ASSAGAO COMPROMISE
THE family whose house was demolished has reportedly struck a deal with Pooja Sharma. But don’t blame the Agarwadekars. If they wait for the PWD to restore the partly demolished house it will take another decade. Nobody has any faith in the government. The fact that the family claims that Pooja Sharma did not know about the demolition is very sad. Pooja has agreed to repair the damaged house. To protect her husband, a senior cop, Pooja Sharma has reportedly decided to cancel the sale deed.
This alone shows the desperation of the Agarwadekar family. But the government has a responsibility to act against Pooja Sharma. The attempt to demolish the house illegally using bulldozers cannot be ignored. If the government withdraws the case it will send out a wrong signal. To protect the property of tenants and mundkar the government must arrest Pooja Sharma — not only on the charge of illegal demolition but also for kidnapping the Agarwadekars.
Do not be deceived by Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant’s promise to introduce a new law to prevent land grabbing.
LABOR SHORTAGE
LARSEN & TOUBRO, the major infrastructure and construction company, is reportedly facing a severe shortage of construction labor. The company has been trying to hire as many as 30,000 construction labourers for its projects in India and in the Gulf. The severe heat wave in the northern part of the country has reduced the supply of construction labor. Given the heat it is not possible for construction workers to work on the sites.
L & T takes care of its construction labour as it offers them transport, health drinks and food at its construction sites. L & T even has skill centres to train construction workers. The company hires over four lakh construction workers including masons and carpenters. Those who cannot get a job in construction in Goa can approach L & T. The company is also facing a shortage of 20,000 engineers.
RECALLING EMERGENCY
JUNE 25 marked the anniversary of the 1975 Emergency declared by the late Indira Gandhi. Indira Gandhi declared an Emergency after the Allahabad High Court declared her election to the Lok Sabha invalid. The socialist leader Raj Narain (not Rajan Narayan) had filed a petition accusing Indira Gandhi of corrupt electoral practices. All the Opposition leaders including Jayprakash Narayan and LK Adani were arrested over night.
The censorship was imposed on the media. I recall that the police removed a hoarding of the cover of the “Onlooker” magazine titled “Is it the end of Indira Gandhi?” Trade Union leader George Fernandes even stopped the trains to protest against the Emergency. Which is why Indira Gandhi claimed that the trains ran on time during the Emergency.
LSD IN GOAN SCHOOLS
THE “Times of India” has carried a report claiming that the use of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) is rampant in schools in Goa. This startling claim has been made by Dr Bharat Sreekumar, the forensic doctor at the South Goa District Hospital. LSD is a hallucinatory drug which comes in a very concentrated liquid form. Even a small drop of LSD can be very dangerous. Apparently, these drops of LSD are put on postage stamps and given to the students for on a free trial basis. LSD makes all the sensory organs very sensitive. The writer activist Aldos Hangsi insisted it opens the door of perception.
I (Rajan Narayan) have myself tried LSD under controlled conditions. Indeed, I have watched the musical film “Woodstock” under the influence of LSD. You can see every colour and hear every sound distinctly and with distinction. A bad LSD trip can drive school kids to suicide.
CBI ARRESTS KEJRIWAL
ARVIND Kejriwal seems to have lost public sympathy after he lost all the seven Lok Sabha seats in the Parliamentary elections. The Aam Aadmi Party did badly in Punjab also. Though the Magistrate’s Court granted bail to Kejriwal in the excise scam, the HC stayed his release. The SC has commented that it was unusual for the bail to be stopped even before the judgement was approved. Even if the SC grants him bail, Kejri won’t be released because the CBI has arrested him. However, the CBI has got custody only for three days.
UNIFORMITY IN COLLEGE, PLEASE
THE Bombay High Court has upheld the ban imposed by a Mumbai college, the NG Acharya College in Chembur in Mumbai, on wearing the hijab while in college. According to the college the objective behind introducing a dress code was to maintain the secular image of the college. According to the new rule of the college all students will now cease to display any religious symbols on their body. The college has banned not only hijab but also any Hindu caste or religious marks and Christians wearing crosses to college. The HC does not see any objection in the prescription in this dress code to achieve uniformity among the students and thus, avoid disclosure of religious identity. The rule is applicable to all students irrespective of caste, creed or religion.
