Tag: GUJ

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Goa Loses Veteran Journalist and Konkani Stalwart Babli Nayak ; Passes Away at 73

Tanisha Cardozo

The Goa Union of Journalists (GUJ) has expressed deep sorrow and paid tribute to senior journalist Babli Nayak, who passed away at the age of 73 after a brief illness on Thursday. Nayak, widely respected in Goa’s media and cultural landscape, was known not only for his journalistic integrity but also for his lifelong dedication to the Konkani language and Goa’s identity.

Nayak began his career with Sunaparant, Goa’s first Konkani daily, from its inception. He rose through the ranks to become its editor and remained with the publication until it ceased operations in 2016. His work at Sunaparant helped shape the discourse on Goan identity and linguistic rights during a transformative era for the state.

Beyond the newsroom, Nayak played a critical role in the 1986 ‘Konkani Projecho Awaz’ movement, which sought recognition for Konkani as the official language of Goa and pushed for its inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. He was also actively involved in the campaign for Goa’s statehood. His activism was not without sacrifice—he was arrested and jailed at Aguada Fort during the Emergency in 1975 for protesting against the suppression of civil liberties, as a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Despite his substantial contributions to journalism and society, Nayak never accepted any awards or public felicitations. He chose to serve quietly but with unwavering dedication, earning the admiration and respect of peers across generations.

The GUJ has conveyed its deepest condolences to the family of Babli Nayak and acknowledged his unmatched role in shaping the media narrative in Goa. His absence will be profoundly felt by all who value fearless journalism and cultural advocacy.

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GUJ Mourns the Passing of Veteran Journalist Arnold Pinto

Tanisha Cardozo

The Goa Union of Journalists (GUJ) has expressed deep sorrow at the passing of senior journalist Arnold Pinto, who died in Dubai on Monday at the age of 60. Known for his decades-long dedication to journalism and media, Arnold’s legacy spans across Goa, the GCC region, and the wider MENA media landscape.

Arnold began his journalism career with OHeraldo in the late 1980s, serving as the editor of the paper’s Sunday magazine. A native of Revora in North Goa, he was a 1988 graduate of St. Xavier’s College, Mapusa, where he was also an active sportsman and a member of the college hockey team that won the Goa University inter-college hockey championship in 1987-88.

In 1997, Arnold moved to Dubai and joined the business desk at Gulf Today. His journalistic pursuits evolved into a communications leadership role when he became part of the Dubai Government’s Metro project, where he managed the publication of “Metro News”, a daily newsletter. He was instrumental in launching multiple publications in the UAE and played an active role in building and leading editorial teams across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and MENA regions.

Throughout his career, Arnold earned a reputation for editorial excellence, strategic communication, and mentorship within the media fraternity. His sudden demise is being deeply felt by colleagues, friends, and the broader journalistic community that had the privilege of working with him.

The Goa Union of Journalists extends its deepest sympathies to Arnold’s family and loved ones and pays tribute to his remarkable career and contribution to journalism across continents.

Events in Goa

Sushant Chimulkar Wins 1st GUJ Solo Singing Competition 2025

allycaralgoa

Panaji, August 16, 2025 – The Goa Union of Journalists (GUJ) hosted the first edition of its Solo Singing Competition at the GUJ hall, Shram Shakti Bhavan, Patto, Panaji. The event brought together 16 participants from across media houses in Goa, competing in two categories – Competitive and Non-Competitive.

In the Competitive category, Sushant Chimulkar of The Navhind Times secured the first prize for his rendition of ‘Dekho veer jawanon’. The second place went to Kishor Naik Gaonkar (Gaonkari) for ‘Chodo kal ki baatein’, while Swapnil Tari (Prudent Media) won third place with ‘O desh mere’. Consolation prizes were awarded to Krantiraj Samrat (Lokmat), Krishna Divkar (Goa Times – The Times of India), and Aniruddha Raul (Navprabha).

In the Non-competitive category, Rajtilak Naik (The Times of India) clinched the top prize for his performance of ‘Sandese aate hain’. Hemant Parab (The Navhind Times) was honoured with the Jury Award for his soulful rendition of ‘Teri mitti mein mil jawa’.

The Best Female Singer Award went to Pradnya Rane (Doordarshan) for ‘Mile sur mera tumhara’ and Gauree Malkarnekar (The Times of India) for ‘Sundor Tum Goa’.

The event was judged by renowned tabla player and former HoD of the Faculty of Indian Music and Dance, Kala Academy, Premanand Amonkar, along with noted vocalist and Kala Academy faculty, Sachin Teli.

GUJ President Rajtilak Naik welcomed the gathering and introduced the judges, while GUJ General Secretary Vasudev Pagi compered the event and proposed the vote of thanks.

The competition highlighted the rich cultural talent within Goa’s journalistic fraternity, blending art with the spirit of camaraderie.

Events in Goa

Veteran journalist Sandesh Prabhudesai to feature in GUJ’s ‘Behind The Byline’ series

allycaralgoa

Veteran journalist and former editor of Sunaparant, Sandesh Prabhudesai, will be celebrated in ‘Behind The Byline’, know your GUJ member series, on Friday, May 23.

Prabhudesai will be in conversation with Gauree Malkarnekar (Assistant Metro Editor- The Times of India and GUJ executive committee member) at the GUJ hall, Shram Shakti Bhavan, Patto, Panaji, 4pm.

Prabhudesai’s career spanning four decades has earned him plenty of admirers. He started his journalism career as Margao correspondent of Sunaparant and Rashtramat in 1987 and later joined Tarun Bharat, where he was assigned the responsibility of South Goa Bureau Chief (1987–1990). He later joined Gomantak Times as Chief Reporter (1990 – 1996).

As the editor of Goa’s first Konkani daily, Sunaparant, in 2003 during its crucial transition phase from black & white to colour printing, Prabhudesai did significant work, before joining Prudent Media TV channel as its Editor-in-Chief in 2008.

Prabhudesai was also the Consulting Editor for Goa 365 television channel.

Prabhudesai started India’s first unique Mobile News Service – Goenkar News Service – (1999) and goanews.com, Goa’s first news website (1999).

As an established author, Prabhudesai has written10 books, including two translations (Konkani & English. His books released in three languages in 2014 includes Taalgadi (Konkani), Ghusmat (Marathi) and Clear Cut (English). Goff (Konkani) followed in 2015.

Some of his noted works include ‘Ajeeb Goa’s Gajab Politics’: Politics of Land of 7000 Years, and the 2002 bestseller, Double Engine: History of Goa Lok Sabha Elections.

Apart from journalism, the veteran journalist has acted and directed several stage plays.

Prabhudesai has been honoured by several government and non-government platforms for his dedicated work in the field of journalism. There’s the Goa Konkani Academy Literature Award and Konkani Bhasha Mandal Literature Award for Taalgadi in 2015, Konkani Prasar Madhyam – Kala Kaushalya Puraskar 2020 (Goa Konkani Academy), Laxmidas Borkar Smruti Patrakarita Puraskar 2022, Best TV Journalist Award of Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry in 2016, Konkani Rotna 2023 by Kala Niketan etc.

‘Behind The Byline’, know your GUJ member is a monthly series initiated by the Goa Union of Journalists, where a senior GUJ member of repute is introduced to its members and the general public.

Goa Union of Journalists