All Goa Carol Singing Contest

Report on Betalbatim Cricket Club’s All Goa Carol Singing Contest

Saviourites, & Rosary School, tops at Betalbatim Contest

Saviourites of Loutolim bagged top honours in the Open Category at the All Goa Carol Singing Contest organized by Betalbatim Cricket Club at Betalbatim on Saturday 18th December 2010. In the Schools category, last year’s winners Rosary H. School, Miramar, Panjim, performed an encore, with their professional performance, edging the all-boys Loyola H. School, Margao into second place. Manovikas English School, Margao won the third spot. Grace Choir, Margao bagged the second prize, while Carmel College, Nuvem won the third prize, in the Open Category. The event which sparked off Christmas celebrations in the village, drew an unprecedented 16 entries – 9 in the Open and 7 in the Schools category witnessed by a large gathering in the picturesque Betalbatim Church Square. Central Zone Episcopal Vicar Fr. Lino D’Sa, Marian Concert Organiser Fr. Noel Menezes SFX, Rene Mesquita & Siddharth Cota were the judges. Carafina Pereira, proprietor of Martin’s Corner and Parish Priest Fr. Ubaldo D’Cunha gave away the prizes and trophies.

report by Xavier cota

Betalbatim Civic and Consumer Forum

Betalbatim Civic and Consumer Forum (BCCF) will have its monthly meeting of consumers at 4.00pm on Saturday 4th December 2010 at St. Jude's H. School, Betalbatim

Consumer related issues of Post Office, PWD Water Supply, Goa Dairy Milk, Health, Road Safety & Traffic Management, Ration & Kerosene supply, LPG, Banking, BSNL Telephones & Cable TV,  Gram Sabha  and other issues will be discussed

 Consumers of H.P. & B.P.gas who have not yet stamped their books are requested to carry their booklets for stamping.

Consumers of  Betalbatim are invited to attend the meeting and participate in the deliberations.

Thanks & regards,

For Betalbatim Civic  Consumer Forum,

Xavier Cota

Convenor

(m) 9850101376

National Geographic places Goa in 10 worst beach spots

In what could dent Goa’s image as a top tourism destination, the State has been named amongst the 10 worst beach destinations in the world in 2010 based on six different standards.

Based on six standards, 340 experts have selected the 10 worst cities in the world in 2010 in a selection held by the National Geographic Society’s Centre for Sustainable Destinations.
The 10 worst beach destinations in 2010 include: Vietnam’s Nha Trang, Spain’s Alicante, Lebanon’s Coasts, Grand Strand – South Caroline, India’s Goa, Egypt’s Sharm el Sheikh Area, Cambodia’s Sihanoukville, United Arab Emirates’s Dubai, North Shore -New Jersey, Gulf Coast – Mississippi, Gulf Coast – Louisiana.
According to National Geographic, to create the ratings, the centre convened an independent panel of 340 experts in fields from historic preservation and sustainable tourism to travel writing and archaeology.
The panel was asked to score 99 coastal hot spots around the world, using categories such as “top rated,” “doing well,” “in the balance,” “facing trouble,” and “bottom rated.”
The panel based its decisions on six criteria: environmental and ecological quality, social and cultural integrity, conditions of historic buildings and archaeological sites, aesthetic appeal, quality of tourism management, and outlook for the future.
The results appear in the November/December 2010 issue of National Geographic Traveller magazine.
When asked to comment on the listing, Tourism Director Swapnil Naik said he does not quite understand how they reached the conclusion.
“I don’t understand how they reached the conclusion,” he said adding “On the social and cultural front, Goans are said to be friendly and hospitable people.”
“Conditions of historic buildings and archaeological sites are much better than the ones abroad. Our churches, temples and forts are much better than even in London,” Naik claimed.
Naik further questioned how the centre could reach the conclusion without meeting officials in the State?
“I doubt whether they actually visited Goa,” he said adding, “Maybe they just picked some isolated incidents reported on the Internet.”

