Business Goa April 2017

april 2017

VOL 3 ISSUE 4 panaji goa

goa’s only business magazine

RNI No.: goaeng/2015/59955

Postal license no.: G-2/RNP/Monthly/Goa-19/2015-17

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industry dossier

grand empire enterprise

primeslots Goan Brand

atrey sawant interview

desserts n more

Liquor Ban

Can the Government find a way around the ban on selling liquor?

Goa State Budget

Bon Appetit

Dr. Dipti Srivastava Professional Dossier

Shruti Tiwari lady power

Manohar Parrikar is back in the saddle and in control of the State

nitin Kunkolienker

INDUSTRY INSIDER

Nitin Kunkolienker’s accession to the Presidency of MAIT is a culmination of two decades of work as an industry captain. From being the founder-President of Verna Industries Association to being the youngest and longest serving President of GCCI, his is a journey spent batting for the industry

News Views Articles Interviews Profiles Focus Analysis Opinions Events Features

CONTENTS Cover Story 12

From being the founder-President of Verna Industries Association to being the longest serving President of GCCI, a look into the remarkable career of Nitin Kunkolienker, as he takes over the reins of MAIT

Focus Goa Budget 20

An analysis of the government’s major proposals in the State Budget 2017

Focus Goa Liquor Ban 22

Will the State government provide legal relief around the liquor ban?

Starting Young 24

12

Gourmet chocolate artist Radha Shinkre cooks up the ultimate sweet indulgence

Enterprise 26

Grand Empire, Goa’s one-stop retailer for HoReCa supplies

Interview 28

In conversation with Atrey Sawant, Chairman of CII, Goa Council, about the organisation’s pitch for Ease of Doing Business

34

60

20

30 26

Goan Brand 30

One of Goa’s leading infomedia groups Primeslots Pvt. Ltd. paves way for national success

Lady Power 34

Ace event planner, Shruti Tiwari sets a new benchmark for events in Goa

Professional Dossier 36

Dr. Dipti Srivastava shares about the field of ophthalmology and her career at Goa Medical College

59

Bon Appetit Café 59

Waiting to be discovered, Rice Mill offers an incredible experience

Bon Appetit Confectionery 60

Pallavi Salgaocar takes forward her passion for baking with Desserts N More

Bon Appetit Catering 62

28

36

42 People Tree

Kishore Shah delves into the deeper meaning of VUCA

44 Beyond Classroom Dr Pradeep Salgaonkar highlights the benefits of Basket Size

46 Money Matters

V B Prabhu Verlekar cautions against the perils of evading tax

47 Good Company

Swatee Rane talks about the need to market the Shigmo Parade globally

48 Antarprerna

Nandini Vaidyanathan opines that great brands are created by employees

04 | Business Goa industry Dossier | april 2017

More than just a businesss idea, Amoncar Classic Caterers brings quality and good taste to the table

COLUMNS

49 Freewheeling

Hester Bergh-Appoyer urges readers to discover more about ourselves, our values and cultures

50 Education

Kush Khaitan’s open letter urges students to excel without stress and competition

51 HR Mantra

RN Misra talks about supervision at work

52 Letter from America

Jay Dehejia profiles the distinguished and studious Prof. Atul Nerkar

06 Editorial 08 Corpo Scan 18 Curtain Raiser 32 Campus 32 Book Shelf 32 BG Crossword 38 Events 39 Organisations 40 Biz Bytes 54 StartUp 56 Auto World 58 What’s Up Goa 64 Goa Buzz 66 Newsmakers 66 BG Quiz

APRIL 2017

VOL 3 ISSUE 4 PANAJI GOA

RNI No.: GOAENG/2015/59955

editorial

POSTAL LICENSE No.: G-2/RNP/Monthly/Goa-19/2015-17

hbhatkuly@gmail.com GOA’S ONLY BUSINESS MAGAZINE

INDUSTRY DOSSIER

www.businessgoa.in

VOL 3 ISSUE 4 panaji goa

RNI No.: goaeng/2015/59955

GRAND EMPIRE ENTERPRISE

PRIMESLOTS GOAN BRAND

ATREYA SAWANT INTERVIEW

DESSERTS N MORE BON APPETIT

Liquor Ban

Dr. DIPTI SRIVASTAVA PROFESSIONAL DOSSIER

SHRUTI TIWARI

Can the Government find a way around the ban on selling liquor?

LADY POWER

Goa State Budget

Manohar Parrikar is back in the saddle and in control of the State

NITIN KUNKOLIENKER

INDUSTRY INSIDER

Nitin Kunkolienker’s accession to the Presidency of MAIT is a culmination of two decades of work as an industry captain. From being the founder-President of Verna Industries Association to being the youngest and longest serving President of GCCI, his is a journey spent batting for the industry

NEWS VIEWS ARTICLES INTERVIEWS PROFILES FOCUS ANALYSIS OPINIONS EVENTS FEATURES

april 2017 Editor & Publisher Harshvardhan Bhatkuly Co-Publisher & Group Head Urvija Bhatkuly Advisory Board Datta Damodar Naik Ralph de Sousa Rajiv D’Silva Swapnil Kamat Business Head Annalise Gouveia Reporters Alexia Fernandes Ankitha Joseph Ramrai Naik Admin & Accounts Ashok Kolvekar Sandra Dias Advertising Graphics Govit Morajkar Sanskruti Naik Distribution & Logistics Mayur Santinezkar Pritesh Naik Contributors in this issue Hester Bergh-Appoyer Jay Dehejia Kishore Shah Kush Khaitan Meenal Bale Nandini Vaidyanathan Dr Pradeep Salgaonkar RN Misra Rohan Bhandare Swatee Rane V B Prabhu Verlekar Unsolicited material may not be returned. The opinions in columns and other stories expressed in Business Goa Industry Dossier are not necessarily that of the publishers and the Publisher/Editor shall not be held liable for any inaccuracy or otherwise.

While great care is being taken to ensure accuracy of information, the publishers are not responsible for omissions or incorrect information. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the permission of the publishers.

Editorial, Advertising & Administrative Office Business Goa 409, Citicentre, EDC Patto Plaza, Panaji, 403001 Goa India Tel.: 0832-6456555, 2437822

Email: businessgoa.media@gmail.com

Make this Alliance Work The formation of the current government is a clear coming together of political forces for the sake of development.

They say politics makes strange bedfellows.

But looking at the way political parties that were opposed to the BJP over so many years, have found political pragmatism is aligning with the party in Goa, despite the fact that the dwindling position in the Goa Assembly – or more precisely, because of it, says a lot about the BJP’s strength in Goan polity; and the support that it receives from the Centre.

It is interesting to note that Vijai Sardesai’s Goa Forward Party was the most to gain, as all three legislators have got ministerial berths.

The independents, two of them, have been given ministries. And the MGP, as they have always been, are back in the power equation.

But the leadership of the government has rightly been bestowed on Manohar Parrikar.

This Assembly, my hunch says, will see Manohar Parrikar deliver like he did in his first stint as Chief Minister. The Chief Minister has made it abundantly clear that the focus of his regime is to resurrect Goa’s economy which is pretty much in the dumps. There are infrastructural projects in various stages of progress. Besides, there are industries which need to be established to bring in twenty five thousand crore investment under the mandate of the specially constituted Industrial Promotion Board – in order to generate fifty thousand jobs for Goans. Yes, there has been a constitutional aberration of sorts because the single largest party – the Congress, was not invited to form the government by the Governor. But the Congress remedied the situation by petitioning the Supreme Court, which while disposing off the petition, gave a 48-hour notice to the BJP led government

Harshvardhan Bhatkuly to prove its strength on the floor of the house.

That done, there should be no remorse now on who would have the strength and who wouldn’t. Today, all this is rendered as a mere academic discussion. If the Goa Forward and MGP had made up its mind to join the BJP, then inviting the Congress to form the government would be an exercise in futility. Of course, this is a view in hindsight. However, the moot point now is governance. There are many pain points before the administration. There was also an anti-incumbency feeing against the Laxmikant Parsekar led government, which saw the defeat of some bigwig ministers in the state. To take a fresh perspective, the newly sworn-in government is that way a brand new one, a government comprising of many youngsters. It is a good mix of experience and youthful zest. Two new ministers have had the distinction of being vociferous opponents of the erstwhile BJP government’s policies, as MLAs. Notwithstanding that, they have been performers in their constituencies. There are three first time legislators who have been made ministers. All of them have one thing in common – they have all been giant killers, who have vanquished powerful ministers in their constituencies. What they lack in experience, they make up with their killer instincts. It is a strange but potent mix where Manohar Parrikar has taken support of unlikely allies, but his grip on the state administration has always been strong. When people of Goa think of Parrikar as a Chief Minister, they are reminded of his first term – the speed at which he took decisions and the personal energy that he brought to the state administration.

This is a god-send opportunity for him and for Goa. I would hazard a guess that here is an opportunity that he would not like to miss

Printed, published and owned by Harshvardhan V. Bhatkuly and printed at Printek Printers and Published at 409, Citicentre, EDC Patto Plaza, Panaji - Goa 403001. Editor: Harshvardhan V. Bhatkuly

06 | Business Goa industry Dossier | april 2017

corpo scan

Manohar Parrikar is CM of Goa. New cabinet sworn in.

L to R: Pandurang Madkaikar, Vinoda Paliencar, Vijai Sardessai, Sudin Dhavalikar, Manohar Parrikar, Francis D’Souza, Manohar Ajgaonkar, Rohan Khaunte, Jayesh Salgaonkar and Govind Gaude

The Assembly elections in Goa was held on 4th February 2017. The electorate found an end to their curiosity with the results announced on 11th March 2017. As BJP secured victories in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, Congress party managed to win a comfortable majority in Punjab.

The political situation in Goa surprised all as Congress had the numbers for the formation of the Government but the entire scenario took a turn when an unexpected coalition emerged.

The Congress party had many CM post aspirants among the elected representatives including former CMs Luizinho Faleiro, Ravi

Naik, Digambar Kamat and Pratapsingh Rane; and hence were busy deciding their CLP leader. While BJP, on the other hand, had got their centrally imported leader Manohar Parrikar, elevated as Chief Minister.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and Goa Forward Party (GFP) coalition formed the Government under the leadership of Manohar Parrikar on 14 March 2017.

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar allotted portfolios to eight ministers seven days after they were sworn in.

Parrikar holds as many

as six portfolios – home, finance, personnel, general administration department, vigilance and transport.

Since this is a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government supported by two smaller parties and independents, Parrikar has had to reward allies with key portfolios.

Sudin Dhavalikar (Marcaim) of Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) has been given the important public works department while Goa Forward Party (GFP)’s Vijay Sardesai (Fatorda) gets town and country planning.

BJP’s Francis D’Souza, (Mapusa) who was deputy chief minister in the previous

government, has been given the urban development department.

MGP’s Manohar Azgaonkar (Pernem) has been given tourism; and independent Rohan Khaunte (Porvorim) has got the revenue ministry.

Pandurang Madkaikar, (Cumbarjua) who quit the Congress party and joined the BJP just ahead of elections, has bagged the power ministry.

Independent MLA Govind Gawade (Priol), is minister for art and culture.

GFP’s Vinod Palyekar (Siolom) and Jayesh Salgaonkar (Saligao) have been allotted the water resources and housing departments, respectively

EDC Ltd pays `1276.61 lakh to Goa govt towards interest on land acquisition deposit Managing Director of EDC Limited Arvind Ghatkar handed over a cheque amounting to `1,276.61 lakh to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in his office at the Secretariat in the presence of IAS Finance Secretary, Daulat Hawaldar and Directors of EDC Ltd Dr. Purshottam R Pednekar and Ralph de Souza.

The Chief Minister was briefed on the performance of EDC and thanked for the guidance and support extended by the government in its functioning.

Over the last four decades, EDC Ltd has been

L to R: Daulat Hawaldar, Arvind Ghatkar, Ralph de Souza, Purshottam Pednekar with Parrikar

an excellent delivery channel of the state government and has successfully implemented various schemes, projects as mandated to it. Initially, set up as a development

08 | Business Goa industry Dossier | april 2017

financial institution it has given guidance, provided support and helped many first generation Goan entrepreneurs, by promoting industrial development in the

state.

EDC has sanctioned term loans in excess of `2,450 crore to more than 10,000 units.

Under Chief Minister Rojgar Yojana (CMRY) scheme.

EDC has financed more than 6,200 small enterprises in Goa. EDC operates the Modified Interest Rebate Scheme wherein Interest Rebate up to nine per cent is extended on loans availed by entrepreneurs setting up units in the designated backward talukas of Goa, women entrepreneurs and resident as well as non-resident Goans entrepreneurs

corpo scan

Cox & Kings launches Enable Travel

Enable Travel, an initiative to provide tours and leisure outings for people with disabilities was unveiled in Goa after a formal inauguration in Delhi on March 16.

A first for India’s travel industry, Cox & Kings announced a specially designed travel itineraries for people with disabilities through Enable Travel, “The initiative aims to make travel easy and hassle free in India and to enable every individual to celebrate their love for travel,” said Head of Enable Travel, Debolin Sen. Speaking to the press, he said that, through the initiative the company aims to address various barriers such as inaccessible travel information, lack of transport and disabled friendly hotels that prevent

people from travelling.

The package includes quality transportation which will accommodate wheelchair accessibility, aids and accessories, as well as support services such as trained manpower, guides, escorts, etc.

Enable Travel has been designed and curated with the help of experienced travellers such as ABB’s Ganatra, Rustom Irani, a wheelchair-bound film-maker, Prabal Malakar, a former group captain affected by multiple sclerosis, Alim

Chandani, Associate VicePresident at Centum Learning, who has a hearing impairment.

Speaking at the occasion, Divyanshu Ganatra said, “Infrastructure for disabled sightseers can only improve if more and more disabled travel regularly.”

Irani said that there are no travel guide books for people with disabilities but initiatives such as the one introduced

by Cox and Kings could ease things for the disabled community.

“The company has already tied up with hotel groups for the latest project,” said Sen. Cox and Kings officials John Buckenham, General Manager, Goa and Thomas Thottathil, Vice President, Corporate Communications were also present for the press briefing

Kaman increases stake in joint venture with Kineco

(L to R) Aditya Reddy, Shekhar Sardessai, Neal J Keating and James Carl Larwood

Kaman Aerospace Group, Inc. (Kaman), a subsidiary of Kaman Corporation (NYSE: KAMN), and Kineco Limited (Kineco), one of India’s leading composites manufacturing companies announced that Kaman has increased its stake in the parties’ Indian manufacturing joint venture Kineco Kaman Composites India Pvt. Ltd. (JV) to 49% from 26%.

The Goa based JV manufactures advanced composite structures for aerospace, imaging/ medical and other industries for customers including, BAE Systems, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre.

The announcement was jointly made in Goa by Neal J. Keating, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Kaman Corporation and Shekhar Sardessai, Executive Vice Chairman and Managing Director and Promoter of Kineco.

“Our increased ownership stake reflects our commitment to this JV and confidence in the potential of the rapidly growing Indian aerospace industry,” said Keating. “We entered the JV to support our strategy to provide our customers with a complete aero system solution.

The JV helps us offer customers a ‘one-stop’ full complement of seamless services including design,

10 | Business Goa industry Dossier | april 2017

tooling, testing, certification, low rate initial production, through steady state high velocity production.

We are proud of the significant progress that the JV has achieved in a relatively short time period and along with our outstanding partner, Kineco, strongly support the future business plan for the JV.” Sardessai commented, “Kineco is glad to have a strong and supportive partner in Kaman and we thank them for reposing their faith in the JV. The very success of this collaboration over the past few years indicates how closely Kineco and Kaman have worked together in supporting the operation. Having built a

Day-long camp for entrepreneurs CII-Young Indians in collaboration with the Centre for Incubation and Business Acceleration (CIBA) and Rotary Club of Mapusa organised an entrepreneurship boot camp recently on the 1st of April 2017 at CIBA, Agnel Technical Education Complex, Assagao. The camp concentrated on teaching startups on how to plan ahead and a better look at the financial prospects. The camp proved to be a great success that helped prospective entrepreneurs address shortcomings in their business plan.

The camp also trained the participants to get through tough questions from financiers. The day-long camp witnessed peers, experts and mentors who helped potential entrepreneurs identify business opportunities, refine business plans and prepare investor and elevator pitch strong foundation and a list of satisfied customers, the JV plans to undertake its first major expansion over the next 12-18 months, an investment plan that has received the approval of the Goa Investment Promotion Board.

This investment reiterates our commitment to put Goa on the Indian and Global Aerospace and defence ecosystem as a result of our innovation and technology. We believe that strong governance and human capital have been the pillars of our achievements.”

The Kineco Kaman joint venture employs more than 150 people at its composites manufacturing facility in Goa. The business has brought together Kaman’s proven manufacturing know-how and decades of aerospace composites fabrication experience with Kineco’s knowledge of local markets and advanced composites manufacturing capabilities

cover story

nitin Kunkolienker

Industry Insider

Nitin Kunkolienker’s accession to the Presidency of MAIT is a culmination of two decades of work as an industry captain. From being the founder-President of Verna Industries Association to being the youngest and longest serving President of GCCI, his is a journey spent batting for the industry, writes HARSHVARDHAN BHATKULY While at work, Nitin Kunkolienker is a study in contrast of his otherwise ebullient, networking self. With neatly handwritten to-do lists on his table, he goes about scratching tasks off as he goes through the day – confirming a certain quality of this high performer – the ability to multi-task, and to remain focused – without breaking into a sweat.

12 | Business Goa industry Dossier | april 2017

Connecting the dots of his now two-decade journey as a consummate ‘Organisations Man’, Nitin has been, and continues to bat for the industry.

Notwithstanding that some of his campaigns have been mired in controversy, he is completely clear headed about his stance as an industry insider. The man has had a string of successful and memorable

associations with various industry bodies starting off with Verna Industries Association (VIA), he has headed diverse industry and social organizations like Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI), Vidya Vikas Mandal (VVM), Goa Management Association (GMA) and is now all set to head the very influential national organization, Manufacturers’

As GCCI President with tech-savvy Chandrababu Naidu in 2002; and with MAIT leadership (LtoR) Anwar, Amar Babu of Lenovo and Debjani Ghosh of Intel

Association for Information Technology (MAIT).

Birth of a Performer Starting off with Zenith Computers as a commercial executive in 1989, Nitin took to the corporate ladder quickly. He joined D’Link in 1994, just as the company was getting poised to achieve greater heights. “When I joined D’Link, we were manufacturing 16-bit Ethernet cards and 8-port hubs. By 1997, we were making passive products like patch cords. All this was happening at our plant at Verna. The industrial estate that is the toast of Goa today, was a far cry of its present self, back then,” says Nitin.

movements managed. There was a massive tree plantation drive that we carried out in Verna. I must place on record that the then Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane and Industries Minister Luizinho Faleiro were a big support to us. Even Aleixo Sequeiro, with whom we had continuous confrontations then, still remains a great personal friend. People saw the sincerity of our purpose. It is not easy for such a large set of industrial stakeholders to come together.

We remained focused on bringing the best for Verna.

And we delivered.”

One of the milestones achieved as President of VIA for Nitin was that the telecom issue of Goa was streamlined, for the benefit of the entire state. “The person responsible for the connectivity that Goa

enjoys today is Mr Jagmohan.

As Minister for Telecom, I had petitioned him to streamline the telephone exchange at Verna. He spent the entire day with me, and solved within two weeks the nightmarish telecom issues that were plaguing the state. Goa then had two state codes – 0832 and 0834. That was rationalized to one code.

There were five short distance charging areas, which meant a person making a call from Canacona to Panaji would be billed at the rate that he would be billed for making a call to Pune. A dedicated internet dial-up server was set up in Goa, and the trouble of dialingup to the Mumbai-based server became a thing of the past.

Goa doesn’t know and doesn’t acknowledge the contribution of Shri Jagmonhan in turning around the telecom issues to

The Verna Warrior With 11 people holed up in his cabin at D’Link, Nitin became the founderPresident of the Verna Industries Association.

“Our agenda and mission was to make Verna the best industrial estate in the state. We demanded better infrastructure – roads, electricity and connectivity.

We even got a subway, a clock tower and bus stops built, with Awarded ‘Manager of the Year’ by Goa Management Association 2001. Seen with Shrinivas Dempo proper vehicular (then President of GMA), Ashank Desai, Sampath Pillai and Capt. Bruno D’Souza (then Chairman of GMA)

the state’s benefit,” says Nitin, who incidentally had to choose between attending a GCCI function addressed by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, or take the Telecom Minister through the issues that he had agitated for. He chose the latter.

The Chamber Mate Nitin Kunkolienker’s introduction to Goa’s oldest trade and industry body was because of the work that he was doing as President of Verna Industries Association.

“In 1997, we got a really high tech website done for the VIA. This was through Sandeep Verenkar of Anant Infotech. We had all member information and VIA activities up on the web, which was a rare thing in the early days of internet in the state. Dattaraj Salgaocar, then President of GCCI, was looking for a youngster to join his Managing Committee at the Chamber.

My name was suggested by a common friend, Parag Joshi.

In 1997, I was invited to the Managing Committee of GCCI and was made to co-chair the Industries Committee under Kabir Gama Roy of Titanor Components (later De Nora India),” says Nitin about his first brush with the trade and industries body, which he would later lead for eight-long years.

“The Managing Committee of GCCI was a galaxy of talent and experience. Former Army

APRIL 2017 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 13

cover story Chief, Gen. Sunith Rodrigues headed the Free Trade Zone which would advocate for the setting up of the SEZ in the state.

Shrinivas Dempo chaired the Foreign Trade Committee. Former legislator Jeetendra Deshprabhu was a key architect of the Mopa airport plan. The Chamber was a visionary organization, always twosteps ahead of the needs of the state. In 1999, President’s Rule was imposed in Goa. Then Finance Minister Yeshwant Sinha presented Goa’s Budget in the Parliament and announced the setting up of SEZ in the state.

“Today, although the SEZ policy is locked in litigation, it was a well planned and well thought out decision.

Pricewaterhouse Coopers, a leading consulting firm was appointed by the Government of Goa to create the economic blueprint for the state. One of the findings that emerged was the emphasis to create a new SEZ,” says Nitin.

