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LETTER TO THE EDITOR FOR ISSUE DATED APRIL 11, 2026
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LETTER TO THE EDITOR FOR ISSUE DATED APRIL 11, 2026

April 11- April 17, 2026, Letters To The Editor April 10, 2026 , by

LET AZAD MAIDAN BE AZAD MAIDAN!
 AZAD Maidan in Panaji is a very significant and historical venue. This public square in Goa’s capital has witnessed the gathering of citizens for decades, enabling them to voice their views, demands and
aspirations over a wide range of issues.
From our 1979 student agitation for 50% bus concession, to the demand to recognise Konkani as the official language of Goa, to the agitation by Goa Bachao Abhiyan for the scrapping of that infamous Regional plan, Azad Maidan has witnessed it all. It is therefore imperative that Azad Maidan be kept free from commercial activity so that this only remaining free lung of the city is left for the public voice to be expressed.
In rank abuse of power and with oblique motives in 1985, the then Panjim Municipal Council (now CCP) had outrageously leased out Azad Maidan to the Delhi based All India Stall Holders Association to run a sale exhibition for eight long months, which possibly would have been further extended.
As this was unacceptable, I had to move a petition before the Collector and District Magistrate pleading that Azad Maidan being one of the few lungs of the city, it be left free for public use. Despite intense political pressure, the then Collector courageously directed the exhibitors to immediately vacate Azad Maidan which decision was later upheld by our High Court who the exhibitors had moved, challenging the order of the Collector.
—Aires Rodrigues,London

DIGITAL LITERACY FOR WOMEN:To strengthen the vision of “Mahila Sashaktikaran” through digital empowerment, the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, government of Goa, organised an inaugural session of a training program under the Mahila Digital Sashaktikaran Yojana (MDSY) at Mulgao, Bicholim on April 10, 2026. It was attended by Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant and Minster for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications Rohan A Khaunte. DITE&C will continue to strengthen its efforts towards bridging the digital divide and advancing inclusive access to technology across Goa, with a focused emphasis on empowering women through digital literacy initiatives such as MDSY. This initiative is supported by Dr Chandrakant Shetye (MLA for Bicholim and chairperson, Info Tech Corporation of Goa Ltd) and guided at the departmental level by Kabir Shirgaonkar (director, DITE&C), with a focused emphasis on empowering women through digital literacy initiatives such as MDSY. The program was conducted by the Info Tech Corporation of Goa Ltd, the implementation agency for the MDSY scheme, in the presence of Padmakar Malik (Latambarcem Zilla Panchayat Member); Suhasini Govekar (Sarpanch of Mulgao); Trupti Gaad (Panch Member); and Vidhisha Bugde(CSE–VLE-Village Level Entrepreneur). The Mahila Digital Sashaktikaran Yojana is a flagship initiative of the department seeking to empower women by equipping them with essential digital knowledge and enabling greater participation in the digital ecosystem. This cyber course focus is to build foundational digital literacy. The training is being delivered through Citizen Service Centres (CSCs) and IT Knowledge Centres (ITKCs), with Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) playing a key role in facilitating access at the grassroots level. Officials from the ITCG explained the key elements of the Cyber Saksharata course under the MDSY initiative, highlighting efforts aimed at empowering women through digital literacy and access to technology. It was heartening to see the enthusiastic participation of women in the locality, along with members of the community and panchayat representatives.

RECOVERING LOST MOBILE PHONE
GOA Police including its Crime Branch, South Goa Police and Kalangute Police, have recently achieved great success in recovering lost and stolen mobile phones and their efforts are appreciated by the public.
End-2025, South Goa police reported the recovery of several mobile phones and in November, stolen or lost mobile phones were returned to their rightful owners due to a single incident. This is a indeed great job .
Police make extensive use of the Central Equipment Identification Registry (CEIR) system and “technical assistance” to track, intercept and retrieve phones.
Tourist police patrolling places like Calangute and Baga beaches have been active in arresting phone thieves and searching for lost devices.
After a thorough check of ownership, recovered phones and items are returned to their original owners, including victims in other states. So, kudos to the Goa Police!!
This is great achievement in terms of building trust and returning citizens’ valuable personal data, have been highly praised by the public and the media. Many social media users praised the dedication and pro-activeness of the police. Public must report lost or stolen phone complaints to the CEIR portal immediately.
Be careful while buying second-hand phones, as according to the North Goa SP, thefts have increased especially in popular coastal areas like Calangute and Anjuna. This will increase the “offers “ of stolen mobile phones. One of our neighbours had bought a mobile phone from a Bengali. Three years later, the Crime Branch police called him. He was confused, but, he humbly handed over the mobile phone to the Crime police, slightly disappointed as Rs3,000 went to loss, because he was labour and illiterate … but “salvation” was achieved by him from future tension.
— Rajesh Banaulikar, Goa

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