Margao:  October 1, 2018 … Member of Parliament, Shri Narendra Sawaikar stressing the need of closing all the Old Age Homes for having a healthy society appealed to the people to never part away with parents.

Shri Sawaiker was speaking after commissioning 10 static Bicycles for the inmates of IPA at Margao and inaugurating the ‘Snehi’ Sneha Bhaav Sanskar at Insitute of Provedoria, Margao today.  The bicycles costing around 4.5 lakhs have been provided to the institute under MPLAD shceme.

Old age is something which we can’t avoid, Shri Sawaikar said and called upon the children to shoulder the responsibility to take care of their elders.  Everyone has a responsibility to care of their family, he added.

The Institute of Provedoria have collaborated with few educational institutes of the South District and started the ‘SNEHI’ wherein the students of these institutes will visit old age homes 365 days, providing much needed care and attention to its inmates.

The institutes of Chowgule College, Damodar College and Jawahar Higher Secondary School have come forward to associate with Snehi.

The Director of IPA in his welcomed speech informed that the institute has also started making paper and cloth bags in association with the Goa college of Home Science to ensure that people desist from using plastic ones.

The Principals of the various colleges also spoke on the occasion.

Panaji, September 30, 2018 …… The Government of Goa signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Portugal for Proposed Technical Cooperation Partnerships for Water Supply and Waste Water Management in Goa, at a function held in the city in today.

 Terming the MOU as a significant step between the Government of India and the Republic of Portugal, the Minister for Public Works Department (PWD), Shri. Ramkrishna alias Sudin Dhavalikar, said, “It has been my earnest endeavour to develop modern infrastructure under sustainable development. The signing of the MOU is the consolidation of a true partnership and we shouldn’t miss out this opportunity for sustainable development. I am confident that we shall achieve this target and all objectives within the prescribed period,” he added.  

Shri. Dhavalikar informed further, “We have agreed and desire to implement the project of assessment of existing Salaulim Water Supply and Opa Water Supply projects. Decentralize Sewerage Treatment Plant on a pilot basis in Valpoi town of North Goa so also to study on the removal of manganese in Salaulim Water Supply System apart from capacity building.”

The Minister of Environment, Portugal, Shri. Joao Pedro Matos Fernandes said, “Portgual is committed to cooperation with India.” Shri. Fernandes added, “We have nothing to teach. We have nothing to sell to you. But we have things to share. It is important to share our knowledge with friends from other parts of the world.” Shri. Fernandes spoke of how Portugal had these same problems of water and waste water management decades ago.
Chief Secretary, Shri Dharmendra Sharma, IAS, informed that the MOU sets a framework for cooperation. He said, “This is the foundation stone he said for cooperation in other sectors to follow with Portugal.”

Executive Administrator of Aguas De Portugal, Ms. Alexandra Serra, Vice- President of the Portuguese Environment Agency, Shri. Pimenta Machado, Bastonary of the Order of Engineers, Shri. Mineiro Aires, Administrator of the Visabeira Group, Major Portuguese Engineering Enterprises, Dr. Joao Castro, Consul General of Portugal, Goa, Shri. Antonio Chrystelli Tavares, were among those present on the occasion.

Earlier, Principal Chief Engineer, PWD, Shri. Uttam Parsekar gave an overview of the MOU. Shri. Sheo Pratap Singh, IAS, Secretary, (PWD), proposed the vote of thanks. Ms. Rina Barreto compered the programme.

Panaji, September 30, 2018 …. The 150^th Birth year of Father of Nation Mahatma Gandhi will be commemorated in the State.  The main State level function will be held at Gandhi Chowk, Old Goa on October 2, 2018 at 8.00 a.m. where Governor   Dr. (Smt) Mridula Sinha will be the Chief Guest. It will be organized by the Government of Goa in association with Village Panchayat Se Old Goa.

