Goa 123 updates: April 2010

Friday, April 30, 2010

Goa Blog

Television Channels cause mental torture :Goa MP

Posted: 30 Apr 2010 07:06 AM PDT

Mr. Shantaram Naik, MP in a Special Mention made on Thursday, in the Rajya Sabha has demanded a ban on the showing of one single news throughout the day or days together causing mental torture to the viewers.

In a Special Mention Mr. Naik says that IPL controversy between a minister and BCCI Chief was the recent example and it happened on a day when there were 120 deaths reported in a tornado that hit Bihar and Bengal. The news hardly got any coverage.

According to the television channels such tragedies, perhaps, carry no news value while IPL controversies mean everything to them, he said.

Giving an example, Mr. Naik says in a Special Mention, "Recently a marriage controversy was the food for thought of these channels. For three days viewers were told that this is the only thing happening in the country".

Section 6 of the Rules framed under Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995, the government has prescribed programme code, which is hardly complied with by television networks, Mr. Naik says.

Mr. Naik further says this code needs to be amended to prohibit telecasting one single item continuously, disregarding other national or regional items, more particularly, news relating to national tragedies.

In fact, the very provision of Rule 6 which prescribes programme code prohibits programmes which "offends against good taste and decency" but this provision may not be sufficient to curb the menace of repetition of torturous news-items and hence the need to amend the programme code suitably, Mr. Naik says.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Goa Blog

Goa: BJP makes Governance Cell, makes Parrikar convenor
Goa: Feel fit with Ramdev baba
Goa to tie up with Karnataka in tourism sector

Goa: BJP makes Governance Cell, makes Parrikar convenor

Posted: 29 Apr 2010 08:40 AM PDT

BJP today created a new Governance Cell and appointed former Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar as its convenor. Parrikar, who was among the hopefuls for BJP president post but lost out when he made the “rancid pickle” remark against senior party leader L K Advani, is also a part of the 120-member national executive formed by party President Nitin Gadkari.

Many leaders in BJP had written off Parrikar after he failed to become even a general secretary or vice-president in Gadkari’s team of office-bearers.

Courtesy: ptinews

Goa: Feel fit with Ramdev baba

Posted: 29 Apr 2010 06:53 AM PDT

Ramdev Baba—a name synonymous with yoga will be in Goa from May 1-4 to conducted yoga camps. This event will kick start the district level yoga camps, for the first time under the Bharat Swabhiman Trust. These camps are held with a mission to make people live a life free from all ailments.

It will be held at the Goa Engineering College ground, Farmagudi from 5 a.m. to 7.30 a.m. Goa's Chief Minister, Mr Digmabar Kamat will be present for the inauguration of the camp.

Goa: Ramdev Baba

Dr Suraj Kanekar, advisor and co-ordinator of the special committee in a press briefing stated that for this yoga camp 36 'vaidyas' are coming down from Haridwar. "These 'vaidyas' will also get along with them medicines and will conduct free medical check up of the people there," stated Dr Kanekar. For four continuous days Ramdev Baba will conduct early morning yoga camps from

5 a.m. to 7.30 a.m. from May 1-4. Dr Kanekar further added that this session is expected to be attended by around 50,000 people. A group of 1500 volunteers are working hard to conduct this camp which will give a chance to people to learn more about yoga and 'pranayam'.

On May 3 at 5.30 p.m. there will be a public meeting at the same camp venue, where Ramdev Baba will address the gathering. During his trip he will make a visit to model villages of Goa. "We have selected Mayem and Ibrampur village as our model villages where yoga has reached out to the people and where we also have our yoga teachers. On May 2 Ramdev Baba will visit these villages and also on May 3 at Sheldem village in Quepem taluka, "informed Dr Kanekar

He explained that these villages are termed as model villages like in Ibrahmpur there are efforts made to make it a plastic free village and also promote organic farming. "We are conducting this drive against plastic for more than two years now. Through this drive we collect plastic and send it for recycling," informed Dr Kanekar.

Elaborating more about the camp, Dr Kanekar mentioned that the second session of this camp will be held in Maharashtra where they will cover around 600 talukas. On the issue of starting yoga classes in schools, Dr Kanekar stated that they have requested the Goa government to implement yoga in various schools of Goa. "We have around 2500 yoga teachers who are teaching 'Pranayam' in schools," he stated.

Courtesy: Navhind Times, Goa Daily

Goa to tie up with Karnataka in tourism sector

Posted: 28 Apr 2010 10:46 AM PDT

Goa will tie up with Karnataka to provide visitors a mix of beach and hinterland tourism.

Goa Tourism Director Swapnil Naik told reporters here that the state Tourism Development Corporation is in talks with its Karnataka counterpart to develop a circuit which will attract more tourists for both the states.

