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WEEKEND UPDATES

May 09- May 15, 2026, WEEKEND UPDATES May 8, 2026 , by

GOA RISING IN MEDIA

THE Goa government is promoting Goa as a spiritual destination. The promotion supplement in a leading Goan daily boasts of Goa’s sacred sanctuaries. The sanctuaries being all the temples ranging from the one at Tambdi Surla to the Mangeshi and Shanta Durga temples. Goa Tourism also has added its own twist to sossegad. The Tourism Department is promoting the forests of Goa while the TCP minister is cutting down forests.

Goa government is also boasting of infrastructure improvement like the six-laned super highway coming up in Porvorim. Never mind that the traditional lanes and pathways of old in Goa continue to be unlit and in a shoddy state along with the dumping of garbage all along their route including inland water bodies.

4-DAY ‘PRASHANTI FILM FESTIVAL’ FROM MAY 14

 MANOSHOBHA KALAGHAR is hosting a  four-day film festival celebrating actor Prashanti Talpankar, the first Goan artiste to receive an international award at the International Film Festival of South Asia in Toronto, for her performance in the short film “Ancessao.” The festival is scheduled from May 14 to 17, 2026 at ManoShobha Kalaghar in Loliem, Canacona and it is all set to be inaugurated by Poinguinim ZP Ajay Lolayekar. There will be a screening of three award-winning Konkani feature films every day at 6:30 pm. The short film “Ancessao” will be showcased on the final day, as part of the program series Khonn Khonn Kankonn.

The festival’s line-up includes the national award-winning Konkani films “Amori” by Dinesh Bhonsle, “Baga Beach” by Laxmikant Shetgaonkar, along with “Juze” by Miransha Naik, which received an international award and a record-breaking 14 awards at the Goa Film Festival. Each screening will be followed by an open discussion with the audience, featuring participation by the directors, producers, technical artists, and actors of the films, in addition to Ms Talpankar.

On May 17 Prashanti Talpankar will be interviewed by Urvee Phaldesai, headmaster of Shri Nirakar High School, Mashem. The conversation will highlight Ms Talpankar’s acting in street theatre, dramas and films, as well as her experiences in the students’ movement, teaching, writing, and her journey as a cancer survivor.

In addition to her dedication as a teacher at the higher secondary and college levels, Ms Talpankar has received several state-level awards for her work in drama and film, as well as two national awards for her writing in Konkani. A lifelong social activist and cancer survivor, she continues to raise awareness about cancer.

The festival is open to all. As these films are seldom available for public viewing, Sudesh Prabhudesai, secretary of the ManoShobha Kalaghar Trust, has urged everyone to seize this unique opportunity and participate by registering for free at eventgoa.com. The festival is sponsored by Goan Fests.

PRASHANTI FILM FESTIVAL 

A SPECIAL film festival is being held to pay homage to veteran activist and Konkani movie actor Prashanti Talpankar. The 4-day film festival starting May 14, 2026 is being held in Loliem in Canacona and the films being screened include “Baga Beach” and “Juze.” The films will be followed by a discussion with the audience. The headmaster of the local school will also interview Prashanti Talpankar. Prashanti is part of the Progressive Students Union and at the age of 26 went on an indefinite hunger struggle demanding the resignation of the then speaker Dayanand Narvekar in 1989. Prashanti has a doctorate in commerce and recently retired as an associate professor from the Dhyan Prakash College at Assagao.

MOTHER’S DAY ON SUNDAY

THE second Sunday in May is traditionally observed as Mother’s Day around the world. This year May 10 will be celebrated as Mother’s Day. Among the more interesting Mother’s Day celebration offers is one by a builder who is offering a 25% discount on flats  to be gifted to mothers. Not surprisingly  beauty parlors have special offers for Mother’s Day and hotels and restaurants are also wooing mothers. Regrettably, nobody is offering health check-ups to mothers.

MARIO DE MIRANDA PLAY `SOSSEGAD’

THE Mustard Seed Company is putting up a play titled “Sossegad” to commemorate the century celebrations of the late caricaturist and artist Mario de Miranda. The play is directed by the veteran theatre director, Santa Rita Vaz, it will be staged at the Sunaparanta Open Air ampitheater on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 6.30pm. The play recreates the life and times of the late much loved and appreciated Mario de Miranda. Don’t miss.

JULIO RIBEIRO IS ALL OF 95!

