Panaji: Goa’s women’s cricket continues to gain momentum as Tanaya Naik has been appointed captain of the state’s Under-23 team for the upcoming Women’s U-23 One Day Trophy 2025–26. The tournament will be held in Dehradun from March 3 to March 11, bringing together some of the most promising young cricketers from across the country.
Goa has been placed in Group E and will play five league matches in the competition. The team will begin its campaign against Hyderabad on March 3, followed by fixtures against Saurashtra (March 5), Chandigarh (March 7), Andhra (March 9), and Delhi (March 11).
The squad features a blend of emerging talent and consistent performers who have been making steady progress in domestic cricket. Leading the side, Tanaya Naik will shoulder the responsibility of guiding the team through a competitive tournament and setting the tone with both leadership and performance.
With increasing focus on women’s cricket across India, tournaments like the Women’s U-23 One Day Trophy provide a crucial platform for young players to showcase their abilities and push for higher honours. For Goa, this tournament represents not just participation, but an opportunity to make a strong statement on the national stage.
As the team heads into the competition, expectations will be high, and all eyes will be on how these rising stars perform against some of the best young talent in Indian cricket.
The Museum of Goa (MOG) is set to open a landmark exhibition titled Refuge, Resilience, and Rights: The Tibetan Story, bringing to Goa a deeply moving exploration of exile, identity and cultural survival. The eight-day exhibition will run from March 1 to March 8, 2026, at the museum’s Pilerne campus.
Co-curated with the Tibet Museum, the exhibition forms part of The Infinite Ripple – 90 Years of Compassion, a larger commemorative programme reflecting on compassion, memory and shared humanity.
Through historical objects, archival photographs, personal testimonies and community narratives, the exhibition traces the journey of Tibetans from their displacement in the mid-20th century to the lived realities of Tibetan communities in India and across the world today. It examines how culture can be preserved without territory — sustained through lived practice, education, institutions and collective memory.
Sharada Kerkar, Director of the Museum of Goa, said the exhibition was chosen to foreground exile as a deeply human experience. She noted that Tibet’s story raises universal questions about identity, belonging and the preservation of culture across generations, especially when communities are separated from their homeland.
The exhibition is supported by the Foundation for Universal Responsibility of His Holiness The Dalai Lama and the Vimson Shivanand Salgaocar Group. It also anchors a wider programme of public engagement, including talks, film screenings and cultural events aimed at fostering deeper understanding.
The opening on March 1 will feature a talk by Professor Varun Sahni titled Compassion in a Complex and Often Cruel World, followed by the launch of the book Voice for the Voiceless and a guided walkthrough of the exhibition. Daily walkthroughs will continue from March 3 to 7, offering visitors detailed insights into the narratives and materials on display.
The exhibition will conclude on March 8 with talks by Karma Thupten and photographer Kishore Thukral, along with a traditional Blackhat Dance performance by monks from the Drepung Loseling Monastery — a powerful cultural expression rooted in Tibetan spiritual heritage.
By hosting Refuge, Resilience, and Rights: The Tibetan Story, the Museum of Goa reinforces its commitment to presenting global histories through a human lens — creating space for dialogue, empathy and reflection within the cultural landscape of Goa.
In a unique blend of diplomacy and pop culture, Narendra Modi met the team behind the globally acclaimed series Fauda during his recent visit to Israel, creating a memorable moment that resonated across both political and entertainment circles.
The Prime Minister, who returned to India after a historic two-day state visit, took to social media to share a cheerful selfie with the cast and creators of Fauda. Adding his trademark touch of humour, he wrote, “Thankfully, this interaction required only a selfie, no undercover work! #Fauda,” referencing the show’s intense espionage theme.
The highlight of the interaction was the response from Fauda’s co-creator and lead actor, Lior Raz, who described the meeting as a “huge honour.” Speaking in an interview, Raz praised the Prime Minister’s support for the arts, noting how significant it was for creators to receive recognition from a leader of such a large and influential country.
Raz also reflected on the show’s strong connection with India, recalling its Netflix premiere at the International Film Festival of India held in Goa. He expressed enthusiasm about future collaborations, stating that the team would love to return to India and engage more deeply with its creative industry.
Fauda, developed by Lior Raz and Avi Issacharoff, is widely regarded as one of the most gripping political thrillers in global television. The series draws inspiration from their experiences in the Israel Defense Forces and follows the story of Doron, an undercover commander in a special unit, navigating high-stakes missions and personal dilemmas.
Since its debut in 2015, the series has gained international acclaim and a dedicated fan base, including in India, where it streams on Netflix. With four successful seasons already released and a fifth season on the way, Fauda continues to expand its global reach.
Its popularity in India also led to an official adaptation titled Tanaav, which premiered in 2022 and explores similar themes within an Indian context.
The meeting between PM Modi and the Fauda team underscores the growing cultural exchange between India and Israel, where diplomacy extends beyond traditional boundaries into storytelling, cinema, and shared creative aspirations.
It was a night of high drama and edge-of-the-seat action in Margao as Vimson Panjim Powerplay clinched a sensational one-run victory over Madgaon Royals CC in the GSB Unity Cup 3.0, organised by the Goa GSB Sports and Charitable Trust.
