Page 11 - Goa

Nurturing thriving startup ecosystem is priority for Goa: CM Pramod Sawant

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Saturday said nurturing a thriving startup ecosystem is a priority for Goa, and the state government's goal is to help turn ideas into high-growth startups and attract funding. Addressing "Goa Innovation and Startup Times" (GIST), an event at the BITS Pilani campus at Vasco, Sawant said the state will focus on its strengths around industries, tourism, and sustainability and leverage various Central schemes to boost startups. Nurturing a thriving startup ecosystem is a priority for Goa. Our goal is to enable ideas to turn into high-growth startups and attract funding, he said, expressing confidence about the state's potential to become a startup hub. Goa can produce the next generation of job creators by providing mentoring, infrastructure, and market access, he said. We must make entrepreneurship more aspirational for the youth of Goa and spotlight local startup success stories to inspire many more, the chief minister said. The state government

Goa poised to become nurturing ground for startup creativity: IT minister

The Goa government will introduce a number of initiatives to provide support to startups as the state is poised to become a nurturing ground for startup creativity, a minister has said. Addressing the closing ceremony of three-day-long Tech Media Startup 2023 event on Thursday, Goa Information Technology Minister Rohan Khaunte also said the government's aim is to position the state as a premier startup destination in Asia. "Goa, with its vibrant spirit, is poised to become a nurturing ground for startup creativity. In the coming months, we will introduce a spectrum of initiatives to further catalyse business growth and provide startups with the support they need," he said. "Under the leadership of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, the aim is to position Goa as a premier startup destination in Asia...The state's unique blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage and burgeoning entrepreneurial spirit sets the stage for the convergence of startups and information technology," he said. The

Goa govt starts giving provisional NOCs for installation of beach shacks

Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte on Thursday said they have initiated the process of installation of beach shacks in the state and started giving provisional No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for it to the shack owners. The tourist season has already started in Goa and there has been a delay in putting up shacks after the state environment department delayed in ascertaining the carrying capacity of beaches (for shacks), Khaunte told PTI. The environment department has recommended that 364 shacks can be erected on various stretches of beaches in the coastal state, he said. We have already initiated the process of erecting beach shacks. The department is giving provisional NOCs to the shack owners, Khaunte said. The tourism department earlier set November 17 as the deadline for paying shack licence fees. But there was a request from shack owners to extend the deadline. The department has extended the deadline to accept the payments till November 25, the minister said. It is import

International Film Festival of India begins Nov 20 in Goa: Key details

As many as 270 movies would be screened during the 54th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) which will be inaugurated on November 20 at an indoor stadium in Bambolim near here in Goa. Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the opening ceremony of the nine-day-long film festival will be held at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium at Bambolim at 5 pm. He said the infrastructure for hosting the multi-venue festival, where a total of 270 films would be screened, was "99 per cent" ready and some final touches were being given. Sawant informed that 198 international films would be screened at the event of which 13 would be premiered. The chief minister said all the festival venues would be accessible for differently abled delegates. Sawant said the newly inaugurated Kala Academy building in Panaji will host master classes and other events, but there will be no screening of films at the refurbished venue. The CM

Goans burn effigies on Diwali; CM Sawant asks people to buy local products

People of Goa burnt giant effigies of demon 'Narakasura' in the early hours of Sunday to begin Diwali celebration, while Chief Minister Pramod Sawant extended greetings to the people and urged them to buy local products to celebrate the festival. Goa has a long held tradition of making the effigies of Narakasura and burning them on Diwali, marking the victory of good over evil. The 'Narakasur Vadh' (killing of the demon) competitions were held across the coastal state to celebrate the festival. It symbolises the victory of good over evil. An artiste dressed as Lord Krishna performs Narakasura Vadh in the early morning hours. This is how we celebrate Diwali, said Panaji-based historian Sanjeev Sardesai. The tradition of performing 'Narakasura Vadh' existed even during the Portuguese rule in the state but remained subdued due to restrictions on religious freedom, he said. After liberation from the Portuguese rule, this tradition has been followed by the young generation of Goa, he .

