Panaji, November 17, 2018 …. The “Young Achievers Awards – 2018” organised by The Tiatr Academy Goa (TAG) were presented to Antonet De Sousa and Milagres Esvin Carneiro at a function held in Panaji, recently. The awards were given on the occasion marking the Birth Anniversary Celebration of Late Regina Fernandes, the First Lady of Tiatr Stage.

The MLA of St. Cruz Constituency, Shri Antonio Fernandes was the Chief Guest. While speaking on the occasion, Shri Fernandes said the Young Achiever Awards are a boost to the youngsters. Shri Fernandes added that although tiatrs are sometimes critical of politicians, he finds it the best medium to relax when stressed.

Present on the occasion were Tiatr personality, Rosy Alvares, President of TAG, Shri Gurudas P. Pilarnekar and Member Secretary of TAG, Shri Cezar D’ Mello, former President of TAG, Tomazinho Cardozo, among others.

President of TAG, Shri Gurudas P. Pilarnekar while speaking on the occasion said they would try to increase the number of awards in the young achiever category. He hoped that with these awards more youngsters get inspired to enter the world of tiatrs.
Booklet on the young achievers was released on the occasion. Shri Joy Fernandes compered the function.

Panaji: November 17,2018 …. The Governor of Goa Dr.( Smt.) Mridula Sinha  launched ‘Goa Traffic Sentinel Mobile App’ which is developed by Goa Police, at a function organized by Goa Police at Police Headquarter in the city recently.

With the objective to enable and encourage citizens to participate and assist traffic Police in law enforcement, Goa Police introduced innovative scheme called ‘Traffic Sentinel Scheme’ on November 10,2017 under overall umbrella of Community Policing. Considering huge  response from the public, the traffic Sentinel Scheme which is presently being manually operated has been automated by developing a Mobile Application on Android platform for reporting of violations by the Traffic Sentinels and Web application for management of Scheme which has been launched yesterday. . .

The Governor Speaking on the occasion said that it is agreeable that the Government have to look after the welfare of the people, but to maintain law and order discipline, peace and harmony, road safety is not possible without the cooperation and participation of the people. Therefore she said  it will be unfair to blame the Government for each and everything. The launching of Goa Traffic Sentinel App by the Government shows its commitment towards the safety of the people.

The Governor further speaking called upon the youth to participate in this endeavour of the Government which has noble intention to ensure road safety and prevent fatal accidents. She said Traffic Sentinel Scheme will enlighten people about their responsibility towards road safety which may lead to save precious lives in future. She appreciated participants of the scheme and congratulated the bumper draw winners.

The Chief Secretary Shri Dharmendra Sharma ( IAS ) while addressing the gathering said that the hallmark of educated society is voluntary compliance.  Launching of Goa Traffic Sentinel App is a initiative taken up by the Government is in the interest of the public. The intention behind is to ensure safe road traffic and avoid fatal accidents which causes loss of lives. He said due to this App reporting of traffic offences will become easy. Compliance level will go high. This is a very innovative and well run scheme will help in making the public of Goa well aware about traffic rules. He appreciated the participants of the scheme and congratulated the winners of the bumper draw.   

The Director General of Police, Dr. Muktesh Chander (IPS) in his welcome address informed that the main objective of the Traffic Sentinel Scheme is to increase the compliance of traffic laws and to reduce motor vehicle accidents. He said Goa Police calls upon all the citizens to download the Goa Traffic Sentinel App from the Google Play Store to participate in the scheme.

Dr. Chander further says that after the introduction of the scheme, the overall compliance to traffic laws has increase in Goa and has contributed towards reduction of fatal accidents and death by more than 22% as compared last year he informed. He appreciated the participants in this endeavour and also congratulated the winners of bumper prize.   

The Draw of bumper prize has also held at the hands of the Governor The winner of the first prize  is Rohidas Devanabd Naik who won Maruti Alto K 100 car, the second winner of the bumper orize  is Snehal Kadam who won Achiever motorbike  .  These prizes were sponsored by Ms Maruti Suzuki India Ltd and Hero Moto Corp. Ltd respectively.

