Crime Branch Harrasses Mr. Sunil Kawthankar Chief of NSUI

A day before leaving for Delhi to meet Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, National Students Union of India (NSUI) Goa president Sunil Kawathankar was today interrogated by Crime Branch in connection with the police- drug peddler nexus.

Kawathankar has launched a massive signature campaign in the state demanding an inquiry by a central agency into the nexus.
He will be handing over the memorandum to All India Congress Committee General Secretary Rahul Gandhi in Delhi tomorrow during the NSUI national executive committee meeting. Emerging from crime branch office, Kawathankar said that he was asked by the police to name the drug dealers in the state. "They summoned me to the police station and asked me to name drug dealers in Goa."

"This is an attempt to derail signature campaign started by NSUI calling for proper probe in Goa’s drug trade," Kawathankar told reporters outside the Crime Branch office near here. "I told them that Deputy Superintendent of Police Chandrakant Salgaonkar (investigating the nexus) himself is a drug dealer and has dealings with drug dealer in Goa. Police should raid his house and drugs will be found there, he said. Kawathankar said that he has been told that he will be called again to the Crime Branch and will be interrogated by a senior level officer.

"This is unfair, because people who raise voice against drug lobby in Goa are being harassed by police. One of the reasons for this is that police themselves are involved in the drug dealings," the NSUI chief said. This is not only harrassment but also a way of threatening Mr. Sunil Kawthankar to stop his campaign of signatures. The cowardly GOA POLICE!

NIZ GOENKAR ADDS: Sunil we the true Goans are with you in your fight against the crooked, corrupt & the rogue Chandrakant Salgaoncar. Tum Kainch Bhienakai.

Goa is not included in Top Ten Tourist destinations

If you ever thought that Goa was one of the top selling tourist destinations in the world – think again! The State is always projected to be among the top ten destinations in the world but the statistics available with Herald show that Goa, famous for its pristine beaches and hospitality, is not even in the list of top 10 States in the country in terms of tourist arrivals. According to a India Travel India Online survey of 2009, India got around 55 lakh foreign tourists and Goa barely managed to get less than seven per cent (2.6 lakhs). In the list of foreign tourist arrivals Goa is ranked 12th in the country. Not only in foreign tourist arrivals, the State also lags behind even in attracting domestic tourists. The State is way behind ranked 15th in the number of foreign tourist’s arrivals.

India Travel India Online top ten States in terms of number of domestic tourist visits (in millions) during 2009 were Andhra Pradesh (157.5), Uttar Pradesh (134.8), Tamil Nadu (115.8), Karnataka (32.7), Rajasthan (25.6), Maharashtra (23.7), Madhya Pradesh (23.1), Uttarakhand (21.9), West Bengal (20.5) and Gujarat (15.9). The top ten States in terms of number of foreign tourist arrivals during 2009 were Tamil Nadu (2.37), Maharashtra (2.0), Delhi (1.96), Uttar Pradesh (1.53), West Bengal (1.18), Rajasthan (1.07), Andhra Pradesh (0.80), Kerala (0.55), Bihar (0.42) and Himachal Pradesh (0.40).

When these figures were pointed out to the Managing Director of the Goa Tourism Development Corporation Nikhil Desai he said the State needs to do much more to attract more tourists. “We always thought Goa was top tourist destination but the figures speak otherwise,” he said adding “There is a need for coherent strategy and aggressive promotion to bring in quality tourists to the State.”
He further said that the State needs to conduct surveys in the key markets of western Europe and PIS States in order to analyse the awareness of brand Goa among the potential visitors. “Similarly, while holding on and consolidating in these traditional markets, we need to explore newer markets and create more awareness about Goa so that eventually we have more flow of these tourists,” he stated.

Director of Tourism Swapnil Naik says that Goa is solely dependent on promoting beaches. “Andhra and UP are on top due to Tirupati and Taj Mahal respectively,” he said.Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu are much bigger in size and have international airports. The people arriving there could be in transit and may be counted as tourists, he added. However, he said, “We need to develop hinterland tourism so we have more to offer to the tourists.” “We also do not have many religious places except for St Xavier’s church at Old Goa and few others,” he explained.

