Human Touch Foundation & Just Imagine to intensify drive to end HIV stigma, in Goa

From Prakash Kamat in Panaji

July 28-The Human Touch Foundation(HTF), Goa continues its sensitisation drive across the State of Goa  to end HIV stigma.
HTF and Just Imagine in collaboration with Goa Department of Education and Goa State AIDS Control Society (GSACS) held a half day sensitization workshop on “Let’s End HIV Stigma” on Saturday, July 27 in an attempt at improving the mindsets and the approach of educational institutions when dealing with children and adolescents living with HIV.
The workshop was attended by 53 heads of  institution and teachers from Salcete, Mormugao and Quepem at Baywatch Resort, Sernabatim-Colva,Goa
Dr. Angelica Siona Gomes, Project Director spoke on the need for combating stigma and working towards zero discrimination in line with the global goals.
Mr. Peter F Borges, CEO and founder of HTF spoke in a detailed manner on stigma and discrimination by giving citing incidents of discrimination happening in various educational institutions. Further, he explained use of appropriate language which is more preferred in reducing prevailing stigma and discrimination.
Peter also spoke about egislations with respect to stigma and discrimination, i.e Goa Children’s Act 2004, the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control), Act 2017 and also judgements of the Supreme Court which are meant to protect the rights of those living with HIV.
A personal experience was shared by one of the adolescent living with HIV on how she underwent ordeal when she was expelled from school because of her HIV status in 2014.
Mr. Himanshu Patel, Founder of Just Imagine earlier spoke on the need to eradicate stigma and discrimination in school setting and spelt out plans of Just Imagine to conduct more such workshops across the State.(eom)

My cover story in "Goan Varta" Marathi newspaper on Sunday,July 28 on British Teenager's murder on Goan beach in 2008 & mother's successful fight for justice against all odds

British minor's 2008 murder case in Goa: Being sole breadwinner doesn't merit leniency, says HC

Prakash Kamat in Panaji
July 21-Being a sole bread-winner of the family is not enough cause for linen cycling in a case involving pre-planned sexual assault and culpable homicide, the Bombay High Court at Goa said in its order convicting Samson D'Souza, a beach shack worker, for 10 years for sexually assaulting 15-year-old Scarlett Keeling, a British minor girl and leaving her to die on Anjuna beach of North Goa in 2008.
The judgement by Justices R.D. Dhanuka and Prithiviraj Chavan also said that while acquitting D'Souza in 2016, the Goa Children's Court had taken an "impossible view in the given set of facts and circumstances" of the case and ignored "cogent" witnesses and medical evidence, including wounds of the body of the 15-year-old girl.
"The conclusions are contrary to the evidence on record. The judgement is based on surmises and conjectures," the judgement by the division bench stated.
The high court observed that the trial court had also ignored medical evidence showing that the victim was drugged and bruises on her body.
The British teenager was found dead at  Anjuna beach in February 2008. Local police initially claimed her death was due to accidental drowning, but the deceased's mother Fiona MacKeown insisted on a second autopsy.
A police officer was also dismissed from service on account of the lapse, while a forensic specialist was under the scanner for the dubious first autopsy.
A subsequent postmortem showed there was ecstasy, cocaine and LSD in the teenager’s body, along with large number of cuts and bruises and evidence of sexual assault.
The case was latter investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation.
It was alleged by the prosecution that D’Souza drugged her, raped her and left her unconscious on the beach.
D’Souza was booked under several sections of the Indian Penal Code — culpable homicide, criminal assault and outraging a woman’s modesty, providing narcotics to a person with knowledge that it could cause serious harm or death, and destruction of evidence, besides Section 8 of the Goa Children’s Act.(eom)

"The Ugly Goan" continue their drive to clean Goa's beaches

From Prakash Kamat in Panaji
July 20-"The Ugly Goan," a group of young volunteers of a non-profit environmental conservation organisation in Goa is actively working on cleanliness of beaches.
(FaceBook Page -   https://www.facebook.com/TheUglyGoan/)"The Ugly Goan:

* We conduct cleanliness drives and awareness programmes across the State to make Goa a cleaner and greener place.
* So far we have organised various beach-cleaning drives in Goa Velha, Caranzalem and Kharewaddo beaches in the last two months(related links added below).
* Our endeavour is to initiate public support and participation and especially to mobilise the youth.
* We believe that our initiatives would create awareness among the youth that would, in the future, establish a strong youth initiative to fight for the conservation of the environment, which is the immediate need of the day.
Our next drive is happening at Kharewaddo beach import town of Vasco-Mormugao. An area filled with garbage. An area that needs a new identity. We can make a difference only with your support.
We seek your help in taking the information about the drive to people across Goa. We hope you will be with us in creating a better, cleaner Goa.
Cleanup Drive on Sunday, 21st July , Kharewaddo Beach. @ 3pm onwards.
Meetup point – TilakMaidan Vasco at 3pm sharp
Here is link of youtube video of our Kharewado Cleanliness Drive
https://youtu.be/Z0cYhQzyDF0
Kabir Naik of "The Ugly Goan"speaks of the work and initiatives of the group and urges ppl to join them.
9686141261 / 7972708317(eom)

CBI pleads for maximum punishment to convict and compensation to mother of victim in British minor girl's murder on Goa beach in 2008

