Tag: India News

Events in Goa

Goa to Host Grand Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan Event at Bambolim Stadium on February 27

Swara Bodke

Written by Intern Swara Bodke || Team Allycaral

The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, in collaboration with the Government of Goa, will organise a grand public event under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) at Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium, Bambolim, Goa, on 27th February 2026 at 9 AM.
A large number of citizens, especially youth, are expected to participate in this landmark event. More than 3,000 people are anticipated to join physically, making it one of the largest mobilisations under the campaign in the state of Goa.
The event will be graced by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment Virendra Kumar, along with other senior officials.
Key Highlights of the Event:
Massive youth rally against drug abuse
Administration of a mass oath (pledge) against drugs, both online and offline
Cultural programmes and performances
Felicitation of active participants and partners
Sharing achievements and success stories of the Abhiyaan
Participation is expected from school and college students, youth, parents, Self Help Groups (SHGs), volunteers, department officials, representatives of spiritual organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), police personnel, civil society groups, and citizens.
Background of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan
Launched on 15th August 2020 by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, the Abhiyaan was initially rolled out in 272 most vulnerable districts and has now been expanded to all districts across the country. The campaign focuses on mass awareness generation, with special emphasis on higher educational institutions, university campuses, schools, and community-level outreach.
Major Achievements (as on date):
More than 25.93+ crore people sensitized on substance use issues
Over 9.35+ crore youth reached
More than 6.38+ crore women sensitized
Participation of over 16.15+ lakh educational institutions, ensuring wide coverage among children and youth
Strategic Partnerships
To strengthen mass awareness efforts, the Department has signed MoUs with eight prominent spiritual organisations, including the The Art of Living, Brahma Kumaris, Sant Nirankari Mission, ISKCON, Shri Ram Chandra Mission, All World Gayatri Pariwar, Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwantari Ashram and University of Patanjali.
Digital Outreach
The Abhiyaan maintains active official social media handles on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, along with a dedicated NMBA website providing comprehensive information, dashboards, an e-pledge facility, discussion forums, and resources.
Recent Landmark Events
The 5th Anniversary Celebration was held on 13 August 2025 in Delhi in collaboration with the Government of NCT of Delhi, with over 1,000 students participating physically and lakhs joining nationwide.
A Grand National Event was organised on 18 November 2025 at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, where more than 10,000 people participated physically and over 6.3 crore people joined across the country through 2.10 lakh+ locations.
The upcoming Goa event aims to highlight the progress and achievements of the Abhiyaan, mobilise large-scale community participation, inspire and motivate citizens—especially the youth—to reject substance use, and reinforce the collective resolve towards building a Nasha Mukt Bharat.
The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Government of Goa invite all citizens, particularly the youth, to actively participate in this significant movement towards a drug-free society.

National

PETA India Names Kolkata the Most Vegan-Friendly City in India for 2025

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Kolkata has earned the distinction of being the most vegan-friendly city in India for 2025, according to PETA India. The recognition comes in light of the city’s increasing number of vegan restaurants, cafes, and plant-based food options, alongside community initiatives promoting ethical eating and cruelty-free living.


The award reflects not just the culinary landscape but also the efforts of local residents and businesses to embrace veganism and promote awareness about animal welfare. PETA India highlighted Kolkata’s commitment to creating an inclusive environment for vegans and the growing popularity of plant-based diets among its population.
The announcement also aims to inspire other cities across India to adopt more vegan-friendly practices and support sustainable, compassionate food choices.

National

Government of Bihar Launches “Gaddha Batao, ₹5,000 Pao” Initiative to Fix Potholes

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In a unique citizen-driven governance move, the Government of Bihar has launched the “Gaddha Batao, ₹5,000 Pao” initiative starting today. Under this scheme, residents who report a verified pothole on state roads will receive a reward of ₹5,000.

The initiative aims to improve road infrastructure, ensure quicker pothole repairs, and enhance commuter safety across Bihar. By directly involving citizens in monitoring road conditions, the government seeks to create greater accountability and faster response mechanisms.

Officials stated that once a pothole is reported and verified by the concerned department, corrective measures will be initiated promptly, and the reporting citizen will be eligible for the financial reward.

