Tag: news

Travel

FLY91 Launches Daily Kochi–Agatti Flights, Plans Expansion to Seven New Regional Stations

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Travel Desk

FLY91 has announced the launch of daily non-stop flights between Kochi and Agatti in the Lakshadweep islands, with bookings now open for travel in both directions. The announcement comes as the regional airline accelerates its network growth, with plans to add seven new stations over the next 90 days as part of a phased expansion strategy.

The new Kochi–Agatti service marks a significant milestone for FLY91, enhancing connectivity between the Indian mainland and Lakshadweep through a key southern gateway. The airline currently operates flights between Agatti and Manohar International Airport in Goa, and the addition of Kochi provides island residents and visitors with greater flexibility, improved access, and more seamless onward connections.

As part of its expansion roadmap, FLY91 will add Kochi, Rajahmundry, Vijayawada, Hubballi, Dabolim, Nanded, and Indore to its network. Once operational, the airline’s footprint will expand to 15 stations, supported by a fleet of six ATR 72-600 aircraft. Three additional aircraft are scheduled for induction within the next 45 days, enabling higher frequencies and the introduction of new city pairs while maintaining operational reliability.

The airline’s expansion will roll out in phases beginning in early February with the launch of daily Kochi–Agatti flights. This will be followed by thrice-daily services on the Rajahmundry–Hyderabad and Vijayawada–Hyderabad routes, along with daily flights between Hubballi–Hyderabad and Hubballi–Bengaluru. Subsequent phases will include connections from Nanded to South Goa and Bengaluru, while Indore will be linked to Jalgaon and Hyderabad.

Agatti Island, known for its coral reefs, lagoons, and pristine beaches, is an emerging tourism destination. Improved air connectivity is expected to support sustainable tourism while also easing travel for island residents who depend on limited transport options for education, healthcare, and commerce.

Commenting on the launch, Manoj Chacko, Managing Director and CEO of FLY91, said the daily Kochi–Agatti flights add momentum to regional aviation in India and reaffirm the airline’s commitment to connecting aspirational tier-two and tier-three destinations. He noted that improved regional connectivity will play a key role in unlocking India’s next phase of economic and tourism growth.

Headquartered in Ribandar, Goa, FLY91 currently connects nine destinations and operates from regional hubs including Goa, Hyderabad, Pune, and Bengaluru, with a strong focus on underserved regional markets.

Music

The Rose Korean Rock Band Documentary Set for Worldwide Theatrical Release

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The Rose: Come Back to Me, a documentary chronicling the journey of South Korean indie rock band The Rose, is set to receive a worldwide theatrical release after CJ 4DPLEX acquired global distribution rights to the film. The announcement comes as the documentary continues to gain international attention following its successful festival run.

Directed by Eugene Yi, the film traces The Rose’s rise from performing in Seoul’s Hongdae district to playing some of the world’s biggest music stages, including Coachella. Blending immersive live performances with behind-the-scenes footage and candid interviews, the documentary offers an intimate look into the band’s creative process, personal struggles and enduring friendship.

The Rose, comprising Kim “Sammy” WooSung, Park “Leo” Dojoon, Lee “Dylan” Hajoon and Lee “Jeff” Taegyeom, is known for its emotionally driven sound and global fanbase. The documentary highlights the band’s hands-on involvement in every aspect of their music, from songwriting and rehearsals to stage production and touring, underscoring their commitment to authenticity and artistic control.

Following its premiere at the Tribeca Festival, where it won an Audience Prize and sold out multiple screenings, the film also played to packed houses at its international premiere at the Busan International Film Festival. The strong audience response has positioned the documentary as both a music film and a coming-of-age story that resonates beyond genre or geography.

CJ 4DPLEX plans a global theatrical rollout beginning in 2026, with simultaneous releases across multiple international markets and additional territories to follow. The Valentine’s Day launch is expected to offer fans worldwide a shared cinematic experience celebrating the band’s journey, resilience and message of healing through music.

With its worldwide theatrical release, The Rose: Come Back to Me further cements The Rose’s place in the global music landscape, bringing their story from the concert stage to the big screen for audiences around the world.

Business

Goa Celebrates National Startup Day with Focus on Funding and Policy Awareness

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Business Desk

With a focus on strengthening Goa’s startup ecosystem, the Startup & IT Promotion Cell (SITPC) under the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Government of Goa, organised a National Startup Day programme in Panaji. The initiative aimed to provide startups with practical guidance, policy and funding awareness, while creating opportunities for engagement with key ecosystem stakeholders.

The programme was graced by Shri Rohan Khaunte, Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Tourism and Printing & Stationery; Shri Kabir Shirgaonkar, Director, DITE&C; Shri Praveen Volvotkar, Managing Director, Infotech Corporation of Goa Ltd; Dr Milind Sakhardande, Joint Director, DITE&C; and Shri D. S. Prashant, CEO, Startup & IT Promotion Cell.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Rohan Khaunte emphasised the Government of Goa’s commitment to building a robust startup ecosystem through access to policy support, funding and market opportunities. He stated that the government envisions Goa as a launchpad for innovative ideas that can scale beyond the state and reach global markets.

Held under the theme ‘Empowering Startups. Enabling Ecosystem’, the event featured an overview of National Startup Day followed by a panel discussion on the effective utilisation of central government startup schemes. The discussion brought together key ecosystem enablers who shared insights on leveraging national initiatives for startup growth. Panelists included representatives from AIC-GIM, CIBA, BITS BioCyTih Foundation, FiiRE, Build3, SBI and HDFC, with the session moderated by Shri Lalit Saraswat.

