The Navhind Times

Villagers hold sit-in protest outside Union Ministers residence Panaji : Stating that the government respects peoples demands, North Goa MP and Union Minister of State Shripad Naik on Sunday said the Unity Mall in Chimbel is a central government project and any decision on it will be taken in consultation with the Centre. The Union []

Says law without compassion becomes tyranny Panaji : Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant on Sunday called for collective efforts and action to combat drug abuse, and said that law without compassion becomes tyranny and compassion without law becomes chaos. Addressing the concluding function of the 30-day special awareness campaign in the state on []

Panaji : In a proud moment for Goa and Goans, the central government on the eve of Republic Day announced Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) to two Goans serving in the armed forces Director General, Army Air Defence, Lieutenant General Sumer Ivan DCunha and Lt General Michael Anthony Jude Fernandez. Lt Gen DCunha, a []

Panaji: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Sunday said entities operating the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub generated Rs 22 crore in revenue over the last two financial years, which it suspects to be proceeds of crime under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). According to the agency, the nightclub at Arpora earned approximately Rs []

New Delhi: Veteran actor Dharmendra and Left stalwart and former Kerala chief minister VS Achuthanandan have been awarded the Padma Vibhushan posthumously on the occasion of the Republic Day 2026, late JMM founder and former Jharkhand chief minister Shibu Soren, singer Alka Yagnik, and Malayalam superstar Mammotty the Padma Bhushan, and sportspersons Harmanpreet Kaur, Rohit []

Rider crushed, car driver dies in tree crash, pedestrian knocked down Panaji/Sankhali/Mapusa: The state witnessed a series of tragic road accidents at different locations over the last 24 hours, resulting in the loss of three lives. In the first incident, a fatal accident occurred at Lakhere-Bicholim on Sunday morning, where a two-wheeler rammed into a []

Pernem: The new hospital at Tuem will commence operations with 12 outpatient departments, and tenders worth Rs 11 core have been floated for equipment, Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar said on Sunday. When the word GMC link is specifically mentioned, all the facilities which are available at GMC will be provided. The government is serious about []

Margao: The Betalbatim gram sabha on Sunday unanimously opposed and rejected the process adopted to invite suggestions and objections to the draft Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) 2019 and demanded a period of 60 days to study the document and submit its representation to the state government. The meeting was chaired by sarpanch Antonio Fernandes. []

Margao: The garbage issue once again dominated the Assolna gram sabha, with villagers seeking a review of the ongoing door-to-door garbage collection system. They also demanded concrete steps to control the stray dog population. On the existing garbage collection mechanism, gram sabha members said the user fees need to be reassessed, as the services provided []

The Goa State Innovation Council (GSInC) has been exploring several technological and innovative avenues that have included students and start-ups at its core. Chairman of GSInC,Jose Manuel Noronha, in conversation with Diana Fernandes of The Navhind TImes As Chairman of Goa State Innovation Council (GSInC), how has the Council grown from its early days? From []

By Prof. D. M. Deshpande The countdown for the FY 27 budget has begun. It will be presented on February 1 by the Finance Minister for the third time (full budget) in 3.0 of the Prime Minister, Narendra Modis government. There is no budget that does not have expectations from multiple stakeholders. Generally speaking the []

B. PRABHU VERLEKAR Do politicians use casino winnings as a method to convert black money into white money? Is this a commonly adopted practice, and what is the typical modus operandi followed by political figures? From where they get funds? I am writing my thesis for doctorate in Political Funding. Please guide. Prof. Vishwas J. []

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Viasat, Inc., a global leader in satellite communications, today announced they are supporting the next phase of the Indian Navys satellite communications upgrade program, set to begin later this month. Under an agreement signed between BSNL and the Indian Defense Forces, Viasats high-capacity Ka-band satellite systems will be used []

Blames Western sanctions for distorting bilateral economic ties Moscow : European nations have freed themselves from what they called reliance on Russia only to fall into a new dependence on the US, the Kremlin has said, blaming Western sanctions for distorting bilateral economic ties. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Europes earlier relationship with Russia was []

Europe: After the United States withdrawal from the World Health Organisation (WHO), Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said they hoped the US would return to active participation in the WHO in the future. In a post on X, the WHO Chief hailed the contributions of the United States, a founding member of the WHO, which played []

As the annual celebration of folk art, music and handicrafts in the capital city marks its silver jubilee, NT NETWORK takes a closer look at its evolution and the challenges still confronting it KALYANI JHA | NT NETWORK Come January every year, the Darya Sangam at Kala Academy, Panaji, transforms into a vibrant showcase []

NT Reporter Panaji Announcing his expansion plans, Yog Guru Baba Ramdev on Saturday said that Goa will soon be home to Patanjali Ayurveds largest wellness centre after Haridwar. He said the project will be developed with support from the state government. Speaking to reporters after conducting a yoga session for government officials at the Yog []

