Panaji :February 20, 2019 … “After Konkani language received recognition and was included in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution and also recognition from the literary body in India, Konkani made steady progress,” said Shri Shantaram Varde Valaulikar, well known Konkani writer while delivering a talk at the concluding session of the two-day seminar organised on the occasion of the Silver jubilee of the Inclusion of Konkani in the 8th Schedule of Indian Constitution held at the Multipurpose Hall, Sanskruti Bhavan, Patto.

          Stressing on the need for Konkani to be used widely in homes and administration, Shri Valaulikar added, “Earlier they used to be Konkani camps (Shibirs) where pertinent issues were discussed and effective solutions reached at through these discussions. People participated without any religious or political party bias. There is a need to have more such camps again so that challenges faced by Konkani can be discussed and be solved with effective solutions.”

          The seminar was organised by the Sahitya Academy, Goa in association with Directorate of Higher Education and Government College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Khandola. Participants from Goa and neighbouring states attended the seminar.  At the seminar, those who presented papers reviewed the literacy and linguistic scenario of Konkani after its inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution from 1992 till date and discussed the future course of action for the enrichment of Konkani Language and Literature.

          Some of the sessions held at the seminar included ‘National Recognition Movement of Konkani- a Review’ , ‘Benefits of inclusion of Konkani in  the Eighth Schedule, Expectations and Reality. ‘Konkani at National Level, today and Tomorrow’ ,‘Eighth Schedule and Konkani with respect to Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra’, ‘Contribution of Literacy and Linguistic Institutions to Konkani  and ‘Konkani Language, Literature Education and Culture, towards a bright future’.

Panaji, February 19, 2019 …The Goa Masters Athletic shines in the Masters Athletic National held at Guntur A.P by winning 24 medals.  8gold medals, 9silver medals, and 7 bronze medals. Two masters Athletes Anita Rodrigues70+ broke Asias record in hammer throw, Shot put, and Discuss throw  while  Joseph Aguiar 70+ age group broke last year  Asia’s record in 400mts run clicking 01,08,19mins.

          Those who won medals for Goa are Joseph Aguiar 70+ won gold medals in 400mts run.  Anita Rodrigues 70+ won gold medal in  hammer, shot put and silver medal in discuss throw. Betty D’Silva 50+ won gold medal in triple jump, shot put and silver in discuss throw. Regina Dourado 45+ won gold medal in 800mts and silver in 400mts run. Lizet Camara 55+ won gold in high jump and silver in shot put. Angela Braganza  55+ won gold medal in javelin throw. Vrunda Vernekar 55+ won bronze in triple jump. Perpetua Jacques 70+ won silver medal in 100 and 200 mts run. Sudhakar Naik 60+ won bronze medal in 1500mts run. Philip Fernandes 70+ won bronze medal in 100mts run. Besides 4×400 relay silver members are Yashwant Vernekar, Inacio Figueredo, Mahesh Karapurkar and Anandu Kadam.

The Members of winning team visited the present President of Goa Masters Athletic Association Shri Francisco  Sardinha at Dr.Shyama Prasad Mukharjee stadium Bambolim today where in he congratulated the winners who brought laurels to the state of Goa by winning 8 golds 9 silvers and 7 bronze medals in the athletic meet. . Earlier Shri C. S.Araujo Vice President of GMAA welcomed and shri Joao Rodrigues ,Secretary GMAA proposed the vote of thanks

Panaji ::: February 18, 2019 …Sahitya Academy, Goa in association with Directorate of Higher Education and Govt. College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Khandola organized a two-day conference on ‘Silver jubilee of Inclusion of Konkani in the 8th Schedule of Indian Constitution (1992 – 2017)’. Eminent writer Shri. Uday Bhembre inaugurated the conference in the presence of Sahitya Academy Secretary Shri. K. Srinivasrao, Director of Higher Education Shri. Prasad Lolayekar, Convener Dr. Bhushan Bhave and Regional Secretary-Sahitya Academy, Mumbai Shri. Krishna Kimbahune at the Multipurpose Hall, Sanskruti Bhavan, Patto today.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri. Bhembre said that we must focus on what Konkani language has achieved post its inclusion in the 8^th schedule of the Indian Constitution. “I hope the conference yield good results. It is very important for us to know as to why we strived to include Konkani in the 8^th schedule of the Indian Constitution. This inclusion opened many progressive doors for the language as well as its writers. It also enhanced its scope globally by the means of translation,” he informed.

