Tag: Politics

Events in Goa

Goa to Host Global PR Powerhouse: International Communication Conclave Kicks Off on Sept 26

Tanisha Cardozo

Panaji, September 24: Goa is all set to welcome some of the most influential voices in public relations, communications, and media, as the Global Communication Conclave organized by the Public Relations Council of India (PRCI) begins on September 26. The event, which will span two days at the prestigious Fern Kadamba Hotel, promises to be a landmark gathering of national and international delegates under the central theme, “The Power of Public Relations.”

The inauguration ceremony, scheduled for the morning of September 26, will be a high-profile affair. It will be graced by the Governor of Goa, P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju, alongside Union Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy, Shripad Naik, and Goa’s Tourism Minister, Rohan Khaunte. According to Deepak Narvekar, Head of PRCI’s Goa Chapter, the conclave aims to facilitate meaningful dialogue on the evolving role and power of public relations in a rapidly changing media landscape.

The conclave will bring together communication professionals, scholars, government officials, and corporate leaders from across India and abroad. One of the event’s most anticipated moments is the conferring of the prestigious Chanakya Awards. These accolades recognize distinguished professionals, officials, and emerging young achievers who have made exceptional contributions to the field of public relations. The awards will be presented by the Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant, as confirmed by Nikhil Wagh, Secretary of the PRCI Goa Chapter.

Day two of the conclave will continue with insightful sessions and discussions, featuring dignitaries including Union Minister Shripad Naik, Goa MLA Ganesh Gaonkar, and noted South Indian actress Esther Noronha. Their participation reflects the diverse scope of the conclave, bridging the worlds of governance, entertainment, and communication.

In preparation for the event, a strategic review meeting was held by PRCI’s national and state-level leadership. Key figures in attendance included M.B. Jayaram, Geeta Shankar, Dr. Team Vinay Kumar, Deepak Narvekar, Surendran Unni, Arijit Majumdar, Chinmayee Praveen, Vaman Prabhu, Nikhil Wagh, John Aguiar, Vrundavan Raikar, Kalika Bapat, John Samuel, and Nikita Chodankar. Their collaborative effort has ensured that the conclave is positioned not just as an event, but as a milestone in the professional dialogue surrounding public relations in India.

With its mix of prestigious awards, expert panels, and international participation, the Global Communication Conclave promises to reaffirm PRCI’s commitment to excellence in strategic communication, while spotlighting Goa as a growing hub for global dialogue in media and communication.

National

Spotlight Workshop Champions Inclusive and Intersectional Disability Reporting in Indian Media

Tanisha Cardozo

On September 22, 2025, the media sensitisation workshop Spotlight was held in New Delhi to focus on inclusive and intersectional disability reporting in India. Organised by Rising Flame in collaboration with the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Government of India), the Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Goa, the UN in India, and UN Women, the event brought together over 50 journalists, editors, and media professionals to discuss the crucial role the media plays in shaping public perception around disability.

The first session, led by Rising Flame, titled Disability-inclusive and Intersectional Media Representation and Reporting, explored the significant impact of language and framing in news stories. The interactive format encouraged participants to rethink how narratives of persons with disabilities are told, moving away from reductive portrayals and towards more nuanced, respectful, and authentic storytelling.

Nidhi Goyal, Founder and Executive Director of Rising Flame, co-facilitated the session and shared a powerful insight: “Too often, the media paints us people with disabilities as either heroes or objects of pity. We need to go beyond both. There is a need to amplify disabled voices and build nuanced, human-centred stories. Since media plays a critical role in shaping public understanding and influencing policy, journalists can ensure disability is covered with accuracy, dignity, and a rights-based lens.”

The second session, organised by UN Women, featured a panel titled Senior Journalists Share Experiences on Reporting Gender and Disability. Moderated by Sudeshna Mukherjee, Head of Communications at UN Women India, the panel featured experienced media professionals: Uzmi Athar, Chief Correspondent at PTI; Parvinder Singh, Head of Communications at the World Food Programme in India; Pooja Pande, former Co-CEO of Chambal Media; and Bhanupriya Rao, Founder of BehanBox. The discussion highlighted how disability should not be treated as a niche beat but be integrated into broader news narratives with the same importance as health, education, and climate.

Uzmi Athar shared a thought-provoking example: “When we speak about natural disasters, we need to include how persons with disabilities are impacted. When we frame a story that someone ‘braved’ difficulties to reach a polling booth, we should instead ask: why were those difficulties there in the first place?”

Through its sessions and exchanges, Spotlight urged media professionals to play an active role in shifting disability narratives from charity-based to rights-based, from isolated stories to integrated coverage. It reinforced the idea that accurate, inclusive reporting is a powerful tool for societal change—one that upholds the dignity and agency of persons with disabilities.

Events in Goa

Celebrating Inclusion: International Week of the Deaf & Sign Languages at Caculo Mall

Tanisha Cardozo

In a heartwarming and impactful celebration, Caculo Mall in Panjim transformed into a hub of inclusivity as it hosted the International Week of the Deaf and the International Day of Sign Languages. Held from September 22, 2025, the event marked the beginning of a three-day initiative that highlighted empowerment, accessibility, and the importance of communication inclusion.

The celebration was coordinated by Mrs. Sadiya Bandodkar, a dynamic entrepreneur and Purple Ambassador for the upcoming International Purple Fest Goa 2025. The event also served as a prelude to the anticipated Purple Fest scheduled for October 9th to 12th.

Jointly organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Government of Goa, the Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, the Goa Association of the Deaf, and Mrs. Bandodkar herself, the event brought together stakeholders, performers, and the community under one inclusive roof.

