Business Goa January 2017

January 2017

VOL 3 ISSUE 1 panaji goa

goa’s only business magazine

RNI No.: goaeng/2015/59955

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

www.businessgoa.in

industry dossier

With social media marketing prospering globally, the recent drift is INSTAGRAM, taking over other social media platforms through its effective and larger reach

#InstaMarketing

#Casadeco Enterprise

#House of Grain Goan Brand

#Vaishali Joshi Lady Power

#Kokni Kanteen Bon Appetit

#News #Views #Articles #Interviews #Profiles #Focus #Analysis #Opinions #Events #Features

CONTENTS Cover Story 14

Is INSTAGRAM marketing the next big thing in social media?

Focus Goa Goa’s Digital progress 20 Goa’s shift to a cashless economy post the demonetisation chaos

#InstaMarketing

Focus Goa GITP plans Goan IT dream 22 Even after having an effective IT Manifesto, GITP finds it difficult for political parties to adopt it

Focus Goa Union Budget 24

14

The Union Budget is likely to focus on growth, digital push, and hopefully a reasonable tax regime

42

Starting Young 26

Makeup artist Tejal Mhambre weaves her magic in the glam industry

Enterprise 28

Goa’s very own CasaDeco is out to impress with quality and variety in furnishings and interiors accessories

38

Interview 30

32

In conversation with Chairman of Goa Management Association (GMA) Dr. Pradeep Salgaonkar

40

Industry 32

Best practices in manufacturing at Bandekar Speciality Valve Corporation at Sancoale Industrial Estate

Goan Brand 34 30

Gluten free for over four years, Delson and Aarina share their mouth watering flavours, at the House of Grain

64

Lady Power 40

Find creative and effective solutions to reach out to your audience with Vaishali Joshi

Professional Dossier 42

GMC’s Dr. S M Bandekar revolutionizing bone treatment

Bon Appetit 64

Kokni Kanteen 1972 reviving authentic flavours of Goa

28

COLUMNS

53 Hungry & Foolish

58 Letter from America

54 People Tree

60 HR Mantra

56 Beyond Classroom

61 Legal Eagle

Sumeet Bhobe flags off his column of rants.

He cautions us on the ‘Thumbelina Gambit’ Kishore Shah reflects on the bigger picture of reality and its associated images

Dr Pradeep Salgaonkar cautions against waiting time for customers

Jay Dehejia profiles the illustrious career of Goa’s Victor Menezes at Citicorp RN Misra chalks out the importance of Capability Building Hufriz Wadia explores new sectors for Foreign Direct Investment into India

08 Editorial 10 Corpo Scan 36 Campus 36 BG Crossword 38 Art 44 Events 46 Biz Bytes 47 Business Connect 48 Travel and Tourism 52 Book Shelf 62 What’s Up Goa 66 Newsmakers 66 BG Quiz 06 | Business Goa industry Dossier | January 2017

editorial

hbhatkuly@gmail.com VOL 3 ISSUE 1 panaji goa

RNI No.: goaeng/2015/59955

Stay focused. Create value.

January 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 Hufriz Wadia Jay Dehejia Kishore M Shah Meenal Bale Naguesh Rao Sardessai Dr Pradeep Salgaonkar R N Misra Sumeet Bhobe

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

Modern business management gurus have brought down the idea of entrepreneurship to two schools of thoughts: One is the visionary principle, where you define a goal and objective – and then put together a plan, raise capital, bring a team on board, and then relentlessly pursue your goal. The other principle is to build on your capabilities. You understand what you are capable of doing; and then you start building your business around it. In the latter instance, you are not aware of where you want to go, but the journey itself is the reward for an entrepreneur as s/ he is continuously managing a proven (or perceived) capability; and more often than not raising the bar, creating new benchmarks and new business verticals, while trying to add to the core competence of the organization. Many small businesses are built on the principle of capabilities.

Building on capabilities is much like living… you are uncertain about the end goal. But you know the essence of what you are good at doing. You cannot expect to build successful and valuable businesses unless you truly believe in your business and in the goods or services that you offer. Many small business owners fail to take their own businesses seriously enough, getting easily unfocused and not staying motivated and not keeping their eye on the ball. They also fall prey to naysayers who don’t take them seriously because they don’t work from great offices, or the absence of what many consider a ‘good address’ on their business cards.

I believe the ecosystem of an economy is held by small businesses. It is imperative that small business owners receive the right impetus not only from their stakeholders, but also from the government. But more often than not, you will see these small business owners being swayed by the tsunami of one or two bad decisions.

The biggest impediment to most small businesses is the lack of self-belief. This is further accentuated by the fact that there is

Harshvardhan Bhatkuly

a complete lack of support system for these small business owners, should they hit a rock as they sail on their journey of enterprise.

Many a times, small businesses go under due to issues relating to capital. It is also an irony that fairly large businesses and corporates enjoy longer and better credit facilities from bankers and vendors; while most vendors are not as accommodating with the small business owners as they are with a larger corporation.

And to prove one’s credit-worthiness, a small business owner often gets caught in a vortex of liquidity crunch – s/he has to pay the vendor upfront. And the buyer delays the payment owed to the business. So, in the constant struggle of cash-flow management, small businesses lose the thrill of growing the business and thinking strategically for growth, and get focused on the number game. This is perhaps a strong inflection point that stops a business from going to the next level. And god forbid, that in this quest of meeting numbers, you encounter a bad customer, who can often set you back by years or even snuff out the life from your enterprise, let alone your selfconfidence.

How does one insulate one’s business and self-esteem in such a situation? Enterprise, for many, is a solo sport. And whereas success has many fathers, there are no pallbearers for failure in business. It is therefore, imperative that small business owners get attached to business organizations like the local chamber of commerce or other business guild, or even try and create a guild of similarly placed business owners. Through discussion and deliberations, one can create a cushion to absorb business shocks. Over a period of time, this guild can also be a source of sharing business with who may have been your competitors, had you not come under one umbrella.

As I wish you a happy new year, let us take a fresh guard and look at our enterprises more objectively. And promise to add value to them in the year to come

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

08 | Business Goa industry Dossier | JANuary 2017

corpo scan

Hospitality sector hit badly as EDMs and Notes go

Adding to the exit of EDM music festivals is the recent demonetization scheme affecting the hospitality sector of Goa drastically. A severe tourist drop was noted in December especially for the hoteliers with the hotel tariffs going down by almost 35%. Hotels and guest houses cramped their tendency to mark room rates as the inquiries and reservations decreased.

The sudden ban of `500 and `1000 notes left the hotels stressed to maintain full occupancy during Goa’s peak tourist season. Threestar hotels charging around `22,000 per night previously, dropped to the range of `5000-

Sunburn 2016

`12,000 per night. From `39,000, the charges for fivestar hotels went down between `17,000 to `35,000.

The exit of EDM concerts brought down the large numbers of international and domestic tourists that flocked

to Goa in the peak. Until last year hotel prices in Goa observed an excessive hike during December making Goa more expensive than several international destinations such as Sri Lanka, Thailand and Malaysia

Space allocated for first-time entrepreneurs with the newly amended GIDC rules

The Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) rules were amended by the state government through a notification recently.

The included new rules simplify the plot allotment transfer and sub-leasing policy.

The amended sub-leasing policy will further profit existing industrialists also allocating room for first time entrepreneurs.

Applying for a plot has been made easier with GIDC allowing the usage of the one page udyog aadhar memorandum instead of the tedious SSI registration certificate and entrepreneur’s memorandum.

The new regulation is applied for all industrial estates, plots, sheds, kiosk, galas, office premises and godowns that are allotted and function under GIDC.

Idea cellular makes connectivity economical

Ford Mustang soon in Goa

India’s third largest mobile operator by subscriber base and one of the leading telecom operators in the regions of Maharashtra and Goa, Idea Cellular launches monthly voice packs costing `154 and `348 respectively.

Free local calls and STD Idea-to-Idea calls across the country is made possible for all Idea customers with the new packs. “As our customers in the region get into the holiday mode, they will tend to stay better connected with their loved ones”, said Rajendra Chourasia, Idea Cellular Chief Operating OfficerMaharashtra and Goa

The Ford Mustang will reach the Goan customers soon as Goa has been decided as the eight pitstop of its journey across the country to commemorate the car’s availability. Vice President of marketing at Ford India, Rahul Gautam said, “Ford Mustang is an icon that has stirred the imagination of millions of automotive enthusiasts for more than 50-years now. We are happy to extend the joy owning a Ford Mustang to hundreds of thousands of passionate customers who have been waiting for this

10 | Business Goa industry Dossier | JANuary 2017

Earlier the regulations barred the transfer of plots with partial building construction but the new rules have eliminated the clause.

Previously when the transfer of plots was permitted, a penalty of 10% charged per year for the total plot area, has been removed now. With the new regulation the GIDC has increased the fee for sub leasing by 2%

legendary pony car with the opening of pan-India sales.”

The Ford Mustang features 19inch wheels, automatic HID headlamps, LED tail lamps, a rear diffuser, dual-zone climate control, 9-speaker sound system and a voice-enabled SYNC 2 connectivity with an 8-inch colour touch screen sports a sleek design

STPs made mandatory for complexes with over 50 flats

Town and Country planning department in its recent amendment to the Goa regulation of land development and building construction Act 2008 has made it mandatory for all residential complexes with more than 50 flats or units, located in areas not served by existent, to set up a sewage treatment plant (STP).

Sewage treatment plants being served only in a few areas like Panaji, Margao and Vasco the particular provision shall be further useful in other urban areas and new townships too.

Six months ago the TCP department had suggested STPs for residential complexes with 40 flats or units. The number of units was suggested to 100 by a subcommittee, later fixing 50 as the number of units. “We will ensure adherence to the condition at the issuance of no objection certification (NOC) stage,” said the Chief Town Planner, S T Puttaraju

Finance offers at Goa’s leading retailer CMM Arena, one of Goa’s largest furniture and appliances retailers, has extended the purchase schemes across all the showrooms in Goa on all their furniture categories. Online payment too has been made hassle free through a series of instalment schemes from 6, 8, 10, 12, 18 and 24 months made available from finance provider, Bajaj Finance. The interest rates are kept as low as 8.5%. The CMM Arena team suggested that customers can enjoy the services even more while shopping for the festive season.

CMM Arena functions as a part of the CMM Group of Companies, one of the earliest names in Goa. The group has ventures in areas like medical devices, logistics, distribution, and consumer retail

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corpo scan Goa Foundation opposed to IPB recommendations to allocate plots at industrial estates Challenging the role of the Investment Promotion & Facilitation Board with regards to the allocation of plots in industrial estates, NGO Goa Foundation has served a legal notice to the Industrial Development Corporation.

The Goa Foundation has asked for amendment of the IDC allotment regulations 2014 and Goa IDC Transfer and Sub Lease Regulations 2014 by serving a legal notice to the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). The legal notice demands to allow plot allocations in the industrial

Electricity Department’s step towards digitisation

Walking towards the path of digitisation, the electricity department of the State is planning to initiate a SMS alert service seeking to offer effective and prompt service to the people, informing them of the technical faults, power shutdowns and other important details. The scheme is a fraction of the Union Power Ministry in which the Rural Electrification Corporation will develop a mobile application and web portal along with a broadcast message service. Along with the monthly electricity bill, a slip is provided to the consumer which is to be filled and submitted back at the time of payment. Consumer ID, mobile phone number, address and email ID are the information to be offered in the slip. The Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd has begun to collect data leading to the development of a database that will provide relevant information on scheduled power shutdown, technical faults and other concerns through short messaging service (SMS) facility.

C H Rajagopalan, executive engineer of the electricity department said that, “Our meter readers have already

estates through public auction rather than based on the

recommendations made by the Investment Promotion Board (IPB). Claude Alvares, Director, Goa Foundation stated that the regulations that deal with allotment of plots owned by the corporation in the industrial estates are not according to the policies for allocation or disposal of public assets. Standards laid down by the Supreme Court judgments are also not met by the allotments. Interference made by the Investment Promotion Board is seen in recent allocations which is what the foundation demands to get rid

of in the future. Claude Alvares, Director, Goa Foundation said, “We are convinced that lack of transparency in disposal of public assets like industrial plots has enabled vast misuse in the allocation of such public resources and this situation has become a major source of corruption and favouritism, in addition to leading to considerable loss of public revenues.” He also stated that the regulations for the allotment of public spaces does not meet the policies for allotment and disposal of such public assets

NIO launches skill development courses Electronic Transactions is To tackle the budding demand proceeds in the documentation for skilled workforce, National for affiliation and accreditation no compulsion Institute of Oceanography with Agriculture Skill Council (NIO) has launched skill development courses in aquaculture technology which will further overcome the need for skilled workforce and also provide employment opportunities to the youth of the country. The NABARD Chair professor and former secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) of the Ministry of Agriculture of Indian and Director General of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Dr. S. Ayyappan, inaugurated the skill development centre in aquaculture technology.

The programme intends to conduct four courses including aquaculture technician, aquatic microbiology assistant, aquaculture worker, and brackish water aquaculture farmer. The NIO is one of the 37 constituent laboratories of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), an autonomous research organization in India.

Presently the CSIR-NIO

of India. The courses focus on offering the unemployed youth of the country with an overall objective to convey hands-on training in different fields of aquaculture technologies.

The participants will be awarded with a certificate unfolding the content of the course and shall find employment opportunities in the areas including fish breeder, hatchery manager, farm technician, hatchery technician, feed technician, water system technician and skilled farmers.

The course will accommodate various quarters including government bodies such as National Fisheries Development Board, Marine Product Export Development Authority, Fisheries Survey of India, Fish Farmers Development Agencies, Coastal Aquaculture Authority, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, State Fisheries Departments and the Department of Animal Husbandry

started distributing the slip along with monthly electricity bill to consumers and are asking them to fill and submit

the slip to the meter reader itself or while paying the electricity bill at our office or the bank”

12 | Business Goa industry Dossier | JANuary 2017

Calming the chaos related to the demonetization scheme and Goa to be the first cashless economy, the Goa government clarified that there are no intentions to ban cash transactions completely in the State.

Dipak Bandekar, Commissioner of Commercial Taxes department in the affidavit filed before Goa Human Rights Commission stated that the circular was only an appeal and there is no compulsion to offer electronic modes of payment. Bandekar also said that, “No attempts have been made to cut or stop payments using cash.

State government is merely facilitating alternative modes of payment.”

Social activist Aires Rodrigues lodged a complaint to the GHRC stating that the State government decided to go cashless high-handedly but the application of mind is missing.

He further added that neither the Centre nor the Reserve Bank of India has made cash transactions invalid.

The issue has been adjourned to the 23rd of January 2017 for further hearing

cover story

With social media marketing prospering globally, the recent drift is INSTAGRAM, taking over other social media platforms through its effective and larger reach

#InstaMarketing

By Ankitha joseph

THE NEXT BIG thing gaining popularity with the internet revolution is Social Media Marketing. Social media has grown impressively popular across all borders to reach out to anyone with internet access.

According to the internet, live statistics around 40% of the world population has an internet connection today. Internet users hit one billion in 2005, doubled just five years later; and has more than three billion users now.

For most companies out there, social media marketing may just be the next big thing for their businesses, but for many it seems like an unpromising passing phase.

Statistics according to Hubspot recorded 14 | Business Goa industry Dossier | JANuary 2017

92% of global marketers who claimed that social media marketing was important for their business. But according to social media examiner, 85% of participants aren’t sure what social media tools to use.

While the central effort of social media marketing is to create content that attracts the reader’s attention and encourages them to share content across other social platforms, it takes a more elaborate plan to fully tap into the social media’s marketing potential.

Recognizing a huge possible online market that can be directly reached, a number of businesses are shifting their efforts to reach consumers online where

they’re presumed to spend most of their time. A fairly new marketing strategy, it uses social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram (the list goes on) to draw attention to websites, stimulate interaction, raise brand awareness and connect with consumers or businesses to build a positive brand association.

One of the biggest benefits drawing businesses to social media is its costeffectiveness. Apps like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Pinterest allow you to share content across each platform offering an affordable way to promote interest-based campaigns. Users are more likely to relate to a brand that not only has a strong

social media presence across platforms but also one that’s endorsed by a majority of their associates.

IS INSTAGRAM YOUR NEW MARKETING BFF A mobile-based photo sharing app that allows sharing of images publicly and privately began in the year 2010 and has updated itself with every new version. Though Instagram was launched six years back, it gained its popularity only in the recent 3-4 years. Until the 7.5 version arrived, the images were limited to a square shape akin to the Polaroid SX-70 images. The newer version made the platform more userfriendly and adaptable to media of all aspect ratios. The 15-sec video clip duration was increased to 60-sec and this boosted more media to flow on the app.

‘Social media’ as the name suggests is for those with an active internet presence and online social life. Every platform caters to a particular target audience through the contextual behaviour they represent.

For example, LinkedIn with its high-end content on professionals and the working sector, targets the age group of 30-64. Facebook has an age group that ranges between 18 and 24 using the site the most. Hence, choosing the appropriate social media platform according to the audience you want to reach out to is essential. Instagram overhauls Facebook and Twitter with the largest population of young users. 1829 is the age group found most active on Instagram making it an effective tool to reach the younger generation.

(The figures mentioned are according to a survey done by the Pew Research Center Demographics of Key Social Networking Platforms study) PLATFORM TO DISPLAY AND SELL Instagram feeds began with pictorial updates of everyday

Flashbakc Studios began with Instagram Marketing in May 2015 and since then have posted a slice of life with every image

life but have now diversified into a business platform for social media marketing. “It’s like an album that works like a portfolio, so whenever someone wants to see my work I ask them to check my Instagram page and not that you even need a profile to check the page. It’s hassle free,” says Anoushka Sequeira, owner of Sugarlicious.

Carrying a portfolio every time you’re in need of services can be tedious. Finding access to the work of a particular firm is time consuming. But the display of work publicly on a

For an effective social media response, delivering original quality content consistently is a must. Regular activity on all social media platforms will lead to brand awareness at a faster pace

Known for their wedding photography shoots, Flashbakc Studios reach out to their audience through word of mouth and Social Media Marketing the most.

They use Facebook, Instagram and Google+ as their social media platforms amongst which Instagram draws most traffic in comparison to the other platforms platform like Instagram would reach out to a wider audience.

Companies like Flashbakc Studios use Instagram as a portfolio to showcase their work to prospective clients.

Besides a handy portfolio, Instagram is also an efficient platform for the display and direct sale of products that a company deals with. Through

Instagram, prospective clients can get in touch with the service provider directly.

Once upon a time, online shopping was a totally new concept; but has over time made its mark and effect on the masses. Advertising on print or the electronic media may be feasible for the bigger players but the smaller companies tend to feel the financial pinch. It is at such times that social media can step in as a cost-effective medium for advertising. With platforms such as Instagram; the app is freely available and all you need to monitor is the ‘following’ and ‘likes’ that your page and posts can draw.

As published on the official website of ‘Shortstack’, Instagram has 400 million monthly active users and about 2.5 billion photos liked everyday on the app. 49% of the users check Instagram on a daily basis while 73% of the users check Instagram at least once a week.

House of Masaba, Fashion Vocabulary, Mabel, Studio Tia are just a few of the national and international brands that use Instagram marketing successfully.

THE B2C MODEL “Instagram is more on a one to one basis. It will just pop out on your news feed, keeping you constantly notified,” stated Anoushka.

According to the social media marketing industry report as published on the social media examiner site, B2C marketers are significantly more likely (Recorded at 63%) to increase Instagram activities than B2B marketers (Recorded at 48%). The Business to Consumer Model; avoiding all mediators, creates a one-toone communication between the business and consumer.

It is as simple as directly messaging the concerned marketer of the product or service you wish to avail, and with timely notifications, a prompt response is almost certain.

January 2017 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 15

cover story Question the users for more interaction.

Questions help tap into the interests and lifestyles of your fans and followers SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING IN GOA (INSTAGRAM) Business ventures in metropolitan cities like Mumbai, Delhi or Bengaluru prioritize Social Media Marketing; but in a much smaller state like Goa depending solely on social media marketing could be a little impractical.

A state well defined with its colourful scenery reaches out to the audience commonly through the traditional media formats such as word-of-mouth, print and transit advertising. But with the emerging internet revolution, Goa too is picking up Social Media Marketing through some young minds.

When I first started, my clientele was about 70% through wordof-mouth. Now it’s different – with about 80% from Instagram and around 10 % through word-of-mouth and about 10% from Facebook. Facebook doesn’t give much coverage like before as it’s more time bound Anoushka Sequeira

FLASHBAKC STUDIOS Known for their wedding photography shoots, Flashbakc Studios reach out to their audience through word of mouth and Social Media Marketing the most. Using Facebook, Instagram and Google+ as their social media platforms, Rahul from Flashbakc states that Instagram draws most traffic in comparison to the other platforms. Shuffling between Mumbai and Goa for their projects, Flashbakc Studios

Anoushka converted her personal profile into a Sugarlicious profile and has drawn a large number of followers from across the country

mainly reach their clients through the variety of hashtags they use with every post. “It is these hashtags like ‘wedding photographers’ or ‘Goan weddings’ that make most of our feeds pop up on searches,” says Fabian from Flashbakc.

According to Rahul and Fabian, using the right hashtags will help you reach your desired clientele faster.

Gohar Chanekar

The most important aspects of social media are content, creativity, and unique captions and hashtags

Visual Vibes, through social media, has reached a wider audience at a national and international level with images and video clips of the projects 16 | Business Goa industry Dossier | JANuary 2017

SUGARLICIOUS Anoushka Sequeira, a baker by passion and profession has her own home based cake studio called Sugarlicious. Stepping out of the regular home-baker style, she chose to expand her venture through social media.

