CONSPIRACY THEORIES
OPPOSITION Congress party alleges that there was a conspiracy by the Modi government which led to the tragedy of Vinesh Phogat not participating in the final bouts of wrestling to get a gold medal. It will be recalled that Phogat had led an agitation against the then president of the Wrestling Federation of India Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on charges of molesting female wrestlers.
Vinesh Phogat had led the protest against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. The police in Delhi had manhandled Vinesh Phogat and other protesting women wrestlers and dragged them by their hair. The result: Phogat was forced to contest in the 50kg category as the 53kg category had gone to a favorite of Brij Bhushan. This required Phogat to lose 7-8kg of weight.
Incidentally, the Indian Wrestling Federation chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh was forced to resign on orders of the Supreme Court. A close crony of Sanjay Singh was appointed president of the WFI. The WFI was suspended in December 2023 by the central government. Phogat only made it to the Olympics due to her agreeing to fight in the 50kg category. We also understand that Phogat had her own personal team paid for by the Jindal Sports Foundation, who perhaps did not have the experience to handle the weight gain issues which arose overnight or so it seems. Vinesh Phogat, however, is considered a champion of champions for fighting for the rights of other women wrestlers.
NUTRITIONIST BUNGLED
OUR sources suggest that the personal nutritionist of Vinesh Phogat may have bungled, leading to her disqualification before the 50kg category final gold medal winning round. Vinesh Phogat had beaten the Olympic gold medalist in her first bout on August 6, the same day she had fought two more bouts including a semi-final match against the Cuban wrestler, which gave her entry to the finals and at least a silver medal. On August 6 morning when her weight was checked she was well under 50kg.
To prepare for the three successive bouts Phogat was reportedly given high-nutrition supplements and lots of fluids to keep her hydrated. This led to Vinesh Phogat putting on almost 3kgs of weight over a single day. After the three bouts on August 6, her team of doctors, nutritionists and coaches were frantic to bring down her weight to under 50kg. It is the tradition in the wrestling competition to take the weight of the athletes on the morning of the bout. The team tried their best to bring down Phogat’s weight all night on August 6.
On August 7 morning when she was due for weighing anew she was still a 100 grams overweight. This is as nominal as a bar of soap or two eggs which can weigh 100 grams. Team Phogat could not bring her weight down below 50kg. Consequently, Vinesh Phogat was disqualified.
It is suspected that her personal nutritionist misjudged how much weight she could lose in one night. The primary mistake was to allow her to gain 3kgs. Instant weight loss is not possible. Though the contrary weight again can be achieved by heavy steroid intake.
KARWAR BRIDGE COLLAPSES
THE old bridge over the river Kali going into Karwar town collapsed on August 7, 2024. The bridge was popularly much used for Goa-bound traffic after the construction of the new bridge in 2018. The movement of all raw material and finished goods to the Karnataka region has been badly affected by the collapse of the bridge. The bridge used for supplying vegetables from Belgavi at the Anmod Ghat is also closed. We understand that the road through Ramnagar which was the main highway is also in bad shape. Karwar is the home of the Indian Naval airbase as also the Kaiga Nuclear Plant.
DRUGS IN SCHOOLS
CHIEF Minister Dr Pramod Sawant admitted to large-scale abuse of narcotic drugs in schools in Goa. Several MLAs complain that drugs are freely available in the elite schools. It has been reported that ganja and even LSD is easily available to the students. LSD is difficult to detect because even a drop of the deadly acid on bloating paper is easily concealed. LSD sniffing affects the minds of young people and children.
BABUSH WAR WITH CM
REVENUE minister and Panaji MLA Babush Monserrate has launched an attack on PWD Minister Pramod Sawant. Babush acknowledged in the assembly that the streets of Panaji are in terrible shape and he has been personally affected by potholed roads. Babush insisted that the roads were better under former PWD Minister Sudhin Dhavalikar. Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao observed that road accidents were killing people like insects.
RAJ BHAVAN BONSAI COLLECTION
IT has been revealed that the Raj Bhavan of Goa has the largest collection of Bonsai trees. As many as 1,000 bonsai trees, making it the biggest collection in any public collection in India. Governor Sreedharan Pillai is also keen on installing the statues of Acharya Charaka (father of Ayurveda) and sage Sushruta (father of surgery). It is also proposed to renovate the swimming pool within the precints of the Raj Bhavan. The sprawling Raj Bhavan estate has a unique private beach and the Raj Bhavan is considered as the most beautiful residence of a governor in the country.
GSL OPPORTUNITIES FOR MSMES IN SHIPBUILDING
GOA Shipyard Ltd (GSL), a premier shipbuilding entity in Goa, hosted a vendors meet in association with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) to focus on opportunities available at GSL for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to strengthen links within Goa. The meet was held on Wednesday, Aug 7, 2024 at the GSL “Shipyard Sadan”in Chicalim, Vasco, Goa.