PadmavatiPrabhu Panaji The Goa Wellness, Ayurveda and Yoga Policy 2026, which was unveiled by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday, aims to regulate the wellness ecosystem in the state apart from giving a boost to wellness tourism by attracting high-end and quality tourists. The policy is aimed at positioning Goa as a leading national and []

Amresh Parab Panaji Goa police have been unable to trace the accused or find evidence in 19% of the cases related to illegal extraction or transportation of sand registered at different police stations in the state in the last three years. According to police data, 99 cases of illegal extraction or transportation of sand have []

NT Reporter Curchorem Stressing the need to preserve adivasi culture while leveraging Sanguems natural resources for tourism and development, Art and Culture Minister Ramesh Tawadkar said the government is contemplating doubling financial assistance to organisations working for the development of different communities. He was speaking after inaugurating the three-day Adivasi Mahotsav at PM Shri Government []

NT Reporter Panaji Chimbel villagers opposing the proposed Unity Mall and Prashasan Stambh project have announced a symbolic protest during the state-level Republic Day celebrations at the Goa University ground on Monday, as they intensify their agitation against the project. The villagers held a meeting near Bhagavati Chimbalkarin Talli on Saturday to discuss plans to []

NT Reporter Panaji A joint site survey of land earmarked for the proposed Unity Mall at Chimbel began on Saturday and is expected to take three to four days to complete, officials said. The inspection is being conducted in Survey No 40/1 to study the zone of influence and drainage lines of Toyyar lake. The []

NT Reporter Panaji Bro Eusebio V Miranda, SFX, has been selected for Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendrs (TSKK) Fr Antonio Pereira Konkani Puraskar 2026, for long-standing service to the Konkani language and culture. TheAntonio Pereira Konkani Puraskarisa prestigious annual award in Goa, instituted by theTSKK,a Jesuit-managed research institution in Goa, to honour eminent Konkani personalities for []

NT Reporter Pernem All Goa Private Bus Owners general secretary Sudip Tamhankar was allegedly assaulted by seven persons at the Mapusa New Bus Stand on Saturday afternoon, with Tamhankar claiming the attack was linked to his efforts to expose the illegal registration of interstate buses. The incident occurred at around 2.30 pm when Tamhankars scooter []

By Roque Dias Margao Salcete taluka has emerged as the undisputed front-runner in South Goas Civil Registrar cum Sub Registrar (CRSR) performance for the year 2025, generating a substantial Rs 80.96 crore in revenue, the highest among all seven talukas in the district. This single taluka contributed nearly half of South Goas total revenue of []

NT Reporter Margao Congress has demanded immediate uploading and public disclosure of Form-10 data for all Assembly constituencies in Goa, alleging serious irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. Stating that the SIR guidelines permit a maximum of 10 Form-7 objections per individual objector, State Congress president Amit Patkar has demanded identification and strict []

Naguesh Sardessai January 25 is celebrated as National Voters Day to commemorate the birth of the Election Commission of India. The country became a republic subsequently on January 26, 1950. Millions of countrymen got the benefits of universal adult franchise. The day has been celebrated annually on January 25 since 2011, as per the decision []

PTI New Delhi As the world is going through a period of uncertainty, Indias youths must remain strong and be prepared to take on every challenge, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Saturday. In an address to a group of National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets, he also spoke of Indias befitting reply following the Pahalgam []

PTI Hyderabad In a fresh incident of alleged stray dogs killing in Telangana, about 300 canines were allegedly killed in Jagtial district, taking the toll to 900, animal rights claimed. The killings are suspected to have been carried out by some elected representatives, including Sarpanchas, allegedly to fulfill promises made to villagers ahead of gram []

NT Reporter Mapusa Tuem Hospital Kruti Samiti has demanded clarity from the state government on whether Tuem Hospital will function directly under the management of Goa Medical College and Hospital or the Directorate of Health Services, stating that the recent notification lacks clarity on the issue. The Samiti also demanded that preference be given to []

NT Reporter Panaji State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (SCPwD) Guruprasad Pawaskar said that inclusive tourism is not just about access, it is about dignity, participation, and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities to experience joy, travel, and recreation like everyone else. This initiative shows how thoughtful planning, accessible infrastructure, and inter-departmental coordination can create []

NT Reporter Panaji The Goa Forest Development Corporation (GFDC) has decided to place emphasis on the rejuvenation of rubber plantations to improve productivity and ensure long-term sustainability. The decision was discussed at the 118th board meeting of the corporation held on Friday at Van Bhavan, Altinho. The meeting was chaired by GFDC chairperson and Poriem []

The alumni of the historical Liceu Nacional Afonso de Albuquerque, a former educational institution woven into Goas past will come together this Sunday VINIKA VISWAMBHARAN | NT BUZZ On a Sunday morning, laughter, overlapping conversations, and bursts of recognition will fill the air at Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias, Miramar. Alumni of the Liceu Nacional []