PM DOES NOT CARE
VENTILATORS distributed to various hospitals bearing the slogan “PM Cares” are not working. Pictures of this ventilators with the “PM Cares” slogan have been widely circulated in social media. Hospital admin have admitted that the ventilators installed in the ICU during the Covid pandemic are also defective. As many as 243 ventilators distributed to 19 state-run medical colleges were found defective.
BANYAN TREE GETS NEW LIFE!
THE Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd (IPSCDL) gets some good ideas sometimes and we hope this one continues to work in time to come. They unveiled a historic trans-located banyan tree at the Campal Parade Ground in Panaji on June 21, 2024. This took place on Vat Purnima day when Hindu women go tying strings around a banyan tree praying for their husband’s long life, a life as long as the banyan tree which is said to be the tree with the longest life span in the country.
This tree located at St Inez needed to be shifted out of the way and everyone concerned went to work translocating it to a less injurious site at Campal Parade Ground. We hear the banyan tree translocation job was done super-efficiently by everyone concerned, including Panjim’s Mayor Rohit Monserrate, landscape expert Daniel D’Souza and other CCP and IPSCDL officials.
The mayor said the translocation of the banyan tree (a symbol of longevity and sustainability) is part of IPSCDL’s commitment to preserving the city’s natural heritage while promoting urban development. The tree’s previous home was reportedly located at a site earmarked for development. So for love of trees it was decided to carefully moved the tree to its current new home at the parade grounds, it’s two-and-a-half month since this mammoth job was executed and banyan lovers may rejoice. This mighty banyan has taken root anew and survives in continual growth and may it ensure the longevity of all who prayed here for ache din at the translocated banyan tree!
The formal unveiling function witnessed a presentation on the intricate process of tree translocation, including advanced techniques and the careful planning required to ensure the tree’s stability during the move. This initiative preserves an important part of Panaji’s natural landscape and also serves as an educational example of sustainable urban development practices, or so say the town-planners and heritage lovers.
The timeline of the translocation of the banyan tree goes something like this: Residents appeal to authorities to remove the tree: 9th Jan, 2024; Forest Dept grants permission: 3rd March; IPSCDL initiates process to translocate: 5th April; tree
translocated: 7th April; nurtured since 7th April till date; rejuvenated tree unveiled 21st June, 2024. Here’s to the long life of the St Inez banyan tree at the Campal grounds!
`AIKAT MOZO TAVO’ AUDITION STARTS
ASPIRING Konkani singers are all set to receive an unprecedented opportunity with Aikat Mozo Tavo — a music competition led by Simon Rodrigues (director, Amigos Nite). This is scheduled to take place at the Harrow Leisure Centre, UK, and the competition aims to celebrate musical talent within the Konkani community. The auditions will commence soon.
According to Simon Rodrigues, “We are excited to launch Aikat Mozo Tavo, a project close to my heart. This competition is not just about winning but about giving Konkani singers a stage to showcase their talent to the world. I am grateful for the support we’ve received and look forward to discovering new talents.”
The criteria for audition is participants must be 18 years or older, possess proficient singing skills, and hold a valid passport. Registration must be completed online and applicants must provide their personal details and upload a passport photograph. Winner will receive a grand prize of 20,000 Pounds, the top 20 contestants will earn the chance to perform in the UK. Judges for the event are rockstar Hemaa Sardesai, tiatrist Risma Leitao, singer Sonia Shirsat.
Aikat Mozo Tavo is more than just a competition. Konkani singers 18 years and above may register online by visiting https://aikatmozotavo.co.uk/ following the registration guidelines. For inquiries: info@aikatmozotavo.co.uk
VM SALGAOCAR COLLEGE OF LAW CELEBRATES YOGA DAY
THE Department of Physical Education & Sports & NSS Unit of VM Salgaocar College of Law, guided by Director of Physical Education & Sports Dr Shailendra R Gaonkar and Instructor in Physical Education & Sports Lavu D. Govekar, celebrated the 10th International Day of Yoga on June 21, 2024 at the VM Salgaocar College of Law at Miramar, Panaji.
