Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Sanjay Srivastava appointed new CS
The newly appointed Chief Secretary of Goa, Sanjay Srivastava yesterday took official charge as Chief Secretary of the State from the outgoing Chief Secretary Hauzel Haukhum.
House debates on price of ACs, spoons
Ministers rob from official bungalows: Churchill
BY GT REPORTER
PANJIM: Sometimes, serious issues tickle the funny bone of our legislators. And the whole House -- inclusive of the opposition -- enjoys the light hearted banter generated via such serious issues turned hilarious melodramas.
Yesterday's proceedings in the House -- related to a particular issue -- proved just how our Ministers 'Live life Kingsize' and thoroughly enjoy the criticism in the House with the opposition also joining in the laughter!
What then explains the rising cost of an air-conditioner of the same tonnage and similar make when installed in ministerial bungalows? How does one justify the highly inflated cost of steel spoons? And, do TV sets of a similar screen size and the same model widely differ in prices?
Serious though these issues might seem, but the House was treated to light hearted banter when the opposition turned the focus inwards -- inside the Ministers' official bungalows.
Hilarious scenes were on show when the PWD Minister charged one of his colleagues for transporting the items from his official bungalow to his residence. Of course, without naming him.
The House also witnessed the Speaker went on record to state that he had handed over a written inventory of items in his official bungalows while leaving the same.
But it was the opposition leader Manohar Parrikar who inadvertently tickled the funny bone of the legislators when he pointed out to the rising cost of air-conditioners, TV sets and stainless steel spoons (see BOX).
"Is there a set pattern for purchase of these items? What about old items?" was Parrikar's question directed at the PWD Minister Churchill Alemao.
However, the seriousness of the question was lost on the House when Alemao vowed to call the officers and question them on this aspect. Alemao's tone and his delivery of the answer threw the House, visitors galleries and the press gallery into peels of laughter.
At this stage, Speaker Pratap Singh Rane intervened to state that he had submitted a list of the inventory in his official CM's residence before leaving the same.
This prompted the opposition leader to quiz whether an inventory is indeed submitted by Ministers with a 'Separate Listing'.
Not to be cowed down by the prevailing humour in the House, Alemao compounded matters further for himself when he told the House yet again that he will call a meeting of officers to quiz them on this issue.
More laughter erupted from the House. Mapusa MLA Francis D'Souza pressed the matter further when he demanded to know whether such items are recovered.
"I know a Minister has taken certain items to his residence. I will ask him to get them back. I know the concerned Minister but I will not name him," remarked Alemao with a serious tone. That aggravated an already funny atmosphere in the House as all legislators burst out laughing.
Former Finance Minister Dayanand Narvekar was quick to rise on his feet. "I have written to the concerned Minister to take it back," he claimed.
What’s with the prices?
Price of air-conditioners (1.5 TR)
At PWD Minister's official bungalow: Rs 30,650
At Transport Minister's official bungalow: Rs 35,228
At another official bungalow: Rs 37,650
Price of a TV set(29 inches)
At CM's official residence: Rs 19,000
At PWD Minister's official residence: Rs 16,000
At another official bungalow: Rs 15,000
Market price: Rs 13, 500(according to Parrikar)
Price of a steel tea spoon
Price of purchase at official bungalow: Rs 66
Price in the open market: Rs 15 (according to Parrikar)
BY GT REPORTER
PANJIM: Sometimes, serious issues tickle the funny bone of our legislators. And the whole House -- inclusive of the opposition -- enjoys the light hearted banter generated via such serious issues turned hilarious melodramas.
Yesterday's proceedings in the House -- related to a particular issue -- proved just how our Ministers 'Live life Kingsize' and thoroughly enjoy the criticism in the House with the opposition also joining in the laughter!
What then explains the rising cost of an air-conditioner of the same tonnage and similar make when installed in ministerial bungalows? How does one justify the highly inflated cost of steel spoons? And, do TV sets of a similar screen size and the same model widely differ in prices?
