from:"Lawrence Rodrigues"

See http://www.konkanrailway.com/website/press_2005/press_it_240106.htm

26/01/2006
PRESS RELEASE

KONKAN RAILWAY INTRODUCES REVOLUTIONARY WONDER SOFTWARE TRANSLATOR
Enables access to all its IT modules on Net Browser

Proving yet again its innovative spirit, Konkan Railway, together with
Amrita Technologies, has introduced and implemented a revolutionary
software code translator that can translate smoothly and efficiently,
all old Informix 4GL based software programs into Java based programs.
The implication of this path-breaking software is far-reaching, which
can enable all Companies  big and small  all over the world to
switch from the out dated 4GL based code, that is no longer supported
by any software company, to Java based code that are cross-platform,
easy to maintain and accessible on web-browser.

Using this wonder software, Konkan Railway has converted all its 19 IT
modules, under Railway Applications Package (RAP), that take care of
all the day to day activities of Konkan Railway, into Java which will
enable KRCL employees to access any of its railway related module from
Internet, anywhere in the world. The new system will be eventually
linked to the Internet and can be accessed from anywhere, thus
expanding the scope of office operations far beyond the office
confines.

The newly translated RAP is called J-RAP (Java based RAP) and has also
incorporated the look, aesthetics, and user friendliness as seen in
any GUI (Graphic User Interface) program screens. The J-RAP was
inaugurated today on the Republic Day, by MD of KRCL, Dr K K Gokhale
at Navi Mumbai.

Developed jointly with Kerala based Amrita Technologies, the software
has tremendous commercial potential and will earn royalty to KRCL, if
exploited commercially. The entire IT team from KRCL, in coordination
with project team from Amrita Technologies, have ensured smooth
implementation of this project.


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[Goanet] Konkan Railway A C D and Skybus feature on National Geographic Channel

The working of Konkan Railway's Anti-Collision Device (ACD) and
*Skybus* is being featured on  the Megacity Mumbai Programme on
National Geographic channel on Sunday, 29 Jan 2006 at 9:00 PM IST.

See http://www.nationalgeographic.co.in/explore/megacities/home.asp


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[Goanet] Indian Railways introduce upgradation scheme for full fare paying passengers

See http://www.indianrail.gov.in/Upgraded_Trn_List.html

   SCHEME TO UPGRADE FULL FARE PAYING WAITLISTED PASSENGERS TO NEXT
HIGHER CLASS  TO COVER INITIALLY TWO PAIRS OF TRAINS ON EXPERIMENTAL
BASIS COMES INTO EFFECT FROM JANUARY 26, 2006

  In a major move that is expected not only to benefit waitlisted
passengers but also benefit the railways in terms of filling up vacant
accommodation in various trains, the railways have introduced a
scheme, on an experimental basis,  to upgrade full fare paying waiting
list passengers to the next higher class against the available vacant
accommodation, with effect from 26th January 2006. Initially, the
scheme will be implemented only on two pairs of trains viz. 2951/2952
Mumbai Central-New Delhi Rajdhani Express and 2953/2954 Mumbai
Central-Hazrat Nizamuddin August Kranti Express.

  The important features of the scheme are:

· The scheme will initially be applicable on a few selected
trains with reserved sleeping accommodation as a pilot project. It
will not be offered in trains with only sitting accommodation e.g. 2S,
CC and EC classes.

· The scheme is applicable only to passengers having booked
tickets on full fare. Concessional ticket/free pass holders including
senior citizens travelling on concession will not be upgraded.

· Upgradation will not be done for block booking transactions.

· Upgradation will be automatically done by PRS at the time of
charting. The Train Conductors/Ticket Examiners will have no authority
to upgrade any passenger under this scheme on the train. However, the
present system of upgradation on collection of full fare difference by
booking, reservation or checking staff will continue as usual.

· If a passenger, who has been upgraded, cancels his ticket,
cancellation charges of the original class only will be payable.

· Upgradation of passengers will be done in one class above
only e.g. from sleeper to 3AC/FC, 3AC to 2AC and 2AC to 1AC.

· Only waitlisted passengers will be provided confirmed seats.
The remaining vacant berths will be transferred for booking on the
current counters as per the existing practice. Thus, if there is no
waiting list on a train, no upgradation will take place.

· The berths of confirmed passengers, who have been upgraded
to the higher class, will be allotted to the RAC/WL passengers of that
class. If there are still some berths vacant, the vacant berths will
be allotted to confirmed passengers of the next lower class.

· All passengers in one PNR (maximum 6) will be upgraded
together or none of them will be upgraded in case of non-availability
of enough berths for upgradation.

· Passengers will be upgraded without asking for their choice
e.g. SL to AC/FC coach, cabin berth to side berth, lower berth to
upper berth, cabin level compact accommodation to coach level compact
accommodation. However, if any passenger exercises NO option for
upgradation in the requisition form at the time of booking, his/her
PNR will not be considered by PRS for upgradation.

· Party consisting of both full fare paying and concessional
passengers will be not upgraded, to avoid splitting.

· Original PNR of upgraded passengers will remain unchanged
and all information from PRS, IVRS etc., will be provided when enquiry
is made with the original PNR.

· Since there will be changes in the coach number and berth
numbers of passengers, who had earlier been allotted confirmed seats,
if they are upgraded, passengers will need to get into the habit of
checking their final coach numbers and berth numbers before occupying
the berths.

· The chart of the original class of passengers will have
indication at the bottom of the chart giving original berth numbers,
which have been upgraded.

· The final charts of the upgraded class will include the
names of upgraded passengers against their allotted upgraded coach and
berth number and will have an indication denoting their upgraded
status.

· There will also be a separate sheet  on the lines of the
waiting list chart  giving old status and new status for upgraded
passengers.


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[Goanet] All together now

Believe the article appended below is a must read for this subject.

Lawrence
-

All together now
Dipankar Gupta
Wednesday, January 25, 2006  21:07 IST

The Constitution of a Republic may spell out the rights and liberties
of citizens, but what about fraternity? No Constitution by itself can
guarantee fraternity, but without it, rights and liberties become
legal pieces of paper, or even instruments that the strong can use
against the weak, as in any court of law.

Fraternity requires, first and foremost, that there be a basic set of
resemblances between people. It is not that everybody must be the
same, but at the foundational level they must be similar.

While equality and liberty can be enacted by law, fraternity requires
to be carefully nurtured on account of its perpetual frailty. BR
Ambedkar realised this perhaps more clearly than most of his
colleagues in the Constituent Assembly.

Equality of rights, opportunities and even ends (such as in
'reservations') can be felicitously expressed in legal terms, and
realised too, without too much difficulty.

Read the rest of this article at:

See http://dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=3D1009627CatID=3D19

Re: [Goanet] TOP PRIORITY --- Feast at Anjediv Island

2006-01-27 Thread Lawrence Rodrigues

 ...As you are kindly aware that for the people of Goa for whom the
Anjediv Island is still a part of the territory and has both
historical importance and religious significance, we  await your
immediate action, on the arrangements made  to allow the conduct of
the Feast of Our Lady of Springs Nossa Senhora de Brotas  on 2nd
February 2006. ...  Godfrey Gonsalves


Do *ALL* people of Goa celebrate the Feast of OLSNSB ?  Are all people
of Goa, Christians?


Lawrence
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Re: [Goanet] *View From The Outer Harbour (09-01-2006)

2006-01-27 Thread Lawrence Rodrigues

Thank you, Thalmann,

Look forward to your next issue.



Lawrence
--
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Re: [Goanet] Re: Goans headed for minority status in Goa

2006-01-27 Thread Lawrence Rodrigues

   ...Getting elected was farthest away from my mind or from my
Party's agenda.
:
...Needless to say that I have not spent a single rupee of my own.
Every rupee of the 1,33,000/- that  I spent was people's money...   
Floriano


Seems Goa Su-Raj party should attempt to return the people's money it
used in contesting elections it had *no intention* of winning.

Do believe that using public money to further one's *personal agenda*
may also be termed as *breach of trust*, *fraud*, etc., under the
Indian Penal Code.


Lawrence
--
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Re: [Goanet] Re: Goans headed for minority status in Goa

2006-01-23 Thread Lawrence Rodrigues

  ... physical features do sometimes (not always) give away one's background.

... I know who is NOT a Goan - Israelis, Russians ... illegal
squatters not domiciled in Goa, political vote banks brought in for
political purposes.   George Pinto


See
http://userpages.umbc.edu/~achatt1/poem/gitan.html

Where The Mind is Without Fear
Rabindranath Tagore

Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high
Where knowledge is free
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls
Where words come out from the depth of truth
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit
Where the mind is led forward by thee
Into ever-widening thought and action
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake

from Rabindranath Tagore's Geetanjali



Lawrence
--
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[Goanet] Re: *** Convicted Paedophile Given Catholic Burial In Goa (SAR News)

2006-01-23 Thread Lawrence Rodrigues

  Notorious paedophile Albert Freddy Peats, who served a life
sentence in India, was given a Catholic burial at the St. Inez Church
cemetery at Panaji, January 6.   SAR News

Given half a chance, the Church would have buried Adolf Hitler, too,
with some sanctimonious nonsense.


Lawrence
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Re: [Goanet] Goans headed for minority status in Goa

2006-01-22 Thread Lawrence Rodrigues

  While I could not find current statistics on the ratio of Goans to
non-Goans in Goa, it appears looking around that one out three people
in Goa are non-Goans.   George Pinto


By George!  Never knew one could tell I was goan by my *look*.

But, having been born, bred,  resident in Maharashtra, am I not maharashtrian?

Earlier query yet unanswered:

BTW,  Who is a goan?  What is the definition?  I believe Pratapsingh
Rane's family hailed from Gujarat.  Is he goan?


Lawrence
-

[Goanet] ISO 9001:2000 for Madgaon Station on Konkan Railway

2006-01-18 Thread Lawrence Rodrigues

---
| New on Goanet's website's Aamp;E section - http://www.goanet.org 
  |
|   Book in Review: A Kind of Absence - Joao da Veiga Coutinho|
| POEM: SUSEGAAD - Cynthia Gomes James|
| 
http://www.goanet.org/modules.php?op=modloadamp;name=Newsamp;file=articleamp;sid=216
 |
---
 18th Jan, 2006

PRESS RELEASE

KONKAN RAILWAY GETS ISO CERTIFICATE FOR MADGAON STATION

In recognition of the quality service being offered to the passengers at Madgaon
station, Konkan Railway has been awarded ISO 9001:2000 certification. The
certificate issued by M/s Kvalitet Veritas Quality Assurance, New Delhi
(accredited by the Norsk Akkreditering of Norway), was handed over by the Member
Engineering of Railway Board and Chairman of Konkan Railway, Shri R R Jaruhar,
to the Managing Director of Konkan Railway Corporation Dr. K K Gokhale on 16th
Jan, 2006.

The process of certification commenced in August, 2005 and the final audit for
certification was carried out on 10th Jan, 2006. M/s Kvalitet Veritas Quality
Assurance, New Delhi was entrusted with the work of certification of the Quality
Management System of Madgaon railway station.

Madgaon is a junction station for Konkan Railway and an important station for
tourists going to Goa. About 10,000 passengers and general public are catered to
at the station every day. Keeping in mind the special climatic features of the
Konkan coastal belt, the renowned architect Mr. Charles Correa was asked by the
Corporation to design the station building. The design includes a spacious
concourse, and a sloped roof. The ambience is in consonance with local
architecture.

See http://www.konkanrailway.com/website/press_2005/press_ISO_MAO_18012006.htm

--

[Goanet] Patent for Anti-Collision Device awarded to Konkan Railway

2006-01-18 Thread Lawrence Rodrigues

---
| New on Goanet's website's Aamp;E section - http://www.goanet.org 
  |
|   Book in Review: A Kind of Absence - Joao da Veiga Coutinho|
| POEM: SUSEGAAD - Cynthia Gomes James|
| 
http://www.goanet.org/modules.php?op=modloadamp;name=Newsamp;file=articleamp;sid=216
 |
---
18th Jan, 2006

PRESS RELEASE

KONKAN RAILWAY GETS PATENTS FOR ACD TECHNOLOGY

In a major development that will open new vistas for the innovative technologies
developed by Konkan Railway, the Anti-Collision Device (ACD), also known as
Raksha Kavach, has been granted its first Patent in India and in South Africa.
These are the first patents for ACD received by Konkan Railway. The patent
application for ACD has been filed by Konkan Railway in the US, European
countries, and Asian countries and the same are under processing in these
countries.

The Indian Patent number granted for ACD is 198166 with Sealing date as 29th
December, 2005 (with effect from 24/09/1999). The South African Patent number
granted for ACD is 2004/8842, Sealing date 28th September, 2005 (with effect
from 05/04/2002).

