Nine-year-old Aalushka emerged as a shining young talent at the prestigious Pride of Goa Awards, winning the Best Female Model (Child Category) at the event organised by Showtheme Production and Swadesh Satellite Channel at ESG, Panjim, Goa. Her achievement added a special highlight to the ceremony, celebrating excellence and emerging talent from across the state.
Aalushka currently serves as the Head Girl of the primary section at St. Francis Xavier High School, Peddem, Goa, and has consistently demonstrated outstanding ability both inside and outside the classroom. Along with academic excellence, she has showcased her skills in storytelling, public speaking, dance, acting, mimicry and singing, making her a well-rounded performer at a very young age.
Residing at Khalap Vaddo, Canca Parra, Aalushka is the daughter of Walter and Assesao Fernandes. Her journey so far has been marked by several notable accolades, including Junior Miss India 2025, Little Miss Goa Stellar 2025, Best Speaker Award, Social Media Princess, and many other honours that reflect her confidence, discipline and passion for performance.
Expressing gratitude, the young achiever and her family acknowledged the support and encouragement received throughout her journey, with special thanks to Ma’am Rahila Khan for the nomination and guidance. Aalushka’s success stands as an inspiring example of how talent, leadership and dedication can shine early, making her a role model for young children across Goa.
The Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI), in association with the Kashinath Damodar Naik Memorial Trust, has announced the recipients of the prestigious ‘Kashinath Damodar Naik – Pride of Goa Awards 2025’. The awards continue a joint initiative aimed at recognising distinguished Goans whose dedication, leadership and excellence have significantly contributed to business, industry and society in Goa and beyond.
For 2025, the Kashinath Damodar Naik – Pride of Goa – Lifetime Achievement Award will be conferred upon Ms. Anju Timblo, Managing Director and CEO of Fomento Resorts and Hotels Pvt. Ltd., in recognition of her outstanding leadership and transformative contribution to Goa’s hospitality sector. A distinguished academic, Ms. Timblo topped India in the Higher Secondary Arts Examination, secured first rank in Economics at Lady Shri Ram College, and graduated in Law from Government Law College, Bombay, earning two Gold Medals. She began her professional journey as a law lecturer in Goa before moving into leadership roles in social and community initiatives, including serving as President of the All India Women’s Conference, Goa Branch.
Since 1993, Ms. Timblo has led Fomento Resorts and Hotels Pvt. Ltd. as Managing Director and CEO, spearheading the iconic Taj Cidade de Goa – Heritage and the Taj Cidade de Goa – Horizon, together forming Goa’s largest luxury hospitality complex with over 500 rooms. Under her leadership, Araqila, a luxury resort in Sindhudurg, Maharashtra, was recently commissioned, pioneering tourism development in the region. Deeply committed to education and cultural preservation, she is also the founder and president of the Fomento Education and Charitable Societies, which include the Goa College of Hospitality & Culinary Education and Dona Leonor Memorial High School.
The Kashinath Damodar Naik – Pride of Goa – Entrepreneur Award for 2025 will be presented to Mr. Sachin Lawande, President and CEO of Visteon Corporation, Michigan. A native of Taleigao, Mr. Lawande is being honoured for his exemplary achievements as a global business leader and for bringing international recognition to Goa through his pioneering work in automotive technology. Since assuming leadership of Visteon in 2015, he has guided the Fortune 500 company to the forefront of cockpit electronics and automotive digitisation, driving innovation in hybrid and electric vehicle technologies while securing record levels of global business.
An alumnus of Auxilium Convent, Caranzalem, Mr. Lawande rose from a middle-class Goan upbringing to global corporate leadership. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Telecommunications from Bombay University and a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville. With over two decades of experience in embedded systems and software, he holds four communications software patents and also serves on the Board of Cognex Corporation.
The Kashinath Damodar Naik Memorial Trust was established to honour the legacy of the late Kashinath Damodar Naik, a respected Margao-based businessman, historian and philanthropist. Through these awards, the Trust and GCCI aim to highlight achievers who have built successful enterprises, contributed to economic development and brought pride to the State of Goa.
The formal award ceremony will be held on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at 5.00 pm at Gomant Vidya Niketan, Margao, and is open to the public.
The Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) in collaboration with the Kashinath Damodar Naik Memorial Trust (KDNMT) has announced the recipients of the Pride of Goa Awards 2025. Instituted to celebrate Goans who have made significant contributions to business and industry, the awards honour both legacy and innovation in leadership.
For 2025, two distinguished personalities have been selected:
Lifetime Achievement Award: Ms. Anju Timblo, Managing Director & CEO of Fomento Resorts and Hotels Pvt. Ltd. A trailblazer in Goa’s hospitality sector, Ms. Timblo has led iconic establishments like Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage and Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon. Her contributions extend to education, culture, and community development through initiatives such as the Fomento Education and Charitable Societies.
Entrepreneur Award: Mr. Sachin Lawande, President & CEO of Visteon Corporation. Hailing from Taleigao, Mr. Lawande is among the few Goans to achieve global recognition in the corporate world. Under his leadership, Visteon has transformed automotive technology, driving innovations in hybrid and electric powertrains while partnering with leading automakers worldwide.
The Pride of Goa Awards Ceremony is scheduled for December 2025 at Gomant Vidya Niketan, Margao, with eminent journalist Mr. Vikram Doctor as the keynote speaker.
The awards, instituted in memory of Late Kashinath Damodar Naik—a renowned businessman, historian, and philanthropist—seek to spotlight the achievements of Goans who embody excellence and inspire future generations.
👉 Stay connected with Allycaral for more updates on the Pride of Goa Awards 2025.
