Waiters kill Australian at Calangute
Tourist Picked Up Fight Over Serving Beer
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: An Australian tourist had to pay with his life in Goa on Wednesday after he picked up an argument with a restaurant waiter over how a beer should be served. John Kelly, 65, had gone to Calangute’s Club City Restaurant around 8 am and ordered a beer. However, he was not happy with the waiter’s service and scolded him.
“This resulted in an argument between the two. A group of waiters then beat up the Australian and tore up his clothes,” said a police official. Pushed around, the tourist fell to the floor, he said. Kelly was immediately rushed to Goa Medical College and Hospital, where he breathed his last at 5 pm. He had arrived in Goa on September 29.
“From what we have gathered, the foreigner suffered internal injuries to which he succumbed. We have detained two persons—a waiter and a security guard of the restaurant,” said superintendent of police (North) Bosco George.
Calangute police inspector Tushar Vernekar said, “We have registered a case of murder and are investigating the matter.”
Police said Kelly was rushed to hospital in a critical condition and passed away before they could register his statement. Based on information provided by a friend who was with Kelly in hospital, the police rounded up few of the waiters for interrogation and came to know what had happened.
The post-mortem will be conducted on Thursday.
This is not the first time that a foreign tourist to the state has been attacked. Early this year, British teenager Scarlett Keeling was allegedly raped and murdered by two locals. In another incident recently, a Russian woman was beaten up by locals, forcing the Russian consulate to write to the state chief minister alleging “national or racial intolerance”.
A couple of years back, another tourist to Goa from the UK, Stephen Bennett, was found murdered.
October 09,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Lure of cell proves tragic for Ponda girl
Lure of cell proves tragic for Ponda girl
Rapists Took Her To Hotel With Promise Of A Phone, Dress
Preetu Nair | TNN
Ponda: It was a picture she may never have visualised—that her desire for a mobile phone with camera would make her pay so heavy a price.
On Saturday morning, the 14-year-old called up Pritesh Nageshkar, 23, a regular visitor to her school, from a PCO at Ponda bus stand. He had promised to take her to Panaji’s Miramar beach.
However, Pritesh told the girl that three of his friends would be accompanying him, and she objected.
“He then promised to gift me a mobile phone and a new churidaar. I always wanted a mobile with camera as no one in my family has a camera,” said the standard VII student.
The minor said that as the boys appeared friendly, she didn’t object when they took her in a car to a hotel. “But once in the room, three of them raped me. When I resisted and struggled, they threatened to kill me if opened my mouth. I cried that it was painful, but they refused to listen,” she said.
According to the girl, she was taken to a hotel at Kundaim on the Ponda-Panaji highway, Ponda PI Manjunath Dessai said. She claims she was raped in the hotel and later dumped outside it.
Apart from Pritesh, the police have arrested Abhinay Naik, 25, and Nikhil Marathe, 24, for alleged rape. Dheep Fernandes, 21, has been arrested for driving the group to the hotel and later picking them up. All the boys are from Ponda. Investigations continue in rape of 14-yr-old
Ponda: Police are investigating what happened between Saturday morning, when a 14-year-old Ponda girl left home for school, and S u n d ay eve n i n g , when she re t u r n e d home, and alleged that she had been raped. They suspect the girl was with the accused all along as she was picked up from Ponda bus stand on Saturday morning.
Police say there might have been a struggle between the victim and the accused as the mirror in a Kundaim hotel room in which she was allegedly raped was found broken. The girl’s father, a watchman, said she had left home at 7.15 am on Saturday in her school uniform. When she didn’t return home from school, which is just 5 km away, till late in the evening, the family lodged a missing complaint.
“After she returned home at about 11.30 pm on Sunday, we were shocked to know what had happened to her and decided to lodge a police complaint,” he said. “My wife is in a state of shock and is refusing to eat. Her blood pressure has dropped,” he added.
Manager of the hotel, Deepak Prabhu, said two rooms were booked at about 5.30 pm on Sunday by a person named Nikhil Marathe from Usgao, Ponda. They initially wanted to book only one room, but as there were four persons we insisted that he take two. We also asked for his photo identity. Initially, he was reluctant but gave us his driving license. We kept this with us till the four checked out at 7 pm.”
October 8,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Rapists Took Her To Hotel With Promise Of A Phone, Dress
Preetu Nair | TNN
Ponda: It was a picture she may never have visualised—that her desire for a mobile phone with camera would make her pay so heavy a price.
On Saturday morning, the 14-year-old called up Pritesh Nageshkar, 23, a regular visitor to her school, from a PCO at Ponda bus stand. He had promised to take her to Panaji’s Miramar beach.
However, Pritesh told the girl that three of his friends would be accompanying him, and she objected.
“He then promised to gift me a mobile phone and a new churidaar. I always wanted a mobile with camera as no one in my family has a camera,” said the standard VII student.
The minor said that as the boys appeared friendly, she didn’t object when they took her in a car to a hotel. “But once in the room, three of them raped me. When I resisted and struggled, they threatened to kill me if opened my mouth. I cried that it was painful, but they refused to listen,” she said.
According to the girl, she was taken to a hotel at Kundaim on the Ponda-Panaji highway, Ponda PI Manjunath Dessai said. She claims she was raped in the hotel and later dumped outside it.
Apart from Pritesh, the police have arrested Abhinay Naik, 25, and Nikhil Marathe, 24, for alleged rape. Dheep Fernandes, 21, has been arrested for driving the group to the hotel and later picking them up. All the boys are from Ponda. Investigations continue in rape of 14-yr-old
Ponda: Police are investigating what happened between Saturday morning, when a 14-year-old Ponda girl left home for school, and S u n d ay eve n i n g , when she re t u r n e d home, and alleged that she had been raped. They suspect the girl was with the accused all along as she was picked up from Ponda bus stand on Saturday morning.
Police say there might have been a struggle between the victim and the accused as the mirror in a Kundaim hotel room in which she was allegedly raped was found broken. The girl’s father, a watchman, said she had left home at 7.15 am on Saturday in her school uniform. When she didn’t return home from school, which is just 5 km away, till late in the evening, the family lodged a missing complaint.
“After she returned home at about 11.30 pm on Sunday, we were shocked to know what had happened to her and decided to lodge a police complaint,” he said. “My wife is in a state of shock and is refusing to eat. Her blood pressure has dropped,” he added.
Manager of the hotel, Deepak Prabhu, said two rooms were booked at about 5.30 pm on Sunday by a person named Nikhil Marathe from Usgao, Ponda. They initially wanted to book only one room, but as there were four persons we insisted that he take two. We also asked for his photo identity. Initially, he was reluctant but gave us his driving license. We kept this with us till the four checked out at 7 pm.”
October 8,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Youtube- Accused, victim, boy suspended
Accused, victim, boy suspended
RMS School Conducting Inquiry Into Youtube Fight
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: Acting on a complaint filed by a standard XII student against her classmate, who beat her up and later uploaded the contents of the fight on Youtube, the school principal of RMS Higher Secondary School has suspended both the victim, the accused, and another boy, pending inquiry.
School principal Vinod Powar in the notice issued on October 3 said that the two teenage girls and another boy, also a student of standard XII, were “found involved in indisciplinary behaviour, physical assault and video filming the fight on his mobile during school hours and uploading the same on Youtube”.
The notice further said, “They have failed to follow the normal procedure in lodging the complaint to the undersigned (the principal) about the incident.” The notice added, “They are suspended from school till the inquiry is completed. However, they may answer the first term examination scheduled for October 2008.”
Instead of complaining to the principal, the victim had lodged a police complaint on September 13 at 3 pm alleging that her classmate abused her and hit her very badly. She further complained that on the next day she learnt that a video clipping of her being beaten up was uploaded on the net and everyone started calling her up, which put her in an embarrassing situation.
Later the girl’s mother wrote to the principal demanding stern action against the girl student who assaulted her daughter and then displayed video clips of the fight with the help of mobile phones and internet sites, which led to her daughter being “distraught and depressed”.“I am really shocked that the principal has suspended me. We are hurt and furious. After all, why should I be suspended for someone else’s mistake?” the victim said.
“What normal procedure is the principal talking about? When we approached him the first time, he didn’t commit to take any action. Then he advised us to write a formal complaint and my mother lodged a written complaint. And the next communication we receive is that I have been suspended along with the two students,” the victim added.
Director of education Celsa Pinto said, “We are looking into the matter.”
October 7,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
RMS School Conducting Inquiry Into Youtube Fight
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: Acting on a complaint filed by a standard XII student against her classmate, who beat her up and later uploaded the contents of the fight on Youtube, the school principal of RMS Higher Secondary School has suspended both the victim, the accused, and another boy, pending inquiry.
