BAJRANG Dal, an extreme right-wing organisation connected to the Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh has been hyperactive in Goa since June 2023. The Bajrang Dal has become so powerful in Goa that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant was forced to order a midnight transfer of South Goa SP Sunita Sawant.
Apparently, the South Goa SP sent a wireless message to all police stations to collect information on senior office bearers of the Bajrang Dal. The head of the Bajrang Dal Goa is reported to be Viraj Desai and he is said to have contacted Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who is also the home minister. Eager to oblige the Bajrang Dal, SP Sunita Sawant was transferred through a wireless message from her post-SP South Goa the same night. The chief of the Narcotic department, young IPS officer Tikram Varma, was asked to take her place.
SP Sunita Sawant has been shifted to the Police Headquarters where the DGP can keep an eye on her. We also understand that her directives to police stations to collect information on Bajrang Dal have been revoked.
The transfer is also linked to a court order seeking the arrest of a suspected Bajrang Dal activist in a recent case to do with outraging the modesty of women. An FIR was registered based on the order of a local court. The SP directed the police to visit the activist’s home to arrest him. But they were reportedly prevented from arresting the activist by his supporters.
The Bajrang Dal protested openly for the first time in Goa over the removal of the statue of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Calangute. On July 11, 2023 the statue had been removed. The Bajrang Dal had been protesting outside the South Goa district Congress office at Margao, against Rahul Gandhi for his alleged anti-Hindu speech in parliament. Last year in December Telangana MLA T Raja Singh, the senior office bearer of Bajrang Dal, attended the Shaurya Yatra at Curchorim.
The Bajrang Dal gets his name from Bajrang, which is another name for Hanuman. Bajrang is considered the patron saint of wrestlers.
CLASS III STUDENTS CANNOT MULTIPLY
THE annual status of rural education has revealed that students in class III in government schools cannot do simple arithmetic calculations. Only 27% percent can even do simple subtraction. The survey shows that a large number of students have shifted from government to private schools even in rural areas of Goa. The enrolment in government schools has come down to 67%. Interestingly, over 60% of government school children in Goa have quit and joined private schools. Over 500 government primary schools have shut down and another 200 have an enrolment of only 40 for all four classes at the primary level. While there has been a big increase of 98% of children in the age group six to 14 years being enrolled in educational institutions, there is been a decline of eight percent in the 15 to 16 years age group.
MENSTRUATION AWARENESS CAMP
Menstruation is now out in the open and is openly discussed at the school level. Menstrual hygiene was the subject of focus at a camp held on National Girl Child Day on January 24. The camp was organised by Deccan Chemicals in collaboration with the “Times of India.” Girls from 5th to 10th standards participated in the discussion. Many private schools now have free sanitary pad vending machines. The government permits women employees to take casual leave during their periods. Private organizations do not extend such a facility.
ORGAN DONATION
A MIGRANT labourer who died in a Mapusa accident has given new life to five people. Govind Yadav of Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, had a severe head injury in the accident. Yadav was declared brain dead by Dr Theresa, Head of Neurology at Goa Medical College. The two kidneys of Yadav were allotted to two female patients aged 34 and 36 from Goa, respectively. The heart and lungs were transported to Mumbai and Delhi by commercial flight. The liver was taken to Gujarat. Goa does not have any facility for liver, lung and heart transplants. The labourer’s wife agreed to donate the body parts so that other lives may be saved.
AIRFARES TO KUMBH MELA UP
SINCE Kumbh Mela started the airfares from Goa to Prayagraj, where the Kumbh Mela is taking place, have gone up to Rs31,000. It is more expensive to fly to participate in the Kumbh Mela than to fly to Singapore and Dubai. The airfare from Goa to Singapore is Rs29,000 and from Goa to Dubai is Rs 13,000 to Rs 15,000. Even for Goans it is cheaper to go holiday in Bangkok at Rs 12,000 or Kuala Lumpur, capital of Malaysia, at Rs 11,000.
SC/ST COMMISSION VISITS OPA
THE Chairperson of the Goa Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, Deepak Karmalkar, visited Opa at Khandepar recently, in response to a complaint filed by Jaiwant Audo Gaude and other local villagers of Opa, Khandepar against officials for denying them their traditional right to cremation grounds which they have been using for so many years.
