Panaji, January 03, 2019 ….St. Mother Teresa Samudai, Ponda bagged the first prize, comprising cash prize of Rs.25,000/-, in the Institution/Group category at the State Level Crib Competition organized by the Directorate of Art and Culture. The Second prize, comprising cash prize of Rs.20,000/-, was awarded to Valankani Boys of Dovandem, Margao while the third prize, comprising cash prize of Rs. 15,000/-, went to Our Lady of Victory Church, Revora. Vaidongor youth Vaidongor, Mandrem,  Santa Cruz Boys Nagoa, Salcete, Capuchin Brothers and Boarders, Alverno Friary, Monte de Gurim, Our Lady of Remedies Chapel, Ribander and Kenrich Viegas and Group, Hotel Shell Top, Taligao were awarded consolation prizes comprising cash prize of Rs.7000/- each.

In the Individual/Household Category Glen Jose Fernandes, Custom Quarters, Bainguinim, Old Goa bagged the first prize comprising cash prize of Rs.15,000/-, while the second prize, comprising cash prize of Rs.10,000/-, was awarded to Alex S. Rodrigues, Bag-Bondir, Tuem, Pernem. The third prize, comprising cash prize of Rs.7,500/-, was awarded to Ladislau Armando Roncon, Campal, Panaji. Richard Caldeira from Ponda, Sabino Rodrigues from Parse, Pernem, Abigail Lobo from Socorro, Porvorim, Menino Pereira from Nagoa, Salcete and Audrey J. Colaco from Fatorda were awarded consolation prizes comprising cash prize of Rs.5000/- each.

In Institution/Group category 20 groups and in Individual/Household Category 38 individual participated in the crib competition. A panel of three jury members comprising Fr. Myron Sequeira, Shri Fevan Cruz and Shri Rayen Abreu judged the competition.

The Department of Art and Culture organizes the State level Crib Competition during Christmas in order to preserve the age old tradition of crib making in Goa.  

Panaji, JANUARY 1, 2019 … … ‘All that starts well, ends well’. Rightly using this phrase, Governor, Smt Mridula Sinha on 1^st January, 2019 initiated Cleanliness Drive opposite Goa Medical College along with the Officers of Raj Bhavan as well its staff members. Drive was organized by St. Cruz and Curca Village Panchayat along with Goa Medical College and Directorate of Panchayats.

Governor had expressed concern over the existence of black spots around Goa Medical College area due to littering of plastic along the road side and therefore; Sarpanch of St Cruz and Curca Village Panchayat, Panchayat Department as well as Goa Medical College officials were directed last week to take immediate steps to clean the eye sore along the road opposite Goa Medical College.

Governor was received by Secretary to Chief Minister, Shri J. Ashok Kumar, IAS and Shri Pradeep Naik, Dean Goa Medical College at the site, who also contributed their services for cleanliness along with their Officers and Staff. Present at the venue were Shri Rupesh Kumar Thakur, IAS, Secretary to Governor, Ms. Biju Naik, Jt. Secretary to Governor and Shri Anshuman Abhishek, OSD to Governor and Shri A. Kalyana Harsha, Comptroller to Governors Household.

Director Panchayat Shri Rajan Satardekar along with his team planned the drive along with Smt. Disha D. Kavlekar, Sarpanch, St. Cruz Village Panchayat and Smt Roshan P. Vernekar, Sarpanch Curca Village Panchayat Shri Deepak Vaigankar, BDO, Tiswadi. Shri Levinson Martins, District Collector, North, appealed to the Goa Civil Service Officers to participate in the drive and accordingly, Shri Vikas Gaunekar, Shri Mahesh Khorjuvekar, Shri Gopal Parsekar, Shri Dattaram Sardesai, Smt Siddhi Halankar, Shri Dashrath Redkar, Shri Vinayak Volvoikar etc. participated in the drive.         

Panaji, January 01, 2019 ..The  prospectus for the Post Basic Diploma in Nursing program in Cardiothoracic Nursing and Neonatal Nursing is available for sale from January 2, 2019 during the office hours 10.00 a.m to 1.00 p.m and 2.00 p.m to 4.00 p.m and on Saturdays from 10.00 a.m to 1.00 p.m at the office of the Institute of Nursing Education. For more details visit Website: www.dhsgoa.gov.in

The last date for submission of the complete application form along with testimonials for both the Post Basic Diploma in Nursing program is January 5, 2019 till 1.00 p.m     

Panaji, December 31, 2018 …Governor of Goa Dr. Smt. Mridula Sinha has summoned the Legislative Assembly of the State of Goa, to meet at Assembly Hall on Tuesday January 29, 2019 at 11.30 am

Panaji: December 30, 2018 … The Election Commissioner of India, Shri Ashok Lavasa today reviewed the Special Summary Revision of Electoral Roll 2019 & State’s preparedness plan for the ensuing Lok Sabha Election 2019, at a meeting held at Office of Chief Electoral Officer, Altinho Panaji.

