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Undercurrents simmer as Panaji misses usual buzz | Goa News – Times of India

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PANAJI: The excitement that is usually palpable whenever the capital city gets into an election was lacking for the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) polls. Beneath the facade of indifferent calm, it was evident that this election was anything but a straight forward event.
For the first time in several years, the civic polls were held without former CM Manohar Parrikar. He was the Panaji MLA and used to be the rallying point for BJP karyakartas, councillors and neutral voters. Parrikar had the ability to iron out personal issues and formulate political equations where least expected, a skill that BJP sorely missed this time around.
This is also the first time that AtanasioBabushMonserrate has fielded a panel as the Panaji MLA and BJP member. Monserrate has held sway over CCP for three terms despite being the MLA of St Cruz or Taleigao, and was either with Congress or an independent MLA.
But what made the elections most interesting is the visible discord within the BJP camp. “As far as BJP is concerned, 100% of the karyakartas and supporters are not with me. Just 50% are with me, but it is no problem whatsoever. They are immaterial,” Monserrate said while visiting polling booths on a two-wheeler.
St Cruz MLA Antonio Fernandes was also seen moving about on a motorcycle taking stock of the polling trends. “I have the responsibility for wards 18 and 19, and since 2006 I have been overseeing these two wards. Whether he was in BJP or Congress, Babush’s panel has always emerged victorious,” he said.
The BJP old guard is sore after Monserrate denied tickets to some of the earlier councillors and senior BJP karyakartas.
As one lady put it outside the Massano De Amorim polling booth, BJP of today bears a stark difference from its earlier avatar. “After Parrikar died, the party is no longer the same and the karyakartas have broken up,” said the traditional BJP supporter, who now found herself torn between the official BJP candidate and a personal acquaintance.
What may also work against Monserrate is the sense of betrayal among many who had strongly supported him when he contested the 2019 byelection as a Congress candidate. “ There is a lot of silent voting that is taking place, but it has to be seen who benefits,” said a CCP employee.
Most eyes will be on four wards of Mala, three wards of Ribandar and some wards in the city where punters expect the BJP-backed panel to struggle. “The people are angry. Silent voting will benefit us,” said outgoing BJP councillor Menino Da Cruz, who has taken personal responsibility for four wards in Mala.
Cruz said that scores of upset BJP karyakartas worked against the BJP-backed panel in order to send a stern message to BJP for “surrendering” to Monserrate.
In addition to the rebel BJP candidates, independent candidates and the We Ponjekars panel are also in the fray for the 30 wards.

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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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