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Articles by Bindiya Chari
Bomb scare: Goa school receives threat email; campus evacuated, cops call it hoax
VASCO: A school in Vasco was evacuated on Wednesday following an email threat warning of a bomb blast on its premises. The alarming message prompted immediate action from authorities, who swiftly moved students, teachers, and staff to safety. The entire school campus was cordoned off, and the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) was deployed to conduct a thorough search of the premises. Security personnel inspected the area for any suspicious objects while ensuring public safety.
This Goan neuroscientist is curing brain ailments, one invention at a time
News City News goa News This Goan neuroscientist is curing brain ailments, one invention at a time Trending Panaji: The curiosity about consciousness that he developed in his adolescence haunted Dr Santosh Helekar, the US-based Goan neuroscientist, throughout his academic and professional pursuits. Helekar found some solace as he invented medically useful wearable electronic micromachines.
Denial of alcoholism presenting bigger risk for women: Experts
News City News goa News Denial of alcoholism presenting bigger risk for women: Experts Trending Panaji: Experts warn of a rise of alcoholism among women but the bigger issue, they say, is that the problem has largely remained unacknowledged as women with drinking problems are less likely to admit its existence even as the first signs of trouble start popping up.
At 68%, more govt than pvt docs faced violence, shows GMC study
News At 68%, more govt than pvt docs faced violence, shows GMC study Panaji: A study by GMC’s department of community social medicine noted that more govt doctors (68.2%) faced violence on duty than those in private practice. The most common forms of aggression were abuse and threats. The study found an overall 38.5% prevalence of workplace violence against healthcare professionals of Goa, with a maximum, 63.4%, targeted at doctors in the age group of 20-30.
Shack workers kill tourist from Andhra Pradesh at Goa beach
News City News goa News Shack workers kill tourist from Andhra Pradesh at Goa beach Trending A tourist from Andhra Pradesh, Bhola Ravi Teja, was killed by beach shack workers in Calangute on Monday night, following a brawl when the workers refused to serve food after closing time. Three workers have been arrested while the owner of the shack is absconding. Police are investigating other angles in the case.
Most of 2024’s dengue cases in Goa were detected in non-monsoon period
News City News goa News Most of 2024’s dengue cases in Goa were detected in non-monsoon period Trending Panaji: A spike in dengue cases this year vis-à-vis 2023 was mostly contributed by dengue transmissions during a non-transmission season, an unprecedented trend. Goa recorded 561 cases from Jan to Nov as against 512 in 2023.
Panic in Wadem-Priol after leopard spotted at front door of house.
PONDA: Panic has spread in a Ward at Wadem-Priol in Ponda taluka after a house owner spotted the leopard at the front door of his house. A leopard was seen in the CCTV footage coming to a door of the house of Vishwajit Desai on Tuesday night, waits for a while and goes away after finding the door close. The villagers have demanded that the forest department should take action against the big cat. Sources said the leopards are always seen in the village.
RG's Manoj Parab marches door to door with one message: Let me be voice of change | India News - Times of India
Bindiya Chari & Newton SequeiraTIMESOFINDIA.COM May 3, 2024, 19:28 IST Revolutionary Goan Party challenges established players in Goa's elections with anti-migrant, pro-Goan stance, aiming for state governance The party’s founder president Manoj Parab is contesting the North Goa Lok Sabha seat.
Mind Games: Understanding dementia
Bindiya Chari Times Network Apr 25, 2024, 20:00 IST IST Lack of dedicated care homes for dementia patients in Goa is a major public health problem, exacerbated by the absence of family members due to migration. When Maria Fernandes, 85, was diagnosed with dementia during the first Covid-19 wave in 2020, she had no family around.
New feni in new bottles: Goa's old tipple gets spicy & herby | India News - Times of India
PANAJI: While distilling feni, add the flavour of fennel, give it a name that combines exotica and sophistication, Bodhishepe Conserva, in this case, pour it in designer bottles - sell. Bottling and marketing feni for long as charming but sleepy a business as Goa famously is as a place, is changing rapidly. At the core of the change is an idea taken from the playbook of vodka and gin - botanical flavouring.
