Goa will officially honour the legacy of Marius Fernandes – affectionately known as Festakar – with an annual celebration of inclusion, heritage and community spirit. The inaugural Festakar Marius Fernandes Day will take place on Saturday, May 24, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Goa College of Home Science, Panjim, as part of the Inclusive and Accessible Purumentachem Fest.
At a press briefing, Historian Professor Prajal Shakardande announced the launch of the annual celebration in tribute to Marius Fernandes, a trailblazer who redefined Goan festivals by putting inclusion, simplicity and people at the heart of every celebration.
“This is not just a festival,” said Disability Coordinator Mr. Prakash Kamat. “It’s a movement. It’s about ensuring Goan culture is accessible to all – regardless of physical ability, age, or background.”
Event Highlights – From 4:30 p.m. Onwards: 4:30 p.m. – Lighting of the Lamp 4:45 p.m. – Press Briefing 5:00 p.m. – Festakar Marius Fernandes Day and Ghumot Happy Birthday Celebrations, Unveiling of the Plaque by Historian Prajal Sakardande. 5:15 p.m. – Kottieacho Nach, a folk dance conceptualized by Marius Fernandes and choreographed by Gwendolyn de Ornelas 5:30 p.m. – Bolcaoancheo Gozalli by Dr. Glenis Mendonca and Gwendolyn de Ornelas 5:45 p.m. – Book Launch with Miguel Braganza- Healing Wonders of Medicinal Plants in Goa by authors Dean Suresh Kunkalikar and Professor Carmelito Andrade, published by Gwendolyn de Ornelas and dedicated to Festacar Marius Fernandes. 6:00 p.m. – Goa Beach composition by Mr. Kuljit Bhangra and Ghumot performance by Rajwi Naik and Group 6:15 p.m. – Kunbi Apparel Fashion Show featuring designer Harold Andrade 6:30 p.m. – Konkani Songs Singalong with Glenis and Renald Mendonca
Curated by Gwendolyn de Ornelas and coordinated by Dominic D’Souza, Professor Carmelito Andrade, and Mr. Prakash Kamat, the festival reflects a shared commitment to making Goan cultural events inclusive, accessible, and participatory.
Entry is free and open to all. Families, students, seniors, and community members are encouraged to attend and experience a heartfelt celebration of Goan identity and togetherness.
Indian Railways has taken a significant step towards improving the travel experience for senior citizens and women passengers by introducing a new policy to automatically allocate lower berths to ladies above 45 years old and gentlemen above 60. This initiative aims to provide a more comfortable and accessible travel experience for vulnerable passengers.
The new policy includes several key features designed to enhance passenger comfort and accessibility:
Dedicated Quota: A specific number of lower berths are reserved for senior citizens, women, and persons with disabilities in each coach. The quota varies by class:
Sleeper Class: 6-7 lower berths per coach
Air-Conditioned 3-Tier (3AC): 4-5 lower berths per coach
Air-Conditioned 2-Tier (2AC): 3-4 lower berths per coach
Automatic Allocation: The system will automatically assign lower berths to eligible passengers during ticket booking, ensuring a hassle-free experience.
Priority for Vacant Lower Berths: If a lower berth becomes vacant, priority will be given to senior citizens, pregnant women, and individuals with disabilities who may have been allotted middle or upper berths.
The new policy offers several benefits for passengers, including:
Increased Accessibility: The policy aims to improve accessibility and safety for vulnerable passengers, including senior citizens, women, and persons with disabilities.
Enhanced Comfort: Lower berths will provide easier access to amenities and reduce the risk of falls, making travel more comfortable for eligible passengers.
Streamlined Reservation Process: The automatic allocation system will simplify the reservation process and ensure that eligible passengers are assigned lower berths whenever possible.
Indian Railways also provides special provisions for persons with disabilities, including:
Reserved Berths: Specific reservations are available for individuals with disabilities on all mail and express trains, including Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains.
Quota: A quota of 4 berths in Sleeper Class, 4 berths in 3AC/3E, and 4 seats in Reserved Second Sitting or Air-Conditioned Chair Car is reserved for persons with disabilities.
The new lower berth allocation policy is a significant step towards enhancing passenger comfort and accessibility. By providing dedicated quotas, automatic allocation, and priority for vacant lower berths, Indian Railways is committed to making travel more comfortable and convenient for senior citizens, women, and persons with disabilities.
Althino, March 15, 2025: The Government of Goa is enhancing citizen convenience by integrating GoaOnline services with WhatsApp. This initiative, led by the Department of Information Technology, Electronics, and Communications, will allow residents to access government documents, certificates, bills, payment receipts, and notifications effortlessly.
