My Goa 28 01 2017

Controversy: Hema Sardesai steps down as Special Icon for the Goa State Assembly Elections 2017 RNI No. goaeng/2015/60455

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28 january 2017

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vol 2 | issue 15 | panaji - goa | 16 pages

comeback hopefuls Former MLAs have tuned themselves up for the ensuing Assembly Elections

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promises and lies

Harshvardhan Bhatkuly

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oliticians are first among equals when it comes to self preservation.

Political hyperbole is a given, especially when the best among them are putting their skills to play. They will offer ambiguous schemes, throw immeasurable numbers, leave you guessing with their statements, and woo you with their plans for the ‘happy days’ ahead. They will promise you the moon, when on a campaign trail, and then leave you with a cleverly worded proviso – after all, they have to face you again every time a new election is declared.

So it is not surprising that the best of political talent is doing what it does – making promises. There are some who even have the cheek to promise you the promises that they haven’t kept. It is done with such panache, that you feel sorry for the guy. Interestingly, I came across a funny observation about a certain politician known for his intelligence and political acumen. “Who says you cannot fool all the people all the time?” cried a voter pointing accursedly at the politician.

Then there are others who don’t make any promises, but choose to rip apart their competitors, without letting you know their action plan – clever fellows.

Because more often than not there is no action plan – only the will to be in the seat of power.

Pardon me for sounding cynical, but boy am I amazed at the naiveté of many voters, especially educated ones – who look at party and candidate manifestoes as bills of exchange.

They wait for their chance to meet the candidate to remind him of the promises made five years ago. But they are mistaken that they are playing with prime talent in deflecting issues. The wily politico will always find Email us your feedback at mygoanews@gmail.com

excuses – even blame the voter for not bringing this fact to his attention, well in time!

I am reminded of an incident narrated to me by a senior lawyer, whose friend was once a mighty politician in the state. So when he switched sides and defected to another political party, our friend rebuked him for doing so. There was a catch here. Our friend had done this at a dinner party a few weeks after the political loyalties were switched. The politician scored a sensational victory over the lawyer, who incidentally, is still licking his wounds. “How dare you say this to me now?

You should have stopped me the same day. I was in need of friendly advice. Where were you then?” said the politician.

Would you have a retort to this, even if you are the most seasoned court craftsman? I doubt.

The long and short of it is that, I am thinking aloud with open cynicism about the civil society that plans to hold politicians accountable and tied to their promises. I am cynical because I know that this will not work. A certain politician, when confronted with the deviations that his government was doing, contrary to their manifesto, told the accuser to go take a walk – that people had given him the mandate for five years. And he could jolly well use his reasoning to tweak the manifesto. Let people vote us out at the next elections, he said calmly.

So, whatever promises you hear from your candidate, be sure that he knows a way around it. You must, of course, not stop agitating, confronting, accusing – and keeping him on a tight leash for as long as he is in the saddle of power.

Cynics like me are only good at laughing. Ignore us.

Saturday, 28 January 2017

Rediscovering the Margao of the past Clube Harmonia de Margao hosted an audio / visual presentation on the heritage places in Margao titled ‘Margao - You Thought You knew’. Lynn Barreto Miranda was the resource person.

Lynn said at the presentation that, “I am trying to collect history and information about Margao which I will collate on a website, because the history of Margao is almost dissolved; and in a few years nobody will know much about the idea of place.” the week Lynn’s presentation included photographs of 12 prominent houses of Margao; Xavier Lourenco, Casa de the House of Seven Gables, Luisa Araujo Coutinho, and Casa de Bisop Rebelo, House Casa dos Colacos were names of Sharaschandra Verlekar, of a few documented.

Casa de Menezes, Casa de Lynn presented the pictures Carlos Rodrigues, House of of religious heritage buildings Colaco, Casa de Francisco which included chapels and

in the news shammiullah sayyed If the proverb being born with a silver spoon had to be customized for him, it would most likely have been a paint brush. As far as his memory goes, he has always found expression through the medium of art. The strokes of his paintbrush or the lenses of his camera truly define who is he.

At the very core Shammiulla Sayyed is an artist, a selftaught artist. What he missed out on learning – though, are nuggets on technique, tools, tips and tricks and that gap was bridged in his life by many artists like Harshada Kerkar, Subodh Kerkar and Prasad Pankar, all renowned artists and photographer from Goa. Shammi is active in the field of photography for over 12 years.

Though he does all genres of photography, he specializes is fashion photography. He is passionate about documenting creative weddings. He has travelled extensively over India for wedding photo shoots.

Besides many awards in the past, he was featured as one of India’s top 10 beach wedding photographers 2016

by Polka Café. One of the River God: The prize-winning picture

prominent temples around the city of Margao. He also revealed that there once existed six theatres in Margao namely Cine Rex, Cine Mahalsa, Cine Olympia, Metropole, Cine Lata and Blue Pearl. shots from his Travel Diaries was commissioned by Travel TV USA, won 2nd place for wedding photography and now he has won the 1st prize for the contest organized

by Prime TV Goa. The prize winning photograph

by Shammiulla Sayyed is captioned” River God” and inspired by the various water bodies in Goa. His work is available on his official website www.shammisayyed.com and on Facebook.

Shammi is also nominated as the ‘Best Wedding Photographer’ of the year 2017 in bridal portraiture in top 6 in India.

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Saturday, 28 January 2017

Comeback Hopefuls My Goa news desk

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oliticians, especially career politicians, hate to stay out of power.

Elections provide that right mix to recharge themselves – every five years.

We have listed some former MLAs who are hoping to make their political comeback this time round. Some of them have switched party affiliations to pursue their electoral goals.

Of course, some have stayed faithful to their parties; and have been rewarded with a ticket.

Shiroda Simmers When Subhash Shirodkar lost the 2007 elections to his one time assistant and industries minister in the last government, Mahadev Naik, his irritation was palpable. “I think I overdid the development bit in my constituency. People of Shiroda did not deserve so much development,” he bickered before a TV camera. Shirodkar is facing the polls again against Mahadev Naik; and to add spice to the contest, there is Abhay Prabhu from the MGP, son of former legislator Babay Prabhu.

Cutthroat Canacona Remember Vijay Pai Khot?

The one-time Canacona MLA fell victim to the delimitation exercise, which merged the Poinguinim constituency with Canacona, and in 2012, BJP decided to field Ramesh Tawadkar, a powerful ST leader and Poinguinim MLA from Canacona. This year, Pai Khot was given the nod in place

of Tawadkar, who has defied party dictat and decided to go to the hustings as an independent candidate from Canacona. “I didn’t contest in 2012 because Poinguinim merged with Canacona and I stayed loyal to the BJP despite being the senior MLA and I allowed Ramesh to go ahead.

Now there’s no employment in Canacona, water supply is abysmal and electricity is erratic. I want to sort these issues for the poorest of people and hence the BJP gave me a ticket,” explains Vijai Pai Khot.

In the bye-elections of 2005, people had ended the rein of Isidore Fernandes, who jumped parties thrice in a span of two years; and Ramesh Tawadkar replaced him.

“Despite being from the ST constituency, there has been visible disparity in the ST schemes reaching some communities.

There is unemployment, corruption, the fourlaning of the highway and one can see massive destruction of over 10 ft hills that are chopped, illegal shacks and bars, drugs menace, it’s all happening in Canacona,” said an irate constituent.

Incidentally, Isidore Fernandes is also contesting this time as the Congress party candidate from Canacona.

Battle for Bicholim Rajesh Patnekar’s case is a little different. The BJP candidate, who first won in 2002 and then in 2007, did some serious calculation mistake in 2012, and fought elections from Bicholim as a Congress nominee.

COVERSTORY

Former MLAs, who have been out in the cold for five years, are fancying their chances of making a comeback in the Goa Legislative Assembly

He lost to independent (now MGP candidate) Naresh Sawal by 1799 votes. He bid bye to the Congress in 2015 and went on to lead the municipal elections that registered a clean sweep victory to the BJP panel; and rightfully earned the ticket from the party this year.

Although back with his old party, Patnekar may not be able to prevail over Sawal in this former MGP stronghold.

The constituency also has Manohar Shirodkar (Congress), Sainath Patekar (AAP) and former MGP MLA and party chief, Pandurang Raut, who has floated the Goa Praja Party, in the fray.

Fast Forward Fatorda The BJP’s other candidate, who is blazing all guns is Damodar ‘Damu’ Naik from Fatorda.

