Tag: news

Events in Goa

NoMoZo 7.0 Turns Porvorim into a Living Showcase of Sustainable Innovation

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Transforming Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Marg into a vibrant, people-centric public space, the seventh edition of NoMoZo (No-Motor Zone) was held in Porvorim on Sunday, January 11, 2026. The annual initiative once again demonstrated how reduced vehicular movement, community participation and innovation can reimagine urban living in a more sustainable and inclusive way.

Organised under the leadership of Shri Rohan Khaunte, Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C), Tourism, Printing & Stationery and MLA of Porvorim, NoMoZo 7.0 brought together citizens, startups, students and institutions on a common platform. GTDC Chairman and MLA Saligao Shri Kedar J. Naik was also present at the event. Renowned actor Shri Manoj Bajpayee attended as the Chief Guest, adding further prominence to the occasion.

A key highlight of NoMoZo 7.0 was the strong focus on sustainability and responsible innovation. The Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, set up an engaging stall that showcased the State’s vision for Regenerative Tourism. Through informative displays, the stall highlighted responsible travel practices aimed at creating positive social, cultural and environmental impacts while encouraging deeper engagement with Goa’s communities, heritage and natural ecosystems.

The Tourism Department’s presence also highlighted major cultural initiatives, including Carnaval and other new tourism offerings, along with a preview of the upcoming Shigmo festival—one of Goa’s most vibrant and deeply rooted cultural celebrations. This integrated approach reflected Goa Tourism’s commitment to sustainability, culture and community participation, positioning the State as a year-round, experience-driven destination.

Adding a cultural dimension to the event, a dedicated heritage zone showcased the work of local artisans, including traditional Goan earthen pots, offering visitors a glimpse into Goa’s living craft traditions and indigenous skills.

Innovation and entrepreneurship were at the heart of NoMoZo 7.0. The Startup & IT Promotion Cell (SITPC) under the Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications (DITE&C) curated a dedicated space for startups and student entrepreneurs to showcase cutting-edge solutions and emerging ideas.

Students participating under the Campus Innovation Scheme presented projects addressing real-world challenges through technology and sustainability. Don Bosco College of Engineering students showcased ‘Synapse-Connect: A Neuro-Muscular Signal Integration Framework’, focused on advanced human–machine interaction, and a sustainability-driven project on processing and testing recyclable materials for 3D printing applications.

From Agnel Institute of Technology and Design, the ‘Innovator’s Squad’ presented a smart jacket designed to assist visually impaired individuals with obstacle detection and navigation, while another team showcased AI Aaji, a voice assistant aimed at providing real-time updates and user support.

Several startups added further depth to the showcase. Sevaco presented a mobile application connecting busy individuals with verified students for everyday tasks. Burraa highlighted its Go-Out app that helps users discover and book curated experiences. Asier Solutions showcased STEM skill-building courses, while DigiWiz demonstrated its work in robotics, drone kits, IoT hardware and home automation.

NoMoZo 7.0 successfully highlighted how innovation, technology and entrepreneurship are driving Goa’s growth. The diverse exhibits and strong community participation reinforced the State’s emergence as a hub for sustainable, technology-driven and socially responsible solutions—demonstrating that when people reclaim public spaces, meaningful change follows.

Events in Goa

Goa Forest Diversity Festival 2026 to Celebrate Nature, Culture and Community at Art Park, Campal

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The Goa Forest Diversity Festival 2026 will be held from 17th to 19th January at Art Park, Campal, Panaji. The three-day festival is being organised by the Goa Forest Development Corporation Ltd. (GFDC) with the aim of celebrating Goa’s rich forest heritage, biodiversity and indigenous knowledge systems, while fostering a deeper connection between nature and local communities.

Dr. Deviya Rane, while briefing the media, stated that the festival is envisioned as more than just an event. She described it as a celebration of Goa’s forests and the cultural, ecological and social values rooted within them. Against the backdrop of growing environmental challenges, the festival aims to promote conservation awareness in an engaging, inclusive and accessible manner for people of all age groups.

She outlined three key objectives of the Goa Forest Diversity Festival: to educate and sensitise citizens, particularly children and youth, about forest conservation and biodiversity; to celebrate traditional wisdom, culture and sustainable practices rooted in forest ecosystems; and to foster a shared sense of responsibility towards protecting and preserving Goa’s natural heritage.

