Lisa Monteiro

The distinct howls of the striped hyena and jackal animated the nocturnal soundscape in the past decades. Over years, they have become rare as the larger mammals seem to have mysteriously disappeared from Goa.

On the fifth Monday of Lent (this year it was on March 23), the Saint Andrew’s Church in Goa Velha hosts the unique Procession of Saints, a practice dating back to the early 17th century. Started by the Franciscans – the first Order to reach Goa in 1517 – after the Portuguese conquest of Goa, the Procession of Saints is one-of-its-kind and, besides Rome, happens only in Goa. When it started in 1617 as a Lenten penitential practice from nearby Pilar, where the Franciscans had their monastery, there were 65 statues in the procession, but now there are only 31 life-size statues of saints with many of the earlier statues being destroyed. The statues, all numbered, are taken out in solemn procession around the village with thousands standing along the way for a glimpse. Devotees duck under the palanquins – some weighing as much as 200kg – believing they’ll be blessed.

Justice Gautam Patel who had said "Goa is a land worth fighting for", in his characteristic style points out all that is wrong with the way land is being converted in Goa. "This land is not a piece of meat in a butcher’s shop to be carved up and distributed. It’s a home, and it needs to be treated like one." Section 39A is “reducing Goa and its people to irrelevance, land to a backdrop” and is “in full cry the infantilization of an entire populace”. Let there be a referendum on any one of these proposed land-use zoning changes, not just suggestions and objections, he said.

From women to youths and from housing to infra across sectors, @goacm @DrPramodPSawant, in his last budget of the current term and 7th consecutive one, leaves no stone unturned to reach out to every section ahead of the 2027 assembly elections. Tribals and elders are also in focus as healthcare gets a boost #GoaBudget

RT @RajeshMenon70: Move over Delhi, Goa is no better. Goa has been seeing significant rise in pollution with no respite in sight. Respirato…

On World Tourism Day, we look at where Goa stands. With a population of just 16 lakh, it attracts more than six times its resident population. But beneath the glitz lies an uncomfortable question: is the state veering towards over-tourism? The signs are there— congested roads, heaps of garbage along coastal roads, erratic water supply in village belts, and hostility towards tourists. High time Goa reinvented itself and provided the infra that it severely lacks to maintain its status on the world tourism map.  #WorldTourismDay #Goa

Docs call for early diagnosis, social interaction on World Alzheimer's Day #Goa #WorldAlzheimersDay #struggles #caregivers #burnout #support #help #seniors #MentalHealthAwareness @TOIGoaNews #mental

Can’t tax cars from military canteens at mkt price, govt told | Goa News - Times of India #Goa #armesforces #vehicle #RTO #tax #humanrightscommission @TOIGoaNews share.google/x3xLEjI4YxAJDv…

In blatant disregard of the PM scheme framework, the South Goa District Mineral Fund that is supposed to be meant for mining-affected people is being planned to be utilised for buying SUVs for cops and gym equipment for panchayat. Red flags have been raised but will it make any difference?

TOI IMPACT: 90% of police stations in Goa are understaffed. We are glad that Bombay high court took suo motu cognisance of our report and asked for an immediate response from @GovtofGoa. It forced even the opposition leader @Yurialemao9 to raise it in the assembly with @goacm @DrPramodPSawant assuring the House that the vacancies would be filled up soon.

The high court of Bombay at #Goa has set aside the order of the govt to follow OPDs for #Calangute, #Candolim, #Arpora, #Nagoa, and #Parra and directed that regional plan 2021 be followed for approval of plans/grant of permissions in these villages @TOIGoaNews

The weak, not crowds caught Pope'' eye #Pope #Francis #PopeFrancis #coordinator of #foreign #trips #incharge #Aspostolic #Journeys #Cardinal #Koovakad organised 13 apostolic journeys across 18 nations @TOIWorld toi.in/PPWHVa

Spoke to #PopeFrancis on Sat before Palm Sun, didn’t know it would be my last personal moment with him: #CardinalKoovakad #India #coordinator #Apostolic #journeys #Vatican #Secretariat #foreign #world #trips @TOIWorld @TOICitiesNews timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/the-w…

From sending money to posting Vatican stamps for kids, Goa’s Sr Lucy remembers her last boss #PopeFrancis #Goa #nun #Vatican #Secretariat #Rome #Cuncolim #Candolim Goa News - The Times of India @TOIGoaNews @TOICitiesNews timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/from-…

Find 'wholesome solution' to child begging issue: HC to govt #Goa #children #forced #beg #Traffic #signals #PIL @TOIGoaNews toi.in/6qDiqZ

2006 Surlakar murder: Reconsider early release plea says High Court #Goa #murder #premature #release #life #imprisonment #sentencereviewboard @TOIGoaNews toi.in/2naJ2Y

Send notice to Bicholim mamlatdar for delayed action against sand mining: HC #Goa #sand #extraction #delay #action @TOIGoaNews Read more at: m.timesofindia.com/articleshow/11…

Yesterday, when @goacm @DrPramodPSawant presented his 7th budget, it was Goa's most aggressive attempt in over two decades to boost the economy. In his 139-minute speech, delivered in four languages, he set an ambitious fiscal roadmap with a strong focus on tax incentives to woo largescale investments into the sunshine state that stressed on attracting large footfall while promising a friendly environment for investors. To decode the numbers and know what's in store, read @TOIGoaNews 😊 #GoaBudget