THE new chief secretary of Kerala Sarada Muraleedhran has reacted strongly to social media comments over her dark complexion. A Facebook post commented that her tenure as chief secretary would be as black as her husband is white. It is very unfortunate such comments should be made even by a senior IAS officer. But Sarada has hit back and declared “I am a women and I am dark.”
Sarada was the first women to hold the chief secretary’s post and she said commented she deplored society’s obsession for fairness. She recalls when she was four years old, “I asked my mother whether she could put me back in her womb and bring me out again white and pretty? Black and brown are as beautiful as white. There is more to beauty then skin colour, we should enjoy every kind of beauty,” she declared.
Interestingly, Sarada is married to V Venu, the present chief secretary, who is very fair but still shows off a beautifully brown women as his wife.
MID-DAY MEAL FAILS!
AN audit of the Mid-day meal provided to 1,60,000 students in 1,223 schools in Goa reveals that its nutritional quality is poor. The laboratory analysis apparently found that the meals did not meet the nutritional criteria set by the Central government. Moreover, the mid-day meals were not prepared hygienically as those serving the meals did not wear any gloves or aprons.
The quantity was not adequate, as only one chapatti was served with every meal. The bhaji was often watery and the pulao was dry. The poha served did not have onions or other vegetables. There was no standardisation. Very often the food was served late even though it was delivered early. The food got spoiled since it was not stored properly.
And contrary to the rules the school principal or teacher did not always taste the meal food before it was served. The audit reports that it should be made compulsory for the principal to taste the food. It is also suggested that fruits should be included in the children’s mid-day meal. Part of the problem is the budget for this scheme is very small and needs to be increased.
MAHARASHTRIAN POST MAN!
IT was revealed in the Legislative Assembly that all the postmen recruited and posted in Goa are from Maharashtra. Apparently, the postmen recruited from Maharashtra by the Postal department have no knowledge of Konkani. Goa Forward leader Vijai Sardesai has joked that the postman may deliver letters meant for St Cruz to the United States.
Historically, Goa has been part of the Maharashtra circle of the Postal department. So much so, all the recruitment is done through the Mumbai divisional headquarters, and there is no special recruitment scheme for postmen from Goa. The Postal department continues to be the cheapest postal service in the country, not only for parcels.
Postcards and inland letters are not used any longer as people now prefer to post messages and convey almost everything through social media. However, post offices also serve as banks and there are a number of small saving schemes at attractive rate of interest. It’s desirable we stay with old faithfuls!
SUPER SPECIALTY OT NOT WORKING
VISHWAJIT Rane admitted that eight of 14 operation theatres in the super speciality block at the GMC are not functional due to the unavailability of an anesthesiologist and adequate CT scan machines. All major operations such as neurosurgery, neurology and pediatric surgery have to be done under anaesthesia. This is a process whereby the patient is partly or fully unconscious during the surgery. There are not many medical graduates who opt for anesthesiology. The problem is aggravated by the fact that the Neurosurgery department does not have its own CT scan machine. The health minister also admitted that the lifts in the super-speciality blocks broke down 129 times.
MUNDKARIAL CASES
THE Revenue Minister Babush Monserrate revealed that as many as 2,400 mundkarial cases are pending in the courts. These cases relate to disputes between landlords and mundkar over their right to 150 sq mtrs in urban areas and 300 sq mtrs in rural areas. Many of these cases have been pending for five to ten years. The mamladar, who are the concerned authority, are apparently delaying the cases. The landlords also create problems by cutting water and power connections to the houses of their mundkar.
SENIOR CITIZENS FALL DOWN
A RECENT survey has revealed that super senior citizens are prone to stumbling and bone-breaking falls as they grow older. With advancing age, physical strength reduces. Postural changes shift the body’s centre of gravity. This, along with weak reflexes, compromise balance. Most seniors take a fall in the house. A fall can be very dangerous as it may result in a fracture of the hip bone. The US Center for Disease Control & Prevention has revealed that one out of four adults aged 65 and above suffer a fall every year.
Records in India also show an increasing number of fractures. To minimize damage, senior citizen are advised to keep a lean body, keep limbs and knees, wristgs and elbows bent. Seniors should also take precautions to protect themselves from heat to avoid stress and accompanying strokes.