 Shri Vikas Kohli of Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, Shri Prashant Chopra of Hero Moto Corp. Ltd. and CEO of Goa Electronics Ltd., Ms. Revati  Mujumdar. Officers of Police Department and others attended the function

,Smt. Lorraine Sequeira  compered the function while Shri Jaspal Singh ( IPS) IGP proposed the vote of thanks.

 Panaji, November 17, 2018 …  “National Press Day symbolizes free, fair and responsible press. Free press is a cornerstone of democracy,” said Secretary, Information and Publicity, Shri Sudhir Mahajan, IAS, at the National Press Day function held in Panaji, yesterday.

The function was organized by the Department of Information and Publicity in collaboration with the Goa Editors’ Guild, the Goa Union of Journalists (GUJ), Photo Journalists Association of Goa, Electronic Media Journalists Association, Sports Journalists Association, and South Goa Journalists Association.

Shri. Mahajan added, “The press helps to bring information on beneficial legislation of the Government to the people and if there are glitches in them, then exposes them and enables the Government to take corrective measures.”

Earlier, the message of the Chief Minister, Shri Manohar Parrikar to journalists was read out by Smt. Janhhavi Savaikar on the occasion.

The Director, Department of Information and Publicity, Shri Gurudas Pilarnekar in his welcome address said that freedom of speech is imbibed in the Constitution in India.  Shri Pilarnekar said that despite difficulties the journalists face, I congratulate them for working with dedication to gain the trust of the people.

The theme of National Press Day for this year is “Journalistic Ethics and Challenges in Digital Era”. Shri. Dinkar Raikar, Group Editor of Lokmat, Mumbai delivered the key note address on the theme. In his address, he said that in democracy, press has to be the strongest opposition on behalf of the common people. “Journalism is evolving and is getting revolutionized,” he added. Shri. Raikar said technology makes things easier but it comes with a price. He said that all want to break news fast and in trying to do so gets the news wrong often.

Shri. Raikar spoke of how fake news has emerged. There are challenges but  there are initiatives being headed by individuals who are trying to make a difference and present accurate and true news, he said. Shri. Raikar concluded on a positive note that journalism of courage, conviction and truth will always prevail.

President of GUJ, Shri Kishore Naik Gaonkar introduced the senior journalists- Shri Jovito Lopes, Shri Somnath Raikar and  Smt. Nayana Adarkar- who were felicitated on the occasion for their substantial contribution in the field of Journalism. While speaking on the occasion, Shri Jovito Lopes said that journalists have to be research minded when delivering news. He said that the print media has to prepare itself for the digital revolution.

The Goa State Journalists Awards were also given to the awardees on the occasion. The Best Editor Award on ‘National Integration and Communal Harmony’ was awarded to Shri Shashwat Gupta, Editor from Gomantak Times for his Editorial “Indo – Pak peace Zinda hai”. The other awardees included Shri Devendra Ganesh Gaonkar from Herald for ‘Rural Reporting’, Ms. Nibedita Sen from Gomantak Times for ‘Reporting in Public Health and Hygiene’, Shri Vishwanath Nene from Prudent Media for ‘Reporting with special reference to Women and Children/ Social issue’, Shri Sachin Korde from Lokmat for ‘Sport Reporting’,  Shri Vitthal Gaude (Parwadkar) from Goa Doot for ‘Reporting on Art and Culture’. Shri Hemant Parab from The Navhind Times was awarded ‘Photo Journalism-Best Photograph of the year’.

 Present on the occasion was former Director of Department of Information and Publicity, Shri. T.S.Sawant. Information Officer. Shri. John Aguiar proposed the vote of thanks. Shri. Shyam Gaonkar compered the function.

Margao:  November 16, 2018 ..“Knowledge is power”. Irrespective of caste and creed only education can make a person powerful. Central Government and State Government are for alleviating the hardships of the common man. The State Government continuously strives to provide better education facilities to common man said by Town and Country Planning Minister, Shri Vijay Sardesai.

