Archives March 2026

Hisar | March 6, 2026

A three-day PM Vishwakarma Exhibition-cum-Trade Fair opened on Friday at Aggrasen Bhawan near Green Square Market in Hisar, providing traditional artisans with a platform to showcase and sell their products directly to customers. The exhibition is being organised under the PM Vishwakarma initiative of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, and will run from March 6 to March 8, 2026.

The event was inaugurated by Srinivas Goyal, Vice Chairman of the Vyapari Kalyan Board, Hisar, in the presence of Rachna Tripathi, Assistant Director, MSME Development Office, Bhiwani, and Sanjeev Chawla, Additional Development Commissioner, MSME Development Office, Karnal, along with other dignitaries and participating artisans.

Addressing the gathering, Goyal said that India’s artisans and craftspeople continue to preserve the country’s cultural heritage through their skills and products while adapting to modern market demands. He appreciated the efforts being made by the Government of India to empower traditional artisans through targeted schemes and institutional support.

₹13,000-crore scheme to strengthen traditional artisans

The PM Vishwakarma scheme aims to strengthen traditional artisans and craftspeople through a range of measures, including skill upgradation, toolkit support, credit facilitation, and marketing assistance. The Government of India has earmarked ₹13,000 crore for the scheme for the period 2023–24 to 2027–28.

Speaking on the occasion, Sanjeev Chawla said the main objective of the exhibition is to provide a strong market platform for traditional artisans and craftspeople, enabling them to sell their products directly to customers without intermediaries. He added that such initiatives aim to link traditional skills with business opportunities, thereby enhancing artisans’ income and improving their overall livelihoods.

50 stalls showcase traditional crafts

The exhibition features 50 stalls displaying products made by beneficiaries of the PM Vishwakarma scheme. Participating artisans include potters, tailors, cobblers, masons, goldsmiths, and garland makers, as well as craftspeople engaged in making dolls, mats, baskets, and toys.

During the exhibition, artisans will also receive guidance on selling their products through online platforms, helping them expand their reach beyond local markets and access digital marketplaces.

Among the dignitaries present at the event were Sadhu Ram Bansal, Ravindra Jangra, and Pradeep Sharma.

The exhibition is being coordinated by the MSME Development Office, Bhiwani, which is facilitating participation of beneficiaries under the PM Vishwakarma scheme and supporting efforts to connect traditional artisans with wider markets.

To support the participants, the government has provided free stalls to all beneficiaries taking part in the exhibition, along with complimentary tea and meals during the event.

The three-day exhibition will continue until March 8, offering visitors an opportunity to explore a wide range of handcrafted products from artisans across the region. The fair highlights traditional craftsmanship while helping artisans connect with wider markets under the PM Vishwakarma initiative.
Sh. Rahul Dhingra, Director of the firm ADKMAKERS which is the implementing agency for this event told us that any conscious effort is made to link these artisans with prospective business buyers and a separate training is organised for marketing, branding and labeling efforts to bring uniformity and consistency in products. A detailed catalogue is beingbprepared and sent to various galeries and life style stores for better placing of these products.

Sony SAB’s mythological saga Gatha Shiv Parivaar Ki – Ganesh Kartikey now moves into one of its most intense phases as the story builds to Lord Shiva’s fierce Tandav, performed by Avinesh Rekhi. After the emotional turn in Goddess Sati and Lord Shiva’s journey, the track reaches a powerful breaking point where grief transforms into divine fury. Known for its grand visuals and spiritual depth, the show now presents a moment that is both emotionally heavy and visually explosive and bringing this energy to screen demanded deep physical and emotional preparation from Avinesh.

 The Tandav sequence was planned as one of the biggest moments in the current track. The narrative builds slowly toward this breaking point, showing how pain turns into divine fury. The scene was shot on a large scale with dramatic lighting, strong background music and powerful camera movements to capture the intensity. The choreography was designed to reflect both destruction and emotion, while the heavy costume and long jata added to the visual impact. Every detail, from the sound design to the set atmosphere, was created to make this moment feel larger than life and true to the spirit of the show.

