Human Interest

Dr. Kaushik Dasgupta Honoured with Certificate of Journalistic Excellence at Global Awards 2025


Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

At the prestigious Global Awards for Excellence 2025 held at Taj Yeshwantpur in Bengaluru, eminent photojournalist and creative artist Dr. Kaushik Dasgupta was conferred the international Certificate of Journalistic Excellence. Organised by the England-based Global Book of Excellence, the ceremony honoured over 55 distinguished personalities from India and across the world for their outstanding contributions and social impact.

The award recognises Dr. Dasguptaโ€™s fearless journalism, artistic brilliance and exceptional ability to convey powerful truths through compelling visual storytelling. With more than 17 years of experience, his work has consistently highlighted social realities and brought meaningful narratives to national and international platforms. His multiple world records in reverse mirror writing, dedicated to the nationโ€™s martyrs, further reflect his unique creative expression rooted in purpose and patriotism.

Dr. Dasgupta holds an honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts from Chennai University and has received several prestigious accolades, including the India Star Independent Award and a special Live Art Recognition from Kala Academy, Goa. A versatile creative personality, he excels in photography, music, recitation, art, design and innovative community-based initiatives, earning wide appreciation. A marathon medalist as well, his journey continues to inspire through originality, discipline and social commitment.

The ceremony was attended by several eminent dignitaries, including Padma Shri awardee Dr. Syed Kirmani, former Director General of Police Ashith Mohan Prasad, IPS, actress Karunya Ram, spiritual coach and author Sri Kartikeya Das of ISKCON, historian Dr. Vikram Sampath, internationally acclaimed artist Prithviraj Choudhury and National Awardee Dr. Sai Kaustuv Dasgupta, among others.

This international recognition marks a significant milestone not only in Dr. Kaushik Dasguptaโ€™s journey but also for the creative and journalistic fraternity. His dedication to ethical journalism, artistic excellence and social responsibility continues to inspire future generations.

Events in Goa

IFFI 2025: Aakash Kandil, Float Parade & Romtamel Competition Results Announced


Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

As part of the 56th International Film Festival of India 2025(IFFI), Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) in collaboration with the Government of Goa organised Aakash Kandil (lantern-making) competition on 20/11/2025 at ESG promenade.

The competition was open to all the residents of Goa with the maximum cap of 50 entries per Taluka, accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis.

ESG received total 300 plus entries for the same from different talukas. Each participant received โ‚น500 as a token of appreciation for their effort and creativity. Participants could use any material except thermacol. All the Akash Kandils were kept for dsplay at ESG promenade.

Three winners were chosen from each taluka. The prize money for the competition was Rs. 5000 as first prize, Rs. 3000 as second prize and Rs. 2000 as third prize in each taluka.

The details of the winners are as follows;

Sr. NoName of the TalukaName of the winners
1SalceteFirst โ€“Akshay S. Satarkar   Second- Anikul A. Chitari   Third โ€“Ms. Saisha Malvankar
2CanaconaFirst โ€“ValankaniVieges   Second-Payak J. Padkar   Third -Kajal Kale
3SattariFirst โ€“Vaibhav Vinod Mathkar   Second-Arjun P. Majik   Third โ€“Supriya Chawan
4PondaFirst โ€“Kishor Chafadhkar   Second-Chandan Velkaskar   Third โ€“Amey Naik
5TiswadiFirst โ€“Jai Ravindra Phadte   Second-Atul Kamat   Third โ€“Sai Fadte
6BardezFirst โ€“Nehali Narvekar   Second-Sahin Hadfadkar   Third โ€“Upesh Mayekar
7SanguemFirst โ€“Shruti Surendra Naik   Second-Atharv Naik   Third โ€“Ajoy Gaonkar
8MarmugaoFirst โ€“ Keshav Ansurkar   Second-Mithil Naik   Third โ€“Deepesh Naik
9BicholimFirst โ€“Anup Nair   Second-Pratima M. Ghadi   Third โ€“Rutvik Ugadekar
10PernemFirst -Dhiraj Shetgaonkar   Second-Sameer Narayan Parab   Third – Sainath Pednekar
11DharbandoraFirst โ€“Sharmesh Chari   Second-Unmesh Lavu Naik   Third- Prajyot R. Dessai
12QuepemFirst โ€“Gaurav Raju Hornekar   Second-Vidhya Naik   Third โ€“ Navida Naik

The Float Parade Competition was held on 20th November 2025, in Two Segments. i.e. Segment 1- Goan Float Parade and Segment 2 – Promotional Float Parade.

