Panaji: January 19, 2020 …Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant in the presence of Union Minister of State for Defence, Shri Shripad Naik attended the 72^nd Army Day, ‘Know Your Army Mela’ organized by 2 Signal Training Centre at Campal Ground, Panaji recently.

Speaking on the occasion the Chief Minister thanked Military forces for their valuable contribution to liberate Goa from Portuguese regime on December 19,1961. He said, Goa got freedom after 14 years of India’s Independence and due to this people of Goa  are lacking behind in the field of Military due to lack of  adequate knowledge about the recruitment process in Military. He said, this event will enhance awareness amongst public, especially youth so that they opt for a career in Military Forces and take a sense of pride and respect about the guardians of our frontiers.

Shri Shripad Naik in his address lauded the role of Armed Forces in propagating the ideas of secularism, selfless service and imbibing patriotic fervor amongst the youth of the nation. He also appreciated the efforts of 2 signal Training Centre for conducting the event and at the same time advised youth to join armed Forces.

Events like static display of Military Equipment, Milatary Band Display, Army Dog Show were followed by various cultural programmes and performance by Army Helicopters.Traditional Lejim and Malkhamb teams from Belgaum displayed their talents. A mini obstacle course and selfie corner were also setup for school children at the venue.

Local public and School/College students were very inquisitive and fascinated by the event and equipment display and various military activities that were displayed.

Earlier on the arrival at the venue the Chief Minister and Union Minister of  State for Defence were received by Commandant 2 Signal Training Centre Brigadier, Sanjay Rawal while Major Pal Fernandes and Havaldar Pramod Compered the function  and proposed the vote of thanks.

Panaji: January 18, 2020…Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant,  Chief Secretary, Shri Parimal Rai,  Principal Chief Conservator of Forest  and Chief Wildlife Warden visited Governor Shri Satya Pal Malik, recently. They briefed him about the issue related to recent tiger deaths in the State.

Governor was informed of the decision taken to provide succor in the form of ex-gratia relief to those persons who have lost their livestock due to tiger attack. Governor was also informed that it has been decided to develop a protocol to provide instant relief to the affected persons for the damages due to wild life attack. Apart from this, tiger protection and conservation measures and various mitigation strategies for minimizing the human and wildlife conflict were deliberated during their visit.

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.