Shri. Lolyenkar in his address opined that Konkani language must reach to the non-native speakers in order to broaden its scope. “Konkani speaking communities are decreasing, hence, we must try to attract the non-natives who are currently residing in the state towards the language. Secondly, it must also gain academic value. We should prepare a terminology to learn and teach subjects like philosophy, economics in Konkani. Thirdly, our legislation and basic laws must be prepared in Konkani. We must view the language from a mass perspective and work towards its upliftment,” he said. He also pointed out that while social media is an important tool to spread awareness and seek opinion on such issues, arrogance overpowers straight-forwardness, keeping the core of the discussion in vague.

Shri. K. Srinivasrao stated that language is an umbilical cord between geographies and communities. It represents the culture and traditions of a region and expresses its identity. It unites people rather than dividing them, he said. Shri. Rao also gave a summary of programs organised by the Sahitya Academy in past one year.

Earlier, the function began by lighting the traditional lamp. Dr. Bhushan Bhave also addressed the gathering. Shri. Anant Agni compered the function while Shri. Krishna Kimbahune proposed the vote of thanks. The function was attended by eminent Konkani scholars, writers, teachers and students of various colleges in Goa.

Panaji, February 17, 2019 … The Directorate of Higher Education, Government of Goa in collaboration with Sahitya Academi, New Delhi and in association with Government College of Arts and Science, Khandola, Goa has organized a Seminar on “Silver Jubilee of Inclusion of Konkani in the 8^th Schedule of the Indian Constitution (1992-2017)” on February 18 and 19, 2019 at Multipurpose Hall, Directorate of Art and Culture, Government of Goa, Patto, Panaji-Goa.

This seminar will review the literacy and linguistic scenario of Konkani after its inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution  from 1992 till date and will decide the future course of action for the enrichment of Konkani Language and Literature.

The Two days Seminar will be inaugurated by renowned writer Adv. Uday Bhembre, Dr. K.Sreenivasarao, Secretary, Sahitya Akademi and Prasad Lolayekar, Director, Directorate of Higher Education, Government of Goa will be the guest of honor. Dr. Bhushan Bhave, Convenor, Konkani Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi will preside over the function.

First session will be on the topic ‘National Recognition Movement of Konkani. a Review will be presided over by Senior writer  Shri Pundalik Naik, Tomazinho Cardoso, N. Shivdas and Dr. Hanumant Chopdekar will present papers.

Second session will be on the topic ‘Benefits of inclusion of Konkani in  the Eighth Schedule, Expectations and Reality. It will be presided by Nagesh Karmali, while Prakash Kamat, Dr. Prakash Vazrikar and Gokuldas Prabhu will present papers.

Third session on the topic ‘Konkani at National Level, today and Tomorrow will be presided by Dr. Tanaji Halarnkar and Dinesh Manerkar, Narayan Desai and Anil Pai will present the papers.

On the second day, the fourth session on the topic ‘Eighth Schedule and Konakani w.r.t. Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra ‘ will be presided by Payyanur Ramesh Pai and the papers will be published by Melwyn Rodrigues , Valley Quadros and Paul Morais.

Fifth session titled ‘Contribution of Literacy and Linguistic Institutions to Konkani will be presided by Basti Vaman Shenoi and Chetan Acharya , Prakash  Parienkar and Fausto D’Costa will present papers. This session will be moderated by Shashikant Punaji.

Sixth and the last session on the topic ‘Konkani Language, Literature Education and Culture, towards a bright future, will be presided over by Dr. Nandkumar Kamat. Dilip Borkar, Hema Naik and Sandesh Prabhudessai will present their papers in the session.

Shantaram Varde Valaulikar, well known Writer has been invited to deliver a talk at the concluding session.

Anant Agni will be the anchor of the programme, while Anju Sakhardande and Pranita  Naik will be the rapporteur.

The seminar will be attended by more than 100 academicians, teachers and students from all over the state.

Panaji, February 16, 2019 …MLA and Former Deputy Chief Minister Late Shri Francis D’Souza was led to rest with full State honours at the St. Jerome’s Church Mapusa today. Archbishop Filip Nerry Ferrao was the main celebrant at the Eucharistic celebration.