Sharing his experience, Avinesh Rekhi, said, “Preparing for the Tandav was one of the most intense experiences for me. It is not just about dancing with force; it is about feeling Lord Shiva’s pain and letting it come through your body. The rehearsals were physically demanding, especially with the costume and the heavy jata, but that helped me stay in the moment, the energy on set,  changed when I was performing the Tandav sequence. There is a certain fire you have to hold inside. I wanted viewers to feel that this is not just anger, it is heartbreak turning into strength.”

Tune in to watch Ganesh Kartikey, every Monday to Saturday at 8 PM, only on Sony SAB

Mar 06: In a fashion landscape increasingly shaped by speed and mass production, a quiet yet powerful movement is emerging—one that celebrates slowness, craftsmanship, and the beauty of the handmade. Across India, a new generation of artisanal labels is redefining contemporary fashion, proving that traditional craft can remain vibrant, expressive, and deeply relevant in today’s world.

 Among the emerging voices in this movement is Tilasmi Studio, founded by Sakshi Sinha. The label transforms everyday memories, textures, and colours into wearable expressions of creativity, blending storytelling with handcrafted artistry.

A Tribute to Craft

After spending more than two decades in the fashion industry, Sakshi Sinha felt a natural pull to create something more personal and meaningful. This vision led to the launch of Tilasmi Studio in February 2025—a craft-driven label where individuality, colour, and storytelling take centre stage.

The name Tilasmi, meaning “magic,” reflects the spirit of the brand. Much of this philosophy traces back to Sakshi’s earliest inspiration—her mother, a homemaker whose effortless ability to transform simple things into something beautiful shaped Sakshi’s appreciation for creativity that exists beyond traditional definitions of design. In many ways, the brand stands as a tribute to this quiet artistry and acknowledges homemakers as the original creators of everyday magic.

Craft, Colour, and Contemporary Expression

This philosophy is reflected in every creation by Tilasmi Studio. The label’s designs range from vibrant colour-blocked cotton kurtas inspired by the lively hues of Indian streets to expressive upfashioned tote bags made from repurposed nylon jholas. By reimagining everyday materials, the brand transforms them into contemporary pieces that carry stories and textures.

Each design features visible handcrafted details such as katran patchwork, hand embroidery, beadwork, and thoughtfully placed buttons, highlighting the beauty of human craftsmanship. The brand also collaborates with artisans and homemakers who help convert leftover fabric scraps into textured design elements. This approach not only gives new life to materials that might otherwise go to waste but also supports a collaborative craft ecosystem.

Through its bold and expressive aesthetic, Tilasmi Studio challenges the conventional perception that artisanal fashion must be understated or traditional. Instead, the label embraces a vibrant indie-core aesthetic that feels modern, playful, and full of character.

Redefining the Future of Fashion

As conversations around slow fashion and mindful consumption continue to gain momentum, brands like Tilasmi Studio are helping reshape the narrative around Indian craftsmanship. By combining sustainability with storytelling and contemporary design, the label demonstrates that fashion’s future may not lie in producing more—but in creating with greater care, purpose, and imagination.

New Delhi, Mar 6: As India’s capital and one of the country’s most dynamic business hubs, Delhi is home to thousands of small and medium enterprises (SMEs spanning manufacturing, logistics, services, and education.) In an increasingly competitive and digital-first marketplace, these businesses are turning to online discovery platforms to generate leads, build credibility, and scale sustainably.

With its extensive network of listed businesses and high-intent consumer searches, Justdial, India’s No. 1 local search engine, has emerged as a key growth enabler for Delhi’s MSMEs.

