Panaji, Dec 02nd, 2018 .. Goa  State AIDS Control Society, observed the ‘World AIDS Day” at Secretariat, Porvorim recently. The theme for this year’s programme was ‘Live Life Positively’, know your HIV status.

Secretary for Health  Shri J. Ashok Kumar, IAS was the Chief Guest while Smt.  Deepali Naik, Jt. Director(ICDS), Directorate of Women and Child Development  was the Guest of Honour. Dean of GMC Dr. Pradip Naik was also present on the occasion.

            The programme began with lighting the traditional  lamp followed by flagging off the IEC mobile van. The mobile van  is meant to create  awareness on AIDS and will travel over the cities  and villages in Goa.

            While addressing the gathering, Secretary Shri J. Ashok, IAS said that this day is observed  to ensure that we  contempt the menace of AIDS and try to reduce its instances. GSACS is putting a lot of efforts with active support from  the NGO’s and other stakeholders towards achieving a ‘Zero AIDS’   situation. Difference between HIV and AIDS must be understood, he added.

            Speaking on the occasion,  Shri J. Ashok said, the AIDS prevention and control Act is  a powerful tool against those who  show any kind of discrimination  against people living with AIDS. Goa is working towards framing was under this act. We will be able to implement the act in full force so as to ensure that the objectivities of the acts are achieved, he said. He further informed that the Government is also working on 90/90/90 programme whereby 90% of the people living  with HIV AIDS to move their status to 90% HIV patients who are on  treatment   and 90% should be prevented  from getting HIV. GSAIDS is been working hard on it.

            The dignitaries later distributed prizes to Anganwadi workers who won prizes in ‘Skit Play’ competitions. The Results of Skit Competition  is South Goa- 1^st prize- Dharbandora, 2^nd –Quepem, 3^rd-Salcette II. North Goa- 1^st prize- Sattari Group II, 2^nd-Pernem Group II and 3^rd-Bardez Group I.

            Earlier,  Deputy Director, Directorate of Health, Dr. Jose D’sa welcomed the gathering  and gave a presentation on condition of AIDS disease in Goa.

            Smt. Asha Vernekar compered the programme while Dr. D’Sa proposed the vote of thanks

Panaji: Dec 1st, 2018 .. Goa Livelihood Forum (GLF) will be organizing a half-day State Meet on ‘Goa Livelihoods: Dimensions, Challenges and Strategies’ from 10 a.m to 1 p.m  on December 1, 2018 at Black Box, Kala Academy, Panaji.

GLF is holding this meet to foster in depth deliberation on multiple dimensions of livelihoods in Goa and possible solutions for tackling the issue.

Minister of Revenue, IT Shri Rohan Khaunte will be the Chief Guest and will release ‘Towards a Better Tomorrow’, a documentary film on Goa livelihoods and launch Goa on Air (GOA), internet community radio under the initiative of Goa Livelihoods Forum. The documentary film has been produced by filmmaker Shri. Dharmanand Vernekar.

Goa’s leading stand up comedian-mimicry artist Saidutt Kamat will present a capsule on giving glimpses of programs to come up on ‘Goa On Air’, internet radio.

GLF’s Think Hatchery will take off with a panel discussion. The panel consist of Shri. Sandeep Bhandare, President, Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Shri. Miguel Braganza, Hoticulture expert, Shri. Yugank Naik, research scholar, Dr. Jennifer Lewis E Kamat, Chairperson, Women’s Wing of GCCI and will discuss on the dimensions, challenges and strategies of Goa’s livelihood. The discussion will be moderated by Shri. Prakash Kamat, Senior journalist.

Panaji: November 29, 2018 …The Department of Women and Child Development, Panaji will confer Veerjyoti Award from the year 2016 onwards and will present on the Republic Day i.e. January 26, 2019. ‘Veerjyoti Puraskar’ consists, of scroll/citation and cash prize of Rs.20, 000/- each. The award will be given to two women or girls per year (from 2016) in the State of Goa.

The Award aims to spread the message to encourage and motivate women and girls to seek their rights, status, remove gender asymmetries and attitudes, respect, dignity for women and girls in society.

Any women or girl who has shown exceptional bravery and courage, especially in adverse circumstances against any type of atrocities, violence and/or harassment against them or against any other women or girls at home, in the workplace and everywhere in the public domain and has fought to their respect and dignity in society in the State of Goa. Any women or girl from any walk of life, whether they are housewives, domestic servants, children in homes/Institutions profession also social workers, etc. The women or girl who applies for the award should be a resident of Goa for the last 5 years as on January 1^st of the respective year shall be considered. She should not receive any other award for the same act during the year.

