Panaji 18/02/2020 ::: Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Shri Girish Chodankar has appointed the following persons as Convenors of PCC Cells with immediate effect.

1.  Mr. L.M.T Fernandes-Leadership and Training Cell.

2.  Mr. Raghunath Gauns-Education Cell.

3.  Mr. Ramkrishna Jalmi-ST Cell.

4.  Mr. Sandesh Khorjuenkar-OBC Cell.

Mr. L.M.T Fernandes is the former Chairman of Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education , Alto Porvorim.

Mr. Raghunath Gauns is the former Principal of Vijayanand Higher Secondary School, Mayem-Goa.

Mr. Ramkrishna Jalmi is teacher and social activist.

Mr. Sandesh Khorjuenkar is the Panch member of Anjuna Panchayat and former member of Youth Congress Committee.

Panaji 17/02/2020 ::: Poorvaja Verlekar will lead Goa U-19 women’s team for Women’s One Day Tournament at Gwalior, MP from 23rd February to 12th March 2020.

Poorvaja Verlekar will lead Goa U-19 women’s team for Women’s One Day Tournament at Gwalior, MP from 23rd February to 12th March 2020.

Following is the team

Panaji ::; 16/02/2020 :::: The Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant said that it is important for Portugal and Goa to maintain ties with each other so that each can explore the opportunities to grow. The Chief Minister was speaking at the inaugural of the Conference on Urban Design, organised by Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited at Adil Shah Palace, Old Secretariat, Panaji, on Saturday. Present on the occasion was President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

Dr Sawant while speaking on the occasion said that Portugal and Goa have so many similarities. He said that there is a lot of Goan diaspora in Portugal. Dr Sawant also said that Goa and Portugal can have city to city contact which can be a learning experience.

Dr Sawant said that there is a lot where we can learn from each other. He said that Portugal has heritage cities which though modernised have still retained their character. They have understood urban design and they think of design and sustainable development at the same time he said.

The Chief Minister also spoke on the Smart City vision of Goa for Panaji.

President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said that in this globalised world it is not hard to conclude that cities are geographically different but still fight for similar objectives like efficient and sustainable urban infrastructure and thereby improving the lives of their inhabitants. This is the common goal of many cities around the world he said.

He went on to add that Goa is a unique place where there is dialogue between West and East, between Portugal and India. He said that the past has to remain in the past; however, the past can become a future if one takes advantage of that past, the President said while talking of urban realities.

He added that there is no first class or second class cultures or civilisations, all are first class cultures and civilisations and it is the dialogue between these cultures and civilisations that gives basis on which one can join forces to do good.

He said that he has been visiting most of the world but his visit to Goa is special.

The conference included a presentation on ‘Re-signifying Territories By Design-The Case of Porto’ by the Portuguese designer Professor Eduardo Aires.

Present at the inaugural were Deputy Chief Minister, Shri Chandrakant Kavlekar, Minister for Power, Shri Nilesh Cabral, PWD Minister, Shri Deepak Pauskar, MLA, Mapusa, Shri Joshua D’Souza, Chief Secretary, Shri Parimal Rai, IAS, among others.

PANAJI: 15/02/2020 :::: Goa Football Development Council (GFDC) Cortalim centre distributed football kit to 125 trainees at the Cortalim Church hall recently.

Speaking at the occasion the Cortalim MLA and Chief Guest, Alina Saldanha praised GFDC for the facilities being provided to the children and urged the trainees to use the resources provided to them efficiently.

While the Guest of honour and GFDC Member Secretary, Aleixo Da Costa requested the parents to send their children for coaching on a regular basis. He also urged the students to remain dedicated to the game and practice to achieve greater heights as the government is providing them with free kit and nutrition.

“GFDC is providing  kids at a young age with football coaching so  they can become good players in the future. At the same time playing a sport will keep them healthy and fit. Please attend regular coaching and at the same time give due importance to your studies. I request the parents and children not to keep the kit in the cupboard as it will not fit them in a while. Parents forcing their children to go for tuition is the most common excuse I get for low attendance at the centre. This centre has been performing well as two students have represented Goa in the U-14 team,” said Costa.

Also present for the function was the Parish Priest of Cortalim, Fr Pio Almeida and the Headmaster of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour High School, Gilroy Desouza .

