Author: Tanisha Cardozo

EduConnect

Damodar HSS Students Learn Sea Safety and Life-Saving Skills Through Sagar Safar Programme

Tanisha Cardozo

Eighteen girl students from Damodar Higher Secondary School in South Goa were introduced to essential sea safety and life-saving skills through the Sagar Safar programme, as part of their Vocational Healthcare Science curriculum. The session was conducted at Benaulim beach and aimed to provide practical exposure under the subject of first aid in emergency situations, moving learning beyond the confines of the classroom.

The programme familiarised students with the basics of understanding the sea, including recognising tides, waves and changing coastal conditions, while also highlighting how marine life adapts to different environments. Emphasis was placed on safety awareness and preparedness, particularly in emergency situations involving water. For many participants, the session also helped reduce fear and build confidence in approaching open water.

Students interacted closely with the Drishti Marine and Sagar Safar teams, who guided them through safety principles and real-life scenarios. Class 12 student Sadhana Jamuni shared that the experience helped the students develop a clearer understanding of the sea and enabled several of them to overcome their hesitation about entering the water. Another student, Stefni Silva, said the programme increased awareness about sea safety and equipped them with practical skills that made them feel more confident and secure.

Sagar Safar is conducted daily with guided sessions at 11 am and 4 pm at multiple beaches across Goa, including Baga, Calangute, Sinquerim and Candolim in North Goa, and Benaulim and Colva in South Goa. The programme runs throughout the year, except during the monsoon season when swimming is restricted due to rough sea conditions, continuing to play a vital role in promoting sea safety, awareness and responsible interaction with coastal environments.

Events in Goa

Goa-Born Rochelle Pinto to Deliver Centenary Lecture on Women in Leadership at Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias

Tanisha Cardozo

As part of its ongoing centenary celebrations, Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias will host a special lecture on Women in Leadership: How to Build a Career in Media, featuring Goa-born Rochelle Pinto, Head of Editorial Content at Vogue India. The session will take place on February 7, 2026, from 6 pm to 7 pm at the club premises in Panaji.

Designed as an interactive conversation, the lecture will see Rochelle Pinto in dialogue with fashion designer Simran Dhond, focusing on leadership, career pathways, and real-world experiences within media and creative industries. The event is aimed at students, young professionals and aspiring creatives seeking clarity on navigating editorial spaces and building sustainable careers in an evolving media landscape.

Born and raised in Panaji and now based in Mumbai, Rochelle Pinto brings over 15 years of experience across print and digital media. Her career spans leading platforms including Tweak India and the Condé Nast group. At Vogue India, she currently oversees editorial vision and content across platforms, championing a digital-first approach while strengthening legacy publishing.

Beyond editorial leadership, Pinto has contributed to education as a faculty member at the Istituto Marangoni in Italy and St Paul’s Institute of Communication and Education in Mumbai. She is also actively engaged with initiatives related to education, environmental awareness and inclusion, reflecting a broader commitment to social impact.

The centenary lecture underscores Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias’ efforts to create meaningful knowledge-sharing platforms while celebrating 100 years of community, culture and dialogue, making it a significant addition to the club’s milestone year.

Social

Empowering Youth Series – Day 2: JCI Sanquelim Trains Students on Time Management

Tanisha Cardozo

JCI Sanquelim successfully conducted Day 2 of its Empowering Youth Series with a focused and engaging session on Time Management for students of Honda High School, Honda. The initiative aimed to equip young students with essential skills that support both academic success and personal development.

The session witnessed enthusiastic participation, with students actively engaging in discussions and activities throughout the programme. The interactive nature of the training helped students understand the importance of effective time utilisation, prioritisation of tasks, and goal setting at an early stage of their lives.

The training was led by JC HGF Nikita Desai, Zone Trainer, JCI India – Zone 11, whose practical and relatable approach resonated strongly with the students. Through real-life examples and interactive exercises, she guided participants on balancing studies with extracurricular activities and personal responsibilities.

