Issue No: 35

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Friday, August 28, 2015 | Vol. No. 3 | Issue 35 | Price Rs. 10 | www.goastreets.com | G-2/RNP/Weekly/Goa-05/2013-15

14

Sculptures in Goa

Goan public spaces and institutions abound with splendid sculpture. Explore seven intriguing statues that tell their own story, from the iconic Abbe Faria in Panjim to the Shiva of Vagator.

16

Bugs & Co in your Food

17

Houses of Rammed Earth

Mhadei River Dispute at a Critical Stage

Sick of that little 'extra' in the expensive food item you ordered? Stand up for your right to hygienic standards at restaurants and take those sloppy managers to task.

Architect Hyacinth Pinto builds homes in Goa with the world's oldest building material - mud. She will be one of only two Indian architects to present papers at the Earth USA 2015 conference.

Inside:

• Top Reader Websites • Locker Vault Made In Goa • Goanet Turns 21 • New Chicken Man in Town • Acoustic Road Band • Mediation Tiatr • Printmaking • 3001 Konkani Stories

ALSO INSIDE: COMPLETE FOOD/EVENT/NIGHTLIFE GUIDE


Celebrating

74 years birthday remembrance of Late Basilio Soares on 7th Sept.

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By Rahul Rivonkar

hether you are looking to slim down or tone up, have more energy for work or for your family, or just look and feel better—you need to exercise. Like the name suggests, Basilio’s 7 Health Club/ Gym is a fitness center, where you can choose from many options. From weight-loss to weight-lifting, kick boxing, kick aerobics, taekwondo, dance class, karate, free weights to cardio equipment, personal training to group fitness, the fitness menu covers the works! Choose the intensity of your workout and feel at home, no matter what your current fitness level may be. Basilio’s 7 Health Club/Gym is for both- the ones who want to build muscles and for the ones who want to keep fit. It has dumbbells ranging from 5 to 120 pounds and is well equipped with treadmills, elliptical trainers, spin cycles and many other machines to tone muscles.

An Exciting Menu of Fitness Choices at

Basilio’s Gym

Make one healthy choice, then make another Launched on 31 March 2002, this fitness centre moved to a bigger premises on 7 September 2007 and is now the largest gym in Goa. Conveniently located in the heart of Panaji city, it is more of a passion than a business for its proprietor Aldrin Basilio Soares. The gym was named after Aldrin’s father, the famous Goan footballer of yesteryears, late Mr. Basilio Soares. Basilio’s Health Club/ Gym is completing 13 years on 7 September, the 74th birth anniversary of Mr. Basilio Soares. The gym has sophisticated training equipment, and competent and helpful trainers. Aldrin says he will be adding new machinery to the gym

in the next few days, with a surprise machine that hasn’t been introduced in Goa yet. Makes you wonder, right? Make sure you drop in there on 7 September to discover the new revamped Basilio’s 7! Aldrin Basilio Soares (Proprietor): Aldrin Basilio Soares is into fitness for the last 26 yrs. From 1982 to 1991 Aldrin trained in martial arts in Shotokan (Karate) under Sensei Kishan at Don Bosco High School, Panjim, Goa. He moved on to Taekwondo in 1991, and trained under Sensei Oscar Luis. Aldrin started lifting weights in 1985, under the guidance of Mr. Premanand Naik at the Indoor Stadium, Campal. His father was Goa's best known goalkeeper during

Celebrating 13th Anniversary on 7th September

We have been with you as you sweat, to stay fighting fit through sheer perseverance. But a great body is your fitting reward. Basilio's 7 will strive to provide even better service and motivation. So you can be healthy and fit as a fiddle. his hey days, and sports runs in the family blood. Aldrin is driven by the desire to give the people of Panjim many healthy and fit years ahead, via his ‘Basilio’s 7 Health Club/Gym. Timings: Mon-Fri 6 a.m. - 9 a.m. & 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. Sat 6 a.m. - 9 a.m. & 5 p.m. -9 p.m. Address -Angel Anne Arcade A-3, St Inez Rd, Santa Inez, Goa, 403001 Contact - 0832 222 8014/ 9822384909



04 poll

By Goa Streets

Streets asked around for readers’ Top 5 Bookmarked Websites on their smartphones in any fields - News / Arts / Entertainment / Sports / Humour / Science, etc. And asked them why they were so addicted to those links. Jose Lourenco : #1 - Gmail.com - This is my mobile office space, where business and personal correspondence is exchanged at a hectic pace. I used Rediffmail in the earlier years and still do have that as a backup, but Gmail is truly addictive. #2 - Facebook -After browsing BBC for international news, Times of India for national news and then local dailies for Goa stuff, I go to FB as the newspaper for news of my friends. It's quite educational too, if you properly 'curate' your friends and their posts! #3 - Arts & Letters Daily - At the end of a long hard day, this is the best collection of intellectual essays, reviews and updates to nourish the mind. I've been hooked to ALD for nearly a decade now. #4 - Cracked.com - This website provides info in a hilarious and entertaining style of writing. The articles are mostly numbered - 5 Reasons For This, or 22 Geniuses Who Did That, or 5 Dark Sides of so and so Industry. #5 - http://www.spring.org.uk/ This website is called PsyBlog, and gives short bites of the latest in psychology and helps to understand and train your mind. #6 - Inhabitat.com has some kickass architecture and environment stories. #7 - Aeon Magazine (aeon.co)Here are longish essays on some very profound aspects of human life. Very satisfying for the philosopher in us. Then there is Onion, Salon and Vice and plenty more! Alisha Correa ColaÇo: #1 - Quora.com - read interesting information as well as other people's insights and experiences on a huge variety of topics. #2, 3 - Google and Gmail - for obvious reasons #4 - Facebook.com - platonic voyeurism #5 - Nowiknow.com - a website technically, but I almost never go to it because I subscribe to the newsletter. I need a little regular dose of random trivia so that I have something interesting to talk about when I'm trying to avoid a topic. Makes for good reading

material when trapped in a place and made to wait, once I run out of stuff to do in my mind alone.

Radhika Naik: Storypick, ScoopWhoop, tripadviser, gaana.com, healthdigezt.com, glamrs.com

Rahul Rivoncar #1- Google.com - Who doesn't know Google already? #2- Twitter.com - Quickest way to know what's happening around the world. #3- 9Gag - A day wouldn't end without 9Gag. A good dosage of memes that make your tummy hurt with laughter. Make sure you check the NSFW (not safe for work), when there's nobody around. #4- MKBHD - Marques gives the best review on the device he gets his hands on. He is a video blogger on Youtube. #5- Amazon/Flipkart - If I want to buy any gadgets with a good price tag. #6- itsallhere.in - When I'm too lazy to get Goan sweets, I give them a call.

They have magazines and books too! #7- Wordpress - Blogger's paradise. Give a few blogs a read. #8- PremierLeague.com - For all the English premier league related news and of course the Fantasy Premier League. #9- Shazam - A quick way to know what song you are listening to, just 'Shazam' it! #10- Pinterest- Pinterest is a bit like Hotel California: "you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave"— it's that consuming. #11- Periscope - Lets you see the world through the eyes of others. #12- Urban Dictionary - Gives you definitions from the parallel universe! A streetwise lingo which is posted by readers. #13- Bodybuilding.com - A must visit to read health and fitness related topics.

Jerry Sousa Here are my favs: #1- HK Observatory. The weather forecasting bureau for Hong Kong is called MyObservatory. How do they get it

so wrong even when they have a supercomputer? More information than you need to know. #2- BBC. Of late I am less inclined to follow the news through the "Beeb" since they dumbed down their site. #3- Dpreview.com A site which reviews digital photographic instruments and accessories. #4- Photo.net A forum for photographic practitioners. #5- Facebook. The one-stop shop for everything under the sun. #6- Wikipedia. For the times when you need a quick precis of something. #7- HKLeicaFansClub. A local website related to Leica cameras with a buy/ sell page. Have bought some good gear through it. Selma Carvalho: I have just two, one is my Yahoo email account and the other is FB. So pretty boring. On FB I have bookmarked the Guardian, the Times of India, Scroll.in and Huffington Post, so that pretty much keeps me updated on the news side of things. 

Publisher Marisha Dutt • Chief Mentor Steven Gutkin • Editor José Lourenço 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, Kanchi Mehta, Sapna Shahani • Photographer Brendon Sapeco • Marketing Co-ordinator Radhika Naik • Marketing & Event Co-ordinator Rahul Rivonkar • Marketing Executive Alvira Rodrigues • Circulation & Accounts Co-ordinator Nilesh Shetgaonkar • Circulation Vijay Gadekar & Valentino D'Cruz



06 tech

Goa-based tech firm designs Locker Vault for top Indian Bank Deepak Pathania tells Streets of this remarkable design saga

Smart Vault: ICICI's Automated Locker is an engineering feat with engineering and robotics by a Pune based PARI Robotics. But then for a product to be successful, not just the technology has to be perfect but its look and experience must also complement it, just as Apple has done. In June 2014, ICICI Bank sought design intervention for their consumer interaction. They reached Design Intervention India Pvt Ltd, based at Raia, Salcete in South Goa. That’s us!

