INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY AT SE CATHEDRAL!

THE 8th International Yoga Day was celebrated at the venue of the iconic St Francis Xavier–Se Cathedral, Old Goa on June 21. The program was organised by the Ministry of Tourism (Government of India). The theme of this year’s Yoga Day celebration was “Yoga for Humanity.”
Union Minister of Tourism, Ports, Shipping & Waterways Shripad Naik inaugurated and participated in the yoga presentation. This year’s 8th IYD was part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav program celebrating 75 years of India’s independence at 75 heritage sites to showcase the discipline of yoga.
MLA Rajesh Faldessai and rector of the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa, Rev Father Patricio Fernandes, North Goa Zilla Panchayat Chairman Siddesh Naik, Joint DG, ASI New Delhi Dr Sanjay Manjul, Coordinator IDY -2022 for Goa Suraj Naik, Research Officer from AYUSH Ministry, Dr H K Gupta, representative of the Goa State Yoga Academy Milind Mahale, Joint Director PIB Vinod Kumar, officers from the Mormugao Port Trust, Archaeological Survey of India, Institute of Hotel Management and National Institute of Watersports were also present on the occasion.

CALLING KONKANI MOGI!

THE reading habit in Konkani is brightening up! If anyone is looking for Aravind Bhatikar’s newly out Konkani novel titled “Karmmanye…Kaal, Aaj, Falyan” and spouse Snehalata Bhatikar’s “Raaiban” (Reminiscences) you may find copies with Sanjana Publications (ph 9850984903 or email sanjanapublication2@gmail.com). The books are also available at Goa Konkani Academy at Patto and Varsha Bookshop near Ferry Wharf, Panaji; also at Konkani Bhasha Mandal at Gogol and Confidante Bookshop, Margao. Konkani mogi are familiar with the Bhatikars who have been putting their covid-restricted time at home to good use — by writing up their memoirs in Konkani! We know Aravind Bhatikar (IAS officer and former chairperson of the MPT in Goa for over a decade) has an understated sense of humor and this is reflected in his experiences narrated in his 452 page book, Snehalata bai, a veteran counsellor, has a no nonsense bite while recounting her life and times. Must read books.

RUPEE LOWEST EVER!

THE Indian rupee in comparison with the dollar and other foreign currencies has fallen to a lifetime low of Rs78.39 with respect to the US dollar. Over the last three months, the rupee has declined from Rs75.33 to the existing Rs78.28. This is good news for those visiting India or choosing to study in India but very bad news for Indian students wanting to seek admission in the US or UK. The drastic fall in the value of the rupee is attributed to foreign investors selling their stocks and getting out of the Indian market. The fall in the value of the rupee will result in a higher level of inflation which means that the prices of everything will go up even further.

COVID CASES SOAR

ACTIVE covid cases are up to 905 with an addition of 151 cases on Thursday, June 23 out of which 2 have been admitted to health facilities. The positivity rate has shot up to 12.34%. As many as 112 patients were declared as recovered as of Friday, and the overall recovery rate in the state currently stands at 98.09%. Meanwhile, a study has revealed that covid symptoms can last for as long as two months in children in the age group of 0-3 years with 40% cases in this age group. Children diagnosed with covid reported lesser social and psychological problems than in the older age groups.

POWER TARIFF UP AGAIN!

POWER Minister Sudin Dhavalikar delivered another shock to aam aadmi by raising power tariff from 5 paise per unit to 8 paise per unit. Ever since Dhavalikar took over the power tariff has gone up by more than 20%. The power billing system has gone crazy with residents being billed three times the previous billing. Power bills are going up the country over reportedly because of an acute shortage of coal. More than 70% of India’s power is generated by thermal power plants. This is why there is so much government support for Gautam Adani to import 36 million tons of coal from Australia even though this will convert Goa into a dirty port and blacken the whole state.

CUET LONGEST TEST

THE Common University Entrance Test introduced by the Central government for admission to Central universities will be the longest, with applicants allowed to appear in up to nine papers, resulting in over 54,000 subject combinations. It will be the longest entrance exam to be conducted from July 15 to August 10m 2022. Over 11 lakh candidates have already registered for CUET. The examination will be conducted in a computer-based test (CBT) mode. Candidates can choose up to six domain specific subjects and an optional general test. The test will be held in Tamil, Telugu, Malayam, Marathi, Gujurati, Odiya, Bengali, Assamese, Punjabi, English, Hindi and Urdu. The test can also be taken in French, German, Japanese, Russian, Bodo and Santali — but not in Konkani which is the official language of Goa.

MAHARASHTRA CM, GOVERNOR GET COVID

EVEN while the Shiv Sena Congress government in Maharashtra is on the brink of collapse, following a revolt by a senior Shiv Sena leader, both Maharashtra’s Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and Chief Minister Uddhav Thakeray have tested positive for covid. Sonia Gandhi, who was admitted to hospital for covid in Delhi, is now back at home to rest and are recover.