Tag: dr pramod sawant

EduConnect

Converge 3.0: Goa’s Academia–Industry Summit Showcases Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Young Talent

rencygomes02

Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Panaji: The Directorate of Higher Education (DHE), in collaboration with the Goa State Higher Education Council, successfully organised Converge 3.0 – Shiksha Udyog Sangam, a month-long Academia–Industry Summit held across Goa from January 29 to February 23, 2026. The initiative concluded with a grand finale at the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium.


Held under the theme “Innovate, Integrate, Impact: Building Goa’s Future-Ready Changemakers,” Converge 3.0 emerged as a dynamic state-level movement aimed at bridging academia and industry, fostering entrepreneurship and preparing students for a rapidly evolving global economy.

Director of Higher Education Bhushan Savoikar welcomed over 3,500 students at the finale, while Dr. Niyan Marchon, Program Director, DHE and Convenor of Converge, outlined the vision and future roadmap of the initiative.

Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant graced the event as Chief Guest and emphasised the importance of integrating quality education with skill development, innovation in classrooms and entrepreneurship during college years. He highlighted the government’s continued support in shaping Converge into a flagship platform for the state.

Converge 3.0 witnessed participation from more than 15,000 students representing 50 colleges across disciplines including general education, engineering, pharmacy, architecture, nursing, fine arts and music. Over 300 entrepreneurs, startup mentors and industry leaders conducted sessions, workshops and panel discussions during the month-long programme.
33 Young Entrepreneurs from colleges across Goa
Student-led innovation stalls and prototype exhibitions

An AI Hackathon
The Innovative Idea Challenge (IIC), with 122 teams (around 300 students) from 40 colleges

The top three winners of the Innovative Idea Challenge were
1st Place: DMC College, Mapusa
2nd Place: PCCE, Verna
3rd Place: Dhempe College, Panjim
The summit also recognised participants of the Young Innovators Challenge (Poster & Prototype), celebrating projects aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The inaugural keynote address was delivered by Santosh Mishra (IG Defence), encouraging students to innovate with national purpose. A panel discussion moderated by Mangirish Salelkar, President of the Goa Technology Association (GTA), featured experts including Dr. Satya Ranjan Acharya (EDII), Swetha Susan Elias (Google Mumbai), Vatsal Sheth (Prismix Studios) and Ganesh Chari (Neshaju Envirotech Pvt. Ltd.), focusing on digital innovation, sustainability and strengthening industry–academia partnerships.

Cultural performances added vibrancy to the event, including a traditional Shigmo presentation by Caculo College, a short film by Kala Academy, a mime performance by Government College, Quepem, gymnastics by Government College, Pernem and an acapella performance by St. Xavier’s College.

In January 2026, Converge received the prestigious SKOCH Award for Academic Excellence and Professional Empowerment, recognising its transformative impact.

Building on this success, the Directorate of Higher Education plans to expand Converge 4.0 to 65 colleges and invite premier institutes from across India, aiming to transform it into a nationwide innovation-driven platform.

Converge 3.0 stands not merely as a summit but as a movement reflecting Goa’s commitment to nurturing future-ready changemakers through education, innovation and enterprise.

Events in Goa

Goa Hosts Spectacular Round 4 as Hyman & Wohlwend Power Goa Aces JA Racing to Home Victory

Tanisha Cardozo

Goa transformed into a high-energy motorsport arena on 15th February 2026 as Round 4 of the Indian Racing Festival brought electrifying street racing action to the city. With strong crowds, growing local fandom and a vibrant race-day atmosphere, the Goa street circuit once again highlighted the expanding appeal of professional motorsport in India. The headline moment of the weekend saw Raoul Hyman and Fabienne Wohlwend combine skill and composure to guide Goa Aces JA Racing to a dramatic relay-format victory with a combined time of 42:11.779.

Hon’ble Chief Minister Pramod Sawant congratulated the home team and emphasised the importance of hosting the championship in the state, noting that such events strengthen Goa’s ambition to emerge as a motorsport and sports tourism destination capable of staging international-standard competitions. Akhilesh Reddy, Chairman and Managing Director of Racing Promotions Pvt Ltd, praised Goa’s enthusiastic support and highlighted how street circuits bring the sport closer to the public, helping build an organic fan base and future talent pathways.

The event was elevated by the presence of prominent team owners including John Abraham, Kichcha Sudeep, Naga Chaitanya and Sourav Ganguly, blending sporting excellence with entertainment appeal and adding star power to the weekend spectacle.

