Migrants may number 3.25 lakh in Goa
PANAJI: Going by the population projections for 2008, the migrants in Goa could currently number 3.25 lakh in a total population of 16.28 lakh. Although official projections for 2008 are only available for Goa's total population, by taking their number to be 20 per cent as in 2001 Census, the current migrant population makes up to 3.25 lakh. The migrant population includes interstate as well as international migrants. [Ramnath N Pai Raikar, NT]

Conmen dupe woman, steal jewellery
MAPUSA: Three persons stole two gold bangles and a mangalsutra, cost of which was said to be Rs.40,000, from one Vanita Satardekar, yesterday, near the Comunidade Ghor at Mapusa. Vanita was stopped by two men posing as police officers, who cautioned her about widespread robbery incidents in the locality. [GT]

Birth, death records in tatters at Mapusa registrar office
MARGAO: Upon entering the sub-registrar office at Mapusa, one can witness record papers of births and deaths in a tattered state. After inquiry, sources informed that during the period from 1960 to 1973 'poor quality' paper was used and due to this some of the records of births and deaths during this period are missing. [NT]

Son helps track trail of Agente Monteiro through cyberspace
PANJIM: Agente Monteiro, the tormentor of freedom fighters in Portuguese colonial Goa, has been recently tracked down via cyberspace, in an unusual series of developments that unfolded over the past week or so. [GT]

Rampant Violations of the Goa Highways Act
Goa has about 8000 km of roads, which are classified as national highways, state highways, major district roads and village roads. The length of village roads is above 4000 km. All the roads and specifically the national and state highways are controlled under the Goa, Daman and Diu Highways Act, 19074, and Rules, 1976. Unfortunately, the penalties for violation of this Act are almost negligible and violators, if at all caught get away with meagre fines. [Nandkumar Kamat, NT]

Shack owners ready to share safety bill: President
Most of the stake holders in the tourism sector are willing to contribute and come together in making Goan beaches safe for swimming and one of them is the All-Goa Beach Shack Owners Association, whose president Cruz Cardozo says that the association is ready to partly share the responsibility of providing human and financial resources for manning the beaches. He also suggested that the revenue generated from licensing of the shacks could be used to make the beaches safer. [Armstrong Vaz, Herald]

50-year-old man commits suicide
VASCO, May 11: Arthur Caiado, a 50-year-old man from St Jacinto Island, Chicalim, committed suicide by hanging himself on Friday afternoon at his residence. Arthur, who was suffering from gangrene on his leg, hanged himself when his family member were out. [H]

Navelkar wants hawkers evicted from Mapusa
MAPUSA: Utt Goenkara under its convenor Amol Navelkar has asked that all hawkers conducting illegal business in and around the Mapusa city be evicted immediately. Navelkar stated that these hawkers are a public nuisance and charged that 90 per cent of them are non-Goans and transact business illegally. [GT]

ASI to debate on Ketevan's relics in Georgia
PANJIM, May 11: A team of the Archaeological Survey of India would head to Georgia to debate on its findings on the legendary Queen (saint) Ketevan's relics found at the St Augustine's complex at Old Goa as opposed to the conclusions of a previous delegation from the country. [H]

Star defender Gawli signs Rs.1 crore contract
MARGAO: Ace national defender and Dempo SC stalwart, Mahesh Gawli, has predicted a surge in players' salaries in the coming years as he felt that the advent of I-League will prove to be a boom time for most professional players who wish to ply their trade for top clubs in Indian circuit... Mahesh has been contracted with I-League winners, Dempo, for an awesome Rs.1 crore on a three-year deal. [NT]

No longer founts of Joy
Springs in Goa, known for their beauty and therapeutic value, are drying up. Kesarval, the once popular round-the-year huant is now a deserted valley. Landslides have deviated the water flow. Merces spring has been contaminated by an overload of untreated sewage from military establishment and residential buildings on the Bambolim plateau. The Bainguinim spring has fallen to the vagaries of nature and neglect. [Paul Fernandes, TOI]

People revive a spring
A modest initiative by villagers has given a fresh lease of life to the world-famous Pomburpa spring and demonstrated how people's participation is key to saving the state's natural spas. Fr Santana Carvalho, announced at Sunday mass, "We cannot wait for the government to do things all the time. We, the people, are the government." The clean-up drive culminated in a fortnight-long summer camp to bring local youth closer to nature. [TOI]

'Goitolleantleo Kannio' book release
MARGAO: "Goitolleantleo Kannio", a collection of short stories written by Thomas Fernandes, will be released on May 16 at BPS Club AC Hall, Margao, at the hands of the eminent cardiologist Dr Francisco Colaco while Dr Jayanti Naik will be the guest of honour. Thomas' book contains 17 short stories on different topics although mostly on love. This is the first book of the writer, which is printed under the Goa Konknni Akademi's scheme 'Poilo Chonvor'. [GT]

Summer festival at Baina beach begins
VASCO: The inspector general of police, Mr Kishan Kumar, kicked off the eight-day "Summer Festival" at Baina beach on Sunday evening. Hundreds of people flocked to Baina beach to witness the grand event, which has been organised by the Mormugao Municipal Council in association with the Department of Tourism and department of Art and Culture. [NT]