Goa News Updates...

14% hike in Goa’s petrol consumption

2011-04-09T15:28:00.001+05:30

Goa has witnessed a 14% increase in petrol consumption and a 6-7% jump in diesel consumption over the last year, Union secretary for petroleum and natural gas S Sundareshan said Saturday.

“LPG consumption is growing at 10% per annum. For a population of 14 lakh, 4 lakh gas connections is very good. If you consider that each family comprises 3-4 persons, we have covered the entire population,” he said.

When pointed out that the capital city does not have a single petrol pump providing 24-hour service, Sundareshan said he would inquire into it and directed BPCL officials to provide such a facility at the earliest.

City of Joy erupts once again

2011-04-09T15:27:00.000+05:30

The city's reputation as the Mecca of Indian soccer is on the decline, but Kolkata is soaking in the WAKA WAKA fever!

As Planet Earth soaks up the biggest sporting spectacle in the world, the FIFA World Cup, the excitement level is also reaching fever pitch in India. Ever since this game was introduced to India by the British in the late 1800s, the 'beautiful game' has always had a special place in the heart of people from Bengal, Goa and Kerala.

While the performance of Bengal teams have nosedived rapidly over the last five years in the domestic soccer season, the enthusiasm and love for the biggest football event of the world continues unabated in the City of Joy.

India's absence from this event has never affected the spirit of this soccer-mad city. The entire city has turned into a special football zone. Different parts of this mega-polis have 'adopted' a particular nation and cheer them on during this one-month football festival.

Brazil and Argentina are the two perennial favourite teams in Kolkata. In fact one would even find special prayers being offered at temples for an individual team's success. Huge groups of people would be assembling in front of a television-set to cheer their 'adopted' nation.

One can also find street walls painted with different country colours. Cheap team jersey replicas can be found in every nook and corner of the city, especially at the Maidan Market in central Kolkata. Needless to say, the price of a particular jersey depends on the team's progress in the tournament.

The victory celebrations have to be seen to be believed. Hordes of people normally come out on the streets to celebrate the result of a particular game by spraying each other with the team colour.

Chapora, Cabo da Rama in Goa may get new lease of life

2011-04-09T15:18:00.001+05:30

The state government is perusing a proposal for adaptive reuse of two well-known forts in Goa—Chapora in Badez and Cabo da Rama in Canacona. INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art & Culural Heritage) has already submitted detailed project reports in this regard, said development commisioner and secretary (archives) Narendra Kumar. Adaptive re-use is a process by which ancient buildings are adapted for new uses while retaining their historic features.

Allaying fears that hotels or any such venture may come up in the forts, Kumar said, “We are not going in for any change that would affect the basic character of the place… the restoration will be done without affecting the archaeological, historical and heritage value.”

The government may initially organize ‘light and sound’ programmes, as is done in places like the Red Fort, or host cultural programmes. Although other states have restored monuments for adaptive re-use, this will be the first such instance in Goa. However, given the problems government officials faced during the renovation of the Reis Magos fort, the government wants to put in place a proper law before going ahead with the project.

It intends to amend the Goa, Daman and Diu Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1978 to facilitate the government to undertake restoration, renovation, re-erection and reconstruction of ancient monuments and to put them to adaptive re-use “without affecting their basic character, archaelogical, historical and heritage value”.

The government also wants to make sure that works approved by the authorities concerned do not get stalled midway. Besides, Kumar said, there’s a strong need to protect government officials and professionals involved with such projects from legal proceedings.

During the restoration of the Reis Magos fort, based on complaints filed by some organisations cases were slapped on government officials, including a police inspector. Officials need protection and the law will be amended, Kumar said. The amendment will come up in the next assembly session after which the government plans to go ahead with the project.

The pre-Potuguese picturesque Chapora fort has changed hands many times, falling to the Mughals and the Marathas besides the Portuguese. The Portuguese fortified it in 1717.

Cabo de Rama fort also has a picturesque view and attracts a large number of tourists. However, like the Chapora fort, it is also in a dilapidated condition. A witness to fierce battles in the past, it has a tunnel built by the Portuguse. The British had used the fort as a prison.

As part of its efforts to restore the state’s historical monuments to their former glory, the Goa government has spent around Rs 20 crore under the XII finance commission on places like Santana Church, the holy pond of Mahalsa temple in Verna, the Reis Magos church and the St Estevam fort.

Pacheco to move HC for bail in Nadia death case

2011-04-09T15:11:00.000+05:30

Former Goa Tourism Minister Fransisco Mickey Pacheco will be moving for anticipatory bail in High Court on Monday.

