Goa Blog

GOA - Holiday Beach State of India

Goa: Public hearing on critical wildlife habitat status arranged

August 29, 2010 – 11:51 am

It is proposed to declare Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary and Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary and the adjoining mangrove areas at Chorao as critical wildlife habitats for the purpose of Scheduled Tribe and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forests Rights) Act, 2006, says a press communiqué issued here.

The public hearing of the State Level Expert Committee (SLEC) over issue of critical wildlife habitat status to Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary will be held at the Cotigao panchayat hall, Cotigao village on September 30 at 11.30 a.m. to recognize the rights and claims of the affected villagers, if any.

All the gram sabha members of villlage panchayat of Cotigao or any other persons whose rights are being affected by declaration of such critical wildlife habitat are requested to attend the hearing along with relevant documents before the SLEC on the aforesaid date, time and venue.

Also, the public hearing of the State level Expert Committee (SLEC) over the issue of critical wildlife habitat status to Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary and the adjoining mangrove areas at Chorao, which was postponed earlier is scheduled to be held at the Chodan Madel Village Panchayat Hall on September 24 at 11 a.m. to recognize the rights and claims of the affected villagers, if any.

All the gram sabha members of Village Panchayat of Chorao or any other persons whose rights are being affected by declaration of such critical wildlife habitat are requested to attend the hearing along with relevant documents before the SLEC on the aforesaid date, time and venue.

Courtesy: Navhind Times

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Environment ministry revokes clearance to iron ore project in Goa

August 28, 2010 – 3:55 pm

Indian environment ministry has revoked the clearance granted to an iron ore project at village Pirla in South Goa which it found to be based on wrong information. The withdrawal came a month after the National Environment Appellate Authority rejected the nod given by the ministry to private firm Careamol Iron Ore Limited. The NEAA order said that the project proponent had submitted false data and concealed data in respect of distance of river, archaeological sites from the project site, forest cover in proposed mining lease area in its Environment Impact Report.

The appeal against Mr Jaisinh Maganlal owned mining project was filed by Mr Gomantak Shetkari Sanhatana through Supreme Court lawyer Mr Ritwick Dutta. Mr Dutta said that the mining project was granted environmental clearance in September 2007 by the environment ministry even though the project proponent had given wrong information. He claimed that the company misleads the government by declaring in its EIA that the river Kushawati is at a distance of 2.6 kilometers of the project site whereas actually it is at a distance of only 50 meters. Similarly, the EIA document was made available only in English and the public hearing venue was nearly 40 kilometers away from the project site. There is also an archaeological monument within a distance of 500 meters which was never disclosed to the NEAA.

The NEAA had directed the Environment Ministry to place the project before the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife as it is located within ten km of Cotigaon and Netraval wildlife sanctuary a fact allegedly hidden by the firm. After conducting a site visit on July 15th and 16th to ascertain the site’s distance from the river as well meeting the affected people, the NEAA rejected the environmental nod given to it. Environment Ministry in its order said that in compliance of the tribunal’s order and taking note of the fact that the project proponent have concealed factual information which are essential for appraisal of the project proposal in terms of environmental integrity the clearance is revoked,”.

Courtesy: steelguru

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Call “INDIA” “BHARAT”, Shantaram Naik’s Private Member’s Bill

August 27, 2010 – 8:06 pm

Mr Shantaram Naik M.P. in a private member’s bill introduced in the Rajya Sabha on Friday, has sought amendment to the Preamble and Article 1 of the Constitution of India, to name India as “Bharat”.

In sub-clause 1 of article 1 of the Constitution of India, substitute the word “Bharat” for the words “India, that is Bharat” says one of the provisions of Mr Naik’s bill. In his statement of objects and reasons, Mr Naik says, “India” denotes a territorial concept whereas “Bharat” signifies much more that the mere territories of India. When we praise our country we say, “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and not “India ki Jai”.