Segment 1- Goan Float Parade Result
ResultWinner Name
1st PrizeShree Dev Bodgeshwar Yuva Sangh, Mapusa, Goa
2nd PrizeShree Krishna Haushi Mandal, Margao, Goa
3rd PrizeRaul Pereira, Quepem, Goa
4th PrizeTriveni Kala Sangh, Durgabhat, Ponda Goa
5th PrizeJoel Barbosa, Fatorda, Goa
Consolation PrizeValencio D’souza, St. Estevam, Goa
Consolation PrizeAlexinho Da Silva, Curtorim, Goa
Consolation PrizeIrist Dโ€™Silva, Quepem, Goa
Consolation PrizeMahalaxmi Nagrik Samiti, Bandora, Ponda Goa
Consolation PrizeShree Dev Dhadeshwar Sports and Cultural Club, Nerul, Bardez, Goa

Float Parade Competition (Applicable only for segment 1 – Goan floats)

1st Prize – Rs.350000/-

2nd Prize – Rs. 300000/-

3rd Prize – Rs. 250000/-

4th Prize – Rs. 200000/-

5th Prize – Rs. 150000/-

5 Consolation Prizes โ€“ Rs. 100000/- each

A remuneration of Rs. 30000/- each will be paid to float Parade participants who do not receive any prizes.

Segment 2 – Promotional Float Parade Result
ResultWinner Name
1st PrizeAndhra Pradesh
2nd PrizeHombale Movie Makers
3rd PrizeWaves OTT
4th PrizeZEE Studios
5th PrizeHaryana

Float Parade Competition (Aplicable for segment 2 – Promotional floats)

1st Prize – Rs.2,50,000/-

2nd Prize – Rs. 2,00,000/-

3rd Prize – Rs. 1,50,000/-

4th Prize – Rs. 1,25,000/-

5th Prize – Rs. 1,00,000/-

       A remuneration of Rs. 30000/- each will be paid to float Parade participants who do not receive any prizes as an incentive towards their participation and creative contribution.

The Romtamel Competition was held on 21st, 23rd, 25th & 26th November 2025.

Romtamel Competition Result
ResultWinner Name
1st PrizeSuyog Shigmotsav Mandal, Adpai, Agapur, Ponda, Goa
2nd PrizeShree Shantadurga Babreshwar Yuvak Sangh, Calangute, Goa
3rd PrizeShree Paikdev Shigmotsav Samiti, Sanguem, Goa
4th PrizeShree Mandaleshwar Managuru Shigmotsav Mandal, Shiroda, Ponda, Goa
5th PrizeShree Shantadurga Bodgeshwar Shigmotsav Samiti, Bardez, Goa
Consolation PrizeSwar Sai Shigmotsav Mandal, Mapusa, Goa
Consolation PrizeAvedekar Samaj Borim, Avedem, Borim, Goa
Consolation PrizeChandreshwar Bhootnath Shigmotsav Mandal, Quepem, Goa
Consolation PrizeDongri Shigmotsav Samiti, Dongri, Goa

Romtamel Performance Competition

1st Prize – Rs.300000/-

2nd Prize – Rs. 250000/-

3rd Prize – Rs. 200000/-

4th Prize – Rs. 175000/-

5th Prize – Rs. 150000/-

5 Consolation Prizes โ€“ Rs. 100000/- each.

         A remuneration of Rs. 20000/- each will be paid to the Romtamel groups participants who do not receive any prizes.

The prize distribution was held on 28/11/2024 at ESG premises at the hands of Smt. Delilah Lobo, Vice Chairman, ESG / M.L.A. Siolim Constituency.

EduConnect, Human Interest

Bal Bhavan Goa Announces State-Level Results: GreetingCard Design Contest 2025


Panaji, August 2025: Bal Bhavan Goa has revealed the results of its much-anticipated State-Level Greeting Card Design Contest 2025, celebrating creativity and artistic expression among school students across Goa.

The contest featured three categories:

1. Group A (Standards Vโ€“VII):

1st Prize: Hardik Namder Naik (High School, Sarvodaya Educational Society)

2nd Prize: Kavish V. Deridas (Sarvodaya Educational Society High School, Curchorem)

3rd Prize: Sadiya Bala Malik (Our Lady of Grace High School, Bicholim)

Consolation Prizes: Ansh Rajendra Velip (English High School โ€“ Shree Damodar Vidyalaya), Jivya Jeevan Narvekar (Fatima Convent High School), and Khushi Sadanand Naik (A J D Almeida High School)

2. Group B (Standards VIIIโ€“X):

1st Prize : Nirvee Rajesh Naik (Sarvodaya Educational Society High School)

2nd Prize: Vedika Vinod Gaonkar (G.H.S. Advoi High School)

3rd Prize: Archis Manesh Kavlekar (Shree Saraswati High School, Karlem)

Consolation Prizes: Prince Chauhan (Shree Damodar Vidyalaya English High School), Sai Velip (Shree Balram Residential High School), and Amber Gracias (Fr. Agnel Central School)

3. Special Category (Special Children):

1st Prize: Eshwari Patil (Loknishwas Pratishthan)

2nd Prize: Mansi Anand Bhole (Asha Deep)

3rd Prize: Bhavesh Dilip Sudhir (Lokvishwas โ€“ Canacona)

Consolation Prizes: Sneha Zaravkar (Loknishwas, Canacona), Mustafa Rajakhan (Keshav Seva, Sadhana), and Bibi Suhana Karajgi (Sanjay Centre for Special Education)

This year’s theme encouraged participants to explore Goan aesthetics through floral motifs, landscapes, and seasonal festivals like Diwali and Christmas. Bal Bhavan Goa extends heartfelt thanks to all schools and institutions that contributed to this enriching cultural and artistic celebration.