Panaji: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant chaired a panel discussion on International Wellness in Panaji, in the presence of yoga guru Ramdev, Acharya Balkrishna, and several eminent Ayurveda practitioners and wellness experts.
The discussion focused on the growing global relevance of India’s traditional systems of medicine and wellness, including Yoga, Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha. Speakers highlighted the importance of integrating these time-tested practices into modern lifestyles to promote holistic health and preventive care.
The panel discussion reflected the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of taking Yoga and Ayurveda to every household, while encouraging wider awareness and adoption of India’s traditional knowledge systems across the world. Emphasis was laid on positioning India as a global hub for wellness and holistic healthcare.
It was also highlighted during the discussion that nearly 50 per cent of the population already benefits from Ayurveda in some form, underlining its deep-rooted presence and acceptance among people. Experts stressed the need for continued research, standardisation and global outreach to further strengthen confidence in traditional medicine systems.
The event reinforced Goa’s commitment to promoting wellness tourism and supporting initiatives that align with India’s broader vision of wellness-driven development.
Panaji, December 2025: The Serendipity Arts Festival (SAF), Asia’s largest multidisciplinary art festival, has once again turned Panaji’s Art Park along the riverfront into a dynamic cultural hub. Visitors of all ages have been immersed in a vibrant blend of art, workshops, culinary experiences, and entertainment.
The festival space is thoughtfully designed to cater to varied interests. The western end features the photography exhibits in Feeling Home. Where is Home?, with works ranging from Assavri Kulkarni’s tribal portraits to Anurag Banerjee’s homage to Bombay, drawing visitors into diverse worlds through the lens. Moving inward, the buzz grows louder with interactive workshops, storytelling sessions, and a showcase of Goan culinary traditions.
SAF’s colourful stalls and installations make the festival appealing to schools and families alike. Surekha Gaonkar, a teacher from Bal Bharati Vidyamandir, Ribandar, brought 73 students from standards 1 to 3, saying, “We come to help students learn something new while having fun. There’s so much to do here.”
Students like Nisha Fernandes of Chubby Cheeks High School were equally enthused, exploring workshops such as Changing Charpai and creative storytelling sessions. “It was my first time here, and I had a lot of fun. The Hive workshop helped us learn limericks and poetry, and the charpai installation was fun to climb and play on,” she shared.
Parents, too, found the festival a perfect opportunity to engage with their children while enjoying a safe and relaxing environment. Upen Kumar from Margao said, “I registered my son for storytelling and workshops on emotions and musical instruments while browsing the stalls. Every amenity, from washrooms to guidance, was well taken care of.”
The Serendipity Arts Festival continues to offer an inclusive, engaging, and educational experience, blending celebration, learning, and community bonding in the heart of Panaji.
Under the patronage of the Embassy of Italy in India, the Consulate General of Italy in Mumbai, the Italian Embassy Cultural Centre New Delhi and the Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Mumbai, in collaboration with Serendipity Arts and with the support of MetaMorfosi Cultural Association, the exhibition of Magdalene in Ecstasy by Caravaggio is being presented at the 10th edition of the Serendipity Arts Festival in Goa. This marks the first time a work by Caravaggio is exhibited in Goa and India, bringing one of the most defining figures of Western art history into direct conversation with a contemporary, multidisciplinary cultural platform.
Painted during Caravaggio’s final, turbulent years while he was fleeing Rome after a fatal duel, Magdalene in Ecstasy captures Mary Magdalene in a moment suspended between spiritual transcendence and human vulnerability. Her tear-streaked face, stripped of ornate symbolism and rendered with stark emotional realism, reflects the artist’s inward turn during the last phase of his life. The work was among the paintings Caravaggio carried with him on his final journey toward a papal pardon that he would never receive.
The painting resurfaced in the early twenty-first century after centuries in relative obscurity and was authenticated by leading scholars, including Mina Gregori. Bearing historical markings linked to papal provenance, the work exemplifies Caravaggio’s radical departure from idealized religious imagery, retaining only the skull and cross as symbols of mortality and faith.
The exhibition was inaugurated on December 14, 2025, by Walter Ferrara, Consul General of Italy in Mumbai; Andrea Anastasio, Director of the Italian Embassy Cultural Centre in New Delhi; Francesca Amendola, Director of the Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Mumbai; and Smriti Rajgarhia, Director of Serendipity Arts, in the presence of Shrinivas Dempo, Honorary Consul of Italy in Goa, and Rohit Monserrat, Mayor of Panaji. The painting will remain on view until December 21, 2025, at the Directorate of Accounts, a heritage venue within the festival’s city-wide programme.
Within the festival context, Magdalene in Ecstasy is presented in dialogue with contemporary, site-specific installations, underscoring the enduring relevance of Caravaggio’s vision across centuries and cultures. The setting allows history and contemporaneity to intersect, offering audiences a rare opportunity to encounter a classical masterpiece within the living fabric of present-day artistic expression.
Reflecting on the exhibition, Consul General Walter Ferrara described it as a celebration that honours the shared artistic and spiritual heritage of Italy and Goa, while Serendipity Arts Co-Founder and Patron Shefali Munjal noted that the presentation exemplifies the festival’s commitment to fostering dialogue across geographies, time periods and artistic practices. Smriti Rajgarhia emphasized that the arrival of the painting in Goa positions South Asia within global conversations on heritage, creativity and cultural exchange.