Serious though these issues might seem, but the House was treated to light hearted banter when the opposition turned the focus inwards -- inside the Ministers' official bungalows.
Hilarious scenes were on show when the PWD Minister charged one of his colleagues for transporting the items from his official bungalow to his residence. Of course, without naming him.
The House also witnessed the Speaker went on record to state that he had handed over a written inventory of items in his official bungalows while leaving the same.
But it was the opposition leader Manohar Parrikar who inadvertently tickled the funny bone of the legislators when he pointed out to the rising cost of air-conditioners, TV sets and stainless steel spoons (see BOX).
"Is there a set pattern for purchase of these items? What about old items?" was Parrikar's question directed at the PWD Minister Churchill Alemao.
However, the seriousness of the question was lost on the House when Alemao vowed to call the officers and question them on this aspect. Alemao's tone and his delivery of the answer threw the House, visitors galleries and the press gallery into peels of laughter.
At this stage, Speaker Pratap Singh Rane intervened to state that he had submitted a list of the inventory in his official CM's residence before leaving the same.
This prompted the opposition leader to quiz whether an inventory is indeed submitted by Ministers with a 'Separate Listing'.
Not to be cowed down by the prevailing humour in the House, Alemao compounded matters further for himself when he told the House yet again that he will call a meeting of officers to quiz them on this issue.
More laughter erupted from the House. Mapusa MLA Francis D'Souza pressed the matter further when he demanded to know whether such items are recovered.
"I know a Minister has taken certain items to his residence. I will ask him to get them back. I know the concerned Minister but I will not name him," remarked Alemao with a serious tone. That aggravated an already funny atmosphere in the House as all legislators burst out laughing.
Former Finance Minister Dayanand Narvekar was quick to rise on his feet. "I have written to the concerned Minister to take it back," he claimed.
What’s with the prices?
Price of air-conditioners (1.5 TR)
At PWD Minister's official bungalow: Rs 30,650
At Transport Minister's official bungalow: Rs 35,228
At another official bungalow: Rs 37,650
Price of a TV set(29 inches)
At CM's official residence: Rs 19,000
At PWD Minister's official residence: Rs 16,000
At another official bungalow: Rs 15,000
Market price: Rs 13, 500(according to Parrikar)
Price of a steel tea spoon
Price of purchase at official bungalow: Rs 66
Price in the open market: Rs 15 (according to Parrikar)
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Mining cos object to NEERI report
BY A GT REPORTER
PANJIM, JULY 21: Two of the three mining companies operating in Sirigao filed their reply as objection on the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) report that claimed the mining activities were depleting the water table of the village, in the Bombay High Court at Goa.
The division bench comprising Justices S B Deshmukh and U D Salvi has adjourned the matter and posted it four weeks later, to study the mining companies' replies to the NEERI report.
The High Court had in June 2008, appointed NEERI to conduct a survey and determine the consequences of mining activities on water resources and agriculture in Sirigao village. The court also asked the agency to recommend measures to negate the damage to agriculture and water resources, if any.
The NEERI study reported that the water table in the village was depleted and its (village's) topography too altered due to the open cast mining activity.
The environmental degradation according to the report was due to the deepening of mines and loss of recharge area.
“The deepening of the mines has led to the loss of recharge area for the dug wells seated at the foothills of the plateau.
Hence, the water scarcity is attributed to the loss of recharge area and deepening of mines,” the report mentioned.
On studying the groundwater scenario, NEERI said, the situation was terrible in December 2008, with almost all the dug wells in Sirigao dry, while in the neighbouring villages the wells had water in the same month.
The reputed agency also pointed out in its report that highs of the ground water resources were removed because of the open cast mining activity and depressions created in form of mine pits.
It also revealed that mechanized mining had worsened the situation and suggested that the water crisis could be tackled if artificial recharge was done.