NT Reporter Panaji Power Minister Ramkrishna Sudin Dhavalikar on Friday said that for coastal states like Goa, climate action is not merely an option but an imperative, as the impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels, environmental stress and pressure on natural resources, are immediate and real. He said sustainable and climate-resilient development was []

NT Reporter Sankhali Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has appealed to young farmers to take advantage of the Swayampurna and Atmanirbhar scheme, stressing that attracting youth to group farming and bringing all fallow land in Sankhali under cultivation remained a key objective. Under the scheme aimed at strengthening the state governments Green and White Revolution, a []

NT Reporter Panaji The Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is probing the money laundering angle linked to the illegal functioning of the Arpora-based nightclub Birch by Romeo Lane and the role of its promoters, has conducted multiple raids in Goa, Delhi and Haryana. The nightclub has been embroiled in a controversy following a major fire tragedy []

NT Reporter Panaji Stating that Goa is known for its natural beauty, biodiversity and spiritual harmony, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday said that his government is now taking steps towards giving the state a new identity of global wellness destination. Sawant said the government and the stakeholders together need to tap the international visitors []

NT Reporter Panaji Work on the development of a Formula 4 race track at the Manohar International Airport at Mopa in Pernem, North Goa is likely to begin soon, with the Public Works Department (PWD) of the state government floating a tender for the same valued at approximately Rs 4.32 crore. As per the tender []

Prayasa is a handwoven silk enterprise shaped by grief, purpose, and a slow approach to modern luxury. Founder Jyoti Jhanvi Saxena is now developing an experiential display space in Goa VINIKA VISWAMBHARAN | NT BUZZ Prayasa came out of a very broken phase in Jyoti Jhanvi Saxenas life. A hand woven silk textile and tapestry []

Special Correspondent Panaji Giving a push to hi-tech education in the state, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday flagged off a Lab on Wheels under the collaborative partnership of Goa State Council of Educational Research and Training (GSCERT), directorate of higher education, Porvorim, and Infosys Springboard, at the Cujira Educational Complex, Bambolim. Sawant, who also []

FILM REVIEWS SACHIN CHATTE Film: Border 2 Cast: Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, Ahan Shetty Directed by: Anurag Singh Duration: 3hours 19minutes Rating: ** A well-crafted war film operates on multiple levels it provides historical context and details about the progression of specific events, incorporates the human aspects of bravery and sacrifice, and []

Amresh Parab Panaji Over the last five years, the Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) has issued 11,789 fire safety No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to commercial establishments, including restaurants, beach shacks, hotels, guest houses, resorts and homestays. Data provided by DFES to the government indicates that between 2021 and 2025, as many as 7,617 []

NT Reporter Panaji Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane said the government is moving ahead with the Green Lung Project in urban and municipal areas with the objective of improving air quality and reducing rising temperatures. On Friday, Rane held a detailed review meeting on the project. This is an important step towards reimagining our municipal spaces []

Shahin Bepari Lambe Panaji Pathology, long dependent on glass slides and microscopes, is undergoing a major transformation as artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies begin to redefine how pathologists work, collaborate and deliver patient care, said Dr Rafael E Jimenez, professor at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science based in Rochester, Minnesota, United States. []

NT Reporter Panaji In a step to professionalise local governance and ensure citizen-centric and transparent administration, seven village panchayats received ISO certification at a programme organised by the Goa Institute of Public Administration and Rural Development (GIPARD) and the Directorate of Panchayat on Friday. Minister for Panchayats Mauvin Godinho presented the ISO certificates to the []

NT Reporter Panaji The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the Comunidade of Murda in Tiswadi to clear illegally filled land in mangrove areas by March 31. The court said the comunidade must comply with the recommendations of the Task Force report, following its order dated March 13, 2025, which had emphasised the []

NT Reporter Panaji A letter seeking urgent intervention to prevent possible damage to the Bondvol lake and its vicinity has been submitted to the Goa Wetland Authority by Arturo DSouza, chairperson, Bondvol lake management committee. The letter brought the authoritys attention to construction taking place within the notified zone of influence of Bondvol lake. The []

NT Reporter Ambelim Sao Jose de Areal SC rode on a brace from Azilton Viegas to clinch a 2-0 win over Shiroda Youth Club in the Lourdes Soccer Cup at Ambelim ground on Friday. Areal took control in the 25th minute when Azilton found the net to break the deadlock. Shiroda looked for a response, []

NT Reporter Panaji Saurabh Nawales unbeaten 95 put Maharashtra in control on Day 2 of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match against Goa at Gahunje, Pune, on Friday, as the hosts finished on 306 for 8 a 97-run first-innings lead. Chasing Goas 209, Maharashtra resumed at 19 without loss but Goa struck early. []

NT Reporter Sanguem Harsh Desai and Priyanshu Moliya struck centuries as Baroda reached 275 for 6 against Goa at stumps on the opening day of their CK Nayudu Trophy (U-23) Elite Group A match at the GCA ground, Sanguem, on Friday. Baroda chose to bat first but were pushed on the back foot early when []