Panjim : February 14, 2020 … Government is striving towards providing good facilities to fisherman community in the State. In this regard  a well equipped Fish Market Complex comprising of adequate cold storage and other modern amenities will be constructed at Fatorda, Margao  stated Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant. He was speaking at  inaugural function of  Aqua Goa Mega Fish Festival 2020  organised by  Directorate of Fisheries held at SAG Campal ground Panaji yesterday.

Chief Minister further informed that foundation stone for the project of Fish Market at Fatorda  will be laid shortly. The Government is fully committed towards welfare of people those are in the business of fishing. He urged youths of State to get involved into this business as fisheries business has lots of potential to grow in larger scale.

Chief Minister Dr. Sawant  stressed on need to explore new avenues of fishing other than fishing in the Sea. Back waters fishing and other types of fishing activities will help to make available fresh and good qualities of fish throughout a year, he added.

Dr. Sawant also expressed that young generation need to move towards special studies in fisheries so as to make better research in fish economy.

Minister for fisheries Shri. Filipe Nery Rodrigues spoke about the growing potential in the sector of  fisheries business. Main objective of organising Aqua Goa Fish Festival to spread awareness regarding fisheries business and various aspects of its economy he added.

Bollywood  Actress Smt. Mugdha Godse said that Fishing business is evolving as a new career and it is very much welcoming that lots of  youths are getting involved in the business.

Aqua Goa Fish Festival being  held till February 15, 2019  has unique aquarium,  fish pond and also variety of food stalls around . various activities such as seminars, competitions and entertainment programmes will be held during the   festival.

On the occasion Directorate of Fisheries felicitated Fisherman, Raponkars and Fisherwomen for their valuable contribution towards fisheries business. Shri. Ajit Chodankar, Shri. Harshad Dhond, Shri. Minguel Rodrigues, Smt. Librata, Smt. Ana Maria Colaco, Shri. Agnelo Rodrigues, Shri. Joao Lobo, Shri. Caitan Fernandes were felicitated on the occasion.

Director, Directorate of Fisheries Dr. Shamila Monteiro welcomed the gathering.

Minister for PWD Shri. Deepak Pauskar, MLA Sanguem Shri. Prasad Gaonkar, MLA, St. Andre Shri. Francis Silvera, Mayor, CCP Shri. Uday Madkaikar, Chairman of EDC Shri. Sadanand Shet Tanavade, Vice Chairman ESG Shri. Subhas Faldessa, Secretary Fisheries Shri. P.S. Reddy, DIG, Coast Guard  Himanshu Nautiyal were present on the occasion.

Panaji: February 13, 2020 …. The Governor of Goa Shri Satya Pal Malik visited villages of North Goa District today. During the time he visited the heritage homes of Shri Caetano N.De Souza at Gongrem and Shri Armando Braganza at Mazalwado at Assagao in Bardez Taluka. where he  discussed about the construction and maintenance of such heritage homes for which he favoured the felicitation of the owners of these  houses during the celebration of National Days at Raj Bhavan.

Thereafter the Governor visited the agricultural fields in Corlim village in  Tiswadi Talika and had  meeting with the farmers and elected representatives in the Panchayat hall  where he discussed issues related to agriculture.

During the interaction the Governor suggested to the farmers to bring fallow land under cultivation. He also suggested to the Agriculture Department to organize field visit of farmers to salinity affected lands in Brazil which have been converted into cultivable land. He assured to discuss with the Chief Minister and other Ministers regarding the issues of maintenance of Bunds and sluice gates. He explained that the Goan brown rice is in great demand in other parts of the country. Which needs to be tapped by the farmers of Goa said  the Governor..

Collector North Goa Smt. R. Menka IAS, Addl. Collector-II, Shri Gopal Parsekar, Addl. Collector-III, Shri Mahadev Arondekar,  Director of Agriculture, Shri Madhav Kelkar, Deputy Collector & S.D.O, Shri Vivek H.P, Deputy Collector & S.D.O-I, Shri Ashok Potekar, Deputy Collector & S.D.O-II, Shri Mamu Hage IAS, Mamlatdar Bardez, Shri Laxmikant Kuttikar, Mamlatdar Tiswadi, Shri Franklin Ferrao, Talathi Assagao, Shri Viraj Sangodkar, and ZAO, Smt. Neelima Gawas were those who accompanied the Governor.

