Being Goan - DECEMBER ISSUE 2022

FORCa goa!

Ever since it’s inception in 2014, FC Goa has been building a philosophy that is unique to the club whilst leading the way in terms of grassroots development of the youth of the state and engaging with the community and fans in meaningful ways

AndREa FERNANDES

A former journalist and the founder of Andrea's Media Solutions, a wellknown PR agency in Goa

Homeopathic Remedies for the Winter

Dr. Denise Rodrigues talks about the various homeopathic remedies that can be used to deal with illnesses during the winter season

Serendipity Arts Festival

The 5th edition of the festival promises an incredible array of interdisciplinary arts and programmes

abusive Relationships

Psychologist

Pies, PUDDINGS, & periodontitis

Noted periodontist Dr. Valerie Pereira talks about the effects of high blood sugar on the oral health of people suffering fom diabetes

Richelle BritoCarvalho talks about subtle signs of abuse in romantic relationships

Hi friends,

Welcome to the December issue of our emagazine ‘Being Goan’. Our cover story for this month’s issue is a feature on FC Goa. In the article, we highlight the role that FC Goa has played in the development of football at the grassroot level in Goa. The feature also sheds light on the contribution that the Forca Goa Foundation has made to Goan society. This month's issue also features a story on Andrea Fernandes, a journalist who gave up her 10-year long stint in the world of media to start her own public relations agency.

Learn to identify subtle signs of abuse in romantic relationships by reading an interesting guest piece written by psychologist Richelle Brito-Carvalho. Articles on ‘Homoeopathic Remedies for the Winter Season’ by homoeopathic practitioner Dr. Denise Rodrigues, and the effects of high blood sugar on the oral health of people suffering from diabetes by noted dentist Dr. Valerie Pereira also feature in this month's issue of our magazine.

Guess what! The most awaited festival of the year, the Serendipity Arts Festival, is back with its 5th edition. Slated to be held from the 15th to the 23rd of December, the multi-disciplinary arts festival promises an incredible array of

interdisciplinary arts and programmes. We have done a report highlighting what visitors can expect at this year's edition of the festival.

The Christmas season has set in. People all across the state are busy decorating their homes and putting up their Christmas trees. It is also that time of the year when we will see a huge influx of tourists descending on the beautiful shores of Goa to revel in music fests, attend beach weddings, and simply have a good time.

The resumption of the e-visa facility for UK citizens travelling to India has come as a big piece of good news for the various stakeholders of the tourism industry in Goa. The move will help in getting more tourists from the UK on charter and scheduled flights into Goa. It will also make it easier for our Goan-origin brethren in the UK to come to their home state to enjoy the festive season with their family and friends.

We hope you enjoy reading this month's issue of our e-magazine. Do share it with your friends all across the globe.

Until next month, cheers! Jessyl Fernandez Editor

Introduction

Goa, the tiniest state on the western coast of India, boasts golden pristine beaches, palmfringed avenues, flavourful food, delicious Portuguese-influenced sweets, and warm, hospitable people. Also known as the Ibiza of India for its partying. A tropical paradise of flora and fauna, from the very famous almi (mushrooms) endemic to its forests, that grow only on the red mud anthills, to the solar prawns that are fished immediately after the monsoons, Goa is unique. Tourists are also attracted to Goa for its cultural heritage - from the famous old Portuguese churches like Se Cathedral in Old Goa, the 16th Century Safa Masjid in Ponda and Shree Mangesha Temple in Mardol, the legendary Arvalem or Pandava Caves where the Pandavas of the Mahabharat fame lived, to its two unique festivals - Carnival and Shigmo. Goa plays host to many festivals - the International Film Festival of India that promotes cinema, the Serendipity Art Festival, Sunburn Music Festival, The Grape Escapade to name a few. To showcase this varied heritage of culture, art, tradition, food, and people, in 2015 ItsGoa was born. The main aim was to make it the premier portal for all things Goa. We were able to showcase Goa like never before. Soon our blogbased website transcended the virtual space, with the ItsGoa magazine a sought-after resource for visitors to Goa from countries like Norway, Germany, UK, USA, UAE, etc.

FC Goa are ushering a new wave of hope for Goan football

The Gaurs have been the voice to the population’s enthusiasm for the game, building a philosophy that is unique to the Club whilst leading the way in terms of grooming the youth of the state and engaging with the community and fans in meaningful ways.

Article by: Team ItsGoa

Images Courtesy: FC Goa Media Team

Princeton Rebello, Midfielder of the FC Goa first team in action

Ever since it’s inception in 2014, the ISL has been a transformative force in the Indian sports scene. And no one embodies the new culture of growth and development like FC Goa.

Patrons of the beautiful game in the the state of Goa, the Club has gone on to become arguably Goa’s most iconic brand. In the last decade or so, the Gaurs have been the voice to the population’s enthusiasm for the game, building a philosophy that is unique to the Club whilst leading the way in the country in terms of grassroots development, providing a structure for grooming the youth of the state and engaging with the community and fans in meaningful ways.

The growth has been multi-faceted and today, we dive deep into what’s happening behind the scenes as the country continues to evolve on the footballing front.

A youth system that sets the mark The Club has been keen on not only garnering success for the 1st team but also has put a focus on developing players and giving them the platform for them to shine.

