Tag: Sustainability

EduConnect

St. Xavier’s College, Mapusa Hosts X’plorateur 2025: A Regenerative Vision for Goa

Tanisha Cardozo

In a celebration of innovation, sustainability, and student excellence, the Department of BBA (Travel & Tourism) at St. Xavier’s College, Mapusa, hosted its national-level event X’plorateur 2025 on September 26th and 27th. Timed to align with World Tourism Day, the two-day program was guided by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) theme, “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation,” and inspired by the college’s own vision, “A Regenerative Vision for Goa.”

The event served as a platform for students to explore how tourism can not only be sustainable but regenerative — restoring and preserving Goa’s ecological and cultural wealth. The inaugural ceremony was attended by dignitaries from the college along with Chief Guest Mr. Pifran Fernandes, Owner of Tree House Goa. The program featured cultural performances, a magazine launch, and inspiring talks that highlighted the need for tourism models that go beyond conservation and actively improve the communities and environments they touch.

Over the course of two days, student teams from Goa and Karnataka participated in a wide array of activities designed to test creativity, knowledge, and teamwork — all centered around sustainable tourism. The competitions included quizzes, debates, business pitch contests, eco-painting, stress challenges, and a fashion show that celebrated eco-conscious design and storytelling.

The event concluded with a thrilling award ceremony where Team Desert Dynamos from KLE College of Business Administration, Hubli, Karnataka, were crowned Overall Champions. The Runners-up title went to Team Moonlight Mavericks from Srinivassa Sinai Dempo College of Commerce & Economics, Goa. The level of creativity, critical thinking, and passion displayed throughout the event underscored the deep commitment of young minds to shape a more responsible future for tourism in India.

X’plorateur 2025 not only brought academic communities together but also reaffirmed the role of educational institutions in leading the charge toward a tourism industry that regenerates — rather than depletes — the places we cherish most.

Social

Vedanta Sesa Goa Crosses 1 Million Meals Mark Through #RunForZeroHunger Initiative

Tanisha Cardozo

Vedanta Sesa Goa has achieved a landmark milestone by contributing over 1 million meals since 2022 as part of the ongoing #RunForZeroHunger campaign. Aligned with the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon (VDHM), the initiative uses the ‘Step Set Go’ app where every kilometre logged translates into a meal donated—impacting lives across communities, children, and even animals in need.

In the 42-day 2025 edition, Vedanta Sesa Goa organised over 30 events across five states—Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Karnataka—demonstrating the company’s strong commitment to community welfare. In Goa, impactful local events were held in Bicholim, Amona, and Panjim, with over 20 individuals contributing more than 1,500 km, converting into direct meal support. The campaign reached its emotional high with the Funrise Walkathon at Divar Island, where a large crowd walked in solidarity for a world without hunger.

The campaign also integrated seamlessly with Swachhotsav – Swachhata Hi Seva 2025, an initiative led by the Indian Bureau of Mines and the Directorate General of Mines Safety. These joint efforts helped raise awareness about hygiene, cleanliness, and civic responsibility through walkathons and other outreach activities—further elevating the cause beyond hunger eradication.

Speaking at the culminating event, Navin Jaju, CEO of Sesa Goa, said, “Congratulations to the entire Sesa Goa family for their spirited participation in the #RunForZeroHunger. Across locations, the zest for a hunger-free world was visible. I thank everyone for their resolve to give back meaningfully to the world.”

Crucially, this campaign brought together a vibrant mix of employees, business partners, local communities, and students from schools and colleges, showing the power of collective action. By merging health, responsibility, and community service, Vedanta Sesa Goa has set a new benchmark in what corporate social responsibility can truly achieve—one kilometre, and one meal, at a time.

EduConnect

Nutrition Garden: Growing Health and Happiness at Smt. Sunandabai Bandodkar School

allycaralgoa

At Smt. Sunandabai Bandodkar School, learning has taken root—literally! The school’s Nutrition Garden is an innovative initiative that connects children to nature, nutrition, and sustainability.

What began as a simple activity to promote healthy eating has blossomed into a vibrant outdoor classroom. Students actively plant and care for vegetables like cucumbers, turmeric, ladyfingers, and bananas, understanding where food comes from and why fresh, natural meals matter.

Aligned with the Government’s Poshan Maah initiative, the project emphasizes the importance of nutrition, health, and community well-being. Each gardening session teaches patience, teamwork, and responsibility, helping students discover that learning can be hands-on and joyful.

