PANJIM: 21st february 2018 …. Residents of Goa planning a visit to Cyprus can now apply for their visas at the new VFS Global Cyprus Visa Application Centre in the city of Panjim. The centre brings Cyprus visa services closer to home, eliminating the need for applicants from Goa to travel to a neighbouring state to submit their applications.

The centre in Goa was inaugurated by His Excellency Mr. Demetrios A. Theophylactou, High Commissioner of Cyprus to India, in a ceremony held on 16 February 2018.

His Excellency Mr. Demetrios A. Theophylactou, High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus to India, said, “It is a pleasure to inaugurate the Cyprus Visa Application Centre in Goa, operated by VFS Global. This is one out of 16 VFS Global centres serving Cyprus in India, and the 15th Centre that is being formally inaugurated. The opening also signifies a steady increase in visa related queries. Consequently, this centre would further expand and enhance visa services and promote people-to-people contacts, thus contributing to our bilateral relations. Goa, like Cyprus, is a major tourist destination; therefore, the centre fulfills a vital service with respect to the provision of information and guidelines to applicants who intend on visiting Cyprus, not only for tourism but also for business or study purposes. The centre would work in close cooperation with the Consular Section of the High Commission to achieve the goal of timely and efficient issuance of visas.”

Said Mr. Vinay Malhotra, Chief Operating Officer – Middle East and South Asia, VFS Global, “VFS Global has served the Government of Cyprus in India since 2015, and the expansion of our services on their behalf to 16 cities in India is a testament of their faith in our ability to offer applicants best in class visa services. We are pleased to be bringing this expertise to the residents of Goa, and offering the applicants here, a smooth and seamless visa application experience.”

Key features of the Cyprus Visa Application Centres include:

• Professional staff with local language capability, dedicated to handle visa queries
• Dedicated website to provide information on visa categories, fees and other application related details
• Call Centre and email support to answer queries
• Online tracking of application status
• Convenient and secure courier return of visa documents to an address of choice

Cyprus Visa Application Centre

Address in Goa: Gera Imperium 1, 3rd Floor, Office No. 301, Patto Plaza, Panjim,

Goa 403001

Helpline: +91 832 2438700

Email: Info.cyprusin@vfshelpline.com

Website: http://www.vfsglobal.com/Cyprus/India/   

Submission Timing for Applicants, Representatives and Travel Agents:
09:00 hrs – 15:00 hrs (Monday – Friday)

Margao:  February 20, 2018 …. Marathi Historical Drama on the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, titled “Raigadala Jenvha Jag Yete” by Simant Natyasaunstha, Pune got huge response from viewers for a show showcased at Ravindra Bhavan, Curchorem yesterday. 

The Drama was organised by Department of Information and Publicity to mark the celebration of Shivjayanti.

The Drama was inaugurated by lightning traditional lamp and garlanding of attractive temporary statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj erected in the premises of Ravindra Bhavan, Curchorem. Shri Pramod Dessai, Member Secretary, Ravindra Bhavan, Curchorem; Shri Raju Nayak, Vice Chairman; Shri Prakash Naik, Information Officer, Department of Information and Publicity; Shri Shanto Naik, Assistant Information Officer; Shri Siddhesh Samant, Information Assistant; Shri Avinash Bhosle, Director of Drama; Shri Sarvanand Sawant Dessai, Shri Vishwas Sawant Dessai were present on the occasion.

Ravindra Bhavan, Curchorem thanked Department of Information and Publicity for giving the people a chance to see the drama on the life of a historian.

Panaji, February 19, 2018 Minister for Tourism Shri Manohar Azgaonkar distributed sanction letters of Griha adhar and Ladli Laxmi to 116 beneficiaries from Pernem Taluka at Pernem on Saturday.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Azgoankar said that the schemes like the Griha Adhar and Ladli Laxmi will ease the financial burden of house wives and sustain livelihood and overcome financial difficulties faced by parents during their daughter’s marriage respectively.

Shri Azgaonkar praised Chief Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar for launching the scheme. The Minister also appealed to the people to take maximum benefits of the scheme introduced by the government.