Ever since the start of the youth program in 2017, the Gaurs have reaped the benefits of the robust program. And in addition to the ones who donned the orange of FC Goa, the Club has seen 26 of it’s graduates plying their trade in the top 2 leagues in country.

team trained together before we separated the developmental team from the U-18 from the following year. So we kept on improving our structure along with our coaching staff.

“Later, we started our grassroots leagues (Little Gaurs Leagues) through the Forca Goa foundation for U-6, U-8 and U-10 kids to build the football culture from an early age.”

And the Gaurs are not stopping there. There are big plans ahead and if you are an aspirant, this should make for good reading.

“Right now, we don't have a residential academy but we have set short term and long term plans,” Pereira added

“The short term plan is to scout players from other teams, mostly from Goa. We look at other places (states) also. We have a residential facility only for the developmental team and some of the U-18 boys and we see that education is taken care of for the outstation players.”

But what about the approach? What do the Club really want from the youth teams? What does the Club stress on? Is it just football development in mind when it comes to the youth? Pereira further clarified.

“We have come a long way. When I joined, we started from the age groups of U-14, U-16, U-18, Website: www.itsgoa.com I Instagram: @_itsgoa I Facebook: Itsgoa

FC Goa Fan Collage - The FC Goa fans cheering at the Fatorda stadium, Coach Carlos Pea and Edu Bedia engaging with the young supporters

Derrick Pereira, Technical Director at FC Goa

“Our focus is on development rather than results. We follow a system and style which will help players to improve their talent and skills. We have training sessions day in and day out,” the veteran pointed out. “Like for U-14 and U-16 age groups, we have four sessions a week considering that they have to give time for their education as well. The U-18 team trains five times a week and the development team regularly, like the first team. Further, we look at developing players overallfootballing skills as well as to build their character. In football, discipline is very important, may it be in football or in their private life.”

Little Gaurs League: Giving children

The Little Gaurs League has been a shining example of what the Club is all about.. The Flagship program of the Forca Goa Foundation, the Club’s sister concern, the league is to aimed at providing opportunities for children to play regular, competitive football in a safe and organised environment, by building an ecosystem that facilitates this. The League is one of FC Goa’s key strategies in developing footballers, increasing game time for young players helps hone their decision making ability and match skills.

Into it’s fourth season, the Little Gaurs League has quickly become one of India’s biggest baby leagues. This year will see more than 1000 children, divided into 120 teams participating across three zones viz. North, South and Vasco in Goa.

This edition of the tournament, which is slated to run across 3 months, will see the children play a

minimum of 12 games - giving them the opportunity to showcase their talents and passion for the game.

“Our aim is to develop grassroots in Goa and the grassroots infrastructure across India. And by grassroots, we don’t only mean children playing, but the entire ecosystem - the grounds, they physios, the referees, the coaches,” remarked, Nathaniel D'Costa, a senior manager with Forca Goa Foundation. “And the Little Gaurs League is what enables a lot of what I spoke about. We started the league a few years ago because we realised that at the junior age categories from U-6 to U-12, there weren’t many competitions for children to participate in.

“Children would participate in school tournaments. But if they had a bad day on the ground or were missing their best players, a loss would mean the end

FC Goa’s Development Team in a huddle session with Coach Deggie Cardozo (Coach of the Development Team)

of their season after just a game. And that’s unfair. “For a child to truly develop in his/her career, they needed more regular competition. And that’s what inspired us to start the Little Gaurs League. While the number is gaudy to look at, it took each and every one of us to get this thing up and runningunderstanding the challenges and finding solutions to them.

“With public transportation, not being a strong suit for the state, it’s a challenge for anyone to bring their children regularly to the games. The parents not always see value in bringing their children to play football regularly. So we had our share of challenges to overcome.” And their biggest one till date was none other than the pandemic - which caused interruptions across the globe.

“The pandemic - indeed was a really challenging time for all of us,” iterated D’Costa. “That period was equally important. We felt an urge to do things for the children while remained within the confines of their home.

“Our in-house program provided the children with sessions sent to them on WhatsApp with activities they could do by themselves. We designed activities that needed minimal support in terms of space and equipment.

“It was a time of learning and unlearning. But we were very motivated with everyone working towards the same goal - to keep children connected with football and provide them with a reason to be joyful.” The Little Gaurs League’s reach of influence extends beyond the mere development of football skills amongst the participating children. The Forca Goa Foundation, in an attempt to make this a wholesome experience, also conducts workshops on nutrition and waste management.

“The learning has to be well-rounded and wholesome. It’s not only about creating footballers for the future, but give the children a wholesome education that is enjoyable, something that they look forward to imbibing in themselves. That’s what the Little Gaurs League is all about.”

In a very little span of time, Forca Goa Foundation’s Little Gaurs League has made a big impact - brining communities together (like with Salvador), attracting teams from Mumbai to come all the way to Goa to participate in, become a source of inspiration (with their work with Vasco-based Kiran Niketan) and giving children from all communities a chance to compete and rise above the odds.

Little Gaurs League (LGL) U-10 boys team in action

Goa grows as FC Goa grows The Club’s impact on the community can be felt all over. And the development of the Salvador do Mundo Panchayat Football Ground is one such shining example. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the club and the Village Panchayat was signed in 2020, which saw FC Goa begin using the Panchayat ground as their training facilities for a three-year period till 2023.

