Panaji: June 4, 2016 … Minister for State (IC) for Ayush Shri Shripad Naik laid the foundation stone for proposed construction of Crematorium under MPLAD scheme in survey no. 19/4 at Madapai, Marcel in V.P. Tivrem Orgao today.

 Minister for Factories and Boilers Shri Pandurang (Deepak) Dhavalikar, Shri Pandurang Madkaikar, MLA, Shri Francis Inacio Lobo, Sarpanch, V. P. Tivrem-Orgao and other members were present on the occasion.

 Estimated cost of the project is 33,73,302=00 and work will be completed in January 2017.

Panaji: June 3, 2016 …. Institute Menezes Braganza, Panaji has organized an All Goa inter school quiz and singing competition on the eve of Goa Revolution Day.

All Goa Inter School Quiz Competition will be held on June 17, 2016 at 9.00 am. for the students of Std  8^th to 10^th on the  theme “History of Goas Freedom Movement 1510 – 1961”.

Winners of the competition will be awarded cash prizes and certificate; Certificate of participation will be given to every participant. First round for the competition will be a written test. Four teams will be selected to participate in the final round and entry for the participation should reach to IMB on or before June 10, 2016.

Similarly a patriotic solo singing competition will be held on July 17, 2016 at 3.00 pm for the talented singers from Goa, The singers of age group 20 – 40 years of age will be allowed to participate in the competition.

The song has to be based only on Goan Patriotism in Hindi, Marathi or Konkani language in 5 – 6 minutes. Practice session will be held on July12, 2016 from 9.00 am to 1.00 p.m in the premises of IMB, Panaji Goa. Participants will have to compulsorily attend the practice session for the convenience of both singers and musicians. Musicians will be provided by IMB. Winners of the competition will be awarded cash prizes and certificate respectively and participation certificate will be given to every individual participant.

 Panaji: June 2, 2016 … Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has informed that the modified draft model rules under JJ Act 2015, as per relaxation given by Union Ministry has been released for stakeholders comments and suggestions. The JJ Act 2015 has come into force from January 15, 2016 repealing the JJ Act, 2000.

The draft model rules 2016 that repeal the model rules 200 are based on the philosophy that children need to be reformed and reintegrated into society. One of the key features of the JJ Act, 2015 is special treatment of children in the age group of 16- 18 years who commit heinous offences.

In this regard the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has organized a meeting of stakeholders on June 3, 2016 between 9.30 am to 3.30 pm at the conference hall of the Secretariat, Porvorim, and Goa to discuss the draft rules and to compile data / suggestions to submit to Ministry by June 9, 2016.

Panaji : June 1, 2016 … The Polytechnic Panaji will conduct the Community Development short term courses for 3 to 6 months in technical fields that generate employments for the community. The Scheme is sponsored by Ministry of Human Resource Development and the courses are offered free of cost and qualification is not required.

 The name of the courses are A/C and Refrigeration, Basic Stenography, Goan Handicrafts, Plumbing, Food Preservation, Electrical Repair and Safety Measures, Bakery and Confectionery, Site Supervisor, Motor Diesel Mechanic, Fashion Designing, Computer Application and Welding and Fabrication.

 Application forms are available in community office of Government Polytechnic Altinho-Panaji. Those who are interested should fill the application form by June 10, 2016.

Panaji: May 31, 2016 …. Union Minister of Defence Shri Manohar Parrikar has said that the problem of garbage in Goa was increasing day by day and was viewed seriously by the Government. Despite Government has now succeeded in setting up a state of art, modern, facility based on the mechanical, Biological Treatment (MBT) process with proper segregation, recyclable and bio methanation Technology. He said the waste treatment technologies have been borrowed from different parts of the world.    

Shri Parrikar was speaking as the Chief Guest after inaugurating Solid Waste Management Facility at Calangute/ Saligao in North Goa. The function was organized by The Department of Science & Technology & Environment in collaboration with Goa State Infrastructural Development Corporation Ltd. at Saligao recrently.

Shri Parrikar further speaking said that, the machinery that has been installed from Italy and Germany. The functioning of the plant and selection of technology has been done on the basis that all issues of odour, unsightly garbage mounds and leachate generation are addressed and handled with the aim of minimizing the same. Electricity produced in house from the organic fraction of the waste will be used to power the complete plant operation.

Shri Parrikar further also said that the facility is the first of its kind in the country will not only serve as a tourist attraction but also as a learning centre to create awareness about the positive environmental impact of the solid waste treatment facility in the state. He complimented all those who have contributed in making Solid Waste Management Facility a reality.  

The Chief Minister Shri Laxmikant Parsekar in his address said that, Goa is known as tourist destination by the people from world over and therefore we have to keep Goa clean. The Government he said has faced many problems but due to the cooperation of many people this ambitious project has become a reality. He said every citizen has to cherish the dream of clean Goa then only we will be able to maintain cleanliness he reiterated.  

