GOACOM DAILY NEWS CLIPPINGS 02 January, 2005 TWO DEAD, EIGHT HURT: The first few hours of New Year began on a tragic note in the State, with two dead and as many as eight injured in four separate road mishaps in different parts of the state. The mishaps, which took place in the talukas of Salcete, Mormugao, Bardez and Ponda, involved eight vehicles which comprised six two-wheelers, a jeep and a tanker. (H)
YOUTH KILLED IN ROAD ACCIDENT: New Year party proved to be fatal for a youth who met with an accident at Ribandar-Patto in the early hours of Saturday morning. Richard Pereira (19) and Christopher Fernandes (17), both residents of Khorlim, were returning home on a two-wheeler after attending a New Year Party. On reaching Ribandar-Patto, the motorcycle driven by Richard, dashed against a roadside milestone as a result of which both were thrown off the two-wheeler. While Christopher, the pillion rider, died on the spot, Richard sustained grievous head injuries. (WE-GT) GOVERNOR LIKELY TO RECOMMEND VCD WITHDRAWAL: It is reliably learnt that the Goa Governor SC Jamir is giving finishing touches to a detailed note addressed to the state government advising it on how this entire issue should have been handled. It is also learnt that the Governor is almost certain to ask the government to withdraw the VCD from all schools, pending a thorough probe into its contents. (WE-GT) BARGE CAPSIZES OFF ARABIAN SEA: Ten crew members had a miraculous escape after an iron-ore laden barge they were working on, capsized in the Arabian Sea off Raj Bhavan on Saturday (January 1) evening. Life raft and life-jackets in the barge helped the crew to remain afloat. Fortunately for them, a fishing trawler which noticed the barge sinking, came to their rescue. (H) WOMAN ALLEGES RAPE BY DRIVER: A 22-year-old married woman has complained to Maina-Curtorim police that she was allegedly raped by her driver in their garage at Damon-Raia. The incident reported occurred on December 16 at about 10.30 pm, when the 56-year-old accused allegedly summoned the woman to hand over the car keys. (H) MINOR GIRL RAPED AT PORVORIM: The advent of New Year was on a criminal note with the raping of a minor girl at Porvorim on Saturday. The police said that one Bir Badshah Yabsure, a resident of Torda, Salvador to Mundo, lured two minor girls residing at Bambolim while they had gone to the Panaji market. He then took them on his motorcycle to an isolated spot near Teen Building, Porvorim, where he alleged raped one of the girls. (WE-GT) EXPOSITION CONCLUDES TODAY: The concluding ceremony of the Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavier at Old Goa will be held today (January 2). A procession carrying the Sacred Relics from the Se Cathedral to Bom Jesus Basilica will commence at 8.30 am followed by mass at 9.30 am. In all 1,54,398 devotees attended the Exposition and kissing of the Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavier from 27 November 2004 to 1 January 2005, while 78,725 devotees attended the mass services during the same period. (WE-GT) BANK STAFF PROTEST: The bank officers and award staff of Union Bank of India and Bank of India recently staged a demonstration in front of Union Bank of India, Panaji and Margao branches, to oppose the proposed unilateral merger move of the Union Bank of India and Bank of India. (WE-GT) MOST COMPETITIVE: According to the State Competitiveness Report 2004 prepared by the National productivity Council, Goa is the most competitive state among 14 minor states in the country, followed closely by Delhi. Meghalaya and Nagaland are at the bottom of this list. As far as the major states are concerned, Maharashtra is on top among 14 major states followed by Punjab, Gujarat, Karnataka and Kerala. (H) CYBERAGE SCHEME TAKES OFF: The State government has set the Cyberage scheme rolling by inviting applications for the same which ends on January 15, 2005. The government has finalised a decision of providing printers in the package at no extra cost to the beneficiaries under the scheme. Likewise educations, CDs will also be provided under the scheme. In all, a total of 12,000 students are expected to be covered under the scheme which is being implemented for the third consecutive year. It is learnt that Std XI students from all streams will be covered under the scheme. A student with marks exceeding 