Panaji: 02/09/2018 …The coaching clinic recently conducted by Coach Marc Pulles, NBA Senior Manager (Basketball Operations) was well attended by over 30 players and 20 coaches from Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa. The workshop focused decision making and building of team coordination with a lot of 1 on 1 and 2 on 1 combination transitions. Coach Marc made the players and coaches realize that basketball is not just question of dribbling, but thinking, planning and making reasonable decisions along with a lot of math that the players and coaches need to consider.

The clinic ended with a question answer moment where Coach Marc won the hearts of all with his frank and direct explanation of Basketball basic concepts.

Panaji, September 01, 2018 …. As technology is changing at a very fast pace it is a time to be a Master of the trades. You are at a stage of life where attraction and distraction are part of your curriculum. However, it is also a time to cast your spell and choose a niche,” stated Minister for Information and Technology (IT) Shri. Rohan Khaunte while speaking at the inaugural function of Information and Technology Engineering Student’s Association (INTENSA) at the Department of IT, Goa Engineering College(GEC), Farmagudi recently.

The principal of GEC Dr. V.N. Shet, Faculty Advisor of INTENSA Prof. Ganesh Manerkar, HoD of IT Dr. Nilesh FalDessai, Keynote speaker Shri. Siddhesh Kurade, INTENSA Chairman Shri. Pritam Bambolkar and Secretary Shri. Joshua Gracious were present among others.

While further addressing the students Shri. Khaunte stressed the importance of leadership qualities. “The leadership qualities have to be boiled down to an output which needs to be acknowledged. Believe in walking the talk. We live in a digital era where the biggest challenge for the Government is to groom an individual to become an entrepreneur and to bridge the gap between academia and industry. Opportunities are huge. Today we are in a phase where-in we can adapt to the latest technology such as GIS, Blockchain, Data Analytics and Robotics. We have a vast talent pool and only need to build a sustainable ecosystem to utilize it,” the Minister said.

“Our state can make a niche for itself in Start-ups. The Government is very ambitious and aims to be among Asia’s best 25 countries in start-ups. Caliber has no limitation and hence, a Start-up or a newly pitched idea has a long way to go,” Shri. Khaunte further said.   

“We are currently transiting from Mining to IT which is also transiting our economic model. We can transform through Tourism and Technology, where Government is a facilitator of schemes and aids while you must know how to utilize these facilities to frame a right model,” Khaunte advised the students.

Earlier the dignitaries lighted the traditional lamp. Shri. Faldessai welcomed the gathering while Shri. Gracias read the annual report. Shri. Kurade also spoke on the occasion. The Minister later presented the council badges to Shri. Pritam Bambolkar (President), Shri. Joshua Gracious (Secretary), Ms. Nishi Saglani (Treasurer), Ms. Aswini Bhat (Auditor), Ms. Saviti(Public Relations), Ms. Akshaya Sudhakar (Cultural Secretary), Ms. Rakshnda Bandodkar (Jt. Cultural Secretary), Shri. Saurabh Kunkolienkar (Technical Executive), Ms. Dhanashree Wadekar (Jt. Technical Executive) and other INTENSA council members. He also presented with certificates of appreciation to the outgoing members. Shri. Bambolkar read the oath for the council.

Ms. Minal and Ms. Dilora compered the function while Shri. Manerkar proposed the vote of thanks. A guest lecture by Persistent Systems Ltd.’s Shri. Siddhesh Kurade was also organised for the students on this occasion. The function was attended by faculty and students of GEC in large numbers.

Panaji: September 01… The Union Minister for AYUSH ( Independent Charge ) Shri Shripad Naik recently inaugurated the Konkani- Kannada Bandhava Samavesh and Cultural Festival 2018, organized by Goa Kesari’s Anu Publication in the city.

While addressing the gathering, Shri Shripad Naik said that the Kannada communities who are living in the state of Goa for many years have contributed to the socio-economic development of the state. He said Goa is known all over for its peace and harmony.  So it is the bounden duty of each one of us to work together for the growth and prosperity of the state by maintaining its unique character of peace and harmony.

Former Secretary for Goa Legislature, Shri T.N.Druvkumar who was the guest of honour for the function said that the Goa’s politicians have the right vision due to which Goa is making rapid progress. Their behaviour and adherence to rules of Legislature has made Goa to become a role model for other states in the country to follow.

 Shri Gurudas Pai, Shri Venkatesh  Bhat, Shri Arun Kumar, Shri Surendra Shetye, Shri Anant Prabhu were felicitated at the hands of the Union Minister Shri Naik, for their contribution to the socio-economic field while Lt. Col. Kumudini Pai was felicitated for being the first women from Goa to be recruited into the Indian Army.

