[Goanet]Dharna to focus on Goa Govts inept handling of corruption
-- Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre Ph:2252660 Website: www.goadesc.org Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Press Clippings on the web: http://www.goadesc.org/mem/ -- - Dharna to focus on govt's inept handling of graft - The Nitoll Jinn Trust will stage a dharna near the Mandovi bridge in Panjim on February 17 between 2 pm to 6 pm to draw government's attention to what the organisation terms as increasing corruption and the government's inability to curb the same. The issues that will be taken up are Lokayukta Bill, dishonest implementation of the Right to Information Act, failure of government to file charge-sheets after lodging of FIR's and pursue cases where chargesheets are filed in respect of corruption cases. NJT will also organise a half-day seminar on the Right to Information Act on March 6 at Margao. Briefing newsmen, NJT Chairman, Arvind Bhatikar said the organisation will also submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister on varied issues. He accused the government for not implementing the Right to Information Act. To cite an instance, Bhatikar said he has applied to the government for information on the number of Hindus and Catholics employed in recent times. What I have received is a reply that the information cannot be given since it is not in public interest, he said and wondered how the government has concluded that this information would go against public interest. Asserting that a citizen is not bound to cite reason when seeking any information, Bhatikar said it's the right of a citizen to get access to all information which a MLA is entitled for.Asked to specify any pointed corruption cases involving the government, Bhatikar said right now, we are in the process of compiling the same, but asserted that the government is definitely not capable to control corruption. NJT member, Adv Bernard D'Souza sought to know from the government over the inordinate delay in constituting the Administrative Tribunal for South Goa. It's one year since the Tribunal was notified. Even interviews were held, he said and wondered over the delay. D'Souza also sought to ask why the government is delaying the appointment of a third Fast Track Court Judge in Margao.The Trust intends to collect cases from all over Goa, where information under the Act, was sought for, but rejected or badly delayed or inadequately replied to. Bhatikar has requested the people to send detailed information to NJT at PO Box 324, Margao, or contact on Tel Nos 2730954. Fax 2702934. - Herald 13/2/04 page 3 -- === GOA DESC RESOURCE CENTRE Documentation + Education + Solidarity 11 Liberty Apts., Feira Alta, Mapusa, Goa 403 507 Tel: 2252660 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] website: www.goadesc.org -- Working On Issues Of Development Democracy === ## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##
[Goanet-news]14 FEB 2004: GOACOM DAILY NEWS CLIPPINGS
GOACOM DAILY NEWS CLIPPINGS 14 February 2004 CONG CHALLENGES CM ON FINANCIAL STATUS: The Congress yesterday (Feb 13) challenged the Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to release a white paper on the financial position of Goa failing which it will come out with a white paper on this matter. (GT) UK TEAM TO TRAIN GOAN OFFICIALS: The Rotary Club of Birmingham and Rotary clubs of Goa have launched a major international project called Saving Lives in the State. An initiative of UK-based Dr Peter Patel, a member of the Rotary Club of Birmingham, the project is designed to ensure better and quicker response to emergency situations. The project is essentially a multi-disciplinary partnership of different agencies, which will effectively bring together expertise in pre-hospital care, accident emergency medicine, trauma management, rescue services and management, and disaster medicine and management. (GT) MHAPSA FEST INAUGURATED: Filsu Mana, the oldest women in Feira Alta-Mapusa, inaugurated the 3-day Mhapsa Fest yesterday (Feb 13) evening, to the accompaniment of the music played by the Ward's own brass band. Art had not come to Mapusa with such profusion as it did yesterday, and all the participating artists and the continuous flow of visitors of the five-odd houses playing art galleries, were all praise to goanetter Miguel Braganza and his enthusiastic team of Mhapxekars for putting up such a fascinating display of art, with food and beer stalls besides lively music by wellknown Mapusa bands and other entertainers. For a glimpse of the Mhapsa Fest, please visit Goacom's Audio-Video section at www.goacom.com SURVEY ON WIND ENERGY: A survey that will study the possibility of formulating and implementing a policy for promoting power generation from wind energy is all set to commence from next week in Goa. The project is slated for implementation by the Department of Science, Technology and Environment through the Goa Energy Development Agency. (H) SAD END TO LOVE AFFAIR: Ganesh Jadav (21) from Yawatmal in Maharashtra eloped with a 15-year-old girl and came to Goa on a holiday. The duo was staying at a hotel in Calangute when things apparently turned sour between the lovers and the girl slashed her wrists in an attempt to commit suicide. Jadav rushed the victim to the Primary Health Centre, Candolim, where the doctors informed