Panjim I April 3, 2011 I Postal Reg. No. Goa 101 I Price Rs. 3.00 I Air Surcharge Rs 2 I Pages 16+12sundayweekend

visit us at: www.oheraldo.in

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TEAM HERALD

PANJIM: Goas Education

Minister Atanasio Monser-

rate was detained by the Air

Intelligence wing of the

Mumbai customs, at the

Mumbai airport for allegedly

carrying foreign exchange,

reported to be over 250,000

dollars (Rs 1 crore) from

sources in the Mumbai cus-

toms. This amount plus an

additional sum of Rs 30 lakhs

was reportedly detected and

seized from Monserrate as

he was boarding an Emi-

rates flight to Dubai shortly

before midnight.

However there has been

no official confirmation of

this amount. All through the

day speculation on the figure

gained momentum and the

figure changed rapidly,

much like the betting odds

for the India-Sri Lanka

World Cup final.

Monserrate was travelling

to Dubai with his son and his

close associate Nitin, who in-

cidentally handles much of

Monserrates private fi-

nances and incomes from

various businesses. It is

learnt that Babush had al-

ready boarded the Emirates

flight to Dubai when the

cash was detected in his suit-

case. He was immediately

asked to get of the plane and

submit himself to interroga-

tion by the Air Intelligence

Unit of the Mumbai customs.

The Chief of the Air Intelli-

gence Unit and Additional

Commissioner Mahendra

Pal led the interrogation

team. When contacted he re-

fused to elaborate on the in-

vestigation.

>Continued on pg 10

Dubai bound Babush carried huge amounts of

FOREX and lakhs of rupees. Likely to face

charges under Customs Act and FEMA.

Held with cash-Babush detained,

grilled by Customs at Mumbai

GOA SHAMED ON INDIAS DAY OF FAME

WE ARE THE WORLD

MUMBAI: An inspired

India Saturday night re-

gained the coveted World

Cup after 28 years as they

suppressed Sri Lanka with a

six-wicket victory in a nerve-

wrecking final to script a glo-

rious new chapter in their

cricketing history.

Chasing 275 for a historic

win, the Indians held their

nerves as they rode on Gau-

tam Gambhirs 97 and Ma-

hendra Singh Dhonis

unbeaten 91 to overhaul the

target with 10 balls to spare

and send the cricket-crazy

nation into a frenzy.

The vociferous, jam-

packed crowd at the

Wankhede stadium erupted

in wild celebrations as Dhoni

hit the winning six runs to

give India their biggest crick-

eting moment and crown

themselves the ODI world

champions, in addition to

being the number one Test

team.

The World Cup title tri-

umph, coming as it did after

more than two decades, was

doubly special for Sachin

Tendulkar since it was the

only silverware missing from

his collection.

It was also a fitting

farewell to coach Gary

Kirsten, for whom it was the

last day in office as the In-

dian coach.

The players, many of them

with tears in their eyes,

rushed to the ground to hug

each other as Dhoni finished

it off in style by hitting a six,

as fire crackers lit up the

evening sky to mark the mo-

ment.

The highlight of the

Lankan innings was Mahela

Jayawardenes rollicking 103

as Sri Lanka capitalised on

the batting powerplay to

post a decent 274 for six.

The Indian bowlers were

disciplined in the first half of

the innings but conceded as

many as 63 runs in the bat-

ting powerplay to undo all

the good work.

Apart from Jayawardenes

88-ball knock, captain

Kumar Sangakkara (48)

Tillakaratne Dilshan (33)

and Nuwan Kulasekara (32)

were the other notable per-

formers.

The Indian innings began

on a disastrous note as the

destructive Virender Se-

hwag was dismissed in the

very second ball of the in-

nings with paceman Lasith

Malinga scalping the prized

wicket.

Tendulkar, playing in what

probably is his last World

Cup game, entertained his

home crowd with a couple of

delightful boundaries while

Gambhir also looked for

runs at the other end.

The Indians suffered a

huge jolt went Malinga

struck again by dismissing

the champion batsman as he

snicked an away-going deliv-

ery and captain Sangakkara

latched on to a low catch.

The third-wicket pair of

Gambhir and Kohli put on

83 runs before Dilshan broke

the partnership.

Dhoni came ahead of Yu-

vraj to keep the left-right

combination going.

Dhoni and Gambhir

scored at a brisk pace to

keep India in the hunt.

The pair stitched 109 runs

for the fourth wicket before

Gambhir paid the price for a

horrendous stroke, just three

runs short of what would

have been a well-deserved

century.

Earlier, both the Indian

new ball bowlers bowled a

tidy line and length and did

not allow the Sri Lankan

openers to get off to a flying

start while the fielding was

also sharp.

Zaheer drew first blood in

his fourth over by evicting

Tharanga with an outgoing

delivery and Sehwag hold-

ing on to diving catch.

Dilshan and Sangakkara

put on 43 runs for the second

wicket.

Sangakkara and Jayawar-

dene then took upon them-

selves the task of rebuilding

the innings.

It was left to the well-set-

tled Jayawardene to hold the

innings together and he

found an able ally in Thilan

Samaraweera to take the Sri

Lankan total close to the 180

mark.

India break jinxindia spectacularly broke the jinx of a host nation not winningthe World cup.

Yuvi man of the tournamentflamboyant left-hander Yuvraj Singh was adjudged player ofthe 2011 World cup. in nine matches, including six in theleague phase, Yuvraj amassed 362 runs and took 15 wickets.

Dhoni man of the finalMahendra Singh Dhoni was declared man of the final for hisunbeaten knock of 91 in 79 balls with eight fours and twosixes.

Rs 1 cr bonanza for each playereach player of the victorious indian cricket team will get Rs 1crore, the Board of control for cricket announced Saturday.

The Voice of Goa - - Since 1900

gives a bluesalute toTeam Indiaon its readers behalf.

Related reports on page 4

2 www.oheraldo.in

avaz Goa I Sunday 3, April 2011

Visit Mapusa and you

will be instantly con-

fronted by traffic con-

gestion, with motorists

making endless rounds to

find parking space.

Acute shortage of parking

lots as well as frequent traffic

jams in the city has tarnished

the reputation of Mapusa as

a major hub for trade and

commerce.

A major problem leading

to the traffic congestion is a

surge in the number of new

motor vehicles. According to

sources in the Mapusa RTO,

around new 1200-1400 vehi-

cles are registered every

month from all parts of

Bardez taluka, of which a

large number of them end

up in Mapusa town.

Mapusa Traffic Cell Po-

lice Inspector Uday Parab

has recommended that

authorities should allot

specific areas for parking

of the two and four wheel-

ers.

Parking of vehicles

should not be permitted at

all places in the town, says

PI Parab.

He also feels that traffic

congestion is largely linked

to the presence of movement

and parking of inter-state

buses in the town.

Inter-state buses should

not be allowed to enter the

city area. There should be a

Are authorities serious in solving Mapusas traffic congestion, parking woes?Increase in number of vehicles is leading to major traffic congestion in most of the Goan cities and Mapusa is no exception. In Mapusa RTO,1200-1400 vehicles are registered every month from all parts of Bardez which is causing a lot of parking problems, reports Anil Shankhwalkar

Traffic congestion, haphazard parking in Mapusa.

Anil Shankhwalker

separate bus terminus out-

side the city for these inter-

state buses, opined PI

Parab.

He has also suggested the

restriction of vehicles within

the KTC bus stand.

The existing KTC bus

stands should be ex-

panded to cater to the in-

crease in buses plying

along different routes. No

vehicles, except those of

the government, should be

allowed to be parked in

the bus stand. For in-

stance, private vehicles

are not allowed inside the

main bus stand in Kar-

nataka or Maharashtra,

said PI Parab.

Emphasising the need for

traffic signals at strategic loca-

tions, PI Parab has appealed

to motorists to observe traffic

rules in the town.

All these measures will

certainly help ease the traffic

congestion in Mapusa

town, said PI Parab.

Shiv Sena leader, Philip

DSousa, who has been ac-

tively pushing authorities

to improve infrastructure

and facilities in Mapusa,

claims the MMC lacks the

vision and political will to

resolve the problem of

parking space and traffic

congestion in Mapusa.

The MMC should have

planned out a parking facil-

ity at the basement of the

new fish market under con-

struction, similar to the one

in the Panjim Municipal

market. A basement parking

would have provided ample

parking space. What is re-

quired is vision and pru-

dence on the part of MMC,

said DSouza.

He also pointed out that

lack of parking facilities in

residential and commer-

cial buildings has been a

major factor for the poor

traffic management in Ma-

pusa.

Stilted parking should

be made compulsory for

residential complexes and

basements in commercial

complexes in Mapusa town.