W

hen I got a call from ICICI to design the kiosk and the lounge experience, it was beyond exciting. Over the last 2 decades, we had designed and prototyped over 25 different designs of interactive/bill payment kiosks and even ATMs for various banks. Let me talk about the design process of this kind of project. In this kind of an engineering heavy pilot project which ends with the direct consumer interaction, the role of design should ideally be sought out right from the beginning stage. The reason being that engineering looks straightforward into the functionality and feasibility of the requirements laid out, since that’s its biggest challenge. Design, on the other hand, will look at it holistically from all view points to tie-up various facets of the product into one neat package, and sometimes that means redefining the brief or positively affecting the engineering as well. In this project we got in late to affect any major change at that level, but the challenge was still huge. Think about this, an ATM machine is a size of a small refrigerator and therefore it never looks overbearing in any space. Here because of the engineering requirements we had to make a huge structure the size of a 3.5 ft tall king-size bed feel comfortable to the consumer in a lounge space of 12ft x 12ft. So the start of the visualization was with the physical volume as the constraint. The first thing we did was to make a mock-up of the structure and the room and videotaped the series of interactions that would be required to access the lockers. This gave us a real sense of the ergonomics that would eventually define the final dimensions of the product so that it would be convenient for tall, medium, short and older people as well. This exercise even

led us to eventually increase the entire flooring height by eight inches. Simultaneously we researched international offerings of the same service, there were a few, most very austere and boring ...frankly none too inspiring. But research of similar products is always a must in the design process, since the least one should do is to be able to reach what already exists in the world, but the designers actual endeavour should be to innovate and create something that leaves a mark on that product genre itself. Since we are a multidisciplinary design office, we have a mix of designers from transportation, product, film and video, exhibition, furniture etc. At concept development stage everyone is encouraged to ideate only through sketching or making models with paper or foam. Designers who are new to the discipline come up with ideas that seem unworkable in the first look but the role of a Creative Director is to use the experience to not see these ideas as what they are, but what they can become, because this is what can bring freshness into any design effort. This process went on for a few weeks but I felt that our designs still

looked in the range of what we had already seen in our research. I wanted to offer something unique to ICICI, after all they were giving us the freedom and expecting us to wow them. One morning when I walked into the office I saw some amazing automobile sketches by Hemal who's a transportation designer from MITID (Pune) and it occurred to me that as far as styling goes, automobile industry looks the farthest in the future because of the time it takes from the first ideas to eventually reach the market, it could be 5-7 years. So I thought, why not use concept car sketches as an inspiration? So for the next few days we did form transition exercises with the aim to take our original sketches of cars and keep changing them across many

drawings to eventually reach the final concepts that satisfied the functional, ergonomic and the user experience requirements that were laid out. A hundred sketches later, one went into further development and was presented to and approved by the client. To take it further for prototyping, Amit Pathania the director of operations with more than 15 years of experience took over and started the dialogue with the client till the eventual installation on site in New Delhi. Good design possibility, to me, starts and ends with the client. In ICICI fortunately we got what any design firm would look for in an ideal client. The brief needs to communicate all that is in the client's mind, and yet remain open to change. Because sometimes, the experience of the designer could change the brief to better suit the client's purpose. The feedback from the client is vital, it should be constructive and qualitative. Personal opinions like..."I hate it or I like it" don't add value. What adds value is "I like it because....." then one can use it to build progressively. The budgeting is crucial and needs to be correct, this includes time and money to create and for R&D/prototyping. The overall aftertaste of projects are varied but here again with ICICI Bank, it was notable. We were formally felicitated at the launch function and this is what Chanda Kochhar, MD & CEO, ICICI Bank had to say "...this innovation is an exemplary example of the potential of 'Make in India' as it has been both designed and manufactured by two Indian partners." (PARI Robotics, Pune and DIIPL) Our intervention in this project was smaller but very crucial and my analogy for it is: "the engineering/ robotics with its main role made all the food to be served, we simply added the salt". Deepak Pathania Founder: Design Intervention India Pvt Ltd Creative director and Host, www.youtube.com/ dartofscience Creative director, Sci-F.I (Science Festival of India), The country's first multicity science fair


networking 07

Friday, August 28, 2015

Goanet attains adulthood Oldest Goan online social media experiment turns 21

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By Frederick Noronha

erman Carneiro, then a 17-year-old lad, now an eligible, engineer-cumdoctor of 38, reminded us that Goanet completed 21 years of its existence on August 25, just a few days back. Ex-Kenya Herman founded this cybernet when he was at the North Eastern University in Boston. So, to mark this event, let me share 21 thoughts of mine: • It's not possible to be a neutral journo here. As a close supporter of the project, I've been involved with it for 20+ of its 21 years. Working with Herman and team has been a pleasure. Few can work for that long without squabbles and fallouts. • Goanet came in the first batch of cyber triplets. It was founded almost simultaneously with Marlon Menezes' GoaCom (also called GoaWeb) and Goa-World created by Uly Menezes in Kuwait. • Email is old, simple technology. Yet it has played a key role, and continues to do so. • Its strength shows up in the fact that it has survived all this time. • But its real power is reflected in the many initiatives it spawned. I should know, having been inspired by it to copypaste its template and create some fairly successful

mailing lists for local villages, professional groups (journalists and the Computer Society of India), techies (Free Software), educationists and documentary film makers across India, Chhatishgarh-Net, even the

much-noticed BytesForAll which stayed active for the better part of a decade. • Goanet is a cyber-taverna of sorts. You meet all kinds there. Most were delightful to meet. This is a place for building friends, making lifelong contacts, and more. A few were nasty and unpleasant, best forgotten. • I'd like to think that the good generated outweighed the bad. Not everyone might agree. • Eddie D'Sa, editor of the extant Goan Overseas Digest (UK), commented: "Although I have been no more than a marginal follower of Goanet, I think it would be a useful exercise for the community to know what precisely has been achieved over the years and to categorise the achievements. A sort of history of Goanet." Agreed. • Goanet is surely the only Goan -- probably Indian -- social media experiment to have a full academic paper written about it. See Dr Alberto G Gomes' paper at http://bit. ly/goanet-global • If politicians (and their supporters) used, misused and manipulated the social media during and around the 2012 elections in Goa, clearly the inspiration of the power of this tool came from experiments like Goanet. Sadly, it was such vested

interests that realised the role it could play even more than many of us! • Social capital that was built due to Goanet was huge. Skeptics ask: what the heck do you mean by social capital? Just google for the answer. • Goanet replicated some of the flaws of Goan society. Frankly, our gender balance (and treatment of women) left much to be desired; this has to some small extent been rectified with GoanetFemnet. Caste, communal divisions and language disputes surfaced sometimes. But we are nowhere like some of the groups whose prime purpose of existence seems to be to insult people with a different background. • Moderating an electronic mailing

list can sometimes be a thankless job. Initially, some posters (a few hell bent on critiquing this project) would blame us for 'censoring' too much material. Later, we got blasted for letting too much material going through, without filtering! See http:// bit.ly/goanet-bitterness • Volunteerism works. Specially in the cyber world. To keep something

• •

• •

• •

going for 21 years? Without a paisa in funding, and next-to-zero advertising? Yes... Goa has its internal antagionisms. But nothing is so strong that can't be overcome. This has been repeatedly the case on Goanet itself. On July 3, Cecil Pinto put out a list of "influential people in Goan cyberspace". What surprised me -- or did it? -- was that well over one of every two people on that list had started out on Goanet. In times when there was very limited media in Goa, Goanet played a key role in promoting free speech. Some journalists also recognised that. There's so much good news out there. Unlike some of our papers, which focus on the bad things in life. Here were Goans achieving things worldwide, people willing to link up, to help, to send back computers for schools in Goa, to share news, and discuss. If the 'cudds' of the 20th century gave Goans a headstart in a heartless city like Bombay, the 'cyberkudds' like Goanet have a role to play in the 21st century. Can we rise to the challenge? Goanet symbolises the power of the gift-economy. Many of us gave freely of our time and interest. We got back too, in huge measure. My freelancing turned sustainable, I'd like to believe, because of this giving venture. As I often say, I must have got back a thousandfold compared to what I gave. If only more people would believe in the power of sharing. Freely. It was initiatives like Goanet, whose history it's easy to forget today, that changed the way we saw Goa, the diaspora, and Goa's role in the outside world. To the many people who made this happen (see the list on the Goanet page at Wikipedia, and journalist Joel D'Souza who passed away recently), this is a much much-needed thank you! 


08 Friday, August 28, 2015

Chicken Man Aims to Please Sunder Aaron's rotisserie is fast gaining popularity

A

quick ‘Who is Sunder Aaron?’ query on Google will reveal him to have been a former VP at Sony TV’s PIX, a seasoned screenwriter, producer, and a film-maker—clearly a frequent wearer of many hats. From being a professional hypnotist to spear-heading a TV Channel, to producing a movie, Sunder Aaron has sprung many surprises along the way. Rajeev Radhakrishnan met Sunder Aaron to ‘grill’ him on his rotisserie, straightforwardly named Chicken Man. Rajeev Radhakrishnan - So Mr Aaron, what's your story? Sunder Aaron - Well, I was born in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. I grew up in the mid-west, but i lived in NYC, west coast in LA. I moved to Bombay in 2002 looking for Sony Pictures, where I got a 2 year contract. I enjoyed it so much and felt so compelled by the opportunities in TV and film in India that I kept sticking on. In 2012, I decided I needed to move on and do something different in life, something I had ownership of. India is an exciting market, there’s that optimism, that youthful and entrepreneurial spirit. It’s a real frontier. I’ve been in this country for 10 years, if I left now I wouldn't be taking advantage of my relationships, my resources and what I’ve learnt. RR - What made you come to Goa? SA - I’d be visiting Goa once every few months. I realised I could do what I wanted to do, and not live in Bombay, for it had lost its fascination for me. Panjim was far more charming, far more manageable than Bombay and I don’t feel like I'm in a city, yet it has all the infrastructure I need.

