Shrusti makes Thorats smile
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Regaining consciousness on Monday, Shrusti Thorat who survived the accident that killed the rest of her family, smiled at doctors and asked for her parents.
“I had no answer and simply told her that they would be coming soon. I don’t know how long I will be able to hide the truth from her,” said Rupesh Thorat, her uncle, consternation writ large on his face.
Four-year-old Shrusti was unconscious at the Goa Medical College ICU since last Monday. In the grief the Thorat family is going through — they have lost their son Sunil, 35, his wife Jyoti, 30, and their six-month-old son Vinayak — Shrusti’s innocent smile on Monday came as a soothing salve.
“She was her father’s darling and very attached to him. She would miss him terribly whenever he went out for long,” said Rupesh.
Doctors said that Shrusti, admitted to GMC in a critical condition with severe head and chest injuries, is better. “Though she is under post-traumatic stress, she is conscious and her condition is improving,” doctors said. She was taken off the ventilator and shifted to the neuro surgery ward on Tuesday afternoon. Doctors said that Shrusti doesn’t seem to remember much about the moments before the deadly collision.
Describing Shrusti as a stubborn and mischievous girl, an emotional Rupesh said, “She is a fighter. Even at home, if she felt she was right, she would argue till she drove her point home.” It is, perhaps, the same fighting spirit that helped little Shrusti fight death. Shrusti was admitted to the GMC after her family, heading home to Mollem met with an accident at Palaskatta, Sukhtolem in Mollem. Thorats yet to get over shock
Panaji: Shrusti Thorat, the little girl who survived the fatal mishap that killed the rest of her family, has been taken off the ventilator and ever since, she’s been crying for her parents.
In the accident that took place last week, Sunil, who was driving the car in which the family was travelling, lost control and crashed into a tipper truck carrying iron ore and proceeding to Usgao, Tisk. Police said that Sunil was over speeding and the impact of the accident damaged the front portion of the car and the tipper.
Recollecting the events of that Monday evening, Rupesh said his family is yet to recover from the shock. “Sunil was the obedient son, who listened to my father and handled all his tasks. My father is yet to recover from the shock and is being treated by a doctor. We hope that news of Shrusti’s recovery will act like a balm for him,” said Rupesh.
Sunil, the younger of the family was living with his parents and ran a grocery shop in Mollem and rented out jeeps to tourists visiting Dudhsagar. His family said that this was not the first time Sunil had met with a collision at the same spot. “He collided with a motorcycle in 2005, but both walked away with minor knee injuries. After that he rarely drove and on Monday, he had driven when the accident occurred,” said Rupesh.
September 24, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Security exercise triggers panic
IGP Maintains That It Was A Mock Drill While Rumours Fly Thick And Fast
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Each time a red alert is declared, Goa swings into uncertainty. For, besides heavy patrolling activities, rumormongering also tends to trigger panic among people.
Monday afternoon was no different. Within seconds of a red alert being declared, fear and uncertainty only got more pronounced. Policemen intensified patrolling and bandobast duties and began checking vehicles, leaving several people stranded.
Meanwhile, rumours that explosives were transported into the state by road were rife. News that explosives had even been detected in Calangute did the rounds. However, these were found to be false. In fact, a few hours later, the red alert was lifted and the whole exercise was termed “a drill to ensure that the police are alert”.
Explaining the need for such drills, IGP Kishan Kumar said, “It’s not just the police, but even people who have to remain vigilant. Public involvement is necessary to fight any sort of terror. This will be a regular practice to ensure that we don’t lower our guard.”
According to IGP Kumar, it is time that the state snaps out of its complacent attitude. “Goa is considered a soft target because people believe that any criminal can enter and leave the state without getting noticed. But now we have to send a clear message that security is our main concern. People should also know about this and help”, he added.
Incidentally, it has been observed that every time a bomb blast occured anywhere in the country during the last five months, red alerts were issued in Goa followed by intensified patrolling. Police presence throughout the state, especially in the coastal areas, tends to get intensified.
To explain the importance of such drills, the beat constables in each area were asked on Monday to involve the general public and make them understand that “terrorism has spread. None of us are safe. Regular checks and drills, even though they might cause some discomfort, are very important for the safety of the state,” said IGP Kumar.
The Goa police terms a stage of preparation of the police during a contingency or emergency a “red alert”. “We increase police visibility on the road to instill confidence in people, besides intensifying security in crowded places like markets, bus stations, railway stations and airports,” said SSP (security) V V Chaudhary.
