Panaji: December 3, 2016 …. The Union Minister for Defence, Shri Manohar Parrikar in the presence of Chief Minister Shri Laxmikant Parsekar on the occasion of  World Disability Day, inaugurated the new wing building of Sanjay School at a function organized by  Sanjay Centre for Special Education Pundalik Nagar, Porvorim today.

The Defence Minister in his address said that Government has launched numerous  schemes for special children, the special children he said, with the use of  various  aids   developed by science and technology they can live a normal life and therefore  parents and  teachers have to encourage such children and should avail  benefits of such facilities provided by the Government.

The Chief Minister speaking further greeted  special children on the  “World Disability Day” and lauded the hard work of teachers and others for the upbringing of these children.  He  said that there are around 25 number of such schools catering to the need of special children in  the state .

The Chief Minister  further said  that various business firms  are coming up in the state which may  provide employment  opportunities to these qualified  students to secure  jobs in their specialized areas which he said  will  give solace to their parents for  making their child  employed and self reliant. Chairman, SCSEG, Shri Guruprasad Pawaskar, welcomed the gathering Smt. Sarita Pai Angle and Shri Durgesh Majik jointly compered the function while Member Secretary, SCSEG, Shri Taha Haaziq proposed vote of thanks.

Panaji : December 2, 2016 ….. The Chief Minister Shri Laxmikant Parsekar inaugurated ‘Development of Kajan Gundo Bandh- Waterfront’ which has been taken up at an estimated cost of 6.5crore at a function held at Parsem, Pernem yesterday. The function was organized by the Department of Water Resources.

 The Chief Minister in his address said that  development is not possible without the cooperation and support of the people. He said the construction of bus stand at Pernem, Development of Agarwada Junction, Development of road for Electronic city and construction of building for hospital at Tuyem,  bridges at Mandrem, widening of roads at various places and other developmental works in Pernem taluka has become possible due to cooperation of local people.

 Shri Parsekar further said that the flagship projects like proposed Green field Airport at Mopa, Electronic city at Tuyem will open employment opportunities for youth folk in the state  thereby change face of Pernem taluka in near future he added.

 The Minister for Water Resources, Shri Dayanand Mandrekar addressing at the function said that the Government has taken up  the development of Khajan Gundo Bandh with proper planning and with farsightedness taking in to view need of the people and also to attract tourists. He said the Government has succeeded in providing a beautiful project for the benefit of the people of Parsem and surrounding areas.

 Shri Dipak Kalangutkar Ex-ZP Member also spoke on the occasion.

     The development of this Khajan Gundo Bandh has been done with the intention to prevent infiltration of saline water in farm land admeasuring 440 hector belonging to section of farmers from Parsem. The sluice gates of this bandh has been done with the use of modern technology. The development of this bandh have also been done with the objective to connect villages like Chonsai and people living beneath Vaydongar  hill. The facilities of street lights, footpath for joggers, benches and a garden and development  of road  has been done to attract tourists as well.   

 Shri Arun Bandhkar,ZP Member, Shri Rama Naik Sapanch VP Parsem, Shri Pramod Badami, AE WRD, Shri Nagrajan Supdt.Engineer WRD, staff of WRD, Ward  Members of Various Village Panchayats  and others attended the function.

 Chief Engineer WRD, Shri S.T Nadkarni, welcomed the guests.

Panjim, 1st Dec : Goa Tourism Development  Corporation (GTDC),  a  premiere tourism board  in India which has been the forerunner for many new tourism initiatives, products and services,  is today at the forefront  of Prime  Minister Shri. Narendra Modi’s ‘cashless India’ mission.Как класть шлакоблоки

Following 31, 2016, Goa Tourism Development Corporation has already taken the lead bringing  all tourism business’ under the ambit of cashless transactions.

Whether hotel reservations, package tours, cruise rides or any other tourism service, GTDC has introduced systems that have facilitated cashless transactions, both on-line and off-line.

Cashless facility is made possible by GTDC through online web portal, booking of services and products through mobile app available on iOS and android platform at GTDC residencies and restaurants through point-of-sale (POS) machines thus enabling a 360 degree approach to the new cashless system.

