March 31, 2017 … A State Level Committee Meeting for National Vector Borne Disease was held yesterday at Secretariat Porvorim under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Health) Shri Sudhir Mahajan.

The committee members of various Departments including doctors attended the meeting. The focus of the meeting was Malaria elimination in the State of Goa.

 At the outset Dy. Director NVBDCP Dr. Chandrakant Porob presented the  status of Vector Borne Disease in the State and said that there were 742 cases of malaria in 2016. The annual parasitic incidence is less than 1 (i.e number  of cases per thousand.)

The meeting discussed  at length  the sensitive zones like  construction sites, house  letting by local people, industrial areas, beach shack areas, fishing jetties etc.

 The meeting also discussed measures to eliminate malaria in the State with the cooperation and support of various Departments like labour Dept, for migrant workers issue, PWD for source reduction of breeding sites, municipalities and Panchayat  for sanitation measures, education Dept, etc for students participation . The Goa Medical college to assist in training and awareness programmes

 It was suggested that procuring of mosquitoes nets for the use of migrants would bring down malaria cases to a large extent. The Secretary (Health) Shri Mahajan addressing the members said strategy should be set in order to eliminate malaria in total. For this more and  more efforts will have to be put in by all concerned. Shri Mahajan instructed the authorities to go ahead with the proposal of purchasing mosquito  nets on priority for use of  migrants at construction sites. He said since the State was so close to the goal of zero transmission possible sources will have to be tapped and full efforts should go into  malaria elimination.

 Present at the meeting was Dr. Ashwini Kumar, Dy. Director  (SG) and DIC, Dr. Edwin Gomes, Dr. Jose D’Sa, Dy. Director (PH) Shri L.S Roncon Pereira. Additional Collector (South) Dr Savio Rodrigues among others.

March 30, 2017 …. The Ministry had issued instructions to all the Broadcasters, Multi System Operators (MSOs) and Local Cable Operators (LCOs) to ensure that no analog signals are transmitted over the cable networks in phase IV after March 31, 2017. “ Authorized officers” under Sec 11 of the Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Act can seize the equipment of the MSOs/ Cable Operators, if they continue to carry analog signal after the due date.

Panaji, March 29, 2017 … World Water Day 2017 was celebrated by the Indian Water Works Association (IWWA), Goa Centre and the Institution of Engineers, India(IEI), Goa State Centre (GSC) on March 22, 2017 at International Centre Goa, Dona-Paula. The Theme of celebration was ‘Water and Waste Water’.

Immediate past Chairman IEI, GSC Shri. Gerald D’mello welcomed the audience. Director (Technical), IWWA Shri. K.B. Wadhvane was the Guest Speaker. He very interesting presented waste water treatment technologies adopted in Canada and USA. His presentation regarding treatment of wash water from water treatment plants in Mumbai saving 85 million litres of water a day was an eye opener for the engineers present. He later released IEI bi-monthly bulletin “Goa Enginews”.

 On this occasion an All Goa High School Level Drawing Competition was held in which 141 students from 40 schools participated. The results are 1^st prize – Mast.Gaurav Kumar Gupta, Milagres High School, Sanguem, 2^nd prize – Mast. Chetan Naik, Our lady of Lourdes High School, Valpoi, 3^rdprize – Mast. Pranav Acharya, Sharda English High School, Marcel. Consolation prize – Miss Clara Fernandes, St. Teresa High School and Miss Natasha Naik, Sharda English High School, Marcel.

 A Power Point Presentation making Competition on the theme “Water and Waste Water” was also conducted for engineering students. 13 teams from 5 engineering colleges participated in the competition. The results are 1^st prize – Shri. Tejas Gupta and Miss Manasi Raut, Goa College of Engineering, Farmagudi, 2^nd prize – Miss Shruti Kandeparkar and Miss Shushmita Naik, Goa College of Engineering, Farmagudi, 3^rd prize – Miss Pooja Salapurkar and Shri. Vismaya Pillai, Rayeshwar, Institute of Technology, Shiroda.