him that the girl had lost a large amount of blood and was in a very serious condition. While she was being transported to the Goa Medical College hospital she succumbed to her injuries. (GT) GOA TO COMPLETE IFFI WORKS: The core committee for the International Film Festival of India has tentatively considered November 28, 2004, as the date for the inauguration of the mega entertainment event, a week ahead of the scheduled date, for its convenience and would carry out the infrastructure raising work accordingly. (NT) KONKANI GROUPS NEED FREQUENT INTERACTIONS: BJP's Union Minister of State for Defence and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr O Rajagopal, opened the 24th session of the All India Konkani Parishad in Kozhikode (Calicut) on February 13, with some 1200 delegates from four State attending. He called on all to be proud of their mother-tongue and culture. Basti Vaman Shenoy of Mangalore, who presided over the meet, said the Konkani people and organisations need frequent interactions, to develop a sense of togetherness. (H) PAY PARKING IN VASCO: Introduction of pay parking in the port town of Vasco was scheduled on the first day of the New Year, 2004, but sadly only one meeting last year and there seems to be not much headway into the introduction. (NT) CHANGE MINDSET: There is a need to change the mindset of the younger generation, which is more inclined towards white-collar jobs, said Governor Kidar Nath Sahani. He was speaking at the Goa University's pre-convocation function organised at the Conference Hall of GU, Taleigao, on February 13. (GT) REMO ENTHRALLS KUWAIT AUDIENCE: Goa's Remo Fernandes, after a long hiatus finally got to perform in Kuwait at the Indian Arts Circle auditorium at Funaitees to an audience of around a thousand-plus on February 6 evening. Remo got rolling with his first number Keeps Me Moving (which he dedicated to the people of Kuwait) followed by Indian Lady and thereafter, was in full flow with the Flute Song, Maria Pita Che, Humma, Huyya Ho, Pyar to Hona Hi Tha, O Meri Munni, Bombay City and other numbers interspersed with scats, guitar solos, etc. (Wellington Dias in Herald) TRIO KINGS LEAVE FOR KUWAIT: Joaquim-Jr Rod-Anthony alongwith the senior and veteran Konkani artiste Remy Colaco left Goa on February 11 for Kuwait. They were also accompanied by musicians Agnelo Dias and Juju. The group will participate in the mega musical extravaganza entitled Tiatr and Tiatrist scheduled to be staged on February 20, at Gulf English School, Rumaithiya, in Kuwait at 3.30 pm. (H) GUTTER STENCH IN PONDA: Simmering discontent over the Ponda Municipal Council's failure to
[Goanet]Happy St. Valentine Day and Choicest Blssings - a song
Dear Compatriots, well, let me say in Konkani: Mogal bhav-bhoinnini, (now, doesn't that sound sweeter than Dear Compatriots?) A HAPPY ST. VALENTINE'S DAY Greetings from Basilio Magno Romantic folks as we Goans are, I have no doubt that you will be celebrating the St. Valentine's Day (14-02-03) with dinner-dance at your favourite dance local wherever you are. One is never too old to dine and dance on romantic occasion like this one. I don't know who has started this custom but here on the Sunny Coast of Spain the English community are organising everywhere dinner-dance festivities, for which Rosi and I too have booked to go. So, here's wishing you all a Very Happy St. Valentine's Day and sweet romancing. It is a day to offer your wife or lover a bouquet of flowers in the morning and to take her out to dinner in the evening and whisper to her I love you, thank you for caring. It will indeed make her day. Ask yourself when was the last time you said I love you to your wife, more so if she is not so young? I am a very senior person .young-looking oldman I may say but we never go to bed at night without a good-night kiss, and never without saying together the Rosary and the Night prayers before that. We all can do that (and I am talking of Catholics only in the prayer connection). It is our Catholic heritage; the oft-repeated request of the Virgin Maty On this happy day it gives me great pleasure to greet you all with my love song I had composed for the wedding of Princess Cristina de Borborn of Spain with Inaki Urdangarin, in 1977, entitled: Choicest Blessings. My concluding wish: God bless you all. CHOICEST BLESSINGS words and music by Basilio Magno Love is the richest thing, a treasure of million dreams, That not all the wealth on earth could buy. In love you feel you're the king, because you have everything, Daydreams and heartbeats, sweet joys and sighs For love Adam gave up the Paradise, Romeo and Juliet died side by side; Kings abandoned thrones and queens became just wives, All to own that love, the priceless jew'l of life. Love is the richest thing, and this is the lucky couple, To have each other in love, forever in love. In love, kneel 'fore the altar two hearts, Princess Cristina, Iñaki her sweetheart; The world stands still to hear their solemn words of trust, Yes, I do, I do, till death do us part. Love is the richest thins, and Spain loves these two young darlings, And wish them for evermore: God's Choicest Blessings. Choicest Blessings. (C)1977 by Basilio Magno; Deposito Legal: MA-633-1977 [EMAIL PROTECTED] ## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##
[Goanet]Re: Mhapsa Fest on 13,14,15 Feb.