Naik said that Goa, although attracts tourists from world over, does not have adventure tourism facilities which are offered by neighbouring Karnataka.

“They (Karnataka) offer mind blowing adventure tourism packages, which can be clubbed with the packages offered by Goa to give visitors a chance to enjoy beaches and hinterland together,” Naik said.

All states have realised that tourists want varieties.

Therefore, a circuit has been developed that recommends different visiting spots, he added.

Goa receives around 25 lakh tourists annually and the domestic tourists are on rise in the state.

Courtesy:PTI

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Goa Blog

Arshad, Tusshar smoke in Goa college campus
Conservation tourism? Goa shows way - with turtles!
Conservation tourism? Goa shows way - with turtles!
Goa: Remo to perform at T-10 music show

Arshad, Tusshar smoke in Goa college campus

Posted: 28 Apr 2010 07:09 AM PDT

Tobacco watchdog National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE) has filed a police complaint against Bollywood actors Arshad Warsi and Tusshar Kapoor for smoking in a college campus in Goa.

In his complaint to the district Superintendent of Police Allen D’Sa and officials of the state tobacco control cell, NOTE general secretary Shekhar Salkar said the actors, who are shooting at the Chowgule College campus in Margao, about 35 km from here, were caught smoking in campus Tuesday.

“Arshad Warsi was even signing autographs for children with a cigarette dangling from his fingers. Such behaviour and violation of the no smoking norm is unacceptable. The college authorities should also be fined for letting them smoke in campus,” Salkar said.

The NOTE official has also submitted four photographs showing Warsi and Kapoor smoking in the college campus to the enforcement authority.

“Chief Secretary Sanjiv Srivastava in the last state tobacco control cell meeting had specifically asked the police to implement the anti-smoking law ruthlessly within school and college campuses and about 100 yard around the educational institutions. They should implement the laws properly,” said Salkar, whose organisation has in the past dragged Bollywood stars Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan to court.

State Tobacco control cell official said the actors would be soon fined for their misdemeanour.

Courtesy:TOI

Conservation tourism? Goa shows way - with turtles!

Posted: 27 Apr 2010 09:53 PM PDT

Goa’s unique practice of mixing turtle conservation with tourism has potential for successful replication across the Indian coast, says an expert.

Kartik Shanker, president of the International Sea turtle Society (ISTS), praised the Goa model.

“Goa has a unique model. It has managed to mix turtle conservation with tourism, which benefits the local community as well,” Shanker told IANS, adding that turtle conservation could not be viewed in isolation.

“We must use turtle conservation as a flagship to protect coastal habitats like coral reefs and conserve the coastline,” he said. He said communities living along the coast, especially those of traditional fishermen, need to be involved and benefit from the process.

Shanker is also the host of the International Symposium on Marine Turtles (ISMT) being held in Panaji.

According to him, global warming could prove to be a grave threat for turtles, whose gender at the time of birth is defined by temperature.

Elaborating the pattern of turtle presence across India’s winding coastline, Shanker said the eastern coast hogged the lion’s share of India’s turtle population.

“The east coast, especially beaches in Orissa, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, are seen as nesting sites where turtles come by the thousands. In the West coast, you see turtles in Gujarat and Goa.”

“Trawling is a concern because a large number of turtles get caught in fishing nets,” Shanker said.

“The sea walls along the beaches deflect wave energy from the walled stretch of the beach to other unwalled areas, causing erosion there, which discourages turtles from nesting nearby,” said Shanker, who is also a faculty member at the Bangalore-based Indian Institute of Science (IIS).

According to him, global warming posed newer challenges for turtle conservation.

“The gender of the turtle depends on the prevalent temperature at the time of hatching. If the temperature is below the pivotal point when the turtle hatches her egg, then the hatchling is a male. A female is born if the temperature is above the pivotal point.”

Global warming could skew the sex ratio of the amphibians.

“If temperatures further soar as a result of global warming, we could see largescale mortality,” he said. “We have embarked on research to study the conservation issue from the global warming perspective.”

Courtes:TOI

Conservation tourism? Goa shows way - with turtles!

Posted: 27 Apr 2010 09:56 AM PDT

Goa’s unique practice of mixing turtle conservation with tourism has potential for successful replication across the Indian coast, says an expert. Kartik Shanker, president of the International Sea turtle Society (ISTS), praised the Goa model. ”Goa has a unique model. It has managed to mix turtle conservation with tourism, which benefits the local community as well,” Shanker told IANS, adding that turtle conservation could not be viewed in isolation.

