Issue No: 11 by Goa Streets

Do Outsiders Destroy Or Enrich? Page 10

Eco-Tourism

Future of Goa

Konkani Rocks

Pinky Tripathi's World

5 Mysteries of Goan Churches

9th Planet Discovered

Sensory Feast at Sunaparanta

Graffiti Art at Venite

Museum Of Goa

Frederika Menezes

The government is finally pushing it. So why are environmentalists opposed? Konkani Bhasha Mandal releases music CDs and books at gala event.

Some Goan secrets will never be known.

From the whimsical to the sensual, artists from around India wow the Goan capital.

Dutch artist Karin van der Molen's spectacular installations.

Goa ForGiving debates Goa's toughest issues.

Star teacher brings a new kind of education to India.

Astronomers say it takes 20,000 years to make one trip around our Sun.

From Pink Floyd lyrics to protest scribbles, expect attitude on this restaurant's walls.

Accomplished author doesn't let cerebral palsy get in her way.

02 enquire

Eco-Tourism In Goa It’s Meant To Protect The Countryside And Promote Sustainable Development So Why Do So Many Oppose It?

By Crespo D’Souza

co-tourism, in its pure form, is supposed to be a win-win solution for all: You get to protect the environment, promote sustainable growth and boost tourism and the economy all at the same time. So why is it fast becoming yet another flash point in Goa’s rapidly-intensifying development wars? Well, for starters, hardly an environmentalist worth his or her weight in coconut wood takes the government for its word when it toots its eco-tourism horn. What eco-tourism? they ask. It’s a thinly veiled ruse to continue along Goa’s ugly path toward environmental destruction, they say – with the eco-tourism buzzword used to justify the decimation of formerly pristine lands. No, say the officials of Goa’s BJP-led government. The drive to promote Goa as a family-friendly, environmentallyconscious and entirely green alternative to the concrete jungles of India is very real – and all those opposed to it are unable to see the obvious benefits it’s bringing to the state. “Opposing everything isn’t going to take the state anywhere,” declared Chief Town Planner S T Putturaju. Increasingly, Goa seems caught between two extremes: activists who oppose all projects regardless of their merit, and developers who have no regard for the environment or well-being of Goa. The big question is whether Goa can arrive at a happy medium of sustainable development, respecting both the environment and the need for economic progress. The way Goan activists see it, ecotourism is a fancy name for allowing forest lands and marshes to be opened up for development. Opposition to eco-tourism in Goa can be traced to three contentious

government decisions taken in recent years: “Coastal and Hinterland Eco-Tourism” of the (yet to be finalised) Regional Plan 2021; an amendment to the Goa Town and Country Planning Act;and the Investment Promotion Board Act.

The immediate focus is on the Goa Town and Country Planning Act, which was amended last August and ratified by the Goa Legislative Assembly last week. Environmental protections were seen as stronger before the amendment, with strict development restrictions on areas close to wildlife sanctuaries and private forests deemed ecologically sensitive. Some ‘eco-tourism’ ventures are now allowed in these areas, subject to certain conditions. To proceed with an eco-tourism project, a promoter must show unencumbered ownership of at least two acres of forested land and build on only 5% of the total area –using natural materials like wood with heights not exceeding ground plus one. Clearly, resorts and private homes would not be precluded in this scenario.The government justified the amendment by saying it’s meant to promote campsites, forest cottages and huts. “The move is in line with that of the central government’s rules for these areas and falls within the list of

allowed activities set out by the Ministry of Environment and Forests,” said Putturaju,the town planner. Added Chief Minister LaxmikantParsekar: “The move is aimed at pushing tourism which is currently concentrated along the beach belt into the hinterland.” The greens aren’t buying any of it. “The government has no way to ensure that all the conditions it sets out will be adhered to. No sooner does the developer get the permission, he will have a free run,” said architect and environmentalist Dean D’Cruz. Critics say the two-acre mandate opens the door to all sorts of untoward possibilities. “If a landowner wants to develop his land and does not have the full two acres, he/she might coerce or even threaten his neighbours into selling their land

with the promise that both will be able to develop the land and benefit from it. What if one party does not want that?” said one landowner from Salvador do Mundo, a village in Bardez. It could also be an incentive for small landowners to come together and sell their land to a single developer who will amalgamate the properties and develop a resort. The greens instead want the forests to be forests, where wildlife can have a free run with no human footprint at all. But more than the amendment, it’s the Investment Promotion Act that has got the environmentalists’ goat. They say the act has given the government a free hand to ignore all previous legislation protecting the environment, and approve whatever it pleases in the name of development. “If this is going to be the case, then almost every project which the Board decides to entertain, will be given clearance,” said activist Sabina Martins of the Goa Bachao Abhiyan. The Investment Promotion Board in recent months has approved two marinas, an island project at Vanxim and several hotels in areas previously offlimits to development. The Board and its supporters see the moves as undeniable contributionsto the cause of Goan prosperity, but the debate rages on. Officials point out that the Investment Promotion Board is constrained by a number of environmental restrictions, including protections for low-lying paddy fields, sloped lands, and wildlife and coastal zones. Even if activists were willing to concede that point, however, no honest person in Goa can claim that rules here are routinely obeyed. That’s another reason why Goa’s environment needs fighters.

Publisher Marisha Dutt • Chief Mentor Steven Gutkin • Contributing Editor José Lourenço Photographer Brendon Sapeco • Marketing Co-ordinator Radhika Naik • Marketing Executive Alvira Rodrigues • Graphic Designer Amol Kamat • Circulation & Accounts Co-ordinator Nilesh Shetgaonkar • Circulation Vijay Gadekar & Valentino D'Cruz • Correspondents/Writers: Ethel Da Costa,

Sheela Jaywant, Charlane Pereira e Rebello, Bina Datwani, Karan Bhagat, Perin Ilavia, Dielle D’Souza, Anzil Fernandes, Crespo D’Souza, Sanket Sharma, Richa Narvekar, Vivian Maverick Martins, Claron Mazarello, Aliya Abreu, Kanchi Mehta, Sapna Shahani, Vaishnavi Pilankar

events

Future of Goa - The Final Opinion A Highly Eventful Symposium Brings Out Intense Emotion and Intellect

By Shaeen Gomes

he Goa Opinion Poll was a referendum held in Goa, on 16 January 1967, to decide the future of the Union Territory of Goa, Daman and Diu within the Indian Union. Today, 50 years later, Goa is again on the crossroads with her identity challenged with such intensity that the gains of 1967 may well seem to be a mirage. Goa ForGiving opened the Golden Jubilee year of the Opinion Poll with a symposium on the most pressing issues Goa is facing at the moment. It was inaugurated by Ms. Aisha de Sequeira, Managing Director, U.S. Investment Bank. She is also the granddaughter of the late Dr. Jack de Sequeira, Father of the Opinion Poll. Prominent personalities and a number of grassroots Goans came together onto one platform to voice their opinions. Among the topics highlighted at the seminar was “Sussegado- Is That the Future?” The word “sussegado” has been wrongly interpreted and understood as lazy, when its actual meaning is being peaceful or contented. Panelists were Sandesh Prabudessai – Senior Journalist; Vijai Sardesai- MLA, Fatorda; Gautam Amonkar, Economist/ Builder and Sujit Sumitran, Social Activist.

Aisha de Sequeira lighting the traditional lamp with Armand Gonsalves and other participants.

Another interesting topic was “Migration and Portuguese Passport”, a popular craze, especially among the youth. On the panel we had Savio Fernandes, Chef at Kudos in Colva, who is a Portuguese passport holder, but is back in Goa, and very successful. He urged Goa’s youth to stay home, and work here instead. Others on the panel were senior advocate Cleofato Almeida Coutinho, Novelist Rohan Govenkar and Chef Cyrus Todiwala OBE, DL who joined in via Skype. Cyrus spoke with sadness about Goan youth struggling to make a living in London, and said they were better off in their homeland. We also highlighted the plight of Goan women in the topics“Girls and Societal Pressures” and “Sexual Harassment”, moderated by Suvartha Hiremath, Faculty at IHM and Dr. Meenacshi Martins, respectively. Vasanthi Mardolkar is a housewife who spoke on how she refused to accept government doles, and chose to earn her living on her own. Her comments struck a chord among a lot of people, especially the homemakers. On the panel were also Mr. Armando Gonsalves, Chairman Goa ForGiving Trust; Lakshmi Gonsalves, Ex Sarpanch, Majorda; Svedlanska Pires, MC, Sonika Lotliker, aspiring actress and Jane Rodrigues who came down from Mumbai to be with us.

