Goa’s tourism sector is set to receive a major boost as water sports activities will resume from September 15, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte announced.
The Minister met with members of the Goa Water Sports Association, assuring them that the government remains committed to protecting the livelihoods of Goans who depend on the industry.
Referring to the current sea conditions, Khaunte said the restart date has been fixed in alignment with safety requirements and weather patterns. The monsoon season, which often brings rough seas, usually leads to the suspension of water sports across the state’s beaches for several months.
The announcement has come as a relief to operators and workers engaged in water sports such as parasailing, jet skiing, banana boat rides, and other adventure activities that attract thousands of tourists each season.
Tourism stakeholders are hopeful that the resumption will help revive visitor interest and provide a timely boost ahead of Goa’s festive and peak tourism season.
The Government of Goa’s ambition to lead in ethical, responsible, and innovation-led AI adoption has received a major boost as Sarvam AI, India’s first sovereign AI startup, extended its support for the Goa AI Mission 2027. The Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C) hosted a virtual session with Sarvam AI, marking a significant step toward building an AI ecosystem rooted in cultural relevance, local language access, and inclusive design.
Sarvam AI, recently selected under the IndiaAI Mission, is building a full-stack generative AI platform tailored for India. During the session, Sarvam AI showcased key products including Sarvam Samvaad (a conversational AI), Sarvam Arya (an enterprise reasoning engine), and Vistaar (a serverless deployment platform)—all built to support Indian languages and contexts.
The discussion was led by DITE&C Director Shri Kabir Shirgaonkar and Joint Director Dr. Milind Sakhardande, along with SeMT leads Ms. Sharda Katare and Shri Amit Bandekar. Sarvam AI was represented by its Founder Mr. Shubham Arora, along with Guru Prabhaker, Director – Sales, and Prerna Bhandari, Public Sector Lead. The focus was on three pillars: policy collaboration, co-development of citizen-centric AI services, and the establishment of an AI Centre of Excellence in Goa.
A key outcome of the session was the shared interest in building a Konkani Large Language Model (LLM). This language model would contribute significantly to the digital preservation of Goa’s linguistic and cultural heritage while enabling AI-powered services for local communities in their native tongue.
Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, stated, “As the government is working towards creating Centres of Excellence in AI, the goal is to make Goa a hub for applied research, experimentation and industry collaboration. Through the AI Mission 2027, we are laying the groundwork in policy, infrastructure, research, and skills to lead in ethical and responsible AI adoption.”
Shri Kabir Shirgaonkar, Director of DITE&C, added, “Collaborating with industry leaders like Sarvam AI strengthens Goa’s vision of building an AI ecosystem that is not only innovative and sovereign but also deeply rooted in our local languages and cultural context. A key part of this mission is the development of a Konkani Large Language Model, which will help digitally preserve and promote Goa’s rich linguistic and cultural heritage. Their approach ensures that technology benefits every community across the state.”
Goa AI Mission 2027 is already mapping out skill development programs, research infrastructure, and AI governance frameworks. Partnerships like this signal a move from planning to implementation—ensuring that the benefits of AI are not just futuristic, but real, contextual, and accessible to every Goan.
Goa Tourism is taking the global stage once again, as it prepares to participate in OTDYKH Leisure 2025—one of the largest international travel and tourism exhibitions. The event will take place from 10th to 12th September at the Timiryazev Exhibition Center in Moscow, Russia. This year, Goa Tourism will present the theme “Sunshine and More in Goa” at Pavilion B13, inviting global audiences to experience the richness and diversity of India’s most beloved coastal destination.
Speaking ahead of the event, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, emphasized Goa’s positioning as a holistic and globally attractive destination. “Goa has always been one of the most sought-after destinations for international travelers, and our presence at OTDYKH Leisure 2025 is another step towards strengthening Goa’s global footprint. Through the theme ‘Sunshine and More in Goa,’ we want to showcase the multifaceted experiences our state offers, from beaches to hinterlands, from wellness retreats to cultural richness. Our focus is on attracting quality tourism, building meaningful collaborations, and positioning Goa as a responsible, world-class destination.”
