log on to thegoan.net SUNDAY AUGUST 24, 2025 @thegoanonline Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 16 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 67 Goa's Biggest Media Brand with Highest Viewership which makes us Today’s issue of The Goan comes with a booklet ‘Aarti Collection 2025’ >> SEE PG 2 CABINET REJIG: POLL MATH OVER BALANCE MAGAZINE MAGAZ 09 Bazaars Vendors bring tradition and colour to Chaturthi 11 Degrees without desks: Reality of youth unemployment in Goa Andhera: Bringing horror beyond monsters, myths Why Goa needs commentaries on its own laws IN SHORT >> Damu: Portfolios for ministers on Monday MARGAO: State BJP President Damu Naik on Saturday said that the newly-inducted ministers will get their portfolios on Monday coinciding with the auspicious day of Lord Damodar, Margao’s Presiding deity.   >> See pg 3 Delhi police nab fugitive in Goa PANAJI: Delhi police arrested 38-year-old Gyaneshwar Kaushik, alias Gyan, in Porvorim. Wanted in over 20 cheating cases and an investment fraud, Kaushik had been absconding since 2014. Instagram.com/thegoanonline RONALDO MAKES HISTORY WITH 100 GOALS FOR FOUR CLUBS >>8 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 Come join us Contact: 9011043385 / 9850755549 / 9130004704 / 9689923150 Email: marketing@prudentmedia.in ED arrests K’taka Cong MLA in multi-crore betting case Goans get Chavath gift, Mhaje Ghar forms open Sept 15 Thousands of families to benefit: CM `12 CR CASH, JEWELRY, PROPERTY DOCUMENTS SEIZED THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday arrested Congress MLA from Chitradurga in Karnataka, KC Virendra Kumar alias 'Puppy' from Sikkim a day after it launched a crackdown on casinos in Goa, gaming related enterprises and betting rackets across India. The central agency has also made massive seizures in Indian and foreign currencies, gold, silver and property documents from here and other States. The raids which began in the wee hours of Friday and were led by the ED’s Bengaluru unit yielded about Rs 12 crore cash, including Rs 1 crore foreign currency, gold jewellery valued at Rs 6 crore, 10 kg of silver, four vehicles TREASURE TROVE The cash seized by Enforcement Directorate from multiple locations. and several property documents, some of them traced to Goa. Apart from Goa, the raids were carried out at 31 locations across India, including Gangtok, Chitradurga, Bengaluru, Hubli, Jodhpur, Mum- bai and Goa. The action has been taken under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with allegedly illegal online and offline betting rackets. According to the central „„Rs 12 cr cash, including Rs 1 cr foreign currency „„Gold jewellery valued at Rs 6 cr „„10 kg of silver „„Four vehicles, several property documents, some of them traced to Goa „„Multiple credit and debit cards & membership cards of 5-star hotels agency there is suspicion of large-scale laundering of black money and preliminary investigation have revealed the involvement of Veerendra, along with his family members and associates. In Goa, ED teams, assisted THE GOAN I NETWORK by Goa police, searched five casinos and their offices in Panaji and Calangute. Employees were questioned and their statements were recorded in the presence of witnesses. Veerendra was arrested in Gangtok on Saturday and produced before the Judicial Magistrate there who granted a 3-day transit remand to bring him before the courts in Bengaluru. According to the ED, Veerendra is accused of running betting websites such as King567, Raja567, Puppy’s003 and Rathna Gaming. His brother is alleged to be operating business entities from Dubai, including Diamond Softech, TRS Technologies and Prime9Technologies. >Continued on P6 PANAJI Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Saturday announced that application forms under the Mhaje Ghar Yojana will be rolled out from September 15 as he called the scheme “special Chavath gift” to Goans. Unveiling details of the scheme during a live interaction with the concerned authorities and the general public, Sawant said it would bring long-awaited legal and financial security to thousands of families whose homes don’t have valid ownership papers. “Even three generations after the liberation, many families do not have legal documents to prove ownership. There was always fear of demolition and uncertainty over court cases. This scheme will resolve that,” he said. On the regularisation of old houses, the CM stated Police turn up the heat as crimes show rising trend An unexpected streak of crimes that shook South Goa -- including two incidents of gunfire, assault on police and extortion bid -- incidentally ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi, has prompted the police to move with unusual aggression. In a bid to restore order, police stations have begun rounding up history-sheeters, detaining even those linked to gangs in scuffles, and, in an unusual move, holding them in custody till the festival is over. All this is with the aim to send an unmistakable signal: the streets belong to law enforcement, not to rogue elements. The police want this message to carry not just firmness but a certain ‘swag’ of authority. “The one clear message to goons or gangs who dare to take law into their hands Margao police lock-up packed Police tighten security ahead of festive season rush is this: only the police have the legitimate and legal right to use force. Anyone else attempting it will face the severe legal consequences. Goa police owns the streets (for the good of the people and to maintain law and order), and no one else,” Director General of Police Alok Kumar told The Goan in his first interview since the wave of crimes in South Goa. Reacting to these recent incidents, the DGP said cases have been registered and investigations are moving at a rapid pace. More than 35 people have been taken into custody so far, a number that police officials expect will rise as the crackdown intensifies. “The investigation is progressing swiftly, and strict >Continued on P6 >Continued on P6 PTI ON PAGE 3 MARGAO: The gang war that erupted on the Margao-Colva road in the jurisdiction of the Fatorda police station two weeks ago has overwhelmed the Margao police station lock-up, now packed with under trials. So far, the Fatorda police have arrested 21 individuals in connection with the shootout at Mungul on August 12. With the Fatorda police station currently undergoing