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JCI Ponda Honours Late Shri Ravi Sitaram Naik with Lifetime Achievement Award at 54th Installation Ceremony


Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

JCI Ponda successfully organised its 54th Installation Ceremony on December 14, 2025, at Hotel Shakti Palace, Ponda, marking an important milestone and leadership transition within the organisation. The ceremony was attended by Jaycees, past presidents, junior Jaycee members and invited guests, reflecting the strong sense of unity and purpose that defines the organisation.

The event was graced by Chief Guest Dr. Kautuk Prabhu Bhatikar, Deputy Medical Superintendent of Shri Kamaxidevi Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Shiroda. The Guest of Honour was JFD Shabha Gauns, Zone President 2025, while JFM Adv. Mamta Naik, Zone President Elect 2026, attended as Special Invitee. Their presence added significance to the occasion, highlighting the role of JCI in nurturing leadership and community engagement.

During the ceremony, JC Adv. Chaitali Agarwadekar was sworn in as the 54th President of JCI Ponda, along with her Local Governing Board team. In her address, the newly installed president reaffirmed her commitment to strengthening community service initiatives, leadership development programmes and meaningful engagement among members. The outgoing president, JFM Vadiraj Inamdar, was felicitated and appreciated for his dedicated service and impactful leadership during his tenure.

A defining moment of the evening was the announcement of the Lifetime Achievement Award in honour of Past President Late Shri Ravi Sitaram Naik, recognising his outstanding and enduring contribution to JCI Ponda and society at large. Born and raised in Ponda, Late Shri Ravi Naik went on to become one of Goaโ€™s most respected political leaders, serving the state with distinction for over four decades. He was elected seven times as a Member of the Goa Legislative Assembly from the Ponda and Marcaim constituencies and also served as Member of Parliament from North Goa.

His association with the Jaycee movement remained deep and unwavering. As the 12th President of JCI Ponda in 1984, he played a pivotal role in shaping the organisationโ€™s growth and values. Even after his presidency, he continued to actively support JCI initiatives, participate in events, host visiting dignitaries and offer guidance to younger members. For nearly 41 years, he extended steadfast support to JCI Pondaโ€™s Annual Running Race held on March 12 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Goaโ€™s first Chief Minister, Late Shri Bhausaheb Bandodkar, helping transform it into a flagship community event.

Late Shri Ravi Naikโ€™s encouragement of youth leadership, promotion of fitness and lifelong association with JCI brought immense pride to the Jaycee fraternity. His legacy, remembered with gratitude and respect, continues to inspire members to serve with integrity and commitment.

The ceremony concluded on a positive and reflective note, underscoring the organisationโ€™s shared vision of leadership, service and continuity, while honouring a leader whose contributions will remain etched in the history of JCI Ponda.

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Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2025: Empowering Exceptional Children


The Ministry of Women and Child Development has announced the invitation for applications for the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2025, starting from April 1st, 2025. This prestigious award aims to recognize and honor exceptional children between the ages of 5-18 for their outstanding achievements in various fields.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the award, the child must be an Indian citizen residing in India, aged 5 years and not exceeding 18 years as of July 31st, 2025. Both self-nominations and recommendations for the awards will be considered ยน.

Fields of Achievement

The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar honors exceptional children in the following fields:

  • Bravery: Recognizing acts of courage and selflessness in the face of danger.
  • Sports: Honoring outstanding achievements in various sports.
  • Social Service: Rewarding exceptional contributions to social service and community development.
  • Science & Technology: Encouraging innovation and excellence in science and technology.
  • Environment: Promoting environmental conservation and sustainability.
  • Arts & Culture: Celebrating outstanding achievements in arts and culture.

Application Process

Applications can be submitted online through the National Awards Portal (https://awards.gov.in). starting from April 1st, 2025. The last date for receiving online applications is July 31st, 2025 ยน.

Rewards and Recognition

The selected awardees will receive a medal, a certificate, and a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh, along with a book voucher of Rs. 10,000. The awards will be conferred by the Honorable President of India at New Delhi during a special ceremony/function held in January every year ยฒ.

Don’t miss this opportunity to recognize and empower exceptional children. Apply now for the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2025!

#AllycaralFeature ๐Ÿ‘’, Social

Vivekananda Angel Awards: Honoring Selfless Individuals Who Make a Difference


In a heartwarming ceremony, the second edition of the Vivekananda Angel Awards (VAA) recognized the remarkable contributions of four individuals who have dedicated their lives to serving others. The event, organized by Ethernet Xpress Foundation, took place on January 21 at the Thomas Stephens Konkani Kendr in Porvorim.

The four awardees were chosen for their selfless work in various fields:

  1. Durgadas Parab: Founder of Urja and Akshay Urja Foundation, which provides scholarships to needy students, empowering them to pursue their dreams.
  2. Victor Hugo Gomes: A museum curator who has dedicated his life to supporting artisans and preserving dying arts and skills, keeping Goa’s cultural heritage alive.
  3. Naman Sawant Dhawaskar: A tireless worker who supports the children of the Katkari tribe through Samvedna Kendr, providing them with education, healthcare, and a chance at a better life.
  4. Sandeep Parab: A compassionate individual who rehabilitates destitute and abandoned women through his organization, Jeevanand, giving them a second chance at life.

Chief Guest Libia Lobo Sardesai, a freedom fighter, urged the audience to support the awardees in their community service. She shared inspiring stories from the life of Swami Vivekananda, emphasizing the importance of compassion and empathy towards the poor and underprivileged.

The event was attended by Director of Thomas Stephens Konkani Kendr, Dr. Pandurang Phaldessai, Guest of Honour Vijay Patil, and Sagar Govekar of Ethernet Xpress Foundation. Pravin Sabnis introduced the awardees, while Pranita Dekhne compered the function. Mahendra Tiwari proposed the vote of thanks.

Ethernet Xpress Foundation is dedicated to supporting needy students, women, and self-help groups. The VAA initiative aims to recognize and felicitate individuals who consistently help the underserved, inspiring others to follow in their footstep