PANJIM: Kalyani Bhavan ~ a home for senior ladies at Solva-Raia was inaugurated recently at the hands of Sr Jennifer Crasto, Superior General of the Handmaids of Christ, Goa and Soshil Kumar Vaid. A solemn concelebrated Mass with a theme ‘Celebrate – Miracles of Faith’ was officiated by Fr Leonard Morais, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Snows Church, Raia. This structure has been designed by Soshil K Vaid in memory of his wife late Dr Kalyani Vaid. A number of priests, sisters and laity graced the occasion.
Comunidade members hold meetings
PANJIM: Members of the newly-elected managing committee of comunidades along with comunidade activist, environmentalist, agriculturist and social workers recently held meetings at Porvorim and discussed various matters related to the governance of comunidades of Goa. An Adhoc Central Committee of All Goa Comunidades was formed pending formulation of rules and regulations of All Goa Comunidades Federation. The Federation shall be a registered body under the Societies Reg. Act 1860 with its office at Panjim or such other place as may be decided. It shall be non-political and non-religious body. Architect Mr K D Sadhale, agriculturist Kalidas A Sawaikar, Comunidade activist Savio Herman D’Souza and Surveyor Suresh B Kamat have been empanelled as members of advisory committee. It was further resolved that a notice be issued to 223 Comunidades convening their meeting on May 1 (Public Holiday) at Jeevottam Math, Porvorim at 10:30am to discuss matters of general interest pertaining to the comunidades.
Customs’ participates in Sagar Kavach
PANJIM: As part of the two-day Sagar Kavach exercises, Goa Customs’ marine wing participated in the exercise round-the-clock in their speed boat ‘Customs’. The State Customs’ marine wing along with the Navy, Coast Guard and State Maritime Police searched vessels coming from foreign port, fishing trawlers and canoes along the Goa coast. The operation was held under the supervision of Mr V P C Rao, Commissioner of Customs, Central Excise and Service Tax, Goa.
Workshop on ‘Time Management’
PANJIM: The International Centre Goa will organise a workshop-cum-interactive session on ‘Time Management’ by Binayak Datta on April 18, from 2pm to 5pm at its premises at Dona Paula. The entry is free for members/non-members by prior registration only. For registration and other details, contact Vividha Sawant on 2452805-10 (Ext. 605) or pro@incentgoa.com.
IGNOU regional convocation held
PANJIM: The Regional Convocation of the IGNOU Goa Region was held at Maquinez Palace, Panjim on Friday.
Altogether 587 students from Panjim (Goa) Regional Centre received their degrees /diplomas. Two gold medals were bagged by Swati Sharma for MA in Hindi and Manishka for Diploma in creative Writing in English. Guest of honour Keshav Chandra, Secretary Education due to some unavoidable reasons, could attend. On his behalf, Dr G Shrinivas, Assistant Regional Director delivered the convocation address. Prof P Konnur, Director of Applied sciences at R C University, Belgaum guided the graduates on the need to continue education for the growth of the country in general. Earlier, Dr S Radha, Regional Director welcomed the gathering and presented a brief report of regional centre activities. Dr Hemamalini proposed the vote of thanks.
GSIA, industrial associations sign MOU
PANJIM: Goa State Industries Association (GSIA) and all industrial estate associations in Goa have signed a MOU to create a common platform in order to establish a formal connect and have a unified front so that GSIA can take up larger issues affecting the industrial estates on their behalf collectively. As per the MOU, GSIA would coordinate to hold facilitation camps (Udyog Adhar) at each industrial estate every 3-4 months inviting key govt department ~ GIDC, GSPCB, electricity etc., to understand the problems faced by the industries and settle pending issues. Based on the success of this initiative, it will explore the possibility of having permanent facilitation centres in North and South Goa, for the convenience of the Industries. It is decided that the GSIA executive committee and presidents of all industrial estate associations would meet once in three months to discuss common issues. Focus groups of representatives would be established on infrastructure, power, water, taxation, investment policy, technical education and any other important issue/focus area. This MOU does not constitute formation of any new entity and is solely intended for achieving the stated objectives. As such all the industrial estate associates who are signatories to this MOU shall continue to function as independent entities and carry on their objectives without any restrictions on account of this MOU, states a press release.
