Tag: Children

Events in Goa

Serendipity Arts Festival Transforms Panaji’s Art Park into a Hub of Art, Food, and Community

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Panaji, December 2025: The Serendipity Arts Festival (SAF), Asia’s largest multidisciplinary art festival, has once again turned Panaji’s Art Park along the riverfront into a dynamic cultural hub. Visitors of all ages have been immersed in a vibrant blend of art, workshops, culinary experiences, and entertainment.

The festival space is thoughtfully designed to cater to varied interests. The western end features the photography exhibits in Feeling Home. Where is Home?, with works ranging from Assavri Kulkarni’s tribal portraits to Anurag Banerjee’s homage to Bombay, drawing visitors into diverse worlds through the lens. Moving inward, the buzz grows louder with interactive workshops, storytelling sessions, and a showcase of Goan culinary traditions.

SAF’s colourful stalls and installations make the festival appealing to schools and families alike. Surekha Gaonkar, a teacher from Bal Bharati Vidyamandir, Ribandar, brought 73 students from standards 1 to 3, saying, “We come to help students learn something new while having fun. There’s so much to do here.”

Students like Nisha Fernandes of Chubby Cheeks High School were equally enthused, exploring workshops such as Changing Charpai and creative storytelling sessions. “It was my first time here, and I had a lot of fun. The Hive workshop helped us learn limericks and poetry, and the charpai installation was fun to climb and play on,” she shared.

Parents, too, found the festival a perfect opportunity to engage with their children while enjoying a safe and relaxing environment. Upen Kumar from Margao said, “I registered my son for storytelling and workshops on emotions and musical instruments while browsing the stalls. Every amenity, from washrooms to guidance, was well taken care of.”

The Serendipity Arts Festival continues to offer an inclusive, engaging, and educational experience, blending celebration, learning, and community bonding in the heart of Panaji.

Entertainment

Bigg Boss 19 Grand Finale: Who Will Lift the Trophy? A Close Look at the Top Contenders

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Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Entertainment Desk

The grand finale of Bigg Boss 19 is set to take place on December 7, and excitement has reached its peak as the top six contestants prepare for the final showdown. Tanya Mittal, Farrhana Bhatt, Gaurav Khanna, Malti Chahar, Amaal Mallik, and Pranit More have endured fourteen intense weeks of challenges, conflicts, alliances, and emotional highs and lows.

Each of them has contributed uniquely to the season, making the finale week a nail-biting affair. Among the contestants, Gaurav Khanna has emerged as the season’s strategic mastermind. While he initially appeared quiet and observant, his composed nature and sharp gameplay helped him build strong connections, influence decisions without drawing unnecessary attention, and maintain his footing throughout the season.

His Ticket to Finale win solidified his place as a top contender, earning praise not only from Salman Khan but also from Farah Khan, who went so far as to label this season the “Gaurav Khanna show” and predicted his victory. On the other hand, Farrhana Bhatt has dominated the house with her fiery presence since day one. Known for her unapologetic attitude, sharp one-liners, and refusal to bow down to groupism, she became one of the most talked-about contestants of the season. Whether it was her bold personality, her playful chemistry with Baseer Ali, or her close bond with Tanya Mittal, Farrhana kept the audience entertained while building a reputation as one of the strongest and most unpredictable players. Her intuitive grasp of the game, demonstrated by her accurate eviction predictions, set her apart as someone who could read the house better than most.

Pranit More, the comedian who briefly exited due to health concerns only to return stronger, has been a surprise package. His journey took many turns, but his sense of humor, sincerity, and fearless decisions earned him respect inside and outside the house. His shocking move of choosing Ashnoor Kaur over Abhishek Bajaj during nominations, despite their friendship, proved that he prioritizes the game above personal emotions. Surviving multiple nominations and consistently winning the audience’s support, Pranit has shown immense growth and resilience as the weeks progressed.

Tanya Mittal, Malti Chahar, and Amaal Mallik, each in their own way, have added depth to the season and showcased determination, emotional strength, and competitive spirit, making the finale lineup one of the most balanced in recent seasons. As the Salman Khan-hosted reality show approaches its final episode, fans are eagerly speculating about who will claim the crown.

Whether it will be Gaurav’s calm strategy, Farrhana’s fierce dominance, Pranit’s balanced authenticity, or another contestant’s surprise surge, Bigg Boss 19 promises a thrilling and unforgettable finale.

Goan Personalities

Goa Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar Pens a Heartfelt Note: Celebrating My Daughters — Drithi & Druthi! ✨🎂

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Today is a deeply emotional and joyous day for Goa Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar, as he celebrates the birthdays of his two precious daughters — Drithi & Druthi.


