A Blood Donation Camp was organised by JCI Vasco in collaboration with GMC Blood Bank, St. Joseph Vaz College, Cortalim, the Red Ribbon Club, and the Microbiology Faculty on 5th February 2026 at the college premises. The initiative aimed to create awareness about voluntary blood donation and encourage students and staff to actively contribute towards saving lives.
The camp received an encouraging response, with 31 donors registering for the initiative. After medical screening, 20 units of blood were successfully collected, reinforcing the impact of community participation in addressing critical healthcare needs.
With the dedicated support of the organising team, medical professionals from GMC Blood Bank, faculty members, and student volunteers, the event was conducted smoothly and efficiently. Beyond blood collection, the camp also served as an awareness drive, highlighting how a small act of donation can make a meaningful difference in someone’s life.
The initiative reflected JCI Vasco’s continued commitment to social responsibility and community welfare, inspiring young individuals to step forward and participate in life-saving causes.
Panaji, January 2026: Underprivileged Goan students with an interest in technology received hands-on exposure to user-centred design and digital workflows through a campus outreach initiative by Goa-based digital transformation firm Kilowott. The company hosted learners from the Ponda-based Tata STRIVE at its Porvorim campus as part of its efforts to support early industry exposure.
Tata STRIVE works to equip youth from underprivileged communities with quality skill training aimed at improving employability, entrepreneurship opportunities and livelihood outcomes. As part of the visit, ten students from the Ponda centre took part in an interactive session on UX and UI design led by Kilowott’s senior designer, Ashley Custodio Mendonsa.
The session introduced students to the fundamentals of digital product design, team collaboration and the journey of ideas from concept to execution. Learners also observed real-world workplace processes, helping them understand the expectations and dynamics of technology-driven roles.
The visit offered students a practical perspective on problem-solving and collaborative workflows, helping bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry requirements.
Kilowott stated that such initiatives are part of its broader commitment to nurturing future talent in Goa by providing young learners with early exposure to professional environments and emerging career paths in design and technology.
Panaji, January 2026 — As Goa’s waste burden continues to rise, a new state government–led Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS) is set to reshape how value is extracted from discarded materials. The reform is expected to have its most significant impact on informal waste collectors, who have sustained Goa’s recycling economy for decades while receiving only a fraction of the returns it generates.
Goa produces approximately 766 tonnes of municipal solid waste every day—nearly 2.8 lakh tonnes annually. While urban waste collection has achieved near-universal coverage, gaps remain in treatment and recycling. Operating within this gap are informal waste collectors, who recover recyclables from homes, streets and dumping sites, often in unsafe conditions and for minimal compensation that rarely reflects their labour.
Currently, PET bottles fetch between ₹15 and ₹25 per kilogram or around 50 bottles—often translating to less than 50 paise per bottle. Glass bottles earn roughly ₹2 per unit, while multi-layered plastic packaging, commonly used for snacks and biscuits, has little to no resale value and is frequently left uncollected. National estimates indicate that such packaging constitutes 30 to 40 per cent of plastic waste, much of which ultimately ends up in landfills.
India’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework was designed to address these disparities by shifting the cost of waste recovery to producers. In practice, however, EPR credits are largely traded between companies and recyclers, with limited financial benefit reaching those who physically collect the waste.
According to Dr Anthony de Sa, chairperson of the committee overseeing the implementation of the Goa DRS project under the Department of Environment and Climate Change, the scheme seeks to correct this long-standing imbalance. “DRS rewards responsible behaviour towards waste management, creates better income opportunities for the informal sector and addresses the peculiar waste management challenges of a tourism-driven region like Goa,” he said.
The Goa Deposit Refund System, notified in 2024, introduces a refundable deposit on select packaged products. The deposit is returned directly to whoever brings the item to an authorised collection point. Under the scheme, the standard refundable deposit is ₹5 per package, while alcohol sold in glass bottles carries a ₹10 deposit. Items priced between ₹5 and ₹20 attract a ₹2 deposit. Refunds are processed instantly.
For informal waste collectors, the shift could be transformative. Under the new model, collecting 50 PET bottles could earn up to ₹250—more than ten times current earnings. Glass bottles could fetch ₹10 per unit, a fivefold increase. For the first time, multi-layered plastic packaging could generate income, with collectors earning ₹200 for every 100 packets returned.
By directly linking waste recovery to financial return and enabling formal registration of collectors, the DRS aims not only to improve recycling rates but also to bring dignity, visibility and fair compensation to those at the foundation of Goa’s waste management ecosystem.
Panaji: Mauvin Godinho expressed his appreciation after receiving a unique artwork created using grains and pulses, thoughtfully crafted by noted painting and sculpture artist Shri Kenchappa Badiger along with his team.
Sharing his thoughts on the gesture, Godinho said he was deeply touched by the creativity and meaning behind the artwork. The artist explained that grains, being essential for human survival, were intentionally used to convey the idea that meaningful artistic work should also support livelihoods and families.
The artwork reflects a blend of creativity, sustainability and social purpose, highlighting the role of art not just as an expression, but as a medium that carries deeper values connected to life and community welfare.
The gesture was described as both thoughtful and symbolic, resonating with the importance of purpose-driven creativity.
Saligao, January 17, 2026: An organ donation information desk was set up at a blood donation camp organised by Lourdes Convent High School, Saligao, in collaboration with Loving Hearts Goa and the North Goa District Hospital (Asilo) blood bank.
The initiative was led by Mr Gabriel Pereira, an Organ Donation Ambassador with the MOHAN Foundation. The blood donation camp was sponsored by Peppy’s Goan Kitchen Caterers, Porvorim, and was held from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.
The camp was formally inaugurated by the Headmistress of Lourdes Convent High School, Sr. Antonette Pereira, who lit the traditional lamp and led a welcome song, inviting parents to participate in the programme.
Loving Hearts Goa is a voluntary group founded by Mr Ranjit Rodrigues and comprises regular blood donors who organise blood donation camps across Goa. Mr Mark D’Souza serves as the President of the group, Mr Gabriel Pereira as Secretary, and Mrs Sanyukta Gawde as Treasurer. At every camp organised by the group, an organ donation information desk is set up to raise awareness on the importance of organ donation.
During the camp, Mr Pereira distributed approximately 36 informational flyers to donors, addressed frequently asked questions related to organ donation, and highlighted the importance of pledging to donate organs. The flyers also included a QR code enabling individuals to easily pledge as organ donors. As a result of this outreach, four individuals pledged to become organ donors.
At the conclusion of the event, Mr Pereira expressed his gratitude to Sr. Antonette Pereira, Mr Ranjit Rodrigues and Mr Mark D’Souza for their continued support of organ donation awareness initiatives and for their collaboration with the MOHAN Foundation.