HERALD REPORTER

Confirmation at Betalbatim Church

MONTHLY MEETING OF BETALBATIM CIVIC & CONSUMER FORUM

BETALBATIM CIVIC & CONSUMER FORUM (BCCF)
39/A, Nagvaddo, Betalbatim, Salcete, Goa 403 713
Ph. 2880332 29th Sept 2010

MONTHLY MEETING OF BETALBATIM CIVIC & CONSUMER FORUM

The monthly meeting of Betalbatim Civic & Consumer Forum will be held on Saturday the 2nd October 2010 at 5.00pm at St. Jude’s H. School, Betalbatim.
The issues to be discussed are the state of the utilities - Electricity, Water, LPG, Phones,Posts, Health, Bank, Gram Sabha, Garbage - going to the next level, 5 years of RTI, Computer training for volunteers and other consumer related issues.
Residents of Betalbatim are requested to attend.

Xavier Cota
(Convenor)

Sattari youth beats all odds to become a pilot

from Herald by HERALD CORRESPONDENT

VALPOI, SEPT 18
When Saish, the son of a postman and hailing from a poor family and from a remote village in Sattari taluka, expressed his desire to become a pilot, no one outside of his family took him seriously.
Saish Anant Naik (24) of Nagargao-Sattari overcame various obstac les and turbulent times to succeed in becoming a commercial pilot, earning him the distinction of being the first pilot from Sattari taluka.
Saish, who recently completed his training from the Academy of Carver Aviation Pvt Ltd at Baramati-Pune, now plans to either join an airline company or become a pilot for a private chartered airline company.
Hailing from a poor family, Saish completed his primary education from a Marathi-medium school at Nagargao-Sattari and pursued his secondary education from the Shree Hanuman Vidyalaya, Valpoi, and Vidya Prabodhani school at Porvorim.
Saish then completed his HSSC at Bhumika Higher Secondary School at Poriem-Sattari and later his BSc at Government College, Sanquelim.
“I first played with a toy plane given to me by my uncle, Sudhakar Naik, from Dubai. He gave me details on real planes and flights, sparking off my desire to fly a plane one day,” recalled Saish.
Burning with the desire to become a pilot, Saish approached a number of organisations and financial institutions for financial support.
“They not only discouraged me by refusing to sanction a loan for these studies, but some organisations even claimed that I did not have the capability to become a pilot, as I come from a poor family and from a remote village in Sattari taluka,” said Saish.
“They advised me to opt for another profession. This did not deter me from my goal, and on the contrary, I was more focussed on achieving my dream.”
“I finally approached the State Bank of India branch at Valpoi and the bank granted me an education loan,” Saish added.
Saish admitted that he had to encounter various obstacles during his studies to become a pilot.
“Some of these obstacles included the fear of flying and ragging from seniors, but I faced all the obstacles and did not run away like some of my friends,” said Saish.
“I never thought of returning home due to these obstacles I faced during my training, simply because I was determined to become a pilot and now my dream has come true.”
“I can now confidently tell people that any person, irrespective of his family background, can succeed in achieving his/her goals, provided they are focussed and work hard to achieve these goals,” opines Saish.
He also expressed his gratitude to North Goa member of parliament Shripad Naik for support him during the last two years of his training at Pune.
Saish father’s Anant, who is a postman at Panjim recalled that Saish had always been a hard-working person and was determined to be successful in life.
“I thank my close relatives, including brother, Sudhakar, who supported me financially. In fact, I would not have encouraged my son to pursue his pilot training without financial support from my relatives.”
“Though we have had to bear the educational expenses of about Rs 22 lakh, I am proud that my son has become a pilot, despite hailing from a poor family and from a remote village in Sattari,” Anant added.
According  to Saish’s mother Kalpana, and uncle, Sudhakar, Saish’s achievements will be an inspiration not only to family members or relatives, but also to other youth from other remote villages in the State.
Saish’s brother Juben, who recently completed his MSc in  Mumbai, was also proud of his brother’s achievements.
In recognition of his achievement, the Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav Mandal of Thane-Sattari also felicitated Saish for bringing honour to Sattari taluka.