“Open cast iron ore mines owned by M/s Rajaram Bandekar (Sirigao) Mines Pvt Ltd, M/s Dempo Mining Corporation Pvt Ltd (now Sesa Goa) and M/s Chowgule & Co Pvt Ltd are having iron ore working mines in and around Sirigao village since 1949, 1951 and 1949 respectively.”
BE(n)d it like Goa sarkar
BY A GT REPORTER
PANJIM, JULY 21: Aiming to be a Grade I teacher and you aren’t armed with BEd degree? Don’t worry, you are always welcome to Govt-run higher secondary schools, for, they don’t insist on one. But contrary to its flexibility in its teaching institutions, mandatory are the norms laid by it for aided schools.
Picture this: In a shocking revelation, it has come to light that the State’s education department has one set of rules to recruit teachers in its own higher secondary schools and another for employing teachers in aided, private schools.
The government is likely to appoint a significant number of teachers to regular posts in Government Higher Secondary Schools, shockingly without the BEd qualification.
The teachers have been selected despite the Goa Public Service Commission (GPSC) having instructed the Directorate of Education to amend the recruitment rules for appointment of ‘Teacher Grade I’ and make the education degree (BEd) compulsory for selection of higher secondary teachers.
But what went wrong in the process of changing the recruitment rules, the Directorate of Education is yet to officially reveal.
The Department had advertised for 60 posts of ‘Teacher Grade I’ in different subjects to be filled up through the GPSC in December 2008.
“What is the fate of teachers without BEd in the classroom? It’s like the fate of a doctor in the operation theatre without surgical equipments,” said one senior teacher in the government’s employ for decades.
Every selection of Teacher Grade I in any subject in the aided higher secondary schools makes the BEd qualification compulsory, he said.
It is learnt that these ‘unqualified’ teachers were likely to step into the positions of teachers who were promoted on adhoc basis as higher secondary teachers, all of who have vast teaching experience and have obtained excellent results for several years. But unfortunately they were deemed unsatisfactory at the interview and would be demoted as assistant teachers.
When contacted, a senior Directorate of Education official admitted on condition of anonymity, that such a lacuna does indeed exist in the recruitment rules.
The department is in the process of amending the recruitment rules, the official said, while refusing to come on record.
According to him, nobody took cognisance of this lacuna in the requirement rules since there was a stagnant number of only nine government higher secondary schools in Goa since 1976, while, aided higher secondary schools mushroomed since 1986.
The official also admitted that these lapses had affected the promotional prospects of qualified teachers. It is learnt that one senior teacher teaching a science subject at a Ponda school on completion of MA, was promoted as an English teacher in a higher secondary school at Panjim, bypassing English teachers, who have seen no promotion come their way for over two decades.
Some teachers complained that they are not promoted in subject-wise categories, even as they were appointed subject-wise at the time of initial recruitment.
BJP pushes for biographies of tiatrists in school curriculum
BY A GT REPORTER
PANJIM, JULY 21: For posterity to remember the rich contribution of veteran Tiatrists to Konkani stage, the BJP feels their biographies need to be included in the school curriculum. And to start with, the BJP wants such biographies to be prepared by the Directorate of Art and Culture.
Raised on the floor of the House yesterday, this demand comes close on the heels of the Tiatr Academy of Goa also airing similar views on this subject in recent times.
The BJP sought to voice this demand while the House paid rich tributes to the memory of late Tiatrist Manuel Santana Aguiar alias M Boyer and former bureaucrat Alban Couto.
Moving the motion for the obituary reference, Mapusa BJP MLA Francis D’Souza described the late Boyer as a colossus in the field of drama and a dramarist par excellence.
“He was a producer, writer and director as well as a comedian and a serious artiste.
He was also a lover of Konkani language and thoroughly enjoyed acting,” said D’Souza.
