Panaji June 15, 2019 ….In the interest of public health and to keep the Government/buildings clean, thus contributing towards the “Swachh Bharat Swasth Bharat” campaign Public Health Department has declared the premises of all the Government officers, PSUs as “Tobacco Free Zone”. As such, smoking and spitting of Tobacco in the premises of Government offices are prohibited and is a punishable offense. Public Health Department has declared all Head of Departments to enforce the same and submit compliance report to Director of Health Services by June 30, 2019.

Public Health Department informed that the harmful effects of tobacco use are well established and accepted globally. The use of tobacco is a prominent risk factor for 6 to 8 leading causes of death and almost 40% of the Non Communicable Diseases (NCD) including cancers, cardio-vascular disease and lung disorders are attributable to tobacco use. The number of deaths every year in India which is attributable to tobacco use is almost 8-9 lakhs.

PANAJI, June 15, 2019 …Minister for Health, Shri Vishwajit Rane has said that the State Government has initiated steps for strengthening immunization in Goa. Shri Rane was speaking as Chief Guest at the ‘State Workshop for Rotavirus Vaccine Introduction’ which was inaugurated in Panaji, recently.

Rotaviruses are the most common cause of severe diarrhoeal disease in young children throughout the world according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Shri Rane said, “Goa has given thrust to immunization. The State Government is endeavouring to make the lives of people better.”

Shri Rane further spoke of the Government’s plans to bring on board industries and pharma companies to contribute through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to fund various health-related programmes and added saying that the Government is contemplating the setting up of a fund for enhancing the knowledge of health officers by sending them on visits to different places to get exposure on the developments taking place in the medical field.

Panaji June 14, 2019 …Minister for Revenue, Information and Technology, Labour & Employment, Shri. Rohan Khaunte recently inaugurated International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) with the theme “Our Biodiversity, Our Food, Our Health”. Minister also felicitated the Awardees for the year 2018-19 for Individual category Dr. Nandakumar Kamat from North Goa and Shri K.D. Sadhle from South Goa and  Surla BMC From North Goa and Curtorim BMC from South Goa.

The Function was organized by the Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB), in association with Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and National Biodiversity Authority at the Village Panchayat Hall Salvador do Mundo, Bardez today.

Present on the occasion were Dr. Pradip Sarmokadam, Member Secretary, Goa State Biodiversity Board; Shri Rajendra Kerkar; Expert Member,Members of Goa State Biodiversity Board, Chairpersons and Members of Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) from across Goa, Members of Thematic Expert Committees of GSBB & other respectful public representatives.

Addressing the gathering Shri Khaunte congratulated the awardees and said that these expert persons are the assets of our State who can guide us for the better future for which proper access is required. Assuring Government support to tackle the issues, he urged the entire stake holder to shoulder equal responsibility to address the issue.

Dr. Sarmokadam, briefed about the function while Shri Shubhash Jan and Smt. Siddhi Upaddya compered the function.

Panaji: June 13, 2019… Governor of Goa Smt. Mridula Sinha recently released a book authored by spiritual seeker and motivational speaker  Shri. Shubha Vilas titled ` Mystical Tales for a Magical Life` yesterday at a function held at Kala Academy, Panaji. Shri. Utpal Parrikar and Shri. Kedar Dhume were present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion Smt. Mridula Sinha stressed on the need to convey and spread wisdom shared by Upanishad and other great Hindu Scriptures amongst youth in the Society. Governor lauded the efforts made by Shri. Shubha Vilas to write the book based on unheard characters and stories from Upanishads and other Scripture which shares the knowledge of living  good  life.

It is the need of the hour that our young generation should be made aware of various scripture written by our great Hindu Sages, and that for reason there is a need to write many more such books which will  explore the valuable knowledge  and values of  Indian Culture, Governor added.

Shri. Shubha Vilas in his speech shared the objective behind the writing of such a book and also narrated few stories from the book.

Dr. Dayanand Rao compered the programme.

Panaji June 12, 2019 …With the onset of monsoon in the state the Directorate of Health Services has cautioned citizens regarding increasing susceptibility to a lot of diseases, basically Influenza (viral flu), waterborne & Foodborne infections viz Typhoid, Diarrhoea, Cholera, Viral Hepatitis etc.

  Symptoms of Influenza include fever, cough, sore throat, body ache, headache, breathlessness, chest pain, drowsiness, fall in blood pressure, sputum mixed with blood, bluish discoloration of nails, irritability among small children, refusal to accept feed and worsening of underlying chronic conditions. Common symptoms of waterborne and Foodborne infections are Fever, Nausea, Vomiting, loose motions, jaundice, abdominal pain and fatigue. All the cases with above mentioned symptoms should immediately report to the nearest health centre or physician.

DHS has also informed that influenza, Waterborne and Foodborne infections are easily preventable and urged general public to take preventive measures regarding hygiene, prevention of food etc.

DHS has advised citizens that good personal hygiene is the most important preventive measure. Wash hands before handling food and often during food preparation . Wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet especially in young children who may not be completely toilet trained. Wash and sanitize all surfaces and equipment used for food preparation. Protect kitchen areas and food from insects, pests and other animals. Maintain cleanliness in your surrounding and do not throw garbage in open.

Separate raw and cooked food: Separate raw meat, poultry and seafood from other foods, Use separate utensils such as knives and cutting boards for handling raw foods, Store food in containers to avoid contact between raw and prepared foods

Cook food thoroughly, especially meat, poultry, eggs and seafood. Bring foods like soups and stews to boiling to make sure that they have reached 70°C. Reheat cooked food thoroughly. Consume freshly cooked food and boiled water.