Known as the bastion of Goa Forward Party supremo Vijai Sardesai, Fatorda will witness a keen contest this time. Damu and Vijai have had a face-off in 2007 and 2012, with each winning the seat once. What is important is the fact that Vijai has worked to make a name for himself in the constituency, that resulted in his panel ‘Fatorda Forward’ – the precursor to his political outfit, sweep the municipal elections in 2015; and Damu could not draw a single seat. However, politics being the game that it is, Goa Forward has been crying hoarse that they were ‘ditched’ by the Congress party by fielding its official candidate Joseph Silva at the very last minute.

Understandably, there is a traditional Congress vote in the constituency that went to Vijai, the last time around, as he was denied the party ticket. Vijai,

who defeated Damu by 1939 votes in 2012, understands the pitfalls of the division of the Congress vote; and add to it, the entry of Aam Aadmi Party in the political equation of the state.

“Betrayal is a cardinal sin and Congress has done the sin.

The sin of Congress will get a payback,” Vijai thundered.

Damu, on his part, is busy breaking the Congress dissidents and bringing them into the BJP fold.

Ravi’s Race Perhaps the biggest comeback hopefuls are two giant leaders and former Chief Ministers, who are waiting in the wings for their return to the Assembly – Ravi Naik and Churchill Alemao.

Ravi Naik was the undisputed leader of Ponda for a very long time.

Kickstarting his political career as a MG party MLA in 1984, he later joined the Congress and ruled as Goa’s Chief Minister from January 1991 to May 1993; and for six days in April 1994. He quit Congress and joined the BJP briefly, and again went back to the Congress, where he served as Home Minister. Ravi Naik’s political fortunes faced a strong roadblock when Lavu Mamledar of the MGP, riding high on the anti-Congress sentiment in 2012, trounced him into political oblivion – albeit, for just a few years.

Ravi Naik is hoping to make a comeback from Ponda again.

This time, he hopes to cash in on the fact that the BJP-MGP alliance has broken, and the vote division may offer him an upper-hand.

For Naik, this election is a battle for survival.

If fortune smiles on him, and

his party, too, he may once again eye the Chief Minister’s chair.

In Ponda, the BJP has fielded Sunil Dessai. Former MGP MLA Shivdas Verekar’s son, Rajesh Verekar, has also entered the contest, claiming youth support, and will contest as an independent. AAP has fielded youth leader Mulla Mujawar.

Saxtti Strongman Churchill Alemao’s politics defy all textbook norms. A country-bred politician, he cut his teeth in the Official Language agitation of 1986.

Churchill has been the only legislator from the state to have been elected as the candidate from the most number of political parties. In 1984, Churchill lost as an independent candidate to Monte Cruz. In 1989, as a Congress candidate, he won the elections for the first time. He was later made the Chief Minister for a few days in the MGPCongress breakaway faction’s Progressive Democratic Front government. He stepped down soon in favour of Luis Proto Barboza, who was sworn in as Chief Minister. In 1994, Churchill Alemao won as a UGDP candidate defeating Monte Cruz of the Congress.

In 1999, as Congress nominee, he defeated Radharao Gracias of UGDP. Representing the Congress again in 2002, he lost to Micky Pacheco.

Churchill returned back to the Assembly in 2007 as Save Goa Front founder. This time he defeated former Chief Minister Luizinho Faleiro from Navelim.

Churchill was also elected as Member of Parliament from South Goa in 2004. He floated the Save Goa Front in 2007, which he later merged with the Congress, in exchange for the

COVERSTORY PWD portfolio.

However, a quintessential people’s man, Churchill’s constituents have connected with him, regardless of his party affiliations. What went awfully wrong for him the last time was that the Congress party and its alliance partner, NCP officially nominated 4 candidates from the Alemao family – Valanka, Churchill’s daughter from Benaulim; Joaquim, Churchill’s brother from Cuncolim; Yuri, Joaquim’s son from Sanguem; and Churchill himself from Navelim. In a humiliating defeat at the hands of Avertano Furtado, a former player of Churchill’s football club, the Salcette strongman had to bite the dust.

Churchill, is back in the elections – this time from the NCP and is contesting from Benaulim, the constituency which now has seven candidates in the fray. Maria Rebello of GVP, Edwin Barretto of Congress, Royla Fernandes of AAP, Caitu Silva as Independent, John Fernandes for GSRP and Judith Almeida as Independent.

Churchill who was hoping for a grand-alliance with Congress, was left miffed at the Grand Old Party going solo in the elections. “Without alliance, Congress cannot form a government. The alliance could not be formed because of Digvijay Singh’s ego and Digambar Kamat’s ambitions to be the Chief Minister of the state,” Churchill said.

The Clock Ticks for NCP After being trounced in 2012, the NCP is attempting to make a comeback in Goan politics at the Assembly elections this year.

The Sharad Pawar-led party has fielded 16 candidates after its attempt for pre-poll alliance with Congress fell through.

NCP Goa unit president and former state Revenue Minister Jose Philip D’Souza

is among the candidates, and is contesting again from Vasco da Gama. “We expected to contest this election by forming alliance of like-minded parties.

We had even submitted the proposal to Congress for that.

But Congress was not in a mood to join forces with us,” said D’Souza.

D’Souza claims that Congress’ refusal to align with them has got NCP the voters’ sympathy which will help them to win on at least five seats.

The Congress-NCP alliance had ruled Goa from 2007-2012.

Pernem Pugilists Pernem, a reserved constituency, is awaiting a keen fight, where the MGP has shrewdly fielded former Congress minister Babu Azgaonkar to take on the BJP speaker Rajendra Arlekar.

Ground surveys indicate that the scales are in favour of the MGP. As soon as the MGP broke away from the BJP, Azgaonkar quit Congress and joined the MGP. However, many of the prominent Congress workers did not join him, and are still holding on to the Congress flag there.

The Pernem constituency has seen two big projects during this BJP tenure. A multipurpose bus-standcum-market project and a full-fledged police station.

The government is claiming the Mopa airport project will change the face of the constituency.

Resentment against the government, coupled with U-turns on several issues, the BJP will not have it easy. But Arlekar with his experience and the work he has undertaken, especially after he became minister for forest and environment, little more

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than two years ago, will have personal votes to his advantage.

The BJP election machinery is also expected to put in all their resources behind him to retain the seat.

Azgaonkar and Arlekar, are contesting for the second time from the Pernem constituency, but both are not natives of Pernem. While Azgaonkar is from Margao, Arlekar is from Vasco, where he stood and lost in 2007 on the BJP ticket against NCP’s Jose Philip D’Souza.

There were reports of Arlekar’s candidature for Pernem being stripped, but the issue was resolved and he was nominated as BJP’s official candidate from the constituency.

On the other hand, Azgaonkar has a good connect with the electorate.

The BJP wave of 2012 saw him lose to Arlekar, even though, as Panchayat Minister in the Digambar Kamat government he had a successful stint.

Azgaonkar’s upbeat mood was palpable when, at the time of filing nominations, he and his supporters got into a verbal clash with Arlekar and his supporters.

Joaquim Jolted The Congress Party denied ticket to its one time Urban Development minister Joaquim Alemao. Addressing the press, surrounded by hundreds of his supporters in Cuncolim, a defeatedlooking Joaquim lashed out at the GPCC president Luizinho Faleiro, who is contesting from the neighbouring Navelim constituency, accusing Faleiro of denying him the party nomination and selling the party ticket.

The former two-time Cuncolim legislator said, “There were three aspirants

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for the Cuncolim Congress nomination – Clafacio Dias, John Monteiro and myself.

I would have been happy if the Cuncolim party ticket had been given to John as he had polled 5,000 votes in the last elections. There is no enmity between me and John.”

Filing his nomination as an independent, Joaquim will have to deal with the sitting MLA Rajan Naik of the BJP, the Chief Ministerial candidate of Aam Aadmi Party Elvis Gomes and Clafacio of the Congress.

Quepem Quivers In neighbouring Quepem, a storm is brewing against Congress’ Babu Kavlekar.

Challenging him this time, is another ST face of the BJP and former MLA Prakash Velip. In 2012, Velip had contested on an MGP ticket. But Kavlekar seems intent on holding to his turf. In fact, he even got the Congress Party ticket for his wife Savitri to contest from Sanguem in this elections.

Vying for Velim With 12 candidates in the contest, the political mercury in Velim is rising. Former Congress Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues is hoping for a comeback from Velim. Pitted against him are Aam Aadmi Party’s Cruz Silva, Goa Forward Party’s Anthony Rodrigues and Independent Benjamin Silva, as the main contenders.

