[Goanet] Stevenotes: A Mashup of Steve Jobs Keynote Speeches - Video - TIME.com
--- http://www.GOANET.org --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php --- http://www.time.com/time/video/player/0,32068,1202862953001_2096268,00.html
[Goanet] When the Sugar Police Go Marching In by Karen De Coster
--- http://www.GOANET.org --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php --- How Sugar Fructrose syrup wreak havoc on human body. http://lewrockwell.com/decoster/decoster182.html
[Goanet] US evangelist to be deported for visa violations *Christians attacked in Kerala | The CSF
--- http://www.GOANET.org --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php --- http://thecsf.org/csf/2011/10/14/us-evangelist-to-be-deported-for-visa-violations/
[Goanet] Press Note (TAG)
--- http://www.GOANET.org --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php --- *Press Note* *For Favour of Publication* * * * * *Acting Competition Today* The 1st Competition in Acting organized by Tiatr Academy Goa will take place today (16/10/2011) at 3:30 pm at the Conference Hall of Tiatr Academy Goa, Block A, 2nd Floor, Campal Trade Centre, Campal, Panjim Goa. TAG has organized the Acting Competition in order to improve the quality of acting in tiatrs. TAG’s Acting Competition is supported by 92.7 Big FM. Competition in Acting has been classified into Monologue (Comedy and Non-Comedy) and Dialogue (Comedy and Non-Comedy). In all 30 participants are participating in the competition who will showcase their talents in Monologues and Dialogues. Fr. Nevel Gracias a theatre personality will be the Chief Guest and will present the awards for the winning artistes of the competition. The competition is open to public. *Victor de Sa* Member Secretary
[Goanet] [Photo Blog by Rajan Parrikar] Foss á Síðu
--- http://www.GOANET.org --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php --- Photo Blog by Rajan Parrikar has posted a new item, 'Foss á Síðu' These are scenes of Foss á Síðu, a waterfall and farm framed against towering cliffs near the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur in south Iceland. The first two images were made in the summer when the landscape is lush green. The final monochrome photograph was shot on an autumn morning, in very different lighting conditions. You may view the latest post at http://www.parrikar.com/blog/2011/10/15/foss-a-sidu/ Best regards, Rajan P. Parrikar parri...@yahoo.com
[Goanet] Song for the day
--- http://www.GOANET.org --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php --- How Much Is That Doggie in the Window? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fC5Yf9rmKtofeature=related -- DEV BOREM KORUM Gabe Menezes.
[Goanet] Thought Police and the Unfree Radicals
--- http://www.GOANET.org --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php --- Extracts: 'Ferreira has been in jail for four years, charged in various Naxal-related crimes, from murder to planting bombs. And acquitted in all those cases. The court found not a shred of evidence against him. Then, on 27 September, he was freed. But the moment he set foot outside the jail gate, he was whisked away in a police jeep to Gondia district, three hours from Nagpur and re arrested in two more cases. Events that Ferreira and his lawyers see as part of a pattern, an attempt to keep him in jail in one case after another, never mind what the actual charges are, whether or not they stick, or even whether they sound plausible'. http://www.tehelka.com/story_main50.asp?filename=Ne221011Thought.asp http://www.change.org/petitions/chief-minister-of-maharashtra-india-release-ferreira-hes-innocent
[Goanet] Bicholim comunidad complains of illegal mining
--- http://www.GOANET.org --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php --- -- Samir Umarye BICHOLIM: Amrut Gaonkar, component of the Bicholim comunidad through a complaint to the Director of Mines has asked to stop the hill cutting going on at Dhabdaba Bicholim by a mining company which is a 'no development slope.' According to the complaint a company has started cutting a hill is in progress by using about three machines the property of which belongs to the comunidad of Bicholim. The said landed property is described within the no development slopes as per the regional plan 2011 published by the government of Goa the complaint reads. As per the information provided by Gaonkar the mining company has transpassed in the said landed property and has cut the hill to the height of 10 meters and the same is continuining for last three days. The act of the company is illegal and viiolates the section 17 (3) of the Town and country planning Act Gaonkar claims. Gaonkar has also asked the authorities to immediately stop the said illegal hill cutting and seize the machinery engaged in the illegal activities. The copies of the letter have been sent to The collector, Goa state pollution control board, comunidades North Goa, Dy collector Bicholim, TCP Bicholim and DySP Bicholim. Meanwhile, North Goa Dy collector who hads the Flying Squad, Francis Ferrao visited and inspected the site but failed to comment over the issue when asked by the reporters present at the site. When contacted again in the evening the Dy collector again denied to comment over the issue. I am yet to go through the report and facts present to us and would be able to comment only by tomorrow Ferrao told on phone.
