South Goa to have taluka-level schools for blind from Aug 16
MARGAO: Come August 16, and schools for the blind will take off in South Goa district – thanks to an initiative by South Goa District Collector, N D Agrawal.
Schools for the blind in all the six talukas have been planned by the National Association of Blind in coordination with the office of the District Collector. The objective behind starting these taluka-level schools
is to educate the blind in Braille and ensure that every blind in the district get the education. Around a 1000 blind men are expected to benefit out of these schools, Agrawal said.
In this context, the authorities will invite applications from the blind till August 14 and the three month classes will commence from August 16, informed President of National Association of the Blind, Rozendo Mendonsa.
“The Government Printing Press has started Braille printing, but there are no Braille readers in the State. There’s Braille literature as well, but there are no takers”, Agrawal said, adding that the administration in coordination with the National Association for the Blind and other NGOs are making a small beginning for the benefit of the blind.
Agrawal clarified that the project is not government funded, but with the assistance of NGOs. “The administration will provide infrastructural support and the NAB will provide the teaching faculty”, he said.
Mapusa resident arrested for casteist slur
PORVORIM: A man from Mapusa has been arrested by Mapusa police with connection with a casteist slur on a government servant from Punola-Ucassaim.
In his complaint, Ashok Bawkar told Mapusa police that Subhash Jetha abused him with casteist remarks and threatened him in public view outside Dnyan Prasarak High School, Mapusa on July 27 at about 7.45 am.
Acting on the complaint, Mapusa police arrested Jetha under Sections 341, 504, 506, IPC and Section 3 of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes Act.
6 Virdi locals accused of abusing woman, family
BICHOLIM: Six persons from Virdi have been accused of abusing a woman and her family in the village.
In her complaint, one Jijabai of Karekhajan-Virdi complained that the six persons barged into her house on July 26 at 9.30 pm and abused her daughter-in-law and other family members. Bicholim police is investigating the case.
Amthane woman commits suicide
BICHOLIM: A 44-year-old woman from Amthane-Mencurem committed suicide on July 27.
According to Bicholim police, Kamini Naik was reported missing since Friday morning and her slippers were found near a well. The body was later recovered from the well. Police suspect that Naik ended her life due to frustration over a personal issue. The body has been sent for an autopsy at the GMC.
2 kids bitten by rabid dog at Ponda
PONDA: Two children were bitten by a rabid dog in the market area of Ponda on Saturday morning.
According to reports, the incident took place as Nikita Chitmal (5) was waiting to go to a primary school, while Deepika Shinde (3) was playing in the area. A stray dog pounced on them and bit them.
The two children were rushed to ID hospital Ponda, from where they were shifted to the Hospicio at Margao for vaccination, before they were discharged.
The rabid dog was later impounded by People For Animals workers and the dog died a short while later.
PERNEM: Pernem excise officials seized liquor worth Rs 45,000 from the Patradevi checkpost late Friday night.
Led by Vishal Kanolkar, the excise sleuths intercepted a tempo proceeding towards Maharashtra at the Patradevi checkpost and found large quantities of liquor. The tempo driver, Deelip Mahadik of Ahmednagar-Maharashtra has been arrested in this connection, while the tempo (MH-16-AE-4116), has also been detained.
Panchawadi man killed in road mishap
PONDA: A 54-year-old man from Amlai-Panchawadi died in a road mishap in the village on Friday night.
According to Ponda police, the accident occurred at around 9.25 pm when Baptist Salvador Estibeiro, who was riding a scooter, was knocked down by a truck (GA-09-T-7224).
Both the vehicles were traveling in the same direction. The truck driver, Andrew Pereira (40) of Quepem fled from the scene but was later arrested, Ponda police said.
Driver found dead in truck
PONDA: A driver was found dead in a truck at Marcaim Industrial Estate (MIE) early Saturday morning.
