Tag: Travel

Human Interest

Phytoplankton Art Project Brings Marine Ecology Awareness to Bengaluru’s Children

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

From Goa’s coastline to a landlocked city, a children’s art initiative developed by the Goa-based Children’s Art Studio and co-supported by the Museum of Goa is carrying marine education beyond the sea. Phytoplankton World: The Unseen Heroes of Marine Life will be presented in Bengaluru from January 16 to 25 at Freedom Park as part of Makkala Hubba under the larger BLR Hubba cultural festival.

Rooted in Goa’s coastal ecology, the immersive project introduces children to phytoplankton—microscopic marine organisms that form the foundation of ocean life and play a crucial role in regulating the Earth’s climate. Designed for children aged four to twelve, the experience transforms complex marine science into accessible learning through glow-in-the-dark installations, sensory environments and hands-on creative activities, reflecting how Goa’s close relationship with the sea can inspire environmental learning far beyond its shores.

Aligned with the philosophy of Makkala Hubba, a children-focused platform known for its emphasis on climate awareness and sensorial engagement, the project invites young visitors into an underwater-inspired space where curiosity drives learning and exploration unfolds through making and play.

Sharada Kerkar, Director of the Museum of Goa and Co-Founder of the Children’s Art Studio, said the project originated from a personal encounter with bioluminescence. She recalled kayaking at night in Vasco and witnessing the sea glow in shades of green and blue, caused by phytoplankton. The experience, she said, sparked a desire to create glowing environments that others could experience while learning about these unseen marine heroes.

The project evolved through extensive research into various types of phytoplankton and their forms, which were visualised at an enlarged scale through sketches, digital 3D imagery and architectural models. The team experimented with glow-in-the-dark and reusable materials to suit the underwater theme, eventually shaping an immersive environment that guides children through a layered learning journey.

Artist and educator Tincy Paulose from the Children’s Art Studio described the creative process as deeply engaging, noting that working with glowing materials brought out a sense of wonder and play. She said the project went beyond art-making, becoming a space for discovery and learning about the fascinating world of microscopic marine life.

Two guided workshops form a central part of the programme. Glow Beneath the Sea allows children to create glowing sea creatures while learning about the marine food chain and the foundational role of phytoplankton. Glow Microscopic Worlds encourages participants to imagine and design glowing phytoplankton inspired by organisms such as diatoms, dinoflagellates, cyanobacteria and coccolithophores, translating scientific knowledge into creative expression.

Travel

Siddhant Chaturvedi Invites Fans to Experience Mumbai Like a Local with Airbnb

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Travel Desk

As live music increasingly shapes how India’s Gen Z travels, Airbnb is bringing fans closer to the culture they love through an exclusive collaboration with actor, musician, and cultural voice Siddhant Chaturvedi. Announced on January 14, 2026, the partnership introduces “Lolla India Like a Local,” an Airbnb Original Experience designed to offer guests an intimate, once-in-a-lifetime way to explore Mumbai before ending the day at Lollapalooza India 2026.

The experience reflects a growing trend, with a significant number of young travellers planning trips around concerts and festivals. Rooted in the city that shaped Siddhant, the experience takes guests through Mumbai’s neighbourhoods, food, music, and creative spaces—bringing to life the everyday moments that define local travel. The day culminates at Lollapalooza India, where guests experience the festival alongside Siddhant himself.

Central to the collaboration is The Mumbai Guidebook, a digital city guide curated by Siddhant Chaturvedi exclusively for Airbnb. Featuring his handpicked neighbourhoods, local hangouts, and a selection of Airbnb stays that capture the spirit of the city, the guidebook is designed to help travellers extend their festival trip and experience Mumbai beyond the stage.

