December 2010 by Shailesh Amonkar

GOA’S FIRST LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE VOL 1. NO 8. DECEMBER 2010, RS 25

‘I WOULD PREFER IF NOTHING CHANGED IN GOA’

DGP B S BASSI

THE KUNBIS MAKE A COMEBACK

WENDELL RODRICKS BRINGS GOA’S SARI BACK TO LIFE

LEANDER PAES –

ACE OF ACES

‘EVERY ISSUE IS A WOMEN’S ISSUE’

SABINA MARTINS

LIVE THE LEELA

THE LEELA KEMPINSKI GOA

EDITORIAL NOTE

oans, despite making a mark in sports at a national level, have rarely made it to the top in the international arena. Leander Paes is a rare exception. His father Dr Vece Paes, who hails from Velim donned the national colours in hockey. But Leander has aced his way to fame in the individual sport of tennis. Though he has won both Wimbledon and the US Open Singles titles at the Junior level, it is in doubles that he has made his mark, winning a dozen Grand Slam titles, besides countless others on the ATP circuit. Like a true Goan, football was an early passion. But soccer’s loss has been tennis’ gain. Despite all his success and his flamboyance on court, Leander remains a friendly and approachable individual, committed to charitable work,

Ace of Goa

his fledgling career as an actor and, of course, to the Davis Cup squad. Though Kolkata-born and bred, the true Goan that he is, he nurtures an ambition to open a tennis academy here to nurture young Goan talent. And in this venture he deserves the support of all Goans — from industrialists to politicians to the grass-roots level. Or should we say the grass court level? VIVA GOA is both pleased and honoured to feature this ace in our year-ending cover story. In our ‘First Lady’ section, we are delighted to feature women’s rights leader Sabina Martins. A Phd in chemistry, Sabina could have followed a more paying career. She chose instead to teach and champion social issues. She has a much closer chemistry with women’s and social issues and towards that

READERS’ RESPONSE VIVA GOA is simply irresistible. It is a magazine which I connect with because of its Goan flavour. My personal favourite however, is Legal Brief written by Adv A N S Nadkarni. The column offers down-to-earth, sensible and practical advice. The magazine has a well-balanced selection of articles on glamour, glitz and social causes. A Second Chance at Life is an eye-opener to every woman. Finally, Viva Goa Spotlight is spot on. Congrats and God Bless! — Asheen Laljee, Caranzalem

Niz goenkars now have a truly glossy and great lifestyle magazine that features local ethnic culture and topics of diverse interest to both the young and old. Congratulations and keep up the high standards. — Gabriel D’Souza, Arpora The articles in the November issue were very interesting. I especially like the feature on Margaret Mascarenhas’ new book The Disappearance of Irene dos Santos. It is great

end has held steadfast in her goals over the past three decades. We are also pleased to highlight the work of NGOs in Goa and laud the efforts of Asha Sawardekar’s ‘Sanjeevan’ which supports homes for the aged, home nursing and hostels for working women and the needy. True to his own Goan roots, fashion designer Wendell Rodricks has sought to bring Goa’s own ethnic Kunbi sari into the folds of popular fashion.— just as the Banarasi and Kanjivaram are part and parcel of an indigenous fashion statement. Under Wendell’s creative touch, we hope the eco-friendly Kunbi sari will create waves in the sartorial world. We are also pleased to feature Goa’s Director General of Police Bhim Sain Bassi in our

to note that Goans are making waves on the literary scene too. The travel feature on Arch Sunil Sardessai’s trip to Spain was well written too. I think my next trip will be to Spain! May I suggest you write an article explaining the Draft Regional Plan? We must spread more awareness about policies important to Goa and Goans. All in all, VIVA GOA is a good addition to Goan publication. — Pooja Trinidade, via email I have been an avid reader of VIVA GOA right from the first issue. In the last one, I enjoyed reading about the several events that Goa plays host to – from Sunburn to the recently held Indian Music Conference. A niggling issue at the back of my mind was the environmental issue, after each event. It is my sincere hope that the event organisers don’t turn a blind eye to this. One thing I love about the magazine is the mouth-watering recipes in the cuisine section. My wife puts her cooking skills to the test and they always turn out nice. — George Pires, Fatorda

‘After Hours’ section. Goa’s top police officer has tried to bridge the gap between the police and the people they serve. We can only wish him well in his endeavours. With Christmas round the corner, our Cuisine section offers recipes on a variety of dishes to celebrate the season of good cheer. VIVA GOA wishes all its readers a Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Kedar Dhume

Loved the Muskaan article – you do such amazing work! I am so touched by your commitment and enthusiasm. Your support has meant the world to us at Muskaan (& me!) Cynthia Chowgule I am very happy with your magazine, as its cover reflects something good about Goa. It was really needed. I would be even happier if it goes national. Nilesh Gaonkar Good going!! Manisha Kenkre Salkar VIVA GOA invites comments from its readers. Letters should be short and relevant and can be sent to editor@vivagoaonline.com. 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

COVER STORY ‘I Would Love to Give Something Back to My Roots in Goa’

Ace tennis player Leander Paes who tracks his roots to the village of Velim in South Goa, has served and volleyed his way to the top echelons in the game. But his heart and roots still remain with Goa for which he harbours a dream of setting up a world-class tennis training facility

page

AFTER HOURS

LEGAL BRIEF

COUTURE

Bhim Sain Bassi

Pride and Prejudice

Director General of Police

By Advocate A N S Nadkarni

The Kunbis make a Comeback

page

GUEST COLUMN Instead of renting a jet ski, why not choose the eco-friendly option? From kayaking to stand up paddle surfing, Rae Sport Pvt Ltd attempts to bring clean water sports to Goan shores

page

FIRST LADY

Sabina Martins

Social activist and women’s rights leader

Wendell Rodricks brings Goa’s traditional sari back to life

page

GOAN CUISINE

HI-TECH

Christmas Goodies…

Breakthroughs in Modern Medicine

By Chef Deepa Awchat

By Raj Sinai Dempo

GOA’S FIRST LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE VOL 1. NO 8. DECEMBER 2010, RS 25

‘I WOULD PREFER IF NOTHING CHANGED IN GOA’

DGP B S BASSI

THE KUNBIS MAKE A COMEBACK

WENDELL RODRICKS BRINGS GOA’S SARI BACK TO LIFE

‘EVERY ISSUE IS A WOMEN’S ISSUE’

LEANDER PAES –

ACE OF ACES

SABINA MARTINS

LIVE THE LEELA

THE LEELA KEMPINSKI GOA

Editor & Publisher

Kedar N Dhume editor@vivagoaonline.com Principal Consultant

Shailesh M Amonkar Kemistry Media Solutions Pvt. Ltd. shailesh@kemistry.in Editorial Consultant

Manohar Shetty Assistant Editors

Emylou D’Souza Dielle D’Souza reporter@vivagoaonline.com Design

Nagesh Naik Kemistry Media Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Manager Advertising

Tamara Faleiro advertising@vivagoaonline.com Mob: +919850077993 Circulation

Satyawan Parsekar

circulation@vivagoaonline.com

page

Published by M/S Advertising Associates [Publication Division], 703, Dempo Trade Center, Patto Plaza, Panaji, Goa 403 001, INDIA Tel : +91 832 2438999

HOSPITALITY

The Leela Kempinski Goa By Sinead McManus

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MAKING A DIFFERENCE

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CONTENTS

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Committed volunteers are difficult to come by, while secure funding from the government is scarce, a battle cry for a system in crisis, however, Sanjeevan is not giving up

46 page 58 page 62

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HEALTH

HAPPENINGS

Preventing Rheumatic Heart Disease By Dr Sanjeeve K Garg

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BOOKWORM

Norbert D’Souza, of the famed Norbert’s Fitness Studio, will take fitness to a whole new level as he releases a well-researched and practical book on exercises, especially authoured and designed for women

BIZ NOTES

VIVA GOA DIARY

page

VIVA GOA SPOTLIGHT

Nhehern Acharya

International Yogasana champ

Printed at Akruti, 318, Parvati Industrial Estate, Pune Satara Road, Pune 411 009 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

COVER STORY

LEANDER PAES

‘I WOULD LOVE TO GIVE SOMETHING BACK TO MY ROOTS IN GOA

COVER STORY

Ace tennis player Leander Paes who tracks his roots to Tolecanto in Velim, South Goa, has served and volleyed his way to the top echelons in the game, winning a dozen Grand Slam titles along the way. As a key member of the Indian Davis Cup squad, he has played an inspirational and winning role in several crucial ties. But his heart and roots still remain with Goa for which he harbours a dream of se5ing up a world-class tennis training facility. Leander, or Lee as he is aﬀectionately called, spoke to VIVA GOA

By KEDAR DHUME

ith his trademark Winning the Olympic singlet, acrobatic Bronze Medal in 1996 leaps across the tennis court, flashing smile and deft touches, Leander Paes has been a virtual brand name for Tennis India. He has won a dozen doubles titles at various Grand Slams, dived equally — six apiece — in Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles. With partner Mahesh Bhupathy, he has won laurels for India in tournaments across the world, including Grand Slam Doubles titles at Wimbledon and the French Open. Since their parting of ways, he has continued to win a hatful of Grand Slams and other major titles with different partners, including two memorable mixed doubles titles with the legendary Martina Navratilova at the Australian Open and at Wimbledon in 2003. He is the current Mixed Doubles Wimbledon champion along with Zimbabwe’s Cara Black. As a teenager, he showed early promise as a singles player when he won both the US Open and Wimbledon Juniors titles. But he left an indelible imprint on the game as a doubles Leander never misses an opportunity to visit specialist with a variety Goa. He says, “I would love to give something of partners. back to my roots. It has been a long-standing As a Davis Cup player, his achievements dream of mine to bring a world-class training rank alongside those of his former peers facility to Goa and channelise the Goan Ramanathan Krishnan, Ramesh Krishnan and exuberance for life into professional sport. I Vijay Amritraj, time and again pulling off think that Goans have the right mix of miraculous triumphs against overwhelming hardiness, resilience and the right attitude to odds. Despite carrying the weight of a do well in competitive sport. Since there nation’s hopes, Leander himself remains aren’t too many top-notch tennis centers in modest and likeable, wearing his this part of the country, we could actually considerable achievements lightly and with a usher in a revolution by providing facilities to cheerful equanimity so characteristic of his talent like mine which is bound to be Goan roots in Velim where his father Dr Vece somewhere out there in Goa.” Paes, a former national level hockey player Among Leander’s idols is the legendary hails from. Rod Laver. When reminded that he is only the Though born and brought up Kolkata,

second player in history to win Wimbledon titles in three different decades, Leander is pleasantly stumped. He exclaims, “Really? I did not look at it that way at all. To be talked about in the same vein as the legendary Rod Laver is a humbling experience. But then, I have always maintained that the true test of a sportsman is longevity of achievement at the highest level of the sport. I am proud of having managed to keep winning for so long and if that actually puts me in any kind of league as Laver – that’s just incredible.” His experience with partnering with Martina Navratilova is another high point. How did this come about? Leander explains, “Actually Martina approached me and told me point blank: ‘You and I got to play together.’ It was as simple as that. “Martina taught me a lot about health, life and tennis. She also taught me tricks on how to lengthen my career. The best thing I have learnt from her is that she actually believes that age is no more than just a number, and that one should keep on living to the fullest until the time one is having fun.” But the world of tennis has changed since the days of Laver, Emerson and Ramanathan Krishnan. Leander, having been on the ball, so to speak, since his early junior level triumphs is in the right space to reflect on those changes. He says, “It’s almost a different ball game now. To begin with, the equipment has changed radically. I started with a wooden Symonds racquet and learnt all my tennis on natural surfaces. Grass was my favourite, but now you would be hardpressed to find any of that anywhere in the world. There are barely four or five ATP tournaments on grass now. Synthetic courts dominate and they put a tremendous load on