Neri, who first won in 1999 as Congress candidate, went Independent in 2002, and again as Congress nominee in 2007, won the seat three times.

Benjamin Silva, who it is believed, has lost the BJP support, is the main contender for the seat along with Anthony Rodrigues of Goa Forward Party. It is rumoured that Anthony’s candidature was the inflection point where the discussions of

grand alliance between Goa Forward and Congress party went sour. Meanwhile, Neri had quickly announced that he was the ‘official’ candidate of the alliance, before things went wrong.

Match for Mandrem Dayanand Sopte, who was the BJP MLA in 2007 from Pernem, had to move to Mandrem constituency in 2012 as a Congress candidate.

Pernem was made a reserved constituency after Dhargalim got dropped post delimitation.

As Congress candidate, Sopte lost to Laxmikant Parsekar by 3435 votes. It would be interesting to note that Sameer Salgaocar fielded by Trinamool Congress polled a whopping 4591 votes, which played spoiler to Sopte’s chances in the last elections.

Although represented by the Chief Minister, there is discontent in Mandrem for lack of water supply and unemployment. It could be very well that this is the reason why the BJP did not make Parsekar its Chief Ministerial face as it goes to the polls.

The Khaas Aam Aadmi Businessman and son of former legislator John Manuel Vaz, Giovanni Karl Vaz is the Aam Aadmi Party nominee from Mormugao for this elections. Karl Vaz had won the Mormugao seat as a Congress candidate in 2002 by defeating BJP’s Sheikh Hassan Haroon by barely 500 odd votes. In 2007, again as a Congress nominee, he lost to Milind Naik. In 2012, he moved to Vasco, but could manage a poor third position.

Hoping to cash in on the AAP phenomenon, Vaz has thrown his hat again in the electoral arena.

Tussle for Tivim Former state NCP chief Nilkanth Halarnkar, who lost in 2012 to BJP’s Kiran Kandolkar,

controversy Hema Sardesai steps down as Special Icon Saturday, 28 January 2017

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for Goa Elections 2017

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enowned Goan singer Hema Sardesai has tendered her resignation as the Special Icon for Goa 2017 Elections.

She was appointed by the Election Commission of India.

The move came after Adv. Aires Rodrigues had levelled allegations against the singer citing her political affiliations with the ruling BJP and its leader Manohar Parrikar.

Rubbishing the allegation, Sardesai has called Rodrigues a “habitual complainant” and also stated that she would stand for the cause of Goa by “being a daughter of this land.”

Chief Electoral Officer has acknowledged the receipt of the resignation letter by Hema Sardesai. CEO Kunal informed that the resignation is under the examination. He has also cited a part of the letter stating that the singer is not affiliated to any political party.

Hema Sardesai has asserted that she believes in the cause

has joined the Congress and is hoping to wrest control of the Tivim Constituency. Winning first in 2007 against BJP’s Sadanand Shet Tanawade, he squared up his loss in 2002 to the saffron party’s candidate.

His departure from NCP to join congress is to garner the traditional votes of the party.

The comeback hopefuls are not leaving anything to chance and are connecting with the voters, through all means of communications. Who would know better than them, that five years is a long time to wait to taste power.

of justice and equality and had even fought with the current government after priestturned-activist Fr Bismarque Dias was found murdered and proper investigation was not done in the case by State police. She wrote that, “I am deeply disturbed by the media report coming on the basis of a complaint filed. I will not say anything against the complainant except that he is a habitual complainant and (has) filed complaints on all matters under the sun. As far as the context of the complaint is concerned, my conscience is clean and I am reiterating that I am not a member of any political party and I am not supporting any political party. My posts on Facebook are in open domain and I put the issues I discussed with Manohar bhai (on it). I am deleting those posts as they may cause misunderstanding in the minds of the people as Election Commission finds me suitable to be a state icon,” the letter said.

In addition, she also cites that she had mentioned about her relations with Goan politicians before taking over the charge of State Icon of

Adv Aires Rodrigues complaints to the Election Commission about the singer’s praise for Manohar Parrikar on social media many others, that a void was being created in Goan politics and administration.”

Adv Aires Rodrigues in his complaint had alleged that, “Hema Sardesai has publicly and openly canvassed for the Bhartiya Janata Party in the past. She is also a relative of BJP leader Manohar Parrikar.

She has even been supportive of the BJP and specially Mr Manohar Parrikar, whom she has described in her Facebook post as “our great Hon CM.” Rodrigues further adds that, “Engaging Hema Sardesai as a Special Icon for the elections would send a wrong message to the electorate.

While she was on stage of BJP at the last Parliamentary elections and prior thereto,

“I had supported not a political party, but a personality – Manohar Parrikar – during the 2012 state assembly election, and when he left for New Delhi to take responsibility as the Defence Minister, I too felt like many others, that a void was being created in Goan politics and administration” hema sardesai Election Commission. “In the very beginning, I had honestly told you (CEO) that I am related to many Goan politicians from various parties as Goa is a very small society and everyone is related to each other,” the singer wrote.

While speaking to some sections of the press, she had admitted of extending her support for Manohar Parrikar and not a party. She had stated that “I had supported not a political party, but a personality – Manohar Parrikar – during the 2012 state assembly election, and when he left for New Delhi to take responsibility as the Defence Minister, I too felt like

for the Assembly elections, making her the icon of the ECI will make the election campaign tilted in favour of the BJP and also bring down the independence of the Election Commission in its fairness to conduct elections without being influenced by the ruling dispensation.

According to the Election Commission, she was appointed due to her wider appeal in state as Hema is a Bollywood singer who has sung for more than 100 movies.

Despite her resignation, the noted singer has assured that she would continue her efforts for larger public participation in the elections and would encourage the youth to vote.

people’s corner “From what I understand, she was canvassing for one political party, in this case, the BJP; and therefore there were concerns raised by people about how as the Special Icon of Goa Elections 2017 she would be seen with a bias. I believe that public icons have a responsibility to conduct themselves in the most accountable manner. And therefore by stepping down she fulfilled her responsibility.”

TALLULAH D’SILVA Architect “I do not think she should have stepped down.

She was chosen an icon for what she has achieved in her profession, just like other chosen icons.

Everybody has an opinion and ideological leaning but unless the person is a registered member I do not see any conflict of interest.

Also being a distant relative should not be taken this seriously especially in a small state like Goa. The complaint that has been filed should be seen more as an attack on the sanctity of the Election Commission than anything else.”

HERAMB KIRTANY Writer “Hema has taken the right decision to relinquish her Election Icon status, she has in the past been a political party promoter, though probably not directly. But the election process has to be held in an absolute neutral environ without the slightest taint or doubt. Her decision, in view of doubts raises, was very graceful.”

SANJEEV SARDESAI Historian

“Hema Sardesai has publicly and openly canvassed for the Bhartiya Janata Party in the past. She is also a relative of BJP leader Manohar Parrikar. Engaging Hema Sardesai as a Special Icon for the elections would send a wrong message to the electorate” adv. Aires rodrigues

POLITICS

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Saturday, 28 January 2017 My Goa

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Congress will win Goa: Digvijay Singh

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section of Congress supporters in Goa were distressed on the ticket distribution and failure to achieve a grand alliance against the BJP. Despite all the hurdles, the Congress in-charge Digvijay Singh is confident that the party will secure people’s mandate in the Goa polls.

Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh claims that the Congress central leadership has given a free hand to leaders in Goa to select candidates for the upcoming state polls, and

exuded confidence that the party will emerge victorious.

Digvijay Singh informed

on the ticket selection, “If you see this time, Delhi has hardly interfered in the selection of candidates. We have given full mandate to our leaders here. The screening committee members came here in the Pradesh election office, we had wide discussions, that is why we could get the best possible candidates.”

He added, “Congress has been able to win confidence of the electorate in the coastal state where it once ruled, Singh said the party has managed to build up its credibility.”

Goa Forward’s R-Day Rally

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n a move to strengthen the party’s position in the Salcete, Goa Forward held a Republic Day March in Margao, in the presence of senior leaders which includes Vijai Sardesai, Prabhakar Timble, Prashant Naik, MMC Chairperson Babita Angle and others.

While addressing the rally, Vijai afffirmed that people are his high command and only if they elect him then he will be the MLA again.

Goa Forward Mentor Vijai Sardesai claimed that he has successfully solved the issues of people and carried a visible development despite being in

opposition. He highlighted the works of road widening, street lightening and other works.

Vijai spoke on the core issue that his party is fighting this polls, which is Goenkarpan.