Ralph D’Souza, former president of the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) and now the spokesperson for the associations, says the number of foreign tourist arrivals in India is definitely increasing but they are not visiting Goa.

“Probably Goa does not have anything new to offer,” he said.
Also, D’Souza added, “We need to have a focused promotion and see new emerging markets. We need to identify these new markets and work on them.”
Considering the facts that our economy is driven by the tourism industry, which has taken a beating of late, one feels the government needs to take concrete steps to attract quality tourists.

For the Eyes of Goans Only - Letters to Herald

Traitors - by Abhijeet Naik, Mapusa

A handful of Shiv Sena traitors entered the Mapusa Municipality on Thursday 8 July and demanded that Mapusa Municipality board be displayed in Marathi. What about Konkani? Shiv Sena leader Upendra is an anti-Goan. He should please pack his bags and go to Maharashtra, where he can promote Marathi, along with his 20 to 30 supporters, disgruntled BJP elements all. It looks like the useless BJP Mapusa MLA Francis is sleeping. Upendra, think clearly. Why are you betraying your own mother tongue? You are worse than the Portuguese. Stop this madness Upendra. A true Goan is asking another who has lost his path.

Red card! - by John Eric Gomes, Porvorim

Apropos the Atala-Lucky Farmhouse case, the Police spokesman reportedly said: “We have ruled out getting help from Interpol. We have initiated ‘letter awaitery’ (What is that?) to record the model’s statement. The file will be moved to the Union Home Ministry, who in turn will send it to the Ministry of External Affairs, which will later contact the Embassies.”
He admits it to be a procedure that will take months and adds: “Now the ball is in her court!” Really? Whose duty is it to investigate this drugs case; the police or a Swedish model? Why should Lucky Farmhouse have any interest in busting the drugs nexus in Goa? If this is how the police play ball, the public must find a referee who will show them the red card!

NIZ GOENKAR ADDS: We the True Goans should be proud of the True Son of Goa, a Niz Goenkar, Abhijeet Naik from Mapuca, who not only loves his mother tongue KONKANI but has the guts and bravery to defend it from the traitors like Upendra of Shiv Sena., Remember Upendra that Shivaji is not a Goan and that his Sena can never be Goan. Do not betray your mother tongue Konkani and your motherland Goa else one day our mother tongue and mother land Goa will betray you and you will be nowhere. Abhijeet definitely needs the highest of the praises for this small letter of his to the Herald. Hope the NIZ GOANS take a note of it.

Spain Victorious over Netherlands in FIFA World Cup 2010 - By Menino Fernandes

The Octopuses Prediction Comes true

Spain Triumps over Holand 1 - 0 in FIFA world cup

World cup 2010
The Octopus does it again! The prediction has come true much to the delight of the Spanish fans. Spain has won the FIFA World Cup 2010 for the very first time. To Spain the glory of a World Cup triumph in which they prevailed over a deplorable Holland side that was reduced to 10 men when the English referee Howard Webb eventually dismissed the Dutch defender John Heitinga with a second caution in the 109th minute. Cesc Fábregas, on as substitute, fed Andrés Iniesta to score the winner seven minutes later. Iniesta shot the ball to the net at the very near end of the game and the outcome would have otherwise been decided by penalty kicks for both sides.
An unforgettably ugly World Cup final ground its way to a penalty shoot-out, after offering cautions in place of goals. Holland was overwhelmingly the guilty party, with eight bookings to Spain's four. Although football was not wholly excluded, chances were shunned and the Spain right-back Sergio Ramos put a free header high from a corner kick in the 77th minute. A little later, Arjen Robben broke clear for Holland but Iker Casillas saved at his feet. The goalkeeper's team-mates had not been incisive enough until the very end.
The mayhem and nastiness of the occasion was an encumbrance for Spain, who will have visualised a wholly different type of game. It was potentially unsettling that victory should be seen as their destiny considering that they had never even reached the final before. Vicente del Bosque's side, for that matter, has developed a highly individual style founded on exceptional technique that exhausts and demoralises opponents as a midfield of supreme artistry confiscates the ball.
The flaw lies in the fact that possession can be an end in itself for Spain. European champions though they might be, the team began its World Cup programme in South Africa with a defeat by Switzerland. They went behind then and a single goal sufficed for the victors. That occasion must have been prominent in the thoughts of the coach Bert van Marwijk and the Holland players. It can certainly be agreed that adversity of another sort lay before Spain in Johannesburg.
Whatever may be the outcome, but the Octopus did outsmart everyone who had high hopes Netherlands winning the world cup. The celebrations to a full swing have begun in Spain. Though the players were all nervous during the game Spain succeeded in breaking the draw and scoring 1 – 0 victory over Netherlands, snatching the World cup. There were tears of joy as the captain and the Goalkeeper of Spain wept with joy. The Netherland players wept for the sorrow of losing the battle to Spain. Well as the saying goes “only one side can win” Y VIVA ESPAŇA

