----------------------------------------------------------------- Goanetter Francis Rodrigues (Vasco/Toronto) unveils his book, The Greatest Konkani Song Hits. Launch dates: Goa (Kala Academy) on 9 Aug. 4 pm. U.K. (Staines) on 15 Aug. Canada on 20 Aug and US on 30 Aug. Details http://www.konkanisongbook.com/
----------------------------------------------------------------- Author: Gurunath Kelekar Title: MARG - Years of Dedicated Service Source: Navhind Times 8 Aug 2009. Opinions: Letters Full text: This is in reference to the news item 'Write-ups in local daily draw ire from Assembly Speaker', (NT, August 5). The news item is about what happened in the Assembly session on August 4 in reference to the article 'Politicians and Martyrs' written by my son Mr Samir Kelekar in a local daily of the same date. MLA, Dayanand Narvekar has made a mention of my name and that of MARG, stating that 'Mr Kelekar is the son of Mr Gurunath Kelekar, the Convenor of Movement for Amity towards Roads in Goa (MARG) which is a body on which the government spends large amounts of money'. Mr Narvekar said, retorting 'Have we questioned how this money is being utilised?' Instead of the above introduction of Mr Samir, it would have been wise on the part of Mr Narvekar to introduce Mr Samir-since he knows him quite well-as the former Director of Info Tech Corporation. Mr Narvekar, then the Minister for IT, without his asking, had nominated Mr Samir, a topper in Goan educational institutions, a first class IIT and a Doctor of the Columbia University, New York in computer technology. I am compelled to also state that the government is not spending any money to benefit MARG. Instead, MARG is entrusted with the heavy responsibility by the Chief Minister and Transport Minister to carry on the educational work in the field of transport and traffic which is being done 24 x 7 by the aged Freedom Fighters Trustees without any salary or honorarium. Many advise us and are ready to accompany us too, to go to Singapore or Kuwait or Dubai etc just to 'study' the roads there. But I have to inform the readers that my son having been in the US for ten years, I have refrained for the simple reason that it would pain me for not having that quality of roads in Goa. I am sure the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat, who over the years has lauded the work being done by MARG, will let the MLA know that it was he that had requested MARG to take up the responsibility of educating the road users, which is being done with total dedication by the trustees of MARG. GURUNATH KELEKAR, Margao