The Chamber had been a champion of the cause of foreign trade and the second airport. Almost two decades ago, the think tank at GCCI could envision the need for a second airport. Two sites were chosen – Quitol in South and Mopa at North.

The Chamber pursued the matter with then Chief Secretary G C Shrivastava and got the nod for the second airport. The visionary leadership of Dattaraj Salgaocar was instrumental in pushing Goa’s industrial growth ahead,” adds Nitin.

Nitin worked closely with Salgaocar, especially to prepare the pre-Budget memorandum, which received compliments from the then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.

In 2001, Salgaocar chose to step down and canvassed for Nitin’s investiture as President of GCCI. This move caused great heartburn and consternation among old-timers who detested the idea of a professional manager (Nitin was then General Manager of D’Link) take over the reins of a body that had always been in the hands of industrialists and owners of their companies. Some of them voiced their displeasure to Salgaocar, who stood by Nitin like a rock. He also took into confidence other key members of the Managing Committee, and Nitin Kunkolienker, at 32, became the youngest President of Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

“When I took over GCCI, I had to build on the rich legacy left behind by the previous industry captains. The idea was to create a future-ready institution,” says Nitin. Dattaraj Salgaocar, then brought in the Commodore Pinto, an ex-serviceman 14 | Business Goa industry Dossier | april 2017

I started D’Link with full support from GoaIDC and EDC in 1993; and was lucky to get Nitin to lead our day-to-day management. He is hard working and excellent in building relations with all kinds of people. While working in our company, he got involved with GCCI and has done an excellent job there. It is only his attitude that has made him what he is today. I am sure that he will continue to be an asset to our business today and tomorrow Kamlaksh R naik

Founder, D’Link

as Director General to help Nitin to take his plans forward.

Top on his mind as Chamber President was to bring in new people on board.

Sandeep Verenkar, an IT wiz; Manguirish Pai Raikar, an industrialist with a penchant for social service; Sandip Bhandare, a leading Chartered Accountant; and Blaise Costabir, a raring-to-go entrepreneur/ industrialist joined Nitin’s core team.

“We had a clear cut task – improve the finances of the Chamber and create a series of activities. And we had to act for the interest of the industry,” explains Nitin.

GCCI, then got cracking on various industry related events – the ‘Goa IT Agenda’ and ‘Goa Agenda’ which became the signature event of the Chamber. “Seven days before the event, we were yet to bring in sponsorship. Eventually, blessed by the support of Manohar Parrikar and other corporates, GCCI went on to add a surplus to its kitty. The Goa Agenda would see participation of over 250 delegates including corporate bigwigs like Saurabh Srivastava and the legendary F C Kohli,” says Nitin about his early days as GCCI

President. The tourism sector was added to GCCI’s focus and ‘Goa Tourism Agenda’ was initiated under the leadership of travel entrepreneur Ralph de Sousa.

One of the key focus areas of the Chamber was infrastructure. Gen. Rodrigues, who was made Governor of Punjab in 2005, had to vacate his chairmanship of the Infrastructure Committee. The same was filled by his son Mark, who mapped Goa’s infrastructural needs in the years to come.

The Chamber presented many research documents on infrastructure, information technology, tourism and investments.

Nitin and his team would be in continuous dialogue with the government and its agencies like Industrial Development Corporation and EDC Goa. “When I took over as GCCI President, we had a corpus of Rs. 2.5 lakh; when I demitted office in 2009, we had Rs.2.5 crore in the bank. Besides, the Chamber had totally corporatized the Panjim building and created a state-of-the-art building at Verna. I must thank Luizinho Faleiro for extending his help to the Chamber by providing 1 acre land at Verna at a concessional rate,” says Nitin while adding “In 2008, GCCI celebrated its centenary.

A book was commissioned on Goa’s trade history. Written by noted historian Dr. Pratima Kamat, the book remains a definitive document on trade and business in the state.”

In 2004, the tax regime in the state migrated from Sales Tax to VAT. The Chamber, under Nitin’s leadership campaigned continuously across the state to sensitize traders about the new tax regime.

“Lots of awareness-related programs were undertaken by the Chamber. We also worked on rationalization of the power tariff and water management. The Chamber also engaged with academicians from Goa institute of Management and created a mechanism to provide subsidies to industries,” exclaims Nitin proudly.

Nitin also created a strong antimonopolistic platform to make the import of goods a simpler and cost-effective practice by setting up of Container Freight Station. He also pushed hard for the air cargo to be carried by private airlines, when the practice was for the state carrier to render this function. He met with great success, thus enabling the early morning cargo flight to Goa – which reduced cargo time substantially.

Economic Progress at EDC Nitin Kunkolienker was invited to join EDC Goa as a Director in 2001. In

cover story

Power ranger: (LtoR) with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley; with former Finance Minister and current President of India Pranab Mukherjee; Telangana IT Minister K T Rao takes a selfie with Nitin

2005, under the Chief Ministership of Pratapsingh Rane, he was made the Vice Chairman of the state funding agency. He remained at the position till 2012.

“EDC was a sleeping giant. Even today, the organization has the best and most qualified professionals working for it. The entire organization was migrated onto ERP software. Decision making became speedy. A loss-making state-run agency was turned around into a profitable entity,” states Nitin.

One of the highlights of EDC is the revitalization project of the Patto Plaza. “It was Datta Damodar Naik, who had joined as Director of EDC, who put this plan into action. Along with architect-engineer, Rahul Deshpande’s design, Patto is today, a model business district in the state,” says Nitin.

Core Sector Calling By virtue of his being the head of the Chamber, Nitin was invited to the managing committee of ASSOCHAM – the largest and oldest conglomeration of chambers of commerce in the country.

From 2005 till 2011, Nitin served on the ASSOCHAM board.

All through his career, Nitin has played a stellar role at his own organization D’Link (now known as Smartlink Network Systems Ltd). “I owe my entire public profile to my mentor and founder of D’Link K R Naik.

Had he not encouraged me with the work I was doing for various organizations, I would not have the gumption to do what I have done. All the work that I have put in for various organizations has been done with the support of the company. It requires a boss with a large heart to allow his team member to devote time to public and industry good,” says Nitin about Naik.

K R Naik, whom we asked what made him allow Nitin to spend time outside the organization said, “I started my unit with full support from Goa-IDC and EDC in 16 | Business Goa industry Dossier | april 2017

1993; and was lucky to get Nitin to lead our day-to-day management. He is hard working and excellent in building relations with all kinds of people. While working in our company, he got involved with GCCI and has done an excellent job there. It is only his attitude that has made him what he is today. I am sure that he will continue to be an asset to our business today and tomorrow.”

So it is not surprising that Nitin represented his company at Manufacturers’ Association for Information Technology (MAIT). Established in 1982 for purposes of scientific, educational and IT Industry promotion, MAIT has emerged as an effective, influential and dynamic organization. In fact, NASSCOM took its birth at MAIT. At MAIT, Nitin began working with other industry captains like Amar Babu, ASEAN Regional General Manager and Chairman of Lenovo India; and Debjani Ghosh, Managing Director of Intel, India.

The thrust areas of MAIT are to push the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Make in India’ and ‘Digital India’ by creating demand for IT products across the nation.

MAIT has been a relentless advocate in pushing the IT agenda and digitization of processes across the country.

Nitin, who has been in several leadership positions at MAIT for six years now says “Digital India will have a far reaching impact on the economy and society in the country. In ten years, the whole of India will benefit on the vision of the Prime Minister. It is heartening and challenging that I am going to lead MAIT at a watershed moment of India’s digital history in the making.”

MAIT works closely with the Ministry of Electronics and InfoTech headed by Ravi Shankar Prasad. The organization provides key inputs to state agencies like Niti Aayog and envisions creating a strong ecosystem for manufacturing IT products

across the nation.

Nitin’s elevation to MAIT is a significant leap for Goa. He hopes to pass on the derived benefits of IT leadership back to the state, where he sees great potential for IT development.

Back to School One of Nitin’s passions is education. In 2014, he was invited by Ramnath Kare to lead the Margao-based Vidya Vikas Mandal which has educational institutions from KG to Post Graduate level. Nitin is the Chairman of the G R Kare College of Law. In the two years, at the helm of affairs, Nitin has put in a campus management system that tracks the entire 6000 student network. “I am driven to make this institution one of the best in the country,” he says.

Nitin considers his deep understanding of Goan businesses his forte. “I have a deep connect with Goa’s businesses and business persons. I think it is a great strength to enjoy such a connect,” he says.

Over the years, he has also served on various other organizations like the GIDC, Goa State Pollution Control Board, Goa Institute of Management, Customs & Excise Regional Board; and he is also currently the President of Goa Management Association.

So how does Nitin Kunkolienker manage to lead a life of a high performer, always available for the needs of the industry and society? “I am thoroughly honest to myself. I don’t fear anything or anybody, except the Almighty. I have a strong support system of my wife and family. I must add here that my wife has been my friend, philosopher, guide and mentor. I give great importance to her opinions and that has been an advantage, over the years. It’s actually very simple,” he says with a casual smile that is now his trademark expression Log on to Goa’s only business news site www.businessgoa.in

curtain raiser NRB Group presents Business Goa Awards for Corporate Excellence 2017

Goa’s biggest awards show is here...

The best and the brightest business stars to be celebrated at the 6th edition of the Awards Awardees of 2016

After its spectacularly successful debut in 2012, the much awaited Business Goa Awards for Corporate Excellence is back, for the sixth year running. This year too, the awards will honour the best of the State’s business personalities who have significantly contributed to Goa’s vibrant and fast paced economic development. Business Goa believes that every business man and woman who has had the guts to go out there and pursue his and her dream to fulfilment, no matter how big or small their business may be, is a winner all the way. These awards are a token of appreciation and encouragement for their efforts and congratulating them for their success.

“When you see a turtle on the fence you know he didn’t get there by himself. I’d like to thank God, my wife, and my team for this honour and Business Goa for giving me this award” Blaise Costabir Businessman of the Year, 2016

“I would like to thank Business Goa for giving this award to us. We have been serving the Goan automobile industry with thousands of cars over the last decade, and it is a nice feeling to be honoured as Auto Company of the Year, because we represent a brand which is iconic and world famous. Goa has always supported Honda, and I am sure that this award from Business Goa will definitely take our passion forward to serve Goans with more and more Honda cars” Manoj Caculo Coastal Honda Auto Company of the Year, 2016 18 | Business Goa industry Dossier | april 2017

“We are very honoured for being bestowed with this award. We are very grateful to HarshvardhanBhatkuly and the entire team of Business Goa for this honour and, thank you.”

Paresh Pai Heritage Princes Real Estate Developers Real Estate Company of the Year, 2016

“Thank you Business Goa. It is a real honour to receive this Award for being the Brand of the Year. I think this belongs to the people of Goa who have given us such love, support and care in the ups and downs of FC Goa. I think the people have really stood by us and that’s what has made us the Brand of the Year 2016... so thank you once again and we accept this award with a lot of humility” Shrinivas Dempo FC Goa Goan Brand of the Year, 2016

“We appreciate the recognition given to Sharada Mandir School by Business Goa; and we thank the organisers for this award.We strive to produce excellent students so that they excel in the corporate world. This year, we are celebrating 50 years, so this has truly been a meaningful recognition for the institution”

“I am very thankful to Harshvardhan Bhatkuly for selecting us for this award and I really enjoyed the entire award ceremony” Prakash Borkar Borkars Business Group of the Year, 2016

Oscar Gonsalves Sharada Mandir School Educational Institution of the Year, 2016

“After receiving this award from Business Goa, I feel it’s an award for the entire real-estate fraternity, and the housing industry of Goa. I am proud to receive this on behalf of all the housing industry members from Goa” Desh Prabhudesai Real Estate Personality of the Year, 2016

“This Award goes to the team of Hotel Calangute Towers, my F&B Manager and of course, the entire team for the excellent job that they have been doing with hospitality, the cuisine... they’ve been experimenting in various ways. I think in the last three years that we’ve had Curry Leaf, its finally started to show its results and we have been having a lot of customers; and we hope to keep experimenting better with Indian Food and maybe more cuisines and the culinary taste of people across Goa. Thanks for this lovely award and I think it’s a great inspiration for me and for our hotel” Deepak Bandekar The Curry Leaf Best in Indian Cuisine, 2016

Partnering excellence is NRB Group’s vision: Narayan Bandekar “In 2014, when NRB Group joined Business Goa as the presenting sponsors of the Business Goa Awards for Corporate Excellence, I believe the level of the Awards had been elevated by a considerable extent from its launch in 2012.

The NRB Group has been closely associated with Goa’s only business magazine – as advertisers and as an Awardee. In fact, we were the proud winners in the category of ‘Business Group of the Year’ in the maiden Business Goa Awards held in 2012. And our Group holding hotel, HQ won the Award for ‘Best Dining Experience’ in the Hospitality category for the Business Goa Awards held in 2013.”

Speaking on the occasion of unveiling

the presenting sponsor icon for this year, NRB Group Chairman and Managing Director Narayan R Bandekar said, “I feel that Business Goa Awards have set a benchmark for corporate excellence in the state. There was no business magazine in the state and Business Goa has provided a voice for business, trade and industry since 2009.

There were no awards instituted in honour of entrepreneurs and business people in Goa and here too, Business Goa Awards have been hosted by the magazine since 2012.

As a businessman and as President of Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry, I think it is the best platform that encourages excellence in Goa’s corporate space.

As a Group, we are keen to tie-up with every centre Narayan Bandekar

of excellence; and in 2014 we decided to be the presenting sponsor for the Business Goa Awards. We are sure that the winners at this year’s Awards have worked hard to claim their title. It is a worthy reward for the trials and tribulations that an entrepreneur and business person endures to take his or her business to greater heights.

Goa has witnessed trying times economically, but being the optimist that I am, there is no doubt in my mind that Goa will bring back the glory days in business, commerce and industry.

I hope that the winners of the Business Goa Awards will, in some significant way, usher in this era of change and create employment in the state and add value to their respective businesses. Their efforts will also help in making Goa known as a business destination of repute from the national and global perspective”

APRIL 2017 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 19

focus goa

goa state budget 2017

analysis of the Government’s Just what the Doctor ordered An major proposals through the Budget counsellors. The Government has also set aside funds to clear the backlog of students who did not get laptops under the Cyber Age project.

By Rohan Bhandare

The last two weeks of March 2017 have been very interesting in legislation.

We have seen the Lok Sabha pass around 40 new amendments to the Finance Bill 2017 covering various laws. Simultaneously, we have seen more amicable solutions and clarity on the Goods and Services Tax. Meanwhile in Goa, the election results have unveiled our new legislators for the next five years and the new Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has presented his first Budget. With such information bombardment, everyone is scrutinizing the intricacies of these legislations like a high level game of Tetris, rotating each aspect and trying to seamlessly fit it into their trade or personal life, and hoping that the days following the Ides of March will bring them the Achche Din they hoped for.

The first budget from a newly elected government is always exciting for the reason that the new government would want to put to paper many of their campaign promises and also cater to the industry and aam aadmi wishlist. With the mining ban having a domino effect on the Goan economy, the budget would also try to tighten its purse strings and try to generate more revenue to maintain a strong financial position. The current year budget too, has followed this to a large extent, while laying special focus on infrastructure, agriculture and education.

Having played a major role at the Union, Parrikar has managed to incorporate the same broad vision of the Central Government on Swachh Bharat, Startup India, Ease of Doing Business, encouraging digital transactions, curbing corruption, affordable housing and rationalization of tax rates while adding unique touches of Goenkarponn to the Budget as well. Targeting an economic growth of 11 per cent in 2017-18, the Chief Minister has presented a revenue surplus budget of `202 crore and increased the budget size by around 10% from the previous year. A brief analysis of the major proposals are as follows: Infrastructure A whopping 40% increase in the allocation to the Public Works Department and `500 crore for Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (GSIDC) highlights that infrastructure is a priority for the Government. The huge allocation for the much needed up-gradation of 20 | Business Goa industry Dossier | april 2017

Agriculture Aiming for green shoots, Parrikar has targeted 6 per cent growth in agriculture and has earmarked `172 crore for the sector. The budget has proposed a scheme to promote commercial cultivation of mangoes and emphasis has been given to horticulture and floriculture. To boost sugarcane cultivation, the budget proposed `10,000 per hectare subsidy to farmers.

The Chief Minister has also proposed to strengthen the Dairy Farm Industry, Animal Husbandry and the Fisheries sector.

Manohar Parrikar walks to present the State Budget

infrastructure like bridges and roads, water treatment system, sewerage systems, solid waste treatment facilities, dredging and desilting of rivers, improvement in power distribution systems etc. will help in meeting some of the long pending demands of the industry. Moreover, additional funding towards Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and aiming to be a Garbage free state is a welcome move. Meanwhile Panaji, which is celebrating 175 years of its declaration as the capital city, will be getting a facelift from the `550 crores funded by the Centre under the Smart City Mission and AMRUT Scheme.

Education The Government is looking to establish two more Integrated Educational Complexes, and would intend to provide additional state of the art facilities at the Cujira Complex. To encourage education in the mother tongue, Chief Minister Parrikar has allocated additional grants for schools imparting education in Konkani and Marathi. To help young students cope with emotional and psychological stress, it is proposed to recruit additional school

Social Security In the recent amendments passed by the Lok Sabha, the Central Government has accentuated on the importance of the Aadhar Card by now linking it with our Income Tax returns. With Goa having an advantage of nearly 100% coverage, the Chief Minister has proposed that all social welfare schemes would be linked to the national identity card. However, it is to be seen how the recent Supreme Court judgement will affect this proposal.

In a first, the Chief Minister has taken up an ambitious task of making Goa the first beggar free state and to provide rehabilitation to beggars and destitutes.

Tourism Ensuring effortless travel for tourists, double and single decker hop-on and hop off (HOHO) bus services will be introduced by the government. Similarly, amphibious bus service will be commercially launched by the government to provide the tourists wholesome experience of Goan backwaters and to efficiently utilize inland waters of Goa for promotion of high-end tourism.

Parrikar has also proposed to convert the erstwhile Fort Aguada Jail complex into a monument highlighting Goan freedom struggle, having facilities for a daily sound-and-light laser show for tourists.

To encourage flights to Goa under the regional connectivity scheme, airlines will be reimbursed VAT on Aviation Turbine Fuel that is in excess of 1%. However it is to be seen how the scheme would function once GST comes into play.

Taxation With major relief to the commercial

establishments, the advent of the Goods and Services Tax by as soon as July 1, the Chief Minister has done away with the three year registration fee for Commercial Taxes. However, industry representations are already being drafted on behalf of those persons who have already paid the fee before this announcement, so that they can either have the full fee refunded, or that the same money can be adjusted to their pending dues. With more than half of the registered taxpayers already migrated to GST, the Department of Commercial Taxes looks all set.

Entry tax imposed on the vehicles entering the state would be abolished once GST is introduced. The Mining Sector has been given a boost by allowance of VAT input credit on sale of mineral ore.

With the recent central budget showing the light for affordable housing, the stamp duty rates

in Goa have been reduced as well.

Healthcare The total allocation of `934 crores is being made for healthcare, with deadlines set for infrastructure projects of Health centres, hospitals and hostels. The Goa Medical College, completing its 175 years of existence, is also being modernized to establish a state-of-the-art burns unit with ultra-modern equipment and machinery. A State Geriatric Care Policy would be formulated to meet the growing need for geriatric care in Goa. Autism complexes would be set up across Goa to cater to the population of 5,800 children suffering from autism.

High Spirits Although the VAT on Motor Spirits has increased to 15%, thereby taking the new rate to approximately `65, the

rates in the state would still be substantially lower than our neighbouring states.

The excise duty on beer manufactured in Goa has also been marginally increased by `2-5. Manufacturers of high-end hard liquor, who import concentrated alcoholic beverages will be levied an additional annual fee of `1 lakh.

Governance Ensuring the word susegado has no place in governance, the Chief Minister has promised time bound service to the citizens. The budget has also introduced a voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) for government servants and the constitution of a special squad in vigilance department to probe graft cases.

Recently credited with surgical strikes, Parrikar this time, has examined Goa and prescribed to strengthen its

core muscles of infrastructure, agriculture and education, make lifestyle changes by embracing digital transactions and encouraging the IT and startup sector, clean the junk from its systems by aiming to be a garbage free state, periodic review of tests by checking the impact of the schemes already in existence and reducing our bloated expenditure. And with a Goenkar pat on the back, the he has said ‘Patrao, ekdum fit asa mare!’ thereby removing our anxieties and leading Goa to a healthy growth in the near future

The writer is a Chartered Accountant, practising at Panaji

APRIL 2017 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 21

focus goa

liquor ban

Will the state government be able to provide legal relief to liquor units?

The liquor ban along highways will adversely affect Goa’s liquor-driven tourism industry in the long run

By Ramrai naik

Liquor store ban has created unrest amongst the liquor traders in the state. As the new government is moving slow to provide a major solution to the affected, the tourism industry foresees slowdown post the implementation of the SC order.

Every state’s government is trying several ways to avoid the ban and bring about some modification as the liquor businesses are significant contributors to the exchequer.

The Excise Department of Goa in its latest order has issued closure notice to 3074 liquor units along the highways as per the apex court directives. The list, so far, doesn’t include liquor wholesalers.

Currently, the Department hasn’t renewed any licence and it has been made clear to the liquor outlets that they should not operate until the state government comes out with due clarification.

Latest Supreme Court Order: Stakeholders in the tourism sector were earlier hopeful that the ban won’t be extended to bars and restaurants; however a bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar has clarified that banning liquor units will also be applicable to bars, pubs, hotels and restaurants on the highways. Many in the industry argue that, how a ban on drinking for hotel’s guests would impact the SC’s original justification of drunk driving leading to accidents along the highways.

The Supreme Court has, however, relaxed the restrictions from earlier notified 500 meters ambit within the highway to current order of 220 meters for local bodies with a population less than 20,000. Despite that relief, most of the towns in the state will still get majorly hit while closing down most of the liquor business. Local bodies in the state have been always crying foul for the inadequate funds due to which progress of the region is stalled. The SC order will further damage and stop the regular income flow from the closed liquor outlets.

