Extending his greeting on the occasion of 78th Independence Day, Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant proudly stated that Goa is at the forefront as the first State to introduce coding and robotics into the curriculum from middle school to high school. He was speaking after hoisting the tri-colour at the 78th Independence Day celebrations at the Old Secretariat in the city today. Chief Minister also reiterated the state’s ambitious goal of achieving 100 percent literacy by December 19, 2024, highlighting the government’s focus on advancing STEM, AI, and robotics in education.
In his address, Chief Minister informed that all ITIs in the State have been ISO-certified, and the State government has partnered with Tata Technologies to enhance infrastructure and technology across all ITI’s. New courses in areas such as solar technology, fire technology, drone technology, industrial safety, and hospitality management have been launched to bolster skill development, he added.
With the tourism sector playing a crucial role in the State’s economic landscape, the Chief Minister called on the youths to engage in specialized training within the industry.
As part of efforts to restore Khajan farming, the Chief Minister announced the forthcoming establishment of the Goa Khajan Development and Conservation Board. He also revealed that the Goa Veterinary College will begin operations next year. To protect agricultural land in Goa, the State government has amended the Goa Land Revenue Code to prevent its sale, he informed
Chief Minister outlined that the Mukhya Mantri Annapurna Yojana has established job opportunities for women in Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to manage canteens and catering services across government and semi-government institutions.
Highlighting that the crime detection rate in the State increased to 86.29% in 2023, the Chief Minister acknowledged the police force’s commitment to ensuring the safety of both tourists and residents.
Looking ahead to Viksit Bharat 2047, the Chief Minister concluded that Goa will play a vital role in the country’s journey toward becoming a developed nation and achieving a five trillion-dollar economy.
Chief Minister inspected the Guard of Honour earlier in the Independence Day proceedings.
On the occasion, Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant awarded the President’s Fire Service Medal for Meritorious Service to Shri. Nitin V. Raiker, Director of Fire & Emergency Services. The Jeevan Raksha Padak Award 2024 was presented to Shri. Sahil Bhiso Lad of Valpoi. Shri. Arun D. Bakre, PI, and Shri. Mahesh G. Sawal, ASI, received the Union Home Minister’s Medal for Excellence in Public Training.
Freedom fighters Shri. Suresh Subraya Parodkar, Kumbharjua, Late Shri. Parshuram S. Shahapurkar of Ponda, Late. Shri. Pandurang Sagun Kundaikar, Late Shri. Purshottam (Purso) Chalu Sawant, and Late Shri. Vasudev Yeshwant Kubal, Bicholim were also honored on this occasion.
Shri. K. V. Ramanathan, Technical Director NIC Goa, was presented with the CM Award. Ms. Tejaswini Pusuluri, IFS, Deputy Conservator of Forests (Research & Utilization) Forest Department, Shri. Stephen Fernandes, Chief Electrical Engineer, Electricity Department; and Shri. Vinayak Chari, Deputy Collector (DRO) Collectorate (South), received Commendation Awards. Shri. Venancio Furtado, Secretary, Goa State Election Commission, was recognized for being the Best Performing Taluka Nodal Officer under Swayampurna Goa (Salcete II).
Shri. Dhiraj R. Vagle, Deputy Director , Department of Tourism; Shri. Sandeep B. Dessai, Additional, Director of Transport, Directorate of Transport; Shri. Melwin Faleiro, State Tax Officer, Office of State Tax Officer, Mapusa; and Shri. Damodar Salelkar, Assistant Conservator of Forests, Forest Department, were honoured as the Best Performing Swayampurna Mitras.
Present at the event were Union Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shri Shripad Yesso Naik, Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament from Goa Shri Sadanand Shet Tanavade, Minister for Labour, Revenue, and Waste Management Shri Atanasio Monserrate, Minister for Power Ramkrishna Alias Sudin Dhavalika, Opposition Leader Shri Yuri Alemao, Adv Carlos Ferreira, Aldona MLA, Chief Secretary Shri Puneet Kumar Goel, IAS, along with various IAS Secretaries, MLAs, freedom fighters, and other dignitaries.