Hi Miguel As an expat Goan, I am continuously amazed and thrilled by the good work ordinary citizens like yourself and others do in Goa. The culture seems to be changing where people are not waiting for the government or media or other groups to help. It seems ordinary folk are taking the initiative in various fields and accomplishing much, often inspite of the forces of corruption, communalism, casteism which confront them. It is very inspiring to see and I hope expat Goans join you all in your endeavors. Regards, George --- Miguel Braganza [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: The Mhapsa Fest had a double inauguration on Friday the thirteenth February,2004. The longest and oldest resident of Feira Alta a venerable 90 plus something lady, affectionately known as Filsu Mana, declared the people's festival open at 6.30 P.M. Gurudattta Bhakta, a former resident of the ward, released the special tabloid called simply as 'Mhapsa Fest' The tunes of great old melodies rendered by the local brass band floated in from the pergola in the Olympic Garden. Adv.Francis D'Souza, Minister for IT Law and the MLA of Mapusa, inaugurated to on-stage programme at 7 P.M. __ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Finance: Get your refund fast by filing online. http://taxes.yahoo.com/filing.html ## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##
[Goanet]Tour operators to offer cut-price surgery in India: The Times (UK)
Headline: Tour operators to offer cut-price surgery in India By Nick Meo in Bombay Source: The Times (UK) February 13, 2004 at http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-999258,00.html British patients are being enticed to jump NHS queues and travel to India for cut-price medical treatment. Travel operators are set to launch package tours to Indian hospitals later this year. Thomas Cook India and other major tour companies will offer return flights, an operation at a Bombay hospital, and post-operative sightseeing at South Indian temples or recuperation on the beach at Goa. The packages are part of a drive by the new Medical Tourism Council of Maharashtra to sell Indian hospitals as a cheaper, quality alternative to a long wait on the NHS. Indian doctors estimate that heart surgery costs an average £30,000 in Britain but only £6,000 in Bombay. The saving is comparable for other non-emergency treatment such as joint replacement, neurosurgery and cancer treatment. Patients will be able to choose their doctor and hospital on a website in Britain and will be met at the airport on arrival in Bombay and taken to the hospital of their choice. The medical tourism council was set up in November to market private Indian hospitals in Bombay, which claim operations cost about a fifth or less of the British price. Sushil Jiwarajka, the chairman of the Indian Chambers of Commerce in Bombay and a key backer of the marketing drive, said: This is a chance for patients to jump the queues and get world-class medical treatment at a fraction of what it costs in Britain. A lot of Indians living in the UK are already coming here, but we think we can reach a much wider market. We want to set up a full package covering everything. The details of doctors will be posted on a website so patients can make an informed decision before they leave the UK. We will help to deal with immigration formalities. And there will be a fully equipped ambulance and someone to help the patients when they arrive here. Basically we will hold their hand all the way through the experience. Afterwards when they are recovering, we have some of the best beaches in the world, beautiful places for meditation holidays, or wonderful hills. Cox and Kings, an upmarket specialist travel company, and Taj Hotels, owners of the Taj Mahal hotel in Bombay, also plan to launch packages with the backing of the Maharashtra State Government's Tourism and Health Ministries. Doctors from some of Bombay's best hospitals say that about 500 foreign patients, mainly from the Middle East and South-East Asia, are already being treated daily in the city and medical tourism is fuelling growth in India's medical sector and promises to become one of the country's biggest earners. Anupam Verma, Director of Administration at the Hinduja Hospital, said: Large numbers of British Asians have been coming to Bombay for years but we believe the