3 Oct 2013

COLLEM: Six persons, including two women, were saved from drowning at the Dudhsagar River at Collem on Wednesday evening. According to Collem Police, two women and five men from Panjim and Marcela had gone to Collem in the morning. The group decided to go to Dudhsagar waterfalls by crossing the Dudhsagar River and its tributaries. As there was less water and low water current, they easily crossed the river. Police further informed that after visiting the Dudhsagar waterfalls, the group started their return journey to Collem. However while crossing the river, they encountered strong water current and were pulled in the water. Police said they managed to cling on to some branches and remained in the river water. Police further said a person who was at the river bank noticed them in distress and alerted the police. Head Constable Premanand Sawant, Sandeep Naik and Gunaji Dhamekar rushed to the site and rescued them from the river.

Keri local killed in mishap

PONDA: A 28-year-old resident of Karmane-Keri, died after his two-wheeler skidded of the road at Pansule-Dharbandora late Tuesday night. According to Ponda Police, the accident occurred at about 9.30 pm when Sudesh Gaude was proceeding on his two-wheeler from Ponda towards Dharbandora. The two-wheeler skidded of the road and Gaude died on the spot. Police is investigating the case.

Motorcycle stolen at Socorro

PORVORIM: A motorcycle was reported stolen from a residence at Maina-Socorro. According to Porvorim Police, Nash Paul Souza of Maina complained that some persons stole his motorcycle (MH-03-L-9693), which was parked in the garage. Police is investigating the case.

Reward for brave Sacorda woman 

COLLEM: Vijeta Gaonkar from Bolcornem-Sacorda, who had nabbed a thief while attempting to rob her mangalsutra, will be rewarded with Rs 5,000 by the police for her bravery. It may be recalled that Collem Police on September 3 arrested accused Munna Saha (22) of Bihar on charges of attempting to rob mangalsutra worth Rs 65,000 from Vijeta (50) at Bolcornem-Sacorda, Dharbandora. Vijeta had complained that Saha entered her house and told her that he was undertaking polishing utensils and gold ornaments. Taking advantage of her being alone in the house, Saha forcibly snatched her gold mangalsutra and put it in a red colour liquid. However, when the woman raised an alarm, Saha tried to flee from the spot with mangalsutra, but Vijeta and her husband nabbed him and handed him over to police. “Since the complainant handled the situation courageously and nabbed the accused with the robbed property, she has been recommended for a reward of Rs 5,000 for her bravery, so that general public can help the police in curbing and detecting such type of crimes,” stated the police in a press note.

Cheating accused nabbed in Kerala

PANJIM: A Kerala-native, after evading arrest for nearly a fortnight was finally arrested in a cheating case registered against him at Panjim police station. The person identified as one Faisal Babu was picked up from Kerala and brought to Goa Tuesday. The team comprised of PSI S S Naik and head constable Nitesh Faldesai. According to a complaint filed by Vishnuprasad S Lavande, on July 31, the alleged accused at Goa Urban Co-operative Bank borrowed Rs 9 lakh from him with a promise to return the amount but he failed to do so. Following this, the victim filed a complaint at Panjim police station. Babu, residing at Ribandar, has now been sent to two days police remand.

Haryana man held for sexual assault

CANACONA: The 37-year-old native of Haryana, who was arrested on charges of sexually assaulting his 13-year-old daughter, has been remanded to eight days police custody after he was produced before the JMFC on Wednesday. Even though police did not reveal the medical report, sources informed that the medical examination had indicated that the girl had been sexually assaulted and accordingly, police booked necessary offences against the father. It may be recalled that Canacona Police had arrested the man on Tuesday after his wife complained against her husband for sexually assaulting their daughter.

Rally for safety of women 

PORVORIM: Scouts of St Britto High School, Mapusa, recently organised a rally on the theme ‘Safety of women today’. The rally was organised under the guidance of scout masters, Shankar Govekar and Dayanand Gawas. The rally started at the school and proceeded down the slope to Alankar Theatre, Mapusa Church, old Aldona bus stand, market, Gandhi circle and back. It was aimed at bringing awareness in the society for showing respect to women.

Eye camp at Poinguinim

CANACONA: Canacona Senior Citizens Forum (CSCF) will conduct a free eye camp for people over 50 years on October 6, at Nirankar High School hall, Poinguinim. An ophthalmic team from Shetye Eye Hospital, Karwar, will attend the camp. Free services like computerized eye power testing, manual power testing by optometrist, counselling, besides free consultation in the hospital (if required), will be provided, informed CSCF President Guilherme Martins.

CSCF General Secretary R S Nayak further informed that besides providing free eye testing services, special discount on optical care requirements will also be extended to the needy people.

Consumer shoppee opens at Margao

PANJIM: Consumer Shoppee exhibition of consumer and household goods was inaugurated at SGPDA grounds on Wednesday at the hands of Acting Chairperson Bertha Cardozo, in the presence of councillor Pratima Coutinho and various company representatives.

More than 60 companies are participating in this expo and on display are various products. The exhibition will emain open from 10 am to 9 pm till October 7. 

Course on Naturopathy

PANJIM: Caritas-Goa will organise a one-day course on Naturopathy ‘Turn to Nature’ at Clergy Home, Margao, on October 13. The course will be held from 9.30 am to 4 pm and Fr M Britto Joseph SJ will be the resource person. Those desiring to attend the course are requested to register before October 10, states the press note.

