Tamil cinema icon and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) founder Vijay hosted a heartwarming and inclusive Christmas celebration titled Samathuva Christmas Vizha in Mamallapuram on Monday, drawing attention for its blend of cultural symbolism and social messaging.
The event reflected the spirit of equality and unity, combining Tamil cultural motifs with traditional Christmas elements. Vijay was welcomed with a festive crown and personally distributed gifts to attendees, especially children, creating a joyful and welcoming atmosphere. Visuals of the star singing Christmas carols alongside children wearing Santa hats quickly won hearts on social media.
Addressing the gathering, Vijay delivered a speech rooted in humility, drawing inspiration from a Biblical story to underline the importance of compassion and service. He reiterated TVK’s unwavering commitment to social harmony, secular values, and equality, stating that these principles would guide the party as it prepares for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
The celebration was widely praised by supporters, who highlighted the warmth, inclusivity, and symbolic unity displayed during the event. However, the occasion also drew political reactions, with BJP leader K. Annamalai criticising Vijay for not addressing a recent temple-related controversy.
Despite the political debate, the Samathuva Christmas Vizha stood out as a rare fusion of faith, culture, and public engagement, reinforcing Vijay’s growing presence in public life beyond cinema.
Vedanta Sesa Goa has been certified as a Great Place to Work® for the fourth consecutive year (2022–2025), reaffirming its leadership in building a people-first workplace. The certification, conferred by the Great Place to Work® Institute, is one of the most respected global recognitions for organizations that demonstrate a high-trust and high-performance culture.
This recognition is based on rigorous evaluations of employee feedback, policies, and practices that promote inclusivity, safety, growth, and leadership development. Vedanta Sesa Goa has consistently implemented structured initiatives, from advancing diversity and inclusion to strengthening safety culture and capability enhancement.
In a parallel recognition, Vedanta Group has been named India’s Best Employer Among Nation-Builders 2025, highlighting its contribution to human capital development and national progress.
Speaking on the achievement, Mr. Navin Jaju, CEO – Vedanta Sesa Goa, said: “To be acknowledged as a Great Place to Work® for the fourth consecutive year testifies to our strong employee-centric culture. Each member of our workforce is equally valued & is committed to creating a #ViksitBharat.”
Echoing this, Mr. Praveen George, CHRO, remarked: “This recognition is a testament to our incredible employees, who are the backbone of our success and growth. It reflects our consistent focus on building a progressive and inclusive workplace.”
With operations spread across Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Gujarat, and a workforce of over 6,600 employees, Vedanta Sesa Goa continues to enhance diversity, leadership, and innovation. Women employees are increasingly taking roles in both operations and enabling functions.
The Great Place to Work® Institute, having surveyed over 100 million employees globally, recognizes organizations that demonstrate high trust, leadership effectiveness, and employee engagement.
By aligning its people practices with global ESG and sustainability goals, Vedanta Sesa Goa remains steadfast in building a resilient, future-ready workforce while contributing to India’s socio-economic growth.
St. Mathias, Malar – The much-loved Malar Bonderam festival, hosted by the St. Mathias Sports Club, returns with a vibrant and inclusive celebration of Goan culture on Saturday, August 16, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Founded in 1967, the St. Mathias Sports Club has consistently been at the heart of community life in Malar, and this year’s Bonderam is set to bring generations together in a day-long celebration of identity, unity, and tradition.
At a recent press conference in Panjim, Dr. Gwendolyn de Ornelas opened the event by introducing key figures behind the scenes. Former Club President Ivo Azavedo gave insights into the origins of Bonderam and its evolving cultural significance. Remy De Almeida, Vice President, emphasized engaging the youth, while Sports Secretary and former footballer Remes Gomes outlined robust safety measures.
Award-winning actress Anisha Menezes, representing the youth wing, shared that rehearsals began two months ago, and the younger generation is buzzing with excitement. Veteran journalist Prakash Kamat praised festakar Marius Fernandes for leading with inclusivity, and confirmed the venue would be fully accessible.
The event will be hosted by beloved compere RJ Joed Almeida, who highlighted the importance of celebrating heritage from fresh perspectives and passing it forward to younger generations.
Event Highlights Include:
🕯️ Lighting of the Lamp at 11:00 AM
🌿 Backyard Gardening session by Dr. Suresh Kunkalikar
🎵 Konkani Kantaram and workshops with Dr. Glenis Mendonca
🍛 Authentic Goan food stalls
💃 Cultural dance performances
🎸 Youth band showcase
🎁 …and surprise activities throughout the day!
Free Entry | All Are Welcome
This year’s Malar Bonderam focuses on inclusivity, accessibility, and participation — calling on everyone from students to seniors, locals to visitors, to immerse themselves in Goan hospitality and togetherness.
🗓️ Date: 16th August 2025 📍 Location: St. Mathias, Malar ⏰ Time: 11 AM – 10 PM 🎟️ Entry: FREE
Come for the music, stay for the memories. Let’s celebrate a Goa that’s rich in history, rooted in community, and open to all.
