Panaji: August 30, 2019 …. Directorate of Health Services advised general public to take  following precautions of Do’s and Don’t’s  to prevent contracting or spreading Influenza in the community.

Do’s include Cover your mouth and nose with handkerchief or tissue while coughing or sneezing, wash your hands frequently with soap and water before and after touching your nose, eyes or mouth, affected person should preferably avoid visiting crowded places, stay more than an arm’s length (2 meters) from persons affected with flu like symptoms, get plenty of sleep (at least 8 hours), minimize stress, stay physically active by regular exercise and drink plenty of water (at least 2-3 liters for adults) & eat nutritious food (include vegetables & fruits in your diet).

Similarly Dont’s are as follows do not spit in public and do not take medicine without consulting your doctor.

Clinical Symptoms are Fever, cough, sore throat, bodyache, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea. high risk groups includes Children younger than 5 years old.  Adults 65 years of age and older. Respiratory conditions (including asthma), Heart diseases (except hypertension), Kidney and liver diseases, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. Pregnant women and health care staff.

     All the cases with above mentioned symptoms should immediately report to the nearest health centre or physician. Treatment for Influenza is available at all centres under Directorate of Health Services and Goa Medical College, Bambolim. Testing for Influenza A(H1N1) is done only for suspected admitted cases and facility for collecting samples is available at both Sub District Hospitals, District Hospitals and at Goa Medical College, Bambolim.

Panaji: August 30,2019 … In a move to provide smooth and hassle free appointment scheduling procedure for visitors at Raj Bhavan, the Governor of Goa, Dr.(Smt) Mridula Sinha launched ePass System at a programme held at Raj Bhavan, Dona Paula recently. The ePass System will facilitate the visitors to schedule an appointment with the Governor at a click of button and also enable Raj Bhavan to maintain electronic record of visitors without any hardship.

Governor Smt. Sinha after launching the ePass System appreciated the efforts taken by Goa Electronic Limited for creating software for the ePass System facilitating the visitors seeking appointment with the Governor.

The ePass system will have real time intimation of an appointment scheduled to the security officials at entry gate of Raj Bhavan. It will also give confirmation to person seeking appointment through SMS/email. It will enable to issue gate pass at entry gate to visitors. Further it will generate MIS report of visitors visiting Raj Bhavan.

It is informed that, the system will work in stages, at first stage, person seeking an appointment with the Governor will have to call ADC to Governor Office. Next user at ADC to Governor`s Office will make an entry and third level ADC to Governor will submit report to Governor for approval. Fourth stage security gate system will notify with approved appointments to Raj Bhavan Officials on real time. Then Security officials will verify appointment schedule with person to whom confirmation SMS sent, will capture photo and issue gate pass, after that person will allowed to enter premise of Raj Bhavan.

Earlier Raj Bhavan officials were finding difficulty to compile data towards appointment granted by the Office of the Governor. No gate pass were issued. Verification of approved appointments was done telephonically  .

Secretary to Governor Shri. Rupesh Kumar Thakur, IAS, ADC to Governor Shri. Vishram Borkar, Joint Secretary to Governor Ms   . Biju Naik, CEO of Goa Electronics Limited Smt. Revati Majumdar, IT Manager, GEL Shri. Mayur Pednekar, Shri. Pushkar Prabhudessai, Smt. Shreya Gurav were present on the occasion.

Panjim,  August 29: Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant recently inaugurated  beautification and  up-gradation works undertaken  at Mayem Lake in  the presence of  a host of dignitaries and  other officials.

Dr. Sawant,  on Tuesday  also  launched  Goa Tourism’s  adventure initiative  Bungee Jumping  Site at Mayem  which now throws  open its doors  for tourists  to  enjoy Mayem  Lake in  full splendor and  excitement as the tourism  season  gets underway next month. The Rs 16 crore  beautification and  upgradation  works undertaken  at Mayem Lake  has added new tourism  tools and  facilities for the benefit  of visiting tourists.

Mayem Lake is a popular tourism destination of our state. The lake is located in the hinterlands at the foothills of Western Ghats near Bicholim Town which is at a distance of 35 Kms from Panaji. Mayem Lake is known for the scenic beauty, leisure activities, as a picnic spot, for boating and photography etc. The lake needed addition of new tourism tools and facilities for attracting more tourists, the boating facility for which the lake is famous for needed upgradation .Moreover as the lake destination provided lot of employment opportunities to the local youth to further improve the opportunities , the project was conceived and implemented at a cost of Rs.  16.6 Cr. The works undertaken  include development of approach road and parking  area  for  around 57 cars, 40 two wheelers and 10 tourist buses with  a 12m  wide approach road and grand new entrance.