According to Ponda police, Sharad Mahapathy Shine (48) of Kolhapur had gone to the MIE with his truck on Friday, when the body was found in the truck the next morning.
Police is investigating the cause of death.
DSS scheme cheques distributed in Aldona constituency
PORVORIM: Aldona MLA Glen Ticklo on Saturday distributed 37 cheques under the DSS scheme for an increased amount of Rs 2,000 each to beneficiaries of Aldona constituency.
The cheques were distributed to the beneficiaries in the presence of Datta Kholkar, Vice Chairman of the State Planning Commission.
Sarpanchas and panchayat of various villages in Aldona constituency were present at the function.
On the occasion, members of the Moira and Uccassiam–Paliem panchayats pledged their support to MLA Glen Ticklo and the BJP party.
Addressing the gathering, Ticklo assured to honour his promises mentioned in his election manifesto.
Training programme for Technical Teachers organised
PANJIM: Dr PS Kinnerkar, Managing Director, Transweld Products Pvt Ltd was the chief guest of the valedictory function of the five days training programme for Technical Teachers of Engineering Institutes in the state of Goa, and he awarded merit certificates of participating Technical Teachers for successfully completing the programme. The programme was organised by the National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research (NITTT- R) – Bhopal – Extension centre Goa.
In his address, Dr Pramod S Kinnerkar highlighted some of the important aspects of Technical Education for overall upgradation and capacity enhancements of the existing Technical institutions. Dr Kinnerkar complimented Dr Alan Rosha of NITT-R centre of Goa for his valuable contribution in technical education. He also appreciated Amey Hegde, an expert faculty and ex-Wipro executive for conducting this programme, through his rich experience of 10 years with Wipro. The programme concluded with interactive Q & A sessions and vote of thanks by Dr Alan Rocha.
World Hepatitis Day at Apollo Victor Hospital
PANJIM: Department of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, under the leadership of Dr. Jose Filipe Alvares MD, DM, DNB - Senior Gastroenterologist; launched World Hepatitis Day 2012 with 4 clear objectives of: Reducing hepatitis-related deaths, Providing for affordable and confidential testing, increasing awareness about diagnosis and treatment of Hepatitis and helping patients recover completely and lead a normal life.
The launch event of World Hepatitis Week was commemorated with a talk on Prevention of Hepatitis by Dr Alvares. During this entire week, the hospital will be raising awareness on hepatitis with Free Hepatitis B and C screening camps (July 30, 31 and 1 August from 10 am to 4 pm). Free consultation will be held with Dr Alvares for positive cases detected at the camp. Talks, radio initiatives and other awareness activities will be conducted.
St Anne’s feast at Ponda
PONDA: The St Anne's feast will be celebrated with traditional fervour on July 29 at Ponda.
The theme for this year’s feast is "Sant Annachea mozotin Kristi bhavarth kholau-ia ani tachea totvacher jivit badu-ia. (With the help of Sant Anna, let’s deepen our Christian faith and build our lives on true values).
On the feast day, masses will be celebrated at 6.30 am and 8.15 am, while the main feast mass is scheduled at 9.30 am. The main celebrant for this year’s feast mass will be Fr Kyriel D'Souza, Provincial of Pilar Society. There will be an inter-village football match at 4.30 pm at the church ground and screening of the film, 'Eok Jivo Bhorvanso', at 7.30 pm in the church hall.
According to St Anne's Parish Priest Fr Cajetan Lourenco, (OFM), this is one of those few churches in Goa, dedicated to St Anne.
"The original church of Ponda, dedicated to St Anne and St Anthony, was established in 1700. The Jesuit missionaries administered to the pastoral needs in early seventeenth century. The present church was built much later."
"In the course of years, this church was entrusted to the pastoral care of the Order of Friars Minor (OFM) in 1957. The Parochial Residence was built in 1967.The existing sanctuary was renovated and enlarged in 1987," said Fr Lourenco.
