MUSLIM KORGAO SARPANCH
THE Muslim sarpanch of Koregao and Pernem taluka Abdul Karim has got the support of Dakshinayan Abhiyan, which objects to the spread of communal hatred. Some hard core Hindutva group objected to Karim’s selection as sarpanch on the ground that he is a Muslim. Senior high court lawyer Cleofato Coutinho has deplored the attempt to bring a communal element into panchayat and local politics. Coutinho has asked the government to book the Hindutva group for hate speech.
FILM APPRECIATION COURSE FOR IFFI MEDIA DELEGATES
THE Press Information Bureau (PIB), Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, in collaboration with the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune organised a lively film appreciation course on “Reviewing films: From Critiquing to Reading Cinema” for media delegates on the sidelines of the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa.
The course focused on exploring the various aspects of the art and craft of films and the importance of learning to read a variety of films in an informed manner. The day-long course had film industry experts such as Dr Indranil Bhattacharya, Prof Amlan Chakraborty, and Malini Desai from FTII, Pune, speaking and interacting with the media delegates who at the end of the course were given certificates for their participation in the course.
Also present was Director General West Zone, M/o I&B. Smita Vats Sharma who said, “This course is open to media across India, including both Goan and all-India representatives as media plays a critical role in the celebration of cinema and taking films across the country and the world.” Hence, the course was timed during IFFI to facilitate media professionals. She also thanked FTII for its invaluable support in making the course possible.
Joint Director, PIB-Mumbai, Sayyid Rabeehashmi emphasized the need to not only celebrate films but also delve into their intricate details. Speaking about the significance of such initiatives, Prof Malini Desai emphasized, “Media plays an essential role in exchanging ideas and helping the world understand the art of cinema. And as filmmakers we are also communicating our perspectives to the audience. This interaction between media and filmmakers — both of whom are into ‘communication’ greatly enriched our understanding about each others’ perspective.”
Appreciating the initiative was journalist and participant Harshita, from Screen Grafia, who has been covering IFFI since 1999; she shared “this is a great initiative by the ministry to educate film journalists. It will expand their knowledge about films. I hope this course is repeated in future editions too.” Veteran journalist Satyendar Mohan who has been attending IFFI over four decades said, “I’ve been attending IFFI since 1983. This session was very informative and educational. It will help journalists appreciate films on a much deeper level, adding immense value to the 55th IFFI.”
DOORDARSHAN OFFENSIVE
PRASAR Bharati, which is the government agency which runs the official television channel Doordarshan, has set up an integrated multi-media challenge. It has released an app on which live streaming of events like IFFI and THE Kumbh Mela will be made available. In competition with the Jio app, the platform will also provide live TV games, shopping malls, e-books and the creative corner. The new Waves app is meant to cater primarily to the country’s digital entertainment requirements. It will no doubt to be used to promote the BJP government and its programs.
ROSSINI’S STABAT MATER COMES TO GOA
When opera meets sacred music…
Don’t miss this unique chance to witness a piece that connects two musical worlds—right here in Goa
THE Stuti Choral Ensemble opens its new season with Rossini’s Stabat Mater, performed by a chorus of 105 singers, four vocal soloists and an instrumental ensemble of 25 strings, winds and piano. The concert is free.
What happens when the grandeur of Italian opera meets the reverence of sacred music? You get Gioachino’s Rossini’s Stabat Mater—a masterpiece full of emotion and meaning.
And for the first time in Goa, the Stuti Choral Ensemble, led by Parvesh Java, will bring this iconic piece to life, blending operatic drama with the sublime grace of sacred choral music.
Dedicated to Mother Mary, Stabat Mater is a classical poem from the Catholic liturgy that resonates deeply with Goans as “Dukhest Avoi Dukhan Borit,” often sung during the Good Friday ceremony of the Descent from the Cross.
Rossini’s interpretation transforms this timeless hymn into an unforgettable musical experience, combining the majesty of opera with the spiritual depth of sacred music.
Stuti’s performance will take place on November 23 at the Mission Seminary Chapel in Pilar and November 24 at St Anthony Church in Siolim, from 7 to 8 PM. The concert is free, with seating on a first-come, first-served basis.
