Tag: public safety

Social

Zuno General Insurance Revives ‘Talking Zebra’ Road Safety Campaign as Goa Records 430 Accidents in 2025

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes ||Team Allycaral 

Goa, February 2026: Amid rising road accident concerns, Zuno General Insurance (formerly Edelweiss General Insurance) has revived its road safety awareness initiative with an updated campaign titled “Talking Zebra Returns.” The activation comes as Goa recorded 430 road accidents in 2025, underscoring the need for sustained public awareness and behavioural change on roads.


Aligned with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ Road Safety Awareness Month and IRDAI’s directive encouraging insurers to promote road safety, the campaign aims to make safe driving practices more engaging, visible, and memorable. This year’s edition adds a creative dimension by pairing the Talking Zebra with a mime artist, who visually demonstrates everyday road safety practices such as stopping at zebra crossings, wearing helmets, waiting for traffic signals, and yielding to pedestrians.

Unlike conventional awareness drives, the initiative adopts a positive reinforcement approach, acknowledging and appreciating commuters who follow traffic rules. The campaign is being rolled out at high-footfall traffic signals across eight cities — Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Goa and Guntur.

Speaking on the initiative, Shanai Ghosh, MD & CEO, Zuno General Insurance, said the company believes road safety is a shared responsibility and that positive nudges can play a powerful role in improving driving behaviour. She added that initiatives like Talking Zebra complement Zuno’s broader efforts, including its telematics-led SmartDrive motor insurance that rewards safe driving and offers crash-detection support through smartphone technology.

Highlighting the urgency of such initiatives, national data continues to place India among the countries with the highest road accident and fatality rates globally. Reports indicate that India witnesses an average of 53 crashes and 92 deaths every hour, with Goa alone recording over 1,000 accident-related deaths between 2019 and 2023.

Ketan Mankikar, Head of Marketing & Communications at Zuno General Insurance, noted that Talking Zebra has evolved into a platform that keeps road safety part of everyday public conversation. By recognising good driving behaviour through humour and human interaction, the campaign seeks to make responsible road use aspirational and visible.

With Talking Zebra Returns, Zuno General Insurance continues its efforts to move beyond awareness, encouraging safer roads through behavioural change, community engagement, and technology-led support systems.

Social

Seahorse Platforms Add Extra Vigilance on Goa’s High-Footfall Beaches: Drishti Marine

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Drishti Marine’s newly deployed Seahorse temporary floating platforms are already playing a crucial role in lifesaving operations along Goa’s coastline, reinforcing beach safety as an added layer of vigilance during one of the state’s busiest tourist seasons.


Since their introduction in December 2025, a total of 34 rescues have been recorded at beaches where the Seahorse platforms are deployed. In December, 11 rescues were carried out—seven at Calangute, three at Candolim and one at Miramar. In January 2026 so far, rescues have increased to 23, with Miramar accounting for 13 rescues, followed by Calangute with seven and Candolim with three. No rescues were reported at Baina during this period.

The Seahorse platforms have been deployed at Calangute, Candolim and Miramar in North Goa, and Baina in South Goa, supplementing existing safety infrastructure such as beach towers and shore-based patrols. Positioned offshore, the platforms allow lifesavers to monitor swimmers from vantage points at sea—particularly valuable in high-footfall areas where land-based visibility can be limited.

Recently, one of the Seahorse platforms assisted in the successful rescue of 13 students from the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) off Miramar beach.

“In many situations, every second matters. With the Seahorse platforms, our teams are positioned closer to the risk zone, which significantly cuts reaction time. What earlier took three to five minutes can now be addressed in under a minute—and that difference can mean a life saved,” said Austin Collaco, General Manager (Operations), Drishti Marine.

According to Collaco, lifesavers can now be dispatched to water-based emergencies in under five seconds. “Within about five seconds of receiving the rescue alert, the jet ski is on its way. It can cover a distance of 100 metres in roughly two to four seconds, depending on water conditions,” he explained.

Each Seahorse unit accommodates four to six lifesavers and is equipped with a jet ski ramp, rescue boards, surfboards and rescue tubes. The elevated structure provides a wider field of vision over nearshore swimming zones, while the jet ski enables immediate response to emergencies.

The deployment of Seahorse platforms also addresses challenges caused by increasing sand erosion along several beaches, which has made some conventional lifesaver towers unstable or difficult to relocate. The floating platforms are anchored to the seabed and positioned approximately 20 to 30 metres offshore, depending on depth and tidal conditions.

Of the four temporary floating platforms initially deployed, two are currently positioned at Miramar and Baina beaches respectively.

Drishti Marine currently deploys over 450 lifesavers across 24 beaches in North Goa and 30 beaches in South Goa, along with inland locations including Dudhsagar waterfalls and Mayem lake, ensuring comprehensive safety coverage across the state.

