Tag: search-engine-optimization

Events in Goa

ASTURI 2026 Celebrates Women Entrepreneurship at GCCI Women’s Wing’s Flagship Lifestyle Exhibition

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The GCCI Women’s Wing successfully organised the 12th Edition of ASTURI 2026, its flagship lifestyle exhibition dedicated to promoting women-led enterprises and fostering inclusive economic growth. The event reaffirmed the Wing’s long-standing commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs by providing them a vibrant platform to showcase their products, creativity and innovation.

ASTURI 2026 was inaugurated by noted film actress Ms. Varsha Usgaonkar, in the presence of distinguished dignitaries including Shri M. K. Meena, Director MSME (Ministry of Goa); Shri Premraj Shirodkar, Director – Rural Development, GSRLM; Ms. Pratima Dhond, President – GCCI; Mr. Sangam Kurade, Vice President – GCCI; Mr. Sanjay Amonkar, Director General – GCCI; and Ms. Pallavi Salgaocar, Mentor, GCCI Women’s Wing.

Welcoming the gathering, Ms. Sandra Fernandes, Chairperson of the GCCI Women’s Wing, highlighted the importance of ASTURI as a platform that enables women entrepreneurs to gain visibility, build networks and grow their enterprises. The exhibition was held under the leadership of Ms. Gouri Joshi, Event Chair – ASTURI 2026, with guidance from Mentor Mrs. Pallavi Salgaocar. The event coordination was efficiently handled by Ms. Melane Rodrigues, Assistant Director, GCCI, while Ms. Poonam Ajgaonkar, Co-Chairperson, GCCI Women’s Wing, proposed the vote of thanks.

ASTURI 2026 featured 100 stalls showcasing a wide range of offerings including food products, household items, clothing and wellness solutions, drawing enthusiastic participation and appreciation from visitors. Adding to the festive spirit, several competitions were organised for children and adults, including drawing, fancy dress, healthy dessert and duet antakshari competitions, making the exhibition engaging and family-friendly.

A major highlight of the event was the Asturi Queen Competition, held among women entrepreneurs to celebrate confidence, leadership and entrepreneurial spirit. Ms. Suvarna Salgaonkar was crowned Asturi Queen, while Ms. Daniella Vaz emerged as the Runner-up.

The exhibition concluded with a grand closing ceremony graced by Ms. Deepali Naik, Project Director, DRDA South Goa, as the Chief Guest. Overall, ASTURI 2026 stood out as a vibrant celebration of entrepreneurship, empowerment and the dynamic spirit of women-led businesses.

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.