Tag: Sattari

EduConnect

St. John of the Cross High School Celebrates 60 Glorious Years with Inter-School “Ghumat Arti” Competition

Tanisha Cardozo

Sanquelim, Goa – A milestone worth celebrating, St. John of the Cross High School marked its 60th anniversary — six decades of unwavering commitment to education, values, and cultural preservation. To commemorate this historic occasion, the school hosted an Inter-School Ghumat Arti Competition, inviting participation from schools across Bicholim and Sattari Taluka.

The Ghumat Arti, a treasured form of Goan devotional music performed using the traditional clay percussion instrument Ghumat, brought a soulful vibrance to the celebration. The competition served as a dynamic platform for students to not only showcase their talent but also immerse themselves in Goan cultural heritage.

The inter-school format of the event fostered collaboration, camaraderie, and healthy competition among students. Schools from Bicholim and Sattari came together under one roof, promoting the spirit of togetherness, artistic expression, and cultural appreciation.

Why It Mattered:

  • Cultural Preservation: The event beautifully upheld Goan tradition through music and devotion.
  • Youth Empowerment: Students stepped out of their comfort zones, built confidence, and expressed themselves through performance.
  • Community Building: Schools and students connected across regions, forging lasting bonds beyond the classroom.

The school community — teachers, students, alumni, and parents — came together in joyous celebration, reflecting on decades of dedication, achievement, and impact.

“Sixty years of dedication, countless memories, and an enduring legacy. Congratulations to the entire school community!”

With events like these, St. John of the Cross High School continues to empower young minds through a holistic blend of academics, culture, and values — staying true to its mission as an institution of excellence.

Social

Goa Tourism Launches Homestay & BnB Scheme to Empower Women and Boost Hinterland Tourism

Tanisha Cardozo

Porvorim, 7th August 2025: In a landmark move, Goa Tourism has launched the Homestay and Bed & Breakfast Scheme, aimed at empowering women, revitalising rural tourism, and promoting community-led travel experiences. This new scheme was unveiled by Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, alongside Tourism Minister Rohan A. Khaunte and other key dignitaries at the PAC Hall, Secretariat.

🎯 What the Scheme Offers

This enhanced scheme—originally envisioned as a policy—now provides:

  • ✅ One-time grant of ₹2,00,000 for eligible homestays
  • ✅ Marketing support & listing on Goa Tourism platforms
  • ✅ Training, exposure visits, and capacity building programs
  • ✅ Subsidised participation in domestic trade fairs
  • ✅ Gold/Silver quality classification for homestays
  • ✅ Simplified registration via http://www.goaonline.gov.in

📍 Who Can Apply?

Homestay operators in seven key talukas are eligible:
Sattari, Sanguem, Dharbandora, Bicholim, Canacona, Ponda, and Quepem

🧑‍🎓 Empowering Women, Strengthening Communities

Tourism Minister Rohan A. Khaunte highlighted that many homestays are women-led, and this scheme is designed to boost women entrepreneurship, aligning with the broader “Goa Beyond Beaches” campaign.

“This is a strong vote of confidence in community-based tourism and the women behind it,” said Khaunte.

🌏 A Vision for ‘Goa Beyond Beaches’

By promoting Goa’s interior villages, culture, and natural heritage, the scheme supports the state’s goal to diversify its tourism economy and relieve pressure on the coastal belt. Director of Tourism Kedar Naik emphasized that the scheme reflects a shift toward inclusive and regenerative tourism.

📝 How to Apply

Applicants can register online or offline, with provisions for inspections, reclassification, and compliance monitoring. The scheme is valid for five years, with potential extensions by the Department.

🚀 The Impact

The Homestay & BnB Scheme isn’t just about accommodations—it’s about:

  • Shaping a decentralized tourism model
  • Building economic independence for women
  • Creating authentic travel experiences
  • Preserving Goa’s cultural and natural heritage

🔗 Final Word

This initiative reaffirms Goa’s position as a leader in sustainable, inclusive, and future-ready tourism.

