Date:-May 23,2017 …  Chief Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar inaugurated the International Day for Biological Diversity 2017  at Goa Kala Academy in the city today.  The function was organized by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) India, National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) Chennai, with the cooperation of Government of Goa through its autonomous body Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB).

          Chief Minister while addressing the gathering said that since this year’s theme being the “Biodiversity and sustainable tourism” for the touristic State like Goa, necessary measures needs to be taken to boost the tourism and protect environment in the State. He emphasised the need to work together to conserve biodiversity to ensure the better future for the present and future generation. He urged the concerned authorities to enhance mass awareness about the importance and threats to biodiversity among people.

            The function was followed with the launching of Indian Biodiversity Awards 2018, launching of UNDP-Capacity Building ABS Project, release of 1^st issue of NBA’s Newsletter “Biodiversity Matters”, release of communication materials and knowledge products and prize distribution for Photography Competition. The highlights of the exhibition on the theme IDB-2017 is the special feature of this year’s celebration which includes ‘Environment Haat’ by United National Development Program, India, and displays at over 30 stalls put up by local, National & Global stakeholders of Biodiversity, Environment & Tourism.

       A National level seminar will be held on 23^rd May 2017 on ‘Biodiversity’, legal framework and related aspects, at the ‘International Centre Goa, Dona Paula.

       Various competitions  were held as part of the IDB-2017, The winners will be felicitated on 23^rdMay 2017 at the ‘International Centre Goa, Dona Paula.

        Chief Secretary, Shri Dharmendra Sharma,Smt.Marina Walter, Deputy Country Director, UNDP, Dr.B.Meena Kumari,Chairperson National, Biodiversity Authority and Dr.Amita Prasad, Additional Secretary, MoEFCC Government of Goa were present on the occasion.

         Dr.Ranbir Singh, Principal Secretary, Environment and Forest, Government of Goa Proposed the vote of thanks while Shri.Saeesh Deshpande compered the function.

Ponda, August 28th , 2014: The Department of Tourism, Government of Goa today laid the foundation stone of The State Institute of Hotel Management & Catering Technology at Farmagudi, Ponda at the hands of Shri Shripad Y Naik, Honorable Minister of State (Independent Charge) Culture & Tourism, Government of India in the presence of Shri Dilip Parulekar, Honorable Minister of Tourism; Shri Nilesh Cabral, Honorable MLA & Chairman GTDC; Shri Anand Kumar, IAS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Shri R. K Srivastava IAS, Principal Secretary, Tourism, Government of Goa and Shri S. T. Nadkarni, Chief Engineer, GTDC, Project Cell.

The proposed plot area of 40,000sqmt is located in the Goa Engineering College Campus, Farmagudi and will have a capacity of 540 students. Shri. Shripad Naik on the occasion said, “The State Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology was a need-of the-hour. With the tourism industry flourishing in Goa, this project will definitely boost tourism and generate employment for the youth of Goa. We have requested the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India to increase the number of seats to 50% for the Goan youth. We hope to start work as soon as possible and complete this project within the stipulated time.”

The project will be executed in two phases. Phase I will comprise of the institutional building and a girls hostel block and phase II will comprise of an open air theatre, boys hostel, staff quarters, attendance quarters, cafeteria, principal’s quarters, health club and a playground amongst other facilities. The project is slated to be completed within 330 days excluding monsoons.

The Institute’s academic program will comprise of a 3 year BSC degree and a 1 and half year Trade Diploma in food production, food & beverage service, bakery & confectionary, housekeeping and front office operations. Apart from these courses, Capacity building for the villagers of Bandora, Farmagudi will be organized for at least 1000 youngsters every year.
Project Management Consultancy: Lotus Environments

Estimated Cost: Rs. 21, 96, 24,972.00 Including 3% contingencies & 4% Consultancy charges (GSR 2011)

Funding: Partly funded by Ministry of Tourism Government of India, Human Resources Development Division vide sanction order No. 9(1)2009-HRD dated 5th March, 2010. Partly Govt. of Goa.

Panaji : April 18, 2017 …. A Comprehensive Coastal Security exercise for the year 2017 the first “Sagar Kavach Goa-01/17” is scheduled on April 20, and 21, 2017. This exercise involving all the concerned agencies is being conducted under the aegis of Government of Goa since 2009.

The Coastal Security Exercise “Sagar Kavach Goa-02/16” was conducted last in November, 2016. The objective of this exercise is to provide seamless seaward cover along the Goa Coast jointly by all security agencies from coastal belt area line to the limit of territorial water i.e 12 nautical miles. The exercise will also assess the effectiveness of coastal fishing community in serving as “Eye and Ears” for early warning of seaward threat. This time the service of Drishti lifeguards, present at the beaches of Goa, will also be utilized for same purpose.