Hyman laid the foundation for victory with a clinical opening stint, clocking the fastest lap of 53.527 seconds and building a steady advantage on the tight and unforgiving street circuit. Navigating traffic with precision, he entered the mandatory driver-swap window in firm control and handed over the car with nearly a 20-second lead. However, the race complexion changed when a safety car intervention erased the advantage and bunched up the field.

Wohlwend faced immediate pressure on the restart but responded with composure beyond expectation. Defending confidently against close challengers, including Ruhaan Alva, she rebuilt the gap and maintained control through to the chequered flag. Her performance not only sealed the win but also made her only the second female race winner in the championship’s history. Behind them, Kichcha’s Kings Bengaluru finished second, narrowly ahead of Speed Demons Delhi, while pole-sitters Kolkata Royal Tigers were forced to retire early due to a wheel issue.

The victory marked the 10th win for Goa Aces JA Racing in the championship and reinforced the importance of teamwork and discipline in a relay format where fortunes can change instantly. After Round 4, Goa Aces JA Racing lead the standings with 145 points, followed closely by Speed Demons Delhi on 144, keeping the title battle finely poised as the season progresses.

EduConnect

CM Dr. Pramod Sawant Felicitates Goa’s Young Robotics & STEM Champions

Tanisha Cardozo

In a proud moment for Goa’s education and innovation ecosystem, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, Pramod Sawant, felicitated the State’s outstanding young achievers who have brought laurels through exceptional performances in Robotics and STEM competitions at national and international platforms. The ceremony recognised students who have excelled at prestigious events such as the World STEM & Robotics Olympiad (WSRO), VEX Robotics Championships, and the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC), underscoring Goa’s growing prominence in technology-driven education.

The event brought together students, mentors, school leaders, and parents who have collectively contributed to this remarkable success. Addressing the gathering, Dr. Sawant congratulated the young innovators and their mentors, stating that their achievements exemplify innovation, discipline, teamwork, and the spirit of scientific inquiry. He reiterated the Government of Goa’s strong commitment to promoting STEM education, innovation, and future-ready skills in alignment with the National Education Policy 2020. He emphasised that such accomplishments reflect the State’s determination to ensure that Goan youth are prepared to compete and succeed on global platforms.

The Chief Minister lauded the role of Qurious Mind Infotainment Pvt. Ltd., a Goa-based robotics education organisation, for its sustained efforts in nurturing young talent and building a robust ecosystem for hands-on STEM learning across the State. He also acknowledged the invaluable contribution of the Department of Education, Government of Goa, school managements, teachers, mentors, and parents who have collectively enabled students to reach new heights in competitive arenas.

Among those honoured were Ronav Chodankar and Ariana Chodankar of Sharada Mandir School, mentored by Dr. Deepa Chodankar, who received the Judges’ Choice Award – Young Scientist (All STEM – Open Category) at the WSRO National Championship. Shlok R. Juvatkar of Mahila & Nutan English High School, guided by Mahadev Mishal, secured 1st Place in the Junior Robo Race category. Students representing Goa at the VEX Robotics Regional and National Championships, including Mast Vedang Anay Kamat, Miss Surabhi Shubhesh Manerikar, Miss Rajvi Vishwanath Marathe, and Mast Shourya Ganpat Prabhu Kapdi, were also recognised for their exemplary participation.

At the FIRST Tech Challenge, students such as Soham Mahesh Redkar, Dhruv Sameer Salgaonkar, Sparsh Swapnesh Verlekar, and Sairaj Amonkar from Saraswat Vidyalaya, Mapusa, along with Anam Raza of Podar International School, Panelim, Avaneesh Devendra Phadte of Mushtifund High School, Cujira, and Sai Pranav Gandhi of Sharada Mandir School, Miramar, were honoured for leadership and excellence within the international competition framework.

Goa’s representation at the WSRO International Championship marked a particularly proud milestone. Students from New English High School, Digas Panchwadi—Miss Paravi Prakash Gaonkar, Miss Shravya Rajendra Naik, Miss Akshavi Ashok Gaonkar, and Miss Aarushi Arun Sawant—mentored by Atul Shirodkar, earned international participation recognition in the Industry 4.0 category, reflecting the highest level of competition and global exposure.

Additional accolades included Mast Dilraj Dilip Kavthankar of Pradnya High School securing 6th Prize in the Line Follower category under the mentorship of Prasad Gadekar; Mast Ian Nunes of St. Bartholomew’s High School, Chorao, mentored by Vincent Toscano, winning 5th Prize in Young Scientist (Algorithms); Mast Vedang Kamat of Saraswat Vidyalaya, Mapusa, mentored by Anay Kamat, earning 4th Prize in Industry 4.0; and the team of Manish Mahadev Gawandi, Nirbhay Manoj Talkar, and Mayank Sandeep Kavathankar from Pradnya High School achieving 3rd Prize in the Line Follower category, guided by Prasad Gadekar.