Goa: Save Turtles

According to him, global warming could prove to be a grave threat for turtles, whose gender at the time of birth is defined by temperature. Elaborating the pattern of turtle presence across India’s winding coastline, Shanker said the eastern coast hogged the lion’s share of India’s turtle population. ”The east coast, especially beaches in Orissa, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, are seen as nesting sites where turtles come by the thousands. In the West coast, you see turtles in Gujarat and Goa.”

Shanker said the Indian coastline generally saw Olive Ridley and green turtles. Turtles off the Indian coast faced two major threats: mechanised trawler fishing and haphazard development along the coastline. ”Trawling is a concern because a large number of turtles get caught in fishing nets,” Shanker said.

He said rampant development of the coastal areas, especially construction of sea walls by private entrepreneurs and coastal residents to prevent erosion, had proved in recent times to be a death knell for turtles looking for nesting sites. ”The sea walls along the beaches deflect wave energy from the walled stretch of the beach to other unwalled areas, causing erosion there, which discourages turtles from nesting nearby,” said Shanker, who is also a faculty member at the Bangalore-based Indian Institute of Science (IIS).

According to him, global warming posed newer challenges for turtle conservation. ”The gender of the turtle depends on the prevalent temperature at the time of hatching. If the temperature is below the pivotal point when the turtle hatches her egg, then the hatchling is a male. A female is born if the temperature is above the pivotal point.”

Global warming could skew the sex ratio of the amphibians. ”If temperatures further soar as a result of global warming, we could see largescale mortality,” he said. “We have embarked on research to study the conservation issue from the global warming perspective.”

Courtesy: TOI

Goa: Remo to perform at T-10 music show

Posted: 27 Apr 2010 09:42 AM PDT

The state will see pop star Remo Fernandes perform at the T-10 music show at the Rajendra Prasad Stadium on April 30.

Goa: Remo Fernandes

Remo, saying that his music was quite different while addressing the media at the press conference to announce the show, was a little critical of the music scene in the country. Commenting that the whole country had become Bollywood centric, and that all shows today were based on Bollywood he said that it appeared that the country had gone bankrupt and that we could not give anything to "our children, except Bollywood."

Stating that south Goa was very close to his heart he singer said that he had always wanted to do a show in the South. He also said that in South Goa people were united, and have stood up and managed to fight against bad development.

He came down heavily on the present politicians saying that they should disappear from the scene if Goa was to be saved from further destruction. He also made a strong case for special status but warned that politicians would never allow special status.

Pointing out that politicians are quick to uphold the rights of citizens to settle anywhere in India he argued that they were not bothered about other rights like the right to clean roads, non-corrupt government or clean hospital beds.

Courtesy: NT

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Goa Blog

Goan Minister Churchill Alemao in Kuwait

Posted: 27 Apr 2010 01:02 AM PDT

Goan Minister Churchill Alemao poses with Indian Ambassador Ajai Malhotra and Goan community members and Indian Embassy officials.

Minister Alemao who is also former member of India's lower house of Parliament is in Kuwait for the AFC Cup football match which will be played on April 28 between the Churchill Brothers football club, of which he is the patron, and the defending champions the Kuwait Sports Club.
The two teams played to a 2-2 draw in their first leg match in Goa on March 15, 2010.

Earlier the Churchill Brothers beat the Al Hilal Club of Yemen, both home and away and by virtue of this win qualified for the Group B knockout round of 16 of the AFC Cup 2010.

Minister Alemao, who is a well-known personality in Goa for service to the poor, on this occasion, presented a memento to Ambassador Malhotra.
In a brief address to the gathering, the minister warmly complimented the Ambassador for the very prompt and effective support being rendered by the Indian Embassy responding to the concerns of the community in Kuwait.

Courtesy: AT

Monday, April 26, 2010

Goa Blog

National Board Sailing Championships from tomorrow in Goa
I was transferred to Goa for removing Indira Gandhi’s car: Bedi
Goa should adopt the attitude ‘Show Must Go On’

National Board Sailing Championships from tomorrow in Goa

Posted: 26 Apr 2010 08:34 AM PDT

The Yachting Association of India and Laser Class Association of India will hold National Board Sailing Championships and Laser Coastal National Sailing Championships 2010 at Cidade de Goa Vanguinin beach tomorrow.

India’s best sailors like national champion Donald Coelho, Derrick Menezes, Remy Fernandes and several other

participants from the Army, Navy and other states will participate in the National Board Sailing Championships.

The championship is expected to have a close tussle between Donald, Derrick and Remy who have been national champions in board sailing during the past 15 years.

The Army and Navy sailors are also expected to give the Goan competitors a tough battle.

Derrick Menezes has won the national championships for 12 years and in spite of being a veteran he still continues to be a potent threat to all the sailors.

