In a noteworthy cultural development, Shri Ramesh Tawadkar, Tribal Minister of Goa, recently called on the Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. Accompanied by Shri Rajendra Arlekar, Hon’ble Governor of Kerala, the minister extended a formal invitation to the President to attend the Silver Jubilee Edition of the Canacona Lokotsav.
The 25th Canacona Lokotsav is scheduled to take place from 19th to 21st December 2025 at Adarsh Gram, Amona, in the Canacona taluka of South Goa. Over the years, Canacona Lokotsav has grown into one of Goa’s most prominent platforms to celebrate and showcase traditional Goan arts, crafts, music, folklore, and tribal culture.
The Silver Jubilee edition promises to be a grand celebration, bringing together performers, artisans, and cultural groups from across the state and beyond. The invitation to the President is a symbolic and significant gesture aimed at highlighting the cultural richness of Goa on a national platform. It also reflects the growing recognition of local festivals in preserving and promoting indigenous traditions and community spirit.
If accepted, President Droupadi Murmu’s presence at the Lokotsav would mark a historic moment, as she herself represents a strong connect to tribal heritage and grassroots governance in India. The event is expected to attract dignitaries, tourists, cultural enthusiasts, and citizens in large numbers.
The Tribal Ministry’s outreach reflects Goa’s continued efforts to promote inclusive and culturally rooted tourism while strengthening local identity through events like the Canacona Lokotsav.
The 71st National Film Awards transformed Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, into a vibrant celebration of cinematic excellence as President Droupadi Murmu honoured the finest in Indian cinema. From revered legends to emerging stars, the awards reflected the breadth and brilliance of storytelling that continues to define India’s cultural landscape.
In a moment that will be etched in the annals of film history, President Murmu conferred the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award on veteran actor Mohanlal. She praised his journey from theatre to screen, his embodiment of India’s cultural heritage, and his deep impact on audiences across generations. From the classical Karnabharam to his poignant role in Vanaprastham, Mohanlal’s contribution has been both prolific and profound. With humility and gratitude, the actor dedicated the award to the stalwarts of Malayalam cinema and reaffirmed his commitment to the art form, calling cinema the “heartbeat of his soul.”
The President emphasized the unique role cinema plays in reflecting India’s democratic spirit and cultural diversity. She noted the growing representation of women in the industry and underscored the importance of equal opportunities, both on and off screen. The spotlight on young talent, children’s creativity, and environmental storytelling highlighted the evolving nature of cinema as a force for awareness and innovation.
Among the standout winners of the evening was Shah Rukh Khan, who won Best Actor for Jawan, a role that demanded both scale and nuance. Sharing the honour, Vikrant Massey’s performance in 12th Fail was recognised for its quiet resilience and authenticity. Rani Mukerji, awarded Best Actress for Mrs. Chatterjee v/s Norway, delivered a performance that blurred lines between reel and real, embodying a mother’s anguish with raw emotion.
The awards also recognised the unsung heroes—supporting actors who breathe life into narratives. Vijayaraghavan and Muthupettai Somu Bhaskar won Best Supporting Actor, while Urvashi and Janki Bodiwala were honoured as Best Supporting Actress, showcasing performances that left a lasting impact.
12th Fail was named Best Feature Film, a testament to the power of hope and determination. Non-feature categories also shone brightly, with Flowering Man and God Vulture and Human being recognised for their compelling storytelling and documentary excellence. India’s growing strength in the AVGC space was acknowledged with Hanu-Man taking home the award in that category, and Giddh: The Scavenger earning the Best Short Film honour.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw lauded Mohanlal and reiterated the government’s commitment to positioning India as a global content powerhouse. He highlighted the success of initiatives like Waves 2025 and the International Institute of Cinema and Technology (IICT), launched in partnership with tech giants like Meta, Google, Microsoft and NVIDIA. The focus on indigenous film equipment production, live concert economy, and regulatory reforms reflects the roadmap towards a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Secretary Sanjay Jaju encapsulated the spirit of the event, calling cinema a celebration of stories, dreams, and shared experiences. This year, marked by legends and landmark moments, echoed the motto “Ek Desh, Hazaron Kahaniyan, Ek Junoon”—a tribute to India’s enduring cinematic passion.
As the hall stood in ovation and hearts brimmed with pride, the 71st National Film Awards reminded the nation that cinema is not just entertainment—it is emotion, legacy, and the ever-beating pulse of a country telling its story to the world.
Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan was officially sworn in as the 15th Vice-President of India and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha on Friday, September 12, 2025, in a grand ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office in the presence of numerous dignitaries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress President and Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, and several former Vice-Presidents such as Jagdeep Dhankhar, Hamid Ansari, and M. Venkaiah Naidu.
