GOA BRAIN DRAIN
NOT only graduates but even undergraduates are moving out of Goa for vocational studies. There are much brighter opportunities in the neighboring states of Karnataka and Maharashtra. Goa does not have any veterinary degree course. Similarly there are much better courses in journalism offered by institutions like the Xavier Institute of Communication in Mumbai.
There are also much wider opportunities for on-the-job training in Pune and Bengaluru than in Goa. In the case of graduates of the engineering colleges, including the IIT and the NIIT, there are no job opportunities in Goa and Goan students will continue to shift to Pune or Bengaluru.
FACTORIES CREATE JOBS
IT is not internship or government schemes that creates jobs. For jobs to be created you need mega factories. The largest employers in China are companies making mobile phones electric vehicles and semi-conductor. In the case of India also the largest number of jobs are created by factories. Tamil Nadu has historically provided the largest number of blue collar jobs as it has the largest number of factories (38,000). This is much higher than either Gujarat 28,000 or Maharashtra 26,000. In the 70s and 80s it is textile mills that used to provide jobs. Now the big industrial houses are investing more service industry than in manufacturing. The biggest investment of reliance Mukesh Ambani is in retain and broadband network. India is not a major player in the manufacture of semi conductor or electrical vehicles.
TAKE LOANS STUDY IN INDIA
ONE of the attractive things about the latest budget is loans for students. Students are mow eligible for cheap loans from any bank upto Rs10 lakh for any graduate or post-graduate course in private colleges in the country. This will certainly enable young people to acquire the skills needed for the jobs in the private sector. The top jobs in the private sector can bring you huge salaries. For instance the MD of Infosys Satish Parekh gets a yearly salary of Rs56 crores. Sundar Pichai the CEO of Alphabet which is the holding company of Google gets Rs1,775 crores annually.
TCP IS SUPREME
THE two monster rats of Goa, Vishwajit Rane, the Town & Country Planning Minister and Revenue Minister Babush Monserrate, have agreed to permit unlimited conversions. The State government has decided to amend Section 134 to insert subsection (2) to nullify the court judgements on the approvals given to the ODP for Calangute, Candolim, Arpora, Naguva and Parra planning areas.
The High Court had struck down the outline development plan for this areas. Under the amendment no one can challenge the decisions of the TCP to permit conversions. The zoning changing certificate would be final on binding on all competent authorities. However, there is nothing to prevent on Goa Bachao Abhiyan and the Goa Foundation from challenging the new amendment.
IMAGES MORE POWERFUL
THE graphic on the front page of “The Hindu” newspaper sums up the Nirmala Sitaraman budget. There were too many people demanding a share of the fishes and loaves of the budget. The sons-in-laws of Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar got all the mutton in the biryani. The sons including the favourite son Yogi Aditiyanath and the stepchildren Karnataka, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Punjab got only the crumbs. It’s a question of too little for too many seekers. Which is why the Congress this year’s budget a save the kodel budget.
BOYCOTT TOILET PAPER
THE economic survey of the finance minister has a lengthy paragraph on how toilet paper is environmentally destructive. The survey points out that toilet paper which is extensively used in western countries involves the cutting down of trees since it is made of wood pulp. This involves massive cutting down of trees. The economic survey argues the Indian tradition of using water in the toilet is much more hygienic and healthy. This however over overlooks the fact that a huge quantity of water is wasted in the process. It is also necessary to have a septic tank or an underground sewage network to take care of the body wastes. Though millions of public toilets most of them have no water or sewage connections.
Maybe Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman can bring back and promote the Goa’s olden colonial times pig-type toilet. The pigs take care of human waste management while the pig’s intestines are recycled in the form of sausages.
TENANT VERIFICATION
THE State government is planning to introduce tenant verification in the current session. The objective is for collection and verification of details of persons occupying rental premises in Goa. The bill is aimed at the growing migrant population and one may only hope that this will not be used to target vulnerable communities.
