Goa on SIMI, Qaida hitlists
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Al Qaida and SIMI terrorists have been planning to target American, British and Israeli tourists in Goa, intelligence and police sources say.
While arrested SIMI leader Safdar Nagori—who is alleged to be behind the Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Delhi blasts—revealed during narco-analysis their plan to strike Goa, a Qaida module busted in the US provided provided information about the tourist hotspot being in terror crosshairs.
Sources added both these reports have been submitted to the Goa police. When contacted, DGP B S Brar said, “As of today, Goa is not a target. However, interrogation reports of various terrorists arrested by the police have revealed that they had Goa as a target and we are not taking any chances. All these groups were based outside Goa.”
During narco-analysis, Nagori said, “Nasir (a SIMI activist arrested by the Karnataka police in January 2008) had spoken to Adnan (arrested by the Karnataka police from Indore in March) and others about his target and he had targeted the Americans, Britishers and Israelis as his present target at Goa…”
Nagori was arrested by the Madhya Pradesh police from Indore and the narcoanalysis was done at Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Bangalore, in April this year. Three others were also subjected to the test. The report was submitted in June.
Nagori revealed that they had organized a training camp at Karnataka’s Castle Rock—80 km from Goa’s capital Panaji—to ready for the operation. “Nasir had attended the Castle Rock training camp and had also visited Hubli,” he said. ‘No immediate threat to state’
Panaji: Intelligence sources revealed that the al Qaida had plans to attack Goa in 2007 itself. A laptop recovered from an al Qaida module busted in the US contained information about a proposed strike around “Baja (Baga) beach”, sources said. This information was passed on to Indian authorities by US agencies.
Although there is no immediate threat it does not reduce the vulnerability, top police officials said. In fact, IGP Kishan Kumar has been continuously saying that Goa needs to comes out of the “nothing will ever happen here” mindset.
The police have already beefed up its intelligence gathering and are insisting on CCTVs and proper lighting at popular beaches. The police have also instructed all night clubs to down shutters by 12 midnight. Two companies of Central industrial security force have been stationed at tourist spots and two more will arrive during the IFFI in November.
October 12, 2008,The Times of India, Goa edition
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Friday, December 05, 2008
In Goa-Foreign students under scanner
Foreign students under scanner
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The Goa police have decided to conduct a fresh survey of foreigners studying in the state to verify their antecedents and have sought the state government’s permission to be allowed to conduct surprise raids on institutions where foreign students are enrolled.
The police—who are alarmed by the increasing number of natives from West Asia studying in private institutes in the state—said investigations have revealed that foreigners with student visas to study in institutes in other states have enrolled in private institutes in Goa and do not attend classes regularly. In one case, it was found that at times students disappear for months together from the state on sick leave. The police said licences of the institutes should be cancelled in case of any violations and the students bunking classes should be deported.
The police proposal to the state government also said a weekly attendance sheet of the students should be sent to the Foreigners Registration Office (FRO). The proposal comes on the heels of the alleged revelations by Amir Kasab Azam, arrested during the Mumbai terror attack, that he and eight others had made a reconnaissance trip to Mumbai, posing as Malaysian students.
The police suggested bringing such private institutions under the control of the education department and the forwarding of details of all foreign students to the collector and the FRO. “From the security point of view it is important to have a check on people who arrive on the pretext of studying. It is a grey area and if immediate steps are not taken, it may prove detrimental to national security,” said SP (North) Bosco George. 11 institutes not affiliated to any varsity
Panaji: The Goa police in a proposal to the state government has suggested bringing private education institutions in the state under the control of the education department.
The Goa police are also conducting a survey to verify the credentials of foreigners studying in the state.
Police investigations have revealed 11 institutes not recognized or affiliated to any university. Six of them function from Panaji. The institutes mainly cater to foreign students, with about 150 students from West Asia attending courses in English, business administration, computer science and office management. Yemenese nationals top the list, followed by students from Sudan, Afghanistan and Nigeria.
Most of the institutes have trade licenses from the respective municipal council or corporation.
SP (Intelligence) A V Deshpande said, “After conducting a survey of private institutions enrolling foreign students, we learnt that foreign students were using loopholes in the system to be in Goa. Things need to be in place to ensure that subversive elements dont enter the state posing as students.”
December 4, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The Goa police have decided to conduct a fresh survey of foreigners studying in the state to verify their antecedents and have sought the state government’s permission to be allowed to conduct surprise raids on institutions where foreign students are enrolled.
The police—who are alarmed by the increasing number of natives from West Asia studying in private institutes in the state—said investigations have revealed that foreigners with student visas to study in institutes in other states have enrolled in private institutes in Goa and do not attend classes regularly. In one case, it was found that at times students disappear for months together from the state on sick leave. The police said licences of the institutes should be cancelled in case of any violations and the students bunking classes should be deported.
The police proposal to the state government also said a weekly attendance sheet of the students should be sent to the Foreigners Registration Office (FRO). The proposal comes on the heels of the alleged revelations by Amir Kasab Azam, arrested during the Mumbai terror attack, that he and eight others had made a reconnaissance trip to Mumbai, posing as Malaysian students.
The police suggested bringing such private institutions under the control of the education department and the forwarding of details of all foreign students to the collector and the FRO. “From the security point of view it is important to have a check on people who arrive on the pretext of studying. It is a grey area and if immediate steps are not taken, it may prove detrimental to national security,” said SP (North) Bosco George. 11 institutes not affiliated to any varsity
Panaji: The Goa police in a proposal to the state government has suggested bringing private education institutions in the state under the control of the education department.
The Goa police are also conducting a survey to verify the credentials of foreigners studying in the state.
Police investigations have revealed 11 institutes not recognized or affiliated to any university. Six of them function from Panaji. The institutes mainly cater to foreign students, with about 150 students from West Asia attending courses in English, business administration, computer science and office management. Yemenese nationals top the list, followed by students from Sudan, Afghanistan and Nigeria.
Most of the institutes have trade licenses from the respective municipal council or corporation.
SP (Intelligence) A V Deshpande said, “After conducting a survey of private institutions enrolling foreign students, we learnt that foreign students were using loopholes in the system to be in Goa. Things need to be in place to ensure that subversive elements dont enter the state posing as students.”
December 4, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
8,500 fishermen in Goa but only 474 ID cards
8,500 fishermen in Goa but only 474 ID cards
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: In yet another example of the government’s lackadaisical attitude towards maritime security, the Goa government has issued identity cards to only 474 of the approximately 8,500 fishermen operating in the state. The drive to issue ID cards had started in April 2007.
Acting director of fisheries Nandkishore Verlekar said, “Information is being collected by the coastal police but it’s a difficult task as about 95% of the labour is from outside the state. Though information is collected and sent to the police station of their origin for verification, there is hardly any response. Due to this there has been a delay in issuing ID cards.” However, in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks, the government has decided to act swiftly to secure the coasts.
Over 80 persons held in South Goa
In an intensive drive against job seekers from outside the state, the South Goa police rounded up nine Lamanis along the coastal belt and some 80 persons from different parts of Cuncolim on Wednesday. Police also undertook verification of around 150 Kashmiris engaged in trading activities. In another operation in Calangute on Tuesday night, police arrested 55 persons from the Aradiband slums. Police said that those arrested had no documents and were moving around the area in a suspicious manner. TNN P 3 Govt mulls colour code for trawlers, IDs for crew
Panaji: The Goa government is contemplating a colour code for trawlers besides bar coded identification cards for fishermen to ensure that unwanted elements don’t penetrate into the state via the sea.
“ID cards would make it easier to verify the antecedents of fishermen operating in Goa and a colour code for trawlers would help check on their movement,” said SP (North) Bosco George. There are about 815 trawlers operating in the state, with some 1,657 trawlers registered with the fisheries department.
Responsibility for verification remains with the state police, while the procedure for application and issuing of cards is managed by the fisheries department.
The police claim “lack of cooperation, illiteracy and absence of documents to prove proof of residence and incomplete or incorrect addresses” make verification difficult, leading to a consequent delay in issuing ID cards.
“We have been regularly checking those employed by
the trawlers. But trawler owners need to maintain proper records of their employees and cooperate with the police,” said DySP (coastal police) Naresh Mhamal.
“Police have been collecting details of the people employed with us, but so far we have not been issued a single ID card,” said Elvis Gomes, a trawler owner from Betul.
Added Mandovi Fishermen Marketing Cooperative Society chairman Sitakant Parab, “Hardly 25% of the fishermen have identity cards. Verification takes a long time and by that time many would have shifted to a different job or left the state. It is really difficult to issue identity cards as a majority of the workers are from Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Orissa or West Bengal and are here for short periods.”
The cards contain the photograph of the person, identification details, work profile and the association the fisherman is affiliated to. The card was meant to help patrolling agencies keep a check on activities of fishermen and to allow an alert to be raised in case of suspicious activity.
December 4, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: In yet another example of the government’s lackadaisical attitude towards maritime security, the Goa government has issued identity cards to only 474 of the approximately 8,500 fishermen operating in the state. The drive to issue ID cards had started in April 2007.
Acting director of fisheries Nandkishore Verlekar said, “Information is being collected by the coastal police but it’s a difficult task as about 95% of the labour is from outside the state. Though information is collected and sent to the police station of their origin for verification, there is hardly any response. Due to this there has been a delay in issuing ID cards.” However, in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks, the government has decided to act swiftly to secure the coasts.
Over 80 persons held in South Goa
In an intensive drive against job seekers from outside the state, the South Goa police rounded up nine Lamanis along the coastal belt and some 80 persons from different parts of Cuncolim on Wednesday. Police also undertook verification of around 150 Kashmiris engaged in trading activities. In another operation in Calangute on Tuesday night, police arrested 55 persons from the Aradiband slums. Police said that those arrested had no documents and were moving around the area in a suspicious manner. TNN P 3 Govt mulls colour code for trawlers, IDs for crew
Panaji: The Goa government is contemplating a colour code for trawlers besides bar coded identification cards for fishermen to ensure that unwanted elements don’t penetrate into the state via the sea.
“ID cards would make it easier to verify the antecedents of fishermen operating in Goa and a colour code for trawlers would help check on their movement,” said SP (North) Bosco George. There are about 815 trawlers operating in the state, with some 1,657 trawlers registered with the fisheries department.
Responsibility for verification remains with the state police, while the procedure for application and issuing of cards is managed by the fisheries department.
The police claim “lack of cooperation, illiteracy and absence of documents to prove proof of residence and incomplete or incorrect addresses” make verification difficult, leading to a consequent delay in issuing ID cards.