Wins at the Grand Slam finals Men’s Doubles Year

Championship

Partner

1999

French Open

Mahesh Bhupathi

1999

Wimbledon

Mahesh Bhupathi

2001

French Open

Mahesh Bhupathi

2006

US Open

Martin Damm

2009

French Open

Lukáš Dlouhý

2009

US Open

Lukáš Dlouhý

COVER STORY

Mixed Doubles

Year

Championship

Partner

1999

Wimbledon

Lisa Raymond

2003

Australian Open

Martina Navrátilová

2003

Wimbledon

Martina Navrátilová

2008

US Open

Cara Black

2010

Australian Open

Cara Black

2010

Wimbledon

Cara Black

the body.” The equipment too has changed radically. Leander explains that the new-age racquets allow for more topspin on the ball and bigger serves. The balls have been made heavier to counter this – but the march of technology has meant that just about anybody with the right muscle and skill-set can blast the ball and is liable to cause an upset on his day. “The depth in the game is incredible now,” he adds, “with new players coming from all parts of the world instead of the traditional tennis powers. Tennis has also become a passport to a better life for players from the former Eastern Bloc countries – all in all, the circuit is absolutely different from the world I was stepping into over two decades ago.” How does he prepare before a major match? The important thing is to have a clear mind, he says, and to focus your energy towards visualising a positive outcome and to ‘stay in the moment’. He adds, “There are always butterflies in the stomach before a big encounter. It really does not have anything to do with confidence. The greatest of players have confessed to a rough night before a big match. With experience one does learn how to take one’s mind off the match until the time you need to bring it in focus. However, a

certain amount of trepidation is always there. It’s also a matter of the body gearing itself up to go out there and perform – where there is adrenaline, there’s bound to be a bit of neural overload.” Both his parents played in team sports, his mother in basketball and his father in hockey. But Leander, though he loves football, opted for tennis, an individual sport where the results depend entirely on your own performance and where he is fully in control over his own fortunes. It was a difficult decision for him to concentrate more on doubles. But he took that call in 1998 when his single’s ranking was at an all-time high of 73. It is a decision he has not regretted, as his hatful of titles will testify to. His partnership with Mahesh Bhupathy is now in the realm of sporting legend and they recently played together at the Bangkok Open to prepare for the Commonwealth Games, though they have no plans to link up more permanently. But when national duty calls as in the Davis Cup, they have never hesitated to do so, putting aside their personal differences. The growth of sports in India is a subject close to his heart, but for that, he says, we need much more top-notch facilities and open spaces where children can come together and play. In a rapidly urbanising India, he

emphasises, this aspect is being ignored. “The facilities we do have do not have great coaches or great equipment. These factors are crucial to attracting a larger number of children and aspiring champions to the sports world.” He exhorts younger players to never give up, no matter what the odds. “Keep working on yourself and one day things will all fall together for you. Opportunity comes the way of all of us. The question is just how well we have prepared ourselves to recognise the right opportunity and then to make the best of it at that given moment when it matters.” His strengths on the court have been his foot-speed and his quicksilver reflexes. But add to that a largeness of heart and that makes for a winning combination. He says, “I never give up, no matter what the odds.” He believes that the media has played a positive role. “It has always backed our performers,” he says. “While cricket does get more press than other sports, I do feel our press is fiercely supportive of Indian sportsmen and women who defy odds to bring laurels to the nation. I really can’t complain.” How does he balance his professional and personal life? Leander explains, “It’s tough for me to travel for close to 30 weeks a year –

COVER STORY

Sachin Two Greats: Leander &

Coaching child ren

Aiyana aughter d d n a r Leande

quite normal that, for a professional tennis player. Now as my daughter Aiyana is growing up, I don’t want to miss out on her growing years. However, my profession entails that I travel a lot. I am privileged to be able to look Early wins after my family and live out my dreams.” With his life partner Rhea Pillai, a former super model and a qualified instructor in the Art of Living, how do they cope with the constant public scrutiny? Says Leander, “Because of the media attention one does feel at times that one is living life in a fish bowl. However, we do have our personal space within the confines of our house. It is very important to not get carried away by this entire ‘celebrity’ bit. I am most comfortable with old friends and my private space where nobody treats me like a special guy or star.”

r Aiyana d daughte n a i a ill P hea ith wife R Leander w

Having undergone the Art of Living course himself, Leander feels that spirituality is about connecting with his inner self and the universe. “It is about the ability to look beyond mere materialism to the goodness in people and to bring happiness to them in many ways.” To this end Leander has embraced being a Goodwill Ambassador for the Cambodian Tennis Federation on the project ‘Killing Fields to Tennis Courts’ with the agenda of converting

bomb-scarred areas in the once ravaged country into tennis courts for the disabled. Lately, Leander has also embarked into a new career in films with his debut movie ‘Rajdhani Express’ directed by Ashok Kohli, set for release. As with everything he does, Leander has wholeheartedly embraced his new role, following the advice of Anupam Kher who told him that if he was going to do something new he should go all the way. But it is tennis, and especially Wimbledon, that will always remain his prime passion. It was where he won his first Grand Slam title and which still continues to have an aura of its own. He says, “The traditions and the history of the event make it a rarity in the commercial whirl of the tennis circuit. Also, my life’s motto is etched above the main doors entering centre court. The passage is from a Rudyard Kipling poem and goes something like this, ‘If you can handle Triumph and Disaster, treat these two imposters just the same...’

FAMILY MATTERS

COVER STORY

Dr VECE PAES

Leander’s father On his advice to Leander:

You must dream and aspire high, plan carefully, execute with precision and achieve excellence everyday. Peak performance everyday must be a habit.

Real talent is at a premium. If you have it you are blessed. It is then your privilege to perform and achieve all that you are capable of. Being a champion is great. Being a great human being is even greater.

On Leander as a child:

Leander was conceived at the Munich Olympics in 1972, born of parents who were both sporting internationals. It would appear that he was destined to be a sports champion. Leander was blessed with a preponderance of fast-twitch fibres in his muscles which allowed him to initially crawl at top speed and later run, cycle, swim at the same pace. His other attribute was his great body movement and balance which he developed by playing a lot of different sport: soccer, cricket, hockey, rugby, tennis, swimming encouraged by his familial, school and Calcutta sporting environment. He would play for hours every day at his kid level and even at adult levels with my group. His courage, determination and sheer cussedness was admirable. He was full of fun and play – a great leader of his group. He was an outstanding and passionate soccer player. He would go to bed with his muddy boots and ball. He started, at 5 years, his own soccer league consisting of his friends at school, the CC & FC club and in his neighbourhood. They were the dare devils. He suffered from epilepsy and got the call from the Britannia Amritraj Tennis Academy in Chennai in 1985 and tennis took over his passion from 12 years of age. The rest is history as they say. We are proud of his achievements. Even more, we are proud of the wonderful person he has turned out to be.

RAPID FIRE

Favourite memory of Goa My Granny's lap and her cooking... If you weren't a tennis player, what would you be? An actor What defines you? Passion Things you must do when in Goa Lie under a coconut tree and sip on some coconut juice :o) Your roots to Goa My paternal grandmother is from Tolecanto, Velim and my paternal grandfather is from Bainfol, Assolna. Dad and his siblings were born and brought up in Tolecanto while I spent many enjoyable holidays there. Our family house is right on the border of both villages in Velim. What do you like most about Goa? I feel at home.

d Dr parents Jennifer an Lee with his proud

Vece Paes

MELBA PAES Leander’s aunt from Margao

I remember he was very sporting as a child, even playing football and cricket in the apartment, very active and boundless energy never seemed to get tired. He was to me a very affectionate child, and we got along well together. I am one of his greatest fans, try to watch every match and try and get every magazine I could to read about him and get news of him. As his aunt, I am and have been very proud of his achievements, his humility, simplicity and I admire his hard work, always giving 100 per cent to whatever he did.

Your favourite Goan dish? Red rice with chicken xacuti. I also like fish parra and obviously to it off with some bebinca…

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

‘I Would Prefer if Nothing Changed in Goa’

Bringing the Goa Police mo5o ‘Shanti, Seva, Nyay’ back into prominence, Director General of Police Bhim Sain Bassi has put new policies into force to decrease the gap between the police and the people they serve. VIVA GOA ﬁnds out how he unwinds

is day is crammed with meetings and weekends are spent traveling to the furthest corners of the state to review policing activities there. Director General of Police Bhim Sain Bassi’s 33 years of service in the Indian Police Service (IPS) has taught him that interaction with the people whose safety he is entrusted helps to maintain law and order. Joining the IPS on July 3, 1977, Bassi has enjoyed a “rewarding and pleasant” journey from his first posting in Pondicherry to his current one in Goa. He reveals his motto for life and how he spends his day…

On getting into the police force

After graduating from Sri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi University, I pursued law and took my UPSC examination in 1976. Having passed it on the first attempt and having a love for the uniform I decided to make the civil services my career. I was allotted to the Union Territories Cadre, ’77 batch. The journey so far has been very pleasant, rewarding and satisfying. My first posting was in Pondicherry in 1980 as an ASP. Following that I was in Arunachal Pradesh for nearly four years, which were the formative years as far as modern policing in the state were concerned. The jurisdiction of criminal procedure courts was limited only to certain pockets, so it was a very rewarding experience. I also had the opportunity to organize security for His Holiness the Dalai Lama when he came to Arunachal Pradesh and

Pics by Edric George

stayed there for a very religious ceremony called Kal Chakra. I find myself very fortunate to have had the opportunity to interact with such a kind, inspiring and godly person during my first few years in service.

