Issue No : 41 by Goa Streets

Happy Dussehra! | 3G in Goa | Burgers at Cheenos | Trekking Guru

The Season Is Here!

Friday, October 3, 2014

commitment to excellence. Perhaps nowhere is this more evident than in their choice of music. Here you will find good acoustic music on most days. Expect to hear the blues, soft rock, folk rock and some pop rock as well. The music is played with passion and joy that can really be felt. Families, friends and couples abound on any given night (Hendrix has no

By Sanket Sharma

ith the season just about here, lots of joints around Goa will be offering live music and food. The truth, however, is that those offering GOOD live music and food are fewer in number. Far fewer. Hendrix, a BBQ and Grill restaurant in Anjuna, is one entirely decent option. It’s not just because the food and drinks are good. This place has live music no fewer than four nights a week, and the talent they showcase is of notably high quality. “If it were up to me, I would have music every day of the week”, says Derek, the cheerful owner and manager of Hendrix, explaining that it’s not exactly practical to have music EVERY night. He and his aptly named wife Grace have been running the place for more than a year.

Derek mentioned that they don’t hire any professionals to run their kitchen, and it’s only their love of food that gets them through. Professionally, Derek has been working in an oil rig for 34 years. He manages the restaurant in his off time, which is every other month, while his wife permanently looks after the restaurant. Their love for food and music is what gives Hendrix its USP and charms their customers, who remain faithful – exactly what Derek is aiming for. “Ninety percent of my customers are regular,” says Derek with pride. Hendrix is located on the main road connecting Anjuna to Siolim, as you pass by the Bobby Bar junction. With its easy access and casual ambience, it’s a good place to just walk in and leave your worries behind. But while the restaurant is casual, there’s nothing casual about Derek and Grace’s

Good times in Goa are taking on a whole new meaning with Crown Casino’s fabulous new video roulette machines. It’s a gaming revolution right here in our state! Make yourself comfortable at Video Roulette, from where you can sit at one table and place bets at any of the five new machines. These machines are the first in Goa. And they’re at Crown Casino, where winnings are just the beginning!

problem attracting a crowd), but there are also people who freely enter sans company and enjoy a drink at the bar, take in the music and perhaps strike up a friendly conversation with a fellow patron. Unlike some other places, music here is not some kind of background distraction. Instead, it’s an engaging, integral part of the

Turn to page 5

Oct 3

music & nightlife | 3 Hendrix - Live Music in Anjuna

feature | 6 3G in Goa

explore | 7

Oct 8 Oktoburst @ UV Bar Oktoburst Full Moon Party At UV Bar, Anjuna 8pm onwards  +91 9822153440

October 2 to October 3

Goa's Lady Mountaineer

food & drink | 8 Burger Brunch at Cheenos

cover story | 10

Rhythm Garba Dandiya Raas 2014 Celebrate the Festival of Dance At The International Centre Goa, Dona Paula From 7.30 pm onwards +91 9822460334/ +91 8888885180

Every Tuesday

What's On this Season

cover story | 12 Interview: Nilesh Cabral

dussehra greetings | 13 what's on | 14 Events in Goa

arts & entertainment | 15 Ganesh Artist

arts & entertainment | 16 Behind the Indian Veil

wheels on streets | 17 Maruti Suzuki & TVS Jupiter

Friday Night Live Take a long walk down acoustic lane, and feed your soul with the music that mattered.. At Cohiba Bar & Kitchen, Sinquerim +91 7722031222

Happy Dussehra From Goa Streets!

ussehra celebrates the triumph of good over evil, marking the victory of the Hindu God Rama over the 10-headed demon king of Lanka, Ravana. The epic Ramayana tells the mythical story of the Lord Rama fighting a great battle to rescue his wife Sita from the clutches of Ravana. Dussehra also plays a major role in another Hindu epic, the Mahabharata. The Pandavas were five brothers who fought evil forces with a set of distinctive weapons, which were abandoned when the brothers went into exile for one year. They hid their weapons in a ‘Shami’ tree and found them at the same place when they returned from exile. They then worshipped the tree before going to a battle, which they won - an epic also commemorated during Dussehra. Dussehra also corresponds to the harvest season in India, where religious rituals are performed to invoke cosmic forces that can rejuvenate the soil. Dussehra is a time for family gatherings and food offerings to Lord Rama, whose victory over Ravana serves as a testament to power of good in the world. Goa Streets would like to take this opportunity to wish our readers a very happy Dussehra! 

Extraordinary Nights With Emmanuel Antao At Gawin’s Restaurant, Varca 9 pm onwards +91 9822177179

Every Wednesday Rock is Alive With Charley and the Music Factory At Baywatch Resort, Colva @ 7.30 pm +91 832 2747744 Every Thursday Thursday Sizzling Karaoke Nite With Saby Fernandez – May discover the hidden “Indian Idol” in you At Kudos, Chogm Road, Porvorim 7.30 pm onwards +91 832 6510565 Sundown Karaoke With DJ Colett and… you, if you’re in the mood to help Colett by crooning along At Cocopazzo, Chapora 7 pm onwards. +91 9561212810 Silent Disco With DJ Mr. R & Flakey Spinning EDM. Nothing ‘silent’ about this disco (unless you’re wearing headphones, that is). At Alpha Bar, Palolem 9 pm onwards +91 9890281505

Every Friday

Every Saturday Saturday Nite Jive With Alcatrazz At Cheenos, Baga Bridge, Baga +91 8806564991 Silent Noise Party With DJs Husman, Sam & Azgar Find out which is true, the silence or the noise.   At Neptune Point, Palolem 8 pm to 4 am +91 9822584968 +91 83 22279895, +91 83 22275028

On-going Cavala Every Wednesday: Cavala Acoustic Latin Retro Every Friday: Tidal Wave Every Saturday: Piano played by Bosco At Cavala, Calangute - Baga Road, Baga 8.30 pm onwards +91 832 2276090 Cantare There’s live music on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, but the big draw is the jazz duo Steve Sequeira and his wife Kittu on Monday nights, often accompanied by Brazilian chef and harmonica player Guto. The place fills up with locals (not many tourists), and its nonbeach location nestled amid the Portugueseinspired architecture of Saligao adds to the great vibe. At Cantare, Saligao 8 pm onwards +91 832 2409461 The Park, Calangute Every Thursday: Retro Night Every Friday: Karaoke Night with KDJ Tony Every Saturday: Ladies Night with DJ Sunil and Tania At The Park, Calangute 8 pm onwards +91 8805028194 +91 832 2267600

Casinos in Goa Deltin Royale Casino At D.Bandodkar Road, Panjim +91 9820 616515 or email: groups@deltin. com (If you’re based in Mumbai) +91 7875 024455 or email: groupbookings@ deltin.com (If you’re based in Goa)

Reggae Friday By Graeme Hamilton – for that chilled out vibe At Laguna, Anjuna @ 7.30 pm +91 832 227 4131

Crown Casino At Bairo Alto Dos Pilotos, Jose Falcao Road, Behind Old Secretariat, Panjim For Group Booking Contact: Mr. Nimish Desai: +91 9158883464/ +91 832 6635878 nimish@crowncasino.in

Friday Funk With DJ Lasker and Akshay – put on your dancing shoes At Cape Town Cafe, Calangute 7 pm onwards +91 95 27612070

Deltin Jaqk Casino At Fisheries Jetty, Fisheries Dept. Building, D. Bandodkar Road, Panaji  Emai id: sales@deltin.com Other: info@deltin.com Call: +91 77 987 40004, +91 88 0666 3673

Music & Nightlife 5 From page 3 evening, where even if you don’t recognise the song, you can’t help but feel the groove of it. And of course once you hear a song you recognize and like, you tap your feet, sing along and then get up to dance. To me, a serious music lover, this place was more than a relief when I once dropped in to play a couple of tunes myself and heard local musician Cliff D Souza. I could enjoy music from my favourite musicians like Neil Young, The Doors and Muddy Waters. It served as a welcome break from all the repetitive music that plays on loop all across the northern belt until Anjuna, and made me feel at home. A place where I could grab a bite & drink a couple of beers while enjoying some really good music and spend a fun evening. Hearing the music more than once now I can safely say I look forward to making another visit soon. There was a full house this past

Wednesday, with music by Chrystal Farell and Sancho Menezes, who delighted the crowd with pop, jazz and a variety of other genres. The crowd was not just grooving in their seats but some also couldn’t help but take to the floor and shake a leg. The hospitality of the owners who don’t mind customising your food according to your taste adds to the charm. There’s plenty of beverages of every kind, and quite a few interesting dishes including a steak made of cottage cheese (perfect for a vegetarian like me!) Hendrix current line-up is this: Chrystal Farrell and Sancho Menezes on Wednesday Joe and Allistar on Thursday The Accoustic Road, on Saturday Herman Abreio and Lennon Piers on Sunday Happy Groovin’ – and kudos to Derek and Grace!

