November 30, 2015 …. 46th edition of  International Film Festival of India, IFFI concluded with a grand award presentation ceremony at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee indoor stadium in Goa today.

Internationally acclaimed music director A. R. Rahman was the chief guest on the occasion.

Amidst colourful cultural performance and in the presence of prominent personalities from the world of cinema, the awards were presented to the winners at a glittering ceremony attended by the Governor of Goa, Ms. Mridula Sinha, Chief Minister of Goa  Shri Laxmikant Parsekar, Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and I&B Secretary Shri Sunil Arora.Vice Chairman of Entertainment  Society of Goa Shri Damodar Naik, Chief Secretary Shri R. K. Srivastava, CEO of ESG Shri Ameya Abhyankar.

The ceremony was compered by actors Lillete Dubey and Kabir Bedi.

This year the festival hosted more than 750 film delegates including 500 national 250 international directors, actors, producers,technicians including Oscar Academy members and Hollywood experts like Mark mangini, Milt Shefter, Humphrey Dixon and Nancy Bishop.

The Internationally acclaimed Shilliong  bases dance group “Shillong Chamber choir” presented soul touching performance at the event.

          Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathod, AVSM, expressed happiness that the festival was a great success and thanked the Government of Goa.

          Music maestro A. R Rahman who was the  chief guest at the closing ceremony of the mega event also spoke on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion Chief Minister Shri Laximikant Parsekar said necessary infrastructure for IFFI would be in place.  He said Cinema speaks a universal language. It has meaning and relevance for all people, regardless of their national, cultural or social backgrounds. Films bring diversity to the fore, while also underscoring the values, the feelings and the longings that we all share as human beings. He said that the film festivals has been able to give a platform to the local film producers thus bringing in film culture in the state.

The Chief Minister also  congratulated all those who have bagged the prestigious awards today. Let this motivate and inspire all others to come up with good films worthy of international viewing.

Secretary Ministry of Information & Broadcasting Shri Sunil Arora, IAS and Director of Film ferstival Shri Sentil Rajan, IIS also spoke on the occasion.  

The Internationally co-produced adventure drama film ‘Embrace of the Serpent’ (Al Abrazo de la Serpiente) bagged the Best Film Award at the 46th IFFI. The film produced by Christina Gallego and directed by Ciro Guerra depicts the first contact, encounter, approach, betrayal and eventually life transcending friendship between Amazonian shaman Karamakate and two scientists who work together over the course of 40 years to search the Amazon for a sacred healing plant.  The film is shot in the Amazonian rain forest in richly detailed black and white. The Best Film Award comprises the Golden Peacock and a citation with a prize money of Rs 40 lakhs (Rs 4 million) to be shared between the Director and the Producer.

The Best Director award went to Peter Greenaway for the film ‘Eisenstein in Guanajuato’. Greenway portrays the lead character Soviet filmmaker Sergei Eisenstein as an eccentric, self absorbed artiste who travels to a new place and culture and is forced by the experiences he has there to question his assumptions about himself and Stalinist Russia. Peter Greenway is a British film Director, initially trained as a painter, who later took to film making.  The Best Director is presented with a Silver Peacock, a citation and a prize money of Rs 15 lakhs (Rs 1.5 million)

The Best Actor (Male) went to Vincent Lindon for his portrayal of a laid off factory worker Thierry Taogourdeau in the film ‘The Measure of a Man’.  The film, a French social drama turns the spotlight on ordinary people who are pushed by circumstances to the corners.

The Best Actor (Female) award was shared by Gunes Sensoy, Doga Doguslu, Tugba Sunguroglu, Elit Iscanand Ilyada Akdogan for portrayal of role of five young orphaned sisters in the Turkish fim ‘Mustang.  The film set in a remote Turkish village depicts the life of five young orphaned sisters and challenges they face growing up as girls in a conservative society.

The Best Actor – Male and Female are awarded the Silver Peacock, citation and a prize money of Rs 10 lakhs each (Rs 1 million)

The Special Jury Award went to the Spanish film ‘Sealed Cargo’ (Carga Sellada) directed by Julia Vargas.  The Special Jury Award carries a Silver Peacock, citation and a cash prize of Rs 15 lakhs (Rs 1.5 million)

The Serbian film ‘Enclave’ directed by Goran Radovanovic got the special mention award. The main theme of the film is life of Kosovo Serbs in small isolated communities, called enclaves

The International Jury of IFFI 2015 headed by internationally acclaimed Indian film maker Shekhar Kapur, comprised UK based director, Micheal Radford, Palestinian based Israel director, Ms. Suha Arraf, German Actress, Julia Jentsch and South Korean filmmaker Jeon Kyu-Hwan.

