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JUSTICE MISRA SWORN IN GOA LOKAYUKTA

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April 29, 2016 … Former Chief Justice of Patna High  Court Justice  Prafulla Kumar  Misra was on Thursday sworn in as the new Lokayukta of Goa. The new Lokayukta was administered oath by Governor Dr. Smt. Mridula Sinha at a brief function at Raj Bhavan.

Chief Minister Shri Laxmikant Parsekar  was present at the swearing-in ceremony along with his Cabinet ministers.

Chief secretary Shri R. K. Srivastava earlier read out the order of appointment of Lokayukta.

Among other dignitories who attended the  swearing in Ceremony  were Dr. ram Kripal Sinha spouse of the Governor,  Deputy Chief Minister Shri Francis D’Souza, Minister for P.W.D. Shri Ramkrishna alias Sudin Dhavalikar, Minister for Craftsmen Training, Shri Pandurang alias Deepak Dhavalikar Minister for Tourism Shri Dilip Parulekar, Deputy Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly Shr Vishnu Wagh, State Chief Information Commissioner, Shri Prashant S. P. Tendolkar, State Information Commissioner, Shri Juino de Souza, State Information Commissioner , Smt Pratima K. Vernekar, Secretaries to the Government, Heads of Government Departments among other prominent citizens.

GTDC goes hi-tech! New tourism Mobile Application and Web Portal launched, Technology to boost tourism e-commerce Tourists to get a digital experience of Goa

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Panjim, April 28: Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) today launched its all new e-commerce portal and mobile application on the android and iOS platforms that will provide tourists a digital experience of Goa. This is the first venture of its kind to be launched by a Tourism Board in India.

Hon’ble Chief Minister, Mr. Laxmikant Parsekar recently launched the new technology at a  function held at Calangute Residency.  Also present at the launch event included Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Mr. Dilip Parulekar, Hon’ble MLA and Chairman of GTDC, Mr. Nilesh Cabral, Hon’ble MLA and Chairman of NGPDA, Mr. Michael Lobo, Chief Secretary of Goa, Mr. R. K. Srivastava (IAS), Director of Tourism, Mr. Sanjeev C. Gauns Dessai,  Managing Director of GTDC, Mr. Nikhil Desai and Board  of Directors of GTDC.

Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, Mr. Laxmikant Parsekar said, “I am extremely happy to see how Goa Tourism Development Corporation is evolving and making Goa Tourism attractive and innovative every passing day. The use of technology and digitalizing tourism services is the need of the hour to reach out to tourists in India and international markets.  I credit  the Tourism  Minister, Chairman  of GTDC  and  their teams for adopting  technology as  a tool  to  give a big fillip  to tourism. Goa is the first Board in the country to log in to a unique technology which will provide a variety of Goa Tourism products to tourists on one platform. Every aspect of Goa, such as its history, tourist spots, culture, adventure activities, transport facilities, and many more will be highlighted in this portal. This will help tourists plan their trips and easily make their bookings at Bed and Breakfast units, starred hotels, heritage homes and indulge in activities such as water sports, adrenaline activities, music festivals, restaurant bookings, nature and cultural trails to heritage sites, walking trails to river cruises, and many more at the click of a button.”

During the launch the  dignitaries, guests and media were also  given an insight into the  operations  of  the technology and it’s working.

Hon’ble Minister  for Tourism, Mr. Dilip Parulekar said, “ The web portal is designed in such a way that international and domestic visitors will be able to browse through various options right from choosing holiday  packages, travel itineraries, hotel bookings, sight-seeing, adventure trips, spice gardens , water parks, crocodile dandis, dolphin trips and much more, with ease. Right from a pick-up at the airport to the activities available in Goa will be provided under this single portal.”

Goa Tourism Development Corporation has got tremendous positive response from Goan private entrepreneurs who have already registered with GTDC to market their products.

Hon’ble Chairman of GTDC, Mr. Nilesh Cabral said, “The   new web portal provides an opportunity for locals to generate revenue thereby making it beneficial for residents of Goa and tourists alike. The suppliers will need to register under the GTDC web portal to avail the benefit as it is an opportunity to market their products and services worldwide.”

QUB Tourism Services Pvt. Ltd., experienced in developing software for over 100 travel website applications and marketing noted travel brands world-wide, was awarded the contract to undertake this project. GTDC will not incur any costs for the venture and in fact stands to gain revenue through a revenue sharing model.