RR - Could you describe Chicken Man for us? And what it is for you? SA - [laughs] For me, Chicken Man is the BEST and ONLY roast chicken that is a nationwide brand. No outlet exists here at this point whose primary product is rotisserie roast chicken. At Chicken Man, we do things differently. We have a

unique interior, here’s a place that’s hip, interesting and has good food. RR –You have a good following, but I notice you haven’t gone berserk with your advertising. SA - The advertising we’re doing is very grass-root. We’re doing menu drops door-to-door. We just need people to know about us. This was really important for us, since this is the Mother Store and we’re incubating the brand and concept. We’re confident that if our food is right, the word-of-mouth will grow the business at the rate we need it to. We’re not in this to create one store in Goa. Our intent is 50 in 5 years. RR – People are everything to a business. Could you shed some light into how you formed your partnerships? What is your staff strength? SA - Definitely, people are everything. There are 6 of us, actually. There’s Aziz Lalani (also owns Azzure by Spree in Candolim & Waters Beach Lounge in Vagator), Mihir Nerurkar, Surajit Chanda, Aftab Panesar, and Anuj Ranjan. They're all Bombay based folks and that’s how I know them, same friend circle. As far as staff goes, we have about 25 people working for us. RR – What’s the least favourite part about being an entrepreneur? SA - Easy, easy answer. It’s all the admin, paperwork and bureaucracy that India forces upon you. Other countries make it a lot easier to do business and

unfortunately it’s very discouraging here. RR - Roadblocks unique to starting food-related business? SA - It’s always capital. Reeling in capital, people to invest. I learnt of human inertia. People fear, they’re afraid. RR - And how do you deal with it? SA - You have to become a real missionary, an evangelist. Sounds like a cliche, but this is true, it’s not enough to just have a good idea, that’s just half the battle. Maybe, even less than half. The rest of it is being able to communicate it, hard. RR - What’s the vision for your organisation five years from now? SA - Our mission is very clear. It is to be the best, the only nationally recognised roast chicken brand in India. There comes the vision—to be able to do a simple thing, that is, to be able to deliver a piece of chicken in the 50th store that tastes every bit as good, luscious and exciting as the chicken we first started making here. RR - Can you give us a teaser about Pizza Mia? SA - Sure! It’s next to Cafe Basil (London Hotel) in Miramar. We’ve done some launch events and it’ll be open to the public on the 30th of this month. At Pizza Mia, we serve New York style pizza. You’ll find pizzas, salads, and a little bar. A beer with your pizza, nothing better, right? It’s a small cafe, with outdoor and indoor seating. It’s beautiful, you'll feel like you are in Italy. RR - What popular entrepreneurial advice do you disagree with? SA - Probably ‘Do what you know best’. I disagree with that entirely. Because this is what’s probably going to keep me young, doing something that’s outside my comfort zone. It forces me to learn new skills, tap new areas. 


food & drink 09

Friday, August 28, 2015

Every Saturday Cheese and Wine @ Grand Hyatt Enjoy Grand Hyatt Goa's finest selection of wines and cheeses every Saturday at The Verandah. Treat yourself to an exclusive wine tasting and exotic cheese table, carefully crafted by our very talented Executive Chef Mark Long At The Verandah, Grand Hyatt, Bambolim
 7 pm to 11:30 pm
 +91 832 301 1234

Brunches Every Sunday 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 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 Myra Vineyards presents 'Sangria Sunday Brunch' at Sol de Goa Sangria Sunday Brunch with the amazing Helen and Xavier Peres. Complimentary use of the pool for all customers. Italian, Spanish and Mexican delights and unlimited Sangria, beer and cocktails. Sunset set with Dj David Phimister Rs: 1200+ taxes per head, Rs: 600+ taxes for kids. At Sol de Goa, Nerul 12:30 pm onwards. 0832 671 4141

South Goa Restaurants Cavatina Thai, American, Chinese, Italian, Goan A restaurant in Goa brings to the state a whole bunch of international flavours simulated for the local palate. At Benaulim, near Joecons Resort, Salcete +91 832 2770607 Firefly Goan Bistro Bar Goan This happening bistro on Benaulim beach serves splendid Goan food and hosts live music acts all week long. At Firefly Goan Bistro Bar, Benaulim +91 9822123535

Brews & Bakes Brewing Smiles & Baking Memories At Shop No: 250, Abade Faria Road, Comba, Margao +91 8308800080 brewsnbakes@live.com

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

Bar Code Lounge and Grill Offers Slow-Smoked Regional BBQ and Grilled Seafood items along with the most exotic beverages Goa has to offer. At National Highway, Porvorim +91 832 223200

Café Mardi Gras Goan, North Indian, coffee & snacks. Pan fried Pomfret Recheado, Chicken Xacutti, Pork Vindaloo and Goan Fish Curry are some of their most popular offerings. At Holiday Inn Resort, Cavelossim All-day. +91 832 2871303 www.holidayinn.com

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

Cozy Nook Bar & Restaurant Serves Indian, Continental, and Goan food. At Palolem Beach, Canacona +91 832 2643550

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

Aunty Maria This quaint little café in Hotel Fidalgo is an upscale coffee shop and bakery offering fresh home-made bread, cakes, cookies, chocolates and quick bites that could make for a wonderful breakfast or tea time snack. At Hotel Fidalgo, Panjim +91 832 2226291 secgoa@fidalgogroup.com www.fidalgogroup.com

Peters Pub and Restaurant This is the place where you can spend your nights with live music and delicious food close to one of the most beautiful beaches in Goa. At Utorda, Beach Road +91 9922909432/ +91 9049066470 Spice Studio Contemporary Indian and Coastal Cuisine Enjoy Dine in the Dark special theme nights. At Alila Diwa Goa, Majorda +91 832 2746800 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 The LaLiT Goa Resort, Rajbaga, Canacona +91 832 2667777 Da Luigi Experience flavours from the streets of Rome, Venice or Milan at this surprisingly authentic Italian fine-dining restaurant. At Park Hyatt Goa Resot and Spa, Cansaulim. +91 832 2721234 Zeebop By the Sea Seafood At Opp. Kenilworth Beach Resort, Utorda Beach +91 832 2755333/ +91 9822154541 zeebopbythesea@gmail.com Portofino Coffee Shop Multi-Cuisine This all day dining restaurant is an ideal place to head for a midnight snack or after party munchies. At Kenilworth Resort & Spa, Utorda Open 24x7 +91 832 6698888 Alcoves Goan, Indian, Chinese Some excellent choices to be tried here would be Chinese Crispy Chicken, Cafreal, Veg Kolhapuri, Veg Crispy, and Chicken Vindaloo. Near Cine Vishant, Aquem, Margao 8.30 am to 11 pm +91 83 22735062, +91 832 2730536 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

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

North Goa Restaurants

Suwadik The Coastal Cuisine This Shravan, treat yourself with some of the best veg delicacies. Introducing Unlimited Shravan Thali @ 175/Limited Shravan Thali @ 140- / At Dada Vaidya Road, Near Mahalaxmi Temple, Panjim +91 832 6516159 Veggie Deli Sharanam Green Resort One of the very few places in Goa that serve both alcohol and vegetarian cuisine at the same venue, with an all day restaurant. 124/3 Gauravaddo, Nr Calangute Mall, Calangute. +91 9545418554 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 Ciaobella.goa@gmail Gunpowder Indian At Cursino Villa, Sauntawaddo, Assagao Noon to 3.30 pm & 7 pm to 11 pm +91 832 2270091/ 92 Desbue European Fusion Modern European Restaurant A traditional Portuguese heritage home in the Latin quarter of Panjim. At La Maison, Fountainhas, Panjim +91 832 2235555

Barrels & Bones BBQ - Steakhouse - Pizzeria Meal For Two: Rs.1000 At Fontainhas, close to the Maruti/ Hanuman Temple, Panjim 9673994064/7774078276 promobnb@gmail.com Goenchin Chinese, Pan Asian Yes the Chinese food here is Indian-ized. But is that necessarily a bad thing? It depends on your taste. At Mandovi Apartment, Dr Dada Vaidya Road, Panjim Noon to 3 pm, 7 pm to 11 pm +91 8322227614 reservations@hotelmandovigoa.com www.hotelmandovigoa.com Chicken Man The trademark dish here is their rotisserie Chicken. With healthy, delicious, rotisserie chicken in quarter, half and whole cluck sizes. Chicken Man is a Top choice for every meal. At Off 18th June Road, Panjim +91 832 2423333 Casabela Continental, European A cozy place to hang around with your folks, it has been around since the 70’s and has mouth watering hand tossed pizzas. Off Chogm Rd, Porvorim 7 am to 11 pm. +91832241558 mail@casabelagoa.com www.casabelagoa.com Mum’s Kitchen Goan Among the best upscale Goan kitchens in Panjim, this restaurant draws foodies from all religions and walks of life. At Panjim-Miramar Rd 11 am to 11pm. +91 9822175556 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

Tropical 24x7 Restaurant, Bar and Pub Blistering Venue, Scrumptious Cuisine, Lip Smacking Drinks, Invincible Performers and more… At Main Road, Calangute +91 9820115921

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.

