Panjim: July 22, 2018: ISUZU RFC India 2018, the fifth edition of India’s most prestigious international off-road motorsport event, is back in Goa. With competitive stages starting from tomorrow, ISUZU RFC India 2018 will be held at various locations across the State over the next seven days before the announcement of the winner on 28^th July.

This year, 39 teams, each consisting of a driver and a co-driver, will compete against each other, with the top Indian driver of the competition getting monetary benefits worth USD 10,000, including a free automatic entry worth USD 3,900 to the Rainforest Challenge (RFC) Global Series Finale to be held in Malaysia at the end of the year.

RFC India was launched by Delhi-based Cougar Motorsport Pvt. Ltd. in 2014. It is the India Chapter of the Rainforest Challenge of Malaysia, which is listed among the top ten toughest motor races in the World and has over 51 editions being held in 21 countries worldwide. Though merely four editions old, RFC India is unarguably considered as the country’s toughest international off-road motorsport competition and is counted amongst the top three toughest events in the RFC Global Series. In the last three years, the event has had four successful editions in Goa as well as two regional chapters in Bengaluru and Chandigarh.

Out of the 39 contenders in ISUZU RFC India 2018, the UTs of Chandigarh and Delhi are sending 3 teams each; 4 teams hail from Goa; 10 from Kerala; 7 from Hyderabad; 5 from Karnataka, including a Ladies Team; 3 teams hail from Maharashtra and Arunachal Pradesh each; and 1 from Tamil Nadu.

Cougar Motorsport’s Founder & Director Mr. Ashish Gupta said, “This year we have the first-ever participation from the North-East; the host state is sending its largest-ever squad; we also have a record 10 teams from Kerala, which is the highest number of participating teams from any state ever. We have always desired to grow this sport beyond its male-centric image and I am delighted to welcome an all-ladies team, after a gap of four years. The interest in RFC India among Indian offroaders, which supersedes all boundaries of age, gender and region, proves that we have been successful in our quest of uniting the best offroading talent of India on a single platform.”

He added, “It is great to see the growth this sport has witnessed in merely five years since the launch of RFC India. In 2016, the RFC India Champions Gurmeet Virdi and Kirpal Singh Tung made our country proud by winning their category at the RFC Global Series Finale in Malaysia. Our other contenders have also had phenomenal performances in various national off-road motorsport events. In each edition, we have had a substantial number of off-roaders making their RFC India debut. In fact, 13 rookie drivers will be participating in ISUZU RFC India 2018, with one of them being merely 18 years old. This speaks volumes about the substantiality of this competition in the country’s off-roading context and our determination to develop Indian motorsport at large.”

The competition will be spread across 26 Special Stages (SS) that will test the contestants’ driving and vehicle recovery skills, team spirit and their physical and mental endurance under extreme off-road conditions. Based on a point system, the competitors will earn set-points on successful completion of stages. However, penalties will be incurred in case of failure to complete a task, non-adherence to the rules or environmental damage at the event location. The team with maximum points in their account at the end of the competition will win the coveted ‘ISUZU RFC India 2018 Champion’ title.

Capt. J. Shankar Srinivas, Vice President – Service, Customer Relations, EA & PR, Isuzu Motors India, said, “ISUZU Motors India is proud to be associated with RFC India this year. ISUZU has always been in the forefront in offering vehicles that are highly durable, reliable and capable, which has been proved in many toughest rally raids across the world. This platform gives us an opportunity to showcase the vehicle attributes to those off-roading enthusiasts and also promote the spirit of adventure in the country. I wish the best to the participants of ISUZU RFC India 2018.”

Season 5 of this mega off-road motorsport event will be kicked-off in off-road terrains in the Goan hinterlands and gradually move towards the urban centers. Screening the participating vehicles for their adherence to RFC India mandatory specifications, the vehicle scrutiny was held today at the International Centre Goa (ICG) in Dona Paula. The contestants who successfully cleared the scrutiny proceeded for a ceremonial flag-off, held at the same location.

The first set of the Special Stages will be held at DOT in Village Kumbhari of Taluka Sanguem on 22^nd and 23^rd of July. The competition convoy will thereafter move to Suquerbag in Quepem, where Special Stages will be held on 24^th and 25^th of July and to the Green Hills Agri Farm in Maina, Quepem on 26^th and 27^th of July, before eventually culminating at the Rajiv Gandhi IT Habitat in Dona Paula on 28^th of July.

The tracks have been laid and the participants are ready to roar; the country’s annual off-roading extravaganza hereby begins! Now, only time will tell who will be the ultimate off-roading champion of India who will represent the country at RFC 2018 Global Series Grand Finale.

Panaji : July  21, 2018 …. Governor of Goa Dr. (Smt). Mridula Sinha held a meeting with Industry Representatives (public and private sector) across the state and discussed the activities undertaken in their respective organisations in connection with Swachh Bharat Mission.

While addressing the gathering, the Governor congratulated the members of Industries for their enthusiastic participation and making Swachh Bharat Mission a success. “An office is an extended family and keeping it clean is our noble responsibility. Cleanliness has been a part of our moral system and we must retain it for generations to come. The Industries, Government and local bodies can work hand in hand to attain 100% cleanliness,” the Governor said.

