa will be par-ticipating. Minister of Social Welfare Sudin Dhavlikarwill be the chief guest.

Poetry book releasePANJIM (HND): Renowned Konkani poet and journalist San-

jiv Verenkar's English poetry anthology 'Village Evening' trans-lated by late Prakash Thali will be released on September 25at Goa Chamber and Commerce and Industry's hall, near AzaadMaidan at 4.30 pm.

The book will be released at the hands of Padmashree DrMaria Aurora Couto. The event is organised jointly by InstituteMenezes Braganza and Shri Nagesh Mahalaxmi Prasadik NatyaSamaj, Bandodem-Ponda,

Chairman of Goa Public Service Commission Prakash Desaiwill preside and curator of Central Library Carlos Fernandeswill be the guest of honour. Noted translator Dr Kiran Bud-kule will review the book. The book is published by Delhi-based B R Publishing Corporation. Sanjiv Verenkar's selectedpoems from his Konkani poetry books are included in thiscollection.

Harvest dance at NacionalPANJIM (HND): Clube Nacional, Panjim will hold its tradi-

tional Harvest Dance a dine and dance, featuring Goas top-most band Cascades on September 25 in the clube premisesfrom 8 pm onwards.

Members and their guests are requested to register theirnames in the clube office latest by 11 am on September 24.For further details, contact Clube Nacional on 2225316.

Workshop for womenPANJIM (HND): Konkani Bhasha Mandal and Bardez

Konkani Kendra in association with DMs College of Arts,Science, Commerce and Management will organise a work-shop on the topic Self defense for women: need and ap-proach on September 25 in DMs conference hall, from 3pm to 5.30 pm.

Papers will be presented by Anita Haladi, Anvesha Singbaland Valerie Britto. There will be demonstration on self-defensetechniques.

Felicitation of personalitiesCALANGUTE (HC): The Goa Cultural and Social Centre in

collaboration with Little Flower of Jesus High School,Calangute, will honour two Goan personalities, who ex-celled in different fields, on Eminent Goans Day, Septem-ber 25.

Tomazinho Cardozo, former speaker and a Tiatrist, and DrSusana de Souza, Director of Sports and Youth Affairs, will befelicitated by Minister for Tourism Nilkanth Halarnkar at LittleFlower of Jesus High School, Calangute, on Saturday at 10.30am.

Calangute MLA Agnelo Fernandes and Health Officer of Pri-mary Health Centre, Candolim, Dr Sachin Govenkar will alsobe present on the occasion. Besides, Goas top ranking stu-dents will also be felicitated on the occasion.

Blood donation campPANJIM (HND): A blood donation camp will be held on Sep-

tember 25 at VP Uccasaim-Paliem-Punola panchayat hall andwill be organised by United Cultural Association, Palem-Ucca-saim from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm.

Interested donors contact Baban on 9923536598 or Kar-ishma Madgaonkar on 9764744436.

ECG workshop PANJIM (HND): Vrundavan Hospital and Research Centre in

association with IMA-Goa, Bardez branch and Indian Red CrossSociety, will organise a one-day workshop on Electrocardiog-raphy (ECG) for family physicians on September 26, from 9 amto 5 pm.

This workshop addresses the needs of doctors and alliedhealth professionals who encounter ECG monitoring, whilstrecognizing the often chronic nature of these diseases, bybuilding knowledge of path physiology, assessment, examina-tion, treatment and care.

The workshop will be conducted at Vrundavan Hospitalpremises under the guidance of Dr Digambar Naik, Dr Viraniand Dr Madhusudhan Asawa. The training will be imparted byDr Digambar Naik, Dr Madhusudhan Asawa, Dr Naren Sharmaand Cheryle Menezes.

Physicians are advised to register in advance as there willbe a limited intake. Kindly contact the reception at 0832-2250022/33 or 9225989272.

Legal literacy campPANJIM (HND): The Legal Aid Society of V M Salgaocar

College of Law, Miramar will organise a legal literacy campon September 26 at Madkaim Panchayat Hall, Madkaim,Ponda, at 4 pm. The Ponda Taluka Legal Services Committeewill also open a legal aid clinic in Madkaim Panchayat, Mad-kaim on the same date, time and place, with a view tospread consciousness about the legal rights and duties ofthe citizens.