Limited to just four guests, the experience transforms recommendations into shared memories. Guests begin the day with a meal at one of Siddhant’s favourite local food joints, followed by a curated heritage walk through Bandra’s historic Ranwar Village with architect Nikhil Mahashur. The journey continues with an intimate jam session where Siddhant performs an original track inspired by the city, before heading to Lollapalooza India together to soak in the music and energy of a live performance.

Sharing his thoughts on the collaboration, Siddhant Chaturvedi said that Mumbai has shaped every aspect of who he is, from his music to the places he returns to. Curating the guidebook and hosting the experience was his way of welcoming guests into his version of the city and sharing the sounds, neighbourhoods, and everyday moments that make Mumbai special.

The initiative builds on Airbnb’s first-ever global live music partnership at Lollapalooza India 2026, which includes a range of exclusive festival-related experiences designed to bring fans closer to the music and culture they love. Airbnb India and Southeast Asia Country Head Amanpreet Bajaj noted that while live music often sparks travel, it is local connections and authentic experiences that make journeys memorable.

Requests to book the four-hour experience will open at 11 AM IST on January 19, 2026, via airbnb.com/siddhant. The experience is priced at ₹0, available to a maximum of four guests on a first-come, first-served basis, with guests responsible for their own travel to and from Mumbai.

Social

HDFC Bank Parivartan to Field Largest Corporate Contingent at Mumbai Marathon 2026 for Cancer Awareness

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

HDFC Bank announced that it will field nearly 1,500 employees at the Tata Mumbai Marathon 2026 through its CSR programme Parivartan, making it one of the largest corporate contingents at the event. Scheduled to be held on January 18, the initiative aims to support cancer awareness and promote the importance of early detection in partnership with the Indian Cancer Society, India’s oldest non-profit organisation dedicated to cancer care.

Under its Healthcare and Hygiene pillar, HDFC Bank Parivartan focuses on improving access to primary and preventive healthcare, strengthening health infrastructure and encouraging positive health-seeking behaviour within communities. The collaboration with the Indian Cancer Society at the Mumbai Marathon reinforces this commitment, highlighting how early detection can significantly improve cancer treatment outcomes.

As part of the initiative, the Indian Cancer Society will also field over 100 runners, including young cancer survivors and its employees, bringing visibility and inspiration to the cause. The participation of survivors adds a powerful human element, underscoring resilience, hope and the impact of timely diagnosis.

Commenting on the initiative, Kaizad Bharucha, Deputy Managing Director of HDFC Bank, emphasised the Bank’s responsibility towards community well-being, noting that the marathon represents a collective effort to raise awareness and encourage early screening. He highlighted that this is among the largest employee volunteer contingents HDFC Bank has fielded for the event to date.

Indian Cancer Society’s Hon. Secretary and Managing Trustee, Usha Thorat, expressed gratitude for HDFC Bank’s continued support, stating that awareness remains the first and most critical step in improving cancer outcomes in India, where fear, stigma and lack of information often delay diagnosis. She noted that seeing cancer survivors participate in the marathon sends a strong message of courage and hope.

To mark the collaboration, the Indian Cancer Society has conducted cancer awareness sessions for HDFC Bank employees and organised screening camps at select locations. Beyond this marathon initiative, HDFC Bank Parivartan continues to support healthcare programmes across the country, including partnerships with institutions such as the Gujarat Cancer Society and Tata Memorial Hospital, reinforcing its long-term commitment to building healthier and stronger communities across India.

Sports

Gadre Gaspar Dias Open 2026 Records All-Time High with 555 Entries in 11th Edition

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

Registrations for the Gadre Gaspar Dias Open 2026 have officially closed, with the tournament recording a record-breaking 555 entries ahead of its 11th edition, marking a significant milestone in its journey as one of Goa’s most prominent tennis events. Scheduled to be held from January 22 to February 1 at the iconic Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias in Miramar, the tournament continues to draw players across age groups and competitive levels.