School principal Vinod Powar in the notice issued on October 3 said that the two teenage girls and another boy, also a student of standard XII, were “found involved in indisciplinary behaviour, physical assault and video filming the fight on his mobile during school hours and uploading the same on Youtube”.
The notice further said, “They have failed to follow the normal procedure in lodging the complaint to the undersigned (the principal) about the incident.” The notice added, “They are suspended from school till the inquiry is completed. However, they may answer the first term examination scheduled for October 2008.”
Instead of complaining to the principal, the victim had lodged a police complaint on September 13 at 3 pm alleging that her classmate abused her and hit her very badly. She further complained that on the next day she learnt that a video clipping of her being beaten up was uploaded on the net and everyone started calling her up, which put her in an embarrassing situation.
Later the girl’s mother wrote to the principal demanding stern action against the girl student who assaulted her daughter and then displayed video clips of the fight with the help of mobile phones and internet sites, which led to her daughter being “distraught and depressed”.“I am really shocked that the principal has suspended me. We are hurt and furious. After all, why should I be suspended for someone else’s mistake?” the victim said.
“What normal procedure is the principal talking about? When we approached him the first time, he didn’t commit to take any action. Then he advised us to write a formal complaint and my mother lodged a written complaint. And the next communication we receive is that I have been suspended along with the two students,” the victim added.
Director of education Celsa Pinto said, “We are looking into the matter.”
October 7,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Monday, October 06, 2008
‘I’m waiting to give Scarlett a decent burial’
SEEKING JUSTICE
‘I’m waiting to give Scarlett a decent burial’
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Almost eight months after British teenager Scarlett Keeling was found dead on the Anjuna beach, her mother says that she is still waiting to give a decent burial to her daughter. Though sad that her daughter’s body is still lying in a morgue in the UK, she stated that she doesn’t feel guilty about the delay.
“The British coroner has informed us that he can’t release Scarlett’s body until the toxicology tests are performed and they get the results. These tests are taking a long time as many organs were missing from Scarlett’s body,” said Fiona, speaking to TOI from her home in Devon, UK.
She said that she doesn’t feel guilty about not being able to bury Scarlett. “At the moment it is not in my hands. But
I do feel sad that people who loved her haven’t been able to say goodbye to her,” said Fiona.
The semi-naked body of Scarlett, 15, from Devon, was found on February 19 after she had been raped and murdered. After two forensic autopsies in Goa Medical College and hospital, Bambolim, Fiona had taken Scarlett’s body to the UK for a third autopsy, where the doctor of the coroner’s court in Devon, UK, revealed that Scarlett’s kidneys, stomach and uterus were missing. The forensic doctors at GMC had stated that the organs were preserved for tests.
“The coroner has written to the Goa government asking for information about the organs. Even I have written to the CBI requesting them to return Scarlett’s organs so that we can give her a decent burial. I believe that the organs would eventually be returned,” she said.
Incidentally, though Fiona has all the necessary permissions to come to India and help the CBI in its investigations, she is not eager to arrive in Goa. She has been postponing her trips as a case has been filed against her for being a negligent mother by a Utt Goenkara spokesperson.
October 6, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
‘I’m waiting to give Scarlett a decent burial’
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Almost eight months after British teenager Scarlett Keeling was found dead on the Anjuna beach, her mother says that she is still waiting to give a decent burial to her daughter. Though sad that her daughter’s body is still lying in a morgue in the UK, she stated that she doesn’t feel guilty about the delay.
“The British coroner has informed us that he can’t release Scarlett’s body until the toxicology tests are performed and they get the results. These tests are taking a long time as many organs were missing from Scarlett’s body,” said Fiona, speaking to TOI from her home in Devon, UK.
She said that she doesn’t feel guilty about not being able to bury Scarlett. “At the moment it is not in my hands. But
I do feel sad that people who loved her haven’t been able to say goodbye to her,” said Fiona.
The semi-naked body of Scarlett, 15, from Devon, was found on February 19 after she had been raped and murdered. After two forensic autopsies in Goa Medical College and hospital, Bambolim, Fiona had taken Scarlett’s body to the UK for a third autopsy, where the doctor of the coroner’s court in Devon, UK, revealed that Scarlett’s kidneys, stomach and uterus were missing. The forensic doctors at GMC had stated that the organs were preserved for tests.
“The coroner has written to the Goa government asking for information about the organs. Even I have written to the CBI requesting them to return Scarlett’s organs so that we can give her a decent burial. I believe that the organs would eventually be returned,” she said.
Incidentally, though Fiona has all the necessary permissions to come to India and help the CBI in its investigations, she is not eager to arrive in Goa. She has been postponing her trips as a case has been filed against her for being a negligent mother by a Utt Goenkara spokesperson.
October 6, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
4-yr-old Ponda girl braves three open-heart surgeries
4-yr-old Ponda girl braves three open-heart surgeries
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: The Naute family from Ponda had lost their 14-year-old daughter to cancer. Their only hope was their yet -to-be-born child. Born on December 21, 2004 they named the baby Akansha, in memory of their late daughter.
Little did they anticipate that less than a month after their daughter’s birth, the doctors would open her heart to perform a gruelling operation. They still remember doctors telling them, “She is born with a rare and highly complex heart problem as she has a single pumping chamber (ventricle) with complete obstruction to the blood flow in the main blood vessel of the body”. The parents spent panicky moments, oscillating between hope and fear, as doctors informed them that they would have to perform three open-heart surgeries on her and the outcome was likely to be uncertain.
But little Akansha survived three operations and is now fit to join a play school. “It is a miracle. We are happy to see our four-year-old daughter happy and laughing after the final surgery last month,” said the couple.
Dr N S Devananda from Wockhardt hospitals, Bangalore, said that Akansha’s is a rare case. “This is the second case I’ve seen in my career. The child required complex surgeries but her recovery was good,” he said.
The doctor said that the first operation was done when Akansha was one month old as there was an obstruction in the heart. As part of the complex operation, the obstructed tube was cleared.
But it was not the end of her woes. Six months later, an angiogram showed that she had high pressure in the blood circulation to her lungs. Besides, a new obstruction to the flow of blood had been found in her heart. “The restrictive hole was widened, and the blood vessel from the heart to the lung was disconnected in the second surgery,” the doctor explained.
Two years later, a third heart surgery was performed. She developed a rare complication called aneurysm of the ventricle which had grown large. A final open heart surgery was done to repair the aneurysm. “These kinds of complications are very rare, wherein, along with an expected surgery, we had to perform another major surgery,” added Dr Devananda.
October 5,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: The Naute family from Ponda had lost their 14-year-old daughter to cancer. Their only hope was their yet -to-be-born child. Born on December 21, 2004 they named the baby Akansha, in memory of their late daughter.
Little did they anticipate that less than a month after their daughter’s birth, the doctors would open her heart to perform a gruelling operation. They still remember doctors telling them, “She is born with a rare and highly complex heart problem as she has a single pumping chamber (ventricle) with complete obstruction to the blood flow in the main blood vessel of the body”. The parents spent panicky moments, oscillating between hope and fear, as doctors informed them that they would have to perform three open-heart surgeries on her and the outcome was likely to be uncertain.
But little Akansha survived three operations and is now fit to join a play school. “It is a miracle. We are happy to see our four-year-old daughter happy and laughing after the final surgery last month,” said the couple.
Dr N S Devananda from Wockhardt hospitals, Bangalore, said that Akansha’s is a rare case. “This is the second case I’ve seen in my career. The child required complex surgeries but her recovery was good,” he said.
The doctor said that the first operation was done when Akansha was one month old as there was an obstruction in the heart. As part of the complex operation, the obstructed tube was cleared.
But it was not the end of her woes. Six months later, an angiogram showed that she had high pressure in the blood circulation to her lungs. Besides, a new obstruction to the flow of blood had been found in her heart. “The restrictive hole was widened, and the blood vessel from the heart to the lung was disconnected in the second surgery,” the doctor explained.
Two years later, a third heart surgery was performed. She developed a rare complication called aneurysm of the ventricle which had grown large. A final open heart surgery was done to repair the aneurysm. “These kinds of complications are very rare, wherein, along with an expected surgery, we had to perform another major surgery,” added Dr Devananda.
October 5,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Lady constable attempts suicide
Lady constable attempts suicide
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: A lady police constable Abhijita Chari (22) attempted suicide alleging stress and mental harassment at her work place.
Chari, who joined Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) in June 2006, consumed twelve tablets on Saturday at 7 pm in the barracks. On seeing that she was not feeling well, her colleagues rushed her to Goa Medical College, Bambolim.
The doctors at GMC said that she had consumed Crocin, Norflox and Lomotil. She was given a stomach wash and admitted in a ward. Doctors said that her condition was stable.
