JOHN AGUIAR: Capt. Ashutosh Pednekar Wins Bronze at World Racketlon Championship, Makes Goa Proud

Saturday, August 8, 2026

Capt. Ashutosh Pednekar Wins Bronze at World Racketlon Championship, Makes Goa Proud

Rotterdam, August 7: Another remarkable achievement for Capt. Ashutosh Pednekar of the Indian Navy, who has won the Bronze Medal 🥉 in the Seniors 55+ Singles at the World Racketlon Championship, held in Rotterdam from August 5 to 7, 2026.

Capt. Pednekar narrowly missed the Gold Medal, losing the top spot by just four points, but his Bronze Medal marks another significant milestone in his distinguished sporting career.

At the World Racketlon Championships, Capt. Pednekar had previously won Gold Medals in the Senior Singles category in 2018 and 2022, besides a Silver Medal in 2019. With the Bronze Medal in 2026, he has now completed the full set of Gold, Silver and Bronze medals at the prestigious championship.

His achievement is a proud moment for the Indian Navy and the country, while also bringing immense pride to Goa.

Heartiest congratulations to Capt. Ashutosh Pednekar on this outstanding achievement. His dedication, sporting spirit and consistency continue to inspire fellow sportspersons and the younger generation.

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About me

Shri John Aguiar. A man of many mantles, Shri Aguiar served with distinction as an Information Officer for the Department of Information & Publicity, Government of Goa. His administrative expertise further led him to serve as the General Manager of the Goa Human Resource Development Corporation. Notably, his career reached the national stage as the Additional Private Secretary to Union Ministers across the Ministries of External Affairs, Finance, and Chemicals and Fertilizers. Within the state, he served for six years as the PRO for the Goa Police and held the rank of Honorary Company Commander of the Home Guards. [Journalism & Education] Before his administrative heights, Shri Aguiar was a formidable voice in Goan media. A B.A. in History from Chowgule College—where he was named the “Best All-Round Student”. He later did his Bachelor of Journalism and Master of Journalism degrees from Tilak Maharashtra University, Pune. He went on to serve as a Chief Reporter and Staff Reporter for prestigious publications including The Navhind Times, Herald, Gomantak, and West Coast Times. [Literary & Artistic Contributions] Shri Aguiar is a celebrated Poet, Writer, and Lyricist. He has authored eight books, spanning Konkani poetry, English essays, and Roman Konkani plays. His ninth book is "Thembe" collection of his konkani poems. His poem "Bharat Desh Mahan" is a part of the XI Std Konkani curriculum.Anothrr poem "Tin rongi" bavtyo is selected for the right Std text book. His work is included in the Sahitya Akademi’s compilation of Contemporary Konkani Poetry. His soul-stirring lyrics and Hindu devotional songs are frequently broadcast on All India Radio and cherished by devotees across the state. [Honors & Awards] His shelf of accolades is a testament to his dedication. He is a rare recipient of: The President’s Medal for Distinguished Services (2020) and The President’s Medal for Meritorious Services (2013) for his services in Home Guards. The Chief Minister’s Gold Medal (2007). The Kala Gaurav Puraskar (2022) and multiple Sahitya Puraskars from Konkani Bhasha Mandal and The Navhind Times. He is also listed in the prestigious book, "200 Famous Persons of Goa." He received the Late. Adv. Manjunathdas Kamat Memorial Bhakti Sahitya Award 2025. He was honoured with the Influential Leader of Goa award 3035 in the category of Konkani literature by Heral Global at the Great Gather Sumit at Hotel Hilton, Candolim on May 25, 2025. A truly deserving recognition for his immense contribution to Konkani literature & devotional writings. Shri Aguiar also received the prestigious DGCD Silver Commendation Disc and Commendation Card by the Director General of Civil Defence, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, in December 2025. [Personal Milestones & Service] Beyond his professional life, Shri Aguiar is a National Shooter who represented Goa in the 10-Meter Air Pistol category. He is an actor having acted in some konkani feature films also a film maker with his two short films "The formal Shoes" and "The Red Bag" both official entries for Pune Short film festival. Perhaps most inspiring is his spirit of service. Recognized as a "Covid Warrior," he went above and beyond by volunteering for the Covaxin Human Trials, putting his own health on the line for the scientific progress of the nation. [Closing] From the newsroom to the corridors of power, and from the shooting range to the heights of Konkani literature, Shri John Aguiar embodies the spirit of a true Goan polymath.

NAB - GOA

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND (NAB) FELICITATED ITS JOINT SECRETARY SHRI JOHN AGUIAR ON HIS SELECTION FOR THE PRESTIGIOUS PRESIDENTS HOME GUARDS AND CIVIL DEFENCE MEDAL FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICES AT NAB OFFICE AT SANTA CRUZ ON FEBRUARY 09, 2012. PRESIDENT OF THE NAB SHRI ROZENDO MENDONCA PRESENTED A BOUQUET TO HIM ON BEHALF OF THE NAB. ALSO PRESENT WERE VICE PRESIDENT MS. USHA KAMAT, DR. H. Y. KARAPURKAR, MR. DOMNIC RODRIGUES, MR. VINCENT MONTEIRO, MRS. LORRAINE D’SOUZA, SMT. LEENA PRABHU AND OTHERS.