guirim photos on Flickr

Saligao is a census town in North Goa district in the Indian state of Goa. It is surrounded by the villages of Porvorim, Parra, Guirim, Sangolda, Pilerne, Candolim, Calangute and Nagoa and is in Bardez Taluka of Goa. It is 10 km from Panjim the capital of Goa, 6 km from Mapusa the capital of Bardez Taluka, and 3 km from the Calangute beach.

Geography

Saligao is located at 15°33′N 73°46′E / 15.55°N 73.77°E / 15.55; 73.77. It has an average elevation of 9 metres (30 feet).

Demographics

As of 2001[update] India census, Saligao had a population of 5553. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Saligao has an average literacy rate of 82%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 87%, and female literacy is 76%. In Saligao, 8% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Places of interest

Mater Dei, one of Goa's first English language schools, at Bairo Alto. Started as St. Mary's in 1900, the name was later changed to Mater Dei in 1909.

Lourdes Convent High School at Sonarbhat

Government Middle School at the CHOGM Road Crossing.

Bank of India at the Saligao market.

Pirna Urban Cooperative Bank, near the Saligao Super Market.

Central Academy for Professional Studies , at CAPS Goa, D'Mello Vaddo for Chartered Accountancy mock tests and concise notes for CA CPT, IPCC and Final are also made available by the Central Academy of Professional Studies, a premier College and Coaching institute for professional education in India.

Florentine Bar and Restaurant at Piqueno Morod, a small outlet known for its chicken cafreal dish.

Samrat Hotel, a restaurant alongside the CHOGM road, known for its bhaji (vegetable-based) preparations.

Leela Communications, at the Saligao market.

Cherry Fernandes' play-school at D'Mello Vaddo.

Krist Raj Bhavan, home for the aged, run by the Franciscan Missionaries of Christ the King sisters.

Mãe de Deus home for the aged, run by the Franciscan Missionaries of Christ the King sisters.

Mãe de Deus Parish Church built in 1873.

Hindu temples including Shravani (near the Saligao spring, Salmona), Dattatriya (at the Seminary Hill, Sonarbhat), Laxmi Narayan (near market area) and Vittal temple (near the border with Sangolda).

Village issues

In recent years, Saligao, which is just outside the North Goa beach-belt, has seen significant concerns over the large-scale sale of ground-water from a number of wells in the village, particularly at Donvaddo. There has also been concern raised by villagers over the dumping of garbage from the coastal belt on the hillock atop the village, partly on village lands and partly on land belonging to the Calangute comunidade but very close (and overlooking) the village. On December 12, 2002, a writ petition was filed over this issue in the Goa bench of the High Court of Bombay.

The petition challenged the selection of a garbage disposal site on the top of Saligao plateau, in the midst of a social forest plantation raised by the Goa government's Forest Department. It argued that the decision to locate the disposal site in this "inappropriate area" was made without following the procedures established by law, particularly the provision of Municipal Solid Waste Rules, 2000 issued under provisions of the Environment Protection Act, 1986. "The location is bound to have grievous consequences for the environment, health and water supplies," the petition filed by green lawyer Norma Alvares of the Goa Foundation argued.

On the groundwater issue, in May 2002, a study titled "Saligao's water crisis and commercial groundwater extraction" was released. Its summary said: "Extraction of groundwater for commercial sale outside the village has risen sharply in the last five years, to a level of up to 435,000 litres per day. Groundwater levels are falling, and wells for household use and for irrigating farmland are running dry in some parts of Saligao, although other parts of the village are unaffected. The problem is very serious for household wells in Don Vaddo and parts of Sonarbhat, and for farmers in Mollembhat. Enough consumers are suffering serious problems to merit the SCCC [Saligao Civic and Consumers' Cell] taking up commercial groundwater extraction as a community issue."

