Tag: mental health

Events in Goa

Yin and Yang: A Celebration of Balance, Inclusivity and Inner Strength in Porvorim

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Yin and Yang – In Balance with Body and Mind, organised on December 14, 2025, in Porvorim by SoulSync founders Sridevi Badami, Monica Sirohi, Poonam Gupta and Komala Soares, unfolded as an evening rooted in empowerment, inclusivity and self-discovery. The event was envisioned as a safe and welcoming platform for women from diverse walks of life, many of whom stepped onto the ramp for the very first time, embracing fashion as a tool for healing, confidence-building and self-expression.

The evening was elevated by the presence of iconic Bollywood singer Hema Sardesai as the celebrity guest. Her warmth and soulful performance left the audience enthralled, adding an emotional and celebratory depth to the event. Around 150 women participated wholeheartedly, reflecting the strong sense of community and shared purpose that defined the gathering.

Choreographed by Nadia Khan, the fashion walk unfolded through four thoughtfully curated themes inspired by the concept of Yin and Yang. Nature’s Symphony invited participants to interpret natural dualities such as ice and fire or strength and softness through creative attire. Trails of Tradition celebrated India’s rich cultural heritage with ethnic wear, while Urban Harmony showcased confidence and modernity through western outfits. Balanced Soul brought together indo-western ensembles, symbolising the harmony modern Indian women embody in their daily lives.

Beyond fashion, Indian culture came alive through vibrant dance performances presented by participants themselves, ranging from classical and fusion to Bollywood and Gidda. The event stood out for its inclusivity, welcoming women of all age groups, senior citizens and differently abled participants, reinforcing SoulSync’s belief that empowerment knows no boundaries.

Women entrepreneurs were also given a platform to showcase their products through dedicated stalls, adding another layer of support and visibility to women-led initiatives. Importantly, the event was tied to charity, with a portion of the proceeds directed towards a meaningful social cause, underscoring the organisers’ commitment to giving back to the community.

Well received and widely appreciated, the event was applauded for being punctual, thoughtfully organised, visually engaging and deeply inclusive. Yin and Yang – In Balance with Body and Mind emerged not just as a fashion showcase, but as a heartfelt celebration of balance, resilience and the collective strength of women.

Health

AIIA Goa Marks 4th Foundation Day With Major Integrative Oncology Initiative

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The All-India Institute of Ayurveda, Goa, under the Ministry of Ayush, celebrated its 4th Foundation Day with a significant milestone for integrative healthcare: a high-profile national workshop on the “Preparation of Integrative Protocol for Colorectal Carcinoma.” Eminent experts from various medical fields gathered to refine evidence-informed, collaborative treatment pathways in integrative oncology. Prof. (Vd.) P. K. Prajapati, Director of AIIA; Prof. Dr. Sujata Kadam, Dean of AIIA Goa; and Dr. Vinayak Chakor, Deputy Medical Superintendent, addressed the media and outlined the institute’s advancements on this special occasion.

AIIA Goa announced yet another major achievement—its NABH accreditation, an endorsement of the institute’s commitment to world-class quality, patient safety, and robust healthcare delivery. With this, along with newly inaugurated facilities, AIIA Goa now operates 25 multidisciplinary OPDs, including dedicated units for Manasrog Chikitsa, De-addiction, Swastha Rakshan, Diabetes, Casualty, and Critical Care, showcasing its mission to blend classical Ayurvedic wisdom with modern scientific technologies. Prof. Prajapati also highlighted outcomes from the 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi, where safety and evidence-based Ayurveda, especially Ashwagandha, were at the forefront of global discussions. The summit is expected to guide the next decade of integrating traditional and indigenous medicines into national health systems worldwide.

Prof. Sujata Kadam shared that, as part of the Foundation Day celebrations, the institute inaugurated two new OPDs—Health Assessment Screening and Dental OPD—along with fully equipped Kayachikitsa and Kaumarbhritya Panchakarma Theatres and an expanded IPD facility. She added that patient services have grown significantly, with over 800 OPD visitors daily, all receiving Ayurvedic medicines free of cost. Since inception, AIIA Goa has recorded over 5.25 lakh OPD footfall, 31,000 IPD admissions, around 77,200 Panchakarma procedures, and more than 1,35,000 radiology and laboratory investigations.

Under Medical Value Travel and Wellness Tourism initiatives, AIIA Goa has provided OPD services to 233 international patients and IPD care to 16 foreign nationals. The institute has also conducted more than 40,400 health camps, including general, disease-specific, school health check-ups, and Suvarnaprashan camps. On the academic front, the institute currently accommodates four undergraduate batches of 100 students each and has expanded its postgraduate education with new scholars joining in November 2025 across specialties including Dravya Guna, Rog Nidan, Kayachikitsa, Kaumarbhritya, and Panchakarma. AIIA Goa also offers an Ayurveda Dietician Course and a Panchakarma Technician Course, building workforce capacity in traditional medicine.

AIIA Goa has strengthened its institutional reach through strategic collaborations. Key partnerships include the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, to promote wellness and medical tourism; CSIR–National Institute of Oceanography to explore research and knowledge exchange; BITS Pilani Goa for joint research and academic collaboration; the Goa State Biodiversity Board for conservation and documentation of biodiversity; and the Goa Institute of Management for healthcare innovation and interdisciplinary studies. A tripartite MoU between AIIA Goa, the Directorate of Health Services, Government of Goa, and ATREC, Tata Memorial Centre, aims to advance integrative cancer care through research, treatment, and education.

With these expanding services, academic strides, global-facing collaborations, and a strong commitment to evidence-based Ayurveda, AIIA Goa reaffirmed its dedication to transforming healthcare and positioning itself as a global leader in integrative medicine.