Room for interpretation?

Local bodies from Panaji, Ponda, Mapusa, Vasco, Margao, Curchorem-Cacora, Taleigao, Curti-Khandepar and Sancoale itself has more than 20,000 population.

In Ponda alone, 440 out of 789 registered liquor units were told to remain shut by 22 | Business Goa industry Dossier | april 2017

the Excise Department. However as the SC directives have clearly mentioned as local bodies, there’s no mention of panchayats or municipality thus leaving a small scope for interpretations.

The SC’s latest clarification has observed that, “It has been urged before this Court that a state highway is the main thoroughfare area along which the township has developed in small clusters of 20,000 or less. Hence, the requirement of maintaining a distance of 500 metres from the outer edge of the highway or service lane may result in a situation where the entire local area may fall within the prohibited distance. We find some substance in the submission. We must emphatically clarify that even in such areas falling under local bodies with a population of less than 20,000, no licence for the sale of liquor should be issued along either a national or state highway or a service 19 lane along the highway.

Similarly, the sale of liquor should be from a point which is neither visible from a national or state highway or which is directly accessible from a national or state highway,” reads the SC verdict. The picture will only be clear as the government will issue its final clarification.

Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has gone out of his way reassuring the liquor traders since the day he assumed the top job few weeks ago. He has maintained that “concrete solution” will be provided to the affected. Recently, Parrikar reached out to liquor owners based in Margao and assured them of a ‘quick resolution’, yet some of the Margao liquor traders observed a liquor bandh for a day. The Supreme Cour has received applications from states which includes Andhra Pradesh, Himachal

Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Sikkim, Telangana, Meghalaya, Tamil Nadu. The State of Goa is yet to file a plea with the Apex Court. The State government is still unsure about approaching the SC regarding the matter. Even the earlier administration under Laxmikant Parsekar government had maintained that liquor association should approach the apex court and the government would provide necessary support.

The Supreme Court had issued the ban order in early December 2016 but was supposed to be in effect from April 1st, when the licenses had to be renewed.

The excise department had completed its exercise of finding liquor vendors falling within the restricted ambit, but in the recent developments CM Manohar Parrikar has directed the Excise Department to not cancel licences of any stores and to let them relocate on the same licence.

Traders Expect Complete Exemption Liquor traders in Goa are of the opinion that reducing the distance or denotification of highways is not an option for the state but they’re expecting Meghalaya like solution. Traders are hopeful that the state government will inform the SC about the demography of Goa and appeal for exclusion. States like Sikkim and Meghalaya have been completely exempted from the ban order. The bench comprising Justice D Y Chandrachud and L Nageswara Rao, observed that “it is suitably modifying its December 15 verdict as there has been some substance in seeking the relief.” They were excluded as SC took into consideration their hilly terrain and also the fact that 82% of its area is forest and over 90% of its liquor shops would be shut if the ban is

imposed strictly in its original form. While in Goa, roughly 40% of the alcohol business is set to close down. Goa Liquor Traders Association (GLTA) has criticised the method used for measuring distance by the concerned authorities.

According to the association, a total of 3,210 units are set to be affected. Dattaprasad Naik, President, Goa Liquor Traders Association has been in constant touch with the CM regarding the matter. GLTA expects the CM’s intervention.

“The Excise Department has measured the distance as the crow flies. The driver will not walk to a retail shop, he will use an approachable road.

The Excise Department needs to reassess the distance and the method of measuring it again. We can probably save 1,000 units if that is done,” Dattaprasad Naik told pressmen. The official advocate for the GLTA, Amit Palekar

has informed the media saying, “CM Manohar Parrikar has assured to resolve the issue with least possible damage to the liquor vendors.”

Excise Commissioner Menino D’souza has assured to come up with a solution for the vendors with existing liquor stock whose licences won’t be renewed. It is expected that the government would allow the owners to sell the stock back to the respective liquor companies.

The Central Government has opened the doors for industry bodies from the hospitality sector to hear their plea on the liquor ban. The Union Tourism Ministry has also expressed its concerns on exploring options and reconsidering the ban in consultation with the Union Law Ministry.

National daily The Hindu reported that, “The Federation of Hotel and Restaurant

Associations of India (FHRAI), along with six other hotel and restaurant trade bodies, met with the Tourism Minister on Monday to make a representation and apprise the Ministry about the impact of the court order.” The industry associations have argued that while the government is promoting Incredible India and looking to attract more foreign tourists through e-visas scheme, such restrictions are expected to be counterproductive and adversely impact the competitiveness of India as a tourist destination.

Arun Nanda, head of the CII Committee on Hospitality expressed his displeasure over the move. He said, “I am sorry to hear that the Supreme Court took this view. Uniform ban like this will be extremely detrimental to the industry.

There are hotels on or near highways around airports, tourist destinations, industrial

estates and major towns.”

In Goa, specifically many businesses in the hospitality sector are set to lose big in terms of revenue and employability in the nearby future due to liquor ban. Goa has always been perceived as a liquor driven tourism industry. Long term effects of this move will be huge and it is also speculated to affect the profitability of the units that will continue to exist as it is an interdependent industry.

Liquor licences for decades old bar and restaurant are set to stand cancelled.

The State government cannot fully turn down the SC order and is now only looking to prevent maximum damage through some legal routes. Liquor units falling on the highways had remained closed for 3 consecutive days since April 1. (Till the time of writing this article) www.businessgoa.in

APRIL 2017 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 23

starting young

Radha Shinkre

chocolate artist Radha Shinkre The Young Chocolatier Gourmet cooks up the ultimate sweet indulgence

By Alexia fernandes

Cooking was always a hobby for Radha Shinkre, but academically she wanted to study psychology and become a psychologist someday. “After graduation, it got a little overwhelming and I thought of taking a year off to learn more about pastry, since it had always been a passion of mine” Though she expected to return back to academics in a year’s time, her life took a completely different direction and she found her true calling.

Picking up recipes from popular cooking shows on TV, Radha would try her hand at any new technique or interesting recipe. With practice, she realized that hot food didn’t take much, but when it came to baking, precision with the right amount of flour, eggs and baking powder was crucial, and wasn’t all as simple as it looked. This pushed her to pursue a course and learn baking the professional way.

“I don’t have a sweet tooth,” she admits shyly. “Even as a child I hated chocolate.”

For Radha it’s the thrill of this creative field and the challenges it offers her mind that keeps her hooked to desserts. She is always looking for new ways to build up on an old recipe and techniques to improvise with a personal touch. “What I love about pastry is that it is always challenging and there’s never a full stop.”

She moved to Switzerland the following year after graduation and opted for a programme in Swiss Pastry and Chocolate Specialization at the César Ritz College.

“Switzerland has a centralized location in Europe, surrounded by neighbouring countries of Germany, France, Austria and Italy. Its cuisine too, has borrowed elements from all these countries,” she explains. “The first few months were a little difficult,” she admits. “The head chef was really strict and short tempered and the work hours were really long, so we were expected to stand for hours without a break.” Though the initial months took a little getting used to, Radha really began to hone her skills at European delicacies like Macaroons, Apple Strudels, custard tarts, cookies and of course, chocolate.

“Chocolate is all about temperature control. You can’t just melt chocolate and give it a shape” she explains. “Once melted, it has to be processed till it reaches an optimal temperature before you can actually begin working with it. This process 24 | Business Goa industry Dossier | april 2017

Radha Shinkre

is called tempering. If chocolate isn’t tempered well, it tends to lose its taste and smooth texture.” Though Radha had watched chefs temper chocolate on TV shows and was fairly familiar with the process, she confesses that doing it practically was a more complicated ordeal.

For the second half of the course, Radha was selected to intern at a restaurant in Switzerland but instead of her preference to work in the restaurant’s pastry kitchen, she was offered a spot in the hot kitchen that specialized in Asian Cuisine. “Fortunately, around the same time, I received a call from JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai with an offer to work at the pastry kitchen there with some of the most reputed chefs in the industry.”

Hand-crafted chocolates

“It was a huge operation at JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai, so it was quite a learning experience,” she recalls. “The hotel has over 1200 rooms and a capacity of 800-900 people dining at the outlets every day. Usually restaurants have their own kitchens but here the pastry kitchen was the only kitchen that handled everything, right from the banquets, room-service, cafes, and restaurants.” Though one of her biggest opportunities, this was also one of her most challenging phases yet.

“Hardwork really gets you far in life and I learned this the hard way,” she recalls her time working under intense pressure for hours that stretched to 15-16 hours every day without breaks. It didn’t take her long to prove her skills as a young talented pastry chef. Within a period of three months, Radha had managed to impress the head chefs and was offered a permanent place at the Hotel, where she continued to work for a year.

“Within six months of being a permanent member I was awarded for my performance. This was a big achievement for me because it was usually the head chefs or supervisors that received such awards.” Through hard work she continued to excel; and in less than ten months Radha was promoted. “That was when I realized that no matter how good you are or what you do, unless you work hard you won’t reach heights.”

In December, Radha quit her job and moved back to India with an intention of gaining a little experience before starting up with her own restaurant. “I wanted to study the markets here and get familiar with the suppliers and the kind of raw materials available.” She struggled to get a job in Goa but was left disappointed. “For a while I regretted leaving my job there because suddenly it felt like I had nothing to do. Now when I think about it, not getting a job here was the best thing that happened or else I would have never felt compelled to push my plans of starting off on my own.”

She currently works with her father managing the family’s Sincro Hotel in Margao, while learning as much as she can about the business operations and management strategies. Radha plans to open up a restaurant and has a brilliant theme to get going.

“The idea is to bring different delicacies from around the world

and try to match these with Goan flavours.”

Her food reflects the inspiration she draws immensely from her Goan roots. Using locally available ingredients, Radha infuses her food with a hint of fresh Goan essence. “Since concepts like liquor chocolates are common, I wanted to do something entirely different.” A lot of the flavours she experiments with come from the items that are a part of every household.

“At home, we often make tea with ginger and lemongrass, so I’ve tried using tea infused chocolates too.” Some of her other extraordinary flavours include lemongrass chocolate truffles, coconut with condensed milk, chili chocolates and caramelized banana chocolates.

Though popular TV personality and gourmet chef Nigella Lawson will always be

Currently, Radha works with her father managing the family’s Sincro Hotel in Margao, while learning as much as she can about the business operations and management strategies. She plans to open up a restaurant and has a brilliant theme to get going Radha’s inspiration that drew her to baking during her initial years, her role model is now world chocolate masterchef Frank Hasnoot. “I follow Frank Hasnoot’s work on Instagram.

He is the God of chocolate and his work really inspires me.”

While her restaurant plans continue to gradually build up, Radha keeps busy with small orders for scrumptious gourmet chocolate hampers that make divine indulgence

APRIL 2017 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 25

enterprise

Grand Empire

Grand designs in HoReCa supplies

Grand Empire turns its focus to the retail sector after carving for itself an unbeatable reputation

By alexia fernandes

Wide range of products available at Grand Empire

Grand Empire is a unique one-stop solution for hospitality operating supplies with well-established international network for export and import. Not long after its inception in 1999, the company soon expanded its business offerings and quickly moved to manufacturing of supplies under its own registered brands – Empire and Professional Empire. Today, with its recently launched, showroom in Goa, Grand Empire’s enhanced services stretches to encompass manufacturing, supply, import and export of crockery, cutlery, glassware, kitchen utensils and accessories, buffet and banquet equipment, and bar and cafe accessories, for the global market, all under one roof.

After finishing his M-Tech in mechanical engineering, Prashant Kumar, CEO of Grand Empire, worked for a brief period, but the constant urge to start up his own

unique business never left him. “In 1999, I left my job and started my own business of selling utensils. However, the B2C markets were already flooded with companies that offered different varieties of utensils. So, I decided to shift my position to directly target businesses, by providing complete solution to professionals in the hospitality industry.”

The idea that set Grand Empire on the path to success was Kumar’s vision to do something unique, and this has certainly kept Grand Empire ahead in the game. “Apart from the basic requirements, we offer an extended range of products essential for the hospitality industry.” Besides its own noteworthy brands Empire, Professional Empire and Barpro, Grand Empire is also associated with brands like FnS, Bharat, Metinox, Servewell, Avon and popular international brands like Lyra, Risoli and Bugatti.

26 | Business Goa industry Dossier | april 2017

As a company that values quality above all, Grand Empire deals with only ISO certified manufacturers.

Keeping pace with the ever changing market trends, Grand Empire introduces one new product every week. “Our marketing strategy is to keep ourselves upgraded with the latest trends in the market. We offer the most unique products because we don’t want our clients to search for new products outside Goa,” says Kumar. Grand Empire offers all this at an unmatchable price for value. Owing to its export and import activities and marked presence in more than three countries, the company is able to offer international quality products at unbeatable prices.

Foraying into retail, Grand Empire launched one of its biggest showrooms in Goa along Porvorim’s CHOGM road, where the store maintains over five thousand articles supported by a wellstocked warehouse enabling it to deliver goods instantly.

Dealing primarily with bulk orders, the showroom at

Porvorim is Grand Empire’s first outlet that deals directly with the end users. “We aspire to be the most trusted and preferred Goan brand and domestic supplier of products related to the hospitality trade with world class quality of products and services,” says Kumar.

In a bid to support the hospitality industry with allinclusive services, Grand Empire began offering its exclusive clients premier consultancy services. “For instance, if a client is planning to open a new restaurant, our consultancy services help guide the client in deciding which products will best suit his requirements. The client is then free to choose from the recommendations we suggest from the wide variety of range in products that we offer.”

Kumar explains.

Drawing its focus to the Goan markets, Grand Empire has gained the trust of some of the biggest contenders in the hospitality industry like Taj, Goa Marriott Resort & Spa, Hyatt; popular restaurants like Ritz Classic Group of Restaurants, Titos, Cavala, LPK Waterfront, Amonkar Caterers, Noda Caterers, and more. Even with its focus on the Goan market, Grand Empire still reels in business from outside Goa, too. “Almost everyday, we receive shipment orders from outside Goa as some of our Goan clients have branches and outlets across the country,” says Kumar.

Every business, irrespective of the industry it is set in, comes with its fair share of challenges, or as Kumar says, “There can be no business without challenges.” Kumar however has devised an effective way to combat any hurdles along the way. With the highest form of professionalism, he strongly believes that no challenge is tougher than his capabilities.

He considers himself blessed with a calm mind and manages to keep his cool even under adverse circumstances.

“I have a business consultant who works with me, who is also my personal coach. I discuss all my future plans for the company with him to avoid any unforeseen problems.” With a professional team working at the company, Kumar feels confident about the company’s smooth functioning.

“Our team comprises of very honest and highly qualified associates,” The team of 180 staffers include 10 key members, and are provided with regular training sessions through the company’s business consultant.

To give itself an edge over others in the business, Grand Empire strives to maintain a stable price to guarantee its clients against any risks like currency inflation, sudden price

If a client is planning to open a new restaurant, our consultancy services will help guide him in deciding which products will best suit his requirements.

The client is then free to choose from the recommendations we suggest from the wide variety of range in products that we offer prashant kumar

hike in raw materials, or other such situations. “Sometimes in the markets, due to a sudden product deficit, prices tend to rise. As manufacturers, we try to maintain a stable price range and offer our esteemed customers discounts whenever possible,” explains Kumar.

For the Goan market, Grand Empire offers an annual rate contract to help its clients freeze the prices for a year,

until renewal of the agreement, in spite of increase in raw material prices, or fluctuating currency rates. This helps to keep the deal transparent at all levels – seller, buyer and their staff. With India’s GST Policy in place, Kumar doesn’t feel inclined to expand Grand Empire’s hold in the market through outlets.

“We are looking into franchise model for the brand

and hope to secure a strong franchise network pan-India” For now, Grand Empire remains well rooted with its main offices spread across India at Delhi, Mumbai, and Goa, and internationally at China, Ukraine, Russia and Poland.

Over the years, Grand Empire has successfully raised itself as an organization of excellence by promising superior quality products and exclusive services to clients across a global platform.

Having got to the top of the success ladder, Kumar’s keen business strategies ensure the company ahead. Being a multinational company with its in-house export and import facilities, the international quality assurance and certifications, accommodating price structure and professional services provided by a qualified team, staying on top of the game isn’t difficult

APRIL 2017 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 27

interview

Atrey sawant

“CII’s vision is to see Goa as one of the top states for elected Chairman of CII, Goa Council ease of doing business” Newly Atrey Sawant speaks about the plans ahead As newly elected Chairman of CII what is the organization’s immediate course of action?

As a business organization, CII Goa chapter has divided the core Council to target five basic panels which are tourism, manufacturing, skill and HR, education, and ease of doing business. One of the major outlooks that we are hoping to achieve this year with the government, is to increase Goa’s DIPP ranking from its current rank, in terms of ease of doing business. We want to help the government to improve this ranking so that more investors will seek investment opportunities in Goa, as well as making the investment process a lot smoother.

What is CII’s Vision for Goa? CII’s major vision is to see that Goa becomes one of the top three states for ease of doing business. This has been a long term vision for our organization and continues to be an area of focus for us.

We want to create a feasible environment for the investors who have already settled here and try to attract any potential investment that might contribute immensely to the state’s economy.

What are CII’s planned initiatives in the different sectors of the state?

We have drawn five major objectives which we will be looking at this year. Firstly, we are looking to initiate a program for sensitization of tourism workforce. This program is aimed at people employed in the tourism sector and will provide them with formal training for a short period of time, to help enhance the experience of tourists in Goa. In terms of infrastructure, we are also proposing for a Convention Center with a large

Atrey Sawant

capacity which should be the biggest in India if not in south east Asia. Through this, we will be able to reel in continuous programs and exhibitions and possibly become the country’s center for hosting such programs. This would also help relax the country’s dependence on tourism but also support tourism with the crowds it may potentially attract for attending these events.

Government should formulate an entertainment policy and an Entertainment Park. It should acquire land for an entertainment zone which would be leased out to various stakeholders in the tourism and hospitality sector like a industrial estate. Such a designated location would also enjoy amenities like having an independent authority to look after it, relaxed restrictions on time and a secure environment.

A lot of women employed in the manufacturing sectors are missing out on opportunities to build up on skill due to restrained work hours. They tend to miss out on employment opportunities

28 | Business Goa industry Dossier | april 2017

because industries aren’t able to employ them for three shifts.

Hence, we are requesting the government to consider women working in shifts with companies providing them with facilities like transport and security which will enable them to work an extra shift, if they choose to. Another problem we are looking to tackle is unemployment. The organization has also put forth the idea of a government run Employment Exchange, where companies can access and find out the skill available in their locality. This integrated network system should be accessible from panchayats where candidates can upload their data on to the network.

How successful has CII been as a platform for information sharing?

CII organizes various conferences that frequently helps members with skill development and knowledge building. This year, we are planning an interactive conference to discuss the GST to try and impart people with

information and help people adapt their businesses to this policy. We also have frequent Webinars, which are online seminars by faculty from various parts of the country.

We recently hosted the 2nd Nautical Tourism Conference.

This conference addressed the new rules and regulations by the Government of India for the sailing vessels and yachts, with an aim to spread awareness among the stakeholders. This also helped Goan industries to gain perspective on how to increase nautical tourism in Goa and to discuss future opportunities available in Goa. What are some of the facilities that the CII Members enjoy?

CII is open to memberships from anyone working in the manufacturing or service sector. We look forward to having more members join our organization and become a part of CII. We offer various facilities to our members through the CII App and the website. These online portals are a vital platform for networking and interlinking business operations from all over the state, in both the private as well as the government sector.

We also offer free tender services, and dissemination of various updates on government policies.

Besides being an information pool for various investment options, the CII website also provides various B2B business opportunities where members can post details about their business services and products which are accessible for all.

In your opinion, what are some of the other sectors that the Government could tap into besides tourism?

Goa has a lot of potential in the IT sector and Electronic Manufacturing and the

government should really boost development in these sectors and create employment opportunities. In fact, the government has already invested and began operations with the new Tuem Electronic City Project. CII is looking forward to working with the government and supporting its initiatives towards fulfilling these objectives. CII plans to conduct Road shows for the government in Pune, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Mumbai to promote Investment in IT sector and IT Parks and hold an IT Investment Seminar inviting all top IT companies to attend.

What are some of CII’s past achievements?

Through a wide spectrum of activities, CII promotes and projects India and Indian industry globally. In November 2016, we had the CIIRoundtable Discussion with

Korean Industrial Delegation and Goan counterparts followed by 20 B2B sessions.

CII also organized a Tribute by the Goan Civil Society to Hon’ble Prime Minster of Portugal Antonio Costa. To educate the Goan Industry of the potential that the Defence sector holds, CII Goa, organized a Session on ‘Industry Defence Linkage’ in February 2017. CII Goa celebrated its Annual Day on 10th March 2017, and also organized a Conference on ‘Ease of Doing Business’.

Under the ‘Skill Development’ initiative, CII renewed the MoA with Goa Shipyard Ltd. to map out and develop required skill sets for the shipbuilding Industry specifically in the area of Defence vessel manufacturing in the State.

CII Goa has also submitted valuable budget recommendations to the

Government of Goa and has requested to favourably consider the memorandum, which CII believes will greatly enhance the competitiveness of the domestic industry.

What measures could the state use to attract business opportunities in Goa? The Government is trying to do a lot of things to boost investment in Goa but there are still some basic requirements and administrative issues which need to be addressed.

So far, a lot of effort has been put into infrastructural development, especially with the current improvement of the road network system which is to help industries in Goa to be better linked, irrespective of their location.

Besides this, the GIDC should focus to shift its role from being a real-estate manager to an industrial facilitator. The Investment

Promotional Board formed should be strengthened, and the Investment Policy 2014 needs to be revised and the incentives stated needs to be notified by the government.

Setting up of businesses tends to get held back because of the time consuming process of approvals and permissions.

This tedious process needs to be shortened at a local level.

Another important factor that the government should look into is investing and acquiring high speed data connectivity to support the upcoming developments in the IT sector in the state.