But how many buildings

have this facility? Even

those that initially promise

stilted parking eventually

end up as shops. To give

you an example, one build-

ing opposite the Mapusa

Police station earlier had

stilts for parking of vehi-

cles. However, the area was

later converted to shops

and commercial establish-

ments for reasons best

known to the MMC, said

DSouza.

The MMC should in-

vite expert advice on park-

ing facilities like multilevel

parking and other parking

systems which are being

adopted in other parts of

the country. This step

needs a political will. If

proper parking measures

are implemented then mo-

torists will not waste time,

effort and precious fuel in

search of parking space in

the town, he added.

Admitting that traffic

congestion and acute

shortage of parking space

was a major problem in

Mapusa, MMC Chairman

Sudhir Kandolker has,

however, claimed that the

MMC is working out a so-

lution to resolve the prob-

lem.

The Mapusa Municipal

Council (MMC) is seized

with the problem of parking

and traffic congestion in the

town. We have, therefore,

decided to acquire 5000 sq

mtrs of Communidade land

in Morod for a parking lot.

The process to acquire the

land has begun, said Kan-

dolker.

These mobile speed

breakers have

gained such a notori-

ous reputation in Canacona

taluka that motorists are ei-

ther forced to kill their speed

or end up getting killed or

maimed along the route.

The stray cattle menace

has caused such problems

that it has led to a surge in

road mishaps, mostly involv-

ing two-wheelers, in the last

two years.

At least 75 people were re-

portedly injured after their

two-wheelers skidded after

hitting the stray cattle, while

over 50 two-wheelers and

another 50 other light motor

vehicles were damaged due

to mishaps involving stray

cattle, informed sources.

The mishaps have also

caused several deaths of

bovines, especially along the

highway passing through

Canacona taluka. According

to rough estimates, over 250

cattle have died while another

150 have been injured in

mishaps in Canacona taluka

since the last two years.

Most cattle have been

killed along the highway at

night and the culprits in-

volved in many of such inci-

dents are reportedly the

inter-state transport vehi-

cles.

On a single morning, we

found three buffaloes lying

dead on the road, apparently

Surge in mishaps over stray cattle menace in Canacona If traffic congestion is causing parking problems in the cities, the stray cattle menacealong our roads has cost many people their lives. Kathy Pereira reports

A stray bovine lays dead after being hit by highway traffic in Canacona.

Kathy Pereira

Some people from Canacona have alleged that there is an organized racket operating

in parts of Canacona, whenever stray cattle are knocked down by a motorist.

As soon as the cattle are knocked down, a group creates a scene till the motorist parts

away with some compensation amount, claimed a resident of Canacona.

Residents complained that such practices are also common with members of the

Dhangar community, who take goats/sheep along the roadside for grazing.

If the sheep or goats are hit by a vehicle, they forcibly demand compensation from

the motorist, the resident added.

Incidentally, the situation is quite the opposite when such mishaps take place along

the railway tracks.

As per Railway rules, if cattle are found on railway tracks or have hit a running train

and get killed, the cattle owners are penalized with fines. In most cases, the concerned

farmers are quick to deny ownership of the dead cattle.

Organised racket, claim residents

ran over by a heavy vehicle

overnight, recalled a resident

of Bhatpal who resides in

close proximity of the NH-17.

Several such incidents

have been reported along

the entire 25-km highway

stretch from Padi to Polem,

which passes through Cana-

cona taluka.

Given the several inci-

dents of mishaps that have

killed cattle, caused injuries

to motorists and damaged

vehicles, one surprisingly

finds no traffic signal to

warn motorists about the

impending dangers of driv-

ing along the cattle-prone

zone road.

One will find at least one

incident every week or in a

fortnight, where cattle are

killed in motor accidents at

Vodammol-Shristhal, in-

formed one Sidharth, who

normally travels early every

morning to his workplace.

Adds Sanjay Metri, a reg-

ular motorist: Most acci-

dents involving cattle goes

unreported to police due to

various administrative has-

sles .

If the rider or pillion rider

is not seriously injured and

even if vehicles get damaged

after running into a bovine,

the incident is not reported

to the police. Motorists

merely claim insurance ben-

efits as a self-accident, said

a source.

A major problem leading to the traffic con-gestion in Mapusa is a surge in the numberof new motor vehicles.

---- Source in Mapusa RTO office

Political apathy and

non- cooperation

from government au-

thorities has led to an un-

warranted delay in

completion of the Belgaum-

Goa road via Chorla, the

shortest route connecting

Karnataka and Goa.

It will be more than a year

for the delay, as the deadline

to compete the road was

over way back in May 2010.

Residents of the area who

have intensified the agitation

have also persuaded Goan

authorities to hold bilateral

talks and persuade their

Karnataka counterparts to

expedite the roadwork.

People of Goa, especially

from Bicholim, Bardez and

neighbouring talukas in Goa,

along with the people from

Belgaum who have been ea-

gerly awaiting the comple-

tion of the work along this

shortest road will have to

wait for at least another year.

Frequent agitations by res-

idents of Jamboti, Kankumbi

and other villages in the re-

gion, had forced authorities in

Karnataka to restart the work.

But their agitations have met

with little success as the work

is still going at snails pace.

The residents have now

sought the assistance of peo-

ple and authorities from

across the borders.

The chief minister of Goa

should also take up the mat-

ter seriously and convince his

Karnataka counterpart, as a

large number of Goans are

also affected by this delay,

stated Kiran Gavade, a social

activist from Kankumbi, who

has been spearheading peo-

ples movement here.

As on date, a stretch of

about 27 of the 51-km road

has been completed, while

another 18 kms between

Jamboti and Kankumbi is

expected to be completed by

May. Even then, the

Kankumbi-Chorla stretch

will be left incomplete, leav-

ing commuters to face fur-

ther hardship.

Of the 51-km road, about

30.8 kms from Malaprabha

Bridge near Kusmalli to

Chorla comes under the re-

served forests. As such, the

width of 3.75 mtrs will be

maintained along this stretch.

Local BJP MLA Prahlad

Remani has been lethargic

on this issue, alleged

Gavade and warned that vil-

lagers in the area would not

entertain any negligence

from authorities.

Villagers from Jamboti,

Chikale, Amgaon, Chigul,

Kankumbi, Maan, Chorla,

Surla and other villages have

now come together to fight to

ensure that the road is com-

pleted within a short span of

time.

Belgaum-Goa road via Chorla still awaits completion

The ongoing work on the Chorla road.

Louis Rodrgues

Louis RodRigues

BeLgaum

Most accidents involving cattle goes unre-ported to police due to various administra-tive hassles .

-- Sanjay Metri

3 www.oheraldo.in

goaA delegation representing the affected peo-ple have handed a representation to mewith their grievances. I will call a meetingof all concerned, including the MPT Chair-man on Tuesday or Wednesday to deliber-ate on the demands. Chief Minister

A notice will be served to the govt on April6, wherein we will seek 7 days ultimatum,asking to upkeep their promise of fulfill-ing our demands. Its been a year sincethe govt had assured to heed our de-mands. AGPBOA General Secy

Goa I Sunday 3, April 2011

Youth killed, 6 injured in BethoramishapHERALD CORRESPONDENT

MARCEL, APRIL 2: A youth

died while six others were

injured when four motorcy-

cles collided with an oncom-

ing bus near Bethora

panchayat on Saturday

evening.

According to Ponda po-

lice, Rohit Gaonkar (20) of

Bethora along with his 6

other friends were returning

from Kuadra-Bethora. The

spot is famous for picnics.

When they reached near

the Bethora panchayat, the

motorcycles collided with an

oncoming bus (GA-01-W-

4210).

Rohit was declared dead,

while his other six friends,

Manjunath Tejpalkar, Ab-

hishek Naik, Rahul Naik,

Deepali Naik, Pranita Naik

and Nisha Lodhia have been

admitted to the GMC.The affected residents of Khariwado stage a morcha in Margao on Saturday.

Photo by Santosh Mirajkar

CM assures to protect interest of Khariwado residents

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, APRIL 2 :Even as

agitated homeless residents

of Khariwado descended in

the commercial capital on

Saturday, Chief Minister

Digambar Kamat has prom-

ised to work out a solution to

the problem after a joint

meeting with officials of the

State Government officials

and MPT.

The meeting is likely to

take place either on Tuesday

or Wednesday and will dis-

cuss the demands raised by

the homeless residents for

their rehabilitation and to

save the remaining struc-

tures.

The Chief Minister gave

the assurance to a delegation

of agitating fishermen from

Khariwado, who had been

demanding a stop to the

demolition of the structures.

He said the government

would try to protect the in-

terest of the fishermen at

Khariwado.

A delegation represent-

ing the affected people have

handed a representation to

me with their grievances.