Inter-School Elocution on Teachers Day at Betalbatim

Joseph Afonso Memorial Trust, held its XVth Annual Felicitation of SSCE & HSSCE toppers of the village on Teachers Day at Dr. Cota Memorial Hall, Betalbatim. The Inter-school Elocution Competition themed Can Goa Still be Saved, held on the occasion,  drew nine leading schools from S.Goa, and was won by St. Judes, Betalbatim, while Regina Martyrum, Assolna and St. Mary’s, Varca were the first and second runners-up respectively. Chief Guest retired Principal Cheryl Colaço complimented the Trust for holding the event on such an important day. Earlier, former Tourism Minister Mickky Pacheco, the Guest of Honour gave away the Awards for the student toppers of Betalbatim. He also felicitated Teacher Lorraine Godinho who was conferred the Best Teacher Award by the Trust. Rev. Dr. Victor Ferrão, speaking on behalf of the jury, comprising Dr. Afonso Botelho and Mr. Emanuel Furtado, congratulated the students for the high standard of their eloquence and their strong concern about Goa. Parish Priest Fr. Ubaldo D’Cunha who presided, spoke about Joseph Afonso’s qualities as an educationist and Sarpanch. In a unique gesture, the Trust felicitated each and every teacher present, with a rose. Sarpanch Minguel Pereira and Zilla Member Nelly Rodrigues were the special invitees.

Independence day celebrations in Betalbatim

MLA of Benaulim constituency ,Mr Mickky Pacheco planting a sapling on 15th Aug 2010

WORKSHOP ON KITCHEN GARDENING

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WORKSHOP ON KITCHEN GARDENING,

THE ORGANIC WAY

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DATE: 

Sunday 4th July 2010, 10 am to 4 pm.

VENUE:

Goa Chitra, the Museum, St. John the Baptist Road,

Pulvado, Benaulim, Salcete

CONDUCTED BY:

Miguel Braganza, Addl Director, OFAI

ORGANISED BY:

Goa Chitra, Benaulim in association with

Vardaan Bookstore and Ecoshop, Margao

REGISTRATION:

Rs. 250 inclusive of lunch, training and tour of the museum.

Books, garden implements, inputs and seeds will be kept

for sale at the venue.

To register for the Workshop

Contact Eulalia A. D'mello Ph.: 9527463684
Vardaan Ecoshop and Bookstore
Shop no.B3, Leandra Castle, Opp. Gomes Classic,
Madel Grande, Margao 403 601, Goa
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Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre (GDRC)
Email: goadesc@gmail.com
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Monsoon Magic in your Kitchen Garden

Monsoon Magic in your Kitchen Garden
------------------------------------------
REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT
INCREASE YOUR FOODPRINT!!

Earthworm Ecostore brings you an introductory workshop

on organic home gardening in collaboration with

Vanastree, Sirsi.

Date: 6th June 2010.(Sunday)

Time 10.00am- 12.00 pm

Venue: Earthworm Eco store, Green Valley, Alto Porvorim.

The workshop will include:

� Introduction to growing a kitchen/home garden using local

 seeds and vegetables

� Soil health and fertility

� Composting

� Exploring how to optimize your garden � using the

 Earthworm garden as a reference

� Display of appropriate tools that a home gardener needs

� Screening of a 15 minute film titled �Home Grown Revolution�

on how one family produce tons of food in an urban garden

This is an ideal workshop for those who want to start a home

garden this monsoon, or to maximize their home produce or

just indulge in great garden talk!

The workshop will be facilitated by Sunita Rao, a forest home

gardener in Sirsi. She is a member of Kalpavriksh Pune, and the

Founder Trustee of  Vanastree, a collective dedicated to

promoting forest garden biodiversity and food security through

the conservation of traditional seeds.

Vanastree produces organic products like Kokum nectar and

Jaggery and promotes open pollinated, indigenous seeds for

planting purposes. These are stocked at Earthworm eco store!

Sale of Vanastree�s open pollinated seeds, EM II  solution,

vermicompost etc.

Registration Fees: Rs. 100/- . There will be limited seats.

Do confirm your participation by email at

earthwormgoa@gmail.com or call  0832 2410871

Do spread the word,

the idea is to get many to grow their own food........

MONTHLY MEETING OF BETALBATIM CIVIC FORUM-JUNE 2010

PRESS RELEASE

BETALBATIM CIVIC AND CONSUMER FORUM (BCCF)

39/A, Nagvaddo, Betalbatim, Salcete, Goa 403 713 

Ph. 2880332 2nd June 2010

PRESS RELEASE

MONTHLY MEETING OF BETALBATIM CIVIC FORUM

The monthly meeting of Betalbatim Civic & Consumer Forum will be held on Saturday the 5th June 2010 at 5.00pm at St. Jude’s H. School, Betalbatim.

