Tag: public safety

Social

Goa Police Hackathon 2025 Concludes with Award Ceremony Celebrating Student Innovation in Smart Policing

Tanisha Cardozo

The Goa Police Hackathon 2025 concluded with a grand award ceremony at the PHQ Conference Hall in Panaji, marking the successful completion of a 48-hour innovation marathon aimed at developing cutting-edge policing solutions for the State. The event brought together 36 teams from seven colleges across Goa, challenging students to solve real-world problems using technology and artificial intelligence.

Dignitaries including Director General of Police Shri Alok Kumar, IPS, Inspector General of Police Shri Keshav Ram Chaurasia, and Prof. Suman Kundu, Director of BITS Pilani Goa, were warmly welcomed with a floral reception. SP Cyber Crime presented a summary of the Hackathon, emphasizing the collaborative efforts of students, faculty, and Goa Police.

Top-performing teams showcased live prototypes including “Zero Code – Night Vigil,” a smart patrolling verification app; “Nagar Rakshak 2,” an AI-based assistant for visitors at police stations; and “Eternal Blue,” an analytics tool for the 112 Police Helpline. BITS Pilani Goa also presented an Investigation Timeline Monitoring Dashboard designed to support timely compliance under new criminal laws.

In his address, DGP Goa Shri Alok Kumar, IPS, praised the students for bringing “new energy and creative thinking to real policing challenges” and assured that promising solutions would be considered for field deployment. Prof. Suman Kundu expressed pride in the collaboration between BITS Pilani and Goa Police, highlighting the social impact of such initiatives and congratulating students for their teamwork under pressure.

Certificates, trophies, and appreciation letters were distributed to all participants, while mementos were presented to judges and coordinators. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by ASP Cyber Crime, followed by refreshments.

The Hackathon tackled nine problem statements, including AI-based deepfake video detection, cyber patrolling tools for fraudulent online content, e-bandobast deployment tracking, and AI-powered sexual offence investigation guides. These innovative solutions aim to modernize policing in Goa, demonstrating the power of technology and student ingenuity in shaping the future of public safety.

Social

Drishti Marine Lifesavers Deployed at 47 Locations Across Goa for Ganesh Visarjan Safety

Tanisha Cardozo

Panaji, August 2025: As Goa prepares to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, the state’s lifesaving agency, Drishti Marine, has announced its deployment strategy to ensure safe idol immersions across the coastal state.

A total of 47 visarjan points — including 35 beaches and 12 inland water bodies — will be manned by trained lifesavers on all designated immersion days: August 28, 31 and September 2, 4, 6, and 17 (21st day visarjan). The deployment is part of a coordinated effort with the state government to manage public safety and support law and order during one of Goa’s most widely celebrated festivals.
Lifesaving teams will be present at immersion points with known risks due to strong sea currents or limited visibility at night. These lifesavers will guide families through the immersion process, helping carry idols into the water where required and preventing accidents in high-risk zones.

“Safety is our priority,” said Navin Awasthi, CEO of Drishti Marine. “Our lifesavers will be present late into the night to ensure that the immersion process is smooth and safe. Since the sea is still officially closed for swimming during this period, we urge everyone to follow lifesaver instructions and avoid venturing into rough waters.”

Key Deployment Points
Some of the major beach locations include Calangute, Candolim, Miramar, Benaulim, Palolem, Morjim, Vagator, and Baga. Inland locations like Mapusa Tar, Panaji ferry point, Cumbarjua ferry, and Aldona pond will also have lifesavers posted in coordination with local panchayats and public organisations.

Prepared for Emergencies
Drishti Marine has also arranged standby teams and support vehicles for quick response in case of emergency. Each site will have between two to six lifesavers, depending on the crowd size and the location’s risk profile.

Public Advisory
The agency has issued a reminder for families to:

  • Use only designated entry points for immersion
  • Follow all instructions from lifesavers
  • Closely monitor children, especially after dark
  • Avoid non-designated or risky areas, no matter how shallow the water appears

As thousands gather to bid farewell to Lord Ganesha, Drishti Marine’s lifesavers will remain a steady and watchful presence — ensuring that the spirit of celebration continues safely across Goa’s coasts and water bodies.

