PANJIM, Sept 11, 2015 …. Shri Siddarth Kunkolienkar, MLA inaugurated the Art and Craft Work Exhibition cum sale organized by Sanjay Centre for Special Education, Porvorim in association with Kala Academy at Kala Academy on thursday.

 Shri Kunkolienkar complimenting the children for their excellent art and craft work appealed to the people to visit and purchase these items displayed in the exhibition to encourage and motivate the talent of these students. He assured to provide market for this product through the Handicrafts Corporation.

 The Art and Craft work is exclusively done by the Pre-Vocational unit of Sanjeevani Section intellectual Disabled children of the Sanjay School, Porvorim.

 Last three years the Management and Teachers of Sanjay School, Porvorim are striving hard to train and bring out the hidden talent in students to reach to the general public and to give them Vocational based skills to make them independent and stand on their own feet.

 As in the past year, this year too, the students of Sanjay School has organized two days Art and Craft exhibition cum sale which will remain open for public view from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. till September 11, 2015 which has been displayed at the foyer area of  Kala Academy, Panaji.

 The items which are normally required for decorating and celebrating the Ganesh festivity has been displayed for sale.  The items are paper balls, wall hanging, thermocol decoration, paper bags, vati, vastra, fulvati, bondera, garland, shell flowers, decorated vases, colourful paper flowers, stocking flowers, etc.

 Linette Ferrao, Member Secretary; Shri Tatu Kudalkar, Headmaster; Smt Nashima Sayyaid and Kamala Nigudkar both Board Members were present on the occasion.

 Shri Guruprasad Pawaskar, Chairman of Sanjay Centre for Special Education welcomed the guests while Mrs Wilnelia Scarlet Gonsalves who proposed the vote of thanks also compered the function.

Panaji: September 10, 2015 …. Highlighting the importance of organic farming speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly Shri Rajendra Arlekar has said that an organic farming is proposed to be set up at Pernem with the support of Agriculture Department.

 Shri Arlekar was speaking after inaugurating a state level workshop for state Officers, NGO’s and Media Representatives on the occasion of National Nutrition Week Celebrations at Conference Hall, Directorate of Agriculture, Miramar, Panaji today.

 Speaking further the Speaker stressed the need to lay more thrust on promotion of organic farming which he said, offers nutritious food for healthy growth of an individual besides to keep a person mentally and physically fit. He said the proposed organic farming will come into operation at Pernem from the month of October 2015.

 Shri Ulhas Pai Kakode, Director of Directorate of Agriculture, Shri Sandeep Banaulikar, Demonstration Officer, Unit In charge, Food and Nutrition Board, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Mrs. Nita Rane, Demonstration Officer, Unit In charge, Food and Nutrition Board, Ministry of Women and Child Development, and Dr. Vanita G. Pinto Da Silva, Asstt. Professor, Department of PSM, Goa Medical College was present on the occasion.

 To promote and coordinate activities with regard to bringing nutritional issues centre stage through advocacy and sensitization of policy planners and implementers the Speaker said this is a movement of masses wherein NGO’s and other organizations should be involved on priority.

 Speaker also highlighted the importance of organic farming and said more stress should be given in cultivating organic farming in the state.

The theme for National Nutrition Week 2015 is ‘Better Nutrition: Key to Development’. Shri Ulhas Pai Kakode, Director of Directorate of Agriculture spoke on the occasion.

 Earlier Shri Sandeep Banaulikar who welcomed the guests later highlighted the importance of Nutrition Week Celebrations. Mrs. Nita Rane compered and later proposed vote of thanks.

Panaji: September 9, 2015 …. Directorate of Social Welfare, along with Mahatma Gandhi Seva Sang, Parbhani, Branch Panaji has organized a camp under ADIP scheme for Persons with Disabilities.

          The Technicians will provide the Aids/Appliances to the Disabled persons as per the requirements and need of Disabled Persons.

