Panaji : April 20, 2017 …  A six day summer festival commencing from April 17, 2017 organised by the Directorate of Art & Culture was inaugurated by lighting the traditional lamp at Sanskruti Bhavan, Patto, Panaji.

Dy. Director of Accounts & Administration, Shri Ramesh Mahale welcomed the participants and Experts. He expressed the idea behind the organization of summer festival. He further appealed to the participants to make the optimum use of these workshops by developing their art skills during the festival period.

More than 250 children are participating in this Summer Festival. The resource persons for the workshops are Ms. Sangeeta Kanan and Shaileja Nadgundi for Jute Craft, Shri Amar Shet and Shailesh Dabolkar for Paper Mache, Smt Maya Shetkar and Smt. Divya Kurtarkar for Shell Craft and Smt. Kranti Chari and Shri Rayn Abreu for Printmaking. Shri Milind Mate, Assistant Director (Culture) gave away the Vote of thanks.

The concluding function will be held on  April 22, 2017 at 3.30 p.m. The Minister for  Art & Culture, Shri Govind Gaude will be the Chief Guest for concluding function at Multipurpose Hall of Sanskruti Bhavan, Patto, Panaji.

31/07/2015 …. Veilm mla Benjamin silva has said that his government was firm in putting an end to the velim church case where in the Cuncolim police had filed a chargesheet against priests and villagers due to which village boys had been facing problems even to travel abroad in the past few years with cases being booked against them …

It may be noted that the Former water resource minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues in a letter written to chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar had sought his intervention in the Velim church case where the Cuncolim police have filed a chargesheet against two priests and 20 villagers.

In a memorandum to the Chief Minister mr Rodrigues had said that the former chief minister and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar while speaking in the legislative assembly in March 2014 had said that he personally felt that the case should be closed while also admitting that arrests could create a law and order situation.

Mr rodrigues had also stated innocent people have been unnecessarily framed and implicated in the chargesheet including the parish priest and Episcopal vicar while actual culprits, the police who created the scenario by their ill advised raid on the church have been left scot-free.
But Speaking to media reporters velim mla Benjamin silva said that his government is trying to close the case but since issue of police officials was also involved his government did required time to take a final call over it

On asked about the former velim mla writing a letter to the chief minister over the issue Mr silva questioned as where was mr felipe neri rodrigues all this while and what he had done to solve the issue

Mr silva also said that the former chief minister Manohar Parrikar had assured of solving the issue within four months and now the present chief minister had also assured to finish the case soon as possible

Panaji, September 9, 2015 … Chief Minister Shri Laxmikant Parsekar has said that, henceforth additional three state awards will be conferred on the teachers imparting technical and higher education.

 The Chief Minister was speaking after conferring state awards on eight teachers on the occasion of 54^th Teachers Day celebrations held at Master Dinanath Mageshkar Hall, Kala Academy, Campal, Panaji today.

 Presently, the Government is presenting awards to the teachers from Primary to higher secondary level in recognition for their immense contribution in the field of education. He said the additional three state awards of which one for technical education and two for higher education will be conferred on the occasion of forthcoming Goa Liberation Day Celebrations.

 Emphasising the need for imparting quality education to the students the Chief Minister outlined the measures adopted by the state Government for quality education. He said in order to facilitate quality education the Government has already accorded permission for introduction of four years BSC. BEd and BA. BEd. Courses. The BSC BEd. Course has already started at Harmal in Mandrem and BA BEd. at Vidyaprobhodini, Porvorim in Bardez taluka. The students who have passed XIIth can seek admission for these courses informed the Chief Minister.

 The Chief Minister said as many as 325 English teachers have been appointed by the Government for Government run schools to teach English subject to the students. Similarly grants to develop infrastructure in school are being given to equip educational institutions with all the necessary infrastructure facilities. The Chief Minister also assured the teaching community that their problems would be addressed. In this context the Chief Minister informed that efforts are being made to streamline the procedure as regards NOC’s to filling up of posts of teachers.

 On the Chief Minister conferred state awards for the year 2015 on  Mrs. Flavia D’Souza (GPT), Govt Primary Middle School, Mapusa, Bardez  and Mrs. Sulabha P. Gaonkar (GPT), Govt. Primary School, Bethmoddi, Kakoda in the primary category.

In the Secondary category Shri Arun Mahadev Patil Asst. Teacher, Hutatma Bapu Gawas Memorial Govt. High School, Chandel Pednem and Mrs. Colette Francisca Xavier Asst Teacher, Pope John XXIII High School, Quepem.

 Similarly, in the Headmistress category Smt. Shobha Mhadgut, Headmistress, The Progress High School, Panaji and Mrs. Snehal S. Sanzgiri Headmistress, Deepvihar High School, Head Land Sada, Vasco.