Prakash Kamat in Panaji

Panaji, July 19- The Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI) on Friday told Bombay High Court at Goa here that Samson D'Souza, a beach-shack worker who was convicted for sexual assault and death of 15-year-old British teenager (Scarlett Keeling)at Anjuna beach of Goa in 2008, should be severely punished and the victim's mother should be compensated for trauma.
CBI prosecutor Ejaz Khan made the plea  in the Bombay High Court at Goa on Friday.
D'Souza's defence lawyer Shailendra Bhobe requested for leniency saying he had no prior criminal record, is a father of a 12-year-old child and the only breadwinner in the family.
Both lawyers were arguing before the Court, ahead of the pronouncement of quantum of sentence in the case, which is expected to be annpunced later on Friday.
"In addition to seeking a very severe punishment, I seek that the victim may be compensated.Victim's motherf had to run from pillar to post besides suffer trauma and severe pain in a foreign land," Mr. Khan argued, speaking of Scarlett's mother Fiona Mackeown's plight and subsequent fight for justice.
D’Souza a beach shack worker was pronounced guilty of all charges in connection with the 2008 incident.
The other accused Plácido Carvalho was acquitted of all charges by the Court for lack of evidence.
Mr. Khan also sought maximum punishment under law, because Goa is a "tourist State and it is important to send a message that we do not tolerate such kind of crimes".
Scarlett's mother Fiona Mackeown's lawyer Vikram Varma told the High Court on behalf of the victim's mother, that paedophilia should be treated with the "highest level of seriousness" by the Court.
Mr. Bhone,however, intervened pleading for leniency,arguing that D'Souza was trying to reform himself.
"D’Souza has no criminal antecedents. He also saud that he had cooperated with the trial at every stage over the last eleven years.
"He has a wife and child, who is now 12-years-old and school-going and D'Souza is the only earning member of his family and that he should be given a chance to reform himself," pleaded his lawyer Bhobe. (eom)

Safe living tips for senior citizens by Goa Police

Prakash Kamat in Panaji
July 17-North Goa Superintendent of Police Chandan Chaudhary has initiated a people-connect programme-Police at your door step- in her district for quite some time.
The SP along with her Sub Divisional Police Officer,Police Inspector and his  local police station beat team personnel hold dialogue with vulnerable sections of society like Senior Citizens, women etc. , reaching out to them directly in residential colonies and societies and imbibe a sense of safety and security among them.Brief them on various do's and don'ts and engage them to spell their grievances which are addressed there and there or noted for action.
At such a "Police at your doorstep" programme held at B. N.  Melvani Recration Centre for senior citizens, Fonteinhas in Panaji to address the challenges faced by the elderly living alone and how to ensure there safety and security, on Wednesday, Ms Chaudhary spoke elaborately and engaged with the full house:

1. Need for a better neighbourhood security measures and community living options.
2. To register the names and ID documents of regular visitors such as the domestic help, milkman, and electrician to the PS
Share their details with friends and relatives
2. Create a strong peer group.
3. Install door chains, alarm bell, magic eye and CCTV cameras.
4. Set emergency contacts on speed dial.
5. Not to give personal information to strangers.
6 When banking/shopping online, look for the padlock icon in the address bar and make sure addresses begin with "httpa://" the "s" means your data is securely encrypted.
7. Never post any personal information such as birthdays or addresses online or on any social network.
Cybersecurity and online privacy measures
1. Dont trust emails that ask you for personal information or passwords. These are most likely scams.
Never respond even if they appear to come from reputable sources.
2. Do not trust any messages asking for your help in transferring funds as this is a common type of fraud.
3. Dont believe any online messages or emails that say you have won a lottery or a prize.
4. Dont give anyone access to your computer or phone, unless they are a trusted friend or family member.
5. Stay away from online or social media quizzes.
6. Keep your wifi network password protected and dont join unsecured wifi networks.
To ensure safety from fraud:
1. Keep all your valuables in a locker at bank.
2. Do not give out any financial information about yourself to strangers or even neighbours.
3. Never give out account information or credit card information in response to an unsolicited phone call or message.
Back up your information and store it safely.
4. Check your bank account regularly and watch out for any suspicious transaction or any activity that you are not familiar with.
5. Keep a list of all your accounts and financial institutions with a trusted family member, in case an emergency occurs.
6. Dont apply or agree to any loans or mortgages without consulting with a specialist or at the very least, a family member or trusted friend.
7. Dont let anyone force you/pressure you to purchase any product, enroll in any services or make any donations.
8. Hang up the phone on telemarketers or anyone who makes you feel uncomfortable. (eom)

One convicted while one acquitted by High Court in British teenager's murder case,in Goa

Prakash Kamat in Panaji
July17-The Bombay High Court in Goa on Wednesday convicted Samson D’Souza and acquitted Placido Carvalho in connection with a case involving sexual assault and death of 15-year-old British teenager at Anjuna beach in 2008.
The High Court judgement on Wednesday partially overturned a 2016 trial court order.
Mr. Ejaz Khan, counsel for the Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI), said: “Samson has been convicted, Carvalho is acquitted. The matter would be heard on Friday for quantum of punishment”.
The CBI had challenged the acquittal of the two beach-shack workers, Samson D’Souza and Placido Carvalho, who were accused of sexually assaulting 15-year-old British teen Scarlett Keeling leaving her to die on Anjuna beach in North coatal belt in 2008.
D’Souza and Carvalho had been charged under Indian Penal Code sections 304 (II) (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 354 (assault or use of criminal force on a woman with an intent to outrage her modesty) and 328 (administrating stupefying drug with an intent to cause hurt).
Vikrama Varma, lawyer of Scarlett’s mother Fiona Mackeown, who was present during the hearing said that justice had been done, especially with the Court ordering the conviction of Samson, after finding him guilty on all listed counts.
“They took off her (Scarlett’s) clothes, they assaulted her sexually and they killed her. That conduct brings them under the purview of the Goa Children’s Act. And accused number one Samson D’Souza was found guilty on all counts,” Varma said.
He said that the Court acquitted Carvalho because of lack of evidence. 
The sexual assault and death of Scarlett, subsequent attempts by the local police to cover-up the suspicious death, Fiona Mackeown’s fight for justice had attracted attention to the case globally for a decade.(eom)

Goa Assembly: Then and Now

Prakash Kamat in Panaji
JULY 16:
Sorrowing lies my land of Goa......

