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Another Goa minister stokes controversy with threats to tourists

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Another Goa minister stokes controversy with threats to tourists

Goa Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar strongly stated that those who don’t respect the spirit of “Goanness” will no longer be welcome in the state

In yet another controversial remark against tourists by a Goa minister, the state’s Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar threatened to chase away tourists who don’t respect the Goan culture.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Goa Food and Cultural Festival in Panaji on Saturday, Ajgaonkar strongly stated that those who don’t respect the spirit of “Goanness” will no longer be welcome in the coastal state.

“The tourists who come here should take care of Goa’s culture and Goanness, otherwise I will chase them away. I will not listen to anyone. I am saying this clearly,” he said.

Emphasising the need to preserve Goa’s culture, Ajagaonkar – a legislator from the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), an ally of the BJP in the state – said, “We don’t want tourists who sell drugs, we do not want hotels which sell drugs.”

The Tourism Minister’s controversial remarks came after another Goa minister on Friday termed domestic tourists arriving in the state as “scum of the earth”.

Another Goa minister stokes controversy with threats to tourists

Earlier on Friday, Goa Town and Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardesai claimed that tourists, especially from North India, wanted to “create Haryana in Goa”. He was quoted saying, “We are dependent on north Indians and this is what they do. They are not bothered about Goa. They will like to recreate a Haryana in Goa.”

However, in an apologetic tone, a day after his remarks, Sardesai said that a video of a tourist urinating from a bus prompted his ‘scum’ comment. Claiming that he was quoted out of context, the Goa minister said that he referred to only a “certain section of them, not all”.

Stating that the people of Goa are “disgusted with a few tourists, who come and use Goa as a dumping ground”, he said, “There are several instances, one of which is a video which has gone viral of a tourist urinating from the bus on one of Goa’s most popular and well done roads from Miramar to Dona Paula.”

Further posting a video on Twitter, Sardesai added, “I haven’t generalised or have been xenophobic. I am speaking for the people of Goa. A small section of 6.5 million tourists who came to Goa have created the biggest nuisance. These people have no civic sense.”

Another Goa minister stokes controversy with threats to tourists

According to Goa’s tourism department’s data, there had been a sharp 19.50 per cent rise in the number of domestic tourists in 2016 – with the approximate number of total tourists being 63 lakh, of which the number of domestic tourists was 56 lakh.

India News

PM Modi says decline in TB incidence outcome of India’s dedication, innovation efforts

He acknowledged the dedicated healthcare workers of the Health Ministry, recognising their crucial role and commitment in the ongoing battle against tuberculosis.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that the decrease in tuberculosis (TB) incidence is a result of India’s dedicated and innovative efforts, asserting that the nation will continue to strive for a TB-free India through collective action.

His comments followed a statement from Health Minister J.P. Nadda, who highlighted that the World Health Organization (WHO) has acknowledged India’s “remarkable” progress, noting a 17.7% reduction in TB cases from 2015 to 2023—more than double the global decrease of 8.3%.

In a post on X, Modi praised the achievements by stating, “Commendable progress! The decline in TB incidence is an outcome of India’s dedicated and innovative efforts.” He reiterated the commitment to pursuing a TB-free India with a united approach.

BJP president and Union Health Minister JP Nadda also mentioned on Saturday that, “Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, our government has expanded and strengthened the National TB Elimination Programme,” mentioning initiatives like the Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana, which provides essential nutritional support to TB patients, as well as the introduction of the BPALM regimen, a new treatment for Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis.

He acknowledged the dedicated healthcare workers of the Health Ministry, recognising their crucial role and commitment in the ongoing battle against tuberculosis.

“I also acknowledge the tireless efforts of the Health Ministry’s dedicated healthcare workers, whose unwavering commitment and hard work play a crucial role in this fight against tuberculosis,” Nadda said.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India has recorded a decline of 17.7 percent in TB incidence from 2015 to 2023. This rate is more than double the global decline of 8.3 per cent.

In a post on X on Saturday, Nadda emphasised that ṭhis acknowledgment reflects India’s transformative approach to TB care and control. He mentioned that the government has expanded and strengthened the National TB Elimination Programme by taking key initiatives such as the Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana to provide essential nutritional support to TB patients.

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In Wayanad, Rahul Gandhi says protecting Constitution is India’s primary battle

He emphasised that such a mindset represents the kind of politics needed in India—not one of animosity but one of love and kindness.

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Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asserted on Sunday that the primary struggle in the country today is to safeguard and preserve the Constitution. He emphasised that the Constitution was crafted not from hatred but with humility and affection.

“The primary struggle taking place is for our Constitution. The greatness and protection we enjoy stem from it,” he stated during a corner meeting in Mananthavady, part of the campaign for his sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who is contesting the Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll.

Rahul explained that the Constitution was not born from anger or animosity but enacted by those who battled colonial rule, endured suffering, and spent many years in prison. They created the Constitution with love and humility, he added.

The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha emphasised that this struggle represents a fight between love and hatred. “It is a fight between confidence and insecurity. To prevail in this battle, we must eliminate anger and hatred from our hearts and replace them with love, humility, and compassion,” he added.

The former Congress president also reflected on his sister’s compassionate actions, sharing a poignant memory. “She is someone who embraced the girl implicated in my father’s assassination. When she returned from meeting Nalini, she expressed her sorrow for her,” he recalled.

He emphasised that such a mindset represents the kind of politics needed in India—not one of animosity but one of love and kindness.

During her campaign, Priyanka Gandhi took the opportunity to criticise the central government, claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is solely serving the interests of large business magnates.

“The Modi government prioritises his wealthy friends. Its agenda does not focus on improving your quality of life, creating jobs for educated youth, or enhancing healthcare and education,” she contended.

Priyanka continued her campaign activities by engaging in public and corner meetings alongside Rahul in the hilly constituency.

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Jammu & Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah condemns grenade attack near Sunday market in Srinagar

According to reports, at least six people were injured when terrorists threw a grenade in a crowded flea market in the heart of the city.

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Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on November 3 condemned the grenade attack near a busy Sunday market in Srinagar and said there could be no justification for targeting innocent civilians.

According to reports, at least six people were injured when terrorists threw a grenade in a crowded flea market in the heart of the city. The injured have been shifted to Shri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital (SMHS).

In a post on X, Abdullah said the last few days have been dominated by headlines of attacks and encounters in parts of the valley. “Today’s news of a grenade attack on innocent shoppers at the ‘Sunday market’ in Srinagar is deeply disturbing,” he added.

The security apparatus must do everything possible to end this spurt of attacks at the earliest so that people can go about their lives without any fear, the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister said.

The incident took place near the heavily guarded Tourist Reception Centre (TRC), occurring one day following the elimination of a top Pakistani commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) by security forces in the Khanyar locality of downtown Srinagar.

Authorities have dispatched police and paramilitary forces to the scene to evacuate the injured and initiate a search operation for the terrorists. The explosion triggered panic in the area, causing shoppers to scramble for cover.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Ravinder Sharma said that this was a conspiracy to disturb the atmosphere in the valley. Such incidents have increased ever since elections have been held and the new government has been formed, he claimed. He prayed for the well-being of those injured in the attack.

Calling for strict actions, the Congress leader said such attacks prove that the militancy is still there in the valley, adding the central government has the entire law and order and security apparatus in its hand.

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