Deputy Chief Minister Shri Francis D’Souza while addressing  the function said that the solid waste treatment project which is commissioned today will cater to the need of large Garbage creating areas like Calangute, Mapusa, Saligao and other surrounding areas. Garbage he said is a man made problem therefore we have find solution for this. Goa has touristic importance world over that’s why we have to be serious about keeping Goa clean by making proper garbage management he added.  

Minister for Science and Environment Smt. Alina Saldanha while speaking at the function said that, In order to overcome the problem of garbage we need  greater awareness among the people. As a responsible citizen  we should  not litter garbage and not allow others from littering garbage. Garbage treatment plant was a long pending demand of local people came into reality to cater to north Goa,                                                                                                                                                                 

Shri Ramesh Tawadkar, Minister of Sports & youth Affairs, Shri Rajendra Arlekar, Forest Minister, Shri Dilip Parulekar, Tourism MinisterShri Nilesh Cabral, MLA & Chairman of GTDC, Shri Siddharth Kuncalckar, MLA & Chairman of EDC, Shri Michael Lobo, Shri Glen Ticlo both MLAs, Shri R.K. Srivastava, Chief Secretary,Shri Jose Manuel Noronho, Chairman GPSC, Shri Sanjit Rodrigues, MD, GSIDC,Shri Sandip Falari, Chairman MMC,Shri Ian D’Souza, President Saligao Communidade, Staff of GSIDC, and other Government Departments attended the function.

Dr. Pramod Sawant MLA & Chairman of GSIDC welcomed the guest. While Shri Levinson Martins, Director of Department of Science and Technology proposed the vote of thanks.

Panaji: May 30, 2016, ….. The Prisons Department is celebrating one year of the commissioning of the Central Jail, Colvale on the occasion of its 1^st year of inauguration on the Goa Statehood Day  by throwing open the Industrial Block which is first of its kind in India that will house all the workshops for various arts & craft, tailoring, carpentry, paper making, candle making etc.

all under one roof. Spread over an area of 1406.16 sq.mtrs. of built up space, the industrial block will also have a gallery section displaying some of the products manufactured by  the inmates of the jails.

The inmates will be given specialized training in all kinds of craftsmanship within the industrial Block in the jail premises. Another key highlight of the day will be the inauguration of Women prison Block.

The commissioning of the women block will ease the pressure on the sada jail where women inmates are currently housed within the same jail but in a separate block isolated from the mail section.

Besides inauguration of Industrial and Women block, the CM will also inaugurate a football ground developed within the jail premises which shortly will have a synthetic turf and will also be first of its kind in the Country reflecting best prison practices.

Commenting on the same, the I.G. Prisons, Shri  Elvis P. Gomes said that in the last one year, the effort that has been put in by the prison staff is commendable and even a Bio-gas plant has been installed within the kitchen block to treat the kitchen waste and generate cooking gas.

He said that on the occasion, the toppers in the IGNOU & NIOS examination will be feliciated and special Newsletter titled “Reformation” will be released at the hands of CM in the presence of Chief Secretary. Similarly, the Executive Jail staff will be sporting an Arm Badge which has been introduced for the first time with the theme “Custody and Reformation” will be released by the Chief Minister.

All the inmates at Central Jail, Colvale as well as the Sub-jail, Sada, Vasco will also be handed over mementos to commemorate the occasion.

Panaji: May 29, 2016 … The Prime Minister of India, has recently launched a new Scheme namely “Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana” under the Department of Agriculture, Govt. of India.

This Scheme provides a comprehensive insurance cover against failure of the crops, thus helping in stabilizing the income of the farmers and encouraging them for adoption of innovative practices.

In order to create awareness amongst the farming community, a programme is being organised by Krishi Vigyan Kendra South Goa at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao Goa on June 2, 2016 at 10.30 am.

The programme will be inaugurated by Shri Ramesh Tawadkar, Minister for Agriculture in the distinguished presence of Adv. Narendra Sawaikar, MP  South Goa, who will preside over the function .

Other dignitaries like the Director of Agriculture, Director of ICAR, Senior Government and Bank Officials will also attend the same. Entrepreneurs in the field of Agriculture business and large number of farmers will participate in this event.

28/05/2016 …. Goa, Daman and Diu became liberated after four and half centuries of foreign rule on 19^th December 1961 by operation Vijay launched by Indian Army. From that day till 30th May 1987, Goa enjoyed the status of a Union Territory along with Daman and Diu.

Goa was bestowed with Statehood on 30^th may 1987 and it became the 25^th state of the Indian union. Education and that too “Quality Education” is the need of the hour and the territory has seen it all in the last five and half decades. Advancement in education at all levels was a key for Goa’s progress.

