Panaji: Feb 9, 2015 …. Three day Self Help Group Mela has been arranged in the premises of Shree Bodgeshwar Temple, Mapusa from February 20, 2015, under National Urban Livelihood Mission Programme of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Government of India. The said fair is organized by the Goa State Urban Development Agency

A state level Fancy Dress Competition and Solo Dance Competition in two group each (age up to 10 years and from 10 to 18 years) will be held on February 21, 2015 and February 22, 2015 respectively.

Interested may contact Shri Rajesh Mahatme Phone No. 9922412969 for participation.  

February 8, 2015 …. The Army wing cadets of 1 Goa Battalion NCC who returned back to Goa after having successfully participated  in Republic Day Camp at New Delhi were felicitated today in the office premises of 1 Goa Battalion NCC to felicitate, Sant Inez.

These cadets had taken part in various prestigious events like marching on Rajpath on 26 Jan 2015, taking part in cultural competitions and events, which were presented  to all VIPs of Delhi, Motivation Hall briefings to VVIPS, Drill Competition and many such events.

The cadets of the  unit who participated in these events are:-   Cadet Sharadhi  S. of MES College, Vasco ,  Cadet Shreya Singh of MES College, Vasco,  Cadet Arjun Singh Rathore of MES College, Vasco ,Cadet Ashish Acharya of St Xaviers College, Mapusa, Cadet Rohit  Yadav of Dempo College, Panjim and Cadet Joel Sardhana of Damodar College, Madgaon.

Speaking on  the occasion Commanding of Officer of the 1 Goa Battalion NCC Colonel Nand Kishor said that  it was  indeed a matter of great pride and honour  to get selected to represent Karnataka and Goa Directorate in Republic Day Camp at New Delhi. All the above cadets got selected after a very stiff and difficult selection process and brought laurels not only to their respective Colleges but also to Goa State . They were true ambassadors of good will and bonhomie and were watched with awe by all the Countrymen on TV.

Out of a total of 08 NCC cadets of Goa, who had the honour of getting selected, 06 NCC cadets belonged to 1 Goa Battalion NCC which is being Commanded by Colonel Nand Kishore. The balance 02 NCC cadets, namely Yesa Neswankar and Amey Gaonkar belonged to 1 Goa Naval Unit.

 Apart from these cadets of 1 Goa Battalion NCC, those  also felicitated for outstanding contribution to NCC by Colonel Nand Kishore are  Cadet Sarita B of Dempo College Panaji,  Cadet Emberson D Silva of Rosary College , Nuvem and Cadet Pratimesh Chudankar of DMs College for participating in the Prime Ministers Rally on 28 Jan 2015.Cadet Umesh Chavan of MES College was felicitated  for participating in Thal Sainik Camp at Delhi in Oct 2014. Here he participated in events like, Shooting, Obstacle Training, Map Reading etc while  Cadet Joshua Vaz was felicitated for participating in National Mavlankar Shooting Competition at Asansol(West Bengal) in Oct 2014.

The contributions of Principals of the Colleges  that these cadets belonged to and that of Administrative Officer of the Unit Col SK Samanta were acknowledged by the Commanding Officer Colonel Nand Kishore.

Respective  Associate NCC Officers Maj Tushar Avnekar of St Xaviers College, Maj SB Dharwarkar of DMs College, Maj Christopher James of MES College, Lt Vinod Joshua of Dempo College, Maj Sanjay Desai of Damodar College and Lt Juan de Costa of Rosary College. Respective  Associate NCC Officers, who were present for this function were felicitated by Col Nand Kishore for their outstanding contribution and commitment to NCC.

Shri John Aguiar of the State Ex-NCC Cadets Association was also present.

Panaji: February 6,2015 …. The eminent nuclear scientist of India Dr.Anil Kakodkar has said that,  India has a great age old scientific legacy, However we could not produce Nobel laureate  in  science  for union we have to ponder over.

Dr Kakodkar stated this while speaking  as a chief guest at the  inauguration of 4^th Bharatiya Vidnyan Sammelan 2015, at a function held at Kal Academy Campal today. The function was organized by  Vidnyan Bharati in association with Government of Goa, Goa Kala Academy and Goa University.

 The Chief Minister Shri Laxmikant Parsekar graced the function.

 Dr. Kakodkar who delivered the keynote address  further  said that mere having legacy of science or maths is not enough. We have to introspect on why we are not noticed by the world in the field of science. Are we able to keep our thought process alive? The need of the hour he said is that our scientific research, innovations, development should touch last person in the society therefore he said we have to bridge the gap between traditional and modern scientists.The  Bhartiya Vigyan Sammelan will help to overcome the problem he opined.

Chief Secretary Government of Goa Shri Kevalkumar Sharma in his address said India is doing well in space and nuclear science. Our scientists will have to see that every common man of this country has to be benefitted. He appreciated the organizers for their efforts to provide platform for both for traditional and modern scientists to come together for larger interest of science in   the country.

