Business Goa March 2021 by Business Goa

March 2021

VOL 7 ISSUE 3 panaji goa

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goa’s only business magazine

industry dossier

future ready Swati Salgaocar

As a third-generation entrepreneur, Swati Salgaocar has made forays into new territories of tech-enabled startups, while holding strong to the diversified interests of her business group

damodar kochkar interview

saidutt redkar starting young

Versius

healthcare

women’s day focus goa

News Views Articles Interviews Profiles Focus Analysis Opinions Events Features

contents Cover Story 12

Swati Salgaocar represents a seven-decade-old diversified conglomerate that has sprung from the depth of Goa’s quest for self-reliance. As a third-generation entrepreneur, she has made forays into new territories of tech-enabled startups, while holding strong to the diversified interests of her business group. She also actively takes up causes espoused by business organisations like CII

Focus Goa 16

International Women’s Day: It’s important to celebrate and salute the heroic women who are changing the world around them and empowering other women to do the same

Starting Young 22

Saidutt Redkar, winner of the GSEA (EO), Goa finals, speaks of his company, Sygence and striking a balance between study and work

Goan Brand 24 48

Sangam Pai Dhungat, through Dhungat Hospitalities, speaks about his latest venture ‘Gharguti’ and his aspiration to publicize the lesser tapped section of the celebrated Goan Saraswat cuisine

Interview 26

Damodar Kochkar, President, Goa State Industries Association, on the challenges faced by industry post-Covid

Professional Dossier 30

Dr Daniel Mascarenhas has contributed to the betterment of cardiac patients purely out of his concern to do good for those in need

Health Care 32

Dr Kedar Padte elaborates on the surgical robot named Versius, which makes it easier for surgeons to perform challenging and difficult surgical procedures

Bon Appétit 46

Amazing breakfasts, great coffee, delicious food coupled with an old world charm is what Café Caravela at Candolim is all about

COLUMNS

38 Beyond Classroom

42 Money Matters

40 Corporate Citizen

43 Invest Right

41 Legal Eagle

44 Cabbages and Queen

Dr. Pradeep Salgaonkar explains the importance of a traffic flow analysis in a retail store to boost business Daniel Albuquerque writes about FICCI’s Arbitration and Conciliation Tribunal (FACT)

Dr. Vinod Shirodkar speaks about intellectual property rights and explains the concept of a Trademark

V B Prabhu Verlekar explains the Start Up India portal which has taken the initiative to provide learning for budding entrepreneurs

Mahesh Pai explains the importance of planning for an early retirement and how one can achieve the same Nandini Vaidyanathan highlights the importance of following email protocols to project the right professional image

06 Editorial 08 Corpo Scan 28 Campus 29 BookShelf 31 AutoBiz 34 Event 35 Art 36 Biz Bytes 48 Goa Buzz 50 Newsmakers 50 BG Quiz 04 | Business Goa industry Dossier | march 2021

editorial Help Businesses To Bounce Back march 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 Admin & Accounts Ashok Kolvekar Graphic Designer Govit Morajkar Distribution & Logistics Mayur Santinezkar Contributors in this Issue Ameya Nayak Daniel Albuquerque Dr Kedar Padte Dr Pradeep Salgaonkar Dr Vinod Shirodkar Mahesh Pai Nandini Vaidyanathan 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.

Many entrepreneurs who I interact with these days seem to have gotten over the initial heartburn of seeing their business numbers deplete to unheard levels. These are the lucky ones, who have managed to weather the storm and onslaught of Coronavirus and have been able to keep their shingle hanging – albeit, in a much-mangled state than what life was 12 months ago. The not so lucky ones have had their businesses wiped out or are in a precarious situation now and after having scraped the bottom of the barrel, they have no energy, resources, or finance to keep things going. For many others, staying in business is a matter of survival and of putting bread on the table. The glorious uncertainties of the game makes one hopeful of a deal, project, customer waiting to bring in business and alleviate them from penury and bruised pride. Pride is one of the prime factors for many to turn to entrepreneurship in the first place. To be captain of one’s own fate is what the idea of enterprise is all about. Of course, no business plan in the world could have factored in the risks of a global pandemic. So unprecedented has been its impact and onslaught. My observations about businesspersons who have managed to hold on to their wicket tell me that most of them have learnt to adapt and accept the situation without fighting reality. They have cut down on resources, have given up their offices, are encouraging people to work from home, are abstaining from comforts of a pre-covid world – and doggedly pursuing their businesses as if their lives depend on it. And guess what, that seems to be working for many entrepreneurs to stay afloat. A rather ironical reality of staying in business in this part of the world is the sense that you build the enterprise by being ‘atmanirbhar’ (self-sufficient). You know that

Harshvardhan Bhatkuly there is no one to back you up – no family, no government, no support networks. The big boys’ clubs augur well in a situation that one could date pre-March 2020. Now, it is survival of the adapter of reality. It is one thing to proclaim that you believe in yourself. That makes sense if all things are equal. It is totally another thing when you must face the volatility of a pandemic. It is exactly in these uncertain conditions that one needs to turn to a support group to help tide over the crises. The State Government should have instituted a separate department to help businesses beat the impact of the pandemic. This cell can still be put in place even today, although it has been one year since Covid struck us. The idea of this cell is not rocket science, but it would require special skills and expertise to turn around and combat a unique business situation. If the government has honourable intentions, there would be professionals and institutions that could chip in with their time and expertise. The pandemic has repatriated many successful business professionals back to Goa. Besides, there are educational institutes with expertise in business management and other groups like Goa Management Association, who have business specialists in their fold – they could help turn around or stabilise enterprises for small entrepreneurs who have lost their livelihoods and could also provide a lease of life to many other people who have lost their jobs with closure of businesses. Although the situation is rather grim, Goa being a small State, the economic challenges of manufacturing and other businesses can still be turned around. This will help restore confidence of entrepreneurs and secure jobs that have been lost. All it requires is a will to reach out to the right resources

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

06 | Business Goa industry Dossier | march 2021

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Corpo Scan

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Goa’s air cargo takes a nose-dive

According to the Goa Air Cargo Association (GACA), air cargo in the State from Dabolim Airport is set to fall drastically in the current year due to the impact of the pandemic on flights. In 2019-20, the State’s

international airport handled 1,800 tonne of cargo comprising mainly of exports of perishable commodities. A source from GACA stated that exports of perishables by air from Goa are mainly of fruits

and vegetables, transported by exporters from the neighbouring regions of Maharashtra. Due the pandemic and the ensuing lockdown, a host of problems related to movement of goods arose, because of which hardly any consignments could arrive in the State. Further, he said that non-availability of foreign flights also led to shrinking of the air cargo. In Goa, pharmaceutical companies have huge export orders on hand and if their exports are routed through the State, the airport would not have to look outside for cargo traffic, said the source at GACA

Chief Minister bullish about Goa’s medical tourism potential Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant has urged healthcare providers to invest in Goa’s medical tourism industry. He stated that the 500-bed super specialty block at Goa Medical College and Hospital, which is being built under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), will be inaugurated soon. Speaking at a book release function Dr Sawant said, “Goa’s pristine beauty attracts tourists from all over the

Dr Pramod Sawant

world. We want to promote Goa as a major destination for medical tourism.” Dr Sawant further stated that the Goa government also provides one of the best health insurance schemes in the country, the Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana (DDSSY) to Goans. “This scheme provides insurance coverage of up to `4 lakh per family and covers more than 440 procedures,” the Chief Minister added

State moves Centre for CRZ amendment to restart sand mining

Goa government has urged the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to amend the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2011, to allow sand mining from flowing rivers since river beds in the State do not dry up during the non-monsoon period. “In Goa, river beds do not get dried up during the non-monsoon period. Department of Environment has written to MoEF&CC requesting them to amend the CRZ Notification 2011 and to allow the State to extract sand from flowing rivers through traditional means so as to protect the livelihood of sand extractors and to meet

developmental needs of the State,” Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral said. Cabral added that in July 2019, the Goa government entrusted the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) to study the impact of sand mining on the marine bio-diversity of the rivers. NIO has submitted the preliminary report of River Chapora, suggesting that whatever sand bars occur, the same could be manually removed through traditional means so as to meet the needs of the State. Following this, Directorate of Mines and Geology wrote to the State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEZAA) to issue

08 | Business Goa industry Dossier | march 2021

Environmental Clearances (ECs) so as to grant licences to sand mining contractors. Instead, Department of Environment wrote to MoEF&CC to permit sand mining from flowing rivers. Also NIO is conducting a study of sampling and survey, sample analysis processing and data analysis processing of rivers Mandovi, Zuari and Tiracol, both during the postmonsoon and pre-monsoon seasons. In the second phase, NIO will undertake a study of seven additional rivers of Goa. Construction activity in the State has been affected following ban on sand mining activity by the High Court since September 2019

GMPF says livelihood at stake due to delay in mining restart

The mining dependents in the State have blamed the Central Government for the current plight stating that the delay by Centre to take a legislative route as a remedy in resolving iron ore stalemate, pending from last three years, clearly shows their neglect towards economic welfare of the people of Goa. The iron ore mining activities in the State are shut since mid-March 2018 after Supreme Court set aside renewals granted to 88 mining leases terming it “illegal”. The Goa Mining People’s Front (GMPF), has raised concerns that their livelihood is being ignored by the Central government by delaying legislative cure to restart mining in Goa. “The State government has already proposed to the Central government for legislative amendment as a cure to resolve the mining stalemate in the State with resolution from all 40 MLAs. However, the matter is currently left to the mercy of judiciary and is currently dragged in the Supreme Court without a single hearing till date,” GMPF President Puti Gaonkar said. Gaonkar added that the delay from the Central government to take a legislative route as a cure in resolving the crisis only goes to show the neglect towards economic welfare of Goa. The union leader pointed out that in the past 36 months, the GMPF has tried their best to sensitise everyone that legislative cure is the only way out which was reiterating the State’s proposal to the Central government. “Apart from `10,000 crore revenue loss, the mining ban is not only taking toll on the livelihood of Goans but is also badly impacting the socioeconomic thread of the State,” Gaonkar said

Corpo Scan

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Now, liquor units can be set up in industrial estates

The State Government has amended Goa Industrial Development Corporation allotment regulations as well as transfer and sublease regulations in order to add clarity to allowable industries in industrial estates and give preference to Goan entrepreneurs for plots. The amended allotment regulations 2014 now allows liquor units in industrial estates while the ban on tobacco units continues to stay. The notification on the plot allotment regulations 2014 and the transfer and sub-lease regulations was issued on March 8, 2021. For liquor units to be permitted in industrial estates, the government has expanded the definition of

manufacturing activities to “manufacturing, processing, etc. as per the classification used to issue Udyog Adhar and for large scale industry of the ministry of commerce and industry of all types of goods, except tobacco products”. The amended allotment regulations say that they “shall be generally in consonance with the investment policy of the State and environment norms”

New Startup Policy to bring tech companies with `100 crore turnover under its scope

The draft Goa Startup Policy 2021 proposes to revise the definition of a startup from the existing cut off of `25 crore annual turnover to `100 crore annual turnover. The move is part of the department of information and technology to bring in more tech firms under the ambit of the new policy, which will replace the Goa Startup Policy 2017. The Information Technology Department is expected to share the draft startup policy with stakeholders, including Goa Technology Association, Goa IT professionals and the various incubators operating in Goa. While the existing startup policy defines a startup as an entity that has been operational for not more than seven years and which has not exceeded `25 crore in turnover, the Goa Startup Policy 2021 seeks to redefine startups as an entity that has been functioning for up to 10 years and with an annual turnover not exceeding `100

crore in any of the preceding financial years. Tech bodies have been pushing the government to roll out the new policy since the existing policy lapsed in 2020 and has been granted a six month extension till March end. The draft policy aims to create at least 500 innovative, technology-enabled startups over the next three years, which should potentially create employment for at least 6000 Goans. In order to incentivize promising startups to be incorporated, registered in Goa or operating from Goa, the state government is also expected to grant exemptions to startups on a case-to-case basis. These exemptions would be granted to startups involved with smart cities, urban management, mining, tourism, gaming, waste management, renewable energy, education, health care, communication and entertainment

10 | Business Goa industry Dossier | march 2021

After Covid time out, domestic cruise sector to restart by May 2021

Cordelia Cruises has announced that it plans to start sailing from May onwards. Resumption in the domestic cruise sector will not only boost tourism but will also provide employment opportunities for Goans. Parixit Pai Fondekar, Managing Director of Kamaxi Overseas Consultants stated that Cordelia has brought in a new ship from Royal Carribean, bookings have opened up and they are planning to start sailing from the month of May. Cordelia Cruises has purchased the cruise vessel ‘Empress of the Seas’ from Royal Caribbean International. The Covid pandemic and the ensuing lockdown caused havoc to the global economy with the

cruise industry getting hit in a major way. However, India had just begun to test the waters when the pandemic threw a spanner in the works for Jalesh Cruises and Angriya Cruises. At present Angriya Cruises is operating as a midsea flotel for sailors off Sri Lanka, performing the role of a safe sea bubble for crew embarking and disembarking ships. Cordelia Cruises has already contacted Goan seafarers in preparation for the planned cruises in May. Further, Pai Fondekar stated that they were getting the crew geared up, putting their documentation in place and all the paperwork was being kept ready so that they were prepared to join in for the May sailing season

Agriculture Department to boost cultivation of turmeric, cabbage and strawberry

In a bid to become self-sufficient, the Agriculture Department has decided to boost the c u l t i v at i o n of turmeric, strawberr y and cabbage. A senior agriculture official stated that these crops have tremendous potential that would translate into several advantages for farmers in the State. Further, turmeric once processed is non perishable and can be stored in powder form for many months, while farmers can even package and sell it. Incidentally, the Pratibha variety of turmeric grows without much effort in Goa, is not attacked by wild animals and is even unpalatable for cattle. According to the Agriculture Department, Goa brings about 300 tonne of cabbage from outside the State. Department officials

said this quantity could be reduced considering that the crop grows well in Goa. T h e official also said that s t r aw b e r r y has a good market in Goa and with the current production being above expectations; the State is able to meet the local demand for this fruit. In order to encourage farmers to take up cultivation of these crops, awareness meets are being carried out by zonal agricultural officers. They are also guiding farmers on where to source the seeds for sowing. The official has warned that these are climate based crops and are easily affected by sudden rain showers or fluctuations in winter temperatures. “As we cannot predict the climate, farmers must be very attentive while growing these crops,” the official said

cover Story

future ready Swati Salgaocar

12 | Business Goa industry Dossier | march 2021

www.businessgoa.in

wati Salgaocar has recently been named as the Vice Chairperson of CII Goa Council. She is also actively associated with the CII Western Region, taking up key responsibilities. An architect by training, Swati earned her B.A. (Arch.)(Hons.) from Yale University, USA and later attained her Masters from Columbia University, USA. Her business card states that she is Director of the Vimson Group and President V. M. Salgaocar & Bro. Pvt. Ltd. The group, headed by her father Shivanand, traces its history seven decades ago, when her illustrious grandfather, Vassudeva M. Salgaocar established what would later become one of Goa’s most respected conglomerates – straddling across many verticals that include mining, hospitality, healthcare, construction – and yes, known the world over for its football team! Talking about leading a home-grown business group, Swati seeks inspiration from the matriarch of her family. “In many ways I like to think of my great grandmother as the original entrepreneur of the Group because as a young widow in Portuguese Goa with three children, no family support and no formal education or training, she chose to start her own small business to make ends meet. Talking about V M Salgaocar, she adds, “A lot of information on his entrepreneurial prowess and business achievements exists in the public domain, but I think his main achievement that stands even today is that the culture and values of the organisation that were set during his time. The professionalism, high level of ethics and respect for every stakeholder whether it was employees, customers, government or the communities at large in which we operate in. The culture of genuine philanthropy and CSR, before they became buzz

Swati Salgaocar, Ninad Karpe and Anand Piramal at the 125th anniversary celebrations of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)

