Issue No : 27

Friday, May 23, 2014 | Vol. No. 2 | Issue 27 | Price Rs. 10 | www.goastreets.com | G-2/RNP/Weekly/Goa-05/2013-15

Goa and the BJP | Environmental Tips | Garden Junk

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Friday, May 23, 2014

What goes around comes around grander!

By Ananda Krishna

W

elcome to the Big bang! On the 18th of May 2014, Goa exploded on a global scale. It was a collision of two historical events in Goa’s musical galaxy.

Elvis Lobo, a star in the Hall of Fame of music in Goa, launched his album “The Goa Sound”.

On the same day Art Escape (a space for art & culture), with its ongoing The Live Music Project, celebrated its 5th anniversary by doing their 50th show for the year.

The album, “The Goa Sound” is a fusion of unique rhythms and sounds. It reflects the influence of Middle Eastern, African, South American, European and Indian sounds and styles. More than 25 musicians contributed to this album, including Derek Julian (guitarist) and Lew Hilt (Blues guitarist).

This was one of the most anticipated albums not just for fans in Goa but across the globe. Elvis Lobo is a world-class musician who’s performed in over 25 countries around the world. He’s played alongside legendary Indian musicians Lata Mangekshkar, A.R. Rahman and Zakir Husain, among others.

Elvis’ music has taken him to music festivals and concerts around the world.

He’s performed in festivals like the Big Chill in England, Boom in Portugal,

Namaste in America, Sonica in Italy, and Fusion Fiesta and Sunburn in India.

The journey of Elvis Lobo Project began back in Goa in 2000. The inspiration was to create a local platform where artists from across India, Goa and the globe performed together.

The creativity was kept alive as musicians jammed live and recorded their myriad inspirations. This created a true blend of unique rhythms and sounds which came to be known as “The Goa Sound”. Elvis also worked with a close friend, Ori Balak, who “inspired” Elvis to record some of the music in his studio in Israel.“Look Out”, one of the tracks from the album, is the fruit of this collaboration.

“My sincere thanks to my family, friends, musicians, sound engineers and design artists who supported me on this project and to all the musicians I’ve

Turn to page 4

May 24 Folks of Bengal Series 1 Featuring Debalina Bhowmick (vocals) Live !

Presented by the Live Music Project At Live lounge, Baywatch resort, Colva @ 7.30 pm onwards +91 9323590051/ +91 9881568756

May 25

Photographs by ANANDA KRISHNA

Baroque Jazz Mélange Experience live ‘Baroque-Jazz Mélange’ - Fusion with a difference as performed

by Prof. Mathew Mendes (Piano) and Jason Quadros (Keyboard). Celestial Baroque music is played juxtaposed with attractive Jazz idioms and innovative counter-melodies bringing out the very best effect that the confluence of Baroque and Jazz affords.

At 76, Orchard Court Street, Mapusa @ 5 pm +91 9423503412

Natalie Matos

Every Wednesday

Rock is Alive With Charley and the Music Factory At Baywatch Resort, Colva @ 7.30 pm +91 832 2747744 Karaoke Night With KDJ Tony Followed by DJ Leona & DJ Bonny At Cheenos, Baga Bridge, Baga 8 pm Onwards +91 8806564991

Every Thursday Thursday Night Live With Smoking Chutney At Sofala, Nerul @ 8.30 pm +91 777400882 Sundown Karaoke With DJ Colett and… you, if you’re in the mood to help Colett with your voice and talent.

At Cocopazzo, Chapora 7 pm onwards. +91 9561212810 Silent Disco With DJ Mr. R & Flakey Spinning EDM. Nothing ‘silent’ about this disco (unless you’re wearing headphones, that is).

At Alpha Bar, Palolem 9 pm onwards +91 9890281505

Every Friday Reggae Friday

By Graeme Hamilton At Laguna, Anjuna @ 7.30 pm +91 832 227 4131 Wicked Friday A journey through deep tech house, minimal tech and progressive house At Waters Lounge, Ozran, Anjuna +91 9702025555

Every Saturday Silent Noise Party With DJs Husman, Sam & Azgar Find out which is true, the silence or the noise. At Neptune Point, Palolem 8 pm to 4 am. +91 9822584968

Every Sunday Jazz, Blues & Bossa Nova With Steve Sequeria and Kittu (check out the Goa Streets story on this jazz power couple on www.goastreets.com) At Go With the Flow, Baga 7 pm onwards. +91 8975514481

On-going Cavala Every Wednesday: Cavala Acoustic Latin Retro Every Friday: Tidal Wave Every Saturday: Piano played by Bosco At Cavala, Calangute - Baga Road, Baga 8.30 pm onwards +91 832 2276090 Park Hyatt Every Day Dinner with Music Thurs: Acaccio Live, Fri: Shalini, Sat: Savio, Sun: Edriya & Taniya At Park Hyatt, Cavellosim 7.30 pm to 11 pm +91 832 2721234 Cantare Every Monday: Live band with Lester Every Wednesday: Live band with Steve Sequeira and Kittu Every Friday: George and Group At Cantare, Saligao 8 pm onwards +91 832 2409461

Hippies Ocean Cafe Live Music Every Wednesday, Friday & Sunday At Hippies, Anjuna 10 pm +91 7507486444 Resort Rio Every Monday: Grill n Chill with the ‘Music Fever’ Every Wednesday: Sing Along says Bonny – Its Karaoke Nite Every Friday: Joe ‘solo’ – “Rio Goan Festival” Every Saturday: Sing Along says Bonny – It’s Karaoke Nite.

Every Sunday: “Sunday Funday” by the Pool side (Rain Dance) & In-house DJ Music” At Resort Rio, Arpora 7.30 pm to 10.30 pm +91 832 2267300 The Park, Calangute Every Thursday: Retro Night Every Friday: Karaoke Night with KDJ Tony Every Saturday: Ladies Night with DJ Sunil and Tania At The Park, Calangute 8 pm onwards +91 8805028194/ +91 832 2267600 Kapriz Restaurant Manic Mondays: Silence, instrumental (keyboards, violin, trumpet) BBQ Retro Thursday: With Music Fever and specials on BBQ Jazzy Fridays: Jazz music with Yvonne Gonsalves Sultry Saturday: Pink Sky Sunday Brunch & Amore: with Amore (Sharron & Darryl) At Kapriz, Baga Arpora Road, Baga 7.30 pm to 11 pm. +91 9820134503

shared the stage with over the years,” says Elvis. Certainly “one love” from this big-hearted musician.

For those of you who have only recently cued into Art Escape and The Live Music Project (Check our story World Music Day Project 11/07/2014), let me recap.

An integral member of the Art Escape team is Darryl Noronha, who also happens to be a graphic designer, branding expert and artist. With over 15 years of experience in the creative field, he ran a graphic studio called Graficity Design and worked as a creative director.

Art Escape is also the brainchild of Vinesh Iyer, an architect and researcher with 12 years experience in multidisciplinary practices. He’s worked with urban and rural committees, government bodies, NGO’s and many other creative enterprises.

He also served as an executive member for the NGO MADe Designers and as creative director for De Facto Pvt Ltd (an architecture company).

Friday, May 23, 2014

The other members who joined the team in 2012 are Deepak, Carol and Sandra who are bringing a hefty dose of innovation, creative management and visuals to Art Escape’s portfolio.

“The action” began in 2009 when Vinesh and Darryl left their successful careers in Mumbai to “follow their hearts to start a knowledgesharing platform.” It eventually materialized into Art Escape.

Their goal is to knit a community that is centered on passion for creative arts. It’s a cultural space where individuals and communities from multidisciplinary backgrounds collaborate, share and learn.

They are involved hands on with art, sculpture, music, theatre, dance, yoga, recycling, design and innovation.

Art Escape also organizes workshops and events. They encourage anyone with a passion for the creative arts to walk in and experience the dynamics.

The grand celebration kicked off at 12 noon on the 18th of May with over 13 hours of music. Over 500 people witnessed a truly spectacular display of dazzling music.

Ending the night, “The Goa Sound” came alive with Elvis Lobo on the guitar, Joe Ferrao on the bass, Samir Alvares on the drums and Bosco D’Souza on the keyboard. Finally everyone got what they wanted, a breathtaking performance that left everyone enchanted.

Long live the echo! 

6 The Lowdown Action from the Aqua Zumba Pool Party at Bogmallo Beach Resort on 17 May. A healthy way to beat the heat!

The Lowdown

Zumba instructor Zaver Shroff, leading the way

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and so is our perception of summer and rain. Don’t think for a moment that hot weather and extreme precipitation isn’t beautiful, especially in this enchanted land of lush greenery, breathtaking scenery and fun of every sort. We hope you appreciate our coverage of all the wonderful ways there are to “beat the heat” in Goa during this glorious season!

In between figuring out how to have a summer & monsoon blast, don’t miss our post-election coverage of the BJP and Goa and the new political landscape we’ve now inherited. Yes, the Hindu nationalists won. But what does it all mean for our small state?

As usual, we’ve taken a step back and done our best to put things into perspective. At the end of the day, in our opinion what matters most is economic development – lifting up the poor and ensuring dignity for all.

We’d like to draw your attention to our piece on how to live an environmentally responsible life, in addition to our story on how to put old scraps to good use in your garden. Be sure not to miss our article on all the work that’s being done to improve the infrastructure in Calangute (who would’ve thunk it, considering that town’s checkered past?)

What's that poignant smell?

Did you mean pungent?

Please take a look at our piece on the great new 24-hour restaurant in Calangute Tropical 24X7, our inspired coverage of Elvis Lobo and Art Escape, Ethel Da Costa’s Stiletto Diaries and our off-beat coverage of the extraordinarily versatile Jessy Barbosa. That’s in addition to our coverage of the fabulous artist Veenita Chendvankar, our weekly automotive feature Wheels on Streets and our comprehensive party/ event/nightlife/food listings on everything there is to do, see and eat in Goa. Happy reading folks. And good luck Beating the Heat!

The Goa Streets Team

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Friday, May 23, 2014

Tropical 24 x 7 An Oasis in the Heart of the Goan Bustle

By Ananda Krishna

H

ave you ever felt a pang of hunger in the dead of night and wondered where to go? When you’ve gone on partying all night long and your stomach rumbles for a crumble?

Welcome to Tropical 24 x 7, an oasis in the heart of the Goan beach belt bustle.

