log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline TUESDAY MAY 13, 2025 GOA Unable to grip or walk freely: How Anup holds on to hope and a life of independence IN SHORT >> Centre wants Goa to explore N-power plant PANAJI: Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday asked the Goa government to undertake a feasibility study for setting up a nuclear-based power plant in the State in order to meet its growing demand and to reduce its 80 per cent dependence on electricity imports. The State has agreed to consider the proposal.   >> See pg 2 Goa braces for tourism slowdown PANAJI: In a carefully worded reference to the current strain along the Indo-Pakistani border, the Goa Tourism Department has conceded that “current regional uncertainties” have cast uncertainty over the summer travel season, usually buoyed by domestic holidaymakers in May.   >> See pg 2 Miramar Residency revamp plan revived PANAJI: Ten years after a similar plan failed, the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) has again proposed to redevelop its Miramar Residency into a five-star hotel through a private company. The Miramar Residency, which covers 20,000 square metres, currently has about 60 rooms along with dining and other facilities.  >> See pg 3 Water supply likely to resume in Taleigao PANAJI: Water supply to parts of Taleigao, which has been disrupted for over 45 days due to E. coli contamination, is likely to be restored by this weekend, bringing much-needed relief to residents. PWD has already resumed supply to areas like Vodlem Bhat and parts of Cardoz Wada.  >> See pg 3 Biker killed in tree fall in Mandrem PANAJI: A motorcyclist died when a massive mango tree toppled onto a passing two-wheeler and a car at Madhlamaj, Mandrem, on Monday.  >> See pg 5 WEATHER >> Max: Min: Humidity: 32 C 28 C 71% TIDES Low: High: 04:46 17:18 12:03 22:29 The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 13 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 325 Salcete p'yats seek help of PWD, Roads in survey to identify roadside structures >> See pg 5 Facebook.com/thegoan 2 GOA Cashew saplings at beaches: GFDC asked to submit plan 3 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO How to burn calories through the day without exercising No nuclear blackmail: PM spells out new doctrine NEW DELHI In his first address to the nation after Operation Sindoor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday sternly warned Pakistan that India will not succumb to nuclear blackmail and sent a clear message to the world: terror and trade, terror and talks cannot go together. “Operation Sindoor is India's new policy against terrorism. We have only kept in abeyance our operations against Pakistan and the future will depend on their behaviour,” Modi said in a 22-minute address. He also had an advice for Pakistan's rulers: “The terrorists they have been feeding and nurturing all these years will swallow Pakistan itself. If Pakistan wants to survive, it will have MODI’S TOUGH TALK „„Operation Sindoor is only kept in abeyance against Pakistan and the future will depend on their behaviour „„The terrorists they have been feeding and nurturing all these years will swallow Pakistan itself. If Pakistan wants to survive, it will have to root out terrorism „„This is not an era of war, but this is also not the era of terror „„Any talks with Pakistan can happen only on terrorism and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to root out terrorism.” “This is not an era of war, but this is also not the era of terror,” Modi said, as he paid glowing tributes to the armed forces for successfully forcing Pakistan to plead for peace after eight of their airbases were heavily damaged. “Any talks with Pakistan can happen only on terrorism and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir,” the prime minister said. Modi's assertions about not doing trade with Pakistan came minutes after US President Donald Trump said that he told India and Pakistan that his administration will do PANAJI Karnataka’s plans for diversion of the water from the disputed Mhadei river will have less of an impact on Goa as a whole, but a significant impact of the permitted diversion by the Tribunal will be seen on the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, reveals a latest study by hydrologists. “The water budget of the Mahadayi river and its implications for the inter-state dispute”, a joint study undertaken by the hydrologists from the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) and Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, explains that the diversion from the Kalasa tributary could have “significant impact” but its impact is restricted to the northern part of the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary. The researchers – K Anilkumar, D Shankar and T H E ST U DY „„Diversion has limited impact on Goa as a whole, but significant local impact on the northern part of Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, especially from the Kalasa tributary „„Researchers counter Goa’s claims, stating navigation in the Mandovi estuary and Cum- barjua Canal remains unaffected, even during the lean season, due to