Other topics included “Environment- Rejuvenating Our Motherland,” with senior stakeholders speaking about Goa’s waterways and the ongoing mining issues. The panelists included Dr. Ramaiah, Chief Scientist at NIO; Dr. Oscar Rebello, Blaise Fernandes, Marine, Environmental and Petroleum Geoscientist; Architect Tallulah D’Silva; Environmentalist Lisa Dias Noronha; Vishal Rawlley, Media Creator, and on Skype, we had Goa’s very own Urban Design and City Planner, Mr. Vinayak Bharne from the USA. Mr. Bharne was excited about being on the panel, and happy to give in his suggestions and opinions. His commitment was evident from the fact that he stayed awake till 4 a.m. US time. The topic “Restoration of the Collapsed Faith in Governance” brought out the frustration of citizens, disillusioned over unsatisfactory governance and administrative performance. On the panel for this discussion were Ramakant KhalapFormer Union Law Minister, Former Deputy Chief Minister of Goa;Jaspal Sindharh- Strategic Thinker, Advisor to various Senior Ministers; Pramod Acharya- Editor, Prudent Media and Ricardo Rebelo, Social Activist. The final topics were “The Bismarque Effect- Development for Whom?” and “Youth Power- Are We Chasing a Mirage?” which took place simultaneously in two halls. The Bismarque effect focused on taking the legacy of Fr Bismarque Dias (an activist whose body was found floating in the Mandovi River) forward, and what he stood for. Youth Power focused on how

young people are an important part of the Goa’s future, and how they can play a major role in saving our Motherland. The Panelists for Youth Power included young people like Siddesh Bhagat, Kapil Korgaonkar, Aneesh Gera, Antonio Pacheco and myself. The session was moderated by Valmiki Naik. The “Future Of Goa” brought together for the first time an unusual mix of panelists, which helped us bring forward opinions from a wide range of thoughts. Mr. Vinayak Bharne remarked that “The ‘Future of Goa’ event was a landmark gathering in Goa’s recent history”. “Goenkarponn” (Goan-ness) may be subdued and on the backseat for the moment, but it is not dead. Panelists agreed that Goa is in need of rejuvenation and revival. On behalf of the Goa ForGiving Trust, I would like to thank each and every person who helped us make it happen, Tania Shirodkar, Rhea D’Souza, Sonika Lotliker and most importantly Prajal Sakhardande for his constant support. Shaeen Gomes is Trustee of GoaForGiving Trust

Friday, January 22, 2016

Konkani Bhasha Mandal Rocks Konkani With Pettul Dance Event

By José Lourenço

f there was ever any doubt that Konkani culture can be as flamboyant as any other language in the world, the Pettul event hosted by Goa’s premier Konkani body Konkani Bhasha Mandal put all such doubts to rest. At this annual event that took place last Sunday at Margao’s Ravindra Bhavan, the third CD of Shanni Masti (children’s songs), three new CDs of children’s rhymes, two books of children’s rhymes and 20 books of children’s stories were released amidst well choreographed dances by schoolchildren. These new discs of Konkani songs for children contain tracks sung by over 150 school going children from all over Goa, supported by noted lyricists like Nayana Adarkar, Saiesh Palondikar, Prasad Lolayekar, Umesh Sardesai and Ratnamala Diukar. The music was arranged and recorded by Siddhanath Buyao at his studio in Margao. The team of young and avid aficionados of Goa’s state language at Konkani Bhasha Mandal have taken on a markedly different stance on the various controversies around Konkani language and the medium of instruction. Chetan Acharya, the charismatic president of KBM minces

no words in opposing those who would divide the people of Goa along communal lines in the name of language issues. “We are focusing on creating a large body of Konkani literature and music for the children of Goa, so that they choose to study in Konkani willingly,” says Chetan. The smoothly choreographed dances and spectacular costumes had the audience enthralled for two hours, with the book and music launches interspersed between the performances. The dances were performed by the students of six educational institutes – including English medium schools – choreographed by expert dance teachers. The performing students came from Sarvodaya School in Curchorem, Gurukul Academy at Ponda, Vidya Bhuvan Konkani Shala of Margao, Holy Rosary Convent of Nuvem, Manovikas English School at Margao and Nritya Sankul of Margao. The numerous parents who had accompanied their children were appreciative of KBM giving their children a chance to show their talent. The witty young comperes, and dancers and singers put up an exuberant show,

06 music & nightlife Jan 22 Reggae on the Rocks Featuring: Reloveution Sound, Reggae Rajahs, Rudy Roots At Guru Bar 8 pm Onwards +91 9823 38 3257  Beach Party Deep Techno, Featuring: Monkey Brothers/ Supporting Act by: Leon, Mr. V, Aloysius & SMOG (RU) At Café Lilliput, Anjuna 6 pm onwards + 91 9822 13 7767

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Every Fridays & Saturdays Wild Bar Session Drink All You Can Special Performances At Nyex Beach Club, Anjuna 8 pm onwards +91 7387410421/ +91 9545550571

Every Wednesday Free bird nights at Cotinga Free bird nights at Cotinga presents, Elvis and Anirban, with a classic rock and blues session, this Wednesday 8:00 pm onwards. At Cotinga at the Tamarind Hotel, Anjuna 8:00 pm onwards +919822851155, (0832)6519999 Live music at Mustard  Krishna Vamsee is live on Wednesday, only at Mustard playing the best in blues, mo-town rock, and country tracks.  Come savour the flavour that binds cuisines together at the newest culinary destination in Goa.  8:00 pm onwards  At Mustard, Sangolda +91 98234 36120

KARAOKE at GURU BAR Karaoke Night Kony Hindi, English & Russian Free entry At GURU BAR, Anjuna 8 pm onwards +91 98233 83257

Every Thursday Karaoke Nite Come & be with Mojo Rockstar Kdj Seby At Cafe Mojo Pub & Bistro, Panjim 7 pm onwards +91 7774054353

Every Fridays 'Rock and Roll Fridays Entertainment – Live with ‘The Aviv Projekt’ At Hard Rock Hotel Goa, 370/14 Porba Vaddo, Calangute, Bardez, Goa 8:00 pm onwards +91 8554984841 Wicked Fridays Wicked Fridays launches again this Friday! Gear up for an amazing season, and join us to welcome the 3rd season of Wicked Fridays in Goa!  At Waters Beach Lounge and Grill, Ozran beach, Vagator 8:00 pm till late +919767200012 & 9702025555 & 9850561111 Friday Nights @ A Reverie With Anika Noronha Live At A Reverie, Calangute 7 pm onwards +91 98231 74927 Live Music Jukebox - Andre & Tania At The Fisherman's Wharf, Cavelossim  @ 7 pm onwards +91 832 287 1317 Fusion Live Music  Shanti Fusion A Fusion Of Indian Classical Music & Western Music. The Lead Instrument Is A Sitar Accompanied By Tabala, Drum Set, Saxophone, Keyboard & Double Base Guitar At Deltin Royale, Mandovi River (Offshore)   8 pm onwards +91 86985 99999

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Fire Place - Every Thursday Gather around the fire place at the Capiz Bar for an evening of sundowners, performances by DJ Thelma and the acrobatic Safari Cats. Sunset - 00:00 midnight Alfresco Night – Every Friday Walk over to the Pool Bar and Grill and enjoy comfort food accompanied with live music by DJ Thelma 7 pm – 10:30 pm For reservations call +91 832 3011510 Cavala Every Wednesday: Cavala Acoustic Latin Retro Every Friday: Tidal Wave’s live act Every Saturday: Piano played by Bosco Cavala, Calangute - Baga Road, Baga 8:30 pm onwards. +91 832 2276090 sales@cavala.com | www.cavala. com The Park, Calangute Every Monday: Retro Night by Jus Leo Every Thursday: Retro Night Every Friday: Karaoke Night with KDJ Tony The Park, Calangute 8 pm onwards +91 8805028194, +91 832 2267600 resv.goa@theparkhotels.com www.theparkhotels.com

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happily smiling and grinning away. The song Udd Re Mora, based on a folk song about peacocks, features traditional rhythms as well as modern beats. It has been composed by Saish Panandiker and was performed for the launch event by the students of Nritya Sankul dance academy of Margao, led by Sachika Almeida. This dance was the most spectacular of the evening, with the dancers looking resplendent in their faux-peacock-feather finery. The event was dedicated to the memory of Dr Manoharrai Sardesai, an eminent Konkani writer who penned a lot of children’s literature. The series of children’s books was titled ‘Nanu Pustakmall’, after the recently departed linguist and Konkani scholar Dr Madhavi Sardesai. “The children’s literature has emerged from a number of writing workshops conducted by NCERT and others and the stories are based on experiences of young children in a context of Goa, fantasy, twists in the tale and cultural celebration stories”, said Ratnamala Diukar, a teacher and children’s writer. Ratna, as she is affectionately called, has been the driving force behind the children’s literature movement at KBM, spending sleepless nights to complete the publication of the books in time for this event. Last year, KBM had released Shanni Masti 2, as well as a children's quarterly magazine 'Chirput', a book of nursery rhymes for KG 1 titled 'Makulyanchi Kavana', English-Konkani and KonkaniKonkani primers (Chitrabodh) and educational charts (Takate). “We have also translated 50 best titles of children's stories from English and Hindi in Konkani, which will be soon released along with more original story books in Konkani,” said writer Anwesha Singbal, an active member of KBM. Shrinivas Dempo and his family trust have lent strong financial support for KBM’s books project. The Petul event was graced by Pune-based educationist Meena Chandavarkar, Yatish Dempo of the Dempo family trust, Sethu director Dr Nandita D'Souza, industrialist Nitin Kunkolienkar, Chairman of Goa Board Dr J R Rebello, Chairman of Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan Anil Powar, trustee and ex-principal of Manovikas Education Society Therese Almeida, Chairman of Sarvodaya Education Society Nandan Kudchadkar, businessman Moulana Ibrahim and other eminent personalities. It is indeed heartening that while Goa’s socio-political scenario is wracked with language conflicts, KBM is gradually moulding Goa’s new generation by providing them Konkani music, dance and literature in their growing years.

