Chief Minister Pramod Sawant attended the naming ceremony of the Ponda Sports Complex as the Ravi Naik Sports Complex at Ponda, marking a significant occasion for the region’s sporting infrastructure. The event was held in the presence of Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar, Commissioner for NRI Affairs Adv. Narendra Sawaikar, Chairman of the Rajiv Gandhi Kala Mandir, Ponda, Ritesh Ravi Naik, Director of Sports and Youth Affairs Dr. Ajay Gaude, and other dignitaries.
The renaming of the sports complex reflects recognition of contributions made toward the development of sports and community engagement in the region. The ceremony brought together government officials, sports administrators, and members of the local community, highlighting the importance of strengthening sports infrastructure in Goa.
The Ravi Naik Sports Complex serves as a key venue for sporting activities and youth engagement in Ponda. With continued investment in infrastructure and policy support from the state government, Goa aims to nurture talent and encourage greater participation in sports at grassroots and competitive levels.
The presence of senior officials at the ceremony underscored the government’s commitment to promoting sports as a vital component of youth development and community building. The renaming ceremony marks another step in enhancing facilities and recognizing individuals who have contributed to the growth of sports in the state.
Panjim, 14th February 2026 – The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), a Government of Goa undertaking, organised the Travel Agents Meet 2026, bringing together key stakeholders from the travel and tourism industry to strengthen collaboration and align strategies for promoting Goa as a diverse, experience-led destination. The meet witnessed participation from 55 travel agents, online travel agencies and NTS operators, along with other members of the travel trade in Goa.
The dignitaries present included Tourism Minister Rohan A. Khaunte; Chairman, GTDC Kedar Naik; Managing Director, GTDC Kuldeep Arolkar; General Managers Gavin Dias, Sachin Gore, Laxmikant Vaigankar and Kapil Paiguinkar, and Deputy General Manager Deepak Narvekar.
Speaking on the occasion, Tourism Minister Rohan A. Khaunte emphasised the importance of collaboration with the travel trade in shaping Goa’s tourism growth story. He stated that travel agents remain long-term partners in promoting Goa beyond its beaches and positioning the state as a holistic, experience-rich destination. He highlighted that the focus remains on balanced tourism growth that benefits local communities, strengthens livelihoods and enhances visitor satisfaction.
Chairman, GTDC Kedar Naik underlined the pivotal role of travel agents as the first point of contact for travellers. He noted that the confidence with which visitors choose Goa is closely linked to the trust they place in travel professionals. He further reiterated that GTDC’s responsibility goes beyond infrastructure and services, extending to creating an ecosystem where tourism supports livelihoods, preserves culture and ensures inclusive growth.
Managing Director, GTDC Kuldeep Arolkar described the Travel Agents Meet as an important platform to align tourism products and services with evolving market needs. He stated that through continued engagement with the travel trade, GTDC aims to strengthen global promotion of Goa Tourism hotels, new tourism services and destination experiences while remaining responsive to changing traveller expectations.
As part of the programme, seven prominent tour operators were felicitated, including representatives of the Tour Operators Association of India, Goa-based online travel agents and NTS operators, in recognition of their contribution to promoting Goa as a preferred destination. Deputy General Manager (Marketing) Deepak Narvekar announced the names of the stakeholders during the felicitation ceremony in the presence of the Minister for Tourism and other dignitaries.
A detailed presentation on GTDC hotels and new tourism and adventure activities was delivered by General Manager Gavin Dias along with Senior Managers Vishesh Naik and Pravin Faldessai. Video films showcasing Goa Tourism, wildlife experiences, AVI Tourism and festivals were screened during the meet, offering attendees a broader perspective on the state’s evolving tourism landscape.
The event also facilitated an interactive exchange between GTDC officials and members of the travel trade on emerging markets, evolving traveller preferences and collaborative promotion opportunities. Goa Tourism’s hotels, new services and curated destination experiences were highlighted with a strong emphasis on strengthening global visibility through strategic trade partnerships.
