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Vol 4. Issue 9 In Goa `100 Out of Goa `150
discover • entertainment • wine & dine • shopping • real estate • adventure
OPEN IN THE MONSOONS Party, Desserts and Adventure
FIFA 2014 Football Frenzy
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NATURE
Bird Walk along Campal
BEYOND GOA Beautiful Switzerland
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Inthisissue... Monsoon-1
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YOUR PAGE Your views, your pics, your feedback
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IN OUR INBOX Tidbits from here and there
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WORD ON THE STREET News from all over Goa
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IN GOA How the creative thrive in Goa
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SHOPPING Hot new styles at Mandi
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OPEN IN THE MONSOONS Party, desserts and adventure, all you can do this monsoon in Goa
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PARTY The low down on the FRNDZ FREEDOM 2014 bash - Be there!
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FIFA 2014 Football and Goa, where do you catch the matches?
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EVENTS AROUND TOWN Wet and wild Pre Sao Joao bash, crazy creatives at Goafest 2014 and the sizzling red carpet at Goa Marathi Film Festival
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STAYS From budget to luxury, find a place that you'd like to stay at in Goa
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ADVENTURE A Crab fishing afternoon in the river Sal
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REVIEW
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A look at the new integrated terminal at Dabolim airport
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TÊTE-À-TÊTE In conversation with the highly illustrious Geffrey Stephen De Souza
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OYDH Find your piece of real estate paradise in Goa
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MUSIC Noted journalist Caetano de Abreu talks about music in Goa through the ages
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BOOKSHELF Book launches and a review of the book Rices of Goa
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HERITAGE
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A team of explorers discover a labyrinth of ancient caves in Verna
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NATURE Goa ForGiving and friends on a Bird Walk along Campal
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READER CONTRIBUTION Armando Gonsalves talks about a celebration of Goan cuisine at Cyrus Todiwala's restaurant Assado, in London
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GOA CARES Goa ForGiving gives back to the environment this Father's Day
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BEYOND GOA
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Cooling off in picturesque Switzerland
SPOTTED Celebrities in town!
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from the publisher’s desk
When we set about crafting the topic for the lead feature of this issue, we always knew that there was something very unique and special about the State, which actually does do just that…ignites passions! Delving deeper into the thought over a discussion with our content writers and others, some obvious lines of thinking came out very clearly. While the environment and eco-system that creative people surround themselves with is something which is very, very important for them to give off their best, I think in all cases, whilst they have always delivered what people think is their best, their best is still to come. Also, it is this ‘searching-for-the-best’ energy that they generate and provide into their surroundings that actually bring out the best in others, who often are the ones that they mix with and even mentor and tutor. The natural surroundings and lifestyles of Goa certainly add fuel to the fire. The free and clean mind space in people’s heads, the relatively stress – free life that they lead, the very quality of thinking that they can spoil themselves with are just some of the unique attributes that only a State like Goa can give them. What one is now also beginning to clearly see here is the direction that Goa is headed towards – of actually maybe emerging as a natural creative hub of not only India, but possibly even the world. The creative connect here is just so unique…and, at least in our case, is the entire reasoning behind the name of our product, Planet-Goa, where Goa is just so unique in every which way that it actually is a planet on its own! It’s a fact but you can look blindly around and what you will see is that almost every household actually has normally more than one person there, who is tapping into their passion and their creative potential – it could be in art, design, photography, tiatr, literature, crafts, music, fashion, cooking or maybe even becoming a DJ for his or her profession. What’s important is that all of them are chasing their dream and don’t we all know what that can do to anybody – it just always brings out the best in him or her. They are following a purpose of what they are here for – and just how magnificent is that? Honestly speaking how many people can actually do that? People do want to and they even try hard, very hard, but more often than not get sucked into the systems that they have operating around them. Very often they find it extremely difficult to simply break out of their comfort zones and the security holds that they have built around themselves and all their effort goes to nought. Now that’s the uniqueness of Goa – it allows you to break free and just ‘be’! That’s what makes this issue so unique now – where we have tried capturing the essence of this creative connect and maybe even dared to attempt measure how it works. We met up with a few of the classic examples of these dream-chasers who have dared to venture beyond the normal and tried to extract from them their thoughts on how they did it. And, here is what we found…. Have fun reading it and think about it – our take is that Goa is sitting upon a potential creative bomb, just waiting to explode. Watch out for more! Cheers
Gautam Mukerjea Publisher & Editor, Planet-Goa gmukerjea@planet-goa.com
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Planet-Goa Monsoon Issue-1
Vol 4. Issue 9 In Goa `100 Out of Goa `150 www.planetgoaonline.com
N
OW what is it about Goa that seems to bring the best out in people…
discover • entertainment • wine & dine • shopping • real estate • adventure
Cover Image Courtesy: Anjila Puri
The creative goldmine
discover • entertainment • wine & dine • shopping • real estate • adventure
NATURE
OPEN IN THE MONSOONS
Bird Walk along Campal
Party, Desserts and Adventure
FIFA 2014
BEYOND GOA
Football Frenzy
Beautiful Switzerland
PARTY
FRNDZ FREEDOM 2014 Mother of all dance parties
GOA
INTERNATIONAL PRICE UK £7 US $10 EUROPE €8
ALSO INSIDE: Realty Options Hotel Stay Deals
The Creative Hub
www.planet-goa.com
Publisher / Editor Gautam Mukerjea Creative Director Aritra Mukherjee Content Head Amina M Azad Art Director Lakshminarayanan G Communication Design Alfred Lobo Visualiser Diya Mukerjea Photographer Shriparna Mukerjea Business Development Marissa Monteiro, Ghungroo Shrivastava Distribution Savio D’souza Gautam Borkar Operations Kavitha Bagban Production Assistant Naresh Rai Jadhav Website Administration www.domainsat99.com Strategic Alliance Vinsan World, Vasco-da-gama, Goa General Enquiries: contact@planet-goa.com 0832-2904182 / 83 Planet Media, 5B / 4 UG, Models Status, University Road, Dona Paula, Goa-403 002.
Reg. No. GOAENG00343/05/1/2010-TC The publisher makes every effort to ensure that the magazine’s contents are correct. However, he can accept no responsibility for any effects from errors or omissions. Unsolicited material inlcuding photographs and transparencies - is used in Planet Goa, but it is submitted entirely at the owner’s risk and the publisher accepts no responsibility for its loss or damage. All material published in Planet Goa is copyright and unauthorised reproduction is forbidden. Printed by Gautam Mukerjea, Published by Gautam Mukerjea on behalf of Planet Media and printed at M/s Kala Jyothi Process Pvt.Ltd., S.No: 185, Kondapur, RR Dist 500133 A.P. Distribution in India IBH BOOKS & MAGAZINES DISTRIBUTORS PVT LTD Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh.
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your page
POSTCARDS from GOA It has been said that a picture speaks a thousand words… every photograph you click has a story behind it. Share your photographic tales with us by posting them on our Facebook page under the title, ‘Postcards from Goa’ or email your photograph along with a caption and a picture of yourself to contact@planet-goa.com
Amrisha Lamba Chauhan Fashionista Amrisha loves life and lives it to the fullest in Goa
Feet in sand
Megha Jain Megha enjoys listening to music and her passion is photography
Cabo-de-Rama, the sentinel
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Dancing Silhouettes
Navtej A wanderer and a photographer, Navtej has a passion for India that he captures in his lense
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Silver Strands
Nelvis Rodrigues Nelvis’s camera is ever ready to capture everyday aspects of Goa
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your page
From the reader Dialogue, interaction, opinions, criticism and praise - here are some of your reactions to Planet-Goa magazine. Thank you! ON EMAIL Arvind Kumar, Calcutta Thank you for the speedy delivery of Planet Goa subscription in Calcutta, I love your magazine and its so convenient to have it delivered to my doorstep!
Prahlad Kakkad, Hubli Whenever I manage to sneak in a trip to Goa I make it a point to pick up Planet Goa, love your work guys. Srinivas, Hyderabad I wish we had a Planet Hyderabad...
Bina Singh, New Delhi If I hadn’t seen the magazine with the feature of places open in the monsoons I was one of those who believes that Goa hibernates in the rains so glad to see that its a vibrant as ever.
Photograph of the month r Muzawa Sharmin
Silver shimmer at Selaulim
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Your Holiday In Goa We are sure you had a fabulous time on your Goa holiday. Tell us your story. Who you came with, was it your family, friends, boy’s holiday, girlie holiday or even a single holiday on your own? Also how you came – air, road, bike, hot air balloon! And then add to it the place(s) you stayed at, about what you did, where you went, the places you visited, the Restaurants, Bars, Casinos, Shacks, etc. Tell us if you had a whale of a time (or unfortunately didn’t), maybe a great shopping or spa experience, or whatever else you’d like to talk about. Share your story and pics with us and we’ll publish it!
Review it!
Do you have a nice, juicy, interesting, live review of a Restaurant, Nightclub, Spa or even a hotel in Goa.....do send it and see what happens at... http://planetgoa.com/ my_experience.php
People say the darndest things!
Armando Gonsalves: It is nice to know that Gautam Mukerjea supports our initiatives so Rana Ayyub @RanaAyyub beautifully, via his absolutely fabulous A six hour breezy drive across north & Planet-Goa Magazine. Undoubtedly, south goa, prawn xacuti with poi and we at Goa ForGivingbelieve that Goa a corner of goa where they still sing& is the diamond studded crown on dance to Maria Pita che India’s head, and Gautam and his team believe the same. Super synergy.Thanks E C T OR B U TT ON S. C O M Pooja Bedi @poojabeditweets to everyone who makes all this work, Bumped into kumar Gaurav at the and a special mention must be made launch of @RegiGoa new restaurant in of our friends Edson Martins, Rene candolim, Goa. Barreto, Shaeen Gomes, Miles Davis R Prabhugaonker, V E CTO RBUGonsalves,Manguesh TTO N S .CO M Claude Alvares, Varun Carvalho, Sharon RJ Pankaj @pankajk14 Some dance, some don’t but when a Fernandes,Exoticgoa Rohan, Goans Worldwide-Jane Rodrigues, Mary Konkani mando and dulpods are played Silveira, Cynthia Fernandes, Cyrus everyone dances. #Goa #awesomeness Todiwala, Unnati Singh, Desmond Lobo, Cameron Mendes,Prasad Pankar, Adrian Rifat Jawaid @RifatJawaid Simoes, Queency Gonsalves, Karan Incessant rain in Goa and boiling heat Placido Bajaj, Sting Pereira, Sonika in Delhi. Think I should enjoy more of Lotliker and so many others, who my achche din in Goa! Kya Pata Kal Ho continuously support the efforts from Na Ho! our end. May God bless us all! Melon @Dee_tard #CLT I don’t want to miss a thing by Dolls & devils Aerosmith and pigging on beer batter Hey Guys prawns @Route66Goa #Goa Thank you so much for featuring our label. Its a beautiful write up. Anuradha Goyal @anuradhagoyal Your team really made us feel special.. • When Sun shines in between rains - it Keep up the great work !! xx gets golden all around #Goa Gaurav @GauravBlue4ever #Goa absolutely #Loving it. No matter if it doesn’t rain, # Chillywinds are enough. Vrushank Kenkre @KekadBakad How to keep a straight face and tell your manager “Heading to Goa on business” #LiarLiar #goGoa
We love receiving mails, messages and pings from our readers. Truly there is nothing more satisfying than getting feedback from you guys sharing your views and opinions with us. However there are times when the requests we get are...well... not really up our alley. While we do try to assist as best we can but we’re not a travel agency, tour operator, guides or a recruitment agency! Here are a few ‘strange’ requests we’ve got from our readers, this one goes out to all those who love us, trust us and ask us these questions! Arun dube: Goa is such an interesting place that it motivates me to contribute articles to Goa Today at least a couple of times every year. Pg: Good to know Arun but we are ...umm..Planet Goa! Aman Prìñçè Øf rømàñçè Requirements -female actress/dancer for item song ( known ) HANDSOME PACKAGE FOR HER IF U ARE INTERESTED THEN HURRY UP CONTACT E-MAIL stylishdudeaman@gmail.com Pg: ‘Prince of Romance’ ‘Stylish Dude man’ – seriously? rita kohli: Will it be raining in Goa in July? Pg: Will it be snowing in Moscow in December? Probably... Arvind tomar: I come to Goa for the fish food. What are good places for fish food? Pg: We would suggest a pet shop in your vicinity...
If you are among those who have an open mind with a vivid imagination, and a lens that knows the meaning of going beyond the ordinary, then take part in our photo contest every month. Mail your photograph along with a caption and a picture of yourself to contact@planet-goa.com.
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Shvetasalve @shvetasalve Hot hot home made Bhajjiyas
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your page
With Instagram, photography has simply turned into a fun hobby for amateurs and professionals all around the world. If you have a collection of Instagram photos from in and around Goa that you like to share with us, send your instagram photos at contact@planet-goa.com or http://planetgoaonline.com/
manik mehta
sumeet sandhu gokul 18
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sumeet sandhu gokul
Manik Mehta
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Rohit Vijayan
Linekar Raposo Monsoon Issue-1窶ケlanet-Goa
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your page Reader’s Opinion
What do you think? With the Tourism Dept of Goa now putting Green tourism high on its priority list in the coming years, what do you suggest should be the topmost issue in their list to ensure that this becomes a reality?
Siddharth Savkur
Shridhar Nair
Waste management continues to be the bane of tourism in Goa, and I am sure many respondents will pitch for this issue. I would like to highlight another often forgotten issue: reducing our carbon footprint. Broadly speaking, this covers steps we can take to minimize the impact of our lifestyle on the environment. In practical terms, we can and should consider initiatives like increasing direct connectivity from key source markets so that travellers don’t have to take long-winded routes to get here, supporting locally grown produce instead of imported foods and offering incentives to businesses that take clear steps to reduce their carbon footprint. These are important to today’s green traveller.
It is high time that Goa started putting focus on promoting green initiatives in its tourism sector. One of the topmost issues that they will have to handle and regulate is the massive problem of garbage management/ disposal and taking proactive steps in promoting organic waste conversion. Cleaning of the state’s eco-fragile beaches should be undertaken as part of this initiative.
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Tallulah D’Silva
Lyndon Alves
For starters as a topmost issue, the government needs to start a “Keep Goa Clean” campaign, its mainly our domestic tourists from other states who need to be both educated and fined for carelessly polluting the state! Green tourism will follow automatically.
Two big problems that are adversely affecting tourism in Goa are garbage and water pollution! Plastic bags are seen in piles all across Goa’s green landscape and sewage and litter in all our creeks and rivers. No green tourism plan will work if this is not taken care of!
