Business Goa May 2021 by Business Goa

MAY 2021

VOL 7 ISSUE 5 PANAJI GOA

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GOA’S ONLY BUSINESS MAGAZINE

INDUSTRY DOSSIER

HELPING HANDS As CovidKOCHKAR 2.0 sweeps Goa, fearless Goans all VERSIUS over the StateWOMEN’S are DAMODAR SAIDUTT REDKAR DAY doing their INTERVIEW

best to help those YOUNG infected and their families STARTING HEALTHCARE

FOCUS GOA

NEWS VIEWS ARTICLES INTERVIEWS PROFILES FOCUS ANALYSIS OPINIONS EVENTS FEATURES

These are difficult days for us all, but this too shall pass.

LET US KEEP THE FAITH THAT WE SHALL OVERCOME THESE TOUGH TIMES

Survive now. Thrive later.

Tough times Hang in We'll get thr

These are difficult days for us a

Survive now. Th

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CONTENTS Cover Story 12

As Covid 2.0 sweeps Goa, fearless Goans all over the State are doing their best to help those infected and their families. A profile of a few Covid Heroes

Focus Goa / Retail 22

GCCI has been vocal in demanding relief from the government for retailers who have been bearing the brunt of the pandemic since last year

Focus Goa / Infrastructure 24

The Supreme Court appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC), has issued recommendations against three linear projects that cut through the Mollem National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, to the Apex Court

Technology 26

Spintly has made giant strides in the physical security and smart business space and has won the confidence of Silicon Valley based venture capital firm, Riso Capital and other well-known Indian funds

Enterprise 28

Smitha Vijay has transitioned from a journalist to an entrepreneur. Her venture, Doorstep Goa, is about bringing convenience to your home

Interview 30

Jayesh Raikar, Chairman Young Indians Goa Chapter; and Director, Goldy Group of Companies talks about Yi Goa and his plans for the organisation

New Brand 32

COLUMNS

20 Guest Speak

Ajai Chowdhry feels that the only way forward in a covidised world is to add technology and get vaccinated

Stilldistilling Spirits launches Maka Zai – White and Gold craft Rum proudly blended on Indian soil and nourished by the sweet waters of Goa

Global Goa 47

With the recently unveiled 7200 sq ft Goan Community Centre in Brampton, Canada, the Goan Overseas Association has a place to call home

38 Business Lens

42 Corporate Citizen

40 Corporate Citizen

43 Invest Right

41 Cabbages and Queen

44 Money Matters

Rajula Gupta lists out some home truths for youngsters waiting to jump on the start-up bandwagon Dr. Pradeep Salgaonkar jots down solutions for last mile delivery for e-commerce businesses

Nandini Vaidyanathan is all praise for Amazon for its ‘customer delight’ attitude

Daniel Albuquerque juxtaposes two cases that the Supreme Court of India has decided in the realm of commercial arbitration

Mahesh Pai impresses his views on the importance of buying medical and health insurance V B Prabhu Verlekar suggests solutions to ensure that businesses do not run astray and lose their mojo

08 Editorial 10 Corpo Scan 33 Environment 34 BookShelf 36 Biz Bytes 45 Event 48 Goa Buzz 50 Newsmakers 50 BG Quiz 06 | BUSINESS GOA INDUSTRY DOSSIER | MAY 2021

Cover Pic of Goa Sikh Youth Group: Anjali Kamat

EDITORIAL The Upside of Lockdown MAY 2021 Publisher & Editor Harshvardhan Bhatkuly Co-Publisher & Group Head Urvija Bhatkuly Advisory Board Datta Damodar Naik Ralph de Sousa Rajiv D’Silva Dr Vivek Mendonsa Swapnil Kamat Business Head Annalise Gouveia Chief Reporter Sybil Rodrigues Graphic Designer Govit Morajkar Legal Advisor Adv Raunaq Rao Distribution & Logistics Mayur Santinezkar Contributors in this Issue Ajai Chowdhry Daniel Albuquerque Mahesh Pai Nicole Suares Nandini Vaidyanathan Dr Pradeep Salgaonkar Rajula Gupta V B Prabhu Verlekar Editorial, Advertising & Administrative Office

Business Goa

409, Citicentre, EDC Patto Plaza, Panaji, 403001 Goa India Tel.: 0832-2437822 Email: businessgoa.media@gmail.com 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.

Crisis makes common people do uncommon things! One often wonders what it is about a catastrophe that transforms a 9-5 person to live a life on the exact opposite side of the clock. This is what happened in Goa – and is perhaps the silver lining to the gloom and doom of the pandemic’s second wave. In these unprecedented times, the Goan human spirit has risen to the challenge. We should be proud of our boys and girls – youngsters, professionals, footballers, clubs, socially conscious folks – all lending a hand to another Goan in need. There is no toolkit conspiracy here. To challenge a systemic letdown, people from normal walks of life stepped in to fill administrative lacunae. A young couple on hospital rounds caring for an infected aunt sent frantic messages looking for blood plasma donors, only to find that the numbers floating on social media were either fake or non-existing. The reality of ‘forwarded as received’ dawned on them. They realised that many others were in the same boat – searching for hospital beds, oxygen concentrators or oximeters – and a movement began. Soon, several volunteers joined their cause and unofficial helplines took shape, where Covid patients and their families could reach for information… and find solutions. On the other hand, a group of lawyers realised a systemic flaw when people were dropping dead in the silent hours of the night for want of oxygen. They organised their fellow professionals to plead their fears before the highest court of the land – only to be stonewalled by shameful bureaucratic legalese. “Let justice be done though the heavens fall,” is a maxim that one reads in law schools only to forget it after a semester. However, the justices of the High Court had clearly not forgotten

Harshvardhan Bhatkuly this dictum. They pulled up the government and issued orders to the responsible officers to make statements before them, and began monitoring Goa’s health debacle on a day-today basis. Even then, the administration did not see the perils of allowing travellers into the State, without a Covid negative certificate. On yet another side, homemakers, religious groups and restaurateurs felt that in the fight with the virus, the basic need of food for patients and their families was being ignored. People, even those with means, could not get food as they were quarantined, ailing, alone or too old/infirm to step out of their homes during restricted hours to bring in food. These Good Samaritans started a movement to send food for the needy. We live in a mirage of a Welfare State. But, where and when the State failed to provide medical help, safety, social security and hope, individuals, corporates, trade bodies, social and cultural clubs and even some political parties stepped in to fill the blanks. It is quite easy for me to write this and sum it up like a jigsaw puzzle that is falling in place. I bet the Covid s/heroes, who are making a difference to Goa in the darkest hours, are doing it despite the odds. Not aware of the source of their next ray of hope, who will abuse and cast aspersions on their intention, who will pass judgments or smear their characters – not even aware whether their efforts will make any difference, but they trudge on. They make calls for oxygen cylinders, hospital beds in the wee hours when many of us sleep the comfortable sleep. They move paper burning the midnight oil to make the authorities wake up and listen. They rise early to cook the thousands of meals that must reach hospitals and homes. They deserve thunderous applause, if not anything else

Printed, published and owned by Harshvardhan V. Bhatkuly and printed at Elegant Offset Printers, D2-31, Tivim Industrial Estate, Karaswada, Mapusa Goa 403526 and published at 409, Citicentre, EDC Patto Plaza, Panaji, Goa 403001. Editor: Harshvardhan V. Bhatkuly

08 | BUSINESS GOA INDUSTRY DOSSIER | MAY 2021

CORPO SCAN

@business-goa

CM’s fellowship scheme to hire young professionals for `30,000

The Goa Government has issued a notification announcing the ‘Chief Minister’s Fellowship Programme’, under which young professionals will be hired to allow them familiarity with day to day governance. A monthly stipend of `30,000 will be paid to the chosen fellows during 11 of the 12 months period of fellowship. The selection will be done based on essays written by the fellows, among other criteria. The scheme will be in force for 3 years and is designed ‘to provide valuable experience to youth interested in the social and economic development of the State’. Every year, 10 fellows will be taken on board for a period of one year. The Directorate of Planning, Statistics and Evaluation, which is the implementing body for the scheme, will decide on the nature of work and the departments in which the fellows will work. Interested applicants

should have at least a Bachelor’s degree in any stream, and preference will be given to post-graduates. Applicants should be between 21 to 27 years old, with knowledge of Konkani and English, which will be an essential. The selection process will be carried out in four stages, with an initial screening carried out to test their general aptitude and knowledge on current topics affecting the State, general awareness on social and economic issues, use of IT and data interpretation. Shortlisted candidates will then have to write an essay on a subject affecting the State, indicating the issues involved and the probable suggestive solutions. Based on the assessment of this essay, a selected list of candidates will be prepared, who will be required to appear for a viva voce before a selection committee appointed for the purpose

`146 Cr loss due to Tauktae, says CM

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that the State has incurred losses amounting to `146 crore due to cyclone Tauktae. A detailed report will be submitted to the Union government. Further, Sawant mentioned that the electricity and agriculture sector have suffered the most losses. “The electricity department has pegged preliminary losses at nearly `22 crore, but we will know the actual figure when we prepare the final report for submission to the Centre”. Sawant also stated that they have prepared a letter to send

to the National D i s a s t e r Management Authority for compensation. The Chief Minister said that agricultural activities had been severely affected due to cyclonic winds and heavy rainfall and the Agricultural Department has pegged the losses to `30 crore. The fisheries sector has also suffered major losses what with fishing canoes, boats, nets and other equipment have been damaged. Sawant said that the fishermen could not venture into the sea for the last 4-5 days. The other losses include damage to schools belonging to the education department and to private and forest department properties and agricultural crops.

10 | BUSINESS GOA INDUSTRY DOSSIER | MAY 2021

Bonanza for Government as RBI approves `99,122 Cr payout

The RBI has approved a `99,122 crore dividend payout to the government for an accounting period of nine months ended March 31, 2021. The amount is more than 73% higher than the previous year’s `57,128 crore dividend, despite the period being only nine months due to a change in accounting year to April-March. The dividend is also higher than what the government had expected for FY 21 in its Budget which was announced in February this year. The central government had estimated `53,510 crore as dividend from the RBI and other public sector banks for FY 21 as against a dividend income of `61,826 crore in

FY20. The windfall will help the government with the revenue shortfall arising out of lower tax collections due to the lockdown induced by the resurgence of the pandemic in April-May 2021. The RBI said that its central board approved the payout in its 589th meeting held through a video conference. It added that the dividend was paid out after ensuring that its contingency risk buffers were at 5.5% of its balance sheet. Unlike commercial banks, the RBI generates a higher surplus during adverse financial conditions as it has to rapidly intervene in the money and foreign exchange market

Deadline to file Income Tax Returns extended The Government has extended the due date for filing income tax returns for assessment year 2021-22 by two months, to September 30, 2021 from the existing deadline of July 31, 2021, while giving extension to tax audit and 12 compliance deadlines for FY 21 to provide relief to taxpayers due to Covid pandemic. “The Central Government, in continuation of its commitment to address the hardship being faced by various stakeholders on account of the severe Covid-19 pandemic, has, on consideration of representations received from various stakeholders, decided to extend timelines for compliances under the Income-tax Act,” the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) said in a statement. The date for furnishing audit report has been extended to October 31, from September 30, for the

same assessment year. For corporate taxpayers and individual taxpayers liable to tax audit, the due date of filing return for AY 2021-22 has been extended to November 30 from October 31. In the same case, the returns of income for AY 2021-22 can be filed by December 31, 2021. The due date for transfer pricing certificate has been pushed by a month to November 30, from October 31. Taxpayers can file income tax returns belatedly by January 31, 2022, instead of earlier deadline of December 31, 2021. The statement of deduction of tax for the last quarter of the FY21 can also be submitted by June end, the deadline has been extended by a month. Certificate of tax deducted at source or TDS in Form No 16, which companies provide to employees by June 15, can be furnished on or before July 15, 2021

Nearly 500 houses have been damaged, of which some need major repairs. Several roads and other structures have been damaged. Bardez in North Goa and Mormugao in

South Goa have been majorly affected due to the cyclone. Electricity and telecommunication networks were jammed for over a week due to the cyclone

COVER STORY

Image courtesy: Gerd Altmann for Pixabay

HELPIN As Covid 2.0 sweeps Goa, fearless Goans all over the State are doing their best to help those infected and their families, writes SYBIL RODRIGUES

he Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC), along with 80-odd community bodies, launched the ‘Oxygen for India’ marathon fundraiser to collect $2 million to send oxygen equipment to India, even as Ontario announced to send 2,000 more ventilators to the country. Almost $500,000 was raised during the very first session of the marathon fundraiser. The fund-raiser will be held for three hours every Sunday for four weeks from 17th May. The biggest contribution of $50,000 came from Canada’s native or indigenous Metis people. “We have similarities with Indians even though we are from different parts of the world. India will be there for us when we need, and we should be there for them now. We will donate $50,000 to the ICCC and do more if needed,” announced David Chartrand,

INDO-CANADA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

From Canada With Love “The money will be used to send oxygen concentrators and generators and we will find new pathways to send oxygen to India. We want to ensure that oxygen reaches tier 2 and 3 cities and towns before they get severely hit by the virus”

Vijay Thomas

President of the Manitoba Metis Federation. ICCC President Vijay Thomas, who hails from Porvorim Goa and is also the founder-CEO of Tangentia Technologies, said that their initiative aims at garnering donations not only from the 1.6 million Indo-Canadian community, but also businesses and cities across Canada. “The money will be used to send oxygen concentrators

12 | BUSINESS GOA INDUSTRY DOSSIER | MAY 2021

Vijay Thomas | President, Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (Toronto, Canada)

and generators and we will find new pathways to send oxygen to India. We want to ensure that oxygen reaches tier 2 and 3 cities and towns before they get severely hit by the virus,” Thomas said. Top political leaders, including the Ontario Premier Doug Ford, mayors, business owners and medical professionals took part in the marathon fundraiser. Ford announced that 2,000 additional ventilators

are being sent to India, in addition to 3,000 already delivered. “The whole planeload of Air Canada is filled from front to back and arriving (in India) with all sorts of supplies. The people of India have been there for us and we will be there for them,” the Ontario Premier said, referring to India’s delivery of one million vaccine doses to Canada earlier this year. Markham city’s Frank Scarpitti, who has been to India many times and is very well respected in the Indo-Canadian community, announced a donation of $10,000 to the initiative by the ICCC. The mayors of Brampton and Mississauga, the outlying cities which are home to the biggest concentration of the Indo-Canadian community in Canada, urged their residents to donate liberally to the initiative

ING HANDS Even the darkest cloud has a silver lining. While Goa and the rest of the country battles the deadly second wave of Covid, myriad acts of kindness, be it home cooked meals for the ill, arranging oxygen cylinders or creating a portal on social media to reach out to the people, are shining through Goa’s most severe health emergency. From people offering to run errands, and home kitchens delivering meals to organisations and individuals stepping in to supply oxygen cylinders, oximeters and the like, the goodness comes as a ray of sunshine through the dark clouds of tragedy.

ll over the world the Sikh community is known for its generosity and sense of service to the people, especially the less fortunate. The Goa Sikh Youth Group was set up in 2016 and had a few members. Over the years, they have had langars (community kitchens) at different medical camps held all over Goa. Sandeep Singh, one of the members says, “We have a lot of people in our group and wanted to do something good as our religion teaches us.” In 2020, during the lockdown, they provided meals for the underprivileged and the daily wage labourers, in Goa, providing them with fresh, home cooked meals and groceries. Sandeep adds, “This year, we got a lot of calls from people, that GMC wasn’t providing proper meals to patients and their relatives. We thought of providing healthy food to the patients, which we cook in pure ghee

The leadership and administration skills that initiatives of such a scale requires, is mammoth, but each and everyone of these groups and organizations have risen to the occasion. It gives people a sense of purpose, feeling that even though in these difficult times, there’s something one can do about it, that one has some sense of purpose, some feeling of control, even when everything else feels out of control. All these good Samaritans, whether working in their individual capacities or through their groups, clubs and organisations, are Goa’s Covid heroes.