The kitchen’s alive with a glow of ruddy fire and the warmth of aromatic flavours.

A whiff from the chef’s magic is bound to ensconce you in a raging appetite.

Let’s begin with the biggest selling point: The restaurant never sleeps!

Tropical 24x7 will serve you everything from starters, main course, cocktails, alcohol and ice cream round the clock every single day, including Sunday.

They specialize in Goan and Continental cuisine. From the Continental section there is a variety of mouthwatering steaks but nothing beats the juicy Chicken Pepper Steak. A tasty explosion of soft, delectable chicken with Turn to page 9

Until May 31 Alila Diwa Goa Gets Mangolicious A special tribute to the “King of Fruits” throughout the month of May with a mango promotion at Vivo At Alila Diwa Goa, Majorda +91 832 2746800

April 3 Onwards High Tea @ North 16 Goa Savour a robust cup of coffee or tea, beat the heat with fresh fruit smoothies and treat yourself to an enticing selection of snacks from finger sandwiches, amuses bouches, pastries and soufflés. The North16 Goa High Tea brings you an afternoon of relaxation and culinary indulgence at Grab N Go. Planning a special event? Ask about their tailored High Teas, specializing in birthdays, children’s events, get together for small and large groups.

High Tea is served daily at Grab n Go at Rs. 350 ++ per person.

From 4 pm to 6 pm At North 16 Goa, Calangute +91 832 674 5555

Every Saturday Saturday Brunch @ Rs. 950/- including taxes with unlimited Mojitos, Vodkatinis, Daiquiris, Frozen Cocktails Saturday Live Music - “Latin Connection” At The Park, Calangute 1 pm to 4 pm +91 8805028194

Every Sunday Sunday Family Brunches Rejuvenating cocktails, soul warming gourmet cuisine from around the world and activities to keep the kids entertained.

At Latitude, Vivanta by Taj, Panjim 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm +91 832 6633636 Sunday Bikini Brunch Sunday BBQ Brunch @ Rs. 950++ per head, with unlimited alcohol. Enjoy Live Karaoke with Emmanuel.

At The Park, Calangute 12.30 pm to 4.30 pm +91 8805028194 Re-Orient Yourself Make your own meal. Don’t worry; you won’t actually have to do the cooking!

This place serves up some of the finest Asian cuisine in Goa. At Wan Hao, Goa Marriot Resort & Spa, Panjim +91 832 2463333

Baga, Calangute & Around Tropical 24x7 Restaurant, Bar & Pub All Day All Night. Check this place out.

Surprisingly lovely food offerings!

This resto is reviewed in the current edition of the paper.

At Calangute, Main Road +91 9820115921

Caravela Goan, Indian, Chinese and Continental The lawn of the Goan Heritage offers a wide variety of well-prepared food and cocktails. But the big draw is the party scene on Friday nights.

At Hotel Goan Heritage, Calangute Noon to 2.30 pm & 7 pm to 11.30 pm +91 832 2276761/64 Indian Jones House of Indian Food If you are hankering for some first-class Indian cuisine, look no further.

At Chogm House, Saligao, Calangute Road +91 9767655999

Danny’s Grill European, Goan, Mughlai, Oriental With a varied selection of dishes including tasty Tandoori kebabs.

At Hotel Riverside, Baga-Calangute 7.30 am to 11 pm +91 9767591368

Blue Tao Italian & Seafood Organic Food Ever notice how many places these days are touting their ‘organic’ food?

We’ll take their word for it.

At Anjuna Beach Rd, Anjuna 9 am to 11 pm. +918975061435

Café de Goa Attractive Café with lots of fresh small bites and innovative offerings. Good Sunday Brunch and organic store At The Red Tower, Calangute 10.30 am to 5.30 pm +91 832 2279961

Coba Indian, Grills, Seafood It’s at a five-star hotel so how bad can it be? At Double Tree by Hilton, Arpora 10 am to 11 pm +91 832 66556672

Anjuna & Around

Candolim

Casandre Goan, Indian, Chinese and European Set in an attractive old Goan house, this restaurant serves steaks, sizzlers and Goan seafood.

At Calangute Beach Road, Calangute 9 am to midnight +91 832 9453243/ +91 9890467062

Guru Bar Chinese, European, Goan, Indian and Italian Great food, great music, chilled out ambience. What more can you ask for?

At Praisevaddo, Anjuna 7.30 am to midnight +91 832 2273319

House of Lloyds Continental, seafood, and hearty Goan cuisine.

The restaurant recommends you go for 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

Curry Leaf Chinese, European, Goan, North Indian and world cuisine.

A good place to grab a bite after hours.

At Hotel Calangute Towers, Calangute +91 832 6636000

Frangipani Global Cuisine Start with the chicken satay- skewered chicken grilled in Chinese marinade.

At Sun Village, Fankwadi, Arpora 7.30 am to 10.30 pm +91 832 2279409/14

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

Biryani Palace Goan and North Indian Fare Take a wild guess what this place specializes in?

At Anjuna beach Road, Anjuna 11 am to midnight +918323257586

Casa Sea Shell Chinese, European, Indian, Seafood The European fare tastes excellent and is mostly made up of steaks At Vaddy, Candolim 7 am to 11 pm +91 832 2489131/ +91 832 2489555

Britto’s One of the most popular shacks serving Goan cuisine and seafood. Lots of tourists and even some locals still come, but true Goa-philes know this place has seen better days.

At Baga Beach, Calangute 8.30 pm to midnight +91 832 2277331/ +91 832 2276291

Morjim& Around Hotel Welcome Inn A bakery & confectionary.

Delicious cakes and sweets At Arambol beach, Arambol 8 am to 11 pm +91 9822381140 Felini Italian It’s a Pizzeria, specializing in Pizzas and pastas.

At Arambol Beach, Arambol 11 am to 3 pm, 6 pm to 11 pm +91 9881461224

Panjim & Around Route 66 Smoke House n Grill At Fontainhas, opp. Patto Bridge, Panjim From 12 pm to 11.30 pm +91 9623922796/ +91 8805389714 Saffron Restaurant An Authentic Indian Cuisine Home Delivery and Take Away Available At Model Marine ii, Caranzalem 11 pm to 3.30 pm and 6.30 pm 11.30 pm +91 832 6523353/ +91 7755927408 Baba’s Wood Cafe Classical Italian Pizza, Wine, Ravioli Pizza, Tiramisu etc.

At 49, Mala, Fontainhas, Panjim-Goa 12.30 p.m to 3.30 p.m & 7.00 p.m to 11.30 p.m +91 832-3256213/ +91 9823714098

Food & Drink 9

Friday, May 23, 2014

TAO Asian Cuisine Asian Chinese Restaurant & Bar 12 p.m. To 3 p.m. & 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

At Campal, Panaji, Goa, 083222226262 Aunty Maria Coffee & Bites Available Fresh home-made breads, cakes, chocolates and cookies At Hotel Fidalgo, Panjim +91 832 2226291 Edu’s Restaurant Indian, Chinese, International and Goan Pizzas are one of their specialties.

Nothing fancy but has the vibe of a street café.

Next to Magson’s on the main DB Road in Panjim, Miramar. +91 832 2463777, +91 832 2463888. / +91 9822122085 Goenchin Specialising in Chinese and Pan Asian cuisine At Mandovi apartment, Dr Dada Vaidya Road, Near Mahalaxmi Temple Noon to 3 pm, 7 pm to 11 pm +91 8322227614 Casabela A cosy place to chill out with family, this establishment in Porvorim has been around since the 70s and has good pizzas Off Chogm Rd, Porvorim 7 am to 11 pm. +91832241558 Mum’s Kitchen Goan Among the best upscale Goan cuisine in Panjim, drawing from Goa’s Christian and Hindu traditions.

At Panjim-Miramar Rd 11 am to 11pm. +91 9822175556 Down the Road Continental, Chinese, Thai & Mexican, Goan, Indian Often with live entertainment. A favourite Panjim hotspot. (The recent violent incident there is fast becoming just a bad memory) At Old Patto Bridge, Panjim 11 am to 11 pm. +91 9823173757 George Bar and Restaurant Goan; Excellent local seafood Near Mary Immaculate Conception Church, Panjim 10 am to 3.30 pm, 6.30 pm to 10.30 pm +918322426820 Forrest Veg Food Court Continental, Chinese, Thai & Mexican Serves a wide range of fast food from different parts of India At BhagwanMahavir Bal Vihar, Panjim 11 am – 11 pm +91 832 6454353/9225903392 Chat Streets Indian snacks On Sunday open only till 4 pm Near Don Bosco High School, MG Road, Panjim 11 am to 9 pm +91 832 9922480076

Margao & Around Kenilworth Resort Goa Kenilworth Resort & Spa offers 5 star luxury & is rated among the best leisure hotels in Goa At Utorda, Salcete, Utorda +91 832 6698888

The ubiquitous tandoori chicken

Bombay Darbar Take Away and Catering Services Surprisingly scrumptious Indian fare At Sairam Residency, Shop no 1, Alto St.Cruz Road, St.Cruz, Tiswadi +91 832-2458877 / +91 832 2458588 Café Mardi Gras Goan & North Indian, coffee & snacks.

Panfried Pomfret Recheado, Chicken Xacutti, Pork Vindaloo and Goan Fish Curry are some of the popular offerings.

At Holiday Inn Resort, Cavelossim All-day +91 832 2871303 Café Tato All day pure vegetarian eatery. Menu offers puribhaji and lunch in Goan style At Apna Bazaar complex, Margao 7 am to 10 pm. +91 832 2736014 Ruta’s World Café Breakfast, Lunch, Coffee Located on a quiet side street right by the City’s Latin Quarter, a world away from the maddening crowds.

At Dr Miranda Rd, Behind Nanutel, Margao 9 am to 6 pm +91 832 2710757 Allegria Goan Fine-dining restaurant at the Taj Exotica and serves up some authentic GoanPortuguese items.

7.30 pm to 10.45 pm At Taj Exotica, Calwaddo, Benaulim, Salcette +91 832 6683333

Canacona 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 AtPalolem Beach Road, Goa +91 9823928548 Baba’s Little Italy Chinese, Goan, Indian, Italian, seafood.

Can’t go wrong here. Nice Italian menu.

At Palolem Beach, Canacona 9 am to 11 pm. +91 9923749449 Big Fish Restaurant & Bar English, North Indian, Chinese, Italian and European Offerings like Bruschetta, Pizza, Foccacia and pastas. Brought to you by the owners of Shangri-La Jungle Resort.