Advocate G V Khandeparkar will speak on Domestic Vio-lence Act, advocate Anupama Shirodkar will speak on benefitsand entitlement of free legal aid service.

Gandhi Jayanti celebrationsPANJIM (HND): Gandhi Jayanti will be celebrated in the State

on October 2. The main function will be held at GandhiChowk, Old Goa.

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat will be the chief guest, for-mer transport minister Pandurang Madkaikar, North Goa MPShripad Naik and other dignitaries will pay floral tributes tomemory of Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion.

Later, the chief minister will address the gathering and willalso felicitate Premanand Naik and Aruna Afonso for their serv-ice to the society.

A Sarva Dharma Prarthana will be held and Choir group ofKala Academy will recite Bhajans on the occasion.

Later, Chief Minister and other dignitaries will pay tributesto the memory of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shashtrion his Birth Anniversary Day.

wEAthEr rEPortMax Temp: 32.00C Min Temp: 24.00C

Humidity: 89%

Rainfall past 24 hrs: nil

Seasonal Total: 3273.5 mm

Forecast: Occasional spells of rain or thundershowers would occur.

PowEr shutdowNSEPTEMBER 24

OLD GOA: From 9 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are St Pedro area,Ramnath Saw Mill, Sheikh Hassan Quarry, Tamba Quarry and sur-rounding areas of Old Goa.

SEPTEMBER 25CORLIM: From 9 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are PDA colony,

Mollar, Dhulapi of Corlim village. SEPTEMBER 26

OLD GOA: From 9 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are Navelkar Es-tate, Navelkar Hill City of Old Goa village.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

MERCES, SEPT 23

North Goa flying squad in-charge and deputy collector(district recovery officer) Fran-cisco X L Ferrao informed thatthe powers of the flying squadsare not enough to bring theculprits to book and felt morepowers should be given for ef-fective functioning of thesquads.

Ferrao was speaking to re-porters in Merces, where an il-legal land filling activity wasbrought to his notice.

The squads should havepowers to attach the vehiclesand also arrest the offendersand the judiciary should nothave powers to question theauthority of the squad in-charge, he informed andadded that it should be some-thing on the lines of powersempowered in cases of illegalsand extraction.

Admitting that currently theflying squad is under-staffed,Ferrao informed that he has al-

ready urged the government tosanction him more staff so thatthe North Goa flying squadcould function smoothly.

However, he commendedthe current staff, who despitebeing overburdened are doinga tremendous job in helpingthe public when illegal hill cut-ting and illegal land filling ac-tivities are taking place.

When questioned whetherpolitical interference is ham-pering in discharging his du-ties, Ferrao said till date he isfunctioning independently andthere is no interference what-soever from the politicians.

When asked to comment onthe statements of the NGOswho have criticised him for notacting on their complaints, Fer-rao said it could have beendone in a burst of frustration.

He also informed that some-times they are so overbur-dened with work that theycant immediately attend to thecomplaints and this probablymakes the NGOs believe that

they are being ignored.Even if the flying squad

does not makes its presencefelt immediately on receipt ofcomplaint, it is duty bound tovisit the site within 24 hours,he clarified further and addedthat a mere phone call isenough for the squad to takeaction against the offenders.

Speaking on the functioningof the flying squad, Ferrao saidthat after halting the work ofillegal land filling or illegal hillcutting, a directive is issued tothe TCP Town Planner and theSDM to pursue further courseof action.

He then informed that theTCP officials then visit the siteand if they find any violation ofrules, they issue an order di-recting the police to file an FIRagainst the offenders.

The Tiswadi Town Plannerhas thus far issued several or-ders to file FIR, he divulged andadded that such action shouldbe forthcoming from Town Plan-ners of other talukas as well.

Need more power to functioneffectively: flying squad chief

Curchorem, Cacora locals form panel to contest polls

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

CURCHOREM, SEPT 23

A group of citizens from Cur-chorem and Cacora haveformed an association, Cur-chorem Cacoda Nagar VikasSamiti, to contest the forth-coming municipal election.

A special meeting was re-cently convened here under thechairmanship of formerQuepem block development of-ficer Anant C Kamat, who wasunanimously elected chairmanof the Samiti.

The main aim in setting upthe Samiti is to give corruptionfree, transparent-peoplefriendly and responsible munic-ipal administration to the citi-zens of CCMC.

