Being Goan - OCTOBER ISSUE 2022

Volume 2

flexcia d’Souza

Flexcia D’souza, one of Goa’s most popular Instagram influencers, shares insights into her life, her career, her struggles, and lots more.

Showing Compassion to Animals

GoaGPRS is an animal welfare organization that works hard to ease the suffering and distress faced by stray animals in Goa

common Misconceptions about homeopathy

An article on them common myths surrounding homeopathy by Dr. Denise Rodrigues

shania tashya

Goa’s youngest female DJ who started her career at the age of just 15!

clues in the mouth

A guest article by noted dentist Dr. Valerie Pereira

SELF-CARE

A guest article on the importance of Self-Care by psychologist Richelle Brito-Carvalho

Cover Image Credit : E lizabeth Smi tt

Welcome to the October issue of our emagazine ‘Being Goan’.

Before giving you a brief about what to look forward to in this month’s issue, it occurred to me that ‘Being Goan’ translates into ‘Goenkarponn.’ This word is widely used on social media nowadays so I decided to ask two of my very good Goenkar friends ‘Bab’ Marius Fernandes, (our very own ‘Goencho Festakar’) and ‘Bai’ Clarice Vaz, (Nurse turned Syringe Artist turned Author), who have put their heart, body, and soul into propagating Goa throughout the world, what it means to ‘Being Goan’ / ‘Goenkarponn’?

According to Clarice Vaz, “GOEMKARPONN means GOANNESS.” She says that she first heard of this word from Savio Ribeiro based in Bahrain on Facebook. “He was very active in the Goan forum. Then, I heard it being used by people like Sanjeev Sardesai and Marius Fernandes, and I came to live it. It simply means that Goans who are unique by their layers of history and heritage follow a way of life that is distinctively different from the rest of India. The way we Goans dress, our food, our language, our music, our habits, our dance, our personality, and our vibe! That essence is ‘Goenkarponn’...it's intangible. Rudyard Kipling once observed that East is east and West is west,

never the twain shall meet! But in Goa, they met! And Goenkarponn is the result. Goans today can assimilate in any part of the world because they have that exposure to the EAST/ WEST culture. Some individuals with Goan roots have gone on to become prominent people in other countries like the Portuguese PM António da Costa, UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman, etc. So preserving our GOANNESS is very important!”

While ‘Bab’ Marius Fernandez says, “In my 22 years in Goa, 57 people’s festivals later, we’ve tried to walk the talk - cherishing and living by our identity, culture, concern for the environment and using our natural resources responsibly. We will only grow if we can allow Goans to work hard, empowering them and imbibing dignity in them, and that is what I always tried to portray as being socially responsible. Goenkarponn truly means cherishing and living for the good of society at large, preserving and reviving traditions to pass on to the next generation.” This, my friends, is ‘Being Goan’ in the true sense of the term.

Coming back to our magazine, on the cover of this month’s issue, we have Flexcia D’Souza, one of Goa’s most popular influencers with more than 120 K followers on Instagram. We also have DJ Shania Tashya, a female disc jockey who started her career as a DJ when she was just 15. For animal lovers, we have a story on Goa GPRS, an animal welfare organization based in Quepem, led by Mrs. Grace Kare, an American based in Goa.

This month’s issue also features columns on ‘Misconceptions About Homoeopathy’ by noted homeopath Dr. Denise Rodrigues, ‘Revisiting SelfCare’ by psychologist Richelle Brito-Carvalho and ‘Clues In The Mouth’ by dentist Dr. Valerie Pereira.

I hope you enjoy reading this month's issue of our e-magazine. Do share it with your friends all over the world. Until next month, cheers!

Jessyl Fernandez Editor

Index

01 Flexcia D’souza

02 Showing Compassion To Animals

03 Revisiting Self-Care

04 Shania Tashya

05 Common Myths About Homopathy

06 Clues In The Mouth

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 blog-based 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.

Chief Editor

Jessyl Fernandez

Content Manager Steve Antao

Content curators:

Sarkar

Dr. Valerie Pereira

Richelle Brito Carvalho

Dr. Denise Rodrigues

Sales & Marketing

Donald Fernandez

Graphics & Layout

Shankar Kamble

Flexcia D’souza

In an candid chat with ItsGoa, Flexcia shares insights into her life, her career, her struggles, and lots more.