Goans,wherever they are, have been severely outraged by the sordid political turmoil and subsequent drama that unfolded ahead of crucial monsoon session of the State Assembly in Goa. Everybody is disgusted and pained,and  have been wondering....what is the nadir to which Goan MLAS have been stooping every passing day.
My good friend Bhaskar Assoldekar who is Goa cordinator of Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR), a Delhi-based organisation which pursues the cause of transparency in electoral process and reforms for democracy,always says Goa must get good elected representatives and good governance. Alas!
Pained at heart Mr. Assoldekar posted to me today a....

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

GOA ASSEMBLY: THEN & NOW:

As we pass through arguably one of the biggest turmoils in the history of Goa Assembly ( next only to 1980 turmoil when every one joined Congress I under Pratap Singh Rane with No Opposition left except Khalap & Babuso Gaonkar who remained in MGP), my thoughts take me  back to an incident  in the rainy season of 1964- exactly 55 years ago.

Late in the evening, at the end of the day’s proceedings in the Assembly, a MLA from South Goa( Identity is intentionally not revealed to maintain the dignity) in the then ruling MGP Party had a brief discussion with UGP MLA from Margao who owned a car and immediately shared the back seat of the car with him right outside Adil Khan’s Palace ( Assembly site then).
They drove straight to Margao in a hurry. He not only stayed overnight with UGP MLA at his residence in Margao but even had the audacity of driving back with him to the Assembly the next day!
Next day, this news spread across the Assembly like a wild fire. Then CM Bandodkar was furious. He called the MLA to his chambers and in his unique style, verbally fired him for the “unpardonable act” ! CMs typical question to MLA was, “which Goddess your family believes in ?” When the said MLA was asked to “swear by the name of the Goddess” that he is not joining the opposition and managing a coup, the MLA started sobbing. MLA then told his part of the story.

And this is what he said- “ Bhau, yesterday, the Assembly session got over at 7 pm. The last bus to Margao was at 7.30 pm. If I was to take that bus, I would not have been able to get the last bus from Margao to my home town in South Goa. I checked up if I could join him in the car. He said it is fine. When we reached Margao bus stand, the last  bus for the day to my home town had already left and it was raining very heavily. I didn’t have enough money Bhau to stay in the hotel, so I accepted the offer of staying overnight at his place! Since he was anyway coming to Assembly Session today, I joined him today also. I am very sorry, Bhau !!”

Yes, there were only 7-8 MLAs who had cars then! Rest all attended sessions by taking public transport! Even today, as I recall this incident, I get goosepimples for sheer innocence and the sense of commitment with which  Goa’s MLAs  behaved and acted then!

Look at the typical fatherly but naive approach of Bhau asking him to “swear by Goddess”! And once he swore that was taken as “Absolute Truth” with no further questions! Bhau also apparently rushed to Margao MLA ( who was his personal friend) to apologise for the allegation he himself had made! Bhau had felt guilty! Look at the simplicity of the MLAs then!

Certainly lot of water has flown under Mandovi Bridge since then. The walls of Old Vidhan Sabha and the new one as also private chambers of ministers and MLAs must have been mute witness to this  paradigm shift .

Then

    Now

Churchill Brothers FC seeks PM Modi's intervention to save Goa football

Prakash Kamat in Panaji
Here below I reproduce a letter written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Goa's Churchill Brothers FC team via Goa CM @DrPramodSawant:

Dear Sir,

"Football is a sport that singularly connects every Goan and invokes a sense of passion. Goa has given illustrious football legends to the Indian sports arena. I request the Prime Minister to consider examining the matter put forward by Churchill Bros FC, which is one of the premier clubs in the State of Goa."

-Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant

PANJIM: Goa’s Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mediation in examining the plea of Churchill Brothers Football Club to retain the club's position in the top league of the country, specially considering the interest of young football players and also providing protection to the traditional clubs with a highly valued history in Indian football.

The Chief Minister's prompt action was a follow-up of the meeting with Mr. Churchill Alemao, President and Ms. Valanka Alemao, CEO of Churchill Brothers FC.

Fully supporting the Churchill Bros' plea, the Chief Minister perused the letter addressed to the Prime Minister, wherein Churchill Bros FC along with many other I-League clubs had sought the PM's intervention to save Indian football, especially that of the Goan club which has been the torch-bearer of Goa and Indian football for the past four decades and more.

Showing eagerness to protect the interest of football and Goan football players, Dr. Pramod stated: "Football is a sport that singularly connects every Goan and invokes a sense of passion. Goa has given illustrious football legends to the Indian sports arena. I request the Prime Minister to consider examining the matter put forward by Churchill Bros FC, which is one of the premier clubs in the State of Goa."