Goa bench of Bombay High Court will also hear the anticipatory bail petition filed by Pacheco’s aide, Lyndon Monteiro tomorrow.

Both were denied relief by session court in Margao, last week.

The former minister in his earlier bail petition had claimed that he was being framed in the entire case.

Pacheco is on the run after he was questioned by Crime Branch in connection with the death of his 28-year-old friend Nadia Torrado.

Monteiro, his close aide and officer on special duty, is also missing since June 6 after he was charged for destroying evidence in this case.

Nadia had died on May 30 while being treated in a private hospital at Chennai.

Crime Branch on Saturday had questioned Pacheco’s live-in partner Viola Fernandes, who had given clean chit for him.

She had said that Pacheco is innocent and she herself was present in Mumbai when Nadia was shifted to a hospital there.

Goa woman’s death case: police raid Pacheco’s house

2011-04-09T14:41:00.000+05:30

Police today conducted raids at the residence of former Goa minister Fransisco Pacheco in Betalbhatim village near here and also issued a look-out notice against his aide and co-accused Lyndon Monteiro in connection with the death of a woman friend.

“Seven computers have been confiscated after a team led by inspector Tushar Vernekar conducted extensive search of Pacheco’s residence in Betalbhatim village (40 km from here),” a top official said.

Pacheco had to step down as tourism minister and is on the run after his name was involved in the death of 28-year-old Nadia Torrado. Crime branch has already named Pacheco, along with his aide Monteiro, as accused in the case.

Police also a issued look-out notice against Monteiro, who is missing since June 6.

A sessions court in Margao has rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Monteiro and Pacheco.

Setting up of a new Greenfield International Airport at Mopa in Goa and Continuation of commercial operations at Dabolim Civil Enclave

2011-04-09T14:20:00.001+05:30

The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for setting up of a new Greenfield International Airport at Mopa of international standards in Goa. The new airport at Mopa will be constructed on a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) basis, for which, a private entity will be selected through a global tendering process. The Cabinet also decided to grant status of International Airport to the new airport.

The Cabinet also approved the continuation of commercial operations at the existing Dabolim Civil Enclave Airport by reviewing its earlier decision to close down the airport once the commercial operations start from Mopa in Goa. Continuation of Dabolim airport at Goa will facilitate the State to meet the requirement of increased inflow of air traffic more efficiently as well as for the balanced development of all parts of the State.

Police register case against ex-Goa minister

2011-04-09T14:19:00.000+05:30

In more trouble for absconding former Goa minister Fransisco Pacheco, police on Thursday registered a case accusing him of culpable homicide and destroying evidence in the death of his close friend Nadia Torrado even as his anticipatory bail plea was rejected.

“A case has been filed against Pacheco under sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence) of IPC,” police said.

A session court earlier rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Pacheco, who is on the run fearing arrest in connection with the death of 28-year-old Nadia, who allegedly consuming poison.

The former minister is now likely to approach the high court with the anticipatory bail plea.

Public Prosecutor Sarojini Sardinha appearing on behalf of the State told the sessions court that the poison could not have been consumed by mistake by Nadia.

Considering the marks of injuries on her body, there is a possibility that she must have been given poison, police said.

Crime branch, which had earlier named 46-year-old Pacheco as a main accused in the case, said there is enough evidence on record to accuse him of being involved in the crime.

“From the statements of the witness, post mortem reports, circumstantial and scientific evidence, it is clear that Pacheco has been involved in this crime and is evading his arrest,” the crime branch submitted in the court.

Presenting the post-mortem report conducted on Nadia’s body at Chennai, where she died during treatment, before the court, police said that her death was due to poisoning and complications, with multiple contusions.

Police said they wanted to record weapon of assault for which custodial interrogation of Pacheco was a must.

“There is a strong possibility that the applicant accused may tamper with the evidence,” the crime branch said.

Alleging that Nadia’s family members had destroyed vital evidence in this case, police quoted the statement of a maid servant who told the investigating officer that she burnt three plastic polythene bags on June 2, just before the funeral procession of the deceased as told by her mother.

According to the Crime Branch, Nadia’s brother had conceded in his statement that huge money was spent on her treatment by Pacheco and an unknown person. Police have said Pacheco knew Nadia even before her marriage.

Nadia married Wilson Barretto in 2007 and thereafter their relation ran into rough weather.

NCP’s Halarnkar inducted in Goa Cabinet in place of Pacheco

2011-04-05T21:23:00.000+05:30

Halarnkar was administered oath of office and secrecy by Governor S S Sidhu at a ceremony at Raj Bhavan this evening. Chief Minister Digamber Kamat and his Cabinet colleagues were present for the function.

Halarnkar’s portfolio will be announced later.