Their demand is that I

should try to work out a so-

lution, Kamat said, adding

that he would call a meeting

of all concerned, including

the MPT Chairman on Tues-

day or Wednesday to deliber-

ate on the demands.

Kamat said the govern-

ment would try to ensure

that the interests of the af-

fected are protected, adding

that the issue is connected

with the MPT.

A member of the delega-

tion, Fr Bismarck told news-

men after the meeting that

the Chief Minister has as-

sured to work out a solution

to save the houses of the peo-

ple. Officials of the MPT and

Goa Government will meet

next week and discuss the

grievances of the people, Fr

Bismarck said, adding that

the Chief Minister has cate-

gorically said that his doors

will be open for the affected

residents if the MLAs or

Councillors are not support-

ing them on the issue.

Michael Pereira said the

delegation has impressed

upon the Chief Minister to

make provision for a shelter

for the homeless after Fri-

days demolition. The Chief

Minister told us that ample

time was given to go for a

stay, but the 66 affected resi-

dents could not get the stay

after being misguided by

some politicians. We have

asked the Chief Minister to

make provision to house the

affected residents and to

save the remaining houses

from demolition, he added.

Earlier in the day, a large

number of affected residents

of Khariwado descended in

the commercial capital in a

bid to draw the attention of

the chief minister to their

plight.

After assembling near the

Lohia Maidan, the affected

people took out a morcha in

the city before culminating

at the District Collectorate

building, where they had a

meeting with District Collec-

tor, G P Naik and SP, South

Allan De Sa.

A delegation of the af-

fected residents along with

the district Collector and SP,

South later headed to the

residence of the Chief Minis-

ter for the talks. The Chief

Ministers residence was lit-

erally converted into a

fortress with the police au-

thorities not taking any

chances.

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, APRIL 2 : Around

550 private buses will remain

off road from April 15, if gov-

ernment fails to fulfil their

long pending series of de-

mands by that time.

The All Goa Private Bus

Owners Association (AGP-

BOA) will serve a seven-day

notice to the State Govern-

ment over their pending de-

mands, failing which an

indefinite hunger strike will

be also called off from April

12.

A notice will be served to

the government on April 6,

wherein we will seek seven

days ultimatum, asking to

upkeep their promise of ful-

filling our demands, AGP-

BOA General Secretary

Sudip Tamankar said

adding its been almost a

year since the government

had assured to heed our de-

mands.

Government comes out

with fake assurances every

time. But this time we want

government to act, he

stated.

The Association, last year,

after intense pressure, had

forced government to listen

to their grievances and ac-

cordingly the assurance was

given by the Chief Minister

Bus owners threaten

strike from April 15to solve the issue on immedi-

ate basis.

The increased expenses of

the bus, had forced the asso-

ciation to demand for hike in

the bus subsidy of Rs 2 lakh,

provided to them by govern-

ment on purchase of every

new bus.

Looking at the current

scenario, Rs 2 lakh subsidy

per bus is not worth. The bus

rates have gone up by Rs 7

lakh in 2001 to Rs 12 to Rs 13

lakh, in 2010. The Govern-

ment needs to hike the sub-

sidy to at least Rs 3.5 lakh,

Tamankar said.

AGPBOA had also urged

government to withdraw the

collection of passenger tax in

advance for the month of

April.

The Association also de-

manded permission for dis-

playing advertisements on

their buses as on KTCL

buses.

Japan tsunami: Archbishop appeals for monetary aidHERALD NEWS BUREAU

PANJIM, APRIL 2: Expressing solidarity with the victims of the

tsunami in Japan, Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao has appealed for

financial assistance and prayers towards the physical and psycho-

logical recuperation of the victims.

The colossal destruction unleashed by an unprecedented

earthquake and tsunami that hit Northern Japan earlier this

month has been vividly portrayed to us by the visual and the

print media, said Archbishop Ferrao, in his circular to the

clergy, religious and laity in the Archdiocese.

We have seen the helpless condition of the countless citi-

zens rendered homeless and even destitute, with all their re-

sources lost. While thousands lost their lives, the life of the

survivors is extremely difficult, who need medical and psycho-

logical help, as they limp back towards a distant restoration of

normalcy, he added.

He pointed out that nations have promptly and generously

responded to the crisis, assisting the Japan and other agen-

cies in clearing, rebuilding and rehabilitation.

Mapusa MLA for

short, long term plans

to decongest roadsHERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, APRIL 2: Mapusa MLA Fran-

cis DSouza on Friday told the State

Legislative Assembly that Transport

and Public Works Departments

should combine resources to prepare

short term and long term plans to de-

congest roads in the state.

Supporting the cut motion, DSouza

said that every year around 50,000 new

vehicles run on the State routes but

unfortunately there is no study to ac-

cess its impact on the road.

He said that department has com-

pletely failed to come out with proper

mechanism to control the growing ve-

hicle population which in turn leads to

accidents on the State roads.

The Transport Department in co-

ordination with PWD needs to formu-

late certain short and long term plans,

to curtail increasing road accidents,

he said adding that along with widen-

ing, one way road method need to be

adopted in most parts of the State.

4 www.oheraldo.in

goaChief Minister Digambar Kamat should dismiss Babush or ask him to resign before assembly session begins on Tuesday. The ministers intention were clear, who was al-legedly smuggling foreign currency.

Manohar Parrikar

I am closely watching the situation. If we find that there is sufficient evidence of any wrongdoing, action will be taken. There is no doubt in it. But let us wait before we jump to conclusion at this stage.

Digambar Kamat

Goa I Sunday 3, April 2011

SHOCK TIME FOR CONG, STRATEGY TIME FOR BJP

TEAM HERALD

PANJIM, APRIL 2: Goa Education

Minister Atanasio Babush

Monserrates arrest in Mumbai

has created uproar in the State

politics with the Opposition

threatening that it will not allow

the assembly session to continue

till the minister is sacked.

Leader of Opposition and

senior Bharatiya Janata Party

(BJP) Manohar Parrikar today

said that the assembly session

will not function till Babush is

sacked from the Cabinet.

Many ministers transfer

their ill-gotten wealth to tax

havens like Dubai through

Hawala and the money is

ploughed back. Babushs case is

a living proof, he said speaking

to Herald.

Chief Minister should dis-

miss the minister or ask him to

resign before assembly session

begins on Tuesday, Parrikar

said adding that the ministers

intention were clear, who was al-

legedly smuggling foreign cur-

rency.

Parrikar also said that Kamat

should make a statement on the

issue giving details like why his

minister was heading with such

huge cash to Dubai and if he had

sought prior permission from

him.

When assembly is in session,

any minister before leaving the

station (country) should take

permission from Chief Minister

and also has to inform the

Speaker, said Parrikar.

We want to know whether

leave of absence has been

granted to him or not, he

added.

He also said that this is not for

the first time that the minister

has caught on criminal front.

Several cases are registered

against him and its high time to

take some major decision, Pan-

jim MLA said.

Parrikar alleged that attempts

are already on to downplay the

offence. But it would be diffi-

cult to save him as the money

that he was carrying is much be-

yond the permissible limit, he

added.

Pointing that most of the min-

isters are always on foreign

tours especially to Dubai, BJP

has demanded inquiry into fre-

quent trips of such ministers

and also sought investigation

whether there has been any fi-

nancial transaction between the

two (Goa and Dubai).

This minister was heading

for Dubai. Chief Minister should

tell why his ministers fly so often

to Dubai, Parrikar stated.

He claimed that there were

two more persons along with

Monserrate on their way to

Dubai. It seems one is detained

along with him while another

one has already reached

Dubai, he said refusing to

name anyone.

The budget session of the

State Legislative Assembly

started on March 16, will con-

clude on April 8 with the chief

ministers closing budget

speech.

BJP has also called for emer-

gency legislature wing meeting

on April 3, Sunday to decide fu-

ture course of action.

Party legislature wing

spokesperson Damodar Naik

told Herald that they are outlin-

ing their future course of action.

Not only in the Assembly but

even otherwise, BJP has been

exposing the ministers who are

involved in corrupt practices.

We demand Babushs dismissal

from the Cabinet, he said.

BJP Goa Unit President

Laxmikant Parsekar, during the

press conference, said that Cus-

toms Department should de-

clare how much cash; the

minister was carrying when he

was detained.

He is a Congress minister.

The party has a government at

Centre, in Maharashtra and also

in Goa. There is every possibility

that the matter would hushed

up, Parsekar said.

TEAM HERALD

PANJIM, APRIL 2: Chief Min-

ister Digambar Kamat today

said that he would take ac-

tion against Education Min-

ister Atanasio Monserrate

only after being briefed on

the episode.

I am closely watching the

situation. If we find that

there is sufficient evidence of

any wrong doing, action will

be taken. There is no doubt

in it. But let us wait before

we jump to conclusion at this

stage, Kamat said.