“We have been regularly checking those employed by
the trawlers. But trawler owners need to maintain proper records of their employees and cooperate with the police,” said DySP (coastal police) Naresh Mhamal.
“Police have been collecting details of the people employed with us, but so far we have not been issued a single ID card,” said Elvis Gomes, a trawler owner from Betul.
Added Mandovi Fishermen Marketing Cooperative Society chairman Sitakant Parab, “Hardly 25% of the fishermen have identity cards. Verification takes a long time and by that time many would have shifted to a different job or left the state. It is really difficult to issue identity cards as a majority of the workers are from Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Orissa or West Bengal and are here for short periods.”
The cards contain the photograph of the person, identification details, work profile and the association the fisherman is affiliated to. The card was meant to help patrolling agencies keep a check on activities of fishermen and to allow an alert to be raised in case of suspicious activity.
December 4, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
In Goa 38% of HIV hit are women
38% of HIV hit are women
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: A woman, cheated into a marriage with an HIV positive man, filed for divorce as soon as she learned about his HIV status as she didn’t wish to live the rest of her life with the man who kept her in the dark about the same. Women’s liberation has touched a new high in Goa, with few women daring to put the lid on the unhappy marriages.
The latest trend, noticed over the past one year, has seen more than four women apply for either divorce or separation as their partners had hidden their HIV status at the time of marriage. “We have registered number of cases of women who are married to HIV positive men, who either didn’t know their HIV status or didn’t disclose it before marriage. In 4 cases, the women after they knew of their spouse’s HIV status, wanted either divorce or separation. One of them was tested HIV positive,” said Goa State AIDS Control Society chairperson Dr Pramod Salgaocar.
Dr Salgaocar added, “Most of the women are from Goan middle class families, who are in their early twenties. Once they know of their spouse’s HIV status, they feel cheated and betrayed. While some ask for separation, few opt for divorce. But many continue to live with the spouse and try to adjust with what fate has to offer.”
The surveillance data prepared by Goa State AIDS Control Society (GSACS) shows that of the estimated 12000 HIV positive individuals in the state, 38% are women and more than 85% are in the 15 to 29 age group. Besides, the proportion of HIV positive women has alarmingly increased from 12% in 1998 to 38% in 2008. Infact, 1 of every 3 HIV positive case detected in Goa is a woman.
“We have come across cases in which men have hidden their HIV status from their spouses at the time of marriage. Once the wife comes to know of the husband’s HIV status, hell breaks lose. If they are economically independent, then the women either walks out of the marriage or asks for separation.
Even if a woman tries to adjust, it is not easy as the blame game starts,” said Positive Lives Foundation president Jaffar Inamdar.
Sophia from Rishta said, “In majority of cases we have seen that by the time a woman learns about her husband’s HIV status, its too late as by then the woman is also tested HIV positive. So majority of women are left with no option but to support each other, till death parts them.”
“The only option that can help the couples is to make counselling mandatory and testing voluntary before marriage” added Dr Salgaocar.
December 2, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: A woman, cheated into a marriage with an HIV positive man, filed for divorce as soon as she learned about his HIV status as she didn’t wish to live the rest of her life with the man who kept her in the dark about the same. Women’s liberation has touched a new high in Goa, with few women daring to put the lid on the unhappy marriages.
The latest trend, noticed over the past one year, has seen more than four women apply for either divorce or separation as their partners had hidden their HIV status at the time of marriage. “We have registered number of cases of women who are married to HIV positive men, who either didn’t know their HIV status or didn’t disclose it before marriage. In 4 cases, the women after they knew of their spouse’s HIV status, wanted either divorce or separation. One of them was tested HIV positive,” said Goa State AIDS Control Society chairperson Dr Pramod Salgaocar.
Dr Salgaocar added, “Most of the women are from Goan middle class families, who are in their early twenties. Once they know of their spouse’s HIV status, they feel cheated and betrayed. While some ask for separation, few opt for divorce. But many continue to live with the spouse and try to adjust with what fate has to offer.”
The surveillance data prepared by Goa State AIDS Control Society (GSACS) shows that of the estimated 12000 HIV positive individuals in the state, 38% are women and more than 85% are in the 15 to 29 age group. Besides, the proportion of HIV positive women has alarmingly increased from 12% in 1998 to 38% in 2008. Infact, 1 of every 3 HIV positive case detected in Goa is a woman.
“We have come across cases in which men have hidden their HIV status from their spouses at the time of marriage. Once the wife comes to know of the husband’s HIV status, hell breaks lose. If they are economically independent, then the women either walks out of the marriage or asks for separation.
Even if a woman tries to adjust, it is not easy as the blame game starts,” said Positive Lives Foundation president Jaffar Inamdar.
Sophia from Rishta said, “In majority of cases we have seen that by the time a woman learns about her husband’s HIV status, its too late as by then the woman is also tested HIV positive. So majority of women are left with no option but to support each other, till death parts them.”
“The only option that can help the couples is to make counselling mandatory and testing voluntary before marriage” added Dr Salgaocar.
December 2, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Goa-Grim tourism season on further decline
Grim tourism season on further decline
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Hardly two months into the tourism season and reports reveal that cancellation of charter flights has touched 20% and the number of charter tourists visiting Goa is down 40%.
The September estimates had foreseen the arrival of about 40 charter flights a week to Goa for the current season, but revised estimates have reduced this to 32 flights a week.
“About 20% of the 656 charter flights estimated to arrive in Goa have been cancelled. The trend shows a definite decline in tourist arrivals as most flights are landing with 20 to 30% of their seats empty even in the last week of November. This has led to about 18% cancellation of flights and if the trend continues, we might see about 50% of the flights called off by February 2009,” said Subhash Phegade, station manager of Aircon Air Spares and Services.
Landing slots had been allotted to 656 charters at the Dabolim airport for the current season, down from the 747 flights that arrived last season. The estimated number of tourists on these flights is also down from 2,30,000 last season to about 1,65,000. The slide has taken place despite discounts by operators and hoteliers. Condor station manager Bush Miranda said, “Economic slowdown has hit us badly. Prices in the beginning of the season were high. Now, though reduced there are no takers as people are more concerned about their jobs. However, we hope that the 40% of repeat foreign tourists will return this season and we will have a steady flow of at least 40% foreign tourists.”
However, Ralph de Souza, president of Travel and Tourism Association of Goa says, “The number of charter tourists coming directly to Goa has reduced as many tourists are arriving via Mumbai. Certain tour operators like TuiNodic from Finland has cancelled its operations to Goa, but Scandinavian tourists are coming via charters to Mumbai and then onto Goa.”
Industry sources admit that a majority of foreign tourists arriving are those who have booked non-refundable charter tickets. “If they cancel the tickets, they tend to lose money, so they come and prefer to stay and eat in their hotel, rather travel or spend. Due to this, auxiliary sectors like taxi operators, shack and restaurant owners are badly hit,” a source said.
Accepting the downward trend, the industry has started an intensive promotion campaign in UK and Moscow. “Along with routine packages, we are offering an extra supplement of tours to the hinterland, heritage sits, spice plantations, rivers or ghat areas and even promoting trekking in the ghat areas. The idea to expose the 40% repeat clientele to more attractions in Goa, rather than just the beaches and parties,” said de Souza.
Details available with tour operators reveal that charter operators from England have reduced Goa operations this season. While 412 charters arrived from England in 2007-2008, this year the number has dropped to 290. Similarly charter operators from Sweden reduced flights from 68 last season to 52, and those from Finland have brought down operations to 22, half the number of flights operated last year.
There will be no flights from Italy this season, though those from Belgium and Germany would remain steady at 25 and 50. There is, however, a rise in flights from Russia, from 208 last season to about 337. But Vim Airlines, hoping to operate 100 charters from Russia brought in just one and cancelled the other 99.
Tourists skip Goa, head home
Panaji: The continuing global meltdown coupled with Wednesday night’s terror attack in Mumbai has commenced the first tremors in the Goan economy.
Hours after gun shots shattered the peace of the night in Mumbai, foreign tourists cut short their Indian holiday, giving even Goa a miss and left the country from Mumbai.
“Two of our clients from France were on a north India tour and were to arrive in Goa shortly from Mumbai. They left the country from Mumbai itself, after last night’s terror attacks,” Ernest Dias, vice president, TTAG.
Industry insiders, however, say it is too early to predict the impact of the terror attack on Goa’s tourism economy. And if there’s going to be cancellations, it going to be in the Free-of-Itinery Traveller (FITs), and the Group Independant Traveller (GITs) . “There have been four cancellations of GITs in Delhi. Of these, one group was to come to Goa after a north India tour. As of now, there have been no direct cancellations for Goa, but we’ll have to wait for a few days and see,” says Alu Gomes Pereira of TCI. Industry players say the global meltdown itself has seen a 25% drop in British tourists, and a 10% drop in Scandinavian tourists as of November, although Russian arrivals have not really been affected.
“However, Russians are facing a credit crunch now. And coupled with the terror attack in Mumbai, we might see a 10-15% drop in Russian tourists,” says Dias. TNN
28 November,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Hardly two months into the tourism season and reports reveal that cancellation of charter flights has touched 20% and the number of charter tourists visiting Goa is down 40%.
The September estimates had foreseen the arrival of about 40 charter flights a week to Goa for the current season, but revised estimates have reduced this to 32 flights a week.
“About 20% of the 656 charter flights estimated to arrive in Goa have been cancelled. The trend shows a definite decline in tourist arrivals as most flights are landing with 20 to 30% of their seats empty even in the last week of November. This has led to about 18% cancellation of flights and if the trend continues, we might see about 50% of the flights called off by February 2009,” said Subhash Phegade, station manager of Aircon Air Spares and Services.
Landing slots had been allotted to 656 charters at the Dabolim airport for the current season, down from the 747 flights that arrived last season. The estimated number of tourists on these flights is also down from 2,30,000 last season to about 1,65,000. The slide has taken place despite discounts by operators and hoteliers. Condor station manager Bush Miranda said, “Economic slowdown has hit us badly. Prices in the beginning of the season were high. Now, though reduced there are no takers as people are more concerned about their jobs. However, we hope that the 40% of repeat foreign tourists will return this season and we will have a steady flow of at least 40% foreign tourists.”
However, Ralph de Souza, president of Travel and Tourism Association of Goa says, “The number of charter tourists coming directly to Goa has reduced as many tourists are arriving via Mumbai. Certain tour operators like TuiNodic from Finland has cancelled its operations to Goa, but Scandinavian tourists are coming via charters to Mumbai and then onto Goa.”