The Coastal Security exercise is being supervised by the Chief Secretary and is conducted and coordinated by Indian Coast Guard, District Headquarter at Goa. Various agencies like Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, Goa Police, Goa Coastal Security Intelligence Agencies, MPT, Ports Administration Department, CISF and Customs etc. will be taking part. In the exercise, intelligence and infiltration will be induced and the alertness and preparedness of all the stakeholder including people of Goa will be tested. This exercise provides all stakeholders and opportunity to fine tune standard operating procedure and test new operation concepts for coastal security.

18/09/2014 … The Chief Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar on behalf of people of Goa conferred the prestigious and highest civilian award “Gomant Vibhushan 2013-14 on the living legend and son of the soil Shri Lambert Mascrenhas at a function held at Goa Kala Academy Campal yesterday.

The function was organized by the Directorate of Art and Culture. The Award which comprises of a cash of Rs. 5 lakhs a citation and a memento was presented to Shri  Mascarenhas  on the occasion.

The function was graced by Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition   Shri Pratapsing Rane, Chief Secretary,  Shri B.Vijayan,  Shri Faizi O Hashmi Secretary Art and Culture and others.

Shri Parrikar while speaking in praise of Shri Mascarenhas said Shri Mascarenhas is a great nationalist who strived to create sense of patriotism through his writings. Being a journalists of great caliber he used his pen as a weapon for the purpose during the post liberation period. He cherished a goal of liberation of motherland and soon after the liberation endeavoured to establish Indian identity among the Goans.

Shri Parrikar further speaking also said Shri Mascarenhas, a man with good character, brave journalists and man of principle strived to bring Goans in the mainstream of nation, he congratulated him and wished him on  his 100^th birthday.

Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly Shri  Rajendra Arlekar  said Shri Mascarenhas  as a freedom fighter  had fought for the  cause of liberation of Goa. He was exiled from Goa for twelve years due to his involvement in freedom activities. The sacrifice yielded a dream of liberation of this land and thereafter he worked on well defining   the Goan identity. He conveyed his best wishes on his 100^th birthday.

The Leader of Opposition Shri Pratapsing R. Rane while addressing the gathering said Shri Mascarenhas was a brave journalist, a renowned writer and a true nationalist. He said Shri Mascarenhas through writings has  inspired the  people to fight for the freedom and uphold the cause Goan identity. He congratulated him on the occasion.

The Minister for Art and Culture Shri Dayanand Mandrekar said Government is happy to confer the award on deserved person a courageous write, journalist, freedom fighter and nationalist to the Shri Mascarenhas. He also conveyed his best wishes to him for completing 100 years of his life.

Shri Arlekar on this occasion released a brochure titled Gomant Vibhushan.

The Chief Secretary Shri B.Vijayan welcomed the gathering, while Shri Faizi O Hashmi Secretary Art and Culture proposed the vote of thanks.

Panaji, September 16,  2017 …. The Governor of Goa Dr. (Smt.) Mridula  Sinha has said that the launching of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, on October 2, 2014 marked a new chapter in the history of the Country. The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is a massive mass movement that seeks to create a clean India. It has given a new direction and infused fresh energy to the activities focusing on health and sanitation. She expressed her happiness as she was nominated as a brand ambassador for the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, by the Prime Minister. “I am glad that since the launch of Swachh Bharat Abhiya, State of Goa has taken a giant leap forward in achieving the mission goals”. Governor said. “Cleanliness is next to Godliness” said Mahatma Gandhi. Cleanliness was very close to Mahatma Gandhi’s heart. A clean India is the best tribute we can pay to Bapu.

Governor further informed that a campaign called “Swachhta hi Sewa”, is declared by the Prime Minister of India, from September 15, 2017 to October 2, 2017. With the beginning of this campaign, the prime Minister has urged the people of India to participate in this movement with great zeal and determination and to take a pledge on this Gandhi Jayanti (October 2) to make cleanliness and hygiene not just part of lives, but the very way we live. Purity of Mind, purity of body and purity of intellect are the most important aspects of healthy and wholesome life.

The Governor further stated that not only  Government Departments but all should join hands in this campaign  and spread the message of cleanliness. She urged all voluntary organization, school, colleges, political leaders, corporate, Government Officials etc.,  to accelerate Swachhta activities during the period of September 15 to October 2, 2017 and create an environment of cleanliness in the entire country.

Cleanliness has always been part of our tradition and has played an important role in every person’s life since childhood. It has always been our way of life and is taught in the first school called family . therefore it is very necessary that the traditional spirit of cleanliness be revived with this campaign of Swachata hi Sewa. Goa should become the cleanest State of India and act as a role model to others. Goa is the favourite destination of tourists as  tourists visiting this State also have to play a major role in maintaining the cleanliness and tidiness of Goa. She urged the tourists visiting Goa to co-operate in order to keep Goa clean and beautiful, she reiterated.    