Pacheco, who held three portfolios, including tourism, put in his papers on June 5. The 46-year-old is on the run after being questioned by Crime Branch over the death of Nadia Torrado (28).

Halarnkar, MLA from Thivim, currently heads the North Goa Planning and Development Authority (NGPDA). He was earlier inducted as Parliamentary Secretary, but had to step down after the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court ruled against having such a post.

The first-time lawmaker is among the three-MLA strong NCP that is supporting the Congress-led Government. The Sharad Pawar-led party has been given two Ministerial berths as part of its pact with the Congress.

In 40-member House, Congress has 18 MLAs followed by BJP (14), NCP (3), Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and Independents (2 each) and United Goans Democratic Party (1).

NIT Reservation for Goan students should continue for three more years

2011-04-05T21:22:00.002+05:30

Mr. Shantaram Naik M.P. has, in a letter faxed by him to the HRD Minister Shri Kapil Sibal has demanded that the quota of seats allotted for the students from Goa for B-Tech Engineering should be retained at least for three more years till the NIT Goa,infrastructure takes shape.

Mr. Naik in his letter written to Mr. Sibal says that the Ministry of Human Resource Development vide order dated 30/10/2009 has decided to set up a new NIT at Goa to be monitored by National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, Mangalore. The Government of Goa and National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal were entrusted the joint responsibility of taking all necessary steps for the establishment of NIT Goa so as to start the academic activities from the year 2010-11.

Mr. Naik says that NIT Goa is starting its activities from the present academic year but it will take some years for the institution to establish itself.

National Institute of Technology has been providing more than 50 seats every years to the students from Goa, since the state had no NIT institution.

Mr. Naik says that the strength of the NIT Goa is 90 out of which 50% seats are reserved for Goa, Daman and Diu, Dadra, Nagar Haweli and Lakshadweep Islands.

Mr. Naik says that the NIT, Goa, is starting its activities from the present academic year, in the premises of Goa Engineering College, however, it will take some years for the institution to establish itself.

The Government of Goa has identified a few sites for the establishment of NIT Goa , and that, it is the endevour of the Government to see that the institute takes a good shape in near future, Mr. Naik says.

National Institute of Technology has been providing more than 50 seats every year to the students from Goa, the state being one which had no NIT institution, however, since, NIT, Goa, has to develop its infrastructure, and that, it may take some years, Mr Naik has requested requested the HRD Minister, to maintain a status quo as regards the seats allotted to Goa by way of super-numeris.

Mr. Naik has referred his earlier letter to the government, in which he had requested the government, that the State of Goa should be given all the 50% of the total seats by adjusting the Union Territories of Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haweli in the NIT institute in the State of Gujarat and the Union Territory of Lakshadweep in the NIT Institute of Kerala. There has been no response to this demand,despite a simultaneous request having made by the Chief Minister of Goa too.

Till date, it is not known that out of 45 seats, which is 50% of the total allotted seats of 90, how many seats the State of Goa is likely to get, Mr. Naik adds.

Nadia Torrado case: Did Goa ex-Minister Pacheco bribe her family?

2011-04-05T21:22:00.001+05:30

A Goa court will decide on Thursday whether to grant bail to Mickey Pacheco, the state’s former Tourism Minister, who is missing, and has been named the main suspect in the mysterious death of his girlfriend, Nadia Torrado. (Read: Pacheco files for anticipatory bail, says he is innocent)

The police have suggested that Pacheco attacked Nadia with a blunt weapon before she died, and that he then tried to destroy evidence. It also alleges that Pacheco may have given Nadia’s family close to 35 lakhs to ensure they protect him. Nadia’s brother has allegedly admitted to receiving this money in installments. He has not, however, implicated Pacheco.

Nadia died on May 30 in a Chennai hospital where she had been moved after she allegedly drank rat poison. Her family has offered the baffling explanation, one backed by Pacheco, that Nadia died because she mistakenly used rat poison instead of toothpaste. (Read: 11 injury marks found on body of Goa woman: Police)

While opposing Pacheco’s bail in court on Wednesday, the prosecution said that Pacheco and Nadia’s family had given contradictory statements, pointing to a possible collusion.
Sources tell NDTV that Nadia’s mother, Sonia Torrado, is likely to be arrested soon for destroying evidence. Nadia’s mobile phone, passport, laptop and the crucial tube of rat poison that she is alleged to have consumed have disappeared.

Pacheco’s Officer on Special Duty, Lyndon Monteiro, is also being investigated for playing a role in Nadia’s death. (Read: Pacheco named main suspect in Nadia Torredo’s death)

Women activists in Goa have been arguing that Nadia’s death is not a case of simple suicide. The police now agrees - it believes that her suicide could have been forced. In court, the prosecution said that Pacheco was with Nadia on the night of May 14, hours before she consumed the rat poison that killed her. Phone records show that the then minister was in regular touch with the 27-year-old on May 14.

