log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 >> SEE PG 2 TRIBAL TURF WAR: BJP’S BALANCING ACT MAGAZINE MAGAZ Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 18 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 101 Young hearts at risk: Lifestyle triggers rising heart attacks Mapusa market: Heart of Goan trade and traditions What do you spill out when life nudges you? 13 The prospective course of Section 39A of the TCP Act IN SHORT >> Dept warns vehicle owners over HSRP PANAJI: The Transport Department has issued a stern warning to vehicle owners over the failure to install High Security Registration Plates (HSRP). In a public notice, the department highlighted widespread non-compliance observed during recent field inspections, stating that penalties will be imposed and strict action taken against defaulters. Goa recorded drop in forest fires: Data PANAJI: Goa recorded a sharp drop in forest fires between 2018 and 2022, only to face a sudden surge the next year, when 74 blazes were reported within 10 days in March 2023. According to the report, satellite data revealed a steady decline in fire incidents till 2022.  >> See pg 5 FDA to promote Goan sweet ‘khaje’ PANAJI: The Food and Drugs Administration is set to sponsor a modern manufacturing facility for ‘khaje’, a traditional Goan sweet, aiming to showcase it to tourists. Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said initiatives are also underway to set up stalls in five-star hotels across the State, promoting ‘khaje’ yearround. India U17 wins seventh SAFF title after penalty shootout thriller  Pg 9 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 38 killed in stampede at mega political rally in TN ।। नमो नारायणी विश्वविनोदिनी नंदिनुत। े नमो नििुरागा िुरश्वरी नमोस्ुत।। गे े 8 CHILDREN AMONG DEAD; OVER 60 HOSPITALISED WHAT HAPPENED PTI 11 Instagram.com/thegoanonline KARUR In a tragic incident, at least 38 people died after tens of thousands gathered in Tamil Nadu’s Karur for a mega political rally led by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay. An overwhelming crowd led to a stampede, with many attendees collapsing and needing urgent medical care. The actor-turned-politician abruptly ended his speech as several people, including children, fainted at the overcrowded rally. “Police, please help,” he was heard saying as people fell unconscious at his rally in Karur. He also distributed water to people and arranged for ambulances for people who were feeling suffocated in the rally. At least 38 people, including eight children and 16 women are confirmed dead after the stampede, and more than 60 people were hospitalised, according to A massive crowd at the rally in Tamil Nadu on Saturday. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin. More than 40 doctors from Tiruchirappalli and Salem have been deployed to the area. According to information, police permission was reportedly for only 10,000 people in Vijay’s Karur rally, but the actual turnout swelled to nearly 30,000 to 35,000, despite assurances of a lower turnout by the organisers. Vijay arrived at the venue nearly six hours behind schedule, intensifying the already chaotic situation. As he began his speech, the restless crowd surged toward the stage, breaking through barricades and triggering a stampede. Several workers fainted on the spot, prompting Vijay to pause his speech and throw water bottles from atop his custom-built campaign bus. Meanwhile, ambulances strug- ULTIMATE SHOWDOWN! India and Pakistan will face off in a high-stakes Asia Cup final in Dubai on Sunday, with political and on-field friction overshadowing their first title clash in the regional tournament PLAYERS & FORM n Abhishek leads India with 309 runs in six games n Hardik & Abhishek face injury scares but will play n For Pak, only Farhan has shown resistance DECIDING FACTORS KEY STATISTICS „„Permission granted for 10,000 people, but turnout swelled to 35,000 „„Vijay arrives six hours late „„During his speech, crowd surges toward the stage, break barricades „„Stampede-like situation ensues; several workers faint „„Vijay pauses speech, throws water bottles to help crowd „„Fainted persons rushed to hospitals gled to navigate the densely packed crowd to reach those in need. Heartbreaking visuals emerged from the hospitals, including one where a father was seen carrying the dead body of a child in his arms. n India’s reliance on Abhishek v/s Pakistan’s new-ball attack (Afridi & Rauf) n Success likely hinges on early breakthroughs and support from teammates >> Report on pg 10 मयूरारूढ आई नवि र्गा िेवी ु JUMBO RELIEF! After two weeks in Goa, ‘Omkar’ enters M’rashtra Visit Today : Goa - St. Inez Rd. Panjim 93709 52715 THE GOAN I NETWORK PERNEM After two weeks of destroying plantations at a number of villages in Pernem taluka, the elephant ‘Omkar’ moved out of Goa and was spotted at Madura Rekhwadi in Maharashtra. According to locals, the elephant had caused extensive damage to plantations in Mopa, Torxem, Tambosem and Ugvem villages in Pernem. Affected farmers have suffered heavy losses and are relying on compensation from the government. Unhappy with the Forest Department’s inability to move the elephant away from Goa and prevent it from causing further damage to plantations, farmers and villagers in Ugvem had planned a ‘Hathi Bhagao’ campaign on Sunday in a determined bid to chase the elephant away. As part of the plan, the locals were to assemble near a temple at 10.30 am on Sunday, from where they would go along with crackers, drums  and torches to scare away the elephant and drive it away from Goa. On Saturday, the elephant n India, Pakistan meet in an Asia Cup