VALPOI: Tourists interested in getting a first hand experience of the village life in Goa, can perhaps journey off the beaten track where they will find Satari a perfect place where nature and adventure come together. Even though Satari is located away from the capital city of Goa, it has become a hot spot for hinterland tourism. The place has beautiful temples, a historic fort, seasonal waterfalls, springs and gushing rivers.
CAN THE GOAN TRIBALS BLOW UP THE BRIDGES OF GOA? by C. Dias
It is 5.00PM in Goa and I am sitting in the waiting lounge at Dabolim airport, as my flight spice jet 804 to Mumbai has been delayed by 60 minutes. As I don’t have anything to do, and I had researched on the above topic to write at a later date. I took out my lap top and started to write on the topic which is hot for all the Goans in Goa and across.
JMFC URGED TO VISIT RIBANDAR CHURCH PREMISES
PANJIM: Panjim Judicial Magistrate First Class Ms Sarika Phaldesai has been urged to visit the Ribandar Church where the alleged incident had taken place for which Adv. Aires Rodrigues and 14 other Ribandar residents have been charge sheeted.
ONDA BUS STAND FACILITIES NOT PUT TO USE FULLY
VALPOI: The magnificent state of the art architectural work of government--the Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTC) Ltd's bus stand built at Onda Sattari is yet to become fully operational, with shops still lying closed and hardly any traffic movement seen at the bus stand.
CHILDREN’S RIGHTS GROUPS OF GOA ARE IRKED OF THE PATHETIC LIVING CONDITIONS OF THE JUVENILES
PANJIM: Child Right groups in Goa are irked over the living conditions of juveniles in the state-run remand home, where they are allegedly deprived of enough food and clothing. According to sources, NGO Children Rights in Goa (CRG) has written to the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) stating that the children had complained about the scarcity of food and clothes during an interaction.
IPS OFFICER POSTED IN CRIME BRANCH AND WITHDRAWN WITHIN THIRTY MINUTES
PANJIM: The government at noon on Monday issued an order posting IPS officer Vijay Singh as the superintendent of police (SP), crime branch, but within 30 minutes, issued another order withdrawing the same. Sources said the chief minister and home minister, who found themselves in an embarrassing position after the May 25 violence at Balli, first agreed to the posting of Singh-a 2005 batch officer and an SP by rank-to the crime branch, but, within minutes, changed their minds.
PROTESTS BY CHORAO LOCALS AGAINST SALE OF LAND TO OUTSIDERS
PANJIM: The issue of a bridge across Chorao island, illegal development of tenanted land and ongoing sale of plots in Deogim dominated the gram sabha of Chorao-Maddel panchayat on Sunday. The villagers grilled sarpanch Salvador D Cruz about the illegal development of two parcels of land. A member, Machindra Kauthankar alleged that the developers had advertised the plots and are selling them to outsiders.
GOA AND SRI LANKA SHARED A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP DURING PORTUGUESE ERA
PANJIM: While India and Sri Lanka share a special relationship, Goa and Galle saw their paths meet with the conquest by the Portuguese, high commissioner of Sri Lanka in India Prasad Kariyawasam said. "Portuguese had their first introduction to Sri Lanka in Galle, a southern port city in 1505 and 'Goa, God's own paradise' and 'Sri Lanka, a land like no other' have common threads."
PROTESTS IN MARCAIM AGAINST SETTING UP OF MARINE INDUSTRIAL PARK
MARCAIM: Villagers of Marcaim gheraoed town and country planning officials at Panjim protesting against the proposal of setting up of marine industrial park (MIP) in a 2 lakh square metre area in Marcaim. The villagers surrounded TCP senior town planner and another official Vinod Kumar on Monday, grilling them about the proposed park as shown in the regional plan 2021 for Ponda taluka.
DGP ASSURES ACTION IN FORMER IGP K.D.SINGH SON’S ACCIDENT CASE
PANJIM: Goa’s newly appointed Director General of Police Dr. Aditya Arya today assured Adv. Aires Rodrigues of prompt action in the former IGP Mr. K.D.Singh son’s accident case. Adv. Rodrigues today met DGP Dr. Arya and submitted a memorandum demanding his intervention and action in the matter.
HOME GUARD ON TRAFFIC DUTY ASSAULTS IAC ACTIVIST FOR VIDEO RECORDING HIM ACCEPTING BRIBE
MAPUCA: India Against Corruption (IAC) activist Deepak Gadekar, 32, was allegedly beaten up by home guard Shiva Gawde on Saturday for video recording the latter accepting bribes from private bus drivers at Mapusa bus stand.
TRIBAL COMMUNITY AGREES TO TAKE CUSTODY OF DEAD BODIES
PANJIM: Five days after two tribals were killed in violence in Balli village over the demand for implementation of reservation in government jobs, the community members on Monday agreed to take custody of the dead bodies. Prakash Velip, president of United Tribals Associations Alliance (UTAA), which is spearheading the agitation in the state, told reporters that the funeral of the bodies will be held in the evening.
GARBAGE TREATMENT PLANT AT TALEIGAO DECIDES CCP
PANJIM: The city is slowly limping back to normal after a six-day long garbage crisis, though remains of uncollected garbage could be seen in some nooks and the tell-tale stink still haunted the residents on Sunday. After the crisis blew over on Saturday, Corporation of the City of Panjim (CCP) is planning its strategy for setting up of a state-of-the-art garbage treatment facility on Taleigao plateau.
TELAULIM: A FIRM NO TO CONVERSION OF AGRICULTURAL LAND
MARGAO: Concern over the loss of agricultural cover in the village dominated the proceedings of Telaulim gram sabha on Sunday with the gram sabha adopting a resolution that agricultural land should not be allowed to be converted into other land use zones.
A FRESH PANCHANAMA DEMANDED BY RELATIVES OF THE TWO BALLI VICTIMS
PANJIM: Relatives of the two youths, whose charred bodies were recovered from Adarsh Krishi cooperative society, Balli, Quepem, that was set on fire by miscreants on Wednesday, have demanded that a fresh panchnama of the bodiesshould be conducted in- camera in the presence of the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM).
JUST 60 IRP PERSONELL WERE PRESENT AT BALLI ON TH E VIOLENCE DAY
PANJIM: Only 60-odd policemen from the "striking force" of the Goa police's -- Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) -- were present at Balli when violence broke out on May 25. Rest of the 500 -plus trained and armed IRB personnel were busy guarding ministers houses, doing odd clerical jobs at the police headquarters or manning the traffic.
HUNDREDS OF VILLAGERS GATHER TO PAY TRIBUTE TO DILIP VELIP
MORPIRLA: The body of Dilip Velip, the United Tribal Associations Alliance (UTAA) activist who was killed in the fire set to the Adarsh Co-operative Society building by unknown assailants during the tribal stir at Balli on May 25, was on Monday consigned to flames near the Mahadev temple at Morpirla amidst tight security.
VISHNU WAGH ALLEGES THAT KAMAT AND CHURCHILL GAVE ENGLISH A BACKDOOR ENTRY
PONDA: Criticising Mr Churchill Alemao and Mr Digamber Kamat for giving "backdoor" entry to English at primary level in the state with its May 25 decision, Mr Vishnu Wagh, who holds various posts in the present administration, urged the 300-odd gathered people to come out in large numbers on June 6, to oppose the said decision in toto, "to save Goa and its culture through Konkani and Marathi."
DOES ANYONE IN GOA DARE SUSPEND G. P. NAIK? by Rupert Coutinho, Dubai
I doubt whether any action will be taken against GP Naik who is reportedly under medical survellience for high BP, given that he is due to retire at the end of this month on 31st May 2011. After all, loyality and Obeisance always pays as was the case of a mass murderer and terrorist Bin Laden and its family where history proved once again blood is thicker than water even though he was publicly disowned by his family and his country.
THE GHOSTS OF FOOD PARK UP’S THE ANTE AT CANAGUINIM by Freddy Agnelo Fernandes, Dubai
We have learnt in schools that India is the world largest democracy and Goa being an integral part of it, by default becomes a part of that democracy. To a lay person the definition of democracy means “peoples rule for the people” and it is up to the people to decide their future. Democracy by law and definition gives us that right but sadly the rights of the people are hijacked and the rule of the jungle which is “might is right”, is forced on the people by our rich and the affluent helped by our political and security institutions for personal gains.
IS IT A CONSPIRACY OR A POLITICALLY MOTIVATED MOVEMENT IN BALLI
PANJIM: As fires still burn in the cashew godown of the Adarsh society building, a steady stream of inputs from battleground Balli, increasingly suggest that events leading to the fire in the building and the death of two tribals must have been preplanned.
ENACTION OF A NEW DRAMA: SOUTH GOA COLLECTOR HOSPITALISED
MARGAO: Another drama by Digambar Kamat and his pet, G P Naik has just surfaced in Goa. Suspended prior to two days of his retirement, after serving for additional two years a special favour by the Chief Minister of Goa, G. P. Naik suddenly seems to have fallen seriously sick and is admitted in the ICU.
2004 RIBANDAR CHURCH CASE TRIAL TO CONTINUE ON MAY 31st
PANJIM: The criminal trial of Adv. Aires Rodrigues and 14 other Ribandar residents in the 2004 Ribandar Church case will continue on May 31st at 10 am before the Panaji Judicial Magistrate First Class Ms Sarika Phaldesai. The court will examine prosecution witness Mrs. Connie Rosario, a teacher at Red Rosary School at Miramar who was a member of the church committee headed by then Ribandar Parish Priest Fr. Newton Rodrigues.
PARRIKAR DEMANDS THE WITHDRAWAL OF POLICE STATEMENT “DRUNK” AGAINST THE TRIBALS
MARGAO: An irresponsible statement by the Goa Police PRO Atmaram Deshpande that the tribals were all drunk has been urged to be withdrawn. The opposition leader Mr. Manhohar Parrikar burst out at the police for their insensitivity and irresponsibility in making such statements.
SPECIAL INVITATION TO THE NEW DGP OF GOA FOR ALCOHOL DURING CEREMONIES
PANJIM: The newly appointed DGP of Goa has received a very sarcastic letter from a group known as Youth of Scheduled Tribes of Ponda Taluka. They have written to the DGP, inviting him for the 12th day mourning ceremonies of the two youth who were killed and dumped into a burning inferno at Balli.
OVER-AGE COLLECTOR NAIK’S SUSPENSION A DRAMA BY THE CROOK DIGAMBAR KAMAT by Menino Fernandes
It has become so simple to fool the Goans that every Tom, Dick and Harry tries to fool us nowadays. The biggest fraud and crook in Goa who is trying to fool Goans is the most idiotic and someone who can be called a dirt bag is Digamber Kamat the most idiotic Chief Minister of Goa.
PANCHAYATS - A HOTBED TO CORRUPTION by Willie M. Severes, Majorda, Dubai
Panchayats and municipalities are supposed to run for the welfare of the common people without political interference. But politicians have used money and muscle power to corrupt the system, so that they can gain total control and power to fulfill their selfish political ambitions.
THE PLACE WHERE THE WEAPON USED TO KILL RAIMUNDO WAS THROWN
SWINDON: In further continuance of the details on the murder of Raimundo Pereira in Swindon, Niz Goenkar has further investigated the matter. Niz Goenkar visited the scene of offence and the scene where the Police of Swindon found the weapon used to kill Raimundo by Edino Carvalho.