Mamma Mia Ristorante Italiano & Pizzeria Italian Some of the best Italian food in the state. Tastes the way someone’s grandma in Sicily might book it. Definitely worth checking out. Also try the wood-fired pizzas. At Resort Rio, Tambudki, Arpora +91 832 2267300 fom@resortrio.com www.resortrio.com

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 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 George Bar and Restaurant This tiny little joint may seem tacky from outside but it is clean and hygienic, serving delectable Goan food. Near Immaculate Conception Church, Panjim +918322426820 10 am to 3.30 pm, 6.30 pm to 10.30 pm 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 House of Lloyds Continental, seafood, and hearty Goan cuisine. The restaurant recommends the Goan roast pork, apple salad with tender greens, crispy sardines, stuffed crab, and steaks. At Saipem Road, Candolim 7 pm to 3 am +91 9823032273 Bombay Darbar Take Away and Catering Services A family restaurant, replete with surprisingly scrumptious Indian fare. At Sairam Residency, Shop no 1, Alto St.Cruz Road, St.Cruz, Tiswadi +91 832-2458877 / +91 832 2458588
 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 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


10

Friday, August 28, 2015

Aliya Abreu pens a missive to Simon Cowell, raving about these talented musicians.

To Simon Cowell, Music Producer and Music Talent Scout Subject : Signing a Record Deal with The Acoustic Road Dear Mr Cowell, I know you’re up to your neck in work commitments. I bet sitting on your high horse and giving your not-so-humble verdict on the talent of upcoming artists is back breaking. However, it is pointless denying the power your word wields in the music industry, with SyCo Music to

In a first of its kind event, Sol de Goa the boutique hotel in Nerul , organized ‘The Dark Carnival’ day-long music festival on Sunday August 23. The star studded event, sponsored by Seagram’s brought together artists from across the nation to unite and play for a cause. Parikrama, the six-piece rock band from Delhi synonymous with rock music in India for the past 25 years and a regular feature at college and music festivals internationally, were the show stoppers. Parikrama has opened for Iron Maiden three times, and is the only Indian rock band to have played the Download Festival in the UK. Apart from Parikrama, phenomenally talented bands and DJs took the stage at a freshly constructed festival area on the grounds of Sol de Goa. Bands who performed included Electric Pulse (Battle of the Bands winner), Back to Basics who are known for getting people on their feet at venues like Cheenos, Atomic Cats with one of Goa’s favourite female singers Chrystal Farrell and String Hoppers

boot. But let me be honest with you, Mr Cowell. I feel you’re losing your touch. What’s up with acts like One Direction and Little Mix? They lack soul, Sir! And what the world needs right now, is a group with soul. A group that isn’t just about hype and glam. We don’t want to add to the shallow culture we’re already drowning in, do we? Ah, I’m glad you’re wondering where you can find such a group to sign up, Mr Cowell. I was about to come to that. Let me tell you a little about: André Velho: André started his musical journey by learning to play the piano when he was a kid. Since the music seemed to get his energy levels up, his parents asked him whether he would like to learn the guitar as well. Somewhere

with New York City based vocalist Ranjit Arapurakal. Female DJs Julia Bliss played some wicked tunes from the cutting edge of all music festivals and DJs Shy-O, Benz, Zeeqar, Nix and Blossom and Vahid also contributed a set of thumping beats. The event was managed by Melvin Lobo, Daniel Earney and Deepak Kapoor.

down the line, he decided to pursue only the guitar. While André played the rhythm guitar for years, he didn’t think he would eventually be playing lead for a band. But when he heard Chris Bismarck, a fine lead guitarist from Mumbai play, André decided to experiment with lead as well. When André is not playing, he is working with kids at the Sethu Centre for Child Development. Milton Godinho: This friendly and talented gent was around six when his granduncle, who was also a talented violinist, started teaching him to play classical piano. His tutor lived to be a hundred years old! Milton was later influenced by pop, country, folk and Konkani music. He also plays the guitar, but sticks to the keyboards when playing professionally. He also teaching little children how to sing at St Michael’s School and Teddy Tots Play School at Caranzalem. Mavrick Cardoz: Mavrick’s father began teaching him the guitar when he was around eight years old. While growing up, Mavrick listened to a lot of pop, country and folk music, that all came together to influence the musician in him. He initiated the forming of

Acoustic Road, along with bandmate Krishna Gidwani. When Mavrick isn’t playing the guitar, he works at Kuoni Travel, a tourism company. Krishna Gidwani: Krishna began playing music when he was four years old, but took up the guitar just four years ago. Prior to that, he played the drums. Krishna is completely committed to music, working on music of his own. He has written around eight songs of his own (including ‘First Monsoon Rain’, ‘My heart, My Motherland’), and is currently working on more. You can check out some of his tracks at soundcloud.com/ kristianbent. These four talented musicians came together in 2013 to form the band ‘The Acoustic Road’. Now you might wonder, Mr. Cowell, why I’m asking you to check out these guys, and not any other of the many Goan bands that are out there. Well, it all comes down to soul. When ‘The Acoustic Road’ came together, they didn’t have to go down the acoustic road. They could have chosen to go down the more popular and viable road. That would have been easier, and successful without doubt. But these guys didn’t just want to


politics

Friday, August 28, 2015

August 29 Saturday night special Blues & Folk Featuring Live in Concert! Goa's Top Blues Man - Herman Abreo Folk Voice of Bengal- Debalina Bhowmick, Shayne Ballantyne, Carlos Gonsalves, Joe Ferrao. At Soul Soufflé Restaurant bar, Verna 8 pm onwards +91 9764694331

Live music at Mustard Krishna Vamsee is live on Wednesday, only at Mustard playing the best in blues, mo-town rock, and country tracks, 8pm onwards. Come savour the flavours that binds cuisines together at the the newest culinary destination in Goa. 8:00 pm onwards At Mustard, Sangolda +91 98234 36120

Aug 28

Every Thursday

Beach Party Deep House & Techno Featuring Nelio in the Mix( Electric Zoo India/ Vortex Goa/ Fra) At Cafe Lilliput, Anjuna 8 pm onwards +91 9822137767

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

Aug 29

Every Fridays

Sold out Saturdays Groove to some great music by Dj Zeeqar performing with live percussionist Lenon Free drinks for ladies from 9-10pm Buy 1 get 1 free for everyone all night' At Sol de Goa, Nerul 8 pm onwards 0832 671 4141

Sept 5 Ghost The Musical Directed by Leila Alvares At Kala Academy, Panaji 7 pm onwards 0832 242 0450

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

Wet and Tech Gear up for an amazing session of electronic music acts playing Deep house, Tech, and tech house music At Waters Beach Lounge and Grill, Ozran beach, Vagator 8:00 pm till late +919767200012 & 9702025555 & 9850561111 Friday Night Live with Alcatrazz For the first time in Dona Paula : Retro, Pop and Dance music by the amazing Alcatrazz only at Bay 15. At Bay 15, Odxel beach, Dona Paula 8:00 pm onwards 095610 06715 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

Casinos in Goa Deltin Royale Casino Get lucky on a big boat. 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) Crown Casino 
 Crown Casino located on the first floor of The Crown Hotel, Celebrate and have fun in crown casino that offers the latest in Gaming technology. Enjoy an international experience right here in the heart of Goa! Hotel guests can avail of special casino packages as well. Contact hotel reception on check in. Bairo Alto Dos Pilotos, Jose Falcao Road, Behind Old Secretariat, Panjim For Group Booking Contact: Nimish Desai: +91 9049084848 or +91 832 2222833 reception@crowncasinogoa.com Casino Carnival Casino Carnival Goa, offers premium entertainment in Goa, anchored in the Mandovi River overlooking the charming city of Panjim. Offers High Quality Entertainment and Live Gaming experience in Goa comparable with the best practices of international casinos. At Goa Marriott Resort & Spa, Panjim +91 8888885314

11

play music. They wanted to play music that people would feel, music that people didn’t get to listen to from other Goan bands. And so they took the acoustic road, less travelled. Mr Cowell, these guys care about their music. They’re one with their music, not singers alienated from instruments like some of the ‘bands’ your record label SyCo Music signs. (Ahem Ahem One Direction.) So, what songs would you hear these guys play if you were to come down to Goa to check them out? Their playlist includes renditions of Crosby & Nash, John Mayer, Woody Guthrie, Mumford & Sons, to name a few of the artists they cover. And of course, they play a couple of Krishna Gidwani’s songs as well. So it’s a very healthy mix they’ve got there. They tell me that people who’ve heard them perform have given them amazing feedback. Mr Cowell, I would go by this positive feedback if I were you, because music runs in the blood of Goans in pretty much the same way that criticism runs in yours. Since I have doubtless whetted your interest in ‘The Acoustic Road’, Mr Cowell, and you might soon head down to Goa to give them a listen, let me tell you where you can hear them perform live. ‘The Acoustic Road’ have come a long way since their first live performance at Maracas, in Porvorim. You can now catch them every Saturday night at Hendrix – the barbeque and grill restaurant in Anjuna, and on certain Sundays at Soul Soufflé, Verna, where the gurgling of the nearby spring blends perfectly with the sound of ‘The Acoustic Road.’ Goa looks forward to hosting your critical majesty soon. Yours critically musically, Aliya. 

