The Navhind Times

NT Reporter Margao Moving to address groundwater depletion, the Water Resources Department (WRD) has launched a state-wide campaign targeting the completion of 200 rainwater harvesting projects across the state, with every department engineer required to adopt two projects within their jurisdiction and execute them within a year. The scheme will focus on high-potential catchments, particularly []

NT Reporter Panaji Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Akshat Ayush will take charge as the new Superintendent of Police (SP), South Goa, from September 12, replacing IPS officer Tikam Singh Verma, who has been transferred to Jammu and Kashmir. Ayush is currently serving as ADC to the Governor of Goa. In an order issued by []

NT Reporter Vasco Vasco BJP MLA Krishna Salkar has appealed to people and Ganesh mandal committees to celebrate Chaturthi while following the prescribed rules and avoiding inconvenience to others. Salkar made the appeal during a review meeting attended by the deputy collector, mamlatdar, police officials and representatives of various mandal committees. The meeting reviewed preparations []

Goas literacy milestone must now translate into greater digital and civic empowerment Yesterday, the world celebrated the 60th anniversary of International Literacy Day (ILD). UNESCO is marking it across two days September 8 and 9 in Mexico. Celebrated under the theme Literacy for people, the planet and prosperity, according to UNESCO, ILD 2026 []

Jyoti Bandekar talks to NT BUZZ about her latest book, Tai Smruti Sugandh, which shares memories of her elder sister, late Shashikala Kakodkar, the first woman Chief Minister of Goa RAMNATH N PAI RAIKAR French novelist George Sand had observed that Memory is the perfume of the soul. Memories, with their lingering presence in []

Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr (TSKK), Porvorim recently organised a national symposium, in collaboration with St. Aloysius (Deemed to be University), Mangalore on the topic Rediscovering Sixteenth Century Local Language Literature in Goa: Texts, Traditions, and Historical Narratives. The objective of this symposium was to re-examine the emergence of local language literary traditions in the 16th []

Mohammad Shami, Mukesh Kumar reduce Tilak Varma-led side to 242/6 Chennai: East Zone tighten their grip on the Duleep Trophy final as they restricted South Zone to 242 for six at stumps on the third day here on Tuesday. South still trail by 466 runs after East piled up a mammoth 708 in their first []

Their half-centuries help Goa reach 174/4 in reply to Vidarbhas 393 Panaji: Goa skipper Snehal Kauthankars unbeaten 62 kept his sides hopes alive after Vidarbha posted 393 in their first innings on the second day of the Dr (Capt) Thimmappiah Memorial Cricket Tournament at the IAF Ground Bengaluruon Tuesday. Vidarbha, resuming at 310/4, were bowled []

NT Reporter Margao Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on Thursday said that the concept of One Nation, One Election cannot currently be implemented in the country, as it is not stipulated in the Constitution of India. The CEC was interacting with students at the Ravindra Bhavan in Margao, providing a platform for the participants []

NT Reporter Panaji The Goa Animal Federation (GAF) claimed that the actual number of stray dog bite and scratch cases in the state could be around 120 this year, rather than the 12,021 animal bite cases reported in the Assembly, stating that the official figure does not represent individual stray dogbite cases. GAF president and []

Chief Minister defends electricity charges Panaji: A heated debate broke out in the State Legislative Assembly on Wednesday over power tariffs and smart meters, leading the Opposition MLAs to storm the Well of the House twice as they demanded relief from the surging electricity bills and urged that smart meters remain optional for consumers. Making []

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Wednesday ordered a CBI probe into the death of Disha Salian, former manager of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, and pulled up the Mumbai Police for failing to register an FIR for six years, observing that their probe raises more questions than answers. A division bench of Justices Sarang []

New Delhi: Global temperature rise is set to cross the 1.5-C threshold, likely within the next few years, intensifying extreme weather, ecosystem loss and submersion of small island developing nations, according to a new UN report released on Wednesday. The report, Limiting Overshoot, released by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) emphasised the need for immediate []

New Delhi: Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Wednesday alleged that the SIR being carried out by the Election Commission is an exercise aimed at helping the BJP win elections and urged the Supreme Court to stop the bulk deletions taking place under it. The former Union minister also alleged that the Special Intensive Revision []

Panaji: The water supply from the Tillari Dam to three major talukas in North Goa namely Pernem, Bardez and Bicholim will remain suspended for three months as Maharashtra is undertaking repair works on the canal network, which could bring about hardship to the people. Minister for Water Resources Subhash Shirodkar said a pipeline linked to []

Following Konkani Rashtramanyatai Dis on August 20, NT NETWORK looks at whether a Konkani degree can translate into a sustainable career as opportunities expand beyond teaching and translation VINIKA VISWAMBHARANNT NETWORK Konkani has Constitutional recognition and official status in Goa, and its presence extends across literature, culture,and an increasingly digital space. But for students choosing []