Goa Taxi app that started at Mopa now extended to rest of the state
PANAJI: The state government on Friday launched a Goa taxi app exclusively for local cabbies and operators. The app is mainly aimed at those who refused to join GoaMiles, which was introduced a few years ago by a private entity in collaboration with the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC). Chief minister Pramod Sawant, who launched the app along with tourism minister Rohan Khaunte, said that there's no escape from technology, and appealed to taxi owners to register.
Man dies at Goa Medical College, his organs give new lease of life to four patients in three cities
PANAJI: Four men across three cities - all of whose health had been declining and were on waitlists for organ transplants - finally got the good news they'd been waiting for on Friday. The previous day, a 25-year-old man from Belagavi died at Goa Medical College, Bambolim, a day after he met with an accident. "The man was declared brain dead on Thursday night," said GMC dean Dr S M Bandekar.
To defeat dengue, consult doc the moment fever hits
Panaji: Even as fewer dengue cases were reported in July this year compared to the same period in 2022, August recorded a spurt in dengue cases at the regular hot spots and a suspected dengue death in Candolim. In July, 30 cases were reported vis-à-vis 47 in the same month last year. An uptick was reported from the primary health centres of Candolim, Chimbel, Cortalim, and Vasco. At the Chimbel primary health centre, dengue cases were noted from Taleigao, Santa Cruz, and Merces.
3-year licence period of shacks may not change in new policy
Panaji: The new beach shack policy is likely to be released next month. While the policy may see some changes to allow the tourism department to effortlessly check for violations, the validity period of the beach shack licence of three years may not be changed.
Season’s 1st charter arrival likely on Oct 1
“We are confident of receiving charters from Israel in the new season, though our talks fizzled out last year,” senior vice-president of Concord, Sheikh Ismail, told TOI. About seven to eight years ago, Goa received charters from Israel, but then they stopped. While it is too early to predict what will happen in the new season, the trade is confident it will be better than the last.
Govt warns of dengue mosquitoes breeding in housing complexes
Dengue mosquitoes were found breeding in unused commodes, flowers pots, decorative plants kept in drawing rooms, containers or buckets left to collect water from air conditioners, and in some houses, even old refrigerators having a small container attached to collect water, had larvae, said Dr Kalpana Mahatme, health officer in-charge of national vector borne disease control programme in Goa.
Strict action against IPS officer who misbehaved with partygoer: Goa CM Pramod Sawant
“We will not tolerate such misbehavior,” Sawant told the Goa legislative assembly on Wednesday when GFP MLA Vijai Sardesai mentioned the incident involving the IPS officer. Sardesai demanded that the officer in question should be suspended and relieved. “Some of them (officers posted in Goa) behave as if they are here for a picnic, get drunk, and misbehave,” Sardesai said, adding that the incident was reported in several newspapers.
Not every vehicle can be checked for drunken driving, people should respect law, Goa CM on Banastari accident
Denying the allegation, chief minister Pramod Sawant said, "Last night’s accident, can’t be directly called the law-and-order failure." “We do not allow drunken driving anywhere in the state. Somebody may get drunk at a picnic or a party and drive rashly. But we also can’t stop every vehicle to check. If we do that people will complain about it,” said Sawant with Alemao demanding a stringent action. The Opposition leader blamed the enforcement agencies for the rise in the road accident.
Social media influencers tarnishing image of Goa to face music, says IT minister
“I have told the IT department to start sources material available online that spreads false hood about Goa as also tourism department has been intimated,” Khaunte told reporters, who is also the tourism minister, after the alleged objectionable comments by one social influencer were brought to his notice. “I do not know if they (social influencers) are paid to make such (false) reels, but we will not allow them to sully the image of Goa, a preferred destination,” he said.
Goa’s tourism appeal booms as prices drop, activities increase during monsoon
.. It is raining heavily, and for days now there has been no sign of sunshine. And yet, you can see tourists on the streets of Goa. You can spot them trying to capture memories or making reels at Fontainhas, Panaji’s Latin Quarter. Similar scenes also play out at Goa’s popular beaches. While swimming in the sea is banned during the rains, it is no deterrent for tourists. Beaches still get crowded on weekends, albeit not as much as in the non-monsoon months.