Tune in to our facebook page and be a part of Planet-Goa reader’s opinion forum.
in our inbox AirAsia’s maiden flight takes off June was an eventful month in the Indian aviation industry as low cost carrier AirAsia India’s maiden flight took off from Bengaluru to Goa. This take-off
marked the launch of the airline’s domestic operations with daily flights from Bengaluru to Goa and vice versa. The inaugural flight, I5 1320, landed at Goa with a 100% flight load. Apparently the tickets for the flight sold out in minutes as the bookings opened
online. With such a positive response from consumers, the management was extremely delighted and the first flight guests were greeted by AirAsia India CEO Mittu Chandilya on-board and welcomed by the AirAsia India family upon arrival at Dabolim airport, Goa.
A different pop-up bazaar Finding their feet in the job market can be a tough call for many. While a whole lot of people go the tried and tested way of taking up regular jobs there are those who take the plunge as entrepreneurs also. For the latter that are swimming against the tide it is a bumpy ride that
often leads to hard times. Ideaz Unlimited is an organization that has launched many programmes to assist budding entrepreneurs by providing them a platform and helping them network. In May 2014 they started their unique initiative Pop-up Bazaar where entrepreneurs could showcase
their ideas/products/services. Recently they held their 3rd popup bazaar that centered on the theme ‘Adventure as source of livelihood/career for women’. It showcased exhibits from women entrepreneurs in and around the theme and also gave them the opportunity to discuss and
debate their issues at the Round Table which was attended by experts.
Creating Ambassadors for Hospitality Excellence In a State where tourism forms a major revenue generating source, the demand for skilled manpower far exceeds the supply of the hospitality industry that supports this sector. Although the number of students in Goa opting for education and career in the hospitality industry is very high, there is a definite need for resources to be provided and trained to receive skill sets required by the industry. The Goa College of Hospitality and Culinary Education in Dona Paula has been making useful contributions to the industry by moulding and developing young industry experts ever since its inception. The college, which was established in 1995 under the name of Academy of
Culinary Education, popularly known as ACE, is affiliated to the Goa University and offers a Bachelor’s degree in business administration in Hospitality and Culinary Education. In addition to a BBA, it also offers HRDF approved short term courses in Food and beverage (service), Food and
beverage (production) and Housekeeping. For students who have completed a degree or diploma in Hotel Management the college offers a one year post graduate diploma in Chef’s management. The management of the college is proud of the fact that the alumni’s contribution to the industry has been noteworthy with students finding placements in organizations such as the Cidade de Goa, Oberoi, ITC, Taj, Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton, Radisson, Four Seasons, Jumeirah, Ritz Carlton etc. The college has a success rate of 100% placement, thus ensuring the beginning of the career of the students, right from the moment they graduate from the institute.
For all the efforts they put in while at work, Hyatt has a special way of acknowledging their employees. The annual, ‘Celebrating Our People’ (COP) is an initiative undertaken
by the Hyatt entities across the globe with the view to reinforce the People Philosophy through various activities for their employees. Spread across three days, this year, ‘Celebrating Our People’ took on a filmy avatar with the themes of romance, horror and action at Grand Hyatt Goa. From different theme lunches, eating contests, cooking and mocktail contests, endurance games, scavenger hunts and more it was three days of fun, drama and celebrations. One of the most interesting activities of the three day celebration was ‘Walk in My Shoes’
where department heads and executive committee members undertook entry level roles in various departments. While General Manager Jaco Le Roux took on the role of the door man and welcomed guests for the day, Director HR, S. Vidyashankar donned the chef’s uniform and took to the chopping board while EAM – F&B Tufan Kobanbay helped the front desk with a warm welcome and seamless check-ins. The festivities culminated in the announcement of a new CSR initiative by Grand Hyatt Goa by the GM at the Gala dinner.
Monsoon Issue-1 Planet-Goa
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‘Celebrating our People’ –A Grand Hyatt gala
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word on the street
Digital Goa by Google Google head honcho Ranjan Anandan recently met with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and offered to undertake the complete digitization of the State. As part of the digitization process, if it happens, the entire state of Goa will be on 3D digital map and this would be the first State in the world to do so. Google’s 3D technology would also be able to assist Goan SMEs to go online and get a global exposure and get connected through the Google network. Anandan also showed keen interest in to sponsor/incubate at least 1000 start up through their funded programmes through other partner agencies in Goa. Now the onus is on the government to make sure that the initiative takes off.
Let the Bullfrogs croak
Cross Massages despite ban Recently the police have raided prominent spas in Goa and found the establishments to be operating nefarious prostitution rackets in the garb of cross massages. Many spas in the State have employed only female masseurs to offer service to male customers in direct violation of the Goa Public Health (Amendment) Rules, 2010. The rules clearly prohibit ‘cross-massaging,’ and allow only female masseurs to serve female customers and only male masseurs to service male customers. However despite the rule several establishments openly flout the law and this has led to a duel between the Health department and the Police as they both expect the other to monitor activities in spas and massage parlours. 22 Planet-Goa Monsoon Issue-1
Jumping chicken or the Bullfrog, a delicacy in Goa, which is one of the largest frogs found in India, is now on the watch list of forest officials. Poaching of the Bullfrog increases significantly in the monsoons as the amphibians come out in large numbers. However the forest department is appealing to the people to conserve the Bullfrog as it contributes maintaining the fragile eco system of ponds, wells and fields. Killing of frogs causes an imbalance in the food chain, thereby affecting terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Frogs feed on mosquitoes that are vectors of human diseases such as malaria, filarial and encephalitis. Moreover, the consumption of frog meat over a period of time is risky and could trigger paralytic strokes, cancer, kidney failures and other deformities as the toxic recalcitrant residues from the agrochemicals used in the field gets biomagnified in the food chain and may get accumulated in the fat deposits of these frogs.
Heritage causeway on the horizon
Train fares hiked – travellers disappointed The new rail fare hike has had a considerable impact on the travel plans of people from all over the country. While the government is defending the move saying that an increase in fares will directly affect the quality of service provided and therefore it is justified the opposition parties claim that it is a bitter pill much against the promise of prosperity on which the current government won the elections. And while the political parties bicker over the issue the fact remains that air fares to Goa have always been exorbitant and under scrutiny and now with train fares climbing exponentially also, there is little hope of getting to Goa on a budget.
The 380 year old Ribandar causeway, one of the most scenic causeways in the country, is all set to become a tourist hub with facilities such as food stalls, toy trains etc. Also known as ‘Ponte Conde de Linhares’ the causeway, which was at one time said to be the longest bridge in Asia, will hopefully undergo the transformation as proposed by the Goa government. As per the proposal, a parallel bridge all the way up to Sao Pedro will be constructed for traffic while the existing causeway will be used for tourism purposes only.
Cruise down the Candolim promenade Unveiling the foundation stone of the Candolim beach Promenade, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said the approach road to the beach would also be beautified. A 6 Cr rupee project, the Promenade would include parking facilities, toilets, showers, adequate illumination of the area, and a garbage segregation centre among other facilities. The Promenade would give a much needed thrust to tourism in the area as currently most of the tourists are moving further up north as the situation in the popular tourist belts of Candolim, Calangute and Baga is grim owing to dirty beaches and a serious lack of infrastructure.
For techies in Goa there is some good news on the horizon as 4G network may soon be functional here. According to sources the Goa State Pollution Control Board has received nearly 50 applications for the erection of 4G technology mobile towers from service providers. Goa is the first state to come out with guidelines on installation of mobile base station towers (MBST) in the state. While the service providers have requested for a speedy issue of licenses and necessary permissions through a single window clearance system, the GSPCB is evaluating all possible avenues to check emission levels of Electro Magnetic Radiation from these towers and make sure that they fall within acceptable limits.
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4G to be reality in Goa soon
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word on the street
Big cats spotted in Tillari According to forest officials from Maharashtra they have managed to capture the image of three tigers in the Tillari reservoir region. The Tillari region, bordering Goa and Maharashtra, has a water reservoir nestled amidst lush green patches of forest with a thriving population of herbivorous animals favouring visits from carnivorous animals such as tigers, leopards and other animals. B S Shinde, range forest officer, Dodamarg forest range, Maharashtra, said “We got camera trap images of tigers, our authorities have told us to keep the information about the images confidential for the safety and security of the big cats. The tigers are in the region ranging from Chorla ghat in Karnataka and Goa to Kendre of Tillari. They come into this region due to the availability of ample food and water.”
Strawberries, Homestays and Ecotourism Villagers of Verlim in Netravali wildlife sanctuary made history less than six months ago when they harvested their first strawberry crop. Now they have formed the Verlim Ecotourism cooperative society (VECS) that is completed owned and run by the locals. In this project the villagers of Verlim will be opening their homes to tourists as homestays as part of the community – based ecotourism project. Verlim is a hotspot of biodiversity and a delight for wildlife enthusiasts and birders especially in the monsoons as bewitching beauty of the hills, the serene vistas of the hamlet, and the gushing waterfalls are captivating to watch during the rains. The project will benefit the entire community as the profits will be divided among the villagers who are part of the community driven initiative. The home stay option will give visitors a rare chance to live and experience the rustic lifestyle of their hosts including the chance to grow and pick fresh strawberries. The VECS will charge 900 per day per person for the home stay, which includes accommodation, food and the guide charges.
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Goa to host football tourneys
If the FIFA fever has gripped the entire nation it has also enthralled a football fanatic population in Goa. The icing on the cake so far has been that Goa may be hosting the next edition of the Federation Cup in December 2014. According to a senior All India Football Federation official the body has asked Goa if they would be willing to host the tournament in December. Earlier the same tournament was to be hosted by Kashmir in May 2015 but the dates had to be changed due to commitments of the playing teams. Goa, AIFF officials said, is an ideal venue for the Federation Cup with the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda and Tilak Maidan in Vasco readily available as competition venues while several other training grounds like Panchayat ground at Raia, Rosary ground in Navelim and Cuncolim ground are all spruced up before the Lusofonia Games 2014. The GFA has already agreed to host the Durand Cup, Asia’s oldest football tournament, for the first time starting October 29.
Navy welcomes INSV Mhadei at Goa
The illustrious sail boat INSV Mhadei which was built in Goa and named after the mighty Mhadei river returned triumphant yet again after adventure at high seas. The Mhadei had departed from Goa for Cape Town in November last year to take part in the 2014 edition of the prestigious and historic trans-Atlantic race called “Cape2Rio”. Cape2Rio is an iconic race sailed between Cape Town in South Africa and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil over a distance of 3300 nautical miles. The race is conducted by the Royal Cape Yacht Club at Cape Town and is hosted by the Iate Club, Rio de Janeiro on the other side. The Mhadei was constructed in Goa at Aquarius Fibreglas Pvt Ltd as part of the Indian Navy’s ambitious project Sagar Parikrama. In the first edition of Sagar Parikrama, Cdr Dilip Donde sailed around the world solo under sail with four stops to become the first Indian and the 189th person in the world to do so. In the second edition, Cdr Abhilash Tomy sailed around the world solo, non-stop and unassisted to become the first Indian, second Asian and the 79th person in the world to do so.
Prime Minister dedicates INS Vikramaditya to the nation
After being elected the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi came to Goa in his first visit to an operational military formation after assuming office where he dedicated the country’s new aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya to the nation. The Prime Minister embarked the aircraft carrier at sea off Goa, which was operating in the company of ten other frontline warships of the Indian Navy’s ‘Sword Arm’ – the Western Fleet. The mighty INS Vikramaditya has an overall length of 284 meters and a width of 60 meters measuring over three football fields, this floating airfield is equipped to carry a maximum of 34 aircraft such as MIG 29 K fighters and Kamov 31 helicopters. The ship is now fully operational with Indian pilots taking off and landing the MIG 29K naval combat aircraft.
Goa wins again! To stay updated on whats making news in Goa, visit www.planetgoaonline.com Now pay more for your taxi A new summer drink for you! Why heritage lovers are aghast New brand logo for Goa Tourism Goa - Second highest alcohol consumer in India
www.planetgoaonline.com
If you are planning to visit Goa any time soon you can be rest assured that you will not be disappointed in the destination. At the recent Lonely Planet Magazine India Awards, Goa was honoured with the title of ‘Best Indian Destination for Relaxation – 2014’. The event which attracted the who’s who of the travel industry recognised the fact that Goa is by far the most popular tourist destination in India. Over the years the popularity of Goa as a destination has been growing exponentially among domestic tourists as well as foreigners. Goa’s pristine beaches, vibrant nightlife and fantastic dining options have catapulted the state into the hall of fame of tourism destinations.
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in goa
The
reative onnect
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WHAT draws creative people to Goa’s shores? It’s natural beauty, its welcoming ambience, its tolerance, its cosmopolitan culture or its stimulating blend of a rich heritage and a modern present? Yes, Goa has a lot to offer the person who walks to the beat of a different drummer. Nobody who has ever been here would ever call Goa colourless, bland or restrictive. And perhaps, that is the draw that attracts people who want to be free to follow their passion and live their dream. We talk to some of these unique individuals to learn more about what makes them tick and why Goa really is a State of mind.
SAMIRA SHETH Art writer, consultant and curator Samira Sheth loves to chronicle inspiring art and interesting people
Monsoon Issue-1 Planet-Goa
www.planetgoaonline.com
These people don’t just dream - they chase their dreams and live their passions. Food, golf, film and photography, hospitality, business, graphic design, animal welfare and more – the gamut of their interests are diverse and yet they have one thing in common -Goa. All these gifted, original, successful people could have chosen anywhere in the world to locate and yet they chose Goa. Samira Sheth is privileged to chat to some of Goa’s most interesting people to learn more about their creative connect to the State
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Shooting for the Stars
SIDDHANTH SHEOREY
Celebrated advertising photographer and film maker Shantanu Sheorey develops his passion for images and teaching with his new venture, The One School Goa
The highly acclaimed photographer is completely at ease in Goa, a place he’s proud to call home
You’ve created some very iconic images and memorable ads. Garden Vareli, Vimal, Gwalior Suitings, Digjam and so many more. Did you always want to be a photographer? I studied commercial art at the Sir J.J. School of Art in Mumbai and started shooting in college. I was doing interesting stuff with the camera and experimenting and soon got roped into helping friends with the end of year campaign. I was sucked into photography before I knew it. Photography has always been and stayed my main passion. I had the confidence to step out while I was training with Lintas after college and do some shoots. I actually went to the US to join design school but it was very expensive. I did a few commercial assignments there when the 28 Planet-Goa Monsoon Issue-1
money ran out. I loved staying there, hanging out with artists there but by then I had started winning awards for my work in India so I came back. From shooting stills, the natural progression was to move to ad films and digital media.
What has been the key to your success? I kept going to the US every two years or so for photography workshops. I learned to respect time with the instructors - every moment with those guys taught me a lot. More than learning the techniques, I realised that what draws us together is the passion, all of us had art as a background. I imbibed all these experiences and I think that’s why I could do what I could do.
