Author: Swara Bodke

Events in Goa

Goa to Host Grand Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan Event at Bambolim Stadium on February 27

Swara Bodke

Written by Intern Swara Bodke || Team Allycaral

The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, in collaboration with the Government of Goa, will organise a grand public event under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) at Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium, Bambolim, Goa, on 27th February 2026 at 9 AM.
A large number of citizens, especially youth, are expected to participate in this landmark event. More than 3,000 people are anticipated to join physically, making it one of the largest mobilisations under the campaign in the state of Goa.
The event will be graced by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment Virendra Kumar, along with other senior officials.
Key Highlights of the Event:
Massive youth rally against drug abuse
Administration of a mass oath (pledge) against drugs, both online and offline
Cultural programmes and performances
Felicitation of active participants and partners
Sharing achievements and success stories of the Abhiyaan
Participation is expected from school and college students, youth, parents, Self Help Groups (SHGs), volunteers, department officials, representatives of spiritual organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), police personnel, civil society groups, and citizens.
Background of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan
Launched on 15th August 2020 by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, the Abhiyaan was initially rolled out in 272 most vulnerable districts and has now been expanded to all districts across the country. The campaign focuses on mass awareness generation, with special emphasis on higher educational institutions, university campuses, schools, and community-level outreach.
Major Achievements (as on date):
More than 25.93+ crore people sensitized on substance use issues
Over 9.35+ crore youth reached
More than 6.38+ crore women sensitized
Participation of over 16.15+ lakh educational institutions, ensuring wide coverage among children and youth
Strategic Partnerships
To strengthen mass awareness efforts, the Department has signed MoUs with eight prominent spiritual organisations, including the The Art of Living, Brahma Kumaris, Sant Nirankari Mission, ISKCON, Shri Ram Chandra Mission, All World Gayatri Pariwar, Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwantari Ashram and University of Patanjali.
Digital Outreach
The Abhiyaan maintains active official social media handles on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, along with a dedicated NMBA website providing comprehensive information, dashboards, an e-pledge facility, discussion forums, and resources.
Recent Landmark Events
The 5th Anniversary Celebration was held on 13 August 2025 in Delhi in collaboration with the Government of NCT of Delhi, with over 1,000 students participating physically and lakhs joining nationwide.
A Grand National Event was organised on 18 November 2025 at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, where more than 10,000 people participated physically and over 6.3 crore people joined across the country through 2.10 lakh+ locations.
The upcoming Goa event aims to highlight the progress and achievements of the Abhiyaan, mobilise large-scale community participation, inspire and motivate citizens—especially the youth—to reject substance use, and reinforce the collective resolve towards building a Nasha Mukt Bharat.
The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Government of Goa invite all citizens, particularly the youth, to actively participate in this significant movement towards a drug-free society.

Finance

HDFC Bank Inaugurates Tech & Digital Factory in Guwahati to Boost AI and Cybersecurity Talent

Swara Bodke

Written by Intern Swara Bodke || Team Allycaral

India, 2026: HDFC Bank, India’s leading private sector bank, has inaugurated its new Tech & Digital Factory in Guwahati, marking its first such facility in Assam and the fourth nationwide. The bank already operates similar Tech & Digital Factories in Mumbai, Bengaluru and Gurugram.
The new centre will serve as a hub for advanced technology development, innovation and talent incubation in Assam. It aims to strengthen talent pools in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital technologies and Cybersecurity, while building capabilities in Cloud, Data and core engineering tracks. The initiative is also expected to enhance digital product creation capabilities in the state.
The facility was inaugurated by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in the presence of Mr. Kaizad Bharucha, Deputy Managing Director – HDFC Bank, Mr. Ramesh Lakshminarayan, Chief Information Officer – HDFC Bank, dignitaries from the Government of Assam, members from participating educational institutions, and officers of the bank.


The Tech & Digital Factory will generate career opportunities for skilled professionals in Assam, enabling them to contribute directly to next-generation technology development while remaining in their home state.
The initiative is part of Advantage Assam 2.0, under which HDFC Bank partnered with the Government of Assam. The collaboration focuses on enhancing academic knowledge with industry expertise through a structured skill-building curriculum tailored to the BFSI and fintech sectors.
Centred on campus-to-corporate competency, the programme aligns with job requirements in banking and fintech industries. The curriculum includes essential banking knowledge along with new-age IT domains.
The programme commenced in September 2025, and over 150 students are currently being trained under the cohort. Participants will receive industry-relevant knowledge and hands-on experience from senior HDFC Bank executives.
Students enrolled in the programme will also undergo internships with HDFC Bank for a duration of 2 to 4 months. This will allow them to apply academic and technological concepts in real-world corporate scenarios. Importantly, the course is offered at no additional cost to students.
Commenting on the development, Mr. Kaizad Bharucha, Deputy Managing Director, HDFC Bank, said that the Bank had signed an MoU with the Assam Government at Advantage Assam 2.0 in February 2025 and was pleased to establish the facility within a year, supported strongly by the state government. He added that the new centre would enable the rollout of innovative digital products and services while attracting engineering talent from Assam to contribute to next-generation banking technology.
HDFC Bank’s Tech & Digital Factory model continues to function as the nucleus of digital execution, with dedicated units focused on experience design, mobile and cloud engineering, APIs and orchestration, data and GenAI, and secure-by-design architecture.
HDFC Bank began its journey in Assam in 2004 with the launch of its first branch in Guwahati. Since then, the Bank has expanded to 138 branches and 248 ATMs across the state as of December 31, 2025. According to the State Level Banker’s Committee (SLBC) report, the Bank’s Credit-Deposit (CD) ratio in Assam stood at 85.78% as of the same date.

