People, Food, Travel, Hospitality
have you tried these goan drinks?
Whether it’s alcoholic or nonalcoholic beverages, Goa has something for everyone
These Goan sweets pay tribute to the considerable fare accessible in the state, particularly coconut, black coconut jaggery (madachem godd), and cashew nuts, amongst others.
If you are visiting Goa during the end of December then don’t miss out on the unique Goan Christmas experience!!!
Dr. Linoshka D’Silva is a super talented Indian Youtuber. She not only is a certified doctor but also a certified Youtuber.
offbeat
Enjoy your vacation while you indulge in these exciting offbeat activities in Goa.
parasailing or river rafting
With an array of water and land sports, this land of seashores is without doubt one of the best locations to try water sports activities in India.
Welcome to the second edition of our very own online magazine ItsGoa.com, that chooses to cover untold stories, unsung heroes, unheard of talent like never before. Not only do we endeavour to promote Goa and Goans locally but from around the world in the fields of business, entertainment, culture, history et all.
It’s coming up to that time of the year again when Saint Nicklas visits with loads of gifts, Christmas stockings are hung on the mantle, hues of red, green, silver and gold adorn the streets and homes, favourite Christmas tunes can be heard all around, the aroma of freshly baked Christmas cakes and Goan delicacies rent the air.
There’s a lot to be done before you start hittin’ that eggnog too hard - choosing the ideal Christmas Tree, buying gifts and toys, those new clothes, yes! and gingerbread peppermint, the list goes on.
Goans from around the world are known to fly home for Christmas. Its a time when families come together. Now with the ban on International commercial flights being lifted, Goa's first British charter flight is scheduled to arrive on 13th December, with subsequent weekly flights over the month.. Charter flights from Russia are also expected. Goa is the most happening place this time of year. Christmas and New Year's Eve Dances, the fireworks displays, the music and Christmas fare should feature on the to-do list. A 'must-try favourite is the Christmas stuffed chicken.
Having my Christmas tree already lit, star hung in place and buntings dangling from the windows, my delicious coconut cake ‘Baat’ ready to be placed into the oven, a glass of ginger wine in hand and one of those Christmas movies playing on the Television, 'It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!' But before settling on the couch, we at ItsGoa.com would like to thank you for supporting our magazine and look forward to your contributions and suggestions in our journey ahead.
So, from the team at ItsGoa.com, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2022!
May this Christmas bring Peace and Joy and the New Year bring Hope.
Jessyl FernandezGet in touch:
Nordic Intent HQ, Lane 4,
PDA Colony, Near Le Magnifique, Bardez Goa – 403521
+91-9765419976 mail@itsgoa.com
01 The Goan Christmas experience.
02 Kevin Pinto - Indian Travel Influencer
03 The Goan Christmas sweet platter
04 Carlton Pinto - Fashion Influencer
05 The Goan local drinks
06 Linoshka Dsilva - Doctor & Youtuber
07 Parasailing in Goa
04 Shawn Kenneth - Musician
06 Guide to river rafting in Goa
07 Ronaldo Rozario
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. The Covid Pandemic in 2020 brought everything to a standstill and printing of the magazine was put on hold. Now that life is almost back to normal in Goa, and to maintain the covid norms, we have decided to launch our very own ItsGoa magazine online.
Think of Goa! Think ItsGoa! Our magazine is known for its business listings of basically anything and everything found in Goa. We also produce uniquely written articles in regard to Goa. Some of these folk tales you quite literally will not find anywhere else on the net. These rich in content stories are passed down from generation to generation in the villages of golden Goa. We also provide up-to-date news and information on travel, food, and events that are taking place in this beautiful State of Goa. The content on ItsGoa is written by people who are passionate about calling this tiny state their home. Our writers come from all walks of life, and through our social media handles on Facebook or Instagram, we re able to showcase Goa through many different lenses.
The ItsGoa magazine is a single point of reference for news, lifestyle, and culture in Goa.
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It’s that time of the year where celebrations fill the air for the year that has been with plans and dreams made for the laziest time of the year.
What better way to ring in the New Year than India’s party capital, Goa! From the unusual seashore events to the romantic moonlit cruises, Goa has been recognised as India’s preferred vacation destination. While Goa is recognized to be brimming with cheer and enthusiasm during this time of the year, the two months of December and January attain the absolute zenith. The land has a prosperous Christian subculture with lovely church buildings teaming up with Catholic festivities. The Goan Christmas experience has begun. This pocket-sized paradise of India is changed into a dizzying kingdom of festive fervour, and it is difficult now not to be completely consumed with the aid of the celebrations. Here are some unique Goan Christmas experiences you must try when hitting Goa for Christmas.
The churches in Goa are architectural gemstones from a bygone colonial generation that are delivered to existence at Midnight mass.
It has more than four hundred churches, big and small, and there’s no better way to have a fun Christmas in Goa than by attending a night-time mass service.
Say a prayer, provide thanks for your benefits and be part of others in singing hymns and carols. You can go to the Basilica of Bom Jesus and the Immaculate Conception Church to be a part of a middle – night mass.
During Christmas in Goa, all the streets are lit up and marketplaces are embellished with tinsel and buntings. Enjoy the colourful firework exhibits all around. Some of the best locations to revel in the fireworks are Anjuna Beach, Arambol Beach, Calangute Beach, and Vagator Beach. The regions of Old Goa, dotted through numerous church buildings show superb fireworks and impart an irresistible enchantment to the festive fervor. The fireworks show that takes place on Christmas and New Year’s Eve is absolutely breath-taking which solely adds more splendour to this destination. It’s a glamorous sight everyone must witness once in a lifetime. A couple of seashores in the state have the most beautiful show of fireworks as well. If you’re the type of person that would adore such an act, head to the nearest seashore on Christmas eve, and while you relish your seafood revel in the stunningly colourful fireworks in the night sky.
Goa is famous for its seaside events and nightlife however at some stage in Christmas celebrations, the environment is different. One can experience lively vibes and admire glinting decorations around. The celebrations are taken to a new level with the Christmas Eve Dance. One can experience Christmas Eve dance events at locations like Vagator and Anjuna beaches.
Dancing and parties are an inevitable part of the Christmas celebrations in Goa. If you’re the kind of person that is fond of ballroom dancing then quite a few places in the state host formal dances. Some of the famous spots to be at are Emerald Lawns, Alva Mar, Silver Bells, Blueberry Hills, Woodbourne Hall and Quinta de Valadares among others. These parties usually take place either on the 24th or 25th evenings and go on until midnight. So, put on your dancing shoes along with your best attire and get ready to dance until dawn at these parties. Sinq, Cohiba, Showbar, Mambos, Marbella Beach Resort and Cavala are some of the places to go to if you’re looking to be blown away with Bollywood, Hip-Hop and EDM tunes.
Hit the Goan streets as the festivities are all over the place and also don’t miss out on the Christmas carnival in Goa. Christmas in Goa is one of the most important festivals celebrated and here are some of the best experiences you can indulge in for an amazing Christmas celebration. Christmas is the time when the entire state basks in festivities and is decked up like a bride. There are plenty of places for a Christmas celebration in Old Goa. The place is dotted with ancient architecture mostly belonging to medieval times.