 Architect of Super Computer Dr. Vijay Bhatkar thanked the Government for providing support to organize the event in Goa. He said the objective of the sammelan is to bring traditional and modern scientists together on common platform and to build mutual understanding for the progress of science in the country.

 Shri Arvind Bugde Director of Department Information and Publicity, Shri Jaykumar Secretary General VB, Prof. Suhas Godse President VB Goa Unit.,Shri Jayant Sahastrabuddhe NOS od VB, Shri Hiralal Menon Secretary organizing Committee BVS various scientists, students attended the function.

  Dr. Satish Shetye Vice-Chancellor Goa University and Chairman of Organizing Committee welcomed the guests.

Panjim, Jan 7 – Goa Tourism along and the Mormugao Port are upbeat as the luxury cruise boat tourism is picking up as the season progresses.

The Mormugao Port plays a leading role in sustainable development of high-end cruise tourism in the state of Goa. This season, in association with Goa Tourism, it has hosted eight cruise boats till date.

The first luxury cruise vessel ‘Aida Sol’ arrived at the Mormugao Port on 21st November 2014 carrying 2,203 passengers ushering in the new tourism season. Cruise vessels ‘Voyager’ and ‘Aida Aura’ followed simultaneously thereafter on 27th Nov 2014 bringing in 463 and 1,177 high-end tourists to Goa in a single day.

Berthing of the two luxury cruise vessels, one alongside the Breakwater Berth and the other at the Mole simultaneously on a single day demonstrated the Mormugao Port’s efficiency in handling the berthing operations smoothly and extending the required logistical support facilities at the berth to the local operators.

This was followed by arrival of three more luxury cruise vessels – ‘Azmara Quest’ ‘Seven Seas Voyager’ and ‘Nautica’ arriving at the port on three consecutive days 28th Nov 2014, 29th Nov 2014 and 30th Nov 2014 carrying 610, 672 and 592 passengers respectively.

The month of November saw the highest number of luxury cruise vessels arriving at the port numbering six in all in a matter of just 10 days bringing in a total of 5717 high end tourists.

In the month of December 2014, the Port along with Goa Tourism played host to two voyages of luxury cruise vessel viz. ‘Aida Aura’ which arrived on 11th December 2014 and again on 25th December 2014 carrying a total of 2,200 passengers.

From the time of beginning of this tourism season, as on date the Mormugao Port has played host to eight luxury cruise vessels handling a total of 7917 passengers.

Most of the passengers have been foreign nationals from Germany, USA, Canada and Great Britain.

As the tourisms season progresses steadily, the Port and Goa Tourism are expecting a total of 25 cruise vessels to arrive at Mormugao. The current tourism season which extends till May 2015 is expected to witness a total of 30494 passengers indicating a phenomenal rise in the number of luxury tourist arrivals in the state during the year.

The highest number of cruise passengers numbering 3300 though will be brought in by the cruise vessel ‘Aida Prima’ when it arrives at the Port on 3rd May 2015.

In order to give the luxury cruise shipping a further boost in the State, the Mormugao Port is building a state-of-the-art cruise berth terminal at an estimated cost of 8.79 crore which will be ready by December 2015. It will be equipped with all State-of-the-art facilities as good as any international airport terminal.

The new terminal will be spacious and house the Customs, Immigration Centre, baggage clearance centre, duty free shops, recreational facilities, lounge, cafeteria and electrical cars for the benefit of the visiting tourists.

Tourism Minister Shri Dilip Parulekar said, “Like air charters, Goa is getting a good response of tourist arrivals from luxury cruises and high-end tourists are arriving into Goa from the high seas.”

“We are looking forward to a successful season from luxury cruise vessel arrivals to Goa at MPT and Goa Tourism will give all the support required in this regards,” Shri Parulekar said.

Panjim, Jan 11/2015 : The Women’s Taxi Service introduced in Goa since October 2014 is an initiative of the Goa Tourism Development Corporation Limited (GTDC) and one of the many new tourism services launched for the benefit of visiting tourists, especially women from India and abroad.

Safety, security and efficiency is the mantra of the Women Taxi Service and its success has spread across the globe by word-of-mouth through clientele who have availed these services.

The allegations made by the Centre for Responsible Tourism are baseless and attempts to malign GTDC and its private service provider.

The GTDC strongly believes that this is the handiwork of certain lobbies envious over the success of the Women Taxi Service and slams the CRT for making irresponsible statements. It has cast doubts on whether the CRT is really championing the cause of responsible tourism.

The GTDC strongly backs the Green Earth Trans Logistics Pvt. Ltd and its staff for the yeomen services being provided to women tourists in Goa.