I love to teach because I love to learn. I was always known as a problem solving photographer and I wanted to do something for myself. You can’t experiment too much with commercial photography. I wanted to work with youngsters, give them good solid ideas and get their minds working. Years ago I attended a photography workshop in Rockport, Maine and loved the spirit there. It was very intense. I wanted to recreate that with this school – the Harvard meets Santiniketan approach where you can sit under the trees, in the verandah and learn but in a systematic way. Most people don’t realise the passion with which I have set this up, this is my own baby.
What draws you to Goa? Goa was always on the radar. I had very positive vibes here and it was all falling into place. I used to drive by this spot (the One School site in Uccassaim) and tell my son and his friend that we need something like this. And one day, the broker calls me and tells me it’s available for rent! So it all worked out seamlessly. We’re in the process of moving to Goa lock, stock and barrel as a family now
Happiness to you is... One good image makes my day! It gives me great happiness to see youngsters put their heart and soul into creating images and match up.
www.planetgoaonline.com
The One School Goa is a unique photography school. How did it evolve?
SHANTANU SHEOREY
A picture really does speak a thousand words! Born of a passion for image-making, The One School Goa is a one of a kind creative and multi-media school
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The Daily Special
She’s a terrific cook, a successful restaurateur (she set up The Tea Café in Fontainhas, ran SinQ Tavern in Candolim for a while and now runs Bodega at the Sunaparanta Centre for the Arts) and a fabulous raconteur. Meet the very unusual Chef Vandana Naik, who despite working with the best chefs and at the most high-end restaurants in New York for close to two decades doesn’t like to be referred to as a chef
Has food always been a passion? And did you know you would make a career in it? I won’t call myself a foodie. Yes, I like food but I like the whole process of seeing something being created and transformed into that final dish; I like every aspect of food, how it relates to its environment, its culture, how it has evolved and that for me is so much more fascinating than cooking or baking. I like to question why a dish is done this way, not that in a particular country or cuisine, how the weather pattern affects what you eat and so on. I’m not so interested in just eating, I will pretty much eat anything! And no, a career in food was never the plan – it just happened! I studied home science in Mumbai and didn’t want to come back to Goa so I did another course. I wanted to make the mistakes staying in Goa wouldn’t have allowed me to make, I wanted to figure myself out. Then I started working with some of the best restaurateurs in Mumbai. By then, my curiosity had doubled – I wanted to see and work with ingredients I never got to see in India. So, I left for New York to learn more, it was never about the desire to be a chef.
What has been the most fun part of this culinary journey? The whole process of coming to this point has been the most fun. Moving to New York city was great because I learnt so much about different cultural cuisines. I’ve worked at La Grenouille, one of the most high-end restaurants in Manhattan where they spend one million dollars on flowers alone! So it was quite an experience. All the peeling, chopping, slicing, 3 am shifts – all of it has been fun. The Executive Chef there would take me out to eat and I got exposed to different cuisines. I was meant to come back after a four year stint in the US so I wanted to 30 Planet-Goa Monsoon Issue-1
soak in and pack in whatever I could. It’s a different story that four years turned into 19 years. Luckily for me, there was an Indo craze in America at the time, so it was easy for me to get jobs.
Where do you look for inspiration? My dad always said, “Even if you sweep, do it the best you can.” My attitude has always been- if you can Although her interest in food has do it, I can do it. taken her around the world, Chef And if it needs to Vandana Naik is here to stay be done, I”ll do it. I never behaved Indian or like a girl. I had the toughest bosses but they are all my friends now. It takes years to gain the title of ‘Chef’ and get to their level. I like to say, “I cook.”
What does Goa mean to you? In New York I was working with the best people in the city and with ingredients I’d never get back in India, I enjoyed the cultural exchange so really there was no thought of coming back. I came back for emotional reasons, my dad was ill and I promised my mom I’d stay here and Goa is home after all. It was never home for a long time but as I’m getting older, it has become more home. My experiences have made me enjoy Goa more. If I stayed here, I may not have had a career.
Distilling Possibilites
“Is there a physical law why it can’t be done?” is Desmond Nazareth’s usual response to an unusual idea. And so we have India’s answer to Mexican tequila and Brazilian Cachaça in Desmondji, the unique Indian alcohol brand created by the unfazed, undeterred and undeniably curious entrepreneur
I like to travel light through life and wanted the pleasure of living simply. When I had enough money to allow me to take care of my annual expenses and some travelling I retired and left the US. I decided to do something fun in India when I returned. In the US I had built a reputation for myself as a good cook and bartender – my friends would enjoy my cocktails. When I was entertaining in India, I couldn’t find most of the ingredients to make those cocktails. I couldn’t find a decent agave spirit or orange liqueur so I decided to make my own! I remembered seeing some agave plants on train journeys through the Deccan region as a child and that triggered Desmondji. It was born as a concept in 2000, I did the research for 4 years and then moved to Goa to work on it further. Much search, experimentation and research later, I launched two agave spirits, 100% and 51%, and two margarita blends. I wanted to keep developing newer ideas so the next year, I developed the orange liqueur and blue curacao and after that we had the pure cane, which is like the Brazilian Cachaça.
The concept,product development, design, branding, marketing of Desmondji is all you, it’s a one man show. What keeps the entrepreneurial zeal and spirit going? The fun part for me is the idea, the research and going against the odds. When things are going smoothly I lose interest! I love the process of going through the whole arc – from glimmer to fruition for any project. I enjoyed
setting up the micro distillery in Andhra Pradesh, developing newer ideas that came along and looking at the possibilities for market opportunities.
What inspires you? I don’t acknowledge failure. If the simple route doesn’t work I’ll take the circuitous one but find a way that works. Things usually start with me if random ideas pose questions I can’t answer. I like to find solutions. I want to get Desmondji going and then move on to my next project. I have more ideas than I can share and I like to help other people achieve their goals as well, I love to mentor people. I had the help of numerous people. Every project of mine makes me feel really good, otherwise I wouldn’t do it, I do it purely by choice.
Desmond Nazareth is happy to keep his best ideas bottled up
What next? For now, Desmondji is getting a big marketing push and we’re talking to international partners about branding and new markets. I want to start work on my project for empowering children at the bottom of the pyramid through storytelling, to create a new generation of leaders with access to good values. That will be my way of giving back. I want to spend some time living in developing countries.
What does Goa mean to you?
www.planetgoaonline.com
You have a combined Masters in Film & TV production and computer science and a long career in software development in the US. How did Desmondji happen?
Goa has become a haven for me, a resting place to get ideas worked out in my head. Increasingly there are more diverse, sophisticated and interesting people here now. It is idyllic for me to live here and work all over the world.
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Hoteliers Sanjana and Rajat Verma’s properties are a reflection and extension of their home
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Making a Hotel a Home Hotelier Rajat Verma celebrates the spirit of Goa with his charming boutique hotel Shanti Morada in Saligao
My wife Sanjana and I are hoteliers first and foremost and hotels have always been the passion. For a while, after hotel school I wanted to venture out on my own so ran a chai ki dukan outside the Income Tax Office in Delhi! From there on I slowly got into running more cafeterias and then into film catering. One thing led to another and I got into film production. I’ve worked on a number of documentaries and films with companies like Walt Disney, Miramax, 20th Century Fox. Eventually, life came full circle and we said let’s get back to hotels. So, we started a small boutique hotel, Shanti Home in Delhi followed by Shanti Morada in Goa. Now, we have another one coming up in Coorg soon in the middle of a coffee plantation.
Shanti Home has consistently won awards including the honour of Best Boutique Hotel in Delhi recently. Shanti Morada was named the Best Upcoming Boutique Resort in Goa the month it opened. What makes your hotels different? We are hoteliers but I would say we’re not really ‘typical hoteliers’. For us, our hotels are an extension of our home. In our properties, all the rooms are different and each piece of furniture has lovingly handpicked from across the globe. The rooms have no numbers, only names and all have different themes. We don’t believe in being impersonal or institutional. We don’t want a cookie cutter hotel room but a very personal feel. We are constantly working on our standing in the industry and our service, we track it very carefully. We want to try to showcase India for what it is – its art, culture, music so we host performances by local artistes in our properties.
I wouldn’t say we’re a hotel group for everybody but for someone who wants to experience what India has to offer, we’re a great choice.
Do you love what you do? Totally! Even though it’s completely mad – 24 hours 365 days a year – I know I wouldn’t be happy doing anything else or doing hotels in any other way. This is fun.
Where do you look for inspiration? In our guests - when they appreciate what we’ve created and they feel well cared for and safe in the spaces we’ve created – it is truly inspiring.
What are you most proud of? I feel immense pride in the fact that we created this brand from a complete nonentity and now we’re competing with the top hotel brands and beating them in their guest satisfaction indexes. To be featured among the top names and to be spoken about in the traveller community when we’re such small players and to do it all on our own steam and funding, with no big backing, gives us a lot of satisfaction.
What does Goa mean to you? With a home and a hotel here, I feel married to Goa! We have the possibility to protect Goa to a certain degree and to keep it the way it used to be. With our hotel we made sure it was built in a way that fit into the village and seemed a part of it. We do a lot to sustain the local environment and we employ local people. The only thing that hurts is that despite putting our money and effort into Goa, we’re still seen as outsiders. It’s not fair to be judged as people who are trying to take away from Goa when we’re trying so hard to add to it and protect it.
www.planetgoaonline.com
Tell us about your journey as a hotelier?
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Yes, she lives here, she works here, she plays here! Esha gives it her best shot at the Lalit Golf course in Goa
When Work is Play
Meet Esha Kumar, Golf Manager at the Lalit Golf & Spa Resort Goa, who takes her play so seriously she made it work
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I started golfing at the age of ten thanks to my father who is also an international athlete. He encouraged me to join the Junior Training program held for juniors at The Delhi Golf club. The most memorable moment for me was to when I left to study golf at the Professional Golfers Career College California, USA and got to see how the golfing industry works. I got the opportunity to study golf full time and compete with men at tournaments, since my school had very few women.
an international athlete. At the age of 52 he manages work in Delhi, runs marathons internationally and promotes sports.
What are you most proud of and why? Materialistically I’m most proud of my putter, (a type of golf stick) it’s one of my most valuable possessions. It was custom fitted at Scotty Cameron’s exclusive studio in San Diego and has my name engraved on it. But otherwise I am truly proud to be associated with a sport like golf, which is such a composed game and has taught me who I am- how I deal with failure and how I deal with success.
How do you describe your work day?
What does success mean to you?
I am very content. My daily routine of work is to be on the golf course, teach golf, manage the golf course, promote golf and meet new people every day. I feel very satisfied when I see a big smile on a player’s face after hitting a good shot.
For me success means the accomplishment of your self-defined goals. Once you feel that you have accomplished them, you have succeeded. For a successful life – or any endeavor- you have to fully commit to it. It’s not enough to only want it.
Have you always chased your dream and what is your passion now? Yes! I have always chased my dreams, be it on the golf course or in my personal life. My current passion is to grow the golfing industry in Goa. I would like golf to be a major attraction in Goa and boost the tourism industry. I also encourage Goenkars to pick up this sport for fitness as well as at a competitive level.
What’s the tough part of following your passion? I don’t think there is anything tough about following your passion if you strongly believe in it. The only funny thing is to explain to people in our country about my exact profession, since golf is still growing and it’s a sport, so people feel that it can’t be a profession.
What do you love most about what you do?
What do you think the key is to follow your passion and do what you love?
I love the fact that my office is in the midst of nature and I work from sunrise to sunset. I get to enjoy the lush greens of the golf course and the beautiful Rajbaga beach.
The key to follow your passion is to believe in it and dream about it all day. Challenges will be there and a lot of hurdles as well but it’s up to you how you want to overcome them.
When did you know you wanted to follow this path you’re on now? Did you ever want to pursue another career?
What lies ahead for you on a personal and professional level and Why Goa – what does it mean to you?
Since I was a kid, I knew I had to do something in sports since I’m from a family with a sports background. But to be part of the golfing industry was decided after my graduation from Lady Sri Ram college, New Delhi, when I decided to take up golf as a profession. I took a break from playing competitively and went to California to attain a degree in Golf Management.
Professionally, my networking within the golfing industry has increased and I want to utilize it to grow the sport for Goenkars and as well as for the tourism industry as a whole. Personally, Goa is a really special place for me. I was born and brought up in Delhi where the culture is so different. Here, people are warm and friendly. Goa has taught me to enjoy life and give myself time, which is scarce living in a city. I would love to settle down in Goa and live the Goan way of life.
Where do you look for inspiration? I look at my dad, as he himself is a self made man who grew up in a small town and became
www.planetgoaonline.com
How did your golfing career begin and what have been some of the most memorable moments?
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For the Love of Life The enigmatic Anjila Puri runs a successful graphic design company while defying labels and stereotypes
Anjila Puri’s work reflects her love for art, design and Goa
How would you describe yourself and what you do now? I am an inveterate traveller, an animal lover, a graphic designer and a hopeless romantic! Goa is my home and haven...away from the big cities in India. A place where I have the luxury of doorstep birding, village walks, cooking with friends, beach walks, sunset swims and more recently - kitchen gardening! Thanks to the internet which allows video conferencing and onscreen sharing and mobility, I am able to macro-manage and support my graphic design studio, Fisheye Design in New Delhi from Goa. And this connectivity also affords me the freedom to 36 Planet-Goa Monsoon Issue-1
work as an independent brand identity and communication design consultant for clients in India and abroad, from my wonderful work station at my Assagao home.
When did you know you wanted to follow this path you’re on now? Having liwed in several cities whilst growing up...I am totally comfortable and happy with change. My main schooling years were in
What does Goa mean to you? In September 2005, I found a lovely little home perched high amongst the trees in the verdant valley of Assagao. The owners, Violet and Jerry had named the cottage - ‘Little Paradise’. I retained the name, refurbished the cottage and started renting ‘Little Paradise’ as a vacation rental - to cover the cottage expenses, whilst I planned my move to Goa. Thanks to my wonderful team at Fisheye Delhi, and an amazing caretaker at Little Paradise Cottage, I was able to spend 4-6 months of the year between Delhi and Goa between 2005 and 2011. I spent this time working, exploring and adapting to the new environment of work - identifying my vendor base for print and web development, setting up my communication systems, meeting with possible collaborative partners and purchasing a studio for Fisheye Goa, in the Design Valleya creative conglomerate hub - in Porvorim. I now live all through the year in Goa. And living my life here the way I do, has been the most amazing thing I have done for myself. I hope to swim, trek, work, play, love and live with the same verve and passion that has always been a part of me. J Monsoon Issue-1 Planet-Goa
www.planetgoaonline.com
Calcutta and my roots if any, belong to that city. Goa has slowly grown to be my new home over the past 8 years. I graduated from the National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad in 1991, moved to Delhi in 1998 and set up my graphic design firm - Fisheye Design (www.fisheyedesign. in). Our work spans various industries across branding, strategy, print, digital, social and environment. It’s been a fantastic journey with Fisheye in Delhi, working with young, talented creative professionals and also some wonderful clients and projects. But, Delhi was not for me...and I knew I had to move on. I wanted to be near the ocean, away from the traffic and pollution and amongst more like-minded people. In 2005, there were suddenly several of us friends - product designers, architects, and writers including myself - who looked at the possibility of setting up our creative base and home in Goa. This coupled with happy thoughts of living near the sea, surrounded with coconut palms, great food, live music and the simplicity and charm of Goan village life. And just like that, I knew that Goa was to be my home.
