Tag: Health Awareness

Social

Goan Duo Dominates Rotary Rain Run 2025: Suraj Velip and Swezial D’souza Clinch 21 km Victory

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo

Panaji, Goa – July 29, 2025: The monsoons didn’t stop the spirit of over 2,400 runners from across India who descended upon Goa for the 11th edition of the Rotary Rain Run 2025. In a remarkable show of athleticism and community spirit, Suraj Velip (30) and Swezial D’souza (22) clinched top honours in the 21-kilometre open event for men and women, respectively.

The prestigious event, flagged off at the Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) Athletics Stadium, brought together participants from Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, and beyond. The event, organized annually by the Rotary Club of Porvorim in association with Rotary Parivar, serves a noble cause: the proceeds fund women’s health initiatives and education, including the Prakash Cancer Aid Project.

Velip, from Quepem, clocked an impressive 1:25:08, while D’souza, a student of St. Xavier’s College, Mapusa, won the women’s race with a time of 1:49:27. “Crossing that finish line was an incredible feeling,” said Swezial. “This win is for everyone who believed in me.”

In the 10 km timed run, Hari Velip (36:46) and Line Shetty (1:00:24) took top positions. Additionally, around 20 para-athletes, including Niranjan Jadhav, joined the celebration of resilience and determination, completing either the 2 km walk or 10 km run.

Rain showers at key locations like All India Radio and Dempo Nilaya added to the festive monsoon atmosphere. The Indian Armed Forces, as always, lent their steadfast support, managing hydration booths, medical stations, and logistics with precision.

From live music performances by Lavina Soares, Zumba and yoga warmups, to a buzzing Kids Fun Zone, the Rotary Rain Run 2025 was not just a marathon – it was a celebration of community, inclusion, and purpose.

The event remains AIMS-certified, ensuring international standards and credibility in distance measurement. Every participant was awarded a medal, while top finishers took home trophies and, most importantly, pride and purpose.

Rotary Rain Run 2025 – Run with the Rains. Run with Purpose.

Health Scope

PCOS: When Ovaries Decide to Be Dramatic – A Gynaecologist’s Honest Take

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Written by Dr. Namrata Raikar, MBBS, MS OBGY | Consultant Obstetrician, Apexcare Hospital, Mahalaxmi

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome—fondly (and frustratingly) known as PCOS—is the queen bee of hormonal disorders. It’s like your ovaries decided to throw a surprise party, invited all the follicles, and forgot to let anyone leave.

From a gynaecologist’s POV, PCOS can be likened to a zoo where the animals (aka hormones) are running the show. Testosterone is dancing on tables, insulin is hiding in the back room, and estrogen is left cleaning up the mess. Result? Acne, weight gain, excess hair, mood swings, and periods that ghost you without warning.

Dr. Namrata Raikar uses humor and relatable metaphors to explain that while PCOS may feel overwhelming, it is manageable. The solution? Lifestyle changes—think clean eating and regular exercise—paired with medical support when necessary.

Ultrasounds reveal a “string of pearls” in the ovaries, but don’t be fooled—these aren’t the kind you wear, and they don’t carry value unless your hormones are balanced.

Her advice is simple: Don’t fear PCOS. Understand it, treat it, and show it who’s boss. With the right approach, you can turn this chaotic drama into a calm, healthy balance.

Because hey, every drama queen can be reformed—even your ovaries.

Human Interest

Pune Woman Wins ₹9.1 Lakh for Sleeping 9 Hours a Day for 60 Days

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In an inspiring and unusual win, Pooja, a resident of Pune, bagged ₹9.1 lakh after winning a unique sleep-based challenge organized by a mattress company to promote awareness about the importance of healthy sleep.

The challenge was simple in theory but required serious discipline: sleep for an average of 9 hours per day for 60 continuous days—without significant interruptions or disturbances. Out of over one lakh participants from across India, only 15 made it to the final stage, and Pooja outperformed them all with the highest score.

The contest aimed to emphasize how sleep is not a luxury but a key pillar of health. Quality sleep contributes to better immunity, improved memory, sharper concentration, and mental well-being. Pooja’s consistency, focus, and perfectly maintained sleep schedule over the two-month period made her stand out from the rest.

Speaking after her win, Pooja said, “This experience taught me how much good sleep affects everything—from mood to energy. It wasn’t easy, but it changed my lifestyle for the better.”

The contest organisers noted that participants were monitored through wearable devices to ensure accuracy. Daily check-ins, sleep tracking apps, and periodic health updates were part of the strict criteria to qualify.

The competition gained traction on social media as a “dream job,” and Pooja’s story is now making waves for being a reminder that rest and routine are as important as hustle and hard work.

So next time someone says you’re sleeping too much—tell them it could be a ₹9.1 lakh idea!

Human Interest

Goa Observes World Blood Donor Day with State-Level Event in Porvorim

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“Give Blood, Give Hope – Together We Save Lives” theme inspires awareness and gratitude

Porvorim, Goa | June 14, 2025 — Reinforcing the life-saving impact of voluntary blood donation, Goa observed World Blood Donor Day 2025 with a state-level function held at Porvorim, organised jointly by the Goa State Blood Transfusion Council (GSBTC) and the Goa State AIDS Control Society (GSACS).

