LETTER TO EDITOR FOR ISSUE DATED JULY 23 2022

CAMPUS LIFE JOYS!

INDUCTION PROGRAM FOR FIRST YEAR STUDENTS OF DNYANPRASARAK MANDAL’S COLLEGE & RESEARCH CENTRE: “The world is a playground. Write your own rules and play the game,” said Executive Editor (Events) of Prudent Media Rohit Wadkar at the inaugural function of the orientation-cum-induction program 2022-23, for first year students held at Dnyanprassarak Mandal’s College & Research Centre. He was speaking as chief guest and added that today along with global presence, regional ideas are also given lot of importance. It is this which has created lot of opportunities in every nook and corner of the world. So students should learn ot grab them. Mr Wadkar advised the students to enjoy their college life by participating in curricular and extra-curricular activities but at the same time have plan A, B & C for their future. He recollected his own college days in DMC and said that the college flourished a lot under the leadership of Prof D B Arolkar. Principal of the college, Prof Arolkar, gave the welcome address and congratulated the students for passing their 12th standard to join college, his advice was, “Don’t worry about the future, keep learning and life will take care of the rest and you will have no regrets.” After the lighting of the lamp ceremony former students Vedang Joshi, Prachi Kataria, Sahil Makhandar and Stephen Abreu narrated their experiences in the college. There was a lively interaction all around and Vice Principal Rashmi Redkar proposed the vote of thanks. Yogita Kharkhanis compered and conducted a spot prize mini quiz to create a spirit of bonhomie and break ice for new students.

SMRITI IRANI’S ILLEGALITIES!

I, Adv Aires Rodrigues,  would like to draw attention to the fact that Union wsUNION Minister for Women & Child Development Smriti Irani’s family run an upmarket bar and restaurant at Assagao in Goa and according to latest news reports The excise department issued a licence out of turn and illegally. This was revealed in information obtained by me under the RTI Act from the excise department.

Though the excise rules allow a bar licence to be issued only to an existing restaurant, February 18, 2021 in rank violation of law the excise department issued a licence for retail sale of foreign liquor for consumption on the premises, along with another licence for retail sale of Indian Made Foreign liquor and Country Liquor besides Country Liquor to the outlet. The records show that the liquor licenses were issued without submitting a restaurant licence as required by law.

The excise department issued the licences in the name of one Anthony Dgama, who as per the Addhar card submitted by him, shows that he is a resident of Mumbai and the Aadhar card was issued on December 30, 2022.

The licences were issued are for sprawling 1,200 sq mts premises at Bhouta Vaddo in Assagao, now being run as a restaurant by Smriti Irani’s family in total violation of law. The RTI documents also reveal that last month on June 29 the excise department at Mapusa in rank contravention of law renewed those licences in the name of Anthony Dgama, despite passing away on May  17, 2021 as per death certificate issued by the Municipal Corporation of Mumbai (obtained by Adv.  Aires Rodrigues.  

Meanwhile, I have met Excise Commissioner Narayan Gad and demanded a thorough inquiry into this mega fraud orchestrated in conjunction with excise officials and the Assagao Panchayat.

Adv.  Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar

MLAS FOR SELF-INTEREST ONLY!

ALL MLAs have shown us that they can be quite tenacious, albeit, only in matters that concern them! See how all, including the ruling BJP, acted in the case of OBC reservations for Panchayats! Why? Because it directly affects them and their near ones which ultimately gives them power!

Next came the new draconian GST changes. They all spoke only regarding the GST on hotel rooms up to Rs1,000. Once again it appears they were elected by the TTAG and tourists. All those who spoke up have their own hotel businesses. The Speaker must strike this down as conflict of interests. Why did they not take up the new GST on pre-packaged foods under 25 Kg including pulses, wheat, flour, curd. While not applicable to these items when sold loose, what control is there on the MRP? No demand for removing the increased GST on Hospital rooms?