Big or small, 70 waterfalls a huge draw among Instagrammers
PANAJI: When it comes to waterfalls in Goa, most only know a select few like Dudhsagar, Arvalem (same as Harvalem), Mainapi, and Saleli. However, there are over 70 waterfalls in the state, counting the big and small ones as well as the cascades that come alive during the first two months of the monsoon. The bigger waterfalls number about 25, but these are mostly in the Western Ghat region. Some are not accessible and have to be enjoyed from afar.
‘Genetic tests help devise treatment for children’
Panaji: A child born with a genetic disease may not be completely cured, but timely genetic testing can bring the child and the family a measure of relief. An accurate diagnosis will help to determine a possible line of treatment, while the parents can be cautioned about the risk of their second child inheriting a similar genetic disorder. A medical genetics OPD has been initiated by the Government of Goa at the department of paediatrics, GMC, once a month.
As Russians, other foreigners leave for monsoon, their apartments are sublet
Panaji: As the tourist season draws to a close as the monsoon sets in, many foreigners — mostly Russians who rent apartments along the Arambol-Morjim-Ashvem belt — either return home or travel to Himachal Pradesh till September, when the monsoon winds down. But what happens to their apartments? It is “illegal”, but many of these foreigners sublet their apartments. Many of these foreign tourists who travel to India on a tight budget have mastered the craft of surviving in a foreign country.
Goa farms to expand ‘barefoot luxury’ space for tourists
Panaji: As the Goa government promotes eco and hinterland tourism, various novel concepts are being explored, and one discussed recently was agro-eco-tourism (AET). At last week’s Goa Tourism Board (GTB ) meeting, a representative of Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR)-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Ella, told the GTB that farming and linked processes have the potential to be introduced as experiential travel.
Trekkers hit cul-de-sac as sanctuaries shut for safety
Panaji: The closure of wildlife sanctuaries has disturbed the plans of trekkers. While the ban is temporary, the organisers of trekking expeditions are in a quandary after the sudden decision was made following two drownings last week. Some have raised red flags about the safety at waterbodies and the environmental damage caused when footfall at any waterbody multiplies. Uncertainty now grasps the July 16 expedition of Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) to Wazir waterfalls in South Goa.
Law proposed to handle unruly tourists: Khaunte
Panaji: Tourism minister Rohan Khaunte on Thursday said that a new law is in the making to discourage and act against unruly tourists. “The proposed new law will give extra hands to the tourism department to deal with such tourists,” Khaunte told reporters after the Goa Tourism board (GTB) meeting. “Other departments also have a role to play but ultimately when things go wrong, it is the tourism department that gets blamed. To handle such cases, we will come out with the law,” said Khaunte.
New beach shack policy to crack down on sub-letting
PANAJI: While the beach shack policy has remained largely unchanged over the past many years, and several of its conditions were never implemented, it is likely to undergo several changes when rolled out two months later. "The new beach shack policy will be strengthened," a senior tourism department official associated with drafting the new policy told TOI.
Temples, churches in Goa, once a speck in tourists’ itineraries, finally find their place
Panaji: A few years ago, the typical tourist itinerary would be dominated by visits to beaches, with fleeting visits to the Old Goa churches or the Mangueshi and Ramnathi temples figuring in a few of them. However, much has changed on this front recently, and tourists in far greater numbers are exploring Goa’s religious and historical treasures.
Cloudy horizon for charter flights, untapped tourism ground explored
PANAJI: Even as Goa continues to retain its two oldest charter-flight markets - Russia and the UK - after the pandemic caused an upheaval, tour operators and hotels will have to tune in to the changed scenario as charter numbers are falling. The number of tourists using charter flights to visit Goa this season is high compared to the 7,000-odd last year. But the figures are no match for the annual arrivals recorded between 2012 and 2013 and 2018 and 2019.