As harvest time arrives, excitement fills the air. Students proudly pick what they’ve grown and transform their produce into traditional Goan delicacies like Tavsholi (sweet made from cucumber), Patholi (sweet wrapped in turmeric leaves), and fresh salads. Each bite becomes a reminder that the “fruit of patience is sweet.”

The Nutrition Garden has grown beyond vegetables—it’s nurturing values, curiosity, and lifelong habits of mindful eating. With each seed planted, students are sowing lessons for a healthier, happier future. 🌿

EduConnect

Scouts and Guides of Chubby Cheeks Spring Valley Join Coastal Beach Cleanup Drive at Calangute

Tanisha Cardozo

On September 20, 2025, the Scouts and Guides of Grade X from Chubby Cheeks Spring Valley High School proudly took part in a Coastal Beach Cleaning Activity held at Calangute Beach. The students reported at the site at 7:30 a.m., ready and eager to contribute to a cleaner, greener coastline.

This meaningful initiative was part of a larger national environmental movement spearheaded by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India. The event was organized in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Climate Change, Goa, the Goa State Biodiversity Board, the Goa State Climate Change Cell, the Village Panchayat of Calangute, the Biodiversity Management Committee, and the Indian Coast Guard.

The morning began with a brief introduction to the objective of the activity, emphasizing the significance of marine conservation and the environmental threats posed by coastal pollution. Instructions were given to the participants, followed by the strategic allocation of cleaning zones along the beach to ensure thorough coverage.

Working in teams, students cleared trash, collected plastic waste, and separated recyclables. The hands-on activity not only contributed to a cleaner beach but also served as a powerful lesson in civic responsibility and environmental stewardship. The students demonstrated dedication, teamwork, and discipline—qualities at the heart of the Scouts and Guides movement.

Through this initiative, Chubby Cheeks Spring Valley High School reinforced its commitment to shaping environmentally responsible citizens. The experience left a strong impact on the participants, instilling in them a deeper appreciation for nature and the urgent need to protect it.

With the support of national and state environmental bodies, and the guidance of their mentors and teachers, these young volunteers proved that even small acts of service can lead to big changes for our planet.

Travel

Goa to Spotlight Culture, Wellness & Sustainability at ITB Asia 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

Goa, October 2025 – The Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, will participate in ITB Asia 2025, Asia’s leading B2B travel trade show, taking place from 15–17 October 2025 at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. This strategic participation underlines Goa’s commitment to promoting itself as a destination that offers more than leisure — focusing on authentic, meaningful, and sustainable travel experiences.

At the global event, Goa Tourism will unveil its evolving tourism model that prioritizes cultural richness, spiritual depth, ecological responsibility, and community empowerment. Key offerings at the Goa Pavilion will include immersive experiences in spiritual tourism circuits, heritage trails showcasing Indo-Portuguese architecture and living traditions, and wellness tourism rooted in yoga and holistic healing.

Joining the tourism delegation, the Goa Forest Department will present Goa’s exceptional natural wealth — including wildlife sanctuaries, biodiversity hotspots, and nature-based experiences like immersive zoos and conservation-led ecotourism. The aim is to position Goa not just as a destination, but as an ecosystem where nature, culture, and community harmoniously coexist.

The pavilion will also spotlight festivals, rural tourism initiatives, and projects that directly engage local communities and support environmental preservation. These are designed to align with Goa’s broader vision of regenerative tourism — where tourism contributes positively to the places and people it touches.

Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, noted that Goa is entering a new chapter in its tourism story. “At ITB Asia 2025, we aim to build meaningful global partnerships and showcase Goa as a forward-thinking destination with upgraded infrastructure, safer travel environments, and diverse experiences rooted in our identity,” he said.

Echoing the sentiment, Director of Tourism, Shri Kedar Naik, emphasized the value of connecting with a global audience: “Our presence at ITB Asia is about presenting Goa as a place where heritage, nature, and community come together to create enriching journeys.”

Goa’s participation at ITB Asia 2025 is not just promotional — it’s transformational. It marks the state’s efforts to strengthen international partnerships, access new markets, and showcase a tourism model that is future-ready, inclusive, and globally relevant. From local culture to conservation, the Goa Pavilion will offer a complete picture of what responsible and regenerative travel can look like in one of India’s most beloved destinations.