Tag: Goa News

Finance

Axis Bank Launches Sparsh Week 2025: ‘Raising the Bar’ Nationwide

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National, Sept 1, 2025: Axis Bank, one of India’s largest private sector banks, has announced the launch of Sparsh Week 2025 (Sept 1–5), a landmark initiative uniting more than 1 lakh employees across 5,868 branches nationwide.

With the theme “Raise the Bar,” this year’s edition emphasizes customer obsession, leadership visibility, and employee engagement at an unprecedented scale. Senior leaders including Amitabh Chaudhry (MD & CEO), Munish Sharda (ED), Subrat Mohanty (ED), and Neeraj Gambhir (ED) will personally visit 40 cities to interact with customers and mentor teams.

“Sparsh is not just a celebration but a reminder of the culture we are shaping – where empathy, innovation, and service excellence define every interaction,” said Amitabh Chaudhry.

Customer Engagement Highlights

  • 🎯 Exclusive Home Loan offers from 7.6%*
  • 💼 Special benefits across Gold Loans, MSME loans, Current Accounts & Health Insurance
  • 🎙️ Let’s Listen Sessions across 5,800+ branches for direct feedback
  • 🚗 Auto test drives & loan offers in select cities
  • 🤝 Felicitation of wholesale clients & corporate partners
  • 🌍 Outreach through Samaroh to foster new relationships

Thematic Customer Days

  • Students: Piggy to Prodigy Day with learning sessions & Bank tours
  • Women: Nari Shakti Diwas with panel discussions & ARISE awareness programs
  • Seniors: Silver Lining – digital banking & fraud prevention workshops
  • Startups & MSMEs: Startup Sangam & networking events
  • Farmers: Krishi Diwas with agri-advisory, soil-testing & Apna Gaon Melas
  • NRIs: Homecoming meets in UAE, Singapore & US
  • LGBTQ+: Pink Economy events celebrating inclusivity

Impact & Scale

From 55,000 customers in 2024, Axis Bank now targets 1.5 lakh+ customers for Sparsh Week 2025 – nearly triple last year’s outreach.

With its four core mantras — Own the Brand, Own the Customer, Act with Speed, Zero Pendency — Sparsh Week continues to strengthen Axis Bank’s position as a customer-first institution in India’s financial ecosystem.

📖 For more details and updates, visit allycaral.com

Human Interest

Goa Launches Whale Shark Conservation Project with ₹75,000 Rescue Reward

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On the occasion of International Whale Shark Day, Goa’s Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane announced the launch of the Whale Shark Conservation Project along the state’s coast. The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the Wildlife Trust of India, Goa Forest Department, Department of Fisheries, and Oracle India, with the goal of protecting the gentle giants of the ocean and other marine species.

One of the most notable features of the project is the introduction of a ₹75,000 reward scheme for fishermen and individuals who rescue and release Whale Sharks and other species protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. This incentive is designed to encourage the fishing community to play an active role in conservation.

Minister Rane emphasized the importance of Goa’s fishing community in safeguarding marine biodiversity, acknowledging their unwavering commitment to sustainable practices. “The fishermen community of Goa is our greatest strength,” he said, “and with their collaboration, Goa will continue to lead the way in protecting marine life.”

Prominent conservationist Francis Fernandes (Pele), who has played a key role in past marine protection initiatives, will continue to guide and educate the fishing community under this project.

To ensure the long-term success of this mission, the government has also announced the formation of a Marine Life Protection Committee. The committee will be chaired by Prof. B.C. Choudhury and will include experts such as Vivek Menon, Praveen Kumar Raghaw, Shamila Monteiro, Francis Fernandes (Pele), and Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane himself. The committee will be tasked with taking key policy decisions and guiding future conservation efforts.

With this initiative, Goa has once again demonstrated its resolve to safeguard its rich marine biodiversity, ensuring that future generations inherit thriving oceans and coasts.

Sports

Goa Government to Honour ‘The Monte Cruz Stand’ in PJN Stadium, Fatorda

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Intern Queeny George M.H , Team Allycaral

The Government of Goa has officially announced a fitting tribute to late former Sports Minister Francisco Monte Cruz, by naming a stand at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Goa, after him. This recognition comes on the occasion of his first death anniversary, honouring the man who was responsible for the construction of the iconic stadium in a record 180 days between 1988 and 1989.

The PJN Stadium, inaugurated on January 19, 1989, continues to be a vibrant hub for major football matches and sports events in the state. Its existence owes much to Monte Cruz’s foresight, dedication, and leadership, which made it one of Goa’s proudest sports infrastructure projects.

Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant and the Government of Goa have initiated the implementation of a long-standing resolution moved by Minister Digambar Kamat in the State Assembly, which called for the naming of a stand in the stadium after Monte Cruz. The resolution has finally come to life this year, ensuring that Monte Cruz’s contributions will be forever remembered by generations to come.

The announcement ceremony saw the presence of Monte Cruz’s family members, including his son Vijay Monte Cruz and daughter Hema Monte Cruz, who were present to witness the emotional and symbolic gesture. Both expressed their pride in seeing their father’s efforts officially recognised by the state.

