Goa Streets Issue 28

Thursday, May 16, 2013 | Vol. No. I | Issue 28 | Price Rs. 10 | Pages 28 | www.goastreets.com

Art of the DJ • pg 3 Occult practice in Goa • pg 7 Creative jamming • pg 10

Studying abroad The cool mantra for Goan youth

s Plu ete pl / com event d/ e foo ghtlif ni ide gu

Top dessert joints 12 • Masters of fruit wine 19 • Zombies in Goa 22

2

what’s hot this

week May 16 to May 22

May 19 Champagne Sunday Brunch

Enjoy brunch with French champagne with food from five interactive and live stations dishing out Asian, Italian, Middle Eastern, Indian Cuisine and desserts.

Rs. 2200 + taxes (includes buffet, champagne, wines and select drinks) At Grand Hyatt, Bambolim @ 1 pm to 4 pm +918323011658/+917709004914

Mekong Lounge

May 16 to May 20 Tango with Mango

Mango shacks, Mango Cake, Mango Gelatos and many more delicious treats, all with your favourite fruit.

At Vivanta by Taj, Panjim +918326633636

Is playing host to your sporty side all this month. Watch your favourite IPL teams batting it out; Vote for the winning team and get set to be our Man of the Match.

Beers, shots, coffee cocktails, Mojito’s and more all through the matches.

At Mekong Lounge, Panjim +918380072277 / +918888662233.

Up to May 31

May 19

May 19

Summer Fiesta

Oriental Sunday Brunch

Pool Party

Coolers, Salads, Desserts and more... it’s all about the Mango At Cafe Mangii, Panjim +918322230771/73

Goa Marriott Resort & Spa hosts an Oriental Sunday Brunch featuring Pan Asian delicacies, including Thai, Malaysian, Chinese and Japanese cuisine! Plus Oriental desserts, continental pastries, fruits and ice-cream and a complimentary round of wine, beer or a mojito. From 12:30pm to 03:30pm At Wan Hao, Goa Marriott Resort & Spa +918322463333

At The Clematis, Candolim @ 4 pm to 10 pm +919823313228/+919764193858

Up to May 31 Wednesday Nite Live

May 22

At Art Escape, Benaulim @ 7.30 pm +919323590051/+9881568756

Cosmopolitan Ladies Nite

May 16 to May 22 The Sizzler Festival

Is sizzling from the hottest view point In Vasco only at Z the roof top Bar & Grill At The HQ, Vasco Call: 7709003237

Also introducing a pay for 1 JAGERBOMB and shoot another for absolutely FREE, along With free COSMOPOLITANS for the ladies all night long.

At Butter, Panjim @ 8 pm +918308838888

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Clubs/Bars/Lounges/ Live Music Butter Lounge

Indulge yourself &soothen your senses At Patto, Panjim +919822126262

Raissa’s Sheesh Mahal Lounge Delicious food and lovely music At Margao @ 10 am to 11.45 pm +918322712899

Club IANOS

Club & Global Cuisine Calangute, Baga Road 0832 6528283

May 16

Thursday Night Live

@ The Sofala Fantastic Russian trumpet player Victor Netesov jamming live with Smoking Chutney featuring Victor Netesov (trumpet), Chrystal Farrell (vocals), Benoy Rai (guitar), Sancho Menezes (keyboards), Colin D’Cruz (bass) & Bosco D’Souza (drums) At The Sofala, Bhattiwaddo, Nerul 8 pm to 11.30 pm 8550919222

Tardy Thursday

With DJ Kiran At Club Margarita, Colva @ 8 pm +919823259008

Evolve With DJs Amol Reon, Usman, Su-Edits & Alli Marc At Butter Lounge, Panjim @ 8 pm +919822126262

Thursday Retro Nights With Henry At Cafe Mojo Pub & Bistro @ 8 pm +918322426666

Spin Doctors

What it takes to become a DJ

By Vincent Kola

M

ost nocturnal creatures of the two-legged kind in Goa lurk around nightclubs or discotheques, hunting for food, drink and some good music. The state of Goa is fast becoming a hub for electronic dance music (EDM) with half a million visitors every season. These men and women keep their eyes peeled for the small black chalk boards outside each and every club. A bunch of well dressed youngsters stop in front of one of these, mumble among themselves and head right into the disco. They have found their hub for the night.

There are two kinds of people. Those who listen to music and dance, and those who make the music that makes people dance. There’s a new tribe, one that doesn’t quite fit into these

DJ Stedran spinning at a chillout party

categories but is more of a combination of both, and more. This kind gets their names on those black boards. Meet Mr. DJ. He plays recorded music for an audience using a set of turntables spinning records or CDs, and a mixer, which gives him the title of a Disc Jockey.

A good DJ enjoys quick fame. It’s quite a high to be standing behind that console, with the club packed with grooving, ecstatic youngsters pointing out at you and dancing away. Of course not any Tom Dick and Harry can spin one of those tables. It takes some prerequisites to be a DJ. Here’s the lowdown.

A Disc Jockey is often dismissed as a mere party rocker or ‘the guy who plays recorded music’. But to EDM lovers around the world, these men and

turn to page 5

Bollywood Madness

Karaoke Night

music & nightlife | 03

With DJ Aggie At The Radisson Blu @ 8 pm +918326726666

Day of the DJ

Temperate Thursday

Until May 28

With DJ Anthony At Tito’s Retro Club, Calangute @ 8 pm +919822765002

May 17

lowdown | 06

Fabulous Friday

With DJ Spike At White House Restaurant & Bar, Dona Paula @ 8 pm +917798983490

Black magic woman

Fiery Fridays

With Kanan & Fire Dancers At Tito’s Courtyard, Baga @ 8 pm +918322275028

May 19

A new art collective in Panjim

Pool Party

At The Clematis, Candolim @ 4 pm to 10 pm

Explore | 12

+919823313228/+919764193858

May 17 to May 18

Best desserts in North Goa

Electric Rain Season 1 At Tito’s Baga @ 5 pm +918322275028

Until May 31

cover story | 14

Semi Acoutics nite

At Art Escape Woodstock resort, Benaulim @ 7.30 pm +917350400655

Getting a degree abroad

Until May 31

literature | 17

Rock is Alive

At Art Escape, Benaulim @ 7.30 pm +919892286666

Konkani pocket novellas Cover Photograph: Arun Pavaratty Cover Model: Stephanie Fernandes Shoot coordinator: Vincent Kola

sports | 18 Churchill comes on top

Until May 28

Retro and all time Hits

With DJ Aggie At Radisson Blu Resort, Cavelossim beach, Salcette @ 9 pm +918326726666/ +918326726677

Until May 26

Watch, Play & Party

food | 19

movies | 22

Wines at the Konkan fruit fest

Zombies in Goa

Mekong Lounge

Beer, BBQ & Blues

With Graeme At Laguna Anjuna @ 8 pm +919011071941

arts & entertainment | 10

Uptill May 31

Old School Friday Night

Friday Night Tribal Gathering

Suicide on the rise

With DJ Aggie At Radisson Blu Resort, Cavelossim @ 9 pm +918326726666/ +918326726677

With DJ Lasker At Cape Town Cafe, Calangute @ 9 pm +919923325638 At Cafe Mojo, Panjim @ 8 pm +918322426666

feature | 09

Retro and All Time Hits

Is playing host to your sporty side all this month. Watch your favourite IPL teams batting it out; Vote for the winning team and get set to be our man of the match.

Beers, shots, coffee cocktails, Mojito’s and more all through the matches.

At Mekong Lounge, Panjim +918380072277 / +918888662233.

Friday Funk

news feature | 07

Hosted by KDJ Pierre At Sweet Chilli, Sinquerim From 8 pm to 12 am +918322479446/ +918325625693

At Zaia Bar, Calangute @ 4 pm to 11 pm +918322275331/ +918322275332

Until May 30 Salsa Night

At L’Orange, Candolim @ 8 pm to 11 pm +919970173606

satire | 23

sex | 24

give back| 26

Until May 25

Binging on the beach

Love on scooter

Quilting for modern times

At Martin’s Corner, Betalbatim @ 8 pm to 11.30 pm +918322880061/ +918322880413

Saturday Sundown

Veeam & the Highway Stars to perform live.

At Sweet Chili, Sinquerim, Candolim.

From 8 pm to 11 pm +918322479446/ +918325625693/ +919890651163/ +919860182932

On-going

Pickled Mango

Multi Cuisine serving culinary delights from around the world. @ Resort Rio, Arpora @ 7.30 pm to 10.30 pm Mon: Karaoke time with Bonny Tue: Music by Jus’ Leo n Zie Wed: Grill Nite with Music fever Thur: Rock n Retro by Country Joe Fri: Dance your blues away with Party Creation Sat: Rio Festival with Crossroads band Sun: Live entertainment with Hyden and Natasha +918322267300

Shivers Garden

Restaurant & Sports Bar At Candolim @ 7.30 pm Wed: Bingo Nite Sat: Dance Nite & Live football broadcast Sun: Sunday Roast (2 pm)

Souza Lobo

Oldest restaurant on Calangute beach With live music in the evenings.

At Calangute Beach @ 8 pm +918322281234 Mon: Nelson & Leo Tue: Just Leo Wed: Lui one man band Thur: Nelson and Leo Fri: Just Leo Sat: Victor & Sol Sun: Valentino

Fort Aguada Beach Resort At Sinquerim, Candolim @ 7.30 pm +918326645858 Mon: Haydn & Natasha Tue: Mac Dorado Wed: Haydn & Natasha Thur: Flying Colours Fri: Shine on Duo Band Sat: Anslem

Martin’s Corner

Authentic seafood and Goan cuisine Along with entertainment with Live music every week.

At Betalbatim @ 8 pm. +918322880061 Mon: Savio Tue: Bryan Ivor-one man band Wed: Francis Paul Thur: Duo by Savio & In front Fri: Karaoke by Johnny Sat: Shane. Sun: Kenny

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Night By Night Every Monday Karaoke Night

Live Filipino Band performance At O’ Goa, Hotel Fidalgo, Panjim @ 7.30 pm 2226291

Every Tuesday

Retro & all Time Hits

Retro hits played by DJ Aggie At Radisson Blu Resort, Cavelossim @ 9 pm onwards +918326726677 / +91 8888061199

Every Wednesday

Tuesday – Country Rock

At Café Mojo @ 10 am to 11.30 pm +91 9850980091/ +91 9860010061

Cosmopolitan Ladies Nite

Also introducing a pay for 1 JAGERBOMB and shoot another for absolutely FREE, along With free COSMOPOLITANS for the ladies all night long. At Butter, Panjim @ 8 pm +918308838888

Ladies Night

At Soul Souffle, Uddear, Verna @ 8 pm +918322782100/ +919404312100

Russian Ecstasy Nights

At Radisson blu resort, Cavelossim beach @ 9 pm +918326726666/+918888061199

Jam Session

A musical adventure with Goa’s one & Only Zezhinio At Sweet Chilli, Sinquerim @ 7.30 pm +91 9820820254

Retro, Rock n Roll & Old School With DJ Saby Fernandes spinning Retro, Rock n Roll At Resort Rio, Tambudki, Arpora From 8 pm to 10.30 pm +919552538203/ +919011015959

Wednesday Nights

Featuring DJs David and Ashley At Kamaki, Baga @ 7.30 pm +91 9923093408/ +918322276520

Retro, Rock n Roll & Old School At Resort Rio, Arpora @ 8 pm to 10.30 pm +918322267300/ +919552538203

DJ Roy Yod Live

At Saturdays, Varca @ 9.30 pm to 1 am +918326695066/+918326695025

Every Thursday Salsa Night

At L’Orange Marquis Vaddo, Candolim @ 8 pm to 11 pm +919970173606/+919823291413

Thursday Grill and Games Music, games & barbeque At Soul Souffle, Verna @ 7 pm to 10 pm 2782100, +91 9764694321

Every Friday

Ladies Night and Hoteliers Special At Radisson Blu Resort Cavelossim @ 9 pm +918326726666/ +918888061199

Retro Party

At ‘Rewind’ Arpora, Near Go-kart, @8 pm onwards. Great 70’s ambience, home styled food, live retro music Featuring, ‘The Music Company.’ +91 8007112200.

from page 3 women are Gods. To get deeper behind the scenes we decided to talk to some DJs. After an hour of talking to the answering machine I finally manage to get Stedran Coutinho, a young Goan DJ, on the line. It’s too early he says, just woken up from sleep.

I understand. It’s not uncommon for these men to sleep till lunch time after a long night at the club. He’s got another show tonight too.

“It’s all for the love of music” says DJ Stedran. “I do disk jockeying because I like to make people dance. It’s not about fame; it will come if you are good at it.” How does one get good at this, I ask, what are the factors for good DJ-ing?

“All you need is passion for music” says Stedran who started off early in Goa as a DJ. Got it, that’s Factor One. A passion and hunger for music. Currently pursuing his studies, he never misses a party.

“We were crazy about music so we would rush into cyber cafes and download songs all the time. Soon things changed and I thought of giving it a shot at deejaying. I first played at a birthday party, then at some house parties organised by my friends.

Soon we started getting calls from event organizers.”

Stedran has played around Goa in places like The Grand Hyatt, Taj, Kenilworth, College Parties and in almost all of the major nightclubs in Goa. He won the war of DJs last year and got the runners up this year.

“I learnt by myself. I would accompany DJ Navin or one of the seniors and just watch them play from behind the console.

