Gruha Shobha exhibition inaugurated
PANJIM: The seven-day Gruha Shobha International Consumer Exhibition was inaugurated on Tuesday at the parking ground, next to the meat market, Margao.
The exhibition features more than 100 stalls displaying various items from companies like Microtech, Venus International, Global Emporium, Menezes Enterprises, Furni Italia, Buzzors, Pigeon and Singer Group. Customers can avail best prices and special discounts at the venue. The exhibition will go on till April 15 and is open from 10 am to 9 pm. A fee of Rs 10 will be charged for entrance .
SDIT gets cent percent results
PANJIM: Shree Devi Institute of Technology, Kenjar, Mangalore has attained 100 percent results in the MTech examination held by Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belgaum during February 2013. In computer science and engineering, out of 24 students who appeared for examination, 16 passed with distinction and 8 with first class. In digital electronics and communication, of the 18 students who appeared, 14 passed with distinction and 3 passed with first class.
Discourses on ‘Learning from Jealousy’
PANJIM: Fr Abraham Painumkal SJ, a Jesuit priest and counsellor, will deliver two discourses on ‘Learning from Jealousy’; the first one on April 11 at 6 pm at Jesuit House, Panjim and the second on April 14 at 4.30 pm at Loyola High School Hall, Margao. They are open to all and free. Fr Abraham is available for counselling at Jesuit House, Panjim.
Archbishop’s offices closed
PANJIM: On the occasion of the Episcopal Ordination of Archbishop-Patriarch Filipe Neri Ferrão, the offices at the Archbishop’s House, Altinho, Panjim, will remain closed to the public on April 10.
Group clashes in Nerul
PORVORIM: Some persons were injured in group clashes at Tari Bhat, Nerul. According to Porvorim Police, Josefat Fernandes from Nerul complained that the incident occurred on Sunday at about 10 pm when 13 persons assaulted him and others with slaps. The complainant further stated that the accused persons also pelted stones and bottles on them and one of them assaulted one Raju with a grinder stone, causing injuries. PSI K Sinari is investigating the case.
Pissurle VP gets new sarpanch
VALPOI: Devendra V Parob was on Tuesday elected as sarpanch of Pissurle Panchayat. The post had fallen vacant after former sarpanch Vijay Parob was voted out of office in a no-confidence motion tabled against him by five panchas in the seven-member panchayat. Officials from BDO Sattari supervised the election process. Since only one valid nomination was received by the presiding officer, the officer declared Parob elected as sarpanch. Later speaking to media, Parob said he would work for the development of the people of Pissurle and will strive hard to provide employment opportunities to unemployed youth.
Admissions open at St Xavier’s
PANJIM: Admissions are open for differently-abled at St Xavier’s Academy, Old Goa, an English medium special school, for hearing impaired, mentally challenged, slow learners and physically disabled, for pre-primary, primary, secondary and higher-secondary sections for the academic year 2013-14 on April 11and 12 from 9 am to 1pm and 3 pm to 5 pm. The requisites for admissions are birth certificate, disability certificate, passport size photographs (4 copies), IQ certificate (for mentally challenged) and audiogram (for the hearing impaired). For details contact the manager on 2284838 / 2285743.
Healing service at Sancoale
PANJIM: Mass with special prayers for a Miraculous Healing will be held at the Shrine of Bl Joseph Vaz, Sancoale, on April 12. The service will begin at 7.45 am, followed by Mass at 9 am. The sick will be prayed over for a Miraculous Healing through the intercession of Bl Joseph Vaz ~ the Patron of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman. The Healing Service will end by 11.30 am. A Healing Service is conducted on every 2nd Friday of the month. Many claim to have been healed and their prayers answered at this shrine. Friday Masses are as follows: 7 am and 8.45 am at the Sanctuary and evening Mass at 4 pm at the Oratory Room. Terminally sick are prayed over on 1st, 3rd and 4th Friday of every month from 10 am to 12 noon.
CMEs in Clinical Hematology
PANJIM: Department of Pathology Goa Medical College, Bambolim, in collaboration with the Mumbai Hematology Group will organize two CME programmes in Clinical Hematology on April 12 and 13.
The faculty for the first CME at Goa Medical College Library Auditorium, Bambolim, on April 12 from 2.45 pm to 5 pm, include Dr M B Agarwal, Dr Seema Bhatwadekar, Dr Sameer Melinkeri and Dr Avinash Pophali. The CME is to be coordinated by Dr RG Wiseman Pinto and topics include Deep Vein Thrombosis – myths and facts, Monoclonal Antibodies in Hematology, Erythropoietin, Thrombopoietin and Colony Stimulating Factor Analogs – use and abuse and stem cell transplantation – what a doctor needs to know. The Goa Medical Council has accredited this CME with two credits and it is open to doctors practicing in Goa.