6 Feature

3G In Goa What’s Keeping Goa From Getting Fast Internet?

By Crespo D’Souza

ife has become very frustrating for Lovell D’Souza. Giving up a high-flying job at internet giant Google in Hyderabad, the 29-year-old web programmer decided to settle down in the land of his birth, and run his own freelance web services. It’s been a year now and Lovell is struggling to get the most basic of his needs - a fast and reliable internet connection in his village of Parra. Be it over the airwaves through a 3G connection or through a physical wire, good internet has eluded him. “The private operators like Ethernet Xpress just do not provide their services to Parra, leaving us at the mercy of BSNL, the most useless of them all,” he says. His is a story repeated throughout Goa, which so far has been unable to obtain the sort of fast, reliable internet now available in many parts of India, especially the metros. Many areas remain out of reach of 3G and other fast internet options. To be sure, with the sale of smart phones and other internet-friendly devices going through the roof, it seems likely connectivity will improve over time. Vodafone and Idea are two internet service providers already offering 3G services, although it is restricted to Goa’s major towns, and the penetration is still low. A few broadband providers such as GWave and Hathway are promising to expand their wireless networks, and some users seem happy with these services. Commercial users, though, are keen on seeing more fibre optic cables right from one’s doorstep to the central exchange, as a way to ensure the best internet connection. Yet the BSNL lines of Goa remain woefully inadequate. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited or BSNL is a public company that was set up after the government decided to wrap up its department of telecommunications and allow private players into the picture. BSNL inherited not just the extensive network that the government set up, but also their staff and their infamous,

entirely lethargic work ethic. “Their service in Saligao and Parra is pathetic and their lines drop constantly. The junior engineer is never in his office and never available,” D’Souza said. D’Souza is not alone. Budding entrepreneurs, small industries and business establishments are tearing their hair out over Goa’s expensive and ineffective internet services. Private companies don’t admit it, but their services are often little different from that of the government. Perhaps there’s no better example of Goa’s internet woes than the recent decision by Tata Docomo to withdraw its GSM 3G services from Goa. The white wifi dongle provided by the company in recent months had emerged as perhaps the best, fastest internet connection available for home users in the state. So when the company decided to take down dozens of towers providing this service in recent weeks, customers were left stunned. A technician for Tata Docomo contacted for this story said the decision was “on account of user complaints of poor connectivity”. But an informal Goa Streets survey of users revealed that’s simply not the case. Users reported exceptionally fast performance with the Tata Photon 3G wifi dongle. More likely,

the company made its decision based on poor profitability. Given Goa’s low density of population when compared with the big cities of India, telecom companies often consider it a huge infrastructure investment with inadequate returns. They also have more comical reasons for not willing to venture into the villages of the state. A constant complaint is miscreants stealing cables in the dead of night. In the scrap market, cables fetch nearly as much as a brand new cable. “Cost of internet in Goa is pretty high considering the return mileage of the same ... Not just the return mileage, but the set-up pricing, service issues and of course, the penetration are the basic problems,” said Prajyot Mainkar, a budding entrepreneur who runs his own company developing smartphone applications. His company, Androcid Media Pvt. Ltd also struggles with inadequate internet. Industry representatives concur that the granting of 4G or LTE (Long Term Evolution) Licences by the central government should help improve the situation of connectivity in Goa. With physical lines as poor as they are, one might expect more from the wireless networks, which cost less to

create. But Goa loses out here,

too. “3G is a joke in Goa,” D’Souza said, adding that he if cannot receive a wireless connection living barely three kilometres from the bustling town of Mapusa, it would be a surprise if anyone in Goa could. Mobile connections work for low-end usage and can often sustain bandwidth for typical home use, but not for heavy duty usage requiring transmission of large files, managing a web service or setting up a server to handle online client needs. Many in Goa simply choose the government services, resigning themselves to the poor performance. “I’ve been exposed to broadband services in different countries, so I know how green the grass is on the other side. We have a long way to go, unfortunately. Even though I know I pay way too much, I still pay. BSNL is the only provider of broadband in my area and so I have no choice but to succumb to their tariffs,” said Nihal Melwani, a student at Vasco da Gama. GWave, set up in Goa by the Department of Information Technology, is supposed to be a relatively fast service. However, since it began in 2011, the network has succeeded in attracting only a few hundred private users. The rest are government offices and some commercial users. GWave remains unavailable in most parts of Goa. It supports about 129 e-services in about 23 government departments like transport, tourism, panchayats, collectorates, civil supplies, and other areas. There is an increasing demand that broadband and internet services in Goa be brought on par with those of other cities, especially Hyderabad and Bangalore. “In Hyderabad I used to pay Rs 1,000 per month for a 20 MBPS line. Here I won’t even get 1 MBPS for the same fee in Goa,” D’Souza said. The government says it wants to turn Goa into a centre of the IT industry. That, of course, will remain a pipe dream if we can’t get the basics right, starting with fast access to the web. 

Explore 7

Friday, October 3, 2014

Bianca Dias And The Spirit of Adventure The Life and Times of Goa’s Lady Mountaineer By Perin Ilavia

ianca Dias is Goa’s first worldclass female mountaineer. She’s also a trekking guide, and a civil engineer by profession. At 28, she is the state’s only woman to represent Goa in professional mountaineering events around the country and the world. And now she plans to become the first person from Goa to scale Mt. Everest. To be sure, there is adventure, excitement, thrill and deep satisfaction in pursuing this life, braving some of the toughest landscapes on earth. But she admits that her parents worry about her before every expedition, and pray that she will return safely. Earlier this year, Bianca scaled Mt. CB 13 (also known as Chandrabhaga), a stunning peak in Himachal Pradesh whose base rises from a glacier. “Every expedition has its thrills, with many memorable and exciting moments,” Bianca says, explaining that the hazards include altitude sickness, sprains, hypothermia, frost bite and fractures. “It’s important to be with a group that is familiar with your behaviour patterns, as one can get pretty incoherent. A girl in my all women’s team got hypothermia. It was a bizarre experience. We had to carry her back in a stretcher, and it almost made us want to give up mountaineering.” Even as a child Bianca wanted to be tough and disciplined. In the 10th standard she took a trek to the Himalayas with the Goa Hiking Association and has been hooked on mountaineering ever since. Alongside her graduation in Civil Engineering at the Govt. Polytechnic at Panjim, she did her basic and advanced mountaineering courses in 2006 and 2007 at Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, in Uttarkashi , Uttarakhand. She trains for at least three months before any expedition, which are often financed by the Goa government and the Ministry of Defense. From 2007-2010, as a member of the all India Mixed Expedition conducted by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF), Bianca was on a definite high, scaling the tallest peaks of South Asia. Supported by her parents, Bianca