Watch their style, the way they operated the turntable, watch every move.” Alright, that’s Factor Two. Patience, observation and practice.

DJ-ing today is considered to be essentially a form of art like playing any other music instrument. Stedran explains why, “A Disk jockey is someone who makes people dance non-stop. There is a particular turn to page 6

DJ Ryan Britto at a pool party

6 The Lowdown The Lowdown Walking down the grassy campus of an overseas campus has been the dream of many a starry eyed student in Goa. In our cover story we examine whether that dream is more easily attainable today, and whether the risks of spending hard earned savings on trying for a foreign degree are really worth it.

DJ Lester on the turn table

Almost every Goan will recall the local distikarnn, a traditional healer, rubbing chillies and ash over feverish bodies to drive away the bad spirits. We went behind closed doors to probe the occult practices still holding sway over the populace. Walking further down the dark side, we ask why Goa, a state that has been ranked among the best in India for all kinds of progress, has one of the highest suicide rate in the country.

Goa’s most celebrated artist Francis Newton Souza co-founded The Progressive Artists Group in Bombay in 1947. We bring you a report on the latest aesthetic meeting space formed by young artists and aficionados in Panjim.

Lord and master of the dance floor from page 5 flow in music. It’s an art. Much like story telling.

Every set played by a DJ has a story in it, which he wants to tell.” That’s Factor Three. A DJ is a musician and an artist.

An iPod on a random shuffle cannot make you dance or connect to the music. But in DJ-ing there is selection and mixing of music tracks. Mixing in itself is a complex and technical process as it involves matching the beats per minute (BPM) of the currently playing song with the following song and cross fading into it. The result is a smooth flow of non-stop dance music.

This is how it’s done: The ‘Turn Table’ or Digital Controller has basically one or two ‘decks’ or shuttle jog dials that mimic the turntable control of an audio file (which has replaced the older record and stylus needle system), along with an electronic sound mixer in the middle.

This mixer is stored with various sound effects and sound manipulative functions. The DJ uses electronic flash drives or compact disks to play music. Then the DJ mixes various songs, one after the other, in a continuous flow along with some interesting sound effects to enhance the music experience. There are various techniques like beatmatching, scratching, phrasing, harmonic mixing that can be used in combination with digital software and hardware.

It usually requires a lot of practice to get it right just like any music instrument. The song selection is what separates one DJ from the rest. The DJ usually has a database of a massive

number of Dance music tracks with him and he chooses songs to maintain a flow of thought or a particular music style.

DJ Lester, a young upcoming DJ says― “Besides having the prerequisites of being a DJ one should know how to interact with the crowd. You’re an entertainer. With that, looking cool is also important” he laughs.

Emerging from the boroughs of New York and the underground discos in London later, DJ-ing has essentially been part of the hip-hop culture.

Hence the style. The Last Factor.

“You should be able to make any party happening. You should be creative in your music as well as your style.” That’s the mantra DJ Lester follows and he’s doing pretty good out there.

Ryan Britto has been a DJ for the last four years. He won the battle of DJs, played lead guitar for a band and is known for his crazy, charming persona. “As a musician I was curious and started trying out various sound mixing softwares.

Looked good to me and I hit the real scene. I also produce my own tracks. Of course it took a lot of time, patience and hard work. But the important thing,” he says “is that a DJ needs to be unique in his style of music, mixing―which becomes his identity. He has to be outstanding and different.”

So there you are, A passion for music. Patience, observation and practice. Develop the artistry. And evolve your own personal style.

The frenzied dancing crowd are your jury, and when they respond to your groove, you will have earned the title DJ in front of your name! 

Beat the heat with Richa’s choice of desserts in North Goa, or try out a bottle of chilled fruit wine from the many home brewers we spoke to at the Konkan Fruit Fest. There’s also a review of the zombie comedy in town, a hot new satire from the pen of Cecil Pinto and a journey through Konkani pocket novellas of the past.

Food, drink, art and nightlife events are in plenty on our regular listings to help you make the best of sultry May. Happy reading!

José Lourenço

Chief Advisor - Steven Gutkin Publisher - Marisha Dutt Editor - José Lourenço Senior Correspondent - Ashley Do Rosario Business Manager - Praveen P Sales Executive - Rajeev Radhakrishnan Sales Executive - Kedar Prabhugaonkar Web Sales Executive - Alisha Naik Data Entry Operator - Radhika Naik Photographer - Arun Pavaratty Administrative Assistant - Nilesh Shetgaonkar

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Feature 7

JAADUMANTAR

Traditional healing (or cursing) practices in Goa

By Pedro Menezes

B

elieve it or not, a big-time builder-financier from Panjim who normally bulldozes his way through all rules and regulations and authorities, was stumped recently when he was about to buy a prime property by – of all things – a spirit.

What happened was that he went to consult his regular ‘gaddi’ (a sort of voodoo doctor) before signing the deal.

There the ‘gaddi’, as usual, went into a trance and sought advice from the spirit he normally communicates with.

As per his practice, the ‘gaddi’ would place flower petals on the ears of the god’s image. If the flower petals fell off, then the answer was negative. The first time the ‘gaddi’ asked the spirit whether the builder should go ahead, the flower petals fell off. Thinking maybe that it was a mistake, the builder asked the ‘gaddi’ to ask again. Again the flower petals fell off. Uncertain what to do because after all it was a prime property which he had been eyeing for a long while, the builder decided to wait for a few days, for a more opportune time, as per the ‘gaddi’s advice. And then he tried a third, and in desperation a fourth and fifth time. Each time the flower petals fell off. The deal was never signed.

Turning to ‘gaddis’ for everything from advice on how to bring up children to casting evil spells on enemies is apparently quite an accepted practise amongst certain sections of Goan society.

But what or who exactly is a ‘gaddi’?

There’s no clear definition, but a ‘gaddi’ is a mix between a priest, a soothsayer, a black magician or sorcerer and a medium for communicating with spirits. There are many types of ‘gaddis’ and going to such persons, who can be either a man or woman, is known as ‘devosponn’ (rituals for the gods), or rather, what these persons do is known as ‘devosponn’. We met up with some such practitioners, whose names have been changed here.

Mahesh from Merces is one of the more well-known ‘gaddis’ and is the latest practitioner of ‘devosponn’ which has been in his family for generations.

Their family gurudev is ‘Datta’, and according to people who know them or have used their services, they can

turn to page 8

8 Feature from page 7 do both, good and evil. We managed to chat with him for a brief while through a common friend. Though clearly reluctant to talk about their practices, he says people come to them for guidance and help and they don’t charge anything for their services, but usually people give donations out of gratitude.

They only conduct rituals on certain days of the week and he has to strictly observe certain measures like fasting and eating only certain foods on ritual days.

He says that by reciting certain prayers he enters into communication with the god (or oracle) and then the god speaks and exercises his powers of healing or killing through him. He uses ash from wood burnt in the sacred fire to divine a person’s query and also to receive the answer or instructions on what the person should do. In case one’s enemy is to be harmed then the ash is given to the person who then has to throw it at the person if possible or put it in his path or in his house so that he suffers.

Sitabai from Candolim is also a wellknown ‘gaddi’, but she claims that what she does is not ‘devosponn’. In fact when we meet her, the first thing she tells us is that she never entertains people “who’ve been going around to different places doing ‘devosponn’.” She says she only helps people because she has the gift and the spirit of the goddess manifests through her. A Sateri worshipper, she had actually gone into reclusion because of the Shirgao zatra this Thursday, but we still managed to meet her.

“People come to me when they have troubles,” she says, “and the devi shows the cause of their trouble, who is to be blamed and what safety measures and precautions they should take.” According to her acquaintances, she only does this for her community or clan members and not for others, and she never charges any money. She sits in her home temple on Tuesdays and Thursday with an oldstyle low wooden table in front of her on which are kept small heaps of unhusked grains of rice. Invoking mantras and going into a trance, she then lifts the grains and throws them on the table like dice; the way the grains fall tell the tale. She may do it a few times to get a clear picture. The visitor who has to first profess his or her devotion to Sitabai is then given some of the grains to be kept as a charm or to be thrown at the enemy and such like. Her family members say their main business is a restaurant in the coastal tourist belt. Siddesh’s family is in the transport business.

There are many others like these in Goa, with some villages like Shiroda, Pirna, Marcela, well-known for these practitioners. While they perform the simpler rituals and operations in their house temples, there are also said to be certain ‘power’ spots where the more special rituals are performed. One such spot is the ‘ghumti’ on the old Patto bridge which is said to be the haunt of a very powerful spirit which, if appeased properly, grants all your wishes.

With the shroud of secrecy around these activities and the respectable cloak worn by some of these practitioners,

it’s difficult to figure out whether these traditions are a part of mainstream religions or whether they really belong to the occult and Tantric traditions. There are even Catholic practitioners in Goa who practice what can only be termed as unconventional religious practices.

There’s one man in Margao who gets possessed by the ‘Saibinn’ or Mother Mary and starts talking in a female voice, answering people’s queries on certain days of the week. The podgy old man even dresses in a white bridal costume when he goes into a trance, though people who have been there say it can be quite bizarre to see his moustache behind the veil! But then with such things one has to suspend one’s rational faculties.

There are some who specialize in exorcism, like in Nuvem, although the mainstream Catholic church frowns on such activities. There’s one Muslim ‘tantric’ in the suburbs of Panjim who specializes in serious black magic involving animal sacrifices. One ritual involves beheading a chicken and then nailing its still beating heart on the trunk of a tree, all the time mouthing phrases like “This is the throat of so and so person”, “this is the heart of so and so”, in the hope that the enemy will die, a bit like in voodoo magic.

Whether all this really works or not is a matter of debate, personal experience and conjecture. In fact, even with mainstream religion, people routinely pray to their favourite gods and saints for favours or respite from troubles and it’s not uncommon to hear common folk remark as they come out of Sunday church that they prayed for their enemy’s death!

Believers in such mumbo-jumbo might have got a jolt of reality with the Pawan Bansal incident last week. With his days as a minister in the Union cabinet clearly over, Pawan Bansal, the Railway Minister, apparently fed milk to a goat in the morning after he was advised that doing so would save his chair. But he was still sacked later in the day. Aishwarya Rai was luckier. Because of certain planetary combinations, they said marriage would be a disaster for her – but there was a remedy. If she was first married off to a tree, then her marriage with a mortal man would work. So she was married off to a tree in Varanasi as per certain rituals and only then did she marry Abhishek Bachchan! The fate of the tree is not known. 

Interview 9

Thursday, May 16, 2013

By Ashley do Rosario

J

ust a week ago, sixteen-year-old Suraj Patil was found dead, hanging on a nylon rope from the ceiling of his bedroom at his Collem home. He committed suicide, in a moment of weakness after his father reprimanded him for poor marks scored in school, although he was promoted from class IX to X. Another suicide that made the news a month earlier involved a 34-year-old woman, 10 years into her marriage, who killed herself in Banastarim, Ponda after arguments with her husband and in-laws over marital issues.

Suicides, according to mental health experts could well be the single most common reason for deaths in Goa, even higher than tuberculosis and HIV. Although there’s no specific study done to tabulate the causes for all deaths reported in Goa to pin point figures for each cause, mental health experts base their claims on police suicide statistics which show nearly one death every day in 2012.

Goa’s suicide average of 18.45 per lakh persons is also substantially higher than the national average of 11.4 per lakh persons, according to a population-based study of deaths carried out by the Federal government two years ago.

Inter-personal relationship woes, fear among young students of being scolded by parents over poor academic performance, divorce and marriage discord apart from failures in the job

Goa’s suicide average of 18.45 per lakh persons is also substantially higher than the national average of 11.4 per lakh persons, according to a population-based study of deaths carried out by the Federal government two years ago. market and mental illness, are some common reasons driving people in Goa to commit suicide, says the Psychiatric Society of Goa. But according to Dr Rajesh Dhume, a senior psychiatrist with the government’s directorate of health services, not all suicides have a strong enough reason for the act, and in many cases they are impulsive acts, without any history of mental illness or depression.

Top police officials, including the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Dr O P Mishra, admit that the suicide rates in Goa are high.

The Dark Side of a Progressive State Although the role of the police is limited as far as prevention of suicides is concerned and it is confined to recording cases and investigating as to possible abetment by a second party, Dr Mishra said the police could work with social organisations to integrate counselling services with their ‘Dial 100’ facility.

As of now, there is no specific proposal in this regard, although the police top brass floated the idea in 2011 when the state government raised concerns over suicides after three students awaiting the results of their Secondary School Certificate Exam (the first public exam in a student’s academic career) took the extreme step of ending their lives.

But Mishra said the department will put its mind to chalking out some strategy to make access to counselling facilities easier for people in distress, soon.

There is one segment of society – minor children – though, who the government is duty bound by law to provide mechanisms for stress management and suicide prevention.

Provisions of the Goa Children’s Act, 2003, mandate setting up of counselling centres in every school. The law however has a loophole as it does not specify a time-frame by which the government should ensure that these counselling centres are established

in Goa’s schools. It does not have a penal provision if they fail to do so either, social activists point out.

Dr Vikram Patel, who heads the Porvorim-based NGO Sangath and is also a professor of international mental health, believes that Goa, given its small size and a comparatively better developed state in the country, could come up with a suicide prevention programme that could be a model for others to replicate.

