log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline SUNDAY JANUARY 25, 2026 MOVIES »PAGE 16 Mouni Roy recounts harassment at event Is ‘The 50’ Indian version of Squid Game? >> SEE PG 2 WHEN MUSIC STOPS: GOA’S 10 PM DILEMMA 9 MAGAZINE MAGAZ Monte Music Festival lights up with Portugal–Goa cultural harmony Why cancer is becoming a growing threat in Goa Chippery: Where an Australian classic blends with Goan seafood culture Discipline of a Republic versus when power ignores the Republic 11 IN SHORT >> BJP prez Nabin to be in Goa for 2 days PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Saturday said that newly appointed BJP National President Nitin Nabin will be on a two-day visit to Goa on January 30 and 31. Nabin is expected to interact with party ministers, MLAs, senior leaders, and party workers. The meetings are likely to focus on organisational matters. ‘Divyang Rath’ scheme notified PANAJI: The State government has notified the ‘Divyang Rath’ scheme to provide doorstep facilities to persons with disabilities at the grassroots level, with the aim of improving healthcare access to them. Under the scheme, recognised NGOs and public charitable trusts will deliver at-home therapeutic services. Bus owners’ leader assaulted at Mapusa MAPUSA: All Goa Private Bus Owners Association General Secretary Sudip Tamhankar was allegedly assaulted by a group at the KTC bus stand in Mapusa. The incident took place as Tamhankar with some media persons had gone to the site to expose some private buses illegally transporting passengers.  >> See pg 3 Facebook.com/thegoan 16 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 218 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 LIVE SMART »PAGE 14 SPORTS »PAGE 8 Vitamin K explained Rise of digital intention Delhi Capitals hands RCB first defeat of WPL season Eating with reasons, cycles and seasons Why many Indians feel rich but not secure The quiet nutrient doing the heavy lifting for your body From digital detox to digital intention, how Indians are rewriting their ties with tech Australian Open: Recordbreaking Djokovic cruises into third round Goa’s beaches ‘drowning’ in plastic waste, warns study BAGA, ANJUNA, VAGATOR FACE EXTENSIVE CONTAMINATION THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Goa’s most famous beaches, celebrated globally for their beauty and tourism appeal, are increasingly becoming repositories of plastic pollution. A recent scientific study has revealed widespread microplastic contamination in the surface waters of northern beaches including Baga, Anjuna and Vagator pointing to the environmental cost of intense tourism and urban activity along the coast. A study by Goa University’s School of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, published earlier this month has examined the surface waters along the northern coast of Goa. “This study indicates the presence of microplastic contamination along the northern beaches of Goa, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and the implementation of preventive measures to mitigate potential environmental impacts,” the POLLUTION: KEY FINDINGS OF THE STUDY „„Baga, Anjuna, and Vagator, show significant microplastic pollution due to tourism and urban activity „„Average microplastic abundance was 0.47 particles per litre, highest at Baga (0.6 MP/L), followed by Anjuna (0.5 MP/L) and Vagator (0.3 MP/L) „„Pollution Load Index, Polymer Hazard Index, and Coefficient of Microplastic Impact indicate researchers Niyati Kalangutkar, Shritesh Mhapsekar and Divya Fulari said. The researchers recorded an average microplastic abundance of 0.47 particles per litre (MP/L) across the surveyed beaches. Among them, Baga Beach showed the highest high ecological risk „„Fibres from synthetic concentration at 0.6 MP/L, followed by Anjuna at 0.5 MP/L and Vagator at 0.3 MP/L, indicating that beaches with intense tourism and commercial activity are facing greater pollution stress. Importantly, ecological risk assessments painted a trou- PROJECT TO BE DEVELOPED WITH GOVT HELP THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Yoga guru Baba Ramdev has announced that Goa will soon host Patanjali’s largest wellness centre after Haridwar. The project will be developed with the support of the State government. Ramdev made the announcement a day after Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had pitched Ayurveda and wellness as a trigger for medical tourism while speaking at the inaugural of the International Conference on Ayurveda and Wellness in Panaji. “After Patanjali Yogpeeth, the biggest Patanjali wellness centre will be built here in Goa with the cooperation of the State government,” he said. The centre is expected to boost Goa’s position as a wellness destination.  