SP (special branch) Atmaram Deshpande said that people should neither panic nor get upset. “When in doubt, they need to either call the beat officer, nearest police station or the control room. People also shouldn’t fall prey to any sort of rumors as these create unwanted fear. But when a situation really arises, people will tend to become complacent wherein nobody will react, thus leading the troublemakers to take advantage.”
September 23, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Each time a red alert is declared, Goa swings into uncertainty. For, besides heavy patrolling activities, rumormongering also tends to trigger panic among people.
Monday afternoon was no different. Within seconds of a red alert being declared, fear and uncertainty only got more pronounced. Policemen intensified patrolling and bandobast duties and began checking vehicles, leaving several people stranded.
Meanwhile, rumours that explosives were transported into the state by road were rife. News that explosives had even been detected in Calangute did the rounds. However, these were found to be false. In fact, a few hours later, the red alert was lifted and the whole exercise was termed “a drill to ensure that the police are alert”.
Explaining the need for such drills, IGP Kishan Kumar said, “It’s not just the police, but even people who have to remain vigilant. Public involvement is necessary to fight any sort of terror. This will be a regular practice to ensure that we don’t lower our guard.”
According to IGP Kumar, it is time that the state snaps out of its complacent attitude. “Goa is considered a soft target because people believe that any criminal can enter and leave the state without getting noticed. But now we have to send a clear message that security is our main concern. People should also know about this and help”, he added.
Incidentally, it has been observed that every time a bomb blast occured anywhere in the country during the last five months, red alerts were issued in Goa followed by intensified patrolling. Police presence throughout the state, especially in the coastal areas, tends to get intensified.
To explain the importance of such drills, the beat constables in each area were asked on Monday to involve the general public and make them understand that “terrorism has spread. None of us are safe. Regular checks and drills, even though they might cause some discomfort, are very important for the safety of the state,” said IGP Kumar.
The Goa police terms a stage of preparation of the police during a contingency or emergency a “red alert”. “We increase police visibility on the road to instill confidence in people, besides intensifying security in crowded places like markets, bus stations, railway stations and airports,” said SSP (security) V V Chaudhary.
SP (special branch) Atmaram Deshpande said that people should neither panic nor get upset. “When in doubt, they need to either call the beat officer, nearest police station or the control room. People also shouldn’t fall prey to any sort of rumors as these create unwanted fear. But when a situation really arises, people will tend to become complacent wherein nobody will react, thus leading the troublemakers to take advantage.”
September 23, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Goa cops on Anjuna cleansing drive
Cops on Anjuna cleansing drive
Put Onus On Shackowners To Prevent Drugs, Beach Parties
Preetu Nair | TNN
Anjuna: Wild, drug-powered parties on the beach with loud music blaring through the night in Anjuna, marked on the world tourist map as the hippie haven in the sixties and seventies, may be a thing of the past this season. That is, if the government manages to implement its orders properly.
Rocked by the rape and murder of British teenager Scarlett Keeling in February and because of the increased threat perception in the state, the police say they are not taking any chances this tourist season. Local panchayats have been told by the police to ensure that all those who apply for no objection certificates to erect shacks and other tourist amusement centres on the beaches should prohibit the use of narcotic drugs and strictly follow the closing time of 11 pm.
The onus will be on the owners of these establishments if anything untoward happens in or around their premises, a police note to the panchayats said. “Strict measures need to be taken not just to ensure the safety of tourists but also to ensure security. Security of the state comes before tourism, and it’s the police’s responsibility to warn the agencies concerned,” said SP (North) Bosco George.
Owners of shacks and amusement centres have also been asked to display boards prohibiting the use of narcotic drugs. They will have to provide security not only to guests, but their belongings as well by employing guards verified by the police.
PARTY POOPER
Shacks must close down by 11 pm, order police Shackowners will be held responsible for any untoward incident on their premises or nearby Shackowners say the police diktats will hit the tourism industry Shackowners not keen on crackdown
Anjuna: Cracking down on beach parties and drug peddling, the police have asked the Anjuna panchayat to warn shack owners that they would be held responsible for anything untoward happening in and around their establishments. Hence, they should be prompt to intimate police of any suspicious thing or person in the vicinity of their premises.
A similar letter has also been sent by the Calangute police to the panchayat. “From the security point of view, both Calangute and Anjuna are vulnerable to terror attacks. These precautions are the need of the hour and the community as a whole has to cooperate,” added George.
Goa has been in terror crosshairs because of the large number of foreign tourists it attracts, especially from Russia, the UK, the US and Israel.
However, shackowners are not amused with the police idea. “This will adversely affect tourism. People come here because of the privacy they get and to enjoy the nightlife. We don’t encourage the sale or consumption of drugs in the shacks, but without music and nightlife we won’t have any tourists visiting us,” said All Goa Shack Owners Welfare Society president Cruz Cardozo.