potential is still much greater. We offer replacement knees and hips, heart surgery and cosmetic surgery at a fraction of the price in Britain. Even after paying the air fare patients will find it affordable here. Bombay's hospitals have a very high reputation and there are no delays. This is going to be big. That is why a concerted effort is being made now. India's hospitals are also planning to offer to carry out operations for the NHS. We could save the NHS a lot of money and reduce waiting time considerably, Mr Verma said. We're at an initial stage with contacts and there is no formal tie-up with the NHS yet, but that is what we are looking at in the future. Maharashtra, the state of which Bombay is the capital, is competing against other Indian states anxious to break into the Western market. Mahendra Jain, tourism commissioner in the state of Karnataka, visited the World Tourism Mart in London in December to promote hospitals in Bangalore. The city, home to many of India's call centres, also boasts 25 medical centres including eight world-class cardiac hospitals. Madras also hopes to win patients from Britain. But Delhi is leading the way so far. The city's Apollo Hospital claims to have treated about 60,000 foreign patients from 55 countries in the past five years. James Campbell saved about £12,000 on knee surgery last year, including hotel bills and air fares, after spending about £8,000 to come to India from Scotland for surgery, compared with the estimated £20,000 he would have spent at home. Naresh Trehan, executive director at Escorts Heart Institute, said: The main reason behind India emerging as a favourite destination for healthcare is that medical expertise available here is second to none. State-of-the-art corporate hospitals in India are now offering the same technology as their counterparts in the rest of the world. However, some medical experts are wary of the trend. Meera Shiva, from the Voluntary Health Association of India, fears that if wealthy Western medical tourists flood in, prices could be forced
[Goanet]Re: [aldona-net] Mhapsa Fest on 13,14,15 Feb.
The Mhapsa Fest had a double inauguration on Friday the thirteenth
February,2004. The longest and oldest resident of Feira Alta a venerable 90
plus something lady, affectionately known as Filsu Mana, declared the
people's festival open at 6.30 P.M. Gurudattta Bhakta, a former resident
of the ward, released the special tabloid called simply as 'Mhapsa Fest' The
tunes of great old melodies rendered by the local brass band floated in
from the pergola in the Olympic Garden. Adv.Francis D'Souza, Minister for IT
Law and the MLA of Mapusa, inaugurated to on-stage programme at 7 P.M.
Speaking on the occasion, Adv. D'Souza complimented the organizers for
putting on a fantastic show in less than a month of preparation. It was just
21 January when the idea was discussed and today the show is already on
stage, he said. He asked the people of Mapusa to support the effort and
revive the charm of Mapusa.
The Brass band from Altinho-Vhoilo vaddo, rendered quite a few popular songs
and marches between 5.30 P.M. and 9 P.M. in the pergola very close to the
art galleries. It attracted a large number of people to the area and the
artists were happy with the flow of visitors, which was beyond their wildest
dreams for a show in Mapusa. There were many visitors from Panaji,too.
Virgilio Velho, Olavio Fernandes, Antonzito Gomes and others could be seen
in the crowd. Fellow Bardez residents like Arsenio Fernandes, Daniel
D'Souza,Floriano Lobo, Heta Pandit,Ana Marie Goswami and others were also
seen at the art galleries and the stage performances.
After the inaugural function, there was a Children's Music presentationby
the students of 'Taught to Teach' school of music,Mapusa. This was followed
by the trio The Mexicans led by Ambrose D'Souza on the saxaphone.
Child prodigy Dwain Fernandes[9 years old] presented a Violin recital
while
Bradwell Pinto[7 years old] surprized the audience by accompaying his sister
on the electric organ.The band 'Man Machine' played in two sessions with the
Forefront playing Accoustic Live Music led by Seby.
The Master of Ceremony, Nelson D'Mello read out a number of messages in
which the people of Mapusa have requested the organizers to make this an
annual event.The event will go on for the next two days with a grand finale
on Sunday.
