VIGHNESHVARA SCULPTURE BY NIRMAL KULKARNI, DEDICATED TO FLOOD-HIT PEOPLE OF GOA-MAHARASHTRA-Belgavi

From Prakash Kamat in Panaji

August 30- Over to a Ganesha installation by Nirmal U Kulkarni, a herpetologist,field ecologist,conservationist, wildlife photographer and an installation artist.

This simplistic and yet artistic interpretation of Lord Ganesha from a grinding stone and his vahana with a grinding pestle is unique. It has been installed at picturesque Nerul village in North Goa, around 10 km from Panaji.

It has been created by Goa-based grinding stone installation artist Nirmal

Kulkarni on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi that is scheduled to be celebrated on September 2, 2019.

This installation is sole and instinctive in its creation and is a result of restoring a three generation old grinding stone through a renewal process that includes cleansing and polishing with natural oils, and ensuring

that the sanctity of the installation is in place.

The creation of a symbolic base of Matti, a traditional Goan wood (Termenalia tormentosa), also the State treeof Goa is also part of the installation.

This is the first time, such a simple-minded and yet deep rooted installation has been created for one of the best known and most worshipped deities in the Hindu pantheon,said Mr. Kulkarni.

Lord Ganesha is also known as the Lord of ecology.

Nirmal dwells on the name of Vighneshvara, i.e. Remover of Obstacles as a reference to this primary line of interpretation for this work. He has titled the work Namah Vighneshvara i.e. I pray to you O Remover of all Obstacles.

Affected by floods and its aftermath, Nirmal dedicates this work to the people of Goa, BBelgvi and Maharashtra, to whom Lord Ganesha is the reliever of obstacles, the patron deity and the most endearing.
“I hope Lord Ganesha helps us all, helps those who are in need, and clears the path for normalcy to be restored in the life of one and all in the affected areas,” says Nirmal.

A devotee of Lord Ganesha himself, Nirmal is a well known conservation an installation artist. All his works are influenced and created from stone grinding stones and wooden millstones.

Graduated from the Goa College of Art, Nirmal has exhibited images and installations based on nature and Indian culture in India and abroad. He can be

reached on 9326107079 or on ophidian_nirmal@yahoo.co.in(epm)

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NATIONAL ORGANISATION FOR TOBACCO ERADICATION (NOTE) India WELCOMES NEW SET OF HEALTH WARNINGS ON TOBACCO PRODUCTS

From Prakash Kamat in Panaji

August 27-National organisation for Tobacco Eradication(NOTE)and Consumer VOICE, New  Delhi, welcome the Health Ministry’s decision of new set of health warnings on all tobacco products.
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare notified new sets of specified health warnings for all tobacco product packs by making an amendment in the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Packaging and Labeling) Rules, 2008 vide GSR 331(E) dated 3rd April 2018“Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Packaging and Labeling) Second Amendment Rules, 2018”. The amended Rules are applicable w.e.f. 1st September 2018.
According to the notification the new health warning will be applicable from 1st September 2019.
As per the notification, during the rotation period two images of specified health warnings as notified in the schedule shall be displayed on all tobacco product packages the image would be rotated by a new set of images after the completion of twelve months from the date of commencement of first image.
Image-1 of the said notification came into effect from 1st September, 2018 and as such all tobacco products manufactured or packaged or imported on or after 1st September, 2019 shall display Image-2.
Dr. Shekhar Salkar , Hon secretary toldthis writer that tobacco not only causes direct cancer but also effects various other organs causing peptic ulcer, oesophagus cancer, prostrate, urinary bladder, and pancreas. Pictorial health warnings on tobacco products are the most cost-effective tool for educating on the health risks of tobacco use.
Telephone Quit-line number “QUIT TODAY CALL 1800-11-2356” is also the part of the health warning. This helps in creating awareness among tobacco users, and gives them access to counselling services to effect behaviour change. There shall be one common specified health warning for both smoking and smokeless forms of tobacco products.
Mr. Ashim Sanyal, COO, Consumer VOICE said “In a country like India, where people use several languages and dialects, the pictorial warning transcend the language and, in many cases, also the illiteracy barrier. Quit-line number is a better way of quitting tobacco addiction, and effective prevention for younger generation who initiate tobacco use."
The toll free Tobacco Quit-line Services [1800-11-2356] provides counseling and strategies for quitting tobacco use.
As per the recent second round of Global Adult Tobacco Survey [GATS -2, 2016-17] conducted in the age group 15 years and above, 61.9% of current cigarette smokers, 53.8% of current bidi smokers and 46.2% of current smokeless tobacco users thought about quitting because of warning label on packets of cigarette, bidi and smokeless
tobacco.(eom)