40% rise in new registrations of tourist accommodations in Goa
Panaji: After simplifying the procedure for registration of hotels and other accommodations, the tourism department has seen a growth of over 40% in new registrations. “We have noted a rise in registration of hotels and other units which is about 46% since we changed the law,” tourism director Suneel Anchipaka said. A crackdown on illegal hotels, guest houses and other accommodations, which operated without registering, has also pushed the operators to register.
Less rain till May causes decline in dengue numbers
Panaji: While the state saw 64 dengue cases in the first five months of 2022, this year, Goa saw a marginal drop of just 48 cases. Health officials have attributed this to less unseasonal rain in 2023. Last year, even before the monsoon officially hit, three places in Goa had already seen dengue spread. Last year’s April rain saw many dengue cases reported from horticulture farms in Valpoi, and in Calangute.
FDA bans 14 drug Fixed Dose Combination
PANAJI: The Directorate of Food and Drugs (FDA) has prohibited manufacture, sale, and distribution of 14 drug Fixed Dose Combination (FDC) on recommendation of the Expert Committee and Drugs Technical Advisory Board. Drug retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, government and private hospitals, medical practitioners and nursing homes have been asked to take note of the ban. Doctors are not to prescribe the banned drug.
As world opens post-pandemic, May sees fewer domestic visitors
PANAJI: Compared to May 2022, footfalls this month have been low even as overall occupancy ranged between 70% and 80% for all cat-egories of hotels and other accommodations. Nilesh Shah, president of the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa, said that the drop is not much. He added that post-pandemic domestic travellers have a fully expanded choice of destinations.
Decline in tourist footfall forces most shacks to shut before May 31 deadline
Panaji: Beach shacks have witnessed reasonably good business since the beginning of the tourist season in October, but majority of them have shut two weeks before the May 31 deadline to dismantle and remove the shacks due to drop in footfalls. Barring a few beach stretches of North Goa, and at Colva beach, the shacks at other beaches in the state have closed early for the season, though domestic footfalls have not dried-up fully.
Unseen in the past, many women now coming with booze addiction: Doctors
Panaji: Doctors across the state have flagged a rise in alcohol addiction among women, a problem that has come to light now that several are seeking medical help. “Since the Covid-19 lockdowns, we’ve noted a rise in incidence of drinking among women,” said senior psychiatrist Dr Rajesh Dhume, who is the nodal officer of the addiction treatment facility (ATF), North Goa district hospital.
Woman killed as crocodile drags her into Amthane dam in Goa
PANAJI: A 45-year-old woman died after she was dragged by a crocodile into the Amthane dam at Wadaval village in Bicholim taluka on Saturday afternoon. According to the available information, the incident occurred when Sangeeta Shingadi, a resident of Savardhat Dhangarwadi, was taking the goats for grazing and on her way she stopped and ventured into the dam water to wash her hands. Locals informed police about the incident.
Goa: PWD warns against use of booster pumps to draw piped water
PANAJI: The PWD has issued a warning to consumers not to use booster pumps on their individual water connection service pipeline to draw water. Using booster pumps to draw water is “illegal” and it disturbs equitable water supply to other consumers. The consumers who have installed booster pumps to illegally draw potable water supplied by the PWD are directed to immediately remove and disconnect them.
200 got excise nod to sublet licences after law change
Panaji: About 200 people received permission to sublet their licences after the excise department changed the law a year ago. After the Silly Soul controversy, the excise department amended the Goa Excise Act, legalising the subletting of excise licences. Getting an excise licence is difficult for a person from outside Goa as a 25-year residency certificate needs to be submitted to apply for the licence. Over the years, several resorted to taking licences on rent which was allowed only a year ago.
Bitten by dog, Spaniard to ask consulate to issue advisory on Goa stray menace
PANAJI: Spanish tourist Maria Zapata considers walking on the beach one of her favourite pastimes. But on Sunday evening, while taking a leisurely stroll along the Rajbagh beach in Canacona, an unfortunate encounter with a pack of aggressive stray dogs left the 61-year-old shaken and scared. "I was not running, I was just walking into the water when I saw four dogs running towards me. In no time, I was bitten on both knees," she said.
