In a strategic move ahead of the Kerala Assembly Elections 2025, senior BJP leader Sulakshana Sawant has been appointed as Co-Incharge of the BJP Mahila Morcha in Kerala.
The announcement highlights the party’s focus on strengthening women’s outreach and participation across the state as it gears up for the upcoming polls. Sawant, known for her active engagement in political and social initiatives, will play a key role in mobilising women voters and coordinating Mahila Morcha activities in Kerala.
Party sources stated that her appointment is aimed at boosting grassroots-level connect, ensuring women’s issues are prioritised, and enhancing the visibility of BJP’s initiatives among women across constituencies.
This move is expected to give a fresh momentum to BJP’s election campaign in the southern state, highlighting the importance of women’s leadership and empowerment within the party framework.
In the aftermath of the devastating fire incident at Birch in Goa, authorities across India are tightening fire-safety enforcement, beginning with a major crackdown in Lucknow.
The Lucknow Fire Department has launched extensive inspections across eateries, entertainment hubs, cafés, pubs and major shopping centres. Chief Fire Officer Ankush Mittal confirmed that the operation includes a complete review of fire No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and a strict evaluation of compliance with all fire-prevention norms.
Mittal noted that the move is aimed at preventing similar tragedies, ensuring that public spaces remain safe and fully equipped to respond to emergencies. The checks include verifying fire exits, alarm systems, extinguishers, hydrants, sprinklers and staff preparedness.
He also indicated that similar drives are expected to be initiated shortly in other major metros—such as Mumbai, Delhi and Noida—as part of a nationwide push to strengthen fire-safety mechanisms and enforce regulatory discipline.
The focus, he added, is not punitive but preventive: ensuring that establishments rectify lapses quickly and adopt a safety-first culture.
As scrutiny intensifies across the country, the tragic Birch blaze has prompted a renewed conversation on fire-preparedness, accountability and public safety in India’s fast-growing hospitality and entertainment sectors.
The 26th All India Konkani Sahitya Sammelan, held in Ernakulam, Kerala, concluded with a series of significant resolutions aimed at strengthening the Konkani language, its literary ecosystem, and cultural institutions. Delegates unanimously commended the Goa government for its unequivocal stand on the Official Language Act, particularly in response to demands seeking changes by proponents of Marathi and those advocating for the introduction of Roman script in Konkani education. The Sammelan appealed to opposition MLAs in Goa not to politicize the issue, emphasizing that the future of students and the state’s secular fabric must be protected.
Among the key resolutions passed was the appeal to extend Goa’s scheme of grants for book publishers to include writers from neighbouring states whose works are published by Goan publishers, thereby broadening the scope and reach of Konkani literature. Another resolution urged the government to establish primary schools in talukas where not a single Konkani-medium school exists, addressing a long-standing gap in early education accessibility in the language. Delegates also called for the creation of a Goa Film Development Corporation, noting the rising number of films from the region winning international recognition and the need for structured support, including the screening of short films in local theatres ahead of regular shows.
The two-day event, hosted by several Konkani organisations in Kerala, featured Chief Guest Justice N. Nagresh, who stressed that spoken Konkani is essential for the survival of the language. Citing UNESCO’s classification of endangered languages as critically, severely, definitely, or vulnerable, he urged attendees to introspect on where Konkani currently stands. Guest of Honour and acclaimed Kannada writer Jayant Kaykini described himself as a Konkani writer creating literature in Kannada and spoke about the power of poetry to make readers restless, encouraging emerging writers to fully immerse themselves in the world of literature. The event also featured addresses by Sammelan President Madhav Borkar and All India Konkani Parishad Working President Chetan Acharya. Titus Noronha compered the function, and Sneha Sabnis delivered the vote of thanks. The Sammelan concluded with renewed commitment toward protecting and promoting Konkani language and culture across regions.
Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral National Desk
India has secured a significant diplomatic and maritime achievement with its re-election to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council for the 2026–27 biennium, earning the highest number of votes in Category B. This resounding victory reflects the global community’s trust in India’s leadership and ongoing commitment to the maritime domain.
The result highlights India’s expanding influence in shaping global maritime policies and its dedication to fostering safe, secure, environmentally responsible, and efficient maritime operations. Under the guidance of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, India’s maritime sector has witnessed rapid growth, global engagement, and a renewed focus on sustainability and innovation.
The highest vote tally stands as a testament to India’s active role in global shipping and its contributions to strengthening international maritime cooperation. India’s vision of enhancing ocean governance, supporting seafarers, advancing maritime safety standards, and promoting green shipping has resonated strongly on the global stage.
As a member of the IMO Council, India reaffirms its commitment to shaping the future of maritime transport, promoting collaboration among nations, and working towards cleaner and safer seas.
This accomplishment reinforces India’s determination to lead responsibly and effectively as the world navigates emerging challenges and opportunities in maritime affairs.
Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral National Desk
The Goa Pavilion at the 28th Edition of the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025 concluded on a high note, drawing significant attention from visitors, international delegates and industry leaders throughout the three-day event at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre. More than 500 attendees visited the pavilion curated by the Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications of the Government of Goa, engaging deeply with the state’s digital initiatives, technology projects and startup ecosystem.
The delegation from Goa included Dr. Milind Sakhardande, Shri Subrai Nadkarni, Shri Siddharth Borker, Shri Gaurabh Sawal and Shri D. S. Prashant, who represented the state’s vision for a more connected, technology-forward future. The pavilion welcomed strong international participation with delegates from the UK, Russia, Denmark, Canada and Sweden. A special highlight was the visit from Joel Stafford, Consulate General of Denmark in Bangalore, whose interactions reinforced global interest in Goa’s digital programmes, infrastructure strengths and evolving innovation landscape.
The stall also received attention from global industry leaders exploring Goa as a potential hub for expansion. Nicolas Wojnarowski of NineSigma praised Goa’s potential as an emerging base for major science and technology collaborations, noting the state’s appeal for future development. National industry bodies, academia and ecosystem enablers including TiE Bangalore, KLE, ELCIA and IDFC engaged with the Goa delegation and discussed opportunities for collaboration.
Among the notable interactions, Rama N. S. of ELCITA shared her positive impressions, highlighting Goa’s tangible progress toward developing an electronic city and expanding beyond its identity as a leisure destination. The pavilion also drew interest from various Indian states, with visitors keen to learn about Goa’s approach to digital connectivity, governance, industrial development and its growing identity as a technology-friendly, creative destination.
Young visitors showed particularly strong enthusiasm, reflecting the rising appeal of Goa’s tech and startup culture among emerging innovators. Goan startups including Spintly and Genora Infotech showcased their solutions and attracted considerable engagement. Spintly’s Co-founder Malcolm D’Souza emphasized the importance of such platforms in giving Goa’s technology ecosystem global visibility, while Genora Infotech CEO Milind Prabhu shared his excitement about representing the state with their platform VoxIntel.
As the summit concludes, the Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications carries forward valuable connections that strengthen Goa’s identity as India’s Creative Capital and a rising hub for innovation, entrepreneurship and technology-driven growth.
