Goacom.com 13 FEB 2006

STORMY SESSION IN OFFING
PANJIM: The brief pre-budget session of the Goa Assembly starting today is likely to be a stormy one with the BJP set to rake up several issues including Saleli and the proposed Mopa airport. The session will begin with the customary address by Governor SC Jamir at 2.30 pm, since it is the first session in the new year. Meanwhile, the opposition will hold a massive morcha at Assembly complex, Porvorim, today to highlight the Rane government's "failure" on all fronts. The Legislature has received about 400 questions, of which, nearly 250 have been listed as starred questions. (GT)

AICHEA DISAK CHINTOP
(Thought for Today)
Tum tukach khuxeal korunk chintai zalear dusreak konnaimkui khuxeal korunk tozvit kor. (The best way to cheer yourself up, is to try to cheer someone else up)
Domnic Fernandes, Anjuna/Dhahran, KSA jyodom@hotmail.com
CHEERS, FENI GOING GI-LOBAL
Process initiated for granting Geographical Indication to the brew
PANJIM: Goa's heady brew - feni - may be popular locally but its entry in the international market needs some special measures. Realising some hurdles in marketing the unique blend internationally, the Goa government has initiated the process for granting Geographical Indication to feni. The granting of GI under Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, will help the blend, which is popular with people of all sections of the society, ranging from a labourer to a landlord - and has famed medicinal properties - in terms of trade interests in the global market. As part of the exercise, a researcher has been asked to dig up the history regarding feni to strengthen the case for granting of GI. (GT)
PICTURE OF THE DAY

European children enjoying a ride on a local bullock-cart in Assagao.
(Pic: Clive)

5 years on... Narvekar & Co yet to face the music
MARGAO, Feb 12: Outgoing GCA chief Dayanand Narvekar might claim to have got a clean chit from the BCCI vis-a-vis the infamous 2001 India-Australia ODI match, but a criminal case is still hanging over his head in the sensational fake cricket ticket scam. What's more, the criminal case against Narvekar and eight other accused persons appears set for a record of sorts, with a full-fledged trial yet to begin. (Guilherme Almeida, Herald)

Major fire blazes Old Goa factory
OLD GOA, Feb 12: A major fire broke out at the Real Factory at Bainguinim, near Old Goa, at about 6 am today, causing a loss of Rs.5 lakh to the company owned by Dilip Shirodkar. According to the sub-fire officer, Michael Braganza, the fire broke out in the labourer kitchen of the factory apparently due to short circuit. (H)
DABOLIM HAS NO SCOPE FOR EXPANSION: PRAFUL PATEL
MARGAO, Feb 12: Contrary to claims by the Congress leadership about upgradation of the Dabolim airport, Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel says, "The existing facilities at Dabolim cannot be extended further due to non-availability of land." What's more, unlike the stand adopted by Congress leaders favouring two airports, Patel is categorical in saying that there's an urgent need for an alternative airport of international standards to meet the expanding demand of tourism and business in Goa and in the region and taking into account capacity constraints to deal with passengers and aircraft, including international charters at the existing naval airport. (H)

KONKANI ACTIVISTS SWEAR TO REMAIN UNITED
PANAJI, Feb 12: The participants at the valedictory function of the silver jubilee literary conference of the Akhil Bharatiya Konkani Parishad today swore to remain united by resolving differences over script, religion, case and regionalism, and in turn, forming a unified, homogenous and able Konkani community, so as to maintain Konkani identity. Addressing the gathering, Fr Mouzinho Athaide appealed to the followers of Konkani language to remain united by ironing out all misunderstandings among them, and work in the larger interest of the language. (NT)

'Keep aside differences and fight for the cause of Konkani"
PANJIM: All the delegates present took a pledge along with freedom fighter and working president Naguesh Karmali. Karmali read out the pledge stressing one script, one language, one literature and one community in order to bring unity of all Konkani speaking people. (GT)

ARAMBOL COPS ALL FOR RAVE PARTIES
ASHVEM: On receiving information that a 'full power' rave party was being held at Surf Club at Dando, Arambol, on February 9, the Pernem PI Gundu Naik immediately drove down to the village with a squad and stopped the party at 5.15 pm. However, hardly had the paranoid villagers heaved a sight of relief, another rave party came alive at the 'Six Elements' shack on the Arambol beach at around 7.30 pm. No amount of complaints to the outpost mattered and the party carried on. (GT)

CHEERS, FENI GOING GI-LOBAL
Process initiated for granting Geographical Indication to the brew
PANJIM: Goa's heady brew - feni - may be popular locally but its entry in the international market needs some special measures. Realising some hurdles in marketing the unique blend internationally, the Goa government has initiated the process for granting Geographical Indication to feni. The granting of GI under Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, will help the blend, which is popular with people of all sections of the society, ranging from a labourers to a landlord - and has famed medicinal properties - in terms of trade interests in the global market. As part of the exercise, a researcher has been asked to dig up the history regarding feni to strengthen the case for granting of GI. (GT)