Meanwhile, a request by the Anjuna panchayat to the tourism department to light up Vagator, Anjuna and Ozran beaches with sodium vapour lamps has been turned down.
“We had asked for sanction of 100 sodium vapour lamps and 500 street light fixtures to be provided on existing electricity poles on the beach side. But the tourism department has replied that the government has discontinued with the policy of supplying such material,” said Anjuna sarpanch Sandip Chimulkar.
Panchayat members are now toying with the idea of putting up tubelights and even focus light at strategic locations at the local police's request. “The beach area is absolutely dark. Scarlett’s rape and murder has already given a bad name to the place. This season we want to ensure that the place is safe for tourists. Proper lighting will also act as a deterrent to terrorists who might seek to take advantage of the cover of darkness,” added Chimulkar.
September 21, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Put Onus On Shackowners To Prevent Drugs, Beach Parties
Preetu Nair | TNN
Anjuna: Wild, drug-powered parties on the beach with loud music blaring through the night in Anjuna, marked on the world tourist map as the hippie haven in the sixties and seventies, may be a thing of the past this season. That is, if the government manages to implement its orders properly.
Rocked by the rape and murder of British teenager Scarlett Keeling in February and because of the increased threat perception in the state, the police say they are not taking any chances this tourist season. Local panchayats have been told by the police to ensure that all those who apply for no objection certificates to erect shacks and other tourist amusement centres on the beaches should prohibit the use of narcotic drugs and strictly follow the closing time of 11 pm.
The onus will be on the owners of these establishments if anything untoward happens in or around their premises, a police note to the panchayats said. “Strict measures need to be taken not just to ensure the safety of tourists but also to ensure security. Security of the state comes before tourism, and it’s the police’s responsibility to warn the agencies concerned,” said SP (North) Bosco George.
Owners of shacks and amusement centres have also been asked to display boards prohibiting the use of narcotic drugs. They will have to provide security not only to guests, but their belongings as well by employing guards verified by the police.
PARTY POOPER
Shacks must close down by 11 pm, order police Shackowners will be held responsible for any untoward incident on their premises or nearby Shackowners say the police diktats will hit the tourism industry Shackowners not keen on crackdown
Anjuna: Cracking down on beach parties and drug peddling, the police have asked the Anjuna panchayat to warn shack owners that they would be held responsible for anything untoward happening in and around their establishments. Hence, they should be prompt to intimate police of any suspicious thing or person in the vicinity of their premises.
A similar letter has also been sent by the Calangute police to the panchayat. “From the security point of view, both Calangute and Anjuna are vulnerable to terror attacks. These precautions are the need of the hour and the community as a whole has to cooperate,” added George.
Goa has been in terror crosshairs because of the large number of foreign tourists it attracts, especially from Russia, the UK, the US and Israel.
However, shackowners are not amused with the police idea. “This will adversely affect tourism. People come here because of the privacy they get and to enjoy the nightlife. We don’t encourage the sale or consumption of drugs in the shacks, but without music and nightlife we won’t have any tourists visiting us,” said All Goa Shack Owners Welfare Society president Cruz Cardozo.
Meanwhile, a request by the Anjuna panchayat to the tourism department to light up Vagator, Anjuna and Ozran beaches with sodium vapour lamps has been turned down.
“We had asked for sanction of 100 sodium vapour lamps and 500 street light fixtures to be provided on existing electricity poles on the beach side. But the tourism department has replied that the government has discontinued with the policy of supplying such material,” said Anjuna sarpanch Sandip Chimulkar.
Panchayat members are now toying with the idea of putting up tubelights and even focus light at strategic locations at the local police's request. “The beach area is absolutely dark. Scarlett’s rape and murder has already given a bad name to the place. This season we want to ensure that the place is safe for tourists. Proper lighting will also act as a deterrent to terrorists who might seek to take advantage of the cover of darkness,” added Chimulkar.
September 21, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Medical tourism may take a hit
Medical tourism may take a hit
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Hospitals in Goa engaged in medical tourism forsee a 50% fall in arrival of foreigners this season. Alarmed by initial trends, some hospitals are planning new schemes to attract walk-in foreign tourists.
“We expect a 50% decline among foreign tourists who come for dental, cosmetic or bariatic treatment to Goa. Generally during the tourist season, about 10 rooms are booked by foreigners, but the quantum is expected to be less this season,” said Victor Albuquerque, pioneer in medical tourism in Goa.