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shopping
WE HEART BAUBLES! Everybody is aware of the popular song “Jhumka gira re” or the classic adage “diamonds are a girl’s best friend”. Jewellery has always been timeless and classic, ever present, only trending differently every time. The star of statement jewellery is shining brighter than ever this season T E X T A N D P I C S C O U RT E SY M A N D I
Traditional silver
Woodie Myna 38 Planet-Goa Monsoon Issue-1
Contemporary silver bracelet
L
ADIES its time to sparkle! The colour of jewellery is no longer defined by the metal – gold, antique gold, white gold, platinum. Jewellery made from natural elements, enamel, silver and dokra jewellery is the way to go. After all, the true key to looking and feeling great in jewellery is in finding a style that suits individual preferences and then expressing that style in a tasteful, stylish way. Multi-coloured pieces can be paired with monochromatic attire, or one bold-coloured piece can balance a printed dress. Mandi — Your Indian Fix, the lifestyle store in South Goa that showcases an extensive range of trendy jewellery to suit everyone’s style works with women entrepreneurs that make jewellery differently. Natural leaves dipped in 18 carat gold fill, jewellery made from natural stone formations called geodes, neck pieces made of teak wood in designs inspired by the Indian myna, enamel jewellery which is a fusion of traditional minakari work in modern French designs, sterling silver jewellery in contemporary designs or dokra jewelry to match your traditional style.
You can literary wear your heart out with jewellery that speaks for you. Nature lovers, trendsetters and drama queens, what you waiting for? Pick up the bauble that adds a zing to your outfit this season.
Leaf impressions
On the rocks !
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rains open in the monsoons
Revel in the!
Pic courtesy: Deltin
All those who claim that the rains play spoilers and dampen spirits should visit Goa in the monsoons! The party is on here in full force people and here’s a list of places where you can party, chill, shop and drool this monsoon!
Yo-yo Party People! Die- hard party people will find a place to bogey the night away whether it’s raining or not. While the beach side clubs are definitely shut there are still many places you can go and have a great time. Read on to find out where you need to be heading this weekend! 40 Planet-Goa Monsoon Issue-1
GET JIGGY WITH IT IN THE NORTH! Café Mojo
The vibe: Pub in the heart of Panjim Location: Next to Apple Corner Panaji, R. Menezes Bragança, Ozari, Panjim Contact: 8322426666
Casino Deltin Royale & Deltin Jaqk
The vibe: The complete package – entertainment, live gaming and fantastic food, it doesn’t get better than this! Location: DB Bandodkar Marg, Opposite Hotel Mandovi, Near Fisheries Department Building, Panjim Contact: 0832 6519471
Casino Pride 1&2
The vibe: Gaming, gaming and more gaming! The fun never stops here! Location: Dayanand Bandodkar Marg, Patto Colony Contact: 0832 – 6516666
Cavala
The vibe: Live music, retro loving crowd and a full house each time! Location: Baga Beach Road, Baga Contact: 0832 – 2276090, 8390055518
Down the Road
The vibe: Here’s where the whole of Panjim descends for a night out
Location: H. No 99, Old Patto Bridge, R. de Ourém, Altinho, GA 403001 Contact: 9823173757
SinQ
The vibe: Chic and sophisticated, dress-to- party kind of place! Location: Near Vivanta By Taj - Holiday Village Hotel, Sinquerim, Candolim Contact: 8308000080, 9552100700
Tito’s Lane
The vibe: It’s party central! Bars and watering holes galore take a stroll and enjoy the sights and sounds! Location: Baga, Baga beach
The Sofala
The vibe: Laid back luxury at one of Goa’s most happening hotels, Thursday nights at The Sofala see a mix of Jazz and retro performances. Location: Road Opposite Bank of India, Bhatiwado, Nerul, Bardez, Bhatiwado Contact: 0832 - 6714141
Waters: Beach Lounge & Grill
The vibe: Edgy and hip, catch their Tech& Trance on Fridays from sunset to sunrise Location: Ozran, Small Vagator, Bardez Contact: 9702 025 555
PARTY DOWN SOUTH… The vibe: It is the largest dance floor in South Goa. Titos Radisson features some of the classiest acts this side of the Zuari! Location: Radisson Blu Resort, Cavelossim Contact: 8888061199
Edgy Nights @ Alila Diwa Goa
The vibe: Chic and classy evenings at Edge bar that showcase new bands and musicians. Friday nights here are a great start to the weekend Location: 48/10, Village Majorda, Adao Waddo, Salcette, Goa, 403713, Pacheco Vaddo, Majorda Contact: 0832 - 2746800
Monsoon Issue-1 Planet-Goa
www.planet-goa.com
Club Tito’s @ Radisson Blu
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Indulge your sweet tooth
There is no feeling like the feeling of satisfaction after biting into your dessert on a wet monsoon afternoon and sipping a cuppa with a friend while it is pouring outside. Ahh desserts…simple pleasures, sinful as they are, make each moment a celebration of all things delicious and fattening! Here’s a look at where you can get your sugar fix in Goa Baker’s street
Desserts n More
Carasid
MOG – Cake Studio+ all things good
Cremeux
Monginis
Recommended for: sweets and Savories – all under one roof Type of cuisine: Bakery/Patisserie Avg. Meal for 2: INR 500 onwards Location: Chanson Apartments, Dayanand Bandodkar Marg, Opp. Hotel Solmar, Miramar, Panjim Contact: 0832 – 2465904
Recommended for: Gourmet cakes that are to die for Type of cuisine: Bakery/Patisserie Avg. meal for 2: INR 500 onwards Location: Tarcar Mansion, Near Honda Showroom, Fontainhas, R. de Natal, Altinho Tel: 9881955367 Malbard Building, Near Nav Hind Bhavan, Panjim Tel: 9850270034
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Recommended for: Snacks and desserts in the heart of Panjim Type of cuisine: Bakery/Patisserie Avg. Meal for 2: INR 500 onwards Location: Ground Floor, Caculo Mall Contact: 8888516677
Recommended for: Bespoke designer cakes, cupcakes and savouries Type of cuisine: Bakery/Patisserie Avg. Meal for 2: INR 300 onwards Location: Shop No. 3 & 4 B wing, Colaco Residency, Opp. Vibes Music Shop, Off Abade Faria Road, Comba, Margao Contact: 838007852
Recommended for: Cakes for all occasions Type of cuisine: Bakery/Patisserie Avg. Meal for 2: INR 500 onwards Location: Monginis The Cake Shop, 707, D.B. Marg, Miramar, Panjim Contact: 0832-2463700
Patisserie Café Delicieux
Recommended for: Delicate French pastries Type of cuisine: Bakery/ Patisserie Avg. meal for 2: INR 500 onwards Location: Campal, Next to Rock & Raaga, Panjim Contact: 0832- 6520521
Pic courtesy: Mog
Recommended for: Relaxed conversations over fantastic desserts Type of cuisine: Bakery/Patisserie Avg. meal for 2: INR 500 onwards Location: CHOGM Road, Porvorim Contact: 9822385822
Adventures in the rains!
What’s up: Goa Kayaking Club takes out the kayaks each year in the monsoons in Nerul in North Goa. Possibly one of the only locations where you can indulge in Kayaking in the monsoons, the trips are fun paddling sessions when the mangroves are lush and full of life. Contact: Prakash Afonso on 9422056037
Treks to Netravali
What’s up: Goa Green organizes off-thebeaten track tours and trips for those who have adventure in their hearts and rain on their mind. The treks to Netravali waterfalls in the monsoon are kind to beginners so if you just want to strap on a backpack and head out into the wilderness then Goa Green will make sure you have a good time. Contact: Charles da Silva on 9822185678, or Anthony on 9822176376
Rain Drives Jump into the car, arm yourself with snacks and a good umbrella and go on a long drive exploring the amazing landscape of Goa in the monsoons. A good route is up to the Chapora fort in the north, the drive to Cabo de Rama in the south or if you feel like experiencing the thrill of the mountains then drive out to Amboli and you’ll find the drive
dotted with little waterfalls all the way to the top. While you’re there do stop for some chai and pakoras on the hilltop viewpoint, the weather and the warm cuppa make it a divine experience.
Heritage Trail If you are a history buff then Goa has many places for you to explore. The Reis Magos Fort and Museum, the Churches and the Latin Quarter of Panjim are just some that are must-dos. The rains add their own beauty and charm to these historical places that are bastions of past conquerors, heroes and saints.
Fishing and angling With commercial fishing coming to a halt thanks to the mandatory moratorium, you can expect the prices of fish to sky rocket and the availability of fresh fish to be minimal. The good news is that the rivers are literally brimming over so it’s a good idea to get into a raincoat, carry some bait and cast your line into the water and wait for your catch. We see a whole lot of people angling across the bridges of Goa, small lakes and ponds also make good fishing spots as do the tiny rivulets. And the thrill of grilling your own catch is truly something else completely. So good luck!
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Kayaking in Nerul
Pic courtesy: Goa Kayaking
Goa’s famous water sports, the banana boat rides, kite surfing, dolphin spotting trips and jet skis may have closed down because the sea is too rough and dangerous this time of the year but there is a ton of stuff that you can do in the monsoons. The waterfalls are brimming over, the landscape is a lush green, the rivers are burgeoning with water and the activities in the monsoons may be different but they are just as exciting. So explore the unexplored, do what few have done before and see a different side of Goa!
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party! will party! party
Have friends... P I C S C O U RT E SY F R N D Z F R E E D O M
A mega celebration of fun, laughter, music and great friendship, the FRNDZFREEDOM Party is all set to rock your world once again on the 3rd of August this year
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Keep your forks and knives handy! R GET YOU Y P O C TODAY!
Your guide to great food and drink is finally here! www.planetgoaonline.com
Arti's Yakhni Pulao Aromatic basmati rice slow cooked with tender mutton chunks in deliciously flavored stock is now just a phone call away!!! To order call : Arti Mukerjea 9766229955 Minimum order : 1 kg. Self pick up from Dona Paula. Price : ` 950.00 per kg.
We request a 24 hour advance notice to put together this divine, gourmet experience!
party
The biggest party of the monsoon season, FRNDZ FREEDOM 2014 is set to break its own record of more than 3500 party revellers in one arena
It is a party like no other- the FRNDZ FREEDOM bash hits Goa on the 3rd of August, be there!
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he FRNDZFREEDOM Party is just around the corner, so get ready to get wild! Every year Friendship Day in Goa is celebrated with a bash that leaves us begging for more. So come rain or sunshine die hard party people keep their schedules free for the biggest event of the season – the FRNDZFREEDOM Party. This year the mega dance party is at Tito’s Courtyard, Baga’s uber cool hang out that will play host to a stunning line-up of upcoming DJs as they battle it out on the consoles to win the crowd in the ultimate battle of the DJs. For the very first time there will be an adrenaline driven music frenzy that will see DJs from all over the country fight it out on the 12th, 19th and 26th of July at Cape Town Cafe in the War
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of the DJs and from amongst these musical warriors three will be chosen to set the stage on fire on the 3rd of August. Last year the event had 3000 music fans celebrating with friends and this year the number looks much larger as the excitement is literally hitting the roof. In the past Djs such as Ma Faiza, Dj Ivan (Bangalore), Afroboogie (Dubai), House Mechanics (UK), Tatva Kundalini, Dj Kliment (Bulgaria) and other Goan Dj’s like Dj Ajit, Joel, Navin, Rinton have rocked the stage here. So slap on your friendship band, round up your friends and get your wardrobe ready for a smashing FRNDZFREEDOM Party 2014. You can’t afford to miss this mother of all dance parties!
picks of the season
foodies choice Black Sheep Bistro
Type of cuisine: Global cuisine Recommended for: An after work hang out. Great drinks, chic bites and a laid back and elegant ambiance. Avg. Meal for 2: INR 800 onwards Address: Swami Vivekananda Road, next to Sacha’s shop, Panjim Contact: 0832- 2222901, 9881731901
Florentine
Type of cuisine: Goan, Seafood Recommended for: The original and legendary Chicken Cafreal Avg Meal for 2: 1000 onwards Address: CHOGM Road, Pequeno-Morod, Saligao, Bardez Contact: 0832 – 2278122, 2278249
House of Llyods
Type of cuisine: Continental & Goan Recommended for: Sunday Brunch with Live Band & Unlimited Drinks Avg. Meal for 2: INR 1000 onwards Address: Saipem, Candolim Contact: 9823032273, 9930326136
Peppers @ The Royale Assagao Hotel
Type of cuisine: Multi Cuisine Recommended For: Sizzlers here are to die for! Avg Meal for 2: INR 1000 plus onwards Address: Scolo Wado, Behind Martron Fitness Centre, Assagao Contact: 0832 - 322 2001
Route 66 Smokehouse Grill
Recommended for: Mouthwatering burgers and sandwiches Type of cuisine: American Diner, Grills & BBQ Avg. Meal for 2: INR 1000 onwards Address: Avanti, Opposite Patto Bridge, Rua de Ourem, Mala. Above Union Bank, Panjim Contact: 9623922796
Type of cuisine: Veg. Rajasthani/ North Indian/Goan/ Asian Recommended for: Kebabs/Biryani and Handi Avg. meal for two: INR 600 onwards Address: Models Marine, Shop no. 1,2,3 & 4, Caranzalem, Goa Contact: 0832- 6523353/ 7755927408 /8600647773 To recommend your choice of dining, wining, shopping or any other such place in Goa, email us at irecommend@planet-goa.com
www.planetgoaonline.com
Saffron- Authentic Indian Cuisine
Monsoon Issue-1 Planet-Goa 47
fifa 2014
freepik.com
F
IFA World Cup 2014 is well underway and so far it’s been a ride worth waiting and waking up for! As champions Spain strive to maintain their supremacy on the field football legends and hosts Brazil are blazing it out on their home turf, players being banned for biting on the field and penalties and controversies are going hand in hand, this World Cup is as epic as it can get. As a cricket obsessed nation there are very few places in the country that truly feel the fervour of football this World Cup season and Goa is one of them. Like Brazil Goa too has ties with Portugal and soccer is as revered here as it is in those countries. They say that football is in the DNA of every Brazilian. The sport has evolved from mere goal scores to a very stylized samba with the ball. When the Brazilians play, they dance. In Goa it’s a dance of different nature. If galli cricket is played all over the country from by-lanes of Mumbai and Delhi to the nukkad of Kanyakumari, the youth in Goa are swinging their soccer balls in church compounds, beaches and football fields all year long. Football clubs such as Dempo S.C and Churchill Brothers, Vasco S.C, Salgaocar F.C etc fight it out regularly on their turfs and beyond, all for the glory of the game.