The issues to be discussed are the state of the utilities - Electricity, Water, LPG, Phones,Posts, Health, Bank, Pending Gram Sabha, Review of Waste Management, Filling up of water bodies & fields by builders & other consumer related issues.

Residents of Betalbatim are requested to attend. 

Xavier Cota

(Convenor)

Monthly meeting of the Betalbatim Civic & Consumer Forum

The monthly meeting of the Betalbatim Civic & Consumer Forum 

will be held on Saturday the 3rd April 2010 at 5.00pm at St. Jude’s H. School, Betalbatim.

The issues to be discussed are the state of the utilities - Electricity, Water, LPG, Phones,Posts, 

Health, Bank, Review of Gram Sabha, Garbage segregation & composting, RTI and other consumer related issues.

Residents of Betalbatim are requested to attend. 

Xavier Cota
(Convenor)

BETALBATIM CIVIC AND CONSUMER FORUM (BCCF)
39/A, Nagvaddo, Betalbatim, Salcete, Goa 403 713
Ph. 2880332 1st April 2010

Monthly Meeting of Betalbatim Consumer Forum

The monthly meeting of the Betalbatim Civic & Consumer Forum will be held on Saturday the 6th March 2010 at 5.00pm at St. Jude’s H. School, Betalbatim.
The issues to be discussed are the state of the utilities - Electricity, Water, reduced LPG refill price, Telephone Directories,Posts, Health, Bank, Panchayat,Road Safety & Traffic Management, Garbage Recycling & Composting, attempted sale of cultivated paddy fields, RTI and other consumer related issues.
Residents of Betalbatim are requested to attend.

Xavier Cota
(Convenor)

Workshop on Tobacco Control and Consumer Action at Margao.

The details of the Workshop are as below:

DATE: Monday 22nd February 2010
VENUE: Loyola High School, Near Police Station, Margao.
TIME: 3.00pm to 6.00pm. (Please be on time) Registration starts 2.45pm.

There is no registration fee. Refreshments and resource materials will
be provided to the participants.

We request you to delegate TWO Volunteers of your Consumer Forum to
attend the workshop. (NOT the volunteers who already attended in August 2009)

To register names for the Workshop please phone 2733277 and also email
<goacan@gmail.com> or SMS to 9822180182 by Friday 19th February with
the name of the persons participating and his / her contact no. Please register
early as seats are limited.


Thanking you.

Yours faithfully


Lorna Fernandes
(Secretary)

First Holy Communion at Betalbatim

First Holy communion at Our Lady of Remedios Church, Betalbatim. After the Mass the children were entertained by Magic show and clowns.. Rev. Fr. Jose Ubaldo D'Cunha the Parish Priest of Our Lady of Remedios Church planned this for the children receiving First Holy Communion. The parents assembled around the seat out clicking pictures of Communion candidates and performances . First Holy Communion is the first sacrament a child takes after growing up. The Child is normally baptised within 4 months after birth. After quite a preparation and training the kids are shortlisted and 

The Seven Sacraments

• Baptism.
• Eucharist.
• Confirmation.
• Reconciliation.
• Anointing of the sick.
• Marriage.
• Holy orders.

Union Civil Aviation Minster and NCP general secretary in charge of Goa Praful Patel at Martins Corner

Union Civil Aviation Minster and NCP general secretary in charge of Goa Shri Praful Patel at Martins Corner with Tourism Minister Shri Mickky Pacheco  , Goa Tourism Development Corporation Vice Chairman Shri Lyndon Monteiro and the owners of MARTINS CORNER (Pobres Pereira, Jose Pereira and Bonny Pereira) after the NCP workers convention at the Betalbatim sports grounds on Saturday.

winners of Bresources Cup 2010 on 17th Jan 2010

Football Finals of BRESOURCES CUP 2010

Hon. Chief Minister Shri Digambar Kamat, Hon. Minister for Tourism,housing and C.O.P Shri Mickky Pacheco, Hon. Minister for Urban Development and sports Shri Joaquim Alemao, President of Betalbatim Sporting Club Shri Isidor Mendes and Chariman Shri Eban Mesquita with both the teams, Verna Sporting Club , Verna and Parish Youth of Nuvem, Nuvem before the kick-off os the Finals at Betalbatim ground on 17th January 2010.