The chairperson directed the forest officials not to stop the villagers till the disposal of this pending matter and steps taken to resolve the issue by the Forest Department, panchayat. Jiss Varkey (IFS), Deputy Conservator of Forest Panaji, Deepak E Tandel, Range Forest Officer Ponda, Deepa A Redkar, forest guard- Ponda, police inspector of Ponda, Adv Upasso Gaunker, Sudesh Gaude, Abhijit Gaude, Sarpanch of Village Panchayat Curti Candepar, Jaiwant Gaude and others members were present.
GOA’S FLOAT AT R-DAY PARADE
THE Goa State Tableaux was proudly presented at the 76th Republic Day parade held at Katravyapath, New Delhi, on January 26. The tableau was themed “Swarnim Bharat, Virasat aur Vikas” (Golden India, Heritage, and Development), and celebrated Goa’s rich culture, musical heritage and progress through live performances of music and dance.
The tableau was conceptualised by the Department of Information & Publicity, government of Goa, and it met with rousing applause and a standing ovation from spectators. The forefront of the tableau had a temple facade adorned with Kavi art, a distinctive mural tradition of Goa, it captured the essence of Goa’s folk art heritage. Kavi art is intricately created using the reddish-brown pigments derived from laterite soil, on a white lime base. It reflects Goa’s cultural roots, natural scenes, Hindu mythology stories and village life. The art form has received national recognition and earned praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
At the top of the temple mural is a depiction of a woman with a traditional “diwaj” — an earthen lamp – embodying Goan cultural identity, purity, and ancestral tradition. The tableaux also showcased historic Fort Aguada Lighthouse, built in 1864, symbolizing Goa’s colonial legacy. It also highlighted Goa as a dream destination for weddings, offering luxurious and unique celebrations The tableaux trailers also featured Goa’s thriving water sport adventures such as speed boat rides, yacht cruises, parasailing, jet skiing, windsurfing, banana boat rides, and scuba diving. Also, Goa’s rich musical and dance heritage, influenced by diverse regimes over centuries. Accompanied by the saxophone, dhol and tasso, 19 performers presented dance forms on either side of the tableau, against a magnificent arch.
The tableau was designed Goan artist Sushant alias Raja Khedekar from Ponda, who previously created award-winning tableaux for the State. The performance team was led by Dinesh Priolkar, included choreography by Nishad, costumes by Sangeeta and Avani Khedekar, music composed by Dr Saish Deshpande. Skilled artisans and fabricators included Pandurang Shet, Suresh Varekar, Vallabh Chari, Pralhad Shilkar, and others contributed to the creation of Goa’s Republic Day presentation in the parade this year.
This year, 16 states and Union Territories, along with six Union Ministries, presented tableaux showcasing India’s social, cultural, economic, and technological achievements. The Goa tableau stood out with its blend of tradition and modernity, symbolizing the state’s unique contribution to India’s diverse, prosperous future.
SECOND CADAVERIC ORGAN DONATION SAVES LIVES
MANIPAL Hospital Goa, in its unwavering commitment to organ donation and life-saving efforts, has successfully facilitated its second cadaveric organ donation. This milestone comes after a tragic but noble decision by the family of a 48-year-old employee of Manipal Hospital Goa since 2014. The employee was declared brain dead following a critical medical condition, and his family decided to donate his organs, offering a second lease of life for several waitlisted patients.
A hospital medical team carried out thorough evaluation and coordinated closely with the relevant authorities to ensure safe and timely harvesting and transplantation of the organs. One of the kidneys was donated to Goa Medical College, while the other was sent to Healthway Hospital. Additionally, the liver was transported to Vishesh Jupiter Hospital in Indore for transplantation to a patient in need.
This selfless act by an employee’s family underscores the vital role of organ donation in saving lives and improving the quality of life for many patients deteriorating for want of organ donations. A timely decision resonates with both medical community and the public. Manipal Hospital director, Surendra Prasad, expressed his gratitude for the family’s decision and reaffirmed the hospital’s dedication to promoting organ donation awareness, he said, “We are deeply moved by the extraordinary decision made by the employee’s family to donate his organs. This act of kindness has given multiple individuals a renewed opportunity for life, and we are proud to be part of such a significant moment.”