Grounds for changing the name of the country into simply “Bharat” are many but, more that the grounds, or the reasons , it is the sense of patriotism, that the name generates and, electrifies the people of this country , that is relevant.

“Jahan dal dal par sone ki chidiyan karatin hai savera wo bharat desh hai mera” , so goes the lyrics of a poet, says Mr Naik in his statement of objects and reasons. Through another private members member’s bill, Mr Naik has sought enhanced punishment for those who publicise and market their drugs which are either harmful or contain no medical ingredients.

Illiterate masses of this country are taken for a ride by quacks and touts who claim magical remedies for various deceases. Medical remedies, which includes a talisman, mantra, kavacha, and any other charm of any kind which is alleged to possess miraculous powers for or in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of any disease in human beings or animals are claimed by certain practioners openely either in their ‘dispensaries’ which they open in hotels or even on streets, Mr Naik says in his statement attached to the bill

Women folk of the country are lured to make them believe that various medical problems related to them can be cured with the ‘medicines’ that these quacks prescribe., he says. Mr Naik further says that unfortunately, some practitioners blend their treatment with divine blessings thus spreading superstitions at the same time.

Section 7 of the Drugs and Megical Remedies(Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954 as it exists today provides in the case of a first conviction, with imprisonment which may extend to six months, or with fine, or with both and in the case of a subsequent conviction, with imprisonment which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both. However Mr Naik has suggested one year imprisonment for first offence and five years for subsequent offence.

Through a third bill seeking amendment to Consumer Protection Act, 1986, Mr Naik has sought to introduce a provision that District Foras should also hold sittings at taluka levels.

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Hotel and hospitality institutes on the rise in Goa

August 27, 2010 – 7:57 pm

Goa’s pristine beaches have always been a top draw for visitors the world over, but when it came to learning how to attend to those tourists, it would always be outside the state. The landscape is beginning to change, though. Tourism and hospitality institutes are setting up shop in the tiny coastal state. Over the past five years, more than eight hotel and hospitality institutes have set up base here, taking the total to over 15.

In the same period, more than 300 new hotels have registered to launch operations in the state. All this, despite tourist inflow dropping by nearly 30%, post the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and the economic slow-down, pointing to the state’s untapped potential. For institutes catering to tourism and hospitality, the environment seems perfect: Robust year-round tourism activity, with hotels from starred resorts to boutique homes providing the training ground.

Most tourism training institutes started during the late 1990s in places with year-round tourist traffic. Even as Goa is considered to be the world’s favourite holiday destination, private institutes first set up base in Agra, Shillong and Kerala, ostensibly because these have greater domestic tourist traffic.

While more than 62 lakh domestic tourists visit Kerala every year; the number of Indian travellers to Goa is a little over 30 lakh. Similarly, Rajasthan and Agra receive an average 10 million Indian travellers annually.

Goa, though, has other pluses apart from the untapped potential: A fairly large English-speaking population, activities like the International Film Festival of India and the state-sponsored wine festival. Besides, studying in Goa is often a style statement for students from the rest of the country.

“Tourism being the economy’s mainstay, it is easier for people here to accept the service industry as a career path. So, unlike places like Kerala and Kolkata, where people focus on courses like engineering, our institute has been easily accepted here,” says IIAS School of Management assistant vice-president Aniruddha Das.

Indeed, Goa’s association with tourism is long, and runs deep. The local population has not only interacted, but also earned its income from long-stay tourists who have been flocking to the state since the 1960s. Most homes along the northern coast have let out rooms to guests, sometimes even moving into neighbouring villages to open up to tourists.

Nearly 12% of the state’s 14 lakh people work abroad, mainly in the service industry, according to a recent Goa migration study. Their families back home are also in some way associated with tourism — from letting out bikes on hire or serving as local tourist guides while serving their guests authentic Goan food.

Courtesy: ET

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South Asian Film Festival in Goa next month

August 26, 2010 – 5:53 pm

Afghanistan will be in focus at the next edition of South Asian Film Festival to be held in Goa next month and “An Apple from Paradise” set in the strife-torn country and depicting distortion of religion is going be the opening film.

