Monserrate informed that he will first discuss the proposal with the heads of state education bodies on July 6, and thereafter put it before the chief minister and the government’s committee for school education for approval. The minister has based the proposal on a similar demand under consideration of the Maharashtra government.

Monserrate said that “the minimum qualification for any job today is the class X passing certificate and that in this scenario a student who has failed in two subjects at the board exams is left behind in the race”. “Therefore, I have decided that it will be apt to grant students who fail in two subjects ATKT,” he said.

The proposal, if approved, can benefit a large number of students and it can even help arrest dropouts to some extent, said the education minister. Monserrate informed that for degree courses such a rule exists, wherein students who fail in two subjects are allowed to keep term. But in class X and XII board examinations a student is granted ATKT if he fails only in one subject and students who fail in two subjects have to repeat the year, he said.

Monserrate pointed out that the number of students who fail in two subjects in classes X and XII exams is significant, and many of these students then tend to abandon their pursuit for studies. “I feel this should stop and the proposal should be implemented from this year onwards. Therefore, I myself have framed this proposal,” he said. The education minister said that all concerned stakeholders will be taken into confidence before implementing the new proposal.

Courtesy: TOI

“The target is to enroll two lakh members during the drive from the state,” Arlekar, a former state BJP chief, said. Asked if the central leadership’s assertion for ‘Hindutva’ will not be an impediment for a state like Goa, which has a sizeable Catholic population, Arlekar said “Hindutva is a cultural nationalism. It’s a cultural identity of the people who live in this land”.

Courtesy: chennaionline

Chikhal kalo is linked to a baby lord Krishna playing with his friends in Vrindavan and is celebrated as a sign of gratitude to the lord. “The arrival of Devaki-Krishna in Marcel heralded a new chapter in the socio-cultural life of Tivre. Forgetting all types of differences we come together on this day every year and celebrate chikhal kalo by singing devotional songs and playing a variety of traditional games,” says Premanad Naik, a theater artist from Marcel. On the eleventh day of Ashadh, a saptak or non-stop performance of devotional songs is carried on in the temple of Devaki-Krishna. As soon as the saptak ends, villagers from all walks of life assemble in the temple and invoke the folk deity Dad Sakhal. To the sounds of the drums, cymbals and bells, the chants grow louder and “Jai Hari Vithal” is invoked jubilantly.

“This year, our Mahashala Kala Sangam organised the all Goa bhajan singing contest which received good response,” says Tukaram Shet, a well-known writer from the locality. When the chanting ends, the real fun starts. Those wishing to participate in chikhal kalo, whether children, youngsters or even the elderly, apply oil from the huge standing brass lamp in the temple hall and wearing only their lower garments enter the open ground in front of the temple to play in the rain-drenched mud.

When they start playing traditional and sporting games, with devotional songs and chants being sung in the background, devotees standing on the platform under the temple’s peepal tree, throw a variety of sweets to those in the muck and the catching of puran polis, bananas and ladoos are a thrill of their own. Kirtikumar Prabhu, a well-known artiste says, “To mark the celebration we prepare a special pancake called ball’ made of wheat, moong dal, jaggery and copra (shredded coconut). Today, this is almost an extinct practice,” he claims. Playing different games on the mushy ground, in the heavy rains, applying wet clay and lifting a friend and forcing him to take a mud bath is a sight for sore eyes. Premanand Shirodkar, a lecturer from Marcel says, “By applying oil on the body and then taking this mud bath while playing games, the body is believed to get sturdy and tough.”

The celebration comes to an end when youngsters, forming a human pyramid break the clay pot of butter tied to a branch of the peepal tree. At the end of it all, the games reflect the spirit of youth and vitality. Children are enthusiastic participants and people, forgetting their innumerable obligations, enjoy their moment of rain-induced joy.

Courtesy: TOI

Section 80 ID of the Income Tax act presently provides for a five-year tax holiday to new hotels of two, three and four star categories and convention centres. “Though Goa ranks very high among favoured tourist destinations in the world, the state grossly lacks in world class tourism infrastructure,” Menezes said. Menezes said selective tax concessions specifically designed for the export sector would similarly help the considerably large and export-oriented pharmaceutical industry in Goa.

Courtesy: thaindian

Shri. Altinho Gomes and Dr. Ulhas Parab visited B. K.  Hariprasad, General  Secretary, All India Congress Committee, incharge for Goa desk and discussed about party matters with him.

