BETTING on the ongoing IPL cricket matches seems to be widespread in Goa. As many as 34 arrests have been made and 101 smart phones have been seized. Raids have been conducted in Nagua, Sinquerim and Bambolim. On Wednesday, April 9, the Calangute police arrested two residents from Andhra Pradesh, namely Datta Varma and Vejandra Sambasivarao on charges of taking bets. They were accepting online bets on the Chennai Super Kings versus Kings XI Punjab late Tuesday night. The police have registered of IPL betting with a total of 44 arrests.

 GOANS HONORED IN UK

OVER 60 Goans in the UK were honoured for their contribution to society. With the presence of the Swindon Labor MP Heidi Alexandra, along were with the first Goan mayor of Swindon, Imtiyaz Shaikh,  and his wife Adorabelle Shaikh. Over 60 Goans have contributed to the armed forces medical services of the police.

The corporate sector and the hospitality industry were also honoured at the function. Mayor Imtiyaz Shaikh whose parents are from port town Vasco da Gama in Goa, commented that “Goans have made the UK their homeland and continue to make contributions to the rich, diverse background.” The  Westminster Palace has recognized Goans and their contribution.

PASSPORT SERVICES HIT

PASSPORT services all over the country including Goa have been affected due to a breakdown in the central server of the External Affairs Ministry. For the last few days appointments at the passport office have been cancelled or postponed. The Bombay regional passport office put out a message “Appointment for passport application under RPO Bombay has been suspended from 12 noon on Wednesday, April 9, due to server issues.”

The Panaji passport office comes under the Bombay Regional Passport Office. It has meanwhile been decided that citizens can now apply for inclusion of the name of the spouse in the passport without the marriage certificate.

GOVERNORS POWER RESTRICTED

THE Supreme Court has laid down rules for the clearance of bills passed by the Legislative Assembly of state governors. This was in response to a case filed by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin complaining that the governor has failed to give his consent to 10 bills passed by the assembly even after six months. Several bills passed by Opposition governments in Karnataka, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and other states have been held up by the BJP-appointed governors. The governors’ bills will be cleared within a month.

STOCK MARKETS RECOVER

DONALD Trump seems to have bowed to  pressure and postponed the imposition of reciprocal tariffs on India and other countries for 90 days. It may be recalled that the 96% additional tariff imposed on India led to a crash in the stock market. However, no relief has been extended to China.  In fact, the tariff or import duty on Chinese products has been increased to 125%. China is the largest manufacturer of iPhones and the most popular electric vehicle brand.

REPAIR OF OLD HOUSES

THE state government has made the repair of old houses in villages easier. A new circular has been issued directing the village panchayat secretary to grant permission for the repair of houses within three days. If permission is not granted, the house owner can assume that permission has been granted. In most villages, repair work has started by way of getting ready for the monsoon rains.

LAIRAI YATRA ON MAY 2

THE annual annual Lairai Devi jatra of Srigao village of Bicholim will be held on May 2, 2025. On this occasion, the Dhond community from all over Goa gathers at the temple. A section of the Dhonds perform the traditional ritual of walking barefoot on burning coals. Thousands of people gather to watch this purifying “agni pariksha.” The devotees have to prepare for it with strict observances before they walk on the coals to be blessed.  

HOLY WEEK AT PANAJI CHURCH

THE Panaji Church has announced the schedule for the Holy Week preceding Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Sunday, April 13 will be observed as Palm Sunday, followed by mass at 9am and at 10.30am in Portuguese. Maundy Thursday, April 17, masses will be held at 5.30pm with the washing of feet. On Good Friday, April 18, the Way of the Cross will take place at 7.30am on the church steps. Easter mass will be celebrated on Sunday, April 20.

DINING OUT MORE EXPENSIVE

EATING out in restaurants attached to hotels has become more expensive. The GST on restaurants and hotels has been increased to 18% from April 1. The aim is to plug in the revenue as hotels in Goa have adopted the dynamic pricing pattern with rates going up during the weekend. Independent restaurants outside hotels will not be affected and will continue to pay GST at the rate of 5% under the new GST Act.