We have also put forth suggestions to the government like increasing the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) in industrial realestate which would enable industries to go vertically up instead of spreading around in existing areas As told to ALEXIA FERNANDES

APRIL 2017 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 29

Goan Brand

Primeslots Pvt. Ltd

Mastering outdoor advertising

Playing a successful part in major sectors of the Goan market, Primeslots Pvt. Ltd. remains to be one of the top players in Goa; and heads to make the state proud at a national level, too A hoarding by Primeslots Pvt. Ltd. alongside the Airport-Panjim Road

By ankitha joseph

Primeslots Pvt. Ltd, one of the leading infomedia groups in Goa came into existence as a result of the hard work and initiations taken by its Director, Pradeep Palyekar.

Hailing from Paliye, a small village in Pernem taluka, Palyekar aspired to bring about remarkable changes in the society. A mechanical engineer by profession, Palyekar moved to Panjim in the early 1980s in search of a good job. After several years of struggle, he started Primeslots in 2003. A friend of Palyekar approached him with the idea of bus shelters, as he was unable to execute it. Palyekar took up the challenge and went ahead with the concept which hadn’t reached the Goan market till then.

Though the main intention was to make profit out of the business, for Palyekar, the idea of providing service to the masses meant the most.

“It used to hurt me when I saw people standing in the sun waiting to board their respective buses. And that’s

how I realized that I wanted to go ahead with the idea of bus shelters. I signed a contract with the Corporation of the City of Panjim and I got the opportunity to start,” recalls Palyekar.

At the beginning, finding investors to support the idea was difficult, as the already established companies also saw no potential in his plans.

The immense criticism poured was not enough to shake the confidence that Palyekar had in himself and his work. He went ahead with his plans and e ve ntu a l l y met success.

Even today, what he considers to be his biggest

30 | Business Goa industry Dossier | april 2017

strength is to remain positive and in good terms with all internally and externally involved in this field.

Finding people to advertise on the bus shelters was another task as many didn’t know of the effectiveness of such an idea in advertising. But putting complete belief in his idea, State Bank of India (SBI) extended help and became the first to advertise on bus shelters in Goa. The response was positive and gave Palyekar the go ahead with his future initiatives. In 2005, Palyekar led out a new trend in the Goan market that came to the help of many people; ATM on Wheels.

This first-of-its-kind banking

I don’t believe in competition; because we can be successful only if we all work together. With so many people entering the market, we all need to sustain; and for that coming together under one umbrella is important for local players Pradeep Palyekar Founder-CEO, Primeslots

operations and a revolution in the banking system was the ATM on wheels initiative that was conceptualized, designed and managed by Palyekar himself, “I feel proud saying that I conceptualised this idea.

Being a Goan, it makes me feel even better that I started off with a concept which will eventually spread all over the country.” Once again, SBI reposed their trust in me by working hand in hand with the ATM on wheels project. The project made huge success in Goa and later moved to Pune, where once again the idea was appreciated and moreover accepted wholeheartedly.

ATM on wheels is successfully functioning in Pune, Vashi and Hyderabad and will soon be launched in Mumbai, as well.

Apart from ATM on wheels, Palyekar also introduced mobile branding in Goa. Primeslots Pvt. Ltd further expanded its reach in Goa through many other ventures such as Primeslots Events Pvt. Ltd, Primeslots Advertising and Outdoor Media, Primeslots Freshbites: Food and Snack outlets all over Goa, Primeslots Real Estates and Primeslots Hospitality and Hotels. Apart from these, Primeslots Events Pvt Ltd also holds the Goa franchise of Indian Idol Academy which trains youngsters from 5 to 15 of age in music. The academy works in association with Karmayog and Freemantle USA. Primeslots Events mainly targets corporate and government aided events.

Last year was truly successful with a couple of good events namely the first edition of the Serendipity festival. Prime Slots did the licensing for Serendipity and added to the strength they already held in the Goan market. Primeslots

Pvt. Ltd is the official media partner from Panjim for the Swach Bharat Mission as well.

With the increasing number of media companies, Palyekar does not consider competition a threat. Instead he believes that more than competing with other companies, he is only trying to make his presence known in the market. Palyekar likes to look at criticism as only suggestions coming from experienced people.

According to Palyekar, there are several outsiders who have invaded the Goan market, “Why to give it all to them when we can have our market with the Goans,” questions Palyekar. He further adds “I don’t believe in competition because we can be successful only if we are all working together. With so many people entering the market, we all need to sustain ourselves; and for that purposed coming together under one umbrella or association among Goans is most important.”

Palyekar also mentions that Goans shouldn’t fight amongst each other. Rivalry cannot be present if one wants to sustain in the market. Also crucial is the quality of services provided – if high standard is

A bus-shelter by Primeslots Pvt. Ltd

maintained, it will keep the consumers pouring in which is ultimately what all are looking out for. He also states that unfortunately there is a lack of skilled people and many aren’t making complete use of their potential. Youngsters too, should try and explore the scope that is present in Goa before shifting to other towns for employment. With something new being introduced every day, people also need to adapt to new techniques and ideas which isn’t happening in reality. New ideas are important to sustain the market.

After nearly 15 years of establishment, one factor that is very fascinating about Primeslots is that they haven’t had any marketing team so far.

“We do not have a marketing person in our organization. Why to keep a

messenger between the customer and us when we have already created our brand name and are present everywhere through our remarkable services.”

For the near future, Primeslots Pvt. Ltd has got a lot planned. A digital magazine is the most recent in their plans followed by many more. A true Goan by heart, Pradeep finds peace and satisfaction in this little state, but as for the business to grow, he feels that moving out and expanding is crucial. “Prime Slots has got the potential and I think we should move from Goa to achieve more. Our concepts and ideas are limited here and moving out will help us make use of our potential to the maximum extent,” says Palyekar.

Pune, Kolhapur, Mumbai, Hyderabad are few of the towns that are waiting to be coloured in the creativity that the brand is all set to bring. Primeslots also hopes to enter the electronic media soon through advertising.

Making its mark in several sectors including events, hospitality, real estates, cuisine, advertising and media, Primeslots is a true Goan brand for all the services it offers to the Goan community

APRIL 2017 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 31

campus

book shelf

BITS Goa Economics Conclave 2017

Publishers: Rajhauns Sankalpana Pvt Ltd

The BITS Goa Economics Conclave was organized by the Department of Economics, BITS Pilani KK Birla Goa Campus. The conclave started off on a high note on Monday, 20th March, 2017. The theme of the event this year was “Changing Contours of Indian Economy: Welfare Implications & Policy Responses.”

The event kicked off with an interesting presentation by eminent economist Prof.

Satya R Chakravarty (Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata) who delivered a talk on equity and efficiency issues related to multidimensional economic inequality.

He explained how policies can improve welfare and reduce economic inequality in India. This was followed an insightful talk

by Prof. M G Chandrakanth (Director, ISEC Bengaluru) who pointed out the dangers of unsustainable growth, for example in mining or agriculture sectors which tend to overuse resources like groundwater at the cost of increasing productive efficiency. Next, Dr. Sibichen K Mathew (IRS, Commissioner of Income Tax, Bengaluru) described the problems associated with tax compliance and how technology is helping to increase compliance and enforcement. Next, G R Akadas (Director, MSME Development Institute, Goa) explained the problems faced by MSME sector in Goa and the role of various government initiatives to

create employment and competitiveness in this vital sector. The first day of the event concluded on a high note with an address by Prof.

Arun Kumar (Professor Centre for Economic Studies and Planning, JNU, New Delhi) who explained analytically how demonetisation might not be effective in curbing the black economy in India.

The event concluded on Tuesday, 21st March with presentations by Madhav Gadgil along with other distinguished delegates. The BITS Goa Economics Conclave which was being sponsored by NABARD and SIDBI, provided an avenue for disseminating contemporary public policy research and emerging practices with special reference to India across a wide set of domains.

Open to all, the BITS Goa Economics Conclave 2017 provided a platform to discuss diverse development policy issues and concerns, namely; economic reforms and manufacturing sector growth, demonetization and curbing the black economy, role and significance of MSMEs in India, the economic sociology of fiscal compliance and technological challenges in India, corporate financing and investment behaviour in India, measuring inequality, poverty and welfare, sustainable development in emerging economies with special reference to India and towards a cooperative commonwealth

32 | Business Goa industry Dossier | april 2017

Rajhauns Year Book 2017

Rajhauns Sankalpana Pvt Ltd, a leading publishing house in Goa, has come out with the third issue of its yearbook, Yearbook - 2017.

The Yearbook covers three sections – World, India, and Goa. Special emphasis has been laid on wide variety of subjects like general knowledge, polity, awards, happenings, heritage, history, theatre, music, ecosystem, and so on. Bits and bytes of quizzes can be found scattered amongst other information. The varied subjects which one finds in Yearbook - 2017 are the International days, Constitution, Presidents, Chief Justices and Prime Ministers of India, Women Governors and CMs, National Bravery Awards, the Uniform Civil Code, landmark judgments, national honours.

In the unique Goa section, Goa’s history, Talukas, Governors, Goans in national science organisations, former CMs, MLAs, and the Konkani Bhasha Mandal find an important place. Honours, rewards and awards find a prominent place. Statues and forts in Goa have a special spot here. Goa’s eminent tiatrists, the carnaval, Indo- Portuguese literature, Portuguese-India postal services also take centre. In the Unique Goa section, one finds detailed info on the Opinion Poll of Goa, history of Konkani language and much more. Copies are available at all leading bookstalls

BG CROSSWORD 88

QUIZZARETM

Across: 1. Recently ousted Chairman of Tata Group (6) 5. Rate at which RBI lends money to commercial banks in case of shortfall of funds (4) 6. _____ Electric – company in talks for buyout by Havell’s (5) 7. Brand of automobile from Chevrolet in the US (6) 8. Environmental Protection Agency, in short (3) 9. Anti-skid braking system, as car stickers say (3) 11. ____ Mahindra – Indian IT company (4) 13.

Canadian area which saw a gold rush in 1896 (5) 14. Hindustan Unilever Limited, in brief (3) 15. Acronym for “Mind Your Own Business” (4) Down: 1. Ex-Chairman of United Spirits limited (6) 2. Most expensive purchase in IPL 2017 (6) 3. Why byproducts like Cobalt-60 are harmful (9) 4. Dairy brand headquartered near Pune (9) 5. What you give to your boss on a regular basis (6) 10. Slow moving stream, as it is called in Louisiana (5) 12. Employees’ Provident Fund Organization, in short (4) answers to crossword 87 Across 1. Muthoot 5. Kia 6. Kajaria 8. MDI 9. Satyam 11.

Tisco 13.Meyer 14. Aarey 15. Misuse Down 1. Mukesh 2. Taj 3.Opium Trade 4. Calico 7. Ary 8.

MSK 10. Themis 12. Cream

lady power

Shruti Tiwari

The Weddings Diva

Shruti Tiwari, ace event planner strives to bring high quality standards to events in Goa

By ankitha joseph

Adorning the most beautiful day of many lives, Shruti Tiwari, an ace event planner in Goa looks forward to bringing elite standards in the field of events with her venture, Vogue Luxury Weddings.

Shruti Tiwari completed her masters in Mass Communication with a specialization in Electronic Journalism from her hometown Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. With a short duration of experience in channels like Sahara Samay and an internship at AajTak in Delhi, Shruti gained immense knowledge. Later, with changes in life and its phases, Shruti came down to Goa where she had to part ways with journalism. “In Goa, the avenues for journalism were different and were not met by me. I was not a born Goan and wasn’t well-verse with the local language,” she says. She found herself better suited as a sales person and looked for something along the same line. This was when Parvez Shaikh’s Funky Heads came into picture, where she gained exposure, experience and learned the nuts and bolts of event planning. Her hardwork paid off; she joined as an employee and resigned as a partner of Funky Heads.

While a majority of people will chalk out every aspect involved in setting up their business, for Shruti her experience and hard-work was the main driving force that led to the beginning of ‘Vogue Luxury Weddings’. “I left Funky Heads in the month of December 2015 and started off on my own on the 4th of January 2016. It was just a push which was needed and I got it from the company, Goodlife.”

Partners of Goodlife, Amit Bakhale, Gautam Bakhale and Gregg Furtado who are also owners of several undertakings

Being a lady, there is an in-built sense of responsibility.

I look forward to maintaining a relationship with my clients that is beyond a retailer-consumer relationship Shruti Tiwari

such as Cohiba, Tao and also the Love Shack in Bangalore played an important role in streaming her ideas and plans.

Today, Shruti owes a part her success to the ambitious trio who gave her the motivation to set a base on which she further built an enterprise.

Today, Shruti heads a team of 5 efficient employees at Vogue Luxury Weddings.

Besides the office in Goa, Vogue Luxury Wedding will soon have satellite offices in Bangalore and Hyderabad.

Apart from these, Vogue Luxury Weddings also has two members who function in Mumbai. Though the company has preferred Wedding decor

34 | Business Goa industry Dossier | april 2017

vendors for production and technical factors like lights, sound and several more, they make sure that new and small scale vendors also get business but under the supervision of experts. “There is a very thin line between regular and neat work. There are a few standards that I have maintained in my work which I don’t see other companies.”

According to Shruti, keeping one’s employees happy is vital to any organisation’s success. Progress is not meant to be from just a single individual but from all who are part of the institution.

“My team and I jointly work for the betterment of Vogue

Luxury Weddings. I want to do everything for my employees, that I as an employee did not experience,” opines Shruti.

She further adds, “When your team is happy, that translates into growth. The plan is for the growth to be appreciated by all not just externally, but internally within the team, as well.” Along with weddings, the company also handles launch parties and anniversaries and is soon expected to venture into corporate events panIndia.

Vogue Luxury Weddings has successfully woven the lives of many with over 25 weddings within a span of one year. Speak of a weddings and the enterprise does it all – travel, logistics, artist management, hospitality, décor, flower arrangements, lights and sound, room hampers, styling, photography and cinematography. Apart from Goa, Shruti and her team have done weddings in Kolkata, Mumbai, Bali and Delhi, as well. They will soon be having a wedding planned in Colombo, too. Their client base includes NRIs, followed by folks from the North, East and West of India.

With an overall experience of over 6 year in the field, Shruti has gained an eye for detailing. Her interaction with clients does not pertain just to the meeting table, but instead she also finds the opportunity to be a part of the family. “To dress up, dance and spend some quality time with my client is the part I enjoy the most.”

According to Shruti, she is able to do complete justice to her profession because of her hard-work and PR, “Being a lady, there is an inbuilt sense of responsibility. I look forward to maintaining a relationship with my clients that is beyond a retailerconsumer relationship.” Shruti confesses that event planning has a variety of challenges of

which tricking the clients is most common. Away from such practices, Shruti believes in honesty the most and is certain to abide by it. Her belief lies in achievement rather than competition; this helps her reach the heights.

One of the most challenging and biggest projects she had executed was a Punjabi wedding set in Kolkata. JIS Group celebrated their youngest son’s wedding in Kolkata, wherein four top notch planners were shortlisted out of which one was Vogue Luxury Wedding. Goa and Kolkata witnessed a star studded four-day celebrations which was planned and executed

by Shruti and her team and remains to be one of the much talked about wedding in the North East. “We pitched in for this project without much time in hand as the client decided for a meeting and called us for a presentation within two

A set executed by Shruti and her team for a ‘big fat Indian wedding’ in Kolkata

days. When we finally got the project, we were left with just 45 days in hand to do the planning and execution, right from designers to vendors to artists. It was indeed a flawless dream decor which gave us immense pride and a priceless experience.”

Though not a born-Goan, Shruti’s enthusiasm and spirits is alike to any other Goan.

For a venture just a year old, Vogue Luxury Weddings has achieved remarkable success.

Born in Jabalpur, Shruti’s

north Indian roots help her understand the ideologies and expectations of most of her clients. Experiencing and exploring different cultures is what Shruti looks forward to.

Her company has achieved immense goodwill in the field of wedding planning and is now looking forward to establish a similar name in the field of corporate events as well. Their future plans also include starting up a division in other states, soon.

Along with the role of a

lady entrepreneur, today.

Apart from receiving tremendous appreciation for her creativity and good work, Shruti also manages the role of a mother to her naughty yet mature son. However, balancing both her roles efficiently, Shruti Tiwari excels being a true-spirited mother to her son and leads a booming company that someday soon will bring about a change in the field of event planning for its high quality standards and creativity

APRIL 2017 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 35

Professional dossier

Dr. Dipti Ashish Srivastava

The Visionary Doctor People’s High School in Panaji was my alma mater, and I owe a sound foundation to my school. I was fortunate to graduate as a state ranker both in the SSC and HSSC examinations.

I completed my MBBS at Goa Medical College. I chose ophthalmology as the field to specialize in. Ophthalmology was a subject I had really enjoyed studying as a medical student. Very few other fields offer the gratification of healing people, as a physician as well as a surgeon, as much as ophthalmology does.

The Department of Ophthalmology at GMC too had been very encouraging and inspiring through the course. We have had many remarkable professors like Dr. Pradeep Naik, who is now the Dean at GMC, Dr. Ugam Usgaonkar, who currently heads the Department of Ophthalmology and Dr Vivek Naik, retina specialist. As students we looked up to them and wanted to be like them. This was another reason that prompted me to take up specialization in this field.

After my Masters in Surgery in Ophthalmology, I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to work as Ophthalmic Surgeon at the North Goa District Hospital (Asilo Hospital) under the Directorate of Health Services. This was a very different experience from working with a tertiary care hospital like GMC, as at the periphery I was able to directly engage with the community.

These two years widened my experience and helped me understand the needs of the rural population of the state of Goa. One driving personality who has really helped me to grow as a surgeon and an administrator is Dr. Saleena Naik, Senior Ophthalmic Surgeon at Asilo hospital.

As a proud GMC alumna, I am fortunate to now be a part of the faculty, as Assistant Professor at the Department of Ophthalmology. I have an able team of colleagues comprising of Dr Aparna Naik and Dr Manasi Prabhudesai. As a clinician, I handle patients at the OPD as well as in-patient level. I also carry out eye surgeries. We also carry out liaison with other departments when needed for comprehensive care of patients.

We constantly engage with the medical community through seminars and conferences to stay updated. I am a member of the Indian Medical Association, the All India Ophthalmic Society, and Uveitis Society of India. In addition to this, we also have our own state organization called the Goa Ophthalmological Association.

My special interests are cataract, glaucoma 36 | Business Goa industry Dossier | april 2017

Dr. Dipti Srivastava looks forward to the satisfaction of healing people through her remarkable work

In today’s world, visual requirements are high. With changing lifestyles, problems like dry eye disease, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration are becoming increasingly common Dr. Dipti srivastava and low vision and these are the fields in which I’d like to develop my skills further.

As faculty at GMC, the role as a teacher in addition to being a clinician is very challenging and gratifying one. 150 MBBS students enter medical college each year and the annual intake capacity of postgraduate students in M.S. ophthalmology is five. Apart from this, GMC also offers courses in allied health sciences, including a full-fledged four year BSc Optometry degree course. As budding faculty at GMC, we have had encouraging seniors and in time we hope to develop ourselves to support our juniors in the same manner.

From a young age my parents Eknath and Radha Sawaikar have inculcated in my two brothers and me a strong sense of optimism, which has enabled us to deal positively with challenges in our lives. Our parents have always been role models to us and have taught us to fight against all odds. This really helped me stay strong when I was almost disqualified from obtaining admission for MBBS course after my Standard XIIth examinations, when a sudden change in admission rules notified after the release of prospectus, and drawing up of merit list stated that those students not completing seventeen years of age as on July 1 that year, would

not be eligible for MBBS admission.

Despite ranking amongst the top five in the merit list for the State, I was rendered ineligible as I fell short by 20 days. A collective petition before the Hon High Court resulted in the judgement that merit cannot be denied because of a few days of difference of age. My husband Dr. Ashish Srivastava, Consultant Psychiatrist at IPHB, is a skilled clinician and a supportive life partner. Being a parent to two young boys is constant learning process, full of surprises, challenges and joys.

Ophthalmology is an ever evolving field and technological innovation plays a big role when it comes to delivering good eye care services.

GMC is equipped with some of the best infrastructure and advanced technology that lets us address the eye care needs in Goa. The department has had a lot of technological upgradation over the years.

We offer high quality cataract surgery, including phacoemulsification with foldable intraocular lenses for improved visual outcomes, free of cost to patients.

We also offer comprehensive Glaucoma management in addition to routine management of refractive errors and other ocular ailments. The Department conducts Diabetic Retinopathy clinic which is fully equipped with latest diagnostic devices like the Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), B-Scan Ultrasound and laser treatment facilities. In addition to these, we also have a Cornea clinic. The low vision clinic. The Department is also involved in Community Ophthalmology, where we partner with various government agencies and NGOs to carry out camps in the community.

In today’s world, visual requirements are high. With changing lifestyles, problems like dry eye disease, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration are becoming increasingly common. An ophthalmologist will always continue to play an essential role as an important service provider in the society.

As a team, we look forward to the Department of Ophthalmology becoming a state-of-the-art center for eye care in Goa. It is my dream to see the Department and the institution at the forefront of research that would place us on the map of the world. Sound knowledge, compassion, empathy and good communication remain the foundation of ethical medical practice.

When it comes to future potential, the sky is the limit!

As told to Alexia fernandes

events

India Travel Mart 2017 held in Goa

Goa’s biggest international travel exhibition – the India Travel Mart 2017 kicked off in Goa on 17th March and was held at the Convention Center, Mala, Panjim.

A large number of tour organizers, travel agents, and tour operators from different parts of Goa and nearby states were invited for the B2B sessions held at the exhibition.

The tourism stalls awarded at ITM GOA – India Travel Mart were Gujarat Tourism

Stall for Best Stall Award for promoting Most Picturesque Destination; Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Stall for Best Stall Award for promoting ‘All Seasons Destination’; Rajasthan Tourism Stall for Best Award for display of Promotional Literature and Publicity Material; Karnataka Tourism Stall for Best Award for Display and Decorative Stall; Himachal Tourism Stall for Best Award for ‘Best Decorative Stall’; Jharkhand Tourism Stall for Best Stall

Award for Promoting Rural and Pilgrimage Tourism; Delhi Tourism for Best Stall Award for promoting MICE and Convention Destination.

