Panaji: April, 2015 … The Government observed “World Health Day” at a function held at Government Nursing Institute Bambolim recently.

Deputy Chief Minister Shri Francis D’Souza was the chief guest of the function. The function was organized by the Directorate of Health Services and theme for the programme being  “Food Safety.”

Shri DSouza while addressing at the gathering said that the climate of Goa is conducive for the growth of bacteria therefore utmost care of hygiene is required to be taken. Food safety is indispensable to safeguard our health. Cleanliness and personal hygiene is most essential to avoid food borne diseases he said.

Shri D’Souza speaking further appealed to the general public to undertake the measures of food safety and suggested to avoid eating food items sold on the streets.

Shri  Sanjiv Kadkade ,HOD IHM  Goa gave a power point presentation through which he enlightened the participants on  unsafe food which  leads to deterioration of our health and the measures that are required for food safety.

Dr. Sanjiv Dalvi, Director of Directorate of Health Services welcomed the guests.

Shri  Sanjiv Kadkade ,HOD Institute of Hotel Management  Goa and Ms Valentina D’ Souza, lecturer Institute of Hotel Management  Goa were the keynote speakers.

 Dr. Pradeep Naik, Dean Goa Medical College, Shri Roland Martins In charge Goa CAN, Dr. Jose D sa Dy. Director ( Public Health) Shri Salim Veljee Director of Food and Drugs Authority and various other faculty members of GMC, GNI attended the function.

Panaji, April, 2015 …To encourage creativity of the young children and to make summer vacation more enjoyable & fruitful, Goa Science Centre has organized a Creative Science Workshop from 20^th to 30^th April 2015 & 11^th to 21^st May 2015. The workshop will be conducted in four different disciplines such as Creative Science, Computer & Multimedia, Aeromodelling and Electronics.

In Creative Science Workshop, students will be trained in preparing functional scientific projects/kits based on the basic principles of science. Under the programme Computer & Multimedia students will learn basic fundamentals of computers, MS office, Photoshop, E-mail & Internet, exposure to multimedia Hardware & Software and in electronics students will have an opportunity to learn basics of electronics, soldering practice and making of electronics projects, whereas in Aero modeling students will be trained to make & fly gliders. Besides training workshops the highlights of this programme are, live science demonstrations, exciting quizzes, water rocket workshop & many more.

Panaji, april 2015 …. The Indian Navy, under the aegis of Flag Officer Commanding Goa Area,will be organising a Band Concert at Kala Academy, Panjim commencing 1800 hrs on 11 & 12 Apr 2015. The Naval Band will play under the direction of Commander VC D’Cruz, the Director of Music (Navy). Commander VC D’Cruz is a native of Goa.

The Indian Naval Band has regaled and enthralled audiences across the country, and around the globe. The musicians accompany Naval ships during goodwill visits to many foreign shores, to play in ensemble with the Bands of these foreign nations. The musicians of the Navy have, therefore, proved their mettle as good ambassaddors of the country.

Of special distinction for the Naval Band have been the International performances during the Queen’s Coronation in the UK, Expo-07 in Japan, the international Music Festival in France, Bicentenary celebrations of the Statue of Liberty, the Australian Bi-centennial celebrations, the President’s Fleet Review in the USA and the International Fleet Review in Australia.

Free passes for the Naval Band Concert may be collected from Kala Academy between 1000 hrs to 1700 h on 09 & 10 Apr 2015 on first come first serve basis.

Panjim,: Goa’s Tourism minister Shri Dilip Parulekar today welcomed the first official flight from Muscat to Goa by Oman Air which landed at Goa Airport, Dabolim recently

As many as 139 passengers were on board the official maiden voyage from the Middle East.

A large delegation of officials from Oman were on the flight to Goa and were greeted by Goa Tourism Minister and other officials. Shri Ameya Abhyankar – Director of Tourism was also present on the occasion.

Oman Air will operate four direct flights from Muscat to Goa every week which is part of their mega expansion plans for operations to India.