Konkan Railway has installed ACD on its entire route and in North East Frontier
Railway. The installation of Raksha Kavach (network of ACDs) on Rajdhani route
of N F Railway has been completed. As many as 1,018 ACDs have been installed in
NF Railway. The final handing over of this network to NF Railway is expected to
be completed by end of March 2006.

In addition to giving protection against collisions at high speeds between two
ACD fitted entities, the Raksha Kavach also provides additional safety features
in train operations, such as detection of train parting, train actuated warning
to road users at level crossings etc.

Indian Railways have included Raksha Kavach as an accepted safety system for
Indian Railway and planned to install it on entire BG route of IR by 2013.
Konkan Railway will be executing this work phase-wise.

See
http://www.konkanrailway.com/website/press_2005/press_acd_patent_18012006.htm
-

[Goanet] Mumbai: Fr Thomas Kuruvilla (57), Injured in Ratnagiri Accident, Passes away

2006-01-15 Thread Lawrence Rodrigues

--
| Wishing all Goanetters |
| a Prosperous   |
|  and   |
| Happy New Year - 2006  |
|Goanet - http://www.goanet.org  |
--
Daijiworld News Network - Mumbai (MB)

Mumbai, Jan 15: Fr Thomas Kuruvilla, who had been injured in a road accident in
Ratnagiri on January 6, succumbed to the injuries on Sunday, January 15 at 7 am.

Fr Kuruvilla, parish priest of St Blaise Church, Amboli, Andheri (West),
diocesan estate manager and also director RC Cathedral Trust, along with Fr
Salvador Rodrigues, parish priest of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, was returning
from Goa to Mumbai in a Toyota Qualis car on January 6.

Around 2 pm, a tyre of the car burst and the vehicle went out of control near
Sangameshwar village in Ratnagiri, turned turtle and rolled into a nearby paddy
field. Both the priests were injured, of them Fr Kuruvilla severely. Fr Salvador
is recovering in the Holy Spirit Hospital.

Fr Kuruvilla passed away on Sunday, January 15 morning.

Funeral details will be announced later.

See
http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=17794n_tit=Mumbai%3A+Fr+Thomas+Kuruvilla+(57)%2C+Injured+in+Ratnagiri+Accident%2C+Passes+away



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||
|  Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages   |
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--

[Goanet] Allotment of Commercial Contracts on Konkan Railway

2006-01-14 Thread Lawrence Rodrigues

--
| Wishing all Goanetters |
| a Prosperous   |
|  and   |
| Happy New Year - 2006  |
|Goanet - http://www.goanet.org  |
--
 KONKAN RAILWAY CORPORATION LIMITED

   N O T I F I C A T I O N


1.  Applications  are  invited in the prescribed  form  primarily
from  Landlosers (those persons whose land has been  acquired
by  Konkan  Railway  during construction  stage)  subject  to
suitability  for  allotment  of   Commercial  Contracts  as
detailed below for a period of one year which may be extended
as per Corporation's Rules.
-
Sl. Services Name of  Provisional Earnest Money
No.  Station  Licence Fee Deposit
  Per Annum  Rs.
 (Reserve Price)
-

01. TEA STALLKOLAD   8,847/-  900/-
 MANGAON15,246/- 1600/-
 DIWANKHAVATI6,840700/-
 KAMATHE 8,415/-  900/-
 BHOKE   1,913/-  200/-
 ADAVALI 2,369/-  250/-

02  BOOK STALL   SANGAMESHWAR2,301/-  250/-
 VILAVADE1,884/-  200/-

03  CHINESE FOOD RATNAGIRI  50,000/- 5000/-
STALL

04  PARKING STANDKHED4,800/-  500/-
 CHIPLUN 9,600/-1,000/-
 RATNAGIRI  40,800/-4,100/-

05  STD/ISD/PCO  KOLAD   1,498/-  150/-
 MANGAON 1,498/-  150/-
 DIWANKHAVATI1,498/-  150/-
 RATNAGIRI(PF-01)7,407/-  750/-
 CHIPLUN (PF-02) 5,252/-  550/-

06  GENERAL STORES   KUDAL  26,000/-2,600/-

2.   Application  form  alongwith the terms  conditions  can  be
 obtained  from  the respective Station Masters or  from  the
 Office  of  the  Regional   Railway  Manager,Konkan  Railway
 Corporation  Ltd.,Ratnagiri at Rs.346/-(300 application form
 +  46 sales tax)each (non-refundable),in the form of  Demand
 Draft drawn in favour of FA  CAO Konkan Railway Corporation
 Ltd.,payable  at  Belapur, Navi Mumbai on all  working  days
 between 10.00 hrs.  to 16.00 hrs.  and latest by 10/02/2006
 at  16.00  hrs.  Also the forms can be downloaded  from  the
 internet  through  KR's   website  at  www.konkanrailway.com
 However, the same should be accompanied with the form fee at
 the time of submission.

3.   Application in prescribed form duly filled alongwith Earnest
 Money Deposit as indicated above,by a Demand Draft in favour
 of  Senior  Regional  Accounts   Officer,  KRCL  payable  at
 Ratnagiri  and  copies  of  relevant  certificates/documents
 should  be  sent  by Regd.Post or drop in a  box  separately
 provided  for the purpose in the Office of Regional  Railway
 Manager, Konkan Railway  Corpn.Ltd., Railway
 Complex,MIDC,Mirjole,Ratnagiri-415639 in a cover duly sealed
 and  superscribed as APPLICATION FOR ...CONTRACT AT
 STATION  OF  KONKAN  RAILWAY  cover  should  be
 addressed as mentioned above and should reach to this Office
 on  or before 15.00 hrs on 14/02/2006.  The Corporation will
 not be responsible for any postal delay.

4.   If the last date for submission of application declared as a
 holiday, the application should reach at 15:00 hrs.  by next
 working day.

5.  The  Corporation  reserves  the right to  reject  or  accept
applications   without   assigning  anyreason   and   no
correspondance will be entertained in this respect.

6.   Applications  for  different Stations and different services
 should be submitted separately.

   Time Schedule
-
 1. Sale of application  Date :  Upto 10/02/2006.
forms.(Technical and Time :  between 10 hrs. to 16.00 hrs
financial bids)

 2. Submission of completed  Date :  up to 14/02/2006.
application form Time :  up to 15:00 hrs.
(Technical and financial
bids)Place:  Office of the
Regional Railway Manager

Re: [Goanet] Waking up in non-Goa

2006-01-11 Thread Lawrence Rodrigues

--
| Wishing all Goanetters |
| a Prosperous   |
|  and   |
| Happy New Year - 2006  |
|Goanet - http://www.goanet.org  |
--
 ...Alas, that is probably not the case as we slumber in the land
that once was Goa.

Jobs and economic opportunity should be open to all (Goans and
non-Goans) but there is something terribly wrong when the ratio is
absolutely lop-sided against Goans.   G Pinto


Not sure I understand.

...land that once was Goa  ???

BTW,  Who is a Goan?  What is the definition?  I believe Pratapsingh
Rane's family hailed from Gujarat.  Is he Goan?


Lawrence

--
|Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions |
||
|  Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages   |
|  Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Carry and distribute Soccer Balls  |
--

[Goanet] Action in Mangala Express on Konkan Railway...

2006-01-04 Thread Lawrence Rodrigues

--
| Wishing all Goanetters |
| a Prosperous   |
|  and   |
| Happy New Year - 2006  |
|Goanet - http://www.goanet.org  |
--
See
http://www.konkanrailway.com/website/press_2005/press_mangala_express_030106.htm

3rd Jan, 2006

PRESS NOTE

HEAVY CROWDING IN MANGALA EXP

On 3rd January, 2006, the Ratnagiri station received a message from the
Passenger Assistant of Mangala Express train that the train is overcrowded and
some passengers with general ticket have boarded in reserved compartments. The
train arrived at Ratnagiri station at 0909 hrs and the RPF personnel detrained
the unauthorized passengers and sent to General coach. Thus  the train was
detained at Ratnagiri station for 13 minutes.

As soon as the train started off from the station, alarm chain was pulled by
some passenger/s. When RPF inquired into this, about 20-25 persons ran away
towards the fields. Out of these, 7 persons were arrested when they were trying
to flee via Mumbai-Goa highway. They have been arrested under Railway Act and
enquiry is under progress.

Till now no complaint of robbery or molestation, as is being rumoured, has been
received by Konkan Railway from any passenger on train.
--


--
|Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions |
||
|  Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages   |
|  Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Carry and distribute Soccer Balls  |
--

[Goanet] Konkan Railway: Kerala Sampark Kranti Express will now halt at Madgaon

2005-12-30 Thread Lawrence Rodrigues

--
||
|Goanetters annual meet in Goa is scheduled for Dec 27, 2005 @ 4pm   |
||
|The Riviera Opposite Hotel Mandovi, Panjim (near Ferry Jetty/Riverfront)|
| Attending...drop a line to [EMAIL PROTECTED]|
--

See http://www.konkanrailway.com/website/press_2005/press_kerala_sampark.htm

29th Dec, 2005

 PRESS RELEASE

HALT FOR KERALA SAMPARK KRANTI AT MADGAON

To cater to the demand of passengers, Ministry of Railways has approved the halt
for train no. 2653/2654 Chandigarh-Kochuveli Kerala Sampark Kranti Express train
at Madgaon station over Konkan Railway route w.e.f 15th January, 2006.

Timings :

Train no,   STATION
Arr./Dep

2654 Chandigarh-KochuveliMadgaon  20:35
/ 20:45

2653 Kochuveli-ChandigarhMadgaon  02:30
/ 02:40
-


--
|Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions |
||
|  Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages   |
|  Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Carry and distribute Soccer Balls  |
--

[Goanet] 74 Winter Specials running on Konkan Railway

2005-12-16 Thread Lawrence Rodrigues

See http://www.konkanrailway.com/website/press_2005/current_press.htm

*Winter Specials* Press releases from 11 Nov 05 to 16 Dec 05

-
11th Nov 2005

 WINTER SPECIAL TRAINS BETWEEN MANGALORE - VASCO

 To cater to the convenience of passengers, it has been decided to run special
trains between Mangalore – Vasco – Mangalore via Konkan Railway route from 13th
Nov 2005 to 15th Jan 2006.

 Train no. 0604 Special Train ex-Mangalore and Train no. 0603 Special Train
ex-Vasco will be run weekly on Sunday in both directions.

Train no. 0604 will leave from Mangalore at 0945 hrs and reach Vasco at 1545
hrs. Train no. 0603 will leave from Vasco at 1700hrs and reach Mangalore at
2300hrs.

 The special trains will halt at Udupi Kundapura, Bhatkal, Kumta, Karwar 
Madgaon.

 The special trains will have 13 coaches.
-
23rd Nov, 2005

EXTRA HALT FOR WINTER SPECIAL TRAINS

 For the convenience of passengers,  Konkan Railway has decided to provide halt
for 0604/0603 Mangalore-Vasco-Mangalore Winter special trains at Surathkal and
Ankola stations over Konkan Railway route w.e.f 27/11/2005.

Timings :

0604  STATION
0603

 1015 hrs/ 1017 hrsArr./Dep SURATHKAL Arr/Dep  2150 hrs/2152
hrs

1325 hrs/1327 hrs ANKOLA
1848 hrs/1850 hrs

-
14th Dec, 2005

42 WINTER SPECIAL TRAINS BETWEEN CSTM AND KARWAR

 To cater to the need of the passengers, it has been decided to run winter
special trains between Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CSTM) and Karwar via Konkan
Railway route to clear extra rush of passengers during winter period.

 Train no. 109 Dn will be run ex-CSTM daily from 16.12.2005 to 05.01.2006. Train
no. 110 Up will be run ex-Karwar daily from 17.12.2005 to 06.01.2006.

 109 Dn will leave from CSTM at 2340 hrs and reach Karwar next day at 1300 hrs.
Train no. 110 Up will leave from Karwar at 1520 hrs and reach CSTM at 0420 hrs
next day.

The special trains will halt at Dadar, Thane, Panvel, Roha, Mangaon, Khed,
Chiplun, Sangameshwar, Ratnagiri, Vilawade, Rajapur Rd, Vaibhavwadi Rd,
Nandgaon, Kankavali, Kudal, Sanwatwadi Rd, Pernem, Thivim, Karmali, Madgaon,
Canacona, and Asnoti.

The special trains will have 17 coaches.
-
15th Dec, 2005

MORE WINTER SPECIAL TRAINS ON KONKAN RLY ROUTE

To cater to the need of the passengers, it has been decided to run winter
special trains between Ahmedabad and Karwar via Konkan Railway route to clear
extra rush of passengers during winter period. With this, total 66 special
trains are being run on KR route for winter season.

Train no. 0910 Dn will be run ex-Ahmedabad on 24.12.2005 and 31.12.2005. Train
no. 0909 Up will be run ex-Karwar on 25.12.2005 to 01.01.2006.

