Page 3 - Goa

Tough season: Sharp drop in tourism forces closure of Goa beach shacks

Due to a sharp drop in tourists, a number of beach shacks in Goa have closed their operations weeks before the official end of the tourist season. Shacks on less popular beaches have already shut

Air India asked me to fly in broken seat or get refund: Goa AAP leader

Goa AAP president Amit Palekar on Friday evening claimed Air India told him that his seat on a Delhi to Seoul flight was broken, and he could either choose to fly or take a refund, which prompted the airline to respond that it was "reviewing his concern". Palekar shared a post and video on X about his experience. "I am at the counter (at the Delhi airport) and I have been told by the staff...that my confirmed seat is unserviceable, it does not recline. I have to give a consent, which is a kind of forced consent because I have no other choice but to fly because I have connecting flights....and Air India is saying either we will give you complete refund and you choose another option, or you fly this seat which is a broken seat," he said in the video. In his post, Palekar wrote, "Welcome to @airindia. This is a common feature for those flying on Air India to face this ordeal of being told that your seat is not reclining or broken after paying full fare." "This is my third time. I ...

Singapore Sling! The city-state offers a mix of old and new effortlessly

Singapore is a seamless blend of modern urban sophistication with lush, accessible green spaces and rich cultural diversity. Visit Singapore if you are looking for a safe and secure country to travel

Goa budget allocates Rs 2,100 cr for education, mandates internship

The Goa budget has earmarked Rs 2,100 crore for the education sector and made it compulsory for students in the state to undergo internship to complete their graduation course. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday presented a revenue surplus budget in the Goa assembly, providing tax incentives for tourism entrepreneurs setting up starred hotels in rural areas and full SGST reimbursement for the first 5 years for industries investing more than Rs 5,000 crore. The budget projected GSDP at current prices for 2025-26 at Rs 1,38,624.86 crore with a growth rate of 14.27 per cent. It projected Goa's per capita income of Rs 9.69 lakh, portraying a robust and healthy economy. Sawant announced that internship will be a mandatory part of the graduation for students from the upcoming academic year (June 2025). While earmarking Rs 2,100 crore for the education sector, Sawant announced several new initiatives, including the internship which will be implemented phase-wise in different colleg

Congress alleges ₹304.24 cr scam in Goa, calls BJP 'cabal of Mini-Adanis'

Congress leader Pawan Khera also slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's anti-corruption stance, stating that his government in Goa contradicts his claims of fighting corruption

'Hatred for Maharashtra… in Goa,' says Ayesha Takia on case against husband

Actor Ayesha Takia's husband, Abu Farhan Azmi, was booked by police in Goa at a public place at Candolim village in North Goa. In a post, the actress said her family was 'brutally bullied' by goons

What's causing tensions in North Goa? A banyan tree, a temple & a highway

Tensions erupted in North Goa as authorities dismantled a temple's boundary wall while relocating a 200-year-old banyan tree for NH-66 expansion, sparking protests and detentions

Goa tourism drop: What's driving tourists away from India's beach paradise?

Because Goa is constantly crowded, it can be difficult to find a peaceful spot. However, compared to 8.5 million foreign visitors in 2019, only 1.5 million came to Goa in 2023, according to CEIC

Goa : AAP chief Palekar claims harassment by police in land grabbing case

Goa Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) president Amit Palekar was on Friday questioned for a third time by police in connection with a video released by a man accused in multiple land grab cases who escaped from crime branch custody last year, but was arrested later. Palekar, carrying a toothbrush and toothpaste, appeared before the Old Goa police in the morning and was questioned for around an hour. AAP MLA Cruz Silva was present with his party colleague at the police station in a show of solidarity. Talking to reporters after recording his statement, the Goa AAP president alleged political vendetta and said police were summoning him repeatedly, while ignoring others, including a senior police officer and a BJP MLA who were named by the land grab accused, Siddiqui Suleman Khan (55), in the video. Khan released two videos in December last year and in one of them, he claimed the police helped him escape from custody. In the second video, he claimed he recorded the first clip at Palekar's behest.

