log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 7, 2025 Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 16 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 80 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 MOVIES »PAGE 16 PARENT CIRCLE »PAGE 12 PLAY & PAUSE »PAGE 13 Actor Vijay Varma poses with iconic painting drawn by Anil Kapoor’s character in Welcome Connecting with your teen Desi talent, global vibes SPORTS »PAGE 8 Ronaldo shines as Portugal thrashes Armenia 5-0 Norwegian DJ Alan Walker mourns loss of his pet dog Nurturing teacher-student bonds Mumbai’s Ganpati: My divine journey Sheryas Iyer to captain India A in Australia A series >> SEE PG 2 TRACK TROUBLE: COAL CLASH STIRS AGAIN MAGAZINE MAGAZ 09 Honouring ancestors: Meaning and rituals of Pitru Paksha Colonial legacy in Goa: A fusion of cultures, cuisine and architecture Footcare advice to tread through monsoon safely Nutrition matters: Why food is more than just fuel From a home kitchen to Karaswada landmark: The story of ‘Vhodekar’ When enforcement meets amnesty judicial firmness on Panchayat duties 10 11 IN SHORT >> Land grab accused granted bail PANAJI: Royson Rodrigues, accused of masterminding a land grab racket by allegedly faking documents before government officials, has been granted bail in two cases after the investigation agency failed to convince the court on the need for his extended custody. >> See pg 3 Drugs, phones seized in Colvale Jail MAPUSA: Security lapses at the Central Jail at Colvale were exposed yet again when 8 mobile phones, imported tobacco and ganja were seized from the jail on Saturday afternoon.  >> See pg 5 Painter dies of snake bite at Arpora MAPUSA: A 47-year-old painter from UttarPradesh but residing at Arpora died after he was bitten by a snake at Baga-Arpora >> See pg 5 on Friday. Worried your teen is drifting away? Let’s explore ways to keep the bond intact Savan Kotecha on forming Indian boyband OutStation, working with global stars Health neglect, not suicide: Pressure points or health flaws: BITS faces silent wake-up call Doc on BITS student death FORENSIC HEAD SAYS ONLY 2 OF 5 WERE SUICIDES, CITES MENTAL HEALTH GAPS AS KEY FACTOR IN CAMPUS FATALITIES THE GOAN I NETWORK MARGAO In a significant development, Dr Madhu Ghodkirekar, Head of Forensic Medicine at the South Goa District Hospital in Margao, stated that the death of a 19-year-old student at BITS Pilani, Goa, on September 4 cannot be classified as suicide, but rather as a case of health neglect. Dr Ghodkirekar revealed that of the five student deaths at BITS Pilani, Goa, only two were confirmed suicides. The remaining three, including the most recent case, are still under investigation. He emphasised that these deaths cannot be definitively classified as suicide or accidental until further examination of medical and forensic reports is complete. “Of the five deaths at BITS Pilani, two were by hanging. The remaining three, including the latest, do not fit the standard definition of suicide at this stage,” he stated. The forensic expert ex- SGDH FORENSIC HEAD FLAGS Calling mental and physical health neglect the “real crisis” on campuses, Dr Ghodkirekar urged for a complete revamp of mental health support systems in educational institutions across the State. “It is not enough to claim that mental health support is available. These systems must be staffed with well-trained, specialised paramedics and therapists capable of addressing the complex challenges today’s students face,” he stressed. Dr Ghodkirekar also flagged the lack of proactive health monitoring in institutions, recommending that colleges implement regular health check-ups and introduce protocols for immediate testing when students are found unconscious or unwell. “We currently conduct blood tests only after death, CAMPUS CRISIS „„Autopsies show students’ habits contributed to deaths „„Mental and physical neglect is a 'real crisis' on campuses „„Colleges must provide trained mental health staff and proactive monitoring pressed growing concern over a pattern of health neglect among students at premier professional institutions, often stemming from drug use, poor dietary habits, and excessive reliance on health supplements. He said his interactions with the health support staff, police, and the parents of the deceased students studying Fugitive Suleman shifted to Delhi amid tight security KHAN IS ACCUSED IN EIGHT CASES ACROSS GOA, DELHI AND HYDERABAD THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Siddiqui Suleman Khan, booked in several cases across three states and accused of escaping from SIT (Goa Police) custody last year, has been taken to Delhi under heavy security even as the High Court of Bombay at Goa is hearing a petition challenging his illegal detention. Khan is accused in at least eight cases across Goa, Delhi and Hyderabad, including murder, attempted murder, criminal conspiracy and land grab. Sources told The Goan that Delhi police arrived in Goa earlier this week seeking his custody, but were advised by Goa Police to return with additional personnel, citing his past escape from SIT custody in December 2024. "The Delhi police were also 2 told that Khan had previously disguised himself, once as a woman, to evade arrest. Delhi police thereafter brought additional staff, after which they obtained a transfer warrant from the local court and escorted him to Delhi on Saturday," the source said. Meanwhile, the