The programme should focus on young adults, he said, adding that NGOs could collaborate with the government as they have done in the past to conduct suicide related studies in Goa. Integrating counselling services into the state’s primary health infrastructure (primary and community health centres located across the state) is a good option, says Patel, and he hopes the government will give a serious thought to it.

Goa’s Health Minister, Laximikant Parsekar, meanwhile, said the government is open to inputs from sociologists and NGOs working on the subject to set up a formal suicide prevention module for the state.

“We have already asked certain NGOs to give us their suggestions. Our own health experts are also on the job,” Parsekar said.

Mapusa-based psychiatrist Dr Peter Castelino, advocates better psychiatry facilities in Goa and believes it will help because a majority of suicide cases are mental health related.

According to him, the lone Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour run by the Goa government’s health ministry has a poor psychiatrist-to-patient ratio and is utterly inadequate to cater to the entire state.

An attitudinal change on the part of the government is imperative to infuse ‘mental health’ into the general healthcare system, he says, adding that Goa’s primary health centres should be able to direct patients, when they need it, to a psychiatrist. 

Thursday, May 16, 2013

May 16

Vatsala Kamat Shankwalker at a Creative Pool session

Konkani play

Dhumpacho Zoso Pormoll Directed By Comedian Domnic At Pai Tiatrist Hall, Margao @ 7.30 pm

May 17

Konkani Play

Guneav Konnacho At Kala Academy, Panjim @ 7.45 pm +918322420453

Konkani Play

He Roste Chukiche Directed by Mario Menezes At Pai Tiatrist Hall, Panjim @ 3.30 pm

May 18

Konkani Play

Devan Sandunk Nam Directed By Cruz Pinto At Kala Academy, Panjim @ 3.30 pm +918322420453

Konkani Play

Corruption Kabar Directed by Agostinho Temudo At Pai Tiatrist Hall, Margao @ 3.30 pm +919765856214

The Creative Pool

May 19

Konkani Play

Goemkarponn Directed by john D silvas At Pai Tiatrist Hall, Margao @ 3.30 pm +919850458678

Casa Popular

At Municipal Market, Panaji +918322262135

May 25

Carpe Diem

Goenchin Mog

Carpe Diem, a newly opened art and learning centre in Majorda.

At Majorda From 10 am to 6 pm +918888862462

At Kala Academy, Panjim @ 7 pm +919850207420

May 15 to May 17

Kerkar Art Gallery

Painting Exhibition

Installations and sculptures and paintings by Dr.Subodh Kerkar. It also showcases works by contemporary artists from all over India.

At Gauravaddo, Calangute From 10 am to 7 pm +918322276017

By Darshana D Shetye At Kala Academy, Panjim @ 10 am +918322420453

Everyday

Art Escape

Art Chamber

Galleria de Belas Artes At Gauravaddo, Calangute @ 10 am to 1 pm & 4 pm 8 pm +918322277144

Ruchika’s Art Gallery

Ruchika`s Art Gallery displays fine arts, performing arts and new forms of art.

Opp. Goa Marriott Resort, Miramar. From 10.30 am to 6 pm. +918322465875/ +919850571283/ +919881836400

Art Escape Goa is a knowledge sharing our of home experience through learn-by-doing workshops which include painting, Pottery, photography, theatre, dance, films, yoga, recycling & waste Management.

At Art Escape, Benaulim +919892286666 /+919881568756/ +919323590051

Menezes Braganza hall

At Ferry wharf, Panaji +918322224143

Dive Right In

By José Lourenço A motley group of artists, writers, photographers, musicians and a dog sits around on the floor of a second floor flat in Taleigao. A tall girl stands in front of her chest-high painting on canvas, talking about it. A session of the latest creative collective in Goa ‘The Creative Pool’ is in progress.

Creative minds are often considered to be fiercely individual and egoistic. But young creative people tend to seek each other. It may be for nourishment, to grow stronger until they achieve enough critical mass for a solo flight. Or it could be for sheer creative interaction and joie de vivre.

Most art collaborations in Goa usually take the form of a group exhibition, where two or more artists get together to show their works at a gallery or other public space. But a few art collectives have even lasted several years.

One of the earliest art groups was Syncronicity, founded in 1985 by Apurva Kulkarni, Querozito de Souza, Willy Goes, Wilson d Souza , Theodore Mesquita, Rajashree Thakar, Liesl Cotta and others. It lasted for four years.

The art historian and poet Ranjit Hoskote who curated the celebrated Aparanta group

show in 2007 writes about the Goan Art Forum of the early 1990s, of which Theodore Mesquita was a major driving force― “This platform was nourished by the fervour of young Goan artists and art historians who had studied in Baroda and were eager to convey the impulses of the wider world to their homeland...In its best years, the Goan Art Forum brought about a sense of purpose and camaraderie that has, despite later changes, played a major role in the careers of a number of contemporary Goan artists.”

Vasant Hede, a co-founder of The Creative Pool, is an electronic engineer by qualification, but now works as a marketing officer for Chowgule College in Margao. The young art aficionado has been inspired by bar camps and other open forum experiments.

“Bar camps were originally started by techie guys, who would share code and other stuff related to their work,” says Vasant. “We see Creative Pool as an open space for anyone related to creativity – artists, musicians, filmmakers and others. We want to meet regularly, to have a space for interaction and dialogue in person, not just in virtual space.”

Vatsala Kamat Shankwalker and her younger sister Vaishnavi, two other founder members, have both graduated from the Goa College of

Arts&Entertainment 11

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Xavier Centre of Historical Research

With particular emphasis on contemporary cultural and social issues affecting the State of Goa. At B B Borkar Rd, Porvorim +918322417772

Gallery Gitanjali At Opp Panaji Inn, Fontainhas From 9 am to 9 pm. +919823572035

Yemanja Art Gallery Painting Art Gallery At Betim, Reis Magos +918322416930

Surya Art Gallery

Here contemporary works of canvas paintings on Goan subject and art crafts are displayed.

At Bandawalwada, Pernem +919404149764

Panaji Art Gallery

Promotes Goan Art Figurative and individual works of artists.

At Panaji Art Gallery From 9 am to 8 pm. +919822168703

Making an aesthetic point

Exhibition of paintings

The Gallery displays paintings on canvas of original art & international print arts. It also showcases works by contemporary artists from India & abroad.

At Arte Douro Art Gallery, Calangute from 9 am to 9 pm +919822147148

Big Foot Art Gallery

Display of works by various artists from India and abroad.

At Big Foot Art Gallery, Loutolim From 9 am to 6 pm +918322777034

Art, Panjim. Vatsala graduated in 2011, and is focused on print making. Vatsala, who counts Satish Gujral and Mario Miranda among her favourite artists, attributes her decision to study fine art to Wilson D’Souza, an art teacher who runs an art school in Panjim.

Their desire to bring beauty to their environs drove the two sisters to paint a mural on the wall of an old community hall near the church. A banana tree, agricultural tools, fish and other images from around Goa are depicted in this colourful and refreshing painting.

The Creative Pool group first met on 13 April 2013. Art historian and teacher Apurva Kulkarni, architect Richa Narvekar, musician-writer Sanket Sharma, photographer Saurabh Dalvi, lawyer-artist Anil Rodrigues, filmmaker Omkar, artist Melanie Garreth were among those who have attended the meets so far.

At the group’s first session Apurva Kulkarni offered to nurture new ideas and to curate the works that would emerge from their interactions. Painting, clay modelling and discussions followed. At another session, writer and musician

Apurva Kulkarni (center) and other participants at a Creative Pool jam

Sanket Sharma spoke on blues music and played some slide guitar solos. I attended a meet last Saturday and wound up reading out a few of my poems. Melanie Garreth, a young artist who freelances as an art teacher was also there.

“I love drawing portraits,” says Melanie.

“When I was very young, I painted Aishwarya Rai, as I found her really beautiful. I showed the painting to a friend, who didn’t find any resemblance to Ash. But for me, it was a portrait of Aishwarya!”

Melanie has taught at the Mango Tree Art School, an after school art program, at the Sunaparanta Centre for Arts in Panjim. She admires the work of Delhi-based artist Trishla Jain.

Vatsala’s etchings show female forms imaginatively sprawled out. A meandering line in one of her prints takes the shape of the head, breast, belly and knees of a sitting woman in side profile. Her work is influenced by surrealism, and by psychic automatism as a creative exercise.

“My father took me to see Vamona Navelcar at his studio in Pomburpa. I was amazed to see how he works in a small, cramped space, with all his paintings stacked up there,” says Vatsala, daughter of ace Goan footballer Brahmanand Shankwalker, who has displayed her prints very tastefully on the walls of her apartment which serves as the group’s meeting place.

Apurva Kulkarni has had considerable experience in mentoring art interaction groups. He initiated ‘Lila’, a meeting space for creative people, in 2005. The participants met every Wednesday for over a year. Apurva was also part of the POV sessions (Points Of View) on Saturdays conducted over 2012 as an Art & Culture Department initiative at the Central Library in Panjim, along with Damodar Mauzo, Vivek Menezes, Viraj Naik, Sanjay Harmalkar, and Abhay Sardesai.

“These group interactions must evolve organically and spontaneously,” says Apurva. “No one person can lead others for a long time. Creative people all over Goa must emerge with their own initiatives.

Lila and Creative Pool are different in the sense that they encourage the involvement of the other half of the equation – the readers, viewers, listeners – to interact with artists.”

As the bells of the Taleigao church ring Angelus, we are all still working.

Melanie is drawing a graphite portrait.

Vatsala is trying out a new watercolour brush, which come with its own attached water cartridge. Vasant is clay modelling a turbaned man. The conversation drifts to recurring dreams and memories.

“I once dreamed of a pregnant woman in the shape of a Ganesha image, and I painted that image,” confides Vatsala.

Only time will tell if Creative Pool stays together and flourishes with creative camaraderie. But for as long as young minds reach for the stars and each other, Goa will surely see a lot of such initiatives in the years to come. 

The Creative Pool meets every Saturday from 3 to 7 pm at Taibai’s Studio at Ravalnath Estate, opposite St Michael’s Church, Taleigao. Vasant Hede ‘Night Crawlers’ can be contacted atinstallation 8408087197, email: at Gallery Gitanjali ashnov51@gmail.com

Top 7 Desserts in North Goa

By Richa Narvekar

Y

es I know you’re feeling guilty enough having indulged in all that wine and all that risotto and all of that butter chicken. You were supposed to begin on that long aspired for weight loss journey two weeks ago. But the heart wants what it wants, and after a full meal, I know that mine really wants some sweetness!

Read on for the ones that won’t disappoint, that are worth every calorie gained!



Tiramisu ― Brittos, Baga Although all of the desserts (and pretty much the entire menu) of this Goan institution are something to talk about, the tiramisu is one of their most enjoyed and most parcelled desserts (for the unfortunate family members that couldn’t make it to the dinner at Britto’s).

A tiramisu is quite the ‘pick me up’ (as it is literally translated from its native Italian), being made with coffee and coffee liqueurs. Ideal after that heavy prawn curry rice that has just about put you to sleep. Or just about at any time. Arrivederci ‘diet’!



Chocolate Avalanche ― Mocha, Calangute



Buddha’s Dream ― Double Dutch, Arambol If you aren’t in quite a fog already from all the late night parties and hippie smoke in Arambol, walk in to Double Dutch for a Buddha’s dream. Truly one that kills all desire (for about 15 minutes, after which you will want another), this lovely little morsel has a little chocolate, a little coconut and a little dry fruit, and is baked to resemble a slice of pie. Enchanted by the beautiful table sculptures and the ease of the place, I pop one into my mouth and I feel sure that the last ingredient is a little bit of magic.



Bebinca ― Viva Panjim

No, the name isn’t misleading at all. As I bite into this dessert, I feel like I’m collapsing under a rapidly descending mass of...chocolate! A mocha best seller (across all of their branches over India) filled with chocolate ice cream, chocolate cake, chocolate mousse and some other amazing chocolate goodies, this dessert takes the neoism ‘chocaholic’ to a whole new level. For beginners, I would recommend the chocolate avalanche junior only. The chocolate avalanche senior is strictly for those with some experience, in treading across those vast, cold, enormous mountains (of chocolate!)



Serradura ― Maracas, Porvorim A young friend swears by this one, so much so that she doesn’t miss the visit to this restaurant even if she’s in Goa for just 24 hours, just to eat the Serradura. After swirling the thick creamy concoction in my mouth for a minute, I decide that’s a wise decision indeed. The Serradura is a Portuguese import into Goa, also known as the ‘Macau sawdust pudding’. It is basically a condensed milk mixture, with finely crushed biscuit crumble dusted over the top.

This beauty takes the best of Goa’s ingredients and layers them into a cake that is pure sin. It is Goa’s pride, well maintained by the lovely Viva Panjim, where it is served warm, and with a sweetness that is just right and doesn’t challenge your blood insulin content more than necessary. This is one dessert that is famously difficult to make (and therefore almost impossible to create in small quantities at home).You’re better off heading to Viva Panjim, for a real taste of the land of sea and sun.



Toffee apple/walnut ― Manderian, Porvorim The carrot cake with coconut cream at Bean me up, Anjuna and the apple pie at German Bakery, Anjuna are vying with ferocity for this spot. But let me write, instead about something Chinese. Few Chinese restaurants today bother with something more than date pancakes or darsaan, but the Manderian (a small, but elegant, almost missed Chinese restaurant along NH17 in Porvorim) still

takes the trouble to put out this sticky toffee dessert.