          In this regard Screening camp is scheduled at September 12, 2015 at 10. 00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at District Welfare Office Directorate of Social Welfare Mathany Saldanha Administrative Complex, New Collectorate Building Margao for South and Directorate of Social Welfare, 18^th June Road, Panaji-Goa for North.

          For any further information contact:-9764685512 Landline – 2232257 for South Goa contact – 2794639.

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, September 8th, 2015 Konkan Railway has decided to run Special Trains on Konkan Railway route to clear extra rush of passengers during Ganpati Festival in co-ordination with Central Railway, Western Railway and Southern Railway.

Accordingly, Train No. 00118 Ratnagiri – Vasai Road Express will leave from Ratnagiri at 05.00 hrs. on 14th , 19th , 22nd , 23rd, 24th & 29th September 2015. The train will reach Vasai Road at 13.00 hrs. on same day.

The Booking of this train will open from 09.09.2015. Train No. 00117 Vasai Road – Ratnagiri Express will leave from Vasai Road at 13.45 hrs. on 13th , 14th , 18th , 19th , 21st , 22nd , 23rd , 28th & 29th September -2015.

The train will reach Ratnagiri at 22.00 hrs. on same day. The train will halt at Sangameshwar, Savarda, Chiplun, Khed, Veer, Mangaon, Roha and Panvel stations.The Train will have 18 Coaches. Train No. 00112 Madgaon – Vasai Road Express will leave from Madgaon at 00.15 hrs. on 11th, 16th , 21st & 26tth September -2015.

The train will reach Vasai Road at 13.00 hrs on same day. The Booking of this train will open from 09.09.2015. Train No. 00111 Vasai Road -Madgaon Express will leave from Vasai Road at 13.45 hrs. on 24th September 2015.

The train will reach Madgaon at 03.00 hrs on next day. The train will halt at Thivim, Sawantwadi, Kudal, Sindhudurg, Kankavali, Vaibhavwadi, Rajapur, Adavali, Ratnagiri, Sangameshwar, Savarda, Chiplun, Khed, Veer, Mangaon, Roha and Panvel Staions. The Train will have 18 Coaches. Train No. 00116 Mangalore – Vasai Road Express train will leave from Mangalore at 18.00 hrs on 12th , 17th & 27th September 2015. The train will reach Vasai Road at 13.00 hrs on next day.

Train No. 00115 Vasai Road – Mangalore Express train will leave from Vasai Road at 13.45 hrs on 11th , 16th , & 26th September 2015. The train will reach Mangalore at 11.00 hrs on next day. The train will halt at Suratkal, Udupi, Bhatkal, Kumta, Karwar, Madgaon, Thivim, Sawantwadi, Kudal, Sindhudura, Kankavali, Vaibhavvadi, Rajapur, Adavali, Ratnagiri, Sangameshwar, Savarda, Chiplun, Khed, Veer, Mangaon, Roha and Panvel Stations.The Train will have 18 Coaches.

Panaji: September 7, 2015 … Chief Minister Shri Laxmikant Parsekar has said that the Government has plans to introduce traffic education in the Schools and colleges.

Chief Minister was recently speaking after inaugurating a seminar on Management ofTransport (Traffic) in Goa in the distinguished presence of Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly Shri Rajendra Arlekar, Dy. Speaker Shri Anant Shet, Industries Minister Shri Mahadev Naik and Leader of Opposition Shri Pratapsingh Rane organised by the Goa Legislature Secretariat in co-ordination with Goa Legislature Forum at Goa Legislative Assembly, Secretariat..

the Chief Minister expressed concern over increasing number of death due to road accidents in the State.

 The Chief Minister said that every individual should realize that road safety is of paramount importance and should adhere to traffic safety rules. He urged for discipline driving to minimize road accidents occurring in the state. He said that 80% victims of road accidents are youth in the age group of 16 to 25years. He said the introduction of traffic education in educational institution will go a long way in creating greater awareness about traffic and road safety.  He urged the representatives to disseminate the information to others about traffic rules and regulation which they have gained at the seminar.

Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly Shri Rajendra Arlekar emphasized the need to follow traffic rules to avoid accident and save precious lives.

Leader of Opposition Shri Pratapsing Rane said that we have to take into consideration the interest of the pedestrian while driving so that no harm is caused to them. He stressed for imparting education to the students on road safety.

Dy. Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly Shri Anant Shet also spoke on the occasion.

Earlier Shri Victor Gonsalves, Vice President of Forum welcomed while Shri Mohan Amshekar later proposed vote of thanks. Shri Sadanand Malik, Ex MLA compered the function.

Panaji: September 5, 2015 …. The Union Minister (IC) AYUSH and Family Welfare, Government of India Shri Shripad Naik has said that there are many challenges before the Indian Sugar Industry and also enough scope for improving the productivity and efficiency both in sugar and sugarcane sectors. In most of these areas, technology is the key factor.  

           Shri Naik was speaking as Chief Guest for the inaugural function of 3 days XI Joint Convention and Sugar Expo  jointly organized by The Sugar Technologists Association of India and The Deccan Sugar Technologists Association of India in Shyama Prasad Mukharjee Stadium  at Bambolim today.

           Shri Naik speaking further said that there is also a need to ensure efficient communication and coordination between research institutes, the sugar mill and the farmers. The varied change in respect of sugarcane is rather slow in the country resulting in fluctuations in sugarcane yield where in the Associations should address itself to this issue.

           Shri Naik further speaking also said that sugarcane also provides the basic source for production of alcohol and ethanol either from cane juice or from molasses. Countries like Brazil, USA,and number of other countries have successfully applied this technology. Usage of ethanol blend petrol is also an environment friendly energy source which can be blended with petrol and this blended petrol can result in reduction of air pollution he opined.

             Shri Naik complimented STAI and DSTAI for their endeavor to organize convention for the purpose to provide required inputs to the sugar industry to improve its efficiency reduce the costs and hoped to make the sugar industry globally competitive.

      The Sugar Technologists Association of India presented Lifetime Achievements Awards”to Dr. M. Manickam, Executive Chairman Sakthi Sugar Limited, Dr. Gururaj Hunsigi, Ex- Senior Manager, Mysore Paper Ltd.Mr.Harindar Pal Singh Bhatia, Director,Chadha Sugar and Industries Pvt.Ltd,Shri Shantaram Pansare Business Coordinator ThyssenKrupp India Ltd, Shri R.V Vatnal Group TYechnical Advisor Nirani Group of Industries, Shri Murugesh R. Nirani Nirani Group of Industries,

         Whereas The Deccan Sugar Technologists Association of India”has also presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to Padmabhushan E.V. Alias Shri Balasaheb Vikhe Patil Ex-MLA, Ex-Minister, Dr.Anand Dinkar Karve,Ex-Director Nimbkar Agricultural Reasearch Institute Pune, Shri Shekhar Vijaysingh Pilajirao,Ex-Technical Advisor at Tehran Sugar Refinery-Iran.,Shri B.B.Thombare Ex.Chairman and MD of Natural Sugar Ranjani-Osmnabad, Shri Dilip Sitaram Bhamare, Founder and Promoter of SITSON India, Dr. Subhash Shinde,Ex-Director Research MPKV Rahur

                       The STAI on the occasion also conferred Industrial Excellence Awards to Shri Murugesh R. Nirani, Shri Hasan Miyalal Musharif Founder Sar.Senapati Santaji Ghorpade Sugar Factory, Shri Mohd. Hussain Chairman, Three Star Engineering Pvt. Ltd.Shri Yogesh Marwaha Sr. Vice-President Isgec Engineering Pvt. Ltd. Shri Pradeep Kumar Asthanan Chairman and MD Kamuna Group,

                       Shri G.V.Rao won Dr. Bansidhar Gold Medal for Innovation in the area of Energy Efficiency and Conservation in Sugar Industry while Shri Balaji `Dattappa Pabsetwar Works Manager Sahakari Khand Udyog Mandal Ltd. Gandevi Gujrath also won Shri J.P.Mukharji Gold Medal Award for best Engineer of the year. Isgec Gold Medal Engineering for Excellence, Process Technology won by Shri Narendra Mohan and Shri T.S.Rao also win Gold Medal-Engineering for Excellence, Process Engineering.

