SULAKSHANA FILES DEFAMATION
THE wife of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Sulakshana, has filed a defamation suit of Rs100 crore against AAP Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh in Bicholim for his allegation that she was involved in the cash-for-job scam. Sanjay Singh has made the charge at a press conference held in Goa. Sanjay Singh’s statement was broadcast live on multiple national and regional news channels and shared widely on social media.
Sulakshana, in a petition, has sought an injunction restraining Singh and all those associated with him from making public statements to defame her.
GIFT OF THE MAGI
ONE of the most heart-warming Christmas stories is the gift of the Magi. It is our favorite Christmas story. There is a young couple desperately in love with each other. They are very poor and do not have money to buy each other presents for Christmas. The wife has beautiful long hair.
On Christmas Eve she decides to sell her beautiful hair to buy her sweetheart a strap for a watch which he desperately wants. The husband has always been very fond of her long black hair. So the husband decided to sell his cherished watch which he had inherited from his grandfather to buy her a lovely comb for her long hair.
When they met in the evening before Christmas she discovered that the strap was useless — because he had sold the watch for which she had bought it for. He found that the comb was useless because she had sold her beautiful hair. But they got the best Christmas present from each other – their love for each other.
BRYAN ADAM STATE GUEST
BRYAN Adams, the internationally known Canadian singer, performed at the Athletic Stadium in Bambolim on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. This was part of his tour in India. He had earlier held a concert in Mumbai and Bengaluru. This is the first time since 2000 that an internationally famous rock star has performed in Goa. Among the VIP guests who attended the concert was Chief Minister Pramod Sawant himself who even posted a picture of himself on Facebook. Bryan Adam was given the status of being a state guest during his one-day visit to Goa.
SWIGGY, ZOMATO, TO COST MORE
THE General Sales Tax Council is considering imposing a GST on all food deliveries. This would mean that whatever food you order delivered by Swiggy and Zomato will be more expensive by 5%. There is also a proposal on the cards to levy GST on all online delivery platforms including Amazon and Flipkart.
GMC IVF FIRST BABY
THE Goa Medical College & Hospital has delivered its first child born through in vitro fertilization treatment. Health Minister Vishwajit Rane revealed that the baby girl was delivered at the GMC on Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024. It may be recalled that the GMC has been offering free IVF treatment to childless Goan couples for one reason or another. IVF treatment is very expensive in private hospitals but with the GMC opening its own state-of-the-art fertility clinic couples need not worry about having children.
”SO HAPPY IT HURTS’ BRYAN ADAMS
WITH the fruitful happenings Bryan Adams concert Goa has now all set to consolidate its position as a prime destination for big-ticket international concerts. If the iconic music legend Bryan Adams can enjoy a successful performance in Goa, clearly Goa has arrived as a concert destination. The much loved singer was here to perform on the final leg of his seven-city tour of India.
Adams made everyone delirious when after his reportedly electrifying concert he said he was “so happy it hurts.” Bryan Adams has won name and fame resonating across generations and he is one of the most celebrated musicians worldwide. His hits are “Summer of ’69,” “Heaven” and “Everything I Do I Do It for You.” Adams’ career spans decades of chart-topping success. At the Bambolim concert he was accompanied by guitarist Keith Scott, who has collaborated with Adams for over four decades, as also keyboard artist Gary Breit and drummer Pat Steward.
Before coming to wind up his concert in Goa Adams performed in Kolkata, Shillong, Gurugram, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad to packed audiences. Who brought him to India? Eva Live and Twinspin Sports. Speaking about the event, Manuj Agarwal, CEO of Eva Live said, “Goa is ready to take centre-stage as a destination for world-class concerts and Bryan Adams’ show is proof of that potential. The overwhelming response has been encouraging. We are thrilled to host an artist of his stature.”
IHCL CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF TAJ FORT AGUADA RESORT & SPA IN GOA
INDIAN Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, marks a momentous milestone as it completes 50 years of Taj Fort Aguada Resort & Spa in Goa. IHCL, with a 16 hotel portfolio, two air catering units and 40+ homestays, continues its pioneering leadership in Goa’s tourism landscape.
Speaking on the occasion MD and CEO Puneet Chhatwal, IHCL, said, “Goa holds a special place in IHCL’s legacy. Beginning in 1974 with the launch of India’s first beach resort Taj Fort Aguada, this historic moment marked the dawn of luxury hospitality in Goa. Over the past 50 years, IHCL has been an integral part of Goa’s transformation into one of the world’s most sought-after holiday destinations. With the introduction of brands like Vivanta, SeleQtions, Ginger and the homestay bungalows under AMA STAYS & Trails, the hotel chain offers experiences tailored to diverse traveller preferences.”
He added that as Goa continues to develop its infrastructure, IHCL stays committed to realising the state’s tourism potential. This includes continued investment be it the recently launched TajSATS air catering unit and the upcoming 300-key Ginger hotel at MOPA airport, as well as the development of Aguada Plateau as a world-class tourism destination showcasing Goa’s rich cultural legacy.
IHCL’s journey began in 1974 with the opening of the Taj Fort Aguada Resort and Spa, India’s first luxury beach resort, transforming Goa into a global tourism hotspot. Since then, IHCL has continued to unveil all its other iconic properties from Taj Holiday Resort & Spa, Taj Exotica, Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage designed by renowned architect Charles Correa and Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon at Dona Paula, Panjim.
The IHCL hotels seamlessly blend Goa’s natural beauty and cultural ethos with world-class experiences, showcasing the spirit of Goan hospitality.