Pacheco was interrogated for nine hours on Friday. He resigned on Saturday and did not show up for a second round of questioning scheduled by the police. Since then, he has been missing, with the Goa police insisting it has no information on where he might be. That surprises many who point out that Pacheco, a man of local prominence, is easily identifiable.

Eleven injury marks on Nadia’s body: Goa police

2011-04-05T19:48:00.002+05:30

The body of Nadia Torrado bore 11 injury marks as per her autopsy report, officials said Monday even as the ex-Tourism Minister of Goa remained untraced following his questioning in connection with his close friend’s death allegedly after consuming poison.

There were 11 injury marks on the body of the girl which were reported during a post-mortem in Chennai. “The bruises were also visible in the second autopsy conducted in Goa,” a senior police officer said.

Torrado, 28, died on May 30 at Chennai after allegedly consuming rat poison and thereafter a post-mortem was conducted on her body. The second autopsy was conducted when the body was brought to Goa next day.

Torrado’s alleged suicide triggered trouble for former minister Fransisco Micky Pacheco, who was her close friend. After facing intense questioning by Crime Branch on Friday, Pacheco went underground since Saturday and has been untraceable.

Police spokesman Atmaram Deshpande said look-out circulars has been issued against the minister, especially at international airports. “There are no arrests executed in this case, but Nadia’s family was quizzed even today,” he added.

NCP legislator, who quit the post, termed his resignation as a move to allow free and fair investigation.

Pacheco’s officer on special duty, Lyndon Monteiro, on the other hand, moved his own anticipatory bail petition in district court at Margao after being summoned by Crime Branch.

Monteiro, 37, who is also vice president of Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), has distanced himself from Pacheco claiming that his relations with minister were purely professional.

“I am not concerned with his other personal aspects and life,” Monteiro had said in his anticipatory bail plea.

Divine hand guiding me: Goa CM

2011-04-05T19:48:00.001+05:30

Goa chief minister Digamber Kamat has said that a divine hand was guiding him in the governance which is helping him overcome the obstacles.

Kamat, in a booklet released by the state government on the completion of three years, said, “I am conscious of the fact that the divine hand is guiding me to fulfill my life mission of service to fellowmen and helping me overcome obstacles in my path.”

The chief minister has faced two major revolts during last three years of governance when its coalition ally - NCP, along with supporting legislators raised banner of discontent against him. The revolt was calmed down by intervention of Congress and NCP high commands.

“There is a feeling that much more could have been accomplished had there been a totally favourable ambience,” Kamat said in the booklet ‘Golden Glow,’ released yesterday.

When questioned on what was the non-favourable ambience, Kamat avoided a direct answer.

“I mean I could have done better. I feel, I could have done better which I am trying to do in future,” he said.

Kamat said some areas of concern and challenges are decline in agrarian economy and making agriculture an economically viable proposition.

“Existence of unemployment and underemployment, rising migration, slums and related social issues, solid waste management, disposal issues, coverage of sewerage and sanitation facilities, sustainable development with environmental protection and adequate availability of financial resources are the challenges faced by government,” he said

Ex-Goa minister Pacheco seeks bail

2011-04-05T19:43:00.000+05:30

Mickky Pacheco, former Goa tourism minister who was questioned in connection with the suspicious death of his alleged paramour, Tuesday applied for anticipatory bail at a local court. Preparations are also on to induct a new minister in the 12-member cabinet to replace him.

Pacheco, a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) legislator who already faces charges of bigamy, extortion and assault, went ‘missing’ after Crime Branch officials grilled him for nearly nine hours Friday.

He applied for anticipatory bail at the Margao district and sessions court.

Pacheco has been caught in the whirlwind after his 28-year-old alleged lover Nadia Torrado died May 30 at a Chennai hospital after consuming rat poison.

Women activists and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or judicial enquiry into the woman’s death.

Pacheco himself demanded a judicial probe into Torrado’s death, calling the police investigation a “witch-hunt” against him.

Meanwhile, preparations are being made to swear-in a new minister.

Sources said a meeting of the respective high commands of the NCP and the Congress had finalised the name of Nilkanth Halarnkar, an NCP legislator from Thivim to replace Pacheco in the Congress-led coalition government.

The present ruling dispensation includes the Congress, the NCP, the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), one Independent legislator and one unattached legislator.

“Since an NCP minister was dropped, we insisted that an NCP legislator should be inducted. Two cabinet berths for the NCP is part and parcel of the alliance agreement with the Congress,” an NCP functionary said.

