Tag: parenting

EduConnect

IGNITE 1.0: Overnight Leadership and Communication Boot Camp

Tanisha Cardozo

The Department of Mass Communication and Journalism organised IGNITE 1.0, an overnight leadership and communication boot camp held on 6 and 7 December 2025 at Salesians of Don Bosco, Odxel. Designed around the theme of “learn, unlearn and lead,” the camp aimed to strengthen students’ communication abilities, teamwork skills and interpersonal growth. A total of 23 students from the FY, SY and TY batches participated in the programme.

The camp opened with a session on problem-solving, critical thinking and social etiquette, where students were encouraged to understand their core selves, communicate effectively and recognise how perspectives differ among individuals. Interactive activities, including a team-entangling challenge, highlighted leadership, patience and collective progress, while also drawing attention to the role of body language, social cues and respectful communication.

The second session focused on leadership, teamwork and time management, using collaborative exercises to demonstrate the importance of coordination, clear goals and working toward a shared vision. Students were encouraged to dream ambitiously while learning how effective time management supports both personal and professional growth. The day concluded with a shared barbecue dinner and recreation, fostering bonding and camaraderie.

The second day began with a morning beach activity followed by a reflective prayer session that emphasised balancing future aspirations with living meaningfully in the present. Students were reminded of the determination required to pursue purposeful goals while remaining grounded in the moment.

A session on building meaningful connections highlighted the importance of authenticity, active listening and empathy in both personal and professional relationships. Through guided reflection and interactive exercises, students explored self-awareness, emotional resilience and the question of personal identity.

The final session centred on kindness and empathy, encouraging students to reflect on their place in the world, their awareness of others and how their individual skills can contribute positively to society. Through paired discussions and thoughtful activities, participants were guided toward a deeper understanding of compassion and responsibility.

IGNITE 1.0 concluded as a meaningful and transformative experience, offering students a safe and engaging space to develop essential life skills, strengthen bonds and grow as future communicators by learning, unlearning and discovering themselves along the way.

Human Interest

Parineeti Chopra & Raghav Chadha Introduce Their Baby Boy: Meet “Neer”

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha have officially introduced their newborn son to the world, sharing a deeply meaningful announcement exactly one month after becoming parents. The couple revealed that they have named their baby boy Neer, a word that translates to “water” and carries profound spiritual symbolism. In their heartfelt message, they wrote, “Jalasya rūpam, premasya svarūpam tatra eva Neer.

Our hearts found peace in an eternal drop of life. We named him ‘Neer’—pure, divine, limitless.” Their poetic Sanskrit verse reflects the serenity, emotion and depth surrounding this new beginning in their lives.

The name Neer beautifully conveys qualities associated with water—clarity, gentleness, flow, purity and the ability to nurture life. For Parineeti and Raghav, the name embodies both spiritual grounding and emotional resonance, symbolising their feelings as they embrace parenthood.

The announcement has received immense love from fans and well-wishers, who have celebrated the couple’s thoughtful choice and the heartfelt meaning behind it. As the new parents step into this tender chapter, the arrival of Baby Neer marks a moment filled with grace, joy and quiet beauty.

Special Occasion

A Day of Daughters: Love, Pride, and the Power of a Smile — Leaders Across Goa Celebrate National Daughters Day

Tanisha Cardozo

National Daughters Day is not just a celebration—it is a feeling etched deep into the hearts of parents, families, and communities. It’s a reminder of the unconditional love, boundless energy, and quiet strength that daughters bring into our lives every single day. This day offers an opportunity to reflect on the joys of raising a daughter, to honor their spirit, and to amplify their voices in a world that hasn’t always treated them equally.

In its earliest form, the day was created to counter harmful cultural norms in societies where daughters were undervalued. It served—and still serves—as a powerful reminder that every girl deserves to grow up in a world that sees her as strong, capable, and irreplaceable. Over time, the meaning of the day has deepened. It’s become personal, emotional—a celebration of identity, of dreams, and of the unbreakable bond between a daughter and her parents.

Goa echoed this emotion as National Daughters Day was met with warmth and admiration from leaders across the state. Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant shared a heartfelt message about empowering girls and supporting their ambitions. MLAs Rohan Khaunte, Michael Lobo, Yuri Alemao, Delilah Lobo, Jit Vinayak Arolkar, Chandrakant Shetye, and Speaker Dr. Ramesh Tawadkar also expressed their love and pride—reminding their communities of the beauty and power daughters bring into our world.

These tributes transcended political boundaries—they came from a place of genuine love. They celebrated daughters not as future leaders or citizens alone, but as individuals who matter deeply in the present moment. Girls who are strong, curious, creative, and brave. Girls whose dreams deserve to be nurtured and whose presence brings life to every home.