The national carrier of Oman first flew in on March 29, 2015 and had three trial flights to Goa followed by the official launch on monday.

Tourism minister of Goa, Shri. Dilip Parulekar said, “We are extremely enthralled by the response received for the direct flight to Goa and are confident that we will have flights landing in four times a week with full capacity.”

“Oman and Goa have a lot in common as far as tourism is concerned and Goa warmly welcomes visitors to the State to experience monsoon tourism, raindrop tourism, wellness tourism and a lot more,” Shri Parulekar said.

It also provides air travellers from India’s eastern coast opportunities to visit Oman and experience the country’s culture and hospitality.

The tourism minister today welcomed a large contingent of officials from Oman which consisted of the CEO of the Public Authority of Civil Aviation, H.E. Dr. Mohammed bin Nasser Al Zaabi, the CEO of Oman Airports Management Company, Mr. Said Al Zadjaly, the Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to India, H.E. Sheikh Hamed Bin Saif Al Rawahi and the CEO of Oman Air, Mr. Paul Gregorowitsch.

Other officials from Goa Tourism included Shri. Brijesh Manerkar – OSD Dept. of Tourism, Ms. Bernadetta De Souza – GTDC’s GM Admn Yogesh Naik GTDC’s (Manager Mktng)

08/04/2015 …. Ankita Navelkar of karapur sarvan zp consitituency was on Tuesday elected as the chairperson of north goa zilla panchayat while vasudev korgaonkar would be her deputy ..

Both zp members belonging to the BJP-MGP alliance have filed their nominations for the posts of North Goa ZP chairperson and vice-chairperson respectively while Vaishali Satardekar and Tukaram Harmalkar, both Independents had filed their nominations for the posts of North Goa Zilla Panchayat chairperson and the vice-chairperson respectively.

The election procedure which was held through ballot voting saw ankita polling a total of fourteen votes against her rival vaishali who managed to get ten votes while one vote was considered to be invalid for the chairperson post

While for deputy chairperson vasudev korgaonkar polled a total of fourteen votes against his rival tukaram harmalkar who got ten votes while one votes was considered invalid for the deputy chairperson post too …

It may be recalled that the BJP alliance won 25 seats, while independents won 24 seats in the Zilla Panchayat polls in the North and South Goa ZP polls giving a big surprise to the ruling BJP alliance.

The government had given its nod to conduct Zilla Panchayat elections for 50 ZP constituencies – 25 in each of the two districts – on March 15, 2015 on party lines, as the five-year tenure of the North and South Goa Zilla Panchayats ended in March this year. The last elections were held on March 8, 2010.

Later speaking to media persons newly elected north goa chairperson and deputy chairperson belonging to the bjp-mgp alliance said that they would try to carry out maximum development of north goa zp constituencies and would also ask for more zp powers from the state government

07/04/2015 … St andre mla Vishnu surya wagh said once again criticized the state government decision of asking for a life certificate from elders for government schemes which were creating difficulties among elders to get the certificate from the concerned authorities specially from the mla of the concerned constituency …

It may be noted that the state Government recently had issued notification deciding to collect Aadhar Card Number and Life Certificate from Dayanand Social Security Scheme beneficiaries which had to be submitted on or before June 30, 2015 and incase of Life Certificate the beneficiary has to submit a life certificate by May 15, 2015

Speaking to goanreporter st andra mla Vishnu surya wagh said that the idea of having life certificate by the state government was like giving trouble to elders and therefore there was a need for the state government to come out with a policy where in government could have a list of scheme benefiters village wise which in turn could be revived by village panchayat secretary or the panchayat clerk

meanwhile cumbarjua mla pandurang madkaikar said that it was sad to see elders were harassed by the state government to get the life certificate for government schemes and therefore the state government had to come out with an alternative way and should immediately stop asking for life certificates

Panaji: April 07, 2015 …. Governor of Goa, Mrs. Mridula Sinha has said, Goa is a maritime state for centuries, having an impressive seafaring heritage. It has fine natural harbors, ports and excellent network of inland waterways. The Governor further said,  Mormagoa Port is one of our country’s important port.