Speaking to TOI, Chari said that she had attempted suicide as she was stressed after being mentally harassed for the last two years by her seniors. She also said that she had informed the SP Waman Tari, who is also the deputy commandant of IRB, about her situation at an orderly rule on Friday.
Confirming this, SP Tari said that he had heard her on Friday. “The reason why she attempted suicide is not yet known. We will be conducting an inquiry into this to find out what the problem is,” he said.
Meanwhile, her mother, Arjuna Chari alleged that her daughter’s seniors were deliberately trying to defame her by creating an impression that she is of loose character. A medicolegal case has been registered.
October 5, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: A lady police constable Abhijita Chari (22) attempted suicide alleging stress and mental harassment at her work place.
Chari, who joined Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) in June 2006, consumed twelve tablets on Saturday at 7 pm in the barracks. On seeing that she was not feeling well, her colleagues rushed her to Goa Medical College, Bambolim.
The doctors at GMC said that she had consumed Crocin, Norflox and Lomotil. She was given a stomach wash and admitted in a ward. Doctors said that her condition was stable.
Speaking to TOI, Chari said that she had attempted suicide as she was stressed after being mentally harassed for the last two years by her seniors. She also said that she had informed the SP Waman Tari, who is also the deputy commandant of IRB, about her situation at an orderly rule on Friday.
Confirming this, SP Tari said that he had heard her on Friday. “The reason why she attempted suicide is not yet known. We will be conducting an inquiry into this to find out what the problem is,” he said.
Meanwhile, her mother, Arjuna Chari alleged that her daughter’s seniors were deliberately trying to defame her by creating an impression that she is of loose character. A medicolegal case has been registered.
October 5, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Goa apartments were overpriced
‘Apartments were overpriced’
Panaji: In the past few years, a large percentage of property investors in Goa had been foreigners. But restrictive interpretation of FEMA has made it difficult for a foreigner to invest in India, affecting the market.
Says Chandrakant Kundaikar, legal advisor on property issues, “In 2000, 50% of the investors were foreigners, 30% NRIs, 20% people from other states and 10% Goans. By 2008, foreigners were down to 5% and Indians, especially Delhiites, had increased to 55%, followed by NRIs at 30%,” he said. The percentage of Goans has remained constant at 10% for the last eight years.
At the height of the construction boom, prices in Goa had shot through the roof. Said Michael Lobo, director of a trade magazine, “Apartment prices had been overvalued by almost 30-50%.”
The present value of apartments varies from Rs 8,000 to Rs 45,000 per sq m, according to government registered property valuer and architect S N Bhobe. The prices at their highest, range between Rs 20,000 and Rs 45,000 per sq m in Panaji, Calangute, Baga and Candolim, followed by Rs 15,000 to Rs 40,000 at Anjuna, Vagator, Arpora, Parra, Dona Paula, Miramar and Old Goa. The prices are at their lowest, between Rs 8,000 and Rs 15,000 per sq m are at Pernem, Quepem and Canacona. “Prices may come down as sales have reduced considerably,” he said.
Developers believe there are a number of reasons for the impending slump: buying power of people has reduced with the crash in the markets, interest rates have increased, and increased opposition to mega projects has created a feeling of uncertainty amongst investors.
“The construction market will feel the heat as the overall buying power of the people has reduced,” said Nitin Kunkolienkar president of Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The EMI on a 20-year loan of Rs 20 lakh works out to about Rs 20,000 plus a month.
“Builders have little choice and will either have to scale down on amenities, sell the apartments at lower rates or sell the entire project to a bigger builder,” says Lobo.
October 3, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Panaji: In the past few years, a large percentage of property investors in Goa had been foreigners. But restrictive interpretation of FEMA has made it difficult for a foreigner to invest in India, affecting the market.
Says Chandrakant Kundaikar, legal advisor on property issues, “In 2000, 50% of the investors were foreigners, 30% NRIs, 20% people from other states and 10% Goans. By 2008, foreigners were down to 5% and Indians, especially Delhiites, had increased to 55%, followed by NRIs at 30%,” he said. The percentage of Goans has remained constant at 10% for the last eight years.
At the height of the construction boom, prices in Goa had shot through the roof. Said Michael Lobo, director of a trade magazine, “Apartment prices had been overvalued by almost 30-50%.”
The present value of apartments varies from Rs 8,000 to Rs 45,000 per sq m, according to government registered property valuer and architect S N Bhobe. The prices at their highest, range between Rs 20,000 and Rs 45,000 per sq m in Panaji, Calangute, Baga and Candolim, followed by Rs 15,000 to Rs 40,000 at Anjuna, Vagator, Arpora, Parra, Dona Paula, Miramar and Old Goa. The prices are at their lowest, between Rs 8,000 and Rs 15,000 per sq m are at Pernem, Quepem and Canacona. “Prices may come down as sales have reduced considerably,” he said.
Developers believe there are a number of reasons for the impending slump: buying power of people has reduced with the crash in the markets, interest rates have increased, and increased opposition to mega projects has created a feeling of uncertainty amongst investors.
“The construction market will feel the heat as the overall buying power of the people has reduced,” said Nitin Kunkolienkar president of Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The EMI on a 20-year loan of Rs 20 lakh works out to about Rs 20,000 plus a month.
“Builders have little choice and will either have to scale down on amenities, sell the apartments at lower rates or sell the entire project to a bigger builder,” says Lobo.
October 3, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Rhythm Divine - Gujaratis in Goa
Rhythm Divine
Gujaratis in Goa, combine religion and devotion with dance, fun and a riot of colours during Navratri, find Preetu Nair & Govind Kamat Maad
Janvi Shah is determined to keep her title of ‘Garba Queen’ intact. The 19-year-old, aspiring chartered accountant, who’s been winning on the dance floor since she was 9, has spent a fortune on her dazzling chanya cholis (flowing skirt, blouse and long stole) and oxidized jewellery.
“The competition is judged on dress and dance, so all my outfits come from Gujarat and my mother has helped me combine the trendy new designs with the traditional look,” says Shah.
For the Gujarati community in Goa, Navratri celebrations start at least six months in advance. “We get 80-100 orders each year, for chaniya cholis from Gujarat and Mumbai,” says homemaker Devyani Shah, who turns home-based entrepreneur during the period. Outfits range from Rs 3,000 to Rs 30,000, she adds.
Learning the latest dance moves is also big. “We’ve been practicing since a month, every year there’s something new,” says homemaker Sangeeta Parekh.
At Margao’s Gujarati Samaj hall, the “experienced elders” teach the new generation the traditional steps of garba (ritual dance) and dandiya (stick dance). The big night for the “trainees” will be October 11 when the Samaj celebrates Dandiya Rajani at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda. “There’s no age or gender bar for learning these dances,” says Needhi Macarawala, whose 12-yearold daughter Noopur has been learning the dandiya since a fortnight.
Panaji-based businessman Harish Hirani points to the 200 dandiyas picked up from Mumbai and Pune and says, “Since its a long holiday weekend this time, we’re expecting huge crowds at the Gasper Dias club, Panaji.” Panaji Gujarati Yuvak Mandal president Kapil Shah adds, “No drinking and drunks will be allowed though.”
Elaborating on the significance of the celebrations, Lalit Shah of Panaji says, it’s “family-bonding time”. “The age barrier is broken. It is fun to learn new steps from your children and the time spent together is precious,” says the chartered accountant. Terming the celebrations in Goa an as yet, “traditional affair”, Kapil Shah says the ritual puja of the Goddess Amba is still the “most important aspect of Navratri”. “It’s also, a purely family affair where anyone can come and play. This is our way of keeping our tradition alive here as people from 5 to 80 dance to the latest recorded garba tunes.”
While in garba, women worship through dance, an akhand diya (lamp) placed within an earthern pot which has holes in a certain order; dandiya sees men and women dance with small polished sticks. TNN
October 3, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Gujaratis in Goa, combine religion and devotion with dance, fun and a riot of colours during Navratri, find Preetu Nair & Govind Kamat Maad
Janvi Shah is determined to keep her title of ‘Garba Queen’ intact. The 19-year-old, aspiring chartered accountant, who’s been winning on the dance floor since she was 9, has spent a fortune on her dazzling chanya cholis (flowing skirt, blouse and long stole) and oxidized jewellery.
“The competition is judged on dress and dance, so all my outfits come from Gujarat and my mother has helped me combine the trendy new designs with the traditional look,” says Shah.
For the Gujarati community in Goa, Navratri celebrations start at least six months in advance. “We get 80-100 orders each year, for chaniya cholis from Gujarat and Mumbai,” says homemaker Devyani Shah, who turns home-based entrepreneur during the period. Outfits range from Rs 3,000 to Rs 30,000, she adds.
Learning the latest dance moves is also big. “We’ve been practicing since a month, every year there’s something new,” says homemaker Sangeeta Parekh.