[Goanet] Being a vegetarian in Goa
--- http://www.GOANET.org --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php --- Being a vegetarian in Goa *I have blogged before herehttp://theveggieexperience.blogspot.com/2011/05/south-indian-vegetable-curry.htmlabout my old bosses John and Jo, who I used to work with in a restaurant until they emigrated from south east England to Goa in south west India. Jo is a vegetarian and kindly agreed to guest blog to give an insight into what it is like being a vegetarian in Goa. http://theveggieexperience.blogspot.com/2011/10/being-vegetarian-in-goa.html?spref=tw *
[Goanet] Goa news for October 16, 2011
--- http://www.GOANET.org --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php --- Goa News from Google News and Goanet.org Visit http://www.goanet.org/newslinks.php for the full stories. *** Goa mining scam: BJP demands probe, removal of CM - Daily News Analysis jp-demands-goa-cm-ouster-cbi-probe-into-mining-scam.htmlBJP demands Goa CM ouster, CBI probe into mining scam http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=tfd=Rusg=AFQjCNGsIIn9qXZi-M5otvKzPuEq8WqodAurl=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_goa-mining-scam-bjp-demands-probe-removal-of-cm_1598890 *** Goa Governor can't be outside RTI's ambit: Aruna Roy - IBNLive.com NLive.comPTI http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=tfd=Rusg=AFQjCNGqjLWoh32SawfUbP-t8qvw5DGSQgurl=http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/goa-governor-cant-be-outside-rtis-ambit-aruna-roy/863026.html *** Political donations common practice: Sesa Goa - Economic Times wned mining firm Sesa Goa for donations as part of common practice, the multinational group said on Friday as the spectre of the massive illegal mining scandal loomed large in the state. ... http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=tfd=Rusg=AFQjCNFvrOiSOccwZlljRM97eOBsB5-fXQurl=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/political-donations-common-practice-sesa-goa/articleshow/10361178.cms?google_editors_picks=true *** Centre seeks ore export info from Goa - Deccan Herald overnment-told-to-furnish-data-on-iron-ore-106661.htmlGoa government told to furnish data on iron ore http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=tfd=Rusg=AFQjCNEt9x5PFPMcvE3R7ipssWp1XuGy7Aurl=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/197733/centre-seeks-ore-export-info.html *** Goa gouged - The Hindu e HinduTo fully comprehend the grip of mining in Goa, it would require several commissions of enquiry, or, as they say in the local tavern in the village I am visiting #148; one for every decade since mining started in the 1940s, with Goan mining families ... http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=tfd=Rusg=AFQjCNFD7cg4jtc4B3Tm4ktyoWDN-uOmiwurl=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/magazine/article2540038.ece *** Goa take first inning lead against C'garh in U-22 C K Nayudu - IBNLive.com NLive.comPTI http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=tfd=Rusg=AFQjCNE4Rbmeh_64oudfP4J5i0gYWn1Xmwurl=http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/goa-take-first-inning-lead-against-cgarh-in-u22-c-k-nayudu/863025.html *** Top performers for Goan event - Gulf Times ong World Goa Day 2011 celebrations to be held next Friday at Al Ghazal Club Hall, a team of musicians and other artistes from the western Indian state will entertain a gathering, to be hosted by Goan Welfare Association. ...a class= http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=tfd=Rusg=AFQjCNHD5TfOleu7MJV30dqOdi3GXKwf-wurl=http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2item_no=464188version=1template_id=36parent_id=16 *** Goa industry body seeks land allotment probe - Daily Pioneer emanded-into-goa-land-scam-with-alva-links_736689.htmlProbe demanded into Goa land scam with Alva links