THE  National Institute of Oceanography in Dona Paula, Panaji appears to be hiring residents of Uttar Pradesh even for the post of junior assistant in the administration. The NIO, which is part of the Central Scientific Indian Research group, recently held written exams for the recruitment of administration staff at its offices in Dona Paula.

The recruitment of outsiders for clerical position was exposed when Sunil Kumar from Uttar Pradesh was reportedly arrested for impersonating another candidate, Prashant Kumar. Apparently the real candidate was standing outside the NIO gates. The impersonator was caught red handed and handed over to the police. The real scandal is not just the impersonation but the fact that the Central government organisations are recruiting non-Goans for clerical posts. The Post & Telegraph department is also guilty of recruiting postmen and other staff from Maharashtra. Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant himself has accused private pharma companies of advertising vacancies only in newspapers outside the states.

DISGUISED PROMOTION

(Contributed by Rajan Narayan)

I WAS a little shocked when ChatGPT informed me that Dr Sunny Kamat and Dr Audumber Netalkar were specialists in spinal TB (tuberculosis). Dr Sunny Kamat is a specialist in orthopaedics. And Dr Netalkar a neurosurgeon. I am not aware of either of these two doctors, attached to the Manipal Hospital, have any special qualification or experience for treating spinal TB. Clearly, Manipal Hospital is promoting them as spinal TB specialists. Indeed, all ChatGPT recommendations of super specialist in various fields should be crosschecked as these are promotions by private hospitals. As far as I know from my experience as a patient of spinal TB, there are no specialists for non-pulmonary TB patients in Goa.

BELGAVI TRAFFIC AFFECTED

FOLLOWING landslides and accidents at Chorla Ghat, traffic to Belgavi has been diverted through Anmod Ghat. The immediate provocation is an accident involving a heavy goods carrier on the Chorla Ghat road blocking traffic all together. The result is that the Anmod Ghat is choked with all traffic being diverted. Ironically, earlier this month, the Anmod Ghat section was shut for heavy vehicles to repair part of the road which was damaged by landslides. It has been reported that the PWD has failed to undertake repairs and maintain the barricades. The overload of commercial vehicles is causing accidents on Chorla Ghat road, moreover rains come with a thick blanket of mist, reducing visibility on the Ghat section. There have been cases of trees being uprooted. The main road from Sanqualim to Keri is also in a very bad condition because of mindless excessive digging by the Electricity Department.

SOLAR SHRIMPS ARE HERE

SOLAR shrimps, which are large sized prawns, have been flooding the south Goa markets due to huge catches this monsoon too. Every year this time of the year the weather conditions are very favourable for the harvesting of solar shrimps. This variety of prawns is known to come to the surface only for a brief period of time during the months of July and August. The prawns are being sold at around Rs500 per kilo portion. Traditional fishermen have been going out in their boats with their ramponkars (workers) to harvest the bounty of fish. It’s only when the sea is calm that the solar prawns come to the surface. 

NO MATCH ARTIFICIAL BLOOD

IT has been reported that scientists in Japan have succeeded in developing artificial blood as a substitute for human blood. With human blood, even when it’s available, there is a problem of matching the blood groups of the donor and the patient.

There is a global shortage of blood that is needed for transfusion, particularly during accidents. In Goa, Goans are very reluctant to donate blood, as young people believe mistakenly that the donation of blood will cause weakness. The situation is compounded by the fact that the only blood bank in the state is at the Goa Medical Hospital & Hospital (GMC). Even in private medical hospitals are forced to depend on the GMC blood bank.

The new artificial blood developed in Japan is claimed to be free from viruses, and there is a zero risk of infection. The blood reportedly stays stable for up to two years at room temperature. The artificial blood does not require cold storage as in the case of natural blood.

TESLA COMES TO INDIA

ON Tuesday, July 15, 2025 the Tesla showroom in Mumbai was inaugurated. This marks the entry for the first time of  the electric Tesla cars made by the company owned by American tech tycoon Elon Musk. Musk has been the pioneer of electric cars, including a list of varied  electric cars and vehicles.

The Tesla E cars have been have been facing a bad time in Europe because of Elon Musk’s close relationship with USA President Donald Trump. Trump is not popular in Europe because of his support to Russia and Israel. The sharp fall in sales of the Tesla cars in Europe has forced Musk to look for markets in Asia.

India however has imposed a 100% percent tariff on imported electric cars. So much so the Tesla cars now available in India cost double the price in the United States. Also the Tesla cars being marketed in India are made in China. Union Minister for Transport Nitin Gadkari has told Elon Musk to manufacture Tesla cars in India for the Indian market.

It may be noted that even Apple manufactures its I-phones in India in collaboration with the Tatas and exports them to the US. The minimum price of the models introduced in Indian is Rs59.89 lakh. In contrast, even electric SUVs made by Tatas and Mahindras cost only between Rs15 and Rs 20 lakh.

SMRITI IRANI BACK AS BAHU!

SMRITI Irani, the controversial serial star who shot to fame for defeating Rahul Gandhi in the 2014 elections, is now back in television serials. Smriti lost to the Congress candidate Captain Sharma in the Amethi constituency in the 2024 parliament election. Before she entered politics, Smriti  was a very successful TV star famous for the “Saas bhi kabhi bahu thi” series.  The series is being revived with Smiriti Irani back in lead role. Smriti  Irani has commented that politics is an expensive hobby. Smriti Irani was not very successful as a minister when she held the Education portfolio ministry in the  Narendra Modi government.

