June 11 by Shailesh Amonkar

EDITORIAL NOTE B

‘So Many Singers Have Left Goa…’

orn in Goa in 1931, Padma Vibhushan Kishori Amonkar has been blessed with music both in her veins and from the land of her origins. As the daughter of the illustrious Mogubhai Kurdikar, her mellifluous and versatile voice has captivated audiences within India and worldwide. Rendering ragas to bhajans, she has won both popular and critical acclaim. Recently conferred the Navhind Times VIVA GOA Lifetime Achievement Award, she recalls her memories of Goa with a touch of both pride and bitterness. She still feels keenly the loss of her childhood home in Kurdi to the Selaulim dam project. 'It was the saddest moment in my life,' she says. She also regrets that her famous mother Mogubhai wasn’t given her due by the government and that she had to leave these shores to win acclaim elsewhere. ‘So many singers have left Goa,' she laments. But to Kishori Amonkar, Goa still remains a compelling absence. She still recalls fond memories of her childhood

in Kurdi. And her own prodigious talent has transcended boundaries of space. As she says, ‘People love my music because it is pure.’ And indeed her song will linger on long after the singer has gone. We feel pleased and privileged that Kishori Amonkar has shared both her sadness and the joyous spirit of her music with us. ‘Carnival King’ and Republic Day Parade impresario Francisco Martins also shares his memories with us. He recalls the good old days when commerce took a backseat and the spontaneous spirit of Carnival ruled the streets of Goa. In our 'Viva Goans' column, architect Vinayak Bharne, eminent urban design expert from the University of Southern California issues a timely warning against a car-driven, multi-storey landscape that will see the demise of a more intimate and friendly Goa. We also visit the sublime interiors of the riverfront home of Sanjana and Suraj Morajkar in Saipem while Devdas Naik, who recently won the top honours for creating the ‘best holiday

homes in the country’, explains why his projects are special. Dr Kedar Padte, although a gynaecologist by profession, reminisces on the Goa he has loved which he hopes will last forever, untarnished by unbridled tourism. In our ‘Homing In’ section Brit couple Les and Sheila Medcroft whose search for paradise ended in South Goa argue that if Goans can settle in the UK, then perhaps the stringent regulations here ought to be relaxed to allow them to make Goa their home. Till the next time and wishing our readers a magical monsoon.

Viva Goa! Kedar Dhume

READERS’ RESPONSE The May issue was excellent and has a variety of subject matter that would interest varying age groups. It is actually Goans talking to themselves as well as informing the world about Goa and Goans. Vibrant growth in various directions is reflected without media hype which is so common, unfortunately. My congratulations specially on the quality of the production; clearly much care and attention has been devoted to this dimension. Best wishes to VIVA GOA. Dr Maria Aurora Couto, Aldona

I wish VIVA GOA a very successful anniversary celebration and I am sure it will go on for many years to come. All the best! Dr Vece Paes, Mumbai Good wishes on VIVA GOAs first anniversary. I congratulate the team on this joyous occasion. Sidhanath Buyao, Margao

Congratulations on achieving a successful year. It is no mean achievement to publish a monthly magazine with standards that have been scaling heights every month. In fact all of us at home wait for the magazine every month. Wishing the team success. Dinesh Sinari Congratz! An achievement well deserved, albeit with the help of the wonderful team! Kudos to all u guys. Congratulations on VIVA GOA completing its first year. The magazine has a promising and exciting journey ahead. Ajit Parulekar, Goa Institute of Management

VIVA GOA invites comments from its readers. Letters should be short and relevant and can be sent to editor@vivagoaonline.com

Excellent magazine, good reading. feels proud to be a Goan. Keep up the good work. Lavina Rodrigues de Abreu Well done! Kudos to the team. Keep up the great work. Samita Shah VIVA GOA is the best lifestyle magazine in Goa, of Goa. Hats off for the brilliant articles, photographs and layout. Nelson Rodrigues

The best letter of the month will get a free pair of ladies’ shoes from SENIOR

Editor & Publishers Note We make every effort to publish a magazine that is informative, entertaining and free of errors. Any omission or inaccuracies are entirely unintentional. Please do bring to our notice any item that may be incorrect or photography erroneously published. Also, we would be pleased to include any item or photograph that warrants our attention. We believe in the spirit of Goa and its warm and lively people, and do hope the content in the magazine brings smiles to our reader’s faces. As always, suggestions and comments are welcome on feedback@vivagoaonline.com

page

FEATURE

Promoting equine sport encourages tourism as well, says Mac Vaz, President of the Equestrian & Polo Association

page

FIRST LADY

Dr Lily Sequeira Sukhija Pediatrician

Editor & Publisher

Kedar N Dhume

page page

Padma Vibhushan Kishori Amonkar is among the truly great in the pantheon of Indian Classical vocal music. She looks back on a Goa of the past, her childhood in Kurdi, memories of her legendary mother Mogubai Kurdikar, and on her own musical evolution

page

VIVA GOANS Vinayak Bharne

US-based urban designer

page

LEGAL BRIEF Complex Comparative Law By Adv A N S Nadkarni

page

AFTER HOURS Francisco Martins The ‘King of Carnival’

Editorial Consultant

Manohar Shetty

Assistant Editors

Emylou D’Souza Dielle D’Souza

reporter@vivagoaonline.com

FOCUS

The Wockhardt Institute of Aesthetics is all set to change the ‘face’ of Goa

Design

Team VIVA GOA

page

HOMING IN Les and Sheila Medcroft

page

INTERIORS/EXTERIORS Sanjana and Suraj Morajkar’s farmhouse

in Candolim merges visual openness with the privacy of each space, says Arch Siddha Sardessai

HOSPITALITY

Fortune Select Regina By Sinead McManus

page

COUTURE Handbag Essentials By Diksha Khanna

page

HEALTH Surgery without scars

WELLNESS The Divine Spa

By Parineetha Sethi

Photographer

Edric George

Manager Advertising

Tamara Faleiro

advertising@vivagoaonline.com Mob: +919850077993

are hoping the stringent laws are relaxed to allow them to retire in their new home

Circulation

page

[Publication Division], 703, Dempo Trade Center, Patto Plaza, Panaji, Goa 403 001, INDIA Tel : +91 832 2438999

GOAN CUISINE For A Rainy Day

By Chef Deepa Awchat

Satyawan Parsekar

circulation@vivagoaonline.com Published by

M/S Advertising Associates

Cover Credit Design: Erika de Noronha Printed at Akruti, 318, Parvati Industrial Estate, Pune Satara Road, Pune 411 009

page

By Dr Vinayak Deshpande

shailesh@kemistry.in

page

Equally passionate about Goa as he is his profession, Dr Kedar Padte argues that Goa might be changing too quickly to save the pristine perfection it once was

page

Shailesh M Amonkar

Devdas Naik, MD of Highland Holiday Homes which won the CNBC Awaaz CRISIL CREDAI Real Estate Award, discusses the present real estate trend

GUEST COLUMN

Principal Consultant

FEATURE

COVER STORY ‘Goa was true in all its senses’

editor@vivagoaonline.com

56 page 64 page 72 page

BIZ NOTES

HAPPENINGS

VIVA GOA DIARY

All rights reserved. Republishing in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. All photographs unless otherwise indicated, are used for illustrative purposes. RNI registration applied and pending

page

VIVA GOA SPOTLIGHT Susanna Thomas & Saurabh Usgaonkar GCET toppers

COVER STORY

KISHORI AMONKAR

‘Goa Used To Be Heavenly’

COVER Recipient of India’s second highest civilian honour the Padma Vibhushan STORY Gana Saraswati KISHORI AMONKAR is a living legend in the pantheon of Indian Classical

vocal music. Upset with the lackadaisical attitude of the government towards preserving her late mother and renowned singer Padma Bhushan Mogubai Kurdikar’s legacy, she looks back on a Goa of the past, her childhood, memories of her legendary mother, and on her own musical evolution

Kishori Amonkar, who was recently honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the inaugural Navhind Times VIVA GOA Goan Achievers’ Awards, spoke to KEDAR DHUME in a free-wheeling interview What are your childhood memories of Goa? I have many memories of my childhood and Goa is a central part of it. In the old days, during our month long school vacation my mother used to bring all three of us – my sister, brother and me – to Goa. The train would take us to Sanvordem, from Sanvordem where my aunt used to live Receiving the Padma Vibhushan from former President we would go to Kurdi, a R K Narayan, at Rashtrapathi Bhavan, New Delhi little beyond Sanguem, on a bullock cart. It would usually be early Tell us something more of your dawn, around 4 am by the time we ancestral home in Kurdi. arrived. And I still recall the sound of At that time Goa was heavenly, full of the bells around the bull’s neck on the big green trees and birds chirping in narrow road lined by big kangla trees. different languages. This is my memory In my whole life I haven’t seen a of childhood and it was the saddest village as exquisite and beautiful as moment of my life when I heard that the Kurdi was. That was before ‘progress’ Kurdi I knew was no more. My mother overtook us. There were around 40 belonged to that place. That is why displaced villages which were acquired she was known as Mogubai Kurdikar. for the Selaulim Dam project. Our My mother was not well recognised 17-room house was taken by the during her time in Goa and I feel very government for which at that time we bad about that. She was, however, received only a paltry sum of recognised as one of the best musicians Rs 36,000. And that was my mother’s of Maharashtra. ancestral house surrounded by mango But that was the most beautiful trees, pansa, muska, ambade, saylee place. There was a temple right at the and many others. All this has gone. top, our house was at the lowest level Then our Lord Ravalnath was removed with a beautiful river that flowed by. from that place because it was going On its banks were mankume trees with underwater and kept in Valkini. We red flowers that appeared like garlands used to go every year and celebrate which fell into the river. They floated Prathishthapana Din. After that, we past like a carpet. I was schooling at built a small house in Kakodem and we that time. It was all so natural, beautiful used to go there every year. and so true. Goa then was true in all its

senses. These are my memories. What made your family leave Goa? I never stopped coming to Goa but my mother had to visit her master who lived with Shahu Maharaj in Kolhapur. She used to go to Sangli and learn from him and then to Bombay to master her art. I lost my father at the age of six and there were three of us. My mother had to look after us, our education, our upbringing and everything. She had to go to Bombay because Goa was not able to look after her or her family. She had to survive. My mother used to come to Goa every year and I used to accompany her as she grew older. I had to bring her by wheelchair and we stayed in Hotel Mandovi. I loved Goa more than anything in my life but I felt very, very alone for a number of years. I was a well-known person, even globally, as a musician. But there was little interest shown by Goans, so I had no real business to come to Goa. I have a house in Kakodem which my mother built after the demolition of her ancestral house. We used to come, stay in that house for a few days and go back to Bombay. The house is still there. How has your mother’s legacy influenced you? Everything that belongs to my mother

COVER STORY

as a musician I wanted to preserve. I was hoping the government would preserve it. I want to give back this land to the government so they can give us a better place where I can build a temple to which devotees can come. We are not playback singers or actors, so we don’t have that kind of money. The government should provide us for that and it’s not an obligation. I don’t call it an obligation because it is a treasure of Goa which they should preserve. My mother’s instruments and awards are now with me in Bombay. I expected the government to preserve her legacy but they are not taking any interest, not even in the music which belongs to Goa. Goa is an artistic land, why don’t they understand this?

Kishori Amonkar practising with her mother Padma Bhushan late Mogubai Kurdikar

Being conferred the P L Deshpande award by acclaimed film director Vijaya Mehta

Why do you think so many talented singers have to leave Goa to seek fame elsewhere? I’ve received awards from all over the place, but my people of Goa have not done anything. I have no way of knowing how Goa has responded to me and how much the younger generation of Goa know of me. It is such a sad thing. I was born, brought up and educated in Bombay. But my blood is Goan. My husband was a Goan from Marcel,

Amone. I have always felt for Goa. Whatever is in Goa – the water, air, mud – all this I feel is an art itself. I was born or destined to sing classical music in a different way – that of the old structure. I don’t follow the new trend. I don’t believe in gharanas but I respect them. I don’t restrict myself to gharanedhari because if you take music, it is universal, one of the finest of all arts. All the gharanas have some beautiful manifestations. So I believe in music in totality, music as a universal experience. Fusion music is akin to adding half a glass of water to half a glass of milk. It doesn’t have a true flavour. That is fusion. It’s not yours, it’s not mine nor anyone else’s. It’s like a stampede. All the artists today do this, but I am not one of them. So many singers have left Goa because Goa did not provide for them. The government did not provide for them. We had to leave Goa and once we established ourselves in another place, we can’t leave because we feel secure there. What is your opinion on the increasing number of Indian classical singers performing their art abroad? On fame abroad, I think people have gone a little crazy. I don’t mean that you should not go abroad or sing for those people. But there should be some limit. India is poor and so many of the students of music who earnestly want to learn have no money and cannot pay. I think it is my duty to coach them. If I go abroad and establish myself there with my schools and don’t come to India for six months, what will students do? I feel very sad because sublimity, divinity and devotion is what makes classical music. But now everything has become a spectacle. I don’t like that though I have sung in Hindi films like Geet Gaya Patharone. I have sung Marathi and Konkani songs. But classical music is a language of pure notes. We take the help of rhythm and words a little. But music tells you much more than words and rhythm. And then I thought what is this world of music without words? I came to the conclusion that when you express a raga, you manifest something that is in your heart, conveying it to the audience. I expect the audience to understand it. If you do not, then you will leave. So what

is it that will make you sit and listen? That is why I wrote the book Swararthramani. What is the true essence of classical music? When people cry, how do they cry? We don’t use words for that or to smile. That silent language we convey with the help of notes. A sur doesn’t say anything. You understand whether it’s a sad or happy feeling. Only if I sing in notes will you be able to understand it. So this is the way I make my music and therefore restrict myself because I believe that a world of notes is an ocean. I look at classical music that way. It is a language of notes. I think if people love my music, it is because it is pure. It acts and manifests itself. Indian classical music gives you such energy of creation. If you stick to that track then you can find the answer to creation, the creation that takes you to divine heights. These days we have lowered the dignity of that sublimity by always singing for the people. It is a natural human tendency to want others to also see the beautiful things that you see. But by satisfying everyone, what purpose has been achieved? Playing to the gallery is not the only part of music. Classical music is recognised by its ragas and notations but I don’t define classical music that way. I define it as a pure world that is innate to your heart and expressed only through notes. When we hear birds, we do not hear them speak in alphabets. But when you hear the cuckoo sing, you know it’s going to rain. Birds sing in different languages. We understand what they are conveying, so why can we not understand pure music? For this art what you need is patience. Only then will the purity of the music dawn on you. n

