CM SHRI PARRIKAR PAYS TRIBUTES TO BHAGAT SINGH, SUKDEV AND RAJGURU

CHIEF MINISTER SHRI MANOHAR PARRIKAR IS SEEN AFTER PAYING HOMAGE TO SHAHEED BHAGAT SINGH, RAJGURU AND SUKHDEV AT AZAD MAIDAN ON MARCH 23, 2012 ALSO SEEN ARE MAYOR OF CCP SMT. VAIDEHI NAIK, VICE PRESIDENT OF STATE EX-CADETS NCC ASSOCIATION SHRI JOHN AGUAIR, VICE PRESIDENT SHRI PRAMOD NAIK, IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT ADV. AVINASH BHOSLE AND ORGANISING SECRETARY SHRI PRALHAD MAYEKAR.


Chief Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar payed homage to the Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev along with Mayor of CCP Smt. Vaidehi Naik, Shri Sidharth Kunkolkar, Shri Manguerish Raikar and others on the occasion of Marty's Day at the night vigil and candle lighting ceremony organised by the State Ex-Cadets NCC Association (SENA) at the martyrs column at Azad Maidan in Panjim on March 23, 2012.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Parrikar said that the country owed its Independence to martyrs like Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev, who sacrificed their lives on the altar of their motherland. He said that their patriotism, uncompromising devotion to the cause of their motherland and their selfless sacrifice have immortalized them for all times. Our young generation therefore and specially school children should know more about these heroes. Saluting the Heroes of Independence Shri Parrikar said from next year this function would be held in a bigger and befitting manner.

The State Ex-Cadets NCC has been organizing martyrs day and Kargil day every year in a small way.

Shri John Aguiar earlier said that eighty-one years ago, on March 23, 1931 Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev attained martyrdom to liberate the nation from the shackles of colonialism and imperialism. The courage, bravery and patriotism of these martyrs will always be a source of inspiration to the youth of the country.

Large number of people gathered at Azad Maidan to pay respects to Heroes of Independent India. Vice President of the Association Shri John Aguiar welcomed the Chief Minister on arrival at the Azad Maidan along with another Vice President Shri Pramod Naik, Organizing Secretary, Shri Pralhad Mayekar and Immediate Past President Adv. Avinash Bhosle.

MATHANY SALDANHA LAID TO REST WITH FULL STATE HONOURS

The body of Minister for Tourism, Environment and Shri Mathany Saldanha who expired on March 21 was laid to rest with full State honours at his native Cansaulim Village in South Goa on March 24, 2012.
His body was brought to Cansaulim Village on March 23 and was kept for public homage. Chief Minister, Shri Manohar Parrikar, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Shri Arun Jetley, Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly, Shri Rajendra Arlekar, MPs Shri Shripad Naik, Shri Shantaram Naik, Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, Chief Secretary and senior Government officers and large number of people from all walks of life, besides political leaders cutting across party line attended the solemn ceremony presided over by His Grace Arch Bishop patriarch Rev. Filipe Neri Ferrao at the St. Thomas Church, Cansaulim and paid their homage to the departed leader. Draped in national tri-colour, his body was taken in a procession from the house to the church where the body was laid to rest with full State honours.
Speaking on the occasion Shri Arun Jetley said Shri Mathany Saldanha worked for weaker section of the society and was firm in his conviction and values.
Chief Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar said Shri Mathany always honoured his work and devoted himself for the welfare of the common man. He said that the efforts will be to continue his legacy for the welfare of the state.
Smt. Alina Saldanha wife of Mathany Saldanha and niece Ms. Melica Simoes also spoke on the occasion.
A 21 gun salute was accorded by the police contingent before the body was laid to rest at the church cemetery as the Chief Minister, close family members including wife Smt. Alina watched. Earlier reverse arms were presented in honour of the departed soul followed by the ‘salami shastra’ as the buglers played the last post.
Earlier a wreath was laid on behalf of Governor of Goa . Shri K. Sankaranarayan by Secretary and ADC to the Governor.

WRITERS RAISE CONCERNS OVER DEGRADATION OF NATURE

CAPTION:
John Aguiar is seen reading his poetry at the Writers Meet organized by Institute Menezes Braganza at Keri, Sattari on March 18, 2012. Also seen are President of Gomantak Marathi Akademi Shri Narendara Azgaonkar, Vice President of Institute Menezes Braganza Shri Mohandas Surlakar President of Goa Konkani Akademi Shri Dilip Borkar, Shri Rajendra Kerkar and Shri Ashok Parab.


Literature plays a very important role in preserving nature and therefore there is need for Goan writers to make awareness on environment and nature said Mr. Narendra Azgaonkar, President of Gomantak Marathi Akademi.

He was speaking at the one-day writers meet for Goan writers organized by the Institute Menezes Braganza at Keri village in the lap of nature on March 18, 2012. Environmentalist and writer Shri Rajendra Kerkar presided over the meet. Speaking on the occasion Shri Karkar said that great responsibility lies in the writers in preserving nature and there is time that they should show the might of the pen. President of Goa Konkani Akademi said that Nature bring gentleness. Literature grows and blooms in the lap of nature and therefore it is the bounden duty of the writers to preserve and protect nature. Shri Mohandas Surlakar, Vice President of Institute Menezes Braganza expressed happiness about the good response from the writers for the one day meet.

The writers and poets attending the meet through their poems and literature expressed concern about the degradation of nature in the state in the name of development, the common concern being that jungles are being cut, trees felled to construct concrete jungles, while water bodies and rivers were being polluted. The writers felt that they were the eyes of the society and therefore could create awareness on these issues.

Shri Uday Mahambre in his poem “Ganv” highlighted the woes of the village. Sanjeev Verekar ‘s poem ‘Mor’ was well appreciated and applauded, Gazal by Radha Bhava , Nayna Adarkar in her poem ‘Ithas Zama’ said that the nature and the natural beauty are becoming the thing of the past, John Aguiar in his poetry “Kupam” expressed concern about the nature, Shri Laximan Pitre regaled the poetry lovers, Mahableshwar Sail highlighted the strong bond between the literature and nature, Kashmiri Pawaskar narrated nuisance of plastic bags, Maghana Kuruvadkar recited a beautiful poem on rain.

The writers who participated were Avdoot Kudtarkar, Maghana Kuruvadkar, John Aguiar, Aparna Garudi, Laximan Bandekar, Sanjeev Verekar, Arun Nayak, Shoba Fulkar, Sangam Bhosle, Jyoti Kunkolienkar, Sarojani Gaonkar, Rupa, Kosambe, Radha Bhave, Chandrakant Gawas, Sujata Bhatkar, N. D. Borkar, Rekha Paudwal, Mahableshwar Sail, Dr. Pandurang, Sunil Palkar, Laximan Pitre, Daya Mitragotri, Manish Zore, Avinash Jadhav, Nayana Adarkar, Kalika Bapat, Uday Mahambre, Pournima Kerkar, Kashmiri Pawaskar, Smitha Kamat Bhandare and others.

Prof Rajendra Kerkar was the moderator.


The Member Secretary of IMB, Mr Ashok Parab, introduced the moderators and explained the aim behind such a meet. The vice chairman of IMB, Mr Mohandas Surlakar welcomed the gathering. Mr A. K. Lotlikar programme officer of Institute Menezes Braganza was also present.