Konkan fruit festival
Governor SC Jamir inaugurated the third 3-day Konkani Fruit Festival 2005 at the promenade oppose the Old GMC, Panjim, on May 6. This unique festival of fruits was been organised jointly by the Botanical Society of Goa, Directorate of Agriculture, Indian Council for Agricultural Research and Western Ghats Kokum Foundation.

Rich heritage neglected while looking at different images
The four-day conference on 'Sovereignty, Citizenship and Gender' held at the National Institute of Oceanography auditorium observed that Goans look at images that trivialise their life, culture and traditions and at popular perceptions that do not take into account the state's rich heritage or its contemporary problems. Another session on the theme how there is a constant debate on what constitutes 'Goan-ness and Goan identity' focused on issues of identity, migration and tourism, all of which are related. The effects of increased in-and-out-migration on the rights and responsibilities of various sections of women in Goa are questions that need consideration, it deduced.

Apollo Victor Hospitals to set up eye bank in Goa
Apollo Victor Hospitals, Margao, have initiated the move to set up the first eye bank and the Goa Eye Research Institute in the state. The hospital counsellors deployed in different hospitals would approach the relatives of the deceased with a request to donate the eyes of the deceased so that the blind could see the light of the day. Eyes should be removed within six hours of death. It would be then transplanted to the needy patients within 72 hours after removal. "If we get a single donor, two blind victims stand to benefit..

The prodigal daughter leaves
The return of the Congress has suffered a body blow with the quitting of the prodigal daughter, Nirmala Sawant. One of the party's last surviving icons of loyalty joined the ranks of the rebels and walked away from the party she nourished, after 38 long years. She quit in protest over the party fielding her bete noire Pandurang Madkaikar from Cumbarjua. In her resignation letter, she said, "I...resign from the primary membership of the Indian National Congress, because I cannot work for the Congress candidate from Cumbarjua constituency, who has shifted party loyalties frequently and used power and party for his personal gains."

Goa’s asthma population
Asthma specialist, Dr AL da Costa, stated that problems resulting from asthma can be completely prevented if the patient is aware of the seriousness of the disease. Dr Costa further stated that if asthma is left untreated or not treated thoroughly, it can disrupt the patient's life. "In Goa, there are over 6,000 asthma patients and thousands die every year," he added. Dr Costa revealed that out of an estimated 20 million asthma patients in India, most of them did not have adequate control over the disease and lead a compromised life.