GOMANTAK TIMES: According to Sources
NO SWAYING PALMS; JUST ORE DUST AT MPT
Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) officials got a dose of ore dust last week when the captain of a gleaming white luxury cruise liner told them in no uncertain terms that he would not be coming back.
The captain, who called at the port with several dozen multi-millionaires onboard, was understandably upset when, first of all, he was forced to come alongside at an oil terminal.
Secondly, the first impression all the CEOs, power brokers and millionaire retirees he had onboard was of mountains of dirty red iron ore and Vasco's slums in the backdrop. To make matters worse, on the second day of the ship's visit, a bulk carrier docked at a neighbouring berth and a thick cloud of ore dust was kicked up as it unloaded, turning the pristine white cruise liner a light shade of brown.
The captain was overheard telling MPT officials, "Let me be honest with you. My passengers do not want to come back here unless you can promise us a clean berth. If we come back we will anchor mid-stream and take them ashore using tenders."
When the flagship of the US Navy's Seventh Fleet was on a long visit to Mormugao, her crew had to cover the helicopter onboard to prevent the ore dust from entering its engines. This is not the first cruise ship captain to grumble and he defintely will not be the last.
RHAMBA SHAMBA: AN X-RATED POLICE DRAMA
According to very, very reliable police sources, a married Deputy superintendent of Police (DySP), whose sordid affair with a married Lady Police Constable (LPC) is the talk of the force, was caught during a police raid on alleged flesh trade centres in North Goa.
The red-faced DySP and his ladylove were taken to the Mapusa police station where they were questioned. The LPC's husband, who is also a policeman, was also summoned and the matter was trashed out and hushed up.
If our sources are to be believed, extra marital affairs are more common than solved crimes in Goa's beleaguered police department. And it is not limited to the lower ranks. Policemen talk in hushed tones about a senior IPS officer, now posted in Delhi, who used to get one-and-a-half-hour-long daily medical checks from a pretty lady doctor in his official cabin. Basic Instinction, Indecent Proposal and Unfaithful rolled in one?
THEY DON'T NEED GOANS?
A prominent five star hotel that has been in the news for all the wrong reasons, is now being accused of having a recruitment policy that discriminates against Goans.
Owned by a Goan industrialist, sources say that the hotel's 'award-winning' human resources manager openly talks about not giving Goans jobs in the hotel because of their alleged "low standards and lack of commitment".
Now this is surprising, because the hotel is part of an American chain that prides itself in its equal opportunities and community-based programmes.
Sources allege that even Goans working at the hotel are systematically being victimized and forced to leave on trumped-up charges as the managers of respective departments promote natives of the states they belong to. By maintaining a largely non-Goan staff -- some estimate that Goans account for about three to five percent of the total staff -- the management has also succeeded in shooting down attempts to launch a staff union.
Surprisngly, the hotel's suave owner is blissfully unaware of how his own people are being treated.
HEY RAM, YEH AURAT NAHI HAI!
A police sub-inspector (PSI) who picked up a good looking 'fe-male' at the Mandovi Bridge got more than he bargained for when he came to know that the 'wo-man' was actually just a transvestite!
The story goes like this: the PSI, who is supposed to be protecting women and children, was riding home when he chanced on the transvestite dressed in revealing clothes.
As the 'she-man' climbed onto his bike, he rode towards Porvorim, and, sources say, proceeded to a heavily wooded area opposite the Assembly complex. It was not very long later when the officer came running out of the woods with the transvestite chasing him demanding for money and throwing stones.
The PSI made good his escape and the story, which was witnessed by members of the force, has been doing the rounds ever since.
ATTENTION DEFICIT SYNDROME AND THE GOAN POLITICIAN
When 'ex-chief minister' Manohar Parrikar inauguarated his Panaji campaign office last week, it raised a few eyebrows. According to sources, the same office has been used for the past several elections by Manoharbab, so what was the need for the 'inauguration' and the ensuing speech, which was widely reported in the media?
Some attribute it to Manoharbab's version of Attention Deficit Syndrome (ADS). They feel that Manoharbab, who stole the limelight for the past few years, has started craving the attention he was so used to receiving.
Any more opinions?
WHAT'S COOKING, PARRIKAR?
Nearly two-and-a-half months after the BJP government was toppled in the state, former chief minister Manohar Parrikar and his bete noir Atanasio alias Babush Monserrate were seen in a restaurant at Sernabatim-Colva on Saturday night.
As both were reportedly having a dinner at Furtado's Beach Resort, former Sports Minister Mickky Pacheco also joined them. What transpired was not known, but their meeting has sent tongues wagging.
A section of the Press had reported about a month ago that the two were seen in a restaurant in Porvorim, which was later learnt to have been refuted by Parrikar. (ENDS)
