Tag: Amona

National

Tribal Minister Invites President Droupadi Murmu to Silver Jubilee Canacona Lokotsav 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

In a noteworthy cultural development, Shri Ramesh Tawadkar, Tribal Minister of Goa, recently called on the Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. Accompanied by Shri Rajendra Arlekar, Hon’ble Governor of Kerala, the minister extended a formal invitation to the President to attend the Silver Jubilee Edition of the Canacona Lokotsav.

The 25th Canacona Lokotsav is scheduled to take place from 19th to 21st December 2025 at Adarsh Gram, Amona, in the Canacona taluka of South Goa. Over the years, Canacona Lokotsav has grown into one of Goa’s most prominent platforms to celebrate and showcase traditional Goan arts, crafts, music, folklore, and tribal culture.

The Silver Jubilee edition promises to be a grand celebration, bringing together performers, artisans, and cultural groups from across the state and beyond. The invitation to the President is a symbolic and significant gesture aimed at highlighting the cultural richness of Goa on a national platform. It also reflects the growing recognition of local festivals in preserving and promoting indigenous traditions and community spirit.

If accepted, President Droupadi Murmu’s presence at the Lokotsav would mark a historic moment, as she herself represents a strong connect to tribal heritage and grassroots governance in India. The event is expected to attract dignitaries, tourists, cultural enthusiasts, and citizens in large numbers.

The Tribal Ministry’s outreach reflects Goa’s continued efforts to promote inclusive and culturally rooted tourism while strengthening local identity through events like the Canacona Lokotsav.

Social

CM Dr. Pramod Sawant Inaugurates Sesa Goa-Sponsored Artificial Turf Ground at Amona

Tanisha Cardozo

In a significant step towards youth empowerment and grassroots sports development, Dr. Pramod Sawant, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, inaugurated a state-of-the-art artificial turf ground in Amona. The ground has been constructed by Vedanta Sesa Goa – Value Added Business, under its flagship YouTheChange, YouThePower initiative, with a project cost exceeding ₹1 crore.

Equipped with floodlights and a fenced playing arena, the facility promises to become a vibrant hub for community engagement, sports competitions, and youth development. The inauguration ceremony saw the presence of Mr. Saptesh Sardesai, CEO of Vedanta VAB, Shri Gopal Surlakar, Zilla Panchayat Member (Pale), Shri Sagar Kamlakant Fadte, Sarpanch, V.P Amona, panchayat members, community leaders, and enthusiastic locals. The event culminated in a friendly football match where CM Dr. Pramod Sawant himself took to the field, encouraging youth to utilise the facility.

Expressing gratitude, Dr. Pramod Sawant lauded Vedanta’s commitment to community welfare. “The long-standing wish of Amona’s youth has now been fulfilled. I appreciate Vedanta’s consistent efforts in infrastructure and skill development. This facility will play a vital role in promoting fitness and sports culture in the region,” he said.

Mr. Saptesh Sardesai emphasized the importance of physical fitness and leadership among the youth. “This turf ground is more than just infrastructure. It’s an investment in the future of our youth — promoting teamwork, health, and active lifestyles.”

This initiative aligns with the Government of India’s Fit India Movement and showcases Vedanta’s philosophy of #TransformingCommunities through impactful CSR projects that bring long-term value and progress to local communities.

Social

Vedanta Sesa Goa Enhances Road Safety with Reflective Collars for Stray Cattle

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo

In a unique and impactful step towards enhancing road safety and community well-being, Vedanta Sesa Goa – Value Added Business (VAB) has rolled out a reflective collar drive for stray cattle in the villages of Amona and Navelim, Goa. The initiative is part of Vedanta’s TACO (Towards A Conscious Operation) program and was conducted in partnership with Maina Dairy Society.

Titled “Lighting the Way to Safer Roads,” the initiative targets one of the most overlooked yet dangerous causes of night-time road accidents in rural areas — stray cattle. With the increasing number of vehicles on rural roads, cattle wandering at night pose serious safety risks. The reflective collars make the animals highly visible in low-light conditions, significantly reducing the risk of accidents for both drivers and animals.

The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from the local community, traffic officials, and Vedanta employees. Notable attendees included Mr. Saptesh Sardesai, CEO of VAB, Mr. Sadanand, PSI of the Traffic Cell, and Maina Dairy Society representatives Mr. Shivanand Naik and Mr. Sundar Naik. Their presence underscored the collective effort required to address such critical issues.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Saptesh Sardesai remarked,

“This initiative is not just about preventing accidents — it’s about valuing every life, human or animal, and fostering safer communities through simple yet effective interventions.”

The drive is part of Vedanta’s larger commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability, combining safety, innovation, and local partnerships to solve grassroots challenges.

By focusing on collaborative problem-solving and community-led awareness, Vedanta continues to demonstrate how responsible corporate action can make a tangible difference in the everyday lives of people.

As roads across India become busier, initiatives like this offer a scalable model for rural safety and welfare, reminding us that impactful change often begins with small, thoughtful steps — or in this case, a collar that glows in the dark.