Flexcia D’souza is a person who needs no introduction. She is one of the most popular Instagram influencers in Goa. She currently has more than 120K followers on Instagram. Apart from creating content on social media, Flexcia also does social media marketing for a number of big brand clients in Goa.

In brief chat with ItsGoa, Flexcia shared insights into her life, her career, the challenges she faces as a content creator, and lots more…

Excerpts

Tell us a bit about yourself... I'm an easy-going, fun loving person, who dreamt big and worked hard to make a career in the media industry. With a career spanning 11 years, I've explored various mediums, formats and niches in the industry. Currently I am creating short format content on Instagram for my 120K audience. My content revolves around travel and lifestyle, with local food and culture taking some major focus too. I also work as a social media marketing and corporate communications professional with leading brands in Goa.

Your Instagram handle is: @flexcia_dsouza

How and when did you decide to start your journey as a creator?

When I switched to the arts field, I knew I had to work hard to make it big in the industry. So during my college days itself, I started out with a personal blog, and later switched to a professional travel and food blog. This was way before social media or short form content was a thing.

When I saw the media landscape changing, I kept adapting and from square and horizontal photos, I saw myself shifting to vertical photo content and eventually short form video content (reels) in the last two years, which is the most popular content lately.

I would say that all of this happened by chance, because my main focus was always working in the mainstream media and social media was always my passion project. But over time, I knew that this was working out better for me and I made a switch to a full time career in social media.

Flexcia at the frozen Tsongmo Lake in Sikkim

brands to help them scale their digital presence and up their online content game.

What was that one moment that changed everything?

There isn't a specific moment I can point to, but if I had to go back in time, it's probably the day I decided that I don't want to pursue a career in engineering or medicine and that I want to switch to the creative field. I knew that there's no second chance if this doesn't work out. So, I knew I had to work hard and make it work. But obviously, over the years, there have been several milestones. Landing my first internship at 17 with a leading national daily, landing my first full time gig with them after my post graduation, my first national byline, starting my blog at 17 (even before I knew social media could be a career), hitting 50K and eventually hitting 100K on

to come up with?

I am still figuring it out. I started out in a different niche, but figured that I enjoyed travel, food and lifestyle specific content more. So, I started creating more of it. Reels has changed the game for creators like me and being an early adapter, it worked well for me. My reels on offbeat Goa travel, local food, and so on were well-received, with lakhs of views and slowly people started looking for more of it. I reaped the benefits of starting early and staying consistent, and it also gave me credibility along the way because the audience realised my content pieces are thoughtful and well-researched, unlike many numberhungry creators we see erupting lately.

What's the biggest challenge when pursuing a career in social media full time?

Social media is an ever growing and changing industry and keeping up with it gets challenging at times. As a content

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creator, I'm always on the lookout for exciting ways to put out my content that can engage my audience. As a social media marketing professional, I utilise my experience with social media to help brands grow on the internet. It's a constant cycle of staying updated, trial and error and staying consistent..

You manage to travel often despite doing so much. How do you balance it out?

Over the years, I've struggled hard to maintain a work-life balance, and I believe at this point, I am succeeding at achieving it. We are here to – work hard, live well! Even when I had a full-time job, I took time out to travel every few months.

From December 2017 to February 2020, I travelled once a month and planned on continuing doing that, but COVID had other plans for us. But even when I am not travelling, I prefer having some sort of boundaries. With a profession like mine, we tend to

What role did family and friends play? Any quick incident you recall?

My family and friends have been quite supportive over the years. Of course, it's a privilege to have a good support system you know you can fall back on during the lows. My parents and closest friends have been my biggest cheerleaders and supporters, making sure I get the right opportunities and encouraging me to take them up when they come across any.

What would you tell yourself if you went back in time? Firstly, to not be so hard on yourself and eventually, we will figure it out. Secondly, at every point, to believe that nothing lasts forever – not the highs and not the lows. So instead of getting too used to something, ask yourself, what next? Thirdly, we all have a limited lifespan we live in, so make the most of every moment, every day.

What is the legacy you want to leave behind? And for whom?

