WASHINGTON: Conso-lidating his front-runner status, Mr Mitt Romney has won two crucial Republican primaries against Mr Rick Santorum in Arizona and Michigan ahead of the March 6 'Super Tuesday' contests in the keenly-fought US Presidential nomination race within the party.

By Santosh R Kenkre

Goa will go to polls on March 3 and so the build-up to the elections is massive. Along with the regular parties like Congress, Nationalist Congress Party, Bharatiya Janata Party, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, United Goans Democratic Party, several others players like Goa Vikas Party and Pilerne Forum have jumped in the fray.

PANAJI: The division bench of High Court of Bombay at Goa comprising of Mr Justice S C Dharmadhikari and Mr Justice U V Bakre rejected an application filed by Margao Municipal Council (MMC) for modification of an existing court order pertaining to screening and disposal of Sonsoddo garbage dump as ‘misconceived’.

PANAJI: The Election Commission has made all necessary arrangements for the smooth conduct of polls on March 3 and has issued guidelines for the electorate across the state.

PANAJI: Ms Supriya Sule, MP, addressing a public meeting at Vaddem football ground, said that only the Congress-NCP alliance would be able to deliver good governance and a transparent, corruption free government to the people.

PONDA: Mr Govind Gaude, the independent candidate contesting from Priol constituency, made a humble plea to the thousands of gathered supporters to give him an opportunity to serve the tribal community and the Bahujan Samaj, which he said, have been ignored for the last many years, especially the last five years.

PONDA: The Home Minister, Mr Ravi Naik on Sunday challenged the former transport minister, Mr Ramkrishna Dhavalikar to come out with a white paper on the development carried out in the Marcaim constituency during the last 13 years in all the panchayats.

VASCO: All India mahila Congress president, Ms Anita Verma on Tuesday said that women will play a key role in the state assembly election and that Congress will come back to power and form government with their support.

VASCO: The Cansaulim-Arossim-Cuelim Civic and Consumer Forum under the leadership of Mr James Correia, organised a ‘Know Your Candidate’ programme at Cansaulim market square on Sunday.

CANACONA: The Congress candidate for Canacona, Mr Isidore Fernandes has claimed that a false propaganda is being carried out by his opponents by targeting him on personal grounds.

VALPOI: The North Goa MP and state BJP chief campaigner, Mr Shripad Naik, on Friday released the manifesto of Valpoi candidate of the BJP, Mr Satyavijay Naik, in the presence of former deputy speaker, Mr Narhari Haldanker, yogacharya, Dr Dayashankar Vidyalankar and Valpoi BJP mandal president, Mr Damu Gaonker at Valpoi.

NEW DELHI: India’s economy has logged its slowest pace of quarterly expansion in three years with gross domestic product (GDP) rising by a mere 6.1 per cent in the quarter ended December, official data showed Wednesday.

NEW DELHI: Expressing its disappointment over the third quarter GDP numbers, India Inc Wednesday demanded immediate policy actions which could help in resuming the robust growth scenario.

MUMBAI: The 30-scrip index of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) Wednesday ended positive for the second day at 17,752.68 points, rising by 21.56 points, owing to buying in Oil and Gas, Metal and Realty stocks.

BY TENSING RODRIGUES

 1) I am 46 years old and work in a private company. I want to start saving for a pension, which should start at age 61. At that time I would like to have pension equivalent to today’s ` 50,000 per month. How much will I have to save per month, starting now?

Interface recognised with Good Design Award 

MUMBAI:  Global carpet tile manufacturer, Interface Inc announced  that the company earned a Good Design award for excellence for its World Textiles Collection.

BY JOGINDER SINGH

The Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers’ association of Andhra Pradesh said on February 4, 2012, that its members have been targeted selectively and arrested for their alleged role in Emmaar and mining scams, while no politician or minister has been named. Incidentally the Supreme Court Empowered Committee has recommended the cancellation of 49 mining leases and resumption of operations in 45 leases.

Prominent members of the politburo of Team Anna, Mr Arvind Kejriwal and Ms Kiran Bedi have been going about in states where elections to assemblies are taking place. They are addressing media and public meetings.

Voters’ Details on Internet

Ironically, Mr Arvind Kejriwal, a prominent member of Team Anna, reportedly could not cast his vote in the assembly elections as his name did not figure in the voters’ list.

PANAJI: Alleging that the candidates of the Congress as well as the Nationalist Congress Party have gone berserk and using money as well muscle power to intimidate voters in their respective constituencies, the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, Mr Manohar Parrikar, on Tuesday, said that a delegation of the BJP led by him met the state Chief Electoral Officer, Mr S Kumarswamy, earlier in the day, and demanded that measures be immediately taken to curb such practices.

PANAJI: In a bid to clear the air over Goa’s ‘special status,’ the Congress party’s chief spokesperson for Goa, Mr Shantaram Naik, said that, there was in fact, no provision for special status for any state in the Constitution of India.

By ROQUE  DIAS | NT

VELIM:  The sitting MLA and Minister for Forest, Mr Filipe Neri
Rodrigues, has again locked horns  with his rival, independent candidate, Mr Benjamin D’Silva in the Velim constituency.

By Shaikh Jamaluddin | NT

PANAJI: The Aldona constituency is being represented by the former law and labour minister, Mr Dayanand Narvekar, for quite some time now; Mr Narvekar got elected from this constituency three times with a large margin of votes.

PANAJI: The Kerala Chief Minister, Mr Oomen Chandy, on Tuesday, said that the country was fighting against three ills namely corruption, communalism and terrorism affecting the Indian society. Mr Chandy expressed confidence that the Union government led by Dr Manmohan Singh and guided by Congress president, Ms Sonia Gandhi, would tackle these issues on war footing.

PANAJI: The Goa Government Employees Union (GGEU) has made a demand that female employees on election-related duties be provided transport till their residences. Mr M L Shetkar, president and Mr John Nazareth, general secretary of GGEU late evening on Monday met the Joint Chief Electoral Officer, Mr N S Navti and handed over a letter in this regard.

MARGAO: Mr Arvind Kejriwal, a team member of anti-corruption crusader, Mr Anna Hazare, on Tuesday said that no political party, be it national or regional, in election fray in the state desires to serve Goa.

By Joao Sousa M | NT

PONDA: Marcaim constituency has an interesting contest on the cards with the debutant, Mr Ritesh Naik, the son of Home Minister, Mr Ravi Naik, taking on the veteran three-time MLA and former transport minister, Mr Ramkrishna Dhavalikar. 

PANAJI: Expressing confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party will win the March 3 assembly election with decisive mandate, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, Mr Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday desired that her party should have given at least some candidatures to women candidates.

PANAJI: Doubts over the public rally of the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh at Sanquelim were cleared on Tuesday after the Election Commission of India gave its permission to the Congress party to hold a public rally on February 29 at Government College of Arts and Science ground.

PANAJI: With huge seizures made by the excise department since December 24, 2011, after the code of conduct came into effect till February 27, 2012, it could easily be presumed that liquor was to be used by contesting candidates for luring voters.

Chasing a stiff target of 321 in 40 overs to take the bonus point, India, powered by an outstanding century from Virat Kohli pulled off an incredible win at the Bellerive Oval on Tuesday to keep alive their hopes of making the CB Series finals

PANAJI: St Xavier’s College, Mapusa won the men’s title and Rosary College, Navelim won the women’s title in the Goa University inter-college Handball Championships played at Fatorda Sports Complex.

NEW DELHI: FIFA president Joseph Blatter condoled the passing away of Indian football legend Sailendra Nath Manna, describing him an inspirational leader who has immensely contributed to the game in the country.

Dempo jrs too good for Goa Velha

MAPUSA: Dempo Sports Club (Jrs) trounced Goa Velha Sports Club 11-0 in the GFA’s Taca U-20 Soccer Cup, played at Sangolda grounds on Tuesday. Dempo Juniors went into the breather with a seven-goal cushion.

Dempo jrs too good for Goa Velha

MAPUSA: Dempo Sports Club (Jrs) trounced Goa Velha Sports Club 11-0 in the GFA’s Taca U-20 Soccer Cup, played at Sangolda grounds on Tuesday. Dempo Juniors went into the breather with a seven-goal cushion.

PONDA: The national president of Bharatiya Janata Party, Mr Nitin Gadkari, on Tuesday, said that the party is not against Muslims and the fact that a Muslim was made the president of the country is a testimony to this fact.

CANACONA: The BJP’s Canacona candidate, Mr Ramesh Tawadkar said that he is certain about his victory in Canacona. Mr Tawadkar was briefing press persons at Canacona on Tuesday.

BY NESHWIN ALMEIDA | NT

MARGAO: It is difficult to say which candidate will win the trust of the people of Sanvordem, who rue that they have not seen any satisfactory resolution of their major problems that include shortage of drinking water, mining dust and traffic congestion that surrounds Dhabal, Codli and Dharbandora regions.

VASCO: NCP leader and Food and Civil Supplies Minister of Maharashtra, Mr Anil Deshmukh said that NCP would claim the post of deputy chief minister, if the Congress-NCP alliance comes to power in the state, adding that, the Revenue Minister, Mr Jose Philip D’Souza would certainly be considered for the post.

PANAJI: The Catholic Church’s social wing, the Council for Social Justice and Peace, on Tuesday expressed its reservations against political parties trying to convert the state into Singapore or Dubai.

MAPUSA: Rajya Sabha MP and daughter of NCP national president, Mr Pawar, Ms Supriya Sule who was in Mapusa on Tuesday evening to campaign for NCP candidate from Mapusa, Mr Ashish Shirodkar, urged the voters to vote for stability and elect Mr Shirodkar as he alone was capable of bringing about development of the neglected city.

MAPUSA: Sodiem in Siolim was tense on Tuesday evening as TCP officials, led by Mr Volvoikar, arrived at the Our Lady of Persecuted Church Tropa, for inspection and parish priest, Fr Joseph Fernandes, objecting to the sudden move, especially with elections just 3 days away.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Supreme Court today summoned the Cabinet Secretary, Ms Nargis Sethi as a witness in contempt proceedings against the Prime Minister, Mr Yousuf Raza Gilani and adjourned the high-profile case till March 7.

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka has received India's full backing against the US sponsored motion on alleged human rights abuses by its Army during the war against LTTE, the country's special human rights envoy, Mr Mahinda Samarasinghe has claimed.

NEW DELHI/GHAZIABAD: Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal was on his way to Goa Tuesday but returned from the airport to vote in the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections from Ghaziabad only to find his name missing from the list.