Vimson Group, headed by Swati’s father Shivanand Salgaocar, traces its history seven decades ago, when her illustrious grandfather, V M. Salgaocar established what would later become one of Goa’s most respected conglomerates words, was set.” V M Salgaocar was 68 when he passed away suddenly in 1984. Swati’s father Shivanand, then 30 years old, had to quickly learn the ropes and shoulder the responsibility of the organisation. Once things settled down, the company made forays into other business verticals while preserving and expanding their core businesses. Swati’s brother Vivek manages the Group’s international expansion, trading and strategic investments from Singapore; while Swati works closely with her father from Goa. Future Proofing Business Swati is involved in all aspects of the business from strategy to operations across the verticals

that the company is present in. “Not being equipped with formal business training, it’s the best way to learn rapidly. I spend a lot of time on our investment portfolio, especially evaluating and managing investments on the private markets side,” she says. “We took a conscious decision a few years ago to actively diversify our portfolio and invest in next generation and new age businesses. Apart from this, I also focus on diversification and new business development to explore opportunities where we can leverage our existing strengths and domain expertise while futureproofing the organisation. We have been exploring strategic investments and supporting startups to this end. Our core values remain integrity, respect, fortitude and excellence, but we are now also concentrating on agility to take advantage of new ideas and businesses,” says Swati about the work that has been cut out for her. On the philanthropy side, Swati is actively involved in the Salgaocar FC Youth Development and Community outreach programs which benefit over 800 footballers a year. “We have successfully transitioned our Goa Pro League team to comprise entirely of players who have come through our program and been with

us since the age of 14-15. Unfortunately, we have had to pause our Community Outreach efforts due to the pandemic but hope to resume soon,” she says. A Third Generation Challenge “In a family business you can’t think from quarter to quarter. Your time horizons are in generations, so you need to make sure that the decisions that you take always keep the long-term picture in mind and the way you operate is sustainable. We have always functioned keeping in mind the welfare of our team, the communities that we operate in and the environment, so you have to constantly balance upholding values and growth – you can’t compromise on one for the sake of the other. It is a tremendous responsibility to ensure that you don’t destroy value, both financial and reputational, that has been built up over several decades,” states Swati about the responsibilities of leading an organisation steeped in tradition. Talking further on the challenges of her business, Swati adds, “on some level the challenges have been the same any next generation faces in a family business – how do you contribute to making the organisation future-ready without sacrificing the values

MARCH 2021 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 13

Cover Story and culture, how do you leverage the organisation’s strengths and domain expertise while exploring new avenues for growth, how do you transform the mindset of the team as you look at diversification, especially when people have been used to doing things in a certain way for extended periods of time.” Goa Calling Swati moved full time to Goa around 2012 to work on some architecture projects. It was around this time that the company was looking at diversifying into real estate development as it did not make sense to ignore the land bank that the group had. “Given my training in architecture it made sense for me to spearhead this effort. I also took a more active role in learning about and managing our investment portfolio, especially in terms of angel investing, venture capital and private equity. Eventually I cut down on my architecture projects and got more involved in other aspects of the business as well. We rebranded and reorganised after a family business restructuring a few years ago, and that is when I joined Vimson full time,” discloses Swati about her move back to Goa. “On some level, I always knew that I wanted to return to Goa because I knew I could contribute meaningfully. I felt that the exposure that I had gained internationally would help me approach things differently and I would also be able to adapt and implement what I had learned elsewhere to local challenges,” says Swati about choosing to return to Goa after stints abroad. An Industry Captain in the Making Swati has been associated with CII over the last few years and is part of the State Council’s leadership team today. “It is a great feeling and a validation

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“I always wanted to return to Goa because I knew that I could contribute meaningfully. I felt that the exposure that I had gained internationally would help me approach things differently and I would also be able to adapt and implement what I had learned elsewhere to local challenges” swati salgaocar

of the work that I have been doing in CII over the last few years. Last year in Goa, I was the Convenor of the Task Force on startups and was also appointed as member of the Joint-Consultative Task Force between the Goa State Industries Department and CII Western Region. Apart from this, I was Co-Chair of the CII Western Region Committee on startups and innovation. On a national level, I am a member of the CII National Mining Council and the CII National Startups Council,” says Swati about the various roles that she plays in the 125-year old industry organisation. “CII, as an organisation, is the premier industrial body in the country and its focus on policy advocacy, capacity building and knowledge dissemination by forging partnerships between government, industry and society at large are what drew me to getting more involved. Through its various

An Architectural Perspective

wati completed her B.A. in architecture from Yale University, she gained work experience for a year at Arup Associates, London in 200304. After completing her Masters in Architecture from Columbia University in 2007, she returned to India and started her own practice as an architect in Mumbai and later in Goa. Although Swati does not currently practice architecture, there are several aspects of the profession that gives her perspective in business today. Paying attention to details while keeping track of the bigger picture: “As an architect you need to be able to design right from a joint to a room to a building to a city block. Similarly, in business you need to be detail oriented but not lose track of the overall direction that you are heading and how various parts of the

14 | Business Goa industry Dossier | march 2021

business work together as a whole,” says Swati. Being a team player: “Whether you are the lead architect or a draftsman/ model maker, unless the whole team works together you will not accomplish anything. In business too, you are only as good as every team member,” she adds. Keeping track of budgets: “Forecasting/estimation, costing, budgets are just as important in business as they are in any architecture project,” she explains. Planning and execution: “Just as you need to plan and execute an architectural project along with budgets, approvals, coordination between various teams, the same is applicable in any business project that you undertake,” is the parallel that Swati draws from her erstwhile vocation to her current business challenges

initiatives, the Centres of Excellence and international offices, it exposes you to ideas that are crucial to the future of business. In a lot of ways Goa is isolated from developments in the rest of the country so this is a great way to be in touch with best practices and innovations in industry,” explains Swati about her association with CII. Being part of a national industry organisation demands a lot of preparation, study and depth. “In terms of mentors, I would have to say that I am quite fortunate to have my father’s guidance and mentorship. Having been Chairman of CII Western Region more than twenty years ago, he has a wealth of experience and has helped me navigate CII and make a meaningful contribution,” says Swati. On being asked what areas of business she would like to impact, Swati says “for any economy to grow successfully, there must be a deep alignment of key stakeholders including the government, academia, established industry and next generation businesses like startups, so there can be a continuous feedback loop for improvement. Rather than leveraging each other’s strengths, these sectors operate in siloes and this needs to change. I feel these linkages are not as strong in the Indian scenario as they are across the globe; and it is definitely an area that I would like to focus on.” On managing her business and various industry commitments, Swati accepts that it is not easy. “I have always ensured that I only take on responsibilities and positions that I can contribute or do justice to in terms of commitment and time – I am not interested in resume/CV building or being a figurehead. I enjoy learning new things and interacting with people who are highly accomplished and vastly different from

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“Startups are the cradle of innovation”

Swati Salgaocar’s various roles as industry insider has given her access to insights into the startup ecosystem

wati has been speaking on various forums as the CII Goa State Convenor of the Task Force on startups and also in her capacity as Co-Chair of the CII Western Region Committee on Startups & Entrepreneuship, and as a member of CII National Startups Council. Her involvement with startups as investor and mentor has been increasing over the last few years. She is one of the founding members of the Goa Angels Network and is also an advisor to the Columbia University Urban Works Challenge which supports startups solving the most pressing problems in Indian cities. “As we look to the future of business and industry, it is inevitable that a lot of innovation is going to come from startups. In a personal and professional capacity, I have been evaluating and investing in startups for several years. We mainly look for founders that we believe in, and businesses that identify crucial gaps in the market and solve real unaddressed needs. As we get comfortable with the founders’ ability to scale the business, we increase our investment in subsequent funding rounds,” she says. On the role that she has played as an industry facilitator for startups, Swati says, “through CII, we have been able to provide an

myself. Often, there’s a lot of cross pollination that happens subconsciously, so you can apply learnings from one part of your life to another, and that’s what I enjoy the most,” she says. Management Style Swati insists jocularly that one would have to ask her team members to get an accurate answer on her management style. “I would like to believe that I am humble and willing

L to R: Peter F X D’Lima, Shivanand Salgaocar, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, Dr Ajit Parulekar (Director, Goa Institute of Management), Swati and industrialist Dean Menezes at the launch of Atal Incubation Centre at Goa Institute of Management

industry connect to startups. Given that corporate venture capital in India is at an extremely nascent stage, we provide a platform for next generation businesses and established industry to collaborate. Apart from strategic investments, startups are looking towards industry for mentorship, technical inputs, validation of their proof of concept and opportunities to pilot. Similarly, industry can benefit by looking at startups for disruptive technology to increase productivity and reduce costs.” At a panel discussion hosted by Goa Management Association on ‘Transforming Businesses for Continuity’ Swati spoke passionately

about engaging with startups to bring in technological advances in the mining industry. “One of our core businesses, mining, is a traditional sector where there have been no paradigm shifts or disruption like you see in other legacy industries. Typically, mining companies are engaged in intricate and unwieldy day-to-day operations and depend on incremental improvements. The main challenge now is to leverage and build on our domain knowledge and expertise to look at futureoriented minerals especially those used in sectors like renewable energy and energy storage but also supporting startups that use technology to make the entire mining

value chain more efficient and sustainable. We launched Prospect Mining Studio, an accelerator for startups in the sustainable mining space as a joint venture with Newlab in the US. We focus on startups that improve operational/ processing efficiencies, improve worker safety and promote environmental sustainability. To cite an example, Cyanoguard, from our first cohort, is a Swiss startup that has developed single-use, non-hazardous cartridges that allow realtime monitoring to optimise the amount of cyanide needed for gold processing. This not only reduces costs but goes a long way in improving worker safety and mitigating environmental damage”

to listen to everyone’s point of view – great ideas can come from the shop floor just as much as from the boardroom. Since I am a recent entrant to the organisation compared to a lot of our senior team members, I respect them and learn a lot from them. But this doesn’t mean that you do everything by consensus – you need to take all the inputs and ultimately decide what’s in the best interest of the organisation. I feel

ultimately a leader needs to lead by example, have a clear vision and enable or equip the organisation to move collectively toward a common goal. With new ideas, I think you need to do a certain amount of capacity building within the organisation to get everyone on board. You can’t expect people to buy into an idea just because you say so. I also have a strong sense of ethics and this constantly informs my decision making

– it cannot be about growth at any cost. This has been of great importance throughout the history of our organisation and it is something that I take very seriously.” Swati looks up to leaders who go beyond just financial profits and make significant contributions to reduce social inequality as well as safeguard the environment. “Balancing the triple bottom line of profit, people and the planet is key,” she affirms

MARCH 2021 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 15

focus goa / women’s day

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She believed she could, so she did!

It’s important to celebrate and salute the heroic women who are changing the world around them and empowering other women to do the same

omen of the world want and deserve an equal future free from stigma, stereotypes and violence; a future that’s sustainable, peaceful, with equal rights and opportunities for all. To get us there, the world needs women at every table where decisions are being made. Positively, the female talent pool is widening globally with women surpassing in tertiary education and more women than men ever before are entering into science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Women are a force in the labour market breaking boundaries. While the proportion of women in the labour market in general and in leadership positions in particular remains significantly lower compared to men, there are a number of inspiring women leaders who show you what it is to be a good leader and who make positive contributions to the performance of the office and well being of her staff. Although there are women in leadership positions that we can look up to, we know that their journey to join and remain in the labour market and advance to the leadership position was not easy. Despite the improvement in laws and policies to promote gender equality, discrimination in practice is prevalent, based on patriarchal practices and biases that negatively affect women in the world of work. Women may not get opportunities for career advancement as the supervisor may judge that women would not be equally capable. Women may not be given opportunities under the name of ‘protection’ as certain occupations may be perceived dangerous or inappropriate for women. We are at a point in history where we have overcome gender biases which the previous generations fought, and we are now seeing the birth of a new set of biases – biases which define how an empowered woman should be, and exactly how empowered she can be. What good are opportunities if they do not enable women to get out of the confines of gender bias? It’s time we paused to reflect to think if we are really moving towards women’s empowerment, or if we are just drifting towards a different kind of gender bias. Has the status of women in India truly changed? We need to work towards creating an environment where both women and men can develop to their full potential on equal terms

Archana Bhobe

Founder, Snip Salons and Spas

Real empowerment comes from financial independence

I’m a big believer in gender equality, so for me women’s empowerment itself is a condescending term. Our country has historically birthed incredibly strong women but sadly, along the way, many women from weaker sections of society were relegated to marginal roles and discriminated against.

I would assume that the several female-focused initiatives by the government and NGOs would help educate and empower underprivileged women. Real empowerment however, comes with financial independence – when women are not dependent on their spouses or their families. Women-led enterprises are still in the minority, but they’re growing. Many corporations, both in the private as well as public sector are increasingly helmed by women who rose to the top through sheer grit and talent in a so called man’s world. In the entrepreneurial arena, I believe women should share a level playing field with men. In terms of financial assistance, especially micro finance, there are many schemes to kick start women led business.

16 | Business Goa industry Dossier | march 2021

urvija bhatkuly

Group Head / Co-Publisher, Business Goa

Women are shining in all walks of life

As a woman, I feel that empowerment is all about equal opportunities and the ability to make choices, in life and work. To be independent – financially, emotionally and taking care and nurturing your own self would, in my

opinion, be a real sense of empowerment. Over the last few years, we have seen a kind of surge of ladies making a mark in the field of academics and are now important stakeholders of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. From retail to manufacturing and services to tech-enabled businesses, women are at the forefront of this entrepreneurial change. As Goa’s only business magazine, Business Goa, has steadfastly been focussing and featuring ladies from various walks of life – either running their own enterprises or making a difference to society by being changemakers in their own right. It is heartening to hear the voices of ladies featured in this section. Voices that reverberate the spirit of an optimistic and vibrant Goa

Having said all that, I believe true women’s empowerment will be achieved when a male

dominated society will change its mindset and see women for what they are – equal to men

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Sheetal Pai Kane

Chairperson, CII-IWN Goa; Director Acoustic Components Pvt Ltd

Anisha Hassan

Owner, Saligao Stories

Women empowerment is required Women are deserving of every opportunity I personally believe that for the development of society a woman entrepreneur is

“A Girl should be two things: WHO and WHAT She Wants”. Coco Chanel. Fashion Designer. Women empowerment has become a very significant topic for discussion, specially the month of March being recognised as International Women’s Day. Women Empowerment

is definitely required and a necessity for the development of society and nation. By empowering women you reach and achieve gender equality which is really essential for our society and growth. For Women to develop and grow, we must let them make their own choices, let them take and create their own decisions, make mistakes and learn from them. Women oriented business enterprises are playing a prominent role in the society and inspiring other women to become entrepreneurs, thereby generating more employment opportunities. Traditional female skills are now turning into livelihood by starting from home based businesses like catering,

an example of dignity and integrity as she manages home and business with comfortable elan. Every woman is empowered to be her best as she is born with a natural instinct to love, care, nurture and lead. Ladies never ever doubt that you are deserving of every opportunity you get to pursue and achieve your every dream!

apparel merchandising, food processing, services, crafts and many more. This should be encouraged by providing skill training, guidance and mentoring. Empower means the power given to individuals, without any restrictions or limitations. The key part to

promote empowerment is through education, Health and safety and well being of women, training benefits, professional development, financial help, promote gender equality at every step, mentorship and letting women take their own life decisions

MARCH 2021 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 17

focus goa / women’s day dr. Suhani Mendonsa

Project Director, Mendonsa Foundation

Women need to get the recognition that they deserve This Women’s Day, I met the most inspiring women at Don Bosco Development Society (Mumbai). DBDS offers various courses such as candle making, masala making, tailoring, beautician course, computer training making toilet cleaners, surface cleaners, hand wash and many more courses. These courses are absolutely free of cost and cater to the women from various slums so they learn various skills and become financially Independent! They also train them of how to present themselves, market the products package the products and sales! This Women’s Day, I invited the staff volunteers, social workers as well as these women entrepreneurs on my talk show. It was absolutely mind boggling to hear that during the lockdown each of these women from the slums

Gautami raikar

survived it because of the skills that they learnt, which helped them finance their families too! The concept of women empowerment is vague without economic empowerment. Unless every slum has the presence of a saviour like DBDS and the women there do make the most of it. It’s high time that women get the recognition that they deserve!

