Friday, May 4, 2012
SHRI BHARAT VIR WANCHOO SWORN IN AS GOVERNOR OF GOA
Sunday, April 8, 2012
CHIEF MINISTER SHRI PARRIKAR EXPANDS HIS CABINET
The expansion of Goa Council of Ministers under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar was held at Raj Bhavan on Sunday, April 8, 2012.
Governor of Goa Shri K. Sankaranarayanan administered oath of office and secrecy to MLAs Shri Ramesh Tavadkar, Shri Mahadev Naik, Shri Deelip Parulekar, Shri Milind Naik, Shri Pandurang alias Deepak Dhavlikar, Shri Avertino Furtado as Cabinet Ministers.
Chief Secretary Shri Sanjay Srivastava read out the order of appointment.
The ceremony was attended by the Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly Shri Rajendra Arlekar, Deputy Speaker Shri Anant Shet, Cabinet Ministers, MLA, MP, Shri Shripad Naik, Ex-Chief Minister Smt. Shashikala Kakodkar, Archbishop Filipe Nerry Ferrao, Prominent Citizens, Senior Officers in the Administration and large number of people.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
CHIEF MINISTER GREETS GOANS ON EASTER 2012
Chief Minister, Shri Manohar Parrikar has extended warm greetings to the people of Goa specially the Christian brethren on the occasion of Easter which will be celebrated on Sunday, April 8, 2012.
In his message, Shri Parrikar says: Jesus Christ, born among humans as the son of God, devoted his years in preaching the message of love to all beings. Jesus taught that unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground, it will not bear fruit. Sacrifice of one's self-interest and striving for the benefit and welfare of others is the way to obtain true freedom and obtain eternal life. This is what Jesus showed in his life.
Good Friday he said symbolized the supreme and selfless sacrifice of Lord Jesus Christ for strengthening the bonds of friendship, brotherhood and love amongst mankind.The token of the power of this great sacrifice was his resurrection. His resurrection symbolizes the decisive victory of Good over Evil. The commemoration of the resurrection of Christ, would help spread his message of love, understanding and the need for simplicity in life throughout our land. The Chief Minster wished all a Happy and Peaceful Easter.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
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.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
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.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
INTER-RELEGIOUS MARRIAGE- A SUCCESS STORY
-John Aguiar
All rivers run to the sea when speaking of religion. That it does not matter what religion you are; that you can get to God by way of any religion. So why are you so worried about what religion your spouse or your children are?
I am a Roman Catholic by birth and my wife is a Hindu. She has a deep faith in Hinduism and very religious. I am not that religious but respect all religions. We love each other very much but neither of us doesn’t want to convert. She feels that her family should be in one belief for her children to be brought up in one faith. But I believe that we can compromise in this by not converting me as a Hindu and she as a Christian and still can bring up our children as good citizens.
Let the children grow. Let them go in School. When matured, let them adapt a religion "of their choice". Let them be good citizens of a State and let him enjoy the adult franchise. Let them select a partner of life. Respect the "Human rights & rights of children".
Even my parents had an Inter-religious marriage. My mother Motubai Rau Valaulikar a Gaud Saraswat Brahman married my father who was a Roman Catholic during the Portuguese regime. My maternal grandmother was from Bhobe (Vaishnav sampradaya) family of Mapusa and my maternal grandmother belongs to Smarth Sampradaya. However these type of marriages too were rare during those times.
My parents too did not convert themselves and practiced their own religion separately though they stayed together. Both my parents have left for heavenly abode. When my father died, he was buried as per the Christian rites while my mother was cremated as per the Hindu rites.
As for me, I read gospel in the church as well as sit for Shree Satyanarayan mahapooja with my wife Savita. We celebrate Christmas as well as diwali. There is Akash Kandil on our house during the Diwali and Star during the Christmas, children also prepare a crib. And during guddi padwa, a guddi outside the house. My wife also celebrated haldi kum kum every year.
With the changing of times, we are getting more and more open and accepting our fellow human beings precisely on their personal qualities. It’s not any more a Hindu, Christian or a Muslim or a White or a Black so to say… well to some extent. Inter-religious and Inter-racial marriages are getting equally acceptable and common. However, to be a success, any marriage requires two people who are respecting, responsible, honest and sincere. When two people meet in matrimony, they should respect each other, especially so if it’s an inter-religion marriage. It is very important to remember that all the religions teach the same basic goodness.
With the changing social scenario, a change in the mindset of the people can be seen, but mostly among the city people. Though people in cities have learned the nuances of caste system and the positives of inter-caste and inter religious marriages.
We are sometimes unnecessarily wasting our precious time in proving that a certain religion is better. In the process, there are instances, when things have gotten very ugly. We actually do not attain anything by proving our religion better than the others. Do we ever create big fights over proving our spouse better than the others, or our children better than the others? Don’t we all know or believe that our children are the best yet we never try to prove it to others. I personally believe we only want to prove something, which we are not very sure of. If one is sure that his religion is better then there is no need for him to feel inferior about it. That’s the way religion should be we know our religion is better – that’s the reason we have adopted it. It is personal – to each its own.
Religion is a way of life. We by the virtue of being born in a certain religious backdrop learn to follow a way of praying or accepting God as Christ or Krishna and so forth. Thus following the teachings. I don’t see the teachings of Krishna any different than that of Christ. How does it matter then which religion is ancient?
The second most important factor in an inter-religious marriage is the religion followed by the children. There is a constant hustle in the parents that the child follows his/her religion. Isn’t it more important that a child becomes a good human being? This can be taught to him by adopting the goodness of both the religions. Here, it’s very important for parents not to be selfish. We should focus on teaching the child good values which everyone would agree is the basis of every single religion. There have been instances, when adults abandon the religion given to them by their parents and adopt some other religion that they are convinced is better. I think we should let our children decide what religion they would like to adopt when they are capable of deciding for themselves.
It is very unfortunate, that the religion has become a business and source of power for some and a reason for conflict among people of different beliefs. It is sad but in the past 22 years of our marriage, most of our Hindu acquaintances have looked down upon Christianity and most of our Hindu acquaintances have suggested ideas as to how I can convert my wife.
Unperturbed, we both have learnt to respect each others' individuality, each others religious beliefs, faith and preferences, thereby making our inter-religious marriage a successful one and this world a little more happier and a harmonious place to live.
True, If we learn to respect others religion and leave them alone with their preferences, this world will be a happier place.
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