CHENNAI: The four-member committee set up by Tamil Nadu government on the safety aspects of Kudankulam nuclear power plant today submitted its report to the Chief Minister, Mr J Jayalalithaa amid indication that it has given a clean chit to the controversial project stalled by protests.

KOLKATA: Claiming that the nationwide general strike called by 11 trade unions has not been able to garner good response in West Bengal, the Chief Minister, Ms Mamata Banerjee Tuesday said the strike has been a failure as the common people of the state have not responded to the call.

NEW DELHI: Irked by large number of denial of rightful medical claims to customers by various private insurance firms, a district consumer forum has asked the Centre to examine the issue and take action against erring firms to protect customers’ interest.

NEW DELHI: Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) Tuesday justified seeking an eight-time hike in airport charges, saying it would not affect the airlines much and would help the Airports Authority of India (AAI) gain more revenue.

BY TENSING RODRIGUES

I have read a lot about the rising debt burden of US; the present despicable position of US is being ascribed to this debt. And the root cause of all this they say is US’s profligate lifestyle.

Holyland tours by Zion Tours & Travels

PANAJI: Zion Tours and Travels, based in F-3, Landscape Excelsior, 1st floor, Campal organises Holyland Tours. They have also launched Western & Eastern Pilgrimage tours.

BY KULDIP NAYAR

THIRTEEN is considered an unlucky number. But 13 years ago in February 1999, something fortunate took place. This was the month when the then prime minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee undertook a bus journey to Pakistan. His was a simple and straight message:

Sometimes the truth hurts. This time it has hurt Congressmen more than others. When the Union Finance Minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, at a press conference in Panaji on Monday, ruled out special status for Goa, it was the Congress that was taken by surprise.

The direction from the Supreme Court to the central government to set up a committee to implement the ambitions plan to interlink rivers in the country is a start.

Role of Voters

For democratic processes to function, the voters’ role assumes importance in the exercise of rights and duties of a citizen. On March 3, the voters need to opt for candidates who will understand the pulse of Goa.

By Akshay Yeokar

My husband is a software engineer by profession. I love him for his steady nature and I love the warm feeling when I lean against his broad shoulders. Two years of courtship and now, five years of marriage, I have to admit that I am getting tired of it.

NEW DELHI: After rapping the Narendra Modi government for bypassing it, the Supreme Court today suggested the name of a former apex court judge for appointment as the chairperson of the monitoring authority which is looking into the probe of 22 encounter killings between 2002 to 2006 in Gujarat.

LUCKNOW: Polling for the sixth phase of UP assembly elections covering 68 seats spread over 13 districts would be held tomorrow that would decide the fate of RLD's youth face, Mr Jayant Chaudhary and the state Energy Minister, Mr Ramveer Upadhyaya among others.

LOS ANGELES: French love story The Artist became the first silent film to win the best picture Oscar in 83 years as it scooped five honours at the Academy awards where veteran Meryl Streep was crowned the best actress.

PANAJI: Giving a clear indication that the senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader, Mr Manohar Parrikar will be the chief minister of Goa if his party gains power after the March 3 assembly election, the national BJP president, Mr Nitin Gadkari on Monday said that leadership quality, far-reaching vision, decision making skill, and commitment towards state as well as the nation goes into making of a model chief minister.

PANAJI: The Trinamool Congress, on Monday, called for a CBI inquiry into the illegal mining scam after the release of the Justice M B Shah report in the state.

By Abdul Rauf Beig | NT

PANAJI: For the people of Poriem constituency in the Sattari taluka unemployment is still an issue, despite the allegation from various quarters that most of the jobs in health and agriculture departments were given to the people of the taluka.

PANAJI: The additional district magistrate, South Goa, Mr Prasanna A Acharya told the media on Monday that district election office had been made aware that attempts have been made by the contesting candidates to entice South Goa voters by giving cash or intimidating them to vote for or against particular candidates.

PANAJI: With the campaigning for the March 3 elections entering the last week, the electioneering for the alliance of Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party has gained momentum with hordes of national leaders and that of neighbouring states descending in Goa to canvass for Congress-NCP candidates.

PANAJI: The All-India Trade Union Congress (AITUC-Goa) has decided to support the general strike call given by the 11 central trade unions against price rise, "anti-labour" policies of the government and disinvestment of PSUs.

MARGAO: The parishioners of Velim, on Monday demanded withdrawal of the offence registered against Fr Romano Gonsalves, the parish priest of Velim and seven other church members among 1500.

By RAMNATH N PAI RAIKAR | NT

PANAJI: A predominantly Congress party bastion, the St Andre constituency has been represented by Congress MLAs since 1994, with Mr Francisco Silveira dominating the constituency for the past three terms.

By ROQUE DIAS | NT

CURCHOREM: Marred by dust pollution with the increased ore transportation, Curchorem constituency, is witnessing a straight fight between the sitting Congress   MLA, Mr Shyam Satardekar and his business partner-turned-foe, Mr Nilesh Cabral, of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

BY GLENN COSTA | NT

PANAJI: Cumbarjua constituency has witnessed some close contests over the last few elections, however, this time, ironically, the sitting MLA, Mr Pandurang Madkaikar is facing a tough fight from the BJP-backed independent, Ms Nirmala Sawant, despite admissions by a majority of his constituents that he has indeed done a lot of development, provided employment, been liberal with his favours and taken care of his voters.

Mr Gadjendranath Usgaonker is contesting the assembly election as an independent candidate from Valpoi constituency. In an interview with Abdulla Khan, he discusses various issues related to the election. Excerpts.  

VASCO: The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee released its official campaign music for the elections, at the hands of Deputy Speaker, Mr Mauvin Godinho, at St Jacinto Island.

PANAJI: The independent candidate contesting from the Sanguem constituency, Mr Prasad Gaonkar, released his poll manifesto at Devlamol in Sanguem on Monday.

MAPUSA: A fire that engulfed a petrol station at Duler in Mapusa, about two kilometres from the heart of the city, resulted in losses to property, worth around ` 50 lakh; however, fire officials have pegged the loss at ` 30 lakh. Among the items damaged beside the petrol pump is a bulk quantity of petrol,

BY ROQUE DIAS | NT

BENAULIM: With four candidates in the fray, the tourists-puller coastal constituency of Benaulim may witness a triangular fight in the March 3 assembly election.

The 1-5 hammering against Oman not withstanding, India once again cut a sorry figure with a 0-3 defeat to Azerbaijan, Monday as this was India’s last preparatory match ahead of their campaign in the AFC Challenge Cup to be held in Kathmandu in March. India play Tajikistan in their first match at the AFC Challenge Cup on March 9

Churchill Bros hammer Sao Jose de Areal SC 7-0 at Cansaulim grounds, while at Nagoa grounds, Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim defeat Margao SC 3-0

KOLKATA: Former footballers on Monday mourned the death of ex-India captain Sailen Manna, who guided the country to the inaugural Asian Games gold medal in 1951.

MAPUSA: Candolim SC defeated Football Club of Siolim 1-0 to enter the quarter-finals of the late Norman De Souza Cup, organised by St Anthony’s SC Marna and played at St Anthony’s church ground Siolim, on Monday.

PANAJI: On the second day of the one and half-day friendly cricket match, the Borda under-14 team prevailed over Agonda team by taking the first innings lead, which ended in a draw.

NEW DELHI: Two Indian companies - Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Bharat Electronics (BEL) - and one entity - the Ordnance Factories Board (OFB) - figure in the top 100 list of arms manufacturers released by disarmament watchdog SIPRI (Swedish International Peace Research Institute) for 2010.

BY PARAS RAMOUTAR

PORT OF SPAIN: India has sent a scientist to Trinidad and Tobago to assist in the control of a pest affecting the coconut industry in the Caribbean nation. Thousands of acres of coconut plantations, mostly on the eastern seaside areas, are on the verge of extinction.

By Tensing Rodrigues

1) What is Section 80DD benefit? For what investments is it applicable?

Saturnino D’Souza, Velim.

Section 80DD of the Income Tax Act, 1961 is not applicable to any investments; it is applicable to premium paid for endowment insurance policies taken specifically for maintenance of a disabled dependent.

PANAJI: Perfect Solutions & Transformation Clinic has been launched in Goa. The clinic offers all kinds of cosmetic beauty treatments.

BY PRABHAKAR TIMBLE

As a student of constitutional law, three issues irked me which need to be tackled at appropriate forums for a final determination.

The turn of events in Velim, which saw a mob attack a posse of policemen and consequently registering of a case of attempt to murder against parish priest, Fr Romano Gonsalves and 1,500 others last Saturday, is disturbing.

Mr Arvind Kejriwal is a very angry man and his outburst against parliamentarians is testimony to the rage boiling within him.

No Water Supply

The residents of Sancoale in Mormugao, especially in the Vidhya Nagar area, have been deprived of water supply for the last four days. When the PWD’s water supply department was contacted, it was informed that except for the clerical staff, no other staff members like the junior engineers or assistant engineers were available as they were on election duty.

MARGAO: Senior leaders of the Congress party in South Goa perceive the visit of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) president, Ms Sonia Gandhi to the state as the most inspirational event in view of the forthcoming assembly polls. They feel that Ms Gandhi’s visit will help create pro-Congress feeling in the state. Ms Gandhi had visited Goa on Saturday and addressed a large crowd at Fatorda.

By NESHWIN ALMEIDA | NT

MARGAO: Sanguem constituency has witnessed the rule of Mr Vasudev Gaonkar of Bharatiya Janata Party for the last two terms, but this time around, the ST-dominated population has to make a different choice.

NEW DELHI/PATNA: Team Anna member, Mr Arvind Kejriwal was at the centre of a controversy for calling MPs "rapists, murderers and looters", prompting angry criticism from political parties on Sunday with RJD saying it will bring a privilege notice against him in Parliament.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM/KOLLAM: Expressing satisfaction over Kerala police’s progress of investigation into the killing of two Indian fishermen allegedly by an Italian ship’s naval guards, the Defence Minister, Mr A K Antony on Sunday said the Centre would take measures to strengthen coastal security and safety of fishermen.

MARGAO: The Cuncolim police on Sunday registered an offence against the parish priest of St Francis Xavier Church, Velim, Fr Romano Gonsalves and 1508 other persons, including eight members of church associations, for allegedly beating up four policemen and two central paramilitary troopers at the church premises on Saturday night.

PONDA: A 25-year-old employee working with the RTO was on Sunday found dead in the tank of Safa Masjid, Ponda. The deceased Abijeet Gawas (25), who was found floating in the tank, was working as a clerk with the regional transport office.