 Shri. Deepak Karmalkar, Hon. Secretary IEIGSC proposed the vote of thanks. The celebration function was compered by Smt. Sridevi Badami.

Panaji:March 28, 2017 …  “As the new minister for tourism, it is my endeavour to take tourism to greater heights, bring in quality tourism and tourists to the State,” said the Minister for Tourism, Shri. Manohar Azgaonkar on Thursday, March 23, 2017, as he flagged off the two-day Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) Honda NAVi Goa Hunt 2017 event at the  Paryatan Bhavan, Patto in Panaji.

Talking of the event he said, “Goa Tourism has associated with Honda to organize the Goa Hunt 2017 which will  serve as a platform  to promote Goa Tourism and its lesser known  facets with a wider reach considering  the fact that  the  event  has  the participation  of national media and  bloggers.  This will help attract more tourists to Goa who will want to explore Goa and its hidden treasures.”  

A total of 18 renowned journalists and online bloggers from all across India participated in this two day event riding across Goa. 

Present at the flag off was Director of Tourism, Shri. Sanjeev C. Gauns Dessai among others.

Panaji: March 27, 2017 … The Governor of Goa Dr. (Smt.) Mridula Sinha flagged off  Yogathan 2017, a run for yoga, and threw  open 3 days Yoga Mahotsav at a function held in the city today. The event was organized by Yog Bharati Goa and was sponsored by the Ministry of Ayush Government of India. The Minister of State for AYUSH, Shri Shipad Naik and MLA Panaji Shri Siddharth Kuncalienkar were among those who were present at the function.

The Governor felicitated young Yogi Kumar:  Pankaj Sainekar who is to perform3000 thousand Suryanamaskars for Asia Book of Records in this festival tomorrow on March 26. To mark the celebration several activities have been planned such as lecture on yoga, demonstration, performing of yoga etc.

Dr. Sinha speaking on the occasion said that the Yoga is the legacy of India for the world which has great significance life. Yoga help to keep our mind,   body sound and healthy. It help to purify our mind by extracting vices from our mind enhancing long life.

The Minister of State for AYUSH Shri Shripad Naik in his address emphasized the importance of Yoga for human life. The Ayush Ministry he said is celebrating this event primarily in 10 States to commemorate International Yoga Day. The art of Yoga is ancient which helps to keep our body healthy and happy increasing longevity of life, he added.

MLA Panaji Shri Siddharth also spoke on the occasion.

The winners of Yogathon 2017 are Ajay Vishwakarma, Mapusa, Rahulkumar 6TTR.  Ponda, Pradhyumn Naik Mapusa, who have stood first, second and third respectively. Whereas the Ravinder, Mahinder Yadav, Tushar Khalkar, Satyavrat, and Pankaj Gupta all of 6TTR Ponda won consolation prizes. The winners of special prizes for female participants were won by Supriya Gaonkar, Visha Duloji both of PTS Valpoi  and Ankita Palekar Taleigao etc.

Shri Vishwas Korgaonkar, Prabhari Yog Bharati Goa ,  Shri Pandurang Ghate, Chief of Yog Bharati Goa, Shri Pritesh Desai, Secretary organizing Committee were present on the occasion .

Shri Sushant Tandel compered the function. Whereas Smt.Pooja Salgaonkar proposed the vote of thanks.

Panaji. March 25, 2017 …. As a prelude to the National Fire Service Day on April 14, 2017 the Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services is launching a series of activities to enhance the level of awareness among the citizens and school children. The national theme for the year is ‘Firemen-Your Partner for saving life and property’.

As a part of this awareness campaign a Poster Competition is organized for the Primary and Middle School Children of the State on April 2, 2017. The Competition is divided into two groups: Group I (7years to 10years) Topic for the group is -Fireman-our friend at times of need” and Group II (11yrs to 14 yrs) and the topic is-Fire Precautions to Save Life and Property.