Played under floodlights at the MCC Ground, the match delivered everything a cricket fan could hope for — a competitive total, strong individual performances, and a finish that went right down to the final ball.
Chasing 160 for victory, Madgaon Royals CC fought hard but fell just short, ending at 158 for 7 in their 20 overs. The match reached its peak in the final delivery, where the Royals needed four runs to win and three to tie. In a desperate attempt to complete the third run, Granthik Buyao was run out, handing Vimson Panjim Powerplay a dramatic one-run win.
Earlier in the evening, after winning the toss, Madgaon Royals opted to field first. Vimson Panjim Powerplay posted a competitive total of 159 for 7, thanks to a composed and captain’s knock from Amod Borkar. Leading from the front, he scored a fluent 50 off 39 balls, including five boundaries and a six.
He was well supported by Shivam Varik, who contributed 31 off 25 balls, and Siddhant Amonkar, who added a quickfire 30 off just 19 deliveries. The innings was further boosted by 21 extras, which proved crucial in the end.
For Madgaon Royals, Sanat Prabhudessai was the standout bowler, returning impressive figures of 2 for 23, while Samprabh Phaldesai and Kartik Hattangadi chipped in with a wicket each.
In response, Madgaon Royals mounted a strong chase led by Sahish Mahambrey, who played a blistering knock of 52 runs, smashing four boundaries and three sixes. Sanat Prabhudessai added 31 runs, while Damodar Pai Patnekar (20) and Kartik Hattangadi (17) provided valuable contributions in the middle order.
However, disciplined bowling by Vimson Panjim Powerplay kept the pressure intact. The team conceded just eight extras, a factor that ultimately made the difference in such a closely contested match. Amod Borkar, Kapil Sinai Borkar, and Siddesh Desai picked up a wicket each at crucial moments.
At the post-match presentation, Amod Borkar was named the Desserts N More Player of the Match for his all-round performance, while Siddesh Desai received the Kamat Realty Hero of the Match award.
The thrilling contest not only showcased the competitive spirit of local cricket in Goa but also highlighted how fine the margins can be in the game — where every run, every ball, and every decision counts.
There’s something powerful about dreams that begin in small places. For Shubham Verma, that journey started in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand—a city far removed from the fast-paced world of India’s entertainment industry. But even as a child, he knew he wanted more. Modeling and acting weren’t just ambitions; they were a vision of a life beyond boundaries.
At nineteen, Shubham took his first step into that world. Without industry connections or prior exposure, the move wasn’t easy. Everything—from meeting new people to understanding how the industry functioned—was completely unfamiliar. Yet, what he lacked in experience, he made up for with determination and belief in himself.
The early years in modeling were as challenging as they were transformative. He worked tirelessly, navigating an industry where competition is intense and opportunities are never guaranteed. Doubts came not just from within but also from people around him. Still, he chose to stay focused, letting his work speak louder than skepticism.
After five years in front of the camera, a shift began to take shape. Shubham found himself drawn to the mechanics behind the scenes—the way projects were built, the way talent was discovered, and the way stories came together. Travelling across India and interacting with producers, coordinators, and creatives gave him a deeper understanding of the industry. That’s when casting entered the picture—not as a backup plan, but as a new passion.
Today, as a casting director with Khanna Production House, his work is dynamic and demanding. It involves travelling across cities, conducting auditions, understanding character requirements, and identifying the right talent for each role. No two days are the same, and that unpredictability is exactly what keeps the work exciting.
For Shubham, casting is not just about finding faces—it’s about recognizing potential. He believes that presentation and confidence are key, and that anyone with the right mindset can carve a place in the industry. Over time, he has also seen how unconventional casting choices can create some of the most memorable performances, reinforcing his belief in taking creative risks.
His journey hasn’t been without setbacks. The COVID-19 pandemic brought the entertainment industry to a standstill, testing both patience and resilience. There were also moments that served as hard lessons—like an audition in Jaipur where, due to poor coordination, no participants showed up despite extensive planning. Experiences like these shaped his understanding of professionalism and trust.
Looking at the industry today, Shubham sees immense growth and opportunity. Regional cinema, particularly from Kerala, is gaining recognition for its strong storytelling, while Bollywood continues to invest in large-scale, ambitious projects. The landscape is evolving, and for those willing to adapt, the possibilities are endless.
Closer to home, Goa stands out as a rising hub for entertainment. With its scenic locations and globally recognized platforms like the International Film Festival of India, it continues to attract filmmakers and creatives from across the country. Shubham believes that Goa’s role in the industry will only grow stronger in the years to come.
One of the most defining moments in his journey was landing his first major project. It wasn’t just a professional milestone—it was an emotional one. A moment of realization that all the risks, struggles, and persistence had finally paid off.
Despite working in a highly social industry, Shubham describes himself as an introvert—something that often surprises people. Yet, it’s perhaps this introspection that allows him to connect deeply with his work and understand characters beyond the surface.
If his life were a film, he knows exactly what it would be called: Dream It. Believe It. Just Do It. And in many ways, that title perfectly captures his journey—a story not just about success, but about growth, evolution, and staying true to one’s dreams.
For newcomers looking to break into the industry, his advice is simple but powerful: stay consistent, be patient, and never lose belief in yourself. Because in the end, every big story starts with a small step—and the courage to take it.
