Tag: self-help groups

Events in Goa

Goa Food & Cultural Festival 2026 Opens in Margao, Celebrating Goa’s Culinary Heritage and Cultural Diversity

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes ||Team Allycaral 

Margao, January 23, 2026: The Margao Cricket Club at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Stadium came alive on Thursday evening as the Goa Food & Cultural Festival 2026 commenced, marking the beginning of a three-day celebration dedicated to Goa’s rich culinary heritage and diverse cultural traditions. The festival brings together authentic flavours, traditional art forms and contemporary performances, offering a shared cultural experience for residents and visitors alike.


The festival was inaugurated in the presence of Minister for Tourism Rohan A. Khaunte; Minister for PWD and Captain of Ports Digambar Kamat; Chairman, Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) Kedar J. Naik; MLA of Navelim Constituency Ulhas Tuenkar; Chairperson of Margao Municipal Council Damodar Shirodkar; Director of Tourism Kedar Naik; Managing Director, GTDC Kuldeep Arolkar, along with other dignitaries.

The occasion also saw the felicitation of prominent local personalities including Shubham Naik, Nilesh Shirodkar, Harish Deulker, Sudha Kudalkar and Vishwas Chari for their notable contributions to the fields of cuisine, art and culture.

Addressing the gathering, Tourism Minister Rohan A. Khaunte said that this was the second Food and Cultural Festival being organised in Margao and highlighted Goa’s diverse culinary traditions. He noted that from North to South Goa, travellers can experience a wide range of flavours, making the State a unique destination for food lovers.

He further stated that Goa, as a creative capital, could also be regarded as a culinary capital due to the richness of its cuisine. Emphasising the State’s focus on regenerative tourism, he said that all stalls at the festival are operated by Goans, including self-help groups offering home-made products. He added that the festival also provides a platform for local artists to showcase their talent, ensuring inclusivity and community participation.

PWD Minister and Captain of Ports Digambar Kamat observed that tourism continues to play a vital role in Goa’s economic growth and said that festivals such as the Goa Food & Cultural Festival add vibrancy to the State’s tourism calendar and contribute to increased visitor footfall.

GTDC Chairman Kedar J. Naik recalled earlier editions of the festival and stated that it continues to benefit self-help groups and local communities by offering a platform to showcase authentic Goan delicacies while preserving cultural traditions. He also highlighted the importance of providing opportunities for folk dancers and musicians.

MLA Ulhas Tuenkar said that the festival is organised with the objective of strengthening local livelihoods, with the majority of stalls run by Goans and self-help groups, enabling them to earn through their skills while celebrating Goa’s food and culture.

Director of Tourism Kedar Naik described the festival as a celebration of flavours, traditions and the vibrant spirit of Goa, and expressed gratitude to all stakeholders involved in making the event a success. He invited residents and visitors to experience the festivities over the coming days.

The opening day featured cultural performances by the Kanta Gaude Troupe, followed by live performances by Anson, Chelsea & Jeliska Trio, Sonia Shirsat with her Band, and LYNX, setting an energetic tone for the festival.

Alongside cultural performances, the festival features a wide range of stalls offering authentic Goan cuisine, traditional delicacies, local crafts and handmade products, providing valuable exposure to local artisans and entrepreneurs.

The Goa Food & Cultural Festival 2026, part of the Department of Tourism’s ‘Goa Beyond Beaches’ initiative, will continue until January 25, 2026, with a diverse line-up of cultural programmes and culinary showcases planned over the next two days.

Events in Goa

Goa Forest Diversity Festival 2026 Inaugurated, Celebrating Nature, Culture and Conservation

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Panaji, January 17, 2026: The inaugural edition of the Goa Forest Diversity Festival 2026 was formally inaugurated today by Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, in the presence of Union Minister Shripad Naik, Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane, Minister for Tourism Rohan Khaunte, Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanavade and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Kamal Datta.



Dedicated to the forests of Goa and the communities that have lived in harmony with them for generations, the festival brings together culture, tradition and conservation on a single platform. More than a celebration, the initiative seeks to create a dialogue and collective commitment towards understanding and safeguarding Goa’s rich forest biodiversity.

The festival aims to connect people with forests not through statistics alone, but through stories, food, art, performances and lived experiences. One of its most distinctive highlights is the Angon Experience—an immersive traditional space featuring live demonstrations by Chanekars, Khajekars, traditional coconut craftsmen, clay potters, gardening experts, Kokedama artists and other local artisans who reflect sustainable practices passed down through generations.

The Forest Kitchen, described as the soul of the festival, showcases tribal and traditional cuisine prepared by forest communities and Self-Help Groups. These recipes reflect seasonality, ecology and respect for nature, underscoring how sustainability has long been embedded in traditional ways of life.