Shri Azgaonkar said that soon employment problem will be solved with the coming up of project such as International Stadium, Mopa Airport ,Ravindra Bhavan in Pernem Taluka .

Also Present on the occasion were Smt.Sangeeta Parab ,Sarpanch Vazri, Shri Mandar  Parab, Sarpanch Varkhand, Shri Santosh Malik, Sarpanch Hasapar ,Shri Deepak Mandrekar ,Deputy Chairperson, Pernem Mumcipal Council, Shradha Mashelkar, Councillor,Shri Ranganath Kalsavkar ,Panch member ,Shri Abdul Naik, Panch Korgao, Pandurang Parab ,Ex ZP President and Shri Babi Tirodkar, Social Worker .

Panjim: 18th February, 2018: Goa Premier League will be starting from 19th February till 27th March 2018. The matches will be played at GCA Porvorim Ground and GCA Sanguem, Ground.

PREMIER LEAGUE 2018 DRAW

       GROUP A                                                     GROUP B

1. SUNNY CLUB                                              1. SEIKO
2. GENO                                                            2. SALGAONCAR
3. CHOWGULE                                                3. DEMPO

Top 2 teams from each group will qualify for Semi Final

SEMI FINAL

FINAL

Panaji, February 17, 2018 … The 1st phase of ‘Agri Bazar’, the multi facility Agricultural Complex of the Goa State Agricultural Marketing Board (GSAMB)at Ponda Sub- Market Yard, Kurti was inaugurated by Minister of State for Agricultural Shri. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat recently.

Minister of State for AYUSH (Independent Charge) Shri. Shripad Naik, South Goa Member of Parliament Shri. Narendra Sawaikar, Rajya Sabha MP Shri. Vinay Tendulkar, Minister for Agriculture Shri. Vijai Sardessai, Sarpanch of Kurti-Khandepar Panchayat Smt. Rukma Khandeparkar, President of GSAMB Shri. Ulhas Asnodkar, members Shri. Kishore Shet Mandrekar and Shri. Sunil Dessai, and others were present on the occasion. The project is built under Rashtriy Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). 

The Agri Bazar is disable friendly and equipped with enhanced and modernized trader facilities, cold storage and enhanced storage for farmers, ripening facility, farmer supply center, kiosks for self-help groups and mandi markets for local produce, advisory centers, banks and consultant offices, convenient internal mobility, enhanced parking.

Shri. Ulhas Asnodkar gave the welcome address while Shri. Harischandra Gaude presented a report on tasks undertaken by GSAMB.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Shekhawat said that the project will act as a ‘one roof solution’ for farmers. “Though the number of agriculturists and farmers is decreasing, this field has a very bright future and it lies in co-operative farming. Government is intending to encourage co-operative farming by implementing special schemes and Goa can be one of the best destinations,” he informed.

To gain profit in farming, the need for value addition and the scale of production should be massive. The farmer lives a stressful life due to many reasons. Hence, in order to help his livelihood, he should take on an alternative source of income as poultry, dairy farming etc. Also, local and seasonal farming such as fishing, cash crop farms can be made an allied source of income, Shekhawat opined.

An institutionalized mechanism will be developed by the Government to help farmers. Scheme like Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana has become a lifeline. The Ministry would like to come with a concept of ‘One Nation- One Agri-Bazar’ to enable farmers to business their yield from one single place, he added.

        In his address Shri Narendra Sawaikar said that Government has changed its view-point towards agriculture. The Union Ministry is coming up with schemes which can double the income of a farmer. He also urged the Goan youth to take on bamboo farming as a new source of income.

Other dignitaries also spoke on the occasion.

The Minister later felicitated project Architect Shri. Armanio Rebello, RCC Consultant Shri. Krishna Sahakari and Contractor Shri. Yogesh Khandeparkar for their contribution.

Kum. Tanvi Jambhale presented Isha-sthavan. Shri. Subhash Jaan compered the function while Shri. Kishor Shet Mandrekar proposed vote of thanks. 

