GOACOM DAILY NEWS CLIPPINGS 19 January, 2005 THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "Vhoddleo monti kolponam ghanstat; sumaracheo monti ghoddpam ghanstat; dhakttuleo monti lokacheo ghansnneo kortat." (Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.) "domnic fernandes" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
INTER-STATE MANHUNT LAUNCHED: The State police remained tightlipped on the progress in investigating the mysterious kidnapping and death of Dr Shrikant Verenkar, despite unprecedented, fast paced efforts to solve the crime. Police officials confirmed that a manhunt had been launched in the neighbouring states of Maharashtra and Karnataka. Vasco police managed to track down the vehicle used to kidnap the doctor. At least 25 persons were interrogated by the police on grounds of their suspected involvement in the case. (GT) VASCOITES CALL FOR BANDH TODAY: Residents in the port town have called for a Vasco bandh on January 19, in protest over the killing of prominent city-based doctor Dr Shrikant Verenkar on Monday and to condemn the inaction of the police in nabbing the prime accused in the crime. Vasco police are yet to arrest the prime suspect - Dr Verenkar's son-in-law Ryan Fernandes - even as Porvorim police on Tuesday traced the red Maruti van, which was reportedly used by the accused in the crime. (H) .WITHIN 48 HOURS: The Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Mr Muktesh Chander, claimed on January 18, that the culprits who killed the political leader and Vasco Physician, Dr Srikant Verenkar, would be apprehended soon and the public would come to know about all facts within 48 hours. (NT) UK CO TO SALVAGE RIVER PRINCESS: The State government has finalized its plans to salvage the ill-fated "River Princess" with a UK-based company being awarded the contract after it submitted the winning bid, though Tourism Department officials refused to divulge any information. According to reliable sources, the British company Crosschem International Limited, outbid an Indian company, which was the only competitor. Interestingly, the Dutch salvage company, Smit International, which has long been associated with efforts to salvage the ship, did not take part in the bidding process. (GT) 24-HR WATER FOR MAJOR CITIES? The main cities in Goa may still have some problems with water supply they receive for fixed number of hours. But the government has ambitious plans to provide 24-hour water supply to four cities by August-September this year. The PWD Secretary Debashree Mukherjee assures that the government is serious about the challenge it has taken up and adds that it has already started working on the project. (H) CHURCH EDUCATION BOARD OPPOSES VCD: The Archdiocesan Board of Education has strongly objected to the government's directive to screen the VCD "Goa Freedom Struggle" in Goan schools stating that the very aim of the VCD is suspect. A letter to this effect was written by the ABE secretary, Fr Tony Salema, on January 4, 2005, and addressed to the Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Parrikar, who is also the Education Minister. (NT) DISQUALIFICATION BILL: OPPOSITION BANKS ON JAMIR: The Opposition parties have now pinned their hopes on the Governor, either after meeting him or raising a protest over the passing of the Goa Members of Legislative Assembly (Removal of Disqualification)(Amendment) Bill, 2005, on 13 January. (GT) MOIRA VP CHIEF, DY FACE NO-TRUST: Four panchas have recently moved a no-confidence motion against sarpanch Prashanti Chari and DY Sarpanch Raja Rane, after accusing them of taking vital decisions without taking the panchas into confidence. (H) VELIM SARPANCH VOTED OUT: Velim Sarpanch Baptista Fernandes was on Tuesday (Jan 18) voted out of office in a no trust motion. Deputy Sarpanch Reina Fernandes and Panch Agnelo