started a venture called “Off Track” in 2007, in which she leads treks through little known terrains, searching out places with a “reward” at the end, such as a waterfall or historical site. Getting permission from the forest department to enter restricted areas is not always easy, though now that authorities know her, it’s getting easier. Monsoon is the best season for treks. The streams are full, the weather is cooler, and the slippery terrain abounding with vegetation adds to the adventure. Bianca’s group also does rock climbing on portable panels, river crossing and rappelling. It can be a day’s trek of 12 kms to 36 kms, with an overnight stay. Age is no bar, from eight to eighty anyone is eligible. Transport, helmets, harness, ropes, tents etc. are provided. Food is sourced from homes in the villages en route. Bianca offers personalized tours for corporates, individuals and schools, and 5-day tours to Coorg, Karwar, Maharashtra, Uttarakal, and Jammu & Kashmir. There are many life lessons to be had from these excursions. For one, you learn to make the right decisions in dealing with natural hazards such as snakes, ticks and leeches. Many who take up this sport come away with a new perspective on life, and a new respect for nature. Bianca observes that today’s children have forgotten to walk and have little stamina. “Parents don’t encourage children. When they hear about the distance of the trek they say ‘my child will get tired.’” Bianca says that some find her fee for a day’s trek – Rs 350 – to be costly, even though this doesn’t even cover her expenses. And when there are profits, they’re pumped right back into equipment. For her bread and butter, Bianca runs a civil engineering company called ‘Bianca Constructions’ at Santa Cruz. But for her, giving priority to her mountaineering is an easy choice. “Sometimes I go without income for months, but this is my passion.” She wants more people involved and believes the Goa government should list mountaineering as a sport and support it. Not one to sit back on her

achievements, she aspires to be the first Goan to climb the 8,848-meter Mt. Everest. “Right now that’s my focus, I’m planning for next year. It will take 45 days. Prior to that, I plan to spend two months in the mountains climbing at least two peaks before heading for Everest.” Her training will include working out for 3- 4 hours every day, and feature cycling, jogging, swimming. IMF Expeditions are funded by the Defense Ministry. Until now, Bianca’s never looked for sponsors, but the Everest expedition is expected to cost Rs 26 lakhs. So she’s sending out proposals for sponsorship, and keeping her fingers crossed. Bianca Dias can be contacted at +91 9960054428

Friday, October 3, 2014

By Shubham Gupta

ne of the nice things about the complexity of life is that it’s possible to do more than one thing at the same time. You can walk and chew gum, for instance. Or you can be an events and party guide like Goa Streets, and still offer serious journalism. And so it is with Cheenos, the fabulous club near the Baga bridge that has emerged as both a top party hotspot AND a great destination to satiate culinary cravings. And of all the interesting new food offerings at this party Shangri-la, perhaps none is more mouth watering than the

king-size burgers just awaiting to be hogged. At Build Your Burger Brunch, you can choose from a variety of different patties, dressings, toppings and, of course, cocktails to go with your meal (this IS Cheenos, after all). On top of it, it’s all UNLIMITED! Imagine the scene. It’s a lazy Sunday afternoon and the craving for something substantial – something meaty – arises in your mind, body and soul. At this moment in time, could there be anything more heavenly than an authentic American Barbeque-fired burger? And this won’t

be someone else’s idea of the perfect burger, but yours! Yes, these gigantic, tasty creations are made according to YOUR preferences, and there’s lots to choose from. If you want to bite into a tender and juicy beef patty generously marinated in Jim Beam (American bourbon whiskey) barbeque sauce, go for the ‘Beef Eater’. If you are looking at some grilled chicken thighs seasoned in white wine and rosemary stuffed between freshly baked buns and your preferred dressing, bite into the ‘Big Hen’. If you want a meltin-your-mouth cheesy indulgence, go for the CheeseMaster patty stuffed with Parmesan, Mozzarella, Cheddar and Indian Cottage Cheese with just enough potato to bind it all together. My personal favourite that makes my palate explode is when I stack the Beef Eater and the CheeseMaster together in one burger and load the insides with lettuce, onions, tomato slices, pickle, feta cheese, salsa and just enough garlic mayo to hold the tasty bundle of awesomeness together. (When they say it’s “Build Your Own”, they MEAN it!) The best part about these burgers is that you can play around with the ingredients and make them taste exactly like you want them to. Where else would you get a tailor-made burger? You can experiment with Garlic Mayo, Mustard, Caesar’s Salad dressing, feta cheese, Mexican salsa and plain ole Ketchup. Apart from the dressings, there’s also different kinds of lettuce, tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, cucumbers, pickle and much more to select from. Along with all these greed-inducing delights, you can also pick up some fries or nachos to munch on the side. (Be sure you come

to the Build Your Burger Brunch with an appetite!) When you finally start to ‘Build your Burger’, you are offered unlimited cocktails to refresh you and soak your Sunday laziness away. You can sip on the ‘Water Melon Smash’ with black pepper, white rum and vodka or take humble gulps of ‘Sweet Caroline’ with tropical flavours such as mango, orange, passion fruit, pineapple & cranberry in a white rum base. To accompany the Beef Eater patty, you can expose yourself to some spice with Mango Scream (Mango drink with red chilli, salt, pepper and lime) or Spicy Mary (Bloody Mary made a lot spicier). With a bounce of acoustic rock and retro music by a renowned band named Back 2 Basix (next Sunday), this is all you’d want to do on Sunday afternoon. If you feel bored or preoccupied despite the amazing burgers, unlimited cocktails, and smooth retro numbers being played live, you can throw yourself to the international standards pool table and have at 8 ball or 9 ball game with your comrades over cocktails. Cheenos has a new revamped food menu with a whole lot of international offerings. It’s certainly not just a party place (if you haven’t been there yet, you will note that the place boasts one of the most interesting layouts in all of Goa, with an amazing upper deck a lower-level ‘bunker’ replete with a large bar and glassed-in private rooms. Cheenos strives to satisfy your heart, ears, stomach and your spirit of partying with your mates. Don’t miss it! Cost for one is INR 899/- with unlimited Burgers, Fries, Nachos, and select Cocktails/IMFL/Beverages. 

Food & Drink 9

Friday, October 3, 2014

Oct 5th Sunday Brunches @ 899/ head Burgers, cocktails, beer, salads, deserts house-spirits, beverages. Live this sunday back2basix. At Cheenos, Baga River Bridge, Baga 12 pm onwards +91 8806564991

Every Wednesday Grand Goan Buffet   For lunch and dinner. Each week’s menu is again different. Keeping tradition alive!  At The HQ, Vasco  +91 7709003237

Sunday Brunch Sunday Family Brunch Rejuvenating cocktails, soul warming gourmet cuisine from around the world and activities to keep the kids entertained. At Latitude, Vivanta by Taj, Panjim 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm +91 832 6633636 Italian Sunday Lunch Feast on an unlimited selection of antipasti, pizzas and home-made pastas. Conclude your meal with decadent Italian desserts. The Sunday lunch is a perfect opportunity to simply unwind over the weekend and spend your afternoon basking in the pool. INR 1199 plus taxes per person Complimentary use of the swimming pool, outdoor whirlpool and Camp Hyatt. At Da Luigi, Park Hyatt Goa Resort and spa, Cansaulim 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm +91 832 2721234 Sunday Brunch This is one of the more interesting spots in town to have a meal. Under the supervision of Vandana Naik, a former top chef in New York City and easily one of Goa’s most notable culinary experts, there’s a wide variety of delights on offer, including pizzas, soups, salads, hummus and meat balls, plus an eclectic mix of Indian, Mediterranean and other world cuisines. That’s not to mention the desserts, another top draw here. Noon to 4 pm At Cantina Bodega, Sunaparanta, Panjim. +91 832 2421315

Baga, Calangute & Around Go With the Flow Brazillian, Mediterranean, Fusion The restaurant has relocated to a new enchanting location on the Baga river bank, offering stunning views of the river, and sea beyond. At Calangute, Baga +91 7507771556 Fiesta Beach Shack Dinner: Every night 6pm onwards except Tuesdays. Lunch: on the weekends Friday, Saturday and Sunday 1pm onwards. Fiesta Shack will remain closed on Tuesdays. At Tito's Road, Baga +91 9822104512

Golden Eye Restaurant Chinese, European, Indian This Family run Restaurant serves the Choicest Goan Delicious At Holiday Streets, Gauravaddo, Calangute 9 am to 3.30 pm & 6.30 pm to Midnight +91 832 2277309 Caravela Goan, Indian, Chinese and Continental The lawn of the Goan Heritage offers a wide variety of well-prepared food and cocktails. At Hotel Goan Heritage, Calangute Noon to 2.30 pm & 7 pm to 11.30 pm +91 832 2276761/64 Casandre Goan, Indian, Chinese and European Set in an attractive old Goan house, this restaurant serves steaks, sizzlers and Goan seafood. At Calangute Beach Road, Calangute 9 am to midnight +91 832 9453243/ +91 9890467062 Curry Leaf Chinese, European, Goan, North Indian and world cuisine. A good place to grab a bite after hours. At Hotel Calangute Towers, Calangute +91 832 6636000

