Tag: #gratitude

Events in Goa

Raising Light 2025: Goa’s Beloved Charity Gala Returns to Celebrate Giving and Community

Tanisha Cardozo

The sixth edition of Goa’s much-loved charity celebration, Raising Light 2025, will be held on November 5 at Bottle Bay, Baga, promising an unforgettable evening where music, fashion, and compassion come together to celebrate the spirit of giving.

For years, this vibrant initiative by Ninil D’Souza has united people under the Goan sky to share kindness and illuminate lives through the power of community. What began as a small gathering has evolved into one of Goa’s most anticipated charity galas, turning philanthropy into a celebration of joy and generosity.

This year’s theme, “Illuminating Lives with Every Flame,” captures the essence of Raising Light — where every gesture of giving holds meaning. The event will feature a charity fashion show, gala dinner, cocktails, and live entertainment, bringing together entrepreneurs, Rotarians, artists, and changemakers who believe in celebrating life through compassion.

Dr. Parag Sawant, Monty Sally, COMO, and Pallav Ojha will collaborate to present spectacular fashion segments, with 45 participants walking the runway. Proceeds from the evening will support the National Association for the Blind (NAB), which empowers individuals with visual impairments through education and inclusion.

Adding new depth this year, the Raising Light Awards will recognise organisations and individuals making a meaningful difference in Goa. Each awardee will receive ₹50,000 sponsored by philanthropist Francis Viegas to further their social missions. Honourees include the National Association for the Blind (NAB), Our Lady of Boa Viagem (Old Age Home), Matruchhaya Trust, ASRO-Tivim, and AASTHA-Mapusa.

Speaking about the initiative, Ninil D’Souza said, “Raising Light has always been about people coming together and making a real difference. Every year, the circle of light grows stronger.”

The event will also feature short films highlighting stories of courage and compassion, offering guests a glimpse into the lives transformed by these organisations. From empowering the visually impaired to providing shelter and care for children and the elderly, each story embodies the power of community and love.

As the evening unfolds at Bottle Bay, Raising Light 2025 will once again remind Goa that generosity is the brightest light of all — a light that continues to grow with every heart that gives.

Alisha Speaks, Self Care

Hello June – New Month, New You

allycaralgoa

Hey Guys!

We have almost reached half way through 2020 and all I can say – What a year it has been so far. Within just 06 months we came across situations and circumstances that questioned us about several things. Right from things that we took for granted to the fact that we have reached a stage where in order to be safe and to safeguard others we had to be at home.

Things that we so took for granted like may be going out for buying groceries, breathing without a mask, going out of the house freedom. Today we all are highly aware of how privileged we are to enjoy all these little things of life. Breathing fresh air, going out of the house without mask, stocking of groceries.

As we begin this new month today of June – I felt we should take a moment to make note of the things that we are grateful about – Be it a roof over our head, Be it a Safe Place to Live in, Having atleast essentials at home, Having Internet that helps us connect to our near and dear ones, in this difficult moment being safe, having our loved ones by our side and seeing them safe.

I know we haven’t reach the end, the Covid 19 pandemic is still on and we all have to live with it. But this is by itself a huge lesson, this whole process or experience taught us – to have greater appreciation for the small things in life, because the small things are really the big things. Will always look back to this phrase with gratitude. #GraciaGod🌼

Have an amazing rest of 2020. Remember it is still not over, let’s make the most of the rest of 2020. Still have high hopes that #2020ismine🦋

#AllycaralMonday Shots👒

Shot of the Week – From where I stand

allycaralgoa

Stars at your feet

#AllycaralTuesdaytips 👒

Social Media DeTox

allycaralgoa

Can you do it?

Hello My Allys,

Hope you all are doing well! It is Tuesday again and here I am. Well, you all must be wondering how can I make a statement like that, a person who is every week attached to social media always bring to you something different and hutke is asking you to have a social media detox.

When I first pitched this idea to my friends just to get a reaction from them. I realised smartphones have become an inseparable element in most of our lives. And to top the list is Social Media, that feature is used most of the time in any smartphone. Be it to watch videos sent on whatsapp, or just to scroll through Facebook or Twitter or Instagram. It has indeed become a part of our lives, the most addictive thing ever! Even if we aren’t texting anyone we are just scrolling through feed on Instagram or Facebook or Twitter. And when I say We, well I mean it as Me too. Yes, several times I too do the same.

Sometimes we think or say to ourselves that we will scroll through social media for just 5 minutes but end up sitting almost half an hour, only to realize you are already running late from to school, college or work.

Now, having a social media Detox isn’t difficult. You need to do it in the right way. We cannot avoid social media platforms completely as to how many disadvantages it has, it has several advantages too. It connects us to our friends sitting in one country to the other! While it also helps us to explore the world, while we stay connected to family. But as it is always said too much of anything can be dangerous.

Try to avoid using your phone atleast 10-15 minutes before you go to bed. You can either pick a book and read or else brush and floss too are best options at night, just before you hit the bed.

Secondly, avoid your phone early morning especially when you on the bed. Wake up, get to the nature admire the nature the leaves, flowers feel blessed and grateful for the countless moments the universe has given you.

Third, try to Unfollow people who aren’t your real friends, unsubscribe yourself from emails and most importantly delete apps you don’t use. Several times, it is because your phone blinked or the notification triggered is the reason that you went to your phone to check it, resulting into hours of scrolling through some other applications.