 In the Higher Secondary category Shri Navnath B. Sawant, Teacher Grade I, from Smt. C. T. Naik Higher Secondary School, Curchorem, Goa and   in the Principal category Shri Anil G. Samant, Principal, Purushottam Walawalkar Higher Secondary School, Khorlim Mapusa were among others.

 Shri Virendra Kumar, IAS, Secretary for Education and all the State Awardees expressed their views on the occasion.

 Earlier Shri Gajanan Bhat, Director for Education welcomed the guests. Shri Shailesh Zingde, Dy. Director proposed a vote of thanks.

Panaji: February 03, 2018 …. The Chief Minister, Shri Manohar Parrikar today, distributed coconuts at the Goa State Horticultural Ltd. outlet in Altinho. While speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that this was an initiative aimed at making it convenient for the people to buy coconuts at affordable rates.

          The Chairperson of the Goa State Horticultural, Shri Pravin Zantye said that the scheme was being implemented on a no profit, no loss basis.

Former Panaji MLA, Shri Sidharth Kuncalienker told the gathering that the coconuts were being sourced directly from farm to the market from where the Government was buying from the farm and making them available to the people at affordable rates. “It is our endeavour to protect Goan staple food,” he said adding that was a “good initiative in the interest of all Goenkars.”

          Shri Jayesh Salgaonkar, Minister for Housing and Rural Development was also present on the occasion.

          Shri Madhav Kelkar, Managing Director, Goa Horticultural Corporation, said that the “This sale of coconuts was being done under the scheme of Government Intervention to Control Price Rise.”

          Under the scheme, 15 coconuts per family will be made available once in 15 days. Customers will have to produce gas consumer card to avail of the benefit. Customers are to approach Goa State Horticultural outlets in their jurisdiction only.

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.

July 28, 2014 …. Chief Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar has extended his warm greetings on the eve of ID-ul-Fitr. In a message, Shri Parrikar said the festival symbolizes piety, patience, fortitude and godliness.

The Chief Minister expressed the hope that the festival of Id-ul-Fitr, which gives the message of compassion, sacrifice and brotherhood, would strengthen our feelings of unity and communal harmony. He called upon all to come forward and help weak and underprivileged people of society and express the spirit of charity on this occasion.

Panaji: Nov 6th 2018 … The 49th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) to commence in Goa from 20th-28th Nov will showcase 212 films from over 68 countries

~The festival will open with the World Premiere of The Aspern Papers. The director Julien Landais and cast including Jonathan Rhys Meyers (Golden Globe winner), Joely Richardson (Oscar-nominated actress), Morgane Polanski (actress and daughter of Roman Polanski) will be present at the screening~

~On the occasion of the 100-year anniversary of Ingmar Bergman’s birth, IFFI will showcase 7 best films of his career including a documentary on Bergman titled “Bergman Island” directed by Marie Nyrerod~

~Israel to be the Country Focus,  Jharkhand to be the State Focus~

~The famous Israeli Actor, Alon Aboutboul (known for Hollywood films including, Rambo III, Munich by Steven Spielberg, Body of Lies by Ridley Scott and The Dark Knight Rises) will be the special guest as part of Israel delegation~

~Dan Wolman from Israel to be given the Lifetime Achievement Award~

~International Competition section has 15 films out of which 3 are Indian~

~World Panorama section will present 15 films, which are OSCAR submissions from respective countries~

~Indian Sports Biopics, Gold, Mary Kom, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, 1983, MSD: The untold story and Soorma will be screened at the 49th IFFI as an extension of the Khelo India Branding~ 

~A retrospective of Vinod Khanna will be showcasing some of his best films including Achanak, Lekin and Amar Akbar Anthony~

~Masterclasses and In-conversation section will feature several renowned celebrities from the Film Industry including Prasoon Joshi, Dan Wolman, Sreekar Prasad, Anil Kapoor, Sumit Israni, Boney Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, Jahnvi Kapoor, David Dhawan, Varun Dhawan, Rohit Dhawan, Jairaj, Kaushik Ganguly,Shaji Karun, Srijit Mukhrjee, Sridhar and Sreeram Raghvan, Anupama Chopra, Rajiv Masand, Bhawana Somaaya, Jason Hafford, Meghna Gulzar, Leena Yadav, Gauri Shinde~

~Homage will be paid to Late Sh. Shashi Kapoor, Late Smt. Sridevi, Late Sh. M.Karunanidhi and Late Ms. Kalpana Lajmi, in the International Homages this year IFFI will pay tribute to Terence Marsh, Milos Forman, and Anne V Coates~

~IFFI will showcase the movies ‘Sholay’ and ‘Hichki’ as part of a Special Package for Visually Impaired Children special screenings with audio description~

Goa, 06 Nov 2018: The 49th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2018 will be held in Goa from 20th to 28th November, 2018. 49th edition of the festival will showcase 212 films from over 68 countries, which reflects diversity of taste.