Festival of Gandhian ideas

PANJIM: The Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrão will inaugurate the ‘Festival of Gandhian Ideas’ at Don Bosco High School Hall, Panjim, on October 5 at 5 pm.

On October 5, a lecture by Dr Ramjee Singh will be held on morality in public life, while on October 12, lecture on the conduct of business, trade and commerce by Dr Arun Kumar will be held. 

On October 19, a lecture on Gandhiji’s fundamental principle, commitment to satyagraha’ by Dr Tridip Suhrud will be held followed by another lecture on Gandhiji’s views on education by Dr Sudarshan Iyenger on October 26.

On November 9, a lecture on Gandhiji’s view on Panchayat Raj by Mani Shankar Aiyar will be organised.

Students get laptops at Poriem 

MAYEM: Opposition Leader Pratapsing Rane recently distributed 307 laptops to the students of Shri Bhumika Higher Secondary School, Poriem.

Speaking on the occasion, Rane urged the students and parents to judiciously use the technology to acquire information for their benefit. He explained the advantages and disadvantages of using laptops during learning process. “Laptop and the technology should supplement the classroom learning,” he added.

Earlier, Principal Dr Sadanand S Hinde urged the students to make use of the laptops to gather information for their benefit and not to misuse it.

Manager Shivajirao Rane, Secretary Laxman Chari and PTA Chairman Kashinath Majik were present on the occasion.

Workshop on NVEQF held 

PANJIM: The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) organised a national workshop on “Skilling India for next decade through National Vocational Education Qualification Framework (NVEQF)” at Ashok Hotel, 50 B, Diplomatic Enclave, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi recently. 

The workshop was chaired by Dr M M Pallam Raju, Minister for Human Resource Development, Govt of India. The Ministers of State, HRD Dr Shashi Tharoor and Jitin Prasada were the guests of honour. 

Ashok Thakur, Secretary, Higher Education, MHRD delivered the introductory address. The workshop was attended by vice chancellors, secretaries of different ministries, secretaries of State government for technical/ higher education, directors/commissioners of technical education department of all the States/UTs, principal of institutes and other senior functionaries etc.

Blood Donation Day observed

PANJIM: The National Voluntary Blood Donation Day with the theme: Voluntary blood donation will cost you nothing but it will save a live, was observed by the Goa AIDS Control Society and Goa State Blood Transfusion Council at Secretariat, Porvorim.

Health Minister, Laxmikant Parsekar speaking as the chief guest said donating blood gives an individual the certification that you are healthy and free from diseases. He urged people, especially the youth to donate blood as it will go a long way in saving somebody’s precious life.

Parsekar also raised the target for voluntary donation of blood in Goa to 85 per cent from the present 81 per cent for the forthcoming year. Dr R G W Pinto, Professor and Head of Department of Pathology, GMC in his key note address highlighted the various aspects and advantages of donating blood. An information, educative and communication van was also flagged off by Parsekar to mark the day. 

Suresh Laad, ex-VBD consultant; Col Suresh from the armed forces and L M A Jagdish from the Indian Navy were felicitated.

Anti-tobacco rally held at Curchorem

CURCHOREM: The students of Guardian Angel Higher Secondary School, Curchorem organised a rally on Monday to create awareness among the people about the ill effects of tobacco and other allied products including plastic.

The rally started from the school compound with students holding placards displaying various messages and shouting slogans conveying the message of ill effects of tobacco and other products went around the Curchorem market, police station and railway station road and culminated at school premises. 

Camp for seniors held at Sanguem

SANGUEM: Sanguem Taluka Legal Services Authority celebrated the International Day of Senior Citizens by organising a legal literacy camp for them at Dando-Sanguem, where senior citizens were briefed on various government schemes. Vitorino Fernandes, a para-legal volunteer, urged the citizens to apply for the senior citizen card issued by the Directorate of Social Welfare as it forms the key to avail benefits under the government schemes.

Putu Gaonkar and Madhu K Gaonkar also spoke on benefits available for senior citizens. Adv Abilasha Naik spoke on the classes of people entitled for free legal aid, while head clerk Sanguem Court Guru Naik informed of the assistance the court could provide to the senior citizens.

Earlier, Sanguem Municipal councillor Queiroz Cruz welcomed the gathering, while Adv A Fernandes compered the function.

Teachers felicitated at Panjim

PANJIM: Lions Club of Panjim Mala Fontainhas felicitated    teachers at a programme at Hotel Sagar Panjim as part of Teachers Day celebrations. 

Speaking on the occasion Lions President Ezilda Sapeco highlighted the role of teachers and the sacrifices made by them and said that teachers should be appreciated for the devotion and the service rendered. Sapeco stated teaching should not be a profession but should be a mission. 

John Noronha highlighted the sacrifices and efforts put in by teachers. 

The felicitated teachers are Maria Gerina Almeida, Satish Vinayak Mapshekar, Shobha P Mhadgut from Progress High School Panjim; Chantal Gracias of Musthifund Middle School Mala; Yacub Khan of Don Bosco Higher Secondary 

School Panjim and senior Lions member Jovito Lopes journalist and former teacher. Club PRO Lopes compered while Sapeco welcomed and Vipin Makwana proposed the vote of thanks.