Tag: Goa Events

Books & Literature

Launch of John Aguiar’s Konkani Poetry Collection “Thembe” on February 28 in Panaji

Swara Bodke

Written by Intern Swara Bodke || Team Allycaral

PANAJI, GOA – Writer, poet and lyricist John Aguiar is set to release his latest collection of Konkani poems, titled Thembe (Drops), further strengthening his contribution to contemporary Konkani literature.
The book release ceremony will be held on February 28, 2026, at 3.30 pm at Shenai Goembab Sabhaghar, Goa Konkani Akademi (BSNL Building), 5th floor, Patto, Panaji. The book will be released at the hands of Dr Purnanand Chari, Chairman of the Konkani Akademi. Smt Aparna Garudi will speak on the book, while Shri Ramesh Ghadi, Vice Chairman of the Konkani Akademi, will attend as Guest of Honour. Poet Prakash Naik will be a special guest at the event.
The function is organised by Ugtem Molob. Shri Vivek Pissurlekar, President of Ugtem Molob, has appealed to writers, poets and literature enthusiasts to attend the function in large numbers.
John Aguiar is widely recognised for his versatility, writing across Romi and Devanagari Konkani, English and Marathi. His works are known for their deep engagement with Goan culture, social realities and the subtleties of everyday life.


A retired officer from the Government of Goa’s Department of Information and Publicity, Aguiar brings a journalist’s clarity and precision to his creative writing. Beyond literature, he is also a well-known lyricist, with several of his songs regularly aired on All India Radio.
His published works span multiple genres. His poetry collections include Paulam, Gulmohar, Sanz and Olyo Yadi, which won the 2017 Konkani Bhasha Mandal’s Rock Barretto Literary Award. His essay collections include Offside (English) and Mandovichea Dege Voilean (Roman Konkani), while his dramatic works include Sonvgam, a collection of one-act plays in Roman Konkani.
One of the early milestones in his career was the publication of the booklet Jinn in 1982–83, which was released by noted writer, poet and lyricist Advocate Uday Bhembre, then President of the Konkani Bhasha Mandal, at Chowgule College during Aguiar’s student days.

Sports

World Legends Pro T20 Delivers a Grand Finale to Remember in Goa

Tanisha Cardozo

The World Legends Pro T20 League concluded in spectacular fashion on Tuesday night, bringing down the curtains on a tournament that successfully blended nostalgia, competitiveness and high-quality cricket, while firmly establishing Goa as a destination capable of hosting marquee sporting events.

Over the past few weeks, the league brought together some of the most iconic names in world cricket, delivering thrilling contests and moments that reminded fans why these players once ruled the global stage. Packed stadiums, strong broadcast viewership and a festive atmosphere both on and off the field underlined the growing appeal of the tournament.

World Cup-winning captain and League Commissioner Michael Clarke praised both the cricket on display and the setting that hosted it, noting that the tournament showcased Goa beyond its image as a holiday destination. He highlighted the quality of facilities, the enthusiastic crowds and the enjoyment expressed by players throughout the competition.

Despite having retired from international cricket, the legends approached each match with unmistakable intensity. Clarke remarked that the hunger to win never fades, with players still eager to perform, compete and deliver at the highest level. Several performances throughout the tournament reinforced this competitive edge.

The league produced multiple headline moments, including Martin Guptill’s sublime century, described by Clarke as among the finest innings of his career, and Piyush Chawla’s sensational hat-trick that electrified fans. These performances ensured the competition was far more than a nostalgic exhibition.

With evenly matched teams and close finishes throughout the league stage, the knockout rounds brought out the very best in the players. Clarke noted that the balance across teams played a key role in the tournament’s success, making the semifinals and final particularly compelling.

Leadership emerged as another defining element of the tournament, with Clarke singling out Harbhajan Singh’s captaincy for its tactical sharpness and calm decision-making under pressure, which translated into consistent on-field performances.

As the inaugural edition comes to a close, the World Legends Pro T20 leaves behind more than memorable matches. It has reaffirmed the enduring appeal of cricket’s legends, delivered a fresh entertainment product for fans, and opened the door for Goa to play a larger role on the international sporting calendar.

Social

Vedanta Sesa Goa Promotes Community Well-being at Mayem Marathon 2026

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Intern Swara Bodke || Team Allycaral

Vedanta Sesa Goa, a leading iron ore producer with a legacy of more than seven decades in Goa, partnered with the Shri Mahamaya High-School Ex-Students Association for the Mayem Marathon 2026, held in Bicholim. The marathon has grown into one of the region’s most anticipated community sporting events and witnessed an overwhelming response this year, with over 1,500 participants from across the state.

The event featured multiple race categories, including 21 km, 10 km, 5 km and 3 km runs, along with dedicated races for school students across various age groups. The wide range of categories highlighted the inclusive nature of the marathon and encouraged participation from both seasoned runners and first-time participants.

