10/08/2014 …. Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, MoS in Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Space & Atomic Energy, Dr Jitendra Singh stated here today to the Ambassador of Czech Republic, Mr. Miloslav Stasek that India will offer training to Czech scientists.

 Dr Jitendra Singh said that though a small country, Czechoslovakia has assumed importance in the international domain, particularly in the area of automobile technology by the sheer dent of hard work and determination.

 The Czech Ambassador informed the Minister that in the month of October, a group of scholars from various Czech universities will be coming to India for interaction with Indian scholars in the union capital as well as other major cities including Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai and Bhubaneshwar. He requested Dr Jitendra Singh to spare some time for appointment with these visiting scholars and also offered courses like Ph.D and automobile training for students from India. 

Giving his consent for a meeting with the Czech scholars, Dr Jitendra Singh said that right from ancient times, India has been a favourite destination for scholars, researchers and explorers from other continents and in the present context, India also offers exclusive opportunities for affordable innovation which could help in supplementing knowledge based economy in a global world.

Dr Jitendra Singh also disclosed that the Indian Embassy in Pregue has been asked to get in touch with the Czech Government and expedite the proposals related to Science & Technology. He also emphasized the need to be flexible in implementing bilateral programmes in order to accommodate the constraints and diversities of the two countries. 

August 8, 2014 …. Chief Minister, Shri Manohar Parrikar has exhorted the people of the State not to be a part of regressive society and urged them to join hands together to wipe out the dreaded killerHIV/AIDS, especially the stigma attached to the epidemic.

 Shri Parrikar was speaking at the Legislative Forum on HIV/AIDS organized by Goa State AIDS Control Society and Goa Legislative Assembly with the support of AIDS Control at Assembly Complex, Porvorim, today.

 Shri Parrikar citing the example of the recent incident at Rivona mentioned that common sense needs to be used to come out of the stigma attached to HIV/AIDS. Stressing the need to know why, how and through what it can or cannot be contradicted.  We need to be vigilant and arrest the spread of this disease which is spreading mostly due to ignorance, he added

 He further informed that Ebola is at the forefront of the major disease affecting the globe at present. Ebola is a disease in which the red cells busts internally taking human life instantly, he added.

 Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly, Shri Rajendra Arlekar speaking on the occasion underscored the need to change our thinking and have one’s own self control. He said, self control can do away with such illness while our positive thinking can bring a total change towards the affected people and show the way to others while pointing out that the problem lies with not the people who are infected but with people who are not infected with the disease.

 Health Minister, Shri Laxmikant Parsekar said it is the State dream to have zero new infections within 4-5 years time.  Goa being a literate state and the annual infective detentions being reduced every year can definitely be brought down, he remarked.

 Complimenting the GSACS for the wonderful job, the Health Minister said Goa has a total of 15484 people inflicted with HIV/AIDS infections has been having a reduction in fresh detention at 523 people from 1100 person every year since 2009-13.

 He stressed the need to create awareness among the Panchayat/School and rural areas.  The stigma/discrimination attached to such epidemic needs to go and we can do it in our own way by playing a small role of social responsibility, he said.

 Principal Secretary(Health), Shri Parimal Rai in his welcome and inaugural address gave the statistics of HIV/AIDS cases prevalent in all parts of Goa  Salcete(18.4%) Mormugao(12.8%) Tiswadi(11.5%) and Bardez(14.5%) highlighted the very basic step of delaying the inevitable, i.e prevention and then prolong our life through intervention  once infected. 

 Shri Rai called upon the people to play a role in prevention of HIV by sharing information and providing our support to people living with HIV/AIDS.

 Dy. Chief Minister, Shri Francis D’Souza; Minister for PWD, Shri Ramkrishna(Sudin) Dhavlikar; Co-operation Minister, Shri Pandurang(Deepak) Dhavlikar; Dy. Speaker, Shri Anand Shet; MLA’s, Dr. Pramod Sawant; Shri Rohan Khaunte; Shri Subhash Phal Dessai; Shri Ganesh Gaonkar; Dean, GMC, Dr. Pradeep Naik; Director, DHS, Dr. Sanjeev Dalvi Dr. Digamber Naik were amongst those prominent persons present on the occasion.

 The forum was held for the Legislative Members as the action by such members has helped immensely toreverse the HIV and AIDS epidemic in many countries around the globe.

 It was also felt that it helps to advocate for development of new schemes and amendment of existing policies/schemes to make them HIV sensitive apart from as opinion builders, raise HIV/AIDS related issues at public forum, in the meetings of various Districts/State/National committees of which they are members.

 Later, Dr. Madhu Sharma, Project Director gave a brief presentation on the various aspects, objectives and the role Legislative Members can play in removing the myths and misconceptions in the minds of the public about HIV/AIDS  the life threatening disease.