Flexcia enjoying some much needed ‘me-time’ in a swimming pool

SOCIETY

Showing Compassion for Animals

GoaGPRS is an animal welfare organization based in Quepem which works hard to ease the suffering and distress faced by stray animals in Goa

Article

by: Steve Antao

Images Courtesy: Goa GPRS

Wherever you go in Goa, it is very easy to spot stray dogs lying around or roaming the streets. Also, you can easily see buffaloes and bulls moving around with no one to take care of them. Cats are seen wandering around in fish markets and scavenging for food. Hunger, thirst, disease, injuries, and blatant cruelty are the various miseries faced by these animals on a daily basis. These scenes highlight the lack of action on the part of both citizens as well as the government towards the suffering and distress faced by these poor creatures. It gives the impression that most people in the state are least bothered about them.

Thankfully, there are a few good Samaritans who have a heart filled with love and compassion for these helpless creatures. One such group of animalloving individuals are the people at Gomantak Pashu Rakshak Sanstha (known as GoaGPRS), an animal welfare organization based at Adnem-Quepem in South Goa. Founded by Mrs. Grace Kare and a few of her close friends in 2013, the organization works hard on a daily basis to do its part in easing the suffering and distress faced by stray and abandoned animals in the state.

WHEN DID IT ALL START?

Mrs. Kare has been involved in the field of animal welfare for more than 25 years now. She was born in Argentina and was brought up in the United States. Her love and affection for animals started at a very young age as she grew up on a farm near Buffalo, New York. The farm where her parents worked had

Mrs. Kare grew up with different types of animals at her home too, including cats and dogs, turtles, and even ducks. Growing up with animals all around her led to deep love and affection for them.

After completing her MBA, she married Dr. Dilip Kare and moved to Goa along with their daughter Sarika in 1995. When she arrived in Goa, she was shocked to see the pathetic state of homeless animals. She could see dogs with broken legs lying on the side of the street with no one to care for them. People used to just walk past such injured animals since there were no adequate facilities available in South Goa to treat such kind of animals. Cows were lying around in dirty and unhygienic conditions with festering wounds. There were only a handful of animal lovers to help and no shelters in Margao or nearby.

COMMITMENT TO ANIMAL WELFARE

Seeing all this, Mrs. Grace joined Vinod Gosalia and others in 1998 to set up Goa Animal Welfare Trust (GAWT). The AH&VS department leased space at the Sonsodo Veterinary Centre for 7 years to GAWT to be used for their animal welfare activities. The area was in a pathetic condition but with the help and combined efforts of all the members, families, and friends, the group managed to renovate the area and set up a small shelter for the animals. In 2007, the lease was not renewed as the Department of Animal Husbandry took over the area in order to build a large veterinary hospital which is still not completed. GAWT then shifted its operations to Curchorem.

Website:

A dog rescued from the streets by Goa GPRS

Mrs. Grace Kare, Founder Trustee, Goa GPRS

decided to set up her own organisation with a specific mission and outlook. This led her and a few close friends to start GoaGPRS in 2013. Mrs. Kare along with her husband Dilip, Tracie Patterson, Radhika Wakharkar, and Vicky Lalwani run the organization. These five energetic and dynamic individuals have decades of combined experience in working with animals. The organization is set up primarily as a sanctuary for old and special needs dogs.

GoaGPRS provides a spay and neuter program for pet dogs and cats and strays. They have a unique program where transport, surgery, 4-day after-care, and vaccination are all provided at one very affordable price. GoaGPRS also specialises in the treatment of serious medical cases requiring surgery and extensive after-care for rescues and sponsored animals. After recovery, they are sterilized and vaccinated before being returned to their original location.

The GPRS shelter in Adnem covers appropriately 1500 sq. mtrs. The staff lives on the premises to ensure the welfare of the animals 24x7. There are approximately 45 permanent resident animals living in small groups in designated areas within the shelter. The oldest dogs, known as the ‘Golden Oldies’, live in separate indoor/outdoor areas that can accommodate their special needs. Only surgery dogs and cats stay in cages as needed for their recovery before release. Overall, on average, there are about 65 to 70 animals on the premises on any given day.

The setup and philosophy of GoaGPRS are unique. “It’s a different and more individual approach to

animal welfare. Each animal gets the care and time it needs to make a full recovery or reach the best outcome possible.

"By specialising in specific areas of care, we can provide the best possible treatment and outcome for each individual animal”, says Mrs. Grace.

MESSAGE TO THE PUBLIC

Mrs. Kare has observed that often when a person can no longer keep a pet, they call a shelter to take the animal. An animal shelter is no place for a pet that has lived in a family unit and does not understand living in a group or pack setting.