The Governor also urged the representatives to work towards making Goa the cleanest state in the country and proposed a few measures for better hygiene and sanitation. “The companies can adopt villages within 5 km of their Industrial unit and help in the maintenance of public toilets along with tree plantation and public park maintenance. Slogans and messages of Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan can be installed at public places. Donating dust bins and voluntary service of 100 hours per year can be a mandate to employees. The Industrial units can paint their boundary walls with a theme of local art, culture or Swachh Bharat messages. This will serve a dual purpose of passing the right message as well as be a treat to one’s eyes,” the Governor opined. She also administered swachhta pledge to Industry Representatives. Shri Sandip Bhandare, President, Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was nominated as convener of Industry Representatives for Swach Bharat Abhiyan in Goa.

The Industry representatives were also advised to appoint a representative and send a timely report of the activities along with photos to the Raj Bhavan. Secretary to Governor Shri. Rupesh Kumar Thakur, IAS and OSD to Governor Shri. Anshuman Abhishek were also present on the occasion.

Panaji : July  20, 2018 … The Government of Goa through the Directorate of Social Welfare is implementing the schemes for the welfare of  differently abled students studying in Goa.

 Under the scheme ‘Stipend to Disabled Students’, a stipend is paid to the students studying in Std. I to XII. The rates of stipend paid are as follows: Students studying in Std. I to VIII are  Rs.200/- p.m and students studing in Std IX to XII will get

As per the criteria for eligibility,  student should posses minimum disability of 40% duly certified by Medical Board and should have passed in the previous annual examination, however, one time failure can be condoned at the discretion of   Directorate of Social Welfare. The annual family income of such a student should not exceed Rs.1,50,000/- p.a from all sources.

Application complete in all respect should reach the Directorate of Social Welfare, Panaji on or before September 30, 2018 along with Disability Certificate with at least 40% disability issued by Medical Board, a copy of marksheet of last annual examination passed, Income Certificate issued by the Competant Authority, a copy of identity card issued by Directorate of Social Welfare, a copy of bank pass book of the applicant, contact number and a copy of Aadhar card. The application received first will be given preference.  

Panaji : July  19, 2018 …. The Department of Planning and Statistics celebrated its 50^th Anniversary of Co-operative Credit Society at Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Bhavan on July 12, 2018.

 Shri Sanjiv Gadkar, Ragistrar of Co.operative Societies, who was the Chief Guest lauded the performance of the Society and appreciated the schemes being implemented by them.

Shri Amol Sawant, Chairman of the Society presented important features of the Society Shri Subash Shetye, Secretary made a power point presentation highlighting the performance of the society for the last decade.

Other members of the society namely Shri Thanu Zalmi, Shri Mahesh Pilgaonkar, Shri Prashant Veluskar, Smt Rupam Temkar, Smt Gitanjali Naik with the support of other colleagues in the Department presented various cultural programmes.

Shri Gadkar alongwith Board Members and the staff of DPSE together cut the cake in celebration of Golden Jubilee of the Society.

 Earlier, the programme began with the welcome song by the staff members of the DPSE.

 The Board members in their special AGM earlier took a decision to gift all members a wall specially designed for the 50^th anniversary celebration of the Society.

   Panaji : July  18, 2018 …. The Goa Special School Association is organizing 5^th All Goa Drama Festival on July 20, 2018 at 9.30 a.m. in Dinanath Mangueshkar Hall, Kala Academy, Panaji in collaboration with Directorate of Art and Culture.

200 differently-abled children from 17 such schools in Goa will participate. Minister for Art and Culture, Shri Govind Gaude will be Chief Guest and Shri Prakash Kamat, Senior Editor- Hindu will be the Guest of honour.  

 Panaji : July  17, 2018……  The Governor of Goa Dr. (Smt) Mridula Sinha has said that the Sanskrit language is of ancient origin and is a part of Indian culture and for the spread of this language collective effort from various stake holders is required. Dr. Sinha was speaking as Chief Guest for the function of Goa Sanskrit Doordarshan, organization by Shree Datta Padmanabh Pitham and Swami Bramhamand Sanskrut Prabodhini at Raj Bhavan, Dona Paula, yesterday.

Dr. Sinha speaking further said that Goa has its own identity, culture and heritage. She lauded the work done by Swami Bramhanand Sanskrit Prabodhini to promote Sanskrit language in Goa. She also appreciated the students who evinced interest in learning Sanskrit and said this proves that sanskrit has a bright future.

The Vice-Chancellor of Goa University, Dr. Varun Sahni in his address informed that the Sanskrit language is the mother of Indian language. He said that efforts are being done at various levels to provide a better future for Sanskrit in Goa.

 The Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly, Dr. Pramod Swant said Sanskrit language is part of our culture and he would be happy to provide support for the cause of this language.

 Shree Bramheshanand Swami while addressing the gathering stressed the need to support the growth and progress of Sanskrit language in the state. He expressed his gratitude towards those who have helped in this endeavour. He congratulated those who have excelled in Sanskrit language. Thereafter he presented portrait of the Governor pained by one of the students of Tapobhoomi.

The students who excelled in Sanskrit exams were honoured at the hands of the dignitaries and were also presented certificate of appreciation.  

            Dr. Ramkripal Sinha spouse of the Govenor, Shri Kishor Shet Mandrekar, Editor, Gomantak, Shri Sagar Javadakar, Editor Tarun Bharat (Goa Edition) and others were present for the function.

            Adv. Bramhi Devi welcomed the guest while Vedmutri Dnyaneshwar Patil compered the function. Swami Bramhashanand Swami proposed the vote of thanks.