Category: EduConnect

EduConnect

Karamat College Hosts Cultural Fashion Show and Empowerment Programme Under Mission Shakti

Tanisha Cardozo

Karamat Husain Muslim Girls’ PG College in Lucknow witnessed a celebration of culture and consciousness as it hosted a cultural fashion show and women’s empowerment programme under the Uttar Pradesh government’s Mission Shakti 5.0 initiative. The event, aimed at raising awareness about women’s rights, safety, and self-reliance, also spotlighted the rich cultural legacy of Awadh.

The fashion show, titled Libas-e-Lucknow, was presented in collaboration with Aadab Arz Lucknow and the Kabeer Manjari Cultural Club. Students walked the ramp wearing traditional ghararas and shararas embellished with intricate chikankari and zardozi embroidery, reviving classic Awadhi artistry. The vibrant display of craftsmanship reflected Lucknow’s heritage and gave the audience a visual feast rooted in culture and grace.

Chief guest Prof. Mandvi Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Bhatkhande University, applauded the merging of art and social messaging. She encouraged the youth to uphold the city’s timeless traditions, saying, “It is the responsibility of youngsters to preserve heritage, especially when the fast-paced world often sidelines culture.”

Special guest Ayesha Safwi, co-founder of the cultural collective Numaya, highlighted the enduring significance of Lucknow’s art forms and how they symbolize both beauty and resilience. College principal Prof. Huma Khwaja called the fashion show “a celebration of the soul of Lucknow,” emphasizing that cultural pride and women’s empowerment can go hand in hand.

The second part of the event was an informative and inspiring empowerment programme under Mission Shakti 5.0, focusing on women’s safety in both physical and digital spaces. It was attended by senior police officials including ADCP (Central Zone) Jitendra Kumar Dubey and ACP (Mahanagar) Ankit Kumar. ACP Apoorva Pandey gave students a brief history of feminist movements and shared practical advice on safe social media practices. Inspector Rashmi Parihar provided students with emergency helpline numbers—1090, 181, 1930, 112—and directed them to cybercrime.gov.in for reporting online threats. She emphasized the fundamental importance of understanding and respecting consent.

Syed Naved Ahmad, manager of the college, commended the dual-theme programme for educating and inspiring the youth. “Such initiatives do not just entertain or inform; they equip young minds with tools to stay safe and be proud of their identity in a digital world,” he said.

The event concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks from Principal Prof. Huma Khwaja, who recited a poignant couplet to leave the audience inspired and united in purpose. The day marked a powerful synergy of tradition and empowerment, bringing together beauty, bravery, and awareness under one roof.

EduConnect

Blood & Organ Donation Drive at Mary Immaculate Girls’ High School, Panjim

Tanisha Cardozo

On September 20, 2025, a spirit of compassion and community filled the halls of Mary Immaculate Girls’ High School in Panjim, Goa, as the school hosted a Blood Donation Camp in collaboration with Loving Hearts Goa and the GMC Blood Bank, Bambolim. In a commendable effort to extend the reach of health awareness, the MOHAN Foundation also joined in by setting up an organ donation information desk at the venue. The event ran from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM and was generously supported by Mr. Benson Coutinho, Proprietor of the SAAMAS Group.

The turnout was a powerful reflection of community involvement, with 77 individuals stepping forward to volunteer. After necessary medical screening, 50 were found eligible and successfully donated blood, each contributing to saving lives and making a difference. The event not only promoted blood donation but also used the opportunity to shine a light on the significance of organ and tissue donation, a message that resonated deeply with the attendees.

Mr. Ranjit Rodrigues, a founding member of Loving Hearts Goa, met with Sr. Luisa Botelho, FHIC, Headmistress of Mary Immaculate Girls’ High School, to explore ways to involve parents as donors in future events. The conversation underlined the importance of nurturing a culture of donation, starting within the school community. This initiative was further reinforced by Mr. Gabriel from the MOHAN Foundation, who passionately spoke to attendees about the transformative power of organ donation. Drawing parallels to blood donation, he explained that while donating blood could save three to four lives, organ donation had the potential to save up to eight lives and positively impact over fifty more through tissue transplants.

To enhance understanding, informative flyers addressing frequently asked questions about organ donation were distributed to all attendees. These resources helped demystify the process and encouraged participants to consider signing up as donors, either during the event or in the future.

As the camp drew to a close, heartfelt thanks were extended by Mr. Mark D’Souza, President of Loving Hearts Goa, along with Mr. Ranjit Rodrigues and Ms. Sanyukta Gawade, Treasurer. They acknowledged the camp’s sponsor, Mr. Benson Coutinho, as well as the pivotal contributions of Tr. Charlotte Pereira, the camp coordinator, and Sr. Luisa Botelho, for their unwavering support and organisational efforts.