A proper entrance, ticketing booth and tourist information office has been provided at the entrance for the guidance and benefit of the tourists. A smooth 2m wide walkway has been created with gradient slope of 1:15 for free movement of tourists including the differently-abled.  There is a natural trail, where people can feel and experience the lake view and the natural beauty. The existing lake retaining wall and parapet  has also been  strengthened.

Picnic spots numbering 12 of different capacity have  also been developed. A play area   for children with  a multiunit, swings, sew saw, slopes  etc. adds attraction  at Mayem Lake.   An air- conditioned mirror maze along the pathway for a hilarious experience including funny mirrors is sure to draw huge crowds. A duck house with 9 pairs of ducks have been provided for entertainment of children.Also, an amphitheatre with a capacity for 120 people which can be increased to 200 is provided for showcasing the local folk and cultural dances. Other facilities include a souvenir shop,  potter huts to promote local artisans  toilet  blocks,  landscaping,  drinking water facility,  restaurants  etc. As many as 20 new boats and a jetty  with a terminal building for queing purpose and lake side restaurant for leisure dining  has been provided. In addition, a small deck for educational fishing has been set up.

Other infrastructure facilities include a  separate 160 KVA substation which will cater to all the electrical needs and a 10 KVA UPS as a backup for all computers and networking systems.

Street lighting for pathways and parking lot illumination is also provided. To ensure safety and security of tourists, CCTV cameras are installed, signage are installed for tourist information and hindrance free movement of the tourists. The  entire beautification and  upgradation  works at Mayem Lake has been  undertaken  by the Project Cell (SPV),  of the  Goa Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. The project consultants  are  M/s Fourth Dimension Architect Pvt Ltd and contractor, M/s. Bagkiya Constructions Pvt Ltd. The total project area developed is 13,333.00 sq. m.

Panaji: August 29, 2019 …. The Chief Minister Shri Pramod Sawant has written to all the village sarpanchs in the state and has informed that the State Government has taken sincere efforts towards achieving the status of “Open Defecation Free” for all the Village Panchayats under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) Scheme of the Ministry of Jal Shakti.

As a first step towards achieving this status the work of installation of Community Toilets, wherever required, has been entrusted with the Goa Waste Management Corporation with a time line of 31/08/2019. The Directorate of Panchayats had already received application for construction of Individual Toilets for Households without toilets under the State Scheme which is also being taken up simultaneously though the priority now is to complete the Community Toilets for the purpose of achieving “ODF” status.

It will be a matter of pride for the State of Goa to achieve the ODF as Goa is one of the few States which yet to achieve ODF status. For achieving this feat | solicit the active support and cooperation of your Village Panchayat, the Chief Minister adds.

Panaji, August 29, 2019 …. The Chief Minister, Dr Pramod Sawant held a review meeting with officials from the Electricity Department, at Secretariat in Porvorim, recently. Present at the meeting was the Chief Electrical Engineer, Smt Reshma Mathew. During the meeting, the Chief Minister directed all the Executive Engineers (EEs) and Assistant Engineers (AEs) to make a constituency wise review of requirements for street lighting and submit them to the concerned electricity officials so that these are looked into at the earliest.

The Chief Minister further said that all conventional lighting and non-conventional street lighting should be fixed as soon as possible so that people are not inconvenienced during the forthcoming Ganesh Chaturthi festival. The Chief Minister said that the engineers should concentrate on providing street lighting around the areas where idols of Ganesh are immersed.

He further asked the Department officials to ensure that the concerned contractor for LED street lighting repairs all non-working LED fixtures and asked the engineers to assist them wherever required.

Panaji: August 28, 2019 …The Goa Education Development Corporation has announced the Interest Free Education Loan (IFEL) Scheme for the Academic year 2019-20. The details are available in the brochure.

 The brochure and application forms for Fresh and Renewal will be available in the office of the Goa Education Development Corporation (GEDC), ground floor, SCERT building, Alto Porvorim from August 26, 2019 to December 31, 2019 from 10.00 a.m to 12.30p.m and 2.00 p.m to 5.00p.m

 The completed forms should be submitted in GEDC office before December 31, 2019 along with photocopy of all the documents mentioned in the brochure and also soft copy on CD (each document should be more then 100 KB and less then 2MB in size and it should be Jpg or PDF file format). The IFEL forms (fresh and Renewal) will not be accepted after December 31, 2019.

          In case of student studying abroad, the Power of Attorney Holder (Parents)may fill the application form and submit in the office, within the office, within the stipulated time duration as mentioned above.

