GCCI MoU WITH VMSIIH
SUSTAINABILITY & INCLUSIVITY: In a major boost to hospitality education in Goa the Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) has signed an MoU with the Raia-based VM Salgaocar Institute of International Hospitality Education. GCCI President Shrinivas Dempo has focussed on sustainability and inclusivity @ 2047 as the GCCI theme. Recently, a corporate bridge between start-ups and the hospitality industry was conducted by GCCI. Engagements with hospitality education is a must to sustain this sector and accordingly M/s VMSIIHE had approached GCCI for a collaboration. It is the first of its kind in association with hospitality academics and GCCI with the following objectives: a) To bridge the industry academia divide; b) Share expertise of resource persons in the field of hospitality, tourism and general management; c) Facilitate the advancement of knowledge through academic and research collaborations; d) Conducting joint surveys and analysis; e) Programs and events; f) Networking opportunities; g) Support in internships and on the job training opportunities; h) Provide guest faculties to help in curriculum. The MOU was signed by Pratima Dhond (VP-GCCI) in the presence of Sanjay Amonkar (director-general), Kiran Ballikar and Pallavi Arondekar. Prof Irfan S Mirza (VMSIIHE principal and director) signed the MoU in the presence of Dr Mari Raj (administrator). The event was coordinated by Dr Semele Sardessai.
GMC NEUROSURGERY DEPT CELEBRATES 40!
THE Neurosurgery department at the Goa Medical College & Hospital completes 40 glorious years. Dr VN Jindal must be credited with giving birth to the Neurosurgery department and remarkably over the years taking it to immense heights from scratch. What started with four beds and no equipment, the GMC is today one amongst only 12 hospitals in the country having super specialty training in neurosurgery.
On July 31, 2014 Dr Jindal retired as the dean of the GMC after a long and magnificent association with one of Asia’s oldest medical colleges. He needs to be commended for the wonderful combination of both professional and personal attention that he has been rendering with passion and empathy to every patient. He has been a god-sent invaluable gift to Goa! His was a mission of saving lives through neurosurgery at the GMC and this continues under Dr Ponraj Sundaram who currently heads the Neurosurgery department at GMC.
May this pioneering legacy of Dr Jindal which has withstood the test of time and continued to flourish benefit and enhance the lives of many more patients at the GMC.
–Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
DIWALI, FESTIVAL OF NOISE!
OUR Goan youngsters in the past used to make simple Narkasur effigies on the eve of Diwali in their neighbourhood, go to play and dance on the beat of their traditional percussion instruments like “dhol” and “taashe” till midnight, later burn their Narkasur effigies early morning on Diwali day but without creating disturbance or nuisance for Goans or others residing in Goa.
Unfortunately, some youngsters today make these giant-sized Narkasur effigies everywhere, lighting them up (despite Supreme Court’s ban on fireworks pollution and noise pollution) and there is a ruckus in the night sky and neighbourhood, very definitely disturbing sick seniors and street animals on Diwali eve. The blasting and wild drunken revelry takes place to loud blaring music shattering windows and ears, DG music is revolting and especially under the influence of alcohol…the orgy continues till the whole night until the wee hours of Diwali day in some of the most remote densely populated residential areas of Goa.
Why can’t our young generation celebrate our unique festivals peacefully without lighting up ear-shattering fireworks, drinking alcohol and dancing to loud DJ music the whole night? Why disturb the peace of those not interested in such entertainment of the streets in liberated Goa?
Diwali revellers please behave in more civilized ways this year! Diwali is a festival of lights and not air pollution. Here’s wishing all my fellow Goans a very happy quiet and only kandeel-lit Diwali!
— Jerry Fernandes, Saligao
ARE VACCINES SAFE?
A RECURRING question is how safe are vaccines? After the Covid-19 pandemic scare and toll on human life it is time to ask questions and see if post-vaccines how many people were affected with ill-health and even death. How safe are the vaccines inoculated into us? It is known vaccine vials are kept at sub-zero temperatures, otherwise they lose their properties and efficacy.
It is also known that water at zero degree is a solid, ice; at room temperature water is liquid and when heated to 100 degree centigrade it is water vapour. Also, perishables are refrigerated to increase shelf life and to preserve for a longer time. If this yardstick is used for vaccines, it would mean that at sub-zero temperature the vaccine properties are stable and after that in heated room temperature they would deteriorated and it is anyone’s guess how they affect the person vaccinated. They can be complicatons.
We do hear of vaccinated persons suffering adverse consequences. Post-covid has anyone done any studies and are search on this subject?
— Elvidio Miranda, Panaji