"We have long believed in reviving Goa’s existing infrastructure before developing any new infrastructure. Working with the Salvador Panchayat gives us an opportunity to work towards that goal. We are also particularly excited about working with the Panchayat to develop local talent. We are hopeful that this partnership is successful and lasts for many, many years.” said FC Goa President Akshay Tandon when the MoU was signed.

The partnership entailed the development of two football grounds – one of which had been playing host to the FC Goa first team as its practice ground. The other was developed for the use of the Panchayat and the local residents with the primary aim of providing a good playing ground for the locals to avail. In addition, the club also organizes community initiatives for the locals. The club continues to also look after the ground maintenance as per the terms of the MoU with the Panchayat.

Over the past one and a half years, the Club has spent close to Rupees One Crore on refurbishing the turf and has remained committed to developing the infrastructure at the Salvador do Mundo Panchayat Ground at its own cost (close to Rupees Two Lakhs a month) whilst also looking to develop the local talent in the region by imparting technical know-how and foster community development by means of the beautiful game through coaches from FC Goa. For the same, the Club scouted, trained and provided technical infrastructure to the U-14 and U-18 teams of Sporting Club of Porvorim, the first member of FC Goa’s feeder club program. FC Goa has also organised grassroots festivals every Sunday for boys and girls of the Porvorim area in the U-12 and U-10 categories.

During this period of time, to extend further support to the community, FC Goa has been helping financially in the maintenance of the venue which entails other sporting facilities and activities for the locals.

For more information about the various initiatives of FC Goa, visit https://fcgoa.in

For latest updates, follow FC Goa on social media.

Facebook: @FCGoaOfficial Instagram: @fcgoaofficial

Website: www.itsgoa.com I Instagram: @_itsgoa I Facebook: Itsgoa

Salvador do Mundo Panchayat Football Ground

Fernandes

Motivational coaches often speak of pushing the boundaries, building on strengths, and pursuing your passion. For Andrea Fernandes, all these came naturally as she ventured into public relations. Andrea was always passionate about her goal and her career transition from journalism to public relations was smooth.

“I was looking to expand my horizon. Public relations as a profession appealed to me. Being a former journalist, I knew I had the experience to confidently take up PR assignments. Since I had already built a network of people as a correspondent, it was easy to build on this and start my own venture,” says Andrea.

Born in the picturesque village of Moira in North Goa, growing up, Andrea was inclined towards singing, reading, writing, sports such as basketball and volleyball. Little did she know that some of these passions would come in handy later in life. After completing her graduation in Mass Media at Don Bosco, Panaji, Andrea landed her first job at Goa Streets. Over the years, Andrea has been associated with various media organisations in Goa and grew in experience at three English publications.

She covered extensive stories and also had an eye for sports coverage. After her marriage, she didn’t give up her passion and continued with the same vigour.

“Writing has always been my passion. I stand for the truth. Hence, I wanted to be a journalist, but the sad reality is that today, big businesses and government have a huge impact on the editorial integrity of news organisations," she says.

meet and interview someday, Andrea says, "Being a sports journalist for six years, I would love to interview Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. These two footballers are the greatest of their generation and have inspiring stories.” Role models are considered as guiding lights, and growing up, Andrea too had a few persons whom she admired.

“Barkha Dutt for sure. She is a prominent figure after her frontline war reporting on the Kargil Conflict between India and Pakistan in 1999. But we need to make sure that these incredible women in the field of journalism are remembered. In today’s society, women journalists, sadly, are misrepresented, even in Hollywood and Bollywood films. They are mostly portrayed as single-minded, and unethical in their pursuits of a story or to make it big in the industry. So, forget about the fictional area, and let us focus instead on highlighting these amazing women," says Andrea.

Sharing some of her experiences as a journalist, Andrea said that every interview she conducted has a distinct memory and experience linked to it. "I have done several stories on the poor state of infrastructure in sports, misappropriation of funds and other issues faced by sportsmen in the state. I have also highlighted issues such as sand extraction, hill cutting, filling of fields, and the flourishing drugs and prostitution business along the coastal belt. My best story was an investigative piece on the Bandodkar Gold Trophy, which was an exclusive one and created widespread impact," she said while reminiscing about her journalistic days. Asked to pick a celebrity that she would want to Website: www.itsgoa.com I Instagram: @_itsgoa I Facebook: Itsgoa

Shifting to the sphere of PR business, Andrea started small, initially taking up small projects before switching gears.

Andrea with FC Goa star Mandar Rao Dessai at a bike launch event in Porvorim

“I later began working with the Goa Football Development Council over six years on a part-time basis, and I am still handling their PR. I have also handled publicity for prominent politicians. During the last election as well, I have worked for some candidates who have gone on to win their respective constituencies. Besides this, I am associated with various other reputed companies. For me, no client is too big or too small. I try to help their business grow,” she points out.

On her future goals, Andrea has set her sights on taking up bigger assignments. “Since I began my journey as a PR professional, my clientele has steadily increased. This has given me the confidence to take up more challenging assignments. I look forward to scaling up and working with bigger clients," she says.

Andrea is a firm believer that life is full of opportunities. "We need to keep a growth mindset. Just focus on investing in yourself. This is what I would probably tell the past version of myself if I went back in time!” says Andrea.