It noted that more than half of 28 household wells surveyed in Don Vaddo and Sonarbhat went dry in April/May 2001, a normal monsoon year. At least 138 consumers depend on these wells. Falling water levels in this area have coincided with a very rapid increase in commercial extraction from the local well.

Nilima & Lesley - Wedding, Goa by Lovell D'souza

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Go Digital, Get Set Top Box by Joegoauk Goa

All AH Subscribers need a set-top box by December 31, 2015 to watch Cable TV

Advert issued by Dept of Information and Publicity Govt. of Goa. More info www.mib.nic.in or www.digitalindiamib.com

Urban Areas

1 North Goa

Arambol (CT)

Mandrem (CT)

Parcem (CT)

Morjim (CT)

Mapusa (M Cl)

Siolim (CT)

Colvale (CT)

Moira (CT)

Guirim (CT)

Anjuna (CT)

Calangute (CT)

Saligao (CT)

Candolim (CT)

Nerul (CT)

Reis Magos (CT)

Pilerne (CT)

Penha-De-Franca (CT)

Salvador Do Mundo (CT)

Socorro (CT)

Aldona (CT)

Panaji (M Cl + OG)

Jua (CT)

Cumbarjua (CT)

Corlim (CT)

Chimbel (CT)

Murda (CT)

Calapor (CT)

Bambolim (CT)

Goa Velha (CT)

Mercurim (CT)

Bicholim (M Cl)

Sanquelim (M Cl)

Carapur (CT)

Pale (CT)

Valpoi (M Cl)

Onda (CT)

Ponda (M Cl)

Candola (CT)

Orgao (CT)

Marcaim (CT)

Priol (CT)

Bandora (CT)

Curti (CT)

Quela (CT)

Borim (CT)

Usgao (CT)

2. South Goa

Mormugao (M Cl)

Chicalim (CT)

Sancoale (CT)

Cortalim (CT)

Margao (M Cl)

Cuncolim (M Cl)

Verna (CT)

Nuvem (CT)

Raia (CT)

Curtorim (CT)

Sao Jose De Areal (CT)

Davorlim (CT)

Aquem (CT)

Navelim (CT)

Benaulim (CT)

Varca (CT)

Chinchinim (CT)

Quepem (M Cl)

Curchorem-Cacora (M Cl)

Xeldem (CT)

Sanguem (M Cl)

Sanvordem (CT)

Canacona (M Cl)

Saligão-and-St-Diogos-NYE-2013 by Eddie Fernandes

Tue. 31 Dec. 2013: Saligão and St Diogo’s (Guirim/Sangolda) Associations’ New Year’s Eve Ball at Civic Suite, Wandsworth, SW18 2PU, 7.00pm-1.30am. Live music by Mello Tones and Say One Do One disco. Goan buffet by Maggie’s, sweets and snacks; and a complimentary glass of bubbly with party hats, poppers, etc. All included in the ticket price! Adult member: £32, Guest: £33, 11-18yrs: £24 and 2-10yrs: £15. Dress code: Formal only. Apply early to avoid disappointment! No licensed bar, so please bring your own drinks. Tickets Hotline: Selina de Sa 0208 6439675 and Jane Gracias 0208 5435454.

Nilima & Lesley - Wedding, Goa by Lovell D'souza

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Death: Ubaldo Almeida. Tonbridge, Kent. Ex-Mombasa by Eddie Fernandes

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16 Dec 2022. Tonbridge, Kent, UK. UBALDO ALMEIDA, 89. Born May 16, 1933 in Guirim, Goa. It is with deep sadness we announce the peaceful passing of Ubaldo, following a short illness and stay in hospital. Known for his love of music, ballroom, billiards, he enjoyed all sport and travels afar. Ubaldo was incredibly generous and a loyal friend. He will be truly missed, forever in our hearts. Private Funeral. Condolences to thealmeidafamily89@gmail.com

SIOLIM PLANT FESTIVAL 2010, GOA by Joel's Goa Pics

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Rev Fr Paul Sagayam MSFS, Principal of SFX Higher Secondary School addressing the inaugural function of the 19th edition of TheSiolim Plant Festival on 13th August 2010.