Fruits of your choice (the restaurant usually has apple, litchi and walnut available) are dipped in the delectable caramel, cooled and then sprinkled with sesame. The result is an aromatic toffee that is crunchy at first bite, but melts into a mass of warm, fruity indulgence on my tongue. When teamed with vanilla ice cream, these hot caramel ‘pakodas’ are the very picture of heaven!

Many more apple pies, eclairs, banoffie pies and chocolate pancakes have gone down this gullet leaving nothing more than a vague memory (and of course the pounds to show for them),and hence don’t quite make it to the list. Some other noteworthy dessert haunts though are Flavours 24 in Panjim (for economical and tasty low fat frozen yogurt), Cafe de Goa (Calangute) and Chocolatti (Candolim) for more expensive and more indulgent (but delicious!) treats. But after a lot of tasty analysis I’ve decided that the one below takes the cake!



Cafe Central Chocolate Cake ― Panjim A Panjim favourite, this one is always present, at birthday parties, at office openings, at colony get together buffets, often in disposable paper plates. The dense, moist texture of this cake is unmistakeable and truly one of its kind. It has been carried to nearby Indian cities and to many other places all over the world by chocolate cake lovers of all kinds (vegetarians too, because it’s eggless!).

The recipe has remained unaltered and yet perfect for years and years. This lovely little sweetmeat is made daily at Cafe Central, to supply a huge demand and will be given to you packed as a loaf, humbly with butter paper and cotton thread. Slice off a piece to savour; a true slice of the old Panjim!

So folks, what are you waiting for? You can get to that blood sugar test tomorrow. For today, give that poor sweet tooth its just (yes pun intended) desserts! 

13 Thursday, May 16, 2013

May 18

May 13 to May 18

Every Friday

Water sports

Museum of Christian Art, Old Goa Paper CreationsWith Milan Khanolkar for children @ 2.30 pm to 5 pm

Fees: Rs 2000/At Bookworm, Taleigao @ 9.30 am to 1 pm

Organised by Walter Macarena At International Center Goa, Dona Paula from 5 pm to 7 pm +919822911161

Attractive corals, coloured and beautiful, shells and fishes all invite exploration.

At Scuba Diving India, Alfran Plaza, M.G. Rd, Panjim @ 9 am to 5 pm. +918326711999

Creative Workshop

Working with ThreadsWith Aira Mirchandani @ 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm Creative Writing With Jose Lourenco @ 3.30 pm to 5.30 pm +918322285299

Of Palaces and People

A walk by Cholta Cholta at the statue of Abade Faria, Panjim @ 8 am +91 7709311929

May 16 to May 30

Exploring Great Theatre ScriptsFortnightly Play Readings At The International Centre Goa, Dona Paula @ 6 pm to 7.30 pm +919765404391

Stitching Stories

May 13 to May 17 Robotics Workshops At Mala, Panjim +917875238094

April 24 to May 20 Farm off the Grid At Western Ghats +919049081097

April 7 to May 26 Drawing Workshop At Sunaparanta, Panjim @ 10 am to 12 pm +918322421311

April 1 to May 2013

May 16 to May 18

Ballroom and Latin- American Dance Classes: At Peddem, Margao By Gold Medalist (FATD) Tony Fernandes. Take advantage of the summer holidays and enjoy the technique and grace of the Ballroom dancers. +919769896806.

At Heera Farm, Pernem +919422640141

May 16

Summer Boot camp

May 18 to May 19

Warli Painting Workshop

At The International Center Goa, Dona Paula @ 3 pm to 6 pm +919765404391

May 16 to May 17

Exploring Great Theatre script Fortnightly play readings At International Centre Goa, Dona Paula @ 6 pm to 7 pm +919619348887

This summer Summer Aloe Fresh

May 20 to May 25

This summer beat the heat with the summer aloe fresh, Treatment Treatment: Aloe Vera wrap with Face Treatment: 1 Hour At Shamana spa, Grand Hyatt, Bambolim +918323011658/+917709004914

At Bookworm, Taleigao @ 10 am to 1 pm

Until May 26

Photography Workshop

At The Goan Shutterbugs, Margao @ 3 pm to 6 pm

Read your way across India

May 26

Drawing Workshop At Sunaparanta, Panaji @ 10 am to 12 pm +918322421311

May 19 to May 29

Theatre Orientation Course

Drawing Workshop

With Elena Fedosenko At Sunaparanta, Panjim @ 10 am to 12 pm +918322421311

Every Tuesday Zumba Fitness

Until May 26

Learn a variety of rhythms including salsa, merengue, samba, flamenco, reggae and more from Zumba fitness instructor Cecille Rodriguez.

At Grand Hyatt Goa, Bambolim From 6 pm to 7 pm +918323011603/ +918323011604

At Chowgule College, Margao +918322759504/+919422062928

Every Thursday

Uptill May 30

Zumba in the water. A water-based workout for cardio-conditioning and body-toning At Grand Hyatt Goa, Bambolim From 10 am to 11 am +918323011603/ +918323011604

At Swami Vivekananda Higher Secondary School, Ponda @ 9.30 am to 1 pm +919822983541

Spanish Language Course

Summer Camp

At BH Hall, Margao @ 4 pm +919890163433

Aqua Zumba

Free Swimming Guidance

Every Sunday

Tailoring Classes

Near Holy Family School, Porvorim From 3 pm to 6 pm +919765731003

Everyday

Yoga for the Body, Mind & Soul

By Ms. Hoor Girglani Monday to Friday At International Centre Goa, Dona Paula @ 8 am to 9.30 am & 5 pm to 6.30 pm +919765404391/ +918322452805-10

Want to be Fit & Healthy

Scuba Diving

Barracuda Diving India

Pool parties and underwater celebrations among other water sports activities.

At Sun Village Resort, Baga, Arpora & Chalston Beach Resort, Calangute +918322269409/ +91 9822182402

Dive Goa

A dive shop and training centre established

by Ajey Patil - marine engineer, naturalist, raconteur and PADI certified dive instructor.

At O’ Pescador Resort, Dona Paula, Panjim. +91 9325030110

Dolphin Sighting Trip

St. Britto

Learn French, Mapusa 2293812/ +91 9049018214

Don Bosco Provincial House

Odxel. Beginner’s German language course

COOKING

Theresa’s Cookery Classes Margao +91 9970037242

Cooking Classes for foreigners Detroit Institute +91 9822131835.

Taengs Cookery Classes Margao +91 9822585944

Fatima Menezes E Moniz Cooking classes, Raia. 2776035

Cynthia Dsouza Cooking Classes Verna. 2783281

Presented by Calburn Fitness Solutions in association with the ICG At The International Centre Goa, Dona Paula. +919811511595/ +919823578880

Four to five hours trip includes Bbq, Free beers and soft drinks. Also offers No See – No Pay policy as far as dolphin sighting is concerned. Sinquerim – Baga beach stretch +91 9822182814/ +918326520190 or Email: johnsboattours@gmail.com

Bertha Pereira Cooking Classes

Tuk Tuk

Goa Aquatics

Caranzalem. 2462163

From apparel to jewellery, bags to accessories, everything at Tuk Tuk is handpicked from across India. At A104, Pereira Plaza, Opp. Hospicio, Margao @ 10.30 am 1 pm & 4.30 pm to 6.30 pm +919049017182

Night Classes

Don Bosco Night High School & Don Bosco Night Higher Secondary School conducts regular night classes from Std. 8th to Std. 10th and from Std. 11th to Std. 12th in Arts & Commerce stream At Don Bosco, Panjim @ 6 pm to 8.30 pm

Monday & Friday

Taekwondo Sessions

Martial Arts, Fitness, Health & Self-defence Trainer: Vincent Rosario, Introductory Fee: Rs. 400 per month At The International Centre Goa, Dona Paula @ 5.15 pm to 6.15 pm. +919823696138

Spice Farms

Tropical spice plantation

Elephant rides, authentic Goan cuisine, mini bird sanctuary and a boat to row or paddle. At Arla Bazar Keri, Ponda Call: +918322340329 or Email: tropicalspice@rediffmail.com

Sahakari Spice Farm

Offers Scuba Diving Equipment retail at competitive international price.

At Little Italy, Opp Tarcar Ice Factory, Calangute. +91 9822685025

Splashdown

Water Park that boasts of 5 pools, a variety of slides, flumes and other interesting features. At Splashdown Waterpark, Calangute-Anjuna +91 9637424023/024, +918322273008,

Museums Goa Chitra

Ethnographic museum that preserves its universality in its collections of artifacts representing the culture of ancient Goa. At Goa Chitra, Mondo-Waddo, Benaulim @ 9 am to 5 pm +91 9850466165/ +918326570877, Email: goachitra@gmail.com

Big Foot Cross Museum

Houses 80 classifications of crosses of around the world.

At Big Foot, Loutolim @ 10 am to 5 pm +918322777034

Ancestral Goa

A center for Preservation & Promotion of Art, Culture & Environment started by Maendra J. A. Alvares. At Big Foot, Loutolim @ 9.30 am to 6 pm +918322777034, info@ancestralgoa.com

Guests are entertained by folk dances, elephant rides, art of climbing the tall betel nut palms and swinging from one stalk to the other. Lunch in earthen pots and banana leaves. At Ponda Belgaum highway, Curti.

Call: +918322312394 or Email: info@sahakarifarms.com

Casa Araujo Alvares

Savoi Plantation

Courses LANGUAGES

Offers traditional Goan Saraswat cuisine served in mud pots and banana leaf plates along with seasonal fruits grown in the plantation. At Ponda +918322340272/+919423888899 or Email: savaiplantation@rediffmail.com

Goa`s first automated sound and light museum. A 250 year old mansion showcasing traditional inheritance.

At Loutolim @ 9.30 am to 5.30 pm +918322777034

Alliance Francaise

Learn French courses, Panjim 2420049/ +91 9922813950

2734589. Margao

Vandana’s Bakery Classes Caranzalem. 2462163

Meena’s Cooking Classes GESTO Culinary & Hospitality Academy Margao, 2730873

Branca’s Cooking Classes Panjim +91 9822131835

David Furtado Dance & Aerobics @ Panjim, Mapusa, Porvorim, Candolim, Aldona and Saligao.

Learn Salsa, Jive Waltz for Adults & Bollywood, Hip Hop & Contemporary dance for kids +91 9975914195

Fatima Moniz

Cooking courses, Margao.

2776035/ +91 9370275702

Dance

Cyrus Da Costa Dance Classes Monday to Saturday Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, Cha Cha Cha, Jive, Margao 2715906/ 9921039537

Dance for Life Academy Mapusa +91 9823765523

Dr. Martin & Dance Illusions Team

@ Panjim, Vasco, Margao Waltz, Jive, Cha ChaCha, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Salsa +91 9823014397

David Furtado Dance & Aerobics @ Panjim, Mapusa, Porvorim, Candolim, Aldona and Saligao.

Learn Salsa, Jive Waltz for Adults & Bollywood, Hip Hop & Contemporary dance for kids +91 9975914195

Cyrus Da Costa Dance Classes

Monday to Saturday Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, Cha Cha Cha, Jive, Margao 2715906/ 9921039537

Foreign Varsities ahoy!

Goan youngsters eye colleges abroad

By Ashley do Rosario

K

arl P Pereira is a bloke from Margao like any other. Brought up in a typical middleclass Catholic family, he performed consistently through his academic career first at the Loyola High School, then at Chowgule’s before he took that leap to pursue an engineering Degree at the Padre Conceicao College of Engineering at Verna.

He would, he tells Streets, been like any other Engineer passing out of a Goa college and getting into the flow of the job market here, but for his out-of-thebox thinking to pursue higher goals some three years ago.

He enrolled for a short training course with an agency in Pune to prepare for the GRE test, did well and secured admission to the MS (Master of Science) programme in engineering at the Virginia Tech institute in the US. Today, Karl has already graduated with an MS degree and along with other engineersplays a crucial role in shaping business projects at global IT giant Intel in Austin, Texas.

Karl’s leap to success at age 28, isn’t in isolation.

Goa may be the land of gorgeous beaches and may have a quality of life unparalleled in the rest of India, yet when it comes to preparing themselves for the future, many young people like Karl are concluding it’s a great place alright – to leave and leap to greater heights of professional accomplishments.

While there are several Goans who fall to the lure of greener pastures in overseas job markets, many others are taking the route of studying abroad, equipping themselves better to compete before plunging into the global job market.

Indeed, it’s no longer a rarity as it used to be some decades ago for young Goans to look beyond Goa’s and India’s borders

Cover Story 15

Thursday, May 16, 2013

to pursue graduate and post-graduate degrees.

Whether it’s the drive to be competitive globally, learn new concepts and ideas, develop a world-wide perspective, live the ‘American dream’ or simply the shocking dearth of institutions imparting quality higher education at home, youngsters are increasingly leaving Goa’s shores and enrolling in colleges and universities, especially in the US besides the UK and Australia.

Neither the government of Goa nor any other private agency keeps details of the number of Goan students outmigrating to pursue higher studies annually. But all of the nearly half-a-dozen foreign studies consultants Streets spoke to, confirmed that the number of Goans enrolling in educational institutions abroad is rising significantly each passing year.

According to Harsh Goel of Geebee Education, Goans go abroad to mostly pursue Masters (post-graduate) degrees.

“Most students that we’ve provided service, have enrolled in the US for Master of Science (MS) degrees in the engineering field,” Goel revealed, adding it’s perhaps because of the high cost factor of undergraduate degree programmes in the US and better chances of gaining a scholarship for post-graduate studies.

Pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in the United States is a costly affair, Goel said, adding however, that there are some students from economically strong backgrounds, who do opt for this.

Studying abroad is multiple times costlier than what it is in Goa and India. In the US, the total average cost in Universities varies from $ 25,000 to $ 50,000 per year. It’s marginally lower in the UK and in Australia. Back home, education costs a miniscule fraction of what it would abroad, except perhaps in private, for-profit business model institutions, where the fees in some cases could even match the US levels.

So, why is it that Goan parents have warmed up to educating their children in foreign countries and are increasingly opting for it, despite the comparatively heavy costs?

One explanation for this is the general belief that education abroad, particularly in the US, is of a much higher standard than our own. But more than that, it’s the easy availability of finance from banks.

According to Vinayak Kamat, who has authored a guide for Indian students wishing to study abroad, students are eligible for loans of up to two million rupees (approximately 40,000 US dollars) for studies abroad.

“The repayment terms and conditions are soft too,” he said.

Most Indian banks enforce a repayment regime that requires students to start paying up the loan only a year after the course duration with a five-toseven-year term of repayment. Interest rates too are competitive, he added.

Kamat, however, warned that there

are financial pitfalls in studying abroad, especially related to the volatile Indian currency.

“In rupee terms, costs of studying abroad can go higher as the rupee depreciates. It has happened often in the last few years,” he said.

Karl, who is with Intel in Austin, Texas told Streets that it was his MS degree he earned from the Virginia Tech institute in the US rather than his engineering bachelor’s degree back home that helped him “make it”.

turn to page 16

from page 15 But, not all who go abroad to study stay back, like Karl, although a majority do.

Take the case of Dr Bossuet Afonso, a leading Goan surgeon.

Armed with an MBBS degree from the Goa Medical College, Dr Bossuet studied in the UK in the 1990s, where he made the grade as Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS). But, he soon returned to Goa and now has an immensely successful practice.

Decades before Dr Bossuet, Goa’s former chief minister Dr Wilfred de Souza too had pursued a similar course in the 1960s. He too returned to Goa and had a distinguished, over three-decadeslong career as a surgeon before he retired in the late 1990s.

“After I earned my degrees I had the whole world to choose where I’d go and work. I did a short stint in the Persian Gulf but my sights were set on coming back to Goa and contribute my bit to uplifting the health services here,” Dr Willy told Streets. There are many other examples of Goans like Dr Willy and Dr Bossuet returning back home after studying abroad.

So what do you do if you want to pursue higher studies abroad?

The general route is to give a TOEFL (Test of English as Foreign Language) test and a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test and apply directly to Universities and Institutions in the US, the UK, Australia or any other nation of choice for admissions with the scores.

Once admission is secured, it’s quite another task and procedure to convince consular officials to grant you a visa before you can travel and settle down on campus.

You could also engage the services of overseas studies consultants to advise and take care of much of your paper work for you. Nearly half-a-dozen foreign education consultants operating nationally have representatives and branch offices in Goa. “We are only a branch office. We hold admission fairs for specific foreign universities in Mumbai where officials of the foreign universities interview aspirants seeking admission,” said a counsellor at one of the Goa branch offices of a Pune-based consultant.

She did not want to be identified because she is not authorised to speak on behalf of the overseas education consultancy firm but she told Streets that it is not economically feasible to hold such fairs in Goa where there is an interface between the foreign university officials and aspirants because the numbers aren’t big enough.

Most Goans do engage a consultant to handle the formalities of joining universities and institutes for higher studies but there are several who approach the institutions directly through the latter’s foreign students’ departments.

Karl Pereira, is one such student.

“I applied directly to Virginia Tech and a few other universities for admission to their MS programme. I got through

on the basis of my GRE scores and opted for Virginia Tech,” Karl told Streets via internet chat.

Not all who offer assistance for admissions to foreign universities are perfect at their job and there have been several cases of fraud as well although there’s none officially reported to the authorities in Goa. In 2011, several Indian students were stranded and lost money after some universities and institutions were shut down by authorities in the US and the UK for visa and other frauds.

Overseas education consultants however blame the students who fall victims to frauds themselves for their sorry plight. According to one consultant, genuine students will never seek to go to uncertified educational institutes or universities. Only those who are underqualified and want to go abroad by all means, even unfair, are the ones who land in trouble, they say.

It’s however not always solely the victim students’ fault. Sometimes, unscrupulous agents are also culpable.

One Mumbai-based consultant suggested that aspiring students should follow certain checks before engaging agents or consultants for their admissions abroad, including checking accreditation of the institute.

Low fees, agents insisting on taking admission in specific institutes, institutes catering only to foreign students or granting admission to all who apply with scant regard to merit of the applicants,

are a few tell-tale signs that something is amiss, he said.

For students going to the UK, that country’s border agency website is where the institute’s accreditation can be checked. For other countries, one could check the website of the governments of these nations or even contact their embassies to verify university accreditations, he added.

In the United States, educational accreditation is provided by private nonprofit membership associations. This is validated through recognition by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or both.

According to Vinayak Kamat it is safest, for those wanting to pursue higher studies in Australia, Canada the UK and New Zealand, to refrain from seeking admission to private institutes and instead opt for public colleges and universities.

He also advised students to stay away from seeing admissions to institutes which waive the normal requirements like TOEFL and GRE scores.

But he felt frauds would decline now because authorities in these countries are clamping down on such rogue universities and colleges.

Considering the additional gains of absorbing the nuances of multiple cultures from students, faculty and life on campus, pursuing a foreign degree is indeed an attractive option, provided you and family can afford it. 

Literature 17

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Konkani Fiction In your pocket

By José Lourenço

T

here’s one kind of book you don’t get any more in bookshops in Goa, or anywhere else, for that matter. The pocket Konkani romance.

These little books, known as ‘romaans’ in Goa’s state language were wildly popular in the early 1900s, and even up to the Liberation of Goa in 1961.

Homesick sailors on board ships far away from Goa would read out stories from these pocket novellas to their colleagues huddled around. Back home their wives too would relish these minisagas of love and betrayal, and then pass them on to other eager awaiting readers.

I found a treasure trove of over a hundred titles of these romances in the

shelves of the Goenkarachem Daiz library in Margao. Delving into them was like travelling back in time to a different Goa. The books are priced at a few annas or rupees. Sixteen annas made a rupee back then.

Mogachim Coutam (Wounds of Love)

by Joao Inacio de Souza of Mapusa cost Rs 1.25 back in 1964. An advertisement in the book also informs the reader that bouquets, paper flowers and ‘crowns’ are available for feasts and other events at the author’s shop in Mapusa.

Nirmonn by Menino Jess Fernandes of Quepem shows the influence of western lore. The cover has a damsel tied to a tree with tribals dancing around, the gun-toting hero about to rescue her. The book was priced at one and half rupees, published by Lourenco Sequeira from Casa Popular, Panjim. Each chapter (called avessor) has detailed titles in the fashion of nineteenth century English novels – one chapter head says – ‘Nixttur zogddem Modgounchea rostear- Ricardac paichea utrancho ugddas ieta hea vellar’ (A bloody fight on a street in Margao – Ricardo recalls his father’s words).

The most prolific writer of Konkani romances was Reginald Fernandes, who

earned the title of ‘Romansincho Paxai’ (Patriarch of Romances). His works include such fanciful titles as Chorancho Chor (Thief of Thieves), Gupit Soiro (Secret Relation), Ifernantli Rakxinn (Demoness from Hell), Mea Culpa (My Fault), Ordem Cazar (Half a Marriage) and Zorzorro.

These popular novellas were not restricted to Catholic authors alone.

Ramacanta Poulencar wrote ‘Donaldo ani Lucinda’ and Prabhakar Tendulkar also penned many stories. According to Tomazinho Cardozo, a well known writer and tiatr artiste, some of the romances of Joao Inacio de Souza were the fruits of collaboration between Souza and Tendulkar. The former would outline the plots and publish the books, while Tendulkar would do the actual writing, says Tomazinho.

I browsed through Magalfira by Rosario Gracias de Siroda, published in 1959. The tale chronicles the joys and sorrows of Magalfira, an destitute child raised by a French couple, Madame and Lord Vincy Du Barry.

Patoc ani Crim (Sin and Crime) by Antoninho Francisco de Souza, priced at 6 annas in 1950, even has a riddle on the

first pages, which if solved is promised a prize of 10 rupees, with consolation prizes of a copy of ‘Bernandin ani Belinda’.

‘Mogachi Vhodd’ written by Dioginho d’Mello inspired the first Konkani movie ‘Mogacho Aunddo’ (Love’s Craving), directed by Mapusa native Jerry Braganza and released on April 24, 1950.

And then there’s ‘Eliza – Rupest Titlem Gunnest’ (Eliza – beautiful and noble)

by Ignacio Xavier de Souza Rodrigues in 1908, that tells of the love of Basil and Eliza. Jane Austen, Charles Dickens and Alexander Dumas must have been some of the authors who influenced the writers of these Konkani romances.

The tradition was carried on even after 1961, by writers like Walter Menezes (Koddu Sonvsar), Willy Goes (Altoddi Poltoddi) and the prolific Bonaventure D’Pietro (Soitanacho Ghutt, Clara). The book sizes are larger now, and they have evolved into full length novels.

The handy little ‘romaans’ is no longer around. It could return, if some enterprising writers and publishers revive this genre. If they do, we could soon be carrying Konkani popular fiction in our pockets again. 

18 Sports

Churchill make it again

By Ashley Do Rosario

I

t couldn’t have come at a better time.

The I-League triumph of Churchill Brothers extended Goa’s supremacy in the country’s highest level football competition. It is the second time that the Churchill Alemao familyrun club has won the prestigious title in the last five years and thus ensured that the trophy does not leave the shores of soccer-crazy Goa. In the last five years of the I-League competition, both Churchill and Dempo have won it twice apiece and Salgaocar claimed the title once in 2010-11.

In the match against Mohun Bagan at the Tilak stadium in Vasco, which ultimately sealed the title for them, Churchill Brothers suffered an early reverse when they conceded a goal in the first half itself. But the legion of fans and the Churchill team management heaved a sigh of relief before they burst into celebration at the final whistle when Sunil Chetri, the India captain, got them the equaliser in the second half.

Churchill needed a draw to stay clear

of second-placed Pune FC to clinch the title, and Chetri’s equaliser ensured that.

If Chetri’s antics in the match made sure Churchill didn’t let the title slip out of their hands at the last hurdle, much as it has happened to them a few times in the past, the consistent hard work of their Brazilian midfielder Beto (Roberto Mendes) 33-year old Brazilian was as much responsible for the triumph along with the consistent performances of a number of other team mates through the I-League season.

Although an injury kept the 33-yearold Brazilian off the action for nearly a month, he returned for the crucial match and played his part, as he did through the season.

Teamwork and determination, according to Beto, was the secret behind the Champions’ campaign in the I-League.

He said, the team worked very hard for 10 months and always looked forward to the day on the football field when they could claim the title.

“That day was at the Tilak Maidan when we drew with Mohun Bagan. We just celebrated,” Beto, who along with Jose Ramirez Barreto runs the Brazil

Futebol Academy in Goa and Kolkata, said.

He however declined to reveal anything about his plans for next year, although he said it was his dream to win the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup with an Indian side.

You may not be a Churchill Brothers fan. But if you are a soccer-loving Goan and follow football closely, the Varca side’s I-League triumph will have for sure lifted your spirits.

“As a Goan, it feels great that Churchill won. As long as it’s one of the Goan sides that wins and emphasizes Goa’s supremacy over Kolkata in football, it feels great,” said Erol Jorge, a die-hard Salgaocar fan.

Churchill Brothers celebrated with their players and fans at a South Goa party venue on Wednesday evening but the club’s CEO Valanka Alemao said she’s not one who will rest contented. Instead, she’s already planning the future, and the next goal she has set for the club is similar to the one her team’s Brazilian midfielder has set for himself – becoming AFC cup champion.

“It is a big achievement but we must move forward and not rest on our laurels,” said Valanka, daughter of the maverick Goan politician and owner of

the Club, Churchill Alemao.

“The immediate next target for the club is to become Asian champions,” she said, adding that they have great plans for the club with the ultimate dream of seeing India play at the World Cup. The I-League triumph of Churchill Brothers is indeed another stamp of Goa’s domination in Indian football.

There are three other Goan sides who vied for the title alongside Churchill Brothers – Defending Champions Dempo Sports Club, former champions Salgaocars and the promising Clube Sporting de Goa. Although the performance of these three Goan sides wasn’t as spectacular as Churchill’s was in this year’s national league, all the three managed to stay far clear of the relegation zone and will be there in contention along with the champions next year…to perhaps further extend Goa’s supremacy in Indian football. 

Thursday, May 16, 2013

May 19

Lounge & Lunch @ The Sofala

Join us for Goa’s most authentic Italian food at our new restaurant Mia Cucina Delicious homemade dishes and unlimited beer, wine, Sangria and selected cocktails for INR 1,000 plus tax per person Mia Cucina Restaurant at The Sofala, Bhattiwaddo, Nerul @ 12 pm to 4 pm +917774008822

May 22

Mia Cucina presents Pizza Feast @ The Sofala Unlimited pizza from our wood fired oven,beer, wine and Sangria for INR 1,000 plus tax per person Mia Cucina Restaurant at The Sofala, Bhattiwaddo, Nerul 8 pm to 11.30 pm +917774008822

May 1 to May 20 Tango with mango

Mango shacks, Mango Cake, Mango Gelatos And Many more delicious treats, all with your Favorate fruit.