DGP WRITES TO CS TO HAND OVER BALLI DEATHS INVESTIGATION TO CBI
PANJIM: DGP Aditya Arya has written to the chief secretary on Saturday, requesting the government to hand over all the cases related to the May 25 Balli riots, where two tribal youths were charred to death, to the CBI. A highly placed source in the department said that the DGP decided to write to the government, requesting them to hand over the cases to CBI as the United Tribals Associations Alliance (UTAA) has alleged that police along with some anti-social elements from the area are involved in the murder of two tribal youths.
JOAQUIM ALEMAO LASHES AT CCP ON GARBAGE STINK IN PANJIM
PANJIM: Refusing to accept the blame for the garbage fiasco in Panjim, urban development minister Joaquim Alemao thrust the blame on the Corporation of the City of Panjim (CCP). Alemao explained by saying the CCP has not used the funds allotted by his ministry to it for putting up infrastructure at Bainguinim and near KTC bus stand.
GOA POLICE OPPOSED LATHI CHARGE IN BALLI INCIDENT: ATMARAM DESHPANDE
PANJIM: Goa police had at first opposed the South Goa collector's decision to lathi charge the tribals agitating at Balli that led to violence and subsequent death of two tribal members, whose charred bodies were found inside a building.
PANJIM MAYOR'S BLACKMAIL BACKFIRES by Adv. Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
The childish stunt by Panjim Mayor Yatin Parekh and his 15 corporators to quit was a planned drama which has backfired on them. It was known to all that in the name of garbage it was only a threat to blackmail and try to grab the plumb Urban development portfolio for their “patrao “.
FATHER NEWTON RODRIGUES HAS LIED TO THE COURT ALLEGES AIRES
PANJIM: The former Parish Priest of Ribandar Fr. Newton Rodrigues who failed to appear in Court in connection with the 2004 Ribandar Church case had in a letter dated 7th March 2011 sent from Canada to the Panjim Judicial Magistrate’s Court claimed that he was not keeping well for over a month because of extremely cold climatic conditions in Canada and so was unable to attend the Court.
AN EVER “ASSURING” DIGAMBAR KAMAT “ASSURES” TRIBALS TO SUSPEND THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR
PANJIM: Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat on Saturday assured tribal leaders here of suspending the district collector and initiating a judicial probe into the killings of two tribal leaders in Balli village. The United Tribal Association Alliance (UTAA) chief Prakash Velip said Kamat agreed to three of their major demands including suspension of south Goa district collector G P Naik and of initiating a judicial probe into Balli violence in which two tribal leaders were killed.
GOA POLICE ACCUSES TRIBALS OF BEING “DRUNK” DURING DEMONSTRATION
PANJIM: Goa Police on Saturday claimed that the tribals who were demonstrating at Balli village in the state on Wednesday in support of demands such as implementation of reservations in jobs, were "drunk", which led to the fracas between them, the locals and the police. They also claimed that police were not present on the spot when two tribal leaders were burnt alive during the violence on May 25.
MAGESTERIAL ENQUIRY ORDERED INTO BALLI INCIDENT
PANJIM: The magisterial enquiry ordered by the Goa government into the death of two tribal youngsters has come a cropper with not a single civilian coming forward so far to depose before the authorities, a top official said on Saturday.
GOA’S TOURISM BOASTS OF 273 CHARTER FLIGHTS TO GOA THIS YEAR
PANJIM: For the current tourist season which is drawing to a close, Goa received 273 charter flights more than the previous season, totalling nearly 900 flights with more than 50 % of the total charter tourists coming from Eastern Europe - Khazakistan and Russia. Announcing the statistics of charter tourism for the current season, the government on Friday said that a total of 899 charter flights carrying 1,71,178 travellers from 12 international destinations have landed into Goa since the start of the tourist season in October 2010.
CONGRATULATIONS- GOAN WELFARE SOCIETY- KUWAIT MAY BALL 2011 by N. Fernandes, London
A little belated, but never too late, to congratulate the Goan Welfare Society of Kuwait for an outstanding May Ball Held on May 12th, 2011. The occasion was an outstanding success and was thoroughly enjoyed by each and every one. All news reports have highly praised the occasion and efficiency of the Kuwait Organisers.
VANXIM TO WIDEN ROAD FOR ELECTION VOTE BANK by Emediavoices, Goa
Disguising as professional relatives of someone, we visited the island of Vanxim and our number of visit to this tiny island provides us a broad spectrum of Goan instability. During our previous visits, the people remained united and raised strong voice for any development on the island.
UNITED WE STAND AND DIVIDED WE FALL by Joel Morais, Cuncolim
It's really bad, sad and a matter of deep concern that our one time very beautiful state of Goa, the so called Rome of the East is witnessing all kind of ugly incidents. In the past we lived as Goenkars but in recent times we are in the news for fighting among ourselves in the name of religion and caste when there is a desperate need to unitedly fight against internal and external mafias who are ruining our beautiful green state.
GOVT HAS NO DETAILS OF AG SUBODH KANTAK’S ASSETS & LIABILITIES
PANJIM: Details of State Advocate General Mr. Subodh Kantak’s assets and liabilities are not available with the Goa Government. This has been informed to Adv. Aires Rodrigues by the Law Department under the Right to Information Act.
WHILE PANJIM STINKS OF GARBAGE THE MAYOR RACES FOR A NEW CAR by Adv. Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
The revelation by the Mayor of Panjim Yatin Parekh that Chief Minister Digambar Kamat had asked him to go slow on the proposed garbage disposal plant at Baiguinim is a matter of concern. The Corporation of City of Panjim and the Goa government have given an undertaking to the High Court on the Bainguinim plant for which even the land has already been acquired.
THE GREATEST GODS – IS IT CHURCHILL OR DIGAMBER by Rupert Coutinho, Dubai
Today, 26th May 2011 Goa made history because the Spirituality of God that existed hitherto was obliterated. While silent, complacent and peaceful Goans lost 2 innocent lives due to the catastrophic consequences of mining, the victory on MoI revered 2 individuals namely Digambar Kamat and Churchill Alemao who were glorified by more than a million Goans and outsiders residing in Goa.
QATAR GOANS BEWARE OF TWIN BROTHER SEPARATED FROM BIRTH by Louis Franco
Some men follow absurd ways in reaching to conclusions. Their findings are all illogical. They have brains in the knees, I feel so, after watching them behaved in an irrational behavior. There are two such Goan men in Qatar. I will call them twin brothers separated at birth. Some say they share some blood relation or sharing a common family tree.
INVOLVEMENT OF GOA POLICE IN BALI TRIBAL AGITATION By N Fernandes- London.
Once again Goa Police "The richest in the World", through haftas & other finiancial inducements, have dipped their dirty hands into quelling the Rights, Dignity & aspirations of Balli Tribals. The ex DGP Bhim Bassi, now deported from Goa to New Delhi stated the Goa Police are the best.
COMPLETE ACTIVITY OF SAND EXTRACTION WAS NOT TO BE BLOCKED
PANJIM: The whistle-blower of illegal sand extraction activity in Goa on Friday said he never meant to stop entire sand mining in the state but was actually protesting against illegalities in his own village at Keri, 50 Kms North of Panjim.
GMC DOCTORS REFUSE TO CONDUCT AUTOPSY ON THE BODY OF THE CHARRED TO DEATH YOUTH.
PANJIM: Doctors at the State-run Goa Medical College and Hospital refused to conduct autopsy on the dead body of a suspected tribal youth leader on Friday, who was charred to death during an agitation on Wednesday. The authorities refused to perform the task saying the dead is yet to be identified.
BJP TO MOVE NO CONFIDENCE MOTION AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT
PANJIM: The BJP will move a no-confidence motion against the government in the next assembly session, on grounds that the decision on the medium of instruction issue will damage the identity of Goa. Opposition leader Manohar Parrikar told media this on Thursday.
GOA CONGRESS CONDEMNED ITS OWN CM OVER BALLI AGITATION
PANJIM: The Congress on Friday condemned its own Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat for mishandling the tribal agitation, which led to the death of two leaders. "Chief Minister Digambar Kamat should solve issues of tribals within ten days, otherwise I will be forced to resign from the party and other public offices," Goa Pradesh Congress Committee General Secretary Vishnu Surya Wagh said.
BBSM DECIDES TO BLOKC NH17 IN SUPPORT OF MARATHI
PANJIM: Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM) has decided to block national highway 17 at Sai Service and KTC bus stand in Margao on Friday. Sources have confirmed that BBSM will block the NH-17 as a token strike to protest the government's decision to give grants to English schools.
GOA BANDH ANNOUNCED BY BBSM IN SUPPORT OF MARATHI
PORVORIM: The Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM) on Friday announced a 'Goa bandh' on June 6, to intensify its agitation against the new government policy to allocate grants to English medium primary schools in the state.
GOA RUNS SHORT OF QUALIFIED TEACHERS
PANJIM: Schools in Goa can expect a severe shortage of teachers when the new academic year begins next month. This, when most schools will be on the lookout for English teachers like never before with the state government's new policy of allowing schools already receiving grants to shift to the English medium in the primary.
RAINS LIKELY TO START IN THE MONTH OF JUNE IN GOA
PANJIM: If all goes well, the southwest monsoon is expected to advance over Goa during the first week of June, but pre-monsoon showers are most likely before the end of the month, as conditions are quite favourable for both, meteorological department sources said.
CHURCHILL HAS DONE NOTHING FOR THE MOI: PEOPLE DO NOT GET FOOLED, DO NOT GIVE ANY CREDIT TO CHURCHILL by Tulshidas Shirodkar, Sanguem
The bombastic and foolhardy publicity that Churchill Alemao trying to take for himself is nothing but an act behind the kitchen. This is the advantage now the politicians are trying to take as they know the elections are near. Goans beware, be it known that this man called Churchill Alemao has done nothing for English MOI, in fact I am certain that he might have tried to sabotage the cause by asking money.
THE NEW MOI DECISION IS GOING TO COST GOVT 20 CRORES: CONTRARY TO CMs SAY
PANJIM: The state government's decision to allocate grants to English medium primary schools with Konkani or Marathi as a compulsory subject from Class I to X is likely to cost the state at least 20 crores, sources in the government pointed out. This is contrary to chief minister Digambar Kamat's declaration on Wednesday that there will be no financial implication for the state due to the policy change.
JMFC DIRECTS FR NEWTON RODRIGUES TO APPEAR IN COURT ON 9TH JUNE
PANJIM: Panjim Judicial Magistrate First Class Ms Sarika Phaldesai today as a last opportunity directed Fr. Newton Rodrigues former Parish Priest of Ribandar to appear in court on 9th June at 10 am in connection with the 2004 Ribandar Church case.
INFERNO IN SOUTH GOA by Premanand Naik
It was 25th of may and as usual my day started at 7.00 in the morning. It was a calm morning and i took my bike and started heading to Canacona to meet some dealers. I saw some commotion at Balli near Govt hospital were a few people had gathered thinking it as any other day I proceeded to Canacona, from 9.00 am a wave of tribal people started coming in, and a few hundred were turned to thousand all the roads leading in and out of Canacona were blocked.
