Sunday, April 11, 2010

Goa Blog

Goa Blog

Goa bomb blast: NIA quizzes Sanatan Sanstha chief

Posted: 11 Apr 2010 07:28 AM PDT

Almost six months after the Goa bomb blast, National Investigation Agency (NIA) questioned the chief of the right-wing group linked to the explosion in which two persons were killed, and also raided his ashram.

Jayant Athavale, chief of Sanatan Sanstha, was quizzed yesterday by sleuths of the Central agency at his residence in Ramnathi Ashram, 30km from here.

“A NIA team quizzed Sanatan Sanstha’s founder Dr Jayant Athavale in his residential quarter,” Sanatan Prabhat, the

outfit’s mouthpiece, said.

NIA officials were not available for comment. Sources said the NIA team was accompanied by Dhananjay Ashtekar, one of the four accused arrested in the case. Sanstha’s Managing Trustee Virendra Marathe was also quizzed.

The agency personnel also raided the ashram and seized a few items, including CDs. The ashram’s server was checked by computer experts, who accompanied the team during the raid on Saturday, they said.

The Sanstha came under police scanner after the blast in Margao on October 16, 2009. Investigations led to the arrest of four persons, all owing allegiance to the outfit.

Police had claimed to have dug out a conspiracy to execute serial bomb blasts in the state. The investigation was handed over to NIA as the conspiracy was spread across two other states - Maharashtra and Karnataka.

The outfit has denied any role in the blast.

Courtesy:TOI

Kaalamba Sangrahaalai- The first private temple museum in Goa

Posted: 11 Apr 2010 01:22 AM PDT

Many times rare antiques or vestiges of the ancient period are found around temples in Goa. These include sculptures, images, parts of carved wooden beams, old lamps, bells etc. Such objects which are not in use are mostly discarded off by the temple committees. As nobody knows what should be done with these rare antiquities normally they are seen lying around the temple carelessly. The historic importance of these objects is known only to historians and heritage lovers.

The temple authorities also do not know how to deal with such objects. Some temple authorities feel that these artifacts may not impress the government museum authorities so handing over these objects to government museum may not be fruitful. However the temple of Shri Kalika at Kasarpal in Bicholim taluka has made a turning point in Goa's history of museum. It is the first temple in Goa to have a private museum on its own, titled as Kaalamba Sangrahaalai.

Goa Museum

This historic step and decision was taken by the temple committee members. Mr Paresh Raikar (President), along with Mr Digambar Raikar (Vice- President), Mr Gajanan Salkar, Mr Chetan Bandodkar, Mr Rajendra Verlekar, Mr Avdhut Tanksali, Mr Anand Bandodkar and Mr Dilip Vernekar.

The Museum was formally inaugurated by Chief Minister Mr Digambar Kamat, on the day of Gudi Padwa on March 16, 2010. What does this museum house? Since it's a museum of a temple on can see almost all the objects associated with a temple and its ritual. It has objects of ancient, medieval and the modern period.

The museum has around 10 small galleries housing rare antiquities including stone sculptures, brass lamps, wooden and silver artifacts etc. The huge standing brass lamps, traditionally called Divaleo or Samai with peacock crowning its top, at the entrance catch one's eyes. In addition to this, the museum also has massive hanging bronze lamps called 'Laaman Dive'. These lamps were hung from the roof with thick brass chains in the olden days. Now a days very few make use of such lamps. The hanging lamps present in the museum also have a traditional interlocking system which would help them to be dismantled.

The second gallery has a wooden 'Kirtimukh', bronze 'aartis' and also a brass plate dating to Shhake 1810 or 1888 AD, with 'Shri Kalika Prasann' written on it. Stone sculptures of Virgals and the deity Ravalnath are also on display. They may perhaps date to 14th–15th century AD. One gallery displays the traditional musical instruments which were once played in the temple and now have become extinct. Instruments like the 'Surt', 'Taaso', 'Tutaari' or the 'Shing' are preserved here. The museum also has two big bronze bells. One of them was probably donated in 1898 AD by a particular Gopal Shet Nagvekar from Ribandar. No details are seen on the second bell.

This museum has created a great awareness in the minds of people as visitors coming here express to donate the various artifacts lying in their houses to this museum. Mr Paresh Raikar of the temple committee appeals that if any person has such rare and ancient artifacts related to temples they could be handed over to this museum for preservation. This museum is a role model to other such institutions who strive to preserve our cultural heritage.

Courtesy: navhindtimes

Goans to get unique ID number by Nov

Posted: 10 Apr 2010 09:33 AM PDT

Every resident of Goa will receive a 16-digit unique identification number (UID) by November this year, based on the data gathered during the ongoing census operations, which will be completed in Goa by May 15, 2010.

The first phase envisages house listing and housing census during the 45-day operation. "It may be possible to issue UID to citizens in six months after the first phase census is completed," North Goa collector Mihir Vardan said.

Information gathered in the preliminary survey will not only help in forming a valuable database, but also the country's first ever national popular register (NPR). "The census data will be made available to Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) after the first phase process in India is completed by September this year," a source in census operation department told TOI on Friday.

UIDAI, which will issue the UID to citizens and Registrar General and Census Commissioner have reached an understanding over sharing of the database.

In other states, the first phase operations are yet to start and will be completed by September. "The second phase from February 9 to February 28, 2011 envisages individual listing," a source in census operation said.

"Every individual will not only be identified by a separate number, but also his personal details will be filed in the NPR," sources said, adding that UIDAI has taken it up as a challenge to issue the UID to all citizens.

"The census may happen once in ten years, but the UID will be a continuous process and the information may go on changing," sources added.

Explaining further, sources said that the database will include photographs and ten finger biometry of any person above 15 years of age. Expectedly, all personal details of an individual, including his age, educational qualifications,
address, present and permanent, place and date of birth, and other information will also be included therein.

The UID will facilitate implementation of government schemes and programmes and also from the country's security point of view.

After the first phase census, the details of local register of usual residents (LRUR) will be displayed in each village for the purpose of correction or rectification in case of any errors.

Those who miss the census can also get their details included later as special centres would be set up, sources said.

Courtesy:TOI
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