abstained. (H) PAINTINGS BY GOAN CHILDREN FOR NEW YORK EXPO: SARAR International, a non-profit organization based in New York, is planning an exhibition of Goan children's drawings and paintings based on their reactions, to help raise funds for the relief and rehabilitation of Tsunami survivors. Dr Lyra Ribeiro Srinivasan, the founder the SARAR International who is currently on a brief visit to Goa, believes that the children of Goa could make an invaluable contribution to the humanitarian effort. Parents who would like their children to be involved should take their wards to ACDIL High School, Alto Porvorim, January 23, at 10 am. Panjim, Mapusa and Margao venues will be announced later. The selected work for the exhibition in Manhattan will be done by a panel of New York artists, while the proceeds of all sales will be donated to UNICEF. For contact: Rajendra Usapkar, Coordinator, mobile no 9822-878219 or email [EMAIL PROTECTED] MHADEI VALLEY IN DANGER: One of the 25 biological hotspots in the world, which is located close to the state border with Karnataka and is also the source of Goa's lifeline, is being threatened by illegal mining and tree-felling. Environmentalists are worried about the increasing human intervention in this area, which they have been campaigning to be declared as Sahyadri Ecologically Sensitive Area as this is not only the originating point of River Mandovi but has also been considered one of the finest rainforests in the country with a rich variety of flora and fauna. (Paul Fernandes in GT) PLASTIC FREE CITY: The Corporation of the City of Panaji is proposing to move a recommendation to the State government for making Panjim a plastic free city. The Mayor of the Corporation, Ashok Naik, while mooting the said proposal expressed serious concerns about plastic material clogging the drains of Panjim city and causing floods during the monsoons. He said, "Plastic is poisonous everywhere in Goa but affect municipal areas more." (H) PANAJI, PONDA PDAS RECONSTITUTED: In a new development, the State government has reconstituted the Panaji and Ponda Planning and Development Authorities. (NT) RECYCLING OF PLASTIC: The Governor, SC Jamir, has stressed the need for a change in the mindset of the citizens as well as policy makers over recycling of plastic and called for efforts to explore possibilities for utilization of non-recyclable plastic. (H) TRAFFIC ISLAND AT SANTA CRUZ: PWD Minister Sudin Dhavlikar on Tuesday (Jan 18) assured a delegation of villagers from Santa Cruz constituency that the government would construct a traffic island and other remedial measures at Santa Cruz-Merces bypass junction on NH-17, in order to stop increasing road accidents there. (GT) "FOTTKIRO" REFLECTS A BUNDLE OF LIES: The sixth Goa Tiatr contest took off with the staging of Cor-San Dramatic Troupe's "Fottkiro", written by Filipe Pereira. The scintillating music by Cotta and his group added liveliness to the tiatr. (H) NEW LOOK FOR WOMEN'S POLICE STATION: The Women's Police station has been shifted to a new premises. With a new look, the environment is pleasant. Each official has her own distinctive place in the glass-partitioned cubicles. (GT) LOVE-STRICKEN MAN LANDS IN GMC: One Juze da Costa (36) from Badeghat-Panchawadi is presently being treated for head injuries at the GMC after he was mercilessly beaten by the brothers of a woman, in what was termed a one-sided love affair. (H) TWO-WAY 'LIGHT' TRAFFIC ON OLD MANDOVI BRIDGE: Inquiries with the traffic cell, Panjim, has revealed that the government has allowed light motor vehicles coming into the city, to use the old Mandovi Bridge on trial basis. (H) LIQUOR WORTH RS.5 LAKH GUTTED: Liquor worth Rs.5 lakh was destroyed after a major fire engulfed a liquor godown at Feira Baixa on Tuesday morning at around 9.30 am. The exact cause of the fire has