GEMINI APP
GOOGLE has suspended its image-ability app called Gemini. The Gemini has reportedly been misused to generate images of Nazi Germany. Google CEO Sundar Pichai has admitted that there are problems with the text and image responses with the Gemini app. Some of these responses were offended by users. He has promised to redress the issue.
HIMACHAL GOING!
THE last bastion of the Congress party in north, Himachal Pradesh, may be slipping away from Congress hands. The recent Rajya Sabha election voting witness a scene of massive cross-voting by politicians. The Congress had 40 MLAs but could not get Abhishek Sangvi elected to the Rajya Sabha. As many as six Congress MLAs cross-voted in favour of the BJP. Himachal’s Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania suspended 15 BJP MLAs. It appears that the majority of the Congress MLAs wanted a change of leadership meaning chief minister. It does not look like the Congress will be able to hold on to Himachal Pradesh after the alleged sell-out and betrayal of MLAs.
ZUARI SELLS LAND
ZUARI Industrial Ltd sold a small piece of its vast land holding to a private party for over Rs20 crore. Zuari is the largest industrial unit in Goa as it was allotted much more land than it used for its fertilizer factory. Part of the land was used to set up BITS Pilani. Successive governments have not been able to take back the idling land from Zuari. It is still the largest employer among industries in Goa.
DABOLIM HIGH RISES
THE Town & Country Planning Minister Vishwajit Rane has warned about the demolition of high-rise buildings in Dabolim vicinity. The airport authority has complained that these buildings are obstacles to flights into Dabolim airport. The Navy which has the biggest air base in Dabolim has also objected. The said building or buildings will have to be cut down to size, sacrifice their top floors as instructed if they don’t want to be served demolition orders.
CBI TARGETS AKHILESH
AKHILESH Yadav, the Samajwadi leader, is the latest target of the CBI. The BJP is upset with him for entering into an alliance with the Congress for the Lok Sabha elections. The Samajwadi party could not retain its MLAs to elect its candidates to the Rajya Sabha. The BJP encourages cross-voting by the Samajwadi party MLAs. As many as 10 Samajwadi party MLAs did not attend the dinner hosted by Akhilesh on the eve of the Rajya Sabha elections.
GCCI CRACKDOWN
THE Cricket Control Board has made it clear that players who do not participate in rangy matches will not be selected for the Indian team. Two senior players have been denied the annual contracts given to top cricket players. The Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industries is also considering increasing the salaries of Indian cricket players. They will be paid as much as IPL players are paid. However, top players have to pay the price if they boycott local matches.
GOV’S `BASIC STRUCTURE AND REPUBLIC’
“BASIC Structure and Republic” – Governor of Goa PS Sreedharan Pillai’s 212th book, was released His Gracious HG Mar Joseph Perumthottam, the Archbishop of Changanacherry (Kerala), in the presence of Subhash Shirodkar (Minister for Water Resource Development, Co-Operation & Provedoria) at Durbar Hall (Old) of the Raj Bhavan on February 26, 2024.
Those who were present included First Lady Rita Shreedharan Pillai and other dignitaries. Governor Pillai said that the “Ramayana” and “Mahabharata” have taught us “Yato Dharmastato Jayah” – which means where there is dharma, there is victory, and this is the motto of the Supreme Court. Dharma is not confined to any religion, the governor added.
His latest book “Basic Structure and Republic” is based on all the golden jubilee speeches, particularly those on Kesavananda Bharati V/S Sanyasi case which was decided by a 13-judge bench with the longest ever hearing for 66 days. His Gracious H G Mar Joseph Perumthottam, the Archbishop of Changanacherry (Kerala) said, “We all believe in the Indian Constitution, which has the fundamental structure that gives us strength and confidence to be a proud citizen of India. India needs leaders both political and social, who will respect and protect the Indian constitution.” Mentioning Article 142 of the constitution he maintained that it confers the widest power to the “highest court of the country to do complete justice.” The constitutional power to enable the apex court to attain the highest possible objective to render justice, even if the law in a particular case says otherwise. Doesn’t our Constitution exemplify the ideals of dharma? He asked. It does.