GCCI’S TIPS FOR FERRY SERVICES

A GOA Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) team  led by chairperson of Logistics Committee, Chandrakant Gawas, Sanjay Amonkar — Director General, and Sanket Kaskar,  met Minister  for River Navigation Subhash Phaldesai.  GCCI appreciated the efforts of the Department of River & Navigation in ensuring smooth and efficient ferry services for the public.

However, certain matters related to the operation and management of the ferry services need immediate attention to enhance safety, efficiency and financial sustainability. GCCI has given the following suggestions:

— Scrapping of nine unserviceable ferries: Nine ferries have become obsolete and are no longer in a condition to provide safe and reliable service and are lying in the River Navigation Yard in Betim. GCCI requests that these unserviceable ferries be scrapped at the earliest to free up operational costs and space. The free space created can be converted to a parking area for private yachts/crafts which can generate revenue for the government

— Discontinuation of ferries with a single engine: Ferries operating with a single engine pose a significant safety risk, especially in case of engine failure mid-river. To ensure passenger safety and operational reliability, GCCI strongly suggests that all single-engine ferries be phased out immediately.

— Implementation of a PPP model for new ferries: Considering the financial burden on the government in procuring and maintaining ferries, GCCI proposes that new ferries be introduced under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. This will not only enhance service quality but also ensure better maintenance and efficient management. These can be solar powered and the project proponent be given longer routes/multiple stops, advertisement rights  and creative right to the project proponent to make it viable

— Outsourcing of the current dockyard: The existing River Navigation Dockyard  has been incurring losses and is unable to function optimally. GCCI has  recommended that its operations be outsourced to a competent private entity with expertise in ship maintenance and repair. This will improve efficiency, reduce costs, enhance service quality and  generate valuable revenue to the department.

The Minister has informed that the government is looking at feasibility of operating water taxis in Goa which will benefit the locals as well as the tourists. He assured to look into the suggestions made. The GCCI remains committed to supporting initiatives that contribute to the overall development of Goa’s transport infrastructure.

SWAYAMPURNA MITRAS VISITS VARAD

The agricultural sector in the state contributes significantly to the economy, providing employment, generating income, and driving economic development, especially in rural areas,  said young progressive farmer from Dharbandora Varad Samant. On the directions of Chief Minister, Dr Pramod Sawant the Taluka nodal  officers and Swayampurna Mitras under the Swayampurna Goa Program visited  Varad Samant farm in Dharbandora to study the farming methods and technologies used by Samant on his farm.

This will help to disseminate the information and knowledge to other farmers so that they may adopt effective ways of enhancing farming and give a boost to agriculture in Goa. Varad Samant spoke about his farming activities and later demonstrated methods and technologies used in his field. Citing the importance of agriculture, he said agriculture has become cornerstone of human civilization, providing important resources for survival and development. Agriculture supports livelihoods, drives economic growth and nurtures communities by being a primary source of food, raw materials, and employment for a huge chunk of the population

 This Dabal youth, Varad Samant, is in the foreground of his flourishing cabbage farm. He is a commerce graduate. But as a farmer he grows carrots, tomatoes, lady fingers and water melons and his cultivation is 90% organic. Varad Samant was felicitated at the hands of Taluka  Nodal Officer Vasudev Shetye in presence of other taluka nodal officers.

`AMEENA’ CELEBRATES GOLDEN JUBILEE

THE groundbreaking, women-centric feature film, “Ameena” — produced and directed by Kumar Raj, celebrated its 50th Golden Jubilee Week with a spectacular, star-studded event at PVR City Mall, Andheri (W), Mumbai. The show witnessed a house full audience, marking a remarkable milestone in Indian cinema. This unprecedented success is a testament to the powerful storytelling, stellar performances, and masterful direction that have captivated audiences for 50 consecutive weeks—a feat not achieved by any film in India for the past 35 years.
 The dazzling event honoured a phenomenal cast and crew.
In an emotional and celebratory gesture, Kumar Raj gifted the entire cast and crew of `Ameena’ with 6-cm gold coins, recognizing their creative brilliance and relentless dedication. Silver coins were also presented during the silver jubilee, further acknowledging the extraordinary contribution of every team member who played a pivotal role in the film’s phenomenal journey.