On his typical day

I wake up reasonably early and unless otherwise engaged, I go for a walk and sometimes practice yoga. I get on the phone with my officers to keep abreast with the latest developments in the state. Reading the newspapers is also very important and I read all the ones that are available. I also watch local television channels.

In the office, I attend meetings and once in a while I visit police stations in various parts of the state. Goa is a small place and therefore has a small headquarter set-up. But this does not mean that the nature of the work is insignificant. Whatever is done is other states, is done here. The only difference is in figures. In fact since the HQ is a small nucleus of people, the work load is comparatively much higher.

On unwinding after office hours

In the evening, if time permits I play badminton or go for a walk. Then I watch the local news for a few minutes, read and surf the internet as there is now a lot of information on the web. On weekends I go out in the field. I move around the state and have been to every nook and corner of Goa, probably more than many Goans. In the process I have learnt much about the state profile from a policing aspect. Once in a while I indulge in social interactions. I have made a few friends in Goa and I sometimes meet them. When friends from other places come to Goa, they make it a point to visit me as well.

On balancing work and family

My wife Sunira works with the Indian Railway Traffic Services as executive director. Apart from homemaker, she also has her official life. My daughter Shruti is a doctor, who studied at Lady Harding in New Delhi, while my son Siddharth graduated from Hindu college. I feel there is no conflict between

professional and personal life. Both are equally important. The balance comes easily. It’s like learning to walk. Once you’ve learnt to balance both, there’s no turning back. If you consider both important, balance is a natural phenomenon.

On his favourite vacation spot

As a family, we go for vacations once in two or three years, but we have not really repeated our holiday spots. We always try to go to new places. Every place is new – Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu are among the states we have toured extensively. I am posted in Goa now and in a way because of my posting it’s a vacation at least for my family. As far as they’re concerned, for those 10 days it’s a vacation for them.

On what he likes about Goa and what he would like to change

It is undoubtedly a beautiful place, perhaps far more beautiful than what one sees as a tourist. When I came as a tourist I had a different idea of Goa, but after living here I now know Goa has far more to offer than what one sees on a three-day or five-day tour when you remain on the Palolem-Arambol stretch. I love the culture, the people and the safety which young women can go out with. I would rather that nothing changed in Goa. It is one of the richest states in the country and it should continue to prosper and develop. It’s a place with perfect communal harmony and relatively crimeless too.

On giving back to society

Yes there’s no doubt about that. As an officer, the society has given us a lot, apart from the taxpayers’ money which is spent on our salaries. The nation has entrusted us with a very onerous responsibility to preserve law and order, and maintain peace. As a police officer the best way to give back to society is if I do my job dutifully with an eye for justice and service.

On his ‘philosophy’ of life

The philosophy of Goa Police ‘Shanti, Seva, Nyay’ is the guiding philosophy for any police organidation and the guiding philosophy of any police officer. There cannot be a better brief of the philosophy which has to guide any police officer including Bhim Sain Bassi.

On his message to young Goans

Ensure that you preserve the cultural heritage which earlier generations have left you. Goa is the best experiment of tradition with modernity. People are preserving tradition but they are as modern as one can be. Modernity should not overawe the roots which Goans have. Young Goans should also work hard as there are opportunities within and outside Goa. They need to grab those opportunities.

GUEST COLUMN

Rajiv Bhatia is the director of Rae Sport Pvt Ltd, a Mumbaibased adventure sports company that has introduced ecofriendly water sports in India

Instead of renting a jet ski, why not choose the eco-friendly option? From kayaking to stand up paddle surďŹ ng, Rae Sport Pvt Ltd a5empts to bring clean water sports to Goan shores

Wind and Wave in

Your Face

ae Sport, a Mumbai-based adventure sports company, is keen to popularise kayaking and stand-up paddle surfing (SUP) among other water sports in the state. In a few of them, we are the pioneers in introducing water sports to India and probably the only company to have an internationally-certified team of professionals who can provide certification which has validity abroad.

It is a sport that can be enjoyed like a morning bicycle ride or for the more adventurous, a serious work out. Our team of qualified instructors provides graded courses with an international affiliation in certification, probably the only such company in India. This certification bears a strong resemblance to the courses prescribed by the British Canoe Union, one of the foremost and widely respected kayaking and canoeing bodies in the world. Rae Sport is the exclusive Indian distributor of the

KAYAKING

revolutionary Feelfree kayaks, along with their wide range of accessories. As the largest supplier of roto-molded polyethylene kayaks in India, we hold stocks that run in container loads at any given time. Kayaking is one sport which requires simple access to the water. Goa, with its abundance of pristine beaches provides an ideal platform to launch the kayaks and get a wonderful dose of Vitamin D. It has been our attempt over the past four years to percolate every income group and make kayaking synonymous with eco-friendly water sports. Our kayaks are made of roto-moulded polyethylene and we offer a five-year warranty from any kind of breakage during normal use. Our UV-treated colours last season after season and show the beautiful kayaks in all their glory. Our vast range of clients in this state range from individual students who have learnt the basic sit-on-top kayaking course through us, to small resort owners, people who want to enjoy the open seas and tour operators who provide kayaking as an extension of the holiday package.

Although kite surfing is practiced on various beaches in India, it is only in Goa that the beginner and the professional converge, as the vast swathes of flat beach with good winds are the two most important pre-requisites for kiting. Rae Sport has the only internationally-certified instructor for kiting in India. A trip to Morjim beach with its numerous kite enthusiasts puts to rest all doubts about the ever growing interest in the sport. Enthusiasts from all over the country converge at Goa to learn from Rae Sport.

KITE SURFING

Practiced on the surf from Australia to the New York SUP race on flat water, SUP surfing as it is popularly known, has been introduced in India by Rae Sport. The duality in its usage makes it an ideal sport to be enjoyed on Goan beaches. So, come be a part of Rae Sport and experience that ‘Best Feeling on the Water’.

STAND-UP PADDLE SURFING (SUP)

For further information, visit www.raesport.in

Get Set,

Goa!

Rae Sport is keen to popularise water sports in Goa and make them accessible to as many Goans as possible by:

• Providing international quality water sports equipment at competitive and affordable prices • Tying up with Champs, one of the leading sports stores in Goa, to market our products • Providing international certification for training/teaching courses • Involving children and schools as we are currently doing in Maharashtra and Himachal Pradesh. Our aim is to make kayaking a part of the curriculum and impart training in a safe environment • Providing a new means of business to Goans

LEGAL BRIEF A regular column on legal affairs and philosophy

Pride and

PREJUDICE

Law cannot be isolated from life...

Atmaram Nadkarni is a senior advocate and former Advocate General of Goa

ight from the inaugural issue, my articles have been published in VIVA GOA, the editor and publisher, my dear friend Kedar Dhume, informed me that he had received some feedback asking him how a matter of law would fit in a lifestyle magazine. So, I decided to make a detour from law and at the same time, write about the law. The concept of law cannot be isolated from life, whatever oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lifestyle. In the freedom struggle and generally in shaping Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history, the law, eminent lawyers and some revolutionaries played a pioneering role. Indeed, a march for any kind of freedom has never been an isolated movement. For instance, take the rise against apartheid the world over. This was initiated and its seeds were sown through the moral strength of an unparalleled human being, Mahatma Gandhi. There are several other examples that can illustrate this point, but I will stop at that. Opinions and value judgments are a necessary concomitant of any process and more so, of the products ushered in, in the form of an end result. I am all for the advancement of the thought process which leads to opinions and judgments. Debate and discussions create a healthy atmosphere for the development of a human being, society or nation. We often hear opinions being expressed and endlessly generated on various matters, raising several variants. Opinions lead to ideologies and form the basis of ideological philosophies, which more often than not are a byproduct of an experience which that person has gained. The right to form an opinion is the birthright of every human being. We are endowed and blessed by the divine with a head on our shoulders and as a result, this vital thought process comes into being. Care, however, needs to be taken that our opinions are not dogmatic. In law courts, after reading through matters at their residence overnight, judges come prepared with an opinion which is tentative. The next morning, arguments are heard and depending upon the merits of the matter, they are

persuaded to take decisions which ultimately are their own. Yet another example comes to mind. At a mediation conference between two warring sides, the English mediator who was a known Queen’s counsel had formed his prejudiced opinion on the Indian system of ayurveda, thereby making adverse comments on hearsay that many, if not all, ayurveda products contained steroids and therefore one should not even attempt to take them. After dinner, the Queen’s counsel experienced hiccups which refused to stop for almost 45 minutes. Peeved, he decided to consult a doctor at which point, I took the liberty of suggesting to him the art of breath control along with water therapy found in ayurveda. The gentleman had two glasses of water from the opposite side as recommended and thereafter held his breath for a few seconds and there you go, the hiccups stopped instantly. The next morning he apologised for commenting upon something which he had not experienced. There is an old saying that ‘experience makes a man perfect’. There is also a saying that ‘perfect judgment is born out of experience’ and experience is a word which is denoted to narrate past mistakes. Unless you experience something, there is no point in forming an opinion. Today, we have so many atheists. They have every right and authority to form their own opinions. The point is that they should do so only after having gone through that particular

experience rather than expressing an opinion without having experienced it. Our fraternity of lawyers all over the world has, at times, minds which are pregnant with opinions on matters not only regarding legal issues, but even on their learned friends and at times, on judges. They perceive that a particular judge is good for a certain cause, while another is not suited for it. Judges have a trained mind and a good judge would always rise above his own prejudice and most of the time, judges do and have displayed open minds. Most even have the

courage to openly correct themselves. However, being in this profession for the last 25 years, I have picked up one thing for sure - a lawyer who forms an opinion about a judge and proceeds to argue the matter, not only fumbles, but when questioned by the judge on a vital point with some genuine query, starts rubbing the judge the wrong way and at times, the cause suffers. There is the classic case of a land acquisition matter related to invoking the urgency clause. The judgment was delivered by a division bench of two learned judges sitting at the Bombay High Court in Goa. When questioned by the judge as to where the justification for invoking the urgency clause and dispensing with the personal hearing was, the counsel appearing for the state pointed out a paragraph from the affidavit justifying invocation of the clause. The division bench did not accept this and granted a ‘stay’. In the SLP filed by the state government, a bench of the judges of the Supreme Court quoted the very same paragraph that was quoted in the High Court Order, but found that invocation of the urgency clause was justified. Take a look at these two sets of trained legal minds on the same subject, and using the same words, forming diametrically opposite views. This is how opinions can vary. What is imperative in the development of a healthy lifestyle is that each of us respect, analyse and think about the opinion expressed by another and at least convince ourselves that they are entitled to form and hold their own opinion.

