News Clips from Goa
 

[Goanet] Talking Photo: King of Mangoes Rs.1500 for 12 http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk23/4371792189/sizes/l/ JoeGoaUk | Sat, 20 Feb 2010 | 01:58:14 –0800 King of Mangoes Rs.1500 for 12

Margao: Konkani Literary and Cultural Convention Held Monday , February 22, 2010 12:24:54 PM (IST) | Daijiworld Media Network - Margao (VA) Konkani Literary and Cultural Convention Margao, Feb 22: Dalgado Konkani Akademy organized the Second Konkani (Roman Script) literary and cultural convention at Ravindra Bhavan, Kudchodem, here on February 20 and 21. A colourful venue was set up for the programme which was named after the well-known Konkani film personality late Frank Fernand and the main stage was named after late Albert S Carvalho. The programme started with the procession accompanied by traditional music. Former Goa assembly speaker and the first president of newly formed Tiatr Akademy of Goa Tomazinho Cardozo spoke about the problems associated with language and scripts in Goa. He said that it is important to preserve Konkani written in all sects and all scripts so that it can flourish in all angles and directions.” Only Konkani language in all script and not in a particular script can save Goan culture and Goan identity.” He affirmed. He also stressed the need of uniting the broken society by uniting all scripts of Konkani and giving equal importance to all. Dalgado Konkani Akademy pesident Premnand A Lotlikar said, “We extend our full support to Devanagiri script and we also give equal importance to Roman script, Kannada script and other scripts of Konkani. Thus our work strategy is very clear”. Fr Manuel Gomes welcomed the gathering and said that the light of Konkani language needs to be led by the youth.Fr Bonaventure D'Pietro highlighted the contribution of Roman script in the development of Konkani literature. Mathews Antonio Pereira, theatre personality, Anthony Menezes , Konkani writer Assumption Martinha Rodrigues, radio artist, singer, dancer, Abdanio Rodrigues, musician, composer, singer ,Nixon D’Silva, musician, Dr Jayanti Nayak , folklore Scholar, Fr Planton Faria , journalist, founder editor of Gonychim Kirna Konkani fortnightly, Luciano Dias, singer and Tiatr artist, Merlin Rosaria Fernandes, Fr Bonaventure D'Piero Milton Rodrigues , poet, story writer Venisha Fernandes, young poetess and Vincy Quadros, Journalist, Konkani activist were honoured during the occasion for their contribution to the development of Konkani language. MLA of Kudchodem Shyam Satardekar said that he would support the noble cause of Dalgado Konkani Akademy in giving due respect to the Konkani in Roman script. MLA of Kepem Chandrakant Babu Kavlekar lauded the organizers for galvanizing a large crowd for the cause of Roman script in Konkani. He said that preserving Goan identity is the need of the hour.The secretary of the organising committee Walter Menezes proposed the vote of thanks. Two sessions were held on the first day. The theme of the morning session was ‘Youngsters and their future’ which was moderated by Fr Kyriel D'Souza. Vincy Quadros, Titus Noronha and Pandarinat D Lotlikar presented papers. The theme of the evening session was ‘Development of Konkani literature through the Roman script’ which was moderated by Dr Rafael Fernandes. Fr Louis Alvares, Anil Kumar and Fr Pratap Naik presented papers. Kudchodem-Kakoda Muncipal Corporation president Paresh Bhende was the chief guest of the concluding ceremony. He extended his whole-hearted support for the cause taken by Dalgado Konkani Akademy. Sahity Akademy award winner Jess Fernandes, Dalgado Konkani Akademy president Premanand A Lotlikar also spoke on the occasion. Organising committe tresurer Thomas C Fernandes welcomed the gathering, and Dalgado Konkani Akademy secretary Jose Salvadore Fernandes proposed the Vote of thanks.