Several dignitaries were present on the occasion, including Shri Premendra Shet, Hon’ble MLA for Mayem Constituency, and Guest of Honour Shri Deepak Narvekar, Deputy General Manager, Goa Tourism Development Corporation. Mr. Dhirajkumar Jagdish, Deputy CEO, Vedanta Iron Ore Goa, along with prominent community leaders, also attended the event. Vedanta Sesa Goa has been associated with all three editions of the Mayem Marathon under its ‘YouTheChange, YouThePower’ initiative.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Premendra Shet said the Mayem Marathon 2026 reflected the strong spirit of fitness, inclusivity and togetherness within the community. He appreciated Vedanta Sesa Goa for partnering with the marathon for the third consecutive year and acknowledged the company’s wider CSR contributions in the region, including the restoration of the historic Maem Bandhara and the establishment of computer centres and modern laboratories aimed at empowering youth.

Mr. Dhirajkumar Jagdish said Vedanta remains committed to fostering a healthier and more sustainable future for the communities it serves. He added that the Mayem Marathon stands as a powerful example of collective action, bringing people from diverse backgrounds together on a common platform, and expressed gratitude to the organisers, dignitaries and the Bicholim community for making the event a success.

Vedanta Sesa Goa continues to promote community well-being through partnerships in initiatives such as the Republic Run and the Mayem Marathon. Through its flagship CSR programme, the Sesa Football Academy, the company also conducts football camps and tournaments including the Vedanta Women’s League, Vedanta Youth Cup and Vedanta Football Championship. These initiatives reflect Vedanta Sesa Goa’s ongoing efforts to foster a culture of health, fitness and holistic development across Goa.

Events in Goa

Goa-Born Rochelle Pinto to Deliver Centenary Lecture on Women in Leadership at Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias

Tanisha Cardozo

As part of its ongoing centenary celebrations, Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias will host a special lecture on Women in Leadership: How to Build a Career in Media, featuring Goa-born Rochelle Pinto, Head of Editorial Content at Vogue India. The session will take place on February 7, 2026, from 6 pm to 7 pm at the club premises in Panaji.

Designed as an interactive conversation, the lecture will see Rochelle Pinto in dialogue with fashion designer Simran Dhond, focusing on leadership, career pathways, and real-world experiences within media and creative industries. The event is aimed at students, young professionals and aspiring creatives seeking clarity on navigating editorial spaces and building sustainable careers in an evolving media landscape.

Born and raised in Panaji and now based in Mumbai, Rochelle Pinto brings over 15 years of experience across print and digital media. Her career spans leading platforms including Tweak India and the Condé Nast group. At Vogue India, she currently oversees editorial vision and content across platforms, championing a digital-first approach while strengthening legacy publishing.

Beyond editorial leadership, Pinto has contributed to education as a faculty member at the Istituto Marangoni in Italy and St Paul’s Institute of Communication and Education in Mumbai. She is also actively engaged with initiatives related to education, environmental awareness and inclusion, reflecting a broader commitment to social impact.

The centenary lecture underscores Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias’ efforts to create meaningful knowledge-sharing platforms while celebrating 100 years of community, culture and dialogue, making it a significant addition to the club’s milestone year.

Business

IEW 2026 Wraps Up in Goa with Awards for Clean Energy and Technology Excellence

rencygomes02

Written by Intern Rency Gomes ||Team Allycaral 

Goa, January 30, 2026:
India Energy Week (IEW) 2026 concluded in Goa, celebrating innovators, startups, and leaders driving India’s energy transition. The four-day event, held from January 27 to 30, brought together policymakers, investors, and industry executives to discuss solutions for a secure, sustainable, and affordable energy future.


Startups Take Centre Stage

The AVINYA Energy Startup Challenge highlighted emerging Indian companies delivering technology-driven solutions:

Winner: Minimines Cleantech Solutions – for low-carbon recovery of high-value materials from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries.

1st Runner-Up: Ossus Biorenewables – for converting industrial wastewater into green hydrogen.
2nd Runner-Up: Tranzmeo IT Solutions – for AI-powered fiber-sensing applications for pipelines and CCUS processes.
3rd Runner-Up: Rezlytix Technologies – for AI-driven tools optimising oil and gas exploration.
4th Runner-Up: Petrobot Technologies – for robotic inspection in hydrocarbon plants.
The international VASUDHA Upstream Startup Challenge recognised global innovators:
Winner: SENERGETICS, The Netherlands – for AI-based corrosion monitoring.
Runner-Up: Resermine Inc, USA – for hybrid reservoir engineering solutions.

Hackathon Highlights
Seven premier institutes competed in a hackathon focused on energy technology:
Winner: IIT Bombay – for Aura, an AI-driven unified reservoir analysis platform.
Runner-Up: IIT Delhi – for a circular economy approach converting steel industry waste into CO₂ capture solutions.
Industry Excellence Awards
The Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry (FIPI) recognised outstanding achievements:
Exploration Company of the Year: ONGC
Production Company of the Year (Over 1 MTOE): Oil India Limited
Production Company of the Year (Under 1 MTOE): Sun Petrochemicals Pvt. Ltd.
Refinery of the Year: Reliance Industries Ltd., SEZ Refinery, Jamnagar
Innovator of the Year (Joint Winners): Indian Oil R&D Division & Mangalore Refinery Innovation Center
Best Managed Project: Shell India (PMG JV)
City Gas Distribution Co. of the Year: Indraprastha Gas Limited
Pipeline Transportation Co. of the Year: BPCL
Oil Marketing Co. of the Year: HPCL
Young Achievers: Ms. Vanashree Mahatre & Mr. Karthik R.
The awards reflected India’s commitment to energy innovation, sustainable growth, and global leadership.