Ramdev said the government is preparing a pool of trained therapists and doctors to meet the growing demand for wellness tourism. Ramdev also used the occasion to call for stronger action BABA SETS SIGHTS ON GOA „„Largest Patanjali wellness centre after Haridwar to be established in Goa „„Expected to strengthen on cow protection. He urged Hindu religious leaders, including Shankaracharyas, to take personal responsibility by adopting and rearing cows. “Cow protection is a collective responsibility. It cannot be achieved merely through seminars or slogans. The cow must be reared,” he told reporters. Focus on safety, mental wellbeing of children authorities have moved to ensure the evening’s entertainment does not stray into territory that could harm young audiences. The DCPU has asked organisers to ensure that no songs promoting smoking, tobacco or alcohol consumption are performed, invoking child welfare provisions under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. “As per the event details Goa’s position as a wellness destination „„Govt preparing a pool of trained therapists and doctors for wellness tourism „„Proposed centre expected to create employment opportunities in the health and wellness sector ON COW PROTECTION „„Calls for stronger action, emphasizing personal responsibility „„Urges senior Hindu leaders, including Shankaracharyas, to lead available in public domain, the said programme permits entry to children aged 5 years and above. In this context, concerns have been raised regarding the possible performance of certain popular songs of singer Sunidhi Chauhan, namely “Beedi Jalaile” and “Sharabi”, which are widely perceived to glorify the use of tobacco products and >Continued on P6 clothing, fishing gear, and wastewater most common making them easily ingested by marine life „„Identified polymers include PET, PA, PP, PE, and PS, showing surface degradation and potential to carry toxic chemicals and pathogens RECOMMENDATIONS: Study urges continuous monitoring, stricter regulation of plastic use, and preventive measures to protect marine biodiversity, fisheries, and coastal livelihoods Ramdev: Patanjali’s biggest facility to be set up in Goa Singer advised to avoid songs glorifying tobacco & alcohol PANAJI On the eve of celebrity singer Sunidhi Chauhan’s live concert in Goa, the spotlight has briefly shifted from the stage to a stern caution issued by the South Goa District Child Protection Unit (DCPU). With children aged five and above permitted to attend the live music event at Verna cricket stadium on Sunday, Instagram.com/thegoanonline GOOD LIFE »PAGE 12 DCPU’S PRE-CONCERT ADVISORY THE GOAN I NETWORK The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) by example by rearing cows „„Stresses that real cow protection comes from actively rearing cows, not just slogans or seminars He said those who speak about cow protection should lead by example.  “Senior saints, seers, and Shankaracharyas should themselves rear cows -- one, two, five, or even ten thousand. Every Hindu should rear a cow. Only cow rearing will ensure real cow protection,” he added. bling picture as the Pollution Load Index (PLI) exceeded the safety threshold at all surveyed beaches, confirming that the waters are polluted. “Risk assessment indices, including the Pollution Load Index (PLI), Polymer Hazard Index (PHI), and Coefficient of Microplastic Impact (CMPI), highlighted varying levels of ecological risk,” it said. The PHI placed the sites in risk level V, the highest category, due to the presence of hazardous polymers like polyamide and polystyrene, which are known to pose serious risks to marine life. The CMPI further highlighted the extreme impact of fibrous microplastics on coastal waters. Researchers found that microplastic fibres -- commonly associated with synthetic clothing, fishing gear and domestic wastewater -- were the most dominant form across all locations. More than 56 per cent of the particles were colourless, making them difficult to detect visually, while nearly 69 per cent measured between 0.3 and 1 mm, a size range that is easily ingested by marine organisms. Laboratory analysis identified commonly used polymers >Continued on P6 1000 parking spots in Delhi under lens ahead of R-Day Cops warn sites could pose threats PTI NEW DELHI Ahead of Republic Day celebrations, Delhi Police has identified around 1,000 unsupervised parking locations across the national capital as potential security risks, citing unattended or abandoned vehicles as well as lack of security protocols, including non-functional CCTV cameras, officials said on Saturday. The parking spots, many of them unauthorised, are located near metro stations, railway stations, markets, malls, office complexes and residential areas, they said, adding that the findings emerged during a mass security survey conducted as part of heightened Republic Day preparedness. The police have directed district units to begin seizing such vehicles, the officials said, adding that unattended cars also contribute to traffic congestion