Tag: Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias

Business

You Need to Build Your Own Brand to Be Successful in Today’s World: Walter Mascarenhas

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Intern Rency Gomes, Team Allycaral

In today’s competitive and fast-changing world, building a strong personal brand is as important as achieving financial success, said motivational speaker, corporate trainer and former Indian Air Force squadron leader Walter Mascarenhas during his talk titled Ask and be Rich. The lecture was organised as part of the ongoing centenary lecture series of Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias in Panaji in January 2026.

Mascarenhas stressed that true success comes from being in demand and cultivating a strong reputation. He said that qualities such as honesty, kindness, discipline and sincerity form the foundation of a personal brand. According to him, individuals who are known for these values naturally attract opportunities and professional growth.

Explaining his three-pronged ASK approach—Attitude, Skills and Knowledge—Mascarenhas highlighted the increasing importance of soft skills in both personal and professional life. He observed that abilities such as communication, interpersonal skills, problem-solving, decision-making, stress and time management, along with critical and creative thinking, are essential life skills that are often not adequately addressed in formal education.

He elaborated that knowledge includes facts, information, awareness, education and experience, all of which enable better decision-making and innovation. Attitude, he explained, determines how individuals think, feel and behave, ultimately shaping outcomes in life and work.

Mascarenhas also spoke about achieving a fulfilling and balanced life by working on both mental and physical well-being. He referred to neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) as a tool to influence thought patterns and emotional responses, saying that happiness is a conscious choice that individuals can make most of the time.

Addressing the fear of failure, he encouraged the audience to focus on persistence, consistency and patience. He emphasised that progress comes from small, daily efforts rather than mere planning or intention. He also underlined the importance of physical fitness through proper diet, exercise and a positive outlook.

Drawing from his diverse experiences in the Indian Air Force, corporate training, skydiving and scuba diving, Mascarenhas concluded by advocating lifelong learning. He urged people to remain students throughout their lives, continuously improving themselves and overcoming fear as a key step toward personal growth and long-term success.

Sports

Gadre Gaspar Dias Open 2026 Records All-Time High with 555 Entries in 11th Edition

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

Registrations for the Gadre Gaspar Dias Open 2026 have officially closed, with the tournament recording a record-breaking 555 entries ahead of its 11th edition, marking a significant milestone in its journey as one of Goa’s most prominent tennis events. Scheduled to be held from January 22 to February 1 at the iconic Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias in Miramar, the tournament continues to draw players across age groups and competitive levels.

Jointly organised by Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias and the Gadre Group in association with the Goa State Tennis Association, the tournament has once again witnessed strong participation across the Open, Junior and Masters categories. The 2026 edition is also notable for the introduction of the ladies’ doubles category for the first time, adding a new dimension to the competition.

The Open men’s singles category has attracted the highest participation with 111 entries, while the Open men’s doubles event has seen 37 pairs register. The Open ladies’ singles category has drawn 32 entries, with 14 pairs competing in the newly introduced ladies’ doubles. The Open mixed doubles segment has recorded 18 teams.

Junior participation has remained encouraging, with 25 players in the boys’ under-16 category and 14 in the girls’ under-16 event. In the under-12 division, 14 boys and five girls have registered, reflecting steady grassroots engagement in the sport.

The Masters segment has also recorded strong numbers, led by 70 entries in the 45+ men’s singles category, followed by 42 entries in the 60+ men’s singles and 30 entries in the 55+ men’s singles. In doubles, the 90+ men’s doubles category has emerged as the most subscribed with 60 teams, while the 110+ and 120+ doubles categories have recorded 43 and 32 teams respectively. The 35+ mixed doubles event has attracted eight teams.

Speaking on the occasion, Tanmay Kholkar, Secretary of Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias, said the tournament holds special significance this year as it coincides with the centenary celebrations of the club. Goa State Tennis Association President Sameer Kakodkar noted that the rising participation reflects the growing confidence players have in the tournament as a reliable and competitive platform across age groups.

Arjun Gadre of the Gadre Group expressed satisfaction at the sustained interest in the event, stating that the continued growth of the tournament reinforces its relevance within Goa’s sporting landscape. With matches spread over eleven days, the Gadre Gaspar Dias Open 2026 is expected to deliver high-quality competition and continue its legacy as one of the most keenly followed tennis tournaments in the state.

Events in Goa

Parag Rangnekar Highlights Goa’s Fast-Changing Ecology Through Photography

Tanisha Cardozo

Ecologist and naturalist Parag Rangnekar has drawn attention to Goa’s rapidly changing ecology and its misunderstood landscapes, particularly the lateritic plateaus often seen as barren wastelands. Speaking at a lecture titled “Wild Goa Through the Viewfinder” at Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias as part of the club’s centenary celebrations, Rangnekar explained that beneath the rust-red crust of these plateaus lie thriving ecosystems that host unique species of grasses, insects, and birds linking the state’s northern and southern ecological zones. He described Goa as a transitional region within the Western Ghats, holding a mix of species from both ends of the range.