Often pet owners simply abandon their pets on the beach or at the fish market, for example. Abandoning a pet on the streets is cruel, unforgivable, morally wrong, and against the law. The pet has no idea how to live on the streets, find food, or how to behave in a pack. Most of the pets abandoned on the roads die miserable deaths from injuries caused by humans or infected wounds or diseases. The humans chase them away by throwing stones or hitting them. Others are run over because they do not understand traffic or slowly starve to death.

Deciding to get a pet, whether it is a turtle, goldfish or dog or cat requires commitment. A dog or cat, for example, will require a daily commitment of at least 10 to 12 years. If a person does not have a permanent home environment, financial stability, and the love to put in the effort that pet ownership requires, it is best not to adopt an animal.

One option is adopting an older pet that will require a shorter commitment. Adopting an older dog, say 6 Website: www.itsgoa.com I Instagram: @_itsgoa I Facebook: Itsgoa

A dog being attended to by veterinary assistant Bidur Khatri Goa GPRS trustee Vicky Lalwani

or 7 years old, has big advantages for both the pet owner as well as the dog. Adopting a properly trained older pet means not going through the puppy stage of toilet training or chewing and shredding. If circumstances change and a new owner has to be found for a pet, Mrs. Kare warns that there are no quick fixes. Maybe a relative that already knows the pet could be a possibility for adoption. Friends and contacts on social media may be able to adopt or help by sharing a post about the pet. Posting a photo and text on the pet owner's Whatsapp status, posters at veterinary clinics, pet shops, etc. may help. It will take time to find a good home for the pet. But it is the responsibility of the pet owner to find a new home, not discard the animal or expect shelters to solve the problem.

Also, Mrs. Kare recommends that pet owners start looking for a new home as early as possible. Mrs. Kare says, "I have been involved in cases where a family has decided to immigrate overseas. The legal

process takes at least two years. Yet, pet owners will call and say they are leaving the following week.

“My question is why haven't you been looking to place your pet for the last year?”, says Mrs. Kare. “Unfortunately, too often, the answer is that they love the pet and will miss it if they give it away early." This is one time when the pet's welfare has to be a priority to the owner's feelings. It is about what is best for the pet, not the pet owner.

Mrs. Kare strongly believes that the only way to build empathy in the hearts and minds of people towards homeless animals is through children. Children are sometimes taught in school about cruelty to animals and respect for the environment. Also, young people are much more sensitive towards the cause of stray animals. They are more actively involved in working with animal welfare groups, and they see that all the work they do with such groups brings about positive results. The message about animal welfare is then taken home to the adults so that over time minds can be changed positively .

Mrs. Kare says that over the past three decades, she has seen much progress in the attitude of the general public toward homeless animals. Also, pet owners are more responsible and understand the benefits of spaying/neutering their pets. Thanks to the statewide anti-rabies program done by Mission Rabies and paid for by the Goa government, the general public is less worried about stray dogs and the possibility of contracting rabies. However, a lot more needs to be done by the government to help NGOs to resolve the problem of street dogs. Mrs. Kare jokingly says that if street dogs become a vote bank, the problem of strays will be solved in just one election cycle!.

In conclusion, the problem of stray dogs, abandoned pets, cows on the road, injured wildlife, etc. cannot be solved without everyone's involvement. Each one must take up personal responsibility, act as concerned and responsible citizens of society and do whatever is possible within their reach to ease the pain and suffering endured by homeless animals.

To know more about Goa GPRS and the work that they do, follow them on: Facebook: www.facebook.com/GoaGPRS Instagram: www.instagram.com/goagprs

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Goa GPRS member Radhika Wakharkar

Revisiting Self-Care

The Radical Way

Self-care is an act of care and resistance against the world which is constantly validating busyness, overextension of capacities, and devaluing taking care of ourselves.

Article by: Richelle Brito-Carvalho Image Courtesy: Freepik

The history of self-care is something you may not know much about! The term has gained much momentum, especially during the lockdowns and isolation periods of the Coronavirus in 2020 and 2021. The origin of the term self-care has lost its meaning somewhere between the glamour of Instagram selfies paired with unrealistic self-care guidelines and quotes.

The ideology of self-care originated in the 1950s in the medical community for patients who were institutionalised and the elderly to help them cultivate a sense of self-worth as they struggled with autonomy. Around the 1960s The Black Panther Party, in the US, used the radical idea of self-care to fight against systemic racism, oppression, class inequality, and political injustice.

