Moripirla, January 2026: PM Shri Government High School Morpirla celebrated National Girl Child Day with the theme “Empowering Girls for a Sustainable Future”, highlighting the importance of gender equality, education, health and safety for girls.
Addressing students on the occasion, Headmistress Maria Murena Miranda stressed the significance of health and nutrition for the girl child. She also spoke about the need to strengthen digital literacy among girls through initiatives such as Beti Padhao, Digital Banao, aimed at enhancing digital skills and empowering young girls in an increasingly technology-driven world.
The Headmistress further highlighted the importance of safety and legal awareness, encouraging students to be informed, confident and aware of their rights.
As part of the celebrations, girls who excelled in poster-making, essay writing and sports were felicitated, recognising their achievements and motivating them to pursue excellence in academics and extracurricular activities.
The programme reinforced the school’s commitment to nurturing confident, educated and empowered girls as key contributors to a sustainable future.
Goa’s journey toward becoming a digitally empowered and innovation-driven state has taken another significant leap with the launch of the #EmpoweredInGoa campaign by the Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications (DITE&C).
As the State evolves beyond its traditional image as a tourist destination, this new campaign celebrates how technology, entrepreneurship, and inclusion are transforming lives and creating opportunities for every Goan.
Speaking about the campaign, Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology, Electronics and Communications, Shri Rohan Khaunte, said, “The biggest strength of Goa lies in its people. With #EmpoweredInGoa, we are not just highlighting the digital advancements the State is undertaking, but we are creating opportunities that allow every citizen to participate in the State’s digital journey. This campaign is about celebrating how people are using technology to build, learn and create, and we want every Goan to be part of this transformation and shape the State’s future together.”
The #EmpoweredInGoa movement showcases how innovation and connectivity are redefining empowerment—through access to public services, digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and inclusivity. From enabling new businesses and startups to expanding e-governance and upskilling citizens, Goa is positioning itself as a state where digital progress meets human potential.
The DITE&C has implemented several initiatives that reflect this vision. The Har Ghar Fibre project is bringing high-speed internet to every household, while the Gramin Mitra program ensures senior citizens can access government schemes conveniently. Free WiFi hotspots and the IT Knowledge Centres are equipping citizens with essential digital skills.
Highlighting the campaign’s inclusive focus, Shri Kabir Shirgaonkar, Director of DITE&C, said, “Empowerment begins with access to technology, opportunities and knowledge, and our department is committed to delivering this. Through initiatives like the Mahila Digital Sashaktikaran Yojana (MDSY), IT Knowledge Centres, and Free Laptop Distribution Scheme for Meritorious SC/ST Students, we are ensuring digital literacy reaches even the remotest corners of Goa.”
Goa’s dynamic startup ecosystem also plays a central role in this empowerment narrative. Guided by the Goa Startup Policy 2025, founders are benefitting from infrastructure, seed funding, and mentoring support. Programs like the Goa Open Innovation Challenge 2025 and the upcoming Goa Startup Accelerator, a five-month program, are further strengthening innovation and entrepreneurship in the state.
As Goa continues to embrace digital transformation, the #EmpoweredInGoa campaign captures the essence of this journey—where technology is a bridge to opportunity, and empowerment is both inclusive and participatory. The initiative positions Goa as India’s Creative Capital, a place where progress is driven by people, powered by technology, and shaped by shared purpose.
Vedanta Sesa Goa–Iron Ore Goa (IOG), under the aegis of the Vedanta Foundation, inaugurated the Vedanta Tailoring Training Centre and the relocated Vedanta Computer Centre at Village Panchayat Maem. These facilities aim to empower local women and youth through National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) certified training programs in tailoring and computer applications, thereby enhancing employability and self-reliance.