Director & CEO, The Legal Capsule

Every woman needs motivation

Women entrepreneurs are not large in number which is the case all over the world; the reason being that family and societal pressures often hold them back. We may talk about equality, but every woman needs motivation and a strong support system so as to pursue their careers and life goals. Many a time women are questioned and doubted regarding their visions and hopes, on the assumption that they will get married and be busy with their family and household chores. I salute the women entrepreneurs who have proved these notions wrong while fighting the toughest battles to be where they are today. I am very fortunate to have been born and brought up in Goa where there is

so much of acceptance and encouragement, not only from our families but society as well. There are so many organisations and startups that have been founded by women, making a name for themselves in the corporate world. I do not want to get any special incentive for being a woman, but would like to be in the business ring with a gender neutral approach... and win

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supriya rane

Director, La Cabana Beach & Spa

Gender equality is key to empowerment Education and gender equality are important milestones and contribute greatly in women empowerment. Women, for centuries, have faced barriers for a number of reasons and denied equal opportunities. The Indian government has recognized women’s issues and introduced various schemes like ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ but work needs to be done at the grass root level for it to gain momentum. As mothers, we have the power to change and mould our children’s lives so that the future generations can benefit from today’s investment in women. It is important to raise both the girl child and the boy equally without gender discrimination. When girls are educated they drive their own destiny and contribute

in improving the quality of life both at home and outside. Values like respect for women, protection and safety of girls, equality need to be instilled in boys in their growing years. Let’s not hold the girl child back with limiting beliefs, traditional gender specific roles and conditionings. Provide her with equal access to resources and opportunities so that we can unleash her true potential and make her unstoppable in her journey of life

Dr. Tejashree Colvalcar

Partner, IVF Angels Goa

Women entrepreneurship is a means to women empowerment Women entrepreneurship is a means to women empowerment. One must encourage entrepreneurship amongst women, which will inevitably lead to their empowerment where they take up the baton and they become decision makers. The following are broad impediments to this process. One is the skill sets required for the core business, leadership skills required to manage the business, financial independence can be a challenge due to lack of collateral security and last but not the least, the desire to step out of one’s comfort zone. There are various schemes provided by the government to aid women in starting their own ventures to help overcome financial concerns. Incubation centers are a good place to start where legal and financial guidance can be sought. Women empowerment

in companies can be also encouraged by having a fair representation of women in the workforce in key decision making roles. A collective effort by business owners and society can change the demographics of representation of women in key positions in business. A continuous and conscious effort will get women there to shatter the glass ceiling and reach new heights

focus goa / women’s day poonam shirsat

Founder and Director, The Skill Company

Women can handle adversities

Women have yet again proved that they can handle adversities and stand up tall to any uncertainties. The educated, the less educated and the uneducated, all fought their own battle especially during these Covid times, handling and supporting their families. Handling different

roles in different capacities and juggling them with grit is something I admire about us women. Women leaders are everywhere, from Fortune 500 companies to house wives who raise their children and head their households. Our country was built by strong women who continue to break down walls and defy stereotypes. I personally feel we are not here to compete with the opposite gender, but to complement one another. I see the day not too far, where we will not fight for the rights rather contribute to each other’s growth. To all the women and the men who respect women

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dr astrid monteiro

Dental Surgeon

Empower yourselves with knowledge Being a self employed professional for nearly two and half decades I must confess that in my area of work, I have enjoyed most benefits of what is expected of the much stressed term of today ‘women empowerment’. It has been an immensely satisfying experience of my life resulting in a significant impact around my small community. My advice to colleagues and younger teenage girls is to empower yourselves with the required knowledge and skills to augment and strengthen your profession to conduct yourselves with discipline, confidence and grace, thereby

Sarika Varshnei

leading by example. Take full advantage of the efforts that the Government and NGOs are putting together so that our male counterparts do not exploit our talents to make it to the top echelons in any field of excellence

Chief Growth Officer, Latambarcem Brewers Pvt Ltd

Our beauty is dangerous, Being a woman is a celebration of life but our intelligence is lethal Rashme Row Pawar

Physiotherapist

On Women’s Day, I would like to talk about the Evolution of a Woman. As she walks the earth in her many avatars; she grows and changes at every stage of her life. In her 20s, she is naive, immature, impulsive and still finding her identity. In her 30s, she is mature

Sandra Fernandes

(but not quite), she has dreams (real ones) she understands responsibility, relationships and more importantly she has almost found herself! In her 40s, she is at peace with herself and her world. She has it all; she knows exactly what she wants and what she doesn’t. As a woman who is almost 40, I’m still discovering myself and in the coming future will hopefully live to tell u about my 50s and 60s! I would just like to say that a woman is nothing less than a celebration of life well lived and she is grateful to be blessed with family and friends who are always there for her

Hotelier and Educationist

Applaud a woman’s achievements Women’s Day is a day to celebrate women and girls all over the world. I personally feel that a single day is not enough to enhance the status of women and applaud their achievements, yet by celebrating this day we indeed get an opportunity to create more awareness about women’s issues and provide

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Across the world all we hear is empower women. We already are empowered. We cannot wait for empowerment to be bestowed on us. We do not need permission; we need to earn it by leading to bring a change in this mindset. platforms for discussions and debates. To me International Women’s Day is exciting as I celebrate my womanhood and we women can play our roles to perfection whether it’s on the home front or at work. As a Past President of

Empower ourselves from within, never quit and continue despite failures, difficulties, and hurdles. We women have been blessed with the power to create, nurture and transform. Our beauty is dangerous, but our intelligence is lethal. In a way, we are entrepreneurs from the moment we become wives and then mothers. So, what are we waiting for? All we need to do is step out into the world to face risks and challenges, develop a voice and never be silent again. I am a strong woman and I feel deeply and love fiercely, my tears flow just as abundantly as my laughter, I am both practical and spiritual, I am, in my essence, a gift to the world the Inner Wheel Club of Ponda and President Elect of the Rotary Club of Panaji Riviera it’s been our constant endeavour to support and empower women and girls through education and job opportunities thereby giving wings to many a girl’s dream

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Minal Bhandary

Co-founder, Café Mira

It’s the incredible strength within that empowers a woman Being empowered, in my opinion, is doing what you want to do, being who you want to be. It can refer to someone who has made great strides in the corporate world, one who provides for her family or a woman who is rebuilding her life after it has come crashing down. Strength comes in different forms; it depends on how it is perceived by the world. You may not always have the external support, but there is incredible strength within all of us. I see empowerment in women all around me, from my domestic staff to my friends in high profile jobs. It’s not a one-size-fits-all theory; it’s what makes you happy, makes you believe you can

achieve what you set out to do. You don’t need to prove to the world, you just need to prove to yourself

Shruti Tiwari

Managing Partner, VLW GLOBAL

Women are the real architects of our society “The best protection any woman can have is courage.” It’s so rightly said by Elizabeth Cady Stanton! For me women’s day is all about celebrating womanhood! We are so fortunate to be in this new world where women empower women and it’s so visible in everyday life! If you have a dream. Make it your target and work towards it! That’s the mantra to success! One thing common in both cases Whether a home maker or a working women.. They are much stronger and focused to sail through any problem by giving full support to her companion or family, I believe women are stronger emotionally and that is how women hold up half the sky!

Cheers to the real architect of our society!

MARCH 2021 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 21

Starting Young

business-goa

Saidutt Redkar

Developing Digital Technology Platforms with Sygence Saidutt Redkar, winner of the GSEA (EO), Goa finals, speaks of his company, Sygence and striking a balance between study and work

By sybil rodrigues

aidutt Redkar was shortlisted for the Global Student Entrepreneur Award (GSEA) instituted by the Entrepreneur’s Organisation (EO), earlier this year. The GSEA is instituted by the Entrepreneur’s Organisation (EO), a peer to peer support network of 14000+ likeminded leaders across 61 countries. This competition is open to students enrolled in a university / college at the time of the application while being an owner, founder or controlling stakeholder of a company and principally responsible for its operation A resident of Panaji, Saidutt studied at Sharada Mandir School and completed his 12th from Mushtifund Aaryan Higher Secondary School. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in engineering from Goa College of Engineering and went on to do an internship with Rosenberger (India) Pvt. Ltd, where he designed and developed software solutions for their Operations, Quality, HR, Administration and After Sales Service teams. Later he joined Ceralabs for 4 months where he worked on applications involving Deep Learning and Natural Language Processing. Currently Saidutt is pursuing a degree in Computer Science (MS) at the University of Massachusetts, Boston and is reading in the 2nd (final) year of the program which he will complete in May, with a specialisation in Database Application Development, Computer Vision and Cybersecurity in IoT. As part of his extracurricular activities, Saidutt has represented his school and University in athletics and basketball. Saidutt founded his company

Saidutt Redkar

Sygence in May last year, amidst the lockdown in India. Sygence is in the business of developing digital technology platforms that support all economic sectors with the convenience to register, access, transact, predict and track demand - supply for products and services seamlessly on a single platform thereby eliminating the distortions, disconnect, inefficiencies, wasteful costs and delays embedded in the current practices of siloed demand - supply management resulting from the use of fragmented technology databases prevalent across most sectors. They achieve these functionalities on their platforms using the best in class of Data Science, IOT, Cloud, Web and Mobile technologies. The design of their platforms is conceived with the following objectives in mind: Improve global access for products and services across sectors and the agility of the supply chain response by innovating demand

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projection and delivery models. Achieve the above in a way that improves consumer/ customer experience in terms of quality, cost, reliability, trust and delivery of products and services while adequately rewarding the supply chain. Facilitate mitigation of some of the key challenges in the UN Sustainable Goals Charter i.e. good health and wellbeing, responsible consumption and production, reduced inequalities, climate action etc. As of now, they are a well diversified, growing team of 11 with key responsibilities in platform architecture, software architecture, programming, beta testing, project management, HR & Marketing. Saidutt elaborates on winning the EO Goa finals. “I am thrilled at Sygence being recognized by EO for the GSEA award for the Goa finals and awarded the 1st place. The challenge and motivation with this award is now to take Sygence past the South Asia Regional Final into the Global Finals and make a mark on the global

startup stage” With regards to his current work and future plans, Saidutt states that the Sygence team is spread across the e-invoicing industry 4.0 and Smart Agritech IOT platform which are in different stages of completion. “We are also in advanced stages of discussions with a US based company with specialisation in quantum computing, to collaborate and partner in development and marketing of their AI driven Super Forecasting Model in India. This tool when integrated with all Sygence platforms will predict unfolding trends of the variables under consideration with high levels of accuracy, develop ‘what if ’ scenarios and support data driven decisions for all partners on the platform. Recruitment and hiring to support the above development projects is expected to commence in Q1 2021.” As a young student and entrepreneur Saidutt has managed to strike a balance between his work and studies. “Entrepreneurship has always excited me, the intricate challenges which I have experienced first hand during the course of the last 6 months since I founded the company.” During this short period he has developed knowledge of the legal aspects involved in starting and running a company, regulatory compliances and filings, human resource recruitment and management, sales and marketing, operations management, finance management – all of which are extremely important to understand and improve the technology work that he is involved in for the success of the company . Further Saidutt says, “2020 will go down as a ubiquitous year for me both personally

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and professionally. Managing work while studying had its own challenges compounded by the time zone difference which practically meant that I had to work the day in India while attending online classes in the early hours of the morning 3 days a week during the fall semester. The incredible support from my colleagues at work as well as the strong determination to succeed with my venture is what has allowed me to deal with the twin challenges.” Saidutt concludes with a message for young entrepreneurs. “You can only become an entrepreneur by getting your skin in the game and not by remaining on the periphery. There will always be situations that are going to be different from what you expect, despite your best efforts. The key is not to get upset, overwhelmed or frustrated, to always try and

“You can only become an entrepreneur by getting your skin in the game and not by remaining on the periphery. There will always be situations that are going to be different from what you expect despite your best efforts” maintain a state of mind from which you can think clearly about the choices to deal with situations as they unfold, take the required action, monitor the progress of actions, make course corrections if necessary and in the end take ownership for the decision whether the outcome is good or bad. There is no failure for a committed entrepreneur, you fall down a 100 times, you rise again, you have learned 100 lessons”

Advertise with the ‘Choice of Industry Captains’

Business Goa is the best platform to showcase your brand to Goa’s business class. With a readership comprising of industry captains, technocrats and decision makers, you ought to have your brand’s message on our pages. Email: businessgoa.media@gmail.com for options

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MARCH 2021 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 23

goan brand

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GHARGUTI

Highlighting traditional home-made Goan gastronomy with ‘Gharguti’ Sangam Pai Dhungat, through Dhungat Hospitalities, speaks about his latest venture ‘Gharguti’ and his aspiration to publicise the lesser tapped section of the celebrated Goan Saraswat cuisine

Sangam Pai Dhungat

By ameya nayak

riginally an engineer by training, Sangam Pai Dhungat speaks about how he joined his father in their fourgeneration old hardware family business, nonetheless, soon his underlying passion for the Goan food and entrepreneurial spirit coaxed him into venturing into something different as a result of which he got into the food and beverages industry. Sangam mentions the beginning of his journey with Dhungat Hospitalities with a vision to take the road less travelled, that being, the Goan Saraswat cuisine on the global platform; his premiere venture being ‘Voltaire’, a Saraswat specialty restaurant based at Reis Magos that he started in the year 2015. Elaborating upon how ‘Gharguti’ happened, Sangam says, “Since the inception of Dhungat Hospitalities, our vision was to promote the relatively unsung Goan Saraswat Cuisine – snacks, sweets, savouries, pickles, etc. and combining it with the convenience to our customers.” He further says, “The COVID pandemic led lockdown was the period during which I felt I could dedicate more time to my pet project which would offer convenience to consumers with respect to the much loved and authentic Goan Saraswat snacks that could be home delivered across various areas in the State, that too, absolutely free of cost.” ‘Gharguti’ meaning ‘home-made’ or

24 | Business Goa industry Dossier | march 2021

‘homely’ is a Goan brand venture that offers authentic Goan Saraswat styled snacks in the form of pickles, sweets, savouries and much more. All their products are crafted with superior quality ingredients and prepared as if at one’s own home using age old processes and recipes standardised by Sangam’s mother Sangeeta Pai Dhungat with insights from his grandmother Kalyani Agni. As far as the commercial aspect of the venture goes, Sangam says, “When we started out, in phase one, somewhere around April 2020, we started our B2C business with the help of online presence and social media platforms for advertising and deliveries across Goa. In fact, we also succeeded in executing deliveries across the borders to major cities like Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Delhi, etc. Later, in during phase two, we added B2B tie ups with various stores, retailers and supermarkets across Goa.” Speaking of Gharguti’s signature local Goan products or “Goychi khaanna”, Sangam mentions that the Tikhatshev, Phenoryo, Chakryo, Mayndolya Kelyachi Kaapa, Bharillyo Amlyo, Goan Saamaar, Khishichyo Tikhat Nevryo are the ultimate favourites. As far as the response towards their products is concerned, Sangam says that the feedback has been overwhelming over a short span of time, wherein their local customers have trusted them with their products and he feels that Gharguti

has managed to secure this trust by delivering products that are very close to home, if not the same. Through this unique venture, Sangam, through Gharguti, intends to target any foodie or food lover that has a taste and craving for authentic Goan Saraswat foodstuff and wants to opt for conveniently available ‘gharguti khaanna’ as their audience. Sangam says that through Gharguti, he intends to make a mark in the local, national as well as global market with upgradation in their manufacturing process using state of the art processes and technologies in order to transport this sector of the Goan Saraswat cuisine across the globe. He further intends to engage in a tie-up initiative that could help in empowering the Goan youth, unemployed locals, thereby providing them with an opportunity to kick-start their individual entrepreneurial journeys which otherwise, would not be possible due to multiple obstacles. While concluding with a brief message to his existing and prospective customers, Sangam signs off saying, “our customers, especially locals, must perceive ‘Gharguti’ as a Goan brand that offers convenience for consumption of a product made commercially, yet made at home with love as a highlighting feature rather than just existing as another product on one’s shelf!”

Traditional snacks by Gharguti

interview

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Damodar Kochkar

The Government has to bring in ‘Ease of Doing Business’ in the true sense

Damodar Kochkar, President, Goa State Industries Association, on the challenges faced by industry post-Covid By sybil rodrigues

How would you rate the year gone by leading GSIA, under the shadow of Covid-19? The year gone by has been a very difficult one for the manufacturing sector as well as other businesses. The outbreak of COVID-19 put the global and the national economy into a crisis which is unprecedented in modern history. The lockdowns imposed in India from the end of March 2020 to contain the spread of the disease and closure of economic activity created panic and fear amongst the people. The initial lockdown disrupted the supply chain and many daily wage earners lost their livelihoods. The migrant workers, with no money and essential supplies, were the most affected lot. At this hour of need, GSIA with the assistance of all Industrial Estate Associations in Goa, and support from the State Government, came forward to help the migrant workers by distributing essential supplies for their subsistence. GSIA also initiated a dialogue with the State Government to formulate a plan to restart industrial activity in Goa. Data was collected from all the industries which wanted to restart their activity with minimum workforce and agreeing to comply with all the requirements of the Government to control the spread of the coronavirus. Travel passes were issued to restart the activity. Many of the industries had workforce from neighbouring States which could not come back to re-join duty due to lockdown. Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was put in place to get back such stranded employees and GSIA assisted the Government to

Damodar Kochkar

get such employees to re-join duty. What are your views about the last few years at GSIA? GSIA is and has been the most vibrant and effective industries organization. Established in 1965 by Goan industrialists to strengthen the economic base in the State, what started as a tiny association of a few people has blossomed over the years into a strong industry organisation – enabling its reach to all industries in the State. During the last few years, GSIA has fought to bring in transparency and fair play in the functioning of Goa Industrial Development Corporation (Goa-IDC) and other industry related departments. As a result, the Government has notified Goa-IDC Land Allotment, Transfer and Sub-Lease Regulations and other reforms. GSIA is actively engaged with its members and the Industrial Estate Associations in its efforts not only to redress their

26 | Business Goa industry Dossier | march 2021

grievances, but also to create a conducive environment to enable entrepreneurship. What has been the primary focus of GSIA during your term as President? Our primary focus has been to impress upon the Government to provide Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) in the true sense, not only on paper, and to provide proper infrastructure such as uninterrupted power supply, water, proper roads etc., to the industries in the industrial estates. As a part of EoDB, we have been demanding that all services of the departments connected with the industry should be made available online. Entrepreneurs should not be made to make several trips to Government Departments for their work to be done. In one instance, one entrepreneur had to make 74 trips to Goa-IDC to get his renewal lease deed rectified! Our focus is to remove all these bureaucratic hurdles.

