WEEKEND UPDATES

`JULUS’ CONTROVERSY

A GROUP of citizens gathered at the Azad Maidan on Tuesday, October 1 seeking unity among persons of all faiths living in Goa. The demonstration came in the light of protests in some parts of the state over the Muslim community seeking permission for a “julus” in Canacona.

It is heartening that a leader of the minority Muslim community, Abdul Rauf Shaikh, a resident of Cuncolim, has taken the initiative. Interestingly, Samrat Bhagat, who is not a Goan, has claimed that the Hindavi Swaraj Sangathan was not involved in the closure of the weekly bazaar at Chaudi, Canacona.

HELP FOR SUPER SENIORS!

AT least on paper there are many call centers for senior citizens. The Manas call centre is coordinated by Sneha Pokle, a phyciatrist attached to the Hospicio Hospital down south Goa in Margao. The helpline claims to help senior citizens to access government facilities for them. It is  also engaged in counseling senior citizens including patients suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementia issue.

Sneha Pokle was very responsive when I called her. At the national level a new helpline has been started for the benefit of senior citizens. On World Elders Day the Directorate of Social Welfare signed a memorandum with Alankit Assignment to start an elders helpline. The helpline —  14567 — is accessible to senior citizens from 8am to 8pm. The helpline is expected to provide free information guidance emotional support and intervention in the case of senior citizens who have been abandoned. The Goa Senior Citizen Federation has asked the government to train revenue officers to handle cases under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007.  

GOA BACHAO ABHIYAN

CITIZENS’ groups staged a major demonstration outside the office of the Town and Country Planning department chief Rajesh Naik. The hundred odd protestors demanded his resignation.  The demonstrations accused Rajesh Naik of colluding with the TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane to sell Goa to builders. Claude Alvares, director of Goa Foundation, alleged that the government is planning to convert Rs6 crore square meters of land  to rectify errors. Notable by their absence was architect Dean d’Cruz and Dr Oscar Rebello who led the Goa Bachao Abhiyan agitation in 2006.

PANAJI FISH MARKET

FINALLY, there is some relief for traders of meat and fish. It may be recalled that fish traders were asked to leave the old building which was not safe. The CCP has now built a new temporary shed for the  benefit of the fish vendors in Panaji. We  understand that the meat vendors have also been given an shed for their use.

GOA CHARTER SEASON

THE charter tourist season has started in Goa with an expected arrival of two flights from Russia at Mopa airport. This is the first time there has been such a major demand from charter operators. Traditionally, most of Goa’s charter tourists were from the UK.

In more recent years a lot of Russian tourists have been coming to Goa. Goa has also been the favorite of Israeli tourists. But now given the conflict between Israel and the Arab countries, it is unlikely that Israeli tourists will arrive during the present charter tourist season. Beach shacks have already got early permission to start working on goan beaches. The Russians are here, hurrah.

GANDHI’S LIFE & PRINCIPLES INSPIRED LIVES OF ALL AGES: GOVERNOR PILLAI

MAHATMA Gandhi has always stood for his principles of truth and nonviolence, he also regarded cleanliness and purity of mind and soul as high virtues of life, said Goa  Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai, while speaking at a function organized to commemorate the birth anniversary of “Father of the Nation”  Mahatma Gandhi at the Raj Bhavan on  October 2, 2024.

  The governor greeted the people on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti and said Gandhian ideologies shaped the creation of institutions and practices where the voice and perspective of everyone can be articulated, tested and transformed. He further said Gandhiji developed these ideologies from various inspirational sources, one of them being the  Bhagvad Geeta.

Governor Pillai recounted an incident about Gandhiji. A journalist asked Mahatma Gandhiji to give a message to the people of India, and Gandhiji replied “My life is my message.” Mahatma Gandhi summed up his philosophy of life with these thoughtful words. Mahatma Gandhi’s life and principles have inspired people of all age, said the governor while urging everyone to follow the principles laid by Mahatma Gandhi.

Earlier the governor and First Lady of Goa Rita Sreedharan Pillai and other dignitaries garlanded the statue of Mahatma Gandhi and paid tributes. MRM Rao, IAS, Secretary to Governor, was also present on the occasion. Hindu scholar Dhyaneshwar Patil, Maulana Mohammad Irfan Raza and Father Francis Akara OP also spoke about the life and work of Mahatma Gandhiji and offered prayers. Smt Samradni Aeer & group of Kala Academy presented some favourite bhajan of Gandhiji.

