Tag: #india

Sports

Blind Goa Cricket Makes History, Finishes 9th at 8th Nagesh Trophy National Tournament

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

A new and inspiring chapter was written in Goa’s sporting history as the Goa Blind Cricket Team secured a place among the top 10 teams in the country at the 8th Nagesh Trophy National Blind Cricket Tournament. Finishing 9th among teams representing over 28 states, the achievement highlighted not only cricketing skill but also extraordinary resilience and self-belief.

The Nagesh Trophy is regarded as the biggest platform for blind cricket in India, and Goa’s journey through the tournament stood out for its consistency and tactical brilliance. The team dominated Group E, registering four emphatic victories. Goa began its campaign with a commanding win over Manipur, bowling them out for 111 and winning by 169 runs, with Nilesh Mirgal named Man of the Match. In the second encounter, Goa posted 233 runs against Railways, with Mirgal scoring a century and helping restrict the opposition to 132. The third match saw Goa defeat Vidarbha after scoring 157 and restricting them to 112, with captain Aftab Patel earning the Man of the Match award. Goa concluded the group stage by defeating Jammu & Kashmir, scoring 170 runs, with Mirgal once again delivering an all-round performance of 87 runs and key wickets.

The team’s success was powered by strong contributions across categories. In the B1 category, captain Aftab Patel led from the front, supported by Kailash Sainath, a key bowler, and Akshay Harsh. The B2 category featured impactful performances from Nilesh Mirgal, a consistent match-winner with both bat and ball, and Chander Dinesh, known for his bowling, fielding and dependable batting. In the B3 category, Jignesh emerged as an important all-rounder, while Arvind and Nilesh N contributed steadily. Young wicketkeeper-batsman Vibhishan impressed on debut, earning his place directly in the Goa national team with his sharp keeping and batting skills.

Behind the scenes, the guidance of Treasurer and Head Coach Yashwant Nageshkar played a crucial role. His confidence in the players and constant encouragement helped shape the team’s mindset and performance. Coach Omkar and Manager Prathamesh also played key roles in ensuring preparation and team cohesion.

Captain Aftab Patel’s leadership stood out throughout the tournament. One of the youngest captains in Indian blind cricket, he took charge at a time of transition after senior players retired and led the team to a historic national ranking. His journey reflects both personal determination and the mentorship he received from the coaching staff.

Blind cricket relies on sound, instinct and trust, and Goa’s team proved that strong intent can overcome physical barriers. With this top-10 finish, the team now looks ahead to future national challenges, with hopes of greater support from the Goa government and sports fraternity. Several players are now aspiring for selection to the Indian National Blind Cricket Team, carrying forward the belief that success is driven not by sight, but by vision.

Sports

Sachin Tendulkar Meets T20 Blind Women’s World Cup Champions in Mumbai

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

In a moment filled with inspiration and pride, Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar met the Indian Women’s Blind Cricket Team, the newly crowned T20 Blind Cricket World Cup champions, at the MIG Cricket Club in Mumbai on December 17, 2025. The interaction marked a defining milestone for the team, whose journey to the world title has been shaped by resilience, determination, and unwavering belief.

Sachin Tendulkar spent close to an hour with the players, congratulating them on their historic achievement and listening intently to their personal journeys. He praised the team for overcoming challenges and crossing the final hurdle through sheer perseverance and hard work, noting that their World Cup victory would be remembered far beyond the tournament itself.

During the interaction, Sachin acknowledged the vital role played by the players’ families, particularly their parents, for providing encouragement and freedom rather than limitations. He emphasised that such support enabled the athletes to pursue cricket at the highest level and transform dreams into reality.

The cricket legend also reminded the team that success brings greater responsibility. With expectations set to rise, he said the players would need to work harder and stay focused, describing the World Cup win not as an endpoint but as the beginning of a longer journey that now carries the power to inspire countless others.

For the players, meeting Sachin Tendulkar was an emotional and unforgettable experience. Many described it as validation of years of dedication and sacrifice, and a moment that reaffirmed that their achievements have been recognised at the highest level of Indian sport.

Team captain Deepika TC expressed her emotions, calling the meeting a dream come true and sharing that Sachin’s words of encouragement deeply touched the team. She said the interaction would remain with them for life and motivate them to work even harder while carrying Indian cricket to greater heights.