Long-delayed Tejpal trial to resume on September 23,in Goa court

Prakash Kamat in Panaji
August 20: A trial court in Goa will continue hearing the trial of the rape case against former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal from September 23, according to a court official.
On Monday, a division bench of Supreme Court of India headed by Justice Arun Mishra had directed the Additional District and Sessions court in Mapusa in North Goa, which is hearing the case, to complete the trial within six months.The court dismissed Tejpal's plea to set aside charges of rape which were framed against him by the Goa court. The trial had begun in March last year."The hearing has been now scheduled for September 23," a court official said, seeking anonymity. The trial is being conducted in-camera.Tejpal is facing charges of allegedly sexually assaulting a former female colleague in Goa. He is charged with several sections of Indian Penal Code for sexually assaulting the junior colleague inside a lift of a resort hotel in Goa for two consecutive days during the magazine's annual event in November 2013.Tsejpal has been out on bail after being in police and judicial custody for a long time.(eom) 

प्रकाश वामन कामत
पणजे(गोंय)-लेखक, सौंशोधक, भाशातज्ञ आनी गणकतज्ञ शांताराम वर्दे वालावलीकार हांकां कोंकणी भाशा
मंडळाची आर्गां:

कोंकणीचे नामनेचे लेखक, सौंशोधक, भाशातज्ञ आनी संगणकतज्ञ शांताराम वदे वालावलीकार हांकां शेनवारा राती मरण आयले. कोंकणी भाशा मंडळान तांकां आर्गां  ओंपल्यात.
कोंकणी भास, संगणकाचें गिन्यान आनी संस्कृत भाशेची जाण हे वरवीं तांणी कोंकणीच्या मळार सातत्त्यान आपली सेवा दिली. ‘मेघदूत’ हें संस्कृत काव्य तांणी थेट संस्कृत भाशेंतल्यान कोंकणींत अणकारीत केलां. तांणी कविता, कथा आनी लेख बरयल्यात.
शणै गोंयबाब जल्म शती निमतान कोंकणी भाशा मंडळान शणै गोंयबाब हांच्या जीवीत  आनी बरपाचेर उजवाडयल्ल्या ‘वज्रलिखणी’ ग्रंथाचें संपादन शांतारामबाबान केल्लें. गोवा
कोंकणी अकादेमीन समग्र शणै गोंयबाब’ चार खंडांत उजवाडायलां. ताचेंय संपादन तांणी केल्लें.
केंद्रीय मानव संसाधन मंत्रालयाच्या इलॅक्ट्रॉनिक्स विभागा खातीर अस्मिताय प्रतिष्ठानान(गोंय) कांय वर्सांआदीं कोंकणी उतरांची कोठी म्हणल्यार कॉर्पस  हो प्रकल्प तयार करून
दिल्लो. तातूंतय शांतारामबाबांचो हातभार आसलो.
सद्या गोंय विद्यापिठांत युनिवर्सल नॅटवर्किंग लँगवेज ह्या प्रकल्पांतल्या कोंकणी दालना खातीर ते आदार करताले. गोंय विद्यापिठाच्या कोंकणी शब्दमालें (Wordnet) प्रकल्पाचे ते सल्लागार आशिल्ले. मंगळूरच्या विश्व कोंकणी केंद्रा खातीर ऋग्वेदाचो कोंकणी अणकार लेगीत  करपाचें तांचें काम पुराय जायत आयिल्लें.
गोंय सरकाराच्या राजभाशा संचालनालया खातीर
कायदो विशयक शब्दकोश तयार करपाचो वावर तांणी केला.
कोंकणी भाशेचे चळवळींत शांताराम वर्दे वालावलीकार हांचें मोलादीक योगदान आसा.
कोंकणी खातीर निसुवार्थिपणान वावर करपी आनी कोंकणीक म्हायती तंत्रगिन्यानाच्या मळार पावोवपाक मोटो हातभार लावपी शांताराम वर्दे वालावलीकार हांच्या मरणाक लागून कोंकणी मळार एक पोकळी निर्माण जाल्या अशें कोंकणी भाशा मंडळान उजवाडायिल्ल्या प्रसिद्धी पत्रकांत
म्हणलां आनी तांकां आर्गां ओंपल्यांत.
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Over 200 writers and cultural activists respond to the Kashmir situation: “This is a mockery of democracy” : Indian Cultural Forum demand restoration of Article 370