0910 Dn will leave from Ahmedabad at 1530 hrs and reach Karwar next day at 1445
hrs. Train no. 0909 Up will leave from Karwar at 1710 hrs and reach Ahmedabad at
1700 hrs next day.

The special trains will halt at Vadodara, Surat, Valsad, Vasai Rd, Panvel, Roha,
Chiplun, Ratnagiri, Kankavali, Kudal, Sanwatwadi Rd, Thivim, Karmali, Madgaon,
and Canacona.

The special trains will have 15 coaches.
-
16th Dec, 2005

DADAR (T) - ERNAKULAM WINTER SPECIAL TRAINS ON KONKAN RLY ROUTE

To cater to the need of the passengers, it has been decided to run winter
special trains between Dadar (T) and Ernakulam via Konkan Railway route to clear
extra rush of passengers during winter period. With this, total 74 special
trains are being run on KR route for winter season.

Train no. 165 Dn will be run ex-Dadar (T) on 20th, 24th, 27th, and 31st
December, 2005. Train no. 166 Up will be run ex-Ernakulam on 21st, 25th, 28th
December and on 1st Jan, 2006.

165 Dn will leave from Dadar (T) at 1245 hrs and reach Ernakulam next day at
1645 hrs. Train no. 166 Up will leave from Ernakulam at 2345 hrs and reach Dadar
(T) at 0345 hrs on 3rd day.

The special trains will halt at Thane, Panvel, Roha, Chiplun, Ratnagiri,
Kankavali, Kudal, Sanwatwadi Rd, Pernem, Thivim, Karmali, Madgaon, Karwar,
Ankola, Kumta, Honnavar, Bhatkal, Kundapura, Udupi, Surathkal, Kankanadi,
Kasargod, Kanhangad, Payyanur, Cannanore, Tellichery, Mahe, Badagara, Quilandi,
Calicut, Tirur, Kuttippuram, Shoranur, Trichur, and Alwaye.

 The special trains will have 16 coaches.
-










--
|Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions |
||
|  Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages   |
|  Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Carry and distribute Soccer Balls  |
--

Re: [Goanet] Re: New konkani tabloid

2005-12-12 Thread Lawrence Rodrigues

--
|Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions |
||
|  Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages   |
|  Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Carry and distribute Soccer Balls  |
--
 ... Efforts are on to make PDF ... available...  Miguel B

 It would be real great if the Ulo team could put out its product in
the shape of a PDF file, for download and printing out by expats (and
other learners of Konkani), whichever part of the globe they reside
in.
:
:
Problem is, I don't know how the Windows platform works (haven't used
it for at least a couple of years, except very reluctantly in
cybercafes, when there's no choice).

Could some reader with the offer some guidance via this excellent tool
for sharing tips and ideas?   FN


Miguel, Frederick,

Simple text files, complex *Word* documents, spreadsheets, etc, etc,
on the Windows platform, may be easily converted to PDF files with a
simple utility called *Pdf995* available for *FREE* at www.pdf995.com.

*Pdf995* may be used on Windows 95, 98, 2000 and ME, NT 4.0 and XP (32
bit and 64 bit), Windows 2003 (32 bit and 64 bit), Windows Vista (32
and 64 bit); Citrix/Terminal Server and configuration as a shared
network printer.

Have been using pdf995, without any trouble, for the past few years.

(^-^)

Lawrence

---
* G * O * A * N * E * T *** C * L * A * S * S * I * F * I * E * D * S *
---
Spread the Christmas cheer - even when you're not here!
Send Christmas Greetings to your loved ones in Goa.
2005 Christmas Package - Flowers, Bubbles and Layers of Love.
http://www.goa-world.com/expressions/xmas/
---

[Goanet] Konkan Railway Non-Monsoon Time Table w.e.f. 01 Nov 05

2005-10-26 Thread Lawrence Rodrigues

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See
http://www.konkanrailway.com/website/press_2005/press_nonmonsoon_261005.htm

26th Oct, 2005

PRESS RELEASE

 NON-MONSOON TIME TABLE ON KR FROM 1ST NOV.

The non-monsoon timings of all Mail/Express and Passenger trains on Konkan
Railway section will come into effect from 01/11/2005.

Konkan Railway was following monsoon time-table w.e.f 15th June this year which
is effective till 31st October, 2005. The non-monsoon time table will,
therefore, come into effect for trains leaving from originating station on and
from 1st November, 2005.

The detailed timings can be seen at website www.konkanrailway.com

[Goanet] Re: Waste Management in Goa: Overview A Suggestion

2005-10-24 Thread Lawrence Rodrigues

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Now selling in Nagpur: Fuel from plastic waste

Jaideep Hardikar
Monday, October 24, 2005  01:01 IST


NAGPUR: Fuel from plastic waste is a reality  a commercial reality. 
The Unique Waste Plastic Management and Research Company Pvt Ltd of Dr
Alka and Umesh Zadgaonkar, is actually producing 5,000 litres of fuel
from plastic trash and running a profitable business of selling it to
industrial units in Butibori just outside the city.

Away from the public gaze and doubting Thomases after their public
claims in 2003, the Zadgaonkars have been producing fuel from plastic
waste since March this year. If they have not made a noise about it,
it's because they are drowning in business enquiries and expansion
plans. By December, they want to expand capacity five-fold to 25 MT 
of plastic waste (25,000 litres daily)  and ultimately grow it to 450
MT.


Facts

*Zadgaonkars' plant went into commercial production in March 2005

*Producing 5000 litres fuel from 5MT of waste daily

*Can also run vehicles after more refining. Has better combustibility
than petrol

*Bike did 0-60 in 18 secs on this fuel against 22 secs on petrol


Read the rest of this story at:

See: http://dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=6967CatID=1


--
PS: If you wish to have a *Gmail* e-mail address, do write to me. 
Will send you an invitation to open a *Gmail* e-mail account. :-)

[Goanet] Planning a trip abroad - Don't be taken for a ride

2005-10-24 Thread Lawrence Rodrigues

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DNA [Daily News  Analysis]

M S Kamath
Monday, October 24, 2005  00:04 IST

With the holiday season round the corner, tour operators have started enticing
customers with tempting offers, like  Tour of 17 European cities in 15 days.
Many such offers come with catch phrases like Stay at Hotel Splendour or
equivalent and subject to local conditions.

But how many of the promises made in the tour brochure can the tour operator
bend?

This was decided in an interesting case between Cox  Kings India Ltd and 
Sheila P B. Dsouza by the Maharashtra State Consumer Dispute Redressal 
Commission.

The points of dispute were the following:

*The tour skipped Brussels as there was heavy traffic jam in the direction of
that city

*Food was often served at gas stations and not at restaurants

*Hotels were changed at nine centres and were not as mentioned in the brochure


The consumer was awarded damages of Rs 10,000 and Rs 1,850 as costs.

Read the rest of this story at:

http://dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=6958CatID=

Re: [Goanet] totally confused about garbage..................

2005-10-23 Thread Lawrence Rodrigues

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--
Savika, Floriano,

While the *backyard* burning of *plastics* has been confirmed to be
dangerous, the *danger* of using/reusing plastics/PET for storing food
and water seems to be an *urban legend*

Lawrence
-

See http://www.jhsph.edu/PublicHealthNews/articles/Halden_dioxins.html

June 24, 2004

Researcher Dispels Myth of Dioxins and Plastic Water Bottles
Rolf Halden, PhD, PE

The Internet has been flooded with email warnings to avoid freezing
water in plastic bottles so as not to get exposed to carcinogenic
dioxins. Recently, one hoax email has been attributed to Johns Hopkins
University. The Office of Communications and Public Affairs discussed
the issue with Rolf Halden, PhD, PE, assistant professor in the
Department of Environmental Health Sciences and the Center for Water
and Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Dr.
Halden received his masters and doctoral degrees researching dioxin
contamination in the environment. We sat down with him to set the
record straight on dioxins in the food supply and the risks associated
with drinking water from plastic bottles and cooking with plastics.

Office of Communications and Public Affairs: What are dioxins?

Rolf Halden: Dioxins are organic environmental pollutants sometimes
referred to as the most toxic compounds made by mankind. They are a
group of chemicals, which include 75 different chlorinated molecules
of dibenzo-p-dioxin and 135 chlorinated dibenzofurans. Some
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) also are referred to as dioxin-like
compounds. Exposure to dioxins can cause chloracne, a severe form of
skin disease, as well as reproductive and developmental effects, and
more importantly, liver damage and cancer.

OCPA: Where do dioxins come from?

RH: We always thought dioxins were man-made compounds produced
inadvertently during the bleaching of pulp and manufacturing of
pesticides like Agent Orange and other chlorinated aromatics. But
dioxins in sediments from lakes and oceans predate these human
activities. It is now generally accepted that a principal source of
dioxins are various combustion processes, including natural events
such as wild fires and even volcanic eruptions.

Today, the critical issue is the incineration of waste, particularly
the incineration of hospital waste, which contains a great deal of
polyvinyl chloride plastics and aromatic compounds that can serve as
dioxin precursors. One study examined the burning of household trash
in drums in the backyard. It turns out that these small burnings of
debris can put out as much or more dioxins as a full-sized incinerator
burning hundreds of tons of refuse per day. The incinerators are
equipped with state-of-the-art emission controls that limit dioxin
formation and their release into the environment, but the backyard
trash burning does not. You set it ablaze and chemistry takes over.
What happens next is that the dioxins are sent into the atmosphere
where they become attached to particles and fall back to earth. Then
they bind to, or are taken up, by fish and other animals, where they
get concentrated and stored in fat before eventually ending up on our
lunch and dinner plates. People are exposed to them mostly from eating
meat and fish rich in fat.

OCPA: What do you make of this recent email warning that claims
dioxins can be released by freezing water in plastic bottles?

RH: No. This is an urban legend. There are no dioxins in plastics. In
addition, freezing actually works against the release of chemicals.
Chemicals do not diffuse as readily in cold temperatures, which would
limit chemical release if there were dioxins in plastic, and we don't
think there are.

OCPA: So it's okay for people to drink out of plastic water bottles?

RH: First, people should be more concerned about the quality of the
water they are drinking rather than the container it's coming from.
Many people do not feel comfortable drinking tap water, so they buy
bottled water instead. The truth is that city water is much more
highly regulated and monitored for quality. Bottled water is not. It
can legally contain many things we would not tolerate in municipal
drinking water.

Having said this, there is another group of chemicals, called
phthalates that are sometimes added to plastics to make them flexible
and less brittle. Phthalates are environmental contaminants that can
exhibit hormone-like behavior by acting as endocrine disruptors in
humans and animals. If you heat up

[Goanet] Kalam outlines mission plan for Goa

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Chennai Online News

See
http://www.chennaionline.com/colnews/newsitem.asp?NEWSID=%7B4F5D58C5-120B-41B9-B5BB-7B67B4900726%7DCATEGORYNAME=National

Panaji, Oct 18: Outlining a plan for missions for Goa's prosperity, President A
P J Abdul Kalam today said that key area such as infrastructure should be
developed to make the state into an ITES destination, and stressed on the
importance of channelising the state's iron ore industry in the right way.

In his maiden address to the Goa assembly as part of his day-long visit to the
state, the President outlined nine missions to help turn state into the perfect
combination of peace and economic prosperity.

Developing infrastructure facilities such as roads, uninterrupted water supply,
developing a bio-fuel plant and setting up a steel plant to provide value
addition to the state's iron ore industry were some of the suggestions made by
Kalam.

Dwelling at length on the nine missions for Goa during a half-an-hour-long
presentation to the state assembly, he said the revenue of USD 1.1 billion that
was generated from iron ore export could be up 10 times if a steel plant was set
up in the state to help upgrade the medium grade iron ore produced here.

You can increase revenue by 10 times if we convert it to steel. We are
exporting iron ore to other countries who are converting it to steel and
benefiting them. I do not want that to happen, he told the House.

Kalam also exhorted the members to discuss setting up of an IT park in the
state, saying this would generate employment for 2 lakh knowledge workers and
revenue of USD 100 million.

Goa has the potential to become an IT-rich environment such as tele-education,
tele-medicine and e-governance. Since you are part of the sea, you can establish
sea connectivity to the other countries through high bandwidth fiber.

This will enable you to provide value added IT-enabled services to many
destinations abroad, Kalam said.

In his address, Kalam said emphasis should be given to physical, electronic and
knowledge connectivity between the rural and urban areas and urged the members
to work towards creating a positive environment to help generate employment for
the one lakh unemployed in the state.

Praising Goa for its progress on literacy, formal education and poverty
alleviation and life expectancy, he said the challenge would be to further
reduce the infant mortality rate and increase the net per capita expenditure in
addition to giving safe drinking water and pucca houses to all.