From 1961 to 1987, the education system saw a qualitative expansion and betterment. The focus was on advancement of school education and its expansion, diversification and improvement. Later the focus shifted towards the advancement of Higher education in all the talukas of the state at every hook and corner.

Goa, Daman and Diu’s first Chief Minister Shri D.B. Bandodkar arranged to open government primary schools even in the remotest Villages of our state. High Schools and colleges followed due to lot of private initiatives and governments liberal grant-in-aid policy.

Goa’s overall literacy stands at around 90% and is a testimony of the growth of education at grass root levels. At the time of liberation it was very poor. There is a quantum jump in terms of student enrollment since liberation.

After Statehood, qualitatively the education has seen a sea change. The establishment of Goa University in 1985 which today ranks at a very high rating as per the Ministry of Human Resource Developments recent ratings. Prior to the establishment of the university, all the institutions were affiliated to Bombay (Mumbai) University.

The university today boasts of a number of programs like Masters in Marine Biotechnology( conducted by open All India Exams of JNU), integrated five years, MBA course in Hospitality management, Masters in Financial services, Masters in  business administration besides the conventional courses in Arts, Science and commerce. The Phd’s conferred every year is on the rise and gross enrollment rate (GER) is on the rise in Higher education.

The implementation of the Central government programmes in Higher education like the Rastriya Uchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (R.U.S.A) has yielded rich dividends and there has been a sustainable expansion of facilities at Institutions of Higher learning in the state. There is an autonomous college in S.P Chowgule college Margao with government college Quepem on the verge of becoming autonomous.

The establishment of a National Institute of Technology (NIT) at Farmagudi and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Goa will take the standards of education in Engineering and Technology to a new high. The medicine branch has diversified with rise in seats for MBBS and Dentistry-BDS.

The establishment of five para-medical courses in the state like physiotherapy, optometry, etc has opened up new vistas. The  government schemes to promote education by providing loans like Sant Sohirobanath Ambiye (Bursery) scheme and scholarships like Goa Scholar Scheme has also seen a number of Goan students going overseas for higher education at Masters level in medicine, technology, management and various other fields.

The progress too has been immense at lower levels too. The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan(SSA) has seen to it that all children in the age group of (6-14)years go to school and the recent announcement by the government  to introduce mid-day meals for event the IX and X standards will have good results especially in the rural areas.

At the Secondary level too, the Rashtriya Madhyanik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) has seen vocationalisation being introduced in a big manner under the NSQF wherein vocationalisation is promoted in 15 trades from standard IX onwards which is continued till 12^th standard through the vocational stream currently implemented in Goa through 49 Higher secondary schools at ‘+2’ stage.

The recent announcement of the establishment of a community college in Agriculture will facilitate Goans to take up agriculture. There is also the Degree course in Agriculture at Don Bosco College in Sulcorna. Such developments in various disciplines today open up new vistas for Goan youth.

Goan youth need to be more competitive and come in the Indian mainstram by appearing in the All India competitive exams by thorough preparation for exam like civil services exam, Banking Sector exams, Defence exams, NEET, IIT, etc to take Goa’s  name on the highest pinnacle of Indian educational scenario.

“Acche Din for Goa have timely come in educational sector which needs to be used constructively by Goan students to make it really big at All India levels thus proving the fact that Goan youth are second to none in the country in every vocation.

Ample job opportunities are created in Goa by the ‘Goa State Investment Promotion Board’ which ’facilitates employment.  Programmes like make in India, skill India, and Digital India start up India have to be made a reality by taking help of a number of government schemes like Dr. Verghese Kurian Chief Ministers Rozgar Yojana and the Prime Ministers Rozgar Yojana which will erase the unemployment problem and entrepreneurship will flourish and Goan youngsters will be seen as a more of “Job giver” rather than a ‘Job Seeker’ .

Wishing all Goans  on the occasion of Statehood and prosperous times ahead.

Panaji:  May 27, 2016 …. District Collector(South), Shri Swapnil Naik presented Dr. Ambedkar National Merit Awards to the meritorious students in class XIIth examination belonging to SC community through Dr. Ambedkar Foundation, under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, New Delhi at Matanhy Saldanha Administrative Complex, Margao, recently.

Shri Naik congratulating the awardees said the awards will serve as an encouragement to perform better in the respective fields chosen by the awardees.  Shri Naik also complimented the parents of the awardees to provide the requisite support to excel in their studies.

Mast. Kudalkar Subham Suresh was awarded the National Merit Award of Rs. 50,000/- and a certificate for attaining 2^nd position among eligible students in XIIth Science while Kum. Dhamapurkar Rukmini Jaganath(Arts) and Kum. Parsekar Kanvisha Khema(Science) were given special merit award of             Rs. 20,000/- and a certificate each

Additional Collector – I, Shri L.S. Roncon Pereira; Dy. Collector(DRO), Shri Deepesh N. Priorlkar and parents of the meritorious parents were amongst those present on the occasion.