The programme also included a presentation by the SITPC team outlining state-level incentives and funding support available to startups in Goa. Adding a practical dimension to the event, Shri Amarsh Chaturvedi, Co-founder of Traverse and Neural Machines, conducted an engaging workshop on pitching skills, equipping entrepreneurs with actionable insights to present their ideas effectively.

The event concluded with the felicitation of startups, incubators, academicians and industry associations for their contribution to strengthening Goa’s startup ecosystem. Startups such as Asier, Trash Co., Spatialcraft, Neural Kissan and YIMBY were recognised, along with incubators including AIC-GIM, CIBA, Build3, BITS BioCyTiH Foundation and FiiRE. Industry bodies such as GCCI, GTA and ASSOCHAM–Goa Chapter, along with academicians, were also honoured.

By bringing together stakeholders from across the ecosystem, the National Startup Day programme not only celebrated achievements but also reinforced collective efforts towards building a supportive, collaborative and sustainable startup environment in Goa.

EduConnect

American AI Expert from Carnegie Mellon Trains Goan Students on Real-World Applications of Artificial Intelligence at Kilowott Workshop

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

College students from technical and non-technical institutions across Goa were recently introduced to the real-world applications of artificial intelligence and its growing influence on modern careers during a workshop conducted by Adam Paulisick, a renowned professor at Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Computer Science, USA. The session was hosted at the campus of digital transformation company Kilowott in Porvorim.

Titled Growing at the Speed of Artificial Intelligence, the workshop explored how AI is rapidly transitioning from academic theory to practical, industry-driven use. Paulisick, who also leads the US-based AI firm SkillyAI, explained how artificial intelligence is reshaping workplaces, skill requirements, and decision-making processes across sectors.

Students from institutions including Goa Engineering College, Agnel Institute of Technology and Design, Shree Rayeshwar Institute of Engineering & Information Technology, Goa College of Art, Don Bosco College of Engineering, Padre Conceicao College of Engineering, Dnyanprassarak Mandal’s College and Research Centre, Shree Damodar College of Commerce and Economics, and St. Xavier’s College participated in the session.

Using relatable business examples, Paulisick compared AI systems to kitchen ingredients that need to be combined thoughtfully to create meaningful outcomes. He explained that the gap between data and impact is bridged through different approaches to AI, ranging from augmented and assistive AI to AI-first systems and hybrid models that emphasise collaboration between humans and machines.

Speaking about India’s technology landscape, he highlighted how AI can significantly accelerate learning and innovation when used actively. He noted that while becoming a senior technologist traditionally takes decades, AI now allows individuals to access advanced knowledge and insights much faster, helping them experiment and grow at an unprecedented pace.

Students described the workshop as eye-opening and practical. Several participants said it helped demystify commonly used terms like data and AI by placing them in real business and professional contexts, while also underscoring the importance of responsible data usage.

Faculty members who attended the session said it provided valuable clarity on selecting appropriate AI tools for different applications and would help them guide students more effectively. The workshop was part of Kilowott’s broader effort to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry exposure in emerging technology domains that are redefining career pathways.

The initiative also aligns with the recently signed memorandum of understanding between Goa College of Art and St. Xavier’s College, aimed at strengthening industry–academia collaboration and supporting the development of local talent in Goa’s evolving digital ecosystem.

Films

Bhaangar: Kalakusar Karigiri to Represent Goan Culture at International Folklore Film Festival, Kerala

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Goan documentary Bhaangar: Kalakusar Karigiri, directed by Prachi Shirodkar, has been officially selected for screening at the 9th edition of the International Folklore Film Festival (IFFF), Kerala. The festival will be held from January 15 to 22, 2026, across five venues in the state, bringing together folklore-focused films and documentaries from around the world.

Among 659 national and international short films submitted, Bhaangar: Kalakusar Karigiri stands out as one of only two Goan films selected for the week-long festival, marking a significant milestone for Goan cinema and cultural representation on an international platform.

Directed, shot, and narrated by Prachi Shirodkar, and edited by Mario Pimenta, the documentary offers an intimate portrayal of Goa’s traditional goldsmith community. The film was produced under the guidance of Agnelo D’Souza at Don Bosco College, Panjim, and documents the intricate craftsmanship, heritage, and lived realities of artisans whose skills have been passed down through generations.

The documentary features Goan artisans Rashila Shirodkar, Virendra Rivankar, and Pranay Shirodkar, capturing their techniques, artistic precision, and the cultural significance of gold craftsmanship in Goa. Through careful observation and storytelling, the film highlights the deep connection between labour, identity, and tradition within the community.

Prachi Shirodkar, a Goan filmmaker with a diploma in Architecture and a degree in Mass Communication, created Bhaangar: Kalakusar Karigiri with the intention of documenting and preserving the craftsmanship of Goan gold artisans. As a Goan woman filmmaker, her work represents an important contribution to women’s empowerment, amplifying female voices in documentary filmmaking and cultural narratives.

Beyond celebrating Goan heritage, the film also underscores women’s leadership, authorship, and creative ownership in cinema—fields historically dominated by men. Prachi’s journey reflects a growing movement of Goan women reclaiming and narrating stories rooted in culture, labour, and identity.

The 9th International Folklore Film Festival is being organised by the International Film Festival of Thrissur, Bhoumam Social Initiative, Centre for Media Studies, St. Thomas College, Thrissur, and International Folk Films India. Dedicated to showcasing films rooted in folklore, rural traditions, mythology, arts, handicrafts, and sustainable lifestyles, the festival serves as a global platform for culturally grounded storytelling.

Bhaangar: Kalakusar Karigiri stands as a meaningful contribution to this global dialogue, proudly representing Goan culture, craftsmanship, and women-led storytelling on the international stage.