Biryani Palace Goan and North Indian Fare Take a wild guess what this place specializes in? At Anjuna beach Road, Anjuna 11 am to midnight +918323257586 Blue Tao Italian & Seafood Organic Food Ever notice how many places these days are touting their ‘organic’ food? We’ll take their word for it. At Anjuna Beach Rd, Anjuna 9 am to 11 pm. +918975061435 Coba Indian, Grills, Seafood It’s at a five-star hotel so how bad can it be At Double Tree by Hilton, Arpora 10 am to 11 pm +91 832 66556672 A Varanda   Chinese, European, Goan, Italian, North Indian, Thai. Check out the seafood platter, fish curry rice, chicken cafreal and beaf Xacutti.   7 am to 11 pm   At Resort Marinha Dourada, Arpora  +91 832 2276780/ 84 Alcove Restaurant & Bar Chinese, Goan, Italian, North Indian & Seafood Dine on chilled Avocado and prawn salad, or get stuffed with the prawn stuffed calamari. At Ozrant Beach, Anjuna 8 am onwards +918322274491/2273349

Danny’s Grill European, Goan, Mughlai, Oriental With a varied selection of dishes including tasty Tandoori kebabs. At Hotel Riverside, Baga-Calangute 7.30 am to 11 pm +91 9767591368   A Reverie European, Asian  One of the finer establishments in the state. Popular dishes are seared fillet steak tournedos, smoked Australian duck breast, insalata caprese, basil oil, baby bocconcini, smoked tuna, chicken liver pate. At Holiday street, Calangute 7 pm to 12 am.  +919823174927 /+919823505550

Avalon Sunset Bar & Restaurent   Goan, Indian, Chinese, Seafood & European  Some popular orders like paneer pasanda, fish masala, chicken vindaloo, seafood pasta, seafood sizzlers.   At Anjuna Beach, Anjuna   8.30 am to midnight   +91 9822586268

After Seven French, European Try the camembert soufflé, warm squid in balsamic vinegar and rum, steaks and lemon infused prawns At Gauravaddo, Calangute 12 pm to 11.30 pm +918322279757/+91 9226188288

Baba au Rhum A coffee shop with a twist A favourite among the foreign crowd, this popular eatery offers lots of tasty choices. At Kudachwaddo, Arpora 8 am to 4 pm +919822078759

Anjuna & Around

Candolim

Guru Bar  Chinese, European, Goan, Indian and Italian. Great food, great music, chilled out ambience. What more can you ask for? At Praisevaddo, Anjuna  7.30 am to midnight   +91 832 2273319

Caravela Chinese, European, Goan, Italian, North Indian, Thai A long-time favourite haunt among Goans and visitors alike  At Vivanta Holiday, Sinquerim 7.30 am to 10.30 pm   +91 832 6645858

Ciao Bella Restaurant Authentic Italian food The décor is charming and romantic, and the ambiance, relaxed and inviting. At Assagao Badem Road, Assagao +91 832 2273065/ +91 9767557673 Frangipani Global Cuisine Start with the chicken satay- skewered chicken grilled in Chinese marinade. At Sun Village, Fankwadi, Arpora 7.30 am to 10.30 pm +91 832 2279409/14

Casa Sea Shell Chinese, European, Indian, Seafood The European fare tastes excellent and is mostly made up of steaks At Vaddy, Candolim 7 am to 11 pm +91 832 2489131/ +91 832 2489555  Addah   Indian & Barbeque Enjoy the sea view deck on the beach and the soft music of a live two-piece band, with appealing cuisine.   At The O Hotel, Candolim   7 pm to 10.30 pm  +91 832 3047000/ 9/ +91 9890800073

Angaara   Tandoori, Goan, North Indian & Seafood. With excellent Indian and Goan fare and a lot for vegetarians as well.  At Murrodwaddo, Candolim Beach Road, Candolim  9 am to 12.30 pm   +91 832 6647601-4 Banyan Tree Thai An open air restaurant surrounded by lush green lawns At Vivanta Holiday Village, Sinquerim 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm & 7.30 pm 10.30 pm +918326645858 Barbeque and Grill 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 Goan, Portuguese & Seafood A Goan specialty restaurant that was long the base of the renowned chef Rego. At Vivanta Holiday Village, Sinquerim 7.30 pm to 10.30 pm +918326645858 Bob’s Inn  Goan Something of a Goan institution, this place offers up some fine curry rice and other satisfying fare. At Calangute-Candolim road, Candolim  11.30 am to 3.30 pm, 7 pm to 11 pm   +91 832 2489402 Bon Appetite Chinese, European, Goan, Italian, North Indian, Thai Check out the crab in butter garlic sauce or the seafood platter  Near Vivanta holiday village, Sinquerim  11 am to 11 pm   +91 832 2479477

Panjim & Around Route 66 Smoke House n Grill From the owners of Tin Tin in Vagator, this joint offers up extremely well prepared American fare like burgers, pizza, steak and ribs. At Fontainhas, opp. Patto Bridge, Panjim From 12 pm to 11.30 pm +91 9623922796/ +91 8805389714 Saffron Restaurant An Authentic Indian Cuisine Home Delivery and Take Away Available At Model Marine ii, Caranzalem 11 pm to 3.30 pm & 6.30 pm 11.30 pm +91 832 6523353/ +91 7755927408 TAO Asian Cuisine Asian Chinese Restaurant & Bar 12 pm. To 3 pm. & 7 pm. to 11 pm. At Campal, Panaji 083222226262 Aunty Maria Coffee & Bites Available Fresh home-made breads, cakes, chocolates and cookies At Hotel Fidalgo, Panjim +91 832 2226291

Goenchin Specialising in Chinese and Pan Asian cuisine At Mandovi apartment, Dr Dada Vaidya Road, Near Mahalaxmi Temple Noon to 3 pm, 7 pm to 11 pm +91 8322227614 Casabela A cosy place to chill out with family, this establishment in Porvorim has been around since the 70s and has good pizzas Off Chogm Rd, Porvorim 7 am to 11 pm. +91832241558 Mum’s Kitchen Goan. Among the best upscale Goan cuisine in Panjim, drawing from Goa’s Christian and Hindu traditions. At Panjim-Miramar Rd 11 am to 11pm. +91 9822175556 George Bar and Restaurant Goan; Excellent local seafood Near Mary Immaculate Conception Church, Panjim 10 am to 3.30 pm, 6.30 pm to 10.30 pm +918322426820 Forrest Veg Food Court Continental, Chinese, Thai & Mexican Serves a wide range of fast food from different parts of India  At Bhagwan Mahavir Bal Vihar, Panjim  11 am – 11 pm  +91 832 6454353/9225903392

Margao & Around Brews & Bakes Brewing Smiles & Baking Memories At Shop No: 250, Abade Faria Road, Comba, Margao +91 8308800080 brewsnbakes@live.com Café Mardi Gras Goan & North Indian, coffee & snacks. Panfried Pomfret Recheado, Chicken Xacutti, Pork Vindaloo and Goan Fish Curry are some of the popular offerings. At Holiday Inn Resort, Cavelossim All-day. +91 832 2871303 Café Tato  All day pure vegetarian eatery. Menu offers puribhaji and lunch in Goan style At Apna Bazaar complex, Margao  7 am to 10 pm. +91 832 2736014

Canacona Ourem 88 French, Italian. The charming and intimate courtyard seating area adds to the experience of sampleing the delicious seasonally inspired bistro menu. Behind Rococo Pelton, Palolem +91 86 98 827679 Casa Fiesta Mexican. The menu is comprehensive, with Tacos, Enchiladas, Burritos, Fajitas and other Mexican dishes. Does it taste exactly the way Mexican food is supposed to taste? You be the judge 8.30 am to 11 pm   At Palolem Beach Road, Goa  +91 9823928548 Canacona Coffee shop. There’s Indian, Goan, European and some Chinese on offer with a contemporary, fusion touch to the items. Buffet Breakfast At Intercontinental TheLaLiT Goa Resort, Rajbaga, Canacona +91 832 2667777

10 Cover Story

Goa Ramps Up For A Stellar Tourist Season By Sapna Shahani

he rains are subsiding. The land is green. On the shoreline of the Arabian Sea, the wild monsoon undercurrents are beginning to calm down. But many folks in Goa are doing just the opposite, revving up their energies to gear up for the season. With the end of the monsoon lurking, work can safely begin on shacks and new ventures can launch and get over teething problems by the time the peak traffic hits Goa in November and beyond. Those of us who enjoy eating out for culinary enjoyment as well as the overall experience are treated to more diverse options every year as Goa races towards becoming as much of a hot spot as the major metros, when it comes to quality cuisineering (Ok, so it’s an invented word!).