The GTDC has countered all allegations made by the CRT reiterating that the contracting agency has been providing efficient and excellent service from the day of its launch till date.

The GTDC selected Green Earth Trans Logistics Pvt. Ltd. through a transparent tendering process and the letter of intent was handed over to the successful bidder on August 13, 2014.

This is the process followed by GTDC for all its joint venture projects with private agencies. “This is the process which has been followed in the past, in the present and for the future as well,” said GTDC Chairman Shri. Nilesh Cabral. The GTDC does not invest in any form other than providing logistical support, marketing, promotion and requisite permissions.

The company selected for Women Taxi Services is qualified in providing taxi services, road safety, transportation and other logistics under the terms and conditions prescribed by the GTDC in the contract.

Appointment letters have been given to all employees under the Women Taxi Service and salaries paid as specified in the appointment letters.
All the vehicles are fitted with GPS tracking devises and vehicles can be immobilized from the control room in case of any emergencies.

For communication purpose, the vehicles have a centralized communication systems connected to the control room where at the press of a button the travel hostesses can contact the control room for two way communication.

All candidates serving as travel hostesses have been trained with skills in self-defense. They have also been provided with cans of pepper spray as an additional measure.

There has been no violation in the primary condition of transporting women passengers.

At no given time have male customers been catered to except when women passengers travel with their families.

There is adequate record to show that there have been no night trips conducted after 8.00 pm. In the event of a trip extending beyond scheduled working time, the travel hostesses are allowed to take the vehicle home and evidence is available to prove this from GPS reports.

Training has been provided in first aid by the Indian Red Cross Society and certificates are available for scrutiny.

Training in mannerisms and etiquettes have also been provided by Trade Wings and Karate Sports Club of Goa.

As far as meters are concerned, they have been certified by The Weights and Measures Department, Govt. Of Goa and checked by the Directorate of Transport, Govt. Of Goa, only after which permissions were accorded to the agency to ply the vehicles.

The fares charged are as per the electronic meter readings and travel hostesses deposit the amount collected to the office account based on the readings and fare chart.

As far as salaries are concerned, those on training are paid a stipend of Rs 6,000. On completion of training and induction as permanent staff, salary of Rs 15,000 is paid as specified in the appointment letter.

The appointment letter makes no provision for overtime. Appointment letters have been provided to all the qualified candidates after successfully completing the training and induction process.

Regarding payments from clientele, presently payments are done through cash and account transfers. Regarding credit card payments, the mechanisms are being worked out keeping in mind the safety of the transactions and will be introduced in the next phase.

The monitoring of the cab is being done through the control room as well as on mobile apps by the management.

Prominent display of emergency contact numbers have been informed to each and every travel hostess and print outs also given.

Right from the time employment has been given to all the travel hostesses, only one has been terminated on account of gross misconduct and violent behavior at the office. There is no harassment inflicted on the travel hostesses.

All employees who are working as travel hostesses have a badge.
There is no question of any falsification related to the employee as the management has never claimed that the appointment as travel hostesses is on GTDC or government t payrolls.

This is a GTDC initiative and the employees have been appointed by Green Earth Trans Logistics Pvt. Ltd. All the travel hostesses have the privilege of using the GTDC residencies for parking their vehicles and using the lobbies for resting and access to clock room facilities.
As far as the demands made, the management states that the employees are governed by the rules of employment as specified in the appointment letter.

The GTDC is however working on a new revenue sharing model with the travel hostesses where they will be self employed with a share in total revenue earned, in addition to their fixed income.

The GTDC Chairman, Shri. Nilesh Cabral said, “Any issue brought to the notice of the GTDC is sorted out and dialogues are on to resolve certain matters brought to the attention of the Corporation.”

Shri. Cabral said, “However indiscipline of any sort in the execution of the taxi services will not be accepted and action deemed fit will be taken.”

Shri Cabral further said that the CRT should have co-ordinated with the GTDC on this matter rather than allowing itself to be misguided by certain elements who have failed to perform in their duties and responsibilities towards improving tourism services in Goa.

Panjim, Jan 10/2015 …  — The New y Year 2015 began on a hectic note for lifeguards in Goa as around 10 tourists were saved from drowning in a spate of three days along the coastline of Goa.

Reports received from Drishti Services, which is operating lifeguard, safety and monitoring mechanisms along the 105 km beach belt, to the
Department of Tourism, Govt. of Goa, indicates that lifeguards have proficiently handled all the emergencies and have kept a tight vigil on the waters packed with tourists.

In the first instance, three tourists were saved by lifeguards on January 3 while swimming at Baga.

Lifeguard Pankaj and Eknat negotiated rip currents to bring the trio ashore using rescue boards and tubes. The three tourists were caught in rip currents 25-30 meters seawards.

