log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline SUNDAY MAY 17, 2026 Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 16 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 329 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 MOVIES »PAGE 16 GOOD LIFE »PAGE 12 LIVE SMART »PAGE 14 SPORTS »PAGE 8 Shekhar returns with Shekhar Tonite Unseen side of dementia Scratch to think Man City keeps domestic treble hopes alive with FA Cup triumph Summer tips for moms-to-be Is there an alternate universe? Mouni has a life mate in Disha >> SEE PG 2 WAR WITHIN: THE UNRAVELLING OF RGP 9 MAGAZINE MAGAZ From prehistoric petroglyphs to Portuguese: Goa’s long story Mankurad to Ghontta, exploring Goa’s mango varieties Goa to Macau: A legacy of shared Portuguese influence Venom, highways and constitutional response 11 IN SHORT >> No music licence fee for weddings Decoding frontotemporal dementia, a disorder that alters behaviour, speech, and personality The curious psychology behind one of humanity’s most common thinking habits Goa’s outbound travel likely to be grounded after Modi’s call HOPES RISE FOR DOMESTIC, LUXURY TOURISM SEGMENTS THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI With Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging citizens to postpone non-essential foreign leisure travel for a year, Goa’s tourism and travel industry fears a sharp decline in outbound international travel, even as domestic and luxury tourism segments could see a boost amid rising global uncertainties. Industry stakeholders said the PM’s remarks have come at a time when international travel sentiment was already under pressure due to ongoing geopolitical tensions, followed by rising airfares, a weakening rupee, and disrupted flight routes. Calling the situation “a crisis beyond anyone’s control”, President of the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) Jack Sukhija told The Goan that Goa’s tourism sector may not face an immediate direct impact, though a slowdown of nearly 20-30 per cent could be expected in the wid- HOW IT MAY HELP GOA PM’S AUSTERITY APPEAL & ITS FALLOUT „„Outbound travel from Goa could drop by nearly 50% „„Around 2,000-3,000 Goans may reduce travel plans „„Some Gulf travel routes currently unavailable „„Over 100 travel agencies operating in Goa „„International flights facing longer re-routing schedules „„Stronger dollar, euro making foreign travel more expensive „„Many agencies depend on international bookings „„Global instability also creating sustainability challenges „„Safety another key concern during foreign travel er travel industry. “This is a crisis that is beyond anyone’s control. The government has already restricted official foreign travel for public servants... Goa’s tourism sector, by and large, may not be directly impacted immediately since the international tourist season is already over,” he said. Sukhija, however, said Goa could emerge as a preferred domestic holiday destination, particularly among affluent travellers opting to avoid over- MARGAO: In a significant victory for Goan families, the Union Ministry of Commerce & Industry and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) have officially confirmed that no music license fee shall be charged for weddings and related social functions.   >> See pg 3 Govt imposes import curbs on silver NEW DELHI: Within days of levying high customs duties on precious metals, the government imposed import curbs on silver by putting the metal under licensed regime for inbound shipments. Union minister’s son held in POCSO case HYDERABAD: Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar's son, Bageerath, was arrested on Saturday night in a POCSO case registered against him. “The accused has been arrested by police,” a senior police official said. COIN CHRONICLES: A collection of coins exhibited at the Goa Science Centre, Miramar, in connection with the upcoming International Museum Day celebrations on May 18. (Report on page 9)  Narayan Pissurlenkar Goa cops in touch with Belagavi counterparts amid scam probe THE GOAN I NETWORK BELAGAVI Goa police have contacted their counterparts in Belagavi as anxiety continues to rise among several families from Belagavi and Goa region, after Belagavi district authorities on Saturday intensified action in the deposit collection case linked to Shivam Associates and its promoter Shivanand Neelannavar. Officials have now formally recommended a CID investigation into what is emerging as one of the biggest suspected financial fraud cases in the region, while Neelannavar was arrested and remanded to judicial custody late Friday night. Addressing a joint news SLAM MANOJ PARAB FOR FAILING TO CLARIFY PANAJI Five members of the Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP), including two founder members, on Saturday sought to