This marked the fourth blood donation camp conducted at the school. The initiative was supported by Mr Vian Lobo, proprietor of Cell World and Samsung Smart Cafe in Porvorim, who is a proud alumnus of the 1995 batch.
Prior to the event, Ranjit Rodrigues met with Rev. Fr. Basil, Headmaster of St. Britto High School, to plan the camp. Mr Ranjit also encouraged teachers to invite parents to participate, and Sir Ian was appointed as the camp coordinator. The effort saw active involvement from members of Loving Hearts Goa and the school’s teaching staff. Each blood donor has the potential to save three to four lives.
An organ donation awareness desk was set up by Gabriel, Organ Donation Ambassador from the MOHAN Foundation and Secretary of Loving Hearts Goa. He educated attendees about the importance of organ and tissue donation, explaining that organ donation is possible in cases of brain death, while tissue and whole-body donation can occur after circulatory death at home — in both cases requiring family consent. Around 50 FAQ flyers were distributed, and two individuals pledged to become organ donors.
At the conclusion of the camp, Mark D’Souza, President of Loving Hearts Goa, expressed gratitude to Rev. Fr. Basil; Rev. Fr. Denzil, Primary In-Charge; Tr. Sandy for motivating the teachers; Sir Ian for coordination; Vian Lobo; Selina, Librarian; and all the donors for contributing to the success of the initiative.
Marking a significant milestone in its India journey, NETZSCH Pumps & Systems India has inaugurated a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at Verna Industrial Estate in Goa, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to the country’s ‘Make in India’ vision. The inauguration ceremony was led by Pramod Sawant, Honorable Chief Minister of Goa, in the presence of Mauvin Godinho, Minister for Industries, along with senior officials from Goa Industrial Development Corporation and VDMA, members of the company’s global leadership, and distinguished guests.
Spread across approximately 45,000 square meters, the facility features a production floor of 12,500 square meters and is equipped with advanced manufacturing infrastructure, modern assembly lines, and enhanced testing capabilities. Designed to support higher production volumes and improve operational efficiency, the new unit represents a major leap in the company’s manufacturing capabilities in India.
A strong emphasis has been placed on sustainability, with the facility incorporating a 400 kW rooftop solar installation and being designed to meet IGBC Gold Standard certification requirements. This eco-conscious approach reflects NETZSCH’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint while promoting energy-efficient and responsible manufacturing practices.
The investment is expected to significantly boost production capacity while also generating new employment opportunities in Goa. It further strengthens the state’s position as an emerging industrial hub and contributes to the development of a robust local manufacturing ecosystem. The collaboration between the company’s German headquarters and its Indian operations continues to drive technology exchange, engineering excellence, and innovation.
Having established its presence in India in 2005 in Chennai and expanded to Goa in 2010, NETZSCH has built a strong reputation for delivering reliable pumping and system solutions across industries. With the inauguration of this new facility, the company not only celebrates two decades of growth in India but also reaffirms its long-term commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and meaningful contributions to the communities it serves.
Sanquelim, Goa: Sesa Technical School (STS), a flagship CSR initiative of Vedanta Sesa Goa, marked a significant milestone as it celebrated 100% placement for its 2023–25 graduating batch. A total of 95 students successfully completed their training, making it the institution’s 30th graduating batch since its inception in 1994.
The convocation ceremony, held at the STS campus in Sanquelim, was graced by Mr. P.D. Ambatkar, Assistant Director of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India. He felicitated the students and highlighted the importance of technical education in building a self-reliant India.
“Technical education and vocational training are central to strengthening the MSME ecosystem. Institutions like STS play a crucial role in equipping youth with industry-relevant skills and fostering employability and entrepreneurship,” Ambatkar said, emphasizing KVIC’s continued support through training and financial assistance initiatives.
Also present at the event were Ms. Leena Verenkar, Head CSR & SCDF, Vedanta Sesa Goa, and Mr. Gajendra Alarnicar, Principal of STS, along with faculty members and staff.
Congratulating the students, CEO Navin Jaju expressed pride in their achievements and reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to nation-building through skilling. He also lauded the increasing participation of women in technical education, highlighting their growing role in industrial sectors.
The graduating batch represented diverse trades, including Fitter, Electrician, Machinist, Instrument Mechanic, and Computer Operator Programming Assistant (COPA). Academic toppers included Darshan Gurav (Machinist – 94.08%), Shidalli Suleman Inamdar (Instrument Mechanic – 92.75%), Vinayak Subhash Sawant (92.33%), Aniket Gopal Manik (Fitter – 92%), and Sanjana Fondekar (COPA – 91.83%).
Students secured placements across reputed organisations such as Hindustan Unilever, Nestlé, Zydus Cadila, Guala Closures Group, Unichem Laboratories, Colgate-Palmolive, Sanofi, and CommScope, among others—reflecting the institute’s strong industry linkage.
Additionally, students from the Electrician and Instrument Mechanic trades completed a 15-day specialised training programme in mobile repairing and electrical works under the Gramodyog Vikas Yojana, conducted by KVIC. The initiative aims to enable skilled individuals to establish small-scale enterprises and contribute to grassroots economic development.