Listen to Debalina Bhowmick At Soul Soufflé Restaurant


12 cover story

Mhadei Water Dispute Reaches Flashpoint

T

By Crespo D’Souza

he burning of a Staterun Kadamba Transport Corporation bus at 5:30 am on 26 August in Hubli has jerked Goans from their slumber over the burning issue, just across their border. For weeks on end, people in the twin towns of Hubli and Dharwad, just across the Goa border have been on protest demanding that its own government implement the Kalsa Bhandura river linking project. First it was farmers, later joined by seers and others leading to the events of the morning of 26 August. Goa’s neighbouring state, Karnataka, seeks to divert 7000 million cubic feet (7 TMC) of water from the Mhadei stream which flows into Goa as the River Mandovi. They plan to achieve this by the construction of an underground canal (that runs to over 5 kilometres) which will carry the water from the Mhadei reservoir (which will be created after they dam the Mhadei) to be poured into the Malaprabha river, which flows eastwards. So why does Karnataka want the hugely expensive and seemingly crazy project to be built right in the middle of the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats? To feed the thirsty mouths of the people living in Hubli and Dharwad, a total of 1.847 million, whom the Karnataka government claims it has no water to give. They also claim that Goa is simply wasting precious freshwater by allowing it to flow directly into the sea. Goa on the other hand has claimed that such a huge removal of water will dry up the completely rain fed Mandovi river, by stopping its source and leading to a rush of seawater upstream upsetting the ecology of the estuary, throwing farming out of gear and worst of all, turning vast stretches of river that are otherwise flowing with fresh water, into saline water bodies. These stretches contain water treatment and pumping systems that supply water to towns like Panaji and Ponda and which would be rendered obsolete if the water they are pumping is saline instead of freshwater. Goa has also accused Karnataka of mismanaging

its water resources and diverting it for a water guzzling sugarcane crop. The Goa authorities also accuse Karnataka of choosing to bleed the Mhadei, despite having seven other rivers which they can take water from. Karnataka, on the other hand, has said that their demand of around 7 TMC of water would have no ecological impact either on the Western Ghats or the Mandovi river basin. Karnataka has quoted a NEERI report to state that during the monsoon months of June to October the flow in the Mhadei will be reduced only by 7.38% but in the dry months from November to May the flow will increase by 243.48% on account of its hydroelectric project on the Kalsa Bhandura dam. More significantly, Karnataka has accused Goa of changing its stance after first supporting the project back in 2000 only to later oppose it and call for the setting up of a tribunal. Goa, Karnataka says, is making claims without any studies to back its stance. Which brings us to the question— how serious is Goa about making it case before the central government both through legal process as well as through drumming up public support for its

stance and its share of the water? “Goa’s protests can never match that of Karnataka. No matter how big protests we organise, ours will only be a fraction of the protests that Karnataka can organise,” said Nirmala Sawant, a former MLA and convenor of the Mhadei Bachao Abhiyan, an organisation she set up to lobby against the project. She said that the fight for Mhadei can never be won on who has the larger numbers. Karnataka on the other hand has succeeded in putting together huge protests that have disrupted life in the twin cities with farmers, religious leaders, business leaders and almost everyone joining the agitations. Hearings are currently on at the specially constituted Mhadei Water Dispute Tribunal in New Delhi which will hear both the States and pass an appropriate order. In the meanwhile, Karnataka has completed the construction of the canal and is all set to construct its dam, work on which is yet to begin. Karnataka has made a strong case for itself through having already completed the canal as well as through organising mass protests in a bid to buttress their case. It is not without reason that Chief Minister Laxmikant

Parsekar in his letter to his Karnataka counterpart in the aftermath of the bus burning asked him to resort to only ‘constitutional means’ to find a solution to the problem. Karnataka is not new to pressing for its own causes, having a long history of water disputes with neighbouring states including Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Caught in the middle are the residents of thickly forested villages through which the canal is being built and who will be living in the vicinity of the dam. The villagers of Kankumbi are at their wits ends, having no forum to express their grievances to. “At least in Goa you have your government to fight for you. But for us, it is our own government that is working against us,” said Sanjay Naik, a resident from the village. “We have never had water problems in our village and have always have had abundant water. This year however, we don’t know what is going to happen. For now (in the rains) there is water,” he said. More than water, villagers fear that their village is no longer safe. “It is dangerous to let our children run around anymore. The mud is loose there are several hidden cavities under the earth. What do we do!” he said dejectedly. For Karnataka, the Tribunal hearings are just another hurdle to cross before the final completion of the project. In a bid to speed up the process, the Karnataka Chief Minister has called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and called for an out of court settlement on the issue, a demand which Goa is unlikely to accede to. Hope now lies with the Tribunal, it’s an all or nothing battle for Goa's vital river. 



14 explore

The statue of Abbe Faria hypnotising a woman is the most iconic images of Goa. It even figures in the logo of the Corporation of the City of Panjim. Jose Custodio Faria (1756–1819) was a Goan Catholic monk who pioneered the scientific study of hypnotism. This remarkable statue, erected on 20th September 1945, was sculpted by Ramchandra Pandurang Kamat.

By José Lourenço

Hundreds of statues of famous persons, deities and saints grace the public gardens, churches, temples and museums of Goa. Let's look at seven remarkable sculptures in Goa.

The Nagdo Betal (nagdo meaning 'unclad') is a Goan tribal deity, which was eventually absorbed into the Hindu pantheon. This fierce looking Betal (or Vetal) statue at Loliem village in Canacona taluka in South Goa does not have a roof over its head in keeping with the traditional beliefs of those times. On entering Loliem, a small gateway on your left leads to a path running through a farm property and onward into the jungle. The Betal stands in a small clearing amidst the trees.

A stately, life-size bronze statue of Dr. Francisco Luis Gomes stands on a pedestal in Panjim, with inscriptions extolling his many achievements. It was inaugurated by the then Portuguese governor general on December 23, 1931, as part of the birth centenary celebrations of this famous son of Goa. The statue stands in a garden named after Dr. Gomes in the Campal area of Panjim next to the Kala Academy.

An impressive stone carving of Lord Shiva carved into a seaside boulder stands at Ozrant Beach or Little Vagator on the northern coast of Goa. It was created by an unknown sculptor from the hippie times. The sculpted Shiva face gets hidden under the waves during high tides. A high relief carving of Sant Mirabai strumming on her tanpora, measuring 14 meters by 5 meters stands at the Ancestral Goa heritage complex at Loutulim. It was chiseled in Greco-Roman style from a vast expanse of laterite stone by artist Maendra Alvares. The figure is adorned by flowers, armlets and anklets. It is listed in the Limca Book of Records as the longest laterite sculpture in India.

The statue of Luís Vaz de Camões, Portugal's legendary poet and composer of the epic poem The Lusiads, was erected in 1960 at the centre of Old Goa. It stood there until 1983, when it was removed as a relic of colonialism. It now stands in the Archaeological Museum in Old Goa.

An imposing statue of the Maratha ruler Shivaji Maharaj, mounted on horseback with sword in the air, stands at the centre of a fortressmonument at Farmagudi in Ponda taluka. Shivaji and his son Sambhaji launched several attacks against Goa during the Portuguese rule.


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16 enquire

Bug in my food!

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We simply must stop accepting sloppy hygiene at restaurants

By Richa Narvekar and Sanket Sharma icture this, you’re sitting in a restaurant one fine evening with some friends, sharing a few jokes, head bopping to the music and having a good time, while nibbling on a scrumptious starter. Suddenly one of your friends stops mid meal, sticks a finger in his mouth and pulls out a hair or an insect or a metallic object that horrifies one and all. Yuck. You are sick to your stomach, dumbfounded and irritated. So you furiously call for the manager. He arrives and seems genuinely perplexed, not that there is a bug in your food, but that you care enough to point it out. The slow sheepish smile on his face makes it obvious that hygiene standards in the kitchen are fit for dogs, but that neither he nor anyone else in the establishment has ever bothered to fix that because guests don’t usually take them to task on this front. At most, they ask for a change of meal. When you insist in your anger that you, a paying customer, should not be made to eat insects, he quickly slips into auto mode, spitting out a well prepared message in a drab monotone: “I’m so sorry Ma’am. Can I change this for you and bring you a fresh one?”As though that solves anything? What about the contaminants that are already in our bellies!? Recently at a well-known pub in Mala, Panjim, we were surprised by one such metal piece found in our friend's plate. The manager was called, and there followed the drill. Nothing of any real consequence happened and we left the place feeling confused and with a bad taste in our mouth, literally. The piece was from a metal scrub that according to the manager "Is absolutely not allowed in the kitchen". “Why on earth is it still used then?” we asked. Shouldn’t the users be brought to task for flouting the