For many business owners, Justdial has played a pivotal role in transforming lead generation and reducing dependence on traditional marketing channels. Karam Veer Singh, Director at TSE Shaft Elevators India Private Limited, Delhi, shared how the platform became central to his company’s growth journey: “We started with a ₹25,000 Justdial package and began receiving 3–4 leads daily. Over time, we upgraded our plan, and today nearly 90% of our business comes through Justdial. The quality and consistency of enquiries have been a game changer for us.”

His experience highlights how B2B-focused enterprises are leveraging Justdial to access steady, high-quality leads without extensive outreach efforts. A similar impact is evident in the logistics sector. Sunil Kumar, from Transport Carriers of India Logistics, Okhla, credits Justdial with simplifying customer acquisition while driving strong growth:“Justdial contributes 60–70% to our business growth. We don’t have to run around looking for clients. Sitting comfortably, we are able to connect directly with B2B customers and receive relevant enquiries consistently.”

For service-based businesses like packers and movers, digital discovery has become indispensable. Manoj Bhardwaj, owner of Dev Bhumi Packers and Movers, Delhi, reflected on his long-standing association with the platform: “In the last five years, whatever we have achieved is largely because of Justdial. It’s a very solid platform, and we regularly work on leads received through it. It has helped us build a stable and growing business.”

The education and skill development industry is also witnessing strong returns through online visibility. Akash Kumar, owner of Shri Sai Computer Learning Centre, Delhi, shared a compelling ROI story: “I started with a ₹15,000 Justdial package in 2019. From that investment, I earn ₹1–2 lakh/month regularly, and sometimes even ₹5–10 lakh/month in revenue. I highly recommend Justdial services to anyone looking to grow their business.”

These success stories reflect how Delhi’s entrepreneurs are harnessing Justdial’s platform to unlock growth. By delivering credible leads, transparent ROI, and sustained visibility, Justdial continues to empower MSMEs to expand their reach, streamline customer acquisition, and build future-ready businesses.

Commenting on the platform’s role in empowering Delhi’s SME ecosystem, Mr. Prashant Nagar, Chief Business Officer of Justdial, said: 

“Local enterprises are the heartbeat of India’s economy, and online platforms are a critical driver of growth. We’re seeing more and more local businesses take bold steps to grow digitally. What’s encouraging is seeing entrepreneurs use Justdial as their critical growth partner. When our vendors tell us that a large part of their business now comes through enquiries generated on our platform, it reassures us of the impact we have been creating and also encourages us to keep doing more. Our focus has always been simple: connect the right customers to the right businesses, and help entrepreneurs grow and manage their businesses with consistency and confidence.”

As digital adoption accelerates across India’s urban centres, platforms like Justdial are increasingly becoming part of how MSMEs build visibility, generate demand, and participate in the country’s evolving digital economy.

ESCP Business School has announced the appointment of Professor Cédric Denis-Rémis as Executive Vice-President of Executive Education and Corporate Relations, and Dean of ESCP School of Technology, effective February 23. He will report to Léon Laulusa, Executive President and Dean of ESCP Business School, and will serve as a member of the Executive Committee.
 
A graduate of École des Mines de Paris, Cédric Denis-Rémis holds a PhD and a Habilitation to (Supervise) Direct Research (HDR). He has built his career at the intersection of technological innovation, entrepreneurship, and higher education. He previously served as Vice-President of PSL University, where he oversaw development, innovation, entrepreneurship, and Executive Education. Prior to that, as Deputy Director of Mines Paris–PSL, he founded and directed the Institute of Higher Education in Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IHEIE).
 
He has also led several international academic initiatives, particularly in China, where he served as European Executive Director of the China-EU Institute for Clean and Renewable Energy (ICARE), and later as Dean of the Shanghai JiaoTong–ParisTech Institute of Technology.
 
Deeply involved in disruptive technologies and defence topics, he was head of the French Ministry of the Armed Forces’ Red Team Defence programme. In 2018, he created the Specialised Master’s degree in DeepTech Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Mines Paris–PSL and developed two investment funds between PSL and Elaia that have invested in more than 40 deeptech companies.
 
