log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline SATURDAY FEBRUARY 7, 2026 Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 15 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 230 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 3 15 2 6 Shocker for Goa! Deportations Frame suicide-prevention policy, BITS Pilani told of Goans from US on the rise GOA Cong throws down ideological gauntlet to Utpal Parrikar ahead of CCP election GOA LIFE Six years on, Bainguinim waste project yet to break ground Tiny stars steal the show at ‘Colours & Smiles’ SPORTS BATC: India women fail in title defence, men also go down MANAGEMENT OUTLINES STUDENT WELFARE MEASURES 15 GOANS HAVE OFFICIALLY BEEN DEPORTED SO FAR, BUT THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF DEPORTEES COULD RUN INTO TRIPLE DIGITS FRANKEY FERNANDES THE GOAN I MELBOURNE The number of Goan illegal immigrants being detained and deported from the United States appears to be slowly increasing, with unofficial figures believed to be far higher than those officially documented. Commissioner for NRI Affairs in Goa Narendra Sawaikar has confirmed that 15 Goans have so far been detained and subsequently deported from the US and have safely arrived in Goa. However, highly placed sources have indicated that the actual number of deportees could run into triple digits, with many cases going unreported. According to reports, over 18,000 illegal Indian immigrants were identified in the US by the end of 2025, and deportations have intensified significantly as US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has stepped up action against undocumented migrants across all states. A senior source from the page 8 Campus deaths in Goa: Concerns for Goans across globe Mumbai choir ‘Bridging the World with Song’ with events in Goa IN SHORT >> Diaz club issued stop Ops notice MAPUSA: The Anjuna-Caisua Village Panchayat has issued a show-cause notice to Diaz Club, directing the nightclub to immediately stop operations for allegedly running without mandatory statutory permissions and in violation of a demolition-related stop-business order.  >> See pg 3 31 killed in suicide attack in Pakistan ISLAMABAD: At least 31 people were killed and 169 others injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up at a Shia mosque during Friday prayers in Pakistan’’s capital, officials said, in one of the worst terror attacks targeting the community in recent years.  >> See pg 9 FROM DREAM TO DETENTION & BACK HOME „„Texas among worst-affected states due to its large undocumented migrant population „„Many Goan deportees avoid coming forward because of social stigma „„ICE detention camps overcrowded, with detainee numbers rising „„Over 70 Goans reportedly detained in single wing of Texas ICE camp Goa NRI Commission stated, “We have officially documented only 15 deportees so far. These numbers are based on cases where assistance was required due to expired passports or travel documents, or where information was received through the Ministry of External Affairs.” The source added that in most cases deportees are unwilling to come forward or report their status due to the social stigma attached to being „„Detainees awaiting deportation flights; allowed phone contact with family in India but barred from social media use „„Average waiting period identified as deportees from the US. The Goa NRI Commission has also reportedly come across cases involving Portuguese passport holders who possess Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards, but were nevertheless deported by US authorities to India. According to sources, such deportations are being questioned and termed as illegal. Texas is believed to be among the worst-affected 10 MORE DEPARTMENTS TO BE ADDED FOR ONLINE OPD APPOINTMENTS IN 15 DAYS WINDS OF CHANGE THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI With online registrations gaining traction, the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC) is preparing to introduce doctor-specific online appointments that would bring its outpatient system closer to the model followed by private hospitals. At present, GMC’s online OPD booking system allows patients to register for departments rather than individual doctors. Under Phase-1 of the rollout, 100 online slots per day are available in each of five departments -- General Medicine, General Surgery, ENT, Orthopaedics and Dermatology -- while walk-in registrations continue simultaneously. Patients seeking consultation with a particular doctor must still rely on the general departmental queue. That could change soon as the „„GMC will shortly allow patients to book appointments with specific doctors within a dept „„Facility will be subject to doctor availability „„System will function similar to private hospitals, where patients can choose a doctor „„Doctors’ schedules will be integrated into the booking system „„If a doctor is on leave or has prior commitments, bookings for that day will be automatically blocked „„At present, GMC’s online OPD booking system allows patients to register for departments rather than individual doctors „„Under Phase-1, 100 online slots per day are available in