Minister for Tourism, Information & Technology Shri Rohan Khaunte unfurled the National tricolour and took the salute on the occasion of Republic Day celebrations at Mapusa today.
The function was attended by MLA Shri Michael Lobo; Additional Collector, Shri Pundalik Khorjuvenkar; Dy. Collector Shri Gurudas Desai, Ms. Yashwaswini B, IAS; Mamlatdar Shri Dashrat Gawas, Jt. Mamlatdar, Government Officers and freedom fighters along with students and teachers of various schools.
Shri Khaunte, speaking on the occasion, recalling the sacrifices of freedom fighters and brave heroes for achieving India’s independence said India has the largest democracy, and when we say we are the largest democracy, we are also the youngest nation.
He said, India has made great strides in last eight years under the able leadership of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. The Prime Minister’s constant efforts to make India a strong and prosperous nation, has been acknowledged the world over. We are proud that as Indians, we are respected around the world. To build our State and Nation, he appealed to support the Prime Minister Modi’s initiatives of Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, and Sabka Prayas.
Various initiatives have also been introduced to make Atmanirbhar Bharat, such as Startup India, Make in India, Skill India, Clean India, Digital India, Swatch Bharat etc which providecitizens with a variety of opportunities and developmental paths. In keeping with the Swatch Bharat initiative, we started Nital Goem, similar to Atmanirbhar Bharat Swaympurna Goem, he said.
He further said to support Digital India Policy, maximum technology has been used in various sectors. To support Atmanirbhar Bharat Swayampurna Goem mission, in IT sector, due focuss has been laid on Start-up India policy. We hope to place Goa among the top 25 Asian start-ups in the world and the government is constantly encouraging youth for start-up and is ready to help them with incentives, policies and schemes, among other things. In Goa, we have started approximately 165 start-ups with a total investment of approximately Rs.3 crores. Online Services through the IT sector have benefited 219 Goans. In the next 8 days, the people of Goa will be able to take advantage of all 175 services through Taluka Level, including the current one through the Citizen Service Centre, he informed.
As we move forward in the tourism sector to provide clean tourism, safe tourism, and good tourism, the government has implemented various initiatives such as Ease of Doing Business by providing all documentation facilities online and at the same time, fines are also imposed on those whose businesses are not legal, because legality is important if we want to rise in the tourism sector, he remarked.
The government, he said, is facing numerous challenges in creating jobs. In the coming days, the government will make efforts to provide safe and clean beaches as soon as possible. In the coming days, an Integrated Beach Management Policy, surveillance, and other measures will be put in place, and the majority of beaches will be cleaned through the Integrated Beach Management Policy, he added.
Under the leadership of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at centre and under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr.Pramod Sawant in the State, the Government has initiated various forward looking policies, programmes and developments. The Government has made developments in all four sector i.e. Waterways, Roadways, Highways and Airways by tackling numerous challenges. The new New Zuari bridge not only connects both the district in the State, but have sent a global message to the investors attracting investment.
Asserting that Mhadei River is life saving river and concerning everyone, he appealed to support the Chief Minister by keeping aside their political differences in the larger interest of the State.