With the rise of the women’s movement and the civil rights movement, self-care became a political act. Self-care was viewed as claiming autonomy over their health - emotional, mental, and physical; as a political act against the failing health system to properly tend to their needs. The activist groups also realised that in order to sustain the longevity of their activism they needed to take care of their own members. They showed up by practicing community care by distributing food to those in need, creating health clinics, and building programs to educate and share information with others. These communitywide efforts, spearheaded by the Black Panthers and other activists, changed the narrative about caring for oneself.

“Caring for myself is not a self-indulgence, it is selfpreservation, and that is an act of political warfare”- Audre Lorde

Self-care has now become interchangeable with pampering yourself, which is basically spending large amounts of money to feel marginally better. While self-care means taking care of yourself and that can look different for different people, the new age selfcare is capitalistically driven and has very little to do with sustainable nurturing, and focuses more on the individual instead of the collective.

Self-care is an act of preservation and not selfindulgence, it is an act of care and resistance against against the world which is constantly validating

busyness, overextension of capacities, and devaluitaking care of ourselves. The system isn’t set up for us to take a break. While individuals from the LGBTQIA community, religious minorities, indigenous communities as well as other marginalized sections of society are still struggling by mitigating basic accessibility to physical and mental healthcare. Despite this, there is an onus to have to look after themselves and survive because their being is not cared for, supported, or even protected by the systems. This is the time when the concept of selfcare is essentially useless; without community care, this is not something that you can survive alone.

The Covid 19 Pandemic is what brought us to our realisation that surviving is all the more devastating in isolation. We need to ask ourselves how we can better show up for each other when our government fails us. Now more than ever, it is important to consider ways we can honour the radical history of self-care. The origin of this term is built on the foundation of activism and representation. So here is something to consider when you inculcate the practices of Self- Care:

-Why is self-care important to you?

-What’s the first memory you have of practicing selfcare?

-What did your self- care practice look like when you first started?

-How do you feel when you take care of yourself?

-How do you want your relationship with self-care to grow in the future?

-How can you be a self-care advocate for someone else in your community?

This year, the World Health Organization has launched a campaign around the theme: ‘Making Mental Health and Well-being for All a Global Priority’.

In Angela Davis’ words: “Anyone who is interested in making changes in the world has to learn how to take care of herself, himself, themselves.”

Today, many still practice self-care as an act of resistance, and the internet has helped carve out more spaces for marginalized groups to practice community care by sharing their knowledge and supporting each other.

This is a reminder that caring for others is a form of caring for ourselves. Showing up for the others as they would show up for you. Practising self-care isn’t always easy as most of us are trying to navigate daily life challenges. We also tend to shame others for taking time off for themselves and most often feel guilty for taking that much-deserved rest.

Here are a few strategies to help you carve out time for yourself, in a way that can be tailored to your current life experiences:

1.Try to prioritize sleep as it can have a significant effect on how you feel both emotionally and physically.

2.Try to indulge in foods that are nutritious and good for your gut health.

3.Include some amount of movement in your routine, even if it is for 10 minutes.

4.Assess and draw boundaries whenever necessary, especially if you find yourself trying to make everyone happy. That could be taking a toll on you!

5.Step out into nature as it helps reduce stress, and lower blood pressure and fatigue.

6.Find quiet moments in your day to journal your thoughts and feelings.

7.Make it a priority to engage in activities of leisure regularly.

Your personal self-care practices have to extend towards community care, especially to those who are fighting with the Systems for their very survival. This can be through volunteering at clean-up drives, protests, climate change activism, advocating for mental health, being an ally for the LGBTQIA community, and so on.

The important question is: How are you advocating for self-care in your community?

There is no better time than now to put self-care at the top of your personal health agenda. If you’re experiencing burnout, fatigue, stress, and lack of motivation or interest please do not hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional for support as that is just another way of Self- Care!

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

Eating

is an ideal way of taking care of oneself

(Photo

music

dj shania tashya

Article by: Cassandra Carvalho

Image: Shania Tashya

DJ Shania Tashya is a female disc jockey who started her career when she was just 15. She has perfomed at various music events including the TimeOut festival in 2017 where she shared the stage with artists like Jason Derulo, Wiz Khalifa and Don Diablo.

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Shania Tashya is a young 22 year old DJ from Goa. She holds the distinction of being one of the youngest female DJs in Goa.