each of five depts hospital administration is contemplating a system that would allow patients to book appointments with specific doctors within a department, subject to availability. “It will work much like a private hospital, where a patient can seek an appoint- Panic at Tirumalla as officials rush to meet Min to save Ops DEPOSITORS MAKE BEELINE TO WITHDRAW MONEY PANAJI Amid a rush by depositors to withdraw their money, the Tirumalla Tirupati Multistate Co-operative Credit Society Ltd, currently under government scrutiny, on Friday appealed to investors not to panic, assuring them that their deposits are safe. The management of the credit society, led by chairman Gurmeet Singh Bhambrah, met Co-operation Min- states, given its large population of undocumented migrants. Sources claim that ICE detention camps are currently overflowing, with the number of detainees increasing by the hour. One source stated that over 70 Goans are currently detained in a single wing of an ICE camp in Texas, and are awaiting deportation flights as and when arrangements are made. Sources further informed that ICE authorities are cur- rently following relatively lenient procedures. Once detained, undocumented immigrants are permitted to contact family members in India via phone calls and provide updates on their wellbeing. However, communication through social media platforms such as WhatsApp or Facebook is strictly prohibited. The average waiting period for deportation is approximately two months from the date of detention. This process may be expedited if family members in Goa are able to arrange and pay for a one-way airfare, sources said. Sawaikar stated that since the crisis began, the Goa NRI Commission has been providing counselling and support to families in Goa as well as to deported individuals. He added that the Commission has maintained constant coordination with the Indian Embassy in the US and authorities across various states, ensuring assistance wherever possible. >Continued on P9 MARGAO Against the backdrop of the latest suicide by a female student on Sunday, the South Goa District Level Monitoring Committee has told BITS Pilani to frame a policy on how to contain students’ suicides taking place at the campus. On its part, BITS Pilani has unveiled before the panel the initiatives undertaken for student welfare, including the engagement of counsellors and psychiatrists to support students dealing with stress and depression-related issues. Dean, BITS Pilani Suman Kundu made submissions before the 3rd District Level Monitoring Committee meeting chaired by Collector & District Magistrate, South Goa, Egna Cleetus, IAS, in the presence of Superintendent of Police (South Goa) Tikam Singh Verma, Director of Higher Education, Bhushan Sawaikar. Officials from the Departments of Technical Education, Social Welfare, Health Services, Tribal Welfare, and the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Vasco were also present. Based on observations made during the inquiry into the death of the latest student, the committee has recom- STEPS TAKEN AT THE CAMPUS „„Campus is under 24x7 CCTV surveillance to ensure student safety „„Mental wellness and rejuvenation camps regularly organised for students „„Comprehensive student support framework in place covering wellness, mental health, academics, and campus life „„Mitr programme: Faculty-led hostel outreach promoting open conversations with students „„Sethu initiative: Structured mentorship system linking every student with faculty mentors mended securing the campus though the Dean maintained that the campus is under CCTV surveillance. The Dean briefed the monitoring committee how BITS has organised several mental wellness and rejuvenation camps to refresh and enhance the overall mental well-being of students. The Dean informed that the Goa campus has implemented a comprehensive framework to support student wellness, mental health, academic success, and campus life through integrated institutional initiatives. He further informed that key programmes include Mitr, a faculty-led hostel outreach initiative encouraging open conversations, and Sethu, a structured mentorship sys- Choosing your GMC doctor GOLDEN GLORY! INDIA ARE U-19 WORLD CUP CHAMPS could soon be a click away n England thumped by 100 runs n Sooryavanshi runs riot A DAY AFTER MEETING CHIEF MINISTER… THE GOAN I NETWORK for deportation around two months „„Deportation may be expedited if families pay for one-way airfare „„Some deportees had lived in US for over 20 years, were active in Goan cultural life „„In one case, a man from Chinchinim has been deported while his wife remains detained in Texas THE GOAN I NETWORK ister Subhash Shirodkar and requested withdrawal of the show-cause notices issued to its branches and revocation of the suspension of its No Objection Certificate (NOC) to operate in Goa. Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Bhambrah attributed the lapses flagged by the authorities to procedural shortcomings and shortage of manpower, and said the Minister was assured that such omissions would not recur. “We have completed the formalities and submitted most of the required documents to the Registrar of Co-operative Societies. There are a few documents pending, which will be provided at the earliest,” he said. Bhambrah said the society has requested the government to revoke the NOC following submission of documents. “I don’t think there should be any issue in revoking the NOC,” he added. >Continued on P9 ment with a specific doctor. The same system will soon be introduced at GMC,” Medical Superintendent of GMC, Dr Rajesh Patil, told The Goan.  The proposed system will, >Continued on P9 MATCH STATS „„India won the toss and elected to bat „„Set England an improbable target of 412 „„England’s innings ended at 311 in 40.2 overs „„Final saw spectacular performance from batting sensation Sooryavanshi TOP OF THE WORLD „„India clinched U-19 Cricket World Cup title for record-extending sixth time „„Sets world record for largest margin of victory in terms of runs „„India’s total of 411 for 9 is highest ever in an U-19 World Cup final SOORYAVANSHI: THE WUNDERKID „„Scores record-breaking 175 off 80 balls „„Century comes off just 55 balls „„2nd-fastest centurion in U-19 World Cup history ICC MEN’S T20 WORLD CUP BEGINS TODAY The 10th edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is set to begin on February 7, as India and Sri Lanka co-host one of the most competitive global cricket tournaments. Featuring 20 teams, 55 matches, and eight premier venues across both nations, the event will run until the final on March 8 TODAY’S MATCHES n India V/s USA n Pakistan V/s Netherlands n Scotland V/s West Indies Reports on P12 tem connecting every student with faculty mentors. “Peerbased support is strengthened through Mental Health Buddies (in collaboration with Rahat Trust), TAG—an anonymous student support group— and a robust Peer Mentorship Programme for freshers”, he further informed. He said that professional care is provided through expanded Mpower Centre comprising psychologists, therapists, and a psychiatrist, along with 24x7 medical services, dedicated helplines, COOJ counselling, and Myndwell assessments for early identification and intervention. He further said that faculty members and wardens have undergone Mental Health First Aid >Continued on P9 RBI announces compensation of `  5K to victims 2 of digital fraud PTI MUMBAI Amid growing digital fraud, the Reserve Bank said that banking customers will receive compensation of up to Rs 25,000 for a fraudulent transaction. A customer will be paid the compensation even in cases where the customer ends up sharing the one-time password with the fraudsters, Reserve Bank Governor Sanjay Malhotra told reporters here. The money will be paid to the bank customers from the Rs 85,000-cr Depositor Education and Awareness Fund, officials said, making it clear that a customer can get compensation only once in a lifetime and provided that no malafide intent is found. Even though their overall value is low, two-thirds of the frauds are under Rs 50,000 in amount, the RBI brass said. “As long as they are defrauded, whether on their own accord or anyone’s accord, no questions asked, Rs 25,000 will be paid. We will compensate as long as it is unintended and they have lost the money,” Malhotra said. When the Pope came to Goa: Campal remembers, 40 yrs on ASHLEY DO ROSARIO & SHERWYN COUTO THE GOAN I PANAJI F orty years ago, on February 6, 1986, Goa witnessed a moment of history when Pope John Paul II, now canonised as a saint, celebrated Mass in the open-air grounds of Campal, Panaji.  The event drew multitudes from across the State and beyond, leaving indelible memories for the tens of thousands who attended and those who played a role in organising the massive gathering.  So profound was the experience for them that their recollections, rich with emotion and detail, continue to resonate even today. Fr Joaquim Loiola Pereira, narrates his experience like it happened just yesterday. Now Secretary to Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao, Fr Loiola Pereira recalls his role as part of the 100-voice choir that accompanied the liturgy.  “When the final hymn was in progress, and Pope John Paul II was proceeding to the sacristy, he suddenly left his course and started walking towards the choir,” Fr Pereira said.  The moment caught everyone by surprise.  “Fr Peter Cardozo was conducting the choir with his back to the altar and had no idea of the approaching Supreme Pontiff. When the Pope reached the choir enclosure, most of the musicians on the first row, including myself, abandoned their instruments and surged forward to touch His Holiness. When Fr Peter saw the sudden movement under his nose, he shouted: ‘Kitem zalam re?’ (What is happening here?). We were least bothered by his shouts.” The Pope’s words of appreciation remain etched in Fr Loiola Pereira’s memory.  “While the singers continued to sing with the remainder of the orchestra, we heard the great Pope say to us, in his strong Polish accent: ‘My dhaanks to the choir. Perfect Choir!’ That memory of having the Pope, now St John Paul, at an arm’s distance and hearing his words of praise for our choir, will always remain with me,” Fr Loiola Pereira added. For former Superintendent of Police Fintan D’Souza, the >Continued on P9