log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline SUNDAY MAY 19, 2024 Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) Instagram.com/thegoanonline 16 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME IX, NO.332 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 MOVIES »PAGE 16 GOOD LIFE »PAGE 12 LIVE SMART »PAGE 14 ‘I struggled with feeling confident’ Healthy habits for fertility Are you a lone wolf? Actress opens up on her fashionable journey Dos & don’ts for young adults to ensure fertility Understanding the term, which has taken a new meaning in the modern world SPORTS »PAGE 8 IPL: Royal Challengers Bengaluru knock CSK out, qualify for playoffs Ankur Rathee talks about his gripping crime thriller series Overcoming grief, boosting mental health, & more Individuation: The key to finding love Nikhat, Minakshi strike gold at Elorda Cup >> SEE PG 3 MONSOON: ARE WE BETTER PREPARED THIS TIME? MAGAZINE MAGAZ 9 May: Month of feasts & saltwater bathing Viewing loss of Portuguese citizenship from home country’s angle Layered hair: Timeless trend for Indian beauties 10 Paediatric urodynamic testing in diagnosing urinary issues in children Tradition on a 11 plate: The story of Ashok Bar and Restaurant 2024 Maruti Suzuki Swift: The king gets a change of heart IN SHORT >> Undertrial booked for threatening jail superintendent MAPUSA: Colvale police have registered an offence against a jail inmate who blocked the gate of Block-2 at Colvale jail and threatened the jail superintendent and staff on duty on Friday at around 4.45 pm. In a police complaint, Jail Superintendent Shankar Gaonkar stated that the jail administration had issued an order to transfer inmate Vikat Bhagat from the under trial inmate Section-2 to Section-4 in the jail.  >> See pg 5 Haryana man duped of `35 lakh; 6 booked PANAJI: A person from Haryana was duped to the tune of Rs 35 lakh on pretext of offering partnership in a Candolim based hospitality company. The victim Manprit Singh has filed complaint to this effect at the Calangute police station. Police have booked 6 persons. Jewellery worth `3L stolen from hotel PORVORIM: Jewellery worth Rs 3 lakh was stolen from tourists staying at a hotel at Porvorim when unknown persons entered the room and decamped with gold ornaments. Edu dept cracks down on unauthorised school fees NOTICE ISSUED TO SCHOOL BASED AT CUJIRA COMPLEX THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In the wake of the government-aided Marathi medium of Mushtifund High School admitting to collecting unauthorized fees from students, the Education Department has issued a warning to all aided and unaided schools against engaging in such illegal activities without approval. A show cause notice issued to the Chairman of Mushtifund’s School Managing Committee on May 17 directs to submit a written explanation as to why action should not be taken against the management for charging illegal fees without prior departmental approval. During an initial inquiry following a complaint, the school management admitted to the department about charging Rs 3,950 in fees and A LESSON FOR SCHOOLS „„During an initial inquiry after a complaint, the school management admitted charging Rs 3,950 in fees and Rs 500 in PTA fees „„With this incident, dept has reinforced its warning against such practices in any schools Rs 500 in PTA fees from students of the aided Marathi medium. Subsequently, the director issued a show cause notice demanding a reply within seven days. With this incident raising an alarm, the department has reinforced its warning against such practices in any schools across the state. “We had issued a circular in 2017 directing educational institutions not to demand „„Zingde cited a issued a circular in 2017 directing educational institutions not to demand unauthorized fees from students or parents „„He also said unaided schools must obtain prior approval from the dept, in case they are levying fees unauthorized fees from students or parents. Unaided schools must obtain prior approval from the department, in case they are levying fees. The circular remains valid, and any violations will result in action,” Education Director Shailesh Zingde told The Goan. According to the rules, aided schools that receive government grants are not permitted to collect fees, while The India-Russia connect: Visa-free travel on cards TOURISM STAKEHOLDERS IN GOA EXCITED THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The tourism stakeholders are thrilled about the likely visa-free travel agreement between India and Russia, citing it would be a major boost for inbound tourism and a chance for Goans to travel to this lesser-visited, expensive country. “It is a fantastic and most welcome announcement for the tourism industry in Goa. It will facilitate seamless travel for Russian visitors to Goa,” said the President of the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) Jack Sukhija, while speaking to The Goan. Recent reports indicate that India and Russia are set to begin landmark discussions that could lead to visa-free tourist exchanges between the two countries  to significantly enhance tourism flows. The first round of discussions is scheduled for