Driving home that football runs in the blood of Goans and the fact that Goa has declared football as its national sport, Dr. Pramod felt that the "PM's intervention in the matter would ensure that the lawful rights of the players and patrons of the sport in the State are safeguarded."

In its submission, Churchill Bros FC's CEO, Valanka Alemao, stated that the club were the champions in the I-League twice and the Federation Cup and runners-up of I-League thrice. The 42-year old club had earned the distinction of representing India in the AFC Cup championship due to its superlative performance and presently is the only Goan club in the I-League after the withdrawal of other acclaimed Goan teams - Dempo, Salgaocar and Sporting.

"We have been providing a pan-India platform for talented players from Goa, other parts of India and even from abroad to showcase their talent with especially the Goan football players gaining the much-needed experience and exposure which catapults them for higher and bigger events at national and international levels. As of now, we are the torch-bearers of Goan football in the National League and as such we must continue enjoying the pride of place especially for the sake of Goan players. The I-League has been the top division league in the country and the status needs to be maintained at all costs. Even AFC and FIFA have acknowledged this fact," reasoned Valanka.

"The ISL is a commercial championship without a system of promotion and relegation as required by FIFA statues under its Sporting Merit clause. It is more like the IPL in cricket, a closed-league, there being no culture of Indian football. There is no legacy. The AIFF is dependent on the finances to sustain itself and as such it entered into a Masters Right Agreement (MRA) in 2010 with IMG-R which affects the rights of the I-League clubs as it has been contemplated in the agreement that the ISL would be made the senior most league in preference to I-League which would eventually be displaced to the ordinary or no status at all," explained Valanka.

"The IMG-R is a private business entity which has launched franchise-based clubs, which are not part of and have nothing to do with, the rich history of Indian football. The top-tier league in the country was launched in 1996, christened as National Football League (NFL) and in 2007 re-branded as I-league as India's first ever professional league and as such enjoyed the status of India's top-tier league. It was only in October 2013 that ISL came into existence, with many alleging that it became a necessity due to financial constraints," added Valanka.

"The road map for Indian football is what the traditional clubs have been asking for. It is because of this exact reason - the lack of clarity on the road map for Indian football - that Dempo, Salgaocar and Sporting Clube de Goa withdrew from the league. And now the onus has fallen on Churchill Bros to safeguard the interests of Goan football players, as football is today a means of livelihood for most of the players what with more and more youngsters being attracted to it also from the employment point of view that also encompasses coaches, physios, professional managers, administrators, and several others. Consequently, lowering the status of the I-League would mean diminishing the returns especially for the professionals," reasoned out  Ms. Valanka.

Ms. Valanka expressed her club's gratitude to Chief Minister Sawant for promptly accepting the request to save the interest of Goa and Goan footballers and promote proper ecosystem to nurture young talent as future stars of Indian football.

Mr. Alemao,while appreciating the Chief Minister for initiating quick action in the matter, stated that he had understood the urgency of the matter and that the Chief Minister has promised that sports and especially football would be given due priority and attention since it involved the youth.

CHURCHILL BROTHERS FC,

MARGAO, GOA.

Tel: 0832-2766101

............

....

50th IFFI edition's special package to be dedicated to Gandhiji's 150th birth anniversary

Prakash Kamat in Panaji
July 14- The Golden Jubilee year edition of prestigious International Film Festival of India(IFFI) 2019 will be big celebration as it also coincides with 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
Top filmmaker and producer like Karan Johar and Siddharth Roy Kapur,respectively,will be part of the steering committee of the 50th edition of the IFFI, which will be held in Goa from November 20-28, Union Minister for Information Broadcasting Prakash Javdekar said on Sunday.
Talking to mediapersons  after meeting officials of his Ministry and the State government,in Goa vis a vis organising of the festival -- Government of India's biggest film festival -- Javdekar also said, that this edition of IFFI will be special because of Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary and the event will dedicate a package to the Father of the Nation.
"In steering committee Karan Johar, Siddharth Roy Kapur, Feroz Abbas Khan, Subhash Ghai have already confirmed and two three names will be added. They will steer the whole thing because it has to be a professional show. This is important because it is 150th (birth) anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi," Mr. Javdekar said.
The Union Minister also said, that president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences John Bailey has confirmed his attendance for the event.
"We will also have a business exhibition at the event, because it is a good time to showcase latest film technologies and an exhibition of Gandhi 'Gandhi150'," he  said.
He said that private theatres in Goa are being hired as part of the festival to screen popular films, which are part of the festival.
"In the past people did not get tickets to watch popular films, so we are enrolling private theatres to screen these film," he said.(eom)

UNESCO Education Report on children with disabilities presented to Vice President

From Prakash Kamat in Panaji
Panaji,July 12-A UNESCO delegation led by Mr. Eric Falt, Director, UNESCO, New Delhi earlier this week presented ‘State of the Education Report for India 2019- Children with Disabilities’ to Vice President M.Venksiah Naidu.
The report contains 10 recommendations, including amendments to Right to Education Act to align with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act by incorporating specific concerns of children with disabilities.
Receiving the report, Mr. Naidu said it was timely as the Government was in the midst of formulating a new education policy.  He said that education of children with disabilities was receiving special attention of the government and the country was steadily moving towards inclusive and equitable quality education.
Expressing confidence that the report would provide useful inputs, the Vice President said that India always believed in adopting the best practices from across the globe. He said the need of the hour was to promote inclusive education and hoped that the government would positively consider the suggestions made in the report as inputs to the new National Policy on Education being currently debated.(eom)

