IN full-page advertisements senior citizens have been invited to download an app to start fixed deposit accounts digitally offering a rate of interest of 8.8 percent per annum. The app and the stable money scheme is promoted by Suryoday Small Finance Bank. In co-operation with public sector banks.
However, FDs are only accepted at the discretion of the banks. Unfortunately, those who deposit money in FDs do not have any rights, with banks reserving their discretion to change the deposit rate whenever they want. Bank deposits and borrowing rates are governed by the RBI and vary with the increase or decrease in the prime rate.
The new app from Stable Finserv Pvt Ltd also offers “Stable Bombs,” offering a return of nine to 12%. The claim is that the money will be deposited both in the stock market and in corporate and government bonds.
DARKNESS OF NOON!
THE sun seems to have taken a long vacation with heavy rainfall continuing right from Monday morning, July 1. Even the Dona Paula-Bambolim road flooded because drainage systems are faulty. The access to the South Goa district hospital was filled with knee deep water. Heavy rain is accompanied by strong cold winds. The average temperature even during the day stayed around 26 to 28 degrees Fahrenheit. Panaji reportedly recorded 61.2 mm of rain between 8.30am to 5.30pm on Wednesday, July 2, with the maximum temperature 28 degree. The highest rainfall of 57.2 millimeters were reported in Dabolim which led to the diversion of many flights. The national centre has issued warning of very high waves during the rest of the week. A yellow alert has been declared.
BOGUS DSSS CLAIMS
THE Directorate of Social Welfare has revealed that it has discovered 14,000 bogus beneficiaries under the monthly Dayanand Social Security Scheme. The survey conducted in October 2024 found that many of the beneficiaries were dead or untraceable. There have been many instances of both husband and wife getting the benefit of the scheme. Every month, apparently, 200-250 fresh applications are received under the DSSS scheme. It has now been decided to upload details of the beneficiaries on the website so that there will be transparency. Meanwhile, the drive against bogus payments is expected to continue.
TIGER AT CHORLA GHAT
A GROUP of Goans returning from Keri claimed to have seen a tiger crossing the road at Chorla Ghat. Siddesh Gawas of Sattari claims that the full-grown tiger was spotted near the main entrance leading to the Rameshwar temple around 3 pm at the afternoon. This sighting was made days after some youth travelling to Parwad saw a tigress roaming in the forest with her cubs at night. All this is evidence that there is movement of big cats in the area and this reinforces the demand for a tiger sanctuary at the Mhadei National Park.
HOPE FOR DETAINED STUDENTS
THE Goa Board for Secondary Education has decided to introduce a scheme for supplementary exams for students compelled to drop out at the eighth or ninth standard. The government has decided to allow private candidates to register for the school-leaving certificate. It has learnt that over 600 students are expected to take advantage of this provision and escape the stigma of being dropouts.
Schools often detain students who may fail and bring down the percentage of the school. Since age is not a barrier even senior citizens can benefit from the provision for private students appearing for the SSC exam. The government is also setting up a single portal and all students in Goa from the school level and from the university can apply for scholarships across department at one point.
THE DELIWORRY AGENT!
“THE Time of India” has started a public interest campaign warning people about delivery agents. This in the light of the scams where phone calls are received saying that package/s have arrived for you under your name and address. The calls claim that the package contains drugs or illegal substances. The next call claims to be from the police asking for video verification on suspicion that the earlier call was a case of identity theft.
The public in general and senior citizens in particular have been warned not to give their ID detail to any one as they may be scammed. Senior citizens are also cautioned they should not take the help of anyone to use their ATM cards. A number of cases have been reported of substitution of ATM cards by conmen who offered to help a senior citizen withdraw money.
SPECIAL BENEFIT FOR WIDOWS
THE state government has announced a scheme for financial assistance of Rs4,000 per month to widows whose children are below 21 years old. This is part of the Dayanand Social Security Scheme. The new package combines the Rs1,500 from the Grah Aadhar scheme and Rs2,500 widow pension scheme. The social welfare department has reportedly cleared over 2000 applications under the widow scheme.
If you’re a widow you may directly apply to the Social Welfare Department if you have children under 21 years.
BJP DRUG CONNECTION
TWO senior leaders of the BJP, Manohar Babu Azgaokar and Pravin Arlekar, have been accusing each other of supporting the drug trade. Babu Azgaokar has accused Arlekar of being involved in supporting drug peddlers. Arlekar has made a counter complaint that Azgaokar’s son is a drug dealer. The BJP president has warned both of them not to bring bad reputation to the party. Several other BJP MLAs too have been accused of supporting the drug trade.
DOCUMENTARY ON VAMONA
A DOCUMENTARY called “I Am Nothing” is expected to be screened on July 13. It’s about the life of the late Vamona Navelcar, a distinguished artist. The documentary is based on the biography of Vamona. Vamona was a simple person who was an artist, professor and philosopher. Navelcar spent a large part of his life in Portugal. Vamona Navelcar never promoted himself although he is that rare great artist. The one-hour documentary focuses on the achievements of Vamona Navelcar. The filmed will be screened at the Museum of Goa at Pilerne and also in Lisbon.
PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST ON MONSOON
CLUB Gasper Dias Miramar is organizing a photography competition on “Monsoon Magic.” The contest is open till August 31, 2025. Participation is free. If anyone is interested they may ask for details at the Club Gasper Dias office desk.
SHRIPAD NAIK FELICITATES MERITORIOUS STUDENTS
UNION Minister for New and Renewable Energy Shripad Naik attended the felicitation ceremony of meritorious students of Diogo Vaz Higher Secondary School, Colvale on July 2, 2025.
Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services and Factories and Boilers Nilkanth Halarnkar was the special guest of honour. Chairman of the school managing committee, Vishnupant Kulkarni, chairperson of the Parent-Teacher Association Jayesh Bondre, treasurer of PTA, Shivanand Naik, teacher Trishala Gadekar and students were present on the occasion.
The program commenced with a prayer, lighting of the lamp by the chief guest. Then meritorious students of the academic year 2024–2025 from Classes XI and XII, who secured first, second, and third positions in Arts, Commerce, and Science streams, as well as those who scored the highest marks in individual subjects, were felicitated with certificates, scholarships, and mementos.
In the Class XII examinations, in the Arts stream, Saniya Halarnkar secured first place, CH Saideepika Jalaneela secured second, and Afrin Khan secured third. In the Commerce stream, Shaima Chaudhary stood first, Atharva Govekar second, and Shazia Khan third. In the Science stream, Sanafatima secured first position, Vikas Jat second, and Nupur Gawas third. Additionally, the Best Sportswoman award was given to Fatma Khatun and the Best Sportsman award to Vikas Jat. The Outstanding Student Award was conferred upon Atharv Govekar.
The subject toppers students are Saniya Halarnkar (Marathi, Political Science, Sociology), CH Saideepika Jalaneela (English and History), Shaima Chaudhary (Hindi, Accountancy, Business Studies, Secretarial Practice, Economics), Atharv Govekar (Business Studies), Yash Naik (Cooperation), Nidhi Yadav (Mathematics and Statistics), Tejas Parab (Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science), Vikas Jat (Chemistry), Nupur Gawas (Biology), Jiya Murgaud (Konkani), Sanafatima Shaikh (Psychology)
From Class XI in the Arts stream, Hume Kulsum Manihar ranked first, Sufiya Ansari second, and Twinkle Pitroda third. In the Commerce stream, Omkar Lodhi secured first place, Rehan Ballari second, and Kunal Gawas third. In the Science stream, Swanandi Chari came first, Siddhi Sawant second, and Vaibhavi Shet Tanawade third.
Speaking on the occasion Union Minister Shripad Naik appreciated and congratulated the students and advised them to maintain discipline in academic life, he wished them a bright future, saying, “Everyone must sincerely fulfil their duties for the bright future of the nation.”
Under the MPLAD Scheme computers, projectors, and a Xerox machine were donated to the school by the chief guest. Aditya Shetkar and Tanvi Vaze compered the function and Saiesha Parab proposed the vote of thanks.
MERITORIOUS STUDENTS FELICITATED AT COLVALE
UNION Minister for New and Renewable Energy Shripad Naik attended the felicitation ceremony of meritorious students of Diogo Vaz Higher Secondary School, Colvale recently.
The Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services and Factories and Boilers, Nilkanth Halarnkar was special guest of honour, Chairman of School Managing Committee Vishnupant Kulkarni, Chairman of the Parent-Teacher Association, Jayesh Bondre, treasurer of PTA, Shivanand Naik , teacher Mrs. Trishala Gadekar and students were present on the occasion.
The programe commenced with a prayer, lighting of the lamp at the hands of the Chief Guest. The meritorious students of the academic year 2024–2025 from Classes XI and XII, who secured first, second, and third positions in Arts, Commerce, and Science streams, as well as those who scored the highest marks in individual subjects, were felicitated with certificates, scholarships, and mementos.
In the Class XII examinations, in the Arts stream, Miss Saniya Halarnkar secured first place, Miss C.H. Saideepika Jalaneela secured second, and Miss Afrin Khan secured third. In the Commerce stream, Miss Shaima Chaudhary stood first, Mr. Atharva Govekar second, and Miss Shazia Khan third. In the Science stream, Miss Sanafatima secured first position, Mr. Vikas Jat second, and Miss Nupur Gawas third. Additionally, the Best Sportswoman award was given to Miss Fatma Khatun and the Best Sportsman award to Mr. Vikas Jat. The Outstanding Student Award was conferred upon Mr. Atharv Govekar.
The subject toppers students are Miss Saniya Halarnkar (Marathi, Political Science, Sociology), Miss C.H. Saideepika Jalaneela (English and History), Miss Shaima Chaudhary (Hindi, Accountancy, Business Studies, Secretarial Practice, Economics), Mr. Atharv Govekar (Business Studies), Mr. Yash Naik (Cooperation), Miss Nidhi Yadav (Mathematics and Statistics), Mr. Tejas Parab (Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science), Mr. Vikas Jat (Chemistry), Miss Nupur Gawas (Biology), Miss Jiya Murgaud (Konkani), Miss Sanafatima Shaikh (Psychology)
From Class XI, in the Arts stream, Miss Hume Kulsum Manihar ranked first, Miss Sufiya Ansari second, and Miss Twinkle Pitroda third. In the Commerce stream, Mr. Omkar Lodhi secured first place, Mr. Rehan Ballari second, and Mr. Kunal Gawas third. In the Science stream, Miss Swanandi Chari came first, Miss Siddhi Sawant second, and Miss Vaibhavi Shet Tanawade third.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister Shri. Shripad Naik appreciated and congratulated the students and advised them to maintain discipline in academic life and wished them a bright future, saying, “everyone must sincerely fulfill their duties for the bright future of the nation”.
Under the MPLAD Scheme computers, projectors, and a Xerox machine were donated to the school by the Chief Guest.
Sir. Aditya Shetkar and Tr. Tanvi Vaze compered the function and Tr. Saiesha Parab proposed the vote of thanks.