Courtesy:PTI

I was transferred to Goa for removing Indira Gandhi’s car: Bedi

Posted: 26 Apr 2010 07:28 AM PDT

Kiran Bedi, who was popularly known as ‘Crane Bedi’ said here that she was fully aware that she would be transferred to a distant place if she removes the car of former Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi.

“I knew that I will be transferred when I decided to lift Indira Gandhi’s car (for wrong parking). I gave a thought to it and decided to do what was right then,” Bedi told a student who asked her about her daring decision to remove the car of none other than Indira Gandhi herself and what happened after that.

Bedi said, “Wahi hua jo sabeke saath hota hai” (same thing happened which happens with all others). I was transferred to Goa the next day but that did not deter me from doing right things because of my strong foundation of knowledge and value system.”
The students cheered her decision with a loud applause. Bedi was here at Bhopal School of Social Science to participate in a programme, ‘Spectrum 2010′.

Courtesy:ET

Goa should adopt the attitude ‘Show Must Go On’

Posted: 25 Apr 2010 10:12 AM PDT

In a coalition government problems are bound to be there but the on the principle that ' show must go on', the government's decision- making process should not be halted or delayed , said Mr Shantaram Naik M.P. at Canacona on Saturday. Mr Naik who was laying the foundation stone for the of Mallikarjun High School managed by Centro Promotor Da Instrucao, Canacona said that Goa has several priority matters like National Highway, Sez matter, CRZ issue, Dabolim airport expansion, Mopa airport, establishment of NIT in Goa, issues like Special provision, special category, special cadre, etc. which we have to be pursued vigorously and, without showing any lethargy.

Shantaram Naik: Goa MP

Mr Shantaram Naik M.P. laying the foundation stone for Library and Laborotory Block of Mallikarjun High School, Canacona. Also seen in the photograph are Shri Vijay Pai Khot, MLA, Shri Vikas Desai, Shri Anil Desai and others.

Mr Naik said that draft CRZ 2010 draft notification which has been published by the Central Government has given Goa special consideration and, here again, if the State Government plays the required role meticulously and on a war footing, we stand to gain, otherwise, we will loose the advantages. Mr Naik said that it is the congress government that conceptualized the idea of putting funds in the hands of Member of Parliament, so that, they exercise some authority in the matter of development.

Mr Naik said "Centro Promtor Da Instrucao is one of the oldest educational institutions in Goa and as such, I feel privileged that I have an opportunity to help in its development. Mr Vijay Pai Khot MLA of Canacona appreciated the gesture of Mr Naik to give MPLAD fund for constructing a library and laboratory, much needed by the students.

At the outset , Shri Vikas Desai, President of the institution said that former Portuguese Governor personally took interest in giving financial aid to the institution and he visited the construction site of the project being then built under his assistance , several times before its completion. Shri Amol Pagi compereed the proceedings of the meeting while Shri Anil Desai proposed a vote of thanks.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Goa Blog

Geo-textile tubes to help restore Goa Candolim beach

Posted: 24 Apr 2010 11:39 PM PDT

In an attempt to prevent further erosion of the Candolim beach and help restore it, the Water Resources Department of the Goa government has begun laying geo-textile tubes as barricades to prevent waves from directly hitting the shore.

Goa Beach

Disclosing this to 'The Navhind Times' Mr Pramod Badami, the executive engineer in-charge of anti-sea erosion measures of the WRD, further said that ever since the River Princess, the ill-fated vessel, ran aground way back in the year 2000, the Candolim beach was being eroded by 10-15 metres every year, besides the shore has also been washed away.

Concerned over the "massive" erosion and washing away of the shore, the WRD sought the help of Pune-based Central Water and Power Research Station, a wing of the central water commission, to combat the erosion and restore the beach and the shore.

Mr Badami further said that between the shore and the River Princess a sand bar has been formed which has been stopping flow of sand (circulation) from one end of the beach between Calangute and Candolim. He disclosed that the central government agency has directed that the sand bar formed between the ship and the beach be opened so that sand movement starts again and the beach is restored properly by change of tidal current pattern. The sand is being removed and placed on the beach and thereafter levelled and this will serve as a nourishment for it.

Accordingly, the WRD has taken soft measures wherein geo-textile tubes measuring 20 metres in length and three metres in width are being placed along the beach. These tubes help break the waves and the sand particles get accumulated behind the tubes and help in formation of the beach, he said. Accordingly, heavy machinery is being used to carry out the work.

He also said that another layer of tubes, called the scour tubes, has also been placed along the beach and these tubes also facilitate formation of beach.