Industry sources admit that a majority of foreign tourists arriving are those who have booked non-refundable charter tickets. “If they cancel the tickets, they tend to lose money, so they come and prefer to stay and eat in their hotel, rather travel or spend. Due to this, auxiliary sectors like taxi operators, shack and restaurant owners are badly hit,” a source said.
Accepting the downward trend, the industry has started an intensive promotion campaign in UK and Moscow. “Along with routine packages, we are offering an extra supplement of tours to the hinterland, heritage sits, spice plantations, rivers or ghat areas and even promoting trekking in the ghat areas. The idea to expose the 40% repeat clientele to more attractions in Goa, rather than just the beaches and parties,” said de Souza.
Details available with tour operators reveal that charter operators from England have reduced Goa operations this season. While 412 charters arrived from England in 2007-2008, this year the number has dropped to 290. Similarly charter operators from Sweden reduced flights from 68 last season to 52, and those from Finland have brought down operations to 22, half the number of flights operated last year.
There will be no flights from Italy this season, though those from Belgium and Germany would remain steady at 25 and 50. There is, however, a rise in flights from Russia, from 208 last season to about 337. But Vim Airlines, hoping to operate 100 charters from Russia brought in just one and cancelled the other 99.
Tourists skip Goa, head home
Panaji: The continuing global meltdown coupled with Wednesday night’s terror attack in Mumbai has commenced the first tremors in the Goan economy.
Hours after gun shots shattered the peace of the night in Mumbai, foreign tourists cut short their Indian holiday, giving even Goa a miss and left the country from Mumbai.
“Two of our clients from France were on a north India tour and were to arrive in Goa shortly from Mumbai. They left the country from Mumbai itself, after last night’s terror attacks,” Ernest Dias, vice president, TTAG.
Industry insiders, however, say it is too early to predict the impact of the terror attack on Goa’s tourism economy. And if there’s going to be cancellations, it going to be in the Free-of-Itinery Traveller (FITs), and the Group Independant Traveller (GITs) . “There have been four cancellations of GITs in Delhi. Of these, one group was to come to Goa after a north India tour. As of now, there have been no direct cancellations for Goa, but we’ll have to wait for a few days and see,” says Alu Gomes Pereira of TCI. Industry players say the global meltdown itself has seen a 25% drop in British tourists, and a 10% drop in Scandinavian tourists as of November, although Russian arrivals have not really been affected.
“However, Russians are facing a credit crunch now. And coupled with the terror attack in Mumbai, we might see a 10-15% drop in Russian tourists,” says Dias. TNN
28 November,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
‘Dada’, was chef Rego’s son’s last word
‘Dada’, was chef Rego’s son’s last word
The 23-Yr-Old Junior Chef Was Shot Dead At Taj, Mumbai
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Urbano do Rego, who is popularly known in Goa as chef Rego, heard the desperate dying words of his 23-yearold son early on Thursday morning and then the call ended abruptly.
In the evening, the family learnt that Boris do Rego, a junior sous chef at the Taj, Mumbai had been shot dead by terrorists that morning.
Recollecting that last harrowing call, chef Rego said that about 4.30 am on Thursday he received a call from his son Boris. “My elder son picked up the phone. After talking to Boris he looked tense and suddenly collapsed. I rushed and picked up the mobile suspecting something fishy and I heard my son cry out ‘dada’ and then the phone went dead,” said chef Rego.
“After that we tried calling him several times. But he didn’t pick the phone,” Urbano said. At 3.30 pm, the family received news that their son had been killed by terrorists. The body will arrive in Goa on Friday. Along with Boris, four other chefs were shot dead.
Chef Rego, who is corporate chef (Goan cuisine, all India operations) said his son went through several desperate and anxious moments. “When we made the first call at 9.30 pm on Thursday, he said, ‘Dada don’t worry, everything will be okay.’ But by the time we made the second call, he sounded tense as he said, “I saw a few people firing at the Shamiana restaurant and a waiter was killed’,” the father recalled.
“We couldn’t understand what was happening, but we knew he was not safe. Throughout the night we called him, sometimes he picked up, but sounded tense. At 2 am he told us that the terrorists had taken them to the basement and an hour later he said they had been brought back to the kitchen to prepare sandwiches for the guests,” recollected the father.
Proud of Boris’ culinary skills, Urbano had hoped his son would carry on with his legacy. “I wanted him to continue with my legacy and I knew in my heart that he would be better than me,” the father said. He said that though his son was not keen on going to Mumbai, he forced him to go to Mumbai as he had also started his career in Taj, Mumbai in 1970 as an apprentice. Boris had joined Taj, Mumbai in June this year to fulfil his dad’s dream, “to be the best Goan cuisine chef ”. But the dreams are now just memories for the family. “It is all over,” said chef Urbano.
28 November 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Goan chef gunned down at Taj
Goan chef gunned down at Taj
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Boris Rego, a 23-year-old junior sous chef at the Taj, Mumbai, was among those shot dead by terrorists who attacked the hotel.
“Dada don’t worry, everything will be okay,” he told his family in Divar over the phone at 9.30 pm on Wednesday after terrorists took over the hotel. However, his optimism was short-lived, recalls his father Urbano Do Rego, popularly known in Goa as chef Rego, who also works at the Taj here in Goa.
28 November,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Boris Rego, a 23-year-old junior sous chef at the Taj, Mumbai, was among those shot dead by terrorists who attacked the hotel.
“Dada don’t worry, everything will be okay,” he told his family in Divar over the phone at 9.30 pm on Wednesday after terrorists took over the hotel. However, his optimism was short-lived, recalls his father Urbano Do Rego, popularly known in Goa as chef Rego, who also works at the Taj here in Goa.
28 November,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
‘I wanted case to be closed out of desperation’
‘I wanted case to be closed out of desperation’
What The German Mother Told Police In Her Second Letter
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The letter given to the police on November 9 by the German woman who had alleged her daughter had been raped by a minister’s son seeking that the “complaint be treated as closed” was “done out of desperation and in the interest to protect my daughter from further annoyance”.
This was stated in a subsequent letter (a copy of which is in TOI’s possession) she gave to SP (north) Bosco George on November 11. Her first letter to the PI, Calangute, two days earlier had said, “I don’t wish to proceed with the complaint and the said case should be treated as closed.”
The second letter also claims that “for whichever reason”, her counsel Aires Rodrigues “saw it to be the better way”.
Rodrigues had withdrawn from the case a day after she gave the letter.
The second letter was submitted after a closed-door meeting with George and investigating officer PI Tushar Vernekar. George said, “We did receive a letter from the mother two days after she gave a letter withdrawing her complaint. But we wouldn’t like to divulge any information as investigation is in progress.”
“My daughter after giving her statement to the judge broke down...She was nervous and due to this (she was) not able to confront the matter. She needs a little bit time to recover from all this,” the woman wrote.
Admitting that “it is a good sign” that her daughter is opening up to her, the woman wrote to the police that her daughter is gradually telling her what had happened to her. This was something “she was not doing before. I am trying carefully to convince her now so that she will be ready to give more details to the police about the incident, which I know is important to proceed with the investigations. So please allow me more time until I see that my daughter feels more easy to talk about it before the police”, she added.
On November 11, the German woman submitted another letter to the SP (north)
seeking leave to take her daughter to Germany after she gave her additional statement to the police. “I would appreciate it very much as she needs a follow-up treatment by her doctors in Germany,” the mother wrote.
Meanwhile, the Calangute police has attached the hard disk of the computer used by the minor girl to communicate with the minister’s son, and sent it to Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Hyderabad, for examination.
27 November,2008,The Times of India, Goa edition
What The German Mother Told Police In Her Second Letter
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The letter given to the police on November 9 by the German woman who had alleged her daughter had been raped by a minister’s son seeking that the “complaint be treated as closed” was “done out of desperation and in the interest to protect my daughter from further annoyance”.
This was stated in a subsequent letter (a copy of which is in TOI’s possession) she gave to SP (north) Bosco George on November 11. Her first letter to the PI, Calangute, two days earlier had said, “I don’t wish to proceed with the complaint and the said case should be treated as closed.”
The second letter also claims that “for whichever reason”, her counsel Aires Rodrigues “saw it to be the better way”.
Rodrigues had withdrawn from the case a day after she gave the letter.
The second letter was submitted after a closed-door meeting with George and investigating officer PI Tushar Vernekar. George said, “We did receive a letter from the mother two days after she gave a letter withdrawing her complaint. But we wouldn’t like to divulge any information as investigation is in progress.”
“My daughter after giving her statement to the judge broke down...She was nervous and due to this (she was) not able to confront the matter. She needs a little bit time to recover from all this,” the woman wrote.
Admitting that “it is a good sign” that her daughter is opening up to her, the woman wrote to the police that her daughter is gradually telling her what had happened to her. This was something “she was not doing before. I am trying carefully to convince her now so that she will be ready to give more details to the police about the incident, which I know is important to proceed with the investigations. So please allow me more time until I see that my daughter feels more easy to talk about it before the police”, she added.
On November 11, the German woman submitted another letter to the SP (north)
seeking leave to take her daughter to Germany after she gave her additional statement to the police. “I would appreciate it very much as she needs a follow-up treatment by her doctors in Germany,” the mother wrote.
Meanwhile, the Calangute police has attached the hard disk of the computer used by the minor girl to communicate with the minister’s son, and sent it to Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Hyderabad, for examination.
27 November,2008,The Times of India, Goa edition
Friday, November 28, 2008
Stolt Valor crew back home
Stolt Valor crew back home
Recounts The Days Of Horror
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: As 25-year-old Allister Fernandes stepped foot into his house in Cuncolim on Monday afternoon, he saw the placard welcoming him home. The heartwarming scene told a story of pain, grief and ultimately, that of relief and elation. It was an emotional reunion—for the family as well as the villagers who stood by them in their moment of grief and pain—celebrated with cakes and songs.
“I am happy to be home and so loved,” said an exuberant Allister, hugging his family and friends. “I realise now how uncertain life is,” he said after reaching Goa along with fellow crew member Isidore Fernandes from Raia.
“On September 15 morning when we had reached the Gulf of Aden, I was pleased at the thought that within five days I would be back home in Cuncolim, attending my cousin’s wedding. Little did I know that by afternoon, we would be captured by pirates.”
Allister worked as a steward in the Japanese-owned chemical tanker MV Stolt Valor, which with 22 crew members, including 18 Indians, was hijacked by a Somali pirates off the Yemen coast while it was bound for Mumbai from the Suez Canal. The ship was released on November 16. Allister along with four other members of the ship arrived from Muscat in Mumbai on Monday. The rest of the Indian crew, including the captain of the ship, are likely to arrive on Tuesday.
