Panaji, Aug 29: Ramnath N Pai Raikar of The Navhind Times won the first prize in the competitive category of the 2nd Goa Union of Journalists (GUJ) Solo Singing Competition 2026, held on Saturday at the GUJ Hall, Shram Shakti Bhavan, Patto, Panaji.

Rajtilak Naik of The Times of India emerged winner in the non-competitive category, while Hemant Parab of The Navhind Times was presented the Jury Award.

A total of 15 participants registered for the competition across the competitive and non-competitive categories, of whom 13 performed before a well-attended gathering.

Director of Information and Publicity, Government of Goa, Abhir Hede, inaugurated the competition by lighting the traditional lamp in the presence of the judges, participants and members of the GUJ executive committee.

The competition was judged by noted sitar artist and lecturer at the Faculty of Indian Music and Dance, Kala Academy, Sadanand Amonkar, and noted vocalist Omkar Chari.

In the competitive category, Ramnath N Pai Raikar secured the first prize for his rendition of ‘Ae Mere Pyare Watan’. Sushant Chimulkar of The Navhind Times won the second prize for ‘Desh Premiyon Aapas Mein Prem Karo’, while Hemant Parab, also of The Navhind Times, bagged the third prize for ‘Maa Tujhe Salaam’.

Vitthal Gawade Parwadkar of Pudhari won the first consolation prize for ‘Shoor Amhi Sardar’. Krishna Divkar of Goa Times-The Times of India secured the second consolation prize for ‘Des Mere Des Mere’, while Vasant Katkar of Tarun Bharat won the third consolation prize for ‘Ae Mere Pyare Watan’.

In the non-competitive category, GUJ President Rajtilak Naik of The Times of India won the first prize for his rendition of ‘Mere Dushman, Mere Bhai’.

Hemant Parab was also honoured with the Jury Award for his performance of ‘Maa Tujhe Salaam’.

Earlier, GUJ General Secretary Vasudev Pagi enthralled the audience with a soulful flute rendition of the invocation.

GUJ President Rajtilak Naik welcomed the gathering and introduced the judges. Vasudev Pagi compered the programme and later proposed the vote of thanks.

The competition was organised by the Goa Union of Journalists.