Author of approximately sixty publications, his research focuses on the intersection of risk management and innovation management. He is also co-founder of Zénon, a think tank dedicated to climate technologies, and serves as a member of the French Defence Procurement Council.
 
By entrusting him with Executive Education, Corporate Relations, and the launch of the School of Technology, ESCP accelerates its 2026–2030 strategic plan to transform its educational model and prepare future leaders with the hybrid skills required to address the major challenges of the 21st century.
 
The ESCP School of Technology will welcome its first cohort in September 2027. The school will train students at the intersection of technological expertise, strategic vision, and managerial responsibility.

“In a context where technologies are profoundly transforming business models and skills, we need leaders capable of bridging innovation, academic excellence, and the corporate world. The appointment of Cédric Denis-Rémis fully aligns with this ambition and will contribute to the implementation of our Bold & United strategic plan,” says Professor Léon Laulusa, Dean and Executive President of ESCP Business School. 

“The convergence of management and technology has become essential. Throughout my career, I have worked at this interface, in close collaboration with academic and industry stakeholders. Joining ESCP today means contributing to a European academic project that places this convergence at the heart of its development,” says Cédric Denis-Rémis, Executive Vice-President in charge of Executive Education and Corporate Relations and Dean of ESCP School of Technology.

The creation of the ESCP School of Technology in 2027 marks the first major milestone of the Bold & United strategic plan. This plan also includes the creation of the ESCP School of Governance in 2029, completing ESCP’s ambition to establish itself as the first European University of Management by 2030.

After losing family members to chronic conditions, including his father, Ilker Hacihaliloglu decided something needed to be done to ensure that preventable diseases are discovered early rather than too late. His innovation, developed at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, became the company PONS, which seeks to give families “the precious gift of time.”

Hacihaliloglu, PhD, MSc, conceived of PONS’ technology during his tenure as a faculty member in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Rutgers. He is currently an associate professor in the Departments of Radiology and Medicine at the University of British Columbia. The software enhances ultrasound images using advanced, physics-guided processing, improving image quality and standardizing structural representation across devices. By enabling effective data scaling and extraction of quantitative features, it provides clinicians with richer, more reliable information to support earlier disease detection and more accurate diagnostic assessment.

“Our ultimate goal was, and is, to be able to identify diseases at an earlier stage, like chronic conditions,” said Hacihaliloglu. “We believe that nobody should lose their loved ones to preventable diseases. The sooner we catch a disease, the sooner we can begin treatment, and the better the chances are of a successful outcome.”

Hacihaliloglu believes that PONS’ technology addresses three areas within healthcare that prevent earlier detection of diseases. For him, the primary reason is that many patients are not monitored frequently enough, often once a year or longer, and most of the testing takes place either at a hospital or as part of their regular checkup. He says there are three ways for patients to be scanned in a more decentralized care setting.

“Many leading research hospitals now operate hospital-at-home programs and are actively working to integrate imaging into these decentralized care models,” said Hacihaliloglu. “We’re seeing mobile mammography units traveling through cities, handheld ultrasound devices that connect to smartphones or tablets, and portable X-ray machines designed for bedside or community use. The challenge, however, is that portability often comes at the expense of image quality. Smaller hardware platforms, limited processing capacity, and constrained acquisition environments can reduce resolution and signal clarity, making subtle findings harder to detect.”

Among these portable technologies, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) stands out as the only widely available, non-radiation–based imaging modality suitable for repeated bedside and community use. This makes it especially attractive for hospital-at-home programs and longitudinal monitoring. According to Hacihaliloglu, however, ultrasound image quality can vary significantly depending on the device, operator experience, and acquisition conditions. Historically, ultrasound has often been used as a secondary imaging tool to confirm a diagnosis rather than to detect early-stage disease. When image quality is suboptimal, subtle structural changes associated with early pathology may be missed, limiting its potential as a frontline diagnostic tool.