Not precisely a Christmas celebration, however, the subculture of burning the historical man subculture on New Year’s Eve is an age-old exercise stored alive with the aid of native Goans even today. As the identity suggests, countless effigies comparable to ancient men, made of hay and ancient clothes, are set on the hearth to signify the destruction of the concerns and ills of the preceding year. Money is generally collected by teenagers to save for subsequent year’s celebrations.
Photograph: Ardian Lumi
Indulge in luxurious Christmas dinner During the Christmas holidays, you’ll discover something for each festive appetite. From mouthwatering delights like stuffed chicken, roast turkey, pork sorpotel and an assortment of grilled seafood on the menu to the Portuguese-influenced treats such as Bebinca (a Goan forte layer sweet made from eggs, flour, coconut milk and butter) and Goa’s unique Christmas Dodol (a festive, toffee-like sweet), the list is endless. Christmas in Goa can be spent in many ways –partying it up on its beaches, indulging in sumptuous meals or simply by taking the time out to experience the heart and soul of Goa with your family. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags for a Christmas like never before.
He is very passionate about what he does and has been helping thousands of people to travel with his videos. Moses hopes to inspire a whole new generation of Goan Youtubers that anything is possible if you work for it.
Kevin Pinto is an Indian travel influencer who understands a thing or two about serving an experience.
Being a digital marketing professional, he serves digital solutions and on other days he travels across lands delivering travel experiences. He is passionate about his travel and never misses an opportunity to share awesome food reviews, which he says is part and parcel (pun intended) of traveling. The team of ItsGoa caught up with him and put him under the spotlight. Humans of Goa is our original and official series that shares inspirational stories from the lives of Goans. Humans of Goa are made for and made up of Goans. Let’s get started.
If anyone were to ask you, “What do you do for a living, then what would you say?” Other than Blogging & Content creation, I work as Digital Marketing professional for a UK based agency in Goa
What was that one moment when you decided that, “That’s it! I want to make videos and become an Indian travel influencer” I have been travelling for quite some time, but never thought of documenting it! My friends & known people often told me they’d want to visit the places that I visit and that’s when it struck me, “Why don’t I let people travel with me VIRTUALLY”, and that’s when I started documenting my travel – not just the place, but also the information & vibe of a given place, may it be an offbeat place, local restaurant or a known tourist destination
Why only travel? Why not anything else? Because it comes from my HEART and I believe if something comes from our heart, we give it our best! Travel has always been an integral part of my life and I love doing what I do – explore, ride, travel and live in the moment! It makes me happy and allows me to draw a sense of freedom and humility. There are days that are stressful but I know that a solo bike ride, short trip or sunset can cheer me up. I don’t always need a person to cheer me up but Travelling makes me happy. Also, I’ve been exploring food places & a variety of cuisines lately. I believe it comes as a part of travel
A bit about your role models. People you look up to when creating content?
Wander With Sky (Aakash Malhotra) – https:// www.instagram.com/wanderwithsky/ This one person has inspired me to the core and has been a constant source of motivation in many ways. WanderWithKevin comes from WanderWithSky. What I like about Aakash is that he creates videos with which one can connect. It is not just the beauty of the place, but the vibe of the place that he shows through his content is what catches my attention, every time! Moreover, in spite of being such a huge creator, he is the most humble!
Any inspirational moment you remember in your life that changed everything…
Everything has a good and a bad side and so does social media. What we see on social media is not always the reality. A person smiling for a picture might not necessarily be happy. It is a task to be a part of the content creation world because there are times where it takes a toll on your mental health –the same happened with me.
Website: www.itsgoa.com I Instagram: @_itsgoa I Facebook: Itsgoa
I received a lot of hate & backlash for one bit of my content a few months ago. Being new to this, I didn’t know how to deal with it – it was “water over the head”. But after talking to my friends, taking some time out I realized that “No matter what you do, what you post or what you talk, there will always be someone out there to judge you or to spread hate.”
I learnt that receiving hate on social media is a part of a content creator's life and the only way to deal with it is ignorance.
This changed everything for me – I started being me, posting without worry, posting what I love without worrying about what the world has to say. If hate has to come, it will come in anyways but the love that I’ve been receiving for my content is 10x more than the hate and that’s what keeps me going and makes me stronger, everyday
What was the biggest challenge for anyone to become an Indian travel influencer? And how did you overcome it?
I am still on the journey to pursue this as a fulltime career because I still am dependent on my regular job for a stable income. However, in the long run, I’d pursue content creation and blogging as my full-time career based on sustainability in terms of security and finance. The hurdles that I see are,
Not all brands pay well. Some don’t pay at all Blogging scope in Goa is very less currently, as compared to other metro cities. However, I see it growing now
Personally upgrading my content game Constant flow of income is very difficult
Any memories as a kid you’d like to share?
Something that helped shape you as a person? Uhmmm.. no specific memory as such but the person I am today is shaped by the upbringing of my parents. My dad has always pushed me to be independent since a kid, taught me to do things by myself and today, that has helped me stand on my own feet. I’ve never been forced to choose a career. He always told me to do what I love and my parents have always been supportive from Day 1.
Who is the one person you’d like to meet from the past? And what would you ask him/her? I think it would be my grandmother, who has been gone for a couple of years now. I wouldn’t really ask her anything but I’d want to show her where her prayers have brought me today
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your younger self?
I don’t think I’d give any advice to my younger self because I believe that life is a roller coaster of ups and downs. The “ups” give us good memories and the “down” give us experiences that shape our future. It is a learning phase, always!
Can you write a couple of lines for us here on the topic of “Travel is Life”? Travel has so many good aspects to it. It defines who you are and helps you explore and look at life from a completely different point of view. You learn to be more grateful for the life you live, for the things you have and for the journey you’ve been through. Travel makes you independent and allows you to make decisions for yourself. It helps you explore your strengths and overcome your weaknesses. Moreover, travel makes you happy and helps you form a better & happier version of yourself.
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rest of my life. Mom has always uplifted my mood and has been the greatest support when I was at my lowest. I have very few close friends because I like to keep my close-friends circle small and these few of them have been the biggest support for the WanderWithKevin journey throughout all these years. I am always grateful for having such supportive people around me.
What were people’s feedback (negative and positive), and who stood by you the most? Both. Some people like my content and a very few might not, but it’s mostly positive feedback. More than the likes, views or followers,
not just me alone but all of those who’ve supported me – my family, friends and followers. I would be more than happy to leave behind a legacy that says 4 things, Be sincere with your work. Never stop working because Hard work does pay off Grow but also help others grow. Be a support to those who need your help
Do what you love. Don’t let hate define you or your goals
Be a responsible traveler. Do not litter & destroy what doesn’t belong to you
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It’s that time of the year when the stars and cribs come out to play. The decorations are set up, lights twinkle in home windows and kitchens get busy with the traditional Goan sweets.
It’s that time of the year when the stars and cribs come out to play. The decorations are set up, lights twinkle in home windows and kitchens get busy with the traditional Goan sweets. The Goan Christmas sweets tray or the consuada (kuswar in Konkani) is a necessary phase of the festival.
These Goan sweets pay tribute to the considerable fare accessible in the state, particularly coconut, black coconut jaggery (madachem godd), and cashew nuts, amongst others.