tidal flow „„Researchers support Goa’s argument that saline intrusion from tides affects much of the Mhadei estuary, and this should be excluded from water availability estimates K Suprit – have suggested that it is possible for Goa and Karnataka to reach an agreement on similar lines to the one Goa has with Maharashtra for the Tillari dam, in which the dam is built upstream on the Maharashtra side, since Goa does not have the space nor the geography to host a large dam without a huge environmental and people cost – and both states have a share of the water. “For the Kalasa nala, there is a significant impact of the permitted diversion – 1.72 tmc (48.7 Mcum) by the Mhadei Water Dispute Tribunal in the northern part of the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, but the impact on the Mahadayi discharge Virat Kohli has officially retired from Test cricket, bringing down the curtain on a career that spanned over 14 years. The announcement comes just ahead of India’s Test series against England and marks the end of a monumental chapter in Indian cricket THE GOAN I NETWORK SANGUEM A massive fire triggered by illegally dumped industrial and chemical waste in an abandoned laterite stone quarry at Chanimol ward in Kalay village, Sanguem taluka, continued to burn for the third consecutive day on Monday, raising serious environmental and public health concerns. Fire services, supported by three JCB operators, have managed to douse part of the blaze. However, officials estimate it will take another two to three days to fully extinguish the fire due to the toxic nature of the materials involved. Preliminary reports suggest that the quarry had been filled with chemical and plastic waste. Authorities suspect that the fire may have been deliberately ignited to make room for additional illegal dumping, with blatant disregard for the hazardous impact on the surrounding communities. Toxic fumes from the burning waste have spread across Chanimol, Costi, and other areas of Kalay village, leading to severe air pollution. The exact composition of the chemicals THE GOAN I NETWORK KING KOHLI BIDS FAREWELL TO TESTS TOXIC FUMES SPREAD ACROSS KALAY VILLAGE; AMBULANCE STATIONED FOR EMERGENCY; PROBE UNDERWAY KOHLI’S BIGGEST TEST RECORDS Officials from the Pollution Control Board alongwith the Deputy Collector inspecting the site on Monday. POLLUTION CONCERNS Toxic fumes from the burning waste have spread across Chanimol, Costi, and other areas of Kalay village, leading to severe air pollution involved remains undetermined, with Pollution Control Board officials currently onsite conducting inspections. Deputy Collector of Sanguem, Milind Velip, is closely monitoring the situation. He confirmed that an ambulance has been stationed in the village to respond to any health emergencies and that his office has made arrangements for evacuation. However, most affected residents have chosen to stay with nearby relatives rather than move to alternate shelters. Meanwhile, authorities have launched an investigation to identify those responsible for the illegal dumping and to determine the ownership of the abandoned quarry. Firefighters from the Curchorem Fire Station continue to work tirelessly at the site, with JCB machines being used to cover extinguished areas with mud to prevent reignition. Residents of Kalay are living in fear, concerned about the unknown health consequences of prolonged exposure to the toxic fumes and the long-term environmental damage caused by the blaze. 12 Says effect will be felt more on Mhadei Sanctuary trade with them only if they end the conflict. Modi said that while Pakistan pleaded with India to stop the military offensive, New Delhi considered it only after they promised to stop their misadventure. The prime minister termed the Pahalgam attack as the most “barbaric face of terrorism”, saying it was personal pain for him, but the enemy has now realised the consequences of removing “sindoor from the forehead of our women”. Addressing the nation, Modi said Operation Sindoor was not just a name but, through it, the whole world saw India's resolve turn into action and more than 100 dreaded terrorists were slaughtered. PM Modi said India will not see terrorists and their state sponsors separately. Sanguem industrial waste blaze enters Day 3, poses health risks Carlo Ancelotti becomes Brazil’s first foreign head coach Mhadei diversion will have limited impact on Goa: NIO SAYS ‘OP SINDOOR’ NEW POLICY AGAINST TERROR, PAK MUST ELIMINATE TERRORISM FOR SURVIVAL PTI 10 SPORTS DEBUT Kohli made his Test debut in 2011 against the West Indies THE FACE OF CRICKET Known for his unmatched intensity, top-tier fitness, and unwavering commitment, Kohli was more than just a prolific run-scorer—he was the face of a new, aggressive era of Indian Test cricket Matches: 123 TEST Runs scored: 9,230 Highest: 254 not out vs SA, 2019 STATS Average: 46.85 100s: 30 Report on Page 12 „„Most runs in a calendar year: 2012, 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2023 „„Highest score by an Indian captain: 254* vs South Africa (2019) „„Most centuries as Indian captain: 20 „„Most runs as India captain: 5,864 „„Most double hundreds: 7 „„Most double