The Navhind Times

A dog cools down in a water-filled crater on a Paroda road. The state continues to experience high humidity and soaring heat, with Panaji recording a maximum temperature of 34.8C on Friday. |Amati Konduri

Panaji : The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the Director of Panchayats to initiate disciplinary action against five village panchayat secretaries in Salcete for failing to comply with judicial directives on stray dog management across the state. A division bench comprising Justice Valmiki Menezes and Justice Amit S Jamsandekar heard a suo []

Panaji: The Forest Department is planning to strengthen coordination with villages bordering forest areas, recognising that preventing forest fires will require the involvement of communities on both sides of the forest-revenue land boundary. The department is stepping up preventive measures, including creation of fire lines, controlled burning, patrolling and reduction of biofuel load, while planning []

Fatorda: FC Goa were denied a point at home as substitute Soham Varshneya struck in the 90+3rd minute to hand Bengaluru FC a 2-1 win in the Indian Super League at Fatorda on Friday. The Gaurs had fought back after falling behind to Borja Martinezs 12th-minute opener. The Spaniard fired a left-footed effort from outside []

Mormugao: Mark Telles Joshua of Salcete won the Goa State Senior FIDE Rated Selection Chess Championship with 7.5 points, claiming the Harischandra Candolkar memorial rolling trophy. Vihaan Tari of Tiswadi finished runner-up, also with 7.5 points, while Aaryavrat Rasiket Naik Desai of Canacona took third place with seven points. Erwin Albuquerque of Mormugao and Shubh []

As Narkasur celebrations evolve, local groups bring their own creativity to Goas enduring Diwali tradition VINIKA VISWAMBHARAN | NT BUZZ As the humid Goan air cools in the lead-up to Diwali, a quiet metamorphosis takes over the streets. Local youth clubs step into a nocturnal world of welding torches, papier-mch paste, and towering ambition as []

FILM REVIEW SACHIN CHATTE Film: Ramayana: Part 1 Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Yash Directed by: Nitesh Tiwari Duration: 3 hours 15 minutes Rating: * * * Even though Valmikis Ramayana is one of the most revered epics, the question remains: does it really warrant a film, particularly after Adipurush (2023) turned out to []

Recognising the growing contribution of young talent to Konkani performing arts, the Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG) has announced four recipients of its Younger Achievers Awards, instituted in the name of late Regina Fernandes. Simran Jerusha Vas, Maverick Tomston Alvares, Madonna Fernandes, and Benny Anjelo Mendes have been selected for their achievements in tiatr, music, []

Fitness is much more than what it is thought to be. The idea of looking big and muscular or slim and svelte does not necessarily mean being fit. The ratio of muscle to fat in the body is a key indicator to fitness. Muscles or lean body mass are the most active tissues of the []

EDITORIAL Test of good governance lies in how easily ordinary citizens access public services Chief Minister Pramod Sawant recently warned that action would be taken against government employees who fail to be courteous and urged officials to focus on facilitating peoples work rather than creating unnecessary hurdles. Speaking during Vigilance Awareness Week, he also said []

Ten years ago, Indians were asked to surrender the use of their own money with only four hours notice. It was a shock and awe operation. At 8 pm on November 8, 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on television that existing Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes would cease to be legal tender at []

All poised for permanent military jobs subject to meeting eligibility criteria New Delhi: In a major overhaul of the Agnipath scheme, the central government on Wednesday announced that Agniveers set to exit the military at the end of their four-year tenure will be given an additional two-year extension and subsequent permanent recruitment subject to meeting []

Oust Republicans from coast to coast in midterm elections; Vance blames war in Iran Washington : The midterm election blowout delivered a new era in Washington, with Democrats in Congress eager to meet voter demands for change while Republicans watched their majorities evaporate after a revolt against President Donald Trump and his party in power. []

Panaji : The Old Goa Police on Wednesday arrested the suspended police inspector Vikas Deykar (40) in the case of alleged sexual assault on a 16-year-old girl. The police have also arrested a 37-year-old woman for allegedly facilitating the offences. The alleged incidents had occurred inside the PIs cabin at the crime branch in Ribandar []

New Delhi: A nine-year-old girl died after collapsing inside her classroom at a private school in east Delhis Mayur Vihar Phase-II on Wednesday, with her family alleging that the school administration failed to provide timely medical assistance. The Class 3 student of Lovely Heritage School had returned to her classroom after a physical training (PT) []

Started with the belief that motorcycle riding should not be restricted by gender,Heels on Wheels Originals has been training women around the country to be confident in the riders seat. Ahead of their next Goa workshop, NT BUZZ speaks to the founders KALYANI JHA | NT BUZZ Founded in 2022, by three bikers Samanvitha N, []