Friday, January 22, 2016

Jan 24 Art Award The Dr Pedro Cabral Adao award will be given to a young upcoming artist to encourage young talent in Goa. The exhibition that will commence on the day of the award ceremony will continue to be on display till February 10, 2016. Dr Rui Carvalho Baceira, Consul general of Portugal in Goa will be the Chief Guest while Jenepher Bramble will be the Guest of Honour. At Art Chamber, Galeria de Belas Artes, Calangute 7:30 pm Onwards +91 9823 21 7435 3rd Musical Bonanza 2016 Friendz circle boyz of Dongorim Majorda presents 3rd Musical Bonanza 2016 Featuring: Raagas 2 Riches, Darkroom Demon and the Big City Band. At behind Johny’s Place, Rivona 6:30 pm Onwards +91 7083 42 9724/ +91 9767 66 5290

Jan 25 Screening: Birds in Goa This is a fascinating documentary about the birds of Goa. Goa boasts more than 450 species of birds and has long been a top bird watching destination. Interact with the audience after the screening. At 6 Assagao, Assagao 7:00 pm Onwards + 91 832 2268228/ +91 832 2268091 / +91 832 2268083

Jan 22 to April 30 Vagator Night Bazaar Every Friday Retail, Food, live music, shows, games At Vagator Hill near thalassa, Ozran, Vagator 6 pm to 12 am +91 9172479697/ +91 7875233985

Jan 28 to Jan 30 Difficult Dialogues An independent non-partisan forum for conversations around critical issues concerning our lives in South Asia ‘Difficult Dialogues’ will conduct a series of talks and discussions. It is an annual festival of topical ideas and motions. At The International Centre Goa, Dona Paula 9:30 am to 12:30 am +91 8322 452805

Every Tuesday Rejuvenate & Detox At Shamana Spa Designed to restore balance to your body system, cleanse it of toxins, and rejuvenate the mind. The program at Shamana Spa, Grand Hyatt Goa will include a combination of yoga, aqua exercise, lymphatic drainage treatment and royal wellness bath along with healthy drinks and herbal teas. Shamana Spa, Grand Hyatt, Bambolim 8:00AM – 1:00PM +91 832 3011510

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday Salsa Workshop A Series of Salsa Classes will be conducted. At Carpe Diem, Majorda 6 pm to 7 pm +91 88888 62462

Dance Classes David Furtado Dance Classes Salsa & Waltz for beginners At Casino Motel, Porvorim 6.40 to 7.40 +91 9975914195 Jason & Sylvia Dance Academy At Las Viegas Dance Studio, Taleigao +91 9822161652/ +91 9822151614 Snaden Shawn Dance Academy Dance Style: Hip hop, Bollyfunk, jazz, contemporary At All Over Goa +91 7798609859/ +91 9890163433

Great Goan Experience Tiger Balloon Safaris Explore Goa-Get carried away on our hot air balloon rides an unforgettable sky high experience. At Chandor, South Goa +91 9999 74 2000 Website: hotairballooningingoa.com Froggy Land Froggyland is a venue for all the water lovers. Some of our activities would include the wave pool, lazy river, slides, rain dance, children’s pool etc. At Pateipur, Nuvem +91 9823480057 Birds & Breakfast Have your morning breakfast watching birds The Best time of bird watching is October to Mid April. At Gauro Waddo, Calangute +91 832 2276711/ +91 9822149002 Horse Riding Majorda Beach Horse Riding It offers riding on Goa’s longest beach At Majorda 5 pm to 7 pm +91 9822586502 Wildernest Crocodile Safaris Offers boat safaris starting from Britona Jetty (Near Panjim) through the backwaters and mangrove-lined canals, which are home to fresh water crocodile locally called ‘Muggers’. At Kamat Centre, D.B Marg, Panjim +91 9595553799/ +91 9341112721 Seaeaglecruises.com Off the Grid Offers a unique home stay experience in a secluded village in the Western Ghats At Western Ghats John +91 9623451758 Sylvia +91 9049081097

Canopy Eco – Tours Offers a wide variety of experiences including nature-treks, butterfly tours, dragonfly & damselfly tours, and boat safaris on the Zuari River as well as their original bird watching tour. At Housing Board Colony, Margao +91 9764261711, +91 9764052225 Canopygoa.com Goa Butterfly Park & Conservatory A small park on a hill that’s a great place to spot stunningly beautiful butterflies. Near Tropical Spice Plantation, Ponda +91 832 2985174, +91 9822125474 Bcogoa.org The Bushmasters Owner Rahul Alvares is one of our state’s most experienced snake rescuers. Snake Watch programmes costs Rs. 1600 per person inclusive of transport and breakfast. At Almeida Vaddo, Parra 6.30 am to 9.30 am +91 9881961071 Rahulalvares.com

Outdoors Tropical Spice Plantation The Tropical Spice Plantation guided tour is certain to refresh your senses and make you feel at one with Mother Nature. At Arle Bazar Keri, Ponda +91 832 2340329 Abyss Spice Farm Located on high hills amidst stunning surroundings near Ponda. Many tourists visit it for the medicinal herbs grown here on a large scale. The Plantation also offers ayurvedic massage. At Sai Farm, Savoi Verem, Ponda Pascoal Spice Village A wide variety of spice plants and cash crops is grown here. For visitors there is a restaurant with an open-air party facility along with boating At Khandepar, Ponda +91 832 2344268/ +91 832 2344536 -39 Atreya Vedic Farms Set amidst nature’s abundance at the foothills of the Western Ghats in Molem is Atreya Vedic Farm, a unique ecotourism venture. At Bondu Mol, Mollem 9 am to 5 pm +91 832 6570877 Sahakari Spice Farm Relax under a dense forest cover and take in the aroma of a variety of spices grown in the farm. Also, enjoy a traditional Goan lunch served in earthen pots & banana leaves. At PondaBelgaum Highway, Curti, Ponda +91 832 2312394 Email: info@sahakarifarms.com

Book Centres Literati It’s a Bookshop and Café At Gauro Vaddo, Calangute 10 am to 6.30 pm +91 832 2277740 Broadway Book Centre Broadway Book Store offers great books at amazing prizes to passionate readers of all ages At Aguada Fort Road, Candolim 10 am to 9 pm +91 9860030339

Notable Forts Aguada Fort Fort Aguada and its lighthouse is a well-preserved seventeenth-century Portuguese fort Daily 10 am to 5.30 pm At Candolim Reis Magos Fort This Fort, surrounded by sturdy laterite walls studded with typically Portuguese turrets, was erected in 1551 to protect the narrowest point at the mouth of the Mandovi estuary. The fort stands on the north bank of the Mandovi River at Reis Magos, and is visible from the Panjim side of the Mandovi River. At Verem 10.30 am to 5.30 pm +91 832 2410711/ +91 832 2410715 Tiracol Fort The fort was originally built by Maharaja Khem Sawant Bhonsle, the Raja of Sawantwadi, in the 17th century. Now, in a state of ruins, Fort Tiracol has been converted into a luxury hotel, the Fort Tiracol Heritage. At Tiracol, Keri Cabo de Rama Fort Interesting fort named after Lord Rama. Inside the fort, check out the church of Santo Antonio, still used by devotees. At Cola Beach Chapora Fort One of the most loved forts of Goa; it was built in place of an older fort on the same location after the MarathaPortuguese war. At Vagator Chapora Fort One of the most loved forts of Goa; it was built in place of an older fort on the same location after the MarathaPortuguese war. At Vagator

Museums 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

Museum of Goa Art Museum At Pilerne Industrial Estate, Pilerne 10 am to 6 pm +91 7722089666 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 Museum Of Christian Art Open all days of the week Located 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 Goa Science Centre The Centre has a science park with interactive exhibits, 3D shows, galleries on oceanic science, explaining mysteries of the underwater world. At Miramar 10 am to 6 pm +91 832 2463426 Goa State Museum Have 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 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 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

PinkyTripathi – World-Class Educator Recognised For Excellence In A Ceremony in Goa, Her Private Tutorial Venture Receives International Quality Award From Former Miss Universe SushmitaSen Pinky Tripathi’s Workshops And Private Tutorials Bring A New Kind of Education To India

or the past 15 years, Pinky Tripathi has been helping to revolutionise education in Mumbai, with three centres in the city catering to over 1,000 students and a philosophy that focuses not just on imparting knowledge but also on developing the entire personality of children. Recently, she shared her expertise in Goa through a 7-day educational workshop called Pinky Tripathi’s English Club at the Green Meadow School in Nagoa. And this past Jan. 17 at the Cidade de Goa resort in Dona Paula, former Miss Universe and current Bollywood star Ms. Sushmita Sen awarded Pinky Tripathi an International Quality Award by Brand Impact for her “excellent contribution in the education sector in Maharashtra.” “The innovative ideas and methods of teaching adopted by Pinky Tripathi ma'am are indeed remarkable,” said Jane Misquita, principal of Green Meadows. “My heartiest congratulations to you Pinky, for receiving such an award and I am glad that your work has been acknowledged.” Pinky Tripathi is the proprietor of Pinky Tripathi’s Private Tutorials, operating in the Mumbai areas of Malad, Kandivali and Borivali. For the past seven years, she and her mother Kanchan Shukla have also run a charitable school named "Mother Teresa English High School" for underprivileged kids in Mumbai. When it comes to quality education, Pinky’s is one of the most recognised faces in Mumbai. She was named as one of the Top 10 Mom Entrepreneurs (field of education) by the Times of India. “For me, teaching is not just a profession, but also a passion,” says Pinky. Among her mentors and role models is Rohan Bhat, Principal and Trustee of the esteemed Children’s Academy Group of Schools in Mumbai. “I have seen her growing as a teacher,” he said. “She didn’t want to restrict herself to a few students so she started her own venture … She is always ready to adopt new things or technology in the field of education. Her achievements and dedication towards her work make her an ideal teacher today.” Her recent award was granted based on a number of criteria, including student performance (many of her students have stood first in Maharashtra Board Exams), annual growth, placements, personal and professional achievements, societal impact and, perhaps most importantly, feedback from students and alumni. Her recent foray into Goa through Pinky Tripathi’s English Club at Green Meadows was widely praised. "The students learnt a lot and enjoyed the session immensely,” said Green Meadows’ Manager Robbie Panesar. “They found her very approachable and friendly and wish to have her back for many more such sessions.” For more than a decade, Pinky served as English Head of Department at Mumbai’s Thakur Vidya Mandir High School. When asked about her success, she immediately gives credit to the school’s Trustee In Charge, Rajkumar Singh, whom she calls “a father figure throughout.” For his part, Mr. Singh said it was Pinky’s “dedication and perseverance towards her work that has made this journey with us very memorable. She has always been a person who would learn to extract more knowledge. We are very proud to have her associated with us.” Asked further about her award, Pinky said she is dedicating it to her husband Narendra Tripathi, “who has been a constant support throughout,” and her parents Advocate Om Prakash Shukla and Kanchan Shukla. Kudos Pinky! Keep it up, please, because our kids are counting on it.