PANAJI: The Union Minister for Power, Mr Sushil Kumar Shinde, on Sunday defended the tickets given to family members of Congress leaders saying that "they had come up through their works," but promised that anybody found guilty in the illegal mining scam would be sacked.

BY MICHEAL FISHER | NT

PANAJI: The run-off election for Cortalim constituency has left many voters flummoxed about their ballot. Voters say the contestants for the seat are unblemished candidates, leaving them in a puzzle on whom to vote.

PANAJI: Baba Ramdev on Sunday threw his weight against the ‘greater evil’ saying that party controlled by one family should be thrown out of power, while terming the present assembly elections in 5 states as the semi finals for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

BY SUDESH BHOSLE |NT

VASCO: Although there are in all seven-candidates in the poll fray for the Mormugao constituency, it is expected that there would be a triangular contest between Bharatiya Janata Party’s, Mr Milind Naik, Congress candidate, Mr Sankalp Amonkar and independent candidate, Mr Nazir Khan.

BY SHOMA PATNAIK | NT

Panaji: The fight for supremacy in the Taleigao constituency is turning out to be interesting because of the overall improvement in the quality of its voting class. About 2,604 fictitious names have been removed from the rolls, and after the inclusion of new residents, it brings the total number of voters down to 25,914.

By Sheikh Jamaluddin | NT

PANAJI: Delimitation process has seen the birth of the new Porvorim constituency, which was earlier part of the erstwhile Aldona constituency.

A 93rd minute equaliser from Cresson Antao helped Dempo SC prevent Churchill Brothers SC from clinching the Super League title as the encounter between the two played under floodlights at Nehru stadium, Fatorda ended in a 1-1 draw

MAPUSA: Sai Avatar Sports Club Anjuna moved into the quarter-finals of Aldona Panchayat Soccer Cup, organised by Quitula Sports Club, with a 4-1 win via tie-breaker over Penha de Franca Sports Club, played at Quitula grounds on Sunday.

MAPUSA: Adarsh Yuvak Sangh Saligao managed to scrape past Carmona Sports Club by 3-2 goal margin in the inaugural match of the St Anthony’s Soccer Cup Marna 2012, organised in memory of late Norma D’Souza and played at St Anthony’s church grounds, Siolim on Sunday.

MARGAO: Wilred Leisure Sports Club qualified for the next season’s GFA Professional League after they shocked Goa police 3-0 to top the First Division League with 25 points, at Assolna ground on Saturday.

Sesa Goa changed hands since 1954 started with its first owners an Austrian Baron Ludovic von Teoplitz and an Italian financier Alessando Vassalo; changed to a West German group and Italsider of Italy; then to Mingoa Sociedade Mineira Goesa and Mitsui & Co. of Japan and today … Mr Anil Agarwal-led Vedanta Group.

by Michael Fisher

bout a month ago, Mr Shinde, an executive of a multinational company in Verna, was determined to go on a retreat to a holy place to offset the disappointment that India lost the test match with Australia.

Completing ten years in the restaurant business, Mr Salzar Pereira, owner of Fiplee’s , Benaulim relates his experience to the Navhind Times.

By D M Deshpande

Indian cricket is very much akin to a corporate structure. The BCCI, in its actions and control functions, resembles the company Board.

By Nandkumar Kamat

Goa is unlikely to follow the model of UDF-LDF like in Kerala. There is neither any palpable anti-incumbency factor nor anger among the voters. No wave is visible. Majority of voters are still undecided.

As Sonia Gandhi lacks the charisma of Indira Gandhi but she has shown in previous elections that she is capable of leading the Congress, an umbrella party with a diversity of men and women, to victory.

Market for Criminal Politicians

It is understood that both the major political parties in the state have an equal number of candidates with criminal background. Hence this is one area the ruling dispensation and the opposition party cannot point accusing fingers at one another.

By Mario Cabral e Sa

Sophia Pettross, does the name ring a bell? Well, she was an Armenian and the mother of Goa’s first woman legislator – Urminda Mascarenhas. She was very beautiful, spoke extremely well and wrote better.

Not very long ago, watching a Hindi film would predominantly mean watching a three-hour-long melodrama unfold, with every other movie being woven around stereotypical themes of romance amidst resentful parents and love triangles or family sagas with generous amount of martyrs and long-lost siblings, peppering the plot.

In the pantheon of tiger hunters of India, there is no icon greater than Jim Corbett. It was equally true that he was a great lover of tigers and India has named one of its famous tiger sanctuaries after him…

By Mário Cabral e Sá

In March 3, fate of over 10 per cent of India’s population will be decided, and we will have inkling about the way the winds are blowing.

By Tomazinho Cardozo

March 3, 2012 – the day when Goans will vote to elect their next government – is fast approaching. Day by day the intensity of electioneering increases and a number of happenings – particularly violation of election code by the candidates - come to our notice in different constituencies.

By Sadhguru

There are so many things that one can do in this world -- walk, swim, dance, gossip, love, drink, have drugs… And yet, for ages, as long back as you can look, why is it that human beings have longed for something beyond?

By Dr Kasturi Desai

Every time I look around, as a botanist, I find so much wealth in the plant kingdom and how limited our knowledge. It is customary to give local names to the plants whose use is traditional but there are innumerable plants that have botanical names but locally no significant name is set as its uses are not known.

Before he began his recital, Saeed asked me to explain why I was so enamoured of Urdu poetry. I replied, "Urdu has more musical vocabulary than any other language I have heard. Its chief exponent Mirza Ghalib also happens to be my role model. He was agnostic

A couple of years ago we had the chance of visiting Jakarta and the experience was very enlightening. First of all the food in Jakarta is delicious and spicy and for Indians it is a haven. Of course there is a lot to see in Jakarta of historic as well as modern interest

By Ben Jones

when I say ‘neck ties’ I am not talking about the traditional, tightly-knotted office tie which probably serves as a constant reminder of the 9 to 5 working week and putting your nose to the grindstone. No, no – the most current neck adornment to take SS12 by storm is defined by Esquire magazine as: ‘a narrow strip of material worn around the neck and knotted at the throat.’ Think neckerchief-style for an urban dandy look rather than corporate office-wear.

One can say that the first half of the last century was India’s golden period in basic scientific research. India’s most discussed, most celebrated and most famous Nobel Laureate, Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman discovered the Raman Effect on February 28, 1928

By Derek Almeida

Salvador Paklo Fernandes is a veteran politician who has never lost an election. Want to know why? It’s because he knows the pulse of the voter at any given time of the year. This time too he employed the formula that had held him in good stead in the past, which is to please everyone.

PANAJI: Countless state political leaders have rode on waves of public exultation as well as tasted fruits of power in the past, with their success having a strong foundation of support from the party workers, in particular and party followers, in general.

PANAJI: Like the goodies that they have been offering to the voters across the state, the politicians are also running behind the media personnel with wads of notes seeking their help in getting positive publicity so as to "help" them in winning the March 3 general elections to the state assembly.

PANAJI: The imminent restructuring in the Vedanta Group, affecting Sesa Goa was formally announced on Saturday with the Group going ahead with the merger of its flagship company, Sterlite Industries Ltd with Sesa Goa Ltd.

MARGAO: A mob attacked six policemen including two personnel of reserve battalion on Saturday night at Velim badly injuring the team members.

PANAJI: The deputy leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, Mr Gopinath Munde on Saturday said that the people of Goa, as they had liberated the region from the Portuguese colonial rule, must now free the state from the ‘Family Raj’ of Congress, which has allotted tickets to a dozen members belonging
to 5 families.

MARGAO: Soliciting votes on the basis of experience of governance and ensuring harmony and stability, the United Progressive Alliance president, Ms Sonia Gandhi on Saturday said that a regional plan will be finalised for the state only after consultations with all the stakeholders.

MAPUSA: Even as the state is heading for assembly polls to be held on March 3, the Pernem police who were maintaining tight security at the Patradevi check-post on Saturday morning

by NESHWIN ALMEIDA | NT

MARGAO: Ten years after Varca strongman, Mr Joaquim Alemao ruled Cuncolim with two thumping majorities, there is a whimper to vote out the non-Cuncolkar. The only problem is that the cry for change comes in a divided opposition of seven candidates from different parties.

BY SUDESH BHOSLE | NT

VASCO: The newly-segmented Dabolim constituency is likely to witness a straight fight between the deputy speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly and Congress candidate, Mr Mauvin Godinho and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party candidate, Mr Premanand Nanoskar.

JOAO SOUSA M | NT

PONDA: The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party-BJP alliance seems to have the numbers but the Congress candidate, the sitting MLA and Home Minister expresses the confidence to retain the seat in what could turn out to be a closely fought battle for the assembly constituency of Ponda.

By Ramesh Savaikar | NT

BICHOLIM: The Bicholim constituency has witnessed many political ups and downs since liberation. Though it has basically been a Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party bastion, the people here have also elected Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party candidates in the past.

BY SUDESH BHOSLE | NT

VASCO: For the first time in the history of Vasco constituency there are eleven candidates who are contesting the forthcoming assembly election.

BY GLENN COSTA | NT

PANAJI: This election the newly delimited Saligao constituency is seeing a hard fought battle between the sitting MLA, Mr Dilip Parulekar and independent Mr Tulio D’Souza.

NEW DELHI: Former India captain Baichung Bhutia on Saturday said his ex-colleagues Climax Lawrence and Mahesh Gawli took hasty decisions to retire from international football as he felt that the duo could have served the country for some more years.

MARGAO: Sunday’s clash between Churchill Brothers and Dempo Sports Club in the Kingfisher Super League football is expected to be a huge one given the fact that both the teams will go all out for a win to clinch the title. The kick off is slated for 5.15 pm.

MAPUSA: Brasil Futebol Academia played their hearts out to register a 3-1 win over Goa Velha Sports Club, in the GFA’s Taca U-20 Soccer, played at Sangolda grounds, Saturday. All the goals came in the first session of play.

Union SC win by 75 runs

PANAJI: Union Sports Club defeated Navhind Cricket Club by 75 runs in the GCA A Division cricket match played at GCA Academy grounds, Porvorim, Saturday.

PANAJI: Young Boys of Pomburpa and AA de Moira entered the finals of Augustias soccer tournament organised by Augustias Sporting Club, Pomburpa.

PANAJI: P Anand and Chandan Lakra earned Goa two gold medals at the 30th National senior taekwondo championships, which was held recently in New Delhi.

