Tag: GCCI Women’s Wing

Events in Goa

ASTURI 2026 Celebrates Women Entrepreneurship at GCCI Women’s Wing’s Flagship Lifestyle Exhibition

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The GCCI Women’s Wing successfully organised the 12th Edition of ASTURI 2026, its flagship lifestyle exhibition dedicated to promoting women-led enterprises and fostering inclusive economic growth. The event reaffirmed the Wing’s long-standing commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs by providing them a vibrant platform to showcase their products, creativity and innovation.

ASTURI 2026 was inaugurated by noted film actress Ms. Varsha Usgaonkar, in the presence of distinguished dignitaries including Shri M. K. Meena, Director MSME (Ministry of Goa); Shri Premraj Shirodkar, Director – Rural Development, GSRLM; Ms. Pratima Dhond, President – GCCI; Mr. Sangam Kurade, Vice President – GCCI; Mr. Sanjay Amonkar, Director General – GCCI; and Ms. Pallavi Salgaocar, Mentor, GCCI Women’s Wing.

Welcoming the gathering, Ms. Sandra Fernandes, Chairperson of the GCCI Women’s Wing, highlighted the importance of ASTURI as a platform that enables women entrepreneurs to gain visibility, build networks and grow their enterprises. The exhibition was held under the leadership of Ms. Gouri Joshi, Event Chair – ASTURI 2026, with guidance from Mentor Mrs. Pallavi Salgaocar. The event coordination was efficiently handled by Ms. Melane Rodrigues, Assistant Director, GCCI, while Ms. Poonam Ajgaonkar, Co-Chairperson, GCCI Women’s Wing, proposed the vote of thanks.

ASTURI 2026 featured 100 stalls showcasing a wide range of offerings including food products, household items, clothing and wellness solutions, drawing enthusiastic participation and appreciation from visitors. Adding to the festive spirit, several competitions were organised for children and adults, including drawing, fancy dress, healthy dessert and duet antakshari competitions, making the exhibition engaging and family-friendly.

A major highlight of the event was the Asturi Queen Competition, held among women entrepreneurs to celebrate confidence, leadership and entrepreneurial spirit. Ms. Suvarna Salgaonkar was crowned Asturi Queen, while Ms. Daniella Vaz emerged as the Runner-up.

The exhibition concluded with a grand closing ceremony graced by Ms. Deepali Naik, Project Director, DRDA South Goa, as the Chief Guest. Overall, ASTURI 2026 stood out as a vibrant celebration of entrepreneurship, empowerment and the dynamic spirit of women-led businesses.

Social

GCCI Women’s Wing and DRDA South Host ‘Swasth Mahila, Saksham Mahila’ Program Focused on Mental Wellness

Tanisha Cardozo

In a significant stride toward holistic women’s empowerment, the GCCI Women’s Wing, in association with DRDA South, organized a powerful program titled “Swasth Mahila, Saksham Mahila – Mental Health and Well-being for Women” on September 26, 2025, at the Mathany Saldanha Complex in Margao. The initiative brought together over 130 women from across South Goa to focus on a crucial but often overlooked aspect of empowerment: mental health.

The program commenced with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony, symbolizing the beginning of an enlightening evening. Chairperson of the GCCI Women’s Wing, Mrs. Sandra Fernandes, welcomed the participants with a compelling message on the importance of emotional and mental wellness in a woman’s journey. She aptly stated, “When women are mentally strong and emotionally balanced, they can truly flourish in every role they play.”

Mrs. Deepali Naik, Project Director of DRDA, addressed the gathering and praised the Women’s Wing for continuously leading meaningful initiatives that cater to the real needs of women in the community. She emphasized how collaborative efforts like this can leave a lasting impact.

