Frogs protected under Wildlife Protection Act
PANAJI, June 30: The Union government has banned catching, killing and export of frog legs. Frogs are protected under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and catching, killing and selling frogs, or serving frog meat in eating places contravene the provisions of the act and attract stringent punishment with fine and imprisonment.
The craze for 'jumping chicken' this year is much higher as compared to last year. Although the authorities claim the rate of killing of frogs has declined over the years and the law for protection of frogs is enforced stringently, various sources maintain that its consumption is on the increase. During the monsoon, catching of frogs for the purpose of delicious recipe at homes, bars and restaurants have increased to a great extent.

Yeshwant Chowgule passes away
PANAJI: Chowgule Group of Companies vice chairman Yeshwantrao Dattajirao Chowgule died after a brief illness at Mumbai on July 5. He was 85. He along with his brother Vishwasrao D Chowgule and his other brothers promoted a wide variety of industries such as shipping, shipbuilding, iron ore extraction, integrated fisheries, engineering, fabrication, etc. He was in the forefront to promote shipbuilding in Goa and under his leadership quite a number of sophisticated vessels had been constructed and delivered by the Chowgule yards to the port trusts, stage governments and private ship owners.

Fr Alwyn is first Bishop of Sindhudurg diocese.
PANAJI: A new diocese of Sindhudrg has been carved out, and Rev Fr Alwyn Barreto from Siolim has been appointed its first Bishop. Pope Benedict XVI has bifurcated the Diocese of Pune and erected the new Diocese of Sindhudurg and appointed the new Bishop. The Diocese comprises the districts of Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri and Kolhapur, except Kolhapur city. The Catholic population is 28,500 in 17 churches and is served by 41 priests and 93 sisters. Bishop-elect Rt Rev Alwyn Barreto was born in Mapusa on Dec 22, 1952.

Mickky threatens to boycott session
PANJIM, July 6: With no sign of any portfolio allocation on Wednesday, the Benaulim MLA Mickky Pacheco has in a communication to Chief Minister Pratapsing Rane has said that he would boycott the Assembly session scheduled for July 8 to elect the new Speaker and deputy Speaker, if portfolios are not allocated to him by Friday noon.

"Ek Dis" premiers at INOX
PANAJI: 'Ek Dis', a Konkani movie under the banner of Fantasy Films premiered at Inox on July 2. Subtitled 'Shadows of Life', the movie is the story of Ann played by Ruan Pereira and the adversity she encounters in her life. Based in a small Goan village, Ann faces a series of hardships. The movie, produced and directed by brother-sister duo Amar and Sushma Sawant, is a professed effort at restoring the glory due to Konkani films.