Over 50 films–feature, documentary and short–from all the SAARC countries will be screened at the festival. Prakash Jha’’s “Rajneeti” and Assamese film “Basundhara”, about man-elephant conflict, directed by debutant Hiren Borawill be among 10-12 films from India to be screened at the festival to be held from September 17 to 20.

Seven to eight films from Pakistan, including “Yeh Pakistan Woh Hindustan” and “Gurmukh Singhki Wasihat” and Kala Pul”, will also feature in the festival with the theme “Dissolving Boundaries”. Besides “An Apple From Paradise”, two other films from Afghanistan “Lala Hindu” and “Neighbour” will be screened at the four-day festival beginning on September 17, Foundation Director Rahul Barua told PTI.

“An Apple From Paradise”, directed by Homayun Morowat who has been living in Sweden since 1998 after his debut feature film “Green Ashes” was banned in 1990, is a story about a father?s search for his son, a student at a religious school in Kabul who stops attending classes and goes on a suicide bomb mission. The film was shot in Kabul in the winter of 2007. An Apple From Paradise won the best feature film awards at international festivals in Tajikistan and Afghanistan last year.

Bangladesh will be represented by five films including “Noi Number Sanket” (Signal No 9) directed by that country’’s most popular writer Humayun Ahmed and “Priyotomeshu” by eminent art filmmaker Morshedul Islam.

There will be a blend of South Asia in all the films to be shown at the festival, Barua said, adding some directors and actors from SAARC countries are expected to attend the event whose co-sponsors are Indian Council For Cultural Relations and Goa government.

Courtesy: msn

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Goa loses engineering quota in regional colleges

August 26, 2010 – 5:44 pm

The wait for around 40 students from Goa seeking admission for 13 innovative engineering degree courses, such as bio-medical engineering and chemical engineering in institutes across the country, has just got longer. The Union ministry of human resource development (HRD) has distributed Goa’s quota of 24 seats in such institutes to students from other states and Union territories this year.

State directorate of technical education ( DTE) sources said, “This year Goa has got a National Institute of Technology and the feeling is that Goa is not backward as far as engineering education is concerned. The Union government has focused this year on providing such quota of seats to north eastern states and Union territories such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep that are lacking far more as far as technical education is concerned. Therefore, almost all relatively better off states have lost their quota.”

Technical education deputy director Pradip Kusnur, speaking to TOI, said, “The matter is being taken up with the HRD ministry by Goa.” The HRD ministry’s department of technical education reserves seats for states in engineering institutes for degree and diploma courses approved by the All India Council for Technical Education ( AICTE) in other parts of the country and such allocation of seats is generally reviewed every two years.

Courtesy: TOI

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Students from XIMB helps orphan and mentally challenged kids of Ashraya

August 26, 2010 – 5:39 pm

For those who think management lessons are taught only inside the air conditioned classrooms, Xavier Institute Of Management, Bhubaneswar has a different approach. It has a tradition of reaching out and contributing to the weaker sections of the society and thus creating management graduates who are sensitive towards society.

A group of students from XIMB have once again done a commendable job of bringing smiles and motivation in the lives of orphan and mentally challenged kids of Ashraya in Dumduma, Bhubaneswar.

Distribution of stationeries, first aid kits, food items were done for the children. Several meals and outings were arranged for the children at Ashraya. A drawing competition and movie screening event were organized to celebrate Independence day.

To make the effort sustainable the students of XIM B managed to collect enough funds to provide Ashraya with 12 big mattresses and cushions, so that the children need not sleep on the rough and hard floor. A 20lt. filter was donated to ensure that the children get clean drinking water. Some funding was also provided to meet the needs for wiring the place to provide electricity.

‘Management education is incomplete unless it teaches you to contribute to the society’ says Amit Kaundinya a first year PGDM student of XIMB. The students used social media as an effective platform for collection of funds by using blogging, social networks and youtube.