Roy Naik Denies Meeting Atala

PONDA, JULY 10

Refuting charges levied against him by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for his alleged involvement in the drug trade nexus, Roy Naik, Goa Sena president and son of Home Minister Ravi Naik, has claimed that the charges are politically motivated.

Addressing a press conference in Ponda, Roy insisted he was innocent and that he had never met either Atala or Lucky. “I have absolutely no connection with any drugs dealing nor have I ever met Atala or his self-claimed girlfriend Lucky Farmhouse. The allegations against me are nothing but a politically motivated act from the opposition party, who are trying to divert the attention of media and people from the ongoing issues involving some of the politicians”, said Roy.

Accusing the BJP for diverting media attention from ongoing issues involving politicians, Roy feels that the BJP is targeting his father, Ravi Naik, who is the home minister.

“My father, Ravi Naik, who is the home minister, is always of the principle that no one is above the law, whether he is a politician, businessman or a common man. These principles have disturbed politicians who are involved in various criminal activities and are frustrated. They are therefore are trying to divert media attention by making such false allegations,” said Roy.

He accused Rajendra Arlekar for misguiding people of the State by making baseless allegations against him. “I came across statements by Rajendra Arlekar in one newspaper. I would like to remind Arlekar, who claims to be a senior BJP leader, that he should study the matter first and than make statements.”

“The entire episode of making false allegations against me started only when the police department took action against some politicians. This clearly proves that the opposition party, instead of appreciating the action taken by the police, is trying to gain sympathy from these politicians,” he added.

“I am a law abiding citizen of India and Goa, engaged in my family business and in social work through the organization, Goa Sena. Till date, there is not a single case against me nor am I involved in any criminal activity. I personally don’t know who Atala or Lucky is nor have I met either of them at any time,” said Roy. Roy’s counsel, advocate S Pilgaonkar said they are looking to initiating legal action against the media for suggesting Roy’s involvement in the case.

NIZ GOENKAR ADDS: On the red coloured sentences or words:

(1)How does Roy know that Lucky is a self claimed girlfriend of Atala when he denies even knowing or having met both of them?

(2) How can Ravi Naik an illegal matka bookie be a man of principle that no one is above the law when he is protecting his drug dealer son from the law?

Roy Son of Home Minister Ravi Naik a Drug Dealer? - by Shyam Sawant, Ponda Goa

Accused of sabotaging the drug nexus probe in which Home Minister Ravi Naik’s son Roy is named, the police are moving heaven and earth digging up new excuses as to why they have not been able to get the prime witness yet.

According to police spokesperson Superintendent of Police Atamaram Deshpande it is the bilateral ties between India and Sweden which are ‘hindering’ the investigation.“ Lot of people talk as to why was not the statement recorded when Lucky Farmhouse was in Bombay and had opted to give her statement if the Goa Police approached her. This means Mr. Atmaram Deshpande has to admit that the Police Investigating officer Chandrakant Salgaoncar deliberately hindered the case to save Roy Naik. Instead of planning a trip to Sweden Mr. Deshpande could have done it in Bombay itself. According to Mr. Deshpande It takes time to issue letter rogator. ”We have though moved an application for the same along with another application of request to send a police team to Sweden (to record Lucky’s statement). By the time we get approvals…the question is bilateral ties between the two countries…some things need to be checked and ensure proper paper work is done…these are lengthy processes…” said the officer at a press briefing in the police headquarters, last evening. The need to go to Sweden and waste public money would not have arisen if in the first place her statement was taken by just going to Bombay. The issue has even gone to an extent that police now decline to believe media reports. Lucky Farmhouse Amori in an interview to an Israeli tabloid on May 24 claimed that the son of a senior politician she was talking about is Roy Naik, son of Home Minister Ravi Naik. What has Ravi Naik got to say to this. There are lot of people in Colva who say they have seen Roy Naik selling drugs along their beach line. When Motorcycle Pilots and Matka bookies like Ravi Naik become ministers to loot and fool the people, their children learn other bad ways which are covered up by the ministers.