TEACHERS NOT TO LOSE JOBS DUE TO MOI DECISION
PANJIM: Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat has said that no teacher would be rendered jobless due to the changed Medium of Instruction (MOI) policy, which now allows English along with Konkani and Marathi as a MOI. Kamat allayed the fear that there would be surplus teachers, as Konkani and Marathi medium schools would switch to English.
MAPUCA BOY SECURES HIGHEST RANK IN IIT-JEE EXAMS
MAPUCA: With a rank of 1368, Ugam alias Vassudio Kamat from Mapuca has secured the highest rank in Goa this year at the Indian Institute of Technology-Joint Entrance Exam ( IIT-JEE). The exam was held on April 11. Kamat says his first preference is a seat at the IIT, Bombay, where he would like to pursue either civil or mechanical engineering.
BJP COMES DOWN HEAVILY ON GOVT: DEMANDS JUDICIAL ENQUIRY
PANJIM: United Tribal Association Alliance (UTAA) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have alleged murder in the death of Mangesh Goankar and Dilip Kato Velip during the schedule tribe demonstration on Thursday. UTAA and BJP have demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident at Balli. They also claim that there is a political mastermind behind turning the peaceful demonstration violent.
TWO BODIES OF YOUTH CHARRED TO DEATH DISCOVERED IN A STOREROOM
PANJIM: Bodies of two youth, charred to death, were discovered in a storeroom late Wednesday; hours after a massive stir by tribals here turned violent, police said on Thursday. Police said the bodies, which were burnt beyond recognition, were found inside the store of a cooperative society in Balli village, about 45 km from Panjim.
PARENTS SHOWED THE WAY THROUGH FORCE: SAVIO LOPES
MARGAO: It was late afternoon and the news spread like wild fire that finally demand for MOI in English is accepted by the government. For some, it was a dream comes true, others said it was just a far cry to believe. But by late evening, the wind was clear and was confirmed as the news flashed everywhere. Parents thundered in applause much before the finer details were revealed and known to them. After all, it was a victory for a just demand by the parents for the future of their siblings.
DOES THIS GOVERNMENT LACK LEGAL EAGLES TO INTERPRET LAW? by Nisser Dias
The government specially some of the Congress legislators, members of the adhoc committee of FORCE and parents are optimistic that their demand for English as one of the medium of instructions (MOI) would be a reality very soon. And rightly so it should be as the demand for it from parents of school going children is genuine.
ONLY INQUIRIES NO RESULTS! by Joel Morais, Cuncolim
Goa Police are very well known for inquiries and registering cases against unknown culprits.Mostly the inquiries are never result oriented nor unknown culprits are known. For people like us it takes a long week for issue of Police Clearance but for criminals attached to the people in Power it just takes few minutes.
IS LIFE IN GOA CHEAPER THAN LIQUOR? by Freddy Agnelo Fernandes Dubai
“Women are cheaper than liquor in Goa” was what irked a good number of Goans, with respect to the Bollywood movie “Dum Maro Dum” and with some stiff local opposition the director was forced to instill some changes in the derogatory remarks about our Goan women, but now another serious problem has cropped up with regards to the value of life in Goa and it makes me wonder if in fact, life is even cheaper than liquor in Goa.
CABINET DECIDES TO GIVE GRANTS TO ENGLISH MEDIUM SCHOOLS
PANJIM: In a major decision, Goa Cabinet today decided to give grants to English primary schools. Konkani or Marathi subjects to be compulsory till Std X. The decision comes at the backdrop of fears raised by section of parents and academicians who had said that providing grants to English primary schools would spell doom on the Konkani and Marathi primary schools.
CITIZENS OF RIVONA BLOCKED OVER 1500 MINING TRUCKS
MARGAO: Residents of Rivona, under the banner of the Rivona Citizen Welfare Forum, (RCWF), blocked over 1,500 mining trucks making more than 3,000 trips daily from 11 operating mines on Wednesday. In continuation of their protest against the killing of a 26-year-old from Sulcorna, Francis Jevaji, by a mining truck in the wee hours of Tuesday, the protesting residents, which primarily involved mothers, said that they are sick with the government authorities and the mining companies.
RAIL TRACKS BLOCKED, TRAFFIC DISRUPTED BY AGITATED TRIBALS
PANJIM: Rail and road traffic has been disrupted in South Goa as agitated tribals blocked NH17 and NH 4A and squatted on railway track at Balli to press for their long pending demands. "Agitators have blocked the track at Balli and Rajdhani Express had stopped in Karwar", deputy general manager, public relations, Konkan railway corporation Baban Ghadge said.
GOA POLICE WERE THE QUICKEST COURRIERS OF THE DAY
QUEPEM: It was express and quick delivery of a cheque of Rs 5 Lakh. A special service was pressed into action by Goa police to pacify the bereaved family of Solemon Bosco who was killed instantly after being hit by a overspeeding mining truck. The SP South Tony Mageidon Fernandes and another police official Rohidas Patre personally went to the house of the deceased to hand over the cheque at Sulcorna.
GOA GOVT DESIRES TO BRING ADVOCATE GENERAL’S FEES ON PAR WITH MAHARASTRA, GUJARAT & KARNATAKA
PANJIM: The Goa Government desires to review the fee structure of the Advocate General of Goa taking into consideration the fees being paid to the Advocate Generals of Maharastra, Gujarat and Karnataka. The Law Department has informed Adv. Aires Rodrigues under the Right to Information Act that information on the fee structure of the Advocate Generals of Maharastra and Gujarat has been received and that the information from Karnataka is awaited.
EMOTION CHOKED GOAN COMMUNITY AT SWINDON COURT WITH THE WEEPING FAMILY OF RAIMUNDO
SWINDON: Edino Carvalho who has been charged with murder of Raimundo Pereira a loving father of a five year old Samuel Pereira and the beloved husband of Maria Susan Rodrigues in the town centre is set to appear in court again tomorrow.
OPEN LETTER TO CM – HOW MANY MORE DEATHS MR. CM? by Roger D'Souza
Dear Mr Digambar Kamat,
Congratulations to you and Asha Tai on the recent wedding of your beloved son Yogiraj baba and bahu Neha. May the Almighty bless them and guide them along the right path. I must say you along with Yogiraj baba looked very dashing in your sherwanis designed by Abu Jani, the high profile dress designer for the film industry who is reported to have costumed designed the sherwanis worn by the groom’s side during the marriage and reception at the Taleigao Community Centre.
SERIOUS FRAUD INVESTIGATION OFFICE RECOMMENDED AGAINST SESA GOA by Rupert Coutinho, Dubai
This is a welcome news to all the native Goans and the severely affected people and tribals who are battling against mining giants on various issues. Such gross violations and frauds amounts to cheating and stealing from Goa its rich resources and wealth which belong rightfully to its ethnic inhabitants.
GOANS TO ELECT MONSTERS OR VAMPIRES by Emediavoices, Goa
Years ago we asked a young Goan chap riding on a rickshaw so much engaged on the Ahuja microphone yelling “vote for me” and we in a puzzled tone politely quizzed him” Are you eligible to vote and whom will you vote? He answered “vote me means “I” or congress I and on his voting age “sorry sir I am not eligible but I am told to vote on an expatriate name”.
ATRIBUTE TO RAIMUNDO! by Joel Morais, Cuncolim
When the Australian Missionary Stains and his two sons were burnt alive in Orissa,Mrs Stains said,God forgive the culprits,they don't know what they are doing. We all will die one day or the other but sweet memories will always live forever.
CM WANTS TO DEVELOP MONTE DONGOR MIGRANTS WARD IN THE NAME OF MARGAO
MARGAO: The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat has assured adequate funds to spruce up Margao town. Mr Kamat was speaking at the Margao Municipal Council meeting held on Tuesday morning which was attended by the MMC chairperson, Ms Sushila Naik, chief officer, Mr Prasanna Acharya and councillors.
MGP TRIES TO TAKE ADVANTAGE TO PROMOTE MARATHI
PANJIM: The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party on Tuesday announced that it will support primary education in local languages as the medium of instruction. The MGP president, Mr Pandurang Dhavalikar a pro Marathi and against Konkani said that the MGP has already made its stand clear and would not deviate from it under any circumstances.
BBSM TO APPROACH THE MLAs SOON ON MOI ISSUE
PANJIM: Demanding that the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat, who till date is silent on his stand as regards the medium of instruction issue should come out with the same within next 24 hours, the Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch on Tuesday said BBSM activists would also approach all the MLAs soon, asking them to clarify their stand in the matter.
SAND EXTRACTORS SEEK LEGAL APPROACH TO THE BUSINESS
PANJIM: Sand extractors from across Goa, who have been rendered jobless following a court order banning the activity, have now approached the state government seeking a legal way out. Sand extractors have requested Chief Minister Digambar Kamat to treat their business as "dredging of river" and not "mining of sand".
VALPOI POLICE INSPECTOR AND MAMLATDAR INSPECT MINE AT MASSORDEM
VALPOI: Taking note of alleged illegal ore transportation and excavation carried out at Temb in Massordem ward of Valpoi municipality, the mamlatdar and police inspector of Satari paid a visit and carried out an inspection of the area on Saturday.
CENTRE READY WITH MOI FORMULA FOR PRIMARIES OPTING FOR ENGLISH
PANJIM: The Centre is ready with its formula to solve the medium of instruction imbroglio in Goa. While no details of the formula are available, sources said that grants will be released to government-aided primary schools wishing to switch over to the English medium.
EDINO CARVALHO CHARGED WITH MURDERING RAIMUNDO APPEARS IN SWINDON COURT
SWINDON: Edino Carvalho who is charged with murdering Raimundo Pereira, father-of-one, five year old boy, in the town centre appeared in court today. Goans specially from Goa Velha, the village of the victim Raimundo were seen gathered outside the court.
NEGLIGENT MASS MURDERERS BREEDING IN GOAN FAMILIES by Rupert Coutinho, Dubai
Reading today’s Open Letter to CM by respected Roger D’Souza on the number of lives lost due to electrocution I would only generalise and emphasize that this also applies to all cases of negligence that have been witnessed in hospitals, other professions and on the deadly roads in Goa.
ASSISTANT SESSIONS JUDGE GRANTS STAY ON PACHECOs SENTENCE
MARGAO: The assistant sessions judge, South Goa, Ms Sherin Paul on Monday granted stay on the sentence awarded to the former tourism minister and Benaulim MLA, Mr Francisco Xavier Pacheco alias Mickky in the case of assault on junior engineer of the electricity department.
APPROVAL LIKELY FOR GIVING GRANTS TO ENGLISH MEDIUM SCHOOLS
PANJIM: It is almost certain that the Congress high command was likely to give its approval for giving grants to the English-medium primary schools in the state and a formal directive to the state government on the issue of medium of instruction was expected to be issued by Wednesday.
IS THIS A TWISTING OF FACTS OR TWISTING THE STORY TO SUIT THE COMING ELECTIONS
PANJIM: A recent RTI application has revealed that the former IGP KD Singh had agreed to repair his official car, which his son Siddharth had taken out and met with an accident on Dec 4, 2009. But, the then DGP Bhimsen Bassi suggested that the amount, 4, 33,199.54, should be paid by the government and this was agreed by home minister Ravi Naik.