Kalam also addressed a valedictory function of the ninth annual Chief Executive
Officer's roundtable in south Goa, then attended a luncheon hosted by Governor S
C Jamir at Raj Bhavan before proceeding to address the Assembly. He left for New
Delhi in the evening. (Agencies)

Published: Wednesday, October 19, 2005


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|  1st Young Goans International Essay contest 2005  |
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|   Theme: WHAT CAN I DO FOR GOA |
| More details at|
|  http://shire.symonds.net/pipermail/goanet/2005-October/034190.html|
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[Goanet] Perfect secularism and a piece of history

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**Re-posting as the earlier post seems lost in cyberspace.**  :-)  /lr

DNA [Daily News  Analysis]

See http://dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=6019CatID=2

Jaideep Hardikar
Sunday, October 16, 2005  23:26 IST

MANGRUL DASTGIR/AMRAVATI: Eighty-three-year old Sopan Bhabhutkar is
still living the dream his father Ganpati, also known as Hari Maharaj,
tried scripting in this village. Sopan Maharaj, as he is called now,
hasn't lost hope. His mother was from the lower-caste Patwi community;
his wife's a Brahmin and daughters-in-law are from different castes.
And they all knew that they would be giving up their castes by
marrying into this family, he says. That, he adds with a hint of
pride, is perfect secularism.

But now the society and the government identify them as Ajaats. 
History might have been different, says Bhabhutkar, had Dr
Babasaheb Ambedkar's scheduled meeting with my father come along in
1929.

According to Bhabhutkar, the meeting did not take place as his
father's detractors misinformed Ambedkar that Ganpati Maharaj was an
upper caste leader. Hearing that, Ambedkar cancelled his meeting with
my father, says Bhabhutkar.

Several historians suggest that the organisation of casteless people
grew rapidly in Central Provinces through 1940s, but collapsed by the
end of 1950 as the exigencies of electoral politics came to dominate
mass mobilisation.

But who was Ganpati Maharaj, who challenged and fought such powerful
forces? Nobody remembers his real name, but they all know that he was
born in the small and non-decript village of Kachurvahi in Wardha in
1887 After the death of his first wife, he married a widow belonging
to a lower caste. From her, he had a son (Sopan) and a daughter. That,
many in this clan believe, was the reason why many of his upper-caste
followers deserted him. But the reformist did not bow down.

Undaunted he kept attacking religious misconceptions, the caste system
and gender discrimination, asking his followers to believe in an
integrated society. He promoted inter-caste marriages, asking his
young followers to marry outside their caste. Many did so, but most
left him, says Bhabutkar.

That was the golden era of his work, and the beginning of a
protracted struggle with the elite higher caste, says P L Nimkar, a
retired school teacher. The most defiant of his acts, despite
opposition from the Brahmins, was a tradition he set up in 1929.

He asked his followers from all castes and creed to bring cooked food
from home; mix it and distribute it as prasad among all and sundry. It
was an era when people did not even touch the Dalits. Here, he was
asking them to eat food cooked by them.

Ganpati Maharaj took on exploitative traditions in a step-by-step
manner. He once asked women to erase kumkum on their forehead. Male
followers, who did not approve of it, deserted him in anger, inform
villagers. But he stuck to it because he believed that kumkum and
bangles were symbols of women's bondage.

Similarly, say villagers, he stopped idol worship because he thought
that devotion should be only towards humanity. He later developed that
concept further asking his followers to adopt the religion of manavta
(humanity).  He died in 1944. Initially he was buried in a farm. But
later his body was exhumed and reburied it in the village, where today
a statue stands in his memory.

Next month, informs Sopan Bhabutkar's wife Shauntala, all the Ajaat
followers will assemble here for a fair to mark the anniversary of the
denouncement of caste by the Maharaj.

That's the only time when this chapter of a little known history is relived.

Read concluding part on Tuesday: Should Ajaats have special status?


--
PS: If you wish to have a *Gmail* e-mail address, do write to me. 
Will send you an invitation to open a *Gmail* e-mail account. :-)


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|  1st Young Goans International Essay contest 2005  |
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|   Theme: WHAT CAN I DO FOR GOA |
| More details at|
|  http://shire.symonds.net/pipermail/goanet/2005-October/034190.html|
--

[Goanet] Konkan Railway Keyman wins MD's Award

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See
http://www.konkanrailway.com/website/press_2005/press_award_2005.htm

15th October, 2005

HUMAN INTEREST STORY

AWARD TO RAILWAY KEYMAN FOR HONESTY

This is a rare incident –but indeed true. A man from a very humble background
and working day and night quietly in some remote location, walking kilometers at
a stretch along the railway track through rain or sunshine with no company while
checking the railway track. A job profile so drab and monotonous that no one
would vie to be in that post. But as is said, success tiptoes silently into
lives of such people making them heroes of the day. This is the story of one
such person.

On 5th October, 2005 as train no. 2617 Up Mangala Exp was passing over Konkan
Railway route between Rajapur and Vilavade stations at about 0640 hrs, the train
was suddenly stopped due to Alarm Chain pulling by some passenger. Initially, it
was not clear who had pulled the alarm chain. The train was detained there for 8
minutes. The passenger, Shri Shamshuddin Adalkar, who had pulled the alarm
chain, approached Rajapur station a while later and lodged a complaint that a
packet containing Rs.50,000/- has fallen down from his hand on the railway track
while using the toilet between Vaibhavwadi and Rajapur. Immediately message was
sent to all concerned about the packet. Railway Keyman, RPF, contractors men,
all were alerted to hunt for the lost packet.

Later in the day as a Keyman, Shri Pramod Thasale, was patrolling the railway
track between Rajapur and Vaibhavwadi stations at abut 1500 hrs, he noticed a
packet lying on the track which contained Rs.50,000/- in cash. The Keyman handed
over the same to the Station Master at Rajapur. The passenger, who had already
boarded another train for going to Mumbai, was immediately informed about the
same and asked to alight at Chiplun station. The RPF personnel then went by
another train to Chiplun station and handed over the packet with all the money
intact to the passenger.

For this exemplary act on part of Shri Pramod Thasale, the Managing Director of
Konkan Railway Dr K K Gokhale has announced MD’s award to Shri Thasale as it is
very rare to find such honesty in today’s world and such individuals lead others
into making this society a better place.

When asked as to from where he learnt these value systems in life, Shri Thasale
said that he has been going to Satsang for last 4-5 years from where he has
further developed these values in life. But it is his mother who has had a big
hand in inculcating this set of values in him since his formative years, as his
father was always away working in Mumbai in a mill. By this selfless act Shri
Thasale has proven himself to be true member of Konkan Railway in following our
motto ‘We Care’. For the son of a mill worker, it is a big day today as he gets
this prestigious and well deserving award at the hands of none other than the
Chairman of Railway Board, Shri J P Batra.

--o--


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|   Theme: WHAT CAN I DO FOR GOA |
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--

[Goanet] Konkan Railway Jan Shatabdi Special in Nov 05

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See
http://www.konkanrailway.com/website/press_2005/press_janshatabdispecial181005.htm

18th Oct, 2005

PRESS NOTE

JAN SHATABDI SPECIAL TRAIN BETWEEN MUMBAI  GOA

It has been decided to run Jan Shatabdi Special train on 2nd, 9th, and 16th
November, 2005 only in order to carry passengers who had already booked their
tickets for the 2052 Up Jan Shatabdi train in advance for these dates.

As per the regular time table to come into effect on Konkan Railway route w.e.f
1st November, there will be no service of Janshatabdi Exp on Wednesdays in both
direction. However, those passengers who had got confirmed reservation for the
above mentioned dates for 2052 Up train, will be taken to their destination by
running these special services.

The train no. will be 2051/A ex- Dadar (T) to Madgaon, and train no. 2052/A
ex-Madgaon to Dadar (T). The halt, timings, and other details will be same as of
the regular 2051/2052 Jan Shatabdi Express.



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|  1st Young Goans International Essay contest 2005  |
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|   Theme: WHAT CAN I DO FOR GOA |
| More details at|
|  http://shire.symonds.net/pipermail/goanet/2005-October/034190.html|
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[Goanet] Sailors’ families can now dial a frie nd

2005-10-17 Thread Lawrence Rodrigues

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DNA [Daily News  Analysis - India]

See http://dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=3136

Arun Ram
Friday, September 23, 2005  22:35 IST

CHENNAI: 'Whalemen themselves are poor devils'. More than 150 years after Herman
Melville penned those words for `Moby Dick', a large number of India's one-lakh
odd seafarers remain just that: poor devils. Indian sailors working in foreign
vessels have been subjected to discrimination, ill-treatment and, worse, denial
of compensation for accidents and death. A Chennai-based helpline operated by a
former seafarer now offers a glimmer of hope.

V. Manoj Joy, who crisscrossed the seas for 18 years, took retirement in 2001 at
a young age of 37 to help his compatriots in distress. Formally launched last
year, his free helpline ([EMAIL PROTECTED] and tel: 0455345252) receives
about five complaints or enquiries every month from families of sailors. He has
been successful in taking at least ten cases to its logical end, without going
through bureaucratic rigmaroles and long-winding legal corridors.

A typical email to Joy reads thus: My wife has informed me that Ten Ocean
Marine has cleared my dues. I am grateful to you. I am out at sea and am likely
to be back home soon. The email is from Captain AK Kapoor, who failed to get
his arrears after a new company took over the ship he was working in. When he
approached the new employer, he was threatened. The helpline helped.

I get calls and emails from families of sailors who go missing and those who
are badly treated by ship owners and agents. I put the families to the right
people and use my own network of sailors' organisations and port authorities all
over the world to get the grievances addressed. It's a totally unofficial
approach, says Joy, who also publishes `Waves', a monthly maritime newsletter.

While the Western and European countries have an effective system of tracking
and attending to their sailors' complaints, Indian sailors have been in troubled
waters for long. Indian sailors' families have been struggling to get in touch
with their dear ones who go incommunicado for long. We have enough rules and
infrastructure to look into the complaints, but the bureaucratic set-up refuses
to function beyond the role of a post office, collecting letters and passing it
on to another, says Joy.

Joy's decision to struggle for his clan stems from a bitter experience he had in
a foreign vessel in the late 1990s. On his journey from an African port to
Mumbai, he was denied food and complaints were met with threats. He bore the
brunt till the vessel docked in Mumbai and then saw to it that the ship was
detained.


--
|  1st Young Goans International Essay contest 2005  |
||
|   Theme: WHAT CAN I DO FOR GOA |
| More details at|
|  http://shire.symonds.net/pipermail/goanet/2005-October/034190.html|
--

[Goanet] Konkan Railway - Review of past 15 years...

2005-10-17 Thread Lawrence Rodrigues

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See
http://www.konkanrailway.com/website/press_2005/press_foundation_day-2005.htm

15th Oct, 2005

PRESS NOTE

KONKAN RAILWAY’S 16TH FOUNDATION DAY

 Taking up new challenges and devising innovative solutions to meet these
challenges – this, in short, describes the journey of Konkan Railway in past 15
years. In these 15 years Konkan Railway has faced the natural vagaries with a
determination and come out triumphant against all odds. It is with this mental
grit to succeed that Konkan Railway has this year re-positioned itself as a safe
railway and celebrated its 16th Foundation Day today at Madgaon,Goa.

 Shri J P Batra, Chairman of Railway Board, was the Chief Guest of the function.
He was accompanied by his better half, Smt Nirmal Batra, who is also President
of IRWO (Indian Railway Womens’ Organisation). Also present were GM South
Western Rly Shri Triloknath Perti, MD Konkan Railway Dr. K K Gokhale and Smt
Gokhale and all Directors, officers and staff of KRCL.

 Foundation Day awards were given to meritorious employees on the occasion. The
award went to Shri Pramod G Thasale (Trackman/Vaibhavwadi), Shri Udaya S.
Devadiya (Trackman/Karwar), Shri S A Thakur (ESTM-II/Mangaon), Shri Manoj Kumar
(ASM/Mangaon), Ms. Rohini Sawant (ASM/Sawantwadi), Shri B Y Kumbhar
(JE/Belapur), Shri Prashant S Diggavi (JEE/Karwar), Shri S Murugan (Mail/Exp
Driver/Madgaon), and Shri Upendra S Shendye (AME/Ratnagiri).

 In the last 7 years of operations phase, Konkan Railway has brought a sea
change in passenger amenities on its route, taken continuous and innovations
safety precautions to make travel on KRCL a safe and enjoyable experience.