With a heart overflowing with love and gratitude, he shares a touching message that reflects the bond he cherishes with his children.

“Today, my heart is full as I celebrate the birthdays of my two precious daughters. Your love, innocence, and strength inspire me every single day. May God guide your path and bless your lives with joy, good health, and endless success. You both are my pride and my greatest blessing.”

Behind the responsibilities of public life lies a devoted father whose world revolves around the laughter, dreams, and happiness of his daughters.
Drithi & Druthi bring a unique warmth into his life — a reminder of humility, love, and purpose.

This heartfelt note is not just a birthday wish; it is a celebration of fatherhood, gratitude, and the blessings that children bring.
As they grow, MLA Arolkar prays that they walk the path of kindness, courage, and success — guided by God’s grace and surrounded by love.

Today, he celebrates them… and the beautiful journey they share as a family. 💫💖

Social

Workshop on Handling Rejection and Failure Held for Kids Under ‘Chirag Datta Naik’ Initiative

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Written by Intern Queeny George M.H , Team Allycaral

The Chirag Datta Naik Initiative saw yet another successful workshop on “Handling Rejection and Failure” conducted by Anisha’s Nurture Nest this past Sunday at Samarth Krupa Hall, opposite ESI Hospital, Margao. The session, intended for children aged 7 to 15, was led by Anisha Kapdi and marks the third in this series.

Congress leader Chirag Naik, present at the workshop, applauded the parents who made the effort to bring their children. He said, “There are three types of parents: those who have experienced such things in childhood and now encourage their kids; those who never got the opportunity and want their children to go ahead and do it – I appreciate such parents; and those who had the experience but are unable to bring their kids due to reasons like work, lifestyle, social media, gadgets, etc.” His words underscored the importance of parental involvement in building emotional resilience.

During the workshop, Anisha Kapdi taught key coping skills: accepting rejection, expressing one’s feelings openly, analysing the reasons behind a rejection to improve upon them, and maintaining self‑confidence. She emphasized that rejection is a normal part of life. Parents were encouraged not to treat failures—such as low examination scores—as shameful events. If children feel embarrassed or punished for failure, they may stop seeking support or sharing their struggles.

Anisha also urged parents to normalize their own stories of rejection, helping children feel safe and understood. She cautioned against comparing children with others, highlighting that each child is unique. Instead of pushing them into a rat race, parents should recognize their children’s individual capacities (their potential) and capabilities (their interests and passions). Whether a child is drawn to science, arts, culinary fields, or anything else, supportive recognition matters. Above all, she stressed that children must feel loved so they are always willing to come back to their parents when things go wrong.

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South Korea’s Innovative Approach to Boosting Birth Rate

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In a bold move to combat its record-low birth rate, Saha-gu district in Busan, South Korea, has introduced a groundbreaking initiative offering substantial incentives to couples who get married and have children. This pioneering approach aims to revive family life and stimulate population growth in a country grappling with a demographic crisis.


Couples in Saha-gu district can receive up to 20 million won ($64,000) in cash incentives, along with housing support for up to five years. The district’s matchmaking event, scheduled for October 2024, is a prime example of these efforts, offering participants:

  • Up to 1 million won ($720) for initiating a relationship
  • An additional 2 million won for progressing to a formal family meeting
  • A substantial bonus of 20 million won upon marriage


South Korea’s birth rate has hit an all-time low of 0.72 births per woman, far below the 2.1 births per woman needed to sustain population growth. The government has launched various initiatives to address this issue, including the creation of a new Birth Rate Ministry. Saha-gu district’s approach stands out for its direct financial support, starting from the initial stages of a romantic relationship.


While this initiative offers a novel approach, experts question whether financial incentives alone can reverse the trend. High living costs, a competitive job market, and shifting societal norms have led many young South Koreans to delay or forego marriage and parenthood. To effectively address the demographic crisis, policymakers may need to adopt a multifaceted approach, tackling both financial burdens and underlying social and economic factors.


Despite the challenges, there are signs of hope. South Korean marriages increased by 14.8% in 2024, the largest jump since 1990, offering a glimmer of optimism for the nation’s aging population. The fertility rate also rose for the first time in nine years, with some attributing this shift to changing social values and government support schemes.


Saha-gu district’s innovative approach to boosting birth rate is a step in the right direction. While challenges persist, the initiative’s success could pave the way for other districts to follow suit. As South Korea continues to grapple with its demographic crisis, innovative solutions like this one offer a beacon of hope for the nation’s future.