COVER STORY

Paying tribute to Bharat Ratna late Pandit Bhimsen Joshi

Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain takes blessings from Kishori Amonkar

COVER STORY e

al g n i t h g i N Goa’s

calist of female vo st e n fi e as th assical considered ce between sheer cl ly e d id w is llectual an onkar a balan highly inte Kishori Am n. She has evolved r e h ised in d n a tio 931 and ra er in the best adition 1 tr a in n a ra o her genera a G h oth r in er Jaipur G er music. ai Kurdika med by her great m idiom of h an Mogub o to h neer. sh in ro io u g t p h h s e B g a si th a w s r in m s sung list Pad Amonka ledged a , ca w emotional o m o v n th ng bhajan d y ti ck e a a n rh v w is d le o n e n ely n a a y re y h ll d a K to u irit diya Born d extensiv in melo aestro Alla uisite thumris and sp as travelle t steeped m h n e h e ic h m S h n . o w ir f ce v dien ls, exq an en mpara o ith her au om khaya of the para popular w ranging fr ry broad. e e a ir traditions v o s r a rt e e ll h p e le re dered dia as w In in Her versati ssive voice has ren ls a stiv om expre stigious fe octorate fr major pre in her very in d te a 5, and a d ip 9 ic 9 1 rt a in p s e a n in Pu and h Vidyalaya ar – a harashtra a M k a a single ye shan il T in e s th rd a m w o hu nal a orate fr 2009 a Padma B tous natio with a doct arded music and in Orissa in ured with two cove l w y a ca it Conferred o o rs v ls e i a n iv s a n ikar wa shaw U Hindust en hono n rd e e u b to v K e n a i v o R a a ti e b h u u th og trib r to rtiste so fa for her con te that her mother M mily The only a mi’ award o fa e n e d a to m k g A sa in k e st th ata re ngeri Math ‘Sangeet N ay in 1987. It is inte double distinction in hattisgarh amiji of Sri D re fC sw c o a li ra t h b n a a u e p is M e m h R ru rn on whic mi of the gove dagu Bhushan, Teerth Swa an’ by the ed from Ja iv m ra n d ce a in S re r m e a a h the Padma sh d h Sush the ‘Chakra na Saraswati’, whic dhish Shri Conferred ‘Ga the Peetha f y o b e ’ tl a ti tn e a th aR Cherishes harat Gan with the ‘B i Math Mantralayam d te an in 2002 ta ci li e F a Vibhush m ra Swam d d a i’ n P e sh v e u a th h h g Shri Ra sthan Vid n honour, e title of ‘A hest civilia i in 2010 Awarded th country ’s second hig geet Natak Academ n e Sa this year Awarded th h the fellowship of shan nt Award e m e v it ie ans Praka w ch st Lifetime A ed by Rajh Honoured sh li 1 b u A P p C , eN ani’ Awarded th book ‘Swarartharam e th d re o Auth

12 Felicitation by Ustad Zakir Hussain along with Amol Palikar Pandit Prabhakar Panshikar greeting Kishori Amonkar at the release of her book ‘Swarartharamani’, as Raj Thackeray looks on

Being honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award initiated by National Centre of Performing Arts (NCPA)

GUEST COLUMN

GOA That Was

A Eminent gynaecologist Dr KEDAR PADTE is an MD (Bom), DGO (CPS), DNB, FICS and has a keen interest in coronary conditions. He is a consultant obstetrician, gynaecologist and infertologist at the Goa IVF Centre, one of the top IVF clinics in the country

Equally passionate about Goa as he is his job, Dr KEDAR PADTE argues that Goa might be changing much too quickly to save the pristine perfection it once was

ome morning, and the light disperses on the hills and beaches, rivers and seas, churches and temples from that exquisite divine crystal, the prismatic sun. Come evening, and as we tread up to the terrace on Altinho close to the Bishop’s Palace, the panoramic view of Raj Bhavan to Fort Aguada is breathtaking. As the golden sun dives into the ocean, the constellations welcome the evening and carry it into the night. Drive into the village on a Sunday morning and watch the fields with the cattle and gulls amusing each other. Dressed in their best, the faithful congregate in the church. Come the village feast or Easter or Christmas and the flood of feeling and unity in each community is unique. The dodols and bebincas, vindaloos and reichados are indeed special to this land. The Hindu community has its own ‘aura’ of God written all over Goa. From Ganesh Chaturthi (Chavath) to Diwali, from Dassera to several colourful jatras, the fervour is the same. From dazzling narkasuras to festive neureos, from immaculate flower decorations to aartis – as if heaven itself has come down to visualise this creation. Do not destroy this innocence, this blend of harmony and love for each other. Leave Goa for Goans. Expressions of the intricate mind are often an intimate and personal endeavor, but in

today’s rat-race this has all been put on the backburner. If only we agree to dissociate from the rampant pace of progress, modernisation and industrialisation would we clearly see the sunshine of amazing peace and tranquility in Goa. Bakibab Borkar, Dr Manohar Rai Sardessai, Ravindra Kelekar, Chandrakant Keni, Victor Rangel Ribeiro, Mario Cabral e Sa, Maria Aurora Couto, Uday Bhembre, Lambert Mascarenhas, Damodar Mauzo, Dr Nandakumar Kamat, and other authors from around Goa, and Goans settled far and wide, have time and

again reminded us to “Save Goa”. A young reporter wrote beautifully in a local daily about Vanxim, an island that can be reached only after two ferry crossings, but does not want a bridge. The islanders feared mega projects and decided against it. This inner feeling of pristine peace is what makes the Goan a ‘Goan’. Yet a systematic rape of this place has begun. The virus has just got in and is spreading wild. It was shameful to see the cover pages of a national magazine portraying Goa as the “gambling capital of India.” Such rampant distortions are a wake-up call

to us all. Given a perfect house anywhere in the world, it is the kitchen garden that is the greenest and coolest. Does this mean we should shift our sofa sets and chandeliers to the kitchen garden? Or should everyone shift the beds from the bedroom into the garden? We are not asking for any more status than that of a kitchen garden. Please come, take the fruit and leave. The fruit of tourism that Goa offers to all is the sweetest. Otherwise we may be compelled to form a Special Settlement Zone exclusively for outsiders!... n Pic by Edric George

VIVA GOANS

A regular column featuring eminent Goans living outside Goa

‘We Need to Balance the Old with the New’ Professor of urban design at the University of Southern California, USA-based Architect VINAYAK BHARNE reveals his concern over the possibility of flyovers and multi-storeyed parking in Goa

n today’s world, booming populations mean more than just converting agricultural land into random construction sites. There is a growing need for urban designers who fuse architecture and city planning to maximise the functionality of public spaces and the way they are experienced. Architect Vinayak Bharne has taken his thought process to Moule & Polyzoides, a reputed planning firm in the US, where he recreates public domains into purposeful designs. From his early days at Goa College of Architecture, Bharne set his eyes on learning as much as he could about design and planning. He continued his quest at the University of Southern California (USC), where he is now a professor of urban design. His experience at Moule & Polyzoides means he is now busy managing projects across the US, UAE, Panama and Mauritius. Bharne is also the contributing author of three books – Los Angeles: Building the Polycentric Region, Hvalnica Senci (Slovenian re-publication of In Praise of Shadows) and the forthcoming Aesthetics of Sustainable Architecture – besides being an avid orator.

At work in Mauritius earlier this year

Bharne, who lives with his Canadian wife Paige and two children in the US, narrates his experiences

How do you feel about the changes Goa has undergone since you left for the United States? There is so much optimism, ambition and talent in this new Goan generation. The media speak volumes of the tremendous positive transformation Goa has undergone. But then you look at what is happening in Panaji and start thinking. Hundreds of small towns like it are going through the pressures of urbanisation. But those that have succeeded in balancing the best of the old and new, have done so not through utopian technical solutions, but intelligent policy measures and lifestyle choices. I get very concerned when I see Goan architects contemplating metropolitan flyovers, ramps and multi-storey parking garages for small towns like Panaji. We can either transform our towns into car-dominated cities, or conversely, retain their intimacy – but that only comes with a price. The choice is ours to make. Are there any changes you would like to see in architectural and urban design in Goa? There is a great deal of architectural talent in Goa. But I am not sure there is any conscious urban design. There certainly was when the Portuguese were here. But today, there is little more than ad-hoc, one-shoe-fits-all, self-referential projects that care about nothing but themselves. This is among other things the result of a linear foor-area ratio (FAR) and coverage-driven zoning that restricts an architect into a maximum-building envelope, irrespective of location. We are therefore seeing the same apartment building everywhere in Goa. There is no difference in the density, building type or urban frontage between a town and village. A rigorous re-casting of existing Goan bylaws remains long overdue. A FAR-dominated zoning is destroying Goa even as we speak. How do your practice and teaching influence each other? As a practitioner you don’t always get the time to contemplate the deeper consequences of what you are proposing. This is why being an academic helps. The time spent in student and faculty discussions, design studios and thesis committees helps

Receiving the Pride of New Generation National Speaker Award in Tokyo in 1992

me stay in touch with what is new, and also helps me gauge how my own work can be bettered. We also engage in collaborative research that helps deepen our knowledge of architectural and urban issues. Practice, theory and pedagogy are three symbiotic parts of our profession. Who are the people that have influenced your professional career? I have been very fortunate to have had two great professional mentors: Bruno Dias Souza and Stefanos Polyzoides.I was a second year architecture student in Goa, when I entered Bruno’s house in Altinho for the first time, and it felt like a revelation. I told him I wanted to work with him and for the next three years I received a parallel architectural education to the one I was getting in the college. In the US, Stefanos was my professor at USC, and it was he that opened the world of urbanism to me. Whatever little I have achieved in my profession, I owe to these two great teachers. Who is your favourite architect? In the West, I like the work of Spanish architect Rafael Moneo, Danish architect Jorn Utzorn and American architect Charles Moore. In India, the work of Charles Correa is brilliant. But one architect who has a special place in my world is Geoffrey Bawa of Sri Lanka. He was one of the first architects to critique modern architecture in Asia by bringing

back traditional elements in refreshing ways. I would encourage every Goan architect to study his work closely – it has profound lessons for Goa. Do you think there is a difference between the theoretical curriculum in universities and the actual practice of architecture? I think it is important for academia not to be a literal reflection of practice. Practice is constrained by economic and political realities; academia is a canvas for introspection. As a practitioner, we may have strong positions about architecture and urbanism, but as professors, we should be as open-minded as possible, encouraging students to develop their own positions and interests. I would say that the architectural profession in our lifetime is going to be as much about repairing the damage we have done to cities as constructing new buildings. I think we need to stop judging architecture solely on the basis of style, and understand its deeper responsibilities. Engage with builders and developers, get involved in planning, advocacy and politics, and help improve the least common denominator of crappy mainstream development. That is a far more pressing and difficult task than doing a one-off architectural masterpiece.

Do you believe Goa is being sold to the builders’ lobby? Are we losing our green spaces in the process? It is pitiful that despite the real estate boom, developers and architects are creating only two housing choices in the Goan market – the single family house or the conventional stacked flat both typically designed as introverted enclaves. This is a huge disservice to buyers spending crores of rupees buying a home in Goa. I hope progressive developers will bring in new and innovative products like townhomes, lofts, courtyard housing, etc, designed as real towns, neighbourhoods and villages. Otherwise all we will get is a typical sprawl landscape. Could you describe some of the projects you are currently working on? We are doing a couple of projects in Mauritius that is very similar to Goa, climatically and culturally. The first is a master plan for a 100-acre resort village with three luxury hotels, and 500 homes.

The second is a new 40-acre downtown adjacent to the international airport. If implemented, both will set a new precedent in the country to counter ongoing sprawl trends. We also just finished the construction of a mile-long street enhancement in a small city in southern California – that won an American Planning Association award. Apart from being an urban designer, you also have a passion for public speaking. Please comment on the current decline of public speaking contests in the state? I owe that award to my father. He is a great speaker and writer, who opened the world of oratory to me. I don’t know the reasons for the decline in public speaking contests, but I am disappointed to see it because they opened so many doors for youth such as myself. They taught us the importance of leadership and healthy competition. n

Paige and Vinayak Bharne with their children Sebastian Tarun and Portia Kalyanee

Architecture is – A part of city making If you were not an architect, you would have been – A writer The world’s most iconic building – Ise Shrine in Japan A place you would love to visit – The caves at Petra Your favourite city – London Goa is – Family, sunshine and fresh air Your favourite eating joint in Goa – My mother’s kitchen A Goan dish you relish – Bebinca. It’s all egg yolk — lethal but delicious! Your favourite holiday destination – Goa, of course!