Passenger Amenities :

Konkan Railway from initial stage designed innovative, eco-friendly, and cost
effective designs requiring no or less maintenance. Some of these are as under:
* The Corporation provided high-rise platforms by using low-cost gabion
boxes which are also easy to erect.
* Providing Eco-friendly, low cost, aesthetic passenger shelters at stations
* Low cost, easy and faster to erect FOBs,
* International standard waiting halls at some stations,
* UV treated water at all taps on stations,
* Self-lighted train for ease of getting down at low platforms/or in tunnels
etc.,
* Intelligent lighting system at many stations for energy conservation,
* Automatic coach washing plants for easier faster and better cleaning of
coaches,
* Massive tree plantation all along the route for making the railway a
garden railway,
* Hygienic coach watering system,
* Internet booking,
* Tourist packages,
* Providing bed rolls to second class Sleeper coaches,
* A la carte menu in certain trains,
* Making PRS charts available at non-PRS stations etc, to name a few.
* Cyber Cafes on Konkan Railway for the first time in India in the year
2003.
* Konkan Railway is also first in the country to commission Railotels (Rail
Hotel) on its route at Ratnagiri and Kumta. These have facility as of 2/3 star
hotels and are economic while being closer to many tourist sites.

It is due to these efficient management practices that the World Bank
appreciated Konkan Railway and made it a bench mark for others to follow.

Safety Works

* The Corporation has taken all efforts to make its railway line safe.
Konkan Railway has specially developed innovative solutions to prevent and/or
warn about possible boulder fall or soil slippage. Boulder Nets, Inclinometers
at soil cuttings coupled with ACD and Raksha Dhaga, have proved useful in
monsoon.
* KR has also done massive earthwork along its entire route to ensure safety
of structures. This includes, making berms, widening the slopes, shotcreting,
lining of all unlined portions inside tunnels, micropiling etc.
* Konkan Railway is now planning to plant saplings of Vetiver and Stylo
grass along its route on soil cuttings as the particular grass has tendency to
go deep down into the soil and hold it in place firmly.
* This year KR implemented for the first time a special Monsoon Time Table
on its route keeping in mind the fury of monsoon in Konkan region. This enabled
maintaining scheduled timings of trains as well as give importance to safety
while maintaining punctuality.
* Konkan Railway has started the unique tradition of organizing annually
Karl Terzhagi Memorial Workshop to find geotechnical solutions by inviting
experts from all over India.

Project Management

The image

[Goanet] Konkan Railway Skybus will revolutionize transport

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WebIndia123.com

See http://news.webindia123.com/news/showdetails.asp?id=138752cat=India

KRC's Skybus technology to bring revolutionary change: Batra
Panaji | October 17, 2005 5:47:47 AM IST

The Konkan Railway Corporation's (KRC) innovative technology Skybus will bring
about a revolutionary change in the mode of transport, according to Railway
Board Chairman J P Batra.

He was speaking to reporters on the occasion of the 16th Foundation Day of the
Konkan Railway at Margao in South Goa last night.

Mr Batra said after successful trial runs, the Skybus project has evoked keen
interest and the KRC has received proposal from the Andhra Pradesh government
for implementing the project in Hyderabad.

Even the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) in Maharashtra has expressed its
willingness to implement the project there.

On the difference between skybus and monorail, he said the former has several
advantages in terms of cost, maintenance and volume of traffic.

The KRC, which has emerged as a major operator on the West coast of India by
linking several coastal states with the rest of the country, has brought about a
sea change in passenger amenities on its route in the last seven years of its
operations, he said.

Mr Batra said the image of Konkan Railway as an infrastructure giant is etched
in the field of engineering by undertaking many important construction projects
in the country such as state-of-the-art Mumbai-Pune Expressway tunnels, Owk
irrigation tunnel in Andhra Pradesh and ventilation of Jawahar tunnel in JK.

He said the Konkan Railways total income has improved from Rs 251 crore in
2003-04 to Rs 288.5 crore in 2004-05. Its Roll-On Roll-Off service, also called
as RO-RO, has earned Rs 41.24 crore for the Corporation since its inception. It
has enabled carrying over 70,000 trucks in the past six years.

On the occasion of the foundation day, KRC's nine meritorious employees were
also felicitated.

UNI SRN SSS AW LS HT1327


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[Goanet] How to learn the art of typing ...at Home

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  77-YEAR-OLD EUGENE D'SOUZA is quoted saying, Both my son and daughter have
moved out of the country to pursue a better life. They stopped writing to my
wife and me within a couple of years of being there, saying that they didn't
want to write letters as there was no 'spell check'. At that time I didn't
understand what they meant. After that, when my son came down on a holiday, he
bought a computer for me and tried to teach me whatever he could within his
short break... Today, though I can type out my own emails to my children. It
takes me hours to do so, as I haven't yet learnt the art of typing and type with
one finger. I still have a long way to go as far as emailing is concerned.
(Ayesha Barretto in GT/W)   GNB Oct 16-15, 2005.


TypingMaster Pro for Windows is a **touch typing** tutor with which you can
learn to type faster without errors and give a boost to your personal
productivity.

TypingMaster is available in 10 language versions.   Free download available at:
http://www.typingmaster.com/individuals/pro/demo.asp   Installation is fully
automated and free of charge! (version 6.30, 3.4 Mb)

Technical Requirements:  Windows 95/98/NT4/ME/2000/XP;   15 MB free disk space.

-


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[Goanet] No caste is also a handicap

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DNA [Daily News  Analysis]

See http://dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=5835CatID=2

Jaideep Hardikar
Sunday, October 16, 2005  00:26 IST

MANGRUL DASTGIR (Amravati): Thirty five is an age when men are
generally married. Harishchandra Nimkar is 35, but yet to find a
bride. For, no one wants to offer their daughter's hand in marriage.
City dwellers may find his problem surreal, but Nimkar's reality is an
existential one. No one wants to marry him for he is without a caste.

His desperate brother, Janardan, has gone to the extent of digging
into century-old records to find out their caste. The search, says
Janardan, has proved they are from the 'Mali' caste, which according
to the Government of India gazette falls in the Other Backward Caste
(OBC) category. That, incidentally, should entitle both Janardhan and
his brother Harishchandra the benefits of reservation.

He (Harishchandra Nimkar) wanted to contest panchayat polls, but
without a caste to his name, the babus wouldn't accept his form, says
father P L Nimkar, a retired teacher. You need a caste with your name
for all practical purposes, accepts the old man sadly.

Over 80 years ago, P L Nimkar's father, Harischandra's grandfather,
joined a movement against the caste system in the village and
renounced his caste. Though not well known, it is probably the only
movement of its kind in the modern history of India.

At its height, tens of families of various castes and creed renounced
it in an attempt to abolish that system and bury inhuman
discrimination. Among them were also Brahmins. The new community
described itself as Ajaat (ones without any caste) and called their
new religion Manavta.

Inter-caste marriages then became an easy norm and gender parity a
must. The families, proud of their new casteless status, heralded the
Indian independence with a dream of a society based on equality. Their
generations still cling on to that status, but have realised that in
official ledgers this status has become a caste of sorts. Ajaat, they
realise, has become the new caste.

Our elders had not denounced the caste system so that they clubbed
together into a new caste altogether. They had renounced their caste
identities to build a new social order, explains Shyam Bhabutkar,
grandson of Ganpati Maharaj who founded this revolutionary movement.

Ganpati Maharaj today enjoys the status of a sage and has a huge fan
following for helping lower-caste untouchables to enter a temple he
built in this village. Though the reformist's legacy continues, his
fourth-generation descendents are digging up old revenue records to
discover their original caste for everything from ration cards to
college admissions.The other villagers look down upon us, says
Ganesh Bhabutkar. What is even more pitiable is the Mahars (the
dalits) too look down upon their community members who left their
castes to become Ajaat. Contending with social ostracism on one hand
and a system bent on providing access to goods and services on the
basis of caste identity on the other, the younger generation is caught
in a no-man's land. Our younger ones are reverting to the
caste-system, admits Ganesh.

But it is easier said than done. In many records, the Ajaats are
officially listed as casteless. In the Kotwal records, for instance,
the caste column shows generations of Bhabutkar and Nimkar families as
Ajaats.

Historian and scholar Bal Padwad says, Ajaat is not a caste, but a
metaphor for those who gave up their caste. Hundreds of such
families, originally belonging to 18 different castes, are scattered
in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh as Ajaats.

While the government asks us to banish the caste-system, it seeks to
know the caste at every step, fumes Sunayana, Shyam Bhabutkar's
eldest daughter. Shyam had to file an affidavit before the court to
win back the Mali caste entitlements for her daughter. Her college
would refuse to admit her until we filled in the column of caste in
the admission form and proved it with a caste validity certificate.
My teachers wonder what is this Ajaat business? They do not know that
many of the chapters in our BA course are essays and poems penned by
my great-grandfather Ganpati Maharaj, the reformist who founded the
'Shwet Nishandhari Ajateey Manav Samstha' in 1920s, says Sunayana.

Adds Nimkar: Ganpati Maharaj influenced scores of families in an era
of strong caste prejudices. He practised what he preached and drew
upon himself the wrath of the upper caste. But

Re: [Goanet] Court issues Attachment Order for Goa Secretariat (thank U Lawrence)

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  Thank you Lawrence ... regularly reading your mails ... never miss
the ones on Konkan Railways etc.  ...   ... often travel by train. 
... Keep up the good work.Joe


Thank you, Joe,

*One is glad to be of service.*

(^-^)

Lawrence

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[Goanet] Re: Monorail vs Skybus

  ... what are the safety measures in place if the sky-train comes
to a halt in between two stations? In monsoons? Will the sky-train
survive blasts of 75 kmph winds or more? ... questions that I had put
to the Konkan Railway web-site a couple of years ago, as yet
unanswered.Gabriel F

Believe the answers to Q8  Q12 of the FAQ's, appended below, also
answer your questions, Gabriel.


Lawrence
-
See
http://www.konkanrailway.com/website/skybusmetro/html/faq.html

FAQ  Frequently Asked Questions

8. How are the breakdowns handled?
Sky Bus is exactly like a railway line- same standards of operation,
except the train, in our case is only 38m long! Redundancy in
driving motors is provided-even if 50% motors fail, the Sky Bus units
can haul themselves and clear at the traverser. If all fail, then
fellow Sky Bus unit has extra power to push it and take it out at the
traverser.

12. What are the safety measures in the system?
Compared to conventional railway systems, the center of gravity of the
mass being carried on the wheels is bought down to the closer to the
wheel support- hence dynamic safety is many time improved In
conventional railway wind can topple the trains and in Kerala once, an
express train went into river by being toppled by wind!!

In Sky Bus wind cannot topple- there is positive link between the rail
guidance system and the Bus Coaches- with 400% safety factor built
into multiple suspenders.

The railway bogies in conventional system have propensity to lose
control on derailment, but additional safety in Sky Bus bogie is that
we have derailment arresters, which prevents the wheel from jumping
off the rails. So we are ensuring that there is no derailment.

In normal railway systems, when collision takes place, derailment also
occurs, and carriages capsize killing people. But in Sky Bus no
collision can take place between the coaches- even after the 3 levels
of braking fail and the Sky Bus units hit each other in a collision,
the Sky Coaches in which people are traveling, will only swing to and
fro- but will not collide with each other nor capsize.



B.Rajaram
Managing Director
Konkan Railway

Copyright(c) Konkan Railway 2004

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[Goanet] Konkan Railway Public Information Officers

See http://www.konkanrailway.com/website/ehtm/pub_info.htm

 
IMPLEMENTATION OF PROVISIONS OF RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT 2005

PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER, KONKAN RAILWAY CORPORATION LTD.


Smt. Vaishali Patgar
Senior Manager Public Relations / CO-Belapur
022-27561085
022-27572420
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

  
Shri Baban Ghatge
 Manager Public Relations / Madgaon (Karwar Region)
 0832-2702579
 0832-2712793
 [EMAIL PROTECTED]

 
Shri P Nalinakshan
 Regional Personnel Officer / Ratnagiri Region
 02352-228207
 02352-228905

[Goanet] Bishops Discuss Church's Future

See http://cbs5.com/topstories/topstories_story_287012340.html

(AP) VATICAN CITY Bishops from around the world began discussing
proposals Thursday on running the church, including ways to address
the priest shortage and how to resolve the problem of giving Communion
to Catholics who divorce and remarry.

While it seems the Synod of Bishops won't recommend relaxing the
celibacy rule for priests, consensus seemed to be growing to recommend
that church tribunals speed up annulment processes so Catholics can
remarry in church and thus be allowed to receive Communion.

Church teaching holds that Catholics who divorce and remarry without
getting an annulment cannot receive the sacrament because their
condition objectively contrasts with God's law. An annulment is a
church ruling that the original marriage was invalid.

The priest shortage and the situation of Catholics who are denied
Communion have been key themes of the Oct. 2-23 meeting, which is
designed to let bishops from around the world vote on proposals that
are then sent to Pope Benedict XVI to consider in a future document.

Thursday was the first full day in which the bishops met in small
groups to begin crafting proposals, after having heard speeches from
all the 250 bishops and other experts gathered.