He said, “We have to think of ourselves and our future generations. If the American head of state says that we need to think of ourselves then why not us Goans.”

BJP’s star campaigners praise Manohar Parrikar Smriti Irani, Amit Shah and other star campaigners of BJP have been singing praises about Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.

Parrikar’s name is buzzing in the Goan political scene amidst speculations that BJP wants to send a ‘central leader’ as Goa’s CM post elections.

BJP National President Amit Shah and BJP state incharge Nitin Gadkari have hinted stating the need of bringing a popular central face to Goa. Amit Shah, in his address at BJPs Vijay Sankalp Rally at Vasco, said that State Government will function under Parrikar’s leadership, irrespective of his posting.

However, the decision on the party’s Chief Minister will be taken after the result. He further added that, “Goa has given a big asset to the country in Manohar Parrikar. There is a huge demand for Parrikar in Delhi and also here in Goa. The people of Goa demand that we should send Parrikar back to the state.”

Congress leader Pratapsinh Rane disapprovingly reacted to

Amit Shah’s statement saying, “We are not a Union Territory, we are a full-fledged State in the Indian Union.

People are matured and the State is developed.

He (Parrikar) is already controlling the State with a remote. Let him contest the election and then rule the State.”

In another rally addressed

by Union Textile Minister Smriti Irani, she said that: “I am proud I am standing in his karmabhoomi today, Manohar Parrikar’s Goa. He came from Goa to Delhi. In Delhi, he ensured that when a neighbouring country like Pakistan attacks, we are in a position to reply.” She also thanked Goans for giving a decision taker like Parrikar to the Central Government who has given respect to the armed forces.

Taking potshots at Parrikar, a rebel RSS leader said that, “Parrikar has been failing in Delhi in his job as the Defence Minister. Now, he is desperate to return to Goa as CM. Parrikar is acting as a part-time defence minister. All political and administrative reins of Goa are in his hands.”

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Saturday, 28 January 2017

interview

“Important events of GKA could not be held due to lack of government support”

organised, which used to be successfully hosted earlier.

Another event, Yuva Sahitya Samelan, was well planned.

However when it came to execution, there were no funds with us.

Journalist-poet Sanjeev Verenkar recently quit the position of an Executive Committee Member of Goa Konkani Academy. Ramrai Naik spoke to him What were the reasons for resigning from the Executive Committee of Goa Konkani Academy?

The Academy was functioning well for many years under the previous chairmanship of Pundalik Nayak. In the same executive panel, Bhushan Bhave was the person who used to work on seeking grants from the government for the academy; and was overseeing the entire functioning of the Academy. However since there arose the time to bring a change in leadership, Madhav Borkar was made President of the Goa Konkani Academy

by Government of Goa. I was also inducted in the executive committee at the same time. I felt that I would bring my three decades of experience into the field and help the Academy grow. However, I was very disappointed over the two years, as the work carried out under this term was not up to my expectation. The Academy also failed to reach out to the masses or carry any new experiments to popularise its presence. The people were also not happy with the Academy’s performance, and since I stay low on ground and am connected to the grassroots, I was being held accountable by public for failure of the Academy in the past 2 years, despite my role of being just an executive member. Lastly, I felt it was my moral responsibility; and since I cannot blame anyone else for their inability, I tendered my resignation.

What were the few things that you have contributed to the Academy during your tenure as an Executive Committee member?

The workforce of the Academy has been mostly hired on

temporary or contract basis for years now. In any institution, if an employee is unstable or not satisfied, then he can’t give his best efforts to the work given to him. So I proposed to make all the employees, who are there in the Academy for more than 10 years, to be made permanent. Even on that front I didn’t get the cooperation that I had expected.

I personally feel delighted when I can contribute to social service.

Who would you hold solely responsible for this failure in not getting adequate funds for the Academy?

I feel the role of the President was found wanting, not that he (Madhav Borkar) did not try, but when you want your work to be done through government, it requires constant follow-up, which did not happen in the leadership. I, myself, being an executive committee member, had certain limitations, even though most of my suggestions were considered and taken further. Somewhere, I felt that a President of such an institution should have a good relation with the government, irrespective of the political affiliations. He should be able to obtain the required grants from the governments; and no government would provide you that without any efforts.

Madhav Borkar has a clean image and is a completely a non-corrupt person; but he lacks the “art of getting the work done.”

Secondly, the government passed a circular to all the government departments to cut down costs; and that funds won’t be allocated to newly organised programmes.

However, the government shouldn’t have had made

The Natya Mahotsav did not take place this year. Neither the Sahitya Award ceremony was organised, which used to be successfully hosted earlier. Another event, Yuva Sahitya Samelan, was well planned. However when it came to execution, there were no funds with us

such difficulty in providing funds for routine programmes which are held every year. The government should do away with redundant formalities for allocation of funds and simplify the process.

Which were the events that couldn’t take place due to paucity of funds?

One of the most important events of the Academy, Natya Mahotsav did not take place this year. Neither the Sahitya Award ceremony was

Do you feel that you would have been able to contribute more if you were at the helm of affairs at GKA? My relation with the government is extremely good, irrespective of the political party in power. In most of the offices, I share a good connect from the peon of that department to the top officer.

If I was President, then I would have done all the required hustling. At a personal level, when I have my book launches, I get a massive audience for the same. Then quite certainly, I could do better for the Academy. But that doesn’t mean I have any intention to become the President.

Were you to be offered to become President of the GKA for the next term, would you take it?

That depends on what the situation will be at that point of time. In my life, I have never tried to get myself elevated to any position and have always suggested someone else’s name for the higher roles.

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Saturday, 28 January 2017 My Goa

@MyGoa

mygoanews@gmail.com

Governor Mridula Sinha urges youngsters to participate in the elections National Voter’s Day celebrated as Goa goes to polls

N

ational Voter’s Day is a festival which the whole of India celebrates,” said Dr. (Smt.) Mridula Sinha, Governor of Goa at the National Voter’s Day celebration held at Kala Academy, Panaji, on Wednesday.

The theme for this year’s Voter’s Day celebration was ‘Empowering Young and Future Voters’. Dr (Smt) Mridula Sinha commended all those who were working to create awareness on the right and responsibility of citizens to vote, for working with dedication.

“The fifth pillar of democracy is the voluntary sector that encourages people to participate in democracy,” she said appealing to them to encourage more voters to come out and exercise their franchise.

Chief Secretary of Goa, Dharmendra Sharma, IAS, said that the energy of the youth will help deepen and strengthen democracy in Goa.

L to R, Neela Mohanan, Dharmendra Singh, Kunal and HE Mridula Sinha

Chief Electoral Officer, Goa, Kunal, IAS, said that the Election Commission was taking all efforts to make the 2017 General Assembly elections to the state of Goa, inclusive, assuring

facilities at polling stations like queue management, sanitation facilities etc.

“This election, Goa has many firsts to its credit. Goa will be the first state in India where 100% voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) will be used. This is a matter of pride for us. He also spoke of the e-transfer of postal ballot which will be available to voters. “Election is a festival of democracy. No festival is

complete unless all participate in it,” he said.

Nila Mohanan, IAS, District Election Officer North Goa, spoke of the importance of Voter’s Day and said it was to commemorate the Foundation Day of the Election Commission of India. “This day is a reminder especially to the youth that it is our responsibility and right to vote to strengthen our democracy.”

Earlier, Dr Nasim Zaidi, Chief Election Commissioner of India, via a video message, welcomed voters to electoral participation and spoke of the Election Commission’s various initiatives launched to engage with the voters and convey the message of the significance of voting.

Prize winners of various competitions held on themes of voting were felicitated. EPIC cards for newly enrolled electors were also distributed.

Akshada Bandekar and Sonia Shirsat, youth icons for ethical voting for the Goa General Assembly Elections 2017, sang songs on the importance of casting one’s vote.

Cotton Cottage: Comfort & Ethnic Wear

W W W.COT TO N COT TAGEI NDI A.CO M

An ethnic, contemporary wear brand for the urban Indian, Cotton Cottage offerings include the finest weaves and block prints from India, customized to meet your wardrobe needs for every occasion. The brand spells out its commitment to authentic handmade goodness and sourcing of natural fabrics to create style that’s high-oncomfort.

The collection at Cotton Cottage includes a range of Indian wear such as kurtas, pyjamas/salwars and jackets for both, men and women in addition to dupattas, leggings, Patiala salwars, chudidars and saris in a variety of cottons and silks. Indo-western fusion wear such as skirts, tops, shorts, wraparounds and pants are also an essential part of the collection, for those who prefer the comfort of Western silhouettes along with the charm of authentic hand-made fabrics.

