Guy on a solo ride across the country, just to collect 'Thank You' messages for the India Army

BY NAWAZ SHAIkH

nawaz167@gmail.com

Panaji: 31-year-old Ravi Verma, who is on a solo ride across the country collecting messages for the India Army, has so far collected 3000 messages which he will soon be delivering to the soldiers on the borders. 

According to Ravi, he is expressing his gratitude for the Indian Army by collecting messages- posters, letters and 'thank you' notes from the people across the country.

Ravi was given a token of appreciation for his efforts by the hands of Varun Carvalho, Goa based singer, in the midst of Nikhil Desai, Managing Director, Goa Tourism Development Corporation and Mac Vaz, founder president Cashew Feni Distillers & Bottlers Association.

Ravi who is originally from Jaipur, has already travelled 18,000 kilometres on the bike so far.

While speaking to Gomantak Times, Verma, who is a student of BSc IT, informed that he began his ride for 29 state capitals and five Union Territories on August 15 from Jaipur.

“It was a documentary that changed my life. The idea to collect thanking message for the Indian Army came on my mind while watching a documentary film in 2014. After which wanted to do do something to thank the the efforts of the Army posted across India, because of whom we are able to live freely without any fear,” Ravi told Gomantak Times.

Stating that he has already covered Gurgaon, Panipat, Amritsar, Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Manali, Shimla and Dehradun. Agra, Lucknow, Patna, and North Eastern States, Ravi said, “From Goa I will be going to Kerala to collect the messages for the Indian Army.”

Ravi told that the support from everyone until now have been phenomenal. “I have already received more than 3000 messages for the Indian Army. I go to school and even the small children give their messages to the Army, it is a very heart touching moment,” he added.

While speaking about the funding of the ride Ravi said, “Entirely is self funded. I wanted to ask for sponsors but I did not. However, wherever I go people appreciate my efforts when they tell them the idea behind it. Many even offer their places for stay.”

Stating that he follows all the traffic rules the 31-year-old said, “I ride very slowly with full protection as I only cover around 200-500 km per day and do not ride during night. I avoid rash driving and only make sure I am wearing helmet while driving and respect all traffic rules.”

Giving out message the people of India Ravi said, “Whenever you see any army guy, just go and thank him. Tell them that they are doing a wonderful job, and trust me, that is all they need.”

Police Sub Inspectors spat on my face and clicked my nude pics, alleges Vasco resident

Panaji: Vasco resident have alleged that two under probation Police Sub Inspectors (PSI) spat on his face and clicked his nude pics, at Vasco Police Station.

Jackson Fernandes (21) lodged a complaint with the Vasco police of harassment and mental torture against two under probation PSIs Prashant Bhagat and Nehanda Tavares.

Fernandes has written an application to Vasco Police Inspector Sagar Ekoskar alleging that, “Acting on the complaint given by my mother, PSI Bhagat assaulted me as a criminal, spat on my mouth and furthermore clicked his naked photos at the Vasco police station.”

Jackson further alleged that the police has saved the pics in order to blackmail him. Also, PSI Nehanda also directed junior police staff to cut Jackson's hair as they were long, while he pleaded not to do so he added.

Fernandes informed that he has had suicidal tendencies in last one month after this humiliation by police personnel.

Fernandes has decided to approach Goa Human Rights Commission and State Police Complaints Authority (SPCA)

According to the police,“Jackson was picked up by Vasco police after his mother asked police to threaten him as he was creating troubles at home. This incident took place in September,” informed the police.

While speaking to Deputy Superintendent of Police of Vasco, Sucheta Dessai said that she has not recived any compliant as of date and that the complaint has been received by Vasco Police Inspector.

“Once I received the complaint I will ask for a report from the concerned police officer,” she said.

Goa DGP tweets appealing people to boycott 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil'

Panaji: Director General of Police, Goa, Muktesh Chander, hit the twitter appealing all Mohammed Rafi fans to boycott the movie ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’.

DGP Chander may have taken the a dialogue from ADHM too seriously, where Alizeh (Anushka Sharma) tells Ayan (Ranbir Kapoor) “Mohammed Rafi gaate nahi rote the.”

DGP Chander quoted the link of a news report from a national English daily in which Mohammed Rafi’s son Shahid has criticised the director Karan Johar for the insulting comment about his father.

