The launch of ‘Yadincho Kurponno’, a memoir by Konkani stalwart and author Adv. Uday Bhembre will be held on 13th January, 2025 (Monday). The book is published by Konkani Bhasha Mandal Goa. Adv. Bhembre has written this book based on his memories of the Konkani language movement. The book launch will be held at 4.00 pm at the Conference at Ravindra Bhavan, Madgaon.
President of the All India Konkani Parishad Fr. Mousinho De Ataide will also deliver the presidential address. Author and critic, Prof. Dr. Bhushan Bhave will be the chief guest and author and teacher Shri. Anant Agni will be the guest of honour, said Mangaldas Bhat, Secretary of Konkani Bhasha Mandal.
The book is based on the struggle of the Konkani language and the experiences of being a witness to this struggle, said Ratnamala Divkar, president of KBM. Ratnamala Divkar has requested the public to attend the launch of this historically important book in large numbers.
~ Registration across categories for Gadre Gaspar Dias Open 2025 closes on January 15.
Panaji, January 2025 – Registration for the tenth edition of the Gadre Gaspar Dias Open 2025, one of the most prestigious tennis tournaments in the country, is now underway.
Tournament organisers have said that this year’s edition has so far attracted over 250 entries across various categories, underscoring the tournament’s popularity among seasoned athletes and emerging talent from Goa and outside the state.
Organised by Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias in Panaji, in partnership with the Goa State Tennis Association (GSTA) and supported by the Gadre Group, the tournament attracts top tennis talent from across India. Scheduled to begin on January 23, this one-of-a-kind event in Goa promises thrilling competition in both the Masters and Open categories, showcasing the skill and prowess of seasoned players and rising stars alike from the state as well as the rest of the country.
Registration for the tournament closes on January 15.
The tournament is scheduled to begin with the masters category matches from January 23 to January 26, followed by the intensely competitive open category matches from January 27 to February 2.
The categories in the masters segment are masters singles 45+, masters singles 55+, masters singles 60+, masters doubles 90+ (min age 35), masters doubles 110+ (min age 40), veteran doubles 120+ (min age 40) and 35+ mixed doubles – the only mixed category in the Masters segment. The rest of the Masters events are exclusively for men.
The open category features six sub-categories: under-12 (girls and boys), under-16 (girls and boys), men’s singles, ladies’ singles, men’s doubles and mixed doubles.
“This year’s edition has already garnered interest from over 100 players across various categories, including some of the best talent from all over India,” said Sunil Kumar Naik, President of Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias. “The Gadre Gaspar Dias Open has always been more than just a tournament; it is a celebration of tennis. We’re thrilled to see such strong participation and encourage players of all levels to join in. With registrations closing soon, we urge enthusiasts not to miss out on Goa’s premier tennis event.”
Interested participants can register online at https://app.gadregasparopen.com/. For additional assistance, aspiring participants may contact Santosh at 9923666920 or Deepak at 8076048408.
In a remarkable recognition of his exceptional talent and hard work, Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has been named the world’s best male javelin thrower in 2024 by the esteemed US magazine ‘Track and Field News’.
This prestigious accolade is a testament to Chopra’s incredible consistency and skill in javelin throwing, which has earned him a spot among the sport’s elite athletes. The 26-year-old Indian athlete has been making waves in the international athletics scene with his impressive performances, and this recognition is a culmination of his efforts.
Chopra’s remarkable performance in 2024 included a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, where he achieved a throw of 89.45m. He also demonstrated impressive consistency throughout the year, finishing in the top two positions in every major competition he entered.
The Indian javelin thrower outperformed fierce competitors, including Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem and two-time world champion Anderson Peters, to secure this prestigious accolade.
This recognition is a proud moment for India and a testament to Chopra’s dedication and perseverance. We congratulate Neeraj Chopra on this outstanding achievement and wish him continued success in his athletic career.