FIRST LADY A column featuring women who have stepped beyond the shadow of their eminent husbands and are achievers in their own right

‘EVERY ISSUE IS A WOMEN’S ISSUE’ 22

Pics by Edric George

Social activist and founder member of Goa Bachao Abhiyan and Bailancho Saad Sabina Martins on doing her bit for society

he believes every issue is a woman’s issue – whether it’s to do with mining, land conversion or deforestation. Sabina Martins’ social responsibilities seem far removed from her career path. With a PhD in chemistry and her regular teaching schedule at the Sharada Mandir High School, Martins already has her hands full. But with the support of her husband Subhash Naik Jorge, who also actively campaigns

for workers’ rights, she fronts two of Goa’s most vociferous social groups – Goa Bachao Abhiyan and Bailancho Saad. In this interview with VIVA GOA, Martins expounds on her passion for what is right

How did you get into social work? It just happened. When I was a student in the 11th standard in Chowgule College, we were in

the students’ union and took up issues that affected students through strikes, writing about campus news in a magazine called Udeth. We also had a street play group called Sangarshan Natyamanch. We fought issues other than those affecting students, including CHOGM and civil liberties problems. By 1985, I was also becoming very involved in fighting for women’s issues. But there was always the debate over whether a certain problem was a students’ issue, even if the victim was young. So we decided to form our own group and that’s how Bailancho Saad happened. We are just a collective of volunteers with a passion for work, and although not registered, Bailancho Saad is now in its 25th year. Goa Bachao Abhiyan, however, was formed spontaneously and informally. It happened because of the regional plan – land was being converted and it was going out of control and out of the hands of the people of Goa.

What are your comments on the new draft Regional Plan 2021? Initially, we wanted the regional plan to be drafted in a particular way as we did not like the previous plan. We asked for the people’s participation as per the 73rd and 74th Amendments to give the panchayats and municipal bodies a role to play. Although the draft was sent to people, who made suggestions, it is not being put into practice. We need to decide how to fit the socio-economic plans into the amount of land available. But our land use itself is not done yet, thus causing the delay. We’ve asked to have the eco-sensitive zones marked by the time the new plan is done and restrict construction to a FAR of 50. The government itself is admitting that the current Regional Plan is faulty, but continues to delay the next plan so construction can continue. Goa is a beautiful peaceful place, but the whole world can’t own Goa. Japan wanted to buy a whole chunk of Morjim to build a retirement village and in Dona Paula, flats are all in crores, but our jobs cannot afford it. We need to protect our land. Our fields provide sustainable development, making us self-sufficient. This is why we don’t have acute poverty in Goa. We have to decide whether we want to sell our land. If you have your policy in place, people will build according to what is planned. The policy makers should not make policies to benefit individuals, but society as a whole. How has being a part of Goa Bachao Abhiyan and Bailancho Saad changed your life? Bailancho Saad was a very conscious decision on my part to contribute to improving the lives of women. There was no organisation which would take up women’s issues and we looked at all issues from a woman’s point of view.

Goa is a beautiful peaceful place, but the whole world can’t own Goa. We have to decide whether we want to sell our land. If you have your policy in place, people will build according to what is planned. – Sabina Martins

We have consciously stayed out of taking government and corporate grants as it gives you space and a voice. If you are protesting government policies, they can clamp down on you easily if you have taken grants. All issues are women’s issues. Wherever you are, it affects women. At Goa Bachao Abhiyan we’re looking at a larger issue, but we’re also looking at women.

Is education the only vaccine against all violence? What is your opinion? When we say education we’re not talking about formal education, but the value system. Parents hitting children, violence in school, road rage, husband-wife quarrels, fights between neighbours are all violence. Just because you’re educated doesn’t mean the violence stops. We know under the law that violence is a crime, so why do we accept it in our homes? Education in that sense is a very slow process and the results are seen much later. At times, activists are frowned upon for going overboard with their opinions and activism. Please comment. People’s perception of an issue is important. If someone believes in your cause, they will always support you. People are entitled to their opinions. Women’s organisations are accused of breaking families as they support the woman in husband-wife quarrels. They say that if the organisations were not there, the wife would not have complained and adjusted accordingly. However, it is only after the family has broken that the woman comes to us. If she were happy with her life, why would she want to complain? People simply don’t like the idea that women are being supported. Even though activists are not doing anything illegal, people will still frown upon their actions because they don’t agree with them. What do you love most about Goa, and where do you see it heading? Goa is home to me, and whatever is within it – good or bad – I will love it always.

Goa is not just the land, it’s the people and the culture. We have a very comfortable lifestyle in Goa which some people interpret as lazy. They are evaluating Goa based on their own priorities, not ours. For them, Goa’s development translates into malls, fast cars, big buildings. This is the model being pushed on Goa. But our priorities are quite different. People come to Goa because they want to relax and have a quiet lifestyle. Goans have to decide what they want – the fast life and fast money or enjoy life and have a calibrated and sustainable development.

How do you strike a balance between personal and professional life? I teach at school in the morning, and twice a week I have class until 4pm. Saturday evenings are kept aside for BS meetings. Sundays for the home. On the rest of the evenings, I have to fit in things. But I have a good friends circle and we have our weekends out depending on our schedules. We go out for dinner now and then. It’s like a balanced diet. You need your carbohydrates, it’s your work and you need to do it. But you need other things in equal measure. Family is important, jobs are important, but social responsibilities are also important. Whatever you do for society affects you. Even if you don’t do anything, you’re still responsible for things going bad and it will still affect your personal life. Why do you like your particular hobby so much? I haven’t been able to get into hobbies so much. I’m constantly busy with one thing or the other although I love travelling. Many people think that we do social work because we have nothing better to do. I can do so many other things with my time. There’s so much research work to be done at university. If we have the skills we can do many other things, so the government should try to avoid bringing us out on the streets. In my research, I have studied the use of carbon to remove iron and manganese from water. If I work on a filter I would have added a product that people in the mining areas could use. Everyone can contribute so much to society, but the government is taking us away from our areas of work.

Do you think women suffer gender bias, even in progressive Goa? Yes, very much. You can see it everywhere. I’m an activist and I know my rights and can be very assertive but I still face gender bias. The perception is still there. Although we have progressed quite a bit, more still needs to be done. We have high literacy rates in Goa, but in places like Canacona we find high drop-out rates. We’ve found whole vaddos where a girl has not completed the 10th standard. All this needs to change.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE A column featuring social institutions that change lives in Goa

Infusing Light into Lives Saris, raw material for Sanjeevan’s production unit

Asha Sawardekar

Commi5ed volunteers are diﬃcult to come by, while secure funding from the government is scarce, a ba5le cry for a system in crisis, however, Sanjeevan is not giving up By EMYLOU D’SOUZA Pics by Edric George

evoted to the welfare of underprivileged youth, children, women and the aged, Sanjeevan, a Ponda-based NGO has provided many with refuge. Set up 32 years ago when it operated out of a temple and a villager’s house, Sanjeevan was in dire need of permanent premises. In 2001, after five years of red tape, the current land was attained through Bandora Communidade and a building was erected. After incessant struggle, social worker Asha Sawardekar, president of Sanjeevan who has also worked as a senior officer in the Rural Development Agency of Goa, is remarkably upbeat and believes it was divine providence that eventually came into play. “I have faith in God and the people of Goa. We chose Ponda as our base as the cost to set up in a village was lower compared to Panaji or Mapusa,” she says. Sanjeevan began as a society for youth development and conducted various activities for children and women in different villages, including Ponda, Chimbel and Keri. It has now progressed to provide dignified living for the elderly. Next in the pipeline is a rural BPO initiative through which women will be trained and employed. “I have two daughters and Sanjeevan is the third,” says Sawardekar with a laugh. Her involvement with social work traces back 50 years. It began

in Mumbai, where the vast problems plaguing the state hit her. Tough times were to follow after her husband Wing Commander Vishwanath Sawardekar, a pilot in the Indian Air Force was tragically killed in a plane crash. He was awarded the Kirti Chakra - the second highest peacetime gallantry award - and an AVSM (Ati Vishisht Seva Medal). He also saw action in the 1965 and ‘71 wars. On her return to Goa, her association with orphanages, old age homes and women and child welfare organisations in rural areas, became her calling. “Sanjeevan means infusing new light, and that is exactly what we do in the lives of the people we look after. My dear friend Shubha Borkar, Mrs Rajadhyaksha and the entire Sanjeevan team need to be credited for the organisation’s success,” says Sawardekar.

hence, the education is free,” reveals Sawardekar.

Hostel facility “At one point of time, there was a great need for the hostel as girls from PES college and other educational institutions in the area required a place to put up. So, the hostel was their only choice,” says Sawardekar. Both working women and students benefit from this facility.

Sanjeevan champions several activities which include...

Production unit Kalpana Hegde who has a keen eye for design oversees the production unit. Jute bags, quilts, folders and paper bags find their way into exhibitions and consumer fairs, while the saris are retailed at Westside, a national clothing store. “For the first time, we are planning to sell our products in Mumbai,” says Hegde. “We buy second-hand saris from temple auctions, which is the raw material, and then we design them into saris for children. We would like to create other designs too, but we don’t know if it would be profitable,” she adds. Home nursing training courses Sanjeevan is a pioneer in starting home nursing courses for girls in Goa, some of who hail from troubled backgrounds. Supervised by doctors and retired matrons, they receive practical training in Arogyadham, the on-site recovery home for the elderly. After training, some of the home nurses are placed in families, while the rest join various hospitals and nursing homes.