On a parting note, Andrea says navigating the journey of life is a challenge, especially for women. “God has blessed me firstly with a very supportive family and post-marriage, with a husband who has always stood by me through thick and thin. There always will be highs and lows. But you have to keep an open mind and a broad horizon. Keep exploring options, building relationships, and working hard. Opportunities will definitely knock on your door."

In entrepreneurship, tackling challenges is key. “Catering to specific needs of a client and meeting their expectations is a major challenge. There have been situations wherein things don’t go as planned. So strategies have to be reworked. But these aspects are part of the profession. At the end of the day, client satisfaction is all that matters,” she says confidently.

Website: www.itsgoa.com I Instagram: @_itsgoa I Facebook: Itsgoa

Website: www.itsgoa.com I Instagram: @_itsgoa I Facebook: Itsgoa

Andrea with a few of her colleagues during her days at Gomantak Times

Andrea receiving the ‘Reporter of the Month’ award at the hands of Prakash Borgaonkar, the head-of HelpAge India in Goa and Maharashtra in the year 2017

Andrea receiving a certificate for employee of the quarter of Sakaal group at the hands of Calangute MLA Michael Lobo

SOCIETY

Signs of Abuse in Romantic Relationships

In this article, psychologist Richelle Brito-Carvalho talks about the subtle signs of abuse in romantic relationships and provides a few tips on how to deal with such kind of abuse

Article by: Richelle Brito-Carvalho Image Credit: Alexa from Pixabay

Website: www.itsgoa.com I Instagram: @_itsgoa I Facebook: Itsgoa

Unlike physical abuse that is so much more apparent mostly because of the scars it can leave behind, emotional abuse on the other hand is subtler and can be insidious often goes undetected by family members, friends and most often the victim themselves The underlying purpose of any form of abuse is to gain control and power over the victim So, this grooming process that usually begins at the start of the relationship portrays the abuser as caring and attentive This is one of the many manipulative forms of behavior modification used to dictate the victim on how to behave.

How does emotional abuse govern the relationshi

Shaming

Shaming the victim is one of the powerful tools to gain power and control The abuser may highlight every small mistake, reinstate that they are better than you and make you feel ashamed of what they perceive are your inadequacies, so that they get you to do what they want you to do Shaming can be as subtle as commenting on certain body parts, passing remarks on the choice of clothes you wear, bringing up past relationships and shaming you for not being able to hold the relationship together etc

Criticism

An abuser is always testing their victim! Criticism and humiliation are vehicles to undermine the victims' self- esteem They might use condescending language on the pretext of making fun in front of others and try to smooth things over by claiming that they were ‘only joking’ or that ‘you’re being too sensitive ’ There is dismissal or minimisation of things that are important to the victim such as their interests and belittling their accomplishments

Gaslighting

Another important tactic to exert power and control over the victim These manipulation tactics consist of denying your reality, blaming you entirely for what happened for example; “if you behaved differently then I wouldn’t need to treat you this way” They may trivialize your feelings and completely discredit your emotions by calling you ‘unstable’ Isolation

An emotionally abusive person may become upset whenever you make plans with other people that do not include them An abuser who wants to isolate you from others has many ‘looks’- including never leaving you alone This is a way of establishing power

and dominance, eventually separating the victim from their loved ones, which makes relying on the abuser all the more necessary.

Signs You are Ex eriencing Emotional Abus

You feel invalidated Having witnessed the dismissal of your perception of reality and claims of being ‘too sensitive’ on a number of occasions it is but natural to feel invalidated Moreover, you start to question your feelings and emotions, thus paving the way for selfdoubt and self- judgment

You feel ut down

There is this pit in your stomach that makes you feel bad about yourself for listening to those condescending remarks about your hopes and desires You begin to notice that you have started to engage/ tolerate thoughts or behaviors that are selfsabotaging and belittling

You feel mani ulated With the blame- game on, and the increasing selfdoubt and self- sabotage, you may begin to feel guilty for things that aren’t your fault Guilt translates into ‘you did something to upset me so now you have to fix it’

You feel controlled Freedom is an important value and having the free will to make certain choices for ourselves is liberating Feeling pressured to constantly update the abuser about your whereabouts, because the consequences of not doing so could be mentally harrowing The cycle of self- blaming and guilt continues to compel you to adhere to the abusers demands.

Alongside these signs, you may also experience short- term difficulties such as confusion, fear, difficulty concentrating, decreasing confidence, nightmares, aches and hyper vigilance There are long term repercussions as well which can include anxiety, insomnia and social withdrawal.

How to seek su ort to deal with emotional abuse? Ensure to hold on to your su ort system Most often, sharing about your situation can be difficult especially if the abuse has been going on for a while Try to reach out for help and seek support from your loved ones Gaining another person's perspective is helpful in times of self- doubt or judgment It might become apparent that what you’re experiencing is not normal in a relationship and need not be tolerated.

Website: www.itsgoa.com I Instagram: @_itsgoa I Facebook: Itsgoa

Avoid self- blame

While this is harder said than done; you don't deserve abuse no matter what, especially from the person who claims to care for you and loves you It’s important to understand that you cannot be held responsible for their actions and their abuse towards you

Try not to engage

If someone is abusive towards you, try to ensure your safety before anything else. Have an emergency contact saved on your phone or have a neighbor/ friend/ family member in close proximity.