Present at the occasion were Rekha Rana who plays the titular role of Ameena. She delivered a performance of unmatched intensity and depth, earning widespread critical acclaim. Anant Mahadevan added brilliance with his nuanced acting, while veteran actors Lata Haya, Aarti Vazarani, Utkarsh Koli and Deepali Mishra brought remarkable depth to their roles.

The script penned by renowned writers Dr Prof Kishan Pawar and Aftab Hussain is hailed as a cinematic marvel, blending realism with gripping drama, reminiscent of the Oscar-winning Hollywood film “Birdman.” Exemplary technical excellence: Sound Design: Nehar Ranjan Samal; Voice Over: Raza Murad;  Background Score: Ismail Darbar;  Singers:  Javed Ali.

“Ameena” was filmed in Cannes and Paris (France), the jungles of Gambia and Dakar (West Africa), New York and Los Angeles (USA), Mumbai, Karjat and Togo –showcasing a brilliant fusion of cultures and landscapes that heightened the film’s global appeal.
Worldwide Release and Censorship Challenges. The film was released internationally across major territories, including the USA, Canada, the UK and Ireland, where it received immense appreciation for its powerful narrative and social relevance. However, the film has been banned in the UAE and Saudi Arabia due to its hard-hitting portrayal of sensitive issues and its bold take on women’s empowerment.

3-DAY GOA CASHEW FEST 2025

GOA’S much-awaited Goa Cashew Fest  2025, Season 3is back. It promises  three days of unforgettable cashew centric experiences, a culinary celebration of cashew-inspired delights. It is scheduled for April 25-26-27 at the DB grounds in capital city Panjim. The festival is the brainchild GFDC Chairperson Dr Deviya Rane as an  initiative of the Goa Forest Development Corporation.

The iconic Goa cashew fest has achieved the status of a signature state festival, showcasing the rich heritage of cashew cultivation, efforts of our cashew cultivators, its diverse by-products, and the deep-rooted connection between Goan culture and the crops which play a role in the people’s life.

This year’s festival is going to be bigger and better, featuring sundowner set, fashion show, sine 50 plus food and  beverage stalls, live performances by renowned national and Goan artists, exciting games, spot prizes and much more. Entry is free for the public.

Speaking about the upcoming festival Dr Deviya Rane said, “The Goa Cashew Fest is more than just a festival — it’s a tribute to Goa’s deep-rooted cashew legacy. It reflects our deep commitment to the people of Goa, especially our farmers, artisans and self-help groups who are the true custodians of our heritage.” This year’s theme of “Explore, Empower, Enrich”encapsulates the spirit of the festival. Be sure to join the celebration of the fruit of the caju and its many gifts! More details connect with Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/CashewFestGoa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goacashewfest?igsh=ZzNudzJkaXpp bTRn

X: https://x.com/goacashewfest/

GANGA-ZUARI CELEBRATING!

THE Ganga-Zuari Connecting Cultures group, which has membership of 72 plus, plus of the Bengali community settled in Goa as well as other non-Bengali Goans, has posted on What’sApp that it is celebrating every festival in a spirit of unity and diversity – be it Poila Baisakh, Bihu, Pongal, Lohri – come this Sunday, April 13 at the ICG’s Palki Hall from 5pm to 7pm.

According to the group’s Sorav Cipla and Bimal Dey this will be an informal gathering for   meeting people, chit-chat, a sort of adda gathering with  performances by volunteering participants. Members, family and friends, are all warmly welcome. Light refreshment and dinner will be arranged on contribution of Rs500 for adults, free for children below 12 years. Those who would like to confirm please contact President, Ganga Zuari Academy, on phone No 98923 45657.