"A fine notice will be issued to the actor today following a complaint filed by the Director of Health Services," police said.
Directorate of Health Services had filed the complaint after a non-governmental organization, National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE), had brought the violation to its notice.
Deputy Superintendent of Police, Deu Benaulikar, said that police have acted after verifying the fact through a photograph published in a local newspaper.
Meanwhile, NOTE general secretary Shekhar Salkar expressed happiness over the police action.
"Although the fine is small, the actor will realise that he should not violate the Act," he said.
Shekhar Salkar further stated, "He (Ajay) is a habitual offender and the Act needs to be stringent towards stringent offenders".
Maharashtra CM Ashok Chavan inaugurated the programme with the Konkani tradition of presenting a water-filled jug of vessel along with a plate of betel leaves and areca nut to the dignitaries, including heads of music troupes, and also by distributing the invitation cards to them. CM Ashok Chavan after inaugurating the programme said that he was happy to be accorded with a traditional Konkani honour and observed that Marathi and Konkani have several similarities. The strength of a community lies in fostering its mother tongue. The communities will progress and achieve growth if the government takes appropriate steps to address the various issues concerning the use of mother tongue, he added.
Ronald Colaco, president of the reception committee, in his keynote address said that the Konkani speaking people have contributed immensly to the socio-economic growth of the nation, hence the government must consider extending its support to keep Konkani language alive. Colaco also said that Konkani as a language has no barrier and is spoken by a cross section of people coming from different creeds, castes and regions. Moreover, Konkani has very strong roots and it is the duty of every Konkani speaking individual to preserve as well as promote the language.
Ronald Colaco's appeal to the Maharashtra CM to set up Konkani Cultural Centre prompted the chief minister to announce that the state government would allot a plot for building the Centre in the city and that it will also grant a sum of Rs 25 lac to Mandd Sobhann in support of the convention. The state health and family welfare minister Suresh H Shetty, Rajya Sabha member Oscar Fernandes, Bank of Maharastra CEO Allen C A Pereira, Ryan International Group of Education Institutions managing director Grace Pinto and Blossom Fernandes were the guests of honour. Minister Suresh Shetty said that Konkani is widely spoken by the people regardless of caste, creed or religion. It is a delight that it has grown into a significant Indian language. Nearly 10 lac Konkani speaking people are in Mumbai and about 15 lac in the state, said the minister.
He also assured that the state administration intends to contribute for the setting up of Konkani Cultural Centre for the benefit of the Konkani speaking population, in recognition of their significant contribution to Mumbai.
Grace Pinto in her keynote address said that Konkani and Marathi communities share a special bond. She urged the state administration to reserve at least two seats in the state legislature for the Konkani speaking community, as there is a sizeable number of people of Konkan origin in the state.
Allen Pereira opined that excessive love of western languages was unjustified and that Konkani has embedded itself into contemporary culture.
Appreciating the efforts of Mandd Sobhann in organising the convention, Oscar Fernandes said that Mandd Sobhann has brought international recognition to Konkani and its distinct folklore. Maharashtra has maximum population of Konkani speakers in the country. Although Konkani has been included in the eighth schedule of our Constitution, every Konkani speaker has the responsibility to promote and preserve the language, he said.
Mumbai Pradesh Congress women wing president Janet Lawrence D’Souza and executive president Ronald Mendonca were also present on the dais.
Mandd Sobhann Gurkaar Eric Ozario delivered the introductory address.
World Konkani Cultural Convention Reception Committee President Ronald Colaco dwelt on the splendour of Konkani and extolled the contribution of Mandd Sobhann in promoting Konkani language and culture worldwide.
Fr Ramesh Bandodkar, Lawrence Pinto, Ancy Paladka, Dolphy D’Souza Bantwal, Ronald Gomes, Stany Alvares, Naveen Lobo, Roy Castelino and others honoured the dignitaries. Lawrence D’Souza Kamani proposed the vote of thanks. Arun Raj Rodrigues compered the programme.
Goan dance and song was performed by ‘Kepechim Kirnnam’ (Elvis Goes and group), as part of cultural programme.