It is believed that 21 sweets and some savoury objects embellish the Goan Christmas sweets platter – crispy mandares (rice chips), puffy voddes (deep fried candy bread), marzipan (a cashew and sugar sweet, commonly colored and formed to seem like fruits), bolinhas (small desserts akin to coconut cookies, made with coconut, sugar, semolina, egg yolks and butter), nankhatais (sugar, butter and flour blended to create a white, snowy-looking cookie), and baathk (a wealthy coconut cake with pastry lattice work on it) amongst others.
This sugar-laden Goan Christmas sweets tray is sent out to neighbours and friends and offered to visitors so they can partake in the Christmas bounty. The kuswar is a matter of pride in many families, and is distinguished by the quality and the quantity on the plate. Here’s a glimpse of some of the Goan sweets in this season.
Queen Of Goan Sweets
This dish is the yummiest! Each layer is baked one after the other and caramelized. This is one of the standard sweets of Goa and is full of goodness. The Bebinca is soft, organized with sugar, ghee, flour, egg yolk and coconut milk; on occasion served with almonds and ice cream. We bet you cannot resist this Goan delicacy!
Perad
This guava cheese (Portuguese: goiabada) is like the aam papad – sweet, soft, chewy with a mild tartness.
Guavas have herbal pectin – acquired after straining the seeds – which works as a thickening agent for this darkish red/pink sweet. Simply made with sugar, lime, butter (or ghee), it is one of the dishes that requires consistent stirring. Perad is additionally regarded as guava cheese. It can be eaten like a jam; if eliminated earlier than it is utterly cooked, the thinner consistency makes it less complicated to spread.
Doce – The Most Preferred Of All The Goan Sweets Doce de Grão (sweet grain) is a fudge made with chana dal (split gram), coconut and jaggery. It has some ghee and cardamom. The chana dal and coconut combination is cooked with sugar – and stirred always – until it leaves the facets of the pan. Then, some ghee and cardamom are introduced and the warm combination is left to cool in a container or on a marble slab. It is reduced into squares or diamonds and now and then scored on the top with a fork. It has a skinny dry crust and is gentle within. Out of the other Goan sweets, doce is also popular in catholic households during weddings and other occasions as well.
Pinagr or Pinaca is another popular Christmas sweet made with brown rice, fresh grated coconut and brown palm jaggery. Firstly the rice is ground to a flour. The flour is then roasted in a skillet and set aside to cool. A portion of the flour is set aside to roll out the Pinagr later. In the same skillet jaggery is melted with a little water, a little salt to taste and cardamom powder for flavour. After mixing well add the freshly grated coconut and mix again. Lastly add the rice flour, mixing further. Allow to cool for 3-4 minutes and then divide the mixture in spoon size portions. Cool for another 4 - 5 minutes before rolling out into croquette shapes. Roll the shapes into the rice flour set aside. Allow to set for 30 minutes and enjoy the unique flavour.
Dodol
This toffee-like candy is made from coconut milk, jaggery and red rice. It has the texture of a pudding and is now and sometimes studded with cashew nuts. This, like doce, is a hard recipe and includes a lot of stirring. Jaggery and coconut milk are stirred constantly – to keep away from lumps – until the combination is decreased by means of half. It is cooked when it leaves the facets of the vessel.
Kormola/ Carambolas
These mildly sweet, fried treats look like flower buds and are thus called phoolancho kalyo. The dough is made with refined flour, eggs, sugar and coconut milk.
It gets rolled out, cut into squares and then twisted at the ends to make a conch shell. Then these tiny bits are deep-fried till golden brown and crunchy.
Kulkul/ Kidiyo
This deep-fried snack with textured ridged edges is known as kidiyo (worm). They appear like shells or butter curls. Kulkuls are made with flour, rava, eggs, ghee, sugar and some coconut milk. Though an easy recipe to pull off, forming the curls takes time and is commonly a crew activity.
Once the dough is formed, it is fashioned into small balls, unfolding on the return of a fork or comb and then rolled into a curl. This is then deep-fried in oil. Generally crunchy, editions consist of a dusting of sugar on the top or a sugar glaze.
Neuri/Neureos
Neureos are flaky, crescent-shaped pastries packed with a sweet coconut filling with dried fruits, or a dry filling of a gram, moong flour and powdered sugar and are most popular among the Goans in comparison to the other Goan sweets.
These are normally prepared for Diwali and Ganesh Chaturthi too. In India, they are mechanically referred to as karanji or gujia.
PEOPLE
So what inspired a kid from Duler, Mapusa to venture into the real estate world, and that too with sexy suspenders? Let’s find out!
Carlton Pinto is one of Goa's top fashion influencers. That’s his hobby. He actually sells the real estate experience to his clients during the day.
So what inspired a kid from Duler, Mapusa to venture into the real estate world, and that too with sexy suspenders? Let’s find out!
Humans of Goa is our original and official series that shares inspirational stories from the lives of Goans. Humans of Goa are made for and made up of Goans. Let’s get started.
Tell us a bit about yourself…
My name is Carlton Pinto. I live in Duler, Mapusa. My loved ones call me “Calu” or “Calty”. My Insta handle is @the_B_O_S_S_life
If anyone were to ask you, “What do you do for a living, then what would you say?”
I am a Real Estate Developer, Fashion Influencer and an E-commerce Global Distribution Partner.
What was that one moment when you decided, “That’s it! I want to become a real estate developer and a fashion influencer”
Well to be honest construction is in my blood. Ever since I was a kid I’ve watched my dad (a civil contractor) in this line and what he did enthralled me and always left me curious. I would always think of how I would take over the reins from him and probably expand the business even more. I started with C Pinto Builders, a brand of my own, where besides taking over contracts I also build apartment complexes and villas for sale. A real estate developer to put it simply. Well as for the fashion influencer part of it, I never thought it was something I would do. Funny enough, it all began when a close friend of mine one day asked me “Carlton, why don’t you do a portfolio shoot?” At that time the camera and I were not really the best of friends.
I would even say that the camera absolutely hated me. I also thought I lacked the confidence it takes to pose in front of a camera. Believe you me, I was gobsmacked when I saw my first picture taken on a DSLR camera. I have always had a knack for dressing up and looking the part. I live by the quote by Mark Twain’s short story; The Czar’s Soliloquy, “One realizes that without his clothes a man would be nothing at all; that the clothes do not merely make the man, the clothes are the man; that without them he is a cipher, a vacancy, a nobody, a nothing…there is no power without clothes.” After that portfolio shoot I just knew that I wanted people to know my fashion sense and style. I wanted to represent myself and my choice to the world. This is just how my journey as a fashion influencer took flight.
Why only real estate and fashion influences? Why not anything else?
Well, we all know establishing yourself and your brand is not an easy road. There are many hurdles on the path. I am innately a perfectionist and I truly believe in order to be successful in life, you should stick to what you are good at and make that your living. Also the most important part is that whatever you set your mind to doing, make sure you are passionate enough to do what it takes to get you there. Right now these two fields are what appeal to me the most. What the future holds for me is something that I am patient and willing enough to let time unfold. I have to always take into consideration that I do not prioritize one aspect over the other and that I give them both enough time and effort to be successful. Honestly speaking, I’m still learning every single day how to be better than I was yesterday. I think it’s just part of life.
Website: www.itsgoa.com I Instagram: @_itsgoa
My role model is Robert T. Kiyosaki. He’s the author of Rich Dad Poor Dad and has written books on wealth creation and financial literacy.
He is a huge role model in my life. The ideas and tactics that I use in my business are what I have read and understood from his works.