Goa Tourism safety advisory not to venture into sea in monsoons

Prakash Kamat in Panaji
July 11-  The Drishti Marine, Goa government appointed professional beach safety agency on Thursday warned tourists and people not to venture into sea during monsoons in the coastal tourist State.
The advisory comes following alert by Indian Meteorological Department(IMD) that heavy rains and winds would lash at Goa this week.
The agency further alerts people not to venture into the sea and on rocky areas. Drishti Marine has  instructed people not to venture into the sea during this week to next week.
According to the IMD,Goa Centre heavyd winds is likely to occur over north and south Goa over the next few days with wave swells rising to 3.5 meters – 4.3 meters. The State will also witness thundershowers.
Red flags have been posted across all beaches under Drishti’s surveillance indicating that these are strictly non-swim zones.
Drishti strongly advises people to avoid wading in the sea and to avoid rocky areas, cliffs and hills on the shoreline. These are very slippery during monsoon season and also wave height, intensity and frequencies are very high and one can easily get washed out.
All rocky areas including those in and around Anjuna, Vagatore, Tiracol in North Goa are out of bounds during the monsoons.
Drishti especially cautioned adults to keep a very close eye on children while on the beach and to not allow children to venture into the waters unattended, no matter how shallow it may be.
Mr. Ravi Shankar, CEO, Drishti Marine said, “Drishti Marine monitors sea conditions on a daily basis and keeps a close tab on the weather. The team of lifeguards present along the coast are monitoring the weather conditions constantly and is  trained to carry out rescues even in rough weather”.(eom)

Prakash Kamat in Panaji
July 10-Researchers discover a new species of scorpion from Western Ghats of India.
A team of researchers have discovered a new scorpion species that lives on the plateaus of Amboli in Maharashtra and in Chorla Ghats of Goa and Karnataka.
The new species has been named ‘Hottentotta vinchu’ in which the word “vinchu” refers to the word scorpion in Marathi. The research paper of the new discovery was published in the journal Arachnida.
The team used morphology and molecular techniques to identify this new species and field work was carried out in evergreen forests of Amboli in Maharashtra and high altitude plateaus of Chorla Ghats in Goa and Maharashtra. These “Sada” plateaus are unique high altitude unique ecosystems that need conservation as well as scientific attention.
The species was first seen by Zeeshan Mirza of the National Centre for Biological sciences, Bangalore when he first visited Amboli. The species showed close resemblance to Hottentotta rugiscutis, a common Indian scorpion.
Further research with the help of Nirmal Kulkarni, Herpetologist and conservation researcher from Mhadei  Research Centre,Goa revealed that Chorla Ghats region led to discovery of the same species in Goa too. Mayuresh and Zeeshan compared DNA sequences of the new species with related members and concluded that indeed it was a new species.
The team consisted of Zeeshan A. Mirza of the National Centre for Biological Sciences, TIFR, Bangalore, Mayuresh Ambekar of the Department of Natural Sciences, Middlesex University, London UK and Nirmal U. Kulkarni from the Mhadei Research Centre. (eom)

                    Hottentotta Vinchu (scorpion)

Curtorim, granary&rice bowl of Salcete Goa,poised for a big revival

Prakash Kamat in Panaji
July 9-Historically known as granary of Salcete and its Rice-Bowl,Curtorim village of South Goa is determined to revive on large scale it's age-old organic rice cultivation,thanks to an innovative project of Goa State Biodiversity Board(GSBB) and active involvement of its  Biodiversity Management Committee(BMC).
The GSBB award winning BMC of Curtorim has taken the the initiative to turn around the paddy cultivation in Curtorim with support from GSBB and involving all stakeholders, right from farmers to Zilla Parishad Member,Village panchayat to MLA Reginaldo Lourenco, all joining hands side-stepping their respective political  affiliations to see village reclaims its pride of being granary of Salcete.
The story began a couple of years ago when GSBB was validating the People's  BiodiversityRegister(PBR) of Curtorim.
The discussion began on the last part of the PBR as to what the village needs to preserve and conserve.
"So we consulted the local people through BMC.They said since their village was once known as granary and rice bowl of Salcete(taluk) of Goa, why don't we first focus on rice cultivation," Member Secretary of GSBB Dr. Pradip Sarmokadam told this journalist.
However, they could not identify any local variety of rice. Taking "Patni", the local existing paddy variety as the base, the local farmers said since they cultivate it in a unique organic way, the taste of rice is unique and different.
In the subsequent meeting, GSBB and the BMC explained to the farmers the importance of conserving indigenous varieties. Interestingly, many of the elder farmers who were consulted,which included a 96-year-old veteran, recalled with nostalgia their traditional"Patni"cultivation.
Contrary to general opinion that farmers would not be keen to plant indigenous variety, many farmers agreed to plant Patni in one corner of their field, in a bid to try and preserve and conserve this variety.
Responding to their enthusiasm,at the initiative of the BMC headed by Santan Rodrigues, GSBB  decided to support this initiative through one of their conservation projects.
As the BMC began working in that direction it  became aware that the biggest problem was finances for cultivation and latter on the marketing,which needed  support.
The farmers in Goa are constrained to sell the rice at Minimum Support Price(MSP) given by the government.However,  the biggest hitch is that this price they do not get upfront.
Farmer sells his paddy for say Rs.14 per kg to farmer organisations or some private purchaser. The rest of the balance, difference between that price and the MSP which is about Rs.20 per kg, the farmer gets from the government. The difference he does not get immediately, sadly due to red tape in the government.
Unwilling to give up, the local BMC collected some funds locally and gave farmers upfront price of Rs.20-25 per kg at the time of sowing. Once the paddy was harvested the GSBB  stepped in to transport the paddy to one of the best rice mills of Godrej at Kudal in neighbouring Maharashtra, to get it processed professionally.
The double boiled red rice of "Patni" variety as best quality, geared for marketing, was ready.
The rice was packed in 10 kg bags and branded as "Cudtri" rice, based on a slang for Curtorim, prevelent among the village farmers.
The rice was marketed by GSBB  in malls,Bardez Bazar successfully once endorsed by renowned people, to whom it was referred by GSBB for opinion, as of excellent taste.
The good news for farmers is that the Bardez Bazar has promised to purchase the  in bulk in near future.
With proper branding and marketing the farmer got a price if Rs.25-30 per kg.
As the success story of Cudtri rice spread, GSBB  is flooded with requests from other villages enquiring why not support them in rice cultivation. The GSBB  says it is not their core activity.
In Curtorim, the success of last year had its own trigger effect as a result of which more farmers have taken up cultivating this year. As a result of this enthusiasm, this year nearly 25 lakh sq. metre area has been brought under cultivation of Patni, largely due to relentless efforts of BMC.
 Backed by Zilla Parishad Members, Village panchayat members and local MLA, this Patmi rice cultivation haacemerged as a model for other villages to follow,says GSBB  Member Secretary.
Enthused by the success of the project, GSBB is exploring the possibility of forming a rolling fund which Curtorim model could be replicated in other villages through their BMCs.
The Biodiversity Board is aslo keen that the BMCs which have today reached 191 across the State should not be allowed to become dormant and defunct sance lack of activities. (eom)

