Tag: Politics

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.

Special Occasion

Pulwama: Remembering the Day That Shook a Nation

Tanisha Cardozo

On February 14, 2019, what began as a routine convoy movement along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway turned into one of the deadliest terror attacks in recent Indian history. A suicide bomber rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a convoy of the Central Reserve Police Force in Pulwama, killing 40 personnel.

The attack sent shockwaves across India. Images of smoke rising from the highway flooded television screens. Families waited anxiously for confirmation. The country watched in grief as coffins draped in the tricolour arrived in hometowns across states.

Responsibility for the bombing was claimed by Jaish-e-Mohammed, escalating already fragile tensions between India and Pakistan. In the days that followed, India carried out airstrikes in Balakot, marking a significant shift in its response to cross-border terrorism. The episode triggered diplomatic offensives, international scrutiny and a renewed debate over national security strategy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed that the sacrifice of the soldiers would not go unanswered. Across the country, candlelight vigils were held. Schools observed moments of silence. Social media turned into a space of collective mourning and solidarity.

For many Indians, Pulwama became more than a headline. It became a reminder of the human cost of conflict. Behind every uniform was a son, a husband, a father, a friend. The stories of the fallen — their dreams, their families, their everyday lives — resonated deeply with citizens who had never met them but felt the loss personally.

Years later, the attack continues to influence security policies in Jammu and Kashmir and shape India’s counterterrorism posture. It also remains a solemn marker in the national calendar — a day of remembrance.

As each anniversary passes, the questions remain complex, the geopolitics layered and the emotions raw. But one sentiment endures: the resolve to honour those who lost their lives in service of the nation.

Pulwama is not just a place on the map. For millions, it is a memory of grief, unity and unwavering tribute.

Travel

Delhi Hotel Prices Soar to ₹5 Lakh Ahead of India AI Impact Summit 2026

Tanisha Cardozo

Hotel room rates across New Delhi have risen sharply ahead of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, with some luxury rooms reportedly touching ₹4 lakh to ₹5 lakh per night during the peak dates. The summit, scheduled from February 16 to 20 at Bharat Mandapam in central Delhi, is expected to draw thousands of global delegates, technology leaders, and policymakers, creating unprecedented demand across the city’s hospitality sector.

Hotels across the capital are witnessing near-full occupancy for the summit period. The event has already received more than 35,000 registrations from around the world, leading to a surge in last-minute bookings and steep price increases. Rooms that usually cost between ₹20,000 and ₹40,000 per night are now being sold at significantly higher rates due to the demand spike.

Travel portals show that during the peak dates of February 19 and 20, room prices at several five-star hotels are reaching a few lakh rupees per night. In some premium categories, especially luxury suites and club rooms, rates are reportedly crossing ₹4 lakh to ₹5 lakh per night. Many of these high-end rooms are either already sold out or available only with strict minimum-stay conditions.

Aloke Bajpai, CEO of travel portal Ixigo, confirmed the surge in prices, stating that several five-star hotels in Delhi NCR are charging more than ₹1 lakh per night between February 16 and 20. Flagship properties such as The Leela Palace, ITC Maurya, and Taj Palace have increased their tariffs for the summit period, with standard luxury rooms now priced at peak-season levels.

Central Delhi properties are also seeing heavy demand. Hotels like The Imperial, Shangri-La Eros, and The Park are nearly sold out between February 18 and 20. According to Ixigo data, a room at The Imperial in Connaught Place on February 17 is priced at more than ₹2.4 lakh per night, while Radisson Blu is charging around ₹1.1 lakh for the same date.

The India AI Impact Summit is being described as the largest among the four global AI summits held so far. It is expected to host participants from more than 100 countries, including 15 to 20 heads of government, over 50 ministers, and representatives from more than 40 global and Indian companies. Around 500 key figures from the global AI ecosystem, including innovators, researchers, and chief technology officers, are also expected to attend.

The summit was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the France AI Action Summit and will mark the first global AI summit hosted in the Global South. With the capital preparing to host one of the largest international technology gatherings, the sharp rise in hotel prices reflects the scale and global interest surrounding the event.