At Margao’s Gujarati Samaj hall, the “experienced elders” teach the new generation the traditional steps of garba (ritual dance) and dandiya (stick dance). The big night for the “trainees” will be October 11 when the Samaj celebrates Dandiya Rajani at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda. “There’s no age or gender bar for learning these dances,” says Needhi Macarawala, whose 12-yearold daughter Noopur has been learning the dandiya since a fortnight.
Panaji-based businessman Harish Hirani points to the 200 dandiyas picked up from Mumbai and Pune and says, “Since its a long holiday weekend this time, we’re expecting huge crowds at the Gasper Dias club, Panaji.” Panaji Gujarati Yuvak Mandal president Kapil Shah adds, “No drinking and drunks will be allowed though.”
Elaborating on the significance of the celebrations, Lalit Shah of Panaji says, it’s “family-bonding time”. “The age barrier is broken. It is fun to learn new steps from your children and the time spent together is precious,” says the chartered accountant. Terming the celebrations in Goa an as yet, “traditional affair”, Kapil Shah says the ritual puja of the Goddess Amba is still the “most important aspect of Navratri”. “It’s also, a purely family affair where anyone can come and play. This is our way of keeping our tradition alive here as people from 5 to 80 dance to the latest recorded garba tunes.”
While in garba, women worship through dance, an akhand diya (lamp) placed within an earthern pot which has holes in a certain order; dandiya sees men and women dance with small polished sticks. TNN
October 3, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Property prices in Goa realtors in deep trouble
REAL ESTATE TURBULENCE AT HOME AND ABROAD
Goa realtors in deep trouble
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Property prices in Goa are expected to crash by 20% to 25%, even as markets elsewhere have taken a dive. Real estate developers in the state forecast a slump after a phenomenal rise in rates over the past three years.
Michael Lobo, director of Goa’s property and building trade magazine, Homes and Estates, said, “Apartment rates are on the decline as there are no buyers.”
“The market has been stagnant for the last three months. Goa has seen an increase in construction and now the supply far exceeds the demand,” said Robin Alexander from Goa Property Consultancy, Panaji.
“Small time builders are already facing the heat with investors and speculators doing the vanishing act. They are trying to sell their projects to big builders,” said Victor Albuquerque, chairman of Alcon Victor Group.
Sources said a few banks have turned down loans to builders. “Safety is paramount for any financial investment, but with the agitational atmosphere everyone is concerned. A builder who has borrowings or one reaching the completion stage will find it difficult as there is a fund squeeze. The interest rate is increasing and lenders are looking at quality borrowers and real estate is not a priority,” said Dinar Tarcar managing director of Groupé Landscape and executive member Confederation of Real Estate Development Association of India.
October 3, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition (FP)
Goa realtors in deep trouble
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Property prices in Goa are expected to crash by 20% to 25%, even as markets elsewhere have taken a dive. Real estate developers in the state forecast a slump after a phenomenal rise in rates over the past three years.
Michael Lobo, director of Goa’s property and building trade magazine, Homes and Estates, said, “Apartment rates are on the decline as there are no buyers.”
“The market has been stagnant for the last three months. Goa has seen an increase in construction and now the supply far exceeds the demand,” said Robin Alexander from Goa Property Consultancy, Panaji.
“Small time builders are already facing the heat with investors and speculators doing the vanishing act. They are trying to sell their projects to big builders,” said Victor Albuquerque, chairman of Alcon Victor Group.
Sources said a few banks have turned down loans to builders. “Safety is paramount for any financial investment, but with the agitational atmosphere everyone is concerned. A builder who has borrowings or one reaching the completion stage will find it difficult as there is a fund squeeze. The interest rate is increasing and lenders are looking at quality borrowers and real estate is not a priority,” said Dinar Tarcar managing director of Groupé Landscape and executive member Confederation of Real Estate Development Association of India.
October 3, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition (FP)
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Crime luring middle class youth: Police
BITTER REALITY
Crime luring middle class youth: Police
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: With the arrest of three middle class youth, the Goa police not only unraveled the mystery behind thefts, where parked cars were broken into and valuables stolen, but also opened the society’s eyes to a bitter truth. Cases of middle class youth getting drawn to a life of crime are on the rise.
Calangute police arrested three young boys — Gaurish Kerkar alias Gawde, Venkatesh Shintal and Nitin Anande — in the age group of 20-23, from Porvorim, for their alleged involvement in thefts from vehicles at Candolim and Panaji late Monday night. The parents of two of the boys are government employees, while one boy’s father is a businessman. All the accused are school drop-outs.
Calangute PI Tushar Vernekar, explaining the modus operandi of the youth, said that they would keep a watch on vehicles outside night clubs and casinos. “Once the place was empty, they would strike and escape with the booty. The motive was to earn fast money,” said Vernekar.
Last week, two youth were arrested by the Ponda police for their alleged role in robberies in Panaji, Porvorim and Pernem.
According to the police, cases of middle class youth committing crime are on the rise. “Children from middle class families are taking to crime not because of any compulsion, but by choice as they want to make easy money,” said SP (north) Bosco George. Psychiatrists and psychologists feel that this is a result of decreasing moral values imparted by parents to their children and the increasing tendency among the youth to be lured by money and short term gains.
“Movies also glorify criminals. Moreover, once a person commits a crime, it becomes a way of life for him/her. They stop worrying about getting caught or punished. The argument often put forth by such persons is that ‘everyone is looting the people and so are we. When the society is corrupt, why should we deprive ourselves of all the goodies’,” said Dr Ajoy Estibeiro, a psychiatrist.
Fr Socorro Mendes of the family counselling centre said , “Today’s youth want to become affluent and often imitate movies and take every action in life as a challenge.”
October 1,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Crime luring middle class youth: Police
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: With the arrest of three middle class youth, the Goa police not only unraveled the mystery behind thefts, where parked cars were broken into and valuables stolen, but also opened the society’s eyes to a bitter truth. Cases of middle class youth getting drawn to a life of crime are on the rise.
Calangute police arrested three young boys — Gaurish Kerkar alias Gawde, Venkatesh Shintal and Nitin Anande — in the age group of 20-23, from Porvorim, for their alleged involvement in thefts from vehicles at Candolim and Panaji late Monday night. The parents of two of the boys are government employees, while one boy’s father is a businessman. All the accused are school drop-outs.
Calangute PI Tushar Vernekar, explaining the modus operandi of the youth, said that they would keep a watch on vehicles outside night clubs and casinos. “Once the place was empty, they would strike and escape with the booty. The motive was to earn fast money,” said Vernekar.
Last week, two youth were arrested by the Ponda police for their alleged role in robberies in Panaji, Porvorim and Pernem.
According to the police, cases of middle class youth committing crime are on the rise. “Children from middle class families are taking to crime not because of any compulsion, but by choice as they want to make easy money,” said SP (north) Bosco George. Psychiatrists and psychologists feel that this is a result of decreasing moral values imparted by parents to their children and the increasing tendency among the youth to be lured by money and short term gains.
“Movies also glorify criminals. Moreover, once a person commits a crime, it becomes a way of life for him/her. They stop worrying about getting caught or punished. The argument often put forth by such persons is that ‘everyone is looting the people and so are we. When the society is corrupt, why should we deprive ourselves of all the goodies’,” said Dr Ajoy Estibeiro, a psychiatrist.
Fr Socorro Mendes of the family counselling centre said , “Today’s youth want to become affluent and often imitate movies and take every action in life as a challenge.”
October 1,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
TERROR THREATENS PRIVACY - Eye in the sky for Goa beaches?
TERROR THREATENS PRIVACY
Eye in the sky for Goa beaches?
Sanjay Banerjee & Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji/Margao: Privacy on Goa’s beaches could take a hit because of the terror threat. Closed circuit television cameras could soon be monitoring that romantic walk on the beach or moonlight picnic should a Goa police proposal come through.
The police proposal, sent to the two district collectors, came after the two district SPs conducted a security survey of some tourist hotspots in their jurisdiction.
The tourism minister’s office said “there are funds for a beach management policy and we can always consider the proposal”. Tourism minister, Francisco Xavier Pacheco, currently in Moscow participating in a tourism mart, is expected to take a decision following the South Goa collector, G P Naik, forwarding the SP’s letter to his department.
While the North Goa police surveyed night clubs, entertainment areas and the flea market in Calangute, Baga and Anjuna, the South Goa police visited Bogmalo, Palolem and Colva beaches.
The SP (South) has proposed installing 30 CCTVs—10 each at Colva, Bogmalo and Palolem beaches that attract lakhs of domestic and foreign tourists every year. The SP has also asked for CCTVs at parking areas. The plan proposes two CCTVs for the parking areas at Bogmalo and Palolem and four at Colva to keep watch on vehicles as these are often used to plant bombs.