The challenge becomes even more complex when artificial intelligence is introduced into clinical workflows. Effective AI models require large-scale, diverse, and high-quality datasets—often involving data from thousands or even millions of patients across different regions and healthcare systems. In practice, assembling datasets of that magnitude is costly, time-consuming, and frequently infeasible, particularly in decentralized settings where device variability further complicates data consistency.

Hacihaliloglu believes PONS addresses these interconnected challenges by enhancing image quality, harmonizing data across devices, and enabling scalable data expansion. By improving structural clarity and standardizing imaging inputs, the technology strengthens diagnostic confidence, supports earlier disease detection, and enables more reliable AI-driven analysis across diverse care environments.

“PONS’ technology features a navigation system that we have developed so that the caregiver or nurse who has to collect data outside of a hospital setting can see where to move the probe, the transfuser, to a correct location to collect clinically acceptable data,” said Hacihaliloglu.

The technology also addresses the issue of quality within the field of medical imaging by “enhancing and improving image quality and providing advanced features in Ultrasound and point-of-care ultrasound,” according to their latest publication with the MAYO clinic where they validated the technology on 62,912 breast ultrasound scans collected from 688 patients. Their study showed that AI models trained on PONS’ enhanced data achieved a 64% improvement in diagnostic accuracy.

“For example, our technology can reveal small changes in a tumor that are very difficult to see on a standard ultrasound image. By making the structure and edges of a tumor clearer, it helps radiologists better understand its size and shape, which could lead to faster and more accurate diagnoses,” said Hacihaliloglu. “We believe this is crucial because the workload of radiologists right now, in general healthcare workers, is a large issue; they are overwhelmed, and the hospitals are crowded. Any solution that makes the workload more efficient is an advantage to both medical professionals and their patients.”

PONS’ technology not only enhances the image quality, but also the data, allowing for a scale-up of data sets by up to 50, which Hacihaliloglu believes will help develop generalizable AI solutions that are not biased toward race or data collection.

“PONS is filling a gap that is missing in the healthcare ecosystem, which is improving the quality of ultrasound data and scaling the size of the data,” said Hacihaliloglu. “What’s more, our technology is a software solution that works on any ultrasound machine, so it’s not tied to a specific vendor, and we have done other studies as well that show PONS’ technology enhances other imaging modalities such as X-Ray or Mammography.”

PONS was named after the region of the brain that connects the midbrain to the spinal cord—reflecting the company’s original focus on traumatic brain injury. In Latin, pons means “bridge,” a name that, Hacihaliloglu says, also captures the company’s broader mission to bring high-quality ultrasound imaging to communities and decentralized care settings. The company was founded by Hacihaliloglu and his twin brother, Soner, who serves as CEO. PONS is based in Newark and currently employs a team of eight.

“The technology developed by Dr. Hacihaliloglu has the potential to help make preventable diseases even more so,” said Deborah Perez Fernandez, PhD, MBA, executive director of the Technology Transfer unit within the Office for Research, which negotiated the license with PONS. “Our team has supported Dr. Hacihaliloglu through the patenting and licensing of his technology, and we are excited to see the positive impact it will make on the medical profession.”

“PONS is a fantastic company, based on technology that was developed here at Rutgers and has the potential to have a major impact on the world,” said Vince Smeraglia, JD, executive director of New Ventures, the team within the Office for Research that supports companies that arise from innovations developed at Rutgers. “We were proud to award Dr. Hacihaliloglu with a TechAdvance® grant in 2019, and we continue to work with Dr. Hacihaliloglu and his brother Soner to help the company grow and expand.”

“In the United States, there are a lot of regions which we call healthcare deserts, where the nearest hospital is two or three hours away,” said Hacihaliloglu. “Our technology is suitable for providing high-quality imaging to people in those areas, underserved minority groups and underrepresented groups. Because our technology is portable, it lends itself to a more decentralized care system, and we are very proud of that.”