3-yr-old girl crushed to death
OLD GOA: In a tragic incident, a 3-year-old girl hailing from Belgaum was crushed to death by a truck near the fish market at Divar on Friday evening. The driver has been arrested in this connection. According to Old Goa police, the incident took place at about 4 pm at Fitroi near the fish market, when Parmanand Madher, a native of Belgaum but residing at Dauji, Old Goa was reversing the truck (GA-01-T-9809). He failed to notice a 3-year-old girl, Shridhar Hagidal, asleep by the roadside and the vehicle crushed her to death. Madher fled from the accident spot without intimating the police. Old Goa police later arrested Madher under Sections 279, 304-A of IPC and 134 (a) and (b) of MV Act. PSI Sagun Sawant is investigating the case.
Cash, electronic items stolen
CALANGUTE: Cash and electronic items worth Rs 1 lakh were stolen from a tourist residing at a hotel in Gaurawada, Calangute. According to Calangute Police, Sumanta Sen of West Bengal complained that the burglary took place sometime between 10 pm on April 11 and 6 am on April 12, when burglars entered through the gallery door and stole a laptop, camera, two mobile phones, a USB internet dongle and cash of Rs 8000. Calangute police has registered a case under Section 457 and 380 IPC.
Plastic bags confiscated
PONDA: In a surprise raid conducted, the team led by Ponda Deputy Collector Johnson Fernandes confiscated plastic bags below 40 micron from commercial establishments from Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) areas.
During the raid, 55 cases were booked and Rs 20,200 was collected through fines. “We will conduct similar raids throughout Ponda taluka. The reason for raids was not basically to penalise but to send a message to the public not to use plastic bags as it becomes an eyesore when littered and has varied implications on the environment,” stated Deputy Collector Fernandes. It is learnt that the raid was jointly conducted along with Ponda Mamlatdar, Joint Mamlatdars and PMC.
Body found off Cavelossim beach
MARGAO: The Colva police on Saturday evening recovered a body of an unknown person floating in the sea off the Cavelossim beach. Police said the male person is aged around 20-30 years and must have died during the last 24 hours. He was wearing a blue shirt and brown pant and was wearing imitation jewellery. The body has been preserved at the Hospicio mortuary for post-mortem. The police said there were no injury marks on the body of the deceased. Further investigations are on.
K’taka natives held for bike thefts
MARGAO: Maina Curtorim police have arrested two persons from Sawnoor-Karnataka in connection with the theft of motorcycles. Police said the duo were accomplices of Anwar Sheikh, who has been already arrested in connection with the case. The names of the duo were provided as Rehmat Jaffar Mula (18) and Ataullah Khan (19). The duo has been remanded to two days police custody.
Parrikar should resign: Cong
PANJIM: The Congress Party Saturday demanded the resignation of Manohar Parrikar as Home Minister over the security lapse at the Goa Assembly during the mock exercise ‘Sagar Kavach’ and deteriorating law and order situation in the State. “The chief minister should take moral responsibility for the security failure and increasing law and order problems and quit as Home minister,” the Party said in an official statement issued by spokesperson Sudip Tamhankar on Saturday.
The Party has also strongly voiced concerns over the ruling party’s distribution of leaflets and stickers claiming that this exercise was disturbing the communal harmony and religious amity particularly in rural areas.
The chief minister was also lambasted once again for being allegedly responsible for the mining debacle in the State which the Opposition Congress Party reiterated that it caused en masse unemployment.
“The chief minister has put people to hardships and is now giving doles,” the Party spokesperson quipped.
The Congress has also alleged harassment to its workers from the BJP workers.