GOA SIKH YOUTH GROUP

The Good Samaritans

and every day we cater to around 1200 – 1500 people at the hospital. We also give fruits, water bottles, juice, and biscuits to the people.” This year too, they are providing groceries and essential to the less fortunate along with food. The cyclone did not deter these brave souls who continued serving food outside GMC in the pounding rain. Besides this,

they also receive calls for support especially for oxygen cylinders, and the group tries to utilize their network and meet the needs of the people. The Gurudwara Shri Guru Singh Sabha in Betim also provides free meals to the needy on a daily basis. Sandeep states that he and his group is very grateful to people for their contributions. “Right up from groceries to

monetary contributions, a lot of people have helped us. A couple of villagers have also donated generously to our cause. Initially we always start with our funds but as word gets around, people willingly come to us and contribute. Vedanta, Big Daddy Casino and Gulati from Pride Group are some of the people who have helped us in a big way”

MAY 2021 | BUSINESS GOA INDUSTRY DOSSIER | 13

COVER STORY

@businessgoa

hruti Chaturvedi, originally from Ahmedabad, is a Goa-based entrepreneur and runs a media and communications company called Chaaipani. Shruti was part of different volunteer networks in other parts of the country. “When Goa was hit with the second wave, I saw a lot of distress even among my own friends and neighbours. So I began collating resources, more volunteers joined in, and we started helping around with everything people would need during Covid-19 emergency. Right up from home cooked food, to help with finding hospital beds, emergency oxygen support, sanitisation of their home. We even got on board 500 rooms inventory of hotels within a day that could be converted to isolation wards.” The response to Shruti’s initiative to help people out has been very gratifying. Families who have lost their loved ones have even joined

SHRUTI CHATURVEDI

One Woman Army as volunteers, being grateful to her for helping them out during their tough times. Shruti and her team have raised about 22 lakhs from locals as well as Goans settled abroad which enabled her to purchase equipments and help the disadvantaged with their medical expenses. The biggest help has been the High Court which reviewed

some of her suggestions in their petition to control the Covid situation in Goa and address the issues at GMC. Apart from the locals, many MLAs, panch members and the mayors extended their support. Shruti added that the biggest support has come from the entrepreneurial community in Goa. Even journalists who’ve uncovered

he South Goa Advocates Association, which was the first whistle blower on the oxygen crisis in GMC, has vowed to continue monitoring the situation as the third wave may hit the State. The President of the Association, Adv. Antonio Clovis da Costa has said that their fight for justice for the 75 people who passed away during the ‘dark hours’ will continue through different forums. “We had been reading in the papers that there were deaths occurring during a particular time. Many lawyers in our Association were falling sick along with their family members and they were coming to us for help. We read a letter issued by the Goa Association of Resident Doctors (GARD) which brought to light the lack of oxygen. We realised then, that there was something very wrong in the system. That was the time we decided to move the High Court and file a petition.”

SOUTH GOA ADVOCATES ASSOCIATION

Seeking Judicial Intervention “Had the government insisted on a negative certificate from travellers, many more lives Antonio Clovis da Costa would have been saved” Adv. President, SGAA

Adv. Antonio states that he is pretty happy about the way the High Court has handled the matter. The High Court has directed the Government to insist on a RTPCR for all those entering Goa. This was the first positive outcome of the petition filed before the High Court. “We knew Maharashtra and Karnataka had a lot of cases and went

14 | BUSINESS GOA INDUSTRY DOSSIER | MAY 2021

on a lockdown much before Goa did. Had the government insisted on a negative certificate, many more lives would have been saved.” With respect to the oxygen supply, Adv. Antonio states that the problem of oxygen has been solved to a big extent with the installation of the 20,000 litre oxygen tank. But he also says that death has

the truth fearlessly have been a big support to the cause. Shruti says that the biggest bottleneck in Goa is efficiency in Government processes. “During the last one month, while one part of our team have been working on the ground, another set of the team was focused on making our processes as efficient as possible.” Further, Shruti adds, “In the future, I would like to take this entrepreneurial and result-oriented approach to solve civic issues of Goa. People shouldn’t suffer because of the inefficiency of bureaucratic processes. Government employees should be held accountable and must be made to deliver results. I am working on ways to make SOPs that are sustainable in the long run for the entire State of Goa.” Lastly, she feels that it has been a very satisfying experience for all of them, given that they could do something for Goa been caused due to lack of oxygen and the Association will not rest till justice is given to those who lost their lives and their families. Adv Antonio and the Association, plan to ask for an audit on all the deaths that have taken place since the month of April till the 15th May. They will also be pressing for an ex-gratia compensation for the people who have died due to the mismanagement of oxygen. “We will be filing another petition or we will be move the necessary application in the same PIL.” The High Court is now monitoring the functioning of the GMC which has led to an improvement as far as the situation is concerned. Adv Antonio concludes saying, “We have to be ready for the third wave. The South Goa Advocates Association will act as a watchguard. We will see that the government takes precautionary steps and is ready for the third wave”

COVER STORY

otary Club of Panaji Riviera has been supporting the people of Goa for over 16 years with their dedication to service. Last year when the pandemic hit Goa, resulting in a lockdown, the Club, under the leadership of Yogish Kulkarni, was the first to step up and help those in need by mobilizing and raising funds, distribution of food and essentials, and PPE kits to the doctors of Directorate of Health Services. Through a Global Grant project the Club donated critical Covid-19 detection equipment such as PCR analyser and RNA extractors. Besides this one pediatric ventilator, two orbital laryngoscopes and two respiratory humidifiers were given to the Directorate of Health. This year, during the second wave of Covid-19, the Club has once again risen up to the occasion with Club President, Ryan Costa at the helm of affairs.

he Football Dugout is the biggest football community in Goa with fans from different walks of life supporting various teams across continents. They have a social media discussion platform on Facebook which is their primary form of interaction. Conrad Barreto, one of the founders explains how he came up with the idea of reaching out to the people during this time. “We saw what happened during the last lockdown, wherein the labourers and daily wagers started heading home. This time around we thought if we provide them with lunch and dinner they wouldn’t head home, given that they would lose their jobs. There are so many homeless people who depend on a day-to day job. Keeping all these things in mind, we decided to help them with their daily meals during lockdown.” They came up with the idea of a fundraiser

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ROTARY CLUB OF PANAJI RIVIERA

Service Above Self

Innovative beds made from cardboard by Velvin Paper Products provided respite to hospitals

Ryan speaks about their contribution to the cause. “We have donated two kinds of beds to GMC. One is a temporary bed which is like a stop gap arrangement, wherein a patient can be kept on this bed until a permanent bed is available. This is made from cardboard and is entirely recyclable at the end of its lifespan. 50 of these beds

have been given along with mattresses.” These beds have been developed by Vartan Mathias, one of the members of the club who is the owner of Velwin Paper Products. This was developed by Vartan’s company to take care of the urgent requirement of beds at various hospitals. The beds were sponsored by Velwin Paper Products while the

THE FOOTBALL DUGOUT

A Different Ball Game

and the response has been overwhelming. People from Goa, India and all over the world have all supported them and many have donated raw material in kind, as well. Many NGOs have got in touch with them to help with providing oxygen and other things that people may have needed during lockdown and because of the cyclone. This football community has not only been serving the homeless and underprivileged but even the front-line workers at the South Goa District

16 | BUSINESS GOA INDUSTRY DOSSIER | MAY 2021

Hospital and the police force that help in regulating the traffic. They serve nearly 200 meals (lunch and dinner) to the underprivileged people around Margao Municipal Garden and Railway Station. The lists of people who have helped and contributed include current footballers, past football legends, FC Goa, football fans from Goa, India and all over the world. Even media personnel have been kind to write some stories about the work carried out by this community, thus creating

mattresses were sponsored by Alcon Foundation. Another 25 such temporary beds were given at Quepem for setting up Covid Isolation centers. Besides this, the Club has also donated 60 semi-fowler beds to GMC. Ryan says, “These were given a few weeks back and most of them are already put in use. These beds were sponsored by Bhagwati Trust which is represented by Rotarian Neeta Rajani and by Himgiri Castings Private Ltd. Another 25 semi-fowler beds were given directly by The Rotary Club of Panaji Riviera and which are all sponsored through member contributions.” Ryan mentions that they have also given one High Flow Nasal Oxygenator (HFNO machine), around 40 oxygen flow meters and four trolley stretchers to the GMC. 120 face shields besides 200 plastic gowns, 50 scrub suits, N95 masks and latex gloves were given to the North Goa District Hospital awareness that there are people in Goa that need help during these unprecedented times. The Supporter Clubs involved in this initiative are the Gaur Army; MUSC GOA, Goan Red Devil’s MUSC, Arsenal Goa Supporters Club, Goa Spurs, Real Madrid Goa, FC Barcelona Supporters Goa, Liverpool FC Goa and Everton India. Apart from all this, an NGO, Sauramandala Foundation got in touch with them and sent two 450 Litre Dura Cylinder that can provide seamless oxygen to the hospitals. They have also put two 5-7L oxygen concentrators in community circulation, too. They have also donated surgical masks to the underprivileged, N95s to the policemen, xximeters for covid patients and also provided the Goa Sikh Youth with raw materials for their community kitchen. Conrad concludes by saying, “It’s a priceless feeling helping people”

COVER STORY

ovid Service Goa is an online platform which took off when the number of Covid cases in Goa began peaking. The founders of this group are Disha Nayak Sardesai, a law professor and Adv. Siddharth Sardesai, a High Court lawyer, who started this page after their aunt was admitted at the South Goa District Hospital and who later passed on. Having experienced a family member’s distress, they found out that it was very difficult to arrange crucial things like oxygen, food supply at the hospital. They thought of using their ordeal as an opportunity to help others. Adv Siddharth explains about the platform, Covid Service Goa. “The platform has been split into two different aspects, requirement leads and distress calls. Most of our volunteers who cannot move out from their homes, can help us by verifying the leads that we get, with regards to beds, oxygen, food and plasma. We have a Distress Networking campaign where 17 organisations have got in touch with us and we have collaborated with them. The other aspect of Covid Service Goa is one where patients have no one to look after them. Our volunteers follow up with them, with regards to the requirements of food, oxygen or medicines.” Disha adds, “We started out with just the two of us. But then our friends wanted to help. We have created a form by way of Google forms, so if anyone wants to volunteer they have to fill up the form and we have a volunteer to verify the information.” The couple says, “We are trying to fight this together.” Dr Kashyap Bandodkar, a young dentist, was helping out with driving people to and fro from Margao to GMC, for plasma donation, blood donation and even offered to supply home cooked meals to doctors in Margao. Soon, Kashyap got in touch with Disha and Siddharth who

www.businessgoa.in COVID SERVICE GOA

For Humanity’s Sake

Disha Nayak Sardesai and Adv Siddharth Sardesai

Dr Neha Sahakari

Covid Service Goa is an online platform which took off when the number of Covid cases in Goa began peaking

thought it would be a good idea to have him on the team. His colleague Dr Neha Sahakari from Goa Dental College and Rajeshwari Naik Rasaikar, who is an advocate, also joined the team. They offer a database of various information that a patient or family, who are infected by Covid, would need. The database has information on testing labs, hospitals, grocery deliveries, pharmacies, medical deliveries, oxygen supplies and food delivery numbers. They also have around 70 on-ground volunteers that attend to distress calls all over Goa. This is handy for senior citizens and patients who are home isolating and cannot move out. The team at Covid Service Goa realised there was an acute shortage of oxymeters in the home isolation kits. Few of the volunteers came up with an oxymeter bank where they started recycling donated oxymeters. Patients, who have recovered from Covid, donate their oxymeters to this bank, who then pass it on to another family infected by Covid. Along the way, they received help from multiple Rotary Clubs, Lions Club, JCI, and Red Cross with volunteers. Later, Dempo

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Dr Kashyap Bandodkar

Adv Rajeshwari Naik Rasaikar

Group came on board and agreed to provide meals for the affected. The team has had multiple generous donors who have donated oximeters, oxygen regulators and oxygen concentrators which patients can make use of at home. The Service has a team of doctors, physiotherapists, mental health experts and psychologists, who engage in free online consultations and guide people on how to deal with the virus. Recently, they have started an awareness drive for slum dwellers and a food distribution drive. Kashyap says, “I realised that grassroots level awareness was still missing, so we started engaging the common man on the street. We visited multiple slums and the homeless in and around Margao and educated them on Covid appropriate behaviour, vaccination, importance of early testing and distributed food and masks. Food Drive for the underprivileged is another campaign that we have started.” Covid Sevice Goa has an Instagram page along with one on Facebook, and a Twitter handle. They have their volunteers who continuously monitor requests from patients and

families, and constantly update the information that they have collected. They also try to assist patients in identifying hospitals near them which have beds in case they need to be hospitalized. Kashyap says that people often call when they have experienced symptoms for 3 or 4 days and don’t know what to do next. “The biggest flaw is that people don’t test thinking it’s a plain flu. Our advice is that as soon as one gets the symptoms go and get one self tested at the nearest Government health centre or private lab. One can look up at the data that we have documented on our site. Second, there are people who are living alone, and if you have someone like that in your neighborhood, please identify them and try to be of help in whatever way you can.” Going forward, Kashyap adds that people should be cautious when it comes to hygiene, wearing masks and social distancing. “The medical infrastructure in the State has been stretched to a breaking point and needs a breather. We need to ramp up our infrastructure to accommodate the number of cases coming in. As restrictions are relaxed and people start moving out, cases may surge again. We have to take lessons from what happened last year. We have an experience of last year to fall back on to see how we can fight this in the future. It is very important that inspite of taking the vaccine or being infected before, we must understand that the chance of infection is there, that infections will happen and Covid is not going away anytime soon. It is only appropriate behaviour in terms of wearing masks, sanitization, respiratory hygiene has to be followed till we get a definitive treatment for Covid. It has to be a collective effort from the Government and Civil Society so that we can fight it out together”

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ood causes attract good people who join in to support you,” says Chairman of Pai Kane Group, Atul Pai Kane. As the pandemic was on a rise, Atul’s wife Gaurapriya walked up to him and declared that she wished to do something for the covid-affected families. And just like that she has been personally cooking 80 meals a day! Soon, Prahlad and Sabreen Sukhtankar of Blackmarket / Black Sheep

Bistro began providing meals to a part of her list. But even after cooking meals day in and day out, Gaurapriya felt that they should be doing more in this moment of crisis. The lack of oxygen concentrators in Goa, was a right pain point that the couple wished to address. Atul counts his blessings and feels that people with means should give back to the society and so he went with Gaurapriya’s idea of creating a bank for oxygen concentrators to some trade organizations. The lukewarm response left him to explore options within his family run Shri Devidas Pai Kane Health, Education and Fellowship Trust, that otherwise funds educational causes. “We were good to fund 5 oxygen concentrators. But soon other people joined in and today we have 17 machines, which are given to the needy free of cost. The effort of reaching out to the needy is looked after by Karpe family in Mapusa,” adds Atul. Atul’s business group quickly put up a website where one could enter details and avail the facility. The entire family has chipped in to make this initiative work. With the co-ordination left in the able hands of Sheetal Pai Kane, who

Atul and Gaurapriya Pai Kane

also heads CII’s IWN in Goa, Atul and Gaurapriya are left to ideate the program. As an entrepreneur, for Atul, the pandemic has been a platform to reflect OXYGENATE GOA BY PAI KANE GROUP

Every Breath Matters and fine tune the organization, which is Goa’s leading genset manufacturer. Atul has managed to cut through the otherwise uncertain period and focus on his entrepreneurial goals, knowing well that the business place left behind by coronavirus will be vastly different from what it once was, and he wishes to pursue new goals for his enterprise with the same zeal and passion that he has brought to influence a social cause

MAY 2021 | BUSINESS GOA INDUSTRY DOSSIER | 19

GUEST SPEAK / AJAI CHOWDHRY

VACCINE PLUS TECHNOLOGY The writer feels that the only way forward in a covidised world is to rely on technology and get vaccinated

he last 8/12 weeks have been a nightmare for India. All the talk of herd immunity and innate immunity due to our living conditions has been turned upside down by the second wave. We got so carried away by our own hyperbole that we started believing in it. Many countries have faced the same situation whether it is Sweden, Thailand, Germany and Canada, all have had to face the second wave despite all past successes. The whole country is in this ‘curfew mode’ (a new name for lockdown). And we are seeing more and more people die. And already 300 odd doctors have also died. So why are we still looking at only one solution for Covid – Vaccination! We can prevent many deaths and bring the country back to normal if we look at alternatives. The Vaccine Dilemma Today, we are a little better prepared with two vaccines manufactured in India and the Russian vaccine approved. The US was very fast off the block and is vaccinating with great speed. The rest of the western world, who have cornered the vaccine are also moving fast. India now has a plan in place with more vaccines to be approved. However, it will still take a lot of time. And will depend on approvals and manufacturing capacity of other new vaccine producers. Currently there is also no vaccine that is approved for children and pregnant women, that constitutes 51% of the population. On top of all of this, there is always some confusion in the minds of the eligible population. It is believed that even all the frontline workers may not have taken the vaccine. And as per the Health Ministry, the number of those vaccinated under this category is 24% higher than the known number. So, as usual ‘jugaad’ is happening in many locations. Lots of people worry about efficacy of each vaccine. ‘Mine is better than yours’. So they get confused and wait for the best! But as I read more and saw videos about it, I found that efficacy is not that important. This is because the trials were done at different state of growth of the virus (including more variants). We should take what we get. All vaccines are okay to take if approved. As per Amesh