http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=tfd=Rusg=AFQjCNFWr5kozPi0meheTbruvNiT17CLhwurl=http://www.dailypioneer.com/nation/13607-goa-industry-body-seeks-land-allotment-probe.html *** My Friend Pinto - NDTV.com n in My Friend Pinto--a wispy, nostalgic comedy about a Goan simpleton's one night of zany adventures in the mad mad bustle of Mumbai during New Year's eve. This isn't the first film that explores Mumbai ...a class= http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=tfd=Rusg=AFQjCNEvMHkPHkOsnScXp11vXu5mhqiXoAurl=http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_review.aspx?lang=hindiid=663moviename=My%20Friend%20Pinto *** Only 5 Goan recruiting agents have valid registration: Faleiro - Times of India mes of IndiaPANAJI: Only five of the 30 Goan recruiting agents featuring on the official website of the ministry of overseas Indian affairs are validly registered as of today, commissioner for NRI affairs Eduardo Faleiro told a press conference on Thursday. ...a class= http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=tfd=Rusg=AFQjCNFMCmdHzndb9Czmk1RWl1w9bLn3qwurl=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Only-5-Goan-recruiting-agents-have-valid-registration-Faleiro/articleshow/10347226.cms Compiled by Goanet News Service http://www.goanet.org/newslinks.php
[Goanet] Fw: THE BURMA ROAD
--- http://www.GOANET.org --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php --- Donovan Webster, 2003. By March 7, 1941, Rangoon had fallen and British and Indian forces abandoned the city. With streets emptied, roving bands of convicts and mental hospital inmates looted and torched homes and stores. Dalhousie Street and the commercial center, Phayre Street were in ruins. Those Burmese remaining in the city exercised their long time hatred of Indians by shooting any they encountered, then hacking them with two-foot long 'dahs.' -- Colonels Haynes and Scott flew from Assam to Gen. Stillwell's HQ in Schwebo with orders to evacuate him and his officers - he declined the lift ! Staffers were loaded on the plane and sent to India. He planned to walk and regroup with the Nationalist Chinese. After five days of hard jungle marching, they arrived in Homalin. Crossing the Chindwin, the general exchanged his Burmese porters for the more knowledgeable Naga tribals. Stillwell immediately took to the Naga's mix of easy manners and ferocious looks: many wore bearskin cloaks and hair crests in the middle of shaven heads. The Naga's shared their rice beer with outsiders and carried the heaviest of loads. The group humped three thousand vertical feet into the Naga Hills beneath a monsoonal downpour. Ethnologists have identified 133 different linguistic groups within Burma's borders. The majority are placid Buddhistd, but a few of the most isolated groups - particularly the Mons, Nagas, Karens and Kachens - are religious animists, and have remained fiercely independent for centuries. The British Crown regime left the tribes strictly alone. In response to the tribal's brutal 'shadow war,' the Japanese had to halt the invasion and northward advance in the country with two thirds of the land in hand. The Kachins fought with spears, but over time they recieved supplies of shotguns gifted by British colonial tea planters in Assam. The U.S. was not formally at war with Japan, so Roosevelt commited 'volunteer' airmen to join the campaign. Equal part pilots and rakes, they exuded energy - and a formidable lack of discipline. They flew in cowboy boots and shorts, taking off one booze - soaked evening in an unauthorized bombing run over distant Hanoi using a C-47 cargo plane and gasoline-filled whisky bottles as incendiaries. Post script: Rangoon born Maj. Caesar Menezes, Sangolda roots, retired from the Indian Army in 1970. He had kept a Jap cartridge that lodged in his spine to the end of his life.