Certain sections of local media had quoted the interview, which was translated into English. “We’ll wait and directly get information from the source (Lucky). Media (reports) need to be verified …We rather not rely on the third party (media),” replied the officer when asked whether the department would take cognisance of Lucky’s fresh claims.Continuing to blame the witness – Swedish model who had a stint in Bollywood, of delaying the deposition before them, Deshpande said it is still awaiting her email reply. “She replied to our first email that she will appear in August-end following which we sent her another email of deposing as early as possible, which she has not replied till date. What stops her from contacting us…if she decides to go to every media house and not co-operate with us, what can we say of such reports…” he remarked.
The officer suggested while the communication between two countries is underway, the witness could adopt a short-cut way to directly connect with the investigating team. He claimed the department has ‘set its wheels in motion’ to record Lucky’s statement reiterating she will be given full-proof security. The question to Mr. Deshpande is “Were you sleeping when Lucky offered to give her statement when she was in Bombay? Why is Deshpande trying to cook up excuses in this case? Mr. Deshpande don’t try to think that you Police will be able to slip away under the guise of Mickky Pacheco’s case. Show your integrity and reliability in investigating this case as well enthusiastically as that of Pacheco. Deshpande do not try to fool the public and do not pull wool over the eyes of the public. Do not do “BOBALLAN BOBALL” In UK some Goans have suggested that the Home Minister who is also a crook and his son a drug dealer be arrested just like Mickky Pacheco.

Pacheco Remanded to Seven Days Police Custody

After eluding the Goa Police for over a month at last the former tourism minister had to cool off his heels in the Calangute Police lock up for the first night of his arrest after being discharged from the Hospicio Hospital. He further had to cool of at the Margao Town Police Station lockup after he was brought for remand to the Court. He was arrested as soon as he stepped out of the hospital along with his other lover Viola in the evening at about 06:40 pm. The team of the Margao Town police took him into custody as was allowed by the court. Another drama of shedding crocodile tears was enacted by the former minister outside the hospital as he was being arrested. It has been widely rumoured that the crowd gathered there as his supporters were paid to come up to support him. “else how can children understand all these things?” said one onlooker. There were also children supporters among the grown ups.

The Crime Branch produced Mickky before the JMFC this morning. The judicial magistrate’s court at Margao today, remanded Francisco Mickky Pacheco to seven days’ police custody in the case of the unnatural death of his lover Nadia Torrado.

The court upheld the Crime Branch submission that custodial interrogation was necessary as the case was a serious one. Pacheco has been arrested on Thursday the 8th July as soon as discharged from the Hospicio Hospital at Margao. He has been arrested on the charges of abetment to suicide and culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Nadia Torrado who had allegedly consumed Ratol on May 15, died at a Chennai Hospital on 30th May 2010.

The former minister has again challenged the order of remand before the district and sessions court which is due for hearing on Monday. Till then Pacheco would remain in the police custody. One passer by remarked “let us see how many more dramas this man is going to enact. They should make a film and put him in the lead rone”

Francisco Mickky Pacheco at last in the Police Net

At last what was imminent has come down hard on Mickky Pacheco. The former tourism minister was at last arrested on Thursday 8th July, in connection with the death of one of his lovers the 28 years old Nadia Torrado. Mickky who evaded the Police arrest and Police custody for almost a month surrendered to the District Magistrate on Saturday 3rd July. He was wanted for Culpable Homicide not amounting to murder along with his aide Lyndon Monteiro.