Director of Tourism, Shri Kedar Naik, also noted the importance of the platform: “OTDYKH Leisure is a significant platform to connect with international travel trade stakeholders and potential visitors. At the Goa Pavilion, we will be highlighting not just the leisure aspect of Goa but also our forward-looking initiatives in areas like wellness, heritage, adventure, and community tourism. This participation provides an opportunity to emphasize Goa’s position as a destination that celebrates culture, sustainability, and authentic travel experiences.”
Goa’s presentation at the exhibition will go far beyond sun and sand. Visitors to the pavilion will get to explore the state’s pristine beaches, vibrant hinterlands, luxury resorts, spiritual and wellness getaways, immersive heritage trails, adrenaline-filled adventure experiences, and community-led tourism initiatives. It’s all part of Goa’s evolving narrative as a year-round destination for leisure, business, and mindful travel.
With the global spotlight increasingly shifting toward regenerative tourism and eco-conscious travel, Goa Tourism’s showcase will also highlight the state’s ongoing work in preserving natural ecosystems, empowering local communities, and encouraging responsible travel practices. By participating in OTDYKH Leisure 2025, Goa aims not only to promote its attractions but also to strengthen international partnerships, encourage investments, and open doors to a new era of tourism that values people, planet, and authentic experiences.
Goa Tourism warmly invites travel professionals, investors, stakeholders, and global travelers to visit the Goa Pavilion – B13 and experience the true spirit of “Sunshine and More in Goa.”
On the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, Goa’s Tourism Minister Rohan A. Khaunte paid a visit to the residence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis, joining the festive celebrations and extending warm greetings.
The meeting underscored the deep cultural and social ties between Goa and Maharashtra, two states that share history, traditions, and devotion to Lord Ganesha. Such moments of festive unity reinforce the bonds of friendship and cooperation across regions.
During the visit, Minister Khaunte offered prayers to Lord Ganesha and shared wishes for prosperity, peace, and well-being. The presence of dignitaries, along with the warm hospitality of CM Fadnavis and his family, added to the significance of the occasion.
Both states celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi with grandeur and devotion. In Goa, the festival is deeply rooted in family traditions, rituals, and community celebrations, while in Maharashtra, Ganpati celebrations transform into a large-scale cultural and spiritual movement.
Highlighting Goa’s focus on cultural and regenerative tourism, Minister Khaunte emphasized how festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi not only preserve traditions but also attract visitors from across India and abroad.
The meeting between Rohan Khaunte and Devendra Fadnavis during Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations was more than a symbolic gesture. It represented the festive bond between two neighboring states and their shared commitment to heritage, culture, and unity.
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Goa, August 23, 2025 — In a landmark move towards building an AI-led state, the Government of Goa under the Goa AI Mission 2027 has set a strong roadmap for citizen-first governance. The event, AI for Governance & Social Impact: Leveraging Technology for Inclusive, Responsible, and Sustainable Public Systems, brought together leaders from government, academia, and global industry to shape Goa’s AI journey.
The highlight of the event was the signing of an MoU between the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C), Goa, and the Digital India Bhashini Division (MeitY). This collaboration will bring multilingual AI solutions into Goa’s public systems, ensuring governance that is inclusive and accessible across linguistic and cultural diversity.
The inauguration was led by Hon’ble Minister for IT, Electronics & Communications Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, alongside Shri Kabir Shirgaonkar, Dr. Ajit Parulekar (GIM), Shri Amitabh Nag (DIBD), and Smt. Kavita Bhatia (IndiaAI Mission).
Minister Rohan A. Khaunte emphasized the human-centric vision of AI, saying:
“AI is not just a buzzword, it must remain human-centric. With the Goa AI Mission 2027, we are building skills, empowering startups, creating capital support, and strengthening infrastructure to ensure innovation translates into real social impact.”
The sessions featured insights from Google Cloud, IFC World Bank Group, UNESCO, Practical Action, Sarvam AI, and AI Transformation, highlighting global perspectives on equity, generative AI, and readiness frameworks for AI adoption.
At its core, the mission envisions Goa as a model AI-led state, weaving AI into governance frameworks that balance innovation with ethics, inclusivity, and sustainability. By doing so, Goa is laying the foundation to emerge as a pioneer in responsible and impactful AI-driven governance in India.
