GOANET'S SUCCESS: Through the consistent efforts of dynamic goanetters Sunila Muzawar, Daryl Martyris and Anit Saxena, it has been possible to get the Customs notification changed. Accordingly, all the schools in Goa which are run on a non-commercial basis can now receive foreign donations of second hand computers, which are exempted from Customs duty. The schools in the rest of country too can now avail of the exemption. Our THANKS and CONGRATULATIONS to Sunila, Daryl and Anit.
GOA SUDHAROP AWARDS: Goa Sudharop Community Development, Inc, a Goan NGO/non-profit corporation based in the USA, announced its "2001 Goa Sudharop Awards" to Goans, who have worked to improve the lives of Goans and who have contributed to the State. The awards go to Ajay Noronha for his documentary on paedophilia arising from tourism in Goa; Bailancho Saad President Albertina Almeida and the Members for their work on women's issues; Journalist Fred Noronha for communicating with Goans worldwide on issues relating to Goa and Goans; Green Cross Committee and Members for working to preserve the flora and fauna of Goa and for educating the Goan public about environmental preservation; and Marlon Menezes for his work with the Goa Computers in School Project. Daryl Martyris being a Goa Sudharop Board member gets only a special mention. STUDENTS' WOES: The Goan farmer may be happy with the heavy showers for the last 24 hours but not the 350 odd students, 23 teachers and about 15 non-teaching staff of T B Cunha Higher Secondary School, housed in a wing of the former Lyceum complex in Panjim. The roof in the classrooms leak badly, few windows have panes, there are cracks in the walls, and it is dangerous for anyone to function in the 200-year-old building. All of them had heaved a sigh of relief when they were told that a new building was being constructed to house the T B Cunha school. However, when the new building was completed, the affected folk were shocked to hear that it was handed over to the Goa College of Architecture and the Goa College of Music. Since their entreaties have fallen on deaf ears, the students plan to approach Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who hold the Education portfolio. They now feel that that they have sat for too long a time under a leaking, dangerous roof of the aging, unattended wing of the former Lyceum complex. MONSOON SESSION: When the Goa Assembly resumes its monsoon session today afternoon, after a fortnight's break, the BJP government will introduce nearly 13 bills including the money landing amendment bill, panchayati raj amendment bill and the Lok Pal bill for establishing the Lok Ayukta for investigating into complaints of corruption against public servants. The Opposition members are, however, gearing up to attack the 9-month-old Parrikar government for handing over 51 primary schools to private, non-educational comanisations, besides raising the issue of the arrests of three former ministers and Congress party workers. E-GOVERNANCE: Minister for Information and Technology Ramakant Khalap says that each government office will be Information Technology enabled, so that citizens could access the services like down-loading of prescribed application forms, tender forms, etc for different services. Minister Khalap claims that within three years the State government will introduce E-governance in all its offices and link them with high speed web-based network HOTELIERS DON'T WANT MOPA AIRPORT: At a meeting held under the chairmanship of Serafino Cotta, the South Goa Hoteliers' Association have proposed to lobby together against the government's move to shift the centrally located international airport from Dabolim to the extreme north corner at Mopa FIVE FOREIGNERS RESCUED: Jonathan, Devin, Madisa, Ithen Childs and Christina Nevice, all foreigners, who had ventured out for swim in the choppy waters of the Colva beach, were rescued from drowning by five alert lifeguards attached to the Tourism Department at Colva. CRY OF THE CANE FARMERS: The sugarcane cultivators have urged the government to honour its promise by sanctioning Rs.1 crore to the Sanjivani Sugar factory, to help increase the cane rate. The cane cultivators say that it is not feasible to continue cultivation with the existing rates offered by the factory, which is facing a financial crisis. "MAPUSA PLUS" LAUNCHED: "Mapusa Plus", Goa's first community paper for Mapusa, was launched by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on July 4. The fortnightly tabloid, published by Wordsworth Communications Pvt Ltd, focuses on people, places and events in and around Mapusa, and is a platform to bring to fore news and views of the areas. For contact: infoline@goatelecom.com. VISAS ON ARRIVAL: Union Tourism Minister Ananth Kumar disclosed on July 6 in Panjim that the Centre is proposing to provide visas to tourists, from certain countries, on their arrival in India. Kumar also said that the Central government has earmarked Rs.2.5 crore for the special overseas campaign to promote Goa as a prime tourist destination. While speaking at the foundation laying function of the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukerjee Institute of Water Sports at Caranzalem, the Union minister said that his ministry intends to re-create old monuments and bring out CDs on them. Goa, which has already been selected as India's only international yacht hub, will also have an one-touch information centre. Kumar congratulated Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar for enhancing the budget for tourism from Rs.6 crore to Rs.12.38 crore. WHAT BLOCKS THE TOURIST FLOW: Union Tourism Minister Ananth Kumar says that the inflow of foreign tourists is low because of poor air-seat connectivity, negative image, immigration facilities and poor infrastructure. Kumar said that the seats availability is merely 5.4 million when double this number of people want to visit India. Outbound tourists number is about 4 million, mainly Indian. The tourist arrivals have increased from 2.38 million to 2.7 million over the last three years, while domestic tourist traffic is rising rapidly. FAREWELL TO "THE SYNDICATE": "The Navhind Times-Zest" will present an exclusive farewell show to The Syndicate today (July 8) at the Angel's Report in Porvorim, from 3 pm to 10 pm. Perhaps the longest lasting band in India, The Syndicate, which remained unchanged for nearly 20 years, is disbanding as their key member Joe Gomes is migrating to Canada. GOA IS A MODEL STATE FOR NATIONAL UNITY: Speaking at the valedictory function of the week-long National integration Camp at the Bal Bhavan at Campal in Panjim, on July 7, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said that Goa is a model State for promoting national integration and women empowerment. "HISTORICAL" INDEED: According to a report by Mayuresh Pawar in "GT", the students of the third year Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Goa are being denied the opportunity of learning the history of Goa because the history lecturers in some colleges prefer European history. The Board of Studies had made "History of Goa" compulsory for all colleges in the State from this academic year. BREAKING THE "BEACH COCOON": The Tourism department has suddenly woken up to the fact that unless the "sun and beaches" image of Goa is changed and attention focussed on the State's hinterland and backwaters, it would be difficult to withstand competition from neighbours. ON RESERVATION OF GMC SEATS FOR NRIS: Dr Suresh Amonkar, Health Minister, told the State Assembly on July 9 that the Goa government has not taken any decision to convert the proposed additional 30 seats at the first year MMBS course of the Goa Medical College into paid seats for NRIs. The Health Minister was replying to a calling attention motion moved by Marcaim MLA Sudhin Dhavlikar, who alleged that genuine Goan students, who were short-listed on the waiting list, would be denied their rightful opportunity if the 30 seats were reserved for NRIs. LIKELY AMENDMENT OF PORTUGUESE FAMILY LAWS: The old Portuguese family laws, which are applicable in Goa still, are good in parts and need authentic translation. The laws are being codified into a comprehensive "code", and if found necessary, some of the legislations could be amended to suit modern times, said Law Minister Ramakant Khalap in the House on July 9. LAND FREEZE AT MOPA: The Town and Country Planning Department has been asked by the government to freeze the sale of land identified for the setting up of the proposed international airport at Mopa in the Pernem taluka. The government is going about selecting a consultant, by global tender, for a detailed feasibility study and to prepare