The home nursing training courses are affiliated to the Human Resource Development Foundation (HRDF) under the directorate of craftsmen’s training, Government of Goa.

Skill development training courses The courses include tailoring, mobile repairs, artificial jewellery and computer hardware. “As we are an NGO, we don’t have ample funds to keep staff on a regular basis. So, we pay the teacher, provide the necessary course materials,

Arogyadham “We never believed Goa would need a recovery home for senior citizens. The crumbling joint family system has paved the way for care homes like Arogyadham,” reveals Sawardekar. In the wake of an increasing number of requests for home nurses, the management decided to start a recovery home, Arogyadham, so a single nurse can take care of two or three patients at the same time. The home is equipped with state-of-the-art hospital infrastructure, a doctor, nurses and support staff. According to Sawardekar, “The government has a scheme for women and sheltered homes with provisions for training staff, accommodation and food. However, social institutions are only eligible for a year and it becomes a hassle to re-apply for it. Also, the amount isn’t sufficient to cover all our costs. It’s the benefactors from Goa and abroad who have really contributed to our cause.”

For more information, visit www.sanjivan.org

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

The Kunbis

Wendell Rodricks brings Goa’s traditional sari back to life

MAKE A COMEBACK By DIELLE D’SOUZA

e’s reversed the Kunbi trend – a trend that saw Goa’s traditional weave worn only by women of the so-called lower castes. Fashion guru Wendell Rodricks has transformed the state’s sari into a high society collector’s item. For more than seven years, he took it upon himself to conduct extensive research on the tribe and pursued the elusive weavers and looms to work on his Kunbi Tribe Collection. Explains the designer, “The Kunbi sari fascinated me because it is the only sari woven in Goa by the tribe and I was saddened by the fact that the sari was almost extinct. The weaving of the sari had stopped almost half a decade ago.” For Wendell, it is only fitting that the sari worn by the original daughters of the soil found its rightful place among the saris of India. He said, “Marginalised by mainstream society, denounced to the lowest rung of the caste ladder and used today for dancing at entertainments, the Kunbis deserve to be addressed as the original inhabitants of the land.” Textile historian Rta Kapur Chishti wrote in her book ‘Saris: Tradition and Beyond’, “The sari in Goa tells the story of a people being cajoled, compelled and lured away not only from a way of life, religion and culture, but also from what they wore and what it stood for.” Goans have now realised they have a sari that can be worn with as much pride as the UPites wear their Banarasi saris or the Tamilians wear Kanjivaram varieties. Lisa Ray has shown us how absolutely chic it can be when she wore it for a photo shoot during the Lakme India Fashion Week in New Delhi, and Charmaine Shackleton proved how equally elegant the sari makes a woman look when she arrived at the 20th anniversary celebrations of the Wendell Rodricks label at the Goa Marriott Resort last month. Award-winning actress and director Nandita Das says in a promotional video, “This Goan ethnic sari can proudly stand alongside any sari in India.” Wendell adds, “Goa needed to have its own place in ethnic and traditional collections, have its own sari. I always felt embarrassed that Kashmiris have their own shawl, many states have their own saris, but Goa had none.” Wendell has celebrated revivalism and minimalism by weaving cotton and silk, woven and knitted textures, ethnic and modern. The handloom itself is eco-friendly, as the designer sourced vegetable dyes from fruit, flowers, spices, herbs and tree barks known only to the Kunbis in Canacona taluka. His endeavour has not only caused a stir in the fashion world but also taken up the cause of tradition and self-employment. Approaching Goa’s Higher Education Department is one step towards a training programme for youngsters. He believes that young people, particularly women, could be trained to take up weaving as a vocation as a sustainable home activity. It is eco-friendly, does not cause noise pollution and can help sustain livelihood among women. He says, “I am sure the Government of Goa will come in to support this endeavor. I am indeed grateful to be part of a social cause and am happy that fashion can reach out to society in more ways than what meets the eye.” Wendell’s new creation appears to have shone a brighter spotlight on all the things Goa has to offer the world.

HI-TECH Continuing our column on the latest trends in technology

We had the opportunity recently to witness colonoscopy to lung surgeries on video tapes and case studies recently by a leading oncology surgeon and medical entrepreneur. It was indeed painful to watch and nauseating for a network engineer like myself

Modern Medicine Breakthroughs in

Raj Sinai Dempo was with Lucent Technologies Inc and is a networking professional from San Jose, California. He is currently Director of R&D at Santech Global (APAC region)

edicine has advanced greatly since the 90’s. Minimal invasive surgeries challenge old practices as increasingly more effective technologies replace outdated ones. Day by day, vivid examples of how the technology of artificial intelligence and complex computational processes are possible as is evident from our blockbuster Tamil movie ‘Enthiran’, especially in the scene managing a complicated pregnancy based on age-old practices and Vedic medical knowhow. Cisco, the technology incumbent brought us the refrigerator, a self-replenishing machine that could track diets, order foods and groceries and also stay clean from microbes and germs. Siemens, GE brought us a plethora of bio-medical devices from scanners to nuclear medicine capabilities. However, being healthy is still a strong factor of habit-intoxicated living. There are plenty of options for people in Goa: Homeopathy by Dr Allywn Cabral, Yoga by Namratha, the Gym at Basilios, Studio 101 by Nivedita Dempo, Women’s Health at

Dr Vinaykumar Raiker hospital and a lot more. More specifically we would like to underline an American value of fitness in Goa. Nivedita Dempo is an ACE (American Council on Exercise) certified personal trainer and the owner of ‘Studio 101’ – a holistic fitness centre opening in January 2011. Studio 101 offers personalised fitness training, a variety of group fitness classes, massage therapy and steam, access to a nutritionist, and a health cafe offering a variety of healthy snack options. Currently Nivedita offers Zumba and 20/20/20 fitness classes consisting of 20 minutes each of PIYO (pilates and yoga), aerobics and weight training. Stress and weight are the leading side effects of habit-intoxicated living. We got a few recommendations on staying fit from travel experiences and a web MD portal: 1 Drink 8-10 glasses of water every day to detox your system 2 Exercise 30mins to keep the body fit and fine

3 Yoga leads to healthy mind, body and soul 4 Regular oil bath reduces stress

5 Praying daily refreshes the mind, body and spirit

6 Switch to vegetables and fruits for better digestive health 7 Daily consumption of garlic lowers serum cholesterol

8 Never skip breakfast as your brain runs out of glucose after an overnight fast 9 Fruits and vegetables contain rich antioxidants

10 Sleep at least 6-8 hours per day

Habit-intoxication control is the cure to a healthy life. Stay fit and stay warm. Think twice before you grab that burger or pizza.

HOSPITALITY A column which reviews the best hotels in Goa

Sinead McManus has lived and worked in Goa for the last five years. She lives in Canacona, South Goa, but her job entails travelling extensively around India, promoting the country to the British/American Travel Trade and to the independent traveller

Live the Leela

The Leela Kemp inski Goa, a ďŹ ve-star beach resort nominated for the World Trave l Awards 2010 oďŹ&#x20AC;ers guests so much more than just a hotel experience

Its X Factor: The peace and tranquility surrounded by nature Still to come: Renovation of 80 suites to be completed by November 2011

ehind every institution lies the vision of an individual. In Capt C P Krishnan Nair’s case, this vision has flowered, given his unshakeable belief in India’s ability to compete with the best in the world as an equal. This belief, forged to a large extent during Capt Nair’s early years as a freedom fighter in India’s fight for Independence, finds expression in each of the group’s endeavours. Founded by Capt Nair in 1957, The Leela Group expanded their business from a lace manufacturing unit to the hospitality industry, thereby creating five world-class hotels and resorts. Situated on the coast of the Arabian Sea and bordered by the River Sal, The Leela Kempinski Goa, set amidst landscaped gardens, is an idyllic 75-acre resort, just 45 kms from the airport on a scenic drive through verdant coconut groves capturing the beauty of south Goa. After a long, meandering, leafy driveway, I reached the reception where a host of staff awaited my arrival. Greeted by my full name and title which is always a wonderful surprise, I was lead through the vast lobby and guided to my room. As this property is so vast I was relieved that my room was situated near the swimming pool and its main facilities. Out of nine different categories, we opted for the Conservatory Premiere Room – a mélange of modernity and the pastoral culture of Goa. A spacious bedroom with a

spans both its

state-of-the-art day-lit bathroom and a sitting room with a very special day-bed overlooking the becalming lagoon. As this lounge area was a change from the norm, this day-bed became our comfort zone for the next

24 hours. With a choice of restaurants positioned in different locations within the property, we managed to visit four during our visit. The Café which overlooks the swimming pool offers contemporary Continental and Asian cuisine and became our setting for our breakfast buffet. Susegado, located on the beach, with its breathtaking view of the Arabian Sea offers a variety of local fresh seafood, snacks and salads, and was our lunchtime choice. The Riverside, with its panoramic views of the River Sal offers contemporary Italian cuisine and local fresh seafood, and I was offered a set food and a well-chosen wine menu. With enthusiastic staff and a live band in a beautiful setting, this dining experience became the highlight of my stay. I finished my evening at Aqua, the in-house disco and lounge bar for that late night cocktail. Also on offer was the Yali lounge located opposite the reception area. It overlooks the lagoon and Jamavar – the signature Indian restaurant. As part of this luxurious resort, The Club, a resort within a resort offers an exclusive pampering experience for the discerning traveller. From limousine transfers, a private butler and a designated Club Beach, this is a place for the romantics to indulge in some exclusive private time. This beach resort is surrounded by a 12-hole par 3 golf course which comes to life with the local wildlife and scenery. With several activities on offer, including croquet, archery, cricket, children corners and endless walkways, The Leela Kempinski Goa is not just a family or a romantic experience, but is also a lifetime one.