‘Guns were trained on us everyday’
Panaji: Allister Fernandes, who was on a nine-month contract on the MV Stolt Valor that was hijacked by Somali pirates, told TOI on Monday, “The pirates were armed with machine guns and we meekly surrendered to them as we had no weapons or experience in tackling pirates. A Somalian interpreter told us that we have been held hostage and would be released only after the ship’s owner paid the ransom. We were scared, but in our hearts we knew that they wouldn’t harm or kill us as their only motive was getting the money.”
“It was terrifying. The guns were trained on us every hour of the day. We had to take permission from them for everything and they stole our our stuff—gizmos, money and even clothes,” he said.
Allister admits that he suffers from panic attacks and sleepless nights with the horror of the past 2 months still haunting him.
The horror of his experiences are echoed in 29-year-old Isidore Fernandes’s recollection of the events aboard the ship. “We were forced to sleep on the floor of the narrow bridge. But we couldn’t sleep. The moment we closed our eyes, we would hear gun shots,” says the head cook, who hails from Raia.
“At first they allowed us to speak to our families, but after October 14 we were not allowed to contact them. It all appeared a deliberate attempt to scare us,” said Isidore.
A fun-loving person, Isidore recollected that he sometimes tried to joke with the Somalian cook who worked with him in the kitchen for the pirates. “He was very dirty and unhygienic. I wanted to ask him to clean up the kitchen but was scared to do so. They didn’t like Indian food as they found it spicy,” said Isidore. He admits that provisions were a problem. “The ration was for a month but we were stuck for two months. There was neither enough masalas or vegetables, but we managed and everybody ate to survive without complaining.”
The crew members had their anxious moments too. Like the time when the negotiations wouldn’t work, or when the booty was dropped from a jet in a parachute and the bag filled with money landed in water. “There was a wave of panic when the pirates didn’t leave the ship immediately as promised after they got the ransom money,” recalls Allister. They left 12 hours later after rounds of quarrels over the distribution of the money. “We began feeling safe only after reaching Muscat,” said Allister.
But duo said even in adversity lay some opportunities—the crew members became close friends. “I learnt to speak better Hindi. We used to play cards and talk about our families. It used to make us feel better. From strangers on the ship, we became good friends,” said Isidore.
The duo admits that while they’ll never forget the last 2 months, the experience won’t stop them from venturing into the sea again. “Life will go on,” said Allister.
25 November,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Plans to relocate Merces protective home under way
Plans to relocate Merces protective home under way
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: With the protective home at Merces becoming increasingly unsafe for the housing of women rescued from trafficking, there is a proposal to shift the home from Merces to Asilo hospital premise at Mapusa, as “it is found to be safe and protective”.
With more than 22 inmates rescued by police and NGOs running away from the old, dilapidated home at Merces, panel members elected under section 17 (5) of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act suggested in a meeting last month that the department for women and child development should move a proposal to the government that part of the Asilo building be used as protective home, which is found to be safe and protective.
The meeting, called to tackle the escape of inmates from the state protective home, was called for by the director of women and child development and attended by sub-divisional magistrates of Panaji, Mapusa and Quepem, members of NGOs and the superintendent of the protective home .
Eight women who were rescued from commercial sexual exploitation escaped from the gallery of the rescue and shelter home at Merces, by bending some of the structures grills on August 9. In 2006, seven persons had escaped from the home. Activists working with the rescued women said that the major reason for their actions can be attributed to a lack of commitment by the government to rehabilitate women rescued from commercial sexual exploitation and sheltered at the protective home.
With the present home being in a dilapidated state, authorities face several difficulties in taking corrective measures to ensure that no one escapes from the premises and inmates are protected. Incidentally, the home belongs to the Provedoria.
Further, to curb the problem of inmates escaping from the home, it has been recommended that the staff should be trained. The government has also sanctioned additional staff for the protective home as the current strength was inadequate. The staff at the home comprise a superintendent, matron, three escorts, two security guards and a watchman, in addition to two lady constables.
At the meeting, it was also decided that once the new staff was recruited, arrangements would be made to post at least one matron at night at the protective home.
Besides, it has also been decided that in case of emergency or escape, the staff on duty should not only inform the authorities but immediately dial 100. There is also a proposal submitted to the government to provide mobile phones to the protective home, besides increasing patrolling by the police in the area.
24 November,The Times of India, Goa edition
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: With the protective home at Merces becoming increasingly unsafe for the housing of women rescued from trafficking, there is a proposal to shift the home from Merces to Asilo hospital premise at Mapusa, as “it is found to be safe and protective”.
With more than 22 inmates rescued by police and NGOs running away from the old, dilapidated home at Merces, panel members elected under section 17 (5) of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act suggested in a meeting last month that the department for women and child development should move a proposal to the government that part of the Asilo building be used as protective home, which is found to be safe and protective.
The meeting, called to tackle the escape of inmates from the state protective home, was called for by the director of women and child development and attended by sub-divisional magistrates of Panaji, Mapusa and Quepem, members of NGOs and the superintendent of the protective home .
Eight women who were rescued from commercial sexual exploitation escaped from the gallery of the rescue and shelter home at Merces, by bending some of the structures grills on August 9. In 2006, seven persons had escaped from the home. Activists working with the rescued women said that the major reason for their actions can be attributed to a lack of commitment by the government to rehabilitate women rescued from commercial sexual exploitation and sheltered at the protective home.
With the present home being in a dilapidated state, authorities face several difficulties in taking corrective measures to ensure that no one escapes from the premises and inmates are protected. Incidentally, the home belongs to the Provedoria.
Further, to curb the problem of inmates escaping from the home, it has been recommended that the staff should be trained. The government has also sanctioned additional staff for the protective home as the current strength was inadequate. The staff at the home comprise a superintendent, matron, three escorts, two security guards and a watchman, in addition to two lady constables.
At the meeting, it was also decided that once the new staff was recruited, arrangements would be made to post at least one matron at night at the protective home.
Besides, it has also been decided that in case of emergency or escape, the staff on duty should not only inform the authorities but immediately dial 100. There is also a proposal submitted to the government to provide mobile phones to the protective home, besides increasing patrolling by the police in the area.
24 November,The Times of India, Goa edition
Monday, November 24, 2008
HC slams probe into German minor’s case
HC slams probe into German minor’s case
Says Investigations Were Neither Just Nor Fair
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: The high court of Bombay at Goa on Friday after perusal of police files and investigation reports in the rape of the minor German girl observed that investigations were neither just nor fair.
On a day that exposed chinks in the police probe and brought to light the lacunae in dealing with the alleged crime against the minor girl, the court repeatedly questioned the manner in which the case was handled. The court had taken suo motu cognizance of the case on October 24 after the media had reported on “the apathy of police machinery” while investigating the case.
The court issued a show cause notice to the accused Rohit Monserrate seeking
cause as to why bail granted to him by the children’s court shouldn’t be cancelled. The court also called upon the state to reply as to why the investigation shouldn’t be transferred to the CBI. The matter has been listed for hearing on December 10.
Ruling that, “Criminal jurisprudence is to ensure that just, fair and logical investigation, is done in accordance with criminal procedure code and police manual,” the bench comprising Chief Justice Swatanter Kumar and Justice N A Britto came down heavily on the investigating officer in the case.
They observed, “Investigating officer should take due care and caution in future and ensure that fair and proper investigation is done. There appears to be somewhat strange manner of investigation, not in consonance with normal practice of law.”
The German mother had accused education minister Atanasio Monserrate’s son Rohit of raping her daughter and PWD minister Churchill Alemao’s nephew Warren Alemao of sexually exploiting the 14-year-old girl.
Observing that it is not appropriate for the court to examine various lacunae in the case, the judges said it is the court’s responsibility to ensure proper, just and fair investigation. The court observed, “investigation suffers from infirmity, which could be intentional or otherwise”.
Taking note of the fact that though the FIR was registered on October 14, the accused was not apprehended until he voluntarily appeared before the police on November 4, 2008. The court said that the police’s explanation that this was due to non-cooperation from the complainant is a matter of debate.
The court has called upon the state to reply as to why the investigation shouldn’t be transferred to the CBI and asked the investigating officer to file a separate affidavit on the investigations conducted on the allegations made by the complainant on October 24 wherein she alleged that Warren Alemao had sexually abused her daughter.
Further, the court issued a show cause notice to the accused Rohit, as to why his bail shouldn’t be cancelled and he arrested as they were unable to find any merit in the order from the children’s court granting bail to the accused. The high court found the order unjustifiable in facts.
The court also questioned SP North Bosco George and investigating officer, Tushar Vernekar on the delay in collecting evidence relating to the mobile phone details from the telecom operators. The court sought an explanation as to why they waited two weeks before seeking details of the text messages and phone calls from the telecom operators.
To this the AG replied that a company formed by the family (Monserrate) holds 19 mobile phones and hence it was difficult to trace which mobile was used to send the messages. A complaint filed by the girl’s mother refers to objectionable text messages sent by the accused to the girl.
The court also repeatedly inquired with Vernekar whether he had adopted a similar procedure of investigation in other cases, to which the AG replied that the same procedure is adopted in all cases. Only if the police find some basis in the complaint do they take action, the AG clarified.
22 November 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Says Investigations Were Neither Just Nor Fair
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: The high court of Bombay at Goa on Friday after perusal of police files and investigation reports in the rape of the minor German girl observed that investigations were neither just nor fair.
On a day that exposed chinks in the police probe and brought to light the lacunae in dealing with the alleged crime against the minor girl, the court repeatedly questioned the manner in which the case was handled. The court had taken suo motu cognizance of the case on October 24 after the media had reported on “the apathy of police machinery” while investigating the case.
The court issued a show cause notice to the accused Rohit Monserrate seeking
cause as to why bail granted to him by the children’s court shouldn’t be cancelled. The court also called upon the state to reply as to why the investigation shouldn’t be transferred to the CBI. The matter has been listed for hearing on December 10.
Ruling that, “Criminal jurisprudence is to ensure that just, fair and logical investigation, is done in accordance with criminal procedure code and police manual,” the bench comprising Chief Justice Swatanter Kumar and Justice N A Britto came down heavily on the investigating officer in the case.
They observed, “Investigating officer should take due care and caution in future and ensure that fair and proper investigation is done. There appears to be somewhat strange manner of investigation, not in consonance with normal practice of law.”
The German mother had accused education minister Atanasio Monserrate’s son Rohit of raping her daughter and PWD minister Churchill Alemao’s nephew Warren Alemao of sexually exploiting the 14-year-old girl.