Established in 1994 on a reclaimed mining site in Sanquelim, STS has trained nearly 2,000 youth, primarily from Goa’s rural and mining regions. Affiliated with the ITI curriculum, the institution continues to focus on holistic development through hands-on training, industry exposure, and interview preparation support.
With a consistent track record of strong placements and industry-ready graduates, Sesa Technical School remains a cornerstone in Goa’s skill development ecosystem, bridging the gap between education and employment.
The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, in collaboration with the Government of Goa, will organise a grand public event under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) at Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium, Bambolim, Goa, on 27th February 2026 at 9 AM. A large number of citizens, especially youth, are expected to participate in this landmark event. More than 3,000 people are anticipated to join physically, making it one of the largest mobilisations under the campaign in the state of Goa. The event will be graced by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment Virendra Kumar, along with other senior officials. Key Highlights of the Event: Massive youth rally against drug abuse Administration of a mass oath (pledge) against drugs, both online and offline Cultural programmes and performances Felicitation of active participants and partners Sharing achievements and success stories of the Abhiyaan Participation is expected from school and college students, youth, parents, Self Help Groups (SHGs), volunteers, department officials, representatives of spiritual organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), police personnel, civil society groups, and citizens. Background of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan Launched on 15th August 2020 by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, the Abhiyaan was initially rolled out in 272 most vulnerable districts and has now been expanded to all districts across the country. The campaign focuses on mass awareness generation, with special emphasis on higher educational institutions, university campuses, schools, and community-level outreach. Major Achievements (as on date): More than 25.93+ crore people sensitized on substance use issues Over 9.35+ crore youth reached More than 6.38+ crore women sensitized Participation of over 16.15+ lakh educational institutions, ensuring wide coverage among children and youth Strategic Partnerships To strengthen mass awareness efforts, the Department has signed MoUs with eight prominent spiritual organisations, including the The Art of Living, Brahma Kumaris, Sant Nirankari Mission, ISKCON, Shri Ram Chandra Mission, All World Gayatri Pariwar, Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwantari Ashram and University of Patanjali. Digital Outreach The Abhiyaan maintains active official social media handles on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, along with a dedicated NMBA website providing comprehensive information, dashboards, an e-pledge facility, discussion forums, and resources. Recent Landmark Events The 5th Anniversary Celebration was held on 13 August 2025 in Delhi in collaboration with the Government of NCT of Delhi, with over 1,000 students participating physically and lakhs joining nationwide. A Grand National Event was organised on 18 November 2025 at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, where more than 10,000 people participated physically and over 6.3 crore people joined across the country through 2.10 lakh+ locations. The upcoming Goa event aims to highlight the progress and achievements of the Abhiyaan, mobilise large-scale community participation, inspire and motivate citizens—especially the youth—to reject substance use, and reinforce the collective resolve towards building a Nasha Mukt Bharat. The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Government of Goa invite all citizens, particularly the youth, to actively participate in this significant movement towards a drug-free society.
Goa Tourism marked a significant presence at SATTE 2026, one of South Asia’s leading travel trade exhibitions, held at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre in New Delhi. The event was inaugurated by Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, whose visit to the Goa pavilion added prominence to the State’s participation.
During his visit, the Minister interacted with the official Goa delegation, gaining insights into the State’s evolving tourism roadmap. The delegation highlighted Goa’s strategic focus on regenerative tourism, an approach that goes beyond sustainability by actively restoring and enhancing local ecosystems, communities and economies. This progressive vision positions Goa as a leader in responsible tourism practices in India.
The Goa pavilion emerged as a major attraction on Day 1, witnessing a steady flow of visitors, including domestic and international travel trade representatives. Delegates showed keen interest in the State’s diversified tourism offerings, ranging from its iconic coastal experiences to its lesser-explored hinterland circuits. The display presented a comprehensive picture of Goa as a year-round destination, moving beyond its traditional beach-centric identity.
A key highlight of the showcase was the emphasis on regenerative tourism as a guiding principle for future growth. Anchored in the pillars of people, environment and economy, this approach resonated strongly with stakeholders seeking meaningful and sustainable travel models. The concept drew attention from buyers and partners looking to align with destinations that prioritise long-term impact over short-term gains.
The pavilion also promoted the “Live the Feeling” campaign, inviting travellers to experience Goa in a more immersive and authentic way. The campaign encourages visitors to engage with local culture, traditions and communities, thereby enriching their travel experience while contributing positively to the destination.
Officials noted strong engagement and productive discussions with industry stakeholders, particularly around experiential tourism, infrastructure development and enhanced visitor facilities. SATTE continues to serve as a crucial platform for Goa to expand its reach, strengthen partnerships and reinforce its position in both domestic and international markets.
Goa’s dynamic participation at SATTE 2026 reflects its continued commitment to innovation in tourism and its ambition to redefine how destinations are experienced. By embracing regenerative principles and showcasing a holistic tourism portfolio, the State is setting a forward-looking benchmark for the industry while reinforcing its appeal to the modern, conscious traveller.