Goa should focus only on tourism: Arcelor Mittal honcho Mr Andrzej Wypych, the HR director of Arcelor Mittal, the Poland-based world's largest steel maker company on Saturday said that Goa should refrain from welcoming any industrial investments, and must solely concentrate on developing tourism as an industry to generate revenue. The HR director of ArcelorMittal, who is currently in Goa on a leisure trip told 'The Navhind Times' that Goa can easily survive without further industrial production units. 'Goa has a gift of nature and it should be preserved at any cost,' Mr Wypych observed, pointing out that the industrial business should be left to other parts of India. "I wish this area doesn't have any industrial investment,' he reiterated. [NT]

Israeli drug lord held in Anjuna Keeping up the pressure on drug peddlers in the state, the Anti Narcotics Cell (ANC) yesterday cast its net on a big fish, an Israeli, David Driham alias Dudu, who was found in possession of drugs worth around Rs 3.80 lakh. The 34-year-old Israeli, against whom several cases are pending, was nabbed in Anjuna with 144 escsasy tablets (55 grams), heroine powder (5 gms), cocaine (6.5 gms) liquid LSD (7.30 gms) and Charas (1.65 kilograms), the value of which works to around Rs 3.81 lakh. [GT]

Centre puts freeze on fresh mine clearances In a major development on the mining front, the Central government has decided to freeze environmental clearances (ECs) to the new mining proposals and said it was mooting a comprehensive environmental impact assessment of all mining activities in the State. In a letter to Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, the Union Minster for Environment and Forest has stated that the ministry has decided to freeze ECs to new proposals until the mining policy for the State is finalized. [H]

Labourer stoned to death over petty issue near Sada waste plant In a gruesome incident, a labourer was brutally killed by his colleagues by smashing his head with stones over a petty issue after abducting him during the wee hours on Monday.According to the deputy superintendent of police, Vasco, Mr Mahesh Gaonkar, the deceased has been identified as L Gopal and was working with C Raja Company, based at Headland-Sada. The company is engaged in coal handling at MPT. [NT]

A Real estate agent's eyeing ancestral Goan houses In what could be described as nuisance and intrusion into their private life for the local people, especially those living in old houses in coastal areas, the A real estate agent's on the move have been calling at their door steps and enquiring whether the houses were for sale and promising best return. A number of people both in North and South Goa told " The Navhind Times " that they were visited by some people, some young and others of middle age, who wanted to know whether they would sell their properties for attractive returns. The "agents" speak in chaste Hindi and English, they informed. [NT]

One voice: Russians, go back Villagers of Morjim, yesterday, spoke in one voice against the increasing influence the 'bad-viced' Russians are exerting in their village. Villagers at the gram sabha held, yesterday, placed firm their demand that they be disallowed to conduct business and those currently doing so illegally be stopped with an iron hand. [GT]

Vegetable cultivation on the upswing in Bardez Goa may be buying vegetables from the neighbouring states and this may be a reason for high prices. Nonetheless Bardez of late has been witnessing an upswing in the cultivation of vegetables.There has been an increase of 15 per cent in vegetable cultivation in Bardez this winter compared to last winter. This is mainly due to various government schemes that have been availed of by the cultivators resulting in an increase in area under cultivation. [NT]