PRAISE ADONAI GOSPEL MUSIC CONCERT IN PANJIM
PANJIM, Feb 12: Praise Adonai - a two-day Gospel music concert sponsored by Panjim parish, will be staged at Don Bosco school grounds in Panjim on February 16 and 17. The Concert will feature leading bands Forefront, Crimson Tide, Renegade, Alcatrazz, Band Wagon and Big Country Band along with two choirs - Voices of Canaa and Angels of Taleigao - in a first of its kind concert of Gospel music in Goa. Donation passes are available at Champs. All profits will go the Society of St Vincent de Paul of Panjim and Taleigao. Further details: 9326101269. (H)

ECO-VANDALISM INT HE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
BY NANDKUMAR KAMAT
The battle to save the Goa University campus, certainly the last oases of greenery and biodiversity in the Tiswadi island is over, at least for me. It is absolutely a hopeless situation. Adorned with huge rolling carpets of black carbon soot, hundreds of burnt and charred trees, bushes, vegetation, dead birds and animals, destroyed habitats - it is virtually a war zone. I was never overwhelmed by such an overpowering feeling of frustration and utter uselessness. It is a sort of punishment to reside in the campus and every day engage in a battle for survival when something invariably turns up and makes you restless, concerned, alarmed, provided you've not lost the sensitivity.(Glimpses-NT)

Dr Henry delivers lecture at GU
PANJIM: Director, Centre for Computational Chemistry, University of Georgia, USA, Dr Henry Schaefer III, visited Goa University and delivered two lectures on February 1. The first talk was on the topic "Big Bang, Stephen Hawking and Cosmology," where Dr Henry shared his views on cosmogony delving into both scientific and spiritual aspects. He highlighted the work of astronomers and cosmologists based on observational and theoretical date. (GT)

British national robbed
Five dacoits entered the residence of one British national, Anant Crown alias Anant Madar (35), at Anjuna-Vagator, on February 11 night, assaulted her and robbed Rs.20,000, a camera and a mobile. (GT)

S P O R T S

Foundation stone for sports complex laid
PANJIM: Minister for Health, Dayanand Narvekar, laid the foundation stone for the proposed Rs.60 lakh multi-purpose sports complex in the presence of Sports and Transport minister Pandurang Madkaikar at Socorro, Bardez, yesterday. The sports complex will have facilities including football, cricket, volleyball, badminton, basketball, gymnasium and a jogging track. The complex will be constructed on land admeasuring around 19,500 square meters under the scheme of SGA in a phased manner. (GT)

O B I T U A R I E S

12 Feb: Mapusa: SR SILVANIA, AC, St Mary's Covent Mapusa; Daughter of late Prof Alfredo/late Olivia Dias, sister of Maria do Ceu/Olencio, Armando/Teresa, Sr Flavia AC, Esilda/Rosario, Maria Tereza and Dr Agnelo/Jennifer. No condolence visits.
11 Feb: Guirim: MARIA DO CEU BRINGEL: Daughter of late Emerico/late Ida, Sister of Fatima/late George, Guilherme/Agnela, Young Chico/Connie, Aunt of Savio/Didi, Francis/Sandra, Dimas/Celeste, Pasulito, Fatima and Anthony.
12 Dec: Cavelossim: CASMIMO ERNESTO ANASTACIO PEREIRA: Husband of Conceicao santana, father of Piedade/Leena, R|oque, Diago, Fransquinha/Diago, Clara/Olavo.
12 Feb: Sanguem-Uguem: NANCY FERNANDES: Wife of Anthony, mother of Macbeth.
12 Feb: Cuncolim-Milleamvaddo: SENHERINA COUTINHO: Wife of late Jose Caetano, mother of Damaciana/late Caetano vaz, Livino/Annie and Assuciana/Damiao.
12 Feb: Shiroda: AGOSTINHO FELIZARDO: Husband of Maria, father of Anita.
12 Feb: Cortalim: ANDREW D'MELO: Husband of late Filomena, father of Salvador/Fausta, Santan/Anita, Francis/Natalia, Belinda/Alexinho.
12 Feb: Parra-Gama Vaddo: PAUL SABINO D'SOUZA: Husband of Purificacao, father of Benedict/Doris and Nevio/Eunice.
11 Feb: Sangolda: DOMICIANA ELISIO JANUARIO LOBO (ELY LOBO): Husband of Juliet, father of Gerard/Ana, Jude/Ursula, Mathilda/Jude and Bibian/Edmund.
GOA WEATHER
Weather: Hardly a speck of cloud can be seen anywhere in the sky this morning.
Max. temp: 35.0 DegC; Min. temp: 26.0 DegC; Humidity: 63%. (Yesterday)
JOEL D'SOUZA
Assagao, Goa, India
 GT=Gomantak Time, WE=Weekender
H=Herald, NT=The Navhind Times