Tag: South Goa

EduConnect

Sarvodaya High School Plants Seeds of Change with Green Drive in Collaboration with Forest Department

Tanisha Cardozo

Curchorem, Goa | July 30, 2025 — Sarvodaya Educational Society’s High School in Curchorem, Quepem Taluka, took a meaningful step towards environmental action through a collaborative Green Drive with the Forest & Marine Department, South Goa District.

Held on the school grounds, the initiative featured sapling distribution, student participation, tree-themed performances, and awareness sessions under the powerful banner “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam.” The event not only emphasized the importance of planting trees but also nurturing them as a long-term responsibility.

Highlights of the Day:

  • Eco Club President Vedang Labhor opened the program, recounting past eco-initiatives and stressing continued collaboration for a sustainable future.
  • Headmistress Tr. Shubha Phal Dessai expressed gratitude to Forest Range Officers Rajesh Naik, Shakshi Sulesh Naik, Krupashak Fotto, and their team for their presence and guidance.
  • A special talk by Forest Officer Mr. Rajesh Naik enlightened Std. 6 and 7 students on the ecological and societal benefits of trees.
  • The school choral group performed tree-themed songs, adding a soulful layer to the celebration.
  • A total of 815 saplings were distributed to students and teachers, who then took a collective pledge to nurture the plants and ensure their survival.
  • Planting activities were conducted within the school premises, led by students and teachers, reinforcing the message of action and accountability.

The program was compered by Eco Club Coordinator Tr. Maria Estela Fernandes, with support from Coordinators Hema Naik, Roycee Fernandes, and the entire Eco Club team.

“Our students are the future, and every sapling planted today is a promise for tomorrow,” said Headmistress Mrs. Shubha Phal Dessai.

Sarvodaya’s Green Drive is a shining example of how youth-led, community-backed environmental action can foster long-term change. Through education, hands-on activity, and inter-departmental collaboration, the school continues to empower the next generation of environmental stewards.

Health

Victor Hospital Launches South Goa’s First Blood Component Centre

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Margao, Goa – Victor Hospital and Medical Services Pvt. Ltd. proudly announces a significant milestone with the launch of its Blood Component Centre, the first facility of its kind in the region.

This state-of-the-art facility further strengthens Victor Hospital’s leadership in emergency and specialized medical care by ensuring the availability of essential blood components, including whole blood, packed red blood cells (PRBC), leucoreduced PRBC, platelet concentrate, and fresh frozen plasma (FFP).

The centre has received formal approval and licensing from both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Central Licensing Authority (CDSCO) — a major advancement for Goa’s healthcare system.
Patients in South Goa had to travel long distances during critical emergencies to access blood components. This new centre bridges that gap, ensuring timely and potentially life-saving access for conditions requiring transfusion support, such as trauma and emergency, major surgeries, cancer care, anaemia, clotting disorders, thrombocytopenia, and severe dengue.

The Blood Component Centre was formally inaugurated on 14th June, commemorating World Blood Donor Day, in the presence of Hon’ble MLA Mr. Digambar Kamat, Chairperson of Margao Municipality Shri Damodar Shirodkar, Social Worker Mr. Yogiraj Kamat, Directors Mr. Varun Albuquerque and Ms. Roana Costa, MS & COO Dr. Ajay Gangoli, and Sr. Pathologist Dr. Eugene D’Souza.
A mega blood donation camp was also held, and the 11th edition of Health Vogue was released to mark the occasion.

Dr. Ajay Gangoli, COO of Victor Hospital, stated that this service not only enhances patient care, but also ensures safer outcomes for people across the state and beyond.
“This also affirms our commitment to reach more people and provide uncompromised care when it matters most,” he added.

Dr. Eugene D’Souza, M.D., Senior Consultant at the Victor Hospital Blood Centre, said,
“This is not just a milestone for Victor Hospital – it marks a turning point in healthcare delivery for South Goa. A key highlight is the availability of leucoreduced PRBC, which undergoes a special filtration process to remove white blood cells. The blood is thoroughly tested to ensure safe transfusions.”

