The Women’s Cell of Don Bosco College, Panjim, organised a program to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, 2025 in the Don Bosco AV Hall. The event brought together faculty, students, and distinguished guests to honor and recognize the achievements of women in various fields.
The program began with a warm welcome address, followed by the introduction of dignitaries. The esteemed guests, included the Director Rev Fr Joaquim Lobo, Principal Dr Cedric Silveira Ms. Maria Cyena Beryl Pegado, and Dr Saloni Maria Deepti Pinto Rosario, were invited and escorted on to the dais by the women’s cell Secretary Harsha Kundaikar.
Ms Zaneta D’Mello reflected on the significance of International Women’s Day, emphasizing the importance of gender equality and recognizing women's contributions. She then introduced the Women’s Cell, highlighting its role in empowering women within the institution.
Rev Fr Joaquim Lobo delivered an inspiring speech, encouraging women to break barriers and strive for excellence. His words set the tone for the event, reminding everyone of the collective responsibility to support and uplift women. In his address, Dr Cedric Silveira, acknowledged the hard work and resilience of women in academic and other professional spheres. He reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment.
A significant part of the program was the felicitation of two distinguished women achievers: Ms Maria Cyena Beryl Pegado was honored for her outstanding contributions to education. Her dedication to shaping young minds and promoting inclusive learning had earned her widespread admiration and Dr Saloni Maria Deepti Pinto Rosario was recognized for her exceptional work in medicine. Her commitment to healthcare had transformed lives, and her journey served as an inspiration to many. Both honorees shared their experiences, offering heartfelt insights into their journeys and the challenges they had overcome.
The program also recognized and honored fourteen women student achievers in sports, Aaroshi Ramdas Govekar, Blessica Rodrigues, Karen Estrocio, Sushmita H. Jadhav, Flani Costa, Rhea Pires, and Anoshka D’Souza won the West Zone Football Inter-University Championship and qualified for the Khelo India University Games. Pearl Ruby De Almeida was a winner in both football and hockey and received the Best Player award in the Inter-Collegiate Hockey Tournament. Kalpita Somnath Velkaskar won the Inter-Collegiate Tennikoit Tournament and was named Best Player. Sarah Hussain won the Inter-Collegiate Basketball Tournament and was awarded Best Player. Shimron Nathan set records in the 4x100m relay and 100m hurdles, earning the Best Athlete title at the Goa University Athletics Meet 2024-25. Kunika Krishna Harmalkar, Rashi R. Halarnakar, and Blessica Rodrigues were part of the record-breaking 4x100m relay team and Swati Sandip Naik was recognized as the "Strongest Woman" in Powerlifting at Goa University, setting a new record in the 47kg category. Each of these young women demonstrated perseverance, determination, and sportsmanship, and brought pride to the institute.
The program concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms Jessica D’Abreo, expressing gratitude to all dignitaries, faculty members, and participants for their contributions to the success of the event. A group photograph was taken, capturing the essence of the day and the shared joy of celebrating these remarkable women.
