22 Sept 2013

PANJIM: Our Lady of Divar High School felicitated meritorious SSCE students at the annual general body meeting of PTA, at which Ilda Menezes, wife of Carlos Menezes, chairman of CMM group of Companies was the chief guest. 11 students who secured distinctions at the SSC examination were feted. Nikhil Nishikant Parab and Anupama Ulhas Velingkar were awarded the Luis and Maria Alor Pereira Memorial Scholarship. Fr Arnald Pinho briefed parents on role of parenting.

A prayer song was presented by teachers Socorro Fernandes and Agnelo Furtado. 

PTA secretary Indrayani Patil read the minutes while Headmaster John S M Fernandes addressed the parents on various issues. Treasurer Elvis Aguiar presented the accounts. The teachers were congratulated for achieving 100 per cent results at the Board exams. Principal Fr Anil Kumar welcomed while PTA Chairman Eddy Picardo proposed the vote of thanks. Socorro Fernandes compered. 

VASCO: Lions Club of Dabolim-Chicolna in collaboration with Institute of Ship Building Technology, Bogda, will organize a blood donation camp at the institute premises at Bogda on September 23 from 9.30 am to 1 pm. The camp is being conducted by the GMC Blood Bank. Those interested in donating blood may contact any member of Lions Club of Dabolim-Chicolna. 

PANJIM: The Mount Litera Zee School in association with World Heart Federation will be organising a 2-3 km walkathon, at Vasco on September 29 from 8 am to 9 am, which would be flagged off by Vasco MLA, Carlos Almeida. The walkathon would commence from KTC bus stand, Vasco go around Vasco city and close at KTC bus stand. 

During the walk, the students of the school would campaign for getting active through some form of exercise, eating a healthy diet, saying no to alcohol and tobacco and undergoing regular health check-ups.

Entry is by registration only and interested can contact Titty 8007596463 or Maria 9764383130 or email mlzsgoa@mountlitera.com;  maria.fernandes@mountlitera.com  or the school office.

PANJIM: Phillip De Orlim release his Mp3 at the hands of King of Centuries, Roseferns, at Pai Tiatrist Hall, Margao. Roseferns congratulated Phillip and said he has rendered yeomen service to uplift our mother tongue Konkani. ‘Ponvotti’ is a package of 50 songs all dealing with the current affairs of Goa. Lyrics were penned by Phillip and the songs are sung by the well-known singers of the Konkani stage. Music is composed by Josinho and Joaquim. Philip’s son Princewel also sings two songs. Rosario De Benaulim, well-known actor and singer compered the function.

PORVORIM: The Quitula Sports Club at Aldona will felicitate Dhyan Chand awardee Mary D’Souza (Sequeira), the illustrious sportswoman hailing from Aldona, during its traditional all Goa singing competition on October 2 at 4.30 pm.

QSC General Secretary Blaise D’Cruz stated that Mary, who is presently in Mumbai, will be down in Goa for a few days and will attend the function.

Mary D’Souza (81) took part in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, the first time India sent women athletes to the Olympics. She won a silver medal (4x100m relay) and bronze medal (200m) at the Asian Games in 1951 in New Delhi and also gold (4x100m relay) at the Asian Games in Manila (1954).

President Pranab Mukherjee conferred on Mary the prestigious ‘Dhyan Chand Award.’ 

The singing contest will be conducted in three categories ~ sub-juniors (upto 10 years), juniors (11-15 years) and seniors (16 years and above). Entries may be submitted to Paul Alphonso (Petal Printers, Parish Centre, Aldona), Blaise D’Cruz (9822980346), Nelson D’Cruz (headmaster, St Theresa’s High School, Candolim), Rosario Fernandes (9823374316) or at the QSC by September 25.

PANJIM: Swami Gahanananda of Chinmay Asram Hubballi, Karnataka will deliver a series of lectures in Kannad on the topic ‘The Light Spread by Sant Kabir’ from September 23 to 29, from 6.30 pm to 8 pm at Mahalaxmi Temple Hall, Panjim. This programme is jointly organized by Chinmay Mission Panjim and Goa Kannad Samaj. Swamiji will also deliver lectures on ‘Amrut Bindu Upanishat’ in English from September 24 to 29 from 6.30 am to 7.30 am at Chinmay Alok, St Inez.

MAYEM: Sanquelim MLA and Vice Chairperson of Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation Dr Pramod Sawant released a Konkani drama book on humour ‘Shevtak Zalem Mare.’ The book has been written by Shyam Gaonkar, a journalist, and was released at a function in the mandap of Shree Vithalapur Karapur Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, Karapur-Tisk, Bicholim. The book is published under the ‘Poilo Chavar’ scheme implemented by Goa Konkani Academy. Music artiste, Laxman Sawant and Anuradha Girap were also honoured.