The remains of the D’Souza were drapped in the national tricolor and he was given a guard of honour followed by ‘Reverse arms’’ as a mark of respect to the departed soul.

Late D’Souza passed away after a prolonged illness on Thursday afternoon at 64, Elected for five terms from Mapusa.

Prominent among those who attended the funeral were, Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly Dr. Pramod Sawant, Dy.Speaker Shri Michael Lobo,  Health Minister Shri Vishwajit Rane Revenue Minister Shri Rohan Khaunte, PWD Minister Shri Ramkrishna ( Sudin ) Dhavalikar, Tourism Minister Shri Manohar ( Babu ) Azgaonkar, Power Minister Shri Nilesh Cabral, Urban Development Minister Shri Milind Naik, Agriculture Minister Shri Vijay Sardesai, Rural Development Minister Shri Jayesh Salgaonkar, WRD Minister Shri Vinod Palyenkar, Panchayat Minister Shri Mauvin Godinho, Union Minister of State for Ayush Shri Shripad Naik, MP South Goa Shri Narendra Savoikar, Member of Rajya Sabha Shri Vinay Tendulkar,  Leader of Opposition Shri Chandrakant ( Babu ) Kavlekar, Ex-Chief Minister & MLA Shri Pratapsingh Rane,I MLA Bicholim Shri Rajesh Patnekar,MLA Alina Saldanha, MLAs of Congress Party IGP Goa Police Shri Jaspal Singh IPS, Industralist Shri Srinivas Dhempo and others.

Panaji : February 15,2019 .. The  Indian Air Force will be conducting a special recruitment drive on 25^th March, 2019  which will be held at the  Sports Ground, Bambolim on March 25, 2019 from 7.00 a.m. onwards.

 As a part of the recruitment drive, Indian Air Force, Recruiting centre, Jodhpur has organised Awareness Camps in North and South Goa. In North Goa, the  Awareness camp will be held on  February 18, 2019 at S.S.Dempo College of Commerce and Economics, Cujira , Bambolim at 12.00 Noon. Awareness camp for South Goa will be held on February 19 at Government College of Commerce, Borda, Margao at 10.30 am.

It is informed that the recruitment is specially arranged for male candidates from Goa who are born between January 9, 1999 to  January 1, 2003(17-21yrs). Students who have passed std 12^th   in any stream with an aggregate of minimum 50% and 50% marks in English and Students of Science stream who have studied PCB can participate in the awareness camp and recruitment drive.

Panaji : February 14, 2019 :::“Social work is the base of politics and therefore one must be a good social worker before entering politics. A leader takes the community forward, and strive to become a good leader,” said Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly Dr. Pramod Sawant during the inaugural function of Students’ Parliament Competition, 2019 held at PAC Room, Assembly Complex in Porvorim today. The competition is an annual event held by the Goa Legislature Secretariat since 1990.

Speaking further Dr. Sawant said that Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi says that one must always believe in ‘Antyodaya’ i.e. to help the needy and poor. Students’ Parliament Competition creates leaders for tomorrow and students must make the best use of this platform to open up about problems and issues faced by them and the people in the state in general. Imbibe conviction and consistency in yourself to be a good leader,” Shri. Sawant urged the students.

Earlier,  Shri. Nilkanth Subhedar, Secretary of Goa Legislature Secretariat welcomed the gathering and briefed about the competition. Judges of the competition Ex-MLAs Shri. Victor Gonsalves and Shri. Mohan Amshekar, Shri. John Fernandes and Shri. Sadanand Malik were also present on the occasion. Shri. Mohan Amshekar also spoke on the occasion and conveyed his best wishes to the students. The competition will go on till February 21, 2019, with 18 colleges participating in it.

Panaji,  February 13,  2019 … The Prevention of Insults to national Honour Act, 1971’ and ‘Flag Code of India, 2002’ governs display of National Flag, and is made for strict compliance of the provisions contained in the Act and the Flag Code.

This is called the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 and it extends to the whole of India.

Whoever in any public place or in any other place within public view burns, mutilates defaces, defiles, disfigures, destroys, tramples upon or *otherwise shows disrespect to or brings into contempt (whether by words, either spoken or written, or by acts) the Indian National Flag or the Constitution of India or any part thereof, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.