National Seminar on ‘Nanotechnology and Its Impact on Society’ Thu Feb 18 01:36:39 PST 2010 Dear Sir,I will be grateful if you please publish the enclosed in your issue and oblige. With many thanks and kind regards, Yours sincerely, Dr. (Fr.) Walter de Sá PRINCIPAL St. Xavier's College of Arts, Science & Commerce, Xavier nagar, Mapusa - Goa - 403507 - INDIA. National Seminar on ‘Nanotechnology and Its Impact on Society’ The Post-graduate Department of Chemistry, St. Xavier’s College, Mapusa, in association with Sangam, Goa, and Indian Institute of Science and Religion (IISR), Pune, conducted a two day National Seminar on Nanotechnology and its Impact on Society on 12th -13th February 2010. It was inaugurated by Dr. Anil S. Dinge, Principal, PES College, Farmagudi, and Chairman, Principal’s Forum, by lighting the traditional lamp along with Dr. (Fr.) Walter de Sa, Principal, St. Xavier’s College, Mapusa, Dr. Job Kohzhamthadam SJ, President of IISR , Pune, Dr. (Fr.) Victor Ferrao, Dr. J. P. P. Pacheco and Dr. Tushar Anvekar. In his address, Dr. Dinge exhorted the teachers to work unitedly with the students in the field of science and research. He also released the journal, TAUZ, edited by Dr. (Fr.) Victor Ferrao, Director, SANGAM, Goa. Dr. (Fr.) Walter de Sa, whilst welcoming the dignitaries and the participants, observed that there is today a worldwide interest in Nanotechnology and urged them to discuss and reflect upon the concept and the impact of this newly evolving and emerging technology on our society. It has a promising future and we can hope for the better, he added. At the end of the inaugural function, the Coordinator, Dr. Tushar Anvekar, proposed the vote of thanks. Dr. Job Kohzhamthadam delivered the keynote address on Nano Science, the Mystery of Science and the Enduring Mystery of Nature. The two day seminar had seven technical sessions, during which research papers were presented by Ms. Cizel Rodrigues from Government College, Sanquelim, Dr. Melwyn Chagas Silva, Consultant at JMJ Hospital, Porvorim, Ms. Vaishnavi Konkolienkar from Zantye College, Bicholim, Dr. Stephen Jayard from Jnana-Deepa Vidyapeeth, Pune, Dr. (Fr.) Victor Ferrao from Rachol Seminary, Dr. Harsha Uskaekar from PES College, Farmagudi, and Dr. Jayson Joseph from Khandola College, Marcela. Dr. Ganesh Somayaji, Head, Department of Sociology, Goa University, presided over the valedictory function and gave away the certificates. Dr. (Fr.) Walter de Sa congratulated the students of the M.Sc. programme for shouldering the responsibility of organizing the seminar successfully in which around 90 delegates from 13 different institutions including NIO, Donapaula, and RIT, Shiroda, participated. To conclude the seminar Dr. (Fr.) Victor Ferrao delivered the vote of thanks. Dr. (Fr.) Walter de Sa PRINCIPAL St. Xavier's College of Arts, Science & Commerce, Xavier nagar, Mapusa - Goa - 403507 - INDIA.

Farmers stage dharna at Quepem http://oheraldo.in/news/Local%20News/Farmers-stage-dharna-at-Quepem/33807.html  QUEPEM, FEB 21 | HERALD CORRESPONDENT To highlight the plight of farming community in the State, farmers from Goa under the banner ‘Goenchea Xetkarancho Ekvott’ staged a dharna at Quepem Municipal Council Garden on Sunday. About 100 farmers from different parts of Goa participated in the day-long agitation. Speaking to reporters, Goenchea Xetkarancho Ekvott President Deelip Hegde said the main purpose of the agitation was to reach to the farmers in different parts of the State. “The government, under the garb of public purpose, is rampantly acquiring prime agricultural land. The acquisition of agricultural land is going on in violation of central policy on agriculture, which states that no agriculture land should be acquired unless there is an emergency to do so. Goan farmers will unite to fight the injustice,” stated Hegde. “In future, all farmers will fight against the injustice that is being done to them. Such a demonstration will be held in different parts of Goa,” he added. Goenchea Xetkarancho Ekvott Secretary Paul Fernandes said the government is claiming that people are keeping their land barren, but the government does not bother to find out the reason. “Most of the land in Salcete, which are kept barren, is due to stray cattle, irrigation facility, which is provided in crores of rupees goes in vain if stray cattle problem is not solved,” said Fernandes. “The government is doing nothing to implement the Agricultural Tenancy Act, which shows how much the government is concerned about the farming community,” added Fernandes.