 Gandhi Jayanti was observed as Swachh Bharat Diwas as a tribute to the father of nation and everyone participated in clean up operations around the new Durbar Hall near the gates of the Raj Bhavan.

CHANGING PEOPLE’S THINKING

MINISTER for Urban Development Vishwajit Rane said that the Swacch Bharat Abhiyan is not just about creating awareness, but also a thought and planning process aimed at changing the way people think. H was at a felicitation function for best performers in the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign and Safai Karmacharis at State and District Level, organized by the Department of Urban Development and the Goa State Urban Development Agency, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti on October 2.

 Emphasizing the need for a shift in mindset, Rane noted that while people want their homes to be clean, they often disregard cleanliness in public spaces, carelessly throwing newspapers and litter. He stressed that the same level of care we show for our homes should extend to public spaces. Rane also called on municipalities to take responsibility for maintaining cleanliness in their respective wards, as they are the elected representatives of the people.

 He commended Safai Karmacharis, pointing out that their work often goes unrecognized and that they deserve more respect and appreciation for their contributions.  Speaking about Swacch Bharat Abhiyan, a vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr Rane recalled how the initiative was initially mocked, but when the prime minister  personally picked up a broom and started cleaning, it gradually became a nationwide mission. The core idea, he said, was to transform people’s mindsets.

Rane further mentioned that he plans to introduce a bill in the upcoming assembly session to grant more power to CCP and  municipalities to enable them to function independently. Present at the function were CCP Mayor Rohit Monserrate who on this occasion  recalled that Panjim was recognized as the fastest-moving city in last year’s Swacch Mission rankings and expressed his gratitude to the Safai Karmacharis for their dedicated work. Nutan Bicholkar, chairperson, Municipal Council also spoke on the occasion.

Safai Karmacharis from various municipalities were felicitated. Mapusa Municipal Council was awarded 1st place and the Corporation of the City of Panaji received 2nd place for Best Urban Local Body (ULB) in the Cleanliness Target Unit Transformed category.  Canacona and Mormugao Municipal Councils were recognized for their efforts in the Swachhata Hi Bhagidari category, securing 1st and 2nd place, respectively. Ponda and Valpoi Municipal Councils were awarded Best ULB for conducting Safai Karmacharis Suraksha Shivirs. Pernem Municipal Council secured 1st place, and Mapusa Municipal Council received 2nd place for Best Waste to Art Initiative by a ULB. Quepem Municipal Council took 1st place, and Ponda Municipal Council took 2nd place for Best Special Initiative during the Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign.

Director of Urban Development Brijesh Manerkar delivered the welcome address, while Diksha Mishal gave the vote of thanks and Sidhi Upadhyay compered the event.

PARA OLYMPICS NATIONAL MEDAL WINNERS FELICITATED

IN a celebratory event held as part of the ongoing Seva Pakhwada, a total of ten national medal winners in the Para Olympics were felicitated by Minister for Tourism Rohan A Khaunte. The event marked a significant occasion in recognising the extraordinary achievements of para-athletes who have overcome physical limitations to excel on the national stage.

The event was attended by several distinguished guests, including the Seva Pakhwada Coordinator  Premanand Mhambre and many dignitaries and attendees, including BJP Mahila Morcha President Aarti Bandodkar, ZP Member Anita Thorat, BJP OBC Morcha President Girish Uskaikar, and Porvorim BJP Mandal President Kishor Asnodkar. Sanjay School students greeted the dignitaries on the dais with floral tributes.

In his keynote address Minister for Tourism  Rohan A Khaunte expressed his admiration for the winners and praised their remarkable achievements, saying “Over the last 12 days, we have observed Seva Pakhwada with various programs celebrating the spirit of service to mankind, which is the greatest of all services. Today, we are gathered to celebrate the unparalleled achievements of our Para Olympic National Medal winners. Your perseverance, resilience, and determination serve as a beacon of inspiration to all. You have demonstrated that physical limitations do not define potential. With hard work and passion, anything is possible.”

He further highlighted the role of parents and teachers, adding “The selfless love, guidance, and encouragement of your parents and teachers played a major role in shaping you into the champions you are today. We recognise the challenges you’ve overcome, and your stories will motivate us to create a more inclusive and accessible society.” The Minister concluded his speech by encouraging the winners to continue pushing boundaries and inspiring future generations, saying “You have embodied the spirit of excellence and the values of our nation. Work hard with full determination, and never be discouraged by failure, as it is the first step towards success.”