explore 09

Friday, January 22, 2016

5 Mysteries of the Churches of Old Goa By José Lourenço

The churches of Old Goa are hundreds of years old, and have seen many events and peoples from varied cultures come and go. The walls and vaults of the churches still tell stories to the curious visitor. Some of those mysteries may never be fully revealed. Let us look at five fascinating facets of these churches.

Underground tank The Church of Our Lady of Divine Providence attached to the St Cajetan Convent, popularly called St Cajetan’s Church, is the only church in Goa with a Greek-Cross plan, with its arms all equal. The centre is topped by a dome. The pulpit of the church has intricate carvings, among which is the cashew fruit with its nut! The cashew was brought to Goa from Brazil by the Portuguese, ostensibly to curb hillside erosion. Beneath the massive dome stands an altar, under which, in turn, lies an underground tank. The tank is believed to have been excavated to drain the foundations of the church building. Others believe it was the site of an earlier temple.

2. Se Cathedral

Architect Julio Simao The Se Cathedral was built in 1562 to 1651 in Old Goa, during the Renaissance and Mannerist phases of Europe. It was built in the reign of six kings, most of them being Spanish, ruling during the time that Portugal was annexed to Spain (1580-1640). Though the design of the cathedral was commenced by other architects, the main work was done by architect Julio Simao, who was probably of Norman origin. He arrived in Goa with his wife and two daughters in 1597. Between 1616 and 1622 he finished the nave and side chapels; in 1628 the crossing and the entire building in 1631, according to scholar Jose Pereira. By the time the portal was erected in 1651, Julio Simao was dead. It is believed his bones

5. Santa Monica Pulpit

New elaborate wooden pulpit covering old stone pulpit

1 1. St Cajetan’s Church

of European traditions that existed in Old Goa at that time.

lie interred somewhere in the crypts of the magnificent cathedral he built. Where? We don’t really know.

3. Augustine’s Tower

The Relics of Queen Ketevan Queen Ketevan of Georgia died as a martyr in Iran, tortured and strangled to death in 1624 by the Persian emperor Shah Abbasi when she refused to change her faith. According to legend, the relics of the queen, including her right arm bone was brought to Goa by Augustinian monks in 1627. A team from CISR, the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), the Archaeological Survey of India and the Estonian BioCentre, with experts from the fields of history, archaeology and genetics published their view that a 400-year-old relic unearthed at the Augustine ruins is quite likely from the remains of Queen Ketevan.

4. St Francis of Assisi

Early Gothic script The inscriptions on the crypts embedded in the floors of the Old Goa churches have always been fascinating. Most of the inscriptions on the stone covers are in Latin, carved across the face of the granite. But there are two stone slabs in the sanctuary area of the Church of St Francis of Assisi that are not in the easily recognisable Roman script used for Latin. These letters belong to an archaic pre-Roman Gothic script of the medieval period. Simply goes to show the diversity

The Santa Monica nunnery complex at Old Goa includes the Museum of Christian Art as well as the Chapel of the Weeping Cross, where tears are believed to have flowed down the face of a crucifix of the chapel. In the process of the ongoing restoration of the chapel, the elaborate wooden pulpit was dismantled, only to reveal an older pulpit within, consisting of a semi-circular stone slab projecting from the wall. Interestingly, there is an identical pulpit at the Rosary Church just a stone’s throw away. The Rosary pulpit has a stone pedestal supporting the slab, while the Weeping Cross pulpit only has the stone slab. Every visit to these churches can throw up something new for the discerning enthusiast. Grab a camera and shoot those intricate gilded details inside and outside these edifices. You may just discover something new. 

10 cover story

By Vivian Maverick Martins

hat Goa’s population has more than doubled since liberation in 1961 is not because people here love having babies. It’s because when our little state became part of Mother India, she, too, became part of us – and so have lakhs and lakhs of Indians. Migration accounts for the lion’s share of Goa’s population increase from 6 lakhs to 15 lakhs in just over a half century. And with pollution, poverty and congestion plaguing so many other places in this gargantuan country of ours, expect comparatively idyllic Goa – with its breathable air and open-minded lifestyle – to attract many more Indians in the future. We all know that this is not a happy trend in the eyes of many if not most Goans, who see a loss of identity and a swallowing up of our once pristine state by giant India. And yet we must ask ourselves two important questions: Are we willing to do all the jobs outsiders now perform, like cleaning streets and building roads? And is it not possible that the influx of so many people from India and beyond is actually enriching our culture? “Goa has always been touched by foreign cultures from ancient invasions till Portuguese colonization with each one of them contributing to Goa in good and bad ways. So we do need people who can contribute to Goan culture and life,” said Fashion Designer Wendell Rodricks, one of Goa’s most famous sons. The last national census, taken in 2011, determined that Konkani speakers make up just over half of Goa’s population, and Konkani and Marathi speakers together comprise two-thirds of the population. That means that a full one-third of Goa’s inhabitants are not from Goa. Prajal Sakhardande, President of the Movement for Special Status & Goa Heritage Action Group,says Goa’s culture and heritage are “getting diluted

As Goa Suffers A Loss of Identity, Some See A Culture Enriched and destroyed because of unchecked migration of people from outside Goa.” “They can come as tourists but not as permanent residents as they are occupying our jobs and lands,” he added. Special Status, a designation currently afforded to 11 Indian states, mostly in the Northeast, would make it difficult for non-Goans to buy property in the state. As much as locals may desire it, it’s seen as unlikely to happen any time soon because it would require a twothirds majority in both the upper and lower houses of the Indian parliament (where Goa’s representation stands at 0.3 percent) to amend the constitution. Another reason Special Status is unlikely to pass: the state’s powerful real estate lobby vehemently opposes it. That’s not to say there’s an all-clear for outsiders to come here and do whatever they please. A CEO of a company planning a massive luxury real estate project in Goa said a group of investors came to Goa and approved a Rs 1,000 crore investment in a single visit. “Goa is like an addictive drug and whoever comes to Goa wishes to own something in the state,” said the CEO. However, the project is currently shelved because of massive public opposition. “I realized we were not welcome in Goa once we started the process of obtaining approvals as there was opposition from all sides because we were outsiders. Even a minister told me

that he would have supported the project if it was done by a Goan,” said the CEO, who requested anonymity because he’s still trying to salvage the project. Goans aren’t the only ones concerned about outsiders changing the character of the state. Sometimes the sentiment is shared by the outsiders themselves. Zaver Shroff, a Zumba instructor who moved from Mumbai to Goa, feels that Goa has a wonderful mix of cultures and nationalities. But she thinks the state is losing its charm as the countryside is destroyed. “Everyone staying in Goa (migrants and locals) should appreciate and preserve its scenic beauty as the actions and intentions of people are what determine the changing identity of Goa,” said Zaver. To be sure, Goa’s conundrum is not unique in the world. Throughout history and throughout the globe, movements of people have changed the character of places. And in Goa’s case, it’s not just about those coming in but also those going out. According to figures from the passport office, Goans surrendered some 2,500 passports in 2015 to acquire Portuguese nationality. Three government agencies contacted for this story said they had no statistics on the total number of Goans who have acquired a Portuguese passport. It is estimated that broadly, over a lakh of Goans have relinquished their Indian citizenship to move to EU countries. That’s in addition to those who have settled in the Gulf and other regions. “We left Goa many years back to settle in the UK and are very happy. We do visit Goa once a year just for a holiday,” says Goan emigrant Cassius Fernandes. Namitha Nair is a Goan who used to work for the local NGO Communicare Trust teaching languages. A while back, however, she decided to take a job with Accenture in Pune – joining the legions of Goans who find work outside the state.