Panaji: With the state government permitting up to 20 per cent Plaster of Paris (PoP) content in Ganesh idols for the forthcoming festival, the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) will conduct random checks to ensure that the PoP content remains within the permissible limit. GSPCB scientist Mohan Girap said the pollution board, along with []

Says Cong will decide on casinos if voted to power Panaji: Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Girish Chodankar on Thursday alleged that drug rackets in the state are being operated with the blessings of people in power and claimed that the security guard caught smuggling drugs into the Central jail is a part of []

Panaji: The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) has claimed that currently it tops in the Ponda electoral constituency as far as the prospects at the state assembly election are concerned. Power Minister and MGP leader, Ramakrishna Sudin Dhavalikar said that his party stands very strong in Ponda if the political equations are considered. Quoting a latest []

Mogadishu: Six Indians were aboard a Cameroon-flagged cargo ship hijacked by pirates off Somalias Puntland coast earlier this week, a Somali official said Thursday. The M/V LUTUF, which was carrying Turkish weapons, was seized on Monday and taken by the pirates toward the regions Nugaal coast. The ship was seized about three and a half []

Kyiv: Russia pounded the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and the surrounding region with scores of missiles and drones in a nighttime aerial attack that lasted for hours and killed at least 16 people, officials said Thursday. Moscows forces have in recent months intensified their ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv, exploiting Ukraines chronic shortage of US-made []

London: Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle have decided to move back to the UK with their two children later this month but will remain non-working members of the royal family, according to UK media reports. Harry, the younger son of King Charles III, relocated with his family to the US six years ago []

Dhaka: Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, a longtime secretary general of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and a close ally of former premier Khaleda Zia, was on Thursday elected as the countrys new President in the first contested poll for the post in 35 years. The 78-year-old BNP stalwart defeated his lone rival Colonel (retd) []

ShahinBepari Lambe Panaji Around 15,000 blood investigations are carried out every day at Goa Medical College and Hospitals (GMC) clinical biochemistry laboratory by spending a monthly budget of around Rs 2.5 crore. With two highly sophisticated machines capable of performing 1,200 tests per hour, the laboratory handles routine biochemistry tests, immunochemistry and specialised investigations, including []

NT Reporter Margao Barely 24 hours after piling work for the proposed elevated corridor began at Dandeawaddo Chinchinim, villagers stopped the contractor from carrying out the work at night, alleging that the late-night activity is causing disturbance to local residents due to vibrations and noise from heavy machinery. Velim MLA Cruz Silva was called []

India ride his ten-for to beat Sri Lanka by 165 runs in Galle Test Galle: India rode Manav Suthars sensational 10-wicket match haul to beat Sri Lanka by 165 runs in the first Test here on Wednesday, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series and marking their 600th Test with a memorable victory. Chasing []

Sen suffers shock exit; Satwik-Chirag get walkover New Delhi: Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu and fast-rising Ayush Shetty progressed to the pre-quarterfinals of the BWF World Championships here on Wednesday, while Lakshya Sen suffered a shock second-round defeat to USAs Garret Tan. Sindhu, seeded ninth and chasing a record sixth world championships medal, defeated Canadas []

They edge out SC Delhi 5-3 on penalties after a goalless draw Kolkata: East Bengal edged past SC Delhi 5-3 after a goalless regulation-time stalemate and reach the Durand Cup final. Eyeing a record-equalling 17th title, East Bengal will face the winners of Thursdays second semifinal between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and defending champions NorthEast []

Panaji: The Cycling Association of Goa (CAG) has urged the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) to withdraw its suspension and allow the newly elected body to function, with general secretary Neeraj Gupta questioning the process followed by the national federation. CAG approached the Bombay High Court in Goa after CFI suspended its affiliation from August []

Traffic safety and road management measures are also being implemented Panaji: The Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) on Wednesday said that major infrastructure works were being undertaken across industrial estates to improve roads, drainage, water supply, traffic management and other civic infrastructure. The works are being carried out in the industrial estates of Verna, Tuem, []

Panaji: The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) on Wednesday accused Goa Police of conspiring with BJP Yuva Morcha (BJYM), whose members held a protest outside Dabolim airport and allegedly attempted to block the motorcade of All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Mallikarjun Kharge while he was leaving the airport. Kharge, who is also the Leader []

System proposes registration, supply checks & daily rates Panaji: The newly registered Goa State Poultry Development Corporation (GSPDC) has proposed a five-tier supply network for the poultry trade, mandatory registration of industry players, stricter checks on incoming live birds and a system for announcing daily poultry prices. The proposals were announced after the annual general []

Ponda: Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar said a positive and coordinated approach, backed by strict accountability and automation, was essential to address Pondas drinking water challenges. Addressing citizens during a Janata Darbar at Ponda Municipal Council on Tuesday, Shirodkar assured them that the department had sufficient raw water reserves to meet the regions requirements for []

Plan involves engaging with youth, discussing concerns New Delhi: In a major outreach to Gen Z, the Modi government is planning to send one Union minister to one university every day to engage with the youth, discuss their concerns and better understand their perspectives on issues facing the country. The initiative comes in the backdrop []