[Goanet] Goa gouged
--- http://www.GOANET.org --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php --- Goa gougedHartman de Souza [image: Wounded earth: A mine in Goa. Photo: Andrea Pereira] Wounded earth: A mine in Goa. Photo: Andrea Pereira Hartman de Souza taps into the public mood over what mining companies and other vested interests are doing to the environment of this tiny state... To fully comprehend the grip of mining in Goa, it would require several commissions of enquiry, or, as they say in the local tavern in the village I am visiting — one for every decade since mining started in the 1940s, with Goan mining families becoming rich willingly supporting and taking orders from the dispensation of the day. This village is in close proximity to the mining operations in the north, around the mining town of Bicholim, where one pit in the village of Sirigao is now infamous for being 37 metres below sea level, and that too in the home of the shrine to Lehrai, a Goan deity venerated because of her proximity to water and where she now suffers the fate of being a silent spectator to wells long dried. Just take a walk up the hill, above the church, passing so many trees well over a hundred years old perhaps, and such lush, thick, luxuriant undergrowth with the monsoons having done their work, Goans can be forgiven for having taken this beauty for granted. *Not a pleasant sight* From the top of the rise in the village, the view eastwards, where the foothills of the Western Ghats break, where, perversely, all the mining companies abound, the sight is anything but pleasant. A skeleton of hills some kilometres long, once probably thicker with trees and water than the hills of this very village, now shorn bare, and, regardless of which part of the day you view them, standing as mute as the carcass of a giant animal left to rot in perpetual sunset. Goans have many such views in this state barely a 100 or so kilometres at its longest, 45 or so at its widest, where the so-called ‘mining corridor' runs 95 kilometres north to south down the slopes of the Western Ghats, sharing borders, ironically, with notified wildlife sanctuaries. But then again, this is Goa where everyone with a stake in mining will tell you smiling: “You see Goa is such a tiny place…how we can have a 10 kilometre buffer zone around the sanctuary?” So maybe a tavern is a fitting place to sense the public pulse and outrage, now that the Justice M.B. Shah Commission on illegal mining has come and gone — an initiative in itself that most here also find somewhat paradoxical, or as they more succinctly put it with the third sip, “damn stupid if you ask me man, the congress fellows in Delhi trying to catch their own bloody crooks here in Goa! If you really go to see, the crooks are the same only…” Everyone in Goa knows that the ore here was of such low content the mining industry was in a slump. As the Goa Mineral Ore Exporters Association (GMOEA) or Goa Miners' Club as it's referred to in some taverns, put it somewhat flamboyantly in a recent press note (sic): “Goa has a long history of being an internationally competitive iron ore industry beginning from the 1940s. Being endowed with poor quality ore reserves, the Industry has been able to survive through times of highly controlled economic environment, exorbitant machinery import duty, controlling exchange rates with investments in value addition technology and unique infrastructure solutions in an ever increasing highly challenging competitive environment internationally. Over the last 6-7 years, due to the surge in demand from China for various raw materials, one of which was iron ore, started a clamour for iron ore business that initially felt like an economic boom but of late has translated into an erosion of the reputation of the mineral industry.” But at least one company, its operations on the edge of the Selaulim Dam in south Goa, had had its loans waived by a bank. In October 2009, the Central government lowered the threshold value of iron ores from 55%Fe to 45% Fe, but barely six years earlier, with the Chinese build up to the Olympics they hosted, was a Kingdom of Bellary created almost overnight in Goa. This has translated into one mine owner mooring his six-crore yacht in the Mandovi River, a helipad in Quepem, and the small mining town of Sanvordem with its disproportionately high number of luxury vehicles, any number of BMWs and Audis and even a Bentley and a Ducati motorcycle costing over one crore. In the bars close to mining operations, the older men are disgusted but alas, resigned to the fate of not knowing better.
[Goanet] To all our Hindu Goans - Happy Diwali
--- http://www.GOANET.org --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php --- Wishing all our Hindu Goans in Goa and worldwide Happy Diwali and a Prosperous New Year. Melvyn Rose Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom melvynfernan...@virginmedia.com
[Goanet] Fwd: When will Goa’s politicians be jailed for corruption?