the financial model for funding, construction and management of the airport, Chief Minister Parrikar informed Dr Wilfred de Souza in the House on July 9. GOA'S FUND POSITION IMPROVES: The revenues from Excise and Sales Tax have recorded an increase of 45 per cent (Rs.200 crore) in the first quarter of the current financial year, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar told the House on July 10 that Goa now need not rush to the Centre repeatedly for assistance but can stand on her own feet. The Chief Minister expects a surplus budget next year. He blamed the past governments, whose members blame the BJP government now, for pushing the State into a debt trap. BLOWS AND ICE: Maria Concessao Gonsalves, leader of the Fish Vendors Association, and Sebastiao Cardozo were rushed to the Hospicio hospital as they were attacked and bashed by another section of fish vendors, who are seeking place to sell fish at the SGPDA market complex in Margao. The two opposing sections traded blows and flung ice at each other. CHILDLINE OFFICE: The Nirmala Education Society's "Childline Goa", inaugurated its office at the Nirmala Institute of Education at Panjim on July 5. The nodal agency will be involved in networking and liaison with resource comanisations allied systems, PCO owners besides undertaking documentation, training and awareness programmes. BUFFALO-IN-A-TANK: A buffalo which accidentally fell in a septic tank at Borda in Margao on July 9, was still lying trapped there helplessly until yesterday HISTORY HAS TO WAIT: The history teaches of 13 colleges in Goa have requested the Vice Chancellor of the Goa University to defer the implementation of the new syllabus by one year because thy have already begun teaching the old syllabus due to the delay caused by the University in intimating them about the change. GUIRIM FLYOVER PROPOSED: In reply to a starred question tabled by Saligao MLA Dr Wilfred de Souza, Transport Minister Pandurang Raut informed the Goa Assembly that the government proposes to construct a flyover besides a traffic island, to avoid accidents near the green Park Hotel at Guirim REMODELLING OF SELAULIM PLANT: The PWD has found that the 14-year-old Selaulim Water Treatment Plant needs remodelling because the 160-MLD plant's machinery and equipment is aging due to continuous operation. Moreover the government has also admitted in a report that there is a high content of manganese in the raw water of the plant. GOA'S "FIRST WAR OF INDEPENDENCE DAY": The Cuncolim Chieftain Memorial comanising Committee will observe July 15 as the First War of Independence Day at the Chieftains' memorial at Tolebhat in Cuncolim at 10 am. Ten prominent Cuncolkars will be felicitated on the occasion. "BE A TIATRIST": Margao's Theatre Art and Cultural Training Institute will conduct yet another course--"Be a Tiatrist"--beginning from September. The course will cover aspects like acting, singing, playwriting and direction. It will be conducted by leading actress Sharon Mazarello, who will be assisted by several other senior tiatrists. DUPING NBFCS: Chief Minister Parrikar informed the Goa Assembly on July 16 that Goa has been officially duped to the tune of Rs.23.71 crore by 24 Non-Banking Finance Companies. However, there are several investors who have not yet filed complaints with the police, Parrikar said while replying to a question tabled jointly by Opposition leader Luizinho Faleiro and Cumbarjua MLA Nirmala Sawant. ORPHANAGE OPENED: Save the Children, Goa Chapter, a leading charity institution, has opened a home for homeless children at the Bogmalo beach, near the Park Plaza Hotel. Call Tel 424441 for details SHACK OWNERS CALL FOR REVIEW OF TOURIST TRADE BILL: The All Goa Shack Owners Association has called for a review of the Goa Registration of Tourist Trade (Amendment) Bill, 2001, which was presented in the Goa Legislative Assembly recently, as the Bill has many clauses which will affect the long-term business activity of the beach shacks in coastal Goa. BURGLAR-BUGGED DIVAR SHOP: "My shop seems to act like a beacon in Divar to the burglars," young shop-keeper Alfred Menezes of Malar in Divar told Herald correspondent Mayabhushan Nagvenkar. Alfred's shop has been burgled 17 times in 25 years, despite all the safety measures he has taken to date. MARITIME ACADEMY AT AGNEL ASHRAM: Verna's Fr Agnel