Entertainment

The Wedding of ‘Virosh’! Vijay Deverakonda & Rashmika Mandanna Share Inside Glimpses

Swara Bodke

Written by Intern Swara Bodke || Team Allycaral

The wedding of “Virosh” has captured attention online as Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna shared inside glimpses from their special day through Instagram Stories.
The couple gave fans a sneak peek into the beautifully arranged wedding venue, highlighting elegant décor and thoughtfully curated details. From floral arrangements to aesthetic setups, the celebration reflected a blend of tradition and charm.


They also shared visuals of the delicacies served at the event, showcasing an elaborate spread prepared for guests. The stories included candid and light-hearted moments, capturing laughter, celebrations, and joyful interactions.
Through their updates, Vijay and Rashmika offered followers a closer look at their intimate wedding celebrations, making fans feel part of the special occasion.

National

Army Dog Tyson Injured in Action, Helps Neutralise 3 Jaish-e-Mohammed Terrorists in Kishtwar

Swara Bodke

Written by Intern Swara Bodke || Team Allycaral

In a remarkable display of courage and loyalty, Army dog Tyson played a decisive role in a counter-terror operation in the Chhatroo area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, guiding security forces to a concealed terrorist hideout and aiding in the killing of three operatives of Jaish-e-Mohammed.
Tyson, a German Shepherd with the Indian Army’s 2 Para (Special Forces), was sent ahead to probe a hideout dug into the steep and rugged terrain of Chhatroo. As he advanced, terrorists opened fire. Despite suffering a gunshot wound to his leg, Tyson continued moving forward, enabling troops to accurately identify the hideout’s exact location and neutralise it.
The operation was carried out jointly by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and special forces units.


Among those killed was Saifullah, a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist who had reportedly been active in the region for nearly two years and had previously evaded multiple security operations.
Security forces recovered two AK-47 rifles, ammunition, and other materials from the site. Officials stated that the terrorists had managed to avoid capture by constantly shifting locations across forested and mountainous terrain. However, Tyson’s detection of the hideout proved crucial in ending their prolonged evasion.
The injured dog was later airlifted for medical treatment and is reported to be in stable condition. Locals in the area expressed relief following the successful operation.
Officials highlighted that the mission once again demonstrated the importance of trained Army dogs in counter-terror operations. In a previous encounter in October 2024, another Army dog, Phantom, a Belgian Malinois, was killed while shielding his handler and fellow soldiers during a gunfight, a sacrifice that helped security forces eliminate terrorists at the site.
The latest action was part of Operation Trashi-I, launched in January, which targets difficult forested and mountainous zones of Kishtwar district — including Chhatroo, Sonnar, Dolgam, and Dichhar — through sustained search-and-assault missions.

Human Interest

The Smart Girl’s Guide to Holi Hair Protection

Swara Bodke

Written by Intern Swara Bodke || Team Allycaral

Holi is all about colour, joy, and self-expression. But while you’re busy celebrating, your hair often pays the price. After the festivities, many people notice dryness, rough texture, and frizz.
The colours used during Holi can sometimes contain harsh elements that strip away your hair’s natural moisture. The good news? A smart pre- and post-care routine can help maintain softness and shine. With the right nourishment and gentle products, your hair can stay healthy long after the celebrations are over.


Shailesh Moolya, National Technical Head at Godrej Professional, shares practical tips to protect and hydrate your strands.
Pre-Holi Hair Prep: Shield Your Strands
• Apply a leave-in oil: Before stepping out, coat your hair with a leave-in oil to create a protective barrier against colours. Products like Keracare Macadamia Oil help make your hair feel soft, smooth, and shiny.
• Style strategically: Opt for a tight braid or bun to reduce tangling and limit colour exposure.
• Cover your hair: Use a scarf, hat, or bandana to minimise direct contact with pigments.
Post-Holi Hair Revival: Restore & Replenish
• Rinse with cold water immediately: Wash off colours as soon as possible using cold water. Follow up with a mild shampoo to prevent further dryness.
• Avoid heat styling: Skip blow dryers and straighteners right after Holi. Your hair needs recovery time.
• Use a hydrating shampoo: Choose a moisture-rich formula to gently cleanse while restoring hydration.
• Seal in nourishment with a mask: Finish with a deeply conditioning hair mask. Honey-based formulas work especially well for hydration and scalp care.
Holi should leave you with beautiful memories — not damaged hair. Follow these expert tips to enjoy the festival while keeping your hair healthy, smooth, and celebration-ready.