Mr. Varun Albuquerque, Director of Alcon Victor Group, said,
“We are proud to establish an advanced facility that can make a real difference in emergencies. This Centre reflects our values—clinical excellence, timely access, and compassion. It is our way of giving back to the people of Goa by building something that saves lives every day.”

Mr. Digambar Kamat, Hon’ble MLA of Margao, who inaugurated the facility, stated,
“Victor Hospital continues to be a pillar of strength for healthcare in South Goa. With the Blood Component Centre, they are setting a new benchmark. I congratulate the entire team for this achievement and their unwavering service to the community.”

Ms. Roana Costa, Executive Director, added,
“Our efforts go beyond infrastructure. We want to build awareness and inspire a culture of regular blood donation. With our Health Vogue magazine, now in its 11th edition, we continue to create meaningful health conversations across Goa.”

Victor Hospital’s ecosystem is supported by a committed team of super-specialists, enabling the delivery of comprehensive, holistic care across departments.
In line with its mission to promote safe blood transfusions, Victor Hospital is also launching a voluntary blood donation campaign. Regular donation drives will be organized in collaboration with NGOs, community groups, and corporate partners to reduce dependency on replacement donors and ease the burden on families during crises.

As part of the celebration, Victor Hospital felicitated ten selfless blood donors on world blood donor day for their invaluable contributions to saving lives.
A special recognition was accorded to Mr. Sudesh Narvekar, who has donated blood over 100 times, serving as an inspiring example of dedication to humanity and community health.

#AllycaralFeature 👒

The Opinion Poll Day preserved the identity of Goa

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The Directorate of Official Language, Government of Goa ​​organised special programmes in North and South Goa on the occasion of the Opinion Poll Day. A special programme titled as Opinion Poll: The Movement for Goa’s Existence’ was held in South Goa in collaboration with M.A. Konkani Department of Government College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Quepem. Konkani writer and thinker Adv. Uday Bhembre gave information on the events of the Opinion Poll day. Adv. Uday Bhembre, is one of the leaders who expressed Opinion Poll day and worked to safeguard Goa’s separate identity, highlighted the important events from 1963 to 1967. He further said that this day preserved the separate identity of Goa.

Director of Official Language Prashant Shirodkar, Principal of the college Dr. Joydeep Bhattacharjee, Asst. Professor Sushant Naik, Programme Coordinator Deepraj Satordekar, Junior Translator Sneha Sabnis, and other assistant professors as well as students were present.

Director Prashant Shirodkar said that Adv. Uday Bhembre is the right person who can share events of Opinion Poll which he experienced and such programmes are organised to create awareness about the day among the students. Asst. Professor Sushant Naik delivered the welcome address. Asst. Professor Deepraj Satordekar introduced the guest. Translator Sneha Sabnis gave the vote of thanks.

In North Goa, Directorate Official Language, the Department of Konkani and the Department of Political Science of the Government College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Khandola jointly organised the Opinion Poll day programme. At the event, senior journalist and writer Sandesh Prabhudesai shed light on the history of the Opinion Poll. Sandesh Prabhudesai said that Opinion Poll gave Goa an independent existence and the youth made a huge contribution during that period. He added that it is because of this day that Goans can express their views today.

Deputy Director of Official Language ​​Anil Sawant delivered the introductory address. Principal Dr. Purnakala Samant delivered the welcome address. Asst. Professor Prithvi Naik moderated the function and introduced the guest. Asst. Professor Divya Govekar delivered the vote of thanks. Prof. Prakash Vazrikar, Head of Konkani Department, Prof. Seema Salgaonkar, and assistant professors from various departments and students were present.

About 230 students, teachers and government employees learned about the Opinion Poll at both the programmes.