Panaji, February 24, 2019  .. Launching of Medical Mobile Units (MMUs) in the state of Goa will be the top priority of state Government said the Health Minister Shri Vishwajeet Rane. He was speaking at Usgaon after laying foundation stone for proposed beautification work of Usgaon recently.

Elaborating on the new concept of Medical Mobile Units, Shri Rane said, the key strategy of MMU is to facilitate access to public health care particularly to people living in remote and unreached areas. The main objective of this concept is to take healthcare to the doorstep of peoples, particularly rural, vulnerable and under-served areas. MMU services are envisaged to meet the technical and service quality standards for a Primary Health Centre through provision of a suggested package of service, the Minister added.

Others present on the occasion were, Shri Dnyaneshwar Naik, ZP Member, Ms. Asmita Gaude, Sarpanch VP Usgaon Ganjem, Shri Ramnath Dangui, Deputy Sarpanch, Shri Sripad Walawalkar, Manager, GSIDC, Shri Vijaykumar Sawant, Consultant of the beatification project and Panchayat Members graced the occasion.

Speaking further Health Minister said, beautification helps  tourism entity grow by attracting more visitors.

The beautification work includes illumination of the road with decorative street lights poles form Usgaon bridge to Tisk Usgaon circle towards Ganjem and Usgaon circle towards Khandepar. Beautification of Usgaon circle by hard landscaping, construction of pathways in 11 wards at important locations and other.
The estimated cost of the project is of Rs. 22, 26, 06,010/-.

Earlier Sarpanch Ms. Asmita  Gaude welcomed the guests. Shri Ramnath Dangui compered and Shri Dinesh Tari proposed vote of thanks.

Panaji, February 23, 2019 ..Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Shri. Vinay Tendulkar recently inaugurated Outdoor Stadium changing room for Cricket Ground of Goa University under MPLAD Scheme at Taligao Plateau.

Shri. Tendulkar expressed happiness on the design of the building and facilities made available in the Outdoor Stadium changing room for Cricket Ground.

Shri. Nishikar Raut Desai former General Secretary of Student Council 2017-18, Goa University expressed happiness as the changing room for Cricket Ground is made available for the students Under MPLAD Scheme.

This building has spectators stand with 200 seating capacity and Pavilion with area of 50 seating capacity. Building accommodates two changing rooms, two toilets blocks, one office and store room.

Present on the occasion include Vice Chancellor, Goa University Dr. Varun Sahni, Officiating Registrar, Goa University Shri. M. Shreedhara, Prof. P.K.Sharma, Prof. Kaustubh Priolkar, Prof. R.V. Pai, Prof. N.S. Nadkarni, Architect Shri Prakash Kamat,  Shri. V.L. Savkar and Shri. Sangam Talaulikar .

Panaji, February 22, 2019 .. The general public are informed that the Election Commission of India has organized special camps on February 23 and 24, 2019 at every polling station for enrolment of left out eligible voters.

The commission keeping in view of the impending general election to Lok Sabha, 2019 and in order to provide further opportunity in campaign mode to all unenrolled eligible persons to get their names registered in the electoral rolls during continuous updation period, so that they are not deprived of voting at lections. Booth level Officers (BLOs) will remain present in the camps along with the copies of final electoral rolls, 2019.

All citizens are further requested to check their particulars on electoral roll at the polling station or on National Service Portal   www.nvsp.in and apply for correction if required. For more information call toll free voter helpline 1950 or download voter helpline app from Google Play Store.

Tagging of persons with Disabilit (PwD) voter is going on. Citizens are requested inform BLOs about any PwD voter who is known to them so that special facilities and training for PwD voters can be organized.

Panaji:  February 21, 2019 …“An elected representative should use his/her powers for positive development of the society and its people,” Minister for Health Shri. Vishwjeet Rane said after laying the foundation stone for proposed Panchayat building at Village Panchayat (VP) Keri in Sattari, recently.

The estimated cost of the proposed work is of Rs. 2, 14, 75, 443, 00/- and will be built under the ‘Deendayal Panchayat Raj Infrastructure Development (Golden Jubilee) Scheme’.