Warm regards,
Miguel Braganza
The programme for February,2004, Saturday
18.00 hours Poetry recitation[Juniors] by Anita
Pinto's group
18.30 hours Presentation of Birdie Dance/Las Ketchup
by Meena's Kid's
Corner toddlers and ex-toddlers.
19.15 hours Street dances by 'Angolan Angels'[aged10
to
18 years.]
20.00 hours Group dances.[Swati group,SMC].
21.30 hours Xavier's Band [Kurt Abreu group]
21.45 hours Dance [Frieda's girls] Band: Arvind
Alive
Master of Ceremony : Judy Rodrigues Nadia Pinto
15 February,2004, Sunday
17.00 hours March [ Rataplao] co-ordinated by
Wynoma Faria Len Pereira.
17.30 hours Song and dance by Gurukul kids{Beena Amonkar]
18.00 hours. Recitation and reading by children trained by
Anita Pinto.
18.30 hours Rock music by KARNAGE
19.00 hoursDumb charades by Faj colony group[Bhakta]
19.30 hours Dances [ Ishan Usapkar, Naomi
Pereira,miniVeena, Ishan]
20.00 hours Instrumental music by Claude Gonsalves[
Saxaphone].
20.10 hours Techno dance by Felly and group.
20.20 hours Konkani and English songs by Raisa and Veeam
Braganza
20.40 hours Techno dance by Felly and group
20.50 hours Konkani and English songs by Raisa and Veeam
Braganza.
21.20 hours Techno dance by Felly and group
21.30 hours Band: Ebony [ with Bonny]
Master of Cermonies: Nelita Pereira
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[Goanet]Nuns among six passengers kept off American flight
http://www.cnn.com/2004/TRAVEL/02/12/airline.nuns/index.html Nuns among six passengers kept off American flight Thursday, February 12, 2004 Posted: 9:14 PM EST (0214 GMT) (CNN) -- Four California nuns say they were among six passengers kept off an American Airlines flight in January after crew members complained of a sulfur smell in the cabin and ordered passengers off the plane. I felt discriminated very much, because the four of us were taken out from that group, kept us aside, not telling us why we were there, said Sister Tessy Pius, the principal of Mary Immaculate Queen School in Lemoore, California. She and the three other nuns are natives of India and are employed at the school. The nuns were among the group of passengers held in Dallas, Texas, for additional screening before being allowed to board another flight to Fresno, California, January 2, American Airlines spokesman Tim Wagner told CNN. At the time, airlines were acting under strict security rules because the national threat level was orange, or high. When the Department of Homeland Security raised the threat level December 21 from yellow to orange, it warned that al Qaeda may use international flights to launch attacks on the United States. Several flights were canceled due to security concerns. The threat level was returned to yellow January 9. Wagner said attendants on the Fresno flight reported something that smelled like sulfur, and the pilot ordered all of the passengers to deplane. All but six passengers were quickly cleared to re-board the aircraft, and all of those eventually were cleared and booked on another flight. Pius said she and her fellow nuns were detained for about six hours and their bags were searched. The only explanation they were given was that the crew members and the pilot did not feel comfortable taking you inside, she said. Wagner would not go into detail as to why the four nuns and two other passengers were held for additional screening, calling it a matter of privacy. He said American's captains have the final say over who flies on their planes. American Airlines crews are tasked with maintaining the security of the aircraft, and we always prefer to deal with security matters on the ground prior to takeoff, he said. __ Do you Yahoo!? New Yahoo! Photos - easier uploading and sharing. http://photos.yahoo.com/ ## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##
[Goanet]Interview with Victor Rangel-Ribeiro
Interview with Victor Rangel-Ribeiro interviewed by Derek Alger Victor Rangel-Ribeiro, born in Goa, India in 1925 when it was still a Portuguese colony, is the author of Tivolem, published by Milkweed Editions in 1999. The novel was awarded the Milkweed National Fiction Prize, and Booklist, the influential journal of the American Library Association, named Tivolem as one of the twenty notable first novels of 1997-98. Full Interview: http://www.pifmagazine.com/SID/28/ ## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##
[Goanet]Why Devanagri script for Konkani.