“Let the Art and Culture Department prepare biographies of such Tiatrists which can prove to be an inspiration for future generations. If possible, get these books (biographies) in the school curriculum,” he demanded, as he found support from PWD Minister Churchill Alemao from the treasury benches.
Deputy Speaker Mauvin Godinho, who also spoke in favour of the motion, wanted the Tiatr Academy of Goa to get more funds for enabling it to raise the standard of Tiatr.
Others who spoke in favour of the motion included Curtorim MLA Alex Reginald Lourenco, PWD Minister Churchill Alemao, Santacruz MLA Victoria Fernandes, Power Minister Aleixo Sequeira, Civil Supplies Minister Jose Philip D’Souza, St Andre MLA Francis Silveira, Fatorda MLA Damodar Naik and opposition leader Manohar Parrikar.
Replying to the motion, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said the late Boyer spread social message through his Tiatr and framed songs hailing Hindu, Muslim and Catholic unity in the state. Referring to Couto, the Chief Minister recalled his services to the state as and when called upon to deliver during crucial times.
“He also got an opportunity to serve the Commonwealth Secretariat,” claimed Kamat.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Nana Patekar to inaugurate Marathi film fest
BY A STAFF REPORTER
PANJIM: The second edition of Goa Marathi Film Festival 2009 organised by Vinsan Graphics, Vasco will kick starting this week from June 5-7 at Margao and Panjim.
Speaking at a press conference Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat in a press conference mentioned about this festival, which would be inaugurated at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao on June 5 at 5 pm by the acclaimed Bollywood actor, Nana Patekar.
He added, “It will be then followed by screening of the film, ‘Dhyasparva’ a film by Amol Palekar. Also on this day it would be the launch of a new projection system at the Ravindra Bhavan.”
This year the fest will feature 11 Marathi film compared to eight last year.
The schedule of the festival is as follows.
On the second day on June 6 at Maquinez Palace screen 1 at 4.30 pm there would be a presentation of a latest production system in the filed of film production by Film Lab India.
On the concluding day, June 7 at Maquinez Palace screen 1at 10 am a seminar would be held on the topic, “World Cinema & We”. It would be hosted by the eminent film personalities like Amol Palekar, Vidya Gokhale, Seema Biswas, Paresh Mokashi, Sachin Kundalkar and Umesh Kulkarni. And at 7.30 pm there’s a premier of the film, ‘Gosht Choti…Dongaraevadhi’ at Kala Academy.
“The inaugural, presentation of production system and the premier show are open for general public,” remarked Kamat.
Speaking about the festival he concluded that the State government should take a role of a facilitator while organising any film festival and help to promote it.
Although the festival would be inaugurated at Margao, there will be screening of films there. The screening is of all 11 films is at Maquinez Palace screen 1, 2 and at Kala Academy, Panjim.
This festival is also supported by Entertainment Society of Goa, Directorate of Art and Culture, Kala Academy and Goa Tourism.
The members of public can enjoy this festival by enrolling themselves as delegates by paying fees of Rs 250 per head. The registration forms are available at Kala Academy, Panjim, Gomant Vidya Niketan, Margao, Vinsant Grpahics, Vasco, Natekar Pharmacy, Mapusa and Rang Rachana, Ponda.
PANJIM: The second edition of Goa Marathi Film Festival 2009 organised by Vinsan Graphics, Vasco will kick starting this week from June 5-7 at Margao and Panjim.
Speaking at a press conference Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat in a press conference mentioned about this festival, which would be inaugurated at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao on June 5 at 5 pm by the acclaimed Bollywood actor, Nana Patekar.
He added, “It will be then followed by screening of the film, ‘Dhyasparva’ a film by Amol Palekar. Also on this day it would be the launch of a new projection system at the Ravindra Bhavan.”
This year the fest will feature 11 Marathi film compared to eight last year.
The schedule of the festival is as follows.
On the second day on June 6 at Maquinez Palace screen 1 at 4.30 pm there would be a presentation of a latest production system in the filed of film production by Film Lab India.