Panaji:: 27^th August – The Government of Goa, Department of Tourism and  Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC)  in association  with Jumpin Heights, the Bungee People today   successfully launched India’s second Bungee destination in North Goa at Mayem Lake. The event was graced with the presence of Hon’ble Chief Minister, Dr. Pramod Sawant. Other dignitaries present included  the Hon’ble  Tourism Minister, Mr. Manohar Ajgaonkar,  Chairman  of GTDC, Mr. Dayanand Sopte, MLA, Mayem Contituency, Mr. Pravin Zantye ,Secretary Tourism, Mr. J. Ashok Kumar, Director of Tourism, Mr.  Sanjiv Gadkar and  other officials from Dept of Tourism & GTDC. Also present were ZP member, Mayem, Mr. Shankar Chodankar, Sarpanch, Mayem Village Panchayat, Mrs. Kunda Mandrekar and other members of the Village  Panchayat , Mayem.

The 55 meters bungee jumping platform stands tall over the gorgeous Mayem lake, in North Goa, about a 45 minute drive from the popular Baga Beach. Adventure sports are gaining traction in India and Goa, as India’s favourite travel destination, was a natural choice for the next big adventure zone. Jumpin Heights is owned and run by ex-Army officer, Capt Rahul Nigam, who introduced Bungee jumping in India at Rishikesh in 2010. Over the course of this decade, they have successfully operated over 80,000 jumps in Rishikesh – quite a landmark for adventure tourism in India, and changed the way safety is perceived. The team adheres to Australia and New Zealand Safety Standards for operation of the Bungee Jumps.

The service provider has conducted required feasibility study and other mandatory pre-requisites for starting up of the bungee jumping activity at Mayem. This new adventure tourism initiative comes with no cost or investment for Goa Tourism Development Corporation. The GTDC however is assisting the service provider in obtaining required permissions and will be undertaking promotional activities for bungee Jumping which is being launched for the first time in Goa.

On the occasion of the launch, Ex-Capt. Rahul Nigam, Director and founder of Jumpin Heights said that “A little hand holding by an organisation like GTDC goes a long way in setting up such projects and facilitates ease of doing business.”

The Bungee experience involves jumping from a height with rubber chords tied to your ankles, and swinging like a pendulum mid air. One can literally hear their own solitude as the wind gushes past with each rebound. There are several harnesses and checks in place to ensure an absolutely safe experience.

Jumpin Heights in Rishikesh has managed to change the face of adventure tourism in India. It is known to be one of the best experiences in South East Asia and has earned recognition from Ministry of Tourism. According to a survey in 2019, by Ministry of Tourism, they have been acknowledged as having played a key role in making Rishikesh the Adventure Capital of India. It will be interesting to see then, what magic Jumpin Heights now brings to Goa.

Panaji, August 27, 2019 …. “Tiatr is an effective medium for public awakening and our tiatrists and Konkani music artistes used this medium to highlight the importance of unity and preserving Goan identity through their tiatrs since ages. Tiatrs and their songs were their medium to awaken people against injustices,” said Minister for Art and Culture, Shri Govind Gaude. The Minister was speaking at the release of the Book on renewed Goan tiatrist and Konkani singer, Late Alfred Rose, titled, “Alfred Rose, The King of Melody” authored by Shri Isidore Dantas, at a function held at Sanskruti Bhavan, Patto-Panaji recently.  He said, “If we have to preserve Goa’s identity, we have to carry forth these thoughts of the tiatrists.” He added, “Only a person who is truly immersed and is crazy about what he is doing can create history and Alfred Rose was one such person.”

“Tiatrists and Konkani music artistes have spread Konkani and taken it to all over the world. I give artistes like Alfred Rose immense respect for his contribution and it is important to carry forth such work,” said Shri Gaude.

“The Directorate of Art and Culture have various schemes and awards for artistes. There are even schemes for the elderly artistes, however, we will bring changes to this scheme-Kalakar Kritadnyata Nidhi- so as to consider cases on Suo Motu basis for those who are unwell and are unable to submit their applications,” he said.  The Minister also assured that the Directorate would re-start giving financial assistance to artistes, which had been stopped, by September-end.

He further spoke of how important it is for the youth to have a bond with art along with their studies.  The Minister also said that they would take cognisance of the request from people to name an auditorium after Alfred Rose.

The MLA of Mapusa, Shri Joshua D’ Souza, in his address said that he is privileged to know Alfred Rose through his father’s (the former Deputy Chief Minister of Goa, the late Francis D’Souza) affection for Alfred Rose and his work. Shri D’Souza said, “Alfred Rose has greatly contributed to Konkani music, tiatrs and Goan culture.  My father would be proud to know that today Alfred Rose has got the recognition for his works through the release of this book,” he said adding, “It is important to preserve Goa’s culture. People are migrating abroad and in the process we are losing our identity and culture. We can preserve our culture by recognising artistes like Alfred Rose so that the future generation of Goans are aware of their contribution.”