FIFA Frenzy Goooaalllll….!!!!! The games are on people and the battle lines are drawn who are you rooting for and where are you watching the matches??
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The Lounge at Bay 15 is buzzing with fans and friends cheering for their teams
Where are you headed for the match?
Cocktails or beers, the bar at Bay 15 is all set to quench every desire
Bay 15
Bay 15 has the unique distinction of having a fantastic outdoor and indoor dining set up. With the monsoons in full swing they have moved the party indoors with the Lounge hosting live screenings of the matches for fans. There is a special Soccer menu designed especially for the World Cup apart from the regular menu and happy hours every day from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm where you have the luxury of a buy one get one free drink on offer. On the weekends there is live music to add to the fun of the matches so head here if you’re looking for a complete entertainment package.
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When the match begins there is palpable excitement as players line up on the field, the national anthems are played and the whistle blows. The first half is crucial and the second half gets critical, penalties, yellow cards, red cards and finally the last few seconds – this glorious game is definitely not for the faint hearted. Fans have been known to scream, shout, vandalize and even riot in some places – such is the power of great football. And there is nothing like watching a nail biting match with screaming pals and die-hard fans all united or divided during the game. Here’s a look at some places where you can get in on the action and have a brilliant time while you’re rooting for your team. A word of caution though, too much jeering and booing the opposing team fans can get you into trouble!
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fifa 2014
The Park Calangute Drop in at LOVE at The Park Calangute for an unforgettable football experience
Football facts Goa football legends... Menino Figuereido is the first Goan to have played for India, representing Goa. He represented India on a goodwill tour of Russia in 1963 which by some is not considered an official tour. According to others the first Goan to have represented India officially is Visitacao Lobo in 1970.
This chic hotel in the north is the venue for all things hip and happening. From fashion shows to wild headphone parties, the good people at The Park Calangute know how to live it up. This football season the venue for exhilarating matches is definitely LOVE where you can watch all the match mayhem on an 8x6ft screen. The deal is INR 650 person which includes unlimited beers and a choice of burger/sandwich to go with it. Cheers to a great time people!
Beer and brawn... Budweiser is the only beer on sale on the World Cup grounds throughout the entire tournament despite an 11 – year government ban on the sale of alcohol in Brazilian football stadiums. Smart players... South Korea’s Park Chu-young has an IQ more than 150, which is considered Mensa-level. The Arsenal striker only played an hour’s worth of first-team football last season, yet remains a starter for his country. Crazy fans... One of the most dedicated supporters’ groups at the tournament is the American Outlaws, who flew 540 fans on two chartered airplanes to Brazil. They hold “Night Before” and “Pre-Game” parties. A double legend... Sir Vivian Richards, widely regarded as a legend in the game of cricket, is the only person to play World Cup Cricket as well as represent Antigua for football during the 1974 World Cup Qualifying matches. And Messi of course... Argentinian striker Lionel Messi, including his game on Wednesday, June 25 against Nigeria, has scored 24 goals in his last 23 international appearances. Source: Internet
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Capiz Bar at Grand Hyatt Goa is screening the matches and offering some pretty sweet deals on beverages too
Grand Hyatt Goa Capiz Bar at Grand Hyatt Goa is the place to be if you want an evening of sophisticated match screening. Elegant, stylish and brimming with excitement, Capiz bar has some amazing deals for soccer fans. The spirit of FIFA gets turned up a notch with live entertainment where they celebrate music from across the world with artists like Nezz and DJ Peppy while you indulge in the Chef’s recommendations from the pub menu with treats such as “Crispy Fried Squid”, “Tuscan Bruschetta”, “Australian Hamburger” ,”Spicy Pepperoni” pizzas and much more. Happy hours offer 25% discount with a round of pre-game drinks between 7.00 PM to 10.00 PM daily. They also have special beverage packages such as Beer Buckets @750+tax onwards and other packages with a choice of premium selections from sparkling wine, white wine, red wine, standard spirits, beers, soft beverages and cocktails also.
events around town
Coolios and party kittens hit the dance floor with a vengeance
The gorgeous DJ spins
The DJ and the babe smile for camera
Splash Mob
The Pre Sao Joao bash at The Park Calangute was a wet and wild event
Party hoppers were thrilled at pre Sao Joao bash at The Park Calangute
Monsoon Issue-1 Planet-Goa
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AO Joao, this traditional festival in Goa, is celebrated with great fervour across the State by the young and the old. With ornate head gear of flowers and leaves the revellers jump into a well or pond screaming Viva Sao Joao as they hit the water. Kick starting the festivities this year and also as a welcome respite from the heat, Goa’s premier party destination, The Park Calangute held its Pre Sao-Joao bash by the pool side that saw a record number of people jumping into the pool to mark the occasion. A fun filled music event, the Pre Sao Joao party had the likes of DJ Teri Miko, DJ Ryon Nogar, DJ Varun F, DJ Akshit, DJ Jack M, Dj Floh-Tek, Dj Tejas and DJ AK47. The open air bar ‘PEACE’, the restaurant ‘LOVE’ and the swimming pool were totally jam packed with the party crowd who just couldn’t get enough of the music and the pool.
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events around town
Go, Goa, Gone! Goafest 2014 stormed the shores of Bambolim with quirky creatives and cutting edge ideas
The Google enclave was a fun space to chill at 52 Planet-Goa Monsoon Issue-1
Guy Hearn- Omnicom
Quirky set ups were the order of the day
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The panel discussion
HAT do you expect from a pool of the best creative minds in the country when they come to Goa? Brilliance or bizarre? We got both! The mavericks of media and advertising descended on the golden sands of Goa for the most awaited event of the year – Goafest 2014. A festival that celebrated creativity and out-of-the-box thinking, encouraged dialogue, featured star players of the industry giving their two bits of wisdom to young minds, a party like no other, Goafest 2014 was all that and much more. There were murmurs of all not being well in the ad circles, prominent agencies were conspicuous by their absence some blamed it on budgets others whispered conspiracy theories but in the end all’s well that ends well, and Goafest 2014 ended with a bang! Here’s a look at what transpired when creativity met Goa!
A full band in attendance at the event!
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events around town
Encore! The 7th edition of the Goa Marathi Film Festival was a spectacular display of fine films, glittering after-parties and an elite audience Festival Director, Sanjay Shetye lighting the traditional lamp at the inauguration of the 7th edition of the Goa Marathi Film Festival
Hon’ble Speaker of Goa, Shri. Rajendra Arlekar felicitating Film Director V.K. Naik for his contribution to Marathi Cinema
G O A M A R AT H I F I L M F E S T I VA L
Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Shri. Dilip Parulekar lighting the traditional lamp along with the ‘Bioscope’ movie cast
Prominent film personalities from the Marathi Film Industry gracing the occasion
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P I C S C O U RT E SY
Aditya Ingale, Hemant Dhome, Mrunmayee Deshpande & Aniket Vishwasrao from the movie ‘Andhali Koshimbir’ at their movie screening
Festival Director, Sanjay Shetye presenting a memento to Mr. Subhash Pethe, MD of Waman Hari Pethe Jewellers, the title sponsor of the festival
Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, Shri. Manohar Parrikar, along with Festival Directors Sanjay Shetye and Shripad Shetye, felicitating Marathi Film Veteran, Smt. Ashalata Wabgaonkar with the prestigious Kritadnyata Puraskar Award
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or Marathi cinephiles it was a show of epic proportions. The most awaited event of the Marathi Film industry, the annual Goa Marathi Film Festival took place from the 6th to the 8th of June 2014 with screenings of films at Kala Academy, Inox and Maquinez Palace, which brought together film makers, artists and film connoisseurs to experience great cinema. The film schedule consisted of 15 curated Marathi Films that included a few film-makers presenting their newest works, tributes to certain artists, current box-office favorites and remarkable treasures from the past. While the inauguration ceremony of the Festival at Kala Academy at the hands of Shri Manohar Parrikar, Chief Minister of Goa witnessed the presence of eminent personalities, celebrities and dignitaries and Goan film enthusiasts, the after party at Grand Hyatt was a glittering red
carpet affair with the cream of Goa’s social circuit and celebrated film personalities. The 3 day festival hosted a bevy of stars including Mahesh Manjrekar, Milind Soman, Sai Tamhankar, Amruta Subhash, Aniket Vishwasrao, Vibhawari Deshpande, Pushkar Shrotri, Smita Tambe, Girish Kulkarni, Ajinkya Deo, Urmilar Kanetkar-Kothare, Makrand Anaspure, Gajendra Ahire, Sunil Sukhtankar, Sumitra Bhave, Viju Mane, Ravi Jadhav, Girish Mohite, Somnath Avghade, Nagraj Manjule among others. Bollywood star Shreyas Talpade also attended to for the inaugural ceremony and the preview of the trailer of his film “Poster Boys”. Ashalata Wabgaonkar, a Marathi film veteran, was conferred with the special Kritadnyata Puraskar Award this year for lifetime achievement.
www.planetgoaonline.com
Film personalities: Kiran Yadnyopavit, Abhjeet Panse, Viju Mane & Pushkar Shrotri
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stays
Stays that suit yourStyle
Boutique Resorts
Leave your stresses behind, relax and unwind the Goa way. Take a trip through our top picks of the season
Luxury Stays
Amarya Shamiyana
THE LALIT GOLF & SPA RESORT
The Look- An intimate oceanfront resort set on the trendy Ashvem beach consisting of 4 Moghul inspired safari tents, offering a touch of royal splendour with its playful and modern rendition of the opulent. Amarya Shamiyana offers their guests every luxury while indulging them with a sleep closer to the shore and to the stars. The Feel- Luxuriously spacious with high ceilings and wispy drapes to partition individual spaces within each ‘tented-suite’. Playful, classy and delightfully romantic, Amarya Shamiyana is like nothing you have experienced before with plenty of contemporary design details. The deal - Tariff starts at INR 8500 Location- Ashvem beach-North Goa
The Look- Discover luxury at its best. This 5 star property with its charming Baroque-Portuguese style architecture is set on 85 acres of land and offers you the most breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea. The Lalit is one of the most exquisite, beautiful and secluded beach resorts in Goa. The Feel- The resort offers you 255 accommodation options, a fullfledged only one of its kind golf course and a plethora of hotel facilities. The resort also offers you the epitome of luxury living with its ten beautifully planned luxury villas. The Deal- Tariff starts at INR 6500/- in the monsoons and will vary during the peak season Location- Rajbaga, Canacona- South Goa.
Boutique Resort
Laguna Anjuna The Look- Surrounded by lush gardens, Laguna Anjuna is a quaint resort that is rustic, rural and completely in sync with nature. The one and two bedroom cottage suites make it an ideal stay option for families and large groups of friends. The Feel- A country style resort with basic amenities such as air conditioning in the bedrooms, swimming pool etc and a close to nature kind of ambiance. It’s right in the heart of hippy Anjuna and is just as free spirited as its location. The Deal- Tariff starts at INR 5500 onwards Location- Anjuna – North Goa
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stays Budget Stays
Seaside stays
Ozran Heights Beach Resort The Look- Tucked between the popular and crowded Anjuna and Vagator beaches, this resort overlooks the peaceful Ozran beach. With its private wooden cottages, swaying palm trees and an uninterrupted 180 degrees sea-view, this place epitomizes the true Goa experience. The Feel- Relaxed and peaceful, one can swim, eat, drink, chill and enjoy the sight of the vast Arabian Sea with absolutely no hindrance. The Deal- Tariff per night is INR 6000 for Grand Sea View and INR 8000 for Premier Sea View. 3N/4D Packages are for INR 23000 and for INR 27000 respectively Location- Small Vagator Beach, Vagator
The Royale Assagao The Look- The Royale Assagao is a luxury resort that lies close to the happening beaches of north Goa. The resort boasts of well appointed rooms, two luxurious swimming pools, pool bar, restaurant, gym, spa and coffee shop. The Feel- Quiet and quaint, The Royale Assagao promises to provide its guests with the best holiday experience in a secure gated resort. The accommodation options are varied with 2 bedroom deluxe apartments and villas. The Deal- Tariff starts from INR 3000 onwards Location- Assagao, North Goa
Budget Stays
Budget Stays
Cavala Seaside Resort The Look- Cavala Resort is a 35 year old quaint ivy clad resort with its Portuguese Goan architecture, red laterite façade and riot of tropical flowers which stands out in refreshing contrast to the concrete around. The tiled roof and wrought iron balconies transports you back effortlessly in time. The Feel- Warm, homely and completely unpretentious, Cavala is where friendships are forged for life. Only a few steps away from the beach, Cavala offers travellers the comfort and familiarity of a home. Neatly appointed rooms, suites and villas a fine restaurant and well stocked bar with live entertainment, all making for a truly enjoyable vacation. The Deal- Tariff starts at INR 1500 onwards for non AC rooms and INR 3000 onwards for AC rooms Location- Baga – North Goa
Kesarval Garden Retreat The Look- Situated on the Verna plateau just off NH-7, Kesarval Garden Retreat is a great place for the business traveller and also for budget travellers. The resort is well equipped and has a beautiful landscaped garden area. The Feel- The resort offers facilities such as gym, swimming pool and the in-house restaurant Bougainvillea caters to in-house guests. The rooms are well appointed and great value for money. The Deal- Tariff starts at INR 2099 onwards Location- Verna Plateau, Cortalim – Salcete, South Goa
For more options visit us at: http://planetgoaonline.com/stays/ Disclaimer- Planet Goa is not responsible or accountable for any variation in tariff.
