Tag: Goa

TechPulse

Goa Showcases Its Vision as India’s Creative Capital at Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The 28th edition of the Bengaluru Tech Summit opened at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre, bringing together innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, and technology leaders for three days of discussions, showcases, and collaborations. Among the participants, the Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications, Government of Goa, has set up a dedicated state pavilion in Hall 3, Stall HS5a, themed “Goa – India’s Creative Capital.”

The pavilion also features the Startup & IT Promotion Cell (SITPC), highlighting the state’s growing presence in digital innovation, manufacturing, design, and entrepreneurship. The exhibit demonstrates Goa’s distinct tech landscape, supported by strong digital connectivity, evolving industrial and IT infrastructure, flexible governance, and a work–life environment attractive to talent and enterprises. The pavilion presents major initiatives such as the Goa AI Mission 2027, the Electronic Manufacturing Cluster in Tuem, the upgraded Goa Broadband Network integrated with BharatNet, and other upcoming projects. Through the SITPC, the state implements the Startup Policy 2025, currently supporting 716 startups with targeted schemes for idea development, scaling, and access to opportunities.

A key highlight is the participation of two startups from Goa showcasing their products at the summit. Spintly demonstrates its IoT-based smart access solutions powered by BLE-Mesh technology, offering wireless, secure, and scalable systems for modern buildings. Genora presents VoxIntel, a data-driven political campaign intelligence platform designed for enhanced outreach and analysis.

The Bengaluru Tech Summit provides Goa a platform not only to exhibit but also to establish partnerships, attract investment, gain visibility, and collaborate with global technology companies. Startups also benefit from direct engagement with industry players and potential clients.

As the summit continues until November 20, the Goa Pavilion invites visitors, investors, and technology leaders to explore opportunities and interact with its startups.

Entertainment

Priyanka Chopra Reflects on Her ‘Healing Days’ in Goa, Calls It One of Her Favourite Places

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Entertainment Desk

Priyanka Chopra has shared fresh glimpses from her relaxing getaway in Goa, describing her time there as “a few healing days” in one of her most favourite places in the world. Currently in India for work, including her appearance at the grand GlobeTrotter event in Hyderabad where the title of her upcoming SS Rajamouli film Varanasi was unveiled, Priyanka took a short break from her schedule to spend time in the coastal paradise. Her newly posted photo dump captures moments of warmth, laughter, and serenity as she enjoyed a luxurious property with her close friends Tamanna Dutt and Sudeep Dutt. One of the highlights was revisiting Pousada by the Beach, a restaurant she returned to after seven years, along with soaking in quiet beach time and playing carrom—where she admitted she lost several times and needed more practice.

Priyanka also expressed gratitude for the hospitality of Pinky Reddy and GV Sanjay Reddy at their beautiful home, Palacio Aguada, describing her time there as both comforting and memorable. In her caption, she wrote about Goa’s spirit—how its people, food, and culture embody kindness and warmth, making the city adaptable to whatever one needs, whether rest, joy, or escape. She concluded her post saying, “It just wasn’t enough time,” a reflection of how deeply connected she feels to the place.

Alongside her Goa trip, Priyanka also shared pictures with her Varanasi co-stars Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran. In a heartfelt appreciation post, she called it a privilege to work with legends from the Telugu and Malayalam industries and praised Rajamouli’s vision. With global promotions beginning almost a year ahead of release, Priyanka expressed excitement at the response the film is already generating.

Beyond India, Priyanka’s schedule remains packed. She is set to return as Nadia Sinh in season two of Citadel, and she will star alongside Karl Urban in The Bluff, playing a 19th-century Caribbean pirate. She was most recently seen in the action thriller Heads of State with Idris Elba and John Cena. Her Goa getaway offered a brief but meaningful pause—one that reminded fans why the actress continues to balance intense work commitments with moments of grounding and gratitude.

Events in Goa

Heritage First Festival Returns with 41 Walks and Workshops to Celebrate Goa’s Living Heritage

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Goa’s living heritage once again takes centre stage as the Heritage First Festival returns for its second edition, promising to spotlight the cultural, ecological and historical wealth of the state. Organised by the not-for-profit Heritage First Goa (HFG) — founded by heritage advocates Heta Pandit, Jack Ajit Sukhija, and Snigdha Manchanda — the festival will be held from November 14 to December 7, 2025 and will feature 41 walks and workshops spread across three weeks.

From the tranquil villages and khazan lands to the city streets and coastal landscapes, this edition of the festival explores Goa’s multifaceted heritage through immersive experiences. Participants will have the chance to embark on a village walk in Saligao with Subodh Kerkar, dive into the biodiversity of Chorao’s mangroves and otter habitats with Kilian Hughes and Katrina Fernandez, explore prehistoric caves in Chicalim with Cyril Fernandes, or discover Panaji’s nocturnal charm through a night walk guided by Pritha Sardessai.