Goa Pradesh Congress

Committee President Sub-

hash Shirodkar however re-

frained from commenting

on the issue. I am not aware

of anything I am not in a

position to comment on this

right now unless I know

what exactly happened, he

said.

The Congress has obvi-

ously decided to underplay

this or at the very least not

take a view till the facts are

completely clear. AICC Gen-

eral Secretary in-charge of

Goa Desk Jagmeet Singh

Brar actually asked who

Babush Monserrate was and

what portfolio he held when

the Herald contacted him. I

have absolutely no idea of

this, he said.

But speaking informally,

most of the ministers Herald

spoke to admitted that the

development was huge.

Monserrate has had a brush

with the law several occa-

sions but in this case he has

actually been caught with

foreign currency which he

has not declared.

On the face of it, even al-

lies like Mickky Pacheco

who has been at the receiv-

ing end of police action and

investigations remained cir-

cumspect If you are carry-

ing foreign currency above a

certain limit you need to de-

clare it. Thats the law. I dont

know the details of this case,

so let us see what unfolds

BJP guns for Babush,calls emergency meet

Action if there is foolproof evidence,says Digambar

In an unusual incident, an

Olive Ridley turtle arrived

graciously on Agonda

beach in broad daylight on

Saturday, showing no inter-

est to the scores of tourists,

including locals present on

the beach.

The turtle used its flaps to

dig out a pit, laid eggs,

close the pit and return to

the sea, much to the sur-

prise of everyone.

It was about 5.30 pm on

Saturday, when the turtle

suddenly appeared from

the sea on shore behind

the village church, and

began to stroll its way to

the dry sand.

This visit drew a number of

tourists, some of who were

swimming in the sea, while

others lying on the beach,

as they began to look with

deep curiosity.

A dog, which was also ob-

serving the incident, ran to-

wards the turtle and tried

to stop it on the way.

However, to the surprise of

It dug a pit, laid eggs, returned to the sea

everyone observing theOlive Ridleys arrival in broaddaylight, the turtle paid littleheed to the dogs threat. Itusing its flaps to dig out apit, after reaching a certaindistance.By then, there were almost ahundred people surroundingthe turtle, who magnificentlycovered the pit. It showed no

concern to anybody andbegan to stroll down theshore, entered the waters andsoon disappeared in the Ara-bian Sea.The large assembly of peoplealso invited the attention ofForest Department appointedturtle nests caretakers, whoalso reached the site and wereheard asking people not to dis-

turb the turtle.There was also a slight alter-cation of words betweenthese caretakers, as few lo-cals reportedly could not rec-ognize them.The forest officials laterreached the site and exca-vated around 91 turtle eggsfrom the pit for re-plantationnear the Turtle care centre,

situated a little ahead on thebeach.It may be recalled thatAgonda is one of the threebeaches in the State re-served for turtle nesting. Sofar, six Olive Ridley turtleshave visited the beach to layeggs, of which babies fromfour nests have already beenreleased in the sea.

BABUSH: BRUSH WITH THE LAW AND ORDER

AN EDUCATED SNAPSHOT OFTHE EDUCATION MINISTERSCONTROVERSIES

TOTAL NUMBER OF

CRIMINAL CASES

AgAINST HIM- 14

n August 2004 - IT raided Babushs

premises in Panjim, Bangalore and

Mumbai. 27 properties were attached

a year later.

n 2004 - Gajanan Korgaonkar al-

leged that he paid Rs 12 lakh bribe to

Babush for a property deal.

n 2006 - Goa Bachao Abhiyan

spearheads huge agitation over the

controversial Regional Plan 2011,

which sought to covert green spaces

into concrete. Babush, and his close

friend and Minister Vishwajeet Rane

were the architects of the plan. The

plan was finally scrapped after a pro-

longed peoples movement.

n January 2008 - Babushs support-

ers mercilessly assaulted Youth Con-

gress members, supporting the IT

Habitat at Dona Paula, which was op-

posed by Monserrate

n February 18, 2008 - Babush,

along with his wife, son and supporters

were arrested and beaten up by the

police after his supporters attacked

and stoned the Panjim Police Station.

The case was been handed over to

CBI. The CBI subsequently gave a

clean chit to the police saying his fam-

ily was not assaulted by them.

n September 2008 - Social activist

Aires Rodrigues complained to the re-

turning officer that Babush had sub-

mitted a false affidavit during 2007

elections.

n October 2, 2008 - Son was al-

legedly involved in raping a German

minor. Son arrested and released. The

German mother who filed the case left

the country along with her daughter.

A NIGHT IN MUMBAI

OFF TO DUBAI TO WORK OR PLAY?: Scheduled to

take the Emirates flight EK 509 Mumbai Dubai at 22.35 on

April 1, 2011.

SHOW ME THE MONEY: The Air Intelligence Unit of Cus-

toms detects large amounts of cash in the luggage of Monser-

rates entourage which included him, his son, his close associate

Nitin who handles all his finances and a fourth person.

COME DOWN MINISTER:Monserrate who had already

boarded asked to come down and face questions along with

Nitin. None of his team members travel.

FOLLOW THE CUSTOM: The Air Intelligence Wing of

Customs grills him for close to 16 hours from the wee hours of

the morning of April 2 (intervening night of April 1/2) till the

evening of April 2.

ED TOO BABUSH?: The Enforcement Directorate too

looked at the case closely since there are alleged FEMA viola-

tions. ED is likely to issue him a show cause notice to be replied

to at the earliest.

ITS REALLY NOT FINE: Customs to impose a heavy

fine under Customs Act, unclear if a detailed Customs inves-

tigation will be launched.

MONSERRATES SUPPORTINg CAST

BACKROOM BOY: Tony Dias, a customs officer posted

in Dabolim rushed to Mumbai on Saturday morning. It is

learnt that he may have tried to lobby with his counterparts

to get Monserrate out of this mess.

MONEY MANAgER: Nitin who handles Monserrates fi-

nances and some businesses where he has a stake including

a luxury vehicle agency was travelling with him.

FRIENDS IN DUBAI: Many including a Goan couple

from a panchayat in North Goa based in Dubai with whom

Monserrate sometimes stayed.

CM CALLINg, CM CALLINg: Chief Minister Digambar

Kamat tried calling Babush whole day but his phone was

switched off. Kamat depended on national TV channels for

his primary news. Told Herald His phone is off. I will not

know anything till he calls. But the Speakers permission has

to be taken since Assembly is in session if he is to be arrested

and I shall be informed too.

Herald put together a series of little snippets on Monserrates detention by the Customs and the En-forcement Directorate in Mumbai

Curious onlookers surround the turtle while it lays eggs at the Agonda beach.

Govt to review BambolimSuper Speciality project HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, APRIL 2: Coming

under fire from the Opposi-

tion the government on Fri-

day said it will take a re-look

at the Super Speciality proj-

ect coming under Public Pri-

vate Partnership (PPP) at

Bambolim.

We will review the proj-

ect, stated Chief Minister

Digambar Kamat as Opposi-

tion Leader Manohar Par-

rikar charged that the

government proceeded in

selecting M/s Elbit India

Hospitals Ltd, in total

hurry.

Parrikar said prime land

which has been leased out to

Elbit India Hospitals Ltd, an

Israeli company, to set-up

super speciality under PPP,

was actually earmarked for

expansion of dental college.

On January 22, 2010

foundation stone was laid for

expansion of dental college

but later it was given for

PPP project indicates that

there is confusion, stated

Parrikar on the floor of the

House.

Earlier, trying to pacify the

Opposition MLAs who tried

to embarrass the govern-

ment, Kamat assured the

House there will be total

transparency with respect to

PPP project.

Parrikar also questioned

the government whether

health care was listed in July

2007 PPP guidelines issued

by the government and

whether item was added de-

facto.

However, Kamat who was

replying in the absence of

Health Minister Vishwajit

Rane said if there were any

procedural lapses, it will be

corrected.

The chief minister was not

able to respond to the

queries raised by the Oppo-

sition members.

Parrikar wanted to know

file observation of the chief

secretary and finance secre-

tary pertaining to the proj-

ect.

They are not experts but

intensions of the govern-

ment are good, stated

Kamat even as maintained

PPP is a good concept and

undertake only in case of big

projects.

Interestingly, Aldona

MLA who has been critical

of the government on many

issues, this session, de-

manded that the govern-

ment should keep the

project on hold since assem-

bly elections are just eight

months away.

Since you have accepted

that you are no expert on

PPP why not keep it on

hold till assembly elections,

stated Narvekar.

goa

5 www.oheraldo.in

Goa I Sunday 3, April 2011

SNAPSHOT

Mayor of Panjim Yatin Parekh inaugurating the

Kharedi Yatraa exhibition at Campal grounds, Pan-

jim.

