Tag: Panaji

Events in Goa

Goa to Host Grand Open-Air Inauguration for IFFI with Carnival & Shigmo Floats

Tanisha Cardozo

The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) will open this year with a grand open-air inaugural ceremony in Panaji, marking a first in the festival’s history. The celebration will feature a spectacular parade of Carnival and Shigmo floats that will move from the Old Secretariat to the Old GMC Complex, setting the tone for a vibrant and cinematic beginning. The red carpet and formal inauguration will take place in front of the Old GMC building, where arrangements are being made to accommodate between 2,000 and 2,500 guests.

A total of 26 film-themed floats will participate in the opening parade, including 12 from Goa, showcasing the state’s artistic and cultural diversity. To recognize creativity and craftsmanship, the best five floats will be awarded. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed that this is the first time the IFFI inauguration will be held in front of the Old GMC building and clarified that rumors suggesting a venue change due to the FIDE event were unfounded.

With the streets of Panaji set to come alive in color, music, and cinematic flair, this year’s IFFI promises to blend Goa’s festive culture with the magic of world cinema in a truly grand celebration.

EduConnect

PhysicsWallah (PW) Opens Info Centres in Panaji and Margao for JEE & NEET Counselling

Tanisha Cardozo

Education company PhysicsWallah (PW) has expanded its offline presence in Goa with the opening of new PW Info Centres in Panaji and Margao. The initiative aims to provide local students with access to quality counselling and guidance for JEE and NEET preparation.

The new facilities, located at Patto Plaza in Panjim and The Osia Mall in Margao, will operate daily from 9 AM to 7 PM. These centres serve as a one-stop destination for information related to admissions, registration, and financial aid for PW courses. Students can also receive personalised counselling, including study strategies, exam tips, and guidance on the right academic path.

According to Ankit Gupta, CEO of Vidyapeeth Offline, PhysicsWallah, “The opening of the PW Info Centres in Panaji and Margao reflects our commitment to providing students in this region with access to educational guidance without needing to travel far. We plan to integrate the Info Centres with new Vidyapeeth centres in the same area soon.”

The launch comes alongside PW’s National Scholarship Cum Admission Test (PWNSAT 2025), an initiative to support NEET-UG and IIT-JEE aspirants from diverse financial backgrounds. The free exam, open to students from Class V to XII, will be held both online and offline.

The new Info Centres are expected to benefit students from regions such as Porvorim, Bambolim, Mapusa, Valpoi, Vasco, Quepem, and Canacona, ensuring that quality academic counselling is accessible throughout Goa.

Through this expansion, PhysicsWallah continues to strengthen its mission of making high-quality education accessible, affordable, and inclusive across India.

Human Interest

Sanjeev Sardesai Warns: “Forget Your Heritage, and It Will Be Wiped Out”

Tanisha Cardozo

“If one doesn’t respect their heritage and lets it slip away, then there is every possibility that a foreign culture comes in and wipes out the original culture,” said Sanjeev Sardesai, heritage promoter and cultural storyteller, during a compelling session of the Centenary Lecture Series organised by Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias in Panaji.

Speaking on the theme ‘Unknown Goa, Unknown Goenkar’, Sardesai underlined that heritage is not just about the physical — it includes every intangible tradition passed down over generations. From culinary styles and farming rituals to language and daily customs, he stressed that ignoring these cultural markers leaves communities vulnerable to cultural erosion.

To illustrate, Sardesai referred to a carved stone outside a cemetery in St. Inez that lies neglected despite its historic value. He lamented the lack of brochures and credible information for the millions of tourists who come to Goa but leave without a deeper understanding of its soul.

Sardesai traced Goa’s cultural mosaic with historical anecdotes, including how the Portuguese were aided by the villagers of Taleigao in 1510 after nearly perishing at sea. That single act led to a yearly harvest ritual still observed today — a living tradition that has endured five centuries.

He highlighted Goa’s unique natural heritage as well. From the flame-throated bulbul (Goa’s state bird) to the Terminalia eliptica or crocodile bark tree, Sardesai connected ecology to cultural identity. He shared that this particular tree can provide drinking water in emergencies — a little-known fact that hints at its life-sustaining powers.

Turning to monuments, Sardesai explored the Immaculate Conception Church in Panaji and how it came to house the second heaviest bell in Goa. Originally from the St. Augustine’s Convent, the bell was temporarily housed at the Aguada Fort before making its way to Panaji when the lighthouse was modernized. These silent relics, he argued, have powerful stories that remain largely untold.

Sardesai concluded with a call to action: Goans must fiercely protect both their monuments and their memories. “Until and unless our roots are strong, you will not get a good tree, nor will you get good fruits,” he said. “You must understand that heritage is something which is part of our life.”

Events in Goa

Goa Government Launches 8th Official Language Training Batch

Closed Account

Written by Intern Queeny George M.H, Team Allycaral

The 8th batch of Official Language training, organized by the Directorate of Official Languages, Government of Goa, began on 22nd September at the Language Research Centre in Panaji. The event marked yet another step towards the promotion and practical integration of Konkani in administrative functions. North Goa Additional Collector Gurudas Desai attended the inauguration as the chief guest.

In his speech, Mr. Desai emphasized the significance of preserving the mother tongue, stating, “Konkani is our mother tongue. We all should make maximum use of it, and we should take care of our mother tongue. The knowledge gained from this training must be implemented in administration.” His remarks underlined the cultural and administrative importance of Konkani, especially within the context of government operations.

The inaugural event was also graced by Director of Official Language Meghnath Parab and Deputy Director Anil Sawant. Director Parab reiterated that knowledge of Konkani is a mandatory requirement for securing a government job in Goa and highlighted the responsibility of civil servants to work in Rajbhasha once employed. Deputy Director Anil Sawant added that the language training should not end with the program, but continue to be applied consistently in government work.

This four-day training program includes various modules such as Konkani Grammar, Konkani Correspondence, Notes, Administrative Vocabulary, and Communication. A total of 25 government employees are participating in this intensive language workshop.

Guidance throughout the program is provided by language experts including Anil Sawant, Sebi Fernandes, Chetan Acharya, and Sneha Sabnis. The sessions are being conducted by a dedicated team comprising Franita Ribeiro, Sujit Naik, Mansi Gadgil, Mahananda Mhardolkar, Anusaya Gaonkar, Patrick D’Souza, Shobha Phadte, Nikita Kuttikar, Ashish Ghadi, Ashweta Parab, Nirmala Surlikar, and Naresh Pagi. Anil Sawant is the main coordinator of the training, with Sneha Sabnis serving as the assistant coordinator.

The initiative reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to not just preserving the Konkani language but actively integrating it into the administrative framework, ensuring that it remains a living, working language for generations to come.