Curated by Andrea Anastasio, Director of the Italian Embassy Cultural Centre in New Delhi, and coordinated by the Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Mumbai in collaboration with Serendipity Arts, the exhibition stands as a milestone in cultural diplomacy. It reinforces the role of the Serendipity Arts Festival as a platform where historic works and contemporary practices meet, offering audiences an experience that is both reflective and transformative, and reaffirming the power of art to connect histories, cultures and communities across time.
In a proud moment for Goa, John Aguiar, Civil Defence Warden of Panaji Town, has been awarded the Director General Civil Defence (DGCD) Silver Commendation Disc and Commendation Card by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. The honour was bestowed in recognition of his exceptional service, unblemished record, and remarkable dedication on the occasion of the 63rd Home Guards and Civil Defence Raising Day 2025.
The prestigious DGCD Silver Commendation Disc acknowledges individuals from Fire Services, Civil Defence, and Home Guards organisations whose service exemplifies exceptional merit and reliability. John Aguiar stands as a shining example of commitment, leadership, and selfless public service.
Exceptional Service During the Pandemic During the COVID-19 pandemic, Aguiar displayed extraordinary initiative — writing innovative COVID-awareness songs, volunteering for vaccine trials, and receiving recognition as a COVID Warrior by the Chief Minister of Goa.
A Career Marked by Dedication & Achievement Aguiar has undergone several key training programmes and participated in mock disaster management exercises conducted by INCOIS, DDMA, SDMA, and NDMA. His experience spans multiple vital departments, including serving as the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Goa Police Department, where he played a pivotal role in public communication and media coordination.
He has also held the honorary position of Company Commander, Home Guards, earning numerous accolades including:
Goa Chief Minister’s Gold Medal
President’s Home Guard & Civil Defence Medal for Meritorious Service (2012)
President’s Home Guard & Civil Defence Medal for Distinguished Service (2021)
These awards were presented by former Chief Minister late Manohar Parrikar and Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, respectively — signifying his long-term, consistent commitment to the State.
Leadership in Ceremonial Duties Aguiar led the Home Guards contingent in several State-level Republic Day parades and served as Parade Commander during Home Guards Raising Day celebrations on December 6, 2011 — reflecting his leadership excellence and discipline.
A Multifaceted Professional Beyond public service, Aguiar has also held significant administrative roles, including:
Information Officer, Department of Information & Publicity
Additional Private Secretary (APS) to Union Minister Eduardo Faleiro at the Ministries of External Affairs, Chemicals & Fertilizers, and Finance
He is also widely known as a writer, poet, lyricist, TV host, and senior journalist, contributing richly to Goa’s cultural and media landscape.
John Aguiar’s journey is an inspiring testament to service, resilience, and unwavering dedication — making Goa proud once again.
As the sun dipped below the horizon and cast a warm glow over the still waters of the Mandovi River, Goans gathered in quiet reflection to remember one of the most tragic events in the state’s maritime history—the capsizing of the motorised launch “Goa” on December 3, 1901. The evening commemoration unfolded near both the Betim and Panjim ferry jetties, where residents, students, historians, and cultural enthusiasts assembled for a solemn litany that honoured the 81 victims whose lives were lost that morning more than a century ago. Organised by Festakar Marius Fernandes and Clube Festakar, the gathering began at 6:00 p.m., blending prayers and hymns with a sense of collective memory. Attendees crossed the river by ferry, moving from Betim to Panaji, symbolically echoing the ill-fated journey taken by the passengers of the launch “Goa” over a century earlier. Their arrival at the Memorial Cross in Panaji deepened the emotional resonance of the evening as the litany continued at the historic monument.
The tragedy itself occurred at around 7:00 a.m. on December 3, 1901, when the overcrowded vessel, carrying between 160 and 170 passengers, capsized mid-crossing. Many onboard were dressed in their Sunday best and were on their way to Old Goa for the Feast of St. Francis Xavier. The sudden disaster claimed 81 lives—men, women, and children—marking a sorrowful moment that left a lasting imprint on Goa’s collective conscience. Rescue efforts extended over four days, with local sailors and the naval gunboat “Mandovy” aiding in the recovery of victims, underscoring the magnitude of the loss and the grief that enveloped the community.
Three years later, on December 3, 1904, two memorial crosses were erected—one at Panaji and one at Betim—built by the Goan diaspora in Aden, Yemen, as a testament to their solidarity with their homeland. These stone crosses stand today as enduring symbols of remembrance, urging passersby to pause and pray for the souls of those lost in the tragedy. During the ceremony, historian Prajal Shakardande reflected on the ongoing significance of preserving the memory of the disaster, describing it as a living lesson in community responsibility and the consequences of neglecting safety. Festakar Marius Fernandes emphasized the importance of integrating such historical events into school curricula to ensure that younger generations understand both the tragedy and the resilience embedded in Goa’s past. Co-ordinator Prakash Kamat added that remembering the victims ensures that the lessons of history continue to resonate with future generations.
As the litany came to an end, Dr. Gwendolyn de Ornelas offered prayers at the Memorial Cross near the jetty. Candles flickered in the evening breeze, and floral tributes were placed in honour of the departed. The soft hymns drifting across the Mandovi created a poignant atmosphere—one that honoured the lives lost in 1901 and reaffirmed the community’s enduring promise to remember, reflect, and continue telling the story of the launch “Goa.”
