Category: Events in Goa

Events in Goa

Last Call! Submit Your Film for the Special Goan Section at #IFFI2025 Today!

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo

The countdown ends today! October 30, 2025, marks the final day to submit your film for the Special Goan Section at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2025, taking place in Goa. This exclusive section celebrates Goan filmmakers and the vibrant stories born from the state’s rich culture and cinematic spirit.

IFFI, organized by the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) and the Government of India, remains one of the most prestigious platforms for filmmakers across the world. The Special Goan Section is dedicated to showcasing local talent and promoting films that capture Goa’s unique identity — from its scenic beauty and cultural diversity to its evolving creative voice.

This opportunity allows filmmakers to present their work to an international audience of directors, producers, and cinephiles who gather each year to celebrate cinema in all its forms. Selected films often gain significant exposure and open doors to new collaborations and festival circuits.

If you’re a Goan filmmaker or have created a film with a Goan connection, this is your moment to step into the spotlight. Submit your entry today and become part of India’s most anticipated film festival. Your story deserves to be seen, shared, and celebrated. Don’t wait — the curtain rises soon.

Events in Goa

Raising Light 2025: Goa’s Beloved Charity Gala Returns to Celebrate Giving and Community

Tanisha Cardozo

The sixth edition of Goa’s much-loved charity celebration, Raising Light 2025, will be held on November 5 at Bottle Bay, Baga, promising an unforgettable evening where music, fashion, and compassion come together to celebrate the spirit of giving.

For years, this vibrant initiative by Ninil D’Souza has united people under the Goan sky to share kindness and illuminate lives through the power of community. What began as a small gathering has evolved into one of Goa’s most anticipated charity galas, turning philanthropy into a celebration of joy and generosity.

This year’s theme, “Illuminating Lives with Every Flame,” captures the essence of Raising Light — where every gesture of giving holds meaning. The event will feature a charity fashion show, gala dinner, cocktails, and live entertainment, bringing together entrepreneurs, Rotarians, artists, and changemakers who believe in celebrating life through compassion.

Dr. Parag Sawant, Monty Sally, COMO, and Pallav Ojha will collaborate to present spectacular fashion segments, with 45 participants walking the runway. Proceeds from the evening will support the National Association for the Blind (NAB), which empowers individuals with visual impairments through education and inclusion.

Adding new depth this year, the Raising Light Awards will recognise organisations and individuals making a meaningful difference in Goa. Each awardee will receive ₹50,000 sponsored by philanthropist Francis Viegas to further their social missions. Honourees include the National Association for the Blind (NAB), Our Lady of Boa Viagem (Old Age Home), Matruchhaya Trust, ASRO-Tivim, and AASTHA-Mapusa.

Speaking about the initiative, Ninil D’Souza said, “Raising Light has always been about people coming together and making a real difference. Every year, the circle of light grows stronger.”

The event will also feature short films highlighting stories of courage and compassion, offering guests a glimpse into the lives transformed by these organisations. From empowering the visually impaired to providing shelter and care for children and the elderly, each story embodies the power of community and love.

As the evening unfolds at Bottle Bay, Raising Light 2025 will once again remind Goa that generosity is the brightest light of all — a light that continues to grow with every heart that gives.

Events in Goa

Goa Deepotsav 2025 Lights Up Porvorim, Saligao, and Mapusa with Cultural Splendour

Tanisha Cardozo

The Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, successfully hosted Goa Deepotsav 2025, a two-day celebration that illuminated Porvorim, Saligao, and Mapusa with festive cheer, music, and cultural splendour. The event brought together Goans from all walks of life to celebrate Diwali through art, tradition, and togetherness, reflecting the essence of Goa’s cultural unity.

The first-ever edition of Deepotsav in Mapusa, held at the Mapusa Taxi Stand Ground, witnessed vibrant community participation and an impressive turnout. The event featured engaging contests such as the All Goa Akash Kandil Competition, cooking and fugdi contests, and an energetic cultural showcase. The evening highlight, Rhythm of Lights, mesmerized audiences with performances that beautifully portrayed Goa’s cultural diversity.

Among the dignitaries present were Hon’ble Minister for Tourism Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, Hon’ble Deputy Speaker & MLA, Mapusa, Shri Joshua De Souza, Chairperson of Mapusa Municipal Council Smt Priya Mishal, Deputy Director of Tourism Shri Dhiraj Vagle, Dy. General Manager (Marketing/Hotels), GTDC, Shri Deepak Narvekar, Asst. Director of Tourism Shri Jayesh Kankonkar, councillors, and former councillors.

In his address, Hon’ble Minister Shri Rohan A. Khaunte highlighted that the Goa Beyond Beaches initiative, launched in 2022, aims to take tourism to the heart of local communities while empowering women and youth through cultural participation. He announced that Deepotsav will be celebrated annually in Mapusa to showcase Goa’s cultural richness and festive unity.