63RD LIBERATION DAY CELEBRATION
Governor of Goa P S Sreedharan Pillai on the occasion of the 63rd Liberation Day of Goa hosted a reception at the Darbar Hall, Raj Bhavan, Dona Paula, Panjim on December 19, 2024. He handed over financial aid cheques worth Rs2 lakh each to two institutions, namely Asro Care home for children and Zindagi Goa, who do yeomen’s services for the sick.
Present for the occasion were Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, spouse of the CM, Sulakshana Sawant, spouse of the Governor, Adv. Reeta Sridharan Pillai, Minister for Water Resources Subhash Shirodkar, Minister for Law & Judiciary Aleixo Sequeira, Minister for Social Welfare Subhash Faldesai, Power Minister Ramkrishna alias Sudin Dhavlikar, MLA’s Jeet Arolkar, Adv Carlos Fereira, ex – ministers Luizinho Faleiro, Churchil Alemao, Ex- MP South Francisco Sardinha, Chief Secretary Dr V Candavelou IAS, President Freedom Fighters Association Rohidas Desai, Dean GMC Dr Shivanand Bandekar, Secretary to Governor M R M Rao, Director General of Police Alok Kumar IPS, Inspector General of Police Omvir Singh IPS, secretaries, under secretaries to the government, addl secretary to governor Sanjiv Gauns Desai, ADC to governor Vishram Borkar, HODs of various government departments, staff of Raj Bhavan and other invitees.
GOA ONLY STATE WITH 100% ISO-CERTIFIED SKILL DEVELOPMENT DEPT
GOA is the only state in our country with 100% ISO-certified Skill Development Department, shared Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant during the State-level Goa Liberation Day celebrations at Goa University Ground in Taleigao. The cM added that the Directorate of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (DSDE) headquarters has achieved ISO Quality Management System (QMS) 9001:2015 certification, and 10 Government ITIs have been awarded the ISO Educational Organization Management certification by the Indian Register of Quality Systems (IRQS).
He honoured the sacrifices made by freedom fighters such as Dr Ram Manohar Lohia, Mohan Ranade, and others who had relentlessly fought for Goa’s independence. Sixty-three years after that pivotal moment Goa has evolved into a state of progress and unity, overcoming the legacy of colonial exploitation. On the occasion the CM presented Certificates of Honor and a Rs10 lakh grant to 15 martyr families.
Amongst the highlights of key achievements the CM mentioned the launch of the CM Helpline- for responsive governance, the inauguration of the state-of-the-art District & Sessions Court in North Goa, and major infrastructure projects like the Mopa Link Road and the new Mopa airport, all of which is expected to boost Goa\s economy.
The CM reaffirmed the government’s commitment for sustainable development and environmental responsibility, focusing on renewable and green energy projects. He reassured Goans that the efforts to resume mining in a sustainable manner will continue, with an emphasis on environmental protection and restoring livelihoods. Goa has been a pioneer in many areas, such as adopting dual citizenship, implementing the National Education Policy 2020, and being a model state for Direct Benefit Transfer. The government is also working to protect the rights of the people over the waters of the Mhadei river, taking proper steps through the concerned authority. Significant progress has also been made in women empowerment by fostering educational and social initiatives.
Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant emphasized that programs like the Goa State Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) and Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) have been instrumental in helping women form Self-Help Groups and these have empowered women to engage in self-employment and skill-based work, leading to enhanced incomes and greater financial independence.
The CM further urged the people of Goa to commit to achieve 100% literacy, empowering every child with education, promoting sustainable tourism, supporting green energy and climate resilience initiatives, and strengthening social harmony to make Goa a land of unity and peace. He emphasized that the vision of a “Developed India 2047” will be achieved by transforming Goa into a “Developed Goa” by 2037, a decade ahead of schedule.
Several individuals were awarded for their meritorious services on the occasion. Sudesh Naik, Dy Supdt Of Police, was presented with the President’s Police Medal for Meritorious Service. Other awardees: Pramod Kusta Saraf, Assistance Section Leader (HG), Bicholim; Varsha Nagesh Nagoji, Lady Home Guard Volunteer, Panaji; Pralhad Anand Mayenkar, Civil Defence Volunteer, Panaji; and Vijay Mohan Surlikar, Post Warden, Panaji, who received the President’s Home Guard & Civil Defence Medal for Meritorious Service.
The Chief Minister also awarded CM Police (Gold) Medals for Meritorious Service to several police officers and Fire Service, Home Guard and Civil Defence Medals, along with the CM Bravery Award, Krishi Vibhushan, Krishi Bhushan, Krishi Ratna Award, felicitation under Swayampurna Goa 2.0 Programme, Best Social Workers.
Earlier, CM inspected a parade and march past as part of the Liberation Day Celebrations. The results of the march past were also announced, with Shantadurga High School, Bicholim, winning the first prize. The second prize was awarded to Bhumika High School, Parye, Sattari, while Saraswat Vidyalaya High School, Mapusa, received the third prize.
Present at the function were Minister for Power Ramkrishna alias Sudhin Dhavlikar; Minister for Town & Country Planning Atanasio Monserrate; MLA Rudolf Fernandes; Chief Secretary Dr V Candavelou, (IAS); Director-General of Police (DGP), Goa, Alok Kumar, (IPS); Secretary, Ramesh Verma (IAS); Secretary Protocol, Sanjit Rodrigues; Dr Sneha Gitte, IAS, North Goa Collector; and other officials.