The aim was to provide valuable insights into the shipbuilding sector, highlighting potential areas and opportunities at GSL where local MSMEs can contribute and benefit. B K Upadhyay, CMD GSL, addressed the meet and indicated that presently GSL is undertaking construction of 23 diverse projects and is having a healthy order book close to Rs18,000 crore. This order book position is expected to generate considerable outsourcing of works/services in the next three years.
He urged the local firms/service providers to actively participate in these outsourced works/services& be a part of GSL growth. He assured the gathering of full support from GSL to develop industrial ecosystem in Goa and take it to the next higher level. GSL had also invited guest speakers from RXIL to appraise the meet about benefits and how they can support MSMEs in financing invoices. Attendees also got the opportunity to engage with industry experts, explore potential collaborations and gain a deeper understanding of how MSMEs can leverage the growing shipbuilding sector to their advantage.
SCHEMES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
THE Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities informs that the department is implementing a welfare scheme of stipends and scholarships separately for students with disabilities studying in various schools/colleges/institutions, etc. Stipend for students in Std I to VIII will be Rs200 per month for 11 months. Scholarship for the students IX to XII standard or equivalent as per University courses will be Rs500 per month for 11 month for day scholar, Rs200 per month for 11 month for hostellers and Rs75 for readers allowance for blind per month for 11 months. BA/BCom/BSc students will get Rs650 per month for 11 months for day scholar, Rs270 per month for 11 month for hostellers and Rs115 for readers allowance for blind per month for 11 months.
Students of BE/B.ARCH/MBBS/LLB/B.Ed/Diploma in professional and Engineering Courses, etc, and also MA/MSc/M. Com/LLM/MED will get scholarships. The annual income of parents of students should not exceed Rs.1,50,000/- p.a. from all the sources. For further details contact Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities through Tel No. 0832-2912601, Email: dir-depwd@goa.gov.in
HAR GHAR TIRANGA CAMPAIGN FROM AUG 9
THE Goa government is organising a Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign across the state from august 9. Tiranga yatra/rallies, concerts, mela, runs and marathon will be organised from August 9 to 13. There will be Tiranga pledges, selfies and canvas will be put up as a part of this campaign. Yatra/rallies will be organised in each taluka separately and concerts will be organised as large-scale public programs with a patriotic playlist. Also, musical events will be organised featuring patriotic songs and cultural performances to celebrate the spirit of freedom and national pride.
Under the program Tiranga Tribute, bravehearts/freedom fighters and their families will be honoured. At the mela events local artisans will display handicrafts and national flags. On the canvases set up at event venues people may write “Har Ghar Tiranga” or “Jai Hind” in any Indian language.
Har Ghar Tiranga started under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to encourage people to bring the tiranga home and hoist it to mark India’s independence. In the last two years the event has grown into a people’s movement. People across the country, belonging to different segments of society have embraced the idea and infused it with warmth and support via participation in online and offline programs and events.
NATIONAL HANDLOOM DAY AT SHIRODA
THE 10th National Handloom Day program organised by Department of Handicrafts, Textile and Coir was held at Mahamaya Hall, Bhatwadi Shiroda on August 8, 2024. Minister for Water Resources Subhash Shirodkar inaugurated the program. In order to promote awareness about the importance of the handloom industry in contributing to the socio-economic development of the country, August 7 is celebrated as National Handloom Day annually.
A key objective on this day is to promote handlooms industry – that is unique handloom products with of quality, authentic traditional design with zero defect and zero effect on environment. Speaking on the occasion Subhash Shirodkar recalled the Swadeshi movement started by Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi with the aim of becoming self-reliant. He said Goa’s first handloom society was established in 1987 in Shiroda constituency. He appealed to people to support handloom weavers and urged officials of the Handicrafts Department to reach out to the villages. There are around 40 lakh handloom weavers across the country. The government is working tirelessly to empower women thorough various skills.
Sarpanch, Shiroda Panchayat, Mugdha Shirodkar; Zilla Panchayat Member Narayan Kamat; President, Asturi Cluster Federation, Gauri Shirodkar, also spoke on the occasion.
Sarpanchas of Panchawadi, Borim and Betoda Panchayat respectively, Lina Dcosta, Satish Naik and Madhu Khandeparkar; Under Secretary, Handicrafts, Darshani Dessai and others, were present on the occasion. Eight expert handloom weavers were felicitated. The program was attended by handloom weavers. Usha Chari presented the welcome song while director-Handicrafts Sandhya Kamat welcomed everyone and assistant director, Sohan Uskaikar, proposed the vote of thanks. Ravini Daure compered the event.