Tag: allycaral

Fit & Fabulous

Aalushka Wins Best Female Model (Child Category) at Pride of Goa Awards

Tanisha Cardozo

Nine-year-old Aalushka emerged as a shining young talent at the prestigious Pride of Goa Awards, winning the Best Female Model (Child Category) at the event organised by Showtheme Production and Swadesh Satellite Channel at ESG, Panjim, Goa. Her achievement added a special highlight to the ceremony, celebrating excellence and emerging talent from across the state.

Aalushka currently serves as the Head Girl of the primary section at St. Francis Xavier High School, Peddem, Goa, and has consistently demonstrated outstanding ability both inside and outside the classroom. Along with academic excellence, she has showcased her skills in storytelling, public speaking, dance, acting, mimicry and singing, making her a well-rounded performer at a very young age.

Residing at Khalap Vaddo, Canca Parra, Aalushka is the daughter of Walter and Assesao Fernandes. Her journey so far has been marked by several notable accolades, including Junior Miss India 2025, Little Miss Goa Stellar 2025, Best Speaker Award, Social Media Princess, and many other honours that reflect her confidence, discipline and passion for performance.

Expressing gratitude, the young achiever and her family acknowledged the support and encouragement received throughout her journey, with special thanks to Ma’am Rahila Khan for the nomination and guidance. Aalushka’s success stands as an inspiring example of how talent, leadership and dedication can shine early, making her a role model for young children across Goa.

Entertainment

Zakir Khan Announces Extended Break from Comedy, Cites Health and Genetic Concerns

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Entertainment Desk

Stand-up comedian Zakir Khan has announced that he will be taking an extended break from comedy, citing health concerns and hereditary medical issues as the primary reasons behind his decision. In a recent interview, Zakir admitted that years of relentless work and neglecting rest have significantly affected his physical well-being.

Speaking about his health, Zakir revealed that certain genetic illnesses in his family tend to surface after a particular age, prompting him to reassess his lifestyle. He acknowledged that his demanding schedule, which often involved sleeping for just a couple of hours before meeting fans and performing across cities, placed immense strain on his body. Reflecting on his journey, he said that maintaining such a pace for nearly ten years was bound to take a toll.

Zakir also shared that being the first in his family to achieve large-scale success brought with it a deep sense of responsibility. The desire to secure a better future for the next generation motivated him to prioritise work above everything else, often at the cost of his own health. Over time, however, he realised that balancing both health and work was no longer sustainable.

The decision to take a break became clearer during his tour in the United States last year, when Zakir recognised that continuing at the same pace would not allow him to address his health concerns adequately. While a viral clip from his Hyderabad show suggested that his break would last until 2030, Zakir later clarified that the timeline referred specifically to his return to Hyderabad, as resuming work after a hiatus would take time.

Zakir formally announced the break during a live performance in Hyderabad as part of his ongoing Papa Yaar tour. He shared that the hiatus could last anywhere between three to five years, potentially extending until 2028, 2029, or even 2030, once he fulfils his existing commitments. Expressing gratitude to his audience, Zakir emphasised that the decision was rooted in the need to take care of his health and focus on personal matters.

He has since reassured fans that upcoming shows until June 20 will be treated as a celebration, marking an important pause in a career that has shaped contemporary Indian stand-up comedy and connected deeply with audiences across generations.

#faith

Ecumenical Fellowship at Pilar Seminary Celebrates Unity in Christ

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Elvis Fernandes

In a heartwarming expression of faith and togetherness, the All India Mission Seminary of the Society of Pilar hosted an Ecumenical Fellowship on January 25, 2026, marking the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Centred on the theme, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4:4), the gathering brought together members and leaders from diverse Christian traditions to celebrate their shared faith in Christ.

The evening highlighted the importance of unity across denominations, transcending differences in tradition, language and culture. Mathew Samuel, IAS (retd), from the St. Thomas Marthoma Syrian Church, Santa Cruz, spoke on the relevance of Christian unity in India, stressing that standing together in faith remains essential regardless of denominational identity and reflects the nation’s foundational principle of unity in diversity.

The programme began with a warm welcome from the rector of the All India Mission Seminary, who extended greetings of peace to all present. Representatives from St. Mary’s Syrian Orthodox Church, St. Thomas Marthoma Syrian Church, the Methodist Church, Brethren Assembly, Rupantaran Fellowship Church, Tangkhul Baptist Church and North-East Baptist Church participated, reinforcing the spirit of fellowship and mutual respect.

Members of the Rupantaran Fellowship Church set a devotional tone through a prayerful dance performance, followed by a welcome address from Rev. Dr. Norman Almeida, Rector of the seminary, who emphasised the growing need for fellowship and unity within the Christian community. The evening continued with gospel songs by the Tangkhul and North-East Baptist Church choirs, creating an atmosphere of shared worship and joy.

A reflection on the Word of God was offered by Dr. James Samuel of the Brethren Assembly, who spoke about unity rooted in faith rather than uniformity, reminding the gathering that Christians, though diverse in tradition, share one Lord, one faith and one hope. The programme also included hymns and prayers led by choirs from different churches, culminating in the Prayers of the Faithful offered by the St. Thomas Marthoma Syrian Church.