19th Plants & Flowers Festival, Siolim

On 13 August, 2010, Orlando Rodrigues, Managing Director of the Goa State Horticultural Corporation, inaugurated the 19th annual Festival of Plants & Flowers, and released the book “Growing Vegetables Organically” at a colourful ceremony in the SFX School campus, Siolim.

The 3-day Festival of Plants and Flowers is organized by the Green Heritage Eco-club of St Francis Xavier's Higher Secondary School, Siolim. The Club is affiliated to the Botanical Society of Goa [BSG]. There was a presentation on earthworms and ecology by Dr. Sultan Ismail of the New College, Chennai.

In this unique event, students of different schools got to learn about the organic way of growing vegetables this year. Chief guest Orlando Rodrigues said, “We cannot be sure if the vegetables sold in the market are really organic, but one can grow vegetables organically in the home garden or kitchen garden.” The inaugural programme was ably compered by a student, Miss Merlin Rodrigues

The St. Francis Xavier’s High School, Siolim, commonly called “SFX” in Siolim was founded by Mr Miguel Antonio de Souza, B.Sc., on May 21, 1937, in Corlim, Mapusa. Later, in December 1953, it was handed over to the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman The institution has been a blessing to the village of Siolim as well as to the neighbouring villages, moulding thousands of youngsters in order to develop them into responsible citizens of this country.

The students of over 20 schools participated enthusiastically in the very interesting exhibition, in which Goa's top plant nurseries, florists, green shop and bookshop for environmental publications set up their stalls selling plants and other inputs of every kind and things meant for gardening. The students of the school have also put up a stall selling snacks, sweets, savouries and pickles.

There were a number of competitions like fruit basket arrangements, vegetable carving, presentation of projects on food adulteration and a quiz on vegetables in Goa for the students of High Schools as well as an essay competition for Higher Secondary School students. Thirteen schools including St. Michael’s HS, Anjuna; Mater Dei HS, Saligao; Lourdes Convent HS, Saligao; St. Anthony’s HS , Monte de Guirim; St. Anthony’s HS, Duler-Mapusa; Chubby Cheeks Green Valley HS, Pilerne; Holy Cross HS , Bastora, Holy Cross HS, Siolim, SFX HS, Siolim; St. Anne’s HS, Tivim; St. Britto HS, Mapusa; St. Mary’s Convent HS, Mapusa and St. Xavier’s HS, Moira, participated.

During the first two days of the festival, the vast school hall, packed with a wide variety of plants and related items, was visited by a continuous flow of schools students, parents and general public, from all over Bardez and Pernem talukas. Green Heritage's seeds sown almost two decades ago have borne a handsome harvest already, with a number of schools in Goa having picked up the interest to organize similar plant exhibitions.

The plant loving Siolkars must be hugely grateful to Rev Fr Paul Sagayam MSFS, Principal of SFX Higher Secondary School for hosting the grand event graciously, and for embedding plants and flowers and talent in Siolim's long list of typical traditions, which include fish, football, the unique Sao Joao Boat Parade and the rustic Wednesday Bazaar.

MIGUEL BRANGANZA

Also see earlier reports at:

www.goacom.com/goanow/2001/sep/environment.html

and

www.mail-archive.com/goan-nri@yahoogroups.co.in/msg07566....

Nilima & Lesley - Wedding, Goa by Lovell D'souza

wedding by jembe

St. Diego's church in Guirim

Nilima & Lesley - Wedding, Goa by Lovell D'souza

Goan percussionist Bondo by Joel's Goa Pics

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I clicked famed Goan percussionist Bondo from Alister's car while the jovial musician was riding on his Bullet motorcycle quite leisurely along the Mapusa-Panjim highway at Guirim on November 2, 2007, evening.

Young Chico last journey by joegoauktiatr