Fearing a Police arrest, Mickky went underground and remained at large for almost more than a month. When he surfaced, again under the fear of the Police he feigned sickness and evidently got some false certificates from the doctors at the Hospicio Hospital. With the Hon. Judge justice Kamat refusing to entertain his sickness, rejected his bail application giving the Police liberty to arrest Pacheco the moment he was discharged. Pacheco should have realized that there is no perfect crime and that he could not get away with it. As he as started claiming that he is innocent, then why was he hiding? His breaking down in front of the camera with folded hands cannot get him anywhere.

In the meantime Goa Police has yet to decide whether to arrest Nadia’s mother who herself is neck deep involved in Nadia’s death. Their suspicious statements have brought them more into the limelight. It has also been widely rumoured that Mickky Pacheco has bribed them to buy their silence, yet another topic that circulates in Goa is that the mother of Nadia too had illicit relationship with Pacheco and as such the dispute arose over who owns Pacheco. This is only the gossip of the town and nothing pertaining to that has been proved. Police have also interrogated another of his lover Viola Fernandes in this connection.

The NCP legislator was arrested the moment the Hospicio Hospital authorities declared that he no longer needed any medical attention. Was this the result of the Judge’s conclusions on the medical certificate of Pacheco by Dr. Iona Barreto. The discharge or the sudden cure could be the wrath of the law that would have had to be faced later. Pacheco had got himself admitted claiming that he was suffering from hypertension and jaundice no sooner he was sent to judicial custody. Pacheco and his aide Lyndon have been booked for culpable homicide in connection with the death of Nadia Torrado

Mickky Pacheco's Bail Plea Rejected

Former tourism minister Mickky Pacheco’s bail plea has been dismissed by the South Goa Sessions Court on Wednesday 6th July 2010, The court observed that the bail application is nothing but a camouflage to subvert the due process of law and the orders passed by the High Court and Apex Court consistently holding that custodial interrogation of the accused is a must.

The court has further allowed the application filed by Crime Branch PI Sunita Sawant for Pacheco’s custodial interrogation and said the investigating officer of the Crime Branch is at liberty to take Pacheco into custody upon his discharge from the hospital and being certified that he is fit to be in jail. On the Crime Branch application for referring the former minister to a medical board for examination by a panel of doctors, Judge Kamat told the investigating officer to move the application before the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Margao.

While denying bail, Judge Kamat said the bail application filed by Pacheco is nothing but an attempt to have a second inning and to camouflage and circumvent the orders passed by the Apex Court. In fact, he observed that Pacheco’s application seeking bail is nothing but an abuse of the process of law.

Judge Kamat said that Pacheco’s sickness cannot be considered as a serious ailment to grant him the bail, more so when the medical certificates produced by Dr Iona Barreto of Hospicio Hospital, Margao does not bear the date and suffers from the defects of overwriting and vagueness in the report.

The Judge said there are no clinical bases based on the case history and certificate issued by Dr Iona Barreto to arrive at a conclusion that Pacheco’s ailment is serious. “The certificate on record does not indicate that the ailment so caused to Pacheco is serious ailment. Even assuming that Pacheco is sick consequent upon complaining of pain in the left hypochondrium associated with nausea and giddiness, “In my considered opinion, the ailment does not at all warrant a valid ground which can be made basis for the grant of bail/liberty to the applicant”, the judge added, “Under the guise of surrender provisions and provisions under Section 439 of the Cr PC, Pacheco is intending to have a second inning seeking regular bail, raising the grounds before the courts earlier. There are absolutely no intervening or compelling events that have cropped up subsequent to the passing of the order by the Apex Court so as to alter the situation of the investigations”, Judge Kamat said. “In my considered opinion, the expression regular bail application means preferring bail application only upon arrest by the police for the purpose of custodial interrogation. The accused did not subject himself to custodial interrogation, therefore, Pacheco’s bail application seeking bail is totally premature”, Judge Kamat added.

The judge said the orders of the Additional Sessions Judge, South dated June 1, High Court dated June 21 and the Supreme Court dated January 7 clearly observed that the offence is serious and requires custodial interrogation of the accused.

For The Eyes of Goans Only - Letters to the Heraldo

Unsolicited advice - by Praxy Fernandes, Sanquelim

Foolhardy Goans who gleefully accept migrants with open arms should realise that they have not only destroyed our culture and environment, but now question views expressed by renowned personalities (‘Why drag BJP in?’ by S Kashyap, Herald, 7 July). Let me remind Kashyap that the present day fugitive is a BJP creation.