The top cop of Goa police tweeted, “Md Rafi was 1 of the greatest singers of India & needs no certificate from any1. If u r Rafi fan boycott this movie.”

Another tweet DGP Chander said, “I am musically connected to Rafi Saheb & play his songs on flute. Any utterance against a great singer hurts his millions of fans like me.”

‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ was released last week after a lot of controversy created by Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) over the casting of Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.

Man arrested for not letting the DyCM overtake

Panaji Police on Sunday late night arrested one person for allegedly obstructing the carcade of Deputy Chief Minister of Goa, Francis D'Souza.

Pic credit:http://www.worldtvnews.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/BBSM-activists-show-black-flags-at-CM-Dy-CM-in-Mapusa.jpg

According to Panaji Police, the accused Ronit Nasnodkar (25), a resident of Mapusa, drove in a rash and negligent manner and overtook the carcade of the DYCM at Verna slope. After which Nasnodkar did not allow the carcade to overtake.

The 'ride' finally came to an end at Panaji after Nasnodkar had to slow down his car at the Merces circle due to traffic congestion.

In the meantime the Panaji police was informed about the same. Following the information the Panaji Police stopped Nasnodkar near Hera petrol pump and detained him, who was later placed under arrest.

Panaji Police has booked Nasnodkar under section 279 (Rash driving or riding on a public way), 341 (Punishment for wrongful restraint) and 353 (criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) of Indian Penal Code (IPC). He was later released on bail by the Panaji JMFC court.

Multi-level car parking finally inaugurated at Patto

Panaji: State government on Monday finally inaugurated long awaited multi-level car parking at Panaji, which can accommodate 465 cars at once.

Goa's first multi-level parking facility, pic by Atish Naik 

While Speaking on the occasion of inauguration of Goa's first multi-level parking facility, Defence Minister, Manohar Parrikar informed about the hardship faced to built the car parking facility.

He added saying, “This project is built after a lot of study and research to stop traffic congestion. Locals as well as the tourists should take due advantage of this project in order to have a smooth ride in the state.”

Stating that the car parking facility is not completely disable friendly, Parrikar said, “It is brought to my notice that this multilevel car par facility is completely not as per the latest disability norms and I have approached the GTDC to complete the due modifications which is required.”

“We have given directions to the casinos that they can park their cars in the facility and guests can take the bus service from here to the desired location, which will decrease the congestion in a major way,” Parrikar said.

Stating that this project is a boon to the state as a steep rise of 20% each year is seen in the number of tourists, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar who was also present at the occasion said, “This is a unique project with State-of-the-Art facility. The quality of this project, along with other mega Government projects, will surely change people’s perception towards Government constructions. We shall surely have more such projects in Panjim and other parts of the state,” Parsekar said.

Tourism Minister Dilp Parulekar was of the opinion that multilevel car parking projects should be taken up in other cities of Goa as well, which will help reduce traffic congestion.

“We have been making efforts to put all tourism infrastructure projects in place and will ensure continuation of the good work being done.” said Parulekar.

GTDC Chairman, Nilesh Cabral said “The MLCP is one of the important beautification and infrastructure projects commissioned this year. The MLCP is a unique facility being provided for tourists and locals and we shall encourage people to use the MLCP which will reduce traffic congestion in Panjim”

The government has announced that the first seven days for parking at the facility will be free after which the commuters will have to pay a parking fee.

Sunburn can still hold the event in Goa: Dilip Parulekar

Panaj: Sunburn can still hold the event in Goa, as long as they pay back-dues of Rs. 1.75 crore for providing police personnel for security cover, said Goa Tourism minister Dilip Parulekar on Monday.

While speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event in the state capital, organised to inaugurate a multi-level car parking facility, Parulekar also said that the Goa government had not closed its doors on the event.
“They had given us an application. We still haven’t rejected it. Their application is pending before the (single window) committee,” said Parulekar adding, “The only thing is that they had to pay to my police department in back dues. We have said that the police department back-dues have to be paid and we are processing your file for permission. Once the file is processed, they can host the festival here.”
The Sunburn has been organising the EDM festival over the last few years. The second EDM festival, Supersonic has already relocated to Pune, while there are rumours that Sunburn is also likely to move out of Goa.