Goa offers visitors a cultural experience that is truly Indian, coupled with its unique Goan spirit derived from a history of Portuguese rule that more than 450 years. The architectural elements of the resort honour Indian and Portuguese influences — Pascal Dupuis, GM, The Leela Kempinski Goa

HEALTH A regular column on healthy living

Preventing Rheumatic Heart Disease Rigorous screening in schools can help stave oﬀ the spread of this ailment among children and teenagers

Dr Sanjeeve K Garg, MBBS, MS (General Surgery), MCh (CVTS), Fellow IACTS, is a senior consultant cardiac surgeon at NUSI Wockhardt Hospital, Goa

he prevalence of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in our country has been a cause for concern. Studies have put the prevalence of rheumatic heart disease in the country at anywhere from 1-5.4 people per 1,000 to 0.68 per thousand. We can safely say it is present in at least 1-1.5 persons in every 1,000. The treatment for rheumatic heart disease, which genetically affects the heart valves, is complicated and often life-long. Therefore, it is important for both the general public and physicians to recognise its symptoms and look for ways to prevent it. Rheumatic fever, the cause for rheumatic heart disease, often starts with a sore throat in a child between the ages of five and 15. To fight the bacterial infection – caused by Streptococcous-A which affects the throat – the body produces anti-bodies. Besides attacking the bacteria, the anti-bodies also cause harm to the child’s other tissues. This cross-reaction affects the joints and the heart. The joint problem goes away but the scar in the heart remains and manifests itself in the form of narrowed or non-functional (leaky) valves. The most commonly affected valve is the mitral valve. Over a period of time, the malfunctioning valve or valves start affecting the functioning of the heart. The symptoms of rheumatic fever are arthritis, carditis, abnormal slow movements (chorea) of the limbs and skin lesions (major criteria), and fever and abnormal blood tests (minor criteria). In 30-70 per cent of cases, the child contracts rheumatic heart disease with the very first attack of rheumatic fever. The chances of developing rheumatic heart disease rises considerably (75-95 per cent) with the second rheumatic fever attack. The symptoms to look out for 2-3 weeks after the fever has subsided are pain and swelling in the joints, particularly major joints like the elbows and knees, and skin lesions. The primary treatment for sore throat and fever is anti-biotics. But once the child has contracted rheumatic fever, a prolonged dose of penicillin may be needed to prevent the recurrence of rheumatic fever. The infection is generally contracted by children who live in places that are over-crowded and unhygienic and have less access to medical facilities. But there is a risk of the infection spreading to other children as well. If it has been established that the child has got rheumatic heart disease, the treatment is then guided by the nature of the lesions of the valve and their severity. If the patient has a narrowed mitral valve (the most common valve to be affected), it may be treated by either

interventional procedures or surgery. In the former, it is balloon valvuloplasty. In a procedure similar to that of balloon coronary artery angioplasty, deflated balloons are pushed across the valves with the help of a catheter and inflated at the spot where the valve is narrowed. But sometimes surgery is the only option to repair or replace a valve. Examples of surgery are open mitral valvotomy, mitral or aortic valve repair or replacement. Patients have two options in the choice of valves – mechanical valves, that potentially last a lifetime but he or she needs to be on blood thinners for life, and tissue valves, which have a lifespan of 10-15 years without requirement of blood thinners. Depending on the age, severity of the disease and socio-economic conditions, surgeons have to take a decision on the type of valve most suited for the patient. Another problem that may affect patients with rheumatic heart disease is an abnormal rhythm of the heart called atrial fibrillation. This abnormal rhythm may result in palpitations, fatigues and strokes. This abnormal rhythm can also be corrected at the same time as the mitral valve surgery by a procedure called as the maze procedure. Tough treatment for valves is becoming safer and more efficient; prevention is the best way to deal with rheumatic heart disease. It means increased general awareness about the disease among the general public, rigorous screening at schools, particularly in government or municipal schools, and early detection of rheumatic fever.

Source: www.farewelltoarmstee.com

BOOKWORM

Make It

Norbert D’Souza, of the famed Norbert’s Fitness Studio, will take ﬁtness to a whole new level as he releases a well-researched and practical book on exercises, especially authoured and designed for women, upon whom depends the health of a family and society.

A Habit! W

38 Norbert D’Souza

ith weight loss and weight maintenance being the buzz words today, and a relatively miniscule number of gender-specific practical books available on the subject, Norbert decided that the Goan lady populace could do with some informative reading and ‘doing’! This book, aptly titled H.A.B.I.Ts, to describe the areas of bodily concern to a majority of women – Hips, Abdominals, Butt a0.nd Inner Thighs is an interesting and relatively easy guide to help ladies lose weight and ensure that the pounds stay off and DO NOT creep back on. The exercises have been designed keeping in mind the difficulties often faced by first time exercisers, and graduate from the simple to the complex. The selected exercises also do more than merely help dissipate the unwanted fat – they tone up various areas of the body and make sure that the heart, the organ upon which all life depends, is getting a ‘workout’ that will enable it to pump with lesser intensity, and therefore, last longer. This book is, hence, a good buy for anybody looking to live healthy, and is especially designed for ladies who often find it difficult to begin with and stick to a regular exercise routine. The illustrations in the book help make learning the exercise routines easier. The book also includes valuable tips on nutrition which help supplement the weight loss process. And there’s also a very special ULTIMATE BRIDAL WORKOUT as well as tips on WORKING OUT WHEN PREGNANT. In Norbert’s career of more than a decade in the field of fitness, he has noticed that women are extremely conscious about their bodies, age notwithstanding. He has also come to understand that whatever the age, ladies always have more ‘problem areas’ than men when it comes to attaining a slimmer look.

With the men, it is mainly the abdominals and possibly the thighs that worry them. With ladies, however, it is the hips, the abdominals, the butt and the thighs as well as the arms that require slimming and toning. This book is the result of his conversations with these ladies, who have silently cried out for help in assisting them feel beautiful about themselves again. The market is flooded with books on exercise but it is very difficult to find a book explicitly dealing with exercises for the areas of extreme concern for a woman – and the book H.A.B.I.Ts fills up this lacunae. Many people in the fitness field also fail to understand that the exercise needs of women are very different from those of men, and this book further serves to underscore the exclusiveness of a woman’s fitness regimen. Making Goa a healthier and fitter state has always been Norbert’s dream, and by writing this book he hopes to reach out to the masses and educate them about the need to shape and tone their bodies. There is the very well-known saying, “The hand that rocks the cradle, rules the world!” Very true as women, after all, have a very decisive role to play in society – if they begin to feel the need to be healthier and shapelier, very automatically the rest of the family follows and then fitness and health does not become a compulsion but a decision that you make for yourself. And then there is another adage that goes…’Give a man a fish, and feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, and feed him for a lifetime!’ Very true again, because once the ladies have mastered the exercises in this book, there’s no stopping them from doing them for a lifetime! And it is both these sayings that have propelled Norbert to author this book written exclusively for the fairer gender.

GOAN CUISINE A monthly column offering the best of Goan food and drink

Christmas

Goa Portuguesa turns 22!! All Goans get a discount this festive month

Goodies...

Near Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai Ph: 022 24440202

Goa is known for its exciting and thrilling Christmas celebrations. People from all over the world love to celebrate this great season in Goa. So, it is with immense delight I share some of my Goa Portuguesa delicacies this festive season. Merry Christmas!

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

Roast Tu r key

Ingredients

Method Serves 8-10

Beaten rice (fou) Turkey Pepper powder Ginger-garlic paste Sliced onions Sliced tomatoes Chicken stock or water 8 to 9 sauce Chilly-garlic sauce Tomato ketchup Red wine Butter Cloves Cinnamon Refined flour Salt to taste

1 cup (90 grams) 1 whole (3 kgs) 1 tbsp 2 tbsps 5 large 6 large 4 cups ½ cup ¼ cup 1 cup ¾ cup 4 tbsps 8 1 6-inch stick 2 tbsps

TO SERVE etables Boiled veg carrots, r, e w lo (caulif s, French green pea potatoes) d n beans a in butter sautéed ed and slic s boiled egg

Remove the giblets, wash the inside of the turkey and marinate in a mixture of salt, pepper powder and ginger-garlic paste for 30 minutes.

Boil the onions and tomatoes in stock or water in a pan and cook for five minutes until the vegetables soften and turn pulpy. Strain and set aside.

3 4

Mix together the 8 to 9 sauce, the chilli-garlic sauce, tomato ketchup and red wine in a bowl.

Heat half a tablespoon of butter in a pan and stir-fry the cloves and cinnamon. Add two tablespoons of butter and sauté the refined flour until golden brown. Add the onion and tomato mixture and cook for five minutes. Add the sauce mixture and cook for two minutes.

Rub the remaining butter in the cavity and all over the turkey. Roast the turkey in an oven preheated to 2,000 °C for at least two hours, or until cooked and golden brown.

Slice the turkey and serve with the cooked sauce, cooked vegetables and sliced boiled eggs.

X'mas Cake

Ingredients

Refined flour (maida) Fine semolina (rawa) Brown sugar Eggs Butter Rum (optional) Vanilla essence Baking powder Plums Raisins Currants Almonds Mix peel Glazed cherries Powdered nutmeg Lime juice

NOTE nd For soft a as, h fluffy bolin ust be m the batter ferment allowed to eight to for at least urs ten ho

2 /3 cups (350 gms) ½ cup (100 gms) 1 ½ cup (400 gms) 8 400 gms ½ glass (90 ml) 2 tbsps (30 ml) 1tsp 150 gms 150 gms 400 gms 100 gms 150 gms 150 gms 1 tsp 2 tsps

Deseed the plums, raisins and currants and roughly chop them along with the mix peel and glazed cherries. Take a bowl and soak all these chopped ingredients in rum. Cover the bowl and ferment it overnight. Take 500 ml water in a saucepan and boil the currants until the water reduces to one-fourth of the quantity.

3 4 5 6 7

Beat the white and yolk of an egg separately.

Beat the butter and sugar together until it has a creamy texture and add beaten egg yolk to it. Add semolina and refined flour little by little to this mixture and beat well. Add beaten egg white to this mixture and mix well.

Add baking powder and the fermented fruits to this mixture along with the boiled currants, vanilla essence, nutmeg powder, lime juice and chopped almonds.

Ingredients

Take a cake tin and apply butter to the surface and sides, dust some refined flour on the butter and remove the excess flour. Pour the cake mixture and bake it in a pre-heated oven at 230°C for 90 minutes.

Bolinhas

Makes 4 0 cookie s

Coconut Cookies

Ingredients

Grated coconut Fine semolina Egg Butter (solid) Caster sugar Cashew nuts Cardamom powder Salt to taste

½ cup ¾ cup (150 gms) 1 2 tbsps 1 cup (350 gms) 10 ½ teaspoon

Method

Beat the egg until it is light and fluffy and cream the butter. Add egg, semolina, sugar, cashew nuts, cardamom powder and salt and mix well. Set aside to ferment for eight hours.