Social

Goa Animal Federation Demands Immediate Mass Sterilization of Community Dogs Following Supreme Court Relief

Tanisha Cardozo

On a warm Sunday afternoon at Azad Maidan, Panaji, a large crowd of dog lovers, activists, and concerned citizens gathered under the banner of the Goa Animal Federation (GAF) in a unified show of support for humane community dog management. The event, which served both as a protest and a thanksgiving to the Supreme Court of India, was attended by several hundred animal lovers, all echoing one central demand: mass sterilization and vaccination of community dogs must begin immediately across Goa.

Prominent voices in Goa’s animal welfare movement—including Advocate Norma Alvarez, singer Hema Sardesai, K.D. Row, Prakash Kamat, Dexter Braganza, and Fidoli Pereira—were present, alongside GAF members and NGO representatives. They extended heartfelt gratitude to the Supreme Court for its recent revised order, which offers a humane, scientific, and sustainable framework to address the stray dog issue across India.

According to GAF, Goa currently has a sterilization capacity of 15,000 dogs per year, a number maintained largely by private NGOs. However, to effectively manage the stray dog population, Goa must reach a target of 50,000 dogs sterilized annually. Only then can the state hope to reach an 80–90% sterilization rate within the next three years, which would naturally reduce the population over the next 5–6 years due to the dogs’ life cycle.

“This is a public safety, animal welfare, and community health issue. Without aggressive government intervention, we’re delaying the solution,” said a GAF spokesperson.

Beyond sterilization, the GAF has also called on the government to:

  • Install at least two animal body incinerators in Goa for safe and hygienic disposal
  • Fulfill its long-standing promise of a 24×7 ambulance and veterinary clinic for stray animals

These facilities, they argue, are essential for upholding humane standards while addressing public health concerns and ensuring dignity for animals—even in death.

The Goa Animal Federation, which includes major animal welfare organizations across the state, reiterated its commitment to a lawful, scientific, and compassionate approach in line with the Supreme Court’s directives.

Their goal is clear: ensure Goa sets an example for the rest of the country in resolving the stray dog issue not through violence or fear, but through compassion, planning, and responsibility.

“Dog lovers aren’t just emotional people—they are citizens fighting for a sustainable, safe, and humane solution,” the press release concluded.

National

Supreme Court Extends Stray Dog Shelter & Vaccination Order Nationwide

allycaralgoa

In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court of India has extended its earlier order on stray dogs—originally applicable only to Delhi-NCR—to the entire nation.

The Court has directed that stray dogs should be taken to shelters, vaccinated, and then released back into the same area they were picked up from. This aims to ensure better animal welfare while addressing concerns of public safety.

At the same time, the Court has banned feeding of stray dogs in public spaces, cautioning that those who violate this directive will face appropriate legal action.

The ruling reflects an attempt to strike a balance between protecting citizens from stray dog attacks and ensuring humane treatment of animals.

Animal welfare activists have welcomed the vaccination mandate but expressed concern over the feeding ban, suggesting that designated feeding zones could be a more compassionate solution.

The decision is expected to significantly impact urban local bodies, NGOs, and citizens who engage in stray animal care across India.

Human Interest

Goa Civil Supplies Department Urges Consumers to Stay Vigilant During LPG Deliveries

allycaralgoa

Goa, July 3, 2025: In a move to enhance transparency and protect consumers, the Civil Supplies Department of Goa has issued a public advisory urging all LPG consumers to take precautionary steps during cylinder delivery to prevent any possible malpractice.

The department has emphasized the importance of checking the weight of the cylinder and ensuring that the safety seal is intact before accepting delivery. Consumers are also encouraged to verify their delivery through mobile apps or IVRS (Interactive Voice Response System) provided by their LPG service providers.

Another important measure highlighted is to always demand a printed receipt or bill for the delivery. This not only ensures accountability but also provides proof of transaction in case of any future dispute.

To foster a transparent system and curb potential delivery fraud or underweight cylinders, the department has set up dedicated channels for lodging complaints. Consumers suspecting any malpractice in LPG delivery are encouraged to immediately report the issue to the department by:

📞 Calling: 0832-2226084
📩 Emailing:

This advisory is part of the department’s broader initiative to promote responsible consumer behavior, ensure safe usage of LPG, and protect citizens from fraudulent practices.

For more information or assistance, consumers can also visit the Goa Civil Supplies Department website.