1. Can anyone tell me why the politicians in Goa favoured Devanagri script for Konkani against all other Indian scripts? 2. Would the Goan Hindu Politicians have accepted Devanagri script for Konkani if Marathi was written in another script and Konkani in Devanagri script? Simon? ## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##
Fw: [Goanet]Brush Up Your Konkani by Basilio Magno
There are many Goans interested to write in Konkani but no one knows how many are interested to read or learn Konkani. Simon BRUSH UP YOUR KONKANI by Basilio Magno (Spain) The World Goa Day was created by Rene Barreto in 2000 to awaken Goans to the cause of Konkani. Later he introduced an on-line Konkani forum to encourage folks to read and write on the net in Konkani. Hardly anybody writes. Now more than ever we need to be numbered as Konkani speakers to hold fast our claim for Konkani as the official language, which is being disputed by the Marathists in Goa. ## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##
[Goanet]Re: Mapuca Shining
Dear All, Re Florianos submission re the works at the Mapuca Kadamba Terminus -what has been done regarding the parking? The civic elders have expanded the size of the Mapuca market without even providing for an extra sq inch for parking. Now is the proposal to put up a 2-3 storey building with a ? banquet hall, restaurants etc infront of the Mapuca Plaza. What about the parking? Mapuca shining indeed!! Pascal Pinto ## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##
[Goanet]Baina hidden agenda Realtors, 4 lane highway Port expansion
-- Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre Ph:2252660 Website: www.goadesc.org Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Press Clippings on the web: http://www.goadesc.org/mem/ -- -- Sorting out Baina - Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar's initiative on trying to sort out the Baina tangle is welcome and necessary. But it's not sufficient. Over the years, one of Mormugao taluka's few beaches has come to be seen as Goa's festering wound. To the local middle-class sentiment, having to live with Goa's lone and publicly-acknowledged squalid red-light district rakes up disgust and disquiet. Less noticed, it also is a festering wound in view of the abuses and atrocities it causes to the prostituted women themselves, seldom recognised as the victims. Parrikar's offer, as reported, is clear: move out of the profession, and take up the sops. During a visit which saw a whole section of the top-bureaucracy undertaking a long-overdue visit to Baina, the CM showed some sympathy by listening to the prostituted women. But these are pre-election times, and hence the stated intentions need not be taken as the actual ones.Some reports from the area interpreted the offer of the CM employment and shelter on condition that the prostituted women get out of their field of work as acceptable to the women. Parrikar is also reported as having promised 10 kg of food-grain per head. Whether it works ultimately is to be seen. What is problematic with the initiative is the attempt to, once again, portray the NGOs (non-government organisations) as the villains of the piece, who were responsible for misguiding the prostituted women against rehabilitation. The CM is reported to pledged to investigate and take strict action against those instigating the sex-workers. For some time now, the otherwise untouchable quarter of Baina has seen initiatives by NGOs to highlight concerns from the area. This paper has itself carried at least three, well-reasoned perspectives giving a counter-point on why the official perspective on Baina is simply too inadequate. To call this instigating is to do violence against the perspectives coming from the grassroots. Just because the NGOs are manned by articulate, middle-class and in some cases well-trained social workers, should the government fight shy of allowing them contributing towards building a better- balanced debate on the issue? It is strange that a solution is being attempted without those who have a better perspective on the issue; instead the government wants to talk with a pre-decided quota of 10 prostituted women, two brothel keepers and five bar-owners. It's anyone's guess how this ratio was opted for! For a few years now, the State has attempted a crack-down against Baina. Fuelling middle-class ire against the squalid setup there, our governments now and in the past have swung from one extreme to another. From total inaction, they've like all believe that a problem like this can just be wished away overnight. 'Soft targets' like the prostituted women face the fire, while other crucial players and processes are overlooked. Organised trafficking, one of the root causes of the problem, is hardly being tackled. What about the role of brothel- and bar-owners; are they part of the solution? Politicians who built up this vote-bank over the years are forgotten. Very convenient indeed. Baina itself is a complex mix, comprising at least four diverse segments: victims of prostitution (including women and children), the perpetrators (those who cause it and allow it to continue), persons vulnerable to prostitution and groups not directly connected with prostitution. It has been estimated that out of some 6000 population in and around the slum area, there are an estimated 1500-2000 in prostitution. But holding the key to this problem are the traffickers. This small, well-organised, barely-known to the outside world network makes it possible for Baina's operations to continue and for men to prey on poverty stricken women some of whom come from a thousand or more kilometres away. Traffickers do not just transport and bring in the 'girls'. By keeping these women in debt-bondage, they play a key role in ensuring continuity at Baina. Usurious rates of interest are a given in this locality. Traffickers are the agents who usually recruit under various promises and transport the girl. Strangely, instead of attacking the problem squarely on, the approach seems to be to smoke-out rather, starve-out the prostituted women out of Baina. Prostitution is part of a complex market. Goa, for long, has lacked a clear stand on trafficking. Till recently, Goa lacked a state protective home for rescued women not just a bal-niketan that looks after children. We need to acknowledge that the women in this slum-red light area carry multiple burdens.