“When I first started, my clientele was about 70% through word-of-mouth.

Now it’s different – with about 80% from Instagram and around 10 % through word of mouth and about 10% from Facebook.

Facebook doesn’t give much coverage like before as it’s more time bound.”

Dealing mainly with quirky ideas and bachelorette cakes she finds Instagram the most effective platform as it reaches the young crowd whom she wishes to target. Being approached by several print mediums, Anoushka remembers that she never opted for those as she felt social media was the right road to reach her clients. According to Anoushka, social media is helpful when it can reach new clients and she states that Instagram does the same effectively for her. Sugarlicious being a small-scale business by itself, Anoushka truly feels that for startups and other small scale businesses Instagram is the most suitable form of advertising, as long as the audience to be targeted is clear.

But she also adds that mainly focusing on the younger crowd, Instagram could be effective for only certain fields and not fields with an older audience like real

cover story estate.

VISUAL VIBES Dealing with live visuals, mapping and motion graphics, Visual Vibes is another successful example of Social Media Marketing. The promoter of Visual Vibes, Gohar Chanekar himself explains how social media has worked wonders for his company. Marketing on three of the most widely used platforms, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram, Visual Vibes today has a clientele not just at the national but international level, too. “The 3 most important aspects of social media are content, creativity, and unique captions and hashtags” states Gohar.

WHY INSTAGRAM OVER OTHERS The three major goals to set when working on Social Media Marketing is – building brand awareness, building a community and encouraging customer engagement.

As Instagram takes over all other social media platforms through its reach and customer engagement, it is also essential to understand the real reason behind Instagram and its growth.

It’s not just the images but also the features offered by the free app that makes business and marketing an easy task.

Instagram could be redefined as an ‘influential platform’ because of the exposure one receives by connecting with a more rooted personality with a higher fan following.

Users choose more than one social media platform at most times and within a busy schedule finding time for all the platforms could be tough, but the linked accounts feature makes this easy.

Instagram allows one to link their profile with 8 other social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Flickr and more.

Instagram revolves around images and emphasizing on the same, the app provides editing options for the images with a number of filters and adjustments.

Instagram’s unique geotagging feature allows one to add location with posts and later create a photo map of the same. This is interesting and would be very helpful for firms that are into the travel business.

Recently Instagram has made marketing even easier with the insert of the contact button. Once activated, the consumer can easily contact the business through email, call or even by offering directions.

In addition to all of these, Instagram also allows you to market your business directly to consumers through direct messages. It also boosts visibility of feeds 18 | Business Goa industry Dossier | JANuary 2017

LinkedIn with its high-end content on professionals and the working sector, targets the age group of 30 - 64. Facebook has an age group that ranges between 18 - 24 using the site the most. Hence, choosing the appropriate social media platform according to the audience you want to reach out to is essential.

Instagram overhauls Facebook and Twitter with the largest population of young users. 18 - 29 is the age group found most active on Instagram making it an effective tool to reach the younger generation by cross tagging just like other social platforms.

INTERNATIONAL Instagram as a marketing tool may be popular internationally but is at its own pace gaining momentum in India.

‘Mabel’, an online salon and spa booking platform based in the UAE uses social media marketing and especially Instagram Marketing to a very large extent. Regularly posting creatives related to beauty, women and their interests has made Mabel a successful example of Instagram Marketing. The seven month old brand has received a larger response through Instagram than Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Help users find your content and reach you faster through Hashtags. People who use hashtags are likely to involve into more social conversations and have a positive experience with their brand

Mainly targeting women ‘Mabel’ delivers original quality content on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Google+ that is young and interacts with the lady interests

NATIONAL ‘Vastrabymilonee’, based in Mumbai is one among many brands that use Instagram Marketing. Delivering high quality Indian and Indo-western clothing all over the country, the brand collaborates with a variety of fashion and lifestyle bloggers in India. With two years of presence on Instagram, the brand now has a following of over 40 thousand countrywide.

POTENTIAL IN GOA Social Media Marketing’s future in Goa isn’t dark but only bright and inviting. “I can’t say much about the other industries, but for Visual Artists, DJ’s, and organizers, social media plays a vital role in marketing their creativity”, says Gohar. Even Rahul from Flashbakc had something similar to say, “Social media will pick up, and it will pick up big time in Goa.” With the recent young companies adopting social media, the trend is effectively growing among the masses.

Around 15 to 20 percent Goans have access to the Internet, compared to the national average of around 12 percent.

According to the global digital analyst comScore, India has an overall internet penetration of around 30% a year. As per the 2011 census, Goa has the highest percentage of Internet users all across the country confirming the potential of social media and social media marketing in Goa. Recently the Goa Police too have announced their plans of setting up a special cell to monitor social media. Social media, diverse in nature, does not pertain to just a section of the society but is open for people from all quarters of life

focus goa

Digital progress in Goa

An overview of Goa’s shift to a cashless economy post the demonetisation chaos

By Ramrai Naik

AMIDST THE DEMONETISATION chaos outside most banks across the nation, one could safely say that Goa in comparison had a lesser impact due to various factors ruling in favour of the state: urban-rural connectivity, sparse population, digital literacy, wide availability of ATMs and POS machines etc. However, informal sector which is highly dependent on cash took a big hit in the initial month of the implementation of note ban.

Central Government has received flak for changing its narrative post demonetisation from war against black money, corruption and terrorism to a newly found obsession for the cashless economy. Such reforms are necessary and are in the right direction, but much of it is happening now as no other alternative is left with the people. Although people are still struggling to get adequate cash in hand, they have come out and participated in the cleaning of the economy rather than protest against the move.

The opposition have given mixed reactions; some have declared PM Modi’s move as ‘Economic Emergency,’ while non-NDA states like Bihar, Odisha and Telangana have welcomed the decision and have started working on the future course of action.

Goa’s digital agenda In the BJP ruled states, Goa has sent across strong signals of making its presence felt in the formal economy to a large extent. Digital penetration in Goa is very high along with other supporting parameters.

The state in which a person has more than one phone and a bank account is getting ready for the cashless adoption.

Goa Government and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had set an ambitious target of making Goa the first

cashless state by December 31, 2016. In a public address, Former Goa CM Manohar Parrikar said, “We all need to provide support to the Prime Minister in his decision. The Prime Minister has insisted on moving towards a cashless society. Goa will be the first State to achieve this goal.”

Parrikar added, “Goans use cards (ATM/credit) in a big way.

Electronic transfers are already being used by the state government to distribute payments under the Dayanand Social Security Scheme (a pension plan).” He’s also insisted his party men to educate public on the usage of digital payments.

In a circular published by Department of Commercial Tax of Goa, it urged all registered vendors, hoteliers, wholesalers and traders to “ensure that cashless available modes of payments are made available at their respective place of business within 10 days from the date of issue of this circular.” It also added that commercial tax officers would visit them to “verify compliance” and a consolidated compliance report would be submitted to the commissioner of commercial taxes in a fortnight.

The announcement by government and the circular caused panic amongst the

20 | Business Goa industry Dossier | JANuary 2017

Most Goans are highly literate, the youth is especially keyed into technology. Also, every vendor in the market has a mobile phone; and enabling banking on mobile phones is not difficult. A mindset that digital banking is not complicated and dangerous should change laymen and on social media whether the cash transactions would be entirely banned from the market. Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar clarified that there was no compulsion on the registered businesses to go cashless. “There cannot be a deadline to go cashless. I have always said that it is not cashless, but could be less cash to start with. Goa can do it,” Parsekar told pressmen. The big question, however, is how much of the total transactions becomes digital for Goa to call itself a ‘Cashless state’. The BJP in Goa was quick to admit that December end was not a practical date for the state to go cashless.

Director General of GCCI, R S Kamat opines, “Demonetisation has brought to the fore the benefit of using cards for payments, therefore demonetisation has been successful in making people

use alternative payment method. As rest of India, Goa is also a cash-based economy; but it is time for us to go cashless.

Cashless doesn’t mean zero cash, whereas it means less dependency on the cash and usage of the modes of payments like cheque, plastic currency and other digital payments.

This will benefit public and the merchants irrespective. All these electronic methods are not free, but if you look at the convenience that the system offers you then that additional charge is not a big issue.”

Santosh Kenkre, Chartered Accountant feels optimistic on the possibility of Goa becoming a cashless state, he says “Most Goans are highly literate, the youth is especially keyed into technology. Also, every vendor in the market has a mobile phone; and enabling banking on mobile phones is not difficult. A mindset that digital banking is not complicated and dangerous should change.” He continues, “There are a few hurdles in the process... people should be able to trust the machines and secondly there are tax implications, which worries some merchants. Thirdly there is a liquidity issue, wherein a person has money in bank but cannot withdraw cash.”

Mahesh Naik, freelance journalist says, “It is not possible to make any state 100% cashless. There are many western countries whose economy is considered cashless. But they still have 3-6% transactions happening through direct cash. One simple logic given behind this was, if you have purchased any products or availed the service from any particular shop/service provider and if your debit/shopping card stops working or is blocked for any reason; you can use cash in such a scenario to avoid any further dispute with other person.” He further added, “Although Goa is very small state, there exist

rural population who don’t know C for Cashless and O for online transaction. So the first priority of the government is to make people not only aware but also educate them about the cashless transactions.”

R S Kamat, a former banker, outlines hazards of doing transaction in cash as it amounts to counterfeit currencies, chances of thefts etc. Further Kamat compliments the government and Banks, “Government is doing enough in the cashless way as I’m told on various levels people are opting for the digital banking format.

Many banks are making efforts to popularise point of sales machine,” Kamat said.

Government departments and banks in the capital city are working in an outreach program to ensure that traders are educated for digital banking. The key focus is to get maximum traders to do business digitally even with non smartphones through USSD method. Information kiosks are set up to improve digital literacy.

Opposition Uproar Goa Pradesh Congress President Luizinho Faleiro has hit out at the government.

“The economy has collapsed.

There is virtually no trade going on. People cannot buy fish or groceries because they do not have small currency notes. Farmers are in distress as they cannot sell what they produce,” says the former Chief Minister. Goa Congress leader Jitendra Deshprabhu accused Manohar Parrikar of being “Proxy Chief Minister” for chairing a meeting in Panaji on the road-map of ‘Cashless Goa’.

Deshprabhu said, “The defence minister is rushing Goa into another doom in the form of cashless society.”

Lashing out at the government, Goa Forward spokesperson Durgadas Kamath asserted “Cashless Goa will make BJP vote less.”

He added, “BJP first inflicts

injury and then suggests a cure. Goans are smart enough to know this and they would surely make BJP vote-less in the upcoming Assembly polls.”

Veteran Congress Leader Margaret Alva told pressmen that ‘Cashless society is impossible.’ Further taking a jibe at the Modi Government she added, “There are millions of uneducated women in the rural areas. You cannot tell them to sell and buy their grains with a card. There is a mismatch between policy and ground reality. The silent majority is suffering tremendous hardships and this cannot be solved with ‘Mann ki baat’ or speeches on public platforms. This requires urgent policy correction and very serious thought on its implementation.”

As reported by the local daily The Navhind Times, Goa government is set to lose Rs 786 crore collected from value-added tax, excise duty as well as stamps and registration due to cash crunch caused by demonetisation.

leaving no stone unturned on delivering the growing demand for the payment machines.

Panjim based Bank of Baroda has been providing free Pointof-Sale machines to current account holders till the end of December. Additionally, banks have waived off installation charges. Bank of Baroda has also been tasked to include merchants from rural areas.

Few banks are exploring methods to capitalise on the liquidity in the market to increase their customer base by enrolling new customers through instant account opening ways like e-KYC. Tax Incentives Making a leap forward in encouraging public to go digital, Finance Ministry has significantly incentivised digital payments through various channels. Offering a discount on railways services,

petroleum, highway tolls, and insurance premiums. In addition, tax incentives are provided for small traders accepting digital payments.

Niti Aayog has rolled out a lottery system announcing two schemes where a RuPay card user would be eligible to win prizes on doing a small transaction between `50 and `3000. PM Modi has termed these reward schemes as ‘Christmas gift to remember’.

The scheme which is set to start on December 25th will have 15,000 winners to get Rs 1,000 each day for 100 days.

Merchants will be rewarded separately on a weekly draw.

While unveiling the schemes Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said: “Focus of Lucky Grahak and Digi-Dhan Yojana is on poor, middle class and small businesses so as to bring them into digital payments revolution”

Financial Inclusion Central government has launched various methods to do away with cash transactions.

Widening its ambit of digital payment services, for smartphone users highly secure Mobile Banking (UPI) Unified Payment Interface has been introduced by National Payments Corporation of India. Another initiative by NPCI is the Aadhar Enabled Payment System. Whereas for feature phones without internet USSD services are available.

Even if there are various modes of payments, people find themselves most familiar with the existing POS technology.

Usage of plastic money has rapidly increased in the cash crunch state. Banks are flooded with POS machine requests. 2 months of demonetisation has doubled up the total availability of POS devices in the market.

Several private banks are January 2017 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 21

focus goa

GITP drafts ‘manifesto’ to achieve Goan IT dream Even after having an effective IT Manifesto, GITP finds it difficult for political parties to adopt it

By Ramrai Naik

POLITICAL PARTIES IN Goa are busy seeking public consensus in formulating their policies.

With election around the corner, welfare schemes still get maximum priority over many developmental projects, specifically IT in Goa seems to be ignored. An IT association, Goa IT Professionals (GITP) has prepared a full-fledged IT Manifesto that is likely to help in achieving the ‘Goan IT dream’ – a comprehensive hopes to boost the IT sector in Goa. The mainifeso is framed through constant consultation from Goans employed in IT industry across India, as well as other parts of the world.

GITP has alleged that IT was never given importance by any past government in Goa and yet they have welcomed any political party to embrace their manifesto and make it a part of their political campaign. In its official statement to Business Goa, GITP states, “We are strictly an apolitical group and all political parties are welcome to incorporate our manifesto. However, GITP will not endorse any political party or individual. To the max we shall acknowledge their intent and efforts. We appeal to the Goan electorate to decide wisely, and elect the next Government that will be responsible for the betterment of the State and give the highest priority to the Goan IT Dream.”

Manifesto Highlights GITP has emphasised on making instant implementation of the revised Goa IT Investment Policy 2015. Further, they’ve asked for formation of Goa IT advisory council as mentioned in its IT manifesto for the next serving government. Establishing a result oriented and accountable IT task force headed either by a ‘competent’ Minister of IT or a ‘super-capable’ Director.

Highlighting Goa’s fall in Ease of Doing Business ranking, GITP recommends on ‘radically simplifying’ the various business

procedures through time-bound approval processes; streamlining of all IT related government entities for efficiency and single-point accountability; completion of the planned Chimbel IT Park in its entirety within 2 years after formation of thr next government. Connecting every corner of Goa with fibre-optic cable infrastructure along with BSNL and other private wireless broadband ISPs. The manifesto also advocates providing Goans with high speed broadband connectivity to realise PM Narendra Modi’s Digital India mission.

Other key points of the manifesto includes skill registry, prioritization for IT-enabled technology services, incentives for local technology-centric companies, taking most of the government services online, rewarding locals who successfully create and register their Intellectual Property (IP) and patents at the national and global levels. Additionally, bringing education reforms to create a sustainable, high quality and skilled local IT workforce. Organizing periodic factual, transparent and professionally-managed awareness campaigns to misguided activism against high employment generation projects.

Efforts by GITP Apart from presenting innovative IT manifesto, GITP is making multiple efforts on ground to the local IT scenes. They have provided several technology related investments and cost effective solutions to the present Goa government. Their Project (GEIT) Goans Empowered with IT, through which they’ve extended expertise to schools by conducting technology demo sessions, vacation camps, reviving Goa Board computer education syllabus.

Their weekly series ‘Tech Balcao’ is telecast on Prudent Media, aimed at creating awareness of technological usage in various field in Goa. GITP has also made several other recommendations to Government of Goa on empowering the IT industry in Goa

In conversation with Inacio Fernandes, Executive Member, Goa IT Professionals & Sr. Database Administrator, Oracle, CGI Mumbai, India Elaborate on the process that went through in formulating the whole manifesto? Key people consulted on it?

This was a crowd-sourced exercise where different stakeholders, like seasoned and budding entrepreneurs, IT professionals working in the State, in other cities in the country and also abroad, academicians, students, etc. were asked to suggest their inputs, mostly through social media. All these inputs were then collated by our Team, deliberated upon, and drafted and were again presented

the manifesto was that almost each and every suggestion on the manifesto also defined its acceptable time of deliverables.

to the stakeholders for their review. After many reviews and drafts, the present form of the manifesto was created.

The major focus-point/USP of

22 | Business Goa industry Dossier | JANuary 2017

What is the response you’ve got on the recently framed IT manifesto?

The response received from the Government hasn’t been encouraging. The Public are more welcoming of such a manifesto that is in the interest of the State for its sustained growth.

Among all the policies suggested, which are the

few policies which can be implemented as soon as the new government assumes power post 2017 elections?

Most the policy changes can be implemented within a quarter.

We have defined time-specific goals against all our suggestion in the manifesto.

Which are the few areas in IT where the past governments have done well and which area that needs to be given highest priority?

IT has never actually featured on the priority list of successive governments. In the past few

years, we felt that the government has finally risen from its slumber.

Some half-baked projects were announced. GITP did help the government to study the IT Policies of different states, namely Kerala and Telangana. Key inputs were shared and it did find its way to the IT Policy released last year; but unfortunately, it still has yet to see implementation in that direction. We saw some action from the bureaucrats and DoIT, but it died down quickly.

The IT park in Chimbel is yet to kickoff. Very recently it was in the news that IPB had shelved some IT Park projects.

We believe that IPB isn’t true to its name.

The Goa Government needs to proactively approach industry representatives and welcome them to set up shop in the state. Enabling services and infrastructure required for the industry should readily be made available. Along with this, we would urge the new government to make active and definite efforts in getting the Goans settled in the other cities and abroad, back to the State. Some of the measures are listed in the manifesto.

industry in Goa is receiving from Government as well as other business associations?

The existing industry has time and again maintained that they have received no help or assistance from the Government, with the exception of very few who have availed the benefits of the incubation centres. There are various issues where the startup industry finds it difficult to deal with various departments of the government like Labour, Municipality, etc.

The manifesto does outline the course of action for the new government should take to help the start-up industry.

Comment on the support the startup

Has any political party shown any

optimism in taking up the suggestion

by GITP in past and any party willing to include GITP IT manifesto in their political campaign?

Mostly it has been superficial lip-service to our suggestion in the past. More often than not, our suggestions are shelved to gather dust. Disappointed with such a treatment we came up with this manifesto. Many parties have approached GITP regarding the IT Manifesto and it was promptly shared with them. We don’t have any concrete commitment from any of them yet.

We shall see when the respective parties release their manifesto. We hope for the best

January 2017 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 23

focus goa

Goa expects a path-breaking Union Budget 2017-18

The Union Budget is likely to focus on growth, digital push, and hopefully a reasonable tax regime

By Ramrai Naik

THE BUDGET 2017 will be a major revamp and one of the most sought after event, as the nation is undergoing radical changes due to the disruption caused by demonetisation and the soon to follow implementation of GST. Although financial preparations will be better as the budget is to be presented almost a month earlier than previous years, yet businesses will have a tough time implementing the new tax structure.

As the government kitty is being filled by demonetised notes and consistent raids across the nations, are we going to see a massive tax exemption? Reports suggest that Finance Ministry is considering increase of the Tax exemption ceiling from 2.5 lakhs to 4 lakhs.

Fiscal deficit for current financial year is set to come down as there’s 30% increase in cashless spending leaving a digital trail, which will enable the transactions to come under tax net. In addition, it will pave way for higher government spending in the next fiscal year to focus on pro-growth agendas and strengthening infrastructure.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in a media address said, “You have to plan the economy in the long term, the changes in the system which are coming about will certainly mean more money in the banks, more money with the revenue and probably a much larger and cleaner GDP.” Not just the business stakeholders but most of the population will be glued to their television sets on the 2017 budget day. Even after 50 days deadline, bank queues still haven’t come down substantially in the

aftermath of demonetisation (Goa being an exception). As studies indicate, it will take few more months for normalcy to return. It is likely that the Modi government will play the Robinhood and expectations of another populist budget are high. However, time and again Jaitley has indicated of doing away with populism and shift the focus on performance.

Jaitley had also hinted that post demonetisation, taxes at some stages will be ‘more reasonable’.

On several occasions, he has also assured honest tax payers of more gains in the nearby future.

Whatever policies we’re expecting, most of them will be focused on getting maximum people in the formal economy and heading towards digital reforms. As per earlier reports

by Finance Ministry, subsidies in railways will come down in the merged Railways Budget.

As Arun Jaitley himself has gone on record stating, “More services in the railways have to be paid for.”

Senior chartered accountant Sandip Bhandare, Vice President of Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry says the year 2016 has been a very eventful, both for the global as well as the Indian

24 | Business Goa industry Dossier | JANuary 2017

economy. “With the advent of demonetisation and the Goods and Services Tax, India seems to be on the upward trajectory. However, there may be short term hiccups, and the Government should take significant measures to curb the same. This is the best opportunity for the Finance Minister to present a robust Budget to increase government expenditure, restore tax payer confidence and encourage digital transactions. This will help set the tone for boosting investor sentiment, both foreign as well as domestic,” says Bhandare.