The ceremony concluded with an engaging interaction between the Hon’ble Chief Minister and the students, followed by official photographs, marking a proud and inspiring chapter in Goa’s journey towards becoming an emerging hub for robotics, innovation, and technology education. The achievements celebrated at this event stand as a testament to what focused mentorship, institutional support, and youthful determination can accomplish, placing Goa firmly on the national and global STEM map.

Automobiles

Indian Racing Festival Set for Historic Street Race Debut in Goa on February 14–15

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National, January 20: The Indian Racing Festival (IRF) is all set to make its much-anticipated Goa debut with a high-adrenaline Formula Street Race Weekend scheduled for February 14–15, as Round 4 of the championship unfolds at the Manohar International Airport. The announcement was made by Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant, marking a landmark moment for motorsport in the state.

Following an action-packed Round 3 at the Kari Motor Speedway, Coimbatore, the championship now heads west as the title battle intensifies. Goa will host a historic FIA-grade street circuit, making its debut as one of the most visually striking and technically demanding tracks in the country.

The 2.064 km circuit, featuring 12 turns, has been specially designed to deliver thrilling racing while offering spectators unmatched accessibility. The layout promises a unique blend of speed, precision, and spectacle, bringing top-tier motorsport to Goan streets for the very first time.

Welcoming the event, Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant said:
“Hosting a motorsport event of this scale underscores Goa’s capability to stage world-class sports and entertainment experiences. The Formula Racing will drive tourism, create opportunities for local businesses, and open new avenues for youth to explore careers in engineering, technology, event management, and motorsport operations.”

The Indian Racing Festival is also a pioneer of inclusivity in motorsport. Each team fields four drivers—an international veteran, an emerging international driver, an Indian driver, and a female driver—ensuring diversity and collaboration across nationalities and genders.

Street racing remains central to IRF’s vision of redefining motorsport in India. Building on successful street races in Hyderabad and Chennai, Racing Promotions Pvt. Ltd. (RPPL) continues to push boundaries by blending international-grade circuits, advanced engineering, and immersive fan experiences.

Akhilesh Reddy, Chairman & Managing Director, RPPL, said:
“Street circuits represent the next frontier for Indian motorsport. They bring the action closer to fans and transform how cities engage with racing. The Goa round is a major step forward in this journey.”

Adding glamour to the championship is a lineup of celebrity team owners, including John Abraham, Arjun Kapoor, Sourav Ganguly, Naga Chaitanya, Kichcha Sudeep, and Dr. Swetha Sundeep Anand, further elevating the festival’s appeal.

After Round 3, Speed Demons Delhi lead the standings with 82 points, followed closely by Hyderabad Black Birds (81 points) and Kichcha’s Kings Bengaluru (72 points). With the top teams separated by narrow margins, the battle for supremacy is expected to intensify in Goa.

Tickets will soon be available on the District by Zomato app. Fans across India can also catch the action live on Star Sports Select 2 and via digital streaming on JioHotstar.

Powered by JK Tyre, fuelled by Nayara, and performance by Mobil1, the Indian Racing Festival continues to accelerate India’s motorsport revolution—bringing world-class racing to the heart of its cities.

Goan Personalities

CM Dr. Pramod Sawant Inaugurates 29th Jagatik Marathi Sammelan Goa 2026 at Kala Academy, Panaji

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The 29th Jagatik Marathi Sammelan Goa 2026 was formally inaugurated at Kala Academy, Panaji, by Hon’ble Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, marking the beginning of a three-day celebration of Marathi language, literature, and cultural thought.

Organised by the World Marathi Academy, Mumbai, in collaboration with various Goan cultural and literary institutions, this prestigious global literary gathering is being held on the theme “Shodh Marathi Manacha – 26 Goa”, reflecting a deeper exploration of Marathi identity, intellect, and cultural consciousness.

The inaugural ceremony witnessed the presence of several distinguished personalities, including Padma Vibhushan awardee Dr. Anil Kakodkar, renowned Indian actor and filmmaker Shri Mahesh Manjrekar, acclaimed filmmaker and Chairperson Shri Nagraj Manjule, and Kala Academy Chairperson Shri Babu Kavlekar, among other eminent guests from the fields of literature, cinema, and public life.

The Jagatik Marathi Sammelan serves as a vital platform for dialogue, artistic exchange, and intellectual engagement among Marathi scholars, writers, artists, and cultural practitioners from across India and the world. With a series of discussions, performances, and literary sessions planned over three days, the Goa edition reinforces the state’s role as a vibrant host for national and international cultural conversations.