Tag: news

Travel

Goa Tourism Showcases Regenerative Vision at SATTE 2026 in New Delhi

Tanisha Cardozo

The Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, is set to participate in the South Asia Travel and Tourism Exchange (SATTE) 2026, which will be held from February 25 to 27 at Yashobhoomi (India International Convention and Expo Centre) in New Delhi. Recognised as one of South Asia’s most prominent travel and tourism exhibitions, SATTE brings together destinations, travel professionals, hospitality brands, and key stakeholders from across the global tourism ecosystem, creating opportunities for collaboration, networking, and business growth.

Goa Tourism will showcase its diverse and evolving portfolio at Stall No. A-62, engaging with industry stakeholders and partners over the three-day event. The State’s participation is centred on reinforcing its identity as a year-round destination driven by quality, sustainability, and regenerative tourism practices. Visitors to the Goa pavilion will experience a curated mix of offerings, including spiritual circuits such as Ekadasha Teertha, hinterland and village tourism, homestays, wellness retreats, adventure activities, heritage trails, monsoon experiences, and vibrant cultural festivals that highlight Goa’s rich and living traditions.

The delegation will actively participate in business-to-business meetings with domestic and international tour operators, travel agents, destination management companies, hospitality partners, and aviation stakeholders. These engagements aim to strengthen strategic alliances, enhance market visibility, and promote responsible tourism practices while attracting travellers seeking deeper, more meaningful, and immersive experiences.

Tourism Minister Shri Rohan Ashok Khaunte emphasised that Goa’s presence at SATTE 2026 aligns with the State’s broader vision of becoming a regenerative and future-ready tourism destination. He highlighted that the focus remains on empowering local communities, preserving cultural identity, and encouraging responsible travel while leveraging global platforms to build impactful partnerships.

Director of Tourism Shri Kedar Naik noted that SATTE continues to serve as a significant forum for engaging with stakeholders across the travel and tourism sector. He added that this year’s showcase will focus on curated experiences that reflect Goa’s evolving tourism narrative and its shift towards sustainability and innovation.

Through its participation, the Department of Tourism aims to further strengthen Goa’s brand presence in key domestic and international markets while placing sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation at the core of its tourism strategy. The State looks forward to meaningful engagements and collaborations that will support its continued growth as one of the world’s most preferred travel destinations.

Music

Jackson Wang Brings Wuxia Energy Alive with ‘Blades of the Guardians’ Theme Song

Tanisha Cardozo

Global pop icon Jackson Wang has unveiled the theme song “Tian Xia Guo Ke” for the upcoming wuxia epic Blades of the Guardians, creating an immediate buzz among fans and film enthusiasts alike. Released ahead of the Spring Festival, the track has quickly gained traction, not just for its musical appeal but for how seamlessly it captures the essence of the film’s world.

Written by director and screenwriter Yu Baimei along with lyricist Gan Shijia, and composed by Tang Hanxiao, the song blends sweeping orchestral arrangements with modern production elements. Jackson Wang’s vocals carry a sense of urgency and emotion, echoing themes of freedom, संघर्ष, and the wandering spirit central to martial arts storytelling. The composition reflects a balance between traditional wuxia aesthetics and contemporary global soundscapes, making it both culturally rooted and widely accessible.

The film itself stands out as one of the most ambitious wuxia productions of the year, bringing together multiple generations of martial arts stars including Wu Jing, Nicholas Tse, and Jet Li under the direction of legendary action choreographer Yuen Woo-ping. Adapted from Xu Xianzhe’s popular comic series, the narrative follows Daoma, a fugitive tasked with escorting another wanted man across dangerous terrain to Chang’an, drawing multiple factions into a high-stakes conflict.

Set against the expansive deserts of northwestern China, the film’s visual storytelling is amplified by the tone established in its music. The accompanying music video offers glimpses into this world—warriors in motion, intense combat sequences, shifting alliances, and moments of emotional vulnerability—all underscored by the song’s dramatic progression.

For Jackson Wang, the release is particularly significant as it marks a rare Chinese-language track in his discography. Known for his global musical style that blends Eastern and Western influences, this project highlights his versatility and his continued effort to connect with diverse audiences. It also aligns with his broader artistic direction, as he has previously expressed interest in exploring more Mandarin-language music alongside his international projects.

With its combination of star power, storytelling depth, and musical impact, Blades of the Guardians positions itself as a major cinematic event for the Spring Festival season. The theme song not only enhances anticipation for the film but also stands strong as an independent piece of art, resonating with listeners beyond the screen.

EduConnect

SVVM College of Commerce Hosts CONVERGE 3.0 Summit on AI for Career Building

Tanisha Cardozo

Swami Vivekanand Vidyaprasarak Mandal’s College of Commerce (SVVMCC) organised an Academia–Industry Summit under CONVERGE 3.0 – Shiksha Udyogik Sangam on February 12, 2026, focusing on the theme “AI for Career Building.” The programme was conducted under the aegis of the Directorate of Higher Education, Government of Goa, in association with the Goa State Higher Education Council and the Institution’s Innovation Council. The summit aimed to bridge the gap between academic learning and evolving industry expectations in the digital era.

The event commenced with an address by Principal Prof. Achut Pednekar, who welcomed the gathering and highlighted the institution’s commitment to nurturing enlightened youth through excellence in higher education. He emphasised the importance of strong academia–industry linkages and aligned the initiative with the Directorate of Higher Education’s efforts to enhance internships, placements and industry exposure for students.