This website-cum-e-commerce portal will be available in six foreign languages including Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Arabic, German and French in addition to Hindi and English. It is also backed by a 12-hour contact centre service that will make the process of booking and query responses quicker.

APIs to connect with other platforms and increase collaborative opportunities will now be possible.

The major highlight of the project is to build a world-wide database of travel agents interested in Goa and provide them with everything their clients need in the simplest form. Elements like artificial intelligence supported itinerary builders will facilitate the same. On ground service to all registered suppliers in Goa is pivotal to the success of the project.

Shawn Mendes, from QUB Tourism Services Pvt. Ltd. said, “The vision behind the platform is to be a holistic resource where one can educate oneself on the tourism offering of Goa. It will promote experiences unique to Goa and deliver value to not only the visitor but also all the tourism stakeholders that are contributing to make this vision a reality.”

QUB Tourism Services Pvt. Ltd. will conduct national and international online marketing activities through offices in countries outside India along with creation and management of marketing tools for agents.

GTDC is the first tourism board across the country to introduce such a innovative platform.

 

 

Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Mr. Dilip Parulekar reviews Airport and Immigration issues

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Panjim, April 27: Improving services for immigration and issue of Electronic Tourist Visas (ETVS) and expediting identification of land for  parking of taxis outside the airport are to be taken up on priority by multi agencies involved in ensuring smooth operations at the Goa International Airport, Dabolim.

A high level meeting chaired by Hon’ble Minister  for Tourism, Shri. Dilip Parulekar and  co-chaired by  Hon’ble MLA and Chairman of GTDC, Mr. Nilesh Cabral and  Hon’ble Minister for Power,  Mr.  Milind Naik took stock of various issues concerning  Goa airport  at Dabolim. In attendance  was the new  Airport Director, officials from  the Bureau of Immigration,  Traffic Police, Goa Police,  officials from  the  Department  of Tourism and  Goa Tourism Development  Corporation,  association of taxi operators attached  to Goa airport,  representatives of the Travel and  Tourism  Association of Goa and others.

The airport authorities and  bureau of immigration were impressed upon to  resolve  all issues ahead  of the forthcoming  tourism season starting from October 2016 so as to  avoid chaos and confusion at the airport and to prevent  any kind  of harassment  to  tourists arriving in Goa at the international airport.

During the meeting, the new  Airport Director  Mr. B C H Negi was appraised of  matters concerning  the ETV facility  and the need to expedite the process of issuing  the same to  tourists arriving  at Dabolim.   The airport director was impressed upon to increase the number of counters to meet the  rising increase in  tourist arrivals,  need to  increase manpower,  improve  the  designs  of the ETV issue counters,  add proper signages, in addition to other issues  concerning cleanliness,  hygiene,  trolley facilities etc.  The airport director  took note of  issues raised by the association of taxi operators at Dabolim airport and  the need to increase space for parking of taxis around  the  airport and  within the close  proximity of  the arrival terminal.

As far as parking,  a joint  inspection is to be carried out  between all the  concerned  departments to find suitable and alternate  parking  areas  for taxi operators. The inspection will also look into issues within the new airport terminal at Dabolim and find  solutions to  improve services and facilities therein.

The  airport director  was also urged to  permit the taxi association at Dabolim to  use the counter  facility at the airport after following  all procedures.

The  TTAG urged the airport director to take  action against   harassment  to tourists  by trolley pullers and  those  dirtying the  premises.

The traffic  police  and transport department were also urged to take action against  unauthorized parking of vehicles  outside the  airport and  against  so call taxi hijackers  who  it was alleged are creating  chaos and  disturbing the authorized  taxi association from  conducting smooth operations. Action is also proposed against  those taxi drivers not using uniforms.

The Bureau  of Immigration were urged to  improve  their services at the earliest as the forthcoming season  starting from October 2016 would  see  a huge rise in tourist arrivals for ETV  facility at Dabolim.

Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Mr. Dilip Parulekar  also  expressed willingness to  initiate dialogue with the Ministry for Home  Affairs  and  the Goa government  to  sort out  issues raised  at  the review  meeting.

Mr. Parulekar said, “I  will speak to the Union  Ministry  for Home  Affairs  on  need for improving immigration services at the Goa airport  and  iron out all  problems  irking the  smooth functioning  and issue of ETVs to  foreign tourists arriving at  Goa  airport.  Issues of upkeep and maintenance of the  airport  and parking issues  will also  need to be  resolved before  the  new tourism season begins.”