The performance will feature four soloists, along with trumpet, flute and clarinet parts, adding new depth to the choir and string orchestra.
Since the original Stabat Mater was written for a full orchestra, Java has rearranged it to suit Stuti’s ensemble, making it accessible to Goan audiences while keeping its richness intact. This version also brings out parts of the music that are often hidden in larger productions.
EXIT POLLS MAKE EXIT
THOUGH the exit polls have proved wrong in the parliamentary elections they continue to be used and misused by electronic media. The latest exit polls on the outcome of the elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand predict a victory for the BJP. Only the “Dainik Bhaskar” poll suggest that the I.N.D.I.A. group will score over the NDA. Primarily the fight in Maharashtra is between the two Shiv Sena and the two factions of the NCP.
MESSI TO PLAY IN KERALA
THE legendary Argentinian national team led by Lyral Messi is expected to take part in an international match in Kerala. This is the first time the football legend will be coming to India. Besides Kerala the Argentina team is expected to play a match in Kolkata also. Unfortunately, Goa does not have a big enough stadium to hold international matches.
POOR RETURN ON IFFI
BETWEEN the Central and State governments reportedly Rs40 crore plus is being spent on IFFI 2024. The returns are not proportionate to the money spent. We learn that only 3,800 paying delegates have registered for IFFI, this number may go up for maximum of 5,000. This amounts to an expenditure of an average of Rs80,000 per delegate.
Despite this the facilities extended to delegates is not satisfactory. Even on the eve of IFFI opening on November 20 most delegates did get the trademark jute bag with IFFI schedule and literature if any in it, not even Kit Kat chocolate (as in kinder yesteryears)! Those collecting their jute bag the next day complained it was a badly designed and uncomfortable bag with just a notebook in it — schedule and main synopsis heavyweight book had to be collected separately at the Help Desks set up at INOX or the Kala Academy.
We understand that the number of media delegates at Cannes is more than the total number of delegates registered at IFFI. The usual story it takes at least two to three days to settle down into an agreeable pattern of viewing films from venue to venue for the remaining five of the total eight days of IFFI…one good thing, free rides via electric buses and autorikshaws rented for the duration of the film festival. Only for delegates with their identity cards slung around their neck of course.
POLICE TO GUARD CASKET
ALL these years it was not considered necessary to guard the sacred relics of St Francis Xavier in the ornate casket. This time around relics will be guarded by armed police throughout the exposition. Moreover, police officers were given the responsibility of loading the casket on the special electric vehicle for transportation from the Bom Jesus Basilica to the Se Cathedral in a grand possession which took place at 11am on November 21, 2024. Doing Goa’s Goencho Saib proud was an 80 member brass band playing holy music and hymns. This is in keeping with Goan tradition where brass bands playing on feast days of every church in Goa is a delightful highlight.
POLLUTION IN PANAJI
TESTS conducted by the Pollution Control Board have revealed that the air quality in Goa and particularly in capital smart city Panaji has deteriorated sharply. The air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 332 at 1 pm on Tuesday, November 19. This is comparable to the poor quality of air in cities like Mumbai. The air quality in Panaji city is considered poor. The decline in air quality is attributed to the cutting down of trees and unplanned development. However, now there is no check on the entry of heavy vehicles into Panaji city. The large number of construction works going on perennially also contributes to burre din for the people of Panjim.
NO STARS AT IFFI OPENING
THERE were no mega Bollywood stars at the opening ceremony of the International Film Festival of India on November 20.
Present for the inaugural were Subhash Ghai, Dinesh Vijan, Amar Kaushik, NM Suresh, RK Selvamani, Ishari Ganeshan, Ravi Kotarakara and lyricist Prasoon Joshi. Actors from the north and south including Nagarjuna, Nitya Menon, Aamla, Vikrant Massey, Rakul Preet, Manushi Chillar, Boman Irani, Rajkummar Rao, Abhishek Banerjee, Jaideep Ahlawat, Randeep Hooda, Sanya Malhotra, Jayam Ravi, Jacky Bhagnani, R. Sarath Kumar, Mukta Barve, Sonalee Kulkarni and Radhakrishnan Parthiban were present.