rules? Another sheepish grin. The way that restaurant kitchens are run in Goa, with unskilled ignoramuses hired at dirt cheap rates sweating it out next to one or two overworked skilled chefs, and with open, uncontrolled ventilation (that lets in critters of all sizes), perhaps we should have been thankful that it was only a metal scrub piece and not a piece of something more sinister that surely walks around in the kitchen. If the restaurant is indeed a place you’ve been to for years, and this is the first time that such a mishap has occurred, it may be alright to let it go, given a fair apology, if it was just a hair or something. But if it is indeed a dead fly or a cockroach baked within the pudding (yes we have experienced this personally at a pastry chain in Panjim), how does one let that go? The disease causing pathogens and disgust have already occupied one’s stomach and mind. How do you suck it in and ask for another dish? But what option do you have other than demanding a non-payment of the bill or ordering another one? Is there a board you can complain to? Does this board have any real power? We spoke with an important Hotels and Catering official, to find out if there was one at all. He did not want to be named (for obvious reasons) but had this to say "Every restaurant in Goa must be certified by the Food and Drug Administration twice a year, in order to be able to obtain a license to operate. But instead of making surprise visits to check the health and hygiene of

restaurants like they should, officials at the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) strike deals with the restaurateurs to appear on a previously agreed date. The restaurant is well prepared on this date to serve the most hygienic and well prepared food—not like the food they serve on a daily basis." Well this was no surprise, as an Indian, accommodating corruption on every level becomes a part of your daily routine. But in most cases, the management will just take away the half eaten offending dish and pretend like it never happened. It doesn’t figure in your bill; hence no harm done, they reason. But mind you, only in Goa. Most restaurants outside Goa are well aware that one such mistake can cost them their license or a lot of customers. At a restaurant in Juhu, Mumbai, a little cockroach walked up to our table after we had finished the meal, less of an offence than, say finding it cooked in our meal. But the manager was so genuinely concerned, he requested us repeatedly to not leave without having something else and also showed us their pesticide spraying schedule. He also waived the entire bill, without any insistence on our part. Wanting to show our appreciation at this gesture, my friend and I ordered some desserts, so that we could pay for them. But after we had eaten, the manager insisted on waiving those off as well! There have been one or two almost satisfactory resolutions at Goan restaurants too. At a nice Chinese restaurant in Campal, Omkar Naik found a similar piece of metal in his food and all but stormed out. He

said: “The waiter took down my number promising to speak to the manager about it. The manager then actually took the time out to call back, explain the anomaly that had caused this accident, apologise and also promise a free meal at the next visit.” Akshara Walia was gifted a screw in her curry, at an otherwise lovely Indian restaurant in Campal. “There was a screw, not a tiny fibre!” she says. “I could have choked on that.” We ourselves have found dead flies tossed in with the vegetables in a Hakka noodles at a famous joint in Palolem. The absolute worst case we have ever encountered is dead flies in the ketchup bottle, at a lovely shack in Arambol. Shacks cannot be counted on, you say. But the same kind of incident (fried bug in dosa, yuck!) occurred in a prominent multi-star hotel in central Panjim! A popular Lebanese restaurant just off Hyde Park in London, which I would frequent for lunch, got shut down in a day, when a guest found a cockroach on the floor, not even in the food! It lost its license for the next six months. Imagine that happening in Goa. Nobody would even bother to make an issue out of it, afraid of the feathers they would ruffle, and assured that their action will be squashed by a few bribes changing hands. Are our personal standards of living, our standards for ourselves really so much lower than in developed countries? That we don’t demand that our food be 100% clean even when we pay for it? Given the kind of profit that restaurants and eateries make, it should be made compulsory for them to maintain kitchens to a certain standard and hire only quality personnel, at higher salaries who are made to adhere to rules. Our only request to anybody reading here is to realise that if ever an incident does happen, if you just let it go, you are letting them get away with that. It is only when one demands better for oneself that those demands will be met! 


architecture 17

Friday, August 28, 2015

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rchitect Hyacinth Pinto has been building houses differently in Goa for many years now. Tonnes of concrete and steel do not interest her. Hyacinth uses rammed earth to build homes, yes, just simple plain old compressed mud. And in September this year she will fly to Santa Fe in New Mexico, USA—the only Goan (one of two Indian architects) to present her work at the Earth USA 2015 Conference. Earth USA 2015 is the Eighth International Conference on Architecture and Construction with Earthen Materials, initiated by Earth USA and organised by Adobe in Action. The formal conference will take place from 2nd to 4th October at the New Mexico Museum of Art, Santa Fe. This year’s conference will include adobe, rammed earth, compressed earth block (CEB) and monolithic adobe (cob). Panjim-based Hyacinth built her first rammed earth house in 1994 at Divar, for one of Panjim’s most colourful personalities—Luis D’Souza, the owner of Venite Restaurant. Though centuriesold mud houses can be seen in every village in Goa, the modern trend has

veered sharply towards reinforced concrete structures. So it takes a liberal mind to choose to build in earth. “The Konkan Railway work was going on, and truckfuls of mud were freely available,” says Hyacinth. To get worksmen to build in mud we looked for villagers who were staying in mudhouses, since they would regularly repair and extend their own houses in mud.” Her second RE house was at AltoDabolim for Rajiv Yaduvanshi, an IAS officer. This was a two-storeyed structure, with a timber first floor. Every load bearing wall was built in rammed earth.

DON'T SHOP - ADOPT! "DON'T SHOP -ADOPT!" This is a phrase used all too often by animal lovers and NGOs alike, in the context of taking in a pet. One may ask, why the animal lover community continues to frown upon the existence of breeders, who perpetuate the trend of selling dog breeds at astronomical prices. This is where individuals and NGOs alike, are united in believing that puppies and kittens bred for purposes of sale, are usually bred in unhealthy and cruel conditions, and are separated from their mothers before the stipulated 8-12 weeks. Most breeds like Labradors, St Bernards and Siberian Huskies are not suited for India, as they are meant for countries with colder climates. Given their delicate constitutions and special dietary requirements, these pups grow up with a multitude of health issues and are eventually abandoned, because of high veterinary and grocery bills. This is where groups like H.O.M.E, short for, "Haven of Miracles Enclave"-a group of individual, like-minded

animal lovers, care-givers and rescuers who have joined hands to help animals in North Goa) explain the repercussions of not carrying out regular ABCs (ANIMAL BIRTH CONTROL) of stray and pet animals and indirectly neglecting the well-being of our very own hardy and thoroughly evolved Indian Dogs. H.O.M.E. depicts the harsh realities of owned and stray animals, through these pictures of animals who were rescued and are now healthy, vaccinated, sterilized/ neutered and up for adoption, in Porvorim, Goa. The H.O.M.E. group comprising of a few individual rescuers, with no funding or financial assistance from anyone including the state government/funding bodies/ngos, have been committed to the cause of animals, given the burning need for animal welfare shelters and NGOs in Goa. They respond to appeals from the community, to help animals who need any form of help on issues such as medical attention, cruelty to animals, illegal animal fight clubs, injuries and abandonment.

In 2013 she completed her most ambitious project, a two-storeyed earthwalled house house for Arun Miranda at Pilerne. Only the stairwell walls that supported the water tank were built in stone masonry. “An architectural student studied this house using various parameters and it was found to be the most climatically compatible house for that environment,” informs the architect. The house was also featured in Project Monitor, an architectural e-journal. “Our Goan lateritic soil is ideal for rammed earth building,” says Hyacinth. “We need to use a ratio of 60:40 of sand and clay. If the sand content is more there is no cohesion, and if the clay exceeds there is shrinkage.”

Despite the financial constraints, the H.O.M.E. group goes the extra mile to help as many animals as is physically possible and are happy to receive any aid for their selfless work, by way of cash or food and medical supplies for the many animals in their immediate care. Their work in the area of carrying out over 450 ABCs to date, rescuing sick/abandoned pets and strays, rehabilitating and rehoming them, is testimony to the fact that in a way, H.O.M.E. assists the state of Goa, in reducing the number of stray cats and dogs on the street. The H.O.M.E. group is certain that when you buy a cat /dog from a breeder, you deprive hundreds of animals in their shelter of the chance to be loved and cared for in a loving home. Through this article, the H.O.M.E. GROUP hopes

These successful projects have revived interest in earth-building, she feels. “There is still a stigma associated with a mudhouse, it is perceived as a poor man’s house. But the building resources, expertise and manpower is available. A lot of worksmen from Bicholim, Canacona, Pernem and even Chorao are very good at earth-building.” Among the Indian team headed for New Mexico is Satprem Maini, the head of Auroville’s Earth Insititute at Pondicherry, and a trainer of many earth architects. It is a matter of pride that Goa, a hoary old land that has some of the finest old rammed earth houses in India, is sending an architect to this prestigious world conference. Long live the Matiechem Ghor! 

to create awareness and highlight the importance of adopting a pet versus buying one. The idea is to educate and empower the people of Goa, with the choice to adopt a pet. If every home, restaurant or shack in Goa, were to step up to this cause and vow to control the population of their own and the stray animals in their immediate areas/wards, by sterilizing, neutering & adopting shelter animals, we would be able to strike a balance on controlling the stray animal population and more importantly learn the priceless lesson of receiving the unconditional love and undying loyalty and protection of a rescued animal. All the animals featured in this article, are up for adoption. Contact Ruth Walsh, from the H.O.M.E. group to adopt, donate and do your bit for Goa- do your bit for Goa's forgotten animals. For Adoptions please contact : Ruth Walsh : +91 8975275785