Tax Relief A large section of the population is expecting a tax relief as many find prevailing taxes in India aren’t reasonable as compared with other nations.

Some of the developed nations have a much higher income tax percentage ranging above 35% but the public services offered to them are convenient and highly simplified.

Manoj Patil, Chairman, GCCI Trade and Commerce Committee claim it’s very difficult to be prognostic.

However, he points out that tax incentives will be better, as now more people will

become tax payers with the thrust of cashless and digital economy. He adds, “Fear would be there in people to resort to corruption as strict measures and penalties are implemented.” He also hopes the Income tax to be more liberal with higher limits.”

Mashal Adpaikar, Office Manager, NE Technologies India Pvt Ltd, strongly feels the central government should reward the honest service class.

He says, “People in the Service sector are the most honest taxpayers, we pay our taxes on time as well. Other professions like doctor, lawyers, architects or even small traders tend to not show the accurate income hence they’ll have to show their hidden income post demonetisation. The increased revenue collected from those tax evaders should be compensated to benefit the honest service class. At least the starting level government should decrease the tax slab of 10% to 5-8%.”

Adpaikar suggests that there’s lot more for the common man in the budget than just tax slabs. Further, he opines that certain rebates aren’t popularised. He explains, “Congress government had introduced a tax rebate to individuals with net income equal to or less than Rs 5 lakh under section 87A of Rs 2000. BJP government in 2016 budget increased it to Rs 5000.

This now can be served as an additional tax exemption on Rs 50000 income at 10% rate. This move aimed to benefit large population is not advertised properly.”

Omkar Sambary, Chapter Chair, Young Indians Goa, expects the centre to initiate measures to increase the number of tax payers which will improve tax revenue.

“With increase in tax collection, a reduced tax slab rate would be a welcome move, he added.” Sandip Bhandare highlights for a need of more practical income tax slabs.

He says “the income tax slabs for individuals are in need of a revamp to keep itself up to date with the present financial scenario. The slabs need to be raised considerably to encourage tax payers for more robust compliance.”

What’s in it for Businesses?

The Finance Minister while presenting Budget 2015-2016 stated that the rate of corporate tax will be reduced from 30 per cent to 25 per cent over the next four years along with corresponding phasing out of exemptions and deductions available under the Income Tax Act, 1961 (‘the Act’). Sandip Bhandare opines, “The tax rate on domestic companies is currently being levied at 30%, which is quite high in comparison with the global standards. The rate of tax for firms and limited liability partnership is also high and needs to be reduced to 25% in sync with the reduction in corporate tax rate and phasing out of deductions and exemptions.”

In a major boost to the startup industry in India, Government of India is considering an extended tax holiday from current 3 years to 4 years on the profit margins of a company. According to the Finance Act, 2016, startups are eligible to get income tax exemption for three years in a block of five years, if they are incorporated between April 1, 2016 and March 31, 2019.

A CA student expects exemption for certain classes of taxpayers from TDS provisions who face hardship in complying with the same (e.g. senior citizens who have only interest and pension income should be exempted from TDS provisions). Additionally, a tax scheme to help channelize savings into capital (like tax

Sandip Bhandare’s expectations from the Union Budget 1. Ease of Doing Business: Assuring ease of doing business has been a top priority for the Government and several initiatives have been taken to provide for conducive environment for businesses.

The Government should strive for the same with special focus on digitization and more ITenabled government processes.

2. Spurring of Growth: The recent demonetisation decision has caused a short term cash crunch and a slowdown in the growth. The government would need to compensate for the temporary fall in the demand by strategising for higher investments, particularly in infrastructure, education and healthcare. This is also a good opportunity to incentivise digital transactions and expand the formal economy.

Sandip Bhandare

Act. The burden of MAT should also be gradually reduced from the current levels to a rate which will be commensurate with the phasing out of tax exemptions and incentives.

3.

MAT (Minimum Alternative Tax): The basic purpose of introducing MAT was to bring all zero tax companies within the tax net.

Initially started with the rate of 7.5%, the current rate of MAT of 18.5% is quite high and has significantly impacted the cash flow of companies who otherwise have low taxable income or have incurred tax losses. Further, this has also significantly diluted the tax incentives offered under the

4.

Withdraw / Defer ICDS: The Income Tax Simplification Committee rightly recommended deferral of ICDS considering that taxpayers are already grappling with regulatory changes like Companies Act, Ind-AS and GST. The Committee rightly recognized that ICDS at best bring timing difference between accounting and taxable income. Since ICDS only adds to uncertainty and confusion without any substantial value addition, it may be best to withdraw ICDS or at least provisions of ICDS should be deferred. The CBDT can also consider to align the taxation to the AS notified under the Companies Act which will bring certainty subject to certain exceptions from a tax perspective.

free Fixed Deposit Receipts).

He also suggests higher slabs for women because of gender discrimination in salaries. Apart from that he hopes for a push to small entrepreneurs, “Government should introduce different tax incentive or financial assistance scheme for small and medium scale entrepreneurs to start their own business so also the procedure to acquire government incentives should

be narrowed. Also more promotion or advertisement of this scheme should be made,” he added.

Niti Aayog meet with the economists have hinted that budget focus will be on job creation, agriculture and skill development. They have also chalked out plans to roadmap for economic planning in India to felicitate India’s vision.

Niti Aayog released its official statement stating, “There was

discussion on how to bring down the tax rate.” Budget suggestions are overflowing from all walks of life, simultaneously Government has officially set up 4-5 sectoral groups to come up with new initiatives and budget proposals.

Board member of the ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Manguirish Pai Raiker suggests the railway merger would give better financial access to Railways. He says, “What used to happen before was, independently getting money for Railways was difficult.

You can’t lay your hands in the central government kitty which you won’t get. Now the infrastructural boost can be expected in railways as there will be extra funds available.”

GST Chartered Accountant Parimal Kulkarni notes the progress towards Goods and Service Tax bill, he says, “Since last couple of budgets, many tax reforms are being undertaken.

GST is on top priority and the way meetings are progressing, all states and centre are jointly trying to work out a solution. We are expecting the budget session to bring in more positive changes in tax reforms.” According to Manguirish Pai Raiker, cess on GST is not acceptable. He says that, “Let there be higher percentage but everything should be subsumed.”

Omkar Sambary shares his thoughts, as the GST bill is underway the coming fiscal, he says, “GST would definitely benefit the country in a big way as it allows free movement of goods from one state to another without stopping at state borders for hours for payment of state tax or entry tax and reduction in paperwork to a large extent.

This will improve the overall productivity.” Gauging the sentiments of the people we’ve talked with, a path-breaking budget seems inevitable

January 2017 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 25

starting young

Tejal Mhambre

Designing the feel good, look fabulous factor A glamorous occupation that is fast gaining professional status for its skill worthiness By meenal bale

CAPTURING MEMORIES ON a wedding day is a must, as they remain to be your prized possession for a lifetime. But ensuring that the faces being captured beam with joy is the magic a make-up artist weaves behind the scenes.

25 year old Tejal Mhambre got introduced to the glam industry as a child when she would assist her aunt Arlene Cardoz at work. What started off in 2012 as a hobby has now become a profession for Tejal.

From her first modelling assignment at the age of 10, she has modelled for brands like Allen Solly, Nokia, Kwality Walls, Bumchums, Halls and Pass Pass amongst others.

Her first shoot was with Prabudha Das Gupta for Samsung and she has been the sole model in a campaign with the Lotus Star Jewellery too.

Over a period of time, as she received firsthand knowledge of makeup and photography, she began assisting event planners and production houses and is fully accustomed to being on the sets. This year, she was also a part of the teams that worked on the launch of Shoppers Stop at Mall de Goa and the Konkani film ‘Mogaan’. Besides, her grandfather was an art collector; and hence artistic skills naturally run in the family.

“It has been a tremendous learning experience in the last four years. When I began, it wasn’t much technical; it was more on a trial and error basis for close family and friends. I have been lucky to have a good steady hand with make-up and I have mostly learned by watching. When I realized that the technical knowledge provided by formal education can prove to be extremely helpful in understanding the finer nuances, I enrolled myself for multiple courses,” says Tejal.

After completing her Bachelors in Commerce from St. Xavier’s College, Tejal did a course from Natasha Nischol and Virginia Holmes’ ‘Fat Mu Makeup Academy’, Mumbai. This year, she has also undertaken a professional course from one of the country’s top hair-stylist – Seema Jerajani. “Being in the industry for 35 years, Seema has participated in many championships for hairstyling 26 | Business Goa industry Dossier | JANuary 2017

Tejal Mhambre

and has practically incorporated her knowledge into the syllabus of the course, thus giving us students an enriching experience. Whereas the Fat Mu make up wizards have worked on celebrity studded blockbusters such as Slumdog Millionaire and Dil Dhadakne Do, amongst others. I have picked institutes whose owners have studied abroad but have aptly applied the same techniques for the Indian skin,” she explains.

Tejal has always possessed an artistic streak. In her spare time, and as a stress buster, she paints, but they are works of art that adds to her personal collection and not for sale. “My mother has always been extremely supportive. She has always encouraged me and my sister to be independent,” says Tejal proudly.

Collaborating with a handful of trusted people for major events, Tejal believes that the industry is not a competition, but in fact a support system for each other. “I have learned from each of my projects. It is always the fear within you that makes you give your best when you embrace it as

your friend. One of my biggest projects so far was completing the hair styling for a dozen models within 5 hours. This was for a fashion show for designer Syne and it had to be perfect,” she adds.

Bridal makeup is Tejal’s forte that includes pre-wedding shoots and the ceremonies as well. She also does make up for fashion shows, music videos, commercials and various other occasions. “To make someone feel special on the biggest day of their life, when they are about to establish a new milestone; all the positive vibes surrounding them inspire me to make a contribution to their happiness in my own special way. Every season, the trends keep changing. Anybody can buy make-up, but the key lies in knowing how much to apply to enhance ones features. Every look is customized and I believe in giving the clients what they want as well as what suits their skin tone,” she elaborates.

As an artist, one may use various products but ultimately, they are creating a unique piece of art. Tejal handpicks all of her products and most of the times end up putting in more efforts than what she actually charges.

“There is a lot of planning that goes into a wedding day. There are couples based abroad, who sometimes give a very short notice for the booking. I make sure that I am working on a personalized look for an individual and not just for a random stranger. Connecting with my clients and building a rapport helps me in my work.

Making others happy gives me the boost I need, to remain motivated. I also ensure that I calculate the buffer time as well. I sometimes even suggest the accessories to accompany the entire look. It’s a personal challenge for me and everything has to be just perfect,” says Tejal.

When asked if there are any major projects lined up, Tejal concludes by saying “As of now I want to concentrate on the Goan market and in the future maybe do more movies. Every day, I keep discovering new aspects of life. Most of the times, I experiment with looks on myself before I consider implementing them on my client – one day I am Amy Winehouse, the other day I go Goth. Some days I am a gypsy, while at some point, a princess”

enterprise

Casadeco

Chic and easy decor

By alexia fernandes

CASADECO IS VEEAR Enterprise’s first venture into retail and turnkey interior furnishing solutions. Jeet Tolani and his partner Rohit Jain started this venture 9 years ago in 2008 with an objective to provide in-house solutions to all commercial and residential, interior and exterior furnishing. Dubbing the brand as supply chain oriented for all furnishing solutions, whether residential or commercial, Casadeco has a portfolio of more than 500 designs for outdoor/garden furniture, lighting fixtures, hotel room sets, decorative PVC panels, wooden doors, high security metal doors, metal engraved tiles, and WPC decking. “There is no particular product that we say we cannot procure. If it’s a hotel project, we start all the way from room furniture, to sanitary and bathroom items, hotel linen, poolside furniture, banquet furniture, even kitchen equipment and cutlery.

We have it all,” Jeet explains.

Starting small they began by providing turnkey solutions for residential apartments.

From overall furnishing, to the smallest detail of light or bathroom fixtures, Jeet and Rohit made sure their work was proficient enough to impress. One successful

project after another, Casadeco grew remarkably in both experience and size to offer complete interior and exterior solutions. “Currently, we work mostly on projects for hotels, resorts, commercial entities like schools and hospitals and corporate offices. However, we also take up assignments for residential spaces. We have even recently done a couple of cafes in Bengaluru- complete with bistro styled ambience and concept lighting.”

No challenge is too complex for the duo. Regardless of how vague or difficult customer requirements may seem, they hit target to the nearest 2%. “Sometimes clients are indecisive and repeatedly change their specifications.

However for us it’s always ‘Customer First’.

Targeting quality and not quantity, Casadeco ensures that any project it takes up is wrapped up in the end with the customer absolutely

28 | Business Goa industry Dossier | JANuary 2017

With its recently opened showcase area, Casadeco is out to impress with quality and variety

delighted. Rohit and Jeet recall one of their smallest yet most challenging projects of furnishing a compact 450 sq. ft. apartment for an acquaintance, to meet functionality and style.

“It was a 1BKH studio holiday home but he wanted everything in it. We managed to craft a single block of furniture that innovatively folded into a table, a smaller coffee table, a study and a portion that supported the bed.” Impressed with the level of clever engineering, the client continues to use the apartment as a flagship of Casadeco’s extensive effort.

“Our tie-ups are with factories based across the world. We source from Vietnam, Indonesia, China and Malaysia,” Rohit explains. Their special metal engraved tiles are supplied all the way from Spain. With no compromise on quality, Casadeco invests maximum effort into getting the best when it comes to sourcing quality material. “We

have poured in a lot of time and effort to know our vendors and are completely confident of their ability in executing the projects that we give them,” explains Rohit. Vendors are selected only after thorough research, visits to the factories to ascertain scalability and also getting acquainted with the top management. When promising customers quality any margin of error is inexcusable.

Setting standards for high quality coupled with affordable prices, Casadeco tries to fit all work within a reasonable budget. Customizing to the smallest detail, whether it’s a change of colour, a tweak in design or using an alternate material they make sure it’s all within the client’s fixed budget.

Accommodating a number of specifications may sometimes put a strain on finances, but Casadeco tries well to keeps the customer in the loop at every progressive stage clarifying all cost differences involved. “If clients don’t have an in house architect working for them, we offer the services of our Consultant Architect Sacheen Pai Raiker from PRa7i who is well versed with the range that we can offer. All customer specifications are listed out clearly in a point wise format and then we begin to work on the designs. Our designers come up with creative designs for furniture and even put

Our tieups are with factories based across the world. We source from Vietnam, Indonesia, China and Malaysia

together a 3D mock up or short videos to help illustrate details.”

“We thought it would be good to have a display area in Panjim itself, where Rohit customers could have a Jain chance see first-hand some of the latest trends in the industry.” The recently opened display area is lavishly furnished and houses some of Casadeco’s elaborate mock-up hotel bedroom sets, sample mouldings and decorative PVC panels, lighting solutions and a range of 50+ doors including high security steel doors. But this is just an understatement of the variety Casadeco offers, which excludes the 500 plus options it has on catalogue and their willingness to tailor any product to customer specifications.

“We want to offer all options available right here in Goa, so that customers don’t have to go out of Goa to Mumbai or Delhi to look for things. They can come to Casadeco and get their specifications met with finesse,” says Jeet.

Innovation is a continuous process, and at Casadeco this takes top priority. “We regularly visit international exhibitions and fairs, to keep ourselves updated with the latest changes and trends, so that we can introduce the same to the local market,” says Rohit.

The high security steel door is one of their key products and is available exclusively with Casadeco. These metal doors, complete with frame, come in a variety of finishes and security options which make them ideal as residential main doors. Casadeco

We thought it would be good to have a display area in Panjim itself, where customers could have a chance to see first-hand some of the latest trends in the industry

also offers a wide range of decorative PVC wall panels which can replace the use of marble, wood or solid colours. The WPC mouldings Jeet Tolani also comes in a range of stone, wood and fabric finish which are a creative alternative to the regular white POP or gypsum mouldings available in the markets. The display area also has a range of outdoor furniture, gazebos, swings, WPC decking and artificial turfs. Casadeco also has a variety of lighting options like spotlights, surface LEDs, high-bay lights, solar powered lights for outdoor and indoor use. The highlight of the showroom of course is the IKEA like hotel rooms sets on display. Catering to all star classes of hotels, these room mock ups are complete in all details and offer stunning options at very competitive prices.

Though based in Goa, Casadeco has delved into projects around India as well. “We have done sample flats for developers and supplied all furnishings for a restaurant in Pune. We have also supplied office furniture to a Bangalore based MNC and more,” adds Jeet. With its own mini IKEA in Panjim, Casadeco is setting its eyes on new horizons looking to expand its brand across borders to Pune, Kolhapur, Belgaum and Bangalore. Though their workings are mostly with builders, architects and interior designers; many individuals have come in for turnkey solutions.

Whether it’s a furnishing from scratch or a complete revamp Casadeco is stirring lot of response locally

January 2017 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 29

interview

Dr. Pradeep Salgaonkar | Chairman | Goa Management Association

“At GMA, we wish to take the idea of best practices in management to the industry”

Chairman of Goa Management Association speaks about GMA’s active role as a knowledge forum and this year’s edition of Shaping Young Minds Programme In conversation with ALEXIA FERNANDES

Could you give us a brief about Goa Management Association?

Goa Management Association is a forum for management professionals in Goa, affiliated to the All India Management Association (AIMA). GMA is involved in promoting management knowledge, developing management talent and professionals in the region. GMA provides a forum for managers to exchange knowledge, experiences and ideas at various management development programs, lectures and annual day functions.

GMA was founded on June 5, 1975.

During the 70s, entrepreneurs in Goa felt the need to set up a management association which could promote debate of management knowledge, provide professional training to managers and support scientific management. The credit for initiating the process of establishing GMA goes to the late Vasudeva V Dempo, former Chairman of Dempo Group of Companies. All the major contemporary enterprises of that time participated wholeheartedly in the establishment of GMA, and gave the much-needed impetus to its founding ideals.

What are the membership criteria for GMA? The membership criteria works differently for each category of members.

For institutional members, any firm, corporation, government enterprise, chamber of commerce or other institutions interested in the development of management are welcomed to join. For professionals, the membership is open to any person holding a position in an industrial or commercial firm, government enterprise, consulting firm or any other such establishment, which involves the study and application of management principles and the effective utilization of human and material resources. Also, any individual teaching management subjects in an educational institution is also eligible to be a member of GMA. GMA offers a special student membership to student above the age of 18 years with interests in management.

The student membership is available at 30 | Business Goa industry Dossier | JANuary 2017

a concession rate but is only valid till 28 years of age.

What efforts has GMA made to increase the number of its members?

GMA has a special committee called the ‘Membership and Industry Liaison Committee’ headed by senior industry leader Amin Ladak, which works to increase the involvement of members and encourages individuals from the industry to join as members. We are initiating a drive this time to focus on increasing our student members, especially students from Goa University, and BBA students from colleges like Saraswat College and DMC College to become members of GMA. Student members have a yearly subsidized membership rate and receive invites to all the programs that GMA organizes.

What is your role as the Chairman of Goa Management Association?

As Chairman and executive head of the committee, my roles include keeping in line with the principal objectives of GMA to ensure that it is an active association.

The main role is to visualize, plan, and organize various activities for sharing and dissemination of management knowledge, introduce newer practices and research among various stakeholders and members of the association, industry, student community and the society at large.

What aspects of governance and a d m i n i s t r at i o n has GMA delved into to support the State Government?

GMA has been actively involved in governance and administration.

GMA has been organizing public debates on Goa’s Budget titled ‘Budget Focus’ in association Dr. Pradeep Salgaonkar with Business Goa.

A debate and discussion was also recently organized on the current burning issues of Demonitisation. GMA also plans to prepare a document to be presented to the Government which will provide inputs and suggestions for the Budget 2017.

The association is also is working on a paper on the education sector in Goa which again will be presented to the Government. This will cover various issues pertaining to education from primary education to higher education in Goa and will emphasize on suggestions for skill based improvements for youth to bridge the industry-academia gap.

What are some of GMA’s recent achievements?

GMA, over the years, has reached to great heights. The most prestigious of achievement of GMA was its unanimous selection as the Most Improved Local Management Association (LMA) 2016 by The All India Management Association (AIMA) under the leadership of my predecessor D Kumar Pillai. The GMA executive committee for the term 2014-16 received the award from Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting.

Under GMA’s Knowledge Series ‘Leader Speak’, iconic personalities are invited to share their real life experiences. We have hosted a number of prominent speakers like Dr. Vikram Patel of Sangath, noted fashion guru Wendell Rodricks to address GMA. The association also organizes annual Management Quizzes, Budget Focus, and Management Day Celebrations in collaboration with various management institutes.

Besides this, we also have a newly initiated student exchange program.

GMA recently launched its new newsletter. Could tell us about the focus of

this newsletter?

The newsletter, edited and conceptualised by former Chairman R Krishnagopal, is just another way for us to fulfill the objectives of GMA. It is a platform for us to reach out to the industry to disseminate information, to share our views, introduce new concepts and discussions, and share the latest happenings in management with our members, students and the society. Our contributors for the newsletter provide quality content and we encourage our members to share this newsletter on social media, so that it reaches a wider audience.

GMA in collaboration with AIMA is hosting the third edition of ‘Shaping Young Minds’ in Goa. Could you tell us about this?

AIMA is the national apex body of the management profession in the country. ‘Shaping Young

Minds Programme’ (SYMP) is an initiative by AIMA which seeks to help young people find the common ground between self-interest and career choice, and finding the right work environment. The program is mainly aimed at inspiring young people below the age of 30 years, both students and professionals in the field of management. Many young people today have bright minds, which need shaping up on what to expect in a management career. They are always seeking advice from icons and SYMP gives them a chance to interact with renowned professionals and learn from their experiences and advice.