The fellowship concluded with a prayer led by Rev. Pradeep Kumar of the Panjim Methodist Church, seeking God’s blessings for continued unity and mission among all believers. A final hymn by members of St. Mary’s Syrian Orthodox Church marked the close of the prayerful gathering, which ended with a fellowship meal, allowing participants to continue building relationships and celebrating their shared faith in Christ.

Business

Goa Celebrates National Startup Day with Focus on Funding and Policy Awareness

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Business Desk

With a focus on strengthening Goa’s startup ecosystem, the Startup & IT Promotion Cell (SITPC) under the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Government of Goa, organised a National Startup Day programme in Panaji. The initiative aimed to provide startups with practical guidance, policy and funding awareness, while creating opportunities for engagement with key ecosystem stakeholders.

The programme was graced by Shri Rohan Khaunte, Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Tourism and Printing & Stationery; Shri Kabir Shirgaonkar, Director, DITE&C; Shri Praveen Volvotkar, Managing Director, Infotech Corporation of Goa Ltd; Dr Milind Sakhardande, Joint Director, DITE&C; and Shri D. S. Prashant, CEO, Startup & IT Promotion Cell.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Rohan Khaunte emphasised the Government of Goa’s commitment to building a robust startup ecosystem through access to policy support, funding and market opportunities. He stated that the government envisions Goa as a launchpad for innovative ideas that can scale beyond the state and reach global markets.

Held under the theme ‘Empowering Startups. Enabling Ecosystem’, the event featured an overview of National Startup Day followed by a panel discussion on the effective utilisation of central government startup schemes. The discussion brought together key ecosystem enablers who shared insights on leveraging national initiatives for startup growth. Panelists included representatives from AIC-GIM, CIBA, BITS BioCyTih Foundation, FiiRE, Build3, SBI and HDFC, with the session moderated by Shri Lalit Saraswat.

The programme also included a presentation by the SITPC team outlining state-level incentives and funding support available to startups in Goa. Adding a practical dimension to the event, Shri Amarsh Chaturvedi, Co-founder of Traverse and Neural Machines, conducted an engaging workshop on pitching skills, equipping entrepreneurs with actionable insights to present their ideas effectively.

The event concluded with the felicitation of startups, incubators, academicians and industry associations for their contribution to strengthening Goa’s startup ecosystem. Startups such as Asier, Trash Co., Spatialcraft, Neural Kissan and YIMBY were recognised, along with incubators including AIC-GIM, CIBA, Build3, BITS BioCyTiH Foundation and FiiRE. Industry bodies such as GCCI, GTA and ASSOCHAM–Goa Chapter, along with academicians, were also honoured.

By bringing together stakeholders from across the ecosystem, the National Startup Day programme not only celebrated achievements but also reinforced collective efforts towards building a supportive, collaborative and sustainable startup environment in Goa.

Music

Paul John Single Malt Whisky Becomes Official Pouring Partner for ‘Tribute to Human Bondage’ Concert Series in Goa

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

India’s rock legacy is set to resonate across Goa as Paul John Single Malt Whisky comes on board as the official pouring partner for Tribute to Human Bondage, a nostalgia-soaked concert series celebrating the iconic 1970s rock band Human Bondage. The series brings together founder member Henry Babu Joseph and the contemporary sound of the Rajeev Raja Combine, with Air India Express supporting the initiative as the travel partner.

The tribute honours Human Bondage’s enduring influence on Indian rock music, uniting Henry Babu Joseph with Rajeev Raja, Adrian D’Souza, Paul Santiago, Hitesh Dhutia and John Thirumalai. The Goa leg of the multi-city tour unfolds across three venues — Cohiba, Candolim on January 22; Take 5, Candolim on January 24; and Goa Chitra Museum, Benaulim on January 25 — offering audiences an immersive live music experience rooted in memory, musicianship and cultural continuity.

Paul John Single Malt Whisky’s association reflects its deep connection with art, culture and craftsmanship. Drawing parallels between music and whisky, the brand highlights how both are shaped by patience, precision and authenticity, with each note and every cask carrying character refined over time through Goa’s tropical climate.

The collaboration builds on Paul John’s cultural presence at the Serendipity Arts Festival Goa 2025, where it unveiled an immersive Paul John Experience Centre celebrating Indian single malt whisky as a cultural craft. Through guided tastings and storytelling, the installation positioned whisky alongside art, music and creative expression.

Speaking about the tour, Rajeev Raja described Human Bondage as a formative influence on his musical journey and credited Babu Joseph as a mentor. He expressed gratitude to Paul John Visitor Centre and Air India Express for supporting a tribute that brings alive a defining chapter in India’s rock history.

Through Tribute to Human Bondage, Paul John continues its commitment to supporting Indian music, live performances and cultural storytelling, reinforcing the shared language between whisky and music — both born from tradition, elevated by creativity and perfected through time.

The series also aligns with Air India Express’s ongoing engagement with India’s cultural landscape, including its ‘Tales of India’ initiative that showcases indigenous art across its aircraft fleet. Together, the partnership celebrates craft, culture and creativity, reaffirming Goa’s place as a vibrant hub for live music and artistic expression.