The eligible women may submit their applications in soft copy (CD- in word format) and hard print in the prescribed downloadable format available on the website of the Department at www.dwcd.goa.gov.in or print format available in the Directorate with  enclosures, if any on or before December 4, 2018 in the office of the Directorate of Women and Child Development, Old Education Bldg., 2nd Floor, 18^th June Road, Panaji. The applications received after the expiry period of the time frame shall not be considered for the award.

For any clarifications the applicants may log on to www.dwcd.goa.gov.in  for detailed guidelines or contact the Directorate on Phone No. 2235308/2426112 during the office hours.

Panaji, November 28, 2018 … ‘Donbass’ directed by Sergie Lonznitsa bagged the prestigious Golden Peacock Award at the 49^th International Film Festival of India (IIFI 2018).

The Closing Ceremony of the 49th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) was held at the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor stadium, Taleigao, today. The function was graced by Governor of Goa, Smt. Mridula Sinha, Governor of Punjab, and Shri. V.P. Singh Badnore, Minister of Tourism (IC), Shri K.J. Alphons, Minister for Ayush (IC), Shri Shripad Naik, Minister of Town and Country Planning, Shri Vijai Sardesai, Minister for Power, Shri Nilesh Cabral, Minister for Tourism, Shri Manohar Ajgaonkar, Shri. Dharmendra Sharma, IAS, CEO Entertainment Society of Goa, Shri Amey Abhyankar IAS, eminent jury members, and film personalities among others.

Minister for Town and Country Planning, Shri Vijai Sardesai, while speaking on the occasion said that they can be no better place to host IFFI than Goa. He said that IFFI has enriched the Goan filmmaking talent. IFFI’s journey in Goa began with the vision of the Chief Minister, Shri. Manohar Parrikar.  Shri Sardesai also Paid homage to Italian director, Bernardo Bertolucci, who passed away recently.

Earlier, the Secretary, Information and Broadcasting, Shri Amit Khare, IAS, welcomed the gathering. In his address, he said that the authorities will try to enhance facilities at IFFI for the forthcoming 50^th IFFI next year.

Shri. Salim Khan was honored with a Special IFFI Award for Lifetime Contribution to the cinema. The award was received on his behalf by his son Shri. Arbaaz Khan. The ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Award was bagged by ‘Walking with the Wind directed by Pravin Morchlle.  Centenary Award of Best Debut Film of a Director was awarded to ‘Respoto’ by Alberto Monteras II while Special Jury Award was presented to German film ‘Aga’. A Special Mention Award was given to films – ‘Volcano’ and ‘To let’.

The Silver Peacock for Best Actor (Female) was bagged by Ms. Anastasia Pustov (When the tress falls) while Shri. Chembon Vinod (Ee Maa Yove) received the Silver Peacock in the Best Actor (male) category. Shri. Lijo Jose Pellisery received the Silver Peacock for Best Director for his movie ‘Ee Maa Yove’.

          Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, via a video recording, conveyed his best wishes to the IFFI participants and also invited everyone to be a part of 50^th IFFI 2019.

 The closing ceremony was followed by the screening of the movie ‘Sealed Lips’ at Kala Academy.

Panaji: November 28, 2018 …The Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs will organize XVII^th Youth Festival 2018-19 at four Zones and State level to showcase the talent of Youth in Music and cultural events.

Three talukas are clubbed in one Zone and they are Zone I: Ponda, Sattari and Dharbandora taluka, Zone II: Pernem, Bardez and Bicholim taluka, Zone III: Salcete, Mormugoa ans Tiswadi taluka and Zone IV: Canacona, Quepem and Sanguem taluka.

          The  first round of competitions will be held in four Zones. First three winners from four zones will qualify for State level Youth Festival. Zonal Level Events are folk dance, folk song, Harmonium, tabla, classical vocal and elocution. The State Level Events are Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Sitar, Flute, Guitar and One Act Play.

          The programmes at zone-I will be held on December 12, 2018 at Ravindra Bhavan Sankhali, zone-II on December 7, 2018 at Farmers Co-operative Society, Pernem, zone-III on January 4, 2019 at Ravindra Bhavan Vasco and zone –IV on January 7, 2019 at Ravindra Bhavan Curchorem.  The State Level function will be held at Kala Academy, Campal on January 10 to 12, 201.

           Participants should be in the age group of 15 to 29 years i.e not less than 15 years and not more then 29 years as on April 1, 2018. Participants can participant in any one zone. Participants may submit their entries for zone and State Level at Sports Department Office by December 4, 2018. Circulars and entry forms may be downloaded from official website of Sports Department www.dsya.goa.gov.in