Out of the 12 wards, theSamiti has presently decided tocontest six wards, dependingupon the response from the cit-izens and the names of the can-didates will be announced atappropriate time, stated Kamatin the press note.

HERALD NEWS DESK

PANJIM, SEPT 23

The 2010 Vincent Xavier Vero-diano Award has been con-ferred jointly on social workerMangala Wagle and environ-mentalist Clinton Vaz.

A resident of Palolem, Waglefound her humanism challengedat the fish market in Panjim dur-ing the daily confrontation be-tween angry fisherwomen andthe street children who stolefish from them to survive.Rather than remaining a specta-tor to the harrowing scene, shevowed to come to the aid of thechildren. She envisioned a set-ting where the street childrennot only would have a home butalso an opportunity to becomeeducated and gain social accept-ance. Her resolve resulted in thefounding of Hamara School in1990.

Presently, Hamara School ed-ucates almost 100 street kids,

most of whom are children ofconstruction workers or frompoor families where the young-sters have been forced towork. Hamara School's objec-tive is deeply rooted in the pre-cept: "Every child has a right tochildhood and every person aright to dream." The schoolalso strives to initiate and im-plement social change by en-couraging genuinerelationships to develop be-tween the privileged and theunderprivileged.

Clinton Vaz is a self em-ployed environmental consult-ant based in Benaulim. Afterleaving his job as a mechanicalengineer in 2004, he pursuedhis interest in the environmentand has been actively workingwith wildlife and environmen-tal protection. He began by as-sisting Swedish students withan awareness campaign as wellas the formation of the Be-

naulim Environment Trust in1999. Subsequently, he hasworked on various issues suchas river pollution, hospitalwaste, and environmental edu-cation.

Vaz has traveled extensivelyto speak on environmental is-sues, including in Delhi, Swe-den, Switzerland, Portugal andNepal. After a three year proj-ect with the Corporation of theCity of Panjim, Vaz is currentlypromoting environmentalawareness via interactive pre-sentations in Goan villages. Anecotourism booklet for touristis another of his ongoing en-deavors.

Instituted in 1989 by DomMartin, the objective of theVincent Xavier VerodianoAward is to promote the wellbeing of mankind through indi-vidual advancement in the fieldof art, music, literature, sci-ence, medicine or humanities.

Verodiano Award for Mangala Wagle, Clinton Vaz

Club Mahindra donates

street lights HERALD NEWS DESK

PANJIM, SEPT 23

Club Mahindra Varca Beach Re-sort, Varca donated 10 solarstreet lights to Varca village aspart of its corporate social re-sponsibility under the Esopsinitiative.

PWD Minster Churchill Ale-mao inaugurated the solarstreet lights. Parish Priest ofVarca Church Fr Luis Coutinhoblessed the solar light in thepresence of the VarcaSarpanch Vincentina Fernan-des, panch members, resi-dents, executives and staff ofClub Mahindra.

Alemao congratulated andthanked the team of ClubMahindra for taking the initia-tives for such a noble cause.

Earlier, Senior HR Managerof Club Mahindra Varca BeachPatsy Gomindes welcomed theguests and highlighted variousinitiatives of Club Mahindra.

Moira panel demands

demolition of house near

sluice gateHERALD CORRESPONDENT

PORVORIM, SEPT 23

The Katrachem Khazan Associa-tion of Moira has demanded thedemolition of a house at Katra-chem Khazan near their sluicegate, claiming that the structureobstructed the sluice gate.

In a complaint to the Attor-ney of Communidade of Ucas-saim, the Association statedthat farmers/tenants had aroom for the fishermen at thesluice gate to fish.

The sluice gate is being auc-tioned annually. One person hasconstructed a house by the sideof the sluice gate making it dif-ficult for the auctionee/fisher-men to cast their nets, statedthe complaint.

The illegal house is situatedon the bandara of Khazan Riverand it comes under the jurisdic-tion of Communidade of Ucca-saim. This house has beenrented out and the occupanthas kept big hound dog tothreaten the farmers/tenantsand fisherman. In view of this,illegal house may be demol-ished, states the complaint.

The farmers/tenants/mem-bers of Katrachem Khazan As-sociation had sent a letter withthe signatures of farmers/ten-ants to the Collector North Goa.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

PORVORIM, SEPT 23

Former MP Adv Amrut Kansarsaid every citizen of India hasa right to profess, practice andpropagate his religion peace-fully.