Chairman of Goa Tourism Development Corporation, Mr. Nilesh Cabral  said, “There is need for taxi operators  at the  airport to  adopt modern  techniques  with regards to issue of tickets and  technology.” Mr. Cabral impressed on the association of taxi  operators  at Dabolim to  also gear up and  provide better services  for tourists  arriving  at the airport.

Mr. Cabral also   suggested training for   staff appointed  by the  Bureau of Immigration in soft skills  that will  help while interacting  with  tourists  at the ETV counters.

 

WORLD MALARIA DAY COMMEMORATED

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Panaji; April 26, 2016 … The Directorate of Health Services in association with Directorate of Public Health organized a programme to commemorate ‘World Malaria Day’ at seminar hall, Secretariat recently.

The theme of the function was ‘End Malaria for good’. With renewed focus and commitment, we can be the generation to end the oldest and dreadful and deadliest disease in human history.

Secretary Health, Shri Sudhir Mahajan in his address said that Malaria is a dreadful disease, claiming lives of millions all over the world. The Government, he said is making every effort to get rid of the menace. There is significant decrease in number of malaria cases in the State, due to timely precautions taken by the Directorate of Health Services. We need to work together to end Malaria from Goa, he remarked.

Earlier, Dr. Chandrakant Parab providing an overall review of situation of malaria in Goa called for the support of people and other stakeholders for elimination of Malaria in the State.

Dr. Sanjiv Dalvi, Director of Health Services welcomed the function; Dr. Kalpana Mahatme MO compered the function. While Dr. Jose D’Sa, Director of Director, Public Health proposed the vote of thanks.

GOVERNOR LAUNCHES CLEANLINESS DRIVE AT GMC BAMBOLIM

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April 25, 2016 …. Governor of Goa Dr. (Smt.) Mridula Sinha who is also a brand ambassador of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan nominated by the Prime Minister , today morning, launched a cleanliness drive in the Goa Medical College & Hospital at Bambolim, participated by 125 Police personnel and the hospital staff. The Director General of Police, Dr. Muktesh Chander, IPS and the Inspector General of Police, Shri Sunil Garg, IPS were present on the occasion.

In her brief speech, the Governor appreciated the voluntary efforts of the Goa Police personnel under the leadership of the Director General of Police and the Inspector general of Police, who willingly participated in this programme. She said that in spite of the fct that the Police have to perform hard duties, they are ready to render service towads Swacch Bharat Abhiyan.

The Governor said that others could emulate the example of the Police personnel in this important activity. The Governor emphasized the need for cleanliness at all places, particularly, hospitals. She also appreciated the participation of the staff of Goa Medical Collecge in this activity. She thanked the DGP and the IGP for motivating the Police personnel for  rendering voluntary service towards Swachh Bharat Abhiyam.

Earlier Director General of Police Dr. Muktesh Chander welcomed the gathering while Inspector General of Police Shri Sunil Garg proposed a vote of thanks.

The Dean of  Goa Medical College, Dr. Pradip Naik, Medical Superintendent Dr. Sunanda  Amonkar  along with their colleagues were present while launching the programme.

Also present on the occasion were Special Secretary to Governor Dr. N. Radhakrishan,  Superintendent of Police (Headquarters) Shri Vishram Borkar, Superintendent of Police (Security) Shri Bosco George, Superintendent of Police (North District), Shri Umesh Gaonkar, Deputy Superintendent of Police Shri Serafin Dias, Shri Lawrence D’Souza, Shri Anant Virnodkar, PRO Goa Police Shri John Aguiar and others.

SUPPLEMENT GOVT EFFORTS TO CONTAIN VECTOR BORNE DISEASES: Directorate of Health Services

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Panaji:  April 24, 2016 … The Directorate of Health Services impressed upon the community and the society at large to deal and supplement the efforts of the Government to contain the occurrence and spread of vector borne diseases.

 The Urban Health Centre, Panaji organized an advocacy workshop for Corporators and nodal officers of government department at Panaji, recently.

 Dr. Preetam Naik, Health Officer, Urban Health Centre through a presentation highlighted grounds that provide perfect breeding of mosquitos.  Various measures to avoid the ground for breeding including measures to be adopted to avoid vector borne diseases were also displayed.