LEGAL BRIEF A regular column on legal affairs and philosophy

Complex Comparative Laws Take care when visiting another country as differences in law could land you in trouble

A regular column on legal affairs and philosophy ATMARAM NADKARNI is a senior advocate and former Advocate General of Goa

Source: www.thevignette.com

he phrase ‘comparative law’ is a strange one. It is a process by which we attempt to ascertain the relationship of laws between different societies, states, countries or systems. There is nothing in law called ‘comparative branch’ in the same sense as ‘family law’ or ‘maritime law’. These are conventional branches or divisions of law indicating a subject matter. But in most countries, the term ‘comparative law’ has been firmly established to mean the comparative method of study which is required to be discharged and the purpose for which it exists, so much so, that now we have not only the term ‘comparative law’ but also ‘comparative lawyers’. Law is basically set norms governing a society. Individual nations have their own sets of laws. There is no ‘national law’ which is common to all countries except for certain fundamentally accepted principles of common sense, each of them with their own dynamic effects. The origin and development of ‘comparative law’ was a by-product of

a creative thought or rather a beginning of a new school in which efforts were made to study comparative laws prevailing in various continents. In the latter half of the 19th century, there was a definite recognition of this branch. Today, we have comparative legal research which has culminated into the branch of comparative research and study. Ignorance of the law is no excuse and is punishable in almost every system of law. One cannot commit an act knowingly or unknowingly and plead ignorance. However genuine the defence may be, if based on ignorance of the law, it is not considered a valid defence. It does assume significance that everyone in India ought to know the laws of the country, and even if an Indian citizen is travelling abroad, then he or she is, in law, is deemed to know the laws of that place. There are however many cases which have invited complications on account of the sheer fact that people travelling in different countries do not know

Source: www.yengejesstam.blogspot.com

marriage, domicile, inheritance and succession, where a couple comprises one person of Goan origin and the other who is not. Indeed, the study of comparative law states that comparative private international law should not just be regarded as a branch of legal study. It should also be regarded as an independent source of law. This branch of law is now recognised and the growth of private international lawyers is indispensible in matters of collaboration while dealing with and resorting to justice between nations or their citizens. I do understand that it is impossible not only for the common man but even for lawyers to know each and every provision of every other law. In India we have more than 4,000 legislations in addition to which there are legislations in every state. Each of these statutes have rules under them which further have schedules and notifications and if one has to take the phrase “ignorance of the law is no excuse” literally, it becomes unworkable. What is required is an approach that is reasonable, practical and pragmatic in the sense that we must know the basic laws that govern a civil society and act in accordance with these laws. In our country, people have the right to agitate and resort to strikes, but one cannot strike and paralyse the economy of the country. In a democracy,

one ought to know that the only form of protest permissible is one that is non-violent and does not affect other people. Under our Constitution we have a system of governance, an elected government and elected legislators. They are expected to behave in accordance with law and not according to their own whims and fancies, and the fact that they hardly follow the law is no ground for anyone else to violate it. However high one may be, the law is always above you.

‘

Ignorance of the law is no excuse and is punishable in almost every system of law. One cannot commit an act knowingly or unknowingly and plead ignorance. However genuine the defence may be, if based on ignorance of the law, it is not considered a valid defence

‘

the laws of the land they are in. This reminds me of an Englishman who, on entering India, befriended a married lady. In England, adultery is not a crime, but can give rise to a civil claim for damages/compensation. In India, adultery is a distinct offence under the Indian Penal Code. It was no defence for the Englishmen at the criminal trial to state that adultery was not an offence in London and that he was unaware that it was a crime in India. Yet another illustration is of an Indian who was hauled up by the customs of the United Arab Emirates for ‘smuggling a narcotic substance’. The customs had discovered an ingredient normally used in Indian cooking, khuskhus, which is considered a drug prohibited by law in the UAE. In India, khuskhus is easily available in the market. These are genuine cases wherein the person had no intention of committing an offence nor had the slightest intention of violating the law; yet landed in a situation which would have made him or her face very serious punishment. It would be wise for travellers to have a look at the comparative jurisprudence, legal history and certain other laws of different nations including the law of obligations.The commercial laws in India, China, Australia and the UAE differ on significant matters of mercantile law and banking. The law of contract may be basic to all commercial transactions, but the diversity of law affects commerce with other forms of human activity. As long as each nation is a sovereign in itself, there cannot be a unification of laws. Why talk of unification of laws of different nations when in our own country, one of the constitutional objects of a uniform civil code has not been possible even after half a century of independence? The study of comparative law leads one to the study of private international law and to understand in detail the principle of conflict of laws. If a dispute contains a foreign element, private international law intervenes to select the jurisdiction which is competent to decide it and the system of law by which it is to be governed. This process is however not comparative, but is selective in the sense that a judge is called to decide which system of law will apply between the parties. This more often arises in matters of

AFTER HOURS A column in which CEOs, political figures and other busy professionals reveal how they relax and spend their spare time

‘Everyone Should Feel the Carnival Spirit’ He claims he was an unconventional student and stumbled upon his profession as an event manager by chance. FRANCISCO MARTINS, the ‘King of Carnival’, on family matters and on never hanging up his boots

By EMYLOU D’SOUZA 24

n 1974, he got his first real break as art director for the musical Jesus Christ Superstar. After that, there was no looking back. At 63, Francisco Martins, or Fanquito as he is popularly known, has his hands full. With an innate talent for artistic designs, he has achieved a reputation as a designer, choreographer and organiser for a variety of events. He has captured the very essence Pics by Edric George

of Goa through his floats in the Goa carnival as well as at the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi. He was awarded the first prize by then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi for his symbolic float depicting Goa at the Republic Day Parade in 1987. He was also presented the Goa State Award in 2010, among others. His creations at the World Travel Mart (WTM), London – the leading global

event for the travel industry – and the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) have placed Goa on a pedestal, while his ingenious use of animatronics to depict the work of St Francis Xavier and Fr Joseph Vas around Jesus is on permanent exhibition at the Basilica of Bom Jesus. Down-to-earth and brimming with ideas, Fanquito reveals his future plans

Francisco with wife Fernanda and sons Ernleigh and Jurgen

On a typical day at work My business involves organising events, I don’t have fixed office hours. Also, as my sons have joined me, the work has balanced out to an extent. Besides my regular work, I have also branched out into manufacturing souvenirs, which will soon be launched under the brand name MARCOU. This is a joint venture with Anil Counto, himself a very enterprising and successful businessman. On changing trends in the Goa Carnival Everything is commercial now. It’s difficult to maintain what we did before. We used to have around 200 participants on a float, but now they have just a few due to rising expenses. It shouldn’t boil down to money; they should participate with the age-old carnival spirit of fun and frolic. Also, the preparations should commence at least eight months in advance, so that the charm is not lost in the last moment rush. Even the music has changed. Earlier, we would play typical Goan, Portuguese and Brazilian samba numbers, but now all you hear is disco or pop music as that’s what the crowd enjoys. We must change with the times, but never completely give up the old and the beautiful. In 2008, I was invited along with Padma Shri Uma Sharma from New Delhi to design a float for ‘Perola Negra’, a samba school in Sao Paulo, Brazil. I was overwhelmed by the preview of their music – the beat is still in my head and in my heart. That’s the lasting impression a carnival should

have. And that is what made me return for the real Brazilian carnival the following year. On Goa’s image at travel marts It doesn’t make sense to hurriedly promote aspects of Goa tourism that aren’t sufficiently developed yet. I believe we have to diversify and move into newer areas with due caution and preparation. I have been trying that through my experiments with Goan architectural elements such as windows, tiles, balcão and houses in enlarged photography or in three-dimensional replicas in plywood or fibreglass. I‘ve been involved in several international tourism promotion fairs such as WTM London, ITB Berlin, FITUR in Spain and EXPO ‘98, Lisbon. To cut costs, I have even stayed with Goan friends and relatives there, who were keen to help the cause. We would carry huge quantities of materials – once we even designed a stall with 10,000 shells. On his hobbies All my hobbies have a social dimension. As the president of clubs like Clube Nacional and Clube Vasco da Gama I have been pursuing my hobbies and likes together with the members and their guests, mainly through social events like club shows and picnics. In May, we organised a picnic at Bambolim Beach Resort. From the earlier small number of participants, this time round we had nearly 400 people enjoying the day out, packed with a performing African troupe on one side, a brass band on the other, face painting and a magic show,

On quality time and vacations with the family My wife and children have accompanied me to most of the events I have been a part of. They have grown up participating and attending festivals and parades. Today, we are jointly involved in the business – my wife designs the costumes, while my sons shoulder the responsibility of operations. In Portugal I have around 30 cousins, so it’s breakfast at one house, lunch at another and dinner at a third. On his philosophy in life Be honest! It‘s very hard to live in this world with honesty, but a lot of good things come out of it. That’s how I lead my life. His message to young Goans With hard work I have managed to achieve whatever I have wanted to. If you work hard with a conscience and dignity, you will be rewarded. n Goa state floats at the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi

HEALTH

A regular column on healthy living

Surgery without Scarsâ&#x20AC;Ś â&#x20AC;Ś Well Almost!

Dr VINAYAK S DESHPANDE MS (Surgery) has completed his fellowship training in Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery, Coimbatore; Laparoscopic Surgery at the Mount Sinai Medical Centre, New York and at the Institute of Laparoscopic Surgery, Bordeaux, France. He currently runs a private practice in Goa

((

Source: www.businesscards2k.com

Almost every organ in the human body has become accessible to the surgeons camera and scalpel through laparoscopic surgery

ust a few years ago when I started my laparoscopic surgery practice people were ignorant that something called laparoscopic surgery exists. Just a few years ago when I started my laparoscopic surgery practice, people were ignorant about this field. Over the last couple of years, our Digestive Disease Centre at Mandovi

Clinic in Porvorim has spread public awareness about the advantages of the laparoscopic method of surgery. A patient usually dreads the prospect of surgery, at the thought of a lasting scar, post-operative pain, prolonged hospital stay and a delayed return to his normal routine. However, patient-friendly laparoscopic surgery allays such misgivings as the overall

trauma to skin and muscle is reduced due to small cuts and the post-operative pain is minimal, allowing the patient to get out of bed sooner. They are often able to walk and move around within a few hours following the procedure. Also, the scar is almost invisible after surgery. In Goa, we have been fortunate that cosmetics is such an issue, so much so that even a 65-year-old woman undergoing a laparoscopic hysterectomy is concerned whether her scar will show after surgery. Almost every organ in the abdomen can be removed with laparoscopic techniques – appendix, gallbladder, hernia, spleen, hiatus hernia, gastrointestinal cancers, ovarian cysts. It is also useful in the diagnosis and treatment of various causes of infertility. In fact, infertility can be treated very successfully with laparoscopic surgery. For male infertility caused due to varicocele, it is an ideal treatment. The surgical procedure is performed through very small incisions in the abdomen, using specialised instruments. This type of surgery is also called ‘minimally invasive surgery’, ‘keyhole surgery’ or ‘band-aid surgery’. We were the first

centre in Goa to introduce the harmonic scalpel – a knife which cuts body tissue without blood loss.

Direct Visualisation Laparoscopy involves direct visualisation of the abdominal cavity, ovaries, the tubes and uterus by using a laparoscope, a thin long instrument with a light source at its tip to light up the inside of the abdomen. A camera carries images to a video monitor, which the surgeon can view in real time. Specialised surgical instruments can be inserted through the laparoscope and through small incisions. With two decades of experience, surgeons can now confidently approach almost every part of the human body with cameras and video monitors. A small cut is made in the skin and a harmless gas such as carbon dioxide is introduced into the abdomen. This inflates the abdomen and a space is created to perform various operations. Through additional small cuts, a telescope attached to a camera and other long slim surgical instruments are placed into the abdomen. Under high magnification, diseased organs can be easily examined with minimal trauma to the patient. Operations are performed in exactly the same manner as open operations. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has now become the ‘gold standard’ in the treatment

“He certainly brings a new dimension to keyhole surgery!” Source: www.cartoonstock.com

of gallbladder stones all over the world. Gallstones can be removed along with the gall bladder by laparoscopic surgery. Instead of weeks of bed rest associated with conventional open surgery, patients can resume their normal activities in a few days of the surgery. And as new surgical instruments and better cameras and video display systems are developed, the frontiers of laparoscopic surgery will expand even further. Finally, laparoscopic surgery cannot be performed on everyone, especially on patients with prior abdominal operations which may have left too much scar tissue within the body.

Latest trends/developments

“...And the good news is Mr Watkins, your keyhole surgery was a complete success.” Source: www.martinkurzer.com

In robotic surgery, a robot does the surgery in the operation theatre while the surgeon sits in his consulting room. The surgeon only controls the robot with his computer. The success of a transatlantic surgery where a patient in France was operated by a surgeon sitting in the USA by the robotic system is a hallmark in the development of this digital and robotic technology in the field of laparoscopic surgery. Robotic surgery has been touted as a solution to underdeveloped nations. Through this, a single central hospital can operate several remote machines at distant locations. The potential of robotic surgery has also attracted strong military interest as well with the possibility of providing prompt mobile medical care while keeping trained doctors safe from battle. n

FEATURE

Riding To A New

HIGH

Promoting equine sport is suited for the state as it brings with it the benefit of encouraging tourism as well, says MAC VAZ, President of the Equestrian & Polo Association of Goa

Pics by Manish Gala

irst, the good news for those interested in the sport: With Goa being chosen as the venue for the National Games 2013, a full-fledged equestrian facility to pick up the ropes, so to speak, and for competition has been planned at the Sports City in Dhargalim. Setting up a good facility has been the primary aim of the Equestrian and Polo Association of Goa. As this sport will be introduced for the first time in Goa, there will inevitably be some teething problems over safety and feasibility. But a positive high like equestrian sport fulfills the desire to compete at every level. Even a five-year-old can be safely taught to mount a horse while on the other hand, there have been riders in their sixties and more who have been enjoying the sport

and winning medals at the Olympics. Another unique element of this sport is that both men and women can compete on a level playing field. Like in most other physical sports, the rough and tumble of the learning process and the occasional stumble while training is part of the game. In most fauji-connected riding facilities and some civilian riding schools in India, it is a tradition that a rider who is thrown by a horse has to serve jalebis the next day. In my years of riding, I have had more than half-a-dozen jalebi occasions! But apart from the horsing around, the true test lies in remounting â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a lesson in life which equestrian sport teaches youth. With every fall, you emerge bruised but stronger and wiser. Fortunately equestrian enthusiasts