On the concluding day, June 7 at Maquinez Palace screen 1at 10 am a seminar would be held on the topic, “World Cinema & We”. It would be hosted by the eminent film personalities like Amol Palekar, Vidya Gokhale, Seema Biswas, Paresh Mokashi, Sachin Kundalkar and Umesh Kulkarni. And at 7.30 pm there’s a premier of the film, ‘Gosht Choti…Dongaraevadhi’ at Kala Academy.
“The inaugural, presentation of production system and the premier show are open for general public,” remarked Kamat.
Speaking about the festival he concluded that the State government should take a role of a facilitator while organising any film festival and help to promote it.
Although the festival would be inaugurated at Margao, there will be screening of films there. The screening is of all 11 films is at Maquinez Palace screen 1, 2 and at Kala Academy, Panjim.
This festival is also supported by Entertainment Society of Goa, Directorate of Art and Culture, Kala Academy and Goa Tourism.
The members of public can enjoy this festival by enrolling themselves as delegates by paying fees of Rs 250 per head. The registration forms are available at Kala Academy, Panjim, Gomant Vidya Niketan, Margao, Vinsant Grpahics, Vasco, Natekar Pharmacy, Mapusa and Rang Rachana, Ponda.
Romi Konkani in govt primary schools demanded
BY A GT REPORTER
MARGAO: A demand to include Konkani in Roman script as a medium of instruction in government-aided primary schools was an issue highlighted among others at the public sitting of the Goa legislative assembly's ad-hoc committee on Education, Sports and Information Technology here on Monday.
The sitting, held at the South Goa Collectorate at Margao, also saw issues like donations charged for admissions, more schools being opened within one-km radius of existing ones, mid-days meals to be handed over to Parent Teachers Associations (PTAs), framing of admission policy, vocational education, etc being highlighted.
On the issue of new ones being set up where schools already exist raised by eminent educationist Bhiku Pai Angle, the ad-hoc committee chairman Dayanand Narvekar sought a report from the Director of Education Dr Celsa Pinto on how many had commenced in 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10 and how many existing ones have been affected.
According to Dr Pinto, there were 19 new schools in 2008-09 and four in 2009-10. She claimed, the distance criteria had been revoked after it had been scrutinised and a feasibility report prepared with objections from neighbouring schools analysed and hearing, if necessary, granted.
Dr Pinto hinted at plans to shortly conduct school mapping, when it was pointed out by Angle that the present schools were 'dying' because the 3-km radius criteria has been reduced to one-km for new schools.
Censuring former education minister Luizinho Faleiro, in whose tenure the distance criteria was diluted, Angle said no proper study was conducted.
Donations for admissions was another issue hotly discussed. Dr Pinto however insisted that some evidence be provided proof of the allegations being made.
One Mangaldas Chandrakant Prabhu, however accused the department of shielding the culprits saying he had submitted evidence of donations charged by a prominent city school around two years back but no action was taken.
Narvekar agreed with the views expressed and called for a criminal complaint to be filed with the police as the fines of Rs 50,000 did not serve as a deterrent to offenders who seek donations of over Rs 1 lakh. The former IT minister also suggested that the education department probe the April & May bank balances of such schools.
Another committee member Dayanand Mandrekar, Siolim MLA pointed out to cases of admissions being denied to students having acquired less than 50 per cent marks in elite schools who seek only distinction holders.
“What should they do?” he inquired with Narvekar, saying these cases need consideration as it could lead to social incongruencies.
Melson Louis of South Goa Public Interest Action Group (SGPIAG) also highlighted the need to impose a 10-year domicile criteria for migrants who easily avail education in the state. He also sought a scrutiny of the many fly-by-night institutions offering courses in aviation, nursing, hotel management, etc.
Louis also called for an additional government polytechnic for the benefit of those residing in Valpoi, Cuncolim and Canacona areas.
