Panaji, August  25, 2018 …. The Forest Department has informed that the period for submission of Report by the Review Committee constituted by the Government to review identified Private Forest areas by North and South Goa Committees and those identified by the earlier Sawant and Karapurkar Committees in pursuance to the order of Hon’ble National Green Tribunal (WZ) dated January 7, 2016 in application No.18(THC)/2013 (WZ), is further extended for a period of 6 months excluding monsoon season i.e till March 31, 2019 considering the technical difficulties, limited resources and manpower.

Panaji, August  24, 2018 …. Chief Electoral Officer has convened a meeting on August 27, 2018 at 4.00 p.m. in the Conference Hall of Chief Electrol Offic, Altinho, Panaji  in respect of Special Summary Revision of Photo Electrol Roll of intensive nature commencing from January 1, 2019 as qualifying date .

Panaji: August 23, 2018  …  The Directorate of Art and Culture will hold the Cultural Talent Search Competition for the students of standard Vth to Xth from aided, non-aided and Government Schools. The main purpose of this competition is to promote the hidden talents of the students.

 The competition will be organised at Taluka level in the fields such as Tabla, Harmonium, Guitar, Keyboard, drums, Sitar, Violin, Vocal (Indian Classical), Vocal (Light Music), Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Monologue, Vocal (Western solo), Drawing, Essay Writing, Handwriting and Poetry Writing. From each taluka, the first three winners will be selected in each category. The taluka level winners will then contest at the state level. The first prize winners at the State level will be awarded with the scholarship for advance studies in the respective fields.

 The letter inviting the entries for participation of the students have been already forwarded to the schools of Goa. The schools which have not received the letter may contact the office of the Directorate of Art and Culture, Panaji-Goa. The entries have to be submitted on or before September 7, 2018 to the Directorate of Art and Culture, Sanskruti Bhavan, Patto, Panaji, Goa. Entries received after the last date will not be entertained.

 The Cultural Talent Search Competition will be held in October. The details are as follows:

For the talukas of Tiswadi, Bardez, Pernem, Ponda, Bicholim and Sattari, the date and venue for the following events-Drawing/Painting, Poem Writing-Konkani, Poem Writing Marathi, Poem Writing-Hindi, Poem Writing – English, Essay Writing -Konkani, Essay Writing Marathi, Essay Writing -Hindi, Essay Writing – English, Handwriting Devnagri Script and Handwriting English Script, will be held on October 8, 2018 at the Dr. K. B. Hedgewar High School, Cujira, Bambolim – Goa.

The date and venue for the following events –Indian Classical – Vocal, Light Music – Vocal, Tabla, Harmonium – Instrumental, Sitar – Instrumental, Violin – Instrumental, Guitar – Instrumental, Bharatnatyam – Dance, Kathak – Dance, Classical Piece – Western singing, Pop song – Western singing, Cantaram – Western singing, Keyboard – Instrumental, Drum – Instrumental and Monologue, for the talukas of Tiswadi, Bardez and Pernem will be held on October 9, 2018 at the Sanskruti Bhavan, Panaji-Goa and Institute Menezes Braganza, Panaji and for the same events for the talukas of Ponda, Bicholim and Sattari, it will be held on October 10, 2018 at the Sanskruti Bhavan, Panaji-Goa and Institute Menezes Braganza, Panaji.

For the talukas of Sanguem, Quepem, Canacona, Salcette, Mormugao and Dharbandora, the date and venue for the following events-Drawing/Painting, Poem Writing -Konkani, Poem Writing Marathi, Poem Writing Hindi, Poem Writing- English, Essay Writing- Konkani, Essay Writing Marathi, Essay Writing Hindi, Essay Writing -English, Handwriting Devnagri Script and Handwriting English Script, will be held on October 4, 2018 at the Loyola High School, Marago.