NO INTEREST IN OLYMPICS
DURING the cricket World Cup and Euro Football, Facebook was full of messages on teams and players. Major television networks also have live coverage of these events. But in terms of the Paris Olympics, there is no interest and very little live television coverage.
Apparently, there is not much money in providing live coverage of the Olympics. It is also possible that the lack of interest is due to poor performance of India in the Olympic games where it has not won many medals, except in boxing and wrestling.
CUET EXAM POSTPONED
THE CUET exam conducted by the national testing authority for admission to colleges and universities has yet to be held. Consequent to the delay many universities have pulled out of CUET. As many as 1.4 million students took the undergraduate CUET test but they are still waiting for the results.
Most private universities have started admitting students without waiting for the CUET results. The NTA has yet to announce the date for the postgraduate exam for admission to medical colleges.
LIFE IMITATES TELEVISION
THERE has been a long-running television series in the US in which female Vice President Celina Myers becomes the president. In real life, Kamala Harris who is the current VP is now the Democratic candidate for president. The lines from the TV series, “I am not leaving, POTUS is leaving,” seem to have come true. POTUS stands for President of the United States.
GCCI WELCOMES UNION BUDGET 2024
IT’S a growth oriented and well outlined budget. This was the reaction of GCCI President Srinivas Dempo after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman finished presenting the new budget. The budget sets a road map for the next five years as well as defines the vision towards Viksit Bharat 2047. Mr Dempo further added that the government has demonstrated fiscal prudence, while prioritizing employment linked incentives, Skilling, MSMEs & the Middle Class.
On tax proposals efforts to improve ease of doing business and reducing litigation are evident, through measures such as simplifying the Income-Tax Act 1961 as well as rationalizing direct and indirect taxes. Abolishment of angel tax will boost entrepreneurial spirit and support innovation. Goa will surely benefit from the skilling initiatives, employee linked incentive schemes. Overall, the budget aims to set the path for India’s future growth and development
In the GCCI press release GCCI Immediate Past President Ralph Desouza also welcomed the budget as a continuation of government policies fostering a thriving business environment. There are nine important sectors stressed and they are productivity and resilience in agriculture, employment and skilling, inclusive human resource development and social justice, manufacturing and services, urban development, energy security, infrastructure, innovation, research and development and next generation reforms. India is a country with maximum youth so youth development is a priority and corporate sector is encouraged to employ first timers.
Rohan Bhandare (chairperson, GCCI– Taxation & Financial Services Committee opines that though there are global uncertainties India is on strong footing and it is heartening to see budget positives for employment generation. GCCI recommendations like rationalization of taxes and steps to reduce tax disputes are part of this budget.
According to GCCI Vice-President Pratima Dhond a lot of stress is given on women empowerment. Lower stamp duty to women will encourage many to register properties in the name of women which otherwise was not happening.
Milind Shirodkar in a nutshell focused youth empowerment by providing them employment and skilling. He said every year the country needs employment for around 48 lakh people and this budget is beginning to address this problem. The consensus is that overall the 2024-2005 budget is a very good and balanced budget.
VM SALGAOCAR LAW COLLEGE DOMINATES TABLE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS
THE VM Salgaocar College of Law showcased outstanding performances at the Goa University Intercollegiate Table Tennis Championships, securing top positions in both the women’s and men’s categories. The VMSCL Women’s team, comprising Khushi Naik, Simran Kanekar, and Arya Nadkarni, emerged victorious in the finals against Goa Medical College, Bambolim, clinching the championship title. Additionally, the women’s team secured 3 gold medals, further highlighting their dominance. Khushi Naik, a 3rd year BALLB student, was honored as the Best Player of the Tournament for her exceptional skills and contributions to the team’s success.
The VMSCL Men’s team, featuring Swayam Chodankar, Amogh Bawachikar, Sarthak Shetgaonkar, Roland Braganza, and Siddhant Karpe, secured the Runner-up position, demonstrating remarkable teamwork and dedication. The men’s team also earned 5 silver medals, showcasing their competitive spirit. Swayam Chodankar, also a 3rd year BALLB student, received the Best Player of the Tournament award for his outstanding performance.