The SP (North) has made similar proposals, besides emphasising that “all discotheques should close by 12 am and licences shouldn’t be recommended to entertainment areas that don’t have adequate parking, illumination, CCTV coverage and proper security cover”. Parking areas to be illuminated
Panaji/Margao: Most of the beaches in the state could soon have closed circuit television cameras to monitor the movement of visitors.
The two district SPs did a security survey of some tourist hot spots in their areas and submitted reports to the district collectors. The SP (North) brought to the notice of the authorities that parking areas should be fully illuminated and have CCTV coverage.
Elaborate proposals have also been worked out for parking vehicles on New Year’s Eve, when the holiday crowd is huge. Despite Colva having ample parking space, on December 31, parking will be allowed in an open field and the electricity department will be asked to illuminate the area in consultation with Margao traffic cell.
For Bogmalo on December 31, the police have worked out different plans for the day and night. The movement of traffic on the Bogmalo road will continue as usual during the day, but after 8.00 pm vehicles will be stopped and parking allowed in an open ground where 800 to 1000 four wheelers and about 2000 two wheelers can be accommodated.
A shuttle service operated by Kadamba Transport Corporation will ferry tourists over the 2km stretch from the parking area to the beach.
“Village panchayats concerned may be asked to install traffic signs and to level the place in consultation with Vasco traffic cell,” the plan has proposed.
October 1, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Eye in the sky for Goa beaches?
Sanjay Banerjee & Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji/Margao: Privacy on Goa’s beaches could take a hit because of the terror threat. Closed circuit television cameras could soon be monitoring that romantic walk on the beach or moonlight picnic should a Goa police proposal come through.
The police proposal, sent to the two district collectors, came after the two district SPs conducted a security survey of some tourist hotspots in their jurisdiction.
The tourism minister’s office said “there are funds for a beach management policy and we can always consider the proposal”. Tourism minister, Francisco Xavier Pacheco, currently in Moscow participating in a tourism mart, is expected to take a decision following the South Goa collector, G P Naik, forwarding the SP’s letter to his department.
While the North Goa police surveyed night clubs, entertainment areas and the flea market in Calangute, Baga and Anjuna, the South Goa police visited Bogmalo, Palolem and Colva beaches.
The SP (South) has proposed installing 30 CCTVs—10 each at Colva, Bogmalo and Palolem beaches that attract lakhs of domestic and foreign tourists every year. The SP has also asked for CCTVs at parking areas. The plan proposes two CCTVs for the parking areas at Bogmalo and Palolem and four at Colva to keep watch on vehicles as these are often used to plant bombs.
The SP (North) has made similar proposals, besides emphasising that “all discotheques should close by 12 am and licences shouldn’t be recommended to entertainment areas that don’t have adequate parking, illumination, CCTV coverage and proper security cover”. Parking areas to be illuminated
Panaji/Margao: Most of the beaches in the state could soon have closed circuit television cameras to monitor the movement of visitors.
The two district SPs did a security survey of some tourist hot spots in their areas and submitted reports to the district collectors. The SP (North) brought to the notice of the authorities that parking areas should be fully illuminated and have CCTV coverage.
Elaborate proposals have also been worked out for parking vehicles on New Year’s Eve, when the holiday crowd is huge. Despite Colva having ample parking space, on December 31, parking will be allowed in an open field and the electricity department will be asked to illuminate the area in consultation with Margao traffic cell.
For Bogmalo on December 31, the police have worked out different plans for the day and night. The movement of traffic on the Bogmalo road will continue as usual during the day, but after 8.00 pm vehicles will be stopped and parking allowed in an open ground where 800 to 1000 four wheelers and about 2000 two wheelers can be accommodated.
A shuttle service operated by Kadamba Transport Corporation will ferry tourists over the 2km stretch from the parking area to the beach.
“Village panchayats concerned may be asked to install traffic signs and to level the place in consultation with Vasco traffic cell,” the plan has proposed.
October 1, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
24 bomb hoaxes in Goa in Sept
24 bomb hoaxes in Goa in Sept
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: As the nation struggled to cope with terror strikes, pranksters in Goa made 24 hoax calls to the police control room in September.
In the past two days alone, about six calls were made informing the police about bombs having been planted at various locations. Of these, four were prank calls and two informed the police about unknown objects in the vicinity of the bus stand at Margao and Junta house, Panaji.
“Any call to the police about suspicious objects cannot be ignored and we rush our personnel to the spot. But more than 70% phone calls are prank calls,” said SP (PCR) Atmaram Deshpande.
Every time there is a bomb scare, the bomb disposal squad and sniffer dogs are rushed to the spot, the area cordoned off and an extensive and hectic search carried out. At the end of the operation, if no explosives are detected, the calls are declared hoaxes.
‘Prank calls amount to mischief mongering’
Panaji: Twenty four hoax calls were made in September to the police control room.
The police reveal that the highest number of bomb hoax calls — five — were made within eight hours on September 25, 2008, sending the sleuths rushing in search of non-existent bombs. In August, about 10 hoax calls were made to the PCR. However, not a single person has been arrested for making such a call.
“People should behave responsibly and think twice before making a call. A mischievous or prank call diverts police resources, which can cause irreparable damage in case the police is unable to attend to a real threat due to a hoax call. A prank call amounts to mischief mongering,” said SP (PCR) Atmaram Deshpande.
1 October, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: As the nation struggled to cope with terror strikes, pranksters in Goa made 24 hoax calls to the police control room in September.
In the past two days alone, about six calls were made informing the police about bombs having been planted at various locations. Of these, four were prank calls and two informed the police about unknown objects in the vicinity of the bus stand at Margao and Junta house, Panaji.
“Any call to the police about suspicious objects cannot be ignored and we rush our personnel to the spot. But more than 70% phone calls are prank calls,” said SP (PCR) Atmaram Deshpande.
Every time there is a bomb scare, the bomb disposal squad and sniffer dogs are rushed to the spot, the area cordoned off and an extensive and hectic search carried out. At the end of the operation, if no explosives are detected, the calls are declared hoaxes.
‘Prank calls amount to mischief mongering’
Panaji: Twenty four hoax calls were made in September to the police control room.
The police reveal that the highest number of bomb hoax calls — five — were made within eight hours on September 25, 2008, sending the sleuths rushing in search of non-existent bombs. In August, about 10 hoax calls were made to the PCR. However, not a single person has been arrested for making such a call.
“People should behave responsibly and think twice before making a call. A mischievous or prank call diverts police resources, which can cause irreparable damage in case the police is unable to attend to a real threat due to a hoax call. A prank call amounts to mischief mongering,” said SP (PCR) Atmaram Deshpande.
1 October, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
DOPE ON DRUGS‘Over 250 drug dealers in Goa’
DOPE ON DRUGS
‘Over 250 drug dealers in Goa’
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: David Driham aka Dudu, picked up by the Mumbai cops on September 20 from Anjuna, has revealed that there are more than 250 people dealing in narcotics in the state.
“During interrogations, Dudu revealed that there is a gang of about 250 people dealing in drugs and all of them are operating from Goa. However, he has not revealed from where and how the narcotic
drugs come to Goa,” said investigating officer PI Anil Jadhav from the Mumbai police’s anti-narcotic cell.
PI Jadhav said that they got to know of Dudu’s activities after they arrested an agent from Goa, Nana, in Mumbai while attempting to distribute 500 ecstasy tablets and 400 LSD tablets in Mumbai pubs and discotheques earlier this month. “He revealed that he had got his supply from an Israeli named Dudu from Anjuna. Based on this information, we raided his house and brought him to Mumbai for further investigations.”
Dudu has been booked under section 8 (interstate movement of narcotics), section 22 (possession of drugs) and section 29 (abettment and participation in a criminal conspiracy) under the NPDS Act.
Dudu has been living in Goa for a few years. According to documents submitted by him before the Adhoc Additional District judge, Panaji in a civil suit filed by him against the state government for serving him a deportation order in 2006, Dudu said that he had come to Goa for the first time in November 2003 and set up a company — Dudu Division Import Export Private Limited — along with his Israeli wife Ronit Harel and Goan partner Sagar Adelkar in 2004.
He also informed the court that he had come to Goa on a business visa from Bangkok and was staying in a rented house at Gaonkarwaddo, Anjuna since 2004. His company, formed with the objective of buying, selling, importing, exporting, general trading in textiles and garments, was registered as a private limited company on April 23, 2004, with its office at Gaonkarwaddo.
Dudu had been under police scrutiny in Goa and the state government had made two attempts to deport him. “We had strong suspicions that he was dealing in drugs. We had raided his house twice, but it didn’t yield any results,” said SP (ANC) Omprakash Kudtarkar.