There’s been a steep decline in bookings by foreign patients at Albuquerque’s Margao hospital, Apollo Victor. From some 200 bookings by foreigners last year, the number has decreased to 20 this year. “We were expecting a 25% increase in foreign patients and had even tied up with hospitals in UK, but due to the global meltdown and Goa’s image sliding from bad to worse, there has been a drastic decline in the number of patients this season,” said Albuquerque.
Most hospitals in Goa offering cosmetic surgery were expecting an increase of about 25% to 50% of foreign patients this year. “The bookings are low this season even though we were expecting a higher turnout. We just hope there’s no decline in walk-in foreign tourists this season,” said Dr Digambar Naik of Vrundavan hospital, Mapusa.
Interestingly, to attract walk-in foreign tourists, Goan hospitals are now planning new schemes. Said Selvio Fernandes, marketing manager, Campal Clinic, “We are also not far from introducing attractive schemes as it is the need of the hour. However, we have yet to decide on what to offer to our international clients.” LOW COST TREATMENT Schemes to woo medical tourists
Panaji: With hospitals in Goa expecting a decline in foreigners coming for treatment to the state this season, they are thinkin up innovative schemes to woo the medical-tourist.
“We are planning to offer discounts or free health check-ups to walk-in international patients. The whole idea is to make them feel important,” said Edna Noronha, manager (marketing), Apollo Victor hospital.
Some hospitals are planning to send medical teams to examine patients at their hotels rather than have them come to hospital.
Low-cost treatment and better facilities had turned Goa into a hot destination for tourists seeking dental or cosmetic treatment. In 2007, about 250 tourists went under the scapel in a bid to enhance their looks in four hospitals across the state.
A majority of the tourists who came for treatment were
from the United Kingdom and the United States. According to doctors, the most sought after treatments were liposuction (fat removal), facelift, tummy tuck or abdominoplasty, botox treatment and breast enlargement or reduction.
September 19, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Hospitals in Goa engaged in medical tourism forsee a 50% fall in arrival of foreigners this season. Alarmed by initial trends, some hospitals are planning new schemes to attract walk-in foreign tourists.
“We expect a 50% decline among foreign tourists who come for dental, cosmetic or bariatic treatment to Goa. Generally during the tourist season, about 10 rooms are booked by foreigners, but the quantum is expected to be less this season,” said Victor Albuquerque, pioneer in medical tourism in Goa.
There’s been a steep decline in bookings by foreign patients at Albuquerque’s Margao hospital, Apollo Victor. From some 200 bookings by foreigners last year, the number has decreased to 20 this year. “We were expecting a 25% increase in foreign patients and had even tied up with hospitals in UK, but due to the global meltdown and Goa’s image sliding from bad to worse, there has been a drastic decline in the number of patients this season,” said Albuquerque.
Most hospitals in Goa offering cosmetic surgery were expecting an increase of about 25% to 50% of foreign patients this year. “The bookings are low this season even though we were expecting a higher turnout. We just hope there’s no decline in walk-in foreign tourists this season,” said Dr Digambar Naik of Vrundavan hospital, Mapusa.
Interestingly, to attract walk-in foreign tourists, Goan hospitals are now planning new schemes. Said Selvio Fernandes, marketing manager, Campal Clinic, “We are also not far from introducing attractive schemes as it is the need of the hour. However, we have yet to decide on what to offer to our international clients.” LOW COST TREATMENT Schemes to woo medical tourists
Panaji: With hospitals in Goa expecting a decline in foreigners coming for treatment to the state this season, they are thinkin up innovative schemes to woo the medical-tourist.
“We are planning to offer discounts or free health check-ups to walk-in international patients. The whole idea is to make them feel important,” said Edna Noronha, manager (marketing), Apollo Victor hospital.
Some hospitals are planning to send medical teams to examine patients at their hotels rather than have them come to hospital.
Low-cost treatment and better facilities had turned Goa into a hot destination for tourists seeking dental or cosmetic treatment. In 2007, about 250 tourists went under the scapel in a bid to enhance their looks in four hospitals across the state.
A majority of the tourists who came for treatment were
from the United Kingdom and the United States. According to doctors, the most sought after treatments were liposuction (fat removal), facelift, tummy tuck or abdominoplasty, botox treatment and breast enlargement or reduction.
September 19, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Goa cops get cycle allowance: Rs 20
Goa cops get cycle allowance: Rs 20
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Terrorists have gone hitech, but the Goa government still expects its constables and hawaldars to go patrolling on bicycles.
How else can one explain the Rs 20 policemen below the rank of assistant sub-inspector get as cycle allowance? ASIs and inspectors are paid Rs 60 a month as conveyance allowance.
