Tag: Imagine Panaji

Events in Goa

‘Festa do Povo’ Returns to Panaji for Third Edition of Community-Led Festival

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Festa do Povo, which translates to ‘Festival of the People’, returns to Panaji this January for its third edition, reaffirming its vision of creating shared civic spaces rooted in community participation. Scheduled for January 24 and 25, the festival will unfold along the mangrove-lined pedestrian spine at Patto Plaza, bringing together residents, artists, performers, and food curators to celebrate the city’s culture, heritage, and everyday life.

Conceived around the principle of being of the people, by the people, and for the people, Festa do Povo is a community-led initiative supported by the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) and Imagine Panaji. Since its inception in 2023, residents from several city wards—particularly those living in Panaji’s historic neighbourhoods—have played an active role in shaping the festival’s planning and programming.

The two-day festival celebrates Panaji as a nearly 200-year-old city, drawing inspiration from its neighbourhoods, people, and the quiet social bonds that define everyday life. Through music, dance, food, storytelling, and interactive spaces, Festa do Povo reimagines the city as a common civic space where everyone belongs.

The programme will feature a diverse range of performances spread across both days, including a temple drum medley associated with Shigmo, lamp dance, brass band performances, jazz, Bharatnatyam, children’s choir presentations, band performances, dancers, and educational trails. An art corner and a dedicated children’s zone will ensure that the festival remains inclusive and engaging for all age groups.

Food plays a central role in the celebration, with stalls curated by established city restaurants as well as home chefs, offering visitors a taste of Goa’s rich and diverse culinary traditions.

Adding to the festival’s intimate and reflective character, informal storytelling sessions inspired by Goa’s folklore will take place across different corners of the venue, set against the serene mangrove backdrop of Patto Plaza.

Conceived as an open celebration of life in the city, Festa do Povo is free and open to all, with no entry fee, inviting everyone to come together, slow down, and rediscover Panaji through the lens of community, culture, and shared belonging.

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Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd. (IPSCDL) Celebrates International Yoga Day with a Renewed Focus on Wellness and Mindfulness

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Senior Leadership, Staff, and Wellness Experts Come Together in a Unified Display of Holistic Well-being

Panaji, June 21, 2025 – On the occasion of the 11th International Day of Yoga, Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd. (IPSCDL) hosted a dedicated yoga session at its headquarters in Panaji, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to holistic health, mindfulness, and workplace wellness.

The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from across the organization, led by Managing Director & CEO Mr. Sandip Jacques, IAS, and Mr. Brijesh Manerkar, Director of Municipal Administration. Staff members from various departments came together in a serene and focused environment to collectively embrace the ancient Indian practice of yoga.

🌿 Guided by Expertise, Grounded in Tradition

The session was conducted by Ms. Sheela Kankonkar, the Principal Yoga Teacher from Patanjali Yoga Samiti, known for her deep understanding and decades of teaching experience in yogic practices.

The 60-minute session included:

  • Breathing Techniques (Pranayama) to promote respiratory health and mental clarity
  • Stretching and Foundational Asanas for posture and flexibility
  • Mindfulness Practices and Meditation to support emotional well-being and focus

The session focused on balance—both physical and mental—reaffirming the role of yoga in today’s fast-paced professional and urban lifestyle.

🗣️ Leadership Speaks on Wellness & Smart Cities

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sandip Jacques, IAS, emphasized the importance of integrating well-being into urban development and workplace culture:

“As an organization leading the transformation of Panaji into a Smart City, we must remember that smartness begins with our people. Yoga provides us with the tools to stay centered, healthy, and resilient as we shape the future of urban India.”

Mr. Brijesh Manerkar echoed these sentiments, highlighting that wellness is not an option, but a necessity for productivity and innovation, especially in roles focused on urban governance and planning.

🏙️ Smart City, Mindful Citizens

The event underlined IPSCDL’s broader commitment to not only build intelligent infrastructure but also promote human-centric urban design—where health, sustainability, and community are integral to the city’s DNA.

The Yoga Day celebration aligns with Panaji’s evolving identity as a city that balances heritage with forward-thinking development, and infrastructure with wellness.

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IPSCDL Celebrates World Environment Day with Tree Plantation Drive at Upcoming Pedestrian Walkway in Panaji

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Panaji, 6th June 2025 — As part of its commitment to sustainable urban development, Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd. (IPSCDL) marked World Environment Day with a tree plantation drive at the site of its upcoming pedestrian walkway project located behind the Spaces Building in Patto, Panaji.

This green initiative brings together environmental action, community participation, and smart city planning—demonstrating how urban infrastructure can blend ecological consciousness with functionality.

🌳 Leading by Example: Officials and Experts Join the Drive

The event was graced by Mr. Sandip Jacques, IAS, CEO & MD of IPSCDL, who, along with Mr. Pankaj Rane, Officer on Special Duty (OSD), and renowned environmental expert Mr. Miguel Braganza, led the tree planting efforts. Also present was celebrated architect Mr. Gerard Da Cunha, whose expertise has shaped several key urban projects across Goa.

Members of the IPSCDL project team actively participated, reflecting the organization’s hands-on approach to building a greener, smarter Panaji.

🌿 Youth Engagement: Students Take the Lead

To engage the next generation in environmental responsibility, IPSCDL invited students from People’s High School, Panaji, and Mary Immaculate High School, Panaji. The students enthusiastically took part in the tree planting, demonstrating a strong sense of ownership and pride in contributing to the city’s transformation.

As part of the educational aspect of the event, Mr. Miguel Braganza interacted with the students, explaining the ecological and medicinal significance of the tree species being planted.

🌳 Tree Species with Purpose

A variety of native and environmentally significant trees were selected for the plantation, including:

  • Cassia Fistula (Golden Shower Tree) – Known for its striking yellow flowers and medicinal properties
  • Peltophorum (Copperpod) – A fast-growing shade tree ideal for urban spaces
  • Lagerstroemia speciosa (Pride of India) – Adds beauty and resilience to city landscapes
  • Grewia Robusta – A lesser-known species that supports local biodiversity
  • Terminalia Chebula (Haritaki) – Renowned in Ayurvedic medicine for its healing properties
  • Terminalia Catappa (Indian Almond) – Offers broad shade and supports soil health

Mr. Braganza emphasized that these trees would not only enhance the visual appeal of the walkway but also improve air quality, support pollinators, and create a cooler, pedestrian-friendly microclimate in the area.

🌇 Greening the Smart City Vision

This plantation drive forms a part of IPSCDL’s broader efforts to integrate green infrastructure into smart city planning. The upcoming pedestrian walkway is designed not just for movement, but for community interaction, environmental consciousness, and urban aesthetics.

By prioritizing native trees, student involvement, and expert guidance, IPSCDL is setting a model for sustainable urban design that puts people and the planet first.

This World Environment Day, Panaji moves one step closer to becoming a greener, smarter, and more livable city.