On the auspicious day of Vijaya Dashami, Hon’ble Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant performed the traditional Ayudha Pooja, a ceremony that holds deep cultural and spiritual significance across India. The ritual, symbolizing the worship of instruments and tools of one’s trade, is a celebration of dedication, gratitude, and the pursuit of righteousness.
As part of the celebrations, the Chief Minister extended his warmest greetings to the people of Goa. In his message, he wished every Goan family strength, prosperity, and joy, praying that the spirit of Dussehra inspires renewed determination and unity.
Vijaya Dashami, also known as Dussehra, marks the victory of good over evil and is one of the most important festivals in the Indian cultural calendar. Dr. Sawant emphasized the importance of preserving and celebrating such traditions that reinforce our shared values and heritage.
The ceremony was a reminder of the state’s rich cultural fabric and the role that traditions play in guiding public life and governance with a sense of purpose and devotion.
The Chief Minister’s participation in the rituals underscored his deep connection to the cultural ethos of Goa and his continued commitment to leading the state with strength and spiritual grounding.
Panaji, September 24: Goa is all set to welcome some of the most influential voices in public relations, communications, and media, as the Global Communication Conclave organized by the Public Relations Council of India (PRCI) begins on September 26. The event, which will span two days at the prestigious Fern Kadamba Hotel, promises to be a landmark gathering of national and international delegates under the central theme, “The Power of Public Relations.”
The inauguration ceremony, scheduled for the morning of September 26, will be a high-profile affair. It will be graced by the Governor of Goa, P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju, alongside Union Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy, Shripad Naik, and Goa’s Tourism Minister, Rohan Khaunte. According to Deepak Narvekar, Head of PRCI’s Goa Chapter, the conclave aims to facilitate meaningful dialogue on the evolving role and power of public relations in a rapidly changing media landscape.
The conclave will bring together communication professionals, scholars, government officials, and corporate leaders from across India and abroad. One of the event’s most anticipated moments is the conferring of the prestigious Chanakya Awards. These accolades recognize distinguished professionals, officials, and emerging young achievers who have made exceptional contributions to the field of public relations. The awards will be presented by the Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant, as confirmed by Nikhil Wagh, Secretary of the PRCI Goa Chapter.
Day two of the conclave will continue with insightful sessions and discussions, featuring dignitaries including Union Minister Shripad Naik, Goa MLA Ganesh Gaonkar, and noted South Indian actress Esther Noronha. Their participation reflects the diverse scope of the conclave, bridging the worlds of governance, entertainment, and communication.
In preparation for the event, a strategic review meeting was held by PRCI’s national and state-level leadership. Key figures in attendance included M.B. Jayaram, Geeta Shankar, Dr. Team Vinay Kumar, Deepak Narvekar, Surendran Unni, Arijit Majumdar, Chinmayee Praveen, Vaman Prabhu, Nikhil Wagh, John Aguiar, Vrundavan Raikar, Kalika Bapat, John Samuel, and Nikita Chodankar. Their collaborative effort has ensured that the conclave is positioned not just as an event, but as a milestone in the professional dialogue surrounding public relations in India.
With its mix of prestigious awards, expert panels, and international participation, the Global Communication Conclave promises to reaffirm PRCI’s commitment to excellence in strategic communication, while spotlighting Goa as a growing hub for global dialogue in media and communication.
Written by Intern Queeny George M.H, Team Allycaral
The 8th batch of Official Language training, organized by the Directorate of Official Languages, Government of Goa, began on 22nd September at the Language Research Centre in Panaji. The event marked yet another step towards the promotion and practical integration of Konkani in administrative functions. North Goa Additional Collector Gurudas Desai attended the inauguration as the chief guest.
In his speech, Mr. Desai emphasized the significance of preserving the mother tongue, stating, “Konkani is our mother tongue. We all should make maximum use of it, and we should take care of our mother tongue. The knowledge gained from this training must be implemented in administration.” His remarks underlined the cultural and administrative importance of Konkani, especially within the context of government operations.
The inaugural event was also graced by Director of Official Language Meghnath Parab and Deputy Director Anil Sawant. Director Parab reiterated that knowledge of Konkani is a mandatory requirement for securing a government job in Goa and highlighted the responsibility of civil servants to work in Rajbhasha once employed. Deputy Director Anil Sawant added that the language training should not end with the program, but continue to be applied consistently in government work.
This four-day training program includes various modules such as Konkani Grammar, Konkani Correspondence, Notes, Administrative Vocabulary, and Communication. A total of 25 government employees are participating in this intensive language workshop.
Guidance throughout the program is provided by language experts including Anil Sawant, Sebi Fernandes, Chetan Acharya, and Sneha Sabnis. The sessions are being conducted by a dedicated team comprising Franita Ribeiro, Sujit Naik, Mansi Gadgil, Mahananda Mhardolkar, Anusaya Gaonkar, Patrick D’Souza, Shobha Phadte, Nikita Kuttikar, Ashish Ghadi, Ashweta Parab, Nirmala Surlikar, and Naresh Pagi. Anil Sawant is the main coordinator of the training, with Sneha Sabnis serving as the assistant coordinator.
