Panaji, August  28, 2018 …. It has been widely reported that there is danger for the Zuari Bridge as a result  of a gap seen at the aabutment location on the Cortalim side end. In this regards the Public Work Department, Altinho, Panaji has hereby informed the general public that the said gap id the expansion joint gap which is in the range of 40-50 mm and is kept open to facilitate expansion/ contraction for the bridge span.

The surrounding concrete layer over a small portion is disturbed by the impact of vehicular movement but there is no damage to the expansion joint. There should be no apprehension on the safety and stability of the bridge.  

Panaji, August  28, 2018 … The Directorate of Museums has organized a workshop on Paper Bag Making on August 31, 2018 from 2.00 p.m to 4.30 p.m at Goa Museum (Adilshah Palace)

 A maximum of 25 entries will be accepted on first cum fist basis. For registering your name  contact   2434406/2436006. The last date for the registration is August 28, 2018.

Panaji, August  28, 2018 … The state of Kerala has been devastated by floods and rain causing loss to human life, destruction of properties, roads etc.

This is a human tragedy and Goans should reach out to our brethren in this hour of crises. Government of Goa has therefore opened an account namely “CHIEF MINISTER OF GOA, KERALA RELIEF FUND” bearing Account No. 37896464050.

The Chief Minister has appealed to the people of Goa to donate humbly to the Kerala Relief Fund. The Amount can be deposited in any of the branches of the State Bank of India in the state by way of cash, cheque, ECS, NEFT, RTGS etc.

The details of  CHIEF MINISTER OF GOA –  KERALA RELIEF FUND: Name of Account : Chief Minister of Goa – Kerala Relief Fund, Account No.: 37896464050,  Name of Bank : State Bank of India. Branch:  Panaji Secretariat IFSC Code: SBIN0005554, MICR: 403002006.

Panaji, August  28, 2018 …. Directorate of Art and Culture, Government of Goa in joint collaboration with India International Rural Cultural Centre, New Delhi, will  organize a Lecture Dance Demonstration series in 24 schools of Goa in the field of Indian Classical Dance by renowned Dancers Smt. AmartyyaChatterjee(Ghosh) from Pune, (Kathak Dancer and Performer) &Smt.RevathiSrinivasraghavan from Bangalore (Bharatanatyam Dancer),simultaneously at both places i.e.North-Goa & South Goa from 03/09/2018 to 08/09/2018. The main aim of this activity is to strengthen the cultural values in education by organizing dance demonstrations in schools by the renowned classical dancers from other states and also to create awareness amongst the students for rich Indian Cultural heritage i.e. Dance & Music.

Smt.Amartyya Chatterjee(Ghosh):Passed senior Diploma in Kathak Dance and also did MA in Journalism and Mass Communication. She received her  training in kathak dance from Pt.Santosh Kumar Chatterjee, Smt. Madhumita Roy. PadmabhibhushanPt.BirjuMaharah and Saswati Sen. Smt.AmartyyaChatterjee(Ghosh) has presented Kathak recitals on several forums in the country and also beyond the country’s border. She has been acted in Bengali Featre Film CHITHI and has recently choreographed some pieces of dance in reality show Dance Bangla Dance in Zee TV.  She is also running a dance school named Manan-School of dance at Kolkata and works as a teacher on traditional Kathak dance in Heels Dance Academy in Pune city.Apart from her dance assignments, she is a Lecturer of Mass Communication in recognized college under University of Calcutta and IGNOU.

Smt. Amartyya Chatterjee (Ghosh)and her accompanists shall conduct Lecture/Dance Demonstration series in Kathak Dance at North Goa from September 3 to 8,  2018 in 12 schools which includes  Lokshikshan High School, Dhargal, Pernem, AlornaPanchkroshi High School, Alorna, Pernem, G.S. Amonkar VidyaMandir, Mapusa,  KirtiVidyalaya, Siolim, Bardez,  Government High School, Amona, Bicholim, Mahalakshmi High School, Kudnem, Sanquelim Bicholim, Our Lady of Lourdes High School, Valpoi, Unity High School, Valpoi,  Shri Kamakshi High School, Shiroda, Shree Mahalaxmi English High School, Talaulim, Ponda, People’s High School, Panaji and  Old Goa Educational Institute, Katyebhat, Ela Old Goa.

All the artistes will demonstrate and share their views about Indian Classical dance in the schools.

Smt. Revathi Srinivasraghavan: Revathi Srinivasraghavan is an acclaimed choreographer, teacher, and performer of Bharatanatyam.  After her initial tutelage under the late Guru Komalavalli Krishnamani, she learned the nuances of the art from the late Kalaimamani Shri Kadirvelu Pillai, she learned the intricacies of Abhinaya from Guru Padma Bhushan, Smt Kalanidhi Narayanan, and S. P. Srinivasan. She underwent training in Konnakol under Shri T.S Nandakumar and currently continues with Shri Satish Krishnamurthy. Revathi holds a Master’s degree in Fine Arts. She is a Nritya Alankar from the AkhilBharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal.

