The Navhind Times

Some voices have chosen to characterise the current global energy situation as a crisis of Indias making or Indias vulnerability. The facts do not support that characterisation. India is in a position of deliberate, well-prepared strategic strength, built over twelve years of consistent energy policy. The buffer is real, the supply routes are diversified, and []

By Prof D M Deshpande Goas Chief Minister, who also holds the finance portfolio, unveiled his 7th budget for 202627. Though it cannot be said to be a precursor to the state polls next year, sops to vital groups and communities have nevertheless been kept in mind. The redeeming and continuing feature of the budget []

Panaji : The state government has announced that a new Poultry Board will be established this year to regulate poultry farming in the state and ensure the supply of high-quality poultry species. The Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services has been allocated Rs 190 crore for the financial year 202627. The allocation includes Rs []

Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin has blamed Western countries for triggering the Ukraine crisis, saying the conflict stemmed from their support for the change of power in Kyiv. Putin made the remarks in an interview for the state television programme Moscow, Kremlin, Putin, excerpts of which were aired on the Rossiya 24 channel on Sunday. []

Islamabad: Pakistans security forces have killed 583 Afghan Taliban operatives in the ongoing military operation launched along the border last month, according to an official data released on Sunday. Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq on Feb 26 after the Afghan Taliban attacked 53 locations along the border. Providing an update on social media, Information Minister []

Washington: A blueprint drafted by Iranian opposition figures for governing the country after the fall of the Islamic Republic proposes reviving the Chabahar Port project with India and restoring long-term crude oil exports to the worlds fastest-growing major energy market. The proposal appears in the Emergency Phase Booklet of the Iran Prosperity Project, a detailed []

New York: Oil prices have soared in the week since the US and Israel launched their war against Iran, but President Donald Trump on Saturday downplayed the idea of turning to Americas Strategic Petroleum Reserve to ease the pressure. Trump was asked by reporters on Air Force One about whether he would consider tapping the []

Actresses Mahima Chaudhry and Chhavi Mittal during the Radiant Warriors tribute to women cancer survivors programme on International Womens Day, in New Delhi. | ANI

New Delhi: The second half of Parliaments Budget session is expected to begin on a stormy note on Monday, with the Lok Sabha scheduled to take up an opposition-sponsored resolution seeking the removal of Speaker Om Birla. The ongoing tensions in West Asia are also likely to dominate proceedings. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is []

New Delhi: Amid a row over alleged lapses during the President Droupadi Murmus visit to West Bengal, the Centre has sought a response from the state government over violations of rules related to protocol, venue and route arrangements, sources said. In a letter to the West Bengal Chief Secretary, the Union Home Secretary asked him []

Chief Minister, in his Budget speech, said Happiness Index of Goans is increasing Last week, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who holds the Finance portfolio, presented the Budget for the financial year 2026-27, which in all probability could be the election-year Budget. Standing at Rs 30,195 crore, the annual financial statement indicated a growth of 7.21 []

The government needs to clear the decks of legacy problems plaguing the tourism industry if its intention is to stay true as a global tourist destination going forward Tourism is the surefire route to ensure employment and earnings, as attested by a recent study by the World Bank, which estimates that it generates 10 percent []

Dr. Luis Dias I recently wrote a column in response to Ballad of a Small Player, a 2025 psychological thriller film with Colin Farrell in the leading role. It gave a depressing foretaste of what Panaji and a lot of Goa will be reduced to unless we stop the casino juggernaut right now. I had []

Original Konkani Story: Kallazantlem Koos Author: Kiran Mhambre Translator: Gauravi Keni Khaunte Theres been a perpetual prickling pain in my heart ever since I was eight or ten years old. I should have known what Tai knew. Tai was all but two years older than me. Even then, I wonder how she understood so much []

Frederick Noronha Theres always an old gem which surprises you when you come across it. Campos History of the Portuguese in Bengal with Maps and Illustrations is one such work, which doesnt lose its charm decades after it was written. Joaquim Joseph Antonio [JJA] Campos (18931945) was a Goan historian, scholar and civil servant, and []

Clint Climaco Colaco Despite undeniable progress in education, employment and public life, women across the world are largely excluded from positions of power and diplomacy. The highest levels of influence and decision making continue to be dominated by men. Even today, 113 countries have never had a woman serve as head of state or government. []

Dr Seema P. Salgaonkar & Akbar Gaded Recently in an interview with PTI, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed how women are key to building a developed India. He said It is my conviction that women will play the most important role in creating Viksit Bharat. The statement signals recognition of womens role in nation-building, in []

NT Reporter Panaji Stating that the struggle to protect Goas environment would be a long one, retired Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court Justice (retd) Ferdino Rebello on Saturday said that this is not a T20 match but a long innings. He said that the movement would continue until the states carrying capacity and []