Observing that it is not appropriate for the court to examine various lacunae in the case, the judges said it is the court’s responsibility to ensure proper, just and fair investigation. The court observed, “investigation suffers from infirmity, which could be intentional or otherwise”.
Taking note of the fact that though the FIR was registered on October 14, the accused was not apprehended until he voluntarily appeared before the police on November 4, 2008. The court said that the police’s explanation that this was due to non-cooperation from the complainant is a matter of debate.
The court has called upon the state to reply as to why the investigation shouldn’t be transferred to the CBI and asked the investigating officer to file a separate affidavit on the investigations conducted on the allegations made by the complainant on October 24 wherein she alleged that Warren Alemao had sexually abused her daughter.
Further, the court issued a show cause notice to the accused Rohit, as to why his bail shouldn’t be cancelled and he arrested as they were unable to find any merit in the order from the children’s court granting bail to the accused. The high court found the order unjustifiable in facts.
The court also questioned SP North Bosco George and investigating officer, Tushar Vernekar on the delay in collecting evidence relating to the mobile phone details from the telecom operators. The court sought an explanation as to why they waited two weeks before seeking details of the text messages and phone calls from the telecom operators.
To this the AG replied that a company formed by the family (Monserrate) holds 19 mobile phones and hence it was difficult to trace which mobile was used to send the messages. A complaint filed by the girl’s mother refers to objectionable text messages sent by the accused to the girl.
The court also repeatedly inquired with Vernekar whether he had adopted a similar procedure of investigation in other cases, to which the AG replied that the same procedure is adopted in all cases. Only if the police find some basis in the complaint do they take action, the AG clarified.
22 November 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Plans to relocate Merces protective home under way
Plans to relocate Merces protective home under way
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: With the protective home at Merces becoming increasingly unsafe for the housing of women rescued from trafficking, there is a proposal to shift the home from Merces to Asilo hospital premise at Mapusa, as “it is found to be safe and protective”.
With more than 22 inmates rescued by police and NGOs running away from the old, dilapidated home at Merces, panel members elected under section 17 (5) of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act suggested in a meeting last month that the department for women and child development should move a proposal to the government that part of the Asilo building be used as protective home, which is found to be safe and protective.
The meeting, called to tackle the escape of inmates from the state protective home, was called for by the director of women and child development and attended by sub-divisional magistrates of Panaji, Mapusa and Quepem, members of NGOs and the superintendent of the protective home .
Eight women who were rescued from commercial sexual exploitation escaped from the gallery of the rescue and shelter home at Merces, by bending some of the structures grills on August 9. In 2006, seven persons had escaped from the home. Activists working with the rescued women said that the major reason for their actions can be attributed to a lack of commitment by the government to rehabilitate women rescued from commercial sexual exploitation and sheltered at the protective home.
With the present home being in a dilapidated state, authorities face several difficulties in taking corrective measures to ensure that no one escapes from the premises and inmates are protected. Incidentally, the home belongs to the Provedoria.
Further, to curb the problem of inmates escaping from the home, it has been recommended that the staff should be trained. The government has also sanctioned additional staff for the protective home as the current strength was inadequate. The staff at the home comprise a superintendent, matron, three escorts, two security guards and a watchman, in addition to two lady constables.
At the meeting, it was also decided that once the new staff was recruited, arrangements would be made to post at least one matron at night at the protective home.
Besides, it has also been decided that in case of emergency or escape, the staff on duty should not only inform the authorities but immediately dial 100. There is also a proposal submitted to the government to provide mobile phones to the protective home, besides increasing patrolling by the police in the area.
November 24,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: With the protective home at Merces becoming increasingly unsafe for the housing of women rescued from trafficking, there is a proposal to shift the home from Merces to Asilo hospital premise at Mapusa, as “it is found to be safe and protective”.
With more than 22 inmates rescued by police and NGOs running away from the old, dilapidated home at Merces, panel members elected under section 17 (5) of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act suggested in a meeting last month that the department for women and child development should move a proposal to the government that part of the Asilo building be used as protective home, which is found to be safe and protective.
The meeting, called to tackle the escape of inmates from the state protective home, was called for by the director of women and child development and attended by sub-divisional magistrates of Panaji, Mapusa and Quepem, members of NGOs and the superintendent of the protective home .
Eight women who were rescued from commercial sexual exploitation escaped from the gallery of the rescue and shelter home at Merces, by bending some of the structures grills on August 9. In 2006, seven persons had escaped from the home. Activists working with the rescued women said that the major reason for their actions can be attributed to a lack of commitment by the government to rehabilitate women rescued from commercial sexual exploitation and sheltered at the protective home.
With the present home being in a dilapidated state, authorities face several difficulties in taking corrective measures to ensure that no one escapes from the premises and inmates are protected. Incidentally, the home belongs to the Provedoria.
Further, to curb the problem of inmates escaping from the home, it has been recommended that the staff should be trained. The government has also sanctioned additional staff for the protective home as the current strength was inadequate. The staff at the home comprise a superintendent, matron, three escorts, two security guards and a watchman, in addition to two lady constables.
At the meeting, it was also decided that once the new staff was recruited, arrangements would be made to post at least one matron at night at the protective home.
Besides, it has also been decided that in case of emergency or escape, the staff on duty should not only inform the authorities but immediately dial 100. There is also a proposal submitted to the government to provide mobile phones to the protective home, besides increasing patrolling by the police in the area.
November 24,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Friday, November 21, 2008
In Goa-Police land in hands of pvt developer
Police land in hands of pvt developer
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Police on Thursday registered a complaint of fraud and cheating against a Panaji based builder and employees of the directorate of settlement and land records and the PWD, for fraudulently selling land that had been acquired for the police in 1968.
The land, prime property worth crores of rupees at Dona Paula, had been acquired to construct an office building and quarters for the police, but “private parties encroached or trespassed into the land in connivance with certain officials of the government”, says the complaint.
Crime branch sleuths on Thursday registered an FIR against builder Joao Mathias, one Clotilda Fernandes and certain employees of the directorate of settlement and land records and PWD, under Section 420 (cheating), 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of Rs 50 or upwards), 447 (criminal trespass), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged document) and 120 (b) of IPC and Section 13 (1) (d) and 13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The police acted after inquiring into a complaint filed by Nelson Cabral, who alleged that Fernandes, Mathias and others had occupied government land at Dona Paula and that Mathias had undertaken construction activities on the land.
On March 28, 1969, the sub-divisional officer, Panaji, had awarded 5,40,784.95 sq m of land at Dona Paula to the police department vide order no LQN/SR-21.
Police investigations show that, “the PWD prepared a survey plan in the year, 1987 without considering the survey plan prepared under section four of the land acquisition act as base. Therefore, it is clear that this document was also prepared to help the accused for taking possession of the land.”
The report further states, “Joe Mathias, one of the partners (Empire Builder Pvt Ltd) directly or indirectly connived with Clotilda Fernandes (who had a house in the land acquired by the government and was compensated) and others and prepared documents to get occupancy of the land acquired by the government for an office building and police quarters as there was an agreement of assignment executed on May 18, 1998 between Empire builders.”
LAND SCAM Builder, govt staff accused of graft
Panaji: A complaint of fraud and cheating was registered against a Panaji-based builder, employees of the directorate of settlement and land records and the PWD for fraudulently selling land that had been acquired for the police in 1968.
Police investigations state that the mutation file in respect of the matter is missing from the mamlatdar’s office and the file for construction of office buildings and police quarters is missing from the concerned offices.
Incidentally, investigations have revealed that while builder Joao Mathias took possession of about 89,045.43 sq m of land earmarked for the police, some portion of the land was sold to a private hotel owner and private roads were constructed by private parties without obtaining a “no objection” from the government or the police department.
“There is a possibility that private parties might have encroached on government land and executed sale deeds in
favour of other parties by creating forged documents which has to be probed into,” police investigations reveal.
Besides this, about 75,000 sq m of land were allotted to the National Institute of Oceanography for staff quarters and about two lakh sq m were allotted to the IT Park by the government, the report reveals.
November 21, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Police on Thursday registered a complaint of fraud and cheating against a Panaji based builder and employees of the directorate of settlement and land records and the PWD, for fraudulently selling land that had been acquired for the police in 1968.
The land, prime property worth crores of rupees at Dona Paula, had been acquired to construct an office building and quarters for the police, but “private parties encroached or trespassed into the land in connivance with certain officials of the government”, says the complaint.
Crime branch sleuths on Thursday registered an FIR against builder Joao Mathias, one Clotilda Fernandes and certain employees of the directorate of settlement and land records and PWD, under Section 420 (cheating), 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of Rs 50 or upwards), 447 (criminal trespass), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged document) and 120 (b) of IPC and Section 13 (1) (d) and 13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The police acted after inquiring into a complaint filed by Nelson Cabral, who alleged that Fernandes, Mathias and others had occupied government land at Dona Paula and that Mathias had undertaken construction activities on the land.
On March 28, 1969, the sub-divisional officer, Panaji, had awarded 5,40,784.95 sq m of land at Dona Paula to the police department vide order no LQN/SR-21.
Police investigations show that, “the PWD prepared a survey plan in the year, 1987 without considering the survey plan prepared under section four of the land acquisition act as base. Therefore, it is clear that this document was also prepared to help the accused for taking possession of the land.”
The report further states, “Joe Mathias, one of the partners (Empire Builder Pvt Ltd) directly or indirectly connived with Clotilda Fernandes (who had a house in the land acquired by the government and was compensated) and others and prepared documents to get occupancy of the land acquired by the government for an office building and police quarters as there was an agreement of assignment executed on May 18, 1998 between Empire builders.”
LAND SCAM Builder, govt staff accused of graft
Panaji: A complaint of fraud and cheating was registered against a Panaji-based builder, employees of the directorate of settlement and land records and the PWD for fraudulently selling land that had been acquired for the police in 1968.
Police investigations state that the mutation file in respect of the matter is missing from the mamlatdar’s office and the file for construction of office buildings and police quarters is missing from the concerned offices.
Incidentally, investigations have revealed that while builder Joao Mathias took possession of about 89,045.43 sq m of land earmarked for the police, some portion of the land was sold to a private hotel owner and private roads were constructed by private parties without obtaining a “no objection” from the government or the police department.
“There is a possibility that private parties might have encroached on government land and executed sale deeds in
favour of other parties by creating forged documents which has to be probed into,” police investigations reveal.
Besides this, about 75,000 sq m of land were allotted to the National Institute of Oceanography for staff quarters and about two lakh sq m were allotted to the IT Park by the government, the report reveals.