 Panaji:February 15, 2017 …  Minister for Housing Board Shri Jayesh Salgaonkar commissioned Aerial Bunched Cables For High Tension Lines At 11 KV at Saraswati Mandir hall Reis-Magos, Bardez today.

Shri Dennis Rodrigues Assistant Engineer, Shri Pitesh Shinori Junior Engineer, Shri Shailendra Parulekar Sarpanch Reis Magos,Smt.Siya Nagvekar, Deputy Sarpanch Reis Magos, Pilerne Sarpanch, Shri Piedade Almedia Sarpanch Nerul, Shri Prakash Hoble Deputy Sarpanch Nerul, were present along with other Panch  members.

Shri Salgaonkar while speaking on the occasion expressed his happiness informing that in entire Goa this is the second place where this project has been commissioned.

The feeder once declared faulty the station staff has to walk along distance of 20kms to attend with the commissioning of this facility the difficulties being faced in locating the fault which is tedious and takes lot of time to restore power supply in overhead open wire will be resolved. He further informed that the solution to this problem is derived by putting new insulated high tension line which is called Aerial bunched cable where the bird fault, falling of palm leaves, tree branches falling and insulator failure are totally eliminated by the Aerial bunch cable. Since this cable is insulated the power supply is more reliable up to 99% to overhead existing network he said.

         The Minister said a number of new poles will be erected between the existing line span to support the Aerial Bunch Cable and are concreted. The total cost of this project is 8 crores and the scope of work cover an area of 28.59 kms new Aerial Bunch Cable line. He therefore request all residents of village to co-operate with electricity department staff and contractor and make this project of Aerial Bunch Cable a big success in speedy implementation. He also spoke  about the other Developmental work to be Taken up.

         Shri Suvarna Singh Rane welcomed the guests Shri Krishna Naik  compered and Smt Siya Nagvekar Deputy Sarpanch Reis Magos village Panchayat  proposed the vote of thanks.

February 14, 2018 … Governor  Dr Smt. Mridula Sinha said that the traditional art forms represents the rich culture of a particular region and therefore  the youth, in particular, have a major role in preserving the traditional folk art forms and act as future voice of the society

The Governor  was speaking  after  inaugurating  ‘ Lok Rang ’ A festival of folk music and dances of Goa) organised by Department of Konkani of Goa University  and Babikaab Borkar Chair in Comparative Literature, Visiting Research chair professor Programme at Goa University today.

The Governor also said that all form of traditional arts, music is part of our Indian culture. She congratulated the Department of Konkani for organizing such festival. Expressing her happiness she further said that she is happy to witness younger generation participating in the festival.

The festival had performance by students and artist of famous Goan folk dance and exhibition of traditional items and discussion on how to promote and document Goan folk tradition.

Also present on the occasion were Professor Varun Sahani, Vice chancellor of Goa University,Shri Y V Reddy, Registrar of Goa University, Dr. Prakash Pariekar, Head, Department of Konkani, Dr. Anuradha Wagle, Controller of Examination.

Ms Krupali Naik, lecturer compered the program while Prof. Ramrao Wagh, coordinator proposed the vote of thanks.

Panaji. Dated: February 13, 2018 … A special programme was organized to sensitize the school students at Government High School, Pissurlem in Sattari yesterday. The programme was conducted to create awareness among the students about rules and regulations pertaining to traffic and to make them aware about traffic signages.

 The awareness programme was organized by the Office of Assistant Director of Transport, Bicholim. Shri Shivanand Pednekar and Shri Akhil Pokle Assistant Motor vehicles Inspectors briefed the students on various issues pertaining to traffic safety by wearing helmets, discipline to be maintained in school buses.

Speaking on the occasion Shri Shivanand Pednekar highlighted the importance of helmets and said the head and brain is most vulnerable to injury when met in two wheelers accident. He underscored the risks of riding two wheelers without wearing helmet. Riders who do not wear helmets are at risk of suffering a traumatic brain injury.

The programme was organized in connection with the 8^th. Road Safety Week celebrations.