The move reflects Bihar’s attempt to adopt participatory governance models where citizens become active stakeholders in infrastructure maintenance. Poor road conditions and potholes often lead to accidents, traffic disruptions, and vehicle damage — issues the scheme intends to address more efficiently.

With this initiative, Bihar joins a growing list of states experimenting with incentive-based reporting systems to strengthen transparency and service delivery.

National

Centre Issues New ‘Vande Mataram’ Protocol: Audience to Stand, Song to Precede National Anthem at Joint Events

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New Delhi — The Union Home Ministry has issued updated guidelines regarding the performance of ‘Vande Mataram’, India’s National Song, outlining specific protocols to be followed during official and ceremonial occasions.

According to the latest directives, whenever the official version of ‘Vande Mataram’ is sung or played, members of the audience are required to stand to attention as a mark of respect. The guidelines aim to ensure uniformity and clarity in how the National Song is presented at government and public events across the country.

The Ministry has also clarified the sequence to be followed when both the National Song and the National Anthem are performed together. In such cases, ‘Vande Mataram’ will be sung first, followed by the National Anthem, reinforcing ceremonial consistency.

In addition, the new protocol specifies that ‘Vande Mataram’ will be played at civilian award ceremonies — including prestigious honours such as the Padma Awards — as well as at official functions attended by the President of India. The song will be played during the President’s arrival and departure at such events.

Officials say the updated guidelines are intended to standardise practices and uphold the dignity associated with national symbols, while ensuring that event organisers and institutions follow a clear framework during formal ceremonies.

The announcement has sparked discussions around cultural heritage, protocol awareness, and the evolving role of national symbols in contemporary public life.

Finance

Goa Deposit Refund Scheme Raises Industry and Consumer Concerns Over Higher Costs, Waste Responsibility and Regulatory Burden

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes ||Team Allycaral 

The Goa Government has announced the implementation of a Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS) effective April 1, 2026, under which consumers—both residents and tourists—will be required to pay an additional deposit on daily-use food items sold in plastic and glass packaging. These include bottles, pouches, multilayered wrappers, cartons, and similar packaging formats.


Under the scheme, consumers will be expected to return used packaging to designated collection centres in order to receive a refund, ranging from ₹2 to ₹10 per item, credited digitally to their bank accounts.

Concerns Raised for Consumers

Industry representatives and consumer groups have flagged multiple challenges associated with the scheme. Consumers will be required to store used, often unhygienic packaging and transport it to collection points, which may be limited in number and accessibility. While urban consumers may have easier access, rural and semi-urban residents could face difficulties, potentially leading to forfeiture of the deposit amount.

Additionally, Goans would effectively bear the cost of managing the same waste stream twice—once through existing household waste management fees and again through the DRS deposit—raising questions about fairness and efficiency.

Environmental and Operational Questions

Stakeholders argue that the cost and complexity of the scheme may outweigh its environmental benefits. India already has established recycling infrastructure for plastic, metal, and glass waste, and Goa operates a functioning door-to-door waste collection, segregation, composting, and processing system. Goa’s urban bodies were also recognised nationally for their waste management efforts at the Swachh Survekshan 2024–25 Awards.

Despite this, the DRS has reportedly been introduced without a comprehensive scientific or technical evaluation. Industry bodies claim there was no prior consultation with local self-governments, consumers, retailers, waste pickers, recyclers, waste management agencies, or environmental experts, nor was sufficient environmental impact data assessed.

Impact on FMCG Industry

India’s FMCG sector, valued at approximately ₹21 lakh crore and a significant contributor to Goa’s GDP, is already compliant with the Plastic Waste Management Rules. Industry representatives say the DRS imposes duplicate regulatory compliance specific to Goa, potentially disrupting market dynamics.

The exemption of micro enterprises from the scheme has also raised concerns, as it may undermine the stated objective of reducing litter while creating price distortions in highly competitive categories such as packaged snacks, drinking water, soft drinks, and juices.

Call for Deferment

Citing operational, design, and implementation challenges, stakeholders have urged the Chief Minister of Goa to defer the rollout of the Deposit Refund Scheme. They have recommended the formation of a joint working group comprising industry associations, consumer representatives, local bodies, and technical experts to review the framework and assess its environmental, economic, and social impact before implementation.