18 relationships

Mediation can help solve a court case in your own lifetime

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By Claron Fidelis Mazarello

s one drives by the beautiful but lonely looking old houses in many villages in Goa one may safely assume that many of these are under litigation. Family disputes over properties and assets seem quite commonplace in Goan families, as evidenced by the huge number of cases in courts running even for decades! “We had three generations go through this court battle between members of the same family, before we finally decided to settle mutually,” mentions Ms. Vaz, an octogenarian from Velim. “If these new daughter-in-laws had good intentions, things would have not been like this,” asserts her neighbour Sophie, as old as Ms Vaz. Clearly, even at the fag end of their lives, litigation has not resolved disputes. This is one social problem that has been recently explored by Irineu Gonsalves, an exfootballer and businessman, through tiatr, a century old Konkani theatre form. Irineu’s first tiatr addressed the issue of Goans not being able to buy land in their own state. He had propagated a concept of land banks developed by Goa’s Communidades solely for Goans as a viable solution. His latest tiatr 'Modhli Vatt' (The Middle Path) discusses a concept that could solve 90% of the world’s problems, he says. Irineu believes in the concept of mediation instead of litigation. Mediation is an agreement reached by the aggrieved parties. Solutions to problems are always there, it’s just that there is no dialogue and communication. A mediator’s tact can allow each of the disputing parties to come mid-way, to reach a solution that is beneficial to all. Litigation however does not allow the

person at fault to get away and penalizes him or her. A good mediator allows the persons at fault to come down from their high horses by meaningful ways of dialogue. If there is one word that could solve all the problems in the world, it is communication. Conflict breaks down communication. Reinstating this exchange brings about the first desired change. If one only focuses on the opposing party paying for its faults, then the desire to solve the problem may take a back seat. However, the very point of mediation is to solve the dispute, not just bring the guilty to book. So the first approach to mediation is to melt down the stalemate. “Relationships are saved by mediation, as compared to litigation,” Irineu points out. “Then again, it is also less expensive a procedure. By finding a middle path, relationships are restored. Litigation leads to financial ruin, spoils peace of mind and has an adverse effect on the health of the litigant,” he adds. Irineu’s tiatr advocates mediation through the media of comedy, songs and other techniques within the set format of a tiatr,” Creative Director Sandeep Kalangutkar reveals how a sugar coated pill formula has been adopted to get the message of mediation across to the masses via tiatr, the most popular medium in Goa today. At the end of this tiatr popularizing

mediation, leaflets are distributed with some valuable suggestions given, such as setting up of training centres for those who aspire to be mediators by the governments of Goa. ‘The Goa University too should conduct a Diploma course in Mediation in collaboration with the government and the Judiciary for those who desire to be Mediators,’ reads an excerpt from this leaflet. “A mediation course of 3 to 6 months can also be created with certification at the end, in my opinion,” Justice Shri P.K. Mishra from the Goa Human Rights Commission echoes. He is a former Chief Justice of Patna High Court with experience in Madras, Orissa and Delhi courts and has given training sessions in various other parts of the country. He supports the creation of a mediator position in every panchayat body so as to solve disputes at the local village level itself, as mentioned in this leaflet from the tiatr. “In fact, the khap panchayats, that many may have heard of, were actually made to do such mediation way back. However, they seem to have overstepped their boundaries and thus things have gone wrong as one can view from the news about them on television and the news media in the present times. The panchayat body dealt with disputes with mediation being part of their approach. But the experience of the khap panchayats is the flip side of things in this very context,” says Mishra. “Even our villages earlier were governed by ‘Dha Zann’, as in ten elders whose word was simply law,” recalls one of the senior caste members of this troupe. “Other options from the judiciary like reconciliation and arbitration are on similar lines of mediation, although all these three are distinctly different

from each other,” Mishra clarifies. “The process of mediation however, is to initiate communication between disputing parties where communication has failed before. Family disputes mostly arise due to ego issues,” he mentions from his vast experience as a lawyer first and then as a judge. “Most importantly, the mediator should not be connected with the profession of a lawyer. Having been a lawyer myself, I know for a fact that the psychology of the advocates and lawyers is different; their very approach is different. As such mediators should not be drawn from this profession, as is done in Delhi where mediation services are exist with specialized firms but run by lawyers. There is a need for a certain amount of law to be known, but not in all cases. Family disputes for instance need more psychology trained professionals to solve disputes rather than laws. The Madras High Court too has about 15 to 20 mediators connected with itself, but again all connected to the legal profession.” “Legal literacy on the whole should be encouraged.” Mediation can only be limited to civil disputes, with very less scope in criminal cases, except in regards to minor offences, he opines. Hence official training centres and formal courses for mediators are needed. “But in India, every education is connected with employment,” he brings in a worthy disclaimer even while he admits that the courts have prescribed fees for mediators as well. The fees however are less compared to litigation, given the less time involved in this affair. And he concurs with Irineu’s ideology of mass awareness of this concept. While Irineu does it through tiatr, a court recently directed Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan to resort to mediation for his street brawl with another Indian businessman at Taj Hotel in Colaba in Mumbai. The Beagle conflict of 2009, for instance is a good example of successful international mediation by Pope John Paul II when Argentina refused to accept the judgement of the international courts in favour of Chile. Mediation sorted things here forever, thus averting a war. Most insurance claims are disposed through mediation in foreign countries. As regards mediation in India, Justice Mishra says it all seems very practical but yet in theory, this concept has not reached the masses. “After all, people have to be open to this concept, for it to get into action and work successfully. Mediation is all about the philosophy of neutrality and being fair.” If all cases pending by the Indian courts were to be expedited, this would take about 350 years. But good mediation can help end such cases in our own lifetimes. 


19

Friday, August 28, 2015

August 28 Book Release & Discussion: ‘China's Role in The Indian Ocean: Its Implications on India’s National Security’ Authored by Col (Dr.) Saji Abraham Curtain Raiser – Goa Arts & Literary Festival 2015 At The International Centre Goa, Dona Paula 11:00 am to 12:30 pm 0832 245 2805

August 29

Preschool Morning An Early Literacy fun program for preschoolers which includes a theme based story, songs, game, art, craft, food and a short film. This week's story is ‘Do you want to be my friend? At Bookworm, Taleigao 10.00am to 12.30pm +91 832 245 1233 Sunday Quiz The Sunday Evening Quiz Club's Margao August Quiz will be hosted by Rajiv D'Silva, and is open to all. For more Details log on to www.seqc.blogspot. com. At Urban health Centre, Margao. 5.00pm +91 832 2715004 ,

August 30 Story Writing workshop A workshop has been organized for story writers on the occasion of the birth anniversary of noted educationist Late Felicio Cardoz. At Black Box, Ravindra Bhavan, Margao. 9.30am to 1.00pm 0832 272 6980 Quilling workshop Get a quilling starter kit with various quilling strips and tools to learn basic and advanced quilling workshop. At Caranzalem 4.00pm to 6.30pm

Sept 4 "Twisted Testicles" Live, Extended and Uncensored Join Mark and Jeff for a Gang Banging Good Time! At Citrus - The Banquet, Caculo Mall +91 8007770063

Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday Yoga With Nikhila Trikha at Carpe Diem At Carpe Diem, Gomes Waddo, Majorda 4.30 pm to 5.30 pm +91 832 2881 035/+91 8888862462

Great Goan Experiences

Outdoors

Monsoon Fun Park Open for public 10 am to 6 pm At Resort Marinha Dourade, Arpora +91 9921604457

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

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 , childrens pool etc. At Pateipur, Nuvem +91 9823480057 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 Canopy Eco – Tours Offers a wide variety of experiences including nature-treks, butterfly tours, dragonfly & damselfly tours, 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 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

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 Dance Classes Jason & Sylvia Dance Academy At Las Viegas Dance Studio, Taleigao +91 9822161652/ +91 9822151614

Hi there! Where you headed?

David Furtado Dance & Aerobics Dance styles such as Waltz, Jive Salsa, Cha Cha, and Merengue & Salsa for adults. And Hip Hop, Contemporary & Bollywood for children. At Rosary Chapel, Miramar, Dona Paula Road, Caranzalem +91 9975914195 Snaden Shawn Dance Academy Dance Style: Hip hop, Bollyfunk, jazz, contemporary At All Over Goa +91 7798609859/ +91 9890163433

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

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 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

Same place as you. We're on an airplane.