The initiative reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to not just preserving the Konkani language but actively integrating it into the administrative framework, ensuring that it remains a living, working language for generations to come.
The Directorate of Official Languages, Government of Goa, has commenced its fourth batch of Official Language Training aimed at encouraging the use of Konkani in government administration. The inaugural session was held on 8 September 2025 at EDC, Panaji, and will run until 11 September. The training was inaugurated by Dr. Veena Kumar, Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, who served as the chief guest for the event.
In her address, Dr. Kumar emphasized the importance of one’s mother tongue and called upon government officials to not only understand its value but also to actively use it in administrative communication. “Everyone should be proud of their language and make maximum use of the official language in administration,” she stated.
The event was attended by Meghnath Parab, Director of Official Languages, along with Deputy Director and Chief Coordinator of the training, Anil Sawant. A total of 29 government employees are taking part in this particular batch.
The initiative is part of a broader effort by the Directorate to ensure the widespread and effective use of Konkani in government correspondence and operations. The training modules include instruction on the Konkani Official Language Act, fundamental grammar, and the use of the language in formal communication such as letters, orders, notifications, receipts, and note writing. Additionally, participants are introduced to commonly used administrative terms, departmental titles, and standard replies.
Earlier, three training batches were successfully conducted in August. For September, five more training sessions are planned across Panaji and Madgaon, with each batch accommodating up to 30 participants.
Meanwhile, organizers have announced a change in venue for the session scheduled from 9 to 12 September 2025. Originally set to take place at the District Collector’s Office in Madgaon, the training will now be conducted at the District Library in Naveli, Sasht. Participants have been requested to make a note of this update.
This initiative reflects the Government of Goa’s continued efforts to preserve and promote Konkani as the official language while modernizing administrative processes through language training and awareness.
Dhargal, Goa – August 2025: In a defining moment for the future of holistic cancer care in India, the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Goa, successfully hosted the Second Stakeholder Deliberation Meeting on Integrative Oncology at its Dhargal campus. The meeting, in collaboration with the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Centre, is set to position Goa as a national model for integrative oncology.
The meeting was opened by Dr. Sujata Kadam, Dean of AIIA Goa, and Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi, Director of ACTREC – Tata Memorial Centre. The event brought together experts from modern oncology, Ayurveda, digital health, research, and policy-making, reflecting a true multi-disciplinary approach to healthcare.
Dr. Vikram Gota presented ACTREC’s initiatives in collaborative research and digital integration for oncology.
Dr. Sujata Kadam outlined AIIA’s infrastructure and implementation plan for an integrative cancer care framework.
Dr. Anura Bale discussed medicinal plant cultivation strategies for therapeutic support.
Dr. Shekhar Salkar, Senior Oncologist, proposed a joint tumor board merging modern and AYUSH oncologists.
Dr. Devdutt M. Sail introduced the vision of a National Integrative Oncology Grid to unify protocols and standardize practices.
The day also included the formation of committees, protocol discussions, and an institutional audit of AIIA Dhargal by ACTREC, DHS, and Goa Medical College.
In the evening, a high-level session at the Secretariat, Porvorim, was led by:
Dr. Mahesh Verlekar, Nodal Officer, NAM
Dr. Sujata Kadam, AIIA Goa
Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi, ACTREC
Dr. Shekhar Salkar, Senior Oncologist
Arun Kumar Mishra, Secretary of Health, assured the Government of Goa’s full support for the initiative, stating that integrative oncology can redefine patient care and position Goa as a leader in evidence-based, patient-centric cancer treatment.
Dr. Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister of Goa, commended the efforts and announced plans for an “Integrative Oncology Mission”, calling it a critical step toward holistic, accessible cancer treatment. He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to this mission, outlining policy direction, institutional support, and resource mobilisation.
The meeting saw active participation from policymakers, administrators, academic leaders, and clinicians, including:
Dr. Sudeep Gupta, Director, Tata Memorial Centre (virtual)
Dr. Yoguesh Bandale, Chairman, Rasayu Group (virtual)
Trupti Manerkar, Joint Secretary (Health)
Dr. Pooja Madkaikar, Director, Admin DHS
Dr. Nilesh Korde, Principal, Gomantak Ayurved College
Dr. Sneha Bhagwat, President, Goa Ayurveda Council
Dr. Manohar Gundeti, CARI, Mumbai
Dr. Sandip Sardesai, Goa Medical College
Dr. Vinayak Tembhurnikar, NIMA
Dr. Avinash Kadam, CSO, Rasayu Group
Their contributions enriched the discussions with diverse insights on education, clinical practices, research protocols, and policy alignment.
📍 Host: All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Dhargal 🤝 In Partnership With: ACTREC – Tata Memorial Centre 🗓️ Event: Second Stakeholder Deliberation on Integrative Oncology 🗣️ Chief Guest: Dr. Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister, Goa