While Halarnkar’s name has not been formally announced, Raj Bhavan grounds have been readied for the swearing-in ceremony to be held Tuesday afternoon.

Goa legislative assembly has 18 Congress legislators, 14 BJP, 3 NCP, 2 MGP, two Independents and one unattached legislator belonging to the United Goans Democratic party (UGDP).

In hiding, Goa blast accused says can’t run on, will give up

2011-04-05T19:29:00.001+05:30

Speaking to The Indian Express, one of the absconding accused in the Goa blast case has said he can't be constantly on the run and would be surrendering before the court at the earliest.

Prashant Ashtekar, 23, also admitted to have played a role in removing the hard disk of the computer being used by his brother Dhananjay, which the police claim had vital information about the circuits being prepared for engineering last October's Goa blast. Dhananjay was arrested in the case six months ago.

"I learnt about the charges slapped against me from newspapers. I can't be evading the police for a long time. I would be surrendering before the court soon and am hopeful of getting discharged," said Prashant.

On October 16, a bomb had gone off in a scooter in the commercial town of Margao in Goa, killing two Sanatan Sanstha activists Malgounda Patil and Yogesh Naik. Later, Vinayak Taklekar, an MBA who worked as an assistant HR manager with a seven-star hotel in Goa, Vinayak Patil, Dhananjay and Dilip Mangoankar were arrested. Prashant Ashtekar, Prashant Juvekar, Sarang Akolkar and Jaiprakash Putturu were declared wanted. Police believed the motive behind the blast was to spark communal violence in the state.

Pacheco resigned on moral grounds: NCP

2011-04-04T23:23:00.001+05:30

NCP today said its minister Fransisco Mickey Pacheco resigned from the cabinet on moral grounds after his name was embroiled in the controversy surrounding the death of a 28-year-old woman friend.

The 46-year-old Goa Tourism minister and NCP legislator from Benaulim constituency faxed his resignation letter to Chief Minister’s Office this afternoon, a day after he was quizzed by the Crime Branch in connection with the death of Nadia Torrado.

“Our legislator resigned to protect moral platform. NCP has always wanted that people should know the truth in this case,” NCP national secretary Jitendra Deshprabhu told PTI.

Deshprabhu said Pacheco resigned to give a free hand to the investigating authorities to probe the case.

Nadia, a close friend of the NCP minister, had died on Sunday at Chennai allegedly after consuming rat poison.

Navy rescues sick Jordanian from ship off Goa

2011-04-04T23:22:00.002+05:30

A Indian Navy helicopter responded to a distress call from a merchant vessel Al Hamra on Saturday morning and evacuated a sick Jordanian man on board before taking him for treatment to the Salgaocar Medical Research Centre (SMRC), Vasco.

The patient Mohamad Abdallah Ayyad was suffering from severe appendicitis on the ship which was about 80km from the Goa coast. The Indian Naval authorities swung into action immediately and a Chetak helicopter was launched from INS Hansa at 9.40am.

The crew comprised Cdr A Barkataky, Sub Lt Vinoth, LAD GS Sen and LAD Bhupinder. Since there was no place to land, the helicopter had to be manoeuvred by the pilot so as to winch up the patient. The evacuation was executed promptly and in a professional manner, despite strong winds.

The patient was brought back to INS Hansa, the naval air base, Goa, at 11.30am. He was then handed over to the shipping agents and transferred for further treatment to SMRC, informed Cmdr Mahesh Joshi, naval PRO.

Goa police looking for missing ex-tourism minister

2011-04-04T23:22:00.001+05:30

The Goa police say former tourism minister Fransisco Pacheco has not yet been traced. Pacheco resigned on Saturday, a day after the police interrogated him in connection with the death of his friend Nadia Torrado, a 28-year-old woman. He has since been missing. All police stations in Goa have been informed.

Police say it’s too early to say if he is involved, and that they need to investigate more. But they believe he is connected in some way to the case.

Pacheco, 46, quit from his post stating that he wanted the police to conduct free and fair inquiry into the incident.

Nadia had died in a Chennai hospital last Sunday after she allegedly consumed poison. Trouble started for the NCP minister when women organisations accused him of being responsible for her death.

However, Nadia’s family members, including her estranged husband Wilson Barretto, have stood by Pacheco saying his wife accidentally used a tube of rat poison mistaking it for toothpaste.

Director making waves in Goa

2011-04-04T23:21:00.001+05:30

In this darkly brooding setting, rarely associated with Goa, Laxmikant Shetgaonkar unspools a touching, authentic film that has earned him international acclaim.