We still don’t know enough about the disease and the vaccines, but many predict that we may end up living with it and taking shots every year for various strains Adalja of John Hopkins University Centre for Health Security - “The goal of the vaccine program for COVID-19 is not necessarily to get to Covid Zero but to tame the virus, to defang it , to remove its ability for serious hospitalization and death”. So, the real purpose is to give your body enough protection to avoid hospitalization and death. (Of course, you can still get infected despite the vaccine) We still don’t know enough about the disease and the vaccines, but many predict that we may end up living with it and taking shots every year for various strains. WHO said that the second year of pandemic could be even tougher as Coronavirus surges (Global News, January 2021). Concerns about clots persist. But we just need to move ahead and get on with vaccination. And this could not be the end to all problems from pandemics. Bill Gates has warned that the next pandemic could be 10 times worse. Vaccine Plus Even if you take the vaccine, it is important to observe the right behaviour – masks, social distancing and washing hands frequently. This is very difficult in our country what with high density population and mask fatigue and so many festivals and weddings where all this goes for a toss. But there are masks and there are masks. The most basic masks are use and throw. But lot of technology has crept in here. N95 masks with proper fit are the ones recommended based on the study done by University of Cambridge. But breathability is also important. Many technologies have appeared on the material used for masks. IIT Kanpur start up, Espin has created Swasa N95 mask. This is reusable for hundred hours. Livinguard, a company in Switzerland founded by an Indian, Sanjeev Swamy has a range of very advanced technology masks. These are washable 30 times and the material used is claimed to destroy up

to 99.9 % of SARSCoV-2. Another Indian company AARMR has designed some really cool masks to protect and still look good. Surfaces and technology A variety of studies are still looking at how long the virus stays alive on surfaces. It is still unclear if this increases the chance of transmission. But it is known that the virus can survive on surfaces from a few hours to a few days depending on the material. So many types of technologies are in use. The most popular are sprays. But these need to be used many times a day. Many service companies have emerged who promote solutions at offices, what with use of special materials, spraying and using tunnels at offices etc. All these provide temporary relief. And studies done by CDC have clarified that surface transmission is “not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.” Technology to the rescue for prevention So, the Coronavirus basically spreads from person to person. An infected person (even with no symptoms) may emit aerosols when they talk, breathe or eat. These infectious particles can float or drift around the air for up to three hours. Closed spaces is where the virus thrives. Many technologies have emerged to fight this Coronavirus for closed spaces. Air Ionizers: There are some companies in India and abroad who have created such products. These are effective for 2 to 4 hours and can take care of airborne transmission only. They may produce ozone which is harmful for human beings. This may be efficient in very small spaces and needs constant filter change and maintenance. Ultraviolet devices Many products are available with many dubious claims. These are mainly effective in one time disinfecting. Exposure from this can be very harmful to human eyes and skin. Sprays: Many products are available here. But these are again one time use and temporary and some can be toxic to humans and the environment. What is it really needed is to bring back businesses to normal and kickstart the economy during Covid 2.0. No

The writer is the founder of HCL Technologies. He is a much sought after voice in the domain of technology, startups and the new economy 20 | BUSINESS GOA INDUSTRY DOSSIER | MAY 2021

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amount of advisories will work except vaccine and technology. Our schools will be closed for second year running. Most IT companies and BPOs are running with WFH and in some cases sub optimal operations. Most large corporates and factories are again getting threatened by lockdowns, supply chain breaks etc. And hospitality has a huge problem as restaurants etc will close. So, some interesting technologies have emerged. A US company has created an AI system that uses existing surveillance to create a realtime indoor positioning system for targeted disinfection. But this depends on constant disinfection and is not a 24x7 solution. I have also heard of a water based technology being worked on by some researchers in India. The most promising and

proven technology comes from a startup, Shycocan Corp in India. When the Indian scientist Dr Rajah Vijay Kumar announced this last year, there were a few naysayers who felt this was not possible. Some questioned the physics. He says it adopts old physics principles. “When a superalloy (proprietary technology of the inventor) is excited, it emits a certain amount of photons. These photons bounce off various surfaces to eject electrons.” These electrons seek the negative charge of the virus, which in turn disables the spike protein of the virus. The cycle continues as these electrons combat the virus irrespective of the number of infected persons in the room. Interestingly, he says that “the Shycocan does not harm any living thing – from micro organism to fungi to even largest animals and human

beings.” I met Dr Rajah Vijay Kumar in Bangalore many years ago. He is a prolific inventor and he showed me some amazing technologies like the Cytotron that is known to cure cancer and is CE approved. He has 30 odd patents to his credit. The product has been tested scientifically in labs in the US, Mexico and India. It also has CE Mark approval and the US FDA has allowed it to be sold in the USA under its ‘Enforcement’s Discretion Guidance’ during Covid 19 health emergency. Many other countries like Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Malaysia have allowed it to be sold there. The company claims to have started exports already. The product is now used by some marquee customers in the private sector and the government. I was shown some real experience of

customers (on videos) in a factory, at a dentist practice, a café and a finance company etc. I do believe that all governments and businesses should encourage such technology and enable ‘opening’ up of offices, schools, colleges, cinemas rather than another specter of lockdowns. We now need Unlockdowns and to be the first in the world to use Indian technology to do so. And just the way, the Government encouraged development of ventilators etc last year, we should encourage more innovation like this to come up and save the economy. This will be a welcome step towards real atmanirbharta and show our technological prowess to the world in addition to vaccines. What I call vaccine plus technology www.businessgoa.in

MAY 2021 | BUSINESS GOA INDUSTRY DOSSIER | 21

FOCUS GOA / RETAIL

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GCCI DEMANDS RELIEF FOR RETAIL BIZ

The trade and industry body has been vocal in demanding relief from the government for retailers who have been bearing the brunt of the pandemic since last year

By BUSINESS GOA NEWS DESK

oa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has sought a financial relief for retailers and malls, for the second time for small and big retail establishments in the State. According to the GCCI, the government must waive off the local taxes levied by the municipal councils and panchayats for the first five months of the year – April to August 2021 – or until normalcy is attained. The waiver in taxes must be immediate and on house tax, property tax, sanitation tax, trade / occupation licences etc which are levied on retailers and traders, said the industry body. The GCCI has also asked for special loan package from the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to assist retail businesses.

“With zero revenues, retailers are still expected to pay overheads such as salaries, electricity, taxes and rentals. If timely relief package is not provided by the Government, to ease the financial stress,then the retail sector will find it hard to survive this second wave, factoring that they have barely managed to survive the first wave” Manoj Caculo | President, Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry

The industry body said that establishments need to pay wages, rent, taxes, interest on borrowings, need cash flow for purchases, credits, have huge maintenance costs – with all these factors being almost constant, irrespective of the business. Further, Caculo added that the cash inflow of the retail sector has come to a grinding halt, while fixed operating costs reamain intact. “If a timely relief package is not provided by the government to ease the financial stress, then the retail sector will find it hard to survive the second wave, factoring that they have barely managed to survive the first wave.” A few weeks back, Caculo had asked for retailers and their employees to be treated as frontline COVID warriors on account of their constant interaction with customers

Manoj Caculo, President of GCCI, stated that such loans should be collateral free and secured against inventory or debtors. “The loans should be at a lower rate of interest and long term. If possible, the loans could be guaranteed by the State Government so that other banks could participate as well.” The memorandum submitted to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant points out that the retail sector works on thin margins and volumes,

which by nature makes their business model vulnerable. To remain afloat, it needs consistency of business hours, certain number of foot-fall, conversions and spending power and optimism from the consumers. According to GCCI, COVID-19 had a deeper impact on the retailers, as the curfew restrictions led to operations coming to a grinding halt, with the only exception being pharmacy stores.

“The Goan jewellery business has been hit hard by the pandemic. Cancelled or postponed events and weddings had brought the jewellery industry to a standstill with virtually no footfalls in jewellery stores, amidst the fear of virus spread. Many small jewellers had to even shut down their stores. The industry further lost out on Gudi Padwa and Akshaya Tritiya, which fell during the time of curfew and lockdown. When it looked like businesses were recovering in early months of 2021, have now been left scattered by the second wave. It is a commendable effort from GCCI to seek relief for retail businesses from the government is much-needed in today’s crisis.”

“Exigent costs, fierce online competition and reduced v o l u m e s have already depleted working capital in retail businesses in the last few years. The last 15 months of staggered business with lockdowns have eroded into the fixed savings which were kept aside for future plans. Yearly local governemnt levies, if rebated to the extent of closure of operations, will afford a small respite out of the many stacks of cost burdens on retail businesses. If the intent is to cure the retail business suffering from weakness in working capital as well as uplift his spirits, fiscal policy must provide the vitamin of interest loan, to kickstart movement to halted inventory. The GCCI’s appeal to the government for relief to retail is timely and worthy.”

“The impact of the second wave of Covid 19 with the anticipated third wave, has totally derailed the economy and a rigorous implementation from the Government to provide support is highly essential. An interest rebate for at least two years on term loans and credits availed, will be essential for businesses which have been affected due to a drop in cash flow. Municipalities should waive house tax and trade fees, electricity concession and an extension in payment credit is required. We need the Government to support us with revenue getting affected. It will take around 2 years for things to stabilize with the above reforms, with vaccination as the key.”

Since pandemic retailers have been struggling because of drop in demand and consumption. The main driver of retail business is consumption led demand. Small and medium retailers are managing their working capital through operation revenues. Retailers are not getting any State support like manufacturers or MSME, which makes it difficult for them to pay fixed costs and also plan for fresh merchandise. Therefore, GCCI’s demand to government to provide some relief to retailers and help them stand and get back to business. We request to waive off various state levies, taxes collected by various local authorities and offer deferment in the payment of GST and electricity charges.”

Vikram Verlekar

Pavan Agni

Rahul Naik

Hari Kaul

Ulhas Jewellers, Margao Buyspex, Porvorim 22 | BUSINESS GOA INDUSTRY DOSSIER | MAY 2021

Sitara Motors, Navelim

Chairman, GCCI Retail Committee

FOCUS GOA / INFRASTRUCTURE

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BATTLEGROUND MOLLEM

ENVIRONMENTALISTS STAND VINDICATED

The Supreme Court appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has issued recommendations against three linear projects that cut through the Mollem National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary to the Apex Court

By SYBIL RODRIGUES

n a major victory to environmentalists and Goans at large, the Supreme Court appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC), has issued recommendations against three linear projects that cut through the Mollem National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, to the Apex Court. Following an application filed by Goa Foundation, the CEC examined the proposals cleared by the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SCNBWL) for the three linear projects in Goa – doubling of railway tracks, four-laning of a national highway, and the Goa-Tanmar Transmission Project – that will cut through the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary (BMWS) and Mollem National Park (MNP) in South Goa. Goa Foundation had filed an application before the CEC on June 26, 2020, alleging violation of the Supreme Court’s order of October 5, 2015 on matters relating to the National Park I Wildlife Sanctuaries and contravention of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, by the Standing Committee of National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL), which had cleared the three linear infrastructure projects within the boundaries of Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park in Goa. The SC-NBWL had given wildlife clearance to the proposal for doubling of the railway track on December 17, 2019. On April 7, 2020, the SC-NBWL cleared the proposal for the power transmission project, and took up for consideration the project of four-laning of the national highway. Goa Foundation submitted that taken

various agencies.

together, the three projects involved diversion of about 170 hectares of forest land and sanctuary land, and the felling of an estimated 37,000 trees. Goa Foundation Director Claude Alvares, said, “Today we got the best possible news. The railway doubling project has been recommended for wholesale cancellation.” He pointed out that the CEC had recommended the cancellation of the entire segment of the SWR doubling from Tinai Ghat to Vasco, whose approval had been granted by the NBWL Standing Committee. Explaining the CEC’s recommendation, Alvares said the Tamnar 400 KV line alignment, which is going through a new portion of the Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary in the North has been cancelled. “The Tamnar authorities have been told to go back to the old 110 KV alignment, where there is already a right of way and where there will be no further damage to the forests. On that ground they have said that they agree with what has been suggested to them, that they should go to the 110-220 KV line and eventually their argument is

once the 400 KV line comes in, in any case the 100 line and 220 line are going to be of no use. So rather than having three lines in the wildlife sanctuary, they said you will shelve the present alignment, and go back to the 110 KV alignment, so that the corridor and the wildlife sanctuary is not damaged, in another virgin area,” Alvares added. CEC’s Examination of the Issue In December 2020 and April 2021, the CEC held virtual meetings with Goa Foundation, representatives/ counsel for Goa Tamnar Transmission Project, Ministry of Power, Ministry of MoEF&CC, South Western Railway, Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), the PWD, Electricity and Forest Departments of the Government of Goa, and the Government of Karnataka. From January 18 to January 22 this year, CEC Chairman P V Jayakrishnan, Member-Secretary Amarnatha Shetty, Member Mahendra Vyas, and amicus curiae ADN Rao made site visits. The CEC also went through all documents filed by the applicant and the

“The Tamnar authorities have been told to go back to the old 110 KV alignment, where there is already a right of way and where there will be no further damage to the forests”

24 | BUSINESS GOA INDUSTRY DOSSIER | MAY 2021

Dr Claude Alvares | Director, Goa Foundation

CEC findings on DoubleTracking Project In its report, the CEC said the doubling of the railway track from Castle Rock in Karnataka to Kulem “will destroy the fragile eco-system of the Western Ghats which is an internationally recognised biodiversity hotspot and also one of the most important wildlife corridor of the country.” It asked the Supreme Court to considers revoking the permission granted by the SC-NBWL for the doubletracking project. The CEC observed: “The estimate of projected increase in traffic from Karnataka to Goa furnished by the railways is not based on facts and is without any sound reasoning and as statistics show mostly includes empty rakes returning to Goa and that despite the change in policy on import of coal the same has not been reflected in the projected traffic from Goa to Karnataka.” On Power Transmission Project, Highway Expansion The CEC recommended that the alignment of the Goa-Tanmar Transmission Project for laying of lines for the additional 400 KV feed to Goa be redrawn and modified along the existing 220 KV line. This will “help in saving the precious forest cover and wildlife in the ecologically fragile and biodiversity rich Western Ghats”, the CEC stated. The CEC said, “Considering the future increase in traffic, something unavoidable, and keeping in view the interest of the Wildlife Sanctuary and the National Park, it is imperative to ensure improvement of the existing road by shifting it to an elevated structure at

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strategic locations leaving the surface terrain free for movement of all types of wildlife.” The CEC observed that the width of the under passes/ over passes provided for the movement of animals by the Goa PWD were inadequate, and recommended that the length of the span of the proposed four-lane elevated road be increased from 12 metres to up to 100 m. Political Battle over the Projects Environmentalists and citizen’s groups had opposed the projects tooth and nail. A protest had been staged against the double tracking project in November 2020 with thousands of Goans – youth in large numbers – gathering in Chandor in November 2020 under the ‘Save Mollem’ banner. On several occasions, the opposition had targeted the BJP in the Goa Assembly over the clearances granted to the linear projects. Groups like Amche Mollem Citizen Group, Goencho Ekvott and Goencho Avaaz are some of the groups that have been very vocal about the three projects. Now that the CEC has given their recommendations, which while being expert recommendations, are still subjective. So what are these groups doing to ensure that these recommendations don’t get overpowered by some other loopholes that the government could exploit in favour of the linear projects? A spokesperson from Amche Mollem Citizen Group weighs in with their opinion. “The CEC report is being studied by legal experts, scientists, researchers, citizen groups from all across the board, including stakeholders and conservationists on the Karnataka side who have benefitted from the CEC suggesting cancellation of the railway project. The focused and creative efforts of citizens will continue in the same