8am to 11pm At Palolem Beach, Canacona +91 9418097133, +91 9904312298 Bhakti Kutir European, Goan, Indian, Seafood Decent fare in this major party beach At Palolem, Canacona 8 am to 10 pm +91 832 2643472

an aromatic pepper sauce makes the experience a must try.

Another noteworthy mention is the Sea Food Pasta. You could have it either in a white or red sauce. A wide selection of Goan seafood comes alive at Tropical 24X7 with a fusion of European style. Pieces of fish, prawns, squid and soft crabmeat heartily fill you up.

Another highlight of the menu is definitely the Tandoori Chicken. And it’s not just about the taste. There’s also a delightful element of drama.

As you drive by and if you happen to catch a glance at Tropical 24x7 on the main Calangute drag, you’ll see the tantalizing tandoori chicken being grilled just at the entrance.

Besides greeting you with the waft from the tandoori chicken, Tropical 24x7 welcomes you with their bright and happy colours. The interiors are spacious, modern and warm, with ample room to fill a hungry bunch of party animals.

Tropical 24x7 has a separate section for families and private diners. On the walls are wooden sign boards hanging with explanations

of the “Tandoor” offerings and other menu highlights, making it easy to course your way through your heart’s, and your stomach’s, desires.

At the end of the long hall, which is the restaurant’s main dining area, lies the kitchen.

The staff is super busy when I get there. They are in top gear, flying in and out of the kitchen delivering quality to the diners.

The kitchen is alive with the anticipation of cooking a lobster. A group of European diners have ordered themselves a Goan and, true to their origins, continental feast.

The entire operation was fascinating to watch. Lobsters are not the easiest things in the world to prepare and cook. The chef in the kitchen to my delight handled the whole maneuver with finesse and dexterity.

The presentation of the dish was immaculate and beautiful, scoring a perfect 10 on 10.And the taste was scrumpalicious(I decided to invent this word to honour the inventiveness of the dish!) It’s just the right meal for a fine celebration, as testified to by the beaming smiles that accompanied the mouthfuls of lobsters.

With this kind of revelry, may I suggest a glass of bubbly? Tropical 24x7’s choices range from a Zampa Rose, Zampa Brut to Sula Brut.

There is also local port wine for those of you are digging in to Chicken Xacutti.

For the more sober-minded, there are plenty of other beverages to choose from. The Kiwi Colada is a rejuvenating choice, as is the delicious and popular Fruit Punch. What better place to have a fruit punch than in a Tropical oasis! Other unusual drink offerings include the Break the Traffic and the Midnight Queen.

And here’s another suggestion. Why not sweeten this nocturnal adventure by choosing from Tropical 24X7’s delightful selection of 22 ice cream flavours? It’s perfect for the summer!

The Afghan Dry Fruit is a recommendation for those with a lion-hearted appetite. Other good choices include the Spanish Saffron, the Moroccan Dry Fruits and the Black Currant. In short, Tropical 24X7 is ice cream heaven.

Whatever occasion and mood you might be in, Tropical 24x7 is the place that’ll satisfy your desires.As the board at this oasis reads “All Day, All Night”.

Bon Appetit!

Home Delivery: +91 9820115921

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F

ord India today announced that it has re-opened bookings for all variants of its most awarded, urban SUV Ford EcoSport.

Since its launch, Ford EcoSport has received an overwhelming response from customers and garnered record bookings.

Ford EcoSport has been praised for its robust drive dynamics, exemplary performance, smart technology and compelling value proposition by customers and enthusiasts alike.

“Ford India’s game changing SUV EcoSport is aimed squarely at delighting discerning customers in India by offering more than they expect. With 50,000 EcoSports delivered, we have significantly reduced the waiting period and are pleased to extend the opportunity to book the Ford EcoSport to more customers,” said Vinay Piparsania, Executive Director of Marketing Sales and Service at Ford India.

The dynamic, urban SUV has also emerged as India’s most awarded vehicle ever with 30 coveted industry honours in less than a year of its launch. Ford EcoSport’s illustrious record of industry

Ford India Resumes Bookings of Ford EcoSport

recognitions includes 18 car/SUV of the year awards, 6 viewer’s/reader’s choice awards along with awards for its globally acclaimed EcoBoost and SYNC® technology and compelling value for money proposition.

About Ford in India Established in 1995, Ford India is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader. Ford India manufactures and distributes automobiles and

engines made at its modern integrated manufacturing facilities at Maraimalai Nagar, near Chennai. The company’s models include the Ford Figo, Ford Fiesta, Ford Classic, Ford Endeavour, and the Ford EcoSport.

Ford’s operations in the country also include Global Business Services with offices in Chennai, Coimbatore and Gurgaon that provides support to nearly every Ford location around the world in the areas of IT, Engineering, Finance and Accounting, Automotive Financing, Marketing Sales and Service, Analytics, and Purchasing. Ford’s businesses in India employ 11,500 hard-working, dedicated men and women.

For more information, visit www. india.ford.com Contacts: Mukesh Kharbanda Harpreeti Bassi +91-9988882207, +91-9041211922 mk@fuzionpr.co.in harpreeti@fuzionpr.co.in

Western Region to contribute to 25% of Ricoh’s revenues

R

icoh India Ltd. a leader in the field of Imaging Solutions, announced that they have recorded three times growth in the last three years. With continuous focus on product differentiation coupled with developing solutions for the customer specific work flow requirement, Ricoh has diversified its business from its core businesses of printing and imaging to communication and IT services.

Speaking on the occasion, Manoj Kumar, Executive Vice President & CEO, Ricoh India said, “We are excited about our growth in the country.Western region continues to be one of the key contributors to our turnover. As per IDC,BFSI and manufacturing sectors are predicted to be top IT spending verticals in the next couple of years. These two sectors will be our growth engines in Maharashtra, in addition to our focus on education and healthcare verticals.

Manoj Kumar further added “Today, organizations of all sizes from SMEs to large enterprises are looking at growing their business and expand rapidly into tier III and IV markets. We want to be a part of this growth journey and take care of their requirements by offering customized and the best technology

communication and IT services.

With Ricoh’s technical expertise and unparalleled service support along with a strong channel network,Ricoh is able to holistically fulfil its growing customer demands at all times.

About Ricoh Ricoh is a global technology company specializing in office imaging equipment, production print solutions, document management systems and IT services.

Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh Group operates in about 200 countries and regions. In the financial year ending March 2014, Ricoh Group had worldwide sales of 2,236 billion yen (approx. 21.7 billion USD). end-to-end IT solutions. In order to strengthen our market coverage in Maharashtra we plan to strengthen our partner base in from 400 to 700 by FY14.”

Ricoh provides solutions and services that transform document and information management and help businesses become more productive and profitable through its expertise in printing and document management,

The majority of the company’s revenue comes from products, solutions and services that improve the interaction between people and information. Ricoh also produces award-winning digital cameras and specialized industrial products. It is known for the quality of its technology, the exceptional standard of its customer service and sustainability initiatives.

Under its corporate tagline, 'imagine. change', Ricoh helps companies transform the way they work and harness the collective imagination of their employees.

For further information, please visit www.ricoh.com/about/

Night School Classes for Adults at Don Bosco

D

on Bosco Night High School and Don Bosco Night Higher Secondary School conducts regular night classes from Std. VIII to Std. X and from Std. XI to Std. XII in Arts and Commerce Stream. The classes commence at 6.00 p.m. and end at 8.30 p.m. This facility is for male working students and school drop outs. Age no bar.

Feature 11

Friday, May 23, 2014

What do these elections mean for us?

By Goa Streets

L

et’s face it. A BJP victory in Goa, as in much of the rest of India, was not exactly the surprise of the century. What IS a surprise, however, is the magnitude of the win – and the overwhelming mandate Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, supported now by both his people at home and the central government in New Delhi, now has to push through pretty much any agenda he chooses.

Whether that’s a good or bad thing, of course, remains to be seen. Not everyone will agree with this, of course, but it can be argued that India is largely a oneissue country. That’s because we still have one of the lowest per capita income levels in the world, on par with much of Africa. So no matter your opinion on the Gujarat riots or sectarianism or Hindu nationalism, if Narendra Modi and his ilk can reignite the engines of economic growth – enabling the country to fulfill its potential as a “breakout nation” (to steal a phrase from the writer/banker Ruchir Sharma) – we will all have reason to rejoice.

What matters most in Goa, as in the rest of India, is lifting our people out of poverty, and ensuring dignity for all.

Here at home, the BJP in Goa is riding the Modi wave. The results in Goa have surprised even the party leaders themselves. The BJP took the North Goa Loksabha seat by an astonishing margin of one lakh votes and the South Goa seat by 30,000 votes. (Goa Streets had accurately predicted the North Goa vote would be a wash for Congress and closer in the South, but even we were stunned by the margin of victory in the North).

“We got more votes than we expected,” was Parrikar’s first reaction when results were released on May 16.

Even as the situation unfolds, speculation has been mounting that Parrikar will be given a national role, a move he flatly denies since it would create a void back home.

The verdict will almost certainly embolden Parrikar to go ahead with decisions he was keeping on hold for fear they might affect the party’s electoral chances. Given that he faces the ballot only after three more years, Parrikar will take his chances. Top on his agenda is likely to be the controversial Mopa airport that is being vehemently opposed by a section of the South Goa lobbies.

Other likely moves include the ‘State Investment Policy’, which he had been keeping under wraps since it would

Prominent BJP leaders at a recent event in Goa

mean allocating large tracts of land for industrial projects and could face stiff opposition. He’s now in a position to bulldoze it through on the back of the convincing election victory.

Whether such policies will boost the economy or take the state into a debt trap remains to be seen. While an economic push is no doubt to be expected, will it be one that benefits a few crony industrialists or one that lifts us all?

Activist YogeshNaik is not optimistic.

“The BJP juggernaut is like a vehicle that is rolling along unstoppably. It has become like a car without brakes. No matter how good the driver is, sooner or later it will bang!” he said.

“People here are voting without thinking. I can’t seem to understand how they fall for the frenzy,” he adds.