She says it’s harsh to criticise non Goans who have settled here. “People come and settle in Goa because everyone has to struggle to earn bread for their family and many Goans are doing the same, working in other parts of India and abroad, says Namitha. While Wendell Rodricks pointed out that outsiders have always been part of Goa, he lamented the presence of all those who don’t have the state’s best interests at heart. “Do we need drugs, raves and people who have only personal gain on their minds and flaunt all rules to get there?” he asked.“The real problem is the Goan who wants to sell out Goa. I feel they are the biggest threat today as compared to outsiders.” In a recent conversation with Goa Streets, Alina Saldanha, Goa’s Minister of Rural Development, lamented the influx of so many migrants, saying, “If the increase in population continues, Goa will lose its identity.” Interestingly, however, she later backtracked on those comments – apparently realising that a large part of her vote bank in Zuarinagar is now made up of migrants. If you’re a politician in Goa in 2016 and wish to keep your job, you may want to think twice about speaking negatively about newcomers. Pedro and Genilda Lima are a Brazilian couple settled in the quaint Goan village of Chorao. Far from the image of the nasty outsider coming in to grab their pound of flesh, the couple live off the land and run an orphanage called Little Angels, bringing up young children in the traditional Goan way. “We just love Goa. There are a lot of similarities between the Brazilian and Goan culture. The people are also very warm and hospitable,” said Pedro, who hails from Rio de Janiero. Whether Goa will love outsiders like Pedro and Genilda as much as they love Goa is an open question.

Shri Kalika Jewellers Shri Mahalasa Jewellers Shri Dattatray Jewellers Gold & Silver Merchant Prop:Vishwas B.Vernekar Stall No. 101/50, Municipal Market, Mapusa Tel. 2251270 Mob. 9049114831

12 food & drink January 23 Introducing the ‘High Bar Brunch’ Make a splash at the longest pool in town, enjoy electro acoustic vibes, sip on bubblies and select premium beverages, while our Executive Chef enthralls you with an unlimited global cuisine spread. All at INR 1200 allinclusive per person. At Hard Rock Hotel Goa, Candolim 12:30 pm to 4:00 pm +91 8380093463

Every Monday Hops & Nibbles Walk into the Capiz Bar to experience new flavours in beer and food pairing. Try something new every Monday as the pairing changes every week; Tapas, Yakitori and more to enjoy At Capiz Bar, Grand Hyatt Goa 4:00PM – 00:00 midnight INR 990 + taxes For reservations call +91 832 3011510

Every Wednesday Pizza Night @ Ciao Bella Dive into a selection of authentic Italian wood fired pizzas At CIAO BELLA, Assagao 7 pm onwards +91 97675 57673 Seafood Night Market A weekly seafood night market with a wide selection of seafood delicacies. If you can’t seem to get enough of seafood through the week, walk over to The Dining Room and enjoy an amazing selection of your seafood favourites and live entertainment. Every Wednesday INR 2500 per person At Grand Hyatt Goa, Bambolim +91 832 3011510

Every Thursday Pasta Thursdays Treat yourself to a selection of pastas At Bar Code Lounge & Grill, Porvorim +91 832 241 0027

EVERY Saturday Spanish Nights Head over to the Grand Hyatt Goa Palace Lawns; where they give you an evening of live entertainment and food inspired from the Mediterranean coast of Spain. 7:00PM – 11:30PM INR 2200 + taxes At Grand Hyatt Goa, Bambolim +91 832 3011510

Brunches Every Sunday Sunday Brunch Happy Hours Buy one Get one free Lunch Buffet Starting 899/Pool Usage At Bay 15, Dona Paula 12 noon onwards +91 7350146000 Sunday-Champagne Brunch Relish a sumptuous meal over five interactive food counters along with free flowing cocktails, champagne and live music by Thelma. Every Sunday, the Dining Room, Grand Hyatt Goa, Bambolim 1:00PM – 4:00PM INR 2500 + taxes +91 832 3011510

Sunday Barbeque Brunch Poolside Sunday grills with live music 12 pm to 5 pm At Banana Republic Bar - Cavala, Baga +91 832 227 7587 Sunday Brunch at Barrels & Bones 12 noon onwards At BARRELS & BONES, Fontainhas +91 77740 78276 Super Brunch The Super Brunch at Vivanta Panaji is a decadent affair with an astonishingly wide selection of Live grills. Serving up the finest cuisine from around the world. At Vivanta by Taj, Panaji, Off D B Bandodkar road, Panaji +91 832 6633636 Brunch at Cantina Bodega 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 info@sgcfa.org www.sgcfa.org Sunday Family Brunch Live Music by The Actacy At Gawin's Restaurant, Verna 12 pm to 3 pm +91 9822177179 Bikini Brunch Sunday BBQ Brunch @ Rs. 950 ++ with unlimited drinks Enjoy Live Karaoke with Emmanuel At The Park, Calangute 12.30 pm to 4.30 pm. +91 8805028194/ +91 832 2267600 resv.goa@theparkhotels.com www.theparkhotels.com Sunday Brunch Highlights: Free Use of Swimming Pool, Rain Dance with DJ, Lavish Buffet with live counters, unlimited house brands alcohol & cocktails & games & Activities Cost: Rs. 1500/- inclusive of all Taxes (with alcohol); Rs. 1100/- inclusive of all Taxes (without alcohol) At Resort Rio, Tambudki, Arpora 12 noon to 3 pm +91 8322267300 / +91 8322267302

South Goa Restaurant Palms Restaurant The Beachside Restaurant Palms with the Peruvian delicacy for the first time in Goa. Enjoy Ceviche delicacies and Peruvian drinks all night long! At Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa, Cavelossim +91 832 2721235 Peppers Gourmet Cuisine Seafood, Tandoor Indulge in innovative desserts and local flavours at this exciting food joint. Near Child Care School, Margao +91 832 2711125. +91 9822133506

Southi Restaurant Indian/Pakistani, Soul Food and Vegetarian Pan South Indian restaurant and bar, serving veg and non veg food At Zense Resort 1088, Escrea-Walddo, Opp. Novotel Shrem Hotel, Candolim, Goa Always Open +91 832 2489230/32 Allegria Goan, Portuguese This fine-dining restaurant at the Taj Exotica serves mouth watering food. On offer are all the classic Goan dishes like Chicken Cafreal, Pork Sorpotel, and Kullanche Mass Kottnim, which is crab meat in a shell, and of course, the all time favourite, Fish Curry Rice. At Taj Exotica, Calwaddo, Benaulim, Salcete 7.30 pm to 10.45 pm +91 832 6683333 A Tartaruga Multi – Cuisine This eating space is a great venue for weddings and parties with sprawling beach front lawns that can accommodate up to 1000 pax. At Colva Beach, Salcete 7 am to 11 pm +91 832 2788068/69 Casa Sarita For truly outstanding authentic Goan Food. Open only for dinner, this classy fine dining restaurant is a delightful place to explore Goan and Portuguese cuisine. At Park Hyatt Goa, Cansaulim +91 832 2721234 Tato’s Fine Dining Goan, Indian, Chinese Tato’s fine dining makes its presence felt in the culinary circles in Margao. Opp. New Collectorate, Margao 12 pm to 3 pm and 6.30 pm to 11 pm +91 832 2758590 Fisherman’s Wharf Authentic Goan It’s a fantastic restaurant to celebrate a special occasion. At the riverside, near Holiday Inn, Cavelossim – Salcete +91 832 2871317 Soul Soufflé Goan, North Indian, Continental, Chinese, Seafood Casual Dinning At Off The Old Verna Highway, Near UDddear Water Fall, Ambulour Village, Verna, Margao +918322782100 Gawin's Restaurant & Pub Seafood, Goan, Continental, Chinese Enjoy Sunday Brunch every week At Cansaulim Road, Verna +91 9822177179 Vasco Square Casual Dining North Indian, Goan, Continental, Seafood At 211, Joseph Vaz Road, Vasco, Goa +91 832 250 0644 Coconut Creek Serves Non veg, Alcohol, Outdoor Seating Goan, Continental, Chinese, North Indian, Seafood At Bogmalo, Bimut Ward, Bogmalo +91 832 2538100/+91 9823117647

Cherry Tomato Burger Cafe and Italian Restaurant At Vanelim, Colva +91 9561379963 Dropadi Restaurant Casual Dining North Indian, Chinese, Continental, Seafood, Goan At Palolem Beach, Palolem, Goa +91 832 264 4555 Konkani Restaurant Casual Dining North Indian, Konkan, Goan, Seafood At Jigisha Building, Varde Valaulikar Road, Margao +91 97638 22983 Pentagon Restaurant & Garden Pub Eclectic Asian, Indian and European menu. Sizzle your taste buds with awesome food at pentagon from starters to main course we have it all for you At Majorda Beach Road, Opp. Majorda Beach Resort, Salcete 12 pm to 12 am +91 832 2881402/ +91 9822091402

North Goa Restaurant Marbela Beach Italian, Seafood One of the finest beach resorts in the state, Marbela Beach is the ultimate destination to party or to unwind during the sunset with refreshing cocktails and decent food to hog on to. At Morjim –Ashvem Road, Morjim 7 am to midnight +91 832 8450599 Goa Marriott Resort & Spa Open for dinner 7 pm onwards every day, Wan Hao is also open for lunch on Saturday and Sunday. Re-orient your taste-buds with the choicest of Oriental cuisine all this season only. At Wan Hao, the Goa Marriott Resort & Spa! +91 832-246 3333. Avanti Bar & Restaurant Indian, Goan & Seafood Serves Goan specialties like Rawa fried prawns, stuffed squid, and gratinated stuffed crab masala among other Goan delights. Near Patto Bridge, Panjim 11 am to 3 .30 pm, 7 pm to 11.30 pm +91 832 2435884/ +91 832 2427179 hotelavanti@yahoo.com Peep Kitchen Indian, Continental, Goan, Chinese A family restaurant with a bar run by a Goan family serves food with an authentic Goan and homely touch. At Caranzalem, Near Petrol Pump, Panjim Noon to 2.30 pm and 7 pm to 10.30 pm +91 832 6454474 A Lua Chinese, European, Goan, North Indian, Seafood 11 am to 11 pm At, Bella vista, Sangolda +91 832 2416671/ 73 At Porie Bhatt, Verna Contact: +91 832 2782760/ +91 9881272080  At Bhueem Bhatt, St Cruz, Merces +91 832 2448172/ +91 2448757