Also present were the committee members, Rajesh Patnekar, Bicholim MLA, Under Secretray Yuvraj Naik, joint secretary J N Braganza and other officials.
MARGAO: A demand to include Konkani in Roman script as a medium of instruction in government-aided primary schools was an issue highlighted among others at the public sitting of the Goa legislative assembly's ad-hoc committee on Education, Sports and Information Technology here on Monday.
The sitting, held at the South Goa Collectorate at Margao, also saw issues like donations charged for admissions, more schools being opened within one-km radius of existing ones, mid-days meals to be handed over to Parent Teachers Associations (PTAs), framing of admission policy, vocational education, etc being highlighted.
On the issue of new ones being set up where schools already exist raised by eminent educationist Bhiku Pai Angle, the ad-hoc committee chairman Dayanand Narvekar sought a report from the Director of Education Dr Celsa Pinto on how many had commenced in 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10 and how many existing ones have been affected.
According to Dr Pinto, there were 19 new schools in 2008-09 and four in 2009-10. She claimed, the distance criteria had been revoked after it had been scrutinised and a feasibility report prepared with objections from neighbouring schools analysed and hearing, if necessary, granted.
Dr Pinto hinted at plans to shortly conduct school mapping, when it was pointed out by Angle that the present schools were 'dying' because the 3-km radius criteria has been reduced to one-km for new schools.
Censuring former education minister Luizinho Faleiro, in whose tenure the distance criteria was diluted, Angle said no proper study was conducted.
Donations for admissions was another issue hotly discussed. Dr Pinto however insisted that some evidence be provided proof of the allegations being made.
One Mangaldas Chandrakant Prabhu, however accused the department of shielding the culprits saying he had submitted evidence of donations charged by a prominent city school around two years back but no action was taken.
Narvekar agreed with the views expressed and called for a criminal complaint to be filed with the police as the fines of Rs 50,000 did not serve as a deterrent to offenders who seek donations of over Rs 1 lakh. The former IT minister also suggested that the education department probe the April & May bank balances of such schools.
Another committee member Dayanand Mandrekar, Siolim MLA pointed out to cases of admissions being denied to students having acquired less than 50 per cent marks in elite schools who seek only distinction holders.
“What should they do?” he inquired with Narvekar, saying these cases need consideration as it could lead to social incongruencies.
Melson Louis of South Goa Public Interest Action Group (SGPIAG) also highlighted the need to impose a 10-year domicile criteria for migrants who easily avail education in the state. He also sought a scrutiny of the many fly-by-night institutions offering courses in aviation, nursing, hotel management, etc.
Louis also called for an additional government polytechnic for the benefit of those residing in Valpoi, Cuncolim and Canacona areas.
Also present were the committee members, Rajesh Patnekar, Bicholim MLA, Under Secretray Yuvraj Naik, joint secretary J N Braganza and other officials.
Tech scores over Medicine
BY A GT REPORTER
PANJIM: Goa's top-notchers it seems have elbowed out Medicine from its place of pride at the top of the career options' list and replaced it with Engineering.
Goa's brains are increasingly opting to compete for admissions to the country's 'E-schools', including the IITs, NITs and the big boys among institutes of technology.
A whopping number of 44 Goans cracked IIT-JEE examination this year. This is not all. Goans have also excelled in BITS-SAT and AIEEE (All India Engineering Entrance Exam). All these are All-India level examinations.
According to Vyankatesh Prabhudesai, himself an IITian who runs the Aryan Study Circle, a pioneers in IIT-JEE coaching here in Goa, the flexibility of the Engineering field is what's making it an option over medicine for Goan teens.
“Medicine is not flexible and hasn't many job prospects compared to engineering. In engineering, after B Tech you can directly opt for a job or go for a management course and get a managerial post in a company. As for medicine, after MBBS, one has to go in for MD, where there are few branches," stated Prabhudesai, who did a stint at the National Aeronautics Lab and also at NIO as a scientist for 12 years.