not been ascertained. (H) BOOK ON DRAMA: A book on drama "Acting Acting" by Mahesh Chandrakant Naik has been released on January 15 by noted poet, Manoharrai Sardesai. Naik has already released four drama books. (NT) DESTRUCTION OF HERITAGE: Here in Corjuem, Aldona, which is in the limelight because of the state-of-the-art cable stayed bridge, we are celebrating 150 years of our Chapel dedicated to Mae de Deus (Mother of God). In commemoration of the 150th centenary, some of the parishioners in authority are proposing to extend the Chapel premises in front be demolishing the existing 150 years old front façade and erecting a new one some eight metres in front without the consent of the parishioners as required by the Rules and Regulations of the Fabrica/Cofres. (Anthony Soares, Corjuem, in a letter to the editor-Herald) CUNCOLIM EDUCATION SOC CHIEF DEAD: The chairman of the Cuncolim Education Society, Adv Pio Lawrence, passed away on January 18 after a brief illness, at the age of 80. Lawrence had been at the helm of affairs of the Society since 1968. The Society runs three educational institutions - a school, a higher secondary and a college - catering to the educational needs of the villages of Assolna, Velim, Cuncolim and neighbouring areas. (H) CALANGUTE SARPANCH TURNS 43: Joseph Sequeira, sarpanch of Calangute, will be completing 43 years on January 19. (H) THOMAS COOK AWARD: Taj Exotica Goa has received its first award in 2005 - Thomas Cook Marque of Excellence Award for 2004. The award was presented to Mr Helmut Meckelburg, general manager and area director, Goa, by Ms Mandi Watson, gateway manager, Goa, Thomas Cook operations. (NT) DR FERNANDES GETS NATIONAL SCIENCE MEDAL: Dr Rodney Agostinho Fernandes has been recently awarded the Indian National Science Academy Medal for his significant contributions in asymmetric synthesis of Bio-Active Natural Products. Dr Fernandes, who hails from Agonda-Canacona, did his BSC and MSC in Chemistry from Goa University in 1995 and 1997 respectively and PhD from Pune University in 2003. He is presently at AvH Research Fellow (Post Doc) at the Institut Fur Organische Chemie und Bio-Chemi, Freiburg, Germany. (H) S P O R T S TOLLYGUNGE SURPRISE CHURCHILL: Coca Cola Churchill Bros defence allowed space for rivals to operate and paid dearly as Tollygunge scored, once in each half to down the Goans 2-1 and score their first win in the second round of the ONGC 9th National Football league, at Fatorda on Jan 118. (GT) D E A T H S 16 Jan: Clevedon, Avon, UK: JOE SEQUEIRA (aged 98, ex-Mombassa); Husband of Grace; Father of Millie/Reis; Grandfather of Neil, Charlene & Glyn. Condolences to Grace Sequeira, 3 Knightstone Mansions, 4 Hill Road, Clevedon, BS21 7NE, UK or [EMAIL PROTECTED] Funeral details will be published at http://www.goanvoice.org.uk/ 14 Jan: Bastora: JOY ANNE SZULC (34); wife of Peter, daughter of Benny/Lydia, grandniece of Edith da Cunha; late Diva Alvares, late Olga Costa, Policarpo, Gertrudes Vaz (Bastora), expired in Vancouver, Canada. 18 Jan: Sirsaim: CAITANO MARIA D'SOUZA; husband of Santana, father of Zarina/Bernard and Zelia/William. 18 Jan: Santa Cruz: ROMARIO JESUS ANTHONY DIAS SAPECO; son of Zeferino/Flavia. 17 Agassaim: MILAGRES JOAO CABRAL; husband of Luizinha Camelo, father of Joasquim/Carmelina (Paris), Joao Pedro/Christalina, Anton Paul/Raquel, Maxcy/Vincent Camilo (Muscat). 18 Jan: Cuncolim: ADV PIO F LAWRENCE; husband of Tereza, brother of Martha/late Assizo, Albertina/Cleto, Filomena/late Silvano. G O A W E A T H E R Max Temp: 30.0 degC; Min Temp: 17.9 degC; Relative Humidity: 71%. Weather: Clear skies, bright sunshine this morning in Goa. The evenings continue to be windy since the last couple of days. Courtesy: NT = The Navhind Times; GT = Gomantak Times; H = Herald; WE = Weekender Joel D'Souza Assagao, Goa, India. www.goacom.com