In Goa the BJP got a total of 53% of the votes, meaning 4.36 lakh people chose the Hindu nationalist party. The Congress managed 36% and newcomer Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) came a distant third at 3.3% It seems clear the vote here in Goa was highly polarized, with minorities and liberal voters (horrified over Modi’s alleged complicity in the 2002 Gujarat riots) rallying against Modi and the

majority coming out strongly in favour of the controversial politician who will now become our nation’s prime minister.

As expected, the pro-Modi forces didn’t do particularly well in certain areas of Goa, especially the Catholic-dominated Salcete district. But Congress faltered in the constituency’s Hindu-dominated areas – a classic case of religious fault lines ruling the day. In short, polarization.

Congress’ South Goa candidate AleixoReginaldoLourenço admits that he didn’t pay enough attention to the hinterland areas of the constituency.

“If I had another four days I would have pulled it off. The problem was with Mickky [Francisco Pacheco] and Churchill [Alemão]. They kept me busy in Salcete,” Lourenço surmises.

The case of Congress’ MLA Atanasio Monserrate, popularly called Babush, is an example of the stunning contradictions plaguing Congress in Goa. Hailing from Taleigao, he represents the neighbouring Sta. Cruz constituency while his wife, Jennifer, represents Taleigao.

In the local panchayat elections that were held a week after the national elections, the candidates backed by Babush won 10 out of the 11 seats in

the Taleigao village. The panel backed by the BJP won just one. But in the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP secured a lead in both the Taleigao as well as Sta. Cruz constituencies.

If Babush could pull it off for himself for the local body elections, why not for his party at the national elections?

A similar situation faces the Leader of Opposition PratapsinghRane, who has been representing the hilly constituency of Poriem for the last four decades. Yet this election, the BJP polled more votes in his fief.

Trends in the North make it clear that it was an insipid campaign by an uninspiring candidate that ruined it for them.

So where does the Congress go from here? It’s spokesperson DurgadasKamat says the party is already working to regroup and redefine itself.

“We are giving utmost importance to discipline and youth. It will take time, but it is a policy which will pay off in the long run,” he said. Giving priority to young, new faces has no doubt unsettled Congress’s senior, albeit tainted leaders.

But over time, that might be the party’s only salvation.

In the meantime, it’s the heyday of the BJP. 

12 Cover Story Rapid chilling

By Amy Perez

I

f you are tired of being held captive by your air conditioner, and yet afraid to leave the confines of your cool room in the heat of the day, here’s a little news flash: getting out is a lot of fun, and highly recommended during this hot time of year. Beating the heat in Goa is something of an art, and while it takes some drive and energy, chances are you will find it’s well worth it.The trick to staying cool is to have a game plan so you aren’t wandering around aimlessly in the heat looking for a place to chill out.

Peak season is far behind us. You will see far less tourists and a lot of closed businesses for summer and monsoon season but Goa is still happening!

Fine dining, clubbing, pool parties and outdoor adventures are still in full force.

Young or old, I like to think that we are all still kids at heart. Shooting down the winding water slides at Splashdown Water Park in Anjuna or Blue Whale Water Park in Baga might be just the ticket to escape the heat and have a great day of family fun. You can spend the whole day for around 350 rupees per person. Don’t forget your sunscreen!

If the water slides have whet your appetite for jetting down slippery canals then rafting the rapids of theMhadei River will be an adrenalin rush you won’t soon forget. Southern River Adventures

Too hot? That may be a good thing! has a variety of white water river rafting tours for beginners to more experienced rafters .With the arrival of the monsoons, the rivers go from meandering to raging rapids so hold on! Spending the day splashing through the cool rapids shaded by the lush forests passing by is a great way to enjoy summer life.

If shooting down the rapids or waterslides haven’t woken up your inner child then surely a great big scoop of ice cream will. With temperatures soaring well over 30 degrees, why not bask in some delicious creamy desserts?And speakin’ of baskin’, why not head to one of Goa’s ubiquitous Baskin Robbins outlets, which

are plentiful throughout the state?

That said, a new breed of ice cream parlors have been popping up around Goa that pride themselves on creating delicious ice cream that is preservative and chemical free, all natural. Thanco’s Natural Ice Cream is one of them.

Their ice cream tastes delicious and is healthy to boot since many of the flavors have natural fruits integrated into the ice cream. They also have a line of sugar-free ice cream. With a broad range of flavors like Belgian almond, white chocolate with honey and a long list of ice cream flavored

by Indian fruits, there is something

for everyone. If you’re in Ponda, Margao or Navolim, then make sure to stop by one of their snazzy ice cream shops for a scoop or two.

Anjuna also has a melt-in-your-mouth delicious ice cream spot….Niko Natural Homemade Ice Cream and Sorbets. The ice cream is made locally and is 100% natural with no artificial ingredients.

Hailing from France, Niko has created a truly artisanal line of homemade ice cream that is so delicious that one scoop just isn’t enough. Niko’s is more than an ice cream parlor, it is also a charming family style restaurant where you can feast on thin crust pizzas, delicious pasta and fresh salads. Even though it may be hard to save room for one of the “Ice Cream Compositions” on the menu which are works of art in both flavor and presentation. …you must try one!

The outdoor seating has a relaxed vibe and refreshing atmosphere. Niko takes making artisan ice cream to a whole new level with unique and seasonal flavors on offer. Located on the main road from Anjuna to Siolim, you will find this little taste of heaven open every day from 10:30am-10:30pm.

Another great escape to beat the heat (without increasing your waistline) is the ever popular “movie date” in a wonderfully air conditioned movie theater. Don’t worry, you won’t have to brush up on your Hindi, there are a

Cover Story 13

Friday, May 23, 2014

handful of theaters that show English language movies. Movie theaters are located in Mapusa, Margao, Panjim, Vasco de Gama, Ponda and Povorim.

High tech IMAX theaters showing 3D movies and fancy multiplexes showing the current Hindi and English language Hollywood movies have the best screens and surround sound for your best movie viewing enjoyment. Currently, Grace of Monaco, The Amazing Spiderman 2, the animated film Rio 2 are showing in English and some can also be seen 3D. You can spice things up too and check out an entertaining Bollywood film. You are in India after all.

If movies and ice cream parlors aren’t rocking your world, you can still experience Goa after dark in all its glory from clubbing to live music almost every night of the week. A cold cocktail and a night out with good friends at one of the many clubs or resorts is a great way to enjoy the cooler evenings. You can dance the night away to electronic and underground music until the wee hours of the morning or just chill with a glass of wine listening to live jazz.

Dress up for a night out clubbing and head out to one of the many clubs that will keep the music spinning and keep you dancing all night long. Snazzy clubs with good eats and tasty cocktails that are popular with visitors and are hopping most nights of the week are Café Mambo in Baga, Zoya in Benaulim, Capetown in Calangute, Sinq in Candolim, and Club Tito’s in Cavelossim, Café Mojo in Panjm, and Marbela Beach in Morjim. Ladies nights, happy hours and special parties

are always happening so keep your eye out for special promotions which might get you and extra cocktail or two.

For live jazz and blues music enthusiasts, escape the heat to classy joints where the smooth tunes are cool and the atmosphere is chill. The extent of your exertion level will only be to raise your wine glass to your mouth and back down. The Backyard in Sangolda and Reverie in Calangute have live jazz and blues music each Friday while Go With The Flow in Baga has it every Sunday evening. While in Baga, put club Fiesta on your fun list for some Latin grooves and dance classes every Saturday at 8:30pm

and live music every Wednesday night.

If you are a hip hop and reggae fun lover, then Fridays at Café Mojo in Panjim will be your new favorite spot.

After a night out on the town, nothing beats a hearty brunch mid morning to

clear out the cobwebs. Goa has many lovely resorts with stunning swimming pools that arrange fun poolside brunches.

Sunday is brunch day and these are the places to be: The Park in Calangute for Bikini Brunch and live singing and karaoke from 12:30pm – 4:30pm and Sunday “Frunch” at Novotel Shrem Resort in Candolim.

For straight out pool parties mixing up killer cocktails, spend a day at the all day pool and cocktail parties each Tuesday at Teso Waterfront in Siolim for Tropical Tuesdays or Sunday Splash Day at Sinq in Candolim after 5:00pm. The Zuri White Sands Resort & Casino in Varca also has a great poolside barbecue on Saturday nights with mouthwatering food and a beautiful pool.

Cricket mania is upon India in full force and Goa is no different. IPL matches will be going strong until

June 1st and the Guru Bar in Anjuna that has a stellar beach view and The Terrace in Vagator is where you can enjoy some good food and drink while enjoying the matches.

Inland adventures are also a great way to beat the heat. Spice Plantations, Wild Life Reserves, and a visit to the stunning Dudhsagar Falls (especially during monsoon time) will reveal a different side of Goa. The lush jungles and thriving animal life is something to be seen. The higher you go, the cooler it gets too which might be added motivation for a day trip out of the city.

There is no shortage of things to do in Goa during the hot times to have a great time and really enjoy your time here. Stay cool and have fun! 

14

Friday, May 23, 2014

Culture, Art and the World of

By Perin Ilavia

O

ur state may be small, but the talent we harbor is anything but.

How did it feel for 28-yearold artist Veenita Chendvankar to win an award at The All India Annual Art Exhibition?

“It is awesome! Never in my wildest dreams had I even hoped to be the onlyGoan artist to be selected and to get an award. I’m ecstatic”.

Among the 44 artists who were awarded, Veenita bagged the Rajshree Birla Foundation award for Indian style painting in the professional category- a cash prize of 7500 rupees. The award was presented by the Governor of Maharashtra at a well attended evening of the122nd All India Annual Exhibition 2014 at theJehangir Art Gallery Mumbai on February 19th.

Veenita grew up in the pristine countryside of Sangolda, surrounded by

nature and art. Her father Sadguru, a 1974 graduate of the JJ School of Art in Bombay, was one of the first professors at Goa College of Art. “From my childhood I observed my dad’s painting style, his method of applying color, creating different textures and forms and how he painted with abandon” recalls Veenita.

“In high school I did a lot of sketches creating my own forms. While I was at University I specialized in Murals and the History of Art & Aesthetics. I graduated in 2008 and was ranked first in the University”. From the ten students in her class, Veenita is among five who pursued art as a profession. The others are now living in Baroda and Shantiniketan where they completed their Masters.

