Tag: Goa Events

Events in Goa

National Petalists Day Celebrated in Goa, Marking 10 Years of Inclusive Livelihoods for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

rencygomes02

Written by Intern Rency Gomes | Team Allycaral 

Goa | Craftizen Foundation celebrated National Petalists Day in Goa at the Museum of Goa, marking 10 years of the Petalists Livelihood Programme — a pioneering initiative that enables adults with intellectual disabilities to engage in meaningful, creative livelihoods.


The event brought together Petalists, partner organisations, caregivers, educators, and government representatives to celebrate a decade of collaboration, creativity, and inclusion. National Petalists Day is envisioned as a two-month celebration that began on December 3, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, and continues with events across Bengaluru, Pune, Lucknow, Hyderabad, and Goa, highlighting the abilities, talents, and contributions of adults with intellectual disabilities.

Launched in 2016, the Petalists Livelihood Programme focuses on creating structured and dignified livelihood opportunities through craft-based work. Across vocational centres, Petalists create handcrafted products using recycled temple flowers and other craft forms, combining therapeutic engagement with skill development and income pathways. Over the past decade, the programme has grown into one of India’s largest collaborative livelihood models in the disability sector, supporting more than 3,000 adults with intellectual disabilities across 100+ partner organisations in 11 states.

In Goa, the programme has created sustained livelihood opportunities through strong partnerships with local organisations, trainers, and caregivers. These collaborations have enabled adults with intellectual disabilities to participate meaningfully in creative work while building confidence, skills, and social inclusion.

The Goa celebration was graced by Varsha Naik, Director, Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Government of Goa, as Chief Guest, along with Taha Haaziq, Secretary, Goa State Commission for Persons with Disabilities. Their presence highlighted the importance of institutional support in strengthening inclusive livelihood ecosystems.

Other dignitaries and special guests included Prakash Kamat, senior journalist and social worker; Avelino de Sa, Founder and President, Disability Rights Association of Goa (DRAG); Mayura Balasubramanian, Founder and CEO, Craftizen Foundation; Vineet Saraiwala, Founder, Atypical Advantage; and Kumaraswamy, Director – Livelihoods, Craftizen Foundation. Leaders from partner organisations, parents, caregivers, trainers, and Petalists were also present.

A key highlight of the event was the active participation of Petalists, caregivers, and partner organisations, who shared their journeys and experiences with the programme. Creative group activities, artisan engagement, and a celebratory cake-cutting marked the milestone, reinforcing the inclusive and participatory spirit of National Petalists Day.

Aligned with International Flower Day on January 19, National Petalists Day is envisioned as a month-long national movement rather than a single-day event. The 2026 campaign began with an online launch on December 3 and continues with celebrations across Hyderabad, Goa, Lucknow, Pune, and Bengaluru.

Speaking at the event, Mayura Balasubramanian expressed gratitude to partner organisations whose continued commitment has enabled the programme to scale and sustain its impact over the past decade.

The Goa celebration concluded with closing remarks by Kumaraswamy and Sagarika Prabhu Gaonkar, Zonal Manager – Goa, Craftizen Foundation, who thanked the Petalists, partners, caregivers, and guests, reaffirming Craftizen’s belief that inclusive livelihoods thrive through collaboration, shared ownership, and community engagement.

National

India Energy Week 2026 Wraps Up in Goa, Highlighting India’s Role in Global Energy

rencygomes02

Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

India Energy Week (IEW) 2026 concluded in Goa on January 30, with policymakers and industry leaders underlining India’s preparedness to navigate global energy volatility while strengthening its position in international energy dialogue.


Speaking at the closing ceremony, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri said India has successfully managed successive geopolitical disruptions by diversifying energy sources and steadily advancing cleaner fuels. He noted that India remains among the world’s largest energy consumers and refiners, while continuing to ensure availability and affordability for domestic consumers.
The Minister highlighted the government’s focus on compressed biogas, ethanol blending, green hydrogen and biofuels, alongside sustained investments in conventional energy. He said that despite global price fluctuations, India has maintained stable fuel pricing and uninterrupted supply for consumers.
Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Neeraj Mittal, outlined plans to strengthen domestic exploration and production to meet rising energy demand driven by economic growth. He also emphasised the integration of refining and petrochemicals, adoption of digital technologies and use of artificial intelligence to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
India Energy Week 2026, held from January 27 to 30, brought together global leaders, policymakers and industry experts, reinforcing the platform’s role in shaping dialogue around energy security, sustainability and affordability, while positioning India as a steady and reliable participant in the evolving global energy landscape.

Social

JCI Panaji’s Non-Jaycee Orientation Draws Strong Youth Participation, Sparks Interest in Leadership and Impact

Tanisha Cardozo

JCI Panaji successfully conducted its Non-Jaycee Orientation on January 22, 2026, in Panaji, witnessing an enthusiastic response from young professionals, students, and aspiring leaders eager to learn more about leadership, networking, and community impact through Junior Chamber International. The session was held at Gera Imperium 2, Patto, Panjim, and served as an engaging introduction to the organisation’s values and opportunities.

The orientation was led by JFM Saikrishna Mandrekar, Zone Chairman – JCOM, JCI India Zone 11, who delivered an insightful and motivating session. He highlighted JCI’s mission of empowering young people to create positive change and shared experiences that reflected the organisation’s focus on leadership development, personal growth, and community service.

Participants actively engaged throughout the session, seeking clarity on JCI’s projects, training programmes, and global networking opportunities. The interactive discussions helped attendees understand what it means to be a Jaycee and how involvement with JCI can shape leadership skills while creating meaningful social impact.