[Goanet]AAI to pay Rudy's hotel bills in Goa An Irresponsible Act
-- Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre Ph:2252660 Website: www.goadesc.org Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Press Clippings on the web: http://www.goadesc.org/mem/ -- An Irresponsible Act --- What the Union Civil Aviation Minister, Mr Rajiv Pratap Rudy did, passing on the bills for Rs 2.44 lakh of his family outing in Goa, of personal expenses and of new toilets at home to the public sector undertaking, the Airports Authority of India is certainly not an unusual action; this has been happening and is the usual practice of the ministers. Why blame him, during the last 50 years the ministers, their minions have carried out and survived on this; least bothered of the fact from where the money comes and who has been paying for their luxuries; from the taxpayers or the public sector. If the Judeo-Jogi tapes made the noise in the recent assembly elections, it is certain that Mr Rudy's action would provide enough ground to the Opposition to question the feel-good factor of the NDA government during the Lok Sabha polls. It is not the case for crucifying Mr Rudy for this small act; it is more than that, a simple instance of irresponsible action, squandering the public money and playing with the financial health of the AAI. Now that he has paid the bills does not mean that he stands exonerated. Mr Rudy has his own clarification, he said since he had disputed the hefty bill with escalated charges, he did not pay it. Certainly the issue has not scandalised and is also not being used for a personalised attack. As a customer to the hotel he has every right to dispute the high costs, but it does not mean that instead of settling the bill the hotel should be instructed to send it to the AAI. The AAI confirmed that the hotel had sent the bill, but denied that it had made any payment on express orders of the minister's office. This is nothing but a case of misuse of ministerial power and improprietory and the minister certainly cannot deny this. Mr Rudy has also been blamed for asking the AAI to build a fountain in his garden. The PSUs dole out largesses to the ministers and take care of their personal material needs; these are not uncommon and in turn the officials enjoy the patronage of their political bosses. A deeper look into the functioning and hierarchy of the PSUs would reveal that most of the persons holding the senior positions have their political godfathers and by virtue of this they have been retaining their power, position and perks and even getting out of the way promotions and placings. Finance and financial gains never matter much in this game. The effect of course has been disastrous, almost all the PSUs have been bleeding. The Central Vigilance Commissioner, Mr P. Shanker in his letter of September 9, 2003 had complained to the PM that PSUs were being unduly pressured and mentioned the names of six ministers for milking the public sector organisations. However, the Prime Minister had denied that any minister had been named. Mr Shanker in his letter wrote, I do not want to quote any particular instance (of pressure) but it should not be difficult for you to get this information. It is an open secret that the PSUs have become the victim of the lust for luxuries, power of their political bosses. The only way for their survival and putting a check on the creaming off of the public sector is going for their privatisation, selling them. Ironically it is the worker, the common man, who has to suffer for the misdemeanor of the political bosses. They are being retrenched under the voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) and interestingly for this the government has created a National Renewal Fund with the loan from the World Bank. The fund it is being said will be used to retrain and redeploy the workers thrown out of employment due to the implementation of the new economic policy. But the big question remains: Where and when are the new jobs going to be created? Really it is indeed pathetic to watch that the PSUs are being privatised to save them from the lust of the political masters and misuse of their executive powers. It obviously raises the questions; can't our political masters behave in a responsible manner? With politics no more remaining a mission and undergoing a transformation, it has become a profession and this is manifest in the quality of the people joining it. For a professional it is the thrill of the goodies that matters and for a new-age politician the minister's chair brings instant immunity. The Congress has demanded for the removal of Mr Rudy; but in fairness it must have done some introspection before coming out with this demand. It cannot deny that Mr Rudy or for that matter the minister, pointed out by the CVC chairman, are following the Congress footsteps leaving the only alternative before
