24/11/2014 …. A book titled The Heroic Saint Francis Xavier was released by the Archbishop-Patriarch Emeritus Rev Raul Gonsalves in presence of Bishop of Mangalore Aloysius D’ Souza and others after the opening ceremony mass of the Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St. Francis Xavier on November 22, 2014 at Old Goa.

The extensively researched, illustrated with sketches, maps of the journeys, paintings, plans and colour photographs  was presented by the author to the Archbishop Emeritus for release. The book has a foreword by Fr. Francisco Caldeira. The Nihil Obstat is given by Fr. Manuel Pascoal Gomes, historian and Imprimatur for the book is granted by Archbishop-Patriarch Filipe Neri Ferrão.

The major achievement of this book is that the story of St. Francis Xavier unfolds inside-out. The book accompanies him on his travels against the background of war, politics, and intrigues. Long waits, patient focusing, administrative acumen and unwavering determination define his strong personality. His disappointments, doubts about himself serving God adequately, his acceptances of failure, his physical weaknesses, and his illnesses reveal a human being who rises above limitations and restrictions in his zeal to serve God and the people he cared for. His prayers, letters, comments reveal the inner man candidly.

His last journey, from the place of his death to the final resting place in Old Goa, is brought vividly to life. The awed adorations, the doubts, the examinations and the dissections come to life as if we are eye witnesses to the events.

The book is designed by Nisha Albuquerque, photography by Agnelo Lobo, published by Broadway, Publishing House, and printed by Rama Harmalkar. The proceeds of the books are dedicated to the Blessed Joseph Vaz Spiritual Renewal Centre, Old Goa.

Panaji; Nov 23, 2014 …. Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary  Education, Alto Betim organized one day productive workshop on “Art, creative writing skill” for English Teachers  at Secondary level on November 21, 2014.  Chairman of the Board Shri J.R. Rebello delivered  the welcome address. Shri Bhagirath Shetye, Secretary of the Board  introduced  the Resource person and briefed on objective of the workshop.

 The workshop was discussed about to boost the art of creative writing among students from an early class IX & X stage. Various techniques to develop a command over the English language and the arts, role of literature  in the overall development and role of journalism  in the electronic and social media.

  There were 35 participants at the workshop headed by Mrs. Patricia J. Pereira-Sethi, who is an award-winning journalist who worked for two decades  as correspondent, editor and the United-Nations Bureau Chief for Newsweek magazine  in New York expressed  her views on the occasion.

  Head Mistress Mrs. Genesis  D’ Silva  compered the programme and the vote of the thanks was given by Shri S. F. Koti, Joint Secretary, Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education. Shri Jayant Kansar, Shri Dnyaneshwar Tari, Mrs. Rajeshwari Mayekar and Shri Narayan Toraskar made the arrangement for success of the workshop.

November 22, 2014 … KTC will operate  free shuttle ring services from Ela Ferm and Pinto garage to Police station road from 6 am to 8 pm till last departure of devotees. Frequency will be one after one departure. 6 mini buses are posted at first instant.

Frequency will be increased on pilgrims demand. The buses will report at 6 am from 23^rd November at respective parking bays.

                    KTC will also operate shuttle services from margao, Vasco, Pond a, Mapusa at 5 am every day at  the frequency of 1 hour and from Panaji at 5.30 am at frequwncy of 10 minutes.

The route followed will be: Margao -6 buses and vasco 2 buses will be operated via Pilar Dongri to Ela farm whch will be charged Rs. 40 per one way-Departure from Bus stand. Ponda-2 buses via Banastarim to Hybrid chicken parkaing place Rs. 25 one way-Departure new KTC bus stand. Mapusa- 4 buses to Panaji via Diwja circle- Bakiya Parking place Rs. 25 one wasy from KTCL Bus stand. Panaji- 6 buses from Divja circle Bakiya Parking, Rs. 10 one way ticket. Departure from Panaji Bus stand. 

Buses will rad old Goa so that devotees can attend Konkani mass stgarding from 6 am, 715 am , 8.15 am, 10.45 am-Total five masses and evening at 6 am to 10 am.

20 buses procured from Exposition committee fund costing Rs. 3.12 Crores will be used  to ferry pilgrims for exposition. These buses will  thereafter be utilized by KTCL in their general fleet. 

22/11/2014 …. Pilgrims  from  across the globe and  India, visiting Goa  for the   St. Francis Xavier  Exposition 2014, will  get an opportunity to participate in the Holy Eucharist  at Old Goa in languages  of their  choice.  

This is a facility introduced in addition  to Masses  in foreign and Indian languages that are already scheduled  during the  SFX Novenas  between November 24 to December 2, 2014.

Fr Alfred Vaz,  Convener  for Exposition  2014 said, “Pilgrims  coming from  across the globe  and India are being given  this  opportunity  for the  first time.”

The additional masses  would be  permitted   as per the requests received,  and  scheduled  at 11 am after the regular daily masses  are held in the morning.