Any inspirational moment you remember in your life that changed everything… Well my most inspirational moment in my life was, and I don’t think I will ever forget it is, when I came across this book called The Secret: the Law of Attraction that a friend of mine happened to recommend to me, when I was at a low point in my life. When I read the book, I was inspired. I gained a new perspective on life. I felt like I had discovered fire. It completely changed my perception of life as a whole. Till date, I haven’t come across something that has inspired me more. I use the law of attraction on a daily basis, be it my real estate business, or being a fashion influencer. Whatever I have in my life is because of these simple techniques that I learned from the law of attraction, and it has, till date, always worked for me.
What was the biggest challenge when pursuing this as a fulltime career? And how did you overcome it? Whenever I do something I give it my all and I would definitely be lying if I said it’s as easy as can be. In my real estate business, it’s definitely disheartening when the client doesn’t reciprocate the interest and enthusiasm that I have. One may even think that after being in this line for many years, I must be used to clients backing out or rejecting my products but it isn’t always easy. Rejections lead to an increase in one’s self doubts; Why did they reject me? Why did they not like what I’ve done? Am I lacking in some aspects? Am I doing something wrong? Am I not paying enough attention to my business? Do the clients not see me as someone they can trust to build them the home of their dreams? And sometimes, especially in the beginning phases, these kinds of thoughts have always put me down. I’ve even on some days found it difficult to get out of bed and get myself to work because I am my biggest critic and it definitely had repercussions.
I gradually learnt how to manage myself. But it definitely doesn’t mean that getting rejected has no effect on me. I’ve taught myself to learn from my mistakes, to take every rejection as an opportunity to learn and improve. I’ve taught myself not to give up and to keep going in order to achieve my dreams and goals. With being a fashion influencer, I face completely different challenges. I never thought that this would be something I even had to deal with…but here we are. Haters, people who criticize and critique everything that you post on social media. You give it your best, stand in front of the camera all day on shoots, but it’s not just that, I have to also work with my team to come up concepts and ideas for the shoots, the type of clothes I’m going to wear, scout the location, think of what I’m trying to portray etc… These tasks don’t just happen without any planning and dedication.
Even posting the picture once the shoot is done leaves you a bit skeptical about how people will react to it. And to go through all that and have someone discourage you and tell you that you aren’t good enough does take a toll on you. I’ve even had people who made fake accounts of me on social media, followed my close friends and tried to in a way ruin my reputation. But honestly speaking my biggest challenge is to be able to manage both, my life as a real estate developer, an e-commerce global distribution partner and as a fashion influencer.
To be able to find the time to manage these aspects of my life as well as to have time to spare for family, friends and the gym can be very challenging.
But you do it because you are passionate and because you want success and you want to prove your worth.
On my journey I have realized that there are going to be many negative people around, many haters to deal with, but I think that is all a part of my success story. I guess you can say it’s all about the balance, the yin and yang.
Website: www.itsgoa.com I Instagram: @_itsgoa I Facebook:
Any memories as a kid you’d like to share? Something that helped shape you as a fashion influencer?
Well, I wasn’t always this fit, muscular guy. I grew up chubby and I was teased a lot and I hated it. I had to stop the teasing and had to improve myself. I couldn’t bear the thought of people mocking me and making fun of me for being fat. This led to me to going through the biggest transformation from fat to fit. While I was on my fitness journey, as I achieved my physical goals, my level of confidence was boosted. I developed a ‘can do’ attitude and I think that that has shaped me into the person I am today. It took a lot to work on myself physically and to mentally keep motivating myself to not give up and take the easy road. When I did it, I realized that I need to use this ‘never give up’ attitude in all aspects of my life. It has become sort of like a mantra. Like they say, “when the going gets tough, the tough get going”. It’s what I live by, it’s what I encourage others to live by. To appreciate constructive criticism and work on it to improve your self is the biggest challenge that you can face. But keep going, there definitely is a rainbow at the end of the tunnel.
Who is the one person you’d like to meet from the past (personal or celebrity)? And what would you ask him/her?
It really is hard to think of just one person to communicate with from the past, especially when you have so many questions to be answered, so many perspectives to learn from. To even be able to think of asking them why? Or how? Is completely nerve wrecking. That said, I think I would really like to have a day where I could meet a great personality like Steve Jobs – the man who was the pioneer of the personal computer revolution. I really can’t think of a proper question that I would want to ask him, but I would definitely want to know what drove him, what inspired him to take up the path he chose, and how he was able to get through whatever hurdles that threatened to bring about his downfall. I would want to know what his mindset was when he did what he did, whether he even had an inclination of the change he would be bringing about by just introducing a product.
I would definitely want to know how he managed to keep it together and manage and do what he did.
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your younger self? I would definitely tell myself to not settle for small victories, and that I am meant for something much bigger. Also, that I need to keep the fire in me ignited no matter the difficulties I have to face. I would definitely tell myself to not be satisfied after achieving one or two goals, but to keep at it and play your best game and to keep growing, keep achieving and keep helping.
What role did family and friends play? Any quick incident you remember when family or friends helped you overcome a hurdle or challenge in life? When it comes to family and friends I truly am blessed. My parents have always been there to support my every decision, to guide me through trying times. My parents have always wanted what’s best for me. They have encouraged me to be independent and make my own identity. Be it further studies, or even starting a new business, they always warn me of what could go wrong and how I could fail or fall short. They’ve never discouraged me from taking up the challenge and proving not just to me and them, but also to those around me that I can achieve what I set my mind to. My friends are like my second family. They have always played a very important role in my life; they’ve always been there to motivate me when I needed it, to support me when the going gets tough. They are there to guide me through my downfalls and are my biggest cheerleaders in my victories. We’ve always been like this, encouraging, motivating, going out of our way to help each other and just being there for each other.
What were people’s feedback (negative and positive), and who stood by you the most on this journey as an entrepreneur/fashion influencer? I have always been a very social person. I like meeting new people and getting to know more people.
People who know me will definitely say I'm a very helpful person, that I can be counted on to give valuable advice when it comes to business, relationships, fashion and many such other aspects.
Website:
And as they say, it’s all about the balance. I definitely do have people who will say that I have a big ego and am a show off just because of what I am.
There are people who try to bring me down, spread rumors, make fake accounts to spoil my reputation, and I am glad that in times like this, I have friends who are always there to get me through it all and to remind me of why I am on the path that I have taken.
I believe, there’s a saying that goes, in life if you have no haters or no one hates you then you are doing something wrong. If someone is trying to bring you down, remember, it only means you are doing something right.
What is the legacy you want to leave behind as a fashion influencer/entrepreneur? And for whom? I definitely want to leave a legacy behind, to be remembered not just by my family but to be remembered in society. I want to be remembered for the drive and zeal I had for life. I love making money…I mean who doesn’t? and I want to be remembered not just as Carlton Pinto, but as ‘The Carlton Pinto’ – the man who never gave up an opportunity to grow.
I want to be remembered as one of the biggest and best businessmen there ever was. The man who never settled but kept working for his success. The man who looked failure in the face and told it to back off. I want to be remembered as the guy who had so many businesses and created many opportunities for people to grow and succeed under his wings. I want to be someone that young entrepreneurs aspire to be like. I want to be a role model to people. I want to be remembered as the man who never gave up, who always kept dreaming and setting goals and worked hard to achieve them. I also want to be remembered as a man who did many great things, but never forgot how to be humble, never stopped encouraging others to do their best and who always encouraged people to stick to their goals and follow them with a burning passion. This is definitely how I would like to be remembered by my children and by everyone whose life I played a role in.