The work has been going on for the past several months and result was almost visible, he said adding that all the government agencies have approved the ongoing work. He went on to add that two rows of tubes have been placed towards landwards covering a distance of 1,100 metres towards Calangute and into sea at a length of 900 metres, following which beach of one and half metre in thickness and 35 metres in width has begun forming in the area.

Courtesy: Navhind Times, Goa Daily

Goa State to host meet on turtle conservation

Posted: 24 Apr 2010 11:19 AM PDT

Around 800 participants from 50 countries across the world are expected to take part in the 30th annual symposium on ‘Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation‘ to be organized by the International Sea Turtle Society in Goa from April 24 to April 30. While the main event will be held from April 27 till April 29, pre-symposium workshops and meetings will be held on other days. ”For the first time, the symposium is coming to the South Asian region, Kartik Shanker president, International Sea Turtle Society said.

The symposium is being jointly hosted and organized by sea turtle conservation groups, research organizations and institutions that work on marine environment issues across India and South Asia. ”The ISTS Annual Symposium is truly unique, drawing an enormous number and diversity of people interested in these intriguing animals and their habitats,” Shanker said.

Sea turtles live on land and sea, and migrate across the oceans to shores, from cold temperates to warm tropical waters. “They migrate across ocean basins. And through the course of several thousand years, they have connected us ecologically and culturally to the sea,” an activist said.

The symposium will attempt to focus on marine and coastal habitats, fisheries and other livelihood-related issues, environmental impacts, and much more, within the context of sea turtle biology and conservation.

“The presence of Olive Ridleys, greens and leatherbacks have been reported in Goa. Olive Ridleys are common, but sightings of green turtles and leatherbacks are sporadic,” said a turtle conservationist. “Except for some reports of nesting of leatherbacks along the 2km stretch of Beach at Morjim, all other records have been of Olive Ridley sightings,” the source added.

The threats faced by sea turtles everywhere mainly comprise poaching, incidental catches in fishing nets and developmental activity along the coast. ”The killing of adult turtles does not occur very regularly and this has been attributed mainly to religious beliefs. Like in other parts of the country, incidental catches usually occur in trawler nets. Trawl boat owners are either unaware of turtle excluder devices (TEDs) or are disinclined to using them,” one of the participants said.

Courtesy: TOI

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Goa Blog

Drugs worth Rs.25 lakh seized in Goa

Posted: 24 Apr 2010 08:17 AM PDT

Hours after Goa Director General of Police Bhimsain Bassi's claim that drugs were "virtually non-existent in Goa", a Nigerian was arrested Saturday with drugs worth nearly Rs.25 lakh.

A senior police officer said Felix Otedo, 24, was taken into custody in the wee hours of Saturday with nearly half a kilogram of cocaine and 45 gm of ecstacy, a popular party drug.

The raid comes a few hours after an insistent Bassi told reporters on the sidelines of a police felicitation function Friday night that drug trade in Goa had been run into the ground following a crackdown on narcotics trade by the state anti-narcotics cell (ANC).

"We have practiced a no-tolerance attitude towards big time operators in Goa. I can say with confidence that drugs are virtually non-existent in Goa now," Bassi said.

He said Goa was not a drug transit or a drug-producing state. "Goa is a victim state. We will keep sustained pressure on any drug-related activities," he said.

The statement was a hark back to a similar one by Goa Home Minister Ravi Naik some months ago when he said there were no drugs in the state.

Within a week, the police embarked on a series of raids which culminated in the arrest of notorious drug dealer David Driham alias Dudu, who was known for his links to politicians, policemen and journalists.

Six police officers, including a senior inspector, were also arrested in connection with the arrest of Israeli drug dealer Yaniv Benaim alias Atala last month.

Courtesy:TI

Friday, April 23, 2010

Goa Blog

Regional forensic Laboratory for Goa: Shantaram Naik,MP

Posted: 23 Apr 2010 08:37 AM PDT

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Shri Mullappally Ramachandran told Mr Shantaram Naik M.P. in the Rajya Sabha today that under the Composite Centrally Sponsored Plan Scheme of 'Creation of Regional Forensic Science Laboratories and District Mobile Forensic Science Laboratories for States/Union Territories (UTs) with an outlay of Rs.100 crore it has been decided to set up 6 Regional Forensic Science Laboratories (RFSLs), i.e. one in each State/UT viz Arunachal Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Goa, Sikkim Uttrakhand & Puducherry

The government proposes to establish and 52 District Mobile Forensic Units (DMFUs) in States/UTs out of which two will be established in Goa, minister informed Mr Naik

For establishing Regional Forensic Laboratories, a financial support of Rs.8 crore per RFSL would be provided to States during the current XIth Five year Plan towards the rent/construction of building for the RFSL as well as logistic and manpower support.