 Dy. Director, DHS, Dr. Chandrakant Parab, impressed upon the CCP corporators and the nodal officers for source reduction of the mosquitos and asserted that everyone has a role to play to avoid occurrence of the disease.

 Mayor, Corporation of the City of Panaji, Shri Surendra Furtado urged upon the officials to deal with the offenders stringently within the prevalent laws.

 The Dy. Mayor, Smt. Lata Parik, CCP Corporators and officials from various government departments attended the workshop in large numbers.

INCENTIVE SCHOLARSHIP EXAM ON APRIL 24

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Panaji, April 23, 2016 …  The State Council of Educational Research and Training, Alto- Porvorim Goa will conduct Incentive Scholarship Examination ( Pradnya Shodh) April-  2016 for the students of Std. IV. on Sunday, April 24, 2016, from 10.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. at all the 12 Talukas the  venues being, Our Lady of Grace High School, and Shri Shanta durga High School Bicholim, in Bicholim Taluka,

Dnyanprassarak Vidyalaya, Mapusa in Bardez Taluka, Govt. Hr. Secondary School, Pednem in Pernem Taluka, Our Lady of Lourdes High School and Govt. Hr. Secondary School, Valpoi in  Sattari Taluka, Mary Immaculate Girls High School, Panaji in Tiswadi Taluka, A.J. De Almeida  High School, Ponda and Govt. High School, Sadar , Ponda in Ponda Taluka, Govt. Multipurpose High School, Margao in Salcete Taluka, Union High School, Sanguem, in Sanguem Taluka, Shri. Mallikarjun Vidyalaya, Canacona in Canacona Taluka, Sarvodaya Education Society’s High School, Curchorem in Quepem Taluka, V.S.Lad Hr. Secondary School, Piliye, Dharbandora  in Dharbandora  Taluka and  Govt. High School, (Main)Vasco in Mormugao taluka.

            Candidates appearing for the exam are requested to be present at the venue of the examination at least half an hour before the commencement of the examination.

DR. DE SOUZA AWARDED Ph.D IN MANAGEMENT

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Panaji, April 22, 2016 …  Maria Fatima De Souza, Associate Professor in Commerce and Officiating Principal of Government College of Commerce, Borda, Margao- Goa has been awarded Ph.D.  Degree in Management for her Research Thesis entitled “Expectations of Justice in complaints redressal in Airline Industry” by Goa University, Taleigao at the Convocation held in February, 2016.

Ms. Fatima De Souza worked under the guidance of Dr. Purva G. Hegde, Head of Department of Management Studies- Goa University.

            Fatima De Souza and Dr. Purva Hegde Dessai have published several research papers in International Journals of repute based on the research study. Their paper entitled “Perceived justice in Service Recovery efforts in Airline Industry” had received  the best paper award at the International Conference organized by Symbiosis International, Noida, in the year 2013.

GOVERNMENT TO PRESENT BHASHA PURASKAR 2015 ON APRIL 27

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GOVERNOR EMPHASISE NEED FOR LITTER FREE GOA

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April 20, 2016 … Governor of Goa, Dr.Mridula Sinha has emphasized that there is need for the that people to stop littering  the public places in Goa. Not only this they should stop others from littering the places. The Governor was addressing  Heads of the State and Central Government Departments in Goa on Swachh Bharat Abhiyan at Raj Bhavan recently.

The Heads of the Department in the beginning read out the reports of the activities on the  swacch Bharat Abhayan undertaken by their department and also suggested measures to effectively implement the abhiyan.

The Governor expressed happiness at the attendance and  felt that such type of reporting not only satisfies the department who have performed but gives ideas and motivates others to take up similar and even better activates. She felt that the youth organization like NCC and Nehru Yuvak Kendras should be activated in the mission.

Some of the Heads of  the Departments felt the  imposition of fines by the government is a good way to deter people from littering. It was felt that the  best way to prevent people from littering in public places is by creating awareness and inculcating a sense of responsibility.

            Shri Sanjit Rodrigues said that people should be  educated  about segregation at source which eliminates half of our waste. IGP Shri Sunil Garg, Commanding officer of 1 Goa Battalion NCC Col. Nand Kishor Subedar, OSD Tourism Department, Shri Brijesh Manerkar,  Director ICARDr. Narendra Pratap Singh and other spoke interacted.

            Secretary to Governor Smt. Shilpa Shinde earlier welcomed and later proposed a vote of thanks.