The winners were given awards at the hand of Minister Shri Naik.

                          Shri Narendra Sawaikar, Member of Parliament South Goa, Shri Amit Khattar Secy. STAI, Technologists, Engineers, Agriculturists  and other office bearers were those who attended the function.

                          Shri R.V. Shirgaokar President DSTAI welcomed the guests. while Shri Sanjay Avasthi proposed the vote of thanks. 

September 4, 2015 … Chief Minister Shri Laxmikant Parsekar has expressed his heartfelt condolences at the demise of three-time Chief Minister of Goa Dr. Wilfred de Souza.

          In a condolence message, Chief Minister Shri Parsekar termed the demise of Dr. de Souza as a great loss to society. Dr de Souza, he said  was a prominent politician of Goa. The Chief Minister expressed his heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul. 

Governor of Goa Dr.Mridula Sinha has condoled the death of former Chief Minister Dr.Wilfred de Souza. In her message to Smt.Grace de Souza the Governor said that she is distressed to learn about the very sad demise of her beloved husband Dr. Wilfred de Souza, former Chief Minister of Goa.

She has further stated that, “Besides being an expert and eminent Surgeon, Dr. Wilfred de Souza, was a towering political leader who occupied the position of Chief Minister of Goa, thrice. He has undoubtedly made an indelible mark on the political and socio-economic cultural history of Goa. I am sure that the people of Goa will remember him forever for the splendid contribution which he made for the development of the State. My husband Dr.Ram Kripal Sinha, joins me in conveying our heartfelt condolences and sympathy to yourself and the other members of the bereaved family. May his soul rest in peace. “

meanwhile the Government of Goa has declared state mourning from September 4, 2015 to September 6, 2015 throughout the state as a mark of respect to  Dr.Wilfred D’Souza , Ex-Chief Minister of Goa who passed away on September 4, 2015  

Panaji:  September 3, 2015 … District Collector (South), Shri. Sachin Shinde exhorted the tourism Department to galvanize COPTA awareness activities among the public, under Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act 2003 (COPTA) especially in view of the World Tourism Day to be celebrated on September 27.   He also stressed upon the Mamlatdars to conduct random visits to the schools to check if infrastructure is available to implement wall painting competition on school compound walls/boundary for school children under COPTA Act 2003 is likely to be held on October 2.

The District Collector, South, Mr. Sachin Shinde (IAS) on Tuesday reviewed the action taken report by various Departments at the District Level Coordination committee (SGDLC) for tobacco control stressed that every Mamlatdar of the Taluka and Government Departments should implement COPTA effectively.  He also urged the concerned officials to conduct raids to create awareness apart from refraining people smoking in public places. Various other issues related to COPTA were also discussed during the meeting.

District Magistrate, South Mr. Sachin Shinde (IAS) chaired the meeting and the member Secretary Dr. Doreen Dias (SGDLCC for tobacco control) welcomed the members.

Mr. Roland Martins co-ordinator (GOACAN) complemented all the concern authorities of South Goa Talukas for the efforts taken to conduct  successful rallies on May 31, the World No Tobacco Day in their respective Taluka and also for the fine collected from January 2015to June 2015 by COPTA enforcement squads consisting of Jt. Mamlatdar, officials of Police Department, Health Department and NGO (South District).

Shri Martins highlighted various issues effecting the implementation of the Act and placed the same before the Collector to initiate necessary action against the violators who does not follow the rules under COPTA Act 2003 and FDA in South Goa.

Further, Mr. Shinde suggested and asked the Director of Urban Health Centre, Margao to install banners on COPTA, PC-PNDT, Helmet for Road safety and awareness of senior citizen on rotation basis infront of the Urban Centre, Margao so that the public may not lose the awareness attractiveness.