Kharedi Yatraa inaugurated

PANJIM: Kharedi Yatraa exhibition of household

and interior products was inaugurated on Friday at

Campal grounds, Panjim, at the hands of Yatin

Parekh, Mayor of Panjim.

In this Kharedi Yatraa, more than 80 reputed com-

panies have participated with their latest products.

Reputed companies like Tata Motors, Prestige,

Prince Plastics, Eureka Forbes, Godrej Foods, Pita-

mbari products, Pravin Masalawale, Sumeet,

Prime, AMC Cookware, Lotus world furniture,

Makita Power tools, Rainbow electronics, Sahu

Furniture, Golden Frame, Nirali, etc. have partici-

pated in this show.

Companies have offered huge discounts and at-

tractive gifts on purchase and the expo will be

open upto April 6 from 10 am to 6 pm.

Fr Conceicao to conduct retreatPANJIM: Holy retreat lead by Fr Conceicao will be

held on April 4, 5 and 6 at St Sebastain Church,

Calvim, Aldona from 9 am to 5 pm. Free transport

from parishes on following routes will be available:

St Cruz, Merces, Taleigao, Chorao, Divar: Bicholim,

Revora, Pirna, Colvale, Camurlim, Thivim, Sirsaim,

Bodiem, Assorna, Arambol; Morjim, Mandrem,

Sodiem, Siolim, Anjuna; Clangute, Arpora, Can-

dolim, Nerul, Penha de Franca, Saloi, Pomburpa;

Olaulim, Provorim, Succorro, Vaddem; Uccasaim,

Bastora, Guirim, Sangolda, Parra, Mapusa, Duler,

Moira, Nachinola, Quitla, Panarim; Carona, Aldona,

Corjuem. For details call coordinator Freddy

Pontes on 9822158003.

Free cardiac camp at GaunemPANJIM: JCI Bandora-Madkai in association with

IMA (Indian Medical Association) Ponda Charitable

Trust, will organise a free cardiac camp at MGC

School, Gaunem on April 3, to spread awareness

and prevent cardiac ailments amongst rural popu-

lation.

During the camp, free diabetic screening (Cour-

tesy Franco Indian), BP check and free ECG will be

offered to all patients. Cardiac consultation will be

provided by Dr Jyoti Kusnur MD (Medicine) DNB

(Cardiology) Consultant Interventional Cardiologist.

Those interested can register for the camp be-

tween 8 am and 10 am on April 3 at the venue or

contact Jc Thejus Shenoy 9326127608.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

CANACONA, APRIL 2: The

garbage treatment plant

constructed by Canacona

Municipal Council (CMC) is

set to come up before April

end, in keeping with the time

frame set by the Court.

According to municipal

sources, work at Dumane

garbage treatment site is in

advanced stage of comple-

tion, as the machinery of the

garbage processing unit will

arrive in next couple of

days.

The garbage treatment

plant will be in operation be-

fore end of April 2011, as per

the deadline set by court,

informed a municipal

source.

Municipal engineer

Suhas Dessai informed that

the civic authority has al-

ready availed power con-

nection to the site and have

CMC garbage plant before April-endKathy Pereira

The shed of CMCs garbage treatment plant coming up at

Dumane.

already constructed infra-

structure rooms at an ap-

proximate cost of Rs 3.5

lakh.

The approach road and

the huge shed are in the fi-

nals stages of completion at

an approximate cost of Rs 20

lakh.

The entire garbage

treatment plant is coming

up in an area of about

4,400 sq mts of land and

the same is segregated

with a high-rising com-

pound wall and entry gate

constructed at a cost of Rs

13 lakh, informed a source

in the CMC.

The Lichard tank, besides

the Geo-textile (plastic) in-

side the tank have also been

tendered and the installation

work will be completed in

next few days, while the ma-

chinery for 5 metric tonnes

garbage processing unit is

on its way to the taluka and

will arrive at the site in next

two days, informed the

source.

The cost of the Lichard

tank and Geo-Textile is ap-

proximately pegged at Rs

2.5 lakh, while the cost of

that processing unit

amounts to Rs 30 lakh, in-

formed a source from

CMC.

Incidentally, residents of

Agonda and Khola have

opposed the garbage treat-

ment plant at Dumane,

which the civic body is

constructing in the land

acquired by them belong-

ing to the village jurisdic-

tion of Shristhal

Panachayat.

Residents have opposed

the acquisition as it is feared

that garbage menace will be

a nuisance to the nearby res-

idents, farmlands, water

bodies and motorists plying

along the Agonda-Khola

road.

CMC is presently dump-

ing garbage in whatever lo-

cations, sometimes in private

land and at other times on

internal roadsides.

Utter mismatch

in educational,

cultural calendar,

says Damu

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, APRIL 2: Fatorda

MLA Damodar Naik today

said that there is an utter

mismatch between the edu-

cational and cultural calen-

dar resulting in the severe

pressure on the pupils.

Talking on the Cut Mo-

tion, Naik said that many a

times the students are asked

to answer exam when the

State is celebrating the fes-

tivities.

There are times when

people are busy in making

Narakasur effigy, the stu-

dents are busy attending

exams, he said adding that

the cultural festivities of the

State should be taken into

consideration while deciding

the academic calendar.

He said that the National

Policy on Education, 1986,

has also given thought to this

crucial issue, which is stress-

ing the pupils.

The BJP leader pointed

out that although Chaturthi

is a biggest festival in

Konkan belt but the holiday

for this festival is short while

Diwali holidays are long.HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, APRIL 2: T B Hospi-tal at Tambdi Mati which hasremained neglected foryears will be finally reno-vated.

The government has is-

sued a letter to Goa State In-

frastructure Development

Corporation (GSIDC) to un-

dertake renovation of the

hospital, told Chief Minister

Digambar Kamat to Goa As-

sembly, on Friday.

Opposition members as

well as Speaker Mauvin

Godinho that T B Hospital is

in dire need of up-gradation

and repairs.

It appears T B Hospital

itself is afflicted with TB, re-

marked Speaker whereas

Opposition Leader Manohar

Parrikar said the hospital is

in very pitiable condition.

You feel like crying when

you see it, he said.

Earlier, Shiroda MLA Ma-

hadev Naik drew attention

of the House to extremely

poor condition of T B Hospi-

tal quarters.

Replying to the question

Chief Minister told the

House that the building has

suffered many structural

damages and it was con-

structed some forty years

ago.

But they have planned a

new structure to be build

through GSIDC for which

budget provision has also

been made in this budget.

T B Hospital at Tambdi Mati

to be renovated, finally

The garbage treatment plant will be in opera-tion before end of April 2011, as per the dead-line set by court.

-- CMC sources

It appears that the T BHospital itself is af-flicted with TB.

--- Pratapsingh Rane

opinion6 www.oheraldo.in

Hopefully the enormity of the money thatfuels this game will be taken in to accountbefore letting India lose Rs 45 crores ontax.

Edit

On the other hand, there is the embrace ofempires of a different kind. Both the Chineseand the Brazilians have offered to buy outPortugals debt.

Jason Keith Fernandes

Vol. No CXI No. 92 I Goa I Sunday 3, April 2011

PEOPLESEDIT

Editor-in-chief: Mr R F Fernandes. Editor: Sujay Gupta (Responsible under PRB

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Disclaimer: Except for the weekend edit above, articles and letters in Herald represent the views of the concerned authors, and do not neces-

sarily reflect the views of the Herald editor, publisher, and/or owners.

For l etters to the edi tor contact us at ed itor weekend@herald -goa.com

FLY ON THE WALL

find us on facebook

search for heraldweekend

The present increase in sui-

cides in Goa has generated

some concern among public

stakeholders, who believe that the

placement of a counsellor in each

school will resolve the issue. Such a

process will merely act as a palliative

method or a band aid treatment.

One needs to realize that develop-

ment in any form brings forth stres-

sors that need to be dealt with

appropriately, with openness and a

commitment by society and institu-

tions of learning. To be effective, it

requires a comprehensive, progres-

sive and result oriented program.

There are Goan NRIs in different

countries, who have the experience

and expertise in developing and im-

plementing such programs. Local

Goans often perceive these NRIs as

fault finders, who have an urge to

marginalise others. Moreover, the

NRIs often face road blocks erected

by Goan politicians and people in re-

sponsible positions, who are inse-

cure and unwilling to collaborate

and learn from others.

The idea of implementing a pro-

gram to deal with the increase of sui-

cides is just one facet of the program.

Developing and implementing a

comprehensive counselling pro-

gram requires a team of profession-

als, who have an understanding of

child development and individuals

with specific expertise. It needs a

team approach comprising of ad-

ministrators, teachers, social work-

ers, counselors, parents, support

systems, law makers and other in-

terested citizens.