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Experience Goa’s tranquility in a Harmonious Blend of Tradition and Contemporary Sophistication Exclusive concept boutique hotel with unique personality - showcasing Indian art, heritage and culture. Great places to unwind, relax and to feel spiritually at rest.
www. shantimorada .com
8 | 123, Bairo Alto, Vaddo -Saligao, Goa - 403511 . T: +91.832.2278888 / 44 . contact@shantimorada.com
adventure
Sunday by the
SAL
Goa is so much more than just a beach destination. The backwaters here are simply stunning with rare birds, plenty of fish and natural beauty all around. We took a boat ride down the serene backwaters of the River Sal in South Goa and got crabby along the way‌ TEXT AND PICS: AMINA AZAD
The boat is packed and we are all set to go cruising in the River Sal
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Young Ethan was the hero of the trip with his catch
Charles Da Silva aka Charlie explains the nuances of crab fishing and other treats along the river
Exploring the anatomy of a baby crab
Monsoon Issue-1 Planet-Goa
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I
T was the perfect day, not too hot not too humid just about right to step out early evening and get a bit adventurous down south. A chance meeting with Charlie and his lovely family at a friend’s place over dinner led us on an adventure we always thought we would undertake but never got around to it. Charlie, who is one of Goa’s few and first government certified guides, is a man who likes the outdoors and is famous for his nature oriented trips. His company, Goa Green Tours and Travels is a pioneer of many off-thebeaten-track nature activities. So when he offered to take us on a crab fishing afternoon there was little or no resistance on our part. Armed with oodles of sunscreen, hats, and tons of excitement we rendezvoused with Charlie and his family at the Cavelossim Ferry Point. The prospect of crab fishing was a hard sell to the kids, especially girls, who were mortified by the idea and one look at a baby crab in Ethan’s hand (Charlie’s son) there were shrieks and eeks to be heard until all of us packed ourselves in the boat. Once
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adventure out on the water Charlie took time to explain the topography of the river, our man was in full guide mode as he explained to the kids and moms the ways of the River Sal. Moving upstream we saw many a fishermen casting their nets out as Charlie explained the nuances of Crab Fishing and how we were going to go about it. River Sal in South Goa is one of the most prominent rivers here, a lifeline for the south she meanders her way into the Arabian sea at Betul and has many tiny fishing villages, mangroves, a plethora of birds such as the
And we have a winner! The first catch of the day was a promising start to a great adventure
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Kingfisher (we were able to spot a rare Pied Kingfisher, a black and white variety found only in some places), Egrets and the majestic White Bellied Sea-Eagle. The river is not too wide so you have the advantage of a cozy boat ride without too much rolling and pitching as the waters are normally calm and with the vistas of the Western Ghats in the background the scenery is as soothing as it is relaxing. However, with nearly seven kids in tow we may have upset the quiet tranquility of the river. The traditional method of crab fishing is to let down a circular ring with bait in the middle and a net attached to it. The crabs make a beeline for the bait and enjoy their meal until they are pulled out to become meals themselves. We had about 10-12 nets that were cast in advance and Charlie and his little girl, Emma, who is a preschooler with the energy and courage of a seasoned fisherman, explained to the rest of us novices
Crab catch of the day
the techniques of pulling the nets in. As the first net came up with a crab or two the boat began to rock with excitement. All of us wanted a go at the nets, and those who pulled up crabs were seen as heroes while if your net came up empty your score remained woefully lesser than the others. After the first round of crab fishing we cast our lines into the river for some normal fish and though we had hopes to pose with award winning catches we all came out empty handed with only Ethan managing to pull in a rather odd looking fish making him the hero of the Sal for that day. As our buckets of crabs were bubbling over, Charlie brought out the refreshments. The picnic on the river was even more exciting as we poured wine into our flutes and enjoyed a perfect evening as the kids munched on their snacks and counted the crabs with Emma being the star crab catcher of the day. On the way back Charlie introduced us to the Seaman’s Nest restaurant team who he
Nothing like a good glass of wine to pep things up while the kids are busy fishing for crabs
Seaman’s Nest, a restaurant along the Sal has the best Crab masala in town - a must have if you are that side
Rare birds flock the river side and were curious observers to our motley crew
Did you know… ☼ River Sal is the 3rd largest river in Goa running for almost 35 kms ☼ It is the only river that flows in the north-south direction ☼ Locals here have been fighting against too much dredging of the river by the authorities ☼ Apart from cruising the river by boat, kayaking is also a very good way to explore the Sal To plan your own exciting trip log on to www.goagreen.com
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swears make the best crab masala in Goa. We picked up our portions of crab masala from them and headed back to the ferry point to disembark. With the crabs up for grabs we each took some home but I do suspect that crab veterans Charlie and Nicole would have done a far better job with cooking theirs than we did with ours. As the sun set on the Sal we said our goodbyes and headed back home with a trunk of crabs and exciting tales of fishing on the Mississippi of Salcete, the river Sal.
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review
The Near Miss
What was touted to be the next big thing on the tourism infrastructure agenda of Goa, the new terminal at Dabolim airport, sadly leaves a lot to be desired text & pics: amina azaad
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f you’ve been to Goa or live here you’d know that the airport is a contentious issue. Here elections won and lost based on whether you support the new airport at Mopa, whether you can strong arm the Indian Navy (Dabolim is a defense airport where fighter jet flying takes precedence over commercial flights) or if you can simply make noise about the old airport and its creaky conveyor belt.
With so much time and effort spent on the topic of airport and its location and facilities or lack thereof, the quiet construction of the new terminal at Dabolim airport was viewed with excitement and optimism. finally Goa more importantly Dabolim airport, which handles lakhs of tourist traffic in to the State, would have a state-of-the-art terminal the kind that already exists in much smaller hubs such as Lucknow, Bhopal and Vishakahpatnam. The gleaming glass and steel façade was encouraging, as was the promise of a new parking facility that would unclog the airport road of taxis and coaches. It was formally inaugurated by the Civil Aviation Minister in December and despite racing against time it was not ready to receive the Lusofonia delegates. There have been unsubstantiated reports of leakages etc that hindered operations, and much hyped collapse of the retainer wall just outside the terminal but all was forgiven when finally the new terminal became partially operational in february.
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the new integrated terminal has little to oer in terms of engagement for the passengers
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review
the luggage conveyor system is swanky but lacks efficiency resulting in delays
the cool glass and concrete facade, that has replaced the old world charm of the old terminal, is impressive though it lacks any real character
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The new terminal though operational is still dealing with teething problems, infrastructure issues and a basic lack of interiors. While the old terminal had a distinct Goa flavour and old world charm, the new one is an impersonal and inefficient sibling that fails to impress. If one were to assume that the T2 in Mumbai is possibly an art lover’s paradise, the new terminal here is exactly the opposite of it. With the absence of a food court one is at the mercy of over-priced kiosks serving average quality snacks and beverages. Large parts of the terminal are still being done up and are cordoned off and the pace at which work is progressing one could only hope that the next tourist season will see a better functioning facility. While the current state of affairs is disappointing we are hopeful that eventually things will improve and until Mopa happens or doesn’t, Goa’s Dabolim airport will have to do a better job.
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tête-à-tête
MAN OF STEEL
An international security expert, a pioneer of cruise ship education and a highly awarded decorated civilian, Geffrey Stephen De Souza is man who wears many hats
Security expert and head of the ICCA (International Cruises Culinary academy), Geffrey Stephen De Souza, has many accolades to his credit
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graduate in Security Management in Intelligence & Counter Terrorism Moshe Dayan Center, TelAviv University, Israel, Geffrey (FISM, C.S.C) is a dynamic leader who has carved a niche for himself in the international security circles as the go-to guy for complex issues. However despite his overt and covert commitments with high risk entities his contribution to Goa stands tall in the form of International Cruises Culinary Academy (ICCA). The ICCA is a one-of-a-kind facility in Goa where students learn the nuances of cooking on board a ship with actual equipment that is used on cruise liners. The result is that the work force coming out of this school is already equipped with the technical skills and can easily face the challenges of working in the large galleys of cruise liners. The institute also provides assistance in placement of the students so that they have jobs waiting for them once they pass out of here. Geffrey’s wide contacts and his august stature in the cruise liner community have helped establish his institute as one of the premier education hubs from which to recruit quality work force. We met up with the man of the hour to get a sense of how he manages to do so much and still remain the enigma that he is.
Geffrey you have been in the security business for quite some time but what was your motivation to join such a dangerous industry?
From security of cruise liners to establishing one of Goa’s most respected culinary institutes, tell us how that journey has been for you. I set up a business in 1977 from home providing security and investigative services to Insurance agencies, banks and government organizations, establishments was run under the name “ Loss and Prevention” as opportunity struck, I undertook major
Winning the Gem of India Gold Medal
contracts and was soon able to obtain significant deals, being quite confident with disarming smile and level headed approach to solving problems, brought the many clients who respected my intelligence and resourcefulness in settling matters. ICCA was established on 21 June 2008, as there was a shortage of trained cooks in the cruise liners. ICCA managed a hat trick for three years at Chef Com.Goa
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Every profession has its bench marks in terms of education knowledge and skills sets. Perhaps love for the profession made me accept the job at International Airports.
Monsoon Issue-1 Planet-Goa 69
tête-à-tête
A career chosen not because of liking, but for the money.
The ICCA has one of the most unique training facilities in Goa. Almost the entire galley of a cruise ship with complex machinery is at the disposal for students to learn on. Clearly this was your vision to provide the best learning facility to your students. What are your plans for the future of the institute, where do you see it going from here?
Geffrey is a pioneer for Goan recruitment on board cruise liners. His culinary academy ICCA has trained young professionals to take on the challenges of a cruise ship galley
So how does a man who is an international authority on security and a stalwart of recruitment onboard cruise ships enjoy his leisure time? We asked Geffrey how he likes to party and this is what he has to say… Your favorite holiday destination? Brazil Favorite beach in Goa? Palolem Your most challenging assignment? To manage Human beings Favorite type of holiday… Cruise? Beach? Hills? “Aruba” on the Cruise One thing you can’t leave home without? Packing Indian Spices
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We have trained more than 1000 plus chef students, all of them are employed with the cruise liners, because these chef students have attained extensive knowledge in food safety management, health promotion & nutrition education to meet any culinary challenges in the world. Regarding my plans for the future of the institute, the future lies with continual improvements in career directions.
As a decorated security specialist you do realise that the Sword of Damocles literally hangs over our heads as far as coastal security is concerned, particularly in thwarting any terrorist attack given the Goa has such a vast coastline. Do you think there is scope for establishing a training facility for private security in Goa? Goa has a vast coast lines with no industrial security specific educations, qualification or experience predetermined for this profession. We require a serious thought to establish a training facility for private security in Goa. In Israel the security of the nation is in the hands of the civilians. Why not in India?
A lot of young people join the cruise liner industry from Goa. This trend has been there for quite some time now and this was probably because opportunities at home were so limited, do you see a spike in this trend or do you believe that Goa now has enough opportunity on shore? Most of the Goans venture out of India to seek employment because of the money which is being projected in a cruise vessel or the Gulf. They want to make a quick buck to start their families, buy a house, for marriage etc.
Geffrey spearheads the ICCA (International Cruises Culinary Academy) that is one of the most respected institutions for culinary expertise on board cruise ships
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The good life… ‘Let’s pack our bags and settle down here’. These words have crossed the minds of most holidayers visiting Goa, and why ever not. With clean air, good roads and a great quality of life, the idea is pretty enticing to most. So on your vacation here, why not try and make this dream a reality? Take your pick from some of the premium properties available, and smile your way into the good life…
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Succour
vasco
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Brand new bungalow at Succour in lush green and peaceful surroundings, 1500 sq mtrs plot having built up area of 720 sq mtrs, immaculately done up with top of the line fittings having five bedrooms, swimming pool and beautiful garden. Price on request.
3 BHK flat with unobstructed breathtaking sea view at Vasco in a gated complex with all the modern amenities like pool, lift, security club house and gym. Price 60,000/- per sq mtr.
Under construction independent bungalow at Saligao, in beautiful surroundings, with swimming pool , car park etc. Plot size 500 sq mtrs. Price on request.
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Porvorim
Under construction bungalow of 3000 sq ft with 4 bedrooms, swimming pool and landscaped gardens in Baga area located on plateau in a lush green surrounding. Price on request
200 sqmtrs 3BHK, immaculately done up flat in Porvorim in society, very close to the highway. Price INR 1.75 CR
It’s a fully furnished bungalow at Porvorim very close to NH-17, amazing field view with swimming pool, garden with lots of fruit bearing trees. Plot size 900 sq mtrs and built up area 470 sq mtrs 4 bedrooms and servant room. Price on request.
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Succour
Pilerne
Clear title 250sq mtrs plot with sanad, proper road access situated in lush green surroundings, field view, located in Succour. Price 28 lakhs
Under construction Mediterranean style villas in Pilerne in plot size of 570 sq mtrs and built up area approx 550 sq mtrs with independent swimming pools, security, power back up 24/7 security. Price on request
Seraulim
DONA PAULA
Dona Paula
This Portuguese house is situated at Seraulim on the main road and built in a plot size of approx., 1200sqm and built-up250sqm. Fully renovated, it has a well and water tank with staff room and a mature garden with lots of fruit bearing trees (mangoes, chikoo, cashew, bananas & lemons). Ideal for designer showroom/office. Price 2cr.
House located in Dona Paula plot size of 265 sq mtrs having built up area of 200 sq mtrs with 3 bedrooms, garden, 3 car parking space, with sea view and large balconies. Price 1.75 cr
Bungalow located in Dona Paula, Nagalli Hills Colony in plot size of 350 sq mtrs with built up area of 240 sq mtrs. Partial sea view with four bedrooms, 2 lounge areas , servant rooms , car parking and garden with lots of fruit bearing trees. Price 3 Cr.
Succour
Salvador de Mundoo
980 sq mtrs plot at Succour, two side road touch, clear title with sanad, located in green surroundings. Price 10000/sqmtrs.
300 sqmtrs , field touch, river view clear title located in Salvador de Mundoo, clear title. Price 36 lakhs
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nerul An independent bungalow at Nerul in a plot size of 1100 sq mtrs with beautiful landscaped gardens and pool, with two side road access. Price on request.
music
Rock of ages: memories lingers on
Music from its inception is deeply inculcated in the psyche of Goans as there are no “Desafinados� (Out of Tune) worth a note amongst its vast majority B Y: C A E TA N O D E A B R E U
Music lovers in Goa enjoy the benefits of live bands that have been performing here through the ages
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Music is the universal language that binds us all. In Goa the tradition of song and dance is an integral part of the Goan identity
which stipulates: Music runs through the veins of Goans. It is to be elaborated that music fanfare did exist amongst its followers during their early days although through percussions and community intonation. It may sound farfetched but in actuality music was the means of sanity with Goans canvassing through the poignant corridors of existence. Nevertheless Goans leisured their time in joie de vivre and camaraderie with music delighting their tormented souls with
its future enveloped in nastiness thus the best way to console themselves was by singing and bringing forth in public domain the wanton chicanery inflicted by their landed gentry. The future was not always bleak per se as in the late 19th century music was like snippets for deaf ears although the stage performance got an up-slip when Artistes settled in Bombay lavished in portraying theatrical concoctions rendered with gusto and charisma. As in regards to live music the same was performed in ambulatory fashion by artistes with little knowledge of music or no knowledge at all. It can be evaluated that it was during those times that Goan musicians excelled in the factors underlined to them with all the makings of Rock Stars. In the 19th Century when the Goan landed gentry were keen to perform “Minuets”, “Polka”, “Quadrille”, “Waltz”, “Ballade” and some other fantasy it was only during the mid 20th Century that dances like “Two Steps”; “Swing”; and “Tangos” emerged from the horrors’ of two World War much to the delight of emergent Goans. It can be said that weddings and other occasions were performed by full cast brass bands with no one even trying to create a dyke in the festivities although it is said that during the early thirties and late fifties there were small Combos performing during such ceremonies which was much appreciated by youth in particular. With life going on as it was, in 1950s the phantom of “Rhythm and Blues” was launched from the West although few Goans ventured to participate in this latest trend to get a head start. During the early sixties the youth did venture to have swinging time by crystallizing their own bands attributed to Rock Generation from across the globe which gave a head start for the younger generation to quantify its roots. Recently I was delighted to acknowledge the free-of-charge concert of Goa’s “Tidal Wave” one of the foremost bands from Goa performing a rock concert meant mainly for the youth. I was tempted to attend however due my inability I did what was the best to write the story of Rock for future generations of Goa to learn and ensure that music will always be in their psyche and live with the tradition that for a Goan music is the best solace through their daily grind to face life with dignity and exuberance.
