Tag: Carmel College

EduConnect

Carmel College Hosts State-Level Workshop on Effective Communication for Students

Tanisha Cardozo

Carmel College of Arts, Science, and Commerce for Women, Nuvem, hosted a One-Day State-Level Workshop on Effective Communication on 20 August 2025. Conceptualized by the Department of English in collaboration with Ms. Mariette Valsan, a seasoned communications professional with expertise in public relations and corporate communication, the workshop offered a vibrant space for students to grow their interpersonal and professional communication abilities.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Brian Mendonca, Convenor of the event, highlighted how communication is often underestimated despite being a crucial life skill. Dr. Aldina Braganza e Gomes, Officiating Principal, in her welcome address, emphasized the importance of being intentional in both speech and silence. She remarked, “You can communicate by speaking, you can communicate by being silent.” Dr. Glenis Mendonca, Head of the Department of English, shared the department’s vision and initiatives, and formally felicitated the guest speaker. Ms. Valsan expressed her excitement about engaging with students at Carmel and gave a brief overview of the day’s activities. The programme was anchored by Danielle, while Joanne delivered the vote of thanks.

The day was packed with insightful activities designed to challenge students to reflect on their individual communication styles and unlock their strengths. Whether through team-building games or story-driven presentations, Ms. Valsan’s approach kept participants fully engaged. Her ability to connect with the students through relatable anecdotes made the session not just informative but also inspiring. Participants unanimously agreed that the workshop offered a refreshing perspective on communication—transforming it from a theoretical concept into a practical, lived experience.

The event showcased how Carmel College continues to provide holistic education, blending academics with essential life skills that prepare students to navigate both careers and communities with confidence.

Social

Goa’s Overlooked Eight-Legged Arachnids Need Attention; ‘Development’ Needs to go Hand-in-Hand With Ecology

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Panaji, June 2025 – Embankments along the national highway in Mollem, home to a rare tarantula species, were wiped away due to road widening projects and heightened the risk of local extinction, according to Prof. Manoj Ramakant Borkar, who at a recent MOG Sunday talk at the Museum of Goa, Pilerne, stressed that development goes hand in hand with ecology. These tarantulas and other arachnids, Borkar said, are dependent on specific microhabitats and microclimatic regimes, which cannot be replicated beyond the mounds and burrows of the embankment.

In his talk titled ‘Whip Spiders, Whip Scorpions & Tarantulas: The ‘Not-So-Charismatic’ Wildlife of Goa,’ Borkar emphasised that tarantulas have restricted and limited dispersal and that whip spiders and whip scorpions remain largely unaccounted for by major conservation frameworks. 

“They have not been assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, nor are they included under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act schedules,” says Borkar, head of the Department of Zoology, Carmel College for Women, South Goa and founder of the Biodiversity Research Cell.

The talk included detailed insights into the anatomy and traits of these species. The whip scorpion, also known as a vinegaroon, is named after its defence mechanism, in which the creature lifts its whip and sprays a vinegar-smelling substance on the provoker. Another unique feature of the tarantulas, according to Borkar, is their behaviour of layering their burrow with their webs, whether it is a pipe or a crevice in a tree.

Drawing from ongoing fieldwork, Borkar revealed the elaborate mating behaviour of whip spiders in which the smaller male takes the lead. “We have established a new hypothesis, where the prey drive is overridden by mating priorities,” he said.

He believes Goans are extremely eco-conscious and eco-sensitive, but not always vocal. Those who speak up are silenced with incentives. “All those who speak for the environment are not anti-development. They’re only insisting on sustainable development. You just cannot replace the earth’s capital with manufactured capital,” he said.

The talk touched on the role of ecotourism and its potential impact on Goa’s ecology. While it has the potential to raise awareness, Borkar warned that its focus has often shifted toward recreation and commercial gain. “We need to be ethical in our approach to tourism. Without strong environmental regulation, there can be no sustainability,” he said.

Events in Goa

Discover Goa’s ‘Not-So-Charismatic’ Wildlife at MOG Sundays with Prof. Manoj R. Borkar

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Panaji, June 2025 – The Museum of Goa (MOG) invites nature lovers, curious minds, and wildlife enthusiasts to explore a rarely seen side of Goa’s biodiversity through a compelling session titled “Whip Spiders, Whip Scorpions & Tarantulas: The ‘Not-So-Charismatic’ Wildlife of Goa.” This special edition of MOG Sundays will take place on Sunday, June 22, 2025, at 11:30 AM, at MOG’s campus in Pilerne Industrial Estate, Bardez.