Prakash Kamat in Panaji,
August 1-Over 200 writers and cultural activists have expressed solidarity with the Kashmiri people through a statement from the Indian Cultural Forum.<http://www.indianculturalforum.in/>. The signatories include those working in different parts of India and elsewhere, and working in many languages ,said Sahitya Academy award winner writer Damodar Maujo.
The writers included:Nayantara Sahgal, Perumal Murugan, Ashok Vajpeyi, TM Krishna, Amitav Ghosh,JV Pawar, Bezwada Wilson, Amit Chaudhuri, Shashi Deshpande, SharankumarLimbale, P. Sainath, Damodar Mauzo, Dalip Kaur Tiwana, Bama, SambhajiBhagat, Vivan Sundaram, Harsh Mander, KN Panikkar, Raosaheb Kasbe, JerryPinto and many others, working in different parts of India and elsewhere, and working in many languages.The signatories condemn the unconstitutional and undemocratic moves of the Indian government in Jammu and Kashmir. They call for the restoration of Article 370 and the state of Jammu and Kashmir, and the restoration of all basic freedoms with immediate effect.

https://indianculturalforum.in/2019/08/16/over-200-writers-and-cultural-activists-respond-to-the-kashmir-situation-this-is-a-mockery-of-democracy/
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‘Exponential Technology and future of jobs’ :Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar

Prakash Kamat in Panaji
August 9:
Vibrant Goa Knowledge Series:
‘Self learning can bridge the gap between rapid technology growth and present
education system’—Dr Raghunath Mashelkar
PANAJI: Padma Vibhushan scientist Dr Raghunath Mashelkar has emphasised the need for self-learning to bridge the gap between rapid technology growth and the present day education system in India.
The eminent scientist and chairman of the board of advisors of the Vibrant Goa Foundationwas addressing college students, entrepreneurs and members of the general public at the inaugural session of Vibrant Goa’s Knowledge Lecture series at the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) near Panaji,Goa on Thursday.
The lecture series is a precursor to the
Vibrant Goa-Global Expo and Summit to be held in Goa between October 17-19 this year.
Dr
Mashelkar who was speaking on the topic of ‘Exponential Technology and future of jobs’
explained how the advent of technology like the internet, big data analysis, block chain,
robotics and artificial intelligence was making jobs redundant.
“The brawn is being looked after by robots and the brain is being looked after by artificial intelligence. In such a situation
what is left for the human beings to do?” asked Dr. Mashelkar.
However the eminent scientist said that the situation was not completely dismal. “Technology growth leads to more jobs. Young working professionals will need to have people skills,creativity and emotional intelligence to keep pace with the rapid technology growth,”Dr. Mashelkar said.
The scientist also cautioned that no industry and area of business will be spared in the face of rapidechnological growth.
“This will include the health care, media, nsurance, finance, education, marketing, advertising and legal professions among others,” he said.
Dr. Mashelkar advised the government to welcome technology, make technology transfer a precondition before issuing licences to foreign companies, improve the skill sets of workers in the small and medium scale companies and offer expert career counselling to the youth of our country.
Stressing the need for innovation, Dr. Mashelkar explained how innovation was capable of converting knowledge into money.
Citing the example of Harshvardhan Zhala, the young Indian teenager who recently designed a drone which could detect land mines and has managed to get a commitment from the Gujarat government for a Rs.5 crore manufacturing grant.
Dr. Mashelkar said, “Though India’s position on the global innovation index had improved from number 62 in 2011 to number 52 in 2019, it was still far behind China and this was a worrying thought.”
In the panel discussion which followed the lecture, Prof Varun Sahni, vice chancellor, Goa University highlighted the deficiencies in the Indian education system by stating, “We are teaching 21st century students, 20th century education material in 19th century institutions."
Adding his own perspective to the discussion, Dr. Mashelkar admitted that the skill gap was worrying.
“In China, they have begun teaching artificial intelligence in primary school while children in Amercian schools were comparatively more ready for a rapid technological change than elsewhere in the world,” Dr.Mashelkar said.
Mr. Nitin Kuncoliekar, Chairman, Vibrant Goa Foundation, Rajkumar Kamat, president, Vibrant Goa Foundation were among those present.(eom)

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Goa badly flooding CM @DrPramodSawant appeals for liberal contribution to CM's Relief Fund