What is disheartening is the silence of the RGP/AAP/Congress newbies. They are biding their time to make money from their positions? Why did they not ask amongst those who spoke who have hotels about it and are affected? Why do such hotels still charge service tax?

–R Fernandes, Margao

MAQUINEZ PALACE TOILET STINK!

WILL somebody do something about the toilets for disabled at the Maquinez Palace? Recently, a celebrated artist with disability took her disabled brother there and upon wanting to use the toilet for the disabled on the ground floor, found that the sliding door of the toilet didn’t move properly and it was in an altogether poor state, it smells too.

I would also like to add this observation. I am a frequent visitor to the Maquinez Palace to catch some of the Cinephile Film Club of the ESG films and events and the condition of the toilets in general is very poor. Repairs are needed and water arrangements put into place if there is none on tap. Also, cleaning up is lackadaisical.  This is actually a long-standing grievance by visitors to the Maquinez Palace, especially some events can be long – it helps for senior citizens too to have decent toilets and a proper refreshment room, cleaned frequently and serviceable! Especially during the monsoon months when one may be stuck here after the event for a while waiting for the rain to ebb before going home. 

Will the ESG please do the needful both in the case of the toilet for the disabled visitors as well as regular visitors?

–Pankajbala R Patel, Panaji

GREETINGS TO NEW PRESIDENT

OUR best wishes to Mrs Droupadi Murmu, the first tribal lady and the youngest individual to be elected as president, on her splendid victory in the recently held Indian presidential polls.

Her victory symbolises a tribute to all leaders of all tribal communities who have always worked hard to uphold the traditions, heritage and identity of the Scheduled tribes.

Though Yashwant Sinha is a Droupadi Murmu’s opponent, it is natural that people will compare her to Margaret Alva, the 80-year-old vice-presidential candidate of the combined opposition. The difference is stark. Murmu comes from the humblest of background. Alva is a dynast who hails from a privileged family and both her parents were MPs in the past.

Murmu represents Antyodaya, the movement for prioritising the most deprived for empowerment. In contrast , Alva’s candidature reinforces the point that dynasty-driven parties prefer dynasty.

This also is a serious setback for opposition unity in the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha Polls, especially after  125 + UPA-led opposition members cross voted in favour of the NDA candidate.

-Vladimir De Monte Furtado, Panaji

NORTH EAST INDIA

ARUNACHAL Pradesh Governor PB Acharya said, “Indians know more about the US than about the northeast.” He made a valid point – very few of us know enough about the Northeast. Here are some of the interesting facts about the Northeast!

There are eight states in Northeast: Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura, Sikkim, Nagaland.

There are nearly 220 languages spoken in the Northeast, it is a mix of Tibetan, South-east Asian and East Indian cultures.

The Ahom Dynasty, which ruled the Northeast for 600 years, is the longest unbroken dynasty in Indian history.

The world’s largest river island, the Majuli and the world’s smallest river island, Umananda, both are in the Northeast.

Seven prominent national parks of India are located in Northeast.

Shillong is considered as the rock capital of India.

Mawsynram in Meghalaya holds the Guinness World  Record for being the wettest place on earth.

Sualkuchi in Assam is one of the world’s largest weaving villages where the entire population is engaged in weaving silk fabrics.

Muga, the golden silk of Assam, is not produced anywhere else in the world.

It is the cleanest region in India. Mawlynnong in Meghalaya is the cleanest village in entire Asia.

70% of the country’s orchids are found in Northeast.

Mizoram and Tripura are among the states with the highest literacy rate in India.

There is no dowry culture in entire Northeast.

Sikkim is the first state in the world where 100% of its agro produce is organic and certified so. Sikkim won the Future Policy Award 2018, beating 51 nominated policies from 25 countries, according to a statement. Policies form Brazil, Denmark and Quito (Ecuador) bagged silver awards.

The award is co-organised by the Food & Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations  (FAO), the World Future Council (WFC) and IFOAM – Organics International.

–Francisco M, Goa     

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