High Court is hearing Khan’s criminal writ petition in which he has challenged his arrest, alleging it was carried out to distract attention from major issues in the State. Khan had escaped from the custody last December while under arrest in a land grab investigation, before being re-arrested in Hubli two weeks later. The SIT described him as a “hardened criminal”. Earlier this year, the High Court dismissed his request to transfer the probe into his escape from Old Goa police to the CBI. „„Post-mortem tests come too late; legal reforms needed for timely intervention „„Problem is national, not just BITS or Goa and systemic solutions are required at the professional institution have revealed aspects of health neglect. “In the previous case, it has come to light that health tonics were used. We came across cans of health tonics and protein supplements. These tonics and supplements can have their own health complications. During the autopsy, we noticed that their health habits had affect- SC to hear plea on Mhadei Tiger Reserve on Mon THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Supreme Court will on Monday take up a plea that challenged High Court's order to declare the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and its surrounding areas as a tiger reserve, with the matter listed before the Chief Justice of India. Activist and petitioner Claude Alvares confirmed that the development stating the matter has been given priority on the apex court’s board number 1. The Goa government had challenged the High Court order dated July 24, 2023, which directed the State to notify the sanctuary as a tiger reserve within three months. While the State approached the Supreme Court in September last year, it is also facing a contempt plea in the High Court for failing to comply with the order. Meanwhile, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) backed the tiger reserve proposal. In an affidavit before the court earlier, the NTCA said Mhadei holds significant potential for range expansion of tigers in Goa and the northern Western Ghats. >Continued on P6 2nd 4 3rd 5 Mental neglect a major concern 3rd 3 ed the deceased,” he added. HEALTH NEGLECT TIED TO DRUGS, POOR DIET, AND SUPPLEMENT MISUSE STUDENT YEAR 1 2nd 2nd COURSE Dual degree Dual degree Dual degree Dual degree Degree THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI With the autopsy in the latest case confirming death due to aspiration pneumonitis and severe gastritis, police have ruled out foul play and a narcotics angle across five recent student deaths at BITS Pilani’s Goa campus, even as doctors point to health neglect and the institute rejects claims of academic pressure. South Goa SP Tikam Singh Verma said the most recent victim, Rishi Nair, was under clinical treatment when he died. “The student vomited in his sleep. The autopsy confirmed death due to aspiration pneumonitis and severe gastritis. We are still awaiting viscera reports in three cases, while two (suicides) have already come in. So far, no nar- STATE Gazibad, UP TIMING Dec 2024 Bicholim Mar 2025 Lucknow, UP (address: Delhi) Lucknow, UP May 2025 AGE PERIOD 21 Semester exam time 20 Amid semester exam 20 Before exams Aug 2025 20 New semester Found dead Kerala (address: Sept 2025 Bangalore) 20 New semester Found dead cotics have been detected in any of the five cases,” Verma said. A broad look at the cases shows two suicides and three health-related deaths, several occurring around semester examinations. Most were second or third-year students; four were pursuing dual-degree programmes. The clustering around exams has fuelled speculation about performance stress. BITS Pilani, however, has denied that academic pressure is systemic, calling their academic structure “flexible”. “There cannot be academic pressure in our system. We have a flexible structure wherein a student does not fail. At most, lower performance affects scores, and students can take extra classes to improve. A four-year course Second Encounter India and Korea will meet again after their Super 4 clash ended 2-2 The match is being held at Rajgir Hockey Stadium in Rajgir, Bihar, at 7.30 pm PANAJI The North Goa District and Sessions Court has allowed Sukhwinder Singh, one of the two accused in the murder of Haryana BJP leader and actor Sonali Phogat, to travel to Indonesia for two weeks with his wife. Suicide can be completed in threeand-a-half years or extended,” PRO Arjun Halarnkar told The Goan. On the other hand, doctors have trained attention on health gaps. “Three of the five deaths at BITS Goa are linked to health neglect. The latest student was on anti-depression medication and died after choking on vomit in sleep. Lack of proper medical care in top institutes remains a concern,” Head of Department of Forensic Medicine at South Goa District Hospital, Dr Madhu Ghodkirekar, told The Goan. But while concerns are raised on the series of deaths – although the reasons are yet to be established conclusively in some, South SP stated they >Continued on P6 THE GOAN I NETWORK STANDINGS With the win, India topped the Super 4s league table with seven points, while South Korea ended second with four points, ahead of China and Malaysia -- both on three points >> Report on pg 8 Phogat case accused gets nod to travel abroad for wife’s birthday THE GOAN I NETWORK Suicide Gov summons House to elect new Speaker on Sept 25 ASIA CUP: INDIA, KOREA FACEOFF IN