hundreds as captain: 6 „„Most wins as Test captain: 40 „„Double centuries in consecutive series: 4 „„Highest rating points earned by an Indian in men’s batting rankings: 937 (2018) „„First Asian captain to win a Test series in Australia (2018-19) „„Most consecutive Test series wins as captain: 9 „„Most hundreds by an Indian in Australia: 7 >Continued on P8 Drone found inside Adani MPT premises; FIR registered THE GOAN I NETWORK VASCO Mormugao police have registered an FIR after a drone was found inside the premises of Adani Mormugao Port Terminal Pvt Ltd (AMPTPL) on Sunday evening, in violation of a district-level ban on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The incident was reported by Roshan Sadanand Pednekar, a dry cargo officer at AMPTPL and a resident of Vasco. According to his complaint, at around 7:20 pm on May 11, an unknown individual allegedly flew a drone from an unidentified location. The drone was later found lying on the ground in the B2 stockyard area by a belt attendant on duty. The unauthorised drone operation contravenes an order issued by the District Magistrate of South Goa on May 9, which prohibits the use, operation, or flying of drones or UAVs of any kind within the entire South Goa district. The drone has been seized, and Mormugao police have registered a case under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. Further investigation is being conducted by PSI Saidatta Naik of Mormugao Police Station. Goa to conduct survey of PwDs Interfaith harmony thrives in this Belagavi village to shape more inclusive policies LOUIS RODRIGUES THE GOAN I BELAGAVI THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Goa Government will launch a first-of-its-kind comprehensive survey of Persons with Disabilities (PwD) to facilitate the development of inclusive policies and enhance service provisions. Addressing a press conference, Minister for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Subhash Phal Desai said that through this survey the government wants to understand the problems faced by PwDs and frame policies to provide them with employment and prepare plans for THE SURVEY „„Aimed at understanding challenges faced by PwDs, shaping inclusive policies, enhancing service delivery, and planning employment and future support systems „„The survey will include over 100 parameters to accurately assess the number and types of disabilities in the State their future. In line with the provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, the government intends to conduct an across-the-board and timebound survey covering all 21 disabilities. The survey is expected to commence in next three to four months. Phal Desai said that for the first time, Goa will carry out a detailed survey with 100+ parameters to identify the exact number and types of disabilities. Phal Desai said that with the enactment of Right to Disabilities Act 2016, the scope has been widened to include >Continued on P8 I n an age marked by rising interreligious tensions and intolerance, the enduring bond between the Christian Goan settlers and Hindu communities in this village in the Upper Ghats region stands as a profound symbol of hope and resilience. Despite the divisive rhetoric and sporadic incidents that often characterise interfaith relations elsewhere, these two faith groups have quietly fostered a legacy of mutual respect and cultural exchange. This bond was witnessed in the border village of Hosur in Chandgad taluka near Belagavi during the annual village A Hindu woman pours water on the feet of the priests, and venerates the statue of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour during the procession.  Louis Rodrigues feast. Set amid picturesque mountains on the Maharashtra-Karnataka border, Konkani-speaking Goan settlers have lived in this village for generations, dating back to the migration during the Portuguese era. The Carvalhos and Dias families, who are mainly agriculturists holding sizable agricultural lands, live in harmony with their Hindu counterparts, taking part in each other’s social and religious rituals. This was witnessed during the procession after the feast mass. Hosur has a chapel devoted to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, and the feast of the chapel is held during the first week of May each year. Coming under Uchgaon parish in the Diocese of Belgaum, most of the new-generation Hosurkars are now settled in Mumbai, Pune, Goa, and other places in India and abroad, but they return to the village for the village feast. After the feast mass, as Parish Priest Fr Simon Bhutelo and Fr Albert were carrying the idol of Our Lady in the procession, the women of the village came out, poured water on the feet of the priests, and venerated the statue. Earlier, after the feast mass, the Hindu leaders of the village were felicitated for their contributions to the betterment of the chapel. After the mass, women were seen visiting the chapel to offer garlands and candles to the statue of Our Lady. “This is an age-old tradition, and as far as I know, our elders used to take part in the functions of the Christians here, and vice versa. The 'saibinn' has been blessing us, and >Continued on P8