54th International Film Festival of India to be held from Nov 20 in Goa

Over 270 films will be showcased during the festival at four venues

No passes, accreditation needed for people to attend National Games in Goa

The Goa government has opened all the venues of the National Games 2023 for the general public and they can witness the sporting event without the need to have any passes or accreditation, a minister said on Saturday. Goa sports department, in an advisory issued on Thursday, said all the venues will be open for the general public till the end of the National Games on November 9. Talking to PTI, state Sports Minister Govind Gaude said, "An advisory has been issued to all the venue commandants and security in-charges to allow the general public to watch the games. The entry will be without any pass or accreditation card. They will be allowed only in the spectator areas from where they can see the matches." Initially, verbal intimation was given to all the venue commandants and security in-charges that the public should be allowed to watch the matches, he said. "But there were some complaints that people were not allowed despite the availability of empty seats in the stadium," he ...

PM Modi inaugurates 37th edition of National Games in Panaji, Goa

A cultural programme was held to entertain the crowd and all dignitaries present at the event. Children also displayed some Malkhamb performances

PM Modi to launch projects in Maharashtra, inaugurate National Games in Goa

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Thursday launch a scheme in Maharashtra aimed at benefitting more than 86 lakh farmers and launch projects worth over Rs 7,500 crore. He will later travel to Goa to inaugurate the 37th National Games. PM Modi will begin his Maharashtra tour by offering prayers at the famous Shri Saibaba temple in Shridi and inaugurate its new 'darshan queue complex', as per an official statement. He will perform "Jal Pujan" of Nilwande Dam and dedicate a canal network of the dam to the nation. The prime minister will later attend a public programme in Shirdi to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth about Rs 7,500 crore in sectors like health, rail, road and oil and gas. The new 'darshan queue complex' in Shirdi is a state-of-the-art modern mega building envisaged to provide comfortable waiting areas for devotees, the statement said. It is equipped with several waiting halls with a cumulative seating capacity of more tha

PM Modi to launch projects in Maharashtra, inaugurate National Games in Goa

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Thursday launch a scheme in Maharashtra aimed at benefitting over 86 lakh farmers and launch projects worth over Rs 7,500 crore and then travel to Goa to inaugurate the 37th National Games. An official statement said Modi will begin his Maharashtra tour by offering prayers at the famous Shri Saibaba temple in Shridi and inaugurate its new "darshan queue complex". He will perform "Jal Pujan" of Nilwande Dam and dedicate a canal network of the dam to the nation and later attend a public programme in Shirdi to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth about Rs 7,500 crore in sectors like health, rail, road and oil and gas. The statement said the new "darshan queue complex" at Shirdi is a state-of-the-art modern mega building envisaged to provide comfortable waiting areas for devotees. It is equipped with several waiting halls with a cumulative seating capacity of more than 10,000 devotees. Its foundation stone

Goa govt makes it mandatory for shacks to sell its staple 'fish curry-rice'

Shacks on Goa's beaches will now have to mandatorily serve 'fish curry-rice', a staple of the coastal state, along with other Indian and international cuisines, state tourism minister Rohan Khaunte has said. The compulsory inclusion of the coconut-based preparation, savoured for its tangy and spicy taste, in the menu is part of the state's new Shack Policy that aims to promote the Goan cuisine, the minister said on Sunday. Till now, shacks along the shoreline offered North Indian food, but Goan dishes were not available at these places, he said. The government has now made it compulsory for shacks to "display and serve" the Goan food, including 'fish curry-rice', he said. "We have to project our rich cuisine to tourists, Khaunte said. He said the Shack Policy, which was recently passed by the cabinet, also intends to address the challenge of illegal hawking and vending on beaches. Many women, involved in illegal hawking and vending on beaches, would pretend to be working at the s

