Goa | November 27, 2025: The Directorate of Education has announced a holiday for all schools in and around Canacona on November 28, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Goa. The notification was issued on Wednesday by Director of Education Shailesh Zingade following a high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary.
According to the circular, the decision was taken in light of extensive security measures, traffic diversions and other logistical arrangements required due to the movement of multiple VVIPs in the region.
Zingade confirmed that all government, government-aided and unaided primary, secondary, higher secondary and special schools in the Canacona area will remain closed for both students and staff on Friday. Schools have also been instructed not to schedule examinations, academic activities or events on the declared holiday.
Prime Minister Modi will be in Canacona to unveil a 77-foot bronze idol of Lord Ram and inaugurate a 3D projection mapping installation as part of the Sardha Panchashatamahotsava, marking 550 years of Shree Samsthan Gokarn Partagali Jeevottam Math. The event is expected to witness large footfall and heightened security deployment, prompting the temporary closure of schools to ease movement and ensure public safety.
Authorities have urged parents and students to follow official communication for further updates. Schools are expected to resume normal operations on November 29.
In a historic move underscoring India’s digital transformation and technological self-reliance, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) launched its indigenous 4G network on September 27, 2025, powered by the collaborative effort of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), and Tejas Networks. This state-of-the-art solution, known as the Bharat Telecom Stack, has been fully conceptualized, developed, and deployed in India, reflecting the core values of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
The launch marks a significant technological achievement, making India one of only five nations worldwide to possess a fully indigenous telecom technology stack capable of delivering 4G and paving the way for future networks. With this launch, more than 26,700 additional villages are now digitally connected, giving millions of citizens access to essential services like e-learning, e-governance, telemedicine, and online banking.
TCS led the deployment of the end-to-end network architecture in mission mode, establishing data centers, integrating C-DOT’s EPC Core Application, deploying Tejas Networks’ radio access network (RAN) infrastructure, and using TCS Cognitive Network Operations (CNOPS™) for continuous, intelligent network monitoring.
The speed and scale of this deployment have been unprecedented. Within just two years, the teams successfully installed and commissioned over 100,000 telecom sites, achieving full integration with BSNL’s existing 2G and 3G infrastructure. This rapid rollout strengthens national telecom security and enables rural populations to benefit from next-generation connectivity.
“This nationwide rollout of our indigenous 4G network is a monumental achievement for national pride,” said Sh. A Robert J Ravi, Chairman and Managing Director of BSNL. “It secures our digital future and ensures that connectivity empowers every citizen, bridging the digital divide like never before.”
Echoing this sentiment, Sh. Sandeep Govil, Director (Consumer Mobility) at BSNL, added, “This Swadeshi 4G technology, the result of tireless innovation by C-DOT, Tejas, and TCS, is engineered for scalability and ready for the leap to 5G. It will become the cornerstone for building a digitally inclusive society.”
N. Ganapathy Subramaniam, Advisor – Telecom Strategic Initiatives at TCS and Chairman of Tejas Networks, called the deployment “historic and significant,” noting that the Bharat Telecom Stack, compliant with 3GPP standards, lays a strong foundation for India’s future contributions to global telecom innovations.
This milestone adds another chapter to TCS’s six-decade legacy of enabling large-scale nation-building programs. From transforming passport services to digitizing pension systems and public sector services, TCS continues to build the digital public infrastructure that touches nearly every citizen in the country.
The Swadeshi 4G rollout is not just a technological upgrade—it is a strategic leap for India’s digital sovereignty, bridging rural-urban gaps and ensuring that the digital revolution reaches even the most remote corners of the nation.
Written by Intern Queeny George M.H, by Team Allycaral
Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked his 75th birthday with a deeply symbolic gesture—planting a Kadamb sapling gifted to him by British King Charles III. The event took place at Modi’s official residence on Friday and was in line with his ongoing environmental initiative, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, which encourages citizens to plant a tree as a tribute to their mother.
The British High Commission in India had earlier announced the gift on September 17, stating that it was inspired by Modi’s call for environmental stewardship. According to the Commission, the gesture reflects the shared commitment of King Charles III and Prime Minister Modi to promoting sustainability and environmental conservation across global platforms.