President All Goa Kannada Samaj, Shri Hanumantappa Reddy, , Media Head ‘Suvarna’Shri Anand Baidanemane, President Goa Kannad Samaj, Shri Mallikarjun Badami, Panaji, and others attended the function.

Shri Srinivas Pai, Editor Goa Kesari welcomed the guests.

Shri Mahabal Bhat compered the function and also proposed the vote of thanks.   

Panaji .. 01/09/2018 ::::: The Entertainment Society of Goa had invited the applications for the Film Finance Scheme for the films produced between 1^st January 2016 to 31^st December 2017. The last date of submission which was on Monday, 27^th August 2018 has now been extended to Friday, 14^th September 2018.

The scheme is applicable for Feature films in Konkani and Marathi and Non Feature films in Konkani, Marathi, Hindi and English. All films must have English sub titles and censor certificate issued between 1^st January 2016 to 31^st December 2017. The scheme is applicable for all film producers from Goa only.

For Feature films (Konkani & Marathi), a grant of Rs. 50 lakhs for A category, 30 lakhs for B category and Rs. 10 lakhs for C category or 50% of the total expenditure as per audited statement and income tax return filed whichever is less will be given.

Similarly for Non Feature films (Konkani, Marathi, Hindi and English), a grant of 10 lakhs for A category, 5 lakhs for B category and Rs. 3 lakhs for C category or 50% of the total expenditure as per audited statement and income tax return filed whichever is less will be given.

This grading will be done by the evaluation committee consisting of not more than 5 members from film fraternity outside Goa as maybe constituted  by the society with the approval of the State Government and the films which are not coming under A, B or C category in Feature and Non Feature films will not be entitled for any grants.

For the eligibility and application form for this Film Finance Scheme kindly refer to the official gazette Series I No.32 Panaji 10^th November 2016 which is uploaded on our website www.esg.co.in.

Besides this the film producer will get additional assistance of Rs. 20 lakhs if the Feature film wins National Award in the Best Film Regional category. Rs. 25 lakhs if the film wins a National Award in any other Best Film category. Rs. 30 lakhs if the Feature film wins Golden Lotus Award at the National Film Awards or any International Awards at a Film Festival recognized by FIAPF.

In the Non Feature films, Rs. 7.50 lakhs if a film wins an award at an International Film Festival recognized by FIAPF and Rs. 5 lakhs will be given if the film wins a National Award.

Besides this there is additional assistance to individuals and technicians winning National of International Awards at FIAPF recognized International Film Festivals subject to a maximum aid for 2 festivals only.

Panaji: August 31, 2018 … The Governor of Goa, Dr.( Smt.) Mridula Sinha recently inaugurated the two days international seminar on  ‘JARA- A Focus On Geriatric Disorders’ organized by Bharatiy Sanskrit Prabodhini’s Gomantak Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya Shiroda at Kala Academy in city.

 While speaking on the occasion Dr. Sinha said that growing old is inevitable and cannot be stopped but ageing can be made happy and graceful by finding solutions to geriatric disorders.

 Dr. Sinha further said that India has the legacy of Ayurveda as most of the aged people from rural areas used to consume herbs and medicinal plants as their medicines. Recently many people are engaged in the task of undertaking research in Ayurveda she observed adding that this will help the people in future. The Governor hoped that the two days seminar would deliberate on various aspects of geriatric disorders.

 The Union Minister of state  for AYUSH ( Independent Charge ) Shri Shripad Naik  while addressing  the gathering appreciated the organizers for organizing seminar on an important topic related  to senior citizens. He said presently Ayurveda has been considered as alternative medicine. He appealed to the stakeholders to work hard to make Ayurveda main stream medicine as it doesn’t have side effects.

 The Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly, Dr. Pramod Sawant expressed his happiness over the endeavor of the organizers of the seminar for showing their concern towards the problem of old people. The geriatric disorders in human being makes old age painful Dr Sawant said adding that if the researchers of Ayurveda discover solution to the problem, old age will become happy and graceful phase in people’s lives.         .

Prof. Varun Sahni, Vice-Chancellor, Goa University also spoke on the occasion.

The members of teaching faculty  and non teaching  staff of the college were felicitated at the hands  of the Governor. The students of first batch of college of Ayurveda were honoured at the hands of Shri Shripad  Naik.

 Shri P.K.Ghate, President , Sanskrit Prabodhini presented report of the activities of the college. Shri Rajesh Kateja , Secretary for Ayush Ministry, Shri Nilesh Korade, Faculty Member of Ayurveda College, Delegates , students, and others attended the function.

 Earlier, Smt. Anura Bale, Principal Ayurveda Mahavidyalay welcomed the dignitaries.

 Shri Anil Panse, Joint Organizer of the conference proposed the vote of thanks.