At Vivanta by Taj, Panjim +918326633636

Fruits and Wine Dionysian delights at Konkan Fruit Fest

By Goa Streets

T

Time 11am-12 midniht non stop food service, open everyday.

Home delivery: 0832-2411959 & 9764159686 Caterin Service Contact: Mr. Roland Rodrigues @ 9890422440

here is a fruity aroma in the air, along with the earthier tones of vermicompost. What goes into the ground shares space with what hangs high in the air along with all the food products they generate, at the Konkan Fruit Fest at the BPS Grounds in Margao, organised by the Botanical Society of Goa. This is the first time the fest has been held in South Goa, it took place from 10th to 12th May. There is a vast range on display, from papaya jam and red hibiscus syrup to jackfruit wine and vinegar, from lime squash and rice wine to fruits like pomelon, Mexican bananas and citron.

They all look mouth wateringly tasty, but a young girl looks at us sternly, carrying a board that warns against eating any of the fruits.

The enthusiastic Pilar Fathers of the Zogati Nature Farm at Birondem, Sattari are there, and so are the folks from Krishi Vigyan Kendra, ICAR and other nurseries and farms. There’s even a bio-gas tank on display that promises two hours of gas in

exchange for adding 5 kg of wet organic waste every day.

The fruit wine counters are doing brisk business. There’s Maria do Ceu Carvalho of Velsao, and Anslem Mascarenhas of Parra with their bottles of cashew, ginger, jambool and other wines.

Hansel Vaz of Dona Maria, a small family run bottler in South Goa is cheerfully showing off the classy glass bottles that hold his cashew and coconut feni. His brand ‘Cazulo’ feni was launched on 10th May, just a few days back. Cazulo means firefly in Konkani. The bottle is square based, tapering upwards, a replica of the old bottles used in the Portuguese period. The firefly motif decorates the glass surface in relief. It’s a nice minimalistic design.

“There should not be too much elaboration on the bottle,” says Hansel.

“The feni should be the hero, not the bottle.

The feni is stored in garafaos (traditional green glass jars) for a year. I got a local artisan to make the wickerwork for the garafao.” turn to page 21

Hansel Vaz with his Cazulo Feni

May 1 to May 31 The Sizzler Festival

Is sizzling from the hottest view point In Vasco only at Z the roof top Bar & Grill At The HQ, vasco Call: 7709003237.

Multi Cuisine lunch and Dinner Buffet At Cidade De Goa @ 12.30 pm to 11.30 pm +919822130743

Happy Hours

Buy 1 and get one free on Domestic Drinks At Hotel Grand Hyatt, Bambolim @ 7 pm to 9 pm +918323011234

Lunch & Dinner Buffet With Multi cuisine At The Stone House, Candolim @ 12.30 pm to 11.30 pm +918322479909

Lunch & Dinner Menu With multi Cuisine At Tito’s Retro club, Calangute @ 12.30 pm +919822765002

Lunch Buffet

With German Cuisine At Lila Cafe, Calangute @ 12.30 pm to 11.30 pm +919822150533

Dinner Buffet

With Continental & Indian Cuisine At Casino Carnival, Panjim @ 7.30 pm to 11.30 pm +918326456301

Dosa Festival

At Baywatch, Calangute @ 9 pm to 11 pm +919850452711

Until May 31

Summer Fiesta

Coolers, Salads, Desserts and more... it’s all about the Mango At Cafe Mangii, Panjim +918322230771/73

Monday to Sunday Happy Hours

Beers (Pints)-50%, Cocktails-rs 100/- off Spirits-20% off At Maracas Restaurant, Porvorim @ 6 pm to 8 pm

Every Sunday

Champagne Sunday Brunch

Enjoy brunch with French champagne with food from five interactive and live stations dishing out Asian, Italian, Middle Eastern, Indian Cuisine and desserts.

Rs. 2200 + taxes (includes buffet, champagne, wines and select drinks) At Grand Hyatt, Bambolim @ 1 pm to 4 pm +918323011658/+917709004914

Oriental Sunday Brunch

Goa Marriott Resort & Spa hosts an Oriental Sunday Brunch featuring Pan Asian delicacies, including Thai, Malaysian, Chinese and Japanese cuisine! Plus Oriental desserts, continental pastries, fruits and ice-cream and a complimentary round of wine, beer or a mojito. From 12:30pm to 03:30pm At Wan Hao, Goa Marriott Resort & Spa +918322463333

Sunday Family Brunches Get in Rhythm with Ashley Live At Latitude, Vivanta by Taj, Panaji @ 12.30 pm to 3.30 pm +918326633636

Sunday Live Brunch

Enjoy a Sunday Live brunch with live stations, a live band, best of live entertainment and an unlimited flow of wines! There’s live entertainment for kids too, including magicians, balloon sculpting and face painting, etc.

From 12:30pm to 03:30pm At Waterfront Terrace & Bar, Goa Marriott Resort & Spa +918322463333

Baga, Calangute & around Artjuna

Set up in an Old Portuguese house surrounded by a beautiful garden. The café serves up chilled café au lait, milkshakes, sandwiches, juices and baked goodies, homemade dips, iced lattes, blended coffees and more. At Monteiro Waddo, Anjuna @ 9 am to 6 pm +918322274794

Eat Street

It’s a place to dine, drink and dance the night away, specialising in Multi- Cuisine At Calangute @ 24 hrs a day +918326636000

Fish Tales

Ciao Bella

Specialised in Italian Food At Assagao, Badem Rd @ 7 pm to 11 pm +919767557673

Anjuna & around Mamma Mia

Italian cuisine with a blend of Italian imported ingredients and local organic produce. At Resort Rio, Arpora @ 12.30 pm to 10.30 pm +918322267300

Blue Tao

Specialised in Italian, Seafood, Organic Food At Anjuna beach Rd, Anjuna From 9 am to 11 pm +918975061435

Candolim Chilihip

Specialised in Thai At Fort Aguada Road, Candolim @ Noon to 3 pm, 6.30 pm to 10.30 pm +918888610500

Flambé e

Specialised in Chinese, European, French, Goan, Indian At Souzawaddo, Candolim @ 9 am to 11 pm +919326114271

Specialising in Seafood At The Glitz, Calangute @ 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm & 7.30 pm to 10.30 pm +918322281800

O’Asia

Casa Portuguesa

Barbeque and Grill

Housed in an 18th Century colonial house, it offers Portuguese cuisine along with some dishes reflecting Goan influences, complete with the pleasant ambience of Fado Music At Baga Rd @ 7 pm to 11 pm +91 9822122960

Flame

Multi- Cuisine Restaurant At Double tree by Hilton, Arpora, Baga @ 7 am to 11 pm +9183266556672

Specialising in Pan Asian At The O Hotel, Dando, Candolim @ noon to 3 pm , 7.30 pm to 11 pm +918323047000 Specialised in North Indian, seafood, Grills, Live entertainment Seafood Bazaar is on Monday and Wednesday At Fortune select Regina, Candolim @ 7.30 pm to 11 pm +918323988444

Beach House

Specialised in Goan, Portuguese, Seafood At Vivanta Holiday Village, Sinquerim @ 7.30 pm to 10.30 pm +918326645858

Panaji & around Giardini

Live Music on most nights, Specialising in Multi-cuisine At Curca, Bambolim @ 11.30 am to 11 pm +918805873335

Forrest Veg Food Court

Specialising in Chinese, Indian, Italian At Bhagwan Mahavir BAL Vihar, Panjim @ 11 am to 11 pm +918326454353

George Bar and Restaurant

Specialising in Goan, Seafood At near Mary Immaculate Conception church, Panjim @ 10 am to 3.30 pm, 6.30 pm to 10.30 pm +918322426820

The Verandah

Is the signature grill restaurant, serving fresh Market produce of seafood, meat and vegetables.

At Grand Hyatt, Bambolim @ 7 pm to 12 am +918323011658

Casabela

A cosy place to chill out with family, from 70s to till date Casabela Rocks with great signature dish At Chowgam Rd, Porvorim @ 7 am to 11 pm. +918322415580

Chilli ‘n’ spice

a carnival fusion cuisine, a bar to enlighten your spirits, Specialised in multiCuisine At Hotel Fidalgo, Panjim @ 7 pm to 2 am +918322226291

Cantina Bodega

Pizzeria, bakery & cafe. Owner Vandana utilizes her expertise earned from her years as a top pastry chef in New York City.

At Sunaparanta Centre for the Arts, Altinho, Panjim @ 10 am to 7 pm +91 9011662233

Courtyard

Specialised in world cuisine, fusion At Hotel Campal, Panjim @ 11 am to 3 pm, 7 pm to 11 pm +919822384084

Alfama

Well known for fado evenings At Cidade de Goa, Vainguinim Beach @ 7.30 pm to 11 pm +918322454545

Coros Velvet

A multi cuisine fine dining restaurant specialised in ravioli, steaks and pasta At Miramar, Panjim @ noon to 3 pm to 7 pm to 11 pm +918605020020

Global Shore Restaurant

Global Shore Restaurant is a multi-cuisine restaurant and we specialize in Goan Seafood/Chinese/Thai/Indian & Tandoor.

At Hotel chandrageet, Porvorim +91832 2414125/+9193731113205

Tamari

Serves Chinese, Thai & Japanese cuisine (Sushi) in fine style.

At Vivanta, St Inez @ 12.30 pm to 11.30 pm +918326633636

A’tona Bar and Restaurant

Specialised in Goan and Portuguese food At Carina Desa, Betim From 7 pm to 11 pm +919823129239

Chulha

Indian Street food and Tandoor At Grand Hyatt Goa, Bambolim @ 3 pm to 11 pm +918323011504

.Goan cuisine & seafood. Linda and Michael’s place has long been a favourite for those in search of very tasty Goan food.

At Fontainhas, Panjim @ 12 pm to 11 pm +918322422405/ +91 9850471363

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Baba’s Wood Cafe

An Italian wine bar and restaurant with pizza oven and homemade gelato. Wide choice of pure Italian dishes with beef fillet and fish always on the menu. @ 6 pm - Monday to Sunday.

Closed on Tuesday At Mala, Fontainhas, Panaji +918323256213/ +919923414098

Ritz Classic

Known for Goan fish curry rice and seafood.

Very popular for lunch, especially with the Panaji office crowd.

At 18th June Rd, Panaji @ 11 am to 11 pm +918326644796

O’ Coqueiro

Goan Cuisine in Porvorim, made famous not just by its tasty food but also as the place where international criminal Charles Sobhraj was arrested. At NH 17 Rd, Porvorim @ 12 pm to 11 pm +918322417806/ +918322417271/ +918322417344

Pan Asian Bowl

Chinese, Malaysian & Thai cuisine. Some of the finest Asian food in Goa. At Miramar, Panjim @ 12.30 pm to 11 pm +91 9923499429/ +918326455547/ +918326455548

City Pride

Specialised in Seafood At Opp. Vivanta by Taj, Panjim From 11 am to 11 pm

Cafe Mangii

Popular Dishes Risotto Champagne, Fusilli Mama Rosa, Baked Lasagna, Stuffed Chicken, Lobster Tail, Grilled Pork Rib, New Zealand Beef and Lamb and many more At Madhav Ashram Building, Panjim +919370898848/+918322230773

Delhi Darbar

Known for Tandoori, kebabs, biryanis & naans At M.G Rd Panjim @ 11.30 am to 11 pm +918322222544

Tea Cafe

Cakes, Coffee and other goodies. A newcomer to the Panjim cafe scene.

At Fontainhas, Panjim @ 11 am to 7 pm +918322223050

Barista Lavazza Outlet

Barista Lavazza’s famous beverages like Flavoured Hot Coffee, Cold Coffee, Hot Tea, Ice Tea, Mojito, Smoothie, Ice Cream Shakes, Juices. In bites section we offer Sandwiches, Calzones, Muffins and Cakes.

At Shop No. 15, 16, & 18, First Floor, Navelcar Trade Center, Opp. Azad Maidan, M G Road, Panjim +918322422130

Café Azul

All day dining restaurant offering buffet combo option. At Cidade de Goa, Vainguinim Beach @ 7 pm to 11 pm +918322454545

Upper House

Goan and continental cuisine.

One of the tastier and more elegant restaurants of the capital.

Good bar, too. At Panjim @ 12 pm to 11 pm +918322426475

Cafe Mojo

Arguably Panjim’s best pub. Innovative, fun and lively.

At Salida Del Sol Hotel, Panjim All day. +91 9850980091

A Pastelaria

Bakery & Confectionery Gateaux, Pastries and Cookies.

Chocolate and strawberry flavoured the mousses are soft and melting, a treat for the kids. Its maska all the way At Hotel Mandovi, Panaji From 9 am to 9 pm +918322426270/+918322426273

Margao & around Spice Studio

Goan dinner. Elegant outdoor restaurant in a well-appointed resort in the South.