Minister replied that for establishing District Mobile Forensic Units, a financial assistance of Rs.1 crore would be provided for each DMFU to be set up in States/UTs.

Minister further informed Mr Naik that the essential features of the schemes are to provide for improved Forensic Science services support at Regional and District level by providing financial assistance for the capacity building, procurement of equipment and consumables and manpower costs during the 11th Plan period.

In case of Regional Forensic Labs, the cost of the building or that of hiring a building would also be provided for. The Department Of Forensic Science will monitor and evaluate the performance of States/UTs for both the Schemes.

Goa to host European Union film festival

Posted: 23 Apr 2010 08:07 AM PDT

the 15th European Union Film Festival (EUFF) of India, an EU spokesperson said on Friday.

Speaking to reporters here, Sole Aizpurua Garzon, co-ordinator of the Spanish EU presidency, said the festival which gets under way Saturday will host 23 films from 22 countries in Europe.

“We have sourced films from Italy, Spain, Ireland, France and Slovenia among others. Ambassadors from several EU countries will be also attending the EUFF,” Garzon said.

She said internationally acclaimed films like “Cristavo Colombo O Enigma” (Portugal), “The Age of Stupid” (Britain), “Rooster’s Breakfast” (Slovenia) and “The Investigator” (Hungary) will also be screened.

“We wanted to show Europe that Goa is not only about beaches. The EUFF will be a great opportunity for us to show other aspects of Goa to Europeans like its heritage, culture, etc,” she said.

Garzon said Goa was one of the earliest regions in India to have a connection with Europe and referred to the discovery of Goa by Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama.

The EUFF will also be complimented with several other side shows which include an art exhibition by leading Spanish artist like Matilde La Amor.

Courtesy:TOI

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Goa Blog

Chief Justice of India to nominate tribunal for Mhadei river Water dispute
Goa;John D’Silva First Tiatrist to Enter into Limca Book of Records
Goa’s heritage structures under threat

Chief Justice of India to nominate tribunal for Mhadei river Water dispute

Posted: 22 Apr 2010 08:55 AM PDT

Union Minister for Water Resources , Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal informed Mr Shantaram Naik M.P in the Rajya Sabha , today, in a written reply that the , Chief Justice of India has been requested to nominate Chairman and Members of the Tribunal for Mhadei River Water dispute.

Minister said that notification of Tribunal depends upon the receipt of above nominations.
The Central Government has approved the proposal to setup the tribunal in respect of Mahadayi Water Disputes. As per Inter State River Water Disputes Act 1956, the Tribunal consists of the Chairman and two other members nominated in this behalf by the Chief Justice of India from among persons who at the time of such nomination are Judges of the Supreme Court or of a High Court, the minister said.

Goa;John D’Silva First Tiatrist to Enter into Limca Book of Records

Posted: 22 Apr 2010 08:42 AM PDT

John D’ Silva, the well-known writer, director, actor and one of the top most comedian of Konkani stage has entered Limca Book of Records of 2010 for writing, directing and producing 25 Konkani Tiatrs with their titles having a double Alphabet in it.

The tiatrs that brought him the laurels are Vell, Dennem, Kolle, Ekvott, Vatt, Umannem, Sokallim, Menn, Avessor, Bott, Somzonni, Magnnem, Bovall, Kirnnnam, Porddo, Suknnim, Ugddas, Konn?, Vann, Vaitt, Jinn, Dhull, Xidkavnni, Voddem and Nattok. In the history of Konkani Tiatr, John is the first tiatrist to enter into Limca Book of Records and it took him 12 years to create this unique record.

His first drama “VELL” was released in 1996 and the 25th Tiatr “NATTOK” was released in UK and Germany in 2008 and then it was shown throughout Goa. He is the first tiatrist to receive the first “Yuva Srujan Puraskar” Award by Art and Culture, Goa government, for his immense contribution in the tiatr field. Recently, Multidimension AIDS Awareness Social Trust(MAAST) from Margao, presented him award of appreciation for his tiatr “Kuttumb” which conveys a strong message on AIDS and ill effects of Alcohol. He is rated as one of the best writer of the Konkani stage as his dramas are always written with thought provoking script with logical dialogues, powerful message and moral.

In the year 1996 Vell and 1998 Vatt were shown in Gulf countries i.e Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Muscat and Dubai. In 2006 Tiatr Jinn and Vaitt were staged in Dubai. With his Tiatr troupe he has travelled to Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Delhi, London (UK), Canada and Germany. To his credit, he is having five super Hit comedy vcd films namely Duddvamkar, Fugddi, Jinn, Lofdde and Gondoll. John D’Silva is a household name among Goans.