What is this year’s highlight for ‘Shaping Young Minds’?

This year we have four key speakers who will address SYMP: General Bikram Singh PVSM, UYSM, AMSM, VSM

(Retd) Former Chief of The Indian Army; Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Sarod Maestro; Senior Dipomat Deepak Vohra; and industrialist and former AIMA President Firdose Vandrevala.

As a knowledge forum, how successful has GMA been in pushing education as a focus area?

I think GMA has been successful in its pursuits.

Though we do have a few challenges like constraints on resources and infrastructure, we do manage to keep the association an active forum.

We have work in partnership with various educational institutions that are focused on student development. We are expecting a tie up with Manipal University in the near future.

We have a couple of special student centric programs like the Management Convention which will be organised

in the following year. We also have smaller programs like the Management Day Celebration which we organize in collaboration with a management college. Some of GMA’s knowledge sharing activities are sessions for GMA members, and the sessions for educational institutions which will be a total of 12 sessions this year.

We recently organised a Demonitisation Debate in collaboration with Goa University. We also have the knowledge lecture series which is open to public. As a knowledge forum GMA has been able to mobilise its stakeholders and create value for the association the knowledge lecture series which is open to public. As a knowledge forum GMA has been able to mobilise its stakeholders and create value for the association

January 2017 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 31

INDUSTRY

Bandekar Speciality Valve Corporation

World class valves, made in Goa more research and funding; the manufacturing of which is efficiently undertaken by BSVC. “Post the boom for iron ore in 2007, the requirements of the sea-going vessels, barges increased and we slowly graduated into marine valves. There was even a time, when my mother managed the factory, back in early 2001, while bringing in the licenses. In spite of a lot of ups and downs, today, we are a small scaled industry but a well established company with good sales,” says Nitin Bandekar, one of the Partners of BSVC. The Group holds multiple partnership firms with Narayan Rajaram Bandekar as

Nitin Bandekar

By meenal bale

NRB IS A name associated with many industries, events, social causes and now, even fitness. From the NRB Pharma Zambia Limited unit, to the running of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Narayan Bandekar School, to collaborating with Norbert’s fitness studio at Vasco and with Diet Clinic in the port town, not to mention the imposing hotel HQ, the Group has abundantly been giving back to the society and the city of Vasco in multiple ways. Established way back in 1977 at the Sancoale Industrial Estate, the Bandekar Speciality Valve Corporation (BSVC), part of the Narayan Rajaram Bandekar Group (NRB Group) is renowned for catering to class approved industrial and marine valves and fittings, applicable across diverse industries such as petrochemicals, power plants, marine, fertilizers; registered with Goa Shipyard, Hindustan Shipyard to name a few.

The products consist

of butterfly valves, globe valves, gate valves, ball valves, strainers valves, fire hydrant valves, storm valve, valve chest. Most valves are made based on the global standards, while the custom made valves have certain parameters and require a lot

32 | Business Goa industry Dossier | JANuary 2017

With the firm belief that quality is the key essence in marine and shipbuilding industry, BSVC has a good testing facility

Best practices in manufacturing at BSVC the Chairman and Managing Director and Amit Bandekar, the other Partner along with Nitin. While trying to reestablish itself; BSVC decided to get into a larger basket of products, with a sense of consistency.

Restructuring the marine business helped them acquire better orders and opened up more opportunities with shipyards across the countries, aiding in the trading of other valves instead of merely manufacturing.

“We thought whatever we cannot manufacture, we can always trade. We started to market ourselves with the new addition to our already existing marine industry products and we could thus participate in tenders that we weren’t manufacturing at all like globe valves, strainers, flanges, which are primarily a part of the marine ship line.

We have been quite happy with this and in the last few years, due to the emphasis upon ‘Make in India’, we have been able to strengthen our goodwill in the industry. Today, we are doing quite a good quantity of business with Goa Shipyard, along with a few others,” adds Nitin.

With the firm belief that quality is the key essence in marine and shipbuilding industry, BSVC has a good testing facility in the state.

There are about seven employees in the engineering, design and production team, and about ten at the factory.

The company follows best business practices and is firm on its unique selling points.

They only offer a range of class approved valves that give their clients an edge, as well as a sense of superior quality with the finished product. Castings are purchased from reputed foundries and that ensures to minimise the leakage and rejection aspect.

“We do not have the capacity to get into

manufacturing of other products. We outsource most of our work and only do the assembly and testing here. Honestly, it would be unfair to expand without being well equipped. We are happy with our existing clients and would not like to jump borders only because there is an opportunity presenting itself somewhere. We would rather focus on nurturing our strengths. In the next five years, we can foresee a good turn-around but as of now, we need good investments, to reap the fruits of our hard work; which we will put in as and when required. In this industry, the delivery can be delayed for a few days in extreme cases, but the quality simply cannot be compromised upon,” says Nitin Bandekar.

Catering to a clientele right from the Goa Shipyard Limited to Zuari Agro Chemicals Limited, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, BSVC is certified by the Indian Registrar of Shipping, the American Bureau of Shipping, Lloyd’s Register of Shipping and the Projects and Development India Limited.

The company has witnessed a slow and steady growth. When asked about plans of expansion “Yes, we too have constraints.

There is no quality foundry making industry in Goa and we have to procure the basic castings from places like Belgaum, Kolhapur, Coimbatore, etc. That becomes a hassle for a valves manufacturer.

Besides, foundry is a polluting industry, and the cost of labour in the state is also very high. We can supply, but the competition is so much and the manufacturing cost is so high that we have to keep low margins. Maybe in the future we would like to go in for more machines and put up our own foundry to avoid the expenditures incurred through outsourcing,” concludes Nitin as he speaks about the future plans of the engineering arm of the NRB Group

January 2017 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 33

Goan Brand

House of Grain

The Grain of Life

Gluten free for over four years, Delson and Aarina share their mouth watering flavours, at the House of Grain

Walnut Roll and Guava Cheese Christmas Goodie Basket

Navaratan bread, slightly sweeter Carrot-CoconutMuscovado bread, Chia-sunflower-sesame and flax seed bread and a locavore bread made of Ragi, Coconut jaggery and Cashewnuts

By Alexia fernandes

FROM A VERY young age Aarina Alphonso suffered from a rare kind of arthritis called Seronegative spondyloarthropath. Over the years she tried a number of treatments but was left disappointed. Then, following a suggestion from a friend who suffered from a similar condition, Aarina went off gluten and noticed a number of changes within a span of two to three months. “On reading more about it, we learned gluten consumption caused symptoms similar to what Aarina had,” says her husband Delson roche. In 2012 the couple went completely off gluten and has been since.

On a trip to Australia they found that gluten free food was quite commonly available at most bakeries, hotels and restaurants. “We noticed the kind of awareness they had and felt the lack of understanding back home in Goa,” recalls Delson. Gluten, which is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye, is also hidden in many food that we consume. With such poor awareness about gluten sensitivity in India, a person suffering from gluten intolerance may not even be aware of the condition, its symptoms or what triggers it.

“Goa has similar issues with insensitivity. There are tourists who may want to come to Goa but hesitate perhaps because there isn’t so much of gluten free food readily available,” Delson explains.

Putting these together, they decided to try and produce gluten free food at home to cater to people with health concerns or just anyone willing to switch to a healthier diet. They began with ‘House of Grains’ in 34 | Business Goa industry Dossier | JANuary 2017

March 2015 and the response since, has been great.

“We started with wraps and came up with a variety of five different grains. We have a special wrap called the ‘Navrathna’ which is a nine grain wrap. From wraps, we slowly introduced breads. Again we had a variety of nine different flavours. We also started with cookies and perhaps in a month or so we intend to start with cakes.”

The duo constantly uses research and feedback from customers to improve their products. “Whenever there is a product that is ready to be produced on a larger scale, we immediately introduce it. Every month or so, we bring in a new product or two new flavours at a time.” Delson says.

Aarina comes up with some of the most innovative recipes, while Delson compliments these with mouth watering flavour combinations. With scrumptious flavours of bread like honey, coconut and banana bread, dry fruit, herbs and cheese, and multigrain; they don’t compromise on flavour at all. The special herb and cheese

bread has a blend of basil, thyme, oregano, fenugreek leaves, and sage and is laced with gooey cheese and cashew nuts for that extra savour.

The soft flatbreads called ‘Navrathan’ is made from nine organic whole flours – white sorghum, red sorghum, pearl millet, buckwheat, white pea, red rice, white rice, white amaranth and finger millet, and despite combining nine different flavours are well balanced in flavour. “We also have products that are completely made from local ingredients like our Ragi bread is made from ragi, coconut jaggery and cashewnuts all grown in Goa,” adds Delson.

Serving gluten free food, House of Grain assures you their facility is gluten free too. “Eateries that serve gluten free food use the same facility to make food with gluten and cross contamination is inevitable,” Aarina explains. House of Grain offers a healthier alternative which is free from any gums, starches or eggs whites unlike other places.

Navrathna Bread made of nine grains

About 90-95% of food available at supermarkets is heavily saturated with gluten.

Since a majority of population is accustomed to eating such foods, switching to gluten free might be a very different experience. “We try different millets which has its own unique flavour. These taste very different regular from wheat or maida. I find them rather flavourful and colourful, but I think it depends on each individual.” Delson admits.

Promising a 100% organic and gluten free food, House of Grains sources its millets and whole grains directly from small farmers that grow organically across the country.

“We get our grains from all over India. Our wheat is from the Himalayas, we get our rice from Southern India, Jowar from Pune and Jaipur.” Aarina says. These are milled at home and have a longer shelf life as compared to flours. Since

Delson Roche and Aarina Alphonso

their current clientele is small, comprising of mainly gluten intolerant people and the few health conscious folks, they sell directly to clients which ensures all their food is always delivered fresh.

“Our greatest challenge is how many people will be willing to challenge themselves

to adapt to such different taste.

We can only exist if people are buying from us, so that I see as a greatest challenge.” says Aarina. “I definitely think awareness will come to India and eventually Goa. People are getting health conscious already, so I think definitely it will happen,” adds Delson.

House of Grains currently has its delicious savouries available at People Tree at 6 Assagao in Goa. For this festive season, House of Grains has Goodies Baskets with gluten free Christmas sweets like date and walnut rolls and guava cheese locally known as ‘Perad’ are available at People Tree

January 2017 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 35

campus

Decennial year celebration of Department of Journalism at St. Xavier’s College LtoR: Patterson Fernandes, Vailarose Fernandes, Fr. Jeronimo D’Silva, Prabhu Chawla, Nitin Volvoikar

On the occasion of Decennial year celebration of the Department of Journalism, St. Xavier’s College, MapusaGoa, organized a national level symposium “Issues & Challenges in Media Today” on 14th December 2016 at the college seminar hall. The Chief Guest and keynote speaker at the symposium was Prabhu Chawla, Editorial Director, New Indian Express. Among the panelists for the symposium were Alka Dhupkar, Assistant Editor of Mumbai Mirror, Sahil Joshi, Senior Editor of TV Today Network, Raju Nayak, Editor of Dainik Lokmat, Pramod Acharya, Editor of Prudent Media, Harshvardhan Bhatkuly, Editor of Business Goa, Derek Almeida, Editor of The Goan Everyday, and Shashwat Gupta Ray, Editor of Gomantak Times.

Highlighting the various issues and challenges faced by media today, in his key note address Prabhu Chawla stated that “With increasing number of information channels, it is even more crucial for reporters to report accurately supported by facts and figures.

This will ensure that, no one questions the credibility of journalism.” Adding further, he said people tend to form their opinion based on media reports. Therefore, it becomes mandatory for a journalist to be accurate and transparent in terms of the facts given in the news reports.

In the first session of the symposium moderated by

Officiating Principal Dr. (Fr.) Jeronimo D’Silva in his address congratulated the Journalism department for the hard work they put into training students to become successful media professionals.

On the occasion of the Decennial year celebration, the department felicitated media organizations for their valuable support for providing internship for students and organizing field visits Pramod Acharya, the panelists deliberated on the topic – Issues and Challenges faced by Media today at the national level.

During the discussion Prabhu Chawla opined that “With multiple sources of known and unknown, it is extremely crucial for journalists today to report in order to maintain credibility.” In response to journalists being labelled as anti-nationals, Alka Dhupkar said that, it is the duty of the journalists to question the government if their decisions are against the public interest; and that doesn’t make them anti-national.

The second session moderated by Harshvardhan Bhatkuly focused on challenges faced by Goan media today.

Social Media today has become a major source for news which is posing a big challenge for media organizations to check its credibility. Print media will continue to flourish even in a

36 | Business Goa industry Dossier | JANuary 2017

completely digitalized world.

The panelists also highlighted the lack of reporters in newspaper organizations due to which publications are forced to depend on stringers to get the latest happenings around.

Officiating Principal Dr. (Fr.) Jeronimo D’Silva in his address congratulated

BG CROSSWORD 85

the Journalism department for putting in hard work to train the students to become successful media professionals. On the occasion of Decennial year celebration, the department felicitated media organizations for their valuable support for providing internship for students and organizing field visits

QUIZZARETM

Across: 1. Flipkart’s ___ _______ Sale for Diwali 2016 (3,7) 6. Leading cab rental company (4) 7. Orange juice brand very popular a decade ago (5) 8. No Objection Certificate, in short (3) 10. American National Standards Institute, briefly (4) 12. Distribution arm of Amar Chitra Katha (3) 13. Disorder with need to check things repeatedly (3) 14. Popular sci-fi video game created by Bungie (4) 16. Demonetization is aimed at removing black _____ (5) 17. Brief procedure used to artificially ventilate people (3) Down: 1. Oil rich South East Asian state (6) 2. New or experienced person (9) 3. Mascot of MGM Studios (4) 4. _____ Joe – villain in Huckleberry Finn (5) 5. Parsi businessman, grandson of MA Jinnah (5) 9. _____ Island – famous for its hot dogs (5) 10. Something created on a need basis only (2,3) 11. Suzlon specializes in wind & _____ energy (5) 15.

Computer system allowing simple interface to modify digital content (3) answers to crossword 84 Across 1. Time Warner 5. Roles 7. Ferraro 9. GDR 10. FER 12. Adani 13. Greg 14. Ernet Down 1. Tariff 2.Waste 3. Rhino 4. Rocher 6. Lorreine 8. Royale 9. Grain 11. FRG

V.M. Salgaocar College of Law gears up for Lex Infinitum

With a week left for the competition, the Lex Infinitum team is neck deep in preparations. The VMSCLWMO International Dispute Resolution Competition is ready to unfold from the 11th to 14th of January with 24 teams and 32 experts participating in the second edition of Lex Infinitum. The teams represent not only India but countries like Poland, Germany, Ukraine and Singapore. The experts comprise of 12 international mediation professionals coming from different parts

of the globe to judge the event in an attempt to broaden the understanding that every student has of mediation.

The knowledge sessions are formulated keeping in mind the need of the society to benefit from events like this

and thus since its inception year, knowledge sessions conducted by the experts on mediation and negotiation basics have been open to registered members of the public.

Like last year, this year too,

the team has worked hard on carefully mixing work and play with socials spread across beautiful events to ensure a lasting impression of Goa on the minds of the participants.

V. M. Salgaocar College of Law first envisaged this event to open avenues for its students in the field of Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) and in turn project Goa as a potential ADR hub which would provide an ideal atmosphere for reasoning and putting things in perspective while resolving complex disputes

Dr. M. R. K. Prasad, Principal of V M Salgaocar College of Law and Dr. B. S. Patil, Director of the ADR board of the College which conceptualized Lex Infinitum, speak about the academic event Why was ADR chosen for mediation/negotiation?

Dr. M. R. K. Prasad: We strongly believe that ADR is not Alternative Dispute Resolution but Adequate Dispute Resolution. There are several disputes are not effectively settled through traditional methods of dispute resolution. Particularly where the parties want to protect their relationship while resolving differences, ADR is the best method.

Dr. B.S Patil: India is predominantly a duty based society. Under the Hindu terminology, ‘Dharma’ takes centre stage in the discussions rather than ‘rights’, ADR is designed to address the interests and duties of the members of the society.

It has potential to build unity and harmony in the society rather than generate animosity. In the words of Justice Hidayatulla, ‘a dispute settled avoids ten future disputes, and a dispute decided, has a potential to create ten new disputes’. The feeling of ‘live and let live’ is created under ADR. How does Lex benfit the students and society?

Dr. M. R. K. Prasad: Students learn that every dispute need not go to the rigours of court settlement. There are other

far more effective methods to resolve the disputes. They also learn that the role of the lawyer is to unite the parties rather than divide them.

Society would be benefited by this approach as budding lawyers would be willing to settle the cases outside the court, which would bring down costs of litigation.

Dr. B. S. Patil: Lex is a unique competition which is coupled with firsthand experience of negotiation at international level and knowledge sessions, where the international experts address the delegates.

These knowledge sessions provide an opportunity to understand ADR in different cultural contexts. The feedback from the experts/judges at the end of each competition session is a major learning experience.

Even though, we speak of skills and techniques of ADR, it is more important to build the culture of ADR. Lex is a small but significant step in building ADR culture in Goa. Why and what potential does Goa have as an ADR hub?

Dr. M. R. K. Prasad: Peace

loving nature of Goans is more receptive to the idea of Negotiation and Mediation. The very nature of Goa makes it an ideal place to promote ADR. It’s being an international tourist destination has a potential for ADR hub.

Knowledge and prevalence of Dr B.S.Patil English is another strong point in favour of Goa. Dr. B. S. Patil: Goa is well known worldwide for its hospitality and harmonious culture, a popular tourist destination that provides world class facilities to the visitors. India had toyed with the idea of medical tourism, where patients from all over the world were treated by Indian hospitals; now it’s high time that we initiate the idea of ‘ADR tourism’, on similar lines.

We have an International Arbitration Center in Goa. Presently it is not working to its full potential.

The same Center could expand its reach and become an ADR center. I feel that, Goa can be international hub for ADR. It would also indirectly benefit the society.

Dr M R K Prasad

How has the response for Lex

been?

Dr. M. R. K. Prasad: The response is very encouraging.

Last year, we had 20 teams out of which 2 were foreign teams. This year we have had to restrict the participation to 24 teams out of which 4 are foreign teams. All top law colleges are participating in the event. We have 15 international experts and 17 national experts in mediation judging the event. In addition, we have nearly 300 delegates registered for sessions on negotiation and mediation.

Dr. B. S. Patil: We are quite overwhelmed with the response. I would credit it to the untiring work rendered by the organizing team.

There seems to be a positive vibe towards the idea of ADRs being generated throughout the globe, which is manifested through the widespread representation from various colleges all over. We have participants who do not take their opponents head on, but excel on basis of skills and proper appreciation of others interests, while safeguarding their own.

I wish to see this event grow more in terms of much wider representation and I want to see Lex to be one of the major academic event in the calendar of all major universities of the world

January 2017 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 37

art

Laxman Pai: Taking Goa to the world

By NAGUESH RAO SARDESSAI

‘ONE CAN TAKE a Goan out of Goa but it’s impossible to take Goa out of a Goan.’

Laxman Pai’s personality resonates with this quote.

Though born in Goa, Pai spent most of his life outside this tiny state. Yet this renowned artist’s work reflects a lot of Goa in virtually every painting.

Pai was born on 21st January 1926, in Margao, Goa. Growing up in a city surrounded with vibrant cultural ethos, it was quite natural for him to gravitate towards the field of fine arts.

He moved to Mumbai to pursue his education in art at the much acclaimed Sir J. J. School of Art; where he was awarded the prestigious Mayo medal.

Ever hungry for knowledge and education, Laxman Pai went to Paris, the world capital of art, for further studies and subsequently worked there for a decade before finally returning to his motherland.

A natural rebel, a staunch nationalist and a self respecting Indian, he came to Goa – then under Portuguese rule – in the midst of his studies in Mumbai, influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s speeches, to contribute to the freedom struggle. He remained firm and steadfast despite receiving gruesome whacks on his palms, administered by thick wooden rod called ‘Palmatri’ which left his hands left numb for several days after.

Returning back to Mumbai, he completed his studies and went on to teach at the Sir J. J. School of Art before walking out of the hallowed institution in protest against his unqualified demotion for allegedly hobnobbing with the members of Progressive Artists Group.

Absolutely confident of his capabilities and extreme selfrighteousness, he packed his

Laxman Pai

bags and sailed to Paris with his friend sculptor Sadanand Bakre. Assisted by Indian artists in Paris such as S. H. Raza, F. N. Souza and Akbar Padamsee, Pai managed to get a foothold in Paris while he worked hard to earn fame and respectability.

Deeply committed to Indian culture and philosophy, Pai, being a dedicated practitioner of yoga, remained firm and managed to isolate himself from unwanted western influence in the field of art and remained selectively receptive.

Flute, Dilruba and Sitar for company; he also acquainted himself with western classical music – Beethoven and Tchaikovsky and went on to execute a painting titled ‘Symphony of Life’, inspired by Beethoven’s musical compositions.

Having held his first solo show, in India, with the support of his close friend and noted artist Shankar Palsikar, Pai’s major solo show was held in 1952 at Gallery Raymond Duncan in Paris. This was received with rave reviews by celebrated art critics and collectors. 1954 saw Pai

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produce paintings influenced by ‘Gita Govinda’, famed Indian classical literature.

Returning from Paris after the liberation of Goa, Pai settled in Delhi and worked on a series of paintings before accepting to lead the Goa College of Art, in 1977, as its first principal; only to return back to full time painting a decade later.