PANAJI: The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) on Friday released its manifesto for the forthcoming assembly election, while stressing that it strongly opposes government grants to primary schools in the state with English as their medium of instruction (MoI).

MAPUSA: The Anjuna police on Friday busted a major sex racket at a hotel at Muddi Zorwaddo in Anjuna. Five girls have been rescued and ten persons including customers, a pimp, the hotel owner and manager have been arrested.

PANAJI: For a successful and sustainable business, one must possess four important attributes and they are competence, commitment to work, character and courage, said Mr Kishor Chaukar, the managing director of Tata Industries Limited.

VASCO: The Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson, Mr Madhav Bhandari, has stated that Congress governments in the state and also at the Centre are fully responsible for the existence of Israeli and Russian mafias in Goa.

PANAJI: Mr Trojano D’Mello, who is contesting the assembly election as Independent, alleged that officers, who have been appointed in crucial positions to ensure that the election is conducted in an unbiased, free and fair manner, have exposed the communal blood that runs in them, and appealed to the joint chief electoral officer and Election Commission of India to take serious view of this.

BICHOLIM: The general secretary of MGP, Mr Narayan Sawant, has said that the people in the state are deeply worried about the attitude of the Congress party shown over the vital issues like illegal mining, Medium of instruction, Regional Plan-2021, corruption etc and to sort out these issues they have decided to vote in the favour of BJP- MGP alliance in order to bring a political change in Goa.

By ROQUE  DIAS | NT

NAVELIM: Mr Churchill Alemao, the sitting MLA and the PWD Minister, and the BJP-backed independent candidate, Mr Avertano Furtado have locked horns in Navelim, which has been declared as expenditure sensitive by the Election Commission.

By Bhiva P Parab | NT

PANAJI: Will BJP’s lotus bloom? or Will Babu win on Congress ticket? are the oft-repeated questions in the Pernem constituency.

BY MICHAEL FISHER | NT

PANAJI: The voters of Nuvem constituency, which include Betalbatim, Majorda, Utorda, Calata to Loutolim, are expecting a close and exciting contest; however, voters feel that the contestants are creating an environment of hate and vengeance and this could mar the election.

BY ERWIN FONSECA | NT

MAPUSA: Mapusa is the commercial capital of North Goa and an important city in terms of business activity and trade. A stronghold of MGP earlier, presently being represented by Mr Francis D’Souza of the BJP, since 1999, first elected on the Goa Rajiv Congress ticket and then subsequently being elected on the BJP ticket in 2002 and 2007.

ERWIN FONSECA | NT

MAPUSA: Tivim, along with Siolim and Mapusa were the strongholds of MGP in years gone by. Mr Dayanand Narvekar as a Congress MLA, Mr Sadanand Tanavade as a BJP legislator and presently Mr Nilkanth Halarnkar as a NCP MLA have represented the constituency.

BY GLENN COSTA | NT

PANAJI: The picturesque Calangute constituency is witnessing a pitched battle between sitting Congress MLA, Mr Agnelo Fernandes and BJP’s Mr Michael Lobo, the ZP member from Saligao.

VASCO: Former Bharatiya Janata Party president, Mr Rajnath Singh on Thursday said that BJP is the only party which can provide good governance to the people, adding that, according to a survey conducted by World Survey Agency, the party is one of the best political parties in the country.

WASHINGTON: President Mr Barack Obama has accused his Republican rivals of using the pain at the pump to score political points while attributing rising oil prices to growing demand in countries like China, India and Brazil.

MUMBAI: Reserve Bank deputy governor Mr K C Chakrabarty Friday said the stress being faced by the banks from their exposures to the aviation sector is a "manageable problem."

Honda unveils Honda
Brio, New City 2012

PANAJI: Coastal Honda Thursday unveiled its latest entrant in the small car segment, the Honda Brio (2012) (pronounced as Br-ee-o and means "energetic" and "cheerful" in Italian) & the New Honda City (2012) in the Goa market.

PANAJI: Young and aspiring Goan youth chess players Ameya Audi and his brother Saiesh did the state proud by winning a gold and silver medal respectively at the Colombo International Chess Festival 2012, held recently.

MARGAO: The Youth Development Programme initiated by Goa Football Association (GFA) seems to be working very well now and this year in particular Goa needs to celebrate since as many as five young footballers in the U-14 category have been roped in for India camp, keeping in mind building the bench strength for the future.

MAPUSA: Dempo Sports Club (Jrs) came from a goal’s deficit to hold Sporting Clube de Goa (Jrs) to a 1-1 draw in the GFA’s Taca U-20 Soccer, played at Sangolda grounds, on Friday.

BY INDER MALHOTRA

FOR nearly seven weeks in Washington one has been bombarded with the apocalyptic forecasts of an Israeli pre-emptive strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities that Israel considers a threat to its very existence.

It every election, all-India or in states, you will hear of ‘backroom boys’. The media will tell you how they designed and are running poll campaigns of this or that party. Screaming headlines such as "War room: Backroom boys fight it for stalwarts" would appear in newspapers with a text following to convince us that but for these ‘backroom boys’ the campaign would not have been innovative and competitive.

Communalising Carnival Celebrations

WITH reference to the letter ‘Carnival Festivities Sabotaged’ by Mr Anthony Fernandes (NT, February 23, 2012), I would like to comment as follows: In the first place Mr Fernandes is under a mistaken notion that the "Goa Carnival is linked to the Christian Lenten season and therefore it is wrong of all concerned in Goa to cancel the Carnival".

The twilight hours of February 19 echoed with the haunting melody of the famed Goan Portuguese “Mando” in the sleepy village of Bastora in North Goa, as a popular local troupe “Goenchim Kirnam” swayed to the rhythm of the music and the appreciative clapping of a delighted gathering.

We all aspire for clean public spaces, which, nowadays, seems like an unattainable dream. But if we want things to change, then it is necessary that we start somewhere. Keeping in mind, a group of citizens from Panaji dedicated four Sundays to clean the Miramar beach.

Meet Asha Arondekar and Avanti Angle, two of Goa’s businesswomen, who today launch a brand new business venture –“our baby” in their words - Tatava Elements Spa, at Panaji. Full of smiles and glowing from the quiet pleasure at successfully seeing an idea through to completion after months and months of hard work, the two business partners excitedly and animatedly fill the BUZZ Weekender in on themselves, the journey that led to the birth of their spa and the spa itself.

By Mini Ribeiro

A chilled beer on a hot afternoon spells magic for many. Others enjoy it any time of the day or night. There are two primary types of beer, Ales and Lagers.

PANAJI: Promising an overall development in the life of the common man and the weaker sections of the society through better housing, food, clothing, health and educational facilities and assuring top priority to agriculture and dairy farming, the Nationalist Congress Party’s (NCP) office bearers on Thursday came out with their election manifesto for the March 3 polls.

PANAJI: Stating that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), if elected to power in the state, would convert Goa into a model state in terms of development, law and order, and good governance, the senior BJP leader and former president of the party,

MARGAO: Stating that since liberation, the mining concessions granted by the erstwhile Portuguese regime have been misused and that it led to the state getting exploited, the secretary general of the United Goans Democratic Party (UGDP), Mr Anacleto Viegas on Thursday said that the party will scrap the mining concessions and permit mining only under conditions laid down to protect the environment.

PANAJI: With campaigning for the March 3 general elections to the state assembly peaking up, the Congress party has sought the services of top central leaders of the party to win over voters in favour of its candidates.

By Neshwin Almeida  | NT
MARGAO: With the exit of the Sardinhas after a 25-year reign over Curtorim, the battle for the assembly seat now seems to be between the Congress candidate, Mr Reginaldo Lourenco and the late entrant, ST leader and Zilla Panchayat member, Mr Domnic Gaonkar from the Arlem area who will contest as an independent.

Joao Sousa M | NT
PONDA: Dissidence within the Bharatiya Janata Party could turn out to be its biggest undoing in Shiroda even as the party candidate battles to retain its seat which has traditionally been a Congress bastion with the Congress candidate, Mr Subhash Shirodkar a five-time MLA seeking the mandate for the sixth time.

Ramesh Savaikar | NT
BICHOLIM: Mayem constituency in Bicholim taluka, which has basically been a Maharashtrawadi Gomatak Party bastion since 1989, has witnessed a change of guard in elections in 1997, 2002 and 2007.

NEW DELHI/LUCKNOW: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Thursday moved the Election Commission over Union Minister, Mr Sriprakash Jaiswal’s comments on possibility of imposition of President’s rule in Uttar Pradesh after which the poll body has sought a video of his remarks.

NEW DELHI: In a huge embarrassment to the government, the Supreme Court on Thursday came down heavily on the State and the Delhi police for the midnight crackdown on Ramdev and his followers here last year and sought criminal prosecution as well as disciplinary action against erring police personnel.

NEW DELHI: In a goof-up, government on Thursday tied itself in knots in the Supreme Court by first disapproving decriminalisation of gay sex terming it as “highly immoral” and later taking a different line, drawing sharp criticism from the bench.

Maria Fernandes
“Capturing a moment in time on my camera means more to me than describing it in words,” states Naitik Jain, a standard IX student of Vidya Vikas, Margao and the recipient of the National Asset Photography Award, 2011.

It was the summer of 2010...I could hardly wait for touch down at John F. Kennedy Airport.  I excitedly walked ahead of my family, urging them to hurry to Immigration Check.

The second annual program hosted by the students of Portuguese of Loyola High School, Margao. Having the biggest number of students in recent times, this program aims at promoting the achievements, language and cultural skills of the students.

“British Council Young Global Citizens’ Summit 2012” was held in Sai International High School, Bhubaneswar, from January 26- 29.

The Cartoon Network Hall of Game Awards was held at The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California on February 18, 2012. The show was hosted by basketball legend, Shaquille O’Neal and’Modern Family’ star, Rico Rodriguez, served as Shaq's sidekick.

Today is the birthday of the late Steve Jobs, the co-founder and CEO of Apple Inc. He was born on February 24, 1955, in San Francisco. He was the adopted child of Paul and Clara Jobs.

The term ‘sea dragon’ may create a fearsome image in your mind. In reality, sea dragons are marine fish that belong to the family Syngnathidae, which consists of sea dragons, sea horses and pipe fish. In short, this family includes some amazing marine fish which look different from regular fish.

BY RAJDEEP SARDESAI
HAS Gujarat really moved on ten years after the terrible violence of 2002? The answer depends on who the question is asked to. The Chief Minister, Mr Narendra Modi, for example, claims to have moved on to the point where he refuses to take questions on the past.