Courtesy:Daijiworld

Goa’s heritage structures under threat

Posted: 22 Apr 2010 06:35 AM PDT

In the absence of legal protection, heritage buildings are giving way to multi-storey plazas in Goa, which is known for its Indo-Portuguese architectural marvels. “We have been lobbying hard to save these buildings but many a time we can’t help. Without legal protection bulldozers raze them down in no time,” said Prajal Sakhardande, a historian and member of Goa Heritage Action Group (GHAG). ”There are around 1,000 heritage monuments in Goa and these include several buildings in Panaji.”

GHAG has listed these buildings in association with the Corporation of City of Panaji (CCP), but in the absence of legal cover to these structures, it is difficult for the civic body to stop the demolitions. ”They have to be notified to be saved from demolition. We are trying our level best to convince people not to raze heritage structures, but legally we can’t stop them if documents are in order,” city Mayor Caroline Po said.

Situated on the banks of Mandovi river, Panaji has some of the best architectural wonders in Goa, a former Portuguese colony. A few quaint corners like Fountainhas have always been a big draw for tourists and film shootings. Some of the buildings in Fountainhas, an old residential area, are over 150-year-old and stand tall as a symbol of a bygone era in Goa’s rich history.

Courtesy: TOI

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Goa Blog

12 projects of 808 Crore Envisaged for MPT:Goa MP
Goan drug dealer’s assets worth Rs 2 crore frozen
Saluting the Real Son of Goa

12 projects of 808 Crore Envisaged for MPT:Goa MP

Posted: 21 Apr 2010 08:21 AM PDT

The under National Maritime Development Programme, a total of 12 projects are envisaged for Mormugao Port at a cost of Rs.808 crores ,Union Minister of Shipping informed Mr Shantaram Naik M.P. in the Rajya sabha oday, in a written reply.

The National Maritime Development Programme (NMDP) has become operational and covers all projects which are under implementation as on 1.4.2005 or are likely to start till 31.3.2012, Minister said.

Under NMDP, the projects relating to constructions of berths, mechanization, upgradation of equipments, deepening of channels and projects related to port connectivity etc. are taken up to modernize Port infrastructure in India to benchmark the performance of Ports to international standards, Mr Vasan informed Mr Naik.

In another written reply to a question of Mr Naik Union Minister of State for Rural Development, Shri Sisir Kumar Adhikari informed Mr Naik that an amount of Rs.243.90 lakh was released to the Government of Goa since inception and upto 2007-2008 for computerrisation of Land Records and that out of this, Rs.240.83 lakh has been utilized by the State upto 31.12.2009.

The State Government has reported to have completed computerization of Record of Rights (RORs), as well as computerization of cadastral plans, minister informed Mr Naik.

Giving information of the relevant scheme Mr Adhikari informed

Mr Naik that a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Computerization of Land Records (CLR) was started by the Central Government in the year 1988-89 and upto 2007-2008.

The scheme provided funding support to the States and UTs. The essential features of the scheme were computerization of land records and Records of Rights (RORs), digitization of cadastral maps, updating of land records, and training & capacity building of the concerned officials and functionaries,Minister said

The scheme was merged, enhanced and a comprehensive scheme of National land Records Modernization Programme (NLRMP) was launched in the year 2008-09, minister said in his reply.

Goan drug dealer’s assets worth Rs 2 crore frozen

Posted: 21 Apr 2010 08:04 AM PDT

Goa police has frozen all the assets, including cash, properties and investments, of a notorious drug peddler, a senior police officer said. It is the first time that such action has been taken against a drug peddler.

Cash, several properties and assets worth Rs.2 crore belonging to Sadanand Chimulkar were frozen under the Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators (Forfeiture of Property) Act (SAFEMA) because they were bought from proceeds of narcotics sale, Superintendent of Police Veenu Bansal said on Tuesday.

“The assets were obtained as proceeds from the narcotics trade. This is the first time ever that we have taken steps to freeze assets of drug peddlers,” Bansal said, adding that the move would serve as a deterrent to drug peddlers at large in the state.

“The aim is to send a message to anyone linked to the drugs trade that on arrest, money amassed from the drug trade over the years can be frozen. On conviction, the frozen assets are automatically seized by the government,” Bansal said.

Sadanand Chimulkar alias Bhui, a notorious drug dealer from Anjuna, was arrested in January this year with drugs worth Rs.4 lakh. According to police records Bhui had more than 21 known bank accounts, over a dozen life insurance policies and properties in several parts of Goa and Maharashtra. Bhui and his wife also owned more than a kilogram of gold, all of which has been frozen under SAFEMA, a finance ministry legislation. ”Bhui’s wife had withdrawn Rs.20 lakh after her husband’s arrest. That has been frozen too,” Bansal said.