Equestrian sports POLO: a team sport played on horseback in which the objective is to score goals against the opposing team DRESSAGE (referred to as ‘horse ballet’): is judged on the basis of precise co-ordination and perfect union between rider and horse SHOW JUMPING: in which horse and rider have to follow a set course of different obstacles, walls and fences and are judged on their speed and ability EVENTING: an endurance and skills test which includes dressage, cross country and show jumping as horse and rider make their way around a long and varied course with demanding obstacles TENT-PEGGING: in which a rider at full gallop pierces, picks up and carries away a series of small ground targets with a lance

now have plenty of safety gear and trained horses with an even temperament. Besides, all good riding facilities have their own in-house medical backup or a hospital close at hand. While learning, the byword is “don’t get your capabilities mixed up with your ambitions too much at a time.” This sounds much more colourful in the original Hindi! The key is to follow safety guidelines, a vital criterion in any sport. Virtually every state in India, including the coastal states, has at least one riding facility for civilians. Besides, Goa has had a positive history with horses during the Portuguese regime. Despite a few apprehensions, I must also mention that during the out of Goa camps and within Goa, the displays organised and sponsored by our association have elicited a good response in terms of participation and spectators. This response has encouraged us as well as our sports departments in this equestrian endeavour. Besides sports, horses have been effectively used in promoting equine tourism. Heritage and horse trails in Rajasthan and elsewhere are examples of how to attract premium tourists. As Goa has virtually exhausted our sun and surf USP because of our cluttered beaches, equine tourism in our

hinterlands is one avenue that could add a gambling and glamour angle. Horse more value to Goa’s appeal. Also, equine racing is not an Olympic sport and is not therapy is a fast developing science. our focus or interest. Our benchmark is This is an effective method applied in competing and training in dressage, show treating physically and emotionally jumping, eventing, tent-pegging and also impaired children. to look at introducing Polo in Goa (see box). My primary purpose is to encourage Equestrian sport is a great activity for Goans in equestrian sport. Our immediate building a positive attitude among all aim is not to be on the medals podium, children. Across the world, horses also but to have a team from Goa to participate participate in security and ceremonial in the National Games. Hopefully, duties. Other equine activities that Goa the initial trot will develop into could take a closer look at are beach a gallop. n patrolling and mob control. Equestrian sport also calls for respect and harmony between man and animal. Enthusiasts, proficient riders and schools are welcome to get in touch with our association with regard to any element of learning or for introducing this adventure sport in their institutions. Most people Goan students of the horse riding training event in Maharashtra seem to relate to organised by the Equestrian & Polo Association of Goa horses only from

FIRST LADY Featuring eminent women of Goa

Children First

Well-known paediatrician DR LILY SEQUEIRA SUKHIJA reveals why she would never swap careers By DIELLE D’SOUZA

aediatrics is a complex subject with practitioners required to deal with very young children unable to express themselves. But Dr Lily Sequeira Sukhija seems completely at ease in this unpredictable world. Growing up, Dr Lily, as she is fondly known, remembers the vast green space that is now Panaji and Miramar, and the encouragement of her father the late Dr Jack de Sequeira, Father of the Opinion Poll and Goa’s first leader of the opposition. After nearly four decades treating children she considers her extended family, she now spends as much time as she can with her own grandchildren. Retirement may not be too far off, she says, but there’s no other way she would like to have spent her career.

What initiated you into paediatrics and not any other area of medicine? I always wanted to do medicine and when I finished my MBBS, I was fascinated by paediatrics thanks to my professor Dr Harish Mazumdar. Paediatrics now involves the care of children from birth to 18 years, so they are like my babies.

Dr Lily took time off with VIVA GOA.

Mothers run to paediatricians over

As a paediatrician, you tend to develop strong bonds with regular patients and their families. If a dire situation arises, would you be on call? Where do you draw the line? I have been a paediatrician for the last 38 years. I will definitely retire at some point but I know that detachment will be very hard. But you cannot help it. At some point, your mind doesn’t work as fast and your alertness diminishes. So instead of making mistakes, it’s better to cut down on your work. Anyhow, 38 years is a long time!

the slightest illness their child may have for fast relief rather than make use of home remedies. What do you feel about this? You find that parents these days, especially those who are educated or affluent, take their children to the doctor immediately. Perhaps it’s because they feel they might miss on working time if they rush to the doctor. But I still encourage the parents of all my patients to try home remedies first. Only if the problem persists should they go to a doctor. It’s not good to run to a doctor at the drop of a hat just because we like to prescribe medicines! Do you think children’s lifestyles in Goa are changing? There’s a big lifestyle change. Children today are in front of the TV all the time and they’re watching rubbish. Most of our children, even in Goa, are becoming obese. They’re heavyweight champions and the parents want them to become even fatter! Play must be made a part of the school curriculum. Our education methods need to be changed. Children are going to school at two-and-a-half years. We went at six and I don’t think the children today are any smarter than we were. They just don’t have time to play now, get in touch with the environment or anything else. The few children who play these days are restricted to schools which have playgrounds. Most schools don’t. We were in People’s High School and we didn’t have a playground but my parents insisted that we be involved in some kind of sport. I used to be really fat in school, but I would try my hand at everything – football, running, athletics. I would be last, but at least I took part! Participation is very important. Do you think children of well-known personalities find it difficult to slip out from under their shadow to make a name for themselves? What has your experience been? I don’t think famous parents have too much of an influence. Like my father used to say, ‘As long as you are dedicated, and interested in your work, you can do all that you want in life’. I faced hard times for the first two years before I established myself. There are still people who don’t know who I

am, which doesn’t bother me at all. In my clinic, everybody is equal – they all go to the same couch, are checked by the same hands and the same stethoscope, so there is no difference. What do you love most about Goa and is there anything you would like to change? Goa is my home. I like the surroundings, the greenery, the villages, the beaches. But there are still a lot of problems – I’ve never seen so much traffic here in my life before. There are also the problems with garbage, pollution and education. The sale of our land is something I really find disturbing. I’m not at all happy with the growth of high-rise buildings. I would never allow my home to turn into one. It’s going to be a disaster if this uncontrolled building continues. We might not have enough water and electricity to provide for all the new homes. Can you tell us something about your own personal interests and activities beyond your home? I do a little bit of everything – cooking, gardening, etc. I visit Mother Teresa’s home in Panjim once in a way and my grandchildren come over often. I enjoy my time with them. After they finish school, they are with us until their parents take them back home. How do you strike a balance between the demands of your

home and your own professional or personal interests? When my children were small it was very difficult to manage work and home because pediatricians were on call all the time. I used to stay in Dona Paula at that time, so I would bring my children to my parents’ home in Campal so they could look after them. My younger sister spent a lot of time looking after my children. Once the children grew up, things fell into place, although but I would still be on call if any parent had an emergency. What does your daily routine involve and how do you unwind after a day’s work? I go for a walk to Miramar every morning and I go to church nearly every day, then I read the newspapers when I get back. We have a small family meeting to discuss who’s going where so each one of us knows where the other will be. Then I go to the clinic and I’m back by two o’clock, before we have lunch as a family. In the evening, the grandchildren come over and I have a great time with them. Do you think women suffer gender bias, even in progressive Goa? I don’t think in my profession there was any gender bias, but if you move around you will see it. You feel it. This has to change. Women are so much better than men! n

Dr Lily with her husband Ajit, her son Jack, daughter-in-law Miriam and grandchildren Pics by Edric George

FEATURE

‘Going Green

is the Future’

Signature projects and forward-thinking business practices define Highland Holiday Homes Pvt Ltd. Honoured with the prestigious CNBC AwaazCRISIL CREDAI Real Estate Award – a first for a Goan company – for creating the best holiday homes in the country, Managing Director DEVDAS NAIK discusses ‘empty second homes’ and the present real estate trend

Devdas Naik with Union Minister of Urban Development Kamal Nath, Editor-in-Chief of CNBC AWAAZ Sanjay Pugalia and Director of CRISIL Raman Uberoi

How important is The ‘CNBC AwaazCRISIL CREDAI Real Estate award’ for Highland Holiday Homes? It is also the first time a Goa based company has won the award. The CNBC AwaazCRISIL CREDAI Real Estate Award is a huge honour for Goa. It is a recognition of good management practices, clear and transparent documentation, licensing and adherence to quality and timely completion of projects. We have worked hard for more than a decade to develop, market and operate our Highland Holiday Homes

project and the award gives us a great sense of satisfaction. During the 1990s, rent-back apartments were very popular. Is it true that the trend has changed now? The rent-back concept was very innovative and popular in the 1990s right up to early 2000. It afforded buyers a decent return on their investment and also took care of the maintenance costs. Highland Holiday Homes is among the very few projects that still run the scheme successfully. In fact,

we have twice been given the ‘Partners in Excellence’ award by Thomas Cook and JMC. If this rent-back scheme has become less popular now, it is because most builders failed on the hospitality business front. The other reason is that with appreciation in property prices, the rate of return via room rentals has fallen because room rates have not risen proportionately. However, a well-managed resort will continue to prosper and has tremendous scope. There is some opposition to mega projects in Goa. If this

Highland Holiday Homes, Candolim

trend continues the cost of accommodation will increase due to fewer projects. What is your opinion? Opposition to mega projects has indeed had an adverse effect on the cost of housing for the common man. The combination of fewer projects being sanctioned and the reduced FAR (floor area ratio) opted for by most village panchayats in Goa automatically results in an artificial scarcity of land and built-up area and the law of demand and supply pushes prices beyond the reach of the common man. It is also essential that a mega project is appropriately defined, say like the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) has specified 20,000 sq mts of built-up area as a distinction between large and small projects. Otherwise the tendency is to label any project as a mega project. Many firms abroad are concentrating on green buildings, something that hasn’t yet caught on in India and particularly Goa. Does your firm have any plans to venture into green buildings soon? Going green is the future for the construction industry. We have already

begun implementing methods like water harvesting, solar power, sewage treatment and water recycling in our projects. The government should come out with clear and mandatory guidelines for builders to follow for these green efforts to have a proper impact. Many builders are constructing apartments and colonies which are bought more as an investment or second home, leaving them empty for most part of the year, and encouraging more land to be converted. Do you think this will spoil Goa’s natural beauty and destroy the very reason why many tourists want to live here and buy property here? Developers are building to cater to the strong demand for holiday homes in Goa. The often repeated statement of ‘empty second homes’ being a negative factor does not gel with me. By their very nature, holiday homes are used for a short time during a year. Many buyers, including Goans living outside, plan to use these same houses as permanent homes at a future date. Yet, I completely agree that over-development will kill the golden goose.

To avoid this, one formula is to cater to the high-end customer in the property market, just as a similar argument has been made by the tourism industry – to attract high spending tourists, instead of the budget ones. This limits mass construction as smaller premium projects deliver better returns for builders. Are there any interesting or out of the box projects the company is gearing up for? I have launched a project very dear to me as it is targeted at the successful Goan who wishes to have his own independent bungalow in Goa. It’s called Highland Villas and the unique concept here is that we offer a proper sub-divided plot of land to the buyer along with a contemporary-styled villa built on it. Besides this, we have provided excellent amenities for recreation which include facilities for jogging, swimming, games like tennis and basketball and even a professionally managed crèche for the benefit of young working couples. We also provide comprehensive post-purchase maintenance services which are of special relevance to Goan NRIs. n

FOCUS

Reshaping Lives The Wockhardt Institute of Aesthetics – or in layman terms Plastic Surgery – is all set to change the ‘face’ of Goa… and more

Dr Syed Ilyas, Dr Vimmi Mody, Dr Manish Patel, Dr James May Jr, Dr V N Kharangate, Dr Habil Khorakiwala, Zahabiya Khorakiwala and Dr Ashok Gupta on the occasion

e are not always happy with the way we look. But Wockhardt wants to change all that. With the inauguration of the Wockhardt Institute of Aesthetics in Goa, the Mumbai-headquartered firm is looking at providing the best comprehensive tertiary care dedicated to invasive and non-invasive aesthetics. A recent event showcased the many options on offer at the hospital, including liposuction, rhinoplasty, hair transplants and abdominoplasty, among others. Advisor and senior consultant Padma Shri Dr Ashok Gupta, senior consultant Dr Manish Patel and chief programme advisor James May Jr reconstructed the complexities of aesthetics and plastic surgery into simple terms for the layman with the help of presentations and videos. Others present included Wockhardt Chairman Dr Habil Khorakiwala, Managing Director of Wockhardt Hospitals Zahabiya Khorakiwala and consultant dermatologist Dr Vimmi Mody. Dr Khorakiwala pointed out that the facility is the only one of its kind in the country and will benefit not just Goa, but the rest of the country as well. He explained, “This is an opportunity as Goa is a large tourism centre for both domestic as well as international visitors and provides a relaxing environment for recuperation. There are intervention procedures which require a few days of privacy and relaxation, something you can find here, and our facility will definitely help increase tourism. Also, we have the best technology and the cost of the procedures will be half of that anywhere else in the world.” Zahabiya Khorakiwala explained to the audience how Wockhardt Hospitals has always been at the forefront in

getting innovative and advanced treatment options for the community and explained the many procedures available at Wockhardt Institute of Aesthetics. Dr Patel, who has been in Goa for several years now, explained how plastic surgery wasn’t just about making people look more beautiful. The lives of many suffering from cleft lips to disfigurements, burn injuries and post-cancer trauma have been changed thanks to reconstructive surgery. “There is also an increasing trend among patients to opt for multiple procedures in a single sitting as it saves on repeated anesthesia and money,” he said. “Plastic surgery is a serious business,” added Dr Gupta, who has been credited with operating on the person reshaped with the most amount of surgery after he suffered extensively due to an accident. Dr Gupta was recently conferred the Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Award for Volunteers in Humanitarian Medical Services, proving there’s more to plastic surgery than mere glamour and good looks. An acknowledged figure in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery, Dr May explained that the field of aesthetic surgery has reached a level where the possibilities for the patient are optimal. He said he was pleased to see the efforts made by the Wockhardt Hospitals in bringing the best patient-selected technology and treatment options to India in every field of healthcare. The recently opened centre will be a facility where it will be possible to conduct procedures of world-class quality. Beauty does lie in the eye of the beholder and the new Wockhardt Institute of Aesthetics in Goa offers people the golden opportunity to reinvent themselves. n

INTERIORS/ EXTERIORS

Sublime Interactions SURAJ AND SANJANA MORAJKARâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s riverfront farmhouse in Saipem, Candolim, seamlessly merges visual openness with the privacy of each space Pics by Bharath Ramamrutham