With a record-breaking number of visitors, one of the top travel exhibitions in the world and India’s prominent international Travel &Tourism Marts chain, India Travel Mart (ITM) held in Panaji (Goa), provided effective and efficient way for destinations to build awareness amongst the local tourism trade and consumers.

The continued success of the event over the last few years reflects the growing demand for travel services in India and the spending power of domestic and outbound travellers.

The event being organized

by ICM Group brings this travel and tourism exhibition to Goa to enable the city inhabitants and people to choose packages for holidays, business trips, family vacations, honeymoon destinations, and adventure spots and eco-tourism places

Symposium on Housing held by Indian Institute of Architects

As part of centenary year celebrations, The Indian Institute of Architects (Goa Chapter) has taken up several initiatives on issues related to building industry in the field of planning and architecture.

A Symposium on Housing was one of the significant events held that has dominated the skyline of Goa. During the event, different prevailing building typologies in Goa were reviewed and analyzed – heritage precincts, housing for urban poor as part of affordable social housing

needs, traditional Goan village hamlets both along coastal and hinterlands areas which have contributed in a long way in influencing architecture and growth pattern trends in Goa. Milind Ramani moderated a panel discussion on current typologies and planning strategies for Housing in Goa with panelists CREDAI President Dr. Desh Prabhudesai, Nilesh D Salkar, Swapnil Valvatkar and IIA Goa Chapter Chairman Manguesh R Prabhugaonker. The findings and interventions highlighted

38 | Business Goa industry Dossier | april 2017

various issues of social and affordable housing and current scenarios and demands of the housing industry in Goa with appropriate planning and architecture with collaborative agreements with all the stakeholders of the industry.

Goa Housing Policy was the Objective of IIA Goa Chapter.

Guest Lecture by Swapnil Valvatkar Principal Architect - Collage Architecture Studio made a presentation on emerging trends in Housing Typologies at ESG, Panaji Goa. IIA Goa Chapter in

its initiative to work out a comparative between current and traditional practices with emerging trends in housing industry.

Technical workshops were also held on patterns of housing typologies and its analysis with focus on gated communities, settlements along urban streetscapes, social housing, housing for urban poor, critical evaluation of mixed land uses, density index, socio cultural issues vis a vis communities, incremental aspects, evolution and transformation of built forms, with respect to architectural identity and character of Goa, environmental concerns related to ecology and sustainability, futuristic trends, regulations and its amendments, infrastructural and mobility networks and the challenges of post construction transformations in housing

organisations

New Executive Committee of Goa Heritage Action Group elected

Cezar Pinto elected Chairman, Prajal Sakhardande is Vice Chairman and Raya Shankhwalker is the new Hon. Secretary of the Group As a group, apart from our current focus on the conservation of Goa’s built and natural heritage, it is imperative that we also focus on the many intangible aspects of Goan heritage Raya Shankhwalker

It is a continuous struggle for heritage campaigners to educate stakeholders about the priceless value of our heritage; and to lobby with the state to protect endangered heritage properties Fontainhas Festival of the Arts: where art met heritage

Bhatkuly (Hon. Treasurer) and Rajiv D’Silva (Jt. Treasurer).

Other members of the executive committee are Poonam Verma Mascarenhas, Anna Maria de Sousa Goswami, Anthony Gaskell and Jack Ajit Sukhija.

“As a group, apart from our current focus on the conservation of Goa’s built and natural heritage, it is imperative that we also focus on the many intangible aspects of Goan heritage. We have a few key

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projects lined up for protection and harnessing Goa’s rich history, tradition and culture.” said Shankhwalker after being elected to the position of Hon. Secretary of GHAG. It may be recalled that GHAG was at the forefront of bringing about massive awareness of heritage zones in the state like Fontainhas and Campal in Panaji; and Borda and Comba in Margao.

Some of the office bearers were instrumental in creating strong

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Liquor Ban

Can the Government find a way around the ban on selling liquor?

Goa State Budget

BON APPETIT

Dr. DIPTI SRIVASTAVA PROFESSIONAL DOSSIER

SHRUTI TIWARI LADY POWER

Manohar Parrikar is back in the saddle and in control of the State

NITIN KUNKOLIENKER

INDUSTRY INSIDER

Nitin Kunkolienker’s accession to the Presidency of MAIT is a culmination of two decades of work as an industry captain. From being the founder-President of Verna Industries Association to being the youngest and longest serving President of GCCI, his is a journey spent batting for the industry

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city initiatives like the Goa Heritage Festival, Fontainhas Festival of the Arts and Together for Panjim.

“It is a continuous struggle for heritage campaigners to educate stakeholders about the priceless value of our heritage; and to lobby with the state to protect endangered heritage properties,” said historian Prajal Sakhardande, who has been a vocal and hands-on activist for the protection of Goa’s heritage

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April 2017

Goa Heritage Action Group, the State’s front-runner heritage protection group has elected a new executive committee which brings some founder members of the Group, back into action.

The new executive committee was elected unopposed and the office bearers of GHAG are Cezar Pinto (Chairman), Prajal Sakhardande (Vice Chairman), Raya Shankhwalker (Hon. Secretary), Harshvardhan​

Prajal Sakhardande

biz bytes

Kodak launches TV in Goa Noida based Super Plastronics Pvt Ltd (SPPL), announced the launch of Kodak Television sets in Goa. The director and CEO SPPL Avneet Singh Marwah said “Kodak TV for the first time will sell offline in Goa, although in other cities the brand is sold online on e-commerce sites such as Flipkart and Amazon.”

US based brand Kodak launched in India in August 2016 and tied up with SPPL for production and marketing of its model. Marwah added that Goa is a good potential market for the TVs as the state has a lower turnaround period of

GITP welcomes IT reforms in State Budget 2017

The Goa IT Professionals (GITP) have welcomed the commitments made by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in the budget towards reforms in education and to create employment opportunities for Goans.

In a press statement, GITP said that their Association is glad to have contributed to this endeavour, and further assured full support to the Government. The Association also said that these provisions have sparked new hope among thousands of Goan IT professionals. GITP also appreciated the importance laid on the IT industry which stands to eliminate Goa’s long standing problems of unemployment and migration.

GITP has made certain recommendations, based on the current state of the industry which focused on the undertaking of IT Projects in various government departments. According to the GITP, IT-Literacy in rural areas of Goa is suffering due to the non-functioning of PC systems in schools which can be easily revived with cost effective solutions proposed and demonstrated by GITP using devices such as Raspberry Pi

2-day seminar organized by GCCI

Director of SPPL Avneet Singh Marwah along with Regional Manager Anand Konnur and Felton Mendes, distributor for Goa at the launch of Kodak LED TV at Colva

three years as compared to the all-India average of five years.

SPPL currently has 50 dealers in the state but is beefing up its marketing network for the

launch. The company is aiming at 15 per cent market share by 2020. An iconic brand Kodak has come out with five TV models for the India market

GTDC bags Brand Excellence in Government Sector Award

Onassis Vaz, Senior Vice President, Adfactors PR receiving the Brand Excellence in Government Sector Award on behalf of Goa Tourism from Suresh Prabhu, Railway Minister of India and Chairman of Lokmat, Vijay Darda

Goa Tourism Development Corporation was recently honoured with an award for Brand Excellence in Government Sector by Lokmat at its Corporate Excellence Awards held in Mumbai recently.

The Award was presented

by Suresh Prabhu, Railway Minister of India and Chairman of Lokmat, Vijay Darda. The Award was received

by Onassis Vaz, Senior Vice President, Adfactors PR on behalf of Goa Tourism.

Gavin Dias, General Manager, GTDC said “Goa Tourism has evolved over

the last five years due to its branding, marketing and promotion. Goa Tourism is a brand which everyone wishes to associate itself with – be it the industry, trade, tourism stakeholders and last but not the least, the tourists. This Award for brand excellence is an endorsement of the sincere efforts of the GTDC management and the work that has gone into the makeover that Goa Tourism received from its branding, marketing and promotion.”

GTDC had also bagged the ‘Most Innovative Product Award’ at the TTF Banglore recently

GCCI organized a two-hour seminar on Business Process Automation Solution in Industries on 24th March 2017 at the convention hall.

The seminar was conducted

by Bangalore based InfrastackLabs Technologies by providing special emphasis to small and medium scale industries.

Increased competition and globalization has made it necessary for every unit to achieve business excellence through faster and more appropriate decision making.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is a good tool to control end to end operations of any unit. The cost of an ERP system is generally quite prohibitive for MSMEs. However, the Government has come out with a subsidy scheme to encourage use of cloud based ERP which eliminates requirement of buying costly servers, networking and other hard ware

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NITIN KUNKOLIENKER

INDUSTRY INSIDER

Nitin Kunkolienker’s accession to the Presidency of MAIT is a culmination of two decades of work as an industry captain. From being the founder-President of Verna Industries Association to being the youngest and longest serving President of GCCI, his is a journey spent batting for the industry

NEWS VIEWS ARTICLES INTERVIEWS PROFILES FOCUS ANALYSIS OPINIONS EVENTS FEATURES

40 | Business Goa industry Dossier | april 2017

Biggest merger in India’s telecom sector K M Birla and Vittorio Colao

One of the biggest mergers was witnessed in the telecom space when Vodafone India and the Aditya Birla Group promoted Idea Cellular announced their amalgamation.

The combined company will become the leading communications provider in India with almost 400 million customers, 35% customer market share and 41% revenue market share. Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group will be the Chairman of the

combined company.

Both Idea Cellular and Vodafone India are present in all 22 telecom circles in India and have 4G connectivity in 17 circles.

Vittorio Colao, Chief Executive, Vodafone Group said, “The combination of Vodafone India and Idea will create a new champion of Digital India founded vision to bring world class 4G networks to villages, towns and cities across India.”

“The combined company will have the scale required to ensure sustainable consumer choice in a competitive market and to expand new technologies – such as mobile money service.” he added.

“The name of the combined listed company will be changed in due course,” the company statement added

APRIL 2017 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 41

The writer is an organisational development and talent analytics consultant. He is also the founder sponsor of Goa CSR Awards. He is the recipient of Limca Book of Records and Business Goa Award. He can be contacted at shahkishorem@gmail.com

people tree

Kishore M Shah

VUCA... the conscious destiny Exploring the deeper meaning of VUCA and its strategic significance Change and evolution have been the hallmark of existence yet we make less voice and more noise about it. Imagine a coin with ‘Consciousness’ as its one side and ‘Destiny’ as its other side – irrespective of whether you toss or hold only one side faces you. To see the other side you need to put in efforts. I was born in the era of “Licence-Quota-Raj”, “Ration card” and I am now in the era of e-governance and digitisation. Most of us in my age bracket do not get easily swayed as we were well grounded and we experienced rate of change at a pace which was in tune with coping mechanisms. We grew up in simpler times, we never knew of anything like economic reforms and the possibility of it happening.

However the scenario of today is that…

• 70% of the world’s growth between 2003 and 2016 is from emerging markets!

• Take China, which now has 88 companies in the global Fortune 500, up from just 8 in 2003.

• By 2020, many other countries, including Russia, Canada, South Korea, and China, will have more people at retirement age than entering the workforce.

• In PriceWaterhouse Coopers’ 2014 survey of CEOs in 68 countries, there is a serious concern about the future availability of key skills at all levels.

• The Boston Consulting Group cites proprietary research showing that 56% of executives see critical gaps in their ability to fill senior managerial roles in coming years.

• Disease alarm has been reset to a decade or two earlier.

• Families falling short in coping mechanisms not only in time of exigencies but also daily routine.

• Relationship, relatives are experienced as burden!

These are not side effects or Kalyuga, but a new order which is rising and the same can be best explained by an acronym coined by the US military as VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous) and today this terminology is no longer limited to war – it has made 42 | Business Goa industry Dossier | april 2017

inroads not only in corporate, but even in our social and personal lives.

The deeper meaning of each element of VUCA serves to enhance the strategic significance of VUCA foresight and insight, as well as the behaviour of groups and individuals in organizations, and in social and personal space. It discusses systemic failures and behavioural failures, which are characteristic of organizations and society. Let us understand the operational definitions of VUCA. • V = Volatility.

The nature and dynamics of change, and the nature and speed of change forces and change catalysts.

• U = Uncertainty.

The lack of predictability, the prospects for surprise, and the sense of awareness and understanding of issues and events.

• C = Complexity.

The multiplex of forces, the confounding of issues, no cause-and-effect chain and confusion that surround an organization • A = Ambiguity.

The haziness of reality, the potential for misreads, and the mixed meanings of conditions; cause-and-effect confusion.

The particular meaning and relevance of VUCA often relates to how people view the conditions under which they make decisions, plan forward, manage risks, foster change and solve problems.

However, not most of us have the “know how” of surviving and excelling in VUCA environment and hence in general, the familiarization of VUCA will tend to shape our capacity to: 1. Anticipate the issues that shape conditions.

2. Understand the consequences of issues and actions.

3. Appreciate the interdependence of variables.

4. Prepare for alternative realities and challenges.

5.

Interpret and address relevant opportunities.

To make this happen we need to first look at the following micro steps: STEP 1: AWARENESS OF SELF & OTHERS

When we are unwell or we are keen about our fitness, we readily examine our blood and take several other tests which assess the physiology to the particle level and makes an objective assessment, thus giving us accurate diagnosis and suggestions for intervention. In the same way, to combat VUCA, we need our psychological assessment which will serve as insight to the way we feel, think and act. Insight to our unique neural architecture can help us proactively prepare, as human psyche can act both as enablers and disablers in VUCA. Today, most of psychological assessments are online with very high reliability and validity scores, it does not even take more than 20 minutes to get a thorough insight into self. The first and most important step to change and face VUCA is by building robust “Selfawareness” as in VUCA the time to repair, recoil will be very small and stress levels will be at extremes.

STEP 2: SMALL RESET (OFFICE TIMINGS / HOLIDAYS /VACATION) Within roads of digitisation, we need to first reset our mindset. We have simply used digitisation to oversee age old supervisory controlled methods which were built on values of treating people like cogs in machine. Biometrics, CCTVs are blatantly used almost everywhere further eroding trust, accountability as the focus is more on surveillance and less on excellence. If you treat people like virus then they will create antivirus. So the cat and mouse game keeps happening time and again. Here are some simple and possible interventions.

• Small shift in office timing A simple push of office timings to 10 am, will simply ease the morning pressure which nuclear families have to cope. Just because few may misuse or abuse this liberty should not be the rider to a larger cause. Of course, this needs extensive research on newer methods to work plan, performance linked pay. With a small shift in office timings, parents can joyfully see off their kids to schools, enjoy a peaceful

morning walk, exercise and come more energetic to the office.

• Re-visit holiday Instead of a full day holiday on certain stand-alone festivals, one can think of ½ day off or offer midweek half day as it will minimise stress and strain and rejuvenate the holding power, as our daily routine are so demanding that a midweek half day will, for sure, act like the whistle and safety valve of a pressure cooker.

• Spaced vacations Today, most of us face challenge of long summer vacations as our existing social system simply cannot take this load. Also children themselves feel bored, fagged out half way through their vacation, as there is no one around or they are dumped into stretched and aimless summer camps. So why not have 2 weeks’ vacation after every quarter, this will, for sure, relieve one and all and bring frequent quality engagements.

Today no corporate can afford to offer 2 months leave to their employees every year and neither any of our close relatives have bandwidth to entertain us for long vacations.

• Minimise comparisons Your personality dies the moment comparison starts; and in the age of VUCA, companies are unleashing their desperateness by bombarding unwarranted life styles at affordable costs and coupled with the excessive social media addiction, the frequency of comparisons is at high frequency, Facebook updates are by done every 10 minutes, the craze for likes and dislikes are pushing people to neurotic behaviours. It is important not to get trapped into such temptations. It is a tough proposition but when you make conscious efforts it shows results.

• Fitness and meditation Today mental, physical, spiritual fitness is a necessity

as external shock absorbers like joint family, closely knit society, steady rate of change are all vanishing, so we have no other choice but to create intrinsic shock absorbers and incorporate a simple but disciplined regime for building mental, physical and spiritual fitness on a daily basis, will be essential to tackle VUCA. At macro level we all will have to collectively look out for the right kind of motivation: which is “a fierce commitment to excel in the pursuit of unselfish goals” and this will need the following qualities...

• Curiosity: a penchant for seeking out new experiences, knowledge, candid feedback, openness to learning and change • Insight: the ability to gather and make sense of information that suggests new possibilities • Engagement: a knack for using emotion and logic to communicate a persuasive vision and connect with people

• Determination: the wherewithal to fight for difficult goals despite challenges and to bounce back from adversity Growth is the elusive goal at the top of everyone’s agenda, the reason why it’s proving to be difficult is because the balance has far too flung in the direction of constraints of VUCA, at the expense of emerging opportunities in VUCA. Neither thought, nor time is invested to face VUCA. My goal as an OD consultant has always been to improve the practice of the business by giving people ideas/tools that they can put to use immediately. These ideas are no rocket science, they seem like common sense, but all too often the biggest challenge in business is the translation of ideas into action.

Though the bad news is that in VUCA the time is flying but the good news is that in VUCA you are the “Pilot”!

www.businessgoa.in

APRIL 2017 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 43

The writer is Professor of Marketing, Corporate Trainer & Founder, SALDOTS Academy.

He can be contacted at pradeepsalgaonkar@gmail.com

beyond classroom

Dr Pradeep Salgaonkar

Peep into that basket – analyze and increase the ‘Basket Size’ Important business strategies for retailers to increase the Basket Size Naik and his wife are all set to go for shopping of household items required in the kitchen for the next two – three weeks.

They have prepared lists of items to be purchased. After some travel in their car, they reach store ‘A’, a reputed hypermarket in the locality, operating on ‘everything under one roof ’ format, where ideally they could get majority of items planned to purchase. After about 40 minutes in the store they reach the billing counter.

A peep into the basket reveals that they have picked up mostly branded products.

The bill amounts to `1870/- which they pay and leave the store. Now they head to store ‘B’, another reputed supercentre in the locality, popularly known for discounted rates, especially on grocery items. This store also deals in other branded merchandise and operates under the ‘everything under one roof ’ format.

They take out a second empty bag and a new list of items and walk into the store.

After shopping for about 45 minutes they reach the billing counter with two baskets full. A peep into their baskets reveals a lot of grocery items, few being branded products. The bill works out to `2239/-.

They pay the bill and next they head to store ‘C’, a small general store operating under the ‘Mom and Pop store’ format. They have another list. Here they purchase few more things including vegetables, fruits, milk and milk products, eggs etc., the total bill comes to `675/-. They then head to a nearby refreshment centre to re-energize themselves. After reading this narration of shopping spree of the couple, a series of questions make their headway in mind, such as; what does this story tell about customers’ buying behavior? What is the message and learnings for a retailer from this sort of behaviour and basket analysis?

Does ‘Basket Size’ matter to a retailer and should a retailer focus on increasing the ‘Share of Wallet’ of the customer? More importantly, does a retailer do these sort of micro level customer related analyses at all, or are they simply sitting on a gold mine of important and highly useful data pertaining to their customers, without being put to any productive use?

44 | Business Goa industry Dossier | april 2017

“Basket Size” and “Share of Wallet” There are many customers just like the Naik couple who shop at different stores for different items. The ‘Share of Wallet’ (SOW) of such customers is shared among three to four stores rather than one single store. ‘Share of Wallet’ refers to the amount or share of a customer’s total spending that a particular business gets by way of sales of products and services that it offers. Like in above case the Naik couple has spent a total amount of `4784/- at all three stores.

Thus, Store ‘A’ gets 39% share of wallet, Store ‘B’ gets 47% and Store ‘C’ gets 14% share of their wallet. Similarly the Basket Size of such customers remain small in each store as compared to the total basket size. ‘Basket Size’ is the total number of units per transaction the customer has purchased from a store. Imagine a situation where the Naik couple would have spent the entire amount at Store ‘A’. It would get the 100% share of wallet of this customer and the Basket Size would be much bigger than the one they actually purchased from this store. The bigger the Basket Size, higher is the share of wallet and higher would be the Average Transaction Value (ATV). And the ultimate goal of any business should be to increase the ATV with respect to every customer coming into the store.

Thus, increasing the Basket Size becomes essential for all businesses, whether in retail or any other sector to remain successfully in business.

the shelf. The merchandise should sit on the shelf for as short time as possible and for this the throughput time needs to be reduced by encouraging customers to increase the Basket Size.

Ways to increase the Basket Size Majority stores consider number of footfalls as a measure to gauge the success of a store.

‘Higher the footfalls greater is the success of the store’ is the belief. But it is a myth.

Only targeting high number of footfalls and merely directing energies and budgets towards increasing footfalls is not sufficient.

Encouraging and enticing customers to spend is essential. Ensuring the Basket Size swells of every customer each time and the value of goods in the basket increases every time are more important indicators and actions required from organizations.

Ultimately the Basket Size and the ATV will decide the movement of goods from

c. Product bundling: Bundling two or more products together as one unit and at a price which is collectively less than the total prices of each item if taken separately.

These bundles give a higher value proposition to the customer, and results into an automatic pull of the items from the shelf. Bundles during festivals, special events, occasions etc. work wonderfully. A slow moving item could easily be pushed through along with a fast moving item in such product bundles.

Here are a few ways how businesses could strategize to increase the Basket Size; a. Know your customer – know that basket: Knowing the customer as a person i.e. name, family, profession etc. is not sufficient, one has to know what he consumes; and to know this, one needs to peep into the basket and analyze what he carries past the cash register. That is the ‘true customer’ who is important for a business. By studying the basket content one could serve the customer better and sell more the next time he is in the store. b. Responsive customer sales associates: The life and blood of any business is the human resource. Responsive sales associates are a dire necessity. A culture of warm welcome, friendly interaction, and an attitude of persuading customers to buy more by highlighting product benefits and alternate uses is essential.

The sales associates should possess sound product knowledge, and should sell the service rather than the product, sell customer solutions not the products. For this, the sales associates need to be trained continuously on aspects of customer management.

d. Up-selling and cross selling: A sure shot strategy for increasing Basket Size is upselling and cross-selling practices by sales

associates. Up-selling is selling products of higher value, or more quantity, or bigger packs, or more numbers, or premium products as compared to those products in which the customer has shown interest. Just the way when one travels by economy class by air, at the check-in counter you are asked whether you want to upgrade your seat. Whereas cross-selling is selling complementary and/or supplementary items with the item selected by the customer.