On January 12, National Youth Day, India honors the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, a thinker, a dreamer, and a doer who believed in the limitless power of young minds. This year’s theme, “MYBharat-Viksit Bharat@2047 – By the Youth, For the Youth” resonates deeply, calling upon the future generation to envision and build a brighter, stronger India.
In Goa, this vision comes to life through a series of initiatives led by the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C), Government of Goa, paving the way for youth to excel and empowering them to shape their own future.
One of the flagship programs of the DITE&C is the IT Knowledge Centres (ITKCs) initiative. While the empanelment of ITKCs is currently in process for this year, these centers have been key facilitators of digital education across Goa. They provide a range of courses, from basic computer literacy to advanced diploma programs. By making technology accessible and equipping youth with IT skills, ITKCs aim to lay the groundwork for a digitally inclusive Goa. Under the initiative of the Laptop Scheme for Meritorious Students of SC/ST, free laptops are provided to the top 10 meritorious Class X students (5 girls and 5 boys) from SC/ST communities in each taluka of the state to recognize and reward academic excellence among Goa’s youth. So far, over 300 deserving students have benefited from this program. Plans are underway to expand its reach to include students from EWS and OBC.
Understanding that innovation is essential for a developed society, the Department of ITE&C has launched initiatives such as the Goa Startup Yatra. This program connects college students with startup founders, industry leaders, and incubation heads, making entrepreneurship more accessible and inspiring them to aim high. By visiting various colleges across Goa, the Yatra serves as a guiding light for students to transform their ideas into successful ventures.
Building on this foundation, the Goa Startup Yatra Bootcamp offers a practical environment for aspiring entrepreneurs to learn about launching and growing businesses. These workshops, facilitated by seasoned mentors, merge theoretical concepts with practical application, nurturing a culture of innovation and resilience among Goa’s youth.
On this National Youth Day, as we embrace Swami Vivekananda’s vision of a confident, capable, and motivated youth, Goa is focused on supporting young people through the various initiatives of the Department of ITE&C, Government of Goa aimed at nation-building. As we look ahead to 2047, it is evident that today’s efforts will pave the way for a brighter and more inclusive tomorrow.
12th December 2025, Bicholim, To commemorate National Youth Day, Vedanta Sesa Goa has partnered with the Lions Club of Bicholim to conduct the 8th Edition of the ‘Republic Run’ at Bicholim. This highly anticipated event aims to promote awareness about fitness, a love for the outdoors, and the adoption of a healthy lifestyle. The ‘Republic Run,’ instituted in 2016-17, has grown from a participation of around 200 avid runners to an expected turnout of 800 enthusiasts this year. The current edition is scheduled to take place on 12th January 2025, starting at 5:45 a.m., coinciding with National Youth Day and celebrating its theme, “Youth Empowerment for Nation Building.”
The ‘Republic Run 2025’ is being organized in three different categories: 2 km (for children aged 8-13 years), 3.5 km (open category for all above 13 years), and 10 km (open for all above 13 years). All participants will be provided with T-shirts, certificates, and medals. The event is being coordinated by the Lions Club of Bicholim President, Lion Rajesh Karapurkar, and Mr. Azad Kadkade.
“Vedanta Sesa Goa is honored to be associated with the Lions Club of Bicholim for the 8th edition of the ‘Republic Run,’ promoting wellness and community engagement. We are committed to the well-being of the communities and are privileged to partner with the communities of Bicholim Taluka. The tremendous response received for the previous edition, as well as for our several other initiatives aimed at youth empowerment, encourages us to power this incredible event. We are committed to ‘giving back’ meaningfully to society and actively supporting initiatives that bring communities together and contribute to fostering a healthier lifestyle,” said Dhirajkumar Jagdish, Deputy CEO, Vedanta Sesa Goa Iron Ore Goa.