Director of Tourism Shri Kedar Naik expressed his appreciation for the overwhelming response to Deepotsav 2025, noting that the festival embodied Goa’s true spirit of joy, inclusivity, and creativity.

The celebrations began on October 25 at Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal Hall, Porvorim, with workshops and competitions in clay modelling, drawing, cooking, fugdi, and traditional costume contests, concluding with the soulful performance Sur Taal. On October 26, the festivities continued at Saligao Panchayat Area with rangoli, cooking, and Veshbhusha Spardha contests, and culminated with Suron Kee Deepawali, a musical tribute to the festival of lights.

With Goa Deepotsav 2025, the Department of Tourism reaffirmed its commitment to promoting cultural tourism, local participation, and sustainable community engagement. The festival stood as a radiant symbol of Goa’s heritage, uniting communities under the glow of countless diyas.

Events in Goa

Parag Rangnekar Highlights Goa’s Fast-Changing Ecology Through Photography

Tanisha Cardozo

Ecologist and naturalist Parag Rangnekar has drawn attention to Goa’s rapidly changing ecology and its misunderstood landscapes, particularly the lateritic plateaus often seen as barren wastelands. Speaking at a lecture titled “Wild Goa Through the Viewfinder” at Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias as part of the club’s centenary celebrations, Rangnekar explained that beneath the rust-red crust of these plateaus lie thriving ecosystems that host unique species of grasses, insects, and birds linking the state’s northern and southern ecological zones. He described Goa as a transitional region within the Western Ghats, holding a mix of species from both ends of the range.

Using his extensive collection of photographs, Rangnekar discussed how visual documentation helps scientists and citizens alike understand changes in biodiversity. His images reveal a decline in sightings of several endemic birds and a simultaneous increase in dry-land species like the Indian grey hornbill, suggesting potential local climate changes. He emphasized that photography can capture subtle ecological shifts, serving as both a research tool and a medium for environmental education.

Rangnekar also shared how, through photography, he and his team discovered a new dragonfly species later named Idionyx gomantakensis, first observed in 2008 and officially published in 2013. He highlighted the power of observation, recounting instances where chance wildlife encounters, when documented, contributed to scientific understanding — including what may be the world’s only photograph of a spider feeding on a bat.

Through his presentation, Rangnekar underscored that photography is not merely an art form but an essential means of recording Goa’s fast-changing natural heritage, urging people to view these landscapes not as wastelands but as vital living ecosystems worth preserving.

Events in Goa

Taj Cidade de Goa Celebrates International Chef’s Day with a Heartfelt Tribute to Goa’s Home Chefs

Tanisha Cardozo

In the world of gastronomy, the most cherished recipes often begin at home — simmered over slow flames, seasoned with memory, and perfected through generations. This International Chef’s Day, Taj Cidade de Goa celebrated those quiet creators of tradition — Goa’s home chefs — with an event that beautifully blended professional artistry and heartfelt heritage.

The resort’s special initiative, Home Chef Interactions, was designed as a bridge between Taj’s culinary experts and Goa’s passionate home cooks. It celebrated the idea that culinary excellence isn’t confined to professional kitchens but thrives equally in households where recipes are family heirlooms and every spice tells a story.

During these interactive sessions, the chefs of Taj Cidade de Goa came together with local home cooks to exchange techniques, flavours, and stories rooted in Goa’s rich gastronomic history. From the delicate balance of spices to the intuitive use of local ingredients, the sessions offered a deeper appreciation of the skill and creativity that define Goan cuisine.

Among the featured home chefs were Guilhermina Fernandes, who is known for her creative use of pepper — a spice she calls “the heart of Goan aroma and versatility”; Succorina C. Fernandes, celebrated for her soulful rendition of Samarachi Kodi, a monsoon favourite; and Sharmila Fernandes, whose Xacuti represents the complexity and warmth of traditional Goan cooking.

Their stories went beyond food — they spoke of heritage, of mothers and grandmothers who cooked by instinct, and of families for whom food has always been a language of love and belonging.

While professional kitchens around the world celebrated the artistry of chefs, Taj Cidade de Goa expanded that recognition to the unsung storytellers of Goan cuisine — home chefs who preserve authenticity through everyday cooking. The celebration culminated with a curated menu at BLD, the resort’s signature multicuisine restaurant, featuring dishes inspired by these talented cooks.

Through this thoughtful initiative, Taj Cidade de Goa reaffirmed its belief that true hospitality is rooted in culture and community. In honouring home chefs, the resort not only celebrated the spirit of International Chef’s Day but also ensured that the essence of Goan cuisine — humble, heartwarming, and steeped in history — continues to thrive for generations to come.