O’Asia Pan Asian This is the ultimate destination for your pan Asian culinary fix. At The O Hotel, Dando, Candolim Noon to 3 pm, 7.30 pm to 11 pm +918323047000 Hotel Sanskruti Chinese, Goan, Indian, Oriental It’s a pure vegetarian restaurant which is packed during lunch time. It’s really good for South Indian food, Thali, and chaat. At Near HDFC Bank, Porvorim 8 am to 11 pm +91 832 2414400/ +91 94233323822 Casa Bhonsle Indian & Goan All meals here are prepared in the authentic Hindu Goan Style. Above Café Bhonsle, Near Cine National, Panjim Noon to 3.30 pm & 7 pm to 11 pm +91 832 2222260/ +91 9822100684 A Pastelaria Bakery An ideal place for pastries, cakes, cookies and other baked offerings. 9 am to 9 pm At Hotel Mandovi, Panjim +91 832 2426270/ 73 Anandashram Hotel Chinese, Goan and Seafood This is one of the oldest eateries in Goa and is something of an institution for its affordable and delicious Goan Fare. At 31st January Road, Panjim 1 pm to 10.30 pm +91 9823195245 Edu’s Restaurant Indian, Chinese, International and Goan Pizzas are one of their specialties. There’s nothing fancy about it but it has the vibe of a street café. Next to Magsons on the main DB Road in Panjim, Miramar. +91 832 2463777, +91 832 2463888 Sol de Goa Relax over the weekend with lazy Sundays by the poolside. Sol de Goa presents Mexicana-Spanish Brunch with Sangrias, unlimited food and LIVE acoustic entertainment. At Sol De Goa, Nerul 11.30 Onwards +91 9552134385 Go With the Flow Brazillian, Mediterranean, Fusion In an enchanting location on the Baga river bank, offering stunning views of the river, and sea beyond. Oh did we mention? The food’s really good, too. Chef Guto from Brazil really knows what he’s doing. We mean it. At Calangute, Baga +91 7507771556 contact@gowiththeflowgoa.com www.gowiththeflowgoa.com Koi True Asian, very tasty At Taj Road, Gauravaddo, Calangute 12 pm to 1 am +91 98733 42567 koigoa.com Mustard A Flavour to Savour Serving Bengali and European food, using mustard as a key ingredient. The only Bengali restaurant in Goa! At House No 78, Mae de dues Vaddo, Chogm Road, Sangolda +91 9823436120 Facebook: /mustardgoa

Friday, January 22, 2016

the corner Revel in an authentic Arabic experience at Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa

ark Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa presents “Shisha at the Park”, a lounge-style alfresco set-up at the Praia De Luz, including rich tone cushions, candles, Arabic café cuisine and shisha. The menu includes cold and hot mezze, with such traditional favourites as Hummus, Beirut hummus, Babaganoush, Labneh, Moutabal, Fattoush, Beetroot salad with salted yoghurt, eggplant salad, Circassian chicken, Falafel, Cigara cheese borek, Spanakopita with lamb/mushroom, Turkish lahmacun, Kofte and more. A beverage list featuring non-alcoholic beverages, fresh juices and mocktails, as well as hot beverages is also on offer. “Shisha at the Park” provides a large variety of shisha flavours for guests to choose from, among them Mix fruit, Chocolate, Kiwi, Grapes, Double apple, Strawberry, Blueberry, Paansalsa, Orange, Mint and Watermelon. Prices range from INR 800 plus taxes onwards. Our elegant lounge bar, Praia de Luz is the perfect setting to admire the stunning sunset, nibble on canapés before dinner or simply meet with friends over a glass of fine wine or exotic cocktails. Time: 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm Price: Mezzeh starting at INR 295 plus taxes per person onwards Shisha starting at INR 800 plus taxes per person onwards Venue: Praia de Luz, Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa

For reservations and more details please call +91 832 2721234 or visit goa.park.hyatt.com

TVS TYRES launches new TVC with Kapil Sharma

hennai, 19th Jan, 2016: TVS TYRES, one of the largest manufacturers & exporters of Two & Three wheeler tyres and Off-Road Tyres in India, today launched its latest Television Commercial with India’s finest standup comedian Kapil Sharma. Combining humour subtly with key attributes of durability, the tvc further strengthens the new brand identity of TVS TYRES. Kapil Sharma known best for his witty performances is seen bringing 'The Totally Tikau' message strongly yet in a light hearted manner. The TV Campaign is a series of 4 commercials wherein Kapil Sharma is seen giving timely help to people who are stranded before they reach their destination. On arriving at the destination, Kapil Sharma highlights how important it is to have things or relationships that are long lasting, just like the durable “TVS TYRES with the Eagle Logo” which ensures safe and smooth ride during good or bad times. The message of durability comes out clearly in the new TVC campaign. The brand with this new TVC intends to connect and reach out to the youth by highlighting the message of durability while buying tyres for their two wheelers. The TV campaign goes live with a set of 4 commercials which have been developed and is spanned across 6 weeks on major television channels .The first two TVCs have been launched on Jan 16th which will be followed by other two TVCs in next few days. Other than TV, the brand is also investing in print, Outdoor and digital media. Commenting on the new TVC launch Mr. P. Vijayaraghavan, Director, TVS Srichakra Ltd, said “With this TVC, we are ushering into a new era. Customer connect has always been our primary motto and we are glad we have Mr. Kapil Sharma to take forward this message with his charm and humour. Durability is the key attribute that we wish to bring out very strongly through the tvc."

14 discover

OMG! A Ninth Planet In Our Solar System That’s Not Pluto!

By Goa Streets

wo astronomers reported this week that evidence for the existence of a ninth planet in our solar system – one that’s not Pluto – is overwhelming. The problem is that they still haven’t found it. Nonetheless, the astronomers – Michael E. Brown and Konstantin Batygin of the California Institute of Technology – said celestial activity in the outer reaches of the solar system, namely, elliptical orbits of six small bodies that could only be explained by a large mass in the vicinity, seem to indicate the existence of this previously unknown planet. If confirmed, the planet would have 10 times the mass of Earth, and require from 10,000 and 20,000 years to orbit the sun just once, as opposed to our planet, which gets it done in 365 days. In a study published in the Astronomical Journal, the two astronomers said the orbits of all six bodies loop outward in the same quadrant of the solar system and are tilted at roughly the same angle. It’s possible that could occur without the

If Confirmed, It Would Have 10 Times The Mass of Earth and Take 10,000 to 20,000 Years To Make Just One Trip Around The Sun presence of a large planet in the region, but the odds of that happening are about 1 in 14,000, Batygin said. “There are some truly dominant bodies in the solar system, and they are pushing around everything else,” Dr. Brown said. “This is what we mean when we say planet.” Brown and Batygin conducted a series of tests and calculations that all but confirm this enormous object is gravitationally herding these smaller objects into the observed orbits.

The would-be planet would possess a thick atmosphere surrounding a rocky core and have a mass 10 times that of Earth and 4,500 times that of Pluto, which for decades was considered a planet until it was downgraded by the International Astronomical Union in 2006 to a “dwarf planet,” because it lacked the gravitational pull of a full-fledged planet. Until it was downgraded, Pluto had long been considered the furthest planet from the sun in our solar system. At its most distant, it is 7.4 billion kilometres from the sun. Brown’s and Batygin’s ninth planet would, at its closest, be around 32 billion kilometres away from the sun and 160 billion kilometres away at its farthest. By comparison, we’re just around the corner from the sun here on Earth, a mere 1.4 billion kilometres away. Scientists around the world reacted to the findings by going into high gear to actually find the ninth planet. They have a vague idea about where is

should be in the sky. This is not the first time Brown has been at the forefront of a major astronomical discovery. Eleven years ago he discovered Eris, an object larger than Pluto in the Kuiper belt, the ring of icy debris beyond Neptune, which until now was considered to be the outermost planet in the solar system. It was Eris’s discovery that led to the downgrading of Pluto. In recent years, scientists discovered additional objects in the Kuiper belt and beyond it. Brown and Batygin used computer simulations to try to explain the objects’ orbits, and realised that the presence of a large planet would provide, in Batygin’s words, “a beautiful match to the real data.” In the simulations, the astronomers predicted where the objects would have to be in the presence of a large planet “They’re exactly where we predicted them to be,” Brown said. “That’s when my jaw hit my floor. I think this is actually right.” Brown said he thinks it could take up to five years to find the ninth planet. But he said he’s “pretty sure” it’s there.