CALANGUTE POLICE ARREST A WRONG PERSON: MAN PROTESTS IN ANGER
PANJIM: There was high drama at Calangute police station on Saturday when a complainant scrambled up a tree to protest the wrong persons being arrested in a crime. On Saturday Antonio Saldanha, in his early forties, called up the police control room (PCR) complaining of a theft of 10 lakh from his house at Sangolda.
LIFE GUARD SAVES THE DAY FROM A THIEF: A DIFFERENT TYPE OF BATTLE
PANJIM: A lifeguard had to wage a different kind of a fight to 'save' some belongings of a group of tourists on Colva beach from a thief, but he doggedly chased him and retrieved them, despite being brutally assaulted. The lifeguard, performing his duty on Friday evening, heard some tourists raising an alarm as an unknown youth was running away with their bag containing their belongings.
EDINO CARVALHO CHARGED WITH THE MURDER OF RAIMUNDO IN SWINDON
SWINDON: The post mortem examination has revealed that the 40 year old Raimundo Pereira who was murdered on Friday night died from multiple stab wounds. A home office pathologist concluded that the victim was stabbed to death.
THE TRAGIC END AND THE SENTIMENTS FOLLOWING THE MURDER OF RAIMUNDO by Menino Fernandes
A sad and tense moment followed today in the town of Swindon, along the Gladstone Street, where the family and well wishers lay flowers on the spot where 40 year old Raimundo Pereira fell to an assassin’s knife. It was a moment of tears for the wife of Raimundo, Maria and his sister Aida as seen on the picture. Also seen on the picture are the blood stains left after the police washed off the clotted blood yesterday on 21/05/2011.
SANTA CRUZ: A VERY NEGLECTED CONSTITUENCY by Adv. Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
St Cruz constituency, though just on the outskirts of Goa's capital city Panaji, has remained one of the most neglected constituencies of the State. Even villages in Canacona and Pernem have progressed. A drive through Chimbel, Merces and St Cruz and the sight and scent of garbage everywhere is inescapable.
ARVIND GAWAS CLAIMS THERE ARE NO ORGANISED CRIME GANGS AND NO SUPARI KILLINGS IN GOA
PANJIM: The superintendent of police, North Goa, Mr Arvind Gawas has claimed that there is no organised crime gangs engaged in criminal activities like supari killings, supplying of arms or drug trade in the state. However, he maintained that sometimes a few gangsters from neighbouring states come down to Goa, commit crimes and take to their heels.
EDUCATION MINISTER ORDERS ENQUIRY INTO INCORRECT CALCULATION OF MARKS
PANJIM: The Education Minister, Mr Atanasio Monserrate has directed the Education Secretary, Mr V P Rao, to conduct an enquiry into the alleged lapses that led to incorrect “calculation” of marks of the students of twelfth standard, whose results were declared earlier this week.
SALESIANS OF DON BOSCO IN QUEPEM SUPPLIED SOLAR HOME LIGHTING TO VILLAGERS
MARGAO: In the village of Quisconda, which is a traditional Goa rural village, situated on the fringes of Quepem, in the forest of Canacona, the Quepem Salesian Society, has achieved a rare feat. About 50 households here have been provided with friendly solar home lighting units, designed and packaged by the Quepem Salesian Society.
NGOs AND PROMINENT CITIZENS WANTS SPECIAL LOK PAL FOR MINING INDUSTRY
MARGAO: Various NGOs and prominent citizens met at the Grace Church in Margao and passed a resolution on the pending of the Lok Pal Bill. They resolved that the government should pass an ordinance immediately and appoint a special Lok Pal for the mining industry, to investigate penal action against the mining mafia, politicians and the police nexus.
PRESS NOTE BY THE GOAN WILTSHIRE WELFARE ASSOCIATION
The President of "The Goan Wiltshire Welfare Association" Mr Ernest Coelho, strongly condemns the barbaric killing of innocent goan Mr Raimundo Pereira, a good, peace loving family man who was on his way to work and condoles with his beloved wife Maria Susan Fernandes and minor son Samuel Pereira who now has to grow up not knowing his father.
BRUTAL MURDER OF A GOAN BY A FELLOW GOAN IN SWINDON, UK
SWINDON: The Goan community woke up today on 21/05/2011 with utter shock to hear the horrific murder of a gentle Goan by a fellow Goan on 20/05/2011 at 09:30 PM in Swindon, UK. The Murder has shocked the whole Goan community in General in Swindon which was seen queuing at the backyard of the house of deceased Raimundo Perreira.
FATHER NEWTON RODRIGUES SUES AIRES RODRIGUES FOR $ 600 K
CANADA: Former Parish Priest of Ribandar Father Newton Rodrigues now based at Calgary in Canada is seeking Canadian $ 600,000 (approximately Rs 2.5 crores) by way of damages from Adv. Aires Rodrigues in connection with the allegations made by him in August 2004 regarding the alleged molestation of a 13-year-old girl by Father Newton Rodrigues.
FORCE HUMILIATED IN DELHI - By Allwyn George
The Congress leaders seem to have taken the leaders of FORCE for a ride in Delhi for three days without any positive outcome. The very fact that members of FORCE allowed themselves to go to Delhi shows the immaturity of the movement led by Savio Lopes. I have been shouting from the rooftops that the way FORCE is following the strategy is not going to work.
BJP BLAMES THE EDUCATION MINISTER FOR THE BLUNDER IN THE MARK LISTS
PANJIM: Stating that the alleged gross mistakes in the mark lists of the students of standard twelfth were serious cases of negligence, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has said that due to this the admission process for the professional courses would be delayed.
A THREE OPTION PROPOSAL SUBMITTED TO CONGRESS HIGH COMMAND
PANJIM: A three-option proposal with detailed pros and cons has been submitted to the Congress high command on the medium of instruction issue. The high command is expected to deliberate on it before taking a final decision by Tuesday.
WHAT WILL THE CBI GET NOW AS EVIDENCE IS ALREADY DESTROYED by Menino Fernandes
In a turning point, after all the evidence destroyed and the case totally sabotaged by Crime Branch police officer Chandrakant Salgaoncar, the policemen-politician-drug nexus and other drugs related cases are being handed over to the CBI. What will the CBI get now? From where are they going to get the evidence to nail the culprits? Will CBI get any evidence against Roy Naik? No way! so it is just a waste of time thanks to Chandrakant Salgaoncar
SOME TIPS FOR CANDIDATES CONTESTING THE 2012 GOA ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS by Adv. Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
In less than a year Goa will go to the polls to elect 40 members to the Goa Legislative Assembly. Many aspirants must have already started the spade work. But all that is done in the last few months before the polls has all that extra impact.
GET YOUR CAMPAIGN RIGHT by Willie M. Severes, Majorda (Dubai)
This is with reference to the letter to the Editor “Churchill’s generosity” in today’s edition of the Herald. In this letter the writer boasts about the minister’s achievement in the last four years, such as
1. Construction of Panchayat Ghar and some beautiful ornamental work opposite the Varca Church under RDA, the Varca-Telaulim Bridge, Panchayat Hall at Carmona, and the Panchayat Ghar under construction at Carmona.
WATER BOTTLING INSTEAD OF MINING IN CAUREM by Rajendra Kakodkar
South West Monsoon brings us plenty of water every year. And the hills of Caurem, with a green forest cover and leeward side topographic relief coupled with rock formation that facilitate water table higher than the ground level is the God's gift to the villagers of Caurem and Goa.
ACCIDENT BY FORMER IGP’S SON: RTI REVEALS DGP FAILS TO REPLY TO 8 HOME DEPARTMENT REMINDERS
PANJIM: Goa’s Director General of Police has failed to respond to eight reminders sent by the Home Department in the case pertaining to the car accident by the son of Goa’s former IGP Mr. K.D.Singh.
LIEUTENANTS OF CHURCHILL DEFEND HIM WELL
MARGAO: Stung by criticism against him by BJP minorities' cell chief Shaikh Jina, PWD minister Churchill Alemao arranged for his grassroots camp leaders to sing paeans to him at a press conference in Margao on Thursday, while he himself was away in the national capital.
COURT TURNS DOWN THE REQUEST OF SANATHAN SANSTHA
PANJIM: A Goa court has turned down a request from members of the Hindu rightwing group Sanatan Sanstha, accused of carrying out an improvised explosive device (IED) in Goa, to eat dosas while in judicial custody.
VERY LATE IN CONDEMNING THE ATTACK ON NILESH GAONKAR
PANJIM: More than a week after an activist protesting illegal mining in Goa's tribal heartland was assaulted by unidentified people allegedly belonging to the mining mafia, the Goa Mining Association (GMA) on Friday condemned the assault.
BUS CONDUCTORS IN A FIST BRAWL AT USGAO
PONDA: A fight that broke out between two bus conductors on Thursday at Barazan Usgao resulted in injuries and the hospitalization of one of them. The incident took place due to departure timings and competition to get passengers.
CONGRESS EXPECTED TO GIVE GRANTS TO ENGLISH SCHOOLS
PANJIM: Even as talks between the Congress leaders and various groups from the state with divergent views on medium of instruction continued for the second successive day in New Delhi on Thursday, signs have emerged that the Congress was expected to give in to the demands for grants to English medium primary schools.
BBSM: SOLUTION FOR CAN BE DECIDED FROM GOA ITSELF
PANJIM: The Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch which is headed by the RSS leader of Goa section Subhash Velingkar has condemned the efforts of the government to solve the medium of instruction (MoI) issue in New Delhi, instead of finding a solution for the same in Goa itself.
VANXIM TO WIDEN ROAD FOR ELECTION VOTE BANK by Emediavoice, Goa
Disguising as professional relatives of someone, we visited the island of Vanxim and our number of visit to this tiny island provides us a broad spectrum of Goan instability. During our previous visits, the people remained united and raised strong voice for any development on the island.
ATALA’S EXTRADITION PROCEEDINGS TO BE TAKEN OVER BY CBI
PANJIM: Central Bureau of Investigation will be taking over extradition proceeding of Israeli drug dealer Yaniv Benaim alias Atala, who had jumped bail and was arrested in Peru after Interpol issued red corner notice.
SPECIAL TREAT FOR OUTSIDERS: PAMJIM’S CCP MAYOR TO GET NEW CAR WORTH 8.5 LAKHS
PANJIM: Keeping up with the tradition, the Corporation of the City of Panjim (CCP) is set to buy a new car for its mayor. The proposal to purchase a Volkswagen at estimated cost of Rs 8.5 lakhs was approved in the Standing Committee (SC) meeting.
THE DISGRACEFUL ALEMAO FAMILY OF VARCA GOA by N Fernandes, London
I had a quick read of the Herald E paper Newspaper of the 15th or 16th. I was astounded to see an advertisement that was printed & paid for by the Alemao family /clan. This Advertisement included the names of Churchill, Joaquim & Valanka. What was truly shocking was the headline or theme of the advertisement.