For example, when you buy a blazer at a store, a suitable shirt, a matching tie, tiepin etc. could be sold. Sales associates should be trained not to overdo up-selling and cross-selling, as being too pushy may irritate the customer. e. Traffic flow and layout: Customers’ movements within the store to ensure maximum exposure to the merchandise and making the customer stay

for maximum time within the store are very crucial aspects and could be achieved by thorough customer traffic analysis within the store and appropriate store layout design. With technology around, it is not very difficult to identify ‘Dead Spots’ (spots and counters where customers’ don’t go or where there are no sales happening) within the store and traffic patterns of customers. Based on this information, the store layout needs to be redesigned to meet objectives of retaining customer within the store for longer time. And longer time means more sales and bigger Basket Size. f. Promotions and loyalty schemes: Initiate promotions and loyalty schemes in which customers find value. Give adequate discounts time and again, redeem points often or suggest customers about this,

reward special customers in a different manner (to identify special customers apply the 80:20 rule to the goldmine of data the store sits on), give perks which will make customers come back again and again. Remember it is easy, cheaper to serve and sell to existing customers than to acquire new customers.

And existing customers will walkout with bigger Basket Sizes and overall higher ATV. g. Basket magic: Ensuring every customer gets a basket in hand while shopping certainly will ensure the Basket Size swells by the time the customer checks out. Keep sufficient baskets at entrance, or have an employee greet customers and hand over a basket to them as they enter the store.

Also, ensure baskets are made available at prominent spots within the store, which will facilitate customers to take an

additional basket with ease. A customer seen carrying more than three items by hand should be handed a basket by a sales associate, which action will not only please the customer but also ensure more items get into the basket. A simple aid such as a basket can create unnoticed magic.

Higher sales and profitability are a must for every business. Likewise, higher inventory turnover with very short ‘Shelf Sitting Time’ should be the goal of business.

To achieve this, peep into every basket that moves past the cash register.

Map customer shopping and consumption habits, understand the trend and customer mindset and capitalize on the information gathered. Set a goal and implement cost effective strategies to increase the Basket Size and ATV each time and for every customer

april 2017 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 45

The Columnist is a senior Chartered Accountant and has many books to his credit. Email: verlekar@bsnl.in

MONey matters

V B Prabhu Verlekar

Evade tax at your own peril Measures by the government guard against tax evasion Tax avoidance and Tax evasion have become our national habits with honourable exceptions.

Recently published official statistical data of income tax returns filed is testimony to this. Out of over 120 crores Indians, only 4% file tax returns, of this 1% pay tax. In Goa, about 50,000 tax returns are filed in a population of 12 lakhs Tax evasion is blatantly done by traders, stall-owners, hoteliers, selfemployed persons, professionals – either by suppressing or not accounting sales or professional receipts or inflating expenses. Huge money received from bribes, corruption, smuggling and other illicit activities also escapes tax, as all these transactions are in cash and illegal.

Tax is also avoided dubiously in a legal manner by taking advantage of loopholes in tax laws through various exemption claims or splitting income between various tax entities. e.g. a rich family of just few members will have multiple tax entities artificially created by formation of LLPs, Private limited companies, Trusts, AOPs, BOIs etc. Funds also get syphoned through creation of various types of Trusts – charitable, non-charitable, religious, family, testamentary and even trusts for children yet to be born. Bogus registered political parties are also used for laundering of black money. There are 1,866 registered political parties in India.

The black money thus generated, is hidden in underpriced real estates, jewellery, unaccounted stocks, foreign assets, luxury goods or spent in lavish lifestyle which does not get into tax net.

Ingenuity and expertise of Indians to dodge tax authorities and corrupt officials is legendary and difficult to fathom. They have made mockery of revolutionary Demonetisation Scheme introduced with great expectation to curb black money, corruption and fake notes.

All attempts including voluntary declaration schemes made by earlier Governments to curb tax evasion were proved futile and are now looked upon with derision.

Ever since the new Government under 46 | Business Goa industry Dossier | april 2017

Narendra Modi as Prime Minister was formed, series of steps are being taken to root out tax evasion and corruption even at the cost of hurting the ruling party’s voters, which reflects seriousness in this matter.

At the very first meeting of the Council of Ministers of the new Government, Special Investigation Team (SIT) under chairmanship of retired Chief Justice of India was appointed to unearth black money.

To detect undisclosed foreign income and assets The Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015 has been made operative from 1st July 2015. The objective of this Act is to tax undisclosed overseas income and assets.

This Act contains stringent provisions to levy tax and penalty on undisclosed assets held abroad by a person who is resident in India @ 120 per cent and rigorous imprisonment of three to ten years. Simultaneously, the Government has entered into agreements with 33 countries for On Time Exchange of Information of bank account holders of home country.

Though response to Disclosure of Foreign Assets Scheme was unsatisfactory, it would be very difficult for Indians to bring back these hidden funds to India by round tripping of funds. Further, growth of hoarded black money abroad will stop as it will be hard to send black money abroad.

After giving chance to Indians to declare domestic black money under the Income Tax Declaration Scheme, 2016 @ 45% tax, the Demonetisation Scheme of high value notes was introduced to curb corruption, black money and terror funding. This was planned in advance with massive opening of Jan Dhan Bank Accounts and other logistics to facilitate banking transactions.

In anticipation of a fertile mind of Indians to sabotage the Scheme through corrupt practices, Prohibition of Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 2016 was enacted. This Act provides for 7 years imprisonment and fine for a person who holds any immovable or movable property

including bank deposits, financial securities financed by him but held in the name of other parties.

Simultaneously, the Prevention of Money Laundering Act has been enforced to provide for confiscation of property and heavy fine for laundering of illegal money through legal channels.

Along with this, Government has made its Data Information Technology Network more robust and strong. Through Demonetization, the Government has now established an audit trail of funds deposited in various bank accounts and their transfer to third party accounts.

The Government has made it mandatory to link every bank account anywhere in India with PAN number.

The transaction of investments in demat accounts, mutual funds, air travels, hotels are also linked through PAN. Tax is required to be deducted at source (TDS) from a host of payments like contracts, fees, rent etc. linked to PAN. Provisions are also introduced to collect tax at source by sellers in respect of certain transactions above certain amount like jewellery etc. where quoting PAN is a must.

This will enable the Income Tax Department to check the transaction history of any individual with a click of a button and trace omissions, evasions and non-reporting of any financial transactions, also unusual trends in bank accounts for further investigation with the help of new PAN Monitoring & Analysis software tool of the Income Tax Department.

Provisions are made under the Income Tax Act by putting restrictions on cash transactions to push transactions through banking channels and to reduce tax evasion.

Introduction of GST with effect from 1st July, 2017 will also curb tax evasion through suppression of supplies of goods and services since they will be linked to the Income Tax Department through PAN. With these various measures taken by the Government to spread the tax net, it will be very difficult for anyone to dodge the system to avoid or evade tax without the risk of heavy punishment

The Columnist is a Practising Chartered Accountant and Member of Institute of Company Secretaries of India

good company

Swatee Shere Rane

Market Shigmo to the world A reflection of the State’s cultural vibrance, the Shigmo parades need to be marketed better Parking my car next to the Panaji Church, I hurried through the streets of Church Square towards the junction of the road from where the Shigmo Floats were passing. As I reached a comfortable position on the end ofthe road, I joined many other enthusiastic folks who were standing with their toes raised, trying to catch whatever glimpses they could of the colourful Shigmo floats passing by. We could see processions of cultural groups from villages dressed up in colourful outfits, holding multi-coloured flags and playing large musical instruments like the Dhol Tasha and flutes. The dance performances followed; and then the pickup vans in reverse gear, carrying huge mythological figures created artistically by the village craftsmen, depicting various scenes from our legendary past. The parade went on till late night amidst loud cheering and applause from the audience who stood orderly on the side of the streets.

Shigmo floats are organized to celebrate the spring festival which used to honour the homecoming of warriors returning victorious from distant wars.

Every time I watch these colourful, vibrant, aesthetic, and joyous parades, new lessons dawn upon me.The attractive décor, rhythmic music, dance performances and lively processions showcase the creativity of the village artisans, artists and craftsmen. As one after other, the village troupe’s perform Lezim, Ghode Modni, Fugdi, what can’t be missed is the team-spirit, cohesiveness and harmony present amongst them. The whole family, right from grandpa, grandma, papa, Mom, little kids, each one is out there in the procession, proudly representing their village cultural troupe. Everybody is enthusiastic, energetic – their spirits soaring high with each drumbeat.

I was told that the village folks start their preparations for these parades around four to five months before the day of the floats. I am also pleasantly surprised by the fact that there has never been any untoward event during these processions.

The atmosphere is filled with such a

dazzling effect that everyone is left awestruck!

The state government has always supported the Shigmo parades. Despite the support, the event has always remained a low key affair. There are many bottlenecks which one has to battle to witness this spectacular event. Being a night show, there are challenges to reach the designated streets of the parade due to transport restraints. There are no seating arrangements on the side of the streets and senior citizens have to stand on the streets for hours. That’s the reason why many miss out on this show. My British friends who have been travelling to Goa annually for the last twenty years, have not seen the Shigmo floats till today. They are truly impressed by the vibrant Indian culture, but unfortunately have not watched Shigmo floats which are infact a beautiful showcase of this culture.

One more amazing cultural event which is organized in Goa is the “LokUtsav”.

It is a celebration and showcasing of the art, culture, cuisine, dance, artistry and handicrafts of the various states in our country. From the time that I have started living in Goa, I have always attended atleast one day of this magnificent weeklong cultural event. And every visit has made me return with a proud feeling of our rich and varied cultural diversity. Versatile dance performances from different states, coupled with stalls, where you can pickup beautiful artifacts and handicrafts made by local craftsmen. Not to forget the food

stalls where you can satisfy your hunger pangs by hogging on the ‘Rajasthani dal baati’, ‘Gujarati dhokla’, ‘Maharashtrian usal pav’, ‘Hyderabadi biryani’ or ‘Bengali sandesh’. The exuberance on display is palpating. Yet very few enthusiastic people actually visit the ‘LokUtsav’. Although it is advertised in local newspapers, not many are actually aware of this magnificent event happening in the state. People not living in and around Panaji miss out on witnessing this fabulous event. If we had air-conditioned coaches to ferry the audience comfortably to the LokUtsav venue, many more people would attend this cultural event. Effective marketing of these programs and tickets sold by travel agents, hotels, and restaurants can make ‘Lokutsav’ popular with the residents and the tourists, alike.

Our country is popular for its diverse and rich culture, since each state has some extraordinary form of art, crafts, and cuisine to exhibit.That is why, our cultural events are such a hit. But unfortunately, only a few cultural events are organized in the country. If each of our tourist states could host at least one such cultural program, we could boast of more than twenty cultural programs throughout the year.

Another major concern is the dismal publicity of our cultural events. Why are our ‘Lokutsavs’, ‘Lokrangs’ and ‘Surajkund crafts mela’ missed from the promotion efforts at tourism and travel-shows?

Think about ‘Oktoberfest’ in Germany, ‘Glastonbury Festival’ in England or ‘Rio De Janerio Carnival’ in Brazil. These cultural events are synonymous with the names of their countries. Tourists around the world plan their travel dates according to the dates of these cultural events.

Shouldn’t we brush aside our indifference and summon the world to come and witness our magnificent cultural events? And as the world watches dumbfounded, these fantabulous shows on display, would help our village folk make merry as they start making money hand over fist april 2017 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 47

ANTARPRERNA

Nandini Vaidyanathan

Employees create brands I woke up this morning to the news that D Mart stores listed at a valuation of over $6 billion (`40,000 crore). Its very unassuming, low profile promoter, Radhakishan Damani has now overtaken all other long standing Indian billionaires, not just because of D Mart where he along with his family owns around 82% stock but also because of his other blue chip investments which he made as a wise stock broker.

I don’t know the gentleman, in fact, up until this morning, I had not even known of him. But I do know D Mart. If I remember right, their first store in Delhi opened in Green Park market somewhere in the early 90s, and we bought our first microwave from there. A Kelvinator, if memory serves me right. It is very strange that even after two and a half decades, I remember this. 25 years is a long time for these kinds of memories to last, especially since I have lived in over 60 countries since then, bought as many appliances probably and I can’t associate many of the purchases with a particular store.

So why did D Mart have this instant recall? Strangely, I don’t think it was because of the store at all. All I remember of the store was that it was a fairly largish store, on two levels and it was probably the first store in South Delhi which stocked both grocery items and home appliances.

We had gone to Green Park market to buy some stuff and it so happened we parked in front of D Mart. The newness of the store made us walk in, and of course we couldn’t possibly have walked out emptyhanded, could we?

I remember buying the microwave but I can’t for the life of me recall why we chose the microwave because to the best of my knowledge, microwaves were not on anyone’s radar those days and the only time they popped up in conversations over cocktail was that it was so unsuitable to Indian cooking, especially vegetarian cooking. We were vegetarian, so it should have been ruled out instantly. And of course, there was this big hassle that you needed to buy all the cookware in melamine or microwaveable plastic (those days the options were really very few).

48 | Business Goa industry Dossier | april 2017

The writer mentors entrepreneurs and teaches entrepreneurship. She is the author of Entrepedia, the best-selling book on how to start your own business in India. She is also the Managing Editor of the monthly digital magazine for entrepreneurs, Chatterpillar nandini@carmaconnect.in

The real heroes behind the brand

The simple yet ignored truth is this.

It is employees who create brands.

Not entrepreneurs.

Not customers Money was hard to come by as it was early days of career for both of us and we had a young daughter, so no way this could have figured anywhere on our shopping list.

But buy we did. I also remember we bought our very first oven mittens and an apron. I still remember it was a lovely print, some magenta flowers against a black background. We brought our shopping home, installed the microwave in our typical DDA kitchen in Saket, but displayed the mittens and apron prominently (I must admit they added colour to the otherwise drab kitchen).

This piece is not about the microwave or the mittens or even about D mart. It is actually about a young lady called Manju (see, I even remember her name and how she looked). She was a little on the stouter side, fair of skin, curly haired; she wore a long black skirt with a white tucked-in shirt (I don’t recollect if it was the store uniform). Her whole demeanor was extremely calm and somehow economical.

She did not talk over much; nor did she gesticulate. I seem to recall that when we walked in, she was the first person to come out and meet us and I think I told her that we had no shopping list, and we were just

‘looking around’.

She allowed us to walk around and she was always there when we had a question but her presence was never intrusive; years later when Shoppers Stop started to advertise that their large stores enabled women to browse the aisle by themselves and have their ‘me-time’, I instantly thought of Manju.

I have no clue why we decided to buy the microwave, how we ended up not having an argument because all shopping entailed nasty arguments between us or if we actually did and I had my way. The rest of it is a blur, but buy we did and Manju supervised our shopping being loaded into our van (we had a Maruti Omni those days).

I know her name was Manju because she had a small name tag (in black plastic) pinned to her shirt. She was probably the Store Manager or Supervisor. I don’t think we engaged in any great banter. There were no phone numbers to exchange as there were no cell phones those days. But we began to buy all our monthly provisions from there although it really wasn’t our neighbourhood market. We continued our monthly visits to the store for about a year, I think.

One day, we walked into the store as usual on the 3rd of the month. We couldn’t spot Manju anywhere. I asked one of the assistants. I was told she had quit her job.

I remember feeling a bit shocked because up until then, I probably always thought she was the owner although I must have known that she was an employee.

We never went back to D Mart. We have never shopped at any D Mart, since.

But Damani, I must say this, if you chose people for your stores who took ownership of the road map the way Manju did, I am not surprised your brand valuation was so high (see how high your brand recall is!)

The simple yet ignored truth is this. It is employees like Manju who create brands.

Not entrepreneurs. Not customers

freewheeling

Hester Bergh-Appoye

The writer is an accomplished corporate professional with over 30 years international business experience primarily in the pharmaceutical, financial and tertiary education sectors. She is currently in the process of publishing her book on the impact of culture on business, being a product of multicultural influences herself – a South African, married to an Austrian, and having worked in Europe, South East Asia and now in India.

Titles, entitlement and the sweet success of serving others Discovering more about ourselves, our values and cultures and how to contribute to a better world I started my career in an American company well known for its baby products and less known for its enormous global market share in surgical and optical products. But I’m not sure those “formative” years of my professional life, which have been the foundation of all my business interactions, were always to my benefit. Sometimes it served me well, other times not.

So what was it that made such a big impact on my rookie mind? Being called by my name.

On my first day at Johnson & Johnson I was welcomed at reception, shown around and taken to meet people. I met truck drivers, warehouse packers and managers, kitchen staff, accountants, telesales staff and some of the big shots sitting in plush floored offices (bigger than my newly rented flat) as well as the CEO who was introduced to me by his first name. He already knew mine.

The embodiment of J&J’s company culture and credo is consistently demonstrated by the way they extend value to their patients, clients and employees.

Google it when you get a chance. Enduring mutual success is a spirit of serving that smiled through the offices and corridors in the sweet absence of titles and entitlement.

It was with this spirit to serve that I later went into the big wide world of international business.

Fast forward to Kuala Lumpur and I have joined an international educational institute as lecturer in charge and head of department for the business and marketing department. Sounds grand doesn’t it? Some months later, I was invited to a formal dinner which was being hosted by the college owners for dignitaries who endorsed the institution. I was given a list of the names. Drat! This Mat Salleh (foreigner) had no idea what she was up against. Titles in Malaysia can range from being a *Guru (you know is teacher) / Profesor (missing an f and s) / Pensyarah (lecturer) / Pakar Perunding (consultant) Cemerlang (excellent) to G/P/P/PP Kanak (senior) to G/P/P/PP Penolong (assistant); and if you are really well bestowed, it

will include Honorary Title, Professional Rank, Royal Hereditary Title (if), Federal Title, Non-Royal Hereditary Title, Doctor, Name. I chucked the list, held thumbs and waded my way through the fields of titles and cultural landmines. I live to tell the tale.

Fast forward to Austria. I am new in a country and cannot speak its language.

Don’t worry about that Hester, they all speak English someone lied. No sweat. I can do this. And hey, we look the same, dress the same, eat the same so the transition from South East Asia to Austria

In today’s extreme busy-ness of doing business with people vying for your attention via impersonal platforms, it would be good to take archaic and unquestioned culturally upheld habits – especially those that foster entitlement – by their bullish horns and give them a real good shake is going to be a walk in Vienna’s beautiful Stadtpark isn’t it? No. Not quite. But I’ll leave that for another column!

Within a couple of months I am starting out on my new business venture of being a communication coach for execs who need support in their English business activities. I already have seven board members and two CEOs on my client list.

And, this time I’m prepared – Austrians like titles. I internalise the titles of those I have to meet. And, yes, mother of all drats, I still manage to get it wrong which kickstarts a flush of facial discoloration, a tight lipped correction by the assistant while the said gentlemen remains unusually expressionless. I fluff over it with some quirky comment about being a bush girl and that these faux pas should be forgiven which causes a...what was that? ...was that an eensy-teensy smile? To which I got: “You are lucky you are not Austrian”. Whoa!

Fast forward to Goa, India. The year is 2017. A few days ago my husband and I were invited to our neighbour’s birthday party. She’s big on clubs and societies and

happy to introduce me to her other guests.

I duly warned the first few that I am bad at remembering titles. Some smiled, others didn’t. At one particular gentleman, and rebelling against being told that I was honoured to be meeting the secretary of this and president of that I made an unconscious dismissive gesture and begged the gentleman to tell me his name. My host promptly turned on her heels with a huff and left me to do whatever she thought I had to do to remedy the situation. In that instant he smiled, stepped forward, asked me to repeat my name and without any further ado we went into a delightfully en-lighten-ing conversation. It was a true honour to speak with him – in the absence of titles. Here’s why.

Titles create a spirit of entitlement.

Entitlement messes with your head. It alienates and gets you more rejection than affection. Ultimately it hinders connective conversation, collaboration and therefore co-creation. Entitlement does not serve.

I realise your egos are thumping their fists and shouting “She’s wrong! You’re entitled to your opinion...you have rights... blah entitled blah”. And you are, but there is a difference between making a valuable contribution through valued exchange, to having an attitude of higher altitude.

And. I get that you might have been born into status (royal or not), studied (or not) and – if you were anything like some of my students in Malaysia and Austria you might have loads of experience in cheating too – you might be qualified for that title.

Or not.

The woman, man, or company culture – just like the one I was introduced to 30 years ago – that stands out and is remembered is the one that serves. In today’s extreme busy-ness of doing business with people vying for your attention via impersonal platforms, it would be good to take archaic and unquestioned culturally upheld habits – especially those that foster entitlement – by their bullish horns and give them a real good shake. Success is sweet and if it is profitable business conversation you’re looking for, the sound of your name makes it even sweeter april 2017 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 49

education

Kush Khaitan

Kush Khaitan’s nature of being an entrepreneur means that he is fully embraced with ambiguity and being comfortable with being challenged regularly. His role as an entrepreneur is a riveting roller coaster of emotions with tremendous highs and at times, difficult lows, but one thing that always helps him through the ups and downs is to connect with some of the greatest minds

Excel in whatever you do without stress and competition An open letter to many who give much importance to competition over creativity and the potential that lies within the upcoming generation Dear Parents, Educators:

Students

and

Please read the following with a mind free from any bias or conditioning and do give it a thought before jumping to any conclusions or being judgmental.

Maybe you don’t want the life you currently live, and that’s perfectly OK. We are all unique and have options. We are not perfect and cannot make everyone happy all the time. The choice is up to you.

Let me begin with simple questions - Why do most adults prefer going to the gym instead of playing games?

- Why have children stopped playing games?

- Should everyone play? Do we want them to play? If so, for what reason?

- Do we have some kind of fear in us?

- Do we get angry fast?

- Are we able to manage the stress in our lives?

Let us find out the answers to all these questions.