Try to spend more time in real with people, rather than on social media looking at someone else’s virtual world. Explore a place near by, visit/revisit an old friend, someone who you didn’t meet but there isn’t a single day passed without that person crossing your mind. Send flowers to that person! Who doesn’t love flowers? Send flowers and make them feel special. Gestures like these in the long run will make you happy! It is only when you are happy, you can make someone else happy! Its like a chain, when you make someone else happy, he/she reciprocates the same to someone else and then it goes so on! Ting!

Whatever you do, wherever you are stay happy! That’s all what I pray for you all! And of course I pray for one more thing that after reading this article, you will like, comment and share your views about social detox whether or not, this a need of the hour. Have a wonderful evening!

#AllycaralFeature 👒

Hong Kong Disneyland – Live it, Love it

allycaralgoa

Hello My Amazing Allys,

Hope you all are doing well this Friday! Well, brace yourself as this week we head towards another Disney Park, well this time – It’s gonna be Hong Kong – Disney Land. And well this one, being one of my favourites as this place is filled with some amazing memories right from screams on those high roller coaster rides to fan moments of clicking pictures with the Disney Characters, which I saw on television as a little kid. One of my fondest memories include summer holidays, which I spent having mangoes watching these cartoons on television. And getting an opportunity to meet your favourite characters, it is the most amazing thing ever. And here are the details of this wonderful trip of mine.

Have you read about the Paris DisneyWorld?

Hong Kong Disneyland is aptly given the tagline – Live it, Love it. Very rightly promoted by Hong Kong Tourism Board, to promote tourism in their country. Initially, this beautiful place was known as a simple fishing village but today it’s counted as one of the most leading cosmopolitan cities in the world, a home to several.

Since 1st July 1997, Hong Kong is the special administrative region of China. It is still a place where ancient traditions thrived with ultra modern cultural ethics. Having one of the most busiest market streets to modern skyscrapers and historic heritage. You name it and Hong Kong has it all.

TIP OF THE DAY

  • Try to plan your visit to the Theme Park on a Week Day as this place is usually crowded till the brim.

The most famous and popular tourist attraction is the Hong Kong Disneyland. A wondrous world of exciting and enchanting Disney characters, where once a upon a time was now. The thrill of imaginary characters coming into reality and a place where 3D films are portrayed the best. The place where one can create amazing memories, that’s surely going to last forever.

Hong Kong Disneyland was thrown open to public in the year 2005. This place has the largest theme park however, the smallest Disney Park in the world. This beautiful little town is divided into Sections, to name a few includes – Main Street, U.S.A; Fantasyland; Adventureland and Tomorrowland.

TIP OF THE DAY

  • Pick a Map from the Disney Stall and mark the places you want to cover. And stick to the plan.

When you enter the Disneyland the first thing one can see is the Micky Mouse fountain, where the Mickey Mouse is standing on a shark and it keeps moving upwards and down, welcoming everybody to his island. The instant first photo opportunity.

TIP OF THE DAY

  • Wear Bright Colors like Orange, Yellow, Mustard and click some amazing pictures of yourself. If traveling alone, don’t carry your selfie stick as selfie stick is prohibited in this disney park.

Walking further, the first thing that comes is Main Street, U.S.A; a place where ancient small town settings are shown, there are also vintage cars at the display, and a small museum with all the cartoon character right from Rapunzel to Cindrella. And at the corner, there are People dressed as Donald Duck; large queues are seen to click photos with their favorite Disney characters. Well, I initially too stood in those long queues but hey! Then I realised I wanted to go on the roller coaster rides, quickly got a picture clicked with them and then headed to next street – Fantasyland.

Fantasyland is the  happiest kingdom for all that includes children and also people who are child at heart. This place brings to life the Disney animated stories in a quaint storybook village. Here the experience of 3D is exceptional, followed by the 3D show there’s an amazing Disney show where all the characters, Mickey, Winnie the Pooh, Mulan, Sleeping Beauty, you just name the character, and you get to see them in reality. Here anything is possible, all what you have to do is believe.

Adventureland, a place where one can venture deep into the heart of the jungle, and it gives you an opportunity to the world’s exotic tropical regions. Lovely mini trawler ride, takes you through this beautiful journey. But the problem over is, if you seen one side of the place, you miss the beauty on the other side and hence one’s neck pains turning both the side. It was marvelous moment to see India, in that small journey. Surely, it was a proud moment for every Indian.

TIP OF THE DAY

  • A person having a heart problem avoid Adventureland, you can enjoy the other places.

Following this is the Tomorrowland, a place which is a homebase to many futuristic ideas. Breadth taking roller coaster ride, one of which is the roller coaster which takes you high up and then brings you down from the 21st floor.

As per my recommendation, you should try these 5 rides :

  • Dumbo – the Flying Elephant at the Fantasyland
  • Iron Man Experience at the Tomorrowland
  • Jungle River Cruise at the Adventureland
  • Mystic Manor at the Mystic Point
  • Toy Soldier Parachute Drop at the Toy Story Land

TIP OF THE DAY

  • Carry an umbrella along with you, as it rains in Hong Kong the least when you expect it.
  • At the same time carry a sunscreen.