MARIO MIRANDA MUSEUM
THE Goa government has decided to set up an art gallery and a museum devoted to the works of the late Mario De Miranda, who was awarded the Padma Vibhushan. The state-of-the-art museum coming up at the now heritage property of the Adil Shah Palace, will have a gallery dedicated to the works of Mario De Miranda. The Reis Magos already has an art gallery presenting the works of the much-loved and iconic artist, cartoonist and satirist. Interestingly, the Goa School of Art also teaches the artistic techniques of Mario de Miranda.
DR. MILIND DESAI HONORED AS EXAMINER
AS a testament
of his esteemed reputation in the medical field, Dr Milind Desai was invited to
serve as an examiner for the prestigious membership of the Royal Colleges of
Physicians (MRCP) UK exams. This distinguished honor is a reflection of Dr Desai’s
exceptional expertise and contribution to the field of medicine.
Dr Desai is an Emeritus Regional Adviser of the Royal College of Physicians of
Edinburgh, a prestigious position that underscores his commitment to excellence
in medical education and practice. His extensive experience and knowledge have
made him a respected figure in the medical community, both nationally and
internationally.
Dr Desai has always been driven by a passion for academics and teaching. He
firmly believes in sharing his skills and knowledge with peers and students,
inspiring the next generation of medical professionals. This invitation to
serve as an examiner for the MRCP UK exams is a natural extension of his
commitment to medical education and excellence.
The MRCP UK exams are a benchmark of excellence for medical professionals,
assessing their knowledge, skills, and competencies in a range of clinical
specialties. As an examiner, Dr Desai will play a crucial role in evaluating
the performance of candidates and ensuring that they meet the highest standards
of medical practice.
Dr Desai’s invitation to serve as an examiner for the MRCP UK exams is a proud
moment for the Indian medical community. His achievement is a testament to the
dedication, hard work and expertise of medical professionals who strive for
excellence in their field.
MEDALS, CERTIFICATES TO 3L STUDENTS
THROUGHOUT the academic year 2024-2025, Friends of 3L conducted various competitions in English dictation, singing, drawing and colouring, English handwriting, Kannada handwriting to students of the Kannada-medium Government Primary School, Ramdas, Panaji, Goa. It is situated near the Pharmacy College, Panaji.
On March 24 the winners were presented with 10 gold medals, 11 silver medals and 28 certificates of merit. Miss Soujanya Bellulli won the best student award and got a gold medal and certificate. Master Rohan Jamadar got a gold medal and certificate for the highest attendance for the current academic year.
Pratapananda Naik, sj organized all the competitions and coordinated the activities of 3L Mission. Ritu Dhond, Kiran Chalawadi and Bhagyashree Chalawadi assisted him. Due to the efforts of Friends of 3L, the students show a lot of enthusiasm and staff members are very cooperative. If dedicated part-time volunteers are ready to render their free service, much more can be done to develop English language skills and talents of these marginalized students of this school.
WELFARE OF SOCIETY ULTIMATE OBJECTIVE: GOVERNOR
WHILE working in society in whichever field, our ultimate objective should be the welfare of the people. We have many leaders in our country like Mahatma Gandhi and others who selflessly served the cause of humanity. This was observed by Governor of Goa PS Sreedharan Pillai while speaking at the Impact Beyond Measure—CSR Award Ceremony organized by the Department of Social Welfare in collaboration with Mindcube Multi Services at the Darbar Hall of the Raj Bhavan at Dona Paula on March 25, 2025.
Governor Pillai explained that CSR plays a pivotal rôle in supporting educational institutions, providing scholarships ensures access to quality learning resources. In the health sector CSR also contributes a lot by helping health centers, extending financial assistance to needy people, “Our concern with humanity will always make us work to make our society happy and healthy,” the governor reiterated.
Minister for Social Welfare Subhash Phaldesai highlighted the objectives of CSR, saying it is not merely an obligation but a responsibility that strengthens the bond between businesses and the communities. In Goa, he added, we have always believed in inclusive growth — where economic progress goes hand in hand with social equity and environmental sustainability.