The event included the formal felicitation of the para-sports champions by the Chief Guest, followed by a group photo session. The event ended with a vote of thanks, acknowledging the efforts of everyone involved in making the event a success.

The felicitation event not only celebrated the achievements of these remarkable para-athletes but also highlighted the importance of inclusivity and equal opportunities in sports. By acknowledging their resilience and triumphs, the Seva Pakhwada reinforced the message that with determination and support, individuals can overcome challenges and make significant contributions to society. As Goa continues to promote inclusive growth in sports and other fields, this event stands as a testament to the state’s commitment to fostering talent and inspiring future generations to strive for excellence, regardless of the obstacles they face.

This event organised by the BJP Goa unit underlines the commitment to recognise and honour the achievements of athletes who have brought pride to the nation through their sheer dedication and willpower. The Seva Pakhwada, under which this event was organized, continues to inspire acts of service and up-liftment across various sectors of society.

REPLENISH GOA’S VARNISHING GROUND WATER!

GOA’s groundwater table, which is being fast depleted by rapid urbanisation and climate change, can be recharged through the implementation of rainwater management systems using indigenous techniques and nature-based infrastructure, according to architect and bio-regional planner Nisha Mary Poulose. At the recently held MOG Sundays talk at the Museum of Goa (MOG), Pilerne, Siolim-based Poulose stated that the mass urbanisation of land in Goa is preventing rainwater retention in the soil due to widespread concrete usage and deforestation.

She said, “This leads to large swathes of topsoil getting washed away. Mass consumption of water for swimming pools, unsustainable forms of agriculture also leads to large volumes of water being extracted.”

Poulose is an award-winning green architect and regional planner, with over 15 years of experience in environmental planning, land-use planning and natural architecture. In 2015, she was the recipient of an award in the Government of India’s “Mera Shahar Mera Sapna” competition and lauded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for her ideation for Smart Cities in India. She also founded the Woven Design Collective, a global regenerative design and planning firm that utilises an interdisciplinary, holistic approach to developing habitat and infrastructure.

Her talk focused on effective rainwater management in Goa, in the wake of unseasonal rainfall and drought due to human-wrought climate change. According to the Indian Meteorological Department, the state has received 3,867.1 mm rainfall since June 1, 2024 with July recording the highest rainfall in 124 years. This led to water accumulation, flood-like situations and soil erosion across several talukas.

She also proposed a cost-effective solution to prevent the impending man-induced natural crises in Goa. “Communities in Goa need to come together to rebuild indigenous knowledge practices for rainwater management, aided by administrative bodies at the grassroots level like the panchayat. Interconnected networks of bioswales (shallow trenches with indigenous vegetation that manage storm water runoff by impediment, filtration, and percolation into the ground), rain gardens and retention ponds can greatly help neighbourhoods manage rainwater by slowing runoff, while also conserving the local flora and fauna.”

Poulose further emphasised the importance of community involvement, including the role of local festivals, in rainwater management. 

“Shifting away from borewells that directly deplete the local aquifer and reviving wells around the state are necessary. This aids in capturing the maximum amount of water as close to the source of falling as possible, making it consumable. Local festivals like São João encourage the upkeep of wells, which offers leeway into making rainwater management an integral part of public consciousness,” she concluded.

PROMOTION OF AGRI-ECO TOURISM

THE National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) Goa Regional Office organized a crucial Regional Advisory Committee Meeting on October 1, 2024 to focus on the promotion of agri-eco tourism/rural tourism in Goa. The meeting was chaired by Suneel Anchipaka, IAS, Director & Managing Director-GTDC, Department of Tourism, government of Goa and it brought together key stakeholders from various sectors to discuss actionable strategies for enhancing rural tourism in the state.

Other attendees included Sandeep Dharkar, GM/OIC NABARD Goa RO; Dr Parveen Kumar, Director of ICAR-CCARI;  Orlando Rodrigues, Chairman of the Agriculture Committee at the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI); along with representatives from State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC), Goa Council of Science and Technology, Department of Tourism, Department of Cooperation, government of Goa, Goa State Co-operative Bank (Goa StCB) and Vanarai NGO.

Sandeep Dharkar highlighted NABARD’s initiative in promoting the Gram Vihar scheme to enhance rural hinterland tourism. He articulated the importance of developing pilot models and mobilizing communities to actively participate in tourism initiatives, ensuring that the benefits of tourism reach the grassroots level.

