Panaji: January 17, 2020 …Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant launched magazine “Travel Miles” India’s first in-car magazine at office of Goa Miles in the city recently. The magazine Travel Miles  branched out of Goa Miles is the only in-cab travel and tourism  magazine providing information on right places to visit Goa including Goa’s architecture, heritage sites, temples, best cuisine etc.

Other dignitaries present on the occasion were Shri Sunil Tondon, Ex. CEO of GMR Infrastructure limited, Shri Utkarsh Dabhade  Managing Director , Shri Parashar Pai Khot , Director of Operation from Goa Miles  including Smt. Pooja Pai Khot and Shri Sachin Kamble Editor and CEO of Travel Miles and other representatives of Goa Miles.

Speaking on the occasion the Chief Minister said that Goa miles started well organized business in the State of Goa which takes care about  safety, and security concern of the tourist including rates, due to which tourism industry is growing fast in the State. At present more than 1900 people are on board and it is expected to join more people. Initially, when Goa Miles Started in the State, there was much pressure from many including some organization, association to stop the Goa Miles or convert into other app, entry restriction etc but Goa miles started with the support of many people including organizations, associatios etc.

Speaking further the Chief Minister said that Touristic new policy will be finalize soon after taking all the stake holders on board to elicit and consider their ideas and suggestions which will help to generate more income by attracting more tourist in the State from different parts of the world to explore different destination. After mining, tourism is more revenue generating industry to the State. Government will also focus to explore the cultural tourism, medical tourism etc in future. To grow tourism industry in state support from all the stake holders is necessary he added.

Earlier awards in the category of best leadership and best employees of Goa Miles were given at the hands of Chief Minister.

Shri Parashar Pai Khot welcomed the Guest. Shri  Joshni compered the function and Shri. Sachin Kamble proposed the vote of thanks.

Panaji: 16/01/2020::: The South Goa Superintendent of Police, Arvind Gawas (IPS) took a stringent action by suspending two police personnel in the senior photojournalist, Soiru Komarpant manhandling case.

Police driver, Ujesh U. Naik and police constable, Mahendra M. Gosavi attached to the Fatorda police station have been suspended after the Goa Union of Journalists (GUJ), South Goa Journalists Association (SGJA) and Photo Journalists Association Goa (PJAG) condemned the manhandling of the senior photojournalist demanding strict action.

The Goa Union of Journalists earlier met the DIGP, Rajesh Kumar (IPS) at the Police headquarters in Panaji and submitted a memorandum demanding immediate suspension of police personnel involved. GUJ also wrote to the IGP, Jaspal Singh (IPS) and sought his intervention. The South Goa SP Arvind Gawas (IPS) had assured the apex journalists body that strong action would be taken.

The Goa Union of Journalists appreciate and thank the offices of the IGP, Jaspal Singh (IPS), DIGP, Rajesh Kumar (IPS) and the South Goa Superintendent of Police for the quick and prompt action.

Panaji: January 15, 2020 … Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant has called upon teaching community and educational institutions not to look upon education as business venture but treat it as a noble profession to create a well cultured society in all respects.

The Chief Minister was speaking as Chief Guest at the annual social gathering of Dr. K. B. Hedgewar Vidya Mandir, Karapur Tisk at Ravindra Bhavan, Sankhali.

Speaking further, the Chief Minster said education is regarded as noble profession and as such with the changing times, the teachers needs to abreast themselves with the latest know how and other recent educational methods, so that, they can impart quality education to the students and prepare them to compete at the national and international level and achieve excellence in the respective fields they choose.

Present on the occasion were Shri Krishnaraj Sukerkar, Chairman of Executive Committee of Dr. K. B. Hedgewar Shikshan Prasarak Mandal, Shri Subhash Desai, Secretary, Shri Sadanand Mishal, Headmaster, Dr. K. B. Hegdewar Vidyamandir, Shri Ulhas Kerkar, Chairman, Dr. K. B. Hegdewar Vidyamandir,  Shri Sadanand  Dicholkar, Manager, Shri Udaysingh Rane, PTA Chairman and Shri Ashish Thakur Desai, Treasurer.

Chief Minister appreciated the efforts and for the initiatives undertaken by K.B. Hedgewar Vidya Pratishthan for providing quality education to the students in the locality.

Shri Subhash Desai also spoke on the occasion.

Earlier Shri Sadanand Mishal welcomed the guests. Shri Ashish Thakur Desai introduced the Guests. Smt. Anusha Shenoi compered and Shri Udaysingh Rane proposed vote of thanks.

Smt. Nilangi Shinde, writer of “Ajey Bharatam” and Shri Shivnath Naik, Director were felicitated at the hands of Chief Minister.

A mega historic drama “Ajey Bharatam” depicting Indian history pre British Rule during British regime and post Independence written by Smt. Nilangi Shinde was presented by the students of Shri K.B. Hedgewar Vidyamandir, Karapur Tisk, Sankhali which was well appreciated by the parents.

Panjim: January 13, 2020 … Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant recently inaugurated 21^stNational level folk festival Lokostav-2020 organized by the Directorate of Art and Culture in association with West Zone Cultural Centre and other agencies which is being held at Darya Sangam, Kala Academy Panaji. Minister for Art and Culture Shri. Govind Gaude, Secretary, Art and Culture Shri. Chokha Ram Garg, IAS,  Director, Art and Cuture Shri. Gurudas Pilarnekar, Programme Officer, West Zone  Cultural Centre Shri. Tanera Singh Sodha were present on the occasion.

Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant praised the folk festival Lokostav which is being held every year at Kala Academy for becoming phenomenal in boosting rural economy along with promoting cultural wealth of the State. Lokostav can also be seen as a magnificent platform to exchange the rich folk culture as it accommodates diversified folk culture and art performances of different States, he added.

Chief Minister also lauded the Directorate of Art Culture for upgrading the standards of Lokostav with innovative ideas and also appreciated efforts of Artists and Artisans from various States who will be displaying their folk art and handicrafts at Lokostav 2020 till January 19, 2020.

Minister for Art Culture Shri. Govind Gaude said that increasing public participation and response towards Lokostav has made this event to achieve great heights, thus appealed to the people to continue their support to Lokostav in future.

Secretary, Art and Culture Shri. Chokha Ram Garg also spoke on the occasion. Director, Art and Culture Shri. Gurudas Pilarnekar welcomed.

Smt. Siddhi Upadhye compered the function. Deputy Director Art and Culture Shri. Ashok Parab proposed vote of thanks.

Panaji: January 12, 2020…. Minister for Art and Culture, Shri Govind Gaude has clarified on a news item appeared in section of press that a ‘Fraudster takes Goa Government for a ride’. In his clarification, the Minister has submitted that neither his office nor he had moved any note to the Chief Secretary for treating Shri Sunil Singh as State Guest from December 18 to 20, 2019 as reported.

Shri Sunil Singh approached him when he was already been accorded the privileges of PSO, accommodation and others. Only then that he had approached the Protocol Department to consider his request  for a better accommodation.

In this connection, he had no role to play of whatsoever nature, the Minister clarifies.

Panaji, January 11, 2020 …. The Chief Minister, Dr Pramod Sawant launched the teaser and merchandise of the Third Bird Festival of Goa at Althino, Panaji, recently. The festival will be held from January 17-19, 2020, at Valpoi.

Present at the launch were Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Goa, Shri Subhash Chandra, IFS, Shri. Santosh Kumar, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden, Shri Santosh Kumar, IFS, Deputy Conservator of Forests, North, Shri Kuldeep Sharma, IFS, and Sub Divisional Forest Officer, Shri Anand Jadhav.

Panaji, January 10, 2020 …. The Government will come out with shack policy for private shack owners from next year assured the Chief Minister, Dr Pramod Sawant at a meeting held with private shack owners and representatives of various Government Departments, at Altinho, Panaji, recently.

In response to several issues raised by the private shack owners represented by President of Private Property Shack Owners Association, Goa, Shri Dharmesh Saglani, Dr Sawant said that till a policy comes in place, the process to register the private shack owners with the Department of Tourism will begin which will help give better facilities to the private shack owners and also help the Government generate revenue.

Present at the meeting where Secretary, Tourism, Shri Ashok Kumar, IAS, Director of Tourism, Shri Menino D’Souza, Managing Director, Goa Tourism Development Corporation, Shri Nikhil Desai, among others.

PANAJI: GFDC Dona Paula Lioness topped the table with nine points to emerge winners in the Khelo India U-17 Women’s Football League organised by the Sports Authority of Goa in association with the Goa Football Association at the Bambolim stadium recently.

While GFDC Utorda were the runners up of this league with six points. The President of GFA, Churchill Alemao was the Chief Guest at the prize distribution ceremony.

“This football league aims at taking women’s football forward. We are hopeful at least five are selected from here to represent Indian in the U-17 women’s world cup. There is a need to place India back on the world map in football,” said Alemao.

The Minister for Ayush, Shripad Naik who was the Guest of Honour praised Churchill Alemao for his contribution in Goan football.

While the Secretary to the Chief Minister, J Ashok Kumar mentioned that Khelo India League is a new initiative by the government of India to promote sports among the girl students.

There were various individual prizes distributed at the award ceremony. GFDC Dona Paula bagged three awards, Karen Estrocio won the Golden Boot, Thais Mascarenhas was awarded the Golden Ball award and Dyumna Madan won the Golden Glove. The Rising Star was awarded to Nusrat Kotwala from GFDC Utorda.

GFDC Member Secretary, Aleixo Da Costa and from DSYA, V M Prabhu Desai were also present at the occasion.

Panaji: January 8,2020 … The Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant had meeting with the Minister for Public Works Department Shri Dipak Pauskar and the Minister for Water Resources Department Shri Phillip Nerry Rodrigues at his official residence Altinho recently. The meeting was in regards of addressing the issue of water supply all over the state.

MLA Shiroda Shri Subhash Shirodkar, MLA Nuvem Shri Wilfred D’Sa,  Principal Chief Engineer PWD Shri Uttam Parsekar, Superintending Engineer WRD \Shri Pramod Badami, Chief Engineer PWD Shri  Shrikant Patil,  EEs of both PWD and WRD attended the meeting.

During the course of the meeting the Chief Minister said that Government intends to provide round the clock ( 24X7 ) potable drinking water to the people in the State. Those departments which are interdependent  has to coordinate and  meet every fortnight so as to resolve the issues between them and see to provide uninterrupted water and power supply in the State. He suggested to avoid months of delay in extending interdepartmental cooperation like issuing NOCs etc. The Chief Minister directed the concern authorities to take up necessary improvement and augmentation works of water supply to ensure desirable water supply in the State.