EduConnect

ICAR-CCARI Goa Bags ‘Best Institution Other Than School & College’ Award at 6th National Water Awards 2024


Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The ICAR–Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute (CCARI), Goa, has achieved national recognition by bagging the prestigious ‘Best Institution Other Than School & College’ award at the 6th National Water Awards 2024. The award, announced by the Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, acknowledges the institute’s remarkable efforts in advancing water management, conservation, and sustainable agricultural practices in India’s coastal regions.

A total of 46 winners, including joint winners, have been selected across ten categories for the 2024 awards, which include Best State, Best District, Best Village Panchayat, Best Urban Local Body, Best School or College, Best Industry, Best Water User Association, Best Institution (other than school or college), Best Civil Society, and Best Individual for excellence in the water sector. Maharashtra was declared the Best State, followed by Gujarat and Haryana in second and third positions respectively.

The award ceremony is scheduled to be held on 18th November 2025 at 11:30 a.m. at Plenary Hall, Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, will grace the occasion as Chief Guest, alongside Minister of State for the Ministry of Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Chaudhary, Secretary of DoWR, RD & GR V.L. Kantha Rao, Secretary of Drinking Water and Sanitation Ashok K.K. Meena, and other senior officials.

Union Minister of Jal Shakti, C.R. Patil, highlighted that the National Water Awards reflect the government’s commitment to recognizing and promoting water conservation efforts nationwide. The awards are part of a broader initiative under the Ministry of Jal Shakti to build a sustainable and water-secure future for India under the guidance of the Prime Minister.

Introduced in 2018, the National Water Awards aim to create public awareness about the importance of water and motivate individuals and organizations to adopt best practices in water management. The awards were not conferred in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but they resumed thereafter with renewed focus on sustainable water practices. For the 2024 edition, launched on 23rd October 2024 via the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the department received 751 applications. These were meticulously scrutinized and evaluated by a jury committee, followed by on-ground verification by the Central Water Commission (CWC) and Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), leading to the final selection of 46 awardees.

The recognition of ICAR–CCARI Goa underscores the institute’s long-standing contributions to coastal agriculture and water sustainability. The National Water Awards continue to serve as a powerful platform to encourage innovation, collaboration, and community engagement in water conservation efforts across India — strengthening the nation’s journey towards a ‘Jal Samridh Bharat’.

National

Tribal Minister Invites President Droupadi Murmu to Silver Jubilee Canacona Lokotsav 2025


In a noteworthy cultural development, Shri Ramesh Tawadkar, Tribal Minister of Goa, recently called on the Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. Accompanied by Shri Rajendra Arlekar, Hon’ble Governor of Kerala, the minister extended a formal invitation to the President to attend the Silver Jubilee Edition of the Canacona Lokotsav.

The 25th Canacona Lokotsav is scheduled to take place from 19th to 21st December 2025 at Adarsh Gram, Amona, in the Canacona taluka of South Goa. Over the years, Canacona Lokotsav has grown into one of Goa’s most prominent platforms to celebrate and showcase traditional Goan arts, crafts, music, folklore, and tribal culture.

The Silver Jubilee edition promises to be a grand celebration, bringing together performers, artisans, and cultural groups from across the state and beyond. The invitation to the President is a symbolic and significant gesture aimed at highlighting the cultural richness of Goa on a national platform. It also reflects the growing recognition of local festivals in preserving and promoting indigenous traditions and community spirit.

If accepted, President Droupadi Murmu’s presence at the Lokotsav would mark a historic moment, as she herself represents a strong connect to tribal heritage and grassroots governance in India. The event is expected to attract dignitaries, tourists, cultural enthusiasts, and citizens in large numbers.

The Tribal Ministry’s outreach reflects Goa’s continued efforts to promote inclusive and culturally rooted tourism while strengthening local identity through events like the Canacona Lokotsav.

EduConnect

Goa’s Pride: Vilas Ramnath Satarkar Receives National Teachers’ Award from President Droupadi Murmu


Vilas Ramnath Satarkar, Headmaster of Dr. K.B. Hedgewar High School in Cujira-Bambolim, Goa, has been conferred the National Teachers’ Award 2025 by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu.

The National Teachers’ Award recognises outstanding educators who demonstrate excellence in classroom teaching, commitment to innovation, and significant contributions to shaping young minds.

Satarkar has spent years in the service of education, not only leading a school but mentoring students, empowering fellow educators, and implementing pedagogical reforms that foster curiosity, character, and academic excellence.

His selection among the nation’s best teachers is a reflection of both personal dedication and the strength of Goa’s academic ecosystem. Under his guidance, Dr. K.B. Hedgewar High School has become known for holistic education that balances academics, values, and creativity.

For the students, staff, and community at large, this recognition is more than a medal—it’s a moment of pride and a reminder of how one educator can make a lifetime of difference.

EduConnect

PM SHRI GHS Morpirla Students Celebrate Raksha Bandhan at Rashtrapati Bhavan


In a remarkable celebration of culture and unity, four students from PM SHRI Government High School Morpirla — Daksh Velip, Priyanshu Velip, Ranjisha Gaonkar, and Ridhi Velip — accompanied by National Awardee Headmistress Maria Murena Miranda, visited Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi to celebrate Raksha Bandhan.

The highlight of the visit was the presentation of special handmade cards and rakhis to the Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu. The President graciously accepted the gifts and expressed her admiration for the students’ colourful Goan costumes, which added a vibrant cultural touch to the occasion.

This unique opportunity allowed the students from the tribal village of Morpirla to immerse themselves in the traditions and grandeur of the nation’s highest office. They also had the chance to visit Amrit Udyan, where they enjoyed the lush greenery and diverse flora, adding to the memorable experience.

Headmistress Miranda, who attended the At Home Reception hosted by the President on Independence Day last year, shared her joy:

“It is a golden opportunity to see our students experience the cultural significance of Raksha Bandhan at Rashtrapati Bhavan.”

The President also encouraged the students to plant trees and nurture them, promoting environmental responsibility.

The students expressed heartfelt gratitude to President Droupadi Murmu, the Ministry of Education, the Chief Minister of Goa Dr. Pramod Sawant, the Director of Education Sir Shailesh Zingde, and the State Project Director of Goa Samagra Shiksha Dr. S.S. Ghadi, for making this visit possible.

This visit will forever remain a treasured memory for the students, symbolising the bond between tradition, education, and national pride. The students will cherish this moment always.

#AllycaralFeature 👒, Sports

CRICKET LEGEND SACHIN TENDULKAR CALLS ON THE PRESIDENT


Cricket legend Shri Sachin Tendulkar, along with his family members, called on the President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (February 6, 2025). The President and Shri Tendulkar also took a round of Amrit Udyan.

Later, in an interactive session under the Rashtrapati Bhavan’s initiative ‘Rashtrapati Bhavan Vimarsh Shrinkhala’, Shri Tendulkar shared principles of motivation through anecdotes from his own journey as a cricketer. In the session attended by aspiring sportspersons and students of various schools and colleges, he highlighted the importance of teamwork, taking care of others, celebrating the success of others, hard work, developing mental and physical toughness and so many other life-building aspects. He said that the future sports-stars will come from the remotest areas and from among tribal communities and areas that are not so privileged.