log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline SUNDAY JULY 27, 2025 Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 16 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 40 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 MOVIES »PAGE 16 GOOD LIFE »PAGE 12 LIVE SMART »PAGE 14 Anshumaan Pushkar talks about whether Vikrant and RajKummar felt insecure around him on set Let your liver live The silent mind game SPORTS »PAGE 8 Gill and Rahul keep India alive after Stokes’ record show Remembering Kargil bravehearts Destiny, yoga for beginners, and more Rethinking, coping and resilience Tim David scores fastest T20 century for Australia in series-clinching win >> SEE PG 2 FALLING FACADES: DANGER OVERHEAD MAGAZINE MAGAZ 09 Shravan: A month of nature, rituals and reflection Romance, legends, and legacy: The tale of Dona Paula Redefining leadership: From loud promises to quiet purpose When experience is sacrificed at the altar of judicial examinations 11 IN SHORT >> Liver is a silent organ in our body and everyday care doesn’t require complexity How to spot and stop baiting tactfully Centre mandates nationwide safety checks across schools TELLS STATES TO ENSURE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF BUILDINGS PTI Speeding truck rams 25 vehicles in Pune MUMBAI: A woman was killed and 18 others injured after a speeding trailer truck rammed into at least 25 vehicles on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway on Saturday. The incident took place near Adoshi tunnel under Khopoli police station limits in Khalapur, a police official said. THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Controversy over the Kala Academy in Panaji and its renovation works refuses to die down. On Saturday a portion of the false ceiling roof in the violin classroom came crashing down, fortunately when the room was unoccupied. The incident has raised fresh concerns over the quality of restoration and renovation work done. In another incident, chunks of concrete from the Udyog Bhavan building near Azad Maidan, Panaji fell onto the footpath, raising serious concerns over public safety. The structure houses several government offices, including the Department of Information and Publicity and the GHRSSIDC emporium. Secretary of Rakhonn Mandd, a collective of artists, Cecille Rodrigues said, the Kala Academy incident is a direct result of substandard workmanship and blatant disregard for quality and safety protocols. local authorities (NDMA, fire services, police, and medical agencies) must be strengthened to conduct periodic training sessions and mock drills. In addition to physical safe- ty, mental health and emotional well-being must be prioritised through counselling services, peer support systems, and community engagement initiatives. Any dangerous situation, near miss, or incident involving potential harm to children or youth must be reported within 24 hours to the designated state or UT authority. Strict accountability must be ensured in cases of delay, negligence, or failure to act, the official said. Parents, guardians, community leaders, and local bodies should be encouraged to remain vigilant and report unsafe conditions in schools, public areas, or modes of transportation used by children and youth. The ministry has urged education departments, school boards, and affiliated authorities to act without delay in implementing the above measures, the official said. Real-time tracking of night soil tankers in the pipeline NCERT developing special module on Op Sindoor for classes 3 to 12 NEW DELHI: The NCERT is developing a special classroom module on Operation Sindoor to help students learn about India’s defence strategy and diplomatic response, according to sources. The module will have two parts -- first for students from class 3 to 8 and another one for students from class 9 to 12. The special module prepared by the National Council of Educational Research and Training will have 8 to 10 pages focusing on India’s strategic military response to the Pahalgam terror attack. and peer networks,” a senior MoE official said. Structural integrity, along with fire safety, emergency exits, and electrical wiring, must be thoroughly assessed. It must be ensured that staff The aim is to make students understand how nations respond to terror threats and how defence, diplomacy, and coordination between ministries play a role in national security, the source said. Twenty-six men were gunned down in front of their family members in a deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22. India retaliated by targeting terror sites in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Pakistan under Operation Sindoor, leading to a four-day conflict between the two countries. and students are trained in emergency preparedness, including evacuation drills, first aid, and safety protocols, the official said. The ministry recommended that collaborations with SANGUEM: With a jaw-dropping line-up of 20 premium cars and cash prizes ranging from Rs 4 lakh to an impressive Rs 35 lakh, the donation coupons issued by the Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, Quepem, have emerged as some of the most sought-after in Goa. The much-anticipated coupons will be officially launched at a grand function scheduled for August 2 at 8 am at the Government Sports Complex, Borimol, Quepem. >> See pg 5 OLD GOA: Chodnekars have called off the planned public meeting slated for Sunday to press for rollback in Ro-Ro ferry fare, apparently after a request from the local MLA to defer the meeting by 15 days.  >> See pg 5 Chunks of concrete from Udyog Bhavan too crash onto footpath US visas can be revoked for life if visitors break laws: Embassy NEW DELHI The Ministry of Education has issued a directive to all States and Union Territories mandating them to conduct audits of safety mechanisms and facilities for children in schools, officials said on Saturday. The Education Ministry has also called for schools to ensure the structural integrity of buildings. This comes a day after a portion of a government school in Rajasthan’s Jhalawar district collapsed on Friday, killing seven children and leaving 28 injured. States and UTs must take urgent steps to ensure students’ safety and well-being. This includes mandatory safety audits of schools and child-related facilities as per national safety codes, training for staff and students in emergency preparedness, and the provision of psychosocial support through counselling Ganesh coupons: 20 cars, cash prizes up for grabs at Quepem Ro-Ro fares: Chorao locals call off meet Part of KA’s false ceiling collapses PTI Former Union Minister Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju being administered the oath of office by Chief Justice of Bombay High Court Alok Aradhe in the presence of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant at the new Durbar Hall, Raj Bhavan, Dona Paula on Saturday.  Narayan Pissurlenkar Goa’s new governor takes oath THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Former Union Minister and veteran Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju was on Saturday sworn in as the new Governor of Goa. He succeeds P S Sreedharan Pillai, who completed his term earlier this month. The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Durbar Hall of Raj Bhavan in Dona Paula. The oath of office was administered by Justice Alok Arad- he, Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court. In his first address as Governor, Raju expressed his delight at being in Goa and spoke of his commitment to working for the people. “I am delighted to be in Goa. I am delighted to swear by the Constitution of India to serve the people of our country, but Goans in particular,” he said. He also acknowledged that while he does not know the local language, he looks forward to engaging with Goans and learning from the experi- ence. Speaking about his political journey, Raju said this was his first assignment in such a constitutional office. “But in the political structure, I have had a long reach. I was a seven-time legislator in Andhra Pradesh before the bifurcation of the state, and I have done a short stint in Parliament. I’ve also served in and out of government as a minister and in the opposition. I hope to get further enriched >Continued on P6 NEW DELHI The US Embassy in India issued a stern advisory, warning that visas can be revoked for foreign visitors who commit crimes or violate laws while in the United States. In a post on X, the embassy stated, “The United States is a society of law and order. Crimes like assault by foreign visitors will not be tolerated. If you break the law, your US visa can be revoked, and you may be ineligible to return to the United States… for life”. This follows a series of similar advisories issued by the US Embassy earlier this month. On July 22, the embassy posted, 'If you are arrested for assault, domestic violence, or other crimes while in US, your visa may be revoked, and you may be ineligible for future US visas. A visa is a privilege, not a right -- one that can be revoked if you break the law.' Earlier, on July 16, the Embassy had issued a statement wherein it mentioned that committing assault, theft, or burglary in US could lead to visa being revoked and make one ineligible for future visas. A portion of the false ceiling at Kala Academy that crashed on Saturday. “Rakhonn Mandd and even the newly appointed Task Force had repeatedly raised red flags about the shoddy work, but the concerns were ignored,” Rodrigues said. The renovation work at Kala Academy which had been started in 2020-21 and completed last year was mired in controversy with allegations of corruption and fears that the Charles Correa designed structure would be altered. SIDCGL FLOATS TENDER INVITING BIDS THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI As announced by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in the House earlier this week, the movement of night soil tankers (tankers carrying sewage pumped out from soak pits to be transported to treatment plants) is shortly expected to be centrally tracked and monitored. The Sewerage and Infrastructural Development Corporation of Goa Ltd (SIDCGL) has floated a tender inviting bids from agencies in the field to design, develop, install and commission the monitoring system -- Smart Sewage Tanker Tracking System. It will have a Centralised Command Centre and the project is worth  Rs 7.65 crore. It will help the State administration as well as local bodies to rid the menace of these tankers unloading sewage in water bodies and nullahs instead of treatment plants. According to the tender details, the party that wins the work will also be responsible Locals claim sewage