Ashram, acclaimed for setting high standards in the field of technical education, proposes to introduce a "Agnel Maritime Academy" within the technical education complex at Verna by September-October this year. It will be a premier institute conducting marine related courses, to train marine officers and crew. LOSING ON LOTTERIES: According to the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India for year 2000, the Goa government suffered a loss of over Rs.297 crore in revenue on the lottery business after it agreed to lower the rate of guaranteed returns to that specified by the Central government. SOUP CASE: Following a rare and barbaric incident Ms Girjava Murkha Panavar (30) lay hospitalised for severe burn injuries when her husband flung hot curry on her private parts, following an altercation at their residence near the Nehru Stadium at Fatorda. GOA, WESTERN GATEWAY OF TOURISM: Addressing the inaugural session of the Regional Convention of Hotel and Restaurant Association on "Tourism: Promote or Perish", Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said that a new concept of "Western Circuit on Tourism" will be developed by the BJP government to turn Goa into a gateway for tourists wishing to visit the western region of the country. The Chief Minister also said that Goa was too small for tourists to stay for more than seven days, and hence the western circuit would consists of a package for tourists, who would visit Goa and the other western regions and return back to Goa within a period of 25 days. In his address to the 10th Regional Convention of the Hotel and Restaurant Association at the Leela Palace Hotel in Cavelossim, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Chhagan Bhujpal suggested that the coastal states should fight against the Coastal Regulation Zones (CRZ) guidelines, which ban construction activities along 500 mts from the high tide line. Bhujpal also suggested that Goa's Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar, give a lead to fight this Central government regulation. "BIKHAREAK BIKHARI NOSAI": The Maina-Curtorim police have arrested Basudev Martha, a fisherman from Orissa residing in Curtorim, on the charge of attacking Nagesh Gawali, a fishermen from Chandor, while the latter was selling fish in Curtorim, and causing him grievous injuries FOURTEEN BILLS PASSED: The Monsoon Session of the Goa State Legislative Assembly, which was adjourned sine die on July 23, witnessed the passing of 14 bills, most of them without any discussion. Eleven of the bills were passed on the last day of the Session, when the issue of the computer education project, to be introduced in all the schools in Goa from August 15, generated a lot heat. The controversial Ground Water Regulation Bill, 2001, was withdrawn from the House, following a resolution moved by Water Resources minister Ramakant Khalap. INUNDATION IN CARAMBOLIM: A bundh gave way at Carambolim on July 24, inundating the road and the fields in the area. The traffic was paralysed at Dando from 11 am to 4.30 pm as a stretch of about 30 metres of the road was washed away. People on the outskirts of Carambolim have already been alerted as there could be a danger to houses in the low-lying areas in case of heavy rains. CANDLE-LIT STREET: The Immaculate Conception Youth Club, at Madel in Margao, took out acandle-light procession on July 27 at 8.00 pm, to highlight the lethargic attitude of the Electricity department, which has failed to provide street lights to the ward of the Margao Municipal Council. COLVALE AGAINST MAPUSA GARBAGE: The residents of Colvale, under the banner of the Colvale Jagrut Manch, have raised strong objections to the dumping of garbage in Colva from Mapusa and surrounding areas by the Mapusa Municipal Council. The Council seems to have changed directions for the garbage loads from the Assagao plateau to Colvale LAND OWNERS' MEETS: The Goan Association of Landowners and Agriculturists has planned a series of meetings, commencing with one at Margao on July 28, to evaluate land-related laws for requisite changes. TRAWLERS DEFY FISHING BAN: A number of mechanised fishing trawlers ventured out into the Arabian sea from the fishing jetties at Vasco and Cutbona in South Goa, defying the High Court ban on mechanised fishing. While the High Court is yet to decide the issue of lifting the ban on fishing, the All Goa Fishing Boat Owners Association, Vasco, took the decision on their own to begin fishing. They netted a big catch of solar prawns and mackerels and did brisk business particularly at Vasco. STABBED FOR POSTPONING MARRIAGE: Samson Crasto (29), had had stabbed Ms Elnet Fernandes (27) in the prayer room of the Regina Martyrum church on November 21, 1998, for repeatedly postponing their marriage plans. The Session Court has now convicted Sam of attempting to murder his lover. 