Soon, offer virtual poojas to family deity from anywhere in the world
PANAJI: Even as Goa tourism explores highlighting old temples to promote spiritual tourism, it will also offer visitors an option of offering poojas virtually, tourism minister Rohan Khaunte said. A person in Dubai or elsewhere will be able to perform a virtual pooja if his family deity, or any god or goddess, is on the list. Once a formula is finalised, the committees of famous temples in Ponda and other talukas will be requested to come on board.
Khaunte: Will take back unused tourism land leased to pvt players
Panaji: With its plan to attract private investment in its premium properties stuck even five years after signing of the agreements, tourism minister Rohan Khaunte said if the project proponents fail to kick-start the projects, then the government would revisit its decisions. “There’s no more waiting, if they fail to carry forward the projects in the next two to three months, we will have to revisit the 2016 agreements. People cannot be sitting idle with tourism properties,” Khaunte said.
South Goa shacks want solution to sewage problem before next season
Panaji: While the South Goa beach shack operators are examining if their sewage problems can be sorted by installing portable treatment plants, the North Goa operators still have no plan of action. The problem is posing a threat to the existence of beach shacks, and allottees are keen to find a solution before the next season starts.
LGBTQIA community in Goa hopes for SC ruling to end fear, hate
PANAJI: The LGBTQIA community in Goa is waiting anxiously for a positive outcome to a petition on same-sex marriage being currently heard by a five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court. "Live-in relationship is difficult for the community without legal sanctity for same-sex marriage," said Lal Beigh, an associate of Ham Sath Trust, a voluntary organisation working with Goa's LGBTQIA community.
Goa expects to reach malaria elimination stage by year end
PANAJI: Having recorded just two indigenous malaria infections in 2022, Goa is close to reaching the malaria elimination stage by the end of the year and may become the first state in the country to do so. "We aim to meet the target by the end of 2023. Even last year, our annual parasite incidence (API) was .001, a parameter of total positive cases per 1,000 people," said Dr Kalpana Mahatme, health officer who heads the national vector borne disease control programme for Goa.
FDA to run drive to check water used by Goa eateries
PANAJI: Following the Congress' complaint about the quality of tanker water supplied in the state, Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), on Tuesday declared that it would conduct inspection and a drive to take samples of water from eateries and other commercial establishments from Wednesday. The FDA however, clarified that the trade of supply of water through tankers is not covered under the purview of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.
'Shutter happy' choose selfies over safety, ignore warning sign boards in Goa
PANAJI: There are 30 prohibited or no photography spots across various beaches in Goa. Warning sign boards have been put up at all of these spots, despite which some visitors still take unwarranted risks all for the sake of a photograph or a reel. Not all are lucky enough to make a safe escape. Four young people, who ignored the warning on the sign board, drowned at Keri beach on Sunday after they climbed a rocky portion of the beach that was identified as unsafe.
‘Shutter happy’ choose selfies over safety, ignore warning sign boards - Times of India
Panaji: There are 30 prohibited or no photography spots across various beaches in Goa. Warning sign boards have been put up at all of these spots, despite which some visitors still take unwarranted risks all for the sake of a photograph or a reel. Not all are lucky enough to make a safe escape. Four young people, who ignored the warning on the sign board, drowned at Keri beach on Sunday after they climbed a rocky portion of the beach that was identified as unsafe.
New airport ready, Goa govt now tries to revive its appeal in EU markets - ET TravelWorld
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New airport ready, Goa govt now tries to revive its appeal in EU markets
PANAJI: With a new airport in the state having become operational, the tourism department is looking at reviving its European market which initially helped Goa to make its mark as an international destination. Presently, team Goa is pitching for renewed opportunities in four destinations - France, Germany, Austria and Switzerland - by conducting roadshows.
Stakeholders sceptical about Goa tourism’s promotional blitz plan
Panaji: Over the past year, the tourism department has enhanced its promotions and participation in international trade fairs and road shows. However, trade members are sceptical about the outcome. This week, the tourism department team is in Europe to conduct roadshows in partnership with the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), India chapter. In the first week of May, it will travel to Dubai to attend the Arabian Travel Mart (ATM).
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