“CEC does not find any justification for undertaking a project of this nature which will destroy the fragile eco-system of the Western Ghats, which is an internationally recognised biodiversity hot spot and also one of the most important wildlife corridors of the country,” reads the CEC’s order vein in the future, if not only get stronger, after the CEC’s report.” Roshan Luke Mathias, Vice-President, Goencho Avaaz said, “The report prepared by the CEC is well compiled and has been prepared with great study covering minute details whether scientific, economic, technical, legal or any other. We respect the decision/recommendation of the CEC but at the same time, armed with concrete evidence obtained through RTI documents and advice of experts and renowned scientists and environmentalists in our team, we will definitely oppose the proposed expansion of the NH and we are confident that eventually we will be able to convince the MoEF & CC not to issue the EC for the project.” When asked the same question, Orville Dourado Rodrigues, Founder member of Goencho Ekvott says, “There is a huge amount of trust deficit as far as people’s basic aspirations to life in a clean environment is concerned, something that the villagers had got used to as a way of life. As Chairman of VACAD and Founder member of GOENCHO EKVOTT I have had multiple interactions with our Hon. Chief Minister and other concerned Ministers wherein we put across the views of the common man through factual data reports and audio-visual presentations with regards

to the three linear projects. Despite the favourable recommendation by the CEC to the Supreme Court which is on expected lines as far as the double tracking is concerned, we are treading a very cautious approach in tandem with our dedicated legal team to plug any loopholes that the Government may exploit to benefit their crony capitalists friends at the expense of our people.” Much as these groups have given it their all in their fight to protect Goa’s lungs and bio-diversity, the next big question still stands. Is ‘objection / cancellation’ the end game for these groups, or are they also focused on sustainable development and ready to work with the system to find alternatives that are more environmentally viable and at the same time achieve some of the benefits that these projects would bring in the long run? Amche Mollem Citizen Group says, “There is no question of with or without the system, it’s a set of common goals we espouse as citizens who care for Goa’s largest protected area. Our vision for a future does NOT involve destroying forests and are grounded in local cultural, scientific and legal values. The CEC explicitly said the railway project is not economically viable and the transmission line project will not provide any economic benefit as we are able to meet demand from the existing power infrastructure. This, if properly managed, will be able to provide for future demand as well.” Roshan adds, “Objecting Destruction itself spells sustainability. The same was endorsed in the report of the CEC. The entire set of documents procured by Goencho Avaaz through RTI with regards to the 3 linear projects showcase the dire requirement of crony capitalists for infrastructure to ensure the smooth flow of coal transportation throughout

our fragile state displacing the people, the environment, the heritage, the tourism in short ‘death of Goa.’ Objecting these ill-conceived plans wrapped in a fancy package called ‘development’ would only ensure that Goa is wiped off at a faster pace. Goencho Avaaz is committed to promote the use of alternative source of energy like harnessing of solar, wind, hydro, etc so as to keep in tune with the UN goal of sustainable development. We as Goencho Avaaz are set to do all that it takes to keep Goa safe and secure for the future generations to come!” Orville answers this pertinent question saying, “Goencho Ekvott understands that we have to keep pace with development, in fact we are pro-development, but it should be sustainable, something that will aid and give a boost to the local economy for generations to come. Goencho Ekvott is confident that collective efforts by its citizens across all strata of our society can yield positive results and reverse the trend of a once thriving economy. Part of our natural harbour at MPT could be converted to a container terminal which will benefit our world class pharmaceutical sector to export their finished goods from Goa itself, rather than other ports on the West coast. So yes, Goencho Ekvott is definitely pro-development but a big No to Double Tracking, and transportation of dirty coal through Goa.” What is next? While a Supreme Court hearing is awaited, the campaigners plan to continue their work with the same vigour. These groups and various other activists and environmentalists have received plenty of threats. Clearly they are not backing down anytime soon, these threats having only strengthened their resolve to see these projects getting cancelled all together

MAY 2021 | BUSINESS GOA INDUSTRY DOSSIER | 25

TECHNOLOGY

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L to R: Malcolm Dsouza, Joann Fernandes, Vaibhavi and Rohin Parkar

SPINTLY RAISES 4.6 CR TO BOOST ITS PHYSICAL SECURITY VERTICAL S

The startup has made giant strides in the physical security and smart business space and has won the confidence of Silicon Valley based venture capital firm, Riso Capital and other well-known Indian funds

aaS based physical security and smart buildings startup Spintly, has raised 4.6Cr in an extended seed round of funding. This round of investment was led by Silicon Valley based Riso Capital, along with SucSEED Indovation Fund from Hyderabad, Chicago based Nikhand Investments LLC, and Keiretsu Forum Angel Network. Spintly provides SaaS based physical security solutions which enable frictionless smartphonebased door access, eliminating the need for key cards and elaborate wiring for access control and is one of the few startups in the country operating in this space. Speaking on this development, Rohin Parkar, Co-Founder and CEO, Spintly, stated “We are extremely bullish about the future and are determined to transform the entire physical security and smart building

ecosystem. We will utilise these funds to boost sales, marketing and research activities in order to enhance our position as pioneers in the wireless cloud-based access control technology space. We offer the world’s first fully wireless mesh technology for access control which can also be used for smart building applications. We are humbled at raising a round of funding during the pandemic and since then have been witnessing a steady growth in demand for contactless door access solutions. This is certainly an indication of trust from our customers and investors.” Commenting on the investment, Sri Purisai, Founder and Partner, Riso Capital said “RiSo Capital is excited to be part of Spintly’s journey as they continue to scale and deploy a flexible SaaS model to access control and building automation

26 | BUSINESS GOA INDUSTRY DOSSIER | MAY 2021

markets. Spintly brings an enterprise grade Access Control as a Service (ACaaS) stack offering to a growing building automation market. The stack is versatile to run on various hardware topologies including Bluetooth mesh and other native IP protocols. We support the team’s vision and are confident in their ability to execute and deliver.” “Security and RegTech is one of the six focus areas of SucSEED Indovation Fund and we found Spintly’s tech solution quite fitting to the growing segment of Smart buildings and Smart living. Collaboration with supporting ecosystem could be key in their growth strategy, which we feel we can help them with,” said Vikrant Varshney, Managing Partner of SucSEED Indovation Fund. Brigade REAP, the first Proptech accelerator in the country and one of the top accelerators in the world

has played a vital role in the Spintly growth, having mentored the company. Nirupa Shankar, Director, Brigade REAP, commented, “At Brigade REAP, our focus has always been to choose and mentor startups that can make a difference to realworld issues. We strongly believe that Spintly has immense potential and given the huge opportunity that lies ahead of them, are sure to grow even more. We are proud to have been associated with them as mentors. Today Spintly is very well positioned to capitalise on this growth trend with their cloud-based SaaS platform.” Spintly was founded by two experienced entrepreneurs, Rohin Parkar and Malcolm Dsouza in 2017. Both founders worked in the US in the wireless technology space before returning to India in 2017. They started Spintly with a goal of building

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technology-based products in India. The world is moving towards a keyless future where one will no longer carry a key around to unlock doors. It will be done using one of our personal devices such as a smartphone or a smartwatch as a Key. The Spintly platform is built to accelerate the transition to this keyless future. Spintly believes that their Access Control as a Service (ACaaS) platform has a huge potential to enable use cases in smart buildings, as smart buildings move towards wireless infrastructure. Spintly represents a breed of Indian startups which focus on deep-tech and have a potential to disrupt global ecosystems. The Access Control market is currently a $70B market expected to reach $84B by 2023. Out of the $70B market $42B is the SaaS component of the

The team at Spintly

market which is a huge shift in this hardware centric world of physical security. As per a report from IPVM SaaS based physical security startups raised a total of $300M in 2020. Srikanth Rajan from Keiretsu Forum Chennai said, “Touchless authentication and access control is a big need of the post-Covid world. Spintly’s technology has applicability across all geographic markets, and

in several verticals with additional potential from a future data play. We are coinvesting in Spintly along with RiSo Capital because we believe that between RiSo’s footprint in the US and ours in India, we can help Spintly rapidly grow its success in global markets.” COVID-19 has had a profound impact on the industry including the Spintly business. After an initial slowdown during the

lockdown phase, the demand for Spintly products has increased steadily due to the need for contactless solutions which can be managed and operated remotely. Spintly has been quick to seized this opportunity and has expanded rapidly. The future looks really promising for Spintly as the focus of the world has shifted away from China and towards India to deliver strong products for the global markets

MAY 2021 | BUSINESS GOA INDUSTRY DOSSIER | 27

ENTERPRISE Smitha Vijay has transitioned from a journalist to an entrepreneur. Her venture, DOORSTEP GOA, is about bringing convenience to your home

Smitha Vijay

DEEP-CLEANING AT YOUR DOORSTEP S

By NICOLE SUARES

mitha Vijay’s name isn’t new to business circles. In the past, the former business journalist for The Economic Times was a regular byline reporting on the business scenario in Goa. After doing the rounds for more than a decade, Smitha decided to get on the other side and become an entrepreneur herself. This year, when Goa was thrown into a raging pandemic, she launched Doorstep Services, Goa’s trusted online bookable service directory to solve the pressing issues of home repair and maintenance. The aim, she says, is to provide an array of stay-athome services at the doorstep. The single platform books verified vendors to attend to yours and your home needs, safely in this pandemic. “Through our web platform we offer cleaning, sanitisation, pest control, plumbing, laundry, electrical repairs, mobile and Apple repairs, handyman and other home

improvement services. All this is book-able with ease and convenience of just one click. The platform is easy to navigate to book a service and reach trusted vendors who will call you and confirm the booking. Once you opt for the service, clients can choose a date and time convenient to them,” Smitha shares. What distinguishes it from other online services is Doorstep Goa takes the onus of background checks. “Our platform offers trusted vendors having established business in Goa. We crosscheck each vendor based on number of years in the market, compliances, and accreditation. Book them to come to your home or office to ease the stress of repairs. My team provides customer care too, to solve any queries,” says Smitha. Solving Lockdown Woes It was during the last lockdown in 2020, that Smitha observed an urgency

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to meet home repairs. “I would receive calls from friends frantically looking for trusted handymen. Also identifying reliable vendors was an issue for clients overseas with parents back in Goa. So we toyed with the idea of creating a reliable and trusted digital platform that would solve these pressing demands,” she explains. The platform has seen a surge for home services in the past six months with registrations close to 300 and 150 serviced clients. Talking about the growth so far, Smitha shares, “We began small. But, I’m glad that the idea has done well in the market. We have seen a modest growth but we are looking to scale operations soon. We are grateful to our friends, patrons, and vendors who are with us.” The services are already available for the major cities – Panjim, Margao, Vasco, and Mapusa, with smaller areas like Old Goa, as well.

The company began with limited services like santisation, cleaning, salon, laundry, and pest control and has now diversified to offer specialised services like personal training, swimming pool, alternative healing, nutritionist, and more. “We began with what was important and expanded to other areas. We look forward to onboarding more services in the future and reach customers across the State,” she talks about the future. Doorstep Gos also offers customers cash-back through reward points from the second booking onwards. The platform works on a no-commission basis for vendors. “We want to build a community of trusted, experienced vendors providing solutions at the core and not pure profit.” Doorstep Goa provides the backend customer care for any queries and to address grievances. From Journalist to Businesswoman The transition from journalist to businesswoman hasn’t been easy. Smitha confesses that it took some getting used to. “When you’re in the hot seat it’s different. I was used to grilling entrepreneurs about their work, but now I know what it feels like,” she laughs. Which does she prefer? While both have their pros and cons, nothing beats the satisfaction of seeing your business grow. “I do miss writing, but I think running a business is equally exciting. You serve people every day. And nothing makes me happier,” she adds. Future Plans Smitha says, “I see it as a trusted friend who will support you when the need arises. We wish to grow to all towns and service the smallest nooks of Goa. It is the need of the hour and we’re happy to help our customers find easy solutions to all their home and office improvements”

INTERVIEW

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JAYESH RAIKAR

“Our focus this year is entirely on rural youth”

Jayesh Raikar, Chairman Young Indians Goa Chapter; and Director, Goldy Group of Companies talks about Yi Goa and his plans for the organisation By BUSINESS GOA NEWSDESK

Tell us about Yi... Young Indians (Yi) is a movement for Indian Youth to converge, lead, co-create and influence India’s future. As an integral part of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), a nongovernment, not-for-profit, industry led and industry managed organization playing a proactive role in India’s development process. Formed in 2002, Yi has created a platform for young Indians to work towards realizing a dream of a developed nation. It has a growing, inclusive membership across all geographies and demographics with over 3300 direct members in 54 chapters, and 30000 Yuva student members in 134 colleges across India. The Yi membership includes young progressive Indians between the age group of 21 to 45 years and comprises of entrepreneurs, professionals and achievers from different walks of life. Yi’s projects and activities are primarily divided into three areas; ‘Youth Leadership’, ‘Nation Building’ and ‘Thought Leadership’, Yi hopes to emerge as the premier Indian youth organization having a voice on relevant platforms that work on solving India’s problems. Yi grooms its members for offices of significance and also enables Indian youth to converge, collaborate and cocreate using an expanding digitally enabled network. Under ‘Youth Leadership’, Yi works effectively for promoting leadership skills for its members through programs in entrepreneurship and innovation. Yi is one of the proud founders of the G20 Young Entrepreneurs Alliance (G20 YEA) & Commonwealth

conducted in Panaji. When I moved to Panaji in 2018, I started attending meetings and taking keen interest in all Yi activities. I was nominated the Co-Chair for the Rural Initiative Vertical in 2019. Having been involved actively in several rural initiatives, the committee appointed me as the Co-Chair for Yi Goa chapter for 2020 and Chair for the year 2021.

Jayesh Raikar

Yi’s projects and activities are primarily divided into three areas; ‘Youth Leadership’, ‘Nation Building’ and ‘Thought Leadership’, Yi hopes to emerge as the premier Indian youth organization having a voice on relevant platforms that work on solving India’s problems Alliance of Young Entrepreneurs – Asia Pacific (CAYE-Asia Pacific) and engages the youth through international missions to many countries around the world to understand and learn from the best practices and cultures. Under ‘Nation Building’, Yi engages its members under its projects as MASOOM, Gift an Organ and Road Safety. Yi also works under the broad categories of education, environment, healthcare, employability, arts (sports and culture), rural initiatives, accessibility and disaster management contributing positively to its surrounding eco system and the nation. Under ‘Thought Leadership’, Yi engages its members through a contributory movement of constructive action, collaborative reasoning and collective voice. Yi conducts learning sessions

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with industry experts to impart experiential learning through interactions and discussions. Yi Leadership Academy (LA) upholds the founding principles, values and instill the same in Yi membership through Yi Leaders Fellowship Program. Yi organizes its Annual Flagship Summit ‘TakePride’ to come together as one and celebrate Yi’s achievements, brainstorm over the future roadmap, share and showcase the effort of its membership from across its 54 chapters. With eighteen years of glorious past and decades ahead that promise nothing short, Yi intends to become a larger movement of young people with a conviction in “We Can, We Will”. Tell us about your journey at Yi... I joined Yi in 2015 but was not that active then because I was residing in Margao and all the meetings were

You took charge of the Goa council when it looked like the pandemic was on a down slide. However, the second wave has disturbed everyone’s plans. How has Yi Goa combated the situation? In January and February we could pull off few interesting activities and learning sessions adhering to all safety regulations before the second wave hit us in March. However, digital technology is a boon in phases like the pandemic. All our meetings and discussions are carried out on digital meeting platforms. Although we would prefer physical meetings but looking at the bleak situation right now, online platform is best in everyone’s interest. As per the plans, we are still working on them in the back end and focusing on policy advocacy and online learning sessions where physical intervention is not required. Young Indians have also supported the fight against Covid by supplying medical aids to medical institutions and also plans to participate in vaccination drives and offer help wherever needed. How is the interaction and exchange of ideas been with Yi’s national chapter? It has been great. We do have meetings with the National Body every other month and also they are a phone call away for any help. Additionally,