PONS is currently advancing its technology through an NIH-funded SBIR Phase I study aimed at improving diagnostic accuracy for early-stage liver disease. The project is being conducted in close collaboration with clinicians and researchers at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and the Rutgers Cancer Institute, with Professor David Foran serving as the lead Rutgers site Principal Investigator.

Mar 6: Using the advanced MIMO test capabilities of the CMP180 radio communication tester from Rohde & Schwarz, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. successfully completed comprehensive validation and performance testing of its advanced 5×5 radio technology designed for its latest Wi-Fi 8 networking platforms. As a result, Rohde & Schwarz now offers pre-built test routines for its test platform.
 

 The CMP180 validates Wi-Fi 8 features including 5×5 MIMO.

Qualcomm Technologies has used the CMP180 radio communication tester from Rohde & Schwarz to validate advanced multi-antenna capabilities that are designed into its next-generation Wi-Fi 8 platforms, including support for 5×5 MIMO in the 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz band. Advanced 5×5 MIMO architectures help Wi‑Fi 8 platforms deliver higher capacity and more reliable connectivity across a wider range of real‑world deployment scenarios.

The industry leading CMP180 delivers full bandwidth and seamless scalability for testing leading Wi Fi 8 chipsets across the entire device lifecycle — from development to production. As a result of this collaboration, Rohde & Schwarz now offers pre built test routines and early access to key resources, enabling device manufacturers to accelerate time to market of their products.

Wi-Fi 8, based on the IEEE 802.11bn specification, builds on the foundation of Wi-Fi 7 to deliver next-level reliability, efficiency and seamless mobility. New PHY and MAC layer technologies work together to extend range, improve spectrum utilization, reduce latency and enable coordinated access across dense environments, setting the stage for ultra-high reliability (UHR) performance. Advanced antenna architectures such as 5×5 MIMO help enhance spatial efficiency and link robustness and provide a more consistent performance in real-world environments.

This new feature set of Wi-Fi 8 will accelerate the wireless LAN performance at home, in offices, venues and factories and enable applications like extended reality (XR), AI-assisted applications, real-time cloud gaming and ultra-high-definition content streaming. To realize these benefits, test equipment must support all bands, full channel bandwidths, multi-antenna operation (MIMO) and deliver best-in-class measurement accuracy at benchmarking test efficiency. Rohde & Schwarz has designed the CMP180 radio communication tester with these capabilities in mind.

The CMP180 enables Qualcomm Technologies to validate essential features of its latest Wi-Fi innovation, including:
• 5×5 MIMO performance to further improve maximum data throughput per link
• Advanced modulation and coding schemes that enable fine grained adaptation to real time radio conditions.
• Distributed-tone resource units to improve uplink performance under regulatory limits.

Goce Talaganov, Vice President Mobile Radio Testers at Rohde & Schwarz, said: “We are excited to strengthen our long-time collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies to provide a unique testing solution for the next area of Wi-Fi innovations. The CMP180’s advanced features and our close collaboration will empower device manufacturers to bring innovative Wi-Fi 8 products to market quickly and confidently.”

Ganesh Swaminathan, Vice President and General Manager, Wireless Infrastructure and Networking, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. said: “Qualcomm Technologies’ Wi-Fi 8 portfolio is engineered to deliver next level performance, reliability and scalability across a broad range of networking use cases. As part of this portfolio approach, we are advancing innovations such as higher order MIMO to help increase performance in real world environments. Our collaboration with Rohde & Schwarz highlights the progress of these capabilities as the Wi-Fi 8 ecosystem builds momentum.”