Once you’re aware that you are not responsible for their emotions and feelings- try not to soothe their feelings or make apologies for something you didn't do. Depending on the situation you could decide to walk away, limit or stop communication with them Set boundaries

If you feel safe to do so, you can set clear boundaries with the emotionally abusive person. Make sure to use clear and concise language, and request support from a loved one when you are going to assert your boundary.

It is helpful to use ‘I statements’ and the consequences of what might happen if the boundaries aren’t respected.

If the abuser does not accept the boundaries, deflects or gets angry, this could be a sign to look at an exit plan

Have an exit plan

If the abuser has shown no intention of changing, even after you’ve set boundaries, you may have to safely leave the situation as there is a possibility of the abuse escalating. It’s important to have support from the people whom you trust. Having some distance from the abuser, will help you plan your next course of action for yourself and this relationship.

All of the above suggestions might seem nerve wrecking and extremely difficult to endure all by yourself. Hence, it is important to understand that you don’t have to go through it all alone. All you have to do is recognise that what you’re going through is not okay and reach out for support

Seek Professional Support

It is important to remember that there is support available to help you deal with what you’re experiencing. When you seek support, it may give you the strength to stand up for yourself, make you

feel secure as well as restore normalcy into your life and the lives of your loved ones.

Below are agencies that offer help for people who experience abuse. If you need to talk to someone you can reach out to:

1.SNEHA Contact No: +919167535765/ +919833052684 Email: crisis@snehamumbai.org

2. National Helpline for Counselling for Women in Distress: 181

3.Women Police Helplines: 1091 and 1291 4.National Commission for Women’s WhatsApp Helpline For Women Facing Violence: 7217735372

Disclaimer:

An isolated incident doesn’t necessarily qualify as emotional abuse (this is subjective to every situation), but a pattern of behaviour over time usually does. Emotional abuse can start gradually but then can escalate and lead to damaging consequences.

About the Author: Richelle Brito-Carvalho is Counselling Psychologist based in Mapusa. She is the founder of Wholistic Connect, an online counselling service. She also provides counselling services at Antarman, a psychosocial well-being centre, in Panjim She has done her M.Sc in Counselling Psychology from Roshni Nilaya, Mangalore.

If you are facing any psychological issues and wish to seek help, you may contact Richelle on: WhatsApp: 9767969405 Email: wholistic.connect@gmail.com Instagram: @wholistic.connect.counselling

Website: www.itsgoa.com I Instagram: @_itsgoa I Facebook: Itsgoa

DENTAL HEALTH

Plum Puddings ,Pies and Periodontitis

In this article, noted periodontist Dr. Valerie Pereira talks about the effects of high blood sugar on the oral health of people suffering fom diabetes and the precautions that they need to take to minimise these effects.

Article by: Dr. Valerie Pereira

Image by Mike Lloyd

With Santa tumbling down the chimney, gifts under the tree, fairy lights, stuffed stockings, sticky toffee puddings and candy canes 'tis the season to be jolly indeed! But have a care-too many mince pies will cause your blood sugar to spike high!

High blood sugar called Hyperglycaemia can lead to Type 2 Diabetes. Lately, there has been a global epidemic of Type 2 diabetes with millions affected worldwide.

Diabetes negatively affects the body resulting in cardiovascular disease, renal disease, peripheral vascular disease, ocular disease, neuropathy and periodontal disease.

Sugar control is assessed by measuring glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in the blood. In simple words, this is the percentage of haemoglobin that holds glucose molecules in the red blood cells. A red blood cell has a lifespan of three months, and hence HbA1c measurements give an indication of the level of glycaemic control for the past three months. Nondiabetic persons have HbA1c of around 5.5%. Levels of 8-9% or higher indicate poor glycaemic control.

The Effects of Diabetes on the Mouth

Periodontitis which is a microbial, inflammatory disease of the mouth that causes loss of bone and teeth is the sixth complication of Diabetes.

Diabetes increases inflammation, thereby leading to more destruction of Periodontal tissues. Patients with poorly controlled diabetes have defective WBC activity and a depressed immune system, so they are likely to display multiple periodontal abscesses.

Other consequences of diabetes include increased cavities ,dry mouth, candida infections and ulcers. In addition, patients with diabetes may also be prescribed drugs such as Nifedipine for hypertension which could sometimes cause gum overgrowth.

The Effects of Periodontal Disease on Diabetes Periodontal disease negatively affects diabetes. Studies have revealed severe periodontitis to be associated with a risk of poor glycaemic control and increased cardiovascular, eye and kidney complications.

In addition, it has been found that periodontal treatment is associated with reduction in HbA1c levels. This shows that a bidirectional relationship exists between Diabetes and Periodontal Disease.

What does this mean for the Diabetic Patient? Diabetics are at higher risk of oral disease, particularly periodontitis, especially in noncontrolled cases and should be made aware of it. Periodontitis, called a 'silent killer' since it is painless may not be noticed by the patient. So regularly undergoing dental check-ups is necessary. Effective periodontal therapy is mandatory for Diabetics, who have Periodontitis as periodontal treatment shows improvements in glycaemic control. So eat, drink and be merry this season but don't let Diabetes come to town.