After taking the International Federation of Film Critic’s award at the Toronto Film Festival in October last year, Paltadacho Munis (’The Man Beyond the Bridge’) was given the grand jury prize at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles recently. The film has also had a highly successful run at over a dozen film festivals abroad.

Based on a story by Konkani writer Mahableshwar Sail, the film looks at the concept of loneliness and how a man living deep in the forest handles himself in a rather unique situation. Vinayak (Chittaranjan Giri) is a forest guard tormented by the memory of his dead wife. He grieves her deeply and rejects his aunt’s pleadings to remarry. When his supervisor bluntly turns down his persistent applications for a transfer, Vinayak seems resigned to a solitary existence in a decrepit little house in a fast dwindling forest. He is required to carry out his duties though his uniform carries little power, even as the village is caught up in the shifting political dynamics.

One day a deranged woman, an outcast in the village, suddenly turns up at his door. Put off at first, the forest guard gives the woman food and shelter, and a bond slowly grows between the two, leading to a relationship. The arrangement becomes the gossip in the village and the couple is soon targeted. The village, meanwhile, is driven by the ambitions of the powerful local sarpanch who is set on building a temple on the forest land.

Shetgaonkar’s handling of the difficult subject in a multilayered narrative is admirable. He was “gripped”, he says, by the story. “I knew when I read it, I just had to tell it,” he says. .

With no filmmaking culture to speak of in Goa, Shetgaonkar worked with a small band of Goan theatre actors. The only professional actors in the film are Giri and Veena Jomkar who plays the mad woman. The Hindi-Telugu actor Giri, picked up for the lead part because of the “soulful look in his eyes”, had to take a crash course in Konkani.
Shetgaonkar has shown the way for independent filmmakers.

My language, my pride

2011-04-04T22:23:00.001+05:30

May 30, 1987, a day engraved in the history as the day Goa received statehood and went on to become the 25th State of India. The demand for statehood was first brought to fore by the supporters of Konkani language in order to preserve the Goan identity.

But, even after Konkani receiving the official language status it has not yet received the popularity and respect it deserves in Goa itself. 'The Navhind Times' tried to find out through the youth of Goa the population's perception towards the mother tongue of the state and realised that they do have respect for Konkani but the language needs to have a greater platform and uniformity to promote it.
"I did my primary education in Konkani medium. I consider that as one of the best decisions my parents made. It helped me think critically in my mother tongue itself, without any conversion / translation (in terms of processing information in mind) and thus, I believe, I got a better analytical thought development that further helped me in my life. Yes, Goans do respect Konkani but due to people moving in from different places, speaking Konkani is not always feasible but, in my friend circle, we all speak in Konkani and respect it very much."

Gautam Parab, Graduate Student, State University of New York at Buffalo

"I guess the medium of instruction being English in most places it has given a further boost to that language. Maybe if we had some good Konkani songs / books available people would feel proud of the language. In a small place like Goa there are numerous dialects of Konkani and this is the reason why people prefer to speak English. But I am definitely proud of Konkani. Whenever I travel to any part of the world, and the moment I find a Konkani speaking person, it makes me feel at home."

Pooja Lawande, lecturer, Calangute
I still don't know whether there is standardised Konkani for Goa. If by Konkani you mean the one which has been described in the book 'Karabaree Konkani', than I am not proud of it because it is out of my reach to decipher and understand it. Since I did my primary schooling in Marathi, I am comfortable expressing myself in Marathi. And the Konkani-Marathi issue is much beyond than defining a linguistic identity to Goa. It's a game of dirty politics of one community trying to prove their supremacy using this issue as a channel.

Kaustubh Naik, Computer Science student, Ponda
"I do speak Konkani at home, with friends and at work and I am really proud of it. I feel sad when people who know Konkani very well, speak in English or any other language. They feel inferior as all their friends speak English. If we don't support our mother tongue Konkani in Goa…who will? If we have to see Konkani rise up, every Goan has to endorse it, speak and write it. It is sad to see that Konkani applications are not entertained in many government offices."

Journalists were also on the payrolls of the Israeli drug mafia.

2011-04-04T22:18:00.000+05:30

In a development which will shock most readers (not the journalist fraternity however), the Goa police has said that several journalist, including a senior crime reporter working for Marathi daily are a part of the police-politician-drug mafia nexus.

The report also states that several journalists were also on the payrolls of the Israeli drug mafia.

The custodial interrogation report (CIR) of notorious Israeli drug dealer David Driham alias Dudu which was submitted to the Panaji bench of the Bombay High court states: "In the years 2005-2006, some journalists of news papers started writing against me. At that time I sought help of Sandeep Parab @ Kamin (a policeman already arrested for links to the drugs mafia). He got in touch with a news reporter by name Vilas. They contacted some journalists and told me that they had taken care of the matter and no more news item would appear in the news papers about me".