In an attempt in 2006, the home department on February 15, 2006 had issued a deportation order asking him to leave the country within 15 days. However, Dudu challenged the order in the Adhoc Additional District court, Panaji, stating that the visa granted by the Indian embassy in Bangkok, extended up to October 26, 2006 and had not yet expired.
Dudu continued to stay in the country even after his visa expired and on October 28, 2006, the Anjuna police booked him for overstaying. The state government issued a “Leave India Notice” to him on November 2, 2006, soon after Dudu wrote to the Home department requesting an extension of stay in India for him and his wife, which was denied. “As the matter is still pending in court, he continues to stay in Goa,” added SP Fernandes.
September 30.2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
‘Over 250 drug dealers in Goa’
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: David Driham aka Dudu, picked up by the Mumbai cops on September 20 from Anjuna, has revealed that there are more than 250 people dealing in narcotics in the state.
“During interrogations, Dudu revealed that there is a gang of about 250 people dealing in drugs and all of them are operating from Goa. However, he has not revealed from where and how the narcotic
drugs come to Goa,” said investigating officer PI Anil Jadhav from the Mumbai police’s anti-narcotic cell.
PI Jadhav said that they got to know of Dudu’s activities after they arrested an agent from Goa, Nana, in Mumbai while attempting to distribute 500 ecstasy tablets and 400 LSD tablets in Mumbai pubs and discotheques earlier this month. “He revealed that he had got his supply from an Israeli named Dudu from Anjuna. Based on this information, we raided his house and brought him to Mumbai for further investigations.”
Dudu has been booked under section 8 (interstate movement of narcotics), section 22 (possession of drugs) and section 29 (abettment and participation in a criminal conspiracy) under the NPDS Act.
Dudu has been living in Goa for a few years. According to documents submitted by him before the Adhoc Additional District judge, Panaji in a civil suit filed by him against the state government for serving him a deportation order in 2006, Dudu said that he had come to Goa for the first time in November 2003 and set up a company — Dudu Division Import Export Private Limited — along with his Israeli wife Ronit Harel and Goan partner Sagar Adelkar in 2004.
He also informed the court that he had come to Goa on a business visa from Bangkok and was staying in a rented house at Gaonkarwaddo, Anjuna since 2004. His company, formed with the objective of buying, selling, importing, exporting, general trading in textiles and garments, was registered as a private limited company on April 23, 2004, with its office at Gaonkarwaddo.
Dudu had been under police scrutiny in Goa and the state government had made two attempts to deport him. “We had strong suspicions that he was dealing in drugs. We had raided his house twice, but it didn’t yield any results,” said SP (ANC) Omprakash Kudtarkar.
In an attempt in 2006, the home department on February 15, 2006 had issued a deportation order asking him to leave the country within 15 days. However, Dudu challenged the order in the Adhoc Additional District court, Panaji, stating that the visa granted by the Indian embassy in Bangkok, extended up to October 26, 2006 and had not yet expired.
Dudu continued to stay in the country even after his visa expired and on October 28, 2006, the Anjuna police booked him for overstaying. The state government issued a “Leave India Notice” to him on November 2, 2006, soon after Dudu wrote to the Home department requesting an extension of stay in India for him and his wife, which was denied. “As the matter is still pending in court, he continues to stay in Goa,” added SP Fernandes.
September 30.2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
AC at Goa Medical College ICU not working for one month
ACs at GMC ICU not working for one month
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The air conditioner at GMC’s intensive care unit has not been working for the last one month. And the ACs at coronary care unit and intermediate intensive care unit have been out for a week.
Doctors say such facilities—they being closed areas and patients being in critical condition—24x7 functioning ACs are essential. “The functioning of ACs is a must to maintain sterility, circulation of air and a comfortable ambient temperature for patients,” said Dr Rufino Monteiro, who also works with the ICU at Vintage Hospital, Panaji.
“If the AC doesn’t function 24x7, the room temperature will rise, causing discomfort to patients, disturb their metabolism and deteriorate their condition, besides increasing the risk of infection,” he said.
GMC’s medical superintendent, Rajan Kunkolienkar, said, “For the last two-three weeks there has been trouble as the main transformer has some snag. We have informed Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation and they are in the process of getting replacements. Though the AC is functioning periodically, the effect is not perfect.”
Doctors fear this could increase the risk of infections among patients and also lead to the damage of expensive equipment, like the machine monitoring cardiovascular parameters, respiratory, renal and nervous system functioning.
GSIDC electrical manager N R Vhaval said, “There is a problem with the transformer, but the AC plant works either with the help of the transformer or generator. We don’t know whether the AC is in operation in the rooms as the operating contract is not with us. Even if the AC plant is working but the air handling unit maintained by GMC is not started in the respective rooms, there won’t be any cooling.” Kunkolienkar also said GMC had purchased a new transformer, which arrived on Saturday and would be installed soon. GSIDC confirmed this.
While patients affected by life threatening conditions like acute respiratory failure, cardiac failure, deep coma or major trauma patients are admitted to the ICU, patients with cardiac arrest and blood pressure problems are admitted at the CCU. GMC’s ICU has eight beds, CCU has seven beds and the ICCU has 18 beds.
September 30, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The air conditioner at GMC’s intensive care unit has not been working for the last one month. And the ACs at coronary care unit and intermediate intensive care unit have been out for a week.
Doctors say such facilities—they being closed areas and patients being in critical condition—24x7 functioning ACs are essential. “The functioning of ACs is a must to maintain sterility, circulation of air and a comfortable ambient temperature for patients,” said Dr Rufino Monteiro, who also works with the ICU at Vintage Hospital, Panaji.
“If the AC doesn’t function 24x7, the room temperature will rise, causing discomfort to patients, disturb their metabolism and deteriorate their condition, besides increasing the risk of infection,” he said.
GMC’s medical superintendent, Rajan Kunkolienkar, said, “For the last two-three weeks there has been trouble as the main transformer has some snag. We have informed Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation and they are in the process of getting replacements. Though the AC is functioning periodically, the effect is not perfect.”
Doctors fear this could increase the risk of infections among patients and also lead to the damage of expensive equipment, like the machine monitoring cardiovascular parameters, respiratory, renal and nervous system functioning.
GSIDC electrical manager N R Vhaval said, “There is a problem with the transformer, but the AC plant works either with the help of the transformer or generator. We don’t know whether the AC is in operation in the rooms as the operating contract is not with us. Even if the AC plant is working but the air handling unit maintained by GMC is not started in the respective rooms, there won’t be any cooling.” Kunkolienkar also said GMC had purchased a new transformer, which arrived on Saturday and would be installed soon. GSIDC confirmed this.
While patients affected by life threatening conditions like acute respiratory failure, cardiac failure, deep coma or major trauma patients are admitted to the ICU, patients with cardiac arrest and blood pressure problems are admitted at the CCU. GMC’s ICU has eight beds, CCU has seven beds and the ICCU has 18 beds.
September 30, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Monday, September 29, 2008
BITTER PILL Smoking ban will affect business: Shack owners
BITTER PILL
Smoking ban will affect business: Shack owners
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Even as the government is gearing up to prohibit smoking in public places from October 2, owners of pubs and shacks claim that this move ‘would affect their business and reduce their clientele’.
“More than 90% tourists, especially foreigners, who come to the shacks come to drink, smoke, make merry and enjoy the beauty of the sea. If we ask them not to smoke, then it will reduce our clientele and affect tourism,” said All Goa Shack Owners Welfare Association president, Cruz Cardozo. He said that they would be making a representation to the government to relax the ban for the tourists who visit the shacks, as 90% of the guests smoke. “We can’t stop our guests from smoking, we can only request them not to smoke. We hope the government would grant us permission to place tables and chairs outside the shack so that people who want to smoke, can sit at the beach and smoke,” said shack owner from Betalbatim Inacio Fernandes.
According to Dr Shekhar Salkar, general secretary of an NGO National Organization for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE), “If a shack has sitting capacity of more than 31, they should have smoking
zone. If the number is less than 30, then they should be smoke free. The deck beds belong to the shack owner and it should also be smoke free.”
The government of India has notified revised rules on the Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places on 30 May 2008, which would be enforced by the Goa government in the state from October 2. As per the revised rules, smoking is banned in shopping malls, cinema halls, public/private work places, hotels, banquet halls, discotheques, canteens, coffee houses, pubs, bars, airport lounges and railway stations.
A few shack owners state that there is a need to create awareness amongst tourists about the smoking ban to avoid any confrontations. “If someone comes smoking into the shack, we can’t ask them to leave. It is inhospitable and would affect business. But we will request them to go and sit on the deck beds placed on the beach and smoke,” said a shack owner from Arambol, Suresh Barde.
Meanwhile, some of the night pubs have decided to adhere to the government policy. R Chandrashekar, director of finance, Goa Marriott Resort, said that they will abide by the law in letter and spirit.
