Tag: Goa

Social

Udant Honors Six Goan Icons on International Men’s Day, Celebrates the Spirit of Positive Masculinity

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Udant marked International Men’s Day with an inspiring celebration that brought together distinguished achievers, dignitaries, artists, and well-wishers in an evening dedicated to honoring the evolving narrative of masculinity. The event emphasized that true strength lies not in dominance but in empathy, kindness, and the courage to remain authentic. The program commenced with the traditional Lighting of the Lamp by Chief Guest Mrs. Smita Patil, Chairperson of CII IWN, the Guest of Honor Capt. Rajesh Yadav—recently crowned Mr. India 2025 in the Senior Category—alongside former awardees and the Udant organizing team. Their collective presence gave the evening a solemn yet uplifting beginning. Children from the Udant Centre set an emotional tone for the evening with a heartfelt welcome song, followed by a warm musical interlude by young guitarist Master Mathias, whose performance received enthusiastic applause.

The atmosphere grew more celebratory as Udant felicitated six remarkable Goan icons whose dedication and achievements have significantly shaped Goa’s cultural and social identity. Mr. Vinayak Khedekar was honored for his lifelong work as an eminent writer and folklorist, preserving the essence of Goan tradition through his insightful research and literary brilliance. Mr. Damodar Mauzo, an acclaimed author known for his fearless storytelling, was recognized for his monumental contribution to literature and his ability to portray the soul of Goa with striking authenticity. Mr. Siddhant Mulgaonkar Patil received the award for Inspirational Spirit, a testament to his resilience and commitment to transforming personal struggle into purposeful expression through writing and thought leadership.

Filmmaker and digital creator Mr. Mario Pimenta was celebrated for his innovative storytelling and ability to reach and inspire audiences across borders through social media. Dr. Pravin Gaonkar was recognized for his pivotal role as an Indian Classical Musician and educator, committed to nurturing young talents and preserving rich musical traditions. Acclaimed fashion visionary Mr. Praveen Saldanha, known as Monty Sally, was honored for his creative excellence in transforming narratives into distinctive couture, making a notable mark in the world of fashion.

The evening also witnessed the presence of former awardees, including renowned musician and composer Mr. Roque Lazarus and ace fashion photographer Mr. Prasad Pankar, whose attendance reaffirmed the lasting bond between Udant and the individuals it has honored over the years. Their presence added depth and continuity to the event’s spirit of mentorship and community. As the evening drew to a close, Mrs. Rahila Khan delivered a heartfelt Vote of Thanks, expressing gratitude to the dignitaries, awardees, performers, and guests who contributed to making the occasion truly memorable. The program concluded with a soulful performance by Scully Patricia Fernandes, leaving the audience with a lingering sense of joy, reflection, and appreciation.

Guests ended the evening with refreshments generously sponsored by Taj Cidade de Goa and Taj Vivanta Panjim, along with tea and vadas prepared by the chefs of Ddhyana – the wellness centre. The celebration not only honored outstanding individuals but also reaffirmed Udant’s commitment to fostering positive masculinity and recognizing those who uplift society with creativity, compassion, and courage.

Events in Goa

Cross-Cultural Magic in Goa: Korea’s Ms. Jaewon Kim Performs Vande Mataram

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Goa experienced a beautiful moment of cross-cultural harmony at the inaugural ceremony of the WAVES Film Bazaar when Korea’s Ms. Jaewon Kim, Member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, took the stage to perform a soulful rendition of Vande Mataram. As India celebrates the 150th anniversary of its national song, her gesture resonated deeply with the audience.

The hall rose in an emotional standing ovation as her voice carried sincerity, respect, and warmth, creating a rare moment of cultural connection. The atmosphere shifted from formal celebration to a shared experience of admiration and unity as her performance honoured India’s heritage with genuine gratitude.

Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr. L. Murugan praised Ms. Kim for singing the full version of Vande Mataram, acknowledging the effort and respect behind her gesture. The performance beautifully reflected the growing bonds between India and South Korea, showing how music transcends differences and brings cultures together.

Adding to the sense of shared artistry, Ms. Kim also sang a Korean song for the gathering, offering the audience a glimpse into her own culture. With filmmakers, creators, and delegates from around the world present, her performance stood out as a gentle reminder that art flows freely across borders, touching hearts and strengthening friendships in the most unexpected and meaningful ways.

EduConnect

St. Xavier’s College Hosts Six-Day Faculty Development Programme on OER and AI in Teaching and Research

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

St. Xavier’s College, Mapusa organized a six-day Faculty Development Programme on “Open Educational Resources and Artificial Intelligence in Teaching and Research” from October 18–24, 2025. The programme was inaugurated by Prof. (Dr.) Gervasio S. F. L. Mendes, Additional Director, Directorate of Higher Education, Government of Goa, with Fr. Marianno Dias, Assistant to the Secretary, Diocesan Society of Education, as Guest of Honour. Also present were Dr. Osborne Terrence Dsouza, CEO and Co-Founder of Juana Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Officiating Principal Ms. Ursula Barreto, and Administrator Rev. Fr. Antonio Salema.