Shri Sardesai was speaking on the occasion of Foundation Stone laying ceremony for Demolition and reconstruction of Margao Government Industrial Training Institute and Multipurpose Higher Secondary School at Borda Margao today.

 Speaking further Shri Sardesai informed that the project with a built area of 7948 sq. mts will have 5 floors and provision for e-classroom facilities will be completed within 12 months instead of 18 months as scheduled. The cost of the project is approximately Rs.25.00 crores.

The TCP Minister also thanked the Chief Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar for his unconditional support for whole lot of infrastructural development projects which are underway throughout the State. He urged the gathering to pray for better and speedy recovery of our Chief Minister.

Shri Sardesai reiterated his commitment to make every effort to have vertical growth of Fatorda constituency and assured to construct a better cricket ground compared to present ground for the public.

Shri Deepak Pauskar, Chairman, GSIDC praising Shri Vijay Sardesai for his dedicated efforts to make this day successful said that he is very happy to start this project which was pending for quite a long time and assured to complete the project within the stipulated 12 months.

 Shri Pauskar highlighted the recently launched scheme “Chief Minister Rojgar Yogna’ under which civil engineers who have been a resident of the State for 15 years will be registered with GSIDC and provide them contracts for  renovation of primary school across the State by providing loan facility for upto Rs.25 lakhs.

Chairperson, MMC, Dr Babita Prabhudesai; Manager (Engineering), GSIDC, Shri Sandip Chodnekar, Principal, ITI, Shri Edwin Fernandes  and Ex MLA, Shri Luis Alex Cardozo also spoke on the occasion.

Chief Officer, MMC, Shri Shidhivinayak Naik; Vice Chairperson, MMC, Shri Tito Cardozo and Councilors of MMC were the prominent persons present on the occasion.

Principal, Multipurpose Higher Secondary School, Shri Jose Gomes proposed the vote of thanks. Shri Anant Agni compered the function.

Panaji, November 16, 2018 ….Along with school education artistic education plays major role in students overall development, participating  students must take keen interest in this festival to gain good knowledge in their respective fields. This was stated by the renowned Goan fine artists and Theater personality  Shri Eknath Mahale.

Shri Mahale was speaking as one of the resource person during  the inaugural function of Balotsav-2018(Children festival) organized by the Directorate of Art and Culture in joint collaboration with West  Zone Cultural Centre, Udaipur on November 12, 2018 at Harmal Panchkroshi High School, Harmal, Pernem, Goa. On this occasion the Chief Coordinator of the Balotsav 2018 Smt. Kranti Chari and other resource persons Shri Anand Narvekar, Smt. Sampada Pednekar, Smt. Soniya Rodrigues Sabarwal, Smt. Nevitte Fernandes and Shri Shivanand Dabholkar were present on the occasion.

            More than 200 children’s from Pernem taluka and  surrounding area have participated in this  Balotsav. The festival  will be open from  November 12 to 16, 2018 for five days. The resource persons are Shri Eknath Mahale and Shri Manohar Ugavekar for Theatre, Shri Anand Narvekar and Ms. Deepshree Narvekar for Paper Craft, Smt. Sampada  Pednekar and Ms. Saeesha Pednekar for Clay Art, Smt. Nevitte Fernandes and Ms. Anna D’ Souza for Flower Making, Smt. Soniya Rodrigues Sabarwal and Abhyuday Sabarwal for Puppet Making, Shri Shivannad  Dhabolkar and Tukaram Govenkar for National Integration Songs.

            Addressing the gathering, Smt. Kranti Chari expressed the idea behind the organization of Balotsava and also mentioned that this is the 16^th year of Balotsav (Children Festival).

Panaji: – November 15, 2018 …Minister for P.W.D. and Transport, Shri Sudhin Dhavalikar inaugurated 65^th Co-operative week commencing from November 14, to November 20, 2018 organised by Department of Cooperation at Sahakar Bhavan, Curti Ponda today .The theme for this year is focused on “Inclusive growth and good governance through cooperatives for rural prosperity”

Panaji, November 15, 2018 …. “Yoga is becoming a binding force in the world today,” said the Governor, Dr. (Smt) Mridula Sinha while speaking at the concluding function of the Two-days International Yoga conference which was held in Panaji recently.

