POPULAR FRONT BANNED
The Popular Front of India (PFI), which has been representing the Muslim minority community, has been banned. This is on the basis of complaints from Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Several members of the PFI have been banned in Goa also. Those banned include people from all sections of society including IT engineers, government school teachers, government servants, etc. It is estimated that 10% of the Goa population are members of PFI.
CONGRESS PRESIDENT THAROOR?
THE only assured candidate for the post of the Congress president is that of Sashi Tharoor. There are several other MLAs from the north who have staked their claims. This included Ashok Gehlot who is the chief minister of Rajasthan. Unfortunately, none of Sonia Gandhi’s favourites figured in the list of names of those who don’t mind giving a shot at being Congress president. She is supposed to have favoured Kamal Nath, a former Congress General Secretary, but the jury is still out on this one.
EARLY HEART ATTACK
HISTORICALLY, the age of a heart attack was 70 plus, plus. It was presumed that those at least till the age of 50 were free of the threat of heart attack. But recent studies show that even young people in their 30s and 40s get heart attacks and succumb to them. This is because industrial junk foods and bad eating habits consumed mindlessly, along with the lubrication of copious alcohol, contribute towards arterial plaque and blockages. The latest statistics show that 30% of heart attack cases occur between the age of 40 and 50! Those in the prime of their life should take stock of their lifestyle habits if they don’t want to die!
GI FOR CHORIS!
THE State government is seeking geographical index identity for choris (Goan pork sausage). What this means is that the pork sausages made in Goa are very special and not like any other sausage meat in the country and world. Only Goa’s choris sausages may be called choris!
As in the case of khaje sold at the various feasts and zatra of Goa – these gingery jaggery-coasted crunchies are exclusive to Goa since time immemorial even if they are considered as the poor man’s ultimate delicacy and buy. While it is said that only villagers and fishermen in Goan villages who patronize the common any time snack of choris-pau (sausage in local bread).
However, scientists ward that excessive eating of pork can cause epileptic fits and these are fits which can make the whole body shake for hours at a time. The distinction must be made between grand mal and petit mal. In the case of grand mal the fits go on for 12 to 16 hours. The shorter fits last for less than an hour. It is said that badly prepared choris may be riddled with worms which infest brain tissue. You have been warned.
IT’S GANDHI JAYANTI ONE MORE TIME!
MOST Indians remember that October 2 is Gandhi Jayanti, when we remember Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi or Mohan Karamchand Gandhi. In Goa the government of Goa and Village Panchayat of Old Goa will observe Gandhi Jayanti at 8 am on October 2, 2022 at Gandhi Chowk, Old Goa. Chief Minister of Goa Dr Pramod Sawant will be the chief guest on the occasion and will lead the State in paying floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion of his 153rd Birth Anniversary. Minister of State for Tourism & Ports, Shipping & Waterways of India Shripad Y Naik, MLA of Cumbharjua Rajesh Faldessai, Sarpanch, Village Panchayat, Se Old Goa, Sandra Gonsalves, will also pay her tributes.
NO LIQUOR, PLEASE
IN VIEW of the by-elections to the 12-Reis Magos Zilla Panchayat Constituency in Bardez Taluka of North Goa District, scheduled for October 16, 2022, the model code of conduct will be in force. Additional District Magistrate, North Goa District, has ordered that there will be no serving or selling of liquor in all the liquor bar, pubs, shops, clubs, shacks or any establishment within the jurisdiction of 12-Reis Magos Zilla Panchayat Constituency and these should be closed daily by 10pm with effect as long as the code of conduct is in force. They may remain open without the sale and service of liquor beyond 10pm. Report violations to the office of the District Magistrate/Zilla Panchayat Election Officer, Panaji. Offenders risk their licenses being cancelled along with penal action.
GOA COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
CHIEF Minister Dr Pramod Sawant inaugurated Goa’s College of Agriculture under theaegis of the State Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute, Goa (SAMETI-Goa) and Directorate of Agriculture at Old Goa, on September 27, 2022. Present on the occasion were Minister for Agriculture Ravi Naik, Cumbarjua MLA Rajesh Faldessai, Secretary- Agriculture Arun Kumar Mishra (IAS), Vice-Chancellor-Goa University Prof Harilal Menon, Director (Higher Education) Prasad Lolayekar, Directorate of Agriculture director Nevil Alphonso, principal of the College of Agriculture Dr Pravin Bhende, chairperson of North Goa Zilla Panchayat Siddhesh Naik, Sarpanch of Village Panchayat of Se Old Goa, Ms Sandra Gonsalves, among others.
Speaking on the occasion to the newly admitted students and their parents, Dr Sawant assured them that the college will run smoothly and will have all the necessary accreditations to enable the future graduates in agriculture to have a bright future. He urged students to be agriculturists with pride and stated that a Masters in agriculture will also be in offered. He added that apart from the existing building from where classes will be held the government has identified land for a new college building in the vicinity. There will be a research institute for agricultural studies in the college in coordination with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) nearby.
The CM suggested the encouragement of inter-cropping, growing more cashews plantations. The government is going beyond giving subsidies and will also buy local produce to make the vision of Swayampurna Goem come true. The government is also planning a veterinary college and a degree in pisciculture and there will be several initiatives to promote agriculture, for example, the Kisan Credit card facility, starting of training centers in both districts which will teach how to make agricultural waste products.
Minister for Agriculture Ravi Naik expressed happiness over the College of Agriculture which is centrally located, making it convenient for those interested in pursuing studies in this field. He also said that no more fields or agricultural land will be converted for non-agricultural use. Cumbarjua MLA Rajesh Faldessai said the college will help Goans who otherwise travel out of the state to study agriculture.