Goa health officials to create awareness about HMPV, respiratory disorders

Goa Minister Vishwajit Rane has said that officials of the state health department have been asked to create awareness among people about the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) to prevent panic. Rane stated the same in a written reply to a starred question tabled by St Cruz MLA Rudolfo Fernandes on Friday, the last day of the Goa legislative assembly's winter session. MLA Fernandes had asked if the state Government was aware of the recent spread of the HMPV in a few states in India and sought to know the precautions being taken to prevent the spread of the virus in Goa. State Health Minister Rane said all health officers have been asked to create awareness about HMPV, ILI and SARI among the general public to prevent any panic. He said that while strengthening and reviewing surveillance for ILI and SARI, officials have been asked to investigate severe cases of SARI or pneumonia with tests for H1N1, COVID-19, etc.,

Opposing Indian state has become Rahul Gandhi's new agenda: Goa CM

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday said opposing the Indian state itself has become the "new agenda" of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress. Gandhi's remark earlier in the day that his party was fighting the "BJP, RSS and the Indian state itself" triggered a row with the BJP alleging that everything the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha does or says is in the direction of breaking India and dividing society. "So, opposing the Indian State itself has become the new agenda of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party!" Sawant wrote on X. "The Congress party, led by Rahul Gandhi, has forfeited any moral ground to hold or preach the Constitution to others. Earlier, the statement by the South Goa MP, claiming that the Constitution of India was "thrust upon them" is a glaring testament to the deep-seated disrespect and contempt for India and its foundational principles that cultivates within the entitled dynastic leadership of the Congress," the chief minister added. Sawant was referring

French carrier strike group conducts air-sea manoeuvres with Indian Navy

A few hours after setting sail, the CSG carried out cooperation activities with the Indian Navy at sea and in the air

Social media flags record low tourist numbers in Goa; what does data say?

Debunking fake reports, new data concludes that the state has witnessed record-breaking visitor numbers, both domestically and internationally. Here's all you need to know

Goa government urges officials to tune in to PM Modi's 'Mann Ki Baat'

In a social media post, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant praised Goa's role as a leader in adopting progressive governance practices that have been replicated nationally

Goa govt launches 'Bima Sakhi Yojana', CM urges all women to participate

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday launched the 'Bima Sakhi Yojana' in the state with the aim of providing "insurance for all". With this, Goa became the second state after Haryana to launch this flagship scheme envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a government release said. As per the central government's portal, the Bima Sakhi Yojana initiative of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) is designed to empower women aged 18-70 years, who are Class X pass. They will receive specialised training and a stipend for the first three years to promote financial literacy and insurance awareness. After training, they can serve as LIC agents and the graduate Bima Sakhis will have the opportunity to qualify for being considered for development officer roles in LIC. After distributing the Bima Sakhi Yojana letters to the beneficiaries, CM Sawant said the scheme will not only give financial support to these women, but the role of a Bima Sakhi is going to be very significant ...

INSV Tarini sets sail for longest leg of global voyage with women officers

This endeavour, known as Navika Sagar Parikrama II, highlights India's growing expertise in maritime exploration and underscores the courage and determination of its naval personnel

Ranveer Allahbadia, girlfriend nearly drown in Goa, saved by IPS officer

Ranveer shared a heartfelt post, revealing how his fun swim with his girlfriend turned into a survival battle. He thanked god for the life as he was almost drowned

One dead, 20 rescued as tourist boat capsizes near Calangute beach in Goa

One person died and 20 others were rescued after a tourist boat capsized in the Arabian Sea off Calangute beach in North Goa on Wednesday, police said. The incident occurred around 1.30 pm, they said. "A 54-year-old man died and 20 others were rescued and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment after the boat they were travelling in capsized," a senior police official said. Except for two passengers, all others were wearing life jackets, he said. The passengers included children as young as six year old and women, he said. Spokesman of Drishti Marine, a government-appointed lifesaving agency, said the boat capsized around 60 metres away from the coastline, resulting in all the passengers falling off into the sea water. A family comprising 13 members from Khed in Maharashtra were among the passengers on board, he said. On seeing the boat getting capsized, a personnel of Drishti Marine rushed to aid and called for backup, he said. "In all, 18 on-duty lifesavers rushed to the ai

Goa Liberation Day 2024: Know history, significance, quotes and more

Goa Liberation Day is celebrated every year on 19th December when it officially became part of the Indian Union in 1961. Know more about the rich history and significance of the coastal region

Goa CM's wife files Rs 100 cr defamation suit against AAP MP Sanjay Singh

Sulakshana Pramod Sawant filed the defamation suit in the Civil Judge Senior Division Court in Bicholim, Goa, against Sanjay Singh