Sachin Tendulkar gave autographs to all the players and posed for photographs with the team. In a gesture of gratitude, the players presented him with an autographed bat. Dr. G.K. Mahantesh, President of the Cricket Association for the Blind in India, described the meeting as a moment to cherish forever, stating that recognition from a legend like Sachin Tendulkar provides immense confidence to players and strengthens the entire blind cricket ecosystem in India.

The Cricket Association for the Blind in India expressed heartfelt gratitude to Sachin Tendulkar for his time, warmth, and unwavering belief in the abilities of blind cricketers, calling the interaction a landmark moment for the sport and its champions.

National

Severe Delhi Smog: Singapore High Commission Issues Advisory to Nationals as AQI Crosses 400

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral National Desk

As Delhi’s air quality continued to remain in the ‘severe’ category on Monday, the Singapore High Commission in India issued an advisory for its nationals residing in the Delhi-NCR region, urging them to follow official health guidelines and remain cautious amid worsening pollution levels. According to the Central Pollution Control Board’s Sameer app, the overall Air Quality Index in the capital stood at 437 at 2 pm, with all monitoring stations recording readings of 400 or above.

The advisory was shared by the Singapore High Commission in New Delhi through its official X handle, noting that on December 13, 2025, the Indian authorities invoked Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan, the highest level of pollution control measures in the Delhi National Capital Region. Under GRAP Stage 4, construction and industrial activities are heavily restricted, while schools and offices are encouraged to shift to a hybrid mode of functioning.

The High Commission highlighted that the Delhi government has advised residents, particularly children and individuals with respiratory or cardiac ailments, to stay indoors and to wear masks when stepping outside. In light of this, the High Commission urged Singapore nationals in the region to pay heed to the advisory and prioritise their health and safety.

The advisory also cautioned travellers about possible disruptions to flight operations due to low visibility caused by thick smog. The Indira Gandhi International Airport and several airlines have issued advisories regarding delays, cancellations and diversions, prompting the High Commission to ask travellers to stay in touch with their respective airlines for real-time updates. A contact point was also provided for Singapore nationals requiring consular assistance.

The severe air quality and dense smog have engulfed the national capital for the third consecutive day, significantly impacting daily life and air travel. The CPCB categorises air quality as ‘moderate’ between AQI levels of 101 and 200, ‘poor’ between 201 and 300, ‘very poor’ between 301 and 400, and ‘severe’ for readings above 400. AQI levels of 450 and above fall under ‘severe plus’, while a reading of 500 is considered seriously dangerous.

According to airport authorities, over 400 flights at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport were delayed, with 61 cancellations and five diversions reported. In an operational update issued at 2 pm, the Delhi airport said that runway visibility had improved and flight operations were gradually returning to normal. However, it cautioned that some arrivals and departures could still be affected and advised passengers to remain in contact with their airlines for the latest information.

Events in Goa

DAG Unveils Landmark Exhibition on Indian Company Paintings at Aguad Port & Jail Complex, Goa

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

DAG, in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, has opened A Treasury of Life: Indian Company Paintings, c. 1790 to 1835, the most comprehensive exhibition of its kind in India, at the Aguad Port & Jail Complex. Featuring over 200 works drawn entirely from the DAG collection, the exhibition is curated by Giles Tillotson, Senior Vice President at DAG, and remains on view from 2 December 2025 to 14 January 2026, following a private preview held on 1 December.

Dedicated to honouring the largely anonymous Indian artists commissioned by the East India Company in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the exhibition explores how these painters responded creatively to new forms of patronage. Moving beyond traditional courtly conventions, they developed entirely new visual languages that blended Indian artistic practices with Western influences, marking a crucial transition in the evolution of Indian art.

Long marginalised within art historical narratives, Company painting has often been viewed as falling between classical tradition and modernism. A Treasury of Life challenges this perception by positioning the genre as a vital precursor to Indian modernism. The exhibition presents works across three broad themes: natural history, architecture, and Indian manners and customs. Together, these paintings document India’s flora and fauna with scientific precision, record architectural landmarks and cityscapes through hybrid visual techniques, and vividly portray traders, artisans, religious figures, and sacred idols.

Beyond their aesthetic value, these works serve as historical records of worlds that have since undergone profound transformation. From depictions of now-endangered plant species and altered ecosystems to careful renderings of architectural heritage and social customs, the paintings offer rare visual insights into India’s past. They also reflect European patrons’ desire to document an unfamiliar land and the ingenuity with which Indian artists adapted their skills to meet new expectations and audiences.