 The function will be attended by the Union Minister of State for Aayush (Independent Charge) Health and Family Welfare, Shri Shripad Y. Naik, MLA of Cumbharjua, Shri. Pandurang Madkaikar, Chief Secretary Shri Dharmendra Sharma (IAS),  Sarpanch V.P of  Se Old Goa, Smt Janita P. Madkaikar and  other dignitaries who will pay floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion. The Sarpanch of Old Goa will deliver the welcome address. The Governor will address the gathering on the occasion.

 To mark the celebration Prabhat pheri of school children will be held. This will be flagged off by the Governor from Old Goa. The Prabhat pheri will converge at the Gandhi Circle, the venue of the function.

 A group from Kala Academy will present bhajans. There will be recitation of Bhagwad Geeta verses, Bible verses and Quran verses.

 The Governor will then proceed to the Panchayat Hall, Se Old Goa, to pay tribute to Lal Bahadur Shastriji on the occasion of his Birth Anniversary.

The highlight of the celebration will be the setting up of stalls by different Departments/Corporations in the vicinity of the function at Old Goa on October 2. The stalls put up at Gandhi Circle will be visited by the Governor. The stalls that will be displayed by the Khadi and Village Industries Board, Department of Handicrafts, Textile and Coir, Rural Development Agency, Swachh Bharat Mission by Urban Development and the Students of Sanjay School, Porvorim.

Panaji ::: September 30, 2018  … In his witty yet enlightening address to the gathering at the 4^th Convocation Ceremony of National Institute of Technology (NIT), Goa, Vice President of India Shri. M. Venkaiah Naidu advised the students to always remember their parents, country, native place, language and teachers.  “These five aspects will make you a humble human being,” Shri. Naidu said.

The Vice President attended the function as a Chief Guest while Governor Dr. Smt. Mridula Sinha was the Guest of Honour. The function was held at Kala Academy’s Dinanath Mangeshkar Hall, today.

The NIT Goa, on this auspicious occasion, conferred the prestigious Doctor of Engineering (Ph.D.) Degree on Chief Minister Shri. Manohar Parrikar at the hands of Shri. M. Venkaiah Naidu. The degree was received by Prof. Gopal Mugurai, Director of NIT Goa, on behalf of Shri. Parrikar.

While addressing the gathering, the Vice President conveyed his best wishes to the students and said that Convocation is not a ceremonial occasion, but a milestone which marks the beginning of a new chapter full of hope, dreams, and expectations of a bright and fulfilling career ahead.  He also expressed his happiness that three out of five Gold medallists of NIT are natives of Goa. “These three Gold medals depict the talent of the state. It is also a pleasure to know that 70% of the degree recipients are girls. It’s a very positive sign for our country,” Shri. Naidu added.

Adding further he said that learning is a lifelong process and one must learn and learn more before earning. “Competition provides opportunities but also throws challenges. New innovations and ideas are culminating. Setting higher goals and remaining consistent to achieve them is very important. Without aiming and dreaming, you will be only craving,” he remarked.

“As you embark on a new journey, always work hard and never look at shortcuts. Perseverance, pursuance, honesty, empathy, patience and self-belief will enable you to live and accomplish your dreams. Never yield to temptations and remain committed to the highest morals and values. India is the third largest economy in the world preferred for investment and IT remains the priority. IT is a beauty, if you combine it with your duty, you can become mighty in your life,” Shri. Naidu asserted.

“The world respects Indian culture and knowledge. We believe in ‘Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam.’ Share and care is the core of Indian philosophy hence must understand our potential and upgrade the skills. India is poised to become a high middle-income country by 2030, and a lot of opportunities will be waiting for the skilled youth in different sectors. The Teachers should impart skills to the youngsters to enable them to find gainful employment or become self-employed. Government’s ‘Skill India’ programme is a step in that direction,” the Vice Presidents advised the students. He praised Goan culinary skills and iterated that the Goan Fish Curry has no parallels.

Informing the youth about the threats in the society, he opined that poverty, illiteracy, disease, farmer’s distress, corruption, climate change and atrocities on of women are the biggest challenges in front of us. “Don’t do anything to dishonor the prestige of our mothers and sisters. Terrorism is an enemy of humanity and not limited to a caste, religion, race, sex or a creed.  People, especially the engineering fraternity must come together and participate to build a sustainable, safe, secure and healthy life for the country. Use science and technology is for the betterment of life,” he said.