Serves 6

Layered Biscuit Pudding

Method

Serradura

Add the coconut and mix well. Make lemon-sized balls of the mixture and flatten slightly on your palm. Arrange on a greased baking tray and bake it in a pre-heated oven at 180 °C until light golden brown.

Marie biscuits Sweetened condensed milk Thick cream Butterscotch essence Melted butter Chopped almonds

Method

1 2

200 gms 1 tin (400 gms) 200 ml 2 tsps 2 tbsps 10

Crush the biscuits into small pieces and divide into three portions.

Blend the condensed milk and cream together; add the butterscotch essence and divide into three portions.

Grease the insides of an one-and-a- half litre capacity deep-glass bowl with butter. Layer one portion of the biscuits at the bottom of the bowl. Pour one portion of the cream mixture over it. Repeat this twice.

Decorate the top with almonds, cover and place the bowl in a freezer to set for 60 minutes

Before serving, remove from the freezer and leave to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes for a creamy texture.

HAPPENINGS HAIL ME HEARTIES! ort Aguada – Vivanta by Taj readied itself for one of the most talked about parties in Goa when Goa Times celebrated its 2nd anniversary party. The Times knows when to make the loudest bang and decided to hold its party right in the middle of the IFFI. Film stars, directors, ministers, bureaucrats, politicians, corporates, ad gurus and Goa’s high society came out dressed according to the pirate theme of the day. Sujoy Ghosh, Director of The Times of India, represented the Times management while Shruti Pandit, Editor of Goa Times, played the perfect host. Attendees, however, missed Executive President of The Times of India Group Dr Bhaskar Das.

Pics by John D’Souza

Meghna & Manoj Caculo

Pratapsingh Rane

Atmaram & Sanjot Nadkarni

Nandan Kudchadkar, Nilkanth Harlankar & Sujay Ghosh

Sandhya Gokhale, Samisha Dabholkar, Reema Lagoo & Amol Palyekar

Raja Shukhla, Shruti Pandit & Manish Karapurkar

Rajendra Talak & Priyanka Bidaye

Manguirish & Saawni Pai Raiker with Parvish & Prakash Kamat

Shrinivas Dempo

Suresh Babu, Tony Dias, Sudesh Nagvekar, Nitin Kunkolienkar, Vishwas Naik

Warren, Valanka & Savio Alemao

Sheetal Palan & Akshada Khaunte

Damodar Mauzo

Carlos & Natasha Ferreira

Swapnil Asnodkar

Agnelo & Danny Fernandes

Cicletta Mavany, Sonali Salkar & Gauripriya Kane

Saiesh & Atmaram deshpande

Wendy, Angel & Basilio Soares

Altaf Mawa, Pravin Gosalia, Prashant Joshi & Vijay Mane

Neha & Raj Malhotra

Prajal & Anju Sakhardande

Editor Shruti Pandit with Glenda Fernandes, Sara Pires, Lara Rebello, Udith Golencha, John Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Souza, Krishna Divkar, Nicole Soares & Aileen Carneiro

Maureen & Maendra Alvares

Monty Sally, Alexyz, Prasad & Tarsilia Pankar

Asavari & Nirmal Kulkarni

Sonam Morajkar & Danny Fernandes

Michael Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Costa, Oliver Lesly, Ajit Singbal & Vikesh Wallia

Monica, Lalitha and Sujai Joshi

Pankaj & Megha Kanodia

Urvija & Harsh Bhatkuley with Satyen Keny

Sanjay Shetye

Asha & Amol Arondeker

Nilesh & Kushi Dawda

Nilanjan Bhowmick

Bina Ramani

Ravi Carvalho & Sankalp Chandelkar

ON THE RUN harity Chase C Goa 2010, a run to create AIDS

48 Col. Rajeev Vasandani, Com. Roshan Raghvan, Samir Raikar, Cheryl Almeida & Francisco Clement

Sharnifa da Costa

Malissa Simoes

Manguesh Karekar

Abhijeet Salkar, Stanley Pereira, Rakesh Unny, Nayantara Lima Leitao, Jaya Kulkarni, Ajay & Usha Sood, Christopher Dourado

awareness was held recently. Around 200 people participated to raise awareness in the state. General Sunit Rodricks flagged off the10 km run at Caranzalem junction, which went on to Goa University, Bambolim and returned to Taleigao grounds. The event was organised by DND events and sponsored by Goa Tourism, ESG and Kingfisher. VIVA GOA was the Media Partner in this noble venture.

HAPPENINGS CONGRATULATIONS

WENDELL! t was a celebration to mark a milestone and the start of a new journey. Goa’s high society congratulated Wendell Rodricks on twenty years of the Wendell Rodricks label while enjoying the perfect evening out at the launch of the Goa Marriott Resort’s new BBQ destination Simply Grills. Jerome Marrell welcomed their guests and made everyone feel comfortable. Wendell thanked all the friends who made his new Kunbi collection a success at the Lakme India Fashion Week and gave credit to Goa for his fame. “Goa was the biggest part of my journey. I appreciate all Goans who appreciate all I do”, he said. “I have kept using items from Goa which made a unique fashion statement in the world. Thanks to Goa I am catapulted into the national and international spotlight.”

Wendell Rodricks & Charmaine Shackleton

Dattaraj Salgaocar & Pratapsingh Rane

Dipti Salgaocar & Vijayadevi Rane

Jerome Marrell

Pics by Edric George

Divya & Vishwajit Rane

Pavithran Nambiar

Alexio Sequeira

Mario Miranda

Anna Nambiar & Samira Sheth

Ralf & Carolina de Souza, Vivek Braganza

Raul Miranda, Amelita Dias & Kiran Shetty

Prashanti Talpankar & Sandesh Prabhudesai

Charmaine, Elaine & Oscar De Lima

Fatima Gracias, Marlene Meneses & Tagore Gracias

HAPPENINGS LIVE IT UP AT CLUB FRESH!

Ramakant Khalap

Dr Dubhashi & Pinky Lawande

Agnel Fernandes & Sunil Chawla

Arvind Gawas

Anushka Singh, Chetan Timblo, Nidhi & Oscar Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Lima

ip and contemporary, Club Fresh H was launched last month in Candolim. White was the dress code for the night, in line with the clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all-white theme. Aerial acrobats and fire dancers entertained the guests, while DJs Anil Chawla and Dale Anderson kept the crowd grooving through the night. Jointly owned by MLA of Calangute and Chairman of EDC Agnelo Fernandes and Sunil Chawla, Club Fresh promises to be the next best thing Goa has to offer.

Allwyn, Lionel, Sinead McManus & Amit

Ramesh Sundarmurthi & Suraj Morajkar

Pics by Edric George

Elena Starkova & Shailendra Singh

Serge Lozano

Michelle Meisuria, Anna Hawkins & Alexis Collins

Dinesh Shirodkar

Maneck Contractor

Reshma Alves

Ravi Chawla

HAPPENINGS SAGRES AHOY!

Ambassador Luis Castro Mendes & Margarida Barahona

Commander Luis Pedro Pinto Proenca Mendes

NRP Sagres RP Sagres received a rousing N welcome in Goa when it docked at Mormugao on the penultimate leg of its journey around the world. The Portuguese naval training ship marked the end of its five days in Goa with a lively party celebrating all that is Portuguese. Traditional Portuguese dishes including bacalhao (codfish) and pastel de nata, a custard tart sprinkled with cinnamon, were among the hot favourites on the table. The Portuguese ambassador to India Luis Castro Mendes, the Portuguese Consul General Dr Antonio Costa and the commanding officer of the Sagres Commander Luis Pedro Proenca Mendes greeted all the guests individually. Pics by Edric George

Emiliano Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Cruz & Chico Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Lima

Anil Counto, Dr Antonio Costa and Ramnath Kare

Alexyz Fernandes

Columba & Francisco Sardinha

Cheryl Colaco, Faria Mesquita, Louella Colaco & Anand Colaco

Poonam Kochhar, Anju Mathur, Rama Pillai, Admiral Sudhir Pillai, Vito Gomes & Prashant Mathur

Thomas & Lilia Menezes

Amy Ginsburg & Dr Subodh Kerkar

Vasanth & Anuradha Wagle, Delfim da Correa Silva & Joao Menezes de Aguiar

BIZ NOTES

When the Travel Bug Bites…

Air India general manager K D Row releases the new brochure at the Dempo Travel office in Mumbai. Shrinivas Dempo, Dileep Kulkarni and Gurmeet Hans look on

Take a Break with Dempo Holidays Fancy a trip to the US, without the hassle? The solution – Dempo Holidays provides ample features that make ﬁnding your perfect getaway trouble-free...

merica is more than bikini-clad babes and burger joints. Hop on a cruise to see the Statue of Liberty in New York or catch a helicopter ride and be dazzled by Las Vegas by night or a guided tour of the Grand Canyon. Take your pick of what Dempo Holidays has in store for you. The most recent brand of Dempo Travels, part of one of the largest business conglomerates in the state, the Dempo Group of Companies, Dempo Holidays launched last month in handles both domestic and international tours including group as well a FITs (Fixed Itinerary Tours). Along with the launch, Air India GM K D Row inaugurated its Mumbai branch office at Moti Mahal in Churchgate. Shrinivas Dempo, chairman and MD of Dempo Group said, “A lot of hard work, research and planning has gone into this new initiative. I am certain that under the leadership of Dileep Kulkarni, its president, the company is bound to achieve the Rs 300 crore plus sales target within the next three years.” Dempo Travels aims to rank among the country’s top economical and efficient tour operators. Currently, it offers the cheapest package tours to the Far East, Dubai, Australia and New Zealand in comparison to other tour operators in the state. For instance, an all-round trip booked through Dempo Travels would cost a customer twenty-five percent less including tax, than other agencies.