Another major attraction is the Green Bazaar, curated with stalls offering eco-friendly products and forest-based goods that support local artisans and sustainable livelihoods. The initiative reinforces the message that conservation and economic opportunity can coexist.

Throughout the festival, visitors experience a seamless blend of culture and conservation, with strong green messaging such as Mhaka Naka Plastic. The opening ceremony featured performances by Sonia Shirsat and her orchestra, followed by Morulo Dance, Katti Fugdi, a Jagor Act and a forest-themed light show by Vajra Aigal.

Addressing the gathering, Chairperson Dr. Deviya Rane highlighted that the festival provides a unique platform for tribal communities and Self-Help Groups to showcase forest-inspired cuisine and culture. She emphasised the importance of sensitising youth and citizens to issues such as plastic pollution, wildlife protection and sustainable living, noting that conservation requires active community participation beyond legislation.

Dr. Rane also outlined plans to create a Mini Forest in the heart of the city, envisioned as a living public space where nature, livelihoods and community converge. As part of this initiative, 20 festival stalls will be converted into permanent structures to support Self-Help Groups, local artisans, forest-based producers and eco-entrepreneurs, creating a regular marketplace that promotes sustainable livelihoods and green entrepreneurship.

The festival also witnessed the launch of the coffee table book “Forest Recipes of Goa, Stories of Tribal Food”, a photo-essay by Ms. Assavri Kulkarni, published by the Goa Forest Development Corporation. Another highlight was the release of the wildlife documentary “Falling off the Radar, Waterfalls of Goa”, directed by wildlife photographer and filmmaker Mr. Giri Cavale and produced by the StoryLark team.

The Goa Forest Diversity Festival 2026 stands as a celebration of Goa’s natural heritage while reinforcing the shared responsibility of conserving forests for future generations.

Events in Goa

Cooperative Movement Key to Economic Growth and Jobs, Says Assistant Registrar at Mapusa Event

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The 72nd All India Cooperative Week celebrations in Mapusa showcased the growing importance of the cooperative movement in strengthening the economy and generating employment. Assistant Registrar for Cooperative Societies, Rajesh Parwar, emphasised that cooperatives remain essential for economic resilience, community empowerment, and inclusive development. Addressing the event jointly organised by Bardez Bazaar Consumers’ Cooperative Society and the Rotary Club of Mapuca, he explained that successful cooperatives depend on effective management, dedicated staff, and active shareholder participation. Parwar reminded societies of their legal obligation to conduct annual general body meetings and present audit reports to ensure transparency and accountability.

He highlighted new opportunities introduced through the Central Government’s MPACS legislation, which offers cooperatives an open platform to expand into diverse businesses. Parwar also pointed to schemes supporting common service centres, fuel stations, gas agencies, and grain storage, noting NABARD’s financial assistance for these ventures. He stressed that the real strength of the cooperative movement lies in supporting self-help groups, farmers involved in dairy and agriculture, and artisans working in handloom and handicraft sectors, observing that both cooperatives and community groups thrive when they uplift each other.

Guest of honour Amita Salatry of GCCI spoke about the cultural and spiritual significance of food, urging participants in the cooking competition to value presentation, aroma, and the use of traditional Goan elements. She reminded attendees that India’s cultural heritage regards food as divine and encouraged mindful consumption without waste.

Bardez Bazaar Chairman Nikhilchandra Khalap expressed the cooperative’s long-standing commitment to supporting self-help groups and small entrepreneurs. He shared how Bardez Bazaar has become a trusted first choice for distributors and small businesses seeking stability and visibility. Reflecting on Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s vision of cooperatives as “schools of democracy” capable of reaching every household, he emphasised that India’s journey toward self-reliance continues to be supported by all Prime Ministers, including the current leadership under Narendra Modi. Khalap also offered a glimpse into Bardez Bazaar’s humble beginnings, recounting how its founders secured a modest loan of ₹5,000 from Mapusa Urban Bank and developed the organisation into a ₹35-crore enterprise that operates without government aid or debt, employs 100 people, and consistently delivers a 20% dividend to its shareholders.

Rotary Club of Mapuca President Rohit Natekar announced that the club and Bardez Bazaar will launch a permanent project next year to support self-help groups and help them scale their initiatives. He also noted that Bardez Bazaar’s proposed mall will bring added benefits to the local community.

The event’s cooking competition, themed “Gomantakiya God Padarth,” celebrated Goan cuisine, with Mithila Harmalkar winning first prize, followed by Antara Naik and Harsha Redkar. Consolation prizes were awarded to Ranjana Narvekar, Nafiza Shaikh, and Varsha Polle. The celebration underscored how cooperatives continue to nurture talent, support livelihoods, and strengthen community bonds across Goa.