May I ask him: Who conveniently swept the Miramar Sex Scandal under the carpet? Which party’s MLAs allow rave parties? Who created new corporations to loot the public exchequer? Who started communal violence in our peaceful Goa? Non-Goan migrants will always speak for the BJP, as they sync with its culture of dadagiri. The present CM is ex-BJP. His voters, imported from Bhatkal, are securely atop Moti dongor.

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All the more so - Dr Francisco Colaço, Margao

This is with reference to the letter ‘Why drag BJP in?’ by S. Kashyap (Herald, 7 July). My letter pointed out how the present Goa government moving towards a police state. But I have every reason to drag in the BJP’s name.

Need I remind Mr Kashyap about the manner in which his political boss in the BJP had converted Goa into a totalitarian police state? How the then servile police head was at his beck and call? How he unleashed police tyranny against political opponents, individuals and institutions? Even an apology cannot right so many wrongs.
The memory of Goans is not so short that they will forget how Kashyap’s boss ruled Goa like a dictator, even trying to curb the freedom of the press.

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Cansaulim mega-project - by Nitin Kamat

We need to put an end to it. We have the numbers. Many more are joining, including NRI Goans. Let’s oppose it tooth and nail.

Who is Aboobakr Sheik? Why is he hell bent on displacing Goans from their land? Someone please complain to the IT department about him. We educated Goans should not be fooled by the gimmicks of this corrupt panchayat and MLA. Let us go to the courts. They will uphold justice. Not even ‘Mickey Mouse’ could get bail… It’s a fight for survival; tomorrow, they may start driving us out of our own houses. Where is our dear leader of the Ramponkars? Is he also hiding?

Don’t get fooled by the BJP. Did they ever support the fight against mega projects? Did they oppose Mauvin when he declared in the meeting that he will go ahead with the mega projects? Let us take this fight to the logical conclusion, even if we have to knock the doors of the Supreme Court.

NIZ GOENKAR ADDS: These are the true feelings of the sons and daughters of GOA. Suppression has gone on since the Liberation of Goa systematically. Where are the freedom fighters now? Where is Karmali and gang sleeping?

The Frequent Inflation of Petrol Prices - Menino Fernandes

Petrol and Gas are the two most essential commodities of every household in Goa and the rest of India. In the recent years ever since the Congress came to power, a sharp rise in the prices of these two commodities specially the petrol is seen. It had increased every few months when congress took over the reigns of power. Though it did increase during the BJP led Government but not as many as the number of times during the Congress Rule. When the price of Petrol was $149.00 per barrel, the per litre price was Rs. 50.00 for the common users. But when the prices came down suddenly from $149.00 per barrel to only $49.00 per barrel, the Indian price for the common user came down only by Rs 10.00 that also in two installments. (Rs 5 + 5) thereby bringing down the price to Rs 40.00 for the common user when actually it should have come down to round about Rs 22.00 per litre.

The government derives great pleasure in increasing the prices of petrol. Why are all the huge central and state taxes levied on petrol? Where does this tax money go? Most probably to Swiss Bank or some other fictitious accounts of the ministers.

This causes great sufferings to the common people of India. The inflation of petrol prices causes a rise in the transportation charges which in turn effects the prices of the more essential commodities like vegetables and other necessities which need transportation from the source of origin to consumer destination. Eventually where tomatoes or onions used to cost Rs 5 per KG it would cost Rs 20 per KG. Now if such necessities are increased then where will the common man go and get the money to buy these necessities?

The BJP may have called for a total bandh in Goa and the rest of the Country, but that will not solve the issue. The prices will not be brought down come what may. There will be protests for sometime and will gradually die away. The one solution could be to bring the country to a stand still for at least a week which would cause the government a loss in Crores. Or every citizen should park their cars and motorcycles at home and travel to work by buses. This would result in a nil sale of petrol and cause a loss in crores to the Swiss Bank accounts. But in no way these bandhs will help in solving the issue..