Prakash Kamat in Panaji
AUGUST 8- GOA Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday urged industrialists and people of Goa to contribute liberally to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund to help the State government carry out relief and rehabilitation work due to damage caused by sustained onslaught of monsoons.
Speaking in the State Legislative Assembly on Thursday Mr. Sawant  said that the government is in the process of conducting a damage assessment of the losses caused by the pouring rain and subsequent floods and would also approach the Central government for financial assistance to tide over the situation.
"I appeal to industrialists and the people of Goa to contribute to the CM's Relief Fund, so that the money can be helped to conduct relief and rehabilitation works," Mr.Sawant said during Zero Hour.
Mr Sawant also said, that assessment of the damage and the losses caused by the floods would be completed in four days.
"We will understand the losses caused in four days. We are in the process of conducting a survey. Drones will also be used. Rehabilitation works will be assessed and we will also request the Centre for funds to compensate for the losses," the Chief Minister said.
According to the Indian Meteorological Department, Goa has already received 86 per cent of the its seasonal monsoon rainfall and rains had crossed the 100 inch mark.(eom)

" Sangath" in Goa threatens legal action against OHeraldO, Goa over its article CLINICALLY "RESEARCHED" FRAUD

Prakash Kamat in Panaji
August 5, 2019.
"OHeraldO",a English newspaper of Goa, on Sunday August 4 published an article under the title CLINICALLY "RESEARCHED" FRAUD, on Sangath, a Goa-based NGO which has been working towards increasing access to mental healthcare for 20 years now.
Obviously, while the newspaper sees newssense in its coverage, the Sangath has protested calling it all "nonsense" and accusing the newspaper of scurrilous journalism and threatened legal recourse.
With a disclaimer that I myself is a member of Sangath, I release here in toto a letter emailed on Monday, August 5, to all members by chairman of Sangath Ashwin Tombat:
(Original article is in public domain and can be accessed on OHeraldO website).
................

Dear Colleagues,

I would like to inform you that in an article (CLINICALLY “RESEARCHED” FRAUD!!!) published on 4 August 2019 in Herald, the reporter Suraj Nandrekar has made scurrilous allegations about Sangath.  In the article, which purports to be about the activities of staff from Goa Medical College (GMC), the newspaper has questioned Sangath’s integrity without providing a shred of evidence. The reporter points towards conduct of clinical trials, credibility of research spending, and ‘private’ ownership of Sangath.

We emphasize that none of the allegations made by reporter have a shred of the truth in them and the very fact that the reporter was able to access Sangath’s FCRA accounts is proof of our transparency. As you well know, all our accounts are in the public domain, all our accounts are duly audited and our FCRA returns are properly filed each year, and our donors are highly reputed international institutions and foundations which allocate funds only after a thorough due diligence check of the organisation receiving the funds.

 Similarly, we know well that Sangath is a registered society under the Societies Registration Act and is governed by a Managing Committee elected by all of you. Hence, to label Sangath as a ‘private NGO’ of a GMC employee or to say that it is indulging in violations of the FCRA is blatant lies.

 Finally, we want to clarify that Sangath has never conducted a drug trial, has never received funding from a pharmaceutical company, and all the costs of our research in partnership with the Government of Goa has been borne by Sangath’s research grants.

 All of these facts with supporting evidence would have been made available to the reporter if he had even the slightest degree of honesty to pursue the truth. The Managing Committee of Sangath strongly condemns this kind of gutter journalism which brings disrepute to the news media.

We want to reassure the GB that we are responding vigorously to these false allegations.  Sangath will also pursue all legal avenues to clear its reputation and to secure the ends of justice by demanding that the newspaper prominently publishes a clarification or through a criminal defamation lawsuit against the newspaper, the editors, publisher and the reporter under whose by-line this report was filed. We have already started discussions with a reputed lawyer who is advising us on the next steps. As you will see from the front page article on Herald today, the Health Minister has already tried to dissociate Sangath from the issues related to GMC and in a private discussion with Vikram, he has assured us that he does not have any concerns about Sangath’s integrity and we have his full support.

Understandably, all of this must be disturbing to some of you and we would like to allay your concerns by assuring you that none of the allegations are true. We would also like to re-iterate that Sangath’s foundation has been and will remain the integrity of its governance, and we will always do our best to protect it against such attacks by unprincipled parties. If you have any further concerns or queries feel free to write to me or call me.

Regards

Ashwin.