The exhibition includes works by known Company artists such as Sita Ram, Sewak Ram, and Chuni Lal, alongside contextual works by European artists including James Forbes, F. B. Solvyns, and Charles Gold. These references illuminate the broader visual culture of the period, demonstrating how Indian painters engaged with foreign models to create something entirely new rather than merely imitating Western styles.

Speaking on the occasion, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, said the exhibition brings to Goa an extraordinary era of Indian artistic brilliance and reinforces the state’s growing role as a centre for heritage-driven cultural experiences. Ashish Anand, CEO and Managing Director of DAG, noted that the exhibition builds on the gallery’s longstanding commitment to presenting pre-modern and hybrid art practices that laid the groundwork for Indian modernism.

Director of the Department of Tourism, Shri Kedar Naik, highlighted the exhibition’s contribution to Goa’s cultural calendar and its role in promoting meaningful tourism rooted in learning and heritage. Managing Director of GTDC, Shri Kuldeep Arolkar, and Vice President of Operations and Business Development at Aguad Port and Jail Complex, Shri Savio Mathias, also emphasised the importance of hosting high-calibre cultural initiatives that bring together art, history, and public engagement.

Accompanied by a publication featuring an introductory essay by curator Giles Tillotson and scholarly contributions from Apurba Chatterjee, Nicolas Roth, Malini Roy, Rosie Llewellyn-Jones, and Jennifer Howes, A Treasury of Life repositions Company painting as an essential chapter in India’s artistic journey. The exhibition invites audiences to reconsider the beginnings of modern Indian art through the lens of a genre that captured a moment of profound transition and creative exchange.

Social

Government of Goa Explores Collaboration with Starlink to Boost Statewide Digital Connectivity

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The Government of Goa has initiated strategic discussions with Starlink to explore collaborative opportunities aimed at strengthening digital connectivity and accelerating technology-led development across the State. The meetings were held on December 12, 2025, under the leadership of the Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Shri Rohan Khaunte, as part of Goa’s broader vision for digital inclusion and resilient infrastructure.

The first meeting took place at the Mantralaya in Porvorim in the presence of Hon’ble Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant. The Starlink delegation included Ms. Lauren Dreyer, Vice President, Starlink Business Operations – Global Access & Operations, Shri Prabhakar Jayakumar, Head of Starlink India, and Shri Manoj Ladwa, Government Affairs Strategist and Chairman, India Global Forum.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister highlighted Goa’s rapid progress on its digital transformation roadmap and the State’s continued efforts to strengthen public service delivery through technology. He noted that Starlink’s interest in Goa could enable the State to leverage high-speed, low-latency satellite broadband to support infrastructure development and enhance connectivity in sectors such as tourism, education, industry, fisheries and rural communities that depend on reliable communication networks.

A second meeting was held at Taj Cidade de Goa, Dona Paula, attended by Shri Rohan Khaunte along with Dr. V. Candavelou IAS, Chief Secretary of Goa, Shri Kabir Shirgaonkar, Director of the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communication, Mr. Pravimal Abhishek IAS, Secretary Science & Technology and Managing Director of Goa Industrial Development Corporation, the Director of Transport, senior officials and the Starlink leadership team.

During the discussions, Shri Rohan Khaunte underscored Goa’s emergence as a preferred destination for global technology companies, stating that the State continues to witness growth in emerging technologies and innovation-driven enterprises. He emphasized that global players increasingly recognise Goa as an ideal hub for developing and scaling technology solutions.

The meetings explored how Starlink’s satellite network could complement Goa’s development priorities by strengthening rural and shadow-area connectivity, enhancing high-speed data access for industrial and electronic manufacturing clusters, supporting last-mile delivery under the Har Ghar Fibre programme and modernising maritime and fisheries operations with real-time communication capabilities. The discussions also touched upon advancing Goa’s Digital Nomad vision by ensuring seamless internet connectivity.

Additional opportunities were examined to support initiatives such as CCTV surveillance at beaches, AV and AR-based visitor guides, connectivity for schools in low-coverage regions under the CARES initiative and improved digital services for tourism, homestays, beach security and maritime experiences.

Through these engagements, the Government of Goa continues to advance a comprehensive connectivity roadmap focused on strengthening rural networks, enhancing maritime communication systems and expanding last-mile digital access, ensuring inclusive and seamless connectivity across the State.