ICAR-CCARI Director Dr Parveen Kumar in his address mentioned that ICAR-CCARI has developed a model for promotion of agro-eco tourism. He underlined the importance of preservation of local biodiversity and adoption of eco-friendly approach for promotion of rural tourism models in Goa.

In his keynote address Suneel Anchipaka emphasized the various initiatives being undertaken by the Department of Tourism  to promote hinterland tourism. He stressed the importance of regenerative tourism, ensuring that tourism development not only preserves but enhances the local environment and culture.

Key discussions included strategies to enhance community mobilization, promote diverse tourism offerings, collaborate across sectors, develop infrastructure, implement sustainable practices, enhance farmers’ income through sustainable livelihood.

CM’S TRIBUTE TO MAHATMA GANDHI

IT was October 2 and Gandhi Jayanti Day. Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant led the people of Goa in paying homage to the  Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion of his 155th birth anniversary, by offering floral tributes at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at  Gandhi Chowk in Old Goa.

With the CM were local MLA Rajesh Faldessai, Sarpanch of Se Old Goa Panchayat,  Medha M Parvatkar, Zilla Panchayat Member  Siddesh S Naik, State Chief Information Commissioner (SCIC)  Aravind Kumar H Nair and State Information  Commissioners (SIC) Atmaram R Barve and others dignitaries. All paid floral tributes at the life size statue of Mahatma Gandhi.

Speaking on the occasion the CM said that Mahatma Gandhiji gave us the message of peace and non-violence, it was not only focused on freeing India from British domination, but also to raise awareness about cleanliness, spreading the message that it is the only religion. To pay his respects to Mahatma Gandhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Swachha Bharat Abhiyan/ Clean India Mission, enlisting people of all ages across the country to make India clean. This endeavour has now completed ten years. The CM also added that for a better nation, Mahatma Gandhi embraced the philosophy of “Antodaya Tatva” – seeking to reach out to the last person of society and ensure that no one was left out of government services when India gained independence. The Central government through the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission is making all efforts for the overall development of the country, ensuring such facilities as water, insurance, housing, roads, etc, for all. The State government through Swayampurna Goa mission is making all efforts to make each and every Goan village and city self-reliant. Due importance is provided on skilled education through skilling, reskilling and upskilling to make our youth skilled.

Recalling Mahatma Gandhi’s another mission to use Khadi, the CM said that under the mission vocal for local, we should also try to use local productS. Our focus on Make in India and Made in India will give a boost to India’s economy. Other aspects are to do with Make In India, Digital India, Start-up India, Fit India, etc, all for the nation’s holistic development.

Religious leaders Gajendra Khedekar, Fr Patricio Fernandes and Hazarat Maulana Mahammad Rafik recited verses from the Bhagwad Gita, Bible and Quran. Kala Academy choir group sang bhajans on the occasion. Sarpanch of Se Old Goa Medha M Parvatkar welcomed everybody while Pradip Naik compered the function. Later everyone attended a function organised by Se Old Goa Village Panchayat to celebrate the birth anniversary of former prime minister of India, Lal Bahadur Shastri, at the panchayat premises and offered floral tributes.

GOA SHIPYARD’S “SWACHHTA HI SEVA” CAMPAIGN

GOA Shipyard Limited (GSL) proudly commemorated Gandhi Jayanti under “Swachhta Hi Seva Special Campaign 4.0” — a significant initiative to honor  Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of cleanliness and sustainable living. The campaign was led by chairperson and managing director of GSL, Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay, along with senior management, employees, CISF personnel and Safai Mitra. Girish Borkar, chairperson of the Mormugao Municipal Council, also graced the event.

After paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi there were a series of activities to do with cleaning up the environment with the key highlights listing a Swachhta Pledge to reinforce GSL’s dedication to cleanliness, a cleanliness drive from the GSL to St Andrew Circle, Vasco. The focus was on cleaning up public spaces, removal of plastics and dry waste and their  proper disposal at designated places. Local community was invited to participate in the cleanliness drive at various places from September 17 to October 1, 2024. All with the aim of raising awareness about hygiene and waste management, with special emphasis on educating school children about Mahatma Gandhi and the cleanliness principles he advocated.

The “Swachhta Hi Seva Special Campaign 4.0” is part of a broader national movement to promote cleanliness and reduce environmental impact across the country. GSL is committed to actively support the government of India’s initiatives for a cleaner and greener India..

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