Events in Goa

JCI Bicholim Kicks Off JCI Week 2025 with Flag Hoisting Ceremony


JCI Bicholim proudly commenced JCI Week 2025 with the ceremonial hoisting of the JCI India flag near the Bicholim Municipality. This inspiring act set the tone for a week filled with purpose, leadership, and community engagement.

Members and citizens gathered to witness the symbolic beginning of a series of impactful initiatives planned by JCI Bicholim. The organization aims to empower youth, build leadership skills, and contribute meaningfully to society through events scheduled across the week.

With this flag hoisting, JCI Bicholim reaffirmed its commitment to service, unity, and civic responsibility, embodying the true spirit of Junior Chamber International. The celebration continues as the week unfolds with dynamic projects and opportunities for growth and contribution.

Special Occasion

Soul-Shaping Heroes: A Teacherโ€™s Day Tribute


Written by Intern Queeny George M.H & Tanisha Cardozo, Team Allycaral

Every year on September 5, India celebrates Teacherโ€™s Day โ€” a heartfelt tribute to educators who dedicate their lives to shaping the future. The day marks the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Indiaโ€™s second President, a scholar, philosopher, and teacher. When asked if his birthday could be celebrated, he humbly requested that the day be observed as Teacherโ€™s Day instead โ€” emphasizing the value of education and those who impart it.

Throughout history, the role of a teacher has always transcended the classroom. In ancient times, the โ€˜Guruโ€™ was not merely an instructor but a guide, a mentor, and often a spiritual force who sought out students, trained them rigorously, and passed down generations of knowledge. These Gurus didnโ€™t just teachโ€”they transformed.

Great leaders of history often stood behind even greater teachers. Emperors like King Ashoka the Great were shaped by wise mentors like Chanakya. King Alexander the Great had the philosopher Aristotle as his tutor, while Plato once learned under the guidance of Socrates. Even in modern times, Anne Sullivanโ€™s mentorship of Helen Keller reminds us that teaching is more than instructionโ€”it is empowerment.

This lineage of impactful teaching continues today. Classrooms across India and the world were filled with teachers who cared deeply. Teachers who werenโ€™t just present for the syllabus, but for the students. Many of them acted as a team, building studentsโ€™ character, guiding them toward the right path, and shaping not just academic outcomes but lives.

These teachers were strict when needed, but also the first to smile, laugh, and celebrate with their students. They taught lessons beyond the textbookโ€”showing up during our struggles, asking the questions others missed, and believing in us long before we believed in ourselves.

Their impact doesnโ€™t end at the classroom door. It lingers in our decision-making, our confidence, and our resilience. Whether they stayed back after hours to explain a difficult concept or gave us advice that stayed with us for decades, these educators have left a permanent mark on our journey.

This Teacherโ€™s Day, we celebrate not just the knowledge they pass on, but the compassion, encouragement, and belief they give us in every small interaction. 

Because every student deserves a teacher like that. 

So hereโ€™s to them โ€” the chalk-holding, soul-shaping, heart-hugging heroes of our lives. 

Happy Teacherโ€™s Day โ€” and to all the amazing teachers out thereโ€ฆ hip hip hooray!

Awards

GCCI & KDNMT Announce Pride of Goa Awards 2025


The Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) in collaboration with the Kashinath Damodar Naik Memorial Trust (KDNMT) has announced the recipients of the Pride of Goa Awards 2025. Instituted to celebrate Goans who have made significant contributions to business and industry, the awards honour both legacy and innovation in leadership.

For 2025, two distinguished personalities have been selected:

  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Ms. Anju Timblo, Managing Director & CEO of Fomento Resorts and Hotels Pvt. Ltd. A trailblazer in Goaโ€™s hospitality sector, Ms. Timblo has led iconic establishments like Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage and Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon. Her contributions extend to education, culture, and community development through initiatives such as the Fomento Education and Charitable Societies.
  • Entrepreneur Award: Mr. Sachin Lawande, President & CEO of Visteon Corporation. Hailing from Taleigao, Mr. Lawande is among the few Goans to achieve global recognition in the corporate world. Under his leadership, Visteon has transformed automotive technology, driving innovations in hybrid and electric powertrains while partnering with leading automakers worldwide.

The Pride of Goa Awards Ceremony is scheduled for December 2025 at Gomant Vidya Niketan, Margao, with eminent journalist Mr. Vikram Doctor as the keynote speaker.

The awards, instituted in memory of Late Kashinath Damodar Naikโ€”a renowned businessman, historian, and philanthropistโ€”seek to spotlight the achievements of Goans who embody excellence and inspire future generations.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Stay connected with Allycaral for more updates on the Pride of Goa Awards 2025.