“Smoking will be prohibited in the entire hotel premises as prescribed by the Act .We have always been cooperative towards every government policy,” he added.
September 29, 2008,The Times of India, Goa edition
Smoking ban will affect business: Shack owners
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Even as the government is gearing up to prohibit smoking in public places from October 2, owners of pubs and shacks claim that this move ‘would affect their business and reduce their clientele’.
“More than 90% tourists, especially foreigners, who come to the shacks come to drink, smoke, make merry and enjoy the beauty of the sea. If we ask them not to smoke, then it will reduce our clientele and affect tourism,” said All Goa Shack Owners Welfare Association president, Cruz Cardozo. He said that they would be making a representation to the government to relax the ban for the tourists who visit the shacks, as 90% of the guests smoke. “We can’t stop our guests from smoking, we can only request them not to smoke. We hope the government would grant us permission to place tables and chairs outside the shack so that people who want to smoke, can sit at the beach and smoke,” said shack owner from Betalbatim Inacio Fernandes.
According to Dr Shekhar Salkar, general secretary of an NGO National Organization for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE), “If a shack has sitting capacity of more than 31, they should have smoking
zone. If the number is less than 30, then they should be smoke free. The deck beds belong to the shack owner and it should also be smoke free.”
The government of India has notified revised rules on the Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places on 30 May 2008, which would be enforced by the Goa government in the state from October 2. As per the revised rules, smoking is banned in shopping malls, cinema halls, public/private work places, hotels, banquet halls, discotheques, canteens, coffee houses, pubs, bars, airport lounges and railway stations.
A few shack owners state that there is a need to create awareness amongst tourists about the smoking ban to avoid any confrontations. “If someone comes smoking into the shack, we can’t ask them to leave. It is inhospitable and would affect business. But we will request them to go and sit on the deck beds placed on the beach and smoke,” said a shack owner from Arambol, Suresh Barde.
Meanwhile, some of the night pubs have decided to adhere to the government policy. R Chandrashekar, director of finance, Goa Marriott Resort, said that they will abide by the law in letter and spirit.
“Smoking will be prohibited in the entire hotel premises as prescribed by the Act .We have always been cooperative towards every government policy,” he added.
September 29, 2008,The Times of India, Goa edition
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Cops: Goa nightclubs sitting ducks for terrorists
Cops: Goa nightclubs sitting ducks for terrorists
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Nightclubs in the state will continue to rock, but under the glare of security. Calling discotheques and other entertainment venues, “sitting ducks for terrorists”, the police have issued notices asking them to strengthen security or face consequences, which could lead to imprisonment.
Pointing out that several entertainment and nightclubs premises were unsafe, director general of police B S Brar said, “Goa is a tourist state and we have to ensure that all premises are reasonably safe. If it is not so, and the owners permit entry of people with this knowledge, legal action would be taken against them under section 304 and 304 (a) of IPC.”
While section 304 of IPC deals with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, section 304A deals with causing death by negligence not amounting to culpable homicide.
“Goa being a tourist destination can be the potential target for terrorist attacks. To ensure security we are taking these steps as a majority of discotheques and entertainment zones in the coastal areas are sitting ducks for terrorists,” said SP (north) Bosco George.
Rushing to meet the demands of the police, a few nightclubs have hired women bouncers as “door security” staff along with male bouncers, while others have banned the parking of vehicles close to the venue, besides illuminating the area, installing CCTVs and metal detectors.
“We have everything in place to ensure safety and security of our guests. We have placed a metal detector at the entrance and have not only employed male bouncers but even female bouncers for the first time,” said David D’Souza of Club Titos and Cafe Mambo at Baga. Besides illuminating the place, Titos have also installed CCTVs on the road leading to the nightclubs as well as inside the club and ensured that no one parks close to the venue. Nightclubs to frisk guests
Panaji: Night clubs in Goa are getting ready to face the terror threat. Steve Fernandes of Hill Top Disco at Anjuna said, “Anyone who enters the discotheque will be frisked by male and female bouncers throughout the season. Besides, no one will be allowed to enter the premise with their handbags.”
With a heightened terror threat perception, police in coastal areas are inspecting “unsafe” premises, especially night clubs, discotheques and dance floors, checking the security system. If the security facilities are found to be poor, a notice under section 149 of CrPC stating that in case of mishap, a case under section 304 of the IPC would be registered against the owner.
While the Calangute police have issued five notices, the Anjuna police have started inspections. Police admit that the notice would be issued to those premises which have few entry and exit points, no emergency exit, a narrow, ill lit access making it difficult for a fire engine or ambulance to come close in case of emergency, premises without a CCTV or metal detector and proper parking place.
September 28, 2008 Front Page Page 1, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Nightclubs in the state will continue to rock, but under the glare of security. Calling discotheques and other entertainment venues, “sitting ducks for terrorists”, the police have issued notices asking them to strengthen security or face consequences, which could lead to imprisonment.
Pointing out that several entertainment and nightclubs premises were unsafe, director general of police B S Brar said, “Goa is a tourist state and we have to ensure that all premises are reasonably safe. If it is not so, and the owners permit entry of people with this knowledge, legal action would be taken against them under section 304 and 304 (a) of IPC.”
While section 304 of IPC deals with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, section 304A deals with causing death by negligence not amounting to culpable homicide.
“Goa being a tourist destination can be the potential target for terrorist attacks. To ensure security we are taking these steps as a majority of discotheques and entertainment zones in the coastal areas are sitting ducks for terrorists,” said SP (north) Bosco George.
Rushing to meet the demands of the police, a few nightclubs have hired women bouncers as “door security” staff along with male bouncers, while others have banned the parking of vehicles close to the venue, besides illuminating the area, installing CCTVs and metal detectors.
“We have everything in place to ensure safety and security of our guests. We have placed a metal detector at the entrance and have not only employed male bouncers but even female bouncers for the first time,” said David D’Souza of Club Titos and Cafe Mambo at Baga. Besides illuminating the place, Titos have also installed CCTVs on the road leading to the nightclubs as well as inside the club and ensured that no one parks close to the venue. Nightclubs to frisk guests
Panaji: Night clubs in Goa are getting ready to face the terror threat. Steve Fernandes of Hill Top Disco at Anjuna said, “Anyone who enters the discotheque will be frisked by male and female bouncers throughout the season. Besides, no one will be allowed to enter the premise with their handbags.”
With a heightened terror threat perception, police in coastal areas are inspecting “unsafe” premises, especially night clubs, discotheques and dance floors, checking the security system. If the security facilities are found to be poor, a notice under section 149 of CrPC stating that in case of mishap, a case under section 304 of the IPC would be registered against the owner.
While the Calangute police have issued five notices, the Anjuna police have started inspections. Police admit that the notice would be issued to those premises which have few entry and exit points, no emergency exit, a narrow, ill lit access making it difficult for a fire engine or ambulance to come close in case of emergency, premises without a CCTV or metal detector and proper parking place.
September 28, 2008 Front Page Page 1, The Times of India, Goa edition
Friday, September 26, 2008
Classmate assaults Margao girl, posts video on Youtube
Classmate assaults Margao girl, posts video on Youtube
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Margao: A video recording of a standard XII student being beaten up by a fellow student in the classroom and uploaded on youtube has left the victim depressed and traumatized.
The victim, a student of RMS higher secondary school Margao, in a complaint to the police said that at 3 pm on September 13, a classmate called her to the classroom stating that she wanted to talk to her. She then began to abuse and hit her. The following day, the victim learnt that a video clipping of her being beaten up had been uploaded on the net.
“I am hurt about the nasty comments on the internet against me. I suspect that the whole incident was planned to defame me,” said the victim, who has not attended class since that day and says she will never again go to the school. “Everybody is laughing at me. I have become a butt of ridicule and I can’t take the taunts and unwarranted comments from my schoolmates,” added the victim.
School principal Vinod Pawar admitted that the incident had occurred in the school. “We have asked for an explanation from both students. Both are adolescents and we are trying to sort the matter
amicably. If a compromise is not arrived at, I would have to take appropriate action.”
Pawar blamed the parents for the situation. “At all parents-teachers meetings, I had requested parents not to provide mobile phones to their children. Yet, more than 50% of the students bring mobiles and some misuse them. Parents are themselves responsible for such irresponsible behaviour of the students,” said Pawar.
Meanwhile, the girl’s mother has demanded action against the girl who assaulted her daughter and forwarded the video clip to mobile phones and posted it on internet sites.
In her complaint to the principal, she said that in the previous few days she had noticed an abrupt change in her daughter’s behaviour, which prompted her to quiz her. The mother claimed that the girl, otherwise “vibrant and vivacious”, had turned “distraught and depressed”, and was reluctantly attending class.
