Author: Tanisha Cardozo

Events in Goa

Festa do Povo Returns to Panaji with Goan Cuisine, Music and Community Spirit

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Traditional flavours, lively music and community spirit will take centre stage as the third edition of Festa do Povo returns to Panaji on January 24 and 25 at the mangrove-lined pedestrian spine at Patto Plaza.

Designed as a people’s festival — “of the people, by the people, and for the people” — Festa do Povo celebrates Goa’s culture, environment, heritage and camaraderie through food, music and shared experiences. The two-day event brings together local home chefs and established city restaurants, offering an exciting culinary journey that reflects Goa’s rich food traditions alongside international flavours prepared by accredited Goan chefs.

Adding to the festive experience will be a dedicated Feni Bridge Bar and beverage stations highlighting local drinks and spirits, reinforcing the festival’s focus on celebrating Goa’s identity and produce.

Music and cultural performances form the heart of Festa do Povo, with a vibrant line-up that includes the Kids Choir (Choir of Angels), a celebrated brass band, a jazz band, and headline performances by popular bands Purple Rain Band and Forefront Band. Visitors will also witness traditional cultural displays such as a temple drum medley synonymous with Shigmo, the graceful Divli (lamp) dance, and captivating performances by the Vyomi Dance Troupe and Samba dancers.

By blending cuisine, music and community, Festa do Povo continues to strengthen Panaji’s cultural fabric, offering residents and visitors a space to come together, celebrate Goa’s living heritage and experience the city through the warmth of its people.

Business

DPIIT Recognises Goa as Best Performer for Building a Strong Startup Ecosystem

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Business Desk

Goa has been conferred the Best Performer award for developing a strong startup ecosystem under the States’ Startup Ecosystem Ranking – Category B, instituted by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Government of India. Considered one of India’s most comprehensive startup ecosystem assessments, the ranking evaluates states on policy frameworks, ecosystem maturity and measurable outcomes for startups.

The DPIIT ranking evaluates all States and Union Territories across defined categories based on population size and performance, assessing progress across multiple reform areas including policy support, institutional frameworks, infrastructure, access to funding, market linkages, capacity building and innovation-led growth.

The recognition was announced during the National Startup Day celebrations held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The Certificate of Appreciation was received on behalf of the Government of Goa by Dr. Milind Sakhardande, Joint Director, Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C), and D. S. Prashant, CEO, Startup & IT Promotion Cell (SITPC).

This achievement reflects the sustained and strategic efforts of DITE&C, through SITPC, in nurturing a robust, innovation-led startup ecosystem. Through progressive policies, strong institutional support and close collaboration with industry, academia and ecosystem partners, Goa has created an enabling environment that supports startups across the entire lifecycle, from ideation to scale-up.

The recognition was also highlighted in the Goa Legislative Assembly, where the Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, acknowledged the collective efforts of the government, institutions and the startup community in achieving this milestone.

The award underscores Goa’s emergence as a dynamic startup hub and reaffirms the State’s continued focus on fostering innovation-led entrepreneurship that drives opportunity creation, economic impact and inclusive growth.

Entertainment

Vindaloo Launches Dedicated OTT Platform to Take Konkani Cinema and Culture to the World

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Vindaloo Entertainment Private Limited has launched Vindaloo, a first-of-its-kind OTT platform dedicated entirely to Konkani cinema, Tiatr and Goan cultural storytelling, marking a major milestone for the preservation and global promotion of Konkani heritage.

For decades, Konkani artists and filmmakers have struggled to find a structured digital space to showcase their work and reach wider audiences. Vindaloo aims to bridge this gap by creating a dedicated ecosystem where Goan stories, music, theatre and cinema can thrive while remaining accessible to viewers across the world. With a clear mission to preserve culture and empower creative talent, the platform brings together entertainment, education and cultural archiving in one digital home.

“Our vision is to create a platform that not only showcases the richness and diversity of Konkani entertainment but also provides a voice to the talented artists and filmmakers who have been contributing to the industry for years. We want to take Konkani culture to the world and bring the world to Konkani culture, fostering a sense of community and appreciation among audiences globally,” said Nikhil Desai, Co-founder of Vindaloo.

Siddhant Shetty, Co-founder of Vindaloo, added that Konkani culture is a treasure trove of stories, music and art that deserves global recognition. “We are committed to preserving and promoting it for generations to come. With Vindaloo, we are creating a digital archive of Konkani content that will not only entertain but also educate and enlighten audiences about the rich heritage of Goa and the Konkani diaspora.”

Vindaloo offers a diverse library that includes 20 Konkani feature films by Goan filmmakers, digitised Tiatr performances, and exclusive content from nationally and internationally award-winning directors and actors. With over 30 Konkani titles lined up for release over the next two months, the platform is set to become the go-to destination for Konkani entertainment.