final for the first time in 41 years n India enters the clash with a perfect 6-0 record, including two wins over Pakistan n SKY’s men eye a 9th Asia Cup title, the most by any team नवरात्रोत्सवाच्ा सहाव्ा दिवशी मडकई येथील >Continued on P7 Girish’s possible return as Congress chief sparks rift GROUP HEADS TO BENGALURU TO MEET KHARGE THE GOAN I NETWORK MARGAO The Congress camp in Goa witnessed a flurry of political activity over the weekend following reports that former GPCC president Girish Chodankar may return to lead the party once again. In response, a faction within the party opposing Chodankar’s comeback is making its way to Bengaluru to meet with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday. According to sources, the group has sought an appointment with the national leadership to register their objections. With Kharge reportedly in Bengaluru, the delegation from Goa left for Karnataka on Saturday night. Sources said Captain Viriato’s name props up MARGAO: The faction opposing Girish Chodankar’s appointment as GPCC Chief is backing South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes, should the High Command decide to remove GPCC chief Amit Patkar. Sources pointed out that this faction of the party seemed to have no issue in accepting the High Command’s decision to remove Patkar from office. They, however, are believed to have decided to oppose Chodankar’s return to the post. The group is expected to suggest the name of the South Goa MP in the event of a vacancy. that many party leaders and workers have expressed their willingness to join the effort— some are traveling by bus, while others have opted for late-night flights. A few block presidents are also believed to be accompanying the group. Sources pointed out that a memorandum signed by party leaders and workers will be submitted to the Congress president on Sunday, objecting to the return of Chodankar as GPCC Chief. “We will explain to the >Continued on P7 Share job openings with panchayats Welfare policies: PIL seeks survey of Goa’s seniors to help locals, CM tells industries PIL ON SENIORS: KEY HIGHLIGHTS THE GOAN I NETWORK THE GOAN I NETWORK VASCO Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday evening asked industries in Goa to work closely with panchayats to boost job opportunities for locals, particularly youth from surrounding areas. He was speaking at the 24th Annual General Meeting of the Verna Industries Association (VIA) at Kesarval-Verna. Sawant said industries often face criticism over not providing adequate employment to Goans and suggested a structured initiative to bridge this gap. “There has been a long-standing demand that industries must offer local employment. I want to suggest that VIA take the lead by identifying vacancies that industries may require in the next six months and prepare a list,” said Sawant. “On a trial basis, VIA can then reach out to at least five nearby panchayats and inform them about these upcoming vacancies. The panchayats can collect resumes and biodata of local candidates, which industries can then consider for interviews and recruitment.” He emphasised that this initiative could be taken without political involvement, allowing a direct channel between industries and village panchayats. “Industries can share a list of around 200 vacancies – whether for ITI graduates, engineers, secretaries or other roles – and give locals a fair chance to apply. This will not only help provide jobs but >Continued on P7 PANAJI Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed before the High Court of Bombay at Goa seeking judicial directions to the State government to conduct a comprehensive survey of senior citizens to frame evidence-based welfare policies. In a PIL, petitioner Adv Moses Pinto urged the High Court to ensure that the authorities concerned conduct a scientific, socio-economic, and health-based survey of senior citizens, while also publishing its findings and formulat- A „„Seeks scientific, socio-economic, and health-based survey of senior citizens in Goa to assess their demographic, health, and social vulnerabilities „„Urges authorities to publish the survey results transparently „„Seeks directions to utilize survey data to frame innovative welfare schemes in line with statutory and constitutional obligations „„Argues that absence of survey has led to policy blind spots, inadequate implementation of welfare measures, and avoidable hardship for elderly ing evidence-based welfare policies. Pinto, who is also a caregiv- er to his elderly father, submitted that his personal experiences highlight the systemic challenges faced by senior citizens in Goa. He argued that the absence of a comprehensive State-wide survey has led to policy blind spots and inadequate implementation of welfare measures. “Despite the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, which requires State Governments to establish old-age homes, provide medical facilities, and ensure welfare measures, no comprehensive survey has been conducted in Goa to assess the demographic, health, and social vulnerabilities of the elderly population. Such inaction re- sults in policy blind spots and inadequate implementation of statutory and constitutional mandates,” the petition reads. He further relied on the Supreme Court judgment in Ashwani Kumar v/s Union of India (2018), where the Court held that the welfare of senior citizens falls within the ambit of Article 21 and directed governments to collect and collate data on old-age homes, pensions and geriatric facilities. The petition also drew attention to international frameworks, including the UN Principles for Older Persons >Continued on P7