Wednesday September 01, 2010
NRIs get right to vote [ Posted by: radiogoa | Time: 06:53:15 AM ] [ Category: Goa News | Comments (0) ] Share this story with your Friends on Facebook Non-resident Indians (NRIs) will now have a right to vote in elections, with Parliament on Tuesday passing the relevant bill, even as government promised to bring in comprehensive electoral reforms legislation soon. Replying to a debate on the Representation of People (Amendment) Bill, 2010 to allow NRIs to exercise their franchise in Indian elections, Law Minister M Veerappa Moily said the government would hold a national consultation on comprehensive electoral reforms in two to three months. Rajya Sabha had passed the bill yesterday. “The Ministry is making all round efforts for comprehensive electoral reforms and we want to hold a national consultation on it in two to three months time,” Moily said, responding to the demand for complete electoral reforms from members. He said the Election Commission had in its report on electoral reforms made 22 recommendations of which six had already been implemented. The rest of the recommendations, he said, were currently being examined by a department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee and it would be taken up for implementation later. Moily said the House had no “dispute” over the need for providing voting rights to NRIs, but members had views on the modalities for allowing that right, which would be addressed separately. Describing the current amendment to the law as long-awaited, he said the curre
PANAJI: The chairman of Salgaocar Mining Industries Pvt Ltd, Mr Anil Salgaocar on Tuesday said that he is ready to take the responsibility of removing River Princess, the ill-fated bulk carrier grounded off Candolim beach for last decade, but the government should hand over the ownership of the vessel to his company.
Speaking to ‘The Navhind Times’, Mr Salgaocar said that though the government lost no time in taking possession of the stranded vessel belonging to his company, there has been unpardonable delay on the part of the government to remove the same.
"And now, it is impossible to re-float River Princess and tow it away," he said, pointing out that presently, there is only scrap in the name of the vessel, which stands along the Candolim coast.
Speaking further, Mr Salgaocar said that the inner pa
Highly-placed sources in the State Disaster Management Authority said that the though the committee failed to arrive at any decision it felt that it could seek directions from the court itself given the intricacies involved in the case and that it would be apt on the part of the government to seek directions to avoid any future litigation.
The sources further said that the state Advocate General, Mr Subodh Kantak would make a submission before the court a
Read Full Story Ravindra Kelekar: A Writer and Fighter Par Excellence [ Posted by: radiogoa | Time: 03:31:41 AM ] [ Category: Goa News | Comments (0) ] Share this story with your Friends on Facebook In Ravindra Kelekar’s death Goa has lost a true, very tall and outstanding Goan. It is an invaluable loss. The void created in his passing away will never be filled. He achieved great heights but always led a very simple, modest and humble life. A prolific writer, a very passionate speaker and a relentless fighter, he had the patience to listen to others, something many of us do not care to. He always spoke, wrote and did whatever he felt was right. Always outspoken, he fearlessly practiced what he preached. Ravindrabab’s final journey from his residence at Priol was very moving and touching. Even the rain gods obliged with a dry spell from the incessant rains during this great leader’s final voyage.
Ravindra Kelekar was the first Goan civilian to be bade farewell with a guard of honour. That the rifles expectedly misfired during the farewell is not suprising. It only symbolizes how rusted the whole system has become. While Ravindrabab rightly deserved the guard of honor, many others who abdicate their duty to protect and save Goa, will be bestowed the Aam Aadmi’s curses when they hit the dust.
With people of all walks and shades of life gathered for his final voyage, it bore testimony to the very tall stature this great fighter enjoyed. He also championed the cause of women’s empowerment. The presence of so many ladies at Ravindrabab’s cremation was something one usually rarely sees at a Hindu funeral. Maybe it was a right step in removing the superstitious barrier that restrains ladies from viewing and participating in the final rites.
Just as Ravindrabab had wished that there should be no speeches at his funeral the great departed soul may also have not desired any commemorative statues or monuments in his memory. Always very caring and concerned about Goa, Ravindrabab in his own way toiled to see that Goa maintained her unique cultural ethos and identity. A true tribute to the great man would be to try and transform what remains of Goa into what he always visualized and wanted our State to be.
Outspoken as he was, he never minced words in all that he wrote and spoke about. He actively led and participated in so many agitations and movements on various issues concerning Goa. His secular credentials were undisputed. Ravindrabab was a linguist and his writings inspired the intelligentsia and the common man too. His rich literary works are our treasure to keep. I was privileged to have personally known the great man who may be no more but whose works and deeds are immortalised.
Ravindra Kelekar contributed his might for Goa’s liberation from the Portuguese. Today it is an irony that we have to strive to liberate Goa once again. This time around from those engaged in the process of its systematic destruction. That would be a true tribute to this great Goan who has departed with a mission incomplete. We owe it to Ravindra Kelekar to carry forward his vision. All that he stood and wanted Goa to be. Let us vow to do it. Otherwise we will have to be content that Ravindrabab was saved the painful and agonizing task of witnessing Goa’s fateful remains.