The days when posts and telegraph were the only means of communication are part of collective nostalgia. Now the department of posts has to compete with a variety of means and channels.

The Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan and two of his companions were arrested on Wednesday night for physically assaulting a businessman who tried to persuade them not to chatter loudly at a restaurant in a five star hotel in Mumbai.

Fallout of Calvim Tragedy-I 
THE cancellation of Carnival festivities has become a subject matter of debate across the state. We do share the pain and grief of the families who have lost their dear ones.

NEW DELHI: Troubled Kingfisher Airlines may risk losing a large number of its prime flying slots as it began operating a truncated flight schedule today, with DGCA considering punitive action against it for allegedly flouting regulations.

NEW DELHI: The average annual compensation for a CEO in India stands at over `two crore and is nearly 2.6 times the pay package for other top business executives in the country, as per a new study.

MUMBAI: The BSE Sensex fell for the second straight day today, down 67 points at 18,078.50, amid high volatility in view of settlements in derivative contracts and a weak trend in global markets.

PANAJI: Seablue, which is organising, Realty & Hospitality Expo at the Don Bosco auditorium from Feb 24 to 26, have organised more than 25 fairs in the last 20 years in south India.

PANAJI: Chief of the Naval Staff German Navy, vice admiral Axel Schimpf visited  Goa Shipyard Ltd on 23rd  February.  This was the maiden visit of Vice Admiral Axel Schimpf to Goa Shipyard since he took over as Chief of Naval Staff, German Navy, said a GSL press release. 

PANAJI: HCL Infosystems India’s premier hardware, services and ICT Systems Integration and distribution company has been awarded of a contract from Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu Ltd. (ELCOT).

PANAJI: Goa Marriott Resort & Spa has bagged the coveted award for ‘Best International Hotel Chain in Goa’ at the first edition of the Business Goa Awards for Corporate Excellence 2012 held on February 7 at Tito’s Courtyard in Baga.

PANAJI: The Heritage Village Club Goa, has won the ‘The Thomas Cook award for excellence in exceeding high standards of service and quality of accommodation for the year 2011.’ The award was presented by Ms Mandy Watson – Destination Manager for Thomas Cook to Mr Guitry Velho, general manager of the hotel. Mr Velho said: “We are greatly honored by this award.

NEW DELHI: Janata Party chief, Mr Subramanian Swamy on Thursday moved the Supreme Court challenging the trial court order giving clean chit to the Home Minister, Mr P Chidambaram in 2G scam, saying that there is no doubt that the then telecom minister, A Raja took the decision on spectrum allocation after consulting him.

NEW DELHI: Moved by the plight of two-year-old girl child Falak, Indians and foreigners alike have approached doctors requesting their desire to adopt her.

LUCKNOW: Over 59 per cent turnout was recorded on Thursday in the fifth phase of Uttar Pradesh assembly elections for 49 seats spread over 13 districts, including strongholds of Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav family and former chief minister, Mr Kalyan Singh.

BHOPAL: The heartland of India Madhya Pradesh is unsafe for women -- figures of rapes and deaths of women in the state during the last three years presented in the state assembly by the Home Minister, Ms Uma Shankar Gupta reveal an alarming picture.

BAGHDAD:  A wave of bombings and shootings killed at least 38 people and wounded more than 250 today, Iraq's deadliest day in more than a month, security and medical officials said.

WASHINGTON: A call centre's workers in Gujarat posed as US law enforcement officials and made nearly 8.5 million threatening calls in just eight months to consumers in America, US federal authorities have claimed.

MARGAO: Passing remains the life blood of any team vying to score goals and that’s what Dempo Sports Club seemed good at when they registered a hard fought 3-2 victory over Salgaocar Sports Club in their crucial Kingfisher Super League encounter at Nehru stadium, Fatorda, here on Thursday.

PANAJI: After a successful cycle training camp aimed at sensitising the school-goers and children about road safety, the Goa Motor Sports Association (GMSA) in collaboration with TVS, GSA and FMSCI will organise a TVS Save Youth Save Goa Road Safety Campaign, this time for two wheelers, at Future Hope School grounds, Gomes Race Track, Anna-waddo, Candolim on February 25 and 26.

MAPUSA: A fine brace by Umesh Harijan enabled Sesa Football Academy, Sanquelim to register a fluent 3-0 win over Calangute Association Sports Club, to secure full points in the GFA’s Taca U-20 Soccer, played at Sangolda grounds on Thursday.

BY ARTI DAS | NT BUZZ
Madhya Pradesh state has the largest population of tribes being home to 42 types of tribes. One such tribe is the Gond Tribe, who are originally storytellers, which is reflected in their traditional yet contemporary designs. NT BUZZ gets you more on the art form.

I am 24-year-old. I had a relationship with a boy when I was in college but we broke up and I don’t have any contact with him. My parents want me to get married now and so they brought a nice proposal for me.

MUMBAI: Saif Ali Khan was on Wednesday night arrested and released by the police on bail after being charged with assaulting an NRI businessman who protested the raucous chatter of the Bollywood actor and his friends in a restaurant at a luxury hotel on Tuesday midnight.

PANAJI: While Goa’s aam aadmi was stressed over price rise, power outages, garbage problem or dishonest officials, its politicians or those aspiring for a place in politics, it appears, were industrious at work in their respective businesses, making a lot of money in the process.

PANAJI: The Department of Posts (DoP) has given two proposals to the state government, one for delivery of driving licences as well as registration certificates through its Speed Post service, while another one for acceptance of electricity consumption dues through post offices.

MARGAO: Congress candidate for Fatorda constituency, Mr M K Shaikh has come under the Election Commission scanner since complains have been made that his election office violated norms as it is less than six meters away from the St Joaquim Chapel, Borda.

PANAJI: Stating that a pro-Bharatiya Janata Party wave can be clearly seen across Goa, the Goa desk in-charge of BJP, Ms Arati Mehra on Wednesday said that this situation has resulted due to the work of her party as an effective and impressive opposition during the last five years,

BY ERWIN FONSECA | NT

MAPUSA: Siolim constituency has been represented by the BJP MLA, Mr Dayanand Mandrekar, for the last three terms. This constituency was always an MGP bastion until 1999, when Mr Mandrekar was elected.

PANAJI: The independent candidate from Porvorim, Mr Rohan Khaunte, has asked the members of the Association of Porvorkars, who have branded him as an outsider, from where the BJP candidate, Mr Govind Parvatkar, Mr Rajesh Kumar Dessai, and others hail from.

By Vishant Vaze | NT

SANQUELIM: Sanquelim constituency, which was earlier called Pale assembly segment, has seen rules of MGP for five times, BJP twice and Congress twice since liberation. However, after delimitation of the constituency, Sanquelim will witness the assembly election for the first time.

VASCO: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for Cortalim assembly constituency, Mr Matanhy Saldanha had actually started his election campaign much before any of his rivals did. He had started off by sending Diwali and Christmas greeting cards to each and every household in the constituency of Cortalim.

CANACONA: Claiming that Canacona hasn’t seen any notable development in the last 7-10 years, the Health Minister, Mr Vishwajeet Rane has called upon people of the taluka to vote for the Congress candidate, Mr Isidore Fernandes.

MARGAO: Salcete Football Club displayed some glimpses of their past glory when they hammered Raia Sporting Club 7-0 with their prolific striker Selzon A Rodrigues scoring four goals, including hat-trick, in the GFA First Division League match played at Raia panchayat grounds, Wednesday.

MAPUSA: Sao Minguel Taleigao outplayed Goa Police Sports Club 3-1 to secure full points in the GFA’s First Division League match played at Sangolda grounds, Wednesday.

PANAJI: Mahila Nutan English High School, Margao defeated Mustifund High School, Panaji by eight wickets in the state finals of Late Deelip Sardesai trophy cricket tournament at GCA academy grounds, Porvorim, Wednesday.

BY SUDHAKAR SHANBHAG | NT

PANAJI: Dempo Goodwill Ambassador Anurag Mhamal is all set to become the No 1 Chess player of Goa as the upcoming rating list which will be published on March 1, 2012 will push his rating to an all time high of 2273.

LUCKNOW: In an embarrassment for the Mayawati government, Uttar Pradesh Lokayukta today recommended a CBI probe against one of its most powerful ministers Mr Naseemuddin Siddiqui and his wife Ms Husna, an MLC.

NEW DELHI: A high-powered Group of Ministers on corruption today met but did not discuss the controversial proposal for giving statutory backing to the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) which in effect would take away its enforcement from the hands of the Election Commission.

NEW DELHI: After NCTC, it was the turn of a proposal to empower Railway Protection Force (RPF) with police powers that has come under attack from the Gujarat Chief Minister, Mr Narendra Modi.

MELBOURNE: Amid widespread reports of a leadership tussle with the Prime Minister, Ms Julia Gillard, the Australian Foreign Minister, Mr Kevin Rudd resigned today saying he could not continue to serve without "her" support.

UNITED NATIONS: Citing the example of Libya and Syria, India has expressed concern that the UN principle of "responsibility to protect" is being selectively used to promote national interests and bring about regime change in the conflict countries instead of saving civilians.

NEW DELHI: India’s economy may grow at 7.1 per cent this financial year and inch up to 8 per cent next fiscal if the global environment turns favourable, chairman of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council Mr C Rangarajan said on Wednesday.

MUMBAI: The country's premier stock exchange BSE Ltd Wednesday launched 'BSE-Greenex', the first environmental-friendly equity index, which will enable investors take more informed decisions in the green theme of India.

Amway Opportunity Foundation
holds drawing contest for kids

PANAJI: Amway Opportunity Foundation (AOF), the corporate social responsibility arm of Amway India, held Nanhe Chitrakaar Competition 2012, a painting competition for children of Amway distributors, as well as special invitees from AOF’s Sunrise Partner Disha Charitable Trust.

BY PRAFUL BIDWAI

ROLLS Royce, Mercedes-Benz and BMW cars to get cheaper for Indian millionaires? Premium Scotch whisky brands set to become more "affordable", with import duty reduction from 150 per cent to just 60 per cent? More European cheese to enter India as tariffs are lowered while huge subsidies continue at home? Higher profits for European pharmaceuticals manufacturers at India’s expense?

Ideally, the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee should have first listed its government’s unfinished agenda of the last five years, then explained why certain projects or promises were not fulfilled and finally spelled out its plan for the next five years.

Massacre of MP Journalist and Family

THE massacre of Hindi journalist Chandrika Rai and his family in Madhya Pradesh has proved that investigative journalism is at great risk in the country.