Egyptian relief sculptures, Jain Miniatures, Paul Klee’s vibrating lines, Marc Chagall’s poetic forms, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Indian classical music collectively shaped Laxman Pai’s creative oeuvre. Whereas, the minor dots, lines and tones have slipped into his paintings, while working on porcelain vases, during his short stint at the Rosenthal Porcelain of Germany.

Borrowing from ancient Egyptian sculptures and paintings, Laxman Pai’s figures were subtly square and geometrically inclined.

Subsequently, his forms went on to develop sinewy curves and rounded edges that flowed into each other to manufacture a harmonious symphony.

His figurative drawings

had inherent folk sensibility and the choice of hues got fiercely bolder and brighter, reminiscent of the early Indian miniatures. He captured the essence of miniature style of painting and developed a language of his own that enveloped a variety of subjects.

He also worked on a series on Navrasa, Family Tree – that sort of chronicled the growth of his family members, Geet Govinda, Ramayana, Mahatma Gandhi and Buddha. Besides these, images from Sikkim and his portrait of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru endeared his fans.

His paintings are curious blend of tradition and modernity, beauty and philosophy. He gives greater attention to geometry and ornate details. Love for environment makes him return to his ethnic roots and draw from its natural and cultural wealth, time and again.

He raised the Hindu metaphor of Purusha-prakriti to an altogether different level and had experimented with abstract form as well.

He was deeply influenced by the teachings of J. Krishnamurti, Swami

Vivekananda and Hindu philosophy combined with the love for music, especially flute, which he played with a professional’s aplomb. A bold personality, he doled out series of paintings inspired by the content of much talked Kama Sutra. Pai is famous for his lyrical lines and expressive paintings that are loaded with bright colours. Mesmerizing eyes, curvy female forms, and square male figures embellished with decorative elements and painted with multi-hued palette – an example in visual poetry.

Pai’s works are to be seen to be experienced and understood. They are viewer friendly and look spontaneous like how Keats, the famous poet would want them to be when he said, “If poetry doesn’t come as naturally as leaves to a tree, it better not come”.

Laxman has to his credit more than 100 one-man

Laxman Pai with Jawaharlal Nehru

shows all over the globe. His solo exhibitions have been held at London, Munich, New York, Singapore, New Delhi, Mumbai, Panaji and other places. He has also participated in the Biennale San Paulo, Brazil. He is the recipient of Lalit Kala National Awards of 1961, 63 and 72. He was honoured by the Government of Goa in the year 1987 and awarded the Nehru (Goa)

A young Laxman Pai at his studio

Award. His paintings are in various private and public collections including the Museum of Modern Art, Paris; New York Public Library; Berlin Museum; Ben & Abbey Grey Foundation (USA); National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi; and other towns. Pai has come a long way to achieve what he has today - name, fame and respect.

Right from his formative

years under the tutelage of his maternal uncle R. N. Mouzo, an accomplished artist and photographer himself, to the days in Sir J. J. School of Art, to his stint in Paris, to his return back home to India to receive the much acclaimed Padma Shri, Laxman Pai has left an indelible mark on the global art field for every Goan and every Indian to be proud of; and attempt to emulate

January 2017 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 39

lady power

VAISHALI JOSHI

“There is no substitute for detailing”

Find creative and effective solutions to reach out to your audience with Vaishali Joshi and her venture

By Ankitha Joseph

CREATIVITY IS THE power to connect the seemingly unconnected, said once William Polmer. While an idea blooms in the minds of many, it is the conceptualization and the execution that truly brings out the magic. And for the conceptualization phase there is Vaishali Joshi’s V-factor, an advisory marketing service provider. Earlier known as Consult Vaishali, V-Factor helps you deliver your brand to the audience with ease and creativity. After doing her Masters in Management Studies from the acclaimed BITS Pilani, Vaishali went on to join advertising major Lowe Lintas. Her career experience doesn’t stop there, but she further joined ‘Notre Advertising’ as their Branch Manager in Goa. Married in the renowned Joshi family of Goa, Vaishali came to Goa 28 years ago and since then has blended well into the flavours of being a true Goan. It was during these years that Vaishali observed that Goa was looked down upon, though there was no dearth of talent.

She came across Vivus, a cardiac center in Vasco and worked as the HOD, Marketing for a long span of five years. She began working with them, from handling their medi-claims to alliances with different corporates, she did it all. Vaishali committed herself completely to Vivus and made sure nothing was lacking when it came to their brand development.

Vaishali’s decision of whom she chooses to work with stands on a pillar of belief and trust on the product or company.

“I do not take up anything that comes my way, but only projects that interest me. And it is of great importance that I should believe in the project”.

A policy that Vaishali truly

believes in is to have complete confidence in the products and brands she chooses to market for. Vaishali considers that the product she markets for also adds to her own individual goodwill. She provides the best to her clients but it may be surprising how after 28 years in Goa, she hasn’t had any local clients so far. “I work for clients from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and other cities who want to establish their businesses in Goa, as Goans already have their contacts here but for the people outside I play the role of a mediator,” said Vaishali. She further adds, “Today Goans are very aware, they do a lot of reading, and are travelling a lot too.

They deserve the best.” V-factor has worked with several other brands such as Shalom hotels, Tara Jewelers and very recently H y d e r a b a d ’s famous weavers Binaav and S u t r a .

Vaishali’s

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recognition of Goa’s potential is seen well through her opinion on the increasing number of event companies in Goa. Believing in positive and healthy competition, Vaishali states that the increasing numbers will only bring better quality to the market consistently. “The competition between event companies only helps. The competition only brings high quality of work”.

Having worked on a significant number of projects all through the year, she states that the monsoons have become the peak time for corporate events in Goa and the rest are on all through the year. The investment put into any project is important but something that stands on par with investment is creativity. Thinking out of the box will keep you awake in the minds of your audience and isn’t that what every brand intends to achieve?

The successful V-factor holder believes in the same and says,

Vaishali Joshi

“It’s not just about the money, the creativity also counts.

Goans are very creative and we have the best of singers and artists in Goa”. Trained event professionals weren’t that common previously but in present time, it’s only increasing. Vaishali opines that certain amount of training is always good and adds to the quality of work. “There is no alternative for a skill set. Skill set will come with the right kind of training. Creativity and training hand in hand make a very good combination”.

An efficient and talented lady, Vaishali is passionate about music and theatre. She has acted in Konkani TV Serials and also been a part of many Marathi plays and music stage shows in Goa. Prafulla Dahanukar, renowned artist and close relative of the Joshi family passed away three years ago, but her art continues to live on through the Prafulla Dahanukar Art Foundation.

Vaishali now closely works with the foundation and is also an active organizer of the national art competition held annually all over India.

Vaishali’s love for art is evident as you step into her home. The captivating art on the walls are a testimony to her true passion for art. Her association with The National Association for the Blind and Sadir Theatre Festival is another way of her reaching out to the society through art and inspiring change.

Vaishali’s success stands on the pillars of hardwork, creativity, professionalism and detailing, which she considers her success mantra and a handy piece of advice to all.

“Detailing is my biggest tip to anyone. There is no substitute for detailing. In anything you do, you’ve to be absolutely detailed, and that’s what really works”

Workshop on Enhancing Women’s Economic Empowerment World Trade Centre, Goa organised a workshop on enhancing women’s economic empowerment on Wednesday, 21st December 2016, at Nalanda Hall, EDC House Panaji, Goa. Over 100 Women participated in this workshop which created the much desired interest among women groups to take initiatives and participate in various economic activities to further enhance their businesses and local and international linkages with the support of WTC Goa. Women represent over 50% of the population in India. As powerful yet underutilized resource, women should come forth and take up challenging careers, harness their skills and strengthen their participation and involvement, in the economic, social, cultural and educational fields said Nila Mohanan,Secretary

Education and Civil Aviation, Government of Goa, in her keynote address.

Nila Mohanan, further expressed that exchange of new ideas through Networking opportunities would bring in linkages for the new ideas to flourish and help the women to form collective groups. She said that issues like safety, hygiene, child care, flexi working hours would make more women feel that they can be part of the economic revolution in the country.

Director of Projects WTC Mumbai, Rupa Naik,

highlighted the objective of the Workshop, to sensitize, create awareness and build up a unique platform to promote and enhance Women’s Economic Empowerment.

Women Specific Programmes for Start-ups, entrepreneurship development programmes, will be taken up by WTC Goa. M. P. Raiker, Advisor World Trade Centre Goa, in his address shared the Government’s initiatives of Startup India and Stand up India. He encouraged all participants to take advantage of the global Mileage that WTC

Goa, is offering to help women come together and harness their Economic Potential.

N. Ramesh, Divisional Manager, Canara Bank, spoke of the schemes that are tailor-made especially for women Entrepreneurs.

Ramesh also informed the participants about the different requirements and preparatory work that has to be undertaken before a loan is sanctioned.

Gosalia, Regional coordinator Icreate India, Sheryl Afonso, Partner Norbert Fitness Studios and Rohini Gonsalves spoke about Economic Empowerment of Women through Entrepreneurship & Skill Development. Other speakers at the Workshop were Pallavi Salgaocar, Managing Director, Desserts N More, and B S Pai Angle, General Manager Finance

January 2017 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 41

Professional dossier

Dr. S M Bandekar

Revolutionising Bone Treatment

The Orthopaedic department at the state-run Goa Medical College soars to new heights with Dr. S M Bandekar’s most remarkable achievements AS A CHILD I had always wanted to become a doctor, not just a general physician but a specialized surgeon.

Our constant meets with the family doctor spiked my curiosity. We held high respect for him and it was almost as if he was part of our family. I remember being fascinated by his stethoscope, and with childlike innocence I would wonder about the amazing things he could probably hear through that instrument. My fascination with the medical field began from this rather innocent incident, but this fuelled my passion to pursue a career in medicine.

I excelled at mathematics in school and even ranked first in the state at the Goa Board SSC examination. I completed my MBBS and MS in Goa which was back then affiliated to the Bombay University. I went on to do my M.Ch, which is the highest degree in Medicine at the University of Dundee in U.K. In 2002, I trained at Prague in Czech Republic for joint replacement surgery like knee replacement and hip replacement.

I had initially decided to specialize in neurology.

With a degree in MBBS, I left for Mumbai in search of a specialized course in Neurosurgery, as back then, Goa Medical College didn’t offer such a specialization. In Mumbai, I applied relentlessly to some of the top hospitals like Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, KEM Hospital; but received no response. I was told that there was an opportunity to receive a special scholarship that funds the course in neurosurgery to a deserving candidate, but for that year the seat had already been allotted to someone. I

returned back to Goa empty handed.

At Goa Medical College, they offered a specialized course in orthopaedics which I took up. Though it wasn’t what I initially set out for, Orthopaedics is close to Neurology as both heavily work with the Spine. I was interested in working with Spinal Cord related damage and during the initial stages in my career I’ve had the opportunity to perform a lot of spine surgeries. I introduced some of the first procedures like the use of pedicle screws at GMC. Though now I work more with specialized joint replacement surgery. Today.

I am very satisfied with the choice I made to become an orthopaedic surgeon.

I’ve been heading the orthopaedic department since 2003, before which I had worked as an assistant professor since 1993. Having been with the department for so long, I’ve seen it transform and grow impressively. We have remarkable achievements and have performed some of the most difficult operations in Orthopaedics like Goa’s first ever total knee replacement surgery, successful hip replacement surgery and the recent first ever total reverse shoulder replacement surgery.

A lecturer and a post graduate guide, it gives me pride to know that today India’s top students want to pursue orthopaedics. Radiology and Orthopaedics have emerged as the top branches in medicine today. Earlier, Goa had no significance, but our work over the years has put us on the map of education. Most of the students who I meet, tell me that they want to pursue their medical studies in

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Orthopaedics in Goa and for me this is a moment of pride.

My recent success with Goa’s first ever Reverse Shoulder Replacement Surgery has been a great achievement.

This procedure is performed to help patients suffering from conditions like rheumatoid arthritis which is the most common type of autoimmune arthritis, and diabetic shoulder.

Arthritis and diabetes are two of the biggest indications in Goa. We have a number of patients suffering from shoulder arthritis and diabetes.

The shoulder joint is a socket-ball attachment for mobility which works as long as the surrounding tissue and muscle work. Patients with conditions like diabetes or arthritis have damaged tissue which results in swollen, stiff, and painful joints with

I’ve been heading the orthopaedic department since 2003, before which I had worked as an assistant professor since 1993. Having been with the department for so long I’ve seen it transform and grow impressively Dr S. M. Bandekar

restricted mobility. Experts in France worked on the research for this process as just replacing the shoulder, hindered movement. They figured out a brilliant way to work with the Deltoid muscle which is a powerful muscle that contours the shoulder.

Their research sought to shift the axis inside so as to reverse the shoulder putting the ball inside and socket outside.

Being one of the toughest procedures in orthopaedics, I received extensive training at Munich in Germany. I had the privilege of being trained by a surgeon from the original team that first performed this operation. After this, I received further training again in Mumbai. With the success of this procedure I can now continue working with more patients suffering from such

severe shoulder problems. This medical breakthrough will be a lot for Goa. The age old traditional advice of moving to Mumbai for treatment will soon perish as this revolutionary concept is right at our doorstep now.

It was difficult because when performing something this extensive for the first time because you need to be in complete control of your mind, the OT, your team and the supporting staff. For the Total Knee Replacement Surgery, I spent three to four days training my staff rigorously. I remember pacing around the OT days before, pinning charts to the wall with each elaborate step making sure my team was well versed with all the precautions. For the Reverse Shoulder Replacement Surgery too, I trained extensively whether it was with surgeons in Mumbai, or watching

videos by surgeons from around the world performing the procedure. In the end, I can say it was very successful because of the hardwork and dedication. Even though it is stressful in the beginning, I feel if you plan meticulously before and if you are well versed with basic skills, anyone can do it.

Our biggest challenge is the number of cases we get daily.

With the current problem of traffic and rash driving, we have a rising number of accident cases. Sometimes the extent of the damage is so severe, we’re left helpless. We are in dire need of a fully fledged, round the clock trauma unit.

We initially did have a trauma ward back in 2004, but the concept got lost long the way. Around 80% of trauma incidents require orthopaedic attention and rest 10%-25% require neurosurgery. This makes it very challenging

for us orthopaedics today.

As Chairman of the Board of Studies, I always try to see that trauma is given top priority – it is like an epidemic.

Orthopaedic trauma has become a buzz word today.

We plan to bring a number of revolutionary concepts to GMC in the near future. We are now looking into Elbow Replacement Surgeries, for which I am also trained. Another field which is lacking is Orthopaedics Oncology, which deals with bone tumours. I am currently working on cases in isolation with Mega Prosthetics where in the entire bone is removed and replaced with a metallic prosthetic. We need to build up a strong unit for this and it’s one of our future plans for the orthopaedic department.

Aside from this, I am also looking into prospects of starting another department

for Physical Medicine which will focus on the rehabilitation of people suffering from paralysis.

I draw inspiration from my own results. The kind of work I do is exhausting but my rewards are much greater than any exhaustion because I am able to make bed-ridden and wheelchair bound patients smile and walk again.

I’ve been a part of several medical camps for the handicap people in every village in Goa. Then Minister Eduardo Faleiro once told me “What pleasure you get as a doctor, I can never get those smiles on people’s face as a minister.” It was then that I realized that if you can bring a smile to a handicap person’s face that is an ultimate high – and not many professions can give you that As told to ALEXIA FERNANDES

January 2017 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 43

Events Serendipity Arts Festival

India’s premier multidisciplinary arts festival

INDIA’S FIRST INTERDISCIPLINARY arts festival the Serendipity Arts Festival was held in Goa from the 16th to the 23rd December.

With theatrical performances, design interventions, restoration projects and public art initiatives, the festival transformed the various venues stretched across the Mandovi riverfront in Panjim.

Serendipity Arts Trust (SAT) is a Munjal initiative for the promotion of creativity and imagination in arts and culture. It aims to support dialogues that are responsive and those that address social, cultural and environmental issues in creative ways.

In a first-of-its-kind

endeavour, Serendipity Arts Festival brought forth a stellar line-up of 33 global artists to showcase their work in an eight-day inspiration-packed festival this December.

The theatrical production Talātum premiered at the festival was a spectacular show that comprised of the entire gamut of circus, magic, illusion techniques, gypsy art, puppetry, martial arts, new media, dance, music and theatre, blending the modern and the traditional through a new oral and visual language.

The events rolled off with collaborative performance of dance and live music Sandhi.

The ‘Karavaan-the gypsy trail’ featuring Spanish flamenco

musicians with Rajasthani manganiars was an irresistible confluence of cultures, with a world class western artists that provided a melodic landscape.

The mesmerizing 10 piece Sunshine Orchestra from the A.R.Rahman Foundation with young musical protégés from the underprivileged sections of society as its centrepiece, showcased the brightest talent from the current Indian mainstream music scene such as Jonita Gandhi, Vijay Prakash, along with other remarkable instrumentalists.

International street artists took to Goan lanes with the Open Site by Riyas Komu dissolving boundaries between nations, states and more

importantly between people and art. The festival also included hands-on interactive sessions with master artisan Mohan Verma and Dinesh Mohan Lal. Wendell Rodricks in a curatorial presentation brought to the Serendipity Arts Festival elements of Goan clothing that recounted stories of Goa’s history, tradition and mythology.

The grand finale of the Festival was a concert by Coke Studio – with performances by Bengaluru based psychedelic rock band, Parvaaz, and popular fusion-folk singer Papon at DB Ground.

The festival expects to return next December 2017 with a stronger presence

Adventz Foundation’s

‘Youth for Tomorrow’ celebrates second successful edition THE ‘YOUTH FOR Tomorrow’ Festival 2016, a grand youth festival organized by Adventz Foundation in association with Zuari Global witnessed yet another successful festival this year.

The festival comprised of two categories namely, Elocution and Solo Singing under the overall theme of ‘Together We Can’. It aimed to provide a platform for likeminded students to unleash the power of their voice and put forth a powerful message of moving from envisioning to action for a better tomorrow.

The students compete for the coveted Adventz Challenge Shield, attractive scholarships and other prizes.

The festival witnessed a phenomenal response from school children all over Goa, who eagerly welcomed the opportunity to showcase their talents and voice their opinions for a better tomorrow. The 14 participating schools were The King’s School, Vidya Vikas Academy, The Navy Children School, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Deepvihar High School, Regina Mundi High School, Fatima Convent High School, Loyola

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High School, Presentation Convent, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s Narayan Bandekar School, Don Bosco, Sharada Mandir, Mushtifund Saunstha and Our Lady of the Rosary High School. The Grand Finale of the ‘Youth for Tomorrow’ festival 2016 held at BITS Pilani, KK Birla Campus, Goa was at an all-time high with Hema Sardesai, ace playback singer gracing the youth festival as chief guest. The seven finalists took the stage one last time to make their way to the grand finale. The selected panel of judges Lulu

Fortes, Varun Carvalho, Seby Fernandes, Pankaj Kudtarkar, Colin Savio Coelho and Harshvardhan Bhatkuly went through a thorough process of selection and elimination to finally choose the final winners.

The Adventz Foundation Trophy was won by Trusha Ganesh from Vidya Vikas Academy and Avantika Cardozo from Kings School, in the Elocution and SoloSinging categories respectively.

The winners and the runners up also took home attractive scholarships and other prizes

biz bytes

4th International Conference on Advanced Oxidation Processes held at BITS Goa The 4th International Conference on Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOP2016) was held at BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus, from 17-20 December 2016. AOP2016 conference was organized

by BITS Goa campus in association with the Society of Environmental Chemistry and Allied Sciences (SECAS) and was participated by delegates from USA, Columbia, Brazil, Ireland, France, Netherlands, Cyprus, South Korea, Japan and India comprising faculty, research scholars, students, and industry professionals. The conference theme was focused on chemical and biological oxidative decomposition of organic and inorganic contaminants and the fundamental understanding of

degradation mechanism.

BITS Goa Campus in association with the Society of Environmental Chemistry and Allied Sciences (SECAS) organized the 4th International Conference on Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOP2016). Delegates, research scholars, students, and industry professionals from across the world including Columbia, Brazil, Ireland, France, Netherlands, Cyprus, South Korea, Japan and India

participated in the conference.

The theme of the conference focused on chemical and biological oxidative decomposition of organic and inorganic contaminants and the fundamental understanding of degradation mechanism.

The conference was inaugurated by Prof. G Raghurama, Director of BITS Goa Campus. Prof. Michael R. Hoffmann from the California Institute of Technology, USA

North Goa district bags ‘Digital India Award’

North Goa District was rewarded with the Platinum Award under the Web Ratna District Category of Digital India award 2016 on the 19th of December. The award was presented appreciating and recognizing the online undertakings of the district administration through www. northgoa.gov.in.

The award was presented at the hands of Union Minister of Electronics and IT, Law and Justice Ravi Shankar Prasad. Also present were P P Chaudhary, Minister of State,

Electronics and IT, Law and Justice, Aruna Sundararajan IAS, Secretary MeITY, Neeta Verma, DG NIC, New Delhi and Alka Misra, project lead senior technical director NIC. With a highly user-friendly interface and layout, the website is of great help to the masses holding information on a series of services offered under the Collectorate and its allied offices at the subdivisional and taluka levels.

Hosted on the NIC server the project was planned by Nila Mohanan, IAS (former

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Collector, North Goa), and her team including officers of the North Goa Collectorate and Goa Electronics Limited.

The website provides citizen services and the facility to track the status of the application too.