An alumnus of the Goa College of Architecture, Arch SIDDHA D SARDESSAI casts an expert eye on distinctive and contemporary houses of Goa

The master bedroom

Sanjana & Suraj Morajkar with children Soham and Sachi

he moment Suraj and Sanjana Morajkar set foot on this lush green property overlooking the Sinquerim river in Saipem, Candolim, they could instantly visualise their future home. The most compelling part of the bungalow is its site and they knew it was all about balancing and not letting the structure become visually more overwhelming than the surroundings. So it was quite natural for them to let their home capture the verdure. As you walk past the driveway, you soak in the simple landscaping elements, a porch that forms a subtle design on the facade, leading to the wooden door that brings you to the interiors of the house. Placed in the foyer are two chairs against the backdrop of a large painting, which leads you through a cosy corridor into the vast expanse of the living space. As you enter, chic and understated contemporary interiors welcome you into an uncluttered and straight-lined abode open to the warmth of the heart as much as it is to the dynamics of hospitality. The interiors are open to the outside through larger than life-size windows allowing natural light to stream in. In fact, the living area affords an alluring feel with its heightened space. On reaching the entrance foyer one experiences a sense of drama as one takes in the visual treat that unfolds with its lush green and the riverfront view. The drawing room, extending out onto a deck, beckons visitors outside to experience the feeling of floating on water as it overlooks the quiet and panoramic Sinquerim river. Recalls Suraj, “We wanted a house that would not have any distinction between the outdoors and the indoors. At the same time, being in a village, the house would have to be in symphony with the character of a village.” The design brief was handed over to architect Arvind D’Souza. Explaining the design concept he says, “We chalked out a simple layout, where we opened up spaces to the surrounding greens and the river and

also refrained from giving it a very formal look in order to create a getaway feel.” True to his word, one finds a seamless merging of spaces that see subtle demarcation through highlight walls. The architect’s fondness for simple and clean-line decor is evident right from the living room. The clean sweep of cream-coloured flooring is complemented by the muted tone of the beige seating arrangement and a suspended chandelier that segregates the seating area. As for the rest of the colour scheme, it has been kept neutral. A conscious choice of colours such as beige, brown and white that has been used throughout the residence play a crucial role in achieving grace and harmony. The living area is characterised by French windows which not only enhance the space but also allow natural light to filter in. In addition, they capture the medley of nature and tranquility with its magnificent view of the greens and the water. The large windows open into a manicured wooded balcony that effortlessly merges into the interiors, adding its own charm. A little beyond is the formal dining area which remains in close connect with the living space though there is a subtle demarcation through the textured wall that marks the dining zone.

‘ 44

View from across the river

An unusual light fixture and a mural accentuate the plain white walls. The family dining sits within the open kitchen that is well-equipped and encourages interaction. Separating the two spaces is the breakfast seating. To the side is a console that doubles up as a serving counter as well as a display platform. This family dining space also opens onto the greens and is linked to the entertainment zone. Suraj always likes his guests to feel at home and has always wanted this proximity with the kitchen. Most often the family dines on the lawns while enjoying the sounds of water.

If the nature outside offers a glimpse of the unconventional, the drama inside seals the perception further. The clutter-free space lends a sense of calm and is a break from the chaotic and claustrophobic environment that one needs to work, live and travel in. Achieving simplicity in design can often be difficult. But the seamless interiors, selectively used materials and finishes, the living areas well-lit by the natural light freely flowing in through the huge glass windows all achieve this ambition. The balcony and the deck ceiling have wooden rafters to break

We chalked out a simple layout where we opened up spaces to the surrounding greens and the river, and also refrained from giving it a very formal look in order to create a getaway feel

‘

– Architect Arvind D’Souza

Living room

Sit out

the monotony. The colour and texture of the walls and soft furnishings are simple, maintaining a sleek trendy look. Gigantic earthen pots with plants create a distinctive aura. With the bedrooms and living spaces facing the bracing waters, it’s a tranquil and serene setting for those seeking undisturbed privacy amid thoroughly natural environs. Architect D’Souza has achieved a sense of openness by exploring visually and technically sound ideas to create a home that seems to flow from one corner to another seamlessly. The result has been a beautiful bungalow that not only radiates a visual impression

of space but also strikes a chord with nature. Says Sanjana, “We selected the furniture from different places – and it clicked. I am thoroughly satisfied with the outcome of the house”. A guest bedroom along the riverfront houses a signature bed with furnishing and other amenities that will indeed make any guest feel comfortable. The upper floors house the children’s rooms and the master bedroom as well as the family entertainment zone. The puja room with an impressive, exquisitely carved wooden mandir opens out onto the largesse of the

family room. The entertainment room has a home theatre and low-level seating arrangement. The master bedroom sees a clean demarcation of areas. With large clear glass openings in the form of windows, the bedroom opens the inside to the exterior elements, ushering in natural light. In cream and brown, the master bedroom exudes luxury opening out into a wooden balcony. The simplicity percolates into the walk-in dresser, where the wood-finished wardrobe breaks the monotony of cream-coloured tile. The toilet at the end of the dresser is finished with glass mosaics and Italian marble, adding to the open feel of the bathroom. Children Soham and Sachi’s room sports a cream and brown palette of materials. Simple wardrobes act as decor elements that enhance the visual impression. This room also leads to a wooden balcony. The overall monotony of earthy shades is broken up by dashes of colour in the form of modern artwork that enhances the visual appeal and add character to the abode. The interesting feature of the design is that although there is sense of visual openness, the privacy of each space is maintained while subtly slipping in sophisticated fixtures and stylish features. n

Dining room

Luxury Redefined

HOSPITALITY A column which reviews the best hotels in Goa

A stone’s throw from Candolim beach, FORTUNE SELECT REGINA by WelcomGroup offers guests a contemporary, classy and cosy stay

ith a quiet and peaceful location in Candolim, the Fortune Select Regina is a contemporary, upscale full service leisure and business four-star hotel. Cleverly positioned away from the hustle of the locality, it overlooks verdant rice fields offering panoramic views that encompass undulating green hills, the historic Candolim church and picturesque Nerul creek. The property is owned by the Acron group – two brothers, Amar and Dr John Britto. Their group comprises four companies with interests in property development, hospitality, construction and retail.

SINEAD McMANUS has lived and worked in Goa for the last six years. Her job entails travelling extensively around India, promoting the country to the British/American Travel Trade and to the independent traveller

‘

Since Fortune Select Regina opened, a wide variety of guests have stayed with us. I have a great team at the hotel and our effort has been to try and create the best possible experience for every guest

the r– w o t c e e vi X fa ar Its trysid gul n – re d cou e Com ns an l to motio l i t S pro food vals i fest

- Aseem Varma General Manager Fortune Select Regina

Having worked with the ITC WelcomGroup for a number of years, I was delighted to have the opportunity to experience one of their properties here in Goa. Arriving at the hotel, we were immediately met with countryside views. The friendly staff welcomed us and soon after the formalities we were led to our room. Delighted with the size and its contemporary décor we settled in for a weekend of relaxation. Fortune Select Regina offers a selection of 102 well-appointed rooms including 70 deluxe rooms, 25 luxury rooms, six suites and one room for the differently-abled. All rooms have been

tastefully decorated, equipped with all modern amenities, with private balconies to enjoy the view. For today’s discerning traveller, it is what one would expect and a lot more. Executive Chef Mushabir Hassan and Food & Beverage Manager Rakesh Dogra were always nearby to ensure that we were pampered during our stay. Offering a variety of dining options to suit the tastes of its local and international guests, there are five dining destinations available. The Orchid – the main restaurant with a live kitchen station – offers a choice of mouth-watering delicacies from a range of cuisines. Guests come together to feast on its very special buffet. The Goan Curry House is an exclusive specialty

restaurant that serves authentic Goan delicacies complemented by select Goan and Portuguese wines in an intimate setting. Nostradamus – the Smokers Lounge Bar is the perfect spot to unwind and relax. The Verandah – a breezy extension of Orchid is ideal for quick snacks and to enjoy poolside activities. The Barbeque Grill was the favoured option for our evening meal. On offer was an array of fresh grilled local seafood. We indulged and treated ourselves to an exquisite lobster dish accompanied by a chilled bottle of white wine. With the beautiful surroundings and the attention from the staff, the evening became a perfect dining experience.

Hidden away on the first floor is the spa and gym – Time Out. A small space but with three experienced lady masseurs, they make great use of their surroundings. From full body to facial massages to pedicures to manicures or a menu full of different options, this is a great combination that allows hours of pure indulgence. Also on offer is the Abade Faria banqueting hall, ideal for hosting corporate events as well as social functions. The Fortune Select Regina, a hotel where vibrant energy blends with comfortable architecture, offers an ideal destination for a memorable holiday or a perfect business trip. n

COUTURE

On what’s haute in the world of fashion in Goa

Handbag

Essentials Be it a run-of-the-mill workday or a night out on the town, there are certain must-haves which need to be on hand at all times

DIKSHA KHANNA has a master’s degree in fashion design from Leeds University, UK. She has worked as an executive with Globus and as a senior fashion designer with the Giovanni Group. She is currently based in Goa

he focus of this article is on one of my favorite accessories, the handbag. You should decide what to put in it according to the items you normally use every day. When choosing, do it wisely and stick to the basics. Opt for a few essentials that every woman should carry in her handbag. As for the rest, just throw it away!

t e l l Wa

A wallet is the simplest and easiest way to keep track of your most sensitive information. We all need a good, versatile and stylish wallet. The kind that can evolve with the change of trends and seasons. The ideal wallet goes with anything and fits everything from ATM cards to ID proofs to cash and references.

Suggested brands: Hidesign, GUESS

Phone

While this might seem like an obvious essential, there are times when we struggle to figure out that corner of our purse where the phone is ringing from. It is always a good idea to keep the phone in a phone case. One has ample options of stylish glam cases – from crystal-studded to subtle, printed ones.

Suggested brands: Nicole Miller phone cases and pouches

t c a mp

Who doesn’t want to look gorgeous all day long? With such hectic travel schedules, you may feel like your hair or makeup is in need of a touchup. Pack a small compact with a small mirror so you won’t have to try to check out your reflection in glass windows.

Suggested brands: MAC, L’Oreal, Revlon, Streetwear

Lip

ss o l G

This is a definite essential for any girl’s purse and works as the best quick-fix tip if you are tired. A lip gloss can add instant freshness to your face and can bring attention to your mouth (and the topic of your conversation). Go for the multifunctional lip glosses which come in two colours, one for night and the other for day and are 100 per cent cruelty-free. It’s also always a good idea to have some lip balm in your purse.

Suggested brands: L’Oreal, Revlon

Body Spray/Mini-Perfume A refreshing, non-greasy body mist is a must-carry item in the summer. However, pay attention that your perfume does not leak into your handbag. You can opt for mini-perfumes so you can freshen up quickly.

Suggested brands: Benetton Sport, Davidoff, Nike Women

n e e r c s n u

No matter what season, sunscreen is a must. Do not leave your house without applying and carrying a sunscreen in your bag.

Suggested brands: Neutrogena Dry-Touch SPF 30, Cheryl SPF 30, VLCC SPF 30

Sunglasses

They not only make a cool style quotient but also protect your eyes from harsh rays. So you better have them on you.

Suggested brands: Ray-Ban, Fast Track, DKNY, BVLGARI, FCUK, Aldo 49

Gum/Mints

Suggested brands: Orbit, Wrigley

Fresh breath is mandatory whether you are at the office or out with friends.

WELLNESS

A regular column featuring the great spas of Goa

PARINEETA SETHI is the Publisher and Editor-in-chief of ‘AsiaSpa India’. She is an authority on spas and has closely followed the spa culture in Goa

A ‘Divine’ Retreat A sanctuary in the heart of the city, THE DIVINE SPA at The Crown Goa offers a rejuvenating Indo-Oriental experience with a spiritual touch

estled on a hillock with a breathtaking view of the Mandovi River and an arresting backdrop of Panaji, The Crown Goa, a five-star business hotel, enjoys a captivating location. To add to the relaxing ambience, The Divine Spa is the right way to pamper yourself. Offering a fusion of Indo-Oriental therapies, the menu is specially designed for stress relieving therapies and organic scrubs and wraps. The Divine Experience, the spa’s signature package treatment includes deep tissue, after sun facial and luxurious brown sugar scrubs as well as deep conditioning for the scalp. This package purposefully enhances oxygen flow in the blood and muscle detoxification. Devoted to the service of a deity, the concept of The Divine Spa

stems from the owners of the hotel who are highly spiritual in their approach to life. With two therapy rooms equipped with steam and shower, a team of four spa professionals who have graduated from Lambency Academy, New Delhi are at hand to take the utmost care of you. The therapists have been trained by Rich Earth India for exclusive spa treatments. Intricate mosaic work and warm wooden walls make you feel right at home as the therapists massage your stress away. The Divine Spa with its prime location is not just meant for tourists but also discerning locals. So, relax and renew your energy, surrender to the TLC on offer for a vacation of the mind, body and soul. n

‘

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;

Our new Divine Spa & Salon has been a value addition to our hotel as it not only provides services to our resident guests but also to discerning locals

Bhakti Dempo Director, The Crown Goa

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;

HOMING IN

A regular column by foreigners who have made Goa their home

Paradise Found... ... And Lost?