Speaking on the performance of Goan students on Monday, he said, 10 Goan students have excelled in BIT-SAT examination this year against last year's five.
“Of these 10, nine are from Aryan. The topper Darshan Variar scored 382 points out of 450 and Bhushan Borkar scored 354. All these 10 students scored more than 300 points and can apply either for BITS-Pilani, Goa or Hyderabad” Prabhudesai said.
Unlike other exams, it is online and also includes subjects like English and Logic along with PCM (Physics Chemistry Maths).
At AIEEE too Goans have fared well with 25 making the grade, 22 of them from Aryans.
“These students can apply at any of the 19 NITs (National Institute of Technology) and other institutes as there are 30,000 seats in India. Also, for this exam there’s a State quota and Goa has around 25-30 seats. Thus, we also have state ranks along with All India ranks,” Prabhudesai said.
Interestingly the IIT-JEE topper from Goa, Aneesh Tamse has also secured first rank in AIEEE from Goa. He has received 951st all-India rank at AIEEE and 998th all-India rank for the IIT-JEE.
“IIT-JEE is not just India's, but could be among the world's toughest exam," Prabhudesai averred.
He said, at Aryans the focus is more on IIT-JEE as other exams like GECT become much easier for the students.
Students are selected by an aptitude test and a personal interview by Prabhudesai. Around 300 students are being trained at their Margao and Panjim centres. They have three teachers and also invite guest faculty from the industry.
PANJIM: Goa's top-notchers it seems have elbowed out Medicine from its place of pride at the top of the career options' list and replaced it with Engineering.
Goa's brains are increasingly opting to compete for admissions to the country's 'E-schools', including the IITs, NITs and the big boys among institutes of technology.
A whopping number of 44 Goans cracked IIT-JEE examination this year. This is not all. Goans have also excelled in BITS-SAT and AIEEE (All India Engineering Entrance Exam). All these are All-India level examinations.
According to Vyankatesh Prabhudesai, himself an IITian who runs the Aryan Study Circle, a pioneers in IIT-JEE coaching here in Goa, the flexibility of the Engineering field is what's making it an option over medicine for Goan teens.
“Medicine is not flexible and hasn't many job prospects compared to engineering. In engineering, after B Tech you can directly opt for a job or go for a management course and get a managerial post in a company. As for medicine, after MBBS, one has to go in for MD, where there are few branches," stated Prabhudesai, who did a stint at the National Aeronautics Lab and also at NIO as a scientist for 12 years.
Speaking on the performance of Goan students on Monday, he said, 10 Goan students have excelled in BIT-SAT examination this year against last year's five.
“Of these 10, nine are from Aryan. The topper Darshan Variar scored 382 points out of 450 and Bhushan Borkar scored 354. All these 10 students scored more than 300 points and can apply either for BITS-Pilani, Goa or Hyderabad” Prabhudesai said.
Unlike other exams, it is online and also includes subjects like English and Logic along with PCM (Physics Chemistry Maths).
At AIEEE too Goans have fared well with 25 making the grade, 22 of them from Aryans.
“These students can apply at any of the 19 NITs (National Institute of Technology) and other institutes as there are 30,000 seats in India. Also, for this exam there’s a State quota and Goa has around 25-30 seats. Thus, we also have state ranks along with All India ranks,” Prabhudesai said.
Interestingly the IIT-JEE topper from Goa, Aneesh Tamse has also secured first rank in AIEEE from Goa. He has received 951st all-India rank at AIEEE and 998th all-India rank for the IIT-JEE.
“IIT-JEE is not just India's, but could be among the world's toughest exam," Prabhudesai averred.
He said, at Aryans the focus is more on IIT-JEE as other exams like GECT become much easier for the students.
Students are selected by an aptitude test and a personal interview by Prabhudesai. Around 300 students are being trained at their Margao and Panjim centres. They have three teachers and also invite guest faculty from the industry.
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