The event which took place in the conference hall of the college was in collaboration with the Art of Living organization, Goa. The idea was to promote the physical, mental and spiritual benefits of yoga among students and faculty. It started with an address by Principal Dr Shaber Ali at 9 am and lasted for 1 hour. There was a series of demonstrations and interactive sessions with the Art of Living experts showing the way. They demonstrated various key yogasana like the Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation), Trikonasana (Triangle Pose), Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose), Vrikshasana (Tree Pose) and other asana. Participants were guided into doing the yogasana properly.
The yogasana session was followed by a pranayama session entailing breathing exercises like anulom vilom (alternate nostril breathing), kapalbhati (skull shining breathing), bhramari (bee breathing). Pranayaa enhances respiratory health and reduces stress. Finally, there was a meditation session which saw a series of calming exercises, focusing on mindfulness and relaxation, all aimed at achieving mental clarity and emotional balance.
The event saw enthusiastic participation from both students and faculty members and it effectively highlighted the role of yoga practice in reaping overall wellbeing. Vote of thanks was courtesy Director of Physical Education & Sports Dr Shailendra R Gaonkar. The resource persons were Art of Living teacher Adv Neela Navelkar, yoga instructor Sushma Sawant and volunteer Dr Sujata Amod Borkar.
PRATAP NAIK SJ FELICITATED
ON June 14, 2024, Fr Pratap Naik (PN), SJ was felicitated by Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr (TSKK) with a shawl, headgear, memento and flower bouquet. Fr Pedro Rodrigues, SJ, the Provincial of Goa Province was the chief guest who honoured Fr Pratap Naik.
Since 1978 Fr Pratap Naik has been associated with TSKK and responsible for everything from its concept, goals and objectives, name, drafting of Memorandum of Association and rules and regulations, registration, building up library, planning and conducting various types of courses, workshops, seminars and much more. He supervised the building and new campus of TSKK, creating a botanical garden of local fruits and flowers. He was in charge administration, research, publications; obtaining the recognition to TSKK as a research institute by the Goa University; PhD guide and examiner of Konknni at the Goa University; editing the TSKK Research Bulletin Sôd; Konknni programmes on AIR Panaji and Mangaluru, Doordarshan, HCN, Prudent Media, CCRTV Goa, Divyavani Live Channel Mangaluru, production of TSKK’s CDs, etc.
Fr Pratap Naik was official and active member of TSKK for 32 years from March 5, 1980 to January 31, 2012. Now he continues to be its general body member and is the only surviving founding member, out of the 10 founding members of TSKK. TSKK was officially founded on March 5, 1980.
BUILDING A STRONG FUTURE IN MSME
THE Directorate of Industries, Trade & Commerce celebrated World MSME (Micros Small and Medium Enterprises) Day at the Mantralaya, Secretariat, on June 27, 2024. The theme for the event was “Building A Stronger Future Together.” Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant launched the RAMP (Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance), a World Bank-assisted Central Sector Scheme, the Business Facilitation Centre (BFC) of North Goa and the Women Entrepreneurship Facilitation Centre (WEFC), North Goa.
Speaking on the occasion the CM said these initiatives are steps to take MSME in Goa forward and if everyone works together, it would be possible to build a strong future for Goa in MSME. He commended the gathering of policy makers and policy implementers for coming together for this event. Dr Sawant emphasised the need to create green jobs and support an atmosphere where green initiatives may be adopted in the MSME sector.
Present at the function were Minister for Industries Mauvin Godinho, Director of Directorate of Industries, Trade & Commerce Egna Cleetus (IAS) who gave a presentation on the RAMP scheme highlighting its key aspects. Also present: Chairperson of Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), MLA of Curtorim Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco (Secretary, Industries, Trade and Commerce), Swetika Sachan (IAS), general manager-DIC Darshana Narulkar, Deputy Director of Industries, Trade & Commerce Omkar Asolkar who proposed the vote of thanks.