IRCTC launches Amazing Goa Ex Rajkot, the package covers 5 nights/6 days

IRCTC has launched a 5-night and 6-day package for those who are willing to explore the tourist's paradise. Here are the complete details about the IRCTC Amazing Goa ex Rajkot package

Attempts underway to disrupt harmony in Goa but govt taking action: CM

There are some conscious attempts to disrupt communal harmony in Goa but people must trust the state government as it is acting against such elements, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Monday. Talking to reporters after paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri on their birth anniversaries, Sawant cited examples of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj being broken and a church priest making anti-Hindu statements and someone posting something objectionable about Muslims. "Goa has maintained communal harmony for ages. But there are some people who are trying to disrupt it. People get disturbed with such instances and hold protests outside police stations," he said. "People should have full trust in the government. We have taken action and we will not allow communal harmony to be disturbed," the CM added.

Goa CM Pramod Sawant pledges to donate his kidney, liver and cornea

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday pledged to donate his organs as part of a pan-India initiative launched by Bharatiya Janata Party's medical cell. CM Sawant, in the presence of BJP's Goa medical cell convener Dr Shekhar Salkar and others, signed an online application pledging to donate his petition. He was immediately given a certificate for it. Addressing a press conference here, the chief minister said he has pledged to donate his kidneys, liver and cornea as part of the drive. Sawant praised the Union Health Ministry and Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya for taking up the initiative of organ donation across the country. Organs can be donated online by anyone, who is above 18 years of age, he said. Thanking the Union government and BJP medical cell for giving him an opportunity to pledge his organs, he said, "Everyone should come forward and pledge to donate organs, which will save other lives in the future." Sawant said the Goa government has held four ...

Abbott India warns of laxatives shortage in tussle with Goa regulator

The two laxative brands together have estimated annual sales of $70 million in India, healthcare data firm Pharmarack says

Go, Goa, Gone: Bhumi Adhikarini Bill may once again stir pot of identity

Bhumi Adhikarini Bill is expected to ignite debates, provoke questions & controversies that simmer beneath the surface in this tiny emerald land: who qualifies as a Goan, and who does not?

Goa govt launches taxi service app to facilitate easy travel for tourists

The Goa government on Friday launched a taxi service app through which people can book a cab online to travel anywhere within the coastal state. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant launched the "Goa Taxi App" in the presence of state Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte, Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) chairman Ganesh Gaonkar and director of tourism Suneel Anchipaka. Speaking on the occasion, Sawant said the tourist footfall in the state will increase, once visitors are assured of their safety, and the introduction of the taxi app is a major step towards it. The app will also help bring down the travelling cost for tourists, who have been complaining about exorbitant taxi fares in the coastal state, he said. Tourists were complaining that travelling to Goa from Mumbai by flight is cheaper than travelling to a hotel in the coastal state in a taxi, the chief minister said. Khaunte said "Goa Taxi App" has been operational at the Manohar International Airport (MIA), Mopa since the last

Taking corrective actions at Goa unit; stopped Digene production: Abbott

Drug maker Abbott on Thursday said it is implementing corrective actions at its Goa-based facility from where it had produced antacid Digene Gel that was recalled from the market due to non-compliance with manufacturing norms. Earlier this month, regulator DCGI cautioned against the consumption of Digene Gel citing safety concerns even as the drug maker recalled several batches of the medicine manufactured at the Goa facility. The drug regulatory body also advised doctors and healthcare professionals to carefully prescribe and educate their patients to discontinue the medicine's use and for reporting of any adverse drug reactions arising due to consumption of the said product. Goa FDA officials had conducted multiple inspections of the plant after the drug maker announced the recall of the antacid produced at the site and found various lapses of manufacturing norms, including hygiene issues, industry sources said. "We voluntarily stopped Digene manufacturing at our Goa site upon th

Goa state warns Abbott India on antacid Digene license suspension

The state authorities have given Abbott seven days to respond to the notice to defend its position

Abbott recalls antacid Digene Gel made in Goa after consumer complaints

India's drugs regulator issues advisory against use; company says there is no 'health concern'