Travel

Paris Cancels New Year’s Eve Celebrations on Champs-Élysées Over Security Concerns

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Paris will ring in the New Year without its traditional grand celebrations this year. Authorities in the French capital have officially cancelled the much-anticipated New Year’s Eve music and festivities on the iconic Champs-Élysées, which were scheduled for December 31, 2025.

The decision was taken following heightened security concerns in the city. According to official sources, the cancellation is linked to the growing crisis surrounding illegal migration and the government’s assessment that it cannot adequately guarantee safety during large-scale public gatherings.

France Info reported that Paris police formally requested Mayor Anne Hidalgo to call off the event, warning of potential risks including stampedes, riots, and uncontrolled crowd movements. The annual celebration, which typically attracts hundreds of thousands of locals and tourists, has long been a symbol of Parisian festivity, marked by music, lights, and communal joy.

Authorities stressed that the decision was made in the interest of public safety, despite disappointment among residents and visitors who look forward to celebrating the New Year at one of the world’s most famous avenues. Officials have not announced any alternative public celebrations at this time.

The cancellation highlights the growing challenges faced by major global cities in managing security amid increasing population pressures and large public event

Human Interest

Anjuna Police Officers Recover Lost Samsung S24 Ultra of South African Tourist at Vagator Beach

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In yet another commendable display of dedication and professionalism, PC Abhishek Kasar and PC Shamba of the Anjuna Police Station successfully recovered a missing mobile phone belonging to a foreign national from South Africa.

The tourist had reported his Samsung S24 Ultra missing while visiting Vagator Beach. Responding promptly, the two officers initiated focused efforts to trace the device. Their swift coordination, persistent follow-up, and effective teamwork led to the successful recovery of the phone.

The missing device was later handed over to the rightful owner at the Anjuna Police Station. Grateful for the timely assistance, the tourist expressed deep appreciation for the sincerity, commitment, and supportive approach of the officers, praising Goa Police for their efficient handling of the situation.

This incident once again highlights the ongoing efforts of the Anjuna Police Station in ensuring the safety and security of visitors and locals. Their proactive approach reinforces the trust that tourists continue to place in Goa as a safe and welcoming destination.

Events in Goa

Traffic Advisory: Road Closures and Parking Arrangements for IFFI Float Parade and Rehearsals in Panaji

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Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The Panaji Traffic Police has issued a comprehensive advisory for residents and commuters in view of the upcoming IFFI Float Parade and its rehearsal. On 18th November 2025, the stretch of D.B.B. Marg from the old Secretariat to Kala Academy will be closed for vehicular traffic from 15:00 to 17:00 hrs during the parade rehearsal. On 20th November, float assemblies will begin at Merces Junction on Panaji–Old Goa Service Road, with Promotional and State floats assembling near Divja Circle.

All floats will line up at the Starting Point at Old GMC via D.B.B. Marg (left side lane, incoming) from 13:00 hrs. Floats parked at Merces Junction will proceed via KTC Panaji to the line-up area. The parade will culminate near Kala Academy, Campal, after which the floats will be parked at the Football Ground on D.B.B. Marg until further instructions from traffic authorities. In addition, Inox Lane (Gen. Bernard Guedes Road) will remain closed for all vehicular traffic from 20th to 28th November 2025.

For incoming traffic, vehicles entering Panaji during the rehearsal and parade should follow designated diversion routes including the new Patto Bridge via Divja Circle and Dayanand Bandodkar statue, or via the new Mala Bridge for traffic from Bambolim. City buses will be suspended on parade routes during the event. Traffic from Ribandar will be diverted via the Ribandar Causeway and NH-748. Outgoing traffic, including route buses from Miramar, will be diverted via Campal Ganesh/Kala Academy, Fire Brigade Junction, St. Inez, Caculo Island, 18th June Road, and Church Square. Heavy and commercial vehicles are restricted from entering the city between 07:00 and 21:00 hrs, and tourist buses from Dona Paula will be restricted beyond Miramar Circle after 13:00 hrs.

Designated parking zones for vehicles with passes include PVR Inox Multiplex, Kala Academy (S1 & S2 pick-up/drop), and Market Lane (S4 Media). Vehicles without passes will be directed to EDC Plaza/MLCP and KTC Bus Stand for North Goa traffic, and via GMC Bambolim–Goa University–Miramar for South Goa traffic. No-parking zones have been declared along Jose Falcao Road, Joao Castro Road, Match Corner to Casa International (M.G. Road), Caculo Island to St. Inez Junction, Church Square to Cortin Foot Bridge, and Down the Road Pub to Match Corner.

Commuters are advised to follow the traffic guidelines, use alternate routes, and plan their travel in advance to avoid inconvenience during the IFFI Float Parade and rehearsals.