LES AND SHEILA MEDCROFT left the UK to set up home in Goa and are hoping that the stringent regulations will be relaxed to allow them to retire here

Les and Sheila Medcroft outside Hotel Oceanic, Palolem

e first visited India in 1996 and spent three weeks in Kerala enjoying a beach and temple holiday. We immediately felt a connection with the country. During the next three years we returned for up to six months, exploring the state and also visiting Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Sadly in 1999 a very close friend of ours in the UK died. Shortly after, his wife approached us and told that he had spent many years coming to Goa and that his last wish was to have his ashes scattered there. We agreed to bring his ashes to Goa where we arranged a puja on Vagator beach with his Goan friends. It was a very moving ceremony performed by a local holy man. Although we had come to Goa for such a sad reason we were totally knocked out by the beautiful scenery and the happy and friendly people. We had been told about this quiet place in the south called Palolem Beach in Canacona and decided to check it out. As we got out of our taxi in Palolem, our breath was taken away by the beautiful view. The Western Ghats dipping into the Arabian Sea framing a perfect horseshoe-shaped beach complete with swaying palms and tropical vegetation, fishermanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s boats lined up waiting to go out to sea all seemed so perfect. There were not many places to stay then. It was mostly local families offering rooms to backpackers with the odd basic guest house. We really loved the peace and the large variety

of wildlife â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from the marauding langur monkeys, mongoose and colourful lizards, to the many varieties of crabs darting about the beach, dolphins and the numerous varieties of tropical birds. We truly felt we had found paradise. After staying there for a few days, we realised there was a lack of mid-range accommodation for those people who wanted more home comforts. The following year one of our daughters started up a UK-based travel company sponsored by HRH Prince of Wales. The company was called Search for Paradise and we were enlisted as business development directors. Our job was to travel throughout Asia to find suitable accommodation for her customers. We travelled through Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, eventually ending up in Goa. We found plenty of nice hotels in the north, but once again we could not find a place in Canacona which we could recommend to our daughterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s customers. While we were here we met up with two local men who also felt that there was a gap in the market. After many weeks of discussions and research into foreign investments including emails, letters and visits to the Reserve Bank

of India we found out that foreign investment in the tourism industry was possible. An Indian company was formed by our two Indian directors who later invited us to join the company. Hotel Oceanic was eventually purchased by the company in April 2003. The previous owner had planted mango and coconut trees around his residence which he later converted into a hotel. The trees offer welcome shady areas and also encourage visits from local langur monkeys and a huge variety of birds. Unfortunately for the previous owner the hotel business had not been a success and we inherited just one booking for the whole season. Since then the company has totally revamped the place and turned it into one of the most sought-after boutique hotels in South Goa. We have a data base of more than 3,000 customers and are booked up months in advance. Most of our staff have worked with us for eight years now and have become our Indian family. We have laughed and cried with them and hold them very close to our hearts. There is however a downside to living and working in Goa and that, we are

sad to say, is the state governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attitude to foreigners. Despite the fact that more than 100,000 Goans live, work and own homes in the UK, the government here has stopped foreigners from buying any immovable property. They are also investigating sale deeds involving foreigners to find a reason to confiscate properties and levy a fine of up to three times the purchase price against the buyer. Some buyers have been given wrong information on the rules and regulations of buying property by both advocates and builders. If people cannot rely on information given by an advocate for conveyance, who can they trust? It is also sad but true that we will not be allowed to retire here in Goa although we pay our taxes. We are only able to stay in the country as long as we are able to work. Luckily we do have a very good relationship with the locals here and we enjoy putting on fund-raising events and giving swimming coaching to youngsters. We will be very sorry to say goodbye to all the good friends we have made here once we reach retirement age, but unless things change we have no other choice. n

Pics by Ozgur Kurt

GOAN CUISINE

A monthly column offering the best of Goan food and drink

For a Rainy Day A steaming hot cup of home-made soup goes down well during the rains. I also present two vegetable shaaks as there is always a scarcity of fish in this month

(Green Peas Spinach Soup( Serves 4

Ingredients

Chef DEEPA AWCHAT, originally from Mapusa, is the co-founder of ‘Goa Portuguesa’, ‘Culture Curry’ and ‘Diva Maharashtra’, Mumbai’s popular, award wining restaurants. She is also the author of ‘The Goa Portuguesa Cookbook’ deepaawchat@ goaportuguesa.com

For a quick chicken stock, add one chicken stock cube to a cup of water

(Creamy Seafood Soup(

Serves 4

Ingredients Butter.............................................. 2 tbsps Garlic, chopped.............................. 8 cloves Onion, chopped.............................. 2 tbsps Grated carrot.................................. 2 tbsps Boiled mixed seafood..................... 200 gms (50 gms each of tiny prawns, squid, clams, crab meat) 1 cup Milk................................................ 1 tsp Refined flour................................... 3 cups Chicken stock or water.................... 2 Chicken stock cubes....................... 4 tbsps Cream............................................. 1 tsp White pepper powder..................... Salt to taste

Method

Heat the butter in a pan and sauté the garlic until brown. Add the chopped onion and sauté until it changes colour. Add the grated carrot and seafood and sauté for a minute. Add the milk, refined flour, stock or water, stock cubes and salt to taste. Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer until moderately thick. Stir in the cream and white pepper powder. Cook for two minutes, stirring continuously. Serve hot.

2 3

Shelled green peas...........80 gms (¾ cup) Finely chopped spinach.. 20 gms (¼ cup) 1 medium Potato................................. 1 tbsp Chopped Garlic................... ½ tsp White pepper powder......... ¼ tsp Sugar.................................. 1 tsp Butter................................. 1 ½ cup Water.................................. 1 Veg stock cubes................. Salt to taste

Method

Lightly mash half the potion of green peas and keep aside. Make a purée of the remaining half of green peas in a mixture. Heat butter in a pan and sauté garlic until brown. Add spinach, mashed green peas, grated potato and sauté for two minutes. Add green peas purée, simmer it for two minutes. Add water and bring it to a boil, lower heat and let it simmer on a medium flame until it slightly thickens. Add pepper powder, sugar, powdered stock cube and salt to taste and cook for two minutes. Serve hot.

2 3 4 5

( Gharyachi Shaak ( Tender Jackfruit with Coconut

Serves 4

Ingredients

(Popayachi Shaak(

Vegetables like brinjal, ridge gourd, lady’s fingers, pumpkin, breadfruit, gherkins and radish can be cooked in the same way

Tender Papaya with Coconut Serves 4

Method

Ingredients Tender green unripe papaya...................... Grated coconut........................................... Split pigeon peas....................................... Oil............................................................... Onion, finely chopped................................ Green chillies, slit....................................... Coriander powder....................................... Cumin powder............................................. Pepper powder............................................ Sugar.......................................................... Mustard seeds............................................ Asafoetida Salt to taste

Unripe jackfruit............................................... 350 gms 20 Jackfruit seeds.................................................. Grated coconut.................................................. 1 cup 3 Green chillies.................................................... Oil..................................................................... 4 tbsps Mustard seeds.................................................. ½ tsp Asafoetida........................................................2 pinches Sugar................................................................ ½ tsp Salt to taste

600 gms ½ cup 2 tbsps 4 tbsps 1 large 2 ½ tsp ¼ tsp ½ tsp ½ tsp ½ tsp 2 pinches

Method

Cut the jackfruit into one-inch long thin pieces. Boil the jackfruit seeds in water and cover for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool. Peel the seeds and cut into small pieces. Grind the grated coconut and green chillies with half-a-cup of water to a fine paste. Heat the oil in a pan and add the mustard seeds and asafoetida. When the mustard seeds begin to splutter, add the jackfruit pieces and chopped seeds. Sauté for two minutes. Add one fourth cup of water, cover the pan and cook for ten minutes until tender. Add the ground coconut paste, sugar and salt and mix well. Serve hot with any Indian bread.

2 3 4 5

Peel and cut the papaya into half-inch 1 cubes. You should get four cups. Soak the split pigeon peas in half-a-cup of water for 20 minutes. Boil the dal

and set aside. Heat three tablespoons of oil in a pan; add the onion and green chillies and sauté until the onion changes colour. Add the papaya and sauté for two minutes. Add one-fourth cup of water and cook for five minutes until soft. Add the cooked split pigeon peas, coriander, cumin and pepper powders and mix well. Add the coconut, sugar and salt, and cook over low heat. Heat one tablespoon of oil in a small pan; add the mustard seeds and asafoetida. When the seeds begin to splutter, pour the sizzling spices over the papaya and mix well. Serve hot with any Indian bread.

2 3 4 5

BIZ NOTES

Manguerish Pai Raikar new President of GCCI

anguerish Pai Raikar has been elected the President of Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) for 2011-13.

The Managing Director and Chairman of Brown Packaging System and Director of S R Consultancy Service, said, “I am happy that members have reposed faith in me as I am from a small business segment – small scale industries. My hard work has paid dividends. I have the opportunity to do something in the field of entrepreneurship. I will form a special committee to develop business plans and turn the innovative ideas of the next generation

into reality. This will give Goan youth an opportunity to become entrepreneurs and create job opportunities.” Pai Raikar previously served as the vice president of the GCCI and has been on its managing committee since 1990. He has authored two books on VAT law. He was recognised for Excellence in Entrepreneurship in 1988 by the President and was awarded the Manager Of The Year Award in 2002 by Goa Management Association.

MPT promises quality service at Kolhapur trade meet Chairman of MPT P Mara Pandiyan, IAS, addresses the Trade Meet at Kolhapur. Also seen are Biplav Kumar, Mankoskar Rao, Rajendra Paibir, N Vaiyapuri and Anand Mane

ormugao Port Trust (MPT) chairman P Mara Pandiyan, IAS, promised quality one-to-one service without restrictive cut-off times at competitive rates to prospective clients at a trade meet in Kolhapur. “We are one of the seven major ports of the country and are located very close to Kolhapur,” he said at the meet organised in collaboration with the Kolhapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “Our service comes at a much better competitive tariff compared to other ports. We will also refrain from cut-off times, as this forces you to rush through your

job within a give amount of time, failing which your consignment is assigned to the next vessel. We will provide personalised service, which includes having your problems redressed either by me or one of our officers. MPT will look at opening an office in Kolhapur to co-ordinate export and import so problems are solved at your doorstep.” Others present included Deputy Chairman of MPT Biplav Kumar, Assistant Commissioner of Customs Mankoskar Rao, President of the Kolhapur Chamber of Commerce and Industries Anand Mane, Secretary of MPT Rajendra Paibir and Traffic Manager N Vaiyapuri. Kumar, IRTS, a senior Indian

Railways officer on deputation to MPT, said, “A decision has been taken to connect the single line railway at Vasco station to a double line. Most iron ore traffic in Goa comes via barges through the Zuari River. There is a possibility that the business culture will see sense in transporting containers by barges.” Paibir said, “Our transportation charges will be competitive and we also have lower handling charges compared to all other ports,” he added. Vaiyapuri gave an overview of the port’s facilities and strengths, while Mane encouraged traders to conduct business with MPT due to its advantages. The meet ended with an interactive session.

Margao to get handicrafts mall

hief Minister Digambar Kamat laid the foundation stone for the proposed Rs18.5 crore handicrafts mall at Margao. The ceremony was held in the presence of Member of Parliament Priya Dutt, Member of Legislative Assembly and Vice Chairman of Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) Francisco Silveira, Asha Kamat, Chairperson of Margao Municipality Sushila Naik, and Chairman of Goa Handicraft, Rural Small Scale Industries Development Corporation Sameer Salgaonkar. The project will cover 15,754 square meters and will be equipped with modern facilities. The work will be executed under GSIDC and is expected to be completed in 14 months. The site will also house premises for the Goa Renewable Energy Education Park (GREEP). The mall is envisaged

Member of Parliament Priya Dutt unveils the foundation stone for the proposed handicrafts mall as Chairperson of Margao Municipality Sushila Naik, Asha Kamat, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, Chairman of GHRSSIDC Sameer Salgaonkar and Vice Chairman of GSIDC Francisco Silveira look on

to provide a platform for local Goan artisans. The Chief Minister said a similar mall will also be set up in north Goa for self-help groups and artisans to market their products. He said since this site will house premises for GREEP, it will benefit, people, tourists and students as well. Kamat added that women excel

in every field and that this ambitious project will benefit nearly 70 self-help groups from Margao, besides artisans to showcase their creativity and market products. Dutt termed the setting up of the sourcing hub as an important step to promote handicraft items. She said Goa is known as a tourist hub as thousands of tourists visit the state every year.

The Sol makes a mark in Conde Nast’s Hot List Hotels

he Sol in Nerul has been featured in Conde Nast Traveler magazine’s Hot List Hotels 2011 line-up. The boutique hotel, owned by Suraj Morajkar, was described as a “20-room newcomer with tranquil views over rice paddies and the Sinquerim River to Candolim church”. Launched in 2010, The Sol has 16 luxury rooms and four luxury suites, each with a river view. It was designed by ace Indian designer Tarun Tahiliani to blend with the landscape and has strong Goan influences with a Portuguese classical feel. The resort is one among 25 picked for the Asia section, alongside St Regis Lhasa Resort in Tibet, Hotel Kanra in Kyoto, Fusion Maia Da Nang in Vietnam and Villa Romonea in Cambodia. The list spans 43 countries and comprises an eclectic group, from tree houses to farmhouses, spanning a wide range of costs per night, but “sharing a common standard in their artful blend of high style and a strong sense of place”.

BIZ NOTES

Gitanjali Jewels opens multi-brand store in Panaji

itanjali Group has opened a multi-brand in Panaji, the first such showroom in the state retailing high-end diamond and gold brands along with international watch brands. Gitanjali Jewels is one of India’s leading jewellery retailing chains and presents a bouquet of the country’s main brands including Nakshatra, Gili, D’damas, Asmi, Diya, Maya Gold, Parineeta, Collection G, Gold Expressions and others targeted at different consumers under various price segments. According to the company, this is the first multi-brand jewellery showroom in Panaji which showcases classic, ethnic and casual designs under multiple brands and collections. Gitanjali Jewels is getting off to a glittering start with a number of promotional offers, including the Great Indian Wedding Carnival offer currently on with free gifts. Managing Director of Gitanjali Jewels Santosh Srivastava said, “Purity, variety and authenticity are the vital ingredients of any shopping experience for a consumer, and Gitanjali Jewels strongly communicates this message in its delightful brand portfolio. Our products can be exchanged Pan India across any of our stores, thus providing more flexibility to the end user. “No gift could be more enduring than a diamond, and we claim to

Santosh Srivastava

be the perfect place on earth to get one. At Gitanjali Jewels, our aim is to provide a unique jewellery shopping experience to customers.” Gitanjali Jewels also helps consumers plan their purchases through a popular monthly saving scheme called Tamanna, which has also been introduced in Goa. Under the savings plan, a consumer can manage his or her savings more efficiently and plan ahead to make a purchase. The firm provides two monthly installments as a bonus to consumers on payment of 12 monthly installments. The chain was chosen as the Best Multi-brand and Jewellery Retail Chain Of The Year at the prestigious Retail Jeweller India Awards i 2009, and it also won the Fashion Retailer Of The Year 2010 and Franchiser Of The Year 2010 honours at the Franchise India Holdings Ltd and Star Retailer Awards.