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

Source: Archive of Failed Pickup Lines


20

Friday, August 28, 2015

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By Perin Ilavia

id you know that printmaking was one of the earliest mediums of communication, long before the printing press was invented? The oldest prints found were embossed relief images on terracotta fired clay tablets, from the Harappa civilization. From Prehistoric man to the Sumerians, who made the first prints on paper to the Chinese who stencilled intricate designs on fabrics for the wealthy back in 2nd century AD, this technique is pretty ancient. The Japanese refined woodblock printing, and editions

G

oa Marriott Resort & Spa presents an exquisitely innovative new menu capturing the authentic flavours of the exotic Far East at Wan Hao! Get set to revel in a delightful explosion of novel flavours encompassing unique signature dishes while retaining the coveted tried-and-tested traditional favourites! The coming season brings forth a gloriously diverse range of oriental-style meats, seafood and vegetables! Dig into signature dishes whipped up by expert residential Chef Sundar Dadel, or opt for all-time favourites that will guarantee a return visit. Take your pick from a brand new selection of piping hot Dim Sum, such as the Qia Xiao Bao (Barbeque Pork Bun) and the Crystal Dumpling (Tofu and Chinese Greens). Relish an assortment of appetizers like the Konjee Crispy Tenderloin and the Xiao Mai (Prawn and Mushroom Dumpling). Warm your soul with flavourful soups including theTang Mien Cha Choy (Clear Noodle Soup)

were authenticated and distributed in Europe. However, it was only after paper was invented that prints of visual images and written data were mass produced. A print is an impression of an image on one surface transferred onto another, viz. paper or other materials, by transferring ink from a matrix, a prepared screen. The common matrices are copper or zinc plates, polymer plates or wooden blocks for etching and and the Spicy Vegetable Bean Curd Soup. A refreshing array of entrees will ensure that your taste-buds are gleefully satiated. The healthconscious can opt for the wholesome Clay Pot Chicken, while seafood aficionados can savour the impeccable XO Lobster amongst other dishes. Meat-lovers won’t be left far behind, with plentiful options including the Beijing Roast Duck with Pancakes and the Sweet and Spicy Chili Pork Chops. Rice and noodle dishes such as the all-time favourite Burnt Garlic Fried Rice and the striking Ja Jiang Mein(Chinese Style Soft Noodles with Meat Sauce) will only serve to add to this stunning symphony of flavours. And as you reach the peak of culinary ecstasy, it is only befitting to pamper your palate with delectable desserts like the Guo Bin BinJi Lin (Fried Date Pancake with Vanilla Ice Cream)and Warm Gooey Oriental Chocolate Bliss (with Caramel Almond Ice Cream)! For reservations, please call 0832-246 3333.

engraving. Relief printing involves printing from a raised surface. A simple example of this is a rubber stamp pressed onto a stamp pad and pressed onto a piece of paper. Wood blocks have been used for wood engraving and woodcuts since the early 15th century in the West. It begins with hollowing out areas of a plank, leaving a design on the surface, and covering it with a typographic ink. The design is transferred by applying pressure. Katsushika Hokusai and Ando Hiroshige were skilled Japanese print masters in the 17th and 18th century. Hokusai produced around 30,000 drawings. Hiroshige was famous for his landscape images. Their prints exerted important influences on European printmakers.

German artist Albrecht Durer (14711528) was one of the earliest well known masters, throughout the Renaissance. Winslow Homer, an English artist known primarily for watercolour paintings, produced engravings for illustrations for books in the 19th century. Edmund Evans was the greatest wood-engraver in the Victorian era. Rembrandt van Rinji’s popular prints were of religious subjects. 20th century artists Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse were prolific printmakers, leaving to posterity plates, which represent virtually every aspect of human endeavour. The Intaglio process uses a dry point. A sharppointed tool is directly drawn onto the surface of the metal plate. The displaced metal produces a ‘burr’ which catches the ink. Lino-cuts appeared in the 8th century in the East and in the early 15th century in the West. The matrix used is linoleum. Aquatint, a form of etching, resembling watercolours, has a wide range of tonal values. The metal plate is coated with a thin layer of wax, the design drawn with a needle-point, and then


arts & entertainment 21

Friday, August 28, 2015

August 29 Plant Festival The 24th annual festival of plants and flowers will be held with the theme SOIL (Source of Infinite life). Around 25 schools will participate in various competitions. Leading nurseries will also participate. The festival will be inaugurated by N P Singh director of ICAR Ela Goa and will be opento public on all the days. At SFX School, Siolim 9.00am to 6.30 pm +91 832-2272245

August 29 to Sept. 3 Art Exhibition Harshada Kerkar's solo art exhibition on Raksha Bandhan 'Together' will be launched today. At Kala Academy art gallery, Panjim 10.00am to 7.00pm (91)-832-2420451, 2420452, 2420453

Every Saturday Expressions By Artist Vaishali Lall, with a focus on exploring the skills of embroidery and mix media in painting. At The International Centre Goa, Dona Paula +91 9420820890

Galleries of Note 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, watercolors, 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 Panjim Art Gallery Get a dose of the local culture with figurative works of Goan artists. Near Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church, Panjim 9:00 am to 8:00 pm +91 9822168703 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-doMundo, 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 centers 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 Moksa Art Gallery Here you will find some immensely conceptual paintings by Salvadoran Fernandez and others. Naik Waddo, Calangute 9:30 am to 8:30 pm +91 832 2281121 mokshart@gmail.com www.mokshartgallery.com 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. The red velvet cupcakes at Bodega are a must try! At Altinho, Panjim 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. +91 832 2421311 info@sgcfa.org | www.sgcfa.org

exposed to acid through a layer of resin or sugar. The acid bites into the spaces between the resin particles. It is generally used in a combination of etching and linear definition, and the print has a painted look. In Lithography, designs are drawn with greasy ink or crayons on moistened limestone. An oily ink applied with a roller adheres only to the drawing and is repelled by the wet parts of the stone. Silk screen or ‘serigraphy’ originated in China and found its way to the West in the 15th century. It is a stencil process based on the porosity (open weave) of silk (or nylon) which allows ink to pass through the areas which are not ‘stopped’ with glue, varnish or plastic stencils. Many layers of ink are applied with a squeegee, covering the open areas of succeeding screens until the final composite image is achieved. The earliest Mono-prints date back to the 1600's. An amazingly spontaneous art form, named because only one image is transferred on paper by a press or pressure with the hand, confined to limited editions, and the matrix is destroyed. They are considered ‘original’ and signed by the artist. Gauguin, Degas and Pablo Picasso were well known printmakers. A ‘reproduction’ is a photo-mechanically reproduced image, with unlimited production, usually posters, which have little monetary value. Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was associated with the Parisian night-life, especially in his posters for the Moulin Rouge, a famous Paris nightclub. Andy Warhol’s Marilyn series is one of his more famous expressions which reproduced the same photographic image, changing the colours and purposely overlapping the stencils.

Indian printmaker, Nandalal Bose, from Shantiniketan visited China and Japan in 1924, returning with a collection of Chinese rubbings and Japanese colour woodcut prints. Raja Ravi Varma made a large number of lithographic copies of several of his paintings. Many found place on the walls of common people during the pre-independence era in India. Among India’s top printmakers are Soghra Khursani, Alok Dhruv Sonar, Prathap Modi, Preeti Agrawal, L.N. Bhuvaneshwari, Soghra Khurasani, Srikanta Paul, and Rajan Fulari, from Goa. Among printmakers in Goa, Hanuman Kambli, Querozito de Souza, Viraj Naik, Sachin Naik and Shripad Gurav have created excellent lithography and woodcuts. CHHAAP, a school in Baroda, created an important bridge between Baroda printmakers and artists from different corners of the world. Block printing on fabric by artisans in India is popular. Though printmaking is not pursued by many artists, it continues to be an important art form. 



Friday, August 28, 2015

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The Three Thousand and One Stories of Goa An Amazing Story-Telling Contest Unfolds

O

By José Lourenço

ne Thousand and One Nights is a collection of stories and folk tales compiled in Arabic during ancient times. These tales, also called Arabian Nights, are popular with children all over the world. These are stories told by Scheherazade, the wife of the Arabian ruler Shahryār, one every night, going on to a thousand and one stories. Can you imagine an event in Goa, where over three thousand stories are told by children on just one day? The Shenoi Goembab Kathamal contest, organised by Konkani Bhasha MandalGoa, an eminent Konkani intuition is exactly such an event. Over 2000 schools in Goa send one or two students each to compete in this story-telling contest which takes place at 15 centres all over Goa. The preliminaries will be held this year on 31 August and the finals will take place on 6 September. There are no story themes given, the scope is wide open to folk tales, adaptations of modern short stories, and even new compositions. Depending on the categories, the participants get 5 to 7 minutes to tell their tales. “The contest nurtures the reading habit and library culture among children,” says Ratnamala Divkar, a member of KBM and a volunteer-trainer. “They get introduced to children's literature in their mother tongue. They

are encouraged to write new stories. Since it is an oral presentation, the various dialects of the Konkani language are also promoted.” This event, which was first hosted in 2001, has grown rapidly. The 2014 Kathmal saw the involvement of 126 judges and 140 volunteers, all drawn from avid Konkani language activists. Over 3000 students will be participating this year. The Goa Yuvamahotsav, an annual youth festival also organised by KBM, is attended by thousands of young college students. Many of these young men and women volunteer to help out at this massive story-telling contest. Clubs like the Jaycees and Rotaract also collaborate with KBM at various centres. School managements lend a lot of cooperation. The state directorate of education also supports the event by distributing invites to all the government primary schools at the offices of Assistant district educational inspectors (ADEI) located at taluka level. The young story tellers draw good audiences all over the state. Taking the stage increases their confidence, and many of these kids later get into theatre. “All the participants at the school level are awarded certificates by the organisers,” says Prachi Prabhavalkar, a coordinator of the event. “The winners at the centers are awarded certificates and books as prizes. The winners at the finals win books, trophies and cash prizes.”

The participants clearly benefit from this experience. Ivan De Souza and Barkha Naik once told their stories at the Kathamal, as students. Since then Ivan has acted in films as a child artiste and Barkha went on to win a Balashree award. Palash Agni, Satyam Sadekar and Poorva Gude were all participants in this contest as children, and now assist as organisers of the event. “If participation increases at this rate, next year we may see over 5000 children telling their stories on one day!” says Anwesha Singbal, ex-secretary of KBM, and one of the organisers. Chetan Acharya, the quiet and unassuming president of Konkani Bhasha Mandal, takes deep satisfaction in the long term gains of this event. “These are young people who will grow to love their language and their culture,” he says with a smile. 



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