June, during which the countries will explore the feasibility of a bilateral agreement that could be finalised by the end of the year. SUN, SAND & KREMLIN ADVENTURES „„Reports indicate that India and Russia are set to begin landmark discussions on visa-free tourist exchanges „„First round of discussions scheduled for June „„Bilateral agreement likely to be finalised by end of the year „„Russians constitute highest among foreign tourists to Goa Russians constitute the highest  among  foreign tourists to Goa, and if the deal  is sealed, the coastal State  is expected to see a boost in arrivals. According to provisional figures, Goa recorded 5-6 charter flights per day before the Covid-19 pandemic, bringing in over 100,000 Russian tourists, who are known to be high spenders compared to British tourists -- ranking second in „„Provisional figures reveal Goa recorded 5-6 charter flights per day before bringing in over 100,000 Russian tourists arrivals in Goa. Since Covid-19, the number of flights has dropped to 5-6 per week, reducing the number of Russian tourists to 4050,000 each season. Nevertheless, with the likely deal, Goa could see resurgence.  “Both inbound and outbound tourism will grow, and I think it is important for India because we have a >Continued on P5 SEC 9 OF GOA SCHOOL EDU ACT „„No aided schools shall levy any fee or collect any other charges or receive any payment except those specified by the director „„Every aided school having different rates of fees or other charges or different funds shall obtain prior approval of the prescribed authority before levying such fees unaided schools must follow key steps when levying fees: disclosing the fee structure, obtaining mandatory approval, and ensuring any increase does not exceed 10 percent from the previous year. “No aided schools shall levy any fee or collect any oth- er charges or receive any payment except those specified by the director. Every aided school having different rates of fees or other charges or different funds shall obtain prior approval of the prescribed authority before levying such fees or collecting such charges or creating such funds,” the director added while referring to Section 9 of The Goa School Education Act, 1984. Moreover, charging capitation fees is not permissible under The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, Section 19 of the Goa Act and relevant Acts and Rules in force. Earlier in the week, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had warned managements of aided schools in Goa against charging additional fees on some pretext or the other and had said action would be initiated if such complaints were received. SHGs to continue to serve mid-day meals this year Akshaya yet to comply with terms THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Ahead of the new academic year, the Goa government has decided to continue with 98 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and nine Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) currently supplying meals to 1.60 lakh students across the State. This decision comes amidst the entry of Bengaluru-based Akshaya Patra Foundation. Government sources indicated that they are not inclined to terminate the contracts of the local SHGs unless these groups choose to discontinue their services. In August 2023, the Directorate of Education renewed a one-year contract with these SHGs and PTAs while also finalising Akshaya Patra to commence supplying midday meals to around 5,000 students on a trial basis from 2024-25, provided they obtain all required permissions, including a license from the Food and Drugs Administra- Akshaya Patra is yet to respond to the requirements of the Education Department such as setting up a centralized facility including a kitchen, and obtaining health clearances among others tion (FDA). “We are not discontinuing the SHGs unless they opt out of the ongoing scheme. They requested an increase in rates, which was granted along with other requirements they sought. However, Akshaya Patra will simultaneously provide services, if they comply with the mandatory requirements,” the source revealed to The Goan. Although the contract was signed two months ago, the Foundation is yet to respond to the requirements of the >Continued on P5 LOUTOLIM LOCALS RISE AGAINST BORIM BRIDGE 1 Asserting that the Goa government is bulldozing with the Borim bridge to convert the NH-17B into a coal highway, Loutolim farmers and villagers warned that any attempt to interfere with the khazans and the lives of local farmers without prior environmental clearances shall not be allowed. Calling upon all Goans to unite and support the villagers against the excesses of PWD officials and the evil plans of corporate, they further warned officials not to misuse their powers to please the coal lobby and vowed to defend the village. Hitting the streets near the Loutolim Missing link villagers condemned the ongoing land acquisition and reiterated their claim that the bridge is only for transportation of coal from Port to factories in Karnata>> See pg 2 ka. 2 3 PRESERVING TRADITION: A woman diligently sun-dries coconut kernel in her courtyard ahead of the monsoons at Aldona on Saturday. The dried kernel is then churned into oil.   