Samrudhi Kerkar On the way to our cashew plantation, situated on a hill, we pass by a sacred grove named Biramanyachi Rai. Every year, when we plan to visit it, the path is often covered with thorny bushes, burrs andovergrown weeds, making the entire pathway difficult to navigate. So much so that, sometimes, it becomes []

PTI Jerusalem Amid allegations of vote theft and electoral fraud, Israels Central Election Committee (CEC) chairman Noam Sohlberg presented the results of the October 27 election to President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday, setting in motion consultations on the formation of a new government. Warning against attempts to cast doubt on the election results, Sohlberg, a []

Studio Joyride arrives in Goa for the first time to showcase stories of Goas vintage and classic vehicles in their documentary style show CHRISTINE MACHADO | NT BUZZ There is something intriguing about a vehicle from another era. Often, the stories that accompany each of them, as told by their proud owners are also simply []

Filmmakers Anil Purohit and Jay Amonkar won Best Documentary and Best Film of Goa, respectively, at the 13th Goa Short Film Festival in Pune for White Gold and Medium Piece RAMANDEEP KAUR | NT BUZZ The sights and sounds of Goas traditional salt trade have stayed with Anil Purohit from childhood. He recalls, I remember []

NT Reporter Panaji The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has proposed a high-precision aerial LiDAR survey of khazan lands in Morombi-O-Pequeno village in Tiswadi to identify vulnerable areas, map possible encroachments and assess the effects of tidal flooding and coastal changes on the traditional estuarine ecosystem. The pilot project will be undertaken in collaboration []

With polls approaching, govt faces the task of resolving the reservation issue without delay With less than three months to go before the Model Code of Conduct comes into effect for the next Assembly election, uncertainty remains over the reservation of seats for the Scheduled Tribe (ST) community in the forthcoming Assembly polls. In a []

The real test lies in whether public services create equitable opportunities, address everyday concerns and improve lives and overall well-being of its people Good governance is not measured merely by the money a government spends, but by whether its policies and public services create equitable opportunities and improve the lives of its people. Governance is []

At Ironman 70.3 Goa, Sawant says he will return to flag off the event next year Panaji : With Goa scheduled to go to Assembly polls early next year, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday expressed confidence that the BJP will return to power for a third consecutive term, asserting that he would be back []

State likely to revive older water supply schemes, explore local solutions Anil Kumar Mishra Panaji: The state government is monitoring water availability and preparing contingency measures amid concerns over a possible shortage next year, with the actual position expected to become clearer by March or April. A senior official of the Department of Drinking Water []

Panaji: Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, on Sunday, defended the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, questioning the Congress and its alliance partners over their opposition to the exercise. Addressing a press conference, Shekhawat stated that the revision was necessary to maintain the sanctity of the electoral process and ensure []

INDIA bloc holds mammoth rally in New Delhi on vote chori charge New Delhi: The Opposition INDIA bloc on Sunday called for the BJPs ouster from power over the vote chori charge, with Rahul Gandhi asserting that CEC Gyanesh Kumar will be removed and sent to jail for treason in future and that Prime Minister []

Pre-marital counselling centres to be set up Panaji : The state government will simplify the process of obtaining marriage registration certificates and make registration services more accessible to couples opting for destination weddings in the state, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced on Sunday. Speaking at the celebration of Registration Day at the Multipurpose Hall, Directorate []

Panaji : The Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) has taken suo motu cognisance of media reports on the alleged sexual assault on a minor girl by police inspector Vikas Deykar at the crime branch office in Ribandar. In its communication, the commission expressed serious concern over the reported incident, particularly as []

The launch of the MC Square Plus (MC+) incubation centre for deep tech energy startups was one of the highlights of the Energy Technology and Innovation Meet 2026, Betul, writes Joao Mergulao The MC square is sector-specific accelerator and has already empanelled 42 promising startups within its operational matrix in less than 6 months. The []

Industry body CII, has described the GST Councils decisions to decriminalise certain offences and rationalise enforcement powers as a significant institutional reform, saying the move marks a shift towards trust-based economic governance and offers a model for Indias next generation of economic reforms. On the decisions taken at the GST Councils October 8 meeting, CII []

Prof. DM Deshpande The approval by the cabinet for the sale of IDBI Bank marks the end of a long drawn saga of finding a suitable buyer. For seven long years, it was looking for a committed investor. There were false dawns in the journey with the latest being the news of Kotak Mahendras intention []

Sanjiv Nadkarni UPI- a digital payment system endeared whole population of our country beyond imagination. When it was introduced in 2020 by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), there were skeptics who doubted if digitally less literate sections like a kirana shop owner or a road side vegetable vendor would be part of such []

NT Reporter Panaji Highlighting Sardar Vallabhbhai Patels contribution to Indias integration and his support for Goas liberation from Portuguese rule, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Saturday said that Goa could have attained liberation soon after Indias Independence. Sawant flagged off Run for Unity in the city in the presence of Union Minister Shripad Naik on []