counter speculation around an alleged decision of the party's Central Executive Committee (CEC) to wind up the outfit. Founder members Prashant Pagi and Vishal Desai, along with executive committee members Premanand Gawde and Candidio Correa, said the seas trips. “We could see growth in luxury tourism and high-end travellers, as Goa becomes a default holiday destination for the domestic market, much like during the COVID-19 period when international travel restrictions were in place,” he added. But along with this, he cautioned that hotels catering to the budget and mid-range segments may face pressure due to rising operational costs linked to higher fuel prices. Travel operators, meanwhile, warned that outbound tourism from Goa could witness a significant downturn in the coming months. PTI Founder members claim CEC had decided to dissolve RGP THE GOAN I NETWORK „„Can see a rise in domestic tourism „„Luxury tourism, premium hospitality sectors may benefit „„High-end hotels, resorts could see increased demand „„May become attractive holiday destination for affluent Indian travellers IMD: Monsoon reaches parts of Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal CCP issues order to vacate Junta House PANAJI: The Corporation of the City of Panaji has issued final eviction notices to businesses operating on the ground floor of the iconic Junta House, directing them to vacate in 48 hours.   >> See pg 5 Allen, Raghuvanshi, Green power KKR to 29-run win over GT reports of the move to dissolve the party without consulting MLA Viresh Borkar, were misleading. Addressing a press conference in the city, they said the executive committee had no authority to dissolve the party and argued that the power lay with the general body. They insisted that the party will continue and accused party president Manoj Parab of failing to clarify the matter of dissolution of the party. They recalled RGP’s rise since 2019, when it mobilized support on environmental issues and migrant influx, eventually securing 10 percent of the vote share in 2022 and getting Borkar elected to the Assembly. Pagi noted that many members had sacrificed their personal careers to build the movement, and warned against unilateral decisions. The press conference further highlighted the growing friction between Parab and Borkar with Gawde alleging >Continued on P6 conference, Belagavi Deputy Commissioner Mohammed Roshan and Police Commissioner Bhushan Borase disclosed that nearly 35,000 investors may have deposited money in the scheme, with financial transactions under scrutiny potentially running into several thousand crores. >Continued on P6 NEW DELHI The southwest monsoon has advanced into parts of the southeast Arabian Sea, southwest and southeast Bay of Bengal, the Andaman Sea, the entire Nicobar Islands and parts of the Andaman Islands, including Sri Vijaya Puram, the India Meteorological Department said on Saturday. It also stated that conditions are favourable for the monsoon to advance further into some more parts of the southeast Arabian Sea, southwest and southeast Bay of Bengal during the next threefour days. The remaining parts of the Andaman Islands and Andaman Sea, along with some parts of east-central Bay of Bengal, may also witness the onset of the monsoon during this period. “All the criteria are satisfied for the advance of southwest monsoon over the region,” the IMD said. The department on Friday said that the southwest monsoon is expected to set in early over Kerala on May 26. Chairman of the Tourism & Hospitality Committee of the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nilesh Shah, said sustainability remains a major challenge for the sector in view of the present crisis. “Goa has more than 100 travel agencies involved in ticketing operations, while around 25-30 agencies specialise in international tour packages, making the sector particularly vulnerable to global disruptions,” he said, speaking to The Goan. Shah further added that the strengthening dollar and euro had already begun impacting >Continued on P6 CBSE makes study of three languages mandatory for Std 9 No Std 10 board exam for R3 PTI NEW DELHI The CBSE has made the study of three languages, including at least two native Indian languages, compulsory for Class-9 students beginning July 1, according to a circular issued by the board. The move is part of the Central Board of Secondary Education's (CBSE) alignment of its Scheme of Studies with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023. According to the circular issued on May 15, students opting for a foreign language may do so only as the third language after studying two native Indian languages, or as an additional fourth language. “With effect from July 1, 2026, for Class IX, the study of three languages (R1, R2, R3) shall be compulsory, with at least two