India’s guru of minimalism and pioneer of resort wear and eco-conscious clothes in India, Wendell Rodricks brings to Biofach, Nuremberg, a collection of organic clothing, named after the celebrated Eco Goa room at the Wendell Rodricks Design Space in Panaji.

PANAJI: Following newspaper reports, the High Court of Bombay at Goa on Tuesday took up suo motu public interest litigation on traffic management in Goa in view of the Calvim bus tragedy, which led to the death of six persons.

MAPUSA: Independent candidate from Saligao constituency for the March 3 assembly elections, Mr Trojan D’Mello was arrested on Tuesday morning by Mapusa police and later released on bail. He was arrested under Section 18 of the IPC.

VASCO: Ruling out differences among party leaders, the All India Congress Committee secretary and Congress’ Goa desk in-charge, Mr Sudhakar Reddy on Tuesday maintained that the Congress party in the state will not leave any opportunity for the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party to cash in on the rebels who have been denied tickets by the party high command.

PANAJI: State unit chief of Trinamool Congress, Dr Wilfred de Souza on Tuesday took potshots at both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party manifestos, accusing them of going back on their word on the medium of instruction issue.

PANAJI: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday demanded a government inquiry into the ‘pre-planned’ incident of putting fire to the forest on a hill in the Neura village in St Andre constituency.

PANAJI: A workshop held by Goa Bachao Abhiyan to deliberate on the planning issues that need to be put on the agenda during these elections found that the suggestions that came from panchayats were more to preserve the eco-sensitive zones while those that came from the individuals were for conversion. 

PANAJI: Replying to the recent statements of the senior Congress leader, Mr Shantaram Naik on the manifesto of the Bharatiya Janata Party, the campaign in-charge of the BJP for assembly elections, Mr Shripad Naik on Tuesday said that Mr Naik should not worry as to how the BJP, if it comes to power, would fund its schemes as promised in the manifesto.

With experience in contesting the municipal council elections with Bharatiya Janata Party support, Ms Natty Po is aiming for bigger stake by contesting for first time for a place in the state legislative assembly. Fighting on the Samajwadi Janata Party (Rashtriya) ticket, Ms Po talks to Shoma Patnaik on her chances of success.

NEW DELHI: With a host of chief ministers attacking the Centre’s creation of an anti-terror body, the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh on Tuesday stepped into the picture assuring them that states’ powers will not be affected and asking the Home Minister, Mr P Chidambaram to hold talks with them.

NEW DELHI: A fresh controversy broke out on Tuesday over reports to curtail powers of the Election Commission (EC), but it was dubbed as “totally mischievous” by the government which also said this may be considered as part of electoral reforms if political parties want it.

NEW DELHI: A day after he ruled out any government bailout for Kingfisher Airlines, which is facing a severe financial crisis, the Civil Aviation Minister, Mr Ajit Singh on Tuesday said the government will have to hear them out.

Stany Braganza nets five as Goa top the group with a hundred percent record to qualify for the final phase after mauling Maharashtra 11-1 at Nehru stadium, Fatorda on Tuesday

PANAJI: Goa Carbon Limited Brand Ambassador and Asian Junior girls chess champion Bhakti Kulkarni signed off the chess season by winning a prize of 235 Euros (Rs 15,000) in the Aeroflot Open Chess Tournament at Moscow, Tuesday.

MAPUSA: Dempo Sports Club registered a comfortable 2-0 win over Calangute Association Sports Club in the GFA’s Taca U-20 Soccer, played at Sangolda grounds, on Tuesday.

MAPUSA: MRF-Calangute emerged North Zone hockey champions by getting the better of Bastora Boys 6-2 at Peddem grounds, Tuesday.
In a fast paced game, Mahadev Marathe put MRF ahead in the 10th minute of play through a fine field goal.

PANAJI: The Basketball Federation of India in association with Goa Basketball Association and Agnel Charities, Agnel Ashram Verna will organise the 39th sub-junior national basketball championships for boys and girls to be held at Agnel Charities, Agnel Ashram Verna from May 6-12.

PANAJI: Corjuem defeated Ollaulim 3-1 in Augustias Sporting soccer  at Augustias grounds, Pomburpa. Ollaulim took the lead in the first half through Prashant Naik only to see Abel Dias equalise in the first half itself.

PANAJI: Riding on the superb century by Micky Colaco (122 runs) La-Paz Gardens SC scored a 61-run win over MRF Cricket Club in the Salcete ‘A’ Division cricket tournament organized by GCA at Dr Rajendra Prasad Stadium, Margao.

SANAA: Yemenis headed for polling stations on Tuesday to vote for a successor to the President, Mr Ali Abdullah Saleh, hoping to pull the impoverished country back from possible civil war.

TEHRAN: Iran said today it views its nuclear activities as a non-negotiable right, but confirmed they will be discussed in mooted talks with world powers aimed at defusing a crisis containing the seeds of a new Middle East war.

KABUL: The Afghan government said Monday that police had rescued 41 children from becoming suicide bombers as they were about to be smuggled across the mountains into Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has sanctioned Rs 100 million to rehabilitate and promote cultural tourism at Mohenjodaro, one of the biggest urban settlements of the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation, the largest ancient civilisations in the world.

BY KULDIP NAYAR
I have always considered that the success of lawyers’ movement in Pakistan in 2008 was its first war of independence. The formation of Pakistan was the result of a peaceful agreement which it signed with India under the aegis of the British government.

The hardest part for any political party seeking to contest polls in Goa is accommodating every wish list in its manifesto and simultaneously projecting a vision for the next five years.

Parties Capitalising on Calvim Tragedy
EVEN while the entire village of Calvim is mourning over the death of the six victims of the unfortunate bus accident including little children, the politicians have started the blame-game in right earnest.

ALIGARH: The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Ms Mayawati today accused the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre of "starving the state of much needed central funds" for different development projects.

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court today questioned the Gujarat government for initiating a probe against social activist Teesta Setalvad for her alleged role in a case of illegal exhumation of the bodies of the 2002 riot victims, saying it is a "spurious" case to victimise her.

PORT BLAIR: Cracking the case of videography of semi-naked Jarawa tribal women, police today arrested a constable who had allegedly asked the victims to dance and had shot their video.

NEW DELHI: The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Ms J Jayalalitha was today issued notice by the Supreme Court on a CBI appeal challenging the Madras High Court verdict, which had quashed a case, registered against her for allegedly receiving an illegal remittance of US $3 lakh in 1992.

KANPUR: An FIR was on Monday filed by district authorities against Congress leader, Mr Rahul Gandhi, on the campaign trail in Uttar Pradesh, for alleged violation of model code of conduct. The district authorities said his road show here had breached the time limit and the route map set by them.

NEW DELHI: Coming under the Election Commission scanner for his remarks on minorities sub-quota, Union Steel Minister, Mr Beni Prasad Verma Monday replied to the poll body notice pleading not guilty to violation of model code of conduct.

BY ERWIN FONSECA | NT

MAPUSA: The driver of the ill-fated bus involved in the Calvim tragedy, Rajesh Naik, could be in for some more trouble as the RTO team which inspected the bus has ruled out brake failure and said that the mishap was a result of the negligence on the part of the driver.

PONDA: The Bharatiya Janata Party-Maharashtrawati Gomantak Party combine on Monday released its manifesto for Ponda constituency promising to solve the garbage problem of Ponda within two years besides promising broader roads, flyovers, bridges and culverts in the constituency.

MAPUSA: The Aldona MLA, Mr Dayanand Narvekar has challenged the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Manohar Parrikar to go ahead and build the Calvim bridge in a year claiming that it was impossible to do so as land acquisition proceedings alone required six months. He dared Mr Parrikar to come clean on the issue and not to play with the sentiments of the locals.

VASCO: The United Goans Democratic Party general secretary, Mr Anacleto Viegas, on Monday, said that the UGDP will take up the issues of the people in the port town of Vasco on a priority basis if the party’s candidate in Vasco gets elected in the forthcoming assembly election.

Ramnath N Pai Raikar | NT

PANAJI: Panaji constituency has been represented by the former chief minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader, Mr Manohar Parrikar, during past four terms of the state assembly, and he is back, this time locking horns with the city Mayor, Mr Yatin Parekh, Congress nominee.

MARGAO:  The  Goa  Vikas Party (GVP), in its manifesto released on Monday,  has assured to come out with special  schemes  for drivers, motorcycle taxi riders, auto rickshaw drivers, toddy tappers, coconuts pluckers, fish and meat  sellers, automobile mechanics and other people in the unorganised  sector.

PANAJI: The All India Congress Committee general secretary, Mr Oscar Fernandes, has said that while the Congress party has given tickets to the best among the lot, including some relations of sitting legislators, to contest the March 3 general elections to the state assembly, the fate of these candidates would be decided by the electorate of
the state.

PANAJI: WSKA-World Shotokan Karate-Do Academy, made Goa proud by winning a total of 31 medals—seven gold, eight silver and 16 bronze—at 2nd KWF Japan Karate Academy All India National Karate-Do Championship 2012, hosted by Karatenomichi World Federation Japan Karate Academy, Mumbai at University Pavilion, Indoor Hall, Marine Lines (West), Mumbai
recently.

MARGAO: Oozing with confidence after inflicting a thrashing 25-0 win over Gujarat in the last match, young Goan side will be looking to continue their good run of form and are expected to go all cylinders blazing against a formidable Maharashtra side in their quest to top the league table in the 34th Junior Nationals for Mir Iqbal Trophy at Nehru stadium, Fatorda here on Tuesday.

MAPUSA: Sporting Clube de Goa trounced Goa Velha Sports Club by a thumping 8-0 goal margin in the GFA’s Taca U-20 Soccer, played at Sangolda grounds, on Monday.

PANAJI: St Xavier’s College, Mapusa will clash with Shree Mallikarjun College, Canacona in the finals of Goa University (women’s) inter-college cricket championship on February 22.

BY GYANENDRA KUMAR KESHRI

ISLAMABAD: It is not often that some 150 of India’s top corporate leaders visit Pakistan. And when that happened last week, led by Commerce Minister Mr Anand Sharma, it had the desired impact.

KOLKATA: Encouraged by duty-free entry of its textile products into India, the value of total exports from Bangladesh to India is expected to double to $1 billion by the end of June 2012, the Indo-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry said Monday.

Indus ties up with Wokhardt to bring preventive healthcare

PANAJI: Indus Health Plus has announced its tie up with NUSI Wockhardt Hospital, Goa, to provide preventive health packages (PGP) and also extend its Health friend facilities to the people in Goa.