Shri D’Souza further informed that a lot of requests have been coming in from many people to name an auditorium in the upcoming Ravindra Bhavan in Mapusa, after the late Alfred Rose. In this matter, he said he would try his best in this regard.

The Secretary for Art and Culture, Shri Chokha Ram Garg, IAS, in his address, said that by recognising artistes from Goa, the Government is trying to preserve the heritage and art of Goa. He said, “Tourists come here to Goa not only because of its beaches but also because of its culture,” he said adding, “The Directorate of Art and Culture has an important role to play in the development and economy of the State.”

The wife of the Late Alfred Rose, Smt. Rita Rose, remembering her husband said, “I am happy that he lives in the hearts of Goans. His songs have a profound meaning.”

Earlier, Director of the Directorate of Art and Culture, Shri Gurudas Pilarnekar, in his welcome address said that the common theme of Alfred Rose’s songs was his love for Goa and Konkani and the unity of all Goans, wherever they are.

 Also present on the dais was special invitee, Adv. Aires Rodrigues, who recalled his memories with late Alfred Rose. The former speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly, Shri Tomazinho Cardozo, briefly highlighted the contents of the book while author of the book, Shri Isidore Dantas spoke about the journey of writing the book.

Deputy Director of the Directorate of Art and Culture, Shri Ashok Parab proposed the vote of thanks.

Panaji: August 26, 2019 …. The power consumers of the State have to pay Fuel and Power Purchase Cost Adjustments (FPPCA) charges for the current Quarter for the energy consumption of July 2019 to September 2019. The category wise FPPCA charges for current Quarter is available in Department.

For Quarter of April 2019 to June 2019, average FPPCA is 19.81 Paisa/Unit which is in the range of 9.34 to 47.30 Paisa per unit for various categories. This FPPCA charges  will be applicable for the energy consumption of July 2019 to September 2019.

The average FPPCA for the last quarter i.e January 2019 to March 2019 which is applicable for the energy consumption of April 2019 to June 2019 was 38.98 Paisa per unit which was ranging from 14.42 Paisa to 44.90 Paisa per unit for various categories.

The Electricity Department of Goa procures most of its power needs from Central Generating Station (CGS). The State has to who procure Solar and non-Solar power to meet Renewable power Obligation as per the target set by the JERC. In case of shortage of power from CGS, short term power from open market, power exchange platforms, over drawl from the grid through DSM to meet the need of the consumers. This type of power (other than regular allotted power) is much more costlier than regular power. This affects the quarterly imposed Fuel and Power Purchase Cost Adjustments.

Panaji: August 25, 2019…. The Ministry of Women and Child Development has instituted the ‘Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Puraskar’ to felicitate meritorious children, individuals and  institutions of the country. 

The award will be presented by the President of India in Darbar Hall, Rashtrapati Bhavan on week preceding Republic Day, Prime Minister of India will also grace the function and felicitate the awardees. The awardees will get opportunity to participate in the Republic Day Parade on January 26, 2020 in Rajpath, New Delhi. 

These awards will be given under two categories, i.e, ‘Bal Shakti Puraskar’ and ‘Bal Kalyan Puraskar’. 

The ‘Bal Shakti Puraskar’ aims to give due recognition to children with exceptional abilities, who have achieved extraordinary recognition in various fields including innovation, scholastic, sports, art & culture, social service and bravery. The award carries a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh, a medal, a certificate and citation booklet. A child who is an Indian citizen and resident in India above the age of 5 years and not exceeding 18 years (as on  August 31, of respective year) is eligible for the award. 

The ‘Bal Kalyan Puraskar’ is given as recognition to individuals and  institutions, who have made an outstanding contribution towards service for children in the field of child development, child protection and child welfare. An s an Indian Citizen and residing in India of the age group 18 years or more (as on  August 31, of respective year) and having minimum 7 years’ of experience can be eligible for the award. The award given to individuals carries cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh, a citation, a medal and a certificate. In case of intuitions, award be given for service not less than 10 years. The institution will be given a cash prize of Rs. 5,00,000/- each is given along with a citation, a medal and a certificate. 

Online application form and detailed guidelines of the same may be seen on the exclusive website www.nca-wcd.nic.in  For any query check the FAQ page or you may write to the helpdesk at: support.nca@gov.in  All applications are to be submitted online, forms submitted through any other mode will not be considered. For furnishing any false information, the applicant/person shall be liable for suitable legal action as per law. 

The last date of receipt of online applications forms is August 31, 2019.