Merry Christmas!

About the Author: Dr. Valerie Pereira is a consultant dentist who specialises in Peridontics (gums). She completed her BDS from AJ Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangalore. She then practiced in Bangalore before going on to do her Masters in Periodontics at Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences in Coorg. She is available for consultation in Panjim and can be contacted via WhatsApp on: 8208007184. Website: www.itsgoa.com I Instagram: @_itsgoa I Facebook: Itsgoa

Homeopathic

Remedies for the Winter

Noted homeopath Dr. Denise Rodrigues talks about the various homeopathic remedies that can be administered to deal with common illnesses faced by people during the winter season.

Article by: Dr. Denise Rodrigues Image by: wirestock on Freepik

Homeopathy

The most wonderful time of the year is here!

However, this amazing season also brings with it sneezes, coughs, flu, sore throat, stuffy noses, drippy noses, dry skin, breathing issues, allergies and the like. Winter can indeed be a difficult time for children and adults alike who have a weak immune system. The sweet pills of Homoeopathy are the answer to treating these issues in a safe, gentle and holistic manner bringing about a permanent cure.

Homeopathy is a unique science as the perfect remedy prescribed, is based on the unique individuality of a person. The physical manifestation of the illness as well as the emotional state of the person is taken into consideration. This individualistic approach in treating an illness brings about a balance in the mental, emotional, spiritual and physical levels.

Let us dive into understanding a few Homeopathic remedies that are commonly indicated during the winter season.

1.Aconite Napellus

Suddenness is the characteristic of this remedy. There is a sudden onset of all the symptoms after exposure to dry cold or a draft of cold air. There is soreness of the throat with a high fever. Restlessness, anxiety, terror and fright underlie all the symptoms. All the complaints are worse at night.

2. Arsenicum Album

A person who has frequent colds, sore throats, and chest problems—with burning pain and feelings of weakness, restlessness, and anxiety—may benefit from this remedy. Problems can be worse near midnight. The person feels insecure and experiences anxiety. Symptoms in winter are usually brought on after having cold fruits, watery fruits.

3.Belladonna

There is a high temperature of sudden onset with dryness in the throat. There is burning heat, congestion of nose and throat, violent headache, profuse sweating, restlessness and a flushed (red looking) face. An individual needing the remedy Belladonna will have a lot of fears. Ailments are usually brought on by walking in wind and being exposed to drafts of air.

4.Bryonia alba

This remedy is commonly prescribed for coughs

during the winter season. Symptoms include cough which is dry with mucus that is very difficult to cough out. The patient experiences severe chest pain during coughing. Bryonia helps in inflammatory rheumatism that is aggravated in the winter. Movement aggravates symptoms. The complaints are usually brought on after exposure to cold winds and after having cold foods and drinks.

5.Gelsemium

Gelsemium is indicated for flu symptoms during the winter season. There is running nose, which is bland and sneezing accompanied by pain in eyes and head. The patient may also experience weakness, dizziness, and drowsiness with aching pain in the muscles. Severe headache with dizziness and weakness is a leading symptom which calls for this remedy.

6. Hepar Sulphuricum

Hepar sulph is indicated for loss of voice and cough in winter or when exposed to dry, cold wind. Cough is aggravated when any part of the body gets cold or is uncovered. There is a lot of sneezing with a thin irritating yellow to yellow-green color nasal discharge.

7. Petroleum

Petroleum is a well indicated remedy for skin complaints during the winter season where deep cracks appear in folds, nipples, finger tips etc. It acts well for eczema during the winter where there is poor healing of the skin.

8.

Pulsatilla

This remedy relieves non-irritant bland, thick yellowish-green nasal discharge with a dry nose at night that becomes runny during the day, and where there is loss of smell and taste. The person needing this remedy is very sensitive and their complaints are always relieved in the open air.

9. Phosphorus

A person whose colds go easily to the chest often responds to this remedy. One nostril may be blocked while the other runs. Hoarseness, laryngitis, and nosebleeds are other likely symptoms. The person often is thirsty for cold drinks and feels better from massage. People who need this remedy often feel weak, "spaced out," and anxious or fearful when ill.

10. Rhus toxicodendron

If a cold begins with stiffness and body aches, especially during cool damp weather or weather changes, and leads to nasal congestion or sore throat, this remedy should come to mind. The person feels extremely restless and often paces or fidgets. Warmth and motion bring relief, both physically and mentally.

Remedy selection in Homoeopathy is purely individualistic. Hence, it is important to connect with a good Homeopath in order to get the best results! I once read a quote by Kellie Mox which says, “What happens in the body happens in the mind. What happens in the mind happens in the body. YOU ARE ONE WHOLE BEING!”

Here is to deeper, holistic healing during the holiday season! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

About the Author: Dr. Denise Rodrigues is a dedicated Homeopath, Paediatric Nutritionist and Guidance Counsellor. A Gold Medallist from Goa University, she currently serves as the Secretary for the Homoeopathic Medical Association of India (HMAI) - Goa Branch. She practices at her own set up - Evolve Homoeopathic Clinic at Raia, South Goa. Every Friday, she consults at Menezes Polyclinic, Panaji.

She can be contacted on: Email: drdenise.evolve@gmail.com Call 0832-2776965 for appointments.