Prof. Mendes, in his keynote address, praised the college for conducting a timely programme, highlighting how artificial intelligence and open educational resources are reshaping higher education. The first two days of the FDP were led by Dr. Osborne D’Souza, who introduced participants to prompt engineering and demonstrated platforms including ChatGPT, Gamma.app, and Elicit.com for academic presentations and research. He also recommended Microsoft’s AI for Educators programme and emphasized the need for educators to upskill to adapt to emerging technologies.

On the third day, Dr. Gaurang Patkar, Professor and Head of Computer Engineering at Don Bosco College of Engineering, Fatorda, conducted sessions on AI-powered leadership, neural networks, and tools such as Socrative, Plicker, and Canva AI. He encouraged faculty to use AI as a co-pilot to enhance creativity and demonstrated Python-based exercises in machine learning and deep learning.

Day four featured actor and voice artist Mr. Ashwin Mushran, who delivered an engaging session titled “Million Dollar Presence,” emphasizing effective communication, warmth, and capability in creating a strong educator presence.

The final two days were facilitated by Prof. Santhosh Kumar G of Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kerala, and Prof. S. Senthilnathan, Director (In-charge), UGC-MMTTC, Bharathidasan University, Tamil Nadu. Prof. Santhosh focused on student-centered learning, demonstrating tools like Vids, QuestionWell, Notebook LM, and AI Studio, along with hands-on activities for lesson planning and quizzes. Prof. Senthilnathan introduced faculty to OER platforms including LOC, NDLI, SWAYAM, MIT OCW, MOOCs, Virtual Labs, Khan Academy, podcasts, and blogs.

The valedictory session was graced by Joshua D’Souza, Deputy Speaker and alumnus, who praised the FDP as a game-changer for educators. The programme received positive feedback from both internal and external participants, reflecting the college’s commitment to equipping faculty with modern pedagogical tools to enhance teaching, learning, and research.

Social

GCCI Women’s Wing Organizes UdyamStree Loan Fair on Women Entrepreneurs Day

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

On the occasion of Women Entrepreneurs Day, the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Women’s Wing, in collaboration with DRDA South, successfully organized the UdyamStree Loan Fair. The event brought together 10 leading banks, including Bank of Baroda, Bank of Maharashtra, Canara Bank, Central Bank of India, Goa Urban Cooperative Bank, Punjab National Bank, Reserve Bank of India, State Bank of India, and The Bicholim Urban Cooperative Bank Ltd, alongside aspiring women business owners, to facilitate access to finance and mentorship for women-led enterprises.

The programme witnessed participation from over 100 attendees, including representatives from various banks, state officials, and members of the GCCI Women’s Wing Committee such as Ms. Sandra Fernandes, Chairperson; Ms. Poonam Ajgaonkar; Deepali Naik; CA Swatee Rane; Ms. Clare De Souza; Ms. Gouri Joshi; Ms. Lavanya Shet; Adv. Adbrona Vaz; Ms. Nandita Pinto Dayal; and Ms. Melane Rodrigues, Assistant Director, GCCI.

Ms. Sandra Fernandes welcomed the gathering and highlighted the significance of Women Entrepreneurs Day and the role of UdyamStree Loan Fairs in strengthening the economic ecosystem for women entrepreneurs. The Chief Guest, Ms. Ranjita Pai, Chairperson of the Goa State Commission for Women, urged banks to streamline credit facilities for women-led enterprises and highlighted various government schemes supporting women entrepreneurs.

During the fair, each participating bank presented a concise overview of its loan products, focusing on interest rates, collateral requirements, and fee structures. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with bank representatives in one-on-one sessions to discuss tailored financial solutions. Adv. Poonam Ajgaonkar, Co-Chair of GCCI-WW, proposed a vote of thanks, and CA Swatee Rane compered the event, ensuring a smooth and informative programme.

The UdyamStree Loan Fair successfully provided women entrepreneurs with the tools, guidance, and financial access necessary to scale their businesses, reaffirming GCCI Women’s Wing’s commitment to empowering women in the economic landscape.

Health

Blood Donation Camp Organized at Our Lady of Pilar Church, Goa

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Health Desk

On November 18, 2025, Our Lady of Pilar Church, affiliated with the Society of Pilar in Goa, organized a blood donation camp in collaboration with Loving Hearts Goa and the Goa Medical College Blood Bank. The camp, which ran from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, coincided with the eighth day of the novena dedicated to the sick and was held at the Pilar Seminary Hall. Parishioners who attended Mass earlier in the day actively participated in this life-saving initiative, alongside seminarians and priests who generously donated blood.

In addition to the blood donation drive, the camp featured an Organ Donation Information Desk managed by Mr. Gabriel Pereira, an Organ Donation Ambassador from the MOHAN Foundation. He distributed approximately 30 frequently asked questions on organ donation and engaged attendees in meaningful discussions about the importance of pledging support for organ donation, inspiring many to consider contributing to this noble cause.

Mr. Ranjit Rodrigues, a founding member of Loving Hearts Goa, and President Mr. Mark D’Souza expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Rev. Fr. Anthony Joseph Fernandes, Central Delegate Superior at the Pilar Pilgrim Centre, for supporting the camp for the second consecutive year. They also thanked all donors for their valuable contributions, emphasizing that each donation has the potential to make a significant difference in someone’s life. The blood donation camp at Our Lady of Pilar Church was a remarkable demonstration of community spirit, compassion, and the shared commitment to saving lives through both blood and organ donation.