What legacy programs have you continued from your predecessors? My predecessors have done their best in taking up and resolving issues affecting the industry in Goa. Their vision and relentless efforts has given GSIA the status and respect that it commands today. GSIA was instrumental in formulating the Goa Industrial Policy, 2003 which was extended till March 2018. Most of the Schemes under the Industrial Policy have been now brought under the Umbrella Scheme. GSIA was also associated in drafting Goa Investment Policy which resulted in passing of Goa Investment Promotion Bill, 2014 by the State Government. We have now proposed some amendments to Goa-IPB Act so that it has enough powers to act as a Single Window System for investments in the State. What projects have you undertaken during your term as President? I took over as President of GSIA in June 2019. In my first address at the function, where our Chief Minister and the Industries Minister were present, I mentioned a number of problems being faced by the industries in Goa. Taking a hint at our outburst, Chief Minister, Industries Minister and Power Minister had meetings with GSIA, Presidents of Industrial Estate Associations and representatives of concerned departments to understand and sort out the issues. Soon thereafter, COVID-19 pandemic set in and our focus shifted from business to human welfare so that our workers could meet basic human needs such as food, shelter and medical aid. As I said earlier, GSIA with

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GSIA granted honorary membership of the All India MSME Association (AIMA). The membership was presented to Damodar Kochkar, President, GSIA

the help of Industrial Estate Associations, distributed essential supplies to migrant workers; we set up a Covidcare centre with 100 beds in Verna Industrial Estate; and a RT-PCR testing facility for the industrial workers. From a business point of view, after several meetings with Goa Electronics Limited and Goa-IDC, we could put many of Goa-IDC services online. There are still some hiccups in availing these services online, but issues are being sorted out. We have also been able to put in place Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) with timelines for various services of Goa-IDC. The issue of revision of raw water charges at Verna Industrial Estate which was assured by late Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has been finally sorted out. Various other issues confronting the industries connected with Factories & Boilers, Electricity Department, and Pollution Control Board are being discussed and the Chief Minister has assured us that all the issues of the industries will be sorted out to ensure Ease of Doing Business in the State. Where do you see GSIA in a year from now? GSIA is a not for profit organisation. Our objective is to develop industrial activity and generate employment in the State with the support

of the Government. I am confident that whatever issues that we have taken up with the Government will be sorted out soon. In this connection, we receive support from the Chief Minister, Industries Minister, Chief Secretary, Industries Secretary and some bureaucrats; but down the line things need to improve. GSIA is also working very closely with other industry bodies such as GCCI, CII, CREDAI, TTAG etc. I see GSIA as the frontal organization to sort out issues faced by the industries and ensure economic growth of the State. What is your opinion of the Government handling the lockdown with regards to the impact it has had on the industry? The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown was a bolt from the blue. It had a very disruptive impact on the national as well as the State’s economy. No Government was prepared for this disruption. The Government should have been more proactive in handling the reverse migration of the industrial workers. Manufacturing sector came to a grinding halt. It was extremely difficult for the industry to make payment of wages, bank instalments, interest and other fixed charges. We approached the Government to provide some relief in payment of the wages and other fixed charges. We

requested the Government to raise power bills on actual consumption basis and not on contracted load. Sadly, industry was at the bottom of the government’s priority list and some nominal relief was given in payment of fixed charges on electricity bills for 3 months. On the contrary, during this unprecedented economic downturn, the Government came out with amendment to Industrial Disputes Act making it compulsory to pay 45 days wages, instead of 15 days, for every completed year of service in case of retrenchment of workers. Goa’s ranking in ‘Ease of Doing Business’ is a matter of concern. Please share your views on the same. Goa’s ‘Ease of Doing Business’ ranking which was 19th in 2018 slipped to 24th in 2019. The Government’s lackadaisical attitude towards businesses was the cause for this downgrade. Goa Investment Promotion & Facilitation Board has been now assigned the task of implementing EoDB in the State. We have informed Goa-IPB that though the Government claims to put many services online and Goa’s implementation score is more than 90%, the fact remains that most of the online services are either not user-friendly or not accessible. The industry’s perception is that the online services

are more cumbersome and difficult than earlier manual services. Earlier, the EoDB ranking used to depend on the implementation report submitted by the departments, but now the ranking depends on the user feedback from the industry. How do you look at the industry in Goa in a post-Covid world? As the coronavirus cases decrease and with the present vaccination policy of the Government of India, there is hope for the industry to normalise. The Government has allowed opening up of the economy in a phased manner in the past few months and manufacturing activity has gathered momentum. Industry in Goa depends on other States for its raw material as well as for sale of its products. In our prebudget memorandum to the State Government, we have requested that a Public Procurement Policy for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) should be introduced in line with Central Government Policy, making it mandatory for all Government Departments/Undertakings to purchase a minimum of 20% of their annual purchase of products and services from MSEs. This initiative will help the Government to increase their revenue by way of higher collection of SGST and will generate more economic activity and employment in the State

MARCH 2021 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 27

campus

www.businessgoa.in

V. M. Salgaocar College of Law successfully hosts Lex Infinitum 2021 ‘online’

VMSCL, Miramar is proud to have hosted yet another successful edition of Lex Infinitum 2021 that was held in collaboration with the Association for International Dispute Resolution (AIDR). Lex provides opportunities to law students across the world to showcase their mediation and negotiation skills. The competition was conducted from 21st to 27th February 2021 via Zoom and was bigger and better with a whopping 36 negotiating teams and 18 mediators which participated from 38 top Law colleges wherein 13 were international teams and 10 National Law Schools with a prize money of `1,05,000 up for grabs! The inaugural ceremony was graced by Justice Sujata Manohar, Retired Supreme Court Judge and Former NHRC member who was the Chief Guest for the same. The inaugural further witnessed the presence of esteemed dignitaries including Dattaraj V. Salgaocar, President, Devi Sharvani Education Society, who delivered the welcome address, while Dr. G. Shaber Ali, Principal, V.M. Salgaocar College of Law and Thomas Valenti, Director, AIDR also addressed the ceremony. This was followed by the Lex Infinitum overview that was provided by Reuben Pinto, President, Lex Infinitum followed by the unveiling of the prestigious Lex Infinitum trophies in the form of a trailer that was streamed online. The Chief Guest, Justice Manohar then addressed the

ceremony by enlightening the audience on the vitality and relevance of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in legal practice. The ceremony concluded with Dr. Mrunmayi M. Vaidya, Director, Lex Infinitum proposing the vote of thanks, while the programme was compered by Rhea Almeida, Vice President, Lex Infinitum 2021. Knowledge Sessions & Mediation Musings: Lex Infinitum 2021 flagged off with Knowledge Sessions that were held virtually from 18th to 20th February 2021 wherein experts namely Catherine Davidson, Charles La Fond, Josephine Reyes, Greg Bond, Thomas Valenti and Damali Peterman. These Knowledge Sessions were thrown open to all who have interest in getting a grasp of the art of negotiation that was delivered by some of the best negotiators and mediators known across the globe. Valedictory Ceremony: The Valedictory Ceremony of Lex Infinitum 2021 was hosted virtually via the Zoom platform on 27th February. The Chief Guest for the function was Prof. Dr. Srikrishna Deva Rao, Vice Chancellor, National Law University, Delhi The Prize Winners at Lex Infinitum 2021 are: 1. Winners of Lex Infinitum 2021 (Negotiation): Jagiellonion University, Poland; 2. Runners Up (Negotiation): National University of Singapore;

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Bits Pilani celebrates International Women’s Day On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Alumni Relations Division of BITS Pilani conducted a virtual event. The event was graced by Sandhya Prakash (Founder, Beacon Energy Solutions and Technology), Sukhnandan Vohra (Photographer, Farmer & Writer), Shruthi Veena Vishwanath (Singer, Composer & Educator), Salini Vineeth (Fiction Writer), Reshmi Mukherjee (Co-founder, The Bhukkad Cafe) and Aditi Sinha (Cofounder, Locale.ai). The event was conducted in the form of a panel discussion where each panelist shared the various challenges she faced from society as a working woman and they overcame those. The virtual event was opened by a student who welcomed the panelists and handed over the event to Sandhya Prakash, who later moderated the entire event. Sandhya Prakash reminiscing her days on the Pilani campus shared how the times have changed for the female students in comparison to when she was studying. She also expressed joy at the opening of the BITS Institute of Management. Sukhnandan Vohra talked about the importance of networks and also the imposter syndrome. She discussed the life of a woman after getting married and starting a family while also encouraging the young ladies to not see career as work but as a way of interacting with different people and widening

their horizons. Salini Vineeth whose batch was the first batch from the Goa campus shared that though she started working in the corporate sector, she could never find the meaning in her job. She also shared that only when she switched to writing full time did she find true satisfaction and happiness. Being the first batch at the Hyderabad campus, Shruthi Veena Vishwanath discussed how she took the responsibility to change gender-based discrimination that started evolving in some form or the other. Reshmi Mukherjee graduated from the Dubai campus and questioned the stereotypes from a young age. She said, “If we need to bring about a change in the society, it has to start by breaking stereotypes in one’s mind, then house and finally the society.” The youngest panelist Aditi Sinha who graduated from BITS Pilani in 2018 shared that she’s the first one in her family to have her own business and how eventually her becoming the CEO changed the scenario of women in general in her house. A few questions were also taken up by the panel and later Prof. Meenakshi Vishwanath, Associate Dean; Alumni Relations Hyderabad campus shared a thank you note thanking the speakers for their time and thoughts on this day. The event concluded with Shruthi Veena Vishwanath crooning one of the poems of the legendary poet

3. Winning (Mediator): National University of Singapore; 4. Runners-Up (Mediator): Buffalo School of Law, New York; 5. The Spirit of Lex Award: Ashani Perera, Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology, Colombo, Sri Lanka. The valedictory function concluded with a vote of

thanks that was proposed by Prof. Dr. G. Shaber Ali, Principal, V. M. Salgaocar College of Law, who personally extended his gratitude to the experts, organising committee, and volunteers for making this virtual edition of Lex Infinitum 2021 a grand success

BookShelf

Stellar Performance by Kare College of Law at NAAC Ratings

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authors: Gautam Mahajan and Walter Vieira Publisher: Business Expert Press, New York

Customer Value Starvation Can Kill

Customer value starvation is a common disease in companies, both small and large – This is Walter Vieira’s 16th which is difficult to diagnose. It is a silent book- and is written in killer, like many cancers. By the time it is collaboration with Gautam diagnosed, it is generally late, sometimes, Mahajan, who is too the late! Mahajan and President Vieira have put their of Customer Value expertise togetherFoundation, to show howand companies a leading From L to R Prof. Dr. Mohammad Hussain, Dean, Prof. Dr. Paramjit S. Jaswal, Prof. Dr. global thought leader in total overlook value starvation. This causes Saba da Silva, and Prof. Dr. Shiv Dutt Sharma at the Exit Meeting of the Peer team visit on 16-17 February 2021 customer value. The foreword irritation and frustration to customers in their is written byand the its world’s guru Facilitation Kare College of Law has got Counseling and interaction with the company of marketing, Philip Citizens accredited with B++ Grade Centre for Senior personnel – in person, on telephone, netKotler, or who said, “This book will help with a CGPA of 2.78 on a 4.0 for the upcoming cycle mail. you think freshly about your point scale, after a 3-member of accreditation and has business mission and success.” peer team of the National entered into memoranda The book identifiesSeven customer DNA (Do Not on well-known experts (MoUs) Assessment and Accreditation of understanding Annoy) factors, and howShep to Hyken thesuggests subject like to diversify Council (NAAC), an with institutions minimize customer loyalty; haveensure contributed to this book. projectcomplaints; as autonomous institution this ambitious journalist, visiting professor Reading Customer of the University Grants it is important and for longsenior term company profitability and Value Starvation Can Kill promises at renowned business schools are vulnerable. Commission (UGC) recently citizens who success. to make life easier for your in USA, Europe and SE Asia, visited the College on 16-17th Kare Law College also customers and yourself, and an international speaker. Feb 2021 to verify and validate offers certificate courses in and help you win in the He is the first Asian elected the Self Study Report (SSR) Indo-European Comparative Chairman of the 45 nation marketplace. from submitted by the institution. studies with Mr.faculty Gautam Mahajan, president of Customer Value Foundation, is the leading global thought leader in total customer value ofJournal Management CVS the is aglobal common disease managementand and valueacreation. He mentors Value Creation Alliance and isapex foundingbody editor of the of Creating With this grading and Lisbon Univesity Value. He is the author of several books, and is a business leader and inventor with 18 US patents. in companies, both large and consultants ICMCI He now Language score, G. R. Kare Law unique Portuguese spends muchaftertime small. It inisIndia often to Marketing legal inputsmarketing College is the only institution course with Walter Vieira pioneered consulting in 1975,difficult when he started Advisory Services, a 14 year with trainee ending asNGOs marketing head Bangladesh/SriLanka. stint in thein corporatediagnose. world, starting asItmanagement andfor India, is Chairman of happens atandthe qualified in Goa imparting legal by faculty successful bottom of the pyramid, and CERS, Ahmadabad, the oldest education, with a CGPA the language and the law. the top is not even aware of consumer body in India. of more than 2.75 (thereby The students have excelled Mahajan is what is happening. It is a silent Gautam securing the B++ status) over the years with gold Use code the leading global thought killer, like many cancers. By www.businessexpertpress.com NAAC rates Higher medals at Goa University the time it is diagnosed, it is leader in total customer Education Institutions (HEIs) examinations. CUST2021 value management and value generally late – sometimes too 1.800.632.0880 The College has on seven criteria including For 20% creation. He mentors the late. off Mahajan and Vieira have orders@aidcvt.com the curriculum, teaching- collaborated at the national put 30rd, their expertise together global Value Creation Alliance andthru is April learning, evaluation, research, and international level Vaild 2021 to show how companies and is founding editor of the infrastructure resources, on the verge of commencing overlook value starvation. Journal of Creating Value. He student progression and best with faculty and student This causes irritation and is the author of several books, practices and Kare Law College exchange in the near future. It frustration to customers in and is a business leader and excelled for having a state-of- has entered into many MoUs their interaction with the inventor with 18 US patents. the-art infrastructure and with prestigious universities company and its personnel – Mahajan has worked institutional distinctiveness in Portugal and Brazil and in person, on telephone, net for many years at a Fortune of Jana Suvidha Kendra, a is commencing research 50 company in the US and or the mail. citizen facilitation centre through a unique research The book identifies DNA has hands-on experience at the Mathany Saldana protocol with universities (do not annoy) factors, and in development of leaders, Administrative complex and institutions in Cabo suggests how to minimize CEOs and executives; and that has won accolades for Verde, Macau, Mocambique, complaints, ensure customer in consulting for numerous and Portugal. providing legal assistance to Brazil loyalty and long term MNCs such as Alcoa, thousands of needy citizens The prestigious 13th company profitability and APEAL, Azelis, Birlas, BTRto avail of services during the century UNESCO heritage Nylex, Chicago Metallics, success five-year cycle of accreditation. university of Coimbra in Walter Vieira (of Goan Continental Can, Coromandel The College has taken Portugal is the most recent origin) is the recipient of the Fertilisers, DuPont, European legal assistance to a new collaborating University with Lifetime Achievement Award Union, GE, Godrej GTE, ITC, level and further diversified Kare Law College after having from Business Goa in 2018. Klockner, Korea Telecom, by creating more than 21 entered into MoUs in the He pioneered marketing L&T, Reynolds, Sealed Air, clinics in all the talukas of presence of the President of consulting in India in 1975; Sumitomo, Solvay, Sonoco, the South Goa District. The Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de after a very successful career Steel Authority of India, College has now identified a Sousa and the Chief Minister in the corporate world. He Tatas, Toyo Seikan, Valmont, new area of distinctiveness by of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant, is a consultant, an author, Viag, Xerox setting up a permanent Legal last year MARCH 2021 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 29

professional dossier

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Dr Daniel Mascarenhas

The Doctor who thinks with his Heart

Dr Daniel Mascarenhas has contributed to the betterment of cardiac patients purely out of his concern to do good for those in need

r. Daniel Neville Mascarenhas, MD. FACC, Clinical Professor of Medicine (Drexel University College of Medicine) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a renowned Cardiologist and the first Goan-Indian, among 40,000 cardiologists in the USA, who has been awarded the Prestigious International Service Award 2021 from the American College of Cardiology. This is in recognition for his relentless and continuous dedication to the international community and service to cardiac care, especially in the underdeveloped world. Dr. Mascarenhas has been in the United States since 1985, after having completed his fellowship in Cardiology at the King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital, a 1500 bed University Hospital, in Mumbai. During his tenure at KEM he was exposed to the reality and challenges of practicing medicine when patients lacked basic medical infrastructure for cardiology services. As a cardiology fellow in 1984, his job description included placing catheters in a cidex solution on Sunday evening and cleaning them on Monday morning for use in patients. Catheters were used until they deteriorated. In 1989, as a cardiology fellow at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester Massachusetts, he then did back to back advanced fellowship in Nuclear Cardiology and interventional Cardiology under the mentorship of Dr. David Spodick, a legendary clinical cardiologist and researcher. During this period, Dr. Mascarenhas collected coronary catheters and temporary pacing catheters (used and time expired) from

