Author: Tanisha Cardozo

Business

GCCI Women’s Wing Hosts TechShe Digital Transformation Training in Panaji

Tanisha Cardozo

The Women’s Wing of the Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI), in association with the Ubuntu Consortium of Women Entrepreneurs Association, organised the TechShe Program – “Basic and Advanced Digital Transformation Training” on February 17, 2026, at the Surendrababu Timblo Convention Hall.

Chairperson Sandra Fernandes welcomed the participants, while GCCI President Pratima Dhond addressed the gathering, highlighting the importance of equipping women entrepreneurs with digital skills to remain competitive in an evolving business landscape.

The programme was graced by Chief Guest Ranjita Pai, Chairperson of the Goa State Commission for Women, and Guest of Honour K. Ratna Prabha, IAS (Retd.), Founder President of the Ubuntu Consortium. Jyoti Balakrishna, Founder and Honorary Secretary of the Ubuntu Consortium, was also present.

The training session was conducted by Resource Person Deepali Gotadke, who shared practical insights on building a strong digital presence, effectively using social media platforms and adopting digital payment systems to support business growth. The session was interactive and well received by participants.

Gouri R. Joshi, Vice Chairperson, introduced the Guest of Honour, while Clare D’Souza introduced the Chief Guest. The programme was compered by Adv. Adbrona Vaz e Valadares. Women’s Wing members Pallavi Salgaocar, Deepali Naik and Simran Dhond were also present. The Vote of Thanks was proposed by Co-Chairperson Adv. Poonam Ajgaonkar.

The programme was generously sponsored by Dr. Celso Fernandes of Nave Marg Financial Services, who also addressed the gathering on financial discipline and the importance of long-term savings. Certificates were distributed to participants at the conclusion of the event. The programme was coordinated by Melane Rodrigues, Assistant Director, GCCI.

EduConnect

SVVM College of Commerce Hosts CONVERGE 3.0 Summit on AI for Career Building

Tanisha Cardozo

Swami Vivekanand Vidyaprasarak Mandal’s College of Commerce (SVVMCC) organised an Academia–Industry Summit under CONVERGE 3.0 – Shiksha Udyogik Sangam on February 12, 2026, focusing on the theme “AI for Career Building.” The programme was conducted under the aegis of the Directorate of Higher Education, Government of Goa, in association with the Goa State Higher Education Council and the Institution’s Innovation Council. The summit aimed to bridge the gap between academic learning and evolving industry expectations in the digital era.

The event commenced with an address by Principal Prof. Achut Pednekar, who welcomed the gathering and highlighted the institution’s commitment to nurturing enlightened youth through excellence in higher education. He emphasised the importance of strong academia–industry linkages and aligned the initiative with the Directorate of Higher Education’s efforts to enhance internships, placements and industry exposure for students.

The first technical session, titled “Bridging Academia and Industry Expectations,” was delivered by Damodar Pai Patnekar, CEO and Co-founder of Bodhami. He spoke about the changing demands of industry in the age of Artificial Intelligence, stressing the need for practical skills, adaptability and a strong problem-solving mindset. His session provided students with clarity on aligning academic knowledge with real-world industry requirements.

The second session, “Empowering Students with AI Awareness,” was conducted by Rohir Naik, CEO of Coderix Solutions LLP. He introduced students to the fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence and its applications across sectors, particularly in commerce and business. He encouraged students to develop digital competencies and embrace AI-driven tools to enhance employability.

The final session, “Getting Career AI-Ready through AI Education,” was led by Vishwa Naik Raikar, Assistant Professor (Finance) and Programme Coordinator – PGP Banking and Finance. She highlighted the importance of AI education in career planning, ethical AI usage and continuous upskilling to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving job market.

Students from First, Second and Third Year B.Com actively participated in the summit, engaging in discussions and interactions with the speakers. The sessions collectively offered valuable insights into how Artificial Intelligence is shaping future careers and redefining industry expectations.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Gayatri Behare, TIP Coordinator, who expressed gratitude to the Principal, resource persons, compere Florencia Souza, faculty members, students and the organising team. She noted that the summit strengthened industry ties and advanced AI-centric career strategies, reaffirming SVVMCC’s alignment with the vision of the Directorate of Higher Education for quality, future-ready education.

Events in Goa

QUT Music Students Collaborate with Goa Jazz Academy for Special Performance in Guirim

Tanisha Cardozo

Student musicians from Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Australia, joined hands with students of the Goa Jazz Academy (GJA) to present a special collaborative music show on the evening of February 13. Hosted at the academy’s campus in Guirim, near Mapusa, the event reflected a vibrant spirit of exchange, listening and experimentation.