Why did you decide not to pursue a Master’s degree in art and take

advantage of the opportunities Goan artists of yesteryears got by moving out of Goa? “If the art college here offered a Master’s, I would pursue it. As an artist I would probably get more attention if I were in another city. However, being the only child, I’m attached to my parents and don’t want to leave Goa,” says Veenita. The local flora and fauna in any form - trees, animals, birds and insects here hold her creative attention,serving as inspiration for her work.

Veenita prefers to work in acrylic because it is the most suitable medium for texturing, projecting transparency and it is congenial to Goa’s humidity since it dries faster than other mediums.

International artists Paul Klee and JohnMiro have been a great source of inspiration as well as Indian artists such

as K.G. Subramanyam ,Manjit Bawa, Manu Parekh and K.KHebbar for their form, style,composition, color scheme and technique of applying color. Warli, Madhubani and Rajasthan folk art forms are of great interest to the artist, which she incorporates into her compositions to blend a nostalgic wistfulness to external forces and internal feelings.

In addition to attending art camps around India she has also exhibited her work throughout India and abroad.

Since 2005 she has been exhibiting in State and All India group shows and has also been included in shows in various galleries in Goa, Mumbai, Karnataka, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chennai and at the Lalit Academy in Delhi. Her art was also included in the 2013 Artifact Group Show of Painting organized by Alpana Lele at Rhode Island Convention Centre

Arts&Entertainment 15

Friday, May 23, 2014

May 25 Folk Songs of Bengal The Bengali culture Association, Panaji in association with the Institute Menezes Braganza At Conference Hall, Institute Menezes Braganza, Panjim @ 6.30 pm Entry is free. +91 832 222 4143

May 23 to May 25 Children’s Film Festival Organised by The Entertainment society of Goa At Ravindra Bhavan, Margao On 23 @ 5 pm onwards On 24 @ 3.45 onwards On 25 @ 2 pm onwards +91 832 272 6980

May 25 to May 30 Art and Craft Festival at Mandi Showcasing hand - woven bags, furnishing, wooden masks, hand embroidered silk stoles, sarees, bed covers, wooden stoles etc At Mandi - Your Indian fix at Calwaddo, Betalbatim From 10.30 am to 7.30 pm +91 8698075608

May 29 to May 31 Goafest 2014 A ‘must-attend’ event for people involved in marketing, advertising, media and allied services. This year, the festival theme is ‘Brand Baaja Bharat’.

A theme that indicates that everyone will celebrate and have fun! It provides opportunities to network, learn, celebrate advertising and have fun.

At The Grand Hyatt, Bambolim @ 3 pm Onwards +91 022 22182164/ +91 022 22187609

Galleries of Note San Thome Museum Go back in time and visit a real jewel in Goa’s treasure chest.

Free entry. At Varca 9 am to 8 pm +91 9822363917/ +91 832 2745017 Yahel Chirinian Interesting mosaic mirror sculptures.

Free entry.

At Monsoon Heritage Studio, Arpora 9 am to 6 pm. +91 9822122771 Gallery Gitanjali An elegant art gallery in Panjim’s Latin Quarter; definitely worth popping in when you’re in the area.

At Fontainhas, Panjim 9 am to 9 pm. +91 9823572035 Panjim Art Gallery Get a dose of local culture: figurative, individual work by Goan artists.

Near Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church, Panjim 9 am – 8 pm. +91 9822168703 Cheshire Cat Jewellery Gallery Fashionable wearables. It’s all about style ladies. Jewellery and accessories.

At Bairo Alto, Assagao 10 am to 7 pm. +91 9822580898 Gallery Attic More local talent on display: paintings

by Goan Artists.

Opposite Don Bosco, Panjim 9 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 7 pm +91 832 2420929/+91 2257931

Sunaparanta- Goa Centre for the Arts The centre houses several exhibition galleries, a large multi-functional space for workshops and lectures, an inhouse film club, sketch club, studios, open air amphitheatre, pottery studio and an open courtyard that houses the al fresco café, Bodega. Open to the public, and the food at the café is recommended. Brunch on Sundays.

10 am to 6 pm At Altinho, Panjim +91 832 2421311 Mario Art Gallery Original paintings and other memorabilia of the great Goan artist/ cartoonist Mario Miranda.

Buy “The Life of Mario”, as well as prints, mounted prints, frames, tiles, mugs, card sets and other books.

At ‘Houses of Goa’, Salvador-doMundo, Porvorim area 9 am to 5.30 pm +91 832 2410711 Arte Douro Art Gallery Even if you aren’t into serious art, check out these paintings on canvas originals and prints, international and local.

At Porba Vaddo, Calangute 9 am to 9 pm +91 832 22882266/ +91 9822147148 Art Chamber - Galleria de Belas Artes Featuring works by Goan artist Yolanda D’Souza and others. Whilst you’re there, check out their programme of musical performances.

At Gauravaddo, Calangute 10 am to 1 pm & 4 pm to 8 pm +91 832 2277144/ +91 9823217435 Big Foot Art Gallery Display of works by various artists from India and abroad. At Loutolim 9 am to 6 pm. +91 832 2777034 Surya Art Gallery Contemporary art works - Goan canvas paintings & artifacts.

At Bandawalwada, Pernem +919404149764 Moksa Art Gallery Salvador’s paintings. Salvadore Fernandes, that is, and others.

At Naikawaddo, Calangute 9.30 am to 8.30 pm +91 832 2281121/ +91 9326717386 Casa Araujo Alvares A 250-year-old mansion showcases our heritage in Goa’s first automated sound & light museum.

Entry Fees Charged Rs.50 At Big Foot, Loutolim 9 am – 6 pm +91 832 2777034 Email: bigfoottrust@gmail.com Gallery Esperance Go back in time: Retrospective of art in Oils, Watercolors, Crayons Portraits, Landscape and Still Life Photographs.

Near the Our Lady of Merces Church, Merces 9 am to 6 pm +91 9545536437 Carpe Diem An extremely active art and learning centre that hosts a number of exhibitions and performances. Also look out for the workshops there.

At Majorda 10 am to 6 pm. +91 8888862462

in Providence City in the United States.

Veenita’s artwork has won several awards and received many positive accolades by established artists in India.

When I first saw Veenita’s works on display two years ago, I foundthey were primarily nature centric. There were stray elements of folkart forms, amateurish doodles using a muted and dark palette.

Her work didn’t really stand out to me. Since then I find maturity in definition and detailing as well as a more varied palette accommodating the intricate characters and interplay of semi-abstraction in structured strokes.

Veenita affirms I was accurate, and says, “From the time I graduated until now, there has been a lot of change in my work. I find decorative stylized forms have emerged with elements modified to suit my taste and temperament and there’s more maturity in application of colors as I develop my personal color palette. My forms also have changed. Different ideas and patterns emerge. Sometimes I’m not satisfied withthe results but it’s an ongoing learning process which never stops”. Being among few artists in Goa who have the facility of a personal studio she is able to spend at least 6-8 hours daily honing her skill.

Where does she see her-self five years from now?

With the feedback she has received at her shows about her folk art related themes she says, “Folk Art, the purest form of art, has always inspired me. The simplicity suits my identity. I want to establish a personal style in being the first artist to blend folk art to cohere with modern scenarios and to drive the viewer’s attention to traditional and cultural heritage”. 

Morning melody

16 Feature

He dons many hats…

Lively, diligent, and truly a self-made man… Jessy Barbosa, a young multitalented entrepreneur from Raia in South Goa, has come a long way carving a niche for himself through his hard-working and enterprising spirit. He dons many hats; a singer, musician, an engineer and a proud owner of a cashew plantation. He also keeps busy by being tremendously involved in farming and running a booming transport business. Dr. Charlane Pereira e Rebello recounts her interesting tête-à-tête with Jessy….

A

humble Jessy Barbosa stands outside his home to welcome me as I arrive for our scheduled interview. He quickly ushers me into his music studio, located a few meters away from his house. We then have a great long chat where I discovered more about this unassuming man who has braved so many odds to be where he is today...

Having passed his tenth class from Don Bosco High School in Sulcorna, he moved to Pune to complete his five-year degree in Electronics from Vidyalay College. Despite his engineering background, he always had a passion for performing music. He quips, “I am very passionate about music. It runs in my blood.” He knows how to play several instruments including the organ, drums and guitar. With no official training in music, it is remarkable that he is such an accomplished musician.

Jessy has played at various Goan hotels and restaurants solo as a “one-man band”. Kenilworth Resort, Holiday Inn Resort, Dona Sylvia Beach Resort, HaathiMahal Beach Resort, Martin’s Corner,

The many lives of Jessy Barbosa

Mickey’s Restaurant and Kentucky’s Restaurant are among a few of the spots where he has demonstrated his musical talent. In 2007 Jessy was offered to do a 25-day tour in Nainital, which he happily accepted.

Barbosa dabbles in different music genres such as reggae, country, jazz and pop. Mostly, he sings songs in English.

However, singing in Portuguese, Konkani and Hindi is not new to him. With a stint at Whitney Recording Studio (Margao) for several years, and a musical passion acquired from his dad (who used to write songs, dramas, etc), Jessy fervently discusses his love for music. He exclaims, “All my tensions vaporize when I sing.

That’s music for me!” Through the years he has recorded about 60-70 albums at Whitney Recording Studio. One of his most popular albums is ‘Harmonizers Chorus’ (Utorda) comprised of seventeen Konkani hymns.

A huge fan of Bob Marley and Lionel Richie, he seems surprised by my spontaneous request to hear him sing.

Smiling, he obliges me. He runs about setting up his equipment, connecting coils and wires, and pressing a few switches. I watch in amazement as an enthusiastic Jessy belts out a Bob Marley number with a true Jamaican reggae style.

Barbosa will be releasing his newest album within 2 to 3 months. He says, “I have thought of a name for the album

- ‘Love forever’. It will feature fourteen original video songs which were shot in Goa in both English and Konkani.” He also plays for the choir in his local church ‘Our Lady of Snows Church’ once a month and for weddings as well. The majority of his gigs are generated via world of mouth, from one happy client to new potential client. Due to his popularity both locally and afar for his one-man band, customers hire his services based on the recommendations of others and also for his affordable performance fees.

An engineer by profession, Jessy works hard during the day doing field jobs for Vision Telesystems. His outdoor jobs range from installing CCTVs, EPBAX systems to computer repairs and electric wiring.

