Category: Human Interest

Human Interest

January 1, 2026 Creates a Rare ‘1/1/1’ Calendar Moment

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The first day of 2026 has arrived with a rare and fascinating calendar coincidence. January 1, 2026 marks a unique ‘1/1/1’ moment, an alignment of date and timing that has drawn attention worldwide for its symbolic and almost poetic significance.

Calendar enthusiasts and observers of timekeeping note that such alignments are uncommon and often spark curiosity because they represent a perfect numerical harmony. The 1/1/1 moment is seen as a powerful symbol of new beginnings, unity, and fresh starts—values that resonate strongly as the world steps into a new year.

Moments like these remind us that time is not only measured but also felt. Beyond clocks and calendars, certain dates carry emotional and historical weight, encouraging reflection, intention-setting, and hope for the future.

What makes this moment even more special is its rarity. According to calendar patterns, a similar 1/1/1 alignment will not occur again until 2035, making January 1, 2026 a once-in-a-decade event that adds a unique layer of meaning to the New Year celebrations.

As people across the globe welcome 2026, the rare calendar alignment serves as a gentle reminder of how time connects us all—marking not just the passage of hours and days, but shared moments that feel historic and meaningful.

Human Interest

Five Traditional Goa Crops Receive GI Tag, Boosting Farmers and Rural Economy

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Goa’s rich agricultural heritage has received national recognition with five traditional crops being awarded the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag. The crops include Taleigao Vayingim brinjal, Hilario mango, Korgut rice, Kaju apple, and Musrad mango, marking a significant milestone for the State’s farming community.

The GI tag serves as a legal protection that identifies products as originating from a specific region, preserving their unique characteristics, quality, and reputation. For Goa, this recognition not only safeguards traditional crop varieties but also ensures that local farmers benefit from enhanced market value and authenticity.

According to the government, GI recognition will help protect farmers’ rights, prevent misuse of regional names, and promote Goa’s indigenous produce at national and global levels. Crops such as Korgut rice, known for its resilience in saline coastal soils, and the Hilario and Musrad mango varieties, cherished for their distinct taste and aroma, represent generations of traditional farming knowledge.

The Taleigao Vayingim brinjal, cultivated in and around Taleigao, and the Kaju apple, an integral part of Goa’s cashew heritage, further underline the State’s diverse agricultural identity.

Officials have highlighted that GI tagging will contribute to strengthening Goa’s rural economy, encouraging sustainable agriculture, and preserving age-old farming practices. The recognition is also expected to open new opportunities for branding, exports, and agri-tourism under the broader vision of promoting local and traditional produce.

With these five crops now officially recognised, Goa takes an important step towards celebrating its farmers and safeguarding its agricultural legacy for future generations.

Human Interest

Kiritimati Island Becomes the First Inhabited Place to Welcome the New Year

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Every year, while much of the world is still counting down the final hours of December 31, the residents of Kiritimati (Christmas Island) in the Republic of Kiribati have already welcomed the New Year.

Kiritimati holds the distinction of being the first inhabited place on Earth to experience January 1, owing to its location in the UTC+14 time zone, the earliest official time zone in the world.

This unique positioning dates back to 1995, when the government of Kiribati made a strategic decision to realign the International Date Line. The move ensured that all of Kiribati’s islands would share the same calendar day, placing Kiritimati ahead of the rest of the world in terms of time.

As a result, the island greets the New Year hours before countries such as New Zealand, Australia, and Samoa. Local celebrations on Kiritimati typically include community gatherings, music, traditional feasts, and cultural festivities, marking the occasion well before midnight strikes elsewhere.

While several Pacific nations are known for early New Year celebrations, Kiritimati consistently remains the very first inhabited location to usher in the New Year, making it a fascinating geographical and cultural milestone in the global calendar.

Human Interest

Goa’s Third District Named Kushavati; Comprises Four Hinterland Talukas

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Goa, which earlier comprised only North Goa and South Goa districts, has now officially added a third district named Kushavati, marking a significant administrative reorganisation aimed at improving governance and regional development.

Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant announced that the Kushavati district will consist of four hinterland talukas — Sanguem, Dharbandora, Quepem and Canacona — all of which were previously part of the South Goa district. The district headquarters will be located in Quepem.

With this reorganisation, the existing districts will be streamlined as follows:

  • North Goa district will continue to comprise five talukas: Bardez, Tiswadi, Pernem, Bicholim and Sattari.
  • South Goa district will now have three talukas: Ponda, Mormugao and Salcete.
  • The newly formed Kushavati district will focus on the hinterland regions of South Goa, enabling targeted development and administrative efficiency.

The creation of the third district is expected to bring governance closer to the people, improve service delivery in interior regions, and accelerate infrastructure and socio-economic development in Goa’s hinterland areas.

Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant stated that the move reflects the government’s commitment to balanced growth, decentralised administration, and regional equity, particularly for areas that have historically faced geographical and logistical challenges.

Further notifications regarding administrative setup, staffing, and phased implementation are expected from the State Government.

Human Interest

GTDC Launches Calendar and Diary 2026, Showcasing Goa’s Tourism, Heritage and Experiences

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Panaji; December 30, 2025: The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) launched its Calendar and Diary for the year 2026 at a function held at Paryatan Bhavan, marking a renewed effort to visually showcase Goa’s rich tourism landscape, heritage, and experiences.

The Calendar and Diary were unveiled by Hon’ble Chairman, GTDC, Shri Kedar J. Naik, in the presence of General Manager (Marketing), GTDC, Shri Gavin Dias, and Deputy General Manager (Marketing), GTDC, Shri Deepak Narvekar. The event was attended by Deputy General Manager (Administration) Shri Sandeep Gawas, Deputy General Manager (Finance) Shri Kundan Naik, Senior Managers Shri Vishesh Naik, Shri Pravin Phaldesai, and Shri Prasad Kavlekar, along with other officials of GTDC. The programme was compered by Shri Deepak Narvekar.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Kedar J. Naik said that the New Year symbolises new hopes and resolutions, and calendars and diaries continue to remain relevant in everyday life. He noted that GTDC has revived the Calendar and Diary after a gap of ten years, with the objective of taking them house to house, promoting Goa’s hinterlands and lesser-known tourism destinations beyond established circuits. He encouraged the GTDC team to continue working with dedication to strengthen tourism outreach and promotion.

Managing Director, GTDC, Shri Kuldeep Arolkar, stated that the Calendar and Diary serve as effective tools to promote Goa’s tourism experiences while reinforcing GTDC’s branding initiatives, with a clear focus on the State’s diverse offerings.

General Manager, GTDC, Shri Gavin Dias, highlighted that the Calendar and Diary are designed to promote Goa’s hinterlands, introduce new tourism services, and act as meaningful takeaways for visitors. He added that branding and marketing continue to remain key focus areas for the Corporation.

The GTDC Calendar and Diary 2026 aim to build brand GTDC and reinforce its role in promoting Goa as a premier tourism destination, with emphasis on GTDC hotels, events, new tourism services, local traditions, and sustainability, aligning strongly with the “Goa Beyond Beaches” initiative.