60 per cent in the SSC examinations will have to pay a sum of Rs.1000, those with 50 per cent and above will have to pay Rs.1,250 and those with less than 50 per cent marks will have to pay Rs.1,500. (H) WENDELL RELEASES VALENTINO'S BOOK: Fashion designer Wendell Rodricks released "How to be an Instant Goan", a book authored by Goan columnist and journalist Valentino Fernandes, at an impressive function held at the Broadway Book Centre, St Inez. Adv Norma Alvares and popular cartoonist Alexyz were present. Wendell praised Valentino for publishing the book and hoped that the esteemed Goan readers would enjoy reading the book. Normal Alvares said the author was a Goan at heart and the book makes delightful reading about Goans in different parts of the world and their way of living. The book is illustrated by popular cartoonist Alexyz and is an 'indispensable guide for everyone who aspires to be a Goan at heart'. The 150-page book is designed and printed by Diamond Publications, Panaji, and is priced at Rs.150. The programme began with a guitar recital by Rui Lobo of the Goa Guitar Guild. Alexyz welcome the gathering and Valentino Fernandes proposed a vote of thanks. (WE-GT) GOMANT VISHWA SAMMELAN BEGINS TOMORROW; A three-day Second Gomant Vishwa Sammelan (International Goans Convention) organised by the NRI Facilitation Centre will begin at the Kala Academy complex, Campal, Panaji, on 3 January. Governor SC Jamir will be the chief guest and inaugurate the session, which will be presided over the Speaker Vishwas Satarkar at 10 am. (WE-GT) POOR FACILITIES AT PERNEM BEACHES: The beaches of Ashvem, Morjim, Junas and Khadchebag in Pernem talukas have the potential to attract tourists with their pristine nature. However, the lack of proper infrastructure facilities and other unfavourable activities along these beaches, has evoked sharp reactions against the lackadaisical attitude of the concerned authorities. (H) WATER SUPPLY TO PANAJI DISRUPTED: The water supply to Panaji and surrounding areas has been disrupted following a major break-down of main water supply pipeline at Chirpute, Mardol, since 4 pm on Saturday. (WE-GT) BUFFALO ELECTROCUTED: A buffalo was electrocuted on Friday when it came in contact with a live wire that snapped from the main line and was lying in the field at Poinguinim. (H) HOLY CROSS EX-STUDENTS' REUNION: The ex-Students Association of Holy Cross High School, Siolim, will organise the Ex-Students Re-Union today at the school grounds. The solemn Eucharistic celebration will be at 5 pm followed by the felicitation of past teachers. Students will have the opportunity to visit their old classrooms and meet the teachers. The day will culminate in a formal social gathering of Dine n' Dance. (WE-GT) MAPUSA CLINIC CELEBRATES 34TH ANNIVERSARY: What started 33 years ago entirely due to the efforts of three doctors - Dr Datta Gaitonde, Dr Madhu Kolvalkar and Dr Alfred Costa, who came down from Germany, USA and Portugal respectively - has today flowered in a centre called the Mapusa Clinic. On Monday, the clinic celebrates its 34th anniversary in the service of humanity. (WE-GT) NOVEL RELEASED: The second edition of the novel "Rishart", written by Advocate Rajesh Narvekar, was released by the Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar recently. Narvekar's first book was "Bevda Bapacha Beta" and his second book was "Ekvis Shati Shatam Prati". (H) PHOTO EXPO AT OLD GOA: Able, Stable and Progressive, a photo exhibition which was set up on the occasion of the Exposition of the sacred relics of St Francis Xavier at Old Goa by the department of Information and Publicity, Government of Goa, depicts the progress made by the state in field of art, culture and education. The exhibition has been conceptualized by James Goes, senior photographer in the Directorate of Information and Publicity. (H) S P O R T S D E A T H S 01 Jan: Fatrade: LUIS D'SOUZA: husband of Luiza Maria, father of Francis/Rita, Johnny, Viona/Lucio D'Mello. G O A W E A T H E R Max temp: 35.1 degC; Min temp: 21.6 degC; Relative Humidity: 78% Weather: There was a rather rare pattern of clouds in the morning sky in Goa today. Clusters of white clouds were seen all over the blue sky except in the centre. Courtesy: GT=Gomantak Times; NT=The Navhind Times; H=Herald; WE=Weekender. JOEL D'SOUZA Assagao, Bardez, Goa. www.goacom.com