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each member today has an YI app where they have access to all the information of activities happening across all chapters. So there is massive exchange of ideas taking place and whatever is relevant chapter wise is taken up for implementation. The National Body conducts many learning and leadership webinars throughout the year for us to brainstorm innovative ideas. What areas of focus are you planning to work on during this term? Our focus this year is entirely on rural youth and all our activities our inclined towards benefitting them. A decade ago, we Indians were complaining that because of enormous population India is lagging behind the world. Fortunately, the same enormous population adversity has turned into a blessing in disguise for India. Presently, India boasts of having the largest youth population in the world and the distribution ratio of Urban to Rural is 1:1. Consequently, 27 crores youth stay in Rural India and the same number stay in Urban India. The question we should ask ourselves is whether the rural youth has access to the same opportunities, education, conducive environment, etc. that the urban youth has. The answer is a big NO. Hence, this year Yi is trying to do their bit to uplift and provide access to the rural youth of India. How has the ‘Talking Talukas’ initiative taken off? Young Indians is more than glad to collaborate with GDP foundation for the Talking Taluka initiative as its resonates with the Three Pillars philosophy of YI. We strongly believe that, The Talking talukas initiative being conducted in all 11 Talukas of Goa will be successful in discovering hidden talent which will be beneficial to the rural youth

and their own community at large. Young Indians is also glad to be associated with Xaxti Riders for their talent search initiative for their cyclist training program and have sponsored a road bike for the same. Discovering hidden talent from the rural landscape will bring about a ripple effect in terms of positivity and ‘can do’ attitude amongst the rural youth. As an entrepreneur and association leader, where do you look for inspiration and ideas to make a difference? My father, Mohan Raikar is my inspiration. When times are tough and I complain about things not falling in place, I think about my father, his journey and hardships, and how he persevered and achieve success despite limited resources at his disposal. This gives me immense strength and belief to face any adversity coming my way. The amount of faith that he shows in me makes me push myself harder to experiment different things professionally. Having witnessed his transformation from a successful businessman to a social entrepreneur motivates me to get involved in community service. He being a philanthropist and always eager to help someone in need inspires me to do my bit for the society. What is your mantra to fight the pandemic? What do you expect the government to do? The Government lockdown continues. The decision to allow industry to operate with strict protocols is something that I am in favour of. Without the industry functioning, the economy will be in doldrums. Also, in the industrial sector, there is more restricted movement and safety protocols can be implemented effectively. Again, some industries which can voluntarily lockdown must give it a thought. In my businesses,

we have temporarily shut our manufacturing units catering to the non-essential goods and we are operating units that manufacture essential goods. All this, by strictly adhering to all safety protocols. The Government decision this time to keep the industry open is a big relief for all industrialists because after a dreadful last year things were just getting back to normal in the first quarter of the calendar year, a second lockdown would have killed the spirit of budding, struggling but promising entrepreneurs. On the policy level, I believe there are discussions in the Government regarding increasing the electricity tariffs. This is a retrograde step and bad timing to levy any additional costs on industry. The Government, learning from such pandemics, should try to upgrade the facilities and equipments at primary health care centres, so that the patient load could be distributed rather than it being concentrated only on two major government hospitals. Visitors requiring a RTPCR test to enter Goa is an on and off debate. When in the neighboring States it is mandatory. So why not in Goa? How do you balance the work of Yi and your business? Share your ideas on multi-tasking? The reason I could take up the Yi Chairmanship and devote time is because I have a strong and efficient team at my workplace. I do not have to run around for my daily operations. Hiring the right person is vital for any organization, then comes empowerment and delegation. Planning your day with the help of a to-do list and prioritizing the list as per importance helps me utilize my work hours efficiently. Also, allotting time slots or different days altogether for some special tasks or assignments makes me focus more effectively.

How do you see Goa as a destination for business in a covidised world? When the entire nation was at standstill last year, Goa was open for tourism. In fact a new jargon ‘Staycation’ was coined, and Goa was number one on the preferred list. People booked long term accommodation and were happily enjoying their work from home period vacationing in Goa. I don’t see any reason why this would not continue on a long term, may be not for everyone but am sure it would work for many. Physical workspace boundaries will be diminished for companies who can manage getting their work done remotely and save a ton on physical infrastructure costs. Goa already tops the preferred list; this just might be another segment Goa has to watch out for. I am an optimistic person; In Goa, I see lot of scope for small and medium scale industries to scale to big heights. Many MNCs operating from Goa still have to depend for their requirements on vendors outside the State. At times, existing Goan suppliers lose out to out of State competitors due to lack of product quality, the reason being may still use obsolete technology. Out of State suppliers are technologically advanced and use sophisticated machinery which enable them to produce better quality products and at a cost effective price. A huge opportunity lies ahead for the young Goan entrepreneur; however, the business model has to be sustainable and stand the test of time including the pandemic. Also, it is high time the Government realizes that it cannot depend only on the tourism industry. Yes, put in efforts to thrive tourism but do not turn a blind eye towards other industry sectors. We are also your taxpayers and deserve to be heard and pleased

MAY 2021 | BUSINESS GOA INDUSTRY DOSSIER | 31

NEW BRAND

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BOTTLING SUNSHINE Stilldistilling Spirits launches Maka Zai, White and Gold craft Rum proudly blended on Indian soil and nourished by the sweet waters of Goa

By SYBIL RODRIGUES

tilldistilling Spirits is a small, homegrown and independent distillery that is confident in their ability to serve up ‘micro-marvels’small batch artisanal wonders that elevates one’s drinking experience. They want to take the finely-crafted taste of Maka Zai across the country to be shared by people nearest and dearest. Their ambition and dedication are represented by a tiny yet marvelous creature – the Olive Ridley turtle. Born on Goan soil, it begins its perilous journey and travels up to 9000km but makes its way back home. Kasturi Banerjee is the founder and CEO of Stilldistilling Spirits. A banker who became a mixologist, she is now a blender of craft spirits in her own entrepreneurial venture. Prior to this, she has been the Director of Compliance at an MNC bank with 16 years of experience in the financial services industry. Anurag Bhatnagar is the Business Head at Stilldistilling Spirits. He is a sales and distribution management professional with over 20 years of work experience under his belt, across industries and geographies. From Landmark

Kasturi Banerjee

Group (in the Middle East) and Adidas & USHA in India to Dixons Group and IKEA in the UK, he has spent significant amounts of time in consumer durables, sports, IT and aviation sectors. All of which has contributed to him becoming a result-oriented individual with a healthy track record of successful results for challenging projects. Maka Zai translates to ‘I want’ in Konkani and

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represents what Stilldistilling Spirits wants for one to enjoy delicious, quality rum that’s worth one’s time and money. This stems from their ‘Drink Well’ philosophy where quality matters more than quantity. It might sound idealistic, but they strive to bottle perfection with their small batch craft spirits, carefully blended with fine molasses and wood-matured cane spirit. And led by a banker turned bartender,

they understand the value of chasing one’s dreams and seeking truly rewarding experiences. The true colours of Maka Zai Maka Zai is available in two editions. The Bartender’s Edition which is a White Rum and the Tribute Edition which is a Gold Rum. The White Rum is a clear colour, boasting creamy and elegant aromas, Maka Zai White Rum is made with sugarcane grown in and around the Panchaganga River in Maharashtra. As the fermentation and distillation take place in the region where the cane is grown, the rum picks up the influences of the red soil, making it floral, sweet, spicy and herbaceous. This crystal clear, complex, vibrant and medium-bodied white rum is packed with funky tropical characteristics in its every sip, paying homage to the unsung passion and talent of those bartenders who have enough stories for many a lifetime. Having toiled behind the bar for years to serve people delightful drinks, Stilldistilling Spirits wanted to return the favour with an entire bottle. The Gold Rum, also called the Tribute Edition is Highquality and matured, blended on the Goan seashore. Hints of praline, dry dates, figs, caramel, cinnamon and honey create a symphony of notes. Together with a creamy mouth feel and a wellrounded vanilla accent. A perfect dessert and sipping rum, its silky, elegant but approachable charm gives a feeling of a sunny, late afternoon. One will want a bottle for all the people and moments worth celebrating. Stilldistilling Spirits hope people enjoy their rum as much as they have enjoyed making it. They wish to remind people that wonders are truly possible when one keeps on chasing whatever it is one is chasing www.businessgoa.in

ENVIRONMENT

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Fomento Resorts & Hotels court controversy over construction of retaining wall at Vainguinim Beach The construction of a retaining wall along North Goa’s Vainguinim beach by the promoters of an adjoining five-star resort has angered locals all over, which has called the wall illegal; even as the hospitality group, Fomento Resorts and Hotels Limited, has maintained that the wall is being built in its own property and with permissions from the State government

By BUSINESS GOA NEWSDESK

midst the surge in Covid-19 cases and ongoing curfew, a beach in Goa has managed to make waves, with the construction of a ‘retaining wall’. The construction of a retaining wall along North Goa’s Vainguinim beach by the promoters of an adjoining five-star resort has angered locals all over, which has called the wall illegal; even as the hospitality group, Fomento Resorts and Hotels Limited, has maintained that the wall is being built in its own property and with permissions from the State government’s Water Resources department. The issue erupted after a local resident uploaded photos of a JCB being used on the beach for the construction of the wall last month. While officials of the local village and the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) have inspected the construction site, local residents as well as green activists have questioned the inability of the Government in Goa to stop the construction of the wall, calling it a violation and encroachment of public property, even as the Authority has issued a show cause notice to the hotel management. When asked, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that the GCZMA was ‘examining the matter’. Reacting to the criticism, Fomento Resorts and Hotels Limited has issued a public statement claiming that the construction work was being carried out after consulting a government agency. “Fomento Resorts and Hotels Limited has undertaken only repair work on the retaining wall in thier own property to prevent further erosion of the beach and restore damage from heavy rains over the past two years,” the statement said. The coastal body had

The alleged construction of a ‘retaining wall’ / Pic: @savevainguinim (Twitter)

deputed two expert members Sujeetkumar Dongre and Savio Correia to carry out a site inspection at the beach. The committee’s report concluded that the party had violated the conditions, as cement concrete was used instead of eco-friendly material. Cement concrete structures are prohibited on the beach and within intertidal Coastal Regulation Zone (IB) – a highly ecological area, the report stated. Further, the report stated that the construction of the linear wall along the beach is new work and not repairs under no-objection certificate obtained by the party. The expert members had recommended issuance of stop work order to prevent further damage to the ecologically fragile inter tidal zone. They suggested

restoration of the beach to its original condition, stating that the excavated beach area also needs nourishment. GCZMA had issued a showcause notice recently to the party, stating that the entire zone is designated as a no-development zone, being within 100m and hence no construction is permissible. Social activists move court for Vainguinim wall demolition A group of social activists have moved the District & Sessions Court seeking demolition of the concrete barricade on Vainguinim beach, work which was completed, amidst opposition from the locals. Activists Kashnath Shetye, Inacio Domnick Pereira and others have filed a plea in the court seeking demolition of the structure; stating that it is an illegal activity committed on the High Tide Line and

a violation of an order by Supreme Court in January 2009; and also rights of the people visiting the public beach. The Vainguinim locals had stated that they will move the authorities seeking a demolition order claiming that it violates the conditions of the permissions granted by the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) for repair work as well as the CRZ notification. Numerous posts on social media continue berating the construction work and the use of concrete on the beach, which is not permitted in the CRZ no development zone. Heritage activist Prajal Sakhardande and environment focused NGO Goa Foundation have also termed it as destruction of the Vainguinim beach

MAY 2021 | BUSINESS GOA INDUSTRY DOSSIER | 33

BOOKSHELF

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WAMAN PRABHU PENS BOOK ON MANOHAR PARRIKAR

The book is available in three languages and shares a freewheeling account on the political and social impact of Goa’s former Chief Minister

anohar Parrikar’s impact on Goa’s political landscape has been indelible. After his demise a number of biographies dedicated to him came out, many of them written by journalists who had the experience of working during the political tenure of Parrikar and therefore, being first hand witnesses of his career and personal life. Waman Prabhu, who has completed more than five decades in the field of journalism in Goa, not only followed the life and times of Parrikar, but was also a close friend of the popular politician. Prabhu’s book, Manohar Parrikar: Off the Record is based on his close association with the former Defence Minister of India and former Chief Minister of Goa, Manohar Parrikar, for more than 26 years, having witnessed his political journey before getting elected as an MLA right up to his last days. Prabhu elaborates on the idea behind writing the book. “There were a few things which led me to writing this book. I had played a crucial role in the MGP- BJP alliance in 1994 and Parrikar used to tell me that I will mention it in my book. Unfortunately he could not do that. Secondly I always wanted to write a book on different topics which I had in mind but somehow I was never able to pen it down. Last year, lockdown happened and I utilised that time to jot down my memories of Parrikar and some instances which have never come out in public domain and also some unseen sides of Parrikar which I had the privilege to observe during my association with him.” Off the Record is a tri-

Marathi edition

Konkani edition

Waman Prabhu

lingual biography written in Marathi, Konkani and Hindi and when Prabhu began writing it, it was never his plan to print the book in three languages. “I wrote the book initially in Marathi and released it in January this year. The response was overwhelming and within the first month I had to go for a second edition. Many of my friends from Delhi and other parts of Northern India asked me whether the book is available in Hindi after seeing my posts on social media. Manohar Parrikar was a national leader and had many admirers throughout India. Also, he represented

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Lucknow as member of Rajya Sabha. There was no book on Manohar Parrikar in Hindi – that’s the reason I chose to publish a Hindi edition, which is now available globally.” As for writing in Konkani, Prabhu considered writing in a language that Goans speak every day. “Though the size of the market is not big but emotionally I felt the need to write about a great son of Goa and not to have it in Konkani would be unfair. Incidentally, this is a first book in Konkani on Parrikar.” Prabhu also has had enquiries for a book in English and is currently thinking of publishing it in a

Hindi edition

digital format, but plans on that are still firming up. It took Prabhu around four months to write his first Marathi book. “I consider it my first baby as getting the book rolled out was quite a task and included a lot of hassles. By the time the book was released, it was already nine months and hence it’s fair to call it a baby.”

The Hindi edition wasn’t much of a problem as it was translated by Kishore Arjun and the publisher was Notion Press, who were very professional. This book was released worldwide online on 17th March 2021, the second death anniversary of Parrikar. The Konkani edition was an easy exercise, as Prabhu himself was doing it and the book was available on the stands on 1st May 2021. Prabhu shared a close rapport with Parrikar and explains why the former chief minister’s legacy will continue to live on in Goa. “Parrikar was one of the sharpest political minds that I have come across in my entire journalistic career spanning over five decades. His performance in the Goa Legislative Assembly, both as Chief Minister and as Leader of Opposition was exemplary. There may be some flaws but his commitment to Goa was unquestionable.

Parrikar's legacy will live on in the different projects completed during his tenure. Parrikar loved getting things done and get it completed before deadlines. Be it Inox, New Patto bridges, numerous bridges across Goa and other numerous projects. The Atal Setu was one of his dream projects which he inaugurated before his death. He was also instrumental in getting the new Zuari Bridge sanctioned.” As a senior journalist and pioneer of local TV, Prabhu is a busy man. “With the COVID 19 refusing to go, I am writing my next book which is about my 51 year journey in journalism – right from 1969 when I joined daily Gomantak to present times. How things were then and how they have changed now, coupled with some of my experiences in print and electronic media. I plan to release this book in July in English and Marathi”

MAY 2021 | BUSINESS GOA INDUSTRY DOSSIER | 35

BIZ BYTES

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Goa Shipyard Ltd hosts ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ Commemorating ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’, GSL organised series of webinars and virtual exhibitions from 30.04.2021 to 06.05.2021. The week long program saw active participation from vendors, sub-contractors, apprentices, ITI instructors, GSL employees as well as officials from NSDC/NSQF and GeM. Cmde B B Nagpal, CMD, GSL virtually flagged off the program focussing on India’s 75 year long journey as a nation and to recommit to achieve the goals set by our leadership. This series of webinars/digital exhibitions focused on skill development initiatives, apprentice training and quality improvement in supply Chain. Senior surveyors from classification societies like Indian Registrar of Shipping (IRS) & American

Bureau of Shipping (ABS) highlighted various aspects of quality requirements in defence shipbuilding to the vendors. Further, during the week, a virtual exhibition of equipment developed inhouse by GSL apprentices was organised, which was widely appreciated. A specialized program for on-boarding of Vendors on GeM portal was also organised, during which around 75 vendors were taken through live on-boarding exercise by GeM Facilitator for Goa-Karnataka region. The Government of India has launched Bharat ka Amrit Mahotsav, the countdown to India’s 75th year of Independence with programs to commemorate India’s achievement in last 75 years and the way ahead to become ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’

GCCI interaction with officials of Indonesian Trade Promotion Centre - Chennai

Molbio Diagnostics’ TruneNat TB bags BioSpectrum award Molbio Diagnostics has won the BioSpectrum product of the year award for its TrueNat TB molecular test that can diagnose tuberculosis in an hour. The molecular diagnostics company was also one of the first to develop and test for COVID-19 through its TrueNat COVID-19 test that is currently being widely used across the country. Verna-based Molbio was awarded the BioSpectrum Product of the Year Award 2020 for its TrueNat TB, a molecular test that can diagnose TB in one hour as well as test for resistance to the drug Rifampicin. Chief Executive Officer of Molbio Diagnostics, Goa, Sriram Natarajan received the award at a virtual ceremony that was held recently. In his acceptance speech, Natarajan said, “TrueNat started as a dream 15 years ago to see how high quality molecular diagnostics can be reached across the country right up to the f irst

President of GCCI, Manoj Caculo welcomes the Indonesian Trade Promotion Centre delegates

A delegation of officials from the Indonesian Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC), Chennai visited Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry to meet with the Chamber’s office bearers and members of trade from Goa. The ITPC Chennai delegation consisted of Kumara Jati, Director; Aji Cahyadi, Deputy Director; and Jestin Mathew, Sr Marketing & Trade Development Specialist. The ITPC delegation was welcomed by GCCI President Manoj M Caculo.