Goa, infamously known as a narcotics haven, has of late seen the arrest of two other foreign drug dealers named David Driham alias Dudu and Yaniv Benaim alias Atala. The arrests by the Goa Police followed categorical statements by home minister Ravi Naik that there were no drugs being sold in Goa.

Courtesy: TOI

Saluting the Real Son of Goa

Posted: 20 Apr 2010 09:29 AM PDT

The resounding verdict of the Opinion Poll held on 16^th Jan 1967 saved Goa and Goans from being gulped by its big neighbor Maharashtra . Though all out attempts were made by the first Chief Minister of Goa late Dayanand Bandodkar and his Maharashtra Gomantak Party ( MGP) ably supported by the politicians from Maharashtra to get Goa assimilated into its northern neighbour . It was under the stewardship of the then charismatic leader Joao Hugo Eduardo de Sequeira or popularly called Dr Jack de Sequeira that Goans from all walks of life defeated the nefarious designs of pro merger forces . So passionate and strong were the anti merger views of this first time MLA from Panjim and later three times MLA from neighboring Santa Cruz that this pro Goa group soon became abode to both commoners and Goan luminaries of that era like V.M. Salgaokar, Ulhar Buyao, Uday Bhembre, Chandrakant Keni etc..

If Goa had become a part of Maharashtra it would have lost its unique identity. It's rich heritage of art and culture would have got completely deluged in the waters of "Marathi Asmita" . An elegy on Konkani language would have become a reality. Goans would have become minority in their own land . And worse Goa would have become one of the secluded districts of Maharashtra like Sawantwadi or Ratnagiri .

The way Goa is being turned into a concrete jungle, construction of high storied buildings, pristine land being sold to the highest bidder i.e. the real estate agents , cutting of hills , hacking of trees , mushrooming of both legal and illegal mining etc etc All these ecologically unsound activities would all have made Dr Sequeira feel sad and despondent. The founder president of United Goan Party (UGP) wanted Goa to be developed as the numero uno eco friendly tourism place of India.

A worthy point to ponder is that during the time of Dr Sequeira flora and fauna was given paramount importance . For instance unlike the present concrete state existing in the left hand side stretch from Campal to Miramar, there existed green fields. People connected with the anti merger group nostalgically remember that Dr Sequeira joined politics to save Goa. He was immensely proud of his Goan roots . Dr Sequeira did not look at politics as a avenue to embezzle public money which is the trend with most of the present day State's politicians.

Out of Dr Sequeira's nine children only his eldest son late Erasmo Jesus de Sequeira entered politics . The two time MP from Marmagoa parliamentary constituency apart from being a top leader of UGP also worked whole heartedly for creating favourable opinion in the 16^th January 1967 referendum. Today none of his five surviving children are in the murky world of Goan Politics.

Yes, the need of the hour is that Goa needs more and more politicians who have a character like Dr Sequeira who was a businessman by profession and often used to contribute to run the affairs of UGP from his own pocket . Being a God fearing person he would ensure that he did not miss the evening rosary with his family at home.

We need to constantly work to fulfill the dreams of Dr Sequeira for a better and safe Goa. All right thinking Goans whether they are Hindus, Catholics or Muslims need to work vigorously to fight the evils engulfing Goa like desecration of the places of worship, environmental degradation caused through mining and mega projects, very long delay in the incorporation of Roman script in the official language Act, garbage strewn all over the state, narrow roads, prostitution dens masquerading as massage parlors, politicization of police, removal of river princess- - a ship half sunk from Candolim beach and so forth.

NGOs and groups like GBA who really feel for Goa should come forward and unite to save this lovely state from the clutches of haphazard development which one day would destroy the real essence of Goa . GBA would really do a stupendous service to Goa if it contests the next assembly elections by nominating candidates with right credentials. Dr Sequeira had honesty inborn in him.

It is sad that most of us in Goa today have forgotten the breathtaking role played by Dr Sequeira in keeping Goa as a separate unit of the Indian Union. Most of our children hardly know who Dr Sequeira was because not a single chapter is devoted in Goa's school on the father of the Opinion Poll. To keep the legacy of this greatest of the great Goan leader alive , a permanent chair should also be established at Goa University to study the life and times of Dr Jack de Sequeira.

It is a big shame that our State government did not have funds to get his statue erected. Incidentally, the cost of the statue at Donna Paula circle was borne by Dr Sequeira's family. Why have we forgotten our hero so soon ? Will our State government celebrate the centenary celebrations in the next four years with the same vigor and dynamism for Dr Jack Sequeira the real Goenkar as it is currently doing for Dayanand Bandodkar who was no doubt an efficient administrator but who always had his heart for Marathi and Maharashtra.

By Isidore Domnick Mendis