What sets Cotton Cottage apart from a host of other brands is the fact that their style isn’t inspired by ethnic Indian art and motifs – it is actually ethnic! Right

from the motifs used to the process of hand-block printing, walk into their stores to discover folk art done by the locals. Each of their raw materials is natural and high on comfort. Cotton Cottage’s commitment to the same can also be seen in the frequent use of natural-coloured dyes that go beyond caring for your skin – that of their craftsmen as well as that of mother earth.

As part of its commitment to offer a truly authentic experience, their hand-woven fabrics are sourced from talented craftsmen for whom their craft isn’t just a means of livelihood but a way of celebrating their heritage. Ikkat from Pochampally, Chanderi from its hometown in Madhya Pradesh, Khadi from across India, as well as Mangalgiri and Maheshwari cottons and silks are just some of the authentic hand-woven fabrics that the brand would love to see you wear. “We are glad we play a small role in helping an entire generation wear India on its sleeve,” says Sanjay Parab, franchisee of Cotton Cottage.

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Saturday, 28 January 2017

Goa’s musical and cultural heritage displayed at the Republic Day parade

Conceptualised by Siddhesh Dessai of Vinayak Decorators and designed by Sushant Tari, Goa’s tableaux won the hearts of the audience who witnessed the annual Republic Day parade.

As in the previous year, this year too, the Goa tableaux will be displayed in front of the Red Fort at New Delhi for public

G

oa presented its tableaux at the 68th Republic Day parade held at Rajpath, New Delhi.

The tableaux was conceptualised on the theme ‘Musical Heritage of Goa’, and depicted the rich cultural and musical heritage of the state through live performance of music and dance. The rich musical heritage of Goa reflected the influence of a variety of regimes. The float showcased the state’s traditional dance performance.

The lead float carried a peacock shaped Sangod – a large platform formed by combining canoes. The Sangod displayed fibrefigurines of a lady playing a guitar, accompanied by man playing a ghumat, a percussion instrument made from earthen pot. The trailer depicted a scene of a typical Goan open air performance venue on the banks of a river, with the distinct balustrade fence.

Altogether 19 artistes, including dancers performed on an elevated stage to the beats of saxophone, dhol, tasso in the background of a majestic arch. A part from these various musical instruments ghumat, tasso, ghungroo, kansale, dholak, taal, shamel, saxophone etc were displayed alongwith the periphery which is adorned with colourful flowers of Goa.

The tableaux was

The Goa tableaux was conceptualized

by Siddesh Dessai of Vinayak Decorators, while it has been aesthetically designed

by Sushant Tari, a well known artist conceptualized by Vinayak Decorators, Panaji; while it has been aesthetically designed

by Sushant Tari, a well known artist from Goa, who in the past, had designed a tableaux for the Goa State to present the same at the Republic Day cultural pageantry held in the national capital New Delhi.

The music was been composed

by Mukesh Ghatwal.

In all 17 States of the Country including Union Territories and six floats of different Union Ministries presented the tableaux depicting the social, cultural, economic and technological facets of India, capturing both, the beauty of landscape and architectural heritage, besides symbolizing both, India’s glorious past and reflecting the citizen’s aspiration for a prosperous and happy tomorrow.

The presentation of Goa Tableaux received an overwhelming response from the audience, among others

viewing from January 26 to 31, 2017 to mark the Bharat Parv celebrations. Besides, there will cultural programmes by Goan Folk dancers, every day, who will present the rich cultural

heritage of Goa in the nation’s capital. The Goa Tableaux was presented under the auspices of Department of Information and Publicity, Government of Goa.

social

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Saturday, 28 January 2017 My Goa

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mygoanews@gmail.com

Ab tera kya hoga, Dhirio?

Ashwin Tombat The writer is former editor of Gomantak Times and Goa Today

F

or days now, lakhs of young people have gathered daily at Chennai’s Marina Beach to demand that Tamil Nadu’s traditional bull-taming sport of Jallikattu be allowed, and the organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) – which campaigned for prohibiting this traditional sport – be banned.

The protestors aren’t religious or conservative – they’re highly educated – techies and students. And they’re driving away politicians that seek to cash in on the protest, which reminds one of the India Against Corruption (IAC) protests led by Anna Hazare in New Delhi five years ago.

The loftiest intellectuals and the biggest names in the Tamil film industry – Chess wizard Vishwanathan Anand, Actor Kamal Hassan and ace Musician A R Rehman, among hundreds of others – support these protests.

In short, nearly all of Tamil Nadu is in revolt against a Supreme Court judgment that bans Jallikattu. Why? They say it is an assault on Tamil culture.

Jallikattu is a part of Pongal, the harvest festival that is Tamil Nadu’s biggest – like Diwali in North India, Durga Puja in East India or ‘Chowoth’ in Goa and Konkan. What would be the reaction in North India if fire crackers were banned during Diwali because they cause ‘pollution’…?

Which brings us to that other country facing controversies over bull fighting – Spain. Bullfighting was banned by the parliament of the Spanish state of Catalonia, in 2012. On 5 October 2016, the ban was struck down for being unconstitutional by Spain’s highest court. In sharp contrast to India’s Supreme Court, nine of the 12 judges of

Spain’s Constitutional Court ruled that the “preservation of common cultural heritage” was the responsibility of the state, and that the Catalan parliament had exceeded its authority.

PETA, the animal welfare organization that spearheaded the call for a ban, itself has a very dodgy record. In 2014, PETA took 3,017 animals into its shelters in Virginia, USA, of which 2,455 (81 per cent) were killed, just 162 were adopted, 353 were released to other shelters, and 6 were reclaimed by their original owners.

Another animal shelter in Virginia took in about the same number of animals as

The writer feels that the public outburst in favour of Jallikattu may harvest similar sentiments for Dhirio in Goa

PETA, but saved 94 per cent.

Animal shelters in hundreds of cities and towns across America routinely save over 90 per cent of the animals they take in, on a fraction of PETA’s financial resources ($50 million – Rs.350 crore a year), while PETA kills close to 90 per cent of the animals it takes in. PETA has its justifications, but the figures speak for themselves.

There are many conspiracy theories about why the Tamil Nadu protests are coming up only now, with AIADMK supremo Jayalaltitha having recently passed away, DMK patriarch Karunanidhi being in extremely poor health, and

there being no undisputed second line of leadership in either of the state’s two leading political parties. But that is neither here nor there. Millions of young, modern, forwardlooking people are standing up for their traditional culture.

They deserve to be heard…

There are similar conspiracy theories about Catalonia’s ban on bullfights.

The region has been demanding independence from Spain, and the ban has been derided for being motivated more by political nationalism than animal welfare. Critics point out that Catalonia’s laws exempt the region’s own traditional festivals, called ‘Correbous’ – where bulls are pursued, often with flaming torches attached to their horns – from the ban.

Minus the flames, that sounds a lot like Jallikattu.

Which brings us home.

Is anybody willing to stand up for the traditional Goan cultural sport of ‘Dhirio’, which its supporters say is much less cruel to bulls than any of the above, but has come under the same ban as Jallikattu?

Sada Jailbreak attempt kills murder accused 4

5 jail intimates attempted to flee the Sada Jail at Vasco, which ended up in killing a murder accused Vinayak Korbatkar, injuring jail officials and destroying some jail property. Prisoners attacked the jail officials over “some petty issues”. Following which the prisoners went berserk and tried breaking the jail cells. Neighbourhood police Stations were instantly alerted on the situation which broke out at the Sada Jail in Vasco.

Murder accused Vinayak Korbatkar who was shifted to Sada sub jail from Colvale prison, was allegedly stabbed to death, in the ruckus caused by jail inmates on the night

of 24th January. Deputy Superintendent of Police Lowrence D’Souza informed that, “The jailor was seriously injured and he has been admitted to Goa Medical College. All the 45 inmates together launched attack on the officials, guards and jail property. They tried to flee the jail premises.”

Additional Inspector General of Prison Siddhivinayak Naik briefed press on the jailbreak attempt.

He told that, “The 49 inmates took the entire prison to hostage over a petty matter last night breaking almost everything in the sub jail. They chased jailor Vitthal Gawas and attacked him and two

Murder accused Vinayak Karbotkar was shifted to Sada subjail, Vasco, six months ago after he allegedly killed Ashpak Bengre, also a murder accused, while lodged at Central Jail in Colvale. Apart from links to the Bengre murder case, Karbotkar was booked in 13 criminal cases

other security guards who are currently hospitalised.”