THE STORY ON HOW I MISSED TO ADVERTISE FOR CHURCHILL ALEMAO by Rupert Coutinho, Dubai
My cousin arrived from Goa with my usual stock of ‘’cheris’’ which I relish and in his hands was a Goan daily which he had picked up at the Navy controlled airport which read jazzy birthday greetings to a big fat and rich man whom I recognized as bab Churchill Alemao.
ABDICATION OF RESPONSIBILITY BY GOA GOVERNMENT by Matanhy Saldanha
The so called phased implementation of the Right to Education Act by the Education Department is yet another example of total abdication of responsibility by the duly elected Goa Government towards protecting the interest of Goa and its inhabitants, charged former minister Matanhy Saldanha.
GOA POLICE CRIME BRANCH LAUNCHES PROBE AGAINST SENIOR GOVT OFFICIALS INVOLVED IN ILLEGAL MINING CASE
PANJIM: The Goa Crime Branch has launched an extensive investigation against senior government officials into the alleged illegal mining case involving NCP general secretary Jitendra Deshprabhu. The investigation covers the Mines and Geology Director, Forest Conservator, Goa State Pollution Control Board Chairman, State Transport Director, among others, who have been accused of shielding illegal mining in Goa, police said.
ARCHBISHOP OF GOA TO BE SUMMONED IN 2004 RIBANDAR CHURCH CASE
PANJIM: Archbishop of Goa Filipe Neri Ferrao will be summoned by the Panjim Judicial Magistrate First Class to depose in the 2004 Ribandar Church case in which Adv. Aires Rodrigues and 14 other Ribandar have been charge sheeted on a complaint filed by then Parish Priest of Ribandar Fr. Newton Rodrigues for entering the church and disturbing a church committee meeting. . It will be for the first time that the Archbishop of Goa is being summoned by a Court.
CBI CLOSES CORRUPTION CASE AGAINST FORMER GOA CM MANOHAR PARRIKAR
PANJIM: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has closed the corruption case against former Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar over the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) infrastructure scam for lack of evidence, a senior official said Thursday.
FOUR ARRESTED IN GOA FOR KIDNAPPING
PANJIM: Four persons have been arrested from Goa in connection with the abduction of a local resident for ransom, police said here today. The four, natives of Goa, allegedly kidnapped Gururaj on the night of May 16 from Sirsi town using a vehicle which had a Goa registration number
VILLAGERS OF CHANDEL, PERNEM REFUSES TO ACCEPT COMPENSTION FOR LAND SOUGHT BY GOVT FOR MOPA AIRPORT
PANJIM: Villagers of Chandel in Pernem refused to accept, for the second time, compensation for land sought to be acquired for setting up Mopa international airport. After the special land acquisition officer M Vast appeared at the panchayat office on Wednesday around 10.30am, the villagers gathered on the premises.
DECISION ON MOI BY 25TH OF MAY
PANJIM: Central and state Congress leaders that attended Wednesday's meeting in Delhi to find a solution to the medium of instruction row in Goa did not make much headway. Goa desk in-charge J S Brar held two rounds of discussions with stakeholders and since all the attendees were divided over the issue, it will be discussed again on Thursday.
ELECTION GIMMICKS: BJP CHALLENGES CHURCHILL TO GET RELECTED
MARGAO: The chief of the minorities cell of the BJP, Shaikh Jina, threw down the gauntlet at PWD minister Churchill Alemao on Wednesday daring him to resign and get re-elected from Navelim constituency to prove his innocence in the alleged fraud in the PWD that the Benaulim MLA Francisco 'Mickky' Pacheco has accused him of.
CM PROPOSES TWO SHOPPING MALLS FOR SELF HELP GROUPS
PANJIM: Chief minister Digambar Kamat on Wednesday announced that two proposed shopping malls, one in Margao and another in Panjim, will facilitate self help groups and artisans in the state to market their products.
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION – HEIGHT OF INEFFICENCY by Nisser Dias
Goa Headmasters association (GHA) and Goa Schools Management Association (GSMA) are up in arms against the ‘No Detention’ circular issued by the Director of Education Dr. Celsa Pinto after the school results were declared. “The circular states that no student from classes I to VIII will be held back or expelled from the school.”
BJP LASHES OUT AT CHURCHILL AND VOWS TO DEFEAT HIM IN THE COMING ELECTIONS
MARGAO: The Navelim unit of the BJP lashed out at PWD Minister Churchill Alemao for fooling the people of Navelim constituency and vowed to defeat him in the coming Assembly polls. Addressing a press conference, BJP minority cell president Sheikh Jina claimed that Alemao has failed on all fronts since his election as the MLA of Navelim constituency and is even facing serious charges of irregularities levelled by Benaulim MLA Mickky Pacheco.
5 HOUSE BREAKING AND THEFTs AT FATORDA IN A DAY
MARGAO: Thieves had a good laugh in the Commercial capital last night, targeting as many as five apartments in Fatorda area of the city. The miscreants have managed to lay their hands on gold ornaments and cash amounting to Rs 10,000 from an apartment owned by B M Patil. They, however, could not lift away any valuables from an adjoining flat.
PAWAR SAYS THE SENTENCE ON MICKKY BLOCKS HIS INDUCTION INTO THE CABINET
PANJIM: The Nationalist Congress Party president and the Union Agriculture Minister, Mr Sharad Pawar, has said that inclusion of NCP legislator from Benaulim, Mr Francisco Xavier Pacheco, in the state cabinet would not be possible unless he got the sentence against him overturned from a higher court.
MISSING TAMIL NADU YOUTH SURFACES IN GOA WITH FAMILY MAHINDRA SCORPIO
PANJIM: A 20-year-old youth from Tamil Nadu, Ali Hermaan, who had disappeared with his family’s Mahindra Scorpio (TN01-AD-3342) from Bangalore, was traced in the city on Wednesday afternoon. Addressing the media, the police inspector, Mr Ramesh Gaonkar said that they were intimated by Tamil Nadu police that the 20-year-old youth from a Madras-based family, which had gone to Bangalore for a visit, had left them there after he had disappeared with his father’s vehicle.
YOUTH WING OF BJP DEMANDS THE ARREST OF ATTACKERS OF NILESH
PANJIM: The president of Bharatiya Janata Party Yuva Morcha (BJPYM), Dr Pramod Sawant, along with other activists met the Director General of Police, Dr Aditya Arya and demanded immediate arrest of the culprits, involved in the murderous attack on anti-illegal mining activist, Mr Nilesh Gaonkar from Cauvrem in Quepem.
NCP FORMS CORE COMMITTEE IN GOA AHEAD OF NEXT YEAR’S ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS
PANJIM: Ahead of next year's Assembly elections in Goa, NCP president and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has constituted a core committee to strengthen the party, under state unit president Surendra Sirsat. The other members of the core committee are Nationalist Mahila Congress General Secretary Bharati Chavan, NCP National Secretary Jitendra Deshprabhu, Jose Philip D Souza, Nilkant Halarnekar, Senior Vice-President Carmo Pegdo, Pandurang Raut and Sangeeta Parab and co-ordinator Pragul Patel.
DIGAMBAR KAMAT WITH HIS DELEGATION RUNS TO DELHI IN RE MOI
PANJIM: Some state leaders left for New Delhi on Tuesday evening in view of Wednesday's meeting there to find a solution to the controversial medium of instruction row. Among those who've flown to the national capital are Congress party members including, chief minister Digambar Kamat, education minister Atanasio 'Babush' Monserrate, PWD minister Churchill Alemao and St Cruz MLA Victoria Fernandes.
PTA IN MARGAO OBJECTS OF FINDING MOI SOLUTION IN DELHI
MARGAO: A parent-teacher association (PTA) in Margao is objecting to the government trying to find a solution to the medium of instruction row in Goa, at a meeting in New Delhi. "Our only demand translates into release of local government grants for government-aided schools offering English as a medium of instruction" states a press note issued by Dinar L Barros.
NO ACTION AGAINST BENAULIM MLA MICKKY PACHECO: SHARAD PAWAR
PANJIM: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday virtually ruled out disciplinary action against Benaulim MLA Francisco 'Mickky' Pacheco for his outbursts-directly and indirectly-against the party. Pawar added that the induction of the former tourism minister into the cabinet could be decided only after his conviction is set aside in the case where Pacheco has been accused of assaulting an electricity department engineer.
2004 RIBANDAR CHURCH CASE TRIAL TO RESUME ON MAY 19TH
PANJIM: The trial of Adv. Aires Rodrigues and 14 other Ribandar residents in the 2004 Ribandar Church case will resume on May 19th at 10 am before the newly appointed Panaji Judicial Magistrate First Class Ms Sarika Phaldesai.
DUM MARO DUM by Joel Morais, Cuncolim
To be a middle class is a greatest sin says Ricky in Dum Maro Dum and successfully convinces Lawrie to export drugs to US as he was in possession of sponsorship letter from a recognized University and was in desperate need of USD 15000 to pay his college fees. The movie is realistic and forces Goemkars to awake from deep sleep but will we be ever bothered is a million dollar question?
BIRTHDAY ADVERTORIALS by Willie M. Severes, Majorda (Dubai)
It surprises me to see the amount of advertorials on newspapers on birthday occasions of our politicians. Sometimes, there is hardly any news other then these birthday ads, which also include a detailed profile of their family, and the social work they have done for the state.
WHY ARE KONKANI MEDIUM SCHOOLS VERY VERY LESS IN GOA DESPITE BEING STATE LANGUAGE?
PANJIM: Konkani is the state's official language, but the talukas of Pernem, Bicholim, Satari and Ponda have no state-run Konkani-medium primary school. Satari has three private English-medium schools and one private Konkani-medium school.
AT WHOSE EXPENSE DOES CONGRESS CELEBRATES CHURCHILL’S BIRTHDAY
MARGAO: PWD Minister Churchill Alemao’s 62nd birthday celebrations on Monday came in handy for party leaders to blow the poll bugle with Chief Minister Digambar Kamat asserting that the Congress would easily cruise through in the coming polls by wining 25-30 seats
MAMLATDAR OF BARDEZ ISSUES RATION CARDS ILLEGALY BY TAKING BRIBES A TRADITIONAL CUSTOM OF GOVT SERVANTS OF GOA
PANJIM: Candolim Citizens Forum has accused Bardez Mamlatdar of issuing ration cards without receiving documents that have to be mandatorily submitted and asked for cancellation of these bogus cards. As is the common practice by the Government servants of Goa, the Bardez Mamlatdar who is not excluded from this scheme of “give bribe and get your work done” has misused his position to issue illegal ration cards specially to non Goans by taking bribes.
PROBE INTO 8 GOAN WOMEN HELD CAPTIVE IN ALBANIA
PANJIM: The commissioner for NRI affairs has written to the Indian embassy in Albania regarding eight Goan women allegedly "held in captivity" by their employer in the East European country. "It appears that Goans have been taken to Albania by a recruitment agency in Goa for employment, where they have been harassed and detained. Our office has written to the Indian embassy in Albania seeking to know the status of the women," NRI affairs director U D Kamat said
TUM KITEM KORTOLO ASLO MOVIE COMPLETES 100 SCREENINGS
PANJIM: Konkani film ‘Tum Kitem Kortolo Aslo?’ completed 100 public screenings recently. To mark this occasion, ShaMaz films in association with Ravindra Bhavan, Margao organised a function to felicitate artistes of the film which was followed by a public screening of the film at the Pai Tiatrist hall at the Ravindra Bhavan.