Special highlight was for the first time was the presence of godman or gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar who gave a special address at the opening ceremony. The Jannawi Dance Clan, an Australian dance group, presented a cultural program. There was a special musical dance explosion program featuring Bollywood hits of the 90s. It’s more or less the usual fare of most of Goa’ IFFIs now. Enertainment, entertainment, entertainment…and speeches waxing lyrical over how India has the largest film industry in the world and makes the largest number of films seen by Indians settled around the world and in India where cinema continues to be a craze on various platforms big and small.
MINISTER STAFF HELD
AN ex-member of the staff of Minister for Culture Govind Gaude has been arrested in the ongoing cash-for-jobs scam. The arrested youth is Aniket Kadolkar (27), a resident of Marcel. Kandolkar had reported using his position to promise youth jobs that could not be delivered. Reportedly however he has earned several crore rupees and even acquired a villa worth Rs1 crore in Marcel – conning Goans anxious to get government jobs.
NO TO SUNBURN AT DHARGALIM
THE residents of Dhargalim in Pernem taluka has filed a PIL seeking the cancellation of permission given to Sunburn. It is been pointed out that the venue chosen is in the heart of the village passing through NH66. There are two hospitals, three schools and one college near the venue. International airport Mopa is within 5km from the venue. The PIL has demanded that the funds collected through sponsorship and cost of tickets must be deposited with the court.
PROTEST OF TAWADKAR
SPEAKER of Goa Assembly Ramesh Tawadkar has hit out against Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant and other senior cabinet members. He claims that he is not satisfied with the functioning of the government. The Speaker is upset about the remarks made against him at a function held in Quepem to commemorate the memory of tribal leader Birsa Munda. Tawadkar is one of the few tribal representative in the BJP who has been elected Speaker of the legislative assembly of Goa.
8TH INTERNATIONAL UNIFORM MANUFACTURERS FAIR
THE PANAJI-SOLAPUR Garment Manufacturing Association (SGMA) is holding its 8th edition of Uniform Manufacturing Fair 2024 in Bengaluru from December 18 to 20, 2024 and it is due to be inaugurated by Governor of Maharashtra C P Radhakrishnan. Interestingly this annual fair provides a platform for manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors in the uniform industry to showcase their latest products, connect with potential clients, and discuss emerging trends in the sector.
The exhibition is expected to see the participation of 120 leading brands with more than 10,000 designs of uniform attire and over 25,000 designs, accessories and fabrics. The 3-day show will be held at Gate No 8, Shrinagar Palace Grounds, Jayamahal, Bengluru, Karnataka. The exhibition has been organised by the Solapur Garment Manufacturers Association (SGMA) which conceptualised the idea and has been successfully implementing it for the last seven years.
After seven successful editions across various states, the Uniform Manufacturers Fair has established itself as a unique sourcing platform for the uniform and garment industry. It offers stakeholders and businesses the opportunity to interact with leading manufacturers of uniform garments and fabrics and expand their business prospects.
Key stakeholders participating include manufacturers of school uniforms, belts and ties, sportswear uniforms, logos and prints, winter wear, college uniforms, school shoes and socks, various types of uniform fabrics, school and college bags, and hospital uniforms, as well as blazers, among other things.
The fair will have something like 120 brands showcasing their products under one roof with almost all leading companies participating. Among the participants in fabric brands are Mafatlal, Kaka and Fizzical and others who will put more than 10,000 designs of uniform cloths, apart from 20,000 designs of uniform garments on the show. There will be accessories like ties, belts, school shoes, socks, bags, blazers and products related to the garment-related machines will also be on display.
The world uniform market which was just $ 6.2 milllion in 2020, grew to $8.4 billion and is expected to touch the $25 billion by 2030, according to Sunil Mengji, chairperson of SGMA.The garment manufacturers of Solapur, besides supplying bulk uniform orders in stipulated time, also fulfil the request of buyers of refilling of small quantity orders after completing bulk orders. This is considered to be the speciality of manufacturers and this is the reason why south Indian retailers take interest in the uniform trade in Solapur.
SFX GETS SPECIAL POSTAL COVER
THE Diocesan Centre for Social Communications Media has released a very special postal commemorative cover on the occasion of the 18th Exposition of Relics of St Francis Xavier of Goa, popularly known as Goencho Saib. This Exposition takes place every 10 years. The cover has many unique features and is the first of its kind in India and worldwide.