November 21, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Deaths in two-wheeler crashes on the rise in Goa
Deaths in two-wheeler crashes on the rise in Goa
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Helmetless riding is taking an enormous toll on the lives of youth in the state. On Sunday, about 10 persons with head injuries were admitted to the neurosurgery ward of the Goa medical college and hospital, Bambolim, with head injuries from head-on collisions. Two of those admitted continue to be critical.
Of the 322 persons who died in road accidents in 2007, over 52% were two-wheeler drivers with head injuries and majority of them were not wearing a helmet at the time of the mishap.
“Statistics tell the truth. Two-wheelers are unsafe and accident prone, yet riders aren’t willing to wear helmets. They wear it only when the police insist. Things won’t change until people realize that it is their responsibility to wear helmets when on road to reduce the risk of their own death,” said SP (traffic) Arvind Gawas.
Data collected by the state’s traffic department on two wheeler riders killed reveals that in 2007, of the 186 persons who died from head injuries, 39 were pillion riders. Many of the accidents had occurred on national and state highways, where wearing a helmet is compulsory. On inner roads, which accounted for about 100 head injury related deaths, the number of two-wheelers involved was 817.
“The rider as well as the pillion are vulnerable when involved in a high velocity headon collision. Wearing a helmet provides protection against the impact and impulse head injuries,” said Dr Ponraj Sundaram, neurosurgeon, GMC. While an impact head injury may lead to a fracture of the skull and direct injury to the brain, an impulse head injury affects the whole brain.
“Any brain tissue damage lasts for life. If the person is young, the area around the tissue may compensate to a certain extent and the person may pull along, but many suffer from hidden handicaps,” said Sundaram. “We found that the working male population within the age group of 20 to 40 is most vulnerable to head injuries. We also found an increase in the number of high velocity head injuries among teenagers riding two-wheelers,” he said.
“If one avoids driving under the influence of alcohol, drives carefully and wears a helmet, the risk of accidents is drastically reduced,” said senior resident at GMC’s neurosurgery department Dr Jorson D’Costa.
Year 2006 saw 37% of the two-wheeler accident victims dying of head injuries. Of the 303 persons killed in 2006, about 102 were helmetless, and 18 were riding pillion. In the year 2005, 270 persons were killed in road accidents and 117 riders and pillion riders, were killed from head injuries. The year 2004 saw 306 deaths — 90 riders and 30 pillion riders — due to head injuries.
November 21, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Helmetless riding is taking an enormous toll on the lives of youth in the state. On Sunday, about 10 persons with head injuries were admitted to the neurosurgery ward of the Goa medical college and hospital, Bambolim, with head injuries from head-on collisions. Two of those admitted continue to be critical.
Of the 322 persons who died in road accidents in 2007, over 52% were two-wheeler drivers with head injuries and majority of them were not wearing a helmet at the time of the mishap.
“Statistics tell the truth. Two-wheelers are unsafe and accident prone, yet riders aren’t willing to wear helmets. They wear it only when the police insist. Things won’t change until people realize that it is their responsibility to wear helmets when on road to reduce the risk of their own death,” said SP (traffic) Arvind Gawas.
Data collected by the state’s traffic department on two wheeler riders killed reveals that in 2007, of the 186 persons who died from head injuries, 39 were pillion riders. Many of the accidents had occurred on national and state highways, where wearing a helmet is compulsory. On inner roads, which accounted for about 100 head injury related deaths, the number of two-wheelers involved was 817.
“The rider as well as the pillion are vulnerable when involved in a high velocity headon collision. Wearing a helmet provides protection against the impact and impulse head injuries,” said Dr Ponraj Sundaram, neurosurgeon, GMC. While an impact head injury may lead to a fracture of the skull and direct injury to the brain, an impulse head injury affects the whole brain.
“Any brain tissue damage lasts for life. If the person is young, the area around the tissue may compensate to a certain extent and the person may pull along, but many suffer from hidden handicaps,” said Sundaram. “We found that the working male population within the age group of 20 to 40 is most vulnerable to head injuries. We also found an increase in the number of high velocity head injuries among teenagers riding two-wheelers,” he said.
“If one avoids driving under the influence of alcohol, drives carefully and wears a helmet, the risk of accidents is drastically reduced,” said senior resident at GMC’s neurosurgery department Dr Jorson D’Costa.
Year 2006 saw 37% of the two-wheeler accident victims dying of head injuries. Of the 303 persons killed in 2006, about 102 were helmetless, and 18 were riding pillion. In the year 2005, 270 persons were killed in road accidents and 117 riders and pillion riders, were killed from head injuries. The year 2004 saw 306 deaths — 90 riders and 30 pillion riders — due to head injuries.
November 21, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
GLOBAL RECESSION Decline in tourist arrivals spells bad news for Goa
GLOBAL RECESSION Decline in tourist arrivals spells bad news for Goa
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Apart from British tourists, there has also been a decline in the number of Russian tourists arriving in the state this year.
Sources at Dabolim airport revealed that Ural airlines, a charter flight operating from Russia, has discontinued its operations to the state.
The first Ural charter landed in Goa on November 9 with just 28 passengers, though it had a seating capacity of about 200 passengers. They were slotted to arrive again on November 23, but have cancelled the flight.
“Global recession and a decrease in people’s spending power has affected the Russian market and led to a drop in 25% to 30% Russian tourists this season,” said Goa advocate for the consul general of the Russian Federation in Mumbai, Vikram Varma.
The trend doesn’t spell good news for the state of Goa, which had seen a steady increase in foreign tourists from 2.5 lakh in 1997 to about 4 lakh in 2007, a majority of who travel to Goa on charter flights.
November 20, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Apart from British tourists, there has also been a decline in the number of Russian tourists arriving in the state this year.
Sources at Dabolim airport revealed that Ural airlines, a charter flight operating from Russia, has discontinued its operations to the state.
The first Ural charter landed in Goa on November 9 with just 28 passengers, though it had a seating capacity of about 200 passengers. They were slotted to arrive again on November 23, but have cancelled the flight.
“Global recession and a decrease in people’s spending power has affected the Russian market and led to a drop in 25% to 30% Russian tourists this season,” said Goa advocate for the consul general of the Russian Federation in Mumbai, Vikram Varma.
The trend doesn’t spell good news for the state of Goa, which had seen a steady increase in foreign tourists from 2.5 lakh in 1997 to about 4 lakh in 2007, a majority of who travel to Goa on charter flights.
November 20, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Whopping 25% cut in charter rates from UK
Whopping 25% cut in charter rates from UK
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: A Delhi-Goa air ticket on November 29 may cost you anything between Rs 5,000 and Rs 12,000. But a charter tourist arriving from Manchester, UK, on the same day with a return ticket and 21 nights stay thrown in will have to shell out only Rs 17,000.
“As there has been a drop in the number of tourists from the UK, we have cut down the charter flight rates by 25%. This discount will start immediately and continue till the end of the season,” said Ernest Dias, vice president, Sita travels.
The discounted rates, which includes a return ticket and stay, being offered by charter operators range between £214 (Rs 15,836) and £400 (Rs 29,600) for travel up to December 20 for flights originating in Manchester, East Midlands and Gatwick. “The rates in 2007 were between £400 (Rs 29,600) and £1,000 (Rs 74,000) for charter flights from the UK,” said Dias.
Rates during the peak season—from December 25, 2008 to January 2009—have been fixed between £556 (Rs 41,144) and £1,700 (Rs 1,25,800). To these a fuel surcharge of £20 (Rs 1,480) is added. The packages are for a stay ranging from a week to three weeks in Goa.
Data available with the foreigner’s registration office reveals that the state receives tourists from nearly 125 nations, with the majority coming from the UK (60%), followed by Russia (20% to 25%), Sweden and Germany. Not more than 500 Israelis visit the state annually. However, till date 27 charter flights from UK to Goa have brought in just 7,680 British tourists.
“Due to the recession people are not spending on travel. There has been a dip, but the market will recover,” said Aloo Gomes Periera, chief operating officer, charters, Thomas Cook India Ltd.
November 20, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: A Delhi-Goa air ticket on November 29 may cost you anything between Rs 5,000 and Rs 12,000. But a charter tourist arriving from Manchester, UK, on the same day with a return ticket and 21 nights stay thrown in will have to shell out only Rs 17,000.
“As there has been a drop in the number of tourists from the UK, we have cut down the charter flight rates by 25%. This discount will start immediately and continue till the end of the season,” said Ernest Dias, vice president, Sita travels.
The discounted rates, which includes a return ticket and stay, being offered by charter operators range between £214 (Rs 15,836) and £400 (Rs 29,600) for travel up to December 20 for flights originating in Manchester, East Midlands and Gatwick. “The rates in 2007 were between £400 (Rs 29,600) and £1,000 (Rs 74,000) for charter flights from the UK,” said Dias.
Rates during the peak season—from December 25, 2008 to January 2009—have been fixed between £556 (Rs 41,144) and £1,700 (Rs 1,25,800). To these a fuel surcharge of £20 (Rs 1,480) is added. The packages are for a stay ranging from a week to three weeks in Goa.
Data available with the foreigner’s registration office reveals that the state receives tourists from nearly 125 nations, with the majority coming from the UK (60%), followed by Russia (20% to 25%), Sweden and Germany. Not more than 500 Israelis visit the state annually. However, till date 27 charter flights from UK to Goa have brought in just 7,680 British tourists.
“Due to the recession people are not spending on travel. There has been a dip, but the market will recover,” said Aloo Gomes Periera, chief operating officer, charters, Thomas Cook India Ltd.
November 20, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Monday, November 17, 2008
Abused boy tests HIV positive
Abused boy tests HIV positive
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Thirteen-year-old Rahul (name changed) could well be one of hundreds of children in Goa, full of dreams and hopes. But, sexual abuse by a neighbour, and testing positive for HIV has clouded the lad’s plans for the future.
Rahul, a shy smile upon his young face, reveals that his abuser was a smooth-talking neighbour, who lured him with bike rides, money and sweets and then abused him. If Rahul complained, he would be threatened. The illicit liaison, that included brutality, lasted from May to early September this year, when Rahul fell ill and tests revealed he was HIV positive.
That was when Rahul’s father lodged a complaint on October 31 with the women and child protection unit alleging that his minor son had been sexually abused by a neighbour.
The accused was arrested and tests at the Goa Medical College and Hospital for STD showed that the accused was HIV positive.
“We are really hurt. Who could have imagined that a known person would actually abuse our child and threaten him. My son’s innocence has been ruined and his life destroyed,” said the boy’s father, who had heard of HIV/AIDS but knew no details about the virus until his son tested positive for it.