Whether it’s alcoholic or nonalcoholic beverages, Goa has something for everyone.
Lazing on a Goan beach, devouring spicy seafood while sipping on a King’s Beer is simply holiday goals. Whether it’s alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages, Goa has something for everyone. Without further ado, right here are 7 nearby drinks from Goa that you should try on your next trip.
Kokum Juice
Goa gaye aur Kokum juice nahin try kiya? Well, a trip to Goa, Kokum berries are an integral aspect of the Konkan meals culture. These berries have fitness advantages and are additionally part of Ayurvedic medicine.
The best part is that Kokum juice made from these berries is sour, sweet and will leave you refreshed. So do, try a glass of Kokum juice the next time you’re at this ultimate seaside destination. Cheers!
Sol Kadi
Sol Kadi is another famous and evergreen Goan drink. It’s additionally made from Kokum blended with coconut milk. Sol Kadi goes nicely with seafood, as it helps cool down your digestive system after gorging on fiery food. This herbal digestive drink is a great antidote for acidity. It will leave you with a sweet, bitter and spiced taste, and of course you’d definitely want more. Pair Sol Kadi with rice and spicy fish curry, and you can thank us later.
Feni
The Portuguese introduced Goa to Feni in the 16th century. Ever given that then, there was once no searching back. Prepared from coconut palm sap or cashew, the juice is first fermented and then distilled to produce great Goan Feni. This alcohol has a robust odour and aftertaste. And you can effortlessly get inebriated in a few photographs of this nearby drink. Feni in contrast to different drinks won’t leave you with a hangover. Infact, Goans tout it to be a standard treatment for cough, bloodless and flu. Cashew or coconut feni, the desire is yours the subsequent time you choose to get a little tipsy in Goa.
Beer Lovers! You’d have to agree that there can’t be a better drink in a hot, seashore destination than a chilled bottle of beer. Well, when in Goa, be like the Goans, grasp a bottle of Goa’s favorite King’s Black Label Premium Pilsner.
King’s beer is solely brewed and offered in Goa, so you can’t find this gem somewhere else in India. This crisp and smooth drink goes simply nicely with proper Goan food. It has a smoky malt aroma and a refreshing after taste, in contrast to any beers you’ve ever had before.
The Portuguese first brought Port Wine to Goa, simply like the Feni in the 16th century. This exquisite sweet red wine is generally served as a dessert wine. Known as Vinho do Porto, this wine was once first produced and served in India at Vinicola. The unit set up via Ivo da Costa in 1965 backyard Margao town, produced the first port wine for Goans. You can taste this wine after a hearty meal, and end your meal on a sweet note. Vinicola port wine is accessible in different varieties in Goa, along with dry, sweet and semi-dry.
Urak
Urak has been a well-known Goan drink all the way since the 1700s. It has an exceedingly sweet, fruity style that even attracts non-Feni lovers. This is in fact the first distillate of cashew feni. Urak is primarily enjoyed with lemonade, ice and soda. You can additionally have it with sprite or limca. It has much less alcohol content than Feni. And you can normally get it at some point of summer. Since it has a short shelf life and no synthetic preservatives or flavors, you need to have it quick, on a warm summer day.
Armada
Armada is a spice liqueur made from a centuries oldfamily recipe dating back to the times of Portuguese rule. Prepared from Indian spices, Portuguese fruit and Brazilian sugar, it has a bold and exquisite taste. Goans like the use of Armada to prepare decadent desserts like chocolate brownie, Christmas cake, ice cream and even profiteroles. Infact, you can even find it in some of your Goan cocktails. This handcrafted alcoholic beverage received the Gold Outstanding medal at the International Wine & Spirit Competition, two years in a row. So, this Goan drink virtually needs to be on your wanted list while you explore the beaches of Baga & Calangute. These are some of the exceptional local drinks from Goa that you have to try the next time you go to this beachy destination. Sit by the beach, sip on these drinks and experience the breezy vibes to the fullest.
Website: www.itsgoa.com I Instagram: @_itsgoa I Facebook: Itsgoa
She is an inspiration to many, and we are super excited to have a lovely conversation with her about life, love, and
Dr. Linoshka D’Silva is a super talented Indian Youtuber. She not only is a certified doctor but also a certified Youtuber.
Humans of Goa is our original and official series that shares inspirational stories from the lives of Goans. Humans of Goa are made for and made up of Goans. Let’s get started.
Your Full Name:
Dr. Linoshka D’Silva
Your loved ones call you: Well I have different nicknames and I can generally identify the person by the nickname they use because it comes from different parts of my life. Really close family and childhood friends call me Lika – stemming from me calling myself that because I couldn’t pronounce my own name when I was a little girl, sticking to the 1st and last syllable was the easier option. Then there’s Lix, Lixy, Baby, Buchu, Nani etc. Nosh became very popular and marks the beginning of a different life when I met my husband while still a teenager. NOSH is also what I prefer people calling me.
Your Instagram handle is: @linotchka
The website or web link you run is called: YouTube – Dr Linoshka – It was my dad who pushed me to start my own channel. So, when the pandemic first hit, besides work, I also took it up as a challenge with a target in mind. Thankfully and luckily, I was able to meet the criteria to monetize my channel in under a year. So glad to have built a new community and grown the Insta fam too. It allowed me to personally connect with them sharing healthy recipes and seeing how they recreated it and enjoyed it with family. It started out like that and grew into other aspects.
You live in Goa at: Margao. There’s this idea some people have that I’m from the North, possibly because I get most invites from North Goa but No, I’m from South Goa.
If anyone were to ask you, “What do you do for a living, apart from being a top Indian Youtuber?” I’m a doctor, that’s my profession. I’ve always been so interested in biology since childhood. Medicine seemed like the best option and I’m so glad I did because it helped me so much and in turn, I’ve been able to touch so many lives through it. I’m what most people would call a nerd. Always a bookworm throughout school, the kind of girl who would cry about scoring 23.5/25 in a test. True story. Needless to say, I graduated with 3 Gold medals and also ranked 1st in Goa University. Since then, I’ve been able to pursue my other interests too – be it baking, dancing, art etc. I went on to win the All Goa Bakery Contest, received a gold medal in Cha Cha at a National Dance Sports Championship, won the Blenders Pride Fashion Selfie Contest among 25,000 entries across India judged by Wendell Rodricks –the prize took me to my dream destination for a holiday – Paris. Also won the Title – Prudent Mr. &Mrs Goa 2018 with my husband, featured in a couple of ads on TV after that and hosted our own show too.
What was that one moment when you decided, “That’s it! I want to aspire to become an Indian Youtuber with a difference” Well I’ve always been a very open book on social media.
Technically speaking, I’m a content creator on Instagram. Honestly, it was just me sharing and documenting my life and love for food – with all the baking and eating, until I started getting invited by restaurants for reviews a couple of years ago.
Website: www.itsgoa.com I Instagram: @_itsgoa I Facebook: Itsgoa
So that’s how it started, and food will always have a special space in social media presence. As YouTube started growing, I started doing other things that might help others – like to manage curly hair etc. The more I helped people, the more it fuelled my passion to do more, which materialised into creating more content which got more recognition with collaborations with brands and companies. So really, it’s a Win-Win. But I always strive to be genuine and authentic – with my followers, subscribers, just keeping it real, I think it’s important!