The Governor Mrs. Mridula Sinha was speaking at the 52^nd National Maritime Day Celebration function held at Ravindra Bhavan, Baina, Vasco recently.

Others present were Prof. Sasikumar Punnekkat, Director of BITS Pilani, Shri Cyril George, Chairman, Mormogoa Port Trust, Shri Bodh Raj, Surveyor in Charge, Captain S. S. Tripathi, Dy. Conservator of MPT.

Speaking further the Governor said, India has a long coastline of over 7,500 kms. with many major and minor ports. Maritime industry is a flourishing sphere of our national economy and it contributes significantly to the economic growth as well as employment generation. From national security point of view also, maritime activity is an important area the Governor further added.

The Governor said, our country has a rich maritime legacy. It goes back to the ancient times. Our people were known as great sea farers with immense navigational skill, imagination and enterprise. Addressing the function the Governor further said, Indian mythology and history are linked to maritime activities. India had trade links with several nations in the world since time immemorial. The Governor said, National Maritime Day is celebrated every year. It is a significant occasion because the maritime sector in the country has an important role to play in the national developmental strategy the Governor added.

Addressing the function the Governor said, there is considerable scope for the state of Goa for promotion of maritime activities, particularly, tourism related areas. We should explore the possibility of introducing new and attractive activities to boost maritime industry and tourism the Governor added.

Panaji Dated: April 6, 2015 … Power Minister Shri Milind Naik recently attended the public grievances at Pale, Sankhali and surrounding areas pertaining to the power problems in the respective areas.

        Also present on the occasion were Shri Pramod Sawant, MLA and Chairman, of Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation. Sarpanchas and Panch Members of Pale, Velgue, Surla, Amona, Navelim, Kudnem, Harvalem and Councillors of Sankhali Municipal Council.

        The Minister who gave a patient hearing to the grievances said, that his Department is seized with the problems faced by the people and that the same would be resolved at the earliest thereby giving relief to the power consumers. As regards issue of electricity bills, he assured the people that the mechanism is worked out with the help of GEL to issue bi-monthly bills to the power consumers.

        The Minister also directed the accompanying Power Department Officials to note down the difficulties faced by the people and to attend to them forthwith. Shri Naik said, that he is very much concerned for the power consumers and therefore to improve the services to the people, adequate staff is being recruited in the Department  and measures are been taken to upgrade the facilities. He also visited various parts of Goa to get a feedback from the people. The minister said that he has covered seventeen constituencies and attended to the grievance to the people so far. This exercise will continue further till all the constituencies are covered.

        The Minster also paid a visit to Amona Substation and acquainted himself with the working and difficulties faced by the staff.

        The Chief Engineer of Electricity Department Shri Lakshimanan, Assistant Engineer Shri Burye, Executive Engineer Shri T. Prabhu, Asstt. Engineer Shri Shirodkar  and other officials were  present on the occasion.

Panaji: April 05, 2015 …. Governor of Goa, Mrs. Mridula Sinha has extended greetings the people of Goa on the auspicious occasion of Easter on April 05, 2015.

 In her message, the Governor said, “Easter commemorates the glorious resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ.  It is an auspicious occasion for us to recall the eternal and valuable message of love, forgiveness, tolerance, compassion and brotherhood, preached and propounded by Lord Jesus Christ”.

 May the celebrations of Easter, this year, bring greater peace, happiness and unity among the people, the Governor adds.

meanwhile Chief Minister Shri Laxmikant Parsekar , has greeted the people on the occasion of Easter.

 The Chief Minister in his message has  expressed the hope that the Easter celebrations would inspire everyone to work for a peaceful and benign life. He said that the eternal significance of Christ’s resurrection is that love is stronger than hatred and truth triumphs over evil. Easter celebrates compassion and brotherhood and the renewal of hope in a better tomorrow.

 May the celebrations strengthen the bonds of unity and spread hope and joy, he added.