languages being native Indian languages,” the circular stated. The CBSE said to keep the focus on learning and reduce WINDS OF CHANGE „„At least 2 languages must be native „„R3 assessment to be school-based „„Students will not be stopped from Class 10 boards because of R3 „„CBSE to release sample papers any undue pressure on students, no board examination shall be conducted for R3 at the Class-10 level. “All assessments for R3 shall be entirely school-based and internal. The performance of students in R3 will be duly reflected in the CBSE certificate. It is clarified that no student will be barred from appearing in the Class X Board Examinations due to R3. Sample question papers, rubrics for internal assessment will be shared by the Board shortly,” it added. DR ANDRE’S SILENCE ON BHATIKAR AUTOPSY Circular bars disclosure of post-mortem details DOC SAYS THEY CANNOT BE BLAMED FOR STATEMENTS LIKE ‘MY LIPS ARE SEALED’ THE GOAN I NETWORK MARGAO When Dr Andre Fernandes, head of Department, Forensic Department Goa Medical College, Bambolim made the infamous statement "My lips are sealed" while declining to shed light on the cause behind Dr Ketan Bhatikar's death, he was not only trolled on the social media, but it was enough to raise suspicions over the post mortem examination. Medico-legal officers, however, in private said the recent government circular has indeed sealed their lips on disclosure of information to the media on cause of deaths after post mortem examinations. The circular issued on May 14 finds no mention of medi- „„Some Health „„Other officials WHAT Dept officers cannot give are giving THE GOVT press briefings, press briefCIRCULAR statements, or ings, stateinterviews STATES ments without „„Heads of approval Institutions must „„Unauthorized cominform all staff about munication violates Rule 9 instructions, ensure of CCS (Conduct) Rules compliance „„Only designated/au„„Violations can lead to thorized officers allowed disciplinary action under to share info CCS rules cal legal officers or heads of forensic department empowered to brief the media on cause of death. Amongst those authorised by the circular to disclose information include Dean, GMC, Medical Superinten- dent, GMC, Nodal Officer, SSB,GMC, Directorate of Health Services & any other CHCS, PHCs, under their purview, Director, Directorate of Health Services, Chief >Continued on P6 Present, ex-panch face charges in `18 lakh bribe case THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI sitting and a former panch member of the Salvador do Mundo village panchayat have been chargesheeted for allegedly demanding and accepting Rs 18 lakh bribe to grant a construction licence, in a case registered in 2023. Krishnakant Chodankar, a serving panch member, and Bhagwant Naik, former panch member and husband of a current panch member, have been booked under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian Penal Code. According to the complaint filed by Sunil Desai on August 29, 2023, Chodankar A THE PANCHAYAT BRIBERY BOMBSHELL „„Complaint states Chodankar allegedly threatened to reject a construction licence application unless a bribe was paid „„Chargesheet states accused accepted a bribe of Rs 18 lakh from the complainant „„Investigation finds involvement of additional accused persons, after which Bhagwant Naik also named „„Prosecution relies heavily on audio, video recordings „„Recordings show a person demanding Rs 18 lakh, discussing receipt of smaller amount „„Police prepare transcripts of recordings „„Voice samples collected, sent to CFSL Chandigarh „„Forensic report confirms recordings match known voice samples of both individuals „„Scooter in video examined, was registered in Naik’s name had allegedly ‘taken undue advantage as Panch member’ and threatened to reject an application for a construction licence in Salvador do Mundo village unless a bribe was paid. In the chargesheet filed before the Principal District & Special Judge, the Porvorim police stated that they found that the accused had allegedly obtained a bribe of Rs 18 lakh from the complainant. The investigation further revealed the involvement of more accused persons in the alleged offence, following which Naik was also arraigned in the case. A significant part of the prosecution’s case is based on audio and video recordings allegedly produced by the complainant. The chargesheet stated that the conversations captured in the clips purportedly showed a person “clearly demanding a bribe amount of Rs 18 lakhs” and discussing receipt of a lesser amount. The investigation team said transcripts of the recordings were prepared and voice samples of both the complainant and Chodankar were collected and sent to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), Chandigarh, for examination. The forensic report cited in >Continued on P6