The just-launched ‘Cohiba’ Bar & Grill brings a fun, Cuban flavor to Goa with lots of live entertainment planned beginning with local band favourite A-26 on Friday October 3. The elegant restaurant on the Fort Aguada lighthouse road was inaugurated by none other

than the Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and MLA Michael Lobo this week, besides Goa’s glitterati in attendance. The menu features around-the-world creative fusion by Chef Vivek Salunkhe, whose background working with some of the world’s best chefs is evident when you taste his Lebanese-inspired Spinach Cheese Fatayar with Toum or the Slow Roasted Hot and Sour Piri-Piri. The partners at Cohiba are all seasoned experts running several other successful restaurants like Tao, L’Orange and Wok & Roll. Visitors like myself who haven’t had the opportunity to visit Havana can now enjoy a little taste of the exotic, not so far away, with a portrait of Fidel Castro hanging prominently on a wall and Cuban cigars on display. Over in the middle of Goa’s party street Tito’s Lane, the Baker’s Studio is set to give Baga a facelift. It has opened its doors to tourists hungry for a worldclass café with artisanal baked goodies, fantastic coffees and soon wine too. It’s a new brand by the owners of Delicieux Patisserie, Lucie Masson & Varun Sood, who certainly know how to deliver quality products in a stylish and pleasing environment. The outdoor wooden deck and indoor AC section provide a respite to those coming off the beach in heat-struck mode. Their motivation for launching a high-end café in the heart of Goa’s party zone is well-stated... “Because breakfast is a fun experience,

good coffee has the power to make your day and freshly baked bread is always comforting.” Can’t argue with that. A little hint into what adds the special touches that customers are happy to pay a little extra for… They make an effort to deliver homemade, locally sourced, organic and preservative free, whenever possible. Another restaurant brand also helping to reinvent Baga is the new lounge shack called ‘Rockfish’, by entertainment promoter Lyndon Alves and partners Shefali and Vikram Singh. This venue right next to Café Del Mar on Baga beach aims to provide authentic pan-Mediterranean cuisine featuring specialties from Morocco to Italy, created by Chef Ankur Gulati who used to be with the Alila Diwa hotel. Besides great food, they will be inviting some of the best DJs from Europe as well selected by DJ Sasha of Soma fame. Soma, the other eclectic underground club that was previously in Ashvem has now moved to Teso in Siolim and will feature a music festival on November 29-30. Given that Lyndon Alves is the promoter of both brands, Rockfish will likely attract a similar crowd of elite young hipsters from across India’s metros and a healthy dose of international tourists as well. Another exciting beachside destination this season is Goobe or ‘Owl’ in Kannada, set to open in Anjuna in November. This nocturnal concept restaurant is unique in that it plans to serve international street food including hangover food from sunset to sunrise. Art and culture will be prominent features as well with merchandise commissioned by artists, Turn to page 12

12 Cover Story From page 10 live performances and yacht cruises in the works as well. As it happens often in Goa, established outlets move bases as well. Over on the next beach, DJ Vijay Arora of Café La Musica in Baga will move to Vagator soon and relaunch his laidback shack and lounge there. The 20-year-old Lila Café that used to be on Baga River road has now moved to Tito’s Whitehouse on the Arpora-Anjuna road but has kept the same menu of German specialties like Roesti and wholewheat bread baked in-house. Further South in Benaulim, the hugely popular ‘AJ’s’ has moved locations as well, to Benaulim. They still serve the burgers and sandwiches that people travel all the way from north Goa for. The success story of Ashley Gregory and partner Juhi is inspiring since they don’t come from a hospitality background. Sheer hard work in the multipronged areas of menu quality, portions, pricing, décor, music and service, has done the trick. Off the beaten path, one might try ‘Fish Tail’ for good Goan food, recently opened by brothers Tony and Sylvester Fernandes, in the lane behind Fisherman’s Cove in Candolim. Both brothers have run shacks ‘Fisherman’s Paradise’ and ‘Buddha Bar’ on Calangute Beach, respectively, for several

years. In Panjim, the delightful Black Sheep Bistro has launched the Soma wine club featuring a set dinner and six wines that are tasted and discussed with a view to bring people together around wine and good food. From great food to a growing lineup of festivals, Goa seems to be developing more to offer domestic and international tourists, despite the impression of stagnation that some may feel. Probably the most exciting addition this year is the New Wave indie and punk music festival featuring creative, original bands from Japan to Burma. Organised by Art Escape’s Vinesh Iyer and Darryl

Noronha and curated by Ennui Dot Bomb, a Mumbai-based indie music label, the festival will be the first time that over 50 of the freshest, edgiest bands from across India and Asia come together at Verna’s go-karting track on November 15-16. Art Escape will also host an international jazz festival later on the 28-30th of the same month featuring bands from France, Canada, Switzerland and Brazil, besides Goa and the rest of India. The three-day festival at Art Escape’s home in Baywatch Resort on Sernabatim beach will also feature young talent like Mohini Dey from Mumbai. Both festivals are being promoted through pre-gigs in many cities around the country, so one can expect big

Goa Tourism Shifts Into High Gear As Season Approaches GTDC Chairman Nilesh Cabral speaks to Goa Streets’ Shubham Gupta

Q. What are the major logistical and infrastructural developments that have taken place since last year? A. We have now built our own office building where queries and issues can be resolved under one roof and we can provide a comfortable environment for all our employees and clients. Apart from that, we have built a parking lot for tourists and a jetty to further accommodate cruise boats. We have also installed mobile toilets on Baga and Calangute beaches for the ease of

tourists. Q. What steps have been taken to take care of the garbage situation? A. We are conducting very aggressive beach cleaning campaigns on all major beaches. Even though there are laws against littering, they are not enforced since the logistical structure is not set up for it. If there is no dustbin, how can we fine someone for littering? We are making sure that all these issues are resolved along with making dustbins available. Q. What are the freshest services provided by Goa Tourism? A. We have recently launched a lavish boat trip on the backwaters of Goa. This two-day trip will take one on the beautiful and largely unexplored Goan backwaters. It will include sailing on river Cumbarjua and a trip to the

100-year-old Savoi plantation. Q. How do you compare the quality of your services with private competitors? A. Well, we have kept the quality very high. Moreover, since our services are government operated, there is no under cutting of prices, neither there is any outsourcing. Q. Would you say that the economic downturn in Russia and the crisis in Ukraine are bound to effect the tourism season? A. Well, it will definitely crunch the charter sales from Russia and Ukraine. With the direct flight services from airliners like Fly Dubai, Etihad, Qatar, and Emirates, the numbers can be brought back up. 

crowds coming in for the festivals. Of course another major crowd-puller for Goa every year is the International Film Festival of Goa, which is also in November. Delegate registration has started and rumours are that the geographic focus is on China this year. As government officials are hard at work planning the festival, details are not yet available but watch this space for more information soon. Other interesting festivals that have been heard of through the grapevine are the Russian-Indian rock music festival that was to take place in Baga last year, is now being planned again soon. And up sooner, the Northeast Festival at Tito’s Courtyard on 20 October features a band called Aspirant from Dimapur, legendary soloist Reuben and others. Goa Tourism has also added interesting tours to attract more visitors to Goa, and not just to the beach belt. The recently launched backwater boat trip is a luxurious experience and takes guests sailing on the Cumbarjua river and to the 100-year-old Savoi plantation over two days. Mobile toilets, a tourist parking lot, aggressive beach cleaning campaigns and a new jetty are some of the other infrastructure improvements that Goan authorities are undertaking to attract visitors. The season is upon us. Hopes are high. Spirits are up. Life in Goa is good.