The GTDC is also  working  to introduce  pay wallets and  talks are  underway  with  leading pay wallet  providers so that  pay wallets can be accepted  as another mode of   cashless payments.

The Santa Monica Jetty also offers payments through credit cards and debit cards.

To further this  process,  the launch of  the  new e-commerce portal and mobile app  in February this year has  provided  a full proof platform  for e-business and  cashless transactions  also bringing  other tourism  stakeholders  into the cashless circuit.

Official records from the  GTDC reveal that  cashless transactions  to the tune  of Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 3 lakh are executed  daily for various  services provided by the GTDC which  is in addition to  cashless  transactions recorded  on  GTDC’s  e-commerce portal and mobile app.

Mr. Gavin Dias,  General Manager (Hotels)- GTDC said,  “All GTDC residencies are provided with point-of-sale (POS) machines to facilitate cashless payments and most tourists prefer to use this facility. It is encouraging to see tourists opting for cashless transactions.” Mr. Dias added that in the months to come GTDC’s cashless systems will be an exemplary one for other departments to emulate.

Mr. Dias pointed out that  in addition to  cashless business for  GTDC’s hotel accommodation,  GTDC through the e-commerce portal has direct tie ups with  more than  160 hotels  and  also has tie ups with channel managers like Staah and Maximojo for tourists to book accommodation using  cashless modes of transactions.

He further added that cashless transactions has already become very popular and an easy way out for both tourists and tourism stakeholders.

Goa attracts more than 5 million tourists annually and Goa Tourism and GTDC is eventually looking at bringing in every tourism stakeholder whether tourist taxis, souvenir shops, guest houses, restaurants etc under cashless business.

Mr. Nilesh Cabral, Chairman of Goa Tourism Development Corporation said, “Goa Tourism Development Corporation moves ahead of time and we have one more feather to our cap. I am extremely pleased that GTDC introduced cashless transactions several months ago. Today the world has already logged in to cashless processes and India would have eventually introduced the same. GTDC has succeeded in professionalizing the services through cashless systems and we are fully geared to deal with it post 31^st December 2016.”

 Panaji : December 1, 2016 … .. The Chief Minister Shri Laxmikant Parsekar inaugurated ‘Traffic Signal Lights’ for Verna  Junction sponsored by COMMONSCOPE Industries under CSR Programme at 15^th Annual General Body meeting of Verna Industries Association at Verna today.

 The meeting was attended by Shri Damodar Kochrekar, President V I.A, Shri Nitin Kuncalienkar, member IPB, Shri Durgesh Angle Secy. V. IA, Shri Nana Bandekar, President GCCI, founder members of various industries units, industrialists, staff of IDC, Electricity Department, PWD and others.

 While addressing at the meeting the Chief Minister said that the Pharmaceutical industries are doing well in the state. Industrial units which are functioning in various industrial estates generate employment avenues and also boost economy of state.  The various issues which are pending would be tackled in the interest of this industrial estate.

 The problem of water, independent Police Station and other infrastructure would be considered seriously he said.

  The Chief Minister further said that the Verna Industries Association is Active and is ideal example for other. He said 22 Industries Estate is active and vibrant among others he remarked and appreciated the stakeholders Verna Industries Association for enlightening him about genuine problems of Verna Industrial Estate.

  Member of Investment Promotion Board Shri Nitin Kuncalienkar in his address called the need to redress the woes of this Industrial Estate without any delay.

  Shri Damodar Kochrekar, President of Verna Industries Association welcomed the gathering.

 Panaji : November 30, 2016 …. Goa is a small in State, however our culture is rich. If the cultural heritage of Goa including its traditions, art heritage etc. is now available in a book, which will help the students of Goan history and also to the generation of tomorrow. Minister of Art and Culture, Shri Dayanand Manderkar released the book “Goa – Land, Life and legacy” published by Directorate of Art and Culture and authored by noted folk writer Shri. Vinayak Khedekar recently at Patto, Panaji.  Dekor okno

Panaji, November 28, 2016 ….. Minister for Labour and Employment, Shri Avertano Furtado chaired the Goa Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board meeting that was held in the Conference Hall, Secretariat, Porvorim on Monday.