NT Reporter Panaji Goa police department on Saturday placed under suspension police inspector (PI) Vikas Deykar of the Crime Branch police, Ribandar, against whom Old Goa police has registered a First Information Report (FIR) for allegedly sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl. Following his suspension, Deykar has been asked to report to Goa Reserve Police (GRP) []

NT Reporter Panaji Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Saturday made a strong appeal to delegates at the valedictory session of the three-day Vibrant Goa Global Business Summit to do business in the state, disclosing that the mega event resulted in the Goa-Investment Promotion Board (IPB) inking nine Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth Rs 8,600 crore. []

NT Reporter Panaji A composite material developed using cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL), extracted from cashew-processing waste, and natural bamboo fibre has shown promising potential in lightweight ballistic protection, with the material successfully arresting projectiles during experimental trials. Gaurish Samant, who recently completed his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Goa University under the guidance of []

NT Reporter Margao Surgical oncologist and President of BJPs Medical cell, Dr Shekhar Salkar has appealed to mandals and organisers which prepare Narkasur effigies to avoid using plastic and cling film, warning that burning these materials can release harmful fumes and pose health risks. Several groups acrossthe state are engaged in making Narkasur effigies, which []

Dr Nandkumar M. Kamat Who were the ancestors of todays Konkani-speaking people? Did they originate in the Konkan itself, migrate from northern India, or descend from populations that arrived along the western coast thousands of years ago? Can genetic science distinguish between the ancestry of Saraswat Brahmins, fishing communities, agricultural groups and Roman Catholics? These []

DR. LUIS DIAS I named my column On the Upbeat when I began writing it some 13-odd years ago, Ive lost count. It was a pun, on the upbeat (also called anacrusis) in music, but also the more general meaning of the term, of being optimistic despite so much doom and gloom. It has not []

Scientists doubling as art detectives have traced Vincent van Goghs The Starry Night to a celestial scene that suggests a new date for one of the worlds most famous paintings. Their findings indicate that rather than being a product of Van Goghs imagination, the painting may have been inspired by what he saw as he []

JOHN AGUIAR Squadron Leader (Retd.) Dr. Swapnil Salelkar is a man whose life has been shaped by a remarkable journeyfrom the rustic surroundings of Karapur to the demanding world of the Indian Air Force, and eventually back to his roots, where he continues to serve society in his own distinctive way. After completing Class 12, []

VENAN BONAVENTURE DIAS Rapid advances in digital technology have transformed how governments, businesses, and citizens interact with financial systems. Traditional cash-based transactions, while convenient in many situations, often create challenges related to transparency, accountability, and monitoring. As economies become increasingly digital, governments worldwide are exploring digital currency to improve financial governance and strengthen trust in []

Police register case against unknown person Vasco: A major fire that broke out at the New Modern Municipal Market, known as the Sunday Market, in Vasco around 11.40 pm on Wednesday, has destroyed approximately 150 shops and caused extensive damage to goods in one of the worst incidents witnessed in the port town. Chief Minister []

Panaji: In a major setback to the governments efforts to re-align Assembly seats before the 2027 state elections, the High Court of Bombay at Goa on Thursday restrained the Census Commissioner from notifying Scheduled Tribe (ST) population figures for the state. The High Court granted interim stay on the issuance of notification by the Census []

Panaji: Goa must focus on its social infrastructure while trying to attract investors, said industrialist Sunil Kant Munjal, chairman of Hero Group, on Thursday. Speaking as the keynote speaker at Vibrant Goa Global Business Summit that commenced at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium in Bambolim, Munjal said investors do not just look at the []

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday said it was not inclined to completely ban firecrackers, but there was no point in passing orders and directions every year unless the authorities implement them on the ground. It concerns every living being, a bench of Justices M M Sundresh and Prasanna B Varale observed while hearing []

New Zealand eye comeback after conceding 5-match series with three straight defeats Auckland: India will look to extend their dominance and hand opportunities to wrist-spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy when they take on New Zealand in the fourth T20 International here on Friday. Already 3-0 up in the five-match series, India could rotate their []

Jalandhar: Skipper Harmanpreet Singh and striker Sukhjeet Singh scored a brace each as India defeated China 5-2 to register their second consecutive win at the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament here on Thursday. Sukhjeet (12th, 34th) scored two field goals, while Harmanpreet (27th, 31st) converted two penalty corners. Jugraj Singh (47th) also scored from a []

They lose 5-4 on penalties after playing out 5-5 draw in regulation time Baku: Victor Lalawmpuia scored four goals, but Indias U-15 men lost 5-4 on penalties to Kazakhstan after a thrilling 5-5 draw in the Tier C semi-final for positions 85 to 88 at the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival Azerbaijan 2026 on []