“I had heard about HIV but never cared to know much as I never thought that someone in my family could be infected,” the father said.
Even as the family is beginning to cope with this knowledge, they fear their son may be kidnapped by the abuser or even abused further.
“While we suffer and live in fear, the accused is out on bail,” said the boy’s father. The children’s court released the accused on bail, which has been challenged in the high court of Bombay at Goa by the state. The appeal will be heard this week. Discrimination, family’s big fear
Panaji: The family of the 13-year-old boy who was sexually abused by his neighbour now fears discrimination against the lad.
“At present many sympathize, though a few do taunt. We are scared to let Rahul (name changed) play alone, lest he be stigmatized or kidnapped. None of his friends call him to play. He is an excellent cook, but we don’t allow him to cook as we are scared that he may cut his finger. We don’t want to risk his life or anyone else’s,” the father says.
But Rahul doesn’t understand the fuss around him. He admits he feels angry, sad, scared and anxious, but he wants to play, cook and do exactly as he did before. “I want to play like other boys but my family members tell me that I should rest. I like to meet my friends and talk with them. But no one comes to play or talk with me. The only time I meet them is in school,” added Rahul, who goes along with his father and returns with him once classes are over.
For Rahul, life is not all about hope and belief, but about the will to live and live “normally”. “I am fine. I just want to study, play and live,” he added.
November 17,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Thirteen-year-old Rahul (name changed) could well be one of hundreds of children in Goa, full of dreams and hopes. But, sexual abuse by a neighbour, and testing positive for HIV has clouded the lad’s plans for the future.
Rahul, a shy smile upon his young face, reveals that his abuser was a smooth-talking neighbour, who lured him with bike rides, money and sweets and then abused him. If Rahul complained, he would be threatened. The illicit liaison, that included brutality, lasted from May to early September this year, when Rahul fell ill and tests revealed he was HIV positive.
That was when Rahul’s father lodged a complaint on October 31 with the women and child protection unit alleging that his minor son had been sexually abused by a neighbour.
The accused was arrested and tests at the Goa Medical College and Hospital for STD showed that the accused was HIV positive.
“We are really hurt. Who could have imagined that a known person would actually abuse our child and threaten him. My son’s innocence has been ruined and his life destroyed,” said the boy’s father, who had heard of HIV/AIDS but knew no details about the virus until his son tested positive for it.
“I had heard about HIV but never cared to know much as I never thought that someone in my family could be infected,” the father said.
Even as the family is beginning to cope with this knowledge, they fear their son may be kidnapped by the abuser or even abused further.
“While we suffer and live in fear, the accused is out on bail,” said the boy’s father. The children’s court released the accused on bail, which has been challenged in the high court of Bombay at Goa by the state. The appeal will be heard this week. Discrimination, family’s big fear
Panaji: The family of the 13-year-old boy who was sexually abused by his neighbour now fears discrimination against the lad.
“At present many sympathize, though a few do taunt. We are scared to let Rahul (name changed) play alone, lest he be stigmatized or kidnapped. None of his friends call him to play. He is an excellent cook, but we don’t allow him to cook as we are scared that he may cut his finger. We don’t want to risk his life or anyone else’s,” the father says.
But Rahul doesn’t understand the fuss around him. He admits he feels angry, sad, scared and anxious, but he wants to play, cook and do exactly as he did before. “I want to play like other boys but my family members tell me that I should rest. I like to meet my friends and talk with them. But no one comes to play or talk with me. The only time I meet them is in school,” added Rahul, who goes along with his father and returns with him once classes are over.
For Rahul, life is not all about hope and belief, but about the will to live and live “normally”. “I am fine. I just want to study, play and live,” he added.
November 17,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Sunday, November 16, 2008
MELTDOWN AND ITS IMPACT
MELTDOWN AND ITS IMPACT
Anjuna flea market loses the usual hustle and bustle
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: “How are you? Welcome to my shop. I will give a good price.” Charu’s offer of good discounts lures in the tourists, but does not translate into sales. This year has been difficult for vendors at the Anjuna flea market.
“I have not earned a single rupee since the flea market opened three weeks back,” says Charu, adding that she managed sales between Rs 3,000 and Rs 5,000 a day from October itself last year. This year, though it’s two weeks into November, business has been “thanda”. British tourists are our major customers but hardly two or three of them have visited my stall so far, says Charu.
The haven for hardcore shoppers and able bargainers, which finds mention in most travel guides, has lost its hustle and bustle this season. Like Charu, about 1,500 other vendors—Gujarati, Rajasthani, Kashmiri, Tibetan, Lamani and some foreigners—have done little or no business. “There are hardly any foreign tourists in Anjuna this season. It is completely dead,” says Edwin Nunes, committee member of the weekly market. “I thought that the market would be a really busy place. But very few tourists can be seen,” says Kevin Hobson, a visitor from Australia.
The market started in the early ’60s when hippies, broke and seeking to return home, started meeting every Wednesday to sell whatever remained with them—musical instruments, travelling gear and even two- and four-wheelers. Apart from the attractive prices—which would be much below the originals—what drew in the crowds was the picniclike atmosphere with most ‘stalls’ operating from tepees amid live music, world food and drugs.
Indian vendors have now replaced the hippies, the atmosphere has become more bazaar-like. Today on offer are a variety of stuff, from silver jewellery to musical instruments, and many things which come in between, like shells and bed covers. And of course, Tibetan, Kashmiri and Gujarati handicrafts. And beachwear.
But the Wednesday tradition continues. Vendors like Charu are at their stalls by 9 am on the appointed day and stay there till sundown. They have been dealt a big blow this year by the global economic meltdown, rise in air fares and the consequent trip cancellations.
“There are a lot of items to buy, but few foreigners are visiting the stalls. It’s a tough time for everyone back home and no one is spending now. They want to save for Christmas,”says Jena Neave from the UK, who planned her Goa visit in September when she was offered a “good deal”.
November used to be a good time for business and we would be extremely busy as tourists came in large numbers, says Umesh Rathod, who has been selling goods in the flea market for the last five years. This season, British tourists have been few, and those coming are the Russians, who don’t like to spend, he says.
“Last year I managed to sell more than 70 drums. But this time I have not sold a single one. Every week I have been coming to the market with about seven drums and returning home with all of them,” says Gawas Sheikh, who has been doing business at the flea market for 15 years now. “Business has never been as bad as this,” he says.
Hotel rooms go a-begging
These are the best of times for the tourist and the worst of times for the industry. Indians planning to come to Goa during the peak season from October to March seem to have hit the jackpot. The internet is flooded with Indian travel companies offering offseason rates during the peak season plus a 50% discount in starred resorts.
While a popular four-star beach resort in Candolim is offering double rooms at Rs 2,250 a night for two people till December 20, a five-star hotel in South Goa is offering rooms for about Rs 4,620 in November. Tariff for some of the three-star hotels in the coastal belt start at Rs 999 and that of two-star AC rooms are between Rs 500 and Rs 1,000.
‘Lowest tariffs in ten years’
Panaji: Tourists planning to come to Goa from October to March have truly hit the jackpot as the internet is flooded with travel companies offering off-season rates during the peak season plus discounts in starred resorts.
A salesperson from a travel portal said, “One can book Goa hotels at the lowest price in the last 10 years. While the best two- and three-star hotel rooms can be had for a night from Rs 999 onwards, rooms at four-and five-star hotels start at Rs 1,999. This offer is valid till December 20 on all bookings made till November 15.”
Varun Albuquerque, owner of the four-star Dona Sylvia beach resort at Cavelossim and Devaaya Ayurveda Spa resort at Divar, said, “We have tied up for bulk bookings with
an Indian travel company and are offering a 30% discount. Overall business has dropped by 25% to 30% and there have so far been about 15% cancellations. There have been fresh bookings but these are less when compared to the 30% to 35% last minute fresh bookings in 2007. If the trend continues, then from January 2009, the hotel industry may face a tough time.”
Industry insiders say that most of the beachside hotels depend on charter tourists and with these yet to arrive in large numbers, the season appears bleak. This is the reason why most hotels have reduced their rates.
“The season is yet to pick up and we expect it to do so by Christmas. Some of the premium five-star and four-star hotels have already dropped their rates by 15%,” said former Travel and Tourism Association of Goa president Charles Bonafacio.
In October 2007, 28 charters had landed with 5,150 passengers. This year it was 16 charters with 2,956 passengers in October. In November 2007, 116 charters had brought in 28,871 passengers, while this year 46 charters have brought in 9,372 passengers.
However, 73 more charters are slotted for this month. Sources at the airport reveal that though the number of charters may be more, the number of passengers on each flight is down at least 30%.
November 14,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Anjuna flea market loses the usual hustle and bustle
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: “How are you? Welcome to my shop. I will give a good price.” Charu’s offer of good discounts lures in the tourists, but does not translate into sales. This year has been difficult for vendors at the Anjuna flea market.
“I have not earned a single rupee since the flea market opened three weeks back,” says Charu, adding that she managed sales between Rs 3,000 and Rs 5,000 a day from October itself last year. This year, though it’s two weeks into November, business has been “thanda”. British tourists are our major customers but hardly two or three of them have visited my stall so far, says Charu.
The haven for hardcore shoppers and able bargainers, which finds mention in most travel guides, has lost its hustle and bustle this season. Like Charu, about 1,500 other vendors—Gujarati, Rajasthani, Kashmiri, Tibetan, Lamani and some foreigners—have done little or no business. “There are hardly any foreign tourists in Anjuna this season. It is completely dead,” says Edwin Nunes, committee member of the weekly market. “I thought that the market would be a really busy place. But very few tourists can be seen,” says Kevin Hobson, a visitor from Australia.
The market started in the early ’60s when hippies, broke and seeking to return home, started meeting every Wednesday to sell whatever remained with them—musical instruments, travelling gear and even two- and four-wheelers. Apart from the attractive prices—which would be much below the originals—what drew in the crowds was the picniclike atmosphere with most ‘stalls’ operating from tepees amid live music, world food and drugs.
Indian vendors have now replaced the hippies, the atmosphere has become more bazaar-like. Today on offer are a variety of stuff, from silver jewellery to musical instruments, and many things which come in between, like shells and bed covers. And of course, Tibetan, Kashmiri and Gujarati handicrafts. And beachwear.
But the Wednesday tradition continues. Vendors like Charu are at their stalls by 9 am on the appointed day and stay there till sundown. They have been dealt a big blow this year by the global economic meltdown, rise in air fares and the consequent trip cancellations.