Friday, January 22, 2016

Artists at Sensorium Fest Challenge The Boundaries And Dualities Of Life

By Perin Ilavia

he aesthetic depth at the ongoing Sensorium Fest at Sunaparanta, Goa Centre for the Arts at Altinho, Panjim is truly something to behold. The 39 artists exhibited there manifest many whimsical notes, ranging from the semi-abstract to the sensual. Prem Sahib gives his audience a multisensorial feast, exploring desire, intimacy and sexuality. The cold exterior of a circular opening in a steel bed, with an ashtray wedged inside, looks clinical, but is yet softened by the glow of lights. Lines blur between public and private spaces, the forbidden and the permissible. There is shaved and polished bamboo, of the kind used as scaffolding at building sites; a dish antenna stained by termites is rescued and treated, its perforations transfiguring into a sieve. Gyan Panchal scratches off the blemishes and leaves behind abstract drawings that elevate a mundane object to a revered position. The 1993 bomb blasts in Mumbai and the stench of fear across the city deeply affected Atul Dodiya, and clearly reverberates in his oeuvre. Known as shutter paintings, a shutter rolls up revealing excerpts from a poem by Umar Khayyam, the Persian poet and philosopher. “We are dolls, while the Heaven is the player with dolls, in a real sense and not metaphorically.” A. Ramachandran’s ‘Monsoon Flowers’ is a dapper symphony reflecting the monsoon mood. Women in dance and play rejoice at the shades of leaves changing colour amid dense foliage and insects. Don’t miss the image of the artist’s metamorphic image in a goat and a snail.

Manisha Parekh absorbs the viewer in the unlimited depth of blue, in the sky or water, with objects lingering in a dreamlike state with melancholy undertones. Disturbing the geometry of seemingly balanced forms, she dramatises mobility and stillness. Mona Rai, famous for her metaphysical repetition, cuts and stitches pigmentation of fabric and metal foil. Her work resembles a gaming screen, divided by tiny black squares on the left and shimmering blue figures on the right. Circular and abstract black and blue patterns move into visible human figures, constructing façades of mosaic patterns. Alexander Gorlizki is a British artist, known to shift traditional miniature style into iconography. His contemplative piece, a king floating on a carpet with his lover below, a ghost sealed in cloth on a bicycle with a shining sun above, allude to elopement and secret love. Mythical animals offset the centrality of the cloud, referring to abundance, spirituality, redemption and tenderness. Thukral & Tagra, from Gurgaon, known for their explosive kitschy canvases, integrate the duo’s Punjabi roots. Juxtaposed paintings show

men and women sucked into pinball machines, where one aims to get the ball into the opponent’s territory. Characters are framed in what look like airplane windows, embarking on a journey. Will their desires, hopes and dreams be fulfilled at the end of the journey? Surekha, a performing artist from Bangalore, integrates photography and video, using the body in multiple formats, through imagery extracted from popular films. Depicting extreme love, two films play simultaneously. One of romance and attraction, the other of lovers falling off cliffs in ethereal peace. A pitiful reminder that shame in love still exists. The starting point into nurturing and rejuvenating intimacies, attachments, and fragilities is a home, for Elena Pereira. She deconstructs carpets, bathroom curtains, shaving kits, decomposed flowers and beeswax. A bed knitted from metal wire, where an exhausted body rests, is a fusion of personal narratives

and memories frozen and preserved. Warm colour oozes in her work ‘A Look into a Cloud’. Crushed plates attached to memories, belonging and togetherness, are sewn together in ‘Appetite’. An associate professor in the Department of Art and Performance, at Shiv Nader University, UP, Sharmila Samant carries sound bytes of Goan migrants to Canada—what they took with them, who they left behind, and the customs they hold on to. She traces recollections of taste, smell and sound, linking them to memories of love and loss on leaving their native land. She thus pieces together stories collected from individuals in a video. Aditya Pande works with tangling lines that evolve into ghastly yet comical surreal characters. The collage ‘Dramayana’, which on first sight look haphazard, is an intentionally diverse puzzles. Frenzied movements and fiery silhouettes emerge in the letters F-OO-L embossed in a steel grill with an opening and closure, superimposed by projection of sparks radiating from the grinder upon the metal plate, lighting up the letters. Tushar Joag, takes a satirical look at urban societies, with fifteen objects suspended in a crescent. A riot helmet, fused bulbs, broken cup handle, medicinal pills in shapes of the moon, a cup holder resembling a cut toe nail, the flicker of fused bulbs, etc. This lyrical juxtaposing of discarded objects becomes a metaphor about what one desires but dares not reveal, what one feels but dares not utter. On exhibit till 15th February, at Sunaparanta, Altinho, Panjim.

16 discover

Crafting An ‘Art In Nature’ Project at MOG

By Goa Streets

he Museum of Goa at Pilerne, curated by Subodh Kerkar, is hosting a Dutch artist Karin van der Molen in the month of January. The artist has had recent exhibitions in China, The Netherlands, France, Denmark, Germany and other countries. Her curating activities in the last ten years include several ‘international art in nature’ projects in the Netherlands. “After finishing my international law studies at Amsterdam in 1989, I gradually changed my career from university work to the arts,” says the artist. “I made posters and magazines and books for theatre and small editors. As the computer took over graphic design I disliked the loss of the handwork. I started taking drawing classes, and finally went to art school in The Hague.” She started her professional art career as a painter in the nineties. Karin eventually moved from the city to the countryside in The Netherlands. “The confrontation with nature all around challenged me to answer with installations in nature. I slowly developed more as an environmental artist, alongside other interests such as painting, a little graphic design and video. From then on I worked on the theme of our relationship to nature in my paintings as well as in my environmental art. Nowadays I work mainly as an environmental artist, making site specific works all over the world,” says the artist, who speaks Dutch, English, German, French, Spanish and Russian.

In the last decade she has increasingly focused on environmental and sitespecific art. “I take time to study and experience the location where the artwork is going to be made. I try to find the entrance to that place, and find out how to formulate an artistic answer to it. There are several central themes that keep intriguing me. They compel me to extend a certain work into a series of sculptures, paintings and video,” she explains. “One important theme is the human relationship with nature. I live in an urban, digital, global world. I have been searching for the link with nature ever since I became aware of the necessity. By

using natural materials for my site-specific art work, I try to seduce myself and others to get closer to, or even ‘enter’ nature. The outcome is often a sculpture in which one can enter, either physically or mentally.” An example is Moonstruck, an installation at Kiev in 2012, where she suspended a large sphere of woven hay between the birches. It had an opening into which people could poke their head in, to be all alone in a world of grass. “The work also influenced my perception of nature and sparked new ideas and visions which in turn, prompted me to integrate non-natural materials such as sellotape, rope and old furniture.

With this, I try to approach the soul of the location.” She cites ‘The Soul of the Oaktree’, a sellotaped oaktree ‘growing’ in a greenhouse, at the Environmental Art Fest, Scotland in 2012. Another work that shows an abstract quality of nature like fluidity, thus creating a crossover between culture and nature, is ‘Flux’, an installation of chairs in France, in 2015. “With these installations I hope to offer the experience of opening up to nature, to myself and the visitor,” says Karin. 

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Friday, January 22, 2016

Jan 22

Slide Show Talk Spiritual journey through 50 years of art- Mahirwan Mamtani along with the works of K.C.S Paniker, Biren Deor Sohan Qadri belongs to the most important representatives of Neo-tantric paintings. During his studies he went into the spirituality of art and took intense interest into works of William Blake, Wassily Kandinsky and Joseph Beuys. At Museum of Goa contemporary arts, Pilerne 6:30 pm Onwards +91 7722 08 9666

Jan 23

Goan art on display The theme ‘Life’. Contemporary drawings, paintings and installations are a part of the show. Works of Goan artists such as Mohan Naik, Sonia Rodrigues Sabrawal, Hitesh Pankar, Norman Tagore, Manjunath Naik, and Harshada Kerkar would be on display. At Achies Art Gallery, Chandor 10 am to 6 pm +91 9822 81 4957/ +91 9552 47 5233

Nov 5 to Jan 25

‘GOPAKAPATTANAM – Exploring Goa’s histories through the lens of contemporary art’ Curated by Dr. Subodh Kerkar & Mr. Peter Mueller 10 am to 6 pm everyday At Museum of Goa, Plot No. 79, Pilerne Industrial Estate, Pilerne Email: subodh@museumofgoa.com / mail@ museumofgoa.com Web: www.museumofgoa.com www.facebook.com/museumofgoa

Dec 15 to Feb 15

Sensorium – Sunaparanta, Goa Theatre, Music, Arts 1 FEB: 7 pm: Performance and Talk by Nikhil Chopra 11 FEB: 7 pm: The Shanghvi Salon with Anju and Atul Dodiya 12 - 14 FEB: 7 pm: A Crossover Love Club, a participatory performance by Sanchayan Ghosh 15 FEB: 7 pm: Jeet Thayil curates a spoken word performance with Akhil Katyal, Mithu Sen, Aditi Nagrath, and Zachary Bushnell 8 pm Sensorium Closing Ceremony with the Musical Narrative on Amir Khusrau At Sunaparanta – Goa Centre for the Arts, Altinho, Panjim +91 832 2421311 | info@sgcfa.org

Jan 9 to Jan 31 th

‘Through The Eyes of a Goat’ An exhibition of paintings by Mohan Naik will be inaugurated 10:00 am to 7:00 pm At Carpe Diem, Majorda +91 832 288 1035

Jan 21 to Feb 21

Ceramic Spectrum 2016 15 of India's finest Ceramists in One Show. At The Cube Gallery, Moira 10 am to 6 pm +91 832 2470415/ +91 9422806748

Jan 22 to Jan 24

Poems ‘Olyo Yadi’ – a collection of Konkani poems by John Aguiar will be released at the 30th session of the All India Konkani Parishad. At Kala Academy, Panjim +91 832 242 0450

Jan 23 to Jan 26

Manthan Dyanprasarak Mandal’s College & Research Centre Assagao BBA presents Manthan an art exhibition cum Sale. You are cordially invited to attend the exhibition. At Kala Academy, Panjim 9 am to 7 pm +91 8322 420450

Jan 23 to February 23

Art Exhibition THEME: Life CURATED BY: Mohan Naik & Swetlana Cardoso at Achies Art Gallery, Chandor 10am – 6pm +91 9822814957/+91 9552475233

Galleries of Note

Declare This A World Heritage Place!