Panaji, August 8, 2014 … The PNDT Advisory Committee discussed about the proposals received from various Clinics for setting up of USG machines, renewal of licenses and related other issues at the meeting held under the chairmanship of  Shri. Swapnil Naik , Additional  Collector  in his chamber at the Collectorate, North Goa, Panaji, yesterday.

          During the course of discussion at the meeting, the Committee  decided to impose  penalty of Rs.10,000/-  on Vrundavan Shalby Hospital for its irregularities  under section 23 of the PC-PNDT act.  In this context, inspection was conducted and show cause notices were  issued to Vrundavan Shalby Hospital.  However, they have  not  complied  which is necessitated as per the act.

          The meeting also decided to issue show cause notice to Goa Scan Centre,  Porvorim  for  non submission of  Form   ‘F’.  The  meeting also decided to  send final show cause notices   to  St. Anthony Hospital and Gomantak  Ayurveda Clinics  giving  them  seven day’s time to  submit  ‘F’ Forms regularly   and incase,  if it is  not received within the stipulated time  the operation of the clinics can be placed under  temporary suspension with immediate effect.

 The Advisory Committee urged the USG Clinics to submit Form ‘F” regularly failing which stern action will be initiated against them  as per the provision of PC-PNDT act. The Directorate of Health Services has  made available  online  facilities  for   Form ‘F’ submission.

          The meeting  was attended by Dr. Shirley Rebeiro, Chairperson  of Advisory Committee,  Dr. Mahendra  Ghanekar, Member Secretary,  Ms. Vasundhara Desai, Ms. Neeta  Marathe  and  Shri Shashikant Khandolkar all committee members.

08/08/2014 …. The Konkan Railway has has decided to run following special trains on Konkan Railway route to clear extra rush of passengers during Ganpati Festival in co-ordination with Central Railway. 

Train no. 02045/02046 Lokmanya Tilak (T) – Karmali – Lokmanya Tilak (T) AC Premium Special (Reserved)

Train No. 02045Lokmanya Tilak (T) – Karmali special train will leave from Lokmanya Tilak (T) at 01:10 hrs on 28^th  August, 04^th  and 11^th September 2014.  The train will reach Karmali at 11:30 hrs on same day. 

Train No. 02046 Karmali – Lokmanya Tilak (T)  special train will leave from Karmali at 11:55 hrs on 28^th  August, 04^th  and 11^th September 2014. The train will reach Lokmanya Tilak (T) at 22:15 hrs on same day.

The train will halt at  Thane, Panvel, Roha, Chiplun, Ratnagiri, and Kudal stations.

The train will have One First A.C. coach, Three  2-tier A.C. coach, Eight  3-tier A.C. coaches, one Pantry Car and Two luggage cum Brake Vans.

Panaji, August 8, 2014 … The District Magistrate North has brought to the notice of the public that  the sale  of plastic flags is prohibited.

Public  should  refrain from purchase of plastic  flags and in case, they found any person selling plastic flags, they should inform the police. Public may however buy the paper flags.  Many times, it is seen that these National Flags are thrown on the road or in the dustbins and other places after the  functions are over, mostly  unintentionally. 

This is an offence under Emblems and Names (prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 and the Prevention  of Insults to  National  Honour Act, 1971 and the  offender is liable for punishment under these Acts. 

This is to appeal to members  of general public that they should refrain from any action  that would cause disrespect to the National Flag including throwing of National Flags on the ground, dustbins and other public places. Paper flags should be disposed of in private consistent with the dignity of the flag.

The organizers of all public functions on  the occasion of Independence Day should also ensure  strict compliance of the requirements, as per the Flag Code of India, 2002 issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi.

          Any person  found making or selling plastic flags would be arrested and punished in accordance  with law.

08/08/2014 …As part of IDCF (Intensive Diarrhea Control Fortnight) which is observed from 28th July to 8th August and Breastfeeding Week which is observed from 1st to 7th August every year, an awareness programme was organized by Primary Health Centre- Corlim in collaboration with Military Hospital on 6th August at Military Camp Auditorium, Bambolim. The programme was attended by about 300 residents (ladies) of Military Camp.

The function was inaugurated by Commanding Officer -Military Hospital, Dr. Jaidev Biswas. Later, Dr. Kedar Raikar, Medical Officer Incharge, Primary Health Centre, Corlim made a power point presentation on importance of ORS (Oral Rehydration Salts) and zinc in control of Diarrhea and also advised the audience homemade remedies for rehydration. He also educated the people on sanitation and hygiene, especially hand washing.

Dr. Vandana Dhume, Chief Medical Officer, State Family Welfare Bureau, Directorate of Health Services, made a power point presentation on Importance of Exclusive Breastfeeding. She pointed out some common myths regarding Breastfeeding and cleared the doubts of the audience.

Dignitaries from Military Camp , Umesh Kholkar, Extension Educator, Directorate of Health Services and staff of Primary Health Centre, Corlim staff were also present.

Miss Bhakti Sawant, IEC Officer, PHC Corlim concluded the progamme with Vote of Thanks.