Automobiles

CM Pramod Sawant Reviews F4 Indian Championship Preparations at Mopa Airport Circuit


Goa is gearing up for a high-speed sporting spectacle as Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant visited the F4 Indian Championship racing site at Manohar International Airport, Mopa, to review preparations and operational readiness ahead of the much-anticipated event scheduled for February 14โ€“15, 2026.

During the visit, the Chief Minister inspected the circuit infrastructure along with government officials and organisers, Racing Promotions Private Limited (RPPL). The review focused on safety measures, logistics, spectator arrangements, and the overall readiness of the venue to host a world-class motorsports event.

Speaking during the inspection, Dr Sawant highlighted that hosting the F4 Indian Championship marks a significant milestone for Goa, positioning the state on the global motorsports map. He emphasised that such international-level events contribute to strengthening Goaโ€™s identity beyond tourism, encouraging sports development and creating new opportunities for local talent.

The Chief Minister also noted that the championship is expected to provide a strong boost to tourism, attract motorsports enthusiasts from across the country, and generate employment opportunities for local communities. With Manohar International Airport serving as a unique racing venue, the event reflects Goaโ€™s growing ambition to diversify its event calendar and promote new forms of sports tourism.

As final preparations continue, excitement is building among motorsport fans, with the F4 Indian Championship promising thrilling races, cutting-edge racing technology, and a dynamic atmosphere for spectators.

Events in Goa

No IFFI Inaugural at Shyama Prasad Stadium This Year; Parade to Open the 56th Edition


Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The 56th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) will open with a new approach this year. Instead of the customary inaugural ceremony at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium, the festival will begin with a vibrant IFFI Parade that will celebrate Goaโ€™s culture and cinematic spirit. Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant will flag off the parade, which will feature colourful floats inspired by Goaโ€™s carnival and Shigmo traditions.

Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) Chairperson Delilah Lobo confirmed that the change was necessary as the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium is booked for the FIDE World Cup during the same period. However, the festivalโ€™s official dates remain unchanged, ensuring that IFFIโ€™s schedule continues as planned.

The IFFI Parade will serve as the festivalโ€™s new inaugural event, offering a public celebration that merges film, art, and Goan culture. Designed as a street-level spectacle, it will invite participation from locals and visitors alike, capturing the festive atmosphere that defines Goa.

Organised by the ESG in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, IFFI remains Indiaโ€™s most prominent international film festival, bringing together filmmakers, actors, and cinema enthusiasts from around the world. The decision to replace the stadium opening with a parade reflects an inclusive vision โ€” one that extends the festivalโ€™s reach beyond formal venues and into the community.

As Goa prepares to welcome delegates and film lovers for IFFI 56, the parade promises to set a celebratory tone for the festival, transforming its opening into a showcase of both local culture and global cinema.

Sports

Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant Inaugurates FIDE World Cup Goa 2025 at Taleigao


Goa marked a proud moment in its sporting history as Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant inaugurated the FIDE World Cup Goa 2025 at the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, Taleigao.

The grand opening ceremony was organized by the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Goa, and the Sports Authority of Goa, in collaboration with FIDE (The International Chess Federation) and the All India Chess Federation (AICF).

The event witnessed the presence of several distinguished guests, including Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Sports Minister Shri Ramesh Tawadkar, FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, Chief Secretary Dr. V. Candavelou, IAS, Rajya Sabha MP Shri Sadanand Shet Tanavade, MLA Shri Nilesh Cabral, AICF President Shri Nitin Narang, Secretary (Sports) Shri Santosh Sukhadev, IAS, and Director (Sports) Dr. Ajay Gaude, among others.

In a symbolic moment of pride and unity, Chief Minister Dr. Sawant and Union Minister Dr. Mandaviya, along with the dignitaries, unveiled the FIDE World Cup 2025 Trophy, marking the official commencement of the tournament.