At Alila Diwa, Majorda @ 7 pm to 10.30 pm +918322746800

Betty’s Place

Specialising European, Goan, Indian, Seafood At opp. Holiday inn Resort, Mobor, Cavelossim @ 6.30 pm to 11 pm +918322871038/+918322871456

Bistro

At Alila Diwa Goa, Majorda @ 7 am to 10.30 pm +918322746800

Boat Quay Grill

Specialising in World Cuisine, European, Grills At Royal Orchid beach resort, Uttorda @ 7 pm to midnight +918805013553

Fig & Olive

Flavours of the Mediterranean, Arabian & Italian. At Holiday Inn Resort, Cavelossim @ 9 am to 11 pm +918322871303

Shandong

Asian-cuisine restaurant with fine dining ambiance At Radisson Blu Resort Goa, Cavelossim Beach @ 11 am to 11 pm 6726666

China Gate

Dedicated Chinese Cuisine At Fatima High School, Margao @ 12 pm to 11 pm +918322704655

Peppers

Known for steaks and other meat dishes At Pajifond, Margao @ 11.30 pm to 11 pm +91 9822133506

Gavin’s Restaurant & Pub

Specialised in Goan cuisine, Goan Curries, Cafreal At Verna, around a kilometre off NH-17 +919822177179

Upper Deck

Coffee shop offerings traditional coffee along with light snacks and drinks.

At Radisson Blu Resort Goa, Cavelossim Beach @ all day +918326726666

Cafe Mardi Gras

24 hrs cafe serving seafood, Goan, North Indian, Coffee & snacks At Holiday Inn Resort, Cavelossim @ All day +918322871303

from page 19 The poster for Cazulo feni shows the entire process of making feni, right from the plucking of the cashew apple or collecting coconut sap to the final sip by the bon vivant drinker. The cheerful characters have been drawn by artist Sharmila Coutinho.

“People ask me why I have spent so much money and effort on all this design, but I feel feni has to be rebranded. We can’t keep dragging on the same ideas of 25 years back. I am a geologist; I have travelled and have seen how cultures position themselves. When we sell feni in plastic bottles with pictures of women and the beach, we cheapen ourselves and our culture.”

Hansel has used the red colour of the kunbi sari for the label and the matolli flower hangings for the label border. “The cazulo is a familiar insect in Goan nights and yet also a universal motif,” he tells me.

“I’m working with the local distillers to improve the quality of feni by going back to traditional methods. Some of them use oil drums for the distillation process instead of the traditional earthen pot,” says Hansel, showing me photographs of such drums being used.

Hansel proudly tells me that CNN Travel has rated his Cazulo Feni among the Top 9 Spirits of Asia. The Cazulo bottle also ranked in the final five for the New Zealand Best Awards.

I stroll on to another stall and am intrigued by an elderly gentleman who stands behind an array of fruit wine bottles.

John Carmo Rodrigues belongs to an older generation, but is still bustling with suave old world charm. Goan Homemade Tonic Wines is 80 year old Rodrigues’ labour of love. His stall displays posters extolling the virtues of wines made from jambool, ginger, papaya, cashew, aloe vera, muskmelon and many more.

Rodrigues knows what he is talking about; after all he holds a doctorate in medical microbiology.

He worked with the German pharmaceutical giant Hoechst for 30 years, in its pharma, veterinary, agrochem and diagnostics divisions in India.

He speaks proudly of the work he did in Goa in 1971-72 when he oversaw the aerial spraying of cashew crop that had been infested by the T-Mosquito pest.

Rodrigues retired in 1986 and tool up rural service in Baida, Chinchinim. “We are served so much by the Gaudda people, so I decided to give something back,” he says with a simple smile. He conducted health camps, counselling sessions, took care of pregnant women and under nourished children and set up a carpentry center. The wiry and fit octogenarian

John Carmo Rodrigues displays a Jambool wine has a yoga therapy center in Margao and is also a yoga consultant at the Leela hotel.

How did he get into wine making?

“In my college days back in 1955, we had a lot of jambool trees at home, and the fruit would fall and the pigs and cattle would make a mess stomping them. So I made my first batch of jambool wine. Those days we used to get imported brands, and folks were surprised that my wine tasted so good.”

“In every fruit there is normal flora,” Rodrigues educates me. “Even a human being has about one and a half kilo of bacteria in the gut. There are various types of bacteria – the pathogens cause disease, there are also helpful ones that make vitamins, etc.”

“When left to ferment, the natural flora plays the role of natural yeast. But it’s a risky process, because with the slightest contamination the fermented juice can turn to vinegar. That’s why winemakers accelerate the process of alcohol formation by introducing yeast. I use imported Australian fruit yeast.”

A woman come up to him and enquires into a jambool kernel and seed powder that Rodrigues recommends for diabetes. “Tell me the exact fasting blood sugar, and then I can tell you the dosage,” advises Rodrigues, with a gentle professional mien.

The former Governor of Goa SC Jamir had sent him a letter appreciating his medicinal wine.

Rodrigues produced a batch of that same wine and has pasted labels containing Jamir’s letter on the bottle which is he calls Governor wine.

“Yesterday I heard a boy came here asking for a wine for his diabetic mother,” Rodrigues turns aside to tell the ladies manning his counter, both appear to be his relatives. “If such people come, give them the bottle for free. If they don’t have money, we must help them.”

There have been monks in Goa who have bottled many a gallon of wine, but this affable winemaker is truly a saint. 

22 Movie Review

By José Lourenço

W

hen most of the characters in your film are shambling, doped out fiends in various stages of decomposition, then there’s a lot of cinematic pressure on the few human beings left on screen. If the plot too starts shambling around, then the movie itself is going to stink badly.

Go Goa Gone is supposedly India’s first ‘zombie-comedy’ film, directed by Raj Nidimoru and Krishna D.K and produced

by Saif Ali Khan and others.

Hardik (Kunal Khemu), Luv (Vir Das) and Bunny (Anand Tiwari) are three blokes who travel down to Goa, go to a rave party organised by Russian mafia on an island and encounter zombies.

This zombiefication has been caused by a powerful drug served at the party by the mafia, a drug which suppresses all human faculties except the desire to feast on live human flesh. Saif plays Boris, the Russian mafia boss, with dyed head and facial hair and a thick accent. Luna (Puja Gupta), one of the unaffected partygoers provides a bit of oomph, but sadly not

Go Goa Gone

enough. Whatever happened to good old Ramsay style horror flicks with terrified wide eyed babes!

“What a waste of time!” said Cecil Pinto, a Panjim-based satirist, when we met outside the theatre. “Why do they use the word Goa to sell a movie when there’s nothing specifically Goan about the movie and it is supposedly set on an island off Goa which might as well have been Timbuktoo!”

He had more to say, and I wholeheartedly agree ― “The movie makers seem undecided whether they want to make a horror movie or a comedy movie. A good parody of the zombie

genre would have gone down well but they get all serious and moralistic and that ruins even the little comedy that occurs between the constant curse words.”

Cecil’s favourite zombie flick is Resident Evil with the sexy Milla Jovovich. My favourite is Night of the Living Dead, the 1968 George Romero classic. And the 1981 version of Evil Dead, of course.

Nobody has any sex in this film, poor chaps, not in the city where the three yuppies are chasing their lady loves, nor in Goa where the zombie babes are more interested in literally eating them.

Except for Luv who does it with a Russian girl who later turns zombie. Everyone gangs up on him and makes him answer questions to prove he is not a zombie.

Bunny the geek among the trio asks Luv to recite ‘14 times tables’. Hell, even I can’t do that, and I am not a zombie. (Or am I?) That was a good joke, and many like these abound in the film.

You will have to endure lame ‘I’ll be back’ quips from the muscle bound Boris and predictably, a Russian reveller being

introduced to Hardik and saying ‘Hard what?’

There are nice subtle touches here and there. A canoe by the riverside has the name Tatinic painted on its side. Boris the Russian’s jeep has gullwing doors.

And shooting coke takes on a whole new ironic meaning in the dramatic finale of the film.

The sound track by the Sachin–Jigar duo is pretty good, with catchy numbers like Babuji Ki Booti and Slowly Slowly.

The first half is quite good, quick paced and very funny, but loses steam and original content after the zombies move in. Quite naturally, you may say. The film had potential, but it is all wasted.

Kunal Khemu as Hardik outstrips Saif Ali Khan in comic timing, style and looks. The rest, as we mentioned earlier, shamble on.

I amble out of the theater and see men and women stumbling around Panjim’s streets. We are all zombies anyway, to some extent or the other. As Boris/Saif says, in one of the best lines of the film, in a thick Russian accent ― “Karma is beetch, my friend.” 

Satire 23

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Picnics on the beach Native Goans drink local drinks

By Cecil Pinto

“

Order! Order in the court!”

“But Your Honour, there is no disturbance.”

“I know. I just like to say that and then hit the gavel like this.”

BOING! “Your Honour, I represent the State in this case.”

“Are you that guy Aires Rodrigues is constantly writing about? The Attorney General who is paid more than the Prime Minister and President of India combined?”

“No, Your Honour. The Goverment of Goa has hired me to represent them only for this case. My name is Advocate Praveen Naik. ” “Your name is Advocate? Ha! Let it be.

Ok. And who are you?”

“I am the petitioner, Sir. My name is Tony De Sa and I am petitioning the Court that the new order banning the consumption of alcohol on beaches is not only un-Constitutional but it goes against our Goan ethos.”

“Are you a qualified lawyer?”

“No Sir, but I watch The Practice and love movies with courtroom drama and...”

“Ok! Ok! De Sa, state your case. And it’s Your Honour, not Sir.” “My Honour? Sir?” “Oh forget it just go on! Order! Order!”

BOING!

“Sir, there are some very basic flaws in the Act. Firstly it bans drinking only on beaches. If the Government was serious it would ban drinking in all public places, as it has done with smoking. No drinking at bus stops, on roads, in stadiums, parks, - wherever.”

“What have you to say, Advocate Naik?”

“Good point Your Honour. I will put this option forward to Government.”

“Secondly Sir, the Government’s argument is that tourists break alcohol bottles on the beach which causes a problem. Sir, they might be a few stray incidents but in general a person might just discard an empty bottle on the beach, but not break it.”

“But Your Honour, even empty unbroken bottles on the beach are a hazard.”

“Sir, all littering in any form anywhere is a hazard to human and animal life.

Why aren’t there adequate segregated garbage cans on the beach? Why just beaches? What about markets and cities in general? Take Panjim for example.

A few years back some misguided and misinformed activists went on a Bin Free Panjim campaign. All public waste bins were removed. The logic was that garbage was being collected from your doorstep so public bins were not required. What total lunacy! What about all the tourists and visitors to the city?

What do they do with their empty bottles and sachets and bags? How can you have a Bin Free city or beach? Where do visitors throw their garbage? First you must have adequate bins. Then you can impose strict laws against littering. Not the other way around. Empty bottles is about littering, not about alcohol!”

“Naik?”

“Yes Your Honour. I will advise Government on this point.”

“Go on De Sa?” “Another point, Sir. The law was passed apparently to also stop women tourists from being harassed by drunks.

But strangely enough the law allows one to drink in designated licensed areas like shacks etc on the beach. A drunken man who harasses women is a drunken man who harasses women. Whether he drinks on the beach or in a shack. If a man is harassing a women, anywhere, he should be pulled up and charged for that offense, whether he is drunk or drugged or dead sober and just plain obnoxious. That calls for an alert public and proper policing.

Stopping consumption of alcohol on beaches is not the solution.”

“Good argument. Naik?”

“I agree Your Honour, I will raise point with Government.”

“One last point Sir. Drinking on the beach is also part of our Goan culture.”

“What?! Order! Order!”

BOING! “Sir, as you are aware every Goan goes for a beach picnic at least once a year. It is a tradition. Whether a family picnic or a club picnic or a chapel picnic or a sport team picnic – an annual picnic is compulsory. ” “Get on with it, De Sa!” “For these picnics Sir, we carry our own food and beverages. We are Goans, Sir. We are within a few kilometers of our homes. We don’t have to depend on shacks for our snacks and definitely not for our drinks. Why should I pay exorbitant touristy prices at shacks for my food and drinks when I can get my food and drinks from home?”

“I don’t know where you’re going with this argument De Sa, but Naik, do you have any objections?”

“I am totally in agreement, Your Honour. In fact we normally prepare a big handi of spicy Chicken Xacuti and carry vegetables to make fresh salad on the spot.”

“And Sir, we sing songs like Bebdo, Voddekara, Tambdem Roza, Kai Borolo Komblo, Undir Mama, Besame Mucho, Brown Girl In The Ring, Down By The Riverside, Ie Ie Katrina, My Bonny Lies over the Ocean, Jimmy Jimmy Moga, By

The Rivers of Babylon, Susana, Take Me Home Country Roads and Aptun Doptun Gho Cheddvan Danttem Mandilem.”

“And Your Honour also we sing Hi Pori Konnachi, Knock Three Times, Top of The World, Claudia, Sweater Kori, Like Strangers, Angelo, I Never Promised You a Rose Garden, Mog Tuzo Kitlo Axello, Oh Carol, Amerikak Pauxi, Beautiful Sunday, Bombay Meri Hai, Clementine, But You Love Me Daddy, Old Mac Donald, Pontius Pilate King of the Jews and Ramaya.”

“Enough already! And stop that humming in the courtroom!”

BOING! “Sir, sorry I got carried away, as did my honourable colleague. The point I am trying to make is that we have to cover so many songs in so many languages and genres that we need alcohol to wet the tongue and lubricate the larynx.”

“Also Your Honour, when one is sober it is difficult to remember lyrics but with just a little alcohol words are coming like nothing!”

“And Sir. We Goans carry our own alcohol to the beach. The older folks will have some Caju or Palm Feni and the youngsters might have some Urrac. We carry our own bottles and take them back for re-use. We Goans don’t throw bottles on the beach.”