in St Inez creek PANAJI: Residents have complained sewage flowing through storm-water drains into the St Inez creek behind the Thakur petrol pump despite a new sewerage system built under the Smart City Mission. Close to where the underground storm-water drain pipes discharge is happening into the creek a sewage pumping well has been disconnected by the Sewerage Department but residents alleged black-coloured fluid which has a foul-odour is flowing into the creek. On Saturday, no official of the PWD’s Sewerage division at Tonca was available for comment and Smart City officials have washed their hands off saying the capital’s entire sewage system is being managed by the PWD. to operate the system for oneand-half year. Meanwhile another tender floated by SIDCGL worth Rs 6.68 crore proposes a GIS mapping and data collection system for sewer lines and manholes in Ponda town. Sawant during his lengthy reply to the discussion on the budget in the Goa legislative assembly had announced the move for monitoring the movement of night soil tankers by SIDCGL. He had said that all these tankers operating in the State will have to register with SIDCGL which will fit GIS-tracking systems on them. The chief minister had argued that this will help prevent the illegal offloading of sewage into open areas and water-bodies often flagged by citizens on social media. Woman faints during recruitment GCCI cheers UK FTA, foresees economic gains for Goa exam, gang-raped in ambulance GCCI’S VIEW: HOW GOA STANDS TO BENEFIT THE GOAN I NETWORK OPPOSITION SLAMS NITISH GOVT OVER LAW & ORDER PTI GAYAJI A woman in Bihar alleged that she was gang-raped inside an ambulance which drove her to a hospital after she fainted during a recruitment test, police said on Saturday. Two persons, identified by the complainant who had appeared at a recruitment drive for home guards, have been arrested, they said. “When the woman fainted, on July 24, she was rushed to the Anugrah Narain Medical College and Hospital at Gaya- ji in an ambulance. After she regained consciousness, she alleged that she was raped inside the vehicle,” said SP Ramanand Kumar Kaushal. “We thereafter detained the driver and a technician who were in the ambulance. The woman also identified them. Their reply was not satisfactory, so they were arrested and booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Samhita,” he added. Kaushal said the medical exam of the complainant has been completed, and based on the findings of the reports, further action will be taken. Meanwhile, the incident drew strong criticism from Union minister Chirag Paswan, who supports the NDA government in the state, as well as the opposition. Before leaving for Gayaji to address a rally, Paswan told reporters in Patna, “The incident is deplorable. The guilty may have been caught, but the administration is obviously unable to prevent such crimes. The situation is scary, and I regret that I am supporting a regime that is incapable of controlling law and order.” PANAJI he Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has hailed the recently signed India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as a significant step forward for Goa’s economic growth. Calling it a “game-changer”, GCCI President Pratima Dhond said the agreement opens up new avenues for trade, investment, and employment that will directly benefit the State. “The India-UK FTA is a milestone that reflects the strengthening of bilateral economic ties and brings immense opportunities for Goa. From traditional sectors like feni and fisheries to emerging T „„With relaxed travel rules, tourism exchanges, hospitality & tourism sector to receive strong boost from inflow of UK visitors „„Feni now enjoys GI protection in the UK, will pave way for greater visibility, premium shelf space in retail outlets „„Duty-free access for Indian marine exports will benefit Goa’s fishing and seafood processing sectors „„Goan entrepreneurs in textile & footwear sectors will gain duty-free access to UK markets „„FTA eases entry for Indian professionals by simplifying visa rules... will benefit Goa’s growing pool of tech and service sector talent industries such as IT and services, this agreement is poised to boost our economy across the board,” Dhond said. The GCCI outlined several key sectors in Goa that stand to benefit from the FTA: Tourism: With relaxed travel regulations and increased tourism exchanges, Goa’s hospitality and tourism sector is expected to receive a strong boost from the inflow of UK visitors. Feni exports: Goa’s signature spirit, feni, now enjoys Geographical Indication (GI) protection in the UK, paving the way for greater visibility and premium shelf space in upscale retail and hospitality outlets. Marine products: Duty-free access for Indian marine exports to the UK will benefit Goa’s fishing and seafood processing sectors, contributing to the state’s “blue economy” and creating local employment. Textiles and footwear: Goan entrepreneurs in the textile and footwear sectors will gain duty-free access to UK markets, making their products more competitive and expanding export potential. IT and professional services: The FTA also eases entry for Indian professionals into the UK by simplifying visa rules and eliminating social security contributions for short-term assignments. This will benefit Goa’s growing pool of tech >Continued on P6