Upon questioning her daughter, the mother learnt that the former had been assaulted by one of her classmates and that a video clipping of the assault was being circulated among the students through mobile phones and the on internet.
The Margao police have registered a complaint and are investigating the matter.
September 26,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Margao: A video recording of a standard XII student being beaten up by a fellow student in the classroom and uploaded on youtube has left the victim depressed and traumatized.
The victim, a student of RMS higher secondary school Margao, in a complaint to the police said that at 3 pm on September 13, a classmate called her to the classroom stating that she wanted to talk to her. She then began to abuse and hit her. The following day, the victim learnt that a video clipping of her being beaten up had been uploaded on the net.
“I am hurt about the nasty comments on the internet against me. I suspect that the whole incident was planned to defame me,” said the victim, who has not attended class since that day and says she will never again go to the school. “Everybody is laughing at me. I have become a butt of ridicule and I can’t take the taunts and unwarranted comments from my schoolmates,” added the victim.
School principal Vinod Pawar admitted that the incident had occurred in the school. “We have asked for an explanation from both students. Both are adolescents and we are trying to sort the matter
amicably. If a compromise is not arrived at, I would have to take appropriate action.”
Pawar blamed the parents for the situation. “At all parents-teachers meetings, I had requested parents not to provide mobile phones to their children. Yet, more than 50% of the students bring mobiles and some misuse them. Parents are themselves responsible for such irresponsible behaviour of the students,” said Pawar.
Meanwhile, the girl’s mother has demanded action against the girl who assaulted her daughter and forwarded the video clip to mobile phones and posted it on internet sites.
In her complaint to the principal, she said that in the previous few days she had noticed an abrupt change in her daughter’s behaviour, which prompted her to quiz her. The mother claimed that the girl, otherwise “vibrant and vivacious”, had turned “distraught and depressed”, and was reluctantly attending class.
Upon questioning her daughter, the mother learnt that the former had been assaulted by one of her classmates and that a video clipping of the assault was being circulated among the students through mobile phones and the on internet.
The Margao police have registered a complaint and are investigating the matter.
September 26,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Panaji cops arrest bird thief
PANAJI: The Panaji police arrested one Pratik Soste (36), wanted by the Pune police for his involvement in the theft of foreign birds worth Rs 12-15 lakh.
The accused was arrested at the Panaji bus stand. Police inspector Francisco Corte said that Soste was in Goa for the last three months and was staying at Old Goa.
"The Pune police had informed us that he was involved in the theft of expensive foreign birds," the PI said. The Goa police have intimated their Pune counterparts about the arrest.
September 26, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
The accused was arrested at the Panaji bus stand. Police inspector Francisco Corte said that Soste was in Goa for the last three months and was staying at Old Goa.
"The Pune police had informed us that he was involved in the theft of expensive foreign birds," the PI said. The Goa police have intimated their Pune counterparts about the arrest.
September 26, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Thursday, September 25, 2008
CHARTERS WARNED:Drunken tourists to be sent back
CHARTERS WARNED
Drunken tourists to be sent back
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: The immigration department of the Goa police has made it clear to charter and tour operators in the state that if any foreign tourist creates nuisance at the airport under the influence of alcohol then it (immigration department) may even issue a ‘request to leave’ (RTL) notice to the concerned airlines.
At a meeting of all charter and tour operators on Wednesday at the police headquarters — to discuss various issues related to charter flights for the season from October to May 2009 — the SP (immigration), Tony Fernandes, said, “During the last charter season it was noted that many passengers, particularly from Russia, arrived under heavy influence of alcohol and created nuisance in the arrival bay. Immigration reserves the right to accept or reject
such passengers and if required issue a RTL notice to the concerned airlines.”
The police have also asked for an advance list of charter flights to be operated by different flight operators with dates and arrival and departure timings.
September 25,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Drunken tourists to be sent back
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: The immigration department of the Goa police has made it clear to charter and tour operators in the state that if any foreign tourist creates nuisance at the airport under the influence of alcohol then it (immigration department) may even issue a ‘request to leave’ (RTL) notice to the concerned airlines.
At a meeting of all charter and tour operators on Wednesday at the police headquarters — to discuss various issues related to charter flights for the season from October to May 2009 — the SP (immigration), Tony Fernandes, said, “During the last charter season it was noted that many passengers, particularly from Russia, arrived under heavy influence of alcohol and created nuisance in the arrival bay. Immigration reserves the right to accept or reject
such passengers and if required issue a RTL notice to the concerned airlines.”
The police have also asked for an advance list of charter flights to be operated by different flight operators with dates and arrival and departure timings.
September 25,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Goa DGP seeks to curb political transfers
DGP seeks to curb political transfers
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Police officers seeking transfers through political pressure may not get them this time. Stymieing transfer moves by police officers before the tourist season, DGP B S Brar in a letter to the chief secretary said that “the Police Establishment Board continues to receive number of requests asking for transfer, but the operation officers have to serve a minimum tenure of two years”.
The letter goes on to say that “the home department may circulate the concerned portion of an SC judgment (in this regard) to all concerned”. Senior police officials admit that Brar’s note would have a dual effect. “It will put an end to the number of police officials approaching politicians to ensure a transfer before the tourist season. This would end the phenomenon of frequent and indiscriminate transfers ordered on political considerations,” said an official. Transfer guidelines for cops as per SC
Panaji: The state DGP B S Brar has written a letter to the chief secretary stating “the Police Establishment Board continues to receive number of requests asking for transfer, but the operation officers have to serve a minimum tenure of two years.”
When contacted, Brar said he was following orders of the Supreme Court in the Prakash Singh and others versus the Union of India case. “As per the Supreme Court guidelines, SP in charge of a district and police inspector incharge of a police station can’t be transferred unless they have completed two years.”
According to the Supreme Court judgement, an IGP, an SP in charge of district and station house officer incharge of a police station, “shall have a prescribed minimum tenure of two year unless it is found necessary to remove them prematurely following disciplinary proceedings against them or their conviction in a criminal offence or in a case of corruption or if the incumbent is otherwise incapacitated from discharging his responsibilities.”
Said DGP Brar, “This two year tenure is essential as the officers have developed a knowledge of the area and the people, and shouldn’t be disturbed, for effective policing and police-community relations.”
Police sources admit that during the month of September there had been an increased interaction of police officers with politicians to ensure plum postings, especially in tourism areas. “There has been increased pressure on the police headquarters from politicians to transfer police officials to hot police stations before the onset of tourist season,” said a senior police official. But Brar is firm that the two year rule shall be strictly enforced.
Meanwhile, IGP Kishan Kumar at an interaction with the beat constables of North Goa on Monday evening said that the success of the beat system would be achieved only if the beat constables are not transferred for at least two years.
September 25,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Police officers seeking transfers through political pressure may not get them this time. Stymieing transfer moves by police officers before the tourist season, DGP B S Brar in a letter to the chief secretary said that “the Police Establishment Board continues to receive number of requests asking for transfer, but the operation officers have to serve a minimum tenure of two years”.
The letter goes on to say that “the home department may circulate the concerned portion of an SC judgment (in this regard) to all concerned”. Senior police officials admit that Brar’s note would have a dual effect. “It will put an end to the number of police officials approaching politicians to ensure a transfer before the tourist season. This would end the phenomenon of frequent and indiscriminate transfers ordered on political considerations,” said an official. Transfer guidelines for cops as per SC
Panaji: The state DGP B S Brar has written a letter to the chief secretary stating “the Police Establishment Board continues to receive number of requests asking for transfer, but the operation officers have to serve a minimum tenure of two years.”
When contacted, Brar said he was following orders of the Supreme Court in the Prakash Singh and others versus the Union of India case. “As per the Supreme Court guidelines, SP in charge of a district and police inspector incharge of a police station can’t be transferred unless they have completed two years.”
According to the Supreme Court judgement, an IGP, an SP in charge of district and station house officer incharge of a police station, “shall have a prescribed minimum tenure of two year unless it is found necessary to remove them prematurely following disciplinary proceedings against them or their conviction in a criminal offence or in a case of corruption or if the incumbent is otherwise incapacitated from discharging his responsibilities.”
Said DGP Brar, “This two year tenure is essential as the officers have developed a knowledge of the area and the people, and shouldn’t be disturbed, for effective policing and police-community relations.”
Police sources admit that during the month of September there had been an increased interaction of police officers with politicians to ensure plum postings, especially in tourism areas. “There has been increased pressure on the police headquarters from politicians to transfer police officials to hot police stations before the onset of tourist season,” said a senior police official. But Brar is firm that the two year rule shall be strictly enforced.
Meanwhile, IGP Kishan Kumar at an interaction with the beat constables of North Goa on Monday evening said that the success of the beat system would be achieved only if the beat constables are not transferred for at least two years.
September 25,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