The performance was the culmination of several days of intensive workshops and rehearsals, during which students from both institutions worked together in mixed ensembles. They composed, arranged and refined original pieces, drawing from diverse musical influences and individual creative styles. The final presentation featured fresh compositions shaped through shared artistic processes, offering audiences an engaging and dynamic musical experience.

The collaboration highlighted the value of international partnerships in music education, creating opportunities for students to expand their artistic horizons and learn from one another. According to Divya Gupta, co-founder of the Goa Jazz Academy, the initiative not only fostered creative growth but also showcased new work created entirely by the students themselves.

The evening stood as a testament to the power of music in building bridges across cultures, reinforcing the role of collaborative learning in nurturing the next generation of musicians.

TechPulse

Over 200 Women Attend Launch of Mahila Digital Sashaktikaran Yojana in Porvorim

Tanisha Cardozo

In a strong show of community participation, over 200 women gathered at Vetaal Temple Hall in Socorro, Porvorim, for the launch of the Mahila Digital Sashaktikaran Yojana, an initiative of the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C), Government of Goa. The programme was organised in collaboration with Info Tech Corporation of Goa Limited and marked a significant step toward enhancing digital literacy and grassroots empowerment among women.

The event was attended by Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Tourism and Printing & Stationery Rohan Khaunte, along with senior officials, local representatives and community leaders. Addressing the gathering, the Minister commended DITE&C’s efforts in taking digital empowerment to the grassroots level. He emphasised that initiatives such as the Mahila Digital Sashaktikaran Yojana ensure that women from both urban centres and rural villages gain the skills, confidence and access required to participate meaningfully in Goa’s digital economy. He noted that the scheme enables women to access government services online, run businesses digitally, acquire new skills and compete effectively in today’s market landscape.

Under the scheme, participants receive hands-on training in using digital devices, navigating online platforms and accessing e-governance services. The training is delivered through empanelled Information Technology Knowledge Centres (ITKCs), Common Service Centres (CSCs) and Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs), ensuring accessibility through panchayat halls and community centres.

The programme began with a detailed presentation outlining the structure, eligibility criteria and benefits of the scheme, followed by an informative cyber security awareness session conducted by officials from the Cyber Crime Police Station, Goa. The session highlighted safe digital practices and the importance of protecting oneself from online fraud and cyber threats.

The event concluded with a significant number of women registering for the scheme, reflecting strong interest and engagement from the community. Through initiatives directly benefiting citizens, particularly women in rural areas, DITE&C continues its mission of bridging the digital divide and promoting equitable access to technology across Goa.

Entertainment

AA23 Theme Crosses 1 Million Instagram Reels; Allu Arjun–Lokesh Kanagaraj Celebrate Milestone

Tanisha Cardozo

The upcoming pan-India film AA23, marking the first collaboration between Allu Arjun and Lokesh Kanagaraj, has achieved a significant digital milestone even before going on floors. The theme music of the film has crossed one million reels on Instagram, underlining the massive anticipation surrounding the project.

Lokesh recently shared a cheerful selfie with Allu Arjun as the makers revealed that the announcement track, titled “23 Theme,” had become a viral sensation. Composed by Anirudh Ravichander, the energetic rap-style number quickly struck a chord with fans following the film’s announcement earlier this year. The track has been widely used for reels, short videos and even as ringtones, reflecting its strong recall value.

AA23 was officially announced in January on the festive occasion of Sankranti (Bhogi, January 14) by Mythri Movie Makers after months of speculation. The production house unveiled a striking concept video carrying the tagline “Strive for greatness,” hinting at the film’s ambitious scale. The teaser featured a powerful visual of a man riding a horse through a dense forest as lions and wolves appear to bow before him, symbolising dominance and grandeur.

Sharing the announcement clip at the time, Lokesh expressed excitement about collaborating with Allu Arjun and reuniting with Anirudh Ravichander, describing the project as the beginning of a massive cinematic journey. The makers have confirmed that the film will have a grand pan-India release.

The celebration of the theme’s digital success comes amid recent online discussions surrounding a reported “42 dos and don’ts” controversy. A brand strategist had claimed on a podcast that a detailed list of guidelines was shared ahead of a scheduled meeting with the actor. The remarks went viral, prompting widespread debate on social media. However, Allu Arjun’s team strongly denied the allegations and reportedly threatened legal action following the backlash. Subsequently, both the brand strategist and the podcaster issued public apologies, and the episode along with related social media clips was taken down.

Despite the surrounding chatter, the momentum around AA23 continues to grow. With its theme already setting records online and the combination of Allu Arjun, Lokesh Kanagaraj and Anirudh Ravichander generating enormous interest, the film is shaping up to be one of the most awaited pan-India projects in the coming years.