Narayan Pissurlenkar Mob fury in Kyrgyz capital, India advises students to stay indoors PTI NEW DELHI India on Saturday asked its students in Bishkek to stay indoors after Kyrgyz capital city reported mob violence targeting international students, especially from South Asia. The Indian embassy said it is in touch with Indian stu- dents and scene is “calm” now. In a statement, the Kyrgyz foreign ministry said that “destructive forces are deliberately disseminating untrue and false information” about the situation in Bishkek. It said the situation in the city is “calm and under full control”, adding all necessary measures have been taken to ensure security. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar advised students to stay in regular touch with the Indian embassy. “Monitoring the welfare of Indian students in Bishkek. The situation is reportedly calm now. Strongly advise students to stay in regular touch with the Embassy,” he said. @47 degrees, brutal heat wave sweeps swathes of north India Tourists assault taxi driver at Calangute Yellow alert in Goa up to May 20 IMD issues red alert in Kerala PTI NEW DELHI he extreme heat scorching large parts of northwest India will continue for another five days, with Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh predicted to bear the maximum impact. On Friday, the maximum temperature soared to a scorching 47.4 degrees Celsius in southwest Delhi’s Najafgarh, the highest this season in the country so far. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday predicted a severe heat wave over the plains of northwest India during the next five days and a heat wave over the east and central regions during the PANAJI: Thunderstorms accompanied with lightning and gusty winds are very likely at isolated places across Goa up to May 20, IMD has warned. In view of this, IMD has further extended the yellow alert issued earlier, to May 20. IMD also advised stopping or regulating of beach activities in view of the rough sea. T next three days. The Met office also issued a red warning for Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and west Rajasthan, stressing the need for “extreme care for vulnerable people”. It issued an orange alert for east Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and emphasised “high health concern” for vulnerable people, including infants, the elderly and those with chronic diseases. The Met office said high humidity could add to people’s inconvenience in Goa and sub-Himalayan West Bengal. IMD said warm night conditions are likely in UP, Bihar and west Rajasthan over the next two-three days. High night KOCHI: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday predicted extremely heavy rainfall in Kerala in the coming days and issued a red alert in some districts of the state for May 19 and 20. The IMD issued the red alert in Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Idukki districts of the state for May 19 and 20. temperatures are considered dangerous because the body doesn’’t get a chance to cool. Increasing nighttime heat is more common in cities because of the urban heat island effect, in which metro areas are significantly hotter than their surroundings. In view of the general elections in India, experts have warned of an increased likelihood of heat-related illnesses in people exposed to the sun for prolonged periods or engaging in heavy work. Researchers at Climate Central, a US-based group of climate scientists, said 543 million (54.3 crore) people in India will experience at least one day of extreme heat dur- ing May 18-21. “Human-caused climate change has made this intense heat much more likely. The high overnight temperatures make this event particularly alarming,” said Andrew Pershing, vice-president for science at Climate Central. Heat waves can be deadly, with the elderly and children particularly at risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Extreme temperatures can also impact economies. People are less productive during hot weather, even if they work indoors, while children struggle to learn in extreme heat. A 2022 study said extreme heat resulted in labour productivity loss of USD 2.1 trillion equivalent in 2017. AIR FORCE PERSONNEL AMONG BOOKED THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA A taxi driver was abused and assaulted by a group of tourists, which included some Air Force personnel from Pune, when he confronted them for allegedly making obscene gestures at Calangute. According to police, the incident took place near the police station in Calangute. The taxi driver Shailesh Shetgaonkar was proceeding home from Baga, when some tourists in two cars allegedly made obscene gestures. Shetgaonkar drove ahead and confronted them. About 11 persons began abusing Shetgaonkar and allegedly assaulted him. Shetgaonkar then notified the police and six persons in one car sped away. Calangute police detained five persons from the second car. Calangute police registered a case against the five persons. Police later learnt that four of the suspects are Air Force personnel and are residing in Pune. Police will send a report to the Air Force for further action against them.