The date and venue for the following events –Indian Classical – Vocal, Light Music – Vocal, Tabla, Harmonium – Instrumental, Sitar – Instrumental, Violin – Instrumental, Guitar – Instrumental, Bharatnatyam – Dance, Kathak – Dance, Classical Piece – Western singing, Pop song – Western singing, Cantaram – Western singing, Keyboard – Instrumental, Drum – Instrumental and Monologue, for the talukas of Sanguem, Quepem and Canacona will be held on October 5, 2018 at the Rajiv Gandhi Kala Mandir, Ponda and for the same events for the talukas of Salcette, Mormugao and Dharbandora, will be held on October 6, 2018 at the Rajiv Gandhi Kala Mandir, Ponda.

Goa Chamber in association with Government of Goa – Dept. of Industries, Goa State Industries Association, Goa Technology Association celebrated on 21st August from 2.00 pm – 6.00 pm at Institute Menezes Braganza, Panjim by organising a Half day MSME event. Reserve Bank of India, State Bank of India (SBI) alongwith 20 other Banks and Financial institutions like MSME-Development Institute, SIDBI, EDC, NABARD Ltd. were major facilitators for the event.

The aim of the event was to highlight “Goa – as the next Entrepreneurial Destination” and create awareness on opportunities  available  for economic development of the state.

Chief Guest, Mr. S. T. Kannan, General Manager, RBI, inaugurated the stalls and Mr. Manguirish Pai Raiker, Chairman, ASSOCHAM MSME Council / Past-President, GCCI, welcomed all the participants. The inaugural ceremony began with the traditional lighting of the lamp by all the dignatries on the dais such as the Hon’ble Chief Guest, Mr Raiker, Mr. Sandip Bhandare, President, Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Mr. Suyash Asthana, Dy. General Manager, SBI, Mr. Rajkumar Kamat, President, Goa State Industries Association, Mr. Manguirish Salelkar, President, Goa Technology Association, Mr. Vijay M. Kalinani, Assistant General Manager, SIDBI, and Ms. Kamakshi Pai, General Manager, NABARD.

The event included talks on the “Role of Academia in promoting Entrepreneurship – Moulding Entrepreneurs” for Industry by Dr. Praveen Khullar, Head, Global Development Centre Goa, Sanofi, Dr. Ajit Parulekar, Director, Goa Institute of Management and on the “Role of Banking Sector in promoting Entrepreneurship” by Mr. Prashant Naik, DGM & Zonal Manager, BOI and Ms. S. Annapurna, DGM & Zonal Head, Corporation Bank. Eventually, a panel discussion was held discussing the “Roadmap for an Entrepreneurship hub in Goa – Promise and Challenges”.

The event provided a massive boost to MSME sector by banks handing over more than 50 sanction letters to the Goan entrepreneurs. Around 250 prospective entrepreneurs attended and interacted with 15 banks on their respective stalls. Financial Institutions like SIDBI, NABARD, Dept. Of Industries, Goa Govt., MSME-DI, EDC Ltd also met with the entrepreneurs educating them on the available Government schemes.

Panaji: 22nd August 2018 :::  The Directorate of Art & Culture, Government of Goa organizes month end theatre activity called “Prayog Saanj” on last Saturday of Every month. This is the 63^rd performance of “Prayog Saanj which will be held on August 25^th, 2018 at 6.30 pm at Art Gallery of Sanskruti Bhavan, Patto Pananji.

“Untitled 1” a theatrical presentation will be presented in this prayog Saanj. The same has been conceptualized and directed by Shri Nilesh Mahale. The actor are Shri Anup, Shri Kalpesh, Shri Paritosh and Shri Prathmesh. Music has been composed by Shri Sachin Chowgule and lights are designed by Shri Shrinivas Usgaonkar.