Panaji, July 2025: In a heartfelt act of service and community outreach, the Goa GSB Sports & Charitable Trust donated stationery items worth ₹20,000 to Aastha Anand Niketan, a school in Mapusa devoted to educating and empowering children with special needs.
The Trust’s team—comprising President Sidhit Raiturker, Secretary Venkat Biche, Treasurer Siddharth Ghanekar, and trustees Kapil Angle, Kapil Borker, Pranav Biche, and Adv. Sachin Sardesai—personally visited the school to hand over the supplies. They were joined by Shant Rama Gudanwar, a respected businessman and social worker with longstanding ties to the school.
During the visit, Dr. Chandrashekhar M. Kelkar, Secretary of Aastha Anand Niketan, welcomed the guests and shared insights into the school’s journey. He spoke about the challenges and triumphs in providing quality education to differently-abled children and highlighted the school’s upcoming milestone: a shift to a newly constructed building funded by the Rotary Club. The new premises are expected to vastly improve the school’s facilities and learning environment.
The Goa GSB Trust praised the institution for its remarkable efforts in fostering inclusive education. “We are truly inspired by the dedication shown by the educators and caretakers here. This is more than just a school—it is a place of hope, learning, and transformation,” said the Trust members during their visit.
The Trust also reaffirmed its commitment to continuing such initiatives that bring lasting impact to underserved communities and promote inclusivity in education and society.
The spirit of Goa came alive on 5th April 2025 at the Goa College of Home Science with the successful debut of the Khoshi Lokanchem Fest – the Happy People’s Festival – curated by Festakar Marius Fernandes and hosted by Principal Dr. Mahesh Pai. This marked Festakar’s 99th inclusive festival, celebrating Goa’s vibrant heritage, culture, food, music, and people.
The day began with the symbolic Festakar Pasoi – a special knowledge-sharing walk around the college’s loom and textile laboratory, led by Marius Fernandes and Principal Dr. Pai. Dignitaries including Miguel Braganza, Alexyz, Avelino D’sa, Nicole Suares, Willy Goes, Sheryl Afonso, Louella Dias, and Fatima Bertha Fernandes joined in the ceremonial lamp lighting. Principal Dr. Pai officially opened the festival with a warm welcome, a presentation of a Kunbi shawl and a plant to Festakar.
Book Launch – “Across Three Continents: Legacy of Antonetta Fernandes”
The festival also witnessed the heartfelt launch of Across Three Continents: Legacy of Antonetta Fernandes, a powerful debut by Nicole Suares, published by Dr. Gwendolyn de Ornelas. Noted writer Willy Goes emphasized the importance of preserving family legacies through documentation.
Culture in Conversation & Performance
A midday highlight was the Ghumot Gozalli, a spirited discussion between Marius Fernandes and journalist Nicole Suares on the future of the Ghumot – Goa’s state instrument. In a festive moment, Dr. Pai cut a Ghumot-shaped cake while the Sunshine Band performed the traditional Konkani birthday song.
Making their debut were the 5G – Global Goan Girls’ Ghumot Group with a vibrant performance of Goa Beach by Kuljeet Bhamra, choreographed by Ragwi Raju Naik.
Goan Flavours, Health and Community Wellness
In the Bolcãocheo Gozalli sessions, Professor Sheryl Afonso led insightful talks with Dr. Gwendolyn de Ornelas on women’s health and nutrition, followed by a session with Suman Goswami on sugar-free Goan treats like sweet potato neureos and Ragi Tizaan.
A sugar-free food workshop was complemented by a bustling bazaar with over 20 stalls offering local sweets, plants, seasonal produce, and crafts.
Workshops, Inclusion & Artistic Showcases
Counsellor Louella Dias introduced a student flash mob, followed by impactful workshops on accessibility, inclusion, and diversity by Prakash Kamat. A traditional Diuli dance and a Kunbi saree draping demonstration by Dr. Charlotte Facho Lourenco, featuring Dr. Gwendolyn de Ornelas as the model, showcased Goa’s living textile heritage.
In a later Bolcãocheo Gozalli, Dr. Pai and Prakash Kamat discussed building an inclusive future for Goa.
The staff of the college—teaching and non-teaching—took the stage with Goenchim Noketram, choreographed by Louella Dias. The much-loved Kottieacho Nach, choreographed by Dr. Gwendolyn de Ornelas and conceptualized by Festakar Marius, brought the community together in a joyous cultural anthem.
Live music by Dr. Glenis Mendonca (guitar) and Renald Mendonca (violin) filled the air with beloved Konkani melodies, followed by a spirited closing performance by the Sunshine Band.
In her vote of thanks, Professor Sheryl Afonso acknowledged all contributors and participants. Festakar Marius Fernandes reflected, “Khoshi Lokanchem Fest brought together diverse voices, traditions and talents, building a people-powered platform where Goa’s legacy meets contemporary relevance.”
Looking Ahead – The 100th Festival!
The grand milestone – the 100th Fest – will take place on 12th April 2025 at the Goa College of Agriculture, Old Goa with the HONEY Fest, promising to inspire future generations through joy, collaboration, and cultural pride.
