Panjim, 19 September: The Department of Tourism, Govt. of Goa is observing  a fortnight  long  Swachhta Pakhwada and ‘Swachhta Hi Seva’ an initiative  under  the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, sanitation and cleanliness drives are being undertaken  at key tourism  locations  in the State.

The  initiative  commenced on  Saturday, 16^th September  on D.B. Marg, Panjim,  where  staff of the Department of Tourism  cleaned out  solid waste along a  3 km stretch  from Kala Academy to Old GMC.

Similar sanitation and cleanliness drives  are scheduled near the vicinity of Chapora Fort on 20^th September,  vicinity of Kesarwal Springs on 22^nd September,  vicinity  of Old Goa churches on  26^th September, vicinity  of  Miramar beach  on 27^th September (World Tourism Day) and  vicinity of Mangueshi temple at Priol and parking area at Mangueshi temple on 29^th September. All the drives will be held between 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm.

The Director, Department of Tourism, Govt. of Goa said, “Goa Tourism is observing the Swachhta Pakhwada and ‘Swachhta Hi Seva’ under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan initiative  which  will clean up key tourism  locations  which gets a high density of  tourist footfall.  It is the endeavour of the department to see that the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is carried out at tourism locations which will give a boost to tourism in the State.”

 Panaji: September 16, 2017 … The Directorate of Education  had  issued a circular vide no. DE/Acad/Sports/2017-18/1359,  Dated July 5, 2017  regarding some matches of FIFA under 17 World Cup 2017 to be held in Goa and accordingly Educational Institutions were suppose to re-schedule the 1^st Terminal Examination/ Summative Examination.

          In this regard it is clarified that Heads  of  Educational  institutions should not hurriedly complete the portion by taking extra periods and over burden the students. As per the earlier schedule, the portion covered before the day of Examination will be part of 1^st Terminal Examination, Summative Examination.

          For any more clarifications, institutions may contact concerned Zonal  Offices of the  Education Department.

Panaji, September 16,  2017 …. The All India Council of Technical Education under MHRD, Government of India has granted the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) Project to the Department of Information Technology, Goa College of Engineering with Prof. (Dr) Vijay Borges as the Chief Investigator.

On this occasion Adv. Narendra Sawaikar, MP South Goa attended stakeholder meeting at GEC, Farmagudi today with focus group discussion of the  Head of respective Village Panchayat, Village Development Team members, Head of Schools and PTA members.

Also present was Head of Department IT Prof. Nilesh Fal Dessai, Principal Dr. V.N Shet and others.

Earlier Dr. Vijay Borges welcomed Prof. Sonia Usgoankar, Faculty of Information Technology compared the function.

The objective of the project is developing and using Information and communication Technology (ICT) as an enabling mechanism for up-liftment of identified rural/village clusters with GCE playing the role of an enabler of technology technical skills, to enhance the life of the people in those village clusters. Some primary focus areas are be hand holders with the identified village school to improve the love and appreciation for STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) by developing/adapting necessary e-content.

Using ICT promote ethical education among the audience.  Especially promoting adult e-literacy and helping adopt digital platform for ease of transactions of government/finance/lifestyle etc.

Promote Swaach Bharat Abhiyan in a more meaningful way in the village clusters by adopting a ward in the village and being facilitators to implement Village Garbage Management initiative.

Promote social awareness of various social evil like substance abuse etc. promoting government schemes to grass root: promote green initiatives in village. All these would be promoted using medium of ICT, role plays and village contact initiative by associating with various village based quasi-governmental bodies.

Be a bridge to improve the economic life of the villagers by helping self-help groups, women entrepreneurs. Local farmers using ICT tools and associate with other NGO’s/governmental nodal agencies etc.

Under this project in the past various visits have been initiated to various schools to promote STEM  (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) in an intuitive manner of learning via the mode of DIY (Do-it-Yourself).

Under UBA, 10 villages in Goa have been identified where over the next few years the project would be taken in close collaboration by addressing the problems faced in those villages using ICT tools.

The villages identified are Kavare-Pirla Usgao, Curti, Khola, Balli, Assolda, Mashem, Priol, Kavalem, Macasana and Raia.

Panaji, September 16,  2017 …. The Governor of Goa Dr. (Smt.) Mridula  Sinha has said that the launching of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, on October 2, 2014 marked a new chapter in the history of the Country. The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is a massive mass movement that seeks to create a clean India. It has given a new direction and infused fresh energy to the activities focusing on health and sanitation. She expressed her happiness as she was nominated as a brand ambassador for the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, by the Prime Minister. “I am glad that since the launch of Swachh Bharat Abhiya, State of Goa has taken a giant leap forward in achieving the mission goals”. Governor said. “Cleanliness is next to Godliness” said Mahatma Gandhi. Cleanliness was very close to Mahatma Gandhi’s heart. A clean India is the best tribute we can pay to Bapu.

Governor further informed that a campaign called “Swachhta hi Sewa”, is declared by the Prime Minister of India, from September 15, 2017 to October 2, 2017. With the beginning of this campaign, the prime Minister has urged the people of India to participate in this movement with great zeal and determination and to take a pledge on this Gandhi Jayanti (October 2) to make cleanliness and hygiene not just part of lives, but the very way we live. Purity of Mind, purity of body and purity of intellect are the most important aspects of healthy and wholesome life.

The Governor further stated that not only  Government Departments but all should join hands in this campaign  and spread the message of cleanliness. She urged all voluntary organization, school, colleges, political leaders, corporate, Government Officials etc.,  to accelerate Swachhta activities during the period of September 15 to October 2, 2017 and create an environment of cleanliness in the entire country.

Cleanliness has always been part of our tradition and has played an important role in every person’s life since childhood. It has always been our way of life and is taught in the first school called family . therefore it is very necessary that the traditional spirit of cleanliness be revived with this campaign of Swachata hi Sewa. Goa should become the cleanest State of India and act as a role model to others. Goa is the favourite destination of tourists as  tourists visiting this State also have to play a major role in maintaining the cleanliness and tidiness of Goa. She urged the tourists visiting Goa to co-operate in order to keep Goa clean and beautiful, she reiterated.