Mr. Azad Kadkade said, “The ‘Republic Run’ is aimed at inculcating a healthy lifestyle and promoting fitness among all. It is also a means to engage the people of Goa in a meaningful manner. We are proud to be hosting the 8th edition and are thankful to Vedanta Sesa Goa for its exceptional commitment to community wellness through their support for the event.”
As a dedicated advocate for community health and fitness and being firmly rooted in causes of national context, Vedanta promotes sports through its flagship initiative, Sesa Football Academy, and the Vedanta Women’s League. Vedanta Sesa Goa, which has previously partnered with the Lions Club of Bicholim, aims to foster a culture of wellness and fitness while underscoring its commitment to the youth and the overall well-being of the community.
The company has been regularly supporting the youth by partnering with the Goa Football Association and supporting the Vedanta Women’s League, the Vedanta Youth Cup, and local youth clubs in conducting events such as the Navelim Cricket League, the Corporate Cricket League, and the Amrawati Football League. Focused on cultural development, the Vedanta Sangeet Samrat Sitara has promoted young talent in the field of classical music. Additionally, its endeavors such as the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, which carried the theme #RunForZeroHunger, have catered to approximately 1 million meals over the last three years. Through initiatives like this, Vedanta continues its dedication to enriching the communities it serves, emphasizing the importance of physical activity and well-being among individuals.
About Vedanta Limited
Vedanta Limited, a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Limited, is one of the world’s leading Oil & Gas and Metals company with significant operations in Oil & Gas, Zinc, Lead, Silver, Copper, Iron Ore, Steel, and Aluminium & Power across India, South Africa and Namibia. For two decades, Vedanta has been contributing significantly to nation building. Governance and sustainable development are at the core of Vedanta’s strategy, with a strong focus on health, safety, and the environment. Vedanta has put in place a comprehensive framework to be the ESG leader in the natural resources sector. Vedanta is committed to reducing carbon emissions to zero by 2050 or sooner and has pledged $5 billion over the next 10 years to accelerate the transition to net zero operations. Giving back is in the DNA of Vedanta, which is focused on enhancing the lives of local communities. The company’s flagship social impact program, Nand Ghars, have been set up as model Anganwadis focused on eradicating child malnutrition, providing education, healthcare, and empowering women with skill development. Under the aegis of the Anil Agarwal Foundation, the umbrella entity for Vedanta’s social initiatives, the Vedanta group has pledged Rs 5000 crore over the next five years on social impact programmes with a thrust on nutrition, women & child development, healthcare, animal welfare, and grass-root level sports. Vedanta and the group companies company have been featured in Dow Jones Sustainability Index 2020, and was conferred Frost & Sullivan Sustainability Awards 2020, CII Environmental Best Practices Award 2020, CSR Health Impact Award 2020, CII National Award 2020 for Excellence in Water Management, CII Digital Transformation Award 2020, ICSI National Award 2020 for excellence in Corporate Governance, People First HR Excellence Award 2020, ‘Company with Great Managers 2020’ by People Business and certified as a Great Place to Work 2021. Vedanta’s flagship Nand Ghar Project was identified as the best CSR project by the Government of Rajasthan. Vedanta Limited is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange. For more information, please visit http://www.vedantalimited.com
About Sesa Goa Iron Ore Business
Sesa Goa Iron Ore Business of Vedanta Limited is engaged in exploration, mining, and processing of iron ore. The company was founded in 1954 as Scambi Economici SA Goa and acquired by Vedanta. Since then, it has grown to be one among the top low-cost producers of iron ore in the country. During 1991-1995, it diversified into the manufacture of pig iron and metallurgical coke. It has also developed indigenous and environment-friendly technology for producing high quality metallurgical coke. Sesa Goa Iron Ore also has two waste heat recovery power plants of total capacity 60 MW that produces clean power by using the waste heat recovery from its coke ovens and blast furnace gas. Sesa Goa Iron Ore operations in India are in Goa & Karnataka.