Why cover lifestyle, travel or fashion? What do these 3 mean to you?
Like I said , it started with food. And I’ve had some suggestions in the past about creating a separate page for it but I just never saw myself doing that. I mean this is Linoshka, I’m me , the whole package – I love to eat , bake, travel, love all things fashion , why put myself in a box ? When the whole point is to think out of the box! And I’ve never really liked the idea of having a page only for food or fashion etc. It gets too monotonous for me personally. Instead, here you can see the whole Linoshka in all my avatars, and I can be my true self which is when I shine best.
A bit about your role models. People you look up to when taking snaps or working with pictures to convey a story?
Someone asked me a question once – if your role model or someone you look up to would enter the room , and you’d just faint in that moment who would it be – the answer to that realization is my answer – Pooja Dhingra! India’s Macaron Queen, apart from the fact that she deals with all things sweet – and dessert is my first love- I love how she is so HERSELF on social media, how she openly shows her vulnerability, besides all her victories how she also openly talks about her mistakes, downfalls and lessons learnt. When I first read her book – The Big Book of Treats- I just cried – mind you it’s a recipe book but the Introduction had my heart. She inspires me to be my true genuine, authentic, vulnerable self. My parents and husband have always been so supportive and proud of anything and everything I do. They truly inspire me to be and do better every day!
Any inspirational moment you remember in your life that changed everything…
When I manifested the Paris trip through the most amazing way after watching a movie, “The Holiday” and I actually went there to Paris, living the dream, eating tarte au citron, Macarons and croissants while taking in gorgeous views of La Tour Eiffel along the beautiful river Seine, that’s it! I knew that moment itself if I can do this, create this reality from my thoughts alone, I can do anything!
Any memories as a kid you’d like to share?
Something that helped shape you as a person? My strong fashion sense comes from my maternal grandfather, he came from a different era altogether – he would wear socks and shoes just to go to buy milk down the road! It instilled in me the importance of grooming very early on. Even though I have to admit I can be very sloppy too – keeping it real right ? My paternal grandmother lost her husband – my grandfather when the ship he was on sank; to this day, it’s never been found – neither the ship nor the passengers onboard. She had to single-handedly raise 4 boys – my father being the eldest in SSC at that time and my uncle just a toddler. She has always inspired me to pursue my education with passion and respect. Being a girl she wasn’t allowed to study too far in her childhood, during some of the most difficult exams, her inability to fulfill her ambitions, is what would fuel me to overcome my fears and excel instead. She too continues to inspire me, much more fashionable than me at the beautiful age of 81yrs! I get all of my artistic skills from my father – being it on canvas , baking creative cakes, doing make up now which is all an extension of art. He’s an artist himself.
When I was born- the 1st girl in a family of boys, someone asked my father, “Oh! You’ve got a baby! Congratulations! Is it 1st class or 2nd class?” 1st class meaning a boy and second meaning a girl. My father told him , “I have a daughter and she’s 1st class for me!”
My mother has made me all I am today – some of the strongest virtues she has taught me are Independence, Fearlessness and the Power of Prayer.
My mother has ALWAYS supported me – studies, education, finance, fashion, content creation, dancing, pageants, art, the list is endless.
Website: www.itsgoa.com I Instagram: @_itsgoa I Facebook: Itsgoa
Though we are poles apart, she has always respected my decisions and shaped me into the woman I am today. I owe my life to her, very Literally! My mother always wanted a daughter until she met my now husband. She couldn’t have asked for a better son.
The reason my life changed into a different trajectory when I met my husband is because he has allowed me to truly discover myself and all of the gifts, I have to offer the world in simply allowing me to be myself. I started baking because of him for his secret, not so surprise 21st birthday party and also because he loves to eat. I beg to differ with the popular saying –Behind every great successful woman there’s a caring and supportive husband! It takes a different man to hold that crown. Whether it’s his constant support, broad mindedness or simply being the cameraman for all my Insta worthy pics, has definitely allowed me to blossom into what I’ve become today! I am what I am today because all these people have allowed me to grow and bloom in this direction. Ever so grateful to each of them!
Who is the one person you’d like to meet from the past (personal or celebrity)? And what would you ask him/her?
I wish I could meet my mother-in-law and father-inlaw; I never got a chance to meet them in this earthly realm. Not to ask them anything, just to feel their love and blessings.
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your younger self? Be bold and strong, you’ve got this! You create your own reality so own it!
What role did family and friends play? Any quick incident you remember when family or friends helped you overcome a hurdle or challenge in life? Already mentioned how big a role they’ve played and continue to play to this day. My mother has moved heaven and earth on multiple occasions in the past to be with me, guide and support me through thick and thin, laughter and joy, sadness and trial.
What were people’s feedback (negative and positive), and who stood by you the most? I have very few friends (who I call friends) so thankfully I’ve always received a ton of support. But in all honesty, I am my biggest critic. I’m way too hard on myself.
My mother is my biggest fan, she will list the achievements I’ve forgotten to Mention here. She even remembers all my grades since kindergarten! I try to take negative feedback to grow. Life is the biggest and best teacher.
What is the legacy you want to leave behind? And for whom?
Your existence here on earth has a very specific purpose and every person here who you meet on the journey helps pave the way for you to create that reality. So, live your best life! And join in the celebration of mine.
Website:
Goa, a tropical tour vacation spot is well-known for its pristine seashores and adventure sports. With an array of water and land sports, this land of seashores is without doubt one of the best locations to try water sports activities in India. Parasailing in Goa is a famous water sport and an exciting activity which is loved by tourists from all over the world. It lets you experience the bird’s view of this beautiful tropical land, Goa. Read on to find the eleven best places for parasailing in Goa.
1. Calangute Beach
If you are searching for the nice beach for parasailing in Goa, you can’t skip out on Calangute beach. Clear skies provide the perfect sketch for indulging in parasailing here. Enjoy the breath-taking view of the Majestic Fort Aguada whilst attempting this sport. It is a hotspot for parasailing, the place where a large number of travelers flock to experience this exciting water game over the majestic Arabian Sea.
Activity cost: INR 800-1000 per person
Duration of parasailing: 20 minutes
Location: Calangute, North Goa
2. Candolim Beach
The beach is known for its scrubbed dunes which makes this stunning beach a paradise for parasailing lovers. The water sport is loved on this beach by a lot of overseas tourists. If you are on the lookout for taking part in water sports activities and beauty together, let this beach do the magic. For the ones searching for stay options, there are many hotels, accommodations or hostels around the beach with astounding views of the Arabian Sea.
Activity cost: INR 800
Duration: 20 minutes
Location: Candolim Beach Road
3. Sinquerim Beach
This is definitely one of the best beaches for the ones searching for thrill in Goa. Its lovely golden sand and charming backdrop offering Fort Aguada, a wellknown historic fort makes way for being a quite liked seaside to revel in parasailing. If the historic view is your thing, go to this seaside to enjoy the activity.
The seaside is mostly well-known for a variety of different water activities to do too.