Panaji, October 02, 2018 …. The Governor Dr. Smt. Mridula Sinha has exhorted the youths to work to imbibe the culture of cleanliness and good thoughts. The Governor said Cleanliness is a ritual and it has to be practiced by everyone on day to day basis. The Governor was speaking after inaugurating a special programe commemorating Swacch Bharat Mission themed “Ek Kadam Swachata Ki Aur” at Ravindra Bhavan, Sankhali today.

Present on the occasion were Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly Dr. Pramod Sawant, Shri Dharmesh Saglani, Chairperson, Sankhali Municipal Council, Smt. R. Maneka, IAS, Director of Municipal Administration, Shri Sanjeet Rodrigues, Managing  Director, Goa Waste Management Corporation, Shri Pravinjay Pandit, Chief Officer, Sankhali Municipal Council and Shri Shripad Arlekar, Member Secretary, Ravindra Bhavan Sankhali.

Elaborating on good thoughts of the Rashtrapita Mahatma Gandhi, the Governor said, the youth must take inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi and his principles and values. The Governor also read the ‘Swachh Bharat Oath’ to the gathering.

Speaking on the occasion Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly Dr. Pramod Sawant said that cleanliness is our fundamental duty and true service. We must strive to keep ourselves and the surroundings clean. We all must make it as our personal habit. He urged the support from the masses for this noble cause.

The function began with lighting the traditional lamp by the dignitaries. The Students of St. John High School sang two songs. Earlier  Shri Pravinjay Pandit welcomed the guests. Shri Anil Vernekar and Smt. Daya Tendulkar compered the function and Shri Shripad Arlekar proposed vote of thanks.

Various prizes were given to the winners at the hands of the Governor and other dignitaries. The program was attended by the Councillors, Sarpanchas, Panch members, teachers and students of various schools in the vicinity of Sankhali in large number.

Panaji :: 18th Sepetember 2018 :::: The Sunday Evening Quiz Club (SEQC), in association with the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG), will be hosting ‘Lights, Camera, Question‘, a quiz on the magic of movies, on Sunday September 23 at Maquinez Palace, Panjim at 3.00 p.m.

The quiz will be replete with visual, audio and video content, and will cover all aspects of cinema, Indian and international. It will be conducted by Aniruddha Sen Gupta, a Mastermind India finalist.

The quiz will commence with a written preliminary round at 3pm, followed by onstage finals. Participation is invited for the quiz in teams of two. The quiz is open to all, and entry is free.

To pre-register, e-mail se*****@***il.com, with ‘Movie Quiz 2018 registration’ in the Subject line, and the names and contact numbers or e-mail IDs of both team members, in the body of the mail. Teams that show up at the venue without pre-registering will be accommodated subject to availability of seating.

Panaji : March 28, 2020 …. The office of the District Magistrate, North Goa has informed that the Enforcement Squad of North Goa District is re-constituted for enforcing effective implementation of illicit drug/Cigarettes and other Tobacco products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of trade Commerce Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003 in North Goa District.

The Enforcement Squads of all the Talukas have been directed to take action on illicit tobacco products which are in circulation without paying taxes including other sections under COTPA Act, 2003.

Margao:  December 3, 2017 … Chief Minister, Shri Manohar Parrikar inaugurated two days Chartered Accountants (CA) Students Conference organised by Board of Studies, The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and hosted by Goa and Nagpur Branch of WIRC and WICASA of Goa and Nagpur at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao today.

Speaking on the occasion Shri Parrikar said while taking knowledge from this type of various conferences organised in Goa, the participants get an opportunity to enjoy the State which is rich in Art, Culture and Education too. Geographically, Goa is a small State on the map of India, but the impact of this small State can be seen all over the globe in various fields. Nurture values in Life, he added.

Honesty is the best principle, it should not be the policy because basically a policy can is subject to change and principles are not, the Chief Minister said. Success always comes through value and integrity. The parameters of values and integrity don’t change. If one has good knowledge about the subject one can definitely worked out better but ones Integrity is the thing which cannot be worked out, he said. Thought of corruption also is an actual corruption, Integrity cannot be valued, and it is beyond any calculations. He complimented the organisers for choosing good theme for conference which will bring out fruitful results with very good Chartered Accountants.

Shri Parrikar said it is not easy to adopt changes, it will take some time and that is why GST will surely bring the required boost in economy, benefitting all. Nation requires lot of things to change and for this purpose CA is going to be very important, he remarked.

Shri Mangesh Kinare, Vice Chairman, Board of Studies, ICAI; Shri Kedar Kenkre, Shri Vinesh Pikale, Shri Abhijeet Kelkar and Shri Saket Bagda all Chartered Accountants were present on the occasion.

The students who are studying Chartered Accountants from Nagpur, New Delhi, Kolkata, Ludhiana, Goa, Mumbai, Pune and Chennai are participating in this conference. The theme of the conference is “Nurturing Values and Integrity – Attaining Excellence in Professional Pursuits”.