Foreign language   masses in Spanish, Italian,  French and  Portuguese have  already been scheduled  during the Novena days.  Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati,  Tamil,  Malayalam and Kanada  masses  are some of the Indian  language Masses  lined up during the  nine day Novenas as well.

Fr Vaz  explained further  that  Masses  in  any foreign and Indian language  would be permitted if requested for  by the pilgrim.With Spain being the  birth  place  of  St Francis Xavier,  a special mass in Spanish is also scheduled  on December 3,  the feast day  of St Francis Xavier.

According to  the  calendar  of Masses published  for  Exposition  2014, Masses will be held  daily during the  entire  period  of the SFX Exposition.

The Eucharistic Masses in Konkani and  English  are  scheduled  daily.

 “Providing an opportunity  for  visitors  to Goa, who will be on a pilgrimage  to Old Goa  during the SFX Exposition, to  participate in  Masses  in foreign and  Indian  languages will draw  more tourists to the  State  during the  Exposition,” said Nilesh Cabral, Chairman  of Goa Tourism Development  Corporation.

Goa tourism  has  is expecting tourists to converge  at Old  Goa from  across the globe and India  in  large numbers and  are  optimistic that their  stay in Goa  will  be more  meaningful during the  SFX Exposition  2014. 

22/11/2014 …. Goa Tourism   today  welcomed  the  first  passenger cruise  vessel, M V AIDAsol,  which  arrived  at  MPT.

The  vessel   had on board  2,192 passengers and   docked at  the  Port at 9.00 am   to an arousing  reception organized by Goa Tourism.

M V AIDAsol is  the first vessel  arriving in Goa for the tourism season 2014-15.

 Indications are that  as many as 24   cruise vessels  will be  sailing into  Goa till May 2015.

 Reports are that   cruise vessels  will  bring to  Goa  around 30,000  tourists.

A  facilitation  center   to expedite  Customs and Immigration  clearances  has  been set up.  The  tourism department  will be  providing  tourist s literature and all tourism related  information.

Other cruise liners  expected to  arrive in Goa  include AIDAaura,  Voyager, Seven Seas Voyager,  Aegean   Odyssey, Azamara Quest, AIDAprima.

 Panaji,  November 22, 2014 … Minister for Co-operation Shri Mahadev Naik presented the State Awards on the occasion of the concluding function of 61^st Co-operative week organised by Goa State Co-operative Union Ltd at Porvorim yesterday.

          MLA Shri Vishnu Surya Wagh was the guest of Honour. MLA Shri Rohan Khaunte, Ex-Union Minister Shri Ramakant Khalap, Ex-MP Shri Ramakant Angle graced the occasion.

          The Co-operative week was celebrated in the State from November 14 to November 20 as in other parts of the country.

          The State Awards presented by the Co-operation Minister were Ex. MP Shri Ramakant Angle for best Co-operator, Shri Gurudas Dhulapkar as best Chairman, Shri Jaganath Naik as best Secretary. The Best Society Award went to Goa Shipyard Employees Co-operative Credit Society.

  Certificate of appreciation was presented to MES Staff Co-operative Credit Society, and Bicholim Merchants Urban Co-operative Credit Society Ltd.

          Speaking on the occasion Shri Mahadev Naik said that the Co-operative sector should try to achieve growth so that they help generate the much needed employment. He said there are 22 industrial Co-operative societies in the State and it is necessary that they open small industrial units.

          The Minister also mentioned that in order to mitigate the problems of all Co-operative societies, he called for meeting soon wherein all problems of Co-operative units will be sorted out.

Shri Vishnu Surya Wagh speaking on the occasion said that the lacunae existing in Co-operative movement should be done away with to enable all those involved in  Co-operative movement to contribute immensely for the growth of the society. Shri Wagh also said that in the Co-operative movement the Co-operators should have a set role and for that purpose there should be guidelines framed and further said every Co-operative society should have a Public Relation authority to guide the Public.

          MLA Rohan Khaunte spoke on the Co-operative movement and how it can be strengthened through participation of its members.

          Ex-Union Minister Shri Ramakant Khalap, Ex-MP Shri Ramakant Angle Secretary Co-operative Shri Faizi O Hashmi, Registrar of Co-operative societies Shri J. Bhingui also spoke on the Co-operative movement.

          Shri Ramchandra Mule, Chairman Goa State Co-operative Union welcomed the guests. Shri Umesh Shirodkar, Vice Chairman, Goa State Co-operative Union proposed vote of thanks.

Panaji: Nov.22,2014 … Governor of Goa Smt. Mridula Sinha today held meeting with the representatives of various voluntary organizations regarding Swachcha Bharat Abhiyan at Rajbhavan.

The meeting in its agenda discussed on various points including the motivational efforts where voluntary organization can organize lecture / programmes for the people including children and students at places and schools in order 5to create warness about cleanliness., particularly the segregation of garbage. Installation of hoardings at appropriate places highlighting the  importance of cleanliness.