In another incident on January 3, 2015 two lady tourists were rescued at Arambol by lifeguards after they were found in distress. They were swimming in the non-swimming zone and continued to do so despite warnings from the duty lifeguard.

In another incident the same day at Mobor, lifeguards saved a lady tourist caught in a rip current.

At Candolim, lifeguards rescued three tourists the same day after they were dragged 60 meters se awards. One of the tourists who started vomiting was shifted into the DLPL lifeguard jeep rushed to the Candolim PHC. He was later discharged after being administered first-aid.

On January 5, 2015, another incident was reported at Sinquerim when a tourist collapsed while wading into the water. The victim was brought safely to shore.
The victim was suffering from epilepsy hence he was put into recovery position for few minutes. Later it was decided to shift the victim into the lifeguard jeep and rushed to Candolim PHC. The tourist was later referred to GMC for further treatment.

 Panaji, January 9, 2015  … The Governor of Goa Smt. Mridula Sinha recently held  a meeting with Sarpanchas of North Goa to discuss with them various measures to be implemented for keeping the Village Panchayat areas clean as part of the Swatchcha Bharat, Nitoll Goem campaign.

The meeting held at Raj Bhavan was also attended by Minister for Panchayats Shri Dayanand Mandrekar, Secretary (Panchayats) Shri P. Mathew Samuels  and Director of Panchayats Shri Gurudas Pilankar and all Sarpanchas of North Goa.

In her opening remarks the Governor underscored the need to keep areas in villages clean which she said is a constitutional obligation . She said the Panchayats should involve everyone  especially voluntary organizations in this important task of Swachcha Bharat, Nitoll Goem campaign.

The Governor further said that in order to keep village areas clean there is need to develop necessary infrastructure for disposal of garbage and for this thorough involvement of Sarpanchas is necessary.

The Governor expressed happiness that Goans are committed to work toward the Swachcha Bharat programme and hoped that Goa would become the number one state in this campaign.

Panchayat Minister Shri Dayanand Mandrekar said the various issues raised by Village Sarpanchas will be looked into by the Government.  He said the main issues are identifying places for dumping/disposal of garbage on the roadside needs to be looked into.

The Minister expressed happiness that such a meeting has been held to create awareness among Sarpanchas on various issues of cleanliness and thanked the Governor for taking such a initiative.

The meeting discussed at length issues like Health and sanitation, cleanliness drive by respective village Panchayats, effective enforcement of legal provision to arrest the trend of illegal garbage dumping on roadsides, provision of toilets wherever required, involvement of villagers in Swachcha Bharat Abhiyan, funds for collection of  garbage, and various other issues related to cleanliness drive.

Dr. N. Radhakrishn

Panaji: Jan 8, 2015 ….. The Collectorate of North Goa District, Panaji is organizing a training programme on Community Awareness on Disaster Preparedness in association with Directorate of Fire & Emergency Services for NCC Cadets and NSS Volunteers and Officers of NCC and NSS from various educational institutions of North Goa from January 07 to 09, 2015 at Directorate of Fire & Emergency Services, St. Inez, Panaji.

          The training programme will focus on the practical aspects of prevention and preparedness to disaster, response, operations coordination, rehabilitation for natural and man-made disasters, community awareness and involvement in disaster management.

          The Collectorate had successfully organized training programmes in North Goa for members of Panchayats, Senior citizens and students in the month of November 2014.

 The Deputy Chief Minister will be the Chief Guest for concluding ceremony in which certificates to the best trainees will be distributed.

Panaji; January 7, 2014 …. The Directorate of Art and Culture had organized Cultural Talent Search Competition in the field of performing art for the students in Goa from aided, Non aided and Government schools in order to give them boost and to search the hidden talent in them.  

The result of State Level Cultural Talent Search Competition of Essay, Poetry and Drawing/Painting held in the month of December 2014 at Panaji in 3 events are declared.  

In the Essay writing competition the first winner is Shawn Pereira, Loyola High School, Salcete, second prize Arzoo Mulla, Vidya Mandir, Aadarshnagar, Airport, Road Chicalim, Murmugao and third prize Michelle De Souza, Sharada Mandir High School, Panaji.   

In the Poetry writing competition  the first prize winner are Simran Snajay Usapkar, St. John of the Cross High School, Bicholim, second Prize winner are Claniffa Emmanuela Almeida, The Rosay High School, Miramar and third prize winner are Amish A Pagi, Government High School, Agonda.

Drawing/Painting competition the first prize winner is Saish V. Shet Mandrekar, Mandrem High School, Mandrem, Pernem, second prize winner are Manisha Vaz, Ragina  Mundi High School, Chicalim, Mormugao and third prize winner is Jairaj Suryakant Naik, Government High School, Mencurem, Bicholim.        

The prize distribution function will be announced shortly. The results are displayed on the notice board and same is available on its official website (www.artandculture.gov.gov.in) .