CARNAVAL CAR RALLY STAR ATTRACTION!
IT was a bright Sunday morning of this year’s Carnaval when Panaji residents got to see some very vintage cars to make the eyes drool and heart beat faster – right from the green Hindustan Motors Contessa to the green Chevrolet truck, not to mention the convoy of vintage bikes, were a treat. The car rally kicked off from Samba Square and drove its way past Panaji homes on the second day of the Carnaval.
The eye-popping vintage care rally was flagged off by MD and CEO of Imagine Panaji Smart City Agnelo Fernandes, CCP engineer Vivek Parsekar, doyen of vintage cars owners Pradeep Naik. In fact, Pradeep Naik has played a stellar role in this annual Carnaval Goa Vintage & Classic Automobile Club rally, he himself has a fleet of 20+ vintage Harley Davidsons, other bikes and of course, the limousines of old. You may find sleek meticulously kept Mercedes cars with him and eyes may shine up looking upon the bright yellow Volkswagen, Premiere Padmini, and a red Dodge Motors — all part of the convoy. The convoy of vehicles took a slow ride across capital city right up to Dona Paula and back to Samba Square. Folk coming up at every stop to take a closer look at the cars and say hello and ask questions galore! And the car owners smiled benevolently and answered all questions…said Pradeep Naik,
“I am passionate about vintage vehicles and they led me into organising my very first vintage car rally in 2004. Since then I have organised many vintage drives. Today’s drive is our effort to bring some more excitement to the Carnaval celebrations and keep spirits high!”
Other Carnaval highlights included the Samba Square food spread and the dancing which got under way later in the evening, Ponjekars turned up with family and friends to time pass graciously, and the Jardin Garcia de Orta or Municipal garden was a big hit with its myriad attractions for all. Live bands were in business at the venues and evening fun and frolic continued till March 1, the day before Lent started for the state’s Christian community.
There was also a stray dog adoption zone set up by Animal Assist & Rescue group of citizens who leave no stone unturned to get someone to adopt the strays and give them a home. Needless to say all the children wanted to adopt a stray dog with or without parental blessings. Interestingly, caring for pets is now known to bring down blood pressure in many a home!
At the Campal promenade at the market end foodpreneurs offered fantastic food from humble pizza to fried chicken stuffed poie to fresh fish sushi to be washed down by tall glasses of fruit juices. There was something for everyone non-vegetarian, vegetarian or vegan (a growing tribe).
GOAN LAUNCHES CRYPTO
ADLUNAM, co-founded by Goan Jason Fernandes has raised over $2 million in in funds over just five days. The value of the company has risen to $22 million. The start- up serves as a community as well as a launch pad for blockchain based products. It connects early stage crypto start-ups with investors who have a proven track record. The company is presently based in the British Virgin Island and will be opening an office in Dubai soon. It has already attracted 20,000 users!
INDIA-UKRAINE STAND
INDIA along with China and Pakistan was amongst the 35 countries which abstained from a United Nations vote deploring Russia’s actions in Ukraine. The UN resolution demanded that Russia withdraw its military forces from Ukraine immediately, completely and unconditionally. India has taken a pro- Russia stand despite an Indian citizen being killed! The picture reproduced here is of an 8-year-old Ukrainian girl standing up for her country and ordering a Russian soldier to get out of Ukraine.
The reason why so many young Indians go to Ukraine, Russia, Romania and other countries is to study medicine – medical education is much cheaper than in India where corruption rules in most everything, including education. But the quality of medical education abroad is not so highly rated and some degrees are not even recognised in India! Graduates from outside India cannot get government jobs or they have to first pass an abridged exam for a medical degree recognised by the Indian Medical Council.
MAHA COVID CURBS
THE Maharashtra government has decided to maintain Covid-19 curbs for those using public transport. It will only allow those who are fully vaccinated to travel by the buses run by the Mumbai municipality and the Mumbai metro. It has made life so difficult that the government has been blasted by the Bombay High Court for insisting on double dose vaccination certs to use public transport. Says one Mumbaikar, “It is very unfortunate. They’re insisting that everyone should get vaccinated. There is no personal choice. But the Supreme Court has ruled that nobody can be compelled to get vaccinated!” Vaccination cannot be mandatory for not everyone is fit for vaccination.
THIRD WAVE OVER?
THE third wave of Covid-19 which is primarily the Omicron wave seems to have ended and nobody knows why. The positivity rate has dropped to 1.27% with only 16 new cases registering on Wednesday. However, casualties continue with one more death reported by the Goa Medical College & Hospital. The Covid-patient who died was a tourist from Maharashtra. Patients from bordering districts of the Konkan region like to come to the GMC and they account for significant proportion of deaths. However, this is to say the recovery rate has improved to 98.35% and patients did not require any hospitalization Wednesday, March 2.
NOW BHONSALE SQUARE!
THE Corporation of the City of Panaji under its smart city project has decided to make the square in front of Café Bhonsale a no-traffic zone. This means no vehicles, including two-wheelers will be allowed to park within the parameters of the new Bhonsale Square. The CCP project is reportedly spending Rs3crore to convert Bhonsle Square into a pedestrian zone. Businessmen and the hotel owners here have objected to this idea out of fear that their business will be affected.
COVID PROTOCOL IN SCHOOLS
SCHOOLS, including KG classes, cannot be held to full capacity because of Covid-19 restrictions imposed by the Education Department. At present only one student may sit on a bench. The schools have sought permission for at least two student per bench. Under the present orders schools are allowed to operate only at 50% capacity. This means 50% students will still have to catch their education online!