Mr. Gabriel, representing the MOHAN Foundation, also expressed his gratitude to Loving Hearts Goa and Mary Immaculate Girls’ High School for their continued support in spreading awareness about organ donation. Their commitment to integrating education with humanitarian outreach played a crucial role in making this camp not just a medical initiative, but a movement for change within the Panjim community.

This collaborative effort served as a shining example of what can be achieved when schools, non-profits, healthcare institutions, and the wider community come together for a common cause. It was more than an event—it was a message of hope, life, and generosity.

EduConnect

Lecture Series V-2.0 in Memory of Late Shri Harish Narayan Prabhu Zantye & Late Smt. Usha Umesh Prabhu Zantye

Tanisha Cardozo

The Zantye Brothers Educational Foundation, through Narayan Zantye College of Commerce, Bicholim-Goa, proudly hosted Lecture Series V-2.0 — a solemn and inspiring tribute to two iconic personalities who shaped the educational and political landscape of Goa: Late Shri Harish Narayan Prabhu Zantye and Late Smt. Usha Umesh Prabhu Zantye.

Late Shri Harish Zantye, fondly known as “Anna,” was a towering figure in Goa’s political history — a former Member of Parliament, a respected minister, and a beloved MLA of the Dicholi constituency. His work in education, healthcare, the cooperative movement, and social services remains exemplary. His memory, leadership, and humble approach to governance continue to influence countless lives.

Smt. Usha Umesh Prabhu Zantye’s contributions to family, society, and community upliftment are equally revered. Her quiet strength and support formed the backbone of the Zantye family’s philanthropic journey.

The event was graced by Shri Pravin Zantye as the President of the Function, along with Guests of Honour — Shri Rohit Zantye, Siddharth Zantye, Pranav Zantye, Abbas Shaikh, and Rishtey Shaikh. The presence of these dignitaries served as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Zantye family’s commitment to social service and education.

A warm homage was paid by those who knew and respected Harish Anna deeply — friends, family, students, and fellow leaders — all united in remembrance and reaffirmation of continuing the noble work he began.

“Sweet memories of Anna…” the message echoed throughout the hall, touching every heart present. It wasn’t just a remembrance — it was a promise. A promise to continue walking the path of values, vision, and selfless service that Anna walked so passionately.

Through Lecture Series V-2.0, the college and its well-wishers not only honour a legacy but commit to future generations that the torch will remain lit. Forever.

EduConnect

Goa’s Social Science Faculty Empowered through Advanced Peer-Learning Workshop (Phase IV)

Tanisha Cardozo

The Directorate of Higher Education, Government of Goa, organised a two-day advanced-level research workshop aimed at enhancing the research skills and capabilities of social science faculty across the state. Titled ‘Faculty-to-Faculty Peer Learning in Social Sciences (Phase IV)’, the workshop was held on September 18th and 19th, 2025, and brought together academicians to explore modern research methodologies and tools that can shape the future of evidence-based social science research in the region.

The workshop was inaugurated in the presence of Chief Guest Bhushan K. Savaikar, Director of the Directorate of Higher Education, who spoke about the importance of academic research in tackling real-world societal challenges. His address set the tone for a high-impact event that combined intellectual discourse with hands-on learning. The workshop was meticulously co-ordinated by Prof. (Dr.) Niyan Marchon and Prof. (Dr.) Mahesh Majik, with the support of Asst. Prof. Devmanoj Medisetty.

Dr. Sunil Kumar from the National Institute of Technology Goa delivered the keynote session, focusing on “Integrating Innovation, Intellectual Property, and Development Policy in Social Science Research.” His presentation emphasized how social sciences can harness innovation and policy frameworks to generate actionable insights that benefit both academia and society at large.

The two-day event featured multiple peer-led learning sessions where faculty members shared their expertise on various research topics. These included statistical expressions and hypothesis formulation, quantitative data analysis using SPSS, qualitative research using QGIS, and techniques for effective data management. Participants were also introduced to practical applications such as the use of SPSS for public policy and election data analysis, and methods for developing impactful research questionnaires.

One of the highlights of the workshop was the introduction to open-source tools that can democratize access to quality research resources, making it easier for faculty to pursue rigorous research regardless of institutional constraints. The emphasis on real-world application and data-driven insights aligned well with the broader goals of academic excellence and informed policy making.

The event concluded on a high note, reaffirming the Directorate of Higher Education’s commitment to nurturing a culture of continuous learning, collaboration, and innovation among Goa’s academic community. The fourth phase of the Faculty-to-Faculty Peer Learning initiative has once again demonstrated the power of collective academic engagement in elevating research standards across disciplines.