Activity cost: INR 600
Duration: 30 minutes
Location: Near Candolim Goa
4. Baga Beach
Baga beach is one of the most famous beaches which offers an abundant opportunity to vacationers fascinated in water sports, especially parasailing. Its breath-taking view gives the best backdrop for enjoying adventure sports. Visitors love trying their hands on parasailing while soaring in the sky amidst green lush mountains. Parasailing in Baga Beach is one of the fine recreations you can have on your time out to this tropical land.
Activity cost: INR 800 person
Duration: 20 minutes
Location: Bardez District, North Goa
5. Mobor Beach
The beach witnesses massive waves that make it a perfect spot for parasailing. Enjoy a profound adventurous experience on the beach by harnessing yourself with safety equipment. Parasailing on this beach offers a panoramic view of the surroundings. Parasailing enthusiasts are going to marvel at the sight of this beautiful beach in Goa while soaring high in crystal clear water.
Activity cost: INR 900
Duration: 10 to 15 minutes
Location: South Goa, subsequent to Cavelossim beach
6. Majorda Beach
This beach is best for adventure fanatics who are fascinated to trap a wave whilst gliding over the water. The wild untamed waves make it a best spot for parasailing at its best. The water sport at this lovely seashore comes with the added bonus of rendering a dazzling view of Goa. The experience is even better when the wind condition is at its best. And to top it all, Majorda Beach has the most affordable parasailing in Goa.
Activity cost: INR five hundred to 800
Duration: 15 to 20 minutes
Location: South Goa, between Utorda and Betalbatim beach
Website: www.itsgoa.com I Instagram:
In addition to the above-mentioned beaches, Dona Paula too makes it to the list and can be regarded as one of the fine locations for parasailing in Goa. It is set on rock headland where the river Mandovi and Zuari confluence with the Arabian Sea. For an enjoyable and interesting parasailing activity, the pristine and crystal clear water of the Dona Paula seashore makes way for the fantastic parasailing in Goa experience.
Activity cost: INR five hundred to 800
Duration: 10 to 15 minutes
Location: Near Dona Paula, a village in the suburbs of Panaji
When you are searching for parasailing activity, you can’t go wrong with Anjuna beach. Located just 18 kilometers from Panjim and surrounded by the blue waters, this seaside makes way for one of the best parasailing spots for tourists. Its gentle white sand provides beauty whilst soaring up in the sky. This spot for parasailing should be a must-visit on your next trip to Goa.
Activity cost: INR five hundred to 800
Duration: 15 to 20 minutes
Location: Anjuna Beach, close to the village of Bardez Taluka in North Goa
This well-known beach is notably famous as the reputation of Dil Chahta Hai is an amazing addition to this list. Its beauty is unparalleled and this game does justice to it. While flying high in the sky, participants can enjoy the lush landscape that is truly magnificent and one of its kind. The best mixture of clear blue sky and white sand makes it a favorable region for parasailing amongst travelers from all over the world.
Activity cost: INR five hundred to 800
Duration: 20 to 30 minutes
Location: Vagator Beach RRoa
Bogmalo beach, placed at one end of North Goa is an ideal getaway for soaking in the sun while parasailing at your best. The pristine seaside that faces purple cliffs gives a thrilling ride whilst taking part in parasailing through journey enthusiasts.
If you are dwelling in North Goa, this seashore is a must-visit to experience this interesting water activity. Apart from water sports, tourists can also enjoy laying back on the lounge and soaking in the basking sun.
Activity cost: INR 500 to 800
Duration: 10-20 minutes
Location: 8 km away from Dabolim Airport
Beaches in Goa are particularly famous for parasailing and Colva beach is one of them. This lovely seashore is majorly famous for its sheer beauty and rapid waves. The remarkable silver-white sand makes it perfect for trying parasailing. You can witness the beauty of the glowing silver sand whilst soaring above it. Colva beach has the best possible parasailing fee in Goa. However, it promises not to disappoint parasailing enthusiasts who are going to have the best time while enjoying this thrilling water activity.
Activity cost: INR 950
Duration: 10 to 15 minutes
Location: Colva Beach Road
Parasailing is no longer a very common activity however it’s pretty popular. To experience parasailing, do hold these below-mentioned pointers in order to get a satisfying trip from the sport.
• Know your safety equipment
• Keep a check on the weather
• Listen to your trainer
• Be in proper communication with the crew
• Know the limits you can go like weight, age, etc.
• Try to fly over a beach, it’s safer
Visiting the seashores will continue to be incomplete till you attempt parasailing in Goa. This thrilling activity is bound to increase your adrenaline rush and make your trip to Goa completely worthwhile one.
Parasailing in Goa is certainly one of the most pleasant experiences you can have. Enjoy the activity whenever you plan a trip to Goa next! Website:
He can sing, write, produce, design, and lead. It’s a rare combination of talent and belief. It made perfect sense to build this conversation on ‘belief’.
Humans of Goa is our original and official series that shares inspirational stories from the lives of Goans. Humans of Goa are made for and made up of Goans. Let’s get started.
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Tell us about yourself, Shawn…
My name is Shawn Kenneth Fernandes. I run a website called shawnkenneth.in My insta handle is @shawnkenneth and I live at Porvorim.
If anyone were to ask you, “What do you do for a living, then what would you say?”
I am a Tech Entrepreneur & a Digital Content Creator. I run a brand called Shawn Kenneth Digital Solutions and I am also a founder at a company called Creative Joule Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
What was that one moment when you decided, “That’s it! I want to become a content creator” The first time I saw a Music Video by Linkin Park at the age of 13, I completely fell in love with the audio production process, the whole branding and the visuals. I wanted to learn how to do everything associated with the Digital Content Creation field and eventually ended up doing it, even producing my own Music Videos eventually. It also sparked an interest in Graphic Design because Mike Shinoda from Linkin Park is an amazing artist.
Is there any specific type of content that you cover? Lifestyle, food, or travel? If so, why only these? My content covers multiple aspects. My main field is UI-UX Design which is basically designing Apps & Websites and User Interaction Experiences. I also have a keen interest in Audio Production, Graphic Design, Video Editing & Blog Writing. My content tends to be genre-agnostic and I usually work for clients who require my services. I also create Podcasts and recently released my Debut Musical Album called “The Passion Inside”.
A bit about your role models. People you look up to when creating content?
Video: MKBHD
Audio: Linkin Park
Art: Justin Maller Podcasts: GaryVee
Any inspirational moment you remember in your life that changed everything…
When I created my first piece of Graphic Art at the age of 13 and a client liked my work and offered to pay for it. I realized that my work held value and I went ahead and founded my own company at the age of 13 called Shawn Kenneth Creations. That moment guided my entrepreneurial journey to this day.
What was the biggest challenge when pursuing this as a fulltime career? And how did you overcome it? Time Management. The creative field is rife with constant changes and it becomes a little difficult to manage multiple creative projects with deadlines. Besides that, as a creative individual, handling the administrative side of a company becomes slightly difficult while you’re in the zone creating your content. I overcame it by setting proper protocols and processes in place so that working with my clients and doing the creative work was as seamless as possible even if I had to manage 4-5 projects at a time.
Any memories as a kid you’d like to share?
Something that helped shape you as a person? The first time I performed on stage to an audience and they started chanting my name. That was a huge moment for me and gave me a lot of confidence to pursue my creative goals. Being on stage also helped me learn how to be confident while communicating with people and leading a team.
Who is the one person you’d like to meet from the past (personal or celebrity)? And what would you ask him/her?