Smt. Revathi Srinivasraghavan  is a graded artist of the Doordarshan. She has been empanelled by the Ministry of Culture – Festival of India Cell under the Panel of Artists selected for participation in Festivals of India Abroad.

Shiledar Rashtriyanirmitiche- Contributors in Nation Building 2014 by Prasar Bharati- Doordarshan.

Revathi is a member of the ABHAI (Association of Bharatanatyam Artists of India).

Smt. Revathi has directed several solo and group Bharatanatyam presentations. She has presented Solo and Group performances on Television several times, most recently on Makkal TV, Sankara TV, DD Sahyadri. She has participated in various programs, seminars, workshops and has presented innumerable lecture demonstrations on Bharatnatyam style in Schools, Colleges & Universities. Besides her several public performances in different states in India, abroad in Dubai and USA.  As a choreographer, Revathi has experimented with a wide variety of themes and has directed several dance ballets.

Smt. Revathi Srinivasraghavanand her accompanists shall conduct Lecture/Dance Demonstration series Bharatanataym Dance at South Goa from September 3 to 8 2018 in 12 schools which includes  Our Lady of Fatima High School, Rivona, Sanguem, Government High School, Netorlim, Sanguem, GomantakVidyalaya, Piliem, Dharbandora, Matoshri Anandibai, Vaman Marathe Vidyalaya, Tamsoda, Dharbandora, Presentation Convent High School, Fatorda, Bhatikar Model High School, Margao, Government High School, Agonda, Shri Malllikarjun Vidyalaya High School, Canacona,  Lokvishwas Pratisthan’s High School, Sirvoi, Quepem,  Vivekanand Higher Secondary School, Balli, Quepem,  Our Lady of Candelaria High School, Vasco-Da-Gama and  Municipal High School, Vasco.

All the artistes will demonstrate and share their views about Indian Classical dance in the schools.

Panaji, August 27, 2018  …  To commemorate World Photography Day and 11^th Anniversary of Photo-Journalists’ Association of Goa (PJAG), the members of PJAG in association with Directorate of Art and Culture organized a Photography exhibition and award distribution ceremony in the Multipurpose Hall of Sanskruti Bhavan, Patto today. Minister for Art and Culture Shri. Govind Gaude was the Chief Guest for the function while Director, Directorate of Art and Culture Shri. Gurudas Pilernkar was the Guest of honor. Deputy Director Shri. Ashok Parab, PJAG President Shri. Sandip Dessai, Secretary Shri. Atish Naik and Treasurer Shri. Kailas Naik was also present among others.

Earlier the Minister inaugurated the photo-exhibition which contains photographs clicked by PJAG members and participants of Photography competitions held by the association. Speaking on the occasion the Minister congratulated the PJAG committee members for their tremendous contribution in society as the fourth pillar of the constitution. “Nowadays, everyone clicks a picture on a phone; however, photojournalists click a spot on pictures even in life-threatening situations. The accuracy of the picture is their key skill. By capturing the liveliest images, photojournalists act as a bridge between an even and a viewer,” the Minister said.

Shri. Gaude while appreciating the participants for taking part in the competition urged them to work hard with honesty, professionalism, and intelligence. “One should be passionate about the work he/she is doing. To know any form of art, or to practice it passionately helps us in leading a fruitful life,” the Minister stated. He also patted PJAG members for choosing good topics for the Photography competitions. “Topics such as ‘traditional games of Goa’, ‘spots in Goa’ will surely add on to our knowledge, especially enlightening us about the history of our state,” Shri. Gaude said.

Earlier, the Minister and other dignitaries presented prizes to the winners of Photography competition. The competition was held in two categories viz School and Open category with topics ‘traditional games of Goa’ and spots in Goa’ respectively. The winners in the School category are 1^st prize- Mast. Arif Nadaf (Saraswat High School (HS), Mapusa), 2^ND– Mast. Meghraj Akarkar (V.D. & S.V. Wagle HS, Mangeshi) 3^rd– Ms. Urvi Kambli (Bal Bhrati Vidyamandir HS, Raibandar). Mast. Arnan Jonathan Dias and Mast. Ansul Katare bagged the 1^st and 2^nd consolation prizes respectively.

In the Open category, the 1^st prize was bagged by Shri. Vaibhav Dayanand Bhagat, 2^nd– Shri. Arunab Bhattacharjee, 3^rd– Dr. Gauresh Ganjekar.  Shri. Sanjeev Sardessai and Shri. Sanat Shirodkar won 1^st and 2^nd consolation prizes respectively.