Cardinal Angelo Scola, the key moderator of the meeting, has
emphasized the need for church tribunals to be more efficient, saying
in a summary report to the closed-door meeting Wednesday that several
bishops had suggested the procedures be simplified or that tribunals
be created where they don't exist.

Pope John Paul II, however, had complained that annulments were too
easily obtained and expressed worry that tribunals face the risk of
corruption.

Cardinals dismissed the apparent contradiction Thursday.

It's not a deception, said Cardinal Francis Arinze, a synod
official. What John Paul II said was that these tribunals must work
according to truth, and not according to 'Oh, these people are
suffering so and let us declare it invalid.'

What is being asked for is that the bureaucracy of the tribunals not
be heavy and that the cases be resolved in a more just time to help
these people, Cardinal Juan Sandoval Iniguez of Mexico said.

Archbishop John Foley, who heads the Vatican's social communications
office, said it was too soon to say whether a specific proposal on
making the tribunals more efficient would emerge from the synod. But
he said the seeming consensus that appeared to be emerging was a
correct reading of the trend.

Several synod participants who appeared at a news conference Thursday
concurred that the priest shortage was among the major synod issues.
But they dismissed reporters' questions about whether married priests
were an option, saying a celibate priesthood was not the reason for
the shortage.

The shortage of priests is a symptom of the problem, said Cardinal
Telesphore Placidus Toppo of India. The real problem is the crisis of
faith.

In his summary, Scola listed 17 questions for the bishops to consider
as they meet in small discussion groups to draft proposals for the
pope, including how they should respond to the urgent duty to offer
the Eucharist to all the faithful, even in mission countries and
where there is a scarcity of priests.

Scola noted that several bishops had raised the issue, including
references to so-called viri probati or married men of proven virtue
who could be ordained.

Others spoke of the need to better distribute the priests that exist,
while several bishops of the Eastern rite, which allows married
priests, spoke about their experiences.

Various Eastern fathers referred to the practice of married priests
in their churches, offering each one of us elements for a further
careful evaluation of the choice of the Latin church to connect
celibacy to ordained priesthood, Scola said, according to the speech
released Thursday by the Vatican.

To this proposal, some fathers ... have affirmed that the hypothesis
of the 'viri probati' wasn't a path worth traveling.

Monsignor Sofron Stefan Mudry, of the Eastern rite Catholic church in
Ukraine, echoed this sentiment at the news conference, saying a
married priesthood brings unending problems to the church, including
housing issues and the costs involved in supporting a priest with a
family.

He said of his 400 priests, 360 are married, even though in the past,
the Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine had aimed to keep an equal number
of married and celibate priests.


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[Goanet] Goan pork sorpotel and beef vindaloo in Bandra...

See
http://www.mumbaimirror.com/nmirror/mmpaper.asp?sectid=2articleid=10142005148412031014200514752515

Mumbai Mirror | City
MUMBAI, Friday, October 14, 2005

Writers’bloc

The whole hog

Prashant Rajkhowa goes searching for the quintessentially Goan pork sorpotel and
beef vindaloo in Bandra

Ever heard the saying, “If you throw a stone in Bandra, you’re likely to hit a
Pereira, a pig or a priest?” I can safely say that if this was true, it was well
before my time. It doesn’t take a genius sociologist to declare that it’s
probably not true anymore. If you stone a pig today, you’re likely to get PETA
knocking down your door so it’s really not worth it. I’m not old enough to
bother complaining about outsiders settling in Bandra but I will complain about
those who come to eat in Bandra because they are to blame for the menus being so
sanitised. Read chicken-centric.

How can you claim to be a Goan place and not have pork sorpotel or beef vindaloo
on your menu! Hang your head in shame, people! You’ve taken the yummiest food
culture in the country and cleansed it of everything good and belt-looseningly
holy about it. The fact that I can hear dandiya music outside (something that I
don’t remember happening around here earlier) is almost a neon sign pointing out
the culprits. So I took it upon myself to have pork sorpotel and beef vindaloo
for dinner – without having to head to Colaba.

After making my displeasure extremely obvious to two phone order-taker guys, I
realised that if they advertise Goan food, they should be shot for treason. For
putting pieces of chicken into two of the most sacred curries in the world. The
track had to be altered. Away from the starched chef hats and the penguins
serving you to the most unlikely and yet perfectly obvious. A sweet old lady
sitting on the foot path outside her chawl. A chalk board menu, a
tarpaulin-bamboo shelter and one of those mini gas cylinder thingies. The
juiciest fried bombil and the richest prawn chops you’ll ever find, made fresh
every evening. And the best part… wait for it… Goa sausage, pork sorpotel and
beef vindaloo! Her eyes have that saintly gleam that comes from serving the
needy. From giving to those who really just want a little happiness. She doesn’t
deliver but take a look at the prices and you’ll willingly cab it all the way
from Martin’s. And when she says home-cooked, she means it. You have to place
your order at 7.30 am and she goes shopping for it. On your way back from work,
you pick up your order. It’s that simple!

So come from wherever you do and eat at your pseudo chicken-loving Goan
restaurants with their bright lights, shocked phone order-taker guys and free
home delivery. I have tasted a little piece of Goan heaven… just down the road.

Re: [Goanet] India hung up on Flawed Education!

  I hope authorities ... take remedial action; instead of burdening
srudents and the general population with multiple languages, bogus
learning and ancient non useful culture.Nasci C


**bogus learning and ancient non useful culture**

Do you mean the *Bible*, Nasci?


Lawrence

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Re: [Goanet] Re: Monorail vs Skybus

Gabriel,

Know not what filters you use to read Averthan D'Souza's posts.  I
too, believe, the tone and content, are, to put it very mildly, *
really unfortunate*.

Yes, Averthan may be entitled to his opinion.  But, should members of
Goanet be subjected to having to read the rantings of those who seem
allergic to anyone whose name is not of Portuguese origin?


Lawrence

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[Goanet] To be or not to be...Konkan Railway awaits verdict

See http://dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=5614

Shweta Karnik
DNA [Daily News  Analysis]
Friday, October 14, 2005  00:19 IST

The future of the Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) hangs in
the balance.

The KRCL, considered one of the best railway networks by the World
Bank two years ago, is trying to figure out its very survival -
whether it will continue as an autonomous entity or merge with the IR.

Designed with the aim of connecting the four coastal states of
Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala, making them a party to the
agreement with the Indian Railways, the corporation now ceases to
exist. The KRCL, founded in 1990, will be completing its intended
tenure of 15 years this month. Now, the Railway Ministry will decide
its fate.

If the KRCL is merged with it, the the Indian Railways will have to
not only take up the assets and intellectual properties owned by the
corporation but also its accumulated losses - Rs 5,000 crore - and its
debts with other liabilities.

Sources in the KRCL told DNA: The loss incurred due to the financing
costs was made good by the ministry by extending non-interest bearing
loans. But in 2003 the ministry started charging interest on these
loans at seven per cent. If this is waived off, the corporation can
reduce the extra costs.

The ministry has instituted a review committee to study the aspects
associated with the merger and also to design a revival package, which
will be tabled before the Cabinet. Pending this, the KRCL has been
granted one year's extension.

National Railway Mazdoor Union assistant secretary Milind Tulaskar,
who also is associated with the KRCL, said, The KRCL has a low
operating ratio in view of its low staff cost and multi-skilling
practices. Therefore, it cannot generate enough surpluses to take care
of the loan burden and build infrastructure in the future.

At stake are the jobs of nearly 3,500 employees who are with KRCL
since its inception.

The corporation has in its 15-year tenure developed and earned a lot
for itself. Despite being criticised for the accidents, we have also
been appreciated for the technologies invented and the international
patents earned, said an official of the KRCL on condition of
anonymity.

So the big question is: will the merger of the KRCL with the Indian
Railways affect its efficiency?

Passengers who travel to their hometown by the Konkan Railway route
think such a move would render it inefficient.

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Re: [Goanet] GOASURAJ STING OPERATION NO.1

  If it was Goa Su-Raj in the driving seat, each and every newspapers would be
scanned for these hoax advertisements.   goasuraj


Must caution you, here, that *reading newspapers while driving* is dangerous :-)

But, tell me:  Why do you have to be in the *driving seat* to scan
newspapers for hoaxes and initiate action against scams?



Lawrence

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[Goanet] Believe It or Not - Police arrest accused (in Goa) after 27 years

2005-10-12 Thread Lawrence Rodrigues

See
newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEK20051012011157Page=KTitle=Southern+News+-+KarnatakaTopic=0

NewIndPress.com
SOUTHERN NEWS - KARNATAKA   

Oct 12, 2005
Police arrest accused after 27 years
Wednesday October 12 2005 11:33 IST

HUBLI: The Police on Monday arrested a person accused of killing his
father and who has been absconding for the last 27 years.

The accused has been identified as Baladevsing Rangeela of
Ayodhyanagar, Old Hubli, according to the Police.

He had allegedly shot his father Harabajansing for opposing his
marrying a girl belonging to another religion on December 22, 1978.

After the murder, he eloped with the girl and stayed in Hyderabad for
two years. But he left the place when his wife died and went to Punjab
where he married again in 1991.

After spending a few years there, he shifted to Goa along with his
second wife and four children.

The policemen who were investigating the case, received the
information that Baladevasing was residing in Goa. A team of police
officers nabbed the accused in Goa after 27 years.

Narayan Nadamani, Commissioner, DCPs Ravikanthe Gouda, G Nagappa, ACP
D B Naduvinmani, N B Sakri, H K Pathan, R S Naikar, Rajendra Udosi and
other Police personnel were in the squad.

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[Goanet] Re: MONORAIL OR SKYBUS - THE HIDDEN AGENDA (Part II)

  MONORAIL OR SKYBUS - THE HIDDEN AGENDA (Part I)
:
:
MONORAIL OR SKYBUS - THE HIDDEN AGENDA (Part II)
:
:
INDIAN  RAILWAYS  -   Fact Sheet.

   The Indian Railways is over 150 years  old, and has accumulated
a wealth of experience and technical know-how unequalled anywhere else
in the world.

   The Indian Railways has over 100,000 track kilometers of rail
lines and about 65,000 route kms.


Am impressed with the Indian Railways factsheet.  May I know it's source?

BTW,  Averthanus, has the Indian Railways ever had an accident?


Lawrence


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[Goanet] Konkan Railway Rajdhani Express Halt at Karwar Regularised

See
http://www.konkanrailway.com/website/press_2005/press_rajdhani_halt.htm

11th Oct, 2005

 PRESS NOTE

RAJDHANI EXP HALT AT KARWAR REGULARISED

Good news for passengers travelling by Rajdhani Exp to Konkan Railway
route!! The halt for train no. 2431/2432 Rajdhani Express at Karwar
station over Konkan Railway route has been regularized with immediate
effect. The halt was temporary till now.

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[Goanet] Court issues Attachment Order for Goa Secretariat

See
http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage.php?storyflag=yleftnm=lmnu2leftindx=2lselect=1chklogin=Nautono=202765

Mayuresh Pawar / Panaji October 12, 2005

In a rare move, a fast-track court at Panaji has issued orders for the
attachment of the Goa secretariat if the state failed to pay compensation for
acquiring 5,35,429.30 sq mt land.

The issue has been hanging fire for nearly 25 years when the state government
acquired the land at Chodana Island from one Jose Velho at 50 paise per sq mt.
However, the government failed to pay him. Velho moved the court in 1986 to
claim compensation.

The court directed the government to pay compensation to Velho at the rate of Rs
5 per sq mt. But, the government did not respond to the court order. Both Jose
Velho and his advocate refused to speak on the issue.

Now, the fast-track court has set October 13 deadline for the state to make the
payment or else the state secretariat building would be attached, said the
order.

The total value of the property stands at around Rs 21.41 lakh. Moreover, the
court has directed the state government to pay 30 per cent of solatium charges
and 12 per cent interest on the market value of the land. Total amount required
to be paid now stands at Rs one crore.

The Goa secretariat building was built in 1500 AD by Adil Shah, the ruler of the
Adil Shahi dynasty of Bijapur, and in 1759, it became the Viceroy’s official
residence during the Portuguese regime.

The state filed a petition with the Panaji bench of the Bombay High Court,
seeking a stay on the order of the fast-track court. But the Panaji bench
dismissed the petition and upheld the decision of the fast-track court.

The state has now decided to approach the Supreme Court if the negotiations
outside the court with Jose Velho fail.

“We intend to pay the amount to Velho and we are working on the issue in
consultation with the state attorney general. If Velho does not agree to
negotiate with the government, then we will approach the Supreme Court,” said
Agnelo Fernandes, parliamentary secretary, Goa.

The court order has created a piquant situation for the state as saving the
secretariat has become an issue of prestige for it.