He was speaking after re-leasing the Marathi bookDharmantar Te Rashtrantar,written by Arjun Jairam Parab,at the function organised byGomantak Maratha Academy inassociation with PurogamyVicharmanch at Porvorim.

There is no restriction onthe propagation of religion sofar, as it does not affect thepublic order and public health.Constitution of India allows In-dian citizen to choose any reli-gion he or she wants tochoose, said Adv Kansar.

Adv Kansar further said rightto religion, faith and worshipare fundamental rights givenby Constitution of India toevery citizen.

Fundamental Rights arehuman rights and everybody isentitled to enjoy them. Funda-mental Rights were included inthe Constitution because theywere considered essential forthe development of the per-sonality and to preservehuman dignity, he said.

Adv Kansar complimented

book writer Parab for writingthe book Dharmantar Te Rash-trantar and highlightingtherein bolding factors whichled to conversion of Hindus inancient times.

This book needs to be trans-lated in Hindi and English lan-guages also so that people fromall communities and religioncan read this book. There is aneed to abolish caste system tobring equality among humanbeings, said Adv Kansar.

Adv Pandurang Nagvekarsaid Brahmins were creed andnot caste. The human beingswere divided in four classes,Brahmins, Kshastriya, Vaisha

Every citizen has right to profess, practice, propagate religion: ex-MP

Former MP Adv Amrut Kansar releases the book Dharmantar Te Rash-trantar at Porvorim. Photo by Anil Shankhwalker

and Shudra.Gradually with the passage

of time, the selfish people fortheir individual gains devel-oped the caste system due towhich inequality among thepeople was created, saidNagvekar.

Knowledge cannot begained by praying to God, itcan be acquired by sheer hardwork. The nation can progressif all the citizens become liter-ate, said Nagvekar.

Senior journalist PrabhakarDhage and Gomantak MarathaAcademy President NarendraAzgaonkar also spoke. Earlier,book writer Arjun Parab wel-comed the gathering, AdvKansar released the book. Yan-neshwar Nigale compered.

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, SEPT 23

The Goa Shack Owners WelfareSociety (GSOWS) has de-manded that shacks shouldalso be reflected in CoastalZone Regulation (CRZ) notifica-tion 2010 and decided to makerepresentation to Union Minis-ter for Environment and Forest(MoEF) Jairam Ramesh.

The GSOWS had an emer-gency meeting in the city todayto decide the course of action.

Speaking to Herald, CruzCardozo, President of GSOWS,said shacks are into operationeven prior to CRZ notificationof 1991 came into effect.

Though shacks are erectedfor a temporary period -- shackbusiness is not temporary itis permanent business withtemporary shacks, he added.

Cardozo claimed touristsvisit beaches because of theshacks and tourism will be af-fected if there are no beaches.Hence, it is important thatshacks are notified in the draftCRZ notification 2010 as partof the beach area.

About 304 shack owners aremembers of GSOWS. Theyhave also decided today to alsomake a representation to theState Minister for Science andTechnology.

Appeal against sub-letting ofshacks -- The GSOWS has askedits members not to sub-letshacks and has warned that itwill take action against mem-bers engaging in such illegali-ties. We will report to theTourism Department if anyoneis found sub-letting his/hershack, told Cardozo.

Shacks should be included in CRZ notification

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GOA, fridAy, 24 sePtember, 2010

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: A multifaceted personality

HERALD NEWS DESK

PANJIM, SEPT 23

His Holiness Sri Sri RaviShankar is a universally reveredspiritual and humanitarianleader. His vision of a violence-free, stress-free societythrough the reawakening ofhuman values has inspired mil-lions to broaden their spheresof responsibility and work to-wards the betterment of theworld.

Sri Sri is a multi-faceted so-cial activist whose initiativesinclude conflict resolution, dis-aster and trauma relief, povertyalleviation, empowerment ofwomen, prisoner rehabilita-tion, education for all and cam-paigns against female foeticideand child labour. He is engagedin peace negotiations andcounselling in conflict zonesaround the world. His expert-ise in bringing opposing par-ties to the negotiating table inareas such as Sri Lanka, Iraq,Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Kash-mir and Bihar is widely ac-knowledged.

