NATIONAL SCIENCE DAY
3RD EDITION OF VIDNYAN DHARA:
CHIEF Minister Dr Pramod Sawant expressed confidence in instilling a scientific mindset in Goa through the Vidnyan Dhara programs. He says we may see tangible results over the next seven to eight years. He was speaking at the inauguration of the 3rd edition of Vidnyan Dhara 2024 at an event held on January 11, 2024. The Vidnyan Dhara program is a science series to celebrate National Science Day. The event was organized by the Directorate of Higher Education and Goa State Higher Education Council.
A STEM Lab has been instituted at Sarkari Prathamik Vidyalaya, Housing Board, Sanquelim. Its primary objective is to stimulate interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics at the primary level. There are plans to extend STEM labs to primary and secondary schools in every taluka in Goa and with this the CM hopes it will spark a scientific spirit in over 75,000 young minds in Goa! Catch up with the series of more than 500 remarkable events scheduled over the upcoming 45 days, from January 12 to February 28.
All this is in alignment with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a developed India by 2047. Present at the event were Bhushan Savoikar (Director, Directorate of Higher Education,) Secretary-Education Prasad Lolayekar, Ganesh Chari (MD and Founder of Neshaju Envirotech), Dr Mahesh Majik (Associate Professor of Research Development and Innovation at Goa State Higher Education Council) and Prof Tilvi (Professor at RDI-GSHEC), along with teachers and students.
GOD BLESS ADV CARLOS ALVARES FERREIRA
ALDONA MLA Adv Carlos Alvares Ferreira has issued a strong statement against the needless ruckus which took place recently at old Sancoale Church. Rightwing fanatics asked the government not to allow the Church to hold its annual novenas and feast of St Joseph Vaz (the novenas of which have now already commenced from January 7 and the feast to be celebrated on January 16) near the archaeological site from this year. The claim is that the entire site (including property in possession of the Church) is originally a Hindu temple site.
Where were these claimants for many years and how come they realized that the Church property is Hindu site and that also only after the annual novenas and feast of St Joseph Vaz at its own old site at Sancoale? Even if this particular site near the frontispiece of the old Sancoale church (which currently solely belongs to the Church as per all legal documents/records of today) is a Hindu site (as being suddenly claimed now), how come local Hindus have never bothered to reclaim that particular site at Sancoale in Goa?
The government is now being asked to ask the ASI to carry out excavation near the old Sancoale Church site. It is possible that hired people may in the middle of the night illegally dump/bury antique religious idols (as has happened in other states) to endorse fiction.
Goans (irrespective of caste, creed and religion) should come together and do “tadipaar” of such divisive elements for raking up religious issues on structures/properties/sites of the minorities. This will deliberately disturb the communal harmony of Goa a la UP style to further a communal agenda in the state. A big salute to Adv Carlos Alvares Ferreira for being the only elected leader to send the right message, he is a true Goenkaar in Goa and God bless him.
–Jerry Fernandes, Saligao
DUAL CITIZENSHIP PLEASE!
THERE has been a very long standing demand for dual nationality for the Indian diaspora across the world but it remains unresolved. The recent statement by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar that the issue is under consideration by the Central government is encouraging. The demand for dual nationality has been unanimous and having not been opposed by any quarter, the government should try and bring this issue to a logical conclusion in everyone’s best interests once and for all.
It would be prudent for the Central government to allow Indians dual nationality as they can have a foreign nationality and still maintain very close links with their motherland. Surely this could be an emotional as well as financial win-win situation for the nation. A positive decision by the government on this issue would come as a great relief to many who, through birth, or for historical and professional reasons, needed to acquire and hold dual citizenship.
Meeting the aspirations of a multitude of Indians now spread across the world would prove extremely beneficial to the diaspora and the motherland, economically and with freedom of movement.
It is worth remembering that about half of the countries of the world, including major powers, allow dual citizenship, meaning that a person can be a citizen of more than one country without any issues at all.
— Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
AN EVENTFUL YEAR!
AS WE draw curtains on another eventful year, it would be right to share with esteemed readers the lessons learnt from the year that has gone by.
Many people have been affected by disease and misfortune and these are experiences from which we may draw out a strategy to for 2024. Let us concentrate on behavioural restraint to prevent recurrence of diseases. It is well known that positive thinking keeps us in the pink of health as far mind and body is concerned.
Can we shun thoughts of hate, revenge, avarice, greed and envy and replace these with them with positive thoughts? This will lead to an exponential feeling of wellbeing as also banish hate. The young have a lot to benefit with such a quantum leap to build robust body and good thinking. Behavioural restraint empowers life positively.
— Elvidio Miranda, Panaji