BIZ NOTES

Goa Chartered Accountants bag WIRC awards

he Goa Branch of Institute of Chartered Accountants won a double achievement with the Best Branch Award in the medium branch category for 2010 and the Best Research Project 2010 on how Goan motorcycle pilots can be helped in financing and self-sustaining. Reacting to the honour by the Western India Regional Council (WIRC), chairman of the Goa Branch Ashish Prabhu Verlekar gave the credit to his managing committee team including Virendra Prabhudesai, Anup Borkar, P R Hegde, Naveen Daivajna and Kiran Kharangate. Verlekar said the award will give a boost to chartered accountants in Goa and also attract young talent to pursue the profession.

CA Ashish Prabhu Verlekar receives the award for the best branch in the medium branch category from President of Institute of Chartered Accountants of India G Ramaswamy

The branch has more than 500 members. During 2010-11 it took initiatives to keep abreast of new fiscal challenges such as the Goods and Service tax, Direct Tax Code, International Financial Reporting Standards. The CA Students Association at Goa was formed and learning programmes, orientation courses, CPE classes, IT training, industrial visits etc were organised.

Titan Eye Plus introduces Cabana sunglasses

itan Eyewear, the third consumer-facing business of Titan industries Ltd launched a new classy brand of Cabana – Fashion sunglasses from Titan. Introducing the hottest styles and sunglass designs, Titan Eye Plus has added another feather to their cap with Cabana. The collection is targeted at the sophisticated fashion

conscious consumer. A collection of 50 designs offers fashionable styles for men, and chic frames, gradient lens, bug eye shape and shell frames for women. The collection is a combination of aviator styles in light weight acetate/metal. The models are available in an array of colours ranging from warm shades to shiny metals. The collection is available at Titan Eye Plus outlets in select cities across the country.

Dr Batra’s opens clinic in Goa

r Batra’s Positive Health Clinic Pvt Ltd, the world’s largest homeopathic healthcare corporate, opened its first clinic in Goa in Panaji, offering holistic treatment to the state’s patients. The state-of-the-art clinic offers treatment to cover chronic diseases including respiratory ailments, hair loss, psoriasis, allergies, white patches, weight management, chronic fatigue syndrome, lifestyle and stress-related disorders. Dr Mukesh Batra, chairman and managing director, said, “Homeopathy is the medicine of the future. It is gaining increasing popularity as a safe and gentle

system of medicine across the world and addresses the underlying causes of acute or chronic diseases, rather than treating just the symptoms of disease. “It is our endeavour to invent and introduce world-class homeopathy, supported by cutting-edge technology, for our customers to gain maximum benefits from our brand. We are confident that we will receive full support from Goa for this ultimate well-being experience.” Dr Batra’s latest addition follows the launch of clinics in Muscat, Dubai and London. As part of their expansion plans, Dr Batra’s will be opening new clinics this year in places including Bangalore, Mumbai and New Delhi.

Chairman and managing director Dr Mukesh Batra inaugurates Goa’s first Dr Batra’s clinic in Panaji.

Emgee launches super-luxury apartments and villas in Dona Paula

mgee Group, a leading real estate company in Goa and Maharashtra, has launched a super-luxury residential project in Dona Paula called Anantam. The name Anantam means ‘infinite and endless’ in Sanskrit, a name that Emgee hopes will characterise the beachfront project of apartments and villas designed by acclaimed architect Sanjay Puri. Each home on the site is planned with the same unrestricted view across the bay. Sophia Fernandes, Vice President – sales and marketing Emgee Group, said, “Anantam is set in a unique location at Dona Paula which sets it apart from any other in Goa. It promises to be the jewel in the crown of all super-luxury projects in Goa.” On offer are luxury apartments and villas, some including penthouses with rooftop swimming pools, duplex garden apartments with sea views, more than 75 private and semi-private pools and a clubhouse with spa and boardroom facilities. Architect Puri has won commendations for Mixed Use Architecture, Residential Architecture and Tall Buildings Architecture at the recently held Marché International des

Professionels d’Immobilier (MIPIM), the world’s largest real estate convention held annually in Cannes, France. Emgee Group is a real estate and development company whose green focus in initiating projects of rain-water harvesting in India have won the prestigious Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum Certification from the non-profit organisation the United States Green Building Council. The group’s focus has been to create

spectacular residential projects with innovative architectural designs, and it has roped in a team of expert professionals led by architect Puri to create Anantam. The Emgee Group began as an entrepreneurial venture by Vikas Group Vice Chairman Mudhit Gupta in 2002. The company believes in a commitment to shrinking carbon footprints through energy-saving recourse. It weaves in the eco-living matrix through water recycling and rainwater harvesting.

BIZ NOTES

fter making waves in Korea and France recently, LG Electronics India Ltd (LGEIL) is set to wow the Indian market featuring its next generation 3D TV – the Cinema 3D TV. The new breakthrough in 3D technology in the Home Entertainment segment debuted nationally as well as in the Goan market. Cinema 3D TV has LG’s proprietary Film Patterned Retarder (FPR) panel, recognised as a superior 3D liquid crystal display (LCD) technology. At the launch of Cinema 3D TV LGEIL’s Managing Director, Soon Kwon said, “LG is committed to developing technology and products that exceed today’s expectations of innovation. Cinema 3D TV is the perfect choice when it comes to watching 3D entertainment for longer periods in greater comfort. We’re eager to show everyone just how exciting our new 3D TVs are and why we’re confident this will become the industry standard for 3D TV technology.” Thanks to its Film Patterned Retarder (FPR) technology – the Cinema 3D TV optimises the separation of images for the left and right eye to give viewers clear 3D pictures with less crosstalk, meaning no more dizziness and eye fatigue that sometimes occurs with wearing shutter glasses. This advance has earned the TV a ‘flicker free’ certification from Intertek and TÜV, two world-renowned certification agencies based in Europe, making it the world’s first 3D TV to receive the designation. Further ramping up the picture quality is LG’s 3D Light Boost, a thin film that ensures 3D images are shown at their full brightness. A wide viewing angle and flexible viewing positions make Cinema 3D ideal for watching in groups or while sitting or lying down in any spot in front of the screen. The Cinema 3D TV boasts all the advantages of LG’s Smart TV technology, including access to premium content via top global

LG breaks boundaries of entertainment with new Cinema 3D TVs providers as well as the best in India (Hunagama, NDTV, Indiatimes, Carwale and Zapak). Furthermore LG Cinema 3D TV addresses the problem that affected previous 3D sets – the lack of content. With a new, highly advanced 2D to 3D conversion feature, the Cinema 3D TV can convert 2D content into high quality 3D, so viewers will never be short of things to watch in 3D. To immerse viewers fully in the 3D TV experience, Cinema 3D TV comes with 3D glasses in four different models for different segments. At launch, LG offers four sets of glasses with every TV purchase and additional sets can be purchased for Rs1000 for a basic model 3D glasses. The 3D glasses are also available in a convenient, unobtrusive clip-on format, which is easy for consumers who wear spectacles. Also available are designer glasses which can be used as sunglasses and party-pack 3D glasses for children and teenagers. At just 16 grams, LG Cinema 3D glasses weigh around half as much as conventional 3D glasses, promising a more comfortable viewing experience. The glasses do not need to be recharged at all, letting viewers enjoy 3D images whenever they want, for as long as they want. Also, the glasses have no electrical components, so consumers have no need to worry about electromagnetic waves. Speaking about the LG’s Home

‘

Entertainment targets for 2011 Kwon said, “LG Cinema 3D TV arrives in a marketplace that was slow to accept 3D in the first year, but will change the 3D viewing experience with FPR technology. With this new Cinema 3D Smart TV range we expect to bolster our FPD sales at a growth rate of more than 100 per cent. We aim to be a market leader in 3D TV market with a share of 50 per cent. Commenting on the 3D Cinema TV in Goa, branch manager of LG, Goa, Macjoe Rebello was delighted with the tremendous response received in Goa. He said that customers who experienced the Cinema 3D at the five LG Shoppes as well as at the exhibitions were impressed with the Product Features and Offerings.

The new breakthrough in 3D technology in the home entertainment segment debuted nationally as well as in the Goan market. CINEMA 3D TV has LG’s proprietary Film Patterned Retarder (FPR) panel, recognised as a superior 3D liquid crystal display (LCD) technology.

’

Soon Kwon MD, LGEIL

HAPPENINGS

VIVA GOA turns 1! I

Sanjay & Shalini Shrivastava

t was a night off for VIVA GOA as the team celebrated its first anniversary. The evening was a mix of style and elegance as Goa’s glitterati hob-nobbed at the Goa Marriott Resort. “VIVA GOA has raised the standard of magazine journalism and I can vouch that it is a magazine which can be placed in the same league of national publications,” said Speaker Pratapsingh Rane. Award-wining author Maria Aurora Couto, who was the special guest said, “The magazine has a variety of themes and vibrancy without stressing on the negative side. It is Goans talking to themselves as well as informing the world about Goa and Goans.” Rane along with author Couto and Kedar Dhume, editor and publisher of VIVA GOA released the anniversary issue. Senior advocate Atmaram Nadkarni and Dr Kedar Padte wished the team the best.

Atmaram & Dr Sanjyot Nadkarni

P Mara & Savithri Pandiyan

Dr Yasmin & Dr M Modassir

Dilip & Dr Pramod Salgaoncar

P K Mukherjee

Dr Kedar Padte

Kedar Dhume, Maria Aurora Couto & Pratapsingh Rane

Pallavi & Shrinivas Dempo

Vijayadevi Rane

Biplav Kumar

Arjun Salgaonkar

Pics by John D’Souza & Sanoj Rajesh

Meghna & Manoj Caculo

Nirupa & Vivek Angle

Roopa & Nitin Kunkolienkar

Dattaprasad & Anjali Kamat

Amita & Ramnath Quenim

Manguirish & Varsha Pai Raikar

Akash & Aparna Khaunte

Varsha & Swapnil Naik

Pratima & Gaurish Dhond

Suhan Karkal

Rajesh Dempo

Prashant Quenim

Nikhil Desai

CĂŠsar Menezes

Vivek Kerkar

Brigadier S C K Puri

Menino Peres

Rama & V M Prabhudesai

Nandan Kudchodkar

Pavithran Nambiar

Sangeeta & Natarajan Sriram

Amit & Aparna Pradhan

Vini & Prasad Keni

Dr Muriel & K K Shekhar

Ganda & Tata Thakur

Samir Dukle

Arvind Bhagania

Anita & Gurudas Kamat

Annand & Celsa Madgavkar

Dr Sangam & Dr Tosha Karade

Puranjaya Singh & Nivedita Dempo

Dinesh & Supriya Sinari

Asheen & Hanif Laljee

Shweta & Siddha Sardessai

Dilip Kulkarni

Ashwin Tombat

Parvish Kamat

Sajjan Bhatkar

Kanchan & Rajan Desai

Dr Pandurang Phaldesai & Sunil Sardessai

Dr Shekhar, Dr Medha & Sonal Salkar Supriya Pilgaonkar

Venkatesh & Veena Prabhu Moni

Basil & Nenette Fernandes

Amay & Neha Panvelkar

Sonia & Gaurang Suktankar

Parind Nachinolcar

Saji Thomas & Clive Sequeira

Tejashri & Vaman Pai

Shivam & Neha Desai

Namita & Deepak Tripathi

Amit & Reshma Sukhthankar

Urvija & Harsh Bhatkuly

Pallavi & Akshay Jain

Siddali & Manguirish Kakodkar

Manish & Aditi Karapurkar

Mrs & Vijay Kalangutkar

Smita & Kiran Shirshat

Welsh Colaco

Suraj & Shefali Caculo

Lyndon & Reshma Alvares

Terence Nunes

Premal & Reshma Javeri

Uttara & Sagar Kurade

Nilesh & Pallavi Lawande

Sweta Dukle, Priya Verlekar & Archana Deshpande Dr Shekar & Maya Shirwaikar

Smita & Mahesh Patel Manisha, Aaruta & Jayant Naik

Sonali & Nilesh Amonkar

Kamakshi & Prasad Maad

Sandip Kundaikar, Mayuresh Dhume, Ajit & Roma Singbal, Manjari Kundaikar & Sushma Dhume

Seema & Nitin Sud

Sandeep Verekar

Shobana & Pramod Revankar

Nilesh Gaonkar & Dr Nilesh Talwadker

Smita & Mahesh Patil

Krupa & Tamay Kholkar

Ashwini & Girish Ragha

Josepha & Dr Gustavo Pinto

Nicolas & Martina De Souza

Oswin Vaz & Giselle Falcao

Bhupesh & Sneha Shah

Shanice & Darryl Pereira

Pratiksha & Purshottam Mantri

Dr Sanjay & Vidya Sardessai

Vivek Pathiyan & Arvind Sequeira

Macjoe & Eulalia Rebello

Sonal & Nilesh Shah

Nivedita & Hemal Khanderia

Nomratha Fernandes, Christina Viegas, Ramnath Raikar & Reema Kamat

Mumtaz Veljee & Vidhya Prabhu

Joe & Odette Mascarenhas

Milind Shankwalkar

Shekar Sardesai

Nazareth Vaz & Gaurish Shirodkar

Lt Cdr Gaurav & Mrs Sahai

Just Leo

Milind Prabhu

Siddant Yaji & Kapil Kamat

Sushrut Kulkarni & Madhura Pai

Sinead McManus & Michelle Meisuria

Cheryl Almeida

Pooja VInod, Dielle Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Souza, Erika De Noronha, Tamara Faleiro, Belmira Fernandes, Emylou Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Souza & Victoria Pires

Niket Walke & Artemio da Silva

Rahul & Shilpa Deshpande

Manohar Shetty

HAPPENINGS

halini Srivastava, a self-taught artist, held her first solo painting exhibition titled ‘Indian Sculptures’ at Sunaparanta - Goa Centre for the Arts, Altinho. In this series of works, she paid tribute to medieval sculptors with similar importance as seen in original sculptures such as defined attitudes, gestures and expressions. A contemporary style and earthy colours lent her paintings an exuberant and fresh feel. Speaking to VIVA GOA, the artist said, “This series of work is my diary of two decades of travelling around India experiencing its rich heritage.”