This initiative of the North Goa District has also won the Award of Recognition for CSI Nihilent eGovernance Award 2016 in the projects category of awards. A total of 500 nominations were received of which 28 winners were selected by the jury

was the Chief Guest for the function. Keynote addresses, invited talks, short talks and oral sessions were presented by a significant number of people including Panjak Seksharia, Kalpavriksh, and Parag Rangnekar from Goa. Also present at the conference were Prof.

Aravindakumar, General Secretary, SECAS, who briefed the history of AOPs, Prof. Halan Prakash, Convener AOP2016 BITS who presented the AOP-2016 technical program.

Research articles and reviews for the special issue of the ‘AOP-2016’ were received from all over the world which will be published by the reputed Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering (JECE), Elsevier publications

Institute of Town Planners on the Future Forms of Housing

The Goa Chapter of the Institute of Town Planners India organized a one day seminar on the theme ‘Future Forms of Housing’.

The seminar was held in collaboration with the Goa College of Architecture and the Town & Country Planning Department of the Govt. of Goa. The seminar was held with the aim, of understanding the 20th century housing models from India and across the world to understand the future scenario of the upcoming concept of ‘Smart Living’. Several other subthemes were also discussed through debates such as changing forms of families and urban life-styles, social and economic structures, use of new technology in an affordable way and new aspirations.

The Institute has organized several sessions and seminars in the past on topics like Innovative Technologies for urban Environmental Management

business connect

Vishwaroop: In the Business of People Narendra Chhetri is taking his manpower business all over India

by RAMRai naik

IN GOA, BY and large, businesses that provide labour workforce are less organised and not dependable.

This is where Vishwaroop comes handy – professional, dependable and with years of experience. With more than 23 years of being in business, it is not simply that they advertise themselves for being in ‘in the Business of People.’

Vishwaroop is a manpower supplier of general labour, loading-unloading, packing, labelling, housekeeping, security etc.

Narendra Chhetri, current Chairman of Vishwaroop Group, had to drop out of college at a young age of 20, to support his father’s growing business.

As the name ‘Vishwaroop’ (innumerable forms) suggests, the groups’ business is dominant in various markets and regions. Vishwaroop Security Services (VSS) is part of multiple service providers under the umbrella of Vishwaroop Group of Companies, which was started in Goa by Late Naresh B. Chhetri in 1993. The inspirational path behind this business came at an early age, when Chhetri Sr. wanted to join the Gorkha Regiment in India. That dream was put paid due to a weak financial background and growing family responsibilities. As the eldest son, Narendra says, his father had all the skills and qualities to be qualified for the same, but due to financial issues, he had to take up a job at a hotel in Nepal. He later moved to Goa, where he worked as a security guard in Feura Cosmetic factory located at Kundaim. Naresh Chhetri’s hardwork led to a quick promotion as Chief Security Officer. Impressed by his work, one of the company’s delegates offered to let him take over the security business in the same field. Setting up of this security

Narendra Chhetri

agency at Feura Cosmetic marked the beginning of Naresh Chhetri’s business journey in 1993.

The Vishwaroop Group of Companies in Goa has business operations (3 companies) in two defined sectors – manpower suppliers for various industrial estates and security services in India. The firm also has multiple business operations in various other sectors. “We are Goa’s biggest security service providers by revenue and are among the top five security services in Goa. The organization has always delivered its best in security services and is the founding member of the Security Association of Goa,” Narendra tells Business Goa. “Vishwaroop Enterprise (VE) is amongst Goa’s top five manpower suppliers with over 5000 employees registered on its pay roll. We have a large presence over the mining zones of Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka. One of our biggest clients is mining major Fomento Resources.”

Industrial Security and Allied Services (ISAS) is a newly emerging company under the Vishwaroop Group which provides the industrial sector with both quality security services and

manpower solutions.

Vishwaroop Group has a strong customer base in Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Nepal; the company has grown rapidly in these markets. Narendra says, “It wasn’t as tough for us when we had started out, as there was less competition and other companies didn’t provide quality services, but now things have changed with the number of MNC players in the market.”

Narendra Chhetri elaborates on the struggle in the industry, he says, “In this business, there is a continuous flow of new entrant contractors, as entry barriers are low; and so is the capital infusion.

Our workmen sometimes struggle as no basic needs are provided by our clients’ company at the work site such as drinking water, toilet and first aid facility, lack of proper training opportunities, lack of promotional avenues, nonpayment of bonus, compulsion to wear clothes unsuitable to climatic conditions, monotony and boredom.” Narendra Chhetri is personally and professionally committed to his clients in ensuring that all business needs are met.

Secondly, he says, attention to detail is provided for each and every assignment. His company doesn’t tolerate any kind of discrimination towards any employee or business. Narendra Chhetri’s business is driven by five key values – integrity, understanding, excellence, unity and responsibility.

Vishwaroop provides over 80% of Gorkhali Security Guards which is the highest by any company in Goa. According to Chhetri, Vishwaroop has a long list of clients due to their sheer ‘Dedication! Diligence!

Diversity!’

On being asked about their future business plans,

Chhetri says, “Our current target market is the North East Region’s industrial area.”

Chhetri reveals that his father has been his main source of inspiration. “My inspiration and motivation has been my father’s hard work. He came to Goa and built this business empire from absolutely nothing. He sacrificed a lot in his life. Whenever I’m unable to achieve something, my father’s life struggle and his success story motivates me.”

Vishwaroop Group has expanded their business under multiple titles in Nepal. Narendra talks about Vishwaroop Group’s growing business presence in Nepal, “Vishwaroop Copy Udyog, based at Rajahar in Nepal is a newly emerging industry that produces all types of paper related materials such as school and college stationeries, books, notebooks, paper boards and a lot more.

Vishwaroop Soap Udyog based at Rajahar, Lumbini, Nepal, is a manufacturer of soaps and detergents for domestic and industrial use.

Vishwaroop Dhoop Udyog based at Rajahar, Nepal, is a manufacturer of candles, incense sticks and religious ceremony related materials.

Vishwaroop Food Industries based at Rajahar, Nawal Parasi, Nepal is a manufacturer of fast food ingredients, noodles and masalas. The company also ventured into printing with Vishwaroop Offset Press located in the campus of Vishwaroop Copy Udyog.

Vishwaroop Copy Udyog manufactures its stationary items in collaboration with Vishwaroop Offset Press.”

Narendra Chhetri aspires to take Vishwaroop group to far greater heights, and wishes to match with other multi-national companies.

Being at the helm of a widespread business at such a young age, Narendra has certainly shouldered a huge responsibility and has shown himself capable to go to realise his vision of being a global player

January 2017 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 47

travel and tourism

GTDC’s year of global achievements

The year 2016 was indeed an eventful year for Goa Tourism Department Corporation, with the introduction of improved tourism infrastructure initiatives and international awards to its credit

Goa Tourism’s pavilion at the WTM 2016

Cruise Tourism sets sail Minister for Tourism, Dilip Parulekar welcomed the first luxury cruise liner for the season at Mormugao Port Trust Cruise Terminal on November 8, 2016. The luxury cruise liner, M.V Azamara Journey, of the Azamara Club Cruises arrived in Goa with 648 passengers from UK, USA, Australia, Germany, Canada, Norway, Brazil and Austria.

This vessel was the first of 40 luxury liners to anchor at MPT this tourism season.

Dilip Parulekar welcomed international tourists and also interacted with officials of MPT on the cruise liner, assuring full government support for smooth cruise liner arrivals.

The passengers who arrived on the first luxury cruise liner for the season were offered a tour of Goa. Four additional vessels have arrived since and were greeted with a similar reception. The passengers enjoyed a day long eventful tour of Goa along with an experience of Goa’s culture, cuisine and folklore.

London calling: Goa Tourism puts up an impressive show at WTM – 2016 Goa Tourism Department and Corporation put up an impressive show at the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2016. The WTM – London, a global tourism fair was held from 7th to 9th November, 2016. Goa Tourism’s pavilion at the WTM 2016 showcased all its new initiatives and activities.

The stall was beautifully designed with a theme that

showcased various facets of the state including temples, churches, and rich heritage, new attractions launched by tourism, adventure sports, beaches, MICE, and more. A ‘Goa Evening’ showcasing Goa’s folk dances, cuisine and culture was held at the Goa Tourism Stall.

The WTM fair was attended by leading travel and tour operators, from United Kingdom and representatives of international media, who

Dr Mahesh Sharma, Minister Tourism Government of India visited the Goa Tourism Stall at WTM London

48 | Business Goa industry Dossier | JANuary 2017

interacted with Goa Tourism officials, and co-exhibitors.

The State’s Tourism delegates were Deputy Director of Tourism, Rajesh Kale and PRO of GTDC, Deepak Narvekar.

Also present at the stall were members of the State Level Marketing and Promotion Committee (SLMPC) Ralph de Sousa, Ernest Dias and Mark Mendes.

Several B2B meetings were conducted between travel operators from London and Goa Tourism officials and delegates. Special meetings were also held between Thomas Cook Airlines and Goa Tourism delegates for increasing the frequency of Thomas Cook flights from London to Goa and to add more facilities for tourists visiting Goa from London and other parts of the world.

Prestigious awards for Tourism Minister and Goa by PATWA at WTM London Minister for Tourism, Dilip Parulekar was awarded ‘The Best Innovative Minister’ by

Escape 2 Goa

Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) at an award ceremony held at the WTM London 2016. Goa was also awarded The Best State for ‘Leisure and Entertainment’.

On behalf of the tourism minister, the award was accepted by Deputy Director of Tourism, Rajesh Kale and PRO of GTDC, Deepak Narvekar.

Goa Tourism accords royal welcome to season’s first direct flight from London The first direct flight (MT 2638) from London (Manchester) to Goa for the season 2016-17 arrived on 2nd November 2016 with 311 passengers on board who were accorded a royal welcome at the Goa International Airport, Dabolim.

Thomas Cook Airlines will be operating six flights a week to Goa from London, three each from Manchester and Gatwick. On arrival, the passengers were welcomed with Goa Tourism souvenirs, flowers and a show of live Goan music by a brass band.

Galore of Awards for Goa Tourism Goa Tourism has bagged three awards in three different categories almost consecutively in November 2016.

Goa Tourism bagged the prestigious ‘Best Conference Destination’ Award at IITM in Pune, ‘Best Wedding Destination’ by Travel and Leisure India, and ‘Favourite Indian Leisure’ Destination by Conde Nast Traveller Reader’s Travel Awards 2016. While in the past, Goa Tourism was accredited with several awards for ‘Best Wedding and Leisure Destination’, this is the first time that Goa Tourism has been endorsed as the ‘Best Conference Destination’ at the recently concluded IITM. The award for ‘Best Conference Destination’ at IITM was received by Jayant Jadhav, Member of GTDC’s Board of Directors along with Armando Duarte, Dy. General

Luxury Cruise Liner, M.V Azamara Journey, of the Azamara Club Cruises

Manager and others.

In December, Goa Tourism bagged Asia-Pacific Sabre award for ‘Best Use of Global Social Networking Platforms’.

The Asia-Pacific Sabre In2 award attracts close to 5,000 entries globally each year. The campaign projected Goa as a perfect tourist destination through an interesting digital campaign. The project was solely conceptualized by the Goa Tourism’s PR Agency Adfactors PR. The campaign was driven to showcase the best of Goa’s locales and partner with Goa’s finest brand ambassadors – the Tourists. It was driven exclusively with the intention to raise credibility of travelling in Goa, engage directly with

influential travellers, increase recall value for Goa Tourism with unique travel experiences and generate maximum awareness through partnered content.

Tourism initiatives launched at Mandrem, Pernem Two special initiatives were launched at Mandrem to boost adventure tourism and pilgrimage tourism in Pernem taluka, North Goa. The Chief Minister launched motorized paragliding at Mandrem beach, followed by laying of the foundation stone for development of Shri Dev Sapteshwar Bhagwati Pramukh Panchayatan Devasthan.

This new tourism adventure initiative was launched in Goa for the first time. GTDC has tied up with Pune based Flying Safari to offer powered paragliding to the tourists of Goa. One can now enjoy holidays in the State with the thrill of soaring over the beaches of Goa, just like a bird in the sky! The operations have been currently launched at Mandrem beach and will be introduced at other beaches in a phased manner.

The 300-year-old Shri Bhagwati temple located in Pernem is dedicated to Goddess Bhagwati.

The

January 2017 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 49

travel and tourism

Armando Duarte, Dy. General Manager, GTDC receiving the award for Best Conference Destination at IITM, Pune

complex has five temples, of which the main temple is dedicated to Sapteshwar and Bhagwati. The other temples are dedicated to Narayan, Ravalnath and Satpurush.

At this complex, devotees throng for the festivals of Dassehra, Zatra, Bhajani Saptah which are celebrated with much fervour. Thousands of tourists from neighbouring States of Maharashtra and Karnataka visit this temple complex. The development and beautification of the temple complex will also boost heritage and pilgrimage tourism in the State in a big way.

The development and beautification plan includes providing public amenities for the tourist and devotees like toilet blocks, parking areas, pathways, amphitheatre, illumination, landscaping etc.

The way side public utility services being provided will help tourists en route to the temple complex and the beach belt at Mandrem. The temple is in the close proximity of the famous beaches like Ashwem, Junaswada, Harmal and Keri.

Goa Tourism hosted renowned international travel bloggers on a 10 day travel adventure Goa Tourism hosted 15 of the world’s best travel bloggers in November 2016 to showcase the rich cultural diversity, history, food, and adventure

and luxury experience in Goa. The event billed as #Escape2Goa was partnered with social enterprise, Leave UR Mark, which digitally reaches 4.5 million people across 30 countries, 5 languages and 8 different social media platforms.

The bloggers experienced the best of Goa and all its facets like heritage, culture and cuisine. A tour to Goa’s heritage forts like those of Tiracol, Reis Magos, Cabo de Rama, Old Goa, and a heritage walk at Fontainhas in Panjim, gave these bloggers an insight to Goa’s eventful history. They received first hand glimpses of Goa’s traditional houses, folk dances, music, handicrafts and rock carvings. To explore Goa’s flavour-filled cuisine, the bloggers took cooking classes from Goa’s top chefs.

Goa Tourism’s new

initiatives like the Spice Plantations and Wellness Spas were also on the traveller’s itinerary. As part of the adventure session they were given classes in sunrise yoga on the beach, trekked through sanctuaries, and navigated through villages on cycles.

Completing the adventure tour was a trip to Goa’s sandy beaches which are claimed to be the best in the World, Asia and India.

The bloggers were accommodated at a heritage home and had a chance to volunteer with children to empower them through art.

Preparations for Goa Carnaval 2017 Kicks off The Department of Tourism and Goa Tourism Development Corporation have begun preparations for the upcoming Carnaval

Extravaganza of fun, amusement and festivity covers the entire state during the Carnaval

50 | Business Goa industry Dossier | JANuary 2017

between February25-28, 2017.

Every year the Carnaval floats vibrant parades in four major cities Panjim, Margao, Vasco and Mapusa. This year, the floats are scheduled to be held in Panjim on 25th of February, in Margao on 26th of February, in Vasco on 27th of February and in Mapusa on 28th of February. Aside from the major cities the Carnaval also travels to Ponda, Curchorem and Shiroda A new route from Miramar Circle to Dona Paula Circle is being considered for the Panjim Carnaval float parade.

An event management agency will be appointed to organize, manage and co-ordinate the float parade in Panjim as well as assist other local committees at other centres.

Screening committees would be empowered to decide on participation of floats and ensure that participants maintain decorum.

Goa Tourism has urged participants to include more cultural aspects in the floats and to minimize commercialization of the tableaux.

GTDC organizes special tour on the eve of Tripurari Purnima Goa Tourism Development Corporation organized a special tour to Vithalpur, Sanquelim to celebrate and witness Tripurari Purnima, a unique boat festival organised annually in the State. Last year the festival was celebrated on 14 November 2016.

The local festival has an interesting legend behind it and is celebrated to mark the end of the Diwali season.

According to mythology, Lord Krishna defeated and killed the demon Tripurasur on the day of Kartik Purnima. The people celebrated Krishna’s victory and the end of the demon’s tyranny by releasing lamps in the river. Since then it has been a tradition all over India to release small lamps in the river during the time of Diwali and especially Kartik Purnima.

Goa Tourism welcomes Neo Costa Classica & ‘AIDAaura’

Tribal Festival

An interesting element about the way this is celebrated in Goa is the distinctive local touch. The tradition takes the form of a very unusual competition – that of making miniature models boats and ships made out of thermocol and other materials. Besides the main boat competition, there are a host of cultural programmes including songs by well known artistes, performances of various Goan traditional folk dances along with a display of fireworks.

Adivasi Sangatna, Quepem.

Celebrating its sixth edition, the festival is scheduled for January 7-8, 2017 at the Village Panchayat Ground, Xeldem, Quepem. The festival aims at reviving, promoting and preserving the State’s unique traditional games, culture and cuisine, especially the customs of the tribal population. The Tribal Association will organize various events, competitions, folklore programmes and special programmes for children. Traditional games like chateani, logoreani, ton barani, guli danda, preparation of traditional items like mol’la (palm leaf mat), san’n (broom making), nivoni (paddy grass weaving) and fulla fati (head bands of flowers), stalls with traditional instruments and kapdam (clothing) unique to the tribal community, preparation of fov, ambil

Goa Tourism welcomes Neo Costa Classica & ‘AIDAaura’ Goa Tourism welcomed the guests of passenger cruise vessels Neo Costa Classica & ‘AIDAaura’ at the Mormugao Port Trust, Goa Harbour, Vasco on December 21, 2016.

The vessels arrived in Goa from their last port with 2270

passengers and 900 crew members on board.

They were welcomed by senior officials of Goa Tourism Development Corporation, Gavin Dias (General Manager Marketing) and Deepak Narvekar (Sr Manager, Public Relations & Marketing). With the festive season around the corner the passengers were greeted by Santa Claus, and an entourage of dancers and entertainers.

There were live performances of Goan folk dances to the live melodic folk songs, besides the brass band playing live music to the enjoyment and entertainment of the guests Sixth Edition of Tribal Festival Goa looks forward to the upcoming two day tribal festival, organized by the

(nachni porridge), pita gulio, pinagre, donne, sanna, pattoleo, shevyo and soji will be on display and sale.

The annual souvenir of the Tribal Association will also be released on this day.

This year, the tribal festival is expected to draw large crowds, both tourists and locals as the uniqueness of the festival has been promoted widely and has generated keen interest from tourists.

Nilesh Cabral, Chairman, Goa Tourism Development Corporation said, “The Tribal Festival is very unique and brings out the essence of the tribal population who live in Goa and follow certain customs and traditions. The festival is being given a boost

by Goa Tourism as tourists will get insights into Goa’s lesser known communities and their lifestyles”

The eve of Tripurari Purnima

January 2017 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 51

book shelf

The 4th edition of Planet Goa Food Guide in association Goa’s hottest restaurants, bars, bakeries & cafés in the 4th with Zomato released Discover edition of Planet-Goa Food Guide The fourth edition of the Planet-Goa Food Guide in association with Zomato brings a fresh perspective on the culinary scene in Goa. The Food Guide has been designed and curated exclusively for foodies who will find that it is their go-to reference point for all things food related in Goa. From in-depth information and analysis of Goa’s favorite eateries, to listings that help you navigate innumerable restaurants, and an exhaustive index of eateries covering the length and breadth of Goa, this book has it all and so much more.

Divided into North and South Goa sections, the book gives easy access and understanding of restaurants, their cuisines, and the facilities offered by them in different parts of Goa. The Planet-

Planet-Goa Food Guide 2016-17

Goa Food Guide also features insights from some of Goa’s well known journalists, bloggers, and food enthusiasts who share their stories with the readers. This book is designed for those who visit Goa on holiday and those who live here and like to explore the

52 | Business Goa industry Dossier | January 2017

The book gives easy access and understanding of restaurants, their cuisines, and the facilities offered by them in different parts of Goa. The Food Guide also features insights from some of Goa’s well known journalists, bloggers, and food enthusiasts

gastronomic landscape of the State. Functional, useful, and aesthetically designed, the Planet-Goa Food Guide is a must have for all those looking to have a good time in Goa. The current and updated version of the food-guide

includes more places which have opened up around the state as well as older and existing places. There is detailed information about the hours of operation, facilities available at the venue as well as the expected average meal cost, all to help the foodies make an informed choice before zeroing in on a place.

Every restaurant also has those special dishes that one must try, and therefore the Planet Goa-Food Guide also has a section on the recommended dishes / drinks that one must absolutely order at their favourite joints.

The 4th edition of the Planet-Goa Food Guide has an ‘All New Avatar’, and a newly created mascot: Jack the Crab who will take you on a culinary journey, which has never been imagined before

The writer is a compulsive ranter when he is not busy making moolah, dosh, green or dough.

Email: sumeet@snip.co.in

hungry & foolish

Sumeet Bhobe

Beware of the Thumbelina Gambit Stay wary of those playing dumb, cautions the writer

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The ‘Thumbelina Gambit’ combines drama, timing, deep understanding of the situation, the characters and protagonists involved.

When delivered, it’s as accurate as Michael Jordan.

Slam Dunk.

That’s what this blog is! My thoughts, sometimes logical, hopefully dark-funny, decidedly offensive, often warped, laid bare for you to judge and then promptly go #%@* yourselves with your judgement.

Which brings me to today’s question: Is stupidity a virtue? Turns out, it damn well is. Let me explain: The 60s and 70s were the free spirited, flower power, sexual liberation era. Then came the 80s with Disco dancing and designer drugs. The 90s were hard working, hustler years with Duran Duran telling us it was an Ordinary World but somehow we shall survive.