--- http://www.GOANET.org --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php --- * http://www.epaperoheraldo.in/Details.aspx?id=1834boxid=43527843uid=dat=10%2f16%2f2011 * *WEEKEND EDIT When will Goa’s politicians be jailed for corruption?* When BS Yeddurappa went to jail today leaving behind his bullet proof car, pilot vehicles at the front and back and all the trappings of a Chief Minister, the initial reaction was that he was caught and bowled by the Lokayukta on his role in promoting huge illegal mining interests in Karnataka. However, what he has gone to jail for is perhaps no less an alleged offence, He has been charged with willfully de- notifying huge tracts of land meant for public causes and interests and handing them over to his trusted friends- real or boughtand relatives. This has a chilling similarity in a recent case in Goa, where the Chief Minister, the Revenue Minister and the Deputy Speaker are all involved in de- notifying 36,800 square meters of land to one Bernard Costa, earmarked for the expansion of the Dabolim airport. This land was gifted back to Costa on Valentine’s Day, inspite of a clear objection by the Airports Authority of India as well as some people in the Goa government as well. This land was badly needed by the airports authority, since the main parking annexe was supposed to have come on that land. This land would also house the barracks of the CRPF and other security personnel. The loss of this land has actually severely hampered the entire expansion project. And all this to give land back to one man with influence and money. The story does not end, but just begins here. The land was given because he was a son of the soil who needed land for his housing. Barely three months after the land was de- notified and given back to him, he sold it to builders who in turn are selling off plots to build houses at huge prices. This entire move was backed by a troika of the Chief Minister, Revenue Minister Jose Philip D’- Souza and the Deputy Speaker Mauvin Godinho. The last two are bitter political rivals but came together to seal this deal with Costa. Let us not forget that when land acquisition takes place, the homeless and landless are the ones actually dispossessed. They hardly ever get the same recognition and benefits that a rich Bernard Costa got. Costa got to attend the meeting with the Chief Minister, Revenue Minister Deputy Speaker and the Chief Secretary among others, which discussed and gave a stamp of approval to the plan to give him the land back. How many poor people in Goa get even a patient hearing in front of the local mamlatdar about their land related grievances? If Yedurappa has gone to jail for denotifying land to favour his kith and kin, a similar investigation should be done by a neutral investigation agency even before the Lok Ayukta is constituted. And is not , then this should be one of the first cases that the new Lokayukta should take up where the Chief Minister himself will be under the purview of investigation as per the revised 2003 Lok Ayukta bill. Let there be a thorough probe to see if financial gratification was meted out to politicians to de- notify such prime land in a manner so shameless and ruthless. Let this also be warning that the day is not far when Goa’s first politician will be sent to jail in a corruption case. -- Please post your comments on my Blog: http://goanidentity.blogspot.com/ Please also see below: 1. Benaulim Village Action Committee: http://www.bvacbenaulim.blogspot.com/ 2. Rape of Goa : http://www.parrikar.com/blog/the-rape-of-goa/ 3. MAND - an adivasi-rights resource centre : http://mandgoa.blogspot.com/ 4. EVERY GOAN SHOULD SEE THIS VIDEO: http://infochangeindia.org/Infochange-documentary.html 5. Goa's Identity Movement group on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com//#/group.php?gid=193497031686 6. Official Government Site NRI Office (GOA): http://www.globalgoans.org.in/
[Goanet] Christmas Early Bird Special | Special GOA Hotel Rate
--- http://www.GOANET.org --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php --- Hello Everyone, *Christmas Early Bird Special* Just a reminder that the Early Bird Prices will expire after Thanksgiving (Thursday, *November 24th*). After that date, tickets will increase by $5.00. Don't delay, buy your tickets as soon as possible! Final deadline for tickets is *December 1st. * * * *Special GOA Hotel Rate* Ronnie Dalgado has negotiated a special discount at the Holiday Inn. Call them and mention GOA to take advantage of this deal if you plan on staying the night nearby. Holiday Inn 14299 Firestone Blvd, La Mirada CA 90638 Phone 714 7398500 Deal $69 plus occupancy tax Complimentary Parking *Below is a regurgitation of my last email. * Get ready for our annual Christmas Dance! For your convenience, we have gone online. Payments for the Christmas Dance will be done through our website. You are requested to pick your own seats with the help of an online map. http://goansofamerica.com/events.html *The deadline to buy your tickets is December 1st, 2011!* Dance Details: *Date: December 10th 2011 * *6:30pm – 12:30am * Ticket prices for the dance are as follows: *Group Age Price* Adults over 25 $45 Young Adults 20-25 $35 Teens 13-19 $25 Children 4-12 $20 Toddlersunder 4 Free *Buffet Dinner*: Delicious caterer to be announced! *Dress Code*: Formal *Venue: * La Mirada Golf Course 15501 E. Alicante Road La Mirada, CA 90638 There will be a live band performing, the Society of Friends (the filipino band), all evening and we promise to keep you on the dance floor all night! For you wine connoisseurs, feel free to bring your own wine bottle to the event. The venue only allows check in for corkage during the first hour! A corkage fee of $5.00/bottle will apply. You will be responsible for checking it in with the Banquet Captain. If you’d like to donate a spot prize, please email us what you’d like to donate. Please gift wrap your prize and bring it to the event and a huge *Thank You *in advance *Santa will be there!* We have *Santa* making his grand appearance before dinner, so please make sure to leave your child’s gift with their name in the designated area provided, prior to the event. *Free Family Portraits by Syd's Photography for the Early Birds!* Make sure you dress to impress! Sydney Lobo is bringing his mobile studio to the event. Portraits will be taken within the first hour and after that will be shut down. Please be sure to arrive on time to take advantage of this! *Free Open Wine Bar for the Early Birds!* We are providing complimentary wine for those that come within the first hour of the event! Please be sure to arrive on time to take advantage of this. We look forward to seeing all of you on the 10th!! Kyle Lobo LA GOA President