Events in Goa

Prerana Foundation & Progressive Front Celebrate Friendship Day with Trek to Mhadei Waterfalls

Tanisha Cardozo

Valpoi, Goa – August 3, 2025: In a heartfelt and energizing celebration of Friendship Day, the Prerana Foundation and Progressive Front of Goa brought together nature lovers, youth, and senior citizens for a memorable trek to Shivling Waterfall in the ecologically rich Mhadei region of Valpoi.

Starting from Pal Village, the trek was led by local expert Shri Vithat Shelke of Keri, Sattari. With his guidance, the group explored not only the forest trail but also the rich biodiversity and the ecological challenges faced by the Mhadei sanctuary.

The event drew 53 participants from across Goa—from Canacona in the south to Mapusa in the north—ranging in age from 10 to 66 years. This diversity made the event a truly inclusive intergenerational experience, with stories, songs, and shared laughter along the trail.

At the heart of the journey lay the Shivling Waterfall, a serene and powerful cascade nestled deep within the forest. Here, participants cooled off, clicked group photos, shared meals, and reflected on the beauty and fragility of Goa’s natural landscapes.

More than just a trek, the initiative was a celebration of connection—with friends, with nature, and with the values of sustainability. It emphasized the importance of outdoor engagement and environmental consciousness in today’s fast-paced digital world.

By organizing this event on Friendship Day, the Prerana Foundation and Progressive Front of Goa successfully reminded all that friendship is not just with people—it can also be with the planet.

Human Interest

Clay Moulding Machines Distributed to Local Artisans in Sattari by Dr. Deviya Rane

allycaralgoa

Sattari, July 2025: In a significant move to bolster rural craftsmanship and entrepreneurship, Dr. Deviya Rane distributed clay moulding machines to three deserving artisans from remote areas of Sattari. This initiative, under the aegis of the Goa Handicrafts Rural & Small Scale Industrial Development Corporation Limited, marks a crucial step toward reviving traditional pottery and supporting sustainable livelihoods.

The beneficiaries are:

  • Shri Mahesh Ladu Gaonkar from Naneli, V.P. Dongurli, Thane – Sattari
  • Shri Harichandra Kusta Gaonkar from Poriem – Sattari
  • Shri Tulshidas Shivlo Gaonkar from Maddiwada, Thane – Sattari

These clay moulding machines are more than just equipment—they’re tools for cultural preservation, skilled empowerment, and local economic development. By enabling artisans to modernize their practices while honoring tradition, the initiative bridges heritage with opportunity.

Dr. Rane emphasized that supporting such crafts aligns with her vision of a self-reliant Goa, where rural communities thrive through sustainable, skill-based enterprises. She highlighted the significance of preserving age-old techniques in pottery and handicrafts amidst rapid modernization.

This program highlights a broader effort to strengthen rural livelihoods, encourage artisanal entrepreneurship, and celebrate Goa’s rich cultural heritage—one clay moulding machine at a time.

Social

Goa Celebrates Vanamahotsava 2025 with Tree Plantation and Wildlife Rescue Initiatives at GHS Savarde, Sattari

allycaralgoa

In a vibrant celebration of nature and conservation, the Forest Department and Directorate of Education, Goa, observed Vanamahotsava 2025 at Government High School, Savarde, in Sattari on 14th July.

Hon’ble Forest Minister Shri Vishwajit P. Rane presided over the event and emphasized the importance of preserving Goa’s biodiversity. As part of the initiative, he participated in the ceremonial planting of fruiting trees, promoting the need to integrate eco-friendly habits in educational spaces.

A key highlight of the event was the flagging off of the Seedling Distribution Van and Wildlife Rescue Van, symbolizing the state’s commitment to conservation and proactive environmental education. These vans will play a crucial role in spreading green cover across Goa and responding to animal rescue calls.

The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from students, teachers, forest officials, and community members who pledged to protect and nurture nature. With a clear focus on instilling environmental values from a young age, Vanamahotsava 2025 became a memorable milestone for the school and the region.

The celebration not only promoted greenery but also sowed seeds of awareness and responsibility in the hearts of Goa’s future generations.