Entertainment

Goa Gears Up for Two Days of Marathi Cinema Magic


Panaji | 13 July 2025 โ€” Goa is all set to celebrate the richness of regional cinema as the 14th Goa Marathi Film Festival (GMFF) returns on August 9 and 10 at INOX and Maquinez Palace, Panaji. With an impressive lineup of more than 15 Marathi films, including award-winning titles, unreleased premieres, and Goan short films, GMFF 2025 promises a unique and immersive cinematic experience.

Star-Studded Inauguration & Guest Lineup

Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar, who is currently producing a Marathi film, is expected to attend as the chief guest. The festival will be inaugurated by Goa Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant at INOX on August 9 at 9:30 AM.

Adding prestige to the occasion, Dr Mohan Agashe, the veteran actor and theatre stalwart, will be conferred the Krutadnyata Puruskar, a lifetime achievement honour celebrating his contribution to cinema and the arts.

Films to Watch Out For

This yearโ€™s curated collection includes powerful narratives like:

  • Sthal
  • Ghaath
  • Gharat Ganpati
  • Ata Thambaycha Naay!
  • Paani
  • Kurla Te Vengurla
  • Dharmasya
  • Snowflower
  • Cineman
  • Gulkand
  • April May ’99

Actors such as Sonali Kulkarni, Subodh Bhave, Chhaya Kadam, Prasad Oak, and Sai Tamhankar will attend special audience interaction sessions.

Goaโ€™s own talent will be spotlighted through two short films:

  • Karz by Sharv Shetye
  • Ek Cup Cha by Kishore Arjun

Workshops & Registrations

Ahead of the screenings, a workshop on โ€œAI in Content Creationโ€ by visualdub.ai will be held on August 8, open to content creators and filmmakers seeking to explore the power of artificial intelligence in storytelling.

Festival registrations begin July 20, both online via the Burraa app and physically at:

  • Vinsan Graphics (Panjim, Vasco)
  • Mohak Designers (Ponda)
  • Maya Book Stores (Margao)

A Platform for Culture & Conversation

GMFF continues to grow as one of Goaโ€™s most loved regional film festivals โ€” an initiative that merges cinema, culture, and conversation. The 2025 edition emphasizes community engagement, youth participation, and expanding horizons through meaningful films.

Whether you’re a cinephile, a filmmaker, or simply curious about regional storytelling, GMFF 2025 is where Goa meets Marathi cinema โ€” raw, real, and revolutionary.

๐Ÿ”— Stay tuned at allycaral.com for the latest updates and interviews from the festival!

#TravelwithAllycaral ๐Ÿ‘’

Goa Tourism Wins โ€œBest Destination for Regenerative Tourismโ€ Award at TTF Kolkata 2025


Goa, 12th July 2025 โ€“ Goa Tourism concluded its participation at TTF Kolkata 2025 with resounding success, as the state was honoured with the โ€œBest Destination for Regenerative Tourismโ€ award in recognition of its evolving and future-forward approach to tourism. The award was received on behalf of Goa Tourism by Shri Dhiraj Wagle, Deputy Director of Tourism; Shri Akshay Govenkar, Marketing Manager, GTDC; and Shri Kapil Nadkarni, UDC, Department of Tourism, who led the stateโ€™s delegation at the event and held multiple discussions with fellow state tourism boards, travel agencies, and hospitality leaders to explore collaborative opportunities and knowledge exchange.

Held from 10th to 12th July 2025 at the Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan, TTF Kolkata witnessed remarkable footfall at the Goa Tourism stall. A steady stream of trade visitors, industry leaders, travel enthusiasts, and fellow state representatives engaged deeply with the offerings presented, resulting in a significant number of inquiries about travel packages and Goaโ€™s latest tourism initiatives.

Reflecting on the success of the event, Shri Kedar Naik, Director Tourism said โ€œTTF Kolkata has reaffirmed the growing interest in responsible and meaningful travel. We had engaging discussions with both trade and general visitors who showed genuine curiosity about Goaโ€™s lesser-known offerings. It was encouraging to see the resonance of regenerative tourism principles and the willingness to explore Goa beyond its coastline.โ€

Shri Dhiraj Wagle, Deputy Director of Tourism, added โ€œThis award is a testament to the efforts of the entire Goa Tourism team and our vision of curating experiences that are enriching, inclusive, and sustainable. Our participation at TTF Kolkata 2025 reflects how Goa is positioning itself not just as a destination, but as a way of life built on harmony between people, culture, and nature.โ€

The highlight of the pavilion was the strong interest shown by visitors in Goaโ€™s Regenerative Tourism approach. Many guests were curious to understand what โ€œregenerativeโ€ truly means, how it goes beyond sustainability to actively restore, revive, and empower the environment and local communities. Equally popular were intiatives like ‘Goa Beyond Beaches’, the unexplored hinterland trails, the spiritually enriching Ekadasha Teertha circuit, and the Glow On Arrival campaign that positions Goa as a rejuvenating monsoon destination.

Visitors also took advantage of spot booking facilities offered by Goa Tourism in collaboration with local hoteliers and tour operators. The immersive VR experiences, digital QR trails, and on-site cultural storytelling further added to the charm and engagement at the pavilion.

Goa Tourism thanks all visitors, stakeholders, and collaborators who contributed to the success of the pavilion at TTF Kolkata 2025. The department looks forward to welcoming travellers to experience the many layers of Goa, where every journey contributes to something greater.

TechPulse

Japan Breaks World Record for Fastest Internet Speed โ€” 402 Tbps!