VMSCL Principal Dr Shaber Ali congratulated players for their achievements and coaches Dr Shailendra Gaonkar and Lavu Govekar for their guidance and support. “The achievements of both teams are a testament to the dedication and hard work of the players and the guidance of their coaches, Dr Shailendra Gaonkar and Lavu Govekar,” he said.
DR GAUDE CONFERRED DOCTORATE
DR Ajay Ramchandra Gaude, Senior Scale Officer, GCS Govt of Goa was conferred with Doctorate at BITS Pilani convocation held on July 23, 2024. The doctoral degree was conferred at the 95th Convocation by Vice Chancellor Prof Ramgopal Rao. The chief guest for the function was Prof Dr Govindan Rangrajan (director, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru).
Dr Gaude completed his PhD in Education from BITS Pilani under the guidance of Prof Dr Reena Cherulavath. With many achievements to his credit Dr Gaude is also a recipient of President of India Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma Gold Medal award for standing first among 7 states of India, Western Region during his Masters in Education.
INS TRIPUT LAUNCH CEREMONY
IN a significant milestone achievement, Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL), a premier Indian DPSU Shipyard, successfully launched the first indigenous P1135.6 Frigate on July 23, 2024. The vessel is first of the 02 Frigates of P 1135.6 Class being constructed at GSL.
This is the first time that such vessels are being constructed indigenously and with the launch of this mighty Frigate, the Indian Navy and GSL continue triumphantly towards self-reliance and making the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat a reality.
The ship was launched by Adv (Smt) Rita Sreedharan, in the presence of Governor of Goa PS Sreedharan Pillai who was the chief guest for the occasion. Present were Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Vice Chief of Naval Staff and Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay (chairman and MD-GSL) along with Ministry of Defence and senior flag officials of the Indian Navy and GSL employees.
MOG HOSTS ‘ART INC’
THE “Art Inc. exhibition which opened at the Museum of Goa on July 19 is on till August 4, 2024. This collaborative MOG event is organized in partnership with the Department of Empowerment for Persons with Disabilities Office, Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Government of Goa, Enable India and International Purple Festival.
As many as 47 leading and aspiring Goa-based artists with disabilities are showcasing their artwork. The exhibition has been curated by Samira Sheth and features over 100 artworks by artists with diverse disabilities, to celebrate diversity and inclusion in the art space.
The initiative sees Goa-based artists with disabilities getting a public platform to showcase their artwork and financially empower themselves through art sales. Make time to visit the “Art Inc.” exhibition which also includes a series of workshops, interactive sessions and artist meetings, to help engage with the artists and provide a better understanding of Goa’s local talent pool.
The exhibition was inaugurated in the presence of Minister for Social Welfare Subhash Phal Dessai, along with Guruprasad Pawaskar (State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities), Taha Haaziq (Secretary, Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities), Subodh Kerkar (founder and Artist-MOG), Sharada Kerker (Operational Head-MOG), Priti Lobo, (EnAble India), Samira Sheth and Prakash Kamat (senior journalist).
At the function Minister Subhash Phal Dessai expressed his satisfaction with the collaboration which went towards such an Art Inc exhibition, “a pioneering event that not only showcases the extraordinary talents of Goan artists with disabilities and also provides them with a vital platform for financial empowerment through art sales.” Others praising the initiative included Guruprasad Pawaskar, Sharada Kerkar (operational head of MOG), Samira Sheth and leading artist Frederika Menezes was full of appreciation, “This art exhibition has provided wonderful opportunity for persons with disabilities with to showcase talent that otherwise would go unnoticed. To ensure that art is accessible to all, MOG is also making strides in ensuring that the museum is physically and digitally accessible, by building ramps, accessible restrooms, tactile guides and braille descriptions for exhibits, and having sign language interpreters in the case of the former.”