INSTANT DESI SNACKS

SWIGGY’S Insta Mart and other quick delivery commerce platforms have started offering Indian snacks as part of their quick delivery network. At present, Swiggy only delivers ready-made dishes like pizzas and hamburgers through its Insta Mart outlet. Now, in some parts of the country like Mumbai, they are also offering the chaat specialities as well as Maharashtrian snacks like “bhakarwadi” etc. Insta Mart also offers certain grocery items within ten minutes of the order. All this comes at a higher cost than rated at the actual grocery shop. It is cheaper to buy from the local grocery shop where you have an assurance of quality.

TENANTED FARM LAND

THE Supreme Court has ruled that tenanted agricultural land can only be used for farming purposes. The apex court dismissed a petition by the communidade of Thivim which challenged the High Court order denying permission to allow tenants to use the land for commercial purposes. There is been complaints about illegal structures coming up on communidade land. The SC has made it clear that tenanted agricultural land belonging to communidades cannot be diverted.   

PHALDESAI: CHERISH CUNCOLIM EVOLT!

MINISTER for Social Welfare Subhash Phaldesai on July 15 stated that martyrdom demonstrated during the historic Cuncolim Revolt in 1583 by the 16 Chieftains of Cuncolim, should be cherished for future generations. It should ignite every youth to contribute  progress and growth of the nation. The minister was speaking on the occasion of  Commemoration Day  of Chieftains Uprising  organised by the South Goa Collectorate, at Chieftains Memorial, Cuncolim.

Minister Phaldessai said that the chieftains of Cuncolim fought against the atrocities committed by colonial rulers, it reflects the bravery imbibed in our culture. In order to showcase the importance of this historic revolt, special efforts will be made to incorporate an episode dedicated to the Cuncolim Chieftains Revolt, in the proposed animation film based on Goa’s freedom struggle being sponsored by the government.

Phaldesai, who holds the portfolio of Archives & Archeology, also shared that the government is committed to  preserving and conserving historical documents and land records of Goa. Digitalisation of old land documents is being done by the government. With this technology manipulation of land records and land scams will be curbed in Goa.

Yuri Alemao said that Cuncolim Revolt could be recognised as the first rebellion  in Asia against colonial rule. India witnessed its first revolt in 1857 against British rule but the chieftains of Cuncolim rebelled against invaders 274 years before that.

Alemao informed that the government  plans to refurbish Chieftains Memorial at Cuncolim , here statues of the 16 chieftains will be placed at the memorial by next year.
President of Freedom Fighters Association Rohidas Dessai expressed satisfaction as the government has incorporated the historic Cuncolim Revolt in the academic textbooks. He appealed to people to be inspired by the sacrifices made by the Cuncolim chieftains and maintain social harmony in today’s times.

On the occasion awards were presented and the “Cuncolim Shree” went to  Sandeep Dessai and Diago Coutinho, the  “Cuncolim Jyoti” was presented to  football player Kenon Almeida and “Cuncolim Mitra” to Mohan Naik for  extraordinary contribution to society. Present at the function were  dignitaries including MLA Navelim, Ulhas Tuenkar, chairperson of Cuncolim Municipal Council Landry Mascarenhas, South Goa Collector Egna Cleetus, IAS, President of Cuncolim Chieftains Memorial Trust  Oscar Martins, SP, South Goa Tikam Singh Verma, IPS and others.  Vijay Kumar Kopre compered the program.

CM: TRANSPARENCY IN RECRUITMENT PROCESS

THE  transparent process of recruitment has strengthened the faith of the people in the government, said Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, after inaugurating the refurbished premises of the Goa Staff Selection Commission at Patto, Panaji, on July 17, 2025.  The CM said that those answering the competitive exams for various posts are now even able to see their results before leaving the exam hall.

He further speaking said that various departments have been asked to follow with the recruitment process depending on their requirements. Present on the occasion were chief secretary and chairperson of Goa Staff Selection Commission, Dr V Candavelou, IAS, member of the Commission, Narayan Sawant, IAS (Retd), Secretary, Goa Staff Selection Commission, Shashank Thakur, Daulat Hawaldar (IAS), Retd, among others.  Artist Siddharth Gaitonde who designed the logo of the commission was felicitated on the occasion. 

TRAINING SESSION FOR BLOS/ BLO SUPERVISORS  

THE Electoral Registration Officer for 01-Mandrem Assembly Constituency, Pratik Porob, along with the Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO) Pravind J  Gawas, collaborated with the Election Commission of India in New Delhi, the Chief Electoral Officer from Altinho Panaji-Goa, and the Collector of North Goa District, Panaji-Goa, to conduct a training session for Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and BLO Supervisors Shant Sohirobanath Ambiye College of Arts and Commerce, in Virnoda, Pernem, on July 17, 2025.

The chief guest for the training was Prof Juao Costa, principal of Sant Sohirobanath Ambiye College of Arts and Commerce, while Shrikrishna S Naik, the principal of Government Higher Secondary Schools in Sankhali was the master trainer for the session. 

In his talk Pratik Porob emphasized the significance of the training and outlined essential guidelines for the BLOs to follow.  Chief Guest and Principal Costa shared his insights and experiences as a citizen engaged in the electoral process. The master trainer effectively disseminated crucial information alongside a prepared questionnaire, fostering an engaging environment among the BLOs and their supervisors.

All attending booth level officers and BLO supervisors received certificates for participating in the training. Guests expressed their appreciation for everyone’s contributions during the session. Pravind J Gawas, the Assistant Electoral Registration Officer for 01-Mandrem Assembly Constituency, concluded the event with a vote of thanks.