The report also states that several Goa-based journalists were on Dudu's payrolls.

"I had paid a large sum of money to Kamin and his friend Vilas. Later the media reports about me reduced appearing in the news papers. From that time onwards I maintained good relations with some journalists by paying them protection money regularly," the report authored by police sub inspector Sunil Gudlar of the ANC states quoting Dudu.

Dudu in the report has also said that Vilas would also come directly to his house to collect the protection money.
In a clear indictment of disgraced police inspector Ashish Shirodkar, who was suspended and arrested (now released on bail) for his links to the narcotics mafia, Dudu has said that he had appointed Dudu to pay hafta or protection money to journalists.

"Ashish Shirodkar also used to pay money on my behalf to some news paper reporters. He had promised me that he would take care about the news reporters and keep them quiet about me," Dudu has said according to the report.

Finding maths tough? Now you can opt out in Goa

2011-04-04T22:17:00.002+05:30

For many students, mathematics or social science has always been 'two' much to handle. For them the coming academic year has an option. They have been provided with the luxury of leaving one of the subjects out, and instead, choosing vocational training.

The directorate of education (DoE) issued circulars to all schools under its ambit last month informing them that they could choose to opt for a scheme under which they can provide students of standards IX and X the option of a vocational subject as replacement for either mathematics or social science.

According to education officials, the scheme—jointly funded by the state and Centre—has been framed based on the guidelines for vocational education by the central government and is expected to arrest the dropout rate in higher classes.

"Students mostly drop out in standards VIII, IX and X. Providing them the option of vocational education at this level as replacement for tougher subjects, will ensure that the students are retained in school. It will also act as a base for pursuing vocational education at the higher secondary level," said deputy director of education G P Bhat, who is also officer on special duty to the education minister.

From standard IX onwards, students will be able to choose from a string of vocational subjects if they find mathematics or social science syllabi tough. Household wiring, repairs of electrical appliances, electronics, tailoring, horticulture, floriculture, vegetable gardening, mushroom farming are some of the subjects students can choose as replacement.

Bhat said schools have already been issued detailed guidelines along with the circular on how the vocational courses should be implemented. The necessary equipment for the courses will be provided by DoE while teachers will be appointed by the state on contract basis.

In case of schools where the necessary infrastructure is not avail-able, two to three schools could be clubbed together and share the available infrastructure. For subjects like horticulture, for example, "on-field" training will be provided.

Officials said that if more than one school in the vicinity has opted for a single vocational subject, one contract teacher will be shared by a maximum of three such schools.

However, it is not clear by when the teachers will be appointed.

The curriculum for the vocational courses has been prepared by the Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education and approved by the state.

Technical education in schools already exists from standard VIII to X, but for most part it remains limited, imparting education in traditional courses like carpentry and electricals.

According to official sources, 22 schools have written to the DoE thus far, making known their interest in providing their students the choice of a vocational subject as replacement.

DoE is hoping that besides reducing the drop out rate the scheme will also help increase enrolment in vocational courses in higher secondary schools.

The scheme was first mooted when Dayanand Narvekar was finance minister in the Digambar Kamat led government, but the sanctioned funds for vocational education were not utilized.

HC chides Goa police on failure to get model’s statement

2011-04-04T22:17:00.001+05:30

The failure of Goa Police to record the statement of a Swedish model Lucky Farmhouse, a crucial witness in police-drug peddlers nexus case, has drawn criticism from the Bombay High Court.

“The records show that an interview was recorded by PTI of a lady who claimed to be friend of the said Atala but till date her statement has not been recorded (by the police),” the Goa bench of the Bombay High Court said in its June 2 order granting bail to one of the accused, police inspector Ashish Shirodkar

Justice N A Britto granted bail Shirodkar, who is among the seven policemen arrested for their alleged nexus drug peddlers, but not before pointing out the glaring loopholes in the investigation by Crime Branch which is probing the case for more than two months now.

Geet who is in Goa blasts BCCI for Asian Games snub

2011-04-04T22:08:00.001+05:30

Eight-time world billiards champion Geet Sethi today lashed out at the Cricket Board for not sending the Indian teams for this year’s Asian Games in Guangzhou, saying the BCCI is only concerned about commercial benefits and country’s pride comes last for it.

The BCCI yesterday said that due to prior international commitments it will not send either the men’s or the women’steam for the Asian Games, where cricket in the form of Twenty20, will make its debut in the multi-discipline event to be held in Guangzhou, China from November 12 to 27.