The Travel Agents Meet 2026 served as a meaningful platform for dialogue, exchange of perspectives and deeper collaboration between Goa Tourism and the travel trade. The engagement reaffirmed the state’s commitment to working closely with industry stakeholders to position Goa as a preferred destination offering authentic, responsible and high-quality tourism experiences.
The Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C) has announced the launch of a statewide AI Hackathon as part of the Goa AI Mission 2027, marking a significant step towards integrating Artificial Intelligence into governance and public service delivery across the state.
The AI Hackathon aims to encourage the adoption of ethical and responsible Artificial Intelligence solutions to address real-world governance challenges. The initiative focuses on improving efficiency, transparency and citizen-centric service delivery by leveraging emerging technologies within government systems.
Under the programme, government departments, corporations, autonomous bodies and local authorities have been invited to submit problem statements based on their day-to-day operational challenges. These problem statements will identify areas where AI-based interventions can support automated verification processes, early identification of missing or incorrect information, and timely delivery of benefits to eligible citizens.
Following a detailed scrutiny and evaluation of the submitted problem statements, DITE&C will facilitate the development of AI-powered solutions tailored to the specific needs of departments. Selected solutions will be designed to enhance operational efficiency and strengthen service delivery mechanisms.
The Goa AI Hackathon builds on the success of the Goa Open Innovation Challenge 2025, which invited startups and student innovators to address high-impact governance challenges. The initiative received strong participation from across the country, reflecting growing interest in technology-driven public sector innovation.
Through initiatives such as the AI Hackathon, DITE&C continues to advance the vision of a digitally empowered Goa by fostering innovation, encouraging collaboration and integrating emerging technologies to improve public service delivery and governance outcomes.
Socorro, 3rd February 2026: In a significant step towards strengthening housing security for eligible families, Majhe Ghar forms were distributed at the Socorro Panchayat. The programme was held in the presence of Tourism Minister and Porvorim MLA Rohan A Khaunte, along with Socorro Sarpanch Soniya Pednekar, Penha-De-Franca Sarpanch Swapnil Chodankar, Penha-De-Franca Zilla Panchayat Member Sandeep Salgaonkar, Socorro Zilla Panchayat Member Amit Asnodkar, and other government officials and representatives of local bodies.
The initiative aims to facilitate the regularisation of houses constructed on government land prior to 2014, in accordance with the provisions and eligibility criteria of the Majhe Ghar scheme.
Speaking on the occasion, Rohan A Khaunte said that the Majhe Ghar scheme focuses on restoring dignity and security to families who have built their homes over decades and deserve legal protection and a stable future. He stated that the initiative reflects the Government’s commitment to inclusive development, where progress goes hand in hand with social justice, and assured that the process will be carried out in close coordination with panchayats, elected representatives and officials.
He further highlighted that the scheme addresses long-standing concerns of residents living in informal settlements by bringing them within a regulated framework. This will enable eligible families to access basic services and welfare benefits while ensuring legal clarity for their homes.
During the programme, citizens were guided on eligibility criteria, documentation requirements and the step-by-step application process. Officials assured applicants of full support to ensure smooth submission and timely completion of formalities.
The Minister reiterated that the scheme is a collaborative effort involving the Government, local self-governments and elected representatives, and urged residents to come forward, submit applications responsibly and cooperate with authorities for transparent and timely implementation. The initiative forms part of the Government’s broader commitment to community welfare, social equity and grassroots development across Goa.
New Delhi: Goa’s Minister for Drinking Water, Subhash Phal Dessai, today attended the Minister-level Policy Dialogue on Sustainable Operation and Maintenance of Rural Drinking Water Services held in New Delhi. The dialogue brought together policymakers from across the country to deliberate on strengthening rural water supply systems and ensuring their long-term sustainability.
During the interaction, Subhash Phal Dessai highlighted Goa’s efforts to improve rural drinking water infrastructure and sought Central Government support for strengthening and developing water supply systems across the state.
The Minister also had a strong interaction with C. R. Patil, Union Minister for Jal Shakti, discussing policy support, operational challenges, and opportunities to enhance rural water service delivery in Goa.
The participation reflects Goa’s proactive approach towards ensuring reliable, sustainable, and efficient drinking water services for rural communities, aligned with national water security goals.