The exact reason for the trouble cannot be known at this moment as our main aim is to ensure that the prisoners don’t flee from the jail: say the jail authorities. Most of the prisoners are being shifted to a new facility hosted at Colvale

jail, rest of them will be moved in a month’s period. The sub jail at Vasco is currently undergoing a major repair.

Murder accused Vinayak Karbotkar was shifted to Sada sub-jail, Vasco, six months ago after he allegedly killed Ashpak Bengre, also a murder accused, while lodged at Central Jail in Colvale. Apart from links to the Bengre murder case, Karbotkar was booked in 13 criminal cases at Porvorim, Calangute, Ponda, Agasaim and Mapusa police stations, of which eight cases are pending trial and in three cases police filed ‘A Final’ report. He was acquitted in one case and one case was compounded.

Bengre was attacked

by Karbotkar with a sharp weapon while he was waiting to be escorted to the Mapusa court. The CCTV footage of the crime scene revealed Karbotkar’s involvement in Bengre’s murder. During investigation by the crime branch, Karbotkar confessed to his crime, police said.

A source said there is a high possibility that rival gang members wanting to settle scores with Karbotkar took advantage of the situation when chaos ensured at the sub-jail on Tuesday night and jail mates clashed among themselves.

Karbotkar’s body was shifted on Wednesday to GMC for an autopsy.

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Saturday, 28 January 2017

GOENCHI MOGIS’ CITIZENS MEET FOR 2017 ELECTION AGENDA ON 26 JANUARY 2017

‘PUBLIC RALLY OF GOENCHI MOGI’

Fighting for an Assembly that will care for Goans and give them the privilege to decide Goa’s public policies

O

n Republic Day, the Goenchi Mati Movement along with more than 50 NGOs, civil society organizations and people’s groups joined hands for the ‘Public Rally for Goa’.

The Goenchi Mogi citizen’s meet was a strictly non-party gathering to discuss the future public policies of Goa’s next government.

Claude Alvares of Goa Foundation, Director and organizer said, “This is the first and only public meeting where citizens will be able to post their grievances and understand issues faced by Goans in other parts of the State. We shall then put together a list of these issues and hand it over to all the political parties and to all individual election candidates.

This is not a meeting to support any party or candidate.”

On the 26th evening, Goans made their way to Garcia de Orta garden, Panjim to show their support and address their issues in the People’s Manifesto.

All people attending had the opportunity to discuss issues with 50 organizations involved in social and environmental issues from north to south Goa. Activists poured in from Sanguem, Valpoi,

greengoa

Caurem, Cavelossim and Cansaulim and the number of organizations participating rose to 50. The citizen’s manifesto once drafted will be sent to all political parties and independent candidates asking them to include these critical issues in their manifestoes for the February 4 elections.

Keeping spirits high, the rally had more activities and no

speeches, so that participants could interact directly with the organizations.

People attending the rally were encouraged not to sit, but move around the garden talking to the various social activists who had been provided with tables and chairs to present their posters and leaflets. Performances also included antics and mimicry by standup comedian Manohar Bhingui from Ponda and satirical songs by Francis de Tuem. The cartoons of Alexyz on issues affecting Goa and its environment were on special display at the garden venue. On completion of the Goenchi Mati pledge, a hundred balloons, marked with the Goenchi Mati log, were released.

Some of the participating

organizations that actively participated in the discussions were, Goa Bachao Abhiyan, Amdai Villagers Committee, Betul Villagers Committee, St Anthony’s Tenants and Mundkar Association, Tiracol, Quelossim Villagers Committee, Goencho Ramponkarancho Ekvott, Goans for Dabolim Only (GFDO), Council for Social Justice and Peace, Colva, Benaulim, Cavelossim and Cansaulim Civic and Consumer Forums, United for Mother Goa, All Goa Civil Society Groups and Associations, Various Pastoral Councils, Nirmal Vishwa, Goa Movement for Special Status, Federation of Rainbow Warriors and AAAAG (AntiCasino).

Email us your views at mygoanews@gmail.com

THEARTS

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Art

Mukha – The Intimacy exhibition by Hesham Malik at Carpe Diem Art Gallery

Saturday, 28 January 2017 My Goa

@MyGoa

mygoanews@gmail.com

BookS

‘Mulgi Aahe Vishesh’ Jyoti Kunkalienkar’s translation of Mridula Sinha’s book, released

L to R: Pallavi Dempo, Shrinivas Dempo, Mridula Sinha, Neela Dempo, Jyoti Kunkolienkar and Vaibhav Fondekar at the release of the book Mulgi Aahe Vishesh

Hesham Malik is a leading contemporary artist of his time. Globally, he identifies himself as an Indian artist.

Hesham currently holds the record for the most expensive painting sold by an Indian artist. Inspite of his consistent colossal success in the international art market, Hesham is a humble person who believes that art should not only be for the upper class but be made accessible to anyone. Hesham, as a young man, was expected to follow in his father’s footsteps and take over the family business but once he moved back to Dubai after obtaining his degree in International Business at Seneca College in Canada, he continued painting to raise money for charities. Hesham Malik will be displaying 20 of his artworks in an exhibition titled “Mukha – The Intimacy”.

Mukhâ has travelled from Beijing to Prague and from Prague to Goa, Malik has his roots intact.

Mukhâ is a Sanskrit word which means Face. The artist aims to depict the connection of the energy within us which flows right to the heart and leads to a body or facial expression. The series being displayed, has 20 art pieces which were created by the artist years ago. The series, on paper and on canvas portrays his style of abstract figurative with the intricate work on the subject and balanced by falling flakes.

Mukhâ was initially inspired through the Indian

spiritual practices – “which have been collectively known as Sanatana Dharma” states Hesham. It is evident that the artist has identified art and culture as a pillar of his identity and positions his art accordingly. This is not only demonstrated by the extensive display of his art but also his involvement in guiding young artists of the new generation.

The artist argues that the character and intention of people should play a larger role than the face. However, at the same time he views the face and expression as two different things.

Hesham has selected one artwork “8 Griffons” to be auctioned. “There are 7 figurative angels on the painting but the painting is titled 8 Griffons as the 8th angel is the viewer and in our case it would be the children at Sethu’s.” – Hesham Malik.

The proceeds will be donated to an NGO - “Sethu” - Centre for Child Development and Family Guidance, based in Goa and who have been tirelessly helping thousands of children over the last several years.

Artists Mohan Naik, Norman Tagore, Sadguru Chendvankar, Suhas Shilker and Viraj Naik have contributed two artworks each that will be part of the live charity art auction, the proceeds of which will also be donated to Sethu.

“Mukha – The Intimacy” opened at Carpe Diem Art Gallery – Majorda Goa on 7th January. The exhibition will remain open till 3rd February.

The book Mulgi Aahe Vishesh is a Marathi translation by Jyoti Kunkoliekar from the original book Bitiya Hain Vishesh published in Hindi by Governor Mridula Sinha.

The book is a collection of 25 letters that the Governor wrote to her daughter Mili.

A young student pursing her studies in the US, Mili received her first letter from her mother on her 25th birthday. Through the exchange of intimate letters, the author unravels the CINEMA

depth of her relationship with her daughter. Despite being compilation of personal letters, the book shares a profound message to every girl reading; that she is special.

Mulgi Aahe Vishesh is published by Mitrasamaj Prakashan and was launched by the Vasantrao Dempo Education and Research Foundation on the 24th of January 2017, in the presence of Governor Mridula Sinha, along with Neelatai Dempo,

Shrinivas Dempo and Pallavi Dempo.

Second edition of Science Film Festival held The second edition of the Science Film Festival, SCI-FFI was held from the 17th to the 20th of January 2017. The fourday long film festival focused on four distinct themes like Mathematics, Genetics, Futuristic and Space.

The festival included enthralling movies along with expert interactions opening up one’s mind to the influence that science has over cinema. Promoting and encouraging students, the festival focused mainly on the students from classes VII to IX and Class XI.

The festival was inaugurated by Prof. Varun Sahani, Vice Chancellor of Goa University, in the presence of other dignitaries such as Rajendra Talak, Vice Chairman, Entertainment Society of Goa, Shrinivas V. Dempo, Chairman of the Dempo Group of Industries,

Shekhar Sardessai, MD, Kineco Kaman Composites and Swati Bhise, Executive Producer of Man Who Knew Infinity at INOX Campal, Panaji.