TWO BEAUTIFUL LETTERS BY GOANS

1) FREEDOM FROM FFS - By Luis G. Fernandes - Calangute

Freedom fighter Naguesh Karmali on 18 June advised Goans who had soft corner for Portugal to leave Goa and go to that country. We do not require advise from Mr. Karmali. Goans have migrated over the ages for various reasons. But nowadays they are forced to do so, because our corrupt politicians demand lakhs of rupees to give them jobs.

I would like to ask freedom fighter like Mr. Karmali what their recent contribution to Goan society has been, other than speeches on 18 June and causing destruction in Panjim by breaking name plates. What have they done about the stinking garbage lying about. The unbridled corruption in public life and the complete disregard for the people by our politicians?

2) ANTI GOANS - By Cedrick Fernandes - Margao

A few months back in Maharashtra, a regional outfit attacked non-Maharashtrians. But we Goans are hospitable and welcome every one. But anyone whether resident/non-resident, registered/unregisteres, who is against maintaining the identity of Goa is 'anti-Goan'.

Every now and than our leaders boast about "waiting for the high command". Are these leaders illiterate that they cannot take a decision on what is good and bad concerning the interests of Goa and Goans at large?

AN UNKNOWN PERSON BY EMAIL ADDS: If you ever see a thirsty or hungry beggar feed him and help him but never help a Freedom fighter of Goa. If you see someone dying and in need of water give him water but if you see a freedom fighter dying and needs water, don't even put a drop of water on his toungue. Leave him to die and walk away. If possible throw a big stone on his head. These stupids who call themselves freedom fighters only brought GHANTIS into Goa and because of them Goa has lost its identity. Goans spit or urinate on the graves of the Freedom fighters of Goa.

NIZ GOENKAR ADDS: The so called freedom fighters of Goa are in fact looters and thieves of Goa. From one good occupying power to a bad occupying power was unleased by the likes of Karmali. These are the main destroyers of Goa. Today's sorry and pitiable condition is caused by none other than Karmali and his gangsters. These are the guys who were caught for thefts and petty crimes and jailed. Some of them were released on completion of their term and some escaped to India and joined some more goons calling themselves the freedom fighters of Goa. They invited the Indians who invaded an independent Goa.

Who is Karmali to tell the NIZ GOANS to go to Portugal. If he does not like Goans loving Portugal or the Portuguese influence in Goa, then I suggest that he should leave Goa and go to India and live there.

The SCI- Fiction Drama in Nadia Torrado Case by Menino Fernandes

When caught in the net of law, the politicians seem to be very good in acting and feigning sicknesses. Mickky Pacheco has done it just like in the Bollywood movie NAYAK the politician after planting bombs lands himself in hospital with various illnesses. How brave they are! Mickky has followed that particular scene. Looks like also he is very good in acting and should have jumped on to the Konkani stage where he would have earned a good name and been very famous as well rather than infamous. The hypertension he himself created has landed him in the ICU. Would the doctors of the hospital admitted any ordinary citizen to the ICU for a similar case? This is one trick to avoid the CRIME BRANCH and the interrogation. In such cases there should be a special medical body comprising of special doctors to re-check on the reports of the admitting doctors. If anything is proved to be false then the signing doctors should be taken to task also, as far as withdrawing their degrees of medical profession.

According to Public Prosecutor Sarojini Sardinha it is the right of the Crime Branch to take Mickky Pacheco into custody given rejection of his anticipatory bail by the Session Court, High Court and the Supreme Court. Yes albeit! First of all it would be wrong on the part of the District Magistrate if he sends Mickky Pacheco to Judicial custody rather than Police custody pending investigation solely due to Pacheco’s absentia. This would also raise a question: When the High Court and the Supreme Court rejected the anticipatory bail of the former tourism minister, then how did the District Magistrate not take it into consideration this fact and accord police custody instead of judicial custody?

This way lot of unanswered questions pertaining to the crime would be left where they are and the whole case will be a square one. On one hand Mickky claims that he was innocent and had been falsely implicated in the Nadia Torrado death case, former tourism minister, Mickky Pacheco has said that there are no circumstances against him of whatsoever nature to attract all the IPC sections applied against him. If he is truly innocent as he claims to be then there was no need to be in hiding for over a month. He should have come out in the open and attended the calls of Crime Branch. The Indian law says that every person is innocent until his guilt is proved. He definitely had a good chance of defending himself were he not to go into hiding and that would have turned him into a hero to his supporters as well. Mickky should have understood this and acted accordingly. His absconding for over a month confirms the doubts of the common people of his neck deep involvement in the death of Nadia Torrado.