Immortalised

on canvas

Governor Dr S S Sidhu inaugurates along with Jackie Shroff

Shrinivas & Pallavi Dempo

Naveen Kapoor

Niharika Srivastava

Mariola Mathias, Vaishali Joshi & Nirupama Kapoor

Rajeev Verma & Pramod Kamat

Mrs & Dr Mahatme

Dattaraj & Deepti Salgaocar

Sonika & Atul Sharma

Nandini Sahai

Cecilia Menezes

Monica Correa

Hari Shirohi & Mahesh Vengurlaker

Natasha & Carlos Ferreira

Manoj Srivastava

Deviprasad Rao & Elena Fedosenko Pics by Shashank Sane

VIVA GOA DIARY

Biplav Kumar receives national award

Renowned lawyer Ram Jethmalani presents the Rashtriya Gaurav Award to Biplav Kumar. Others present include former governor of Tamil Nadu Narayan Singh and Secretary of AICC Ved Prakash

eputy chairman of Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) Biplav Kumar, IRTS, has been awarded the Rashtriya Gaurav Award by the India International Friendship Society at a conference in New Delhi. The award was presented by Member of Parliament and renowned lawyer Ram Jethmalani in recognition of his exceptional caliber and outstanding performance in the chosen area of activity. Kumar is a 1992 batch officer of the Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS). Others present at the conference on Global Participation in Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Economic

Development included former Governor of Tamil Nadu and Assam Bhishma Narayan Singh and Secretary of All India Congress Committee Ved Prakash. The International Publishing House in New Delhi commemorated the event with the publication of a book called The Honoured Best Citizens of India, and have chosen only a few for the award after strict scrutiny, out of a considerable number of entries. The selection is based on the information gathered by them through extensive research to identify the progressive pattern of the dynamic men and women of India.

CMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s son ties the knot

Yogiraj Kamat and his bride Neha Thakur pose at their wedding ceremony

Justice Rebello inaugurates Cuncolim Bhavan

he Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court, Justice Ferdino Rebello, paid rich tribute to freedom fighters from Cuncolim. He claimed that Cuncolim residents were torch bearers of the freedom struggle who also showed the path for change and development, opined the Chief Justice and a son-of-the-soil of Cuncolim village. He inaugurated the Bhavan constructed by Cuncolim Union Club recently. Built at a cost of Rs65 lakhs, it houses a convention hall, gymnasium and recreation centre. Justice Rebello felt that students should also contribute to culture, social and sports fields. “The Bhavan must be used by the youth for their individual progress. The club must also mull over opening a library to inculcate reading among students,” he said. Justice Rebello praised the erstwhile members of the club

Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court Justice Ferdino Rebello inaugurates the Bhavan constructed by Cuncolim Union Club in the presence of Digambar Kamat, Joaquim Alemao, Elvis Gomes, Purnanand Chari and Ramesh Naik

for delivering yeoman services in the field of sports. He also lamented the fact that the youth have not come forward in large numbers to contribute to football. He was concerned about the lack of a sizeable number of sportsmen in the state. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat praised the club for its services rendered to society. Kamat recounted the days when the club had left an indelible mark in the field of football and hoped that the

Bhavan will serve as a place for the all-round development of Cuncolim youth. Urban Development Minister Joaquim Alemao promised to assist the club in its future endeavours. A souvenir was also released at the hands of Justice Rebello to mark the occasion. President of the club and senior officer of the Goa Civil Service Elvis Gomes under whose initiative the Bhavan has been built, welcomed the audience.

Wendell Rodricks summer collection at The Park Bangalore

endell Rodricks showed a zesty summer Sorbet Splash collection of loungewear destined to scorch like the sizzling sands of Goa at The Park Bangalore. Blended into a feni cocktail are lime green, chilli tomato, hot fuchsia, white sand, black iron ore and curaçao blue to create a heady summer emotion. Against a backdrop of lazy sussegado serenades of Brazilian Bossa Nova, Latin cha cha and Parisian blues spliced with Goan rave and Carnival Stomp, DJ Troy from Goa has blended a fine sorbet of delicious music. The Wendell Rodricks Sorbet Splash collection from Goa was The Park’s shimmery tribute to a stunning summer. Applauding the vibrant-coloured collection were Bangalore’s A-list including Prasad Bidappa, Stanley Pinto, Waseem Khan and from Mumbai, ace choreographer Sharmila Roy Chowdhary Khanna who booked two dresses immediately post the show.

VIVA GOA DIARY

14 Goans speed closer to India F1 driver dream

Dr Vijay Mallya, Chairman UB Group and Kingfisher Airlines

ourteen Goans have won the chance of becoming the next Indian Formula One driver after a tremendous response to the qualifications for the national finals of a unique contest ‘One From A Billion Hunt’ organised by the Force India Formula One Team Academy. Keith DeSouza, Raul Costa and Jonas Fernandes scored the quickest times at the Goa regional trials in May at the Go-A-Karting track in

Nuvem. DeSouza scored a lap time of 00.24.39 seconds, while Costa and Fernandes came a close second and third with times of 00.24.88 and 00.24.97 respectively. The selected fourteen are now among the 100 finalists of the seven regional rounds and two wild card entries who will compete at the national finals in September to win a spot in the top ten who will move on to the Silverstone Finale in Northamptonshire, England. Dr Vijay Mallya, chairman and team principal of Force India Formula One Team, said, “In the few weeks since we launched India’s first ever serious initiative and platform for young Indians to showcase their racing talent via a karting programme in India, we have had an extremely enthusiastic response in Mumbai and Goa. “The week-long Goa leg of the One

From A Billion Hunt has given us 14 talented finalists who will now proceed to the national final where they will compete with 86 other talented finalists later this year and I wish the 14 finalists from Goa all the very best.” Incidentally, Dr Mallya considers Goa his second home as his family deity Goddess Mahalsa is at Mardol, Ponda. The 14 finalists from the Goa regional round are Keith DeSouza, Raul Costa, Jonas Fernandes, Dillon Dourado, Rohan Hoble, Hilton Fernades, Adnan Shaikh, Saurabh Bhadauria, Akshay Rajput, Mrunal Thakur, Shivanand Raikar, Sufiyan Shaikh, Rudra Sanvordekar and Ameen Shaikh. The three winners of the Silverstone Finale will be announced in India around the time of the Grand Prix of India in October this year. Ravikant Sabnavis, vice president of marketing Kingfisher Airlines, said the final winner will be groomed through various stages to a point where he or she is qualified and ready to apply for a super license from the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) to drive in Formula 1. VIVA GOA applauds this great initiative of Dr Mallya for giving Goans this opportunity.

VIVA GOA DIARY

‘My Goa’ launched

Rajiv D’Silva, Shrinivas Dempo, Harshvardhan and Urvija Bhatkuly at the launch of ‘My Goa’

avoir Faire Media launched a new social magazine My Goa at an event held at The Crown in Panaji. The magazine is being edited by Harshvardhan Bhatkuly, who is also the editor of Business Goa. Released by Chairman and Managing Director of Dempo Group of Companies Shrinivas Dempo, it focuses on Goa’s culture, tradition, folklore, politics and issues. “My Goa is a great way of knowing more

about Goa and Goans,” said Dempo. The debut issue features cartoonist Mario Miranda, Allan de Noronha’s family in Kanpur, the medium of instruction issue and sand mining threats. The launch event, which was attended by members of the media, businessmen and others, was anchored by Swapnil Kamat, while Rajiv D’Silva proposed the vote of thanks.

Konkani rocks Jazz Festival in The Netherlands

oan singers introduced Europe to Konkani jazz at the Amersfoot Jazz Festival in The Netherlands recently. Under an initiative by Armando Gonsalves, CEO of Heritage Jazz, Goan musicians including Sidhanath Buyao, the Monsorate Brothers, Veeam Braganza, Olav Rodrigues and Yatin Talaulikar showcased the best of Goa’s Konkani music for three days before international crowds at the Rebobak Amersfoot Jazz Festival. Gonsalves said, “It is not necessary that Konkani music should go only where there is a Goan diaspora. We should be able to take our language to other countries also.

We are also planning such events in other European countries like Poland and the Czech Republic.” The Amersfoort festival sees more than 100,000 jazz lovers from all over the world flock to the ancient Dutch city to watch their favourite bands and new talent perform.

Awchats launch restobar in Andheri, Mumbai

aster chef Deepa Awchat and her husband Dr Suhas, owners of three authentic and globally awarded restaurants; Goa Portuguesa, Dakshin Culture Curry and Diva Maharashtracha, have opened another branch of Goa Portuguesa in Andheri. The eatout will be run by son Sudeep Awchat. The new restaurant, located near Versova Telephone Exchange, Lokhandwala Road, Andheri West, is decorated traditionally to give the feel of an Indo-Portuguese bungalow with folk music and live serenading. The inauguration saw the glamorous world of Mumbai check out the new restobar. Goans will get a 25 per cent inaugural discount.

Master chef Deepa Awchat and Dr Suhas with their sons Sudeep and Acash

Goan author on Vodafone Crossword Book Awards List

ango Mood, a tongue-in-cheek look at men and matters in Goa and the rest of India, has been selected as part of the Vodafone Crossword Book Awards 2011 Long List in the non-fiction category. The book is written by Sharmila Kamat, an astrophysicist who is also an established writer and author and is published by Rupa Publications (India) Private Limited.

Mango Mood comments on headline-grabbing personalities and events in recent times using the medium of sometimes gentle, sometimes biter satire. While the first part, A Goan Pot Pourrie, deals with all things Goan, the second half extends the tableau to cover the rest of India. The piece-de-resistance is the history of Goa retold, from its birth at the hands of Lord Parashurama,

Designer Hema Nagvenkar pays tribute to her heroes

t was at Cavala’s that designer Hema Nagvenkar paid tribute to her ‘real heroes’. Having matured from her first exhibition in Goa in 1999 to Denmark and London in 2009, Nagvenkar presented her Summer

The Hero Lies In You fashion show paid tribute to designer Hema Nagvenkar’s “real heroes”. Pic by Eva Schimmer

through the Portuguese interlude, to its present status as the undisputed party capital of India. Mango Mood chronicles the tale of a land where mancurados flood the markets, drug lords run amok to the beat of Dum Maaro Dum and scams totaling crores of rupees drown the body politic. The Vodafone Crossword Book Awards 200 shortlist will be announced on June 24 at the Indian Habitat Centre in New Delhi. Kamat has a PhD from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland.

Collection 2011 featuring the important people in her life. The Hero Lies In You night showcased her collection – a riot of fusion, casual and evening wear. Among the ramp walkers were modelling greenhorns and veterans alike, including businesswoman Ghungroo Shrivastava, professional model and corporator of the City of Panaji Kabir Pinto Makhija, dentist Shraddha Nagvenkar, adventure sports enthusiast and fitness coach Kim Sabir, Miss Goa Sparsha Deshpande, businessman Amin Shaikh and model Maria Cabral. Nagvenkar said she attributes most of her success to her non-conformist designs and fashion-forward vision, and her latest collection is modeled by “people of substance, some of whom walked the ramp for the very first time”.

VIVA GOA SPOTLIGHT

Focusing on Goan achievers

Amid the education turmoil in the state – the HSSC marks goof-up and the medium of instruction row – the long hours and sleepless nights paid off for Susanna Thomas and Saurabh Usgaonkar, toppers at the Goa Common Entrance Test (GCET). A student of Navy Children School, Vasco and the Aryaan Study Circle, Susanna scored 217 out of 225 in physics, chemistry and biology (PCB). She is the top contender for either a medical or pharmacy seat, and second in line for an engineering seat in the state. With the highest physics and mathematics score of 140, Saurabh who studied at Mushtifund Higher Secondary School, Panaji, with no special coaching for GCET, has first preference for an engineering seat. VIVA GOA congratulates them both and wishes them the best in the future. Susanna and Saurabh share their success story… The secret of your success… SUSANNA: The blessing of Jesus Christ followed by the support of the teachers of Navy Children School. Also the motivation and systematic coaching I received from Vyanketesh Prabhu Dessai and his team at the Aryaan Study Circle. SAURABH: No success comes your way without focused effort, hard work and faith in God. Your thoughts on whether the 12th standard exams don’t matter anymore… SUSANNA: The basic concepts are certainly tested in the 12th standard board exam. The entrance exam tests one’s aptitude of the application of these concepts. SAURABH: The performance at the 12th standard (Science) exams does matter to the extent that one has to secure a minimum percentage to be eligible for most of the professional courses. Your ambition… SUSANNA: A missionary doctor in rural India. SAURABH: A mechanical engineer from one of the best IITs in our country.

Susanna Thomas & Saurabh Usgaonkar Pic by Edric George

Your opinion on India’s education system… SUSANNA: Competition is too much – it causes stress, which may affect creative thinking. SAURABH: The biggest reservation I have is that the approach at the 10+2 stage is not conceptual. It encourages mugging rather than understanding the concepts and the issues involved in the subjects. The medium of instruction row… SUSANNA: It should be such that students can pursue their studies or career anywhere in the world. SAURABH: Although it is a nice thought to implement Konkani as medium of instruction, we have to ultimately shift to English as we go higher. Why not be more proficient in English by implementing it from the very beginning? All work and no play… SUSANNA: This was my case in the 11th and 12th standards to an extent. The volume of studies only permitted me to engage in my hobbies in a meagre manner. But I don’t regret that as now I can catch up on my reading. SAURABH: A recipe for disaster!