The minister said the government has always been committed to fostering an environment where businesses and communities thrive together, “Our policies encourage corporate participation in education, healthcare, skill development, environmental conservation, and social upliftment. With partnerships between the government and the corporate sector, we can make remarkable progress in empowering marginalized communities, promoting digital literacy, supporting women’s empowerment and enhancing skill development initiatives.” He also said healthcare is another sector where CSR initiatives have had a profound impact.
Another area that deserves special mention is skill development and employment generation. The corporate world has collaborated with government initiatives to train and upskill youth, enabling them to secure meaningful employment and contribute to the economy he opined. On behalf of the government the minister Phaldesai assured the CSR stakeholders that the government will continue to support and facilitate initiatives through policy incentives and strategic collaborations, “Let us work together to create a more inclusive, sustainable and prosperous Goa,” he concluded.
On the occasion CSR awards were presented in various categories to recipients. Ankita Rai felicitated Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phaldesai, jury members Guruprasad Pawaskar, Commissioner of Goa State Disability Commission, Secretary-Social Welfare E Vallvan IAS, Director of Social Welfare, Ajit Panchwadkar, and all award recipients were who were present. Founder Member of Mindcube Mutiservice Arpita Rai welcomed everyone while Satish Rai proposed the vote of thanks.
PANAJI Panaji Leads India’s Smart Water Revolution with 24×7 Supply Using SCADA & Smart Water Meters
PANAJI LEADS INDIA’S SMART WATER REVOLUTION
ACCORDING to a press release dated March 20, 2025 the Panaji Smart City initiative is making significant strides in water management by implementing a 24×7 water supply system integrated with SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) and Smart Water Meters. Following the success of Phase 1, which resulted in substantial water conservation and revenue recovery, Phase 2 aims to expand smart water metering across the city. This transformative project is being overseen by Gautami U Gauns Gaonkar (Civil Engineer) and Palash Chodankar (Civil Engineer) from the IPSCDL team.
IPSCDL’s Phase 1 initiative laid the foundation for modernized and automated water management, integrating SCADA and Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) to reduce water losses, improve billing accuracy and optimize supply distribution. The modernization of Opa Water Works, with an investment of ₹3.95 crore, included an upgrade of the electrical infrastructure, replacement of old transformers, installation of Automatic Power Factor Correction (APFC) panelsand enhanced system efficiency. In addition, a Smart Water Supply System, costing ₹6.6 crore, introduced electromagnetic flow meters, pressure sensors and IoT softwarefor real-time monitoring, along with a centralized command center ensuring efficient water supply.
To further optimize water distribution, ₹10.74 crore was allocated for the upgradation of pumping infrastructure, including the installation of new centrifugal and vertical turbine pumps, enhancing both reliability and efficiency. A key milestone was the deployment of 3,088 Smart Water Meters across the city at a cost of ₹8.54 crore, which reduced Non-Revenue Water (NRW) from 61% to 14%, effectively plugging a 47% revenue lossand saving 4.8 crore liters of water annually. To ensure a continuous and efficient water supply, ₹29.9 crore was invested in constructing new raw water pump houses, shore intake structures, clear water sumps and Master Balancing Reservoirs (MBRs), alongside improvements to the pumping infrastructure. This technological overhaul has not only optimized Panaji’s water distribution but has also improved service levels, reduced losses and enabled real-time monitoring.
Building on these successes, Phase 2 will further enhance Panaji’s water management system with an investment of ₹18 crore. The plan includes the installation of 8,000 additional Smart Water Meters, upgradation of electrical and mechanical infrastructure and enhancement of real-time monitoring with SCADA, ensuring faster leak detection, improved efficiency and water conservation. The initiative is expected to save 12.19 crore liters of water annually, translating into ₹2.03 crore in revenue savings per year.
The SCADA system serves as the central nervous system of Panaji’s water supply, allowing for real-time monitoring of water consumption, pressure and leak detection, as well as automated controls that optimize supply and minimize wastage. This system enables data-driven decision-making, helping city officials manage resources efficiently and proactively address challenges.
Sanjit Rodrigues, CEO & MD of IPSCDL, said“Water is one of our most precious resources, and through smart interventions like SCADA and Smart Water Meters we are ensuring its efficient use while reducing wastage. The success of Phase 1 has shown us the potential of technology in sustainable urban water management. With Phase 2, we are committed to making Panaji a model city for 24×7 water supply, where every drop counts and every citizen benefits.”