NT Reporter Margao A heap of garbage dumped in an open area near the Cuncolim industrial estate caught fire on Saturday morning, prompting a response from fire personnel who managed to bring the blaze under control. Officials from the Cuncolim fire station rushed to the spot after receiving a call about the fire near the []

NT Reporter Sankhali A brother-sister duo was injured after a two-wheeler hit a leopard on the Carapur-Sarvan highway in Bicholim taluka at around 11 pm on Friday. The incident has created fear among the residents of the area. Sources said the siblings from Bicholim had gone to watch the Ghode Modni festival. While they were []

NT Reporter Valpoi A couple from Merces was killed and two others sustained serious injuries after a car plunged into a roadside gorge near the Anjunem Dam at Chorla Ghat in the early hours of Friday. Police said the accident occurred at around 1.10 am when the car, travelling from Belagavi-Karnataka towards Goa, went out []

NT Reporter Panaji/Pernem Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has ordered a thorough investigation into the alleged assault on advocate Sadanand Vaingankar at Dhargal in Pernem. Vaingankar was allegedly assaulted by a group of people on Friday while inspecting a site at Dhargal, where illegal construction was suspected to have been carried out. The Chief Ministers office []

NT Reporter Margao/Curchorem The Goa Forward Party (GFP) has strongly condemned the governments response to Mirabag protestors who were detained from the Goa Legislative Assembly for holding banners demanding the scrapping of the bandhara project in their village. Demanding immediate withdrawal of the cases filed against the protestors, the party has also sought a written []

Agenceis Perth India will look to regroup quickly when they face a formidable Japan in their second Group C match of the AFC Womens Asian Cup at the Perth Rectangular Stadium on Saturday. The Blue Tigresses are currently third in the group after a narrow 12 defeat to Vietnam in their opening match, while Japan []

NT Reporter Taleigao Rosary College of Commerce and Arts, Navelim defeated PESs Rajaram and Tarabai Bandekar College of Pharmacy, Farmagudi by nine wickets in the mens inter-collegiate cricket championship at the Goa University ground, Taleigao. After electing to bowl, Rosary restricted PESs Rajaram to 69 all out in 16.1 overs. Niraj Sangodkar scored 14 while []

NT Reporter Navelim United Boys of Ambaulim hammered Raia Sporting Club 61 to advance to the quarterfinals of the United Trophy football tournament at the Rosary Church ground, Navelim, on Friday. Alex Fernandes struck twice and Sowell Fernandes added another as Ambaulim raced to a 30 lead with goals in the 18th, 25th and 26th []

NT Reporter Arlem Progressive Ponda registered a 38-run win over FPA MaxVolt XI in the Sarsangan Super Series cricket tournament at Arlem. Put into bat, Ponda suffered an early blow as Siddesh Desai struck twice in the opening over to reduce them to 7 for 2. Pratham Kossambe (35) and Sarin Kane (34) rebuilt the []

NT Reporter Porvorim Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced an allocation of Rs251 crore for the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs in the 202627 state budget, with a focus on strengthening sports infrastructure and supporting athletes across the state. Out of the Rs251 crore allocated to Sports and Youth Affairs, Rs176 crore is designated for []

EDITORIAL The anti-graft ombudsman has a challenge in Goa: that of winning citizens confidence More than 14 months after the post fell vacant, Justice Sandeep Shinde was appointed as Goas Lokayukta. He was sworn in on Wednesday. The Lokayukta is an anti-corruption ombudsman and a forum to inquire into grievances and allegations against public functionaries. []

The Goa state Budget for 2026-27, presented by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, marks a decisive step towards building a sustainable and innovative economy. With a total outlay of Rs 22,500 crore, an 8 per cent increase over the previous years Rs 20,833 crore, this budget has projected a gross state domestic product (GSDP) of Rs []

Special Correspondent Panaji Stating that the recent global scenario and its subsequent effects are expected to have a significant impact on the economy of Goa, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday presented an all inclusive budget for 2026-27 with an outlay of Rs 30,195 crore and a revenue surplus of Rs 1,666 crore. The budget []

NT Reporter Panaji Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced in the annual budget for the financial year 202627 that the government will fill 2,500 posts in various departments through the Goa Staff Selection Commission. He said the commission has been working effectively and transparently since its inception and that the recruitment process has been conducted purely []

NT Reporter Panaji With budgetary allocation of over Rs 3,400 crore to the education sector, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday announced various schemes including Mukhyamantri Udaan Bharari Yojana to provide financial assistance to aspiring lady pilots, integrated school complex at Sankhali, providing biodegradable sanitary pads to students in high schools and higher secondary schools, []