8 WOMEN FROM GOA UNDER CAPTIVITY IN ALBANIA RETURNED BACK TO GOA
PANJIM: Commissioner of NRI Affairs, Eduardo Faleiro has informed that eight Goan women, among 20 other Indians who were exploited with the promise of jobs in Albania have returned home and are safe. He however said that there is no complaint filed against the agent who duped them and that identity of the agent is not known.
CHURCHILL ALEMAO DECLARES NAVELIM AS HIS
MARGAO: Revealing that he had no plans to quit the Congress, PWD Minister Churchill Alemao conveyed a loud and clear message to the Congress leadership that he would contest the coming Assembly polls only from Navelim and not from any other constituency.
ENGLISH AS THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION ELLIGIBLE FOR GRANT-IN-AID by Joaquim Correia-Afonso
English as a medium of instruction at the primary level entitling schools for grant-in-aid is a local issue, affecting Goans, and can actually be easily settled or decided at the local level by the State Cabinet. Both, “The Goa Official Language Act, 1987” and “The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009” also known as “The Right to Education Act, 2009”, state that the medium of instruction at the primary level should be “as far as possible”, the mother tongue. Yes, as far as possible or preferably, but not compulsorily, the mother tongue.
COWARDLY ATTACK ON NILESH GAONKAR by Freddy Agnelo Fernandes, Dubai
The attack on anti-mining activist Nilesh Gaonkar is a cowardly act and a blow to the democratic norms of the Country. I do strongly condemn this atrocious act of inhumanity against a law abiding citizen who has put his life on line for the welfare of the people of Cavrem, who have been subjected and forced to live in harmful and detrimental conditions perpetuated by the mining fraternity.
GOA'S EDUCATION IN TURMOIL by Adv. Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
With Goa already embroiled in the medium of instruction controversory, the schools now have to also deal with the skewed circular directing that all students till std 8th be compulsorily passed. The educational scenario in the State is set for turmoil.
NEW JUDGE TO TAKE OVER 2004 RIBANDAR CHURCH CASE TRIAL
PANJIM: The trial of Adv. Aires Rodrigues and 14 other Ribandar residents in the 2004 Ribandar Church case will now resume on May 19th at 10 am before the newly appointed Panaji Judicial Magistrate First Class Ms Sarika Phaldesai.
CAVREM MINE CLOSE UNDER PRESSURE FROM UNITED CAMPAIGN BY THE TRIBALS OF CAVREM
PANJIM: The Goa government on Monday ordered closure of an illegal open cast iron ore mine at Cavrem in face of a sustained campaign by tribals living in the area. Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, who also holds the mining portfolio, ordered closure of the mine at Cavrem, some 45 km from here, after hundreds of tribals camped outside his private residence all through on Sunday.
DELEGATION ASSURED BY CM KAMAT TO GET THE OFF THE MACHINERY FROM THE CLOSED MINE
PANJIM : Goa Chief Minister Digamber Kamat today assured a delegation of social Activists that heavy machinery, stationed at a closed mine at Cavrem, would be removed forthwith and that police would take the ongoing investigations into activist Nilesh Gaokar's case to its logical conclusion.
SCHOOLS IN GOA DECIDE TO OPPOSE NO FAIL POLICY
PANJIM: The Goa government's decision to implement the 'no-fail' policy from classes 1 to 8 as advocated in the Right to Education (RTE) law this academic year has been opposed by school managements, which say they are not yet equipped to implement it.
FUNCTIONS ATTENDING GOANS DO NOT SOCIALISE GOAs POLITICIANS by N. Fernandes, London
The Goans attending the function organised by the Doha Goan Sports Club, can have the satisfaction of attending these functions with a clean and clear conscience. The Doha Goan Sports Club can also take great pride in knowing other Goan Organisations around the world admire their decision not to give pride of place to corrupt Goan Politicians as Chief Guests.
BRIDGE UNDER TROUBLED WATERS by Willie M. Severes, Majorda (Dubai)
Why do our politicians bend to the lowest of levels when it comes to laying of foundation stones and inaugurations? Political rivalry is now making it a “First come, first served’ story. Every foundation stone that is laid for a project should ultimately end up in the inauguration. But, sometimes we just find foundation stones lying idle, an indication to all the false promises of the politicians.
HELICOPTER TOURISM ALL SET TO BE LAUNCHED IN GOA
PANJIM: A helipad alongside Panjim's Mandovi bridge and five more across the state, including at Colva and Old Goa, are set to launch helicopter tourism in Goa.Tourism director Swapnil Naik said the project-mooted unsuccessfully twice before-is banking on ` 3 crore funding from the state and central governments.
LUIZINHO FOR RAJYA SABHA, CHURCHILL GPCC CHIEF? Courtesy Goan Observer
It is clear from the presence of heavyweights like Ambika Soni, Prithviraj Chavan and Ashok Chavan at the wedding of the son of Digamber Kamat that the Chief Minister has friends in high places and there is no threat to his kodel. But to pacify the minority Christian community, which is hostile to the CM, Luizinho Faleiro is likely to be nominated to the Rajya Sabha and may even be inducted into the cabinet. As part of the checks and balances, Churchill Alemao may be appointed GPCC chief, with the assurance that Valanka Alemao can contest as an independent with outside support from the Congress.
KHUDA JAANE (or should it be Abu jaane?). Going by the very very important people who flew down to Goa to attend the marriage of Chief Minister Digamber Kamat’s son Yogiraj to Neha, the Chief Minister has consolidated his position and made friends in high places to ensure that he will at least complete his full term undisturbed by the Congress High Command or for that matter even the NCP High Command. The reference to Abu is to Abu Jani, the high profile dress designer for the film industry who is reported to have costumed designed the sherwanis worn by the boy’s side during the marriage and reception at the Taleigao Community Centre. Resplendent in their designer sherwanis was Digamber Kamat with a safa, which is the name of the turban he sported, the groom himself, Yogiraj, the American returned son of the Chief Minister, and Govindraj Dempo, the son-in-law of the Chief Minister. And looking at the women in the family and the amount of gold they were wearing, the steep price hike of all commodities has not affected the Digamber Kamat family.
GOLDEN GLITTER
BUT it was not the gold that glittered at the wedding of Asha and Digamber Kamat’s son Yogiraj. It was the Chief Minister’s political connections that glittered more than the gold that Asha-tai and the bride, not to mention the very high profile guests were wearing. Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi may not have graced the wedding or the aam admi reception hosted at the very spacious Blasco, open air wedding venue at Navelim, but two of her most trusted advisors and confidants made it a point to attend the wedding and bless not just the newly wedded couple but the Chief Minister also. Because in attendance at the royal wedding of the year were Ambika Soni, the minister for information and broadcasting, and Prithviraj Chavan, the former minister of state in the Prime Minister’s Office, who was asked to take charge of Maharashtra after Ashok Chavan was caught in the Adarsh Society scam.
A third senior minister reportedly very close to the UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, the high profile Law Minister Veerappa Moily was present at the reception at Blasco at Navelim on Tuesday, May 10, 2011. The former chief minister of Maharahstra, Vilasrao Deshmukh, who is now the Governor of Punjab in place of General Sunit Rodrigues, was also at the wedding held on Sunday, May 8, 2011 at the Taleigao Community Centre built by Babush Monserrate opposite the Monserrate mansion in Taleigao. And considering that Praful Patel, the second most influential leader in the NCP was also present at the wedding on May 10, there is no threat to the Digamber Kamat government, despite the raving and ranting of both Jose Philip D’Souza and Mickky Pacheco. In any case, Digamber Kamat has both Jose Philip D’Souza and Mickky Pacheco on the defensive. It will be recalled that the Mormugao Municipal Council has threatened to file a complaint against Jose Philip D’Souza for encroaching on municipal land. Mickky has just been convicted for slapping an electricity department junior engineer.
Digamber Kamat has also secured total control over the Margao municipality by appointing a hand-picked chairperson and has now built a Panjim connection by getting his son married to a Panjim girl. Who knows, Yogiraj or Neha may just get the ticket to contest for the Panjim assembly constituency, in the tradition of dynastic politics which has become more the rule than the exception in amchem Goem. Indeed, among Generation Next which is gearing up to contest the forthcoming assembly elections is Pravin Zantye, nephew of Harish Zantye, the Congress party veteran who successfully contested the Mayem seat for many years and Ritesh Naik, who has apparently decided to contest the Pernem assembly seat.
MERE NOISES
DON’T go by the noises that Digamber Kamat has been making about hanging mining officials if they do not crack down on violations of the law. What Digamber Kamat is doing, in effect, is to crack down on the large scale illegal mining carried out by the likes of Joaquim Alemao, Jitendra Deshprabhu, Ritesh Naik (Ravi Naik’s son), and the Yuvraj, not to mention the son of Mummy dearest Victoria Fernandes, the former protector-in-chief, Rudolf Fernandes. This is what the organised and established sector of the mining industry, comprising of members of the Goa Ore Exporters Association wants Digu-bab to do. That Digu-bab’s relationship with the cash rich mining industry is still very strong if not stronger than ever was reinforced by the fact that Cidade de Goa hosted all the VVIPs who came for Yogiraj’s wedding, including J P Singh, the former chief secretary of the state. To the Chief Minister’s regret, Farukh Abudulla, who the Chief Minister has apparently managed to cultivate a relationship and was to spend four days in Goa to attend both the wedding and the reception, cancelled his trip at the last moment. But all the mining barons were there at the wedding, ranging from Shivanand and Ranjana Salgaocar to the managing director and chairman of Sesa Goa - or should we say Vedanta - Prasun Mukherjee.
But the good news that came out of the wedding is that the king maker in the next general elections in the state is not going to be the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Subhash Shirodkar and least of all Churchill Alemao, the so called strong man from Varca, who is demanding four tickets for various members of his family. Several high profile people from Delhi, very close to Sonia Gandhi, confirmed to Goan Observer that the new king maker in Goan politics is none other than the old war horse former chief minister Luizinho Faleiro, who is now a general secretary of Congress in charge of the North-Eastern states. Apparently, Sonia Gandhi is very pleased with Luizinho Faleiro’s performance in the North-East and has decided to reward him with a nomination for the only Rajya Sabha seat from Goa, which is coming up for elections following the completion of Shantaram Naik’s term.
RAJYA SABHA
SHANTARAM Naik is not going to get another term as member of the Rajya Sabha, though he has lobbied very hard both at the centre and the state level for re-nomination by the Congress High Command. Nor is it going to be Ramakant Angle, who was a member of the Lok Sabha representing the Bharatiya Janata Party when the saffron brigade was in power in the state and at the centre. Along with Digamber Kamat, Ramakant Angle had also rejoined the Congress party and is supposed to be Digamber Kamat’s candidate for the Congress ticket for the only Rajya Sabha seat from Goa. The former Rajya Sabha member from South Goa, Eduardo Faleiro, has no hopes of making a come back.