In 1981, Sri Sri establishedthe Art of Living, an educa-tional and humanitarian non-governmental organisationthat works in special consulta-tive status with the Economicand Social Council (ECOSOC) ofThe United Nations. Present inover 140 countries, it formu-lates and implements lastingsolutions to conflicts and is-sues faced by individuals, com-

munities and nations. In 1997,Sri Sri founded the Interna-tional Association for HumanValues (IAHV) to foster humanvalues and lead sustainable de-velopment projects.

Sri Sri has reached out to anestimated 300 million peopleworldwide through personalinteractions, public events,teachings, Art of Living work-shops and humanitarian initia-tives. Not since MahatmaGandhi has one person unitedpeople of different traditionsand faiths into a spiritual com-munion across the length andbreadth of India.

He has brought to themasses ancient practices whichwere traditionally kept exclu-sive, and has designed manyself-development techniqueswhich can easily be integratedinto daily life to calm the mindand instil confidence and en-thusiasm. These techniqueshave helped thousands over-come depression and violentand suicidal tendencies. One ofSri Sri is most unique offeringsto the world is the SudarshanKriya, a powerful breathingtechnique that facilitates phys-

ical, mental, emotional and so-cial well-being.

Numerous honours havebeen bestowed upon Sri Sri, in-cluding the Order of the PoleStar (the highest state honourin Mongolia), the Peter theGreat Award (Russian Federa-tion), the Sant Shri Dnyanesh-wara World Peace Prize (India)and the Global HumanitarianAward (USA). Sri Sri has ad-dressed several internationalforums, including the UnitedNations Millennium WorldPeace Summit (2000), theWorld Economic Forum (2001,2003) and several parliamentsacross the globe.

Sri Sri is engaged in bridgingreligious, social, ideologicaland economic divides in soci-ety by enlivening the ancientIndian ideal of Vasudhaiva Ku-tumbakam (One World Family).He reminds us chat diverse tra-ditions and cultures have theirroots in the same basic humanvalues of peace, compassion,truth, belongingness and non-violence. The Art of Livingserves society with a non-de-nominational, secular and ho-listic approach.

AwArdS And HonourSn Born in I956 in southern lndia.n Often found deep in meditation as a child. At the age of

four, astonishes his teachers by reciting the Bhagavad (lira,an ancient Sanskrit scripture.

n Starts lessons with his first teacher, Pandit SudhakarChaturvedi, a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi.

n Becomes a scholar in Vedic literature and obtains an ad-vanced degree in modern science by the age of 17.

CONfERRED WiTH:

n Doctor of Letters Honoris Causa, Bangalore University, India,2009

n Doctor of Letters Honoris Causa, Nagarjuna University,India, 2008

n Doctor of Letters Honoris Causa, Maharaja Sayajirao Univer-sity, India, 2007

n Doctor of Science Honoris Causa, Rajiv Gandhi Universityof'Hcalth Sciences, India, 2007

n Doctor of Philosophy (Holistic Medicine) Honoris Causa,Open International University for Complementary Medicine,Sri Lanka, 2006

n Doctor of Literature Honoris Causa, Kuvempn University,India, 2004

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, SEPT 23

Rajesh Desai, accused in the in-famous Sameer Mapari casehas been acquitted by thePonda Court by upholding hiscontention that he did not at-tempt suicide but instead aDySP allegedly mercilessly as-saulted him with a wire ropeand rubber belt.

The 30-year-old accused hadcontended that DySP MohanNaik and other police officershammered him at Ponda out-post at Farmagudi on August20, 2007.

Judicial Magistrate FirstClass was hearing the case filedby police against Rajesh for at-tempt to murder after he was

arrested in the Sameer murdercase.

The Court acquitted Rajeshand the charges of trying toend his life after it was con-vinced that injuries on his wristwere allegedly due to beatingby senior police officer.

The police had held thatDesai rubbed his left hand tothe torn pointed iron net fas-tened to the lock-up windowof the police lock-up.

The defense argued that thefacts were twisted and fabri-cated to produce a manipu-lated case against Desai.

When the accused tried toprevent the assault with hishands it brushed against hisleft wrist due to which he sus-

tained injury, the counsel ar-gued.

The prosecution examinednine witnesses including a doc-tor who echoed that the ac-cused grazed his hand againstthe window of the police lockup and began bleeding.

The Ponda police thoughfailed to furnish recording ofthe CCTV footage, which wasfixed in the police lock-up.