“We will tie up with EMRI to set up these rooms,”he said. The state currently has ambulances run by EMRI. The Ministry has identified state&aposs remote places like Canacona, Sankhali, Chicalim, Curchorem and Candolim for setting up the facility as they are away from state-run hospitals.

Courtesy: indopia

Arguing that this wouldn’t curtail a person’s fundamental right under article 19 of the Constitution to move freely throughout the country, Naik said it is also the fundamental right of others to live a decent life with basic amenities. “In order to safeguard the basic rights of Goans as also non-Goans settled in Goa, further inflow has to be regulated to avoid a virtual stampede in future,” Naik said. In the statement of objects and reasons annexed to the bill, Naik stated, “Land is becoming a scarce commodity particularly in small states. Land mafias from foreign countries are landing in states like Goa with tons of money, buying huge areas and creating social and economic chaos.”

Naik further stated that existing constitutional rights should not be so unfettered so as to change the economic scenario of smaller states, particularly its villages, to the state’s and people’s disadvantage. “Anti-social elements which become a part of such uncontrolled transactions are proving disastrous for a state like Goa. Therefore, states have to be empowered to enact appropriate legislation to bring in restrictions on transfer of land and other immovable properties,” he said.

In the Lok Sabha, South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha introduced a bill to amend the law on prevention of cruelty to animals by removing restrictions on bullfights. This had been one of Sardinha’s election promises.

Courtesy: TOI

Mr Kamat said that the Railway Minister has provided for a large number of facilities by way of using innovative financial mechanisms like public-private partnership. No increase in passenger or freight fares; SMS updates for passengers on waiting list; 60 per cent concession to students; new point-to-point fast trains and 50 world class stations are the high points of the Railway Budget 2009, he added. He complimented the minister for the excellent budget and mentioned that additional train to Mumbai-Karwar will benefit the people of Goa. The Chief Minister said that the system of making tickets available in post offices would help common man. Similarly, the Tatkal Scheme which has been made more user friendly will also help large number of people.

-Navhind Times

Secondly, he also suggested that the government must release grants to English-medium private schools. Fernandes was supported by Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco who also demanded that government should re-think its policy on medium of instructions and grant in-aid to primary schools, sources said. However, there was no unanimity as PWD Minister Churchill Alemao and Cortalim MLA Mauvin Godinho disagreed with the suggestions. They were of the view that some other solution has to be thought of to prevent closure of government primary schools.

Just because most parents want their children to study in English medium, government primary schools shouldn’t be in the same medium, they argued adding that the medium of instructions should be in Konkani or other regional language. Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said he would take up the matter with educationalists before any decision is taken.

-Herald

While Shri Krishna is the popular deity of the Vaishnavs, Shri Vithal is worshipped by both the Shaivites and the Vaishnavs. Every year Goan Hindus go on a pilgrimage to Shri Vithal temple at Pandharpur on Ashadi Ekadashi. This tradition is deeply rooted in history for more than 600 years. It is believed that Vataba Dulba Rane Morlekar from Morle-Sattari and other devotees used to visit Shri Vithal temple of Pandharpur on the occasion of Ashadhi and Kartiki Ekadashi. On one occasion, when he was on a pilgrimage, it become difficult for him to continue because of his advanced age. He prayed wholeheartedly to the Lord and urged him to excuse him.

At this juncture, Shri Vithal appeared in his dream and told him that he would come along with him to Karapur in Goa. When Rane got up from sleep, he saw metal idols of Shri Vithal and consorts Rukmini and Satyabhama in his bag. After coming to Goa, these idols were installed by the devotees in the temple at Karapur on a hillock known as Marutigad. As soon as the temple was built the area acquired the name Vithalpur. This Shri Vithal temple in Goa was established before 1494 and the tradition of Ekadashi celebration became one of the significant events associated with it. According to Vithal Nagesh Gawade, a writer from Postwada-Honda, “Through the worship of Shri Vithal, the saints opened our eyes against superstitions and prevailing social evils. The saints paved the way for equality based on amity and brotherhood. Ashadhi Ekadashi celebration helps us to revive the humanitarian teachings of the saints”. Shri Vithal temples at Akhada, Marcela, Ponda, Nanoda-Bicholim, Partagal-Canacona and in other parts of Goa have organized special programmes of devotional songs and religious discourses on Friday.

Courtesy: TOI