SUMMIT CLASH India thrashed China 7-0 on Saturday to reach the Asia Cup final, where they will face five-time champions South Korea on Sunday for a spot in next year’s World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands. Korea came from behind to beat Malaysia 4-3 in a crucial Super 4 match DEATH Suicide The undertrial had sought permission from the Court citing plans to celebrate her birthday abroad. Singh, who was released on bail on conditions including surrendering his passport, had earlier been allowed short trips to his native place. His latest plea for foreign travel was opposed by the prosecu- tion over lack of itinerary details. Singh submitted a detailed plan of his trip to Bali, covering Kuta, Canggu, and Uluwatu, before returning to India on September 23. “In view of the itinerary given by accused No. 2, I am of >Continued on P6 PANAJI Goa Governor Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju has summoned the State Legislative Assembly to meet on September 25, for the election of a new Speaker. The post has remained vacant after former Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar resigned to join the Pramod Sawantled cabinet during a recent reshuffle, in which two new ministers were inducted. Tawadkar and MLA Digambar Kamat had taken oath as ministers last month, and were given portfolios on the Ganesh Chaturthi day. One ministerial post was vacant after Govind Gaude was dropped from the cabinet on June 18, another minister, Aleixo Sequeira, resigned last month, citing personal reasons. Sanvordem MLA Ganesh Gaonkar has been named the ruling side’s candidate for the Speaker’s chair after a party meeting, while the Opposition is yet to announce its nominee. EC meet on Sept 10 to plan Goa skies set for rare Blood Moon spectacle tonight THE PHENOMENAL MOMENT pan-India voter list revision THE GOAN I NETWORK STATE CEOs TO DISCUSS DRIVE TO WEED OUT ILLEGAL MIGRANTS PTI NEW DELHI The Election Commission top brass will discuss the preparedness of pan-India rollout of special intensive revision of voters' list with its state representatives next week, officials said on Saturday. The poll authority has convened a meeting of its state chief electoral officers on Wednesday, officials said. This is the third meeting of CEOs after Gyanesh Kumar took over as the chief election commissioner in February. But the September 10 meeting assumes significance as the preparedness of a pan-India special intensive revision will be discussed, officials said. The Commission has said that after Bihar, the special revision will be carried out in the entire country. There are indications that the exercise would commence later this year ahead of assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal in 2026. The primary aim of the intensive revision is to weed out foreign illegal migrants by checking their place of birth. The move assumes significance in the wake of a crackdown in various states on illegal foreign migrants, including from Bangladesh and Myanmar. >Continued on P6 PANAJI uch of India will turn its gaze skyward as the moon slips into Earth’s shadow, on Sunday night. For Goa, too, the spectacle could unfold in full, if the skies oblige. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) Goa has forecast that light to moderate rain is likely across the State, indicating that the promise of a Blood Moon – a celestial display where the moon glows red during totality – may hinge on whether the monsoon clouds part long enough for a clear view. “There is no weather warning, no alert as of Saturday. However, light to moderate M „„The entire eclipse lasts from 8.58 pm (penumbral contact) to 2.55 am on Monday „„The moon will first enter Earth’s lighter shadow, then the darker umbra between 9.57 pm and 1.26 am „„Totality, the highlight when the moon turns dull coppery red, occurs at 11.41 pm „„The most awaited phase, rainfall is very likely in parts of North and South Goa,” IMD official Nahush Kulkarni told The Goan. As per national reports, when the moon appears deep coppery red, is expected from 11 pm to 12.22 am „„The phenomenon occurs only when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align at 180 degrees, complicated by the Moon’s tilted orbit „„Public viewing sessions are organized at: Junta House (Panaji), Ravindra Bhavan (Margao), Vidya Prabodhini High School (Porvorim), Bodgeshwar Temple Ground (Mapusa), and the Terrace of 1930 Vasco Mall „„Observatories will be open from 10.30 pm to midnight, with free entry for the public the most awaited phase of the eclipse, when the moon turns its deepest coppery red, is expected to begin at 11 pm and continue till 12.22 am. The entire celestial event stretches longer, from the initial penumbral contact at 8.58 pm on Sunday to its final moments at 2.55 am on Monday. “This is a beautiful celestial spectacle. The Blood Moon will be visible in its entirety across Goa,” Association of Friends of Astronomy (AFA) president Satish Naik told The Goan. He too expressed uncertainty over the weather stating, “The visibility of the phenomenon depends on the clear skies.” He explained that the moon will glide into Earth’s lighter shadow first, then enter the darker umbra between 9.57 pm and 1.26 am. The highlight, Naik said, will arrive at 11.41 pm when the eclipse reaches totality. “At this moment, the moon turns a dull coppery red, illuminated by the sun’s rays bent by Earth’s >Continued on P6