[Goanet] Invisible Women - The Fastest Growing Segment of Deadly AIDS Epidemic in India

See
http://news.pacificnews.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=fe0244d6cf48c94955a22c0fc97c5db7

News Feature, Viji Sundaram,
India West , Oct 10, 2005

BANGALORE - In the weeks following her husband's death from
AIDS-related illnesses, Shreemathi, then 21, who became HIV positive
through contact with him, tried killing herself three times, first by
jumping into a well in her village in southern India, and the second
time by ingesting rat poison. In her third attempt, she tried jumping
off a moving train. All three times fate intervened.

What pushed her over the edge, she told India-West, was that her
in-laws constantly told her that she had brought misfortune upon their
family, and that she was responsible for her husband's untimely death.

They forced her to wear a white sari, symbolizing her widowhood.
Implicit in that sartorial demand was a warning to put aside forever
any dreams she might have harbored of carving out a new life for
herself. And worst of all, they made it quite clear that she was no
longer welcome in their home.

In India, men with HIV get thrown out of their jobs; women with HIV
get thrown out of their homes and become India's invisible women,
said Priti Radhakrishnan of the Bangalore chapter of the
non-governmental organization, Lawyers' Collective HIV/AIDS Unit,
which promotes the fundamental rights of people living with the
disease.

At the time, my self-esteem was so low, recalled Shreemathi, now 26,
the picture of confidence in her smart Punjabi suit, and a counselor
at Freedom Foundation, an NGO in Bangalore's Hennur village that
focuses on substance abuse and HIV/AIDS. I saw no point in living. I
wanted to end it all.

Shreemati did not want her real name to be used for fear of
stigmatizing her family, and jeopardizing the marital status of her
two siblings at home.

The young woman, like thousands of HIV widows in India, teetered on
the brink of depression and destitution. But unlike many, she had a
bachelor's degree and a few years of work experience to rely upon,
first as a schoolteacher, then as an accountant.

Started in 1995, the Freedom Foundation is India's first
community-based care support for those with HIV. Since its inception,
it has counseled hundreds of women like Shreemathi, providing some
with vocational training and turning their lives around.

Aside from its Bangalore center, Freedom Foundation has chapters in
other parts of Karnataka, and in Goa and Tamil Nadu. The Bangalore
center also runs an AIDS orphanage. The programs are funded through
international agencies, the central government and a few corporations,
said Dr. Nirmala Skill, the doctor-in-charge at the Hennur village
center.

Shreemathi told India-West that despite all the emotional pain she was
put through by her in-laws, she does not want them to find out that
their son's promiscuous behavior prior to his marriage was what led to
his death. As he lay dying, he told his parents he had fallen and
damaged his brain, and that doctors had told him there was nothing
they could do to save his life.

He told me he had been visiting sex workers since he was 15 years
old, Shreemathi said. But he did not want his parents to ever know
that.

The young widow is among an estimated 2.4 million women in India who
are known to be HIV positive. The majority of them, around 80 percent,
contracted the disease from their husbands, a situation similar to
South Africa. What frequently kills young women in both countries is
not promiscuity, but marriage, U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan
observed.

Shreemathi said that when she first heard about her husband's HIV
status, her initial reaction was anger, but it gave way to sadness
after he expressed remorse for what he had done to her, she said.

I told him that whatever has happened was my fate, so I will accept
it, Shreemathi said in an interview she shoehorned between counseling
sessions at the Hennur center.

AIDS workers say her fatalistic attitude is typical of most Indian
women who contract the disease from their husbands.

They've been raised to be caregivers, that's the cultural set-up,
Skill said. That's why they are sad over their husbands' condition,
rarely angry.

In India, as in South Africa, AIDS is fast getting a woman's face. As
Dr. S.Y. Qaraishi, chief of the Indian government's 14-year-old
National Aids Control Organization, observed recently, We fear the
feminization will increase in the next five years, and 50 percent of
all infections will be among women.

That rate is currently a little over 40 percent, which doesn't include
many women who are HIV positive but don't know it. Fears of
abandonment and stigmatization keep many from getting their blood
tested.

Although it's been nearly 20 years since the first AIDS cases were
diagnosed in India, it's only in recent years that the magnitude of
the problem has been acknowledged. The government was mostly
preoccupied with making India a powerful economic growth engine so the
AIDS calamity, largely

[Goanet] Ya Ya Mayam Ya with GTDC Director Elvis Gomes

See
http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=15229n_tit=Goa%3A+'Ya+Ya+Mayam+Ya'+on+the+Mayem+Lake+with+GTDC+Director+Elvis+Gomes

Daijiworld.com
Monday, October 10, 2005
News -- Goa: 'Ya Ya Mayam Ya' on the Mayem Lake with GTDC Director Elvis Gomes

from Rupesh Samant in Panaji for Daijiworld News Network - Goa -
posted on Sunday, 5-15 pm

Panaji, Oct 9: Mayem lake situated in the North Goa hitherto less
known amongst the tourists will now get the much-needed attention. The
Goa Tourism Development Corporation on Sunday held special programme
to attract attention towards this tourist spot.

The lake situated just four kilometres away from Bicholim town was
lesser visited by the tourists. The Mayem Residency, hotel owned by
GTDC, also had less than 50 per cent occupancy.

We are trying to give importance to the lesser known tourist
destinations, specially those situated in the hinterland,'' stated
GTDC managing director Elvis Gomes.

Special function organised to promote Mayem lake and aptly titled ya
ya mayan ya was kicked open by local MLA Harish Zantye. Zantye, who
owes his political affiliation to ruling Congress party, assured of a
grant of Rs 3 crore for the development of this lake.

There is no dearth of money. We have to chalk out plans to popularise
lesser known tourist spots, he said.

Frankfins, an institute imparting training in tours and travels, had
sponsored the programme. A fashion show by Frankfins students, boat
race were the highlight of the day.

Right now we have around 50 per cent occupancy in Mayem residency. We
expect the occupancy to rise in the coming days. Right now all the
rooms in Mayem residency are full,'' said an elated Gomes.

The GTDC which has 13 hotels all around the state now intends to
popularise hinterland tourism amongst its clientels -- domestic
tourists. We have shown enough of beaches. Now its time to show our
nature,'' said Gomes.

Besides planning sight seeing, the GTDC has also offered honeymoon
packages in these hotels. ``Not only the domestic or foreign tourists,
we want local Goans to stay in our hotels and feel Goa,'' added
Gomes.

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[Goanet] Vandana Productions' VIIth Annual All Goa Tiatr competition

See
http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=15254n_tit=Goa%3A+A+Step+towards+Resurrection+of+Fading+Canvas+of+Heritage+-+Annual+Tiatr+Competition

Daijiworld.com
News -- Goa: A Step towards Resurrection of Fading Canvas of Heritage
- Annual Tiatr Competition

from Sany, Margao

Margao, Oct 10: It's the time of Tiatr competitions in Goa...

Vandana Productions, Borim, an institution devoted to the resurrection
of fading canvases of the rich heritage of Goa, has announced its
VIIth Annual All Goa Tiatr competition, which will begin from October
31 at Nuvem.

The institution has put some conditions like only institutions
registered under Societies Registration Act 1860 can participate in
the competition. Those interested,will have to submit the Tiatr script
copy with refundable security deposit of Rs. 1500 on or before ctober
16, 2005.

The entry forms along with rules and regulations are available at
Konkani Akademi Office - Panaji and Vandana Productions at Borim.
Interseted institutions can also call Agnelo on mobile : 98229 83541
for more details.

After the competition gets over, the prize distribution function will
be held on November 13.

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[Goanet] Konkan Railway asked to conduct more test trials of Skybus

See : http://news.webindia123.com/news/showdetails.asp?id=134089cat=India

WebIndia123.com
Mumbai | October 10, 2005 7:45:49 PM IST

The implementation of skybus project, an ambitious and innovative
venture of the Konkan Railway (K R) may be delayed by an year with the
experts committee, set up by the Union Urban Development Ministry to
study its feasibility, recommending more test trials be conducted.

The technology, a dream project of former Konkan Railway Managing
Director B Rajaram, had been successfully demonstrated in a test track
at Madgaon in Goa last year.

Speaking at a meet-the-press programme, organised by the Mumbai
Marathi Patrakar Sangh, Mr Rajaram's successor K K Gokhale said the
committee has stated that the skybus project is a positive working
technology. However, it requires more testing for passenger safety.

''The experts committee has also suggested that the Centre provide
adequate funds to the K R to enable it undertake the test trials and
upgrade the project infrastructure'', Dr Gokhale informed.

He said the 15 year agreement between the railways and four states of
Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala for the implementation of the
Konkan railway project has ended in June this year.

''Talks are on at the ministry level whether to continue with the same
model of Konkan railway or whether to convert its losses into equity
or merge K R with the Indian railways'', Dr Gokhale said adding that
nothing has been decided as yet, but different options are being
discussed.

More UNI MR KD SY GC1914


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[Goanet] Konkan Railway Skybus for Hyderabad by 2008

See http://inhome.rediff.com/money/2005/oct/10sky.htm

Hyderabad to get Skybus Metro by '08

October 10, 2005 13:22 IST

A top Malaysian company is all geared up to begin negotiations with Indian
authorities for the construction of world's first ever 'Skybus Metro' in
Hyderabad, after a techno-feasibility study early next month.

Feasibility studies which began last month would conclude on November 5 and
negotiations for construction of Skybus are expected to begin in January next
year and it could become a reality by 2008, sources in Doxport Technologies
said.

The Malaysian company is working on the modalities of the 20 km
Uppal-Mehdipatnam stretch in Hyderabad city along with Konkan Railways, its
technology partner, they said adding that the project will be on a
build-operate-transfer basis.

Unveiling a plaque of the pilot skybus project, the Malaysian company Doxport
Technologies, contracted by Konkan Railway to globally promote the concept, said
the skybus mode of transport was the cheapest available and would cost around 50
paise per km.

Sky Bus Metro is a modified railway system, where light weight coaches suspended
over rails, travel below rail guides and are constructed using modern
pre-fabricated construction technologies.

The company's chairman Abdul Azim bin Mohd Zabidi said in Hyderabad that the
suspended coaches could carry up to 900 passengers every 40 seconds in each
direction catering to a traffic requirement of 81,000 passengers per hour per
direction.

Company Managing Director T Sivalingam said the complete ICT system for the
Sky-Bus was developed by them. This is a complete package which we can in
future market to other nations.

The consortium led by Doxport helped Indian technocrat and then Konkan Railway
chief B Rajaraman to realise his 'dream concept of Skybus,' and it first became
operational in Goa.

Doxport Software India Pvt Ltd, the Indian arm of the company, was instrumental
in the conceptualisation, design, provisioning and implementation of the entire
ICT control system at the pilot track in Goa, Sivalingam said.

The hardware expertise was provided by another Malaysian company Kompakar Inc,
he added. Sivalingam said that the project needed lower capital costs, shorter
time to be put up, noise and pollution free and requiring least urban land
space.

A Sky Bus can be completed in less than two years while metro takes 5-7 years to
complete, he said. The space on top of the track called the Skyway and the
space within the station create new and unique commercial space in an already
congested area generating additional income.

He said a typical roll out would cost 50 per cent less than any existing metro
rail system.

Re: [Goanet] Rain is not equal to water

2005-10-09 Thread Lawrence Rodrigues

Stopping rain from going down the drain

DNA [Daily News  Analysis] - India
Saturday, October 08, 2005  21:33 IST

See http://dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=4955CatID=2

More than 70% of India's population lives in rural India and the bulk
depends on agriculture. Importantly, Indian villages also account for
more than 75% of the country's poor. This is enough indication that if
India has a vision to be a developed country anytime soon, it needs to
nurture this largely agrarian economy carefully. The biggest problem
that many of the agricultural communities face is water, or the lack
of it; even for their basic needs.

Cut to Raigad district of Maharashtra. More than 20,000 people in
about 45 villages and wadis from five talukas have almost become
tanker proof. Simply put, they do not have to depend on tanker water
for their basic water needs throughout the year and some have enough
left over for their agricultural needs too. And this situation will
only improve. Reason: They are using water harvesting techniques like
making ponds, cordoning springs and making bunds, trenches and
plantation to harness water. Interestingly, not a single new bore-well
was drilled. Only the existing ones were recharged.

The project commenced five years back. By now 20 villages have become
self-sufficient with their water requirements. Some of these villages
have also taken to second cropping on parts of their land. With the
initial few projects becoming so effective, some 25 more villages
eagerly joined in to implement similar projects to eradicate water
shortage.

All these villages used to experience seasonal drought and had to
depend on tanker water for a large part of the year. The villagers
were brought together by SHARE and SCESA, NGOs that have been working
together with Dr Gokhale, an environmentalist, to help these people
harvest water in a scientific manner. They have used locally
appropriate, innovative and environment friendly solutions which were
acceptable to the villagers. The entire project has been implemented
through 'Shramdan' from the villagers themselves, thus making them the
owners of the project.  Many experts believe that this is the model to
follow pan India.