The Department has identified the following schools as the centers for holding the competitions. In Panaji _ Don Bosco High School, Mapusa- Government Primary  School, Mapusa, Vasco- St. Andrew High School, Pilerne- St. Theresa’s High School, Pernem- Government Primary and Middle School Surbanwada, Ponda- A. J. De’Almeida High School, Bicholim- Government Primary School; Valpoi- Navoday  Vidhyalaya, Old Goa- Old Goa Educational Institute Ketyebhat Ella, Kundaim- Shiksha Sadan High School, Priol Mardol, Margao- St. Sebastian Primary School, Aquem, Curchorem- New Education School Curchorem, Canacona- Municipal Building Hall, Canacona, Verna- Bhartiya Vidhya Bhuvan Nana Bandekar School, Upasnagar.

For more information, interested may contact the Department on e-mail: trg-fir.goa@nic.in or Shri Ajit Kamat, Asst. Divisional Officer, North Zone, Panaji on Mobile No. 9763717053 and Shri Ravi Naik, Station Fire Officer/Officer-In-Charge (Training) on Mobile No. 8308846740.

The participants are requested to report to the venue of the competition at 10.00 a.m. Each group will have 3 Cash Prizes and Certificates besides participation certificate for all participants.

Panaji:  March 24, 2017 …. The  delegation  of  30 students  headed by  Dr. Nisha Powar,  Head of the Department of  Mass Communication  and Journalism Shivaji University Kolhapur, and Professor Anil Deshmukh, Contributing Teacher,  visited the newly elected Speaker  of  the Goa Legislative assembly  Dr. Pramod  Sawant at his office at Secretariat today.

 Dr. Sawant evinced keen interest for their visit to Goa. During the interaction with the students he opined that  the role of media as a fourth pillar of democracy  without which he said  the democracy won’t be able to function. The media occupies vital significance in the democratic setup he added.

 Dr. Sawant further speaking expressed that he would strive to function impartially, transparently   to deliver   justice to the post of Speaker, as it is a important position in the legislature. He advocated the need of training for newly elected Legislators in the matters of legislation, legislative proceedings  and the norms etc.  Going down to the memory lane he told the students that he  is the ex-student of Shivaji University.     

 The delegation is on the study tour to Goa, witnessed the selection proceedings of the Speaker  and  thereafter  visited the Speaker.

panaji … March 23, 2017 …. North Goa Collector Smt.Nila Mohanan, IAS inaugurated the Annual Art Exhibition organized  by Goa College of Arts at Althino Panaji-Goa on March 21,2017 at the annual day of the institution.

        Shri Vivek Belokar,Assistant Director, Directorate of  Technical Education, Shri Mahesh Vengurlekar, Principal of Goa College of Art, Prof.Rajiv Shinde,Head of  Department for Applied Art at Goa College of Art, parents and students were present on the occasion in large numbers.

         Smt. Mohanan appreciated the work of students and their creativity. She said that Institution is best platform  to enhance ones talent by trying and testing his or her knowledge, skills and aptitude. It also helps them in coming out with better solutions which will help them in building their confidence in facing the competitive world ahead.

        She further said that parents are the stakeholders of the career of the students and teachers provide them a bright future. The students have to work hard to get their dreams into reality. She urged the students to pass out with special qualities.

         Shri Mahesh Vengurlekar, Principal of Goa College of Art, welcomed the gathering, Prof. Maria Ferreira compered the program while Shri Sahil Lotlikar proposed the vote of thanks.

Panaji: March 23, 2017 … ‘Gulalotsav’ a festival of colour of Lord Shree Damodar Saunsthan, Zambaulim was celebrated with great pomp and enthusiasm on Tuesday 21 March. Gulalotsav is celebrated as a part of traditional Shigmo festival. The celebration of a weeklong shigmo festival of this Saunsthan begun with Haldune and will conclude with the Dhulpeth ceremony.

Devotees from all over Goa and neighbouring States Maharashtra and Karnataka attended the Gulal.