The movies screened for the festival were The Man Who Knew Infinity and The Genius of Srinivasa Ramanujan under Mathematics, The Fly Room and Contagion under Genetics, Interstellar and Quantum Indians under Futuristic and Sunshine and Contact under Space.

Conceptualized by Vidnyan Parishad with the intention of popularizing science, the SCI-FFI was held by the collaboration and efforts of the brilliant minds at Department of Science and Technology-Govt. of Goa, Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG), National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) and Coastal Center for AgricultureGoa (CCARI-ICAR), National Centre for Antarctica Ocean Research (NCAOR).

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Saturday, 28 January 2017

TEDx event at Panaji on 28th January Goa is all set to host TEDxPanaji, an independently organised TED event on 28 January 2017, where speakers will discuss ideas and share inspiring, motivational stories aimed at piquing the curiosity of its audience.

The theme for this edition of TEDxPanaji is #Answers Within. Talking about the relevance of its theme, the Lead Organiser and Curator of the event, Dattaprasad Shetkar, says, “Which means, to the simple or to the most complex issues that we face, the answers lie within us. The theme celebrates the unlimited potential of the human spirit.”

Brevity is the hallmark of TEDx talks with each speaker getting maximum 18 minutes to share their idea which shaped them. TEDx talks help create dialogues with the originator of an idea and the audience, stoking listeners to become curious, to ask questions and in turn to find answers within. The core of TEDxPanaji is to start conversations among people and to keep the conversation going through ideas.

Richard Dias

An engineer turned eventmanager, Richard Dias took up work as a citizen volunteer for the Corporation of City of Panaji, and was stunned by the gross mismanagement of the city’s waste. His efforts to address the problem led to the creation of Waste Wise Programme. This played an instrumental role in building India’s first SWM 2016 compliant integrated solid waste treatment facility.

Hyacinth Pinto

Hyacinth Pinto started her own architectural practice, capitalising on her experience

in India for over 25 years.

Having studied different restoration and conservation techniques from across the country, his contributions have been recognized, as well as felicitated across the globe. in multidisciplinary aspect of design execution. Her work focuses on renewable construction materials and energy sources as the basis of design. A young Goan architect, Hyacinth strives to create buildings and communities that are built from eco-friendly materials and driven by use of renewable resources.

Mohammad Babalal Shaikh

Jason Fernandes

Hailing from a small coastal village of Vengurla, he believed that his poverty was his strength. Today he is a Managing Trustee of University of Life, an esteemed Non-profit organisation. He is also leading Swayam a forprofit joint-liability-Group of young intern students at University of life.

A gifted youth who triumphed dyslexia and ADHD, Jason Fernandes rose to become an award-winning entrepreneur, inventor and technology columnist, reveals the science behind smartphone addiction and offers technological solutions.

Jason won the Startup@ Singapore award, the first national technopreneurship competition at Singapore.

Jason’s work looks at the interaction between human mind and technology.

Victor Hugo Gomes

Conceptualizer and Curator of Indo-Portuguese and Goan antiquities, Victor Hugo Gomes has been actively involved in conceptualizing major art and cultural events

whatsup

Under his leadership, Sangath has won the ‘World Health Organisation’s Public Health Champion award in 2016. A founder member of multiple groups, he has also started the ‘MIND IT’ initiative in schools to promote brain health and prevent dementia.

Dr. Abhijit Nadkarni

Dr. Abhijit Nadkarni is a fellow of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London. A research fellow,

Isabel de Santa Rita Vás

a consultant psychiatrist, he has also been a course leader for the Barefoot Counselling course (2016) organized by Sangath-Goa.

Rajendra Kerkar & Samruddhi Kerkar

The State Convenor, Goa River Conservation Network, Coordinator, Goa Foundation, Rajendra Kerkar routinely organizes mobile exhibitions, using media to help promote With 65 theatre productions to the credit of The Mustard Seed Art Company, Isabel de Santa Rita Vás is a dynamic personality when it comes to the field of performing arts.

Dr. Amit Dias

Founder secretary of the Dept. of Preventive and Social Medicine, Goa Medical College, Dr. Amit Dias is also the chairperson of Sangath.

local folklore and is recognized as a key child’s rights activists.

A passionate environmentalist, he has delivered over 3,000 talks on the ecology of the larger Goan landscape, working with his daughter Samrudhdi Kerkar, a young columnist and artist who shares her passion for wildlife and environment through her work.

The event will be held on Saturday 28th January 2017 | 2:30 pm to 7 pm at Goa University Campus, Panaji Goa. (to register, please visit www.tedxpanaji.com/attend. php. Email to tedxpanaji@ gmail.comor contact 9922990240)

Osama Manzar to deliver a talk on ‘Digital Empowerment’ Osama Manzar, a social entrepreneur, author, columnist, impact speaker, angel investor, mentor, Founder of the Digital Empowerment Foundation, will be delivering a talk entitled ‘The World of Unconnected Billions’ at the Museum of Goa on 29th January 2017 at 11 am.

The talk will address the scale of and solutions to information, communications and technological disparity.

Osama is on the Boards of the World Summit Award, ProtoVillage and the Alliance for Affordable Internet, Association of Progressive

Communication, the Society for Labour and Development and Ibtada.

Osama has travelled to 40 countries and 5,000 villages while spreading digital literacy among the unconnected communities.

Osama Manzar is a British Chevening Scholar and is also International Visitors Leadership Program Fellow of US State Department. He has coauthored more than 5 books including Internet Economy of India. He has instituted 10 awards for recognizing digital innovations for development in India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.

heritage

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Saturday, 28 January 2017 My Goa

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For Fontainhas Festival anyone?

Heta Pandit Heta Pandit is a published author and co-founder of Goa Heritage Action Group

I

met a young gentleman at a meeting yesterday who walked up to me and asked if the Fontainhas Festival was going “to happen” again. I didn’t think the young gentleman was old enough to remember the Festival and was mildly surprised by the question. For others old enough to remember the Festival but had missed it, this was a series of five festivals where artists from Goa displayed their art works in peoples’ houses in the heritage precinct of Fontainhas, Panaji.

The Festivals caused much excitement for several reasons.

One, it was a unique concept where complete strangers were encouraged to walk through private homes and view art hanging on walls, perched precariously on chairs and stood drunkenly on sofas, fridges and cupboards.

Two, it was perhaps the first time in Goa that there was an interface between artists, heritage home-owners and the general public. One heard comments like, “We were always afraid of entering an art gallery before, now we know that it’s nothing to be afraid about!” Visitors at the Festival were encouraged to talk to home owners, art producers and other art lovers like themselves. When they liked a piece of work, visitors could buy a work of art; take it home like they would from any gallery anywhere. What’s more, there was an element of trust in the whole transaction as the Festivals were managed by an

NGO, the Goa Heritage Action Group, whose members had individually and collectively made a name for themselves as being single-minded and selfless in the field of heritage conservation.

Three, the municipal corporation of the city of Panaji had also lent a hand of support in helping spruce up a neglected neighbourhood.

Drains were cleaned and redone in places, interior roads were resurfaced, house front facades were whitewashed and veranda grills spruced up with fresh coats of paint, the chapels and temples within the neighborhood taken into confidence. The administration in general and

of the purpose of the Festival.

Goa’s musicians gave freely of their talent at the Festival, academic inputs came from the art aficionados and Goa’s artists and art students got

Goa’s (then) Chief Minister (and subsequent Ministers and Chief Ministers) not only gave the Festival their official nod but they actually actively participated in the Festivals with their presence.

City builders, always eyeing the Group with suspicion and disdain walked into the Festival with their children in tow. In fact, when a city builder said, “It was a slum but now that you’ve done this we can never turn it into high rises!”

His disgust and anger were taken as a compliment.

The restaurants and homes in the area did very well. The press supported the Festival with daily coverage and an unprecedented understanding

a unique opportunity to interact with and learn from “the greats” some of who had cut their teeth in Goa and now lived and worked out of it. There was art, there was music, there was food, there was administrative and societal support and there was a palpable energy that was more than what was in the air.

What was most crucial to the success of the Festival was that the timing was right. Awareness on heritage issues (even amongst the stakeholders themselves) was next to nil and at that time Goa’s heritage property owners themselves did not know the inherent social and cultural value of what they

The writer throws a challenge to resurrect the art-meets-society festival

were holding in custody. I would go so far as to say that Goa’s home owners (some of them at least) did not even know the monetary value of their own properties! If they were unable to maintain their properties or were plagued with family disputes and legal wrangles and were looking for an easy escape in the form of a sale, they would quote a price depending on what they thought they needed and not what the actual value of the property was.