And the early 2000s? That’s when everyone and their taxi driver made money. Moolah. Dosh. Dough. Green.

Circa 2010: Guess what makes you top dog? Your ability to play dumb. Let me illustrate with an example.

Me to my driver: “Can you go to Anjuna and deliver this package?”

Driver: (Fluttering eyelashes effeminately) Business Goa was launched in July 2009 with an aim to showcase the business side of Goa. Over the years, we have been successful in not only featuring entrepreneurs from the State, but have focussed on issues of economic importance in Goa. Living up to our ideal, to be ‘The Voice of Business in Goa’

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“Where is Anjuna Sir?” Result: I send the other driver because he is ‘smart’ and knew how to get to Anjuna. But smartypants got back home late and the driver with the fluttering eyelashes went on a hot date.

This fluttering eyelashes strategy is SO good, it can be applied to practically any situation and almost guarantees success. I call it the “Thumbelina Gambit” Drawing inspiration from the dainty Disney fairy-tale character who flutters her eyelashes when she sees her Flower-Fairy prince, this strategy borders on the artistic.

It combines drama, timing, deep understanding of the situation, the characters and protagonists involved.

When delivered, it’s as accurate as Michael Jordan. Slam Dunk.

How often are you likely to have been a victim of the Thumbelina Gambit?

Chances are, practically everyday. Ever wondered why your teenage son can crack Assasin’s Creed Level 13, but just flutters his eyelashes and mutters ‘Duh’ when you ask him to run some mundane errand?

Note: Add a shoulder-slouch for added effect.

And so the great ‘Fooling the Public’ game goes on. And you get played. For the paranoid amongst us, there’s no danger from the omnipresent ‘Illuminati’. It’s the Thumbelinas you need to watch out for

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Januray 2017

I SPENT ALMOST a year trying to figure out the essence, the purpose, the intention behind writing this blog. There seemed to be so much I had to say, and very few people willing to listen. I mean, haven’t you noticed, people don’t want to listen anymore? Of course you haven’t.

You probably don’t listen too. It’s all about how busy you are, how tired you are, how shortchanged you are, how well travelled you are and so on. (It’s about time someone told you how ridiculously boring you are.)

So I decided not to crowd this already chaotic auditory space and simply listen more. I was always a good listener, but perhaps honed my skills, became an exceptional listener to accommodate the terra bytes of narcissistic outpourings thrown at me every day. At best, it’s been entertaining, and at worst, has allowed me to gather material for my rantings.

So, this blog: what’s it about really?

Food? Travel? Fashion? Art? Enough of those already. Plus, those who are married almost two decades will agree – who wants another bounding box? These need to be mumblings, mutterings, musings... monologues.

Monologues, verbose or internal... sort of like Penis Monologues. You have no role to play. I write, you read. One way communication only. A bit like fellatio.

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

Reality Check

The bigger picture of reality and it’s hidden treasures MY GRANDPARENTS WERE bit radical for the era they belonged to, so moving away from the stereotype role of narrating bed time stories of fairy land they preferred to take me to various places during their evening walk; ensured that I met different types of people; and encouraged me to taste various cuisines, albeit limited it to vegetarian fare. During those years, this experience for me was nothing more than fun and frolic, but subconsciously it laid constructive impressions of reality without judgements and value tags. I used to relive those experiences in the form of dreams, each weaving unique stories. Everything was real and exploring reality was exciting and enriching.

I thus grew up with a personal time tested belief that reality is indeed beautiful and vast when one experiences it in real time. It transcends to divine! It thus helped me to settle and unsettle with ease during my transferable jobs, as every transfer gave me an opportunity to experience a different type of reality. However, I could see my colleagues grumble when transferred.

Transition to college and then to a professional course for me also became seamless. During my engineering, the experience with reality was at its peak both in classrooms and beyond as it bought a lot of scientific perspective. The relatedness with reality which had unknowingly developed in my childhood thus nurtured my practical intelligence and analytical skills. I used to often wonder about the speed at which I could grasp complex phenomenon and generate ideas which were practical and workable. I was soon tagged as a resource person for ideas and over years when I launched my consulting firm, my friends almost zeroed its name as ‘Ideaz Unlimited’. However, engineering also gave me insights to the understanding of reality and one of its avatars was ‘Mathematics’ which I loved immensely.

Science taught me that anything which was observable, defined, and proved was ‘Real’, and it was neither good nor bad.

I am a Jain Gujju and our scriptures 54 | Business Goa industry Dossier | January 2017

have also attempted to define ‘Reality’ as an integration of seven tattvas (principles) which includes: 1. Jīva: the soul which is characterized by consciousness 2. Ajīva: the non-soul 3. Asrava: Influx of karma 4. Bandha: The bondage of karma 5. Samvara: obstruction of the inflow of karmic matter into the soul 6. Nirjara: Shedding of karma 7. Moksha: Liberation or Salvation, i.e. the complete annihilation of all karmic matter (bound with any particular soul).

But the perception of reality in market was a bit shocking as it is generally considered as something terrible, tough, and complex. People seem to run away from reality at least once a week or through planned vacations to other parts of the globe. During such holidays, there was one common farewell slogan as the tour ended and it was “Our trip is over now. Back to reality?” What confused me was the places we visited were real and not fantasy then how come we are back to reality? Looks like the way people define reality must be living in illusion.

Marriage gave me some more and different interpretations of reality. I was told to adapt, adjust, and accommodate with a new set of community called ‘inlaws’ but my natural or real persona was more of upfront, blunt and it quite often

became a fuel for social embarrassment for my close relatives. I would falter and a plethora of free unsolicited advice door crashed from relatives who would prescribe a standard pill “Don’t be afraid to face reality”. This adaptation suffocated the innocent, pure ‘reality’ with which I grew up. Reality was so cool, fun filled and natural, but the Reality as explained and experienced by my relatives seemed to be a mere burden.

Soon as computers made inroads, they created yet another version of reality, popularly called as ‘Virtual reality’. This furthered into a ‘RL’ Real life culture emerging in the world of internet. Slowly Facebook, Twitter, Blog etc. became costeffective solutions for managing reality without indulging in it or experiencing it!

In the corporate world, I was mentored and coached to fight with reality and change it – this was yet another flavour of Reality. Almost all visionary business leaders annually declared wars to change the business reality and to do this they made every one of us dream, not just an ordinary dream but a BIG dream and then inspired us to dish out strategies to convert these dreams into new reality. With such interventions, I soon realised that my journey of ‘Finding Nemo (Reality)’ was definitely at crossroads.

With my immense trust in ‘Reality’, I bid farewell to the corporate world. While I was contemplating what to do next I watched lot of movies and these gave me yet another interesting version of ‘Reel life’ and ‘Real life’. Even today, I struggle to track whether films create reality or reality creates films, it is like the chicken and egg conundrum. Soon television gave me a yet another dose of Reality through ‘Reality shows’.

I was now charged to understand and search for ‘Reality’ and one of the explanations came up from experts was that anything which has space and time coordinates (x,y,z and t) is Reality, which further boils down again to mathematics!

Which in turn means mathematics = reality, or vice versa. It seemed like I was

returning from periphery to the centre once again.

We are in the 21st century and before cursing the indolence of today’s youth, absorbed in the ever-more intricate virtual realities of video games rather than scrumming the ripe fruits of real reality outside, consider this perhaps they are actually immersing themselves in our future or even our present.

The story of our recent technological development has been one of ever-increasing computational power. At some time in the future, we are unlikely to be content with constructing tightly circumscribed game worlds.

We will surely begin to simulate everything, including the evolutionary history that led to where we are.

Do we make reality, or does it make us? Probe the existence of the universe’s supposed building blocks – quarks, electrons, neutrinos and the

Have we created double standards for ‘Reality’?

To me Reality is much bigger than imagination; and offers diversity which is mindboggling.

In fact, we need imagination, effort and resolve not only to meet but also experience reality rest – and you eventually end up back in your own mind. These options are as viscerally unsettling as they are intellectually challenging.

But forsaking the notion of reality is not an option, either.

Quantum mechanics may be ineffable, but it still makes electronics work. War may not ‘exist’, but it still kills people.

The wonder of the human condition is that to us, quarks are real. And so is compassion.

The most popular is the Copenhagen interpretation, which says nothing is real until it is observed, or measured.

However, Copenhagen says nothing about what exactly constitutes an observation.

John von Neumann suggested that observation is the action of a conscious mind. It’s an idea also put forward by Max Planck, the founder of quantum theory, who said in 1931, “I regard consciousness as fundamental Reality. I regard matter as derivative from consciousness.” That argument relies on the view that there is something special about consciousness, especially human consciousness. .

Have we created double standards for ‘Reality’? To me Reality is much bigger than imagination; and offers diversity which is mindboggling. In fact, we need imagination, effort and resolve not only to meet but also experience reality. Our ‘self ’,

the place where we stay, our state, our country, our earth, our constellation, solar system, galaxies everything is so vast and real that we may end up experiencing it superficially if we do not embrace it with open arms.

Remember, Reality has immense hidden treasures like beauty, source, information, matter, consciousness, mathematics, quantum physics and it holds all that for us.

Finally it is our call. Do we want to run away from reality?

Or run with it?

As we welcome the New Year 2017, let us encash the Reality Cheque 2017 offers you abundant withdrawal on all 365 days 24 x 7. Separate yourself from false demonetised identities like desires, illusions, imagination and fantasies.

In Gurdjieff ’s words “Life is real, only then, when I am.”

Ultimately mind has to merge into its source, which is pure consciousness... The Reality!

January 2017 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 55

The writer is Corporate Trainer & Founder, SALDOTS Academy.

He can be contacted at pradeepsalgaonkar@gmail.com

beyond classroom

Dr Pradeep Salgaonkar

Don’t make customers wait – it hurts them Constant struggle for businesses is to cut on waiting time for their customers IN the PRESENT fast and speedy world of IT and social media, no customer likes to wait to avail a service or while purchasing a product. ‘Instant’ is the word for every need a customer has. Thus, it is a big challenge before businesses today to not only manage the actual waiting time of a customer, but also the perceived waiting time (the length of time the customers feel they have waited). Managing waiting time is essential as it directly impacts customer engagement and satisfaction. Let’s consider two scenarios given below which commonly occur in any customer’s life; Scenario 1: Just recollect your last visit to the dentist. 4.15 pm sharp, the receptionist told you, is your appointment with the dentist. Be on time, is what she adds to end the appointment call. On the scheduled day, due to a business meeting you are held up in office till 3.45pm.You look at your watch and hurriedly wind up the meeting under the guise of being on time for scheduled appointment. You know although the distance is merely 6 kms, you will need at least 25-30 minutes to reach the clinic in view of heavy traffic on road. You speed your way, dodging through the traffic, avoiding crisscross of many two wheelers on road and later on, after a frantic hunt for a parking spot, you manage to reach the clinic exactly at 4.14 pm. And to your surprise the receptionist informs you that the last appointment is running late and that you have to wait for 15 more minutes. ‘Why the hell didn’t you inform me that appointment is postponed by 15 mins?’ is the next obvious and logical question which comes to your mind. You have no choice and you decide to wait. You get busy on your smartphone attending to emails and replying to messages. 15 minutes pass and you expect to be called in. But no. You have finished your work on phone. You look around the clinic. You see a pile of magazines in one corner. You reach out to them and pull out one. It’s a 2014 issue. You leaf through the whole pile. All magazines are at least eight to ten months old. There is one more customer waiting in the clinic, who is busy on his 56 | Business Goa industry Dossier | January 2017

smart phone. The receptionist is busy on the computer, probably playing solitaire.

It’s 30 minutes of waiting and you get restless. You go to receptionist and inquire what happened, why so much delay? At that very moment a bell rings, probably the dentist’s signal to receptionist to keep the next patient ready. The receptionist smiles at you and says ‘you are next’. You say ok and get back to your seat. You get a feeling of relief. Finally you say ‘ok the wait is over’. After about five minutes the earlier patient exits and receptionist signals you to go inside the consulting room.

Scenario 2: You go to a nearby hypermarket for shopping. After quickly picking all items on your shopping list, you move towards billing counters expecting early exit from the store. But to your bad luck there are only two cash registers operational, in spite of having six registers, and the queues are serpentine.

You wonder why all billing counters are not operational. You have no choice so you join one of the queues. As time goes you observe that the queue is becoming longer behind you as it is evening time, and the queue in front of you is moving at snail’s pace. Every customer is making payment by card and the cashier takes more than required time, as he may be inexperienced, or there may be some technical snags or something else you don’t know. But one thing is sure you are growing jittery and losing your patience. Finally after a wait of almost 15 minutes your turn comes.

You ask the billing clerk ‘why are the other counters not operational?’ The clerk replies ‘they will be made operational when the rush increases’. Oh My God! You let out a deep sigh. Is this not ‘rush’ enough to trigger the beginning of more cash registers to be operational, you wonder.

You realize that it is pointless to talk to the billing clerk. You make the payment and move out quickly from the place. The two scenarios above tell us how customers feel about waiting time. Nobody likes to wait, and the waiting becomes much more frustrating if the customer has no clue about when his turn is going to come.

Moreover, if an appointment time is given to the customer and that is not honoured by the business, then that is still worse. The customer takes a lot of trouble to be on time, only to be told that the appointment is postponed, is easily not acceptable to any customer. Such actions leave customers unhappy and dissatisfied. The organization could have communicated to the customer in advance about the shift of appointment and this would have reduced anxiety and stress for a customer. In a service like that of a dentist, it may be unavoidable that an undue delay happens in the treatment of a patient who is in process, as the case may be complicated. But then in such unexpected circumstances, the expectations of customer who is scheduled next needs to be managed properly through timely and clear communication. May be a phone call or a text message would help in such cases.

Waiting annoys customers and managing actual and perceived waiting time to manage the customer’s expectations is important.

Tips for managing waiting time: a) Improve Your System – take a closer look and understand your system first.

Look out for areas where performance could be improved to shorten delivery times. Delays might be happening due to some bottlenecks in process. Identify and plug them, thus improving overall delivery time and reducing waiting time.

Like in scenario 2 above, the waiting time of customers could have been reduced drastically, even if two more cash counters were made operational. Likewise, there may be other bottlenecks such as nonfunctional computers, barcode readers, card swipe machines etc. and these will slow down the process. Timely preventive maintenance of all gadgets will certainly help in plugging this sort of a bottleneck. b) Make Waiting Comfortable and Productive – waiting is inevitable in certain situations but waiting could be made comfortable, productive and enriching experience to customer. Provide

customers with a comfortable waiting area. The sofas should be comfortable, neat and clean, use right colours, adequate lighting and pleasing art works in waiting area. Provide drinking water and a spread of beverages and snacks to choose from while waiting.

In addition provide a T.V. and current and varied assortment of reading material comprising of newspapers and magazines.

To top it all, provide customers with adequate charging points with cords and free Wi-Fi so that customers can work while they wait. Making provision for a massage chair and a pedicure fish tank could also be thought of depending on nature of business and the quantum of average waiting time. c) Communicate with Customers – keep customers updated about the queue status. A customer expects realistic time estimates from

the organizations and hence, communicate exact time periods. Convey in advance to the customer how long they will have to wait and once committed, the commitment should be honoured. The strategy of ‘under promise and over deliver’ may be tried as well here, but one has to be cautious and realistic in that too, as a very big waiting time may at times lead the customer to postpone consumption or shift to your competitor.

Communicate in advance about changed appointments, delays, emergencies etc. rather than calling them and make them wait for long time, just like in case of customer in scenario 1 above. The customer could have better utilized his time had he got advance intimation about postponement of appointment.

In today’s time, with ample ways to communicate it should not be difficult to

communicate with customers.

Use cost effective ways of communication such as WhatsApp or text messages to update customers. By effective and timely communication, one may not reduce the actual waiting time, but improve experience by managing customers’ expectations. d) Role of Employees – employees influence customers’ perceived waiting time. No employee should remain idle. Utilize all.

Put customers’ needs first.

Employees should not do any other task while dealing with customers in queue. Keep the queue moving. An employees’ actions should be fast and quick and should give a feeling of lot of work happening rather than slow movements, sluggish actions which gives a sense of no work happening. This sort of physical alertness and swift actions will automatically

reduce the perceived waiting time in customers. At the same time, it is essential to get service delivery right, accurate and meet customer needs. An exceptional transaction and service encounter will make customers forgive long waiting time. No customer likes to wait and if waiting is inevitable, businesses need to have ways and means to make the waiting time productive and enjoyable for the customers.

Being realistic about waiting time or delays and keeping customers updated from time to time, automatically reduces customers’ anxiety and expectations.

Communicate and manage customers’ perceived waiting time. Don’t give a chance for customers to get disappointed and say ‘I wasted my precious time waiting’. Remember waiting hurts

www.businessgoa.in

January 2017 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 57

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

Goa’s Own – Victor Menezes Commemorating the achievements of Victor Menezes THE INDIAN DIASPORA has contributed much to India and to the United States from the vast experience and the expanded knowledge that 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. Victor Menezes and I had just completed our chat at his office on the 30th floor of an impressive building on Madison Avenue in New York. As we were shaking hands, I realized that I was in front of one of the most respected and most admired individuals in the world of finance. At the peak of his career, when he was Senior Vice Chairman of Citigroup, Victor decided it was time to retire and permit younger people to carry the baton.

Victor Menezes is an extremely modest senior executive, who in his day led and managed the international operations of one of the largest banks in the world.

Menezes’ ancestral home is at Pomburpa in Goa. Victor’s mother Nina da Gama is also from Goa with her parent’s home being at Verna. Around 1930, Victor’s grandfather, also called Victor, decided to make a momentous change, and leap of faith, when he moved with his family to Bombay (Mumbai) in British India. “This was possibly his most difficult decision, and more traumatic than our move from India to the US,” said Victor.

Victor’s father Manuel Menezes was an extraordinary individual. He joined the BB&CI Railways after graduating from the Poona Engineering College. Menezes rose to become Chairman of the Indian Railway Board, heading one of the largest rail networks in the world, and probably the second largest employer in the world.

Victor lived around India as his parents were transferred as part of his father’s assignment.

Victor’s path to the US was direct.

He knew where he wanted to be for his postgraduate studies. “After completing my electrical engineering degree at IIT Bombay, I came to America in 1970 to study for my MS in finance and economics 58 | Business Goa industry Dossier | January 2017

By all accounts Menezes has had a meteoric career at Citigroup.

After a successful stint in India when he spearheaded the growth of the bank, he was asked to head the fast-growing operations in Hong Kong. Victor was there when the British government began the negotiation for the handover of the territory to China, steering Citi through turbulent times for the island at the Sloan School of Management at MIT. With an engineering degree followed by a specialization in finance for my MS, it was natural that my interest was in the finance and banking sector.”After graduation, Victor was keen to return to India. He was recruited by Citibank India to join their staff in Bombay. In a short span of 6 years, he had become the CEO of Citibank for India and South Asia. That made Victor the first Indian to become the CEO of the bank in India since Citibank opened there in 1902. That was the first barrier Menezes had broken; more were to come. Tamal Bandopadhyay wrote soon after Victor left Citi in 2005, “Citigroup’s senior vice-chairman Victor J Menezes, 54, the Pune-born global banker, was once seen as a possible successor to Sanford Weill, Citigroup chairman. No wonder his decision to hang up his boots by the end of the year has taken the financial world by surprise. By any yardstick, it has been an incredible run for Menezes. Fresh out of MIT, he started out in Citi’s Fort Branch Bombay operations on a monthly salary of Rs. 2,000 in 1972.”

By all accounts Menezes has had

a meteoric career at Citigroup. After a successful stint in India when he spearheaded the growth of the bank, he was asked to head the fast-growing operations in Hong Kong. Victor was there when the British government began the negotiation for the handover of the territory to China, steering Citi through turbulent times for the island. As China was ready to open its doors to the world, Citi sent him to restart their operations, which had been expropriated by the Chinese government in 1949. Citi saw an exponential growth of its business in China. While in Hong Kong, Victor opened Citibank’s first branch in what was then Portuguese Macao.

In 1985, Victor moved to New York, this time to be the Senior Corporate Officer for Latin America, another first for an Indian national. A few years later, Citibank tapped Victor Menezes to head and direct the consumer banking operations for all of Europe. As we all remember, on February 7, 1992 the countries of Europe signed the Treaty on European Union in Maastricht, Netherlands leading to the introduction of a single currency – the Euro. Once again, Victor was there to successfully expand Citigroup activities in Western Europe.

He multiplied the bank’s growth by branding Citibank in Germany, Belgium, Greece and Spain, and expanding its operations across the continent. Under Victor’s leadership Citibank introduced and grew the use of credit cards across Europe – an extraordinary achievement, as credit cards were never popular in Europe. European heads of banks across the continent worked for and under the leadership of Victor Menezes. Displaying exemplary banking skills throughout, he rose to the post of Chief Financial Officer in 1995. He later became Chairman and CEO of Citibank with responsibility for its emerging markets businesses in 100 countries. He retired from Citigroup as Senior Vice Chairman after an exciting and exemplary 32-year global career.

Victor is never one to relax. “I owe a lot to my parents, and especially to my father who helped mould my early thinking, and

the drive to help the younger generation.” Victor told me as we reminisced about our life in India as young boys growing up through the transition of British rule to the Indian Republic. He is driven to help the up and coming younger generation. He is a senior member of several Boards, and a mentor to his younger colleagues. He continues to take a keen interest in his alma mater, IIT Mumbai. He was one of the pioneers who helped start the Indian School of Business in Hyderabad. At the request of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Victor led a team to advise the Indian government on direct investment into India. Several of his important suggestions continue to be followed.