The act also underscores the deepening partnership between the United Kingdom and India, particularly in the area of climate and clean energy. During his official visit to Britain in July, Prime Minister Modi had presented a Sonoma tree to King Charles III as part of the same initiative. The reciprocal nature of these symbolic gifts highlights a growing collaboration that transcends traditional diplomacy.
An official video released by the government showed PM Modi planting the sapling, emphasizing the strong personal and political significance of the moment. The British High Commission reaffirmed that environmental cooperation remains a key pillar of the UK-India partnership, as outlined in the “Vision 2035” roadmap jointly developed by the two Prime Ministers.
As the world faces the growing challenges of climate change, such initiatives—both symbolic and practical—demonstrate the potential of global partnerships rooted in mutual respect and shared values. The Kadamb sapling now stands not just as a birthday gift, but as a living testament to a vision for a greener, more sustainable future.
In a major boost to India’s maritime infrastructure and cruise tourism sector, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal (MICT) at Ballard Pier today. Developed under the ambitious ‘Cruise Bharat Mission’, the terminal is set to position Mumbai as a premier global cruise tourism destination.
Spanning over 415,000 square feet, the MICT is now India’s largest cruise terminal and is designed to handle up to one million passengers annually. With a state-of-the-art design, the terminal can accommodate five cruise ships simultaneously and is equipped with 72 check-in and immigration counters, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience for international and domestic travellers alike.
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, praised the project’s alignment with the Prime Minister’s vision of transforming India into a global cruise hub. He emphasized the historical and strategic significance of Mumbai as a coastal city and its potential to contribute to the country’s economic and tourism growth. The MICT is expected to play a pivotal role in boosting the domestic cruise sector and attracting international tourists.
Alongside the terminal, several complementary projects were also inaugurated to promote cultural tourism and sustainability, including the renovated Fire Memorial at Victoria Docks, heritage lighting installations at Port House and Evelyn House, and the beautified Sagar Upvan garden. These initiatives underscore the holistic approach of enhancing not just infrastructure but also the cultural and environmental fabric of the region.
With this development, Mumbai sets sail into a new era of cruise tourism, standing tall as a gateway to global maritime connectivity and world-class travel experiences.
In an extraordinary culinary tribute, renowned Italian chef Valentino Rahim celebrated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 75th birthday by crafting a unique tricolour millet pizza in Rome. The event took place at Zoya, a well-known restaurant in the heart of the Italian capital, where the chef honoured PM Modi’s global leadership in promoting millets, also referred to as “Shree Anna”, as a sustainable superfood.
This colourful creation wasn’t just about flavour — it was a symbolic gesture. The pizza base was made using millet flour, a nod to the traditional Indian grain that Modi has championed as part of his vision for global food security and healthy diets. The toppings were carefully chosen to reflect the Indian national flag: saffron, white, and green. It was a powerful visual and culinary representation of respect for India’s leader and his campaign to bring millets to the global stage.
Chef Rahim shared his admiration for PM Modi’s foresight, saying, “Tanti Auguri Modi,” — meaning “many best wishes” in Italian — and praised his leadership in advancing sustainable agriculture and nutrition. He called Modi’s millet movement both creative and inspiring, noting that it addresses global concerns such as climate change, food scarcity, and poor dietary habits.
The chef also highlighted the environmental and economic potential of millets, stressing their role in supporting small farmers and promoting biodiversity. The fact that such a tribute came from Italy — the birthplace of pizza — underscores the expanding reach and respect for India’s millet revolution.
This unique moment comes as India begins a 15-day nationwide campaign, Seva Pakhwada, to commemorate PM Modi’s 75th birthday. The campaign will include blood donation camps, cleanliness drives, and exhibitions showcasing the central government’s achievements. It will run from September 17 to October 2, concluding on Gandhi Jayanti.
As part of the birthday celebrations, the award-winning film Chalo Jeete Hain, which reflects Swami Vivekananda’s philosophy that true success lies in serving others, will also be re-released across India beginning September 17.
From a tricolour millet pizza in Rome to nationwide acts of service and cinema, PM Modi’s 75th birthday is being marked with both flavour and purpose — a testament to his global influence and enduring commitment to India’s progress.