The main objective of “Prayog Saanj” is to provide a platform to the new groups and budding artists in the field of Drama. This activity has successfully completed its five years in the month of May 2018. The Directorate of Art & Culture provides its multipurpose hall free of cost for the performance. The groups interested to perform in “Prayog Saanj” may kindly contact the Directorate of Art & Culture for the further details.

This programme is open for all and it is requested to all the artists and theater lovers to be part of the same.

Panaji: 22nd August 2018 :::  In 2016, Panaji figured among the 13 cities selected at the Fast Track Mode under the Union Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India’s Smart City Mission which was launched in 2015. Since then, the progress of Smart City Panaji has been phenomenal says Shri. Swayandipta Pal Chaudhuri, Managing Director and CEO, Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited, adding how, “Smart City Panaji is one of the quickest Smart City implementation that is happening in the country. Panaji is being looked at as one of the flagships models of the country today.”

    Smart City Panaji has won many accolades like the Reform Awards by the Government of India For Good Performance, the Swachh Survekshan Award For being the Best State Capital in ‘Innovation and Best Practices’. Shri. Chaudhuri however is modest about them, “Award winning is a part of appreciating the people. Smart City has been conceptualized to be achieved with public support. It is not a top-down model. It is a bottom up approach. People have to support us in the process.”

 Director of Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited, Shri. Sidharth Kuncalienker says, “We had several consultative meetings with the people and we continue to have these meetings. We have to deliver what the people want. We are striving to serve the city from the weakest point. For instance, we are planning universal footpaths which will be accessible to all, including the differently abled.”

 The emphasis on improving the basic amenities in Panaji can’t be missed. Shri. Kuncalienker talks of the goals they have in plan, “We want to fulfill core priorities which affect the common man and not just have nice public spaces. We want to give adequate water, uninterrupted power to the people. We want the city to be safe, especially the women, children and the elderly. We want the garbage to be disposed in a proper way. We want to make Panaji a healthy city.”

Shri Chaudhuri agrees that a city can’t be smart if the basic amenities are not in place. However, he says everything they do at the Smart City requires following a procedure. “We get asked many times why Smart City is not doing anything about an issue for instance like the drainage. Of course we can do something about it but the mandate has to come. Tomorrow if there’s a mandate from the Government or any other agency that Smart City should be getting into that we are more than willing to work towards it.”

Shri Chaudhuri clears the misconceptions with regards what is a Smart City. “There are a lot of things that are not construed well on what a Smart City is. The idea of a Smart City is to build quality of life, to enhance quality of life, the way people live, etc. Smart City is about using technology For a better quality of life. For instance, you will be surprised to know that Panaji has a water supply of 310 LPCD (Litres per Capita per Day). That is the supply and the usage against the national average of 135. That tells you there is no shortage of water in Panjim. But then there are still people using tankers. This means there is an issue with the distribution. It’s not that there’s a scarcity of water. It means that the water is not getting in the right place where it is required. So this is where you can use technology where officials in the Public Work Department can monitor where there’s a pilferage, or water leakage. That’s exactly where the smart components of a Smart City are going to come in.”

    One of the most vital components of Smart City Panaji is going to be the heritage conservation. Shri Chaudhuri talks about how Panaji can’t be compared with the other places in the country and says that the capital city of Goa is very different in terms of its aesthetic nature and the interventions required.

    Shri Chaudhuri explains, “Our idea of smartness is not by changing or not by moving into concrete buildings and structures. The idea is about preserving the old so that we all know our history and where we come from and then move into a modern environment by the way of technology. It is very important that Goa’s original heritage and character is maintained.”

    Highlighting the works done by Smart City Mission, Kuncalienker informs of the works, “Azad Maidan has been renovated. For the Mala Conservation Project we did up the internal lanes in this area. The houses here are close to each other, so we got many of the services underground. We built the pathways, illuminated the area, placed benches and did up the Mala Bridge which is a vital link from the point of view of transportation.”