Senior Photo-Journalists Shri. Narayan Pai Fondekar from Margao and Shri. Gurudas Vaingnkar from Mapusa were felicitated by the Minister for their immense contribution in the field of Photojournalism. Past PJAG presidents Shri. Umesh Banastarkar, Shri. Soiru Komarpant, Shri. Kailas Naik, Shri. Atish Naik and Shri. Ganesh Shetkar were also presented with mementos by the Minister.

PJAG President Shri. Sandip Dessai gave the welcome address. Shri. Pilernkar spoke on the occasion while Shri. Gurudas Vaingnkar shared his experiences. Shri. Ganesh Shetkar compered and proposed vote of thanks. The function was attended by photo-journalists, photography enthusiasts, teachers and school students.

Margao:  August 27, 2018 … The Advisory Committee for Appropriate Authority under PC-PNDT Act, South District have decided to cancel the registration of those clinics who do not submit their application for renewal 30 days prior to the expiry of the certificate of registration including those submitting incomplete Form F.  These clinics will then have to apply for fresh registration and pay the applicable fees.    

Dr. Tariq Thomas, Collector(South) & District Appropriate Authority chairing a meeting of the Advisory Committee observed that lot many clinics submit their application after the specified period as mandated in the Act and decided to view seriously the laxity by generic clinics registered under the Act.

The Committee also decided to raise the matter of registration of USG facility for Ophthalmology.  The Committee was of the considered opinion that the probe used for ophthalmology is in no way be used to determine sex determination.  There will be substantial increase in the burden on the inspection team, the Committee observed.

The Chairman however emphasized that data base of all such clinics in the District be built in the interim period and directed the concerned official to seek the details.

Medical Supdt. Hospicio Hospital, Dr. Ira Almeida; Gynecologist, Hospicio Hospital, Dr. Minakshi Panandikar, Radiologist, Hospicio Hospital, Dr. M. Dhond and Assistant Information Officer, Dept of Information & Publicity Shri Allwyn Pereira, Assistant Information Officer, Dept of Information & Publicity were amongst those members present for the meeting.

Panaji, August  26, 2018 ….. Education is the greatest form of wealth which plays   an important role in molding professional and personal life of each individual said Minister for Tourism, Shri  Manohar alias Babu Azgaonkar .He was speaking at  felicitation function of meritorious students of HSSC of  Government Higher Secondary school at Pernem recently. 

Shri Azgaonkar congratulated the meritorious students for excelling in exams and said that it is the hard work of parents, teachers and students that has helped to achieve 100 percent result in the school. The Minister said that students should also excel in field of sports. He further urged the students to try to catch up with the latest technology in this competitive world. 

Shri Azgaonkar also assured that Government would provide facilities that are presently lacking in the institutions.

 The teachers were also awarded by the management for their efforts in achieving success in the HSSC examination.

Also present on the occasion were Principle of Government Higher Secondary School Pernem Shri Subhash Mandrekar, PTA President Shri Jaganath Desai and other members of Parents Teacher Association

Miss Deepika Sawant compered the function.

Later, Shri Azgaonkar  also felicitated the students of SSC of Satteri Vidhya Mandir at Ibrampur Pernem .

Present on the occasion were Headmaster Shri Subhash Sawant, Sarpanch of Imbrampur Smt. Sonali Pawar, Deputy Sarpanch Shri Atmaram Naik, Chairman, Shri Rajaram Gawas, President PTA, Shri Deepak Shirodkar, School Manager, Shri Madhukar Sawant, and members of PTA and panch members

Smt Sangeeta Parab compered the function and Smt. Priti Karpe proposed the vote of thanks.

Panaji: 26/08/2018 ::: The Department of Fisheries recenntly organized Narali Poornima Festival at Fisheries Jetty.

Minister for Fisheries, Shri Vinod Paliencar performed Samundra Pooja on the occasion and offered the coconut to the sea God. Fisheries Secretary Shri Daulat A. Hawaldar – IAS also graced the function and offered prayers. Other dignitaries present on the occasion were Director of Fisheries, Shri Vinesh Arlekar, Dy. Directors of Fisheries, Shri Chandrakant Velip and Smt. Smita Mazumdar, Superintendent of Fisheries Smt. Megha Kerkar and Shri Chandresh Haldankar also offered prayers and sought blessings.   

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Paliencar said that the Narali Poornima is very important festival particularly to the fishermen community as they celebrate this festival to ward off untoward incidents while sailing in the sea. The Fisherman will start their regular fishing activities from today onwards after a break for a couple of months from fishing. Shri Paliencar prayed that Coming year to be filled with happiness, joy and wealth to the Fishermen communities.