International Competition section has 15 films out of which 3 are Indian. Competition section itself represents films produced and co-produced by 22 countries.

Festival Kaleidoscope section carries 20 critically acclaimed international films that have been to major film festivals and majority of them being multiple award winners. This is one of the most sought after sections of the festival that showcases best and top films of the year.

World Panorama section has 67 films, which are specially curated for the festival. This includes 4 World Premieres, 2 International Premieres, 15 Asia Premieres and 60 India Premieres. This year World Panorama section presents 15 films, which are Oscar submissions from respective countries.

Retrospective of Ingmar Bergman

·      On the occasion of the 100-year anniversary of Ingmar Bergman’s birth, IFFI will showcase 7 best films of his career

·      A documentary on Bergman titled “Bergman Island” directed by Marie Nyrerod which presents the master behind the camera has also been included in this section

·      The official opening of this section is scheduled on 21st with Panel discussion followed by the screening of ‘Wild Strawberries’

Wild at Heart Master in His Craft: Retrospective section of Ingmar Bergman: 2018 marks the 100-year anniversary of Ingmar Bergman’s birth. On this occasion when 100-Year Jubilee is in full swing across the globe, IFFI showcases best 7 films of his career. A documentary on Bergman titled “Bergman Island” directed by Marie Nyrerod which presents the master behind the camera has also been included in this section. The official opening of this section is scheduled on 21st with Panel discussion followed by the screening of ‘Wild Strawberries’.

Opening Film- World Premiere of The Aspern Papers

·      The Festival will open with World Premiere of ‘The Aspern Papers’ with international star cast.

·      The Aspern Papers tells a story of obsession, grandeur lost and dreams of Byronic adventures.

·      The whole cast will be present for its premiere at the festival. Golden Globe winner Mr. Jonathan Rhys Meyers (lead actor), Oscar nominated actress Ms. Joely Richardson (lead actress), Ms. Julia Robins (actress), Daughter of Roman Polanski, Ms. Morgane Polanski (actress ) Mr. Nicolas Hau (actor) Mr. Julien Landais (director)Roman Polanski), and Nicolas Hau will be present at the screening.

The festival will open with World Premiere of ‘The Aspern Papers’ with international Star Cast. The Aspern Papers tells a story of obsession, grandeur lost and dreams of Byronic adventures.

Delegation: Mr. Jonathan Rhys Meyers (lead actor)- Golden Globe winner, Ms. Joely Richardson (lead actress)- Oscar nominated actress Ms. Julia Robins (actress) Ms. Morgane Polanski (actress and daughter of Roman Polanski) Mr. Nicolas Hau (actor) Mr. Julien Landais (director)

Country Focus- Israel

·      Opening film for the Country Focus is ‘The Other Story’ by Avi Nesher

·      Ten films from Israel will be screened in collaboration with the Consulate General of Israel in Mumbai

·      The famous Israeli Actor, Alon Aboutboul (known for Hollywood films including, Rambo III, Munich by Steven Spielberg, Body of Lies by Ridley Scott and The Dark Knight Rises) will be the special guest as part of Israel delegation.

·      The Indo-Israeli Co-Production Seminar to be held on 22nd November 2018.

Every year IFFI features a Country of Focus that brings out the cinematic excellence and contributions of that particular Country. In its 49th edition of IFFI, the Country of Focus will be Israel. Ten films in collaboration with the Consulate General of Israel in Mumbai, have been selected for the country focus package.

The Opening film for the Country Focus Section is ‘The Other Story’ by Avi Nesher. Important celebrities from Israel including the famous Israeli Actor, Alon Aboutboul, as our special guest from Israel, who has worked in several Hollywood films including, Rambo III, Munich by Steven Spielberg, Body of Lies by Ridley Scott and The Dark Knight Rises to name a few. The Indo-Israeli Co-production Seminar is slated to be held on 22nd November,2018.

A State focus – Jharkhand

·      Movies in the Jharkhand Package include Death in the Gunj, Ranchi Diaries, Begum Jaan with others.

Jharkhand has been selected as the State of Focus for 49th IFFI 2018 and Jharkhand Day will be celebrated on 24th November,2018 as part of the festival. Movies in the Jharkhand Package include Death in the Gunj, Ranchi Diaries, Begum Jaan with others.

The International Competition jury

 The International Competition jury comprises John Irvin, Adrian Sitaru, Polish Director Robert Glinski, Anna Ferraioli Ravel and Indian member Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra.