The recommendation that a sin-

gle counsellor in a school can handle

the counselling is an understate-

ment. For counselling to be effective,

it needs to be integrated within the

regular curriculum, and every

teacher has a responsibility to incor-

porate sections of the counselling

program within their subject.

The content of the program ought

to be geared towards the age and de-

velopment of the child, and to in-

clude topics such as self worth,

respect, integrity universal values,

equity, decision making, problem

solving, career education, conflict

resolution, critical thinking, environ-

mental and global concerns etc.

The curriculum would include

skills and strategies for teachers and

students. There would also be a sec-

tion listing community resources,

further reading material and parent-

ing skills.

As a former educator, consultant

and counsellor with one of the

largest boards in Canada, I was one

of the members on the writing team

in developing and implementing a

comprehensive counselling pro-

gram for students from pre-school

to the pre-university level.

The success and relevance of the

program will depend upon the crite-

ria for the selection of professionals

on the writing team. The members

on the writing team would need to

be team players, receptive to new

ideas, have expertise in areas of their

speciality, and independent thinkers

who believe in change.

Finally, the implementation and

testing stage is crucial to the success

of the program since it would re-

quire time lines for training of staff,

designating target schools to test

and validate the program and to de-

velop future recommendations. It

would also require involvement of

the Department of Education, and

the director to appoint a co-ordina-

tor for the total program, (preferably

a social worker or an individual with

a background in counselling).

Systemic approach to counselling

FACEBOOK

Paganini Fernandes

Sports and football grounds are being leased out in Benaulim - for

a period of 33 years lease to a private professional club, and the Mul-

tipurpose School ground in Borda to fetch revenue, if used for any

activity, including local sports games etc. Who is in charge here?

The government policy on youth and sports needs to be clarified or

are we entering a new phase in the sports and football arena on the

road to professional football at peoples expense. Who is monopo-

lising who?

Judith Coutinho

Statistically speaking how many of us who have studied in English

medium are able to speak and write fluently? Our pronunciation

and grammar leaves a lot to be desired. It does not hold water which

medium of instruction you use; a person wanting to be perfect will

always desire to do so, while the mediocre will go with the flow

hardly bothered.

Gustavo Stephen Godinho

Let us try to keep it very simple let the parents get what they wish

for their children. If the majority says they want English, give it to

them. It is the question of a childs future. The parents have the right

to demand and the government needs to understand it.

Thomas Gracias

Tomazinho Cardozo was a speaker in the goverment, almost 10

years ago, why he did not take up the issue of medium of instruction

then? He has a habit of fishing in murky waters, first with the

Roman script in Konkani, and now with the medium of instruction.

Perhaps Tomazinho didnt take up these issues when in the govern-

ment, because he had to let go of the loaves and fishes of office?

Digambar Kamat has perfected

the art of doing nothing. He

thinks that if he can success-

fully do nothing for long enough he can

get back to power.

In polite and respectable drawing room

conversations, its called maintaining a

status quo. It basically means, Im

scared to take a decision.

The so called decision to maintain

status quo on the medium of instruction

at the primary level was another classic

example of this fine art, professed by

Digambar Kamat and in this case exe-

cuted by Education Minister Babush

Monseratte.

And was his declaration that the

medium of instruction will continue to

be in the mother tongue supposed to be

a visionary breakthrough in your childs

future. Well, we didnt quite notice it.

And by the way, the right thinking

people of Goa, (Sashilaka Kakodkar

and her quickly cobbled army of intel-

lectuals and Nagesh Karmali-type fa-

natics not included in this category),

didnt even ask for a change in the

medium of instruction.

They asked for a choice as parents, to

decide on the medium of instruction for

their children, which should include

English but surely not exclude the

mother tongue.

In what was purely a worried outcry

of parents who wanted the facility of in-

struction imparted in English in addi-

tion to Marathi and Konkani, Digambar

Kamat and Monseratte should have re-

acted as parents. Instead they reacted

as politicians.

They and the ill conceived Bharatiya

Bhasha Suraksha Mandal, brought in

politics when there was none. They in-

troduced the communal angle when

there was none. They pitched it as a

ploy by the English lobby to get grants,

not realizing that giving grants for Eng-

lish would be needed only to execute

the basic policy of adding English as

one of the mediums of primary instruc-

tion.

They did everything to divert the

focus from parents to politics and it is at

the altar of politics that they have sur-

rendered basic common sense.

Digambar Kamat is actually in a state

of political panic. He has realised that

his own seat in Margao may be under

threat, if there is a split in the Muslim

vote bank. He understands that any

move which may be perceived as ant-

majority move could further damage

the poll arithmetic.

It is for the same reason that he has

refused to take on Home Minister Ravi

Naik, even in the wake of surmounting

evidence of a drug police nexus and the

continued incompetence of the Goa po-

lice. Kamat perceives that the Bhandari

vote bank, the largest amongst Hindus

will be lost to the Congress for good if

Ravi Naik is targeted.

But is Kamat over reacting? Is he

playing soft Hindu politics? The answer

is yes, and in doing so his informed de-

cision making and therefore his credi-

bility has taken a backseat. Therefore,

when political panic dictates policy, the

policy of taking no decision takes prece-

dence over logic.

A status quo on the medium of in-

struction is a shameful reaction to a

genuine call by all parents. Its nothing

but a display of comatose indifference

to the will of people.

In a landmark essay on the Manmo-

han Singh government, eminent writer

and columnist MJ Akbar wrote, some-

time this year for an Arab daily, Drift,

as the term indicates, is never in a

hurry. A government can float a long

way before someone realizes that it has

lost direction. Drift does not threaten a

governments survival, but it saps the

peoples patience.

This is as true of Manmohan Singh

as of Digambar Kamat. Kamat and

Monserrate could have seized the ini-

tiative, decided that Goa needs to wake

up new times and listen to the voices of

parents from Pernem to Canacona. In-

stead they took the easy way out by

practically putting the issue in cold stor-

age.

But the people of Goa will continue

to give it heat. Delay in decisions is not

a solution. The siren call of procrastina-

tion of this government will be silenced

at the hustings.

Let Babush leave his Republic of

Taleigao and go to the real Goa. Let him

go, not to Salcete where the cry for Eng-

lish will naturally be stronger, but to

Pernem and Sattari. Let him visit

empty primary classrooms in govern-

ment and government aided schools

and see how students have moved to

private English convents or even the

odd English school run by village locals

with their own savings.

Sometimes, right decisions for the

entire state cannot be taken by just sit-

ting in government office or in your

own constituencies.

There is a Goa beyond Margao and

Taleigao.

August 4, 1578, the youthful king

of Portugal Dom Sebastio led

his troops and those of his ally,

the deposed Sultan of Morocco, against

those of the reigning Sultan of Morocco

outside the town of Casr al Kabir. Out-

numbered and outflanked by the Mo-

roccan armies, the battle was a

complete rout for Dom Sebastios

armies. This young and enthusiastic

King lost his life, as did vast numbers of

the Portuguese aristocracy who were

slaughtered on the battlefield. The re-

sultant power vacuum in the Por-

tuguese kingdom allowed for the

Spanish King Phillip II to ride in and

lay claim to the Portuguese crown. For

the next 60 years, the Portuguese and

Spanish crowns would be united while

Portugal and its domains, which were

maintained as distinct, were neverthe-

less swallowed into the global Spanish

empire.

Following a trend characteristic of

history writing where the Southern Eu-

ropeans are concerned, Dom Se-

bastios decision was cast by some

historians as prompted by fanaticism.

On the contrary, he was encouraged by

large sections of Portuguese society,

both nobility and the merchants, who

expected large gains from the enter-

prise.

The events that have unfolded in

Portugal since the last column seem to

suggest that the Battle of Alccer Quibir

may not be a terribly inappropriate

metaphor for this country that is liter-

ally verging on an abyss. A couple of

days after the hugely popular demon-

stration of the Gerao Rasca, a Face-

book campaign began demanding that

the PS Government headed by Prime

Minister Jos Socrates step down. This

demand appeared rather bizarre. The

PS would most likely be replaced by the

PSD and the latter would have to make

the same or similar unhappy choices for

the country. Larger cuts on social

spending, higher taxes, lower wages,

perhaps take financial support from the

ogres in Brussels and Washington.

In a move seemingly designed to

bring down his government, Jos

Socrates sprung a surprise on the Por-

tuguese, announcing, without earlier

consultation with others, renewed fi-

nancial plans to help deal with the crisis

while in Brussels. None too happy with

this situation, and no doubt hoping to

gain from a mid-term election, the PSD

indicated that it would not support

these budgetary proposals. That was

that, political crisis in Portugal.