Panaji: 11/02/2020:: Goa Cricket Association will be conducting the Premier League Tournament during the month of March.

List of players eligible to play in the Premier League is displayed on GCA Notice Board and GCA Website.

The Performance of this league will be considered for the selection of the players in all categories.

All the listed players are requested to register and confirm their availability before 18th February 2020.

Panaji February 10, 2020 … The 32^nd Annual Inspection Day Parade of the Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services was held at the Goa State Fire Force Training Ground at St Inez, Panaji, recently. Principal Secretary, Shri Puneet Goel, I.A.S., was the Chief Guest for the function. Special Secretary, Home, Shri. Ravi Jha, IAS, and Additional Secretary, Home, Shri. Amarsen Rane also graced the occasion.

While speaking on the occasion, Shri Goel said that the Government is making necessary efforts to bridge the gap in Fire Station coverage, manpower and equipment. Shri Goel said that is heartening to note that the Department has been making serious efforts to spread Fire Safety and Disaster Preparedness Awareness among educational institutions and community volunteers at village Panachyat level. He said that this needs to be further given momentum to ensure that awareness reaches the remotest areas of Goa.

Shri Goel added that the Government is earnestly supporting the procurement of sophisticated equipment for Firefighting and life rescue in high rise buildings and also for handling major disasters.  He said that the Government will back efforts of the Department’s in overcoming infrastructure deficiency in terms of building and sophisticated equipment.

 Director of Fire and Emergency Services, Shri Ashok Menon, in his welcome address apprised the dignitaries regarding the various activities carried out by the department in the field of Fire Fighting, Pire Prevention, Fire Protection and Training in the State of Goa. He informed that the construction of Redesigning of the Fire Force Headquarters and additional construction of Administrative and Training block, fire station buildings at Valpoi and Bicholim are being executed through the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation. He also informed that the structurally weak Fire Station Building at Vasco has been demolished and Tender process for new building has been started by the Public Works Department.

Certificates and Trophies were handed over to the winners of the Drill Competition and Winners of Annual sports Meet. The best turns out Fire Personnel from various Ranks were selected for the Best Turn out Awards.

First Place for Squad Drill, Ladder Drill and Tug of War was awarded to Fire Force Headquarters and Pump Drill to Ponda Fire Station. Best Turn Out was awarded to Shri. Dilip Bicholkar, Station Fire Officer, Shri. Damodar D. Zambaulikar Sub-Officer, Shri. Krishna C. Naik, Leading Fire Fighter, Shri. Shailesh T. Patnekar, Shri. Damodar Rao, Shri. Motiram Govekar  Driver Operator, Shri. Shailesh C. Paingitkar, Shri. Suresh Gaonkar, Shri. Suraj Prabhugaonkar, Shri. Hitesh Parab, Shri. Gauresh R. Phadte, Shri. Sairaj R. Naik,  Shri. Shailesh. G. Tari and Shri. Gango B. Lambor, Fire Fighter.

An exhibition of Fire Drill event was also held on the occasion. Assistant Divisional Officer, North Zone,  Shri Ajit Kamat compered the program.

Panaji February 09, 2020 ::: There is a need to capitalise on Medical tourism, an area which has not been sufficiently tapped in Goa stated Minister for Health, Shri Vishwajit Rane at the inaugural of Goa Institute of Management’s 2nd Annual Healthcare Conference, in Panaji, recently.

While speaking on the occasion, Shri Rane informed that the authorities were thinking of converting Primary Health Centres into Wellness Centers.

“We have to think differently”, Shri Rane said adding that early detection of illness was necessary as it would help decrease future medical costs to be borne by the Government.

The Minister further said that Goa already has a good medical insurance program in place and that they were trying their best to integrate the Central scheme of Ayushman Bharat with that of the Goa Medical scheme. Shri Rane stressed on the need to have more public-private partnership in medical specialities. 

Present on the occasion were Advisor, NITI Ayog, Government of India, Shri Alok Kumar, Guest of Honour, Chairperson and Managing Director, Dr Lal Pathlabs, Dr Arvind Lal, Chairperson, Centre for the Digital Future, Shri R Chandrashekhar, Director, Goa Institute of Management, Dr Ajit Parulekar, among others.