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Goa: Tradition and enthusiasm fuse together at Salvador do Mundo’s Patoleanchem fest

August 26, 2010 – 12:00 am

Patoleanchem fest held at the Paitona chapel, Salvador do Mundo was a colourful celebration, full of festive vibes. It was reaffirmation of the villager’s zeal to continue a tradition and culture. The villagers participated with full gusto. The celebration was totally eco-friendly and everyone volunteered with their support.

Traditional Goan games that are rarely played by the young were played here with enthusiasm by both the old and the young. Games generally played in the monsoons such as ‘Katodieo’, ‘Koindabal’, ‘Godde’ (marbles) and ‘Gontamni’ (hopscotch) were all fun to watch.

Enthusiasts had come from far away places like Agassaim and even Kuwait o witness this festival. Mr Joaquim D’Souza from Kuwait expressed his feelings, “I was astonished to see this culture revived from a point of being lost. I am very happy for my children. They can experience these traditions.” Mr D’Souza further noted, “Most of the time, people see tiatrs being performed in their village but there is hardly any one from the village acting in them. He suggested, “Parents should encourage their children to participate in tiatrs so that more village tiatrs come about.” In Kuwait though they celebrate such festivals by preparing all sorts of sweets, their taste does not remind us of Goan dishes. This is because the variety of ingredients available there differs, says Mr D’Souza.

Socorro Gonsalves from Agassaim said, “I enjoyed coming to this festival, especially as I sing my own composition. My songs like ‘Mogan Podon’ and ‘Kani Chorachi’ have a Hindi music background but the lyrics are written by me.” He suggested another traditional game that could also be played. He called it the ‘rope game’. “This is played with players in multiples of five. These players hold a rope at the back and at the sound of whistle each one has to bend to pick up bottles kept behind them. The one who picks the bottle first is declared as the winner.

Children grooved to ‘kunbi’ dances and the recent rage ‘waka waka’. Later patoleos, pez, sanna, pudde, etc were served much to the delight of those gathered.

Courtesy: Navhind Times

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Why Goa Holidays Are Most in Demand

August 25, 2010 – 3:25 pm

Goa is India’s smallest state. What is it that makes it the hot destination in India? Why is it that Goa packages are sold like no other package in India? The answer is Goa is the queen of beaches in India. No wonder people would love to holiday here. But it’s not all there are more than two million tourists reported to have visited Goa, about 360,000 of whom were from abroad. With the rule of the Portuguese for over 450 years and the consequential influence of Portuguese culture there is still visible a distinct Portuguese / European flavor that has permeated all aspects of Goa’s life including its food, religion, language, festivals, dances and of course names. This becomes apparent as soon as you cross the border to Goa from India or elsewhere.

The beaches of Goa have some of the best 5 star luxury hotels and spa located with the best scenic locations selling various lucrative Goa packages. There are various types of tourist that visit Goa, and every one loves it, it is not restricted to a specific genre of tourist. You’ll find people who take honeymoon packages to Goa, and some who simply tour Goa to have fun. The waters are safe and temperate, the absence of riptide currents making them ideal for learners and novice divers. And when you aren’t wiggling in and out of your wetsuit, you could be sunbathing or bungee jumping, visiting temples or haunting the flea market.

Goan tours are operated from India and abroad. To get the best deal on Goa holiday package is easy, As every operator is on search engines, so the best Goa holiday packages are a click away. Its is advisable to visit Goa with prior booking as reaching there and finding a hotel may be difficult, because of its hot spot ranking hotels in Goa have increased, you can find hotels in Goa ranging from a budget to a 5 star luxury hotel.

To reach Goa is simple, as it is very well accessed by all means you may prefer coming by flight till Mumbai and drive down to Goa. (you can arrange this by contacting your Goa tour operator) The roads are covered with lush green vegetation and the roads taking you from plains, to the splendid breath taking Ghats or you may also enjoy the ride by train overlooking those lush green forests and the long tunnels. And if you have a best Goa holiday package you may be given a ride from Mumbai to Goa via cruise ships. However prior bookings are required (for that you may contact your Goa tour operator).

