Tag: Eco-Friendly

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Vedanta Sesa Goa Partners Students for a Greener & Sustainable World

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Marking International Day of Forest’25 World Forest Day 2025, Vedanta Sesa Goa partnered Government College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Khandola (GCASC), to promote environmental awareness amongst students through a conducted tour of Goa’s only internationally acclaimed mine reclamation project – the Sanquelim Reclaimed Mines.

The visit provided students with a firsthand understanding of the requirement to preserve & conserve nature and to witness the balance between development & environment in Goa State , which has over 2200 sq. km under forest cover, representing 60% of its total geographical area. However, with mining and other industrial activities being essential for achieving economic prosperity, it is imperative to strike a balance between nature and human progress.

In this context the Sanquelim Reclaimed Mine is a benchmark project undertaken by Vedanta Sesa Goa & represents tremendous success in the field of successful mine closure activity as well as ecological restoration efforts. The Sanquelim Reclaimed Mines are a unique project, wherein the site was an active mining site for almost four decades, before being systematically restored for its biodiversity and green cover. The students explored the medicinal gardens Nakshatra Van & Charak Vatika, the Pisciculture Pond, which promotes water conservation and sustainable fish farming; the Bamboo Pavilion, an eco-friendly structure showcasing innovative sustainability practices, and the Butterfly Garden, a thriving habitat designed to support pollinators and enhance local biodiversity, amongst other picturesque locations.

In addition to experiencing the reclaimed mine’s transformation, students were also introduced to the Sesa Football Academy (SFA) and the Sesa Technical School (STS), both established on the reclaimed site by utilising the erstwhile mining site’s buildings and other assets. The Sanquelim Reclaimed Mines have received several internation and national level awards for the unique manner of restoring an erstwhile mine into a lush ‘green-scape’.

As part of the initiative, an awareness session on Environmental Sustainability was conducted by Mr. Ashish Sabharwal, Founder – Vriksh Foundation, who shared insights on the importance of conservation, sustainable resource management, and the role of youth in fostering a greener future.The students also participated in spot competitions involving recognising various flora and fauna.

Mr. Asheesh Sabharwal, Founder – Vriksh Foundation said, “It was truly wonderful to visit the Sanquelim Reclaimed Mines. This site stands as an inspiration and a remarkable example of how industry can give back to the environment and society through well-researched and sustainable methods. Vedanta Sesa Goa has done an outstanding job in restoring this landscape. I thoroughly enjoyed exploring the pisciculture pond, the bamboo pavilion, and the Nakshatra garden—each reflecting a deep commitment to ecological restoration. I sincerely commend their efforts in creating a model for responsible reclamation.”

Sharing her experience of the visit, Delcy Fernandes, Student, Government College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Khandola ” “Visiting the Sanquelim Reclaimed Mines was a truly enriching experience. It was incredible to see how a former mining site has been transformed into a lush, thriving green space.

The diverse range of trees and species made it a breathtaking sight, and I could even feel the temperature difference—thanks to the dense plantation, the area was noticeably cooler than its surroundings. Experiencing this on the International Day of Forests served as a powerful reminder of the importance of staying connected to nature and planting more trees for a sustainable development.”

Sesa Goa embarked on this unique Project at a time when no legislation existed to mandate mine closure activities. Today the SRM stands as a testimony to conducting sustainable mining operations. Sesa Goa remains steadfast in its commitment to driving innovation in mining while prioritizing environmental conservation and socio-economic development, ensuring long-term benefits for the nation and its people.

Spotlight

Meet Emera Remedios, the Founder of Mirasha

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Emera Remedios, the passionate founder of Mirasha, shares her inspiring journey of turning her hobby into a successful business. With a focus on creating customizable, chemical-free soaps and candles, Emera’s dedication to sustainability and quality has made Mirasha a standout in the industry.


Emera started Mirasha because of her passion for handcrafting unique pieces of art with soaps and wax. What began as a hobby soon turned into a meaningful business, driven by her love for creating something special and effective for her customers.


Creating customizable, chemical-free soaps and candles starts with selecting high-quality ingredients. For soaps, Emera handcrafts each batch, adding unique scents, colors, and exfoliants based on customer preferences. For candles, she uses natural waxes like soy or beeswax. To ensure high standards, Emera focuses on consistency and quality at every step.


Sustainability is at the heart of Mirasha. Emera uses eco-friendly ingredients and ensures that packaging is recyclable or biodegradable. She minimizes waste by carefully measuring ingredients to avoid excess. Additionally, Emera focuses on making small batches, which helps reduce overproduction and ensures each product is fresh.


Balancing creativity with the science of skincare formulation is all about finding the right harmony. Creativity lets Emera experiment with different ingredients, textures, and scents, while the science ensures the products are effective and safe. She carefully researches each ingredient to understand its benefits and how it works with others.


What sets Mirasha apart is Emera’s focus on competing with herself, pushing to grow, improve, and create something even better every day. Each product is a reflection of her passion and creativity, and she pours her heart into making something unique and meaningful.


Emera’s customers praise the creativity behind her candles, soaps, and hampers. These heartwarming reviews remind her of the joy her creations bring to others, inspiring her to keep innovating and bringing new, creative ideas to life.


The biggest lesson Emera has learned is that patience and persistence are essential. Building a brand takes time, and you have to stay true to your vision. Her advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is to focus on quality, stay authentic, and keep learning.


What’s next for Mirasha is deeply exciting for Emera, as she’s focused on expanding her already vast collection of over 400 molds. Each new mold brings a chance to create something even more unique and personal for her customers. Emera is also pouring her heart into curating hampers that are not just products, but experiences—thoughtfully put together to bring joy and care.