Serendipity Arts Festival IS BACK IN GOA!

Slated to be held from the 15th to the 23rd of December, the 5th edition of the Serendipity Arts Festival (SAF) promises an incredible array of interdisciplinary arts and programmes

Serendipity Arts Festival is back with its 5th edition with an incredible array of interdisciplinary arts and programmes, in Panaji, Goa. Slated from the 15th to the 23rd of December, Serendipity Arts Festival (SAF) promises a celebration of the arts, with the Old GMC Complex at its heart, with additional venues including the Art Park, the Excise Building, the Multilevel Parking, the Santa Monica Jetty, the Post Office Museum, Samba Square and the Arena, to name a few. The sites of Serendipity Arts Festival 2022 have been strategically chosen for their historical value, natural beauty, and affinity to the arts. The project promises to turn the Mandovi waterfront into a hub of cultural activities that will be accessible to all.

The Festival will uphold its core values of giving immersive art experiences and inclusivity. The fundamental importance of sustainability, inclusivity and accessibility remains with a significant focus on children's programmes and those with special needs.

An initiative of the Serendipity Arts Foundation, founded in 2014 by Mr. Sunil Kant Munjal, the Festival stands as the only art event in the country that unites the creative disciplines with a commitment to catalyse tangible change across the country's cultural spectrum by engaging the public and increasing awareness of how art can impact society.

Speaking about the upcoming edition, Mr. Sunil Kant Munjal, Founder Patron, Serendipity Arts Foundation said, “The festival is a realization of our values as a foundation and we are delighted to be back with its much-awaited 5th edition in Panaji, Goa... The journey that the festival has made so far not only shows our commitment to the cause, but also marks the progress we have made and the impact we have created. Along with our collaborators and partners, we will continue to broaden the creative and collaborative boundaries of the festival to make it more interactive, immersive, innovative and accessible for everyone.”

The programming for this edition across Exhibitions, Performances, Workshops, Public Arts, Children’s programming, Talks & Book launches, and much more.

The Exhibition segment will see curations by Pramod Kumar KG, at the Old GMC Complex, and will

highlight the world of specialist books on the art history of India through a uniquely immersive experience that will also have projects like Forgotten Carpets of the Jaipur Court: Craft and the Promise of the Archive, an exhibition highlighting the poignant state of craft documentation and archives within India

Anjana Somany will enliven the world of craft and its rich traditions of materiality through space making through her project titled, Srijan: Space Making Craft Practices of India. The exhibition segment will also have curations by Sudarshan Shetty and Veerangana Solanki, the leading exponents of visual arts. In an extraordinarily intriguing yet interesting project titled, Who is Asleep Who is Awake, Sudarshan's curation will revolve around that surreal, liminal space between wakefulness and dream, between perceptions of fact and fiction, showcasing the work of seven artists.

Veerangana Solanki will explore the online virtual space with five artists titled Future Landing: The Arcade, where 10 artists will shift from the digital to the physical.

Other exciting special projects like 4x4: Four Galleries, Four Voices, represented by four galleries in Delhi (Shrine Empire and GallerySKE), Kolkata (Experimenter), and Mumbai (TARQ), showcasing current artistic practices from across the region. Some other exciting projects include a special archival exhibition by Dr. Jyotindra Jain and Jutta Jain; an international collaboration between Rahaab Allana and Pascal Beausse (CNAP, France); an exhibition curated by Harkat Studio on NFTs; and film screenings, projections, and performances, and an installation/workshop on the Box Camera and Camera Obscura by Austrian archivist and artist, Lukas Birk.

The Goa Familia re-emerges, in a bigger format, curated by Lina Vincent and Akshay Mahajan, showcasing an extensive archive of Goan cultural history and traditions, highlighting the many layers of human interaction with the place, its dwellers; its documentation which tells many a story. This year's Performance segment, curated by Bickram Ghosh, Ehsaan Noorani, Quasar Thakore Padamsee,

Website: www.itsgoa.com I Instagram: @_itsgoa I Facebook: Itsgoa

Geeta Chandran will see musical, theatrical, and dance practices and expressions from across the South Asian region, celebrating an amalgamation of traditional, contemporary, and experimental forms.

The music section, curated by Bickram Ghosh and Ehsaan Noorani will have an extensive segment covering a diverse range of genres from classical, fusion, folk, and indie pop to rock and more played in live concerts. The best of world music is coming together with curation by Bickram Ghosh, having maestros such as A. Shivamani, Taufique Qureshi, Rickey Kej, and many more across the nine days of the Festival. Keeping in mind the focus on promoting local artists and musicians, there will be a collaboration and a re-adaptation of folk and traditional musical practices. Sufi-Folk Tales will see Parvati Kumari and Kalpana Potawary together in an unprecedented folk and qawwali jugalbandi. Ghosh’s curation also envisages creating platforms for emerging artists and creative innovators and will have Sanjay Mondal , leading a group of children who make music through instruments made from scrap and waste materials. Ghosh's curation will have a segment paying tribute to the genius of R.D Burman, titled The World of Pancham: An RD Burman Tribute. The sunset cruise will also have this year's edition of River Raag, specially curated by Ghosh, encompassing classical musical performances. Taking this sense of inclusivity and celebrating diverse regional soundscapes, Ehsaan Noorani will present Spotlight: Indie & Folk Music Showcase. Spotlight will specifically focus on the northeastern states with artists like Avora Records, Trance Effect, Tetseo Sisters, Rudy Wallang & Family Band, Takar Nabam, and Abdon Mech. They will regale audiences with genres spanning pop, rock, folk, and blues and showcase the diversity of musical expression of that region.