At Mazel Vaddo, Benaulim, Salcete Goa +91 9822985794

Nr Communidade Office, Titawado, Nerul,Goa +91 9822168377/ +91 9822586503 We Serve Fish Thali for Lunch

H.No. 1275/1, Bairo bondir, St.Cruz, Tiswadi, Goa M. +91 832 2445088/ +91 9822155012/+91 9823219267

Kurtarkarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Shopping Complex, Near Hari Mandir, Margao Julie +91 9890202002/ +91 832 2711400

+91 9822582331

Friday, October 3, 2014

Oct 4 Anticipating India The Best of National Intrest By Shekhar Gupta Shekhar Gupta will be in conversation with Kishwar Desai At Sunaparanta – Goa Centre for the Arts, Altinho, Panjim @ 6.30 pm +91 832 2421311

17th to 19th Oct  Darts Championship  At The Pride Sun Village, Arpora Goa National Ranking Darts Championship – 2014 organised by Goa Darts Association jointly with All India Darts Association, in Association with Pride Sun Village. This will be the selection tournament for the Asia Pacific Cup 2014 at Hongkong.   +91 832 226 9103

Mon to Sat Literati Cafe & Bookshop Interactive talk on the book and the movement - Become Healthy or Extinct, by its author, therapist and alchemist, Darryl D`Souza. At Literati Bookshop, Calangute. 10:00am to 6.30pm. +91 832 2277740

July to October

Kesarval Waterfall  Emerging from hard rocks and flanked by swaying betel palms, the spring is surrounded by fantastic tropical beauty. Also well worth visiting.   At Verna, South Goa Splashdown Waterpark At Calangute - Anjuna Main R, Anjuna +91 832 2273008/ +91 9637424023/024 www.splashdowngoa.com Tamdi Surla Waterfall You have to make a quite a trek to get here, but once you do, you’ll be very happy. You pass through dense forest and a number of streams that make for a highly refreshing experience. Also in the area is the temple known as Tamdi Surla, made under the Kadamba style of architecture.  At Sanguem, South Goa

Supermarkets in Goa Borkar SuperMarket At Lake Plaza Building, Margao +91 832 2743680/ 2743699 Big G Big G has eight levels of exclusive shopping with a restaurant, supermarket and the best of brands of various items to boot. At Margao, Salcete +91 832 2702995

White water rafting is the ultimate Goa thrill this monsoon The river rafting, subject to availability of rapids and adequate water currents, and suitable weather conditions. There will be two trips beginning at 10.30 am and 2.30 pm every day. The program is open to both adults and children above 10 years. White water rafting activities are carried out in accordance with the internationally accepted norms. The instructors are highly trained and the operations run with a ‘safety first’ policy. Each passenger will be provided with safety equipments like life jackets, paddles following the instruction sessions from experts. reservations@goa-tourism.com.

Maple Leaf Supermarket Maple Leaf Supermarket is a selfservice grocery store offering a wide variety of food and household merchandise, organized into departments. At Porvorim, Bardez +91 832 6454099

Waterfalls in Goa

Newton’s Supermarket At Major District Road, Candolim +91 832 2489056

Arvalam Waterfall With an altitude of 70 feet, it falls in a straight drop and is at its most glorious during the monsoons. The spectacle of the thunderous gush of water, with the mountainous terrain as background, is nothing short of stunning. At Valpoi, North Goa Dudhsagar Waterfall  Another amazing waterfall best seen in the monsoons. It’s Goa’s largest and highest waterfall, and well worth a visit.  At Mollem, South Goa

Ajay Supermarket At Morod Village Road, Mapusa +91 832 6520196 Magsons Supermarket Hopping off Shopping On At Caranzalem +91 832 2464704 At Porvorim +91 7507807004

Delfinos Supermarket In just a year Delfinos has gained a reputation that places it among the most sought after supermarkets in Goa. Not one of them has returned disappointed, for Delfinos HyMart has something for everyone—the widest range of items manufactured locally, in the country and imported. At Candolim. +91 832-2489972 / 73

Lifestyle & Fashion Cheshire Cat Jewellery Gallery This Gallery showcases jewellery, accessories and fashion, among other delights. At Bairo Alto, Assagao 10 am to 7 pm +91 9822580898 Wendell Rodricks a stylish boutique featuring luxuriously comfortable fashion items by celebrated Goan designers Wendell Rodrick At Luis Gomes Garden, Campal, Panjim. +91 832 2234082 Sacha’s Shop A little shop of resort wear, Prints and stationary, bags, jewellery, art books, handmade soaps, leather lampshades and wooden toys! At Casa Mendes, Panjim 10 am to 8 pm +91 9823805897 Baba’s Furniture Store The store displays some of the most breathtaking delightful pieces available anywhere in Goa Open All the time Closed on Tuesday At Baba’s Wood Café, Panjim +91 99 23414098, (+91) 83 23256213 The Private Collection Features an eclectic collection of sophisticated women’s apparel, bespoke jewellery, colorful accessories, lifestyle, furniture, design pieces and more. At Anavaddo, Candolim 10 am to 8 pm +91 832 2489033 Maria Elena’s Wardrobe Elegant Ladies party wear and accessories Behind Fidalgo, Panjim +91 9049079769/ +91 7769043301 People Tree Its First Outlet in Goa, Creating and selling contemporary crafts and cool clothing. At Anavaddo, Candolim 10 am to 8 pm +91 832 2489033

Museum Of Christian Art Open all days of the week At the Convent of Santa Monica. You may pray if you wish to, else just soak in the ambience of peace. At Old Goa From 9:30 am – 5 pm +91 832 2285299

Archaeological Museum Check out the sculptures of Hindu gods and goddesses, antiques from the Hindu period and currencies leftover by the Portuguese. At Old Goa 9 am to 5 pm +91 832 2285333

Goa State Museum Has some 8,000 artifacts on display including carvings, paintings, manuscripts, rare coins and stone sculptures. A museum shop is planned soon with the aim of popularizing Goan culture through museum objects. At EDC Complex, Patto, Panjim 9.30 am to 5.30 pm +91 832 2438006 / +91 832 2437306

Monsoon Heritage Studio Treat yourself to some amazing collection of mirrored mosaic art and handpicked artifacts at this upscale studio by Yahel Chirinian. At Mainath Batti, Arpora 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM +91 9822122771

Goa Science Centre The Centre has a science park with interactive exhibits, 3D shows, galleries on oceanic science, explaining mysteries of the underwater world. Experience science through fun. There are some interesting exhibits explaining scientific principles. At Miramar 10 am to 6 pm +91 832 2463426

Museums

Xavier Centre of Historical Research See exhibitions of paintings, browse through rare books and attend symposiums with particular emphasis on contemporary cultural & social issues affecting Goa. At BB Borkar Road, Porvorim +91 832 2417772

Goa Chitra With a collection of over 4,000 artefacts, Goa Chitra is an ethnographic museum that focuses on Goa’s traditional agrarian lifestyle and technology. At Mondo Waddo, Benaulim 9 am to 5 pm +91 832 6570877 Email: goachitra@gmail.com

Naval Aviation Museum Displaying a number of vintage aircraft and armaments used at different stages by Naval Aviation dating back to the 1950`s and a vast number of memorabilia related to Naval Aviation history. Near Bogmalo Beach 10 am to 5 pm +91 832 2538668

Wax World Museum A brainchild of Mr. Shreeji Bhaskaran, the man behind India’s first wax museum at Ooty, here’s Goa’s very own Madame Tussuad’s. With over 30 lifelike wax statues of the who’s who of India, including the most eminent personalities from culture, religion, politics, heritage and more, it’s a huge attraction. At Gandhi Circle, Old Goa 9.30 am to 7.30 pm +91 9970126202

Go Karting Track I Goa Karting Single and tandem go karts are available for Rs: 180 for ten laps or Rs 200 for ten laps tandem At Panjim - Margao Highway, Nuvem 4 pm to 10 pm +91 832 2757899/ +91 9850736334 Track II Goa Karting Single and tandem go karts are available for Rs: 180 for ten laps or Rs 200 for ten Laps tandem At Anjuna - Calangute Rd, Arpora 4 pm to 10 pm. +91 832 2914526

Friday, October 3, 2014

From Engineering to Art The Journey of Naguesh Vernekar Goa Streets Reveals The Anonymous Artist Behind One of Our State’s Most Fascinating Ganesh Idols

Naguesh Vernekar is a 28-year-old mechanical engineer from Cuncolim. He uses his engineering knowledge to breathe life into his art, lending it a unique and aesthetic appeal. He recently spoke with Streets’ Dr. Charlane Pereira e Rebello about his undying passion for art and his future plans.