BY PRABHAKAR TIMBLE

APATHY and indifference culminating in opposition to any kind of development is an eclipse that has gripped Goa in the recent years. Goans’ first reaction is an offensive "NO" to anything and everything.

Mr Robert Vadra, India’s most famous son-in-law, has dropped a hint that he won’t be happy without a slice of the Nehru dynasty pie which everybody believed so far was Mr Rahul Gandhi’s alone. Mr Vadra seems to be asking: "What about Priyanka? What about me?

Shining Example of Rectitude

THE unanimous decision of the United Porvorkar Association -- a motley group of supporters of different political parties to back the candidature of the BJP-MGP alliance, Mr Govind Parvatkar (NT, February 18, 2012), is a shining example of moral rectitude and secularism in actual practice.

PANAJI: Promising to crack down on illegal mining, but in an indirect way, the BJP promised that that those involved in the illegal mining activity would be investigated by the Lokayukta, if the party came to power.

PANAJI: The Congress party will release its manifesto on Monday afternoon even as it gets ready to host Congress heavyweights like the UPA chairperson, Ms Sonia Gandhi, Union Minister, Mr Vilasrao Deshmukh, and possibly the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh. Mr Mohammed Azharuddin is also expected late Monday night.

MAPUSA: A day after the tragedy in which six persons, including four primary schoolchildren died after a private passenger minibus plunged into the Calvim river along with its passengers, the entire villages of Calvim and Aldona were tense and in a state of mourning on Sunday.

BICHOLIM: Six two-wheelers were gutted in a major fire that broke out at Mahesh Auto Garage in Mulgao, Bicholim on Sunday at around 12 noon while around 14 other parked vehicles were partially damaged in the fire. The total estimated loss is around Rs 10 lakh. 

VASCO: The former Union minister and all-India Bharatiya Janata Party general secretary, Mr Ravi Shankar Prasad, on Saturday, said that “only BJP can provide clean and stable government to the people in the state and also at the Centre.”

MARGAO: Police have intensified patrolling in Salcete, which is having eight constituencies, to ensure fair and free polling.

VASCO: The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party candidate for the Dabolim constituency, Mr Premanand Nanoskar, has started its campaign in  New Vaddem.

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and BJP candidate for Pernem constituency, Mr Rajendra Arlekar in a talk with Bhiva P Parab, speaks of his aspirations and his vision for Pernem, if elected in the ensuing assembly elections.

MARGAO: The Trinamool Congress Party (TMC) candidate for Fatorda, Ms Piedade Noronha, on Sunday, has complained to the police that her three supporters were assaulted by a rival candidate while they were on the campaign trail at Pajifond, Fatorda.

Congress candidate, Mr Digambar Kamat and his rival BJP candidate, Mr Rupesh  Mahatme were out on door-to door campaign in the Margao constituency to convince the voters. Roque Dias takes a round of the constituency to know the overall scenario

KOCHI/NEW DELHI: After four days of hectic negotiations, two naval guards of an Italian merchant vessel were taken into custody in Kochi on Sunday and charged with murder in the killing of two Indian fishermen during a firing on their boat off the Kerala coast.

LUCKNOW: A turnout of over 57 per cent was recorded on Sunday in an incident-free fourth phase of Uttar Pradesh assembly polls covering Rae Bareli and Amethi, strongholds of Nehru-Gandhi family, and part of backward Bundelkhand region whose development Mr Rahul Gandhi has espoused.

VASCO:  Dempo Sports Club made short work of Sporting Clube de Goa with a 4-0 goal victory after leading 2-0 at the breather in the Kingfisher Super League match, played at Tilak stadium, here on Sunday.

MARGAO: Delbert Fernandes netted as many as eight goals as Goa hammered Gujarat 25-0 in the 34th Sub-Junior Nationals for Coca Cola Mir Iqbal Hussain Trophy, at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda here on Sunday.

MARGAO: In an exciting finals played at Varca Sports Club ground on Sunday, a 46th minute goal in the second session by striker Jaison Dias helped Infant Jesus High School, Colva beat Regina Mundi High School, Vasco 1-0 and clinch the glittering Petlu Gold and Diamond football trophy.

MAPUSA: Goa Velha Sports Club clinched the prestigious Goveia Super Soccer Cup after a hard-fought 11-10 win via tie-breaker over Friends XI Vaddem, Sunday.

CANACONA: Tudal High school, Tudal-Gaondongrem, Canacona emerged victorious in the Vinoo Mankad cricket tournament, at the district level. In the finals, Tudal defeated St Joseph’s HS, Vasco by 4 wickets.

PANAJI: The Annual Sports Meet of Bal Bhavan Primary and Pre-Primary School was held recently at Bal Bhavan grounds, Campal, here.
Mr VM Prabhudessai, Executive Director of Sports Authority of Goa was the chief guest.

PANAJI: VM Salgaocar College of Law registered a comprehensive 9 wicket win over Govt College Sanquelim in the first semi-finals of the inter-college cricket (men’s) championship while in the second semi-final DM’s College, Assagao got past Goa Engineering College, Farmagudi by 8 runs. 

PANAJI: Regional Mathura beat Lucknow by 10 wickets to emerge winners in the Madhavrao Scindia Memorial cricket tournament, organised by Sambhav Event Management at Dr Rajendra Prasad stadium, Margao recently.

BY NANDKUMAR KAMAT
The assembly election would test the power of candidates’ personal vote banks than party loyalties. Serious and non serious independent candidates are trying their luck purely on basis of their vote banks. Going by the past experience of political instability and horse-trading, electing a large number of independent candidates may prove to be an invitation to political disaster.

The tragedy at Aldona-Calvim river jetty, which claimed the lives of four junior school students and two adults has left Goa in a state of shock and disbelief. We are used to accidents occurring on our overcrowded and mismanaged roads, but a disaster of this proportion with a bus’ brakes failing at a ferry jetty was never envisaged, and therein lies our folly.

Political Blame Game
From our early stages of life many of us learn to rationalise our actions by blaming the other even if we are on the wrong side. A musician may blame the musical instrument or the audience for his not so good performance on stage.

By Shoma Patnaik
Banks lately are promising to lend more to small and micro units after some tough coaxing from regulator RBI.

Emami, the face of Indian cosmetics, has entered the Indian face wash market for the first time. The first of its kind, BoroPlus Advanced Moisturizing Face Wash, with its unique two way action promises to deep cleanse and moisturize your skin leaving it soft and supple. 

Michael Fisher
In the next eight to 10 years, Mercedes-Benz (MB) is looking at 1000 per cent growth at an average of 15 new dealerships every year in India, says a MB marketing expert in Mumbai visiting Goa.

BY D M DESHPANDE
Barring certain short-term aberrations, Indian growth story still remains intact. One important factor which can aid this process is the long overdue reforms in the Indian rail system.

MUMBAI: The beleaguered privately-run Kingfisher Airlines (KFA) Sunday declared that despite flight disruptions in the past couple of days, it has not shut down any stations from its schedule, an official said.

PANAJI: Chowgule Industries Pvt Ltd, one of the Maruti Suzuki car dealer in Goa has delivered their customers the next generation compact sedan, Swift Dzire from their showrooms across Goa.

PANAJI: Mr Dan DeChristopher (53), has been appointed as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BMW financial Services India, effective from Janauary 27 and will be based at the company’s headquarters in Gurgaon (National Capital region).

TERHAN: Iran may be poised to expand its nuclear programme at an underground site near the city of Qom, a Vienna-based diplomat has said.

MALE: The Maldives' new President, Mr Mohamed Waheed today expanded his cabinet and gave the key foreign ministry portfolio to a daughter of former autocratic leader Maumoon Gayoom amid demands by the ousted leader, Mr Mohammed Nasheed for fixing an early date for polls.

NEW YORK: A US court is set to hear on March 15 a petition seeking a "default judgement" against the Congress party for its alleged failure to defend the charges of conspiring, aiding, abetting and organising attacks on Sikhs in November 1984.

WASHINGTON: Thirst makes us reach out for water, but even mild dehydration can leave us cranky, confused and fatigued.

LONDON: Photosynthesis, one of the most powerful biological processes on earth, permits plants to convert solar energy into food and fuel, but with only one per cent efficiency.

NEW DELHI: Mr Justice A K Ganguly, who was part of a Supreme Court bench that delivered landmark judgements on 2G cases, refused to take the onus for the delay saying they were reserved by Mr Justice G S Singhvi who had to take the call as a senior judge of the bench.

NEW DELHI: With the special court granting permission for a Letters Rogatory to be sent to Morocco, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has begun the process for sending request to that country for recording the statement of Pakistani-American terrorist David Headley’s estranged Moroccan wife for evidence against him.

NEW DELHI: Procedural errors cannot be the sole ground for quashing conviction or ordering retrial in a criminal case unless there was manifest miscarriage of justice to the accused, the Supreme Court has ruled.

KERAN (J&K): Whenever a postman enters this village in Kupwara district of Kashmir, Ms Jameela Rayees cannot stop herself from rushing to the door in anticipation. What she is waiting for is her passport, so that she can go to Pakistan and look for her husband Shakir.

NEW DELHI: India suffers a staggering hit of Rs 1 lakh crore ($20 billion) every year due to road accidents, according to the International Road Federation (IRF), which says the country lacks “political will” to tackle the menace.

MAPUSA: Tragedy struck the Dias family from Calvim on Saturday after three of the extended family – five-year-old Diana Dias, 13-year-old Helena Dias and 58-year-old aunt of the siblings, Ms Josephine Dias -- took the 11.30 a.m. bus instead of the 2 o clock bus and met a tragic end along with three others as the bus they were travelling plunged headlong into the Calvim river.

SANQUELIM: Dayanand Janardhan Hoble (55) from Bhavkai Mayem, who drowned after the minibus plunged into the Calvim river, had gone to Mapusa to purchase medicine. 

MARGAO: The All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidates from Salcete, while releasing their party manifesto on Saturday, said that  their party would win majority of the seats in Salcete.

MARGAO: The All-India  Trinamool Congress (TMC) general secretary, Mr John M D’Costa, said that TMC national president, Ms  Mamata Banerjee, along with cabinet ministers and other national leaders  would  visit the state  to campaign for the party candidates  in the ensuing  March 3 election.

MARGAO: The independent candidate from Curtorim, Mr Domnic Gaunkar, on Saturday, said that the people in the state have lost faith in the  Congress party and therefore  seeking a change.