 Keep food at safe temperatures: Do not leave cooked food at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Refrigerate promptly all cooked and perishable food (preferably below 5°C). Keep cooked food piping hot (more than 60°C) prior to serving. Do not store food too long even in the refrigerator. Do not thaw frozen food at room temperature. Do not expose food and beverages to flies.

 Use safe water and raw materials: Use safe water or treat it to make it safe.  Select fresh and wholesome foods. Choose foods processed for safety, such as pasteurized milk. Wash fruits and vegetables, especially if eaten raw. Do not use food beyond its expiry date. Do not consume water, milkshakes, fruit juices and eatables from roadside vendors.

 Travelers: “Be careful what you eat”. Unpasteurized milk, non-bottled drinks, uncooked food should be avoided. Use boiled water or bottled mineral water (now available everywhere). Travelers should be aware of the importance of oral rehydration fluids containing salt and glucose for countering dehydration.

Panaji June 11, 2019 … Deputy Chief Minister Shri Manohar Azgaonkar pressed into service a new KTC bus from Ozrim Deulwada to Mapusa. He also laid the foundation stone for the beautification work near Shree Sateri Temple at Deulwada, Ozrim recently.

The bus will ply from Ozrim via Devulwada, Dadachiwadi, Maidkai, Nagar, Dhargal, Colvale to Mapusa. With the introduction of this KTC bus the fleet of KTC buses in the state has increased to 545 out of which 509 are plying in the state and 36 on intra state routes.

          Speaking on the occasion Dy. Chief Minister said the KTC bus which has been pressed into service today was a long pending demand of the locals. He said, this bus apart from benefiting the student community will also help the office goers and general public to go to Mapusa for their work.

          Speaking further, the Dy. Chief Minister said Government is fully committed for all round development of the state. The beautification project near Shree Sateri temple is estimated to cost of Rs. 16 lakhs. The project has provision for garden and beautification around the temple, He also informed that the work of projects like Cricket stadium and Ayush Hospital will be taken up soon.

          Sangeeta R.Gaonkar , Sarpanch Village Panchayat Ozrim and Sitaram Naik, President Sateri Mandir spoke on the occasion. Dy Sarpanch Sudam Param welcomed and Sangeeta Gaonkar Proposed the vote of thanks.

Panaji, June 10, 2019 … To cater to the requirements of the common citizens and to bridge the gap between the Government offices and citizens for availing of various services, the Chief Minister, Dr Pramod Sawant, launched Citizen Service Centres (CSC) in Ponda, Honda, Sanguem and Canacona talukas at Secretariat, Porvorim, today. Dr Sawant said that the Government will add more services to these Centres. Presently, services coming under Revenue, Labour and Employment and Transport can be availed of. “This is a Government for the common man,” Dr Sawant said.

Minister for Information Technology (IT), Shri Rohan Khaunte while speaking on the occasion said that the Government will ensure that these Centres are opened in all other talukas in Goa.

This initiative is being launched through the Department of Information Technology (DoIT). Till now, there are Centres in Salcete and Quepem talukas.

Present on the occasion were Dy. Chief Minister, Shri Vijai Sardesai, Minister for Health, Shri Vishwajit Rane, Minister for Art and Culture, Shri Govind Gaude, Shri Subhash Shirodkar, MLA, Shri Prasad Gaonkar, MLA and Shri Isidore Fernandes, MLA, were present on the occasion.

Secretary, IT, Shri Ameya Abhyankar(IAS) proposed the vote of thanks.

Panaji June 09, 2019  …The New Academic Session of all schools has recently commenced from June 6, 2019. In this regards, while adequate measures are being taken by Traffic Police to ensure smooth movement of vehicular traffic at and around the school premises to ensure safety of school children and smooth movement of vehicular traffic at and around the school premises, all parents are also requested to cooperate with the Traffic Police and adhere to guidelines and ensure observance of all traffic rules while coming to drop/collect the ward(s) and do not park vehicles in the middle of the road.  They should not allow  their ward(s) to travel in over crowded vehicles.

In order to avoid congestion coordinate amongst yourself and explore the possibility of car pooling. The parents should avoid last minute hassles try to reach early to drop/collect their ward(s). The parents should not allow their minor/unlicensed ward to ride/drive to school. As it is an offence. Follow instruction of traffic police personnel and do not argue with him/her.

Panaji June 08, 2019…. The Captain of Ports has directed all the owners of boats and canoes to ensure their boats/canoes are covered during the monsoon season from June to September by plastic upside down or any other materials or to keep it in safe place, where they are not exposed in open so as to abate the nuisance and breading ground for mosquitoes.  They have also urged to support the Government which is gearing up for State Malaria Elimination Programme, 2020

 The owners are also directed  to take utmost care to ensure that water does not gets accumulated in the canoes as it is nuisance under section 37 of Goa Public Health Act and a potential source of mosquito breeding grounds leading to health hazards like vector borne diseases such as malaria such as malaria and dengue.

Panaji June 07, 2019… The Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights in collaboration with the Bal Bhavan has organized All Goa Taluka Level Poster Contest on the theme “Say No to Child Labour. On the occasion of  ‘Anti-Child Labour Day coinciding with World Day against Child Labour on  June 12,, 2019.

It is informed that children in the age group of 10-18 years are eligible to participate in this contest. The size of the poster should be 11″ X 18″, cartridge papers and the medium for the same is poster colours compulsory. Last date for submitting the Poster is on or before the June 8, 2019 before 4:30 p.m, at the nearest Bal Bhavan Kendras. Each child can submit only one poster.

Prizes will be awarded at Taluka Level i.e.1^st Prize -Rs 1,000/-,  2^nd  Prize – Rs.750/ and 3^rd Prize – Rs.500/-. Prize Distribution function will be held on 12 June, 2019 at 4 p.m. at Panaji.