Accommodation and dining at the Goan hotels are great, the hospitality is in the heart of Goa and the same will be provided to you in every Goan luxury hotels. The hospitality and sea food is know of Goa and you can find it in every 3star 4 star 5 star hotels. Every Goan luxury hotel has its own taste and theme because of it mix culture the Goan luxury hotels find it easy to choose a theme.

Choosing a right travel operator for your trip is very important, one who can understand your choice and preferences. Try choosing a travel operator who gives you the best Goa holiday packages, a tour operator who understands what is important from your point of view. That is how you get the best deal on Goa.

Traveling to Goa on an off season (jun-sept) has its advantage from getting the best deals on holidays packages in Goa to a less crowded Goa,as a konkan area Goa has the best monsoons you’ll ever witness when the lush greeny is at its peak, both flora and fauna blend and create a lovely and magical beauty captured by the naked eye. Head south if you are looking for such kind of beauty there are mountains, water falls, natural springs and streams.

South Goa isn’t as populated as noth Goa however most of the best spa’s and luxury hotels are situated in south Goa, the tourist visiting this side of Goa are mainly those who look for peace and get the best spa or someone on a rejuvenation package, south Goa is solely the beauty of nature with beaches along side. Getting a budget hotel here might be a little difficult (contact your Goa tour operator for that), however south Goa is filled with 4 star and 5 star luxury hotels, unlike north Goa. North Goa is the most happening place in Goa, if you want to hang out at the beach in a shack to being up for a party till late nights north Goa is the place to be, It attracts a large number of crowd, this place has its hotels and restaurants open 24 hrs. The coast line lits up all the way from fort aguada to baga as if every day is a festival here in Goa, the fun never stops here, late night parties, rave parties and flea markets along with shack makes north Goa a feast to visit. The crowd that attract to north Goa is young and vibrant, you may also find people who are adventure enthusiast and up for some water sports. All this can be arranged by your tour operator or any Goan luxury hotel.

A place with a strong religious background, Goa could be counted as one of the important pilgrimage centers of India. Goa houses a number of churches and temples that bear witness to the intense religious history of the people who lived here. Amongst the various places to visit the most important are Churches of Goa, Church of Our Lady of Rosary, The Rachol Seminary, Church of St. Francis of Assisi, The Se Cathedral and Basilica of Bom Jesus. The famous Hindu holy places in Goa include Sidhanath Mountain, Brahma Temple, Shri Datta Mandir, Devaki-Krishna Temple and Shri Chandreshwar Temple.

So after all this it is pretty simple that if you are visiting make sure you get the best Goa holiday packages.

Courtesy: booshnews

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Goa: Capital city records state’s wettest spell in 24 hours

August 25, 2010 – 2:21 pm

The capital city witnessed some sharp showers right from Sunday morning, and was the wettest among all centres across the state in the 24-hour period from Monday 8.30am to Tuesday morning. Met department sources further said that the total rainfall received by Panaji up to 8.30pm on Tuesday (from 8.30am on Monday) totalled 66.4 mm. Met sources said the forecast for the next 24 hours is frequent spells of rain or thunder showers with heavy rains in some areas.

The season total, meanwhile, reached 2,760.6 mm up to 5.30pm on Tuesday. The 100-inch mark was crossed last Sunday, resulting in Panaji receiving 93% of expected rainfall during the monsoon by mid-August itself.

As for rainfall received at other centres for the 24-hour period up to 8.30am on Tuesday, Canacona received 8.2 mm, Margao 11.2 mm, Dabolim 22.0 mm, Sanguem 2.2 mm, Mormugao 11.6 mm, Ponda 5.1 mm, Valpoi 8.2 mm, Panaji 36.2 mm, Mapusa 14.0 mm and Pernem 21.2 mm.

Courtesy: TOI

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