Dr. Daniel Mascarenhas

the Cardiac Catheter Lab at the hospital. In 1992, he came up with the idea of bringing these devices back to his alma mater, KEM Hospital and G.S. Medical College, in Mumbai, India, for reuse for needy patients. In 1994, as a cardiologist in private practice, he further expanded his efforts and began to collect unused catheters and balloons and delivered these to Dubrava University Hospital in Zagreb, Croatia, in addition to his alma mater. In 2002, he began collecting pacemakers, stents and peripheral catheters which were subsequently brought and reused in KEM Hospital, Sion University Hospitals, and Holy Family Hospital in Mumbai. In 2005, Dr. Mascarenhas embarked on extending cardiac care in his beloved Goa. He started the P F das Neves Mascarenhas Cardiac

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Diagnostic Clinic under the aegis of the Goa America Heart Foundation. As these efforts gained momentum, he started collecting reused defibrillators which were very costly to acquire and implant in India. In order to streamline distribution of these devices among the indigent population of Mumbai, he started a pacemaker/device bank in 2006 at the Holy Family Hospital in Mumbai, India. The device bank was able to document the use and distribution of these devices in order to effectively deliver them where they were most needed. In 2010, Dr. Mascarenhas presented his preliminary findings at the AHA with subsequent publication in the American Journal of Cardiology in 2011 and with a news report on the same article in the British Medical Journal. These scholarly

reports were the basis for subsequent publications on the reuse of devices. In 2012, this experience on the reuse of defibrillators was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine and his work was accompanied by an editorial on the subject in the same journal. After this publication, this work was highlighted by the Times of India, Mumbai and simultaneously picked up by Agency France Presse (AFP) and BBC. This intense experience and labour of love culminated in him being named the ‘50 top Indian Americans’ by Silicon India News. In May 2014, Dr. Mascarenhas was interviewed by NPR news regarding his experience with re-use and reimplantation of devices. In July 2015, he was interviewed on Philly Fox News for his experience with reusing and re-implanting them in the indigent population. Dr. Mascarenhas was recognized by the Pennsylvania Medical Society in November 2018 for his efforts with the International Voluntary Service Award, the second highest achievement awarded by the PA Medical Society. Most recently, he was interviewed by Vice News in July 2019 in recognition of his work at home and abroad. Unlike many, Dr. Mascarenhas has contributed to the betterment of cardiac patients not for financial, scientific or professional advancement but purely out of his concern to do good for those in need. He used ingenuity and his “where there is a will” attitude to initiate a pioneering approach to provide expensive lifesaving cardiac help to people who could not afford them www.businessgoa.in

Autobiz

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BMW i4: Fully Electric

he upcoming BMW i4 was revealed at the BMW Group Annual Conference held in Munich, Germany, recently. “With its sporty looks, best in class driving dynamics and zero local emissions, the BMW i4 is a true BMW. It makes the heart of the BMW brand now beat fully electric,” said Pieter Nota, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG (Customer, Brands, Sales). The BMW i4 is a fully electric 4 door Gran Coupé and will enter the

market during the course of 2021, including a BMW M Performance model. Its refined balance of BMW typical sportiness, comfort and sustainable performance are unique in its segment. The BMW i4 model line will be available in different versions covering ranges of up to 590km (WLTP) and up to 300 miles* (EPA). With a power output of up to 390kW / 530HP the BMW i4 can accelerate from zero to 100km/h in around 4 seconds

01/03/2021

MARCH 2021 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 31

healthcare

www.businessgoa.in

The ‘Versius’ by CMR Surgical

Dr Kedar Padte elaborates on the surgical robot named Versius, which makes it easier for surgeons to perform challenging and difficult surgical procedures

Dr Kedar Padte

By Dr. Kedar Padte

s I write this article, my mind goes back to a book ‘The Ascent of Man’ by J. Bronowski. “Man is a singular creature, he has a set of gifts that make him unique among animals, thus, he is not a figure in the landscape, and he is the shaper of the landscape. In body and mind, he is the explorer of nature, the ubiquitous animal, who not only found, but has made his home in every continent. I believe, that ‘Versius’ will soon be a name known to every household on all continents. The surgical robot from Cambridge, UK is here to stay and make giant strides in the field of surgery. Historically, early physicians like the Arabian Albukasim (936-1013 A.D) and later Phillip Bozzini (1805: Frankfurt) developed methods of examining to explore the human body through orifices. The first effective open endoscope was developed in

1853 by Desormeaux. Earliest peritoneal laparoscopy was performed by George Kelling, who called it Celioscopy. Ever since, laparoscopic surgery in general and endoscopy in all has made logarithmic strides in every field of surgical medicine that have made the surgical procedures safer with much less morbidity and blood loss. “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world”, and the “hands that move the surgical instruments save lives”. The human body, the human himself is a mosaic of an animal and an angel. It has reflexes that are unique, and movements that make it move its limbs through pathway from the brain that forms a whole repertoire of subtle complex movements that can make the human perform complex sports actions or surgeries. The limitation though is the limitation of flexibility. The same applies to laparoscopic surgery. Most laparoscopic

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surgery is performed using a 2D camera, with limited range of movements and the ergonomic positions can be tiring for the surgeon. The Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mark Slack, himself a gynecologist, and a surgeon with amazing foresight has now – alongside a team of experts – introduced the Versius from CMR Surgical. The Robotic, modular arms on the bedside units (BSUs) of this system are easy to use, comfortable to move and store, and have the mobility of rotating the fully wristed instruments through almost 720 degrees making it perhaps the most versatile surgical robotic system. The surgeon can sit or stand in an ergonomic position and operate at his convenient eye and arms position without getting exhausted. This makes the RAS (Robotic assisted surgery) even more fruitful When accessing a rather dangerous anatomical area, close to vital structures and

blood vessels, a surgeon has a challenging task and the lesion often remain inaccessible or there may be incomplete resection of a malignant deposit. Versius makes it simpler by virtue of its 3D vision and precision and control offered through its arms that bio-mimic the human arm and make the surgeon more confident. The Versius and its wider data driven digital ecosystem is likely to spread across states, countries and continents, making it the best approach to the minimally accessible surgery across the globe. The “Ascent of Man” in the RAS has begun and sky is the limit. In all our endeavours it’s the enthusiasm, perseverance, dedication, and push from Dr Jayashri Padte, that we cross the bridges. Now having done my first ever Robotic Hysterectomy, I wish Goa, India and the World, the very best and can foresee a glorious future for the CMR and the Versius

CoWorking Spaces in Margao GET ON THE DECK NOW +91 92060 80808

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GDP TALKS: TALKING TALUKAS Rural Youth Rising

ural youth bring their own skill sets and expertise to the table. They have a better understanding of their surroundings and are in a position to tell what they need in today’s ever-changing time. GDP Talks is a much needed platform to encourage the rural youth to bring to light issues they face with respect to agriculture, healthcare and education and put forth their suggestions to make their life better. This will empower the youth to turn their suggestions into reality. With experts and investors on board, the GDP Foundation can take up solutions suggested by the student to a logical end along with the student. Also, though there are trophies and prizes, this is not a contest, but a ‘Manthan (Churning) of Thoughts’ that can be put to action for the benefit of the Rural Society. GDP Talks is a joint activity undertaken by the GDP Foundation and its partner company, GoaBylane, and is supported by Demerg Systems and Internship Station Each taluka has unique opportunities and faces a different set of problems and challenges in agriculture, healthcare and education. GDP Talks is an effort to try and understand them along with the students and find entrepreneurial solutions.

Successful entrants with the organisers of ‘Talking Talukas’

Categories Talkathon: 3 min audio clip in which a student narrates a real issue / opportunities related to agriculture / healthcare / education that the particular cluster of talukas are facing and the best entrepreneurial solution from the student’s point of view

category - 3rd Prize: Memento and a cash prize of `1,000/- in every category Every participant will receive a Certificate of Participation (digital). GDP Talks will present a Rolling Trophy to the institution that wins maximum prizes in every cluster.

Thinker’s Lounge: Students shall submit a 1,000 - 1,500 words essay describing an entrepreneurial solution for a problem or an opportunity related to agriculture / healthcare / education in the cluster taluka

Introducing the ‘Change Agent’ Award: An award for the co-ordinator to facilitate the maximum number of entries from his / her college. The co-ordinator will be presented with a memento, certificate, and `5000/- cash award

Vocal For Local: Students shall conduct a video 2 min interview with an entrepreneur from the cluster taluka who has made a mark in agriculture / healthcare / education sector. Lost in Bylane: A student/group of students shall bring to light a lost heritage/treasure from Dharbandora and Ponda taluka by producing a 2 min film on the same. Entries that bring insights, innovation, cost-effectiveness and sustainability will be appreciated as under: - 1st Prize: Memento and a cash prize of `2,000/- in every category - 2nd Prize: Memento and a cash prize of `,500/- in every

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The Way Ahead: Promising ideas and suggestions in all 4 categories will be taken up for implementation. What GDP Talks promises: Mentoring by industry stalwarts; prototyping assistance; industry intervention; investor readiness. This will be a golden opportunity for students to take their first step into the world of social entrepreneurship to transform themselves and their talukas. GDP Talks is not a contest or a competition. It is a way to make rural India ‘Atmanirbhar’ in the true

sense. The Awards ceremony conducted later, had Atul Jadhav, Chairman CII-Goa Council as the Chief Guest; Jayesh Raikar, Chairman, CIIYi Goa; Rev Professor Simão R. Diniz, Administrator, Rosary College as the Guests of Honour along with Amey Salatry, Trustee, GDP Foundation. The Rolling Trophy was awarded to Rosary College of Commerce and Art, the Change Agent award was presented to Assistant Prof. Mohan Undakoti from Rosary College of Commerce and Arts. In the ‘Thinker’s Lounge’ category, Lizanne Rodrigues from Carmel College of Arts & Science won the first prize; Vaibhav Majalikar from Rosary College of Arts & Commerce won the second place; and Kimberly Queenie from Rosary College of Arts and Commerce won the third place. In the ‘Talkathon’ Category Anirudh Bhat from Parvatibai Chowgule College of Arts & Science won the first place; Anand Bale from CES College, Cuncolim won the second place; and Esha Kankonkar, CES College, Cuncolim won the third place. The ‘Vocal for Local’ category saw Laxmi Marandi from Rosary College of Commerce and Arts, win the first place; Namira Naroo from Rosary College of Commerce and Arts won the second place; and Jackson Rodrigues from Shree Damodar College of Commerce & Economics won the third place. In the ‘Rural Youth Rising’ Category, Tania Kirtani from Rosary College of Commerce and Arts won the first place; Rekha Oli from CES College Cuncolim won the second place; while Vaibhav Naik from Parvatibai Chowgule College of Arts & Science won the third place

ART

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Everybody Loves a Good Show!

Larger than life figures abound in Kararwal’s work

By sybil rodrigues

t is so heartening to enter 2021 on a happy notes with ‘The Gum in the Chest will see the Mountain Burst’, a delightful show of paintings and drawings by visual artist Siddhartha Kararwal. Presented by Samira Sheth in association, with The Project Café, Goa and curated by Kirti Parihar, the exhibition recently opened to a glamorous crowd, eager to catch a glimpse of this really cool artist. So far, Kararwal is known mainly for his interesting installation art, which has featured in numerous prestigious gallery exhibitions, art summits and at diverse venues including at the Echoes of the Earth Music festival in Bangalore; the NGMA, Mumbai; Diesel stores across Mumbai and more famously on the cover of Cosmopolitan India with

actress Jahnvi Kapoor sitting on his pink ‘Chewing Gum Couch’. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in the Visual Arts from the prestigious Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda and a background in sculpture and this comes through to great effect in his large scale paintings, now on display in Goa. Kirti Parihar says, “This is the first solo exhibition of paintings of a formidable talent who is also an acclaimed installation artist known for using everyday items like clothing, plastic, and papers to send a message through his creations. There is really no way to put a label on his sense of style – flamboyant, yet reserved, whimsical, yet sensible. It can be all of those things.” “Something is very charismatic and intriguing when you interact with the

Kirti Parihar, Siddhartha Kararwal and Samira Sheth against ‘The Second Last Supper’

Samira Sheth highlights the show of paintings and drawings by artist Siddhartha Kararwal

Suhel Seth and Kim Sharma

characters of Siddhartha Kararwal’s world which germinated from his lockdown diaries. His artworks are an expression of his observations arising from standing alone in the balcony gazing at the empty roads and flyovers and being bombarded with everyday uncertainty. The caricaturist characters and the amusing titles of his works are his humorous ways of narrating the chapters from his lockdown days.” “The exhibition is a welcome change from the fears and anxieties of 2020. Kararwal’s artwork shakes viewers out of that state by piquing their curiosity and bringing a sense of joy and hope with his caricature like, Pop art faces and figures,” adds Samira. His Instagram-mable installation, ‘Too Much Idiot Box’ garnered a lot of

attention on opening night which drew an interesting crowd including Kim Sharma, Suhel Seth and Lakshmi Menon, among other art lovers. The all pervasive television culture of our time and its strong influence forms the theme of Kararwal’s dramatic installation that takes up an entire room. The power of the idiot box only got more intensified during the lockdown. “We are constantly bombarded with images from the idiot box – of celebrity, mass culture, the rays and colours and chaos of the screen being our only escape into a world of fantasy and of confronting our own boredom. Kararwal takes the idea of a mammoth overbearing television and blows it up into a hyper real installation – a punch in its viewer’s face, a shot of biting sarcasm. Make no mistake, underneath these charming cute cartoon characters there is definitely a bite to Siddhartha Kararwal’s work,” says Samira Sheth. In his epic scale painting ‘The Second Last Supper’ for instance, the artist presents animal and human forms in a deceptively simple style. He says, “The weight of the concept is gone. I tried to make it a little lighter, that this is not the last supper, there is more coming; there is a little drop of hope”

Viewers at the art show

MARCH 2021 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 35

biz bytes

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Victor Hospital announces free Persistent Systems concludes statetreatment to DDSSY card holders level Smart School Hackathon

Dr. M.D. Dixit along with Victor Albuquerque

Victor Hospital, Goa’s first and premier super-speciality hospital, into medical care for 17 years has now upgraded its Cardio-Vascular Department with the induction of Dr. M.D. Dixit one of the country’s foremost cardiac surgeons. Dr Dixit has till date performed over 25000 Open heart surgeries. Along with Dr. Shivram – senior cardiac surgeon, patients can be assured of world class care. Dr. Vinayaga Pandian – Interventional Cardiologist also has to his credit a few firsts in Interventional Cardiology. The Intensive Care Unit is managed by two senior Physicians Dr. Robert Da Costa and Dr. Rajesh Javherani besides other full time Intensivists. Victor Albuquerque, Chairman and Managing Director- Alcon Victor Group

stated that “The Hospital along with its team of Doctors aim to cover all sections of society and for this very purpose, all DDSSY card holders have been honoured with free treatment”. Dr.M.D. Dixit, Director, Cardio Vascular Sciences at Victor Hospital states that “The Hospital also aims to commence with Pediatric Cardiac surgery in the coming months. At present every month 5 children along with their families are forced to travel outside Goa to avail treatment.” The hospital has also commenced with minimally Invasive Bypass Surgery, which involves making a small opening on the chest of the patient, rather than opening the entire chest of the patient as has been done traditionally