Held under the global theme “Give Blood, Give Hope – Together We Save Lives”, the event brought together health officials, educators, volunteers, and donors to celebrate the spirit of giving and highlight the importance of safe and timely blood donation in saving lives.

🗣️ Leaders Applaud Lifesavers, Stress Awareness

The event was graced by a distinguished panel of guests and stakeholders from the health and education sectors, including:

  • Dr. Vandana Dhume, Project Director, GSACS
  • Shri Gaurish Dhond, Chairman, Indian Red Cross Society – Goa Chapter
  • Smt. Meghana Shetgaonkar, Director, SCERT
  • Dr. Uday Gaonkar, Principal, DEd College
  • Representatives from blood banks, NGOs, educational institutions, and donor groups

In her address, Dr. Vandana Dhume applauded Goa’s voluntary blood donors, especially the youth, for their life-saving contributions, and emphasized the need for continued awareness and participation.

“Every drop of donated blood carries the power to save a life. Let us build a culture where donation becomes second nature,” she said.

Shri Gaurish Dhond highlighted the long-standing role of the Red Cross in mobilizing donors and urged institutions to integrate blood donation drives into their yearly social responsibility activities.

🎖️ Donors Honoured, Youth Inspired

The program also featured:

  • Recognition of frequent and voluntary donors
  • Presentations on safe blood transfusion practices
  • Short films and testimonials from recipients and donors
  • A pledge ceremony encouraging first-time participants to become regular donors

Student representatives and educators from teacher training institutes participated actively, taking away both knowledge and inspiration to foster donation drives in their campuses.

“Today’s youth are tomorrow’s hope. If we cultivate giving early, we build a stronger, healthier society,” noted Dr. Uday Gaonkar.

🧬 The Message: Blood Donation is a Shared Responsibility

World Blood Donor Day serves as a global reminder that safe blood saves lives — during surgeries, childbirth, trauma, cancer treatment, and chronic conditions like thalassemia and hemophilia. Goa has consistently shown strong voluntary donor participation, but officials stressed the importance of ensuring year-round availability through regular drives.

The event also spotlighted how blood donation contributes to HIV/AIDS prevention, as each donation undergoes rigorous testing under GSACS protocols, thus ensuring both safe transfusion and early detection of infections.

🩷 Why It Matters:

  • One unit of blood can save up to 3 lives
  • Voluntary, non-remunerated donations are the safest and most sustainable
  • Regular donors help maintain stable blood supplies for emergencies

🏥 Organised by:

  • Goa State Blood Transfusion Council (GSBTC)
  • Goa State AIDS Control Society (GSACS)

With support from:

  • Indian Red Cross Society – Goa Chapter
  • SCERT Goa
  • Local educational and healthcare institutions
Films

7th Goa Anti-Tobacco Film Festival 2025: A Triumph in the Fight Against Tobacco

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The Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) and the Department of Public Health Dentistry, Goa Dental College and Hospital, in collaboration with the National Tobacco Control Programme, Directorate of Health Services, Goa, successfully organized the “7th Goa Anti-Tobacco Film Festival 2025” on May 31, 2025. The event was held at Auditorium 1, Maquinez Palace, ESG, and was a resounding success in spreading awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use.

This year’s festival theme, “Unmasking the appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine,” aimed to expose the tactics used by the tobacco industry to lure people, especially the youth, into tobacco use. The theme was aptly chosen to highlight the growing concern of tobacco use among young people and the need to educate them about the dangers of tobacco.

The festival featured a competition for ad films in two sections: National and Goan. A total of 18 entries were received, with 8 from the National Section and 10 from the Goan Section. A panel of three esteemed judges, Dr. Nandita Nadkarni, Dr. Umesh S. Kamat, and Shri. Antonio Costa, carefully evaluated the entries and selected the winners.

The winners of the ad film competition were awarded cash prizes and certificates. The winners were:

National Section:

  • 1st Prize: “Lung Tawa Fry” by Akshay Volvoikar (Rs. 1,00,000)
  • 2nd Prize: “The Real Price” by Kartik Karekar (Rs. 50,000)
  • 3rd Prize: “Vashikrita” by Aarya Mayekar (Rs. 30,000)

Goan Section:

  • 1st Prize: “Naqaab” by Atharv Salgaonkar (Rs. 50,000)
  • 2nd Prize: “Toxic Relationship” by Timeline Creations (Rs. 30,000)
  • 3rd Prize: “Karmacho Parinaam” by Yogesh Shirodkar (Rs. 20,000)

Inspiring Speeches and Messages

The festival featured inspiring speeches from esteemed guests, including Chief Guest Shri. Subhash Phal Dessai, Hon’ble Minister for Social Welfare, River Navigation, Empowerment of Person with Disabilities, Archives and Archaeology, Govt. of Goa, and Guest of Honour Dr. Shekhar Salkar, Onco-Surgeon. Dr. Ridhima Gaonkar, Professor, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Goa Dental College, welcomed the gathering and briefed the purpose of the festival.

The festival concluded with a call to action, emphasizing the need for continuous efforts to fight against tobacco and its ill effects. The event was a huge success, and the organizers thanked the participants, audience, and sponsors for their support.

All the ad films were screened for the public, providing a platform for the audience to witness the creativity and talent of the filmmakers. The festival was a celebration of art, creativity, and awareness, and it is expected to inspire more people to join the fight against tobacco.