Suddenly, therefore, with the five Festivals (between 2003 and 2006) being held in their neighbourhood, the residents of Fontainhas and Mala became aware of the heritage, social, cultural, architectural and artistic value of their neighbourhood (which, by the way, had been declared a Conservation Area way back in 1974 but remained so only on paper) and a matter of great pride and self-esteem. From Fontainhas being a “uh, where’s that?”

Fontainhas became a “wow, how lucky” almost overnight.

And the elderly in the precinct instead of shutting their doors and windows at sunset came out in the squares and cross roads to discuss the merits and demerits of the whole exercise.

The cynics and critics had a field day. What would we have done without them?

All this would have never been possible had it not

been for the right mix of the residents of Fontainhas who grasped the purpose and the concept with uncharacteristic lightening speed and for the blended mix of volunteers and workers in the Goa Heritage Action Group. Although the neighbourhood did not have any kind of formal structure with residents generally keeping to themselves, leaders from the community emerged and notionally guided their neighbours into believing us and having faith in this unique and crackling new concept.

Having total strangers walking through their living rooms, kitchens and verandas was an alien concept but the residents of this heritage precinct bravely took it in their stride and am quite certain even enjoyed the intrusion. I especially recall an elderly lady saying that she was “running a temperature now” but was sure her fever would “disappear in time” for the Festival.

So can such a social experiment be repeated?

Can such stand alone experiences be replicated?

Am sure they can be, but going by the political, social and administrative nature of things as they stand today in all the sectors responsible for the success of the Festival, perhaps the concept would have to be tweaked a little to suit the change in times and people involved. This sort of question applies to a lot of things these days. Can an experiment that has succeeded in say Kolkata be replicated in Mumbai? There are so many organic factors involved and so much dynamism in the time and talent involved that it is difficult to say. So I say to the young gentleman who asked me the question in the first place, “Go ahead! Do something that’s never been done before! If it’s a good idea both God and Goa will be with you!”

The article was first published in Goa Today

15

Saturday, 28 January 2017

Heramb: Goa’s new pace sensation rohit bhandiye

G

oa’s very own Heramb Parab is the latest export to the Indian Cricket team from this tiny state. Heramb first got selected to represent India Under-19 cricket team for Youth Asia Cup held in Colombo, Sri Lanka from 13 - 24 December 2016. Now, he is part of India U-19 team for the upcoming five match ODI series against England beginning from January 30 in Mumbai.

Making it to the Indian team was a dream come true for this lad from Sanquelim who is popularly known as “lambu” by his colleagues. “I’m very excited to play for the country.

It was always my dream and today my hard work has paid off. I thank the Almighty for giving me this opportunity,” said a visibly-excited Heramb after his selection to the Indian team.

“My journey begins from here. Now that I have got an opportunity to play for the country, I will try to perform well and aim to earn my place in the National team,” Heramb added.

Born on September 4, 1998, Heramb began his cricketing journey at the age of nine.

Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) coach Hemant Angle was the one who spotted him first at the Margao Cricket Academy (MCA).

“I came across Heramb almost 10 years back when he joined the summer cricket camp at RCC ground, Margao.

The young boy had a lot of passion for the game. He was

sports

The lanky Goan lad makes it to the India U-19 team again

three wickets. (1/10 and 2/39).

He did not get to bat in either of the matches as India went on to win both the matches.

Heramb was later included in the India camp in Bengaluru for the selection trials and was then sent to the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai to hone his bowling skills.

Goa Cricket Association President Chetan Desai and Secretary Vinod Phadke congratulated Heramb for being selected to the Indian team.

“I expected him to be in the India level and expect him to go much higher. This is just the beginning and if he Vinod Phadke and Chetan Desai with Heramb

very hard working and talented due to which he made it to the Goa junior teams,” recollects coach Angle.

From there on, there was tremendous progress in Heramb’s cricketing growth and soon the lad was a regular in Goa’s U-14, U-16 and U-19 teams.

Heramb was also the pillar for Sportsweek Cricket Club wherein his brilliant performance throughout – with the ball and bat in the GCA ‘B’ Division League earned them promotion to the GCA ‘A’ Division.

Heramb’s stand-out performance came in the year 2012 in Ahmedabad wherein he led Margao Cricket Academy (MCA) to their first National title as he claimed five wickets in the final.

“Heramb is a very

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does not get carried away and concentrates, he has the ability to climb further. GCA is there to give him all the assistance in reaching to the top,” stated Goa Cricket Association (GCA) president Chetan Desai.

Heramb, from his childhood, has always been very hardworking and talented lad. He considers Zaheer Khan as his role model and wants to emulate his feat. Having made it to the Indian team, there is lot more within him that he is yet to explore. He has not realised his full potential and with this opportunity, he will surely do well for India in the time to come.

“I came across Heramb almost 10 years back, when he joined the summer cricket camp at RCC ground at Margao.

The young boy had a lot of passion for the game. He was very hard working and talented due to which he made it to the Goa junior teams” HEMANT ANGLE, Coach hardworking boy. He is a workaholic who keeps bowling over after over. I have seen him in two matches and he bowled brilliantly on a placid wicket.

He has got deliveries that deceive the batsmen,” says Goa Cricket Association (GCA) mentor Suresh Mahadevan.

In December 2016, Heramb was part of the India U-19 team that participated in the Asia Youth Cup in Sri Lanka. In the two matches that he played against Malaysia and Sri Lanka, Heramb claimed

campus

16 Saturday, 28 January 2017

LEX INIFINITUM hosted by v m salgaocar college of law The legal event saw international participation

Winners from National University of Singapore with Dattaraj V Salgaocar, Trustee of V M Salgaocar College of Law; B S Chauhan, Chairman of Law Commission and Principal M R K Prasad

T

he three day international Dispute Resolution Competition organised by V. M. Salgaocar College of Law concluded with National University of Singapore as winners. Jagiellonian University, Poland was announced runner-up of the competition. The second edition of Lex Infinitum concluded at Reis Magos Fort with Chairman, 21st Law Commission, B S Chauhan as Chief Guest of the concluding ceremony The competition witnessed Hidayatullah National Law School from Raipur and National Law School Jodhpur from Rajasthan in the final round. First place for negotiation was awarded to Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur, second place was bagged by National Law University Jodhpur, Rajasthan and third place was secured by the National University of Singapore, Singapore.

National University of Singapore won first place for mediation while

listen to the voice of an intelligent goa. every week.

Vivekananda institute of professional studies, Delhi came in second. The awards for best negotiation and best teamwork in negotiation were presented to University of Applied Sciences Wildau, Germany. ‘Best Opening Statement’ was awarded to the Masaryk University, Faculty of Law, Czech Republic and the National University of Singapore.

Speakers like Greg Bond, Paul Mason, Tanu Mehta, Jacek Czaja, Judith Iggit, Gandha Sahu and Agnieszka Majka engaged the delegates in interactive session including topics like ‘Mediation Advocacy’, ‘Mediation at the workplace,’ ‘Art of listening’ during the competition.

Lex Infinitum 2017 was an initiative by V M Salgaocar College of Law, Miramar and World Mediation Organisation, Berlin – both dedicated to propagating mediation to the grassroots of the society, to spread awareness about alternative ways of dispute resolution.

INTERVIEW: Vijai Sardesai slams the BJP regime as anti-Goan and vows to take Goa Forward RNI NO. GOAENG/2015/60455

MyGoa `10

14 JANUARY 2017

THE COMPLETE GOAN NEWSWEEKLY

VOL 2 | ISSUE 13 | PANAJI - GOA | 16 PAGES

The BJP is contesting this Assembly Elections without a Chief Ministerial face. Did Laxmikant Parsekar fail to demonstrate his work over the last two and a half years? Or is it that he suffers from image deficit?

LAXMIKANT PARSEKAR

THE FALL GUY

Printed, published and owned by Harshvardhan V. Bhatkuly and printed at Elegant Offset Printers, Karaswada, Mapusa Goa and Published at 409, Citicentre, EDC Patto Plaza, Panaji - Goa 403001. Editor: Harshvardhan V. Bhatkuly Unsolicited material may not be returned. The opinions in columns and other stories expressed in My Goa are not necessarily that of the publishers and the Publisher/Editor shall not be held liable for any inaccuracy or otherwise. While great care is being taken to ensure accuracy of information, the publishers are not responsible for omissions or incorrect information. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the permission of the publishers.