Magistrate Sayonara TellesLaad lamented that the footagecould have a vital piece of in-formation to prove the fact theaccused attempted suicide.

The accused was repre-sented by Advocates DamodarDhond, S Samat and ShashantNaik.

HERALD NEWS DESK

PANJIM, SEPT 23

Secretary for Science, Technol-ogy and Environment, V K Jhahas asked eco teachers to iden-tify and encourage students oftheir respective schools whoare willing to take part in envi-ronmental activity. This is nec-essary not only to develop lovefor environment among stu-dent community but also toconserve environment andprotect the Earth, he said.

Jha was addressing the ecoteachers from South Goa whohave participated in the StateLevel NGC Teachers TrainingWorkshop and the Energy andEnvironment Awards ceremonyorganised by National GreenCorps, Goa NGC at Fr AgnelAshram, Verna.

Speaking further, Jha saidthat a good worker can be de-veloped into a good leader

provided he or she gets properencouragement and training.In this context, teachers canplay a decisive role to mouldthe students and also for theirall-round growth and develop-ment, he added.

Jha also complimented theorganisers of the workshopand winners of energy and en-vironment awards 2010. Hetold the participants of theworkshop to derive maximumbenefit of environment relatedprogrammes organised by thegovernment to upgrade theirknowledge.

Jose Manuel Noronha, Chair-man Goa State EnvironmentImpact Assessment Authorityand General Manager, AgnelAshram and Dr M Sudhakar,senior scientist Ministry ofEarth Sciences, New-Delhi alsospoke.

Later, Jha and other digni-

taries released a climatechange CD, climate changebrochure and climate changeresource material. Prizes tobest eco clubs in Goa at thehigh school, higher secondaryand college level were also dis-tributed. The State level En-ergy and Environment Awardwas bagged by ShardaVidyalaya, Cumbarjua.

Dr Baban Ingole, senior sci-entist from National Instituteof Oceanography, Dona Paulaand Dr Rainer Lehmann, Pro-fessor Rodhe Island-USAguided the participants on bio-diversity, global warming andcarbon emissions and other is-sues concerning environment.

Dr Joseph Rato de Souza,Chief Scientist and State NGCNodal officer welcomed.Deepak Parab, Technical Assis-tant and NGC co-ordinator pro-posed vote of thanks.

Eco teachers urged to encourage students in environmental activity

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

OLD GOA, SEPT 23

Corlim Deputy SarpanchFedelis Pereira resigned fromher post on Wednesday.

Pereira submitted her resig-nation letter to the TiswadiBDO, Panjim, for further proce-dure.

It is learnt that Pereira re-signed from the post of deputysarpanch to make way for an-other panch member from theruling group.

Pereira, after serving as thedeputy sarpanch for three andhalf years, has now thought ofcontesting the elections for thepost of sarpanch, which is be-lieved to be vacant in the nextfew days, as Sarpanch SistoFernandes is learnt to be re-signing from his post as per themutual understanding within

the ruling group after comple-tion of his term.

Other panch members of theruling group include formersarpanch Joao B Lobo, whilethe opposition group consistsof Naresh Naik, Onu Dhulapkarand Vinayak Naik.

Speaking to Herald, DeputySarpanch Pereira said he re-signed from the post of deputysarpanch so he could pave wayfor ruling group Panch UshaKuttikar to be the deputysarpanch.

We had a mutual under-standing of sharing two andhalf years each for the post ofdeputy sarpanch. Now, as Ihave learnt that Sarpanch SistoFernandes is about to resignfrom his post, I would like tocontest the elections for thesarpanchs post, said Pereira.

Corlim VP deputy resigns

HERALD NEWS DESK

PANJIM, SEPT 23

Executive Editor of GomantakSuresh Naik called upon par-ents to be vigilant over the wayand type of education theirwards are receiving.

Suresh was speaking as chiefguest at a function organisedby Samraat Club-Chodan to fe-licitate six teachers of the vil-lage and surrounding areas ata function organised at villagepanchayat hall, recently.

The teachers honoured for

their selfless and valuable con-tribution to build up futuregeneration included MukundKhandeparkar of DayanandHigh School-Chodan, TukaramKholkar of St Bartholomew'sHigh School-Chodan, Shrikr-ishna Tanksale of VijayanandHigh School-Mayem, SureshGaonkar of Shri MahamayaHigh School-Mayem, MinaxiParab of GPS-Mayem andVishya Chari of GPS, Pan-davwada-Chodan.