Ganesh idol made of paper cups during the festive season at Chinchinim piqued my interest as I read about it in one of the local dailies. I was struck by the ecofriendly nature of the artwork and the painstaking efforts of the artist. Unfortunately, his name did not appear in the daily and he did not sign his art work. Donning my Agatha Christie’s cap for a couple of days, I was able to find out whodunit…. Voila! The anonymous artist was Naguesh Vernekar. I scheduled an appointment and soon found myself in the presence of this 6-foot-2 young man with humble eyes, as he opened up to me about his creative impulses and dreams for the future. His dad Digamber Vernekar, a shopkeeper in Chinchinim, and his mother Vaishali, a loving homemaker, raised four children. Naguesh is the youngest and the only son. He says, “My dad educated all four of us well. He never said ‘NO’ to education.” Armed with a 3-year Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from ISBT (Vasco) in 2003 after his XIIth Science from Cuncolim Higher Secondary School (Cuncolim) and having completed a series of courses - Diploma in Office Management in Computers at NICE, Margao (2004), Diploma in Desktop Publishing (DTP), at SISI, CMTES,

Margao (2005), Diploma in C-Programming at MICE, Margao (2006) and Diploma in AUTOCAD at CAD Centre, Margao (2007), Naguesh currently works as a Design and Development Engineer for Model Infra Corporation Pvt Ltd. in Verna. His past stints with Fluid Flow Teq in Margao (for a year) as service engineer, and with Ion Exchange India Ltd. in Verna (for 6 years) as Sr. Design Officer enriched his engineering skills. “I am happy with my job,” he says, before launching into an explanation of his other great passion. This Ganesh season, Naguesh delighted passersby with his Ganesh idol made of paper cups placed in the garden at Chinchinim bazaar. Hig Ganesh idol was made of 3000 paper cups and towered at 8-feet-tall. Working after office hours and on Sundays, it took him 5 days to finish it. Naguesh would often frequent Marcel, Cumbarjua and St. Estevam to scout for unique Ganesh idols. He says, “Every year, I visit these places with my buddies to check out the different Ganesh idols, not the common ones which we often see. This time, I have seen idols made of fruits, flowers, bamboo and paper. I knew that I wanted to do something like that – unique and pro-environmental.” Naguesh explains, “I wasn’t sure if I would succeed in getting the shape exactly the way I wanted. I worked on the ears first, after which I stuck the cups making up the face, followed by the stomach and the two legs.... The whole idol was actually hollow except for the

stomach which had bamboo support.” Naguesh received many compliments for the work from those who knew he was behind it, including a “Boro Zala” (“it’s great” in Konkani) from his dad, which he says made him feel very proud. People who passed by Naguesh’s paper-cup Ganesh were equally impressed, but had no idea who created the unsigned work. Naguesh comments, “I didn’t do it for publicity. I just love doing such decor. It just flows from inside.” Since 2010, Naguesh has been putting up his decorative Ganesh idols at the same spot (the garden in Chinchinim

bazaar). In 2012, he worked on a unique Ganesh idol (using spinning top design) made from thermacol and saw dust that towered to about 5 ft in height after 10 days of effort. Having participated in the Carnival floats at Margao and Panjim this year, his float ‘Goenchi Ranchikud (Goan kitchen) – Eat healthy, live healthy’ portraying a Goan woman grinding on a ‘rogodo’ (grinding stone) amidst jars, pots, etc won the 4th prize in the family category at Panjim. He was also awarded the Consolation Prize for the Matoli decoration competition in 2007 organized by Directorate of Art & Culture Department, Panjim. His cribs during the Christmas season have also created a stir, including one displayed in the garden in the Chinchinim bazaar (2012) and at Nossa Senhora das Angustias Chapel at Palmar Grande, Chinchinim (2013). In addition, Naguesh has also made some birthday banners, decorative thermacol artwork and centrepieces for weddings. Naguesh has been incorporating simple engineering principles into his art, be it working out the dimensions of Ganesh idols, or using motors to bring life into his pieces of art. Naguesh hopes to some day gratify his passion for creative pursuits by taking up orders for weddings, Carnivals, Shigmo, Ganesh festival and other events. On a parting note, he advises youngsters of today, “Every youth must have a dream of his/her own. Do what you like the most. You might take it up on a professional basis but it is the satisfaction that counts the most.” 

16 Arts&Entertainment You, Dear Reader, Can Help Publish:

Behind The Indian Veil A Journey Through Weddings in India An extraordinary visual journey through uncharted wedding traditions in India and the astonishing stories behind them

By Goa Streets

ephi Bergerson, one of the most soughtafter documentary photographers on the subcontinent, has created an exquisite coffee table album showcasing his breathtaking photographs of weddings across India. Sephi’s first book in 2010 (eight years after moving with his family from Israel to India), Street Food of India, won a series of prestigious international awards and was a favourite in The New York Times top ten best cookbooks of 2010. Designed by award-winning photo-book designer Tania Das Gupta, Behind the Indian Veil: A Journey Through Weddings in India offers an up-close, inside view of

a great many traditions that are already beginning to die out. We are taken on a grand, colourful tour of celebrations among Tamil Brahmins, Bengalis, Sikhs, Hindu Punjabis, Hyderabadi Muslims, Rajputs, Kashmiri Pandits, Ladakhi Buddhists, Syrian Christians, Zoroastrian Parsis, Dawoodi Bhoras, Kodava Coorg and Goan Catholics. “At one point I got caught sneaking shots at a mosque during a mass wedding of 319 Dawoodi

Bhora couples in Mumbai. I was brought before the Mullah but instead of kicking me out as I expected, he welcomed me in and blessed me,” Sephi recalls. “As I traveled throughout India, I was invited into sacred places and intimate moments normally inaccessible to outsiders. The incredible array of stories I was able to capture reveals cultures, traditions, and legacies as complex and diverse as India herself,” Sephi explains. In an effort to keep control of the book’s content and stay true to his art, Sephi has decided to take a path that, while far from easy, is becoming increasingly common among those keen on sharing their work with a vast audience: self publishing. And for that, he needs you, the reader.

Friday, October 3, 2014

Arts&Entertainment 17 Sept 23 to Oct 22   Spandan’s Art Festival  Spandan is a series of national art exhibitions organized by art enthusiast and curator Anant Vikas of Enhance Exhibitions & Events. It will showcase talented artists, photographers and sculptors. At the Entertainment Society of Goa in Panjim and at Kala Academy, Panjim.  +91 8975453600

Oct 4th to Oct 6th International Writers & Readers Festival 2014 This will have India's highly acclaimed and leading authors from all -over the globe along with notable well -known personalities from Goa. At Kala Academy, panjim +91 832 2420450 - 54

October 9 to October 12

“Intellectual property rights have always been a huge concern of mine. I want to be able to circumvent the often limiting and discouraging complexities of this relationship and demonstrate that self-publishing is a desirable and viable option for professional artists. I want to move towards being less dependent on mainstream publishing and more towards putting the power of the photo back into the hands of the photographer,” Sephi explains. To achieve his goal, Sephi is collecting contributions from friends, family, colleagues, photography professionals, readers and all others who believe that documenting these uniquely Indian traditions is a deeply worthwhile pursuit. “Despite all the changes of the digital age and in the publishing world, there is still no better medium for most artistic photography than a real book,” Sephi explains. To learn more about Behind The Indian Veil: A Journey Through Weddings In India, and to contribute to this self-publishing effort, log onto: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/behind-the-indianveil-weddings-in-india 

EXHIBITION - Asturi 2014 The GCCI Women’s Wing is organizing their Annual Exhibition “ASTURI 2014”  This four-day exhibition provides an excellent opportunity for women entrepreneurs in Goa to market products that are manufactured by them. Goan businesswomen who trade in various products can also display their products at the exhibition.  At Darya Sangam, Kala Academy, Campal, Panjim +91 832 2424252