The archbishop thanked Governor Pillai for his remarkable contribution and for rendering yeoman services to the nation.
Minister Subhash Shirodkar said in his political tenure, he met many governors but the present governor is an excellent man. Vibrations, good ethos and winds of thought from Goa Raj Bhavan are moving to the personalities of the state of Goa, he pointed.
Reading Governor Pillai’s book reminded him about dharma, as he learned it during his college life, about King Samudra Gupta and King Ashoka at the age of 16. Dharma was also reflected in the administration of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Minister Shirodkar reflected.
MRM Rao (IAS, Secretary to the Governor) welcomed the guests. R Mihir Vardhan, (IAS,Retd, special officer to the Governor) gave the introductory speech. Sadananad Tanavade, MP (Rajya Sabha) and Harilal Menon, Vice Chancellor, of Goa University also spoke on the occasion.
GCCI’S GST COURSE
THE Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) jointly with Bombay Chartered Accountants’ Society (BCAS) successful completed its inaugural 4-Day Comprehensive Study Course in Goods and Services Tax (GST) on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at Surendrababu Timblo Convention Hall, GCCI building in Panaji-Goa. The course was conducted over the four Saturdays of February.
GCCI President Shrinivas Dempo in his address congratulated the GCCI Taxation & Financial Services Committee for the initiative and said that Goods & Services Tax (GST) has truly unified India as One Nation, One Tax and One Market. The GCCI has led the way in embracing taxation changes and playing a pivotal role to ensure effective understanding of the GST law. With GST completing more than six-and-a-half years, it was an appropriate time to launch Comprehensive Course on GST for the trade, industry and professionals in Goa. The course helps understanding the intricacies of GST and also addresses the burning issues in GST. CA Rohan Bhandare (Chairman, GCCI Taxation & Financial Services Committee) expressed confidence that the knowledge sessions would help the participants manage their GST obligations. The course was attended by 87 participants. The valedictory function was followed by the release of ebook and distribution of participation certificates.
GROUND-BREAKING REAL ESTATE CONCLAVE
NAR India and GAR joined forces to organize the first ever real estate and warehousing conclave in Goa on February 29, 2024. This is a significant milestone in industry. The 16th NAR-INDIA National Convention served as the ideal backdrop for this unique gathering of industry leaders, professionals, and stakeholders, addressing key challenges and opportunities in the realm of Industrial Real Estate & Warehousing.
Aligned with the convention’s overarching theme, the event, strategically coinciding with the “leap” day, emphasized progress, innovation and forward momentum. The convention provided a golden opportunity for the participants to engage with industry leaders, establish new partnerships and gain valuable insights for practical application.
It was a cordial fraternity of speakers and participants which included Ravi Varma, (chairman emeritus), Sumanth Reddy (chairman-NAR India),Tarun Bhatia (vice chairman and global ambassador), Shivakumar C R (immediate past president– NAR India), Amit Chopra (president-NAR India), Chandresh Vithalani (president elect- NAR India), Vikas Agarwal (secretary-NAR India), Ashsish Mehta (treasurer-NAR India), Ashwin Rasane (organising secretary-NAR India), Mehul Vithalani (director, West Zone- NAR India), Keshav Prabhu (president-GAR), Nitin Mehra (chairperson, convention), Ravish Manchanda (chairperson-expo & conclave), Raj Mehta (chairperson-hospitality. Many had addressed the media recently explaining the pros and cons of the booming real estate market in Goa.
Diverse companies within the real estate sector actively participated in the conclave by setting up stalls to exhibit their offerings. Notable participants were EscalaRealty, The Windsouls, All Warehouses, Privyr, Sumadhura Logistics Park, Manasum Senior Living, Rayna Properties, Northeast Florida Association of Realtors, Manas Developers, Gera, The Homes Collection, Central Park, Acron, Real Budget, Real Budget Growth Ltd and others.
NARVIGATE 2024 proved to be a diverse learning opportunity. The convention featured a robust agenda with keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and interactive sessions. Topics covered technological integration, market trends, legal and regulatory updates, marketing strategies, and much more. In a nutshell the participants in the conclave were equipped with knowledge and tools needed. To navigate the complexities of today’s modern real estate landscape!