Addressing media persons after the meeting held with the party workers of panjim constituency central union minister for defence manohar parrikar said that the ordinary member would be for the next six years and would be applicable from 2015-2021 …

Meanwhile commenting over the issue of state government not granting permission to hold unity world cup expo 2014 at fatorda stadium chief minister laxmikhant parsekar said that though his government had tried to help in the best possible ways for the event to be held and if any more help was needed than his government was there to help the organisers

28/11/214 … Getting to Goa is going to be easier for foreign tourists as the Central government has finally launched the much awaited Visa-on-Arrival facility today extending this to 43 countries.
Goa Dabolim Airport is one of the nine airports in India which has been included in the list for providing the facility.

The list of 43 countries considered for Visa on Arrival Facility are Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Cook Islands, Djibouti, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Luxembourg, Marshal Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue Island, Norway, Oman, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Russia, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu, UAE, Ukraine, USA, Vanuatu and Vietnam.

The cities where VoA will be issued includes Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram. The single entry tourist visa is valid for a period of 30 days.

Shri Dilip Parulekar, Minister for Tourism, Government of Goa said, “I had been pursuing the issue of Visa-on-Arrival (VoA) and E-Visa with the Central Government for over more than two years.”
“We are very happy today to announce that the facilities have finally been launched and extended to 43 countries effectively from today,” Shri Parulekar said. He thanked the Central Government headed by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh, Union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism, Dr Mahesh Sharma and Union Defense Minister and ex-Chief Minister of Goa Shri Manohar Parrikar.

Shri Parulekar further said, “This facility will enable tourists from the 43 countries enlisted for this benefit to apply and procure the visa within 96 hours with a validity for 30 days which is extendable subject to approval from the respective embassies.”

Shri Parulekar mooted the need for aggressive marketing in these nations in order to ensure that travel agencies and tourists are made aware of the facility and to encourage foreign visitors to avail of this facility.

Goa Tourism is confident that the launch of VoA will increase foreign tourist arrivals from 12 to 15 per cent annually. “Within the next four years we could see the arrivals doubling from five lakh to one million,” Shri Parulekar said.

The Minister for Tourism also briefed the media today of his meeting with the Union Minister for Tourism, Dr Mahesh Sharma during his visit to the national capital earlier this week. Issues relating to projects under the Central Financial Assistance were discussed.

Goa Tourism has sought for central assistance for Heritage and Conservation of Forts and Heritage Homes. The possibility of sending new projects during the financial year was also discussed. A review of on-going projects under central financial assistance was also discussed.

The Minister for Tourism Dilip Parulekar led the delegation which comprised of Chairman of Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), Nilesh Cabral, Director of Tourism, Ameya Abhyankar and Managing Director of GTDC, Nikhil Desai.

Shri Parulekar also briefed the media on Incrivel Goa organized at Delhi Haat earlier this week. He said, “Incrivel Goa was an opportunity for people of Delhi to taste the flavours of Goa and experience the rich cultural heritage of the State.”

“We are also proud to announce that Goa has been voted the Favourite Leisure Destination – India at the Readers’ Travel Awards organized by Conde Nast Traveller India, a leading travel publication in the country,” Shri Parulekar said.

The award was received by Shri Parulekar in New Delhi yesterday.

Panaji, November 27: Goa bagged yet another honour when it was voted ‘Favourite Leisure Destination – India’ at the Readers’ Travel Awards organized by Condé Nast Traveller India. The awards were announced and given away at a glittering ceremony in New Delhi last evening.

Hon. Minister of Tourism, Govt. of Goa, Shri Dilip Parulekar received the award from Ms. Divia Thani Daswani, Editor, Condé Nast Traveller India. The Chief Guest for the evening was Dr. Lalit K Panwar, Honorable Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and Mr. Nicholas Coleridge, President, Condé Nast International, was also present at the event.

Shri Dilip Parulekar said, “Goa Tourism takes pride in being judged the ‘Favourite Leisure Destination – India’ at the Readers Travel Awards by Condé Nast Traveller.

This is a testimony to the popularity of the state as a holiday option among travelers. While beaches are synonymous with Goa, other aspects like its heritage, history, cuisine, nature and wildlife are also attracting tourists.