The expression, ‘Indian National Flag’ includes any picture, painting, drawing or photograph, or other visible representation of the Indian National Flag, or of any part or parts therof, made of any substance or represented on any substance.

The disrespect to the Indian National flag means and includes a gross affront or indignity offered to the Indian National Flag; or dipping the Indian National Flag in salute to any person or thing; or, flying the Indian National Flag at half-mast except  on occasion on which the flag is flown at half-mast on public buildings in accordance with the instruction issued by theGovernment  , using the Indian National Flag as a drapery in any form whatsoever except in state funerals or armed forces or other para-military forces funerals; or # using the Indian National Flag:-  1) as a portion of costume, uniform or accessory of any description which is worn below the waist of any person; or 2) by embroidering or printing it on cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, undergarments or any dress material; or putting any kind of inscription upon the Indian National Flag; or using the Indian National Flag as a receptacle for receiving, delivering or carrying anything except flower petals before the Indian National Flag is unflured as part of celebration on special occasion including the Republic Day or the Independence Day; or using the Indian National Flag as covering for a statue or a monument or a speaker’s desk or a speaker’s platform; or allowing the Indian National Flag to touch the ground  or the floor or trail in water intentionally; or draping the Indian National Flag over the hood,  top and sides or back or on a vehicle, train, boat or an aircraft or  any other similar object; or using the Indian National Flag as a covering for a building: or,  intentionally displaying the Indian national Flag with the “Saffron” down.

            Prevention of singing of National Anthem Whoever intentionally prevents the singing of the Indian National Anthem or causes disturbances to any assembly engaged in such singing shall be punished with imprisonment for a term, which may extend to three years, or with fine , or with both.

Minimum penalty on second or subsequent offence:- whoever having already been convicted of an offence under section 2 or section 3 is again convicted of any such offence shall be punishable for the second and for every subsequent offence, with imprisonment for a term, which shall not be less than one year.

Panaji, February 12, 2019 …The District Magistrate, North Goa has ordered that all the owners of the houses, building, buildings, flats and other residential accommodation and the owners / management of all hotels, lodging and boarding, private guest houses, paying guest accommodation of religious bodies etc in the whole of North Goa District should verify the bonafides of the persons through their proof of identity such as Election Card, Driving License, Aadhar Card, Passport, etc. and should fill in the Tenant/Visitors/Guest Verification Form in  respect of their Tenants/Visitors/Guest before such as persons are allowed to reside/ stay in their premises and furnish the same to the local Police Station for further verification and record. This order shall also apply to the owners of such premises who have so far not furnished the verification forms in respect of their Tenants/Visitors/Guests who are already occupying their premises.

This order will come into force with effect from February 12, 2019 and will be effective for a period of 60 days that is upto April 12, 2019 (both days inclusive) unless withdrawn earlier. As the notice cannot be served individually on all the concerned, the order is hereby passed ex-parte. Any person contravening this order will be punishable under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code.

Panaji, February 11, 2019 … In order to ensure free, fair and peaceful conduct of Bye Elections in the North Goa District, the District Magistrate, North Goa impose complete ban for carrying of all types of Arms and fire arms and lethal weapons within the North Goa District, to ensure a free, fair, peaceful and orderly conduct of the Election process and to prevent any sort of obstructions, annoyance or injury to any person lawfully employed or for conduct of election to prevent any danger to human life, or safety, or disturbance of public tranquility or riot, of any affray during the electioneering period.

          Therefore all the Arms License holders in North Goa District are directed to deposit all their fire arms at the nearest Police Stations of their respective Jurisdiction immediately, on or before February 13, 2019. All the firearms deposited will be returned to the license holders after five days from counting i.e. after the election process is over.

          It is also made known that, if any person has a real threat to his or her person/property, he/she should approach the Director General of Police for providing necessary security by the Police, but under no circumstances will any person be allowed to carry his own personal firearm/s license or otherwise except with special permission from the District Magistrate and DEO, North Goa District, Panaji.

          The above restrictions will not apply to Public Servants/Police/Defence Personnel and Security Personnel on duty / Sports persons who are members of National Rifle Association of India and to those members of the community who are entitled to display weapons by long standing law, custom and usage, unless they are found to be indulging in violence or posing a threat to the maintenance of law and order and peaceful conduct of elections.