Again the strange behaviour of the Mother and brothers of the deceased have casted more black shadows on Mickky and the case. The punishment should be more stringent for the people who destroy evidence be it any case. It is also hard to understand a mother who should be defending her daughter tries to save the accused and destroys the evidence, dispatches the servant back to her village raising a question: Was she illegally involved with Mickky Pacheco as well? Mr. Barretto the husband of Nadia is right in his place and any sensible man would do what he has opted for that is DIVORCE. There should be tough interrogation of the mother and brothers of Nadia Torrado to get the real truth out of them.

We have a good Police officer Sunita Sawant investigating the case unlike the one of the Cops Drugs Nexus which is investigated by Officer Chandrakant Salgaoncar. However Sunita should not bend to any pressure. There is also a little doubt that the politicians will interfere in this case fearing their own seat and their own safety in politcs.

Let us hope that the investigation takes a good turn and the truth comes out. Like a saying goes that OIL ALWAYS FLOATS ON WATER.

The Dynamic MLA of Valpoi - by Menino Fernandes

Vishwajit Rane the man fondly known as BABA by one and all in the Satari Taluka and specially Valpoi has inherited all the good qualities of his father and in fact I can say he is much ahead of his father. Till date no MLA has done to his constituency as much as BABA has done for Valpoi and Valpoikars. I know him personally and have been with him during his previous campaigns. This man has a lot of love for people. He is the one who will take a beggar by his hand and make him an emperor a quality which he has not inherited from his father but his own. He is a vey dynamic leader. I am not flattering him nor have I received any thing from him, but what I am saying is from the bottom of my heart. He is an ever helpful man to one and all. The reality is the Valpoi people will elect him as easily as it was done before. He had started developments in Valpoi and his whole constituency much much even before he was elected or before the elections and till today has continued the developments. No MLA in Goa has done such tremendous task ever before. Where other MLA’s take in lakhs to give government jobs to the Goans though the jobs are free, our beloved BABA has filled up government jobs with Satarkars irrespective of caste & creed without taking a single paisa from the candidates. What more does one need. His very good work and his good deeds should be enough for his winning of the forthcoming election. The only thing BABA should do is distance himself from the wrong elements in the politics and ministries. His qualities are unspoken of. He never hesitates in helping people. In the past years when Narhari Aldoncar was the MLA of Valpoi. He never even turned and looked upon us the Catholics of Valpoi. He only visited our houses during elections. Our waddo was deserted. But today I am proud of BABA that he started the development in our waddo and also gave jobs for our Catholics youth. This has happened I think for the first time since Liberation of Goa. Before this the Catholics were totally neglected by all the politicians. BABA has opened his doors for the Catholics of Valpoi likewise to others also. May God bless him with a certain win.

VIVA SAO JOAO - SAO JOAO COMPANHERO VIVA - Menino Fernandes

SAO JOAO the festival Celebrated with great pomp and vigour throughout Goa on 24th of June every Year. Siolim tops the list among all. From young to the old all participate in this festival. This is a very important festival in Goa. This is done to commerate an event of the Catholic Religion. When the Blessed Mother Mary went to visit her cousin St. Elizabeth who in her old age was pregnant with a child. When Mary reached the house of Elizabeth, Elizabeth came running to her and at the sight of the Mother of God, the child in her womb leapt with joy. The jumping in the wells, rivulets is the commemoration of this particular event. Well at my native place at Valpoi in Satari Taluka all the youngsters, elders, ladies and children gather near the Chapel of Sao Joao, wearing "copelam" on their heads of different flowers. After a prayer with the playing of "ghumtam" everyone goes round the town and by evening in the broad daylight come for a final session to a place known as "bandar" where the rivulet runs gushing during the rains. Rains play an important factor in this festival. Without rains there is no fun. Here is a clip which I have hosted on the YouTube of Valpoi Sao Joao of the year 2009 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vh0JjWqWEuI Rest can be seen there. by dusk everybody moves near the Chapel again for a thanksgiving prayer and go to their respective homes.