Goa also has a wide range of festivals all through the year which reflect our culture and legacy, this air of celebration combined with tourist-friendly facilities is a formula that has worked for us. Right now, we are focused on improving our infrastructure and other related facilities so that Goa continues to remain a favourite.”

This is the third time that Goa has won an award at the Readers’ Travel Awards. In 2013 it was voted as ‘Best Leisure Destination’. With tourism picking up even during the off-season in monsoon, introduction of a beach cleaning movement and women’s taxi services, Goa has continued to be the destination of choice for travelers.

“The fact that Goa offers so much for tourists makes it an easy choice when it comes to planning a holiday. We are conscious of the fact that tourism is poised for growth in the country and we are taking steps to ensure that Goa leads the way for this growth,” said Shri Ameya Abhyankar, Director of Tourism, Govt. of Goa.

Goa Tourism is also planning to introduce services like Seaplanes, heli-tourism and has recently started a ‘Hop On, Hop Off’ bus tour facility during the ongoing St. Francis Xavier Exposition in old Goa. “Every Goan is warm and welcoming and this has been our biggest strength.

The fact that these awards have been endorsed by readers, who are or have been tourists in Goa, adds credibility to the fact that our state continues to be the destination of choice for travelers in and out of India,” added Shri Nilesh Cabral, Chairman, Goa Tourism Development corporation (GTDC).

Panaji, November 26: In an initiative to integrate history and heritage with the on-going spiritual fervor of the St Francis Xavier Exposition 2014, the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) launched an innovative ‘Hop On Hop Off’ tour for tourists and pilgrims visiting Old Goa.

The route chalked out for the ‘Hop On Hop Off’ tour covers around seven kilometers in and around Old Goa complex where heritage monuments and churches of historical importance are located.
Some of these include Monte Chapel, St. Augustine tower, Church of the Miraculous Cross, St Cajetan’s Church.

The Hop On Hop Off vehicles depart from the ticket booking counter at the SFX Secretariat every half hour. A nominal fare of Rs 50 is charged for those who want to avail this service.

According to the GTDC, passengers can spend time at each of the monuments during the ring route tour and Hop On and Off at any location of their choice during the tour.

The GTDC has also announced special boat trips from St. Monica Jetty daily during the Exposition. The boat trips are scheduled twice during the day departing at 9. 30 am and 1.30 pm. From Old Goa Jetty, the boats will set sail for St Monica Jetty at 11 am and 3.30 pm. A fare of Rs. 50 is charged for this service as well.

“The objective is to make it the commute to Old Goa easier for tourists and pilgrims. That is why we decided to use the inland waterways,” said Shri. Nilesh Cabral, Chairman – GTDC.

“The Hop On Hop Off circuit tours is also another facility introduced by the GTDC for tourists and pilgrims to learn more about Goa’s rich heritage housed at Old Goa,” Shri Cabral said.

Panaji; November 25, 2014 …. The Deputy Chief Minister Shri Francis D’Souza  has called for  need of awareness among parents about deaf blindness  and systematic efforts are required to help  create self confidence among the children  who are the victims of  this  disability.

Shri D’Souza was speaking after inaugurating  a State Advocacy Meeting of Goa  on Deaf blindness held in the city today.  The advocacy meeting was organized by Caritas Goa in association with Sense International India and UK Aid.

Shri D’Souza  further speaking said that  although  the children born with disability cannot be ignored but we have to provide help and support  for the development of  their  talent and skill live normal life. The Government he said has implemented various schemes for this section of society. The process of certification   is needed to be   simplified   in order to avail the benefits of these schemes. He complimented Caritas-Goa for   serving the cause of disables.    

Director, Caritas Goa Fr. Mavric Fernandes, in his welcome address the gathering said that every child born with talent. But child with disability of   deaf blindness need to be treated with special care and attention. We have to reach out to these areas to collect data,  early diagnosis so as help them to  live normal life.

Shri Sudesh Gawade Assistant Director Social Welfare, Shri Parag Namdev, Senior  Manager –Advocacy and Network Sense India, Shri Reflino Fernandes Project Coordinator Caritas Goa, State Learning Center  on Deafblindes-Goa.and others attended the function

Smt. Vigilia D’Sa  welcomed the guest and compered the function.