According to our research and understanding, all this happens because games have always been perceived as winning and losing; and nobody wants to lose. Today, competitive games teach us to beat the opponent and win by hook or by crook; to be ruthless; to pull others down as crab mentality; to boost negative ego; and to be selfish. These traits persist even if we do not want it to. We continue to say “have sportsman’s spirits”, but yet we hear of cases of doping, match fixing, political intervention, etc. These are some of the bigger issues, but there are small actions that are just as common – like hitting, negative hooting, cheating or even raising unnecessary objection, if we see the other team or player doing better than us.

What can we do to encourage people to continue playing games all their lives?

The answers lie in creating a new dimension for sports and games and thus, give our life a new dimension, as well.

50 | Business Goa industry Dossier | april 2017

Redefining sports and games We should learn to play not for the title of winning or beating someone. There are a number of alternative reasons instead like: 1. Fitness – both physical and mental 2. Skill Development, 3. Building competency 4. Being proactive 5. Learning strategy and planning 6. Play for joy, enjoyment, relaxation and fun 7. Learn to co-operate and collaborate as a team 8. Positive social interaction 9. Feel good factor If we play for the above objectives, we will continue to play all our lives till we die, because our fear of losing or of comparison will vanish. Once we know the real benefits of playing we will begin to enjoy sports.

If we practice and train regularly with passion, we will become competent and excel. Research shows that by practicing for 10000 hours; we can achieve the highest level of expertise in any field. By doing this, we can become better people, imbibed with positive traits like being helpful, and spreading happiness and positivity all around. Hence; negativities like fear, anger and stress will automatically disappear.

Come; let us play games for enjoyment by saying no to competition.

Looking beyond sports The world has 80:20 ratio for almost everything. Let us assume that we are a part of the top 20%. We are wealthy and enjoy more luxuries than others; but we are not necessarily relaxed, happy, or satisfied.

- Do you know why?

Because we always want more. We have been conditioned all our lives to win and to be better than the other. Once we achieve an admirable status, we then want to flaunt it among others.

- Do we buy things like gadgets/cars for their use; or has it now become a status symbol?

- Who defines these statuses? Does money and wealth now define the quality of life we live?

Even the two well-known billionaire brothers, cannot live happily with each other. Living a life of abundance begins by giving whole heartedly, caring, cooperating, supporting and collaborating.

And not by blaming, complaining, condemning or criticizing. It is not our fault that we do all this, because we have been conditioned from the beginning to be the best in everything and to compare ourselves till we prove to be better than the other.

The question then arises – Do we want to change this? And how can we?

One way of changing this is by saying ‘No’ to competition. We should instead, learn to support, co-operate, collaborate and care for each other unconditionally, without expecting anything in return.

There is enough to fulfill everyone’s need in this world, but not for everyone’s greed!

To stay happy unconditionally, you need to take charge of your life by keeping the remote in your hand and not letting others control your life.

We condition children to think “If you do this, you will get this”, but such a thought process is like conditioning children towards corruption – by bribing them to achieve something just to get something in return. When these children grow up, we then expect them to fight against corruption or live with it. Is this ok?

Like corruption, competition is a disease.

Let’s take the example of a lady/man cooking for everybody at home. Does s/ he cook to be appreciated or get something in return? S/he puts all her/his love, care

The writer is a visiting faculty to many B-Schools.

He is a professional trainer in many PSUs and private sector industries.

He can be reached at rnmisra@tatasteel.com

HR MANTRA

R N Misra

The art of managing management. Why supervision?

When it comes to better work cultures, supervision may not always be the trick that pays Money cannot buy everything. By now you probably know that a higher wage by itself does not lead to better discipline, higher efficiency, or for that matter, even commitment or loyalty to the organisation. This does not, however, mean you should pay less. Only, you should appreciate the fact that money alone will not achieve everything.

Qualities of commitment and loyalty to the organisation, discipline and efficiency could not be had for the mere asking or on mere payment. You must bring about an intellectual conviction in your workers as to the need of these qualities.

You should not, therefore, be disheartened if in spite of your paying a higher wage, you do not get in return the aforesaid qualities in your workmen.

You might have also noticed in some companies where wages and heart in cooking and that is why we all like the food better than eating at the best restaurants. If the cook works unconditionally with love and passion, the food will always taste better rather than when s/he works to get something in return.

All of us are unique and different in many ways and hence, there is no scope for comparison or competition.

Even a set of twins born to the same parents, who live in the same atmosphere, go to the same school, turn out to be different with skills, interests, qualities, strengths and weaknesses.

There is no healthy

are relatively low, the culture of the workers is superior. There is, therefore, something else that matters. This something lies in bringing about a change or attitude in your worker so that he gives his honest best unasked. You might perhaps think for standard of discipline can be set right by appointing more supervisors. A good and conscientious worker will resent anybody supervising

his work. If you assume the worker will not give you his best unless a supervisor breathes down his neck all the time, you must realise that such a system is based on distrust; and distrust will not produce the best results.

What is the guarantee that the supervisor will supervise conscientiously and he himself does not take his job lightly or misuse his position? Then

competition, just as there is no healthy disease. Believe me; playing in matches and tournaments is not required at all. Even if people participate and win, what comes next?

At what cost? And why? If we play matches it should be for enjoyment and performance, and not to beat the other.

The aim should be to build competence.

services. Competition begins when one is greedy (it is called ‘being ambitious’ in the business world).

Sunshine Worldwide School was started with a different vision and we have certainly taken long to reach this level. The climb to this level could have been quicker if we had started a run-of-themill school, but we wanted to make a difference. For us, students need to be dealt with as humans and not as machines.

Do not live your dreams through your children We do not want our students to take unnecessary stress and get into the habit of wanting to beat others. Everyone in this world has enough market to sell their products and

Creating a new dimension to life Instead of meeting over coffee or a drink at night, we suggest

you must have a supervisor to supervise the supervisor, and so on. The thinking that the worker, given the freedom and accountability, will not give his best when left alone is outmoded.

You cannot avoid any crime by simply having a policeman around. If you want people to desist from committing crime, say stealing only for fear of policemen, such people will still commit the crime when the policemen is looking the other way. But, if you convince the people that stealing is bad, then even without a policeman around they will not steal. You should, therefore, inculcate a new culture among your workers. This can be done through education. Education, however, does not mean making the worker merely more knowledgeable. It should mould his thinking and attitude along desirable lines meeting at 5 a.m. in the morning at the beach / garden / playground to play a game of cricket, football, basketball or the simpler games like Frisbee, kho-kho, seven tiles, or just run around in sand and water.

Imagine what could happen if we do this, when we can experience it once, maybe this weekend. This would certainly be an excellent way to spend quality time and breathe fresh air with our children and friends. We may even avoid going to the closed airconditioned gym. This is after all the life that even nature wants us to live.

Let us educate ourselves to create a new world

april 2017 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 51

The writer used to be a senior corporate executive, now a social entrepreneur.

He spends most of his time between Goa and New York.

He can be reached at jay@dehejia.net

letter from america

Jay Dehejia

The unending quest for learning A life well lived and learned from, Prof. Atul Nerkar shares his fascinating journey Indians from all walks of life have come to America to work or to study.

Many have decided to remain in the United States; each one for his or her own good reason. Instead of thinking of this move as a brain drain from India, we should consider it a brain gain. The Indian diaspora have contributed much to India and the United States from the vast experience and the expanded knowledge they have gained living in America.

Over the next year, I plan to profile some noteworthy individuals from India, now living in the U.S., who have made India proud with their achievements in their new home.

Atul Nerkar is one such individual.

He is Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship and Jeffrey A. Allred Distinguished Scholar at Kenan-Flagler Business School of University of North Carolina. He was born in a small village called Chalisgaon in the district of Jalgaon, Maharashtra. His father worked with the Reserve Bank of India. During his many interesting and exciting years at the RBI, he was transferred to its regional offices including Delhi and Kolkata before moving to Mumbai. Atul moved 7 schools in 12 years, a change just every two years.

He did not have time to make friends; his determination was to learn as much as he could. In his last two years he went to St. Xavier’s School in Ville Parle, a suburb of Mumbai. On leaving high school, he joined Somaya Engineering College in Mumbai; going to one of the IITs was never a consideration. His thirst for learning then took him to the Indian Institute for Foreign Trade to study International Management.

Atul Nerkar had not considered going abroad at that time. He felt that he could do well in India and also learn from senior colleagues working at Indian or multinational companies operating in India. He went on to say: “My colleagues were amazed that I had singled out a couple of high-end multinationals operating in India. My father was a role model for me.

He rarely made comments or suggestions, 52 | Business Goa industry Dossier | april 2017

Atul Nerkar

Dr. Nerkar’s thirst for learning never stopped. He felt compelled to learn more, and continue his research in the area of strategy but was there for me if I needed advise. He did suggest that I might like to try out for the Tata Group of companies. I applied and was asked to go for an interview. I was surprised that I successfully went through three sets of interviews. I never thought of myself as one of the elites like the ones I saw at TATA. At that interview with two stalwarts of the company, I was asked many questions. One of them was “What do you read, and what music do you listen to?” I was more than a little nervous. I was mostly listening to Hindi music and reading graphic novels. Thinking on my feet, I decided to give a totally honest answer, even though it would not be one that would look ‘correct’ to foreign educated, high-level interviewers. My honest answer came as a surprise to them, but they rewarded me by offering me a job.

I did not take that assignment. I was soon accepted by Unilever India, an organization I enjoyed working for two years. Even though I was on their ‘fast-track’ system, I

did not feel like I was learning much. I had always wanted to improve myself though learning. My father encouraged me to continue my ambition to learn. He even suggested that I might like to go abroad to continue my thirst for learning.”

Atul had been looking at Universities in England and America, but could not find the one that he liked and also get a scholarship. He had many rejections, and soon concluded that it was not likely to happen. Nerkar never gave up his ambition to learn more at Universities outside India. Failure was not in his DNA. In mid September of 1992, just as the Fall semester was about to begin, out of the blue, he got accepted for a Ph.D. program at Drexel University in Philadelphia. He recalls his fascinating story. “I filled out my visa application. I was able to borrow money to help me show the US Immigration authorities that I had enough funds. I went to the US Consulate in Chennai to be told that my application was rejected for lack of funds. At my second interview, after spending 10 hours at the Chennai consulate without food or water, I was called to the officer’s desk. Before he even said a word, I told him that I did not want the visa as I was really upset at the way they had treated me. Once again, my anger, but controlled voice helped me. The visa officer granted me the visa on September 30th, well into the start of the semester.

The officer insisted that I pay for the visa – a very large amount – that same minute. I gave in my resignation, packed my suitcase (there was little to pack!), and left the next day for the United States.” When he got to Drexel, he realized that there was no scholarship money available. His Professor worked with him to get Wharton. Was it luck, hard work, or perseverance, I asked him? As modest as Atul Nerkar is, he just smiled and let it go! He worked hard and fast and received his Ph.D. in record time of 3 and ½ years.

Dr. Nerkar’s thirst for learning never stopped. He felt compelled to learn more, and continue his research in the area of strategy. He had applied to several

Universities for a tenure tack position, and Columbia University was keen to accept him. In 2004, he joined the Kenan-Flagler Business School at Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Nerkar not only teaches their regular MBA program, and their Executive MBA program, he has been asked to teach at ISB, Hyderabad, senior management at several Indian corporations, Generals at the US military, and many more. Prof. Nerkar was the Dean of KenanFlagler Executive program for several years.

Professor Nerkar is loath to tell entrepreneurs and managers what or how they should conduct business. He believes that over the last 20 years, corporate managers and entrepreneurs in India have learnt to manage their operations in a free capitalist environment, like in the US. The problems and most of the solutions for managers everywhere are the same. The real difference is in the cultural background. Nerkar goes on to say: “I suggest that Indians look to the US for new ideas, challenge orthodoxy, and ensure transparency in their dealing with the government, vendors, and customers. People in India need to challenge themselves to become the best in their field. I believe that failure should not be considered a ‘black mark’ on the manager. One can learn so much from failure. I believe one learns more from failure than from easy success. I also believe that entrepreneurs should have a clear mid to long-term strategy, but at the same time they should be ready to take advantage of unforeseen opportunities. Be honest with yourself, honest with your bankers, and honest with everyone around you, as such behaviour will help you in need. My key advice to entrepreneurs is learn, learn, learn.”

There is lot to learn from Atul Nerkar

When you advertise with Business Goa, you ensure that your pitch is read, heard and viewed favourably by the who’s who of business in Goa Call Annalise Gouveia on 0832-2437822, 6456555 or email businessgoa.media@gmail.com

april 2017 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 53

startup

EDC hosts the 2nd edition of Chief Minister’s Startup Challenge 2017

Ten innovative startups battle it out for the grand title of the Chief Minister’s Startup Challenge - 2017 During the year 2016, EDC Ltd. had conducted a competition among technology startups which was so successful, that the first prize winner received equity investment of `3 crore from a private investor, merely on the basis of the Chief Minister’s Technology Startup Award given by EDC. With this background of success, EDC went ahead with a similar competition during the year 2017 in general category of startups. The Startup Challenge 2017 competition received applications from 38 participants. In order to broaden the awareness of the competition, EDC collaborated with the Goa State Innovation Council, Government of Goa and the event was organized in association with Don Bosco College of Engineering, Fatorda.

The first three winners will be awarded, `5lakh, `2lakh and `1lakh respectively. The first prize winner will be also awarded the ‘Chief Ministers’ Startup Challenge, 2017 Award’ at the hands of the Chief Minister, Government of Goa. The prize money is contributed by EDC and Goa State Innovation Council, Government of Goa. The concept of Chief Minister’s Startup Challenge has been conceived by Santosh R. Kenkre, Vice Chairman, EDC. This innovative concept is taken forward in the right direction by Arvind Ghatkar, Managing Director, EDC with the assistance of B. S. Borkar, Dy. General Manager, EDC. The applications were scrutinized in the first round and ten of the best entries were selected by a panel of judges which included N. Shriram, Director, Tulip Diagnostics Ltd., M. R. Swaminathan, Head

share resources, information and advice related to travel. It helps them communicate over posted queries and local tips or direct messaging.

Brush flicks Brushflicks is a talent hub that aims at solving a major problem of unemployment in the creative sector by creating solutions to some of the big problems through art.

– Operations, EMS – Goa, TCS Ltd, Ralph D’Sousa, owner of chain of hotels and Director of EDC LTD., Pandurang Kamat, Chief Architect, Innovation and R & D, Persistent Systems Ltd, Nigel Cabral, industrialist/ businessman, Shripad D. Kulkarni, Director of Diebold Systems Pvt. Ltd, Prof. Dr. Mridula Goel, Prof in BITS & member of Goa State Innovation Council, Ryan Carvalho, IT consultant, Fr. Kinley D’Cruz, Director, Don Bosco College of Engineering at Fatorda, and Dr. Neena S. Pai Panandikar, Principal, Don Bosco College of Engineering, Fatorda The Evaluation of all the 10 listed startups was done on 21st March 2017, at EDC House, Panaji, Goa. Each of the 10 startups gave a separate presentation before the 10 judges. The basic criteria fixed for evaluation was technology, innovation in business model, scalability and team composition.

A brief summary of 10 final startups is as below: Garage Guy Garage Guy is an online marketplace dedicated towards automobile services, to combat common problems that occur during vehicle servicing.

54 | Business Goa industry Dossier | april 2017

Customers can select a wide range of services right from automobile maintenance, accessory fitments to even booking a test drive for a newly launched vehicle.

Growth Gravy Growth Gravy was founded in 2016 with an idea to help businesses market their services and products in simpler ways and generate twice the revenue growth in a short period. It provides end to end digital marketing solutions that range from consulting and strategy solutions to managing businesses’ entire brand presence online.

SaleApp Advertising Limited SaleApp Advertising Limited is an IT Start-Up from Goa that focuses on Digital Marketing and Advertising through interactive and engaging forms of Digital Media. It has taken one step further by creating Goa’s very first online portal for posting Newspaper Classified Ads in all leading newspapers across Goa, through the SaleApp Website and Android App. Lokaso Lokaso is an exclusive platform that connects travellers and local experts to engage and

Counterfeit Counterfeit IQ is a Block-chain based platform, which helps to detect any counterfeit products or documents.

Intellis Engineering Services Pvt. Ltd. Weave, by Intellis Engineering Services Pvt. Ltd., is a platform software system that can make any business paperless and can efficiently handle changes in workflow without having to edit software code.

Sevarat Sevarat is Goa’s first dedicated Senior Care Service which provides timely reliable and professional services to meet every single need of the elderly within their own homes.

Androcid Androcid is a Mobile Development Studio exclusively working on building mobile apps and works on mobile platforms such as Android and iOS. Dubl’up Dubl’up is Goa’s first lifestyle app which provides its customers with attractive incentives to explore new restaurants, salons and spas, hotels and resorts, top gyms and fitness centers or try out leisure activities all at half the cost

auto world

Harley-Davidson Street Rod open for booking

The new Harley-Davidson® Street Rod is open for booking and is on display across all Harley-Davidson dealerships in the country from the 15th of March 2017 onwards.

Motorcycle enthusiasts will have the opportunity to test ride the Harley-Davidson® Street Rod from 21st April 2017.

The new HarleyDavidson® Street Rod™ is set to raise eyebrows, and reset expectations. Grown from the Street platform it’s built to thrive in the city – and provide an exhilarating experience beyond.

Its tuned High Output Revolution™ X 750 engine, producing more torque through the mid-range and power at the top-end also chases a higher redline. The bigger hitting motor is matched with sharper chassis geometry and aggressive riding position; there are also upgrades to the suspension, brakes and wheels.

And the Street Rod’s lines are very much its own. Its tough look is drenched in HarleyDavidson Dark Custom™ styling (plus hints of flat-track steel) and oozes purpose, with a hunched forward, ready-foraction stance. The Street Rod will be offered in three colour options: Vivid Black, Charcoal Denim and Olive Gold.

The new model has a muscular middleweight with upgraded performance, handling and more aggressive riding position. The Street Rod’s™ new High Output 56 | Business Goa industry Dossier | april 2017

Revolution X™ 750 V-twin engine puts out more peak power and torque with an extended rev range. New chassis geometry and 17 in front and rear wheels deliver fast and responsive steering.

43mm inverted forks are matched by remote reservoir rear shocks. The dual 300 mm front discs plus ABS breaks as standard. Three paint options show off the Street Rod’s Dark Custom™ style to the maximum.

Chetan Shedjale, Senior Motorcycle Designer, HarleyDavidson added, “American racing is something very inspirational to the world, it was a key factor in styling inspiration and resulted in substantial changes to the look of the all-new HarleyDavidson Street Rod. Everything was looked at to be performance oriented, streetfighter inspired but with a Harley image and Americana.

It is designed to deliver the style and agility demanded in an urban environment where our riders will experience this motorcycle in.”

Pallavi Singh, Director Marketing, Harley-Davidson India said, “We are thrilled to launch Harley-Davidson Street Rod in India which has a growing population of young adults.

The model is built to appeal a specific demographic in this space. As a customer-led organization, a key part of our strategy is to attract and retain new riders in India”

what’s up goa

Honda NAVi Goa Hunt 2017 event The GTDC - Honda NAVi Goa Hunt 2017, a fun and adventure activity aimed at exploring the unexplored side of Goa on youth’s most loved and favourite Honda NAVi was flagged off by Minister for Tourism, Government of Goa, Manohar Azgaonkar. A total of 18 renowned journalists and online bloggers from all across India participated in this twoday event riding the swanky Honda NAVi. The teams took on different challenges including fun-filled tasks posed to them en-route and decoded clues to ‘NAVigate’ their way through 10 different stages over two days.

Goa Hunt 2017 was organized by Goa Tourism Development Corporation in association with Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. Speaking at the event, Manohar Azgaonkar said, “Goa Tourism has associated

with Honda to organize the Goa Hunt 2017 which will serve as a platform to promote Goa Tourism and its lesser known facets with a wider reach considering the fact that the event has the participation of national media and bloggers. This will help attract more tourists to Goa who will want to explore Goa and its hidden treasures.

As the new Minister for Tourism, it is my endeavour to take tourism to greater heights, bring in quality tourism and tourists to the State.”

58 | Business Goa industry Dossier | april 2017

Annual exhibition at Goa College of Art

Azgaonkar flagged off the two-day Goa Hunt 2017 in the presence of Sanjeev C. Gauns Dessai, Director of Tourism and other GTDC officials and those from Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. Manipal Hospitals Dona Paula Goa provided a fully-equipped ambulance with doctors who accompanied the participants during the two-day Goa Hunt 2017.

The event concluded on 24th March 2017, with an award ceremony by felicitating its winners

The Goa College of Art held their annual day celebration, the annual art exhibition and Kala Utsav recently. It was inaugurated by Nila Mohanan, IAS, Collector and District Magistrate, North Goa with Vivek Belokar, Assistant Director of Directorate of Technical Education as Guest of Honour.

The exhibits included the academic work done by students of Painting Department and the Applied Art Department from the College. Visitors got a comprehensive idea of the teaching process from the first year class to the final year class in both the departments.

Ex-principal, Padmashree Laxman Pai also visited the exhibition and expressed his satisfaction after viewing it

bon appetit

The Rice Mill | Morjim

A relaxed café-bar Black Pepper Tofu

By ANKITHA JOSEPH

Tucked away in the village of Morjim is a new café and bar, the Rice Mill, set in an old rice mill that found its existence back in the year 1955. Conserving one of the earliest rice mills in the village and adding to the memoirs of many, Raya Shankhwalker started off with the café bar in the end of December 2016. The café bar focuses on being an experience rather than any other typical restaurant.

An architect by profession, Raya has maintained the true essence of the rice mill in the interiors and exteriors of the café bar. An earthy minimalistic look could be one of the easiest ways to describe the Rice Café but to elaborate it’s a lot. The Rice Mill is the perfect place to frequent to for the calm and soothing atmosphere that has been created inside. The dim halogen bulbs hanging along the roof top, the pale blue window panes through which you see the daily lives of the villagers, the recycled wooden furniture; all together makes the café a local part of the village itself. Two things that grabbed most of my attention was the weighing scale that hung on one of the walls summarizing its history of being a rice mill and the jazz that played all along the time that I was at the café.

Unlike other restaurants that talk about the unique cuisines offered and culinary techniques used, Rice Mill keeps it simple.