India would host New Zealand for a three-Test and five ODI series during the same time when the Asian Games is scheduled and Sethi said BCCI’s decision was influenced by commercial interests.

“It is a wrong decision as it will deprive India of one gold medal,” Sethi told reporters here.

“Those who are running the BCCI should not think commercially but instead should take into consideration the nation’s pride,” he said.

Sethi, who is in Goa to participate in the second national selection tournament for the Asian Games, said he was confident that India would win at least two gold medals each in billiards and snooker.

The former Khel Ratna Awardee said it was the sheer love for the sport that motivated him to continue playing billiards.

“I played snooker also but was not good in it. So, I concentrated in billiards since 1992,” said a modest Sethi, who was the first amateur in the world to compile the maximum 147 break in snooker.

Both districts of Goa in top 20 well-being list

2011-04-04T22:07:00.001+05:30

South Goa got 14th position, north Goa got 18th position in NSSO survay out of over 6oo districts in India.

In what further cements Delhi’s pre-eminent position as the most liveable Indian city, three of the Capital’s districts grabbed the top three slots in a well-being index reflecting the quality of life while one more made it within the top 20.

Central Delhi topped the index, based on the NSSO survey, followed by north Delhi and New Delhi districts while south Delhi was at 20th position. The lowly rank for south Delhi would come as a surprise, given the posh tag attached to it, but taken as a district, it is also home to several urban villages where amenities are not exactly top-notch.

Mumbai and Mumbai suburban were at fourth and fifth positions in the first-ever such index measured on eight criteria — education, hygiene, entertainment, communication, healthcare, transportation, home amenities and kitchen facilities.

Among the metros, Bangalore urban was at ninth followed by Chennai at 10th and Kolkata at 11th.

From Maharastra, Pune made it to the list of districts with better quality of life at seventh position. Two cities from the north-east found places in the top 20 — Dimapur at 6th and Aizawl at 13th position. Three Punjab districts featured in the list — Fatehgarh Sahib (15), Patiala (16) and Jalandhar (19) — while Chandigarh was at 8th.

South Goa was at 14th position, north Goa at 18th. Kerala’s Pathanamthitta was at 12th and Ahmedabad could manage only 17th rank.

Districts from Orissa, Bihar and Jharkhand figured prominently in the bottom 20 of the well-being index, reflecting poor quality of life in the region. Seven districts of Orissa, six of Bihar and two of Jharkhand were in the bottom 20 list.

Rayagada and Kandhamal of Orissa ranked first and second in the bottom 20 of the list. Other districts of Orissa which were poor performers were Nuapada (4), Balangir (9), Koraput (10) and Bargarh (19).

Among the Bihar districts in the bottom 20 were Banka at 3rd position, Sheohar (5), Nalanda (12), Kaimur (13), Khagaria (14) and Araria (20). Kawardha (6), Lohardaga (16) and Dumka (17) of Chattisgarh were also on the list.

But when it came to female security index (FSI) — well-being, status and treatment of women — there was a clear divide between north and south India. The worst rating was found in Punjab, MP, western UP, Haryana and Delhi.

While central Delhi topped the bottom 20 list of female security index (FSI), seven of the Capital’s districts — south-west Delhi (5), north-east Delhi (7), east Delhi (9), south Delhi (12), north-west Delhi (15) and north Delhi (18) were in the bottom 20 list.

From Haryana, Panipat figured at number 3 followed by Rohtak at 10 and Gurgaon at 13 in the bottom list. Six districts of Madhya Pradesh, including Gwalior (4), Shivpuri (6) and Vidisha (14), were also on the list.

Action against Goa Minister demanded after woman’s death

2011-04-04T21:02:00.000+05:30

"We will now have to investigate other aspects like what drove her to attempt suicide and other relevant issues," said a senior police official in Margao.

A second post-mortem was conducted at the Government hospital in south Goa on Tuesday as ordered by the south Goa Magistrate since Ms. Torrado’s first autopsy, carried out by forensic experts at a Government hospital in Chennai on Monday, did not reveal much, according to sources.

Asked whether he would sack a south Goa Minister — who was said to be known to Ms. Torrado — as demanded by the Bharatiya Janata Party and women’s organisations, Mr. Kamat said he could not take action till the police report was out.

A campaign by women’s groups led by the Margao-based 'Sabera’ has pointed fingers at the senior non-Congress Minister of being responsible for the death. Mukta Naik, president of the BJP Mahila Morcha, Goa, demanded that the Minister be sacked.

The mother of Ms. Torrado, at a press conference on Tuesday, accused the police of harassing their family and threatened to approach the Human rights Commission. The police have denied the charge.