International

Australia’s Bold Social Media Crackdown: Will Kids Actually Log Off?

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral International Desk

Australia has entered a new digital era as it begins enforcing its controversial move to remove children under 16 from social media. The government has framed the shift as a necessary intervention to protect young people from online harm, but many kids have no intention of logging off. In fact, a recent survey of more than 17,000 Australian youths showed that three-quarters plan to keep using social platforms even after the ban begins, and only a small fraction believe the change will work. In the days leading up to the rollout, teens traded tips on bypassing restrictions and encouraged each other to migrate to more obscure apps, raising fresh concerns about children drifting into even less regulated online spaces. With the ban landing just as the long summer holiday begins, the timing adds a layer of complexity for families and regulators.

While Australia describes the legislation as world-leading, skepticism remains widespread. Hard age limits might block some young teens today only to usher them in the moment they turn 16, without ever addressing the conditions that make these platforms risky in the first place. Research from the American Psychological Association has emphasized that age alone isn’t a reliable measure of digital readiness and that blanket bans don’t confront the underlying design choices that keep kids hooked. Even so, many Australians support the move, tired of hearing about the tragic consequences of unchecked online spaces. Reports of youth suicides, drug access and harassment have made it clear that the status quo isn’t working. Surveys from the US, UK and Australia continue to show alarming rates of online grooming, unwanted sexual content and growing concerns about the mental health impact of algorithm-driven feeds.

Critics argue the ban risks cutting off essential community spaces for marginalized young people, including LGBTQ, Indigenous and rural teens whose primary peer networks often exist online. Others point to loopholes: kids can still watch YouTube anonymously, and platforms like Roblox are exempt by categorizing their social features as gaming. And of course, many digitally savvy teens will inevitably find a way around the new rules. Still, the policy sends a clear message to Silicon Valley: governments are no longer willing to accept passivity from tech companies when it comes to youth safety. If more countries follow, platforms may be forced to redesign their systems, strengthen protections and take responsibility for growing evidence of harm.

Australia’s ban is far from perfect, and no one should expect it to trigger a nostalgic return to analog childhoods. But it has ignited a vital global debate about balancing protection with connection and about reshaping digital spaces to serve young people rather than endanger them. If raising a child takes a village, protecting them online requires an even larger one. Australia has taken a first step. Others will now have to decide whether they follow—or leave the future of childhood in the hands of tech giants.

Aight Sky

De-Stress and Realign: The Transformative Benefits of Restorative Yoga

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Anupama Verma

In the midst of a world that moves quickly and demands constant attention, restorative yoga offers a quiet refuge for the body and mind. This gentle practice centers on passive stretching and deep relaxation, using supportive props such as bolsters, blankets, and blocks to help the body settle comfortably into each pose.

By allowing the muscles to soften and the breath to deepen, restorative yoga activates the parasympathetic nervous system—the body’s natural “rest and digest” mode—countering the physical and mental strain that accumulates through daily stress. As you sink into stillness, heart rate and breathing slow, tension melts away, and the mind begins to clear.

What makes restorative yoga especially powerful is its capacity to encourage presence. The long-held postures create space to let go of mental clutter, to release the pressure of constant productivity, and to return to yourself with awareness and compassion. Beyond emotional calm, the practice offers physical benefits as well.

The extended holds gently lengthen connective tissues, increase flexibility, and ease chronic pain without strain. The deep relaxation it cultivates also supports better sleep, making it an ideal evening ritual for anyone struggling with restlessness or insomnia. Even a short daily practice can nurture resilience, grounding you in a sense of steadiness and inner quiet.

Restorative yoga becomes more than a wellness routine—it becomes an act of self-care, an opportunity to realign with your needs, and a reminder that rest is not a luxury but a vital part of well-being.

Health

Occupational Therapy: Empowering Goans to Live Life Independently

Tanisha Cardozo

In Goa, where community care and compassion are woven into everyday life, health and independence carry deep meaning. For many Goans recovering from illness, injury, or disability, even simple tasks such as dressing, writing, or returning to work can become challenging. This is where Occupational Therapy plays a vital role, helping individuals rediscover their independence and quality of life through creativity, care, and science.

Occupational Therapy is a holistic healthcare profession that enables people to live meaningful lives by regaining the ability to perform everyday activities. Contrary to what the name might suggest, it is not about finding employment but about engaging in daily occupations — the essential actions that bring purpose, such as self-care, learning, leisure, and work.

Occupational Therapists approach healing by focusing on the person as a whole — the body, mind, environment, and goals. Through purposeful activities, adaptive devices, and individualized exercise programs, they help people rebuild movement, coordination, confidence, and independence.

This dynamic field encompasses several areas, including orthopaedic rehabilitation, neurosciences, paediatrics and NICU care, mental health, geriatrics, oncology and palliative care, ergonomics, and community-based rehabilitation. Occupational Therapists serve across hospitals, rehabilitation centres, schools, and community programs — supporting individuals of all ages.

This year’s World Occupational Therapy Day 2025 theme, “Occupational Therapy in Action: Transforming Lives, Building Communities,” captures the essence of this profession. In Goa, therapists like Dr. Vailanki Nazira Raposo at Goa Medical College exemplify this mission by working hand in hand with doctors, educators, and families to ensure holistic, patient-centred healing.

Occupational Therapy is more than treatment; it is empowerment. It is about enabling individuals to regain control, rebuild identity, and reconnect with their communities. As Goa continues to advance in healthcare, the contribution of occupational therapists remains vital — enabling independence, enhancing quality of life, and empowering Goans to live with dignity and purpose.