Ponda, Mar 6:  The vibrant statewide celebrations of Shigmotsav 2026 commenced with great enthusiasm in Ponda on March 5, marking the beginning of a spectacular cultural journey that will unfold across 19 centres over 14 days. The grand Shigmotsav parade, organised by the Ponda Taluka Antruz Shigmotsav Samiti in association with the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, began from Tisk-Ponda and witnessed an overwhelming response from locals and visitors alike.

 The parade featured traditional Romtamel performances, captivating folk dances, vibrant fancy dress presentations, and creatively designed floats that reflected Goa’s rich traditions and mythological narratives. The streets came alive with colour, rhythm, and community participation as artists from across the Goa showcased their talent.

The inaugural celebration was graced by Hon’ble Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant; Hon’ble Union Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy, Government of India, Shri Shripad Naik; Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte; Hon’ble Member of Rajya Sabha Shri Sadanand Shet Tanavade; President, BJP Goa Pradesh Shri Damu Naik; NRI commissioner Shri Narendra Sawaikar; Former Rajya Sabha Member Shri Vinay Tendulkar; Director of Tourism Shri Kedar Naik, along with other dignitaries who extended their encouragement to participating troupes and organisers.

The shigmotsav parade commenced with Zareshwar Shigmotsav Mandal’s Romtamel, presented by a group of specially abled participants, setting an inspiring tone for the celebrations.

Addressing the gathering, Hon’ble Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant highlighted that Shigmo remains one of Goa’s most cherished cultural festivals, offering a significant platform for local artists and traditional performers. While remembering former Agriculture Minister and MLA Ponda, late Shri Ravi Naik, said that the celebration which was earlier started in Ponda (Antruz Mahal) has today grown into a festival celebrated on a much larger scale. He noted that Shri Ravi Naik had initiated efforts to take Shigmotsav across Goa so that the festival could be celebrated widely and also contribute to strengthening the tourism sector. He added that the festival reflects the unity of the people of Goa and highlighted the vision of a clean and beautiful Goa, stating that just as people take pride in preserving their art and traditions, there is an equal responsibility to protect and care for the land of Goa.

Hon’ble Union Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy, Government of India, Shri Shripad Naik congratulated all the participating groups for their dedication to preserving the traditions of Shigmo, noting that their hard work and commitment keep Goa’s cultural heritage alive. He said the groups put in immense effort to present the festival, and people gather to witness it in a spirit of mutual respect and appreciation. He also assured that the government stands firmly with them in their efforts to preserve and carry forward these traditions.

Speaking on the occasion, the Tourism Minister Shri Rohan Khaunte stated that Shigmotsav reflects the essence of Goa’s traditions, art forms, and storytelling legacy. With the Goa Beyond Beaches initiative started in 2022, we have focused on promoting cultural and spiritual tourism as well. Under the Ekadasha Teertha initiative, eleven temples across Goa have been identified to highlight the state’s rich spiritual heritage. Our aim is to present the true essence of Goa to visitors. We have also scaled up festivals such as Chikhal Kalo, Shigmo and Veerbhadra so that international tourists can experience Goan culture and traditions in their authentic form. He also announced that this year the infrastructure grant provided to Shigmostav committees has been increased by ₹1 lakh.

The Shigmotsav parades will continue across Goa in the coming days, bringing vibrant celebrations to different towns. After Ponda on March 5, the festivities will move to Calangute on March 6 and Panaji on March 7. The celebrations will then take over Mapusa on March 8 and Curchorem on March 9, followed by Bicholim on March 10 and Sanquelim on March 11. On March 12, the parades will be held at Shiroda and Sanguem, while Dharbandora and Cuncolim will host the celebrations on March 13. The vibrant procession will then reach Margao on March 14, followed by Vasco and Porvorim on March 15. The festivities will continue in Valpoi on March 16, Pernem and Quepem on March 17, and will culminate in Mandrem and Canacona on March 18.

The Department of Tourism invites citizens and visitors to immerse themselves in the festivities and witness the grandeur of one of Goa’s most significant cultural celebrations.