Born and brought up in Goa, Shania completed her schooling at Manovikas English Medium School and her higher secondary schooling at The Kings School, Davorlim. She then graduated with a BBA degree from Dempo College of Commerce and Economics.

Her career as a DJ began when she was just 15 years old. At that time, Shania had no idea as to what her journey would really be like- it was purely out of passion. She had to learn to balance college and music but it presented her with the opportunity to learn time management.

At 19, she started Liquid Melody, an experiential event management brand that caters to the hospitality industry to create an experience for their clients which is more than just music. They organized cocktail-making workshops, live artists with DJs, drinking games, and brought together different elements to create a whole “sensory experience.” She's always been a person who has chased everything she finds a spark in. And that’s really how she was able to find what works for her and what doesn’t. And that’s how she still continues to learn.

Shania always wanted to become a teacher. She remembers having an imaginary classroom, a chalkboard, and even an attendance register for her 'students'. Over time, her likings and passions kept evolving. But she really knows herself as an overly ambitious person- there’s so much she always wants to do. And till today, you’ll find her doing a hundred things but that’s just really her figuring out what actually sparks her soul and keeps her attention alive.

So even when she did tell her parents that she wanted to DJ- they saw it as another one of the 100 things she wanted to try out in life. Before wanting to DJ, she started learning the drums and guitar but eventually gave up on both. However, she knows that her passion for music constantly drives her in this field.

She grew up listening to famous pop hits from artists like Akon, Sean Kingston, Ne- Yo, Rihanna, Eminem,

But in terms of what she listens to, that has greatly evolved over time. There are numerous new genres and styles of music she finds herself listening to, that she couldn't have imagined. She believes she wouldn’t have known so many genres if she wasn’t a DJ, but the passion and drive she has toward music always pushes her to know more.

When Shania was 13, she attended a Christmas Waltz hosted by DJ Navin and crew, and for the first time in her life, she watched DJs play. She remembers it being 6 in the morning, around 1000+ people dancing and everybody was so into the music and the DJ that she wasn’t able to comprehend what the DJ playing felt like. Being in the crowd, she had goosebumps and wanted to feel that euphoria of being on top. She remembers going back home and telling her mum and dad that she wanted to become a DJ.

That stuck with her. Then her brother-in-law Raul gave her his DJ console and taught her a bit of mixing. A few months later, her father bought her first DJconsole. She then moved on to playing a few gigs to gain confidence at this shack called Elliots in Majorda, where groups of students from BITS Pilani often came in.

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,Chris Brown, and Jason Derulo. There was also an influence of retro music in her life through her parents- ABBA, Gipsy Kings and Eagles, to name a few.

Shania performing for Red Monday, a yearly event for the Redbull Community

She “officially” started taking up gigs when she was 15- after her father pushed her into playing at the opening of their Waterpark Froggyland, which was his dream. From then on, the journey just got better.

She felt a sense of great joy to be able to do what she loves. DJing allows her to express herself creatively through music and to communicate so much more. Making people dance is such an empowering feeling, and seeing happy and smiling faces is something that really uplifts her.

Music has immense power and to be a facilitator of good music feels rather excellent. Shania has had the opportunity to perform at some of the best nightclubs across India in cities like Bangalore, Delhi, Chandigarh, Pune, Chennai, and more. She has worked with some pioneers which include Kitty Su, Oktoberfest, VH1, Submerge, and Shiro amongst many others.

She remembers how she was trembling at her first gig- a 15-year-old girl with hardly any knowledge of how to make a crowd move. She is thankful that her father pushed her to do it, for she's had a great journey as an artist since then.

What really pushed her forward thereafter was the support that she received from so many club owners,

managers, and DJs. Although she was really young young and not even legal to enter clubs at the time, there were a few people who really saw her passion and understood that this career was something she really had a lot of love for and supported her through gigs. She is grateful to people like Kenneth from SinQ, David & Ajit from Titos & Cape Town Cafe, Radha from Redbull, Mark from Storm7, and DJsMackenzie (Mackie) and Joel apart from many others who have pushed her forward in her career.

Ironically, it was her parents who pushed her into pursuing it back then. There was resistance from her end because she was worried about her board exams, but her parents have unconditionally supported her and made her believe that she would be able to manage it all and their trust in her has allowed her to push herself and still continues to move her every day.