Jointly organised by Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias and the Gadre Group in association with the Goa State Tennis Association, the tournament has once again witnessed strong participation across the Open, Junior and Masters categories. The 2026 edition is also notable for the introduction of the ladies’ doubles category for the first time, adding a new dimension to the competition.

The Open men’s singles category has attracted the highest participation with 111 entries, while the Open men’s doubles event has seen 37 pairs register. The Open ladies’ singles category has drawn 32 entries, with 14 pairs competing in the newly introduced ladies’ doubles. The Open mixed doubles segment has recorded 18 teams.

Junior participation has remained encouraging, with 25 players in the boys’ under-16 category and 14 in the girls’ under-16 event. In the under-12 division, 14 boys and five girls have registered, reflecting steady grassroots engagement in the sport.

The Masters segment has also recorded strong numbers, led by 70 entries in the 45+ men’s singles category, followed by 42 entries in the 60+ men’s singles and 30 entries in the 55+ men’s singles. In doubles, the 90+ men’s doubles category has emerged as the most subscribed with 60 teams, while the 110+ and 120+ doubles categories have recorded 43 and 32 teams respectively. The 35+ mixed doubles event has attracted eight teams.

Speaking on the occasion, Tanmay Kholkar, Secretary of Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias, said the tournament holds special significance this year as it coincides with the centenary celebrations of the club. Goa State Tennis Association President Sameer Kakodkar noted that the rising participation reflects the growing confidence players have in the tournament as a reliable and competitive platform across age groups.

Arjun Gadre of the Gadre Group expressed satisfaction at the sustained interest in the event, stating that the continued growth of the tournament reinforces its relevance within Goa’s sporting landscape. With matches spread over eleven days, the Gadre Gaspar Dias Open 2026 is expected to deliver high-quality competition and continue its legacy as one of the most keenly followed tennis tournaments in the state.

Special Occasion

Makar Sankranti: One Festival, Many Names, A Shared Indian Spirit

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Makar Sankranti is one of India’s most widely celebrated festivals, deeply rooted in the country’s agricultural traditions and astronomical significance. Observed when the Sun enters the zodiac sign of Capricorn, or Makara, the festival marks the beginning of the Sun’s northward journey, known as Uttarayan. This transition symbolises light over darkness, warmth over cold, and renewal over stagnation, making it a powerful moment of optimism and forward movement.

Unlike many festivals that follow the lunar calendar, Makar Sankranti is based on the solar cycle and therefore falls around the same time every year, usually in mid-January. It coincides with the end of winter and the arrival of the harvest season, when farmers across India reap the rewards of months of dedication and hard work. At its core, the festival is a heartfelt expression of gratitude—to the Sun, to nature, and to the earth that sustains life.

What makes Makar Sankranti truly unique is its celebration across India under different names, each shaped by local culture, language, and tradition. In Punjab it is celebrated as Lohri, in Gujarat as Uttarayan, in Tamil Nadu as Thai Pongal, in Assam as Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu, in Maharashtra as Makar Sankranti, and in West Bengal as Poush Sankrant. Across other regions, it is known as Magha Saaji, Khichdi Parv, Uttarayani, Sakraat, Makar Sankramana, Pedda Panduga, Bhogi, and many more. Though the names differ, the essence remains the same—a celebration of harvest, abundance, and new beginnings.

Traditional customs vary from kite flying and bonfires to holy river dips, community feasts, and the sharing of festive foods made from newly harvested crops such as rice, sugarcane, sesame, and jaggery. The exchange of sesame and jaggery sweets symbolises warmth, harmony, and the strengthening of relationships, reflecting the deeper values of togetherness and goodwill.

Beyond rituals and festivities, Makar Sankranti serves as a reminder of balance—between humans and nature, effort and reward, tradition and progress. It encourages people to let go of negativity, embrace positivity, and step confidently into a new phase of life. As the Sun begins its northward journey and days grow longer, the festival invites everyone to rise with hope, renew their purpose, and celebrate the shared cultural spirit that unites India.