Led by acclaimed biologist Prof. Manoj R. Borkar, this talk promises to shift the lens from Goa’s popular coastal and forest fauna to the secretive world of arachnids and arthropods that play a crucial yet uncelebrated role in our ecosystems.

About the Speaker

Prof. Manoj R. Borkar is the Head of the Department of Zoology at Carmel College for Women, South Goa, and the founder of the Biodiversity Research Cell. A respected academic and passionate field biologist, Prof. Borkar has spent decades studying Goa’s flora and fauna, advocating for scientific literacy and ecological balance. His ability to translate complex biological phenomena into relatable narratives makes his sessions both informative and inspiring.

Why This Talk Matters

When we think of Goa’s wildlife, the spotlight often falls on its majestic birds, leopards, or marine life. But what about the organisms lurking under leaves, in dark corners, or beneath stones—creatures that many of us fear or ignore?

This session will demystify:

  • Whip spiders – shy, non-venomous arachnids with unique locomotion and sensory limbs
  • Whip scorpions – fascinating creatures with powerful pincers and a whip-like tail
  • Tarantulas – misunderstood giants of the spider world, critical to pest control

Prof. Borkar will discuss their ecological roles, adaptations, and the myths that surround them, offering a fresh perspective on creatures often deemed scary or insignificant.

Event Details

  • Date: Sunday, June 22, 2025
  • Time: 11:30 AM onwards
  • Venue: Museum of Goa, Pilerne Industrial Estate, Bardez
  • Entry: Free (Limited seating)
  • RSVP: WhatsApp your name to 7722089666 to register

Who Should Attend?

  • Wildlife and nature enthusiasts
  • Students of biology, environmental science, and ecology
  • Families and children with a curiosity for the natural world
  • Anyone willing to challenge their fears and see nature differently


This MOG Sundays talk offers a rare opportunity to appreciate the hidden heroes of Goa’s ecosystem. By spotlighting the ‘not-so-charismatic’ creatures, the session encourages a more inclusive and respectful understanding of wildlife. Come with an open mind—you may walk away with a newfound fascination for the creatures that crawl, creep, and quietly sustain the balance of nature.

Books & Literature

“Kaundal Maza Gaav” Book Released in Khanapur Honoring Writer Jyotiba Patil’s Roots

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In a heartfelt celebration of literature, culture, and nostalgia, the book “Kaundal Maza Gaav” was officially released at a special program held in Khanapur, the birthplace of the author, Shree Jyotiba Patil. The event paid tribute to the author’s deep connection to his native village Kaundal, and brought together literary personalities, dignitaries, and admirers of Marathi literature.

Shree Jyotiba Patil, an 85-year-old retired educator, is a proud son of Kaundal village. Though his career in teaching took him to Goa, where he served with distinction at Holy Trinity High School, Benaulim, his heart remained rooted in the soil of Khanapur. With a passion for Marathi literature, Patil has authored eight books, and “Kaundal Maza Gaav” is his tribute to the village that shaped his early life.

This latest book is a literary memoir, capturing the culture, traditions, and stories of Kaundal with warmth and vivid detail. It serves as both a personal recollection and a valuable documentation of rural life in Maharashtra–Karnataka border regions.

The event was graced by several notable guests:

  • Chief Guest: Mr. Vitthal Halgekar, MLA of Khanapur, praised the author’s lifelong dedication to education and literature, emphasizing the importance of preserving rural heritage through books like this.
  • Guest of Honour: Shree Arvind Patil, former MLA, congratulated the author on his literary contributions to the Marathi-speaking community.
  • Special Guests:
    • Shree Anil Samant, President, Goa Marathi Academy
    • Shree Arun Raikar, President, Goa Marathi Academy (Sasashthi Vibhaag)

Their presence symbolized the strong cultural ties between Goa and Khanapur, especially in the realm of Marathi literature.

  • The program was compèred by Rajani Raikar, who kept the proceedings flowing with elegance.
  • A thoughtful review and speech on the book was delivered by Yogita Vernekar, lecturer at Carmel College, highlighting the emotional depth and cultural significance of the work.
  • The vote of thanks was offered by Uma Masur, expressing gratitude to the guests, participants, and audience.
  • Gaurish Vernekar was also present, adding support to the literary atmosphere of the event.

The launch of “Kaundal Maza Gaav” is more than just a book release — it is a celebration of identity, memory, and the enduring spirit of a village remembered through the eyes of one of its most cherished sons. The event reinforced the role of literature in preserving the past and inspiring future generations.