Over the course of three days, the festival will offer a vibrant mix of education, culture and celebration. One of the major highlights will be the Angon Experience, an immersive traditional space that brings indigenous practices to life through live demonstrations, storytelling and interactive sessions. Dr. Rane described Angon as a signature attraction that will offer visitors rare insights into sustainable forest-based living.

The festival will also feature authentic tribal cuisine, showcasing traditional forest-based food practices and flavours. A Green Bazaar will be set up to display eco-friendly products, forest produce and items that promote sustainable living.

Cultural performances will form a key component of the festival programme, including traditional folk dances such as Morulo, Jagor acts, Fugdi and other regional performances. A special musical performance by Sonia Shirsat is scheduled on Day 1, while band performances will take place on Day 2 and Day 3.

The festival will also spotlight inclusion through performances such as the Goff Dance on Wheels by the Disability Alliance for Inclusive Goa, along with impactful theatre productions like “Mhaka Naka Plastic”, which convey strong messages on conservation and social responsibility.

Dr. Rane emphasised that the Goa Forest Diversity Festival is a one-of-its-kind initiative, thoughtfully curated to bring together conservation, culture, inclusion and community engagement on a single platform. She also revealed that a special surprise element has been planned and will be unveiled during the inaugural ceremony.

Appealing to the media, Dr. Rane sought their continued support in spreading awareness about the festival and encouraging public participation, highlighting the vital role of media in taking the message of conservation beyond the venue and into homes across Goa.

Citizens are invited to visit Art Park, Campal, from 17th to 19th January 2026 and be part of this unique celebration of nature, culture and community.

Films

83rd Golden Globe Awards 2026: Full List of Winners from Hollywood’s First Big Night

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Hollywood’s awards season officially began with the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, held on Sunday night at the iconic Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills. Known for its relaxed, champagne-filled atmosphere, the Golden Globes once again brought together the biggest names from the worlds of film and television under one glittering roof.

Comedian Nikki Glaser returned as host for the second consecutive year, steering the ceremony with her signature wit and humour. The night celebrated outstanding achievements across cinema, television, stand-up comedy and podcasts, making it one of the most diverse and eagerly awaited award shows of the season.

In the film categories, Hamnet emerged as the winner for Best Motion Picture – Drama, while One Battle After Another dominated the Musical or Comedy category. Animated feature KPop Demon Hunters stood out with a major win, further underlining the growing global influence of animation and pop culture crossovers. The Secret Agent claimed the Best Motion Picture – Non-English Language award, highlighting the continued rise of international cinema at global award platforms.

On the acting front, Jessie Buckley (Hamnet) and Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent) took home top honours in the drama categories, while Timothée Chalamet won Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy for Marty Supreme. Rose Byrne was recognised for her performance in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, and Teyana Taylor earned acclaim for her supporting role in One Battle After Another.

Television also had a strong presence, with The Pitt winning Best Drama Series and The Studio taking home Best Musical or Comedy Series. Adolescence emerged as the top Limited Series, while individual performances by Rhea Seehorn, Noah Wyle, Jean Smart and Michelle Williams stood out among the winners.

Beyond film and television, Ricky Gervais won Best Stand-Up Comedy on Television for Mortality, while Good Hang with Amy Poehler was named Best Podcast, reflecting the expanding scope of storytelling and entertainment honoured by the Golden Globes.

With the Golden Globes setting the tone, Hollywood now looks ahead to the rest of the awards season, as industry favourites and emerging talents continue their race toward the Oscars and beyond.

Business

BMW Group India Records Highest-Ever Annual Sales in 2025 with 14% Growth

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

BMW Group India has delivered a landmark performance in calendar year 2025, recording its highest-ever annual car sales and reinforcing its strong growth momentum in the Indian luxury automobile market. The company sold a total of 18,001 cars during the year, registering a robust year-on-year growth of 14 percent despite a dynamic business environment.

Out of the total sales, BMW delivered 17,271 units while MINI contributed 730 units. BMW Motorrad also recorded strong performance, delivering 5,841 motorcycles during the year. The results further strengthen BMW Group India’s position as one of the fastest-growing luxury automobile brands in the country.