So it is Luizinho Faleiro, according to Goan Observer sources, who is very strongly rumoured to be the Congress candidate for the Rajya Sabha from Goa. Apparently, the NCP MLAs in Goa have also agreed to support the nomination of Luizinho Faleiro, making it certain that he will be the next Rajya Sabha member from Goa. It is also learnt that in the next cabinet reshuffle, Luizinho Faleiro will be inducted into the cabinet as the new minister for North Eastern Affairs, based on his impressive performance in dealing with the states of Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Sikkim. Assam if the congress performs well in the ongoing elections will also come under the control of Luizinho.
MASTER STROKE
Luizinho Faleiro, while maintaining a very low profile except for some pot shots at his bitter enemy and rival for the leadership of South Goa, Churchill Alemao, has played his cards very well. In a master stroke, Luizinho Faleiro managed to persuade Sonia Gandhi to displace Hari Prasad, who was till recently the High Command observer in charge of Goa. Hari Prasad was very close to the Churchill Alemao group and has apparently been lobbying with the High Command, not only to let Churchill Alemao retain his Navelim assembly seat, but also persuade the Congress High Command to allot the Congress ticket for Benaulim to Churchill’s daughter, Valanka. Hari Prasad has been replaced by Jagmeet Singh Brar, who is reportedly part of the Luizinho Faleiro camp in the All India Congress Committee. We understand that as part of the reshuffling of the Congress office bearers in the state, Subhash Shirodkar is likely to be replaced by Churchill Alemao which will, in the opinion of the Congress High Command, boost the chances of the Congress in South Goa. With the decision to nominate Faleiro to the Rajya Sabha, there will be no possibility of a clash between Alemao and Faleiro for the Navelim assembly constituency ticket.
SAFFRON BAIT
IN the run up to the assembly elections, it is believed that Digamber Kamat will further consolidate his position by persuading as many as five sitting MLAs representing the Bharatiya Janata Party in the current Legislative Assembly to switch sides. Despite the high decibel war of words between Vijay Sardessai, who is hell bent on getting the Congress ticket for the Fatorda seat, and Damu Naik, the BJP MLA who currently represents Fatorda, there are persistent rumours that on the eve of the assembly elections Damu Naik will quit the BJP and join the Congress and it is not Vijay Sardessai or Shantaram Naik or Monica Dias or M K Shaikh or the former Youth Congress chief Girish Chodankar, but Damu Naik who will get the Congress ticket to contest the Fatorda seat in the next general elections. Digamber Kamat has managed to marginalise Manohar Parrikar in the Panjim assembly constituency, as dramatised by the defeat of the Leader of the Opposition’s mayoral candidate for the Corporation of the City of Panjim, Ashok Naik.
PINC INITIATIVE
For some reason, whenever there is a citizens’ initiative or intervention in elections, whether it is at the panchayat level or the municipality level, the beneficiary seems to be Digamber Kamat. It may be recalled that consequent to the intervention of the Saturday club group in Margao, led by Shridhar Kamat (the vice chairman of Ravindra Bhavan), Digamber Kamat was able to make sure that his candidate would occupy the MMC chairperson’s chair in Margao, which is his assembly constituency. Similarly, the unintended beneficiary of the Panjimites Initiative for Change (PINC) in Panjim turned out to be Digamber Kamat, following the shock defeat of the BJP candidate for the mayor’s post, Ashok Naik, and the marginalisation of Babush Monserrate both in the Taleigao assembly segment of the CCP and the Panjim segment. This is particularly significant since Babush has time and again reiterated that he proposes to contest the next assembly elections from the Panjim assembly constituency and will leave Taleigao to be contested by his wife Jennifer Monserrate and St Cruz to be contested by "social worker" Rudolf Fernandes, the son of Mummy Dearest, who is the sitting MLA.
It is clear that Digamber Kamat has outwitted all his rivals within and outside the Congress and is assured of completing his full term without any threat from within the Congress or the coalition partners, the MGP and the NCP. It is also equally clear that the Congress will avoid a conflict between Luizinho Faleiro and Churchill Alemao in the Navelim constituency in particular and South Goa in general. But by nominating Luizinho Faleiro to the Rajya Sabha and possibly even inducting him into the cabinet, the chairperson of the UPA and president of the Congress, Sonia Gandhi, will send out a message to Churchill Alemao that she holds Luizinho Faleiro in very high regard and that former should behave himself. The elevation of Faleiro to the Rajya Sabha would also snip the wings of over ambitious members of the Legislative Assembly like Vishwajit Rane, who believes he should inherit the chief minister’s kodel, which his father occupied for the longest period of time since the liberation of Goa.
CHURCHILL ALEMAO
What of Churchill Alemao? Apparently, the Congress High Command is willing to give him the post of president of the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee in the place of Subhash Shirodkar, whose performance has not been very satisfactory. In any case, Subhash Shirodkar’s appointment as GPCC chief violated the principle that if the Chief Minster belongs to the majority community, the GPCC chief must belong to the minority community. Francisco Sardinha, the South Goa MP has of course been lobbying very hard for the job. In the ordinary course, there are no takers for the post of president of theGPCC, but in an election year the post becomes very important as the GPCC chief not only has a significant say in the selection of candidates, but also decides how the funds sent by the Congress High Command should be distributed among the candidates.
ALEIXO SEQUEIRA
According to the current thinking, the Congress High Command is inclined to offer the presidency of the GPCC to Churchill Alemao, not only because he is the major South Goa leader, but also because of his nuisance value. If Churchill Alemao is not appeased, he may quit the party as he did the last time around and inflict major damage on the party. It will be recalled that on the eve of the last elections, Churchill Alemao formed the Save Goa Front, which managed to oust two Congress heavyweights — or A-listers as the party jargon goes — with Churchill Alemao inflicting a shock defeat on Luizinho Faleiro in the Navelim constituency and Reginald Lourenco defeating the King of Curtorim, Fransisco Sardinha. However, the offer of the leadership of the party will be contingent to Churchill Alemao behaving himself and not insisting on tickets for various members of his family or attempts to convert the Legislative Assembly into an extended version of the Churchill Brothers football team.
The High command might go to the extent of assuring Churchill Alemao that his daughter Valanka can contest as an independent, just as young Yuvraj contested as an independent from Valpoi in the last Assembly elections and then subsequently joined the Congress. If Churchill doesn’t play ball or becomes too much of a nuisance, the post of party president is likely to go to Aleixo Sequeira, the power minister, who will be taking on Mickky Pacheco in the newly created Nuvem/Nagoa constituency. If Churchill Alemao is appeased, the South Goa leadership will be in a better position to contain Mickky Pacheco, who is nibbling at various strongholds of existing Congress leaders, such as Aleixo Sequeira, the representative of Loutolim in the present Assembly and Mauvin Godinho, the deputy speaker and representative of Cortalim in the current Assembly. The Muslim minority community, whose representation in the election poll in South Goa is estimated at almost 16%, is likely to be the swing vote in the forthcoming
CAVREM RESIDENTS MAKE FIRM DECISION NOT TO LET MINING TRAFFIC PASS THROUGH
MARGAO: Rejecting the restriction imposed by the government to allow a maximum of 600 trips of mining trucks per day from Cavrem to Capxem, residents of Cavrem have vowed not to allow mining transportation through the village. Their contention is that that all the four mines located in Cavrem are illegal as they have exceeded the quantum of mineral ore extraction permitted to them, many times over, and hence they should be shut down.
ANC SEEKS PERMISSION FROM GOVT TO FILE APPLICATION IN THE HIGH COURT TO CANCEL BAIL OF DUDU
PANJIM: With the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) court at Mapusa dismissing the anti-narcotic cell's (ANC) application to cancel the bail granted to alleged Israeli drug dealer David Driham alias Dudu, the police have sought the state government's permission to file an application in the high court.
CHURCHILL RIDICULES MICKKY OVER HIS CONFUSED MIND
MARGAO: Churchill Alemao today reiterated that the Benaulim MLA and ex-tourism minister is likely confused and out of mind on the disqualification petitioned filed against him and Reginaldo. Churchill further ridiculed Mickky Pacheco's confused mind saying that Pacheco does not know whether he should withdraw the petitions or file them.
SC TO HEAR PETITION AGAINST HEALTH MINISTER VISHWAJIT RANE ON 15th JULY
PANJIM: A Division bench of the Supreme Court of India comprising of Justice Altamas Kabir and Justice Cyriac Joseph will now on 15th July hear the Special Leave Petition filed by Adv. Aires Rodrigues against Goa’s Health Minister Mr. Vishwajit Rane in the threat to kill case.
WRITINGS DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE by Trevor
To Dalia…in reply to your comments to CONGRATULATIONS-DOHA GOAN SPORTS CLUB by N. Fernandes, London....Compliments back at you! When the Herald silenced our voices you picked up the torch and encouraged us to keep on fighting through this website. There were times when I felt helpless and wondered how my writing in my comments could actually make a difference, but you and all of you that write in, proved me wrong.
THE INEFFICIENT POLICE FORCE OF GOA by N. Fernandes, London
When the Goa Police ( enriched by haftas) are unable to bring successful prosecutions of criminal cases in Goa, there is no doubt,that it allows the criminals from other Indian States to loiter in Goa and commit serious crimes.
CAN WE FIND A RECIPE OR FORMULA TO UNITE GOANS AND SAVE GOA? by Diogo Fichardo, Margao (UK)
Since the invasion (Known as Liberation) of Goa in the 60s newspapers were read by just a few people. Due to lack of demand the printing premises were smaller. A place as large as Cuncolim would be lucky to have sold 100 copies of the daily paper. Yet in the news and gossip travelled faster at its pace through word of mouth.
LET THE PAST BE HISTORY by Nisser Dias
Last week some so called freedom fighters (FF) upped their ante because of the Ambassador of Portugal to India Roza de Oliveira’s statement that he does not understand what the FF want from Portugal when Goans have forgiven them. The very fact that the freedom fighters took umbrage to such a comment indicates their pettiness.
NHRC PETITIONED OVER ATROCITIES COMMITTED ON THE TRIBALS OF CAUVREM
PANJIM: A Goa-based media house has petitioned the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) over the alleged atrocities committed on the Velip and Gaonkar tribals from Cauvrem village, where locals are fighting to save their area from the mining menace.
PANJIM: NCP leader Mickky Pacheco has revived his disqualification petition against Congress minister Churchill Alemao and legislator Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco under the anti-defection law. Pacheco, in an application moved before the Speaker of Legislative Assembly on Friday, has said that the recent notification by Election Commission of India (ECI) has clarified that the Save Goa Front, a party which the duo claim to have merged with the Congress, still exists.
ON THE DEATH OF GEORGINA JAQUES By A. Veronica Fernandes, Kuwait
With deep regret and shock I pen down this obituary on the recent death in Goa of Georgina Jacques on 4th of this month. When she was young she was the Jewel of Emisora de Goa during Portuguese time. After the exit of Portuguese rule in Goa, Emissora de Goa was changed to All India Radio Panjim, Goa.
CONGRESS PARTY LEADERS AND FORCE TO MEET IN DELHI
PANJIM: Senior Congress party leaders, stakeholders and representatives of Forum for Rights of Children's Education (FORCE) will meet on May 18 in Delhi, to deliberate on the controversial issue of medium of instruction (MoI) in Goa.