Shri Paliencar also felicitated the retired staff of the Fisheries Department Shri Anant Saterdekar, Driver and Shri Vishnu Govenkar, Junior Deckhand by offering certificates of appreciation, shawl and Shree phal (coconut) who served in the Department more than 35 plus years.

 Panaji, August  25, 2018 …. The annual Shree Satyanarayan Mahapooja of the Department of Information and Publicity will be held in the office premises 3^rd floor,  Udyog Bhavan on Saturday September 1, 2018.   Smt and Shri T.S. Sawant, Director, Information and Publicity will perform the pooja ceremony.

 The pooja will commence at 9.00 a.m with religious rituals followed by aarti, tirth Prasad and Mahaprasad. Thereafter bhajan will be presented by the local artists.

 The Director, Officers and Staff members of the department have requested the people to visit office premises to offer prayers and seek blessings.

Panaji: 25/08/2018 :::  Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA), South Goa in collaboration with Zonal Agriculture Office (ZAO), Sanguem organized three farmer training programs viz. in June 2017, March 2018 and August 2018 respectively at Netravali and Rivona villages of Sanguem Taluka. The training was aimed to create awareness about ‘Apiculture’ or ‘bee-keeping’ and its importance in our day to day life.

In June 2017, 72 farmers from different parts of south Goa zone attended the first training program which was conducted at Netravali. Shri Dinesh Prayag, Shri. P Shalio and Miss Gauri Prabhudesai, Assistant Agriculture Officer, Margao guided the farmers about the significance of Apiculture. “Goan farmers are primarily involved in traditional crops like Coconut, Areca nut, vegetable, and paddy. Apiculture is one of the oldest farming techniques in our country for collecting honey, which is one of our essential food commodities. It is becoming popular due to its medicinal benefits to health in National and International markets. In this process, not only the farmers make sweet dividends but Bee-keeping helps to increase agriculture productivity through pollination,” informed Shri. Raghunath Morajkar, ZAO Sanguem.     

Post this initial stage, a team containing 18 trained farmers and officials of ATMA South Goa visited the Honey Bee Society, Honnavar in Karnataka state for as a field visit. Shri. Hegde, Secretary of the Society explained the working of the society and briefed the team about Bee box, precaution to be taken for maintaining a box, honey rearing, colony of the bees etc. The team also visited two progressive farmers at Honnavor who are engaged with Apiculture since past 25 years; the session was very fruitful for the team as it gave them a positive insight into bee-farming.

After the visit, 22 Eight Framed Bee Boxes along with Eight Framed Bee Colony were brought from the Honnavar were distributed to farmers of Rivona, Colomba, Netravali and Savordem in the presence of Shri Raghunath  Morajkar, ZAO Sanguem. Shri Soham Ghate, Block Technology Manager, Shri. Janu Warak and Shri. Sankesh Goankar, Asst Technology Managers under the guidance of and Shri Dattaprasad Desai, Dy. Project Director, ATMA South Goa  Miss Gauri Prabhudesai, AAO, Shri Nitin Borkar AAO and Miss Milan Goankar AAO are currently helping the farmers to maintain regular records of the Bee colonies.

In March training was conducted for the same bunch by a well-known farmer Shri.  Mumtaz Ali from Karnataka who is engaged in Bee-farming since the age of 14. Shri. Ali guided the team about Bee lifecycle, pest management, and maintenance of box by giving practical demonstrations. He also visited every trainee’s farm and advised each farmer about bee colonies, their working style, and its maintenance during the rainy season.  

In the last 5 months, approx. 3kgs of honey from some of the Bee colonies of farmers has been extracted. It is also noticed that production of the other crops in these farms have increased by 25% as Honey Bees play a major role in plant life cycle as a pollinator.

As September is the best season to start the Honey Bee cultivation, ZAO Sanguem and ATMA South Block conducted another training programme for farmers on August 10, 2018, at Netravali. 40 farmers attended the session wherein in they were guided by Shri Raghunath Morajkar ZAO Sanguem and Shri. Mumtaz Ali.

During the training Shri Morajkar, ZAO said that every farmer should take this a hobby. “Apiculture is immensely helpful in increasing the production of crops. The ATMA South Goa and Department of Agriculture will provide training whenever there will be a gap between the farmers and technology. We are forever on our toes to help any farmer in need.”

In Sanguem taluka, 23 farmers are currently practicing Beekeeping while 32 farmers have registered and shown interest in taking up the same in their respective farms. A day to day follow up is recorded by the ATMA South Goa and Zonal Agricultural office Sanguem activities to motivate young farmers are currently being planned.