Since DJing is still such a taboo in this industry, she expects her parents to not have good regard for what she does- but it’s quite the opposite. And it’s really only because of them she has been able to make it this far- for Shania realizes she wouldn't go too far if they weren’t happy. Her journey as an artist is still a long way, but their appreciation and support are always what really makes it worth the while.

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It’s been 7 years since she's been in the industry and till today, the fire and passion still burn in her. Every gig is a new experience and it is a great opportunity to be able to do what she loves.

Peggy Gou is an iconic favourite and woman artist who Shania deeply admires. Her style and personality as an artist are quite inspiring. From the Goan DJ clan, her favourites include DJs Navin, Joel, Mackie, Rinton, Jay, Dwayne, Melwin and Nrush.

Further, Shania helps her father in their brand called The Synergy Project which caters to the hospitality (hotels) industry for their everyday entertainment as well as for weddings and corporations for one-off events. They organize team building activities, fun activities, water-based, adventure based, fun, and treasure hunts.

Shania loves making small differences, rather than dreaming big. She wishes to continue to play music and spread the good energy as long as she is able to.

She is also in a phase of her life where she's finding other areas which strike the excitement in her. Her plan is to study further and really understand what she should to do in the few years to come. So, it’s more about exploring life and knowing her purpose until she decides to further venture into anything else.

Shania says that one must do what one love to do. “Be passionate in all that you do. And if you’re not happy with your life and career, you have the power to change it. It all comes from you, and your potential is endless”, she adds.

Shania at the Indian National Conventional Awards (INCA)

Image Credit: Freepik

are observed in all living beings, including plants! Thus, saying that ‘Homoeopathy is a placebo,’ is irrational.

3. Life-threatening illnesses cannot be helped with Homoeopathy

Homoeopathy has proven its effectiveness in treating patients diagnosed with illnesses like cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), tuberculosis and stroke. In such cases, Homoeopathy acts as an adjuvant, palliating the symptoms, and providing a better quality of life to the patient. There are also multiple documented cases where there is a reversal of structural pathology, thus proving the depth Homoeopathic remedies works at.

4. Homoeopathic medicines cannot be used along with other conventional treatments Most patients who approach Homoeopaths for various health issues are already on conventional medicines. Homoeopathic medicines are absolutely safe and can be taken along with these medicines as Homoeopathic remedies and other drugs act at different molecular levels within the body. If there is a certain drug that is known to interfere with the course of action of the well-selected Homoeopathic remedy, your Homoeopath will make it known to you and adjust the dosage of the remedy accordingly.

5. There are dietary restrictions when you take Homoeopathic medicines. Recent research studies show that if you follow the

basic half-hour rule then you can eat whatever you like. The rule basically states that you must not eat or drink anything half an hour before and after having the medicines. It is an important point to note that the right Homoeopathic remedy will not be an antidote by having coffee, chocolate or onions.

About The Author:

Dr Denise Rodrigues is a dedicated Homeopath, Pediatric Nutritionist and Guidance Counsellor. A Gold Medalist from Goa University, she currently practices at Evolve Homoeopathic Clinic at Raia, South Goa. Every Friday, she consults at Menezes Polyclinic, Panaji. You can write to her at drdenise.evolve@gmail.com or call on 0832-2776965 for appointments. Follow her on Instagram @evolvehomoeopathy

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Clues in the Mouth to Systemic Diseases - A Dentist Ponders

The mouth is the “window” to the body and an area where the systemic disease first presents itself.

Picture a Dentist, torch, and mouth mirror in hand locating the sign that would lead him to suspect a certain disease. You ask why?

The mouth is the “window” to the body and an area where the systemic disease first presents itself. Its various parts like lips, tongue, gums, mucosal membranes, teeth, and bone can be compared to objects where we look for clues of disease. And it was Sherlock Holmes who taught us not just to see but to observe details.

This article will focus on a few common manifestations that can be signs of an underlying disease that a dentist may notice in the mouth during a routine dental check-up.

Nutritional deficiencies

Vitamin A deficiency

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin whose deficiency causes night blindness, infections, and skin problems. An interesting sign that’s observed in the teeth of people who are Vitamin A deficient is a problem in the dentin and enamel called enamel hypoplasia which leaves the tooth target to caries.

Vitamin D and Calcium deficiency

Vitamin D and Calcium affect teeth and bone development, so an absence of these can lead to teeth brittleness (hypocalcified teeth), delayed eruption, and malaligned teeth.