And it is not only the villages that need to harvest water. In urban
areas, unrestricted construction all over has left little exposed
earth for water to soak in. Rainwater harvesting in urban areas
essentially means collecting rainwater from the roofs of buildings and
storing it underground for later use. The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE)
was using 288 tankers of water in July, August and September till last
year. This year, instead of letting the rain water flow out on the
roads, BSE collected it from their roof into a tank. This water was
used to fulfill part of their daily requirement, cutting down their
tanker water usage to 141 for the same period. The BSE is planning to
implement techniques to recharge their bore-well.

--
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[Goanet] Oil spills changing marine DNA

2005-10-08 Thread Lawrence Rodrigues

See http://dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=4941CatID=5

Swati Pujari
DNA
Saturday, October 08, 2005  20:38 IST

A study by the Goa-based National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) has revealed
that snails, oysters and clams affected by toxic oil components, if eaten, can
cause cancer in humans.

Published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research in February 2005, the study,
'Detection of DNA Damage (strand breaks) in marine mollusk: An Early Warning
Signal of Carcinogenesis', is the first of its kind in India.

The study, conducted by the NIO's Marine Pollution Assessment and Ecotoxicology
Group, found that polyhydrocarbon (PAH), a toxic component of crude oil,
gasoline and fuel oil, had affected the DNA of marine snails (Cronia contracta)
and oysters and clams found near Vasco, Goa. PAH accumulations in humans can
cause cancer, the study concludes.

A recent oil spill occurred on the Goa coastline on March 23, 2005, when a
Maritime Wisdom oil tank, a Singaporean bulk carrier, collided with Prapti. This
led to 110 tonnes of oil spilling across three miles.

The immediate effect of an oil spill in the vicinity of its occurrence is
enormous, but because of the ocean's dynamism the concentration reduces
substantially in a few days, says Anupam Sarkar, who led the NIO study. But
while the concentration diminishes, the damage spreads.

Several factors govern the damage. Says Sanjiv Gopal, Oceans campaigner, Green
Peace, It depends on the type of oil, the thickness of deposits, climate and
season, the area's physical, biological and ecological characteristics,
sensitivity of species and biological communities.

One reason for cheer, say experts, is that there are fewer incidents of oil
spills in India as ship construction safeguards are more stringent. Furthermore,
damage to the ecosystem is reduced as volatile compounds tend to evaporate in
our warm climate.

Still, the study's findings are ominous. While you nibble on seemingly harmless
snails or oysters at a shack in Goa, it is possible they are causing irrevocable
damage to your body.

Re: [Goanet] Rain is not equal to water

2005-10-08 Thread Lawrence Rodrigues

  ... seeing the first water shortages of the busy season in the
Porvorim area. Municipal water has not flowed for three days ... .

Contrast ... the fact that ...l Met Dept has just issued its
end-of-monsoon 2005 briefing which tells us that the Konkan and Goa
met division has received 25% more rain than the average until
end-September (their data is normal=2,781 mm; actual=3,477 mm).   
Rahul G



See http://sify.com/finance/fullstory.php?id=13958925

No Indian city has 24/7 water supply: WB
Friday, 07 October , 2005, 18:05

New Delhi: A World Bank Report today brought out the startling fact
that *no Indian city has water supply 24 hours a day seven days a
week* and said it would target its assistance programmes regarding
urban water supply and sanitation to a few selected projects in mega
cities like Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai.

''The Bank would also provide assistance to selected reforming states
with smaller urban centres, mainly with the aim of designing options
that can be easily replicated,'' Smita Misra, Senior Economist, South
Asia Energy Infrastructure, in the Delhi office of the World Bank told
a Press Conference here.

Misra and Alan R Locussol, Lead Water and Sanitation Specialists,
Water and Urban, South Asian Region, were briefing on the Report:
'India - Water Supply and Sanitation'.

The Report highlights that no city has water supply for 24 hours and
seven days a week and lists some cities on the basis of per capita
availability of water supply and the number of hours for which the
supply is available.

The following is data relating to per capita water supply measured in
terms of litres per day (lpd) and the number of hours of supply a day
(in brackets): Goa -- 341 lpd (8 hrs a day); Chandigarh 342 lpd (10
hrs a day); Mumbai -- 240 lpd (five hours a day); Delhi -- 223 lpd (4
Hrs a day); Patna -- 222 lpd (10 hrs a day), Ludhiana -- 220 (10 hrs a
day); Jodhpur -- 190 lpd (2.5 hrs a day), Bisuya -- 184 lpd (ten hrs a
day), Derabasi -- 173 lpd (eight hrs a day); Jaipur -- 149 lpd (three
hrs a day), Ahmedbaad -- 145 lpd (2 hrs a day); Bikaner -- 133 lpd
(1.5 hrs a day), Bangalore -- 123 lpd (2.5 hrs a day), Gurdaspur --
108 lpd (ten hrs a day), Bhatinda -- 106 lpd (8 hrs a day). Bharatpur
-- 105 lpd (1.5 hrs a day), Udaipur -- (80 lpd (2.5 hrs a day), and
Chennai -- 32 lpd (1.5 hrs a day).

Misra said in the rural sector, where the Bank is providing support
through three ongoing projects and three under preparation, it would
gradually move towards a sector-wide approach in states where full
agreement can be reached on policies, investment plans, implementation
arrangements, and monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.

''The Water and Sanitation Programme, which has a significant budget
for policy dialogue for both urban and rural water supply and
sanitation, should continue to disseminate best practices and to
assist selected states in formulating the concept of sustainable
projects and developing detailed procedures for sector reform and for
the preparation of financing applications for Indian and international
lending agencies and independent appraisal procedures,'' she said.

The Report says in India's urban areas access to drinking water
considered safe by the Government's standards rose form about 82 per
cent of the population in 1991 to 90 per cent in 2001.

This figure, which includes access to non-piped water, could rapidly
reach 100 per cent, consistent with the aim of the Ministry of Urban
Development to achieve 100 per cent coverage in 2007. But in an urban
environment non-piped water may not be considered a safe source.

In rural areas access to drinking water increased from about 65 per
cent of the population in 1990 to about 90 per cent in 2001.

''Thus it appears likely that if India sustains investment at a level
similar to that of the past decade, it could achieve 100 per cent
coverage of water supply infrastructure, if not by 2007 then probably
2012,'' the report says.

The rural population share with access to basic sanitation, which may
have been as low as 5 per cent in 1990, rose to about 20 per cent in
2001.

If it is reach 53 per cent at the end of the 12th Plan to meet the
Millennium Development Goal (MDG) targets, India may be somewhat
behind. Meeting the MDG target in rural areas would require investment
of about Rs 37000 crore and Rs 33000 crore for the Eleventh and
Twelfth Plans, and recurrent expenditures again of the same order of
magnitude of about Rs 30500 crore and Rs 35500 crore respectively.

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Re: [Goanet] The married priest

2005-10-06 Thread Lawrence Rodrigues

  The Catholic Church has a very specific and very
high-minded reason for wanting their priests to be
celibate, and this reason has so far superceded the
arguments in favor of married priests.Mario G

...and the Church is *never* wrong?

Are not food, clothing, shelter, sex, the basic human needs?


Lawrence
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[Goanet] National conference on maritime archaeology on 06 Oct 2005

See
http://news.webindia123.com/news/showdetails.asp?id=128320n_date=20051004cat=India

National conference on maritime archaeology in Goa on Oct 6
Panaji | October 04, 2005 9:43:22 AM IST

The 7th National Conference on Maritime Archaeology focusing on the latest
findings by researchers, academicians and amateur archaeologists and their
contributions to reconstructing maritime archaeology in India, will be held at
the prestigious National Institute of Oceanography here from October 6.

The two-day conference is expected to provide researchers and scholars a
platform for discussion on the problems, solutions and recommendations for
futuristic approaches in the field of maritime archaeology in India.

The main theme of the conference is Marine Archaeological Research in Indian
Ocean Countries and their contribution to science, and the role of history and
archaeology in facilitating maritime archaeological researches, according to Mr
K H Vora, Secretary society for Marine Archaeology.

The topics for discussion include recent underwater rchaeological
investigations, applications and techniques for underwater investigations,
ancient ports and maritime trade, navigational techniques and boat building,
ports, maritime trade and trade centre, boat building and shipwrecks in Goa,
scientific contributions relevant to marine archaeology and conservation
techniques for marine artifacts.

The Maritime Archaeology wing headed by Mr Vora had pioneered underwater
research in the west coast that led to the discovery of a submerged ruins
purported to belong to the mythological Dwaraka city of Lord Krishna, to
establish which scientists were trying to get scientific corroborative evidence.

UNI BM PM LR BS0848

[Goanet] Konkan Railway Sky Bus in Hyderabad awaits Central Governement approval

See http://news.webindia123.com/news/showdetails.asp?id=128881cat=India

Konkan Rly Corpn likely to set up Sky Bus in Hyderabad

Hyderabad | October 04, 2005 7:49:06 PM IST

Andhra Pradesh Minister for Municipal Administration Koneru Ranga Rao told the
state Assembly that the government was considering offering one traffic corridor
in Hyderabad for establishing the Sky Bus on Build Operate and Transfer (BOT)
basis as a pilot commercial project.

In a written reply to Malreddy Rangal Reddy (Congress), he said the state
government had informed the Union Government that Konkan Railway Corporation had
come forward to establish the Sky Bus Metro System on BOT basis at their cost.

He said the state government would consider giving the project to Konkan Railway
Corporation if the Centre gives permission.

UNI JRK AA VJ BD1749

[Goanet] Letter to Chief Ministers from B Rajaram, Skybus Inventor

Er. B. Rajaram M.Tech., FIE.,FNAE.,IRSE (Retd.) Flat 205, B9,2-2-15,DD
Colony,Hyderabad 57
Inventor of Anti-collision / Skybus Technologies Tel-fax:+91 40 27400365
Cell:+91 9346 50
Former MD Konkan Railway Corporation/MoR
___
Page no:1 of 2
BR/Skybus/10/4/2005
Dt. October 4, 2005

Dear Hon'ble Chief Minister,

Sub: Affordable and safer mass transit system for cities - theSkybus-

Railway technology based systems suffer from derailments and
capsizing down killing people- happening day in and day out. Till
now only the people traveling in the train died. But when you adopt
as elevated metro, then many innocent road users also will get
crushed below, leading to a havoc. Before the advent of a solution
by India viz., Skybus metro rail system, there was no alternative.
But with Skybus now being available, there is no need to create
additional danger on your city roads.

Skybus uses the same railway technologies well proven, but
with an improvement to provide better stability as well as a
positive holding between the rail tracks and the running bogie. This
makes the railway safer. Dynamically proven to perform better, as
per stipulations of the Chief Commissioner of Railways, and mature
to be supported by Safety Certification by the renowned TUV,
Rheinland Germany, the Skybus is ready for commercial
implementation.

Additionally Skybus system provides for cargo movement and
provides the same capacity as an underground metro- but costs less
than half , as compared to elevated metro. With so many advantages,
it does not seem very prudent to still go in for financial white
elephant like the elevated metro. Economic reality is that no BOT
operator can fund the losses, and Government will have to support
with subsidies. It is the writing on the wall - all metros are
suffering in the world. Skybus technology with patents granted by
USA, changes this.


Page no:2 of 2

But still if your administration wants to take the beaten path
only, in their wisdom, there appears to be no logic to oppose the
Skybus technology from being included in your tender documents,
denying the state and people, an opportunity to have better metro
system. State does not take responsibility for funding Skybus, and
safety as per international norms applicable to metro rail applies
here also. For BOT operators this is a financially viable option. In
24 months you will have the world's best metro running.

The Draft Policy of Govt. of India mentions the Skybus as an
option.

I seek your personal intervention to give a fair deal to our
Indian technology and Indian Companies, by not excluding the Skybus
technology- against which the lobbies of foreign metro companies in
our country are actively working. Please provide opportunity to
compete with the best of international technologies- India has
already proven by running the Skybus system for the first time in
the world, with dynamic performance much better than the best of
existing metro rail systems.

With regards,

Yours sincerely,

- sd -
(B.Rajaram)



Shri .
Hon'ble Chief Minister


-

Contact Details:

B. Rajaram M. Tech., FIE., FNAE
Indian Railway Service of Engineers (1970-2005)
CE(Goa), Dir(Project)  MD  Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd.,( 1990-2005)
Alt.emai: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
My URL: www.geocities.com/rajaram_bojji
My mobile: +91 9346 55 55 50
Land Line: +91 40 274 00365
USA: +1 703 796 0225
 +1 703 835 9025 Personal with Voice Mail
Pls visit
www.sky-bus-metro.com
www.konkanrailway.com

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