The second CME programme in Clinical Hematology, organised by IMA – CQS (Curchorem Quepem Sanguem) branch in collaboration with Mumbai Hematology Group and GMC will be on April 13, from 6 pm to 9 pm at Kesarval Retreat, Verna.
The faculty includes Dr M B Agarwal, Dr Seema Bhatwadekar, Dr Sameer Melinkeri and Dr Avinash Pophali. Topics include life without platelets, spleen, splenomegaly, splenectomy, treating iron deficiency in 15 minutes, blood components – use and abuse. This CME is coordinated by Dr R G Wiseman Pinto, Dr Vinayak Buvaji, Dr Deepak Dangui and Dr Jagdish Cacodkar. Goa Medical Council has also accredited this CME with two credits and registration is closed.
Go Goa Gone in trouble
PANJIM: Bollywood’s so-called zombie thriller ~‘Go Goa Gone’~ is heading for trouble with Goa government assuring that action would be taken against the production team for violating the Anti-Smoking Act and tarnishing Goa’s image.
The issue was raised during Zero Hour by Sankhali MLA Pramod Sawant in the Assembly on Tuesday. “Goa’s projection in the movie is sending wrong signals to the world…. The poster shows Saif Ali Khan with a cigar although there is a ban. National Organization for Tobacco Eradication, an NGO has already issued notice to the filmmakers and the actor,” Sawant observed.
The BJP MLA told the House that Goa’s name in the movie title was a serious cause of concern as it amounted to defaming the State. He demanded that government take legal action against the movie producers. “This is one instance wherein filmmakers misuse Goa’s name. From ‘Go Goa Gone,’ tomorrow a movie titled ‘Goa Wine’ will be released,” he rued. In response, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said, “Give me all the details, I will take action.”
Details on Playboy sought
PANJIM: Goa government has asked the Tourism Department for details of the proposal submitted by Playboy Lifestyle, the Indian franchise owners, to set up their Club at Candolim beach, a day after Calangute MLA Michael Lobo threatened to go on a hunger strike if the Club was granted permissions.
Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar told the House during a Calling Attention Motion raised by Lobo on Friday that a reply will be given on Monday. “We are taking serious note on the issue. I have asked the department (tourism) for complete details on the issue…” Parulekar told the House.
Lobo said in the calling attention, “Fear and anxiety (prevails) in the minds of people of Calangute in particular and Goa in general, over the tourism department’s reported move to permit ‘Playboy Café’ to one Agnelo Fernandes in Candolim and the steps government intends to take in the matter.” Lobo on had said that Goa should not be allowed to become international destination for prostitution through such brands, and alleged that it promoted nudity and vulgarity.
Treasury richer by Rs 26 lakh
PANJIM: The Goa Police and Fire Department have contributed around Rs 26 lakh to Goa government exchequer by auctioning discarded vehicles and fire fighting equipment in the last three years.
According to a reply tabled in the State Assembly, the police department has conducted three vehicle auctions over the last three years from which it earned around Rs 19.35 lakh.
The Fire and Emergency Services conducted one auction during this period getting rid of fire fighting equipment and contributing about Rs 6 lakh to government coffers.
Meanwhile, the police department has ‘condemned’ 49 four wheelers, three six wheelers and 65 two wheelers, so far whereas fire department is in the process of disposing off 14 vehicles.
Fallow land for contract farming: CM
PANJIM: State government is considering introducing contract farming by taking over the uncultivated agricultural land in the State, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar told the State legislative Assembly on Tuesday.
He, however, said that the modalities of contract farming are yet to be finalized while replying to a question tabled by Sanguem MLA Subhash Phal Desai.
The government has mooted the idea of contract farming since owners of agricultural land have stopped tilling their fields for several years now. The Chief Minister said that a survey of how much agricultural land is actually fallen barren and how much is cultivated would be undertaken.
Kisan Mitra Yojana launch next month
PANJIM: While claiming a growth of around 23 per cent, in the number of people applying for various agricultural schemes, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday said that the ‘Kisan Mitra Yojana’, which seeks to bridge the gap between farmers and government officials would be launched next month.
As per the reply tabled in the House, there has been rise in number of applications received from almost all constituencies except for Sanguem, Bicholim and Valpoi which have shown a steep decline.
Parrikar said that government has proposed to appoint Kisan Mitra at village level to facilitate faster submission of claims, filling of forms by farmers and disbursal of subsidies.
Replying during Question Hour, Chief Minister said that the Kisan Mitra would be selected by farmers, who would be paid an annual honorarium by agriculture department. “It is for the farmers to decide and select a deserving person. He would be an indirect extension officer of agricultural department, who would look into the issues of farmers and interact with government on their behalf,” he explained.
