Tag: news

Travel

Siddhant Chaturvedi Invites Fans to Experience Mumbai Like a Local with Airbnb

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Travel Desk

As live music increasingly shapes how India’s Gen Z travels, Airbnb is bringing fans closer to the culture they love through an exclusive collaboration with actor, musician, and cultural voice Siddhant Chaturvedi. Announced on January 14, 2026, the partnership introduces “Lolla India Like a Local,” an Airbnb Original Experience designed to offer guests an intimate, once-in-a-lifetime way to explore Mumbai before ending the day at Lollapalooza India 2026.

The experience reflects a growing trend, with a significant number of young travellers planning trips around concerts and festivals. Rooted in the city that shaped Siddhant, the experience takes guests through Mumbai’s neighbourhoods, food, music, and creative spaces—bringing to life the everyday moments that define local travel. The day culminates at Lollapalooza India, where guests experience the festival alongside Siddhant himself.

Central to the collaboration is The Mumbai Guidebook, a digital city guide curated by Siddhant Chaturvedi exclusively for Airbnb. Featuring his handpicked neighbourhoods, local hangouts, and a selection of Airbnb stays that capture the spirit of the city, the guidebook is designed to help travellers extend their festival trip and experience Mumbai beyond the stage.

Limited to just four guests, the experience transforms recommendations into shared memories. Guests begin the day with a meal at one of Siddhant’s favourite local food joints, followed by a curated heritage walk through Bandra’s historic Ranwar Village with architect Nikhil Mahashur. The journey continues with an intimate jam session where Siddhant performs an original track inspired by the city, before heading to Lollapalooza India together to soak in the music and energy of a live performance.

Sharing his thoughts on the collaboration, Siddhant Chaturvedi said that Mumbai has shaped every aspect of who he is, from his music to the places he returns to. Curating the guidebook and hosting the experience was his way of welcoming guests into his version of the city and sharing the sounds, neighbourhoods, and everyday moments that make Mumbai special.

The initiative builds on Airbnb’s first-ever global live music partnership at Lollapalooza India 2026, which includes a range of exclusive festival-related experiences designed to bring fans closer to the music and culture they love. Airbnb India and Southeast Asia Country Head Amanpreet Bajaj noted that while live music often sparks travel, it is local connections and authentic experiences that make journeys memorable.

Requests to book the four-hour experience will open at 11 AM IST on January 19, 2026, via airbnb.com/siddhant. The experience is priced at ₹0, available to a maximum of four guests on a first-come, first-served basis, with guests responsible for their own travel to and from Mumbai.

Films

Goan Film The Awakening Selected for Mitee Environment Short Film & Documentary Festival 2026

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Intern Rency Gomes, Team Allycaral

Goan short film The Awakening, directed by young filmmaker Rameez Shaikh, has been officially selected for screening at the 5th Mitee Environment Short Film and Documentary Festival. The film will be screened on January 11, 2026, at the Lady Ramabai Auditorium, S.P. College, Pune. Scheduled from January 9 to 11, the festival will present over 40 environment-focused short films and documentaries from across the world, with The Awakening standing out as the sole Goan film featured this year.

Organised by the Mitee Film Society, the festival has grown into an important platform for young and emerging filmmakers, particularly those addressing social and environmental issues. Now in its fifth edition, the festival continues its mission of nurturing youth voices and showcasing cinema that informs, inspires, and provokes meaningful dialogue among audiences.

The Awakening stars Rameez Shaikh, Siya Chodankar, and Cyrus Fernandes in lead roles. The screenplay and cinematography were handled by Numair Khan, who also co-wrote the story along with Rameez Shaikh and Sharvi Dhond. Editing was done by Varun Kashyap, with technical support from Boskon Studio. The film’s background score was composed by Cyrus Fernandes, while production was managed by Sharvi Dhond and Ebenezer Rajamanickam.

Director Rameez Shaikh, a 21-year-old Gen Z filmmaker from Goa, is a Mass Communication graduate from Don Bosco College, Panjim. In addition to filmmaking, he is a digital creator who has won several local and national-level reel competitions alongside his brothers Ismail Shaikh and Aarif Shaikh.

The film centres on a conversation between two friends contemplating a dying planet, gradually realising that meaningful change begins with shifting mindsets and embracing environmental responsibility. Set against the backdrop of a decaying city, the narrative highlights how apathy has become one of the greatest contributors to environmental degradation, while stressing the power of collective action by ordinary people.

Through its reflective storytelling, The Awakening urges viewers to confront indifference and recognise their individual and collective responsibility towards the planet. The film envisions a future shaped by conscious choices, empathy for the environment, and a shared commitment to safeguarding the world for generations to come.

Special Occasion

Makar Sankranti: One Festival, Many Names, A Shared Indian Spirit

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Makar Sankranti is one of India’s most widely celebrated festivals, deeply rooted in the country’s agricultural traditions and astronomical significance. Observed when the Sun enters the zodiac sign of Capricorn, or Makara, the festival marks the beginning of the Sun’s northward journey, known as Uttarayan. This transition symbolises light over darkness, warmth over cold, and renewal over stagnation, making it a powerful moment of optimism and forward movement.

Unlike many festivals that follow the lunar calendar, Makar Sankranti is based on the solar cycle and therefore falls around the same time every year, usually in mid-January. It coincides with the end of winter and the arrival of the harvest season, when farmers across India reap the rewards of months of dedication and hard work. At its core, the festival is a heartfelt expression of gratitude—to the Sun, to nature, and to the earth that sustains life.