Mirasha contributes to the larger conversation around natural living by offering products that prioritize clean, simple ingredients and thoughtful craftsmanship. It’s about encouraging people to embrace more natural, mindful choices in their everyday lives, while creating products that are effective, beautiful, chemical-free, natural, and good.


Emera’s favorite Mirasha product is the Christmas candles. They’re special to her because they capture the warmth and magic of the holiday season, which is something she holds dear. Emera also mentions that her natural lip balms, foot salves, mosquito salves, and hand salves are among her best-sellers.

Events in Goa

NoMoZo 6.0: A Lively Fiesta Held on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Marg

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Panaji, 9th February 2025: NoMoZo 6.0 was officially inaugurated in the presence of notable dignitaries including Minister for Tourism, IT and Printing & Stationery, and Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte, along with Bollywood actor John Abraham, who served as the chief guest.

The event was also graced by the presence of Minister of Art and Culture, Govind Gaude; Deputy Speaker and Mapusa MLA, Joshua De Souza; Mandrem MLA, Jit Arolkar; and Ex Aldona MLA Glen Ticlo among others.

The event commenced with the ceremonial opening, followed by inspiring words from John Abraham, who shared his thoughts on the significance of sustainability, fitness, and community spirit. Abraham, in his signature style, encouraged everyone to take steps towards preserving the environment and staying healthy. “Congratulations to Goa’s Tourism Minister, Mr. Rohan Khaunte, and the entire NoMoZo team on completing six successful years! This event thrives because of the incredible support from the people of Goa. Initiatives like these are truly commendable. Thank you for celebrating and preserving Goa’s rich heritage!” he said.

Following this, Rohan Khaunte, the driving force behind NoMoZo, emphasised the essence of the event that goes beyond traffic-free roads. He spoke about how the community of Porvorim has embraced this event over the years, making it a unique celebration of togetherness and inclusivity. “Five years ago, this idea was born out of a vision for stronger community outreach. As Goa stands for communal harmony, we wanted to create something that brings everyone together—regardless of religion, caste, or creed. Our goal was to provide a platform where everyone, from toddlers to senior citizens, could showcase their talents, gain confidence, and take a step forward in life. The first year of NoMoZo was a challenge, but it was just the beginning of something truly special,” Khaunte said.

He further added that the center has sanctioned close to ₹100cr towards the town square project, which will include the festival road and will be a unique development in Porvorim. He expressed his hope that the work on the town square will be completed by next year. He also acknowledged the efforts of the organising team, particularly Ninil D’Souza, for making NoMoZo 6.0 a grand success.

The inaugural ceremony was filled with excitement as John Abraham interacted with the attendees, while performances, interactive stalls, and various zones buzzed with activity. The famous band “Gravity” also performed, captivating the audience with their music, while key dignitaries appreciated the spirit and energy of the participants.

This annual event, organised by Porvorim Rising, a Rohan Khaunte initiative, provided not just a break from daily routines but also a platform for locals to showcase their talents and unique offerings.

This year’s NoMoZo featured 12 engaging zones, including the Heritage Zone, IT & Science Zone, Astronomy Zone, Performance Zone, Youth Zone, Fitness Zone, Boxing Zone, Martial Arts Zone, Kids Zone, Health Zone, Art Zone, and Dance Zone. Each zone offered unique experiences, drawing people of all ages to explore and enjoy.

In the Heritage Zone, the rich cultural heritage of Goa was showcased through traditional Hindu and Catholic wedding ceremonies, ancient art forms like Fugri, Mando, Natyageet, and folk performances. There were live demonstrations of pottery, bamboo crafts, Kunbi saree making, and antique Goan artifacts presented by Gopinath Gawas under “Goenchem Dais.”

The IT & Science Zone introduced emerging technologies such as 3D Printing, AR-VR, Robotics, and Drones, allowing visitors to experience them firsthand. The stalls also offered career guidance and insights into future tech-driven opportunities.

The Youth Zone, managed by the Rotary Club of Mapusa Elegance, was filled with youthful energy and featured science projects, road safety pop quizzes, and performances by talented young individuals.

Participants also explored the wonders of the Astronomy Zone, adopted wellness in the Health Zone, indulged in artistic expressions at the Art Zone.

With over 100 stalls offering a variety of culinary and shopping experiences, this year’s NoMoZo saw an increase in attendance compared to the previous editions, despite ongoing development work in Porvorim.

The event continues to be a resounding success, bringing together people from all walks of life and promoting a sense of unity, creativity, and wellness in the community.

#AllycaralFeature 👒, Goan Personalities

Meet Sneha Ramesh Vadkar: The Artist Behind Unique Handmade Creations

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Growing up in Sakhali, Sneha Ramesh Vadkar was always fascinated by art and crafts. This childhood passion led her to pursue a Master’s degree in Fine Arts, specializing in Murals from Goa College of Art.

Sneha’s artistic journey began with creating handmade jewelry and decor items for herself and as gifts for friends. Encouraged by their appreciation, she started exhibiting her products at pop-ups. Her big break came when artist Harshada Kerkar offered her a platform to showcase her paper lanterns at her art gallery in Panjim.

Fusion of Traditional and Modern Art

Sneha’s unique creations blend traditional and modern art forms. She experiments with different techniques and materials, resulting in distinctive paintings, jewelry, and home decor items. Her product range includes watercolor and acrylic paintings, murals, pottery, terracotta jewelry, and eco-friendly paper lanterns.

For Sneha, creating something with her own hands is incredibly satisfying. She puts her heart and soul into each piece, ensuring that every product is unique. Sneha believes that handmade products are not just items, but a reflection of the artist’s hard work and creativity.

What’s Next?

Sneha plans to establish her own studio, where she can teach and showcase her products. She aims to expand her product range, incorporating more pottery and ceramics.