Panaji: A sweet revival may soon be on the horizon for Goas agricultural landscape, with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday hinting at restarting operations at the Sanjivani Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana, the states only sugar factory, located at Tisk, Dharbandora, in the near future. Sawant was speaking at the inauguration of the 84th Annual Convention []

As the village of Taleigao prepares to celebrate Konsachem Fest on August 21, NT BUZZ learns more about this centuries-old tradition It is celebratory time in the village of Taleigao as the villagers prepare to celebrate their harvest festival. Known as Konsachem Fest, this thanksgiving for a bountiful crop is also known as Festa da []

Kala Academy Goa, Panaji, will echo with the notes of Western classical music on August 22 at 5 p.m., when its Department of Western Music presents a concert to celebrate Founders Day. The event is held annually to commemorate the birth anniversary of the founder director Maestro Antonio Fortunato de Figueiredo, who was born on []

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday suggested that the Photo Journalists Association Goa (PJAG) use Goa before 2012 and Goa 2012 after as the theme for a future photo contest to document the States transformation, particularly in infrastructure, since 2012. Speaking at the World Photography Day celebration and PJAGs 19th anniversary, organised in association with []

Panaji: Goa clinched the three-match one-day series against Oman CA 2-1 with a commanding 126-run victory in the decider at the Oman CA in Al Amerat. Put in to bat after Oman won the toss and elected to bowl, Goa posted 305 for eight in 50 overs, with Shivendra Bhujbal remaining unbeaten on 143 off []

Registers increase from 2.84 mn tonnes to 5.13 mn tonnes Shoma Patnaik Panaji: After several years of insipid growth, inland water transport in the state witnessed a sharp improvement in 2025-26, with cargo traffic on the two national waterways, NW-68 (Mandovi River) and NW-111 (Zuari River), increasing to 5.13 million tonnes from 2.84 million tonnes []

Vasco: The 127th annual Damodar Saptah began in Vasco on Tuesday afternoon with the installation of the shreefal (coconut) by Prashant Joshi, a member of the Joshi family, followed by a 24-hour recitation of bhajans. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant visited the port town and sought the blessings of Lord Damodar. The Damodar Bhajani Saptah begins []

Shahin Bepari Lambe Panaji: From Alphonso and Kesar to lesser-known cultivars such as Arunika, HB-56 and Konkan Ruchi, 41 mango varieties grow side by side at the Government Agricultural Farm at Codar in Ponda as part of a heritage plantation aimed at conserving mango genetic resources. The one-hectare plantation brings together traditional, improved and hybrid []

Dont want sympathy, political reservation constitutional right Ponda: Political reservation for Scheduled Tribes (STs) is a constitutional right and the government should expedite the remaining process for reserving Assembly seats for STs, MLA Govind Gaude said on Sunday. We do not want sympathy from anyone. Political reservation for STs is our constitutional right, Gaude said. []

Curchorem: Over 150 residents on Sunday staged a demonstration outside the residence of Sanguem MLA Subhash Phal Dessai following the issuance of a notification regarding political reservation for the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category, demanding answers and opposing the reservation of the Sanguem constituency. Protesters said they had consistently supported the BJP and Phal Dessai while []

Pernem: Members of the Dhangar community from Pernem on Sunday called for continued efforts to secure inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category at an awareness meeting held at Dhangarwada, Torxem, in Pernem. Speakers discussed the history of the communitys demand and said they would continue their efforts until the demand for ST status was []

Curchorem: The Dhangar community has given the government an August 15 deadline to take a decision on its demand for inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category, warning that it would launch a statewide agitation after August 27 if the demand is not addressed. A special meeting was organised by the Gomantak Dhangar Samajonnanti Mandal, []

Oil marketing companies (OMC) have reiterated the fuel quality of E20 petrol, pointing out that, chloride presence in petrol has remained consistently within the prescribed limits. After media reports on moisture and chloride in E20 petrol, OMCs carried out a nationwide intensive testing covering the entire EBMS supply chain. The testing at the refinery level []

Prof. DM Deshpande Not only higher education even the school education in India, is in disarray. In a recently released report, UDISE+Unified District Information System for Education Plus, there are some distressing trends. UDISE+ is an educational management system under the government of Indias Department of School Education and Literacy. Its annual report is a []

National Organ Donation Day was observed on August 3 to honour the families who chose to donate the organs of their loved ones after brain death and to encourage more people to pledge their organs GABRIEL PEREIRA One deceased organ donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation and improve the lives of []

VM Salgaocar Law College finish runner-up, Riyansha bags best judoka award Peddem: Don Bosco College, Panaji, were crowned overall champions in the Goa University Inter-Collegiate Womens Judo Championship 2026-27 at the SAG Multipurpose Hall, Peddem. VM Salgaocar College of Law, Miramar, finished runners-up, while Rosary College of Commerce and Arts, Navelim, claimed third place. Don []