But that’s not all. He owns a cashew plantation consisting of about 75 cashew trees. The nuts are sold and the meaty flesh is used for making the everfamous Goan country liquor ‘feni.’ As I shoot questions at him about the liquor making, he launches into an interesting description about his distillery and explains the entire process right from cashew collection and crushing to the final product of liquor. During cashew season his days are very busy as he manages to sell about 115 liters of feni.

As if engineering by day, performing by night, and managing a cashew farm in between isn’t enough, Jesse also farms rice on his land, growing the Jyoti variety

of rice which he sells about 1000 kilos of annually.

In 2012 he successfully started another venture which provides transport services to young school kids going to various schools like Eurokids and Madonna. Today, he owns 4 tenseater vehicles to safely transport the children. Currently, three of his vehicles are in use. His wife is an attendant who accompanies the small kids in the vehicles along with his employed drivers.

How does he manage to juggle all this? He smiles and says, “Most of the businesses are seasonal such as making feni, performing and farming but my wife Monica is also a big help to me.”

His hectic schedule starts before the clock strikes 7:00am as he rushes to get a carful of kids picked up and to school on time as his wife takes care of the other pickups. Around 10:00am he then rushes off to all his field jobs for Vision Telesystems.

I direct a quizzical look at this enterprising man in his early thirties and ask, “Are you happy?” He nods with an emphatic ‘yes.’

On a parting note, Jessy says, “Today’s youth don’t want to work hard. They want everything the easy way. I can handle any type of task. I don’t feel ashamed of farming or any other job the way our Goan youth feel today. I have faced many hardships and have worked my way up to this point. I am very happy.”

Friday, May 23, 2014

April 16 to June 1

June 6 to June 7

Lifestyle & Fashion

Season 7 IPL Watch live action from IPL 2014 on a giant screen At Guru Bar, Anjuna 8 pm onwards +91 9823383257

Sound Workshop

By Music Director and sound engineer E R Vinay, from Karnataka At Institute Menezes Braganza, Panjim 10 am to 5 pm +91 832 222 4143

Cheshire Cat Jewellery Gallery This Gallery showcases jewellery, accessories and fashion, among other delights At Bairo Alto, Assagao 10 am to 7 pm +91 9822580898

Season 7 IPL More IPL action on a giant screen.

At Terrace, Vagator 5.30 pm Onwards +91 9673050869 Season 7 IPL Indian Premier League screening At Soul Souffle, Verna +91 832 2782100 Season 7 IPL Live Screening At North 16 Bar and The Games Center At North 16 Goa Resort, Calangute From 8 pm onwards +91 832 6745555/ 5557 Season 7 IPL At Curlies, Anjuna From 8 pm onwards +91 9822168628 Season 7 IPL Grand Cocktail Package includes 5 cocktails at Rs. 1000 plus taxes.

At Capiz Bar, Grand Hyatt, Bambolim @ 4 pm and 8 pm +91 832 3011234

April 28 to May 31 Pencil Line Summer Art Camp A wonderful initiative by Rajendra Usapkar – at one of Goa’s most important art centers.

At Carpe Diem, Majorda from 10 am to 1 pm +91 8888862462

May 1 to May 31 Creative Paper Quillings Workshops for children.

One day workshop on Paper Quilling basics and five-day Workshop to learn how to make fridge magnets, key chains and 3D models out of Paper Quilling.

At Gera Estadia, Caranzalem 10.30 am to 1 pm +91 9763550980

May 23, 24 & 25 VLCC Celebrating 6 years in Goa VLCC offers special Discounts on Slimming & Beauty Programme At Casa Albela Villa, Near Campal Clinic, Campal, Panaji +91 832 2421429 / +91 9325637430

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

Great Goan Experiences Birds & Breakfast Have your morning breakfast watching birds. Note: The best time for bird watching is October to Mid April.

At Gaurro Waddo, Calangute +91 832 2276711/ +91 9822149002 Horse Riding Majorda Beach Horse Riding offers riding on Goa’s longest beach.

At Majorda.

From 5 pm to 7 pm +91 9822586502 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 Canopy Eco – Tours Offers a wide variety of experiences including nature-treks, butterfly tours, dragonfly and damselfly tours, plus boat safaris on the Zuari River as well as their original unique birding tour.

At Housing Board Colony, Margao +91 9764261711, +91 9764052225 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

The Private Collection Features an eclectic collection of sophisticated women’s apparel, bespoke jewellery, colorful accessories, lifestyle, furniture, design pieces and more.

At Anavaddo, Candolim 10 am to 8 pm +91 832 2489033 Maria Elena’s Wardrobe Elegant ladies party wear and accessories Behind Fidalgo, Panjim +91 9049079769/+91 7769043301 Mandi - Your Indian Fix Mandi, meaning ‘market place’ in Hindi, features apparel, eco-friendly ayurvedic fabrics, accessories, furnishings, Indian art, handmade paper and quirky ideas that you never imagined.

At Betalbatim behind Jasmine Hotel in South Goa +91 9545500938.

Paper Boat Collective Specializes in ceramics, textile, furniture, clothes, children items and more.

At Bella Vista, Chogm Rd, Sangolda From 10.30 am to 8.30 pm +91 832 6521248 Solberg A Scandinavian Designer in Goa At Pedro Martina Resorts, Gaura Vaddo, Candolim +91 9822364978 TukTuk From apparel to silver jewellery, bags to accessories and souvenirs to curios, everything at TukTuk is handpicked from across India.

At A 104, Pereira Plaza, 1st Floor, Opposite Hospicio, Margao 10:30 am – 1:30 pm & 2:30 pm – 7 pm +91 9049017182 Fabindia The shop is famous for Indian inspired ready-to-wear garments for men, women, teenagers and children.

At Dattawadi, Mapusa (also in Candolim and Panjim) 10 am to 8 pm +91 832 2253585

Artjuna An unusual boutique in an Old Portuguese villa showcasing, among other items, leather crafts. Also features a lovely outdoor café.

At Monteiro Vaddo, Anjuna 9 am to 6 pm +91 9822686640 People Tree Its first outlet in Goa, creating and selling contemporary crafts and cool clothing.

At Saunta Vaddo, Assagao 11 am to Midnight +91 832 2268091/ +91 9582018969 Bebel Boutique Designer fashion accessories Opp. St Anthony Chapel, Calangute +91 832 6451489

Spas of Note Tatva Spa - Elements The only family spa, the largest spa chain in Goa. Well worth a visit!

At Panjim, Margao, Dona Paula, Calangute, Ashvem, Candolim, Arpora +91 9325637431 Tantra Spa Signature indigenous rituals: touch therapies, spirit of Ayurveda, revitalizing body therapies, cocoons, hand & foot rituals & royal baths.

At Hotel Fidalgo, 18th June Road, Panjim +91 832-2226291- 99

You don't love me. You love the thought of me.

Quan Spa Try signature treatments like Marine Algae Bath, Aroma Fusion Massage and Quan Foot Ritual.

At Goa Marriott, Panjim +91 832 246 3333 Sereno Spa Ancient Ayurvedic and yogic healing traditions are infused with the revitalizing allure of the Arabian Sea. At Arossim Beach, Cansaulim, Park Hyatt, Arossim +91 832 2721544 Snip Salon & Spa A ‘grand’ spa At Padmavati Tower, 18th June Road, Panjim (also in Calangute) +91 832 2420898 www.snip.co.in Zara Spa A luxurious spa At Tambudki, Arpora, Bardez 8 am to 8 pm +91 832 2267300/ www.zaaraspa.com Sohum Spa and Wellness An ‘absolute-wellness’ spa in wonderfully luxurious surroundings At Kenilworth, Utorda, Salcete +91 832 6698888 www.kenilworthhotels.com Shamana Spa For relaxation, re-Invigoration and recreation a la The Grand Hyatt.

At Grand Hyatt, Bambolim +91 832 3011603/ 1604

18 Feature

Result: A whimsical, funky back yard!

By Dr. Charlane Pereira e Rebello

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reating a nice garden is about more than having a few potted plants in your front yard. It’s giving your patio or garden space a unique personal touch. Get creative!

Use broken glass pieces, eggshells, bottles, iron-frames and glass bottles to jazz up your garden space. It’s easy to design beautiful do-it-yourself garden art projects from junk.

Yes! Your trash could turn out to be just the treasure you need to transform your outdoor area into a haven all will admire. Think outside the box and have fun while you transform your house into a fun and eclectic space that is cozy and welcoming. You can read gardening magazines, or look online for whimsical garden ideas using junk. Besides, reusing junk is a huge money saver!

Here are a few tips to reuse your household junk…

1. Add Delicate Details with Eggshells

Had your breakfast platter of scrambled eggs? Great! Don’t throw away the eggshells. Wash and dry them in the sun after which they can be painted. Here in Goa we like bright colors so don’t be afraid to go with electric colors that grab your attention.

Hunt for a twig in your backyard; and create an eggshell miniature tree that could beautify your garden, your own miniature bonsai tree. They are also very useful seed starters…. a little soil and some seeds and wait and watch them grow. A useful tip when breaking the eggs: break them in such a way that the major portion of eggshell is retained; not just half of the shell.

2. Glam it up with Glass Bottles Do you have a small tree in your garden that didn’t survive despite your best efforts to care for it? It’s happened to all of us. Don’t fret! Using

glass bottles, preferably of the same color and size, hang these bottles off the branches and bring your tree back to life (figuratively speaking). You can create a whimsical tree of bottles that sparkles in the sun and chimes in the wind. Small longish bottles look great on thin twigs of the branches. Remember not to use bottles that are too heavy just in case they fall down. You’ll be recycling and saving your back since you won’t need to uproot the dead tree trunk.

3. Tired of your Old Tires?

Do you have any old tires lying around in your garage? Don’t get rid of them. Use them to add character to your garden while saving money on gardening containers. Spray paint the old tire and hang it on the outside wall of your house adding compost and rich soil inside the tire and let the vines and creepers start growing. Or you could even place the tire in that empty patch in your garden, fill it up with soil and grow a few marigolds in it.

4. Boots Be Gone Do you hate to see those old gumboots of yours? Take them outside and put them to good use. Attach them to the trunk of a tree or to the wall of your house and eye the pink lilies sprouting from your good old gumboots. It’s an easy way to add variety and color to your garden space.

5. Windows of Opportunity Old window grills and wooden frames are highly sought after gems for decorating garden areas. So if you have some piled up after your home

remodel, don’t throw them away! You could use the window grill or a wooden frame as a support for your climbing vines or paint them different bright colors and hang them from your fence. Or if you have an old railing that has come off you can make a fantastic garden trellis.