'OPERATION VIJAY' TWICE: GPCC President Nirmala Sawant told reporters on July 26 that 'Operation Vijay' freed Goa from foreign yoke in 1961, and using the same name for the Kargil operation could confuse the students. Ms Sawant has urgent the government to seek a clarification from the central government on the matter and said that the Kargil operation could even be referred to as 'Operation Vijay-II'. LIFER FOR CHORAO MURDER ACCUSED: Gopal Sharma of Calcutta and Moses Fernandes of St Cruz have been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Brazinho Pereira (68) and his wife Celina (66) by stabbing at the aged couple's residence on the island of Chorao on April 13, 1998. After committing the heinous act, they decamped with a booty worth Rs.2 lakh. Moses, a cook, was nabbed on September 9, 1998, leading to the arrest of Gopal. Two of the remaining accused-Anil Kumar Shetty and Yetish Shetty, from Manipal--are still absconding. "CHEURISAM" COULD BE DANGEROUS: According to a study conducted by Dr VN Jindal, Head of the Neurosurgery Dept of the GMC, consumption of uncooked or partly cooked pork-like in the form of "cheurisam" (sausages)-can lead to serious brain disorders. The doctor observes that stray pigs get infected and develop tapeworm cysts in their muscles. When humans eat improperly cooked pork, their intestines too get infected with tapeworm, which may, in some cases, spread infection to the rest of the body, with the brain being most vulnerable to the infection. PASSPORT RACKET: Following the busting of the fcomed passport racket at the Dabolim airport on July 27, the police suspect the involvement of well established gangs in Mumbai and Gujarat, who have been making Goa's Dabolim International airport as an exit point for foreign destinations. TEEN SUICIDE IN GOA: The rise in the suicide rate among teenagers in Goa is quite distressing. According to a report in the NT, the statistics have shoot up from 4.2 in 1997 to 16.5 in 2001. At a recent workshop held by the Indian Medical Association, Goa, and the Goa Psychiatric Society, the urgent need to arrest the growth of the alarming trend and making the Goan youth aware that suicide is not a solution to any problem, was duly EXTRA TIME FOR LANDING OPERATIONS AT DABOLIM: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said on July 30 that he was hopeful of working out a solution for increasing the time slot for civilian aircrafts to land at the Dabolim airport. KRC'S SKY BUS METRO: The proposed Sky
Bus Metro connecting Mapusa to Margao has been shelved and the
Konkan Railway Corporation has submitted a new proposal, which will
connect Mapusa to the capital city, Panjim. The line, to be extended
upto Miramar, will cost around Rs.660 crore (Rs.45 crore per
kilometer). |
SILENT
MORCHA: The gaokars and components of the Comunidade, who are
protesting against the amendment to the Code of Comunidades, took to
the streets for the first time, in a silent morcha in Panjim on July
20. In the memoranda submitted to Chief Minister Parrikar and
Revenue Minister Jose Philip D'Souza, they said that the State
government has absolutely no right to interfere in the affairs of
the Comunidade except in providing administrative tutelage to the
components. On the same day, Melvyn Vaz, the Administrator of the
Comunidades, was assaulted in the presence of Sports Minister Sanjay
Bandekar over the demolition of a house belonging to Dhananjay Pagui
at Agonda on July 20.
MANDOVI, A CHEAPER BERTH? The British pleasure
craft "Winston Churchill" sailed up the Mandovi river first, and it
was followed by "s v Liv" from Finland and cruiser "Um Hurair" owned
by Ahmed Abdul Rahim Baker. The three vessels, which seem to have
preferred the Mandovi to Mormugao because of low berthing charges,
will be attracting glances at least till the Aguada sand bar clears
off sometime in September.