The Russian film maker, actor and head of Russian Cinematographers’ Union Nikita Mikhalkov was conferred upon the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 46th International Film Festival of India. Mikhalkov trained as an actor at the Shchukin School and studied direction under Mikhail Romm.  At Home Among Strangers (1974) was his first feature, while he garnered international recognition with ‘A Slave of Love’ .Greatly popular for his portrayal of the memorable Sergei in ‘Burnt by the Sun’, Mikhalkov has built up a reputation as an actor’s director, winning numerous international awards.  IFFI 2015 had a special tribute section of Mikhalkov’s films, screening his masterpieces – ‘Sunstroke’, ‘the Barber of Siberia’ and ‘Burnt by the Sun’.  The Lifetime Achievement Award carries a Silver Peacock, certificate, shawl and a scroll along with a cash prize of Rs 10 lakhs (Rs 1 million)

The ICFT – UNESCO Fellini Medal was awarded to Kaushik Ganguly’s ‘Cinemawala’ that focuses on the sad state of single screen cinema halls in West Bengal.  In collaboration with International Council for Film, Television and Audiovisual Communication (ICFT), Paris, and UNESCO the UNESCO Fellini Award was presented at IFFI for the first time this year. This medal is given to a film that reflects the socio-cultural ideals promoted by UNESCO.

Panaji:  November 29, 2015 … Chief Minister, Shri Laxmikant Parsekar inaugurated Government village school playground (Ambelim Sports Complex) in the presence of Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Shri Ramesh Tawedkar and Minister for Fisheries, Shri Avertano  Furtado at  Ambelim,  Salcete, recently.

       The Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs organized the function. The ground is constructed on an area of 23,700 sq.mts area at an estimated cost of Rs. 3.20 crores and is undertaken by Sports Authority of Goa.

           The facilities  provided in the sports complex includes football ground, chain link fencing, sitting stand, changing room, toilets, store room , refreshment room, office and compound wall gates. The work of ground executed by Supercons Engineers and Contractors.

          The Chief Minister speaking on the occasion said that the Government in sports policy has striving to provided due importance to football game part with other games. The Government also realized that there is no dearth of sports talent among the youth of Goa . The steps also initiated to acquire recognition to football game in the state and therefore has constituted GFDC and striving to                 train and  develop football game in the state he informed.

          Shri Parsekar further speaking said that the new ground constituted is provided with modern required facilities will create holistic atmosphere for the players of  football the Government said is also developing play grounds in different parts of Goa we informed.

          MLA’s Shri Vishnu Surya Wagh, Shri Benjamin Silva and Shri Rajan Naik, Smt Sophia Rebello, Sarpanch, V.P.Ambelim  Shri Tyron, Dy Sarpanch;  Rev. Fr. Cajeton Dourado  and others attended the function.

          Shri V. M. Prabhudesai, Director of Sports and Youth Affairs welcomed the guests. Ms Jessica Sharma compered the function and also proposed the vote of thanks.

Panaji, November 28, 2015 … The State festival of Tripurari Poornima was held at Vithalapur, Sankhali with thousands of people, Goans as well as tourists participating in the same.

          The main attraction of the celebration was the boat festival which witnessed participation of nearly 42 boats from across the state.

          The competition was held in Valvanti River the boats were miniature models of actual ship made from materials like cardboards and thermocol.   

Tripurari Poornima is jointly organized by Department of Art and Culture, Goa Tourism Development Corporation, Department of Tourism and Department of Information and Publicity in association with local Deepavali Utsav Committee,  Vithalapur, Sankhali.

Minister for Art and Culture Shri Dayanand Mandrekar, Leader of Opposition Shri Pratapsingh Rane, Deputy Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly Shri Anant Shet, Shri Pramod Sawant, MLA and Chairman of Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation, Secretary (Education) Shri Virendra Kumar and Smt. Ankita Navelkar, Chairman, North Goa Zilla Panchayat, Smt, Jayeshri Tari, Sarpanch, V. P. Karapur Sarvan alongwith others graced the occasion.

Shri Shyam Gaonkar, compared the function. Apart from this, a cultural programme was organized at the venue.

Panaji, November 27, 2015 …. Chief Minister Shri Laxmikant Parsekar laid the foundation stone for new building for Government Primary School at Dattagad Bethora, yesterday, in the distinguished presence of Industries Minister Shri Mahadev Naik. The new school building will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 1.53 crores.

 The function was organized by Goa Infrastructure Development Corporation.

Shri Parsekar speaking as Chief Guest said that Government is according priority to education and therefore he said Government is of the opinion that schools should be well equipped, should have conducive learning atmosphere for bright future of our children.

The Chief Minister speaking further said that education is indispensable and there is no alternative to it. It is must for the growth and development of human being. The new school building will provide better and healthy atmosphere for children, he said.