The features are: for the first time a commemorative postal cover is made on metallic matt paper with raised UV effects on selective areas with different types of the Relic Casket, Bom Jesus Basilica, the saint, emblem, exposition logo and selective texts.
It also has a real silver coin effect of medal and metallic shine effects on postal covers.
These postal covers are made in limited numbers and will be given on a first come first serve basis. Besides these, 100 pieces of numbered super special postal covers are in natural cork paper with silver effects. Posters, postcards and bookmarks are also available on metallic matt paper.
The concept and coordination with DCSCM was done by Blaise Fernandes, resident of Caranzalem, Goa. He is a philatelist and secretary of the PPC of Panjim Deanery. These unique covers and posters are designed by philatelist Alok K Goyal of Kolkata. You may get these covers, postcards and bookmarks from the Diocesan Center for Social Communication Media during the exposition at the Help Desk counter at the Bom Jesus Basilica Compound.
NIP REGRESSIVE THOUGHTS!
REGRESSIVE thoughts have a tendency to go viral as against progressive thoughts which percolate very slowly. Therefore, there is a need to attack regressive thoughts and nip it in the bud in the overall interest of the society, said Prasad Lolienkar, Secretary of Education, at the release function of Konkani books written by Datta Damodar Naik, on Saturday, November 16, 2024 in Margao.
Writer Mukesh Thali said richness, combination of style and substance, readability and lucid flow of language, are the virtues of Datta Naik’s writing in Konkani. Chitpakulin, an anthology of letters written by father to daughter and daughter to father, and Gandhari, a collection of stories, were released on the occasion. The Jungle Shala, a Konkani translation of the English book, The Jungle School, written by Datta Naik and translated by Mansi Dhauskar was also released. The Hindi, English and Konkani translations of the Marathi Book Atmabipo Bhav have also been published. The books are translated by Chetan Acharya, Vibha Lad and Dilip Prabhudessai.
All the books are published by Bimb Prakashan promoted by the well-known writer publisher Dilip Borkar. A new Youtube channel in English: “Datta Naik Speaks,” was launched during the function. In his address Mr Datta Naik announced that shortly childrens book: Adventures of R4 in English will be published followed by five Marathi books: Chanfegal, Ahe Chira Ahe Panati, Mungichya Payatil Ghungaru, Hote Kurup Vede and the fifth edition of Atmadipo Bhava.
Now Datta Naik is planning to write his autobiography: Eka Pasarkarachi Pati, which translates to “A Diary of a Trader.”
VMSCL/DHE INVITES ENTRIES FOR POSTER COMPETITION…
…To celebrate 75 years of the Constitution of India
V M SALGAOCAR College of Law (VMSCL), in collaboration with the Directorate of Higher Education, government of Goa, invites students across the state to participate in the All Goa Digital Poster Making Competition to mark the 75th anniversary of the Indian Constitution on November 26, 2024.
The competition offers an option of two themes: Fundamental Rights or Fundamental Duties, which aim to promote awareness and understanding of the Constitution through creative digital expressions. Participants can register for the same on www.vmscpl.in and find more information. Participants are required to design square digital posters (preferably 1080 x 1080 pixels) suitable for social media, incorporating the VMSCL and DHE logos, which can be downloaded from vmscpl.in/logos. Handmade posters are also accepted, provided they are digitized and include the required logos.
The submissions will be evaluated on creativity,
originality, relevance to the theme, and overall impact. Winning entries carry cash
prizes of ₹2,000, ₹1,500 and ₹1,000 for first, second and third place,
respectively, along with e-certificates for all participants. Entries must be
submitted by November 25, 2024. Participants are encouraged to share their work
on social media by tagging @VMSCLGOA.
This initiative has been organized under the leadership of VMSCL Principal Dr Shaber Ali G, by the VMSCL NSS Unit and the VMSCL Centre for Political Leadership and is coordinated by faculty members Priscilla Fernandes, Ramrai Naik and Siddhesh Tari, along with student coordinators Shraddha Yadav and Saleena Ahamad. Updates and any amendments to the competition rules will be shared on @vmsclgoa’s social media pages. For further details, contact events@vmslaw.edu.in.