Shri. Naidu opined that education system lays the foundation for an all-round development of the nation. “We need to surmount many barriers to achieve faster growth and young engineers like you will have to play a catalytic role to wheel the progress.”

The Vice President further emphasized upon the urgent need to revamp higher education in the country in tune with contemporary requirements. “Our Universities need to overhaul the syllabi and the teaching methodologies to make the courses relevant to the needs of the industries. Employment is meant to empower, enlighten, widen the perspective of the students and develop them into global citizens. We need to improve the quality of life of the millions of Indians, and the role of scientists and engineers is very important in overcoming various challenges,” he said while advising the students to uphold the culture and protect nature for a better future.

“The life beyond this institution is vast and complex.  Do not forget your obligation towards the society and ethical aspect of your engineering profession. Our nation has to put in efforts to protect the environment and reduce carbon footprint. Man should not tamper with nature but co-exist in harmony for a greener, life-enhancing future. Indians have believed in worshipping nature and its bounty. Therefore, always uphold our culture and protect nature for a better future,” Shri. Naidu concluded.

In her address to the gathering, Governor. Dr. Smt. Mridula Sinha gave the students an oath to be sincere towards society, parents, job and nature. She urged the students to work towards eradicating social evils with efforts and insight. The Governor stressed that Engineers play a pivotal role in the infrastructure development of the society and they must perform their duties with honesty and sincerity.

Earlier, Director of NIT Prof. Gopal Mugurai welcomed the gathering. The Chief Guest then conferred 5 Ph.Ds, 46 M.Tech and 86 B.Tech degrees to students and also felicitated the faculty members of NIT. Registrar Shri. Vasanth administered the Engineering Oath to the students. Shri. Shankar Prasad compered the function while Shri. Vasanth proposed the vote of thanks.

Panaji, September 29, 2018 … The 20^th Livestock Census field work will start from October 1, 2018 across the country.

 In Goa the census operation commences in full earnestness from October 1, 2018. During census period field enumerators will visit each household to record the number of animals according to their breeds and characteristics, Poultry birds and fisheries activities.

The enumerators will visit house at anytime of the day to collector  the required information the resident of Goa are therefore requested to extend full co-operation and give the correct information to the field staff appointed by the Directorate of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Pashusamvardhan Bhavan.

The data collected will be compiled to prepare census of the Livestock population which is the main source of data required for proper planning and formulation of any programme/scheme meant for bringing further improvement in the Livestock and Dairy Sector which in turn will increase the GDP of the country.

Panaji, September 29, 2018 … Milestone achievements of Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB) during the tenure of present Board under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister  Shri. Manohar Parrikar, are as follows.  The Goa State is the second State in India to achieve 100% Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) constitution at Village Panchayat level.

Further, for the  first time three Access and  Benefit Sharing (ABS) agreements of Goa State were signed on September 7, 2018 in the presence of the Thematic Expert Committee on ABS after almost over a year of commencement of procedure, including identifying the potential ABS signatories in Goa State, series of meetings and consultations. The details of the ABS signatories are as follows: M/s Krishna Plantations Pvt. Ltd., Nanu House, V.V. Road, Margao for the product ‘Kalparas’(Coconut sap), Tanshikar Spice Farms, Netravali, Sanguem, Goa, for the product ‘Bee Pollen’ and  M/s. Raika and  Company, for the product ‘Beeswax and Propolis’.

Similarly based on the recommendations of ABS committee, the lowest ABS fee has been charged which is 0.1% of ex factory sales per The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and  Rules, 2004. Similarly GSBB is the first State Board to provide the ABS signatories with ‘Biodiversity Mark’. This mark is to be displayed on the products for which ABS agreement has been signed. The Biodiversity Mark represents commitment of the ABS signatories towards sustainable conservation efforts carried out for the particular bioresource used. This will also encourage other bioresource users to sign ABS agreements with GSBB, whereby more contributions will be added to the Biodiversity funds leading to better conservation of the concerned bioresources.