6. Bring the Sweet Sound of Birds into the Garden with Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Birdbaths Build your own birdbath to attract a variety of birds. Use an old shallow-based dinner bowl and fill it with water. You can use broom handles or rods to make it stand with the help of some adhesive. Keep the birdbath in the open so that the birds can quench their thirst and take a refreshing dip during the scorching heat.

7. The Art of Plastic Bottles Using plastic bottles is a common method of turning trash into treasure. Let your creativity flow! Instead of cutting a plastic Coca Cola bottle in half and using the bottom half as a container, there is yet another unique way of reusing these bottles. You could cut the bottle in half, then plant your favorite blooms in the lower half. Suspend it from a raft or a tree branch and you have your own hanging planter.

8. Create a Perch for Your Planters How about using that rickety chair in your balcony? The armrest is broken, and unfortunately, you cannot rest your

bottom in this old piece of furniture without crashing to the ground. Dust it off, and give it a nice little paint job in white or bright strokes of color. Deposit it on that green patch of lawn and rest one of your conventional pots on this unique garden stand. Let the plant grow and drape over the sides.

9. A Rusty Old Bike Can Bring Life to Your Garden No longer using that bicycle of yours? This rusted piece of machinery lying in your garage for the last decade can be reused. It may be scrap metal but it makes for an interesting focal

point to your garden amongst the bougainvillea bushes and leafy green plants. You can keep it rustic with that rich red rust color or spruce it up by painting it in blue or white perhaps.

Pop a basket of purple petunias on the bicycle seat…or in the bike basket.

Picture perfect! Be sure to lean the bicycle against a stable tree trunk or a picket fence so it doesn’t topple over onto your bed of flowers.

10. Turn to Your Kitchen Cupboard for Fun Garden Containers Don’t stick to the conventional policy of using pots and vases. Broken cups and mugs form unique garden planters.

Use your husband’s mug; the one with a broken handle just lying unused in the corner of the kitchen. The colorful ceramic mugs placed strategically throughout the garden will make it look vibrant and invite admiring comments from your guests. 

Feature 19

Friday, May 23, 2014

By Crespo D’Souza

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omething extraordinary appears to be happening in Calangute, in many ways the epicenter of the Goan tourism industry. To be sure, garbage, raw sewage, congested roads and the ubiquitous male-mob tourist throngs continue to mar the landscape.

But if you look beyond the muck, a real effort is being made to lift up this scrappy beachside town and help it achieve its tourism potential.

Calangute plays host to the largest population of the state’s 2.5 million domestic tourists. With its narrow dusty roads with haphazard pedestrian walkways, shops jutting out onto the streets, slow moving traffic and absent amenities, the news that the state government is investing in improving the infrastructure was music to the ears of businessmen as well as local residents.

However, the slow pace and suspicious nature of the work in progress is leaving some with a bad taste.

A total of 73 road renovations are planned with many underway in the villages of theCalangute constituency, including the Calangute and CandolimPanchayats. An estimated total

of over Rs 70 crore has been allotted for road development work in Calangute.

Work on the Calangute-Candolim stretch and widening of the Calangute-Baga road has already commenced. A new bridge to replace the old and narrow CalanguteArpora bridge as well as other works are already in progress.

“I am sure I will able to complete road work worth Rs 50 crore by year end,” local legislator Michael Lobo said while speaking at a recent launch of resurfacing the roads.

However, with more than a year passed and only half the work of laying sewer pipes complete, the area of the Calangute-Baga road resembles a disaster zone. “Life hasn’t improved much… In fact it is the same. The work is not complete, pedestrians still have no place to walk and the traffic is often crazy,” says Sheena Barnes, a young professional who lives along the road. The authorities had kept the Calangute-Baga road blocked for most of the latter part of last year and even today it is only open periodically. If the conditions of the unfinished road remain the same, it will be hell for residents to negotiate during the rains.

Much of the work is being carried out without the consent of landowners,

a number of whom are set to lose their property, or at least parts of it. This, of course, is common practice around the world. The public good trumps the interests of property owners when it comes to roads and other public works.

But that hasn’t stopped folks like Arpora resident Adv Antonio Albuquerque from lambasting Lobo and his infrastructure works. “How can he come and cut trees without the consent of the owners?

Worse still shouldn’t the government acquire the land before it wants to undertake any public interest projects?

No land acquisition has taken place,” Albuquerque exclaimed.

Lobo has himself admitted that some of the expansion works, especially on the road from Nagoa to Arpora,have been undertaken without acquisition of land but “through the consent from the owners.” What is clear is that most owners are not amused. Some have lost or stand to lose age old fruit bearing trees that have fed generations.

The work was temporarily stopped by the Election Commission prior to the elections, after Albuquerque and a group of others raised the issue with the election commission. This move has slowed down the “development”

A widened road in Calangute - though still a 'work in progress'

of Calangute, with the work along the Baga-Calangute road all but stopped.

Hotmixing, a term coined to refer to resurfacing of roads with a carpet of gravel mixed with hot tar, is however on in the area.

There are plans to hot mix roads from Baga toCalangute right up to the helipad in Sinquerim which then heads to the Kidear junction on the left just before the Arpora Bridge. All these works are high priority and are underway. Even the work on the road from Calangute Association to Hotel Charleston, having a total width of fourteen meters, has been chalked out.

The government also plans to build road dividers on the road from Sinquerim to Saligao and on the newly tarred road connecting Mapusa to Calangute.

Calangute local politician, Joseph Sequeira, said that before carrying out the road work, the government should complete footpaths, lay cables for street lights, install sewage pipes etc. It would be wasteful to finish the roads before all of this ancillary work was complete, he said.

Still, no matter your position, the fact that infrastructure improvement is happening at all is a cause for celebration – considering the years of outrageous inaction that preceded this day. 

20 Fashion

The Stiletto Diaries

Supermodels are a dead breed!

By Ethel Da Costa

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n the 1990s, German Supermodel Claudia Schiffer told Vogue, "In order to become a supermodel, one must be on all the covers all over the world at the same time, so that people can recognise the girls." By January 1990, when British Vogue hit the world with the faces of five stunningly beautiful women -- Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista, TatjanaPatitz and Helena Christensen – the world along with me, swooned, drooled and fainted. Together, these women symbolized grace, unbelievable good looks with a body that stepped off bed for $10,000 a day, no less. As a young girl, I had died and gone to heaven, attempting to seriously ask God how was this even humanly possible?

Decades ago, super models stepped into our living spaces and occupied our imagination, with a heady mix of movie stars and rock idols and heroines of every

Naomi Campbell. UjwalaRaut.

Gisele Bundchen…Super Models who reduced us mortal souls to jelly.

But did the era end with them? The world and Goa’s Fashion and Lifestyle writer, Ethel Da Costa,waits with great anticipation for the rise of thenext generation’s`Super Mortals,’to give us sleepless nights all over again.

stripe.

Bythe end of the 1990s, the way we perceived fashion and music changed, and the leggy Brazilian diva Gisele Bundchen stepped out of Victoria’s Secret and into our bedrooms. This was a very unfair God…Perhaps my grievance did finally get to Him. Boredom set on to the catwalk.God hung up His boots and palette, the world went loopy, white Euro trash hippies hit the ramps with skin, bones and vacant stares and the dream collapsed along with the economy and the Berlin wall… Call me old fashioned, but you simply cannot replace good taste with acid dyed laundry. As if in answer to the prayer, a phenomenon called Madonna soon threw us off the axis when The Artist called Prince whiffed her underwear on stage… The nuns in my college went ballistic, of course.

Fashion Weeks in India came and went, Deepika Padukone, Sheetal Malhar, Shyamoli Verma, Jessica Radhawa, Bhawna Sharma, Indrani

Dasgupta, Lisa Ray, Nina Manuel, Madhu Sapre made us sit up and notice. Fashion magazines surged… Some failed, some sailed…I warmed the benches at the fashion weeks trying to get my hit-fix.

Monotony set in. Where were the supermodels to give me heartburn?

Fashion writer, colleague and former editor of Femina, Sathya Saran, a known and recognized face on the Indian fashion scene, has seen many a Miss India.She defines a supermodel as, “Someone with presence.

Who is individualistic enough to have her own style, yet be any designer or brand face or muse. Who has staying power and global appeal,” Sathya explains. Having seen India coming to terms with fashion, what is the difference between and now? I prod her.

Sathya elaborates, “In India, at least now, there is a little individuality.

Everyone talked and dressed the same. There is little depth in today's models, though they perhaps could more easily educate themselves. The ones who question get sidelined as too troublesome. Event companies prefer those who are dumb and tow the line,” she says, clarifying that models today look at the profession as only a leg up to TV or films. Having edited the Femina for a good part of a decade and more, Sathya believes the term `Supermodel’is now just a word pushed by the Indian media. “But it is a limited career, hence movies are a natural step forward to stay in the spotlight and add to more glamour, money, fame and longer shelf life,”Sathya says bluntly. Who then is India's Super model, if any?“Find me one,” Sathyaretorts, “Laxmi Menon and Ujwala Rautwere the last,” she concludes.

Belgium based jewellery designer Sissi Kolins,designerof the brand `J S Kolins,’is European. Her brand is a

spiritual fusion of classyhippie other worldliness, European chic with ethnic influences drawn from the IndianAmerican elements in style and attitude.

Her work so easily recognized in the pages of European Elle, sports the person of many a starlet and society Page 3.“The young generation don’t know what fashion was in the 80s. Then all it took was a famous actor or a model to wear your design and bingo your image (design) was all over the tabloids and fashion pages. That was the power of the Supermodel. She could drive the world with her image and people loved it,” Sissi says. “It is good if a model inspires admiration, but I believe personality and being a good person with a good image is even more important. Otherwise, they end up being prisoners of money, and in that is the death of them, ”Sissi admits.

A sentiment perhaps Goa based Spanish fashion designer, Susana GagoGarcia of Miss Monkey also shares. “Kate Moss!! She’s over 40 and still rocking. And she’s been modeling for the last 25 years. Now that’s a Supermodel,” she coos. A globe trotter, she believes the 80s defined the term Supermodel. “Big names and big figure girls. The Supermodel died out with time. Nothing is forever. There are lots of gorgeous models these days, but not with the impact that supermodels like Naomi Campbell, Jasmine Le Bon, Cindy Crawford had on the 80s and 90s. Of course, celebrity sells, so it’s just a marketing strategy to use actors as models these days. They are well known and their image sells. It’s all about selling a product at the end of the day,” Susana elaborates. “I think overdoing the term, killed it,” is her cut and dry conclusion.