The stand naming project is expected to resume within the next two weeks, following coordination and assistance from the Chief Minister’s office. This event not only commemorates the memory of Francisco Monte Cruz but also underscores the importance of honouring visionary leaders who have shaped the state’s legacy through infrastructure and public service.

As Goa continues to grow as a centre for national and international football, the Monte Cruz Stand will stand tall — a reminder of a man who built a stadium, and with it, a part of Goa’s sporting identity.

Social

Drishti Marine Lifesavers Deployed at 47 Locations Across Goa for Ganesh Visarjan Safety

Tanisha Cardozo

Panaji, August 2025: As Goa prepares to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, the state’s lifesaving agency, Drishti Marine, has announced its deployment strategy to ensure safe idol immersions across the coastal state.

A total of 47 visarjan points — including 35 beaches and 12 inland water bodies — will be manned by trained lifesavers on all designated immersion days: August 28, 31 and September 2, 4, 6, and 17 (21st day visarjan). The deployment is part of a coordinated effort with the state government to manage public safety and support law and order during one of Goa’s most widely celebrated festivals.
Lifesaving teams will be present at immersion points with known risks due to strong sea currents or limited visibility at night. These lifesavers will guide families through the immersion process, helping carry idols into the water where required and preventing accidents in high-risk zones.

“Safety is our priority,” said Navin Awasthi, CEO of Drishti Marine. “Our lifesavers will be present late into the night to ensure that the immersion process is smooth and safe. Since the sea is still officially closed for swimming during this period, we urge everyone to follow lifesaver instructions and avoid venturing into rough waters.”

Key Deployment Points
Some of the major beach locations include Calangute, Candolim, Miramar, Benaulim, Palolem, Morjim, Vagator, and Baga. Inland locations like Mapusa Tar, Panaji ferry point, Cumbarjua ferry, and Aldona pond will also have lifesavers posted in coordination with local panchayats and public organisations.

Prepared for Emergencies
Drishti Marine has also arranged standby teams and support vehicles for quick response in case of emergency. Each site will have between two to six lifesavers, depending on the crowd size and the location’s risk profile.

Public Advisory
The agency has issued a reminder for families to:

  • Use only designated entry points for immersion
  • Follow all instructions from lifesavers
  • Closely monitor children, especially after dark
  • Avoid non-designated or risky areas, no matter how shallow the water appears

As thousands gather to bid farewell to Lord Ganesha, Drishti Marine’s lifesavers will remain a steady and watchful presence — ensuring that the spirit of celebration continues safely across Goa’s coasts and water bodies.

Events in Goa

Goa Police Leads the Way with First-Ever Sensitisation Training on Disability Rights

Tanisha Cardozo

Panjim, Goa | August 21, 2025: In a landmark step toward inclusive governance and accessible law enforcement, the Goa Police, in partnership with the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) and the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, successfully concluded its first-ever four-day sensitisation and awareness training on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.

Organised from August 18 to 21 in Panjim, under the theme “Inclusive Policing for a Barrier-Free Goa,” the initiative was a collaborative effort that included iProbono India as knowledge partners. The program aimed to equip police officers with the necessary legal and interpersonal tools to support persons with disabilities in a dignified, lawful, and empathetic manner.

The program trained over 650 police personnel from the State Police Control Room, Traffic Police, and Pink Force. The sessions were interactive and practical, covering areas such as:

  • Legal rights under the RPwD Act
  • Communication strategies with persons with disabilities
  • Real-life disability narratives
  • Accessibility challenges and systemic solutions

Speaking at the valedictory session, Smt. Varsha Sharma, IPS, Deputy Inspector General of Police, expressed heartfelt admiration:

“This training touched me deeply. We are all equal—we live in the same society. It is our duty to support persons with disabilities, even in our busiest schedules.”

DySP Roy Pereira extended gratitude on behalf of the Police Control Room and awarded mementos to trainers and partner departments.

Senior officers including SP Pramod Shirvoikar and Dr. Mriselda Montero, Deputy Director, DEPwD, added powerful personal insights and institutional perspectives. Shirvoikar emotionally shared the journey of a visually impaired relative, emphasizing that persons with disabilities often achieve more when given the right support and dignity.

Mr. Taha Haaziq, Secretary to the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, highlighted that Goa is the first state in India to publish a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for police engagement with persons with disabilities—marking it as a national leader in inclusive policing.

Key Resource Persons Included:

  • Adv. Kaurvaki Mohanty, iProbono India
  • Mr. Vishant Nagvekar and Mr. Mahadev D. Sawant, Advisory Members
  • Adv. Amla Shejwadkar, Legal expert
  • Mr. Prasad Joshi, Deaf Association of Goa
  • Ms. Zehra Naqvi and Ms. Jamila Haaziq, Office of the State Commissioner
  • Ms. Josephine Fernandes, Sign Language Interpreter

The success of this initiative has set the stage for further expansion, with calls to replicate the training at taluka-level police stations across Goa. As expressed by multiple officials, this training isn’t just timely—it’s necessary. With over 5% of Goa’s population living with disabilities, this training supports a more inclusive, just, and empathetic Goa.

Goa has positioned itself not only as a tourism leader but also as a pioneer in inclusive governance and law enforcement.