[Goanet] Bill Clinton Reflects on Steve Jobs - Video - TIME.com
--- http://www.GOANET.org --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php --- http://www.time.com/time/video/player/0,32068,1215230214001_2096791,00.html
[Goanet] A Few Good Men Wearing Khaki—And Modi’s Handcuffs
--- http://www.GOANET.org --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php --- A Few Good Men Wearing Khaki—And Modi’s Handcuffs The hounding of Sanjiv Bhatt and some other IPS officers shows what lengths the BJP’s prime ministerial aspirant from Gujarat will go to have his way Julio Ribeiro http://www.outlookindia.com/peoplefnl.aspx?pid=7541author=Julio+Ribeiro Sanjiv Bhatt, an IPS officer of Gujarat who is now under arrest, insists he was present at a February 27, 2002, meeting during which chief minister Narendra Modi instructed senior police officers not to check Hindu mobs thirsting for revenge for the previous day’s Godhra train carnage. Bhatt’s official driver had supported that statement, saying he had driven his boss to the meeting, but he retracted later and lodged a complaint that Bhatt had forced him to say that. Without bothering to establish the truth, the state arrested Bhatt. There is no denying that an urgently summoned meeting was held at the chief minister’s office or residence on the evening of February 27. Under the circumstances obtaining from the train carnage, such a meeting was a must. And even if Bhatt was not invited into the room when Modi addressed the chief secretary, the home secretary, the DGP and the police commissioner of Ahmedabad, I’m sure that, in his capacity as a senior intelligence officer, he would have accompanied the DGP to the venue in the absence of the intelligence chief, who happened to be on leave then. On conclusion of the meeting, the DGP would have briefed Bhatt on the chief minister’s instructions. Intelligence officers are always kept in the loop. That Modi did give those directions and sent two ministers to ensure compliance by positioning themselves in the police commissioner’s and the DGP’s control rooms is common knowledge in the Gujarat police force. I visited Ahmedabad in April 2002 and talked to many officers and men as well as citizens of Ahmedabad. Not one of my interlocutors denied that the police had failed in its legally mandated duty because of instructions from political masters. There’s no better example than this of politics superceding the law; if a cautionary instance for the urgency to depoliticise the police were needed, there could be none as egregious. But there were indeed some officers in Gujarat who did not carry out the illegal and unconstitutional instructions. They deployed their men, giving strict instructions that any reprisal attacks against Muslims must be countered. Negligible violence was reported from the districts under these vigilant and conscientious officers. Rahul Sharma headed one such district, Bhavnagar, and Vinod Mal another, Surendranagar. Surat, too, was comparatively quiet. The government certainly did not appreciate such dutifulness and adherence to the Constitution; very soon, these officers found themselves being shunted about. Modi’s use of violence to push ideology and vengefulness against his own officers has obliterated any morality he might have possessed. His ambition is fearsome. The whole thrust of police reforms advocated by the Dharma Vira commission has been on depoliticising the force by taking away the power of appointment and transfer from politicians and instead vesting it with a security commission specifically entrusted with picking competent officers of undoubted integrity and giving them the freedom to enforce the law without having to look over their shoulder at the chief minister or home minister. I’d like to quote the 1968 ruling of Lord Denning, a celebrated judge, in the Rex vs Metropolitian Police Commissioner of London, ex parte Blackburn: “I have no hesitation in holding that, like every constable in the land, the commissioner should be, and is, independent of the executive No Minister of the Crown can tell him that he must, or must not, keep observation on this place or that; or that he must, or must not, prosecute this man or that one The responsibility for law enforcement lies on him.” A police force untrammelled by political control would have ensured that even the spontaneous anger of the majority against innocent members of the minority was monitored and kept in check. The enormity of the pogrom in Ahmedabad and other parts of Gujarat, which continued unchecked for a week or more, would not have happened. Jayanti Ravi, an IAS officer, was the district magistrate of Godhra when the kar sevaks were burnt to death in the ill-fated Sabarmati Express. She phoned me a day after the incident, requesting me to come to Godhra immediately. I pointed out that, being no longer in the
[Goanet] Link: Foreign-born scientists that keep the U.S. winning
--- http://www.GOANET.org --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php --- http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1v=VXnAP6YUwZU It's foreign-born scientists that keep the U.S. winning all those Nobel Prizes. But we can't rely on their superior education forever. -- Albert Peres afpe...@3129.ca 416.660.0847 cell