This, at a time when the cost of a litre of petrol is around Rs 50 and a beat constable has to cover about 35 km a day. A constable’s basic salary is about Rs 3,050, while that of a hawaldar is Rs 4,050.
“In certain police stations, constables get Rs 100 and head constables are paid Rs 150 as permanent travel allowance, which depends on the area they have to cover. Not every police station has the benefit,” said SP (headquarters) Omprakash Kudchadkar.
The police department also provides Rs 1,500 as interest free loan to constables and hawaldars to purchase cycles. And a police officer completing 12 years in service is entitled to an interestfree loan of Rs 30,000 to purchase a motorbike.
SP (North) Bosco George said, “Rather than a conveyance allowance, the government should provide vehicles to beat constables. The onus would then be on the beat constable to perform.” WOEFULLY ILL-EQUIPPED
Ensuring peace with junk bikes, paltry allowances
Panaji: Policemen also complain that though police stations have been allotted vehicles, most of them are eight to nine years old and in urgent need of repair.
In North Goa, there are 15 jeeps allotted to 12 police stations. Of these, Panaji, Ponda and Mapusa have been allotted two jeeps each, but one each in Panaji and Ponda have been under repairs for almost a month now.
Besides, say police officials, there are 15 PCR vans in North, of which five have been sent for repairs and of the 70 motorcycles, 16 are fit for condemnation.
In South, all 38 motorcycles and 10 of the 26 jeeps have been recommended for condemnation.
“The government doesn’t understand the practical difficulties faced by a policeman. Basic facilities are not provided, yet the police are expected to work 24x7.
“Till the time a policeman is expected to pay from his pocket for patrolling, no beat system will be successful,” said retired IGP PV Sinari.
Policemen in Goa, which is currently on red alert following blasts in other parts of the country, are doing their job without adequate government vehicles.
It is little consolation that constables and hawaldars are paid a cycle allowance of Rs 20 every month. It is a different matter altogether that officials who go out of their jurisdiction on duty are given a travel allowance.
Advocating vehicles for the police, superintendent of police (SP) (South) Shekhar Prabhudessai said, “Once beat constables are given vehicles, they will have a sense of responsibility as it would be convenient for them to cover the beat area.”
September 18, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Terrorists have gone hitech, but the Goa government still expects its constables and hawaldars to go patrolling on bicycles.
How else can one explain the Rs 20 policemen below the rank of assistant sub-inspector get as cycle allowance? ASIs and inspectors are paid Rs 60 a month as conveyance allowance.
This, at a time when the cost of a litre of petrol is around Rs 50 and a beat constable has to cover about 35 km a day. A constable’s basic salary is about Rs 3,050, while that of a hawaldar is Rs 4,050.
“In certain police stations, constables get Rs 100 and head constables are paid Rs 150 as permanent travel allowance, which depends on the area they have to cover. Not every police station has the benefit,” said SP (headquarters) Omprakash Kudchadkar.
The police department also provides Rs 1,500 as interest free loan to constables and hawaldars to purchase cycles. And a police officer completing 12 years in service is entitled to an interestfree loan of Rs 30,000 to purchase a motorbike.
SP (North) Bosco George said, “Rather than a conveyance allowance, the government should provide vehicles to beat constables. The onus would then be on the beat constable to perform.” WOEFULLY ILL-EQUIPPED
Ensuring peace with junk bikes, paltry allowances
Panaji: Policemen also complain that though police stations have been allotted vehicles, most of them are eight to nine years old and in urgent need of repair.
In North Goa, there are 15 jeeps allotted to 12 police stations. Of these, Panaji, Ponda and Mapusa have been allotted two jeeps each, but one each in Panaji and Ponda have been under repairs for almost a month now.
Besides, say police officials, there are 15 PCR vans in North, of which five have been sent for repairs and of the 70 motorcycles, 16 are fit for condemnation.
In South, all 38 motorcycles and 10 of the 26 jeeps have been recommended for condemnation.
“The government doesn’t understand the practical difficulties faced by a policeman. Basic facilities are not provided, yet the police are expected to work 24x7.
“Till the time a policeman is expected to pay from his pocket for patrolling, no beat system will be successful,” said retired IGP PV Sinari.
Policemen in Goa, which is currently on red alert following blasts in other parts of the country, are doing their job without adequate government vehicles.
It is little consolation that constables and hawaldars are paid a cycle allowance of Rs 20 every month. It is a different matter altogether that officials who go out of their jurisdiction on duty are given a travel allowance.
Advocating vehicles for the police, superintendent of police (SP) (South) Shekhar Prabhudessai said, “Once beat constables are given vehicles, they will have a sense of responsibility as it would be convenient for them to cover the beat area.”
September 18, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
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