The crisis is further compounded by

the flanking measures of the ratings

agencies that additionally assault the

country by lowering its credit rating.

The options for Portugal are grim. It is

suggested, that the prescriptions from

Brussels and Washington will lay the

Portuguese economy low for a long

time to come.

On the other hand, there is the em-

brace of empires of a different kind. Both

the Chinese and the Brazilians have of-

fered to buy out Portugals debt. There

is however, no such thing as a free lunch.

While the thought of an annexation or a

departure from the EU into a Luso-com-

monwealth may be just a joke, it would

be interesting to see what implications

the eventual resolution of the crisis will

bring to the Portuguese self-image.

Dom Sebastios body was never re-

covered from the battle-field. This ab-

sence allowed for the emergence of

Sebastianism, a Messianic belief, not

unlike that of some Shia Muslims, that

the young king had hidden himself and

would arrive at the opportune moment

to lead the country out of its misery into

glory. This might not be a bad time for

the young Sebastian to wake up and

rescue his country.

Panic dictates Digambars policy making

suJay Gupta

LETTERS FROM PORTUGAL

Jason Keith

Fernandes

Reliving Alccer Quibir

Zulema deSouZa a Collao

And by the way,the right thinkingpeople of Goa,(Sashilaka Kakod-kar and her quicklycobbled army of in-tellectuals andNagesh Karmali-type fanatics notincluded in this cat-egory), didnt evenask for a change inthe medium of in-struction. Theyasked for a choiceas parents, to de-cide on themedium of instruc-tion for their chil-dren, which shouldinclude English butsurely not excludethe mothertongue.

WEEKENDEDIT

At the end of the 2011 world cup, heres a bit of the

seamier side of Indian cricket. The side not many will

wish to speak of. A side that gets buried under the car-

pet.

ICC boss Sharad Pawar has been isolated for pushing

through a cabinet decision to approve a tax exemption of Rs 45

crores to the ICC for income from the World Cup. Sports Min-

ister Ajay Maken had objected to this move from the govern-

ment, saying that ICC being a commercial body should not be

given this break. He added that in case the government granted

this freebie to the ICC, then other sporting bodies will ask the

same.

What did Sharad Pawar do? He got outraged at Maken for

raising such an objection. Firstly, Pawar had no business to be

in the same cabinet meeting, which was called to decide on an

issue of the ICC that he heads. If the conflict of interest rule can

apply to lawyers and judges and anybody with ethics, why

shouldnt it apply to Sharad Pawar?

According to finance ministry officials, the total receipts of the

ICC from the ongoing World Cup is Rs 1,476 crore, while the

cost for organising the event is Rs 571 crore. The exemption

came under a proposal approved by the Cabinet in 2005 that

the Income Tax Act 1961 be amended to give exemption to the

income of both residents and non-residents arising from an in-

ternational sporting event conducted in India.

Consequently, exemption from income tax was also granted

to ICC for the ICC Championship Trophy 2006. But precedence

cannot be an excuse for this largesse. Cricket is, in spite of the

passion of fans, a mammoth industry and if its an industry, it

must pay up. The ICC must justify tax exemptions in the wake

of the Rs 1000 crore plus profit it will generate. Is the money

saved on tax going to be ploughed back into the development

of the game? Will sport other than cricket keep getting the same

benefits?

Hopefully the enormity of the money that fuels this game will

be taken in to account before letting India lose Rs 45 crores on

tax. The amount may not be huge when you have the countrys

biggest tax evader Hasan Ali sitting on thousands of crores. But

its important, just once, to tell other sporting champions who

have made India proud that they matter too. Vishwanathan

Anand has been a World Champion for close to decade. Has the

sport of chess got recognition and support that it deserves?

We have two All England Badminton champions in Prakash

Padukone and Pullela Gopichand. When was the last time the

Badminton Federation of India granted a tax exemption?

Sharad Pawar could have avoided this. The Indian Premier

League is full of stories of shady deals, suspicious off shore ac-

counts, shady investors and so on. If any sport needs cleansing

in this world, cricket does and one immediate way to do this is

to rid sports bodies of politicians.

Sharad Pawar may have had no business to be in the cabinet

meeting, which decided on tax exemption to ICC. But should a

Sharad Pawar be head of ICC in the first place?

The euphoria of the world cup will sadly cloud many of these

real issues. But these are the times we live in.

Hard fact: Cricket isstill a money game

7 www.oheraldo.in

india This will be the first time the topmost lawofficer of the government will be appearingas a witness in a corruption case. CBI willfile the supplementary chargesheet by April25 and is likely to complete its probe byMay 31.

Goa I Sunday 3, April 2011

India bans nuke-related trade with IranAFP

NEW DELHI, APRIL 2:

India has banned trade in all

goods and services with Iran

that could help Tehran pur-

sue development of nuclear

weapons, a government

statement said.

The changes were made

in new foreign policy trade

rules to conform with a UN

Security Council resolution

imposing sanctions on Iran

related to its nuclear and

missile development pro-

gramme, said the commerce

ministry. India sits as a non-

permanent member of the

UN Security Council.

The changes posted on a

government website Satur-

day ban trade in all equip-

ment, goods and technology

which could contribute to

Iran's enrichment-related,

reprocessing or heavy

water-related activities or

to the development of nu-

clear weapon delivery sys-

tems.

Energy-hungry India,

which has long enjoyed

warm ties with Iran, has

CBI: Raja conspired with bureaucrats in 2G scam PTI

NEW DELHI, APRIL 2: A

Raja conspired with top bu-

reaucrats, including a retired

IAS officer, and corporate

honchos to cause a loss of Rs

30,984 crore in the allocation

of 2G spectrum, the CBI said

in its indictment of the for-

mer Telecom Minister who

has been chargesheeted

along with eight others and

three telecom companies.

The agency, which filed its

first chargesheet before a

special court, alleged that

former Telecom Secretary

Siddharth Behura, Raja's

personal secretary R K

Chandolia and Swan Tele-

com promoter Shahid

Usman Balwa and Sanjay

Chandra, MD of Unitech

wireless, entered into a con-

spiracy for manipulating the

procedure for allocation of

spectrum with the aim of

favouring companies like

Swan Telecom and Unitech

Group.

The chargesheet, running

into about 80,000 pages and

brought in seven steel

trunks, was filed before CBI

judge O P Saini in the special

court constituted exclusively

to try the case that is being mon-

itored by the Supreme Court.

Attorney General G E Va-

hanvati and corporate lobby-

ist Niira Radia have been

named among 125 witnesses

in the case. This will be the

first time the topmost law of-

ficer of the government will

be appearing as a witness in

a corruption case. CBI will

file the supplementary

chargesheet by April 25 and

is likely to complete its probe

by May 31 in the case that

has dented UPAs image.

Others named include

Vinod Goenka, a Director of

DB Realty, Sanjay Chandra,

MD of real estate company

Unitech and Unitech

Wireless and Gautam

Doshi, Hari Nair and

Surendra Pipara, Group

MD and two Senior VPs of

Mumbai-based Reliance

Telecom Company.

I represent the state in Parliamentand I consider Assam my state. Ihave always got a lot of love fromAssam and it will always be my ef-fort to serve Assam better.

Dr Manmohan Singh

been treading a delicate path

in its relationship with the Is-

lamic republic as the United

States presses New Delhi to

break commercial links with

Tehran.

The export ban comes as

India has been struggling to

work out a long-term

method to pay for oil imports

from Iran.

Iran is the second-largest

crude supplier to India after

Saudi Arabia and supplies

up to 14 percent of the coun-

try's oil import needs.

Satya Sai Babas health stablePTI

ANANTAPUR, APRIL 2 :

The health condition of Sri

Satya Sai Baba, who devel-

oped a breathing problem

last night after being hospi-

talised at Puttaparti for lung

and chest congestion, is now

stable, doctors attending on

him said today.

86-year-old Baba had dif-

ficulty in breathing late last

night and was put on sup-

portive respiratory device,

said Dr A N Safaya, Director,

Sathya Sai Institute of

Higher MedicalSciences

hospital, in a health bulletin

here.

weThere is a lot of tolerance here and an eclectic mix of people as well. Goa has its own identity. It seems chosen

Marianne Borgo

The main problem of the village is the lack of desire amongst the elected panchas, who have adopted a laissez faire attitude that permits all kinds of illegalities

Agostinho Antao

VILLAGE REPORT

Goa I Sunday April 3, 20118 www.oheraldo.in

VILLAGE LANDMARKS: (left) The Guirdolim Village Panchayat (above) the Chandor church, attended by the villagers of Guirdolim.