Persistent Systems, i4C, Persistent Foundation and Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in association with Hedgewar School concluded its state-level Smart School Hackathon – a unique innovation competition aimed at tapping creativity of school students in Goa. Initiated from 10th November’ 2020, the Smart School Hackathon (SSH) was held virtually from Persistent Pune for students from schools across Goa for standard 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th. The 6 critical concerns addressed in SSH Goa included topics like Student Health Manager, Pothole Management, Electrical Line Fault Detection, Stray Cattle Management System, Teacher Assistant and Data

2nd Edition of Business Diva Competition

Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Women’s Wing was established in 2005 with the purpose of empowering women entrepreneurs, selfhelp groups and professionals. Forum for Innovation Incubation Research and Entrepreneurship (FiiRE) is a technology business incubator established with the support of Department of Science and Technology, Government of India and is hosted at the Don Bosco College of Engineering, Fatorda, Goa. Geno Foundation is a trust managed in association with Geno Pharmaceutical Pvt Ltd

Colleen Sequeira, Poonam Shirsat, Inseyah Ali and Noeline Mendonca

a renowned pharmaceuticals company based at Goa. Geno Foundation’s main focus is on empowering women, promoting national sports and social welfare etc The second edition of

36 | Business Goa industry Dossier | march 2021

Business Diva is a business idea competition for women with its main focus on innovative solutions to women-centric issues and problems. The aim of Business Diva competition 2021 is to

Hackathon. Every school had various teams comprising of 3-4 participants. Dr. Anand Deshpande, Founder Chairman & Managing Director Persistent System was the Chief Guest and encouraged #LittleInnovators and all of us to think differently and implement innovation thinking in our day to day lives. Pooja Kothari, Persistent Systems “SSH Goa signals a change within our young generation of things that they want to see bettered, lives that they want to see improved and a world that they want to see for lifetimes to come.” “With Smart School Hackathon, we at Persistent and i4C were able to plant the seeds of these skills in the minds of school students”, said Dr. Pandurang Kamat, CTO, Persistent Systems reach a wider audience and positively impact and uplift more women entrepreneurs during these trying times. The event will be coordinated by Inseyah Ali (Business Development Manager, FiiRE), Pallavi Salgaocar (Chairperson, GCCI Women’s Wing) and Poonam Shirsat (Co-Chair, GCCI Women’s Wing) and supported by other staff from FiiRE and members of GCCI Women’s Wing. The last date for applications is 29th March 2021, the finals will be held on 20th April 2021, while the valedictory function will be held on 23rd April 2021

www.businessgoa.in

Magsons win a life… winner takes it all!

Win A Life – Season 2, one of Magson’s most ambitious promotions for their customers, culminated in a grand finale for the very first time on a virtual platform wherein there were 9 runners up out of the nearly 50,000 customers who participated. They won exciting prizes and one of them won a year-long bonanza of free goodies for the entire family of four. The Final Grand Prize Winner was selected from amongst numerous customers who were eligible to take part in this mega scheme. Win A Life Season 2 award went to Reema Parsekar and her husband, Ramesh and sons Rishubh and Rajas. The promotion which began in October 2020 ended on 10th January 2021. During this period, customers were entitled to a win a life e- coupon which they received for every

purchase of just `995/- and its multiples across Magsons stores. For Magsons ‘Win a Life’ Season 2 the theme was Roti, Kapda and Suraksha keeping in mind the pandemic. The winning family received the following gifts for the year 2021: Magsons shopping vouchers for the year 2021 to include daily staples like rice, atta, fruits and vegetables, fish, eggs, masalas, breakfast cereals, milk, cereals and pulses etc, clothing by way of vouchers for apparels,

household and personal care, free stay for 2 nights 3 days and dinning out vouchers at a 5 star hotel in Goa, pest control for the entire house, fitness club membership, free health insurance for the family for the year 2021, laundry vouchers for the year 2021, jewelry voucher at a prominent store at Panjim, free petrol for the year 2021 The other winners who went home with exciting gifts of a refrigerator, microwave oven, food processor, food hampers, 100 gms silver

coin, barbeque set, laundry vouchers and shopping vouchers were Shawn Soares, Anjali Kamat, Jayant Bhatia, Ashutosh Pant and Gawin Valadares. Besides, a number of spot prizes were offered throughout the virtual event which went live on YouTube and Facebook and was organized by Buzz Events. The event was hosted by the popular compere Jeffrey Manuel. The promotion was assisted by key sponsors which included CWO Health Insurance, IDFC First Bank, Fabric Spa, Farm Express, Tripod Gym Elite, Frugurt, SIP, Skyroots, Amul, Svami and Radio Indigo Magsons proposes to make this event as an annual property and invites its customers to participate in the still grander Magsons Win A Life Season 3 for this year 2021-22

Browntape Technologies raises fresh investment to expand its omni-channel retail solutions Browntape a leading e-commerce supply-chain integrator in India, has raised a fresh round of funding, from PE fund Marathon-Edge backed Ginni Systems, to drive growth. Ginni Systems, the maker of Ginesys, is a leading provider of ERP and POS solutions in India. Browntape’s software streamlines backend processes for online retail brands and online sellers to manage their inventory and orders across various ecommerce marketplaces and sites such as Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, Magento, and Shopify. Browntape integrates 30+ such platforms from a single panel. Orders can be fulfilled from multiple offline locations of a brand across warehouses and stores, too. Browntape Technologies Private Limited, founded in

2012 by Gurpreet Singh and Piyush Goel, has previously raised funds from angels and institutional funds including GSF Accelerator, Krishnan Ganesh, Seedfund and Gati Ltd. among others. The startup, which has been cash flow positive for the past three years, enables sales of over `100 Cr every month through its SaaS-based order and inventory management system. Commenting on the development, Gurpreet

Singh, Co-Founder and CEO, Browntape said, “The pandemic has given a tremendous push to digital and online commerce in the last year. Many retail brands are considering digital retail to be critical for business continuity and a key piece of their future growth strategy. Browntape enables offline players or digital native brands to quickly offer their products across online channels in a simple and costeffective manner. “

“The simplicity and ease of use of our system has been a key differentiator for us. Our customers want to go online quickly, manage a single view of inventory across multiple marketplaces / websites, and fulfill seamlessly. Increasingly artificial intelligence is playing a greater role in retail and we are working to build AI-powered insights and processes for sellers that will help them grow their businesses more efficiently,” said Co-founder and Product Head Piyush Goel. Browntape powers digital retail for some of India’s largest brands such as Tata Croma, Future Group, Zivame, Tupperware, Catwalk, D’Decor, IFB, Welspun and others across categories including fashion, lifestyle, home decor, electronics, footwear, bags, sunglasses, etc

MARCH 2021 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 37

Beyond classroom / dr. pradeep salgaonkar

Make Retail Stores Customer Friendly

The columnist explains the importance of a traffic flow analysis in a retail store to ensure customer comfort and convenience

o you have a problem of overcrowding of customers at specific points in your store while certain other stores are starving for customers? Do you find that certain categories of products are moving fast while others are sitting on the shelf for a very long time? Do you notice your customers are not very comfortable moving around in your store? Do you observe the feeling of discomfort on the customer’s face while s/he is negotiating between shelves and racks to reach the desired point? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then you need to do a thorough traffic flow analysis and store layout re-arrangement. Irrespective of whether you have a ‘walk-in self-service type store’ or a ‘service counter’, aided by salespeople, you need to ponder over a few more points. When was the last time you examined the store’s layout and modified it? Could you make the layout more customer-friendly? Could you utilize the store space more effectively? Could you provide comfortable moving space for your customers’? Do you have the same age-old fixtures and layout that’s probably boring and causing discomfort to your customers? Look at what you give to your customers. Certainly, you have to change. There is a need to do traffic flow analysis and to do a re-arrangement of your store’s layout. You have to bring in some freshness in your store. Traffic Flow Analysis: Traffic Flow Analysis is observing and analysing the customers’ movements through the store. It can be ‘qualitative analysis’ whereby just the movement of the customer to various counters is tracked, or it can be ‘quantitative analysis’ whereby the value generated per customer per transaction at various counters is captured. It is a critical aspect of store layout and store management for the impact it can have on the customer, both physically and psychologically. A well-designed layout not only influences the smooth movement of customers through the store, exposing them to the maximum merchandise of the store, but it also encourages certain shopping behaviours. For example, a supermarket or hypermarket may deliberately make the aisles small and many in numbers so as to make

them crowded and scattered, which may generate a feeling of economy, better quality and variety. Or, a store of readymade garments, say, for example, maybe purposely designed haphazardly so that customers spend maximum time searching for garments of their choice. Whatever may be the layout, it’s essential to do the traffic flow analysis to identify the ‘dead spots’ or problem areas within the store. Retail stores have to do traffic flow analysis and store layout re-arrangement routinely for the following reasons: 1. To identify ‘Dead spots’ or dead traffic areas: Dead spots are those areas in the store from where the store does not get expected business. There are two types of dead spots. First type of dead spots are those areas or counters within the store where customers do not go, or only a few customers happen to go. And, second type are those areas where the customers reach, however, there are no sales happening as desired. Based on the information gathered on dead areas, the store layout needs to be modified. It has to be re-arranged in such a way as to eliminate all possible dead spots. Well, a continuous monitoring of the new layout needs to be undertaken to ensure its success. 2. To identify slow-moving and unsold products: Non-selling and slow-moving products within the store is a big concern to the retailer. Unless the retailer does a thorough check of the inventory or does a traffic flow analysis, he won’t come to know about the inventory sitting on its shelves for a very long time. And many a times such products expire while sitting on the shelf, causing loss to the store. It is essential to identify such products and those areas where these products were displayed, and corrective actions should be taken in terms of modifications in the layout or changes in merchandise displays. Maybe the layout in this area could be partially modified, if the entire store layout change is not possible and high demand merchandise or search items could be moved to this area. 3. To locate overcrowded areas: Traffic flow analysis aids in identifying those areas which are overcrowded by customers. Suitable layout modifications can be

incorporated by providing a number of counters or display units or bigger aisle spaces so that customers are dispersed and have the convenience of shopping with ease. In some supermarkets, for example, customer congestion in certain areas is so high that often it results in ‘Butt Brushing’, which does not go well with most customers. The aisle space is very narrow, and the free movement of customers gets hampered, and this needs to be altered to meet customer convenience. This may have to be done at the cost of some store space, but it is worthwhile in the long run. 4. To identify areas prone to shoplifting: Most stores would have CCTV surveillance to capture shoplifting, if any. Yet there could be certain spots which are not covered, or there isn’t clarity of the area, or there are obstacles in the clear vision, and as such, the danger of shoplifting remains. It’s only through traffic flow analysis and modifying the layout that it is possible to ensure that there are no areas within the store that are not under CCTV surveillance. 5. To bring in the feeling of ‘Newness’: In addition to better utilization of floor space, store layout re-arrangement brings in newness to the store and excitement among employees and customers, alike. Customers, in general, like newness and change in everything that they look out for and experience within a store. The newness gives a fresh feeling and motivates customers to move around and shop more. Changed store layout eliminates the feeling of ‘the same old routine look’ feeling among customers. It psychologically stimulates them to explore the store with new enthusiasm and vigour. The feeling that it’s new makes them feel happy. Human mind and expectations are very dynamic. Customers continuously strive for better and newer experiences. They seek convenience, comfort and newness in every encounter they have with businesses. The retail store is not an exception. The retailer must consistently do traffic flow analysis and strive to bring newness and fresh feeling in-store by modifying the store layout suitably, ensuring utmost customer comfort and convenience to make the store customer friendly

The writer is a Founder Director, Saldots Academy; corporate trainer and facilitator; former chairman of Goa Management Association. Email: pradeepsalgaonkar@gmail.com 38 | Business Goa industry Dossier | march 2021

corporate citizen / Daniel Albuquerque

FICCI: Corporate Arbitration Dispute Resolution Channel of India

The author has been pursuing alternative dispute resolution institutions other than the courts. Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has a division called Arbitration and Conciliation Tribunal (FACT) which is portrayed in this essay

ailing any agreement … in an arbitration with a sole arbitrator, if the parties fail to agree on the arbitrator within thirty days from receipt of a request by one party from the other party to so agree the appointment shall be made, upon request of a party, by the Chief Justice or any person or institution designated by him reads Section 11 (5), the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 The Case: This is not a curious case, namely, an exceptional one; on the contrary it is that where disputants are never satisfied, even worse where they are in disagreement with their own mutually drawn and signed contracts, where Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) was the jointly agreed arbitrator. It is dramatic. The Act 1 of this drama consists in the original agreement. The Act II contains the disagreements. The Act III consists of the verdict. The Suit: The petitioner, Air Liquide North India Pvt. Ltd., filed a suit against Shree Shyam Pulp & Board Mils Ltd on 20 September, 2016 in the High Court at New Delhi, with the prayer to appoint an Arbitrator under Section 11 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 to adjudicate the dispute. The Original Agreement: The mutual agreement consisted of a) Sales and Purchase agreement for Supply of Industrial Gases, exclusively from each other only, in 2011, with storage facilities provided by the petitioner; b) Clause No. 12.1 of the agreement stated that in the case of ‘any dispute or matter in difference shall be settled by arbitration before a sole arbitrator, agreeable to both parties, from the Federation of Indian Chambers of commerce and industry, (FICCI), New Delhi and the decision of the arbitrator shall be final and binding upon the parties’; c) the language of conducting the proceedings will be English; d) Place of proceedings to be Delhi; e) the agreement is to be governed by the laws of India; f) accepted jurisdiction exclusively the Courts in Delhi. The end of Act I. The Dispute: The respondent put forth

Most of the arbitration cases which have been conducted are done so within the fraternity of the companies that belong to one or the other such institutions the following argument: a) The Court has no jurisdiction over the present dispute because the plant in question due to which the petitioner has filed the suit is territorially is in Kashipur, Uttarakhand. The respondent corroborated it by citing several cases about the jurisdiction b) the letter invoking the arbitration clause was not in terms of agreement, because it was not addressed to the FICCI, New Delhi; c) the FIR was lodged against the petitioner in Uttarakhand where the plant is located. The petitioner countered saying, a) Arbitration clause does not envisage FICCI to be the appointing authority for an Arbitrator; b) the jurisdiction of the Court is indisputable since the agreement clearly states the seat of Arbitration to be Delhi exclusively. The end of Act II The Verdict: Having heard the disputants and having deliberated several precedents the Court upheld the Petitioner’s appeal. Accordingly, it ordered that an Arbitrator be appointed under the Rules of Delhi International Arbitration Centre (DAC). The Court also set the date and place of such event. The end of Act III. Whether Arbitration is worth the trouble from institutions such as chambers of commerce? Having read the earlier submissions and even this, it is natural for the reader to wonder if the arbitration is of any benefit that it promises. The answer is in the strong affirmative. Most of the arbitration cases which have been conducted are done so within the fraternity of the companies that belong to one or the other such institutions. Thus majority of the cases do not come into public domain. It is but natural to maintain these proceedings privately and in confidence. The aim is to settle the disputes amicably, in a family spirit as it were. However,

The columnist is a writer with Oxford University Press and a published author. Email: albuquerque.daniel@gmail.com 40 | Business Goa industry Dossier | march 2021

it does not imply that these trade and commerce fraternities, whether national or international infringe on the rights of the parties to the dispute to seek justice in a court of law. Hence, only those cases appear in the public domain when one of the aggrieved parties approach the court. In the above case, we have seen that since one of the disputants, the petitioner, was not agreeable about the FICCI’s arbitration status, he wanted the court to appoint an arbitrator. No one can stop one from going to the court. However, if a company is a member of the chamber of commerce or any other similar institution, then it is highly beneficial to settle matters of disputes amicably within the fraternity where the corner stone of adjudication proceedings protect privacy and maintain confidentiality. The courts of justice, on the other hand, are public. One of the parties to the disputes wins, the other loses. The reputation is at stake. Those who lose a case lose the reputation in the market. One who loses reputation suffers a very damaging blow to the business as the public trust in the company diminishes and the customers shun its goods and services; also, the employees quit and seek better prospects. This development where the company faces losses of customers, employees and its own reputation is called attrition. Having faith in arbitration results in minimum time for disputes, saving in time and money. Where FICCI Stands: It is a highly reputed institution in the world of trade and commerce. It is affiliated to the International Chambers of Commerce (ICC) and also relates with chambers of commerce around the world. Within the country it works along with Indian Council of Arbitration (ICA), Indian Institute of Arbitration & Mediation (IIAM) and the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASSOCHAM). It may do India Inc. proud to know that in 1927 it was Mahatma Gandhi who initiated the move for the formation of FICCI. G.D. Birla and Purushottamdas Thakurdas, both not only the great pioneers of Indian industry but also played a great role in the freedom movement of India laid its foundation

legal eagle / dr. vinod shirodkar

Intellectual Property Rights (Trademark)