Tokyo, July 2025 โ€” Japan has once again taken the lead in global technology by setting a new world record for internet speed: a jaw-dropping 402 terabits per second (Tbps). To put that into perspective, you could download the entire Netflix library โ€” all shows, all movies โ€” in just one second.

The breakthrough was achieved by researchers at Japanโ€™s National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) using advanced multi-core fiber-optic technology and next-generation wavelength division multiplexing. Unlike typical commercial fiber cables, which use a single core, this innovation utilizes 19 cores in a single fiber โ€” drastically increasing data capacity.

Why It Matters

This record isn’t just about achieving insane speeds. It represents a leap toward the next era of internet infrastructure that could support massive data requirements in industries like AI, streaming, autonomous vehicles, medical imaging, and even interplanetary communication.

With the rapid rollout of 6G trials, quantum computing, and the metaverse, demand for ultra-fast and stable internet is at an all-time high. Japanโ€™s latest milestone lays the groundwork for a truly connected future.

Whatโ€™s Next?

While this speed isnโ€™t available to consumers just yet, it signals whatโ€™s on the horizon. Japan, already one of the worldโ€™s most tech-advanced nations, continues to pave the way for innovations that could redefine digital experiences globally.

As global players race toward faster and more efficient networks, Japanโ€™s 402 Tbps feat is a reminder that the future of connectivity is closer than we think โ€” and itโ€™s faster than we ever imagined.

Sports

ISL 2025โ€“26 Season Put on Hold Amid Uncertainty Over Master Rights Agreement


Written by Tanisha Cardozo

New Delhi, July 2025 โ€” The Indian Super League (ISL) has announced that its 2025โ€“26 season is officially on hold due to ongoing uncertainty over the renewal of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between the Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) and the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

The MRA โ€” a crucial document outlining broadcasting, commercial, and operational control of Indian football โ€” is set to expire on December 8, 2025, right in the middle of the typical ISL season calendar. Without a renewed framework in place, organisers are unable to move forward with scheduling, marketing, or team preparations.

In a letter sent to all ISL clubs, FSDL stated:

โ€œIn the absence of a confirmed contractual framework beyond December, we find ourselves unable to effectively plan, organise, or commercialise the 2025โ€“26 ISL season. We regret to inform you that we are currently not in a position to proceed and are placing it on hold until further clarity emerges.โ€

Stalemate in Negotiations

The situation is further complicated by a Supreme Court directive that prohibits the AIFF from entering into fresh negotiations with FSDL until a final verdict is delivered on the AIFF draft constitution case.

Meanwhile, sources close to the matter told ESPN that one of the revised MRA proposals being discussed involved a 60โ€“26โ€“14 ownership split between ISL clubs, FSDL, and AIFF respectively โ€” potentially reshaping the league’s structure and governance.

Whatโ€™s at Stake?

FSDL, the commercial partner of AIFF since 2010, currently pays โ‚น50 crore annually to manage and broadcast the ISL and other national football properties. The disruption of this agreement could ripple across the football ecosystem, affecting:

  • Club planning and signings
  • Broadcasting contracts
  • Fan engagement initiatives
  • National team visibility

FSDL has assured clubs it will continue to monitor the situation and provide timely updates.

A Pivotal Moment for Indian Football

This pause signals one of the most pivotal moments in Indian footballโ€™s recent history. The ISL, launched in 2014, has been central to raising the profile of the sport in the country. A prolonged delay could threaten this momentum unless clarity on the MRA is achieved soon.

As fans and stakeholders await a resolution, the spotlight turns to the courts and governing bodies to chart a path forward for Indiaโ€™s premier football league.

Human Interest

Goan Women Break Barriers: Samiksha Velip and Gauri Mavlinkar Appointed Konkani Interpreters in Lok Sabha


Written by Tanisha Cardozo

Panaji | July 2025 โ€” Goa has added another feather to its cap as two of its daughters โ€” Samiksha Velip from Canacona and Gauri Mavlinkar from Mapusa โ€” have been appointed as Konkani Interpreters in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Indiaโ€™s Parliament. This achievement represents not only a personal triumph for the two women but also a major step forward in the representation and recognition of the Konkani language on a national platform.

Samiksha Velip, who hails from Bhupar-Gaondongrim in Canacona, is one of two selected candidates for the prestigious role. A postgraduate in Konkani from Goa University, she began her academic journey at Shri Mallikarjun & Chetan Manju Desai College, Canacona, which proudly celebrated her achievement. College Principal Dr. Rupa Chari stated, โ€œSamikshaโ€™s appointment is a matter of immense pride and inspiration for our students. We wholeheartedly wish her success in her parliamentary role.โ€

Joining her is Gauri Mavlinkar, a scholar from Mapusa, who successfully cleared the Consultant Interpreters Empanelment Test to secure her place in the Lok Sabhaโ€™s interpretation team. Her selection reflects not only academic merit but also a passion for language and public service.

The appointment of these two trailblazing women underscores the growing recognition of regional languages like Konkani in Indiaโ€™s administrative and legislative spheres. It also highlights the important role of women in shaping public discourse and policy from behind the scenes.

This milestone is not just about language โ€” it’s about identity, representation, and empowerment. As Goa celebrates this achievement, it also shines a light on the institutions and educators nurturing such talent at the grassroots level.

From classrooms in Canacona and Mapusa to the chambers of the Indian Parliament, the journeys of Samiksha Velip and Gauri Mavlinkar serve as powerful reminders that with passion, education, and perseverance, no goal is too far.