Members of JCI Panaji expressed satisfaction with the strong turnout and positive engagement, noting that the response reflects a growing desire among youth to contribute to society while investing in personal and professional growth. The orientation reinforced JCI Panaji’s commitment to nurturing future leaders and connecting individuals who share a passion for growth and service.

The Non-Jaycee Orientation stands as another successful initiative by JCI Panaji, strengthening its efforts to inspire leadership and community engagement among Goa’s youth.

National

Goa to Host India Energy Week 2026 as Cairn Oil & Gas Reinforces Commitment to Aatmanirbhar Bharat

rencygomes02

Written by Intern Rency Gomes ||Team Allycaral 

Cairn Oil & Gas, part of the Vedanta Group and India’s largest private oil and gas exploration and production company, will participate in the 4th edition of India Energy Week (IEW) 2026, to be held in Goa from January 27 to 30. The company’s presence at India’s flagship energy exhibition and conference will highlight its role in strengthening domestic energy production and advancing India’s journey towards energy self-reliance.


At IEW 2026, Cairn will showcase its engineering excellence and innovation-led approach that is driving the next phase of growth in India’s oil and gas sector. The company will spotlight its strategy focused on technology-led exploration, data-optimised operations, and advanced digital solutions aimed at unlocking India’s vast hydrocarbon potential.

In alignment with the national vision of Samudra Manthan (National Deepwater Exploration Mission), Cairn will demonstrate the successful adoption of advanced technologies in offshore exploration and development. Among the key highlights will be one of the country’s first 3D Controlled Source Electromagnetic (CSEM) survey techniques deployed for deepwater exploration in the Krishna-Godavari basin on the East Coast.

For shallow water development, Cairn will also showcase India’s first Sub-Sea Template installed for the development of the first Discovered Small Field (DSF) block on the West Coast. These engineering milestones will be presented at the Cairn Arena during the event.

India Energy Week attracts global industry experts and stakeholders, providing a platform to highlight India’s hydrocarbon potential and invite global partnerships and investments. At the event, Cairn will explore strategic collaborations while spotlighting forward-looking technological innovations and digital solutions shaping the future of energy.

Cairn will also host a series of technical talks covering topics such as data-driven reservoir management as a new frontier for maximising production, performance insights from the Jaya gas field in western onshore India—the first field developed under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP)—fracturing in the Raageshwari Deep Gas project, and other digital initiatives driving operational excellence.

In a celebration of India’s cultural diversity, Cairn will showcase the traditions of the North East by bringing indigenous women artisans from Assam to present their handwoven textiles. Through the initiative ‘Threads of Assam – Woven by the Baidews’, the company has supported nearly 5,000 women artisans, enabling financial independence while providing national visibility to their craft.

Industry leaders, policymakers, and investors are invited to visit the Cairn Arena (Stall No. 4H12, Hall 4, ONGC ATI, Goa) to witness how Cairn is engineering energy self-reliance while contributing to a sustainable and resilient energy ecosystem.

Cairn’s continued focus on expanding onshore and offshore development reinforces its commitment to doubling domestic hydrocarbon production and strengthening India’s long-term energy security.

Sports

Gadre Gaspar Dias Open 2026: Open Category Matches Begin as Mandar Clinches Double in Masters Segment

rencygomes02

Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral

Panaji, January 26, 2026: The much-anticipated Open category matches of the Gadre Gaspar Dias Open 2026 commenced on Republic Day at the Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias and Panjim Gymkhana courts, marking Day Five of the tournament. Players across the men’s singles draw began their campaigns in the prestigious 11th edition of the event.


Earlier in the tournament’s Masters categories, Mandar achieved a remarkable double by winning both the 45+ men’s singles and 90+ men’s doubles titles.

Open Men’s Singles Results – Gaspar Dias Courts:

Ojus defeated Shivam 6-3

Priyank overcame Debayan 6-3

Raoul beat Kedar 6-2

Avish defeated Omkar Islampure 6-4

Dnyaneshwar triumphed over Tanay 6-4

Santosh D blanked Kush Khaitan 6-0

Vishwambhar defeated Prithvi Naik 6-0

Joshua Cardozo edged past Lyndon Pinto 6-4


Open Men’s Singles Results – Panjim Gymkhana Courts:

Wes Cardozo won 6-0 against Sameer Kakodkar

Rohan Chhabra defeated Rishabh Beria 6-2

Kshitij Gupta beat Arjun Shah 6-0

Dhruv Rao overcame Adianta 6-3

Pranav Suvarna trounced Gilroy Menezes 6-0

Laxman Alway prevailed over Debjit Patoa 7-6(2)


Masters Finals Results:

Masters 120+ Men’s Doubles: Shrikant Tambe / Amit Tambe defeated Sheetal / Sabnis 7-5, 6-2

Masters 110+ Men’s Doubles: Bipin / Ashutosh beat Sagar / Ashok 6-3, 6-3

Masters 45+ Men’s Singles: Mandar defeated defending champion Amit Tambe 7-5, 4-5 (Tambe retired)

Masters 90+ Men’s Doubles: Mandar / Ashish declared winners after Bulu / Mano conceded due to injury

Masters 35+ Mixed Doubles: Serbians Milica / Mladen defeated Raisa / Lyndon 7-5, 6-1


Jointly organised by Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias and the Gadre Group, in association with the Goa State Tennis Association (GSTA), the tournament has received a record 555 entries across the Masters and Open segments. Open category matches continue from January 26 onward, promising more high-stakes tennis action.