Monsoon Issue-1 Planet-Goa
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t was somewhere around 1540 that the violin was introduced in their ritual proclamations due to spirited efforts of the Jesuit Fr. Francis Xavier (St. Francis) who gave Goans the zest to harmonize through ecclesial manifestations undertaking in their Temples of worship. From then on Music became part of Goa’s ethos for which even there is an adage
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bookshelf
Book launches at ICG The month of June saw a host of literary events take centre stage at the International Centre Goa as two authors, Meena Kandasamy and Prof. T.V.Paul launched their books here P i c s c o U r T e s Y i N T e r N AT i o N A L c e N T r e G o A
Adv. Norma Alvares (Goa Foundation) is speaking while Meena kandasamy ( Author: The Gypsy Goddess) is looking on
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HE International Centre Goa in association with Goa Writer’s Group and Harper Collins Publishers India hosted the Exclusive India Launch of “The Gypsy Goddess”, debut novel by acclaimed poet, writer and activist Meena Kandasamy. Treading the line between powerful fiction and fearsome critique, the author leads us through a rapidly modernizing India pointing out injustices of privilege, hypocrisies of authority and the unforgivable politics of turning a blind eye. “The Gypsy Goddess” is a novel about a true-life massacre. The book is by Kandasamy who is a poet, fiction writer, translator and activist based in Chennai. She has published two collections of poetry, Touch (2006) and Ms. Militancy (2010). A PhD in socio-linguistics from Anna University, Chennai; Kandasamy has represented India at the University of Iowa’s International Writing Program and was made the Charles Wallace India Trust Fellow at the University of Kent, Canterbury. One of the Curtain Raiser programmes of Goa Arts & Literary Festival 2014 was the book launch of “The Warrior State”, by Prof. T.V.Paul on Monday, 23rd June, 2014 at the International Centre Goa in association with Department of Political Science, Goa University and Random House India. The author is a James McGill Professor of International Relations in the Department of Political Science at McGill University. Paul specializes and teaches courses in international security, regional security and South Asia. He is the author of 15 books; all published
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(L – r) Ms. Nandini sahai (director icG ), Prof. TV Paul (Author : The Warrior state), chief secretary Govt. of Goa, shri. B Vijayan & dr. rahul Tripathi launching The Warrior state
through major university presses. In his book, T.V. Paul, also a noted South Asia scholar argues that the “geostrategic curse”—akin to the “resource curse” that plagues oil-rich autocracies—is at the root of Pakistan’s unique inability to progress. Since its founding in 1947, Pakistan has been at the center of major geopolitical struggles: the US-Soviet rivalry, the conflict with India, and most recently the post 9/11 wars. He shows that excessive war-making efforts have drained Pakistan’s limited economic resources without making the country safer or more stable. The book was released at the hands of Shri B. Vijayan, Chief Secretary, Government of Goa. Shri Vijayan described the book as a refreshing narrative of views about Pakistan, most that are already known to us. J
Knowing your rice It’s that time of the year when the rains bring that much of greenery back to Goa, even if we need to see much more of rice growing in our fields and battle the declining productivity of our crops Text & Pics: Frederick Noronha
Some interesting facts and figures here:
☼ In India, about 70% consume rice as their staple food. ☼ Worldwide, there are over 100,000 rice varieties available for cultivation by farmers. India has itself had over 75,000 rice cultivars. ☼ Since the mid-1960s, in the rush to promote high yielding varieties, other rice like IR8, Jaya, Jyoti and Annapurna were introduced in Goa. ☼ Jaya, Jyoti and Karjat are today predominantly grown.
This book emerged out of an official state government project. Rice varieties were documented and evaluated for their physical, chemical and cooking characteristics. There are some interesting facts emerging here. After the Konkan Railway controversy faded out, there has been little focus on the khazan lands. These are saline floodplains along Goa’s tidal estuaries. Lands which were “reclaimed over centuries by constructing an intricate system of bunds (dykes) and sluice gates”. These lands are ecologically, economically and socially very important in agriculture, as the authors point out. This profusely-illustrated book comes with a whole lot of interesting information. Page 56 has a checklist of traditionally cultivated rice varieties of Goa. Of special interest was a list of rice uses —puffed rice, popped rice, flattened rice, rice flour, broken rice, rice husk, rice bran oil, rice bran, even rice bran wax! In Goa itself, rice has been put to a number of traditional uses. Besides plain rice, there’s pez or canjee (rice soup from Goan parboiled rice), sakhar bhat or sweetened rice, atwal (with soaked gram dal, coconut, jaggery, salt and tumeric leaves); methiachi pez (rice with soaked fenugreek seed, jaggery, coconut); sannas (spongy, white and slightly sweet steamed rice). But this is not all. There’s also tandlachi bhakir (rice flour flatbread); tavsali (cucumber and rice cake); shevio or shirvoli (rice noodles); dried shirvoli (dried rice noodles); koyloyos; payas; yellape; muthlim; coconut rice; fov and ladoos! Quite a list. For a culture which loves its rice (Goa’s most popular environmental guide is itself called Fish, Curry and Rice), such books need to be read more closely. J
Rices of Goa and their Grain Quality Shilpa J. Bhonsle and S. Krishnan Goa University. `699 $ 25 UKP 20 2012. 978-81-908791-2-5
Frederick Noronha After a quarter decade in journalism, Frederick Noronha is now managing trustee of Goa, 1556, an alternative book publishing initiative that focuses on promoting the printed word in Goa. Frederick Noronha can be contacted on 9822122436 or fn@goa-india.org
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question came up in cyberspace recently about salt-resistant paddy varieties. This took me back to Bhonsle and Krishnan’s Rices of Goa. Their names might be unusual; but these rice varieties are Goa’s wealth. Local varieties like Korgut and Assgo are known to be salttolerant. Other varieties available here are Kendal, Kochro and Damgo. Rice is grown in three different types of land in Goa – morod (uplands), kher lands (midlands) and khazan (saline) lands. Goa has traditionally cultivated different varieties of rice, each with its own grain quality and nutritional values. Many of these traditional varieties have “started disappearing”, as the foreword to this book concedes. Conserving rice germplasm is an important job. It could generate newer varieties with improved yields, grain quality, higher nutritional value, tolerance, salinity, disease resistance and more. Some 50 rice varieties were collected for this book. Out of these, 28 were traditionally cultivated; 22 are high-yielding varieties which have been introduced from other states.
Monsoon Issue-1 Planet-Goa 79
heritage
The
Unseen Wonder of Goa
Goa is just brimming with interesting tales of culture and history, many of which are yet untold. The Desi Motorcycle Diaries Adventure Group lets you in to one of Goa’s lesser known secrets T E X T: C H R I S T I N E M A C H A D O PICS: DMD ADVENTURE GROUP
Adventurers and explorers of the DMD Adventure Group took the road less traveled and discovered a most fascinating maze of ancient caves in the Verna plateau
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UST when you think you know everything you could possible know about this place, Goa manages to surprise you by revealing yet another fascinating facet to it and gives you yet another reason to love this beautiful state. And the DMD Adventure Group will definitely vouch for this fact. Founded about seven years ago, it was this group of adventure enthusiasts’ keen interest in exploring the virgin areas of Goa that led them to what they describe as “unbelievable” on the Verna plateau popularly known for the Verna Industrial Estate. “Dr. Nandkumar Kamat, the noted 80 Planet-Goa Monsoon Issue-1
researcher and scientists unleashed some secrets of unseen Goa in a recent article, titled: ‘The Goa that you may not know’. Some interesting facts mentioned in this article caught the attention of the DMD Adventure Group and we decided to explore some of these places mentioned,” says Suprajit Raikar, who led this team. Armed with all the necessary equipment for a caving expedition, he was accompanied by Ashwin Shetye,Srikrishna Mauzo, Harish Usgaoenker and Prabodhini Ekawade. Just at the outskirts of the industrial estate in a place called Old Mardol stands the noted Mahalsa Temple which is known for its huge
Cave explorers are now trying to save the caves from commercial activities in the vicinity
brass bell. This bell does not have a ringer attached to it. According to the temple website, the ringer was attached only when someone wanted to testify. It was believed that if anyone lied while ringing the bell, the Goddess Mahalsa, said to be the Mohini avatar of Lord Vishnu, would punish him or her by killing him or her within three days. The belief was so strong that it continued during the Portuguese rule in Goa and the testimony was accepted in the court of law. Behind this temple, at the foot of the plateau, lies a little known tunnel-like cavern which has recently been revealed to be one of the oldest caves in the whole of Goa. The entrance to the cave is just 1 meter high. And as the group crept further, they noticed a tunnel like opening going further into the mysterious darkness. “The cave is amazingly magnificent, and can accommodate 1200 people at a time. The Rivona cave is not even half as big as this cave. Though the exact size of the cave has not yet been confirmed it can be said that it is the largest natural cave in Goa,” states Raikar while also adding that the temperature inside the cave was extremely hot and humid. On inquiring with the locals, it was learnt that it’s believed that ages ago, travelers from
Ghataprabha and other areas of Karnataka who visited the ancient port (Gopkapattana) at Agacaim stopped at the temple to pray. This cave was a meeting point of the travelers where they took shelter and rested after seeking darshan of Devi Mahalsa. The manmade structures for sitting and keeping lamps inside the cave lend evidence to this story. The cave is now home to numerous bats hanging from all the corners of the cave and there are also signs of inhabitation by porcupines and snakes. However this ancient and mysterious cave faces a grave threat to its existence as the area is marked for an ambitious project by a well-known industry, looking to set up its premises right above the caves. If this project takes shape, then the cave could be well destroyed. In a bid to salvage this historic wonder, the DMD group has written to the village panch (Verna) and also to the Archeological Department of Goa. They are also working closely with historians like Prajal Sakhardande and earth scientists Dr. Nandkumar Kamat. “We need to preserve this cave for the next generation. Any delay will result in the company destroying it,” says Raikar. “We will lose our heritage unless we act fast and act smart.” Monsoon Issue-1 Planet-Goa
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“Unravelling the secret hidden mysteries of Goa’s History, Suprajit Raikar of Desi Motorcycle Diaries and a software engineer led me to the biggest, deepest, mysterious, unique tunneled cave located in the historic Verna in Salcette Taluka. Along with me was my History student Nateshwar Parab. Suprajit came well equipped with all the necessary items required for a cave expedition. He led us through a small crevice in a massive rock and we literally had to crawl in and then we saw this huge gigantic cave filling us with an eerie feeling of excitement. We went deep inside and saw many hollowed out chambers too it was an unending cave. Suprajit is making best efforts to save it from being destroyed by builders and my full support to this cause of Save Verna cave… This cave is one of the oldest sites of Goa.”- Prajal Sakhardande, historian, Goa
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nature
Campal Creek, a bird watchers’ paradise
A Bird Walk along the Campal Creek in Panjim revealed 39 species to birding enthusiasts
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Conrad Pinto
Bhakti Salgaonkar
T E X T: S H A E E N G O M E S
Red-Rumped Swallow
N the morning of 1st June, a Sunday, the team of Goa ForGiving, Goa Birders, Kids of Hamara School and all bird lovers gathered in front of the Fire Station in St. Inez at 6.30 a.m, all excited and looking forward to seeing the feathered creatures, birds. The bird walk was held along the Campal Creek. The Hamara School kids carried placards that read “Restore Campal Creek, Save the Bird Habitat”, in support of the Goa ForGiving’s Campal Creek Initiative. As it was time to move, the participants who included children as well as the elders were divided into 5 groups. Each group was guided by Members of Goa Birders namely Tallulah D’Silva, Pronoy Baidya, Mandar Bhagat, Parag Rangnekar, Rajiv D’Silva, Conrad Pinto and Pankaj Lad. The Guides headed onto the trail along with the participants in different locations, ambling along the trail with their binoculars and their eyes scanning the skies. The trails that were chosen were the Campal Beach and Creek, Campal -Inox -Taj Vivanta Stretch, Indoor stadium- Campal Lake, Tonca Culvert and Pond and the 3 culverts and the stretch beyond.
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Common Tailorbird
It was surprising to know that the guides from the Goa Birders were very well informed and had full knowledge of the birds that we came across. They could merely recognise the species of birds by their calls. Every time the guides saw a bird they would educate the participants as to what species they belonged to with additional information on the sited birds. The children especially, were very thrilled to watch different kinds of birds along the Creek. Each group guide also carried 2 binoculars which made it easier for the participants to see the far off birds. We not only saw birds but other organisms too, like dragonflies, beautiful butterflies etc. Among some of the birds that were spotted were the Night Heron, Pale-billed Flowerpecker, Red-rumped Swallow, White Throated Kingfisher, Pond Heron, Indian Heron, Striated Heron, House Sparrow and many others. We recorded a surprising count of 39 species in an hour. It was rather stunning to record such a huge bird count along the Campal Creek which has been portrayed as a garbage dumping ground. The walk was organised by Goa ForGiving along with Goa Birders. Goa ForGiving has been strongly
Nitin Naik
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Participants gathered in fron of the Fire station
Children of Hamara School going through a book on birds
Goa ForGiving
associated with the Campal Creek for the last few years through its Mother’s Day celebrations dedicated to Mother Nature. Through this Bird Walk we also wanted to bring to light the importance of the restoration of the Campal Creek. We have such beautiful creatures living along this waterway, and it is time we take measures to save the Creek and the wildlife organisms to which the Campal Creek has been a natural habitat. Goa Birders- a GBCN initiative is also working on ‘’A concise guide to BIRDING IN GOA”, an e-booklet which will be available for free download at www.birdsofgoa.org and will launch a qualitative data repository system (audio/image/video) by August, a presentation on which was held later after the Bird Walk at the Gonsalves Mansion.