GoaOnline, the web-based platform, was initiated in 2017 under the guidance of Late Dr. Manohar Parrikar, with Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, IT Minister, actively supporting its development. This Online platform proved to a blessing to all Citizens specially during the pandemic. The new AI-assisted platform will further enhance their experience and access to 241 government services through Whatsapp.
Hon’ble Minister Shri Rohan A. Khaunte emphasized the state’s commitment to digital governance, stating, “We are dedicated to making government services more efficient and accessible—transitioning from manual processes to Web based platform called GoaOnline, then anytime, anywhere door step service delivery called Gramin Mitra and now bringing services directly to citizens’ fingertips via WhatsApp.”
Goa’s WhatsApp-based service aims to make governance truly citizen-centric and easily accessible, The Government of Goa is thus striving to offer a keyword-based system to help users navigate various services efficiently.With this integration, GoaOnline users can check the status of their applications, receive due date reminders, access service pre-requisites, and get step-by-step guidance and apply for all 241 services through WhatsApp.
This marks a significant leap in digital empowerment, ensuring public services are always within reach—from doorstep to fingertip.
In a momentous occasion, Dr. Sai Kaustuv Dashgupta, India’s first Disabled Certified Happiness Coach and National Awardee, has been appointed the Brand Ambassador of Karnataka by the prestigious Global Book of Excellence, England. This recognition is a testament to Dr. Dashgupta’s unwavering dedication to promoting inclusivity, accessibility, and global motivation.
A Champion of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Despite being born with brittle bone disease, which has left him with 90% disability, Dr. Dashgupta has defied all odds to become a beacon of inspiration for millions. With over 1,000 motivational sessions under his belt, he has inspired global leaders and advocated for inclusive workplaces. His relentless efforts in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) have earned him numerous accolades, including the prestigious Certificate of Excellence from the Global Book of Excellence, England.
A TEDx Speaker, UN-Recognized Disability Leader, and D-30 Disability Impact Honoree Dr. Dashgupta’s impressive resume boasts an array of distinguished titles. As a TEDx speaker, he has shared his inspiring story with a global audience. His work has also been recognized by the United Nations, which has honored him as a disability leader. Furthermore, he has been conferred with the D-30 Disability Impact award, a testament to his tireless efforts in promoting inclusivity.
Empowering Millions through Happiness Unlimited Dr. Dashgupta’s initiative, Happiness Unlimited, is a testament to his commitment to fostering a more inclusive world. Through this platform, he continues to break barriers and inspire millions. As the Brand Ambassador of Karnataka, he pledges to empower millions more, using his platform to promote inclusivity, accessibility, and motivation.
A Visit to Goa: Spreading Inspiration and Inclusivity Dr. Dashgupta will soon be visiting Goa, where he will attend the Global Book of Excellence event. This visit is expected to inspire a new generation of leaders, promoting inclusivity and accessibility in all spheres of life.
A New Era of Inclusivity and Empowerment As Dr. Dashgupta embarks on this new chapter as Brand Ambassador, he is poised to inspire a global movement. His story is a testament to the human spirit’s ability to overcome adversity and achieve greatness. As he continues to empower millions, his legacy will inspire generations to come.
~ The 9th edition of the Serendipity Arts Festival will be held at Panaji in Goa from December 15 to December 22.
~ 1,800-plus artists from across the globe will be participating in the festival this year.
~ Over 22 venues are accommodating the Festival’s extensive programming across Panaji.
Panaji, December 2024: Goa is set to roll out the red carpet for the ninth edition of Serendipity Arts Festival (SAF) 2024 which returns to Goa with its biggest edition yet. Featuring over 1,800 Goan, national, and international artists and 200-plus projects, panels, workshops, and public art interventions across 22 venues, it promises a vibrant celebration of creativity and culture.
South Asia’s largest multidisciplinary arts festival will convert its long-time home, the vibrant capital city of Panaji, into a hub for artistic endeavours and creative pursuits from December 15 to December 22.
“We are proud to host the ninth edition of SAF 2024, set to take place in the historic city of Panaji, its primary venue since inception. A popular part of Goan culture and a fixture in the state’s December event calendar, SAF 2024 returns on a much grander scale, aiming to strengthen community engagement through relevant conversations, further enhance accessibility in the arts and make the Festival an exciting, immersive experience for all,” said Sunil Kant Munjal, Founder Patron, Serendipity Arts.
The Festival is supported by the Government of Goa, in partnership with the Entertainment Society of Goa and the Corporation of the City of Panaji, along with the Directorate of Art and Culture, Goa, Goa Tourism Department, Kala Academy Goa, Goa Forest Department and Imagine Panaji Smart City Development.
SAF 2024 will be conducted across 22-plus venues spread across the culturally rich city of Panaji — the Art Park, the Excise Building, the Old GMC Complex, ESG Building, Santa Monica Jetty, Samba Square, Mala Pump House, the Arena at Nagalli Hills Ground, Kala Academy, Azad Maidan, Directorate of Accounts, Caranzalem Beach, Dona Paula Parking Lot and more.