They were presented with

shawls and mementos at thehands of the chief guest. Stu-dents who had excelled in SSCand HSS examinations werealso felicitated in the function.

Speaking further, Suresh saidthat modern and electronicgadgets are utilized for impart-ing knowledge to the studentsin western countries, however,this type of education lackssensitive, mutual understand-ing and social bonding of theGuru-Shishya traditions, whichare essential for the proper de-velopment of the students.

Former MLA and the Presi-dent of Samraat-Club ChodanDharma Chodankar said thatteachers role should not belimited to the text book andthe classroom education, butshould strive to mould thecharacters of the students insuch a way that they would notturn to vices and wrong deeds.

The function started withgarlanding portrait of greatthinker and former presidentof India Dr Sarvapalli Radhakr-ishnan in whose remembranceteachers day is being cele-brated.

Earlier Mr. Kishor Govekar,treasurer of Samraat ClubChodan welcomed the guestsand the audience and Mr.Suresh Chodankar the Secre-tary of the Club -proposed thevote of thanks.

Parents urged to be vigilant on education pursued by wards

One of the teachers felicitated at the hands of Executive Director ofGomantak Suresh Naik. Also present are Prasad Chodankar, SureshChodankar, Srikrishna Tanksali, Dharma Chodankar,, MaheshAmonkar and Kishor Govekar.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

MARCEL, SEPT 23

Even though a series ofdwelling units were con-structed in close proximity tohigh tension electrical wires atCurti in Curti-Khandepar Pan-chayat jurisdiction, the builderhas managed to obtain electri-cal connection to one of thebungalows.

Incidentally, one of the bun-galows is so close to the 33 KVelectricity pole, that the stay

wire passes through the bal-cony, indicating that thebuilder had violated laws whileconstructing nine bungalowsin close proximity to 33 KVhigh tension line.

Incidentally, the Curti-Khan-depar Panchayat gave permis-sion to construct ninebungalows, despite the pres-ence of high tension line pass-ing through the plot.

When Herald highlighted theissue, the electricity depart-

ment (Div 3) at Curti-Ponda di-rected the panchayat not toissue occupancy certificate untiland unless the line is shifted,which the builder had applied.

However to the surprise ofthe villagers, one bungalowwas given electrical connectionby the same Div 10 of the elec-tricity department at Curti-Ponda.

When contacted, officials atthe department refused tocome on record, claiming thatthe authority rests with thechief engineer.

However, they explainedthat one of the bungalows is ata specific distance as per rules,due to which permission wasgranted for the electrical con-nection to the bungalow.

However, they claimed thatother eight bungalows do nothave the needed clearance asthey are in close proximity tothe line. Hence, electrical con-nection would not be releasedto these structures until theline is shifted. According tosources, the file pertaining toshifting of 33 KV line is yet toby cleared by the electricity de-partment at Panjim.

Despite violations, builder getspower connection to bungalow

The bungalow (first) to which the electrical connection was releasedat Curti-Khandepar, Ponda. Photo by Amresh Parab

UCAN NEWS

PILAR, SEPT 23

Physicist and Pilar Father AllanTavares, an acoustics re-searcher, says modernchurches have become malls.He wants a team of experts topreserve the architectural andspiritual heritage of churches.

Modern churches dont havethe proper acoustic dynamicsto create a mood for worship,the priest says: The moodshould be sparked by aweupon entering [the church].Churches must also help peo-ple understand the spokenword clearly and allow sacredmusic to linger on, he adds.

But modern churches arebuilt to accommodate the max-imum number of people, andlook more like malls thanchurches. Father Tavares feelsthe ecclesiastical authoritiesshould form a team to helpbuild new churches with aproper liturgical atmosphere.

He feels that reticulate walls,gilded woodwork and largewindows, part of ancientchurches, make the buildingliturgy-friendly. Churches werebuilt for preaching, which re-quires very short reverb, but at

the same time longer reverbsfor singing, besides silencefrom the background.

Fr Allan presented a paperon Acoustic Characterisationof Sacred Music rendered by aHuman Whistle at the DivineProvidence Church in Goa,India during the 22 to 27 Au-gust International Congress ofAcoustics in Sydney.

His paper concluded thatthe impact of sacred music wasthe strongest when accompa-

nied by