A total of 40 students from Standard 9 actively took part in the session and benefited from the strategies and insights shared. The programme reinforced JCI Sanquelim’s commitment to empowering youth by nurturing discipline, self-awareness, and leadership qualities that will serve them well in the years ahead.

Sports

Desserts N More Avengers, RC Goa Register Thrilling Wins in PGML 5.0

Tanisha Cardozo

Spectators at the Panaji Gymkhana ground were treated to two closely fought league encounters on Saturday in the ongoing PGML 5.0 tournament, with Desserts N More Avengers and RC Goa emerging victorious in nail-biting finishes.

In the morning match, Sun Estate Warriors won the toss and elected to bat but were restricted to 125 for 9 in their 20 overs. Mehank Dharwadkar stood firm with an unbeaten 48, while opener Devidas Kholkar chipped in with 31. Despite a steady start, regular wickets in the middle order curtailed the Warriors’ progress. Madar Basappa was the pick of the bowlers for Desserts N More Avengers, finishing with two wickets, while Ojas, Amod Borkar, Vikas Shetty and Muktiar Kadri claimed one wicket each.

Chasing 126, Desserts N More Avengers paced their innings carefully to reach 129 for 6 in 19.1 overs. Amod Borkar anchored the chase with a composed 50 off 42 deliveries. In the closing stages, Smit Dalvi and Suraj Hirani remained unbeaten to guide their side to a four-wicket win. Dhilan Shah was the standout bowler for Sun Estate Warriors with two wickets, while Rohit Rane picked up one.

The afternoon fixture saw Manas Mavericks post 128 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs after opting to bat. Ajinkya Kudtarkar top-scored with 38, supported by Avishkar Mone’s 21 and an unbeaten 18 from Raj Morajkar. RC Goa’s bowling attack shared the spoils, with Kushnab Ghai and Ramnath Gaonkar claiming two wickets each, while Aryan Mashelkar, Gauresh Khandeparkar and Vardhan Prabhu Misquin contributed with one wicket apiece.

RC Goa responded positively in their chase, reaching 134 for 7 in 19.3 overs to seal a three-wicket victory. Ramnath Gaonkar played a steady innings of 41, with valuable contributions from Aryan Mashelkar (21) and Paras Naik (20). The match swung decisively in the final overs as Gauresh Khandeparkar smashed a quick 18 off just five balls, remaining unbeaten alongside Dattesh Priolkar to take RC Goa home. For Manas Mavericks, Avishkar Mone and Om Fadte picked up two wickets each, while Ajinkya Kudtarkar claimed one.

With both matches delivering tense finishes, PGML 5.0 continues to live up to its reputation as one of Goa’s most competitive and entertaining local cricket tournaments.

Fit & Fabulous

Aalushka Wins Best Female Model (Child Category) at Pride of Goa Awards

Tanisha Cardozo

Nine-year-old Aalushka emerged as a shining young talent at the prestigious Pride of Goa Awards, winning the Best Female Model (Child Category) at the event organised by Showtheme Production and Swadesh Satellite Channel at ESG, Panjim, Goa. Her achievement added a special highlight to the ceremony, celebrating excellence and emerging talent from across the state.

Aalushka currently serves as the Head Girl of the primary section at St. Francis Xavier High School, Peddem, Goa, and has consistently demonstrated outstanding ability both inside and outside the classroom. Along with academic excellence, she has showcased her skills in storytelling, public speaking, dance, acting, mimicry and singing, making her a well-rounded performer at a very young age.

Residing at Khalap Vaddo, Canca Parra, Aalushka is the daughter of Walter and Assesao Fernandes. Her journey so far has been marked by several notable accolades, including Junior Miss India 2025, Little Miss Goa Stellar 2025, Best Speaker Award, Social Media Princess, and many other honours that reflect her confidence, discipline and passion for performance.

Expressing gratitude, the young achiever and her family acknowledged the support and encouragement received throughout her journey, with special thanks to Ma’am Rahila Khan for the nomination and guidance. Aalushka’s success stands as an inspiring example of how talent, leadership and dedication can shine early, making her a role model for young children across Goa.