(BMC Curtorim Chairperson J Santan Rodrigues coordinated with farmers, local representatives and GSBB).

North Goa Police join hands with NGOS, Colleges &Schools for anti-drug awareness

Prakash Kamat in Panaji
July 08-Dynamic North Goa Superintendent of Police(SP)Chandan Chaudhary takes drug abuse awareness campaign to schools and colleges of North Goa.
Launched by north district police recently with the help of non governmental organisations(NGOs) in the field and schools and colleges, was taken to St. Xavier's College in Mapusa on Monday where approximatelyre

1200 students attended the programme.
North district police collaborated with Dr Rajesh Dhume,Head of Psychiatric Department of  North Goa District hospital, Mapusa, Kripa Foundation and Rise Nation Army.
"An attempt was made to raise awareness through music along with the extremely rich interaction of Dr. Dhume with the students," SP Chaudhary said.
The district police highlighted the legal and enforcement aspect.
"It is an endeavour of Goa police to collaborate with various agencies in order to effectively deal with the problem of drug abuse. The focus is on the younger generation in order to not only make them more aware but also to make them active participants in dealing with this menace of drug abuse,Ms Chaudhary told this journalist.(eom)

A press release issued by Dhyan Foundation,Goa Chapter in Panaji on July 7, 2019.
Cattle injured in accidents are rescued by Dhyan Foundation Goa Chapter from all over Goa.
The cattle recovered/recovering from injuries grazing near Foundation's Quitla, Betul, Goa gaushala.
Dhyan Foundation is taking care of  over 500 such cattle.
The Foundatikn has requested for financial support required for taking on the herculean task.
"On an average we are rescuing  2 to 3 cases on daily basis during these monsoons. Many a time we have even rescued 7 cattle in a day",says Ms. Swati Shilker of DHYAN FOUNDATION Goa Chapter.

All donations are exempted under Sec 80G of the Income Tax  Act.

कविता

मदींच एका स्टॆशनार
एक तरनाटॊ आमचॆ ट्रॆनीत चडलॊ
सगळ्या प्रवाशा परस आपूण श्रॆश्ट
अशॆं तॊ दाखवंक सॊदतालॊ
दॆखून डब्यांत मस्ती करुक लागलॊ
म्हाका दुबाव माल्लॊ म्हणून
हांवॆ ताका तिकॆट दाखय म्हळॆं
हॊ तिकॆट नासतना ट्रॆनीत चडिल्लॊ!
आरॆ सभाग्या,
तिकॆट नासतना ट्रॆनीत चडला जाल्यार
बावडॊ जावन खंयूय शांत बसचॊ आशिल्लॊ!
ताणॆ तशॆं कॆलॆंना
ताणॆ मस्ती कॆली आनी हॊ
म्हजॆ तावडीन सापडलॊ!!

संजीव वॆरॆंकार
(Celebrated poet in Konkani language and my friend and former colleague in journalism in Konkani daily "Sunaparant", in late 1980's in Goa.)

Goa CM Sawant warns Vedanta against retrenchment of mining workers

Prakash Kamat in Panaji

Panaji, July 5-Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday publicly warned minig giant Vedanta Resources against taking any step towards retrenching mining workers in Goa.

The warning from the Chief Minister comes amid reports of a likely layoff of some employees by the  company  following prolonged mining ban in the State.

Mr. Swant told mediapersons here on Friday that the government in future would not co-operate with mining companies in regards to granting of leases, if they do not re-employ 100 per cent of the workforce, which they have retrenched since the mining ban.

