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WEEKEND UPDATES

Jan 10- Jan 16, 2025, WEEKEND UPDATES January 9, 2026 , by

GOAN ‘ASMITAI DIWAS’

JANUARY 16 marks the anniversary of the historical Opinion Poll in 1967 when Goa rejected merger with Maharashtra and voted to retain its own distinct identity. This year on Asmitai Day, which marks the victory of the Opinion Poll, has added significance. Goa and Goans are engaged in a fresh battle to protect their land and their identity.

 Incidentally, freedom fighter Rohidas Dessai compared Justice Ferdino Rebello to Ram Manohar Lohia who initiated the last phase of the Liberation struggle in Goa. My book on the history of the Opinion Poll titled “The Triumph of Secularism” is available free online on our website goanobserver.in.

BIODIVERSITY CHAMPION GADGIL

NOTED ecologist Madhav Gadgil, known for his work on the conservation of the Western Ghats, passed away in Pune on Thursday, January 8, 2026 at the ripe old age of 83, after a brief illness. Gadgil was the founder of the Centre for Ecological Sciences at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore or Bengaluru. He was also the chairperson of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel known as the  Gadgil Commission.

In 2024 the United Nations presented Gadgil with its annual Champions of the Earth Award.  Madhav Gadgil was the ultimate ecological warrior who spent most of his life studying the ecosystems of the Western Ghats. It’s a tribute to him that the Western Ghats were declared as the most important biodiversity hills in the country.

ELECTROL REVISION

THE South Goa Member of Parliament Capt Viriato Fernandes reveals that he has received a notice from the Election Commission asking him to appear before it, with documents to prove his identity. The notice was issued to him as part of the Special Intensive Revision o f the electoral rolls. Capt Viriato received a notice despite his having voted in all previous elections. Capt Viriato is a veteran of the Kargil war and has expressed shock and surprise that a Member of Parliament should be asked to prove his identity as a Goan and an Indian. The Chief Electoral Officer rushed to clarify that the MPs enumeration form was placed in the unmapped category. This means that when the block level officer of the Election Commission went to his residence given on his voter ID card, they did not find it, as he may have shifted residence.

In fact, if the BLO has not visited you at your current residence, your name may have been scrapped from the electoral rolls. Please check the electoral rolls online. Make the effort to update your current address.

SUPREME COURT ON STRAY DOGS

THERE is a huge battle going on in the Supreme Court between dog-lovers and those who have been victims of biting dogs. The controversy is over an earlier SC decision which directed state governments and municipalities to remove stray dogs from the vicinity of schools and hospitals.

In its hearing on Thursday, January 9 the SC made it clear that it cannot allow stray dogs to roam inside hospital wards. In reply to objections from animal lovers to the ban on feeding stray dogs, the SC observed that nobody can read the mind of a dog to decide whether it may bite or not bite.

KALA ACADEMY WARNING

THE Task Force Committee checking the renovation of the Kala Academy has revealed that they are serious structural waterproofing and drainage failures in the renovation work. It has warned that the chronic water seepage poses a risk for the long term safety and durability of the capital city’s premier cultural venue.

The committee found that drain pipes were not connected directly to the drainage system. The terrace area showed failure of water proofing and the open air theatre was prone to water stagnation near the seating section. The Task Force included representatives of IIT Madras and the Charles Correa Foundation. The Kala Academy is recognized as one of the most beautifully designed complex by the eminent Goan architect Charles Correia.  

CABLE CUTTING BY SHETYE

THE activist Kashinath Shetye, who works for the Electricity Department, has again cut the fibre optic cables put up by companies providing internet services. The main feed lines of leading Internet providers like Allegra and Big Ventures for offices in Madgaon town have allegedly linked their cables to electricity poles. Despite orders from Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant the Electricity Department continues to crack down on what it considers unauthorized use of its electricity poles. The Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) and other industrial bodies have protested that this would affect the functioning of business and commerce in Madgaon and the rest of the state.  

CARANZALEN FISHER FOLK CONCERNS

THE fisher folk of Caranzalen have protested to the  Fisheries Department about a reported NIO study which says the sea waters off Caranzalen beach has a lot of heavy metal sediment. The NIO study had issued a warning against consuming fish from the Caranzalen coast. This has very badly affected the 5,000 odd ramponkar, traditional fisher folk who use large nets for trapping fish in the sea.

The fisher folk claim that the study is motivated by vested interests who want to steal the  Caranzalen beach. It may be recalled that organizers of Oceanman and other event organizers have been accused of taking over the beach for activities without acquiring requisite permissions.

NOW TRANSCEND GOA 2026

GOA is all set to host a landmark moment for India’s creative industries with the launch of Transcend Goa 2026, the country’s first-ever Transmedia Conclave. It’s being organized by the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) and Goa Future Proof, with the support of the government of Goa. The pilot summit will take place on January 15 & 16, 2026 at the Maquinez Palace in Panjim.

As the state’s nodal body for film, media, and creative industries, ESG is dedicated to nurturing talent, enabling infrastructure, and fostering meaningful national and international collaborations. By embracing trans-media storytelling, ESG hopes to encourage innovation across cinema, digital content, immersive  media, gaming and emerging technologies – creating new pathways for creators, producers and entrepreneurs.

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