renovation, all 21 accused have been shifted to the Margao police station lock-up. that houses built prior to 1972 without certificates will be granted legality. With Village Panchayats and Municipalities mandated to issue certificates within seven days for a fee of Rs 1,000, the scheme will enable families to access financial support, carry out repairs, and secure future construction rights. Shops India suspends postal services to US amid new customs norms OLD CRIMINAL FILES BEING REOPENED; REPEAT OFFENDERS, GANGS COME UNDER RADAR VIBHA VERMA THE GOAN I PANAJI Even three generations after Liberation, many families do not have legal documents to prove ownership. There was always fear of demolition and uncertainty over court cases... this scheme will resolve that — Pramod Sawant SHINING STARS: Children participate in a float during the Festival of Flags ‘Bonderam’ at Divar on Saturday. Hundreds of people gathered along the streets to witness the vibrant parade and spirited performances. (More photos on page 5)  Narayan Pissurlenkar Mysore student dies on study tour THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA An 18-year-old student of a technical college in Mysore died while on a study tour in the State on Friday night. According to reports, a group of about 40 persons comprising students and their professors had arrived on a study tour on Friday evening and were staying in a resort in Arpora. Some time after reaching the hotel, the student Dhanush Kumar  took ill and began to vomit. The resort staff took him to a private hospital in Anjuna for treatment. After being treated and discharged, he was taken back to the resort. At around 10.30 pm, the student began vom- iting again. He was sent to a private hospital and was later shifted to the GMC hospital, where he was declared dead. Anjuna police was informed about the incident and they contacted the elder brother of the deceased, who informed that Dhanush had high blood sugar and was taking medication. Police ruled out any foul play. NEW DELHI Postal services to the US have been temporarily suspended, as US-bound air carriers have stopped carrying shipments due to a lack of clarity in new norms issued by US customs department, Ministry of Communications said on Saturday. However, services will continue for letters, documents and gift items up to USD 100. Under an order issued by the US administration on July 30, 2025, goods valued at over USD 100 will be subject to customs duties in America with effect from August 29. According to the order, transport carriers delivering shipments through the international postal network, or other “qualified parties” approved by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), are required to collect and remit duties on postal shipments. While CBP issued certain guidelines on 15th August, 2025, several critical processes relating to the designation of ''qualified parties'' and mechanisms for duty collection and remittance remain undefined. Messi, Argentina coming to Kerala AS DIABETES, HEART DISEASE, CANCER CASES RISE… Doctors warn India is on brink of health crisis for friendly match in November OPPOSITION TEAM TO BE FROM FIFA’S TOP 50 PTI KOCHI Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman on Saturday confirmed that the Argentina football team, along with star player Lionel Messi, will arrive in Kerala to play a friendly match in November this year. He was speaking to reporters here following the Argentina Football Association's (AFA) announcement that their national team, led by manager Lionel Scaloni, would play friendly matches in Luanda, Angola, and Kerala. Abdurahiman said the State had requested AFA to schedule the match in either October or November this year. "Initially, AFA planned it for 2026. However, we contacted them and requested that they hold the match in Kerala this year. Now, AFA has officially confirmed it," the minister said. Regarding the opposition team, he said, "we will select a team from among FIFA's top 50. Several teams have approached us. The Australian football team has expressed interest, and we also have a sports ex- change agreement with them. Similarly, three or four other teams have contacted us." Expressing his happiness, Abdurahiman added, "A lot of effort has gone into bringing the Argentina football team to Kerala. We have started planning the rest of the arrangements and will soon discuss the details, including the venue, with the Chief Minister". He said lakhs of football fans in the State are eagerly awaiting the match. "Our intention is to provide a platform for fans to see Messi play in Kerala," he said. PTI NEW DELHI ndia is on the cusp of a health crisis, with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer reaching epidemic proportions, a group of Padma awardee doctors has said. At a session hosted recently by Pacific OneHealth, the doctors warned that without immediate action, India will be overwhelmed by this NCD epidemic. Padma Shri Dr DS Rana, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, underlined the need for universal access and ethical regulation. I HEALTH IS WEALTH FOOD FOR THOUGHT „„Universal healthcare and strong ethical practices needed particularly in drug pricing and hospital costs „„Emergency angioplasty within golden hour can save countless lives “Our ultimate goal should be universal healthcare. While India has progressed, dispar- UNCHECKED RISE OF LIFESTYLE DISEASES, LACK OF PREVENTIVE SCREENING PUSHING INDIA TOWARDS HEALTH EMERGENCY „„Advanced cardiac interventions accessible even to patients in 80s and 90s „„One in three Delhi residents is diabetic; another 30% are pre-diabetic „„Doctors say focus should be on lifestyle & awareness ities persist. We need strong ethical practices and regulatory courage, particularly in drug pricing and hospital costs, to make healthcare equitable,” Dr Rana said. On heart disease, Padma Shri Dr Praveen Chandra, Chairman, Interventional and Structural Heart Cardiology, Medanta, said the heart is the common pathway for multiple diseases. Endocrinologist and diabetologist Dr Anoop Misra, a Padma Shri awardee, raised his concerns over diabetes. “One in three Delhi residents is diabetic, with another 30 per cent pre-diabetic. This is nothing to be proud of -prevention and early control are critical. Drugs like Ozempic may show promise, but lifestyle and awareness remain the strongest tools we have,” said Chairman, Fortis at Delhi.