Present on the occasion were Shri Fati Gaonkar, ZP Member, Shri Govind Gauns, Sarpanch V.P. Keri, Smt. Rukmini Gauns, Dy. Sarpanch, Shri Walawalkar, Manager, Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC), Shri Gurudatt Sanzgiri, Project Consultant, Shri Vinod Shinde and other Panchayat members.

Speaking further Shri Rane said that the Government will soon provide nutritious and quality food to the patients at Goa Medical College (GMC), similar to its private counterparts. “Government is planning to spend more than Rs. 12 to 14 Crore annually on such exercise,” he added.

The Health Minister appealed to the locals to have faith in him and said that the Government has always believed in giving back to society by organizing community development programmes in areas like health, education, governance etc.

Shri Fati Gaonkar, ZP Member and Shri. Laxman Gauns, former Sarpanch also spoke on the occasion.

Earlier, Sarpanch Shri. Gauns welcomed the guests. Shri Laxman Majik compered and proposed the vote of thanks. The Panchayat project includes a waiting area for visitors, shops and a Multipurpose Hall with a capacity of 600 people.

Panaji :February 20, 2019 … “After Konkani language received recognition and was included in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution and also recognition from the literary body in India, Konkani made steady progress,” said Shri Shantaram Varde Valaulikar, well known Konkani writer while delivering a talk at the concluding session of the two-day seminar organised on the occasion of the Silver jubilee of the Inclusion of Konkani in the 8th Schedule of Indian Constitution held at the Multipurpose Hall, Sanskruti Bhavan, Patto.

          Stressing on the need for Konkani to be used widely in homes and administration, Shri Valaulikar added, “Earlier they used to be Konkani camps (Shibirs) where pertinent issues were discussed and effective solutions reached at through these discussions. People participated without any religious or political party bias. There is a need to have more such camps again so that challenges faced by Konkani can be discussed and be solved with effective solutions.”

          The seminar was organised by the Sahitya Academy, Goa in association with Directorate of Higher Education and Government College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Khandola. Participants from Goa and neighbouring states attended the seminar.  At the seminar, those who presented papers reviewed the literacy and linguistic scenario of Konkani after its inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution from 1992 till date and discussed the future course of action for the enrichment of Konkani Language and Literature.

          Some of the sessions held at the seminar included ‘National Recognition Movement of Konkani- a Review’ , ‘Benefits of inclusion of Konkani in  the Eighth Schedule, Expectations and Reality. ‘Konkani at National Level, today and Tomorrow’ ,‘Eighth Schedule and Konkani with respect to Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra’, ‘Contribution of Literacy and Linguistic Institutions to Konkani  and ‘Konkani Language, Literature Education and Culture, towards a bright future’.

Panaji, February 19, 2019 …The Goa Masters Athletic shines in the Masters Athletic National held at Guntur A.P by winning 24 medals.  8gold medals, 9silver medals, and 7 bronze medals. Two masters Athletes Anita Rodrigues70+ broke Asias record in hammer throw, Shot put, and Discuss throw  while  Joseph Aguiar 70+ age group broke last year  Asia’s record in 400mts run clicking 01,08,19mins.

          Those who won medals for Goa are Joseph Aguiar 70+ won gold medals in 400mts run.  Anita Rodrigues 70+ won gold medal in  hammer, shot put and silver medal in discuss throw. Betty D’Silva 50+ won gold medal in triple jump, shot put and silver in discuss throw. Regina Dourado 45+ won gold medal in 800mts and silver in 400mts run. Lizet Camara 55+ won gold in high jump and silver in shot put. Angela Braganza  55+ won gold medal in javelin throw. Vrunda Vernekar 55+ won bronze in triple jump. Perpetua Jacques 70+ won silver medal in 100 and 200 mts run. Sudhakar Naik 60+ won bronze medal in 1500mts run. Philip Fernandes 70+ won bronze medal in 100mts run. Besides 4×400 relay silver members are Yashwant Vernekar, Inacio Figueredo, Mahesh Karapurkar and Anandu Kadam.