To coordinate with the AIR, Doordarshan for relaying the message of cleanliness. 

Placing  the dust-bins wherever required with suitable slogans and name of the organization or the sponsorer on it and putting the slogns Swachcha Bharat SwachCha Goa on rear side of miorror of the vehicles.. participation of  students by organizing  prabhat pheries with the placards of clealioness message.

During the interaction Smt. Sinha stressed on having maximum active participation of voluntary organizations to make Swachcha Bharat  Abhiyan  successful in Goa. She further mentioned that Goa being the small state and reach of the cleanliness  campaign to the doorstep of the people thus Goa can be made to achieve number one in the country.

 Er.Gerard J,D’Mello Chairman The Institute of Engineers ( India ) Goa Chapter, CA Naveen G.Daivajnya, Jc.Vikesh Assotikar,Junior Chamber International,Shri Gaurish Dhond Chairman Rotary Club International Goa Branch, Ln.Gangaram Morajkar  Lions Club Panaji Smrt. Akshay Khandeparkar Samrat Club International, Dr. Jagadish A.Cacodcar, President IMA Goa State  were those who attended the meeting.

Dr. Radhakrishnan Special Secretary to Governor welcomed the particapnts.

20/11/2014 …. Fifty lakh pilgrims are expected to visit Old Goa during the 44 days of the Exposition of St. Francis Xavier commencing November 22.Elaborate arrangements have been put in place to cater to the laity travelling to Goa from across the globe and country.

The Goa Archdiocese is estimating at least 1 lakh pilgrims to descend at Old Goa daily, while during the SFX novenas and December holidays there could be around 1.5 lakh visitors every day.

The church has also made special arrangements to accommodate 1,800 pilgrims with beds and food by charging a nominal fee of Rs 150. An additional 500 pilgrims are proposed to be accommodated at its retreat house.

Fr.Alfred Vaz, Convener of the SFX Exposition 2014 said, “All arrangements are well taken care of and elaborate arrangements for security, traffic plans, cleanliness are being worked out by the government.”

The SFX Exposition Secretariat along with the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) office and a health center have already been set up and all aspects concerning the SFX Exposition 2014 will be tackled therein. Top priority is being given towards ensuring hygiene and cleanliness and systems are being put in place such as anti-vector remedies, first aid , three bed medical facility, ambulance services and so on. Arrangements for supply of safe drinking water and hot water for bathing have also been made.

In view of the large arrivals of tourists from far and wide, the tourism department and the Goa Tourism Development Corporation have also appointed personnel for guiding tourists, travel bookings and tourism related information. Special ‘Hop-On Hop-Off’ buses will be introduced by the GTDC for giving visitors a tour of Old Goa and its monuments. The tour will give tourists and pilgrims an insight into history and heritage.

The Chairman of Goa Tourism Development Corporation, Nilesh Cabral said, “ the decennial Exposition of St Francis Xavier is a big occasion for Goa and the tourism ministry s working closely with the church to ensure that all visitors have a comfortable stay and take advantage of Goa in its full glory.”

19/11/2014 ….  The Prime Minister has nominated the Governor of Goa, Smt. Mridula Sinha as one of the Ambassador for Swachcha Bharat Abhiyan.

The Governor Smt. Mridula sinha has constituted a 12 member committee. The 12 member committee will make efforts to motivate the people and will undertake the activities in this regard in consultation with the concerned Government Department in Goa.

 The Committee Members are Smt. Alina Saldana, Minister for Forests, Shri Mauvin H. Godinho, MLA, Dr. Satish Shetye, Vice Chancellor, Goa University. Dr. C. Joe Arun SJ, Director, Goa  Institute of Management Sanquelim Campus, Poriem Sattari, Goa. Shri Sanjit Rodrigues, Commissioner, Corporation of the City Panaji.. Dr. Sanjiv Dalvi, Director of Health Services, Campal, Panaji. Shri Gaurish Dhond, Chairman, Indian Red Cross Society, Goa State Branch, Ms. Hema Sardessai, C/o. Shri Saviar Salsandhana, Palmarinha Resorts, Porbavaddo Mapusa – Parra. Shri Prince Jacob, House No. 388, Opp. PWD, Blue Heaven, Fatorda, Margao-Goa. Shri Francisco  De Braganza, President, Travel & Tourism Association of Goa, Dempo tower,  6^th Floor, 609 Patto Plaza, Panaji. Mrs. Pratima Govekar, Sarpanch of Anjuna-Caisua, Bardez, North Goa. Shri Moises Vaz, Sarpanch of Majorda-Uttorda, Calata, Salcete Goa.

 All the Government Departments/Semi Government Institution/Local Bodies are requested to note the above names of the members of the Committee constituted by the  Governor of Goa and to help/assist the committee members in their voluntary activities.