Aires Rodrigues Goa beaches turn black, oil spill suspected [ Posted by: radiogoa | Time: 03:28:55 AM ] [ Category: Goa News | Comments (0) ] Share this story with your Friends on Facebook Panaji: An oil spill was reported from off the Goa coast on Monday evening.The Indian Coast Guard denied the reports, but said the sea turned black due to some substance. All big beaches have turned totally black and people are being evacuated from the area. A huge amount of tarball or solidified pieces of oil have surfaced at the beaches. The first warning was received at 7 pm and all fishermen have been told to stay off. All beaches have been closed till Tuesday morning. Thousands of tourists, including foreigners, flock to Goa beaches every day. A similar oil spill took place in Mumbai some time ago. The incident occurred after the Panama-flagged MSC Chitra and MV Khalijia 3 collided off the Mumbai coast on August 7.
Goa Velha who created an upset last game by beating Cansaulim by a solitary goal, needed a win or a draw to strengthen their position in the C group after going into the game with 4 points. Morjim on the other hand having lost 1 game and drawn another had 1 point going into the game. They had to win this game to give themselves a good change of going through to the quarter finals as Nuvem was on 6 points with wins in both their games.
The game started on a fast pace and you could not tell that they were actually playing at 5pm. Morjim scored in the first five minutes through a strike from Wilfred. Both the teams were on the accelerator for the entire first half; however Morjim created better of the chances. Morjim doubled their tally with a strike from Wilfred scoring once again. Goa Velha pushed themselves for a comeback and succeeded with William scoring am important goal just before the first half making it 2-1. In the second half Goa Velha started creating some chances, however failed to penetrate the Morjim defense. Morjim moved the ball very well and had a few half chances where the Goa Velha keeper had to make some good saves. It was a hard-working performance from Morjim. Morjim scored again in mid of the second half through Warren. A hard fought victory for them. Wilfred was later named the Man of the Match for his double strikes. A well earned Trophy indeed. They now have their fingers crossed on the game between Cansaulim and Nuvem which will decide their qualification.
The second game saw Fr. Agnel Pilar EKFC taking on ABC Benaulim. Fr. Agnel, already having qualified after winning two games with 6 points were in good form, while Benaulim came into the match with 4 points having won 1 and drawn the other. Benaulim just needed a draw to qualify. Fr. Agnel played a very fast paced attacking game from the start. The stars of the game, the captain Sabitan , Ronny (jersey no. 11) and Melvis (jersey no 10) made early inroads into the Benaulim defense from the go. The Benaulim defense were kept busy and defended well. Benaulim had a few chances however they could not get the ball pass the keeper. Fr. Agnel opened the scoring in the first half through Melvis.A superb trap and finish, one of the best finishes of the tournament we have seen until now. Fr. Agnel made most of the running and created a few good chances. The young guns were full of stamina and kept the same tempo for the entire game. In the send half, Benaulim created some pressure on Fr. Agnel and had some good moves followed with three consecutive well floated corners from Marcel. However they failed to take advantage and it was well defended by Fr. Agnel. Fr. Agnel scored again the second half through a defensive lapse to make it 2-0 through Ronny. Benaulim now stand on 4 points and will wait patiently for the game between Varca and St. Estavam to confirm their standings in Group D. Ronny was named the Man of the match for his excellent contribution to the game.
Today’s games see Group A and B in action. GI Aldona take on St. Stephen United at 5pm and St. Anthony Siolim take on Merces Boys at 6pm.
Panaji: Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn will have to shell out Rs. 100 as fine for smoking at a public place during the shooting of his upcoming film Golmaal 3 in Goa in May this year.
Mumbai:The curtain-raiser ceremony of the first World Konkani Cultural Convention by Mandd Sobhann was held at Rang Sharada Auditorium, Bandra (west), here on Sunday August 29.
PANAJI: The state government would seek directions from the Bombay High Court during hearing of a petition on Tuesday as regards to the proposal by Salgaocar Mining Industries on removal of the River Princess free of cost in larger public interest of the people of Goa.
In Ravindra Kelekar’s death Goa has lost a true, very tall and outstanding Goan. It is an invaluable loss. The void created in his passing away will never be filled. He achieved great heights but always led a very simple, modest and humble life. A prolific writer, a very passionate speaker and a relentless fighter, he had the patience to listen to others, something many of us do not care to. He always spoke, wrote and did whatever he felt was right. Always outspoken, he fearlessly practiced what he preached. Ravindrabab’s final journey from his residence at Priol was very moving and touching. Even the rain gods obliged with a dry spell from the incessant rains during this great leader’s final voyage.
Panaji: An oil spill was reported from off the Goa coast on Monday evening.The Indian Coast Guard denied the reports, but said the sea turned black due to some substance.
Dubai:Hot...humid......not really. Yesterday saw four teams sweat it out to gain vital points to cement their position in the league.Group C & D were in action yesterday. At 5pm Goa Velha - Tasheel took on Morjim while Fr. Agnel Pilar EKFC took on ABC Benaulim at 6pm. Both the games saw a very good crowd at the stands.