However, an area of concern for Victor Menezes is the lack of infrastructure development.

He firmly believes that

India would do well by vastly improving physical infrastructure, just as it has done in telecommunications.

Victor continued by saying “If Indian companies are ready to invest in the country, foreign investors will come sooner rather than later. I also believe that by allowing States to compete with each other, making investor-friendly laws, by improving working conditions, and by cutting back on bureaucratic red tape, India will grow, and Indians are likely to see higher incomes and a better quality of life.”

Even though Victor and his wife Tara are unable to spend more time in Goa where they had an apartment in Betim, Victor travels often to India. We salute Victor for his achievements, and are humbled by his modesty. We call Victor Menezes one of our own from Goa

January 2017 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 59

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

Capability Building (Leveraging Sustainable & Inclusive Growth) The competitive edge for organisations to learn, unlearn and re-learn new techniques ALL OVER THE world, organisations are realising the importance of ‘capability building’ of its people through various techniques and applications of learning and development, as a competitive advantage. In fact, it has become a high value added, core job of the leadership of organisations and they are promoting this domain as a ‘key result areas’ (KRA). This aspect has been added with more impetus after the vision statements of the Prime Minister of India like ‘Make in India, ‘Made in India’, ‘Kushal Bharat – Kaushal Bharat’ and the present efforts being made by the Government of India for adding on skilled manpower.

While this statement basically orient towards promoting and upgrading the present skill mix of the working class, but the same is a business imperative at all levels. Creating a talent pool is a business necessity, so as to promote technological advancements and behaviour domain to have the ‘competitive edge’ by way of involving each employee actively in the learning process.

Gone are the days, when training was considered to be a day to day activity. Over a period of time, training has been designed as a tool for learning and development, capability building and talent retention with several innovative implementations and cutting edge technologies. The persons responsible for learning and development are now asked to demonstrate the return on investment (ROI). The L&D fraternity are now expected to help the organisations navigate through the change curve (since either change or perish), prepare the organisations to realise the vision and mission, goal and strategy apart from understanding criticality of business. This fraternity nowadays play a vital role in converting ‘training’ to ‘learning’.

The dynamics have changed considerably. This is one of the reason as to why ‘coaching and mentoring’ have been greatly adopted in learning and development techniques. The mentors and coaches actively facilitate the ‘push & pull’ approach to learning. Unless it is shared by 60 | Business Goa industry Dossier | January 2017

Gone are those days,when training was considered to be a day to day activity. Over a period of time, training has been designed as a tool for learning and development, capability building and talent retention with several innovative implementations and cutting edge technologies both, the trainers and the trainees, the L&D vision cannot be achieved. Self-Directed Learning (SDL) is gradually generating interest among organisations and the HR community is proactively driving this area.

“Tell me, and I will forget. Show me and I may remember. Involve me and I will understand”. This statement of Confucius around 450 BC is still very relevant if properly incorporated in a capability building module. As a Chinese proverb goes... “Give a hungry man a fish, you have quenched his hunger for that moment, but teach him fishing, you have taken care of him for life”. It is therefore extremely necessary to understand and analyse the training capsules and draft them in a manner, so that it creates ‘fun’ among the

trainees and they believe that such input would certainly result in appreciative output.

For organisations, the biggest challenge today is regulating the use of technology with a sense of responsibility.

Through this management of technology, organisations continuously imbibe the technological threads in the very fabric of their business strategy. The purpose of business strategy is to gain a sustainable and inclusive economic advantage. The success of the business strategy to a very big extent depends upon the approach to ‘learning and development as a way of life’ within the organisations. Capability building is a win-win situation; provided it is cultivated and harvested skilfully by the organisations. This helps in providing lot of space for innovative approach in running the business, in completion of assignments, facilitating research and development, creating and enhancing employee satisfaction and engagement levels. The top level of management are usually serious in adding infrastructure for creating an ambience and environment within the organisation to excite the employees to volunteer and undergo learning and development skills, both for enhancing organisational culture, output, and productivity as well as for eradicating their technical and behavioural weaknesses and promoting their career growth and development. It has been observed that learning and development practice achieves both sustainable and inclusive growth for the organisation, bringing in high return on investment and people development. The organisations may have to learn, unlearn and re-learn new techniques and models of learning and development process to make it more efficient and effective, dynamic by way of conceptualising ‘setting the context’ appropriately. However, it is a big challenge for organisations which have to be accepted and taken forward. “Learning is always rebellion… every bit of new truth discovered is revolutionary to what was believed before”

The writer is a Partner at Kochhar & Co., a leading corporate law firm in India.

She has extensive legal experience in Indian and internationally, specialising in Corporate, Banking and Employment laws. You could conact her at hufrizwadia@ chennai.kochhar.com

legal eagle

Hufriz Wadia

New sectors for Foreign Investment into India India is opening new avenues for foreign investments across sectors BUSINESS BETWEEN INDIAN and several foreign countries is booming as seen by the number of foreign companies entering India – either setting up branches or subsidiaries, acquiring existing Indian businesses or entering into joint ventures.

Interestingly, it is not just the auto, auto components and chemicals industry that interests foreign businessmen into the Indian market, but more lately, the software (IT) industry, the pharmaceuticals sector, the hospitality and food and beverage sector. India’s growth also heralds growing infrastructure opportunities that are being keenly observed by the heavy engineering sector and throw up ample opportunities for investment.

With the expansion of the Indian markets, the booming e-commerce industry and Government’s focus on the ease of doing business in India, the time is ripe for foreign investors and companies to consider broadening their investment horizon into more sectors in India.

Recently, in June 2016 and October 2016, the Government of India, vide Press Note No. 5 (2016 Series) and Press Note No. 6 (2016 Series) issued by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, further liberalized investment in India. Some of the sectors that may be of specific interest to foreign businesses with India are set out below.

Agricultural Sector: One of the more interesting sectors that have been opened up is specialised types of agriculture and pisciculture. India now permits 100% foreign investment under the automatic route, in (a) Floriculture, Horticulture and Cultivation of vegetables and mushrooms under controlled conditions (wherein rainfall, temperature, solar radiation, air humidity and culture medium are controlled artificially) (b) Development and Production of seeds and planting material (c) Animal Husbandry, Pisciculture, Aquaculture (the rearing of aquatic animals or the cultivation of aquatic plants for food) and a few other related fields. The increasingly

adventurous Indian palate has led to a burgeoning market in India for foreign foods especially from the East. This sector may be of special interest to foreign entrepreneurs in the food, beverage and hospitality sectors, whether to set up joint ventures in India or merely as investments.

Goa, with its rich natural source of fresh sea food and proclivity to the hospitality industry including the more experimental and adventurous styles in the food and beverage sector, is well primed to attract further foreign investment.

Single Brand Retail: Investment in Single Brand Retail trading is now permitted up to 100% (with up to 49% under the automatic route and the remainder under the government approval route). The most interesting change here has been that such retail trading entities are now permitted to undertake retail trading through e-commerce (i.e. online trading) provided they also operate brick and mortar stores (i.e. physical stores) in India. E-commerce is clearly the way forward in India with consumer interest growing exponentially.

Pharmaceuticals: Foreign investment in greenfield pharmaceutical projects is allowed up to 100% under the automatic route and for brownfield (existing) projects, up to 100% (with 74% under the automatic route). Interestingly, FDI up to 100% under the automatic route is permitted for manufacturing of medical devices such as instruments, apparatus and appliances as well as the relevant software used for specified purposes.

Airports and Air Transport Services: Foreign investment is now permitted up

to 100% under the automatic route (i.e. without a requirement to seek approval to invest) in airports, both greenfield and existing projects and in non-scheduled air transport services, helicopter and seaplane services. While 100% foreign investment is also permitted in Scheduled Air Transport Services/ Domestic Scheduled Passenger Airline, only 49% is permitted under the automatic route. Government approval is required for foreign investment beyond 49%.

Financial Services: In October 2016, the Government of India (and the Reserve Bank of India) have further opened up the financial services market by permitting 100% foreign investment under the automatic route in financial services activities that are regulated by the financial sector regulators such as the Reserve Bank of India, Securities and Exchange Board of India, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority, National Housing Board, etc. Financial Services Activities that are not regulated (or are only partly regulated) by a regulator in India, will require approval under the approval route but will still be eligible for upto 100% foreign investment. With the opening up of the financial services sector and the success of several foreign banks in India, it is hoped that India sees greater coordination with other countries in this sector as well.

Gone are the days when only large companies were looked at for investments.

Today, more and more entrepreneurs and companies look to acquire specialised small and medium sized companies often in the software or Information Technology space, the pharmaceutical space and even the emerging exotic F&B market. It is hoped that investments will also grow in the above newly opened sectors. Whether the drive behind acquisitions, is to ultimately acquire the product or the service or to acquire human capital (often considered the most valuable), it is evident that quality of product and service and highly skilled and specialised employees are the need of the hour and India is clearly in the game January 2017 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 61

what’s up goa

Goa to host India’s longest Linc Tower Run on 5th February 2017 Over a thousand tower run races in over 100 countries.... the fastest growing urban sport globally.... let’s place Goa on the map indelibly Kim Sabir

Organiser Linc Tower Run

Tower Running as a sport has come of age in India. The Linc Tower Run has placed Goa indelibly on the international map of Tower Running along with over a hundred other countries.

The Tower running World Association governs this sport. It rates events leading up to a world championship

title. In 2014, the association recognised the Goa Tower Run, placing India on the global map of Tower Running.

The 2017 event has a new, exciting demo sport. A Tug of War is planned for corporate teams.

Over 500 runners from the armed forces, police, corporates, student teams, and

62 | Business Goa industry Dossier | January 2017

general citizens will compete.

The fourth edition of the iconic Linc Tower Run will be held in EDC’s business district of Panaji at Patto, on Sunday 5 February 2017.

The Linc Tower Run 2017 has three formats. In the Individual Run, participants run up and down the stairs of all five buildings. There are

three age categories: Student (18 years and under), Open (19 to 44 years) and Veteran (45 years and up), with men’s and women’s prizes in each.

The race involves running up 840 steps and down 840 steps in five buildings, from Gera Imperium ll to Dempo Trade Center

www.businessgoa.in

to set up Goa office

With the country’s economy shifting to cashless transactions, mobile wallet company Paytm will soon be debuting in Goa by January 2017. PayTM is looking to set up a local office which will most likely be in the business centre of Patto Plaza.

Prior to the Demonetisation the company’s presence was negligible but has since tapped into the market opportunity from the ongoing cashless economy drive. The Goa representative for Paytm claimed that currently 400 vendors have signed up and

are ready to switch to mobile online payment services. Their vendors range from small store owners, grocery sellers, to large department stores. Amongst the most active e-wallet companies, Paytm is currently leading the demonetisation and the cashless economy wave.

Though initial operations will be in city areas of Panaji, Margao and Mapusa, the company will gradually expand to interior and rural areas. Paytm was also a part of the Digidhan Mela in Goa to support the move to a cashless economy

Digi-Dhan boosts Goa’s Cashless Drive

Fostering and encouraging the digital payment methods, Union Minister for Defence Manohar Parrikar in the presence of Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, Union Minister for State AYUSH (independent charge) Shripad Naik, Governor Mridula Sinha inaugurated the Digi-Dhan Mela on 28th December 2016 at the Inox courtyard, Panjim.

Parrikar stated that cashless transactions will help curb Tax evaded activities and will also bring accountability in the economy.

Parsekar stated that Goa will successfully walk towards a cashless economy as the state holds high literacy and digital awareness.

A significant number of banks, oil companies and agencies were a part of the Digi-Dhan Mela who offered wealthy information promoting

cashless economy. The event also marked the presence of Siddharth Kuncolienkar, MLA from the Panjim Constituency, Dharmesh Sharma, Director of Information and Technology, Ameya Abhyankar, Chief Secretary R. K Srivastava, Director Department of Information and Technology and several other senior officials.

An array of companies were seen at the Digi-Dhan Mela with their stalls including, SBI, Bank of India Corporation Bank, Sogle Borem,Vodafone, Reliance, Jio, Idea, Chanekar Classics and more. Mobile Wallet Provider Companies, were also present at the Mela adding to the busy scenario at the Inox courtyard.

Parrikar urged people to opt for digital transactions and also stated that a good response has been received from the people of Goa January 2017 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 63

bon appetit

Kokni Kanteen, Panjim

Authentic Goan flavours of 1972

Not just another bustling restaurant in Panjim, but the authentic flavors of Goa within Kokni Kanteen 1972 Cortim Chicken

Chonak Fry

Fish Thaali

By Ankitha Joseph

KOKNI KANTEEN 1972, opened a few months ago at Panjim. Located at the Dada Vaidya Road, the restaurant welcomed me to the 70s, back when there wasn’t any fusion in food but, a lot of flavours for sure.

There exists a flavour filled Goa by itself within the four walls: from the name board hanging outside, to the plating of the dishes inside, it’s all traditional and truly Goan at Kokni Kanteen.

They kept the idea simple and precise, ‘reach out to the hearts of Goans’, through some good ol’ Goan food. In a food hub like Panjim, finding your presence among the zillion other restaurants could be really tough, but Kokni Kanteen is playing their magic smart and tasty.

The restaurant intends to take their customers on a nostalgic journey with their ambience. Maintaining 1972 as their central theme, every aspect that adds to the atmosphere is traditional. Images from 1972 and miniature kitchen utensils hung on the earthy walls will keep you engaged till the food arrives. Add to that, old Konkani songs which will remind you of a bygone music era of Goa. The traditional rustic 1972 theme is well complemented with yellow halogen lamps and what more could there be to add to the ambience!

Well, may be a movie poster, kept ready to welcome the customers is another added highlight to the ambience.

With the exquisite ambience, came the menu card dressed in the hand held blackboard (paati) style. The tradition stays intact with the menu card too, local and customized names will make you order more than usual.

A single adjective to describe the cocktails would be ‘divergent’. Three cocktails with their unique names and style 64 | Business Goa industry Dossier | January 2017

In a food hub like Panjim, finding your presence among the zillion other restaurants could be really tough, but Kokni Kanteen is playing their magic smart and tasty were definitely worth the try. Bappali Kadi, Kaastad Mojito and Bai Margarita are all tasty innovations in liquid form. The idea of Bappali Kadi might seem absurd but the cocktail lover within one would definitely want to try it. ‘Tadka’ in a cocktail? Well, the sceptical voice in me was left right behind when I had the first sip. It wasn’t bizarre anymore but only refreshing and a twisty experience for my taste buds.

What followed next was the Bai Margarita - a mixture of tequila, lime juice, tamarind and lemongrass. This one might not be everyone’s favourite: it’s strong, sour and completely off mainstream cocktails.

Kaastad Mojito was the one that I found most refreshing. Similar to the regular mojito yet different with a kokum twist, Kaastad Mojito would be my regular order at Kokni Kanteen.

The first two might be a little tough to sip on for their strong mixture of flavours and alcohol, but the mojito I found refreshing at all times.

For starters, we tried the saucy Cortim chicken, an exclusive recipe only at the Kokni Kanteen and the Bangada Dangar (mackerel cutlets) made of well-minced meat with a tinge of spicy flavouring.

Known mainly for their thaali, the restaurant offers a palette that’s strong in flavours and will please your taste buds without any doubt. Accompanying the thaali was a serving of the Ambotik and the Bangdyachi Urddmethi with

some plain rotis and fried Chonak. The thaali was indeed king size, with smoked Kismoor, coconut drizzled shellfish, vegetables, Kingfish fry and the usual accompaniments; it is indeed a sizeable portion for `150.

Normally, I am not a big fan of Ambotik (Mori/Shark), but Kokni Kanteen’s dish wasn’t like the usual with its spicy and sour flavouring. The strong coconut flavour and onion crunch blended into the dish and scored a perfect 10 on 10 for my taste buds.

The Bangdyachi Urddmethi, not served at most restaurants, once again was a clear winner for me. It was spicy with a blend of thick coconut milk which made the dish richly flavoured.

Two of the best fish fries I’ve had so far were the Kingfish and the Chonak. They were extremely fresh and the crispiness cannot go unnoticed. The steel plate serving made me feel at home and less in a restaurant, maintaining the simplicity the presentation was totally traditional.

The main course had totally filled me up but no meal can be complete without dessert for me. There came their best, Pos and what they claim to be ‘Goa’s best Ceradura’. Love for tanginess was seen well in the Pos as the dessert came with a tinge of turmeric and finely ground jeera. But it might not be for all, especially if you’re not a spice fan. The Ceradura was truly appreciable, a thick creamier base than usual with a smooth coat of biscuit crumbs on the top. If it was ‘the Best’ Ceradura in Goa or not, I’ll let you decide.

All dishes demonstrate the restaurant’s love for spices and could be experienced only if you go and try their food. Kokni Kanteen 1972 raises a Goa of its own and for those looking out for traditional food; this is indeed the place to frequent

newsmakers Sagar Anand Kurade awarded Ice Award for Dynamic Leadership

Managing Director of Suman Project Consultants Pvt. Ltd Sagar Anand Kurade was awarded the Ice Award for Dynamic Leadership. ICE is a solution provider for the cold chain industry and works tediously to provide educational workshops, training programs, business development and networking for its members. The Ice Centre of Excellence Awards is conferred in various categories annually to Agri Infrastructure and Food Processing Industry members.

These awards are handed in association with US based Global Cold Chain Alliance. The Award was presented by Mark Wallace Agricultural Attaché, Embassy of USA and Kanwar Charanjeet Singh, CMD Kartarpur Cold Storage. The event was held on 16th December, 2016 at Indore, Madhya Pradesh.

Sagar Anand Kurade is also the president of the All India Food Processors Association

Norbert’s Fitness Hub now at Dona Paula

Norbert’s Multi-activity Fitness Hub was inaugurated recently at the Mathias Ocean Park Residency. Accessible to individuals of all ages, the fitness hub along with its gym and swimming pool has an area for yoga, kick-boxing, kick aerobics, zumba, gymnastics, dance and more. The inaugural event witnessed dance and music along with exercise, the occasion also marked the presence of Rajesh Rai, MD, Jerai Fitness Ltd as chief guest of the day.

Promoters of Ocean Park Residency, Joe and Mariolla Mathias were also present at the inaugural. The event was coordinated by Gregory Alvares and Sheryl Afonso with proprietor, Nobert D’Souza

Raghuvir Mahale bags ‘Best Social Worker Award’

Raghuvir Mahale, founder and former Vice-president of YUVA, an NGO based in Mala-Panaji, was awarded the ‘Best Social Worker Award’ of the state at the hands of Chief Minister, Laxmikant Parsekar through Directorate of Social Welfare on the occasion of Goa Liberation Day. Raghuvir Mahale completed his engineering from Goa Engineering College and has been a recipient of the National Award for the Best B-tech project.

In the year 2015, he was also awarded with the Goa State Youth Award by the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs. He has worked closely to promote entrepreneurship and the startup ecosystem in Goa. Raghuvir also launched Goa’s first online youth magazine youngama.in and has been part of various drives for the welfare of the masses. YUVA strives to inculcate good virtues among youngsters aspiring to create responsible citizens. During his tenure as vice-president, YUVA had won the ‘Best Youth Organization’ Award at the District and State level

Raju Nayak elected Chairman of Press Accreditation Committee

Raju Nayak, Editor of Lokmat, was unanimously elected as the Chairman of Press Accreditation Committee of Goa at the meeting of newly nominated members of the PAC at Department of Information & Publicity, Udyog Bhavan, Panjim on December 28, 2016. Member Secretary and Director of Information & Publicity Jayant Tari, Editor of Gomantak Shriram Panchindre, Editor of Goa Doot Waman Prabhu, President of Goa Union of Journalist Sadguru Patil, Information Officer (Publicity) John Aguiar, and Information Assistant Shyam Gaonkar were present

Sunder Kekre receives Vasantrao Shrinivas Dempo Reflective Chair professorship

Sunder Kekre will be the first one to receive the Vasantrao Shrinivas Dempo Reflective Chair professorship at Carnegie Mellon University. Shrinivas V Dempo, chairman of the Dempo Group of Companies endowed a gift of US $ 3 to the university’s Tepper School of Business. The title for Professorship comes from the understanding that the Vasantrao Shrinivas Dempo Reflective Chair would be occupied by a professor from the Tepper School of Business, who would support teaching and research on societal scale phenomena that is relevant to India. Indian-origin scholar, teacher, researcher and consultant, Sunder Kekre was deemed most befitting for the title. “We cannot have a more fitting scholar, academic and researcher than Dr Kekre as the inaugural recipient of the Vasantrao Shrinivas Dempo Reflective Chair at the Tepper School of Business. Dr Kekre had a hand in making me what I am today in his former avatar as my professor during my master’s programme at Carnegie Mellon University,” said Shrinivas V Dempo 66 | Business Goa industry Dossier | January 2017

91 1. Which Indian TV brand was created by Mirc Electronics?

2. Which American company is named after a Biblical character known for his strength?

3. Aeroflot is the national airline of which country?

4. Who is the author of the book ‘Business Sutra’?

5. Which brand of packaged water was bought by Parle in 1969?

6. With which Japanese company had Bajaj Auto partnered to make motorcycles?

7. Identify this business writer

Answers to BG Quiz 90: 1.Mercedes 2. IndiaBulls 3.GAP 4.

Yonex 5. Kleenex 6. Jamsetji Tata 7. Seagate 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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