“There are a lot of items to buy, but few foreigners are visiting the stalls. It’s a tough time for everyone back home and no one is spending now. They want to save for Christmas,”says Jena Neave from the UK, who planned her Goa visit in September when she was offered a “good deal”.
November used to be a good time for business and we would be extremely busy as tourists came in large numbers, says Umesh Rathod, who has been selling goods in the flea market for the last five years. This season, British tourists have been few, and those coming are the Russians, who don’t like to spend, he says.
“Last year I managed to sell more than 70 drums. But this time I have not sold a single one. Every week I have been coming to the market with about seven drums and returning home with all of them,” says Gawas Sheikh, who has been doing business at the flea market for 15 years now. “Business has never been as bad as this,” he says.
Hotel rooms go a-begging
These are the best of times for the tourist and the worst of times for the industry. Indians planning to come to Goa during the peak season from October to March seem to have hit the jackpot. The internet is flooded with Indian travel companies offering offseason rates during the peak season plus a 50% discount in starred resorts.
While a popular four-star beach resort in Candolim is offering double rooms at Rs 2,250 a night for two people till December 20, a five-star hotel in South Goa is offering rooms for about Rs 4,620 in November. Tariff for some of the three-star hotels in the coastal belt start at Rs 999 and that of two-star AC rooms are between Rs 500 and Rs 1,000.
‘Lowest tariffs in ten years’
Panaji: Tourists planning to come to Goa from October to March have truly hit the jackpot as the internet is flooded with travel companies offering off-season rates during the peak season plus discounts in starred resorts.
A salesperson from a travel portal said, “One can book Goa hotels at the lowest price in the last 10 years. While the best two- and three-star hotel rooms can be had for a night from Rs 999 onwards, rooms at four-and five-star hotels start at Rs 1,999. This offer is valid till December 20 on all bookings made till November 15.”
Varun Albuquerque, owner of the four-star Dona Sylvia beach resort at Cavelossim and Devaaya Ayurveda Spa resort at Divar, said, “We have tied up for bulk bookings with
an Indian travel company and are offering a 30% discount. Overall business has dropped by 25% to 30% and there have so far been about 15% cancellations. There have been fresh bookings but these are less when compared to the 30% to 35% last minute fresh bookings in 2007. If the trend continues, then from January 2009, the hotel industry may face a tough time.”
Industry insiders say that most of the beachside hotels depend on charter tourists and with these yet to arrive in large numbers, the season appears bleak. This is the reason why most hotels have reduced their rates.
“The season is yet to pick up and we expect it to do so by Christmas. Some of the premium five-star and four-star hotels have already dropped their rates by 15%,” said former Travel and Tourism Association of Goa president Charles Bonafacio.
In October 2007, 28 charters had landed with 5,150 passengers. This year it was 16 charters with 2,956 passengers in October. In November 2007, 116 charters had brought in 28,871 passengers, while this year 46 charters have brought in 9,372 passengers.
However, 73 more charters are slotted for this month. Sources at the airport reveal that though the number of charters may be more, the number of passengers on each flight is down at least 30%.
November 14,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
German mom now wants justice, calls on SP George
German mom now wants justice, calls on SP George
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: Two days after writing to the Calangute police seeking to withdraw a case of rape against Rohit Monserrate and sexual harassment against Warren Alemao, the German woman now wants justice for her daughter.
People close to her said she is “under tremendous stress but wants justice for her daughter”. The woman had a closed-door meeting with SP (North) Bosco George and investigating officer PI Tushar Vernekar on Tuesday afternoon. Though details of the conversation are not known, the mother appeared relaxed and the police seemed confident after the meeting.
“She had come and she did meet us. As far as I know, she has no grievance against police investigations. We will continue with the investigations,” said George. The German mother had met him first on Monday afternoon, soon after his meeting with the German consul general Walter Stechel. She met the SP again on Tuesday.
However, her counsel Aires Rodrigues was unaware of the latest developments. He said, “She has not told me anything. She has not informed me that she had gone to meet SP (North).
I don’t know what they discussed.” Cops hope German mom will cooperate
Panaji: Police sources on Tuesday said that they were confident that the German woman who has levelled rape charges against the education minister’s son Rohit would now cooperate with the cops in the investigation. This statement gains significance as the police had said that the biggest hurdle they were facing in the investigation was the lack of cooperation from the mother and daughter.
The police have been trying to attach the hard disk of the computer used by her daughter to communicate with Rohit and have visited her house several times. But the German woman was unavailable on each occasion. The police also want more information from the minor girl to substantiate the evidence against the accused and had asked for a convenient date. That too has not been fixed. They had also requested the mother to accompany the daughter to identify the place where she had been sexually assaulted but she has so far refused to accept the letter.
Meanwhile, Rohit, who was granted bail by the children’s court, reported to the investigating officer on Tuesday from 10 am to 1 pm, in keeping with the court’s order.
November 12,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: Two days after writing to the Calangute police seeking to withdraw a case of rape against Rohit Monserrate and sexual harassment against Warren Alemao, the German woman now wants justice for her daughter.
People close to her said she is “under tremendous stress but wants justice for her daughter”. The woman had a closed-door meeting with SP (North) Bosco George and investigating officer PI Tushar Vernekar on Tuesday afternoon. Though details of the conversation are not known, the mother appeared relaxed and the police seemed confident after the meeting.
“She had come and she did meet us. As far as I know, she has no grievance against police investigations. We will continue with the investigations,” said George. The German mother had met him first on Monday afternoon, soon after his meeting with the German consul general Walter Stechel. She met the SP again on Tuesday.
However, her counsel Aires Rodrigues was unaware of the latest developments. He said, “She has not told me anything. She has not informed me that she had gone to meet SP (North).
I don’t know what they discussed.” Cops hope German mom will cooperate
Panaji: Police sources on Tuesday said that they were confident that the German woman who has levelled rape charges against the education minister’s son Rohit would now cooperate with the cops in the investigation. This statement gains significance as the police had said that the biggest hurdle they were facing in the investigation was the lack of cooperation from the mother and daughter.
The police have been trying to attach the hard disk of the computer used by her daughter to communicate with Rohit and have visited her house several times. But the German woman was unavailable on each occasion. The police also want more information from the minor girl to substantiate the evidence against the accused and had asked for a convenient date. That too has not been fixed. They had also requested the mother to accompany the daughter to identify the place where she had been sexually assaulted but she has so far refused to accept the letter.
Meanwhile, Rohit, who was granted bail by the children’s court, reported to the investigating officer on Tuesday from 10 am to 1 pm, in keeping with the court’s order.
November 12,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Life’s become hell for us: German woman
Life’s become hell for us: German woman
‘Complaints Against Rich Counter-Productive’
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: Stating that their lives have been destroyed, the German mother who had alleged that her minor daughter had been raped by Goa education minister Atanasio Monserrate’s son Rohit and sexually abused by PWD minister Churchill Alemao’s nephew Warren wrote to the Calangute police on Sunday saying they “do not wish to proceed with the complaint, which may be treated as closed”.
“Since the day I filed the complaint on 14th October, life has become living hell for both me and my daughter. There are allegations and counter allegations in the media and we have now realised that we have been trapped in a situation not in our interests. We are also scared of being ‘Scarlet II’,” the mother wrote.
The letter came four days after the police wrote to her asking her to intimate the time at which to attach the hard disk of the computer used by her daughter to comunicate with Rohit. The police said they had visited the complainant’s house several times to attach the hard disk, but she was unavailable. They also said that more information would be required from her daughter to substantiate the evidence against the accused.
Soon after the case was registered, Calangute PI Tushar Vernekar had written to the mother on October 23 seeking details of her daily activities in Goa, her business details, the property and vehicles she owns and details of her income sources. This information was sought on behalf of the foreigner’s registration office. The German woman had failed to furnish the details.
SP (North) Bosco George denied any harassment by the police to the complainant. “We have done everything as per law and we will continue to do the same,” said George.
On November 3, the police had requested the mother to accompany the daughter to identify the place where she had been sexually assaulted, but she had refused to accept the letter.
The German woman in her letter said, “We are spending sleepless nights and we are in depression and shock and we are scared of the consequences of proceeding with the complaint. The murderous assault on our lawyer continues to play on our minds. We have learnt the bitter truth that making genuine complaints against the rich and mighty is entirely counter productive. We are constantly hounded, our names sullied, campaigns organised against us and all sorts of motives attributed to us.” She alleged that a minor child had been abused, but her complaint has only led to harassment. “We are unable to lead normal lives and even our lives themselves are at stake. We are crushed under the weight of the rich and mighty and are strangers unable to beat the system,” she wrote.
November 11,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
‘Complaints Against Rich Counter-Productive’
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: Stating that their lives have been destroyed, the German mother who had alleged that her minor daughter had been raped by Goa education minister Atanasio Monserrate’s son Rohit and sexually abused by PWD minister Churchill Alemao’s nephew Warren wrote to the Calangute police on Sunday saying they “do not wish to proceed with the complaint, which may be treated as closed”.
“Since the day I filed the complaint on 14th October, life has become living hell for both me and my daughter. There are allegations and counter allegations in the media and we have now realised that we have been trapped in a situation not in our interests. We are also scared of being ‘Scarlet II’,” the mother wrote.
The letter came four days after the police wrote to her asking her to intimate the time at which to attach the hard disk of the computer used by her daughter to comunicate with Rohit. The police said they had visited the complainant’s house several times to attach the hard disk, but she was unavailable. They also said that more information would be required from her daughter to substantiate the evidence against the accused.
Soon after the case was registered, Calangute PI Tushar Vernekar had written to the mother on October 23 seeking details of her daily activities in Goa, her business details, the property and vehicles she owns and details of her income sources. This information was sought on behalf of the foreigner’s registration office. The German woman had failed to furnish the details.
SP (North) Bosco George denied any harassment by the police to the complainant. “We have done everything as per law and we will continue to do the same,” said George.
On November 3, the police had requested the mother to accompany the daughter to identify the place where she had been sexually assaulted, but she had refused to accept the letter.
The German woman in her letter said, “We are spending sleepless nights and we are in depression and shock and we are scared of the consequences of proceeding with the complaint. The murderous assault on our lawyer continues to play on our minds. We have learnt the bitter truth that making genuine complaints against the rich and mighty is entirely counter productive. We are constantly hounded, our names sullied, campaigns organised against us and all sorts of motives attributed to us.” She alleged that a minor child had been abused, but her complaint has only led to harassment. “We are unable to lead normal lives and even our lives themselves are at stake. We are crushed under the weight of the rich and mighty and are strangers unable to beat the system,” she wrote.
November 11,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
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