Night Heron
Goa ForGiving
Indian Pond Heron
Prabodhini Ekawade
Conrad Pinto
Coppersmith Barbet
Monsoon Issue-1 Planet-Goa 83
reader contribution
A taste of Goa in
London
When a celebrity chef in London takes up the cause of showcasing Goan cuisine, success can’t be far behind T E X T: A R M A N D O G O N S A LV E S
Assado in London celebrated Goan cuisine in all its glory by featuring classics with a modern twist
W Apa De Porco Com Queijo – a delicious slow roasted pork, cheese, and spices
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hen I got into the aircraft on the way to Europe two weeks ago, it was partly a holiday with my sister and her family in Lisbon, coupled with a serious bid to take Goan food to another level altogether in London. And I must say that both these missions were a complete success, the holiday being one of the best that I have ever had, and the food thingy with Celebrity Chef Cyrus Todiwala being the talk of food circles in London. When Cyrus and his wife Pervin visited us in April earlier this year, so many things were discussed at a dinner at our home, the Gonsalves Mansion; and one of them was a Food Festival to be held in January 2015 with top British Chefs coming in to regale us with their talents. And then, my European trip threw in a lot of opportunities to take Goan food onto a pedestal, and bingo….the evening at “Assado”, a beautiful Goan Portuguese restaurant owned by the Todiwala’s in the heart of London, in Waterloo was conjured up. The evening was graced by the British Minister of Justice, Mr Simon Hughes, who walked in out of nowhere to savour the food
that was much publicized by an energetic buzz powered by food writers and citizens on Twitter, besides being on Facebook. Forward thinking Goans comprising Rene Barretto, Rabi Martins, Gregg Carvalho, Bella Fernandes, Milton Barretto, Silvestre Machado and my very own ex staffer, Queency Gonsalves and her equally charming sister Kivy, put in their hearts into making the evening a memorable one. Chef Cyrus was in his elements, and dished out authentic Goan fare for all. Starting with Apa De Porco Com Queijo – a delicious slow roasted pork, cheese, and spices… all wrapped in pastry, grilled prawns with Garlic herb butter but not before a lovely vegetable soup, the main course had “Feijoada a la Goa” and the traditional “Sorpotel” which was really delicious indeed. The people present lapped up the fare and felt really good that Goan food, which is really such a draw for tourists from across the world, is now making that serious bid to touch hearts and tongues of people across the world. And seriously, that beginning has been a grand one. And who better than Cyrus, a Goan in heart and spirit, a Celebrity Chef who
Food lovers from all across Europe made a beeline for the restaurant to sample Goan fare put out by acclaimed celebrity chef Cyrus Todiwala
and good cheer thrown in, in liberal measure. Goa ForGiving and the Goan Culinary Club are proud that a great start has been made to something that clearly shows that it is time that we showcase Goan art, culture, music, heritage, food and the subtler things in life rather than keep on getting bashed by the booze, sex, drugs angle of tourism all the time.
Armando, Chef Cyrus, British Minister of Justice Simon Hughes and Rene Barretto
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was recently awarded the “Food Personality of the Year” award by the BBC, a TV Food personality who has had a beautiful run on History Channel, a man who speaks Konkani fluently enough to give me a fright (sadly so)… to take this experiment forward with a confidence that Goan cuisine has arrived, and that it is ready to make its presence felt across capitals worldwide? There was never any doubt that our cuisine is something that will make Kings drool, but have we ever gone about shouting from the rooftops that that is so? With Twitter picking up the buzz so strongly, and with people flying in from Portugal as well as Poland and other places just to be there to express solidarity to the Goan cause, it is quite clear that our time has come, and that it is up to us all to take up the cudgels and make Goan cuisine rock worldwide. I for one don’t have even a shadow of doubt that this is on the way, nor do my new found friends (who tasted Goan food for the first time) such as Helder Falcao from Porto, Chris Windley from London amongst others. And when you have a senior minister from the David Cameron cabinet walk in too, you know that this beautiful writing is on the wall! Our celebration of World Goa Day was complete, with laughter
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goa cares
Hamara School kids singing on Father’s Day
Dedicating
Father’s Day to Mother Earth Goa ForGiving held a workshop on Monsoon Fruit and Vegetable planting along with the Botanical Society of Goa on Father’s Day T E X T: S H A E E N G O M E S P I C S : M A X S O N D E S I LVA
Mangala Wagle of Hamara School in attendance 86 Planet-Goa Monsoon Issue-1
“SCIENTISTS call growing of plants as “Crop Husbandry” which talks of being a husband to the crop” said Miguel Braganza, Member of the Executive Committee of the Botanical Society of Goa. This very statement formed the base for Goa ForGiving’s next event which was Father’s Day. This was Goa ForGiving’s very first Father’s Day celebration, and we decided to dedicate this day to Mother Earth. Goa ForGiving along with the Botanical Society of Goa organized a Monsoon Fruit and Vegetable planting Workshop. The workshop focused on organic farming in urban areas where people have no access to ground space. With the hobby of Kitchen Gardening being on the rise these days it made perfect sense to hold this workshop as people would want to know the correct way of growing different kinds of fruits and vegetables. Miguel gave a step by step demonstration on planting different plants like choosing the right seeds, how to prepare the “Rolled Towel” to test seed germination, using the right type of soil, the manure content etc. He also gave a demonstrated on how to plant a citrus plant in a pot. Looking after the plant is just like parenting, which also fitted apt to our Father’s
The kids were very enthused to learn something different and Wagle was very delighted by this workshop, she also showed interest in introducing plantation as part of the activities at the Hamara School.
Day dedication. A lot of nature lovers joined us, as well as the kids of Hamara School who were accompanied by their founder Mangala Wagle. They volunteered in the various demonstrations that were held during the workshop. Miguel guiding the young participants in making the trellis, an art learnt from the Army ‘Madams’ of Bangalore’s famed Flower Festival of 11-15 August at Lal Bagh Gardens since the early 1980s. The kids were very enthused to learn something different and Wagle was very delighted by this workshop, she also showed interest in introducing plantation as part of the activities
Miguel Braganza of Botanical Society of Goa demonstrating to the audience
at the Hamara School. She said that children should be encouraged from a very young age to be involved in activities like these and was glad that Goa ForGiving took up this workshop and shared it with the children. As the workshop was on there were question answer sessions wherein the participants got their difficulties cleared. Later after the workshop, to make the event more fun the children of Hamara School got into the celebrating spirit and recited a few poems on Fathers, sang songs and played instrumental music. All in all it was a fun and educative morning at the Gonsalves Mansion as we dedicated Father’s Day to Mother Earth.
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Irfan from Hamara School played the Violin while the others sang
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beyond goa
The skyline of Zurich on a late summer evening
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Magnificent mountains, miles of rolling meadows, mesmeric vistas, magical cities and mild weather make Switzerland the ultimate holiday destination, finds Aruna Rathod
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A Swiss summer holiday
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beyond goa
S ARUNA GRACIAS RATHOD is a Goan who doesn’t need magic to disappear, but just a destination. Her home is in Mumbai and her heart is all over the world.
WITZERLAND has the perfect blend of natural beauty and man-made goodness. It’s a small country, and then it has the most amazing and efficient network of trains, buses and boats that take you to the remotest corners in a matter of hours, if not minutes. The legendary Swiss smoothness was on view at Zurich airport itself, and in less than half an hour, I was on the train to St Moritz, the sunny side of Switzerland.
Surreal St Moritz We were nearing St Moritz, the temperature outside was 2 degrees (displayed outside a building), the train gliding through the clouds and the sight of the Alps was absolutely fantastic – picture perfect Switzerland, really God’s own country. Till sometime in the 18th century, St Moritz was a summer destination and the place wore a deserted look during the long winter months. Locals migrated to other countries or made chocolates and cakes to earn a living. Then, one Mr Badrutt, who owned a hotel in St Moritz, invited a few Englishmen to come over to St Moritz in the winter. If they didn’t like the place, he would foot their travel
Dining at the Diavolezza in St Moritz
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bill and if they liked it, they could stay on in his hotel for free as long as they wished. The Englishmen came for Christmas and stayed till Easter, and ever since there was no looking back for St Moritz. Today, the Alpine resort town is the world’s finest all-season destination, attracting the rich and famous from across the world. Among the few who have homes in St Moritz are the owners of Heineken and Fiat, not to mention a certain Mr Lakshmi Mittal, whose villa is one of the finest – and the highest on the hill. Our guide Susi – a fine and fit Swiss German lady, who is herself a resident of St Moritz – took us around the stunningly beautiful village (yes, it has all the trappings of a modern city, has five 5-star hotels, the stores of the biggest brands and yet, with a population of just 5,000, it calls itself a village). Being driven around in Susi’s two-door Peugeot was pure pleasure – first the tranquil lake with the snow-laden mountains in the backdrop, then a spin around the ski-jump, and up the village for a walking tour. St Moritz is crammed with stores of big ticket brands. The higher the price, the higher the thrill of spending; common sense is for the
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The Rhine Falls make a spectacular
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beyond goa
The historic wooden bridge on Lake Lucerne
Catch a live alp horn performance at Gstaad
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A picture perfect moment with cows in the meadows of Gstaad
It’s snow-time folks The sheer thrill of stepping on snow is exhilarating. Mountain man Rudi came along in his red Yeti – pushing 60 probably, but full of life, and a life well lived. We hopped on and off we went past Pointresina village, making a futile attempt to spot the mountain goats en route, taking a pit stop at a vantage point which showed the first view of the Diavolezza mountain draped in snow, before reaching the base station of the cable car. From just 1700 meters, we ascended to 3500 meters in a matter of less than ten minutes – transported from a lush green landscape to a snow-white one. The ride in the cable car itself gave an adrenaline rush, especially when it negotiates a sharp angle at every tower; you can’t help but marvel at the ingenuity and engineering that must have gone into running the cable car. To think that they have been doing it for over a hundred years! Stepping on the snow, watching every step, preparing to sink or slip on the cushion of ice, we got plenty of pure white backdrops for the photo-op. And then we settled in the cosy confines of the restaurant atop the Alpine mountain (even they are putting together an Indian menu for the Indian tourists they are expecting this summer) – and tucked into
some authentic Swiss fare of scallops in a cream sauce and a salmon-spinach-rosti. After coming down by the cable car, we headed towards another spot nearby where the Ibix goats are usually spotted and there they were, a bunch of four-legged rock climbers doing their bit in their hilly neighbourhood. The sighting made it a perfect 10! The best part about a Swiss holiday in the summer is that you have daylight way past 9.00pm, allowing you to really pack in a lot of action throughout the day.
Layover in Lucerne The city of lights in located in the heart of Switzerland, and makes a perfect pit-stop for a day or two. We walked from the station to the stunning lakefront, over the historic wooden bridge, across the cobbled pathways of the quaint medieval town to reach our hotel. Lucerne had a laidback air about it – whether it was strolling through the old quarters of the town or checking out the Swiss watches at the Bucherer store, whether it was taking the funicular up to Mt Pilatus or taking the cable car back to the base station. After all the walking around through the day, we ended the day with a round-trip on the steam ship – thanks to the all-access Swiss pass, ending the day with a meal of fondue. Watching calories is a no-no on a Swiss holiday. The next morning, we made a day-trip to
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common man. We walked past the Jimmy Choos and the Cartiers, taking the steep elevator downhill.
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beyond goa
A chocolate experience on top of the world It was not only snow but a chocolate haven too, I realized. The 100-year-old UNESCO World Natural Heritage site of Jungfraujoch has just added a brand new attraction – the Swiss Chocolate Heaven. Chocolate makers Lindt and Sprüngli have teamed up with Jungfrau Railways to create this unique experience at 3454 metres, amidst ice and snow. The rail station of Jungfrau offers visitors endless hours of fun, and the history of the Jungfrau Railway and development of tourism in the Alps is staged in a 250-metre-long experience tour. A 360°cinema has been built in the Sphinx hall and the film carries visitors into the Alpine world surrounding the Jungfraujoch. On a moving walkway, visitors pass a 90-metre-long mural showing romantic paintings illustrating the passion for the Alps and the development of tourism. I began the excursion to the Jungfraujoch from the well-known resort village of Interlaken, and went up on the charming red cogwheel. And within minutes, I was at 3454 metres and into a world of ice and snow. The excursion is open every day, 365 days a year. The superb ice palace, the sphinx terrace, the snow park with a zip line that allows you to swoop on a steel cable over the glacier and sledging, was all fascinating. And then at Ice and Spice, I found the Bollywood restaurant! An Indian buffet lunch up in the Alps, and what was amazing is that Europeans were enjoying it too.
The Swiss banks are safeguarding the world’s money. All this money – and gold – is vaulted under the Bahnhofstrasse, with the world’s finest brands occupying the stores on the road above. The millionaire’s mile stretches from Zurich station to the Zuerichsee (Lake Zurich)
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the mountain resort town of Gstaad, and further to the snow-filled peak of Glacier 3000, from where you can see as far as Mont Blanc on the French side. Dog sled rides, Alphorn performances and piping hot fondue made it one memorable outing.
Zesty Zurich Zurich is a city of old wealth and class. To think that one man’s initiative to generate funds for a railway tunnel project lead to the setting up of the banking and insurance industry in Zurich, and today the Swiss banks are safeguarding the world’s money. And all this money – and gold – is vaulted under the Bahnhofstrasse, with the world’s finest brands occupying the stores on the road above. The millionaire’s mile stretches from Zurich station to the Zuerichsee (Lake Zurich). The lunch at a traditional Swiss gild was a classy affair, before we took the tram for a coffee at the Cloud Café in the industrialarea-turned-trendy-district. Housed in the 36-storeyed Prime Tower – Zurich’s (and
Historic timber homes house brand stores in St Moritz
Say cheese - the weekly market is the best place to pick up local produce
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Switzerland’s) tallest building, the café offered amazing vistas of the Zurich skyline and we could see the Alps far away in the backdrop. We then made the one hour train journey towards the German border to see the Rhine Falls. It was one magnificent sight. The next day, we headed to Raperswil, a beautiful old town across Lake Zurich to see lots of rose gardens, the deer park, the view of the lakeside, the imposing castle and the historic half-timber homes. Took the train back and did a little walk around the old town, before proceeded to have dinner at Hiltl, the all-vegetarian theme restaurant. The place had an amazing buffet spread that included a good number of Indian dishes and the sight of paneer, papads and parathas was a sign that it was time to get back home.
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spotted
Kareena Kapoor, Rohit Shetty, Ajay Devgn – Singham 2
KK Croons
It’s been a wet and wild month in Goa as the stars of the super hit action flick Singham were seen in and around town. In fact our papps have spotted Kareena and Rohit biking around Panjim near the casinos. Trying their luck on the roads rather than on the tables inside…curious don’t you think?
Lara’s Goa love
Lara Dutta Bhupathi’s love affair with Goa is still going strong as the actress can never get enough of it. She and husband Mahesh Bhupathi got married in north Goa a couple of years ago and also have their own little lovenest here. Recently she was spotted fashionably dressed and ready to rock the monsoons in good ‘ol Miramar looking as hot as ever.
South sensation The gym at the Taj holiday Village in Sinquerim has an unusual crowd these days as fans (read panting females) have been stalking southern hunk Surya who is a regular at the gym. Surya is in town for shooting his latest movie Anjaan in Goa.
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Music and Goa are synonymous with each other but very seldom do we se Hindi music being played live anywhere. Live bands and singers are mostly singing English covers or Konkani music however last month Hindi music lovers were in for a rare treat as KK was in town for a concert in Panjim. Crooning all his hit numbers he had the audience in rapture as they enjoyed each and every song of his.
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