Panaji, August 31st , 2018 … The community Food and Nutrition Extension Unit (CFNEU) Goa will celebrate National Nutrition Week from September 1 to 7, 2018 in the state of Goa.

The key objective is to intensify  awareness generation on the importance of nutrition for health which has an impact on development, productivity, economic growth and national development.

The theme of the National Nutrition Week for 2018 is ‘Ensuring focused  interventions on addressing under –nutrition during the first 1000 days of the child: Better Child Health’

On the occasion of National Nutrition Week The Government of India Ministry of Women and Child Development Food and Nutrition Board and Community Food and Nutrition Extension Unit Government Primary School, Building Fontainhas Mala, Panaji has planned to organize a State Level Workshop on September 1, 2018. In all 50 officers from Government department like Child Development Project Officer, Mukhya Sevika from Women and Child Development, Teachers from Education, Officer from Directorate of Health Services, NGO’s and Media representatives will participate in the workshop.

Margao: August 30, 2018 … The efficacy and the skills to attend emergency response were shown by the entire team of the District Crisis Group with apt handling of the situation, South Goa District under the leadership of the Collector & District Magistrate, Dr. Tariq Thomas, today.

The drill was conducted in the Indian Oil Corporation and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd, Vasco with the scenario being leakage of petrol followed by fire. The scenario created was due to leakage in inlet valve of one of the oil tank of IOCL leading to fire and with the wind direction the adjacent HPCL tank catching fire.

The drill continued for about forty minutes during which fire fighting and cooling operation were carried out and readiness of the various line agencies along with the industry for handling such emergencies was established.  The medical team also showed their preparedness to handle such situations by treating all dummy patients having minor injuries, as per planned scenario including shifting of patients with major burn injuries with due first aid.

The vendors/establishment in and around the vegetable and fruit market showed keen interest in the drill by participating in the conduct of the exercise.

Later, the Dy. Collector and Incident Commander for the drill, Shri Mahadev Araundekar at the debriefing stressed the importance of effective coordination between fires services and rescue services.  Shri Araundekar complimenting the team for the excellent fire fighting and emergency handling abilities showcased during the Mock Drill also analysed the strength and areas for improvement. The quick responses by Fire Tenders of not only IOL & HPCL but also the Mutual Aid partners were acknowledged.

At the debriefing held at Ravindra Bhavan, Baina, Vasco Shri Araundekar stressed the need to follow the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) by all the line agencies participating in the drill. Time is is very much important to face disaster like situation, he said. He appreciated the work of Police Department and Fire and Emergency Services. The communication gap along with evacuation part requires improvement, he pointed.

He said, in emergency, everything is time bound and that is why these mock drills are performed to see the prepadeness of all the agencies in situation of actual incident. Let us work in coordination and cooperation he appealed. He highlighted the various good things at the drill and also pointed the various areas for improvement. There is no scope of avoiding any duty during emergency he remarked.

Panaji, August  30, 2018 …. Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB) is organizing a public lecture and panel discussion on Advanced trends in Earth Sciences and its Application in Conservation of Biodiversity”, by Dr. Devesh Walia on August 31, 2018  between 3:15 pm to 5:30 pm at Shri. Madananth Sabhagruha, Madhalawada, Verem, Ponda.

Shri Walia is a  Sectional President (Earth System Sciences Section) Indian Science Congress Association-2018, Professor (Geology) and Head, Department of Environmental Studies, North-Eastern Hill University, Guwahati.  

The lecture is open to General Public. Kindly confirm your participation latest by August 30, 2018 to GSBB by telephone or SMS on 07758814606, as limited seats are available.  Confirmation will be on first come first serve basis.

Margao:  August 29, 2018 … The District Magistrate and Collector, South Goa District, Dr. Tariq Thomas asserting that the target to dissuade the youths from tobacco is a daunting task stressed the need to address the situation of young generation getting hooked to tobacco.

Chairing the meeting of the District Lvel Co-ordination Committee for Tobacoo Control at Collectorate, Margao, yesterday, Dr. Thomas urged the enforcement squads to work out schedules for initiating drives randomly every month at check post to instill fear in the tobacco traders. The Mamlatdar should also conduct drives in the vicinity of their offices.  The drives should create awareness among the people on the adverse effects on one health, he remarked.

Dr. Thomas directed all the concerned offices in the District to send a compliance report with respect to the adherence of the display of signages taking into the demand of Shri Roland Martins, GOACAN on the same at all government offices. Various other issues were also taken up at the meeting.

Member Secretary, Dr. Ira Almeida; DYSP, Shri Raju Raut Dessai; Mamlatdar, Salcete Shri Joao Fernandes and other Mamlatdars of various talukas besides official of Tourism, FDA and Information & Publicity were amongst those present on the occasion.