Since its first edition in 2016, SAF has ensured that it has made the arts universally inclusive and accessible across creative disciplines, factoring in holistic sustainability and cultural place-making.
“As we unveil the 9th edition of the Serendipity Arts Festival, we reaffirm our belief in culture as a transformative soft power that can invigorate economies and bring meaningful change to society. Over the years, symbiotic relationships, collaborations, and partnerships have been at the heart of our journey, creating a multiplier effect for communities,” said Smriti Rajgarhia, Director of Serendipity Arts and the Serendipity Arts Festival.
This year, 13 expert curators are breathing life into the Festival’s disciplines. Bickram Ghosh and Zubin Balaporia are curators for Music; Veeranganakumari Solanki and Thukral & Tagra come together to curate Visual Arts; Theatre is curated by Quasar Thakore Padamsee and Sankar Venkateshwaran; Geeta Chandran and Jayachandran Palazhy are curating Dance; Culinary Arts is being curated by Elizabeth Yorke and Anusha Murthy of Edible Issues; Kristine Michael and Sandeep Sangaru are curating Craft; Salil Chaturvedi is heading the Accessibility quotient.
This year, visitors can explore sustainable food alternatives, delve into climate-conscious craft practices, and engage with multisensory exhibits as part of the Visual Arts curation. They can also groove to global music beats, experience a somatic symphony through Dance programming, and reflect on human experiences in Theatre, all while participating in accessibility and sustainability endeavours in the art space. AI interventions, curated by Mathieu Wothke (Somewhere Arts) and Joel Ferree (LACMA), will be prevalent across the visual, culinary, and performance disciplines, adding a layer of innovation and exploration to the festival.
Additionally, special curators like Preethi Athreya for Performance Art, Comedy Wagon for Stand-up Comedy, Gaya Tideman for Music in the Art Park, Zainab Wani (Zequenx) for the B-Side Project, and Damian Christinger for Ghosts in Machines bring fresh perspectives to this edition. Key exhibitions such as Eternal Echoes: The Resonance of Heart with Heritage, curated by Helen Acharya at Azad Maidan, and Carbon, led by Jahnavi Phalkey in collaboration with Ravi Agarwal, promise compelling and thought-provoking experiences.
Prioritising Goan and Goa-based artists in the festival’s programming, SAF has granted them a platform where their talent can put themselves on the global art map and garner international acclaim. The Goa Familia – Archive of Potential (Goan) Futures project, curated by Lina Vincent and Akshay Mahajan, also returns, offering a heartfelt exploration of Goan heritage through oral histories, photography, and archival materials. This year, eminent names in Goa’s cultural space like Assavri Kulkarni, Shankar Turi, Divesh Gadekar, Manashri Pai Dukle, Aldona Video Club, Bookworm Goa, Prashanti Talpankar and others are bringing their expertise to the Festival.
According to Pallavi Dempo, SAF Patron, the Serendipity Arts Festival plays a pivotal role in nurturing creativity and talent. “The Serendipity Arts Festival is the most sought-after cultural event in Goa, and we are truly fortunate to host it here. My heartfelt gratitude and congratulations to Sunil Kant Munjal, Founder Patron of Serendipity Arts, for gifting Goa this incredible festival,” she said.
The Festival is free to all visitors upon registration. However, owing to popular demand and limited seating, some projects have a nominal fee per head. SAF 2024 also continues with dedicated programming for children, ensuring the next generation of artists is set up in good stead.
Quick Takes from Curators and Artists:
“We are extremely excited for the Visual Arts section. This year, as part of our project ‘Multiplay’, expect everything from getting your hair braided to a ‘book massage’ as a multisensory experience. ‘Poems on the Move’, curated by us and Salil Chaturvedi, will have poets grace the ears of SAF shuttle passengers, among many other public interventions,”
Thukral and Tagra, Visual Arts curator
“At ‘A Haptic Score’, visitors can come and explore how sound and sight, as synaesthesia invoke feelings that are deeply personal, and most of the works bring you back to yourself in some way,”
Veerangana Solanki, Visual Arts curator
“Since ceramics are a huge part of Goa’s history, from the terracotta roosters and lions, to the Azulejos. The idea was to combine the Goans and Goa-settled artisans, craftspeople with other parts of the country, especially West Bengal, as they share a colonial background. People can look forward to seeing these intertwined histories visually represented at the festival.”
Kristine Michael, Craft Curator
“Life in areas like Ladakh has several lessons to teach us, represented in the project ‘Abundance in Scarcity: Exploring Ladakh’s Sustainable Ingenuity’. People can come see how limited resources drive creativity and sustainability, cultural resilience and the significance of environmental stewardship.”