Indian Panorama- 26 feature and 21 non –feature Indian films

·      OLU directed by Shaji N Karun as the Opening feature film of Indian Panorama

·      Kharvas directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale as the Opening non-feature film of Indian Panorama

26 feature and 21 non –feature Indian films are selected by the Indian Panorama Jury to be screened as part of this section out of the hundreds of entries sent by filmmakers from various parts of the Country. The Feature film Jury selected the film OLU directed by Shaji N Karun as the Opening feature film of Indian Panorama 2018. The Non-Feature film Jury selected the film Kharvas directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale as the Opening non-feature film of Indian Panorama 2018. Prominent Feature films are as follows:

1 Olu (Opening film)

Malayalam Shaji N Karun
2 Nagarkirtan Bengali Kaushik Ganguly 3 Sa Bengali Arijit Singh
4 Uma Bengali Srijit Mukherji
5 Abyakto Bengali Arjun Dutta
6 Uronchondi Bengali Abhishek Saha

The Feature Film Jury of thirteen members was headed by acclaimed film director and screenwriter, Shri Rahul Rawail and the other prominent members included:

1. Major Ravi, Filmmaker & Actor 2. Shri Ahathian, Director 3. Shri Ujjwal Chatterjee, Director, Producer & Screenwriter 4. Shri Imo Singh, Director 5. Shri Utpal Datta, Filmmaker …and others

The Non Feature Film Jury of seven members was headed by acclaimed film director and editor, Shri Vinod Ganatra. The Jury constituted of the following Members:

1. Shri Uday Shankar Pani, Filmmaker 2. Smt Parvati Menon, Director & Film educationist 3. Shri Mandar Talaulikar, Filmmaker 4. Shri Padmaraj Nair, Film Journalist 5. Shri Ashok Sharan, Actor & Producer 6. Shri Suneel Puranik, Actor, Director & Producer

Sketch on Screen (Animation Film Package)

Sketch on Screen (Animation Film Package) is a section will screen around 3 International Feature Length Films done in collaboration with Indian studios.

Indian Sports Biopics

·      Gold, Mary Kom, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, 1983, MSD: The untold story and Soorma will be screened at the 49th IFFI as an extension of the Khelo India Branding.

Open Air Screenings are organized during the festival where a large screen is put up in a vast open area. This year as an extension of the Khelo India Branding, Indian Sports Biopics will be screened at the 49th IFFI. Films included in the section are Gold, Mary Kom, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, 1983, MSD: The untold story and Soorma.

ICFT prize consisting of the UNESCO Gandhi Medal to a film, which reflects the ideals promoted by UNESCO

·      This year 10 films will be showcased for selection of a film to be presented with this coveted award

IFFI collaborates with the International Council for Film, Audiovisual Communication (ICFT) Paris, to present a special ICFT prize consisting of the UNESCO Gandhi Medal to a film, which reflects the ideals promoted by UNESCO. This year 10 films will be showcased for selection of a film to be presented with this coveted award.

Masterclasses and In-conversation section

Masterclasses and In-conversation section will feature several renowned celebrities from the Film Industry including Prasoon Joshi, Dan Wolman, Sreekar Prasad, Anil Kapoor, Sumit Israni, Boney Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, Jahnvi Kapoor, David Dhawan, Varun Dhawan, Rohit Dhawan, Jairaj, Kaushik Ganguly,Shaji Karun, Srijit Mukhrjee, Sridhar and Sreeram Raghvan, Anupama Chopra, Rajiv masand, Bhawana Somaaya, Jason Hafford, Meghna Gulzar, Leena Yadav, Gauri Shinde.

A retrospective of films of the recipient of the most prestigious film award of the Country, Dadasaheb Phalke Award is showcased during IFFI. This year Vinod Khanna received the award posthumously. IFFI will be showcasing some of his best films including Achanak, Lekin and Amar Akbar Anthony.

Retrospective of the Lifetime Achievement Awardee section recognizes the contribution of our Lifetime Achievement Awardee in the field of Cinema by showcasing some of his/her best films. This year Mr. Dan Wolman from Israel will be honored with LTA.

‘Homages’ section pays tribute to the film personalities of our country who has taken refuge in the abode of God. This year homage will be paid to Late Sh. Shashi Kapoor, Late Smt. Sridevi, Late Sh. M.Karunanidhi and Late Ms. Kalpana Lajmi. in the International Homages this year we will pay tribute to Terence Marsh, Milos Forman, and Anne V Coates.

A Special Package for Visually Impaired Children special screenings with audio description will be organized for the children who are visually impaired. The festival will showcase the movies ‘Sholay’ and ‘Hichki’ under this section.

This year there will be a special presentation of Tunisian films.