| Department / Committee / Club | Department of History |
| Title of the Activity | Goemchem Diaz – State-Level Intercollegiate Cultural Event |
| Date of the Activity | 15th January 2026 |
| Nature of the Activity | Offline |
| Venue | Carmel College, Auditorium |
| Academic Year | 2025–2026 |
Objectives of the Activity:
- To celebrate Goem Asmitai by promoting awareness of Goa’s rich cultural heritage, history, and traditions.
- To provide a common platform for students to showcase their talents in cultural expressions such as speech, dance, and fashion.
- To encourage student engagement with Goan identity, language, customs, and historical consciousness.
- To foster intercollegiate cultural interaction and healthy competition among students across Goa.
Activity Overview:
To commemorate Goem Asmitai and to strengthen cultural awareness among youth, the Department of History organised a state-level intercollegiate cultural event titled “Goemchem Diaz”on 15th January 2026. The event was thoughtfully conceptualised to celebrate Goa’s cultural heritage while encouraging students to critically engage with contemporary concerns related to Goan identity.
The inaugural programme commenced at 10.00 a.m. with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by the dignitaries, including the Chief Guest, members of the panel of judges, the Principal, and the Vice-Principal. This was followed by an inaugural address by the Principal, who highlighted the importance of preserving Goan culture and nurturing cultural consciousness among students.
The Chief Guest, Prof. (Dr.) Juao Costa, Principal, Sant Sohirobanath Ambiye Government College and Research Centre, Virnoda, Pernem–Goa, then addressed the gathering. In his speech, he emphasised the significance of Goem Asmitai, the role of youth in safeguarding Goa’s cultural identity, and the relevance of academic institutions in promoting heritage-based initiatives. The inaugural session concluded with the rendition of an Asmitai song by the students, which set a culturally resonant tone for the event.
Following the inauguration, the competitive events commenced. The programme comprised three competitions, namely Elocution, Dance, and Fashion Show, all unified by a common theme centred on Goa’s culture, heritage, traditions, and historical identity.
In the Elocution Competition, participants critically reflected on the changing Goan socio-cultural scenario, with particular emphasis on the influx of migrants, transformations in Goan society, and the perceived threat to Goan identity. The speeches demonstrated analytical thinking, social awareness, and a strong concern for cultural preservation.
The Dance Competition focused on traditional Goan themes. Participants showcased authentic Goan folk and cultural dances such as Fugdi and Divli Dance, while several performances creatively highlighted traditional occupations and everyday life in Goa. These performances reflected the vibrancy and diversity of Goan folk traditions.
Similarly, the Fashion Show Competition highlighted traditional Goan attire, with participants representing costumes associated with traditional occupations such as fishermen, toddytapper, baker, and other indigenous communities. One team also presented an innovative fusion of contemporary modernity with traditional Goan themes, symbolising the dynamic yet rooted nature of Goan identity.
An innovative cultural element was introduced at the time of registration, wherein participating colleges were assigned team names based on traditional occupations of Goa, such as Render, Poder, Dorji, Xetkar, Thevoi, and Kharvi. This initiative further reinforced awareness of Goa’s occupational heritage and enhanced cultural immersion among participants.
A total of six colleges from across Goa participated enthusiastically in the event, making it a truly state-level intercollegiate programme with wide representation. The performances were evaluated by a distinguished panel of judges comprising:
- Meliston, Cultural Enthusiast
- Yogita, Grade I Teacher (Konkani)
- Romeu Godinho, Parish Priest and Cultural Enthusiast
The judges appreciated the participants for their creativity, authenticity, and depth of cultural representation, and offered constructive feedback. After careful evaluation of all performances, Ganpat Parsekar College of Education, Harmal-Pernem emerged as the Overall Winner of the event.
Outcomes of the Activity:
- Enhanced awareness and appreciation of Goa’s cultural heritage and historical identity among students.
- Identification and encouragement of creative and performing talents among participants.
- Promotion of Konkani language, traditional attire, and cultural expressions.
- Strengthening of intercollegiate cultural bonding and healthy competition.
- Reinforcement of pride in Goem Asmitai among the student community.
Beneficiaries:
| No. of Students | 110 |
| No. of Staff | 7 |
| Total No. of Participants | 117 |