PANAJI: The former state vice-president of the Nationalist Congress Party, Mr Venkatesh Prabhu Moni, on Saturday, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party with his supporters and announced that he would be actively campaigning for the BJP in general, and its Porvorim candidate, Mr Govind Parvatkar in particular.

PANAJI: Stating that with the distribution of 12 tickets between five families – Alemaos, Ranes, Monserrates, Madkaikars and Naiks – and seven more tickets to the ‘satellites’ of these families, the Congress party has now introduced ‘Family Mafia’ politics in Goa, the senior BJP leader,

VASCO: The Rajya Sabha member, Mr Shantaram Naik, on Saturday, said that the Congress will give priority to the export of legally extracted iron ore through the Mormugao port trust in order to bring the economy of the state on a right track and provide employment to hundreds of people who are directly or indirectly dependent on the iron ore export business in the state since the last several years.

NEW DELHI:  The Election Commission on Saturday issued notice to the Union Steel Minister, Mr Beni Prasad Verma over his remarks on sub-quota for minorities, holding that prima facie it was a violation of the model code of conduct and sought his reply by Monday evening.

VASCO: Salgaocar Sports Club came from behind to hold Churchill Brother to a 1-1 draw in the Kingfisher Super League match at Tilak Maidan, here on Saturday.

PANAJI: Current I-League table toppers Dempo SC would be keen to continue their good run of form in the Kingfisher Super League as well when they lock horns with Sporting Clube de Goa at Tilak Maidan, Vasco on Sunday. 

MAPUSA: Holiday Sports Club Arpora registered a hard-fought 1-0 win over Football Club of Siolim to lift the glittering 3rd Parra Panchayat Cup, organised by PVC Parra, played at Parra grounds on Saturday.

MARGAO: Infant Jesus High School, Colva entered the finals of Petlu Gold-Diamond inter-school football tournament after registering a thumping 2-0 victory against Fr Agnel Multipurpose School, Verna in an exciting semi-finals played at Varca Sports Club grounds, Saturday evening.

Film: The Woman in Black, Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Ciaran Hinds, Directed by: James Watkins, Duration: 93 mins, Rating: * * 1/2

Film: Ghost Rider - The Spirit of Vengeance, Cast: Nicholas Cage, Ciaran Hinds, Directed by: Mark Neveldine, Brian Taylor, Duration: 95 mins, Rating: * *

Film: A Good Old Fashioned Orgy, Cast: Jason Sudeikis, Leslie Bibb, Tyler Labine, Directed by: Alex Gregory, Peter Huyck, Duration: 91 mins, Rating: * 1 / 2

By Maria de Lourdes Bravo da Costa Rodrigues
Carnival is another festival from the many that the Portuguese brought to Goa and this may be the reason why it is considered a Christian festival, and has remained so even after change of governance.

By Maria de Lourdes Bravo da Costa Rodrigues
Before either the Mandovi or the Zuari bridges were constructed, I used the ferry boat to get across the river.

By Aastha Kant
Women from an urban resettlement area in Delhi were interviewed in order to get an idea of common food-related myths and beliefs. Take the experience of Sadhana, whose family was originally based in Uttar Pradesh, “I had only known of saffron as something used in religious ceremonies.

By Dhananjaya Bhat
In 1849, the British conquered Punjab and dethroned its last independent ruler, the twelve-year-old Maharaja Dhuleep Singh, son of the legendary Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

By Mário Cabral e Sá
I am still waiting for the long-promised Babush Monsserate interview. I love to talk to him, he stutters yes, but has a reason for every action of his; he is polite, his reception is a monument to cosmopolitanism, he has in his office silver replicas of places of worship offered by his Catholic, Hindu and Muslim supporters.

By Tomazinho Cardozo
February 19 is observed as Panchayati Raj Day throughout the country. February 19 is the birthday of Balwant Rai Mehta, the first chief minister of Gujarat, who was fully associated in the process of strengthening Panchayati Raj in the country. His name is conspicuously linked with democratic decentralisation.

By Sadhguru
Many people say: “Where is the time for yoga in our hectic lives?” You get up at six o’clock, go to office, work, return, take care of the kids, eat and till whatever time you go to bed, you have a busy day. Where is the time for yoga? You have time to eat, to gossip, to work, you have the time to take care of everything, but you have no time to take care of yourself?

By Melinda Pereira Kamat
Samosa: Time: About 30-45 min,
Serves 10-15. Ingredients for the non vegetarian stuffing:

By Khushwant Singh

India knows Anupam as one of the many stars of Bollywood. He has starred in over 450 films. India does not know there is another side to him: he is also a thinker.

By Smitha Bhandare Kamat
Tadev de Skoda Cotta stared at his watch, it was the first gift from his dearest wife. It had served him long and served him well. He touched it gingerly, he touched it yet again gently, lovingly.

By Grace Witwer Housholder and Terry Housholder
The Dead Sea does not look like its name. On a clear November day we drove along it for miles and marvelled at its beauty. The sparkling water was a spectacular and wondrous blue. The few plants and rocks along the shoreline had a thick, whitish coating - salt, I presume.

By Jayesh Limaye
Apple launches a new iteration of most of its products every year and it almost religiously follows a timetable for that. Late last year, it launched the latest iterations of its MacBook Pro high-performance laptops with upgraded hardware and software. We received the higher-end 15” model of the series.

By Nandkumar M Kamat
National Science day (NSD) celebrates the Nobel-Prize-winning discovery of Sir C V Raman - The Raman effect. On February 28, 1927 this effect was discovered and within three years Raman won the Nobel Award.

By Derek Almeida
There is something curious about the way Germans do things. Passing by the Verna Industrial Estate, the Siemens factory hits you in the face. It is huge, and I assume, planned to perfection – parking, landscape, lighting toilets and all. That is how the Germans do it.

WASHINGTON: Mr Kamal Bawa, an Indian-born professor of biology at the University of Massachusetts Boston, is the 2012 winner of the Gunnerus Sustainability Award, the world’s first major international award for work on sustainability.

VIENNA: UN Secretary-General Mr Ban Ki-moon said Friday that Iran should fully cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to clarify controversial aspects of the country’s nuclear programme.

WASHINGTON: As the US imposed new sanctions against Iran, Washington said it was talking to India, Pakistan, Russia, and China about what they can do, particularly to wean themselves from Iranian crude.

KIEV: A group of Ukrainian topless protesters may face jail term up to four years for climbing onto the balcony of the Indian ambassador in Kiev and tearing down India’s national flag last month, said police Friday.

WASHINGTON: Undercover FBI agents arrested a Moroccan, believed to be working with the al-Qaeda, as he headed towards the Capitol Hill to carry out a suicide bombing at the heart of American government, US officials said.

KOLKATA: The security of the country is a shared responsibility and the central government did not pursue any discriminatory attitude towards the state governments run by other parties, union Home Minister Mr P Chidambaram said Saturday here at the inauguration of the National Security Guard (NSG) hub. West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee did not attend the event.

NEW DELHI: Asking the government to take “firm and decisive” action on Norway’s refusal to return the Indian children to their parents, BJP leader Ms Sushma Swaraj Saturday extended her party’s support to the issue.

NEW DELHI: Ahead of the budget, Finance Minister Mr Pranab Mukherjee Saturday met financial sector regulators, including RBI Governor Mr D Subbarao and Sebi Chairman Mr U K Sinha, to seek their inputs for formulating proposals to boost economy and improve investment climate.

Akansha Patra, 7, loves to read her interactive Fisher Price story book. For tech savvy Nirav Mahapatra, an IIM grad who is a self proclaimed techie, book reading is all about buying relevant e-books from Amazon and reading them in his laptop in his leisure time.

By Alisha Manuel

Speaking with Commander Noel Kelman one comes to the conclusion that he is a thorough gentleman.

By K D L Khan

According to world heritage lists, there are 20000 plus Islamic shrines in the world. Out of this 4000 plus are in India and 1400 plus (jointly in Pakistan and Bangladesh).

By Mário Cabral e Sá

Wendell Rodricks had the courtesy to send me his latest book "Moda Goa – History and Style". It is excellently produced by Harper & Collins. I knew the book was in the offing, but thought, wrongly obviously, that it would be a Portuguese imprint. Memory plays tricks and perhaps this is one such case.

By Tomazinho Cardozo

Today’s generation, particularly the youth, are all out to ape the Western culture. It has become a craze among the youth to have a lifestyle like that of Westerners.

By Sadhguru

The word spirituality is one of the most corrupted words on the planet. It has been used and misused in a million different ways, largely because of ignorance, but many times out of unscrupulousness. This has generated a high level of confusion and doubt in people’s minds as to whether spirituality is really worthwhile in the end.

By Khushwant Singh

At the end of last year some journals published what eminent personalities were reading at the time. Sonia Gandhi replied: "She was reading Vinod Mehta’s autobiography ‘Lucknow Boy’ (Penguin Viking).

By Jose Mathew Ovelil

The new international school in the city, which was established few years ago to impart all-round education to young boys, especially to the children of Goan expatriates, was well known for its child centred education and no doubt, it had a team of well qualified teachers.

By Meher Castelino

Paris is a city of romance, love and beautiful things. Everybody who lands in Paris loves the beauty and history of this city and the song "I love Paris in the Spring Time" sung by Frank Sinatra is very true.

By Nandkumar M Kamat

The global trends indicate that climate change is now promoting wild fires in forests, grasslands and plantations. After the winter set in Goa, a large number of wild fires have been reported. Many cashew plantations and hillsides have been gutted in these fires.

By Derek Almeida

Five years from now this could be the scenario in the Armed Forces. Pakistan launches an attack along the Western border and Rakesh Patrakar, anchor of a leading television channel in the country comes on the air.

PANAJI: The joint chief election officer, Mr Narayan Navti on Friday informed that around 14,000 polling officials and police personnel, who have been requisitioned for election duty, will be given postal ballot papers to exercise the  franchise a day after the assembly elections and they will have to submit the ballot papers to returning officers before votes are counted.

PANAJI: The working president of the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC), Mr Francisco Sardinha on Friday said that his party was seeking votes from the electorate on the positive performance especially on the development front by the Congress-led government for the last five years.

The Kennel Association of Goa, which is associated with the Kennel Association of India, is devoted to make people aware about pedigree dogs and is hosting a dog show.

By Naguesh Rao Sardessai
“The world and life have no meaning of their own; it’s the individual perception that makes the difference and makes life unique for everyone…” says Richa Vora, a Kolhapur-based artist, who is showing her body of work titled ‘Perceptions and Perspectives’ at the Goa Kala Academy’s Art Gallery, Panaji.