This ceremony marked the first public appearance of Mr. Dhankhar since his resignation in July due to health reasons. Accompanied by his wife Sudesh Dhankhar, he was seated in the front row alongside other prominent leaders. Notably, some attendees expressed concerns over seating arrangements, as Mr. Kharge was placed in the second row while other Opposition floor leaders were placed as far back as the fifth row.
After the ceremony, Prime Minister Modi took to social media to congratulate Mr. Radhakrishnan, describing him as a “dedicated public servant” and wishing him a successful tenure in service to the nation.
Later in the day, Mr. Radhakrishnan met with floor leaders of various political parties in Parliament. While key parties such as the Trinamool Congress, Biju Janata Dal, NCP (SP), and Shiv Sena (UBT) skipped the meeting due to short notice, Mr. Radhakrishnan expressed his intention to work inclusively with all parties. He highlighted his own experience as an Opposition leader in Tamil Nadu and underscored the importance of Opposition in a healthy parliamentary democracy. He also reflected on his political lineage, mentioning that his grandfather was aligned with the Left and his uncle with the Congress.
To mark the beginning of his tenure, Mr. Radhakrishnan paid floral tributes at Rajghat to Mahatma Gandhi, at Sadaiv Atal to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and at Kisan Ghat to former Prime Minister Charan Singh. He also visited Prerna Sthal at Parliament House, where relocated statues from the old Parliament building have been preserved.
At Parliament House, he was received warmly by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Harivansh, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Ministers of State Arjun Ram Meghwal and L. Murugan, and Rajya Sabha Secretary-General P.C. Mody. In a symbolic gesture, he planted a sapling in the Parliament complex, signaling growth, renewal, and commitment to the future.
Mr. Radhakrishnan’s swearing-in marks a new chapter in the upper house of Parliament, and his inclusive tone in early interactions sets a hopeful tone for collaborative governance.
In a remarkable celebration of culture and unity, four students from PM SHRI Government High School Morpirla — Daksh Velip, Priyanshu Velip, Ranjisha Gaonkar, and Ridhi Velip — accompanied by National Awardee Headmistress Maria Murena Miranda, visited Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi to celebrate Raksha Bandhan.
The highlight of the visit was the presentation of special handmade cards and rakhis to the Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu. The President graciously accepted the gifts and expressed her admiration for the students’ colourful Goan costumes, which added a vibrant cultural touch to the occasion.
This unique opportunity allowed the students from the tribal village of Morpirla to immerse themselves in the traditions and grandeur of the nation’s highest office. They also had the chance to visit Amrit Udyan, where they enjoyed the lush greenery and diverse flora, adding to the memorable experience.
Headmistress Miranda, who attended the At Home Reception hosted by the President on Independence Day last year, shared her joy:
“It is a golden opportunity to see our students experience the cultural significance of Raksha Bandhan at Rashtrapati Bhavan.”
The President also encouraged the students to plant trees and nurture them, promoting environmental responsibility.
The students expressed heartfelt gratitude to President Droupadi Murmu, the Ministry of Education, the Chief Minister of Goa Dr. Pramod Sawant, the Director of Education Sir Shailesh Zingde, and the State Project Director of Goa Samagra Shiksha Dr. S.S. Ghadi, for making this visit possible.
This visit will forever remain a treasured memory for the students, symbolising the bond between tradition, education, and national pride. The students will cherish this moment always.
PANAJI, JULY 16: Goa is set to welcome a new constitutional head as Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju, veteran politician and senior leader of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), will be sworn in as Governor of Goa on July 26 at Raj Bhavan, Panaji.
The official announcement came from Rashtrapati Bhavan, with President Droupadi Murmu approving Raju’s appointment. He will replace PS Sreedharan Pillai, who has served as Goa’s Governor since July 2021.
A respected figure in Indian politics, Raju brings with him a legacy of administrative acumen and public service. A member of the royal family of Vizianagaram, Raju has held several ministerial portfolios in Andhra Pradesh, including finance, excise, revenue, and legislative affairs. At the national level, he served as Union Civil Aviation Minister from May 2014 to March 2018 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first term. His resignation came after the TDP exited the NDA in protest over the Centre’s stance on Andhra Pradesh’s special status.
His swearing-in represents a political milestone — the first time an NDA ally has been appointed to a gubernatorial post during the current regime, symbolizing both political outreach and trust in experienced allies.
Outgoing Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai, a two-time Kerala BJP president and practising lawyer, had previously served as Governor of Mizoram before taking charge in Goa.
The ceremony on July 26 is expected to be attended by high-ranking officials, political leaders, and dignitaries from across the country.