The company has now delivered double-digit growth and record-breaking sales consistently for four consecutive years. In 2025, every month and every quarter achieved the highest-ever sales performance, with growth rates exceeding the average luxury segment in India. The final quarter of the year proved particularly strong, with Quarter 4 sales reaching an all-time high of 6,023 units, marking a 17 percent growth year-on-year.

Commenting on the achievement, BMW Group India President and CEO Hardeep Singh Brar said that 2025 has been a record-breaking year for the company, driven by strong customer aspiration and trust across BMW’s portfolio. He highlighted that growth has been witnessed across all segments, including internal combustion engines and electric vehicles, sports activity vehicles and sedans, as well as long wheelbase models. He also noted that BMW Group India’s leadership in the luxury electric segment continues to drive sustainable mobility while expanding the overall luxury car market in India.

BMW Group India’s strong performance was supported by an aggressive product offensive in 2025, with the launch of 20 new products across BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad. The expanded portfolio included major new-generation launches such as the BMW iX1 Long Wheelbase, BMW X3, BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, MINI JCW Countryman All4 and MINI Convertible. The motorcycle range was further strengthened with the introduction of the BMW R 1300 GS Adventure and the high-performance BMW S 1000 RR.

With a compelling product lineup, growing demand for electric luxury vehicles and a strong dealer network, BMW Group India continues to build on its momentum, setting the stage for sustained growth in the years ahead.

EduConnect

Goa Inter-School Science Fair 2026 Concludes with Call to Nurture Young Knowledge Creators

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The two-day Goa Inter-School Science Fair 2026 – “Taare Zameen Par” concluded on Saturday evening at Samrat Garden, Margao, reinforcing the message that India’s future depends on empowering students to become creators of knowledge rather than mere consumers of technology.

Organised by the Board of Innovative Education (BIE), Goa, in collaboration with A.J. Academy for Research and Development, the fair was held on January 9 and 10 and witnessed enthusiastic participation from over 200 students representing 10 schools. A total of 54 research-based projects were presented across Physical Sciences, Life Sciences and Environmental Sciences, in both individual and group categories. The event attracted more than 500 student visitors, along with researchers, academicians, parents, science activists and members of the public, transforming the venue into a vibrant hub of scientific exchange.

The concluding ceremony was graced by Dr Sunil Kumar Singh, Director (Headquarters), CSIR–National Institute of Oceanography, Goa, as the Chief Guest. Addressing the gathering, Dr Singh emphasised that while India imports a large amount of technology, the country has immense potential to generate its own solutions. He urged students to move beyond the narrow pursuit of monetary success and focus instead on knowledge creation. Praising the quality of projects on display, he said the research showcased at the fair offered strong hope for the future of Indian science.

Earlier, Muhammad Abdullah Javed, Director of A.J. Academy for Research and Development, highlighted how the science fair had instilled confidence in students, enabling them to present ideas clearly and respond thoughtfully to questions. He stressed the importance of collaboration between parents, institutions and students in nurturing innovation and guiding young talent towards meaningful futures.

The welcome address was delivered by Mrs Meenaz Bhanu, Secretary of the Board of Innovative Education. Dr Waliur Rahman was felicitated for receiving the prestigious Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar Award, India’s highest science honour, conferred by the President of India for outstanding contributions to scientific research. In his presidential address, Asif Hussain, Chairman of the Board of Innovative Education, reminded the audience that scientific inventions must be used for societal development and problem-solving rather than destruction.

Projects were evaluated by an expert panel of judges from diverse scientific backgrounds. Several awards were presented across categories and age groups, recognising originality, research depth and practical relevance. From local composting methods and natural water purifiers to studies on microplastics, soil erosion, renewable energy and environmental sustainability, the projects reflected strong scientific inquiry and social awareness.

The fair concluded with the distribution of mementos to participating schools, felicitation of judges and guests, presentation of awards, and the National Anthem. The Goa Inter-School Science Fair 2026 stood out for its emphasis on independent research, collaboration and innovation, laying a strong foundation for future scientists, researchers and problem-solvers in the state.