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Erosion forces fishermen to build wall on Morjim beach | Goa News – In Goa 24×7

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PANAJI: Around two kilometres away from the turtle nesting site on Morjim beach stretch in Pernem taluka, local fishermen of Vithaldas wada have taken up construction of a concrete wall on the beach. While the construction may have environmentalists aghast, the incident has brought to light the plight of local communities dependent on fishing for livelihood.
The increase in extreme weather events like Cyclone Tauktae and the sand erosion, both caused by climate change, are having a devastating impact on the lives of fishermen communities.
Frustrated after their canoes and fishing nets were damaged due to impact of Cyclone Tauktae, the fishermen said they decided to take matters in their own hands and began construction of the concrete wall.
“A proposal has been pending with the water resources department since 2017 and the matter was being personally pursued by then chief minister Manohar Parrikar. Over the years, no anti-erosion measures have been taken up based on the proposal. For many years now, fishermen have been asking government to provide for shelters for their canoes and to store their fishing equipment, but nothing is being done, leaving fishing communities to face loses each time water level rises,” said panch member of Vithaldas wada Vilas Morje, adding that the wall being constructed is in no way harming the turtle nesting site, which is at some distance.
The fishermen said in the absence of a Coastal Zone Management Plan for Goa, the demarcation of 100 mts land area from the high tide line is yet to be taken up, reserving this area exclusively for fishing activities.
“In the absence of the coastal plan, the hotels have encroached in this area which is within 100mts from the high tide line. So there is no way for us to pull our canoes in the road’s direction to safety. On the beach side, sand erosion is reducing the width of the stretch and exposing our equipment to the impact of the waves. To break this impact, we are constructing the 190ms long wall,” said a fisherman.
A concrete wall constructed by WRD, covering around two kilometres of the coastal stretch in Morjim, already exists, to break the impact of the waves.
Officials, however, did not confirm on Thursday if a proposal has been pending for construction of an anti-erosion structure for the Vithaldas wada stretch.
But it is not only the case with Morjim. Fishermen on Polem beach stretch in Canacona are also facing a similar threat to their livelihood, with no measures coming forth from the state.
Fishermen Ankush Pagi said the government should assist them with a shelter to house their fishing boats and fishing nets, in absence of which they have to leave the equipment on the beach.
Over the years, Polem beach stretch in Canacona has suffered significant sand erosion and the situation has worsened now by the impact of Cyclone Tauktae with several casuarina trees uprooted.
“A simple look at the state of the beach at present is telling of how, if some protective measures are not taken on a priority, there will be tough days ahead not only for the fishermen but those residing near the beach too,” said Pagi.



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Broke Swiggy guy walks 3 km to deliver food, Social media helps him find better job. Heartwarming story is viral

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Social media can be a wondrous place at times. While on most days, its ugly face is on display, on days like today, it sets examples of the power of kindness. In a social media post, a LinkedIn user shared how a delivery executive, in need of money and a better job, bagged one after the users on the platform came together to help the person out.

Priyanshi Chandel, Marketing Manager at tech company Flash, shared an incident about a Swiggy delivery agent who had come to deliver food at her residence. When she asked the late and out-of-breath delivery person, identified by her as Sahil Singh, about what happened, he told her that he had no transport and had to walk 3 km to deliver the order.

He also said that he was out of money and had nothing left to pay his landlord too. Singh told her that he was not looking for money from her but requested her to help him bag a job. He said that he had a degree in Electrical and Communication Engineering, and had worked with Byju’s and Ninjacart before. He had to move back to Jammu during the pandemic.

“I have not eaten for a week, just drinking water and tea to get by. I am not asking for anything, please if you can find me a job, I used to make 25k before, I am 30 years old, my parents are getting old and I can’t keep asking for money from them (sic),” Chandel quoted saying.

She also shared his marksheets and contact number for people to help. His details shared show that he is a 2018 BTech graduate from Mewar University, and completed his schooling from the Jammu and Kashmir state board.

After she shared the details, the comments section was filled with people who stepped up to help. While someone recharged his Yulu account so that he did not have to walk around to deliver food, someone offered a place to stay. Many offered to help him with his applications, while some offered jobs too.

Chandel, later on put an update on the post, and said that he received a job.

However, so far it is unclear what job he has received.

2023 has so far been a year of job losses, an eventual outcome of the pandemic and increased hiring by tech companies. For instance, the SSC MTS 2023 recruitment exam that took place in Uttar Pradesh in May saw over 55 lakh applications for Group D jobs. Numerous candidates who applied for positions such as peon, watchman, gardener had educational backgrounds like BTech, MBA, and Master’s degrees.

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Goa CM, NRI Commissioner writes to MoEF for help in safe return of Goans from Ukraine

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Panaji: Goa chief minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Thursday urged Union Minister for External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar to help in safe return of Goans who are in the Ukraine.

Sawant tweeted “we are concerned about the Goans in Ukraine who are considering to return to India in the light of ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis. I request Union Minister for External Affairs @DrSJaishankar ji for help in the safe return of Goans. I am keeping track of the situation.”

The chief minister’s tweet comes hours after Goa’s NRI Commissioner Narendra Sawaikar wrote to the Union External Affairs ministry seeking help in return of Goans who are in the Ukraine.

“Many Goans are currently residing in Ukraine due to various purposes including higher studies and due to the ongoing tension between Russia and Ukraine, I have started receiving requests for help and assistance from them to return back to India,” Sawaikar wrote.

The Commissioner further wrote in the letter that advisories have already been issued by the Ministery of External Affairs to Indians currently in Ukraine and our Indian Mission in Kyiy is currently handling the matter.

“Striking note of urgency, the Government of India has recently asked the family members of Embassy officials in Ukraine as well as students and citizens whose stay is not vital , to leave the Eastern European nation amid it’s raising tensions with Russia,” the letter reads.

Sawaikar wrote that the Goans in Ukraine are in touch with this office as they are anxious to temporarily return till the situation normalizes.

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Election Commission announces polling dates and counting days for Vidhan Sabha elections in 5 states

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On Saturday, the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the dates for the Vidhan Sabha elections in 5 States, namely, Goa, Punjab, Manipur, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

While briefing the media, Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra informed that the elections in the poll-bound States will commence from February 10, 2022, to March 7, 2022. Elections in the State of Uttar Pradesh will be conducted in 7 phases, followed by Manipur with 2 phases. Elections in Goa, Uttarkhand and Punjab will be conducted in a single phase.

According to the Election Commission of India, the votes will be counted on March 10, 2022. ECI informed that all physical campaigning will be ceased until January 15, 2022, in light of the rising cases of Coronavirus.

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