The other representatives who participated in the deliberations included Ralph De Sousa, Senior Vice President; Chandrakant Gawas, Hon Treasurer; Joseph D’souza, Ashutosh Kharangate, and Dr Jennifer Lewis e Kamat, all members of the Managing Committee of GCCI. Chamber officials R S Kamat, Director General; Kishore Shah, Director General Designate; and Sanjay Amonkar, Director Designate, were also present. The ITPC Chennai delegation said that the

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point of contact at the primary level. Today, TrueNat globally is the only point of care real-time PCP platform that is completely laboratory independent, portable battery operated with room temperature stability, ready to use reagents. TrueNat for TB has been validated and endorsed by ICMR and WHO as a frontline test for TB as a replacement for smear microscopy.” Speaking further, about the COVID 19 testing, Natarajan added, “TrueNat for COVID 19 was amongst the first real time PCR tests to be approved by ICMR and since then has been at the forefront of COVID testing in India. Today, there are 3,000 TrueNat users in India and there are 35 countries in which TrueNat is being used for TB. In the coming years, TrueNat is expected to play a very significant, dominant role in the global molecular diagnostic segment.” The TrueNat TB molecular diagnostic test uses only about 0.5ml sample of sputum taken from each patient. The entire setup being battery operated and portable can be easily used in the most basic parts of the healthcare system

Chief Executive Officer of Molbio Diagnostics, Goa, Sriram Natarajan with the award

purpose of this exploratory visit was to understand how they can develop a close business and trade relationship between Indonesian business stakeholders and Indian business stakeholders in the Goa Region. They explained how Goa can be a good market for several products grown or manufactured in Indonesia and how Goa can channelize certain Indian

exports to Indonesia. The delegation also discussed how there can be synergy between the Bali area which is famous as the spa capital of the world and Goa which is a tourist paradise. The delegation agreed to remain in regular touch with Goa Chamber and exchange trade-related information for the benefit of business communities in Indonesia and Goa

Crawfort Market hopes to disrupt the wholesale space Crawfort Market is a project promoted by Red Square Ventures LLP, through its founders Rajesh Anand and Rajiv Chandan. Crawfort Market is pegged to be a first of its kind wholesale market and spaces for commercial activities, situated in Porvorim. This location is the perfect place designed for a wholesale market where vendors have an option for wholesaling as well as retailing. The unit size ranges from 200 to 2000 sq. ft. Crawfort Market can house supermarkets, departmental, medical and garment stores The food courts, entertainment centre, play area for kids, salon, health and beauty sections are located on the second floor. If you are looking to do business where shopkeepers from all parts of North and South Goa and nearby districts of Maharashtra and

Rajesh Anand

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GCCI supports Govt in its fight against Covid

Rajiv Chandan

Karnataka, would be coming in to purchase goods for their stores, this is a perfect platform for them. The concept of Crawfort Market was born after a thorough survey with the shop owners and retailers in and around Goa, considering their travelling and hardships related to purchases from outside Goa. Crawfort Market also houses a 24x7 medical store and a 24x7 coffee shop, supporting the surrounding population. Importers related to supply of kitchen equipment for the hospitality industry, is the star attraction along with wholesale material required for wedding décor.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant being handed over oxygen concentrators by Associate Vice President, Persistent Systems Ltd. Girish Bharne and President of GCCI, Manoj Caculo

As part of Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s support to the Goa Government , in its fight against Covid, Persistent Systems Ltd., a member of GCCI, through Persistent Foundation, donated 20 Oxygen Concentrators to the Chief Minister.

8 oxygen concentrators were donated by GCCI to the ‘Breath of Life’ project of the Rotary Club of Panaji Mid Town. Director General of GCCI, Kishore Shah handed them over to Rtn Sachin Bhandare of RCPMT. This was facilitated by President, GCCI, Manoj Caculo

The founders of Crawfort Market have initiated a ‘startup business program’ for young entrepreneurs of Goa in association with EDC and nationalised banks promoting 40 categories. An instant loan is provided through the above

funding entities. The lower ground floor consists of a 220 car-park. The top floor is a column-less structure, designed to support institutional and educational purpose, supporting the local youth

The Westin Goa opens at Anjuna

Westin Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary brands, announced the opening of The Westin Goa, marking the brand’s debut in the State. Committed to delivering on the brand’s foundational pillars of ‘Sleep Well, Move Well, and Eat Well,’ the new hotel features signature brand programs that enable guests to maintain and enhance their well-being while traveling. “We are excited to open The Westin Goa in one of

India’s premier beachgoers who leisure destinations enjoy a healthy expanding the dose of pampering, brand’s signature matched with well-being offering holistic wellbeing to more locals and offerings and travelers.” said access to a funNeeraj Govil, Senior filled nightlife. Vice President, The new hotel Operations boasts 171 spacious APEC, Marriott guestrooms and Sunil Kumar International. suites, as well as Located at D’mello Vaddo, deluxe patio rooms where Anjuna, within easy access of guests can relax over a dip in the main tourist attractions, the outdoor pool accessible The Westin Goa is perfect for directly from the rooms.

The Market, the property’s all-day dining restaurant, offers guests a variety of health-conscious culinary adventures with live stations serving nourishing local and global favourites and healthy small bites. Anjuna Coffee and Co. a deli and patisserie, welcomes every guest to the atrium lobby with a whiff of freshly brewed coffee, paired with wholesome delights like sandwiches, pastries and revitalising drinks, including the Westin Fresh by the Juicery program. The Westin Goa boasts over 14,000 sq. ft. of event spaces and features a Grand Ballroom with separate breakout spaces “We are excited to open The Westin Goa, offering a holistic wellbeing experience,” says Sunil Kumar, General Manager of the property www.businessgoa.in

MAY 2021 | BUSINESS GOA INDUSTRY DOSSIER | 37

BUSINESS LENS / RAJULA GUPTA

5 Reasons Not to Start-Up!

The writer lists out some home truths for youngsters waiting to jump on the start-up bandwagon

aunching a start-up is not for the faint hearted and the chances of you failing far exceed the chances of you achieving any kind of success. The reality is that 90% of all start-ups fail within the first three years of their existence. If you are reading this and thinking of starting up, let me give you 5 good reasons NOT to start-up. 1. Not Able to Deal with Failure: If you are like most people who hate to fail or someone who thinks that failure is not an option or someone who has never failed in their life so far, dealing with constant failure and rejection is a good reason not to start-up. A start-up founder deals with failure every single day in every aspect of their operation. Not only do you need to embrace failure and deal with its fallout, but you also need to constantly reinvent yourself and overcome failure and move forward. If this does not sound like you, it is best to stay out of the start-up world. 2. Dependent on Government Schemes: If you are someone who believe in all the announcements made by the government and their representatives about how much support is available from the government and why Goa is the ideal place to launch your start-up, think again! More than thinking, just do some research about how many start-ups have succeeded using the the government’s help. Please do not mistake that receiving grant money or funding from the government as a mark of success, rather the opposite is true. Most start-ups who have received this grant money have spent it all with

no accountability and have quietly shut shop when the money has run out. The chances of you succeeding with no outside funding are far better than if you received external funding too early in your start-up and that too from the government. 3. Support from a Start-up Incubation Center: Today’s incubation centers have become their own business as the grant funding they receive is not enough for them to sustain their own operations and hence they have started charging a variety of user fees to any new start-up who wants to incubate from their center. They give you the impression that by launching training programs, bringing in “experts” to mentor you and organising pitching competitions, they are trying to help you. The reality is that 90% of all incubation center employees have no start-up experience of their own and have never run their own business so how can you expect them to understand the needs and struggles of a start-up founder, let alone provide them with effective guidance to succeed. Just like government funds, incubation centers have a dismal track record when to comes to showcasing start-ups that have succeeded from their centers. If you honestly believe in your idea, you can launch it from your own home, garage or backyard, you don’t really need a room in an incubation center. 4. Dependent on External Funding: If you think you have a great idea and think it will be a success IF ONLY you had

The writer is a business coach and serial entrepreneur for the past 25 years. Email: rajula@outlook.com 38 | BUSINESS GOA INDUSTRY DOSSIER | MAY 2021

some money to start-up, then I suggest you put that idea in cold storage until you have some savings to launch your startup. Research has proven time and again that start-up founders who launched using their own money have acted with a lot more wisdom and restraint when it comes to spending that money and have focused on achieving an operational profit as soon as possible, which gives them the best chance of success. Your only source of funding apart from your own savings should be your friends and family and only borrow a small amount from them that they would not mind losing if you were to fail. Please do not waste your time in pitching competitions and funding events or even chasing angel investors. If you used the same time and energy in making your start-up a success, all these angels will come knocking on your door and you will have the last laugh by simply saying NO to them. 5. Not Being the Subject Expert: I have a simple question for you – are you the subject matter expert in the field of your start-up idea? If the answer is no, then I strongly suggest you drop the idea of launching this start-up. No matter how good a team you think you have or have your best friend as your co-founder who is the “Technical Expert”, such arrangements never work for long as only you may have that burning desire and passion to make your start-up a success at all costs and only you might be willing to sacrifice everything in order to achieve success and that desire may not be truly shared by your co-founders and team members. The Bansal team is a rare exception in a world where the single start-up founder has the best chance of success. The start-up world may seem extremely attractive with the media promoting its success stories but look beyond the headlines and you will notice something interesting – big announcements are being made about getting funding or being bought over and these announcements are not about achieving profits, which in my opinion, remains the only true measure of business success. Business exists to make a profit and if don’t think your start-up can make a profit in it’s very first year of existence, then I have just given you 5 very good reasons not to start-up!

BEYOND CLASSROOM / DR. PRADEEP SALGAONKAR

Serving the Last Mile The writer jots down solutions for last mile delivery for e-commerce businesses

wo interesting cases of issues involved in serving customers in the last mile were cited in my previous column, which showcased real life hardships faced by customers owing to failed last mile delivery. Last mile delivery is the last stage of the delivery process in e-commerce, which starts from the distribution centre or hub and ends at the customers’ doorsteps. The last mile delivery distance usually ranges from a few houses/buildings to about 15 to 20 Kms or sometimes more. The main objective of the last mile delivery is to ensure delivery of the package to the customer as soon as possible. However, inadvertently delays happen. All the problems and issues associated with this final stage of distribution are called as Last Mile Delivery challenges. It would thus be useful to understand these issues and challenges and ways in which they can be solved to gain a competitive advantage in the digital marketplace. Some of the most common challenges faced in achieving last mile delivery and ways to cope up with them are: a. Delivery address: One of the biggest challenges that increases delivery cost and reduces delivery efficiency is having inappropriate, incomplete, confusing or wrong delivery address of customer. Many times the landmarks also cause a problem. There may be similar named landmarks at two different locations misguiding the delivery persons. Like once it happened with my food delivery, the landmark was ‘Naresh Wood Industry’ at Porvorim, the restaurant is located at Porvorim, and the delivery person reached ‘Naresh Wood Industry’ situated at Pilerne, causing a delay of more than an hour. An eye for minor details in the address and telephonic confirmation with the customer before the onset of delivery journey would be of great help in this case. In the first place, obtaining complete address with all possible details of the location and landmarks is essential, because the devil lies in details. b. Route plan and scheduling: Inappropriate route plan and haphazard delivery scheduling is another challenge that plagues last mile delivery. It not only increases delivery cost but also reduces the route efficiency. A delivery person comes in the morning to a particular locality to deliver a parcel and on that

The main objective of the last mile delivery is to ensure delivery of the package to the customer as soon as possible same evening he comes to the same locality to deliver another parcel to the next door neighbour of the first customer. Such things could be avoided by better route planning and having prior communication with customers about delivery time. It makes better sense to convince one or two customers and club the timings together for the same locality. c. Customer availability: Failed first delivery is a common cause of increased cost of delivery and last mile delivery inefficiency. Many times the delivery person reaches the destination after overcoming all possible hurdles on the way, only to find the door locked or there is no one to receive the parcel. This naturally would call for a second trip of the delivery person which is additional cost and an undue delay in delivery. And of course the customer cannot be blamed for this disaster. Though this could have been avoided by the delivery person, had he to communicate in advance with the customer about the exact delivery time. d. Customer preferences on delivery: Not all customers are good and cooperative. There are those difficult ones which may add to the hurdles in last mile delivery. There are customers who have certain preferences as regards the delivery of parcels to them. Delivery on working days of week at office only, delivery at home on Sundays and off days only as both husband and wife are working, or delivery during certain hours of the day only, or certain other conditions like no ringing of the doorbell, or leaving the parcel at door step with a phone call or message to the customer, etc. Such customers need to be handled with care and sound communication plan. e. Lack of information to customer: Transparency on the status, condition and visibility on the movement of the parcel are very essential for customers in present times. Every customer is excited about the purchase that s/he has made and wants to know the exact status of the package till it reaches in their hands. They want to be engaged with the whole

transaction from selection till they touch it. Thus, it is essential for the distributor to ensure that they do justice to this expectation of their customers, which most companies ignore. Most companies follow the out-dated technology of tracking the parcels by customers, which most of the times does not give correct status. It is essential for distribution companies to upgrade their technology so that customers can track continuously the movement of their package. GPS tracking system with use of IoT enables monitoring the entire journey of the parcel from hub to the doorstep of the customer. f. Lack of willingness to act: Late deliveries and increased delivery cost is many times the outcome of lack of willingness to act on part of the delivery team. Simple actions such as a phone call or message to the customer informing the status of the package are sometimes not done by delivery people. A request from a customer for a slight adjustment in location or time of delivery are not entertained by delivery team and that results in undue delays in delivery or return of the package without even reaching the customer. It is the Mindset of the delivery persons to be helpful to customers or not. Slight thoughtfulness and helping mindset on part of delivery team would make things better in the last mile delivery. g. Unforeseen exigencies: At times the proverbial Murphy’s Law will come into play and make things worse. This is beyond anyone’s control and invariably it happens 2/10 times. Things may go wrong for delivery team. There may be traffic congestion, accidents, vehicle breakdown, worsened weather conditions etc., or the good ones like the holiday season or festive season surge in sales, and the delivery team would be under undue pressure, many times missing the delivery deadlines. The only solution in these cases in having a robust communication plan with customers informing them about the real-time status and the problems that have cropped up. Keep them informed about the delays and the next possible realistic delivery time. h. Poor network connectivity: Internet connectivity in most parts of India is a big concern. Making UPI payments through

The writer is Founder Director, Saldots Academy; corporate trainer and facilitator; former chairman of Goa Management Association. Email: pradeepsalgaonkar@gmail.com 40 | BUSINESS GOA INDUSTRY DOSSIER | MAY 2021

CABBAGES AND QUEEN / NANDINI VAIDYANATHAN

The A to Z of customer seduction!