The inaugural day began with an engaging Indian Sign Language awareness session aimed at sensitizing attendees and encouraging more inclusive communication. A key highlight of the evening was a Navratri-themed dance performance by a group of deaf women, which captivated the audience with its grace and energy, drawing admiration and thunderous applause.

The event welcomed prominent guests including Shri Guruprasad Pawaskar, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities; Smt. Varsha Naik, Director of the Department of Empowerment of PwDs; Shri Mangesh Dalvi from Caculo Mall; Shri Prasad Joshi, General Secretary of the Goa Association of the Deaf; Shri Avelino D’Sa, President of the Disability Rights Association of Goa (DRAG), and Mrs. Sadiya Bandodkar.

In his address, Shri Guruprasad Pawaskar emphasized that such initiatives must not be limited to a week, but should act as catalysts for continuous advocacy, awareness, and systemic change. Mrs. Bandodkar, expressing her gratitude, thanked all collaborators for making the event a success and for supporting efforts to create opportunities for persons with disabilities.

Throughout the three days, the pop-up market continues to be a major draw, with stalls managed by entrepreneurs with disabilities, offering everything from handmade crafts to innovative products. It’s not just a market; it’s a message — that talent knows no bounds and inclusion starts with opportunity.

This celebration stands as a testament to what can be achieved when government bodies, private partners, and individuals come together to champion accessibility. It sets the tone for the upcoming Purple Fest Goa 2025 and reaffirms the commitment to a more inclusive, aware, and empowered society.

Health

Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan: Health Camp in Mayem Receives Overwhelming Response

Tanisha Cardozo

A free health camp organised under the Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar (SNSP) Abhiyaan at Mayem Panchayat Hall on 21st September witnessed an enthusiastic response, with over 100 women and children availing themselves of a range of medical services.

The initiative, led by the Public Health Centre (PHC), Mayem, provided critical preventive and diagnostic services such as general checkups, blood pressure monitoring, haemoglobin testing, diabetes screening, breast cancer screening, PAP smear tests, sputum collection, chest X-rays, and eye checkups — all free of cost.

The event was inaugurated by Sadanand Shet Tanavade, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), who lauded the initiative as a proactive step towards preventing medical emergencies and promoting family health through better women’s healthcare. “These camps are crucial for improving the health of women, which in turn leads to stronger, healthier households,” he stated.

Premendra Shet, MLA of Mayem, highlighted that the health camp was part of broader welfare efforts under the “Seva Parva” initiative. He praised the selfless efforts of doctors and healthcare staff in bringing quality medical services to grassroots communities.

Other dignitaries present included Chandrakant Shetye, MLA from Bicholim Constituency; former MLA Damu Naik; and the Sarpanch of Mayem Panchayat. Dr. Urmila Gauns, the Nodal Officer for the camp, welcomed the guests and coordinated the camp’s activities along with the local health department staff.

The Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 17th September as a national mission to deliver preventive, promotive, and curative healthcare services to women and children. Organised jointly by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and the Ministry of Women & Child Development, the campaign aims to conduct over 10 lakh health camps across the country until 2nd October, focusing on reaching the last mile.

In Goa, health camps are being held across all villages, reflecting the government’s commitment to inclusive healthcare delivery. The Mayem health camp serves as a shining example of what community-based outreach can achieve when local leaders and medical professionals come together with a shared mission.

Politics

C. P. Radhakrishnan Sworn In as 15th Vice-President of India

Tanisha Cardozo

Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan was officially sworn in as the 15th Vice-President of India and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha on Friday, September 12, 2025, in a grand ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office in the presence of numerous dignitaries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress President and Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, and several former Vice-Presidents such as Jagdeep Dhankhar, Hamid Ansari, and M. Venkaiah Naidu.

This ceremony marked the first public appearance of Mr. Dhankhar since his resignation in July due to health reasons. Accompanied by his wife Sudesh Dhankhar, he was seated in the front row alongside other prominent leaders. Notably, some attendees expressed concerns over seating arrangements, as Mr. Kharge was placed in the second row while other Opposition floor leaders were placed as far back as the fifth row.

After the ceremony, Prime Minister Modi took to social media to congratulate Mr. Radhakrishnan, describing him as a “dedicated public servant” and wishing him a successful tenure in service to the nation.

Later in the day, Mr. Radhakrishnan met with floor leaders of various political parties in Parliament. While key parties such as the Trinamool Congress, Biju Janata Dal, NCP (SP), and Shiv Sena (UBT) skipped the meeting due to short notice, Mr. Radhakrishnan expressed his intention to work inclusively with all parties. He highlighted his own experience as an Opposition leader in Tamil Nadu and underscored the importance of Opposition in a healthy parliamentary democracy. He also reflected on his political lineage, mentioning that his grandfather was aligned with the Left and his uncle with the Congress.

To mark the beginning of his tenure, Mr. Radhakrishnan paid floral tributes at Rajghat to Mahatma Gandhi, at Sadaiv Atal to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and at Kisan Ghat to former Prime Minister Charan Singh. He also visited Prerna Sthal at Parliament House, where relocated statues from the old Parliament building have been preserved.

At Parliament House, he was received warmly by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Harivansh, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Ministers of State Arjun Ram Meghwal and L. Murugan, and Rajya Sabha Secretary-General P.C. Mody. In a symbolic gesture, he planted a sapling in the Parliament complex, signaling growth, renewal, and commitment to the future.

Mr. Radhakrishnan’s swearing-in marks a new chapter in the upper house of Parliament, and his inclusive tone in early interactions sets a hopeful tone for collaborative governance.