Water Resources Department has informed that, the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga rejuvenation under Ministry of Jal Shakti has launched the 4^th National Water Awards through the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal (www.awards.gov.in) with a objective to encourage all stakeholders, including the civil society organizations, gram panchayats, urban local bodies, corporate sector and individuals working in this sector which has been launched on 30^th July 2022 and that the last date of receiving entries is 15^th September, 2022. All the applications will be accepted through the online Rashtriya Puraskar Portal www.awards.gov.in.

Directorate of Art and Culture in collaboration with West Zone Cultural Centre, Udaipur has organised 6 days Water color camp-“Dharobar” from September 10 to 15, 2022.

Smt. Kiran Soni Gupta, Director, West Zone Cultural Centre, Udaipur along with the Director, Art and Culture, Shri Sagun R. Velip and Dy. Director , Art and Culture, Shri. Ashok Parab were present during the inauguration of the Water color camp.23 artists from different parts of India have participated in the camp.

Chief Guest , Smt. Kiran Soni Gupta stated that water color is a different expression compared to others, and artist can express himself truly through water colors. As water has a natural flow the work also takes its own flow and shape. She congratulated all the artists for being selected in this national level water color camp and gave best wishes to the artists. She also told about various style of expressions in art and how each has its own significance and differences.

Shri.  Shagun R. Velip, Director, Directorate of Art and Culture stated that

they have chosen 5-6 sites like Fountainhas, Panaji, Old Goa Church, Mahalaxmi temple, Tambdi Surla temple and some heritage sites etc to artists visits. He also welcomed all the artists and gave them best wishes for their stay and the work.

Dy. Director, Art and Culture, Shri, Ashok Parab gave formal welcome address and stated about the Dharohar water color camp starting from September 10 to 15, 2022. He also spoke about the long collaboration which the Art and Culture Department have with West Zone Cultural Centre, Udaipur. The artists will prepare four to five works during these six days.

The Dharobar camp was inaugurated by lighting the lamp and the kits were distributed to all the artists. Cultural organiser Smt. Siddhi Upadhaye compered the function where as Assistant Cultural Officer, Shri Siddhant Gaitonde proposed vote of thanks.

Teachers should be a storehouse of knowledge and this knowledge should not be restricted to just their subject stated the Chief Minister, Dr Pramod Sawant, today as he bestowed on meritorious teachers the State Teachers’ Awards 2021-22 at the 61^st Teachers’ Day function held at Institute Menezes Braganza, Panaji.

He further said that in an age where students are exposed to technology and the internet, it is important for teachers to stay abreast with what is happening and be innovative in their teaching methods.

Dr Sawant lauded the recipients of the State Teachers’ Awards and said these awards are given on merit and not on favour.  He appreciated the work done by the teaching community during Covid times by conducting online classes.

Dr Sawant urged teachers not to indulge in part time work elsewhere as it distracts them from their core profession which is teaching. Stressing on the need to conduct remedial classes for students, he said that the Government was concerned about every student.  The newly implemented National Education Policy 2020 (NEP) lays emphasis on skilled education and that the Education Department is working hard in implementing NEP, he remarked.

Dr Sawant stated that a lot of development is taking place on education front like introduction of coding and robotics in schools, setting up of institutions of higher learning etc

The teachers who were felicitated with the State Teachers’ Awards are Ms Sarojini Narayan Gawas, Government Primary Teacher, Government Primary School, Thane, Sattari; Shri Ganpatrao Kustobarao Rane, Assistant Teacher, Government High School, Ambedem, Nagargao, Sattari;  Shri Diogo S. Pinto, Assistant Teacher, St Francis Xavier’s High School, Siolim, Bardez; Shri Devidas Vithoba Kotkar, Headmaster, Government High School, Ambedem, Nagargao, Sattari;  Shri Subhash Balkrishna Jan, Teacher Grade-I, Shree Ameya Higher Secondary School, Curti, Ponda and Shri Mario Christopher Reuben Costa, Principal, VRDA’s Gauncar Higher Secondary School of Arts, Commerce and Vocational, Raia, Salcete.

Secretary, (Education) Shri Ravi Dhawan, IAS, while speaking on the occasion said teachers are nation builders as they shape a nation’s destiny.  He applauded the teachers for adapting to the change in traditional methods of teaching and pedagogy.

           Present on the occasion among others were Director of Education, Shri Shailesh Zingde, Director, State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Shri Nagaraj Honnekeri and Headmistress of Government High School, Morpirla, Quepem, Maria Murena Miranda, who was awarded the National Teachers’ Award this year.

The Directorate of Health Services, State Family Welfare Bureau in coordination with Primary Health Centre, Ponda under Family Welfare Health and Wellness Centre and PES Higher Secondary School, Farmagudi organised Cyclothon and Walkathon on the occasion of National Nutrition Week at PES Higher Secondary School, Farmagudi, Ponda today.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Rajendra Borkar, Chief Medical Officer highlighted the importance of balance diet for a healthy life and said that the balance diet is important for proper healthy growth of an individual. He said that on one side there is malnutrition while on the other hand there is vast consumption of fast food which causes health problems. Dr. Borkar advised to eat healthy, live healthy and think healthy.

 Shri Ritesh Naik, Chairperson, Ponda Municipal Council who was the Chief Guest for the function while addressing said that Nutrition is very important to maintain good health. People are not taking a balanced diet but are eating all sorts of harmful foods. It is important to enlighten  people about importance of balance diet. You cannot merely exercise and expect your body to stay fit. A balance diet is crucial, therefore proper diet needs to be taken to keep our body healthy he added.

Dr. Smita Parcekar, Health Officer, Primary Health Centre, Ponda, in her welcome address said that the objective of organising National Nutrition Week is to increase awareness among the people about the importance of nutrition, the essential food and precaution to keep healthy.

Shri Vishwas Raikar, Principal, PES Higher Secondary School, Farmagudi, Shri Rauji Palni, Health Educator, Doctors and Nurses from Directorate of Health Services, Shri Francis Cardozo among others were present on the occasion.

Earlier, Cyclothon and Walkathon rally was flagged off by the dignitaries.

  Dr. Dhanashri Bakhale later proposed the vote of thanks.