Human Interest

Dan Murrayโ€™s Viral Post on Why Leaving Office On Time Matters


LONDON: A LinkedIn post by entrepreneur Dan Murray is making waves after he shared why employees should make it a habit to leave the office on time. His message, centered on work-life balance, has resonated with thousands of professionals who often find themselves caught in endless work cycles.

Murray, who is based in London, explained that while work will always be there, health, family, and personal happiness should never be put on hold. He stressed that sacrificing well-being for career growth often backfires, harming both personal life and professional productivity.

The 12 Reasons He Shared:

Work is a never-ending process

Your mental health is important

Quality time with loved ones is priceless

Rest and relaxation are essential for productivity

Setting boundaries is empowering

Work-life balance is crucial

Burnout is real and should be avoided

Time for hobbies and passions is fulfilling

More time for self-care and exercise

Your job does not define you

Life is too short to spend all your time at work

Your happiness and well-being should always come first

Murray concluded his post with a strong reminder: โ€œWhen you care for yourself outside of work, youโ€™ll be a better contributor to your team overall. Donโ€™t sacrifice your well-being for work.โ€

How People Reacted Online

Within five days, the post has already gained over 3,900 views and nearly 400 comments. The reactions show how strongly the message has resonated with professionals across industries.

One user commented: โ€œLong hours might look like commitment, but they often erode the very qualities that make work great. Boundaries, rest, and time for life outside the office are what keep people energised and creative.โ€

Another wrote: โ€œProtecting your time is one of the smartest investments you can make in your work and your life.โ€

Some described Murrayโ€™s message as a โ€œquiet manifesto for sustainable success.โ€

As one professional summed it up: โ€œLeaving on time isnโ€™t laziness; itโ€™s leadership. The real win isnโ€™t staying lateโ€”itโ€™s showing up whole.โ€

Events in Goa

LeadHERShip 2025: Empowering Goaโ€™s Women to Lead, Inspire, and Achieve


On a rainy Tuesday evening, the Surendrababu Timblo Convention Hall in Panjim was filled with determination and drive as the Womenโ€™s Wing of the Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) hosted LeadHERShip 2025.

This inspirational event, held on August 18, 2025, was not just a seminarโ€”it was a powerful platform dedicated to empowering women to rise as leaders, mentors, and entrepreneurs in the Goan community and beyond.

Welcoming attendees to the program, Ms. Sandra Fernandes, Chairperson of the GCCI Womenโ€™s Wing, described LeadHERShip as more than a leadership initiativeโ€”itโ€™s a movement. Applauding the audience for showing up despite the monsoon rains, she highlighted the collective commitment to advancing womenโ€™s roles in business, leadership, and society.

The eventโ€™s Chief Guest, Ms. Pratima Dhond, President of GCCI, emphasized the importance of women exploring leadership and entrepreneurship as viable, fulfilling career pathsโ€”encouraging them to look beyond conventional government roles and envision a future of impact and innovation.

The program featured engaging and practical sessions led by industry professionals and mentors:

  • โ€œHow to Start a Businessโ€ โ€“ Mr. Tushar Sawant from FiiRE offered practical insights into launching a startup in today’s market.
  • โ€œEntrepreneurship & Its Benefitsโ€ โ€“ Delivered by Ms. Pallavi Salgaocar, Mentor of the GCCI Womenโ€™s Wing, this session inspired attendees with stories of successful women entrepreneurs and the long-term impact of self-driven ventures.
  • Mock Interview Session โ€“ Led by Ms. Simran Dhond, this interactive session helped participants improve their job-readiness and interview skills.
  • Mentorship Insights โ€“ Ms. Gouri Joshi guided attendees on the value of mentorship, both as mentors and mentees, in personal and professional growth.

The event ran smoothly thanks to the dedication of the Womenโ€™s Wing Committee and the GCCI team. It was beautifully compered by Ms. Nandita Dayal, with speaker introductions by Ms. Swatee Rane, Ms. Adbrona Valadares, and Ms. Clare De Souza.

Ms. Poonam Ajgaonkar, Co-Chairperson of the Womenโ€™s Wing, delivered a heartfelt vote of thanks, while the entire event was coordinated efficiently by Ms. Melane Rodrigues, Assistant Director, GCCI.

LeadHERShip 2025 wasnโ€™t just a day of talksโ€”it was a celebration of womenโ€™s ambition, resilience, and leadership. It gave attendees the tools, motivation, and community support needed to take their next stepsโ€”whether into entrepreneurship, leadership, or mentorship.

As Goa continues to shape a more inclusive and dynamic business ecosystem, events like LeadHERShip play a critical role in bridging the gap between aspiration and action.