Beyond the walks, the festival’s workshops will offer deeper engagement with Goa’s art and craft traditions. Attendees can learn the intricacies of Kaavi art with Darpana Athale, explore the textures and heritage of the Kunbi saree weave with Mahalaxmi Bhobe, join a poetry walk with Meera Ganpathi across the scenic fields of Parra, build a sand dune on Miramar’s beach alongside Dr Antonio Mascarenhas and Gabriella D’Cruz, or enjoy community kitchen experiences in Chorao led by Amreen Sheikh.

“Goa has so much to offer in terms of heritage and culture, which people are still not aware of beyond their own local boundaries. In this second edition of the festival, we aim to throw a spotlight on these gems and educate the general public as there is yet so much of our heritage which is yet unknown to us, especially the younger generation. We hope that through the walks and workshops people are able to understand, connect and in turn preserve the heritage of the state,” says Heta Pandit of Heritage First Goa.

The festival also opens the door for individuals and businesses to play a role in heritage preservation by adopting a walk through modest contributions, helping sustain the operational costs and supporting the cause in a tangible way.

Registration for each event is mandatory, with limited slots available to ensure meaningful engagement. Tickets are priced at ₹750 per event, and attendees are encouraged to pre-book their slots to be part of this journey that celebrates Goa’s living legacy.

Events in Goa

PIB Principal Director General Interacts with Goan Media on Preparations for IFFI 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

As a prelude to the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2025, Shri Dhirendra Ojha, Principal Director General, Press Information Bureau (PIB), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), Government of India, and Ms. Smita Vats Sharma, Director General, PIB West Zone, interacted with editors and bureau chiefs of leading media organisations in Goa at Panaji on November 11th.

The interactive session aimed to discuss media facilitation plans and preparations for the upcoming 56th edition of IFFI, scheduled to take place from November 20th to 28th, 2025. Addressing the gathering, Shri Dhirendra Ojha highlighted PIB’s pivotal role in supporting the media during the festival through coordinated press conferences, extensive coverage support, and comprehensive media services. He emphasized that PIB would continue to offer well-equipped spaces for interviews, live streaming of major events, and real-time updates through multiple communication channels including LED displays, WhatsApp notifications, press releases, and social media platforms.

Shri Ojha called upon the media to actively collaborate in ensuring IFFI 2025’s success, describing their role as central to elevating the festival’s global profile. He stated that PIB’s efforts aim to showcase India’s media participation and creative strength as an example of the nation’s soft power, while stressing that the media’s engagement would take the process further and help the festival reach new heights.

Highlighting PIB’s recent initiatives, Shri Ojha mentioned the inclusion of digital content creators in the accreditation process, introduced for the first time last year, acknowledging their increasing influence in the media landscape. He also announced that a Certificate Course in Film Appreciation, conducted in association with the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), will be organised again this year for selected media professionals to deepen their understanding of cinema. Reaffirming PIB’s commitment to inclusivity, he added that press releases would continue to be made available in Konkani to keep local audiences informed and engaged.

Ms. Smita Vats Sharma spoke about the crucial role of media in enhancing IFFI’s global visibility and detailed the systems PIB is implementing to ensure seamless media engagement. She assured the attendees that provisions such as real-time updates, multimedia releases, and dedicated media spaces would be available to facilitate efficient communication and smooth festival operations.

The session concluded with a Q&A segment, during which media representatives shared feedback and suggestions regarding registration, facilities, and overall festival coverage. The event opened with a welcome address by Shri Nana Meshram, Director, PIB Goa, and concluded with a vote of thanks by Shri Sayyid Rabeehashmi, Director, PIB Mumbai, who expressed appreciation for the active participation of Goa’s media fraternity.

The interaction marked an important step in the collaborative preparations for IFFI 2025, setting the stage for another vibrant edition of India’s premier film festival.

Social

Panchgram Vikas Samitee Expands with New Multipurpose Cooperative Credit Society Branch at Honda

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The Panchgram Vikas Samitee’s Multipurpose Cooperative Credit Society has taken another step forward in strengthening Goa’s cooperative movement with the launch of its new branch at Honda, Sattari. The inauguration took place in the presence of ZP Member Shri Sagun Wadkar, Sarpanch Shri Shivdas Madkar, Panchayat Members of Honda, Asst. Registrar Shri Harish Naik, and Chairman Shri Datta Gawas.

This new branch marks the second in Sattari, following the successful establishment of the first in 2018. Over the years, the Society has demonstrated remarkable resilience and commitment, particularly during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, when it continued to support its members and contribute to the local economy.

What began as a cooperative with 800 members in 2018 has now grown to over 2,500 members — a reflection of the increasing trust, unity, and confidence within the community. The Society’s focus on financial inclusion, cooperative values, and self-reliance has made it a cornerstone of rural empowerment in the region.

The newly inaugurated credit counter at Honda is designed to make financial services more accessible to residents, allowing them to save valuable time, access credit facilities with ease, and avail of government and cooperative schemes without having to travel long distances. By bringing these services closer to the people, the Society aims to strengthen the local economy and support sustainable growth across Sattari.

With this expansion, the Panchgram Vikas Samitee reaffirms its commitment to serving the people of Goa and fostering a strong, cooperative-led model of community development rooted in trust, service, and progress.