The theme of the Conference was “Yoga for Public Health” and was organized by Ministry of AYUSH Government of India.

The Governor said the practice of yoga helps to overcome health problems and ailments. Dr Sinha however, cautioned about the prevalence of fancy ideas of yoga which differed from the original concepts of Yoga. “Yoga is a way of life, living, thinking and doing,” she said. The Governor said that original, classical yoga needs to be promoted.

The Union Minister of State (I/C), Ministry of AYUSH, Shri Shripad Naik said that the response for the Conference was encouraging, “Yoga is the ancient culture and spiritual heritage of India,” he said. He added, “The approach of Yoga is holistic.” The Minister said that the benefits of Yoga go beyond geographical boundaries. He said that it is important to spread Yoga all over India. Shri. Naik added that the challenge today is to harmonize the process of globalization with ancient Indian science and spirituality.

Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India, Shri Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Addl. Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India, Shri P.K. Pathak were among those present on the occasion.

Panaji, November 15, 2018 …. The State Task Force Committee for Vector Borne Diseases held a meeting chaired by Secretary (Health), Shri J. Ashok Kumar, recently which was attended by various stake holders.

Some of the matters discussed included prevention of vector borne diseases in Goa. Shri Kumar stressed on the importance of inter sectoral coordination in the prevention and control of Vector Borne Diseases. Panchayats and Municipalities and Government Departments were directed to mark the copy of the NOC for any construction license issued by them to the peripheral health centers.
It was informed at the meet that an amendment making it mandatory migrant labourers working at different establishments to have health cards is pending with the Law Department. Presently, health cards are mandatory for workers at the construction sites only.
It was also suggested to carry out source reduction and Vector Control activities at the Village Panchayat level. It was decided to have various innovative, Information, Education, and Communication activities for the purpose of creating awareness. Bulk SMSs , along with the details of the reporting authority and contact, to be sent at periodic intervals during May to October, to the public requesting them to report any suspected cases of Vector Borne disease was one of the several suggestions discussed.
Educating and generating awareness among the school children was found to be helpful in source reduction of vector borne diseases and it was decided to accordingly design Information, Education, and Communication material especially for school children. It was also decided to carry out awareness drives in schools during the period of May to October and it was suggested to take on board NGOs, Self-Help Groups, NSS, NCC, Youth Clubs at local level for the purpose.

Panaji: November 14, 2018 … Secretary Education, Smt Nila Mohanan, IAS, launched a FLL (FIRST Lego League) kickoff event in Goa on November 3, 2018  at ‘Nalanda Hall’ of EDC, Panaji, was organized by Team Elev8 comprising of students from Dhirubhai Ambani International School, Mumbai.

LEGO GOA, a local LEGO club from Goa, which is the local organizer of the event briefed  that that FIRST Lego League is an international competition that challenges elementary and middle school students to think like scientists and engineers, and design LEGO robots to complete tasks.

Student members of Team Elev8 made presentations about the FLL competition. Shri Ashwin Shah, Coach of International repute and Co-founder and  Director of  Robo Fun Lab Pvt. Ltd. conducted the half day event which comprised of robot design and Robot mission competition.

94 students as part of 19 teams from various schools of Goa participated in the event.

Smt Nila Mohanan, IAS,  Secretary Education,  presided over the Prize Distribution programme and congratulated the organizers for organizing such a unique event for the students of Goa. She expressed her support for such events in the future.

Prize winners of the events as follows from category of  Robot Design are Competition areRosary School, Cujira received 1^st Place,   Manovikas School, Margao  awarded 2 ^nd Place, while  Brainstormers, Panaji, awarded 3^rd place and  in category of Robot Game competition, Hegdewar School, Panaji awarded 1^st Place,  Alpha Challengers, Panaji, awarded 2^nd place and  Vidya Vikas school, Margao got the 3^rd place.

Shri Amey Karmali, General Manager of CIBA, Goa the local partner for the event expressed support for STEM based education in Goa.