The Members of winning team visited the present President of Goa Masters Athletic Association Shri Francisco  Sardinha at Dr.Shyama Prasad Mukharjee stadium Bambolim today where in he congratulated the winners who brought laurels to the state of Goa by winning 8 golds 9 silvers and 7 bronze medals in the athletic meet. . Earlier Shri C. S.Araujo Vice President of GMAA welcomed and shri Joao Rodrigues ,Secretary GMAA proposed the vote of thanks

Panaji ::: February 18, 2019 …Sahitya Academy, Goa in association with Directorate of Higher Education and Govt. College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Khandola organized a two-day conference on ‘Silver jubilee of Inclusion of Konkani in the 8th Schedule of Indian Constitution (1992 – 2017)’. Eminent writer Shri. Uday Bhembre inaugurated the conference in the presence of Sahitya Academy Secretary Shri. K. Srinivasrao, Director of Higher Education Shri. Prasad Lolayekar, Convener Dr. Bhushan Bhave and Regional Secretary-Sahitya Academy, Mumbai Shri. Krishna Kimbahune at the Multipurpose Hall, Sanskruti Bhavan, Patto today.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri. Bhembre said that we must focus on what Konkani language has achieved post its inclusion in the 8^th schedule of the Indian Constitution. “I hope the conference yield good results. It is very important for us to know as to why we strived to include Konkani in the 8^th schedule of the Indian Constitution. This inclusion opened many progressive doors for the language as well as its writers. It also enhanced its scope globally by the means of translation,” he informed.

Shri. Lolyenkar in his address opined that Konkani language must reach to the non-native speakers in order to broaden its scope. “Konkani speaking communities are decreasing, hence, we must try to attract the non-natives who are currently residing in the state towards the language. Secondly, it must also gain academic value. We should prepare a terminology to learn and teach subjects like philosophy, economics in Konkani. Thirdly, our legislation and basic laws must be prepared in Konkani. We must view the language from a mass perspective and work towards its upliftment,” he said. He also pointed out that while social media is an important tool to spread awareness and seek opinion on such issues, arrogance overpowers straight-forwardness, keeping the core of the discussion in vague.

Shri. K. Srinivasrao stated that language is an umbilical cord between geographies and communities. It represents the culture and traditions of a region and expresses its identity. It unites people rather than dividing them, he said. Shri. Rao also gave a summary of programs organised by the Sahitya Academy in past one year.

Earlier, the function began by lighting the traditional lamp. Dr. Bhushan Bhave also addressed the gathering. Shri. Anant Agni compered the function while Shri. Krishna Kimbahune proposed the vote of thanks. The function was attended by eminent Konkani scholars, writers, teachers and students of various colleges in Goa.

Panaji, February 17, 2019 … The Directorate of Higher Education, Government of Goa in collaboration with Sahitya Academi, New Delhi and in association with Government College of Arts and Science, Khandola, Goa has organized a Seminar on “Silver Jubilee of Inclusion of Konkani in the 8^th Schedule of the Indian Constitution (1992-2017)” on February 18 and 19, 2019 at Multipurpose Hall, Directorate of Art and Culture, Government of Goa, Patto, Panaji-Goa.

This seminar will review the literacy and linguistic scenario of Konkani after its inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution  from 1992 till date and will decide the future course of action for the enrichment of Konkani Language and Literature.

The Two days Seminar will be inaugurated by renowned writer Adv. Uday Bhembre, Dr. K.Sreenivasarao, Secretary, Sahitya Akademi and Prasad Lolayekar, Director, Directorate of Higher Education, Government of Goa will be the guest of honor. Dr. Bhushan Bhave, Convenor, Konkani Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi will preside over the function.

First session will be on the topic ‘National Recognition Movement of Konkani. a Review will be presided over by Senior writer  Shri Pundalik Naik, Tomazinho Cardoso, N. Shivdas and Dr. Hanumant Chopdekar will present papers.

Second session will be on the topic ‘Benefits of inclusion of Konkani in  the Eighth Schedule, Expectations and Reality. It will be presided by Nagesh Karmali, while Prakash Kamat, Dr. Prakash Vazrikar and Gokuldas Prabhu will present papers.

