the goan network
PANAJI
President Ram Nath Kovind did not fail to disappoint at the Convocation Ceremony of the Goa University. He had done his homework when in his 10-minute address, he picked the two unique departments of the varsity - Marine Sciences and the one on Portuguese and Lusophone Studies - for praise.
"The potential of marine sciences is limitless," the president said, pointing out that although the country was surrounded by ocean, it was slow to develop the blue economy. As for the Portuguese and Lusophone Studies, he noted that it was the only such in the sub-continent and suggested it could help build networks with Lusophone nations in Africa and South America.
"I made it a point to accept," Kovind, who visited Goa for the first time since taking over as President said, recalling the day he was presented the invitation by the University.
The Convocation ceremony was held on Saturday at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium, at Taleigao and attended by Goa Governor Mridula Sinha, Chief Minsiter Manohar Parrikar and the University's vice-chancellor Dr Varun Sahni.
Kovind said, the potential of Marine Sciences was near limitless and that even though India had been slow to realise the wealth of the ocean, and in developing the country's blue economy, there was a lot to work on.
"India is surrounded by ocean. It has a long coastline and a substantial marine zone. From marine biodiversity and its uses to energy sources and minerals in the sea, there is so much we can work on. India can be a leader in this field and I see Goa University as the fulcrum of our blue economy knowledge enterprise," Kovind said in his address.
Higher education was one of the priorities of his presidency, Kovind said, adding, "I have a personal affection for Goa and the University, which is why I accepted the invitation when it reached Rashtrapati Bhavan."
He reminded the scholars present that higher education was still a 'privilege' in India.
"Do remember this, and give back to society in whatever way you can," he urged the many students in the audience. He also said the University had to compete with itself and advised it to focus on partnering with industry and other institutions.
Sinha, who is also Chancellor of the University, conferred Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral degrees on close to 9000 students in various fields for the academic year 2016-2017.
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GMPF petitions President on mining resumption
PONDA
The Goa Mining People's Front (GMPF) on Saturday requested President Ram Nath Kovind to get the central government to promulgate an ordinance, enabling resumption of mining activity in the State.
A GMPF delegation led by Puti Gaonkar met Kovind along the sidelines of a function at Bambolim and submitted a representation demanding early resumption of mining activity.
“When we met the President, he sought to know what GMPF had expected of him. We replied that we expect the Centre to promulgate an ordinance to amend the Goa Daman and Diu Abolition of Concession Act, to make the same effective from May 23, 1987, as it would help restart mining in Goa,” said Gaonkar
“The president replied that he would forward our representation to authorities to take necessary action in the matter,” Gaonkar added.