The writer is all praise for Amazon for its ‘customer delight’ attitude

think the first two decades of the 21st century will be known as the Amazon decades and everything before will be BA (Before Amazon) and after will be AA (After Amazon)! It has been ages since I went to a shop to buy and thanks to corona, even window shopping has been epitaphed. Although I do buy stuff on e-commerce sites, my go-to is Amazon and only if I don’t find it there (which is very rare) do I head to other shopping portals. I live in Jaipur and my partner and I decided to open an Indo-French eatery here about two months ago, just before lockdown was announced. Except for the property to house the eatery, every single item for the eatery has been bought on Amazon – furniture, interiors, lights, crockery, cutlery, even strings for baggage tags! It never ceases to amaze me that they are like Mahabharat. It is said that what is there in the world is there in Mahabharat and if something is not depicted in Mahabharat, it is because it does not exist in the world. I could say the same for Amazon, A to Z as their branding suggests! As we went about setting up the eatery, we realized that without Amazon we could not have done it during lockdown when markets were shut and all access was cut off. It is unthinkable that we not only set up the eatery in record time without a hitch but we even managed to kick off home delivery operations during lockdown, thus protecting our investment. There are three things about Amazon that in my books are a huge plus. One is their huge inventory. I understand inventory of regular fast-moving items. But they seem to have an inventory even of obscure products – the ones that Chris Anderson wrote about in his seminal book, The Long Tail. The second reason why I find Amazon

endearing is the brilliant way they have empowered their teams to solve customer problems. Unlike other call centers, the Amazon guys don’t parrot templatized scripts and annoy the hell out of you. They are trained to listen to you, understand your problem and redress it – all on one call. And then back it up with a mail. I don’t know how Amazon does it but the whole experience from ordertaking to fulfillment to after sales service is exemplary. This is not to say they are six sigma flawless. I have had my share of skirmishes with them from time to time. But I no longer get into a tizzy when a problem occurs because my brain is wired by my previous experience to say: hey chill, this is Amazon, the problem will be sorted. I don’t know too many companies that have managed to give its customers that kind of confidence not once or twice or a few times, but literally every single time! Like I said, it is not that they are perfect. For instance there was a phase when I had problems with 2 out of 10 deliveries. The problem was that the app would show a particular item as delivered and I would not have received it. I think the delivery teams were playing hookey. But when I’d call up customer service, nary did they argue, give me excuses, whitewash a lie. Nada. They’d cut to the chase saying, if you don’t receive the product in the next 24 hours, we will give you a refund! It brings me to the third reason why I love Amazon. The ginormous

convenience of returning a product. And I do believe this is where Amazon scores over everyone else. On another portal I once bought a book. I was delivered the wrong book. When I called up the call center, I was told to suck it up. Not literally but in intent pretty much. They said the seller has made a mistake, we can’t do anything about it! And I argued till the cows came home (and went back several times for grazing) that since I bought the book from the portal and not from the seller, the portal is responsible. And for some reason the girl at the other end refused to see the simple logic! Like I said, I love the convenience of returns. Schedule pick-up within 24 hours, ask for replacement or refund, both follow excellent processes that leave no scope for any iffiness or lapses. During lockdown I saw that the traders’ body complained that whilst they were asked to shut shop, Amazon was permitted to deliver even non-essentials. And I said to myself, there is a reason for it. We bought some baking equipment for our bakery from a vendor. We were told there were no warranties except for the motor, but there should not be any problem and if there is, we would get a replacement, no questions asked. As Murphy’s Law would have it, the very first day we operated the machine, there was a problem. When we approached the vendor to replace the machine he said he does not have any! And if I wanted a replacement I could buy the deluxe version, paying an arm and a leg! That’s when I realized why I love Amazon. They don’t waste time talking. They simply deliver. Years ago, I read a beautiful definition of quality. Quality is when your customer comes back and not your product. I think Amazon has built its business model around this simple home-truth. That’s why they have my heart

The Columnist is about to commence her fourth professional avatar with her bakery and restaurant business in Jaipur (www.concoctions.fr) with her French Michelin-star chef life partner. Email: nandini@carmaconnect.in

apps in cases of COD transactions may become a cause of concern if the connectivity is poor. There may be cases of un-received payments or double payments and may become a reason for conflict between the customer and delivery team. Or simply the payments may get delayed causing undue waste of time for the delivery person as well as

customer. Convincing the customer to make cash payments or giving an option of card payment on spot, which most delivery people don’t give, could work better in such instances. It can be said that though there are number of issues and challenges the last mile delivery has to overcome, delivery team intervention with

mindset for customer care, sound communication plan with customers aided with technological advancements and willingness to act in interest of the customers will make every last mile delivery a profitable delivery, with higher customer retention scores, higher number of orders and improved bottom line for the company MAY 2021 | BUSINESS GOA INDUSTRY DOSSIER | 41

CORPORATE CITIZEN / DANIEL ALBUQUERQUE

United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL)

The author juxtaposes two cases where the earlier ruling by the Supreme Court of India on commercial arbitration in 2002 became highly contentious across the business world. A decade later, the very same Court overruled itself by pronouncing an incredibly positive landmark judgement that won accolades

he Complementary Clauses An arbitration is international if: (a) the parties to an arbitration agreement have, at the time of the conclusion of that agreement, their places of business in different States; or (b) one of the following places is situated outside the State in which the parties have their places of business: (i) the place of arbitration if determined in, or pursuant to, the arbitration agreement; (ii) any place where a substantial part of the obligations of the commercial relationship is to be performed or the place with which the subject-matter of the dispute is most closely connected; or (c) the parties have expressly agreed that the subject matter of the arbitration agreement relates to more than one country,” reads the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration, Article 1, Scope of application, Section 3. Whereas the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) has adopted the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration in 1985; and whereas the General Assembly of the United Nations has recommended that all countries give due consideration to the said Model Law, in view of the desirability of uniformity of the law of arbitral procedures and the specific needs of international commercial arbitration practice. It is expedient to make law respecting arbitration and conciliation, taking into account the aforesaid [UNCITRAL]Model Law and Rules, as per the Preamble of Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. The above clauses, complement each other in a way that the parent clause from the UNCITRAL finds its fulfilment in the Indian Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. Context: In the 1960s the international trade and commerce grew briskly and along with that the crop of disputes multiplied too. In order to remedy the problem, the United Nations General Assembly resolved to promote reforms. It advocated for a model law on arbitration for quick and amicable dispute settlement. Accordingly, United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) came into existence in 1966. However,

after almost a decade of the setting up of the Commission, the UNCITRAL Model Law and the Arbitration Rules were established in 1985, the former directed at the Member States and the latter to the parties to a dispute, respectively. Along with the scores of other countries India not only became a signatory to UNCITRAL but also enacted the Arbitration and Conciliation Act in 1996. It expressly mentioned it in the preamble of the Act. However, Indian courts have been wary and guarded when addressing the question of jurisdiction and territoriality. The following inquiry addresses the Indian legal conundrum: on the one hand the acceptance of the Model Law would compromise Indian Court’s jurisdiction, but on the other, the rejection would result in the repudiation by the international commerce and trade community. Twin Cases that Made Commercial Arbitration History: “Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment.” This is the celebrated saying by Jim Horning (1942-2013), renowned US computer scientist whose PhD thesis was titled as A study of Grammatical Inference. Both in jurisprudence as well as in computer science the aim is to draw logical inferences as precisely as possible. In 2012, the Supreme Court of India, in a rarest of the rare cases, overturned its own ruling of 2002 concerning certain interpretation of the part of Indian Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. The Contentious Issue and its Settlement: A) Bhatia International versus Bulk Trading S. A. & Others on 13 March, 2002, (popularly known as Bhatia Case). The main issue: The Supreme Court held that the Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996 has interim as well as curative jurisdiction over the interim relief and remedy over foreign seated award. B) Bharat Aluminium Co. versus Kaiser Aluminium Technical, on 6 September, 2012 (popularly known as BALCO Case). The main issue: The Supreme Court held that the Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996 does not clash with the UNCITRAL

The columnist is a writer with Oxford University Press and a published author. Email: albuquerque.daniel@gmail.com 42 | BUSINESS GOA INDUSTRY DOSSIER | MAY 2021

Model Law concerning interim as well as curative jurisdiction over the interim relief and remedy over foreign seated award. The Bhatia Case resulted in chaos. How to find legal remedy internationally if the arbitration relief and award are uncertain? Further, its outcome will be of impossibility to settle any dispute in such jurisdictional bewilderment and perplexity. However, to their defence the courts demonstrated that if the parties to the arbitration agreement expressly decide the seat of arbitration then the Indian courts would not interfere. Problems continued to pester with express and presumed situations. With the advent of the BALCO Case the problem of the interpretation of the Act, 1996 was laid to rest. The Supreme Court of India reviewed its own stand that was settled in law and set a new precedent by accepting the UNCITRAL in its jurisprudence. Many expected the Court to make it retrospectively applicable post Bhatia Case. However, the Apex Court found it wiser to make it applicable prospectively, as is the norm. Analysis The analysis of the entire drama of arbitration failure followed by filing a suit in the courts and ending it in the apex court of the land may be surmised in the oft used wise saying, ‘penny wise and pound foolish’. Going in for arbitration to save time and money but actually ending up spending a fortune in courts of justice and ruining the business. In the long journey of running businesses, disputes are unavoidable. Among the available means of conciliation and mending corporate relationships are negotiation, mediation, arbitration or whatever other form of dialogue to iron out differences and disputes should be adopted. Companies must use their own management expertise to solve the problems of dispute settlement. The simple, yet most powerful problem solving management tool or formula is known as 5Ws+H whereby the following must be clearly and precisely laid out by the contracting parties: 1. WHO: Parties to the arbitration contract, arbitrators, agencies, courts. 2. WHAT: Clear statement of business, Continued on Page 46 >

INVEST RIGHT / MAHESH PAI

Importance and benefits of Health Insurance

The author impresses his views on the importance of buying medical and health insurance

n the last few months, the COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed lives across the globe. Most countries have implemented various forms of lockdowns and restrictions to curb the spread of the coronavirus. With national and global health agencies continually stressing on the need to keep the immune system strong during the COVID-19 outbreak, the world has slowly started prioritizing health. It has made everyone to sit up straight and realise that medical expenses are unpredictable and can cause a financial imbalance in any family. These situations are very tough to handle. With a high positivity rate and a slow vaccination process, people have started to understand the having a good health insurance plan and the importance of availing the best medical services. Besides, with the rising cost of medical expenses, access to good medical facility and hospitalisation costs can be financially draining. Therefore getting a health insurance cover for yourself and your family can provide the added protection you need in tough times like these. Apart from the obvious benefit of having the financial confidence to take care of your loved ones, a health insurance plan is extremely useful when it comes to beating the expensive medical treatment. It is rightly said that health is wealth. Changing lifestyle habits, your work life balance, your mental health, increase in pollution levels, and many other factors have a severe impact on an individual’s health. This may cause various health conditions and medical diseases. Medical costs associated with the treatment of such diseases are increasing rapidly. In order to safeguard your finances against high medical bills, it is necessary to invest in health insurance plans. Such plans cover all hospitalization expenses, as well as pre-hospitalization and posthospitalization charges. Here are nine crucial reasons why you need to consider getting a health insurance plan today:

1. To safeguard your family When looking for for an ideal health insurance plan, you have an option of choosing to secure your entire family under the same policy or buying separate policies for each member. You must ensure to get the best treatment may it be your ageing parents or young children

who are likely to be exposed to illnesses these days. Due to any uncertainty that may arise you must not stress about medical costs but look after their treatment; but that is only possible when you have a suitable health cover. Research thoroughly, talk to experts and make sure you get a plan that provides all-round coverage.

2. To protect your savings While an unforeseen illness can lead to mental stress, there is another side to dealing with health conditions that can leave you drained – the expenses. By buying a suitable health insurance policy, you can manage your medical expenditure without draining off your savings. The main purpose of medical insurance is to receive the best medical care without any strain on your finances. 3. To fight lifestyle diseases Lifestyle diseases are on the rise, especially among people under the age of 45. Illnesses like diabetes, obesity, respiratory problems, heart disease, cancer all of which were prevalent among the older generation are now seen in the younger people too. Some contributing factors that lead to these diseases include the work from home lifestyle, stress, unhealthy eating and drinking habits, gadget addiction, no exercise and undisciplined lives. Investing in a health plan that covers all the expenses leaves you with one less thing to worry about. 4. To counter inadequate insurance cover If you already have health insurance (provided by your employer) check exactly what it protects you against and how much coverage it offers. Such policies are not tailor-made according to the needs of every individual, Chances are it will provide basic coverage. If your current policy does not provide cover against possible threats - such as diseases or illnesses that run in the family - it could prove insufficient in times of need. And with medical treatments advancing considerably, having a higher sum assured can ensure your every medical need is taken care of financially. You don’t have to worry if you can’t afford a higher health coverage right away, you can start off slow and gradually increase.

The writer is an investment consultant and business coach. Email: mahesh@maheshpai.in

5. To deal with medical inflation As illnesses increase the medical technology improves and the cost for treatment rises as well. It is important to understand that medical expenses are not limited to only hospitals. The costs for doctor’s consultation, diagnosis tests, ambulance charges, operation theatre costs, medicines, room rent, etc. are also continually increasing too. All of these could put a considerable strain on your finances if you are not adequately prepared. By paying a relatively affordable health insurance premium each year, you can beat the burden of medical inflation while opting for quality treatment, without worrying about how much it will cost you. 6. Insure early to stay secured Many people don’t understand that Opting for a health insurance early in life has numerous benefits. Since you are young and healthy you can avail plans at lower rates and the advantage will continue even as you grow older. you will be offered more extensive coverage options. Most policies have a waiting period which excludes coverage of preexisting illnesses. This period will end while you are still young and healthy, thus giving you the advantage that will prove useful if you fall ill later in life. 7. Coverage against critical illnesses Insurance providers nowadays offer critical illness insurance, either as a individual plan or as a rider. Such an insurance policy provides coverage against life-threatening diseases such as kidney failure, bone marrow transplant, stroke, and loss of limbs, cancer etc. Upon diagnosis of any of the critical illness from the predetermined list of your policy, you are entitled to receive a lump sum amount. This amount can be used to meet your illness-related treatment costs, daily expenses, and any other financial obligations. 8. Cashless claim benefit Many insurance providers offer cashless claim facility and you could buy policies which offer this service. with this facility you do not have to make any payments from your own pocket. The hospitalization expenses are settled between your insurer and the hospital. Continued on Page 46 > MAY 2021 | BUSINESS GOA INDUSTRY DOSSIER | 43

MONEY MATTERS / V B PRABHU VERLEKAR

Avoid Businesses to Stagnate

The writer discusses various challenges to businesses that could uproot their existence. He also offers solutions to ensure that businesses do not run astray and lose their mojo

any family-run business enterprises, whether small or big, having made a promising start and achieved initial success, fail to grow and flourish and enter into a state of stagnation. This is despite them possessing tremendous potential and availability of ample opportunities. Many enterprises have failed by the time the second generation has taken over the reins of the business. There are a good number of examples in Goa itself where enterprises have hit roadblocks and are now riddled with disputes within the family and stakeholders as well as litigations, both internal and external, some of which are even reported in local newspapers. A brief study reveals that there are some common causes for such underperformance, stagnation and failure that fits into the profile of any business. If one can spot them at the right time, steps could be taken to get the business back on track. 1. Failure to delegate and no succession planning First generation entrepreneurs who have cultivated their business successfully as a result of their passion and hard work often don’t display confidence in the abilities of their children. They continue to micro-manage the business even after the business has grown to a stage where micro-managing hampers business growth. As a result, the focus shifts to minor and irrelevant issues and the outlook for business shrinks. The trust in the capacity of their own children or employees collapses. Gradually, the motivation to explore new horizons is lost. For business growth, children and employees should be trained in every aspect of the business through systematic planning. They should be empowered with authority to take decisions and at the same time they should be laden with complete responsibility to back their decisions, even if they fail or the decisions appear to be wrong in hindsight. Succession planning is essential for business continuity. The entrepreneurs should get the work done through delegation and supervision. The roles, duties and responsibilities of each family member in the business should be defined along with

a commensurate remuneration. For this to be effectively done, the entrepreneur should hold short meetings on a regular basis with specific pre-determined written agenda. Decisions and issues discussed in previous meetings should be followed-up persistently till they are resolved and closed. Also, the entrepreneur should spend time in exploring new opportunities and look out for potential threats in this volatile, uncertain, unpredictable, complex and ambiguous world. To keep pace with times, one should encourage expansion of existing business as well as new ventures to meet aspirations of growing family clan. To manage the inevitable, the entrepreneur should do succession planning with a carefully thought out “Will”, which is equitable and fair to the heirs. This would instill a sense of confidence, security and ownership in the second generation. Identifying and bestowing leadership roles to potential members would provide transitional continuity to the second generation after the baton has been passed on by the founder. 2. Tax evasion and unethical practices Whenever a business grows, the profits swell and significant amount of payments are required to pay income tax, GST and other taxes/compliances. There is a temptation and tendency to evade these taxes by taking recourse to unfair practices of inflating expenses, suppressing cash sales, inflating project costs by diverting funds, buying unproductive assets like luxury cars to claim higher depreciation, charging personal expenses to business and such other unethical acts. Such acts may provide a short-term saving or thrill to the entrepreneur and boost his social standing. But in reality, these practices result in a great damage to their business growth by affecting the financial health of the enterprise. The transactions make their balance sheets, which is primary document to avail credit facilities from financial institutions, appear weak. It presents an ugly picture of the business. Their entire balancing and control system of liquidity and inventory goes for a toss. The employees too, start losing respect

and their motivation to work for business growth diminishes. On the darker side, this also encourages staff to be dishonest and cheat the business without any remorse seeing dishonesty of the owners in such unethical practices. Customer service gets affected as a consequence of the effect on the employees. Black money generated leads to luxurious and wasteful lifestyle for the family members, especially the second generation, and makes them unfit to face any challenges of business in the mistaken belief that earning money is easy. 3. Lack of focus on cash flows A major cause of failure of business is not understanding the importance of positive cash flows. Cash is the life blood of business. If it dries, the business collapses like a pack of cards. The Covid-19 pandemic has made us realise the importance of having reserve cash flows. Cash flow is affected when short term funds are used for payment of longterm assets, which results in delay in payment of staff salaries, creditors, bank instalments and interest payments in time. Non-payment of government dues like income tax, GST and other levies can result in penalties and heavy interest and blocking of bank accounts. Non-payment of salaries on time demoralises the staff affecting their work. Heavy personal expenditure from business resources is another major drain on the cash flow. Some owners are focused only on the turnover and market share. They look up to e-commerce giants like Flipkart and Amazon and think that if they achieve very high turnover, the rest will fall in place automatically and funds will appear magically. This is sadly often a misguided notion. Owners should look for cash profit and not just reporting book profits. For this, they should plan their activities properly and concentrate on collections. Cash is needed to operate a business successfully otherwise disaster is waiting to happen. Remember that in today’s times even valuations are done based on projected cash flows and not book profits. 4. Poor investment in knowledge and competent staff Everything moves at a tremendous pace