Freddie Mercury. I would love to have dinner and pick his amazingly creative mind.
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your younger self?
“Keep at it. Believe in yourself. You’ll get there. Also, start saving money as soon as possible!”
Website: www.itsgoa.com I Instagram: @_itsgoa I Facebook:
What role did family and friends play? Any quick incident you remember when family or friends helped you overcome a hurdle or challenge in life? My mother Melly Menezes and my Uncle Arun Elekar were incredibly supportive of me when I was unsure about my professional path. In my Second Year at Engineering College, I was unsure about whether to continue my degree course because of the stress involved. But they helped me through it and I got out of the college successfully with a degree in hand and went ahead and pursued my creative goals too.
I also want to mention my Fiancé Rhea Vania who has always been supportive of every endeavor of mine and been my partner in more ways that I could have ever expected from anyone.
What were people’s feedback (negative and positive), and who stood by you the most?
A lot of people were incredibly supportive of my journey from the start because I started my professional journey when I was very young. They were always appreciative of my efforts. The only time I heard any sort of negative feedback is when my name started hitting local and international news outlets. But I never let the petty unconstructive feedback get to me and kept my vision of what I wanted to be as strong as I could.
What is the legacy you want to leave behind? And for whom?
I want to be known as one of the world’s top UI-UX & Content Creation experts and I want to make sure my family and children enjoy the benefits of everything that the position has to offer.
Goa, a visualization of sun, sand, and sea as the summer season begins. A go-to Goa at some point of the monsoon season is bewitching as the sunny state now transforms into a one-of-a-kind world.
Photograph: Alka Jha
Monsoon is the time when nature spreads its splendor in the structure of lush greenery and unexpectedly flowing rivers inviting human beings to attempt a new adventure.
White water river rafting is an outdoor adventure group recreation gaining momentum widely. There is an inflatable raft that is used to navigate via the river bends and rapids by using a 6 human crew balancing the raft by sitting three on every side and the use of single-bladed oars to steer the raft. This is a teamwork exercise involving being a whole centre of attention and a magnificent degree of enjoyment via the thrill that it brings.
River Rafting Spot in Goa:
Mhadei River flowing through Valpoi village is located in Satteri district. This river flows via a blanketed natural biodiversity. It has been recognized as the right area for first-timers and avid skilled river rafters to revel in the thrills it offers.
Timings: Usually 8:30 am post breakfast. It is around 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours recreation & more than one time slots are accessible from 9:30 am, 12:30 am, 02:30 pm and 05:30 pm slots.
Goa Rafting Pricing:
The price of river rafting in Goa has evolved from about ₹ 999 to ₹1850, Goa Water Sports provide a budget-friendly rafting ride in Goa. Where Videos and Photos will price more at Rs.1500 Note: Ensure to book your favoured time slot in advance.
Best Time for Rafting in Goa
Monsoon months begin from July until September/ October as this is when the rivers are gushing in full drift forming rapids and difficult for you to overcome the river bends.
River Rafting Features
• Jeep Safari from pickup point
• Equipment rentals
• Training session plus 10 kms rafting with skilled instructors
Do’s & Dont’s for River Rafting in Goa:
• What to Wear
The perfect outfit would be to put on a swimsuit underneath a mild cotton t-shirt as you would certainly get wet.
• Pair of clothes
Carry an extra pair of garments to trade in for returned ones after activity completion.
• Footwear
Wear shoes with a top grip on a moist floor that can enable water to pass.
• Do not carry a cell / digicam unless allowed.
• Avoid carrying precious stuff that you wouldn’t want to get wet or lose.
• A security jacket is provided and required to be worn mandatorily.
• Follow all guidelines given by way of your guide.
• Permitted Age is Above 12 years
What to expect?
• Meeting point at the Earthen Pot restaurant, Valpoi
• Jeep or minivan safari to the Mhadei drop point
• A brief walk from the drop point to the Mhadei river
• Briefing with the instructors on security measures alongside with how to use the security tools provided
• Photographs or video to be captured will be at an extra cost
• Per person the trip can cost between Rs.1,800 to 3,000 depending on the tour operator. You can get a group discount if available post negotiations.
Rinaldo Rozario is the Proprietor of Super Shine Facilities – a major brand in Goa’s facility maintenance industry. Their website talks at length about their services and USP. But we wanted to hear it from Rinaldo. Our regular Humans of Goa interviews cover influencers, creators, and artists. But this time we wanted to hear from a pure Goan entrepreneur from the services sector. Rinaldo was kind enough to answer some of our questions as we tried taking him back in time and learning from his journey. Let’s get started.
Tell us a bit about yourself. Your story of being an entrepreneur.
My name is Rinaldo Rozario and I run Super Shine Facilities. Our office is located at Panjim. We at Super Shine adopt an innovative approach to bring customer excellence in both service and pricing.It all started years ago when I completed my MBA Finance from Manipal University. As I approached the culmination of the final semester, I was given a random topic for my final project. The topic was Facilities Management. You must have guessed it; I fell in love with it. After I came to Goa, I worked for a Facilities Management company and then decided to venture into the journey of Super Shine by myself.
What is the USP of Super Shine?
Our motto is – Making A Clean Difference. We adopt a 4M Matrix of Manpower, Machine, Material and Method that gives us a competitive edge over our competitors.
What was the biggest challenge when setting this venture? And how did you overcome it? The biggest challenge we faced was cut throat competition by large MNCs and Pan Indian companies. The only way we could overcome it, is through our service delivery.
How does Super Shine stand apart from its competitors?
Our 4M Matrix and our processes help us build a sustainable and profitable business. My first client is still with us even after 7 years. This proves that our approach works.
How has Super Shine impacted the Facilities industry in Goa?
Well, I believe that within the services industry, there are a lot of expectations from the clients. The key aspects are ‘how to deliver’ and ‘when to deliver’. Add to that, our forecasting in terms of operation planning and manpower management has kept us ahead of the curve. We have clarity in our operations and that’s the biggest facet of Super Shine Facilities. We did face problems like most businesses do. We faced problems with personnel. Some migrated towards our competitors. Hence, we decided to create job pockets in rural villages in India. This way we could train our staff in their respective villages with support from the local panchayats. We ended up creating job opportunities for numerous underprivileged people. They train with us, work with us, and amazingly, some of them have gone on to build houses for themselves in their native villages. The impact Super Shine has had on their lives is immense. I am proud of that fact.
What is the legacy you want to leave behind? And for whom? Any expansion plans?
I want to create a people friendly company, where we not just work together, but actually create magic. A culture of growth is what Super Shine stands for.
Tell us about your 3 top clients. How did you solve their problems?
My first property was at ‘The Crown’ in Panjim. The Human Resource Manager then was Mrs. Rani Mahambre. She trusted us. She gave us that first opportunity, and seven years later we are still delivering perfection for them. Our clientele then included Taj, Amma, Marriott, W, Westin and more. I remember a lovely story. I got a call one night from one of our clients. It seems the previous facilities company who worked at their property ended up destroying a portion of gorgeous Italian marble at the lobby. They had used some wrong chemicals and that made it worse. Super Shine was not tasked with restoring the marble’s mirror-like shine. Most companies would decline covering up for another company’s mistake, but we took up that challenge. After working day and night, we restored the marble and saved close to Rs. 28 Lakhs for the client.
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