Across the world, Daughters Day is celebrated on various dates—September 25 in many places, the fourth Sunday of September in India, or even September 28 or October 1 in other regions. But the meaning remains timeless and universal. It’s a day rooted in the heart, not just the calendar.

Families mark the day in different ways. Some take their daughters out for special meals or create small keepsakes. Others simply spend time together—talking, laughing, reflecting. Social media fills with warm photos and tributes, filled with pride and emotion. In more challenging parts of the world, the day becomes a platform to advocate for education, safety, and equality for every girl.

At its core, National Daughters Day is a love letter. A promise. A moment to say: You are valued. You are powerful. You are loved.

In a daughter’s laughter lives our hope. In her dreams, our future. In her strength, our pride.

And that is worth celebrating—not just today, but always.

Human Interest

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky Welcome Baby No. 3, Daughter Rocki Irish Mayers

Tanisha Cardozo

Rihanna has officially become a mother of three. On September 13, the Grammy-winning artist and entrepreneur welcomed her third child—a baby girl named Rocki Irish Mayers—with longtime partner and rapper A$AP Rocky. The couple confirmed the news via Instagram, where Rihanna shared a heartwarming image of herself holding her newborn daughter wrapped in a soft pink blanket, accompanied by a symbolic photo of pink boxing gloves tied with satin ribbons. The caption simply read: “Rocki Irish Mayers, Sept 13 2025.”

Rocki’s arrival completes what fans have been calling Rihanna and A$AP Rocky’s “perfect family of five,” joining her older brothers—RZA, age 3, and Riot, age 2. The couple has been open about their joy at expanding their family. Back in July, during the premiere of The Smurfs Movie, in which Rihanna voiced the character of Smurfette, she revealed that both boys were thrilled about the idea of a new sibling. She also shared her own hopes, admitting she “always wanted a girl” but felt grateful either way, saying, “God knows best, right? And I love my boys.”

A$AP Rocky shared his own excitement in a statement to the Associated Press, saying, “It feels amazing. We were tired of holding that in, and now everyone can share in our joy. We’re definitely happy.”

For Rihanna, motherhood has been life-changing. Over the years, she’s reflected on how becoming a parent shaped her style, her confidence, and even her approach to creativity. She’s proudly embraced her role as a “boy mom,” telling E! News last year that it made her feel “really cool.” But now, with the arrival of her daughter, fans are eager to see how her journey as a mother evolves even further.

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky’s relationship has only grown stronger with time and parenthood. “We’re best friends with a baby,” Rihanna famously told British Vogue in 2023. “Everything changes when you have a baby, but I wouldn’t say it’s done anything but made us closer.”

With Rocki Irish Mayers now part of the family, Rihanna’s world just became a little more pink—and the world is celebrating with her.

Social

Workshop on Handling Rejection and Failure Held for Kids Under ‘Chirag Datta Naik’ Initiative

Closed Account

Written by Intern Queeny George M.H , Team Allycaral

The Chirag Datta Naik Initiative saw yet another successful workshop on “Handling Rejection and Failure” conducted by Anisha’s Nurture Nest this past Sunday at Samarth Krupa Hall, opposite ESI Hospital, Margao. The session, intended for children aged 7 to 15, was led by Anisha Kapdi and marks the third in this series.

Congress leader Chirag Naik, present at the workshop, applauded the parents who made the effort to bring their children. He said, “There are three types of parents: those who have experienced such things in childhood and now encourage their kids; those who never got the opportunity and want their children to go ahead and do it – I appreciate such parents; and those who had the experience but are unable to bring their kids due to reasons like work, lifestyle, social media, gadgets, etc.” His words underscored the importance of parental involvement in building emotional resilience.

During the workshop, Anisha Kapdi taught key coping skills: accepting rejection, expressing one’s feelings openly, analysing the reasons behind a rejection to improve upon them, and maintaining self‑confidence. She emphasized that rejection is a normal part of life. Parents were encouraged not to treat failures—such as low examination scores—as shameful events. If children feel embarrassed or punished for failure, they may stop seeking support or sharing their struggles.

Anisha also urged parents to normalize their own stories of rejection, helping children feel safe and understood. She cautioned against comparing children with others, highlighting that each child is unique. Instead of pushing them into a rat race, parents should recognize their children’s individual capacities (their potential) and capabilities (their interests and passions). Whether a child is drawn to science, arts, culinary fields, or anything else, supportive recognition matters. Above all, she stressed that children must feel loved so they are always willing to come back to their parents when things go wrong.