Representatives and stakeholders from the industrial sector were also present. Several issues were discussed which includes purchase of new vehicle for the Board, Financial matters related to the Board among other things.

Panaji, November 27, 2016 … Goa State Biodiversity Board(GSBB) had organized an interactive session at “Zuari Hall” International Centre Goa, Dona Paula, on November 19, 2016 on “Biodiversity of Butterflies and their Ecological Significance” by Dr. Vilas Bardeker, IFS, Chairperson Maharashtra State  Biodiversity Board(MSBB).

The Guest speaker was Dr. Vilas Suryabhanji Bardekar, Indian  Forest Service(IFS), former Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Government of  Maharashtra also an author of book named: “Pokhila” chronicling his experience during his 82 days of abduction by a group of Bodo Militants in the West Kameng district in Arunachal  Pradesh. He is an avid butterfly photographer and wildlife enthusiast with a vast repository of knowledge of Biodiversity.

The programme was convened by Dr. Manoj Borkar, Associate  Professor, Chairman of Biodiversity Research Cell (BRC) and Centre for Research in Zoology (CRZ), Carmel College for Women, Nuvem, Goa, Founder Member of Goa State Biodiversity  Board. Dr. Vilas Bardekar, IFS, narrated  his experiences, anecdotes and field visits and  answered the various questions raised to the satisfaction of all. Member Secretary Goa State Biodiversity Board Shri Pradip Sarmokadam briefly summarized the interactive session.

The program was well attended by a cross section of dignitaries, Members of Goa State  Biodiversity Board; Chairpersons, Secretaries and members of Biodiversity Management  Committees across the State; Members of Technical Support Groups and various Committees  members of Goa State Biodiversity Board; students from various colleges of Goa and  Goa  University were present.

26/11/2016 … Panaji: Goa has always been a sought-after film destination with more movies shot here during the last one decade. Goa’s scenic beauty, palm-fringed beaches, idyllic villages in the south, heritage monuments, gushing waterfalls have always captured the imagination of film makers.PolVam

No surprises then that the latest Bollywood movie, Dear Zindagi, also has a Goan connection!

The film, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Alia Bhatt, features the actors against the backdrop of stunning beaches and tree-lined roads. According to reports, it is believed that the shooting of the movie began in Goa. The scene was shot on a secluded beach with Shah Rukh Khan himself. Report says, Alia and SRK both of them had to walk a lot to reach their first mark for different shots as it was a walk and talk scene. An ATV was called, so that SRK and Alia could just ride the ATV up and down on the stretch of the beach.

No doubt, Goa is an ideal destination for those who look for a get away from the hum drums of life, looking for peace and tranquility. The song in the movie “Love you Zindagi” is a perfect example set against  the  picturesque backdrop  of  Goa depicting  its beauty and  various other facets. Some of the unique elements of Goa such as its pristine beaches, tiny roads, villages and heritage houses will make you fall in love with Goa all over again.

With the International Film Festival India (Goa) (IFFI) presently being held from 20- 28th November 2016 is adding further momentum to project Goa as a destination of choice for the film industry.

Goa Tourism also bagged The ‘Film Tourism Destination of the Year’ Award at the India International Travel Mart (IITM) recently which is a major achievement for film shootings in the State of Goa.

Panaji, November 26, 2016 … Directorate of Archives and Archaeology in collaboration with Department  of History Goa University is organizing the 19^th Annual Local History Seminar at  Reis Magos Fort, Verem, Bardez Goa on November 29, 2016.

            The function will be inaugurated at the hands of Minister for Archives and Archaeology Shri Dayanand Mandrekar at 10:00 a.m.

            The topic of the Seminar is “Goan Diaspora through the Ages and  Symposium on the Gramdevta Worship in Goa:. In this regard many renowned scholars across Goa will be sharing their views on different topics. Dr. Celsa Pinto, former Director of Education will deliver the keynote address on this occasion.