The Columnist is a senior Chartered Accountant and has authored many books on accounting and taxation. Email: verlekar@bsnl.in 44 | BUSINESS GOA INDUSTRY DOSSIER | MAY 2021

EVENTS

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1st Prize: Tejas Mutagekar

Rotary Club of Panaji Riviera Photography Contest

3rd Prize: Swara Naik

2nd Prize: Alrick Pereira

congratulate the winners and all other participants for the efforts taken in showcasing their photographic skills,” said Denzil Xavier, who along with Jeetesh Tolani coordinated the contest as part

otary Club of Panaji Riviera recently floated a photography competition aimed at young talent. “We decided to have a photography contest on the theme ‘Disappearing professions in Goa’, with an intention of

creating awareness amongst today’s youngsters about certain professions which they themselves may not have been aware of. The response for the contest was overwhelming and it was a tough task to choose the winners. We

in the world today. Unless your organization keeps pace with these changes and adapts to change, your business is bound to fail. Owners splurge business resources lavishly on holidays and luxury cars. However, there is hardly any provision made in the budget to invest in improving knowledge of the owners and their employees at all levels on a regular basis to improve and upgrade their skills and knowledge to keep up with the latest changes that are taking place in taxation, technology, human resource management, fund management and amongst competitors. This results in stagnation of the business and stagnation of the entrepreneurial spirit.

One should not aim at cost cutting when it comes to gaining knowledge or employing good employees. To achieve constant updation, owners and their staff should regularly participate in seminars, workshops and study relevant educational courses. They should also have mentors and professionals to guide them from time to time if they wish to remain at the top. Engage highly competent and quality staff and pay them well so that they do not leave you. Employees should feel proud of their organization for ethical practices and reputation. This is a major motivation factor for them and can accelerate the growth of the business

of the Rotary Club of Panaji Riviera’s New Generation Committee. Club President Ryan Cosme Costa and Secretary Tanvi Doshy Sawant applauded the winners

www.businessgoa.in MAY 2021 | BUSINESS GOA INDUSTRY DOSSIER | 45

@businessgoamagazine < Continued from Page 42

leaving no doubt for any odd direct or indirect interpretation. 3. WHEN: Concerning conditions such as time, situations, environment of dispute, disorders, breakdowns, Acts of God etc. 4. WHERE: Concerning determination of disputes settlement place, country, territory, arbitration authority – local or foreign. 5. WHY: Express intention, detailed agreement. 6. HOW: Concerning detailed method and < Continued from Page 43

If your policy doesn’t have this facility then you will have to pay all the medical costs by yourself and then the amount will be reimbursed by the company which may take time and can be a tedious process. 9. Tax benefits Health care plans provide tax benefits. Premiums paid towards your health care policy are eligible for tax deductions under Section

procedures of settlement of disputes, manner in which concerned parties could find common ground through determination of language, measures to be taken to avoid litigation, agencies and consultants to contract. A foolproof arbitration agreement proves the validity of the saying, ‘A stich in time saves nine.’ In the first instance the above tool will exclude the litigation in courts. Secondly, the parties to the dispute would not only maintain their reputation but also save time and money.

Thirdly, the stakeholders at large would benefit not only the goods and services of the companies without additional costs that the companies intend to absorb which otherwise the customers would have to bear but also their taxes which would have to support the maintenance of the government’s legal machinery.

80D of the Income Tax Act, 1961. For a policy for yourself, your spouse, your children and parents below the age of 60, you can claim a deduction of up to INR 25,000 per year from your taxable income. If you’ve also purchased a policy for a parent who is over the age of 60, you can claim an additional deduction of INR 50,000. In today’s fast-paced lifestyle, health insurance is an important requirement. It is essential to safeguard

yourself and your loved ones against any unforeseen event that has the potential to leave you financially handicapped. The pandemic has been an eye-opener for most people, reiterating why a health insurance cover is indispensable at all times. While many people are already covered under some form of health insurance or another, it is important for them to go through the offerings of their policy to understand how beneficial

Conclusion The Bhatia–BALCO cases have made a very controversial history and the opinions supporting and opposing are

equally prevalent in the legal circles even to this day. The literature on both these cases has multiplied by leaps and bounds. Reputed judges and highly erudite lawyers have spent time and energy poring over the legal problems for several years. If it were to be turned into a movie it will involve huge number of people, the parties to the case, their lawyers, their various agencies both in India as well as other countries such as UK, France, the US etc., and the United Nations itself it will be if unfortunately, they have to seek treatment for coronavirus. Don’t underestimate the importance of health insurance in India. There are several health insurance policies in the market that offer comprehensive coverage for you and your loved ones at an affordable premium. So, research well take the help of experts and choose the best health insurance policy as per your requirements. Stay healthy, stay insured!

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GLOBAL GOA

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Goan Community Centre opens in Brampton, Canada

With the recently unveiled 7200 sq ft plush facility, the Goan Overseas Association has a place to call home

he Goan Overseas Association (G.O.A.), Toronto, Canada are now in possession of the first Goan Community Centre in Brampton, Canada, which G.O.A says is also the first in all of North America. Speaking on the sidelines of the launch of the Goan Community Centre, Selwyn Collaco, President of the Goan Overseas Association, said, “This is a significant achievement for us Goan Canadians, who have worked very hard over the past 50 years to achieve this dream. Special thanks and acknowledgment goes out to all the founder members, presidents and their committees, members, volunteers and sponsors over the years. It is the contribution and resilience of the community that has led to this achievement, We now have a physical footprint on Canadian soil.” An email announcing this to their members was sent by The Goan Overseas

Association and their charity arm, The Goan Charitable Organization (GCO). It stated that this significant milestone was a result of 50 years of their volunteer contribution and hard work and that all their efforts and hardships over the years has led to what they have achieved today. “We are pleased to announce the successful purchase of a 7200 sq ft. facility to be the first Goan Community Centre located at 20 Strathearn Ave, Brampton. We are now officially in possession of the facility as the new owners,” read the announcement. The Goan Community Centre comprises of two units, the GCO Centre and the G.O.A. Members Lounge: The GCO centre will be operated to meet the GCO’s charitable objectives and mandate to help with the organisation’s seniors Forever Young programming, new immigrants, advancement of education, language classes,

“This is a significant achievement for us Goan Canadians, who have worked very hard over the past 50 years to achieve this dream”

Selwyn Collaco | President, Goan Overseas Association

counselling services etc. The banquet and kitchen facilities will be available when not in use as a rental facility for small events and private family gatherings. The G.O.A. Members Lounge will be accessible to all members and guests for various social activities and events with a full-fledged licensed bar. The premises will also be available as a rental facility for other communities and events. “We will be providing more details in the coming weeks and months as we make plans and progress to open up based on covid safety protocols. The Goan Charitable Organization will also be launching a fundraising campaign towards the ‘Donor Wall’ to assist with some of the start up and operating funds needed to be successful,” said

Collaco. We are confident that today, we are in a much better position to build a much stronger and unified Goan Canadian community for generations to come, through a physical presence along with all other established communities. We now as proud 'Goan Canadians' and as a community, have a place to call home,” Collaco added. During the pandemic, The Goan Overseas Association has also been making significant contributions in Canada and were nominated as ‘Covid Heroes’ by the city of Mississauga, besides also being involved here at home in Goa helping with the covid relief as part of the Goa Outreach Initiative. An incredible accomplishment and contribution by a Goan community organization that recently competed 50 years

Proud address: 20 Strathearn Ave, Brampton / Right: The Plush Facility MAY 2021 | BUSINESS GOA INDUSTRY DOSSIER | 47

GOABUZZ

GURU GAUR GOPAL DAS SPEAKS TO EO GOA MEMBERS

Tanvi Doshy Sawant, Richa Agarwal, Samvedita Chawla and Aparna Khaunte felicitating Guru Gaur Gopal Das

“We don’t see things as they are. We see things as we are.” Guru Gaur Gopal Das is known for such profound statements and also for decoding the meaning of life and the situations that we face. The motivational guru and orator with a crackling sense of humour was in Goa at The DoubleTree by Hilton Panjim, recently to address the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (Goa chapter) on the topic ‘Turning passion into purpose.’ The full house resounded with his hilarious takes even on the most serious issues of life. Guru Gaur Gopal Das is considered a ‘rockstar speaker’ and has over four million followers on social media across all channels which connect him to the youth. After a stint in the corporate world, this life coach, monk and now an author was present for a meet and greet session that took place for over two hours at the hotel where the EO members enjoyed the opportunity to get motivated and also had a chance to get their book purchases personally signed by the Guru. Quick to deliver his wit at the very beginning of his talk, swamiji remarked “We all love ice cream, but don’t live life based on its ideology. You know what the ideology of an ice cream is? It is – enjoy your life before it melts. Instead, try to live it by the ideology of a candle, which is – burn brightly for yourself and others before it melts.” Guruji also insisted mainly on the urge and passion to love your work is what drives results. He spoke with a lot of vim and vigour leaving the audience in splits even as he slipped in motivation mantras. Guru Gaur Gopal Das is an electrical engineer, having studied at the College of Engineering, Pune. After a brief stint with Hewlett Packard, he decided to respond to his calling to be a life coach. Ever since, he has been speaking at various prestigious academic institutions and corporate firms in India and abroad for over two decades; and has even spoken at the British parliament. His motivational videos are viral having reached around 500 million views. He was also awarded ‘The Ideal Young Spiritual Guru Award’ by the Indian Student Parliament, MIT Pune for his remarkable contributions in offering spiritual guidance to the world at such a young age Members of EO Goa with Guru Gaur Gopal Das

48 | BUSINESS GOA INDUSTRY DOSSIER | MAY 2021

NEWSMAKERS

business-goa

Ralph de Sousa elected President of Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry 2021-23

Piyush Pandey is now Chairman, Global Creative at Ogilvy

Harish Rao appointed Art Outsourcing Manager for Sony Interactive Entertainment

Prof Angshuman Sarkar leads breakthrough discovery in treatment of breast cancer

Ralph de Sousa has been elected President of Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the term 2021-23. His nomination was unopposed. De Sousa, a hotelier and senior travel and tourism entrepreneur has been serving on various leadership positions at GCCI for nearly two decades. He has also headed CII Goa Council and Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) in the past. De Sousa will take over from Manoj Caculo, whose term as President of GCCI ends this June. De Sousa heads the De Souza Group of Companies, which started their own hotel, Aldeia Santa Rita in Candolim, in the year 1991. In 1992, the de Souza Group diversified into travel and tour operations, with ‘Trans Orient Holidays Pvt. Ltd.’ located at Panjim. In 1994, ‘Santiago Resorts’, a 75 room resort was launched. This resort located in Calangute, was the first resort in Goa to offer an “All Inclusive” holiday plan to its customers, a trend that has widely caught on ever since. In 1997, a 135 room 4 star resort ‘Sun Village’ was launched at Baga, Arpora, followed by a 55 rooms resort ‘The Horizon’, at Calangute.The De Sousa Group of Hotels owns several hotels along the North Goa coastal belt

Harish Rao has been appointed Art Outsourcing Manager for Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), the maker of PlayStation. Throughout his career, Harish has supervised development, production, and localization teams across multiple publishers, featuring multi-milliondollar budget video game properties. Before joining Sony Interactive Entertainment, he has collaborated with numerous companies, including Blizzard Entertainment, 20th Century Fox, The Walt Disney Company, and Electronic Arts. He has produced a distinguished array of groundbreaking games and interactive content for international release such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds, Simpsons, and Aliens vs Predator. Harish’s well-developed background in talent recruitment, milestone supervision, and tool and standard implementation has assisted in SIE’s reputation for greatness in gaming. Harish will play an integral role in helping to grow the new SIE Malaysia studio, the first of its kind in South East Asia

Adv Rajiv Shinkre pens book on the ‘golden era’ songs of Bollywood

Margao based lawyer Rajiv Mukund Shinkre has penned a book ‘Yaad Na Jaye Beete Geeton Ki’ on the famous songs from the golden era (1950s-70s) of Bollywood. “In this book, I have described the musical strengths and other nuances of 106 songs. I have also provided details such as the lyrics, year, name of the film, music director, songwriter, singer, director of the film, and actor who performed in the film,” he says

50 | BUSINESS GOA INDUSTRY DOSSIER | MAY 2021

WPP’s creative agency Ogilvy has elevated Piyush Pandey to the position of chairman, global creative. He will continue to serve as the chairman of Ogilvy India. Pandey is the winner of over 400 ad awards from all over the world. Under Pandey, Oglivy & Mather became the third largest advertising agency in India. In 1989, he moved to the creative department in O&M, became the Creative Director at Ogilvy, Mumbai in 1992 and rose to become the National Creative Director, O & M, India by 1994. The following year, he was nominated to the Board of Directors. Under his leadership, O&M has succeeded in retaining its well-acknowledged leadership position in Indian advertising for 8 years in succession. In 2004, he was appointed Executive Chairman for Ogilvy, India & South Asia. Pandey redefined Indian advertising by curing its colonial hangover and reaching out to the 1 billion strong Indian masses, by speaking to them in their own language. Within the country, he is acknowledged as an industry leader. He was voted ‘Asia’s Creative Person of the Year’ at the Media Asia Awards 2002. Piyush Pandey is the only Indian to have won a double Gold at Cannes and a triple Grand Prize at London International Awards

Prof. Angshuman Sarkar, Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences at BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus and his team have investigated a novel mode of action of an already established drug used for the treatment of malaria named ‘Quinacrine’ for the treatment of human breast cancer. Earlier this team had proved the repurposing of this drug in treating human lung cancer, too 143 1. Leslie Thng is the CEO of which Indian air transport carrier? 2. Which fashion and lifestyle e-commerce portal was founded in 2012 by Praveen Sinha, Lakshmi Potluri, Arun Chandra Mohan and Manu Kumar Jain? 3. In 1773, Britain gave monopoly to this company to trade tea in the American colonies ? 4. Which inventor’s portrait appeared on the first US five-cent stamp? 5. Which company sponsored the 1987 ICC Cricket World Cup held in India? 6. Where in Bihar did the Government of India establish the Indian Institute of Mines in 1926? 7. Which brand advertised itself as ‘Taste the Thunder? 8. What in Mayan language translates to ‘smoking’? 9. Identify the web series? Answers to BG Quiz 142: 1.Indian Overseas Bank 2.Naturals 3.Ullu 4.Wadia 5.ITC 6.Gold Spot 7. Biba 8.Onida 9.Miss Universe Email your answers to businessgoa.media@gmail.com First all correct entry will get 1 year’s subscription to Business Goa

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Business Goa May 2021

Articles inside

Global Goa

Mahesh Pai impresses his views on the importance of buying medical and health insurance

Guest Speak

Dr. Pradeep Salgaonkar jots down solutions for last mile delivery for e-commerce businesses

New Brand

Enterprise

Cover Story

Daniel Albuquerque juxtaposes two cases that the Supreme Court of India has decided in the realm of commercial arbitration

Interview

Technology