24/11/2014 …. A book titled The Heroic Saint Francis Xavier was released by the Archbishop-Patriarch Emeritus Rev Raul Gonsalves in presence of Bishop of Mangalore Aloysius D’ Souza and others after the opening ceremony mass of the Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St. Francis Xavier on November 22, 2014 at Old Goa.

The extensively researched, illustrated with sketches, maps of the journeys, paintings, plans and colour photographs  was presented by the author to the Archbishop Emeritus for release. The book has a foreword by Fr. Francisco Caldeira. The Nihil Obstat is given by Fr. Manuel Pascoal Gomes, historian and Imprimatur for the book is granted by Archbishop-Patriarch Filipe Neri Ferrão.

The major achievement of this book is that the story of St. Francis Xavier unfolds inside-out. The book accompanies him on his travels against the background of war, politics, and intrigues. Long waits, patient focusing, administrative acumen and unwavering determination define his strong personality. His disappointments, doubts about himself serving God adequately, his acceptances of failure, his physical weaknesses, and his illnesses reveal a human being who rises above limitations and restrictions in his zeal to serve God and the people he cared for. His prayers, letters, comments reveal the inner man candidly.

His last journey, from the place of his death to the final resting place in Old Goa, is brought vividly to life. The awed adorations, the doubts, the examinations and the dissections come to life as if we are eye witnesses to the events.

The book is designed by Nisha Albuquerque, photography by Agnelo Lobo, published by Broadway, Publishing House, and printed by Rama Harmalkar. The proceeds of the books are dedicated to the Blessed Joseph Vaz Spiritual Renewal Centre, Old Goa.

Panaji; Nov 23, 2014 …. Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary  Education, Alto Betim organized one day productive workshop on “Art, creative writing skill” for English Teachers  at Secondary level on November 21, 2014.  Chairman of the Board Shri J.R. Rebello delivered  the welcome address. Shri Bhagirath Shetye, Secretary of the Board  introduced  the Resource person and briefed on objective of the workshop.

 The workshop was discussed about to boost the art of creative writing among students from an early class IX & X stage. Various techniques to develop a command over the English language and the arts, role of literature  in the overall development and role of journalism  in the electronic and social media.

  There were 35 participants at the workshop headed by Mrs. Patricia J. Pereira-Sethi, who is an award-winning journalist who worked for two decades  as correspondent, editor and the United-Nations Bureau Chief for Newsweek magazine  in New York expressed  her views on the occasion.

  Head Mistress Mrs. Genesis  D’ Silva  compered the programme and the vote of the thanks was given by Shri S. F. Koti, Joint Secretary, Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education. Shri Jayant Kansar, Shri Dnyaneshwar Tari, Mrs. Rajeshwari Mayekar and Shri Narayan Toraskar made the arrangement for success of the workshop.

November 22, 2014 … KTC will operate  free shuttle ring services from Ela Ferm and Pinto garage to Police station road from 6 am to 8 pm till last departure of devotees. Frequency will be one after one departure. 6 mini buses are posted at first instant.

Frequency will be increased on pilgrims demand. The buses will report at 6 am from 23^rd November at respective parking bays.

                    KTC will also operate shuttle services from margao, Vasco, Pond a, Mapusa at 5 am every day at  the frequency of 1 hour and from Panaji at 5.30 am at frequwncy of 10 minutes.

The route followed will be: Margao -6 buses and vasco 2 buses will be operated via Pilar Dongri to Ela farm whch will be charged Rs. 40 per one way-Departure from Bus stand. Ponda-2 buses via Banastarim to Hybrid chicken parkaing place Rs. 25 one way-Departure new KTC bus stand. Mapusa- 4 buses to Panaji via Diwja circle- Bakiya Parking place Rs. 25 one wasy from KTCL Bus stand. Panaji- 6 buses from Divja circle Bakiya Parking, Rs. 10 one way ticket. Departure from Panaji Bus stand. 

Buses will rad old Goa so that devotees can attend Konkani mass stgarding from 6 am, 715 am , 8.15 am, 10.45 am-Total five masses and evening at 6 am to 10 am.

20 buses procured from Exposition committee fund costing Rs. 3.12 Crores will be used  to ferry pilgrims for exposition. These buses will  thereafter be utilized by KTCL in their general fleet.