Available on both Android and iOS devices, Vindaloo allows viewers to enjoy their favourite Konkani content anytime, anywhere. Its pay-per-view model enables filmmakers to monetise their work, creating new revenue streams while strengthening the local creative economy.

With global availability across India, UAE, UK, USA, Canada and Australia, Vindaloo connects Goa with the worldwide Konkani diaspora, strengthening cultural bonds and ensuring that Goan stories continue to inspire audiences across generations and borders.

Events in Goa

Majestic Fight Night 2026 Set to Ignite Goa with International MMA Action Aboard Majestic Pride Casino

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Majestic Pride Casino, in association with MMA India, has announced the upcoming edition of Majestic Fight Night, set to take place aboard the iconic Majestic Pride ship in Goa. Positioned as a landmark event in India’s rapidly evolving mixed martial arts landscape, Majestic Fight Night 2026 promises a high-adrenaline showcase of combat sports in a premium, immersive setting.

The event will feature bouts across Amateur, Professional, and Seasoned divisions, bringing together some of the most promising and experienced MMA athletes from India and the international circuit. Fighters representing countries including India, Iran, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Kyrgyz Republic, Russia, Iraq and Azerbaijan are set to compete, reinforcing the event’s standing as a truly global MMA spectacle.

Sanctioned by MMA India, Majestic Fight Night aims to elevate the domestic MMA ecosystem by offering Indian fighters exposure to international competition while delivering world-class entertainment to fans. The unique setting aboard Goa’s iconic floating casino adds a distinctive dimension to the event, blending sport, spectacle and entertainment into a single experience.

The confirmed fight card for Majestic Fight Night 2026 includes Aarya Choudhary vs Nirjala Badalla in an all-India bout, Ali Akbarpour of Iran taking on Uzbekistan’s Giyosbek Badaila, David Lalmalsawma facing Sagar Chillar, Kazakhstan’s Farkhad Zholdassov against Iraq’s Karar Rahim, Khurshidbek Bozarboev of Uzbekistan versus Ukraine’s Bogdan Kotlovyanov, Erzhan Zhanyshbek Uulu from the Kyrgyz Republic clashing with Mikall Daurbekov of Ingushetia, Russia, and Mridul Saikia of India competing against Maharram Ahmadov of Azerbaijan.

With its blend of international matchups, elite athletes and a distinctive venue, Majestic Fight Night 2026 is set to become a defining moment for MMA in Goa and India, offering fans an unforgettable night of combat sports while strengthening India’s presence on the global MMA stage.

EduConnect

American AI Expert from Carnegie Mellon Trains Goan Students on Real-World Applications of Artificial Intelligence at Kilowott Workshop

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

College students from technical and non-technical institutions across Goa were recently introduced to the real-world applications of artificial intelligence and its growing influence on modern careers during a workshop conducted by Adam Paulisick, a renowned professor at Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Computer Science, USA. The session was hosted at the campus of digital transformation company Kilowott in Porvorim.

Titled Growing at the Speed of Artificial Intelligence, the workshop explored how AI is rapidly transitioning from academic theory to practical, industry-driven use. Paulisick, who also leads the US-based AI firm SkillyAI, explained how artificial intelligence is reshaping workplaces, skill requirements, and decision-making processes across sectors.

Students from institutions including Goa Engineering College, Agnel Institute of Technology and Design, Shree Rayeshwar Institute of Engineering & Information Technology, Goa College of Art, Don Bosco College of Engineering, Padre Conceicao College of Engineering, Dnyanprassarak Mandal’s College and Research Centre, Shree Damodar College of Commerce and Economics, and St. Xavier’s College participated in the session.

Using relatable business examples, Paulisick compared AI systems to kitchen ingredients that need to be combined thoughtfully to create meaningful outcomes. He explained that the gap between data and impact is bridged through different approaches to AI, ranging from augmented and assistive AI to AI-first systems and hybrid models that emphasise collaboration between humans and machines.

Speaking about India’s technology landscape, he highlighted how AI can significantly accelerate learning and innovation when used actively. He noted that while becoming a senior technologist traditionally takes decades, AI now allows individuals to access advanced knowledge and insights much faster, helping them experiment and grow at an unprecedented pace.

Students described the workshop as eye-opening and practical. Several participants said it helped demystify commonly used terms like data and AI by placing them in real business and professional contexts, while also underscoring the importance of responsible data usage.

Faculty members who attended the session said it provided valuable clarity on selecting appropriate AI tools for different applications and would help them guide students more effectively. The workshop was part of Kilowott’s broader effort to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry exposure in emerging technology domains that are redefining career pathways.

The initiative also aligns with the recently signed memorandum of understanding between Goa College of Art and St. Xavier’s College, aimed at strengthening industry–academia collaboration and supporting the development of local talent in Goa’s evolving digital ecosystem.