Goa Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, addressing devotees during Margao’s Dindi Festival, called upon the young generation of Goa to imbibe and live by the values of Sant Muktabai, known for her teachings of humility, devotion, and selflessness.
Dr. Sawant observed that despite the challenges of today’s digital era, the large turnout of youth at the festival reflected Goa’s deep spiritual roots and its continued reverence for traditional values. He emphasized that devotion to Lord Vittal of Pandharpur is not confined to Maharashtra alone, as Goa too has a vibrant community of followers who express their faith through cultural and devotional celebrations such as the Dindi.
The Chief Minister further assured that his government would extend every possible support required for the smooth organization and promotion of the festival, recognizing it as an integral part of the state’s spiritual and cultural identity.
The Dindi Festival in Margao, celebrated with traditional bhajans, processions, and devotional gatherings, continues to serve as a reminder of the region’s shared heritage and the enduring legacy of saints like Sant Muktabai, who inspired generations to live a life of compassion and devotion.
In a shining moment for Goa’s vibrant cultural scene, the Nirbhay Bhav Group achieved a remarkable 3rd position at the prestigious National Performing Arts Championship 2025. Held on the 5th of October in the culturally rich city of Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, the event saw participation from top-performing teams across India including Haryana, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Uttarakhand.
Representing Goa, the team stood out with their passionate performance and dedication to the arts. Under the inspiring leadership of Dhiraj Naik, Nirbhay Bhav brought not just talent but discipline, originality, and a deep-rooted connection to cultural heritage to the national platform. The achievement marks a significant milestone for the group and the state, adding yet another feather to Goa’s artistic cap.
The team’s journey doesn’t end here. Buoyed by their success and national recognition, the Nirbhay Bhav Group is now setting its sights on participating in upcoming national and international performing arts championships. Their vision is clear—to carry the spirit and talent of Goan culture beyond borders and onto the global stage.
This victory is not just a celebration of a performance—it’s a testament to the power of dedication, leadership, and the universal language of art that connects us all.
The General Body Meeting of the All India Konkani Parishad is scheduled to be held on Saturday, 11th October 2025 at 3.30 pm at Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Konkani Bhavan, Vidyanagar, Madgao. A number of key decisions crucial to the organisation’s future will be made during this meeting.
A major item on the agenda is addressing the difficulties in the re-registration process of the Parishad, which is central to its legal and administrative continuity. Members will deliberate on possible solutions and determine the way forward.
Additionally, the meeting will focus on preparations for the upcoming 26th Sahitya Sammelan, slated for 22nd and 23rd November 2025, to be held in Ernakulam, Kerala. During the meeting, the welcome committee for the Sammelan will be formally approved.
Crucially, the President of the Sahitya Sammelan will also be elected. In this regard, the Secretary of the Parishad, Sneha Sabnis, has urged affiliated organisations to put forward names of senior Konkani writers, taking into account their literary excellence and contributions to the language. Nominations should either be brought to the meeting or submitted in writing by 5th October 2025.
Working President Chetan Acharya has also made an appeal to all members of the All India Konkani Parishad to attend the meeting. Members traveling from distant locations are encouraged to confirm their attendance by 5th October so that accommodation arrangements can be made.
If the quorum is not met by 3.30 pm, the meeting will be delayed by half an hour and commence at 4.00 pm. The gathering is expected to set the course for the Parishad’s next phase and the successful conduct of the Sahitya Sammelan in Kerala.
The Goa Sand Art Festival (GSAF) is set to return to Miramar Beach this November, after receiving the green light from the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA). Scheduled from November 14 to 30, the two-week event will be a free-to-view cultural festival that blends creativity, education, and environmental awareness in one of Goa’s most iconic coastal locations.
The festival, organised by Sand Cult, will occupy approximately 15,000 square feet of beach space, where visitors can experience live sand sculpting displays, interactive workshops for students and local artists, and school engagement programs aimed at promoting Goa’s sustainable development goals.
The event proposal, first submitted in July, offered two formats—a short-term free festival and a six-month paid exhibition. After careful review, the GCZMA opted for the short-term model, citing its limited ecological footprint and easier logistical management. The decision was based on compliance with the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2011, as well as detailed considerations of waste management, temporary structures, and crowd control.
Importantly, the GCZMA has stated that no permanent structures will be allowed at the venue, though temporary tents may be set up for the duration. Strict adherence to environmental safeguards and continuous maintenance of beach cleanliness have been mandated throughout the event.
The festival is poised to offer a cultural boost to Goa’s tourism season while also creating employment opportunities for locals and encouraging community involvement in sustainable coastal development. With its unique blend of artistic expression and environmental responsibility, the Goa Sand Art Festival promises to be a standout event on the state’s cultural calendar.
In a heartwarming celebration leading up to India’s 78th Independence Day, Konkani Shanti Publications (KSP) hosted the Bal Kavi Sammelan on August 13, 2025, at the prestigious Ravindra Bhavan in Margao, Goa. The event invited student poets from schools across the state to recite original works under the evocative theme “My Nation, My Garden.”
The program opened with a stirring address from KSP President Mr. Samiullah Belwadi, who passionately emphasized the beauty of India’s linguistic and cultural plurality. “Just as a garden thrives with a variety of flowers, our nation flourishes with a diversity of languages and traditions,” he said. His message of unity in diversity resonated throughout the evening.
Chief Guest N. Shivdas, a celebrated writer and social activist, encouraged young minds to find poetry through introspection and observation. “True poetry is not written—it is felt,” he shared, urging students to remain open to the world around them.
The competition drew an impressive range of multilingual entries, judged by a distinguished panel of literary figures including Chitra Kshirsagar, Ramesh Ghadi, Sheetal Salgaokar, Purnima Desai, and Sharmin Deshmukh. The judges praised the originality and heartfelt emotion conveyed by the young poets, and commended KSP for nurturing literary culture among children.
Notable winners included:
Aafiya Shaikh – Deepvihar Primary School
Saijat Anjul Fall Dessai – Tiny Tots Primary School
Adhvaiya Kunkolikar – Popular Prathamik Vidhyalay
Aisafa Begum Khan, Zaida Mehboob Shaikh, Ayesha Baig – Crescent School
Aabed Farhan Onti – Maarif Modest Education
Asad Shaikh – Loyola High School
Zainab Khanam Soudagar – Keshav Smruti Bal Vikas School
Adding musical cheer, students from Popular English High School, Goa Velha, presented a special patriotic song, stirring national pride among the audience.
Afrah Sayyed, who served as convenor, ensured the event ran smoothly, reflecting KSP’s ongoing commitment to cultural education and harmony.
In his closing note, Mr. Asif Hussain spoke about the power of young voices in shaping the nation’s future. “Their hope and clarity reflect the vision of our founding fathers,” he said. “They are our brightest bloom in the garden of India.”
From poignant verses to unfiltered dreams, Bal Kavi Sammelan 2025 was not just a competition—it was a celebration of language, unity, and a shared national spirit.