PORVORIM: Seven passengers were injured when a passenger bus went over a road divider at Guirim on Saturday afternoon. According to Mapusa police, the incident took place at about 12.15 pm, when the bus (GA-01-W-4073) was proceeding from Panjim towards Mapusa. Near the Guirim Cross, a car overtook the bus and suddenly applied brakes. In a bid to avoid ramming into the car, bus driver jammed the brakes and lost control of the vehicle. The bus went over the road divider and went to a distance of about 70 metres, before coming to a halt. Seven passengers in the bus sustained injuries in the mishap. Two passengers, one Shetye from Pernem and Noor Ahmed from Tivim, were admitted to the Mapusa District Hospital were later discharged after medical treatment.

PORVORIM: A 60-year-old pedestrian from Peddem-Mapusa was seriously injured when he was knocked down by a bus in Mapusa. According to Mapusa police, Vinesh Gadekar stated that the incident took place in front of Liberty Apartment, when Remedios Da Cruz of Revora drove the bus (GA-03-T-8272) in rash manner, while proceeding from the KTC bus stand at Mapusa to Duler-Mapusa. Gadekar stated that the bus struck his father, Gajanan, who was walking by the roadside in same direction, causing him serious injuries. Police has registered the case under Section 279, 338 IPC and HC C G Parsekar is investigating.

PORVORIM: Water meters worth Rs 2.21 lakh have been reported stolen from the PWD Sub-Division Store at Dattawadi-Mapusa. In a police complaint, PWD Assistant Engineer Vilas Tamuskar stated that the theft had taken place sometime between 1 pm on September 18 and 10.30 am on September 19, when burglars stole brass full-way valves and 54 water meters. Police has registered the case under Section 380 IPC and ASI L R Sawant is investigating.

PANJIM: Two minor girls are reported to have been kidnapped in separate cases in Arpora and Vasco. In the first case, a 16-yr-old girl was reportedly kidnapped from Sakwadi-Arpora on September 19. In her complaint, the girl’s mother told Anjuna police that a worker from a construction site had kidnapped her daughter at Sakwadi. Anjuna Police has registered the case under Section 363 IPC & Sec 8 of Goa Children Act 2003 and PSI V V Pilgaonkar is investigating the case. In the second case, a man complained that that his 16-yr-old daughter was kidnapped while she had gone to attend computer classes at Rumdawado Sada at 7 am on September 20. Mormugao Police has registered the case under Section 363 IPC & Sec 8 of Goa Children Act 2003 and PSI Shailesh Narvekar is investigating the case.

PONDA: By-election to Ward 1 of Curti-Khandepar panchayat will be held on September 22 at the Government Primary School, Gavtan, from 8 am to 5 pm. Two candidates, Sapna Naik and Anand Zalmi, are in fray and Ward 1 has a total of 1,099 voters (549 male and 550 female). The results will be declared on Monday. The seat was vacant following demise of panch Sagun Naik.

PONDA: In a bid to spread awareness on the importance of Ayurveda in society, the BSP’s Gomantak Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya and Research Centre, Shiroda, has organized a three-day exhibition “Ayurvision 2013” from Sept 23.

 The exhibition will be inaugurated by South Goa MP Fransisco Sardinha in presence of Shiroda MLA Mahadev Naik. 

MARGAO: Two minor girls, aged 15 and 16 years, went missing from their residence at Dicarpale-Davorlim since early Saturday morning.

Following a complaint lodged by the aunty of one of the missing girls, the Maina-Curtorim police have registered a case of kidnapping against unknown persons.

That the two girls went missing came to light when one of them disappeared from her residence after leaving a note behind, requesting the guardian not to make efforts to trace her since she is leaving the house on her own. As the family was discussing the matter, they were approached by a nun stating that her student, aged 15 years, has gone missing from her residence. 

Both the missing girls are believed to be close friends and one of them is believed to have spoken to two boys in the age group of 17-18 years, stating that they were in Margao at Gandhi market before reaching the Collem Railway station.

Maina-Curtorim Police station in-charge PI Gurudas Kadam is investigating.

MARGAO: Margao police has registered a case of forgery and cheating against unknown persons for forging medical fitness certificates of candidates travelling abroad for jobs, especially to Gulf countries.

Margao PI Sudesh Naik said that the police received a complaint form Dr K M Mehboob, Carino National CT scanner and Diagnostic centre, Lake Plaza, Fatorda, stating that prior to September 16 some unknown persons prepared and issued forged medical fitness certificates travelling abroad for the purpose of employment. He complained that the forged fitness certificates were used as genuine, thereby cheating the complainant. PSI Ajit R Umarye is investigating.

MARGAO: Thailand’s Deputy Consul General Teerapong Vanichanon has said that around one million Indians visited his country last year and expected that Indian visitors to his country would go up to 1.1 million this coming tourism season.

Besides seaside attractions at Pattaya and Phuket, the country has developed tourism in the state capital Bangkok and its surrounding areas to accommodate rising tourist arrivals. 