The Chief Minister also complimented Industries Minister for his efforts in the development of Shiroda.

The Industries Minister Shri Mahadev Naik addressing at the function said that the Government intends to provide adequate infrastructure and facilities in schools to create healthy atmosphere within the educational premises. The Government he said had renovated various Government school buildings and provided required facilities during last three years which have shown considerable improvement in their academic results.

Shri Naik enlisted various developmental works like widening of roads, smooth water supply, power supply, drainages, construction of buildings for schools, hot mixing of roads, Ganesh Visarjan platforms which are completed and are about to complete in villages like Conshi, Codar Nirankal in Bethora Village Panchayat. The new school building will provide modern and advanced facilities for children with better atmosphere to learn, he added.        

MLA and Chairman of GSIDC Dr. Pramod Sawant said that education is a must for human development. And Government has given stress on strengthening infrastructure for education sector throughout the start. He enlisted various development projects which are undertaken by the Government under GSIDC. 

Smt. Manda Gawade, Shri Rajendra Naik, Smt Jyoti Gawade all Ward Members, Dr.  Navso Sawant MD Goa Dairy,  Shri Gajanan Bhat , Director of Education other officials of Education Department ,GSIDC and others attended the function.

Shri Chandrakant Samant . Ex-Sarpanch Ward Member also spoke on the occasion.

Smt. Poonam Samant welcomed the guests. Shri  Durgaprasad Vaidya, Ward Member compered the function

Thereafter the Chief Minister Shri Parsekar in another function at Ponda inaugurated Double Expandable Hospital/Clinic on Wheels  for Manguirish Occupational Health  Services in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Shri Francis D’Souza, MLA and  Chairman of Goa Handicraft Shri Lavoo Mamledar, Chairperson PMC Smt. Radhika Nayak, Owner Dr.Gokuldas Mangueshkar, Shri Govind Gawade Social Worker and others .

Panaji, November 26, 2015 …..  Institute Menezes Braganza, Panaji regularly organizes various activities/programmes for preservation and promotion of cultural heritage of the State. This is an institution working in the field of literary and cultural aspects. As part of this the Institution has organized a Poster Painting Competition on December 9, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. in the premises of Institute Menezes Braganza, Panaji Goa.

          The prize distribution function will be held later and winners will be informed telephonically and cash prizes and participation certificates will be awarded to them.

          Participating students will be supplied only paper by the Institute and they should create Drawing and have to colour the same with water colours. The duration of the competition will be two hours. The size of the paper will be 18×18. The theme will be declared to the students half an hour before the competition.

          The Higher Secondary schools are requested to recommend one bonified student  from the school to participated in the above said competition. The students should carry their identity cards. Entries for the participation should reach this office at the earliest. Entries may also be confirmed through E-mail imbpanaji@yahoo.com or telephonically on 0832-2224143. Students should report the institute at 9:00 a. m.

          The Institution has also organized a Christmas Card Competition on December 9, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. in the premises of Institute Menezes Braganza, Panaji Goa

          The prize distribution function will be held later and winners will be informed telephonically and cash prizes and participation certificates will be awarded to the winners.

          Participating students will be supplied only chart paper by the Institute in size 6×8. Students only have to get their own color and create the card on the spot. The duration for the competition will be one hour. The theme will be declared to the students half an hour before the competition.

          As such the High schools are requested to recommend one bonified student from high school to participate in the competition. The students should carry their identity cards. Entries for the participation should reach this office at the earliest. Entries may also be confirmed through E-mail imbpanaji@yahoo.coom or telephonically on 0832-2224143. Students should report the institute at 9:00 a.m.

Panaji, November 25, 2015 …. The State Level Competition of 13 events like Tabla, Harmonium Guitar, Keyboard, Drums, Sitar, Violin, Vocal Indian Classical, Vocal Light Music, Vocal Western Solo, Kathak, Bharatnatyam and Monologue is scheduled on December 10, 2015, at Sanskruti Bhavan and Goa State Museum, Patto-Panaji from 9:00 a.m. onwards and other 3 events i.e. Essay writing, Poetry writing, Drawing/painting, will be held on December 11, 2015 at Dr. K.B.Hedgewar High School, Mala, Panaji from 2:00 p.m. onwards.

          The Directorate of Art and Culture, Government of Goa had organized ‘Taluka Level Cultural Talent Search Competition 2015’ in the field of performing art for the school students from Aided, Non-Aided and Government schools of Goa in order to give them boost and to search the hidden talent in them.

          The event schedule along with Taluka level results have already been dispatched through post to the respective prize winning schools also displayed on the notice board in the office of the Directorate of Art and Culture. So also, the same is available on website www.artandculutre.goa.gov.in of the directorate.