        Building capacity among the talent pool in Goa has been one of the successes of Smart City Panaji. Shri Chaudhuri informs, “We take consultants only when absolutely, technically required. What happens when you hire consultants is that they come and go. However, we are hiring a lot of local talent and ensuring that they get trained and knowledge is retained in the State of Goa. We try and do everything in-house.”

    Controlling the traffic in the city is one of the highlights of the Smart City Mission. Shri Chaudhuri says that the idea of Smart City is that the walk able nature of Panaji has to be preserved. “We are putting a lot of things in place through a Comprehensive Mobility Plan. It is something that we are working on. We will have enough parking spaces and also at the same time reduce the vehicles that are coming into the city. Building car parks in the city is not the solution. You have to discourage people from using private transport and proliferate more on the public transport.”

    Elaborating further he says, “We are thinking of mobility within the city. We are planning for an outer loop. But that is not an immediate plan. We are trying to bring some buses in the city, eco-friendly buses, to ensure that atleast the major areas of Panaji are covered and people can get from origin to destination in a time-bound manner. We are also building the infrastructure for a by-cycle sharing system.

    Kuncalienker adds, “Under the AMRUT (Atal Mission For Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) Mission, we have constructed pathways, and the steps in the city leading to the Althino hill. We have done a pedestrian bridge, done up the riverside in Campal and the Mandovi promenade at the same time protecting the banks of the River. We are also constructing a walking and cycling track.”

    The inauguration of the Mangroves Boardwalk on the creek in Panaji, and other projects has been met with a lot of positivity from the people. Shri Chaudhuri acknowledges it, “You should get a look and feel that you are in a Smart City the minute you come into the Smart City. We are gearing up with our holistic planning. You have to appreciate that the Smart City has been here only for a little over a year and the progress that the Smart City Panaji has done has been truly phenomenal. I believe that we are on the right track and people are getting the benefits.”

    Although it’s called Smart City Panaji, the benefits are moving beyond the confines of the city and projects are being lined up in the suburbs of Panaji as well. For instance, Ribandar’s power woes will be addressed with underground cabling of wires besides the other projects that are in the pipeline for Ribandar.

Panaji: 21st August 2018 ::: Fr. Agnel’s girls and Lourdes Convent boys were crowned champs of the Aliens Youth State Basketball Championship held at the Don Bosco Oratory indoor courts on 20^th Aug 2018. Seventeen teams in the boys and girls category participated in the championship which was conducted over three days of intense competition.

In the girls category, Lourdes Convent defeated Fatima convent 17-14 in a close match, while Fr. Agnels had an easy win over Sharada Assailants 17-04. In the finals, Fr. Agnel’s was confident with height and skill advantage and easily won the match 29-10. Elain (7), Kimeron (6), Walencia (6)  and well assisted by Arantxa played well for Fr. Agnels. Elaine (6) of Lourdes put a good fight for the team and was adjudged the Most Valuable Player.  

In the boys category, Lourdes convent put up a good team performance to overpower the confident Sonics team to grab the championship with just 2 baskets margin 30-26. Lourdes Convent took an early lead in the first quarter (10-4) and looked good to go from the start.

But Sonics pulled up a good show in the second quarter to get the scores tied (10-10) at halftime. However, even though the scores between the two teams were tied in the last quarter, the early third quarter lead by Lourdes of two baskets were the ones that gave the honour of the state championship. Selwyn Coelho of Sonics was awarded the Most Valuable player, while Shubham Singh (16) was rightly awarded the highest scorer.

Panaji, August  21, 2018 … The  District Magistrate, North has  further extended for  prohibiting all the liquor bars, shops Pubs, Clubs, Provision Stores or any Establishment serving or selling liquor or alcoholic beverages in retails or packed bottles in village of Surla, within the Thane Dongurli Village Panchayat of Sattari Taluka in North Goa.

Selling Liquor and all types of alcoholic beverages extended for  a period of 30 days from August 19, 2018 onwards.