“Thailand has been a destination for Indians over the years, either for shopping or for pure relaxation. We expect the figure go up to 1.1 million this year,” he said during his visit to the residence of Tour Operator Francis D’Silva here on Saturday noon.

Replying to a question, he said his countrymen used to visit North Indian tourist places including Taj Mahal, but now they are slowly moving towards the western part of the country, including Goa. “Tourists from Thailand now visit Mumbai, Gujarat and Mumbai as well,” he added.

On visas for tourists, the Deputy Consul General said there is no problem for visitors to his country. “We have put in a mechanism to grant visas for tourists on arrival at the airports. The visa fee is also priced very low,” Teerapong said.

MARGAO: A resident of Varca Nazario Pinto on Saturday slammed the newly formed Goans for Goa, while urging Goans to be vigilant on the machinations of the so-called NGO, saying that most of the members of the GFG are close associates of former PWD Minister Churchill Alemao.

Addressing the media, Pinto said he was surprised and shocked to read reports that the GFG was formed to act as a watchdog on government policies and programs.

“Their intensions are very clear. They somehow want to protect their master from inquiries and help him to come back to power so that they too will also benefit,” Pinto said.

He said the GFG is out to fool the people of Goa and warned Goans to remain vigilant and not to fall prey to their machinations. “When Save Goa party was formed, it was expected they would help Goans, but instead they worked against Goa and its people,” he claimed.

Pinto said that though these people tried to fool the people, wise Goans taught them a lesson in the last election, but added that these same people are now trying to use the same trick to come back to power.

MARGAO: NUSI Wockhardt hospitals, Goa, will hold a Wockathon in association with Vasco Sports Club to commemorate World Heart Day on September 29.

Wockhardt has also offered free consultations on September 22 to mark completion of three years of enhancing quality of life of people at the hospital.

Centre head Wockhardt Hospitals Arvind Bhagania said the five-km walking event from Colva beach to Seraulim and back and the 10-km run from Colva beach to Margao roundabout and back is aimed at promoting the benefits of walking. He said the objective is also to urge people to keep their heart healthy. 

“Walking is an easy way to keep healthy and reduce stress, depression, hypertension and diabetes. By positively charging your mood, it does wonders to energize your body, mind and spirit. It also boosts the working of the brain as it stimulates the flow of blood to it. With all participants, our Wockathon will also create awareness on World Heart Day and oneness amongst the people of Goa,” he said. Bhagania said Dr Prithi de Souza Araujo (Internal medicine) at NUSI Wockhardt hospital said the five-km walk will start at 7.30 am from Colva beach to Seraulim and back, while the 10 km run will start at 6.30 am from Colva beach to Margao roundabout and back.

PANJIM: The NSS Unit of VM Salgaocar College of Law is organizing an interactive session with senior citizens ~ Senior Citizens Know your Rights, in the college conference hall on September 24 between 10.30 am to 11.30 am. The objective is to involve collectively and be aware of the needs and rights of senior citizens and strive towards promotion of a ‘Society for all ages.’ 

CALANGUTE: Arpora-Nagoa Panch Cleophas Fernandes has requested Calangute MLA Michael Lobo to expedite the road-widening work from the Arpora-Anjuna crossroad to the Baga creek.

“The road work needs to be taken up on priority before the tourism season. Authorities need to clear encroachments along the road and widen it to ease traffic along the busy road,” opined Fernandes.

“At times, serpentine queues are witnessed along the road leading to the Baga creek. Some owners have agreed to give their portion of land for the road widening, while few have illegally encroached on the road,” said the panch.

When contacted, Lobo said he has taken up the matter and the file has been moved. “At a few places, commercial establishments have encroached along the road, narrowing the roads and causing traffic jams, especially on Saturdays,” he added.

PANJIM: Manovikas English Medium School is organizing second all Goa street play competition in Konkani on October 4. Topics for the street-play are Goem mhajem bhangrache; Ahimsa Manav Dharm and Ayche Adunik Pilgi. The contest will be held at Manovikas School, Sonsoddo from at 8.30 am onwards. Trophies, mementos and cash prizes will be awarded to winners.

PANJIM: Ambassador of universal peace, Sadguru Parwadeshwar Maharaj held a dialect on how and why people of Goa are suffering. He said there is confusion and disturbance in various government departments and that every clerk and officer should take responsibilities to give smooth and safe service to the people of Goa. The dialect was held in the Math of Shree Sadguru Parwadeshwar at Talyewada, Betoda, Ponda, on September 15. Sadguru Bhau Maharaj was also present. MP South Francisco Sardinha, MP north Shripad Y Naik, N D Agrawal, Narayan Navthi, Gokuldas P Naik, Premanand Naik, Prawadesh Maharaj Sapradayay, Dilip R Salgaonkar and others were present.