The FIDE World Cup Goa 2025 brings together some of the worldโ€™s finest chess grandmasters and rising talents, shining a global spotlight on Goa as a premier destination for international sporting events.

The tournament will run until November 27, 2025, with participants from across the world competing for top honors in the prestigious championship.

This event reinforces Goaโ€™s growing reputation as a dynamic hub for international sports and youth development, blending tradition, intellect, and excellence.

Social

CM Dr. Pramod Sawant Felicitates Artisans and Empowers Traditional Crafts Under Seva Pakhwada


As part of the Seva Pakhwada initiative, Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant participated in a vibrant and meaningful programme held in Panaji, aimed at honouring and empowering traditional artisans across Goa. The event was organized by the Goa Handicraft, Rural & Small Scale Industries Development Corporation in collaboration with the Department of Handicraft, Textile & Coir.

At the heart of the celebration was the recognition of clay Ganesh idol makers โ€” artists who continue to preserve one of Goaโ€™s most cherished cultural traditions. These artisans were honoured for their dedication, creativity, and role in sustaining the heritage of handcrafted Ganesh murtis and related artifacts.

The Chief Minister also felicitated senior and leading producers in the handicrafts sector, acknowledging their contribution to both cultural preservation and economic development. As part of the event, tool kits were distributed under the Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana, a central scheme focused on supporting skilled artisans and craftsmen across India with modern tools, training, and financial support.

Weavers, another key pillar of the traditional crafts sector, received looms and loan sanction letters to help enhance their livelihood opportunities. This gesture emphasized the government’s continued commitment to strengthening rural entrepreneurship and building a self-reliant ecosystem for skilled trades.

The event underlined the broader vision of Seva Pakhwada โ€” not just as a celebration of service, but as a hands-on approach to enabling skill development, fostering local talent, and ensuring that cultural legacies are not only remembered, but actively supported and sustained. The presence and participation of the Chief Minister added weight to the occasion, reflecting the administrationโ€™s prioritization of inclusive growth and grassroots empowerment.

This celebration of traditional craftsmanship โ€” from idol makers to weavers โ€” serves as a reminder that Goa’s cultural vibrancy is deeply rooted in its artisan communities. Through initiatives like these, the state reaffirms its commitment to nurturing the hands that build, design, and inspire.

Business

Goa Leads Nationwide GST Reform with Two-Slab Structure Backed by PM Modi & CM Pramod Sawant


Written by Intern Queeny George M.H, Team Allycaral

The Government of Goa has taken center stage in implementing nationwide GST reforms, with the new two-slab GST structure (5% and 18%) going into effect on September 22, 2025.

The reforms, supported by Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant and endorsed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, mark a significant milestone in Indiaโ€™s journey toward Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat.

Key Highlights of the Reform

  • Two-slab structure: Goods & services now taxed at either 5% or 18%.
  • Consumer benefit: Surprise inspections to ensure reduced rates reach buyers.
  • Support for MSMEs: Simplified compliance and reduced tax burden.
  • Boost to local manufacturing & exports: Designed to promote Swadeshi and global competitiveness.

Addressing the nation on the eve of Navratri, PM Modi said the reforms will accelerate Indiaโ€™s growth story:

โ€œSwadeshi will render strength to the countryโ€™s prosperity in a similar way it powered Indiaโ€™s freedom movement.โ€

CM Pramod Sawant, a member of the GST Council, called it the beginning of a GST Bachat Utsav:

โ€œGoa is fully committed to modernising infrastructure, simplifying processes and empowering our entrepreneurs so that Swadeshi products shine proudly in India and across the globe.โ€

The Bigger Picture

The reform is part of Indiaโ€™s broader policy framework that includes GST simplification, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, and the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes. Together, these initiatives are powering Indiaโ€™s journey from Make in India to Make for the World.

With Goa at the forefront, the reforms are expected to set an example for other states, reinforcing Indiaโ€™s position as a rising global economic powerhouse.