Leading Artists:
Dylan Arthur, Eashan Kamat, Frederika Menezes, Gregory Burns, Nigel Lazarus De Souza,Saharsh Santosh Vaigankar,Sufyan Panna
Aspiring Artists:
Aarav Saini, Abishek Rao, Akshay Salelkar, Amintaj Nashipudi, Anup Anand Sawant, Anwesh Akhtar, Arnav C. Shipure, Ashwin Joseph, Ellwyn D’Souza, Gajesh S. Nageshkar, Gaurish Samanth, Geridhar Salil Ajgaonkar, Harsh Dhargalkar, Heramb Hemant Telang, Ishaan Motiani, Lucy Fernandes, Mandar M. Naik, Mangerish Dessai, Maria Andrade, Naina Rodrigues, Nandan Nadkarni, Narendra Raikar, Priyanka Wadkar, Purvi Pundalik Phadte, Rajat Narendra Borkar, Ritesh Vaigankar, Sahil S. Kurade, SanikaPhaldesai, Sanskrit Raju Naik, Sarvesh Suresh Naik, Shane DMello, Shankar Honnur, Shivani Charim, Shreyash Salgaonkar, Sneham Sarkar, Sonia Dessai, Sumanth Naik, Tanish Kinalkar, Tanvesh Damodar Parwar, Tukaram Gaonkar, Varad Kannur, Yotham Thakur.
SERENDIPITY FOR MORE INCLUSIVE ARTS
THE second edition of “Serendipity Out and About 2024” will bring theatre in regional languages to the children and people of Goa this coming August. There will be performances at the Bastora Panchayat and Community Hall on Aug 4 and at Piedade Youth Association Club House, Divar, on Aug 5. Both are open to the public.
This is to say South Asia’s largest multidisciplinary arts festival — Serendipity Arts Festival (SAF) 2024 — is all set to bring the magic of theatre and art to 19 orphanages, government schools, old-age homes and community centres across Goa, from Bastora in North Goa all the way to Canacona in South Goa.
“Serendipity Out and About is a way to expand the Serendipity Arts family beyond the city of Panaji, with this year’s edition focusing on making the arts inclusive, accessible to all, especially those who, for various reasons, are unable to attend the Festival’s main edition in December in Panaji,” says Quasar Thakore Padamsee. He is the co-curator for Serendipity Out and About 2024 and SAF 2024’s co-curator for the Theatre discipline.
There will be ‘Lavani Ke Rang’ written and directed by Mumbai-based director, theatre producer Bhushan Korgaonkar, at the two venues: Bastora Panchayat & Community Hall (Aug4) and the Piedade Youth Association Club House, Divar (Aug 5). The performance in Hindi and Marathi celebrate the lives of traditional Sangeet Bari Lavani artists.
Sananda Mukhopadhyaya, who has curated programs for school children and orphanages, has put together four performances – “Machher Jhol, Gubu Gubu, Sa Pa Re Sa Pa Sa, Hanv Gara Asa” – with corresponding workshops at four government schools and six orphanages. SAF is collaborating with local theatre educators Tanashri Rane, Shravan Ratnakar Fondekar, Shivraj Malik, Ariendon Felldon Gomes, to facilitate the workshops which will introduce young audiences to the world of theatre.
Also on the program: an Expressive Arts Therapy Workshop conducted by Charvi Budhdeo at seven homes foraged in Panaji, Bastora, Divar Island and other locations.Says Mukhopadhyaya, “We are excited to bring an edition of ‘Out and About’ by the Serendipity Arts Foundation, which will feature a dynamic mix of children’s theatre and art workshops in English, Konkani, Hindi and Marathi, providing a platform for self-expression and creative exploration.” .
To register for the public performance at the community centres, click on the link:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1xlUVBRI4iZH4yLP8jgsHEWkQTJwRE939AwygObwxTl8/edit?usp=sharing (Bastora Panchayat and Community Hall)
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kgictdtjeaUkcceMokekzhyd4BSxvMd_7c5JBqj9r8Y/edit?usp=sharing (Piedade Youth Association Club House, Divar island)