FARMERS STOP OFFICIALS OUT TO CARRY DEMARCATION OF LAND FOR ACQUISITION FOR MOPA AIRPORT
MAPUSA: Farmers opposed to the proposed airport at Mopa village in North Goa, on Wednesday stopped government officials, who were to carry out demarcation of the land for the purpose of acquisition, from proceeding to the proposed airport site.
GOA'S EDUCATION MINISTER FINED FOR CARRYING CURRENCY ILLEGALY
MUMBAI: The Mumbai customs officials this week fined Goa education minister Atanasio 'Babush' Monserrate who was detained at the city airport last month for carrying foreign currency worth Rs 24 lakh. The officials have imposed a fine of Rs 5 lakh and an additional personal penalty of Rs 2 lakh for carrying cash beyond the permissible limit. Additional commissioner K Premchand has confirmed that the minister has been fined.
IS THE EXPENDITURE ON GOVERNORS JUSTIFIED? by Adv. Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
The time has come to rethink whether we really can afford such astronomical spending being incurred on State Governors. In Goa, a whopping 135 staff take care of Governor Dr. S.S Sidhu and the Raj Bhavan. This does not include the heavy security paraphernalia around him including his Z+ security.
CHURCHILL ALEMAO INAUGRATES ROAD INSPITE OF PROTESTS BY RIVAL MICKKY PACHECO
MARGAO: Public works department (PWD) minister Churchill Alemao inaugurated the road under-bridge at Majorda amid heavy police security even as protesters led by Benaulim MLA Francisco 'Mickky' Pacheco crowded on both sides of the bridge.
IS IT LIBERATED OR INVADED GOA? by Joel Morais,Cuncolim
19 December 1961 has been considered as a day of Goa's liberation.Looking at the attack on a daring 24 year youth,Nilesh Goankar for fighting to save his village of Cavrem forces me to say,was Goa really liberated or invaded?
LEADING THE CHANGE: DOHA GOAN SPORTS CLUB by Rupert Coutinho, Dubai
PANJIM: The Doha Goan Sports Club DGSC has set the right precedent by not inviting MLAs to be their chief guests for their annual May Queen Ball. They also made a generous donation to the National Association for the Blind unlike many other associations hosting such cultural events which claim their chairman have been noted social workers but don’t have anything to prove about their contribution for the welfare of the ethnic Goans.
ENIO PIMENTA & DR. J. MARTINS ROBBERS OF LAND By Agnelo Gomes, Combakar
As a Niz Goenkar it's my duty to expose all Freedom Fighters that sold Goa our Motherland to Bharat, India or Hindustan. First count late Enio Pimenta and Dr. J. Martins of Salvador do Mundo posed as Freedom Fighters were the collaborators of robbing our motherland Goa and handing over to Bharat. To agree with me one must be patriotic.
TIME TO FEEL ASHAMED OF RAHUL GANDHI by Adv. Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
Rahul Gandhi's statement that he is ashamed to be an Indian is an outburst of immaturity. Whatever the context, one cannot understand how an Indian can ever be ashamed of his Nation. Could it be for being half Italian that Rahul Gandhi's feeling Indian is only skin deep?
NON GOAN MOHABHAT SINGH OF BOMBAY WAS REJECTED BAIL
MARGAO: The anticipatory bail plea of Mohabhat Singh of Bombay, the owner of a car used in a racket of fake credit cards, was rejected by the court on Friday. The Additional District and Session judge, South Goa, Ms Vijaya Pol rejected the bail application moved by Singh before the court, in which he prayed that he is fears arrest, that he is innocent and that anticipatory bail be granted with conditions.
SANCOALE CHURCH RANSACKED: STATUES STOLEN
VASCO: Miscreants damaged the statue of Our Lady, and stole the statue of Our Lady of Health, which was installed in the old church at Sancoale. It is widely rumoured that the RSS and the Hindu Jagruthi Rakhan Manch is behind this incident.
WILLY QUESTIONS AN UNEDUCATED CHURCHILL’S EDUCATION
PANJIM: Till what class has Churchill Alemao studied to know about ageing and senility, asked former chief minister Wilfred de Souza on Thursday, in response to media reports quoting the PWD minister as calling him senile.
STOP FOOLING SEAMEN, YOU DIRTY POLITICIANS by Joel Morais, Cuncolim
With regard to Churchill Alemao taking on Francisco Sardinha on his assurance of retirement benefits to Goan Seamen,it is not just Francisco Sardinha but all you, dirty politicians are known for fooling Goa and goemkars.Zomin ani Mollobh ek zait,punn apoun anik Ghatki Congress nhoi,is it not Churchill who said this?
NGOs, SOCIAL ACTIVISTS HAVE MIXED OPINIONS ON ANNA HAZARE
MARGAO: Gandhian Anna Hazare's fast may have inspired people in Delhi to take to the steets, but will it bring about a revolution in Goa on Friday, too? NGOs and social activists have mixed opinions over the issue.
BICHOLIM MINES ORDERED TO STOP ITS OPERATIONS
BICHOLIM: The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has issued a show cause notice to the management of a mine company, at Sarvan-Bicholim, and has asked the mine company not to undertake any mining activity, without first obtaining permission under Section 21, from the GSPCB.
ANTI MINING ACTIVIST BEATEN UP BY UNIDENTIFIED ASSAILANTS
VERNA: An anti-mining activist was Thursday beaten up by unidentified assailants in South Goa district, allegedly because of his protest against illegal transportation of iron ore near his village, police said. According to police officials at the Verna police station, Nilesh Gaonkar, resident of Cavrem village and leading protests by villagers against indiscriminate mining and transportation of iron ore, was stopped and beaten up near the Verna industrial estate, 25 km from Panjim.
NEW DGP POLICE SAYS MENACE OF NARCOTICS IN GOA SINCE 1980s CONTRADICTION TO HOME MINISTER’S DECLARATION
PANJIM: Newly appointed Goa Director General of Police (DGP) Aditya Arya today said the state has been facing the menace of narcotics since the 1980s when youths from elite families began to fall for the addiction.
RAHUL GANDHI'S IMMATURE STATEMENT by Adv. Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
Rahul Gandhi's statement that he is ashamed to be an Indian is an outburst of immaturity. Whatever the context, one cannot understand how an Indian can ever be ashamed of his Nation.
PARABENS (CONGRATULATIONS) COLVA CIVIC AND CONSUMER FORUM by Rupert Coutinho, Dubai
Colva Civic and Consumer Forum have done a marvelous job which has inspired Goans to replicate their success to other parts of Goa without losing hope. Their dedication, resolve and resilience to rid their village of the filth, garbage and sewage discharge has proved that no matter how much corrupt minds collude with cheap and undignified individuals to circumvent the rules, might is not always right.
PRIVATE SCHOOL TEACHERS UNITE by Allwyn George, Carmona
The judiciary in Goa had brought relief to the striking Primary school teachers as the salaries were made on par with Govt. Primary schools. The teachers of Diocesan schools at that time were paid very less for their services before the historic verdict.
CONGRESS PARTY LEADERS AND FORCE TO MEET IN DELHI
PANJIM : Senior Congress party leaders, stakeholders and representatives of Forum for Rights of Children's Education (FORCE) will meet on May 18 in Delhi, to deliberate on the controversial issue of medium of instruction (MoI) in Goa.
PARTING GIFT BY BASSI – 14 SUSPENDED COPS RE-INSTATED
PANJIM: Outgoing director general of police (DGP) Bhimsen Bassi on Tuesday reinstated 14 of 37 suspended police personnel, despite a departmental inquiry pending against them. The 14 police personnel have since been posted at Goa Reserve Police, a day before Bassi relinquished charge. Bassi handed over charge to new DGP Aditya Arya on Wednesday.
MICKKY PACHECO CHALLENGES HIS CONVICTION
MARGAO: Benaulim MLA and former tourism minister Francisco 'Mickky' Pacheco approached the district and sessions court at Margao challenging the order passed by a judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) court, sentencing him to undergo imprisonment for one year.
PFC DEMANDS PROBE INTO RESHMA KORGAONKAR CASE TO BE COMPLETED WITHIN A MONTH
PANJIM: The Pilerne Citizens Forum (PCF), on Thursday, demanded that the police complete investigation into the Reshma Korgaonkar death case within a month and charge sheet the accused persons, or else it would be forced to take action for which the government will solely be responsible.
DR. WILFRED ACCUSED BY CHURCHILL ALEMAO
MARGAO: The PWD Minister, Mr Churchill Alemao, on Wednesday accused the former chief minister, Dr Willfred D’Souza, of trying to create obstacles in the developmental works at Saligao, mentioning that Dr D’souza had asked him to cancel the market project tender.
CHANGE OF HEART OR PRESSURE: BASSI SAYS GOA IS A SAFE PLACE, DRUGS ARE PUSHED IN BY UNSCRUPULOUS ELEMENTS
PANJIM: Outgoing police chief Bhimsen Bassi on Tuesday said the drug problem in Goa is "insignificant" and "drugs are being pushed into Goa by unscrupulous elements". The director general of police further said the state is a safe destination.
PARTING GIFT BY BASSI – 14 SUSPENDED COPS RE-INSTATED
PANJIM: Outgoing director general of police (DGP) Bhimsen Bassi on Tuesday reinstated 14 of 37 suspended police personnel, despite a departmental inquiry pending against them. The 14 police personnel have since been posted at Goa Reserve Police, a day before Bassi relinquished charge. Bassi handed over charge to new DGP Aditya Arya on Wednesday.
CONGRESS PARTY LEADERS AND FORCE TO MEET IN DELHI
PANJIM: Senior Congress party leaders, stakeholders and representatives of Forum for Rights of Children's Education (FORCE) will meet on May 18 in Delhi, to deliberate on the controversial issue of medium of instruction (MoI) in Goa.
MARGAO MUNICIPALITY LAUNCHES DRIVE TO RECOVER HOUSE TAXES
MARGAO: The Margao municipality has launched a drive to recover house-tax arrears. Municipality sources informed that recovery of house-tax arrears to the tune of 5 crore was to be carried out adding that the drive has evoked a good response.
CONGRATULATIONS-DOHA GOAN SPORTS CLUB by N. Fernandes, London
I would like to convey my congratulations to the Doha Goan Sports Club for the successful May Ball held on 5th May 2011. Reading information from the Global Press & Newspapers, it was a resounding success. The occasion was well attended and each and everybody had a “Ball of a time”! What was very impressive about this May Ball, was that, the Organisers did not have to import Corrupt, tainted, and thieving and looting MLA`s form Goa to be their Guest.
NATURALLY TEACHERS ARE UNHAPPY: LOSE TUITIONS PLUS EXTRA RESPONSIBILITY
PANJIM: Goa government's decision to implement Right to Education (RTE) Act from retrospective effect has sparked opposition from school teachers. Goa Headmasters Association (GHA) said the government has issued the circular at the eleventh hour disturbing their entire set up.
NO FAILURES TILL STD 8 by Dr. Ferdinando dos Reis Falcão
The Goa government has decided to have an education policy that schools should compulsorily pass all students upto standard 8th. Are these government decision makers learned people? Or just a pack of jokers making a mockery of the education system. Or do they want Goans to remain dropouts and illiterate? the only advantage is political, and that in future we will have MLAs who are at least 8th standard.
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