SUPERCOP Julio Ribeiro turned 95 on May 7, 2026. Julio Ribeiro shot to fame when he was appointed as the police chief of Punjab in the wake of Operation Black Thunder which cleared the Golden Temple in Amritsar of Khalistan militants led by Bindranwale.  Ribeiro also served as police chief of Gujarat after the Godhra riots in 2002. It was he who is credited for preempting any attacks on Sikhs following the assassination of former prime minister, Indira Gandhi, by her Sikh guards. It is a matter of pride that Julio is of Goan origin with an ancestral house in Divar Island, although he grew up with his late brother Edgar Ribeiro in  Byculla in Mumbai that was Bombay once upon a time. We wish Julio Rebeiro a very happy birthday and “jeeyo haazaron saal”!  

DIGITAL GOA TURNS 21

DIGITAL Goa,  which is a  news service on WhatsApp, was started by Neeraj and Sangeeta Naik in 2005. The digital news service provided updates on major news developments in Goa as they happened through messages on your phone. Niraj Naik was  a former colleague in “OHeraldo” and we remember he had a reputation for  fact-checking every news item he put up. There was no question of any fake news from Digital Goa. We are happy to learn that Digital Goa continues to be run by the couple with Sangeeta, a software engineer, and Neeraj, is a journalist.

MONSTER CASINO STOPPED

THE new monster casino vessel of Deltin Royale  has been stopped from entering the Mandovi river by the Goa bench of the Bombay high court.  The 112-meter vessel has however been permitted to park at Berth No.14 at the Mormugao port at port town Vasco da Gama.  The high court has made it clear that the casino vessel cannot enter the Mandovi river without the court’s permission. Incidentally, the high court has also asked the Pollution Control Board to carry out a study on the fecal contamination caused by discharges from the casino vessels on the Mandovi river. At least in Panjim, Ponjekars now ask the vendors in the fish market if the fish they’re selling is from the Mandovi river and if it is…it’s a case of maka naka zai!   

UTTAR PRADESH FOOD JIHAD

LIKE it or not the Uttar Pradesh government has decided to promote UP as a vegetarian state. Calling it culinary tourism promotion a special dish will be promoted and marketed in each district of UP. However, no kebabs or mutton biryani will be promoted. Only UP’s vegetarian dishes will be promoted – ironical, because UP is a state famous for its mutton or lamb dishes. Not to forget Lucknow is the city renowned for its nawabi culture and non-vegetarian feasting of yore! Vegetarian sheek or galouti or tunday kebab anyone?

GOA CABINET APPROVALS 

THE STATE Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister, Dr Pramod Sawant approved a series of decisions focused on livelihood generation, welfare initiatives, healthcare services and education reforms on May7, 2026. Among the major approvals was the appointment of Goa Livelihood Forum as the implementing agency for the operation, management and maintenance of Sustainable Development Goa Multi-One Product Processing Centres.

The Cabinet also approved financial support of Rs1 crore annually for the initiative aimed at strengthening livelihood generation, training and market linkages. These  processing and value-addition centres will help promote sustainable livelihood opportunities and support local entrepreneurship.

The Directorate of Education has already issued a circular regarding scholarships under government of India schemes for students involved in folk arts, drama, theatre and traditional performances. Students selected under these schemes will receive stipends starting from Rs3,600 along with training support assistance up to Rs9,000 depending on the institution and program. The initiative aims to preserve promote Goa’s rich folk culture and traditional art forms among the younger generation.

Also approved: Thee annual report and initiatives of the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. The office of the State Commission for Persons with Disabilities continues to undertake training programs, sensitization workshops and support initiatives for persons with disabilities. Approval was also granted for the creation of 23 posts under the Goa Rehabilitation Board, which functions as an autonomous body dedicated to rehabilitation and welfare services. Additionally, approval was granted for the restoration of two junior civil engineer posts in the Housing Board.

In the healthcare sector, the Cabinet approved consultant appointments, including specialist positions such as neurosurgeons, to strengthen healthcare services in Goa.  Approval was also granted for the Goa Rules of Admission for Postgraduate Degree Courses at Goa University and Goa Medical College to ensure transparent and structured admission processes for higher medical education. Also approved allocations related to mineral resources as per legal provisions and sustainable management norms; and the  execution of an MoU with Instabiz Synergy  tp provide earned wage access and salary advance facilities for government employees and pensioners. This will allow eligible employees and pensioners to access part of their earned salary or pension before the end of the month through a regulated system, providing financial flexibility and support during emergencies. Altogether the government reiterated its commitment towards welfare-oriented governance, employee support systems and inclusive development across sectors.

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