A meeting was held under the Chairmanship of Election Commissioner, Shri Ashok Lavasa alongwith  Chief Electoral Officer, Shri Kunal, IAS; Director General of Police Shri Muktesh Chandra, District Election Officers, Dr Tariq Thomas, IAS and Shri Levinson Martin; Inspector General of Police, Shri Jaspal Singh, IPS.

Meeting deliberated various issues on Special Summary Revision 2019, disposal of various claims & objections, health of electoral roll, apart from awareness undertaken under SVEEP activities, availability of EVM, VVPATs and various measures to be taken out for accessible election. The Election Commissioner desired that the motto of No Voter to Be Left Out should be followed in true spirit and continuous revision should be carried out with full vigour. The Election Commissioner stressed upon identification and marking of Persons with Disability (PwD) electors and marking them in software for having targeted plan for their effective participation. 

During the course of discussion, the Chief Electoral Officer, District Election Officers and Nodal Officer (Police) presented the Election Preparedness Plan to the Election Commissioner. 

The Election Commissioner launched booklet on Accessible Election Plan for Goa drafted by Dr Taha Haazik, OSD, Social Welfare Department and PwDs Icon, Booth Election Management Plan Template and also released post card on Competition ‘Write to CEO’ on postcard and the same were handed over to Students. He also released SVEEP songs CD made by Shri Pravinjay Pandit, Mamlatdar Bicholim.

Election Commissioner complimented the Chief Electoral Officer and Goa Election team for the various efforts initially taken under the SVEEP activities for creating awareness among the general public about accessible election. He appreciated efforts taken by Dr Taha Haazik for Accessible Election Plan focusing on persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and prepared in accessible format which can be used by anyone with any disability with special software. 

Panaji, December 30, 2018 …Governor of Goa Dr. Smt. Mridula Sinha on the occasion of Goa Liberation Day announced that the Raj Bhavan will be accessible to the common citizens i.e., Goans, people from other States, as well as to the foreign nationals, to see its rich history and heritage, flora & fauna of the place and above all its mesmerizing scenic beauty from the 5^th January, 2019 on every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The visit will be in 2 slots, each batch of 50 visitors starting from 2:30 pm. till 4:00 pm. and second batch of 50 visitors from 4:00 pm. till 6:30 pm.

Raj Bhavan, Goa also known as Palacio-de-Cabo is the official residence of Governor of Goa. It is one of the finest residences of Indian Governors and also the oldest as no other residence of a Governor of a State in India has its origin dating back to over four hundred fifty years in the past. This place has been a restricted area for several decades.

 Visitors are informed to make online booking for visiting the Raj Bhavan at https://bookings.rajbhavan.goa.gov.in  and bookings will be accepted from 30th December, 2018. This link will be provided on Raj Bhavan, Goa website. Visitor will have to register on the said portal at least 3 days before the date of visit and entry will be subject to police verification. Confirmation of the booking will be intimated on SMS/Email to the applicant.

 In Raj Bhavan, there is a Visitor Information Centre for further facilitation. A tour guide will accompany the visitors. Drinking water, Washroom/toilet facilities are provided inside Raj Bhavan, and visitors are prohibited to drink, smoke, litter, carry plastics or food in plastic. Entry route will be under surveillance. Entry fee has been fixed at Rs.300/- per person and payment has to be made online at the time of booking. Child below 12 years of age will not be charged the entry fee. The visit to Raj Bhavan will be conducted by GTDC.  

Panaji, December 28, 2018 … All public / cultivators are informed that the Salaulim main canal from 10.80 km to 25.30 km along with Direct outlet and FC’S , Distributory DI ,Branch Canal off take Minor M2 Canal and Minor M3 canal have been released water of 1.00 Cumes and further it will be increased as per the demand. All are hereby cautioned not to venture in the canal and other Sub canals and keep safer distance for livestock and children. Also refrain from throwing waste materials, garbage, bottles etc.

          Main areas covered under this canal are Quepem, Xeldem, Savordem, Assolna, Cuncolim and near by areas.  

Panaji: December 28th ::: Minister for Power Shri Nilesh Cabral recently attended the closing ceremony of First Bardez Chess Festival 2018 organised jointly by Bardez Taluka Chess Association and Saraswat Vidhyalay’s Sridora Caculo College under the aegis of Goa chess association which concluded on December 26, 2018 at Corlim Mapusa.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Cabral congratulated the winners and participants and appreciated the parents who recognised that the child has to be in academics but  should also  develop into a sports person and chess is a game where not only physically and mentally we develop the brain but they also have ability to perform well .Expressing his happiness he said being president of Goa Chess Association it has given immense pleasure working in all 12 taluka’s where association exists who actively promote chess not only in school but amongst the Taluka to produce  not only young players but also to  have players to play at different level.

Shri Cabral also distributed prizes for the winners who participated in the tournaments from various parts of schools in Goa.

Shri Ryan Braganza, Chairperson of Mapusa Municipal Council also spoke on the occasion.

In the festival along with School Team Championship Various different events such as Rapid Chess, Blitz Chess was held.

Also present on the occasion were Dr. Santosh Patkar Principal of Sridora Caculo College, Bardez Taluka Chess Association President Shri Vishwas Pilankar, Shri Pravin Barde and other committee members.