Third session on the topic ‘Konkani at National Level, today and Tomorrow will be presided by Dr. Tanaji Halarnkar and Dinesh Manerkar, Narayan Desai and Anil Pai will present the papers.

On the second day, the fourth session on the topic ‘Eighth Schedule and Konakani w.r.t. Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra ‘ will be presided by Payyanur Ramesh Pai and the papers will be published by Melwyn Rodrigues , Valley Quadros and Paul Morais.

Fifth session titled ‘Contribution of Literacy and Linguistic Institutions to Konkani will be presided by Basti Vaman Shenoi and Chetan Acharya , Prakash  Parienkar and Fausto D’Costa will present papers. This session will be moderated by Shashikant Punaji.

Sixth and the last session on the topic ‘Konkani Language, Literature Education and Culture, towards a bright future, will be presided over by Dr. Nandkumar Kamat. Dilip Borkar, Hema Naik and Sandesh Prabhudessai will present their papers in the session.

Shantaram Varde Valaulikar, well known Writer has been invited to deliver a talk at the concluding session.

Anant Agni will be the anchor of the programme, while Anju Sakhardande and Pranita  Naik will be the rapporteur.

The seminar will be attended by more than 100 academicians, teachers and students from all over the state.

Panaji, February 16, 2019 …MLA and Former Deputy Chief Minister Late Shri Francis D’Souza was led to rest with full State honours at the St. Jerome’s Church Mapusa today. Archbishop Filip Nerry Ferrao was the main celebrant at the Eucharistic celebration.

The remains of the D’Souza were drapped in the national tricolor and he was given a guard of honour followed by ‘Reverse arms’’ as a mark of respect to the departed soul.

Late D’Souza passed away after a prolonged illness on Thursday afternoon at 64, Elected for five terms from Mapusa.

Prominent among those who attended the funeral were, Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly Dr. Pramod Sawant, Dy.Speaker Shri Michael Lobo,  Health Minister Shri Vishwajit Rane Revenue Minister Shri Rohan Khaunte, PWD Minister Shri Ramkrishna ( Sudin ) Dhavalikar, Tourism Minister Shri Manohar ( Babu ) Azgaonkar, Power Minister Shri Nilesh Cabral, Urban Development Minister Shri Milind Naik, Agriculture Minister Shri Vijay Sardesai, Rural Development Minister Shri Jayesh Salgaonkar, WRD Minister Shri Vinod Palyenkar, Panchayat Minister Shri Mauvin Godinho, Union Minister of State for Ayush Shri Shripad Naik, MP South Goa Shri Narendra Savoikar, Member of Rajya Sabha Shri Vinay Tendulkar,  Leader of Opposition Shri Chandrakant ( Babu ) Kavlekar, Ex-Chief Minister & MLA Shri Pratapsingh Rane,I MLA Bicholim Shri Rajesh Patnekar,MLA Alina Saldanha, MLAs of Congress Party IGP Goa Police Shri Jaspal Singh IPS, Industralist Shri Srinivas Dhempo and others.

Panaji : February 15,2019 .. The  Indian Air Force will be conducting a special recruitment drive on 25^th March, 2019  which will be held at the  Sports Ground, Bambolim on March 25, 2019 from 7.00 a.m. onwards.

 As a part of the recruitment drive, Indian Air Force, Recruiting centre, Jodhpur has organised Awareness Camps in North and South Goa. In North Goa, the  Awareness camp will be held on  February 18, 2019 at S.S.Dempo College of Commerce and Economics, Cujira , Bambolim at 12.00 Noon. Awareness camp for South Goa will be held on February 19 at Government College of Commerce, Borda, Margao at 10.30 am.

It is informed that the recruitment is specially arranged for male candidates from Goa who are born between January 9, 1999 to  January 1, 2003(17-21yrs). Students who have passed std 12^th   in any stream with an aggregate of minimum 50% and 50% marks in English and Students of Science stream who have studied PCB can participate in the awareness camp and recruitment drive.