Vitamin K deficiency

This manifests as increased bleeding or spontaneous bleeding from the gums.

Vitamin B Complex deficiency

Patients with decreased Vitamin B complex (Riboflavin, Niacin, Cobalamin) manifest with periodontal issues, burning tongue, pale lips, cracks on lip edges, loss of tongue papillae, ulcers, and sometimes a swollen and/or pale tongue.

Vitamin C deficiency

Bright red, swollen gums which refuse to heal are a classic sign of being deficient in Vitamin C. It is essential to diagnose and supplement with food and medicine.

Endocrinal Disturbances

Hypopituitarism and Hyperpituitarism

In Hypopituitarism the dental arch is smaller and the tooth crown and roots are smaller too.

Hyperpituitarism presents a larger than usual jaw and tooth size. The size of the tongue may be increased too.

Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism

In Hypothyroidism, the deciduous teeth may be retained beyond normal shedding time and the lower jaw may be underdeveloped. On the other hand, early shedding of deciduous teeth and accelerated eruption of permanent teeth may be caused to suspect Hyperthyroidism.

Hyperparathyroidism

Pathologic fractures and cysts in the jaw combined with spacing and sudden drifting of teeth can be due to Hyperparathyroidism.

Insulin deficiency

Diabetes is caused by insulin deficiency or resistance. There are two types –Type 1 and type 2 Diabetes. Oral manifestations include dry mouth, gingivitis, periodontal disease, coated tongue, oral candidiasis, altered taste, burning mouth, increased tendency for infections, and defective wound healing.

It is mandatory to get these levels of hormones tested and treated by an Endocrinologist.

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Deficiency of essential vitamins is a leading cause for a number of dental-related illnesses (Image : Freepik)

Haematological disorders

Anaemia

Different types of Anaemia like Pernicious, Aplastic, and Iron Deficiency Anaemia present with different symptoms like inflamed /swollen tongue, red or purple spots on the mucosa, fissures at the angle of the mouth, pale mucosa, and/or red painful tongue.

Leukemia

Gingival bleeding, rapid loosening of teeth, and ulceration may be a cause to worry and can be due to Leukemia.

Platelet and Clotting Factors disorders

These will present as spontaneous gingival bleeding mostly. A simple blood test can confirm this diagnosis.

Infections

Viral and bacterial infections like Tuberculosis, Leprosy, Syphilis, etc can be diagnosed by blisters, ulcerative lesions and masses in the mouth, and swollen lymph nodes.

Oral Candidiasis where the mouth is covered in white patches and/or white thick coating can be a presenting sign of HIV infection.

Metal Intoxication

Exposure to or ingestion of heavy metals will cause metal poisoning and lead to pigmentation of the oral mucosa.

Bismuth intoxication is associated with the formation of a blue-black line at the edge of the gums.

Lead poisoning or Plumbism presents as a steel-grey linear area in the gums.

Mercury poisoning displays pronounced salivation, ulceration, and a metallic taste in the mouth. It is imperative that these conditions are treated.

Many other signs like ulcers and grinding of teeth due to stress, periodontal bone loss due to osteoporosis in women, and tooth stains due to

smoking can be observed by a dentist. Even signs of cancers, autoimmune diseases, and syndromes are detected in the mouth. Menopause is linked to dryness and/or burning mouth. Erosion on the lingual sides of teeth can be due to Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Bulimia and anorexia nervosa patients may show erosion of teeth due to purging and self-inflicted injuries.

These oral signs can manifest along with or even precede the systemic lesions. Sometimes they may even be the first clinical sign in an undiagnosed patient and they can be caught unaware. Identification of these signs and symptoms is crucial to come to a timely diagnosis so as to refer to a Physician and be able to treat the disease effectively.

The devil, after all, is in the details.

About the Author:

Dr. Valerie Anithra Pereira is a consultant dentist who specialises in Peridontics (gums). She completed her BDS from AJ Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangalore. She then practiced at Narayana Hrudayalaya in Bangalore before going on to do her Masters in Periodontics and Implantology at Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences in Coorg. She has worked as an Assistant Professor in Periodontology at Bhopal University and Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, Nashik She is available for consultation in Panjim. She can be contacted via WhatsApp on: 8208007184. Website: www.itsgoa.com I Instagram: @_itsgoa