The ban was imposed in February last year by the Supreme Court of India holding second renewal of 88 mining leases by State government illegal.

“Vedanta workers met me yesterday. I have told Vedanta officials not to take the step(of retrechment),” Mr. Sawant told mediapwrsons, when asked for his comments on reports that the mining company was likely to lay-off some of its workforce. 

Many mining companies in the State have retrenched some of the workforce in view of the ban and with uncertainty over restart of mining activity.(eom)

Goa Biodiversity Board to implement a fruit-bearing sapling plantation programme with survival audit

Prakash Kamat in Panaji
July 04-The Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB) will take up an ambitious programme for a sustainable sapling plantation of unique indigenous fruit-bearing plants with  1 lakh saplings per annum over a period of five years and ensuring their survival audit in that period.
The programme on which the GSBB is planning to spend Rs.20 lakh per annum over a five-year pwriod is devised to ensure survival and sustainability of the saplings for first 5 years with the active involvement of its 191 Biodiversity Management  Committees(BMC) across the State.
A unique feature of this programme will be some annual  maintenance  support to be provided to those who participate, in a reducing manner.
Talking to this journalist at the office of the GSBB at Saleigao in North Goa, Member Secretary of GSBB Dr. Pradip Sarmokadam said that the assistance for the participants/BMCs will be just a "hand-holding" and not grants.
"They can't depend on us. If this model works, I am quite sure the greenery what we commit will be sustainably existing for five years", he said, adding,"If for five years any fruit-bearing plantation can exist,it is a big thing.It will start giving its first fruits."
Apart from local fruit-bearing trees, there will be some costly saplings  which could go beyond GSBB budget,like coconut,cashew,etc
The GSBB  is almost in the final stage of preparing the programme whereby it intends to give one-time saplings or a support to develop a nursery  of indigenous variety of unique fruit-bearing and other plants.
The people and organisations will do the planting and the local BMCS will audit it fir five years.
"In between there will be some financial support in a reducing method over five years as a hand-holding".They can't depend on us", says Member Secretary.
He opines that minimum 1 lakh sapling plantation target per annum  they are proposing was really ambitious and a challenge as at present all departments taken together the government distributes around 40,000 to 50,000 saplings per annum.
He exudes confidence that audit by BMCs and hand-holding support would reduce the survivability gap to around 10%, as per their projection, contrary to present sapling plantation and afforestation programmes where this aspect does not get sufficient attention.
By working out functions like plant survival audit to them, the GSBB also wants to ensure that the BMCs do not become dormant. 

Saleigao Talks ...in Goa

*Saligao Talks: Teaching Math in Goa and in the US
In the 1970s and thereabouts, Tanzanian-born [Peter] Donald Sequeira was an inspiring Math teacher at St Britto (Mapusa), known as much for his sense of humour and his popularity with students. Subsequently, he moved to Qatar and the US, teaching in North Carolina.
In the first of a series of talks by invited denizens of Saligao -- the goal being both to spread knowledge locally and highlight our own achievers -- Donald will share his experiences with teaching in India as compared to the US. If you wanted to know why Indian students do great in Math contests and exams in the US, here's where you should be this weekend.
Open to all, especially to teachers and those with an interest in education. On Saturday July 6, 2019 starting at 6 p.m. and continuing till the last person leaves, at the Saligao Institute. The function is open to the public, and entrance is free. However for logistic reasons please RSVP by WhatsApp or SMS your participation plan to 9822122436.
Contacts for the speaker; Peter Donald Sequeira +1 336 918 0166
petesequeira@gmail.com
Watch this space for more plans, ideas, and talks. I 4

Goa State Biodiversity Board to set up sand dune park with WB funding

Prakash Kamat in Panaji
July 04- The Goa State Biodiversity Board(GSBB) will set up a Sand Dune Park in the coastal State with the funding from World Bank.
The project could be the first of its kind in the country and perhaps in South Asia, Member Secretary, GSBB Dr Pradip  Sarmokadam told this blogger on Thursday.
Under Integrated Coastal zone Management programme this project is expected to get over Rs.2 crores from the World Bank.
"Definitely, this will not only work as protection of existing sand dunes, but also help in creating an environment where people can visit without disturbing them, controlled footfalls can be ensured and to certain extent restoration can be executed so that whenever we have disturbances of sand dunes people can learn something, and village panchayats can undertake restoration work at low cost. But this has to be modelled,"says Sarmokadam.
The Board will be surveying many areas with the involvement of local Biodiversity Committees. Already it has come across some excellent areas like Miramar, or
 Serna Batim in South Goa where there are pretty highly grown sand dunes to the tune of  12 mts in height.
"If you don't have local support in this work it will not achieve long term sustainability", says Mr. Sarmokadam emphasising on involvement of village panchayats and local Biodiversity committes in the sand dune park project.
GSBB Member Secretary says that in the coastal ecosystem of Goa, sand dunes are the first line of defence when it comes to protection of ecosystem from any sea-related disasters.
"Climate resiliency is embedded in Goa's eco-system to protect it from sea-disasters,  beach erosion, sea-level rise, and varied impacts of climate change", he said.
The sand dunes, mangroves and such eco-system have been located and have been in existence as an ecological advantage, but awareness about their survival and protection has been a concern for bodies like GSBB.
He recalled that this park was an idea of Dr. Antonius Mascarenhas who did some restoration work at Miramar beach near Panaji.After that he was an expert on GSBB for last term and was continuously floating such ideas.
"His proposal was approved not for very visible scale. But we were looking out for a very visible scale work and funding", says Sarmokadam giving the background of the proposed sand dune park project.(eom)

Konkani spoken on ground during test cricket? Really!

