log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) SATURDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2025 15 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 162 GOA Questions mount ahead of Colva gram sabha on beach makeover pages 6 & 7 Goans in Qatar asked to keep connect with Goa Goa Tourism hosts ‘Goa Evening’ cultural showcase in Bahrain Goans venerate Goencho Saib across the world IN SHORT >> GWMC moves to hire contractor for highway clean-up PANAJI: The Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) has initiated the process of appointing a contractor to take on the colossal task of clearing litter from national highways, State highways, and district roads across the State. The move comes as part of a government push to tackle mounting garbage along major public roads and improve the State’s image as a tourist destination. >> See pg 3 Sewage leak angers SGPDA traders MARGAO: The open fields adjacent to the SGPDA mega retail market raised a stink following the discharge of sewage water. Market traders as well as citizens cried foul over the sewage discharge in the fields, demanding that the culprits, including the contractor engaged for sewage works, should be booked if involved in the criminal act. >> See pg 2 Two youth die in Mulgao mishap BICHOLIM: Two youth from Revora died in a road mishap at Mulgao on Friday evening while returning from the ITI in Bicholim, where Omkar Phadte and Tejas Kavthankar had gone earlier in the day.   >> See pg 3 Putin to visit India on Dec 4-5 NEW DELHI: Russian President Vladimir Putin will make a two-day visit to India from December 4 to hold annual summit talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi that is expected to produce a plethora of significant outcomes to further solidify the bilateral strategic ties.  >> See pg 10 WEATHER >> Max: 29 C Min: 23 C Humidity: 59% TIDES Low: High: 11:51 22:52 04:53 17:41 2 GOA Now, Maharashtra fishing authorities seize 2 Goa trawlers 3 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 NEWS Trump to pause 'Third World' migration after DC shooting 10 Goa played a defining role in many phases of my life: PM SPORTS India faces tough calls on Pant, Rahul and all-rounder balance 15 ‘Skin of Youth’ wins Golden Peacock for Best Film at IFFI ‘MY DAUGHTER’S HAIR’ AND MODI UNVEILS 77-FT STATUE OF SHRI RAM AT PARTAGALI MATH; CALLS IT A HISTORIC ‘FRÄNK’ SHARE SILVER PEACOCK SPIRITUAL MILESTONE; RELEASES COMMEMORATIVE `550 COIN AND STAMP THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that Goa has played a defining role in several phases of his life, shaping his journey at every crucial turning point. Modi was speaking at Partagali Math in Canacona, where he unveiled Asia’s tallest 77-foot bronze statue of Shri Ram as part of the 550th anniversary celebrations of Shri Samsthan Gokarna Partagali Jeevottam Math. The Prime Minister also released a commemorative Rs 550 coin and postal stamp to mark the historic occasion and a theme park on Ramayana was also inaugurated. Earlier, Shrimad Vidyadheesh Teerth Swamiji personally accompanied the Prime Minister through the premises, explaining the historical and spiritual significance of various sites within the Math, which has been fully renovated. In a deeply personal re- ON PAGE 3 State on path to becoming spiritual tourism hub: CM Swamiji says PM Modi mirrors Lord Krishna’s values Venue packed, devotees witness proceedings on giant screens Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and seers, pays obeisance before the 77-foot bronze statue of Shri Ram unveiled at Partagali Math in Canacona. flection, the Prime Minister acknowledged Goa’s lasting influence on him and his political career. “There are many phases of my life in which Goa has played a crucial role. At every turning point, this land Power disconnections loom as deadline to shift meters expires 65% AT RISK AS ONLY 35% OF CONSUMERS COMPLY WITH DEPT’S DIRECTIVE THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The deadline set by the Goa Electricity Department for consumers to relocate electricity meters from inaccessible locations ended on Friday, with officials warning that the process for disconnections will now begin. According to a top engineer in the GED, only 35 per cent of consumers have complied with the directive to shift their meters to convenient locations, leaving 65 per cent still in obstructed spaces such as inside homes or mounted at impractical heights. “Action will start. Consumers who have failed to relocate their meters could face pro- has taken me forward and shaped my journey, I don’t know how this happened,” Modi said, calling the State an enduring source of inspiration in his public life. Goa Governor Pusapati ZP poll schedule likely today; model code to take effect THE GOAN I NETWORK cesses for disconnection,” the engineer said. The department had identified 38,000 meters in affected areas, of which 12,000 have been successfully relocated. Notices were first issued in May, giving consumers six months to comply. Chief Electrical Engineer Stephen Fernandes had repeatedly cautioned in the public notices that failure to comply would invite strict measures, including disconnection. Officials explained that inaccessible meters pose significant challenges for meter readers, who often find homes locked or meters placed at PANAJI The model code of conduct is set to come into force from Saturday as the State Election Commissioner, Menino D’Souza, is expected to announce the schedule for the upcoming Zilla Panchayat elections at a press conference scheduled for 10 am. The elections D’Souza had earlier announced will be held on December 20. The announcement follows the Bombay High Court at Goa dismissing multiple petitions earlier this week that had challenged the allocation of seats across various reserved categories. With the legal hurdles cleared, the decks are now set for the formal notification of the poll schedule. >Continued on P5 >Continued on P5 Ashok Gajapathi Raju, Union Minister for State Shripad Naik, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Shrimad Vidyadheesh Teerth Swamiji and others were present as the Prime Minister addressed over thou- sands of devotees from Goa and neighbouring Karnataka. Reflecting on the State’s legacy, Modi said Goa’s rich spiritual heritage is deeply interwoven with its modern achievements. Despite facing periods when its temples, language and cultural identity came under severe pressure, Goa, he said, emerged stronger with time. “These circumstances >Continued on P5 Chief Minister Pramod Sawant presents the Golden Peacock award to director Ash Mayfair, while dignitaries on stage look on. THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Vietnamese film “Skin of Youth” won the ‘Golden Peacock’ for Best Feature Film at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), during a glittering closing ceremony at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, Bambolim, on Friday. The award was presented by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, Dr L Murugan. ‘Skin of Youth’, directed by Ash Mayfair, received a trophy, a certificate, and a cash prize of Rs 40,00,000. Set in 1990s Saigon, the film explores the intense romance between San, a transgender sex worker, and Nam, an underground cage fighter, as they confront societal prejudices, violent underworlds, and personal sacrifices. The jury praised the film for its emotional depth and compelling storytelling. Santosh Davakhar won >Continued on P5