The writer speaks about intellectual property rights and explains the concept of a Trademark

ne of the most important desire of any human being is to own property, given that it is an important asset to be owned. Property provides dignity, status and respect for the holder. Apart from physical and tangible property there exists one more form of property and that is the property generating from the human brain which is well understood globally as ‘Intellectual Property’ and is an intangible, incorporeal and abstract property. The outcome of this intellectual property is idea, creation, creative ability, some secret knowledge or knowhow which might relate to business, medicine, art, culture, knowledge from customs and traditions, innovations in different area or walks of life etc. Although it has gained more importance and value in the recent times; these intellectual properties, like physical and tangible property, are also protected by different laws and recently these protective laws have been developed to a great extent to meet the demands of the world at large. Some of the intellectual properties are artistic works like music, sculpture, art, literature, painting so also trade secrets, domain name on the internet, trademark / service mark, inventions, indigenous and traditional knowledge, computer programs, design which may include design of the goods or packaging or it may be industrial design and also include layout design of integrated circuit, plant varieties and knowhow of the same, biodiversity, geographical indication, and among all these, fashion which is of recent origin. One of the most important intellectual properties is Trademark and Service

Mark. The manufacturer or supplier of goods ensures that although the goods produced by him are similar to those manufactured by others, their distinguishing marks are different. The importance of trademarks was recognized only after the Industrial Revolution which enabled large scale production, distribution of goods and publicity through different media. It is in this context that ‘trade marks’ play a very important role in the modern commercial market. A Trademark is anything that is associated with goods or service for the purpose of recognition and identification of the same, so from this point a trademark can be something which identifies and recognises any product/ goods, it mostly guarantees its quality, it advertises the product, and it creates an image of the product or service in the minds of the public, particularly the consumers or the prospective consumers of such goods or services. The marks associated with the goods or services come to acquire a reputation and goodwill around them. Trademark plays a very important role in the development of economy of any country. Trademarks establish goodwill between the source of a product or service and the consumers or the prospective consumer. Trademarks are an asset which forms the foundation of any business to the ultimate purchaser or the consumer and play an important role in the commercialisation and growth of industries. The concept of trademark in this modern era has brought a transition in the law of trademark and is in a way a great challenge for the team drafting the legislation in a country. A trademark which

A Trademark is anything that is associated with goods or service for the purpose of recognition and identification of the same is registered under the statute is called registered trademark, where as a trademark unregistered is called Common Law Trademark. The definition and meaning of trademark, in recent times, is taking innovative and flexible form with the development taking place due to the creativity and intelligence of the people, for e.g. Sound is given the status of trademark though sound trademark is not defined by the Trademarks Act, 1999. The Trademark takes the form of non-conventional trademark like taste, shape, smell, texture, motion etc which is not conventional like word mark, logo, sign, symbol etc. In India the sound trademark is being popularly utilised to identify products. Trademark is developing largely due to innovation and novel creation and people are trying to protect the same from infringement by remaining vigil and alert and safeguarding the same in different innovative ways, for instance, in a recent development, Trade Mark Registry, Mumbai, has registered the image of Taj Mahal Hotel in June 2017 and has given it a Trademark which is a ‘Landmark Registration’. This is the first time a structure in India has been registered; so also, the second building structure which got its trademark registered is the Bombay Stock Exchange Ltd. In June 2018, the Phiroze Jeejeebhoy Towers, which is a 28 storey

building got a trademark. A trademark provides protection to the owner of the mark by ensuring the exclusive right to use it to identify goods or services, or to authorize another to use it in return for payment. The period of protection varies, but a trademark registration can be renewed indefinitely on payment of additional fees. Although registration of a trade mark is not compulsory, it is advisable to apply for registration, because registration provides a costeffective way to preventing infringement, and also prevents others from appropriating and registering your trade mark. In addition, registration is a guarantee of immunity to infringement actions based on the registered trademarks of other parties. Internationally, India is a member of the World Trade Organization, Madrid. The protocol amongst G-20 Economies, India ranks 14th, which will help Indian trademark owners to register their trademarks at WIPO in the member countries by filing a single application and also allowing the other member countries to register their mark in India. There are number of conventions, agreements and treaties and so also enforcement system by the Government to protect Intellectual Properties like Adelphi Charter on Creativity, Innovation and Intellectual Property, TRIPS (Trade Related Aspects Of Intellectual Property Rights), DOHA declaration, Intellectual Property Organizations which are founded by treaty, Paris Convention for protection of Industrial Properties, WIPO (World Intellectual Property organization), Berne Convention for protection of literary and artistic work

The writer is an entrepreneur and holds a doctorate in intellectual property law. Email: vinodprosper@gmail.com MARCH 2021 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 41

MONEY MATTERS / V B Prabhu Verlekar

Everything you wanted to know about Start-Up India

The writer explains the Government’s Start Up India portal which has taken the initiative to provide learning for budding entrepreneurs to promote and encourage the entrepreneurial spirit amongst millennial youth

any are under the wrong impression that starting a new business venture with capital investment for buying, selling, or manufacturing goods or providing services is a startup. They do not realize that the concept behind Startup India Scheme is significantly different and may not relate to traditional business or services. Our younger generations are cyber natives. Their brain is wired with cyber technology right from birth. They have access to new innovative developments taking place in the world with their internet connected smart-phones. Besides, the Indian brain has developed over thousands of years and is extremely creative and innovative in this respect against all odds. Indians can think creatively with out-of-the-box ideas to develop new products and services with e-commerce solutions. There are a few startups in Goa who have achieved global success with their innovative solution-based software programs. At the same time, there are many young enthusiasts struggling at level one seed stage. Merely having incubator centres with office space, high speed internet connectivity and other such facilities with enthusiastic employees is not enough. Startup entrepreneurs need support on various fronts to succeed. They need guidance, hand-holding and encouragement from passionate, publicspirited and competent mentors at every stage. This is sadly lacking in Goa. Just having a fantastic innovative idea is not enough unless it is saleable as well as scalable across geographical boundaries resulting in generation of revenue to all stakeholders in due course of time. This is possible only if the idea is oriented towards solutions aimed at reduction of costs, time, labour through automations or solutions which add value to services and products using machine learning or artificial intelligence. However, budding entrepreneurs seeded with innovative ideas, driven by passion and who wish to venture into Startups can secure help from Government of India‘s Startup India portal (www.startupindia.gov.in). The Government of India through this portal has taken the initiative to provide

learning for budding entrepreneurs, get ideas and providing them attractive incentives to startups for promoting and encouraging the entrepreneurial spirit amongst millennial youth under Start-up India scheme. A robust startup system is expected to result in employment generation, driving innovations, nurturing entrepreneurship and building scalable businesses In order to qualify under StartUp India Scheme, firstly the applicant entity should be either partnership firm, Limited liability Partnership or Private Limited Company. Proprietary firms are not eligible. Secondly, they will be considered as startups for a period of 10 years from date of incorporation or registration. Thirdly, in this period of 10 years its turnover should not exceed `100 crores in any year. And lastly, it should be working towards innovation, development or improvement of product, processes or services or it has a scalable business model with high potential for employment or wealth generation. It should be noted that the business must not be a result of splitting up or reconstruction of an existing business. This startup should be recognized by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to avail numerous benefits, for which an online application should be made enclosing documents such as copy of the certificate of incorporation or registration, a write-up about the nature of business especially highlighting how it is working towards innovation, development or improvement of products or processes or services or their scalability in terms of employment generation or wealth creation. Incentives There are a variety of courses which are available on the portal for budding entrepreneurs free of charge on completion of which certificate is awarded. One can know about various State Governments startup policies, and various funding schemes from their respective websites. Tools and templates to draw various agreements are also available for the startups. Government of India has listed some of the problems

on Startup India portal naming it ‘Idea Bank’. You can think of solutions for the given problem and execute it through your startup. The Idea Bank can be accessed through the portal. To reduce the regulatory burden on startups and to enable them to concentrate on their core business; self-certification of compliance is allowed in case of certain labour and environmental laws. In case of labour laws, no inspections will be conducted for a period of three years. Further, startups are eligible for 80% rebate in patent filing fees and 50% in trade mark filing fees. Norms are relaxed for capable startups for public procurement in tenders floated by government or PSUs without any condition of prior experience/turnover / earnest deposit requirement. Central, State, PSUs have mandatorily to procure at least 20% of their orders from micro, small and medium enterprises. Since startups are engaged in innovations which are sometimes ahead of time, there are many failures. Ministry of Corporate affairs has notified startups as ‘Fast Track Firms’ enabling them to wind up operations within 90 days under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016. For startups in India access to funds is not easy. In order to support such ventures, the Government of India has set up a Fund with corpus of Rs. 10,000 crores for providing equity funding to startups through SIDBI Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI). There are also tax exemptions to startups for a block of 3 out of 10 years and also tax exemptions from Capital Gains to encourage investors for investing in the startup ecosystem. At initial stages of the startup cycle of creation or the pre-seed stage, one has to rely on self-financing or funds from friends and relatives. Once the prototype is ready, it needs to be tested by field trials and tests to validate the potential demand for product or services of the startup. Entrepreneurs should have a detailed financial and business plan before approaching investors with prototype creation, product development, website/app development, licenses and certifications, marketing and sales plan. Startup entrepreneurs should study

The Columnist is a senior Chartered Accountant and has authored many books on accounting and taxation. Email: verlekar@bsnl.in 42 | Business Goa industry Dossier | march 2021

invest right / Mahesh pai

Planning for an early retirement

The writer explains the importance of planning for an early retirement and how one can achieve the same by working with a qualified and professional financial consultant

f financial freedom and early retirement is the goal then financial literacy is how you get there. You can’t have one without the other. Early retirement planning is an art. A well designed plan will allow one to retire early. The earlier this retirement plan is carried out, the easier it is to get there. With the power of compounding interest, early commitment to a retirement plan allows you to retire early and quite easily. Planning for an early retirement is not an option but a necessity. Early retirement doesn’t mean you’re supposed to stop working, it means achieving financial freedom to work on things that you like. Lots of people would like an early escape from the rat race and pursue a passion project, start a business, travel the world, volunteer, or just stop working. A lot of people say that they want to retire early, but they don’t actually paint a picture of what ‘early retirement’ looks like for them. Knowing your goals for your early retirement will also dictate how much you need to save. There are people who have retired before 40. You may think that they were extremely intelligent who must have probably come up with some startup and sold it and earned crores and that’s how they achieved their early retirement. But that’s not the fact. A normal

salaried employee can also attain financial freedom and early retirement if they plan for it wisely. But there are times when a business owner earns more than a salaried employee but is unable to save for his retirement. The only difference is discipline. A person with average intelligence but above average discipline can actually make more. Traditional Retirement We have seen our elders retire at 60 and by that time they would be likely to accumulate enough money that would last for the rest of their lives. There were two reasons why our elders would work till 60 - one would be having loans to be repaid and second, most of their saving would be gone half way due to child’s education and marriage. So now are you wondering how to retire early? A careful planning, a strict financial discipline and a regular investment can definitely help you in the long run. You have to create a corpus and make enough returns on that corpus that you and your family can live off the returns and yet the principle will remain with you forever. For that we have to invest into products which will not only beat inflation but also cover annual expense. Traditionally people

believed and followed this simple rule of income– expense = savings but to achieve early retirement and other financial goals the rule changes a bit. It turns into Income – savings = expense. Consistency is the key to reach any financial goal, you have to first save from your income and then spend. When you try to save what remains by the end of the month, you end up saving an amount which doesn’t fulfil your early retirement fund. You have to accumulate money which has to last for 50-60 years. The future is filled with uncertainty. Whether you are working in your 20s, 30s, 40s, you will never know what’s is going to happen when you finally retire. A major problem for people while retirement planning is the belief that they don’t need it in the first place. Many of them think that their high income will be able to sustain them for a long time and own assets which they feel will generate income regularly. But according to statistics these sources are likely to dry up in the long term. Here are 5 questions you should ask yourself when it comes to understanding when should your retirement starts: • What is your duration to work? How many years do you wish to work?

• What is your ideal age of retirement? At what age would you want to retire? • How long will be your duration of life? How long do you possibly think you can live considering the improvement of technology and health care? • How long will the duration of your retired life be? How many years would you stay retired? • Will you be financially dependent or independent? Will you require your future generation to take care of you? Answering these question will potentially help you identify the right age of retirement Can you retire early and still work? Early retirement is not about stopping to work, but rather gaining complete control of your time. The Bottom Line Plan your retirement in such a way as though you are going to live for 100 years. Many people would like to retire early, but few have the financial resources, planning skills, and discipline to do so. Work with a qualified and professional financial consultant who can help you manage your finances before and during retirement so that you can live a stress free life. Choosing the right company and the right product is the key

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

various funding options such as various Government loan schemes, Angel Investors, Crowd Funding, Venture Capital Funds, Bank and NBFCs finance, Venture Debt Funds, TReDs and Private Equity and opt for the most feasible and practical funding. To achieve success, mere knowledge of technology is

not sufficient. One must have high motivation, passion, tenacity, accounting and finance knowledge, marketing and communication skills and readiness to rise and walk after every fall. It is not practically possible to have all these qualities in one person. Hence, there is a need to build a team of like-minded

friends with different skills to achieve a common goal. The road from conception to completion is bumpy and full of hazards with casualty rate as high as 90% and sometimes even more. Only a few can reach the target; the ones who have faith in their product or service and have passion

and commitment. They can write their own success story along with those of Flipkart, Big Basket, PayTM, Oyo, Ola, Policy Bazar, Swiggy, Zomato, Delhivery and the like and contribute towards achievement of the 5 trillion dollar economy target as announced by our Prime Minister, in the near future

MARCH 2021 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 43

cabbages and Queen / Nandini Vaidyanathan

Electronic Mail Tardiness

The author highlights the importance of following email protocols in order to project the right image to one’s professional network

MT in medical parlance is a lifesaving acronym. It means Emergency Medical Technician. This is a tribe of medical professionals who travel with the ambulance to attend to dire emergencies. But this article has nothing to do with these do-gooders. Here, I am referring to Electronic Mail Tardiness! Yes, this article is about those corporate professionals who are tardy to the point of being illiterate when it comes to basic email protocols. Emails have been around for more than two decades now. You may ask, why are we talking about protocols now? The answer is that even to this day many of us don’t follow these protocols, much to the chagrin of those who do. What are these protocols? The most basic of them all is that when you receive a mail, you acknowledge it by replying. This acknowledgement could be in several ways. If the mail is from a colleague discussing an issue, either you can redress the issue or you can say, let’s talk about it. But acknowledge the fact that you have read the mail. If the mail is from a stranger and you want nothing to do with it, the least you can do is send a polite turn-down. Say, thank you for your mail, but I’m not interested, all the best. If the mail is from someone who’s keen on exploring a business partnership with you, you are interested but you don’t have the bandwidth to deal with it just now, just say so. Just reply saying, thank you very much for your mail, I am keen to explore this but not just yet, the time is not ripe for it, mail me in about six months and we will see how to take it forward. If you are an editor of a newspaper or magazine, and you receive an article from a writer, first acknowledge receipt, then say, sorry, we don’t publish such articles. Or say, we are interested in publishing it but we can’t pay you, are you okay with it? Or say, we will publish it on such-andsuch date, thank you very much. If someone is spamming you, say so. If you just mark into the spam folder, the sender has no clue of your action, so in all probability, he will spam you again. So just say so. Say, please do not spam. My point is this. Any time you receive a mail, it is binding on you to