Staying true to the interdisciplinary focus, Quasar Thakore Padamsee and Geeta Chandran will bring forth their projects intersecting dance, drama, music, and storytelling. Geeta Chandran is curating projects like Game of Dice, a dance production that draws from Kathakali, Chhau, and Contemporary dance with its creativity and experimentation, and Rumiyana, a puppet theatre performance by Ishara Puppet Trust based on the works of the great Sufi mystic, poet, and philosopher Rumi. Panchabhutam: Elements of Existence, touches upon the five elements of air, water, fire, earth, and space and how

they constitute and connect to all things living in a recital format based on Mohiniyattam thematic presentation by Neena Prasad. Other enthralling projects that Quasar Thakore Padamsee curates are genuinely immersive and interdisciplinary. Pah-Lak, based on real stories from the 2008 Lhasa riots, is an examination of the future of non-violence. The play Made in Ilva is based on testimonies and poems from the workers at the Ilva steel plant in Taranto. He is also creating and curating the fascinating project Desdemon Roopakam, which is a play looking at the women who go missing in epics and is sung entirely like a Chamber Opera using Carnatic, Hindustani, and Folk music, to name a few.

Mayuri Upadhya creates a performative, engaging and immersive atmosphere through projects that encompass the region’s socio-cultural milieu. On the Move features young dancers from around India and showcases dance forms like hip-hop, popping and locking, waacking, break, krump, and b-boying, among others. Young solo dancers like Latha Srinivasa, Vicky Bhartaya, Nilava Sen, and Promita Karfa work will premier their artistry under her curation at the Serendipity Arts Festival. Guitarist Shyamant Behal curates Music in the Park, featuring some of Goa's finest musicians. Serendipity Arts Festival is a public art outreach and believes in engaging with people around. Thus, the Festival has included across Panjim a few public art projects, which are continuations to its large scale public art edifices since the Festival’s inception. Time Repeats by Daku is an ongoing experimental public art project and an exploration of history repeating itself.

The Festival is inclusive and responsible for engaging with the younger generation. The idea is to be interactive and make art inviting and less intimidating. Quasar Thakore Padamsee, in collaboration with Rangashankara and Bookworm, has curated a unique project aimed at children and young adults titled The Enchanted Grove. There will be plenty of workshops to engage audiences at the festival, including culinary, theatre, movement, and music workshops. Speaking about the overall Programming, Ms. Smriti Rajgarhia, Director, Serendipity Arts Foundation, said, “We are back with an interdisciplinary arts festival which has

shows and performances across the visual arts, the performing arts, and the culinary arts. This year we hope to take over the city, with a project in every corner, making Panjim the culture hub for this part of the world. With representation from different countries, across the world, different genres, and a plethora of experiences, with projects engaging with tech and hands on workshops, we hope that there will be something for the festival for everyone”.

The last two years have been dismal, where the world has changed drastically, and the arts, deeply impacted, found more unique ways to flow into the digital medium through various carriers, NFT's being one of them. Projects like Somewhere Ethereal by Mathieu Wothke and Terra Nullius/Nobody’s Land: Excavations from Image 3.0 by Pascal Beausse and Rahaab Allana aim to introduce visitors to this emergent world of arts practices, with an array of work by international artists.

Various Talks and Symposiums have been lined up as the Festival, with topical sessions like The Future of Art with Technology, and A Workshop of NFT's: A Game Changer for the Arts & Creative Economy aim to clarify questions around art and technology. 'The Island That Never Gets Flooded: A Public Arts Project by Serendipity Arts Grant will feature artists like Amche Mollem, Diptej Vernekar, Julien Segard, Nityan Unnikrishnan, Salil Chaturvedi, Tinu Verghis. This is a project for which Serendipity Arts invited nominations for local artists to create new

interventions and immersions using sites, localities, and technology through interdisciplinary practices in Panjim. The Festival will also feature the works of the Serendipity Arts Foundation Residents and Grantees from 2021-22.

This edition promises to outdo all the earlier editions. A great contributor to that has been the institutional collaborators like the Institut Francais India, CNAP (Centre National des Arts Plastiques), Paris, Jeu De Paume, Paris, Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands, Istituto Italiano Di Cultura, who have come on board as partners owing to the Festival's collaborative and liberal outlook.

In its fifth year, the Festival aims to usher in paths to explore ways to increase and enhance public involvement and engagement. The goal remains the same: to create a sustainable, collaborative, and collective platform to highlight the shared cultural heritage of South Asia and create a global outreach.

The official hashtag for the festival is #MeetMeAtSerendipity.

For additional information on programming please visit www.serendipityartsfestival.com

For regular updates, look for: @serendipityartsfestival on Facebook @FestSerendipity on Twitter @Serendipityartsfestival on Instagram.

‘Sari_ The Unstitched’, a project by Sheth Dance Company, Asima Ensemble, and the Sari School for the Serendipity Arts Festival 2022