T he village of Guirdolim, carved out in 1973, is still struggling to find its own place under the sun. It continues to live in the shadow of its sister villages of Cavorim and Chandor, even though it was created to break this hegemony. While the menace of crass commercial interests and mega projects is yet to manifest itself in the village, Guirdolim has a different set of problems

One of the major problems fac-ing the village is the Mormugao Steel Plant situated in neighbour-

ing Curtorim village, close to the border between the two villages. In the first place, the emissions from the plant have affected hor-ticulture in the village and papa-yas do not grow any longer in the areas close to this plant. The other problem caused by this factory is the change in the demography of the village particularly in New Township ward, where there are a large number of migrants. Till date neither the panchayat has carried a census of the migrants living in the village, nor bothered to collect one months rent from the owners

who have rented their premises, as provided under the Panchayat Raj Rules.

Although there is a regular demand for widening of the road leading to the village square from Eclati in Curtorim, it cannot be done as it is within 100 metres of the railway line, which runs through the village. Ironically, a railway over-bridge that could ad-dress this problem is waiting to be constructed for more than 15 years now. Although the state govern-ment has constructed the approach roads for this bridge, the actual

construction of the bridge is still awaiting sanction from the Rail-ways Ministry, which is a telling comment on the performance of the ministers representing this village. We have plans, but unfortunately we lack support. For example, the proposal for an overhead bridge over the railway tracks has been hanging for quite a while now and people continue to suffer, said Jose Antao, the Guirdolim Sarpanch.

The inhabitants of Guirdolim have very vigilantly fought to maintain the rustic look of their village. Three years ago, the vil-

lagers in one voice rejected the Green Shield project, which had international promoters seeking to set up a housing complex for retired Britons. However, there are an increasing number of resi-dential cum commercial structures coming up in the village and there are a few multi-apartment build-ings too. Taking cognizance of this trend, at one of the gram sabhas, it was resolved that no construc-tion license should be issued for any commercial project unless the promoters clearly identify the gar-bage management site on the plan.

The main problem of the village is the lack of desire to do something amongst the elected panchas, who have adopted a laissez faire attitude that permits all kinds of illegalities, which will have seri-ous ramifications in the future, Agostinho Antao, former Sarpanch

This is a village with a difference, with a heart that beats but theres only so much heart can do. The powers that be are the ones with the chance to change things for the better. Until then, the little village of Guirdolim can only wait, watch and hope for the best.

A VILLAGE PRESERVEDIts a village still in search of its identity. But, things have been progressing here, in a sense. A housing project for retired Britons was stopped and a resolution passed not to allow any commer-cial projects without a compre-hensive garbage management plant. The villagers seem to be in-tent on making the village proud. Julio Dsilva discovers the serene little nook of Guirdolim

T here are three ways to discharge wet hotel garbage in Colva. Drain it out into the field behind, empty it into the covered storm water drains in front, or lay a pipe under the road in front and let it flow into the drain on the other side. If nothing works or let it seep away into whatever space it can find beyond.

Colva is hemorrhaging, and badly. Hotelier and pub owners have changed the contours of the sanddunes and there is truly no legal permanent or temporary structure between the sea and the narrow Gandaulim-Colva road albeit all the Town and Country Plan-ning (TCP) and Village Panchayat licenses they possess, claims Judith Almeida, iron lady of the Colva Civic and Con-sumer Forum (CCCF). The popular haunt Boo-merang, she says, lays a pipeline on to the beach

on most mornings be-tween one and four am to pump out its liquid waste. Elderly joggers have told me revolting stories of their dilemma, says Judith.

So far 45 hotels, res-taurants, and eateries have been inspected by the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) which has been incom-petent in putting an end to their activities. The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) too has to take the blame for this Colva tragedy.

Judith explains, More hotels are to be inspected and our demand was actually to inspect up to 700 metres inwards from the beach. The GSPCBs report dated March 14 (the latest of two) has 33 repugnant pictures of raw sewage, waste water, and solid unsegregated waste discharged into the Colva creek. It includes lab test results, a sche-

matic sketch and a report on restaurant offenders. It also says, The storm drain along the Colva main road was full of wet thick sewage; there was a foul smell. The water of the Morla Tollem pond was black.

Between the first bulky report dated May 5, 2010 and now, the govern-ment and the Sernaba-tim, Vanelim, Colva and Gandaulim panchayats did nothing to solve the problem. How can they?

In 1991 Hotel Colmar had 15 rooms, today it has 156. Among the clutch ofbuilders and hoteliers to be put on trial in court is Margaos Akar Construc-tions.

The reason being, it showed in its plans to the TCP Board a built-up area of 29,623.98 square meters which re-quires (for above 20,000 square metres) prior

environmental clear-ance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), (GoI). Akar asked for MoEFs approval only after CCCF took it to court in April 2009.

Others on CCCFs hit list, which is fighting a lonely battle despite physical threats to her and attempts at internal sabotage, is Reliance Builders. Its owner Yvette Almeida Coutinho was issued the Sanad

(conversion of land use from agriculture to non-agriculture) for 6,620 square metres for the clear purpose of residen-tial use only. Later how-ever, the TCP issued her a license to build a hotel complex. The GCZMA also gave its approval for a hotel complex on the basis of a MoEF approval. All this achieved despite the Collector, Margao

declaring in a letter (January 30, 2006) that her property fell within 500m from the High Tide Line (HTL). Even the VP issued its occupancy cer-tificate as a hotel complex and referred to it in all its correspondence as such. So, how did Reliance get clearances to build within the HTL in the first place? To compound the hotel complex sham, it was later sold as in-dividual row houses or units.

The GCZMA (lr dt Jan-uary 13, 2004) after dis-cussing the issue with the VP, Department of Settle-ments and Land Records, and Colmar Hotels, said eight structures of the hotel were constructed within the No Develop-ment Zone . More damn-ing was this that the resort failed to produce valid original survey record/plan; construction license and conversion sanad. But after GCZMA ordered that its water supply be disconnected, the owners obtained a High Court injunction despite section 22 of theEnvironment (protection) Act, 1986 which prevents any civil court from act-ing against directions is-sued by GCZMA (among others) under section five of the same act.

Then, as it happens so often in Goa, the VP lost all the files of Hotel Colmar, and so in 2011, Judith Almeida and her CCCF were back to square one.

Colva is no longer a beach. Its a disease. Garbage is dumped every-where, rampant illegal construction of hotels and buildings and the lax atti-tude of the authorities has destroyed this popular destination. The Colva Civic and Consumer Forum headed by Judith Almeida are fighting to win back Colva. Lionel Messias looks at some of her epic battles

A calamity called Colva

CRUSADER

I t was somewhere in 93-94 that I came to Goa for a second time. Id heard through some friends that there was a brilliant yoga instructor named Derek in Baga, so I found a nice cosy guest house and settled in. The next morning, I woke up and sat there looking at the beautiful sea. Thats when I heard this voice saying, Far out, isnt it? He was referring to the ocean. He continued talk-ing to me and so I gave in and made small talk. It

turned out that he was going to the classes too. So we walked together and on the way he turned to me and said, by the way, Im Richard.

That was the day Mari-anne Borgo met Richard Gere. A French actress, dancer and now consul-tant to the ESG, Mar-iannes tryst with Goa started in the late 70s, 1977 to be exact, when she came down with her then husband. After that, Goa took a backseat to her professional life until that

tryst with yoga in Baga. Since Marianne has been down every year, some-times staying here in her beautiful whitewashed house in Calangute, over-looking green fields, for months on end.

Its the unique charm that Goa has that brings her back. There is a lot of tolerance here and an eclectic mix of people as well. Goa has its own iden-tity. It seems chosen, says Marianne. A student of Conservatoire National dArt Dramatique, she was one of the lucky 26 chosen from a batch of 1500 students. Since then, from the age of 19, she has acted in art films, made for TV films, TV series and plays, making her quite the expert on French cinema. It was that experi-ence and passion towards the art that led to her be-ing a consultant on French cinema for the Enter-tainment Society of Goa. Today, she helps with the selection of French films and is planning on orga-nizing monthly viewings of French films at Marqui-nez Palace, where French teachers across Goa will be invited to participate in workshops, classes and lectures about French cul-ture and theatre.

Marianne also has a special fondness for her work with orphanages in Goa. I believe that in life if you start a good thing then angels come and help you. In France we say, aide toi le ciel taidera,which means, Help yourself and heaven will help you, she states.

Apart from all that, she finds time to work, be it here in Goa, where shes acted in a film called Love, Wrinkle Free or in France where shes cur-rently working on a TV commercial. For her, Goa is home, where her cat and all her friends,make life worth living. An artist has to be free. One needs freedom of their minds. Thats what I find in Goa, concludes Marianne.

Shes a beautiful actress who charmed TV and cinema screens in France for decades. Now, Goa is where she wa-ters her garden and basks in serenity. Kurt Bento gets a lesson in joie de vivre from Marianne