“And Your Honour since we bring our own womenfolk to picnic, we don’t have to harass tourist women. We are selfcontained in our harassment. And Goan men don’t swim in the sea. We just wade a bit in shallow water and return to the picnic area to continue playing cards. So there’s no question of drowning deaths.”

“So are you saying that Goans should be allowed to drink on the beaches?”

“Yes, Sir!” “Yes, Your Honour!”

“Naik, whose side are you on?”

“Sorry Your Honour, I got carried away.”

“See even if we made the no-drinking law only for non-Goans it would open another can of worms. Identity Cards for all ethnic Goans. Domicile certificates. All that nonsense. In principle I agree with you that Goans do not cause problems when they drink on the beach but how do we identify who is a Goan and who is not?”

“I have a simple solution Sir. Sniffer dogs.”

“What? Dogs can sniff out who is a Goan and who is not? Order! Order!”

BOING! “No Sir. What I mean to say is that sniffer dogs can be used to identify the alcohol that is being drunk. The strong smell of Feni or Urrac is a dead giveaway. If they are not drinking Feni or Urrac then they should be arrested immediately. They are obviously not Goans and should not be allowed to drink on the beach!”

BOING!  Disclaimer: The article on this page is a satire and is not in anyway factual.

It is only a humorous and satirical take on the events unfolding around us. We do not in anyway intend to offend any individual or institution through our satires and regret any offense caused inadvertently.

24 Hot Streets Dear Acaricia May I am a 24 year old woman, newly married to a great guy. He has a great whacky sense of humour, though he can be moody at times. We sometimes travel by scooter to the suburbs of the city where we live. We have a lovely yellow Vespa. I ride pillion, and I like to hug him as he rides the bike. But he doesn’t like this, he says displays of affection in public are in bad taste.

But what’s wrong in showing your love in public? He won’t even let me place my hand on his thigh as he rides. The funny thing is, he is okay with all this if we are riding at night, I mean on the road. At that time he doesn’t mind me snuggling up to him on the Vespa, provided there are no other riders on the road, and he even enjoys it. And at night, if I am riding the scooter and he is the pillion rider, he gets really naughty. But why is he such a prude in the daytime?

Hands off in the day time

conservative childhood upbringing, he is likely to frown upon blatant hugging and smooching in public. Of course, there are also folks who are heavily into this public fetish, and who can’t get it on without some kind of an audience. In Goa we have a lot of public smooching by couples who can’t keep their hands off each other, and look into each other’s eyes as though there is no tomorrow. The fact that some of them are seen groping someone else the next day is of course, none of our business. If your man is at the other extreme in insisting on intimacy only in private, give him his space. If you are both in love, it will be obvious to the whole world, through gestures and body language that shows it all, even without touching each other.

Love Acaricia May

If you have questions about sex, relationships or any other matter relating to the heart, please write to Acaricia May at acariciamay@goastreets.com.

Julie M, Margao Dear Julie Oh, let the poor darling be! It looks like you guys are quite close and enjoy a great relationship, considering he gets upto mischief when the lights are out, on the road and off it. If a man has had a

The

Corner

Shamana Spa at Grand Hyatt Goa wins ‘Best New Spa (Resort)’ Award

GOA (May 2013): Receiving another accolade of excellence, Shamana Spa at Grand Hyatt Goa has garnered the ‘Best New Spa (Resort)’ Award at the asiaSpa India Awards 2012 held on 29 April, 2013 at The Kingdom of Dreams, Gurgaon.

Shamana Spa at Grand Hyatt Goa is a true oasis of tranquillity. A destination spa with 19 treatment suites offering Thai, Balinese and Indian treatments in serene and luxurious facilities spread across 34,000 sq ft (3,200 sq m), it offers luxuriously designed suites with a sunken bath and vitality pool, multi-sensory rain showers to allow guests to cool off and rejuvenate during the steam, and ergonomically designed loungers for relaxation. These treatment suites, designed to enrich a guest’s experience include six couple suites, ten single suites and a special Ayurveda / Indian treatment suite as well. State-of-the-art amenities at Shamana Spa include a fitness centre, indoor and outdoor pools, whirlpools

Ram Chatterjee, Director Shamana Spa & Betty Remedios Director Sales & Marketing Grand Hyatt Goa receiving the award and wet areas with sauna, steam and plunge pools.

“We are thrilled to receive the ‘Best New Spa (Resort)’ Award for Shamana Spa at Grand Hyatt Goa. It is indeed a great honour that our spa is not only

well-liked and admired by our guests but has been recognised by the industry as well”, said General Manager, Stefan Radstrom. “The Shamana Spa is indeed the best way to rejuvenate and discover oneself.”

The Corner is a regular space where organizations, entrepreneurs and all those with noteworthy projects can “strut their stuff.”

Commenting on this achievement, Ram Chatterjee, Director of Shamana Spa, Grand Hyatt Goa said, “The asiaSpa India Awards continue to set benchmarks for originality and acknowledge the finest contributions made to the budding wellness industry in India. Getting recognized as an asiaSpa India Award winner, is a perfect boost to Shamana Spa’s credibility. The entire team at Grand Hyatt Goa is in high spirits on receiving this honour.

I’m thankful to my fantastic team and their continued hard work.”

As the wellness panorama in India continues to grow exponentially, the new age Indian is taking keen interest in the new ways of wellness. Being an avid promoter of the wellness segment in India, asiaSpa India backs the evolution of the wellness industry to its fullest potential. Since their inception and now for sixth consecutive year the asiaSpa India Awards have been setting new benchmarks within the Indian spa and wellness industry.

USEFUL STUFF www.goastreets.com

Thursday, May 16, 2013 Police 100 Ambulance 108 Coast Guard 1718 Women Helpline 1091 Goa State Aids Control Society 1097 Child Helpline 1098

Airline Offices Air Arabia Airlines 9225906416/15 Indian Airlines 18001801407 Air India 2431100/04 Jet Airways 1800225822 Spice Jet 18001803333 Kingfisher Airlines 18002093030 GoAir 1800222111 Singapore Airlines 2438813 Qatar Airlines 7930616000 Ambulance Services Goa Medical College 2458725 Vintage Ambulance +91 8322232533 /+91 9823059948 Ambulance Trust (Margao) 2731759/2714464 Mapusa Ambulance Service (Mapusa) 2262372 Helpline (Dona Paula) 2453303 Super markets Magsons Super Market Miramar, St Inez, Caculo Mall, Caranzalem, Vasco, Verna and Varca 2463700/2463701/2463702 Orchard Stores

25

Anjuna. 2273231 Newton’s Arcade Candolim. 2489056 Delfinos Super Stores, Candolim, 2356895 / 5235685 Maple Leaf Supermarket Porvorim, 6454099 Parsekar Stores Mandrem, 0832 2247345/2247900 Bus Services Kadamba Road Transport Corporation 133 Kadamba Transport Corporation 2438034/2438036 Manish Volvo 2444056 Paulo Travels 2438531 Neeta Volvo 2438088 Medical and Hospitals Dial-A-Doctor (Toll Free) 1911 Blood Bank 2458724 Vrundavan Hospital, Mapusa +918322250022/+918326713535 Apollo Hospital Margao. 2728888/ 6728888 Manipal Hospital Panjim. 3048800 Vintage Hospital Panjim. 2426650 Pharmacies Jeevan Rekha Medical Store Panjim. 2435946 Holy Spirit Medical Services

Margao. 2737433 Bardez Bazaar Mapusa. 2256620/2250618 Walson & Walson Calangute. 2276366 Nayana Medical Stores Porvorim. 2417818 Police stations Margao 2705095 Mapusa 2262231 Pernem 2201233 Anjuna 2273233 Calangute 2278284 Porvorim 2417704 Old Goa 2285301 Ponda 2313101 Colva 2788396 Vasco Harbour 2512234 Verna 2782325 Canacona 2633357 Post Offices Panjim GPO 2223706 Margao 2715791 Mapusa 2262235 Calangute 2276030 Department of Tourism 2438750/2438755 Goa Tourism Development Corporation Ltd 2226515/2226728 Govt. of India Tourism 2223412/2420529 Panjim Information Counter

2438520 Margao Information Counter 2715204 Vasco Information Counter 2512673 Railway Stations Canacona Code:CNO +918322643644 Madgaon Code:MAO +918322712790 Pernem Code:PERN +918322201283 Thivim Code:THVM +918322298682 Vasco de Gama Code:VSG +918322512398/+918322512131 Karmali Code:KRMI +918322285798 Safety Information Tourist Police Booths Miramar 2464260 Tourist Police Booths Calangute 2281238 Tourist Police Booths Vagator 2274031 GMC Casuality 2458725 GMC Casuality 2458725 TOY STORES Totally Toys Trionora Apartment, Panaji 2220304 Nilesh Store At Mahatma Gandhi Rd, Panjim 2230161 Casa Nita 2732070 Near Gandhi Market Margao Peter Store At Grace Church Estate Margao 2730571 Petit Bebe At Adams Towers, Vasco 9958685102 Adventure sports/ Boat tours/diving/ excursions Water Sports Club Bogmalo. 9822124457 Dive GOA Caranzalem. 9325030110 Goa Aquatic Sports Private Ltd Calangute. 9822685025 Goa Kayaking Chicalim.

9422056037/2541715 Palms Water Sports Sinquerim.

9823850949/9823179913

North Goa Snip Salon Spas

At Padmavati Towers, Panjim @ 10 am to 9 pm 2420898/989 www.snipsalonandspa.com

Club Mud Spa

At Sorantowaddo, Anjuna @ Open daily 8 am to 8 pm 2274131, 9011071941, 9822162111. www.lagunaanjuna.com

Sephora Salon & Spa

A Dubai-based beauty services chain Nr. Don Bosco School, Panjim. @ 9 am to 9 pm, Open daily 2231314, 3260890

Spa Sitara

Spa & Salon At Fort Aguada Rd, Candolim +918888886084

Dreamz Spa and Salon

@ 10 am to 9 pm At Campal, Panaji :- +918322223628 At Don Bosco, Panaji :- +91832222488 At Village Panchayat, Calangute:+919561319903 www.dreamzsalonandspa.com

South Goa Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa At Arossim Beach, Cansaulim +918322721234/+919923207075

Sohum Spa

At Royal orchid beach resort and spa, Utorda @ 9.30 am to 10 pm +918322884400/+918322884401

Beyond Looks Beauty Salon At Margao, Salcete +919822100932

Amanya Spa & Salon

Traditional Ayurvedic Therapies Relaxing European Massages Mystical Oriental Therapies Rejuvenating Body Scrubs and Wraps Pampering Bath Preparations Indulging Facials At Ranghvi Estate, Dabolim (Near airport), Vasco, +918326486888/+918322538661/+919096 700407

Thai Spa Beauty Salon At Old Market, Margao +918322701177

Naree Artisans Movement

By Natasha Fernandes

N

aree Artisans Movement is a group started by three women, Natasha Fernandes, Aira Mirchandani and Milan Khanolkar, who share a passion for traditional Goan handcrafts done by women. The idea is to preserve, revive and contemporize these handcrafts.

Aira has extensive experience in the garment industry in Mumbai, Natasha works at the Museum of Christian Art, Old Goa and Milan Khanolkar is an artist and illustrator working with media like clay and paper.

Currently the focus of NAM is on the Goan method of making a quilt (godri).

The godri which once was a must have in every home, has now been replaced by polyester blankets, different kinds of coverings or quilts made in Jaipur.

In January 2012, under the banner of Needle crafters group, a workshop teaching quilting (sari godri) and patchwork was organized in association

Bringing Patches and People Together

with the Govt. College of Home Science, Campal at their campus. A couple of smaller workshops were organized at Bookworm – a children’s library at Taleigao in June and August 2012. In October 2012, a workshop was organized at the Goa State Museum teaching quilting and patch work to a much wider audience.

Subsequently, in January 2013 Natasha, Milan & Aira jointly conducted another workshop on the sari godri, in collaboration with the Goa State Museum. The response was very encouraging and many women shared their views about the making of Godhris and bonds created through it. This has been the impetus to the formation of the Naree Artisans Movement.

A sari godri used to be made of old pure cotton saris. The voile saris made the softest godri. It comprises of 5 layers of fabric. The other kind is the patchwork godri, made from scraps of any type of fabric. The market rate for stitching a sari godri is approx. Rs 350/- by machine and Rs 850/- by hand.

This March, in collaboration with the Goa State Museum, NAM has started documentation of Old Goan godris focusing on godris which are at least 40 years. The documentation involves photography,

documenting the quilting techniques and the traditional designs of Goa, as well as the stories associated with the godris. The two day documentation has thrown up delightful gems in terms of work done by Goan women 50 to 70 years ago. This is an ongoing project and we are looking forward to many more Goan families coming forward to have their old quilts documented, thus sharing their precious quilts with the entire community.

In an effort to contemporize the Goan godri, NAM in collaboration with the Goa State Museum is also organizing Goa Quilt Design Contest –2013, wherein participants would need to make a quilt entirely by hand using patchwork or saris, and more importantly using new (not traditional) designs.

NAM has also started a center at St.Inez, Panjim where workshops/classes are conducted for persons interested in learning different types of needle work. 

Contact NAM at: nareeartisansmovement@ gmail.com or Natasha Fernandes at 9890031510

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Around Goa

Auto aficionados check out speedsters at the Audi Sports Car Experience

Joanne Fernandes on the guitar