By Prakash Kamat in Panaji
July 3-A piece of anecdotal information my cousin Prakash Rajadhyaksha,Goa shared on Family Mandal, this morning is quite interesting for Goenkars.
I wonder even if @Rajdeep, who prides himself as a Goan knows of this! Wish
@Rajdeep would get it verified for us!But he will definitely be amused,I am sure!!!

The only time Konkani was spoken during a test cricket match was when Wallis Mathias of Pakistan (but of Goan origin) and Dilip Sardessai of India played for their respective teams in 1961-62 series in India much to the amusement of players of either side!!eom)

NOTE, India lauds GoI efforts on tobacco taxation: Refutes industry claims on tobacco farmers suffering due to tax increase as “‘misleading”

Prakash Kamat in Panaji,
July 2-National Organisation for Tobacco Eradicarion(NOTE),India has lauded the ongoing efforts of the government of India (GoI)on tobacco taxation and have urged that such efforts need to be augmented to sustain the momentum to continue to achieve revenue and public health goals. Endorsing the government’s decision to include cigarettes and smokeless tobacco in the highest tax slab for its long-lasting impact on the lives of the country's 268 million tobacco users, public health organizations have said that this will provide a solid foundation for reducing tobacco usage among vulnerable populations.
At the same time,these organizations like NOTE,India and doctors have emphasized the need for constant review and increase in tobacco taxation rates to ensure tobacco/products do not become more affordable.
In spite of the positive moves of the government in 2017, present GST rates combined with the compensation cess for all tobacco products is far below the recommended level of tax burden (taxes as a percentage of final tax inclusive of retail price) of 75% by the WHO (World Health Organization).
The total tax burden is currently only about 53% for cigarettes, 22% for bidis and 60% for smokeless tobacco  - this data reveals a far different picture from what the tobacco industry is portraying in their demand for lower taxes.
Mr. Ashim Sanyal ,Chief Operating Officer,Consumer VOICE, New Delhi says:“Contrary to the claims made by the tobacco industry, the overall tax rate on all tobacco products in India is still low very compared to other middle-income countries. This encourages tobacco consumption."
Cancer surgeon and NOTE,India Hon. Secretary Dr Shekhar Salkar says that categorizing cigarettes and smokeless tobacco as demerit goods under GST and levying the highest GST rate of 28% plus cess on these, the GoI has prevented millions of youth from tobacco initiation and lifelong addiction. GST Council must also impose a compensation cess on bidi’s like that on cigarettes and smokeless tobacco as this is widely consumed by weaker section of the society.
Dr. Salkar further says, "Tobacco use imposes enormous health and economic burden on the country.  Each year, over one million Indians die from tobacco-related diseases in India. This is besides the enormous treatment costs which shatters the families. Higher prices will bring down the consumption drastically, adding, "I hope that the government taxes all the tobacco products at a very high rate to ensure it discourages mass consumption.”
Refuting the industry claims that tobacco farmers suffering due to tax increase as being unfounded and highly misleading, these  public health organizations and physicians say that if the industry is genuinely representing farmers’ interests , they should be ready to part with a higher share of their profit margins to farmers instead of exploiting them and increasing its own profits. They further said that it is well known that most tobacco farmers are caught in a vicious cycle to debt by the organized tobacco industry through long term loans with high interest rates.,opines NOTE,India.
Most of the GST compensation cess on cigarettes is specific in nature and  has not been revised for the past two years. This has significantly eroded the real value of tax and has made cigarettes highly affordable, threatening to undermine the progress in reduction of prevalence of smoking. The GST council must also impose a compensation cess on bidis like that on cigarettes and smokeless tobacco, to make a more rationalized tobacco taxation system,says organisation working to curb tobacco consumption.
Tobacco kills more than 1.3 million people each year in India (home to the second greatest number of smokers in the world behind China). Additionally, tens of millions use deadly smokeless tobacco products. "These are harsh realities and there is nothing positive about tobacco consumption. In fact, approximately 130 million people of age 15 and older in India currently smoke and roughly half of all adults are exposed to second-hand smoke at home,"Dr Salkar, who is also associated with Goa Cancer Society and Manipal Hospital, Goa and has been relentlessly working on reduction in tobacco consumption in Goa, particularly the youth, told this blogger on Tuesday. (Eom)

Goa Higher Education to amend "Goa Scholars" to remove anomalies

Prakash Kamat in Panaji
Tuesday, July 2: Goa Higher Education Dept is in the process of amending its flagship educational scholarship scheme"Goa Scholars",meant to promote pursuit of post-graduate studies by younger population of Goa,by way of recognizing the meritorious&outstanding candidates with a Scholarship to undertake Post-graduate (Masters/Doctoral)studies in Institutions of proven excellence,in India or abroad
 The amendments are primarily remove the anomalies which deny level playing field to students from different streams.
Goa Director,Higher Education Prasad Lolienkar told this Blogger that two main amendments to be effected this year itself include:
1. To nullify predominance of engineering students hitherto by virtue of higher marks in the stream as compared to students of other schemes.Scheme will be modified to ensure that other stream students too become eligible.
2. To ensure that cultural marks will get weightage only at the interview,here onwards and not at selection stage as had been happening.www.twitter.com/@PrakashWKamat