The Cube Gallery Every architect, since the beginning of time, has secretly tried to create a vision of paradise in the buildings they design. Discover one such paradise and much more. At The Cube Gallery, Calizor Vaddo, Moira. 11 am to 7 pm +91 832 2470415/ +91 9422806748 thecubegallerygoa@gmail.com Surya Art Gallery This gallery is situated in a quiet location where contemporary works of canvas paintings from Goa and artifacts are displayed. At Bandawal Wada, Pernem 10 am to 6 pm +91 9404149764/ +91 9422064754 Galleria Esperance Retrospective Art in oils, watercolours, crayons, still life photographs etc. on display Near Our Lady of Merces Church, Merces 4 pm to 7 pm +91 9922509704 Kerkar Art Gallery Exhibition of recent works of Subodh Kerkar “The Pepper Cross” & “Indigo”. Besides a new series of Laterite Stone Sculptures on display. At Gaura Vaddo, Calangute 10 am to 7 pm +91 9326119324 Monsoon Heritage Studio Treat yourself to some amazing collection of mirrored mosaic art and handpicked artefacts at this upscale studio by Yahel Chirinian. At Mainath Batti, Arpora 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM +91 9822122771 Off The Wall Discover a collection of deeply astounding works of art displayed on a daily basis at this thoughtful art cafe. Fort Aguada Road, Sinquerim, Candolim 10:30 am to 11:30 pm +91 9820083497, +91 9823289123 Mario Art Gallery Discover the original paintings and other memorabilia of the great Goan artist/ cartoonist Mario Miranda. Here you can buy “The Life of Mario”, as well as prints, mounted prints, frames, tiles, mugs, card sets and other books. At ‘Houses of Goa’, Salvador-do-Mundo, Porvorim area 9:00 am to 5:30 pm +91 832 2410711 archauto@gmail.com www.mariodemiranda.com Gallery Gitanjali An elegant art gallery in Panjim’s Latin Quarter is worth hopping into when you’re in the area. Fontainhas, Panjim 9:00 am to 9:00 pm +91 9823572035 gallerygitanjali@gmail.com www.gallerygitanjali.com Art Chamber: Galleria de Belas Artes One of the more interesting and pleasant art centres in the state featuring confident acrylic strokes that are somewhat three dimensional, put across the canvas by Yolanda De Souza and others. The musical acts here are worth looking out for too.  Gaura Vaddo, Calangute 10:00 am to 1:00 pm & 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm +91 832 2277144 artchamber@gmail.com www.goa-art.com

By José Lourenço

he Fontainhas precinct of Panjim is famous for many little cafes and hotels, but there is none as famed as Hotel Venite on Rua 31 De Janeiro in the Sao Tomé ward. The 62-year-old Hospedaria Venite, as it is also called, is housed in a building that is over a couple of centuries old. When it began in 1954, Venite was one of the earliest lodging and boarding inns in Panjim, with many officers, clergymen and administrators as its regulars. An arty aesthetic soaks into Venite everywhere, starting from the sea-shells embedded at the threshold of its doorway. Vintage posters adorn the walls, but it is the guest contributed graffiti on the restaurant walls that makes for fascinating viewing. The scribbles and artwork cover all the walls, right down to the floor and they even crawl up to cover the entire ceiling! Actually the ceiling was once a graffiti-covered wall that was taken out and fixed up there. Luis de Souza is quite a profound intellectual himself, confidently holding forth on many aspects of Goan and international culture. "The guest who wrote the first graffiti on these walls was a Scotsman,” muses Luis. “We got to talking about the plaid patterns on the Scottish kilts, and it struck me that our Gauddi women in Goa use a similar red and white pattern on their traditional kapodd. Some ideas and patterns seem to be universal, across regions.” The writing on the wall ranges from kitsch to some pretty profound stuff. ‘Ass, Gas, or Grass; No one rides with me for free!’ proclaims a chap named Sanket, while ‘The Being Generates

The Consciousness-K. Marx’ makes one ponder into one’s beer. A German visitor must have felt rather paranoid when he wrote ‘Nirgend seid ihr sicher’, meaning ‘Nowhere are you safe’. There’s a lot of tongue-in-cheek humour. ‘Eagles may soar, but rabbits don't get sucked into jet engines’ provides consolation for the humble among us. A neat gothic serif font says, ‘One who carries tail, makes monkey of self.’ A barely decipherable line says ‘Around The World in 80 years’. But the line is scratched badly, and it is not clear if he or she wrote 80 Years or 80 Bars! There are also simple feelings, like the short line saying ‘We miss Kris’. Another short line says ‘We are Korean’. Spirituality abounds. ‘Allez l'Om’, declares another German guest, which simply translates into ‘Go Om’! Then there’s the Spaniard who scrawled ‘Abre los ojos del alma y descubriras que puedes ser feliz’ - Open the eyes of the soul, you will discover that you can be happy. There’s French too. ‘Apprenez a laisser faire c'est la cle du bonheur’ meaning ‘let 's learn what is the key to happiness’. One of the most striking quotes I saw was ‘The old is dying and the new cannot be born. In this interregnum, there arises a great diversity of morbid symptoms’. This comes from Antonio Gramsci, an Italian Marxist theoretician and politician, who wrote on political theory, sociology and linguistics. Can there be graffiti without a Pink Floyd line? ‘We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl’ from their classic song ‘Wish You Were Here’ barely fits in a corner of a doorway. Some graffiti here is quite mystical and melancholy. ‘It's the Stranger's life I've always known, it's the promised land I've never shown,’ says a long gone guest. There’s even a well known name scrawled on a wall - J. Kerouac. Was that actually Jack Kerouac, the American novelist and beat poet? I guess we will never know. I always come away from Hotel Venite thinking that this hoary old place should be declared a heritage site! This is our culture, man, this is what we are, and we musn’t lose it. To lose your culture is to lose yourself. There’s surely a quote to this effect at Venite. Order a stiff whisky on the rocks and brood over it. 

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Friday, January 22, 2016

Frederika Menezes Triumph of A Literary Spirit

She loves writing and has penned several books, despite suffering from cerebral palsy. Dr. Charlane Pereira e Rebello chats with 36 year old Frederika from Panjim. Determined, positive, fun loving and caring … That’s Frederika for you!

“

Life is what you make of yourself and what circumstances make of you,” proclaims young Frederika. Being born with cerebral palsy did not stop this talented writer from doing exactly what she loves. Cerebral palsy is a group of permanent movement disorders that include poor coordination, stiff muscles, weak muscles, and tremors. Frederika’s mobility is restricted and she has to move about in a wheel chair. “I am not handicapped,” she says, “I am differently abled. I just need to be aided in everything physical.” “Being differently abled is not easy,” she continues. “But it is a part of my life and I treat it that way. Not being able to move on my own does gets to me. At times, I do feel bitter about it. But in the end, this is how it is and I depend on others to take me around. My parents are my huge pillars of support. We all have our low moments. I fight my blues by picturing the best moments that I know I can have … the moments that are just waiting for me.” Despite the odds, she passed her tenth standard from People’s High School, Panjim in 1996. This determined young woman has penned four books, and many more are in the offing. The first book was a collection of poems titled ‘The Portrait,’ published in 1998. A fantasy story for kids followed – ‘The Pepperns and Wars of the Mind’ (2003). It tells of how a positive attitude and a smile can conquer evil and sorrow. 2014 was a very good year for Frederika. Two more of her books were released: ‘Unforgotten,’ a love story for young adults. The other is ‘Stories In Rhyme’ – a book of verse for children. It features original fairy tales with sketches drawn by artist Justin Lobo. She also has a couple of books that are yet to be published. “Writing is a passion and a hobby for me,” she reflects. “I draw inspiration from life and the arts – music, writings, etc. I love J. R. R. Tolkien’s books and also many others. I love reading different genres. So it is difficult to name any favourite book.” Her first book received warm praise from the late Dr. Abdul Kalam, the then President of India. She was also asked to recite from her book of poems in the Goa Legislative Assembly in his presence.

This Goan braveheart uses the computer pretty well! She loves reading, writing, listening to music and painting on her PC. She quips, “I cannot live without a challenge. My day begins with a thankful prayer after which I do some meaningful reading. I am also learning a language; a course that I have started via the cell phone. I chat with my friends and I am always on the lookout for inspiration. In the evenings, I relax and watch television.”

She does not believe in the role model concept because “no one is perfect and to be a role model one has to be perfect.” Expressing her dreams, Frederika smiles, “I have many dreams. I want to be a very well-known author and poet. I want to make my mark on the music scene as I also write lyrics. My parents have always been encouraging me to be the best that I can be. We have quite a few parent-daughter talks. I also have a few friends who are incredibly close to me.” She lives by her mantra, “Positivity is the way to success. Everything I do by myself is an achievement for me. Everything is a challenge. I feel shy when someone says, ‘Oh! She is a writer.’” “Spend more time exploring your talents,” she advises the youth. “We all have talents. Life is one big opportunity. Grab it!” Talent and an iron will has gotten this prolific lady quite far. As her writing skills evolve and mature, we can look forward to many more literary works from Frederika’s pen. 