By March 2011, travellers can avail of their USA Tours for both individuals and families (in groups). To assist with this, the parent company Dempo Travels has recently purchased an American tour company ANK Tours based in Orlando and New York, thus making Dempo Travels the only tour operator from India to have their own in-bound operations in the US, augmenting its personalised services to its clientele. Planning a vacation can be overwhelming with so many decisions to make including where, for how long, when, what activities and how much. It’s reassuring to know that Dempo Holidays simplify the entire process so that planning and booking your trip is enjoyable and exciting. With offices in Goa, Mumbai, the USA and its other branches in Delhi and Bangalore opening shortly, the tour company has a thorough knowledge of the area the passenger wishes to travel to. It provides handy travel information such as particulars on flight timings, pick-up transfers, hotels, in addition to advice on the best time of the year to travel, and tips on clothing and shopping. Tips on how to travel on your own during leisure time and visa assistance are also included. So don’t let the perfect holiday pass you by – start booking your trip. Sit back and let Dempo Holidays select the ideal package for you and your family.

Chintamanis’ Bridal Show

umbai’s leading jeweller Chintamanis has showcased its new designs to Goans during a Bridal Show in Margao and Panaji. The special bridal jewellery expo boasted exclusive designer diamond bridal necklaces, kangans and maang tika on display at Nanutel in Margao on November 27 and 28, and November 30 and December 1 at Hotel Mandovi in Panaji. Kundan and polki bridal jewellery were also featured. It was the first time the jeweller showcased exclusive bridal jewellery for its patrons in Goa. Owner Chintamani Kaigaonkar says, “I am most happy with the response in Goa. For the first time, we got some exclusive clientele.” Chintamanis also launched its temple jewellery collection for the first time during the exhibitions.

Jewellery house Chintamanis had a successful exhibition in Goa in November

KFC OPENS FIRST OUTLET IN THE STATE Food chain Kentucky Fried Chicken opened its first outlet in Goa at Panaji

entucky Fried Chicken (KFC) recently opened its first outlet in Goa at Caculo Mall in Panaji. The restaurant offers an extensive menu consisting of international favourites like the Zinger Burger, the Chicken Bucket, the Toasted Twister and Hot Wings. Vegetarian options are also available, along with a range of beverages and Krushers. Speaking at the launch, Unnant Varma, director marketing, Yum! Restaurants India – KFC said, “It gives us immense pleasure to present the people of Goa with our amazing products marked by unmatched taste. The launch in the city illustrates our commitment towards bringing the internationally-loved KFC flavours to more and more consumers in the country. The outlet represents a milestone in our expansion strategy in the region.” The restaurant seats 132 people and is open from 11 am to 11 pm daily. In India, KFC has 86 outlets across 16 cities.

VIVA GOA DIARY

Goan spiritual artist receives international acclaim

dayraj Gadnis, India’s renowned spiritual artist was chosen from among U 152 international jewellery designers to

fashion a diamond that resembles the image of Lord Ganesha. Mined from South Africa, the piece of jewellery, named Vilas Ganapati, is a 119-carat pure blue diamond shaped like a Ganapati. It is enclosed in a gold locket, along with a painting in semi-precious stones and is owned by Rosy Blue, one of the most renowned diamond and jewellery companies in the world. Proud of his Goan roots, Udayraj says,

“As a child, I loved to spend vacations at my grandparents’ house in Margao. Such experiences enriched my divine inspiration to create great works of art for the world.” A work in progress for three years, Udayraj brought out the latent Ganapati shape. It went on auction last month at the Palace of Westminster in the UK to help raise funds for children in Africa. Udayraj has previously created spiritual-themed jewellery for major brands like Inter Gold India, presently known as ORRA and Hammer Plus, Germany.

VIVIAN RICHARDS and JONTY RHODES visit Goa stall at World Travel Mart in London

The Goa Tourism stall at the world’s largest tourism event, the World Travel Mart (WTM) in London, attracted celebrities like former Test cricketers Vivian Richards and Jonty Rhodes. The Tourism Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar and the Director of Tourism Swapnil Naik briefed them about the state and invited them to Goa

PANDIYAN TAKES OVER AS NEW MPT CHAIRMAN

Mara Pandiyan, IAS, took over as the new chairman of Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) on December 6. The 1984 batch IAS officer was earlier Principal Secretary, Taxes, Government of Kerala. Mr Pandiyan has had a long and distinguished service in the IAS and served as Assistant Accountant General for nearly a year before joining the IAS. He has the rare distinction and honour of being the longest serving Principal Secretary, Taxes Department, which includes Commercial Tax Department, Registration Department, Lottery Department and Excise Department, Government of Kerala. All major revenues to the government were handled by him. During the same period, he also held the additional charge of Commissioner of Commercial Tax Department for about two years. Mr Pandiyan introduced a number of initiatives as Principal Secretary, for which he received three prestigious national awards – the e-India award, the Computer Society of India award and the Government of Kerala award for outstanding contribution to ensure transparency in public administration. During his long tenure in the IAS, Mr Pandiyan has worked in different capacities, including in Kerala’s Palakkad district in the tribal area of Attappady. He was chosen for the highly motivated assignment and posted to work in the most backward tribal area for two years. He has undertaken the construction of houses, roads and

schools for the tribals with the help of tribal beneficiaries. Besides this, he has worked as General Manager in the Civil Supplies Corporation and later as District Collector and Secretary of Schools Education Department. Mr Pandiyan has also served on central deputation with the Ministry of Textiles as the General Manager of Handicraft and Handloom Export Corporation of India, based in Chennai.

Indian Music Conference rocks Goa R esort Rio played host to more than 150 global artists when they descended on Goa for the Indian Music Conference (IMC) 2010. From November 17-20, the sounds of genres including funk, techno, house, trance, hip hop and rock played out across the state. With their motto of “Listen, learn, network, collaborate”, the organisers got a whole lot of youngsters interacting with the best of industry gurus, learning tips and tricks on instruments, writing songs and creating ‘sound’ music productions. IMC head Salama Yamini said, “The highlight of our event was the networking opportunity offered to the players of the music industry, like music producers, record label producers, music directors, music magazine editors, musicians and instrument manufacturers.” Surviving a few fits and starts, including

a couple of cancelled concerts, New Delhibased organisers Spotlight Events achieved their aim of bringing music maniacs together and creating a platform to showcase a variety of genres. Artists from across the world jammed and exchanged notes on the constantly changing music scene in India. The IMC kickstarted with the Sun Downer Act, which included performances by bands including BLOT, Thermal And A Quarter, One Tribe, Bandish, Mrigya, Pink Noise and Parikrama. DJs Barkha, Shubh and Smitz among others gave Goa some ear-shattering performances. Over the next few days, delegates had the opportunity to listen to India’s spin doctor DJ Aqeel, along with Kohra, Aar, Peter Samuels and Nishant Technoboy. Fresh talent also got on the starting blocks to showcase their talent.

Source: zzsounds.com

63 Key note speakers including Rajeetha of Universal Records, Bobin James of Rolling Stones, Saga Bloom of Seven Star Music group, music journalist Margott Bigg, artist manager Subir Malik of Parikrama, Sahil Mahkhija of Demonstealer Records and Clyde Godlieb of Seven Star Music label.

O MARIA DEBUT AT IFFI

Annual event for children with cancer

he Indian Medical Association (IMA) – Goa state branch recently organised the third annual event for cancer-stricken Tchildren at the Kala Academy in Panaji.

oan film maker Rajendra Talak’s film, O Maria was screened under the Indian Premiere section during the 41st IFFI. “My new film is about Goa’s changing situation, degeneration, decline in culture, heritage and poses the question of who is to blame for it. Is it Goans who should share the blame or the outsiders who should be held responsible for the predicament of this tiny coastal state?” explained Talak. O Maria is Talak’s fourth film to be premiered at the film festival, the others being, Alisha premiered in 2004, Antarnad in 2006 and Sawariya.com in 2008. The film was shot in Goa and internationally acclaimed musician Remo Fernandes composed the music for the film. O Maria, to be released on December 19, features Shernaz Patel, Sulabha Arya, Kevin D’Mello, Rosefern, Meenacshi Martins, Aryan Khedekar, Tiku Talsania and John D’Silva.

Cake mixing sets the mood for Christmas

Around 40 children in the age group of eight to 21 years, from all over India, who were treated at Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai, were accompanied by their parents to Goa. Dr Shekar Salkar, Goa’s well-known oncosurgeon who co-organised the event said, “These children have been suffering for two or three years. Chemotherapy is a difficult experience to undergo at any age and more so when you are young. So, we thought we would give them an outing to forget their suffering.” IMA organised an entertainment programme that included antakshri, solo dancing and a wushu demo by the India Wushu Association in collaboration with the Wushu Association of Goa.

he Goa Marriott hosted their annual Christmas cake mixing ceremony in November. Chef Ajay Chopra and his team enthusiastically conducted the whole ritual which turned out to be a fun-filled affair. The hundred kilogram cake mixture included ten varieties of nuts and dry fruits and

aromatic Indian spices soaked with liquor. The invitees participated in the age old tradition of cake mixing in the spirit of the festive season. The traditional cake mixing ceremony starts before Christmas and is considered to be an usher for good tidings and happiness.

VIVA GOA SPOTLIGHT Focusing on Goan Achievers

Nhehern Acharya

t the age of seven, Nhehern Acharya set out on his journey in yoga. By eight he entered his first competition and since then there has been no looking back. Trained by his father Navin, a world yogasana champion 20 years ago, Nhehern, recently represented India in the 19th World Yoga Championship organised by the International Federation of Yoga held in Argentina. The 13-year-old walked away with four gold medals in athletic yoga, yogasana, artistic yoga and yoga dance. And a bronze in the race for the championship title. A student of Dr K B Hedgewar High School, Panaji, Nhehern’s interest in yoga developed when his mother Pooja showed him pictures of his father winning medals and performing difficult postures. The supple and athletic yogi unwinds with VIVA GOA

To you, yoga is… A sport which has given me good health and exposure. Your motivation to practice yoga… Do your best and forget the rest.

The first yoga posture you learnt… Padmasana, the lotus pose.

Your favourite yoga posture… Kandasana, one of the most complicated postures. The trickiest yoga position… Poorna Natrajasana.

Pre-competition jitters are kept in check by… Sticking to my schedule and working hard under the guidance of my father. The silliest question someone has asked you about yoga… Although I am still at the learning stage, people ask me whether I conduct any camps. Besides yoga, you enjoy… Drawing, playing games, reading, skating, cycling and watching TV.

Your thoughts on entering reality TV shows like India’s Got Talent… As I don’t practice yoga for entertainment or money, I would never consider entering a reality TV show. However, it’s a different case if it’s for creating awareness about yoga.