The heart of the program was a keynote session by well-known psychologist Ms. Neha Khaunte, who took the audience through a practical and reflective journey on stress management, emotional balance, and mindfulness. Using relatable examples and interactive exercises, Ms. Khaunte encouraged participants to acknowledge their mental health challenges while equipping them with everyday strategies to manage them. Her session was a refreshing blend of awareness, empowerment, and connection.

The event was compered with grace and clarity by Mrs. Gouri Joshi, a member of the GCCI Women’s Wing, who ensured a smooth and welcoming flow throughout the program. Mementos were distributed to the speakers and contributors, acknowledging their role in making the event a success.

The program concluded with a heartfelt Vote of Thanks delivered by Mrs. Poonam Ajgaonkar, Co-Chairperson of the GCCI Women’s Wing. She expressed deep gratitude to all the dignitaries, the enthusiastic participants, and especially to the resource person for facilitating such a vital conversation. Special recognition was also given to Ms. Melane Rodrigues, Assistant Director at GCCI, for her behind-the-scenes coordination that ensured the event’s seamless execution.

“Swasth Mahila, Saksham Mahila” was not just an event—it was a movement in itself, a reminder that true empowerment stems from nurturing not just skills and careers, but also the emotional and mental well-being of women. By offering this safe, inclusive, and engaging platform, GCCI and DRDA South reinforced their shared commitment to building stronger, healthier communities—one empowered woman at a time.

Events in Goa

LeadHERShip 2025: Empowering Goa’s Women to Lead, Inspire, and Achieve

Tanisha Cardozo

On a rainy Tuesday evening, the Surendrababu Timblo Convention Hall in Panjim was filled with determination and drive as the Women’s Wing of the Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) hosted LeadHERShip 2025.

This inspirational event, held on August 18, 2025, was not just a seminar—it was a powerful platform dedicated to empowering women to rise as leaders, mentors, and entrepreneurs in the Goan community and beyond.

Welcoming attendees to the program, Ms. Sandra Fernandes, Chairperson of the GCCI Women’s Wing, described LeadHERShip as more than a leadership initiative—it’s a movement. Applauding the audience for showing up despite the monsoon rains, she highlighted the collective commitment to advancing women’s roles in business, leadership, and society.

The event’s Chief Guest, Ms. Pratima Dhond, President of GCCI, emphasized the importance of women exploring leadership and entrepreneurship as viable, fulfilling career paths—encouraging them to look beyond conventional government roles and envision a future of impact and innovation.

The program featured engaging and practical sessions led by industry professionals and mentors:

  • “How to Start a Business” – Mr. Tushar Sawant from FiiRE offered practical insights into launching a startup in today’s market.
  • “Entrepreneurship & Its Benefits” – Delivered by Ms. Pallavi Salgaocar, Mentor of the GCCI Women’s Wing, this session inspired attendees with stories of successful women entrepreneurs and the long-term impact of self-driven ventures.
  • Mock Interview Session – Led by Ms. Simran Dhond, this interactive session helped participants improve their job-readiness and interview skills.
  • Mentorship Insights – Ms. Gouri Joshi guided attendees on the value of mentorship, both as mentors and mentees, in personal and professional growth.

The event ran smoothly thanks to the dedication of the Women’s Wing Committee and the GCCI team. It was beautifully compered by Ms. Nandita Dayal, with speaker introductions by Ms. Swatee Rane, Ms. Adbrona Valadares, and Ms. Clare De Souza.

Ms. Poonam Ajgaonkar, Co-Chairperson of the Women’s Wing, delivered a heartfelt vote of thanks, while the entire event was coordinated efficiently by Ms. Melane Rodrigues, Assistant Director, GCCI.

LeadHERShip 2025 wasn’t just a day of talks—it was a celebration of women’s ambition, resilience, and leadership. It gave attendees the tools, motivation, and community support needed to take their next steps—whether into entrepreneurship, leadership, or mentorship.

As Goa continues to shape a more inclusive and dynamic business ecosystem, events like LeadHERShip play a critical role in bridging the gap between aspiration and action.