The inauguration ceremony was graced by Shri Premendra Shet, Hon’ble MLA of Maem Constituency, along with Shri Vasudev Gaonkar, Sarpanch, Village Panchayat Maem, other panchayat members, and community representatives. From Vedanta, Mr. Dhirajkumar Jagdish, Deputy CEO, IOG, and Mr. Santosh Mandrekar, Head–North & Central Cluster, IOG, were present.
The event also featured a certificate distribution ceremony for students who completed the three-month NSDC-certified Diploma in Computer Application program from the Vedanta Computer Centre.
The newly launched Vedanta Tailoring Training Centre will focus on skill development for women, offering a three-month structured course combining theoretical knowledge and hands-on practice. This initiative seeks to enable women to take up entrepreneurial ventures and achieve financial independence.
The Vedanta Computer Centre, relocated from Haldanwadi to the Village Panchayat Maem premises, continues to offer both basic and advanced digital literacy programs. These training modules are designed to improve local youth’s computer proficiency and employability in an increasingly digital world.
Speaking at the event, Shri Premendra Shet, Hon’ble MLA of Maem Constituency, commended Vedanta’s efforts, saying, “I appreciate Vedanta Sesa Goa for its consistent efforts towards community welfare and capacity building. Establishing these centres is a progressive step aimed at empowering individuals through essential digital skills. It is evident that Vedanta feels a deep sense of responsibility for the progress and prosperity of this region, and initiatives like these demonstrate the company’s genuine commitment to inclusive growth.”
Mr. Dhirajkumar Jagdish, Deputy CEO of Vedanta IOG, emphasized the company’s social commitment, stating, “At Vedanta Sesa Goa, we strongly believe that true growth lies in the progress of the communities. Our skilling and empowerment initiatives are designed to ‘give back’ to society and create sustainable opportunities. The launch of the Tailoring and Computer Centres at Maem reinforces our commitment to building a self-reliant, skilled, and confident community.”
So far, more than 1,200 students have benefited from Vedanta’s computer centres in Bicholim. Through sustained initiatives in education, skill development, and empowerment, Vedanta Sesa Goa continues to drive meaningful transformation and contribute to the state’s long-term sustainable development.
The Nadathur S. Raghavan Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (NSRCEL) incubated Asymmetrical Learning, led by Siddharth Rahalkar, has announced a landmark partnership with the Collegiate Esports Commissioner’s Cup (CECC) to bring the U.S. collegiate esports phenomenon, May Madness, to India. The collaboration marks the first international licensing deal for CECC’s operator, the Collegiate Sports Management Group (CSMG), and aims to establish a structured collegiate esports ecosystem across Indian schools and universities.
In a statement, S. Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), clarified, “The concern is not with esports, but with money-based gaming. Esports represent skill, discipline, and digital learning—not gambling. Through the new law, our aim is to create a clear national framework that supports competitive gaming and educational innovation.”
The move comes as India strengthens its policy and regulatory frameworks for the gaming sector through the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which officially recognizes esports as a legitimate sport. The new act has created an environment that encourages innovation and legitimizes organized gaming competitions.
Siddharth Rahalkar, Founder of Asymmetrical Learning, said, “Our partnership with CSMG allows us to bring organized collegiate esports to students nationwide. Recognizing esports as a competitive sport enables us to design tournaments that promote critical thinking, teamwork, and digital literacy—skills essential for success in modern education and careers.”
The collaboration will mark the first global expansion of CECC, North America’s largest collegiate esports championship, which brings together university-level gamers in structured tournaments. The Indian edition aims to mirror this success by nurturing an ecosystem that supports scholastic esports from high school to college level.
Incubated at NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore, one of India’s leading startup accelerators, Asymmetrical Learning benefits from mentorship, research support, and an innovation-driven community. The company’s parent organization, Acceler Edtech Pvt. Ltd., is registered with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
The partnership between Asymmetrical Learning and CECC highlights the growing convergence between education, gaming, and technology, while fostering cross-border collaboration between India and the U.S. It reinforces esports as a tool for digital learning and global skill development—positioning India as a rising force in the international esports landscape.