“We want people to experience the taste of local flavours. We source our ingredients from the locals. For example; we use only local bread and rice. We look forward to offering locally inspired recipes that will also win the hearts of an international crowd,” explains Raya. The atmosphere created at the café bar is designed in such a way that it seems well suited for all, irrespective of age groups.

The Rice Mill looks forward to offer an experience away from the usual

Noma

For all the coffee lovers out there, the Rice Mill could be an absolute heaven.

Freshly roasted coffee beans from a local roaster, blended to the appropriate composition makes for the perfect strong coffee one desires. Along with the coffee came the cookie that is one of the best I’ve had so far. It had to be the best for it wasn’t just any cookie, instead; it is made exclusively for the Rice Mill Café by a home baker. “She does not produce it anywhere else commercially. We only choose passionately made items that do not compromise on any detailing,” mentions Raya.

With a present team of 5, Raya speaks of his plans to expand the squad

by September 2017. The present menu is

Cozy comforts of Rice Mill

kept concise but will be developed with time, “Presently, we have a small day and evening menu. Eventually we plan to have a breakfast to dinner offering. The menu would be concise with the mains changing every couple of months,” he adds.

Being a socially responsible café bar, the Rice Mill abides by all that is needed which will make them a healthy part of the community. Raya hopes to make the Rice Mill a vehicle to bring change to the community and hence has maintained the café in an eco-friendly manner. All the wet waste at the café is segregated and composted carefully. The biodegradable waste is composted in the in-house composting station itself. Besides, they also have a kitchen garden wherein several herbs are cultivated organically.

Apart from sourcing home-grown items, the Rice Mill also promises employment opportunities and a platform for many young and budding talents. “We would like to have jazz, alternative jazz and all other kinds of music that is creative but not commercial. We would prefer two or three people coming together and jamming.” Raya is also planning to get in several guest chefs who could spread their experiences in different types of cuisines.

Now it was the time to try out delicacies from their menu that seemed concisely interesting. The Noma and Black Pepper Tofu were two things that I couldn’t have left without trying. When fresh Mozzarella balls reach you with orange and chickoo slices along with sprinkled fresh coriander, you know that you’re having the Noma. The presentation was indeed of international standards. Followed by, was the Black Pepper Tofu; Poyi, (Goan Bread) on one side and the partially spicy tofu on the other.

Their range of signature cocktails was another aspect that took my heart way; Kokam, Lemongrass, Morjim Mule, Kapi and the Bloody Morjim. Lemongrass and Bloody Morjim seemed most interesting.

The lemongrass was one of the most refreshing drinks I have had in a long time. With vodka as the base, the cocktail was a good mixture of lemon leaves, basil leaves, sprite and soda. The Bloody Morjim served in a pitcher is a well-blended mix of the tomato juice and Mexican beer.

A café in the day and bar by night, the Rice Mill is a true platform for experimentation. An experience which cannot be explained, so find yourself some time and be ready to go and explore at the Rice Mill Cafe april 2017 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 59

bon appetit

Desserts N More

Desserts with a conscious health quotient Pallavi Salgaocar takes her passion for baking to new heights with Desserts N More

By MEENAL BALE

Having gained a reputation for its top class quality of desserts, pastries, savories, cookies, in the last three years since inception, Desserts N More – a brand owned by Pallavi Salgaocar, has expanded its presence across four outlets – the manufacturing and factory unit in Karaswada, an outlet at ground floor of the Caculo Mall in Panjim, one at the Mall de Goa food court in Porvorim and one at Elite Towers, along the Mapusa Court slope.

Pallavi, a chartered accountant by profession, took the plunge to turn her passion for desserts into a viable business model. She spent a lot of time and effort on branding and market classification.

Divided into three segments – Desserts N More, Desserts N More Premia and Wedding Bells, the ventures retail as a part of the bakery division of Geno Pharmaceuticals named ‘Dainty Delights’.

“Business has definitely grown over the years and we have been able to cultivate a loyal clientele who order regularly from us. We now cover mostly all of North Goa through self-owned outlets or supply to other retail outlets from Bicholim to Goa Velha; with a good network in Mapusa, Porvorim and Panjim,” says Pallavi.

The trends have changed so much that every occasion demands a celebration; and every celebration is incomplete without the cutting of a cake. Moving away from having a spectacular cake designed exclusively at engagement ceremonies and weddings, cakes today form an integral part of the 60 | Business Goa industry Dossier | april 2017

festivity, being a predecessor to the entrée. Every special day marked on the calendar, right from Mother’s Day and Children’s Day, to Raksha Bandhan, Easter, etc can beautifully be reinvented with the cutting of a cake. Holi, Diwali, Christmas or even Janmashthami, every design that the client has in mind, every elaborate theme, every tiny detail can be re-designed and produced onto a cake.

A majority of the times, the customer walks in with a set design in mind for a shaped, decorative or a tier-based themed cake.

Once they freeze upon the specifications, the entire team working on the back-end execution is equally thrilled to execute it. A recently popular edition to their many talents is designer cakes with miniature tops, an instant hit with the ever creative trends of thematic occasions. It is especially a hit at children birthday parties! Desserts N More have executed designer cakes right from the jungle theme to superheroes, Minions, Pokemon, Smurfs, Disney and all of the likes. Every time there is a movie released and a child falls in love with a particular character, Desserts N More recreates it for them.

The business philosophy, as well as the specialty of Desserts N More is: Make, send, eat fresh with ‘no added preservatives.’

From tying up with hotels, caterers and having even catered to various corporate functions, Desserts N More provides an online portal via its website to placing and

We are a premium bakery chain and yet our prices are reasonable.

We were amongst the first ones in Goa to do designer ‘Made to Order’ customized cakes; which is still our mainstay

Pallavi Salgaocar Founder-CEO, Desserts N More

order for custom make and designer cakes.

The Premia section of Desserts N More houses some rare flavours, right from the Gateau au Chocolat, to Gulkhand cake, from Kitkat cake to Ferrero Rocher mousse cake, Red Velvet to Caramel cake, amongst others. When it comes to cheesecakes, there is an exotic variety too – Guava, Pinacolada, Oreo, Paan, Green apple, Raspberry, Nutella and many more.

Browsing through the website, one is completely astounded by the assortment offered and the amount of creativity incorporated in the thought processes for the customized designer cakes.

Desserts N More also sells brown bread – healthy and prepared in-house with whole wheat, no maida and no sugar.

An unparalleled best seller amongst the other products is the macaroons. Perfectly round, just the right amount of crispiness and held together with chocolate. They simply melt in your mouth. The delivery batches go out twice a day, replenishing the food particulars at the various outlets.

Each batch of savouries is fresh and crisp; maintaining its impact every time it is consumed. Right from the puffs, the rolls, the sandwiches or the pitas and pizzas – each product has a shelf life and the team ensures that even if the quantity is less in terms of variety, the freshness and quality is always maintained.

“Desserts N More was born out of my passion for bakery products and I had not

planned anything. The response has been good and my team regularly takes feedback from our customers on the orders they take. Our speciality is that we are a premium bakery chain and yet our prices are reasonable. We were amongst the first ones in Goa to do designer ‘Made to Order’ customized cakes; which is still our mainstay,” states Pallavi.

Jam rolls, lemon and chocolate tarts, swiss rolls, eclairs, donuts, cakepops, rum balls, mousses, Tiramasu, Serradura, dates custard pudding, tender coconut souffle – drools alike! The list is endless! Each and every item may not be available in person, but online, you can place an order beforehand and pick it up at the store. The option of home delivery is also available for orders above `1,000/- and a limited radius within Goa. Cookies are a haven for all sweet tooth lovers and Desserts N More have quite a bunch of them. Right from coconut and

Assorted desserts

butterscotch, to ginger, vanilla and choco chip and cashewnut cookies. A complete sell out are the shrewberry cookies.

They also keep ‘khari’ – a light and yet crunchy tea time snack, accompanied by breadsticks and toast.

An entire section under ‘Gifting’ is devoted solely to chocolates. One can pick from a diverse range from almond, butterscotch, mint, strawberry, caramel, mango and other flavours in various shapes as well as sizes, enclosed in an

attractive packing. A recent initiative of weaving in some form of innovativeness at Desserts N More was the making of chocolate bouquets for Valentine’s Day and it was yet again sold out!

Desserts N More also provides gifting a custom made set of designer cupcakes in red velvet, chocolate, mocha and vanilla flavours.

“We are also constantly reinventing and changing our menu to avoid monotony and bring in new trending products in the market. We currently have a range of healthy products like 100% wheat bread, carrot wheat cake, ragi cookies and oats and flaxseed cookies. On the cards is enlarging this menu and getting in sugar free and low fat products for the diet conscious,” adds Pallavi.

With Easter around the corner, Desserts N More makes delectable Hot Cross buns. Not to forget, Easter eggs – chocolate, as well as with gum paste. They also have festive gift hampers and festive special Marzipan fruits in store

april 2017 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 61

bon appetit

amoncar classic Caterers

Serving quality and taste

By MEENAL BALE

Today, a well-known name in the state, the idea of getting into catering was not even an option for the Amoncar family, fifteen years ago. With a variety in Indian, Chinese, Tandoor, and Goan as its specialty, the Amoncar Classic Caterers was officially founded in 2008 and later on added an array of multi-cuisine menus to its forte. Currently, it caters to customized orders and packages, right from Italian and Thai, to Japanese and Continental as per the customer’s requirements. Each package for each customer gets specifically designed, keeping in mind the kind of crowd that is being catered to. A recent addition is catering for Jain food.

“My father had a small paan shop that we later converted into an omelette shop. Keeping up with the changing trends, we established a snacks café, followed by taking up a canteen within a college premises. Slowly climbing the ladder, we later entered into a full-fledged catering business” says Pradosh Amoncar, proprietor of Amoncar Classic Caterers.

A self-made individual, Pradosh has a basic and simple business rule – whether the catering is to be done for 100 pax or 10,000 pax, the quality of the food and service has to be maintained at par. “It is indeed a huge challenge to procure labour for outdoor caterings, but our service doesn’t get affected at any cost. We ensure that on the day of the event, everything is set, keeping in mind all the possible shortcomings that we could face,” says Pradosh.

Right from catering to engagement parties and weddings, to socials and private parties, from birthdays, thread ceremonies (Munj) to destination wedding events, Amoncar Classic Caterers has many specialities, one of the popular ones being that of providing live food counters at buffet setups – be it a simple snacks counter or an elaborate dosa, roti and 62 | Business Goa industry Dossier | april 2017

Amoncar Classic Caterers brings immense dedication and best practices to the table

tawa-paratha counter, a delicious pasta counter or an exotic salad counter, a pizza counter, a coffee counter, an LED counter or even an ice carving. Not to forget, the live fried fish counters – peri-peri, rava, masala or even cafreal; you name it, they have it.

They also provide different table decor that add value to the entire theme of the occasion.“For the last six years, I have been visiting AAHAR, the International Food and Hospitality Fair hosted in New Delhi, to ensure that our working style remains up-to-date. We also keep in mind the fact that each set of cutlery and crockery used during the various catering ocassions, can also be customized upon request, be it a steel set or bone china,” he adds.

Amoncar Classic Caterers listens to the needs of its customers. Seeing the popularity of the fast food and rolls, they also included Shawarma counters into their menu. Yet an addition has been that of Molecular Mixology, where they provide different combination of beverages with dry ice. “For all the ice-cream lovers, we have also added a new counter for live icecream rolls freshly prepared with a variety of toppings,” states Pradosh.

The standardized packages are priced at `200/- + taxes for a minimal vegetarian cover of 700 pax and `350/- + taxes for a minimal non-vegetarian cover of 300 pax. Although more renowned for being a wedding and reception caterer, Amoncar Classic Caterers have also stepped into the field of corporate catering, thus establishing a name for itself across industries ranging from hotels and hospitality to industrial organizations.

Pradosh has also recently acquired a franchise of the Havmor ice-cream parlour in Bicholim. Apart from that, the

family looks after ‘Koteshwar Takeaways’ that provides a glimpse into the Amoncar’s hospitality, and serves food on the go. The family provides employment to more than 30 individuals across its ventures.

When asked if Amoncar Classic Caterers wished to expand its horizons outside the state, Pradosh said that currently, they are in a well to do position where they have a strong footing in Goa. Sometimes, there are inquiries only for Goan cuisine, and although the deal is lucrative, travelling all the way just for one specialty is logistically not feasible. Yet, in the future, they wish to slowly overcome this hurdle as well. “I am no chef. I neither have any formal training, nor have I undertaken any course. But just as when I eat something outside, I wish for it to be up-to-the-mark; I too expect to deliver the same. Initially, for the Goan specialties, my mother used to be a hands-on support in the kitchen, herself cooking using homemade masalas and supervising the overall operations. Eventually, we hired chefs and help, who were trained over a period of time to self-sustain and gain expertise in preparing as well as serving, a variety of cuisines. My family and my wife have indeed been a huge support in making my business a success,” states Pradosh.

Pradosh is one of the founder members of the Federation of All India Catering (FAIC) and also wishes to establish a Catering Association of Goa (CAG). Elaborating on being awarded and felicitated for his continuous efforts towards the organization, he concludes “FAIC has provided me with tremendous support and networking opportunities to grow my business. Being in a demanding industry such as us, there will always be competition. But, there is also a huge scope for business. Trust is the main factor for building a rapport with the client, a n d with united networks, collaborating with fellow caterers to pull off high-end orders, will be a practical as well as a financially sound thing to do.

I believe that this will be beneficial to all and hence it is my request to all caterers to unite and build one strong force to reckon with” Pradosh Amoncar

goa buzz

Goa Women Power (GWP) group celebrates International Women’s day The Goa Women Power (GWP) group organized a special Women’s entrepreneurial conference to commemorate International Women’s Day, on 15th March 2017, at Taj Vivanta Hotel, Panjim.

Dr Jennifer Lewis e Kamat, Chairperson of GCCI Women’s Wing, along with GWP members Fauzia Shahid, Vrushali Parsekar, Asha Arondekar, Nimisha Kamat and Valerie Fernandes were also present.

Held for the first time in Goa, the event was exclusively for the business women of the State. The Chief Guest for the event was Mridula Sinha, Governor of Goa and the Guest of Honour was Nila Mohanan (I.A.S.), Collector of North Goa. The lineup of inspirational speakers at the conference included Sonia Shirsat, Sandra Rodrigues, Bianca Dias, Stacy Rodrigues, Dr Pramod Salgaocar and Harpreet Pasricha

Nila Mohanan

Harpreet Pasricha

Fauzia Khan

Cristabel Shrivastava

Priya Gupta

Jeetu Jadhav

Sonia Sirsat

Dr. Mridula Sinha

Dr Jennifer Lewis e Kamat

Pallavi Salgaocar

Vrushali Parsekar

Sandra Rodrigues

Nimisha Kamat

Cecille Rodrigues

Bianca Dias

Veena Mane

Stacy Rodrigues

Smita Keni

Diana Braganza

Cybil Mascarenhas

Archana Roshan

Asha Arondekar

Lakshmi Kunkoliencar

Valerie Fernandes

Pravita Vernekar

Poonam Shirsat

Sonali Nagvenkar

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PANAJI GOA

JULY 2014

5 TH A N N I V E R S A R Y S P E C I A L I S S U E

Leaders

Real Estate

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Passion Ventures

Ideas@Work

Neha Naik

Shraddha Paroolkar

64 | Business Goa industry Dossier | april 2017

Meeta Chopra

Rachna Nabar Deshpande

Sheldon Remedios

Beyond Business

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News Views Articles Interviews Profiles Focus Analysis Opinions Events Features

goa buzz CII, Goa Council celebrates its Annual Day 2017-18 CII celebrated its Annual Day on 10th March 2017 in Panaji Goa. Shekhar Sardessai, CMD, Kineco Kaman Composites India Pvt Ltd handed over the leadership mantle to the incoming Chairman for Goa State Council, Atrey Sawant, Business Head, Atreya Engineering Works Pvt. Ltd. Shekhar Mittal, CMD, Goa Shipyard Limited has been elected as the Vice Chairman to the Goa Council for the year 2017-18.

The function was attended by Ajit Singh, Consul General of Singapore as the Guest of honour and, R Menaka, IAS, Director, Directorate of Industry, Trade & Commerce, as the Chief Guest. At the plenary session, eminent speakers Danish Hashim, Director, Economic Policy & Taxation, CII New Delhi, M Rajiv Kaul, MD & CFO, Aequs Private Limited, and Mitin Jain, Investment Professional & Founding Principal, Banyantree Finance, deliberated on ‘Ease of Doing Business in Goa’

Shrinivas Dempo

Anil Counto

Shivanand Salgaocar

Adm. Shekhar Mittal

Dharmendra Singh

Shekhar Sardesai

Nirmala Sawant

Ajit Singh

Prabhakar Sawant

Ralph de Sousa

R Menaka

Blaise Costabir

Renu Sharma

Parag Joshi

Kirit Maganlal

Bhakti Dempo

Gaurang Suctancar

Mahesh Patil

F X de Lima

Mahesh Pai

R Krishnagopal

Saugat Mukerji

Dr P Kinnerkar

Lalit Saraswat

Manoj Patil

Gazal Bhambri

Prakash Jalan

Ashish Machado

Harin Bhonsle

Ashutosh Kharangate

Prasad Pawar

Tanvi and Atrey Sawant

april 2017 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 65

newsmakers Rupesh Gauns nominated as Chair of Yi Goa Chapter

Rupesh Ramesh Gauns has been recently nominated as Chair of the Yi Goa Chapter for the year 2017-18. He is one of the founding members of the Goa Chapter of CII Young Indians.

Rupesh has seven years of industry work experience, majorly with banks and as a corporate banker addressed the business banking needs of smallmedium enterprises, corporates and institutions.

His entrepreneurial journey began with his firm Food Express which is one of the leading distributors for Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) in Goa. His latest venture, ‘Farm Express’ is seeking to make an imprint in the branded pulses market in this geography.

For the past 6 years, Rupesh has ably handled various responsibilities as YI executive committee member. He has been a resource person for YI initiatives like Career Counselling, Blue Ocean Dialogues and more. He is instrumental in setting up the Yi YUVA chapter at Dnyanprassarak Mandal’s College, Mapusa

Ashma Kamat launches ‘The Black Palette Studio’

22 year old Panjim based entrepreneur, Ashma Kamat launched the ‘Black palette Studio’ in Caranzalem that specializes in customized makeovers. “I dreamt of bringing to Goa an exclusive hair, make-up and nail studio,” she says.

Ashma graduated in Commerce from the S. S. Dempo College of Commerce & Economics. She later went on to pursue her dreams and completed her International Diploma in hair dressing in Mumbai from Toni & Guy, a multi-award winning hair dressing brand and academy based in London. She also attended several workshops on professional make-up artistry and styling in Mumbai, and a short term certificate course with the Bina Punjani academy in Goa as well focusing on bridal make-up, photo shoots and events.

Ashma has been freelancing as a hairstylist and make-up artist from June 2016 and has also been a part of many events including the IFFI 2016 and a few destination weddings

Ethelwald Mendes to join the MHJMC

Ethelwald Mendes has been invited to join the Mainland – Hong Kong Joint Mediation Centre (MHJMC) as an International Accredited Professional Mediator.

Mendes is an internationally recognized expert in the field of Arbitration and Commercial Mediation. He has handled litigation, consulting, advisory roles; handled and defended domestic as well as international clients, lecturing before Chambers of Commerce and has been advisor/ counsel in domestic as well as international litigation, arbitration and mediation in maritime and commercial disputes. Mendes has appeared before CIETAC, SIAC, ICC, LCIA, etc in the past. He was the vice president of the Goa Port & Deoc Employees Union 66 | Business Goa industry Dossier | april 2017

Dattaprasad Lawande appointed new Advocate General of Goa

The Goa state cabinet in one of its first resolutions appointed Additional Advocate General of the state, Dattaprasad Lawande as Advocate General (AG), following the resignation of Saresh Lotlikar from the post.

Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar told media persons that the cabinet officially approved the appointment of Lawande as AG. He said the decision was made as Lawande handles most matters before the National Green Tribunal and the High Court of Bombay at Goa. Lawande who has had a long tenure handling matters for the government, has been associated with the chamber of senior advocate Atmaram Nadkarni who is the present Additional Solicitor General of India

Celsa Pinto pens two books on Panaji

Noted historian Dr. Celsa Pinto will release two books on Panaji to commemorate 175 years of Goa’s capital city. Anatomy of a Colonial Capital and Colonial Panjim: Its Governance, Its People are two titles that links Panaji’s present with its past and polices that shaped the city over the years.

These collector’s items with insightful details in the 175th year of the city also marks the 30th anniversary of the author in researching Goa’s history.

Dr. Pinto was born in Karachi, Pakistan, where she did most of her schooling, preparing for the Senior Cambridge Examination.

She was awarded the M.A. degree (First Class) by the University of Bombay (1975) and the Ph. D. degree by the Goa University (1992). She was recipient of the Calouste Gulbenkian foundation Scholarship that enabled her to conduct archival research in Europe in 1991. She has published research papers to her credit and has participated in historical conferences and seminars

94 1. Which IT guru is the author of the recently released book Crooked Minds: Creating an Innovative Society?

2. Which Central American country has become the first in the world to ban metal mining countrywide to stop environmental degradation?

3. Why were auto manufacturers offering massive discounts on some models only till March 31, 2017?

4. Apple has launched a special edition of iphone 7 in red colour. To whom will a part of the proceeds from the sale of this go?

5. Who is named the Chairman of the new telecom entity formed by the merger of Vodafone & Idea?

6. Yogendra Vasupal was recently arrested for non-payment of dues to vendors.

Which startup, recently closed, was he the founder of?

7. Identify the founder of a retail chain, whose IPO catapulted him as one of the richest Indian.

Answers to BG Quiz 93: 1. Acer 2. Michael Porter 3. Goa Shipyard Ltd. 4. Fortune Miramar 5. The Hindu 6. Ashok Leylad 7. R S Agarwal and R S Gupta of Emami

Email your entries to businessgoa.media@gmail.com First all correct entry will get 1 year’s subscription to Business Goa

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