Tag: Goa

Health

Organ Donation Awareness at Blood Donation Camp in Aldona, Goa

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Health Desk

On November 22, 2025, a blood donation camp organized by St. Thomas Girls’ High School in Aldona, in collaboration with Loving Hearts Goa and the North Goa District Hospital (Asilo) Blood Bank, hosted an organ donation awareness desk led by Mr. Gabriel Pereira, Organ Donation Ambassador with the MOHAN Foundation. Supported by Dr. Carlos Medical Stores, Aldona, the camp ran from 10 AM to 1 PM and attracted participation from 19 parents and members of the public who generously donated blood.

Mr. Gabriel Pereira interacted with the donors, emphasizing the importance of both blood and organ donation. He explained that a single blood donation can save three to four lives, while one organ donor can save up to eight lives and positively impact 50 more through tissue donation. During the camp, four donors took pledge cards to commit themselves as organ donors.

In addition to personal engagement, Mr. Pereira distributed frequently asked questions about organ donation and shared bike and helmet stickers featuring the organ donation and transplant helpline number to further spread awareness in the community.

The President of Loving Hearts Goa, Mr. Mark D’ Souza, expressed gratitude to Sr. Rosarina Crasto, the Headmistress of St. Thomas Girls’ High School, for allowing the camp to be held at the school premises for the second time, highlighting the collaborative effort to promote health awareness and community service in Aldona.

EduConnect

St. Xavier’s College Hosts Hyderabad Students for Academic & Cultural Exchange

Tanisha Cardozo

St. Xavier’s College recently welcomed a delegation of 42 undergraduate and postgraduate students, accompanied by three faculty members from the Department of Microbiology at St. Francis College for Women, Hyderabad, for an academic and cultural exchange organized by the Department of Microbiology. The programme began with a prayer service and an inaugural ceremony at which Ms. Ursula Barreto, the Officiating Principal of St. Xavier’s College, highlighted the importance of collaborative learning and how exchange initiatives broaden student perspectives by exposing them to new practices, academic ideas, and diverse cultures.

The academic component of the visit consisted of two technical sessions conducted by faculty members from the Department of Microbiology at St. Xavier’s College. Dr. Trelita Sousa presented a session on “Tracing the Environmental Trajectory of Microplastics,” offering insights into one of the most pressing environmental concerns of today. This was followed by Dr. Valerie Gonsalves’ session on “Revolutionizing Health Through Gut Microbiome Transplantation,” which introduced students to emerging trends and transformative possibilities in medical microbiology. These sessions enabled visiting students to explore advanced research themes and engage directly with subject experts.

The day also included a vibrant cultural experience, featuring a Mando and a Goan folk dance performed by students of St. Xavier’s College. These performances added a celebratory dimension to the event and offered the visiting delegation a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage and artistic expressions of Goa.

As part of the exchange, the students were given a guided tour of the college campus, including the Science Block, various laboratories, and key academic facilities. This tour provided them with a firsthand experience of the infrastructure that supports scientific inquiry and innovation at St. Xavier’s.

The programme fulfilled its mission of promoting academic enrichment and strengthening bonds between the two institutions. Both colleges expressed optimism about future collaborative opportunities under the existing MoU, including research partnerships, faculty exchanges, and joint student initiatives. The visit marked an important step toward long-term academic engagement and mutual growth, deepening connections that are expected to lead to meaningful future collaborations.

Events in Goa

CM Pramod Sawant Inaugurates 5th Kala Srujanotsav 2025 at Sankhali

allycaralgoa

Sankhali, Goa — Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant inaugurated the 5th edition of Kala Srujanotsav 2025, an annual cultural celebration organised by the Sarkari Karmachari Saunskrutik Manch Goa, at Ravindra Bhavan, Sankhali.

The event aims to spotlight the rich artistic traditions of Goa while offering a vibrant stage for government employees to showcase their multi-disciplinary talents—from performing arts and visual art to music, drama, literature and craftsmanship.

The inaugural ceremony witnessed enthusiastic participation from employees across various departments, along with lively cultural performances that reflected Goa’s diversity and artistic depth.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant highlighted the importance of cultural engagement in strengthening community bonds, promoting creativity, and nurturing the artistic expression of government employees.

He noted that platforms like Kala Srujanotsav not only preserve Goa’s cultural identity but also motivate individuals to explore their creative potential beyond professional roles.

The festival continues to serve as an enriching opportunity to celebrate unity, artistic excellence, and cultural pride—bringing together communities, families, and art lovers from across the state.

EduConnect

Goa’s ICAR–CCARI Honoured as Joint Winner of National Water Awards 2024; Felicitated by Chief Minister Dr. Pramod P. Sawant

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Goa marked a moment of pride as Chief Minister Dr. Pramod P. Sawant felicitated the ICAR–Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute (CCARI) for securing the First Prize – Joint Winner in the prestigious National Water Awards 2024.

The award, presented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, recognizes outstanding contributions to water conservation and sustainable water resource management under the category “Best Institution (Other than School & College – Inside Campus).” The accolade reflects ICAR–CCARI’s dedicated efforts in research-driven initiatives, innovative water-saving practices, and long-term strategies that strengthen water sustainability within the coastal agricultural ecosystem.

Chief Minister Sawant expressed appreciation for the institute’s consistent commitment to scientific excellence and its role in promoting responsible and efficient water use. The recognition not only brings honour to the state of Goa but also highlights the institute’s impactful work at a national level.

The achievement stands as an inspiring example of how research institutions can contribute meaningfully to addressing India’s water challenges while advancing agricultural progress.

TechPulse

DITE&C and ITG Transform Canacona’s Digital Landscape with 100+ WiFi Hotspots, 240 CCTV Cameras and Enhanced 5G Connectivity

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

DITE&C, in partnership with Infotech Corporation of Goa Ltd (ITG), has taken a significant step toward enhancing Canacona’s digital infrastructure with the rollout of over 100 WiFi access points, more than 240 CCTV cameras and strengthened 5G mobile coverage at Shree Samsthan Gokarn Partagali Jeevottam Math.

The project, inaugurated on November 27, 2025, reflects the Goa Government’s commitment to building a resilient digital ecosystem under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant. The launch ceremony was graced by His Holiness, Paramapoojya Shreemad Vidyadheesh Teerth Shreepad Vader Swamiji, along with Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications Shri Rohan Khaunte and senior dignitaries from DITE&C and ITG. Canacona already enjoyed 5G services from Jio and BSNL, and with the addition of Airtel (Indus Towers) around the Math premises, mobile connectivity has been further strengthened, enhancing access for residents, devotees and the growing number of visitors who arrive to witness the revered 77-foot bronze idol.

Swamiji expressed gratitude to the Goa Government for ensuring digital readiness ahead of the grand celebrations, highlighting the importance of extending digital infrastructure to rural communities. Minister Rohan Khaunte emphasized that the deployment reinforces the state’s long-term digital vision and will continue benefiting the area well beyond the celebrations. Of the 100+ WiFi hotspots installed, 57 are permanent and designed to deliver speeds up to 10Gbps with seamless login via SMS or WhatsApp.

Similarly, the installation of 240 CCTV cameras, including AI-enabled units capable of monitoring headcounts and identifying habitual offenders with police-provided data, ensures a robust security ecosystem. Eighty of these cameras are permanent fixtures, supporting continuous surveillance and crowd management throughout the year.

This initiative marks another milestone in DITE&C’s mission to expand reliable digital services across Goa, ensuring that even rural regions and high-footfall spiritual destinations benefit from modern connectivity and safety solutions.