NT Reporter Panaji Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced in the annual budget for the financial year 202627 that a fund provision of Rs 1,237.5 crore has been made under the Public Works Department for improvement of roads and construction of bridges in all assembly constituencies. He also announced that MLAs will get sanctions of up []

NT Reporter Panaji The state government has proposed an expenditure of Rs 1,650 crore over the next two years for the Goas Umbrella Programme Climate and Disaster Resilient Greener Goa, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said while presenting the state Budget. The programme has received in-principle approval from the Department of Economic Affairs and is []

NT Reporter Panaji The state government has allocated Rs 1,100 crore for the police department, of which Rs 1,044 crore is towards revenue expenditure and Rs 56 crore towards capital expenditure. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that the Goa Police have achieved an 87.72 per cent detection rate. He said the government aims to strengthen []

NT Reporter Panaji Goas Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) at current prices was estimated at Rs 1,12,525.47 crore in 2024-25, registering growth of 15.01 per cent over the previous year, according to the Economic Survey 2025-26. The survey said GSDP had grown by 14.95 per cent in 2023-24 when it stood at Rs 97,838.56 crore. []

NT Reporter Panaji To encourage young women to take up skill development, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, on Friday, announced Mukhyamantri Sukanya Kaushal Vikas Protsahan Yojana under which tuition fees will be waived off entirely to women candidates who enroll for trades in government ITIs. This will reduce the dropout rate and encourage women to take []

Special Correspondent Panaji Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday presented the annual budget for the fiscal year 202627, outlining financial provisions of over Rs 1,000 crore across sectors ranging from religion and education to health, employment, skilling, housing and urban development. Stating that the Happiness Index of Goans is increasing day by day, the Chief []

NT Reporter Panaji With a total allocation of over Rs 2,200 crore for the health sector, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday announced establishment of a new AYUSH Department. The new Department will focus on traditional Indian systems of medicine. The Directorate of Health Services (DHS) saw an increase of 10.8 per cent in the []

PTI New Delhi A finance ministry report on Friday cautioned that prolonged crisis in the Middle East can have adverse implications on the exchange rate and and may stoke inflationary pressures on account of rising prices of petroleum goods and fertilisers. Besides, subdued capital flows, accentuated by a flight to safety, could put pressure on []

NT Reporter Panaji Mahendra Wani, Country Head Business Segment at Siemens Ltd, has been elected chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Goa Council for 202627, while Prasad Sawant, CEO of Buoyancy Consultants and Engineering LLP, has been elected vice chairman for the same term. The announcement was made at the CII Goa []

PTI New Delhi The government invoked sparingly used emergency powers to direct oil refineries to ramp up LPG production as it looks to increase the availability of domestic cooking gas to hedge against potential disruptions from the widening Middle East conflict. India consumed 31.3 million tonnes of LPG in 2024-25, of which only 12.8 million []

PTI New Delhi India has never been dependent on permission from any nation to buy Russian oil and though the US sanctions waiver allowing refiners to purchase it removes friction, it does not define the countrys policy, a senior government functionary said, dismissing Opposition charges. Russian oil continued to flow into India even after the []

PTI New Delhi Two pilots of the Indian Air Force (IAF) were killed in a crash of a Su-30 MKI multi-role fighter jet in Assams Karbi Anglong district. The IAF confirmed on Friday the deaths of Squadron Leader Anuj Vashisht and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar, a day after the Russian-origin aircraft went missing. The jet []

PTI Bengaluru Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday announced a ban on use of social media for those under the age of 16 years, aimed at preventing its adverse effects on children. Though a cross-section of parents welcomed the move, they are wary of the practicality of its implementation. With the objective of preventing adverse []

PTI Perth Jemimah Rodrigues struck a fighting half-century but Indias batting unit struggled against disciplined Australian pace bowling to be dismissed for 198 on the opening day of the one-off day-night Test here on Friday. Rodrigues top-scored with a fluent 52 off 84 balls, but lacked substantial support as the visitors were undone by swing []

PTI New Delhi Anuj Agnihotri, an AIIMS graduate, has topped the coveted civil services examination 2025, results of which were declared by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Friday. Rajeshwari Suve M and Akansh Dhull have got the second and third ranks, respectively. Agnihotri secured the first rank, with medical science as his optional []

AP Dubai Israeli warplanes pounded Beirut and Tehran on Friday as Iran launched another wave of retaliatory strikes against Israel and Gulf countries. There was no sign of the war letting up on its seventh day, as US President Donald Trump appeared to rule out negotiations with Iran and called for its unconditional surrender. The []

PTI Kathmandu Rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shahs newly formed Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) was on Friday heading towards a sweeping victory in Nepals first general elections since the violent Gen Z protests, shattering the dominance of established political parties in the politically fragile nation. According to the Election Commissions data available from 161 of the total 165 []