GOACOM DAILY NEWS CLIPPINGS December 26-27, 2004 10,000 DIE IN KILLER QUAKE: The world's biggest earthquake in 40 years hit southern Asia on Sunday (December 26) unleashing a tsunami that crashed into Sri Lanka and India, drowning thousands and swamping tourist isles in Thailand and the Maldives killing 9,000 people, including over 3,200 in India alone, and leaving tens of thousands homeless. (GT)
TIDAL WAVES HIT GOA TOO: The tidal waves also hit Goa, more towards midnight and while several incidents were reported, Palolem and Patnem were some of the worst affected areas. People in some coastal parts of Goa specially fishermen, trawler-owners and shack owners, were kept awake and alert as the surging water did cause problems and triggered panic. The villagers in Patnem, Colomb and Palolem stretched vacated their houses and fled to safety after the sea level rose dangerously, sweeping the shacks and other structures on the beaches. (GT) EFFECTS FELT IN GOA: The State administration was put on alert even as trawlers venturing into the sea were prohibited and ferry service on some routes withdrawn to prevent any possible effects of the earthquake. There were, however, reports that sea water level had risen in the afternoon causing panic to the residents across Mandovi and also to ferry commuters. The chairman of Mandovi Fishermen Co-operative Society, Victor Gonsalves, said in the evening that nearly 100 trawlers were in deep sea. (H) TSUNAMI DOCUMENTED FOR THE FIRST TIME: Dr Satish Shetye from the National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, has said that this was the first time that the tsunami tidal waves could be documented. He pointed out that the event took place at 6.30 am IST when the strong shallow earthquake measuring around 8.5 to 8.9 on the Richter scale hit the Indonesian island of Sumatra.With regard to effects felt along the west coast of the country, Dr Shetye said that people have to be cautious and also be on a lookout for any unusual occurrences. In the over-100 km state coastline, the locals fear that the tidal waves could disturb their normal life. (H) CONCERN OVER RISE IN CRIME: People have voiced their concern over the rise in crimes, specially theft cases, which have been reported in South Goa. The influx of economically weaker migrant labourers who work for various projects in South Goa is cited as the major reason. (NT) PSYCHOLOGY FESTIVAL: Stating that ramifications of psychology are interesting and useful in different spheres of life, DIG Muktesh Chander has said everyone has an opportunity to make the best use of it. He was speaking at the inauguration of the State-level intercollegiate Psychology festival 'Xavier's Psychoblitz 2004 at St Xavier's College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Mapusa. (H) CURTORIM COMUNIDADE DECIDES TO TAKE ACTION: The managing committee of the Curtorim Comunidade has decided to identify illegal encroachments on Comunidade land and initiate legal action against the offenders. (NT) JAGOR AT SIOLIM: The famous traditional Jagor Utsov will be celebrated at Siolim today (December 27) at 10.00 pm. For several years the Jagor has been a symbol of Hindu and Christina amity. There will be a Konkani tiatr "Gireskay" on the occasion. MAN COMMITS SUICIDE: One Sudesh Anant Naik, a 38-year-old married man from Usgaon, Ponda, committed suicide on Friday night by hanging himself to a ceiling fan. (NT) VCD ON KONKANI PLAY: The Minister for Water Resources, Mr Filipe Neri Rodrigues recently released the VCD of Konkani play "Sangat Ami Bhurguim Konnachim" by Mr Mario Menezes. (NT) RAUT ELECTED MGP CHIEF: Former Minister Pandurang Raut was elected unopposed president of the MGP after Shailesh Borkar, who was also in the fray, withdrew his nomination papers. Raut was earlier the working president of the party. (GT) NAIK BAGS INDIRA GANDHI SADHBHAVANA AWARD: Noted agriculturist, proprietor of Vishal Nursery and founder of Goa Flora Vivekanand Harischandra Naik, a resident of Sal-Bicholim, has been awarded the Indira Gandhi Sadhbhavana Awa rd which includes a gold medal received from Andhra Pradesh Governor Sushilkumar Shinde, recently. The award is instituted by the National Integration & Economic/Global Council, New Delhi, and is bestowed on Naik for his outstanding services in the field of agriculture. (GT) S P O R T S GOA VELHA INTO SEMIS: Goa Velha Sports Club moved into the semi-final beating USC Seraulim 1-0 in the 16th St Rock Super Soccer, organised by ST Rock Youth Club, at St Rock grounds, Calata. (H) D E A T H S 25 Dec: Ribandar: AGNELO MENDES: husband of late Milagrina, father of Liberata/Satish Achani. 26 Dec: Fatorda: MARIA ISABELA MIRANDA E D'SOUZA: wife of late Jose Francisco, mother of Hercules/Perpetua, Hilda/Anthony, Recci/Meena, Fatima/Anthony, celine/Francis, Annie/Roy. 26 Dec: St Inez: GARCIA PASCOELA SOUZA MONTEIRO, daughter of late Mariano/late Isabel, sister of Dr Pedro/Alcina, Rosadinha/Philip, Mariquinha/Marcos, Fatima/Alfred, Filomena/late Akin. G O A W E A T H E R Max temp: 33.0 degC; Min temp: 20.6 degC; Relative Humidity: 67% Weather: Lovely, cool weather for a Christmas Day in Goa, with a clear blue sky and sunshine to celebrate the festive mood. Courtesy: GT=Gomantak Times; NT=The Navhind Times; H=Herald; WE=Weekender. JOEL D'SOUZA, Assagao, Bardez, Goa.