Using his extensive collection of photographs, Rangnekar discussed how visual documentation helps scientists and citizens alike understand changes in biodiversity. His images reveal a decline in sightings of several endemic birds and a simultaneous increase in dry-land species like the Indian grey hornbill, suggesting potential local climate changes. He emphasized that photography can capture subtle ecological shifts, serving as both a research tool and a medium for environmental education.

Rangnekar also shared how, through photography, he and his team discovered a new dragonfly species later named Idionyx gomantakensis, first observed in 2008 and officially published in 2013. He highlighted the power of observation, recounting instances where chance wildlife encounters, when documented, contributed to scientific understanding — including what may be the world’s only photograph of a spider feeding on a bat.

Through his presentation, Rangnekar underscored that photography is not merely an art form but an essential means of recording Goa’s fast-changing natural heritage, urging people to view these landscapes not as wastelands but as vital living ecosystems worth preserving.

Social

Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias Partners with Disha Charitable Trust to Host Drawing Competition for Specially-Abled Students

allycaralgoa

Panaji, October 2025: Over 275 specially-abled students from across Goa came together to showcase their creativity and talent at a drawing competition organised by the Disha Charitable Trust, in collaboration with Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias, Miramar.

Now in its 24th edition, this annual event is dedicated to encouraging specially-abled children to express themselves through art while promoting inclusion and understanding in society.

Students from 30 special schools across the state participated in six different categories, each reflecting unique talent, creativity, and imagination.

Speaking about the initiative, Sandhya Kalokhe, Secretary of Disha Charitable Trust, shared:

“Over the years, we’ve realised that these children have creativity, abilities, and dreams just like anyone else. Our aim is to showcase their talents and create empathy, not sympathy.”

Following the drawing competition, the children also took part in a dance activity, filling the venue with joy and energy. The event concluded with a prize distribution ceremony, graced by Parind Nachinolkar, Managing Director of Priority Constructions, who served as the chief guest.

Each winner received a certificate and trophy for their exceptional work.

🏆 Winners included:

  • KR Adidev – SFAL, Panaji
  • Dikshit Gawade – Keshav Seva Sadhana School, Valpoi
  • Jubal Peixoto – Chetna School, Curchorem
  • Seema Kalangutkar – SFAL, Panaji
  • Ramnath Bhandari – Peace Heaven Convent School, Caranzalem
  • Shivani Chari – Lokvishwas Pratishthan Special School, Mollem

The event once again proved that art knows no barriers and that initiatives like these help create an inclusive, compassionate Goa where every child’s talent shines bright. 🌈

Human Interest

Sanjeev Sardesai Warns: “Forget Your Heritage, and It Will Be Wiped Out”

Tanisha Cardozo

“If one doesn’t respect their heritage and lets it slip away, then there is every possibility that a foreign culture comes in and wipes out the original culture,” said Sanjeev Sardesai, heritage promoter and cultural storyteller, during a compelling session of the Centenary Lecture Series organised by Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias in Panaji.

Speaking on the theme ‘Unknown Goa, Unknown Goenkar’, Sardesai underlined that heritage is not just about the physical — it includes every intangible tradition passed down over generations. From culinary styles and farming rituals to language and daily customs, he stressed that ignoring these cultural markers leaves communities vulnerable to cultural erosion.

To illustrate, Sardesai referred to a carved stone outside a cemetery in St. Inez that lies neglected despite its historic value. He lamented the lack of brochures and credible information for the millions of tourists who come to Goa but leave without a deeper understanding of its soul.

Sardesai traced Goa’s cultural mosaic with historical anecdotes, including how the Portuguese were aided by the villagers of Taleigao in 1510 after nearly perishing at sea. That single act led to a yearly harvest ritual still observed today — a living tradition that has endured five centuries.

He highlighted Goa’s unique natural heritage as well. From the flame-throated bulbul (Goa’s state bird) to the Terminalia eliptica or crocodile bark tree, Sardesai connected ecology to cultural identity. He shared that this particular tree can provide drinking water in emergencies — a little-known fact that hints at its life-sustaining powers.

Turning to monuments, Sardesai explored the Immaculate Conception Church in Panaji and how it came to house the second heaviest bell in Goa. Originally from the St. Augustine’s Convent, the bell was temporarily housed at the Aguada Fort before making its way to Panaji when the lighthouse was modernized. These silent relics, he argued, have powerful stories that remain largely untold.

Sardesai concluded with a call to action: Goans must fiercely protect both their monuments and their memories. “Until and unless our roots are strong, you will not get a good tree, nor will you get good fruits,” he said. “You must understand that heritage is something which is part of our life.”