Dudhsagar rail tours
Eco tourism in the State is set for a big boost with the rail tour to Dudhsagar Waterfalls planned by Goa Tourism Development Corporation starting from January 31. The train will depart from Vasco Railway Station at 6.40 in the morning and arrive at Margao station at 7.25 a.m. The train will make halts at Sanvordem, Collem stations, before reaching Dudhsagar at 9.15 am. The train will return from Dudhsagar at 2.30 p.m. GTDC officials say the introduction of the tour train will facilitate tourists and Goans, particularly students from schools and colleges, besides other institutions for excursions. The carrying capacity of the coach is 108 seats. The fare is fixed at Rs 400, which is inclusive of breakfast and lunch.

Willy-Rane handshake
Nationalist Congress Party chief in Goa, Dr Wilfred de Souza, personally wishing the Opposition leader, Pratapsingh Rane, on his birthday in Sattari on January 28 afternoon led to speculations that the over two-decade old enmity between the two veteran politicians is coming to an end. This round of birthday diplomacy also assumes significance in the political arena of Goa, as the stability which the BJP’s local government boasts about may come under test.

Anjuna, footprints across centuries

It’s a beach village today better known as a hippy haunt. But over the centuries, the coastal village of Anjuna has been one which has thrown up big achievers—even at global scale—and played an interesting if unusual place in history. So says a just-released book, written by historical researcher Dr Teresa Albuquerque, titled “Under the Archangel’s Wings”. It has been released to mark the 400th anniversary of the village church of St Michael.

Kashinath Mahale passes away
Renowned educationist, French Scholar and former Vice-Chancellor of Manipur University, Dr Kashinath J Mahale, 79, of Chorao, expired after a brief illness at the GMC on February 4. Dr Mahale was suffering from a viral infection ‘Gillian Barys’, which affects the nerves. Born on 3 May 1924 at Chorao, Mahale rose to great heights after he had a humble beginning. He was MA in French, LLB and twice PhD in French Literature and Public International Law from Sorbonne, Paris University. He was a fellow in French at Wilson College, Bombay, in 1949 and ended as a Vice-Chancellor of Manipur University after having occupied key teaching positions in several premier educational institutions. He was awarded many a scholarships by Indian and French government and also awarded the knighthood “Chevalier de l’orde des Palmes Academiques” by the Ministry of Education, Government of France, in 1984.

Parrikar pledges to implement language act Brushing aside criticism that he is playing a diplomatic game between the Konkani and Marathi camps, the Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar, on February 4 said his government has already created the Official Language Department and added that the Official Language Act would be implemented in right earnest, and in another 2-3 years things will fall in place.

Bird flu scare
The bird flu scare has now gripped health-conscious Goans. Estimates show that poultry sales has dipped by around 25 per cent in the State, even as big-time traders have stepped in to re-assure the public that Goa, like the rest of the country, continues to be free of avian influenza. Philip Valadares, Chairman of the Goa unit of National Egg Co-ordination Committee (NECC), informs that reports of the flu plaguing several countries and the Centre’s ban on import of poultry products has hit sales in Goa. According to Valadares daily poultry sales in Goa have slumped by around 25 to 30 per cent in the last three days. Inquiries at the SGPDA market complex, which houses over half-a-dozen chicken slaughter houses reveal the same story of falling sales. Goa’s average consumption of chicken per day is put at around 5000 kilograms, depending on the season. While the average consumption of eggs per day is around three to four lakhs.

First angioplasty in Goa
The angiograms and angioplasties in Goa will be performed at the Apollo Victor Hospital, Margao on February 16 by world-renowned interventional cardiologist, Dr Fayaz Shawl. Dr Shawl, currently the director of interventional cardiology at Washington Adventist Hospital, Maryland, USA, will also give a second opinion to the patients, who have already conducted their angiograms or angioplasties.