in busy areas. Senior officers said the Delhi Police's Special Cell undertakes risk assessments every THREAT LOCATIONS „„Parking spots are located near metro stations, railway stations, markets, malls, office complexes and residential areas „„Police have directed district units to begin seizing such vehicles „„Unattended cars also flagged as they contribute to traffic congestion year ahead of Independence Day and Republic Day, but the exercise was intensified this time in the aftermath of the Red Fort blast in November 2025, which left at least 12 people dead. More than a dozen Special Cell teams were deployed across the city for the survey, which was conducted between December 16 and >Continued on P6 T20 WORLD CUP: ICC ‘BOWLS OUT’ BANGLADESH, GETS SCOTLAND IN 1 The ICC on Saturday confirmed that Scotland has replaced Bangladesh in the upcoming T20 World Cup, saying the “difficult decision” was taken since it was not feasible to meet Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) request to shift their matches to Sri Lanka so close to the tournament. 2 The BCB refused to let its team travel to India citing security concerns in the wake of Mustafizur Rahman's ouster from the IPL even as ICC maintained that there was no verifiable security threat to the Bangladesh national team, officials or supporters in India 3 Scotland's entry into the tournament, starting February 7, ended the suspense over the fate of Bangladesh in the event after BCB stayed adamant in its demand and even suggested that its group be swapped with Ireland's.  >> See pg 8 FESTIVAL VIBES: Dancers perform at Festa do Povo, a cultural festival, at the Patto Plaza, Panaji on Saturday. The two-day festival features a mix of music, dance, art, and local food.  Narayan Pissurlenkar Unity Mall: Site inspection restarts, experts mapping lake boundaries THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The inspection of Toyyar lake and its surroundings, where the government has proposed the controversial Unity Mall project, began on Saturday a day after it was deferred following differences between officials and the protesting villagers over its scope and area to be covered. Officials said the survey will last for at least three days. A team of experts is defining the boundaries of the lake. Once complete, they will measure the buffer zone, natural springs and adjacent land. Reports will be prepared daily and shared with villagers for feedback and corrections,  one official involved with the work said. The move follows a meeting earlier this week between Chief Minister Pramod Sawant >Continued on P6 Indians top global list of abandoned seafarers: Data PTI LONDON ndians are the most abandoned nationality of seafarers for the second consecutive year as 1,125 cases of abandonment were logged at the end of 2025, a UK-headquartered global union of transport workers has found. The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) said that abandonment worldwide hit record levels last year as it released new data showing 6,223 seafarers abandoned across 410 ships. The ITF welcomed the Indian government's “blacklisting” measures to protect its seafarers. I FORGOTTEN AT SEA: KEY STATISTICS „„1,125 abandonment cases involving Indian seafarers recorded „„6,223 seafarers across the world abandoned during 2025 „„Abandonments occurred across 410 ships globally „„Middle East recorded highest cases of ship abandonment, followed by Europe „„Türkiye (61 vessels) and UAE (54 vessels) had the most abandonment cases worldwide „„In 2025, abandoned seafarers were owed USD 25.8 million in unpaid wages „„ITF recovered USD 16.5 million and returned it to affected seafarers „„ITF to submit data to International Maritime Organization “It's nothing short of a disgrace that, yet again, we are seeing record numbers of seafarers abandoned by unscrupulous ship owners,” said David Heindel, Chair of the ITF Seafarers'' Section. “Every day, all around the world, seafarers face horrific violations of their human and labour rights, all so that bottom-feeding companies can make a quick buck at their expense. “It's very clear that this is a systemic issue in the industry and that means we need the entire industry to come together with seafarers and their unions to say, ''enough is enough'', and take action to end this crisis,” he said. Seafarer abandonment is defined by the International Maritime Organisation under three criteria: failing to cover the cost of a seafarer's repatriation; leaving a seafarer without necessary maintenance and support; unilaterally severing ties with a seafarer, including failure to pay contractual wages for a period of at least two months. According to ITF, the worst region for abandonment was the Middle East, followed by Europe. The two countries where most ship abandons took place and the highest number of vessels on which abandonments occurred were Turkiye (61) and UAE(54).