Social

Vedanta Sesa Goa Promotes Community Well-being at Mayem Marathon 2026

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Intern Swara Bodke || Team Allycaral

Vedanta Sesa Goa, a leading iron ore producer with a legacy of more than seven decades in Goa, partnered with the Shri Mahamaya High-School Ex-Students Association for the Mayem Marathon 2026, held in Bicholim. The marathon has grown into one of the region’s most anticipated community sporting events and witnessed an overwhelming response this year, with over 1,500 participants from across the state.

The event featured multiple race categories, including 21 km, 10 km, 5 km and 3 km runs, along with dedicated races for school students across various age groups. The wide range of categories highlighted the inclusive nature of the marathon and encouraged participation from both seasoned runners and first-time participants.

Several dignitaries were present on the occasion, including Shri Premendra Shet, Hon’ble MLA for Mayem Constituency, and Guest of Honour Shri Deepak Narvekar, Deputy General Manager, Goa Tourism Development Corporation. Mr. Dhirajkumar Jagdish, Deputy CEO, Vedanta Iron Ore Goa, along with prominent community leaders, also attended the event. Vedanta Sesa Goa has been associated with all three editions of the Mayem Marathon under its ‘YouTheChange, YouThePower’ initiative.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Premendra Shet said the Mayem Marathon 2026 reflected the strong spirit of fitness, inclusivity and togetherness within the community. He appreciated Vedanta Sesa Goa for partnering with the marathon for the third consecutive year and acknowledged the company’s wider CSR contributions in the region, including the restoration of the historic Maem Bandhara and the establishment of computer centres and modern laboratories aimed at empowering youth.

Mr. Dhirajkumar Jagdish said Vedanta remains committed to fostering a healthier and more sustainable future for the communities it serves. He added that the Mayem Marathon stands as a powerful example of collective action, bringing people from diverse backgrounds together on a common platform, and expressed gratitude to the organisers, dignitaries and the Bicholim community for making the event a success.

Vedanta Sesa Goa continues to promote community well-being through partnerships in initiatives such as the Republic Run and the Mayem Marathon. Through its flagship CSR programme, the Sesa Football Academy, the company also conducts football camps and tournaments including the Vedanta Women’s League, Vedanta Youth Cup and Vedanta Football Championship. These initiatives reflect Vedanta Sesa Goa’s ongoing efforts to foster a culture of health, fitness and holistic development across Goa.

rip

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar Dies in Plane Crash

Tanisha Cardozo

Ajit Anantrao Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and one of the state’s most seasoned political leaders, died on January 28, 2026, following a tragic plane crash in Baramati, Pune district. The chartered aircraft carrying Pawar attempted an emergency landing at Baramati airport when it crash-landed under circumstances that are currently under investigation by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. Multiple credible reports confirm that there were no survivors among the key passengers, including Pawar and several others aboard the aircraft.

Pawar, aged 66, had a long and distinguished political career spanning more than three decades, during which he held pivotal roles in the governance of Maharashtra. At the time of his death, he was serving as the state’s Deputy Chief Minister as well as the Minister for Finance and Planning — positions in which he played a central role in shaping policy and economic strategy for one of India’s most populous and economically significant states. Widely respected for his administrative acumen, Pawar was recognized both within his party, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and among political peers for his deep understanding of fiscal matters.

Born on July 22, 1959, in Deolali Pravara in Ahmednagar district, Pawar’s political journey was rooted in grassroots engagement and cooperative movement involvement, which later propelled him into mainstream legislative and executive roles. Over the years, he served multiple terms in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and held ministerial portfolios across successive governments, earning a reputation as a pragmatic and seasoned leader.

The crash has triggered an outpouring of grief across Maharashtra and the national political landscape, with leaders from various parties expressing condolences and highlighting Pawar’s contributions to public service. As investigations into the cause of the plane incident continue, his death leaves a significant void in the state’s leadership and governance framework.

Ajit Pawar’s legacy will be remembered for his extensive public service, his role in economic governance, and his influence on state politics, marking the end of a prominent chapter in Maharashtra’s political history.