The first technical session, titled “Bridging Academia and Industry Expectations,” was delivered by Damodar Pai Patnekar, CEO and Co-founder of Bodhami. He spoke about the changing demands of industry in the age of Artificial Intelligence, stressing the need for practical skills, adaptability and a strong problem-solving mindset. His session provided students with clarity on aligning academic knowledge with real-world industry requirements.

The second session, “Empowering Students with AI Awareness,” was conducted by Rohir Naik, CEO of Coderix Solutions LLP. He introduced students to the fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence and its applications across sectors, particularly in commerce and business. He encouraged students to develop digital competencies and embrace AI-driven tools to enhance employability.

The final session, “Getting Career AI-Ready through AI Education,” was led by Vishwa Naik Raikar, Assistant Professor (Finance) and Programme Coordinator – PGP Banking and Finance. She highlighted the importance of AI education in career planning, ethical AI usage and continuous upskilling to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving job market.

Students from First, Second and Third Year B.Com actively participated in the summit, engaging in discussions and interactions with the speakers. The sessions collectively offered valuable insights into how Artificial Intelligence is shaping future careers and redefining industry expectations.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Gayatri Behare, TIP Coordinator, who expressed gratitude to the Principal, resource persons, compere Florencia Souza, faculty members, students and the organising team. She noted that the summit strengthened industry ties and advanced AI-centric career strategies, reaffirming SVVMCC’s alignment with the vision of the Directorate of Higher Education for quality, future-ready education.

TechPulse

Over 200 Women Attend Launch of Mahila Digital Sashaktikaran Yojana in Porvorim

Tanisha Cardozo

In a strong show of community participation, over 200 women gathered at Vetaal Temple Hall in Socorro, Porvorim, for the launch of the Mahila Digital Sashaktikaran Yojana, an initiative of the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C), Government of Goa. The programme was organised in collaboration with Info Tech Corporation of Goa Limited and marked a significant step toward enhancing digital literacy and grassroots empowerment among women.

The event was attended by Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Tourism and Printing & Stationery Rohan Khaunte, along with senior officials, local representatives and community leaders. Addressing the gathering, the Minister commended DITE&C’s efforts in taking digital empowerment to the grassroots level. He emphasised that initiatives such as the Mahila Digital Sashaktikaran Yojana ensure that women from both urban centres and rural villages gain the skills, confidence and access required to participate meaningfully in Goa’s digital economy. He noted that the scheme enables women to access government services online, run businesses digitally, acquire new skills and compete effectively in today’s market landscape.

Under the scheme, participants receive hands-on training in using digital devices, navigating online platforms and accessing e-governance services. The training is delivered through empanelled Information Technology Knowledge Centres (ITKCs), Common Service Centres (CSCs) and Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs), ensuring accessibility through panchayat halls and community centres.

The programme began with a detailed presentation outlining the structure, eligibility criteria and benefits of the scheme, followed by an informative cyber security awareness session conducted by officials from the Cyber Crime Police Station, Goa. The session highlighted safe digital practices and the importance of protecting oneself from online fraud and cyber threats.

The event concluded with a significant number of women registering for the scheme, reflecting strong interest and engagement from the community. Through initiatives directly benefiting citizens, particularly women in rural areas, DITE&C continues its mission of bridging the digital divide and promoting equitable access to technology across Goa.

Business

Labour Market Resilience in Focus at India AI Impact Summit 2026

Tanisha Cardozo

Labour market resilience emerged as a central theme at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 during a session titled “Global Dialogue on AI Usage – Data for Labour Market Resilience.” The discussion examined the changing nature of work amid accelerating artificial intelligence adoption and the policy choices required to manage the transition effectively.

Drawing on emerging international evidence, panellists noted that AI’s impact on employment is differentiated across age groups, sectors and geographies. Early trends suggest that younger workers in roles with higher AI exposure may be experiencing employment pressures. However, the absence of comprehensive and comparable cross-country data continues to limit governments’ ability to design timely and targeted interventions.

The discussion underscored the importance of moving forward with adaptive policy frameworks even in the absence of perfect information. Strengthening social protection systems, expanding reskilling pathways and designing context-specific strategies for sectors such as services, agriculture and public delivery were highlighted as essential steps to ensure inclusive growth.

Shamika Ravi, Member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, observed that India shows one of the highest levels of firm-level AI adoption, characterised by openness and optimism. While productivity effects are still being measured, she noted that AI in India is likely to be applied to long-standing challenges in health, education and services, particularly where last-mile connectivity constraints have limited outcomes.

Yoshua Bengio, Professor at Université de Montréal and a leading AI expert, stated that employment trends observed over the past five years are likely to continue shaping the job market. He cautioned that access to AI will increasingly become a competitive advantage, underscoring the need for international coordination and dialogue to ensure AI development benefits all.

Representatives from Microsoft and OpenAI highlighted that much of the existing evidence on AI’s employment impact is concentrated in a few countries, particularly the United States, with limited data available from emerging economies. This gap makes it difficult to draw firm conclusions and reinforces the need for systematic global data collection on AI adoption and employment outcomes.

The session concluded that strengthening labour market resilience in the AI era will require better measurement of technology adoption, anticipatory governance, coordinated investments in skills and institutional capacity, and robust social protection systems. Only through such integrated efforts can productivity gains from AI translate into broad-based economic and social benefits.