What makes Makar Sankranti truly unique is its celebration across India under different names, each shaped by local culture, language, and tradition. In Punjab it is celebrated as Lohri, in Gujarat as Uttarayan, in Tamil Nadu as Thai Pongal, in Assam as Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu, in Maharashtra as Makar Sankranti, and in West Bengal as Poush Sankrant. Across other regions, it is known as Magha Saaji, Khichdi Parv, Uttarayani, Sakraat, Makar Sankramana, Pedda Panduga, Bhogi, and many more. Though the names differ, the essence remains the same—a celebration of harvest, abundance, and new beginnings.

Traditional customs vary from kite flying and bonfires to holy river dips, community feasts, and the sharing of festive foods made from newly harvested crops such as rice, sugarcane, sesame, and jaggery. The exchange of sesame and jaggery sweets symbolises warmth, harmony, and the strengthening of relationships, reflecting the deeper values of togetherness and goodwill.

Beyond rituals and festivities, Makar Sankranti serves as a reminder of balance—between humans and nature, effort and reward, tradition and progress. It encourages people to let go of negativity, embrace positivity, and step confidently into a new phase of life. As the Sun begins its northward journey and days grow longer, the festival invites everyone to rise with hope, renew their purpose, and celebrate the shared cultural spirit that unites India.

EduConnect

St. Mary’s Convent High School, Mapusa Celebrates Annual Day 2026 with Grandeur and Purpose

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The Annual Day Programme of St. Mary’s Convent High School, Mapusa was celebrated with great enthusiasm and splendour on 10th January 2026 on the school grounds. The occasion marked a memorable evening, showcasing the talents, achievements and vibrant spirit of the students.

The programme commenced with a graceful prayer dance, setting a serene and auspicious tone for the celebrations. This was followed by a warm welcome address by Sr. Snehala A.C., Headmistress, who extended heartfelt greetings to the dignitaries, parents, teachers and students present. The programme was efficiently compered by Tr. Fizel Fernandes.

The Chief Guest, Mr. Shailesh R. Sinai Zingde, Director of Education, was formally honoured and escorted to his seat by the NCC Cadets. In his inspiring address, he appreciated the students for their disciplined and dedicated performances and commended the school for nurturing talent alongside academic excellence. The occasion was further graced by the Guest of Honour, Fr. Dr. Ramiro Luis, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, St. Xavier’s College, Mapusa.

The highlight of the evening was the thoughtfully chosen theme, “From Slavery to Freedom.” Students captivated the audience through a rich variety of performances including classical dances, skits, songs and musical presentations by the School Brass Band. Each performance reflected creativity, teamwork and confidence, earning loud applause and appreciation from the audience.

A felicitation ceremony was held to honour staff members who completed 25 years of dedicated service to the institution, as well as those retiring during the current academic year, acknowledging their invaluable contribution to the school’s growth and legacy.

The programme concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks proposed by Tr. Sonia Noronha, expressing gratitude to the Chief Guest, management, staff, students and parents for their constant support and cooperation. The celebration ended with the School Song, leaving behind cherished memories and a deep sense of pride among all present.

The Annual Day Programme was a grand success and truly reflected St. Mary’s Convent High School’s commitment to holistic education and value-based learning.

Finance

Axis Finance Launches ‘Vyapar Business Loan’ to Empower Micro & Small Businesses

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Axis Finance Limited (AFL), one of India’s fastest-growing non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), has announced the launch of Axis Finance Vyapar Business Loan, a collateral-free credit solution aimed at addressing the financing needs of micro and small businesses across semi-urban and rural India.

The Vyapar Business Loan is designed to support entrepreneurs operating in the retail, service and trading segments, offering loans of up to ₹10 lakh with flexible repayment tenures and zero collateral requirements. With a simplified application process and minimal documentation, the product ensures quick and hassle-free access to formal credit for India’s self-employed community. The financing can be utilised for working capital needs, business expansion or equipment upgrades.

Commenting on the launch, Sai Giridhar, MD & CEO, Axis Finance Limited, said that micro and small entrepreneurs form the backbone of India’s economy. He noted that the Vyapar Business Loan aims to make formal credit more inclusive by enabling shopkeepers, traders and service providers to access collateral-free finance, helping them scale operations and fulfil their growth aspirations with confidence.

He further highlighted Axis Finance’s focus on leveraging technology and data-driven underwriting to ensure faster turnaround times and a superior customer experience. According to him, the launch of Vyapar Business Loan marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey to empower India’s self-employed population with simple, secure and scalable credit solutions.

Earlier in the fiscal year, Axis Finance introduced Disha Home Loans to improve homeownership access for Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and Low-Income Group (LIG) customers, and also launched Axis Finance Shakti, a Micro Loan Against Property (Micro LAP) product for micro-entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals. Vyapar Business Loan builds on these initiatives, further strengthening AFL’s commitment to inclusive lending and grassroots economic development.

Axis Finance continues to expand its presence across secured and unsecured lending segments, supported by strong underwriting capabilities, advanced technology platforms and an extensive distribution network focused on delivering seamless customer experiences across emerging markets.


Axis Finance Limited is a non-deposit accepting NBFC registered with the Reserve Bank of India and classified under the Middle Layer (NBFC-ML). A wholly-owned subsidiary of Axis Bank Limited, the company offers a wide range of retail and wholesale lending solutions, including Loans Against Property, Business Loans, Personal Loans, Disha Home Loans, Corporate Financing and Real Estate Financing.