Emails have made our lives very easy, opened up channels of communication like never before. These are obvious benefits. But to my mind, the biggest but least talked about benefit is it gives you a chance to project the right image to your professional network like no branding exercise can do acknowledge it. It doesn’t take much time or effort to either kill the conversation then and there or take it forward. Whatever you choose to do, be polite, be nice. Don’t be dismissive, don’t be hurtful in your choice of words, and don’t show the power of your position. The second protocol is with respect to group mails, where multiple recipients are marked. Let’s say someone has sent you a Happy Shivaratri mail. When you reply with a thank you, same to you please hit only ‘Reply’ button, not ‘Reply All’ button!!! By hitting ‘Reply All’, you are doing two things, one is you are flooding everybody’s inbox. Two, you are drawing attention to yourself! The third protocol is when you send such mails as Merry Christmas or Happy Shivaratri, please BCC the recipients, in today’s day and age of identity theft, you don’t want information floating around,

especially if the email is an official one! The fourth protocol and this assumes critical importance in today’s context of cyber-attacks, when you are using office mail id, please be very careful in what you say and how you say it. Do not write sensitive/classified information; do not make derogatory remarks about your boss, organisation, colleague or customer. There is this famous instance of the Spirits Airline MD who received a customer complaint on his mail. The MD forwarded it to his head of Customer Service with a small note saying, “I don’t care if this MF never travels with us again, just deal with him.” But instead of forwarding it to his head of Customer Service, he hit the reply button by mistake! You can imagine the fall-out from this ginormous blunder! The fifth, and to my mind the most significant protocol is, when you are replying to mails with automated replies saying you are out of office and will reply when you get back in a week’s time, do reply when you get back to office. This gesture goes a long way in establishing your professional standing. Emails have made our lives very easy, opened up channels of communication like never before. These are obvious benefits. But to my mind, the biggest but least talked about benefit is it gives you a chance to project the right image to your professional network like no branding exercise can do. Use it because it is an easy, effortless, and inexpensive way to build your brand

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 44 | Business Goa industry Dossier | march 2021

bon Appétit

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Caravela Café & Bistro, CANDOLIM

All aboard the Caravela

Amazing breakfasts, great coffee, delicious food coupled with an old world charm is what this café is all about

Apple Pie

By SYBIL RODRIGUES

eople in and around the coastal belt in North Goa have much to rejoice about. Panjim’s beloved café, Caravela Café & Bistro have opened up a branch in Candolim. From its rustic ambience to simple architecture, the Portuguese influences of Goa reflect at this quaint little café. Run entirely by Cyrus Noronha, this newly opened branch is his baby, which he managed to set up in eighteen days, albeit with some help from his father, Carlos Noronha. Since most of their customers were from the coastal area they decided to set up a branch this side of town. Cyrus states that the vegetarian food is more popular with the crowd here. “The Bombay sandwich is quite famous while our cold coffee is a best seller when it comes to beverages.” Caravela is popular for its in-house coffee. “The green beans are sourced from Coorg and roasted in Panjim. We also stock them at Delfino’s in Porvorim, Magsons and one can also order them online.” Further, Cyrus states that their desserts are made inhouse thanks to their little bakery which they have set

Eggs Benedict

up. Regarding future plans, he says they are looking at South Goa next, either in Colva or Benaulim. Lastly Cyrus says, “If you love what you do and put your heart into it, you’re bound to become a success.” Caravela is a small café and has a beautiful old-world charm to it. With quirky quotes on coffee framed on the wall, and soft music playing in the background, one can sit back and enjoy a leisurely meal. Their breakfast menu is extensive, which offers all day breakfast options. The All Day Caravela Breakfast Premium Cold Meats has options of Chicken or Pork, while the All Day Wholesome Healthy Breakfast has muesli with fresh fruit served with either yogurt or milk, accompanied by an omelette of egg whites, brown bread and a small glass of fresh juice. The All Day Vegetarian Breakfast consists of Cornflakes with milk, bhaaji, hash browns, braised tomato, tea or coffee, poie, butter and jam along with fresh juice. They have a special section for bread, which is baked inhouse and one has a choice of opting for baked beans on toast, cheese croissant, pain au chocolat, butter croissants,

46 | Business Goa industry Dossier | march 2021

Cyrus Noronha

French toast, Ham-CheeseEgg Croissant and Goan Chorizo Rolls. The Eggs & Omelettes sections has exotic options like Eggs Benedict, Eggs Florentine, Scrambled Eggs served with Goan Chorizo and Goa’s most loved street food, the Ross Omelette which is served with a vegetarian gravy. When it comes to Omelettes, one can choose between Three Egg white omelette, Mushroom, Cheese and Chilly, Masala or one can just opt for plain scrambled, fried or boiled eggs. Pancakes are served in a stack of three with options like Nuteela & Banana, Ice Cream, Fresh fruits, Chocolate Sauce, Butter and Jam, Pancake syrup and honey.

The more health conscious folks can go for muesli with Yogurt & Fruit, Honey, Milk or good old cornflakes with milk. If one is really hungry then your best bet would be the All Day Caravela Breakfast Premium Cold Cuts with an option of Pork or Chicken. One can choose between fried or scrambled eggs, two frankfurters, bacon, baked beans, hash browns, sautéed mushrooms, braised tomato, tea/coffee, toast, butter and jam along with fresh juice. The eggs are scrambled to perfection which melts in one’s mouth, while the baked beans are tangy and pairs perfectly with the sautéed mushrooms. The hash browns were crunchy and the braised tomato grilled to perfection. Want to have breakfast like a king or queen? Then this is your go to choice. Feeling a little more adventurous? Then try the Eggs Benedict. It consists of two halves of a Goan poie each topped with Chicken ham, poached eggs and hollandaise sauce. The dish itself was presented beautifully and the eggs poached just right which went beautifully with the hollandaise sauce and ham, which make for a perfect threesome.

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Caravela has a small beverage apart from their coffees. Hot chocolate, fresh fruit juice, milkshakes, cold coffee and iced tea feature here. Their cold coffee is a coffee lover’s dream. Created by Cyrus himself, the drink is exclusively made by blending coffee with ice cream and every sip is enough to leave one craving for more. The iced tea served in a tall glass is delightfully refreshing and perfect for a hot summer day. Caravela also has different kind of pastas with vegetarian and non vegetarian options. They have a wide selection of sandwiches which is served along with a portion of fries and lists names like Pesto Veg Sandwich, Cheese & Olive, Club Sandwich, the BLT (Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato), Tuna and Cheese to name a few. They also offer a few pizzas like the Margarita, Pepperoni and Cheese

Smoked Chicken and Burgers with options of vegetarian, chicken and beef. Caravela has a special Goan section which boasts of Khatkhatem, Xacuti, Caldeen, Vindalho, Pulau, Balchao, Goan Chorizo, Roulade, Kheema Pao and of course the steamed rice. Craving for Goan food in this little café? Then yes, your prayers have been answered. For those who’d just like to have some snacks, they have veg croquettes, spinach and cheese rissois,

bacon and chicken rissois, potato chops and two kinds of salads. Thanks to their inhouse bakery, this café has cheesecake, tarts, orange bundt cake, carrot cake, brownies, bebinca, caramel custard, and cupcakes, Serradura and fruit salad under its desserts section. The Apple Tart is a pretty looking tart with a lattice pattern and dusted with icing sugar. The pastry is flaky, buttery and the apple filling with a hint of cinnamon is enough to make one’s taste buds sing.

The Caramel Custard is a huge slice with its customary topping of caramel and every spoonful sends one into raptures of delight. Do take a look at their coffee menu which is roasted in-house. They have a wide choice of premium, regular, classic, Robusta and the specials; if one is a coffee addict, this is your go to place. This is a perfect place for those who believe that one should breakfast like a king. Want to stay back for their snacks and lunch go ahead, you won’t be disappointed. Plus the desserts will make a perfect ending to any meal, be it breakfast, brunch or lunch. The one element that adds charm to this place is the owner, Cyrus who attends to every customer, is soft spoken and the ever gracious host. Go for the ambience and the great food, it’s definitely worth it

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Mail this form along with payment to BUSINESS GOA 409, Citicentre, EDC Patto Plaza, Panaji 403001 Goa INDIA Tel.: 91-832-2437822 Email: businessgoa.media@gmail.com MARCH 2021 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 47

GoaBuzz

business-goa

Eco-luxury living by Mayaland Homes

Paul Dass, OBE

Harshvardhan Bhatkuly

Mayaland Homes combines high-quality British and international architecture, design and progressive technology with the best Indian professionals, artisans and creative artists. Led by visionary founder and CEO Paul Dass OBE, Mayaland Homes builds design-led residences that are both exceptional and sustainable. Dass aims to create inspirational homes that focus on wholesome services curated with the client in mind. Speaking at a launch party, Dass said, “We are particular about protecting green spaces and are looking forward to creating more technologically advanced, yet eco-friendly homes. Important for us is bringing on board the knowledge, skill and talent of the craftsmen in Goa to create projects that have a local touch and unique flavour.” Mayaland Homes has created a coveted postcode in The Mews, a private lane surrounded by the forests of Assagao, dotted with gorgeous villas that reflect Goa’s famous architectural heritage. On completion, the area will offer a combination of private luxury homes and a maze of cool walkways for residents to truly soak in the wonder of nature. Ready for residents at The Mews is Grande Gemeo Villa I & II, overlooking lush green hills that attract exquisite birdsong and the meditative sound of breeze whistling through the trees. This gorgeous twin villa property has felt the loving touch of Aaron David Clarke, an award-winning designer known for the famous Soho House in Juhu, for which he partnered with Paul Dass

Sabreen Sukhtankar, Swati Salgaocar, Prahlad Sukhtankar, Radhika Timblo and Chef Shagun Mehra

Bina Ramani

Yellow

Chanda Chaudhary

Sinead McManus

Rainer Stoll

Ratika Bhatnagar

Vincent van Noord

Julia

Maime

Nelson Paes

David D Souza

Vidhi Bubna

Joshua Rao

48 | Business Goa industry Dossier | march 2021

www.businessgoa.in

The Poder Chronicles 3.0 at Doçe, Hilton Goa Resort

Faux Poie

‘The Poder Chronicles,’ curated by Nolan Mascarenhas is an ode to the humble Goan poder (baker). It is an unwavering attempt to revive the forgotten Goan breads. This ambitious project involves marrying Goan breads with multi-cuisine offerings with a distinct touch of local taste to create intriguing yet flavoursome combinations. Nolan collaborated with Hilton Goa Resort to feature the third edition of ‘The Poder Chronicles’, which took place on the 24th and 25th February 2021 at Doçe, the resort’s charming Urbano coffee lounge. Executive Chef of Hilton Goa Resort, Ashley Nunes, and team pieced together some cho Undo exciting amalgamations. Some of the offerings for the event were Mumbai to Goa – red amaranth (tambdi bhaji), grated coconut and served as a pakoda. Keeping in mind the increasing number of non-meat lovers, there was Faux Sanduiche Poie – with minced jackfruit. The inspiration for Urbano Cho Undo which Porto consisted of the Goan Undo filled to the brim with coriander prawns came from the legendary Chef Urbano Rego and his travels to South Africa. The Goan sweet bun was used to create the heavenly – Mary’s lamb borem asa, sandwiched between was a perfectly cooked lamb shami kebab topped with pickled onions. For a meal is never complete without a dessert, to end this perfectly curated menu was the Sanduiche Porto. It is a Portuguese inspired creation with Goan pao, soaked and drizzled in orange, cashew butter with cinnamon and glazed banana in Port wine reduced jus

Nolan Mascarenhas

Sid Mewara and family

Chef Vamsi

Amandeep Grover

Nilima Morajkar and Preeti Dhody-Grover

Kevin, Vandita, Linoshka, Ankita, Tushar

Danushka Da Gama Team Hilton Goa

MARCH 2021 | Business Goa industry Dossier | 49

NewsMakers Ligia Noronha appointed United Nations Assistant Secretary-General

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced the appointment of Ligia Noronha as Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the New York Office of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Ligia is an economist with over 30 years of international experience in the field of sustainable development. She has worked since 2014 as Director of UNEP’s Economy Division based in Nairobi, leading UNEP’s work on climate mitigation and energy transitions; on inclusive green economies, sustainable consumption and production, as well as on trade and sustainable finance, and the nexus of environment, pollution and health. Prior to joining UNEP, Ligia worked at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in New Delhi, as Executive Director (Research Coordination) and as Director of the Division on Resources, Regulation and Global Security. She served as Secretary of the Asian Energy Institute and as Coordinator of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnerships (REEEP), South Asia and worked with the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada on ecosystem approaches to human health. She has served on various boards, expert panels and advisory committees on ecosystems, natural resources and minerals and metals, and served on the National Security Advisory Board of the Government of India on matters relating to resources, energy and climate security. Ligia holds a Master’s degree in Economics from the Bombay University, as well as a Master’s degree in Sea Use Law, Economics and Policy and a PhD from the London School of Economics

Frederika Menezes honoured as ‘Goa’s Jewel’ by TNS Jewellers Frederika Menezes was honoured as ‘Goa’s Jewel’ by TNS Jewellers. A Goan author, poet and artist, Frederika is best known for her book, Unforgotten (which was a love story for young adults, published in 2014). A poem of hers, The Different Normals, features in the Class X English textbook of the Goa Board of Secondary & Higher Secondary Education (GBSHSE). She is the daughter of Jose Menezes and Angela Fonseca e Menezes and grew up in Altinho, Panjim. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy when she was one year old, she is a champion for the cause of the differently-abled Frederika’s entry into the world of writing poetry was when she was first encouraged by her teacher, for a class project. It was then that she found her passion for writing poems. Frederika started by typing on a typewriter, and later, advances in technology helped her a lot. Now, she types with two fingers on her smartphone and is constantly using social media to interact with those she loves. Frederika’s other literary works include The Portrait (a collection of poems, published in 1998), The Pepperns and Wars of the Mind (a fantasy novel, published in 2003) and Stories in Rhyme (which was a book of verse for children, released in 2014). She is also a budding artist. She does her paintings digitally (on a tablet, smartphone or PC), using only one finger 50 | Business Goa industry Dossier | march 2021

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Atul Jadhav is Chairman of CII- Goa Council

Atul Jadhav has been nominated as Chairman of CII-Goa Council. Jadhav is the Managing Director of New Era Shipping Ltd. He graduated from Murgaon Education Society College with B.Com and completed his LL.B thereafter. Since the age of 18, Jadhav has handled contract of bagging and despatch of fertilizers at Zuari Industries Ltd, handling about 500 workers. He was President of Goa Barge Owners Association for 11 years. He has been the Vice President of Indian Coastal Conference Shipping Association and Trustee of Mormugao Port Trust for 7 years. An active member of Rotary Club of Vasco, Jadhav has served on various committees appointed by Government of Goa and Government of India of an Inland Trade & Coastal Trade

Tanuj Arora to be new Hotel Manager at Hard Rock Hotel Goa

Tanuj Arora has been appointed as the new hotel manager of Hard Rock Hotel Goa. With his immense knowledge in rooms division and expertise in the business of hotel operations, Arora will be the driving force behind new innovations, revenue strategies and business development at the hotel. “I believe that the road ahead will be a challenging one, with the industry still reviving postpandemic”, says Arora. Prior to joining Hard Rock, Arora held positions at some of the most acclaimed hotels across the globe. With a rich portfolio in operations, he has been instrumental in the launch of many successful hotels in India, including the iconic Fairmont Jaipur, Westin Hyderabad Mindspace, Hilton Chennai and India’s first Hard Rock Hotel, Goa

141 1. The Dilbert series are creations of which American corporate cartoonist? 2. What slang word for the Dollar originates from the fact that the skin of a male deer was a common currency in the early US frontier days? 3. Which is the iconic brand created by Shree Mahila Griha Udyog Cooperative? 4. ‘My Word is My Bond’ is the motto of which famous financial institution? 5. Who was the first Asian to receive the Nobel Prize for Economics? 6. Which brand was founded in 1856 when 21-year-old Thomas, a former draper’s apprentice, opened his own store in Basingstoke, Hampshire, England 7. Who is the publisher-editor of Uppercrust magazine? 8. Who created the little black dress in the 1920s? 9. Logo of which organisation? Answers to BG Quiz 140: 1. Bottom of the Pyramid 2. RO-RO 3. Sparkling wines 4. Swami Vivekanand 5. Lotto 6. Unix 7. Indian Oil Corporation 8. Ball-point pens 9. Gita Gopinath Email your answers to businessgoa.media@gmail.com First all correct entry will get 1 year’s subscription to Business Goa

Registered with Registrar of Newspapers of India under RNI No.: GOAENG/2015/59955 Date of Publication: 10th day of every month. Posted on or before 30th day of the month. POSTAL LICENSE No.: G-2/RNP/Monthly/Goa-19/2021-23