10th Oct to 12th Oct  Goa International Latin Festival Best Salsa vacation festival in India with 3 Days of quality workshops, beach parties and meal in the shacks. Best artists from all over India will be participating in these 3 days of just partying. Affordable pricing includes stay, food, workshops, parties, etc.  The line-up for this festival is Vineeth and Dmitri’s.  At The Whispering Palms Beach Resort, Candolim 9538792811

27th Oct to 31st Oct  Natya Utsav - Multi-lingual theatre festival This Multi-lingual theatre festival is organized by the Department of Art & Culture, in collaboration with Kala Academy. Various groups from all over India such as Delhi, Gujarat, Bengal, etc., will be present plays in their respective language.  At Kala Academy, Panaji 91 832 2404600

Untill October 14 The Rangoli Exhibition By Geeta Kapadia At Fundacao Oriente, Panjim +91 832-2230728, 2436108

Galleries of Note Off The Wall Daily Art Exhibitions At Fort Aguada Road, Sinquerim +91 9820083497 +91 9823289123 San Thome Museum Go back in time and visit a real jewel in Goa’s treasure chest. Free entry. At Varca 9 am to 8 pm +91 9822363917/ +91 832 2745017

Panjim Art Gallery Get a dose of local culture: figurative work by Goan artists. Near Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church, Panjim 9 am – 8 pm +91 9822168703 Mario Art Gallery Original paintings and other memorabilia of the great Goan artist/ cartoonist Mario Miranda. Buy “The Life of Mario”, as well as prints, mounted prints, frames, tiles, mugs, card sets and other books. At ‘Houses of Goa’, Salvador-doMundo, Porvorim area 9 am to 5.30 pm +91 832 2410711 Gallery Gitanjali An elegant art gallery in Panjim’s Latin Quarter; worth popping in when you’re in the area. At Fontainhas, Panjim 9 am to 9 pm +91 9823572035 Moksa Art Gallery Salvador’s paintings. Salvadoran Fernandez, that is, and others. At Naikawaddo, Calangute 9.30 am to 8.30 pm +91 832 2281121/ +91 9326717386 Casa Araujo Alvares A 250-year-old mansion showcases our heritage in Goa’s first automated sound & light museum. Entry Fees Charged Rs.50 At Big Foot, Loutolim 9 am – 6 pm +91 832 2777034 Email: bigfoottrust@gmail.com Gallery Attic More local talent on display: paintings by Goan Artists. Opposite Don Bosco, Panjim 9 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 7 pm +91 832 2420929/+91 2257931 Art Chamber - Galleria de Belas Artes Featuring works by Goan artist Yolanda D’Souza and others. Whilst you’re there, check out their programme of musical performances. At Gauravaddo, Calangute 10 am to 1 pm & 4 pm to 8 pm +91 832 2277144/ +91 9823217435 Sunaparanta- Goa Centre for the Arts The centre houses several exhibition galleries, a large multi-functional space for workshops and lectures, an in-house film club, sketch club, open air amphitheatre, pottery studio and an open courtyard that houses the al fresco café, Bodega. Open to the public with highly recommended grub. Try the salted caramel cake and carrot salad; brunch on Sundays. At Altinho, Panjim 10 am to 6 pm +91 832 2421311 Arte Douro Art Gallery Even if you aren’t into serious art, check out these paintings on canvas originals and prints, international and local. At Porba Vaddo, Calangute 9 am to 9 pm +91 832 22882266/ +91 9822147148

18 Wheels on Streets Maruti Suzuki launches Celerio VXi+ limited edition

TVS introduces Jupiter with new colour options

VS Motors is celebrating the first anniversary of its popular scooter Jupiter by launching two new colour options Matte Beige and Sparkling Silver. The new colours, Matte Beige and Sparkling Silver will be in addition to the existing spectacular colours of Titanium

aruti Suzuki has launched yet another limited edition. The company has introduced the Celerio VXi+ limited edition which comes with an accessory package which includes Body coloured ORVMs with turn indicator, body coloured handles, a JVC 2-DIN music system, MGA speakers and central locking with remote. The package is offered on the middle trim VXi only. Maruti Suzuki is offering this package for Rs. 13,990 only which if bought individually would cost Rs. 20,000. The Celerio VXi+ is available for a limited period only. The Celerio is powered by K-Next Series 1.0L petrol engine which produces max power of 68Ps and 90 Nm of torque and delivers a mileage of 22.02 kmpl. The Celerio is also available with a CNG which is not available in Goa. The Celerio AMT has a waiting period of six months in Goa. The package can also be opted on this variant.

Grey, Mercury White, Midnight Black and Volcano Red. The Jupiter has been selling in good numbers and gives its main rival Activa decent competition. TVS Jupiter is powered by 4 Stroke,Single cylinder,Air Cooled,OHC 110cc engine which produces 5.88 KW (8PS) @ 7500 rpm max power and 8Nm @ 5500 rpm max torque. TVS recently launched the Scooty Zest 110 in Goa at Rs. 43,300 (ex-Showroom Goa). 

NUSI-Wockhardt says ‘Have a Heart-Healthy Environment’ on World Heart Day LOVE the restaurant Love restaurant is blend of new world cuisine that experiments with techniques and ideas from different countries. The concept is an elite bistro where one gets a generous portion with a twist. Each dish is linked with different condiments such as plum chutney, figs and apple chutney, onion relish, pickled eggplant, marinated salami, marinated halumi and bocconcini, cucumber relish. The cuisine can be described as Multi style cooking from grilling to braising, using fresh ingredients and combining them with regional dishes to present it in an elite contemporary fashion. Some of the unique delicacies Chef Kapil has created are Herbal Tobacco smoked chicken and star anise soup, Duck confit and orange salad with cafreal vinaigrette, marinated stuffed artichokes pakoras with tangy relish, drunken spare ribs, Braised duck and chorizo samosa, dill pesto salmon tikka, shrimp pesto pulao, fresh tagliatelle with Mediterranean lamb meat balls and the list goes on. Excellent desserts specials include custard apple rabri and faldhari kebab with saffron crème. PEACE the Bar The bar under the white dome, located above the restaurant, offers spectacular beach & sea views. Our bar menu is as electric as the surroundings. It is combines Passion, Enthusiasm and a wealth of experience. Using premium quality spirits in our drinks with fresh fruits, fresh fruit purees and our own version of atomic and molecular cocktails, we make your drinks just as they should be! We offer soul-stirring entertainment from a variety of genres. Here’s our current lineup: MONDAYS- LIVE SINGER WEDNESDAY- DJ FRIDAY- KARAOKE SATURDAY- BOLLYWOOD UNDERGROUND SUNDAY – BIKINI BRUNCH The Bikini brunch is all about enjoying, relaxing and having fun. Get into your bikini & take a dip in the Arabian sea or the pool, while enjoying great food and drink.

very year World Heart Day is celebrated on September 29th, this year NUSI-Wockhardt Hospital, Goa focussed on creating hearthealthy environments by ensuring that people are able to make heart-healthy choices wherever they live, work and play. This year NUSI-Wockhardt Hospitals, Goa have come forward to spread the message of having a ‘Healthy Heart’. Present during the announcement was Dr.Anuj Tiwari-Centre Head, NUSI Wockhardt Hospital, Goa alongwith Dr.Sabyasachi Mukhopadhyay – Cardiologist, NUSI - Wockhardt Hospital, Goa and Stanley Thomas, El Shaddai Charitable Trust. Speaking about this awareness initiative for the society, Dr.Anuj Tiwari, Centre Head, NUSI-Wockhardt Hospital,

Goa, said, “World Heart Day’ is the day to spread the message of having a ‘Hearthealthy environment’ which is this year’s theme by World Heart Federation. Wockhardt group is well known for delivering quality medical care across all the hospitals and providing expert consultation. The places in which we live, work and play should not increase our risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, individuals cannot frequently make hearthealthy choices due to environmental factors, such as the availability of healthy food or smoke-free zones. An occasion like this gives us a chance to reach the community directly and spread awareness about protecting their health and being healthy. We, at NUSI-Wockhardt Hospitals, are happy to do our bit to make the environment healthy to live.” 