Meanwhile, it looks like tabloid catfight stories have now replaced ramp catch-your-breath creations, as the West struggles with a plunging economy along with plunging necklines that no longer fascinate the juvenile fashion watcher.

May some miracle find us in awe again.

May God get His groove back together.

Till then, count your blessings. 

Ethel Da Costa:

Is a Goa based fashion, lifestyle, music writer-journalist, Radio Head, creative entrepreneur, media and PR consultant, fashion stylist, commentator and columnist of all things political and socially incorrect. She’s worked with Femina, The Times of India, Radio Mirchi 98.3FM, the International Film Festival of India, OHerald Publications among others is an award winning media personality awarded with`The Pillar of Hindustani Award 2011’ by the Trans Asian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (TACCI) Mumbai and Jaycee Creed Award 2013. She is a published poet-author of Eve’s Revenge: Stories of Nemesis (2008), with a second sequel in the making Eve’s Light: Stories of Passion (2014).

Founder, Creator of Think Geek Media Entertainment (a label for music, fashion, lifestyle & media), she is passionate about music, fashion and travel. She can be reached at etheldacosta@gmail.com Website: http://about.me/etheldacosta Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/ etheldacosta

Feature 21

Friday, May 23, 2014

Garbage menace, public littering, deforestation, global warming, increasing pockets of concrete jungles, polluted water bodies are facts of our daily lives, here in Goa and everywhere.

As a responsible person and a citizen of this world, how can you protect and conserve the environment? Dr. Charlane Pereira e Rebello, a psychologist throws in a few tips that can make a huge difference to save our Mother Earth. Each one of us can do our bit to save the planet. Be the change!

Grow plants in your garden Plant a tree! No open garden spaces for shrubs or trees? Grow a few potted plants on your balcony or even in the living room next to a window.

Trees absorb carbon dioxide in the air, making it more clean and fresh. They produce oxygen, retain water, cool overheated areas and combat global warming. Save trees! Plant more! Our Earth needs many more trees.

Unplug your phone charger after use Feeling lazy to pull out that charger cable from its socket? Remember, all the electronic appliances we use consume electricity even when off or idle, and even when fully charged. Ponder on the number of appliances in your home that work on electricity… Refrigerator, television, bulb, microwave, laptop, water pump, geyser, phone charger, hairdryer, music system, induction cooker, etc. Unplug after use.

Keep usage to the minimum level. Don’t leave any appliances on standby modes.

Use cloth bags. Refuse to carry plastic ones In our tiny state of Goa, a few enlightened people are spotted carrying cloth bags for their grocery shopping.

The vast majority still prefer to stuff all those French beans, potatoes and watermelons in their plastic bags. Blame it on poor environmental awareness! And all this despite our state’s exceedingly high literacy levels. Talk about irony.

Walk/bike to work instead of driving A kilometer or two from your workplace? Gift yourself a good pair of Nike shoes and go for brisk walks to your office. Not only will you enjoy good

health, the environment will also be less polluted from driving vehicles.

You will inspire many others to do the same… Drive less! Walk or bike when you have to travel short distances. Combine your errands in one trip.

Have your own compost pit Don’t discard your kitchen waste in one of the garbage bins. Do you have a backyard? Or a small area to dig a compost pit to dispose of vegetable waste and fruit peels? Composting works well for gardening. This saves time, money and waste management resources.

In addition, the garbage menace is reduced.

Reuse and recycle Reuse and recycling curbs littering at home and in public. From those old cartons stacked up in the attic to the empty glass bottles lying next to that refrigerator or the pile of old newspapers in the corner reuse or recycle. Plastic containers, bottles, cans, etc can be given away to ragpickers who go door-to-door to pick up such items.

Car pooling Is your workplace far enough away from your home that you are compelled to take your four-wheeler? You could give your colleague a lift to work. Her house is just a stone’s throw from yours. This means one car less on the road. The less the number of vehicles on the road, the cleaner and healthier our environment.

Harmful motor emissions from vehicles are one of the main reasons India’s air pollution is among the world’s worst; especially diesel emissions.

Take shorter baths Save water! Beware bathroom singers and dreamy eyed youngsters…. Skip the half-hour-long shower sessions. Your soprano or tenor should be restricted to the garage. Day dreaming sessions about your college love can be enjoyed on the sofa listening to Taylor Swift’s ‘Forever and Always.’

Turn off the faucet when you are brushing your teeth You can eye your pearly whites in the bathroom mirror before you start your night routine of brushing. Make all the funny faces you desire, thanks to your favourite Hollywood blockbuster ‘The Mask.’ Just don’t forget to turn off the faucet while you admire yourself.

Turn off lights when not using them Save electricity! Cut down pollution!

Switch off the kitchen lights when you are in the dining room devouring your delicious home-cooked meal. Do you need a short power nap? Switch off the lights in the bedroom. Not only will you feel refreshed, but you will be content to know that you have played a major role in decreasing pollutants.

And remember, vote green...

China, not India, has captured much of the world’s attention when it comes to griping about air pollution. But here’s a news flash. India’s levels of cancercausing particulate air pollution are actually much higher than China’s, and studies have shown that Indians have lower life expectancy because of pollution.

Therefore, we must all ask ourselves why wasn’t pollution a bigger issue in these last elections?

Solution? Make it an issue. Vote green!

22 Wheels on Streets Toyota launches Its First Ever Crossover- The New Etios Cross

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oyota announced the launch of New Etios Cross, marking the commencement of sales. The new vehicle was unveiled in February at the 12th Auto Expo, in Greater Noida. The New Etios Cross will further expand the Etios family along with its existing models - Etios & Liva.

The vehicle is extremely popular in Brazil where it was first launched. The new Etios Cross will also be exported from India.

The new Etios Cross combines the rugged looks of an SUV with the easy drive, fuel efficiency and maneuverability of a Hatch. The unique styling of the car makes a statement, appealing to the customers looking for a car with a distinct identity. Compact on the outside yet spacious inside, Etios Cross is best suited for urban usage, with its ease of parking and drivability.

It effectively combines style and practicality, typically demanded by customers in the segment. Available in three powerful engine options 1.5 L & 1.2 L Petrol engine and 1.4L D-4D Diesel engine, the new crossover from Toyota is positioned as a youthful yet rugged offering.

Etios Cross is available with three engine options, to suit varied driving habits and customer requirements: • 1.5 L Petrol (DOHC) - 66KW (90 PS) @ 5600 rpm • 1.2 L Petrol (DOHC) – 59KW (80 PS) @ 5600 rpm • 1.4 L Diesel (D4D) – 50 KW (68 PS) @ 3800 rpm The vehicle is being offered in four grades. The vehicles are priced at: • G - 5,72,856 • V - 7,38,210 • D-4D GD - 6,96,791 • D-4D VD - 7,37,440 *All prices are ex-showroom Goa. Key Exterior Features: Rugged styling with:• Bold Front Grille

Hyundai introduces Eon with1.0 Litre Kappa engine

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• • • • • • • • • • • •

Side Cladding Stylish Diamond Cut Alloys Sturdy & Stylish Roof Rails Dynamic Rear Cladding with Badging & Roof Spoiler Fog Lamps with integrated turn indicators ORVM with Turn Indicators Rear Defogger with Wiper Key Interior Features: Piano Black Interiors Sporty Seat Fabric with White Stitch & Logo 2 DIN Audio with Bluetooth, USB, AUX-in & Remote Audio control on leather wrapped steering wheel The New Etios Cross is available in new sporty Inferno Orange and seven other colors- Ultramarine Blue, Classic Grey, Symphony Silver, Celestial Black, White, Vermilion Red & Harmony Beige.

Along with a set of whole new exciting features, the Etios Cross also ensures the highest standards of safety with dual front SRS airbags, ABS with EBD and the globally renowned promise of Toyota’s QDR (Quality, Durability & Reliability) standards.

yundai Motor India introduced the advanced 1.0 Litre Kappa engine for its India trendsetter, Eon. The new 1.0 Litre Eon will be available along with the current 0.8 Litre Eon. The Euro 5 ready 1.0 Litre Kappa petrol engine is equipped with latest Dual VTVT technology and designed to deliver high engine performance, with enhanced fuel efficiency and low emissions. The advanced 1.0 Litre three-cylinder engine delivers high power of 69PS@6,200

rpm and peak torque at 9.6 kgm at 3500 rpm for an enhanced driving experience resulting in less frequent gear shifting and high fuel efficiency of 20.3 Kmpl (ARAI Certified).

The 1.0 Litre engine is mated with a5-speed manual gearbox which offers smooth gear shifting and has low noise gear design for improved NVH. Moreover to minimize the noise, vibration & harshness levels (NVH), a low friction timing chain has been adopted while the piston cooling jets ensure optimum piston temperature for most efficient engine working for higher fuel economy & enhanced engine performance.

The Eon 1.0 Kappa engine will be available in Magna+ variant at an exshowroom price (Goa): Rs. 383,302.

Suzuki Motorcycles Launches 110 Cc Scooter Let’s In Goa

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uzuki Motorcycle India Limited (SMIL), launched the 110 cc LET’S scooter in Goa. The practical, light and fast LET’S is directed at urban youth looking for styling, economy and practicality.

LET’S is powered by a light, compact, fuel efficient 110cc engine with cutting edge Suzuki Eco Performance Engine (SEP) technology – delivering a class leading 63 kmpl.

LET'S is available in five color options – Pearl Mira Red, Metallic Triton Blue, Pearl Mirage White, Glass Sparkle Black and Metallic Sonic Silver, at a price of Rs. 49,614 (On-road, Goa).

Suzuki Let’s Specifications • Engine: 4 stroke, air cooled SOHC 112.8 cc • Max Power: 8.7hp @ 7500 rpm • Max Torque: 9.0Nm @ 5500 rpm • Tire Size: 90/100 10 inch tubeless (both front and rear) • Length x Width x Height: 1810mm x 660mm x 1120mm • Wheelbase: 1250mm • Ground Clearance: 160mm • Seat (Saddle) height: 765mm • Kerb Weight: 98kgs • Fuel Tank: 5.2 lit